~Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of its characters (including Sesshomaru and Rin), I do own Shiawase,Onryō, Fushoujiki, Persephone who is loosely based in the poem by Algernon Charles Swinburne The Garden of Proserpine and the Cloaked character at the end of chapter 3 whose identity is revealed in this chapter. I do not make any money from writing this Fan Fiction!
In this chapter Persephone will portray thoughts influenced by The Mysterious Stranger from Mark Twain.
Also MY Apologies for taking so long with this chapter since my laptop died but I have a new one now !
Special thanks to all that reviewed chapter 5: SynthroKei534, SesshomarusPegasus and icegirljenni as a writer it means a lot to me!
My Special Thanks to everybody that added my fan fiction to the story alert and favorite story THANK YOU SO MUCH!
~Hoshi no Hikari~ Revenge
The light of the sun swirled blinding over the Lands of the South depicting the eerie surroundings of Lord Akihito's castle. The now black colored meadow overpowered the presence of the majestic domain; the muteness that now ruled over the South was the voice of death. For Sesshomaru it was hard to process the events that had transpired in such short time and the greatest enigma was how Lord Akihito couldn't avoid this.
Sesshomaru made his way into the castle and he was even more bewildered with the lifelessness inside, the faintest scent of there ever being someone inhabiting the deserted fortress was of weeks ago. The rays of the sun entered through the windows allowing the demon lord to contemplate his surroundings. The luxurious tables were grimy and the corners of the walls were covered in elaborate spider webs. Everything was intact the various paintings were concealed under curtains of dust that hanged from the sides.
When Sesshomaru was making his way through the hallway he heard the subtle sound of footsteps in the upper floor and in a fast manner followed the source of the noise. The stairs were sturdy yet they creaked in each step giving away the position of Lord Sesshomaru. When the stoic demon reached the top of the stairs a figure concealed with a raven colored cloak materialized in front of him.
"Why if it isn't the indomitable Lord of the West", said the cloaked figure in a mocking tone.
"Who are you?" answered the demon lord, "I can't sense him, could he be an illusion? No I can feel his power but he has no scent …", thought Sesshomaru cautious of the figure in front of him.
"I take it you are not very social allow me to introduce myself I am Amatsu", the masked figure removed the hood that covered his face and stared at Sesshomaru as if studying him.
Amatsu didn't look like any foe he had previously encountered, his eyes were black, he had silver hair up to his shoulders and his posture portrayed complete confidence.
"What has happened in this place?", said Sesshomaru in his usual indifferent tone.
"Aw yes I had a nice party some time ago but I'm afraid I never invited you", answered Amatsu in an uncaring manner before vanishing.
Sesshomaru with Bakusaiga withdrawn is expecting an attack but can't detect where Amatsu is, then he Inhales deeply and closes his eyes concentrating on any slight movement until he grasps Amatsu's location.
Amatsu with immense velocity appears behind Sesshomaru and in one swift movement with his sword aims to the demon lord's but is stopped with Bakusaiga. Sesshomaru easily evades the attack and with his poison claws aims for Amatsu's face but to his surprise Amatsu's sword changes and becomes an ebony colored force field that strikes the demon lord. Sesshomaru lands harshly against the wall now with his vision bloody red he dashes with Bakusaiga towards the threat but Amatsu dematerializes leaving the vicious demon lord alone.
Up in the sky "This Sesshomaru was able to predict my moves, I won't be able to defeat him as I am now I need my full power", thought Amatsu warily looking behind him.
Sesshomaru for a few seconds stood aware of his surroundings until he made sure that Amatsu had evidently left he made his leave from the castle.
Near the Western Borders Village of the South
Sesshomaru walked through the dismantled village studying the brutal images of the bloodshed that had occurred. For the stoic demon it was evident that this had been fulfilled by Amatsu but one thing had stricken his thoughts, the only village destroyed was the one near his border. The impassive demon had seen enough and was about to advance towards the West when one movement caught his attention from the corner of his eye, it was a demon that was in charge of the defense in the South.
The soldier was hiding under a plank from the remains of a hut, "Lord Sesshomaru!", the demon approached Sesshomaru eagerly. "My Lord I am so glad to see you here I have wanted to contact you but now that the people in the palace have disappeared I have been working on finding their whereabouts."
"Explain"
"Well… about a month ago Lord Akihito started acting strange, he was a completely different demon but none of us thought it was grave until he ordered some of the soldiers to spy you my Lord", staring solemnly at the ground, "Lord Akihito had heard rumors that you were protecting a human girl and when his spies returned they confirmed his suspicions that's when he sent an order to dispose of the girl, he thought you would be more vulnerable when she was dead I wanted to contact you immediately but that's when Amatsu appeared."
"What do you know about Amatsu?" the soldier didn't notice the venomous tone on which Sesshomaru had addressed his question, the soldier answered his question while looking at the ground,"He appeared about the time when Lord Akihito started acting different nobody knows where he came from and the ones who were brave enough to fight against him died miserably, he has a strange weapon…".
Sesshomaru's long silver hair was covering his face, his knuckles were trembling, and his nails were tightly pressed against the palm of his hands withdrawing blood.
The soldier lifted his gaze towards the Demon Lord and noticed Sesshomaru's hands were tightly pressed and gulping loudly, "Lord Sesshomaru?"
The demon lord in a matter of seconds composed himself and reclaimed his stoic facade, "Very well", Sesshomaru had already given his back to the soldier ending his conversation.
"Lord Sesshomaru there's more!"
Sesshomaru looking at the soldier with the corner of his eye, "Lord Akihito had congregated an army of demons against you to claim the Western Lands".
~~HNH~~
Knees on the ground, shivering in disbelief, her hands soiled with death while tears of guilt fell unrestrained down her cheeks, "I couldn't allow this to happen but I didn't want to kill him!". Rin was surrounded by a field of red Poppy flowers and a frosty feeling down her spine notified her that she was not alone.
"Why are humans like this?"
"Whatever do you mean girl?", asked Persephone who had appeared behind Rin and with a motherly concern smeared on her face she knelt beside the vulnerable girl.
"They hurt one another…I didn't want to do it but HE…"
"My you only defended yourself it was the right thing to do."
"How did you know!", Rin spurted in unbelief.
"I saw what happened, though I can't leave this place that doesn't mean that I do not know what happens", Persephone was now in front of the stream staring at the red petals that landed on the shallow stream.
"Your situation Rin is simply called human nature why it is the cycle of humanity, we see in every village people that are honest and kind by nature however when their great interests are threatened or fear overpowers their judgment they transform into something they can't even recognize."
"But we destroy ourselves and sometimes without even noticing, how can they ever be happy that way?"
In the opposite side of the stream there was the translucent specter of a young woman kneeled down in the red flowers, she seemed to be weeping. Although Rin couldn't hear her cries she sympathized with her since she also felt heartbroken. In Persephone's garden the souls were condemned to wander the vast fields because of sacrifices made for love.
Persephone was admiring the scene that had grasped Rin's attention, "Ah yes, Nature is breathtaking even in chaos".
Persephone noticed the shocked expression on the face of the young girl upon hearing her words and confidently added, "Blissfulness lies between each individual yet when they finally hold what brings them happiness they are still miserable because they are not happy with themselves however even with all of that chaos nature always manages to shine with dazzling splendor", this phrase was said casually but the impact that it bestowed on Rin's mind was life changing.
Persephone spoke with such confidence and her words were filled with so much wisdom yet those same words were drowned in cold cruelness. Even though Rin did not agree with some of Persephone's thoughts she couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for such a strong and graceful person. Without noticing Persephone had become a role model in Rin's life and she would try her hardest to be as strong, elegant and wise as her.
~~HNH~~
Sacred Village of the West
The Sun was already hiding its bright light under the mountains, under a Sakura tree was a couple succumbed in the delight of their companionship, careless about their surroundings and too committed in the moment to care.
The girl with bright scarlet cheeks, innocently bit her lip and after a few seconds gathered her courage, "Umm would you…would you promise to never leave me!", the girl said panting heavily as if that sole statement had ensnared her whole energy.
The young man smiling warmly took a sakura flower from the ground and pressed it lightly behind her ears.
Onryō remembered a scene like this from his days in the village, the young girl that was waiting under a sakura tree until dusk, until the Moon in its slender waxing crescent made its grand entrance; she looked at the fading turquoise sky as if she was wishing for something to appear.
"Rin!"
"Onryō", her voice was distant, to break the ice I said, "It's late now Rin let's go back to the village, it's not good to be alone in here at night". I extended my hand for her to stand up but instead she stayed looking at the glistering night.
"He didn't came to visit me this week either", I knew the reason why she would sometimes wait here and even though I didn't approve I always supported her and waited with her because I wanted to see her smile.
"Rin maybe something happened but perhaps next week he will come to visit", saying this didn't seem to help my cause so surrendering I sat next to her. The sakura flowers were already adorning the ground like pink snow and I knew that Rin loved flowers this was my chance.
"Rin", this time she looked at me and to her surprise I had placed a sakura flower behind her ear, "Let's go back it won't do good if you get sick".
Once in Kaede's hut I left Rin and was in direction towards my hut when I was stopped by Fushoujiki, "Onryō where did you find Rin?", his voice was drowned in jealousy I was the only one at that time who knew about Rin's meeting spot, I felt it was my duty to protect her while that demon arrived.
"Onryō let's go the jewel was not here", Fushoujiki arrived running frantically from the village.
"What happened to the miko?"
"She's still alive, she was really hard there were so many soldiers protecting her but when I managed to get passed her to the shrine where they kept the jewel it was not the one we are looking for".
"I told you that she was not going to be like Kaede but now we are left without clues for that jewel, he is not going to like this".
~~HNH~~
"Kagome I have looked everywhere and can't find her",Inuyasha told Kagome in a frustrated voice but although he was acting mad at Kagome for asking about Rin he was also very worried, "It's like she vanished into thin air I could trace her scent into the forest after that there is no trace".
Sango along with Kirara, Miroku,Shiawase and Kohaku came running towards Kagome and Inuyasha, "We searched in villages nearby but there was no trace". Kohaku seemed to be really afflicted by not being able to find Rin, "Guys remember what happened the day of the accident I'm afraid that she was found."
"Look I am thinking of those possibilities but right now I'm more afraid of Sesshomaru finding out, he's going to kill me this time!"
"Finding out about what Inuyasha?", Sesshomaru came into view strolling from the forest, his expression was that of indifference but Inuyasha knew better of what was under that mask.
"HA HA HA HA Sesshomaru is here! Kagome why don't you explain what exactly happened", Inuyasha pressed his trembling hand patting lightly Kagome's shoulder encouraging her to explain, "Ehh Well where to start? He he he", Sesshomaru was already getting impatient with the group; he already knew that Rin was not with them since her scent was not in the area.
"Where is Rin?", Sesshomaru spat venomously.
"Rin disappeared last night, Inuyasha tried to track her scent but it is as if she simply vanished", answered Kagome cautiously.
Inuyasha breathing deeply decided to complement his mate's answer, "There is also another thing…", Sesshomaru switched his gaze to his half-brother, "Sesshomaru there is something we didn't tell you", Sesshomaru nodded, "That day in the village when we were going back to the village there were various demons along the day and it seemed that their goal was us, they kept
attacking us one after the other that is why we arrived late that day to the village".
Kohaku added seriously, "There is also a few days ago I was given a quest to hunt a group of Yōkai that were causing trouble in the South, when I was about to trap them I overheard them talking about a mission in a village in the West, that they had to distract a Hanyō from arriving on time. I fought with them and made them tell me about this mission but they only told me that many demons had been paid to distract a Hanyō".
"Last night following Rin's scent I found a dead man on the ground it seemed he had been attacked, the body had Rin's scent and after that I traced her scent to the forest where it vanished completely", said Inuyasha with worry.
"Inuyasha you have failed me again", Sesshomaru turned his back and went towards Ah-Un near Sango's hut and made his leave without another word. This action from the cold demon lord left the group bewildered and Shiawase taking grasp of this chance left to keep her search on Rin.
~~HNH~~
3 Days Later
The ground was blurred, her heart raced with the surge of adrenaline, the steady thump of her footsteps echoed loudly in her ears along with the heavy stomps from the demon running behind her. She needed to desperately reach her village, the villagers could defend her but she was out of breath and her senses were becoming dull due to the whirling sensations caused by lack of air. The demon was reaching closer and her hope for survival diminishing, the ground was starting to look appealing and in a matter of seconds she fell flat on it.
The loud stomps had halted and she could feel the harsh breath of the demon behind her, moving slowly to face her demise she saw that the eyes of her killer were not focused on her but up ahead. The demon was slowly retreating when in front of the demon a silver figure materialized and with a bright silvery long sword sliced the demon in one swipe.
The young woman was amazed by that figure that had appeared and saved her life and to her surprise when the bright weapon disappeared she noticed that it was a young woman with long dark brown hair. The young woman looked at the woman on the ground and suddenly appeared in front of her, "Hey are you ok?"
The strange woman was extending her hand to help her up, "Umm Thank You", answered the woman not sure if she could trust the woman that had saved her, "Who are you?"
"Oh my name is Rin!", answered the strange woman quite cheerfully.
"Rin…thank you for saving me…"
"No problem it just made me mad when I saw that demon about to attack you I know what it feels like, well I will be on my way now".
The young woman was already on her move, "WAAAIT!, where are you going? Is it far? you can stay the night in my village if you want to after saving me is the least I can do".
Rin looked back happily "I am looking for a certain village deep between the highest mountains in the South-West, it is said that the village is home to both humans and Hanyō and that they live in harmony, do you know how to reach there? I am not really from around here."
The young woman smiled back warmly "I can guide you there if you like, it is my village."
Rin was very glad to have been so near the village, she had heard about it from Kaede that it was a village where half demons and humans helped each other and that it was very departed in the mountains, this village was her perfect hiding for now until she managed to control her newfound power since she was pretty sure that Sesshomaru didn't have a clue about its existence.
Once in the village the villagers came running towards the young woman, "Nozomi we are so glad you are back we were so worried!"
"Thanks but you have to thank Rin who saved my life"
As soon as Nozomi said those word all eyes were switched to Rin in utter puzzlement and then one half demon said, "There is something strange about you" but the half demon was cut out by Nozomi who enthusiastically blurted , "She is very powerful! She defeated that demon in one swipe with a strange bright light!"
"Whoa I knew that there was something different with you, I can sense great power from you but I can't notice your scent!"
"There it is now they will not accept me!", thought Rin when suddenly one of the villagers , "Say girl if you defeated a demon by yourself then you must be strong, why don't you join our cause and in exchange we will also help you!", Rin didn't know what to say about this, she didn't consider herself to be strong and that so called great power she barely knew how to use it it was not until yesterday that she had finally managed to heal her wounds and summon her weapon but still she had to give it a try.
"Help you?, how can I help?"
"Recently many of the villagers and Hanyō were savagely slaughtered by many demons that threatened to overpower us, we managed to defeat them but the prize was too much we lost so many lives. One of the demons we captured told us that the attack was from orders of Lord Akihito who is building an army to take the lands, many of us are demon hunters and strong fighters we are recruiting to fight against those demons"
Rin didn't know how she had managed to kill that demon so easily but this was her chance to prove become stronger and if they are willing to help her in her mission she will also join their cause, "Very well, I will join your cause but in exchange I want help with my mission I am looking for a jewel called Namida No Ai, do you guys know anything about it?"
The villagers looked at each other puzzled, "Isn't that the name of the Jewel in the shrine of the Sacred Village?"
"Yes, we can go there! I am sure that we will find something there."
~~HNH~~
1 Day Later
Down the Mountain in the South West
The night was silent and the crowd along with their horses needed to rest from their exhausting quest in the forest, Rin decided to get some water in a lake a few minutes away from the camp. In the lake the water was incandescent, reflecting the various lights of the night, it was truly a sight to behold. Rin looked at her reflection in the water but something caught her attention. Up in the peak of the mountain there was a figure with silver hair that was shining with the brightness of the Moon, he was sitting staring at the moon and seemed to be lost in thought.
"Sesshomaru?...",Rin was so distracted with what she was seeing that lost her balance and fell in the water, her hands moved furiously until she reached the ground. When Rin reached the ground and looked up again the figure was not there anymore, "HUH! Where did he go?", said Rin out loud. She heard a soft laugh from behind her and when she looked back there he was, "If you were trying to spy on me you didn't do a good job" said the silver hair man.
The man took a black cloak that was tied down his waist and held it gently towards Rin, "Here the water is freezing warm yourself up", Rin timidly took the cloak.
"Thank You", Rin said softly and stared at the ground, she was so embarrassed that the mysterious man saw her spying on him.
The man, noticing the reaction, from the shivering girl tried to establish a conversation, "So what are you doing here all alone?"
"Oh! I'm not alone my group is nearby"
Rin was shaking from the cold and holding the cloak to her chest, then, she noticed that the man was not in front of her anymore, "He disappeared…"
"You should sit down", the voice came from behind her and when she turned there he was sitting in a boulder near the lake, "I didn't see you when you moved"
The man simply smiled warmly and signaled Rin to sit beside him, "I'm sorry for startling you."
When Rin sat on the ground beside him she noticed that he was staring thoughtfully at the lake, it reminded Rin of Sesshomaru and it brought her happy memories but then she remembered her new situation with the stoic demon and she sighted.
The man was lost in thought when he heard the sigh he switched his gaze to the girl , "Are you alright?"
"Yeah, I was just remembering some sad things", Rin suddenly gasped and pressed her hands to her mouth, "I can't believe that I just said that to a complete stranger".
That reaction was very amusing for the silver haired man and all of a sudden he started to laugh, "Oh I'm sorry! It's just your expression was so funny."
Rin started to laugh too she felt comfortable around this strange man it was his attitude, he
seemed quite young but there was something familiar about him , "His eyes… they remind me of Persephone".
Rin stopped laughing and switched her gaze to the lake, "You are not human are you?"
Rin was surprised that the silver man did not seem displeased at her question but instead offered her a warm smile, "You are not human either."
Rin looked at him puzzled, "When I handed you the cloak I felt it, there is a great power within you something that a human could not hold."
The man said with a serious demeanor then, "They say that those closer in distance to power are also the nearest to commit injustice, I hope this cause of yours doesn't become your downfall."
Rin couldn't speak only utter shock lingered in her mind but then the man abruptly got up and was about to leave, "Wait!, your cloak"
The man turned back cheerfully and smiled, "You keep it, it's cold"
"Before you go can you tell me your name?"
The man then smiled playfully, "Ok, but you have to tell me yours first"
"It's Rin"
"Amatsu", he turned and disappeared leaving a bewildered Rin behind.