Disclaimer: Sesshomaru, Rin, Jaken, and all of the other Inuyasha characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi. I do not own them, just this story I created for them.
A/N: Some Sesshomaru action and memories in this one!
While reading a book the other day, I realized the quotation marks surrounding italicized thoughts are unnecessary. So, goodbye to that.
ALSO, I love reviews and would like some feedback.
Thanks SO much to my very first reviewers: icegirljenni, BlueGem22, and InfinitexFantasy!
Dancing In My Heart
Chapter 3: The White Dog
With AhUn's reins in one hand, Staff of Heads in the other, Jaken quickly waddled after Sesshomaru. They had been wandering aimlessly for several days. Sesshomaru would not respond to any of Jaken's questions. He always seemed to be deep in thought. Lord Sesshomaru mercilessly cut down every youkai that dared to cross his path. Speaking of such…
The sound of branches snapping and leaves rustling came from a thicket of trees on their left. Sesshomaru halted his brisk progress and focused his attention on the noise. Then a long, pointed nose was thrust through the bushes. It was followed by a slimy youkai that snaked its way toward the little group. Its eyes were red slits on the sides of its head. It had a long, slender body and short legs, so its belly occasionally brushed the ground as it wound it's way to them.
An oversized mouth opened wide, displaying razor-sharp teeth. If Lord Sesshomaru had not been there, Jaken would have been terrified. Instead, he watched the oncoming demon with a bored expression.
The claws on Sesshomaru's right hand became florescent green as he activated the poison within his arm. He stepped to the side so that his body blocked this disgusting youkai from reaching Jaken and AhUn. A raspy sound emitted from the youkai as if it were laughing at Lord Sesshomaru. It obviously underestimated the daiyoukai.
When the beast's mouth was inches away from Lord Sesshomaru, he disappeared with lightening speed. The youkai saw a clear path to Jaken and AhUn and opened his mouth wider as he lunged for them. Jaken let out a shrill scream and fell over backwards, covering his eyes. AhUn growled and arched both of his necks, ready to fight.
There was a flash of white light, and Sesshomaru reappeared beside the youkai. Just as it was about to clash in battle with AhUn, Sesshomaru's glowing green claws slashed through the youkai's slimy neck. With a thud, its head fell to the ground.
Sharp claws still raised, Lord Sesshomaru asked, "Did you doubt me, Jaken?"
Jaken gasped and frantically waved his hands, palms outward, in front of his face. "Of course not, Mi Lord! I would never doubt your ability to slay your foes!" He caught sight of his Staff of Heads lying on the ground. "Wait, I could have used that in my own self defense!" He let out an exasperated sigh and slumped over.
Lord Sesshomaru scanned the dead youkai, disdain etched on his face. He was never confronted with worthy rivals anymore. He felt like he, along with his father and Inuyasha, had wiped out all of the powerful youkai. He had long ago abandoned his arduous fight for Tetsusaiga after he obtained Bakusaiga.
Had he and his brother really become the most powerful demons still alive? He was at the head of an empire and had many palaces riddled with servants, lowly though they may be. If he had finally achieved his lifelong goal, then why did he still feel so unfulfilled, so incomplete?
Suddenly, Sesshomaru realized this youkai looked very familiar. His brows furrowed as he thought about where he had seen one like it before. Then, he remembered that he had fought and killed a demon that looked exactly like this one three years ago…
SSSSS
(Begin flashback…)
Sesshomaru sheathed his sword after finishing off the nasty, snake-like youkai. The thing had foolishly attacked his group, and he wasted no time in slaying it.
He was just about to vacate the vicinity when the scent of Kohaku and Kirara filled his senses. He knew Kirara would also have caught his scent by now, so Sesshomaru waited for the demon slayer and his loyal pet.
Within moments, Kirara's flaming paws came into view overhead. The two-tailed demon cat descended with Kohaku perched atop her back. He waved as he hopped to the ground.
"Hello, there! Oh, you found the demon I was after. Nice handiwork, Sesshomaru."
"Hello, Kohaku," Jaken said from beside Lord Sesshomaru's feet, and AhUn grunted in greeting.
"I trust you have been doing well, Kohaku?" Sesshomaru asked as a formality.
"I have been alright, but," his eyebrows drew together, a worried look in his eyes, "I visited my sister in Edo not long ago, and Rin is very sick. She caught some kind of virus when she went to another village to help those who were sick with it."
As Kohaku spoke, both of Kirara's tails twitched, and she pawed the ground. A low whine rumbled in her belly. She was sad Rin was in distress, for she was fond of the girl.
Jaken gasped and glanced at Sesshomaru. He knew his lord would be very upset if anything ever happened to Rin. Sesshomaru's expression was unreadable, as usual.
"What is the nature of this virus?" Sesshomaru asked.
"They don't know exactly what it is, but she was going in and out of consciousness while I was there. She's gotten much paler than she normally is, has a high fever, hasn't eaten anything in days, and is very weak. Sometimes she says things that don't make any sense."
Jaken interrupted with, "Well, that last part is perfectly normal for Rin." Sesshomaru promptly kicked him over.
Kohaku ignored Jaken and continued. "Everyone is very worried. Kagome and Sango are keeping their children away from her to prevent them from getting sick."
"Thank you for letting me know," Sesshomaru said.
"No problem, just wish there was more I could have done for her. Well, I've got to get going now. See you guys later." Kohaku waved goodbye as he mounted Kirara, and the pair took off.
"Goodbye!" Jaken waved.
Sesshomaru addressed his companions, "We must go to Rin." His low voice was laced with a hint of urgency.
Jaken clutched Sesshomaru's fur as the daiyoukai began to levitate. Sesshomaru sped off in the direction of Edo, with AhUn flying close behind.
SSSSS
Sesshomaru happened to look down as they passed over a village. He noticed a booth loaded down with stuffed animals. An old woman stood behind the booth selling the toys. A little girl squealed with delight as her mother handed her a stuffed bunny.
Sesshomaru passed over the booth as the girl's mother was handing the old woman money for the bunny. He was flying just high enough that none of the humans below noticed him.
He hadn't gone much further before he circled around and landed a few feet away from the booth. I will get one of those for Rin. Maybe it will make her feel better.
The younger woman and her daughter had already walked away. "Whoa," said the old woman, slightly startled. "Where'd you come from?"
Sesshomaru was glad that the woman hadn't decided to freak out because there was a demon in her midst. "I was just flying by," he replied as he approached the booth. "I wish to purchase one of these for my girl. She is ill."
"Well, then, you've come to the right place!" She was rather lively for her age. "I hand made each and every one of these. No one is like the other. They're all made with care and love, and they will surely make anyone feel good."
Sesshomaru was not sure which animal Rin would like best. There were turtles, horses, birds, and many others. The animals were piled up on both sides of the booth, leaving just enough room between to the two piles for the woman to see her customers. There was a canopy of stuffed animals hanging over the booth as well.
Sesshomaru reached for a tiger, but then he caught sight of a white dog. It was large and had long, fluffy ears. "That's the one," he said, pointing to the dog.
"Good choice!" The woman exclaimed as she removed the dog from its display.
Jaken peeked around Sesshomaru's shoulder and said, "Oh, Mi Lord, Rin will love that!"
"Does your little friend want one too?" The woman asked Sesshomaru, who was paying for the dog.
Jaken narrowed his eyes at her as he said, "I do not desire stuffed toys."
"The turtles look somewhat like you, Jaken," Lord Sesshomaru said facetiously.
SSSSS
The daiyoukai went directly to Kaede's hut when he reached the village. AhUn stayed outside and waited for his master. Jaken followed Sesshomaru inside.
Silently, Sesshomaru approached Kaede. The elderly priestess was kneeling beside Rin, dabbing a wet cloth to the girl's forehead. Rin was lying on the floor, bundled up in blankets. She was dressed in simple white robes for comfort. Rin was asleep, but her breathing was laborious, and her face was slightly contorted in pain.
Kaede looked up when she heard Jaken shuffle into the room. Her worried expression morphed into one of relief when she saw Sesshomaru standing over her. Rin would be so happy he was here, and she was certain he could enhance their efforts to make Rin better.
The dog demon was staring at Rin. His golden eyes were heavy with concern. He did not look away from her as he asked, "How is she?"
"She has made some improvements. She's doing better than she was before. Kagome and I have been working on an herbal antidote that will cure her. We nearly have it perfected."
Sesshomaru seemed to relax a little. "I am glad to hear she is doing better."
"I need to go check on Kagome's progress with the medicine. You will stay with Rin?"
Sesshomaru gave a small nod, and Kaede rose. She gathered her bucket of water and the used washcloths before she departed.
Sesshomaru knelt on one knee and put his hand on Rin's forehead. The fever made her skin incredibly warm, and her cheeks were flushed. At his touch, Rin stirred. She took a deep breath, and her eyes gradually opened. She blinked a few times before she realized whose hand was on her head. Rin turned to look at Sesshomaru, and she gave him a weak little smile.
"Lord Sesshomaru!" Her voice was raspy, and she hardly had breath to speak. "You're here!"
Sesshomaru noticed her eyes were glazed over. "Yes, Rin," he said softly in his deep voice. "I am here."
Rin struggled to sit up, but Sesshomaru placed a hand on her shoulder. "You should not exert yourself, Rin. Do not sit up."
"But I want to," Rin nearly pouted.
Sesshomaru shifted himself so that he was sitting next to her. With his new arm that had appeared with Bakusaiga, he gently lifted her into a sitting position. He kept his arm around her for support and let her lean into his side.
She nuzzled against him for a moment before pulling away, saying, "Lord Sesshomaru, I…I didn't want you to see me like this."
"You have nothing to be ashamed of. I am only concerned for your wellbeing."
At his words, Rin cuddled up to him again. With his other hand, Sesshomaru caressed her forehead and carefully ran his fingers through her hair.
Jaken watched all of this with bewilderment. Even after all these years, he was still shocked when he saw his lord treat someone with kindess and demonstrate such intimacy. Yet, he was fully aware that only Rin could elicit such behavior from Lord Sesshomaru.
"I brought you something," Sesshomaru said as he extracted the stuffed dog from his robe. He placed it in her waiting arms.
She smiled, and there was a sparkle trying to push its way to the surface of her hazed eyes. Rin hugged the stuffed dog and then examined it. It was white all over aside from some markings on its face and legs. "It looks like you when you're in your inu from, Lord Sesshomaru!"
"I thought it would be a nice reminder of me."
"As if I could ever forget you!" She said playfully. She spotted Jaken lurking in the corner. "Hello, Jaken! Um, where did you get that stuffed turtle?"
Jaken quickly shoved the turtle underneath his robe. "I don't know what you are talking about, you silly girl. I don't have any stuffed turtle!" He then cowered under Sesshomaru's glare.
Sesshomaru turned his attention back to Rin. "Kohaku said you got sick when you went to another village to help their ill."
Rin gave a little nod. "I thought I could help Kagome and Kaede treat the people. But I just got the virus instead of doing any good for anybody."
Obviously forgetting his lord's previous warning, Jaken began to fuss at Rin, "You idiotic girl! You should have known you would get sick if you went to that village!"
The sick girl hugged her knees to her chest, and Sesshomaru could see that she was on the verge of tears. "Jaken!" The name was released in a vicious growl that made the little youkai flinch. "Out!" Sesshomaru commanded, raising his sharp claws.
Jaken hurried out of the hut and went to hide in nearby bushes.
Rin was still trying to keep herself from crying. "Jaken's right," she practically whined. "All I did was cause more trouble for everyone!"
The daiyoukai wrapped both his arms tightly around her. He knew she was really not feeling good if Jaken could upset her. She never let his criticism get to her. "You went there with good intentions."
"But I didn't help anyone!" Rin covered her mouth and coughed.
"It does not matter. All that matters now is that you get well. You need to relax and calm down." He leaned back against the wall so that she could recline in his arms. Sesshomaru was relieved to see that she was already getting her strength back. She seemed to be much better than she was when he had arrived. Could it really be just because I am here?
Rin sighed with content and buried her face in her lord's warm side. Nothing could have made her happier than Lord Sesshomaru showing up to take care of her. She squeezed her stuffed white dog and smiled. He always brought her the best gifts.
They remained in silence for a little while before Kaede entered her hut carrying fresh washcloths. "Rin, good to see you're awake." She smiled internally at the sight of Sesshomaru holding his girl so close to him.
He had known she was approaching the hut. If she had been someone other than the old woman who lovingly took care of Rin for the past five years, Sesshomaru would not have remained in that position to be seen. It was her trust he had to earn, so he wanted the old priestess to see that he had affection for Rin.
Rin grinned at Kaede. "Lord Sesshomaru is making me feel better." She held up her dog. "Look what he brought me!"
"Oh, isn't that nice. Here, I brought these to help lower your fever." Kaede knelt next to Rin and draped a wet washcloth across the girl's forehead. "We have that medicine ready. Kagome's just finishing the last touches. I'll be right back with it."
"That's good," Rin whispered. Her eyelids were drooping, and she was starting to fall asleep again.
As Kaede passed the bushes where Jaken was hiding, he poked his head through the leaves and stared at her. She did not turn around to look at him while she walked away but simply said, "Stop sitting around and make yourself useful. Come with me." He followed her, albeit reluctantly.
They came upon a stream where Kagome was kneeling in the grass, a bucket of water in front of her. Her eyes were closed in concentration and her hands were held over the round opening of the bucket. A white orb of light emitted from her palms and descended into the water, making it iridescent.
"Is she purifying that water for Rin?" Jaken asked.
"Yes," Kaede replied. "Those washcloths I've been bringing Rin were all soaked in purified water, and this particular water will be used for her antidote." She bent down and picked up a bowl that contained a powdered substance. "This needs to be mixed with the water just before Rin consumes it. So can you carry that bucket of water to my hut without spilling any? Kagome can't do it because she doesn't want to pick up the virus and then infect her children with it."
"I suppose I could do that. Speaking of Kagome's children, where are they?"
Having finished purifying the water, Kagome replied, "They're with Inuyasha. He's keeping them far away from Rin. Ok, I'm all done here. You just need to give it to her now."
Jaken tried to lift the heavy bucket, almost losing his balance. The water sloshed around, but none spilled.
"Good thing we didn't fill it all the way, or you'd be making a mess," Kaede reprimanded him. "This antidote is much more important, so I'm definitely carrying it. You'll just have to be very careful with the water."
Very slowly, they made their way back to the hut. Jaken held the bucket as still as he could and managed to get there without spilling a drop.
Rin was sleeping soundly in Sesshomaru's arms. He gently woke her when Kaede and Jaken came in with the medicine. She yawned and watched them with half open eyes. The priestess sat on the floor and Jaken put the bucket of water down and scooted it over to her.
Kaede poured the contents of the bowl into the bucket, careful not to lose any. She used a wooden spoon to mix it well. Then she used the bowl to scoop some out. "Rin you have to drink this, all of it. We'll be preparing more batches for you too."
Sesshomaru helped Rin sit up, and Kaede handed her the bowl. Rin sniffed it, and her nose wrinkled in disgust. "It doesn't smell good. Do I have to drink it?"
Lord Sesshomaru took the bowl in one hand. "You are sure this will make Rin well?" He asked Kaede.
She nodded. "I'm positive. It will cure her."
Sesshomaru placed the fingers of his other hand under Rin's chin and tilted her head back so that he could look her in the eyes. "Then, yes, you must drink it." He then sternly said, "Open your mouth."
Without hesitation, Rin obeyed her lord. He put the bowl to her lips and tilted it until the liquid filled her mouth. "Swallow," he commanded.
She gulped the antidote down. "It's not so bad," she admitted.
"Good, because you have a lot more to drink," Sesshomaru said as he lifted the bowl to her lips again.
(…end flashback)
SSSSS
Sesshomaru had been walking along ahead of Jaken and AhUn as he thought of that incident. He had administered every drop of the antidote to Rin and stayed with her until she was completely well.
The image of her smiling, virus-free face gave him a warm feeling that no other being he had ever met could give him. Doing things for Rin, such as rushing to rescue her or playing a role in her recovery, never failed to bring him satisfaction. Getting her that stuffed white dog and seeing her reaction to the gift made him happy.
Then, Lord Sesshomaru understood why he had been feeling so unfulfilled and incomplete. He was attempting meaningless tasks in his journeying. If he was not doing something for Rin, then he was not doing anything significant or worth doing. Without her involvement, his actions had little purpose.
The daiyoukai stopped walking, and his followers stopped as well. "What is it, Mi Lord?" Jaken asked.
"We shall go visit Rin today," he replied, already beginning to fly away.
Jaken quickly hopped up onto AhUn's back, and the two of them flew after Lord Sesshomaru. "We were just there a few days ago!" Jaken called out.
Sesshomaru paid no attention to Jaken's complaints. He just continued his focused flight toward Edo, toward his girl, toward Rin.