The Shadow Within

Author's note: Thoughts are in italic.


Chapter Six: His answer

They sat down at the fire and ate in silence. Soon after they began to sleep, Sesshomaru watched over the other three they settled in, not moving at all.

As soon as they had fallen asleep, Sesshomaru stood and left camp, once again over come in insomnia.

He walked towards the river and stared at his reflection across the smooth water until his ears picked up a rustle behind him.

'Lily, I know you are there and I also know you were not sleeping when I left. Show yourself.' He said into the dark, not turning around. Sighing, Lily made her way up to Sesshomaru's side.

'I need an explanation, Lord Sesshomaru. Earlier today both Rin and I sensed something approaching, but when we looked it was only you. That was impossible because what we sensed was bigger Much bigger. And for some reason Rin seemed terrified even after she found out it was you. Something is going on here and no one will tell me. Rin offered to but---'She was suddenly interrupted by Sesshomaru. 'Rin knows? How could that be? I thought I kept it to myself. Not even Jaken knows.' Sesshomaru muttered to himself.

Lily turned toward him with wonder in her eyes, then adverted her eyes and looked toward the ground.

She looked to his reflection and was taken back when she realized it wasn't there. She turned towards the retreating Sesshomaru's retreating back and yelled after him 'Hey come back here! Tell me! Then she remembered Rin's offer and ran back to camp.

When she got there she was happy to find out that Lord Sesshomaru had not made it back yet.

Half running to rin, she roughly shook the sleeping child awake.Rin opened her eyes and muttered a groggy 'what' to the older girl.

'Rin remember what you said earlier about telling me something about Sesshomaru? Can you tell me now?' She pleaded with the half asleep girl.

Rin sat up and yawned as she rubbed the rest of sleep out of her eyes.

Then she turns towards Lily and smiled. 'He wouldn't tell you huh? Don't worry Rin will tell you.'

'It was a few mouths ago; Rin noticed that Lord Sesshomaru was not where he was when I went to sleep. I stood up and heard what seemed to be growling. I got up scared and ran to find Lord Sesshomaru, but what I found out the growling was Lord Sesshomaru. I hid in the bushes and watched him. I was scared because he seemed to be in a lot of pain, he was down on all fours and screaming and growling. All the sudden he reverted into his true form, only it was different this time. It seemed to be like he couldn't control it. I stood up and ran off to find Jaken but, I heard Lord Sesshomaru right behind me. Claws dug into my back leg and I fell…'

Lily looked up at the child's sudden halt in the story to find tears running down her face. She reached out and brushed the child's tears away. Rin suddenly went to her kimono. She turned away from Lily and pulled the dress down, revealing huge scars.

Four lines that told of pain and horror.

Lily gasped at what she saw and Rin began to speak again.'Rin is scared when Lord Sesshomaru is like that but, Rin knows it is not his fault. He cannot control it.' She said, with her head down.

'Rin, tell me the rest. Obviously you are not dead so something must have happened to stop him.' Lily said.

Rin nodded as she pulled her kimono back up and faced Lily once more 'Something did happen. After he scratched me I turned and faced him. Something flashed in his eyes and suddenly looked scared. Then he ran off.'

Lily thought about this for a moment before Rin asked if she could go to bed. Lily nodded and walked over to a tree and slid down it to rest at the bottom.

Thoughts were causing turmoil in her head. "Sesshomaru has a problem, this was for sure. It must be every once in a while his true nature comes out to wreak havoc without the possibility of Sesshomaru stopping it. But then what stopped him from killing Rin? He must truly have feelings for her. She would like that. But what happens if his next victim he doesn't have feelings for? I must stop him and tame the beast within before his claws reach an other innocent.' And with that final thought she fell asleep, not knowing that she was being watched.

There was a rustle in the bushes and Sesshomaru stepped out of the shadows.

He looked from one sleeping form to an other, his eyes finally stopped on the young girl.

'I attacked Rin? But I do not remember. She said something about me not being able to control it. I have been have been feeling odd for several weeks now. Grrrr, what she said CANNOT be true. I shall see for myself.' And with that he walked over to Rin and picked her up.

Rin,angry from being woken up from an other deep slumber spoke drowsily.' Hey what are…..' She mumbled.

'Shhh.' Sesshomaru growled at her.

Rin felt him pulling down the back of her dress and immediately began to struggle against him.

He soon over powered her and she felt limp in defeat.She felt his claws trace the tender skin of her scars and she slightly. She felt herself being lowered and looked up to see Sesshomaru talking.' Rin, Did I really give you those scars?' Rin nodded meekly and Sesshomaru stalked off to the nearest tree and sat down.

'Go to sleep Rin.' He ordered harshly.

'But, m'lord.' She pleaded.

'Rin go to sleep and do not disobey me or I shall kill you.' He said emotionlessly.

Rin nodded and laid down then whispered something through the dark.'It's all right Sesshomaru, I forgive you.' And with that she closed her eyes and waited for the sleep she so desperately wanted to come.


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To be Continued………….