Memory of a Soul
Airian Reesu
Whine: This damn site keeps messing up my formatting! Apologies for strangeness in advance!
--cries-- I had to use the LINE! Stupid stupid thing.......
Chapter Ten: Story
The girl stared out of the window. Despite the beauty she knew lay outside, she did not see any of it. Her mind was far away, drifting aimlessly down paths she'd rather not tread.
There was a creak behind her of an opening then closing door, and soft footfalls padding across the floor towards her. But she did not turn, hoping that if she ignored the intruder they would leave.
They weren't supposed to be bothering her now. They were all supposed to be outside, gathering the flowers to take with them that afternoon. Not imposing on her solitude. This was her place to mourn, after all.
The footsteps stopped almost directly behind her and she could feel the presence lingering on the edge of her personal space.
"Rinako."
She recognized that mellow voice immediately and she couldn't help but wince. Of course, that had to be the person to come first. She should have known that she couldn't have been able to hide such a thing, especially from someone as uncannily perceptive as—
Sachiko."
The older girl did not say anything, drifting to the edge of Rinako's line of sight. Her long hair, recently bleached, made her blurry form seem completely white. The two fell into silence for a long, drawn out moment; Rinako started to swing her feet gentle against the side of the window seat, unconsciously trying to dispel the tension.
"This isn't healthy for you, sitting in here all alone, Rinako-chan," Sachiko remarked, mildly. Rinako's hands fisted in her lap, in the folds of her shirt, but she did not turn. "The way you're acting, I would say you're much more unhappy than you're allowing to show."
The way she said it, a low, drawling, almost apathetic tone, made Rinako tense. But then she forced herself to relax, her fingers loosening. "I'm fine, Sachiko. Really. A little sad, maybe, but I think I'm coping all right."
"Hmm…" the older girl hummed, airily, turning to glide behind her, moving about the room in silence, except for the faint squeak of her shoes on the old floor. Rinako found herself straining to hear where the girl was going, in spite of her wish to be alone.
The footsteps stopped abruptly on the other side of the room. "You would think that, wouldn't you?" Sachiko commented, softly. "You always tend to think that; especially after something like this happens." There was something in her voice that Rinako didn't like. It grated on her already frayed nerves in a manner she could not describe.
"I'm fine, Sachiko," she huffed, finally turning away from her window to gaze at the pale-haired girl. Sachiko stood in front of the vanity with her back facing the girl in the window. Rinako watched her in the refection, seeing how she was busy studying whatever lay on the polished surface, her light eyes hooded. Sachiko appeared to not be paying any attention at all. Rinako couldn't help feeling somewhat piqued by the sudden withdrawal. She had started this whole conversation, after all. Now she wasn't even paying attention!
And then those eyes lifted. This took Rinako by complete surprise, especially when they locked on hers in the glass. Her heart lurched, tumbling over itself in that moment before struggling to balance out again. In that instant, looking in Sachiko's eyes, she had seen someone who appeared much older than a teenager. Someone who had seen a great deal of the world.
"Do you want to talk to me about it, Rinako-chan? I am willing to listen. I know what it is like to lose…someone." She turned then, long fingers grasping a red and white hair clip, the extremely pale digits curled within the teeth. Her eyes were soft, but not pitying. More like empathizing. "I've been through it, many times."
Rinako bit her lip, turning away forcefully to stare blankly out the window again. "No."
Sachiko didn't listen. Rinako heard the snap of the clip as she continued, thoughtfully. It was almost as if the girl was speaking to herself. "You lose someone, yes. But, afterwards, you must gain someone, something, to be yourself again. Sitting in the dark does not fix the hurt. It is moving on that makes it go away. Realizing that life continues to go, with or without you. That is what draws you out again. No matter how much you refuse to believe it, it is true," she added, firmly, cutting off Rinako's refusal. Having spun around to speak, Rinako was facing Sachiko when she glanced up from her perusal of the hairpiece, light eyes serious when they pinned on her.
"Do not do this to yourself, Rinako. You're not meant for such sadness."
Rinako bit her lip again, wishing Sachiko would leave. "I have a right to be sad…" she stated, her tone uncommitted.
"It hurts." The clip was on her finger again, biting into the older girl's pallid skin, leaving white, teeth-like indents. But, Rinako knew Sachiko wasn't talking about that.
She sighed. "Can't we just drop it for now, Sachiko? I don't want to talk about it. I just want this day over with…"
"If you wish it so," Sachiko responded. Rinako couldn't help but fidget; she was using that creepy tone again. The quiet, distant one that made her think that the older girl wasn't really talking to her. Or, if she was, it was from some immeasurable distance. But, that was just one of Sachiko's little quirks that they'd all become accustomed to over time.
Rinako leaned her head against the cool glass. "Thanks, Sachiko."
"Certainly. You are like a little sister to me, Rinako-chan. I can respect your privacy once in a while. At least you don't chase me out with a math book like Azarni does." Sachiko laughed, a quick, dry chuckle that was gone as soon as it had come.
Rinako couldn't help but grin slightly at the remembrance. "I'm not that cruel."
"Hmm…" There was a clutter of plastic on wood as Sachiko apparently set down her little plaything. "I'll leave you here then. But, remember what I said Rinako," she added, softly, but intently.
Rinako didn't reply. She listened to the older girl cross the room and heard the door swing open.
"And, I promise you, I'll get you to talk to me. Someday."
"—ako? Rinako!"
Something clamped down on the young woman's shoulder, making Rinako nearly leap out of her skin. Turning away from the small, partial opened window, her wide eyes stared into Azarni's concerned ones. The morning sunlight washed over her face, allowing her troubled features to show openly.
The other girl's lips twitched the slightest bit as she gave Rinako a quizzical glance. "What were you thinking about so intently?"
Rinako shook her head once, trying to clear the last wisps of awoken memory that was swirling around in her brain. Once her thoughts were in a semi-straight order again, she shrugged, noncommittally. "Nothing much. Just remembering something is all."
Azarni gave her a skeptical look before turning around and going back over to her futon. She kicked the still unmade sheets, making them flutter slightly as they settled like wilting petals. An awkward silence stretched out between them as Rinako watched her friend abuse her sleeping mat.
It took an abnormally large effort to break the quiet. "Azarni?"
The young woman sighed, shoulders slumping marginally. She gave the piled blankets one more swift jab with her foot. "That was way too creepy for me," she began at last. She turned to the side, giving Rinako a sidelong glance as her arms wrapped across her own torso in a childlike hug. "I want to go home."
Rinako bit her lip, remaining silent. Her fingers trailed down to her sloppily tied obi, fingertips grazing over the solid rectangular lump of Sachiko's diary that resided there.
"Why did you ask that…him to watch over me like that?" Azarni questioned, abruptly. Rinako looked up to see Azarni had turned towards her fully, arms crossed at her waist. "That…thing. It—he almost blew up the whole place, and you ask him to keep me safe?" A hand came up from the mess of limbs to poke at her chest. "What were you thinking? It...It…"
"Because I know he will," Rinako responded, quietly.
Azarni was clearly flabbergasted. "Know? How do you know? This is…It is…That thing kil—took ove—Sachiko's gone because of him. It's an evil, evil thing. Didn't you feel that yesterday? It's something we've never seen before, let alone interacted with. And here you claim to know what it—he'll do?"
"I don't understand why you're upset, Azarni," Rinako stated, her tone hardening minutely. "You have it the best of all of us. He'll do nothing to you."
"You keep saying that! Like it's some creature of honor or some other bullshit. How do you know?"
"How do you not know?"
Azarni sighed, gustily, running a nervous hand through her hair. "You singled me out, Rinako. You made it notice me. I didn't want that."
"And I did?" The reply was nearly inaudible.
Azarni opened her mouth, then closed it again. She frowned. "I shouldn't have followed such a stupid idea…" she mumbled. "Now we're stuck here, somewhere, with some dangerous, magical thing—"
Rinako couldn't keep from frowning. "He's not a thing, Azarni."
"Oh? Then what is he? I've never seen something like him in all of my life."
"He's a living, breathing being, Azarni. And you can't really blame him for Sachiko's death."
"What?"
"It's true, if you think about it."
Rinako had been thinking a great deal last night, after Ryoichi had ushered them back to the room. She had gone straight to Sachiko's journal, despite the fact that Azarni was still awake and had devoured it, taking in all of the information like an overly dry sponge.
It had been an adventure, reading that little book. Especially when Sachiko would slip into that ancient writing. The wide array of pure stories that adorned nearly every page was spellbinding. Rinako could have sworn that it was all some well-thought out novel. Except there was possibly no way that an author could get as detailed as Sachiko did. Especially in the tone. There was a sense of age and experience behind many of her words that no one could simply create with such clarity. The bland, open statements, the somewhat sardonic tone; it sometimes simply left her dumbfounded. It was as if someone was evolving right before her very eyes.
It had been these specific memories, the minute details that no one could have known unless they'd lived it, that had brought Rinako to her conclusion. That Sesshoumaru really was Sachiko. He wasn't some creature they'd made up out of nowhere to take Sachiko's soul. He was her. In the past.
So, in essence, nothing had really changed. It was just Sachiko in a different body. That was all. The cool, collected, and infuriating silent Sachiko who would only speak when she wished to, if you wanted her to or not. The girl who would turn up her nose to Azarni's "demeaning activities". The girl who never smiled except for in extreme circumstances. The quiet preserved wisdom. The calculating gaze and steel-trap of a mind. The aggressive perfectionism. And, it seemed, a fondness for Rinako.
If that were true, then it had to be, by the same token, that Sesshoumaru shared some of Sachiko's other qualities, even if they weren't apparent as of yet. The way Sachiko would repay any debt owed to her and always kept her word. How she could be kind, as long as you didn't mention it afterwards. How she could actually make a dry joke once in a while, even if her odd sense of humor was rather out of Rinako's league. How she could be a patient as a stone if she liked you well enough. Her steadfast commitment to anything. Her quiet way of teaching you something, even if you didn't even know you were being taught. All the little things that had made the stoic Sachiko such a wonderful person to be around.
The only problem now, however, was to try to convince herself of her mind's factual conclusion. And then Azarni, if she was willing.
Rinako smiled dryly, her one hand coming up to rest over her abdomen, covering the book underneath her sash. It was her way to an answer; the pulling on the cord that raised the veil.
And not only to the mystery of the Sachiko and Sesshoumaru connection. She also kept finding references to the little girl, Rin. Rinako found herself eagerly searching for any news of the child. When she found it, it was mainly in the ancient writing, a tone edged with both grudging affection and wistfulness underneath the bland arrogance and cultured phrases that were constantly there. She was very intrigued by these pages. Some of the tales were humorous, despite the vague annoyance underlining the words. And yet, still other seemed downright terrifying to a child. Kidnappings, rushing rivers, falling off cliffs. How had the girl survived it all?
And yet, as Rinako stared out the window beside her to the forest beyond, she had to admit that it sounded like…well, fun. To go traipsing around the unpolluted countryside.
"Rinako! Would you quit daydreaming!" Azarni finally lost her patience, standing to her full height with hands on hips as she stared the taller girl down. "I don't like being ignored. Nor do I like your cryptic responses."
Rinako faced her friend, smiling at her lightly. "Azarni, you're acting like a spoiled little girl," she teased.
Azarni glared at her a moment more, before her shoulders slumped and she shook her head, fighting back a grin. "Rinako…"
Rinako beamed at her, spinning on her heel and clapping her on the shoulder. "Just don't worry, Azarni." She released her arm and crossed over to the other side of the room, where the empty breakfast table sat. "I wonder what we're getting today?"
Azarni opened her mouth, but then shut it and sighed. She shook her head. "I hate when you do that."
Sesshoumaru gave the item a dubious glance, his eyebrow raising slightly. They called that a bathing tub? Seriously now, that little basin couldn't hold a puny human, let alone someone of his stature. Were they all imbeciles?
There was a swish behind him as the door was pushed open and then the sound of water sloshing in a bucket. Sesshoumaru glanced over his shoulder at Ryoichi, who was dragging a basketful of water into the small side chamber, his shoulder heaving under the strain. Grumbling something under his breath that Sesshoumaru did not care to listen to, he heaved the water up and over the side of the metal basin, allowing it to splash down into the liquid that was already waiting. He dropped the pail with a thud.
Sesshoumaru went to wrinkle his nose in distaste, but stopped himself. The water was at it's best lukewarm, not even reasonably close to an appropriate temperature. Couldn't they at least do that for him, considering that they'd forced him to use such barbaric means to clean himself?
He'd never really missed the hot springs of the main stronghold until this moment.
Sighing internally, the taiyoukai glanced from the basin then down at himself. His once pristine white clothes were wrinkled and covered in mud, that annoying vermin clinging to the ends of his sleeves and taking up residence in all the folds of his hakama. His hair was coated in the dry, brittle, and vaguely toxic smelling substance as well. And he could just feel it underneath his claws.
He allowed himself to scowl this time. Damn it. This torture was a necessary evil, it appeared. He was not going to remain in this shameful and detestable state any longer. One night had been hell enough.
But why did the water have to be so cold?
Ryoichi leaned against the tub, rubbing his side absently. Sesshoumaru pinned his gaze on him, waiting for a reaction. It wasn't short in coming. The young man noticed him almost immediately and straightened. He gestured to the basin, an awkward grin on his lips even as he gave the water a skeptical glance of his own.
"It's ready for you, Sesshoumaru-sama."
The taiyoukai didn't move. He gazed at Ryoichi steadily. "It's cold."
The tori jumped visibly, before laughing nervously. "Well…err…" His fingers gripped the steel sides and he glanced down for a minute. His head was up in the next instant, as if he remembered exactly who he was with. "It was hot. Except it had to come from the back of the property and…" he fell silent, cringing slightly.
"I don't know how to fix it," he mumbled at last, when Sesshoumaru refused to say a word. Ryoichi paused, his dark eyes lighting up. "Unless…" Glancing up at Sesshoumaru, he bit his lip before asking. "Sesshoumaru-sama…may I ask you something?"
Ah. So the little tori had come up with a solution. Slightly curious as to what it might be, and not relishing the idea of getting into that miniscule basin of cold water, Sesshoumaru nodded.
Ryoichi gnawed on his lip again, before continuing. "Do you happen to…sense anyone here with…fire abilities?"
Both of Sesshoumaru's eyebrows jumped up at that, the closest he'd come to an incredulous look. "You do not know?"
Ryoichi twitched nervously. "Err…not really. At least not me, personally," he amended. "Yayoi probably does…"
"Hn…" Sesshoumaru grunted at the mention of the mongrel inu. He gave Ryoichi one last searching look, which made the tori fidget, before allowing his eyes to slide shut.
It was a simple matter to test the multiple auras swirling around the compound. What was surprising was, first, the sheer number—where were they all? — and, second…they seemed much more youkai now than human. Which was odd.
Frowning slightly, he decided to ignore that for now and instead concentrate on finding the faint impression of sparks that always attested to a fire youkai. Granted, there was the elemental youkai, yet there were also those who utilized this element in lesser quantities.
Which there appear to not be any of here.
Rather annoyed, Sesshoumaru withdrew his senses slowly. And caught the approach of a halfblooded fire elemental. Who was, apparently, creeping towards his rooms.
Smirking mirthlessly, a faint twinge of his lips, he opened his eyes and turned his gaze to the door leading to the main sleeping chamber. "He has apparently taken note of your plight, tori."
Ryoichi made a small sound of confusion, before cautiously approaching the threshold. He leaned against the frame, looking out into the next room. "What do you mean by that?" He asked, turning back around.
Yet, before Sesshoumaru could answer—which he was not going to do—the tori's eyes abruptly narrowed and he marched out into the chamber. He paused and bowed to Sesshoumaru. "Pardon me a moment, Sesshoumaru-sama."
Sesshoumaru wandered over to the doorway, watching with some amusement as Ryoichi stalked across the room. He paused for a moment, before reaching out and whipping the door back with a sharp snap. Standing in the doorway, a comical expression of surprise etched on his face, was the man Sesshoumaru had sensed. Well, it was actually a boy—probably a year or so younger than Rinako, with hair a dark auburn color that seemed to be teetering on the edge of red.
"Kajiro," Ryoichi greeted, sternly, stepping into the other's direct line of sight.
Brown eyes blinked up at him. "What?"
Sesshoumaru shifted his weight to rest against the doorframe, planing to get some sort of entertainment out of the upcoming confrontation. He could feel the tori's annoyance clear enough. That, and the tori was practically steaming.
"What have you been told about coming here?" he asked in a very restrained tone, trying not to raised his voice although he clearly wished to.
The young man, Kajiro, shrugged. "Not to?" he supplied.
Ryoichi stiffened. "And then why have you come here?" he asked in that same strained voice.
The young man showed no guilt at all as he shrugged again. "Because."
Ryoichi sighed, audibly.
The taiyoukai had to give him credit—hesitantly, of course. Stupidity was not something he, himself, dealt with well. So far, the tori had managed not to maim the idiot. An accomplishment indeed.
"Do you recall why we told you not to come here?" The tori suddenly twitched, turning a bit to look behind him as he remembered exactly who was behind him.
Feeling particularly playful—despite the mud—Sesshoumaru raised a questioning eyebrow as he clicked his claws against the wooden frame.
"Wow!"
Kajiro had edged around Ryoichi and was peering up at the taiyoukai with huge eyes. "Wow…" he repeated, quieter this time. "Damn, you're…well" he paused, before giving his characteristic shrug. "Hot. "
Sesshoumaru watched the boy with a twinge of puzzlement. Hot? What did that have to do with anything? And how could he tell if he was or not? It was as if he sweat or anything disgusting as that.
Ryoichi didn't give the young man a chance to elucidate his statement, grabbing him forcibly by the collar and shoving him bodily towards the door. "Excuse the idiot, Sesshoumaru-sama!" he gasped out, even as his cheeks turned an interesting shade of pink. He whipped around to hiss at his prisoner. "A man. Man! Didn't you listen to Yayoi?"
"Well, he's still hot," Kajiro insisted, digging his heels into the polished floor the best he could.
"Tori, I would not push your solution out so quickly," Sesshoumaru spoke up, dryly, as Ryoichi started to put some more weight into moving the persistent youth.
He stopped immediately, making Kajiro stumble. "Sesshoumaru-sama?"
The taiyoukai inclined his head in Kajiro's direction. "He carries the diluted blood of a fire elemental. Certainly he could do something as simple as warm water."
Kajiro perked up. "Sure! Let me help!" He pulled himself free of Ryoichi's slacken grasp. "Point out the way—" Ryoichi kicked him squarely in the shin before hissing something at him. "Sesshoumaru-sama," he added, glaring at the man beside him.
Why must I always rely on idiots? the taiyoukai questioned himself with a feeling of disgust.
It seemed so, in this matter. Much to his distaste.
"Understand that I have no tolerance for idiocy," Sesshoumaru reminded Ryoichi sharply, before pivoting on his heel and disappearing into the side room.
Ryoichi sighed, taking hold of Kajiro's arm and dragging him after his lord. "Behave," he threatened, digging his nails into the other man's arm. Kajiro didn't comment, too busy grinning.
He wanted to roll his eyes, but he thought better of it. Why was it that this had to be the fire elemental? Kajiro was the last person he wanted Sesshoumaru to be in contact with. Natsuko was bad enough—at least she could act normal for a few minutes at a time. But not Kajiro. He was always doing something stupid and unpredictable.
An old friend from high school, Kajiro had often spoken to Ryoichi of odd dreams he'd had to flying through the air on a red cloud. Although that wasn't exactly strange in itself, the fact that he had orange nails and streaming red hair in the vision was. And the fact that in those dreams something would whisper to him, telling him to use it.
After some background checks in the old books—which was how most of those here had ended up together—Yayoi had determined that he was in fact some sort of youkai. Although they didn't know what kind.
Now they did. Regretfully.
"I will, I will, don't worry." Kajiro waved him off. "Don't wanna keep hottie wai—"
Ryoichi grabbed his collar again, efficiently cutting him off. Yanking his face close to his own, he hissed, lowly. "You are so damn lucky he doesn't know that slang. Or, I'd say your head would be rolling on the floor right about now. So shut up while you're ahead. Got it?"
Kajiro didn't even look the slightest bit affected "'Kay."
Ryoichi had had enough. Shoving him forward, he muttered, coldly. "Fine. Don't listen to me. Die for all I fuckin' care. I warned you."
That seemed to get his attention. "'Ichi?" he asked uncertainly with a small frown.
Ryoichi didn't reply, walking around him and into the next room. Sesshoumaru was there, seated on one of the tatami mats and watching the door. His whole presence seemed larger in this much smaller room, even if he was simply sitting still. Ryoichi moved over to the now cold tub and heard Kajiro plod in behind him, surprisingly silent.
"We need you to heat this," he remarked, indicating the basin with one hand.
"Couldn't you just use hot water in the bathroom?" Kajiro asked, puzzled.
"There are no bathrooms here," he stressed the word here, giving Kajiro a sharp look. "So we must bring it in ourselves."
The young man gave him a befuddled glance, before something clicked behind his eyes. "Ohhh…" he replied, nodding. "Yeah, yeah, I remember now. Yayoi said that—"
"Yes, I know what she said. Just heat the water."
There was a silence. "How?"
Ryoichi strangled the urge to smack his head on the metal tub. Of course. Kajiro wouldn't know the first thing about using his magic. Neither did Ryoichi. He didn't even know if he had any.
Suddenly nervous, Ryoichi glanced over at the taiyoukai, who was watching them from the other side of the room. He looked almost thoughtful—or at least Ryoichi hoped it wasn't just his imagination.
"Err…is this supposed to be one of my youkai abilities?" Kajiro asked, scratching his head. He glanced over at Sesshoumaru once nervously; finally seeming unnerved by the taiyoukai's presence.
"Yes…" Ryoichi replied, giving Sesshoumaru a sidelong glance. "So…get at it."
Kajiro fidgeted, wringing his hands. "Umm…okay…."
All sense of arrogance lost, the young man edged over to the still water. Reaching out cautiously, he hovered his hand over the basin. He stared down into it blankly. "Ummm…yeah…." He commented, lamely.
"Concentrate." Two heads leapt up at Sesshoumaru's voice. His eyes were closed, hand resting placidly on his knee. "Focus on your aura. Feel for the spark and draw it out."
Kajiro stared at him as if he'd suddenly grow six more heads. Then he glanced back down at the water. "Sure…" Shutting his eyes, he took a breath and held it in.
Ryoichi regarded him in silence. There was nothing for a long while until a faint prickling hit the edge of his senses. It soon became a small ripple of youki; similar to the one Yayoi had displayed before. Ryoichi watched on in wonder as Kaijiro's hand started to radiate a faint orange light. The young man's face twisted into a grimace of concentration, curling his fingers up then splaying them out against the water.
At that instant a stronger, more developed aura knocked against Ryoichi's senses and he knew who it was immediately. Looking away from the sight in front of him, he focussed on the taiyoukai, who was regarding the whole spectacle with apparent interest. But that was it. There wasn't anything threatening about him. Then why did he notice his youki now?
Puzzled, Ryoichi turned back to Kajiro and jumped in surprise. The young man's hair had transformed into a bright red color. And, underneath his fingers, the water was just beginning to boil, a few bubbles floating to the surface.
Ryoichi stared at him in awe until he heard Sesshoumaru move behind him. The taiyoukai was untying the knot of his obi with his one remaining hand, apparently knowing that Kajiro was almost finished. Ryoichi, remembering his duties, moved over to assist him.
But, when he reached out a hand, he stopped, noticing his sudden acquisition of claws. They clicked together as he fisted his one hand in shock. When had that happened? They had been gone last night.
Ryoichi glanced from Kajiro and back to Sesshoumaru. He noticed the taiyoukai giving him what had to be a knowing look. "Tori's are sensitive to change," he remarked, before throwing his obi at him and pushing his left sleeve off his shoulder, revealing the layer underneath.
Nodding dumbly, Ryoichi set the long segment of bright colored silk aside. Only to have Sesshoumaru throw his haori at him. It landed on his head and he scrambled to get it off. Once it was in his hands, he looked up at Sesshoumaru sheepishly, who gave him his customary opaque stare, before folding it neatly and setting it aside.
"That's quite enough," the taiyoukai said, suddenly. Ryoichi glanced up at him, thinking that he was speaking to him. But, Sesshoumaru's attention was on Kajiro, who opened his eyes for the first time in about five minutes. The water was bubbling merrily under his fingers.
With his concentration broken, the glow faded from his fingertips. Dark red eyes stared fixedly at his hands in a mixture of fear and delight. "Damn…"
"Nothing extraordinary, " the taiyoukai remarked as he began to divest himself of the rest of his clothing. He stopped before taking his underclothes off, raising an eyebrow at both of the partial youkai who were staring at him. "I have seen fire elemental engulf whole estates in flames. Heating water is nothing in comparison."
Ryoichi nodded, but, upon glancing at Kajiro, he knew that the other man was staring at Sesshoumaru for a highly different reason than an explanation.
"Well, off you go now, Kajiro," he remarked, cheerfully, before pushing the other man towards the door.
Kajiro stumbled, nearly toppling over as he hit the doorframe with a sharp crack. Ryoichi froze, raising a hand to his face. He'd done that? But it had only been a tiny shove…
"So pushy!" Kajiro cried indignantly, straightening up and dusting himself off. Ryoichi stood stiff, not sure exactly what to make of the situation.
The whole moment was interrupted by the slosh of water behind them. Ryoichi spun around and the taiyoukai had gone ahead and continued on without them, having sat in the still boiling water. He didn't look very pleased, however, especially since he had to bend his knees slightly in order to fit into the tub. The lip of the basin came to his chest and some of his long hair spilled out over the sides, inches from hitting the floor. The rest of it was in the tub, sticking to the metal sides and to the painfully pale skin on his muscled chest. The stump of his missing arm stood out sharply—a blatant imperfection.
"Your Yayoi seems to have miscalculated my size," he remarked, dryly, seemingly unfazed that they were both staring at him. He tossed his head, dragging some of his wayward locks back into the water. "I hope you have something to clean up this mud, yes?" His keen eyes pinned on Ryoichi once again.
"Y-yes…of course." Forgetting about Kajiro, he hurried over to the other side of the room and extracted a bar of soap from the pile of towels and clean clothing he'd brought in earlier. "Here it is…"
He went to hand it to Sesshoumaru, but stopped when the taiyoukai gave it a clearly disdainful look. "What is that made of?"
Ryoichi gave the soap a quick glance. "Umm…soap…" he stated, slowly. He didn't know what soap was made of! Especially not now.
"It smells fake." Yet, as he said this, the taiyoukai gathered up most of his hair in his good hand, pulling it over to Ryoichi's side of the tub. The ends were stained brown. He held them out to the tori youkai. "But it has to be better than this mud."
Ryoichi blinked at him. "What do you want me to do with…" he trailed off. He gave the long silver strands an odd look. "You want me to wash your hair?"
Sesshoumaru's mask broke enough so that an expression of annoyance flashed over his features. "Normally, I would do so myself, but it is rather…awkward with only one hand." His eyes turned dangerous and Ryoichi had the impression that this was a touchy subject with his pride. And that he didn't like having to ask for assistance.
Ryoichi hesitated a moment. He hadn't been thinking earlier when Sesshoumaru had demanded a bath be set up. He hadn't realized that he would have to help him.
The thought of washing the hair of a youkai who could easily rip his head off didn't settle well with him. For obvious reasons.
"If you don't wanna do it, I will!" Kajiro piped up suddenly from his position near the door.
"No, Kajiro, you sit out there in the other room, in the event that we need the water heated again." He made a shooing motion with his hands before taking the taiyoukai's hair with tentative fingers. His claws—which hadn't receded yet, oddly enough—kept getting tangled as he began to work the soap into the youkai's long tresses.
Sesshoumaru, now that the hair dilemma was taken care of, went on to using the talon on his thumb to clean the dirt out from underneath the others.
"You sure you don't need a hand?" Kajiro tried again, slinking halfway around the doorframe.
"No," Ryoichi answered curtly. He was finally getting the hang of maneuvering his fingers through the thick hair in his grasp. He rubbed it between his palms, being careful not to pull too much, but at the same time to not be too gentle that the taiyoukai thought he was going easy on him.
"If you are offering, I will take yours," Sesshoumaru spoke up out of the blue, immersing his now clean claws under the water. "Although I would rather have a full-blooded substitute." And apparently he was completely serious, if his flat tone was anything to go by.
Kajiro blanched, just as Ryoichi's fingers accidentally snagged in the taiyoukai's hair as he jerked in shock.
"Substitute…?"
"It is awkward having only a right arm, as you have seen," Sesshoumaru replied, not even turning to face him. "However, I could always take yours from you for my own personal use."
Ryoichi bit back a startled laugh as Kajiro squirmed. "Noo…you wouldn't want mine. I'll just be around this corner here and…yeah…" His head disappeared around the frame and Ryoichi heard him shuffle to the other side of the room.
Sesshoumaru didn't seem to be bothered by anything. He simply tipped his head back in a silent signal. Ryoichi obliged him, starting to work on his scalp.
Silence fell around them, punctuated by the sound of Ryoichi's fingers ruffling the taiyoukai's hair. Oddly enough, as he worked, Ryoichi felt himself begin to relax. He didn't really care that he was in close contact with a legendary creature. He simply relished the calmness of the room, and the strangely mellow youki that swirled about him. Apparently Sesshoumaru didn't feel threatened by his presence.
Or perhaps it was simply because he knew that Ryoichi couldn't do anything to him, even if he'd want to. Anything and live, at any rate.
Rinsing that long mane appeared that it would be a treat all in itself. Sending Kajiro out to get another basin was the only option Ryoichi could think of, and thus he had to tolerate the fire-element's presence one more time. Yet, he seemed very subdued, especially when Sesshoumaru turned one eye on him.
It was then that Ryoichi got the very absurd impression that the taiyoukai was...teasing the boy. Or at least torturing him for his own amusement. This idea went against all the tales and histories that he'd heard about him—nowhere had it mentioned a sense of humor. Perverse humor, perhaps, but humor nonetheless.
Ryoichi contemplated this as Kajiro hurried away on his task. He sat upon the mats, half-turned away from the tub as Sesshoumaru did whatever he was doing. The only sound was the faint lapping of the water against the metal sides, and a gentle clack as Ryoichi tapped his claws together.
Things weren't anything like he'd expected them to be. Not Sesshoumaru, the situation, or even himself. If someone had told him at the beginning of this whole endeavor that he would be playing chamber-maid to the taiyoukai, that said youkai would be sitting in a bathtub quietly as he washed his hair, or that he'd be doing such an action with claws…he'd have called them insane.
Ryoichi was too amazed to be frightened any longer.
"That will not make them disappear, tori."
"Wha…?" Ryoichi's head snapped up at taiyoukai's voice.
"Rapping them as you are—it will do nothing to them."
Water sloshed and trickled as the youkai moved about, but Ryoichi didn't look. He stared intently at the thick nails. "They left before…"
"Hn…" the taiyoukai voiced, his tone neutral. Ryoichi wasn't sure if it was disbelief or annoyance. He still didn't know for sure when Sesshoumaru continued. "A tori is more susceptible to change—no matter how minute."
Ryoichi tore his gaze away from his hands in shock, glancing back at the taiyoukai. Only to get a nice view of his stringy, soapy hair clinging to his broad, muscular shoulders and back.
Ryoichi didn't know why he was feeling so uncomfortable with that sight. He had no reason to blush… "So…so…what you're saying is…is that…" He didn't know what he was trying to say.
"You are a tori youkai."
Ryoichi didn't understand what he was getting at. But, before he could even open his mouth and attempt to ask, a familiar voice called out from the other room.
"Ryoichi…I got it…I'll just leave it here and…"
Hurrying out into the adjacent chamber, Ryoichi snagged the new pail before the other young man could finish, and then disappeared back into the wash room. Sesshoumaru didn't even look back as he nearly slammed it down behind him, before reaching for the bucket he'd used to fill the tub.
"I think I can rinse it now."
He didn't get a reply. Cautiously inching around towards the front of the tub, Ryoichi noticed that the taiyoukai's eyes were closed. Sighing in silent relief, he went to dump the bucket into the water.
Sesshoumaru cracked open one golden eye just as the rim hit the surface. "Hn…I would have thought a newer decade would cease relying on such primitive means. "
Ryoichi didn't reply. He kept his eyes fixed firmly on the upper portion of the container. Once it was full he dragged it out and went around back again. Manhandling the thick locks over the mouth of the basin Kajiro had brought in, he made an attempt to wash them clean. It took a few more trips and nearly soaking himself before it was done.
He couldn't understand how the taiyoukai had been able to live with hair like that.
Ryoichi was further dismayed when Sesshoumaru took the opportunity to shake his head, long waves of hair splattering Ryoichi with even more water. Tossing it all to one side, the taiyoukai rose without preamble from the cooling bath.
It was then that Ryoichi realized why he'd been so uncomfortable. He felt so negligible, puny, and plain compared to the taiyoukai. No one had the right to be that…imposing, especially after they'd just been resurrected!
The mere absurdity of that thought hit Ryoichi like a brick. How many people did he know who were resurrected, anyhow? Or how many of them were ancient demons trained in the art of battle?
If the situation had been any different, Ryoichi would have pleaded to be allowed back into reality. But this was reality. Oddly enough.
Sesshoumaru, for his part, only raised an eyebrow, before asking, in a bored tone. "Robe?"
"Ah…yes…"
Scurrying over to the pile of clothing he'd brought in earlier, he gathered up the dark material. And then he remembered. This was the last bit of clothing they had for him. Yayoi hadn't planned on him needing a change so soon.
Thank goodness Natsuko would be leaving tonight to get the other articles Yayoi had ordered. He didn't think Sesshoumaru would be overly pleased with his limited wardrobe.
Ryoichi helped the taiyoukai shrug into the thinner fabric, trying his best to ignore the sight of the stump. A stump that apparently he could still move. Seeing that stub of flesh flex enough to slide into the sleeve was nauseating.
Sesshoumaru's voice was unexpected. "I want Rinako brought to me."
Ryoichi almost dropped the right sleeve. "Rin…Rinako?"
"Yes." The taiyoukai pulled away from him, using his remaining arm to fumble the knot together in the front, before pulling the wet locks of hair out from underneath.
He looked strangely…approachable wearing the simply blue robe and not the rich white ensemble. And having his hair still wet and rope-like only added to the image. Looking at his back, Ryoichi could almost make himself believe that this wasn't a demon at all.
Until he spoke again, that is. The impassive, commanding tone could belong to nothing less. "Send for her now."
Ryoichi bowed, promptly. Not trusting himself to say something that wasn't mindless babble, he left the room. Kajiro sat with his back to the bathing room, ear pressed against the thin partition between them. He visibly jumped when Ryoichi appeared.
"Err…you guys done?" he asked, sheepishly.
"Yeah…." Ryoichi didn't care about him right now. He was old news.
"Hey, is Rinako one of them chicks you guys brought in earlier?"
Now he took notice. Ryoichi narrowed his eyes as he gazed at the younger man. "Why do you want to know?"
"Well…I could go get her, if you want."
He should have felt suspicious, or even wary. But all Ryoichi felt now was relief. He didn't want to have to bring Rinako here. Not on his own. He couldn't disobey Sesshoumaru's orders by not retrieving her, but he sure as hell would do his best not to do so himself.
If it meant trusting Kajiro for a little longer, he could handle it.
"Go ahead. It'll be much appreciated." He paused, remembering something. Or rather, someone. "There's another girl with her. Do you know anyone who would be willing to stay with her? Someone who won't…scare her?"
Kajiro thought about it for a moment, gnawing his bottom lip. Luckily, he didn't have fangs. "Actually, yeah, I think I do. Sei, one of the girls…I think she'd a rat or something…"
Ryoichi thought hard, trying to recall the name. "No…mouse, I think…"
Kajiro snorted. "Whatever. Want me to get her, too?"
"Yeah…and tell her to be nice to the girl…Azarni, would you?"
"Sure!" Kajiro seemed more than happy to be leaving again. He even waved as the door slide shut behind him.
Ryoichi sighed in relief, shoulder sagging with the effort. When he looked up, he had to do a double take.
Sesshoumaru was out in the main room, over by the doors to the terrace. How'd he gotten there without Ryoichi noticing him—since he was standing right beside the bathing room's door—was something he'd rather not contemplate.
Now that Kajiro was gone, and it was just the two of them again, Ryoichi couldn't help fidgeting in the stiff quiet. Shifting from foot to foot as slowly and quietly as he could, one half of him began to anticipate the girl's arrival. He just couldn't help it.
Rinako had long since given up on questioning the sanity of what was happening to her. Now she just followed warily behind the strange man she'd never met before as he took her to see what he referred to as "that damn creepy demon."
She kept stealing little glances at the stranger, already having figured him to be on of the "staff" here. He seemed much too light-hearted to be a demon. He'd nearly hopped into their room, nearly scaring Azarni to death. With him had been a woman that he'd said would stay with Azarni as Rinako was brought to see Sesshoumaru.
She didn't know what was more frightening. Leaving Azarni with that unknown woman by herself or seeing the youkai again. It wasn't as if she had a choice either way…
Poor Azarni…left all alone again. Hopefully that new woman wouldn't scare her…
Kajiro grew more and more jittery the closer they came to the familiar door. He glanced back at her a few times before speaking, very softly. "Man, you have balls, girl. You don't seem scared at all."
Rinako was thrown off by that compliment. She didn't? She took a moment to focus on herself and not the young man before her, and she noticed that her heart wasn't pounding in fear. Nor was she sweating or ready to run.
Did that mean she wasn't scared of the youkai anymore?
Rinako was still pondering this turn of events when Kajiro dropped her off at the door. He rapped his knuckles once on the doorframe before literally running down the hall and around the corner. He paused long enough to wish her a quick good luck before disappearing all together.
Confused –but not unnerved—by his sudden departure, Rinako was staring at the corner when the door in front of her was thrown open.
A thoroughly drenched Ryoichi stood before her. His hair was damp and thrown into disarray. There was a strained look about his eyes, as if his nerves were running at an end.
"Hello, Rinako-san!" He nearly shouted at her. Then he winced and drew back slightly. "So sorry…I…I'm just a little tense…" His smile wavered slightly as he turned it on her. "Come on in…"
Gathering the sleeves of her voluminous kimono about her, Rinako stepped into the room as gracefully as she could. And she silently thanked Azarni and her family for taking her to all those formal ceremonies so that she had some idea how to walk in the conglomerate of fabrics. The last thing she wanted to do was to fall over on her face. Both in Ryoichi and Sesshoumaru's presence.
The youkai was standing by the open doors, very similar to the last time she'd seen him in this room. But he was dressed differently now, in a much simpler style. And, on looking closer, she saw that his long hair was wet and snarled. It was also making a sizeable puddle on the waxed floorboards at his bare feet.
Steeling her nerve, she walked halfway into the room, Ryoichi shadowing her. Bringing to mind all that she'd read last night, Rinako did her best to remind herself that he wasn't that scary. Not at all…
"Sesshoumaru-sama."
There was a moment of silence that Rinako thought wouldn't be broken. But, surprisingly enough, he answered her. "Rinako-san." He turned his head; those shimmering eyes pinned on her. He regarded her steadily for a long moment. Rinako stood tall; she was more surprised than afraid. Surprised that she wasn't ready to run in terror.
Remember Sachiko, she told herself. He's just like her, remember.
Something he saw in her must have pleased him somehow, for his eyes lost some of their intensity. With a swift movement he gathered up that sopping hair and entered the room again. He then did something neither Rinako nor Ryoichi expected.
He sat down on one of floor cushions with his back to them both. And then, glancing over a Rinako once more, he let the hair loose to trail to the floor. "Would you?"
Rinako was ready to pinch herself, to see if she was awake. She stared at the long silver silk with bated breath, not really believing what was going on. Was he asking her to… comb his hair?
It was absurd.
That was the thought that flashed through her mind as she knelt behind him. That was the thought she ignored when she replied. "Of course."
She'd helped Sachiko with her hair countless times.
Rinako was sure that Ryoichi was going to keel over. The look on his face was nearly priceless. "Do you have a brush, Ryoichi-san?" She asked, politely.
"Ah…yes…yes, I think we do. Hold on a minute…" He disappeared into an adjoining room that she hadn't noticed before. She saw a large metal basin inside, and a bundle of discarded clothing. It wasn't difficult to figure out why Sesshoumaru's hair was wet. But she couldn't help but wonder why they'd used that method of bathing.
The main room was silent as Ryoichi rummaged around for a comb in the other chamber. Rinako sat with her hands in her lap. She stared at the ghostly strands before her with unseeing eyes as she listened for any signs of movement from the youkai in front of her. There were none. He didn't even turn to see what she was doing.
Yet, oddly enough…the situation wasn't as tense as she'd expected. That cold feeling in the air that she usually felt in his presence wasn't there now. Everything about him seemed strangely mellow.
Ryoichi soon returned with a comb that appeared to be made of real wood, and a towel. Giving Sesshoumaru a sideways glance, he approached slowly and handed them over. Then he stepped back.
Rinako began doing what she's been asked immediately, starting at the ends that were piled at her knees. She hesitated slightly before picking them up, but she pushed her reservations aside. Her hands only shook very slightly, almost unnoticeable, as she began.
The stands of hair felt like silk sliding through her fingers. Even wet and somewhat tangled, it managed to slip through the teeth of the comb effortlessly, tumbling to gracefully collect in the towel in her lap. It was thick enough to be a blanket in its sodden state, an actual noticeable weight on her legs. There was an odd texture to the actual hair itself that Rinako couldn't quite name, but one thing was for sure—it wasn't something she'd equate with any other hair she'd ever touched.
The silence stretched on. Although not caused by fear, it was still beginning to wear on her. Rinako did not like quiet very much, being much more interested in conversation if able. Which she was, now. Besides, she had talked to him before. Many times, actually.
So she gave it a shot.
"There's a lot of hair here, Sesshoumaru-sama."
Her only reply was an odd look from Ryoichi. But she would not be deterred.
"I've never seen someone have so much of it. And have it in such good shape, too."
Sesshoumaru moved, finally, dipping his head forward an inch. "Hmm…" It was a noncommittal sound; almost as if he wasn't quite listening to her, but it was a response nonetheless.
Quiet fell about them again. Rinako shifted her position slightly so she could reach higher. Her mind struggled for something to say. Something neutral that would make this seem just like a normal circumstance.
Her mind recalled a familiar little book, and she got an idea. She was going to see if what Sachiko had written was true. If Sesshoumaru reacted to one of the stories, there could be no doubt that they were real memories. His memories.
Weeding through the tangle of information she'd ingested last night, she searched for the simplest story she could remember.
"Do you mind if I tell you a story, Sesshoumaru-sama?"
Ryoichi made a slight sound behind her, but she ignored him. Apparently, Sesshoumaru did as well. "As you wish," he replied, languidly.
"Many, many years ago," she began, raising up even higher on her knees to work on another area. Her fingers trailed after the comb, slipping through the pearly locks without even realizing it. "There was a great lord. One who held an amazing amount of land and prestige. When his reign first began, he was considered young by many—too young in fact. Yet, he had seen much in his youth that gave him enough wisdom to rival that of many of his accusers.
"But that gained knowledge couldn't keep the familiar emotional flaws of youth away. Arrogance, pride, and a sense of invincibility were the downfall of many young men." Rinako paused, trying to find the words to flesh out Sachiko's writing. She could feel Ryoichi's questioning eyes on her, but she continued her gentle ministrations without a pause.
To her surprise, the strands in her hands slide to the side. Looking up, she found that the youkai had turned around to glance at her over his shoulder. The one gold eye that she could see was unreadable. "That was rather short, Rinako-san."
Was that amusement she heard? Rinako wasn't sure. But she was going to go with it. "No, no, Sesshoumaru-sama. I'm just trying to remember it all." She smiled, before lowering her eyes to her work again. "I'm not pulling, am I?"
It was so mundane, this conversation. It really wasn't as hard as she'd thought.
"No." There seemed to be more that he wanted to say, but he turned around again. "Go on," he said at last, his tone too mild to be an order.
And so she did. "Well, this young lord spent much of his time traveling. As I said, his land was vast and he needed to see to it all. During these travels he found himself facing many battles, both those of swords as well as politics. But soon, through all these hardships, he made a name for himself. A name that was feared."
"And what was this name?" The sudden interruption made Rinako drop the comb. Drawing in a steadying breath, she reached down for it, hesitating slightly, before answering.
"That is not part of the tale, Sesshoumaru-sama."
"If it is true, then any man of such rank would have his name mentioned."
"Ah, but the story isn't over yet," she scolded, lightly, without thought. "You do not know if it will turn out to be a good one. "
The youkai grunted softly. She couldn't tell if it was in agreement or annoyance.
"If you really wish for a name, Sesshoumaru-sama, I can give him one," she added, tentatively. Perhaps a false name would make it seem less obvious whom the tale was really about.
"Do as you wish."
"Hmm…" she pondered, aloud, as her hands continued working. "I think I've come up with something…" Glancing over her shoulder, she looked at the young man who was there, watching them. His look of shock seemed to have faded some, and now he was slowly beginning to relax.
"Ryoichi-san," she began.
Ryoichi's head popped up. "Yes?"
"May I use your name, Ryoichi-san? Or, should I say, Ryoichi-sama?"
His mouth fell open. It took a second for him to reply. "Ah…whatever you want…."
Giving him a friendly smile, Rinako turned back around. "Is that all right with you, Sesshoumaru-sama?"
The youkai did not turn around. "The tori may catch on fire if you do so. "
What? Rinako faced Ryoichi again and saw that he was blushing fiercely. It was actually rather cute. So, that's what he meant… She couldn't hold back a giggle. "I hope this isn't embarrassing, Ryoichi-san."
If possible, Ryoichi seemed to grow even redder. "Err…no, Rinako-san. I'm fine…" He took a deep breath, before giving her a wavering smile. "See?"
"Hmm." She paused. Then she grinned. "So, this Tori-sama," she glanced over at Ryoichi and saw him relax slightly. "This Tori-sama was soon known all throughout the land to be powerful as well as merciless. And he was so, taking down any who opposed him without any hesitation. Some even called him cruel, although he did not think it so.
"However, this new power under his hands did nothing to diminish the pride of his youth. In fact, it may have strengthened it. The pride was not unfounded, of course, but even pride built on a foundation can cause one to fall.
"Tori-sama did not so much as fall as stumble. For, one day, in his many battles, he met someone he could not defeat. This someone would have even been able to defeat him if his greatest power did not draw him away."
The back in front of her tensed the slightest bit under her hand. If she hadn't been so near she would have never noticed. Her fingers smoothed down the locks of hair in an unconscious soothing gesture as she continued. She had both of the males' attention now.
"Yes, Tori-sama had been given quite the unusual power. It was one of healing and life. He did not use it often, as it was not his way.
"This power was wiser than he was, most assuredly. It was able to induce him into leaving the battle, wounded as he was. It was even great enough to move him to a place where he could heal without catching his enemies' attention."
Sesshoumaru turned around then, giving her his one-eyed stare over his shoulder, but Rinako kept combing, nearing his shoulder with her work. She did not even glance at him as she went on.
"And Tori-sama did heal, rather quickly. But, during that time, he made the discovery of a little child in the woods. This child was a peasant without a home, wary of the great lord, yet not afraid…"
A vision of a wood suddenly flashed through Rinako's mind, and her fingers stumbled. It was a mellow place of greenery, full of muted shades of brown and gray. That was why the white shape at the one tree was so noticeable…standing out like a flower amongst the grass…
Rinako drew in a sharp breath. She…she could see it…She just didn't know what it was…
Running, running…she could remember running. There were angry people behind her, so she left. Into the woods and through the bramble. It cut at her face, scratched her arms. A butterfly…then the clearing. She'd never seen someone like that before, she remembered…but what was it? What was it that she was looking at…? All that was there was white….
But she was not afraid…
"Rinako-san?"
Ryoichi's voice snapped Rinako out of her thoughts. She blinked, trying to clear her mind. She noticed that she'd dropped the comb again, although not remembering when. Rinako bent down to retrieve it. When she looked up again, she was face to face with the demon in front of her. She almost dropped it again in shock.
Sesshoumaru was giving her an inscrutable look, his eyes a shade darker than she remembered. "That is not a proper ending, Rinako-san." His tone was dull, but she knew there was something else going on behind those abnormal eyes. She just knew, somehow.
Rinako did her best to fit a calm, friendly smile on her lips. "I'm fine, Sesshoumaru-sama. Ryoichi-san. Just got lost in thought for a moment… It reminded me of something…"
"Reminded you of something?" Sesshoumaru repeated, almost thoughtfully, before—to Rinako's relief—he turned back around. "A powerful memory, it would seem."
"Hai…" She didn't really know if that was a question, but she answered anyhow.
Rinako sat still, letting the remnants of those scenes flash through her mind. She didn't know where they had come from…perhaps from reading Sachiko's journal too thoroughly? But, she didn't remember something like that being in there…. The forest had been so real…
"And this girl?"
"Hmm? Oh…yes. The girl." Rinako began working on his hair again. "She brought the lord many humble offerings of food, although she did not have much of it herself. She would come every day as the lord healed. One night she came with bruises. Tori-sama did not know where they had come from, yet he did know that they'd upset the child. Yet, when asked, the child would not speak.
"Soon the day came when the lord could be on his way. On that day, the little girl did not show. Thinking she had lost interest, Tori-sama left. Using the trail, he began towards his lands. Only to meet the bloody, mutilated corpse of the child in the middle of the road. It appeared to have been the work of…"
Enormous teeth glared down at her, their lengths shimmering in the pale light. They were smeared red. Then there was pain, piecing her leg, her wrist, her neck. There was a snap, then a squishing sound, and always those needles of tearing pain.
Rinako gasped, inaudibly, her nails digging into the white under her hands. She made contact with something solid, something warm. Whatever it was, it was taut under her grip. Something smooth trailed over her face, like silk, as she leaned closer.
"...wolves," she managed to get out, in a strangled voice "They'd torn the little girl to shreds, leaving her alone on the cold trail. Her sightless, tortured eyes must have done something to the lord, for, upon seeing her, he'd drawn upon the power that he'd never used on someone else. The great power that had saved his life not long ago. This same power saved the girl's life, bringing her back from the dead."
Rinako vaguely heard a voice behind her, but she did not acknowledge it. Her grip remained firm on whatever was in her hold, grounding her to reality. But that did not stop the flash of gold from taking over her mind for a split second.
She was determined to finish her story.
"He saved the girl that day. He took that little girl from her old lonely life and brought her home with him. The cold, ruthless lord forgot his pride in an instance of compassion. And, as I would think the story goes, he lived the better for it!"
"Rinako-san!"
It took Rinako a while to gain her senses. All she could see was white and gold, folded around her. Then she opened her eyes and saw ever more white. But this time it was real, she could feel strands of it poking her eyes.
And that's when she realized exactly what she was holding on to. The name was like a spear through her mind.
Sesshoumaru.
Rinako lifted her head slowly from where it had been buried into the damp hair in front of her. She released the death grip she had on the thin material of his clothing just as carefully. She stared at his back as if she was afraid it would bite her. Or he would.
A vaguely familiar hand touched her arm. Rinako distantly noticed the new talons. "What happened, Rinako-san? Are you all right?" Ryoichi leaned around her to peer into her face.
All she could do was stare at the youkai in front of her.
"Se…Se…Sesshoumaru-sama…." It was barely a movement of her lips, but she knew he heard her. It was a moment before he replied, completely calm and unfazed.
"You appear to become very involved with your storytelling, Rinako-san." He kept his back to them, for which Rinako was grateful. She didn't know what she would do at that moment if he looked at her.
She was also very grateful that he wasn't angry. Or at least angry enough to rip off her head.
Which, thinking on it, Rinako realized was a ludicrous thought. He wouldn't hurt her…
But she was still going to apologize.
"I'm very sorry, Sesshoumaru-sama… "
"Hnn…" He brushed it off easily, and Rinako felt relieved.
Something dawned on her then. It was as if someone slapped her in the back of the head. Something inside her told her it was important that she know the answer. "Sesshoumaru-sama…how did you know the child was a little girl?"
He looked at her then, rotating his head slowly to give her that same hard stare as always. Time seemed to stop as she waited, her heart drumming in her ears. This was something significant. So significant…
He didn't answer. The whole moment was interrupted by a scream echoing down the hall.
All three heads snapped up.
Rinako knew who it was immediately. Her chest constricted. "Azarni!" She called out, her voice suddenly hoarse.
Sesshoumaru's eyes jumped to her, and before she could even blink once, he was gone.
---
DONE!!! Yay!! Ummm….
BEWARE! Really long A/N!
I was going to tack more on here, but I've been so slow (not to mention computer crashes, waiting for a new one, and then saving all my old files…) getting this part done, that I'll cut it into two chapters. (I reeeeallly dislike the first 3/4th of this chapter… Bah )
Anyway, let me get to the shit load of babbling nonsense that is my A/N (1/2 of it's been sitting at the end of this document ever since I began this chapter….OO….)
I'll go in somewhat of an order here…
Yes, a Sachiko moment! Why did I put that in there? Umm……..don't ask.
Referring to the slang (there should be an asterisk next to it to indicate a note, but this damn site keeps erasing it....) I've heard somewhere that, used in that context, it should be spelled hott. I'm not very good with popular slang (since I never use it) so let's not go into the proper spelling of it…. Besides, it's from Sesshoumaru's point of view, and since he doesn't know what it is, why should I?
Hmmm…the bath scene is icky… Done very poorly… --beats Sess with a stick-- Stay IC!!! Damn you!! --gets eaten-- Ur….?
And yes, I added another OC. –hides-- This was simply to show that there ARE other people there besides our Lovely Six. He's mainly an annoyance now, but he might come in later. Don't know yet. (I only have the very basics of this planned out so far. Which gets morphed into something else most of the time. My notes are basically only there so that if I get behind in a chapter, I can remember what the next will be about!)
This topic leads me here:
Original Characters: I have a few of those, don't I? And since they keep popping up, I'll ask how much they bug you. Fanfiction isn't really a place for OCs unless they are well-done (I've discovered that throughout my fanfiction "travels".) Sooo, I'm asking your opinion on the ones here. Are they any good? What do you like/dislike about them? How badly do they annoy you? Feel free to leave a little something in your reviews about them. (And don't forget the other stuff that I usually get! I'm being a comment whore. ;;)
Next step—the story within a story . I've been planning that since the beginning, yet it wasn't until I actually began writing it now that I even knew what the story would actually be about. And, by reading it, I think you can tell what it was supposed to accomplish. I happen to think it came out rather well.
Although the cliffhanger sucks….. Muchly…. –sigh—
Anyway, there's more!
News:
I've had a few comments from various people on my tendency to have grammar/spelling mistakes. And I have to apologize for that; I know how distracting they can be. But, as this is just a hobby, and my beta doesn't want to read this monster (hn…), I really don't have the time to read this over as carefully as I want to. But, as it is, I'll probably be going through this soon and fixing some of the bigger problems, such as those glaringly obvious mistakes and the messed up spacing (where it should be double-spaced it ended up single.) I don't know exactly when I'll get to it, so hang with me. I'd rather get the whole story down with little mistakes then get stuck in the re-re-re-editing. (I do read through this at least two times fully. Along with that, I always scan over the last parts that I'd just written before going on.)
But, for all our sakes, I'm going to keep trying to be as careful as I can (and maybe kick my beta into gear.... or find another one...)
If there happens to be any errors that simply glare out at you big time, and you remember where they are, don't be afraid to drop me a line (such an ugly, cliched phrase…--….).
Another little note of interest: As it stands, this giant, mind-consuming piece of literature is 95 typed pages (including A/N's) and has 67,502 words. And it is 446KB. Oo…
Damn…I write too much….
Oh well….
Next Time: We see what's buggin' Azarni, then we see a little bit more about Natsuko's Sensei.
Let's see how long this one'll take me… (--….)