(A/N- I hope you enjoy all the symbolism and action! Feedback welcome~)
Chapter 12- The Final Act
~The End of Rin's Guard Dog~
Jaken sat on top of A-Un with his claw covering his eyes to block the sun, combing the trees below for any sign of his Lord Sesshomaru. Sensing for his presence as well, the demon did not take too much longer to find for his white hair and garb stood out from the contrasting greenery below. Unfortunately, his clothes were just as blood soaked as when they had last left off. "My Lord, Rin's been eaten alive by the snake demon," were Jaken's first frantic words.
Unphased, Sesshomaru stood with reptilian skins in his hand that he had been collecting. He proceeded to ask his servant a question. "Tell me Jaken, how do snakes mark their territory?"
Feeling on the spot, he stammered, for his Lord's question seemed quite unrelated to the concern he had just expressed. "By scent. My Lord, did you not hear me about Rin?"
Sesshomaru tossed the skins aside and they turned to ash, disappearing in the breeze. "Open your eyes!" He demanded. The little green demon pursed his lips together, looking around the forest. It was empty for the most part. He remembered that the closer he had moved to the swamp, the more decay there was to behold. He gulped loudly not sure what to say next, for fears of saying the wrong thing.
"The steward of this land, Lord Necromaru, has neglected his duties. However, I'm not convinced this is entirely his doing."
"What do you mean?" Jaken asked.
"It is said that when snake demons shed, there is a chance that a part of themselves will be lost in the process, taking a form of their own that will seek to destroy the origin of their existence."
"But what about Rin?!" Jaken's eyes were starting to spill with tears and he sounded whiney. His mind had not left the woman since the beginning of their conversation.
"Jaken!" Sesshomaru snapped at him with his eyes slightly squinted. "Rin is not the target here. It is Lord Necromaru. He swallowed her to protect himself from me."
"But Marukai made it sound like the snake demon was trying to get back at you!" Jaken argued, using the reigns upon A-Un to follow after Lord Sesshomaru. His ripped kimono billowed in the wind and his blood sparkled through the air.
When at last they made it back to the swamp, they discovered the snake demon's body was coiled in mud, staring up at the sky with his mouth wide open. Steam poured from its throat as he breathed heavily. His tongue hung flaccid down one side of his mouth, no longer oscillating and his bright red eyes ceased to glow. Lord Sesshomaru floated over, drawing his sword before entering.
Through the belly of the beast, Sesshomaru tread until he finally came across Rin, sitting upon her bottom with her knees drawn to her chest. When Rin lifted her head, she hesitated, not sure if Lord Sesshomaru was just another one of Marukai's illusions or not. However, when his unmistakable scent reached her nose, she was assured it was him. He smelt of nature, wind, and woods. "Lord Sesshomaru!" Her eyes glistened with hope.
Before he could answer her, the deceitful demon appeared with Lord Necromaru. The humanoid demon was now naked, with every one of his battle injuries exposed, not even conscious. Marukai had a fist full of his long black hair with his head pulled back, similar to the way his demon form had been discovered outside of his body. He was positioned upon his knees with a dagger pressed against his neck and his arms hanging from his torso. "Allow me the honor of slaying the demon who has betray your arrangement, Lord Sesshomaru," Marukai spoke.
Sesshomaru clinched his sword and charged. With that, the dagger was slid across Necromaru's throat and a reddish black blood poured down his neck. Marukai dematerialized and cloaked herself around her Lord's dead body. Rin and Sesshomaru watched a transformation take place, which resulted in what appeared to be a new foe. Dressed in reptilian skins and scales, Marukai's braid had become parted into three snakes, hovering over her head. In her hands she wielded the serpent's red poison fangs. While the two engaged in battle, Rin began to crawl over the fleshy ground to the bags she had once believed to be her children.
Carefully, she untied one, peering in. There, she discovered sticks and twigs, broken egg shells, and crumbled leaves. She then poured it out, scattering the contents for a better view. "No! What are you doing?" Marukai paused her assault on Lord Sesshomaru with both of her fangs pressed against his blade. Over Sesshomaru's shoulder she could see Rin preparing to untie and open the second bag.
"You used me to carry these in!" Rin accused, for they had been far too heavy for Marukai earlier.
"Don't touch them!" Marukai nearly screamed, pushing Lord Sesshomaru back. Just as she went to strike Rin, the dog demon caught her. Pinned in place against the ground, Marukai felt Sesshomaru prepared to send his blade through the back of her torso.
"No…" Marukai's voice sounded fragile now with her head rested against her bicep. Rin proceeded to open the second bag, filled with similar items to the first, but also including clothing meant for a child, a hair brush, and other belongings from youth. Rin picked up the small articles of cloth.
"Whose are these?" Rin asked the demon.
"They were ours," Marukai corrected the human girl. "Before he outgrew me. He cast me aside, like I didn't matter anymore. So, I tried to be useful… but it only made things worse. He didn't need me."
"It hurt you to become just a part of his life, rather than the focus." Rin reflected.
"I didn't want to be forgotten!" Marukai explained.
Rin brought the clothing near her chest, hugging it.
After seeing the gesture, Marukai closed her eyes with a peaceful expression on her face. "I've spent so much time trying to prove my existence, I think I can finally rest now knowing that I have." Sesshomaru stepped back as her body suddenly became engulfed in flames.
Outside Jaken watched the giant snake demon of the swamp blaze with fire with tears streaming down his cheeks. "My Lord!" he cried.
In the warm breeze, Sesshomaru sat with his back against the trunk of a cherry blossom tree. His rate of healing was quicker in this realm. Beside him, Rin had her hands wrapped around his forearm. "I think I'm ready now," Rin smiled gently at him.
Lord Sesshomaru peered out at the setting sun, with his white hair whipping gently across his cheeks. Peering at Rin, he encouraged her to share more.
"When I see them again and I need to let them continue along their way, I know what I must do."~~~
FIN-Thank you so much for reading my Fanfic! :)
