Chapter 89 - Over

The fog that surrounded the mountain no longer seemed oppressive, rather an ethereal backdrop to the odd interaction playing out before them. Sesshomaru would not deny Rin the closure she needed, thinking perhaps it would bring her some peace, instead of new nightmares of her most recent abduction. Looking down at her, he inclined his head slightly in assent. The faintest hint of a smile touched her lips. Rin reached up to slide her small fingers in his, and clasp his hand. Sesshomaru studiously ignored the pulse he felt at her innocent and comforting touch. I will allow her what she needs, but we cannot stay long… what little energy I still have is waning. Now that he stood still, and did not fight the barrier, it was not as painful as it had been before. But the pressure was still a constant reminder that he did not belong here. I need to withdraw somewhere I can recover my energy to heal.

"Lady Kikyo? Please remove the sacred jewel shard from my neck." The sound of Suikotsu's voice drew the demon's attention back to the moment. "Do that for me. Then all will be over. I can rest in peace. My last wish, is to be released."

"You are certain?" The priestess seemed hesitant to end his life. Sesshomaru considered offering — being more than willing to oblige, but pressed his lips together instead and remained silent. "Do you choose death?"

"I'm certain." Suikotsu closed his eyes for a moment as if lost in thought, before continuing. "I finally remember what happened. I died before, long ago in the past." The man's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "When I was alive before, I was tormented by uncertainty. I didn't know what was right and what was wrong. I was a physician who had sworn to save people's lives. And yet I had killed someone with my own hands. Looking back, I was probably harder on myself than anyone else would have been. I couldn't forgive myself. I didn't know what to do. That's when it happened, when I heard the voice. Suddenly it became clear to me the person who was speaking was me, myself. An incredible evil lurked in my heart, and that evil made me kill over and over again. Not long afterward I met Bankotsu, and joined the band of seven. Murder came second nature to me. I've done some horrible things. My dark side has killed so many, and during it all the doctor in me was helpless to stop the senseless brutality. No matter how many lives I saved, no matter how I tried to make a difference, my soul has no hope of being redeemed."

"Doctor Suikotsu, you are not alone in your turmoil. Good and evil coexist in all men who walk the earth. You must not give in to the dark side."

Hm. Perhaps not only in men, but in demons as well. Sesshomaru mused. At his side, he could feel the intense compassion from Rin, toward the dying mortal. He didn't fully understand it… but he knew she felt compassion for this man. Not in a way that angered him… in the same way that Rin seemed to care about all living things.

"You're wrong, Lady Kikyo. I would likely do it all again, if I were able to." Tears streamed from the corners of Suikotsu's eyes. "I couldn't stop myself. The mere thought of it is unbearable. Please— I beg of you, Lady Kikyo. Remove the jewel shard. Give me death and release my tormented soul."

"Doctor Suikotsu…" Kikyo began, but did not continue.

"Please do this for me. I beg of you."

Sesshomaru watched the exchange with interest. Was Kikyo emotionally attached to this man? They are, after all, both dead humans who were resurrected. Hm. I wonder if InuYasha knows.

For a long moment Kikyo did nothing but sit in silence. Then, finally, she reached out toward Suikotsu's neck. Just as she was about to touch his neck, the familiar sound of Jakotsu's snake blade reached Sesshomaru's ears. Automatically, Sesshomaru shifted. He released Rin's hand and shifted his body between her and the sound of the sword. It was an unnecessary motion, the goal was the sacred jewel shard. With deadly accuracy Jakotsu sliced Suikotsu's neck, then withdrew the blade, with the glowing shard flying through the mist.

Coward. Sesshomaru felt the rumblings of a growl in his throat, one which never became audible. I suppose there's no honor amongst mercenaries. He listened through the fog, until he heard Jakotsu's footsteps retreating through the mountain. Cautiously, he stepped back, allowing Rin to see the unfolding events once more.

"Doctor Suikotsu!" Kikyo said, leaning over the man with obvious concern.

"And so it ends. It's finally over." Suikotsu smiled faintly, then his body began to dissipate before their very eyes, swirling into dust and leaving only his empty armor and bones behind.

Rin gasped in horror, taking a startled step backward until she came into contact with Sesshomaru again. Apparently she found his presence comforting. Perhaps she should not have seen that part. Pressing his lips together, Sesshomaru turned to glance down at Rin. We need to leave. His hand was quavering from weakness, he clenched his fist to stop it.

Rin stepped toward Kikyo, her sweet voice soft amidst the visual chaos. "Excuse me priestess. Thank you so much for saving my life."

"You're welcome. I'm glad you're not hurt. You must have been scared."

"Mhm. At times he was frightening, but other times…"

Turning, without speaking Sesshomaru began walking down the mountain path, with slow deliberate steps. An unspoken cue to Rin that it was time to leave. He was careful not to allow his weakness to be visible. The others from the band of seven are still unaccounted for, and Naraku has not yet been found.

"Goodbye!" Rin called, her bare feet padded along the cool smooth mountain path as she raced to catch up with him.

Briefly, Sesshomaru paused to allow Rin to catch up. He took the moment to cast a critical sidelong glance back at the priestess. Hm. The priestess who bound InuYasha to a tree. She's just like the others, reeking of bones and graveyard soil. Perhaps she was given a glimpse of her own fate.

Rin slowed as she neared where he stood, silent questions were in her brown eyes. "Lord Sesshomaru?"

"We must leave, Rin." Turning, he continued his careful path down the mountain.

"Coming!"