"He has changed into something awful, only by hiding his face."

Chapter Eight: In The End

The blood on the front of her kimono caught his attention first. Without hesitation he was at her side, slowly lifting her body upwards. There was a gentle breeze and Sesshomaru could smell the scent of sadness, rippling in waves around her. The kimono she wore was torn, ripped and bloodied. It was damp from rain, and clung to her form, for dear life. Sesshomaru looked to her face,

It was the epitome of Sadness.

Half of her face was caked in mud, and the other was marred with scratches and cuts. Her eyebrows were knitted together as if she were willing something to happen. Her mouth was parted, as she bit the corner of her mouth, and her eyes…

They were looking at something in the distance.

Sesshomaru opened his mouth to say something, but as he did, she looked to him quickly. For a long moment she stared at him. Her eyes piercing into his soul, no doubt cursing him for leaving her in the first place. Then, her eyes softened.

"Rin, I.."

She smiled a beautiful, ethereal smile one last time, before looking past him and into the distance.

A moment passed.

Then another.

Sesshomaru looked from her face to her chest; It was no longer rising.

Panic crept into him as he searched her frantically for any signs of life. He looked into her eyes but found nothing there; She was gone.

He tried to listen for her heartbeat, but could not concentrate. The reality of her death was starting to ease into his mind. He was finding it hard to breath, let alone think. His mind became clouded with so many things, he couldn't make a rationalized decision on what to do.

There was a sharp inhale of breath, behind him.

He turned to see Jaken standing there with wide, questioning eyes. Jaken looked from Rin's crumpled form to his master. Sesshomaru looked back at him, with the face of a broken man. No longer was his face distant, cold and stoic-but, panicked and filled with despair. He could tell that right now was the most vulnerable his master has ever been. He let the staff of two heads slip from his grasp as he went over to the nearest tree and began mourn for his fallen friend.

Sesshomaru bowed his head and closed his eyes trying to calm himself, and regain some control. There was a whimpering sound, next to him. The imp was curled with his back to him, and mumbling to himself. In between the muffled cries he was mumbling,

"I shouldn't have let you go…I am so sorry….I should have made you come back with me when I had the chance…I am sorry, Rin…I am so sorry.."

Sesshomaru's eyebrows began to knit together, in frustration.

"I should have never left you…"

Sesshomaru began to feel something in the pit of his stomach. It was a hot feeling that seemed to rise into his chest. It manifested in the core of his being, and started to radiate into his limbs. His skin seemed to burn with such intensity, the more he let reality set in.

A large gust of wind whipped past Jaken, and he turned to see a horrific scene before him.

Sesshomaru and Rin were surrounded by a pink tornado of wind. Sesshomaru's demonic aura began to pollute the air; Trees browned, and flowers wilted as the tornado seemed to enlarge. Jaken walked a couple steps to get a better look, but paused when he heard the low, possessive growl of his master.

Sesshomaru's face was towards the sky, and it seemed as though he was in pain. His eyes were crimson, and dialated. The markings on his face were no longer elegant streaks, but jagged markings. His mouth was pulled back in a feral snarl-Fangs bared as he clenched his teeth. His platinum locks were standing on end around his form. Jaken squinted his eyes, to make out where Rin's body was; He didn't have to look far. Sesshomaru gripped her body to his, with such possessiveness that Jaken took a step back. His talons were elongated and were piercing her skin, as he began to squeeze her harder against him. The tornado began to emit so much pressure that Jaken had to stand behind a tree for protection. The wind started to thrash so wildly, that it became utterly unbearable.

Then, it stopped.

Jaken peeked from behind the tree.

Sesshomaru stood at Rin's side, with his head bowed. There was a fury laying in his chest waiting to be released, and a voice inside his head was coaxing him to give in.

Jaken watched, as Sesshomaru's hands began twitching anxiously. He kept moving his head to the side, as if he were trying to knock something off his shoulder without using his hands.

Sesshomaru could feel his demonic rage take over. His vision faded from reality, to red every other second. His breath was coming in shallow, and uneven. He closed his eyes one last time, trying to concentrate on self control; Determined not to let his demonic side take over.

"I can't..Please...Sesshomaru...I don't want to die alone."

The image of her on the floor, all muddied begging him not to leave her.

"Sesshomaru...You're breaking my heart..."

The demon within, clawed at his insides.

"I can't live forever..."

His pupils dialated.

"What about after I die? What will you do?

The wind stopped.

"What if I die again?"

Silence.

"I will cope with it as best as I can."

Sesshomaru let out a bestial roar, that echoed through the forest.

_The Village

A scrawny soldier, gripped his pike closer to his chest. "Did you hear that?"

The man next to him turned to the forest. "Hear what?"

"That sound...It was like nothing I have ever heard."

The shorter soldier waved his hand in dismissal. "Probably a wild boar."

The taller man shook his head. "I don't think so."

"Jin, why are you getting' all worked up for? Stop worrying about what's back there and help me with the torches."

"I dunno, Lu…I have a funny feeling…I think we should go and get that girl. She might still be alive."

Lu turned and gave his friend, and gave him a mocking look. "Are you kidding? Go and save her? For what? Look at the trouble she's brought us. She deserves to get what's coming to her."

"Lu, she's just a kid though. I mean what if it was Sai?"

"Well its not! My daughter knows better than to cross paths with a demon."

Jin decided not to press the issue and turned started to gather wood for the torches.

"If 'ya ask me, I hope she dies a miserable death. In fact, I hope the bo-"

Jin turned to see why his friend had stopped speaking.

His body was laid on the floor in an awkward position, as his head lay several feet in the other direction. Jin, opened his mouth to yell. A green light flashed and his body fell to the floor.

Sesshomaru walked into the clearing, with purpose in every step. A passerby took one look at him and began screaming.

"Demon! Demon! He's Here!"

Sesshomaru let a deviant smile cross his features. He decided he would let them scramble about and try to prepare themselves for his attack. But, little did they know, it was not an attack, but a celebration. For they are the very few to experience such power. These few humans who gather with their torches, pikes, and swords dare think they will even come within five feet of him. Oh, what ignorance. What unbridled stupidity. Sesshomaru let the amusement fall from his face, and replaced it with a predatory glare. He looked from human to human; With each glance they cowered.

A small breeze passed by. Sesshomaru inhaled deeply. The strong scent of fear hovered in the air. He nodded his head in approval. He would enjoy this 'celebration'. He would savor every single emotion that displayed across their features; This would be a glorious day, forever mentioned as a unyielding massacre, a catastrophic event, a chaotic occurrence. These humans would know in depth the repercussion of their actions.

The humans formed an arc around the demon lord, each holding their weapons high-ready for attack.

Sesshomaru squinted his eyes through the darkness, "Jaken."

Jaken walked out from the bushes and came to a stand by his master. "Yes, My Lord?"

"No life will be spared."

Jaken looked from his master to the humans.

"You are my only friend Jaken, I have no other."

Jaken raised the staff of two heads. "Yes sire, I will follow your lead."

Sesshomaru placed his hand on the hilt of tokijin, and elegantly pulled it from his sash.

"Men, ready your weapons!"

Sesshomaru inhaled deeply.

"DRAGON STRIKE!"

A blue dragon erupted from the sword, and pounced on the humans; They were electrocuted to the core. Jaken came forward and called for the staff of two heads. The head sent blue flames onto the bodies, charring and turning them to ash. More humans came from huts-This time with long barreled guns. They kneeled on the floor, trying to insert the gun powder into the weapon to attack. Sesshomaru staked the tip of tokijin into the ground. He raised his arm, and in one gentle motion eight bodies lay dismembered. A man tried to give a surprise attack and shoot from the side, but was easily stopped. As the bullet left the barrel, Sesshomaru's acidic whip split it into two, along with the man's body.

Sesshomaru grabbed tokijin's hilt and began walking towards the center of the town. As he did Jaken ran from hut to hut, setting the houses on fire. There were ear piercing screams as people were burned alive. But, they were paid no heed. They left Rin to die in the woods, so he will leave them to die as well.

They had brought this on themselves.

The villagers began to regroup and come together in the center of town. They encircled the demon lord as he stood tall, and unmoving.

More screams were heard in the distance behind them as more people were being torched alive.

The villagers raised their weapons and began to charge. In less than an instance, Sesshomaru had stuck tokijin's blade into the body of one man. The others stopped in their tracks. He pulled the sword from the man's body and raised his sword, ready for another challenge. The remaining men dropped their weapons and began to run in the opposite direction. But, It was of no use. There efforts were futile.

Jaken ran to the next hut, and tapped his staff on the floor, releasing large, blue flames. He made sure he directed it at the door so they wouldn't be able to escape. A young boy ran to the window, and pleaded with him for help. Jaken simply looked at the boy. The flames licked at the back of the boy's legs, and he screamed and cried at the top of his lungs for help. Jaken looked at the boy, in sympathy but did not help. He walked to the next hut, tapped his staff, and watched as it became engulfed in blue flames.

Sesshomaru glided to the closet person, and struck Tokijin in his back. Within a second he moved to the next, this time impaling him in the side of the head with the sword. He feet barely touched the floor as he moved to the next person. The woman was short and stubby; Her grey hair flailing around as she ran. Sesshomaru hovered above, and pulled her hair roughly, cracking her neck. As his body lowered to the ground, he raised his other hand and whipped Three villagers who were close to entering the woods. Realizing that there was no way to escape, the few that remained, huddled together with their backs to each other. He walked towards them, eyeing them with disgust.

A large man came forward and lowered himself to his knees.

"Please, Lord Sesshomaru. Do not kill us, we had no part in what happened to her."

Sesshomaru watched as the village leader pleaded for the remaining life of him, and his people.

The Village waved his hands frantically. "It's not what it seems! We have done nothing wrong!"

Sesshomaru raised his hand, letting his palm face upwards at them.

The Village leader bowed his head in apology. "Please, have mercy!"

A distant memory pushed to the forefront of Sesshomaru's thoughts.

She let out an aggravated noise. "My lord!"

"Rin..."

"You make it sound so easy."

"It is."

"But its not...What if I die again?"

I pulled her into an embrace. Her arms clung to me, desperately hoping that what I was saying was true.

"I won't let that happen."

The Village leader pounded his fists in the ground. "Please! I beg you!"

Sesshomaru looked at the huddled humans, each had fear etched deep into their eyes.

Rin's voice carried onto the breeze."..My Lord, please..I don't want to die alone.."

The man bellowed out to the Demon Lord. "SHOW US MERCY!"

There was a short pause as another breeze wafted by.

"No."

An acidic showered onto the humans. The demon Lord stood regally as their bodies melted and blended into a pile of blackened carcasses. From the side a couple humans ran behind houses trying to escape unnoticed.

Sesshomaru let his predator side take over as he pounced on every single human that tried to flee. With each kill, there was this satisfying feeling that seemed to bring him perverse pleasure in taking their life. After every human was taken down, he could still sense more people were still hiding. He gazed from one side of the village to the other, when Jaken caught his eye. He was standing in front of a hut with the staff of two heads, held up, but his movements were awkward.

Jaken cowered as his master walked up to him. "What seems to be the problem?"

Jaken looked at the ground then at his master. "It is a hut full of women."

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes. "I do not care."

Jaken looked to the women in the hut who held their hands to their chest in prayer, that they would somehow survive this ordeal and continue on with their life.

"Jaken!"

Jaken looked up at his master.

"Leave no survivors."

Jaken lowered his head as he tapped his staff on the floor. The staff erupted blue flames once again, and began to slowly cover the house.

Sesshomaru turned around to see someone in the distance approaching him. Although he had no need to use his sword, he pulled it from his sash and held it at his side. When the figure came a little closer, Sesshomaru recognized it instantly.

"Orin."

Orin nodded his head as he moved closer. His face solemn, as he approached.

"Are you here to redeem your death?"

Orin straightened his shoulders, and nodded his head. He kneeled to the floor, and turned his head to the side, in open permission. For a moment Sesshomaru thought about letting him go. He was brave unlike his fellow peers. He knew he was severely outmatched and instead of running away like a coward, he came and faced it like a man. Sesshomaru lowered his sword indecisively.

"I don't want to die alone…"

Sesshomaru's movement was swift, as Tokijin slay yet another.

Jaken watched as Orin's body hit the ground hard, and his head rolled over to the side.

A scuttling sound towards the edge of the village. Sesshomaru looked to the side, a small girl of about Four, looked at him with steady eyes. She did not scream, nor run, or even cry. She remained still under his gaze, not moving a muscle. He could easily flick his wrist and her life would be over, but for some reason he stilled his hand. She had dark eyes, that complimented with her dark hair, but clashed with the paleness of her skin.

"I dream about being with you forever."

Sesshomaru turned from the girl to the sky. He could hear her small feet retreating into the trees, then picking up the pace as she ran. The thought seemed to sadden him. Rin's entire family, and village had been killed, leaving her an orphan. And, here he was committing the very same thing; That small girl, will grow up alone, and live a hard life, because of what he had done. He felt pity for the girl, but he cannot change what has been done, not that he wanted to. These human's signed their death warrant the moment the abandoned Rin in the forest. Sacrifices had to be made, regardless of the outcome.

For a moment He stood motionless as he observed his surroundings. There were a little more than Two hundred bodies, not counting the numerous bodies that laid charred in the huts. Men, Women, and children alike felt the fury that is the Demon Lord of the West. This moment will go down in history, it will be remembered. And, it was all for the sake of a human girl.

Jaken began to cough copiously as the smoke started to cloud the air. The flames began to connect and started to spread into the forest.

"My Lord, I think we should depart now, the fire is increasing into some sort of frenzy."

Sesshomaru faced the destruction, that was once a village. It was all burnt to the ground, and yet the flames still stretched high into the night sky. The black smoke hovered above the village in an ominous cloud.

"Do you not think this scene is appropriate?"

Jaken looked to his master, but did not answer.

He closed his eyes momentarily. In the darkness he could see her large, hopeful eyes looking at him.

"What if I die again? What will you do?"

Sesshomaru opened his eyes, to the pandemonium he had just released.

His own voice trespassed into his thoughts."I will cope with it as best I can."

He turned on his heel, and began walking back into the forest.

For once Jaken didn't follow behind. He looked from body to body, hut to hut, wondering if all of it was necessary. If killing all these people, just for the sake of one human girl, was worth it. There had to be more than several hundred dead bodies. He loved Rin, like his own child, but...was she worth so many lives?

He looked to Sesshomaru's retreating form.

"My heart couldn't..take it. I just...I just love him too much..."

Jaken let the thought leave him. Whether he thought it was right or wrong, mattered not. Because, what was between them was beyond infatuation, beyond lust and petty feelings. It was something deep, that he couldn't even begin to understand.

Jaken watched his master disappear into the night before returning his gaze to a field of blue flames.

Sesshomaru stopped in the middle of the forest, and gazed up at the moon.

An image of a small raven haired girl, playing with tombstones came to his mind.

"When I die…Will you remember me?"

The Demon Lord, let his features soften at the sound and thought of her voice.

"How could I forget?"

Memoirs of A Ningen Girl