Chapter 84 - Prayer
The silence was deafening in Sesshomaru's ears, but it was the silence in his mind that concerned him most. Rin's thoughts were notably absent, even when their minds were closed to each other, her presence was a constant warm glow just beyond reach. But at the moment, there was nothing but the darkness of his own mind. Rin… can you hear me? There was no response, of any kind. Taking a breath, he turned and began following the river. His gold eyes swept the rushing water, and both sides of the bank, hoping for a sign of her presence… anything at all. It was all that Sesshomaru could do, to keep the mental image of Rin's small body tumbling against the rocks, from taking over. I'm sure, she's alive. He thought again, as if stating it, would make it true.
His kegetsu boots made no sound on the rocks along the riverbank. A familiar scent teased Sesshomaru's nose. It was sour and slightly greasy. He stopped his forward motion, without turning. "Jaken." There was no answer, only the sound of faint whimpering. Casting a glare in the direction of the scent, he found Jaken lying over a boulder with his eyes squeezed closed. "Are you pretending to be dead Jaken?"
"Nahhhh mmnnnnn hmmnnbbb!!!" The imp's wordless terrified gibberish only irritated Sesshomaru further. Jaken leapt up from the boulder and fell to his face, bowing down atop the rock. "Please forgive me Lord Sesshomaru! I promise I shall find Rin, even if it costs my life! Mhhhnnnnn." The little demon broke off in some sort of whimpering tears.
As if he has the ability to find and save Rin. With a delicate but derisive sniff, Sesshomaru walked away from the imp's mumbled apologies without a word.
"Nnhh? My Lord?! Ohhh! Agh… ah! Wait for me my Lord! I'm comiiiiing!" The pattering steps of Jaken's bare feet came tottling up beside Sesshomaru. "Oh… you are angry after all."
Sesshomaru said not a word, to Jaken's whiny high pitched whimperings. His thoughts were far away already. If the mercenaries have her… they will use her as bait to lure me into a trap. I need to figure out where they're taking her and cut them off before the trap is laid. The yokai followed the river down to the base of Mount Hakurei, taking hours to scan seemingly every inch of the river to not miss any clues. At the base of the mountain, the river split into several smaller streams. For long moments Sesshomaru paused at the mouth of the river, scenting and assessing. Which way? Rin's scent was nowhere. Carefully he walked to each of the smaller streams, sniffing, until finally he caught the faintest whiff of a scent. The smell of graveyard soil… so they do have her. His hand clenched at his side, hidden beneath the fabric of his hankimono. They will regret touching her.
"Do you smell anything, my Lord?" Jaken ventured from where he stood at the mouth of the river, clutching his staff fearfully, and casting furtive glances around.
Without responding, Sesshomaru turned to the stream where he scented the dead human. It was faint. They were obviously aware of his abilities, and were taking great care to hide their scent, using the river. This stream in particular bent and curved into the thickest area of the woods. They are clever, to follow the river, and keep to heavy cover. It will make finding them more difficult.
Sesshomaru knew the instant that Rin awoke, he felt it like a sharpness in his chest, her warmth returning to the world. Though, it was faint, as if there was a great physical distance between them. Rin. Can you hear me? There was no reply. Perhaps the distance is too far… or she is too frightened to hear my call. Either way, at least I know she's alive. It did little to relieve the tightness of his chest. The mercenaries had her. He couldn't imagine how afraid she was. He knew that look of fear in her eyes, he'd seen it before… and he knew how she felt inside when that look was on her face. How it had felt when she died, and he saw it the memory through her eyes. Remembering that moment, made rage roil hot in his chest.
It was automatic, not a premeditated forethought, as Sesshomaru's feet began taking him in the direction of the mercenary's scent. Jaken squealed, as expected, and hurried after his master. Despite the urgency he felt, Sesshomaru had to make a conscious effort to calm his racing pulse and take cautious steps. They could have set a trap almost anywhere, racing blindly would not save Rin. Careful, methodical movement was the only hope of getting her alive. Something that Sesshomaru had been trained precisely to do by Inkimi… cool methodical action.
He followed through the woods as day turned to afternoon, and the sun began to slide toward the horizon. Hold on Rin. It was less of words spoken to the girl, and more of a prayer. The stream eventually exited the woods, just as the sky turned from day to night. Stars sparkled above, it was a beautiful night… Rin would love all the stars. If it had not been overcast by the shadow of her abduction. Sesshomaru took a heavy breath, eyeing the landscape before him.
Silence was heavy over the landscape, a strange overwhelming stillness. It's unnaturally quiet. Something is very wrong. His eyes narrowed as he swept the open land beyond the woods, with his the intensity of his gaze. Cautiously he moved forward, expecting another ambush, but nothing was forthcoming. No attacks, just… nothing. It was then, that he felt Rin's fear skyrocket into all out panic. There were no coherent thoughts associated, just the overwhelming sensation that she had to get away.
Something happened. He leapt into the air, drawing a shriek from Jaken — followed quickly by the sensation of claws in his mokomoko. Apparently the imp was terrified of being left behind. The sensation of the imp's claws were irritating to say the least. Nothing like the warm soothing breath of Rin snuggling into his fur. Sesshomaru felt a sharp pain in his chest, thinking of only a few short hours ago, when she was safely curled against him. I'm coming Rin.