Disclaimer: Once again, I don't own Inuyasha…!
Author's Notes:
Yay, for chapter 2! It's an exciting chapter, for sure! Well, at least for me … I'm excited for this story! XD
So, this chapter may be a bit elusive simply because of … um, events, really. This entire chapter is kind of the beginning of the plot development, unlike Twilight Lavender where the plot didn't really become apparent until a little ways into the story… o.O
Anyway, there isn't much to say about this chapter other than to warn you that this chapter may not make much sense at times. But don't worry! It will all make sense…
…eventually. :)
Music Pieces:
Chapter 2: Found – "Ormus" – Yasunori Mitsuda – Xenosaga: Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht
"Warmth" – Yasunori Mitsuda – Xenosaga: Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht
The smooth surface of the water acted as a mirror, reflecting the pale light of the full moon. Upon the touch of the found orb of light, the waters began to glow a pale lavender, welcoming the majestic night. On the lakeshore stood a tall and broad man, his eyes mischievous and his smile crooked and delighted.
"The lake of Tomoshibi. I knew I felt its power." he said hoarsely to himself. Reaching into the small brown pouch at his side, he withdrew a small wooden box no bigger than the palm of his hand. Opening the box, he smiled triumphantly at the content: a fine white, shimmering dust. He swung the box over the water, sending the dust to flutter and sparkle to the water. At once, the water directly under the reflection of the moon began to rise, twist, and turn, gradually creating the shape of a human form. Once the water had taken shape, it fell back down to reveal a glowing, god-like figure with ankles together and arms spread wide.
"At last I've found you." the man sneered. Reaching into his pouch, he traded the wooden box for a small vial, the liquid inside a sickening green. Twisting and pulling off the cork, he poured the contents into the clear water, immediately dissipating the lavender glow. The god's glorious and beautiful appearance began to face, leaving only a plainly clad body behind. It fell to the water, landing on the surface limply as if it were the ground. Strong ripples exploded from the landing, disturbing the water.
The man, with a pleased smile raised one hand, palm towards the sky, and willed the once-god to him. The body was raised from the water, levitating to him until he was able to seize it in his arms. Kneeling, he held the body with one arm as he used his other hand to brush the long lavender hair away to reveal a peaceful face with soft features; the face of a woman.
"You…" he gasped at the sight of her face. There was something familiar about that face … something that he knew was kept in his more angered memories. With a frown, he lifted the woman in his arms and turned away from the now disturbed and waving waters lapping at the shore, seeking their master. As the man closed his eyes, his and the woman's body melted away leaving no trace of their presence.
Cast of Water and Shadow of Flame,
Trapped in Liquid Glass and Emerald Frame,
Await thine love to speak thy name.
Perceive the soul of one's true self,
Take not comfort in the damage thine hast dealt.
Oh, Purest Maiden of Water so pure,
Aid this pour soul, a soul without cure.
Lure to Liquid Glass and Emerald Frame,
Only the white love may speak thine name.
My eyes peered open in the moonlight glow, the light ringing a significant bell. Sitting up, I rubbed my forehead, drinking the familiar words I heard in my sleep … words that were spoken by her. As I turned my head to face the screens where the moonlight shone strongest, a sudden melancholy washed over me. This night was significant…
It was six months to the day.
Standing, I slid open the screen to the hall. My eyes much accustomed to the darkness, I almost dragged down the hall to Rin's chamber. Reaching the door, I slid it open quietly, my eyes befalling the young girl slumbering peacefully, yet in an untidy fashion, on her oversized mat. I knelt next to her, placing my hand softly on her petite shoulder.
"Rin." I addressed just loud enough. She rolled over with a tired groan, her eyes in mere slits as they connected with mine.
"Lord Sesshomaru?" she asked groggily.
"Get up, Rin." I simply stated as she sat up and rubbed her eyes.
"What's wrong, Lord Sesshomaru?" she asked with a tone laced with worry. When her eyes met mine, I knew she could see the hint of sadness I had been trying to hide.
"Do you know what tonight is, Rin?" I asked, trying to jog her memory. Her eyes became frustrated for a moment before they slowly sank into deep grief.
"Yes, my lord." she answered sadly, lowering her head.
"Then get up and dress." I ordered softly before I stood to awaken Jaken. I heard her small feet against the matted ground as I exited her room, sliding the screen gently closed. Taking the small step across the hall, I pulled open the screen to Jaken's chamber. The sounds of his deep sleep snoring found my ears as I approached him.
"Jaken." I said over his snoring, the firmness of my tone awakening him. His eyes opened wide and found mine as I knelt on one knee beside him.
"Is something the matter, my lord?" he asked, his tone not quite so groggy as Rin's.
"Get up." I ordered quietly.
"But my lord…" he began to protest. I interrupted him with a stern look, silencing him completely. Without another word, he pushed himself up and I turned to leave. Exiting, I slid the screen closed. I had not taken four steps before I heard Rin's screen scratch open and closed, small footsteps pounding the ground as she caught up with me.
"Lord Sesshomaru?" I heard her voice pipe up behind me. Stopping, I turned to her, gazing down at the fragile child. Her eyes displayed her feelings with utmost accuracy, almost as if one word I could utter would bring her to tears. My eyes rose upwards as Jaken hustled out of his chamber and ran to catch up with us.
"Where are we going at this hour, Lord Sesshomaru?" he inquired in his usual fashion. Rin and I answered with our eyes, that alone seemingly enough for him to portray a solemn look at the memory of what had occurred just six months ago. Without another word, I led them both out of the manor and onto the grounds to the gardens.
The night air was crispy, foreshadowing the fall just around the corner. I felt Rin's small hand against my own as her fingers curled around me forefinger and middle finger. She and Jaken shivered in the cool air for a time as we dragged to the gardens. My heart sank as we entered the fall-blooming gardens. Briefly, I shot a glance at the small koi ponds, memories flooding my mind…
Her giggle was lighthearted as she swayed her hand delicately in the small koi pond, the shimmering fish following her hand as if she herself was their food. Approaching her from behind, I made a scoffing sound to catch her attention. With a cheerful look, she turned her head to face me before standing and giving her wet hand a shake or two.
"Playing amongst the fish?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah, well…" she trailed as she stepped closer to me, wrapping her arms around my waist. "I think they like me." A small smile curled my lips and I planted a tender kiss on her lips, drawing out pleasurable memories from the previous night. She giggled in our lock and I knew she was recalling the same event. Pulling away, I used one hand to trace her neck to the base where I had left my mark. Unable to resist, I pressed my lips against hers once again, both of us completely captivated in one another.
My mind returned to the present and my eyes focused on what was not two yards away from me. The small shrine at the heart of the garden, barely reaching my knee height, housed the memories of my beloved. I found my eyes sinking into solemnity and Rin's grip on my fingers tightened as she gave a low whine of grief.
Inside the tiny shrine was a white candle that had perhaps been lit rarely and only for a short time. I had come here each month anniversary since her death, lighting the candle for a brief time as I took the time to mull the incident over. It was refreshing and brightened my mood for perhaps several days, but it wasn't long before I slipped back into this inconvenient and irritating depression. Somehow, that small flicker of light gave me hope, though I didn't know how.
Gently sliding my fingers out of Rin's grasp, I took one of the chochin lanterns from its perch on the wooden stand on the side of the garden path. I slid down the decorative exterior, revealing a brightly burning candle. My insides seemed to calm at the sight of this warm and comforting light … as if just its very presence gave hope to the world.
"Would you like to light her candle, Rin?" I offered quietly. The child gave a stiff nod, her muscles tense to keep her tears from spilling. Kneeling to the ground on one knee, I retrieved the singular candle from the folded chochin lantern. Rin's soft, petite hands curled around mine, the hot wax creating a tingling sensation where it drooped onto my skin. I aided her as she knelt before the shrine, using my hand as protection from the wax as she guided the flame to the small white candle in the shrine. The wick caught fire and she pulled the candle away quickly before the melting wax doused and ruined the flame. Her hand fell from mine as she sniffled and wiped her eyes with her sleeve.
I returned the candle to the chochin lantern and in turn, returned the lantern back to its post. My hand reluctantly released the thin handle as I let it softly drop back to its perch. Jaken sighed quietly as I turned back to the shrine, staring blankly into the swaying flame. The expected wave of grief washed over me once again as I drank in the memories of my beloved … her smile … her passion … her beauty … her wit … her kindness … her ferocity…
Rin's second sniffle and whine finally awakened my mind to one thing: love was painful. Love was simply beautiful because of the hardship one must endure on that adventure, hardship that both lovers agreed to share. I realized then what I must do to rid myself of this misery.
I simply would not love again. Cowardly it was of me to run away from this pain, but this pain was one that went beyond physical and emotional. It was a pain that could not be described, and it tore at one's very core. I knew from the moment she died that I would never love anyone so deeply ever again. As I stared into that burning flame of deep emotion, I made a silent vow in my mind:
I would never let anyone so close to me ever again.
And with that, I felt my icy cage drape over me and my emotions quell…
He watched her as he laid her on the altar, her limp body so beautiful and perfected as he stood back. The woman's body, freed from his grasp, found anew incentive as it slowly rose in the air. She came to rest just a few feet above the altar, her body lax as if she were lying on an invisible bed. Her clothing and hair began to flutter gently as if that same inexhaustible breeze had followed her deep into the man's lair.
"Finally, you are mine." he said quietly with a smirk. "Now…" he mused as he left the secure room and entered a vast chamber. His footsteps echoed precariously as he stepped up to the pedestal in the center of the room, a small white orb perched on a golden security at its center.
"Who is this 'white love'?" he asked himself as he gently placed his fingertips on the glowing surface, closing his eyes as he delved deep into the woman's soul…
He searched endlessly as the woman's pure essence fought to keep him out, but to no avail. Finally, his mind became flooded with her memories; the pleasant and the horrid. Memories of her childhood … memories of her life alone … memories of a small human girl…
A violent shudder flowed through his body as he reached the deepest part of her soul, her ferocious spirit practically tearing him limb from limb as he fought to access her most cherished memory. Her spirit failed and gave way after a vicious battle, his mind finally falling into place in her memory…
She was … laughing … moaning, crying, and cherishing this platinum-haired man. He felt her grief, her hunger, and her unconditional love for this man as a clear image of his golden-eyed face appeared before him. Her words came booming into his mind all at once at the sight of this demon's face…
"I win."
"I guess I deserved to be called a meaningless existence…"
"In my nightmare, I saw him…"
"Thank you."
"…and I'm sorry I used you."
"Tell me…"
"You're doing it again."
"You're such a bastard."
"Sesshomaru!"
A pained scream escaped his lips as he was hurled from the pedestal, his body slamming to the ground with the force of her essence. Yet he lay there, sprawled on the cold stone floor as he stared triumphantly at the ceiling with victorious eyes as he chuckled with delight.
"Sesshomaru." he repeated in a low voice with a grin. His chuckles rose again as he began to laugh insanely and with such delight he hadn't felt for one hundred years.
Oh, dear. Another insane villain. What shall we do:O
For those of you who didn't quite catch on, this new antagonist is an OC character of mine. I won't give any hints to you of who he is, but I will say that this story is strongly connected with Twilight Lavender. ;p
Well, duh, it's a sequel… T.T
Oh! And I realize that Sesshomaru was out of character during the last chapters of Twilight Lavender and in the first two chapter of Moon's Blossom. To me, this shows the reader how Tomo has softened his heart and opened him up.
However, if you'll notice Sesshomaru's last thoughts in this chapter…
.:CONTEST TIME!:.
Hellew, fans of Twilight Lavender! Guess what's goin' down with Lulu's Moogle, here? I am giving you all a chance to write a oneshot between Tomo and Sesshomaru of any rating! Whoever's oneshot submitted falls into my favor (and that of the story) will have a chance to be published in Moon's Blossom!
The contest will run into June (a precise deadline for submissions has not been set yet). As an author, I will try my hardest to work your oneshot into Moon's Blossom. However, if I am unable to fit it in nicely here, it will absolutely be published in the third installment. (Note that there is potential for there not to be a third installment.)
No, I'm not doing this because I'm a lazy writer; I'm doing this because I want to get an idea of how the readers see this pairing and where they stand. If I am able to incorporate the said well-written oneshot, I believe that it will give the reader a more engaging experience in this fanfiction.
Also note that if your oneshot is published, it will be credited under your name. I won't steal or plagiarize your writing. That's just downright dirty! XP
If you are interested in this contest, please check out my profile and the forum I have set up for this contest (thread: 'I have a challenge…').
Please post a reply in the forum or message me if you are interested in this contest so I can keep track of all entrants!
Thank you and happy writing:D
The Next Chapter Will Be Published Wednesday (May 23, 2007)!