Disclaimer:
I DON'T OWN THE SERIES, OKAY? Geesh...
Chapter 3
Damn his pride. Even as he scooped up the fragile being in his arms and wrapped her in his Heko-Obi, even as the raging fever that permeated her still body seeped past his kimono, even as her eyes refused to open at his beckon, he still did not blame himself.
His pride would inevitably be his undoing.
Sesshomaru had found her slumped over in a hollowed out tree, submerged in mud. It coated her now, a thick grime that had dried into clay and scattered across her body in cracked patterns.
His Rin, his little clay doll, was broken. And he was to blame.
Wheezing breaths tore from her, chills shook her to the core, and the fever raged on and on. The Great tai-youkai bolted through the night, demanding that his body go faster. Rin only continued to cough, violent spasms hitting her in succession. One, two, three, four..
Stillness.
Sesshomaru's body tensed, maddened by her sudden lack of movement.
"Rin," he said quietly, barely audible over the wind ripping around them. No response. "Rin," more firmly did his silken voice say, a tear in the always flawless fabric of self-control.
Rin lay there like a withered sunflower. Eyes usually open and bright were now like a house shrouded in black out curtains, veiled by pale lids. Her mouth was agape, breathing strained like one in labor. Never had she been so sick.
The demon cleared the cliff in one leap, a flash of anger crackling on the inside. Why should he give a damn? Why should he, Lord Sesshomaru, cast any care upon this cretin, this vagabond, this outcast of society? She was only a human, one who would have undoubtedly come to despise demons, had he not saved her. Golden eyes glanced downward, almost as if to toss some of their rage at the unknowing Rin.
The memory of smiling brown eyes sank into his vision like dew against the morning grass, dousing the fiery anger. No, he did not regret it. Not one bit. Almost instinctively he clutched her closer, feeling the fragility and the illness of her limp body.
Delirious mumbling came then, along with her smashing her fist straight into Sesshomaru's jaw. He did not flinch, only sped on, headed towards some place that could save Rin.
...
They were close to a village now. Already the smell of sweat and swine was in the air, a stench that had never been on his young ward, even before traveling with three demons. Sesshomaru slowed pace just enough to not appear threatening. Or at least to try and appear mildly friendly. The last thing he needed was to kill the pathetic bastards for touching him. Clutching the now silent girl, the wary demon walked into the town limits, the shelter of the trees fading behind.
The village filth was at the ready, weapons that would have been like toothpicks against stone poised for action. He saw them long before they saw him. A little militia out to defend their town, gutsy enough to protect all they loved. A futile attempt had Sesshomaru been here on other terms.
A cry of alarm and they were all staring his way, picks and arrows held in front of them.
Pathetic.
The Great Dog Demon only continued walking, Rin whimpering now. Had her fever worsened? Time was not generous in allowing him to ponder this.
Heading the militia was an old man, eyes wary and calculating. He too had a weapon, a spear, but unlike the others it was aimed at the damp earth. After murmuring some soft words to the villagers, he called out, cutting the still with the knife of his wizened voice.
"What is your business here demon?"
Sesshomaru had no time for an interrogation. Still marching forward, he ignored the arrows that pinged harmlessly off his skin, easily maneuvered Rin out of harms path. He heard the elder cry for them to stop, saw them slightly lower their weapons. Still walking, Sesshomaru stopped a few feet in front of the terrified leader, ignoring the axes and arrows poised at his flesh. Shoving down the urge to rip them all in half, he ordered them quietly,"Take care of her."
He would not beg. He would not ask. He would demand and then kill them if they did not comply.
Still stunned, the old man looked down at the sick child stirring in the demon's arms. Then he looked back to Sesshomaru, look saying that he must be hallucinating. Rin began to whimper more, calling out nonsense in her fevered state. Just like that the leader's expression switched from shocked to determined.
"Very well then. I will help you, only if you agree not to hurt the villagers." The old man's voice was steady and had Sesshomaru cared for humans he might have liked this one. Steady brown eyes bored into the tai-youkai's like a drill, calm and unafraid.
Sesshomaru nodded curtly, anxiety building in him like a water behind a dam, something that he would never admit to. After a pause the man nodded, and after ordering the villagers to stand down, turned and limped away, Sesshomaru close behind.
...
Rin gazed in wonderment at the woman before her, unable to utter a sound. The woman was tall, with rounded hips and a narrow waist, made more so by the trim kimono she wore. Moonlight splashed against the jet black hair that caressed her shoulders, bangs highlighting her high cheekbones. Skin like pale gold and her gentle smile filled up the whole forest with its inexplicable light.
She was beautiful.
What stood out most from all these magnificent features, however, were her eyes.
They were Rin's eyes. The color of melted chocolate, so expressive that no secrets could hide in them.
"Mama?" Rin whispered tremulously.
The moment sound escaped her lips, the mirage disappeared. Just vanished like smoke in the night. Rin tried to cry out for her lost mother, but found herself choking, gasping for air. Why couldn't she breathe? She hit the soft earth, clawing at her throat.
A sudden swoosh and those men from the village were there, singing a death song. "You'll die little Rin. You'll die soon.."
"Stop," she choked out, making them too leave in a whiff of ephemeral smoke. Rin then ran her nails across her throat, trying to tear holes so oxygen could reach them. Whatever she could do to make the fire in her lungs go away.
Then the wolf was were her mother had been, speaking in Lord Sesshomaru's voice. "Stop it Rin."
Even the disapproval and anger was there. Suffocation was killing her fear of the monster.
"Help.." she wheezed, tears filling her eyes, body collapsing completely to the ground.
This mirage didn't vanish, only stalked towards her, wicked teeth gleaming from the light of the moon.
"Sit still Rin. It'll all be over soon.." said the beast, before she ran out of oxygen and passed out.
...
Author's Note:
Yep, I had to put a creepy dream scene in there somewhere. :)
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Sincerely,
Angels and Immortals