So here's the next chapter of By the River With You! It's still kind of short, but I promise once we really get into the story, the chapters will be much longer. On another note, the memories and whatnot that tell the story in the past will skip time, though right now the most they will be skipping is hours. Soon though, they will be skipping days and sometimes even weeks. The story in the past takes place over a much greater span of time then the one in the present. But don't worry, I'll always mention how long it's been in between memories. :)
Edited as of 08/17/2020: Minor grammar and punctuation errors fixed. Reformatted to be more reader friendly. Minor details added.
Disclaimer: I own nothing Inuyasha nor do I own anything of Lana Del Ray.
Recap: Two mysterious fox demons arrived in the village where Inuyasha and all his friends lived. What could they possibly want?
In the land of Gods and Monsters I was an Angel, living in the garden of evil. Screwed up, scared, doing anything that I needed. (Lana Del Ray: Gods and Monsters)
"Our business is with the child, Priestess." The strange man (Or strange demon, Rin supposed.) said. He walked a few steps towards them and turned towards the young girl. Rin felt a chill run down her spine. She didn't like that she was unable to see this demon's eyes. Rin believed you could tell a lot about a person by looking into their eyes. That was how she figured out what her Lord Sesshomaru was feeling. She knew most people thought he was always cold and uncaring, but Rin knew better. If you really wanted know what he was thinking, all you had to do was look at his eyes.
"You are Sesshomaru's ward, correct?" he asked her. His voice was deep, like a bears growl.
"Why do ye ask, fox demon?" Kaede said, shielding Rin. A wicked grin spread across the fox's face.
"I just wanted to make sure I had the right child." He took another step towards them.
"I wouldn't come any closer, if I were you!" a voice yelled from behind Rin. Inuyasha, with Kagome riding on his back, jumped over them and landed between the demon and the priestess. Kagome slid from her perch and rushed over to Rin and the older woman.
"Are you all okay? They didn't hurt you, did they?" She asked, worry clouding her eyes. Rin nodded.
"We're okay, Lady Kagome." she said. Rin saw Inuyasha glance back at her, most likely to see for himself that she was, indeed, unharmed. He turned back to peculiar demon in front of him.
"What the hell do you want with Rin?" The dog demon growled, his hand resting on the hilt of his blade. The fox demon threw back his head and laughed.
"Oh my! How terrifying! Sesshomaru's half-breed brother is trying to intimidate me!" He turned to face the woman behind him, chuckling. "Tell me, my love. Does he look threatening?"
The woman did not answer, she simply tilted her head to one side and stared at the group in front of her. Inuyasha's ears twitched as he drew his sword.
"Look, I don't know who you two are, or how you know I'm Sesshomaru's brother, and frankly, I don't care. But I'm not going to let you just barge in here and hurt the people I'm responsible for. So I'll give you until the count of three to get the hell out of this village before I start swingin'."
The man grinned at Inuyasha. "Now, don't be so hasty. I never said I was going to hurt the girl."
Inuyasha narrowed his eyes at him. "Yeah? We'll I don't believe you're just here to visit."
The fox demon laughed again. It was a wicked sort of laugh, like everything was just a joke to this man. Rin didn't like his laugh.
"No, I suppose you're right about that, Half-breed."
Inuyasha growled at him.
"Why don't you tell us exactly what you're doing here, then." Kagome said, stepping closer to her husband. Inuyasha looked at her, as if to say Stand back.
"We're here to play a game with our friend."
Inuyasha's eyes widened in surprise at his answer. "I doubt Rin is your friend."
The man shook his head. "Not the girl, you silly mutt. Sesshomaru."
Now Inuyasha was really confused. "Sesshomaru knows you're here?"
The man grinned and shrugged his shoulders. "I suppose he's caught our scents by now. By the time he gets here though, we'll be long gone. Your big brother did always have a problem with showing up on time."
Inuyasha huffed and dropped his defensive stance. "What the hell are you talking about? You say you're here to 'play a game' with Sesshomaru, but you're gonna turn tail and run before he even gets here? Why don't you just leave already and stop wasting my damn ti-"
Inuyasha was cut off as the woman suddenly appeared in front of him. She lifted her right hand up and covered his mouth. Inuyasha tried to step away from her, spluttering muffled curses as he did, but before he could really move the woman's hand began to glow with a faint pink light. A sweet scent filled the air. It reminded Rin of a field of flowers on a hot, sunny day. As the smell drifted around them, Rin's eyes grew heavy. She managed to keep them open long enough to see Inuyasha fall to the ground in a heap. Then, her world turned black.
*The Western Palace, Many Years Ago*
"I don't understand, how could you do this to me, Father?" Sesshomaru said angrily, glaring at the man in front of him. Inu no Taisho let out a tired sigh. He had expected this reaction from his son.
"I know you do not understand, my son, but believe me this will be very beneficial to you in the future."
Sesshomaru scoffed and crossed his arms. "I highly doubt that. Those fox demons are nothing but a bunch of immature fools."
Inu no Taisho stood, a stern look in his eyes as he stared at his son. "Those 'immature fools' are some of our greatest allies. You need to show them more respect. I understand this is difficult for you now, but I have made my decision. I suggest you learn to accept it. Now, go get ready. Lord Tamostu and his son will be arriving shortly."
Sesshomaru looked at his father in disbelief. "Lord Tamostu and Yasuhiro are the guests you've been so secretive about?" His father nodded.
"Yes. Tamostu thought it would be best if you boys went together to the southern clan, and I agree with him." Sesshomaru opened his mouth to argue, but his father cut him off. "This matter is not open for debate, Sesshomaru. Now do as I say and get ready. You'll be leaving early tomorrow morning."
Sesshomaru bit the inside of his cheek to stop a snide remark from slipping past his lips. The tangy, metallic taste of blood filled his mouth as his fang scraped the sensitive tissue. He stood and slowly walked towards the door. He glanced back at his father, that angry glare still on his face, and then quickly exited the room.
An hour later, though it seemed like much more time had passed than that, Sesshomaru was sitting in his own room, staring daggers at the wall. He could hear light footsteps headed towards him as the scent of burning wood reached his nose. The door slid open quietly as the owner of the strange scent entered the room. He shut the door behind him and looked at Sesshomaru, amusement dancing in his carmine-colored eyes.
"What's got you in such a terrible mood, Pup?"
Sesshomaru growled. "I've told you not to call me that, Yasuhiro."
The boy, Yasuhiro, laughed as he walked and sat beside the angry dog demon. Even sitting, Yasuhiro was a full head taller than Sesshomaru. His brown hair, which he kept in a high ponytail, fell to his elbows. Sesshomaru scooted slightly away from the boy as one of his three bushy fox tails brushed against the dog demons leg. Yasuhiro grinned and moved closer to him.
"It's a term of endearment, I promise. Now, I'll ask you again. What's got you in such a terrible mood?"
Sesshomaru glanced at the demon beside him, and let out an irritated sigh. "Father's just given me some good news."
The boy beside him seemed surprised. "Oh? I thought he was going to wait until we made it to the clan's territory before he sprung that on you." Sesshomaru looked at him.
"So you knew about this already?" he asked. Yasuhiro nodded. "Figures. I should have known a nosy fox like you would have already heard what my father was doing to me."
Yasuhiro laughed at the slight whine in his friend's voice."Sesshomaru, you act like your father is sending you off to your death!"
Sesshomaru huffed and mumbled, "he might as well be." Yasuhiro rolled his eyes.
"You've never been the type to be so melodramatic. What's really bothering you?"
The young dog demon let out a long sigh and ran his fingers through the soft white fur of his mokomoko. "It's not supposed to be a fox demon."
Yasuhiro frowned at the boy. "Perhaps not. If it helps any though, the southern clan is very powerful. I believe that's why our fathers are so determined to stay on good terms with them. It may be a smaller clan than yours or mine, but I've heard they can be a deadly force when you cross them. Better to have them as our allies, than our enemies."
Sesshomaru nodded. He knew the fox demon was right. He'd heard his father speaking about the foxes in the south before. They were a close knit group, and they generally chose to remain isolated from the rest of the world. Sesshomaru knew his father had had a shaky alliance with the southern foxes for years. He supposed this was the only way to gain their friendship for sure. It still didn't mean Sesshomaru had to like it.
Sesshomaru's thoughts must have shown on his face, because Yasuhiro suddenly grinned and ruffled the dog hair. Sesshomaru smacked his hand away as a growl tore through his throat. Yasuhiro laughed.
"You don't have to like it, Sesshomaru, but you are going to have to learn to accept it. Your father's not going to go back on his word just because you're choosing to act like a sulking child."
"I am not-"
"You are," the fox interrupted, "but that's alright. It's just the two of us in here. Throw a tantrum, if it helps. I won't care. Tomorrow morning, though, you're going to have to act like your father expects you to. Whether you like it or not."
Sesshomaru grunted in annoyance and slumped against the wall. He hated when the fox was right. Unfortunately, that happened a lot. Honestly, if it wasn't for the fact that Yasuhiro gave such good advice, Sesshomaru didn't think he'd be able to stand being in the touchy demon's presence.
Yasuhiro chuckled at his friend and nudged his shoulder. "Feel like sparring with me? I need to stretch out my muscles a bit."
Sesshomaru nodded. The two boys stood and left the room.
As Sesshomaru neared the village Rin stayed in, Jaken huffing and puffing behind him as he tried to keep up, the scents of the fox demons reached his nose again. Sesshomaru growled. The scents were not even an hour old yet, but he knew that was plenty of time for the fool to pull one of his nasty tricks. Sesshomaru raced down towards the village, ignoring Jaken's calls for him to wait. Now, he could smell Rin's scent as well. A feeling of panic swept over him as he realized her scent was intermixed with the two demons. Sesshomaru stopped in front of the hut he knew belonged to the elderly priestess, just barely stopping his anger from showing on his face.
Inuyasha's wife, the younger priestess named Kagome, was helping his half-brother off the ground. The monk and his wife, the demon slayer, were helping Kaede up as well. Sesshomaru scanned the area for Rin. He saw an upturned basket laying on the ground behind the older woman. He could tell Rin had been in this area, but she was long gone now.
"Guess they were right. You do show up late." Inuyasha said, turning to look at his brother. Sesshomaru could see the anger and shame in his eyes.
"You let them take Rin." he said coldly.
"I didn't let them do nothin'." Inuyasha growled, reaching down to pick Tetsusaiga up off the ground.
"How long ago did they leave?"
Kagome looked at him, frowning. "Honestly, we're not sure. Miroku and Sango just woke us up. They'd knocked us out somehow..."
"A sleeping spell, most likely. Moriko's specialty." Sesshomaru muttered.
"Moriko? Is that the girl?" Inuyasha asked. Sesshomaru nodded.
"Might I ask how ye know them, Lord Sesshomaru?" Kaede asked. She bent down and picked up the basket, a sad look on her face.
"No. I haven't the time for stories." Sesshomaru answered. He turned around and said, "Jaken."
"Coming, m'Lord!" His vassal called as he lead Ah-Un by the reins towards them.
"You're leaving?" Inuyasha asked. Sesshomaru glanced at the younger demon.
"I have to find them before they get too far away."
Inuyasha watched his brother for a moment, before turning to Kagome. "Alright then. Let's get ready to go." She nodded and raced off back towards their hut.
"You and your wife are not coming." Sesshomaru said, now fully glaring at the half-demon.
"Yes, we are. Look, you left Rin in my care-"
"A mistake, apparently." Sesshomaru interrupted, Inuyasha ignored him.
"So that makes it my responsibility to help you get her back. Whether you like it or not."
Sesshomaru resisted the urge to growl. He did not have time to argue. The more time they wasted here, the farther away the fox demons got with Rin. Kagome shouted as she came running back, her bow and quiver now strapped to her back.
"Sango! Kohaku gave back Kirara, right?" She asked her friend as she reached them.
"Yes. He did yesterday." Sango said.
"Can we borrow her?"
"Of course! Anything to help get Rin back." Sango called for the tiny cat, Kirara ran forward, meowing softly.
"Alright! Let's get moving!" Inuyasha yelled.
The two fox demons ran through the forest at a steady pace. The woman was in front, carrying a sleeping Rin in her arms. The man was just a few steps behind, using her scent as a way to guide himself through the thick trees. The faintest of noises drifted back on the wind to his ears. He smiled.
"Yes, Moriko, my dear. This will be a fun game indeed."
So, there you go. If you feel like it, tell me what you think. I'll update soon. See-ya!