Chapter seven: Remorse

Forty seven people dead. Eighteen children among them. A group of robbers feared for their viciousness and cruelty ambushed the village during a full-moon night, slaughtering every single living thing that crossed their way. Nobody survived. As remote as the village was, it remained unknown for a couple of weeks till a merchant found out about the gruesome tragedy.

The village was under lord Sesshomaru's domain. The demon went to see the devastation for himself. He walked among the huts, shifting his eyes over the bodies. Decomposition had already taken its course on them. Still it was clear many of them were slain in the most brutal way. The robbers didn't spare anyone, not even the youngest.

He saw a small boy, a girl, an infant... Slashed, staring blindly with the glassy eyes.

It could have been her... It could have been her village...

Although he knew how to hide it, the demon felt regret over their deaths. Not only because this village was his responsibility. But he felt remorse especially for the children. Each face gazing lifelessly at the sky reminded him of a child he called his own. A child he held close to his heart. A child whose death would cut him deeper he would ever be able to admit.

Sesshomaru wasn't planning to leave it like that. He chased them, hunted them down. He didn't mind the time, he wouldn't stop till he would find them.

They didn't hear anything. And when they did, it was too late. They had no chance. Soon their camp was stained with blood. The dead bodies carried a clear message about the rage and fury of the demon who killed them.

He avenged the village. But it brought him nor satisfaction nor relief.

"Master Jaken, where is Lord Sesshomaru?"

"He disappeared a couple of weeks ago," the imp replied. The little girl watched him, her face reflecting worries.

"Oh, don't be afraid," the imp mumbled. "Lord Sesshomaru can take care of himself just fine."

"Uh..."

Rin was sure about that as well. But she had to admit she was pretty disappointed he wasn't there. She left the imp and went to the gardens, her most favourite place in the palace. The gardens were huge, with unbelievably beautiful trees and flowers. She knew lord Sesshomaru let them be brought here mainly for her, because she told him once how happy she'd be if she could see all the flowers and trees in the world.

As she wandered in the flower fields, she walked as far as the path went, stopping at the river running through. When she looked up, she noticed lord Sesshomaru sitting on the river bank. Her heart shivered with happiness.

"Lord Sesshomaru!"

She ran up along the river but soon she realized something was wrong. She stopped, hesitating. He'd already known about her, but he didn't make any move. He was just sitting there with his eyes closed and head resting against his palm. There was blood on his clothes. Rin's guts twisted with fear. Did something happen to him?

She approached him slowly, carefully, clenching her fists. With a bit of relief she found out the blood wasn't most probably his.

"Lord Sesshomaru," she said when she was just a few inches away. He didn't acknowledge her presence. There was something in his face that made Rin sad for him. She wasn't used to him looking so unhappy.

Rin walked behind him, stepping on her toes and hugging him around his shoulders. She reached as high as she could, wrapping her arms around him, her fingers weaving through his hair. She wanted to take the sadness off him somehow, anyhow.

Suddenly, he raised an arm and caught her hand. He held it tightly, almost like they wouldn't see each other for a long, long time. Rin squeezed him as much as she could.

"Don' be sad, my lord," she said to his ear. He turned his head on side, just to meet her eyes. Rin gazed into them. The golden yellow colour of them... She loved it so much.

"Did something bad happen to you, my lord?" she asked, concerned and worried. He was silent for some time before shaking his head. Rin had the feeling he wasn't telling the truth, but if he didn't want to tell her, she wouldn't persuade him. The only thing she did was that she pressed herself against his back, resting her head on his right shoulder blade. She closed her eyes and clutched his hand firmly as well.

"I won't let you be sad, my lord..." she repeated quietly. "That's why I'm here for you..."