Hours later,the rain had not stopped,only its pace. Some dropps fell on Sesshomaru under the weight of the water that fell from the sky on everything around. He did not reacted in any way,for Jaken it looked as if he was asleep. So peacefull,such a beautiful image. If someone would've asked the servant to describe his lord,he would've said he is the calm before the storm. You never know what wrath lies underneath this pale beauty and its striking perfection.
«When is that woman returning? Should I wake him up? Or maybe not,he will shorten my life with 100 years,but I'm so bored,and this rain looks like it doesn't want to stop.» Jaken tried his best not to let out a sigh,not wanting to wake up the one resting near him.
-Sesshomaru-sama! A high pitched voice came from a distance. Its excitement want undoubteble,it was Rin.
-Ah! Milord,the girls have returned! The little green demon stood up waiting.
Sesshomaru opened his eyes and turned his head. He saw how the little girl waved in joy her hand as she was getting closer,carried by Shiloh. But a mix of scents disturbed his smell,one of them was the most familiar,which made him frown. Like Jaken,he also stood up,both the woman and the girl approaching.
Shiloh was as wet as possible,as if she fell into a river. The vivid colors of the clothes turned dark and her hair lost its volume and shine but the child was the one who was dry and that was all that mattered.
-Look what the cat brought in.
-Good one,Jaken. The woman smiled and put Rin down next to Sesshomaru where it was dry.
-Where have you been? The silver haired demon asked looking serious at her.
-In a village where Rin bathe and ate good normal human food. Right,kid? She messed up the girl's hair in a playfull way smiling proud.
-Yes! And then these demons appeared and lady Shiloh saved everyone! She's fierce,Sesshomaru-sama! Rin's excitement and admiration were overwhelming for Shiloh who couldn't stop smiling.
-No need to worry,Sesshomaru –
-Sit.
-Excuse me? She looked at him somewhat offended by his short quick reaction.
-Sit down,you're wet. We're leaving after the rain stops.
The fox understood,he was trying to be protective,to show that he cared. Not saying anything else in return,she laid down on the ground squieezing out all the water her hair soaked.
-I'm surprised you did not ate Jaken as you waited for us.
-Wha-a-a-at?! Lord Sesshomaru did you intended to eat me?
-Shut up,Jaken. You wouldn't be enough for my hunger.
-Sesshomaru-sama,I saved some food for you and Jaken and lady Shiloh but I couldn't take it with me. I know you don't eat human food but it's just…you never eat with us I thought you're hungry.
He was touched by her intention but for him all it mattered was that she was clean and not starving. Also,beside the mixed scents Shiloh was reeking off,he did not sensed the shard she had with her when she left.
-You got rid of the shard? Sesshomaru looked down at her arching an eyebrow softly.
-There was this girl,Kagome,who collects them. I had no use of it so I gave it away.
The name jarred upon his ear making him lose all interest in continuing the conversation. It was clear,she had met InuYasha.
Slowly the rain stopped and the sky was clear again. Shiloh placed Rin on Ah-Un and let Jaken walk next to her as she went to Sesshomaru. The two together,side by side,made the little girl wonder as she cocked her head.
-Jaken-sama,do you think lord Sesshomaru is in love with lady Shiloh? The child whispered curiously.
-Don't be a fool,kid! Jaken immediately went on fire. It's impossible,he will never have feelings for any woman. He is a blood thirsty cold hearted demon,boiling with rage and fury,ready to kill everyone who stands in his way or those around him. «But now that I think about it and how changed he is lately,is it possible for lord Sesshomaru to feel something for that fox? What if Rin is right? Ah what does she know about love? She's only 8.»
But Shiloh couldn't keep her eyes off from the man walking next to her. That silver hair touched by the sun light looked just like a crystal. And he also gave her a look from the corner of his eye,a slight,barely visible,smile occurring on his lips but as he looked forward,that happy curve disappeared.
Their road was not to be interruptet by any events and so,as the dawn came,Sesshomaru found a place where they could spend the night,which was to bring some unpleasant tension.
-Rin,if you are hungry,go find yourself something to eat. The great dog told the girl as he looked at the sky that started getting darker,stars being sprinkled over it.
-Hay! The girl exclamed and ran to search for some mushrooms.
-I'll go after something to make the fire. Shiloh was waiting for an answer she will not get,so after seconds of waiting,she left.
-Milord,I can hear the sound of water running,are we near a river?
-I do not care,Jaken. Sesshomaru shut away from anyone once more,like he usually does,but his tone was harsh this time.
«Sheesh,he's cranky alright,what's gotten into him?» Jaken sat on the grass looking at his master how melancholic he was.
«That smell...curse that smell!» Sesshomaru clinged his fist,his claws piercing through his skin,dipping the tips in his blood. «Why am I not able to forget,to leave aside my hate for that half breed? A part of me wants to kill him,to bathe in his warm steaming blood but then again,it is our father's blood which runs through his veins,the same blood I have. What is the meaning of all this? Father,what were you thinking?»
-L-lord Sesshomaru...your...your hand,milord,it's bleeding! Jaken's words woke him up as he terrified pointed out to the red drops that fell on the ground.
Sesshomaru looked at the little creature and brought his hand before his eyes seeing the cuts he had made with his own nails. He could've poisoned himself if he was not carefull,the thought of his brother taking his mind away.
-Is it something bothering you,milord? Could I be at any help? Jaken humbly asked his lord,facing the ground.
His eyes not stood long on his servant as he walked away,far away,disappearing in the black of the forest. There was a battle going inside the demon,a riot about to explode into flames,and they could feel it. The weather was as unsettled as him,the wind violently passing through everything in its way.
«I could ask lady Shiloh but it wouldn't be proper of me...but I would give my life just to know what's going inside my lord's mind...»
-Jaken! The woman's soft voice came from the back as she let fall all the wood she brought for the fire. Where is Sesshomaru?
-I don't know,my lady,he just left,heading nowhere. Erm...my lady,I know it is not suitable of me to ask but -
-Out with it,Jaken,spare me the long talks.
-Yes,I'm sorry. My lady,is it possible for you to know what happened to lord Sesshomaru? He seems...not like himself for a while and I was wondering if you could help me.
-Sesshomaru,from since I met him,is a mistery. Don't bother too much with him,Jaken. His thoughts one day will flood his head and he will have to let them out eventually,and that means talking to someone. He indeed is an ocean full of secrets. Not even his parents managed to crack him.
-I understand...
-Don't be sad,little wimp. Her hand rubbed Jaken's head and then lit the wood on fire. Rin!
Jaken was left alone once more as Shiloh left to find Rin to bring her back. He let out a crushing sigh and looked to the sky. It was so beautiful but sad at the same time.
In another,far away,part,InuYasha and his friends were also sitting by a fire.
-Who was the woman from today,InuYasha? Your whole mood changed since you saw her. Miroku said quite curious.
-That woman took care of me as a child. His crushed and confussed heart was to be heard in his voice. They all looked at him with sad wondering eyes. Her name is Shiloh and she was raised by my father...
Something inside them made them feel a soft pain. They all knew the story InuYasha told them about his childhood and the only things they heard about his father were from the old flea,Myoga.
-It looked like you had an intimate moment with her by the river.
-Intimate? He asked Kagome not knowing what she was reffering to.
-I mean you both were really close and calm and somewhat sad at the same time.
-And she hugged you as a mother. Sango completed the teenager's sentence. You could've see and feel the love she has for you.
The hanyou looked at his friends then let down his head. They were right,when she embraced him it was as if he was in the arms of his own mother. So much warm and kindness he felt once his body met hers. There was sadness in her eyes that he saw but did not questioned it,reasons were enough.
The words she used to sing to him started coming back,in the back of his head,playing with the same melody her voice sent. No one wanted to interrupt InuYasha at that moment. Meeting the woman who protected him as her own crushed his heart. He looked up to the sky,like his brother was doing at the exact moment,both gazing at the moon,wondering. «At least we're under the same sky.» InuYasha said to himself.
Little by little,his friends fell asleep,he remaining the only one to look after them. But how could he concentrate when the craddle song was not giving him peace? Was his father who protected him through her and still is? For as long as he'll keep hold to Tetsusaiga,he will have the great general with him.