IMPORTANT: The main scene in this chapter is to forshadow a story I have already planned to write, and will be posted in the future. I know it seems like a random spot to put it, but its just the way the chapter ended up. The whole meaning of this story however is still circled around Sesshomaru and Rin, I just wanted to add a little something so show of the plans I have for Sesshomaru's next adventure. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own no Inuyasha characters
In a distant area, far off from any village, a fiercy battle raged between the ocean's great dragon beast, and the great Lord of the West. Sesshomaru had heard that the ocean's waters had been acting up lately, and made it his duty to inspect things himself. His travels led him to a smaller island beyond the main land, in order to come face to face with his next opponent.
He wouldn't consider the beast easy, nor would he dare see him as anything difficult. The great water dragon had been to these areas before, and Sesshomaru remembered hearing of his father once battling a monsterous creature from the sea.
Although, as Sesshomaru figured, the beast must have escaped then, if it was back now. It's speed was definintly an issue, especially under water, but Sesshomaru would not make the same mistake his father made. It would end here and now, he thought, as he reached for his bakuseiga.
He wasn't one to rely on his sword all the time, not when his claws and poison would be enough. The only time bakuseiga was drawn was when he was out numbered, so it was a bit frusterating that he had to use his great power against this one opponent. Although, he refused to have this monster escpae his grasp. There was no need to have another insignificant battle with this creature in the future, if it can easily be avoided now.
With one swing of his sword, a raging wave of detructive energy shot out. The beast's body was disinigrated in bakuseiga's blast, along with half of the island. Sesshomaru closed his eyes and sheathed his sword, overall satisfied that he would not have to do battle with the annoying creature again.
"Magnificent victory Master Sesshomaru, that dragon never stood a chance," Jaken said, as he left his hidding spot from behind a huge boulder. "There has not been a battle lost yet Sire, I say onward to your next victim".
Sesshomaru simply ignored the imp, and turned to end up walking all over poor Jaken. He should of learned by now to never stand in Sesshomaru's way, or he would literally get the boot.
"Not a battle lost yet," Sesshomaru thought. What, did the toad honestly believe that there will come a time when he would lose a battle. Ridiculous, he would put not even one demon in his catrgory of threat.
The closest one was perhaps Inuyasha, though without the tetseiga he was worthless. If the brothers battled on claws and power alone, Sesshomaru was more then positive he would have the half breed pushing up daisys in no time. Whether or not Inuyasha transformed made no difference, a half breed was a half breed.
Just as it was with Naraku, he could try to become as powerful as he wanted. Yet no matter what, Sesshomaru saw him as nothing more then a worthless being made up of rejected demons. He considered Naraku to be even more lower than any half demon.
He lost track on how long it's been since Naraku's death, and didn't even care anymore. It was a thing of the past now.
Yet it had been edleast 7 months or so since he left Rin in the priestesses care, and that was something he couldn't exactly get himself to forget about.
In the beggining she was like a disease spreading throughout his mind. Almost everything seemed to remind him of her. The river, the birds, especially the flowers of course. Even the sun reminded him so much of her, it was warm just as he remembered her to be.
For the first few weeks he didn't travel far from the village, he even had to speak with Inuyasha to keep quiet on his presence. He never got to close to the village to actually see Rin, but even at his far distance he could still catch her scent, which meant that she was edleast alive.
As the weeks went by though, he found that Rin's scent gradually began to change. Of course it would, he thought. The girl went from sleeping in the forest and picking flowers, to sleeping in a man made hut and picking herbs, her scent did change some. Though it was not unrecognizable, it still held the scent that was uniqually Rin.
Part of him detest the idea of her running away to find him, and yet apart of him actually wanted it to happen. Overall he knew it was best that it did not happen, even with Inuyasha there she could still get into danger.
He explained once to Inuyasha how his reason for being so close to the village was merily to scout the area for any suspicious looking demons. Though perhaps instead, it was just to make sure Rin would not do anything so foolish as to run away, or perhaps could it of been that having her scent so close was in a way comforting . Of course if anyone was to ever question him, it was always the first explanation he would of given.
"Oh wait for me Lord Sesshomaru," Jaken cried out when Sesshomaru took flight, heading away from the destroyed island and back to the main land. Sesshomaru swore if he hadn't of been for that loud screeching torturing his sensitive ears, he would never of slowed down some to allow Jaken to hitch a ride on his fur.
Rin hardly ever screamed, only when she was in danger. Her cries were nothing compared to his vassel's though, for when she screamed he automatically rushed to her. When Jaken screamed he was either ignored or beaten sencelessly.
Sesshomaru was not really one to lie, only when the truth hurt his pride would he find a different reasoning behind his actions. Though despite his pride, he would not lie in saying that he did think of the girl often, even after so many months have passed.
After a certain amount of time Sesshomaru picked up the scent of Kohaku in the village. The boy was hardly ever of any concern to him, but yet something always led him to look after the young slayer as well. Could it of been that if anything happened to Koahku, Rin would of thought less of him for not trying to save her friend. He tried not to think of it that way, no emotions that a human would have torward him, should ever affect him in such a way.
After Kohaku's scent came into the picture, that was when Sesshomaru made the desicion that it was time to take his leave for good. The boy would definintly be better help to Rin then he could, Sesshomaru thought. Also to make matters even better, Sesshomaru could start to pick up on the scent of woman's blood. He could also hear the slayer woman's voice, and if he could hear it at his distance then she must of been in pain.
Sesshomaru didn't have to think to know what was going on, looks like two more scents would be added to the village very soon. He knew the smell of blood would only get worse it he stayed there. Even his face would scrunch up just a tad if he contined being so close to the village, he had to go.
Inuyasha, Kohaku, the monk, the slayer, the priestess, he thought. She would be safe there, for the sake of all their lifes she better be safe. That was the last time he found himself anywhere near the village.
Sesshomaru found his feet touching the main land once again, and he heard Jaken land face first into the sand that surrounded them. "Good to know we will soon be away from this accursed sea water, where to next Master," Jaken asked, after having his own fierce battle with the claws of a hermit crab that was trying to pinch the life out of him.
"Hmm," was the response he got, which was typical of his master to do. Sesshomaru started walking along the shores of the beach, the sea water was actually a pleasent smell, edleast to him it was. He honestly didn't know where their journey would lead to next, something was bound to come up sooner or later though. It's how it always was.
Suddenly the ocean water started to stir again, the waves became more frantic. Sesshomaru could sence the danger, and prepared himself for what was to come. What he saw didn't surprise him in the least, it was yet again another water dragon. It was much smaller then the previous one, and it's demotic power was nothing compared to the previous one either.
Sesshomaru leaped into the air, prepared to let his poisonous claws do the work this time. Although, all of a sudden the beast began to change frorm. A whirl wind of demontic power swirled around it, and Sesshomaru recognized the action. It is the same as when he switched forms.
Just as he suspected, a human like form of the beast appeared. Though it was no wonder the dragon's power seemed so weak, for the demon was very old. Not just old, but badly wounded too by the looks of it.
Sesshomaru had a feeling that the old dried up demon would not last too much longer in this world. So, he retracted his poison claws, and simply stared at the old man as he began walking slowely to shore.
"I... can not thank you enough young man," he managed to speak out, bits of blood coming from his mouth. Sesshomaru gave him a puzzled look, what was there to thank him for.
"Explain youself," Sesshomaru said. The old demon only walked only a few steps until pain shot through his whole body, and he collapsed a few feet from Sesshomaru. Jaken quickly made his way to the fallen demon. "My Lord has asked you a question, now answer at once."
"Be silent, Jaken," Sesshomaru said as he made his way to dying creature, and stood beside him. This old demon had not much longer to live, the last thing he needed was to be yelled at.
Much to Sesshomaru's surprise, the old demon began to speak. His eyes were still closed, but he was consious. "Young man, I witnessed your victory over that dragon earlier," he said calmy, his eyes still closed. Sesshomaru listened closely, of course he wasn't able to catch the scent of the old demon before. With all the sea water, he couldn't smell anything but salt.
"I must thank you again, you see that dragon used to be apart of my people, but...with power needing to be such an nessesity for some, he betrayed us and slaughtered over half of his own kind to gain the clan's power". The demon paused to cough up more blood. Sesshomaru was listening, but didn't care to much of what the old demon had to say. He wasn't sure why he hadn't left his side yet. Curiousity perheps, but the last time he was curious over something left him one companion short.
"His speed," was all Sesshomaru said, and the old man chuckled at the younger demon's wise observation. "Yes, killing his own people just to obtain the power of speed...a coward he was for not relying on his own strength, although...I see even then he was no match for you". The old demon said, then began coughing up more blood. "You are very strong indeed young one".
"I made it my duty as the elder of the clan to go after the traitor, I would of died either way so I decided to try and go honarably". "As you can see my battle with him was not a good one for me,...but now I am able to rest in peace knowing you were able to defeat such a formidable foe".
"I would like to think my fallen people have been avenged, all thanks to you," the old demon finally opened his eyes, and looked to Sesshomaru. He suddenly let out a gasp, and Sesshomaru gave him another puzzled look.
"That...that mark...," he said, than sniffed some through his nose. "That scent...tell me young man...what kind of demon are you"?
"What kind of question is that you old fool, Lord Sesshomaru here happens to be a great dog demon," Jaken spat out. The old man's surprised look never left his face. "Dog (cough cough) dog demon...no..no that can't be your kind was wiped out long ago," he said. The old demon's breathing became ragged and soon he was struggling to breath.
This time Sesshomaru's face held it's own version of shock. "What do you mean by my kind wiped out," he said in a rather harsher tone then he meant. Though the old man did not answer his question, he simply stared at Sesshomaru as if he were staring at the gates of heaven itself.
"That mark...that scent...even your name," he said ragidly. "Sessh...o...maru...you...look just like him (cough) it's that moon...it's all (cough) just as he was...your him," he managed to speak out, but it was all to much to handle. Sesshomaru just stood there as the last breath of the old demon was let out.
Now the demon Prince wanted answers more than ever, did he reminded the old demon of someone? He couldn't figure out who exactly, Sesshomaru did carry some resemblesences of his father. He was his son, of course he would look a little like him. Though apparently that old demon never met his mother, for most of Sesshomaru's looks came from her, especially his moon shape birthmark.
Just as the demon died, Sesshomaru drew out tenseiga, he would have his answers soon enough, he thought.
"Look out Mi Lord," Jaken cried, as a giant tidal wave came crashing down to them. He dodged the massive wave, and Jaken jumped on his fur. By the time the wave subcided the old demon's body was no where to be found.
"The old demon is gone, my Lord did you know him," Jaken asked as they landed. Sesshomaru didn't bother to go look for the body, for there was no way he could pick up on it's dead scent with all the water. The old demon didn't even give his name. Needless to say the demon Lord was rather confused at the moment.
"No," he answered Jaken, as he left in the direction of the forest. If that old demon couldn't give him answers, he think he might know someone who can. She was the last persoon he really wanted to see though. He took flight into the air, heading to an all to familiar castle.
"Why Sesshomaru, I didn't know you cared to see your mother that much," the great Lady stated, as she looked to her son standing on the castle grounds in front of her.
"Tell me, what favor do you need to ask of me this time," she asked, loving to tease her son so.
"What information do you have on a clan of dog demons," he said, getting straight to the point, and not letting her usual teasings get to him.
Her face became serious at that instant. "Where did you hear of such a thing," she asked.
"That is beside the point, is there such a clan, or not," he answered, just wanting to get this annoying curiousity out of his head already.
She turned her head to the sky for a moment, a habit he found himself to even do when there was a serious question at hand. "There is no such clan," she simply answered, yet Sesshomaru found it rather hard to believe it was as simple as that.
"How do you know of this," he asked, thinking she might be hiding something, which she tended to do almost all the time.
"It only makes sence," she answered back. "Your fatherlost his family at a young age, and I was removed from mine at a young age to learn to become a proper Lady of this castle". "With your father's passing, you and I are the only full fledged dog demons that I know of, well besides that half demon".
She looked from the sky to her son's eyes, the eyes that resembled more of his father's than hers. "If such a clan were to exist, I certainly do not know anything about it, not to many dog demons are seen around these parts". "Sesshomaru, even you should know this...whoever told you such a ridiculous thing must of been losing their mind".
Sesshomaru considered her statement for a second. The old demon was old, far to old to be thinking clearly. Also, he thought, he was badly wounded. Who was to say that one of those injurys wouldn't be to the head, it would certainly cause the old dragon to say some ridiculous things.
"Hmm," he said as he turned from his mother, and started walking back down the stairway. "That is all I need to know". He decided to leave it at that, as far as he was now concerned he never even spoke with the old demon.
"Where is that little human girl," she asked suddenly. Sesshomaru felt like a huge weight had just been added to his body. That's why, he thought, that's why he didn't want to confront the woman. He should of know she was bound to ask of Rin's absence, but he owed her no explanation what so ever.
"I see, so she died again did she," she said, and Sesshomaru could feel his anger begin to slip. "I figured you would learn your lesson the first time just as you always have," every word from her mouth was said without any emotion at all.
"Actually my Lady," Jaken said, stepping in for her knew his Lord's anger was building up. "Lord Sesshomaru made the wise desicion of leaving Rin in the care of humans so that she may be safe". Jaken hoped his answer would satisfie the Great Lady, and keep him from recieving any thrashes to his head from his Great Lord.
"Hmm," she answered. Like mother like son indeed, thought Jaken. Finally she spoke, "So I went through all that trouble to save the girl after you make such a fuss, and in the end you end up throwing her away". Jaken's eyes went wide at her comment, oh his Lord was angry now.
"Silence," Sesshomaru said, he cared not if it was disrespectful, he ruled these lands not her.
"Come now Sesshomaru, it is just like your childhood toys you would throw away after you found them a bother to keep," she said, not caring is her own son was looking down on her.
"Thats not it my Lady, for you see Lord Sesshomaru did not leave the area near the village for a while," Jaken said, butting in.
"It was only just a few months ago now that he left, and since then we have not been anywhere near the girl".
She looked to her son's back, then to the imp. "Sesshomaru, is what this little demon here saying considered true"? Jaken couldn't believe that she still refered to him as "little demon". She really did not intend to rememebr his name after all.
His silence was her answer, and of course she knew what it indicated. "Well you made such a fuss over her, I hope you are edleast able to see her". Again he gave no response, and again she could pick up on his silent answer. "I see, well what do you intend to do to see to it the girl doesn't conclude that you abandoned her".
Jaken couldn't believe it, she was reading his Lord like a scroll. Even after centuries of servitude, he still could not pick up on his master's silent treatment. Yet here was Sesshomaru's mother reading every silent sound her son gave as if all her answers were written on the back of his head.
Her actions even surprised Sesshomaru some, how did she know that one of his most thought topis were of Rinthinking that perhaps he had abandoned her. Then again, he thought, how did she know that he was indeed sad the day Rin died at the castle. She knew his every thought without him even having to speak it. Something not only she, but even Rin learned to pick up on.
"You know," she started out. "When your father was gone for year long trips, he would often send me unique gifts that he would recieve from his travels," she said, thinking of her late Lord. "It was just one of the little charming things that he did, and in return I would wear or present the git when he retuned to the castle for whatever reason," she said, memories of her and her son's father coming back to memory.
There was no love, she knew that. It was just an arrangment that was made for them at an early age of their lives, she was mearly there to produce a strong heir. A strong heir that would be groomed from birth to one day take his place as the ruler of his father's lands.
She did give birth of course, both their pure dog demon blood created a beautiful son, much to her Lords satisfaction. Although, despite him seeing her simply as the mother of his heir, there were times that he had charm.
She always thought demons couldn't love until the news came of her Lords human lover. She was not devastated, simply shocked, and she harbored no ill will torward the mortal which was more then she could say for her son.
What happened simply happened, and since there was no love there was no hurt, but of course the Great Lady would never forget her Great Lord.
Besides, her greatest treasure, wheather he liked it or not, was standing only a few feet from her. The proof of her her and her Lord's bondage, giving her the silent treatment just as he had done when he was a young child.
"Im sure if you did the same, it will leave the girl happy, and you satisified," she said calmy. Sesshomaru thought about it for a while.
A kimono. he thought. It certainly wasn't a bad idea, even he noticed that before she left, Rin's kimono was getting shorter and shorter each day.
He thought that it has been perhaps over a year now since Naraku's defeat, and in that years time of course she would need a new one. Her current one must be to her knees or so by now. He did consider of what the priestess had to say about his actions, but she only said it was best for him to not see her.
The old woman never mentioned anything about a gift. Sesshomaru found his lips forming a small smirk, he found a way around the woman's deal. A way that did not go aginst anything she said, and that would keep Rin from thinking she might of been simply "thrown away".
A part of him almost thought it was a bad idea. Usually mothers would be the ones to get children their new wardrobe, the only other time was through the process of courting. Usually when a young man decides to court a young woman, he would offer her fine gifts such as kimonos, and other goods.
Sesshomaru could feel the heat rush to his cheeks, and he looked down. He had never courted anyone, nor did he have plans to now. He just simply...he just...he thought. He couldn't believe he was studdering even in his own mind, this was not Lord like.
He simply just refused to see Rin in any peasant rags, he had a good feeling the priestess cold not afford the richest of silk, or the finest of sewing done to make Rin a proper kimono. There was no way, he thought, that he would see Rin wear the dark dull colors that some peasant village girl would wear. There was no way he would ever see her in a dirty dark kimono, much like the one he saw her wear during there first meeting.
No, he thought, Rin would wear kimonos that reflected her personality. Bright and colorful was what she was going to wear from then on. He would need to find a proper shop though, to find the finest silk. Then find a good seamstress, or maybe simply find a kimono that was already made and done. Either way, he thought, he was gonna need money.
"A gift huh," he said, as he tuned around and walked past his mother to head inside the castle.
'Where do you think your going, money doesn't grow on trees you know," she said teasingly, if there was something they always had access to, it was money.
"Neither do kimonos," he replied, and she gave him a sharp glare back.
"Such arrogance, jut like his father," she thought as she looked up to the sky again.
Just like his father.
AN: hope you enjoyed this chapter, and I do not own any characters my ideas are simply that, ideas.