Disclaimer: Inuyasha: A Feudal Fairy Tale is the creation and property of Rumiko Takahashi. I have nothing to do with the story other than being a shameless fangirl.
Author's notes:
Reviewers Rock! Thanks so much!
Responses:
Yay! I've wanted to write this chapter! Hee hee, the chapter that inspired this story. I think this will be longer (not long, but longer), and most likely Sesshoumaru will have a more difficult time answering. Can't guarantee anything though, I'm writing these notes before I write the story (hmmm… these notes would probably be shorter if I wrote them after, but I have no self discipline, I'd forget the disclaimer or to express my gratitude or accidentally forget to respond to reviews or something if I did wait until after I wrote the story.
Davinci: Wow. You are very well spoken. Thank you, you're very sweet.
Psycho Demon-Witch: Hehehe, yeah, I love watching them bicker! Thank you, that suggestion is actually very helpful. I'm very interested in Sesshoumaru's childhood; I adore stories that depict Sesshoumaru as a child. There's a really good one being written but I can't remember the title, it's been a while since it's been updated. Hopefully I had enough sense to add it to my favorites list so I can go check the title.
Thealchemist'sdaughter: Yes, I know it's very very short, but I'm sorry, that's my style. I really should be less vague though. That last one was very short. My chapters are usually 2-4 pages long, including author's notes. This is why I'm way more likely to write stories that only take up a day or two, and each story doesn't have many chapters. I have at least 3 one shots, and my longest story is only 10 chapters (so far).
Princess Sin: Yes, I agree, and the question of this chapter should prove more difficult to answer. This is the question that inspired this story, actually, but I don't think it would have been the first question he asked, so I had to behave (pout) and wait a little bit to write this one. I find if I give in to temptation in this situation, I'm likely to run out of steam as soon as I finish the chapter in question. But, I think it fits here, so that's where it's going. As for being short, my chapters, regardless of the story, rarely take up more than 4 pages. That's just my writing style- heavily punctuated I guess. I rely heavily on breaks and pauses, so I end up ending each chapter quickly. This story in particular is like this more so than most I'd say, because the fact that I focus on one question- or more accurately, one main answer per chapter (not including a few bickering remarks! Tee hee, I love bickering!)
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Be warned, do to the nature of the situation presented in this story, and especially this chapter, there will inevitably be instances of ooc-ness, but I really feel that this situation would cause him to behave like that. Remember, when he first fought Inuyasha in his demon form, he even 'trembled' to use his word (anime reference, haven't read very far in the manga). Of course, it didn't look like a tremble to me, his eyes just widened a little, but the point is he was thrown off. His nerves are not nearly as unshakable as he'd like to think, and I feel that this situation would throw him off.
"Speaking"Inuyasha's thoughtsSesshoumaru's thoughts
Chapter 4- Keep Her
Sesshoumaru grew bored with taunting Inuyasha: making him growl was mildly amusing, but a little too easy. He let his eyes wander to the stars.
These stars are older even then my blood line- more ancient than any demon alive. No one can bother a star, nor kill one. They are immovable… That sound, Rin gasped. Hm. Not from fear, she must have noticed the sky. It's a very clear night, and she is so easily impressed. Foolish child.
"Sesshoumaru!"
He will now attempt to insult me.
"Why are you such a pompous ass?"
"You're limited vocabulary never ceases to amaze. An 'ass' is a donkey. This Sesshoumaru is a dog. 'Pompous' refers to 'pomp', someone who is 'pompous' puts a great deal of emphasis on ceremony and flashy garments, they're main goal is to be impressive. This Sesshoumaru puts up with ceremony as tradition dictates, but I do not enjoy or overemphasize it. However, I believe you are asking how I developed my current attitude?"
"Ummm… Yeah."
"Practice."
"Gah! You're annoying!"
Rin is approaching.
"Quiet." He turned to Rin's direction. "What is it Rin?"
Rin turned a corner and was now within sight, and her sudden presence startled Inuyasha, who promptly forgot to complain about his brother's rudeness. Even if she usually traveled with him, it was weird seeing a human in Sesshoumaru's castle of all places.
"Lord Sesshoumaru! Master Jaken is not moving! I think Ah Un must have kicked him too hard this time!"
"Is his body somewhere out of the way?"
"Yes milord, it is at the base of a tree."
"Then do not concern yourself, I will see to it that he survives."
"Thank you, Lord Sesshoumaru!" She then turned and started to skip away. Just as Sesshoumaru was going to return his attention to the skies, she turned around to face him again. "Lord Sesshoumaru?" He turned, but did not answer. "I heard a servant say you would be traveling to a nearby valley to look at the sky. May Rin come too?"
"Very well."
"Thank you, Lord Sesshoumaru!" She smiled sweetly.
"Go."
"Yes, Milord." And with that, she left. Inuyasha stared from the place she had been to his brother.
"What was that about?"
"There is a valley nearby, where the sky is exceptionally clear. It has been predicted that there will be a comet passing tomorrow. It has been a tradition in our family that all children be taken to see it, and that valley is the best place to view it."
"So why are you going? You don't have any kids."
"I have a young ward, and they also are always taken to see it."
"You really care about her, don't you?"
"Tradition clearly dictates that I must take her."
"Oh yeah? Well if you don't care about her, why do you keep her around? Why are you always protecting her and rescuing her?"
"Rin was killed. Had she remained dead, she would be taken care of by the soul piper for a time, and then no one would be responsible for her. Because I tested tensaiga on her, and resurrected her, she needs to be taken care of, and so I am responsible for her."
"But you could have found her a human family to take care of her. You didn't have to keep her."
Sesshoumaru looked at the sky, without answering.
"Answer me, damn it!"
"I am thinking."
"Huh?"
What? No biting comeback? No dripping sarcasm? No excuse? He really is thinking about it.
How do I explain this?
There was silence between the brothers for what was far to long for Inuyasha's comfort. He started to fidget. He rocked back and forth, started bouncing his leg, continued to shift his weight, shifted his gaze, and in general amused Sesshoumaru.
"Can't sit still, Little Brother?"
"Shut Up!"
Hmph. He is easy to unnerve. Not like Rin. She is very expressive, but not easily shaken. Even when I was injured, and resting near her village, she had the gall to pour water on my head. Sesshoumaru smirked. And yet she screamed at the sight of Goshinki's remains. Strange child.
"She amuses me."
"Oh no you don't! If it took you that long to come up with an answer there's no way it's as simple as that! I want a real answer!"
"Hmm…"
He's right for once. That isn't quite it. There's something about her. Such an odd child. There are fully-grown youkai that that tremble at the mere mention of me, yet she follows me and obeys my every command. I have seen her frighten, and I have seen her hurt, but I've never seen her panic. She seems to have such faith in me… such complete trust in my abilities…. And my intentions… Very…
"Intriguing."
"What?"
"I find her intriguing."
"That's it?"
Sesshoumaru's brow contracted slightly.
"No. Not quite."
"Gah! So what is it then?"
Silence.
Maybe I shouldn't have asked this question. I don't think even he knows the answer.
What is it? What do I care what happens to her? Why should I protect her? Yes, I am responsible for her, but I should just dump her in some human village. I find pups amusing, but I wouldn't let one travel with me, and she isn't a pup, she's a human child. Inuyasha intrigues me, but that is not enough to stay my hand to spare his life, much less let him travel with me. Why keep some little human girl? There are many who call her my weakness; it is certainly unseemly to have her following me. Yes, I shall have to get rid of her. I will find her a human family and my obligation will be fulfilled. That's-
"Master Jaken! You're awake! Rin was worried!"
"Quiet, baka! My head hurts!"
Sesshoumaru could hear his followers bickering from a distance, and all thoughts of ridding himself of the small girl vanished.
"Her presence…"
"What?"
"Her presence… it's calming."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"She is completely unabashed. She reacts to her environment as though the whole world could be trusted with knowing that she was startled or impressed or confused. She is easily startled, but not easily shaken, and is often quick to recover. She can smile after nearly anything. And…
"Well."
"It's calming, to see someone react so shamelessly."
"That's it? That's why you put up with her? Because she's not like you?"
"Don't devalue her. YOU are not like me, and I do not plan on tolerating your existence, much less let you travel with me."
"Who the hell do you think you are?"
"I already answered that question."
"Why you…" Inuyasha continued to rant, but Sesshoumaru just tuned him out.
It would be nice, once in a while, to gasp at the sight of the stars on a clear night, as she does. She is so uninhibited. So trusting. One would think, after the way her own kind treated her, beating her merely for catching food she couldn't afford to buy because they did not honor their responsibility to take care of their young, and yet, she trusted me without question from the moment we met. How is such a creature possible? She has endured more hardships then most humans ever lived to remember- yet she has not the darkness so typical in humans.
What is his deal? Inuyasha stared intently at his brother. He's completely out of it. I doubt he even sees anything in front of him. And this from a demon who claims never to be caught of guard. He's probably forgotten I'm here. Feh! I could probably flick him on the nose and he wouldn't notice 'til his nose stung. Hey, that's not a bad idea… Inuyasha started to inch closer.
I would call her naïve, but that isn't it. Is it possible to be naive after seeing what she's seen? She seems to have a thorough understanding of death and loss. She even risked her life trying to get the herbs to save Jaken when Naraku's poisonous insects had poisoned him. It's not that she doesn't know there is destruction and sadness in the world… She just… Inuyasha. Hmph. Baka hanyou.
Inuyasha inched closer, readying his hand for his attack. Hehehe, Sesshoumaru'll probably slaughter me by the time I get a chance to draw Tetsuiga, but it'd be worth it to see the look on his face… Inuyasha shot his arm forward and…
"OW!" He clutched at his own nose. It didn't hurt that much, but he hadn't seen that coming. He heard Rin start laughing shamelessly.
"That was funny, Lord Sesshoumaru!" Sesshoumaru smirked
"Did you need something, Rin?"
"I do not, milord. I only saw Inuyasha trying to sneak up on you and wanted to see what was happening."
"HOW DID YOU DO THAT!"
"Your reflexes are terrible, Little Brother. You didn't even tense when I grabbed your wrist to redirect your attack. If this had been a battle, you would have been in trouble." Sesshoumaru sneered, "interesting to know."
Inuyasha growled.
A whole day talking to Sesshoumaru? What was I thinking?
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End Chapter
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There, still short probably by some people's standards, but this is possibly the longest chapter I've ever written. I'm happy with it, I really like the way it came out. Hm, but then again, I didn't reread it, I better do that before I post. Hm. I didn't cover everything I originally intended, but I don't' remember what I'm missing, and I don't think it would have added to the story. Besides, it wouldn't have added more than a paragraph to the length anyway. Ok, reread it and still love it! Yay! Oh, and I remember what I was gonna write that got left out, but after rereading it I think I like it better without it. I'd rather Sesshoumaru be left a little confused by the situation than have him figure it out.
Oh! And I had a question for you, but I can't remember what it was! (Pout)
Oh, and the holiday season is going to be a bit hectic for me, so I might not post for a while. It will be at least a week from when I post this because I'm going out of town to visit family for thanksgiving.
OH! And I'm very easy to manipulate as a writer. If you'd like the next chapter to have heavier emphasis on bickering, or on Sesshoumaru's childhood, or his morals, or on Rin, or something else, or if there's a certain tone you'd like the next chapter to have or anything like that, make sure to give a review that reflects that. For example, I once got a review for another story where the reviewer said he/she couldn't wait to see who would be the first person to be kicked out of the cave, and the entire next chapter was inspired by that comment. It was a very fun chapter to write, too! One of my very favorites, in fact.
Yay! Thanks for reading! Hope you liked it!
