Disclaimers on everything that I don't own.
My Side,
By Winterwing3000
His eyes narrowed as the spirit continued to play his flute. She stumbled toward the unearthly being, eyes hallow and mind blank. The many other dead spirits of the children floated around the flautist.
It was the Tatarimokke, the pacifying spirit for the children of the dead. It was said to be an apparition, something rare for a demon or even a human to see since it was a ghost for the dead youths. It continued to play its flute for them, waiting until their souls could peacefully rest and move onto the next world.
And she has died once, but he, defying all laws of nature, managed to revive her with his father's fang. Tenseiga… it was of no use to him of the past, a blunt sword to a demon's skin and a miracle blade to a man. But he has no use of it. He was the almighty, the undefeatable, the uncompassionate demon lord who killed with his merciless heart. He has slain thousands, innocent or not, without a single thought. There could be no hesitance in life. Killed or be killed, it was a game of the survival of the fittest when one has to conquer an empire large enough to satisfy this… ambition for world domination.
But parts of that ambition washed away… slowly when he met her. Injured, yet fearful as he was at the time, she came to him, washed him and offered him human food that she could've fed herself with. Rather, she looked after his well being.
And was killed.
He remembered brining her back, as a test he told himself. He was startled to find a small heartbeat reaching his sharp ears as she clenched her eyes, waking up for what seemed to be a long sleep of death. And without any obligation or command, she continued to follow him to the ends of the earth, by his side.
At first, it was strange. He a lord, followed by a mere human child, what a laugh, another powerful lord would say. He did not know when the protectiveness or the possessiveness started during their days of traveling his borders, but whenever she called, he would be there. Whenever he left, she would wait. Whenever he came back, she would welcome him so. Whenever they were alone, she would gather flowers and fall asleep, energy spent and he would secretly press a small chaste kiss upon her crown. It was a routine, fitted into his new life.
That made him realized something.
Her place in his life. Right here, never leaving, by his side. His eyes grew distant.
Humans were not immortal, as demons were. She would not live forever. She would disappear one day, following the path of any human. She would leave his side, and he would pretend that it never happened.
But for now…
He unsheathed his father's fang once more and pointed directly at the Tatarimokke. "Leave at once. This Sesshomaru will not tolerate your presence any longer, Tatarimokke."
The flute stopped, and those frightening black eyes started straight at the lord. The ghostly forms of the dead children turned their head to the Tatarimokke, wondering why the joyful melody has stopped. She herself cocked her head to the side, starring up at the flautist.
That child…
His grip on the sword tightened.
She is not of this world. She…
His calm façade did not weaken as the phantom floated near him, leaving his seat on the rocks by the pond.
She is a child of the dead… I can smell…
His blood slowly drummed in his ears as he anticipated the next words, but the anxiety did not show.
Her death… she has died once… who are you…
"True, but she is not dead." His eyes narrowed, completely focused on the spirit.
To question my role of life and death? … She does not belong with you… prince of Inutashio.
"I am Sesshomaru, Lord of the West. You dare challenge me for what is mine?" he said, rage howling in his blood.
It chuckled hauntingly. She is mine… ever since the day which she died.
"But she no longer belongs to the dead… she is alive." He declared.
Very well… but heed this. I shall be back to bring her to the next life…
"Leave." He said flatly, preparing to slash with his sword posed.
Those large pupil-less eyes closed and retreated back into the dark, brining its flute back up to its mouth. Just before it disappeared with the children's ghosts, it said one more thing to him, looking at him from his half-lidded eyes. …You can not keep her with you forever…
Just as they vanished from his sight, he sheathed the fang back into the scabbard. She snapped out of her daze, the warmth returning back into her youthful eyes. A confused look crossed her face as she found herself staring at the black waters. She turned around and fount her lord, starring almost curiously at her.
Her mouth broke into a smile. "Lord Sesshomaru! You've returned!"
He barely inclined his head in a nod and pivoted on his heel, heading back toward the direction he came from. "Let's return Rin."
"Okay!" she skipped along, catching up to him and walked two paces behind him, chattering away.
He heard bits and pieces of her quick monologue; mind more concentrated on the last few phrases left for him. If he could not keep her forever, having her solid body, soul and heart right by him until it was the ends of time was enough.
Notes: This is pretty recent, about after the time Kohaku kidnapped her. So, their ages are pretty much 7 or 8 and 700+.
AN: Whew, I can't believe I got this down in one sitting! So proud of myself, but then again, most of them are finished in one sitting. Anyway, sorry for the long wait. I was pretty busy last month and this week. Ugh, all those exams. My head still aches. Reviews make me feel better and maybe even make me write faster!
This is for the LJ Community, 30kisses, without the underscore. The theme is from List Alpha, #25 (life after death).