Always Doesn't Last Forever
Chapter 2: Choose WiselyDisclaimer: I own nothing off Inuyasha! Just the plot and any original characters!
Sesshoumaru looked at the creature bundled in the strange blankets in cold calculating anger. So, he would have to clean the cave out a bit… It was no matter to him, it smelled human and humans were worthless to him. He set Rin down next to Jaken and moved to slice the human apart; only to find he was blocked by what looked to be a human dressed in black. Its face was hidden as well except for a pair of dark purple eyes. However, the being in black had no scent at all, shorter than Sesshoumaru by a few inches the only thing that he could tell about it was that it wasn't afraid of him.
"Since when does the "Honorable" Lord Sesshoumaru of the Western Lands kill fellow travelers?" Asked the being in a voice that was neither male nor female sounding.
Sesshoumaru said nothing and flexed his claws as he prepared to spill the being's blood as well as the humans. Behind him, Rin made a startled yelp as she was lifted off the ground by her throat; slowly being strangled. "Think carefully Western Lord. Should you try to attack me I can easily snap her neck." It threatened.
"What do you want?!" Sesshoumaru snarled and Rin was lowered to the ground.
"I? I have no need of mortal things; however, I do require a protector for the woman and the kitsune kit that she claims as hers."
"What!? Lord Sesshoumaru does the bidding of no one!" Jaken screeched indignantly.
"Be silent toad. Your life is of no value to me and I assure you, what I want dead remains dead." The being threatened.
"Why can't you protect the wench yourself?" Sesshoumaru asked coldly.
"I have other duties to attend to that require my attention. What will it be Western Lord? Are you honorable? Or are you just another youkai oath-breaker?"
"What is in it for me?" Sesshoumaru asked in a bored tone.
"Think about it. You are traveling with a rapidly growing human girl. Who will teach her the things that only another woman, a human woman, would know? You? Please! I am in no mood for amusements." The being said scornfully.
Sesshoumaru was quiet. There is some truth to what she says. Rin does need to learn things that only another human could teach her and I do not want just some lowly peasant instructing her. Very well, I will agree. For Rin's sake… "Agreed." He said aloud in a haughty tone.
"A wise choice." The being murmured, moved past him, and headed towards the entrance. It stopped next to Rin and touched her throat briefly before moving on and disappeared into the rain. Sesshoumaru growled low in his throat and looked over at Rin.
"Rin is okay. Rin's throat doesn't hurt any more!" She exclaimed happily and ran over to Sesshoumaru. He placed his hand gently on her head and looked down at the human that he'd agreed to protect.
"Jaken, start a fire." He commanded.
"Yes, milord." He agreed and immediately began to set up as he was told. Searching for dry wood that was already in the cave. After a small fire was going Sesshoumaru nudged Rin over to it and then moved back towards the blankets and sniffed delicately. It's Inuyasha's wench! He realized in disgust. But what is she and the kitsune doing so far from the worthless hanyou? He wondered. Feh. The half-breed can't even control his own wench. How pathetic. He decided and went to go stand near the entrance of the cave.
Kagome woke to see a pair of dark brown eyes looking intently into hers. Naturally, she did what any modern girl would do, she screamed.
"Sesshoumaru-sama!" Rin cried and ran to the youkai.
Kagome shut up instantly as her mind leaped into action. Sesshoumaru-sama? That means… She trailed off, praying that she was wrong and looked towards then entrance to the cave that she and Shippo had found. And there he was, a face that was the picture of masculine beauty carved from ice and frozen with cruelty. Long, white-silver hair that looked to be as silky as the finest silk in the world. A dark blue crescent moon marked his brow and twin stripes adorned each cheek. His cold gold eyes looked at her in disgust. Oh hell, Kagome. What have you gotten into now? She asked herself, even as she pulled herself together to face the demon lord.
"What do you want?" She asked after she climbed out of her sleeping bag.
"Foolish wench! Whatever the Lord Sesshoumaru wants he takes! He need not explain himself to filth like you!" Jaken yelled and waved his staff at her.
"Don't be mean, Jaken!" Rin cried and ran back to Kagome and looked up at her. "Rin is sorry for scaring you." She apologized and wrapped her little arms around Kagome's legs.
"It's okay." Kagome said and smiled down reassuringly at the little girl as she knelt down to her eye level. What is such a sweet child doing traveling with a cruel monster like him? She wondered to herself. Perhaps you shouldn't be so judgmental. She scolded herself. After all, what do you know about him except for what Inuyasha told you? "What do you want?" She asked again, but more politely this time.
"The same could be asked of you. Who is that being that guards you?" He returned coolly.
Kagome stared at him and tilted her head to the side in confusion. Huh? She wanted to ask but didn't. "I don't understand." She said carefully; when she'd gone to sleep only she and Shippo had been here.
"I thought you might say that." He muttered and glared at her before turning to face the rain that was slowly beginning to lighten up. "You are to travel with me from now on. I, Sesshoumaru, require a teacher from Rin and sadly, you are the best prospect I have seen as of yet."
At first Kagome was too stunned to say anything but just when Sesshoumaru was beginning to think she'd gone mute she found her voice with a vengeance. "What?!" She growled and stood up to face him.
"You heard me wench." He replied calmly.
"But I can't! I have to find the rest of the shards of the Shikon no Tama!" She protested.
"Why?"
"Because I'm the one that shattered it! It's my responsibility now that Inu-" She cut off suddenly and looked away. Inuyasha's business was his own she wasn't going to let it touch her any longer. Fool me once damn you. Fool me twice damn me. I'm so tired of being fooled and played… She thought sadly.
Sesshoumaru studied the girl thoughtfully under a mask of cold indifference. Her emotions were as open to him as a book and the sorrow she felt all but engulfed his senses. All of that because of a worthless hanyou? What did he do to deserve such? He wanted to demand of her but remained silent. "Now that what?" He asked instead.
"N-Now that Inuyasha has other umm… things to deal with." She answered as truthfully as she could.
"Fine. When time permits I, Sesshoumaru, will help you gather the shards of that worthless bead."
"Agreed. But only if Shippo can come with me." Kagome said respectfully but stood her ground. She would not leave Shippo behind.
"What do I care if the kitsune comes? Bring him if you wish." He said and stepped out of the cave and into the sunlight.
Kagome turned back to her sleeping bag to wake Shippo and gather her things again. She just hoped that she wouldn't regret her decision to travel with Sesshoumaru. She'd just gotten free of one brother, why did she have to run into the other one?
Lady Fate watched in satisfaction as the small band of travelers left the cave to head for Sesshoumaru's home. While she hated to threaten Sesshoumaru; well honestly it hadn't bothered her a bit, after all, what was he compared to her? However, she was pleased with the way things had turned out. She need not watch Kagome every second now and she knew that Sesshoumaru would keep his word. And so, she faded with the next gust of wind…
~ Wow a new chapter already. For those who are reading 'Times of Change' (no this isn't an advertisement for my other fic) don't worry! The chapters on that story are longer so it takes a bit longer before I can update. Now then, I was really surprised, and flattered, by the number of reviews I received for chapter 1. I hope I get as many for chapter 2… In case no one knew this I really hate copying from other people and I will try to keep this as original as possible. Suggestions are welcomed of course *smiles* but I hope to make this a different, but good, story for readers to enjoy. Lady Fate isn't a real major character, she just flits in and out as it suits her (much like fate eh?) Well I'm going to work on 'Times' and then back to this one. Till next time and please review! ~