I stared into the sky forming the words as Jaken waited anxiously. The silence was making the situation more and more tense.
"What I was afraid of….was…" Jaken had practically crawled to me, begging for the answer as I spoke. "Lord Sesshomaru." I said. Jaken jumped up and looked around.
"Where?" He asked, very confused.
"Jaken, you asked me what it was I feared. I was afraid, of Lord Sesshomaru."
"WHAT!" He exclaimed practically waking the planet, I have no idea how Rin, Ah, and Uhn slept through it. "How could you fear Lord Sesshomaru? I mean, he can be frightening but really girl, he is your betrothed! I have never seen Lord Sesshomaru treat anyone well as he treats you in all of the years I have traveled with him!"
"I do not fear Sesshomaru anymore, for he is not the same." I replied.
"Not the same?" Jaken asked.
"Many years ago, before you had even begun you journeys with Sesshomaru, he had been very caring, even kind. But, as you know, He wanted his father's swords, mainly the Tetsaiga, and when his father announced that he was to have another child, a half demon, Sesshomaru became angry. He was sure that the swords belonged to him and that rightly he had claim to them. So, on the night of Inuyasha's birth, he approached his father. The Inutaisho was badly wounded from his battle with Ryukotsusei, and he was about to leave to save Izayoi. He of course as you know did not give Sesshomaru any of the swords that night, but merely asked him one question."
"Which was?" Jaken asked completely sucked into the story now.
"He asked 'Do you have someone, to protect?'" I told him.
"What did Lord Sesshomaru tell him!" Jaken shouted. I decided to quote him exactly.
"'The answer is no, I Sesshomaru have no need of such.'" I told him.
"And then!"
"Then the Inutaisho left," Jaken was saddened by this, "Sesshomaru too left, angered by his father and insulted that he would ask Sesshomaru to protect someone over seeking power. When I found him again, he was fully transformed, wreaking havoc on the land. Angered with his father for not only did he refuse him the swords, he threw away his life protecting his half demon brother and its mother." I stopped for a moment, and sighed. "I followed him for countless days and nights, yet he would not even acknowledge me until he returned to his normal state. He wouldn't look at me for days, even then but still followed him. Then he stopped walking." Jaken looked at me in surprise. I recalled that day with utter perfection.
"'Sesshomaru?' He turned and looked at me, with coldness in his eyes. He bore his teeth at me. I took a step forward, understanding that he was grieving. 'Sesshomaru please, calm down.' I told him, but he did not listen. Then he finally spoke. 'You, mixed breed vermin, how anyone could ever care for something as disgraceful as you. Humans, half breeds, mixed breeds, you're all the same! Disgraceful vermin!'"
I stopped again trying to calm myself. Jaken looked as if he could have cried.
"Then, he transformed, and attacked me."
Jaken gasped, he could never have imagined Lord Sesshomaru to do something so cruel.
"I transformed in return to defend myself but only when I could no longer fight him without doing so. In the end, we were both badly bloodied. I didn't know what to do. So, I ran. I ran so far away without stopping even once, bloodied and practically crippled, I bore the pain. Then when I could run no longer, I sealed myself away."
I reached into my kimono. "Using this." I pulled out a beautiful sapphire jewel; it was hanging from a necklace. "Sesshomaru gave it to me, and it has unimaginable power, to grant any wish, but I dare not use it, other than that one time."
"I awoke only once. That single day I was awake, I met Inuyasha. He was only a child then. He needed my help, for he was being chased by many demons. In the morning I returned him to his mother, promising I would always protect him. The next time I was to awake, I woke to Naraku's hand choking me. He shoved a jewel shard into my neck and ordered me to kill Inuyasha. Inuyasha, not remembering me, still allowed me to live. I ripped out the jewel shard. Then I awoke in a bed, my wounds all bound. For Inuyasha and his friends had taken me with them to grantee I would live."
Jaken shuddered as I ended my story. He tried speaking many times but he couldn't make out any complete words. The story I had revealed to him was something he could never imagine.
"Shiori…" Was all he managed to say. I just stared at the sky, calming myself, hiding the pain.
"Jaken, you are the only one who knows. Not even Sesshomaru is to know where I have been. Promise me Jaken, unless given permission you are never to tell anyone of this." I told him.
"Yes me' lady." He confirmed. "There is one thing I must ask though."
"Anything Jaken, what is it you require to know?" I asked.
"How did you come back, and how can you bear to even be here."
"The only emotion as powerful to a human as fear, is love, Jaken. Through the hardship of it all, I still love Sesshomaru, and I will never not love Sesshomaru. For each day I can see, Sesshomaru is returning to the man I once knew. Although I know, he will never be the same, I will still remain by his side." I explained. Jaken smiled.
An hour or so later, Rin awoke. I took her out to fetch breakfast, then we ate and chatted. I spent the whole day with Rin, for Sesshomaru did not return until after she was asleep. I was leaning against the tree I had woken up on when I saw him. He sat down next to me silently.
"Where have you been all day?" I asked sarcastically, for I knew it was not my place to ask.
"Searching for Naraku." He replied.
"Would have been nice had you told me. I told Inuyasha I would return today." I explain.
"Humph, ridiculous." Sesshomaru replied.
"Do you wish me to stay this badly, Sesshomaru?" I asked. He did not answer. I lay on his pelt and watched the stars through the tree. "I'll stay for a few days. I don't think they'll mind." I told him. We just lay there staring at the stars until finally, I fell asleep.
When I woke this morning, Sesshomaru was still next to me, surprisingly. He was staring at the sky, deep in thought. During my sleep he had wrapped me in his pelt, so I was really warm and comfortable. When everyone was awake we headed off into the woods, Rin on Ah Uhn and Sesshomaru leading the way. After awhile of walking, Rin's stomach started to growl.
"Lord Sesshomaru, I'm starting to get really hungry. May I go and look for something to eat?" She asked.
"Quiet, a forest like this will have nothing for you to eat! You'll just have to wait." Jaken replied.
"Yes, but…" Rin interjected.
"I don't want to hear any buts out of you. Be quiet and…uhh" Jaken started.
"I'll be very quick!" Rin shouted already running off into the woods.
"Oh silly girl, you come back here right now Rin!" Jaken shouted after.
"Jaken," Sesshomaru commanded, "let her be." This upset Jaken but he did not refuse Sesshomaru's orders. I found it quite amusing. So we sat and waited for Rin's return, but not soon after we heard a deafening scream. Sesshomaru ran off in an instant and I quickly followed him, leaving Jaken and Ah Uhn in the dust. Sesshomaru reached her first slicing down the giant demon arm that had taken hold of her. I arrived as she safely landed in the bushes, Jaken right behind me.
"You are absolutely brilliant, Lord Sesshomaru!" Jaken shouted.
"You're so dashing Lord Sesshomaru!" Rin shouted soon after, but there was no time for compliments now. The arm suddenly changed into about a hundred Saimyosho.
"The Saimyosho, Naraku's poisonous insects!" Jaken shouted.
"Stand back out of the way." Sesshomaru told us, but I remained by his side. "That Naraku, he left behind some annoying vermin." Sesshomaru said. Before they could run off Sesshomaru called out to Jaken. "Jaken, there should be a hive located somewhere nearby."
"Yes, I'll go look for it!" Jaken shouted in reply as the Saimyosho reformed an arm and attacked Sesshomaru. He easily fended it off with his sword. Not even worthy of me getting involved. They were pathetic. Sesshomaru sliced through the arm again, but the bugs just returned to normal and flew off in Rin and Jaken's direction.
"Jaken…" Sesshomaru called.
"Damn they're headed straight for…" Before I could finish Sesshomaru had already headed off towards them. The bugs reached them first, but Jaken easily guarded Rin. More Saimyosho came from behind them, but they were close now. Sesshomaru readied his sword.
"Jaken." He called. Then he swung his blade destroying the hive, the tree, and almost all the insects.
"You saved me Lord Sesshomaru!" Jaken shouted.
"Thank you Lord Sesshomaru!" Rin also called, but then more Saimyosho appeared behind them stinging Jaken's arm.
"Jaken!" I shouted running towards him.
"Mater Jaken!" Rin cried unsure of what to do. The Saimyosho quickly flew away, their stingers already in Jaken.
"They should lead me to him." I heard Sesshomaru say as he bound off behind the bugs.
"Sesshomaru!" I shouted and followed after.
"Lord Sesshomaru!" I heard Rin call desperately, but he continued on. We followed the Saimyosho for awhile. We trailed them to an open field, were we found them dead, next to none other than Inuyasha and the others. Sesshomaru got there first angered by Inuyasha's impudence. As I reached them they were ready to fight. So foolish they are. I ran up beside Kagome, who was shocked at my sudden appearance but still watching the fight.
"Come on stop it both of you!" Kagome shouted.
"You're wasting your breath." Shippo commented.
"Not only are they both short tempered but they never listen to reason either." I told her.
"Those two are constantly at odds with each other." Miroku said.
"I'll second that." Sango agreed. Sesshomaru then struck down hard at Inuyasha, who was barely holding him off with the Tetsaiga. Still, Inuyasha managed to push him away, striking him quickly after only to hit Tokijin. Sesshomaru struck back hard, but Inuyasha blocked him with Tetsaiga. He was pushed away but not too far, so he quickly sprang back to swing at Sesshomaru again. Over and over again they attacked. It seemed utterly pointless. Then Inuyasha used the Windscar against Sesshomaru, who diverted it with his Dragon Strike. Sesshomaru then jumped toward Inuyasha and swung at the Tetsaiga sending it flying across the field and Inuyasha pummeling into the ground. Sesshomaru quickly landed and held the Tokijin to Inuyasha's throat.
"I win this time. Are you prepared to die, Inuyasha?" Sesshomaru asked.
"Humph, I don't care about my life. Kill me and get it over with!" Inuyasha shouted.
"Indeed." Sesshomaru agreed, but Kagome was a different story. She ran over to them and called out to Sesshomaru.
"Wait, do you wanna know where to find Naraku!" She called. "Then head for the Ox-Tiger! Someone sensed Naraku's presence heading that way!"
"Kagome, shut up!" Inuyasha shouted.
"In the direction of the Ox-Tiger? That's all I need to know thank you." He replied. "You were fortunate this time, Inuyasha."
"Wait, Sesshomaru! Why are you after Naraku?" Inuyasha asked.
"I have a score to settle. Shiori, let's go." He said. Everyone looked at me.
"Uhm…" I looked at the ground and thought for a moment.
"What? Why the hell would she go with you!" Inuyasha shouted after his brother. Sesshomaru stopped and turned to him bearing that cold look of his.
"Inuyasha," I called, "I will return to all of you in a few days." Inuyasha looked as if he couldn't believe his ears. I ran over to Sesshomaru, and looked back to Inuyasha, who was still lying on the ground. He sat there as cold as ice staring as I walked away, they all did. I was going to have a long conversation about this in five days, great.
I didn't look back as we walked off, and suddenly I realized that I could smell Rin and Ah Uhn nearby. I figured Sesshomaru could too because he took off running. We headed off into the cliffs nearby and soon we heard a loud scream and a cry.
"Lord Sesshomaru!" Rin's voice called on the wind. Suddenly Sesshomaru was gone, he had moved so fast I couldn't even keep up. When I did reach him he was standing on a cliff with Rin in his arms, unconscious. Even knocked out, she held on tightly to a strange plant with berries. We wasted no time; Sesshomaru ran off with Rin to find Jaken, as I found Ah Uhn and soon after followed. As we reached Jaken, Sesshomaru laid Rin down on Ah Uhn, and took the plant to Jaken. I sat back and watched as Jaken swallowed it whole with tears in his eyes. I smiled as I listened to Rin next to me.
"Master Jaken, don't die on me." She said as she slept.
We all headed off towards a nice clearing where Sesshomaru put Rin down in the grass to sleep. She awoke several hours later amazed that Jaken was alive, yet unsure as if she had died or not.
"You silly fool, Lord Sesshomaru brought you back here, you didn't die." Jaken told her.
"Do you mean he saved me?" Rin asked joyfully.
"That's right, and you'd better stop causing him so much trouble young lady!" Jaken replied.
"I know. I'm sorry." Rin replied shamefully. It saddened me to hear this; she only wanted to save Jaken after all. Then Rin hugged him, tears filling her eyes as she did so. "Master Jaken, I'm so glad you're well again. I was so worried about you!"
"Stop Rin! Get away, shoo!" Jaken shouted. I smiled and giggled as I listened. Sesshomaru and I were standing together close by.
"I won't!" She cried. I looked to Sesshomaru, who was staring at the sky. I wonder what he was thinking about.
"Lord Sesshomaru!" Rin and Jaken cried.
"We're going." Sesshomaru told us as he started to walk.
"We're all together again my Lord! Isn't it wonderful!" Jaken shouted giggling as we all followed him.
"Yes, it is." I whispered under my breath, smiling.