Journey Anew

Chapter 06 : Breaching the Surface

Author's Note: Hey everyone! Sorry for the delay! Unfortunately my computer is still broken. But I hope you enjoy this! Bye for now!

Warnings: Eh, nothing too much. :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

Smoke. Ash. Suffocating.

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She wasn't sure why she'd followed them. This wasn't her battle. But something.. something about watching the two vanish to protect their village. It had… moved something inside her. Made her want to do something. Anything.

Of course, as she came closer to the mess, she began to slightly reconsider this. It was a fool's action, she knew. Only fools went head on into danger. Only fools wanted to protect people who probably didn't even deserve it. Only fools risked their lives for strangers.

She wasn't a fool. Was she?

No. She wasn't a fool. But she be damned if something happened to those old idiots and she was standing idle by. Maybe she was a fool. This had been their decision after all… why not let them do as they pleased? Just because they were risking their lives didn't mean she had too…

Kagura avoided the burning debris and ignored her thoughts. So she couldn't justify her actions. Maybe sometimes… the reason wasn't so important… or maybe the reason was so important… there wasn't any point in trying to label it… to make sense of it…

Is this… Kagura stopped, her eyes wide as she stared ahead of her. Mayura was crouched down, daggers drawn. To her left, Shinto was battling with some worthless youkai. The woman darted forward with speed Kagura would not have suspected her capable of. She threw one dagger when it appeared the youkai was pushing Shinto back, and that Mayura would not make it in time. It howled in rage and thrashed wildly, its arm connecting with Shinto and knocking the older man into a hut, the door breaking from the impact. Moments later the hut toppled on top of him. Mayura cried out and Kagura felt a tight pain shoot through her.

Is this… what's it like to have a heart?

She shot forward, her fan drawn before her. Five seconds. That was all it took for Kagura the wind sorceress to kill the nameless youkai. Three more came towards them, smelling the blood of their pack member. She made quick work of them, and once she was finished, she stood with her back to where Mayura had run to Shinto's side.

She didn't want to turn around.

The older woman's quiet sadness was tangible. Kagura berated herself for a coward and slowly turned her head to glance over her shoulder. Mayura was working quickly, her hands precise and medical supplies spilled onto the ground beside Shinto's fallen form. Kagura watched in silence and shut her eyes as Mayura's voice rose above the smoke and fire, a desperate, grief-ridden scream.

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Rin sat up, her head spinning. "Sess…Sesshomaru-sama…?" The room was dark and she couldn't see well, but she knew someone else was there with her. And then suddenly she remembered everything that had happened and she clenched the sheets of the make-shift bed, fear seeping into her bones.

"Not quite,"

At least he didn't sound that scary, Rin thought slightly relieved. But it wasn't enough to stop the shaking of her body as she realized exactly what had happened and where she was. Where was Sesshomaru-sama and Sango and Kouga and Jaken? Would she see them again? Rin's lips formed a straight line. She was positive she would. Sesshomaru-sama would come for her.

But in the meantime… this was really scary! Rin's bottom lip began to quiver.

"Don't even think about it," His voice sounded annoyed, if not slightly desperate, "If you cry I'll eat you."

Rin bit her lip to stop it from shaking, making a little noise of fear as he said that. The youkai seemed to shift in his seat. She heared what sounded like a bottle opening and someone drinking its contents.

"I really don't like it when humans cry." Severus admitted, "Makes me feel like I'm doing something wrong." He sniffed, "When I'm only following orders. Not fair to me, right? So you understand kid. This is nothing personal, really."

"Who… who are you?" Rin wasn't sure what to say. She'd at least like to know who she was talking to, that would help her feel a little less frightened.

"Who am I?" He seemed to consider this, "Alright. Since you asked. Severus. I go by that."

"Severus-sama?" Rin blinked, repeating the name, giving it a try.

"Heh," Severus's voice sounded conceited, "You've been trained well."

"Trained?" Rin questioned, "What do you mean?"

"Ah, never mind." Severus lit a candle with his breath and then looked at Rin in the light. She was such a small creature. And weak looking, sitting there grasping the sheets to try and control her fear. Her fear of him. Severus grinned, having not realized that he gave off such a frightening impression.

Rin blinked once again, "With the light on, I don't feel so frightened anymore."

He could have fell over, but that wouldn't be appropriate. So much for him being intimidating. Ah, no matter. He took another swig of his wine. "Foolish aren't you? The light makes no difference to your situation."

Rin titled her head, "I-"

"Don't get it, right?" Severus shrugged, "Regardless if the light is on or not, you're still being held as ransom by a snake youkai, who might I tell you, enjoys a human snack from time to time. I just think its foolish or insanely naive that such a thing can comfort you..." Another sip, "That and I think I'm a little drunk. I tend to babble when I'm sober, so you can imagine me when I'm not." He chuckled and then blinked, taking another sip for extra measure.

Rin smiled slightly, "I'm not scared at all now. You're funny."

Severus shrugged and sighed, "Well what's a youkai to do? You should be scared, I can tell you that. Worse comes to worse I just," He leaned forward then and narrowed his eyes, making Rin blinked and move back unconsciously, "might have to kill you."

When Rin didn't respond, Severus grinned slightly, "So I've still got it!"

It was Rin's turn to feel like falling over. Severus was chuckling, then he looked completely serious, "Actually, I was ordered to kill Sesshomaru and all of-"

"Why? Please don't hurt Sesshomaru-sama!" Rin cried out, grasping the sheets tighter.

Severus blinked, but continued, "your companions, but Sesshomaru-chan gave me some unexpected information that changes the situation drastically."

Rin was staring at him. Severus sighed, "It means kid, that I don't intend to kill him anymore." Severus noted the large smile that spread across the girl's face, "However, for your other companions, I can't say the same."

"Don't hurt them…" Rin whispered, "They only want to save me… I couldn't bare it if you hurt them because of me…"

Severus stared at Rin thoughtfully for a few minutes, then he shrugged and sighed. With a careless hand he replaced the cap back on his bottle, stood to his feet, and walked towards the door. "I'll leave the candle burning." He muttered, "Go back to sleep kid. It's still night."

Rin nodded but wasn't so sure about the idea of sleeping. She was anxious to see Sesshomaru again.

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When Sango awoke that morning, Sesshomaru was already awake and standing by the entrance of the cave. She could only see his hair blowing in the wind, a large boulder, broken from the cliff by the battle, blocked her view of his body. She yawned and slowly stood to her feet and made her way towards him. She stopped just inches behind him.

Sesshomaru glanced at her. Sango returned his look with a smile and the youkai looked away. "What do you want?" He asked after a moment more of silence.

Sango took her eyes off his face and looked out into the ravine, "Nothing really…" She shrugged, "I'm just worried about Rin-chan."

Sesshomaru tilted his head slightly, as if agreeing with her sentiments.

"Involving a child…" Sango shook her head, not finishing her thoughts.

"Her life means nothing to them." Sesshomaru stated, "Those youkai do not care for one insignificant human life. She is in grave danger."

Sango reached her hand out to steady herself with Sesshomaru's shoulder, but caught herself. Touching him might anger him, so she placed her hand back by her side. Rin-chan…I'm so sorry… I should have protected you…

"This is my fault," Sango gasped out, tears coming to her eyes. She struggled not to let herself cry, "I was right there… I should have stopped him…"

Sesshomaru looked at Sango in slight surprise and then glanced away. He shook his head, "Fool."

Sango blinked in surprise and looked at Sesshomaru, slightly annoyed. The youkai looked at her and lifted his eye brow.

"Blaming yourself, how foolish. There was nothing you could have done. You're weak compared to Severus. Had you attacked him he would have killed you."

Sango opened her mouth to reply, but then slowly closed it. "…." She didn't like admitting that she was weak, but perhaps it was true compared to youkai's of their level, "Maybe so, but I still feel like I should have done something."

Sesshomaru returned his eyes to the distance, "He was my opponent. I will be the one to do something."

Sango blinked in surprise once more and then smiled. She followed his stare and stood beside him in silence.

That is all!

Breaching the Surface… Appropriate name if you think about it… :smiles:

Severus got drunk. It's his way of expressing how he really doesn't like his job. :laughs: My, my, he's irresponsible. Tee hee.

Is Shinto okay? And if not, what about Mayura and Kagura?

And have yall noticed, but now I've got two stories where Rin-chan has been abducted. Eep. Better not use that theme again. :laughs:

Sango and Sesshomaru are talking a little now. Good for them. Tee hee.

Well I really hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Thank you so much for your reviews and for putting up with me:huggles you all:

I'm not feeling that well, and although I replied to everyone who has reviewed PtDO, I'm afraid I'm just not up too it right now and I really want to post this chapter as well as the second from my other story Kindred Spirits… so, bye for now everyone, and thank you so much for your reviews! If there are any questions that I'm not going to acknowledge right now, ask them again. Thank you again!

Taijiya