I Do Not Own InuYasha


Ikigai

いきがい

"A reason for being"

'A reason to get up in the morning'

To enjoy the meaning of life - passion, purpose, something one lives for


III: 6


November 22nd, 1984...

Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii, United States of America...

Kazuo sat with his father and father-in-law at the kitchen table in Honolulu, they had flown out for Thanksgiving, the detective had assured him to call if there was any leads.

"What have you learned?" he father, William asked.

"Nothing much," he admitted accepting the sniffer of whiskey. "PI's aren't taking my calls anymore, and the cops have no leads."

"There must be something?" William insisted.

"There's nothing," Shin'ichi snapped angrily. Kazuo dragged his hands over face.

"How's Airi?" his father asked.

"She won't leave the house," he admitted. "Our neighbors, the Higurashi's, are with her right now."

"That isn't alright," Betty appeared.

"I can't get her to leave, mom, I can't get er to go grocery shopping or to the shrine, she just goes to the park or the house," he said. "I'm at a loss for what to do."

"I remember when we lost your sister," his mother said as she sat with them Kazuo nodded.

"I think we should move," he admitted.

"Why?"

"It's been four months," he said. "It's been four months, I have three children who need their mother and I can't even get her to leave Rin's room!" he shouted. "The house is a wreck, the boys have lost mother and sister, and I don't know what the fuck to do!" he gasped. "I don't have any idea what to do, or what's right or what I should be doing! And if this continues I will lose a daughter and a wife! And the boys will lose a mother and a sister and then it's all over."

"You could move here," William said.

"I don't think I'll get Airi to leave Japan," he admitted. They had had a huge fight about him bringing the boys Hawaii for this family holiday. Shin'ichi, who usually sneered at 'American Traditions', had come with Kazuo this year because he was concerned about Airi.

"Where will you move?" his mother asked as he hid his face in his hands.

"As far from Tokyo as I can get," he muttered. "Somewhere untainted by all this, we just… we need a fresh start."

"Of course."

"I'll keep with the family business," he said to his father. The hotel and travel business for their family was a big deal. It was his life, he enjoyed the travel, the work, he liked running hotels and the general work of it.

"Take care of your family first," William said. "Betty and I will come help with the move," he said.

"Thanks," he nodded.

"So where are you thinking?" Shin'ichi asked.

"There's a massive farm I've been eyeing in Nishimeya, fresh air, fresh start; who knows maybe farm will be a good distraction for Airi, she likes gardening so much," he sighed.

"And Rin?"

"They say the odds after seventy-two hours are near zero, it's been four months," he muttered as he felt the tears gathering.

"Hey, she'll come back, I can feel it," his mother said as she hugged him a little. A shuddering choke escaped him as he turned to hug her waist.


Year 1578...

Tsuzuki Castle...

Jaken didn't know what had had A-Un so unruly that every inu was complaining about him biting them. Jaken hadn't heard the unruly beast being so misbehaved unless Rin was in danger which was what had him hurrying through the castle. Getting to the beast as it broke out of the stables Jaken barely caught it's tail just as the beast took to the air. He didn't even know what would have A-Un so agitated, but he screeched for the beast to slow down.

Jaken struggled to hold on to the Staff of Two Heads and A-Un's tail.


Somewhere in Musashi Province...

Rin woke as she felt Sesshōmaru thrumming through their bond and slowly pushed herself up, her wrist ached when she did that, looking around she saw she was still wherever they had taken her. She whimpered at the throbbing over her jaw, as she struggled up and collapsed against the wall. It had been a long time since she had taken a beating like this, and she couldn't say she liked it now anymore than she had then.

Slowly pushing herself up against the wall she made it to her feet, she had to escape, she had to get out of here. She could feel her lord urging her to find identifiable markers so he could find her. Rin tried but as she limped over to the shoji she struggled to keep upright. She barely opened the shoji when it was pulled open.

"Ah, you're awake!" Oshiro smiled as he reached for her face.

She pulled her lip back to snarl, gnashing her teeth at the fingers that got too close to her mouth. Oshiro backhanded her which sent her sprawling on the ground as she ignored the pain to scramble away.

She caught the leg lashing out to kick her as she slammed her fist up into his groin, the man shouted in pain as she pushed his weight back and tried to run. Oshiro caught her ankle and that sent her crashing into the ground, she twisted as she tried to lash out with her knee. Oshiro landed atop her snarling, she threw her arms around her head to protect herself as a fist came for her temple and another tore the yukata she was wearin. Rin kicked his leg out which had him falling as she smashed her elbow into his nose and she shimmied her way out of his weight, his blood had painted her face as she got to her feet and started running hard as she could. There was a blast of power through the wall of wherever she was being held and she skidded to a hault as Jaken appared.

"Rin! What happened to you!?" Jaken shouted running to her.

"Jaken-dono!" she burst into tears as she collapsed to her knees, her strength giving out.

There was a roar of fury, and she turned just as Oshiro appeared running for her.

"GO AWAY!" she screamed as she felt a surge of power tearing through her which lashed out like a whirlwind tearing apart the house, splintering the woods, blasting apart walls, and freezing the rain from falling on her as it all went for the human.


"So what happened to Rin!?" Kohaku shouted as he rode Kirara to keep up with InuYasha. There were bodies strewn about, Sesshōmaru's doing no doubt. Kohaku had seen Sesshōmaru kill before but not like this, there were body parts strewn about, and blood painting the ground so richly the rain wasn't able to wash it away.

Kohaku was horrified at the sight, he had never seen Sesshōmaru do damage like this, it was sadistic game to him, like a cat toying with the mice. Sesshōmaru had torn bodies apart, and the acid of his venom and poison alike was already turning men into goo, their faces twisted in fear and horror. Kohaku could smell the piss, and shit and blood these men had released when Sesshōmaru had come.

He shuddered in horror at the slaughter on this battlefield.

"She was taken you fool!" InuYasha shouted.

Kohaku had found his growing crush on Rin to be a bit confusing and distracting. She was a beautiful young woman and he had found her sunny personality appealing too. Rin was interesting, kind and smart, she was delightful and a loyal friend, he had found her to be the most stunning woman he had met.

"By who!? Why?" he demanded. Rin was so kind and trusting, but she was Sesshōmaru's ward and no one would ever be smart enough to take her.


Jaken rushed the man.

"Run Rin!" he ordered swinging the Staff of Two Heads, she struggled to her feet to try to run. Jaken was hitting the man over the head when he was thrown into the wall as she collapsed to the floor.

"You're mine!" Oshiro shouted as one of his hands finished tearing off the yukata as he knocked her legs apart and pushed himself between them. She sobbed as she screamed and tried to claw at his face.

"Release her," Sesshōmaru's voice called.

"I have a fair price!" Oshiro shouted as he pinned her wrists, his face was contorted into an expression of an oni and she was terrified.

"Look away, Rin," Sesshōmaru's voice ordered, but she couldn't, she couldn't even see her lord right now! She was struggling against the human's hold when there was a spray of warm, sticky blood coating her and the human's eyes were wide with shock as the body was lifted off her. Rin collapsed as Sesshōmaru's claws tightened around the human's exposed heart.

"She's mine," Sesshōmaru growled as he crushed the heart and threw the body through the gaping hole of the house.

"Sesshōmaru-sama!" Jaken gasped appearing, and Rin stared up at him as he walked forward.

"You… you came?" she sobbed.

"Hai," he whispered walking towards her carefully. His claws touched her cheek before mokomoko was wrapped around her and she found herself hoisted up into his arms.

"I was so scared!" she said as the sobbing started finally and she hugged mokomoko.

"You're safe now Rin," Sesshōmaru whispered as they walked through the wreckage. She caught the edge of his armor as she buried her face in his shoulder.

"Jaken," he stopped and she clung tighter to her lord, tangling her fingers in his hair.

"Yes milord!?" Jaken squawked nervously.

"You will be rewarded for protecting Rin," Sesshōmaru said as he walked her into the rain.

"I tried…" she started.

"You are not at fault Rin," Sesshōmaru said as his arms tightened on her, his nose traced her temple comfortingly.

"I tried," she whimpered.

"Sesshōmaru!" InuYasha appeared, she cried harder as she hid into him, she didn't want anyone to see her like this.

"Later," Sesshōmaru said as A-Un came, his snouts moving over her and she cried harder.


Sesshōmaru rarely dealt with hysterical Rin, the last time he had had to handle her being hysterical was when a bird she was trying to save was accidentally killed by her maid. That had been a nightmare. He saw his brother and the human boy nearing him which had him growling lowly to keep the away.

"I should take her back to Kagome," InuYasha said warily as he approached slowly.

"No," Sesshōmaru said firmly when the mere mention of Kagome had the girl going even more hysterical and giving him a strangle hold. His human wasn't going away from him. "She's with my mother until she is ready to return to humans." He stated this firmly before enculfing himself in energy as he rocketed for Tsuzuki Castle.

Landing he barked orders for several baths to be prepped, and for his mother. Rin's tears hadn't stopped, and she was sobbing so hard in his neck he was afraid she was going to suffocate herself if she didn't slow down and breath.

"What happened!?" his mother appeared, two of her wards following her, Tsukuyomaru's daughter and the little thunder yōkai.

"Human, dead," he said.

"Kami," the thunder yōkai whispered.

"Rin?" his mother's voice was gentle, not her usual indifference or playful antics gone as she slowly reached for her.

"NO!" Rin screeched twisting herself more securely to wrap around him.

"Get attendants, I'll bath her," he said softly.

"Very well, I'll find a human physician too," she said.

"Hai," he nodded.

"Shiori, Sōten go help Rin," his mother ordered. Sesshōmaru felt the pups on his heels as Rin sobbed harder into his neck. He kept his grasp on her firm as he walked for the bathhouse. He would have to take care of this himself, he didn't want her uncomfortable though.

"Rin," he said softly as they made it to the bathhouse.

"No, no, don't leave!" she sobbed harder.

"I'm staying, but Shiori and Sōten are going to aid you," he said softly.

"No," she sobbed as she hugged his neck harder.

"Hai, I'll be right here," he promised.

"Promise?"

"Hai, right here," he said as he carefully unwrapped mokomoko and submerged her into the waters. He would clean up while she was bathed, and remain close if she needed him.


Tsuzuki Castle...

Shiori had grown up beaten, bloodied and bruised with humans. She was not a stranger to cruelty either. But looking at the Lady of the West, all the blood, the bruises and the funny way Rin's wrist looked, she was horrified at what had happened to the small human girl. Rin was so kind, and happy, but right now she was looking around frantically for threats, pale as ice and trembling like a leaf in the wind.

Sōten made a sharp noise but Shiori silenced the young thunder yōkai with a glare as she started helping Rin wash off the blood. Once the blood was removed they moved Rin to the second bath they had had prepped. Rin whimpered as they lowered her, Shiori startled at Rin's ivory skin already turning sickly shades of black and purple.

"Sesshōmaru-sama!" Rin shouted suddenly.

"It's alright!" Shiori said as she ran her hands through Rin's hair, scrubbing in the oils and soaps.

"No, I want Sesshōmaru-sama!" Rin screeched. The door was slid open.

"Leave," Sesshōmaru ordered in his normal soft, cold tone. He was clean, dressed in a yukata of his own. Shiori and Sōten bowed as they hurried out of there, leaving Rin in Sesshōmaru's custody.

"Who would do something like this?" Sōten asked as they collected the bloody, torn remains of Rin's yukata that she had been wearing.

"Some creatures are cruel and just want to hurt others," Shiori answered honestly. "Rin was targeted this time, she's lucky Sesshōmaru-sama came for her."

"Hai she is," Sōten agreed. "I want to kill who did this!" the growled.

Shiori agreed, though she would wager that Sesshōmaru-sama had already torn the offender apart.


Sesshōmaru was gentle as he started washing her hair. She was trembling so violently as she curled in on her, he was careful to keep himself in her line of sight or to instruct her.

He was concerned about her wrist and the blooming bruise on her jaw, he would have Jaken fix them. The bruises were a violent contrast to her normal skin tone, and he was concerned, there was heavy bruising on her abdomen and ribs, which had his hands moving over to feel for breaks.

"I…" she started.

"You're safe now, Rin," he promised.

"What's that?" she asked as he helped pull her out of the water, he looked down at the water soaking his yukata and the curse mark could be seen.

"I'll explain later," he said putting her on her feet as he dried her off and wrapped her up in a heavy robe before pulling her up into his arms.

"I fought," she whispered.

"Hai, you did," he agreed as they went to his quarters. He was careful to put her on the quilt and walked to summon Jaken; who had no doubt returned.

"Don't leave!" she shouted desperately.

"Stay," he ordered as a maid materialized. "Bring Rin some light broth and summon Jaken, also tea, dong quai and peony," he ordered. He scented nothing had happened to her but she might find small solace if she could feel in some measure of control of her body after the attack.

"Hai my lord," the maid bowed as she scurried off and he walked back to Rin who was crying silenly. He draped mokomoko over her as he sat beside her.

"Sesshōmaru-sama?" she whispered; her voice full of pain and hoarse from screaming.

He turned to look at her as he slid his claws through her hair.

"Did you… did you enjoy it?" she sighed.

"Nani?"

"Killing him like that?" she asked.

"I told you not to look," he said softly.

"I couldn't look away," she admitted.

"Hai, I enjoyed it," he admitted softly.

"Arigato," she whispered.

"Rest," he murmured. It was a little while before there was a light rapping on the door, which he got up, Jaken was there with the tray of food, tea and herbs, Sesshōmaru motioned for the kappa to come in. Jaken scurried in, Rin roused a bit and he moved to help her upright, her wrist and jaw were his concern.

"Mmm, baka human did damage," Jaken said as he examined her face. Sesshōmaru slid behind her when she started falling a bit, and he prepared her tea.

"This will hurt, Rin, but it will feel better afterwards," Jaken admitted as he pulled the spells and herbs. Sesshōmaru accepted the herbs and put them in the tea as he steeped it before it was ready.

"Rin," he said softly as he made her look at him while he held the tea up to her lips.

"I fought," she whispered.

"Well," he agreed. "Drink," he ordered softly. She sipped it, grimaced a little.

"What is that?" she rasped.

"Dong quai and peony," he answered.

"With poppy milk," Jaken said. "Rest girl, this will hurt," he warned.

Rin's eyes were drooping as she finished the tea, when her breathing evened out and her heart slowed Sesshōmaru nodded to Jaken who started the process of healing her. There was a sickening crack as he realigned the bones.


Edo, Japan...

"You let Sesshōmaru take her!?" Kagome gaped.

"I wasn't going to die pulling her from his arms!" InuYasha stated.

"Kami," Sango whispered. "Was she alright?"

"She was hysterical," InuYasha stated. He remembered the wild look in Rin's eyes as she held onto Sesshōmaru like he was her protector, defender, and guard dog. Sesshōmaru's eyes had been icy and furious, the carnage which had littered the field. There was a feral look in both their eyes, Sesshōmaru's was dangerous and Rin's was frantic.

"At least she's safe," Shippō whispered.

"He'll kill her," Kohaku stated.

"For what!?" InuYasha demanded.

"For letting that man take her," Kohaku said.

"I sincerely doubt Rin let anyone take her, and blaming her will only piss Sesshōmaru off more," InuYasha warned.