To Fulfill One's Destiny
Chapter 22- Reason
After several days of silent contemplation, Sesshomaru finalized his decision - and his argument- in his mind.
Unfortunately, Inuyasha had noticed the alteration in his brother's temperament and confronted him on it minutes later.
Their relationship was an odd one, considering they were enemies before Maria's entrance into this world. Over time, necessity overcame their animosity and they found themselves fighting side by side in and out of battle, especially when facing the combined wrath of Kagome and Maria.
"..."
"Shut up and tell me, I don't have all day."
"I'm taking Maria and Rin home."
"WHAT?!?"
Unknown to the both of them, Maria had passed them by on her way to gather herbs for the miko training Kagome was undergoing. She had chalked up their meeting to another brotherly dispute, but froze and dove behind a tree at the mention of her name.
"Home...you mean the castle? You're pulling my leg. Didn't we already go through this one? If you think..."
"Silence, little brother. I've already settled my mind on the matter."
"Yeah, your mind is one thing, HERS is another story. Can't you figure..."
"Cannot you 'figure' out that she...both NEED PROTECTION."
"Hey I'm not the idiot WHO LET HER GET KIDNAPPED."
"You're not. Which is why you don't understand. She is a helpless woman, she has to be protected. This is no place for her."
At this, Maria stood, and silently took off, biting back tears of pain and disgust, all former thoughts of her errand forgotten.
His equal...HAH!...so much for even mutual respect. I CAN BE ON MY OWN. When I was little, mom and dad weren't there for me, and I dealt with it. I am NOT GOING TO BE A PITY CASE. All he'll ever think of me is as a liability.
Arriving back at the village, she avoided the field where Kaede and Sango were training Kagome, Kaede with her miko wisdom and Sango to offer battle situations. Arriving at the old miko's hut, she hastily wrote a note to leave behind as a goodbye.
"Feh, as if she needs protection. For a human, she's pretty good in battle."
"Inuyasha...what would you do if Kagome were to be kidnapped."
"That's not the same."
"In a way, it is."
Inuyasha stared at the ground in thought.
"I guess...I'd feel helpless, like I'd done something wrong...like I'd..."
"...failed her?"
Startled, Inuyasha looked at him. "Yea."
"I cannot see why, but I feel that way as well Inuyasha. Somehow, she's..."
"...become someone you need to protect? Keh, I know that feeling all too well."
Retrieving Rin, Maria took off at a dead run for the well.
"Mami, what's the matter?"
She looked kindly down at Rin, and sighed. Somehow, she'd never been able to white-lie to Rin, it was something straight out of her character.
"Rin, we're gonna have to stay at your Tia Higurashi-san's for a while." she spoke rapidly in an odd blend of Spanish and Japanese.
"But why?"
"Rin, if we have any hope of coming back and traveling with them again... this is it."
"But Sesshomaru-sama..."
"He's the reason we have to leave, mija."
Tia- auntmija- short version of 'mi hija,' my daughter