Chapter 21
For a second, bright light flashed in front of Rin's eyes so brilliantly she had to shut them. A feeling of lightness entered her as if she was floating before a deep feeling of dread infused her. The pit of her stomach dipped and she felt as if she was being pulled down into a vortex when her feet finally touched ground.
As soon as they reached their destination, Inukimi's arms that had been banded around Rin's chest released her suddenly and, still recovering from the travel, Rin stumbled forward and had no choice but to slap her hands against the cool porcelain floor to break her fall as she fell to her knees. Rin swallowed and took a few steadying breaths before she looked behind her as Inukimi regarded her steadily.
Rin couldn't help but stare at Sesshomaru's mother. She was beautiful. Her long white hair was pulled into a ponytail at the top of her head and two loose strands framed her oval face lovingly. She wore a long purple and white kimono with butterfly designs wrapped around her body and a fur mantle similar to the one Sesshomaru bore was tucked comfortingly around her waist. A purple crescent moon, identical to Sesshomaru's rested high atop her forehead framed by her bangs. She still held the scar on her left cheek from when Sesshomaru had defended himself from her successfully that first time and Inukimi held the same golden eyes as her sons. Rin shifted slightly away from Inukimi, her blank look so void of emotion as she stared at her it made a shiver of fright course through Rin.
After regarding Rin a moment longer in contemplation, Inukimi turned and took a seat at her throne with an air of superiority.
Rin nervously looked around her and was taken aback by the sheer opulence of the palace she was within. Marble covered the walls and floor, sculptures ran throughout the large room and water fountains were abundant throughout. Fabric and curtains fell from the ceiling and luxurious pillows of all sizes and shapes were thrown across the floor.
Movement from the throne drew Rin's attention again as Inukimi rested her chin atop her fist and crossed her legs comfortably as she eyed her curiously. Suspicious of the faint twitch of her lips, Rin tensed when she suddenly heard the sound of scurrying footsteps flooding the room. Rin quickly looked around and horror flooded her when a grotesque looking horde of demons rushed towards her eagerly. Rin jumped to her feet but before she could run, a demon appeared behind her and spun her around as his cohorts laughed uproariously at her startled squeal. His paws dug cruelly into her arms and she struggled against him for a second before his eight eyes suddenly widened in pain and a horrible scream left his throat, halting the others in their tracks and freezing Rin in place as they all stared at him in horror.
The clawed paws that had gripped Rin's arms smoldered as the acrid smell of burning flesh hit them all. Smoke spurted from where he held her and he tried to let her go but his paws appeared to be seared to her. Though Rin felt no pain or discomfort, it seemed the mere touch of her skin was agonizing. The demon tried desperately to let her go and Rin used her hands to push against his chest to get him to release her. His screams became more excruciating, his skin sizzled and smoked underneath her hands and Rin realized that her hands were literally melting her palm prints into his chest.
Rin screamed in dawning terror she was the one hurting him, albeit not deliberately, and the demon finally breaking away from her fell back a few paces. There was a very brief pause before his screeches gained volume and Rin could see the flesh peel back from his fingers slowly, revealing bone and sinew as a horrible stench filled the room. He cried hoarsely, losing his voice from his ceaseless screams as his flesh continued to peel back from along his arms, reaching past his shoulders to his neck, then to his face.
The noxious odor hit Rin's nostrils and made her gag as the flesh peeled from the demon's face and fell in chunks on the floor at his feet. Pitiful sounds of misery now left his muzzle as his body continued to melt, his bones slowly sizzling and bubbling over before they too melted until all that was left of him was a bloody mass of pulp and fur on the floor.
The rest of the horde stared at what remained of him in shock, then one lifted his snout and sniffed loudly before hissing and backing away from Rin immediately in fear. "She smells of Sesshomaru." He whispered with panic to the others.
The rest quickly backed away as well, clearing a wide berth between themselves and Rin as they as well sniffed the air confirming the demon's claim.
"His scent is coming from her pores."
"Sesshomaru mated?" One demon asked incredulously as they all recognized the deliberate mark and that scent screamed of Sesshomaru's possession.
"She must be his famed human pet." Another demon whispered.
"He's claimed her? Mated her?"
"Impossible, she's human." Another hissed.
"Then why the fuck does she reek of him?" Shrieked yet another.
"We've all kept a human for a quick fuck or snack."
"Yeah but we never marked them."
"It's impossible to mark a human."
"Apparently not for Sesshomaru."
As the demons continued to snicker and argue amongst themselves, Rin tried to make sense of it all. Sesshomaru had marked her? She knew he protected her but Jacken would've told her immediately if she had Sesshomaru's scent. She would imagine it would've offended his tender sensibilities to think a lowly human, even one he held in esteem as she, would have his masters scent on her skin.
One of the demons inched a little closer to Rin, as the others continued to bicker, and would've reached out to touch her if not for another demon immediately tackling him to the ground away from her. "Don't touch her you fool! Do you want to bring the wrath of Sesshomaru down on all our heads?"
"What do you think made the flesh rot off the bones of that one? He dared to touch what belonged to Sesshomaru!" Another demon yelled into the fray.
Their roars and growls grew in intensity and noise before as one they all turned to Inukimi. "Why would you offer her to us if you knew she belonged to Lord Sesshomaru?" One of them demanded.
Inukimi grinned with a tilt to her head. "Curiosity." She said simply.
Another of the demons blinked in surprise. "Curiosity? You would condemn us all for curiosity?"
Inukimi shrugged "I wanted to know the lengths my son would go to protect this one. As his ever reaching powers have made an example of that pile of demon on the floor over there so brutally, I can only imagine he would gladly torture and maim any who touched his little human."
"You fear him as well." The taunt was heard but no one in the group would claim they had made it as they murmured amongst themselves. Inukimi was well feared in the underworld. It was her domain and she ruled it ruthlessly. But unlike Sesshomaru, she was known to take great pleasure in torturing other demons, for the sheer joy of listening to their screams.
Inukimi sniffed disdainfully. "Is it fear to know one's own flesh and blood? Sesshomaru comes from a very powerful line, almost god like with their strength, myself included. I supposed you would be honored to be used as fodder in this little game."
Many of the demons shuffled their steps as they backed further away from Rin, not daring to go against Inukimi but not stupid enough to challenge Sesshomaru in any way. Death from the mother was far preferable as far as they were concerned. At least Inukimi they understood. Sesshomaru was unpredictable with his moods, especially concerning his human.
Inukimi giggled. "What? No one thinks they are powerful enough to at least touch his little pet? Sesshomaru is not even here and still you cower before him?" She said with glee and pride for the fear her son provoked.
"To defy Lord Sesshomaru is to tempt death."
"Kitsune was very powerful and look what happened to her."
The replies continued as more and more demons were named that had fallen under Sesshomaru's sword.
"He must be destroyed."
Inukimi raised a mocking brow to the voice that called out and the rest of the demons stepped back from him clearing his way to the throne.
Rin looked towards the raspy high pitched voice that had spoken with such loathing and her eyes widened with recognition. Milinu, the old decrepit spider demon that had been Kitsune's loyal servant, eight eyes stared back at her with malice.
"Sesshomaru murdered my mistress. She offered herself to him and he refused her gift because of this human." He sneered towards Rin and she couldn't help the slight flinch at the pure loathing in his voice.
"No, this human had nothing to do with Kitsune's untimely death." Inukimi replied calmly.
"Untimely? She was dismembered!" Milinu spit out with rage.
"Kitsune attempted to play one of her games and she lost." Inukimi said dismissively.
"How can you shrug off her murder? You were instrumental in her obsession with Sesshomaru. You promised her he would take her as his mate yet he commits an abomination by claiming his pet human as his mate instead-"
"I promised to support any who was strong enough to stand beside my son." Inukimi growled, seemingly at an end with her patience.
"And this human is supposed to be that powerful? Your son has spat upon our laws-"
Inukimi threw her hand out and the demon to Milinu's right immediately burst into flames, the others stepped back quickly away from him as his cries filled the room as he died painfully but quickly. "Laws? Our laws are made by the most powerful. I still enforce the laws laid before you by The Great Dog General because it pleases me. It is my desires and wishes that enforce or break the laws. My son has always lived by his own creed."
"Are you saying he's more powerful than even you? As you said, power lies with the strongest and you seem to be afraid to make him follow daddies' laws." Milinu said with a smirk.
Inukimi smiled. "I have no wish to temper my son's will. All who have tried always end up dead. Even your bitch of a mistress proved too weak. Pity." Inukimi finished with false sympathy.
"She was powerful enough to mate him yet he dared to refuse her!" Milinu raged.
"Still dead." Inukimi said in a singsong voice, fully enjoying Milinu's temper.
"Because of his obsession with his pet human." Milinu yelled. He glared at Rin with such hatred she involuntarily took a few steps back, closer to the throne and what little protection Inukimi offered.
"He defended himself. Kitsune tried to kill him." Rin said glancing nervously between the two.
Inukimi's eyes widened in surprise and interest at her bold statement. Rin tried to cover the tremor in her voice and shaky hands but she couldn't allow Milinu to label Sesshomaru a murderer.
"How dare you speak her name human!" Milinu growled. "You, who are not fit enough to lick at her boots. He killed her for you! Sesshomaru must suffer." Milinu seethed.
Inukimi laughed. "Surely you don't expect to challenge my son and live do you? You're nothing more than an annoying gnat flittering around. Easily ignored, easily rid of." She said mockingly.
Milinu stiffened at the jeers and laughter from the demons around him. "I am nothing more than a servant, that is true. I know I could never even dream to defeat one of such power as Sesshomaru." He acknowledged grudgingly. Then, Milinu pinned Rin in place with his glare. "But humans are different. This bitch's death is mine. Because of her my mistress was stolen from me. With the human's death I will ensure Sesshomaru suffers from losing his favorite toy even if it's the last thing I do. I will avenge my mistress's death by depriving him of his." He vowed.
Rin shook her head in denial. "I am not his mistress."
"His stench is all over you!" Milinu snapped. "We can smell him on your skin."
Rin flinched at his and the others knowing gazes. What Sesshomaru and she had shared was private. The moments she had lain in his arms, under his caresses were hers alone. She hated knowing they knew exactly what had transpired between them.
"No need to feel shame human." Inukimi said to her with a surprisingly gentle tone. "Any, should be honored to share his bed."
"It's more than that and you know it Inukimi!" Milinu yelled at her from his position at the foot of the dais.
Inukimi bared her fangs at Milinu in warning. "Do not forget yourself servant."
Milinu still shook with rage but wisely held his tongue.
After a short pause Inukimi smiled indulgently at Milinu. "And so you shall avenge your mistress. But at my discretion and not a moment sooner." Inukimi agreed.
Milinu snarled, his fangs clicking against one another as Rin looked at Inukimi nervously.
"Leave us." Inukimi commanded and the abundance of demons immediately bowed before disappearing into thin air.
Milinu stood staring pointedly at Rin. "I will see you soon." A black vortex formed beneath him and he fell through disappearing from sight with his promise still lingering in the air.
"Come here child." Inukimi said to Rin with a voice devoid of emotion.
Rin struggled to control her breathing and turned to face Sesshomaru's mother. Rin stepped up onto the dais and stood before Inukimi trying valiantly to still her fear.
"Like father like son." Inukimi said with a hint of a mocking smile. "Both fell obsessed with a human female."
At Rin's silence Inukimi's gaze wandered down Rin's body examining every detail. "You are beautiful. No one can fault my son for his tastes."
Rin kept her head bowed and stared at the floor shaking like a leaf.
Inukimi sniffed the air before grimacing. "Your flesh does reek of him. I had thought since he had not claimed you on your eighteenth birthday that he would control his baser instincts. His interest in you disturbed me then, but not enough for my interference. A decision I have come to regret."
Inukimi stood and grabbed Rin's jaw with one hand, forcing her to meet her golden eyes. "A decision I can rectify." Inukimi raised her hand and her lethal claws extended. "I had hoped Sesshomaru would take Kitsune, but unfortunately she was just a tad too ambitious. What his father and he find so entrancing about weak human females I will never understand."
Seeing her death in Inukimi's eyes Rin gasped out. "I thought you promised my death to Milinu?"
Inukimi smiled. "In spite of what you may think child I am not cruel. Milinu would be sure to make you writhe in agony before you begged him for death. I can at least offer you a painless one." Inukimi paused briefly before continuing in a quieter voice "He shall mourn the loss of you. I at least can give him the comfort of knowing you died quickly."
Tears filled Rin's eyes knowing she would never see Sesshomaru again. She would die here by his mother's hand. He would blame himself for not protecting her. For failing her. She thought of his laughter and smiles he had shared with her, the passion he had given her and the tenderness in his heated touches and kisses. He may not be capable of loving her but she knew he had come as close as possible for a demon.
Would he miss her?
A soft sob hitched in her throat. There hadn't been enough time. She wanted more time to be with him. To feel his body covering hers. To encourage his playful side they had both been surprised he had. To see his boyish grin he had only ever revealed to her. Kagome had always said if Sesshomaru had a heart it belonged to Rin. As a child she had worshiped him, as a woman she loved him. She wanted more time.
Inukimi tilted her head to the side as she studied her. "Such deep sadness suddenly fills you instead of the fear I expected or the wails to spare you for my son's sake. Your tears sparkle on your lashes making your frail beauty shine even brighter."
"Please, don't let him see my body." Rin whispered to Inukimi, ignoring her previous statement as her tears welled over and spilled down her cheeks.
Inukimi raised Rin's chin higher, her strength forcing Rin to stand on her tip toes and place her hands on Inukimi's wrist for support. "What did you say?"
Rin stared at Inukimi's sharp claws and tried to still her sobs. "Please, don't let him see me dead."
Inukimi cocked her head slightly staring at the little human female she held in her grip. "Why?" She asked curiously.
Rin felt a strange calmness come over her as she silently accepted her death at Inukimi's hands. "I don't want him to suffer."
"You think your death would make him suffer?" Inukimi with a smirk at the little human's arrogance.
"I know he would blame himself for not protecting me." Rin looked at Inukimi. "And I know he would kill you."
Inukimi smiled. "And why would you care if he attempted to kill me or not? That I took you from him at all has sealed my fate in his eyes. Despite his father's interference, my death at Sesshomaru's hands is inevitable. Your attempt to win compassion is in vain."
"I'm not trying to win your compassion. I don't want him to have to murder his own mother." Rin answered quietly.
Inukimi studied Rin closely. Almost as if she were unsure of what she was dealing with. "Sesshomaru is strong. A more powerful demon than he has not been seen since before his own father. I believe he has even surpassed him. Sesshomaru will survive my death, just as he'll survive yours."
"Survival is not the same as living."
"Your human standards do not apply. He is a demon. Survival is everything."
Inukimi suddenly found herself under the intense perusal of the tiny human. "You think you're saving him from something." Rin said with sudden clarity.
"His obsession with you is a weakness. One other demons will be more than happy to exploit. Just as his father before him."
Rin blinked when she heard the deep pain in Inukimi's voice she tried to disguise when she spoke of Sesshomaru's father. "You loved his father."
"Demons do not love!" Inukimi snarled, her fangs suddenly dripping and her eyes flaring a brief red before she reigned in her control and they returned to their golden brilliance.
"His father admitted to loving Inuyasha's mother. And he was a demon. No greater or more powerful demon than he, you said so yourself." Rin reminded her softly.
Rin watched as Inukimi's face crumbled with deep grief and sadness. "His weakness for her got him killed. I will not allow the same fate to befall our son."
Rin smiled sadly at Inukimi. "It won't. Sesshomaru doesn't love me."
Inukimi laughed incredulously. "I watched as his father fell for his human pet. The apple didn't fall far from the tree in that respect. I've watched over my son and his activities for centuries. Do you really think I wouldn't recognize the signs?"
"You're right." Both women turned immediately to the new voice that echoed through the great hall. Sesshomaru stepped from the deep shadows into their view. "The signs are the same." He agreed.
Inukimi pulled Rin to her chest and turned her to face Sesshomaru. She pressed her back tightly to her chest as she wrapped her forearm around Rin's neck.
Rin grabbed Inukimi's arm and tried to give herself some space to breathe as she steadied herself.
Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed on Inukimi's arm held tightly across Rin's throat. Smoke sizzled from Inukimi's sleeve that touched Rin's neck.
Inukimi hissed but loosened her grip. The smoke dissipated instantly and Rin was able to breathe more easily. "You never did like others touching your things Sesshomaru." Inukimi mocked.
"Release her." Sesshomaru demanded as one used to instant obedience.
"So you agree?" Inukimi said, ignoring his command. "Do you finally admit it? Your love for your precious pet?" She sneered.
Sesshomaru calmly walked closer. "It's difficult to give name to an emotion I have never experienced before. But if I recall, father did display the same symptoms as I."
"How would you know what he displayed or didn't? You weren't there to guard him as you should have been. He may have survived had you done your duty!" Inukimi accused with an undercurrent of rage and pain that resonated throughout the room.
"I was exactly where he wanted me to be. I was following his orders to guard you."
Rin felt Inukimi stiffen behind her in shock. "He told you to guard me?"
Sesshomaru took a few steps closer and nodded.
Rin felt Inukimi's body shudder in disbelief behind her. "Even if he had. You were wrong to obey him. He needed you. I didn't." She declared firmly.
"He felt differently."
"His obsession with his human female led to his destruction." She said hoarsely.
"He trusted in my ability to guard you while he guarded his human and Inuyasha."
"I should have killed that human the moment your father showed an ounce of interest in her." Inukimi spat out.
Sesshomaru inclined his head. "Perhaps. But you appear to be under a misconception. Father didn't banish you because he feared you would kill his human female. He banished you because he feared you would succeed."
"If I had succeeded he would still be alive!"
"He would have still met his end." Sesshomaru countered.
"That's a lie!" Inukimi yelled.
"The pain of your betrayal and his obligation to kill you in return would've destroyed him as surely as those that murdered him did." Sesshomaru said softly.
Silence reigned. Sesshomaru waited a heartbeat before he took another step closer, almost within arm's reach of them when Inukimi suddenly pulled Rin back a few steps with her. "Don't take another step. Even if everything you say is true, I won't allow you to follow in your father's footsteps. This human must be disposed of. I refuse to lose you as well." Inukimi said with determination as her arm tightened around Rin's neck again, making her wince.
Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed at Rin's wince. "Rin is mine."
"She is your demise! Don't you see that? I'm doing this for you. So you can live. Kill me as you must in return but at least I will know that you continue to live."
Sesshomaru shook his head sadly. "If you kill her you're condemning me to the same fate."
Rin felt Inukimi stiffen behind her in shock. "More lies. You have claimed her as your mate but-"
Sesshomaru held Inukimi's gaze. "Is it? A lie easily revealed if you look." He suggested helpfully.
Rin felt Inukimi hesitate behind her before she suddenly felt something cold seep into her skin. The energy flowing from Inukimi surged into her veins and Rin immediately fought off the invasive sensation. When she felt the energy clamp into her blood, Rin couldn't help the whimper of distress that escaped her.
Sesshomaru flinched at the sound before he closed the distance between them and pulled her quickly into the safety of his arms while Inukimi was distracted.
Rin felt the energy try and reach deeper within her and the anger she felt come from Sesshomaru snapped the connection between Rin and Inukimi instantly.
Inukimi cried out and pressed a fist against her chest tightly. She breathed harshly, struggling for words as Rin turned slightly in Sesshomaru's arms to look at Inukimi as Sesshomaru held her protectively against his chest, his hands running soothingly down her back.
"No." The heart wrenching denial that tore from Inukimi surprised Rin enough to allow Sesshomaru to tuck her into his side.
"No!" Inukimi's blazing eyes focused on Sesshomaru in accusation. "You couldn't have done it. You wouldn't do it! Tell me it isn't true! You did not bind her to you!" She shrieked.
Rin frowned in confusion and looked up at Sesshomaru in question. He held his mother's gaze. "Do you doubt your own power to verify the truth?"
"Son…you are damned." Inukimi whispered in defeat as she fell to her knees dejectedly. "You are your father's son."
Inukimi raised her head and her eyes were filled with tears of sadness. "Sesshomaru, you are not the first demon in this family to bind himself to a human female."
"What?" Sesshomaru demanded in surprise.
Inukimi smiled slightly. "Are you really surprised my son? Your father adored his human. He couldn't bear the thought of only having her by his side for the limited time her human years allotted them. So he bound them together so he could follow her always, even in death."
"Binded?" Rin's own shock held her immobile as she felt Sesshomaru's fingers tighten on her arms. :When? Why?" Rin babbled her questions in rapid fire succession to him.
"I had to tie you to this dimension Rin. You were fading…escaping into a world I could not follow. I couldn't allow that."
"Why would you save me?" Rin looked at Sesshomaru completely bewildered.
Sesshomaru looked down at her and his eyes softened as he gently tucked her hair behind her ear. "The thought of losing you, of not hearing your laughter or seeing your smile…I couldn't bear it." He admitted.
"Why?" Rin demanded.
"I'd miss you."
Tears filled her eyes at his words.
Sesshomaru leaned closer and whispered in her ear "Inukimi was right. Your beauty shines even brighter with tears sparkling on your lashes." He said, revealing he had been listening to their conversation.
"I'm sorry."
"Whatever for?" Sesshomaru asked her.
"For having to constantly save me."
Sesshomaru tenderly kissed Rin's forehead. "You're mine to protect. Always."
Inukimi laughed bitterly as she stood. "I recall your father using those exact words before he and his human were killed."
Sesshomaru frowned at Inukimi before he laced his fingers with Rin's. "We're leaving now." He said to both.
Before Sesshomaru could leave with Rin however, Inukimi raised her hand placatingly. "Sesshomaru, you can at least spend the night here."
"I would prefer we left immediately." Sesshomaru said.
After a brief pause Inukimi nodded. "Very well." She agreed with no inflection to her voice.
Rin looked at Inukimi and realized though her expression gave away nothing, she was very much like Sesshomaru. The relaxed demeanor she displayed did little to hide the tenseness around her eyes and the tight lines to her mouth. Though she tried to hide it, Rin could tell Inukimi was disappointed Sesshomaru was leaving.
Rin placed a restraining hand on Sesshomaru's arm. "Maybe we should stay." She surprised herself by saying.
Sesshomaru and Inukimi looked at Rin in astonishment.
Sesshomaru was about to argue when Rin looked at him imploringly.
Reluctantly he nodded his head in agreement and turned towards his mother. "It appears we will need a room."
Inukimi smiled hesitantly and gave Rin an imperceptible nod in gratitude. "Your room as always has been prepared for your arrival. Will I see you both for dinner?" She asked, trying valiantly to hide the hopeful tone in her voice but Sesshomaru caught it and was taken aback momentarily. "Of course." He said in response before he gathered Rin in his arms and walked her from the throne room.