CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

Sesshomaru

When I had reached Rin and Jaken, I was greeted with a question.

"Milord! Do you see this man here? He seems rather peculiar, don't you think?"

I couldn't care less. If Jaken had a choice, he would depict every man he met as 'peculiar'. If it weren't for the sound of a cat's yowl, I would have just continued on my way.

As I looked at it, I was slightly confused by what I had seen. A cat demon, looking identical to her cat. Mikage's cat. Her fur was bristled. Riding it, was not Mikage, but a man. The odd scent of nutmeg pricked at my nose. Had he stolen Yuuhi from her?

"You," I said, examining him. The man's arms were bare except for arm guards, and were boyishly muscleless. He was small in stature, the armor bound to him obviously too big. "Where did you get that cat?"

Yuuhi backed away, teeth still bared.

"Sesshomaru, aren't you?" The voice was wavering and small. The man barely managed to get the words out before looking to the side.

"Do I know you?"

He paused before turning his head away.

"N-no. You don't. Forgive me."

His voice was noticeably deeper now, but Jaken was right. He was suspicious. How did he know my name?

"That cat doesn't belong to you."

The boy now became nervous. His body trembled as he shook his head.

"You're mistaken."

I felt my eyes narrow. My patience was dwindling with this man.

"Draw your sword, traveler. For it is your only defense against me."

Cracking my front two knuckles, I shot the energy whip at him, watching as he had no choice but to take the blade out. What I saw turned out to be more formidable then I had thought. When removed from his belt, the sword transformed, much like Tessaiga. It countered the light whip, but as it clashed against it, the swirls on the blade turned the exact color of the white light.

The momentum of the collision forced the boy back, knocking him off of the cat.

"Milord!" Jaken shrieked, startled. He had run over to the traveler's side, along with Rin.

"Lord Sesshomaru... It's a girl!" Rin cried. This came as news to me. However, as I approached, the sight shocked me. I felt a cold sensation creep onto my neck as I looked at her.

Yuuhi snarled.

"Get away from her!"

I shook my head as I came directly behind them.

"Move."

Rin and Jaken cleared the way as I got a closer look. It was her. Blue eyes wide, disheveled hair stuck to her forehead, she looked away.

"I don't want to fight."

Her helmet lay in the grass next to her, her sword still in hand. Her previously round face had a more defined look to it, cheek bones obvious on her now slender face. She lay on her back, arms spread wide from her fall. From this distance, it was obvious just how much she had grown up over the years.

"I thought you would still be with your mother," I stated, looking down at her. She took an audible breath in as she sat up. She still wasn't meeting my eyes.

"I ran away. Mother tried to force me to marry."

Her shoulders moved up and down with each breath as she gripped the sword handle tighter. She had more scars on her arms, and some fresh marks, too. So she had finally done it.

"Oh my goodness, Lord Sesshomaru! She's so pretty!" Rin cried, looking her over. "Is she your wife?" Rin then looked up at me, eyes shining.

"Of course she isn't, Rin! Don't ask Milord such foolish questions."

Deciding not to say anything else, I turned.

"Don't fall behind, you two."

Predictably, Rin objected.

"But Lord Sesshomaru! You guys know each other, don't you? You should at least get better acquainted!"

"That's enough, Rin."

She sighed loudly, gripping my pant leg.

"Come on! Please?"

Mikage had already begun preparing to leave, her back to us.

"Milady, do not leave! Believe me, he's just being stubborn."

Mikage smiled back at him as she climbed onto Yuuhi's back.

"It was good to see you, Jaken. Oh, and what is your name should we encounter each other again?" she inquired, turning to Rin.

Rin gasped, seeming thrilled by her question.

"Rin, Milady!" Rin gushed.

Mikage offered her a warm smile.

"I will remember that," she claimed, giving her a short bow before departure. "Farewell, Lord Sessho-Maru. Stay healthy."

Afterwards, she led the cat forward, moving into a gallop.

I found myself looking after her.

"Whoosh! She sure was beautiful, aye Milord?" Jaken asked, turning to face me. I closed my eyes as I began walking away.

"It doesn't matter to me."

"Do you know her, Milord?" Rin questioned, clambering onto Ah-Un's back.

"Of course he does, Rin! But I simply cannot BELIEVE he let her go like that! That was an excellent opportunity, and he just let it go!"

"Yeah well, how is his legacy going to go on?"

"Enough interrogations, you two."

Finally finding silence, I continued on my way.