UnSpoken Love By: OtakuSailorV
Chapter 21:: A Seductive Voice that Commands the Darkness
Naraku stepped from amongst the dreary shadows, the swarm of demon insects flying off and seemingly disappearing as he came forward. A smug smirk twisted his lips, his narrow eyes dancing as red fire spouted forth. He was dangerous, and the evil that flooded from him and penetrated Rin's miko senses made her bones rattle together, as if in a sudden chill.
The grass frosted, breath and air turned foggy, though not pure white, but black and shades of dark purple, evil, malicious thoughts hung in the air, the screams and wails of forgotten children permeated every sense, filling the entire body with a feeling of hopeless loss. Like there was no reason to go on, and Rin almost instinctively curled in on herself, as her human senses told her she should to close herself off from the immense sadness and evil that was trying to control her.
His blood red eyes were burned into her mind, and though she stood rigid and straight, the change in her almost unnoticeable outwardly, on the inside she had already pulled away from the on-coming darkness. It was the same, the same as the cold darkness that had gripped her, had torn at her heart and almost diminished the Inner Light that she knew was so sacred. It had filled her mind with thoughts of inefficiency, of how imperfect she was, and how problematic. But most of all, it fed on her doubt, doubt of her own abilities, on her worry that she was a burden, and on her growing sense of helplessness. It whispered sweat things to her, lulling her away, but also shouted and rebuked her at the same time, laughing and mocking her so harshly that she felt tears starting to come forward, though they had never been summoned forth.
Unexpectedly, something sang in her soul, banishing the darkness that dared creep back into her mind and body when she had so refused it and fought it before. This time her miko senses would not allow it to even try and hurt her again, and she forcefully drove the miasma away from her, though she had made no move.
In reality, this process had only taken a moment as Naraku had glanced at the quiet, detached human female. He had halted his approach and the two had locked eyes. Upon meeting his crimson gaze, Rin's pupils had dilated, as if she recognized him, though she told herself she had never seen this man before. And it was true, up until this time, Rin had never lain eyes on Naraku before, though he knew very well who and what she was and recognized her instantly, if only from her innocent miko aura.
Sesshoumaru had not time to react, for just as her eyes had widened, there seemed to be a gust of wind that was sent from the miko-child, bursting outward and striking at Naraku. The dark hanyou's eyes widened briefly, his lips forming a thin line as he took a single step back against the pure ward against his evil, erecting a barrier just in time to send the wind away from himself, so as not to be hurt.
Lowering the arm that he had placed in front of his eyes, he smirked, his eyes still dancing.
Sesshoumaru felt himself growling, his golden eyes that were usually so calm and emotionless sparking with sudden anger. Whatever interaction had happened between the young human and the male before him was not a secret from him. Others might have been puzzled, but he, being the Taiyoukai that he was, understood fully what had gone on between them, even if the fight had been internal.
Naraku had tried to destroy the miko, who was an obvious threat to him for some reason by breaking her. By frightening her by making her relive the fright that had come with the cold feeling that had touched her heart not long ago. Sesshoumaru felt his growl become more powerful as he realized that this man was the one that had tried to hurt his hum- no, Rin. That was the girl's name after all. . .
Of course Rin had come out of it unharmed, her miko blood and instinct denying him entry as it realized who was trying to enter. Still, his growl echoed and rumbled like thunder around him, his fangs glinting as he turned a steady golden gaze on the dark male.
Sniffing the air, he picked up a scent that he had not noticed the first time he had had the privilege of meeting Naraku. A scent he was used to, that interlaced so that two became one. A disgusting blend that left the mighty Taiyoukai's nostril's flaring and his stomach churning. Hanyou.
His eyes narrowed on Naraku, who had straightened, his lips still curled in that self-amused, stuck-up smirk. His red eyes widened a touch and glinted as he saw the knowledge seep into the youkai Lord.
"Hanyou. . ." Sesshoumaru seethed, fangs showing in the words that had come out as a hiss.
Naraku chuckled, the darkness pressing in, making his eyes glow dangerously. This man was like a snake.
"The Great Lord Sesshoumaru, reduced to caring for a human woman, just like his father. . ." He said in a slow, steady tone that dripped with sarcasm and delighted interest. Naraku was aiming to wound Sesshoumaru's pride; and further him into a blind rage, but it was not so easy to melt the frozen statue of a man such as he.
The long silver hair slipped forward in the wind, blowing toward Naraku. His claws flexed slightly at his side, growing out, as did his fangs as he looked on at Naraku. As the moon started to appear, he felt a ray of it hit the crescent-moon symbol on his forehead and add to his strength somewhat, though it was probably just his imagination.
Sesshoumaru smirked coldly, startling Naraku somewhat. He had not thought that Sesshoumaru would reply to his words in that manner.
"And I suppose your precious Council are the ones that told you about all that? Seeing as you are too young to have gained such knowledge on your own."
The statement was meant as a stab to Naraku's pride this time; in that he was inexperienced, youthful and essentially stupid as the youngest member of the Council.
A silence was drawn between them before suddenly and unexpectedly; Naraku started to chuckle again, his shoulders shaking as he tried to contain himself. "Ku ku ku, do you truly believe that I am here by orders of that group of fools?"
Sesshoumaru felt his mind snap back into the defensive as the dark aura around him seemed to grow, the moonlight adding an eerie effect to this illusion. His shoulders stiffened the muscles around his joints locking them into place tightly, allowing him to move on an instant if needed. Looking back, he reassured himself that Rin was still close enough to grab without having to do much but pivot slightly in case of an attack.
Rin's eyes widened as she took in this bit of information, piecing everything together as she listened to their conversation. So far, all she knew of this demon was that he was called 'Sesshoumaru,' and apparently was a mighty demon at that to be addressed as 'Great Lord.' So, she was traveling, or, well, rather 'escaping' with this Great Demon Lord for Kami-sama knew what reason!
She felt a new awkwardness rise in the very back of her mind, nibbling away at her conscious. A demon, and a human, of course the Council were after them. . .but what did she have to do with this? She had been dragged in, unwillingly, when he had suddenly popped onto the top of her car and taken charge as if there were nothing else in the world that mattered but that he take her with him at that moment. She had so many questions to ask, but he was quiet and left her feeling strangely whenever they spoke together. Why had she let herself be taken away by this unknown man? She could have just walked away if she had wanted to, there had been an opportunity in which she could have, wasn't there? And then she wouldn't be wrapped up in this mess! Whatever this 'mess' was in the first place!
But a keen curiosity kept her going, along with some inner voice that whispered and giggled that she would understand if only she would stay a bit longer. If only she would listen and fight, if only she would be there by his side when 'the time came,' that she would understand exactly what was being asked of her in this situation. Of why she was of so much importance in these days of dire need that she had not been aware of before. That something knew and spectacular would be revealed to her.
Her thoughts and brow hardened in stiff realization that she could no longer run, but would have to fight if she needed, if only to figure out what was going on and return her protector's kindness. But fight with what, she knew not.
An eyebrow raised in question to Naraku's proclamation on both Rin and Sesshoumaru's faces. "I suppose there is something you want from this Sesshoumaru?"
Sesshoumaru was always right to the point, never dabbling in details if he had figured them out already by himself, and never bothering to consider if there was a need for explanation. He worked by his own terms, and Naraku liked that, though it was tough to guess at his motives at times, though he was sure the same could be said for him.
Naraku gave him a look as if he were pondering his question, though he already knew how he was going to answer to that inquiry. "'Want' is not quite the word, though I do want you both dead."
With that, the darkness around him suddenly exploded, his features swallowed up immediately, though his red eyes had gleamed brightly against the enclosing miasma. Rin gasped, startled by the sudden explosion of darkness, and the sharp pulling it gave to her miko soul, as if it were sucking the life out of her.
Sesshoumaru didn't move, sensing his enemy with his superior youkai senses though his clawed hand had dropped to the hilt of one of his two swords.
He could guess at what the dark hanyou was after now that he had made his move against them.
Somehow, the fiend had infiltrated the Council, a job that Sesshoumaru considered hard, seeing as they had very tight security and no one with even a trace of youkai blood in them was allowed within, though they claimed there was no such rule. Whatever his motives for this were, he could not yet tell, just that they were somehow his enemy now. He would not allow them to get in the way of whatever it was, and obviously thought that it would affect them enough that they would be forced into fighting him off. To Sesshoumaru, he was sure that the Western Lands, his family heirloom so to speak, were involved, while for the miko, he was sure it was just her pure powers - no matter how miniscule - that Naraku did not want standing against him.
So, did that mean that the Council itself was not involved at all, and all of this trouble was Naraku's doing?
Though Sesshoumaru could hardly believe that was truth, he did not doubt that the man had somehow gained that much power already.
There was a shift in the miasma to his right, and he moved before his eyes had even glanced in that direction. Swiveling, he wrapped one strong arm securely around Rin, who gasped at his sudden movement and shot upward, out of the cloud.
The miasma seemed to solidify, closing off their escape route as Sesshoumaru fought his way to the opening. He could feel the moon reaching for him through the foggy poisoned air, trying to grasp him and pull him forward. Rin had instinctively clung to him tightly, and even now had her eyes pinched shut, as though afraid to open them for what she might see.
The silky laughter of Naraku rang out below him, making a snarl start to rise in his throat.
As Sesshoumaru finally broke through, Rin gasped for breath, her lungs burning with the need to get fresh air and rid itself of the disgusting vapors of miasma that had seeped in. She coughed roughly, covering her mouth with one hand as her body heaved, her back and shoulders arching into the force of the air escaping her and rubbing her throat raw. Tiny water droplets, not quite akin to tears, formed at the edges of her eyes as she continued to cough in the same tight, harsh manner.
Sesshoumaru landed in the middle of the next road intersection, touching only briefly before shooting backward again. A loud car horn sounded in his ear and he was half-blinded in one eye as bright headlights flashed in it. Ignoring the panicked human and the swerving metal can it was in, he landed in the next spot of grass that his feet could find and let Rin back down again.
She seemed fine now, her fit over and done with, though her throat still was burning. Rin's vision blurred for a moment as she steadied herself, the miasma leaving her human body frail feeling and weak, though her miko powers soon took over and rid what little was left.
From their place, it could not be seen on whether Naraku was still inside the cloud of miasma or not with human or youkai eyes. "Where is he?" Rin questioned softly, her voice inquiring instead of worried.
Sesshoumaru's eyes scanned and rescanned the miasma, which was now starting to come out of it's cloud and leak outward, disappearing into the air. He made no immediate answer, trying to pinpoint the hanyou himself.
Rin, who had begun to read his motions and (limited) facial expressions as answers instead of words, knew that he too was not certain and said nothing more. Tensely, she wished she had some way to help him for the millionth time. Though something dark, in the back of her mind informed her constantly that the proud Demon Lord needed no help from a human such as herself.
Suddenly, a growl pulled her from her reverie, and she looked up at him, startled. Red clouded his vision in places, his eyes wide, the gold mixing with the red and making a strange, dark color that frightened her. His eyes had turned from the dissipating miasma and risen to the night sky. His fangs were bared, gleaming in unison with his eyes in the darkness around them. "They dare interfere. . ." He hissed, mostly to himself.
The moonlight hit hard on his silver hair, making it shine in an unreal fashion. Though far above and to the left, there was seen another shining silver spot alike to Sesshoumaru's. As Rin looked on, it came closer.
Ack! I haven't updated in so long, and to top it off, I leave another cliffie!! Angry muse hits V-chan Gah, gomen nasai, minna-san!!!
At any rate, I'm glad that I finally have some time to write again. Finals were killing me big time. But that's what I get for going to the High School that I do, I guess. . .Ah, no more pity-party though!
I'd like to thank everyone for their patience and support, as always. You guys really keep me goin'. Happy Holidays, minna-san!
On that note, I'd like to inform everyone that I will be absent from my home from December 30 – January 2 for a trip to see my way-past-cool aunt with my mom. Sorry to say there will be no updates that weekend, but I will try to catch up before then. grin
Enjoy your Holiday, and thank you for your continued support!! Ja'ne.
Review Please.