Disclaimer/Notes: I don't own the characters of Inuyasha, but I do own this story. Also, the women with Rin at the start of the story is mine. I made her up. Note that in this story Sesshomaru has two arms. Throughout the story, you will hear the characters thoughts.
' ' thoughts. I'll italize these.
( ) character's conscience. They are within the thoughts making them italized. Sesshomaru has these a lot. A nice one and a mean one.
When the mysterious voice speaks to Sesshomaru the words become bold. All apologizes for misspelling and punctuation errors.
Haunted
Chapter One - "The Lifespan of a Flower"
The young girl ventures into the forest, her mid-length black hair chases after her as she runs past the rays of the sunlight. Over the wind she can hear a enchanting melody that echoes throughout the trees, leading her to a clearing, which opens up into a field of flowers. Her brown eyes begin to light up at the significant sight. "Where has that bothersome child wandered off to?" Jaken thinks out loud, not realizing his voice was carried off to the ears of the Demon Lord. "It would appear, she has ventured into the Unwavering Forest." Sesshomaru answered. His calm, amber eyes scrolling past the kappa youkai and into the gathering of trees. "Oh, if only Lord Sesshomaru were here to see this!" Rin exclaimed, picking up a lily and spinning around in a dreamy state. 'I know my Lord will never come to see; so I'll pick him flowers!' As she kneeled down on the grass, letting her petite hands reach for a tulip. She felt the presence of another behind her. "Lord Sesshomaru!" She cried out happily, turning around like a flash of light. But not the form of her Lord was in front of her. Instead it was a beautiful woman who's pale skin seemed to radiate in the sunlight. Her wavy, white hair traveled past her waist and fell in front of her body. It almost seemed like a shield to protect her from harm. The women's heart-shaped lips curved up into a warm smile directed at the small child. "Are these your flowers, miss?" Rin questioned, giving her usual snaggletoothed grin after she said the last words. The elegant women's eyes fell upon the flowers, she still continued to smile. Rin raised her nose to the air, letting the scent of the women intoxicate her senses. She had never smelled anything so heavenly in her life. The exquisite lady held in the aroma of newly budded spring flowers, fresh made nectar, and ginger. 'And I thought my Lord's smell was above all. Is it possible to smell so good?'
"The flowers belong to the forest, I only watch over them, Rin."
"How did you know my name?" The girl blurted out, her childish voice rising high in the sky. The guardian of the forest beamed a simple smile, motioning for Rin to come to her side. Rin without hesitation obeyed, running to the lady. Her brown eyes catching note of the eyes the guardian possessed. One was a deep pink color and the other was yellow. They held a great power within. A power that seemed to wish to break free. Rin couldn't stop herself from grinning. She was simply astonished. Never before had she seen anyone like her, it almost felt like a dream. The woman cupped her hand around Rin's ear, pressed her lips to her thumbs (A/N: The lady is pressing her lips to her own thumbs not to Rin's.) and whispered, "The flowers told me who you were before you came here." Rin drew back, her eyes lighting up in a childish awe. "Really?!" The women nodded, "Even if you can't hear them, Rin. It doesn't mean they don't speak. The flowers only wish you would speak back to them. If you can grant them that one wish, you will make them smile till the end of time." Her eyes seemed to twinkle as she spoke the words. Rin gave a small nod, feeling her soul being swept up in the lady's strange aurora. The aurora seemed to sweep throughout the area and engulf Rin inside giving her the feeling of protection and love from a motherly nature. "Someone as precious as you always needs to feel special." The guardian said as she grabbed the top of Rin's hand pressing it to the ground. Tiny flowers began to sprout where the child's hand laid. "Did I do that?" Rin almost shouted. She was so excited she could barely suppress it. The women nodded, "Never forget the power you hold, Rin. Lord Sesshomaru cares for you very much, even if he does not show it. You, yourself, and Sesshomaru are much like the nature of the flower and the sun. If the sun was to stop shining the flower would wilt and die. To Sesshomaru, you are the sun, and he is the flower. Always shine for him, okay, Rin?" Rin nodded, her eyes coated with pure happiness. The kind many spend their life's searching for and never find. "He's coming for you, Rin. Promise me, you will always shine for him."
"I promise."
"And one last thing." The guardian added. "Close your eyes and put your hand out." Rin immediately did as she was told. The maiden graced her palm against Rin's hand, stepping back after she had touched the youth's flesh. "Open your eyes." The child's bright, brown eyes fell upon a large, red rose embedded in the palm of her hand. "Thank you, kind lady!" Rin chirped as she waved good-bye to the women who began to walk away. "Who are you talking to, Rin?" Sesshomaru's voice asked, his emotionless face examining the small child. "Lord!" She cried out racing to his side, her hand closing against the rose so she wouldn't drop it. "Look, Lord Sesshomaru! The pretty women gave it to me!" She exclaimed, shoving her tiny hands up in the air, so he could see. Sesshomaru glared down at the large rose, his amber eyes, softening abit. He took up the rose in his large, clawed hand being careful not to cut the child with his nails. The rose he was presented from Rin was indeed very beautiful. Although, he wouldn't ever allow himself to tell her that. Even if a diminutive part of himself wanted to. Then again, that part itself was about the size of a grain of salt. He knew it was always better to just say nothing then to get involved with such useless matters. "I want you to have it, my lord." Sesshomaru continued to stare at the rose for a moment before his eyes met Rins. He hated to admit he was growing so fond of the human girl but he couldn't deny it. Even if he wanted to. She was always so caring to him. It almost made him feel bad for not being able to return it to her. Perhaps, this time he could, at least, bless her with a bit of kindness. He hesitated for a second before finally uttering the words. "Rin, thank you." The slight warmth of the words made him feel uneasy and slightly agitated with himself for having said them. Her pudgy, little cheeks turned a bright crimson color at her master's unusual words. She looked down, shyly. "Your welcome." Rin began to leave the clearing to meet up with Jaken when Sesshomaru turned around.
His eyes fixating on a women out in the distance, who was obviously facing him. Her voice traveled from across the forest and whispered to him from a nearby tree. "Protect the child with your life. Someone so precious is not meant to fall, but it would seem you already know this, Lord Sesshomaru." She gave the dog demon a respectful bow before fading away into the trees. Sesshomaru stood there, letting the wind blow his silver hair away from his face. His eyes gleamed on the spot where the pesky women once stood. 'Who is this mysterious women? Why is she meddling in my affairs; sending out commands to me? Pretending to concern herself with something that does not involve her. Who does she think she is speaking to?' Sesshomaru mentally scowled himself for getting so worked up over such trivial matters but something in the back of his mind was troubling him. What could it be? Before he walked away, he sent the area where the women once stood one of his most scornful looks. That would teach her to be bothersome. As he began to follow after Rin he stopped dead in his tracks quickly realizing the women had heard him speaking to Rin. She had heard him say thank you.
----------------------------------------- S A N G O ' S P O V -----------------------------------------
The sky was dark, almost heavy on the ground. The wind washed away the loneliness you get on rainy days, but my loneliness was unbearable. Nothing could save me now. I was drifting fast drowning in the only thing I had left. My sorrow. It had been a week since I lost my mother. She had died so suddenly I knew that there was nothing I could have done to prevent it from happening. It killed me inside to know that. To know, how weak I truly was in this world. A world where I was powerless to stop time. I always tried to block out what happened because I hated remembering it. I wanted to forget it forever, but it was always fresh in my mind. Like a cancer eating away at me and it would continue to eat away everything inside until nothing remained. I wouldn't let that happen. I had to fight. I had to be strong. Strong for my little brother who grew sadder each passing day. "Please tell me this is a dream!" Kohaku had cried out but that wasn't so.
It only seemed to get colder the further I walked. I pulled my coat closer to my body. Maybe it wasn't because of the cold. Perhaps, it was because I needed to reach out. To touch, to feel, something... anything that was real. Yet, this was real. Everything that surrounded me was part of it. It was reality. My reality.
That day when I arrived at school everyone looked at me different. Did they all know? "Hey, Sango. I'm so sorry about your mother." I heard someone say. I spun around facing the person the voice had come from. Did I know her? She seemed so familiar almost like I had dreamed her up and was meeting her for the first time. She looked back at me. Her soft, brown eyes shining with concern. "Um, thank you." I mumbled finally finding my voice. She gave me a small smile. Her raven, black hair was pulled back in a high ponytail. On the slightest move her hair would bounce. "I'm Kagome Higurashi. I know we've never fully met before, but I've seen you around." I gave a half nod slightly annoyed. I understood she was only trying to be nice but pity never set well in my mind. I wanted to tell her not to waste her sympathy on me because I had no use for it. But I didn't want to be rude. "If there's anything you need... I'm here. Okay?"
"Sure, thanks, Kagome." I didn't even bother smiling at her as I turned to walk away. Nor did I say good-bye. Although, something about Kagome was bothering me. I just knew I had seen her somewhere before. And I know it wasn't at school or in a dream! It was almost like I had a memory of her. A memory that was triggered as soon as she talked to me. I shook the thoughts away, passing them off as nothing important. I really just hoped the rest of my day wasn't like this. All of this really made me feel worse...
----------------------------------------- S E S S H O M A R U ' S D R E A M -----------------------------------------
'I want to let go. (Just let go) I want to give myself to her. (Then, do it) Entirely. This love... my love for her. It keeps building up within me like puddles after a rainstorm. Trickling down and spreading like flames to a lighted match. I can feel it weighing down on me, pressing me further in. Soon I'll be completely gone. Lost in my heart searching for her. When did it come to this? Why can't I just tell her how I feel? Why can't I show it? I guess I'm not as strong as I thought I was. All these years... was it all fake? Why am I so afraid to let go? Is this really who I am? Am I really meant to be this emotionless? This lost within? Has my fate really chosen this path for me? The path of being incapable of loving. No, that's not it because I can feel it burning inside my heart... telling me that.... I love Sango.'
"Don't you ever get scared, Sesshomaru?" Sango inquired breaking away my thoughts. I hesitated at the question letting a long silence fill the hot afternoon air. 'As if I would ever tell her I ever got scared. I had came quite close to death many times, yet I was never afraid. Infact, as I think back, I've never feared anything. Hm. It never phased me. Not even once that I might be breathing my last breath. I guess I really do break the mold. I'm not afraid to die and knowing that makes life much more pleasing. But on the contrary, it seems as I begin to go through life living with these lovable humans I do fear losing them. What is it about them? It's almost as if I'm under some strange spell. As if the only care I have is only for them... Rin and Sango. (You are unworthy with your lustful feelings for a human. Who are you anymore? You're not Sesshomaru. You've become as low as that half-breed brother of yours.. Inuyasha. The half-breed with the filthy, human blood. Don't you see it? You are becoming him. You are becoming what you hate.) Silence! (You know I'm right) Just go away, I have not the time for you.'
"So you're going to ignore me, then?" I turned around facing the human girl. My agitation probley showed in my eyes. Not because of her because of that damn voice. "Don't you ever get scared, Sango?" I mocked her because I had no idea what to say back to her. I didn't want her to think I was ignoring her, afterall. She looked down, her brown eyes focusing on the dead cherry blossoms that lay scattered around the ground. "Sometimes. But I just look to you." She replied back, her voice coming out barely above a whisper. Almost as if she was shy over the matter. I decided to further her explanation. "Explain." I responded quickly keeping a bored expression on my face. "Uh, well." Her face was beginning to turn a light crimson shade. I didn't have to see her face to smell her embarrassment. "It's just, if I know your by my side protecting me. I know I'll be safe."
"Is that so...?" I asked coolly, narrowing my amber eyes on her perfectly sculptured body. Just seeing and sensing her venerability made my heart beat faster. I think even my knees were getting weaker. Feeling my eyes on her she looked up, staring at me deeply. Almost as if she was looking right through me. I couldn't read her emotions, and I couldn't see any explanation of the way she felt in her brown eyes. She was clearly unreadable and it drove me crazy. "I'm afraid it is." We stared at each other for a long time after she had spoke the words. I wanted to look away, infact, I forced myself to but I couldn't. I was powerless like a moth caught in the headlights of a moving car.
"It's pathetic, isn't it?"
"What is?"
"I have to rely on you to protect me. Someone who doesn't even like me."
"Don't say that."
"But it's true." She said dryly, finally taking her gaze off of me onto something in the distance. "If I didn't like you. Why would I protect you?"
"You protect me because you are forced to do so. You didn't choose this with your own free will." Without thinking my emotions took over. I couldn't stand to see her upset over me. I rushed over to her grabbing onto her delicate hands rather forcefully. I heard her release a barely audible moan. Only someone with excellent hearing could have heard it. The moan was not one of pleasure but of pain. I felt so stupid for doing it, but I wasn't used to touching females. It was only natural I would grab onto her with force. She was so fragile, almost like a flower. I had to remember to handle with care. I loosened the grip looking at her directly. "Sango.." I could see in her eyes she was quite taken back by my actions, almost frightened. "S-sesshomaru." Sango stuttered letting her nervousness show more then she intended. Then, I felt my embarrassment. I looked away as fast as I could letting my hair hide my face. She couldn't see this Sesshomaru blush! I could smell her embarrassment too. Just knowing that I wasn't the only one blushing made the heat from my face dull down. When I was sure it was gone, I looked back toward her immediately pulling my hands away from hers. I gave a low growl and turned my back to her. 'I had showed to much of my inner feelings. I was acting like a total idiot and she was to blame.'
"I'm sick of you, human. Remove yourself from my presence." I ordered angrily. 'I was mad at her. No. At myself. No! At her! Stupid human girl. She is unworthy of standing infront of my demonly (A/N: I'm almost certain this isn't a word, but I like it.)form. Unworthy of my protection. Unworthy of my love. She is just like the rest of her kind. I'm sickened with myself for even thinking that she wasn't. Sango belongs with the other filthy humans not with me. (You don't mean that. You know you don't.) Shut up! (Swallow your pride for once. Tell her you care for her) Never. (She's still standing their you know) What? Are you serious? (Turn around, look at her!)'
"You don't mean that." She said in a sullen tone, her sad eyes studied the back of the Demon Lord. I sighed. "Perhaps." I stated simply, letting a small smile slide on my lips as the words became clear for her to hear. "I knew you didn't like me." I groaned feeling my heart weaken. "What is it you want me to do to prove I care for you?" I uttered the words with disgust. "Well, I've never seen you smile before.." Her voice trailed off, as if she was lost in thought trying to picture the scene. "You want me to smile?" I muttered under my breath. I could feel a frown beginning to settle on my face. "It can't be that hard to do!" Sango exclaimed, giving a laugh. The frown still remained on my lips. "What is there to smile about?" She sighed, feeling herself growing frustrated with the handsome man. A growl escaped through my lips as I thought of the absurd request. "If it is a smile you seek. Then, you shall do something that quirks my interest to see it."
"Something to make you smile? That's impossible!" She replied rather loudly. "Almost, not quite."
"What would make you smile, Sesshomaru?" I looked down, giving a smirk I knew she couldn't see. "As if I would tell you, human." I enjoyed toying with her mind. It brought me some delight. "I give up!" She stated, walking forward and standing infront of me so she could see me face to face. "Already? You didn't even try."
"If you want me to try you have to at least help out!"
"I can't help you. You'll have to figure it out on your own. Are you up for it?" I challenged, feeling my eyes widened as I spoke. "I know! You're secretly in love with me and if you could only tell me you would smile!" She joked, giving a grin. My jaw dropped at her reply. 'What? How could she had know?! There's no way she could have known! How dare she imply that to me!' I turned my back to her, walking a few steps away from her. "I was only joking, Sesshomaru."
"As if I didn't know that. You actually think this Sesshomaru would fall for such a weak human? Or any human in general!" I spouted out letting my anger show to it's fullest. "You're such a pig!" She yelled, stomping off. I stood there in silence her final words repeating over in my head. "You're such a pig!"
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(A/N:) Review and I'll review yours.