Chapter 8
True to his word Jaken did indeed remember the location of the small, craggy outcropping that fringed part of the forest, though finding it amongst the dense thicket of foliage was a task better suited for Kirara and Sango. Not to be outdone by anyone in Inuyasha's party, it was Jaken who eventually found a cave shelter big enough to serve as an appropriate infirmary, a task he remained quite proud of. Next came the gathering. With Sesshomaru's physically unfit to travel, Inuyasha was thus was set in charge of acquiring medicinal herbs, though he did so only after receiving explicit instructions from Matyeo on their location. Had the dragon been more seasoned in earth elements he could have conjured the plants himself right there at the campsite, but at his inexperienced age, detecting their energy patterns was the only help he could offer. Miroku, Shippo and Kirara meanwhile started work collecting firewood, while Rin, An-Un, and Jaken set off to find food. Kagome remained close to the camp to help tend to Shura as needed. She remained under the watchful eyes of Sango who also had opted to stay for her protection.
Within the hour, Inuyasha returned with the herbs, allowing Shura's wounds to be properly cleaned, treated and bandaged. Sesshomaru too, received medical attention, though he did so begrudgingly, and only following Jaken's arrival, for it was the little toad that bound his arm. Miroku, Kirara and Shippo meanwhile had acquired enough wood to last several days and upon their return two fires were started; one near the cave entrance to allow its occupants warmth, and second further out for cooking the armloads of forest edibles Rin and her twin headed companion had gathered.
In the meantime, the dog brothers took shifts watching over their fallen kin. Though neither Inuyasha nor Sesshomaru enjoyed the other's presence, both had blatantly refused to leave making a temporary truce the only practical option. No one else really protested; Rin didn't think much of the newcomers and frankly had come to enjoy Shippo's company, as the fox had hers. Kagome, Sango and Miroku couldn't complain either, seeing as how the situation was clearly important to their half-demon travel companion, and Matyeo seemed apt to remain on neutral ground with everyone. In truth the only one who complained at all was Jaken but he shut up quickly after Sesshomaru ordered him to be silent.
As the hours continued to drag on with little progress on Shura's part, restlessness started to sink in making the atmosphere tense with unfriendly vibrations. Sesshomaru especially reflected an irate impatience, mostly due to the fact that he felt to many were prying into his family business. The situation bothered him, so much so that by nightfall his temperament had come to its breaking point. In the climax of his mood he even turned his anger on Rin. The little girl had only been humming her little ode to him, but still Sesshomaru had snapped at her uttering harsh words he never should have for such an insignificant offense.
Rin took the unnecessary scolding as any child would; she broke into tears and ran to the first secluded area she could find, the cavern infirmly. Worried that the girl might disturb Shura Sesshomaru started after her but was stopped mid way when a pissed off Matyeo stepped in his path.
"Leave her…" the dragon youth hissed with unusual bravery "she'll do no harm." a fury erupted in Sesshomaru's eyes.
"Step aside boy…" he growled deeply. The dragon held his ground.
"I know you're worried, but that's no reason to treat others so poorly."
"Now."
"No."
In the background the quarrel's increasing volume stirred Inuyasha and his friends who were camped several yards away. None of them knew what had sparked the argument, but they all sensed it was best not to intrude unless things turned bloody…still the temptation was great…especially for Inuyasha.
"Impertinent hatchling! I give you one final warning, get out of my way our I'll kill you where you stand." Now it was Matyeo who burned with fury. Projecting out his wings and holding them high for intimidation the dragon advanced a step forward and snarled.
"You assume it would be so easy!" the dragon's protest ended there, for in the next instant Sesshomaru had seized him by the throat and with a subtle flex of the arm raised Matyeo from the ground.
"I assume nothing. It was my hand who saved you from your own families treachery, my hand that made you a warrior…" Sesshomaru's fist tightened "and unless you follow my orders without question until your retribution is repaid…it will be my hand that slays you. Is that clear Matyeo of the northlands?" The dragon's ears fanned back and his eyes lowered in submission. It was the only apology he could offer seeing as how Sesshomaru's grip was constricting his vocal chords. Thankfully, the dog lord took the cue and released his hold, causing the dragon to fall heavily to the ground. Slouched over and with his face half buried in the dust, Matyeo coughed for air. He clamped his eyes shut when the shifting dust pelted his face and he swore through clenched teeth. His bitterness did not go unnoticed, however for the moment it was ignored when another pressing matter arose….
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The demoness was screaming. Horrific shrill cries sprang from her gaping jaws and reverberated hard across the cavern interior. Her entire body was tensed and it twitched hard with every cry forcing blood to escape the ragged wound on her chest and soak through the bandages. But still she continued, oblivious to all pain save for the one tearing apart her emotions by showing again and again nightmare images of her villages' slaughter.
Little Rin could barely stand the noise. It was too painful, on her ears and her heart. She knew what nightmare plagued the demoness, for she herself had experienced it too…long ago…after her family was murdered before her eyes. With all her might Rin tried to wake the she-demon. She pulled her ears, shook her shoulders…anything to get her to stop.
"Wake up!" the little girl pleaded "Please…stop crying…" her pleas did not go unanswered for in the next instant the demon's eyes flew open and her screams were replaced by heavy gasps.
"Soma!" a half delirious Shura cried when her sight fell on Rin. The little girl cowered at the stare. "No…not her scent…" the she-demon corrected, her expression laced with both fear and anger "who are you!"
"I'm….Rin" the little girl stammered "My name is Rin." When the name didn't register Shura's fear escalated to panic and her defensive instincts kicked into full gear. Rin could only stare petrified as the demon pulled back her lips into a terrible fanged snarl and readied her claws for striking.
"Rin!" a deep voice barked from seemingly out of nowhere, though weather the tone was angry or worried remained uncertain. Then suddenly a strong hand yanked the child up hard by the back of the kimono and pulled her backwards out of range.
"Looorrrddd Sessssshommmmaruu…." Rin squeaked between shivers and tears as she stared at the cavern wall where she had been seconds before. The gray stone now carried five new etchings that fizzed with acid residue. The girl felt herself lowered and her body lurch at the nudge she was given towards the exit.
"Leave here…go" the demon lord's command was not harsh, only stern. Even so Rin didn't waste any time in obeying.
Meanwhile Shura was still writhing, her mind caught in a feverish state. She hissed at Sesshomaru and Inuyasha as the tried to approach.
"Take it easy," the half demon instructed in a reassuring tone "Its alright, no one's going to hurt you…" To that Shura stifled her next growl but not her heavy panting or wide eyed gaze. The soft words and familiar scents of father and uncle may have subdued the inherent fear of vulnerability but it failed to counteract her raging grief and anger.
"Shura…" Now Sesshomaru was speaking, though his tone was much more stern then Inuyasha's. It immediately caught the demoness's attention and she turned glinting eyes upon him. When the great demon spoke again his voice carried both the concern of a father and the temper of a monarch. "What happened?"
On the cavern floor Shura's muscles tensed and her expression hardened. Her pants had slowed to a steady pace and were now deep and accented. When she finally answered her tone was almost beyond hearing.
"He killed them," she whispered "he killed them to get to me. They're all dead..." Shura's voice cracked harshly at her own words and rose in volume "he…he killed them!" Silver tears escaped the she-demon's eyes, blurring out the distressed expressions of her father and uncle. "He killed them!" Shura cried, her voice hitting a high-pitched note of sorrow. Again and again she repeated the statement like a chant, all the while raising her voice until the notes blended into a single, wailing canid howl.
The noise rang out of the cavern and echoed for miles through the forest, rousing woodland creatures as it carried. Curiously they perked ears and turned heads in the notes direction, perhaps to see what demon could make a nose so awful and sad….