A/N: I don't know how many times I have completely erased this chapter, but hopefully this time I will enjoy how it turns out. Enjoy the read!
"The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places." -Ernest Hemingway
The first thing I could register was smoke around me.
The other thing, was that there was no pain.
The sounds of shell casings clattering on the ground caused my confusion to morph into full on anger. The smoke cleared and in front of me I noticed that I erected a barrier around Sesshomaru and I. I looked at him he and he seemed okay, but he was glaring at the humans in front of us.
I let out a sigh of relief before turning my anger towards the three idiots before me, "What the hell was that?" I hissed, Kohaku's mouth opened but no sound was released, the other boozo left and I was surprisde to see Hojo step up to me.
"I knew there was something wrong with you!" He exclaimed, pointing a crooked finger towards me. "You weren't there when we planned this, and you didn't seem to care about training at all!" His gaze turned to the crowd of people that suddenly appeared, they all looked at him with reason, but glared at me and Sesshomaru.
"I don't even know why you're the savior." He grumbled, his eyes darkening, "You would rather protect a murderer than your own comrades." At his words, something snapped. As drained as I was I scrambled out of Sesshomaru's arms and stomped up to him.
Nobunaga held his ground, and the action was so quick I didn't have a second to even rethink it. My fist crashed into his face, blood sprayed and he let out a grunt as he collapsed onto the ground.
I ignored the pulsing in my fists and turned towards the shocked gazes of everyone around us. "I will not let you talk to me that way." I looked towards Nobunaga, his face was contorted in a mix of anger and pain as he glared at me, clutching his bleeding nose. But I felt nothing towards him but coldness.
"He saved Kikyo and I." I stated firmly, my posture straightened up and a sense of confidence surged through me. "And you will treat him with respect." I spat.
Kikyo, Miroku, and Kaede emerged from the crowd. One look at Hojo and my flustered look was enough of an explanation for them before they began to evaluate the massacre around them.
Sesshomaru's presence sent a delightful shiver down my back, he was beside me, looking as indifferent as ever. "We must leave." Sesshomaru stated, causing all eyes to turn towards him. But he seemed to only notice mine, I blushed.
"The authorities are fast approaching." He elaborated and that seemed to get everyone moving. Kikyo nodded and turned towards the group, "Evacuation hasn't arrived yet, but lets go to the woods, it will be harder to find us."
With that everyone cheered, raising their weapons into the air, I gazed at Sesshomaru, ignoring the burst of excitment around us. Sesshomaru's arms wrapped around me again, I allowed myself to go limp as he cradeled me in his arms again.
"Thank you, for everything." I whispered against his ear, silently applauding at my sudden sulkiness. Sesshomaru said nothing before darting into the tree line. Our team followed swiftly, all being guided by Miroku.
A roar was heard behind us, turning around I watched as Kohaku flew over us, with a saber toothed cat below him. Her paws were ablaze with fire, and her twin tales danced with the wind, I was almost confused when I saw the familiar eyes.
"Kirara!" I cried, waving my hand and Kirara let out another roar and Kohaku smiled. I'm glad he found someone. Sesshomaru leaped up towards Kirara, I gasped when he launched me towards her, Kohaku caught my arm and swung me onto Kirara's back.
Sesshomaru and Kohaku exchanged some unspoken words before he disappeared behind us. "Where is he going?" Fear prickled my scalp, was he leaving me?
"The demons are behind us, Sesshomaru will deal with them." He muttered, but one look at Kohaku's calm expression caused me to relax a bit. On que demons appeared behind us, Kohaku cursed and began shooting behind us.
Others did as well, but the demons seemed only stung by the bullets. "Faster!" Kaede yelled and everyone pushed themselves harder, At this rate they will catch up... I took in a deep breath of air and looked at the approaching tree, I think the branch will hold me if I jumped at the right time.
I shuffled on Kirara's back, Kohaku turned to me, "What are you doing!?" He growled, but it was too late. I leaped and let out a cry as my arms flung out in front of me. My hands gripped the branch and they were instantly burning at the rough contact made. I let out a grunt before sliding down carefully, everyone kept on running and by the time I made it on the ground the demons were on our heels.
"Oh no you don't!" I yelled before feeling energy surge through my body, light erupted from my hands and I forced my energy into a wave. The demon police shrieked and the smell of burning flesh flooded my senses.
I groaned when I felt pressure being applied onto my barrier, They are trying to push through! I took in a shaky breath and released more of my reiki, I squinted as the light intensified. It suddenly burst and there were wails before the light cleared.
My legs buckled and my world spun as I collapsed, I looked up in time to see a wolf lunge at me. I gasped and tried to move out of the way when his body slammed on mine, his jaws immediately encircled my neck and I screamed as I felt immense pain strike me.
Blood flowed from my neck and in an instanst my breath caught on my throat and I blacked out.
White Noise
I trembled, the warm, thick liquid was practically dripping of me. It stained my hands, clothes and face, I groaned as the overwhelming metallic smell overwhelmed me. The darkness surrounding me soon began to slowly clear, my breath hitched at the sight before me.
Bodies, limbs, and appendages littering the ground. The bodies of my comrades were twisted and turned in an unnatural way. I wanted to scream, tears streamed down my cheeks and my mouth was open, but no words would come out.
Another figure appeared to my horror, one that was familiar. Long silver hair matted with blood and speckled white clothes was the first thing to cross my vision. High pitched screams soon filled my senses and I gasped as the face was revealed.
It was Sesshomaru.
In his arms was a flailing Kaede, her entire head in his hand, his talons were piercing her skull, causing blood to stream down her head and hair. Tears and drool erupted from her body as she continued to squirm under the torture.
At this point I had no control over my body, a bow and arrow were already in my hands. The once comforting noise of string being extended caused fear to consume me. The arrow was infused with spiritual energy.
"Let her go!" I commanded, my trembling voice causing him to cackle. His face was deformed, looking much more pointed and dog-like then the norm. Salive spewed from his lips as he continued to enjoy the girl twitching under his claws.
A shiver went down my spine as a dark presence emerged from behind me, all the hairs on my body stood erect as something rested besde my ear. "Kill him." It whispered, the voice challenging yet advising.
"Rin!" Kaede shrieked before an ear-splitting crack resounded, her body gave another jolt before hanging limp, her skul falling apart in his hands and blood gushing from the wound. Something within me snapped at the gruesome scene.
Bile filled my throat and my hands reacted without a second thought. I fired, my eyes widening as the arrow soared through the air, the demon reverted back into Sesshomaru, his eyes no longer a burning red and instead a concious gold.
"No!" I cried, multiple hands emerging from behind me, clutching my body. I watched the arrow pierce his shoulder blade, his eyes widening and a look of shock crawling onto his face. His hand instinctivley went to the wound but it was too late, the damage had been done.
He looked towards me, he stumbled backwards and a look of betrayal crossed his features. His eyes suddenly drooped and I dragged forward, the hands however encased me. I could only watch with horror as Sesshomaru fell onto his knees, his eyes rolling back before he slumped onto the ground.
I shrieked, a surge of reiki erupting around me causing the figure behind me to disappear. I raced towards the two bodies, my hands reaching out towards them. Kaede's face was completely disfigured, her eyeballs popped out of their sockets and blood oozed from her face. Her head was lumpy and places where the bones connected were disfigured and misplaced.
I looked over towards Sesshomaru to notice his body burning away,the scent of rotting flesh overwhelmed me, his eyes were closed, any trace of pain disappeared. He looked...asleep, I looked towards the wound and noticed that the muscle and bone were showing,
"T-This is all my fault..." I squeezed my eyes shut, cradling them both.
My eyes flung open, my stomach lurched forward and before I knew it whatever contents left in my stomach were emptied. After a few other spasms I slowly sat back up, my throat burned and my nose wrinkled as the stench of vomit snapped me out of my trance.
A hand gently moved my hair back, I flinched and my eyes darted towards the other being in the room. My body visibly relaxed as a pair of amber eyes watched me, I sighed and lay back down on the bed.
I knew I was safe, despite not knowing exactly where I was, if Sesshomaru was here, then I was fine. I put my arm over my eyes, suddenly finding the lights invasive and took a couple deep breaths before finally speaking.
"How long?" I asked, drawing in my reiki so that it wouldn't bother Sesshomaru. I peeked under my elbow, he relaxed and closed his eyes,
"Three days,"
A VERY late update I know, but this chapter was harder to write then I would have expected. I can say that I am content with this chapter. Leave a review and tell me what you think!
NekoxUsa