Disclaimers apply to everything that I don't own!
The End,
By Winterwing3000
Opening the door, Sesshomaru stepped out of the bathroom wearing a black robe, steam bellowing out as he dried his hair with a towel. His feet made no noise as he walked lightly to his room, the ends of his hair dripping behind him. The large house was eerily quiet and it seemed that his sister-in-law wasn't home for quite a while now.
Sniffing around the air, the dog demon noted that Kagome's scent was very faint and… there was another scent in the house. A disturbing fowl stench lingered in the air, filtered with stealth and wary. Closing the door to his room, Sesshomaru changed quickly into a pair of slacks and a black tank top and darted out his chambers to investigate.
Heading down to the living space, he found the things as they were. No chairs flipped, no tables smashed, no burnt carpets, not holes in the wall, no bl--… out of the corners of his amber eyes, he spotted some dry stains of crimson on the wall near the front door. Growling, Sesshomaru nearly slammed his hands into the wall. Kagome was kidnapped, which meant only one thing. She was caught as well… it seemed that his enemy is always moving one step ahead of him, no matter how carefully he played his cards.
Slamming the door behind him, Sesshomaru darted up to the roofs, pulling out his cell and pressed a speed dial number, instantly reaching the other side. "Oi, nanda Sesshomaru?"
"If you keep that tone up, you won't be likely to notice what has happened to your mate."
"NANI! Kuso, where the hell is she!"
"Meet me at the Kyushu dock, this Sesshomaru thinks that they are near by… do not take too long hanyou."
"Daijoubou?" the other girl asked, worry clearly written across her face. Rin snapped out of her daze and let out a silent sigh before giving a quick nod.
"Do you know where we are?" Rin asked, turning to face the other girl.
"I… I'm not sure… but it's most likely underground or nearby water. It's too damp to be a basement of a house or a jailhouse." The Prussian eye woman confirmed.
"Oh…"
"Well, you don't have to worry! My husband's coming here soon, I know he is…" she tried cheering up Rin. "Anyways, I'm Kagome Higurashi Tetsusaiga."
"Ah… watashi Rin Seijun…" Rin answered Kagome.
Realization dawned upon Kagome. "You're Rin… do you have uh…" the raven head fumbled around her, thinking of a way to demonstrate what she wanted to tell Rin.
Hastily, Kagome unbuttoned the first two buttons on her torn shirt and flipped over the collar of her left shoulder, where a dark violet scar was placed. "Um… do you have something like this on your body?"
"You… you're marked… by a youkai!" Rin exclaimed in fear. Was Kagome another puppet like she of a demon? Did her demon husband capture her? And… "Your teishu… is a youkai…?"
Kagome blinked a few times. "Hai, demo… he's not fully an inu-youkai, he's a hanyou… and he's coming to save me… I can feel it."
"Demo… how can you trust him? How do you know! He's just using you Kagome-san! You can't trust demons, they're just liars… they're all liars…!" Rin said desperately.
"Then you are Sesshomaru's wife!" Kagome said.
"Washi… I'm not! Why do people keep insisting that I am! I can't be… I never knew him… but Kikyo-san said that I was and you do as well… I just don't know… why are everything kept from me?" the younger girl said, hand clamping down on her right shoulder, wanting some warmth that was always granted to her, the reassurance that everything would be fine… that this wasn't anything but a nightmare conjured from her nights of watching horror films and movies.
"Kikyo… you met Kikyo…" the raven head muttered, finally realizing what the real problem was. It wasn't Rin, no, it wasn't her sister-in-law's heart, and she could feel Rin's distraught and confusion. But it was her cousin's fault. Kikyo had lied to Rin, twisting her mind with falsehood and caused the girl to be lost between the truth and the lies.
"Rin-san, listen to me… I know Kikyo, she's my cousin… she was lying to you. She hated youkais ever since… I was married. She wanted everyone to hate them as well, telling lies and fibs of their cruelty… which is half true, but not all of them are like that…" Kagome whispered quietly, crawling slowly to the enclosed girl.
"My husband… Inuyasha, he's a good man. Even though there will be times where he'll be riled up for nothing and act rudely, he's a very great guy. Sure he's a hanyou, being rejected by both humans and demons, but… he has a heart, like you and I. He has feelings, burdens, tears… anything and everything that is human like. He saved me once too… I always thought that he was a senseless jerk who does nothing but spout things about how ugly I am, but I was wrong when he saved me from being killed in an accident."
"And now, he's coming here, to save us both. I'm sure Sesshomaru is coming as well… you can feel him, can't you? There's always this comforting warmness on your marking, saying that you'll be safe no matter what…" Kagome wrapped her arms around Rin, pulling the girl into an embrace.
"Inuyasha-geiki… he was funny. He loved me… and… I think I loved him too…" Rin mumbled feeling the warmth creeping to her hand, the sensation of consolation tingling through her body.
"Hm… I'm sure he still loves you Rin-chan… he told me about you…" Kagome said, smiling warmly.
"He… was so cute… and Sesshomaru… he was… cold, distant… he… He tried to KILL ME!" The sensation dissipated, turning in numbing pain and shock. The brunette pushed herself away from the older woman.
Then the metal door banged open, revealing two long shadows into the dimmed room. The scent of blood clogged their noses and their skin pricked… who are they?
As one of the shadows stepped into the room, Kagome gave a happy yelp and jumped up and dashed to it, only to be pulled down flat to the ground by something cold and rusty. Immediately, the figure bent down to pick her up and looked past Rin and to the source that had kept her down.
"Itai… why didn't you catch me Inu?" Kagome groaned, sitting up and rubbing her sore side as the man held her up by her arm pits.
"Sorry, didn't see it coming… and why are you shackled?" a gruff voice said, as the amber eyes finally traveled to the old chains. Rin's breath got caught in her throat…
Was he Inuyasha?
But… he looks… so mature, even with that cocky smirk on his face earlier. His hands were stained as were his clothes. His silver was in the same formation, unruly in the front and long in the back.
"…Inuyasha?" Rin mumbled curiously, seeing if the man still remembered her.
"Who wants to… Rin?" The silver haired man blinked disbelievingly, dropping his hands in shock, dropping Kagome onto the floor again. "ITAI! INUYASHA!"
"Ah… sumimasen. Demo… you are Rin right? But… you look so old!" Inuyasha said, crouching down to her level.
"Gee, thanks for the compliment. I feel a lot younger…" Rin said dryly.
And if this was Inuyasha… then… the other one is…
"…Sesshomaru?" she turned her head to look over Inuyasha, her dark hazel eyes meeting with dark wheat eyes; one shining with unfamiliarity and hesitance and the other nothing but an impassive look.
"Hurry up hanyou… we do not have the time to idle." Sesshomaru said in a chilled voice.
"Well, if you haven't noticed, I'm half crippled here and you expect me to carry two women all the way home?" Inuyasha replied half angrily.
Sesshomaru, Rin wasn't sure but she swore that he nearly rolled his eyes, bent to pick up Kagome until Inuyasha let out a threatening growl. Glaring at his half-brother, Sesshomaru went to where they were as Kagome finally sat up from falling onto the ground twice.
Sesshomaru bent down and rapidly swept Rin into his arms, and Inuyasha did the same with Kagome. The brunette female gave a small scared yelp, catching the inu-youkai's attention.
Her eyebrows drew near to the center of her face as she looked with uncertainty at the honey-molten eyes pierced into her dark-molten eyes. Seconds turned the hands of the clock as they continued to stare at each other, gazes unwavering but Sesshomaru finally looked away as Rin began to slowly search his eyes for some things…
"Oi, are we going or not!" Inuyasha's voice echoed down the hall, since they were left alone in the dingy room. With one arm holding onto the girl, Sesshomaru melted the metal shackles with his poison and darted out the room, speeding past his arrogant brother with demonic speed.
"Sesshomaru! KISAMA!"
As they entered the house, Sesshomaru didn't bother closing the door as he went up to the second level of the house and kicked the guest room door open. He strode over to the canopy bed as Rin struggled difficultly in his arms. His patience wearing thing, he growled and looked down at her, baring his fangs and blood red eyes.
"Nnm! Let go of me!" Rin said, pushing her hands against his chest. Ever since the ride to where ever they were going to, which Rin later found out was most likely his house, Rin had demanded him to release her. She was almost certain that he would be hurting her… like he did in the past.
Rudely and uncaringly, Sesshomaru did as she requested and dropped her none too gently onto the unoccupied bed with many hard cushions and pillows.
Bristling, Rin huffed and rolled over to the other side of the bed, ignoring the man. When she saw the windows, Rin wondered how high up the building was from the ground…
"Do not bother plotting an escape, this house has been sealed with ancient magic that will not allow you to leave this house without my consent. From now on… you are my prisoner and are to stay in this house. This will be your room and you may use things as you please…" Sesshomaru told her, turning around and now at the door, about to close it and step out. But he added one last note to his message, turning to look at her from over his shoulder.
"However, my room is restricted from your wanders… and do not bother talking about escaping to Kagome… she will also do nothing about it. I am the head of the family, and the hanyou and the miko only listens to me. That is all…" the silver haired man lifted his head up and closed the door with a snap.
Rin turned and stared at the door. His quiet footsteps headed down the stairs and the light in the hallway dimmed and became nothing.
The feelings that had gripped the girl's heart now tightened into a death grip, quickening her breathing as the words sunk in…
She was… rescued… but captured…
Again…
Sesshomaru stood in front of the family alter that stood between the two households. The dark red wood formed a rectangular box indented in the wall. A divider was placed three quarters up from the ground and the family heirlooms were kept there. Two sacred blades created by his ancestors were upheld by wooden locks and white shrine seals hung from the hilts. Though the shafts were the same coal metal texture, the difference between the swords was at the hilt. One looked as if the leather bindings had be shredded and worn from many hands of the past holders. The other was in perfect shape, not a thread out of place. Below the swords was the real alter.
A long ancient wooden incense holder was neatly polished on the outside and filled with red bamboo strips that held up the scented sticks. The family crest was hanging on the wall, the colors still apparent. The curves were finely carved and the blue blended magnificently with the white.
His chichi-ue and Izayoi had moved out, decided to visit Inuyasha's grandparents. His mother's parents had longed died, so InuTaisho was most likely going to visit their graves afterwards.
His fists clenched when the image of his mother surfaced. His father had married Izayoi three months after his mother died, showing no sign of grieving or sadness towards his dead wife. It was unfair. His haha-ue deserved so much more respect from chichi-ue, she had sacrificed everything for him in order to complete their happiness and to honor her memory, and his father had gone off and married a human and ended up with a hanyou.
And now… was he following his father's and brother's footsteps?
Feh… that was never going to happen. Sesshomaru scoffed in his thoughts. He was making his own life and was never going to fall into their position.
Rin to him… used to be a sense of duty and responsibility. But now, she was the main source of his past misery and hellish life style, torturing him wherever he may be. Now, he no longer needed to face it. He was free and now… he could do as he pleased with her. He could kill her, starve her… but…
Why didn't his conscious agree wit his mind!
This pulling… it was telling not to… there was still something within him that was keeping him from killing her. It was one of those… those… feelings that she had evicted from her soul and into him from the past…! But…
Now that his prey is in his grasp…
The hunt was over…
It had been nearly a month since she had been kept in the house and Rin had confined herself in her given room next to Sesshomaru's.
Even though she hadn't gone out herself for her things she didn't feel like talking to the frigid patriarch of the family, so Kagome had saved her the trouble of asking Sesshomaru permission to head out to the mall and bought the things she needed.
Her room used to be a mixture of black and white, blue and gray. But now, it was decorated with a woman's touch. The wallpaper was creamed color columns with prints of indigo flowers and hyacinths' leaf designs. The carpet remained satin red as were the hangings of the canopy bed and the window drapes. But the bed sheets and pillow covering turned from white to a musky blue with some lacy trimmings. The rest of the cushions were crowded at the end of her bed and some piled on the floor, where Silence originally slept. However, Sesshomaru disliked having another 'dog' in his domain, so Inuyasha promised to take it into his side of the house.
There was a small book cluttered table opposite of her bed and the closet was right by the door, filled with various night gowns, dresses, shirts and pants that Kagome had bought for her. Her private things were stored in a small cabinet next to the closet.
Rin cast a quick look to the opened window, where the sun was silently setting below the pine trees. Shaking her head hopelessly, she returned her attention to one of the books that she had found from the family library.
"Rin-chan? Kagome-nee-chan!" the brunette heard from outside of her door as the older woman knocked on the wooden frame. Sighing dejectedly, Rin got up from her bed and opened the locked door, already knowing that Kagome would be carrying a wooden tray with her lunch. Rin had refused to dine with them downstairs and so at times, either Inuyasha or Kagome would bring her food.
"You know, it would be nice to see you at the table once Rin. So then you don't have to be all lonely up here eating by yourself." Kagome scolded gently, putting the tray and pulling out the legs under it, turning it into a makeshift low table.
"No thanks… I'm sure that Sesshomaru would prefer that his prisoner stays in her room. Demo, arigatou for bringing this up." Rin said bitterly and bowed to her older sister-in-law.
"Well… the children are coming over today and Inuyasha's going to work later. So would you come down to at least stretch your legs and enjoy some time with the children? They're very eager to see you from what they heard about you." The raven head told the brunette, standing up and heading for the door.
"… Okay, I'll be downstairs when I'm done. And… don't worry about the tray; I'll bring it to the kitchen myself." Rin said after a moment of inner debate, sitting down on the floor and picking up her chopsticks.
"Okay! I'll be downstairs preparing for the day, so enjoy your lunch! And you won't regret it Rin-chan because I just know that you love little kids!" Kagome said, smiling brightly and clapping her hands together in a happy fashion then left the room, closing the door with a click.
Shaking her head, Rin picked up her rice bowl and proceeded to eat.
She picked at the picked vegetables, deciding which to eat first… so much like what Sesshomaru would… no was going to do first. Either starved her, kill her, bring her to some random place, glare at her, trap her like a rat and the list goes on at the possibilities of torture. Looking down at her bowl of white rice, Rin sighed again.
It was plain, white and simple. Plain, like what she had wanted for a lifestyle, all the normal things. White, like what she had wanted for her future, all blank and predictable. And simplicity. Something that she had lost once she kept on having reoccurring dreams off her lost past. Now, her life was complicated more than ever.
One of the things was her new family.
Adapting with Inuyasah-geiki and Kagome-chan wasn't hard. They were fairly normal people and lived a pretty normal life. They act like an everyday couple that you would find living across the street. Inuyasha's a cooperate worker, always busy during the week but was able to make time with Kagome and she. Kagome was a full time worker of the mini-three day children shelter that she had set up at the first floor of her side of the house. And Silence… well, that dog was just a bundle of endless energy and to keep her from jumping you around the corner would be a miracle.
However, Sesshomaru was a whole different matter.
He was the one who was being complicated. He was the one who refuses to be abnormal. He was the one who kept annoying the wits out of her whenever he would look at her like that. That as in if she was his prey trapped and locked in one of the dungeons. That as in he was noting her every movement; as in he was analyzing her every thought. Avoid him forever wasn't possible she always told herself because sooner or later, she would be bored out of her skull and would want to explore, to discover and to run.
But that wasn't possible. No no, it was not. He was always watching her, whether she was in her room or out in the hallway. Heck, she would bet most of her possessions (though, not really all of them…) that he even has her whole routine in his head by now!
Anyways… the other thing was…
The kidnappers.
More than frequent, she could feel leering eyes, prying eyes… all sorts of uncomfortable gazes from all around her. No, it wasn't coming from the ice prince. It was from the outside.
At nights, she could feel them staring at her, into her back from the darkness of the trees planted outside on the back garden. Blood red orbs would be looking into her brown ones from inside the branches, staring unblinkingly at her. All would be silent and not a single movement in the house. The eyes, however, would flee immediately when Sesshomaru does his checking on her every time near midnight, probably to make sure that she was still there.
Many times, she would be frightened; her hands became clammy and ghostly white as she gripped the sheets with strangling hands. Perspiration would form on her body, sending shivers down her back as the heat of the blankets touch her cold sweaty body. She would bury herself into the warmth of her large pillow, hoping to hide from view and turn her face into her hair, making it disappear from the window. And she was a little grateful for Sesshomaru's nightly checks.
For some reason…
Whenever he was around…
She felt…
Safer and assured.
Rin shook her head to clear it. This was getting odd, feeling safe around him! Ha, nice joke… he hates her and wants to kill her… why should someone feel safer with their killer?
Then… there were these… moments.
But… she needn't to think of that… they were just silly and unpredictable moments that were just bound to happen sometime…
Finishing up the last piece of her rice, she wiped her mouth with the provided napkin and piled the bowls, platters and chopsticks. She took a sip full of the lukewarm tea and then picked up the tray-table, folding up the legs and balanced it on one arm as she opened the door.
Paddling down the stairs, she watched her footing and slowly saw the solid wooden floor of the first floor, the connecting doors, some sunlight from the living room, the swords on the alter and finally… him.
Sesshomaru was standing at the inner entrance of the living room. Kagome had just finished washing the dishes and was tending the arriving children at her household next to his.
The ningens were loud, fowl smelling and obnoxious. Their everlasting racket always disturbed his wanted silence in the house, which would not happen unless the miko puts them into the so-called 'nap time'. However, even with the ningen brats asleep, their animalistic snores are still an annoyance. Their tidiness and proper etiquette were no better than his secretary Jaken.
His eyes narrowed as he picked up her scent, which was wafting down the upper floor. So she was coming out her room… for what? She had sealed herself away into her small confinement and hoped to ignore him for her time here, which was most likely eternity. To him… it was her way of resistance, though she barely put up any physical fight.
Living with her for the past month has been… quieter than usual. Normally, he had expected her to throw a fit of her imprisonment and demand him to release her before she threatens him with Kami-sama knows what. Then she'll be telling him that he had no rights to do such a thing to a woman like her and he should've been placed into jail for such crimes towards a woman who was not legally or contently being his captive. However, she had done quite the opposite.
Instead, she opted to be silent and pretend that there was nothing wrong with her life style. She accepted her fate and flowed with the water, not bothering to fight back or beat the strong current. She allowed herself to be flowed downstream and sooner or later, she would end up at the bottom of a waterfall… pity, humans are such weak and petty things.
Sesshomaru heard the quiet footsteps that came down the stairs, a light clinking now and then from the ceramic ware. Almost bloody slowly, he saw her slippers then her calves, as she was descending lower; he saw her long slender legs covered in a pair of olive pajama shorts and a thick blue strapped top, exposing her fair waist. In her hands were holding tightly onto the tray, knuckles turning white.
Was she fearing him?
No… there was no trace of fear on her, then what was it?
"Rin…"
"…Sesshomaru." Rin acknowledged then abruptly turned into the living room and down to the kitchen, where he soon heard water rushing out of the faucet and the scruffiness of the sponge smoldered against the ceramic ware. He turned into the direction of where she had headed off to.
Why was she not afraid of him!
Did she not wish to flee from him? To not die from his hands as he had promised her? And why wasn't he doing anything about her… her guaranteed treatments?
Of course… that silly emotion was keeping him back. Damn his father for his weakness… with no doubt, Sesshomaru knew that it now runs in the whole family.
Growling from aggravation, Sesshomaru turned swiftly and head in the direction of his father's study.
Slowly hearing his departure, a brown head popped out from behind the living room wall and stared at the closing door. Rin allowed her shoulders to droop from the anxiety and shook her head of the muddled thoughts. It was time for the kids…
"Rin-nee-chan! Onegai, play with me!" a pigtailed girl demanded.
"Iie! Rin-nee-san! I want you to read me a story!" the little black haired boy said.
"IYA! Rin-nee-chan! Kyoku wants Rin-nee-chan to play the piano to Kyoku!" Kyoku shouted over the other two.
"Aiyi! Nnn! We want Rin-nee-chan! She promised us that she would play dollhouse with us! Nnneeeeee, Rin-nee-chan!" two fraternal twins chimed over the whole racket.
The five toddlers surrounded the brunette, tugging on her shirt, her hands, her pants, and her hair, each wanting her attention badly. Rin smiled uneasily at them all, and slowly descended to her knees, coming down to their heights. She put her finger to her mouth and motioned for them all to quiet down.
Immediately, they slapped their hands over their mouths. Rin smiled and nodded, "Good… okay, I'll be playing with you one by one. Then after ten minutes, I'm going to switch so when I do that, you guys have to play nicely with each other so that we don't disturb the other children playing, okay?"
"HAI!" they all shouted loudly, but quickly closed their mouths and hushed at each other then said more quietly, "Hai!"
"Okay, let's see where Kagome-nee-chan keeps that doll house, shall we?" Rin said to the twins, who excited squealed and jumped for joy, then scrambled over the beanbags, hard plastic toys and other things, stumbling over to the other side of the room where Kagome had place the house next to the television.
Letting out a big breath, Rin plopped down to her rear, nearly falling completely onto the floor from exhaustion. The kids were a bunch of sweeties and cutie-pies. However, once they are motivated for something, they always seem to get their way. That is when they turn into a group of pressuring innocent little devils. It is a wonder how Kagome-nee-chan survived them and was prepared for another day of it.
"Are you having fun Rin-chan? Aren't they just adorable little kids?" Kagome said, walking over some children who were already snoozing away to dream land on the floor, using some stuffed animals as pillows.
"Hm… I guess, but don't you get a little tired of these uh… twenty something kids everyday?" Rin sighed; stretching her hands over her head and gave a small smile to the twins who dragged the doll house over to where she was sitting down.
After a while playing with the twins, Rin told them to play with the other little girls who started to abandon their previous activities and now eyeing the flourished toy house and the pretty looking dolls. Reluctantly, the two girls went and the boy jumped at her with a rather good-sized fairy tale book in his hands. "Nee-san, read to me?"
Nodding, Rin picked the book from his hand and patted to the empty space next to her, leaning back onto the bottom of the leather couch and stretching her legs out as the little toddler snuggled closer to her, leaning his head on her shoulder.
"Okay… do you like, Winnie-the-Pooh?" she turned to look down at the boy who bobbled his head, black-purple hair bouncing.
"Hm… well, once upon a time in…" Rin slowly read, showing him the picture as she placed the book in her lap. As she continued on with the long tale, more children discarded their toys and playthings and started to gather around her, some on the floor some on the couch, some at her feet and some at her other side. Soon, all of the children, even the sleeping ones had gone over to her as they listened to her reading the Disney story.
Kagome blinked a few times as the children started to disappear from her and crawled towards the couch. Slowly, a smile brightened her befuddled face.
The many little kids had surrounded Rin into a reading circle, listening attentively to her narrative. Whenever she finished a page, she would lift the book off of her lap and held it in front of her, so that all of them could take a look at the honey-addicted bear either with his little animal friends or with a pot labeled 'honey'. The younger woman's voice was melodic as Rin read the story in a happy and animated voice, smiling along with the children every time they giggled or grinned at the amusing tale.
When the raven haired woman heard the glass door hinges creek, she turned her head to see her brother-in-law walk into the room but not away from the door, staring at Rin. Quietly getting up from her seat, Kagome headed over to her brother, placing her hands behind her and rocked on her heels, grinning knowingly at Sesshomaru.
"She's a wonder, isn't she onii-sama?" she asked, Prussian eyes twinkling as she look at his face, which gave away nothing.
"Hn…" Sesshomaru replied, still looking at the girl.
"Soo… have you found out, well, you know. The people?" she whispered, eyes darting to Rin, who was starting a new Disney story now, the story of Lion King. Speaking of Lion King… Where did her Lion King DVDs go…?
"Shippo has gathered some information with Souten. It's in Chichi-ue's study. Has Inuyasha been researching over the files?" Sesshomaru asked monotonously, not taking his eyes off of Rin.
"Hai, he has… do you want me to go get it?"
"Its fine and the brats' parents are outside." The inu-youkai muttered and strolled out of the room and back into his side of the house.
"Okay kids! Your parents are here, so start getting ready! And say goodbye to Rin-chan!" Kagome said, clapping her hands together. The children 'awwed' disappointedly but scrambled up from their seats to grab their stuff. The parents waited outside as Kagome went to open the door and give each child to their family. Rin went to follow Kagome out to the hall but stayed near the stairs.
As they waited for their parents, some kids scurried over to Rin and gave her a hug or clung onto her until she persuaded them to go home. The raven head smirked and wagged her fingers at the children. "Now now, don't be greedy! I promise you that Rin-chan's going to be here next week! Ne Rin?"
Undecidedly, Rin looked from her sister-in-law to the pleading eyes of the toddlers. Hesitantly, the brunette nodded and the little children squealed in happiness and finally left her side and ran to their parents excitedly telling them of their day.
"Well, that was fun! Wasn't it, Rin? … Rin? R-! Mmph!" Franticly, Kagome grasped onto the hand of the stranger, calling forth her miko powers and managed to zap the person before passing out form the chloral foam that was pressed against her face. Across from her, Rin was still struggling to stay awake, clawing her hands on the kidnapper as the strong knock out circulated her system. Just as she passed out, her frail hand gripped onto the chain around the person's neck and disconnecting it from the neck and dropping without a sound onto the floor.
"Kuso! Oi, Sesshomaru, didn't you use your nose when the kidnappers came!" Inuyasha growled viciously at his older half-brother, cracking his nails as he jumped and glided in the sky next to his floating brother.
At this, Sesshomaru refused to answer, knowing that he was clearly distracted earlier from the image that she had portrayed as she read the stories to those ningen brats.
"Hmph… bakayarou, is this even the right way?"
"Hanyou, shut your mouth unless you should know where your mate is." Sesshomaru snarled, finger tips glowing green.
"And like you know where yours is!" Inuyasha refuted.
"This Sesshomaru does not have a mate." The full-blooded youkai hissed, glaring dangerously at Inuyasha. The crescent moon pulsed on his forehead. "However, this Sesshomaru, unlike you, does know where they are."
Sesshomaru took a quick whiff of the air, catching some of the faint scent trail left by the kidnappers. Dead and foul, much like a spider hanyou. Disgusting…
When he caught the strongest of the scent, which was due north, his mind quickly folded into a plan. Since they were heading north, they were most likely heading towards the nearest town. Fukuoka…
They were approximately thirty miles from the outskirts of the city. And the scent was getting stronger. So it was no doubt that they were near by. Now, time to sniff them out.
If he were that bastard hanyou, where would he keep his prisoners that would keep two demons out? Only ways to seal a youkai is by spiritual powers or simply a place with purity… which leaves two choices, a shrine or a miko holding a barrier somewhere…
However, he hadn't smelt a miko around here… the only mikos now existing are Kagome and her cousin… and her grandmother. So a shrine is the proper place. "… I think we missed the place Sesshomaru."
"And you know how?"
"Unlike you, I actually formed a bond with my mate. And what have you been doing? Locking her up and imprisoning her! Don't you even understand how Rin feels! I bet you don't. You think that humans are lower than your station, treating them like dirt. But, I know that you're just scared, you're afraid of learning things… you're a coward Sesshomaru!"
Sesshomaru merely glanced his way, trying to ignore his words and deny them… but something tells him that the half-breed is… actually correct. Turning his eyes to his front, he headed towards the direction where the pulsing was the strongest.
Fine, he'll beat this hanyou at his own game of finding his… mate. "We'll see who finds them first, though with your weak smell, this Sesshomaru doubts you can barely trace out where the onigumo hanyou's scent." With this, the older man tossed the younger man a gleaming gold chain with two real feathers strung on the chain and a sword, while keeping the other two on his back.
"TEME!" Inuyasha shouted as the inu-youkai turned into a ball of light and disappeared in a flash, leaving the doggy-eared man on his own.
"Hey… wait… isn't this…" Inuyasha muttered as he finally had a good look at the sword that was thrown at him.
"Bitch, wake up!" and a slap echoed as blood red nails connected with pale pink skin.
Groaning, her black lashes fluttered opened, slowly absorbing the surroundings. All was dark other than the setting sunlight that seeped through the cracks of where ever they were. She shook her head clear and licked her chapped dry lips, throat parched.
… Where is her sister-in-law? Eyes finally snapping open widely, the woman glared at the dark red eyes in front of her that stared into her own eyes piercing her.
"Where is she!" the victim screamed, struggling against the bindings on her hands and legs.
"Where is she? Well, she's with my brother… isn't she, nee-chan?" the feathered witch asked, eyes darting to her left, where a white shadow became visible fro the darkness.
A small looking girl, whiter than a ghost with white camellias in her hair, held a intricately designed mirror, showing her reflection. "Hai, your sister is with Naraku-nii-sama…"
"And he's currently feasting on her… she has something that we have been searching for. And we're not going down without it…"
"Then… then why did you take me!"
"Because… we needed bait you stupid girl. How else do we draw out two stubborn dogs from their doggie houses?" the witch spat out with disgust, snapping open her metal fan.
"You won't get away with this! My mate will find me!" Kagome shouted, hoping that he was definitely nearby… because they were most likely loosing a lot of time and maybe… Rin was dead…
Inuyasha… where are you!
"Why… did you capture me?" Rin whispered, glaring confusedly at Naraku. The dark haired man had locked the both of them in a small cubical room with sound proof walls as she had learnt from him.
After some nasty and vulgar introductions, Rin was slightly shaken and backed up to the walls of the room. Naraku had freed her hands and legs, allowing her to 'relax' around him. However, she disagreed with him more than she thought.
His sickly pale skin and pitch black hair made him look like a sick psycho that belonged in a mental institution. The gleaming red eyes weren't helping the matter either. Rin felt as if he were undressing her slowly as his eyes slowly trailed upwards from the ground to her face.
"My my… I only captured you to lure out those dogs that you live with. They have something that I need. And you… you also possess something that I need…" his silky voice made her shiver uncomfortably.
"I… I don't have anything!" she said, staring away from him, disgusted by his words.
"Oh you do, Rin… you have something very important… right over," Naraku trailed off as he stepped closer to her, and instantly Rin back up some more until she felt her back hit the wall.
As soon as he was within her reach, Rin lifted up her right hand and raised it to slap him away. However, her hand stopped in mid-flight and was caught easily by Naraku. She raised her other hand which he also caught and pinned them both over her head with one hand. With his other remaining hand, he traced his forefinger from her forehead and lower in a teasing pace. The crescent pulsated quickly in her panic.
"Nn…" Rin squirmed under his touch. Finally his hand paused right above her left breast, where her heart wildly beat against her ribs.
"Right here… a treasure that is untainted by feelings of darkness… your heart. Should I have that untapped power within it, my plan of revenge shall be completed." Naraku smirked and trapped her chin in his thumb and fingers, tilting it up so that her frightened eyes met straightly with his.
"But first… to acquire what I need… I must… defile the purity." He said with a wicked glint in his eyes and his tone dripping with malice.
"Unless this Sesshomaru should intervene, you are doing no such thing… Naraku." a very familiar voice said from behind the door. There was a quick neon green light coming from the door and then, it fell, quartered by Sesshomaru's Dokkasou attack.
"Sesshomaru!" Rin cried out, relief washing over her.
"Well, if it isn't the son of the great InuTaisho-sama…" Naraku drawled, gripping his hand tightly on her left breast as he turned his head over his shoulder to smirk at Sesshomaru, seeing the inferno glare as Rin made a small whine from his grip, tears prickling at the corners of her eyes.
"Unhand her you scum." Sesshomaru growled, hand glowing green again.
"The poor pup, when did you became so weak?" the dark haired man taunted.
Choosing not to reply, Sesshomaru lashed out his poison whip and slashed the wall next to Naraku, cutting off bits of his black hair, which floated down to the ground.
This time, Naraku narrowed his red eyes and strapped his hand onto Rin's neck instead, lifting her off the ground. The brunette gasped and clawed at his hand as it cut off her air supply.
"This Sesshomaru will not repeat himself." The inu-youkai said in a demanding tone.
"And I shall decline… however, if you wish to die, I can take care of that after her." The hanyou grinned evilly, morphing into a large vine virus. The room immediately collapsed, debris dropping from all directions as the building fell in. Sesshomaru merely lashed at it, dicing it into many melting chunks. However, as he quickly scanned it, Rin was no where to be seen. And the miasma clouded his nose, disabling his sense of smell.
As if knowing his troubles at finding her, Rin shouted, "Sesshomaru!"
He looked up, the light breeze fluttering his silver hair. The girl was struggling against the other man's arms, kicking her legs and both hands reaching down to him… a tear falling from her eyes…
Like…
In the…
Past…
Quicker than usual, Sesshomaru darted into the sky and grabbed her arms, and yanked her against him tightly, sending a kick at Naraku's lower waist, causing the man to wince. Rin hurriedly cooperated and sent her own foot into Naraku's stomach; then latched her arms around the silver haired man.
Rin turned her head to look at Sesshomaru then to her kidnapper.
Naraku looked at them with fierce vengeful eyes, miasma swirling around him, dangerously close to them. Sesshomaru fled from the barrier since humans, such as the one in his arms, could easily be poisoned.
The cloud of miasma grew rapidly and formed a dome around the evil hanyou and the couple watched with anxious eyes for the outcome.
"… Arigatou… Sesshomaru." Rin mumbled as they landed onto the ground, and her chocolate eyes turned look at the molten amber ones that didn't stray from Naraku's transformation.
"Hn… stay here." Sesshomaru said, leaving her on the ground and flew back up and unleashed the trapped poison from his claws.
Suddenly, a large disfigured shadow vaporized in front of the inu-youkai. As the miasma finally dissipated, Rin gasped when she saw the many different body parts sticking out of the naked torso of the dark haired man.
Legs and arms of absorbed demons were moving, reaching out for Sesshomaru. The girl nearly blanched at the gruesome sight. "I'm here to collect one object, and only one of you shan't hinder my plans." Naraku said calmly, feeling superior to Sesshomaru now…
If only the foolish dog were to fall into his trap.
"And this Sesshomaru doubts that it will be successful." Sesshomaru said coolly.
"Just because you think so? Ha!" the dark haired man scoffed.
"Keh, I know it will be." A new voice entered from close by.
Rin turned her head, as did Naraku, however Sesshomaru just turned his eyes to the corners and the trio saw the silver hanyou with his mate, who has her arrows drawn, pointing directly at Naraku.
Inuyasha ran forward, cracked his claws and dug in claws into the bloodstain on his left hip. "Hijin Kessou!" he shouted, throwing his blood claws at Naraku as Sesshomaru released his poison whip.
The body parts fell from him, twitching and melting. However, they merely latched onto the two inus. Nearly rolling his eyes, Sesshomaru drew out one of the two swords from his back.
Inuyasha already took out his, which was strapped on his waist. "Tetsusaiga! Bakaryuuha!"
"Soruyuuha!" Sesshomaru and Inuyasha slashed down at Naraku at the exact moment, causing a large explosion of yellow and blue. Rin and Kagome covered their eyes from the large fireworks and diluted smoke that came.
"Kukukuku… you think those measly swords would take me down!" a dark insane laugh came from behind the wall of smoke. Then claws and tentacles shot through the gray cloud, wrapping themselves around the two silver haired men. Immediately, Kagome shot her arrows at the visible silhouette, pink energy swirling them.
They marked their target and landed inside of Naraku's lower body, shocking the fused man. From the jolt, Inuyasha and Sesshomaru were released. Rin and Kagome quickly ran over to them as Naraku's body fell near to where they were earlier standing.
Sesshomaru stood in front of Rin and Kagome was pulled next to Inuyasha, the four watching as Naraku's body slowly regenerated. "All four of you are going down… with Rin as my first victim."
Gasping, Rin glared with wavering hate at the dark haired man as Sesshomaru unconsciously tightened his grip on Toukijin. Inuyasha merely let out a 'keh' as his mate notched another arrow, raising it to meet with her eye level.
Naraku charged, making his second attempt, this time with a deadly gleam in his eyes as his whole body hovered over them. Kagome released her arrows as Inuyasha threw a Kaze no Kizu at Naraku. Sesshomaru flew to the skies, taking Rin with him and slashed at him with lightning blue energy.
However, they all fell as Naraku batted them away with his other arms and caused an explosion with his youki. The group fell pathetically onto their backs. Rin was nearly crushed underneath Sesshomaru's weight, who had managed to keep consciousness even with multiple blows on his body. Kagome was knocked unconscious by Inuyasha and Inuyasha was passing out from the three stab wounds, his hands stained with blood.
"Nn… Sesshomaru? Sesshomaru!" Rin said urgently, shaking him from his back.
Refraining from wincing, Sesshomaru rolled off her and held himself up by the sword that stuck out from the ground. "Ugh… Naraku!" Sesshomaru said with venom, gather all of his youki and managed to transform, taking the battle up to the skies.
Rin watched in awe as she saw the large canine dog, who was formerly Sesshomaru, standing gracefully in the sky without any support. He was about over two sky scrapers tall, with crimson white fur. A light ash gray pelt was dragged across his back from his right shoulder towards his tail and the long tail was sweeping the dark clouds that had gathered in the air. His face was decorated with the same marking that was on her right shoulder, the bluish-purple crescent was right in between his scarlet eyes. His fluffy ears moved slightly in the wind and acid dripped from his barring fangs.
Sesshomaru went head first at the beastly Naraku, claws extended. The brunette watched with horror as the two bitter enemies went head on with each other, exchanging hits, scrapes, bites and claws.
Soon, Sesshomaru remained dominate, standing with all paws atop of Naraku's bloodied form. Just when she thought that Sesshomaru had gained victory in the fight, Rin let out a desperate exclamation to warn him as Naraku's many centipede arms thrusts forward and nearly dug off the dog's left arm. The canine demon howled and fell over as it was tripped, landing on its side with a bleeding limb.
Rin clenched her fists and franticly looked around for something as Naraku quickly looked over to her and advanced, speaking in a haunting voice. "I told you Rin… you are the first to die… I always get what I want…"
"Iie!" she panicked and finally saw Kagome's fallen bow and arrows. Scrambling to her feet, Rin leapt to the weapon, scrapping her cheek, but felt the strong wood pieces in her hands. Fumbling to put it into position with sweating hands, Rin managed to notch the arrow and pulled back tightly.
She never held a bow in her life, never mind a bow; she never held a weapon in her hands ever since she was born! And she only had one shot… if she missed… then the world ends as does her family's lives. But if she hits… then all will be safe… hopefully.
"Kagome-nee-chan… Inuyasha… Kaede-obaa-san… Silence… Sesshomaru… iie, I won't let you guys die! Take this Naraku!" Rin shouted, glaring determinedly at the man and pulled the arrow back.
THWANG!
The arrow flew, emanating with a bright whitish orange color, straight into the heart of her approaching nemesis. When it struck, Naraku stood there stunned, and then grinned as if it didn't happen. "Kukukuku… I told you before; those will not bring me down!"
However, his body parts started shaking violently, cracking in various places.
"NOOOOOOO!" Naraku screamed in agony as the spiritual powers took effect. Soon, a beaming white light exploded from his deformed body and burst into lumps of dissolving goo, steam rising from the cooling lumps.
The battle was finally over… and tears of relief washed over the shrine.
"You may leave this Sesshomaru's presence if you are uncomfortable around me. I no longer hold you as a hostage; you are your own woman. You will be free of the marriage in a sense should you not see me any longer. However, the marking…" Sesshomaru traced the outline of his blue crescent on her shoulder with his slender claw, causing Rin the shiver slightly from his touch.
"You are branded… marked, bounded to this Sesshomaru for life, no matter where you go. But I will not hold you, you proved yourself to this Sesshomaru that you indeed do not wish to be cage, therefore, I release you… from my father's will. Now go…" the inu-youkai bout faced and looked out to the large empty meadow, the rain and grayness all around them. His matted silver hair swayed in the gust, leaves dancing around it as the rain pounded down on the two of them.
Rin heard Kagome gasp as thunder struck across the sky.
"I see…" Rin said, somewhat downcast. Kagome walked up to the girl, only to be stopped by her mate. The brunette looked from the full fledged demon over to the couple. Inuyasha was looking at Rin with emotion-filled eyes, arms tightening around Kagome as his wife whimpered and shook her ebony head, telling Rin not to leave.
"Go… Run… Leave this Sesshomaru, you're free." Sesshomaru said in a commanding tome, platinum bangs cover his usually expressionless eyes.
What can she do? Rin turned back to look at Sesshomaru's backside.
She was torn.
One side of her wanted to run, run away, far far away from here and never come back. Pretend that this never ever happened and that this was only a figment of her memory created by her wild fantasy. She could finally be free, no longer pressured by the man that stood in front of her. She could live her own free life, like she originally was, with Ayame-chan… not being chased down by some psycho maniac who wanted her for revenge, not being hunted by Sesshomaru's spies, and not being lied to by Kikyo… she wouldn't be plagued by any of these things any longer if she just turned around and left Japan. She could fly to London, where her foster parents were currently working and live a normal life. To get married and settle down to have kids, then to grow old with her family and die happily with no regrets.
But… a side of her wanted to stay, to find out more about her ex-husband. To grow to learn to love him like she did when she was younger. To get to know him better and maybe even seriously settle down with him, having little children with most likely silver hair and small triangular dog ears. She can be with Inuyasha-geiki and Kagome-chan… meeting her legitimate niece and nephews and spoiling them as they grew…
But… which one did she want more?
To stay a captive under Sesshomaru's protection or… To look for a sense of adventure?
To forever submit to Sesshomaru or… To be free and independent?
To have a real family... or to die alone?
Undecided, she went with the best idea that came to her… smiling sadly, Rin turned to her brother and sister-in-laws. "Arigatou… for all that you've done and shown me, Inuyasha-geiki, Kagome-chan… I now know the truth behind my past and it has been a wonderful time to be living with you… but, I don't think I can handle living here, where all the bad things has happened. I would only be burdened and weighted down from what I want to explore. I missed my freedom and so… I hope that you two would understand my decision."
"R-Rin-chan!" Kagome cried, throwing her arms around her younger sister. Rin felt her heart being squeezed from the deep agony of leaving, but she had to…
Inuyasha came and wrapped his now-bloodless hands around the two women, burying his face into Rin's hair. "I… will miss you, Rin."
Unable to hold the tears back, Rin cried holding onto the two. "Gomen… gomen nasai!"
Turn around...
Every now and then I get a little bit lonely and
you're never coming round.
Turn around...
Every now and then I get a little bit tired of
listning to the sound of my tears.
Turn around...
Every now and then I get a little bit nervous
that the best of all the years have gone by.
Turn around...
Every now and then I get a little bit terrified
and then I see the look in your eyes.
Turn around, bright eyes...
Every now and then I fall apart.
Turn around, bright eyes...
Every now and then I fall apart.
Rin sat in the taxi, watching as everything flashed by her in blur of lump of darkness. Street lights reflected on the raindrops that had stuck onto the window, giving Rin a chance to see blobs of stores and houses. Next to her was a small duffle bag of her belongings.
Sighing, she looked down onto her hands, folded neatly on her lap. The driver, hearing her disappointment frowned lightly and decided to turn on the radio, and the near beginning of the song, "Total Eclipse of the Heart", came on, bringing back many memories.
Rin tiredly rubbed her eyes as she climbed up the stairs. Her head had been spinning recently and after taking some Advil, she decided to take a nice long sleep. Moving her hands to her temples, she soothed the constant drumming and swirling inside her head. She opened her brown eyes and blinking blearily, everything in a small blur. Rin shook her head, worsening the headache.
As she lifted her foot for the next step up, Rin felt her feet fault on the stair, losing her balance. The girl quickly closed her eyes and bit her lower lip, preparing herself for the collision down the staircase. However the floor ended up to be awfully soft… and smells awfully nice too…
Did Kagome use fresheners?
"You are ill…" she heard a deep voice said emotionlessly, already knowing who the voice belonged to.
"Hai… ano, arigatou… Sesshomaru." Rin mumbled, as he carried her absentmindedly up the stairs and left her at her bedroom door.
A light blush stained her cheeks when the next memory came up.
"AHH! SESSHOMARU NO HENTAI!" Rin screeched, slamming the door right into Sesshomaru's face. Panting, the brunette gripped tightly onto the fluffy towel that wrapped around her form, cutting off just around her mid thigh. She had forgotten her change of clothes for her early morning shower and hoping that he was still asleep, she could have successfully went to her room and avoid him without any problems.
However, it seemed that Lady Luck had given up on her.
Ohhh and running straight into his naked chest really didn't help. Rin had smelt his fading cologne, the smell of the wild forest in the backyard that she had always stared out into and with a twist of sand and citrus fruits. When she heard nothing coming from the outside, Rin turned the knob slowly and peeked out see if Sesshomaru was still there, which he was, apparently…
With a very deep scowl etched on his delicately structured face.
"If you are done staring wench, this Sesshomaru would appreciate if you were to step out of there and allow this Sesshomaru to use the lavatory…" he said, now glaring at her.
For the love! Men are such a pain. "I'm not done… so wait." With that, she slammed the door into his face… again.
Many more flashed unknowingly through her head, like an instant flashback replay.
Turn around...
Every now and then I get a little bit restless
and I dream of something wild.
Turn around...
Every now and then I get a little bit helpless
and I'm lying like a child in your arms.
Turn around...
Every now and then I get a little bit angry and
I know I've got to get out and cry.
Turn around...
Every now and then I get a little bit terrified but then I see the look
in your eyes.
Turn around, bright eyes...
Every now and then I fall apart.
Turn around, bright eyes...
Every now and then I fall apart.
The time when Silence managed to tackle her straight into Sesshomaru and landing them both onto the ground, faces only centimeters away. A quick simple kiss landed on their lips since Rin was too caught up in the moment, but quickly as it was, she got off him and chased after her husky, hoping to get some sort of revenge for pulling that stunt on her.
The time when he came to check on her during the night, where she actually invited him in. When the pregnant silence prolonged, she asked a question that surprised them both.
"Why… is it that you hesitate to kill me… Sesshomaru? Isn't that why you have me locked up in the house?"
"Hn… this Sesshomaru has yet to find a way to kill you…"
"…oh, I see… thank you then… I know that you will never let me go… but, someday, when you will… either by death or by granting me freedom… I will thank you." She whispered softly, wrapping her hands around her drawn knees. Rin looked up to see Sesshomaru staring at her, a different look in his amber eyes.
"When I die… will you forget me, Sesshomaru?"
"Do not be ridiculous… Rin. You are to die by my hands… which have yet to be laid on your head. Till then… keep those foolish human thoughts away." Sesshomaru said, turning his gaze from her and went out of her room.
A small grateful smile pulled at the corners of her mouth. "… Thank you… Sesshomaru…"
He had… released her…
But… he hadn't fulfilled his promise…
If she was going to die by his hands, she would forever be his prisoner. Be it physically or emotionally. Consciously or unconsciously. Either way… she was his to kill.
And the Sesshomaru that she knows… doesn't break promises…
And I need you now tonight and I need you more than ever.
And if you only hold me tight we'll be holding on forever.
And we'll only be making it right 'cause we'll never be wrong.
Together we can take it to the end of the line.
Your love is like a shadow on me all of the time.
I don't know what to do and I'm always in the dark.
We're living in a powder keg and giving off sparks.
Ding dong!
The bell rang thrice, endlessly, the person at the door being awfully eager for the residence of the house to open the door. Sighing annoyed, Sesshomaru stood up from his chair and marched angrily at the door. Yanking it open without undoing the locks, Sesshomaru was about to growl at the person until he saw a pair of glistening chocolate eyes staring at him from afar.
The brown pools drew in the tired amber ones, entrancing them endlessly. As the rain poured, the lighting struck across the gray heavens and the thunders rumbled in a distance. Slowly, Rin took two hesitant steps towards the door, still a few feet away from it.
Since she rang the doorbell twice, her hopes had started to diminish. Finally, after giving one last try and hearing no one coming to the entrance, she had turned around and planned to walk away, already half-way down the walk way. However, as the door opened, Rin turned instantly. When she saw his face, she felt a lump forming in her throat.
His face was paler than his normal skin tone, his eyes were old and weary, and his hair was disheveled, so out of place. Suddenly feeling guilty, she took a few more steps up to him, afraid of rejection but still worried. If he was going to… tell her to leave… that would be fine with her… right?
"Tadaima, Sesshomaru… tadaima…" Rin whispered, faced wet from tears and rain.
"Rin…" Sesshomaru croaked out, stumbling out the door, all anger gone and crushed the young woman to him. Rin, not expecting the embrace stood there but slowly wound her arms around him. She sighed in content and safeness and buried her head in his chest, soaking in his warmth and knowing that he has accepted her back into his life, this time for real.
Sesshomaru lowered his head onto hers, his silvery hair hanging around them like a curtain, rain falling onto the hugging couple.
I really need you tonight, forever's gonna start tonight,
Forever's gonna start tonight.
"Rin… okaeri nasai… Rin-mine…" he muttered into her lush brow hair.
"Hai… tadaima teishu… tadaima anata." Rin said.
----Owari----
AN: Ah, finally, the last chapter is out. Now all I have to type up are the epilogue and the review replying corner!
And if you are curious where this actually took place, well uh… here goes?
This whole series took place in Kyushu, which is a southern island that makes up the country, Japan. The home that Sesshomaru and Rin first met at was in a city of Kyushu, Miyazaki. After a decade, Rin was brought to the suburbs by Kikyo to live with Kaede, nearby the city Kagoshima. Then the first kidnapping, where Rin finally met up with Inuyasha, Kagome and Sesshomaru, was in Nagasaki, a city right next to the sea line. That explained the damp dungeon that they were kept in. Finally, they went back to Miyazaki but was captured and brought to Fukuoka (as said wayyy above!) which is famous for its shrines there.
So it goes like this. Kyushu – Miyazaki – Kagoshima– Nagasaki – Miyazaki – Fukouka – Miyazaki. (Sounds complicated… I know :sweatdrops: )
Er… I'm also very sorry if uh… Sesshomaru is a bit out of character… but you've gotta give him credit! He has a heart, no matter what type of blood he has flowing in him. Be it cold or warm, it goes through his heart. Another reason why is that… well, Rin. She was there to open him up to the world of emotions and wonders that he has blocked out. It could also be the only reason that he accepted Rin in the manga! And in my story too! Chu! C'est mignonne, non?
I planned the glossary, which I'll be placing as a chapter after the Epilogue… so don't worry about it!
Anyways, I really appreciated the reviews that you readers have given me, as well as the praises to the story! And I'm also very happy that even though readers who only read and not review are reading Branded! I thank you all for your time for reading my story! Lol, I'm ranting again. Anyways, the last two installments should be out after or around Spring Break! And till then, stick with me! And thank you to those future readers who would read and maybe review this story. I will always keep your reviews close to my heart… and maybe even write another SessRin story when inspiration strikes!
I also have free-hand drawn a picture that correlates with the fic. I think it is the part where Sesshomaru was taking Rin away from Naraku's arms:grins: It is located at PhotoBucket, or better yet, here's the link! Enjoy! (I'll try to draw more… but I'm soo lazy these days!)