Chapter 8

Seishi stood, dressed once again in her western style armor, looking up at Rin who sat on the back of the two-head dragon like steed of Sesshoumaru's. They were about to depart the castle on one of Sesshoumaru's outings, and since Rin was going with him, this was Seishi's time to depart the castle as well. "Take care of yourself Rin-chan," Seishi gave the girl a warm smile… for some reason parting ways with the girl made her feel sad… it wasn't like they could never see each other again, though it was very unlikely. Seishi was considering moving on from Japan now… She came here looking for… well she didn't know what, but now that she had come here, she still hadn't found whatever it was she had been looking for, so now she needed to move on again.

Rin was fighting back tears as she nodded to Seishi, "Hai, please be careful Seishi-sama!" she said bowing to Seishi. Rin wanted to look strong, as she has promised not to put up a fuss as they parted ways today yet she still found it hard to not beg her first real playmate in ages to stay.

Jaken stood in front of Ah-Un holding it's reigns and watching the exchange between Seishi and Rin. He on the other hand was glad they would finally be rid of that sassy female. He hated her disrespectful tone towards his master. He didn't know why Sesshoumaru did not teach her a lesson in manners.

Sesshoumaru stood at the head of his party not looking back at Seishi and Rin. He could smell Rin's sadness all about her but he stood firm. Seishi was a free spirited traveler and the time had come for her travel again and there was nothing Rin or even he could do to stop it.

Seishi thought of something, digging into one of her side pouches. From within she drew out a silver chain, which attached hung a silver amulet embedded with blue sapphires and in the center was what looked like a silver dog or wolf head. It was the crest of her family back in Europe, but they didn't need to know that, but to Rin it could just be a keepsake to remember her by. "Here… I want you to have this." She glanced at Jaken, "And don't let the toad pick on you."

Rin's pout turned into a happy smile as Seishi handed her the beautiful amulet. She slipped it over her head and after looking down at it and marveling at how pretty she thought it looked she looked back up at Seishi, "Domo arigatou Seishi-sama!"

Jaken gashed his teeth together in a snarl, "My name is Jaken you importunate wench!"

Seishi glanced at Jaken again, "Your name would be toad-stew if I wasn't so patient, imp."

Jaken's eyes burned with rage, he's had about as much as he could stand of this bitch, "Why you..."

"Enough Jaken!" Sesshoumaru suddenly barked out. His eyes traveled over to Seishi, "Take care on your journey."

Seishi blinked some, turning her silvery blue gaze to Sesshoumaru… She regarded him a moment, then nodded… His expression and tone were almost impossible to read, but at least this parting wasn't in hostility or annoyance as it usually was. "Sure thing… and you work on those people skills." She hopped back so they could take off, giving Rin another little wave before turning and running off on her own path.

Sesshoumaru watched Seishi go until she could no longer be seen then he rose up into the air. Jaken scramble up onto Ah-Un as he lifted up into the air to follow it master. As Sesshoumaru took off to begin his patrol of his territory, Sesshoumaru's nose twitched... "A foul smell is in the air..."

Seishi had run many miles before she slowed her pace, leaving Sesshoumaru's hidden palace far behind her. She could sense she was still within the boundaries of Sesshoumaru's lands, but it shouldn't be long before she crossed out of them. She already felt a slight ping of loss as she slowed and started to walk along the bank of a stream. That little girl Rin had been so sweet… it was funny how attached she had gotten over such a short time… and it was amusing picking on the egotistical toad… Her mind drifting to the lord of the castle and she shook her head; oy, she was not going to miss him too. Oh well, they were still fresh in her senses, give herself a few weeks and they would be just more faces in her memories from her travels. She shifted her step and moved down the bank to the water's edge, knelling down for a drink.

In the bushes a short distance away from where Seishi was kneeling the bushes rustled as a figure slowly stepped out of the darkness of the forest and came into the light. The figure's face could not be seen as he worn a white baboon pelt over his entire bond leaving it a big mystery as to what he truly looked like. The figure stopped about six feet away from where Seishi was standing. Seishi surely knew of it presence as you could not fool the senses of a demon. "Lady Seishi, so wonderful to see you alive and well…"

Seishi had paused in her drink as she sensed the approach… slowly she regained her feet, turning to face her visitor, "Hello… Naraku was it? Is this another puppet or do I have the pleasure of speaking to the real thing this time?"

Naraku smiled and replied, "I'm afraid I still cannot venture outside my domain yet. My body is still undergoing a lengthily transformation and I must stay hidden else my enemies might take advantage of my weakened state…"

As she thought… there was no real life force in that things standing before her. Seishi let nothing show on her face or in her voice, but she got to the point, "I see… so did I just happen to have to chance of running into this puppet or was it sent here for a reason?"

Naraku nodded, "Yes, you see I have been trying to contact you for sometime but I have been unable to reach while you were in the company the one called Sesshoumaru. I am relieved to see that you have escaped his palace alive."

Seishi couldn't help but crack a small smile, "Yes well… I suppose that is rather surprising since he's tired to kill me on multiple occasions, but he does seem to be a dog of his word. I got involved in a little incident with a mutual opponent with Sesshoumaru's that resulted in my ending up in pretty bad shape and Sesshoumaru allowed me to stay at his castle long enough to recover from my injuries… Though I am rather sure it was because of the pleading of young Rin rather then any real concern on his part."

Naraku's tone changed to a more serious one, "It is fortunate you left when you did. Other females that have entered his abode before you have never come out again. I was worried he had turned you into another one of his meals."

Seishi lofted a brow, "Meals? Really now, Naraku-san… Sesshoumaru might have no social skills, but I can tell he is not heartless. If he were, he could never have earned that child's total devotion, love and trust as he has. If he had no honor, he could have killed me a couple of times now. Besides, I choose not to listen to what people say, and I rather find things out about people on my own… For example, if I were to believe everything I am told about the one named Naraku, I wouldn't have bothered sticking around long enough to speak to you." She pointed out with a slight gesture of her hand.

Naraku smirked, "I cannot deny there are some unsavory rumors circulating about me but the same could be said for the brutal Lord of the Western Lands that cuts down any and all that oppose him. As for the girl that is so devoted to him... I wonder how maybe this will make for him. He has a habit of picking young humans and raising them to suit his own personal tastes, and then once she was blossomed into a perfect vision of loveliness, he takes them and devours them. Anger and jealousy consume him; much of his jealousy over his little brother InuYasha being his father's chosen one. Sesshoumaru was born first and to a female youkai, but his father chose to past his legacy on the son that a mortal woman bore him. Can you image the rage and resent he must bear towards his brother and against all humans. Countless humans and demons have fallen under his claws and blade and many will follow. I have known him for while now, I understand how he operates."

Seishi closed her eyes, but she kept all her other senses open, not dropping her guard. She chuckled softly, "Naraku-san… if I didn't know any better, I'd think you were trying to poison my opinion of the good Lord Sesshoumaru… But as I have stated… until I myself witness him devour a young woman or commit any other such wrongs with my own eyes, I can not believe your words." She reopened her eyes and locked her icy blue gaze on his puppet. "I have see Sesshoumaru's pride and his rage… he is a very fun demon to bait. But really… you need not worry… I don't plan on seeing him again… I will probably be leaving this small island country soon in any case and continue my travels."

Naraku nodded again, "Travel safely Lady Seishi. There are all manner of ferocious demons here in Japan, ones worse then even Sesshoumaru... " the kugutsu quickly retreated back into the bushes and disappeared into the darkness of the forest.

Seishi narrowed her eyes after the puppet… she didn't like the vibe she got off those puppets… and wondered if their master would give off an even stronger one… Putting this from her mind, she turned and started on her way again.

To Be Continued…