THE COFFEE SHOP: Gah! I cannot believe how long that I haven't updated this drabble series yet. My deepest, most sincere apologies to all of you who have been waiting for the fifth drabble. I honestly hope that people have enjoyed my last four ones, and that this one will be up to standards. XD By the way, someone suggested that I should do more "friendship-based" drabbles, and I was thinking, Yeah! That's a great idea! So here it is… Please remember to enjoy and reviews would be appreciated.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own InuYasha…but I do have the movies and posters and trading cards! No, you cannot have those either XP
IT'S ALL ON CAMERA!
By Caffeine Lover
SCENE FIVE: The Other Side of the Story
RATING: General – it's got nothing bad except some complaining…and some whining in the background…
PAIRINGS: None – and you sickos out there don't even think of it as a Jaken x Rin story! EW.
GENRES: Friendship-based…um, niceness?
WARNINGS: Thought-drabble.
SUMMARY: Everyone always sees Jaken as the "annoying green thing that Sesshomaru tolerates". Well, has anybody ever considered his side of the story?
Scene Five: The Other Side of the Story
Little green legs carried the impish kappa demon across the bare and muddy field, his large and yellow bug-like eyes narrowing suspiciously before widening in half horror and in half surprise. Three reptilian fingers dropped his prized Two-Headed Staff in disbelief, as he slowly lowered his head to stare down at the ground (while noticing that from the knee-down he was covered in mud from running earlier). In the large space that separated his two toes, large pieces of heavy dirt clung, causing him to feel dirty and out of place. The little black cap on top of Jaken's bald and wet head seemed to droop just slightly.
Never in all of his life, had Jaken felt so useless.
It was true – he couldn't deny it any longer. The ex-lord of the toad-like youkai sighed in weariness as he picked up his heavy staff and walked under a large and sturdy tree, hoping that its thick branches full of leaves would shelter him from the heavy autumn rain.
Lord Sesshomaru has finally abandoned me!
Jaken sat down slowly, wincing in disgust as soon as he felt his bottom plunge suddenly into a deep, squishy puddle of thick mud. He almost began to cry, much like a tormented and spoiled child, wanting to wallow and sulk in his misery as he clenched and unclenched his tiny fists, thoughts murderous.
Why am I always the one left behind? His yellow eyes narrowed in furious anger. I follow all of his orders without hesitation. I always defend and stand by Lord Sesshomaru whenever he has been spoken badly of. I have given up my own nobility to become a servant for him, all in the name of devotion and loyalty. I have tolerated his odd quirks, death threats looming over my head, and the constant beating that I receive.
The kappa huffed, mind burning with betrayal…
I, Jaken, have even lowered myself to take care of that wretched human, Rin-what's-her-name. I have risked life and limb for both the ignorant girl and my lord – and what in the name of Kami have I been given in return?
NOTHING.
Everyday I am stepped upon. Everyday I am made fun of. Everyday the little effort that I put in trying to make my lord and his ward comfortable goes unnoticed. Everyday my loyalty and devotion are taken for granted. Everyday I am treated to feel useless, hopeless, stupid and a nuisance.
People often ask Lord Sesshomaru why he tolerates me, why he lets me travel with him and serve him. He's practically useless! they all sneer. He can't protect you, and he's so damn annoying. Why is he so important to you, Sesshomaru? These words swim through my mind everyday, pushing my spirits downward with each breath.
They are all absolutely correct. I am nothing to Lord Sesshomaru. I am nothing to Rin. I am annoying, whiny, and yes, I am quite defenceless.
But, I am extremely LOYAL to Sesshomaru-sama. I take care of Rin to the BEST of my abilities. I will PROTECT my lord and his ward with my life. I am WISE in important matters – matters that will actually help Sesshomaru-sama. I had wanted NOTHING IN RETURN for my services. All I had wanted was respect, and when I was not given it, I still served him to the best of my abilities.
I am wondering, why hasn't anyone asked me why I tolerate Lord Sesshomaru's behaviour towards me? Why I tolerate the little child that follows us everywhere? Why I tolerate the fact that I am only treated as a tool; once I have lost my usefulness, I will be thrown away like an old slipper.
If the characteristics that I possess aren't enough for Lord Sesshomaru and Rin, then I don't know who will be able to satisfy him.
It is decided that I, Jaken, will never serve anyone again! I only serve and satisfy myself, for I am the only one who appreciates myself. I shall –
"JAKEN-SAMA!!" a high feminine voice squealed in delight as two pairs of unnaturally strong human arms wrapped themselves around his mud-stained torso, nearly squeezing the breath and life out of the green kappa demon. "Sesshomaru-sama and Rin were SOOO worried about you! Don't you DARE run off again! OH! JAKEN-SAMA! Rin missed you THIS – " the almost-glowing girl spread her little chubby arms as far as they could go to emphasize her point " – MUCH!"
His yellow eyes widened in shock – a lovely feeling of shock – as he realized that no, they had not abandoned him, and no, he had never meant all the things that he had thought of earlier.
Rin turned abruptly around, her arms flailing in the air as she tried to catch the attention of her guardian. "Lord Sesshomaru!" she called in a laughing voice, brown eyes sparkling with delight. "Lord Sesshomaru! Jaken was waiting for us all along!" And true to her word, Jaken's weak demonic eyes could make out the large and powerful figure of his lord, walking gracefully across the field while managing to not even get a speck of mud upon his flawless attire. Ah and Un followed not too far behind, their eyes fixed on Rin protectively.
They have all come back! FOR ME!
The human ward must have noticed the sudden film of tears coating his yellow eyes, because she suddenly hugged him again, arms snaking around his chest as she crushed him to her, saying, "Don't ever go again, okay, Jaken-sama? Rin and Lord Sesshomaru needs you more than you ever, ever, EVER, know!"
Never, in all his life, had Jaken felt so loved.
He timidly hugged the girl back, nodding silently at her request.
And…CUT!
THE COFFEE CORNER: Well, how did people like it? I thought that Jaken didn't receive enough appreciation and recognization throughout the entire manga/anime, and so I thought I'd dedicate a drabble to him :-) Let's all face it, Jaken's hilarious antics have all made us laugh at one point or another ;-)
Please read and review! Ciao, everyone :-D