Chapter Two: Fear?

There is blackness all around me. But, I do not panic. I have been in the dark for a while now. I have it narrowed down to two things: I am still unconscious, and will soon wake up. Or, I am dead, and this is what waited for me after I took my last breath. Either choice was unacceptable. If I was indeed unconscious, which I desperately hoped was true, then maybe if I willed myself to I could wake up. For, a couple moments I tried...But, It was still dark. What if I was dead? What if I was actually dead?! I tried to push the thought out of my head, but...There would be no going back! I began to panic. Lord Sesshomaru can't save me! Tenseiga can't revive a person more than once! I...I can't die! I...I didn't even say goodbye! Oh God, please! Please, let me wake up! I really don't want to die, not right now! I began to sob loudly in the dark. Lord Sesshomaru..save me! I don't want to die...Lord Sesshomaru!

"Open your eyes."

I did as I was told.

Staring back at me, was he himself the white angel who had resurrected me so long ago. His long platinum mane, hang down as he leaned over me. The dark lighting in the room really made him stand out. His face was cool, but his eyes...He stared at me with such intensity I started to feel faint again. He was never this close to me. And when I thought about it was he ever this close to anyone? Here I am laying vulnerably in front of the most dangerous, and most feared demon in all of Japan, and yet..I cannot be anything more than happy.

"Rin?"

That was a question. He was not just simply calling my name, seeing if I had heard him. No, he was asking me was I okay, what had taken place, who had done the crime...In that simple way he had called my name, he had asked me a numerous amount of questions that he wanted answered. He always had a way with words...

My eyes started to tear up as I gazed at him. Right now at this point in time, at this very moment there was nothing to say. Of course, I wanted to tell him of what the severe beating I had endured but..It didn't seem important right now. Yes, I could still feel the sore and ache all over my body but that could wait. Sesshomaru was here. There was no Jaken, no servants, no documents, no court officials, It was me. It was him. All alone in this dark room. I was not in the mood to do anything bold, but I was not about to simply let this moment slip from me. Before He says two words, and tries to escape, I will...

"I wasn't here."

"Pardon me?"

For a couple moments he didn't say anything. He sat there kneeling motionless, his mouth a little askew as if he were trying to say something but words could not find a way out. I slowly rolled over to my left side, putting both palms down I heaved myself into a sitting position. My legs started to feel numb as I sat on them. I leaned to the left shifting most of my weight to one side.

"There are no words for what has taken place." Each word was spoken slowly, with his head held down. His bangs hid his eyes from me, but I could feel the fury emanating from his body.

"I will personally take matters into my own hands." There was a cracking sound, I looked to down to see his hands palms down with a light green color surrounding them. The wooden floor beneath was rapidly disintegrating as he began applying more pressure. Without actually thinking I put my hand over his. The acid quickly dissipated.

I heard him take a long, deep breath. "How do you fare?"

I snapped my head up, retracting my hand as I did so. Even though his head was still down, I could still feel the pressure of his question upon me. " I..uh..I am fine..I.." I let out an aggravated sigh, The only chance I will have alone with him, and I'm stuttering! I heard him make a sound, then as he brought his head up, I could have sworn there was a smirk on his face. But, as quick as It came-it disappeared. But, if he meant for me to see it or not, I will remember. For a brief second, I made My Lord smile. No, I berated myself. It was not a smile. For if it was, I would be dead right now. Lord Sesshomaru never smiled. And, if he did...you had better hoped he would be swift. No one really wants to feel every excruciating detail when they die...

"You didn't scream."

For the second time, he had sent me in a state of confusion. "Pardon?"

His head tilted to the right, as he spoke. Form past experiences and closely staring at even the most minuscule changes in his features, I knew what this little mannerism meant. He was curious. With what, I wasn't sure. Then again, I was never sure when It came to him.

"No one in the palace heard any signs of a struggle. You made no attempt to scream for help...Why is that?"

I felt as though there were a thousand eyes staring at me. Extremely self conscious, I began putting the sides of my hair behind my hair. Although there was no hair in my face to begin with."Well...when..they were, ..uh.."

"You always had a courageous air about you, even as a child."

My face felt red hot. His last statement had me feelings as if I was on fire. I knew my face had to be red as a beet. Its so embarrassing, blushing right in front of him. But, I couldn't help but feel a little tingle of happiness as I stared down at the wooden floor. Black outlines of a hand, caught my eyes. Just a couple more seconds, and the heat will hopefully leave my face. Just a couple more and...

"Rin."

I turned my head to see his hand outstretched. His face was calm as he stared down at me. When did he get up? Just a second ago he was kneeling, now...standing? How did I not hear him get up? So wrapped up in my own thoughts, I didn't realize just how long I had been trying to figure out how he stood up without me noticing, while staring at his black boots.

"Rin."

Realization dawned on me as I, remembered just who I had waiting on me. I slipped my right hand into his. He lifted me without even blinking. As I stood, he let his hand slowly slid from mine. I began to waver, and he put his arm on my shoulder. "Do you wish to resume resting?"

I quickly shook my head, putting my hand up. "No, I'm fine."

He looked me over before walking towards the door. "I need you to come with me."

I nodded and walked over behind him. He paused for a couple seconds before opening the door. I looked around the room. To my astonishment It was extremely bare. There was nothing in here except the futon which I was laying on. There were large windows on two sides of the walls, but the shutters were closed preventing light from coming in. I squinted my eyes to see what was on the walls. There was a picture of a large Dog, Below him were a vast majority of people bowing down. The Second wall, The large Dog stood in front of a woman, with his head down. The Third wall, there was no dog. There's just a picture of a woman lying on a floor. The Fourth wall, was where the door was. I had to peer from behind Sesshomaru to see, the faint outlines painted onto the cream colored wall.. There was a picture of the White dog, on a mountain cliff, howling at a crescent moon. All the pictures seemed to have some kind of important meaning, something that was known to whoever this room belonged to. For some reason, I felt obliged to ask,

"Who's room is this?"

Sesshomaru tensed, then relaxed somewhat. "Mine."

I was stunned for a second. He had let me into room! His personal and most private area. By being here, I had just overstepped the imaginary boundary line of privacy. As I glanced around again, there was nothing extraordinary about it. If anything it was a little less than ordinary. The only thing that made this room even remotely attractive was the walls. And I didn't even understand what they even meant, just thats it was expertly painted with intricate colors and designs.

I bit my lip, unsure if it was my place to ask him something personal about his room but...He didn't have to answer if he didn't want to.

"My Lord, If I may be so bold...What are these pictures of?"

Sesshomaru slid the door back. "My Father's Downfall."

"Your Father's...downfall?"

Sesshomaru began walking through the long hallway, "Rin, Come."

I pushed my questions down for another time, and hurriedly caught up. Lightly limping two steps behind.

_Main Hall

Much like when I was younger, I stood behind him and held the back of his haori. My head resting against his back. He seemed not to notice. His stance was still proud, and his face was still held high. He began to speak, his voice loud and clear for all to hear.

"Upon my arrival this morning, I have been told that an incident had occurred yesterday morning. It was also said, that It involved My ward, Rin."

The voices at the bottom of the stairs started to whisper. Although, I was at the top of the stairs and could not hear them, I could guess. They were no doubt talking about what happened yesterday morning. For a solid minute, Sesshomaru let them converse among themselves. Then he began speaking, quieting everyone at the bottom.

"If anyone has an issue about me letting a human reside in the palace and would like to talk about it, stay where you are. If you would rather just keep to yourself and go about your own business, leave the main hall now."

A couple people hesitated, but soon left. But, others stood their ground. There had to be at least thirty demons still standing in the main hall. Sesshomaru squared his shoulders as he stood at the top of the stairs. As my hands clung to his back I started to get an uneasy feeling. It wasn't the pain of my aching muscles or my body's weariness. It was this distinct feeling of fear. I let go of Sesshomaru and took a step back. As I looked him over, there seemed to be...a strange presence about him. It was as if his body was sending of some kind of aura. He cracked his knuckles, and began walking down the stairs.

One...

"What seems to be the issue?"

A reptilian demon looked around his fellow demons, " What? No one has the courage to stand up to him?!" He took a step forward, "This has gone on far enough!"

Four...

Sesshomaru walked slowly down the great staircase. Walking with such precise movements, from where I stood it looked as though he were gliding instead of merely walking. "Elaborate."

"This human staying here! At first I thought maybe you were just curious. Or maybe, just a passing fancy...But I can see its more than that! She's got you wrapped around her little finger! Its pathetic really!"

Nine...

"Is that so?"

A bird demoness spoke up from the back corner, "Your judgment is clouded My lord. She has clouded your judgment...Please, open your eyes!"

Thirteen...

"Are you insinuating that a human girl, has me blind to what is in front of my very own face?"

The bird demon put her hands together in a pleading gesture. "My lord she has...changed you."

A fox demon came to her side, putting a comforting arm around her. He hesitantly looked up, then put his head down, "She should not be here, My liege. We are demon. She is human."

Seventeen...

The bird demon spoke up, "We ask that you just reevaluate your decision, My lord. That is all."

"And what is the decision? What are you suggesting that I do."

The Reptilian demon made an annoyed growl. "Eat her, Kill her, Throw her way, whatever! You must not fall to the woes of this human."

"Fall?"

Twenty One...

"Yes, My lord. Fall for a human." The reptilian demon looked at me with cold eyes. Bulging yellow eyes stared at me with such a hatred. All I could do was look back with wary eyes. "But...It seems as though it might be too late." There were a murmur of agreements among the crowd. Many nodded their heads in unison.

Sesshomaru's baritone voice was cold as he spoke, "Excuse me?"

Twenty Three...

"Like you father before you, you have fallen. Fallen to a weakling who will bring nothing but disgrace to your name and your Legacy..."

Twenty Four...

"Filthy Human."

His words were hard and cold. Like he had just spit in my face. He had openly expressed his hatred for me in front of everyone. I was alone in this palace. Everyone who resided here was demon, not a half-breed among them. But here I stood completely and one hundred percent human. If not for Sesshomaru standing between me and these demons, I bet...No. I didn't have to wager anything. I knew that they would have killed me without a minutes hesitation.

Sesshomaru turned to the right,"Do you ladies have anything to add?"

I looked to where his body was turned. There to the extreme right was My handmaidens and the three demoness' who had jumped me. They stood huddled together. The leader of the group, Lika, looked from me to Sesshomaru, Then back at me.

Twenty Five...

"If you ask me, she had it comin' to her."

She made a sickly face. Then made a getsure with her hand, as if there was a bad taste in her mouth. Her red eyes giving me a cold stare. "Ningen."

Twenty Six...Sesshomaru stood at the last step.

I started to get another uneasy feeling. Like...something terrible was about to happen at any moment. As the seconds passed, the feeling became more prominent. No one said anything. There was Complete silence. Sesshomaru stared at each one in the face, I noticed something that gave me goose bumps. I cautiously took a step down, and squinted to see if it was indeed true. And, there it was, on his face looking ever so foreign. His smile was small, but it was still there, from past experiences, I knew what was to happen. Whether the demons in front of him knew it or not I did. And, for them although they did not like me whether for my humanity or for whatever reason, I feared for their lives. The man-No, the demon standing in front of them was a vicious, and ferocious beast under a cool exterior. It would be over soon. Their lives would be cut short.

A blinding green light.

I closed my eyes.

I heard a gasp and someone screamed.

There was a cracking noise.

Loud thuds echoed in my ears.

I opened my eyes.

My God...

The floor was no longer a white, porcelain color, with a wooden trim. It was a crimson red. Blood everywhere. Heads looked as though they were carelessly thrown on the floor. Arms, legs, torsos! They were all disconnected from their bodies. Blood was on every inch of the floor. It was horrible! It was...a massacre. I took a step back, now at the top of the stairs. My heart began to pound. I was not well enough to be up. I should have stayed in my room. Sesshomaru turned around slowly. His eyes were red, and his fangs were bared. I backed away a couple feet, my back pressed against the wall. I could still see his feral red eyes staring at me. My throat began to feel tight. I felt like I couldn't breath. Why is he acting like this?! What's wrong with him? What should I do? Should I run? No. I won't leave him. I won't! I took one step forward. My hands began to shake. I braced myself, There's nothing to be afraid of. There's nothing to be afraid of. I took a deep breath and looked down, Sesshomaru's red eyes stared back at me, and he growled-I flinched. He gave me a wide smile.I ran.

Straight...

A couple seconds into running, I tripped and fell onto the floor. The fall caught me off guard, and I began feeling a tightness in the back of my throat. I began coughing uncontrollably, My chest started to throb against my rib cage. After a while it subsided, and I brought my hand down to heave myself off the floor but was temporarily distracted. In my hand was what looked like splattered blood. Blood? Why is there...

"Rin, where are you?"

Sesshomaru's hard voice brought me out of my revere. I wiped my hand on my outer thigh, and quickly came to a stand. I once again lifted the ends of my kimono and began running. I seen what he had done when he smiled earlier. Jaken told me the stories. I'm no fool. I knew better than to stand around and see what happens.

Left...

I had to keep running. There was a lot of doubt, whether I would even make it to the end of the hall. He was a demon-I wasn't. It would be nothing for him to leap those stairs and catch me. I lifted the ends of my kimono and hauled my down the hallway. As soon as I reached the corner, I made a quick turn and skidded into the wall. But that didn't deter me, from doing what I had to do.

Right...

After a quick couple of breaths, I had made it to the east wing. How..I don't know. He should have caught me by now...Maybe he calmed down. Maybe It was me who is just over reacting. Lord Sesshomaru? He wouldn't harm me...Never!

Straight...

I started to slow down to a light run. This could all just be some weird misunderstanding. Something caught my attention. It sounded like a growling sound. A low,shaky...growling sound. From a wolf...or dog, or...

"Rin!"

Sharp Right...

With that, I broke out into a full run. I began pumping my arms as hard as I could. He was on to me. He was close! I could feel it. In my heart I knew there was almost little to no hope...hmpf. I mentally slapped myself. He was Lord Sesshomaru! There was no hope. My body started to feel tired and over exerted. But stopping was absolutely not an option. Whether I was caught or not, I had to try. And at this very moment, trying was the very best I could do.

"RIN!"

My feet skidded to a stop.

Dead End.