Authors note:
Wow chapter 10! I'm so happy with how this has gone so far. :3 Looking forward to continuing for quite awhile! I finally got back on X (find me there @DarlingURMySoul ), I had no idea that Barefoot had so many shares! 3
Remember to leave me love, in the form of reviews!
SaltMango: Just have to say I LOVE your art, and so touched that you're reading along! Rin is absolutely the heartbeat of the group, her humanity is what gives it life. I adore the paradox of it.
Inu-Fan 24: honestly I can't even get into it. It outrages me. There's so many points and levels it's so wrong on. Like — it's okay for everyone else to be inappropriate with children through the entire series EXCEPT Sesshomaru? Who actually waited for Rin to be an adult, waited for her to choose him and married her. Yeah. Don't get me started. If you want to discuss feel free to message me on X or IG. SessRin forever!
Chapter 10 - Why?
They walked throughout the day, pausing only briefly when Sesshomaru led them near to the lake. Rin splashed in the water and caught fresh fish, then they began traveling again. In this manner, they continued in near constant motion over the course of the next two days. At night, they traveled via A-un, allowing time for Rin to rest safely curled in a plush puddle of fur.
It was on the final night of their journey, nearing dawn. Sesshomaru sat astride A-un, the wind blowing through his hair and teasing the folds of his hakimono and obi. His thoughts were far from the waning moonlight, instead he was intently focused on the scents of the ocean below. They were passing over the water now, the salt tangy on his tongue. In a short time, they would reach Yakushima island.
Sesshomaru had been there before, the last time was years ago, when Totosai had left Tenseiga hanging over Bokuseno's face with a note that it had been bequeathed to Sesshomaru by his father Toga. The coward swordsmith hadn't even had the courage to tell him. And well he had chosen, it was likely Sesshomaru would have killed him. Totosai had left a string of clues for the young yokai lord, leading him to Yakushima island. He gripped the reins tighter as his eyes narrowed, remembering the moment he'd found the sword — the rage he'd felt. His father, passing his full blooded demon first born son over, in favor of InuYasha — not only younger, but a half breed.
Why, father? Why would you insult my honor in such a way? You knew how I felt about the Tetsusaiga. It was my birthright to wield your sword!
Behind him in the saddle, Rin stirred. Blinking away the memories, he cast his eyes to the sky which was growing brighter around them. The very first rays of yellow touched the blanket of color around them, highlighting the clouds with gold.
"Good morning Lord Sesshomaru!" Rin said from behind him, the fur of his mokomoko loosened around her shoulders of its own accord. Standing in the saddle she gazed at the sunrise in wonder. "Wow! Look at the sunrise! Ohh!" Suddenly the wind buffeted them, she swayed almost losing her footing. Reaching back, he grabbed her wrist with his right hand, steadying her.
"Be careful." He cautioned. "The wind is strong." shifting, he transferred her hand to the cool metal of his sode shoulder armor. "Hold here."
"Yes my Lord." Holding tightly to the metal, she continued to comment about the beauty of the sunrise. Leaning over his shoulder she pointed at a cloud here, a bird there. Excitement evident in her voice.
Though he listened, Sesshomaru's focus was elsewhere. Land - he could smell the soil of the island, and the freshness of the trees. Urging A-un with the reins, he guided the dragon down through the clouds and toward the lush greenery of the island below.
"Oh wow! Master Jaken, look it's an island!" Rin cried, clinging tightly to Sesshomaru's sode.
"OooOhhhh." Moaned Jaken from the back, clinging to the dragon's tail as the wind buffeted him around like a puppet.
"What island is it, Lord Sesshomaru?"
"It is called Yakushima Island." He responded, the wind snatching his words almost as soon as he'd spoken them.
"I don't see any villages." Rin said, raising her voice to be heard over the rushing of the wind.
"No humans live on Yakushima island."
That seemed to surprise Rin. He heard a slight sound that may have been an 'Oh', but he couldn't be sure.
Circling the island once, trying to remember exactly the place Bokuseno resided, he finally chose to land on a cliff overlooking the beach far below. A-un snorted as they landed, Sesshomaru dismounted and stepped to the ground.
"Stay on A-un, Rin." He instructed, uncertain as to what they would find on the island. It had been many years since he had been there. While he didn't scent any other demons on the wind, that didn't mean it continued to be uninhabited.
Jaken waddled around the side of A-un, looking a paler green than usual. "I never want to fly again in my life!" He squealed. "Lord Sesshomaru, surely you wouldn't put me through such torture if you knew how ill it makes me!"
Sesshomaru cast a glance at the imp from the side of his eye. "Lead A-un." Without further comment, he turned and began walking through the lush green foliage and into the forest.
Memories of his first visit to Yakushima island taunted him. Toga had first brought him when he was a young pup. Sesshomaru had been entranced by the ancient trees and untouched beauty of the island. It was a beautiful secret hideaway that few knew of, and even fewer could access. Toga had instructed Sesshomaru, that if he ever needed advice, he should come here and seek Bokuseno. The time he'd spent here with his father, had been foundational in his formative years. Before Toga had become absent, and no longer visited his mother's castle in the clouds.
Pushing away such thoughts, Sesshomaru's ears pricked, listening to Rin and Jaken interacting behind him. She must have convinced the imp to play some sort of game.
"Hm." He returned his focus to locating the ancient tree. Everything had grown so much since his last visit, nothing quite looked the same. In silence he forged through the greenery, determined to find Bokuseno. He would not be deterred from his mission. He would have his questions answered.