(This will be in your POV for a while your name is Anita for now but it will change to your name shortly. There is a reason for it. So please be patient. This is my first
Reader/ Sesshomaru fic and I'm taken a different approach to it so please be honest with your opinions. I am also trying to keep all of the characters in character so please tell me if I'm going out of character. This is mainly a prelude so not a lot of talking will be going on just yet. It's meant to inform you.)
Chapter I
Climbing up the mountain, I ponder my fate. Sure I know I will die but… what's to come after. Why was it again that I, the daughter of the high priest had to be sacrificed?
I laugh to myself as I am force to remember the events.
Flashback
"Mom, where's dad he said that he'd be home early today" I asked
"Anita please, you know very well that you're father has important business to attend to" said mother
"But he promised" I pouted
I was younger then, a bit selfish I suppose. I guess I wanted my father's time all to myself. I was daddy's little girl in every aspect of the phrase.
"Now, now it's still early perhaps if you're a bit more patient he'll be here soon" mother said with a smile
I sighed it wasn't that I did not enjoy mother's company it was just that I missed father's.
Soon enough, father was home and boy was I excited to see him. I speed my way to the door to greet him.
"Daddy!" I said full of glee
"See just like I promised" he retorted with a light hearted smile
At that time he was just second highest and apprentice to the high priest. But the events of tonight changed all of that.
We were having dinner at the time. No, we had just finished. We were still talking around the table in our hut.
A sudden bad vibe took me. By the look on father's face he had felt it too. Father rushed outside and was greeted by screams of agony.
Yes, our peaceful village was under attack. I was not afraid. Perhaps, it was because I was naïve to the world around me. Thinking my father would protect me from all the demons in the world. That no one by far could match his awesome power.
An eye opener is what I call it now.
Yole it called itself. It had come because the weak mortals refused to give proper scarifies. Everyone was terrified. Their fear was like a thick fog over the village.
When father told me and mother to hide…but no, that's why I'm here now. He was the height of an average man but his muscled were, in my opinion… gross. He's skin was
blue and he had black hair that reached mid back. But by far his most striking feature was his horrible red eyes, not just the pupil but the entire eye.
He saw me amongst the villagers and their children screaming and running around like chickens with their heads cut off. But I was unfazed, even seeing the torn bodies of my playmates and neighbors I had no fear. BIG MISTAKE!.
"Why is it that you do not run child? Are you dumb? Do you not comprehend your situation? Oh I see you wish to die. Is that it?" he questioned me while I stood their still unfazed
"If their was something to fear I would run" I replied
"What!" he said his red eyes flashed with rage
I repeated myself. Mistake number 3 of the night…
"Insolent brat, do you know whom you speak to?" he said towering over me with his claws dripping with blood and flesh. Yes claws bad, very bad.
He was so close I could feel his hot disgusting breath on my hair. Still, I felt no fear.
"No" I answered simply.
"I am the great mountain demon Yole. I allow you vile humans to inhabit my territory and in return I am to receive scarifies. For years, I have received them and I was content, but some years ago they have stopped. I was patient. I waited, and for what? NOTHING! Now I am here to show you ALL why 'I' should be FEARED!" he roared.
"Oh," was all I said; not fully comprehending the gravity of the situation.
"Anita!" cried my father.
I looked over at him and smiled despite my obvious danger. Number 4 I guess.
"YOU DO NOT FEAR ME! WELL, I SHALL SHOW YOU FEAR CHILD!" yelled Yole, veins popping out of his bluish colored skin.
And just as his claws came down to hit me… father took the blow in my place.
When I saw his blood, all was clear. I should be afraid. I should be running for my life, cowering, hiding not out here TALKING to the demon, our attacker.
Father was injured badly, and now I was scared. Like hell I was going to be able to escape my fate now. I had insulted the mountain demon.
"So now you understand little girl!" he said in a mocking voice.
"I…I …." Words just didn't want to form. Blast those retched syllables things to hell.
"Good! Now, instead of animal sacrifices I want human ones, DO you all hear me! Don't think you can escape, I know the scent of each and everyone of you. To move away from this land is instant death by decapitation. Hear me the all powerful mountain demon Yole! Every year a female virgin shall be sent up to my mountain alive. You will do just this or next time I shall show you no mercy!" he said right before vanishing into the mist.
At that point all I saw was red; at that point all I knew was blood. I had finally grown up. In that precise moment I became a new person.
End flashback
After that I trained as a miko, perhaps I didn't have great spiritual powers but I trained anyways. I wanted to be stronger; I wanted to defend myself, my family and my friends. If miko training was not enough, I also went of by myself for 2 years to study demon extermination. And here I am now, being scarified to the very thing that harbored my ill will, malice, spite, loathing, detestation and hatred.
But I'm doing it for them, for the whole village. I, of course did not want to die. Who does really? But scarifies must be made for the good of the many, for the good of others. That's what they told me anyways.
My father, who I thought loved me, had given me up to this beast. This gut wrenching horror which called itself a God. "Have my daughter, she will go this year" he said. I didn't speak to him after that. That was 3 days ago. I didn't sleep, I didn't eat, and I didn't talk. He tried to apologize, my glare silenced him.
Shock did not begin to cover it. I paced myself as I walked not to fast (not rushing to death) not to slow (not fearing it either). I finally got to the top of the cursed geometry.
No one was their. I sat next to the sun dial the time appeared to be approximately 3pm. The sun was somewhat orange, and glowed knowingly. The trees down below, were now tiny things of my former life. I had decided that I would fight even if I died it would be with honor. It would mean I would die with out betrayal; at least to myself. Though I possessed no weapon, I would fight with my heart.
HE WAS HERE. I felt his aura pulsing through the air. It was one that I couldn't forget, it was forged into my memory, it was a small part of me. As long as I lived I wouldn't be capable of detaching myself from that horrible aura. It was what haunted my dreams, what shook my core, and forced me to surpass my bodily limitations.
"So it's you this year," he said with laughter of irony. His voice causing me to shiver.
I had been stripped of my weapons. I wore only a sacrificial robe with sandals. My dark blue hair swaged in the wind as I turned around to face him.
"Yes" I replied looking at him, with no fear once again. But this time not naïve, I knew very well that this thing before me, could kill me.
"Truthfully I had hoped they'd sent you the first year." He replied with a smirk
"You have grown quite a bit" he said again while examining me. Circling me like the predator he was.
He did not move to attack nor did I.
"And have gotten stronger, much stronger. Is it because of me? Was it I who inspired you?" he said his red eyes glowing with mischief.
"You can say that," I replied in a nonchalant manner.
"Don't be so tense I do not wish to kill you. If so, you would have been dead as soon as you stepped foot on the top of the mountain." He said with a smirk
"Be blunt, what is it you want?" I retorted blandly.
He laughed; no, not an evil muhahaha laugh, but a normal humor filled laugh.
"And here I though you had matured. I thought you would have figured it out. Virgins, why specifically virgins?" he said
My eyes widened as if in recognition. He… he raped them. All of them, then he killed them. Death perhaps but that… with him… It was sickening.
"I take it you understand my meaning now." He said with a smirk.
I didn't answer, I was too disgusted. Too overcome with a sick feeling of fear? No. not fear, then what?
"Come, we are going to my cave," he said grabbing my hand.
I pulled it out of his reach and walked ahead waiting, then stopped waiting for him to lead the way.
He walked up to me and smacked me right across the face. I knew, however, that he was holding back. But no matter, I would still have a nasty bruise there later.
"You will never do that again!" he spat, glaring at me trying to promote fear. I granted him none. Instead I smirked. 'Perhaps he'll kill me before he commits the act if I piss him off'
"Or what?" I said plainly defiance clearly inscribed on my facial features.
He narrowed his eyes. Not at me however; I suppose he was ignoring my words. Then again, he appeared to be looking for something.
Before long his gaze returned to me. He seemed well pleased to say the least
"It seems we have a visitor," he said.
"Show your self trespasser," he spat in a loud tone
Lightning fast, the look on his face changed and slowly, as if in slow motion, I saw him fall to the ground in pieces.
I was in awe as a figure approached me. Silver hair, crescent moon, and purple markings. Beautiful. A man? No not a mortal one anyways. Another demon? Yes, but what did he want? Why would he save me?
I couldn't, however, voice my questions. My mouth and my body, they had stopped working altogether.
"I have a proposition for you, miko. Will you hear it?" said the new demon.
"Yes," I croaked my throat now dry
"You, Miko have a choice of traveling with I, Sesshomaru? Do you accept?" he said in his monotone voice.
"I…why?" I asked as my reason seemed to be returning to me.
"I am in need of your services, and you are in need of mine. If you choose to decline, I will find someone else," he said as if he were stating the obvious.
"Huh?" I said
"Yes or No. My patience wears thin" he said sparing me a glance of his amber eyes
Cold, was my first impression.
Well it's not like any one was expecting me to return. It's not like they cared. But what service could I possibly provide him? Will I wait and see? What was it that made me want to trust him?
"Yes" I said releasing my breath, which I had no idea I was holding.
"Come," he stated as he started to walk off of the mountain.
"I don't mean to be a pain, but what service could I possibly provide you?" I asked.
"If you are patient, you will soon find out" he said simply not looking back to answer my question
Truthfully I found his demeanor, well, rather creepy. But I suppose I was more interested in my curiosity at that point. While his demeanor was creepy, he still intrigued me. I saw him as more of a puzzle, that I was now more that ready to figure out.
"Thank you" I said casually. He had saved my life hadn't he? But I didn't like being rescued, it made me feel weak, so it was hard to say thank you after.
I didn't know if he heard me because he did not respond. Then again, he seemed more like the silent type. And as pride would have it I didn't repeat myself.
"Can you heal?" he asked.
"Yes, it's one of my better skills." I responded, still examining my surroundings. I started doing that more often after the attack on our village. Perhaps I had gotten paranoid.
We were currently off of the mountain. And in a near by forest not to far in, we were meet by a toad looking creature.
"Lord Sesshomaru, you have returned at last! Rin's condition has gotten worse, she has a very high grade fever." said the toad like creature.
"Jaken, what were your instructions before my departure?" he said
"Um… Please forgive this lowly servant, lord Sesshomaru." said the toad like creature, while bowing several time. Briefly, I wondered if his back hurt; but then thought back to the ill person he had mentioned.
"This way" said Sesshomaru.
We walked a bit further to find a girl lying on the ground, covered… no, drenched in sweat was more like it.
"Can you heal her?" he asked in him monotone voice.
"Well, let me examine her first." I retorted and swiftly got to work.
I looked at the child who appeared to be pain stricken. That was my weakness; I never liked to see children in pain. I would put myself in pain for them, just to see that they were well. Perhaps, that was one of the reasons I did not protest to being sacrificed.
Her fists were clenched till her knuckles were a pale white color. Her hair was plastered to her forehead and she shook violently as her eyelids fluttered all about. A virus? No. It was poison. I was without herbs to make an antidote. This left me with another alternative. However, it was to use my power. I'd be weak after; very weak, but I'd do it.
"Since I lack the herb necessary, I'll have to use my power. But I'll be pretty much useless afterwards." I said.
"You will be under my protection." he countered.
"Good." I hesitated. I wasn't sure just how much poison was in her system. I could be out for days. Would he really protect me that long? And why was it that he cared so much for this very human looking child? "Then I'll start," I said there was no time for hesitation. This little girl needed me and even if he chose to leave me here for dead afterwards, so be it. I mean, I was just about to die anyways right?
"Do you have a knife?" I asked while trying to cool her down. The toad like creature, Jaken… I believe, brought some water and I had ripped off a piece of my sacrificial robe to press to her forehead.
"No." he said looking at me with an arched eyebrow, extending his curiosity.
"I will have to draw blood from both of us since the poison is in her blood," I explained he nodded in understanding and drew his sword
"I will do it," he said. I nodded letting him know it was alright. Then I extend my palm first. He then proceeded to cut both of our palms. I rested my palm on the little girl's bleeding one and proceeded to meditate. I opened my eyes soon after. I shone a blue color and she began to glow, not to long after. I stared to feel strained, but I continued. I had to make sure I purified every drop of poison from her system. An hour later, I was done and as promise, totally useless.
"Done." I said as I let out a sigh.
"She should rest awhile though, her body still needs to recuperate." I said
After that I had no idea when I fell asleep. Only that I was indeed sleeping.
I woke up greeted by the forest noises and little rays of sun that escaped the trees' shade.
I began to stir. Turning on my side, I saw that he was indeed true to his word. He stood tall and proud watching the lively youth frolic through the flowers.
Flowers? But, we weren't near flowers before. He had carried me here. More rescuing, why me?
"You're awake!" cried the little girl, she appeared to be even more happy for some reason.
"Yes" I replied sitting up. I wasn't fully energized but they didn't need to know that.
"Rin's name is Rin." She said with one of the most beautiful smiles I had ever seen, despite her missing tooth. Seeing her smile was all the payment I needed for sacrificing my energy.
"What's yours pretty Miko?" she said sitting next to me
"Well, my name is Anita." I replied, smiling back truly happy to see her up and about with so much cheer.
He watched us as we spoke. I could feel his eyes on me, but he didn't speak. I suppose I was correct in assuming he was the silent type
"Thank you very much for saving Rin." She said and hugged me. At first I was startled. It had been a few years since I had, had such an endearment. But I returned her hug with a smile. At least in this moment I could be happy.
"We are leaving now." came his unchanging voice.
I had a lot of questions. Lots and lots, but I supposed that he wouldn't want to answer them. So I opted to ask the more simple ones to Rin.
"Do you know where we are going?" I asked her.
"Lord Sesshomaru is looking for a demon named Naraku." she answered in her cheerful voice.
"Naraku?" I said arching an eyebrow in thought, I heard that name somewhere before.
"Now I remember" I stated.
He was evil. Pure unadulterated evil, not just evil but a whack job, a total psychopath.
"Why the hell are we looking for him?" I spat making a disgusted face, not really asking anyone in particular.
"It is my duty to dispose of him" said Sesshomaru with a cold glare
"Sorry, just asking" I said in my own defense. Boy, was he touchy.
"You ask to many question" he retorted while turning around and continuing to walk
"Okay then." I said. Mental note: do not bring up Naraku in Sesshomaru's hearing range.
We walked and walked and then by golly we walked some more. I was bored out of my skull till we got attacked. But that was over quickly. Jaken was so annoying all he did was whine for the whole ways and when he wasn't whining, he was practically gluing his lips to Sesshomaru's ass.
I had opted to speak when I was spoken to. So I could observe the demon called Sesshomaru.
Rin was nice, she brought me some food. When we stopped to eat she asked me some questioned so I answered them. I wanted to ask some more questions, but decided it was in my best interest to remain silent.
I was caught totally of guard when she asked me if I liked Sesshomaru. Knowing very well he could hear me I answered the best I could.
"I think he's a …" I paused I had to get my wording right lest I offend him. He was, afterall, a demon and didn't take kindly to certain words.
"He's an honorable leader, who's quite intelligent, level headed, and sophisticated." She now interrupted me
"What's sophisticated?" she asked
"Oh it means, well, it means he's advanced and knowledgeable" I replied, not quite knowing how to explain the word to her.
"But you didn't answer my question." she countered
"I suppose that I do. I certainly don't dislike him." I answered honestly
It appeared that she was satisfied with that answer because she emitted another one of her beautiful smiles making my heart melt. I know, I know, I am a sucker.
We traveled for days in search of Naraku. I of course knew where he was but chose to keep quiet so I didn't upset Sesshomaru. We had passed the place where death and decay lingered and evil surely dwelled. I felt his presence. I knew it very well it was similar to Yole's aura only more evil and fowl but perhaps there was no scent so he didn't know he was there. I had seen Naraku before he was a hanyou, whose power was great but mind was quite decayed. He was attacking a village during my training as a demon slayer. Which reminds me; I lack my weapons.
Which also means I was totally dependant on Sesshomaru's strength the very thought of it angered me. So I voiced it.
"I wish I had brought my weapons" I said with a sigh
He looked rather perplexed by my statement, like I was stupid or something.
"Do you doubt my abilities?" he questioned with a raised eybrow
"No" I stated, not giving him anymore than what he asked for.
"Then, why is that you require your weapons" he asked again
"Think of it this way, I am used to taking care of myself and now I'm completely useless to myself and those around me. I don't like being dependant. Don't get me wrong or anything but you're not always going to be there and I don't like the fact that I would have no way to defend myself at that point." I stated
"I mean, how would you feel?" I asked not really meaning to.
"Foolish mortal, have you no respect! Lord Sesshomaru has taken you in and this is the thanks he receives, you humans are nothing but ungrateful…" said Jaken right before receiving a foot in his face
"It's understood" he said then continued walking.
"By the way, we passed the place where Naraku is hiding" I stated looking to the left
"How would you know?" he countered, pausing in mid step
"I felt his presence yesterday when we passed the corpses of those soldiers. It was faint but I'm positive it was him his aura is not an easy one to forget." I said.
"Why is it that you didn't state this earlier?" he said sort of higher than his normal tone, indicating his annoyance.
"Well, I wasn't certain that you would want me to. No offense but every time I have something to say, you kind of ignore me or look really pissed. So I try my best to be polite and shut up." I retorted.
He narrowed his eyes.
"Next time you feel his aura, you are to report it." he said
"Whatever you say" I said passively.
"Jaken, stay here with Anita and Rin. I will go investigate." He said
"Great, just what I meant" I said before leaning against a tree
(This is the end of chapter 1, please be truthful in your opinions. And please review.)
Inu-Yasha: hey! I wasn't in this chapter
Sesshomaru: your presence is not wanted half breed
Inu-Yasha: hey I'll have you know that the show is named Inu-Yasha not Sesshomaru so my presence is more important than yours
Sesshomaru: baka half breed,
Lopers: um don't worry Yasha you'll be in the upcoming chapters I promise.
Inu-Yasha: see!
Sesshomaru: the only thing I see as you put it is that this is a fan fiction and in it I am the main character
Lopers: actually the reader is.
Inu-Yasha: Ha-ha
Lopers: err don't be mad you're a main character too. Let just tell the reader to review k
Sesshomaru: you will not get off that easily
Inu-Yasha: Review okay
Lopers: what don't you know how to say please
Sesshomaru and Inu-Yasha: NO! now review
Lopers: escuse them please, they lack manners as you should already know. So please review. Ttfn. Ta-Ta for now!