Authors note: I'm so glad you guys enjoyed the last chapter. :3 Now -- on to more angsty Sesshomaru! There is a large portion of memory in this chapter, I have marked it in bold italics, to make it very clear. Enjoy!
Chapter 44 - Game
If Naraku had been hiding his scent before, he certainly wasn't now. The stench of his reeking demonic aura filled the air, assaulting Sesshomaru's nostrils with every shift of the breeze. The scent of lilacs though, was notably absent. Clearly Naraku's plan was to have Sesshomaru hunt the demon down first, to bend the yokai to his will, then he would "restore" Rin.
Never.
Sesshomaru could likely hunt Rin down, given a couple hours. It wouldn't be difficult with the Kizuna. But the risk was too great. As soon as Naraku realized that Sesshomaru was deviating from his intended purpose, he would likely kill Rin instantly. Sesshomaru would not risk that chance.
Rin.
The ghostly image of her face rose before his eyes. It was almost painful. Sesshomaru realized that he was operating under the perception that Naraku truly was holding Rin. There was a chance, she was already dead. Pain lanced through his chest, a strange intangible pain that somehow was even more intense than injury. It made it harder for him to keep his face impassive.
An image long and intentionally forgotten, rose before his eyes. His father. Toga. Sesshomaru, do you have someone to protect?
Footprints and blood staining the snow, all that remained as the words rang through his mind over and over. Sesshomaru had never truly believed that anyone could defeat his father in battle. He'd stood in silence by the beach, listening to the waves on the sand. It was then that he'd heard the windscar, the distant sounds of battle. Then, the sound of fire. Sesshomaru had suddenly sensed something was wrong. Turning, he sniffed the air, he smelled… burning flesh. Leaping into the air, he followed the tracks through the snow, until he came to the human village. It was burned to the ground. Father! Unheedful of the blaze, young Sesshomaru had darted between the buildings, hunting for Toga. He'd finally found him, dead… burned alive. Horror had filled his young heart as he'd pulled his father's body from the ashes. His swords were already gone, as if they'd vanished from his very body.
In his mind, remembering the moment he'd found his father. Sesshomaru suddenly saw Rin before him. Pulling, instead, her dead body from the rubble.
No… if she was dead… surely I would know. We are connected through the Kizuna.
Forcibly he shut off the memories. He could not think about them now. Sesshomaru was tempted to open his mind to the bond, release himself fully and reach out to her. But… right now… he didn't have the time to be distracted. To take the minutes necessary for the focus it would require. He had to play Naraku's game. For now.
Naraku was clever, devious. Sesshomaru was smarter, and stronger, there was zero doubt of that in his mind. But Naraku had no qualms about killing innocents, those not involved, to achieve his goals. Sesshomaru believed in honorable combat. Naraku did not seem to have such beliefs - and his ultimate goals remained yet to be seen. Sesshomaru intended to find Naraku, slay him in the most painful way he could think of, then find Rin.
Jaken broke the silence, and the darkness of Sesshomaru's thoughts. "If I may be so bold as to ask, how do you plan to approach this my Lord?" It was at that moment that the yokai stopped.
This is it. This is Naraku's castle.
"Why did you stop? Is something the matter?"
Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed, rage swirling within his chest as he sensed that he was very near his prey. "Naraku's castle is here."
"Huh? I don't see a castle my Lord." Jaken looked around, then turned his face up to his master, clearly confused.
The yokai made no movement. Naraku wanted him here. He would open the barrier that prevented ingress. It was only a moment later, that the barrier shimmered like the surface of water, then vanished completely. Beside him, Jaken screamed in horror.
"The barrier has opened up!" The imp whimpered.
As soon as the barrier had disappeared, Sesshomaru walked forward. There was no hesitation in his step. His face was carefully and deliberately blank. If he could win the emotionless game against one such as his mother, he could win against Naraku.
"My Lord!" Jaken cried, racing after him.
The castle was impressive, it rose high of stone walls. The buildings made of expensive wood with peaked corners. Since Naraku had no such inheritance and was certainly no samurai or shogun, Sesshomaru reasoned that he must have stolen the yashiki from whatever shogun previously resided here. There was deliberateness in his step as he walked through the gates and into the inner courtyard. Jaken followed him, trembling, begging his master to wait. Once within, he stopped.
Here. This is where he was trying to lure me.
"You purposely leaked your scent, to reveal your castle, so that I would follow you here."
Blue fire leapt to life in the two andon type bamboo pole lamps which flanked the engawa porch. "Would you have come otherwise?" The voice was silky and patronizing. The image, clad in the bamboo pelt appeared on the engawa. Seated, and perfectly calm. By Sesshomaru's side, Jaken made a sound of horror. "I must inform you that the mortal girl you seek, is not here in my castle. She would never be able to survive the airless atmosphere of this poisonous miasma. The girl is under my protection outside the castle walls. I assure you she is unharmed. For now."
Sesshomaru kept his icy mask in place. The game had begun, he could not risk showing a single emotion. Naraku would be watching for a reaction — a tell, no matter how small.
"Naraku, do me the honor, of at least recognizing that I am not here to simply save Rin."
Jaken looked up at his master, clearly misunderstanding. The imp had always been shortsighted. He didn't understand the bigger game at play. Sesshomaru hoped he was wise enough to keep his beak shut.
"Of course." Naraku replied smoothly. "You of all people seem to despise taking orders from others. You will not kill InuYasha when told to do so. Nor did you come to look for the girl. I realize, that you… are here to kill me."