Chapter Six: Life or Death

I awoke from an unexpected dream that I released tears for some reason, and I don't know why. I don't even remember the last time I actually cried. I found myself, instead of the girl Rin, in the same world as Lord Sesshomaru. We were curled up together, under the moonlight, baring naked skin after a passionate night of love making with one another. The strange thing about the dream is that it felt so real. Every movement, body heat, kiss, and touch was something I always imagined would take place on the night after Kiyoshi and I were married.

I looked at my ring again and admired how much I loved it. I had a feeling Kiyoshi must have gotten it when he went to Italy earlier this year. When I showed mom last night and my two best friends on facetime my ring they wanted to celebrate right away. I told them all soon. I wanted a few days of taking in that I was engaged and soon to be married soon. I know that I'll start planning everything while I am at the cabin for the next two weeks.

I had my day planned out when I got to the cabin here soon. I wanted to go sketch immediately at my most favorite place and that was the old castle. Everytime I visit I have to sketch the front courtyard of its colorful garden, the many fountains and the front part of the home. Then afterward a quiet picnic by the lake I was found near five years ago.

I got my daily shower, dressed in comfortable clothing for hiking, also put on a swimsuit, and met my mom down stairs in the kitchen. Dad was already gone. They both had meetings today and they would join me later this evening at the cabin. "Good morning, Hana," mother greeted me, with a cheerful smile on her face. "How is my newly engaged daughter this morning?"

"Good morning, mom. I'm still taking it all in," I answered back, taking a small bite of the delightful breakfast she made. I hope to learn all her recipes before Kiyoshi and I are married. I even took a sip of my oolong tea. After I swallowed my food, "what time will your meeting be over today?"

"Around eleven and your father and I should be at the cabin around five, depending on traffic. But we'll all go out for dinner so we won't have to worry about cooking tonight." I noticed she looked at her phone and I had a feeling she was running late. "Well I need to get going and I will see you later, my baby," she hugged me quickly.

"See you later mom and I'll be sure to be dressed and ready to go when you both arrive later tonight." I always was when they both wanted to eat out. She didn't say anything, but gave me that wonderful smile as she walked out towards the foyer, opened the door, and walked out.

Half an hour later I was on the road to the cabin and from there I would walk to the castle to draw. I had my smaller bag that contained my drawing pad, colored pencils, and regular pencils for when I sketch later. I would stay there till three-thirty and head back to get ready for dinner. I knew on my walk I would call Kiyoshi. I would call him now, but he was at work. So I spent that time during my drive talking to my best friends till I made it to my destination.

I left my suitcase in my car, grabbed my smaller bag, locked my car up, and headed for that path that would lead me to the castle. It was warm with a light breeze as I walked through the woods. Allowing my mind to relax, an incoming call came on my phone. I looked at the name and it put a smile on my face.

"Hey Kiyoshi, I thought you had to work today?"

"Same, but they had a water main break in the basement, so no work for a week or more. How was your drive to the cabin? I miss you, my soon to be wife."

"Oh damn! That sucks and I miss you too, my soon to be husband. I'm along the trail behind the cabin, nearing the castle. I'm going to get some drawings in before it storms later." The weather reporter said it was going to be bad. "So what's your plans for today? More soccer practice?

"You loved to draw around there. I don't get it. It's like your body and mind is drawn to it. Yeah, I'm going for a jog here soon with the guys."

"Right? Every time I'm near it, I can feel a presence inside. But I'll let you go so you can hang with the guys."

"Okay, I'll talk with you later Kiyoshi. Love you my big sexy wolf."

"Love you too my little bunny."

After I hung up with him, I finally reached the castle. Inside were several other visitors visiting with their family. They too were here to pay their respects. While I waited in line, I felt a few presence nearby. It felt like danger was lurking around. Looking around myself, I noticed no one was staring my way, so I felt safe. It was finally my turn to step up to pray for a blessing. I pulled out ¥50 yen, slipped it into the box, rang the bell, and said a little prayer for myself, and for the gods.

After a prayer of hoping to have my memory return, I went to take a seat along a stone bench in the front courtyard. Before pulling my sketchpad out, I closed my eyes, leaned my head back, and just took in the atmosphere around me. "I love it here. A big dream of mine is to own a home just like this."

Before I drew, I decided to check out more of the shrine. "Maybe I'll check the back of the castle?" Once in the back, my eyes lit up seeing the beautiful garden. So many colorful flowers and trees spread out everywhere. "Ahh, I'm in heaven." I found another stone bench alongside the porch. I took a seat again and pulled out my drawing pad, and picked a tree to draw. It was a tree that was covered in pears. Another favorite fruit of mine. It was even surrounded by many white, pink, orange, and yellow flowers too. It even had a beautiful little pond at the bottom of it.

As Hana started drawing, she wasn't aware of the hazel eyes of a mysterious person watching her. This person was dressed in all black, watching every move she had made walking inside the shrine. The mysterious human being made sure to stay out of her view when she examined the area from the courtyard earlier. When Hana turned her head away, the strange person would eye her body up and down. Their hands grasped out to touch her with lust on their mind. The knife in his pocket was inching to be soaked in her blood, but not before he had his way with her.

I, Lord Sesshomaru, walked back towards my office after escorting Kori to the gates of my castle. Her last words before I had the gates shut in her face were, "you'll be sorry." I didn't find her a threat. To me she was a weak, pure-blooded, lusting youkai, looking for romance only, and birthing pups. I knew by kicking Kori out of my home, my mother would be paying me a visit. Most likely to scold me like she always did since I made the decision to travel on his own when he became of age.

When I neared my office, pears were wafting around me and I had all but forgotten about Kori. I stopped to take in the citrusy aroma. It calmed my mind as I heard the sweet laughter of Rin again. It was much louder this time, almost around the corner from where I stood. I looked up ahead and saw a young child-like ghostly figure of her standing in front of me. "My Lord, come. I made you a crown out of flowers." I watched her run around the corner, skipping happily.

I rounded the corner himself, knowing her ghost-like figure wouldn't be there, but another female figure was. I was vexed that someone wandered into my home unannounced. The female sat along a bench looking around the garden, against the back porch. When I looked at the girl, my body and mind started to relax and I didn't know why.

I removed my sword bakusaiga anyway, walked towards the female intruder, and stood behind her. I watched her hands move along a piece of white paper as she drew what was around her. I watched as she leaned her head to the side as hair slid to her other shoulder. I froze and my eyes were glued to her neck. Placing my sword back within my sheath, I got down onto my knees, fingers itching to touch her neck that held several teeth mark indents. "Rin?" I called out to her. The girl who sat in front of me froze and turned her head around towards my way. My eyes became wide seeing her face. "Rin?" I called her again.

"Strange? I thought I heard someone say the name of the girl from my dreams," she softly said.

"Dreams?" I thought, waving my clawed hand in front of her face. "She can't see me!" Her face was still looking my way as I examined her more. Her eyes are why I couldn't look away. Their almond shapes were like the ones I remembered Rin having. The chocolate pools in her eyes held a calming effect for me. I tried to reach a clawed hand towards her face as she disappeared into thin air. Thunder roared far off from me that it brought me out of thought. "I think I've been cooped up in my home for too long. But who was that girl?" I wanted to clear my mind and flew off through the woods behind my home. "A few hours to myself is all that I need."

I sat there confused and wondered why I heard the name Rin, twice. "Maybe I didn't get enough sleep last night?" I had just finished sketching when dark clouds covered the sky. "Crap! I need to get home and unpack my car before it starts raining."

As I was putting everything away, I heard the door behind me slide open and a deep male voice called to me, "Excuse me, this side of the castle is private property!"

I nearly jumped out of my shoes, spun around to see a male figure standing in the doorway. "I'm so sorry. I didn't know." I bowed and bowed to the man before me.

"It's alright. The temple people just forgot to put the sign up and lock the gate again."

I lifted my head and watched the man step out onto the patio. I was shocked at how handsome he was. The silver within his hair was bright as a shiny new silver coin. His eyes are golden as honey. "Such pretty eyes. Must be some really good contacts."

"What's your name? If you don't mind me asking?" Do I tell him?

"Hana." I had been warned to never talk to strangers or give my name out to anyone I didn't know. But something odd about the man seemed familiar to me. Like I could trust him.

"What a lovely name." I felt myself blush from his comment on my name. "May I ask why you were on this side of the property?" The man I didn't know asked.

"I… I wanted to get some sketching in and..." Hearing another round of thunder, alerted me that I needed to get the cabin now.

He saw the terror within my eyes as we both looked up towards the sky, "you make take shelter within my home if you wish?"

That was a nice offer but… "I'm sorry, I must go." I darted out of the castle and headed for my second home. I could feel the man's eyes on my back when I ran out. If it wasn't for this storm, I would have stayed a bit longer, to take shelter, and to speak with him. He seemed genuine and kind, but I really had to get home.

Thunder could be heard crackling far off in the distance behind me. Storms were one of my biggest fears. A few weeks after staying with my now family, I remembered the first night a storm came passing through. It woke me from a dead sleep. I ran for my now parents room, got under the covers and hid against mom's body. Thinking about that memory brought me out of thought when my phone vibrated in my pocket. I saw that it was a text from mom.

Hana, we are on our way now. Sorry both our meetings ran later than we expected and traffic is a nightmare. We'll still go out for dinner. I'll call you when we get close. We love you and see you soon.

It's okay mom, take your time getting here. I'm heading back to the cabin now from the castle. Storm is approaching fast here. Love you both, drive safe, and I'll see you two soon.

Just as I hit the send button, the sound of twigs crunching came from behind me. Along with the crunching came a new deep male voice, "such a pretty girl you are and so is that ring you wear upon your finger. Must be worth a lot of money." My heart skipped a beat, and I turned around slowly, to see a masked man dressed in all black from head to toe. In his left hand was a long black blade, sharp to the touch. "Shy are we?" He crept closer, turning the knife back and forth in his hand.

The blood drained from my face as my heart picked up speed. I stepped backwards slowly, keeping my eyes on the stranger who was coming closer towards me. "Stay away from me!" my voice trembled. I didn't know if I should try to run for the cabin, or dash into the woods, and try to lose him. "Is this the Shikon Park Killer?" went through my mind.

"Why? I think you are beautiful. I want to get to know you and so does my blade. It aches for your blood." I watched the creep lick the black blade along his wet tongue. "You will become my tenth victim!" My brown eyes were covered by my black pupils, fearing that if I didn't leave quickly, I would be killed. Doing what I thought would help me escape, I hastened up the trail in the opposite direction. "You bitch! Come here!"

I could hear the man who was actually the serial killer running behind me. I can't run home, but I need a place to hide! But where? I was thinking too hard and not paying attention to where my feet were going when I felt my right foot get caught over a raised root along the same path. I fell face forward into the dirt, my nose, and forehead getting scuffed. I know I will have a bloody nose here soon. Before I could try and get up and run off more, I felt my body being overturned and facing the killer on top of me. My tears dropped at once. I didn't want to be raped and killed. "Please, just let me go and I won't say a word to anyone," I pleaded with my tears.

I watched him raise his hand with the knife and slithered it along the side of my face and then to my throat. "No," his voice was heavy with anger. "Now, to fuck you here or somewhere they'll never find your body after I am done with you." He ran the black blade down my throat, watching tears fall from my eyes. "Crying isn't going to make me release you." He continued running the blade down between my breasts now, over my shirt. "When I am done with you, I throw your body into the lake, tied to cement blocks, but not before I take that ring of yours."

No! I can't let what he has planned happen to me. I need to get him off of me and make a dash for a safe place. The only places I could think of were the castle or the beach. I had to think quickly about the two options. In order for me to get to the castle, I would have to run back around the serial killer, which would give him a higher chance at catching me before I could escape. So I need to go in the opposite direction, going more downhill, which would lead me to the beach. The same beach mom and dad found me when I was sixteen.

When I felt the hem of my shirt being cut, I squeezed my hand, with my phone, holding it tightly, and striking the serial killer right in the face. "Ahh," he fell over backwards, not before I felt the blade slice along my stomach, right across my belly button, and hit my new piercing. I bolted up fast, stomping the shikon park killer in the groin and ran even more. I dropped my phone and held my stomach where the slight gash from the blade had cut me. I knew I had to get to the beach and find a place to hide, possibly in the lake. But I don't want to get my drawings wet or a possible infection.

"Come back here you bitch!" I heard the killer shout from behind me.

The blood just kept on draining from my face when I heard the killer coming my way again. I knew it was a fight to survive as I finally made it to the beach. I ran across the wet sand, hoping to lose him once I made it to the other side of the beach, where there was more forest. I just have to remember to not step on… "ahh." I fell through the same hole from five years ago and landed face forward into the wet sand below. I was in even more pain now. It hurt so bad that I was afraid to move.

"Where are you bitch? I heard you scream in pain!" I could hear the serial killer not too far off from where I fell.

I'm doomed. I turned myself to the side, pulled my legs closer to my body, and hugged my knees, "I don't want to die!" I cried. "Please, someone, help me." It was like someone or something heard my cries. The ground beneath me began to shake and a bright white light shot up from under me and engulfed me within its power.

The serial killer got knocked to his feet watching the white light coming up from the ground. "What the hell was that?" He was about to remove his black mask when he heard voices of a family coming his way. "Shit! I need to get out of here fast." He got up and ran back from where he came within the darkness of the trees.

We were about thirty minutes from the cabin after being stuck in traffic for almost three hours, when I decided to call Hana, and let her know we were very close. She always answers her phone on the second ring, but this time she didn't, and it went right to her voicemail after it rang six times. "Hana didn't answer. That's strange?"

Itsuki was driving, since he does better behind the wheel when it rains. "Maybe she put her phone on silent and took a nap while she waited for us?" That might possibly be true. We are arriving later than I anticipated. She's done that before after spending the day out with friends. "Try again in fifteen minutes."

"Okay." I hope she answers. Though my mother's intuition has a feeling something might be wrong. But I don't want to scare myself over nothing when she does answer. To keep my mind focused, "anywhere in particular would you like to eat dinner tonight?"

"Wherever you and Hana are up to eating. I don't mind. I know we'll all have a wonderful discussion on her soon marriage to Kiyoshi. I can't believe she's engaged. It just seems like yesterday we found her in the old well. Where have these last five years gone?" I totally agree.

"Yes, I totally agree. Our baby has grown so much since joining our family five years ago. Now she'll be a married woman next year, and soon will be having a little family of her very own. Imagine us as grandparents, Itsuki! Ahh, the baby will be so spoiled."

Itsuki let out a loud laugh. "Ah, Mika. Hana will be an amazing mother when that time comes." I turned to look at the man that has been my husband for over a decade and it looked like he let out a few tears. He hardly ever cries and knowing his only daughter was to be married he couldn't but help to release his emotions. "Do you know where you'll go wedding dress shopping?"

I know Hana loves visiting Paris, France every year, so maybe there. "France I was thinking. There's this boutique that sells very unique dresses she always looks forward to seeing when we walk by." Hana loves outfits from decades past. So I know for sure she'll want a vintage style dress, with a mix of modern day touch.

"Whenever you both are ready to fly, I'll book the tickets for you both to go. I'm guessing this fall? Knowing Hana, she'll want a summer wedding." He knows our daughter all too well.

"Yes! I'm going to say about mid-October, that way it would give the seamstress plenty of time to create the dress Hana will desire on her wedding day." The money for the dress would be unlimited. But knowing our Hana she would wear a normal dress from her favorite store as a wedding dress. She wasn't picky when it came to anything, except mushrooms. One thing she did not like.

"I will buy the tickets in September…" His phone began to ring and it showed Kiyoshi was calling. That's strange, he never calls unless… "Hello, Kiyoshi. Is everything okay?"

"Mr. Ito, is Hana with you?" His voice sounded like he was very worried. Did something happen? Did he and Hana have a fight? That would be unlike them.

"No, she isn't. We tried to call her a moment ago and she didn't answer either. We think she may have fallen asleep. So I wouldn't worry, son. We'll have her call you when we arrive at the cabin." I started to get that worried feeling too. I tried to put that feeling aside and just stay positive.

"Okay, I'm sorry to call you on your vacation. Hana always answers even if she does take a nap, but I'll take your word, and wait for her to call me, thank you." He hung up before we could say anything else.

Now I want to try and call her again. It rang and rang six times and went straight to voicemail. "Itsuki, this is really unlike Hana. I hope she is okay!"

'Mika, we have nothing to worry about. Hana sometimes leaves her phone around the house and goes and lays down upstairs. Will go in and wake her to make it easier. But if you want to make sure she is in the house, track her phone." That I will do.

I opened up the app to find my iPhone and tracked her phone… "Itsuki, it shows Hana's phone along the trail behind our home. Almost near the castle." That can't be. She was walking back from there three hours ago when I texted her. "Itsuki, I have this bad feeling that something happened to Hana."

"We'll check the cabin first, Mika. If she is not there, I'll go check near the castle and you stay behind, just in case she does show up." Please be at home baby and you accidentally dropped your phone by accident and didn't realize it.

We made it to our cabin within five minutes after Kiyoshi's call. Hana's car was in the driveway and I knew not to get my hopes up just yet. I jumped out and ran to her car and saw that she hadn't unloaded it yet. Then I dashed for the front door to find it still locked. I fumbled for my keys in my purse, till Itsuki unlocked it himself, and then I ran up the stairs in the dark, turned all the lights on when I reached the top of the stairs and then threw Hana's bedroom open. "Hana, baby!" Her room was empty.

Itsuki was right behind me after a minute, "She's not anywhere downstairs. Mika, stay here and I'll check the path. I'll track her phone from its last location." He was out the door in seconds.

It wasn't even ten minutes after he left when he called. "Itsuki, did you find her?"

"No…" he paused for a few seconds. "Mika… I think Hana was abducted. Her phone is covered in blood." No! I felt myself falling to the floor. "Mika! Mika, I'm going to call the police. Please stay at the cabin and wait for them. I'll be there soon." My baby! Is she hurt? Is she hiding somewhere in pain?

.

.

.

.

"Mika, Mika, wake up my love." Did I faint? How long was I out for?

"Itsuki, did… did they find her?" Please say yes and that she'll be okay.

"No Mika. They haven't found her."

I sat up and threw myself into Itsuki. "Please say it ain't so!" Who would take our child?

"Mr. and Mrs. Ito," a male voice I don't recall, came from behind Itsuki. We both turned to see a gentleman in uniform. A detective.

I jumped up fast, eager to know if he found Hana. "Did you find her?"

"No, unfortunately. But we will not rest till she is found." He also went on explaining what they had done when I fainted. Her phone was taken for evidence, along with dark hair follicles in the dirt. Shoe prints were photographed along with many other things. They brought in bloodhounds to track her scent going along the path. They believed she crossed the beach to divert her attacker, but fell through the old well, and then was taken from there. From what the police saw, and found, they believed Hana was taken by the Shikon Park Serial killer. My biggest fear had come true. The police had agreed that Hana had struggled when she was being kidnapped. I felt faint and collapsed to the floor once again.

Kiyoshi stopped in front of a certain someone's home, after having an intimate night with them. "Thanks Kiyoshi. I can't wait to have another night like this with you again," this mysterious person leaned over the center console and engulfed their lips to his, and slipped him some tongue. Hana hadn't realized that Kiyoshi had been cheating on her with someone she knew since they started dating. Someone she thought she could trust as her best friend.

"Me too." He continued to take this girl's lips he considered better than his now missing fiancé. When he pulled back, "it's getting late. I'll see you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow." After his special someone left, he drove home, changing his expression from joyness to frustration. Once he pulled into his driveway, he parked in his usual spot, pulled a long black blade from the glove compartment and gripped the steering wheel tightly, "I almost fucking had her."

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. A lot is going on in my personal life. I just quit a job that I have been working for since July and moved back home just a few days ago. I'll be looking for a new job here soon, hopefully full time, which will set me back with writing.

I hope you all had an amazing Thanksgiving. I'll post again soon.

Taraah66: What are your feelings now for him? Where do you think Rin/Hana vanished to?