Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or any of its characters.
Youkai and vampire made their way through the city streets in search of entertainment. Both were bored with idle talk, and the full moon left them feeling slightly restless. It might be said that neither was receiving much out of the other's company at this time, however, boredom was less tedious with a companion with which to share it. Boredom was a fact of life for those who live not only one full human lifetime, but twenty, thirty lifetimes—a dozen centuries, a thousand years, two thousand, and so on. Time slipped under their heels as inconsequentially as did the dusty sidewalks.
The two immortals were not bound by time in the way in which mortals were accustomed. The slow decay of their bodies did not hang over their heads as a constant reminder that their time here was short. These two had no first hand knowledge of this decay—only the detached sympathies they felt (or more likely, did not feel) towards those mortals around them with which they occasionally came into extended contact. Carpe Diem—the lives of mortals speed forward towards death at a predictable, inevitable pace, seen time and time again on the faces of mothers, fathers, grandfathers, and friends, lovers— gradually, banally growing old and eventually dying, completing an unstoppable process of which the two immortals would never experience. Certainly, they understood, witnessed, even grieved over this process, but they never experienced.
Yet, even immortals were not indestructible—they could also die. However, it was always a shock, an accident, an act of violence, not the predictable, though dreaded, series of events which mortals were forced to endure during their short stint in this world. So, what did immortals fear? What was hanging over their heads, threatening their illusions and complacency? Boredom, world-weariness, monotony—whatever you wish to call it—these words contained life-sapping dread for those forced to endure eternity with no hope for relief. During such long, potentially endless, lifetimes, you run the risk of losing your mind in the prison of dullness.
Fortune, however, was determined never to be thought dull, and he ever wished to expel any tedium from his daily life by means of unpredictable and extreme actions. Yes, even these actions, when continually repeated, did also fall prey to tedium, but Fortune was always the last to admit this. To note, he was usually the last one to leave a party as well, no matter how drunk, but those events mainly took place in his brief human years. He did not get invited to many parties these days.
Finding Sesshoumaru had been something akin to a major equipment upgrade in his battle with dullness. He might perhaps gain another human lifetime's worth of mildly entertaining adventures if allowed to associate himself further with the youkai, and, though he had not realized this yet, with the girl as well. Mildly entertaining might not sound like such an impressive boon, but around age 200-400, many beings lost the bulk of their capacity for unadulterated joy in living.
As for Sesshoumaru, who was, one could say, born for longevity, he did not experience some of the hurdles which Fortune was forced to overcome. He never expected life to offer an eternity of bacchanalian pleasures of the mind and flesh—a veritable Toyland over which he was lord and master. Fortune's first few centuries had hinted at thus, but it was only the ragged trappings of his old humanity shielding his undying eyes before his former humanity, too, fell into dust and he was left only with vicious desire and the nostalgic yearnings of a still half-human mind.
Fortune would have envied Sesshoumaru if he had known he had been born for this life, but only because he did not understand what the youaki was. The coolness, the emotionless exterior, was not an affection, but in all actuality a sort of inbred mechanism for enduring the mounting years. Yes, youkai did experience something resembling the human passion for living. Some youkai experienced this because they were also not born to endure, having life spans which were numbered in the hundreds of years. A few others, with longer years ahead, also admired the human's passion for living and attempted to emulate it in order to share that passion.
And, even fewer, were the Taiyoukai, whose life spans were simply not numbered. Those from this elite and decidedly chilly group of youkai who also wished to experience this foreign thing called lust for life for themselves were far and few between. Sesshoumaru, chillier than most, had never seen fit to join this small, but boisterous, crew. However, Sesshoumaru's father had been one of those. His love for a human woman brought him out of his cold, regal, but unbearably slow trek, through the centuries to experience to fierce rush of human-like protectiveness and passion. All his passion, all his new felt exuberance, fueled events which caused him to burn out as quickly and as brightly as any star-crossed human lover. The late Leader of the Dogs died protecting his lands from a dragon, which had perceived his new passion as a weakness, and also protecting his love and half-breed child from bitter human jealousy.
Thus, in search of something which bore some vague and faint similarity to that search for passion, the two strode on, linked by the search of an escape from the tedium which, at times, threatened to grind their very minds into dust.
It was unfortunate that they would not find it this night, though the other's presence did serve to mitigate the oppressive nature of the tedium. But, they would instead have to wait for her return. The girl—she would help to bring a little life back into their listless actions of breathing, moving, speaking. Sesshoumaru knew this on some level, though he did not often delve so deeply into the reasoning's behind his own impulses and desires. Fortune, who was indeed prone to a great deal of self-evaluation even to the point of self-centered obsessing, did not recognize this fact either. For, he lacked the youkai's talent for spotting a good thing when he saw it. Such was what often led Fortune into seriously damaging, and not only to himself, relationships, which in turn, caused him to pass up those which held promise of growth and rejuvenation. Sesshoumaru was one of the few exceptions to this, though his friendship did hold the potential of a swift death by a set of razor sharp claws hands if he pushed the youkai too far—so saying their relationship did not deviate much from norm.
No, they would not find relief tonight. Erin was away, playing nursemaid to her older sister after yet another rejection and break up. Tonight the two would wander, silent and in search of fresh scents which did not materialize, or new blood which did not exist.
Erin bounded up to the two men, having missed their company for several days. She was rather proud of having been able to hold the attention, if you could call it that, of two supernatural, and somewhat dashing, males. But, that pride had not much to do with what held her attention with regard to the two of them. Curiosity, inquisitiveness, source of entertainment—all were in the forefront of her emotions, paired with a warmer feeling—friendship. She liked both Sesshoumaru and Fortune. Yes, she even perceived qualities in Fortune that she could admire—he could be quite charming and even funny at times—though he had as of yet to direct these qualities towards anyone but Sesshoumaru. She did enjoy listening to their banter, though she did not understand it fully. Seeing Fortune direct his quick wit at Sesshoumaru was still quite entertaining. And, at least Sesshoumaru seemed to enjoy her company in his own quiet way—why else would the two immortals bother spending time with her. For whatever reason, she was accepted her into their little boy's club to converse and walk with them, as one of them, leaving it to her to come and go as she pleased.
Erin greeted Sesshoumaru, which he returned, adding, "Have you fared well the past several days, Erin?"
"Yes, thank you. And yourself?"
"Yes, I have been well. Is your sister recovered?"
"She is, thanks for asking." Erin prided herself on good manners.
"Your company was missed," he added politely, neither his face nor tone betraying a trace of the sentiment expressed.
Erin was pleased with his interest in her well-being, but still marveled at the way his impassive veneer disallowed any visible show of emotion. She tried to imagine his amber eyes burning with emotion—love, rage, fear—but failed. She sighed. He was still beautiful, especially tonight, with the almost full moon making his silver hair shimmer. Or, well, she admitted to herself, it was actually just the streetlights doing that, but it was a nice thought.
She turned her attention away from the silver haired youkai and to his companion, standing slightly in the shadows. Tonight, Erin was a girl with a plan. For her plan to be successful, the timing of her plan would need to be near perfect. It would unfold during one of Sesshoumaru's absences, and the near perfect timing was necessary so that his return would also be most expedient.
But, first….
Step one: Get Fortune charged up and ready to kill.
Really, this first step was quite frightening. Erin tried not to thing about the implications of this too thoroughly. She was not certain it would work, but she was determined to at least try. Her first step involved a little not-so-delicate poking and prodding at the half-crazed, feral creature that was Fortune.
"Fortune"
"What?"
"Um." She was unsure where exactly to begin.
Fortune peered over at the young girl, his grey eyes gleaming with the animosity she had come to expect from him during their short acquaintance. "Spit it out, girl, or stop bothering me."
"Whatever"
"Don't you know any better comebacks, girl?"
Erin shivered a little under the vampire's steady glare. This wasn't going to be easy. Not only was she facing an intimidating opponent, but she could feel her ever-present shyness threatening to kick in, "I wasn't bothering you. I just wanted to tell you that I know all about you."
She watched for his reaction out of the corner of her eye. He did look quite striking; the icy grey color of his eyes offered a nice contrast to his long, dark hair. She now understood why his pale skin appeared lifeless next to Sesshoumaru. Fortune was a vampire, and, she now decided, looking at Fortune's sharp features, that he was exactly the way she would have imagined a 'creature of the night' would look. A little cruel and menacing with hooded eyes and a bloodthirsty grin, but still devilishly handsome. As well, she was certain he was all too aware of this very fact, and not at all bashful about using it to his advantage when he deemed necessary. Still, it made her cringe a little at what she was about to do it his overblown ego.
Disturbing her inner musings, Fortune stepped closer to her until his face was mere inches from her own, and hissed, "and just what do you know about me?" He then stepped back and eyed Erin skeptically, "have you been having more sex dreams about me?"
"You!" Erin bristled, a blush rising up her neck and coloring her cheeks, but tried her best to stay calm. You know what he's like, she reminded herself, he is only doing this keep you off-balance, that's all. Just keep going.
"I know you are a vampire," she finally blurted out before she lost what little nerve she still possessed.
"Oh, okay," he said flippantly, "huge news," he gesticulated wildly. Then, he paused, curious "but where did this little revelation come from, Erin."
"Sesshoumaru," she answered simply.
"Ah!" Fortune's first reaction was paranoia. The two of them were obviously gossiping behind his back and there was no telling what they were saying about him.
He really is a freak, isn't he? I think I saw him pick his nose the other day.
Really, I didn't realize vampires even had boogers.
I doubt they do. It is just one of those disgusting things you can expect from that bloodsucker. I once saw him step in dog shit on the street and not realize it. He walked around stinking all night and he never even realized it. Understandably, we were given a wide berth.
Oh, boy. He sure is an idiot.
I agree….
Fortune now felt indignant towards the two of them even though the previous scene existed only in his imagination. He decided to strike back swiftly.
"A vampire. Yes, I have been called that, and more. But, alas, I am merely a human. You are not another one of those who is going to make fun of my pale skin, are you? It's not as if I can help it. I have a hereditary skin disease which leaves me looking a bit… different."
"Skin disease?" Erin was momentarily taken aback by this revelation. Could this be true? Had Sesshoumaru been joking? "Oh, I didn't know. I mean its not as if you look freakish or anything."
"Oh, yes," Fortune was having a great time now, "you are so sweet, dear Erin, but I realize that I don't look like a normal human. It is called…Oliaphendolitis. You must know of it. It is the same disease from which Michael Jackson suffers." At this point, he almost let slip a snicker.
"Whatever," Erin responded, realizing now that she was being teased.
"You mock my disorder? It is quite serious" Fortune lowered his head and pressed a hand against his forehead, "Oh, the pain. I know how the elephant man felt now."
Erin watched as Fortune started shaking his fists at the sky, shouting, "I am not an animal!"
This was not going to be easy.
She decided it best to blurt out the whole, rehearsed spiel, as quickly and accurately as possible, and hope for the desired result—Fortune's anger.
Steeling herself, since her reticence normally prevented long speeches, she began,
"You are one sick fuck, Fortune. You have no friends. Sesshoumaru only hangs out with you cause he feels sorry for you," her voice wavered a little here, but she was determined to continue, "you kill innocent people all the time just to keep living your miserable, meaningless life. Those people are so much more worthwhile than you could ever be."
Now that she was nearing the end of her speech, her voice gained in confidence and volume, "you walk around like you think you're the ruler of the universe, and you aren't even that good looking."
This last statement got a shocked look out of Fortune. Sesshoumaru also perked up his ears at this turn in the conversation. Perhaps his wish of seeing a red-faced Erin screaming curses in the vampire's face would come true after all.
Noting Fortune's reaction, Erin continued a little more confidently now.
"In fact, you are quite ugly, in my opinion."
"What!"
"You heard me," Erin was even more pleased with this next reaction. She had only half-expected the first part to get a rise out of the vampire. But, she was almost sure that the "ugly" bit would do the trick. He was vain—she could tell, and it was time to pull out the big guns.
"Yes, in all the books, vampires are always so handsome, dashing and even sexy. But, you," Erin gave Fortune a disparaging glance, "are about as far from that as anything I can imagine. Who would have thought it possible—a frumpy, unattractive vampire."
Fortune's face, if possible, looked paler than ever.
Now for her trump card.
"And, I thought vampires weren't supposed to get fat."
"What!" Again, he looked completely shocked.
Now who can't find a proper comeback, Erin thought smugly, "I mean, take a look at that spare tire you got there."
Fortune looked down at his torso in horror, frantically feeling his middle for any trace of flab. Was he really so unattractive? Now he really did feel like the elephant man.
Erin tried to keep the satisfaction out of her smile as she prepared to finish him off.
"Oh, come on, it is so obvious you are middle aged. How old were you when you became a vampire—forty nine, fifty?"
"Fifty! Why you little…,"he trailed off. Uncharacteristically, Fortune was at a loss for words. He crossed his arms over his middle and turned away from Erin.
Oh, that felt so good, she thought. Why, it was so satisfying, it had worked so well, she was almost tempted to stop there and not continue with…
Plan two: Inspire Sesshoumaru to beat Fortune's ass.
Perhaps she should say, Fortune's flabby ass, Erin thought with a snicker. She did feel a tad guilty for using weight as her method of attack. She was quite sensitive about her own weight, but it was still amusing to make fun of Fortune's nonexistent flab.
Sesshoumaru, quiet during the entire exchange, could not help at marvel at Erin's skill in thoroughly trouncing the vampire.
Sesshoumaru shivered. Young girls could be evil. But, then, he knew that already.
AN: I will likely update on Monday after editing fun Sess/Fortune fight scene.
Sesshoumarubride: Thanks for another review—you are so loyal J.
Botticelliangel: I'm glad you liked Sesshoumaru sifting through his memories—was fun to write but wasn't sure if it would come off well or not.
Chris: That great--you thought the scene with the two laughing at Bubba's demise was funny. The humor in it wasn't blatant, so I was happy to hear it did make you laugh after all. Oh, and Jaken is loads of fun to write. As for Erin being Rin's reincarnation, I don't know if I'll address that directly in this fic. Not to say she isn't. Her name is similar, and she did remind Sess of Rin several times already...Hmm, could be!