Love Can Be Found in The Darkest of Places

Chapter 2: He Returns or Does He?

"Mommy, that does not make sense! If he left how are you two married!"He pouted. She smiled.

"Well. . ."

Sesshanaru chased the children and enjoyed playing with them in the grassy field. The sun was setting and the children all ran home for dinner. Sesshanaru walked through the field enjoying the crisp night that was falling quickly. The breeze blew her hair and her heart leapt to her throat when his picture came to her mind. A tear escaped her eyes as she walked towards the edge of the forest and placed her hand on the tree.

"InuTashio. . . .Why did you leave me? I miss my lord so. . ."Then she heard her name spoken ever so gently. Like if it was said harsher her gentle, sweet name would break.

"Sesshanaru."She felt an hand slip around her wrist and pull her into the forest. Soon she found herself looking into the chest of her lord. She was too relieved for words and wanted to embrace him. She had missed him so. Before she could speak she felt his lips press against her own. He broke the kiss and pulled her into a tight embrace. Tears fell down her cheeks as a happiness overwhelmed her. She placed her hands on his chest accepting his warm and gentle embrace. "Forgive me for leaving you but I didn't want you in the war. Do you forgive me Sesshanaru?"She nodded just grateful to e in his company.

"I was beginning to think you left me. I thought you'd never come back."he held her tightly never wanting to let her go after so many years of being apart.

"I'd never abandon you. Never. I. . .I love you Sesshanaru."He said quickly. She stood in surprise. How could he love her? That hadn't seen each other for three years and on top of that they only knew each other for one day. When she didn't respond his heart sank but he smiled anyways. "Forgive me. I've been foolish. Maybe one day we'll meet again."He let her go and turned to run off into the forest. She grabbed his wrist.

"Don't leave me again. Please. I want to get to know you better."InuTashio smiled but it was not friendly . It was sinister and when she looked into his eyes she saw only her reflection. She let go of his wrist in fear.

"Who...Who are you! What have you done with InuTashio!"She cried. The demon turned into a panther demon. He purred happily and laughed. "Where. . .Where is Lord InuTashio! What have you done with him! His scent is embedded with yours. Tell me where his is or die!"The panther laughed evilly.

"You would not kill me because you want InuTashio back."she pulled out her sword and touched the roots of a tree. The tree roots came alive and entangled the panther.

"Fool. I would, can, and will kill you. These roots can do more than hold you."

"Let me go! Your foolish to try and hold me."She walked up to him.

"Would I would like to know is how you got past the barrier. It only lets those that their hearts are kind enter the village."

"Never."She shrugged.

"Fine then."The trees pulled him tighter until he passed out. Sesshanaru ran down to the village to retrieve the priestess. When they returned the panther demon was still unconscious and by then sesshanaru had already explained her position. The priestess place two fingers on the panther's head and closed her eyes. She thought deeply until she replied.

"Go down to the river and turn north and follow the river. You'll find a small cabin. Go east for about two hours and you'll see a large castle. There in the cellar is were InuTashio is being held captive."She stood up straight and looked down at the demon. "It seems this panther demon had nothing to do with his capture. He was held prisoner there too but went mad. They must have let him go because he was of no use to them."Sesshanaru nodded in response. She was deeply afraid that they were harming him to such an extent. . . .She ran into the woods towards the river. She ran as fast as her demon spirit would allow her. She finally reached the river and ran along it's bank searching for the cabin. She reached the cabin she felt a familiar sucking on her neck. She growled in displeasure and slapped the flea.

"Myoga, what are you doing here?"Sesshanaru asked as she held the flea in her hand. He stood up and folded his arms across his small chest.

"Well lady Sesshanaru, Lord InuTashio is being. . . ."

"Held captive in the eastern lands castle. Yes I know."She finished for him. She looked towards the east and a sinister wing began to blow. She closed her eyes and could almost here InuTashio's pleads and cries of pain. Her heart began to beat loudly against her chest and her mind became angry.

"What is it lady Sesshanaru?" Her hair blew wildly about her. Her eyes were furious and she looked like she was ready to kill.

"Can you not hear his cries? Can you not sense his pain? They're torturing him."Myoga nodded.

"The necklace he gave you allows you to here his thoughts. He considered you his ally and that's why he gave you his necklace."She ran off into the woods running towards the east, towards the castle.

Her heart was heavy and her silver hair flowed behind her.

She ran until she came into a barrier. She took out her legendary sword and struck the barrier.

The barrier dispersed and she was allowed through. She ran as fast as her body would allow and finally found herself looking at a huge castle. She stood in awe for a moment then realized her duty to her lord.

"Myoga, were is the dungeon?"She said to the flea perched on her shoulder.

"I'm pretty sure it's under ground. Very well then Lady Sesshanaru I must be off."He jumped off her shoulder and into the grass below.

"Myoga!"She sighed realizing he was gone. She then snuck down to the outer wall of the castle and closed her eyes, trying to sense were he was. She opened her eyes quickly when she heard the soft footsteps of someone approaching. She saw a door to her right and slipped into it as quickly and quietly as a mouse. Her eyes penetrated the darkness and at her feet she saw a large flight of stairs. She began to travel down them trying her best to not make a sound. She finally reached the landing and almost screamed when she saw her lord. He had been beaten and battered. There were two guards continually kicking him when he was tied up. He didn't mutter a word as he endured the beatings but Sesshanaru could sense that inside he was terrified. Tears cascaded down her cheeks as she felt his heart scream for mercy. Then she felt her world turn black and she suddenly saw her lord. They seemed to be floating in a darkness that no one else could see.

"InuTashio? Were are we?"He was untied and came over and placed a hand on her chest.

"As long as you believe in yourself you can do what your heart desires."and then he was gone and she was back in the dungeon. Her heart leapt as a cry left his lips, she had to do something. She peered around the side and saw the guards stop kicking him.

"Now, will you cooperate? Tell us were your castle is."He spat into his face.

"I would never reveal that to you, you stupid. . . ."They kicked him again four more times. Sesshanaru took a deep breath and came out from her hiding place. She smiled seductively and went only inches from the guards.

"I am our lords personal servant. He has commanded that I escort this prisoner into the forest for execution."Inutashio did not recognize Sesshanaru because a veil covered her face. He looked discouraged and like he had given up. The guards pulled him to his feet and shoved him to her harshly.

"As our master commands."She nodded and took the prisoner's bound hands and roughly led him up the stairs and out the door she came in. Once they were outside Sesshanaru untied InuTashio's bound hands. He still didn't recognize her and was confused.

"See what happens when you go off and do things by yourself! I'm so glad your alive though." She placed the binds in her pockets so the guards would think he was dead.

"Who. . .Who are you and what do you want!"He said harshly. She stroked his face with the back of her hand. She smiled and removed the veil. She saw the surprise and shock on his face. "Sesshanaru?"

She nodded and took his hand.

"It's not safe here we must leave."She whispered and nodded towards the forest. He nodded and they ran into the forest to where the hut was on the side of the river. He clutched his side in pain and she ran to his aid. He fell to his knees gasping for air and she kneeled down beside him.

"Do you think you can make it to the village?"He nodded and stood up. She took his arm and placed it around her shoulders and placed one hand on his back and the other on his chest.

"Why? Why are you risking your life to save mine?"She smiled and did not reply. A blush formed on her cheeks and she began helping him walk. He smiled anyways. "Thank you Sesshanaru. I owe you my life."She blushed even darker than before and stared at the ground. They finally reached the outskirts of the village and Sesshanaru sighed in relief. InuTashio smiled too and stood up on his own.

"InuTashio, your too hurt." He smiled at her fondly.

"Thank you Sesshanaru, but I don't want the villagers thinking I'm some kind of low class demon."She pouted in defiance but could not disagree with her lord.

"Alright. I'll show you to my hut."She walked a little bit ahead of him but watched over her shoulder as he struggled to stay on his feet. "Your pride will be your downfall my lord." they finally arrive at her hut and she led him inside. He sat down on the floor in so much pain he had to bit his tongue to keep from screaming out. She realized this and knelt down beside him.

"Lie down. I'll tend to you, just keep still."She helped him lie down and placed his head on a small pillow.

"You are kind to me. I am eternally in your debt my beautiful princess."She blushed and nodded at him.

She retrieved her medical bag and sat beside his battered frame.