No matter how much I love the Inuyasha series, as do us all, I have no ownership of anything Inuyasha.(sigh)
Chapter Fifteen
Sesshoumaru ignores the stares as he follows his father into the kitchen. The demoness Suiki is there and she hands him a plate of breakfast food with a slight smile. He ignores her and his younger brother, instead seating himself at the far end of the table, reluctantly eating his food.
Inutaisho takes his plate, opting to remain standing while Suiki serves her own plate.
"Where's Shippo?" Sesshoumaru asks after several tense and dark moody moments of eating. Inutaisho hesitates between bites.
"Shippo is in fox form and scouring the forests around the mountain. Riya fought with us for a bit after you left, then suddenly disappeared. Shippo says he caught a whiff of Rin's scent right before she disappeared. He's searching for her now." Sesshoumaru nods, eating with a bit more rigor. Inutaisho eyes him, suspicious of his son's sudden gusto in eating his food.
No sooner does Sesshoumaru finish his plate he stands, heading for the door.
"Where are you going?" Inutaisho asks. Sesshoumaru stares at him a moment.
"I'm going to look for Rin." Inutaisho shakes his head.
"It's no use now." Sesshoumaru levels a glare on his father that had made many a demon cower. Even Suiki behind Inutaisho cringes slightly.
"Why do you say that?" Inutaisho sets down his half empty plate and gestures for his son to follow. Curious, Inuyasha follows as well.
Out in the yard Inutaisho points toward the east.
"Take a look for yourself." Sesshoumaru, then Inuyasha, leap up onto the top of the wood shrine entrance, staring in disbelief.
Where once the majestic mountain had loomed, now there was nothing but a shroud of dark clouds, the cloud edge slowly extending out further with each passing moment. The wind shifts, bringing with it a sharp, chilling scent. Sesshoumaru curses, kneeling to pound his fist into the wood he stands on.
Inuyasha yelps as the entire structure shakes underneath Sesshoumaru's blow.
"Son of a...!" Sesshoumaru yells, fury turning his eyes red. Inuyasha frowns.
"Snow?" He looks down at their father in the yard. "So what?" Inutaisho smiles.
"Riya knows that simple rain would eliminate most of Rin's scent, but we could still pick up a small scent if we could find it. She also knows that rain would not deter us." He gestures toward the snow storm. "But a blizzard like this would not only obliterate any and all traces of Rin, the cold is just as lethal to demons as it is to humans." He shakes his head. "No sane demon would venture into that." Sesshoumaru suddenly turns, leaping down and moving clear of his father. Inutaisho nods, making room for himself as well. Inuyasha watches them, stunned.
"You're going?!" They both nod.
"Think you could keep up with us?" Inutaisho taunts. Inuyasha growls, his ears pinned back.
"I've outdistanced Sesshoumaru a time or two." He growls. Inutaisho chuckles as his eyes begin to glow red with the change.
"Yes, but think you could keep up with me pup?"
Suiki watches the three depart from the front window, her face lined with worry as the first snowflakes start to fall outside.
Behind her she hears a floorboard creak and turns. Kagome is wrapped in a thick robe, leaning heavily against the back of the couch.
"Where's Inuyasha?" She asks, her voice sounding weak. Suiki leaves her place at the window to go to the miko, supporting her with a arm around the shoulders.
"He's gone with his father and brother to look for Rin. They will be back soon. Come, let's watch a movie." Kagome nods, glancing out the window briefly before letting herself be lead to the couch.
Rin comes aware of her surroundings abruptly, as if the veil that had kept her in darkness had suddenly been pulled away. She gasps, trying to sit up but finding her body to weak to even allow her to push herself up. Rin lies still, managing to curl her body up slightly around her belly, the biting cold and freezing wind immediately chilling her nearly to the bone.
Beneath her she can feel thick iron bars and bare, rocky ground. Wind driven show blows through the cage, covering her swiftly. The cage around her provides no shelter, only the iron bars between her and the blizzard outside.
A person suddenly kneels beside the cage near Rin's head and she flinches away. Someone chuckles and she looks at the being.
Steel gray hair lies undisturbed down the demoness's back, intelligent and malicious eyes watching Rin.
"Hello little pup." Rin's ears pin back and she manages to growl. The demoness laughs. "So you do realize who I am." Rin nods.
"Riya." She manages, her teeth chattering. Riya nods.
"Yes, it's me."
"What do you want with me?" Rin asks haltingly. Riya smiles.
"I want the heads of Inutaisho, Inuyasha, and you're dearly beloved." Riya says, the last bit sounding completely sarcastic. Rin's growl grows and she tries to rise. Behind Riya Rin catches a glimpse of Mitsuki behind her. The miko's hands are clasped, as if in prayer, and her eyes are closed. Only her mouth moves as she chants.
Riya, quite daring, reaches into the cage to pat Rin's head. Rin snaps her head back, digging her fangs deep into Riya's arm. The demoness doesn't even flinch as she pulls her arm back forcefully, nearly breaking Rin's neck before Rin can release her arm. Riya smiles.
"You shall remain here as long as it takes. If you and your pup should die before Sesshoumaru and his sibling and father submit to my will, then you should die hating him."
"You are the one that shall die." Rin says as viciously as she can manage though she doesn't feel all that confident. Already she can't make her legs move, her fingers going purple. Riya laughs, rising.
"So we shall see." Instantly Riya is gone and Rin lets the shivering take her.
I may die...Rin thinks her arms wrapping as well as they can around her stomach. ...but I shall do all in my power to save you, little one. I pray your father reaches you in time, my son. Rin thinks as she closes her eyes, focusing all her will on her child.
Sesshoumaru reaches the edge of the snowstorm first, diving in without a hesitation. Inutaisho and Inuyasha pause, Inutaisho glancing down at his son.
You would get lost to easily. Climb on and grab on tight. Inutaisho says to his son, kneeling slightly. Looking slightly indignant at the prospect Inuyasha climbs up onto his father's back, burrowing down into his father's longer haired mane and clinging onto the fur with both fists as Inutaisho dives into the snowstorm.
Riya stands beside Mitsuki, watching the white shapes moving through the snow toward them. She smiles.
"They sure do have luck on their side, but that won't help them." She says. Looking down she glares at Mitsuki. "Keep the barrier up if you value your life." Mitsuki doesn't respond, so intent on the chant. Satisfied, Riya steps past the barrier and faces the two dog demons.
It takes all of Sesshoumaru's restraint to keep from launching himself at the dragon demon when he catches sight of her. Beside him Inutaisho growls.
"Hello, pup." Riya says, raising one hand. Instantly the area around them is clear of wind and driving snow. Riya smiles.
You have Rin. I can smell her on you. Sesshoumaru says sharply. Riya nods.
"Indeed I do. But you will not get her back without surrendering to my terms." Sesshoumaru advances a step, growling. Inutaisho stops him.
What are your demands. Riya smiles.
"I want your lands. I want your power, which is rightfully mine in the first place. And I want your loyalty to me." Inutaisho scoffs.
What makes you think it is rightfully yours?
"You captured and took over all the power and land my father had acquired when you defeated him. Lands and power that is rightfully mine. I want it." Inutaisho studies her.
And what happens if we don't? Riya smiles.
"I call all my sleeping brethren from the earth and unleash them upon this land after I spend the next several weeks torturing Rin. I'll allow her to give birth to the child, and if the childbirth doesn't kill her, I will. Then I'll give you the body of your child one piece at a time." Sesshoumaru has to be held back by his father as he releases a terrific roar of pure rage.
Rin flinches when she hears the roar and lifts her head slightly, stunned. Sesshoumaru!
"Sesshoumaru?" She says as loudly as she can. Getting no response she lets her head drop. "My love..."
Sesshoumaru suddenly stops, his eyes locked on Riya as he hears the faint voice in the air. Riya seems to hear it too and her gaze suddenly seems to glow in wrath.
"If you attack me I promise she and the pup will die immediately. I will give you one week to arrange things that you need to. Be at the summit in one weeks time." Looking completely pleased with herself Riya snaps her fingers, disappearing immediately into a flurry of wind and snow as the snowstorm sweeps in on them.
As they leave the edges of the snowstorm and into the gently falling snow that had overtaken the area a smaller fox demon approaches. It limps slightly and Inutaisho stops, watching as Shippo bows head to them in greeting.
I am sorry for not getting back sooner, Inutaisho.
No need to apologize Shippo. He replies. Sesshoumaru continues on around Shippo. Where are you going?
Back to the shrine. Sesshoumaru says curtly, disappearing into the clouds with a flick of his tail. Inutaisho shakes his head slightly.
Hearing a startled yelp Inutaisho stops, looking back to see Inuyasha dangling from the side of his neck, shouting curse words. Having forgotten his son was there Inutaisho chuckles and noses his son. Inuyasha drops onto his father's muzzle.
"Thanks a lot." Inuyasha grumbles, then turns to see Shippo staring at him, clearly holding back a laugh. Growling, Inuyasha easily leaps from his father's muzzle to Shippo's, clocking his nose hard. Shippo whines and Inuyasha growls.
"What you get." Inutaisho laughs.
Come on, lets get back to the shrine.
That night, as the snow continues to fall and pile on the ground, the dog demons hold a meeting.
Inuyasha sits on the arm of a recliner, Kagome nestled up in it and wrapped in several blankets. Suiki and Inutaisho sit side by side on the couch, Sesshoumaru refusing to sit to everyone's frustration at his pacing. Shippo sits cross-legged on the floor, listening intently.
"All right. We've already established that Riya has Rin." Sesshoumaru nods.
"I heard Rin's voice while we were there and I could smell Rin's scent on Riya's hand." Inutaisho nods.
"Now, in thinking about Rin's safety, we cannot make a move until the week is up." At this Sesshoumaru growls, a low and threatening sound but Inutaisho ignores him. "All we can do at this point is figure out how to end this." He says, feeling no need to point out what needed to be done.
"What about Mitsuki?" Suiki asks. "She cannot be allowed to live." Inutaisho nods, turning to Kagome.
"Do you think you would be able to?" Kagome frowns, thinking a moment.
"I might, but judging by the power she hit me with, she's in a class a lot higher than mine." Kagome says quietly, remembering her words about Kikyou. "She's at the same level as Kikyou." Inuyasha's ear flicks but he doesn't react beyond that. Inutaisho nods.
"Then either Sesshoumaru or I will need to take care of the miko. Since that will be the case, Kagome, you stay here." Kagome shakes her head.
"Absolutely not." Everyone looks at her. Kagome's brown eyes are hard with anger. "You will need me. I don't want any of you leaving the fight once it starts. As soon as the miko is dead, I will free Rin and get her out of the area." Inutaisho nods slightly.
"Shippo, you and Inuyasha cover her." Shippo nods, smiling widely. Inuyasha scowls.
"I don't need Shippo's help." He growls. Inutaisho glares at him.
"No, but the two on one odds are better." Inuyasha glances away, mumbling something under his breath. Inutaisho turns to Sesshoumaru.
"Sesshoumaru, you and I will take on Riya." Sesshoumaru turns.
"Let me take her." Inutaisho raises an eyebrow. "You have no weapon. I have Tenseiga. Inuyasha has Tetsuiga." He points out. Inutaisho smiles and rises, disappearing out of the room a moment before coming back, carrying a long object wrapped in white fur. Sesshoumaru's eyes widen as the cloth falls away and Inuyasha rises, eyes wide with fear and ears pinned back.
"Is that..." Sesshoumaru states, stepping forward. Inutaisho nods.
"Sounga. I found it shortly after I was reincarnated. Apparently if followed me back." Sesshoumaru stares at it a moment, then glances at Inuyasha. Rightfully so Inuyasha is keeping a careful distance from the sword.
Seeing his son's discomfort, Inutaisho swiftly re-wraps the sword but keeps it at his side as he sits beside Suiki again.
"So you see, I'm not as weaponless as you would think."
Rin lies huddled in the middle of the cage. Time has lost it's meaning. She has lain in this cage for heaven only knows how long, but she was beyond caring.
She has allowed the cold to consume her, saving her strength and using her demonic power and sheer will to conserve what body heat she could in her child. She had closed her eyes long ago, no longer having the strength to open them. She had lost the feeling in most of her body, all her awareness focused on her child.
Please, if there is any sort of powers at work here, She prays, save my child. That is all I ask.
The group all stands in the yard behind the house, silently waiting. Inutaisho stands near Suiki, allowing her to tighten the last of the ties to his armor. The outfit he wears is of the feudal era, closely resembling Sesshoumaru's regular attire at that time. When he had asked Kagome about it, she had said that they had been "generously" donated along with the armor. He had wanted to question the generously but wisely kept silent after seeing the nature of Kagome's smile.
The spiked shoulder guards feel familiar yet strange at the same time and he smiles slightly.
"Where on earth did you find these Kagome?" The miko smiles.
"In a museum." Inuyasha, standing beside Kagome, laughs. Inuyasha is clothed in his usual red fire rat outfit but with a few differences. His inner hayori is thicker, heavier. His feet, usually bare, are now fitted inside thick leather black shoes much like Sesshoumaru's. His hair is braided, identical to Inutaisho's thanks to Suiki.
Kagome shifts her quiver on her back, adjusting the special shoulder straps she had commissioned a shop in town to make specially for her. She is clothed in modern gear, calf high boots lined with fur cover her feet. Thick black pants are tucked into the boots. Being human she opted for a thermal worn under a thick button up shirt, nearly completely concealed by a long, heavy winter jacket.
Shippo hadn't changed at all except for a pair of boots identical to Inuyasha's, worn only by Kagome's persistence that he do so.
They all turn, watching as Sesshoumaru emerges from the house.
Again Sesshoumaru has donned his red and white outfit from the feudal era and Kagome can't help but stare at him, a shiver running down her back.
Sesshoumaru's golden eyes are cold, borderline anger raging beneath a careful mask. His long hair is braided tightly, Suiki's doing again.
His armor, instead of the one traditional shoulder guard he had usually donned, is now the full battle armor like his father's. Tenseiga is strapped to his waist, the sheath swaying slightly with his smooth, gliding movement across the lawn.
Images flash through Kagome's mind, memories of Sesshoumaru when she had known him ten...well, five hundred and ten years ago.
Sesshoumaru glances at the group and meets Kagome's gaze. The pure, unveiled fear in her eyes gives him pause and he frowns.
"What is it sister?" He asks, stopping beside them. She shakes her head, staring up at him.
"For a second there..." Her voice dies away and she looks away.
"What?" He asks. She glances up at him again.
"You almost looked like you did five hundred years ago." He stares at her a moment then smiles slightly.
"You watch yourself on the mountain." He says quietly. "You have more than one to look out for." She nods, the fear disappearing behind her smile.
"I will. You too." He nods, patting her shoulder reassuringly.
"All right everyone, quiet down." Inutaisho says sternly. "From here on in, no playing around. Kagome will ride on Shippo. You two head into the woods and sneak up as close as you can get without being detected. We'll distract them so you can get as close as you can. Inuyasha, Sesshoumaru, and I will all head there together. We will stay in these forms for now to save up our energy. Suiki will stay here and guard the shrine. Everyone understand?" They all nod and Shippo begins backing away from the group, giving himself room to transform.
"All right. Let's go rescue Rin."