Memory of a Soul
Ailian Rhys

Disclaimer: Ditto to all those previous.

Notes: A lot is happening in this chapter at the same time. Beware of a few jumps.

Chapter Six: Revelations

Rinako couldn't sleep. She lay back on the surprisingly soft futon mattress underneath a layer of stiff linen sheets and all she could do was stare at the plain wood ceiling. Of to her left she could hear Azarni's wheezing breaths. She had finally stopped crying it seemed and fallen asleep.

The young woman felt her heart constrict at the thought of her friend. The poor dear. She hadn't wanted to tell her but after Azarni had seen that last passage in her sister's journal there had been no holding back.

Rinako could still see Azarni's white face full of shock, disbelief, and underneath it all, pain. But at least she had not called Rinako a liar. It had taken some time to sink in but once it had there was nothing Rinako could do to comfort her desolate friend. Azarni had sobbed and muttered until one of the multitudes of servants around here had shown up. And after that she had fallen into a withdrawn silence that Rinako could not penetrate.

A silent mutual agreement between the two young women had led them to both unroll their futons and crawl in. There was nothing to do but sleep. And Rinako wanted to give Azarni some private time to think. So she had spent the past hour or so staring at the ceiling and trying not to listen to her friend's sniffles.

But now that Azarni was sleeping Rinako started to feel the urge to fidget. The sheets were suddenly scratchy against her skin and the room was uncomfortably warm. The light coming in from the covered window was starting to bother her eyes.

She needed to get up. To do something.

Drawing in a breath and holding it Rinako listened to Azarni's breathing to double-check if she was awake or not. Despite the occasionally hiccup her breaths where deep and even. Good.

Folding the covers back Rinako slid out of the cocoon she found herself in. She arranged the bottom of her sleeping yukata—which had been found in the linen chest—about her legs, the young woman rose up on her knees.

Okay, I'm up. Now what?

Rinako found herself with a dilemma. Azarni was sleeping still, which meant she had to do something quiet. She certainly couldn't leave the room. The only problem was that there was nothing in here to occupy her time with.

Well, except for one thing.

Rinako felt her eyes drawn over to the white back lying so innocuously in the corner. There was a little book in there she could read

The dark-haired woman stared at the bag as if it would jump up and attack her at any minute. Well, if she read it now then Azarni wouldn't have to be put through the agony of seeing it any longer than necessary.

But did she really want to read it?

Rinako knew the answer to that question.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

Moving slowly and carefully, Rinako pulled herself up and she shuffled over to where the bag was. The floor was a bit chilly against her feet despite it being about afternoon outside. She made quick work of the old latch and soon the journal was in her trembling hands. She glanced back at Azarni and decided to take the book over to her mattress again. That way if Azarni woke she could always hide it under her pillow and pretend to be sleeping still.

Rinako felt guilty to be working such subterfuge on her best friend but she knew it would be for the best. Azarni didn't need to see it now.

Crawling back under her covers Rinako lay on her side and held the book with one hand in front of her. It was a slightly uncomfortable position but it made her look to be sleeping if Azarni opened her eyes so it was worth it.

She stared at the little book for a long moment, running her fingertips over the textured cover. Within these pages might be the answer to all their questions. The ones they wanted to know as well as the ones better left unanswered. Steeling her resolve Rinako flipped the first page open and started to read.

It was a full page and as she skimmed through it Rinako found that it was talking about how Sachiko was moving in with Azarni's family from another foster home. It spoke of her happiness to be leaving her previous family as well as her reservations about staying with Azarni's. She spoke about how nice she thought the Yamashita's were and who much she liked the house.

But there was one part that caught Rinako's eye.

I only hope they don't think I'm as weird as the Kazesaki family thought I was. This time I'll make sure I don't tell them about the dreams. I'll tell stories instead. Maybe they'll think I'm creative! Because I have to let them out somehow'

Dreams? Did that mean she was dreaming about the youkai already at such a young age? Feeling a bit ill now Rinako still managed to finish the page reading how Sachiko was planning on keeping a new journal for her new house.

Then she went to the next one. There wasn't anything here except for Sachiko talking about her new life. The next few pages were the same. Rinako only scanned these, trying to give her late friend at least some privacy.

Then Rinako came to a page that was dated around 1:30 in the morning. The handwriting was a bit shaky as if it had been done in the dark or at least dim light. After reading just the first line Rinako knew this was what she had been looking for.

I thought the dreams were done now, since I hadn't had one for such a long time. But I had one tonight. It was more vivid than they've ever been! II'm kinda scared But they're just dreams, right? Maybe it's some big story I don't know I'm planning

I'll put it down here now. Maybe that'll help me go to sleep.

I remember somehow finding myself in a decorated hall. One of the likes I've never seen before with dark walls and no windows. I don't really remember much else about it expect for the fact that there were little places of light that might've been candles. I don't know. There were lots of voices murmuring all around me. Or what I think was me. It didn'tfeel quite right. I felt like I wasn't really therebut I was. I was seeing through someone else's eyes, someone who was taller and could see much better than me.

I was kneeling. There was a cushion under my knees, I remember looking at it. It was a beautiful wide pillow, red with white embroidery. Someone was speaking above me, a deep voice I recognized, somehow. Now that I'm awake, I do know who it was. But whatever that man was saying, I didn't know what it was. It felt as if I was listening to everything underwater

But then he put his hand on my shoulder and the voices erupted into sound behind me. Then I found myself looking down at a tatami mat The hall was gone and in its place was a room with pale walls. Andit smelled different. Somehow I could notice this I don't know how it smelled different, but it did.

There were two swords, lying in front of a man's white-clad knees. They were both out of their sheaths and looked to be traditional katanas. The man was speaking again, and then suddenly one of them was in my hand.

My clawed hand

There's no other word for them. They were too long and thick to be just nails. They even bit into my hand when I wrapped my fingers around the leather hilt.

The sword was cold. It felt dead in my hands. Although a sword cannot be dead, can it?

Another hand came and ripped the blade away from me. The man spoke again, something strange. Tess-sai-ga', I think. Then he said something about it being not for you'.

Then there was another one. It looked the same as the other sword, but this one was warm underneath my fingers. Itit felt nice to hold it. Or at least I thought so. I'm not too sure about whomever the hand belonged to(It couldn't be mine.) The warmth from the blade crept up my skin and I wanted to keep holding it, but suddenly I found myself shoving it back in its sheath.

There was a chuckle, than that deep voice again. Ten-sei-ga'. That's what he said. Where those strange words names of some sort?

Some distant part of me wasn't happy. And I think that part is whomever the clawed hand belonged to

I was standing then. I don't remember how I got up so fast, but soon I bowed and was out the door. There was a click of a closing door behind me and the sword was still in my hands.

Then I was outside, the sword at my side. I remember a lady in kimono sitting on a nearby bench. Then there was the patter of feet behind me.

And a new smell.

I don't remember turning around, but soon there was a little ball of red before me, and a happy voice grated at my ears. It said

Aniki'.

Then I woke up.

AnikiI don't really understand it. Those swordsAnd who was that man? The woman? And who, most important of all, was I?

This is just too weird It was me but it wasn't. And those claws

I think I'll try to get to sleep now Otou-san's taking Azarni and me out tomorrow. I don't want them to know I was up all night

Don't think about the claws Sachiko

*

Ryoichi stared balefully down at the book that lay spread in his lap. The words stared definitely back up at him, bound and determined not to make any sense at all. He would read them but a second later he would forget what they had told him. It was ridiculous. Utterly ridiculous

It didn't help much that he couldn't keep his mind away from that one room down the hall

The shoji door behind him opened with a snap and Ryoichi jumped nearly a foot in the air. Whipping around he saw Yayoi enter with Natsuko on her heels.

"How did I know that I would find you in the library, Ryoichi-san?" the redhead asked sweetly, walking across the room with her gliding strides to sink peacefully down at his side. Ryoichi watched her in amazement, his head turning to follow her movements.

"Books always have fascinated me," he replied numbly. His eyes drifted back down to the page in his lap and he idly ran his finger along the old vellum pages. "Especially old ones."

"Then I take it you are feeling better now?" Ryoichi could just hear the smile in her voice. He nodded. "Somewhat. More rejuvenated, surely."

"Yes, isn't it wonderful?"

"Errhate to break the moment, cuz," Natsuko spoke up suddenly from where she stood just inside the door. "But we did come to disturb birdie here for a reason"

Ryoichi glanced over his shoulder and watched the young woman as she shifted from foot to foot nervously. There was an openly anxious expression on her face. "Natsuko?"

Natsuko twitched at his voice, a strange emotion flashing over her face. "Yeah, bird?" she asked gruffly.

Something wasn't right here. Ryoichi watched Natsuko glare at him while trying to hide the nervous twitching of her one foot. He could see the material of her pants jerking with the movement, a dead giveaway.

Ryoichi turned back around to face Yayoi who was watching them both with an impassive face. He frowned. "Is there something wrong, Yayoi?"

The redhead smoothed her kimono out over her knees casually. "I have decided what to do with the girls we brought back."

Ryoichi blinked, his frown fading slightly as a look of surprise flashed over his face. "Already? Butwe've only been here for half a day already"

"The decision was rather simple, Ryoichi. Very simple. That is why I have it settled already."

"So, what are you going to do, Yayoi?"

As soon as those words left his mouth Ryoichi was overtaken with a deep feeling of dread. It descended on his soul and seemed to suffocate him in an instant. His instincts were running wild.

Something is wrongvery very very wrong.

Her face was far too calmtoo set

He drew in a deep breath and watched as Yayoi's lips slowly formed the words

"Kill them."

*

Rinako flipped to another page. Her eyes scanned it quickly before turning to the next. Nearly a quarter of the way through the small book she was starting to see the whole ordeal bloom before her eyes. Sachiko was having dreamsdreams about Sesshoumaru-sama.

But they was more than dreams It was like she was reliving parts of his life.

After the matter of the odd swords was a recollection of the death of what Sachiko believed to be a very important person.

This Inutaishohe must hold some value to meor whoever I am. I feel the ache insidebut there is also something almost bittersomething like hatred. At what, I'm not all too sure. Certainly not the man. Someone else. Or maybe just the cruel world in general? I don't know

There were flashes of images that Sachiko had sketched on some of her pages, images that she described in vivid detail in her writing. There were things such as outfits or even a certain forest tree line to subjects much more detailed, such as the shape and length of claws to the intricate tie of an obi.

Rinako read on, watching the story of Sachiko's second-identity unfold. Stories of a small impish creature, a mortal woman Sachiko knew she had to hate, a tiny boy with odd ears who stared up at her with puzzled gold eyes.

There were other creatures she'd noted down. There was a talking tree. A fire-breathing blacksmith. Someone she called an "old bird". Then there were people that Sachiko labeled as "inuyoukai" that she noted she recalled from her other personality's youth. A faceless woman who sported pointed ears and hair like moonlight. Hahaue, Sachiko called her.

Then came the most tragic event Rinako had read of so far.

That woman died. The one I am to hate. I know she did. I can smell the death from where I stand. There is a small village below, tiny amidst the trees but very easy to see. There is a swarm of humans clustered about, all facing towards something in the middle of them all. They are shouting, voices raised to what I find to be a rather irritating level.

I smell blood in the air, familiar blood, but not enough to kill. Suddenly the crowd parts and a small red blur streaks away. The humans curse and throw a few stones but they do not give chase.

I recognize the red blur. It's the little boy. The dog-eared one. He runs at full speed for the forest, the smell of blood disappearing with him. As soon as the boy is beyond the trees the humans relax and disband, no longer upset now that he is gone.

But I can still see him. He leaps into a tree and hunkers down against the trunk.

A voice speaks behind me, an older wiser voice I remember being about whenever Inutaisho was. Must be a servant or advisor of some sort.

"You will not go after him?"

I feel my lips move as if on their own violation. It's not me speaking. But I know what is going to be said

"The hanyou? He has caused us enough trouble. Let him go."

The voice is so odd, deep and male. But so empty and cold. So arrogant.

"Your own brother?"

A flash of irritation. There is something underneath. Anger? Maybe...guilt?

"Inu-Yasha can die if he so wishes. I could care less for him. He was Chichiue's mistake. Not mine."

"If you so decree."

Not even looking back at the cringing and whimpering boy, I left.

Rinako swallowed the lump that had somehow formed in her throat. That wasthat was so cruel How could anyone just leave that boy there like that? She felt her heart go out to the boy she had never met. Or even seen for that matter.

But the namethat name It was familiar. Isn't that what Sachiko called Azarni whenever they played Demons with the older girl? Inu-Yasha

So it was true then. All those times they had played Sachiko's make-believe stories they had actually been the past of the demon that was now under the same roof as Rinako.

She could help but feel her skin crawl. Rinako's grip around the journal tightened and she sunk back down into the pillows. She suddenly felt sick. So, Sachiko had made her little sister the hated brother. That was disturbing. And yet Sachiko had always seemed to like Azarni

As if on cue Rinako heard Azarni shift on her futon. The young woman unconsciously held her breath as she waited for the girl to settle. Once the rustling of sheets stopped Rinako took a sideways glance over at Azarni. She let out her breath in a huge gush. Good. She'd only moved. She wasn't awake.

Without even thinking Rinako rolled back up on her elbow and opened the book again. She flipped past the last scene and started reading the next page. Then she stopped, frowning.

Why was she reading anymore? That beast was a monster; that was plain to see. Hating his own little brother and the boy's mother for no apparent reason. Not even Sachilko was able to understand why.

But there had to be a reasondidn't there? There had to be something

And so Rinako read on.

This dream wasstrange. I almost didn't think it was the same person at first—I felt differentolder maybe? —until I saw the dog-eared boy again. But he wasn't a boy this time. He was a man who brandished a huge blade that seemed so familiar He wore an expression of fierce concentration although his eyes were cloudy and focussed into the middle distance. Could he not see?

If he could or not, he could still swing the sword. And he did. But instead of striking he released a wave of energy. Some part of my mind knew what it wasbut I didn't. I still don't. But whatever it was; it hurt. Like hell. The energy was hot, eating away at my skin. I wanted to run screaming, but that other part of me—the much stronger and more stubborn part—struggled against it. But he failed in the end. He grunted in pain. Then a hoarse scream.

I've never heard him scream before.

And in that instant, when I thought we were doomed—although he was too stubborn to admit it—I felt Tenseiga. I remember that sword, even if he didn't. The sword's magic pulsed.

And we were gone.

I thought that I was going to wake up then. It got dark like it usually does. But I didn't. He did. Somewhere I have no idea where we were and he didn't either. It was a forest. That much I could tell.

He wasn't in very good shape. Or maybe even we? Because I could feel the stiffness, the wounds. The labor to breathe. It was kind of scary I'd never seen him get hurt like this before

Neither had I ever looked out through his eyes to see a veil of red. Colors were different, shapes were more distinct. Something had changed with him I felt wilder, more on edge. What was this? What was the matter with him?

That's when I met the girl.

Rinako dropped the book in shock. The writing had changed in-between those two sentences. Now she was staring at the strange ancient script. The transition between the two writings was seamless, as if Sachiko hadn't even noticed the change.

The young woman cautiously reached down to pick up the journal again. She studied the page and saw that the new writing continued down until the end. And not only did the script change, but so did the way everything was written as well. It wasn't a young girl's words but rather those of someone bred to formality. There wasn't any slang; the most formal and complicated kanji were used. Rinako felt as if she was reading some ancient document instead of a young girl's diary.

And Sachiko was now writing in a first-person context. There was no longer a him' like before. Just an I' or me'.

She was a little human child. That was plain enough to sense. I felt no desire to deal with anyone at that point. Especially not a human. Yet she came and I had to scare her off. I will not be gawked at as if I were some common animal. Nor did I want the nearby village to know I was there. Granted, they would be simple enough to dispose of if necessary. However, I felt no desire to even sit up, let alone deal with such simpletons.

Who would ever believe the word of a child? Especially that there was a downed youkai in the woods. A foolish thought, certainly.

An aggravating one as well. To be so demeanedby the hanyou no less. It was—and is—absurd. Yet I must also state that it was Chichiue's sword which caused the damage. Not the pup. He only swung his powerful gift. He probably does not even understand how he was able to harness Tetsusaiga. He was always a rather slow learner, if I recall. At least Chichiue had often lamented that fact.

I had to resign myself to the fact that I would not be able to leave the area that night. Yet perhaps the next.

That little girl soon returned, however. Bearing what I suppose was food. And water. Nothing to pique my interest. Although I would not haven taken it even if it did. I did not need the aid of an insipid little human.

Yet she returned. I refused. She came back. I refused again. Irritating little brat. The little girl who smelled of the earth, not the enclosed smoky scent of village-humans. There were not any other human scents on her, very uncommon for children. I'd seen very few, but most had had the sense of their guardian's about them. She had nothing. Just the scent of filth and a few old cuts. Her blood was human but it carried a sweeter scent than is common. Oddly enough.

If she continued to return at least she was not as irritating as the other humans were to my senses. Along with this was the fact that she did not speak. Silence. Healing silence.

And she did return. However this time she was different. She reeked of men and sported more cuts and bruises than before. One eyes was shut—so much for human healing abilities.

Yet despite this she approached me even closer than previously. And she was not afraid. On second thought, she never had been. Nothing more than cautious.

Perhaps she is made of something stronger than I at first predicted.

It amazes me how humans treat their young. You would never find a youkai child beaten such as she unless you found the body of the culprit by her side. Yet perhaps that is because youkai rarely loose their parents. I myself am an exception, especially in the high-levels of the aristocracy. Yet I have always been capable of watching out for myself, even when Chichiue was alive. To be unable is a weakness I will not be accused of.

Humans, adult or child, have always been inept. But did they not usually band together in some senseless idea of unity and protection? Why attack a child of their own?

Did they know that she was coming here?

Curiosity was what made me ask the child about her new abrasions. Andoddly enough, she smiled at me. Itdid not make any sense, really. She must have been a bit off in the head. At least I had thought so at the time.

Foolish humans and their unstable emotions. Sad to cheerful in an instant—ridiculous.

Yet when I realized that she was dead, I too was foolish. Foolish to remember the change in the little girl. For she did not only smileshe lit up. Uncharacteristically poetic that may be, however there was no other way to explain it. There still is not. The tiny child who breathes again because of Tenseiga now spends her new time running through fields of flowers and chatting away happily. The human girl now so devoted. To me.

I would have never thought

Rin, the little human I cannot rid myself of the only one

"I."

Rin The name stared up at her almost accusingly.

Rin

Rin

It couldn't be

*

Sesshoumaru opened his eyes slowly, waking from his half-sleep. He felt improved but not perfect. The wandering senses were controlled somewhat, but the base instincts were still foremost in his mind. The training he had gained seemed to be eluding him for now.

Uncurling his lone hand from his lap, the taiyoukai grasped the swords on the floor beside him before rising to his feet. It was mid-day now, if the light coming in through the paper walls was any indication. He heard the bustle of servants moving along nearby. They were closer than they had been previously. It seemed that they were becoming more accustomed to his presence. And in such a short time too. Very foolish.

Sesshoumaru took the time to look around his new quarters, taking in the ornamental calligraphy and paintings on the walls as well as the unused futon with silken sheets underneath the north window. There were doors to the outside, he noted, painted with a tree line along the bottom. Such an extravagant display from the humans. Yet it was nothing like what he had known before, especially in the time of Inutaisho. The taiyoukai infamous for his lavish palaces as well as for being a willing patron of the arts.

He couldn't help but smirk at that thought. Ah, yes, Chichiue had always been one for the arts. That's exactly what he called Hahaue. A work of art

Sesshoumaru refused to remember whom else Inutaisho had called a work of art. For his father had fallen out of good taste by then.

Pushing such thoughts away the youkai attached his swords back to their place at his hip. He allowed his mind to wander back to what he had contemplated during his meditation. He had a plan of action now, although a bit vague. Finding himself a retainer was one problem to be addressed. That was something easily done.

Then there were other matters. One was finding out where he was. And why. The first he was certain he could figure out once he received his retainer. The second he could simply force those human-youkai to tell him. Those three had to have had some sort of scheme in mind when they resurrected him. Although Sesshoumaru knew he was a highly praised taiyoukai, he also knew that youkai did not go around reviving others, even one such as he, just out of respect. Whoever believed that could justly be referred to as an idiot.

Last but not least was the matter of the human girl. Although a bit disturbed by his decision, Sesshoumaru was going to stick too it. He was going to speak to the human and try to determine if she was anything like his Rin.

It was a curiosity he just could not get rid of. It was almost an obsession. To see if by some chancehis little girl was with him again.

Those words stopped him cold.

Fool, he chided himself. So very degradingShe was nothing but a human brat. And here I am, acting like a sentimental imbecile

Death must have had some strange effect on him. He had never been so maudlin in all of his previous life. And now it was for no reason whatsoever. That girl meant nothing to him!

But I did tell Tenseiga too

Ripping his mind from that line of thought, Sesshoumaru focussed on his more pressing dilemma. Sentimental or not, he wanted to know if that was Rin. And once he discovered if it was she or notthen he could deal with these new emotions.

They were probably just aftereffects of the magic anyhow

That decided the taiyoukai turned towards the interior doors. He could smell the three human-youkai inside the castle. He would find them and have his questions answered. Either the easy way, or the more difficult one, it mattered not.

Opening the doors slowly he stepped out into the hall. As soon as his presence was noticed the few servants nearby froze. Their fear was thick, swirling like a cloud around them all.

When he caught sight of them Sesshoumaru realized something. He wasn't going to debase himself any further. If he did not have his own retainer to do the menial labor, he would utilize one of these pathetic humans for now.

Although stuck in an unfamiliar home Sesshoumaru would be damned before he gave up his dignity. He would bend these human customs to fit into the ones he knew. One of which was to have the servant open the doors. A trivial thing, but a familiar habit he was going to keep.

Youkai retainers often did such things for their Masters when they were indoors. It was as much as they could do considering the protection their lord gave to them either in or out of the castle. Jaken had become a skillful little toad at this, often knowing before Sesshoumaru even rose that his master wished to leave a room. And now the damned toad was gone.

Sesshoumaru turned on the nearest servant, a tiny little slip of a girl who was openly shaking. He drew himself up, fixing her with a demanding gaze. "Close the door then follow me."

The girl squeaked before nodding her head several times and tiptoeing around him to the door. It was a good thing she'd stopped nodding. One more shake and her neck would have snapped, he was sure. Such pathetic little things these humans were.

The girl took an amazingly long time to close a simple door. Sesshoumaru was just starting to feel his agitation grow when she finally popped back up into his view. "A-a-after you, m-m'lord" the tiny thing stuttered, her whole body quivering.

Sesshoumaru almost snorted in disgust, but was able to hold it back at the last second.

Truly pathetic.

*

"Kill them!"

Ryoichi was on his feet in an instant, staring down at Yayoi's damnable calm face in total shock.

The woman nodded decisively. "Yes, Ryoichi. How else to get them out of the way? I am certain they will not stay silent."

"Butwho would believe such a story, Yayoi? Everyone will think they are crazy, you know. Insane The police won't think anything of what they sayA demon. Hell, they might even get a nice white jacket for that one"

Ryoichi knew he was babbling. But he had to convince her. Had to make her stop. And if his brain was not able to come up with a solid argument he'd just keep at his rambling and hope that Yayoi would somehow change her own mind. Which was unlikely

Yayoi's logic was much slower and more focussed than Ryoichi's. "Ryoichi, you seem to forget that they know what we look like. And that they know where we buried the body. And I am sure that there are not too many palaces left like this one. With just a shred of evidence I am sure someone will believe their story. If not the demon then at least a "murder." Think on this seriously, Ryoichi-san. Besides, they are only in the way."

The young man moved forward and grasped the front of Yayoi's kimono and shook her fiercely. Natsuko growled behind him, coming closer. Ryoichi ignored her, staring accusing down into Yayoi's slightly astonished eyes. He spoke, punctuating each word with a shake. "You cannot hurt Rinako!" Ryoichi froze as soon as the words left his lips. That wasn't what he had been planning on saying

Yayoi's eyes narrowed dangerously and she tried to jerk out of Ryoichi's grasp. "Why not?" she snarled with a poisonous voice. Ryoichi was shocked by her anger. He tried to take a step back but only ended up dragging her with him. The silk of her kimono allowed her to slide easily across the polished floor.

"She is the biggest problem of the two!" Yayoi continued, her voice seething. "She is the one we must get rid of first!"

"Why?" Ryoichi asked in astonishment. Rinako was just the helpless bystander. Nothing more, nothing less.

"Why should we save her?" Yayoi shot back.

Ryoichi answered immediately, defensively. "Sesshoumaru-sama seems to like her for some reason."

If he hadn't know better Ryoichi would have sworn that Yayoi was part snake. Only a snake should be able to hiss as dangerously as she did then. "Exactly!"

"Exactly?"

"We cannot have him distracted by that human!"

Distracted? Ryoichi looked into Yayoi's angry, defiant face and realized that there was more she wasn't telling him. Something that the bitch was holding back from everyone.

"Natsuko!" Yayoi barked suddenly, twisting in Ryoichi's grip to look at her cousin, who was watching them both now with wide eyes. "Go and get rid of them. Now."

Ryoichi jumped, shocked, and inadvertently released her. Yayoi fell forward slightly but caught herself with her hands. Still kneeling in this very unladylike position she glared at Natsuko, who hesitated. "Go!"

Natsuko moved, making her way towards the door. Ryoichi whipped around, trying to grab her but as soon as he moved Natsuko sped up. She grasped the door and tried to snap it open. As soon as she did so there was a cry of surprise outside and Ryoichi saw the faint sight of a shadow leaping back.

"A spy!" Natsuko exclaimed, thrusting the door open with a forceful shove.

She froze in shock.

Huddled before the door on her knees was one of the house servants. Yet standing behind her, his face completely unreadable, was Sesshoumaru.

The occupants of the room stared at him. Natsuko had her mouth agape. Ryoichi felt his legs threaten to give away beneath him. And YayoiYayoi looked as if she was made out of marble. A look of complete and utter shock was etched on her face and she seemed to forget the very unattractive position she was in.

Sesshoumaru's cold eyes scanned the room and Ryoichi nearly died when they fell on him. The young man just wanted to sink down through the floorboards to hell, especially as that gaze lingered, seeming content to watch him suffer.

The servant girl who had been about to open the door suddenly leapt to her feet. "Here you are, Sesshoumaru-sama!" she rushed out in one breath, her voice edgy. "The door is open. May I go?"

Sesshoumaru only inclined his head slightly and she took that as a cue. Gathering up her skirts, she fled, footsteps echoing down the hallway.

The taiyoukais eyes left Ryoichi and descended on Yayoi. Ryoichi saw her flinch out of the corner of his eyes.

"I do so hope that I am not interrupting anything," Sesshoumaru stated with a deadpan voice, his expression completely neutral. There wasn't even a hint of humor in his tone. But Ryoichi did not miss the condescension underneath.

"Oh no, no, Sesshoumaru-sama!" he exclaimed, hurrying forward. Forcefully shoving the still spell-bounded Natsuko out of the way he knelt where she been standing beside the door, bowing. "It is our pleasure. Come in, please."

But Sesshoumaru did not enter. Instead he only pinned a haughty gaze on Ryoichi. "I require two things from you," he spoke softly, as if he was purposely ignoring the others in the room.

Ryoichi glanced upwards, making certain to not meet his eyes. "Which are, Sesshoumaru-sama?"

"A retainer, for one. I did not enjoy having to come here myself to speak with you. And second," Ryoichi noticed that he was looking at Yayoi now. "I wish to speak with the human, Rinako."

Rinako? Did this have to do with earlier, on the stairs? Ryoichi thought he should be afraid of the demon in front of him requesting Rinako's presence, but for some reason he wasn't. He was more afraid of Yayoi's reaction to Rinako than Sesshoumaru's.

"If you wish it, m'lord, it shall be done." Ryoichi bowed again and he heard Yayoi and Natsuko do the same behind him, finally.

But Sesshoumaru did not leave. Ryoichi still felt his presence in the doorway. So he remained bent over, trying to fight his instincts not to bare his neck to the predator before him. What seemed like hours to the bent over young man was actually only a few seconds. But finally the taiyoukai spoke.

"Come with me, tori."

Ryoichi's heart nearly stopped. "Sesshoumaru-sama?" he asked, taking a hesitantly glance up at the youkai. He saw that the gold eyes were studying him evenly.

"You, tori, shall be my retainer."

---

Another chapter done! Whoo! And to think, I've been working on this thing all week after schooland I only got three pages written. So I sit down on Sunday and after two hours I get 7 pages. -_-What school can do to you

Anyway, this plot is finally starting to see some action. Isn't it amazing? Yeah, I thought so too. I had fun writing this chapter, especially the Sess part, for some odd reason. I guess I was in a scornful mood todayalthough I don't feel like I am. Hmm.

That ending was a big rush, wasn't it? I noticed that on rereading it. But, hey, it fits the moment.

A few tidbits for later on. One, the next chapter does have a meeting between Sess and Rinako. Which will be fun. And also: Inu-Yasha and Kagome will be featured later in this story. How? You'll just have to wait and see. But I will say this about Inu-Yasha: it's not as a reincarnation.

One more thing: I know I don't respond to reviews like other authors. I just feel that doing that takes up way too much space. My ten page chapters and horrendously long A/Ns take up enough space as it is. But I will tell you all that I do appreciate the reviews I have. Sure, this story doesn't have a truckload, but I'm enjoying writing this so I'm happy that others like it too.

So, see you next time.