Authors note: Thank each of you for leaving me such amazing reviews! I read and treasure every single one.
I've seen some recent comments about length, so let me clarify. I do keep the chapters rather short (between 1-2k words) intentionally. 1. Because it's loosely keeping in the format of the anime. 2. Because I post daily and it would be much harder to do more than 2k words everyday, and maintain life and work.
Now for today's chapter. In this very pivotal scene, I changed one minor thing. In the anime, Rin runs to Sesshomaru and holds onto his clothing. Then in the next flip screen, she is no longer touching him. I adapted to retain, that she stayed clinging to him. I think it was an animation gaffe (I've found several of them through the series to this point, where they forget minor details in scene progression). I just wanted to clarify why it appears different, if you happen to be watching the episodes in conjunction with Barefoot. :)
Chapter 88 - Cling
For several heartbeats everything was silent. Sesshomaru felt a brief wave of profound relief, quickly followed by extreme exhaustion. The barrier almost had him on his knees now, he would not survive this level of intensity much longer. Behind him, he heard Rin struggling against the mercenary, then the definitive sound of her body dropping to the ground. The sound was sweet to his ears. Her bare feet padded on the rocks as she popped up to race to his side. "Lord Sesshoma—!" The sound was quickly cut off, with an odd strangled noise.
"You're not going anywhere." Suikotsu said in a deceptively smooth tone.
What? Sesshomaru twisted to glance backward over his blood soaked fur, ice flooded his veins as he saw Suikotsu holding Rin flat to the ground with one massive palm. Suikotsu smirked down at her, the look in his eyes savage. Sesshomaru had seen it before. The mercenary was eager to spill blood. In that moment, Sesshomaru realized he'd miscalculated. They can't be killed this way. Damn.
Pulling his face from Sesshomaru's fur, Jakotsu smirked up at the demon, blood still dripping from his lips. "Y'know, up close like this. You really are attractive." Revulsion brought bile to Sesshomaru's throat, he would have gladly shifted to bite this humans head clean off, but he sensed that the strange human may have enjoyed it. Jakotsu chuckled, lifting his head to meet Sesshomaru's eyes. "Nice try, but no luck. We cannot be slain like normal mortals."
What do I do? For the first time, Sesshomaru was at a loss as to what to do next. His energy was spent, he was unarmed, and had no idea how to kill these humans. The sound of Tojikin being thrown aside, metal clattering against the rocks, echoed through the rocky peaks.
"What do ya think?" Suikotsu said with hunger in his voice. "I've waited long enough. I'm going to kill her now. That idiot doctor, he's too scared to come out because of my injury." Rin gasped, fear paralyzing her. Sesshomaru felt the absolute terror through their bond. "It's incredible. This urge I feel to kill is overwhelming." Suikotsu raised the claws in his free hand, his eyes crazed with bloodlust.
No! Pain, not from any injury or the barrier, lanced through Sesshomaru's chest. In one smooth movement he withdrew his hand from Jakotsu's chest, casting him away, as he whirled to fly to Rin.
"You fool! It's too late to save her!" Jakotsu taunted gleefully.
"Now die!" Suikotsu cried as his claws slashed toward Rin's exposed throat.
Even in that moment, Sesshomaru knew… he wouldn't be fast enough to save the one person he cared about in the world. His body was worn out, energy almost gone, the barrier burning him and pressing him to the ground. Rin! Even in his own thoughts, the cry of her name was a ragged plea. He watched in horror as Suikotsu's metal claws descended, Rin whimpered and flinched away. He expected to see her blood staining the rocks… but it never happened. A blaze of pure light shot over Sesshomaru's shoulder, pinning Suikotsu in the throat, throwing him away from Rin with the force. It took Sesshomaru a breath to realize what it was. A sacred arrow? The mercenary crumpled to the ground.
Trembling, Rin stood to her feet, not quite understanding what had happened. She looked briefly at the fallen mercenary, before turning to Sesshomaru who had stopped only a few feet away. "Lord Sesshomaru!" She raced to his side. There was no hesitation as her small hands grasped the satin fabric of his hakama, clinging to him as if he was her last hope. Through the fabric, he could feel her body quivering. Lightly, he placed his injured hand on her shoulder, only to discover that his hand was also unsteady. There were no words, he didn't trust his voice to speak since his throat had that oddly thick feeling again.
Sesshomaru kept his eyes glued to the inert body of Suikotsu. He's still alive. The demon could see the mercenary's chest still rising and falling with breath. Despite Rin clinging to him, he was still keenly wary that they may try to attack again. Whoever had shot the arrow, was clearly against the mercenaries - which told Sesshomaru that for the moment, he had an ally.
Jakotsu inhaled sharply off to the right, mumbling something about a dead priestess and fled the scene without hesitation. Ironic, since he complained about being called dead. In the corner of his eye, Sesshomaru caught sight of movement, clad in red and white. She stumbled, much as he might if he had tried to move at the present moment, making her way to the collapsed Suikotsu. She's familiar — is that the priestess that InuYasha was involved with? The woman knelt down by the fallen man, placing her bow aside. Somehow Suikotsu looked different. The bloodlust was gone from his face. Sesshomaru's hand tightened around Rin, partly to remind himself that she was there, and partly to draw on her strength to keep standing.
The fallen human turned his head to look at the priestess, his eyes opening slowly. "Lady Kikyo. It's you."
The priestess's eyes widened. "Doctor Suikotsu."
"At last… I have returned." The man's eyes shone with unshed tears. "The tainted dark light blocked my way. I couldn't become myself." He fell silent for a moment, as if finding the proper words.
We should go, Rin. Sesshomaru squeezed her shoulder gently.
"Can we stay for just a moment?" Rin's voice was barely above a whispered. She cast her brown eyes up at Sesshomaru from where she still clung to his satin Hakama. "Doctor Suikotsu was kind to me… before he became that other man."
Sesshomaru pressed his lips together, returning his gaze to the tender scene playing out before them. I have no interest in the interactions of dead humans… but for Rin's sake. To give her the closure she needs.