Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, I own YOU!
A Cool Kind Of Punishment
Chapter Fourteen : Your Truth is My Truth
They had been in there for a while now.
Inutaisho Ayame Izuki (1 – someone requested that I somehow change Inutaisho's name to something else, and since I wanted to somehow fit a Hatori and an Ayame somehow, I thought this would be convenient) and Shigure Tsuyame sat quietly beside one another, periodically filling up their glasses with wine.
"They've been in there for a while now" Shigure said, slightly agitated. He lifted his glass and tipped his head back as he gulped the red drink. Ayame grinned widely and gracefully sipped at his own.
"No worries, 'Gure (2 – for those of you who don't know, 'Gure is merely a shortening of Shigure, like in the Fruits Basket manga, okay!) We had to do it and after this, Sesshoumaru and Rin will have to spend more time together, thereby falling in love and popping out many little Aya's and Gure's!"
"You're drunk, Aya" Shigure said shortly, smiling.
"I must be, to let your daughter get involved," Ayame said seriously.
"She's a lot stronger than you or I know," Shigure replied calmly, "and if anything happens…" and a strange evil smile spread across his face, "if anything happens, I'm sure Sesshoumaru will valiantly protect her"
As one, they both turned their heads upwards, towards the railing of the third landing, where the Ice Prince leaned against the railing, arms folded. And as one they both looked at one another and had a good fatherly-chuckle moment.
"Oh, he is so into her…" Ayame said, before once again chuckling.
Up on the third landing, Sesshoumaru sneezed.
Dear Diary,
They say that love founded in crisis will not amount to anything. But what if it had started before that? What if... what if a crisis was the only way love could find a way to come out? What if it was the only way two stubborn people could be forced to admit they liked one another?
I was in danger, even though it hadn't seemed like it.
I ran out of the room. My eyes were focused on the ground as I tried to separate nightmare from reality, rumor from fact and truth from lies. I was so exhausted though and I couldn't keep up with what seemed to be coming at me from all directions.
Panic.
I closed my eyes and tilted my head upwards. I bit my lip as breathed in. Right now, all I needed was sleep. And tomorrow… tomorrow I would try to figure out how I could manage to stay alive until this time next year.
I slowly opened my eyes and in front of me, leaning against the wooden railing, was Sesshoumaru.
I felt my heart slow down as he stared at me. One part of me wanted to just break down and kick and scream but I knew he wouldn't have it. So instead, I stared back at him and I tried my hardest to be strong. I wouldn't be like the girl-heroes that fell into her man-heroes arms.
But I couldn't be the tough chick that withstood everything either. This was the 21st century and warrior princesses were just a myth.
So I walked up to him. I looked him in the eye. And trying so hard not to waver in my resolve, trying so hard not to break eye contact, I raised my hand… and I slapped him.
Hard.
My hands stung and my heart clenched seeing his face snap to the side, but I was so angry. When I thought about the things said in that room, when I thought about the way I had been so stupidly, so unintentionally brought into this… I couldn't bring myself to feel bad about slapping the Ice Prince of Port Street Preparatory. Granted I was probably going to feel the wrath of a thousand high school fan girls come Monday, I wasn't going to say sorry. I wasn't going to ask for his help. I wasn't even going to wait for an explanation.
That was before he turned back around to look at me.
And I saw nothing. Not one emotion flitted over his face. Guilt, surprise, outrage, indignation… none of these showed. So what had I been expecting? A melodramatic scene where he would drop to his knees and beg my forgiveness? Desperation in his eyes while he admits his 'true' feelings? The Ice Prince, I reminded myself bitterly. An Ice Prince. And that meant he wasn't meant to be anything like what a love interest from an overrated romance novel should be.
I saw it all now, looking at him. I had picked the wrong guy to fall for. Trust me, a sucker for cliché's, to fall for the bad boy.
I could feel my resolve weakening – how far did my feelings extend that I couldn't even stay angry?
Yet still I tried. I stared back calmly, levelly, almost challenging him. My fists clenched and I consciously fought to slow my heart, though it was hard enough to keep it from skipping beats as his unusual eyes stayed upon mine. So intense, I kept thinking, if only…
He gave nothing away. Would he ever? Why did I even bother? To vent anger, to provoke a response?
"I'm sorry"
What?
My heart paced even faster and I struggled to comprehend. Sesshoumaru… apologize to me? I sighed in relief. So he knew what had happened and what would happen to me. Did him apologizing to me mean he was sorry I was involved? And surely that meant he cared? My heart fluttered girlishly at the thought.
Upon realizing this, the guilt rushed in. Then the regret. Possibilities raced through my mind – fan girls murdering me, Kagura sending me to her Bondage Chamber of Doom, Sesshoumaru's face forever marred… not that it really mattered; didn't loads of chicks dig scars?
All silly thoughts I knew, but right now I didn't want to worry about Naraku, or the Shikon No Tama or Kikyo. Maybe tonight was better spent sleeping and appreciating what I had. Tomorrow… tomorrow I'd begin to process.
My eyes hadn't left Sesshoumaru's. His cheek was reddening and I dropped my head in apology. To my surprise, he walked over, tilted my chin up ad raised one fine eyebrow.
"High and Mighty Tsuyame bowing her head in acquiescence to me?" he said archly.
Outrage flared into life. Before I could think of a retort, or better yet, push him over that goddamn redwood railing, he grabbed my hand and pulled me downstairs. After dragging me callously down them, he began leading me somewhere. Ignoring our fathers, ignoring Inuyasha, Kagome, Miroku and Sango peeking out of the room, ignoring the antique décor I focused on our hands. His fingers lightly entwined with my own. Was I sweating? Would he let go? Don't let go, I pleaded, not yet.
My stomach was doing flip-flops and my mouth, going dry, as I tried to pay attention to where I was.
He gently, yet firmly, pushed me onto a stool in a room that was obviously the kitchen. He went to a cupboard and began to look for something while I wriggled my fingers curiously. They felt strangely fuzzy and numb. I wondered if I had a chance –
NO. Never. Not with Number-One-Superiority-Complex-Doofus. My mouth twisted into a wry grin as I realized that feelings had unresearched and possibly dangerous side effects. Fan-girlish squeals and hair-twirling attitudes – there was no way I was giving into this depraved sickness.
And so ignoring my heart, the butterflies in my stomach and the tingles in my fingertips, I sat on the stool upright and dignified.
Sesshoumaru handed me a piece of buttered toast and I glanced at him suspiciously before sniffing the bread.
"It's not poisoned, Tsuyame," he said derisively.
"Never know. You may want me silenced to prevent news of your apology leaking out and damaging your precious reputation," I pointed out.
"Tsuyame, look around you. If I wanted you silenced all I'd have to do is pick a sword or," he lifted an object from a hook on the wall, "a butchers knife of my choice and stab you."
"In the back?"
He looked thoughtful. "In the heart maybe (my heart beat painfully). Or perhaps I'd just spork you in the eye"
"You have sporks here?" I queried, shocked.
"Inuyasha collects them," he said vaguely as he set a hot mug of something in front of me. "Milk," he said, answering me before I could ask. "I thought it'd be nice to help you grow taller." Admittedly not his best.
"Ha-ha," I responded sarcastically.
"Ah, well I also hoped that it'd help you produce a better rack"
Oh no. He didn't just. Too disgusted to even defend my rack, I took the mug and hurled it at him. Sesshoumaru dodged cleanly, clearly amused. What we both hadn't counted on was Jakken standing right behind him.
We watched, morbidly fascinated, as a milk-covered Jakken ran about screaming about cows or whatnot. I took Sesshoumaru's preoccupation with his butler as a chance to flee.
I yanked my dad by his collar and dragged him to the door. He gaily called out his goodbyes as I flung my shawl about my shoulders. The valet already had our car waiting at the bottom of the steps. Just as I was stepping in, Sesshoumaru ran out.
"Rin! About our newspaper report -!" he called.
"Report this, punk!" I said rudely, sticking up a certain finger before shutting the car door.
My dad chuckled. "That's my girl…"
I desperately clung to the vestiges of my dream. I believe it was about puppy dogs and a knife through Sesshoumaru's throat but already the images were slipping.
I sighed and opened my eyes. I rolled onto my side to look out my window but was too depressed to sit up and get out of bed.
So today was the day. From here on out, my life would be like something from out of a drama. Or had it already started from that moment Naraku accosted me outside the school? Or perhaps the moment I had my first serious run-in with Sesshoumaru in the History Corridor? No… it had begun much, much earlier…
"Rin… have you ever heard of the myth regarding the Shikon No Tama?"
It turns out there was something so big right within my school, and I'd had no idea. Within the space of an hour, Kagome Higurashi and Inuyasha Izuki had let me in on their families' biggest secret. And little had I known, it had been mine as well.
Rin… have you ever heard of the myth regarding the Shikon No Tama? Ah, I thought not. To be completely honest, it's not a myth but more like a piece of unconfirmed history. A legend if you will. Historians and scientists however would die for the truth of our families but for now, we will keep it just a fanciful notion, an undefined dream. Are you ready? You might want to sit down. Ok…
For generations, the Shikon No Tama has been passed down from eldest daughter to eldest daughter with the Izuki family acting as protectors for the noble Higurashi's, guardians of the Shikon No Tama.
For thousands of years many selfish and prideful men sought this Shikon No Tama. To them, it was worth more than their own lives and they did anything and everything to obtain the precious jewel. Yet each and every time, the Izuki champions would fulfill their oath to protect their women and the Shikon No Tama remained on its chain at the Higurashi Shrine.
Hundreds of years passed.
There was a certain man, belonging to the infamous Youhi Clan. He was their head and a very ambitious monster eager to seduce the Higurashi women into submitting to his will and betraying the Izuki Family. His clan was the complete opposite to the Higurashi's. They were dedicated to war, destruction and pestilence. They were calculating and their black hearts were set on creating more and more diseases to choke the life out of humanity. In particular, they loved poisons. They concocted brilliant but deadly serums and they laced their daggers with poison, but they cared especially for a certain red powder, gritty in feeling and swift in dealing death.
The Higurashi women however were children of the Arts of Life. They had a deep knowledge in the body and herbs and searched for cures.
The two families' were polar opposites.
One dark night, the head twin sisters of the Higurashi House were woken by the two brothers who were assigned to protect the sisters personally. The two were ushered out quietly, still in their bedclothes. They were horrified to find most of their house dead and the Shikon No Tama gone from its rightful place in the sacred shrine. The two brothers urged them to stay quiet and took them deep within the mountains. They were forced to mourn the loss of their whole house silently and without proper ceremony, and almost died with guilt when they found out that the brothers, too, had their whole family slain or poisoned nights before. For the whole journey into the freezing valleys, they were burdened with the shame of losing the precious Jewel…
They were surprised to find a girl in the cave, waiting for them. She was dirty and small but she exuded an aura of dignity and righteousness. The sisters fell upon the young girl, crying with joy for it was their younger cousin and next in line for the inheritance of the Shikon No Tama. Except, now there was nothing left to inherit and they had lost everything they held to their name.
That night they all huddled around a small depressing fire and listened to the girl's story.
She had awoken to find her mother shaking her awake, telling her to alert the Izuki men of treachery. Luckily for the girl, she was slight of figure, light of foot and had years of experience as a mischief-maker. She was able to escape quickly without being discovered but found that the Izuki House had been slaughtered.
Red powder was everywhere.
Now panicking, she had run back to her home and brought anything of value to the cave in the mountains, hoping that the brothers had been alerted and had brought the head sisters.
She produced a packet of powder from the sleeve of her torn kimono and passed it to the elder sister. It had the trademark red color and gritty texture of the Youhi Clan.
They had been defeated and the Shikon No Tama had been stolen.
As each of the four listeners bowed their respective head in contemplation of what had happened, the girl began to laugh, a rich tinkling like rain on glass. Everyone looked up in surprise. From the inside of her kimono she pulled out a fine chain and at the end was a beautiful crystal, glowing with infinite possibilities. It was the powder that gave it away, the girl said. Realizing that the Youhi's had been behind it, she had immediately taken the Shikon No Tama. In its place she had put her own toy necklace that her mother had given her when she had been but a small child, knowing that no-one bar those set to inherit the Jewel had seen it. It was a polished pink quartz stone. That night, the girl had run away with the real Shikon No Tama, leaving the necklace in its place.She laid the Shikon No Tama into the elder sisters hands and went to the back of the cave to get something. The sisters watched the girl curiously as she unwrapped something. They were badges with the insignia of the Higurashi and Izuki families branded into the bronze. She gave one to each of them. There was nothing for her.
She stood above them with her back turned as she explained what was to happen. The Higurashi's, despite having been almost completely wiped out, was still of noble blood and of rare beauty. The sisters would go out and find another noble family willing to adopt or marry them and the brothers would follow.
The sisters looked up, confused. What would happen to the girl?
The girl smiled sadly and kissed everyone on the forehead. She pulled another toy-necklace from around her neck. She would be a diversion and have the Youhi's think she was carrying the Shikon No Tama. They would chase after her, while the Higurashi's sought protection from another noble house.
The sisters pleaded and cried for her to stay with them but she stubbornly refused. She agreed to sleeping with them for that night and talking it with them in the morning, but while they slept, she snuck out into the cold.
The sisters wept in the morning and could find no sign of her in the fresh snow. So they complied with her wishes and found a handsome noble to marry the younger sister, while the elder sister waited on her. The Izuki brothers followed each sister and bore their own children in minor houses.
The Youhi's head of clan was enraged upon receiving the fake Shikon No Tama the young girl had left behind at the massacred house. He sent the younger men of his house, which he affectionately named the Youkai, to find her using the scent she left behind. The girl was very cunning though, and gave them a chase that lasted centuries. She renamed herself. Her daughters, and her daughter's daughters all inherited the same mischief and cleverness that the young girl had, and they put this to good use. They became doctors, merchants, minstrels, thieves. Not once could the Youkai catch the women that so enjoyed fooling the Youhna line. Until one day, they finally caught up with the last descendant of the line. Posing as a poor woman, she lived in the harshest neighborhoods. They murdered her in the dark of night, along with her husband, who so valiantly, so stupidly tried to protect her.
So once again they took the necklace around her neck to take to their Head of Clan, many generations after their ancestor had sent them to find it. And once again their Head of Clan screeched to the stars about deceit, about fraud and cursed the young girl from hundreds of years before. But it was too late – the Higurashi women had already reinstated their position in the world, alongside their damned Izuki protectors. There was nothing he could do. Unable to handle the humiliation, he drank his own poison and left his empire to his young son.
Rin. Do you know what the young girls name was? No… you wouldn't, would you?
It was… Tsuyame Higurashi.
And so it was that the Higurashi's ended up protecting the Izuki's.
I rolled onto my back.
And so it was that Higurashi became Tsuyame.
I got out of bed and grabbed some clothes.
And so it was that my parents were murdered.
I turned on the hot water and lathered some shampoo into my hair.
And so it was that Mr. Izuki and my father came together when I was first adopted (had they known even then?).
I combed my hair and neatly tied it back.
And so it was that I had first met Sesshoumaru.
I randomly chose something clean out my drawers to wear. Jeans, a shirt, a jacket.
And so it was that Naraku Youhi of the Youkai Corporations began his sadistic mind games.
One cursory glance in the mirror and I opened my bedroom door.
And so it was now, me finding out the truth about my family history. I was of noble blood. I was related to Kagome Higurashi, to Kikyo Higurashi. I was one of the Shikon No Tama's guardians. I was Naraku's enemy; our families' hate transcending millennia (3 – anyone smell a Romeo and Juliet spin-off?)
I walked up to railing… and there he was, waiting for me at the foot of the stairs.
And Sesshoumaru was my champion.
Outtake #1
"They've been in there for a while now" Shigure said, slightly agitated. He woefully lifted his glass and tipped his head back as he gulped the red drink. Ayame grinned widely and gracefully sipped at his own.
"Don't worry, the orgy doesn't start until we're there!"
Outtake #2"Oh, he is so into her…" Ayame said, before once again chuckling.
Up on the third landing, Sesshoumaru sneezed and toppled over the railing.
Score! Fetch, fangirls!
Outtake #3
My eyes hadn't left Sesshoumaru's. His cheek was reddening and I dropped my head in apology. To my surprise, he walked over, tilted my chin up ad raised one fine eyebrow.
"High and Mighty Tsuyame bowing her head in acquiescence to me?" he said archly.
"Well I am the submissive type…"
Sesshoumaru pouted cutely. "What, you mean you don't like bondage and whips? I was so looking forward to spending some quality time with you…" he sighed. "Guess Kagura'll have to do…"
Outtake #4And so ignoring my heart, the butterflies in my stomach and the tingles in my fingertips, I sat myself on stool upright and dignified.
Sesshoumaru handed me a bottle of conditioner. I looked at him, bemused. He sighed like I was a moron and pointed to his hair.
"Hello? Post-traumatic-event-treatment for my hair?"
A/N: weeeee eight months of wait - is it worth it? To be honest I felt inspired when one of you had reviewed or emailed me but gosh, past few months have been completely hectic and depressing and hard. I don't even have some lame thing like my brother screwing my computer up to make up for this. Anyways, I was cleaning out my inbox two nights ago I found a bunch of reviews and I read each one and finally decided to finish off this. So this is the result of two days. It's quite a short chapter but I thought I made up for that with the major plot bunny. Um, I'm hoping to get onto the next chapter ASAP, but keep looking at my profile page for updates k? Oh and man! I was reading over my first few chapters to refresh my memory and I apologize for the grammatical errors and rushed style, I'm so glad you've kept up so far!
Some people mentioned that Kagome and Inuyasha had already met Rin. Let me fix this, by meet I usually think of actual conversation and extended period of time in each other's company. So when Kagome says, "I don't believe we've met" she means, "I've seen you round and I was at your house a while back but we haven't met formally"
Unknown Fool: Ah, the Shikon No Tama and all it's mysteries… you'll just have to find out next chapter! XD And yes, computers can be annoying, but meh, what can you do? T.T It seemed like I'd given up on my story but now, getting this done, I'm glad it hasn't ) About Rin's parents, what happened has been explained… shocking revelation or not?
Sesshy's Girlfriend: Oh wow! Twin sisters, just like Kagome and Kikyo in this story, huh?
Aninaig: your review scared me at first! And I hope I've explained the whole meeting thing sufficiently in the author notes. I'm hoping I can make their relationship great but I'm not sure if I should make it cliché or completely different… I'm trying to fit in an aw-factor kind of thing but it doesn't ever seem to work for me…
BellaDiva16: Ah, thought I was dead again this time round, didn't you? He-he, what couldn't you imagine happening? Which part? O.o
BurntAlive: Fruits Basket is just the bomb. I really love Shigure and Hatori together, Shigure annoying Hatori and Hatori making Shigure cry, it's kind of cute in a sick and twisted kind of way (much Shigure-love).
Trinity: So… we meet again. Wow, red paint, it does sound kind of weird, but I'm cool with that haha. I'm actually over that pretty-boy thing now; they aren't all they seem, as I found out the hard way (sigh). The reason I think all my chapters are bad is because they're all in rough totally un-edited form, and I just want to get that point across I guess? Plus when you say you think they're just fine, other people are saying there isn't enough "aw-factor" (sigh). I'm not made for aw-factors, sadly enough. About the Kikyo-Kagome-Inuyasha triangle, I guess I tried simplifying it. This chapter kind of weirds it up, but next chapter will definitely put everything back into context and it will address his torn love for the two girls. Hopefully that won't spoil anything for you. Aw, about Naraku, well you know me and my bad-boys… have you watched Bleach? It's got plenty of bad-boys/boys-who-have-cold-hearts and yea. That series makes me go crazy in love. We girls just need our anime guys and a bag of cotton candy, right? Ah, Miroku and Sango. I'd like to think that as time wore on, she wouldn't be as violent, but I'll try out your suggestion. Sorry for not updating sooner T.T
Roxey: wow, you're right, I did eventually come up with something and it fits perfectly with the rest of my story, thanks!
Sphinx: I'm hoping that Sesshoumaru's feelings are vague-slash-obvious, it just depends how you take it. You're not missing out on anything haha. Does this chapter give you an idea about what Naraku wants Rin for now… ? Um, I'm not sure about the lemons… I don't think so, but would you like one?
Yumenori: So what'd your cousin think of my story? Did the plot get more complicated or does this chapter make more sense out of it? Actually I like the whole Shigure annoying Hatori, Hatori making Shigure cry thing haha.
I love les mangas: Wow, from France? That's really amazing. I hope you and your daughter enjoy this chapter, sorry for making you wait.
AmberFox and Lyell: WOW! 200 reviews! (dorky high five!) Well, I've updated... about three reviews later (sweat-drop)
KitKat07: Hey! I UPDATED! HAHA! (cue hysterical laughter) aw thanks, you have no idea how much your review means to me, you're such a popular writer. Even if your story is apparently cliché, it still brings the readers XD
Special thanks to Amethyst for her email. Um, were you emailing me for this story or for Drivers Release? sweat-drop. Two other people emailed me but I accidentally deleted their emails T.T so thank you so thank you so much whoever you are. It's people with that kind of dedication then really gets me off my ass.
Also thanking Demon-Cat-Snowy for taking the effort to nicely point out any errors in my writing and proofing me smile.
Whoa! Check out all the love for: g27, rin-almighty-yaoi-lover, Vikki, Female Spike (aw come on! The Naraku/Rin is awesome!), Acerbus-chan (that's what I keep saying, go Naraku/Rin, all the way! Oh, and Sess/Rin…), My Dream's Shadow, Depressed-dark-rose (thanks tonnes), Athana233, niichan626, Vikki, Lauren (I hope my meeting explanation worked out for you), Cammy Rammy (shame on you, disrupting math!), phoenix, animelover, Iris, polaris-fire-star, ladyrinremix, Crying Doves (too true, we are part of the anime lover geek cult…), BittanyBook, Inuchic515 (hope my explanation to them meeting does it for you!) and babegalanime!
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