Clash of the swords
Chapter Three: Restrained from your Presence
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, or Sesshoumaru, or anyone from the anime or manga entitled Inuyasha.
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His auburn eyes narrowed, the depth of them hardening. His brows were burrowed, though his face was untouched by true emotion. His bangs shadowed his eyes from the wandering glares directed at him, in which he took no notice. The strands of his hair quieted after the squabble the wind had generated, the locks of hair falling down his back, knots unknown. His swords had banged together harshly, loud 'clang' noises arousing.
Groans from youkai had tormented the air, but this was no matter to the great demon lord. Though their cries threatened to force pain onto the inu youkai, his eyes were fixed on one thing, and would not be diverted. And of course, with his blades dangling from his waist, he would not be taken down easily, so if a wandering demon wished a fight from the lord Sesshoumaru, a great deal of blood would be dealt on their part.
The tree before Sesshoumaru's eyes grimaced, as the wind thrusted itself into his bark. It calmed itself; it's eyes falling closed. The tree seemed to be relieving itself of the inu youkai's presence, but that would not do well, with someone such as Sesshoumaru. It was clear the inu youkai was threatening, but not enough to kill the tree without an answer.
"Bokusenou." The words slipped coldly from Sesshoumaru's mouth, the words bringing a chill to the atmosphere. The tree, (if it were physically possible,) nodded it's head in acknowledgement, waiting patiently for the inu youkai to release his matter. "I came to you, not long ago, looking for a way to strengthen the Toukijin, and if possible, the Tenseiga." His eyes narrowed, his senses fully aware that outside ears listened intently. "You knew not of the Toukijin and it's ways, but gave me a clear description of the Tenseiga, and powering it.
"You told me to kill one of pure nature, who was not corrupted. Once I had defeated them, and stood over their slain body, the Tenseiga would withdraw the pure isoul of the target. However, you were merely toying with me.
"The Tenseiga is a sword of healing, so it is not logical for a sword such as this," the inu youkai brandished the Tenseiga, a blue aura illuminating in the dark, once it's presence was known. "To use the souls of the dead to grow stronger.
"I stood before my target, a young female miko, one of pure intentions, and pure of heart. I did not realize my stupidity, falling for your lie, until I'd stood before her, glancing at her, eye to eye. The Tenseiga had begun pulsing, it's vibe that of a warning.
"So I ask you, what did you intend with such a bold lie as this, with this great Sesshoumaru?" He eyed the tree, a spiteful and bitter look overtaking his emotions.
The tree gave a chuckle; it's leaves shaking off the branches. "You asked me how to power the healing sword of wisdom, and I gave you an answer. All you had to do was figure it out. When you spared the woman, it was simply out of love, for your knowledge only extended to the point in assuming the Tenseiga would be powered by killing her. But you spared her, and because of the love you showed, it powered the Tenseiga.
"If you've drawn the Tenseiga recently, you should notice it is mildly stronger, for you powered it by a sparing someone when you knew you could have killed them.
"So I ask you, why did you spare her?" The tree eyed the youkai, as if peering through his very flesh. Sesshoumaru merely grunted, this eyes falling slowly off the tree.
"I knew you'd lied to me."
"Be that so, why would you venture so far just to kill her?" Bokusenou's words filled the air, drifting through the wind. An awkward silence fell over the two, the crickets being the only one to release sound into the air.
"Are we going to see Kagome-chan?" The words slipped through Sesshoumaru's mind, the voice of his young companion filled with that of happiness.
"She likes that miko almost like a sister, but they are never together. When I look at that girl, I get the same vibe that I get from my own companion, they even look alike. Killing her would cause my conscience grief, for I'd know I'd be killing part of Rin." With the final words slipping from his tongue, he sheathed his Tenseiga, and turned his back to Bokusenou.
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The fire that loomed over the village had slowly been put out, after tireless attempts of destroying it. The villagers looked in depression, only to see their houses in pieces on the ground. They were fortunate that none of them were injured, but it never occured to them the value of their life at this time. Their homes were the essential worry, which the houshi found ridiculous.
"These people appear not as thankful as they should be that their souls remained bound to earth." Miroku sighed. "For if any of us had died, I know I wouldn't be able to have you, my dear Sango." And with those final words, his hand lingered by Sango's butt, and groped it against her will.
"You lech!" She cried out, swatting him on the head with her hiraikotsu. "You truly do not know when and when not to do those kinds of things!"
"Then I ask you, when is the right time to 'do those kinds of things'?" He gave her a warm smile, but she did not return it. Her face was covered in frustration; her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, for she realized her tongue had slipped and had let out the wrong meaning.
"Just shut it, would you?"
Kagome's eyes were once fixated on her two friends bickering, but soon strayed off to the lone hanyou, peering into the sky. She walked herself to his side, eyeing him. He knew she was there, but did not take the time to remind himself of her presence.
"Inuyasha..." His eyes strayed from the sky, to Kagome's eyes, peering into his. His mouth opened, but no words were released. He was stripped of what he'd wanted to say, how he wanted to reassure her he was okay.
"Are you doing alright, Inuyasha?" Her face was filled with worry, her eyes only giving a saddened look.
"I'm fine, Kagome. It was truly nothing."
"You couldn't hear me, could you?" His ears perked up, his hair falling down his back, as the wind swayed into the two of them. They eyed off into the ground, a moment of silence peaking it's head.
"Hear you..?" His words were soft, but did not struggle with meaning. Her arm that once lingered by her side, wrapped itself around Inuyasha's arm. She leaned her body against his, her breathing calm.
"I called you, I was worried, but you didn't answer. You were entranced by something, and only stood there, staring into who knows what. I called you repeatedly, and then you let out 'father,' and you snapped out of whatever you were seeing." His eyes widened, the thoughts running vividly through his mind. He was completely unaware of his shouting of the word 'father.' "Inuyasha," She said, running her hand over his. "May I ask what you saw?"
Miroku and Sango's eyes shot to Kagome with her hand over Inuyasha's, the two leaning against each other.
"Kagome-chan..." Sango whispered to herself.
"So cute!" The fox piped up, a grin spreading over his face. "I wonder what they're talking about..." This sentence triggered Sango and Miroku to slid into a nearby bush, close enough to hear in on their friends.
"It was just a memory, I guess." Inuyasha said bluntly. "Just... I just remember my father... I saw him..." The hanyou's voice trailed off, his grip on Kagome's hand tightening. "Die." Her eyes widened, her jaw falling open.
"I'm sorry, Inuyasha." She stuttered.
"I was with my mom, I was a baby, and she was embracing me, the warmth of her body soothing to anyone. My father was protecting of from Takemaru, a past love of my mother. He told her to run, to leave him to fight that pathetic human.
"She ran, the building collapsing behind her. I saw the flames engulf my father; I saw him-" He frowned, directing his eyes to the ground. His tongue would not allow more, for his lungs wheezed to rest.
Sango's jaw fell open, her eyes layering themselves in sheets of water. Miroku simply closed his eyes, for he knew Inuyasha's pain. The houshi had watched his father be devoured by the curse implanted on his palm, watched him be destroyed, and not have been able to even help him.
Miroku pushed himself up from the ground, leaving Sango and Shippou staring blankly at him. These memories of Inuyasha's had only dived him into the thoughts of seeing his father die, his mind reliving it.
"Father.." His words echoed through his mind, his body carrying him into the middle of the destroyed village, fog spreading around the area. The monk became out of sight to Sango and Shippou, their eyes longing after him.
"What's got him all down all of a sudden? He's not one to give into hysterics, just listening to another's story." Shippou noted. Sango's mouth did not move, her eyes entrancing her on the spot where she'd last seen Miroku. Her hair pushed itself behind her, her bangs folding around her ears from the force of the wind.
"I'm sorry Inuyasha." The miko said weakly, embracing the hanyou.
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The young girl had dozed off, her head cushioned by the youkai, Ah-un. She was poorly guarded by her companion, Jaken, for he was also reaching sleep. His eyes drooped, he duties being the only thing clinging him to consciousness. You have well called him asleep, until his master emerged from beyond the trees.
"S-Sesshoumaru-sama!" The toad bolted upright, his eyes snapping open. Rin awoke slowly, unlike Jaken. She pulled a yawn from herself, and tilted her head to see her master.
"Sesshoumaru-sama." She said weakly, her urge to sleep overtaking her.
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Sorry that this chapter was a little shorter then the norm, but I myself am tired. Please review and give suggestions! Also, I'd like to thank my reviewers for reviewing! n.n I truly appreciate it. Chapter four coming soon! Hopefully it will make up for this one.