Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, Rumiko owns them.
Author's rambles:
I would also like to point out that Sess maybe OOC in some parts of the story, I will try to keep him as stoic as ever but my apologies if he slips up once in a while k. Hehehehe…
Second Chance – The Beginning (part 3)
"Her worth surpasses yours by millennia half-breed." Sesshoumaru snarled, his claws elongating and digging into Inuyasha's flesh causing trails of blood to drip from the hanyou's neck. He was purposely avoiding the use of his poison; he wanted the hanyou to suffer slowly and painfully.
Inuyasha was shocked by his brother's words. So she does mean something to him.
At this point Miroku spoke up again, "Stop this Sesshoumaru! Inuyasha is not your main concern now! What are you going to do about Rin's remains?"
At the mention of Rin's name, Sesshoumaru's hold faltered but not enough to release Inuyasha. His eyes immediately returned to their normal amber and his composure and expressionless mask back in place.
In the next instance he flung Inuyasha and the hanyou crashed into the bark of a tree splitting it in half, ironically the top half fell on him.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome yelled rushing of to aid him.
Miroku and Sango never moved out of their positions since Sesshoumaru was still standing where he was, looking towards Rin.
Before Miroku had the chance to repeat his question yet again, Sesshoumaru had turned his back to them, approaching Jaken and proceeded to carefully gather Rin in his arm once again and carried on his chosen path as before.
"Chotto matte kudasai Sesshoumaru! Wha.." Miroku was cut off by the taiyoukai's voice.
"What this Sesshoumaru chooses to do is none of your concern monk! This Sesshoumaru will do as he see fit." The last part was said in a whisper that the words were nearly lost to the monk and the taijiya, "She will receive what she rightfully deserves."
Miroku was baffled; he didn't understand what the youkai meant. What she rightfully deserves? What does he mean by that?. He was also surprised that the youkai had graced him with an answer.
"Anou… but what about her remains? We can give her a proper burial for you." Sango finally spoke. She was mainly concerned about Rin the whole time. Throughout their adventures and the few meetings she had with the child, she had grown accustomed to her cheerfulness and positive attitude. Yet Rin also had a deep wisdom within her surpassing any adult Sango had ever met. And now the child was gone, cast out from this world by the one person, or more precisely, youkai, who she looked up to as her saviour. In the middle of Sango thoughts, Sesshoumaru had stopped walking and began to speak again.
"This Sesshoumaru will see to it that she be buried where she was meant to be...a place where she was happiest."
And with that he continued on his way, leaving the group still very confused and very worried.
Sango turned towards Miroku and asked, "Where do you think he's going to bury her?"
Miroku was solemn, silently contemplating the youkai's words, running it over and over in his head.
"I do not know my dearest Sango, but I am certain he knows exactly where he is going."
With that the two of them joined Kagome and helped out with their unfortunate companion.
Sesshoumaru on the other hand had continued on, walking for hours without stopping. Surprisingly Jaken had remained silent throughout the whole trek to kami knows where. But his thoughts were not so peaceful.
Where is Sesshoumaru-sama taking Rin's remains? Is he really going to burry her? What did he mean by "a place where she was happiest"? Rin was always happy... the sudden thought depressed the toad all over again.
I pick fights with her all the time and complain. Demo… the incident where Rin risked her life to retrieve the Sen nen sonomi for him to save his life flashed in his mind.
She had cared for this Jaken.
The toad was brought out of his musings when he smacked into the back of Sesshoumaru's legs. His master had stopped.
Looking around, Jaken finally understood what Sesshoumaru had intended to do for Rin. They were in a sakura garden. The group had chanced upon it a few days back before the horrible incident, before she was taken yet again.
Flashback
"Sugoi Jaken-sama! Look at how the petals fall on Rin! Just like yuki (snow)!" Little Rin called out while dancing under the falling sakura petals.
Sesshoumaru was silent throughout and opted to just sit under one of the trees and observe his companions. They never noticed the small smile gracing his face all the while watching her. She was happy…
End of flashback
She had been happy…
Sesshoumaru had scented out the garden even before they had reached it, he purposely brought them through there for her, for Rin.
It had only been a few days ago, she had been so happy.
This is where she would want to be…Under the falling snow…
The tree he chose to bury her under was the largest sakura tree growing in the whole garden, its branches reaching out in all directions.
He buried her himself, ignoring Jaken's pleas of assistance.
Once the task was done, he plucked a full sakura blossom from one of the trees branches and placed it at the head of her grave. He stood there now, just silently looking at her grave with Jaken at his side, who had finally stopped his ramblings and opted to just observe his master whilst holding onto AhUn's reins.
After what seemed like hours but in fact had only been mere moments, Sesshoumaru approached the tree and burned something on the bark using his poison. He then took a final glance at the grave and walked away.
"Let's go Jaken" he called out to the imp.
Jaken just silently guided AhUn and followed his master opting to ask where they were going later on.
Sayonara, Rin…
The great taiyoukai of the West, Lord Sesshoumaru, ruthless killer of thousands human and demons alike, a heartless monster, had said his final goodbyes to the one human who had earned a place in his heart and mind forever.
The message he left behind, etched into the bark of the tree acting as a tombstone for her grave, was only one word. A name, her name… Rin.