I don't own any of the characters from the Inuyasha anime series; Rumiko Takahashi does. I just own Yume. Heh...things get interesting... (just a little argument between two testy female demons ) Constructive criticism is welcomed bashers are ignored! Got it? Good!
Translations:
Nani - What?
Ano - Um...
Nani name desu ka - What were they're names?
San - Refers to someone older than you
Domo arigatou - Thank you very much
Hai - Yes
Arigatou - Thanks
Sama - Lord, Master
Demo - But
Taiyoukai - Great demon (Ultimate in power or high ranking)
Masaka - "I can't believe it!" or "Impossible!"
Oi - Hey!
Fukai Mori - Deep Forest
Gomen ne - Sorry!
Baka - Idiot, moron
Youkai - Demon
Naze desu ka -Why?
Kami - God
Daijoubu - Are you okay?
Genki - I'm fine
Usotsuki - Liar
Iie - No
Gomen nasai - I'm sorry (very apologetic)
Ano - Ummm...
Anata - You (Female reference)
Honto ima - Really now
Yamero - Stop it
Ningen - Human
Chapter 9
Since the visit to the Field of Ignorance Sesshomaru and company had been walking for hours on their daily patrol of the Western Lands.
Sesshomaru was in deep thought as they came up to a quiet spot near a stream. He was still thinking of the Dream guardian Yume and the encounter her vow to punish him.
"Punish me…?" He laughed. "There is nothing that she can do to harm me…worthless demon." He thought as he tied the reins of AhUn to a tree and began giving out his instructions to Jaken to set up camp. "Hmmm…?" Looking down to see Rin at tugging at his pants leg. "What is on your mind Rin?"
"The little girl only gave him a faint smile. "…I would like to talk with you."
"…About what?"
"Stop bothering him Rin!" Jaken yelled; gripping her wrist. "Come help me get the firewood."
"I don't want to!"
"Nani?"
"I want to stay with Lord Sesshomaru!"
"Now listen here you!"-"Jaken…"Sesshomaru muttered in annoyance; raising his left arm up to smack him only to see the little imp yelp "I'm going!" in fear of being slapped and running towards the area where he could gather firewood.
"Now…" He began; still smirking after seeing Jaken take off like that. "What is it that you want to speak to me about?" He asked as he sat down on under a tree; Rin crawling into his lap.
"My Lord…forgive me for this…but…"
"You want to know about my Mother…don't you?" He asked in his monotonous voice.
Rin's eyes widened in surprise and then she held her head down in shame. She remembered how he reacted last time to the question.
"I…I've been having nightmares…about my parents…and…"
"She was beautiful."
"Huh?" Her head popping up as she heard Sesshomaru speak. "She was feared as well as respected by many demons, just like my Father."
Rin smiled as she detected the sincerity in his voice when he spoke of his parents.
"Anno…nani namae wa desu?" She asked innocently.
"Toki-san and Inu-taiso-san."
"Was your Mommy pretty?"
"Hai, she was very beautiful." He answered; looking out at the setting sun.
Rin just kept staring up at him; she was amazed to listen to him talk about his parents. She assumed she'd never hear about them.
"I know you've been having nightmares about your parents…so...I understand if you would at least want to hear about mine." He answered; placing a hand on her head.
"Domo arigatou Sesshomaru-sama." She answered as she nuzzled her head under his chin.
Sesshomaru's nose caught the scent of Rin's Lily in her hair as she nuzzled him further.
"Hmmm…" He muttered as he observed the flower.
"Did you like the bouquet of Roses my Lord?"
"Yes, arigatou Rin-chan." He answered; now lightly touching the petal of the white lily in her hair.
"Does this flower make me look lady like?" She asked innocently as she stood up and presented herself in the best adult like image as possible.
"The flower suits you well."
"Hmmm…" She smiled as she adjusted the flower in her hair and then fell back in Sesshomaru's lap.
"That woman you met in the Field of Ignorance Rin…"
"Yes, my Lord?"
"I don't trust her."
"Wh-why?" She asked as she lifted her head off of his chest. "She's so nice."
"You must understand Rin, not everyone in this world you meet can be trusted."
"…Yes…"- "She reeks of some dark yet unknown mystery…" Rin remained silent as she took in his opinion of the priest.
"You are forbidden to see her, understood?"
"Hai, my Lord." She replied respectfully.
"Sesshomaru-sama! I have returned with the firewood and food!" He answered proudly as he began to set up the fire. Seeing Rin in his Lord's lap was always something that annoyed Jaken; in annoyance with the sight he dropped the fish on the ground next to the Firewood and walked up to the girl; gripping his two headed staff. "Are you going to help me or just stand there like a dumb ningen?" Jaken asked; his glare emitted upon Rin.
"You interrupted us Jaken! How rude!" She complained; her arms crossed as she sat in Sesshomaru's lap.
"Interrupted what?" He asked in an uncaring voice as he dropped the logs on top of one another.
"Jaken." Sesshomaru began; unwrapping his arm from around Rin's waist.
"Please don't hurt me…" He muttered in a low voice; cowering before Sesshomaru; afraid he might get slapped. Seeing Jaken cower before him was an action that only sent a smile to cross his lips.
"You will work today Jaken; I want to explain something to Rin."
"Is it about that wench Yume?"
"Yume…?" Rin questioned; looking right at Sesshomaru for an answer.
"Are you referring to Harin-sama Jaken?"
"The priestess of the flower field? No! It is of none of your concern…eh…heh heh…m-my Lord?" Jaken muttered; cowering behind Rin as he noticed the 'look' Sesshomaru was giving him.
"Okay; I'll shut up now."
"Good."
"The demon woman from the other day my Lord…she made you so angry…I had never seen you like that. Who was she?"
Sesshomaru wrapped his arm around Rin's waist and growled as he recalled the moment he met the deceitful demon.
Flashback
"And who are you suppose to be?"
"His beau…"
"I'm not here to play games. Tell me what you are planning."
"Not to worry son of Inu-taiso…you will learn soon enough."
"My Lord?" Rin asked; seeing the angered look in Sesshoumaru's eyes.
"She is the current guardian of the dream world; her name is Yume." He answered finally.
"Horrid wench…" Jaken growled in a low voice.
"Demo…!" Rin whined. A pained look in her eyes as she began to think of how someone so nice could be so evil and wouldn't of hesitated to take her life.
"I don't expect you to understand…" He thought as he stared into her sad eyes. "But…"
"My Lord…" She muttered in a sad voice; her big brown eyes wanting to welling up with tears. Sighing heavily he looked to Jaken for some help in the case of calming his human pup.
"It may not be the same woman." Jaken interrupted. "Ehhh…" He muttered in slight fear. "Y-you said it yourself my Lord the scent of the Dream witch is strange and forever changing."
"Maybe…maybe she isn't bad…maybe…or maybe she…" Rin thought to herself; not really listening to the conversation between the toad demon and her Taiyoukai.
"Yes…still…the priestess Harin…her scent seemed strange…it was nothing like that of the Field of Ignorance."
Straightening up she looked up into his gold eyes and sighed in dismay. "So…you believe she was lying…and that I had been confronted by a demon?"
Sesshoumaru shrugged at that statement. The thought that his pup might have been in the hands of a demon; it made him want to find her and take her life right then and now. If so though; why didn't she kill Rin when she had the opportunity? What was her real plan.
"Masaka…" She sighed sadly; reaching for the flower in her hair. She pulled it out slowly and gazed at it in her hand.
"The demon of Dreams has a very strange scent…it is a combination of the thoughts of the living as well as the dead and it never remains the same." Jaken replied informatively. "So it is difficult to decipher whether or not she is within the area or not…" Jaken muttered.
"So then…my Lord?" She started up as she analyzed Jaken's informative statement. "You cannot accuse Lady Harin of being a demon! You do not know whether or not she is or isn't yet!"
"Quiet Rin!"
"No, Jaken-sama!" She retorted back; smacking him upside his head for trying to restrain her.
"Yeowch! You brat!"
"That's for all the times you hit me!" She snapped; running away from Jaken as she saw the toad demon get to his feet and chase after her.
"Get back here you!"
"AhUn!" She cried as she hid behind the massive dragon demon.
"Jaken…" Sesshoumaru muttered in an indifferent tone of voice as his little retainer chased after his human pup.
"Don't think that that massive hunk of girth is going to protect you from me Rin!" He squawked as tried to catch up to the girl.
"Got you!" Jaken yelled as he grabbed her wrist; only to be smacked several feet into a huge evergreen tree by AhUn's massive tail.
"Thank you AhUn!" Rin jeered as she wrapped her arms around the neck of the Dragon demon. The dragons could only chuckle at what they had just done to Jaken. Proud of their job they just flopped back down in their spot and snorted.
"Rin…"
"Yes, my Lord?"
"Go fetch Jaken."
"Yes, my Lord." she replied as she walked off in the direction Jaken had been flung in.
"Take AhUn with you." Sesshoumaru replied as he untied the reins and led the dragon to Rin.
As she went off the thought of the woman who would grant her every wish came to mind.
"Would she really?" Rin wondered as she neared the tree that Jaken's backside peered out from. "Would she have really granted me a wish?"
"Rin?" Jaken cried; seeing the girl at least fifty feet below him standing under the tree with her mind on something else other then his safety.
"What would I have wished for?" She wondered; lying her back on the opposite side of the tree so AhUn could attack the part of the tree where Jaken remained stuck.
"AHUN?" Jaken cried; his eyes wide as he noticed the devilish demon preparing to strike the tree with it's powerful hooves. "Don't you dare! You good for nothing!" Upon contact with back end of AhUn's hooves the tree Jaken remained in began to shake; slowly letting the demon toad loose.
"Hmmmm…?" She muttered as she noticed Jaken wiggling out of the whole he was in.
"A little harder AhUn! Slam it one more time into the tree!" She commanded.
"What?" Jaken coughed. "No! No! No Rin! Don't tell him to do that!"
Too late. The dragon kicked up it's feet and Jaken was sent flying another forty feet into the air and away from Rin's view.
"Uh oh…" She muttered as she watched Jaken disappear into the sky like a star.
AhUn gave Rin a dragonly grin as they bent their heads down to her level so she could hop on.
"Okay AhUn! Let's go and get Jaken-sama." She replied; and in seconds she was in the air and heading in the direction of Jaken's falling body.
Only a little ways away from Kaede's village; Inuyasha and his friends remained on the ground; finishing up they're conversation on what to do about the dangerous dream manipulating demon known as Yume.
"So…what are we to do about this dream manipulator?" Miroku asked as his staff touched the tip of Tetsuaiga. "Huh, Inuyasha?"
"Simple." He answered as he pushed the staff off of his blade. "I'll let her knock off Sesshoumaru and when she comes for me I'll chop her pretty little head off with Tetsuaiga." Inuyasha smiled as he continued practicing with his sword.
"We should retire to bed; it's getting late." Sango suggested.
"You all go ahead. I wanna stay out here and practice with Tetsuaiga a little longer."
"Alright." Miroku answered as he walked back into the hut with Sango, and Shippou.
"Ye should get some rest too Inuyasha; your not all demon." Kaede smiled; her head peering out from behind the wooden door of her hut.
"Quit reminding me and get to bed ya old hag!" He growled in frustration. "I'll join the rest of ya in a little while!" Inuyasha replied; thrusting the sword in and out of an invisible stomach as he tried to practice a new move.
"Okay then, goodnight Inuyasha." Kaede replied as she walked back into the hut.
With that Inuyasha looked ahead of him to see Kagome. He was surprised at how cute she looked in the moonlight. Since she hadn't really spoken much since the conversation about the Demon who guarded the Dream Realm and seeing a look of worry on her face he sheathed his Tetsuiga and walked up to her.
"Kagome?" He asked in the softest tone of voice he could muster. "Please, I'm sorry about earlier…"
She let out a quick chuckle and walked away from his side.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing Inuyasha." She answered a smile on her face; as she walked further away from the perusing hanyou.
"Oi? Where are you going?" He asked as he followed Kagome into the greenery of the Fukai Mori.
"Kagome must of heard me when I mumbled Kikyo's name…" Inuyasha thought as he pursued the reincarnation of his dead lover.
Hearing little footsteps approaching Jaken just sat up and grumbled how much he couldn't stand humans. The little girl with wild black hair and a yellow kimono surfaced from out of the bushes and met with the annoyed toad demon.
"Hi, Jaken." She smiled as she helped the toad demon to his feet. "You don't look so well."
"No kidding!" He snapped; using his two headed staff for support. "No thanks to that beast!"
AhUn just snorted at Jaken and then snickered at the incomparable toad as they walked over to a tall tree.
"This beast is the one who got you out of that big tree Jaken!"
"I know…" He growled; dusting his haori off.
"I think you owe him an apology!"
"HA! Not on your life!"
In seconds the dragon was face to face with Jaken; growling up a storm his sharp teeth glistening as he gives a mischievous grin hinting off what he might do to the little toad demon if he didn't apologize.
"Okay! Okay! Gomen ne! Gomen ne AhUn!" Jaken yelped as the dragon got in his face. AhUn nearly licked Jaken's head off with his tongue as an acceptation to his apology.
"Ha ha! Good job Jaken-sama! AhUn says arigatou back for your apology."
"The honor is all mine." He replied dryly as he whipped the slobber off his face.
"What is that?" Rin muttered as she heard voice. In fear of oncoming demons Jaken jumps into the bushes taking Rin with him a second later.
"Jaken-sama?" Rin whined as she was forced into a still position.
"Baka! Those could be the voices of rogue demons! Keep quiet!" He ordered.
To their surprise the footsteps had belonged to Kagome and Inuyasha.
"Oi! They aren't youkai Jaken-sama!" Rin replied as she peered though the bush at the two visitors.
"Ughhh…! It's Inuyasha and his wench!"
"She's not a…a…wench…she's a nice lady!"
"Oh…" Jaken growled as he pulled out his staff and hit Rin on her head. "Baka ningen…" He mumbled a he got to his feet and started walking away from Rin.
"Rin? What are you doing?"
"Spying!" She whispered; rubbing her head a bit.
"Nani!" His eyes widened; fatigue starting to overcome him. "Naze desu ka!"
"Because I'm nosey…" She smiled.
"Yeah, for once I must agree with you." He growled as he grabbed her by the back of her Kimono collar.
"Kami! You way a ton!" Jaken uttered as he tried to drag Rin away from where she stood.
"I'll go with you in a little while. Just stay next to AhUn and give me a little time to watch."
"You strange girl…" Jaken grumbled as he walked over to AhUn. "You've got five minutes baka!"
"Arigatou Jaken-sama!" She smiled as she sat quietly in her spot behind the bush and watched the hanyou and miko converse.
"Daijoubu Kagome?"
"Genki…" She replied; her faint smile being replaced with a slight frown.
"Usotsuki." Inuyasha persisted.
"Iie, Inuyasha! I'm fine, really." She smiled; this time the tears she tried to hold back earlier escaping as she hugged herself.
"Gomen nasai Kagome…" Inuyasha muttered as he wrapped his arms around Kagome's waist. "I can't help…but worry…" He replied in a low voice.
"I know…" She muttered in a choked up voice as she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. "I know you worry about Kikyo…"
Rin's eyes widened at the display of affection Kagome and Inuyasha were illustrating in front of her.
"Ano…" Rin muttered; blushing a little as she watched Kagome and Inuyasha's staring almost dreamily into each other's eyes.
"I will protect you Kagome…I promise…" The hanyou muttered; his heart beating a bit faster for being this close to his friend. "But I have to protect Kikyo as well. If that demon comes after her and decides to haunt her mind in an attempt to kill her and become stronger…"-"I understand…" Kagome muttered as she buried her head into Inuyasha's chest. "Say no more…Inuyasha." She sighed as she nuzzled into his neck. Rin sighed as she heard Inuyasha purr at Kagome for the affectionate attempt.
"How romantic…" She muttered as she watched Inuyasha take Kagome into his back and carry her back home.
"Romantic?" Jaken thought. "Blah…" He muttered. "Human courtship is so pathetic…" He mumbled as he grabbed the reins of AhUn and walked him up to her. "Did you learn anything Rin?" Jaken asked.
"Ummm…maybe." She answered in a meek voice as she got on top of AhUn. "Fine, as long as your day is complete. C'mon, Sesshomaru will probably be mad at us for keeping him waiting this long…" Jaken grumbled as he sat behind Rin. As the demonic beast road through the starry night sky Rin contemplated her wish as she caught sight of Lord Sesshomaru.
He stood in his unmovable state; staring up at his human pup and his loyal retainer coming in for a landing. As AhUn touched the ground Jaken and Rin hopped off the demon horse. Immediately Jaken ran towards him; bowing in respect as he began to explain his tardiness. "Sorry we are late my Lord!" Jaken squawked; looking at Rin with annoyed eyes. Rin only stared up at her Taiyoukai Lord and smiled brightly at him.
"What were you up to?" He asked; amused by the innocent look in her eyes.
"Ummm…well…" Jaken began.
2 Hours pass…
As AhUn snored and Jaken rested on a rock with his two headed staff next to him Rin and Sesshomaru remained awake. Rin slept with her eyes closed but couldn't sleep. Either the cold air was bothering her or she was still thinking of what she saw in the Fukai Mori between Inuyasha and Kagome.
"Something wrong, Rin?"
"Ano…" She muttered as she yawned and got up off the grass and crawled over to Sesshomaru who remained under the tree.
"Jaken told me you kept yourself busy today."
"Yes…fetching him…" She muttered as she rested her head on his furry tail.
"Honto ni…" He muttered as he combed through her soft, black hair with his slim fingers.
"Sesshomaru-sama…" She muttered; half asleep.
"Hai, Rin-chan?"
"I…wish…" She continued; trailing off in her sleep.
"…Wish…?" He uttered; repeating Rin's words as he combed through her hair once more with his fingers. "What is that you wish for?"
"To…be…" She yawned. "…with…you…"
"Rin?" Sesshomaru asked; mused by her half thought words. As she drifted off into her dream; the last part of her sentence was nothing but incoherent mumbles and light snores. She was now fast asleep.
She only reacted to him by nuzzling closer into his chest.
"Hmmm…" He smiled faintly. "Is that right?" Rubbing her head as he looked down at her sleeping body.
Pondering the thought of his Pup's words for only moment Sesshomaru then closed his eyes and kept his ears open for any danger; doing his best to get his rest while being alert.
Back at Naraku's Castle the evil Guardian of the Dream Realm kept her back against the wall; her study of her capture was finally complete. She smiled as she figured out what needed to be done to make her plan complete. As her priestess clothes disappeared and were replaced with the glittery glow of her darker apparel Kagura and Kanna entered.
"Anata…" Yume breathed as her green eyes surveyed the two female attachments of Naraku.
Rolling her eyes at the focused Yume youkai she just sighed and opened her fan to it's third fold. "Everything is going well I assume?"
"And if not…my guess is you were going to slay me?"
"Honto ima…" Kagura smiled; closing up her fan against Yume's assumption. "I believe we got off on the wrong foot."
"Indeed."
"So…can we just play nice for now? I'm not in the mood to fight with you."
"So you've finally come to grips with reality Kagura?" She asked as her green eyes placed all focus upon the commanding demoness of the winds. "What are you going on about now?" A grimace appearing on the devious demon's face as she detected the immediate sense of discomfort coming from Kagura. "That you don't have what it takes to go against me." Shunning the thought; Kagura only frowns at the Dream Guardian and puts on a faint smile; trying to ignore the provocation.
"What have you found out? Anything useful?"
"Changing the subject again Kagura?" Yume persisted.
"Damn it!" She fumed. "Just answer the question!"
"Yes…I did find out something useful." She smiled. "At least for me really."
"Yamero…" Kanna replied in her soft toned voice. "Tell us what you have discovered about the ningen girl named Rin."
"Well…you've all been so patient…" Twirling her staff cautiously. "…So I might as well let you in on my plan."
"You've been haunting and hunting Sesshomaru's human girl for a few days now…and going on about her innocence and how perfect she would be for a daughter…" Kagura began. A slight pause as she contemplated Yume's plan again. Looking towards the dream demon for answers; Kagura's only response was look of disregard on the beautiful demon's face. "Are you ignoring me?" The wind demon's eyes glowing an irritated red color as she waited the rude response from the guardian of the Subconscious Realm.
"You want me to tell you the truth?" Responding sarcastically to Kagura.
"Go on, I'm waiting for an answer." Kagura growled; gripping her deadly fan in her left hand.
"Pathetic demon…can't you put two and two together?" Yume countered; still twirling her weapon as if it were a baton.
"No more games. Tell me!"
Sighing Yume rolled her eyes and drove her staff into the ground. "I will use the one thing that, that little girl desires most against her in order to retrieve the remaining shards and rid Naraku of all those who oppose him."
"Oh yeah? And what's that?"
"To be with Sesshomaru."
"You're kidding…right?"
"The human girl wants to be with Sesshomaru? How foolish of her…" Kanna replied as she looked into her mirror and observed the sleeping Rin and Sesshoumaru.
"Prepare yourself Sesshomaru…" Yume smiled as she glided her hand across the glass of Kanna's mirror. "I will have my revenge." Her maniacal laugh reaching the halls of the castle as she relished in her evil plan to make Sesshomaru suffer.
