Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.
Chapter 6
Reason
The birds flew away from the trees as that scream echoed. Everything went silent except for that disturbing sound. It sent shivers through every living creature within hearing range. It was pain, it was sadness, it was horror…it was what they haven't heard for a long while now in that peaceful village.
Cold inhuman amber eyes snapped open and widened. He got up and rushed towards the sound hoping he wasn't too late.
At the same moment, dog like ears twitched. Inuyasha's heart skipped a beat when he recognized that voice twisted in a pained scream. He ran as fast as he could drawing Tensaiga in the process. The demon within wanting to be released from its chains so badly. It was tearing his soul, breaking his will and senses, incapacitating every trail of thought except the desire for blood. He shook his head yelling internally at his demon to calm itself.
Kagome!
Takeru's eyes were laughing. He grinned maniacally as he saw the petite human hanging from his spear. He watched with satisfaction the way his weapon was buried within her stomach, how her eyes were widening and tears falling from them, the sound of that lovely and so arousing scream released from those little and trembling lips following by violent coughs of blood. Oh, he could feel the adrenaline and satisfaction of a battlefield just from piercing this single human's skin! He narrowed his eyes when hers became tired and blurry. Their glow was fading. She was passing out, he realized. He growled low when he could hear her whispering in a desperate plea.
-Inuyasha…
And then she fell limp on his spear. The only signs of her still alive were the slow and uncertain rises and falls of her chest.
Inuyasha…yes, he knew that name. As realization hit him he allowed himself to laugh. This was just precious! He finally found the dirty bastard! That means the girl must be here too.
He licked his lips eagerly as he imagined the pleasure of finally getting his hands on his objective. He tossed the human hanging in his spear carelessly, not bothering to know if she would survive or not…probably not. He ordered his unit to attack and soon there were screams everywhere. He delighted in the sight of the unworthy humans fleeing only to be easily caught by the much stronger creatures slaughtering them. He nodded approvingly. This was how it should be.
Such is the way of life.
Rin could not believe her eyes. The once peaceful village was quickly smeared in blood and corpses of many friends of hers. The cruel demons were destroying everything that was dear to her…not only her…to them. She felt so angry, so scared but most of all so sad. She closed her eyes and covered her ears trying as much as she could to isolate herself from the gruesome show. She still could hear muffled screams and the sound of steel. Tears fell from her eyes. It was happening again! She was losing everything!
No…please, no more!
She willed herself to open her eyes and searching through the bloodshed she felt her heart stopping for a few seconds when she saw Kagome's bloodied form laying on the ground. Crying her eyes out Rin shouted what she assumed as instinct by now.
-LORD SESSHOMARU!
*Thump thump*
At his hip Tenseiga began to pulse. Sesshomaru frowned but sped up just when he heard Rin's voice scream for him. His heart raced matching the sword's pace. No, he couldn't let anything happen to Rin!
Before he knew it he was at the village. He saw blood. So much blood. Being a warrior he was used to it but it was disturbing to think it could belong to someone you knew and saw alive and well only moments ago. Without a second thought, Sesshomaru released his poison whip and slew the first soldier that appeared before him. There was another one who when he saw the terrifying demon lord, stuttered and his behavior suddenly changed from predator to prey. Sesshomaru watched this with disgust.
A true warrior never backs away no matter how deadly the challenge is.
With an impatient flick of his wrist the soldier was no more.
Kami, there was so many screaming he thought his delicate ears would burst.
-Hiraikotsu!
His eyes widened and he dodged away from the giant boomerang's way to see it wounding two more soldiers behind him. He was about to reprimand the demon slayer for being so careless when his instincts told him to crouch avoiding once again the weapon's return to its wielder.
He narrowed his eyes and glared coldly at the woman. She scratched the back of her neck and mouthed an apology before joining the monk's side in the battlefield. Sesshomaru sighed when the two wounded idiots tried to attack him and he killed them easily with a few swipes of his claws. He returned his focus on searching for Rin. Between the lifeless and bloodied faces he hoped to not recognize he made his way towards where he thought her voice had come from. The screams were increasing and became louder. The agonizing human shrieks tortured his poor ears but he had to find Rin.
He soon found her. She was kneeling beside some corpse with her hands covering her eyes. The jerks of her shoulders were indicating that she was crying. He frowned and approached her but froze when he looked at the face of the body still warm.
Miko.
Inuyasha will not take this lightly.
-WIND SCAR!
The soldiers in his way were easily killed with the hanyou's powerful technique. He could feel her pulse. He could still feel it, damn it! But it was weakening second by second and his beast was already howling in grief.
Are you giving up already? I won't let her leave me! Shit! Kagome hang on, for fuck's sake!
He felt the mating mark made by Kagome's human blunt teeth begin to fade. He shook his head in despair.
No! Please…don't take her away from me…
And then…he saw Rin and Sesshomaru and…
Oh, kami…
He dropped Tensaiga and sunk to his knees. He grabbed Kagome's limp body and hugged her with all his might. He inhaled her sweet but fading scent and his eyes filled with tears. Tears he hadn't shed for a long time. Tears of loss.
He just lost the love of his life.
Sesshomaru watched all of this and as much as he hated his half-brother this was something even he didn't wish to anybody. He winced when Inuyasha let out a howl filled with so much pain. At his side Rin was still crying with devotion. He felt himself fill with rage. How could this happen? In a matter of minutes everything that took years to be accomplished just shattered. With a determined growl he summoned for the responsible for all of this.
He was surprised when an equally strong but daring growl answered his. As the silhouette in the shadows revealed itself his eyes bled red for who he saw.
Takeru, general of the Eastern Lands.
The fool had the nerve to laugh and even after he was done he smirked devilishly at the demon lord.
-Well, well…I came here for the map but found the treasure instead!
Losing all sense of humanity, Sesshomaru lunged, deadly claws ready to rip in shreds.
Takeru was no fool. He knew he was no match for the dog lord. But he'll be damned if he gets out of here without a fight. As he tried as hard as he could to dodge the fierce and never tiring attacks Sesshomaru was giving to him he searched for the so called ward. The least he could do now that his plans were dramatically changed was to try to fulfill his beginning duty.
He let out a little whimper when a fist contacted his cheek, nearly breaking his neck with its force and a knee that went up his stomach. Damn, he had to find her soon before getting himself killed. Takeru leapt away from his enemy but the demon lord was furious. Looking into his red demonic eyes the general could only see deep, terrifying and blind madness to kill. He gulped feeling absolutely intimidated.
That's when he saw one of his soldiers crawling towards a young woman who was currently in her knees sobbing and watching the fight. The soldiers raised his spear ready to strike and Takeru watched this satisfied. But the woman saw his shadow hovering her and quicker than a heartbeat she turned around and screamed.
Suddenly Sesshomaru was not attacking him but rather chopping the wounded soldier's head off with a swift move of his claws. The woman was shivering with fear and without thinking she wrapped her arms around the demon lord's leg and muttered thanks after thanks. What shocked him was that Sesshomaru was not pulling her away. He was actually searching her body with his eyes for any possible wound. Takeru's eyes glistened in understanding.
She's the one.
Taking a small flask from his belt he poured it over himself and ran as fast as he could, thanking the kami for Sesshomaru being distracted.
He had to report immediately
Sesshomaru roared his indignation when he found the coward gone. He sniffed the air for his scent but found nothing.
The bastard used a potion.
Taking deep breaths he forced himself to calm and his eyes turned back to the livid and cold amber that they were. Looking down to the trembling young woman still hugging his leg for dear life he sighed.
That's it. I'm going to take Rin to the palace now.
He patted her head for attention and she looked up with watery eyes.
-Can you stand?
She nodded weakly. He could tell she was exhausted. He couldn't blame her. Today was pretty intense. He felt a poke in his side and he looked at her. She nibbled her lip and glanced at Inuyasha still holding the fallen miko. Sesshomaru eyes softened with sadness. Yes. He actually felt a little sad for the hanyou and miko's fate. They had something that few had. Pure and raw love.
He heard a rough sound and turned to see Rin on her knees and hands bowing to him like a servant. He frowned. He didn't want to see Rin bow to him like this. He grabbed her hand and she sat in her knees refusing to stand. He was starting to feel a little annoyed.
-Rin…
That's when she clasped her hands together and with tears falling from her eyes she nearly shouted in an utterly desperate tone.
-Please, lord Sesshomaru! Save her! I beg you!
The demon lord stepped back at her seemingly but nonetheless disturbing outburst. Something in the catatonic Inuyasha snapped and he looked at his brother. Sesshomaru stared back and Inuyasha's eyes dropped to Tenseiga at his hip.
-Sesshomaru…
Inuyasha gulped and forgetting pride, forgetting hatred and forgetting hope he bowed just like Rin did and pleaded for his only escape to complete darkness.
-Please…it's the only think I ask of you…bring my love back!
Inuyasha was shattered. Torn and completely broken. It was this that Sesshomaru had wanted more than anything. But now that he had it…it tasted bitter. Like he was disgusted by it. Tenseiga was still pulsing, like it was screaming to him to do as they asked. He grunted not used at all following orders much less by a sword.
Inuyasha's ears twitched when he heard the sound of a sword being unsheathed and almost afraid but anxious too he looked up and gasped marveled. In Sesshomaru's hands was the sword of Heaven, Tenseiga. Will he really bring Kagome back? Sesshomaru whispered with an odd subtle gentle tone.
-Step aside.
He immediately complied. He watched as his nemesis narrowed his eyes in concentration and Tenseiga began to glow.
I can see them…the harbingers of death.
He hesitated for a moment. Was he doing the right thing? Giving back to his hated brother the most precious thing in his life? Looking at Inuyasha he saw him nibbling nervously his bottom lip and his eyes were hanging to the last glistening of hope. He glanced at Rin and he saw her look of pure adoration and pleading softness. His breath caught in his throat. Looking at them both he saw…a reason. A reason for mercy.
With a steady swipe he slaughtered the bothersome pests and everything went silent for some moments.
Inuyasha cried of happiness when dark brown eyes opened lazily.
Author's note: Phew! This one took longer but I'm satisfied how it ended up. I've been a bit busy so bear with me xD Anyway, hope you like this chapter! Next one is coming soon.