Man this story is so dope to me!

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*TRIGGER WARNING* - Some material may trigger you. I wrote his fanfic to reflect the times and to give me space and grace to process and grieve.

Thank you to my Reviewers

Dori - Me too. I don't think a fanfic has done this before. I'm excited to write this. Thank you.

XNightzxDayX - Thank you. I appreciate you.

Thank you for the Fav and the Follow

Morathi3

XNightzxDayX

Victoria Cullen35

Chapter 2

Maddening

That's what the world was today.

Disturbed.

Sesshomaru sat on the wooden porch of the old cabin with his legs crossed and his back straight as he polished his weapons over the stone with the oils and cloth. The soft brush of trees and leaves lulled him into a meditative state. His long silver hair hung around him in disarray as he worked silently and without disturbance. The twitch of his elven ears caught onto a bird singing in the breeze. The waves from afar lulling him into false comforts. The morning sun warmed his skin giving him a red hue that overlapped the growing tanned flesh underneath. Sweat trickled down his bare back and across his abdomen. The tropical climate was unyielding even to his sensitivities. A welcome reprieve than the one he just escaped not too many moons ago. Another reminder of his faults.

A reminder that he was not home.

That home was no longer what it was anymore.

Because people were sick and dying.

He rubbed harder this time along the sharp blade watching the black marks drip away from the metal. His reflection stared back, muddled in the blade. Magenta face markings were jagged and his nose was scrunched closer to his face revealing his animalistic nature. Golden irises wrapped in pink and darkened blue rings glared back. His white pants no longer held its fresh linen appeal. Oils, sweat, dirt, and hard work now sank into the fibers. Scents that were far better than the one that tainted his memory.

Sesshomaru's bangs stuck onto his face as he snorted rather loudly, expelling air from his nostrils. The scent of illness and decay still lingered upon his senses. Overpowering the good natural scents of chamomile, cinnamon, and a fresh autumn breeze. His blades were silent more than ever as he worked. One usually held a repressed energy of destruction and the other once sang to find empathy and forgiveness. Both were quiet these days. Especially after what they witnessed.

"It's ok, we're going to be ok."

"Her lungs are filling up with liquid."

"We don't have a cure for this."

Rotting soil and decay clung to his nostrils and the skin of his pack.

"Please! Save them Sesshomaru."

"There aren't enough ventilators."

The miko's screams echoed off the walls and scratched his ears.

"Inuyasha!"

"Rin!"

A growl ripped from his throat as he stood abruptly and looked about the small clearing surrounding the shack. The sound of water filtered through the noise. He sat his sword down carefully and moved to the side the whetstones and the oils. Soft bells rang through the trees as his eyes narrowed along a worn pathway. A pathway known only by very few and walked by even less.

His senses couldn't make out what he was hearing. His nose told him fresh spring of water was moving towards him. His ears picked up chimes ringing gently in the breeze. His instincts stood resolute in his spot, staring at the pathway. It was familiar to the old demon Obatala who allowed him safe passage and residence in his territory. When he was nearby, the trees hushed, and calm settled upon his skin. Goosebumps littered his flesh knowingly being in the presence of an Orisha, an ancient respectable demon. This presence held similar gentle vibrations but was growing strangely erratic. A frustrated shout belonging to a woman caused the birds to fly from the direction of water and song.

Something or someone was coming. But no one should be upon the mountain. That was the promise given to him by Obatala. Yet, someone…a woman maybe was coming. And they knew the way. Curious, Sesshomaru walked stealthily into the tree line and paced with irises poised upon the entry way. His aura shrunk around him and his nose took hint of the scent of spring water. He carefully stalked amongst the dense trees of the emerald gem. Her large banana leaves covering everything that her palms, mahoe, and flora didn't. Shade left in the dark with piercing golden eyes catching sight of the source. Sharp claws moved along the bark of the trees and silent footsteps marked his pathway towards the woman muttering to herself and slashing at branches and such.

Sesshomaru leaned casually against a tree and crossed his arms watching her move along the grassy worn pathway. Brown skin reflected the suns glow. Long brownish-black hair intertwined in baubles and shells danced in her hair that carried down her back and front. Her limbs were thin but strong as she walked up the mountain path. White cloth wrapped around her front and a white skirt layered her lower half leaving her belly bare. Shimmering beads decorated her hips and moved as she stalked forward. Her grip held true to the basket she carried along her hip and the other gripped viscerally a blade that swung with precision. The scent and sound of spring water moving with each step she took. Her words spewed angrily with her tone. Her aura vibrated the earth around her and washed against him soothingly yet pulled abruptly like an angry wave. The woman rippled with something ancient and forbidden to his sensibilities. It rumbled through her being and into the forest whispering. His claws lengthened.

She was angry.

Magic was upon her.

Dangerous.

His lips pulled back in a snarl sensing the danger despite the soothing sensation of water that trickled along his senses. He followed behind her, growing closer and closer as she came upon the cabin. She stopped suddenly in the pathway. Her aura flexed in a bright shine of soft yellows and aquamarines. His claws flexed as she came closer to the steps and peered inside the cabin. The basket had been forgotten as she brandished her weapon and yelled loudly. Her foreign speech yelled for him to reveal himself. The sun reflected off the sharp metal and he could see her eyes burning into the steel. Within that same reflection, gold met brown before she spun towards him and he shifted. Claws flexed and fangs lengthened to protect himself.

Some Education...

Obatala and Oshun are African deities specifically part of the Yoruba. Although they are of African origin, their belief system is debated heavily today about its influence in Christianity, Catholicism, etc. The religious and/or spiritual practices can be seen today throughout the diaspora. Now for more info...research if you want.

Until next time...