Through the well and back again

Disclaimer: I still don't own Inuyasha...

Chapter 9:

She was going back. After days and days of going through lessons and being unsure of what she was possibly going to do next, she was going back through the well. Rin didn't mind all that much, actually. Especially since the reason why she was going back had everything to do with her lord. She remembered the day clearly when he had pulled her aside and asked her. At the time, she had been terrified because he had pulled her aside to talk to her after she had blurted out all of her feelings for him, so she had thought that he was going to tell her that from now on they were expected to travel their own ways.

Not only had her lord not demanded that she leave him, but they also hadn't managed to get clean evidence on her English teacher that he wasn't all he was cracked up to be. Sometimes, for Rin sitting in his class was unbearable and sent shivers up and down her spine, especially when he gave her these knowing glances that no one but her could interpret. Basically, with all of this being said, Rin was more than glad to be going back to her own time. But, she wasn't so sure that she was going to be glad for the reason why she was going back. Because she had no idea that lord Sesshoumaru was planning on taking her to a... witch to put into better terms in order to show her his complete past and everything he had ever done. No, she had no idea that all of this was going to happen so, while she packed her bags with a smile on her beautiful face and humming merrily to herself, she didn't think of anything scary.

In fact, she didn't think of the fact that her English teacher could possibly be Naraku in disguise or anything like that. All she thought about was being by her lords side once again. Even though he was with her while she was in Kagome's world, she hardly ever saw her lord other then when they were attending classes and she knew how much he despised those and to be honest, she couldn't really even blame him. The other girls, apart from Kagome's friends were pretty annoying and Rin didn't even realize that part of her annoyance came from jealousy deep within but rather that she felt bad for her lord.

She wished that he would go back to their world instead of stick around and be miserable in this one on her account... She sighed as she finished putting the rest of her things into her bag. A slight knock at her door made her jump but she granted the person on the other side permission to enter and she knew it would be Kagome. The other girl had voiced her uncertainties of Rin going back with lord Sesshoumaru but Rin had cast them aside with a smile on her face, telling the other girl that she trusted her lord completely, and she did... right?

"Is everything going alright in here?" Kagome asked, while holding her hand against her chest.

Rin nodded. "Yes. I've got everything ready and prepared to go back."

Kagome gave her an odd look as she walked across the room and sat down on the bed. "Rin, do you know what your lord has planned for you when he takes you back?"

For some reason, Rin felt a pang of unease go through her. She had known that the topic of her going back would come up but she had hoped it would be later, not now of all times when she was trying to put false confidence and reassurances in herself that everything would be perfectly fine. She also noticed that Kagome had, of course a worried look on her face but also a knowing one, like she knew something that Rin didn't and it irked her.

"No, but I trust him Kagome. We've already been through this, remember?" She didn't mean to snap but it just came out, what with all her nerves already and then this conversation coming up again between them.

Kagome put up her hands in surrender before replying back. "I know you do, Rin but I don't. I don't know him like you do so can you blame me? And I just... came here to tell you to be careful and that he's waiting outside for you."

Rin stood up at that and slung her backpack over her shoulders. She was going to do this, no matter what anyone said and yet... "Kagome-chan, I know you're only trying to look out for me and have my best interests at heart and you've done so much for me already and I thank you from the deepest part of my heart but I just want to tell you... try not to worry about me too much, okay? When I'm with my lord, nothing can go wrong because I know he'll protect me. He's been protecting me all my life you see." She plastered on the fake bravest look she had ever done and turned to leave, Kagome following behind her.

Her lord was waiting by the front door, his eyes as cold as ever. She couldn't help herself and gulped, Kagome's words and warnings echoing in her mind. Seriously, what was all of this? She was annoying herself with all the doubt and fear that was plaguing her. However, she couldn't deny the ferocity and the tense way her lord was holding himself. What was he so intent on showing her? And why did they have to leave now? Was it possible that he was maybe showing her his past? She shook her head. No, it couldn't be. They were just going back to their own time for a few days because it was where they belonged.

Looking at the well now she wondered just exactly where her true home lied. If it was in this time or... the one she was born in. The one that had caused her so much darkness and pain and fear but at the same time, so much love and laughter and smiles... she was indeed confused and her head felt like it was going to explode with all the questions and uncertainty. Of course she wanted to see her lords past, if this was even why they were going back but... at the same time, she was terrified to see it. She knew full well that it wasn't all going to be a good thing, what she was going to see possibly and she also felt like her lord was reveling a lot of himself but, why would he? Why would he bother explaining himself to a mere mortal like her, whom he did not love back? Unless...

No. She shook her head violently, dismissing the false hope from her mind. She would not get herself all hot and bothered over something that might not even be there. Still though, as they walked into the darkened hut of the Witch she couldn't help but wonder and be filled with dread once again because the place was, to put into better terms, hideous and damp and dark and the Witch inside was even worse, leering at them and... were those bones on the small table? She shuddered, trying her best to hide it and fought not to step closer to her lord. She would be brave.

"What do you want?" the witch croaked harshly at them, eyeing them with a cold hate that Rin couldn't even begin to comprehend.

"We wish for a way to travel back in time. To see my past." Her lord still spoke with authority and a firmness that awed her for if she was the one who had to speak with this witch, she would have been a blubbering mess.

The witch leered at him. "Everything comes with a price, demon. Shall I name it now?"

Her lord gave the witch a stiff nod. "Do as you wish."

For the first time since meeting this creepy woman, she smiled. It was more of a greedy smirk but still. "Very well. The price for what you seek is... a memory and your first born child."

Rin couldn't help herself and snorted her surprise, earning a quick glance from her lord and a harsh annoyed sound from the witch. "Nothing is as simple as it seems, foolish girl. One day, you will become pregnant and the child will be mine. Unless you plan to stay a silly virgin for the rest of your life? But for the reason being, I think not."

Rin froze. How did this woman know what she desired? Could she... was it possible that she could read minds? If she could, she supposed it wouldn't surprise her. She was snapped out of her thoughts by the sharp tone of her lords voice saying: "Rin. Come with me for a moment."

She nodded and followed him outside and to her astonishment, he grabbed her by the shoulders and made her face him, giving her a long and leveled look. "Are you sure this is what you want?"

His voice told her that he didn't want any nonsense.

"Yes, my lord." She was happy to hear how strong and sure her own voice sounded.

Something flickered in his eyes but of course, it was gone in a flash. She knew that giving up any baby she had in the future would be hard and it would break her heart into a million pieces because babies were precious and she had always dreamed of having her own one day and maybe, with a small glimmer of hope, it could even be with her lord but... she needed this. She knew with all of her heart and soul that this needed to happen. She needed to see the true demon lord and what he really was. She didn't know why but deep down, she knew that it would give her some clue as to who he was and maybe even bring them closer together.

Seeing the resolve on her face, he gave a swift nod and they returned their attention back to the witch. "Our decision is final."

The witch rubbed her hands greedily together and motioned them towards the tiny table with her arm. "Come this way."

And so they did, with Rin's heart pounding nervously and her lord sitting cold and hard next to her and the witch... Well, the witch was uttering some kind of spell that sent chills down Rin's spine and, the next thing she knew, she was plunged into a deep darkness before suddenly, a scene was taking place before her very eyes and she had no idea how she felt about it because the lord that was standing before her now was truly the dangerous and terrifying demon everyone made him out to be.

Author's note: Once again, I'm really sorry for the long absence. :( Writers block is totally messing with me but at the same time, I have plenty of ideas it's just that when it's time to get them down and make them real, it's hard to put them into the right words. I actually wanted to make this chapter longer but decided that I'll have the next scene happen in chapter 10, so it isn't all bunched together and rushed. :) Anyways, reviews and thoughts on how everything is unraveling are greatly appreciated! Please and thank you and I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! :D