Chapter 51 - Hideaway
The first glimmers of dawn were cresting over the mountain as Sesshomaru and his clan neared the old hut, well hidden in the trees. The bushes had become so overgrown, hiding the entrance to the hut, that he nearly walked by it.Funny, I don't remember the foliage being this thick, or the trees so tall. Has it been so long since we visited? Or am I simply noticing the passage of time differently?
Briefly he considered cutting down the path to the hut, but decided it was better for it to remain hidden to any potential passerby's. Instead of approaching from the front, he guided their group through the woods, as to not leave a detectable trail. When they finally reached the hut, it stood just as it had before. The only area still clear of brush, was a small area directly before the small engawa porch.
"Jaken." The imp hurried forward at the sound of his master's voice.
"Yes my Lord? What is it?"
"Put up a barrier."
"Oh… right, euahhh…" the imp ran forward into the middle of the small cleared area and lifted his staff into the air. "JAKEN JAKEN!" He cried out leaping into the air and slamming down the point of his staff into the dirt. Where the point hit the soil, a rippling bubble flowed out. It rose high into the air, casting over the hut and the entire area. Panting, Jaken looked around, then to his master for approval.
"Great job Master Jaken!" The approval came instead from Rin, who was hunting in the hidden saddle bag on A-un. "Oh… we don't have any food left. That's right." Her face fell. "I was going to bring back a melon to share with Lord Sesshomaru… that's when Kagura took me."
She was getting fruit, for me?Sesshomaru's eyebrows drew together. "Jaken."
"Ehh?" The imp clutched his staff, fairly certain he wasn't going to like whatever Sesshomaru was about to say.
"Go get food." Sesshomaru stepped around the imp, heading toward the hut. "Make sure it's enough. We will be staying for a few days."
Jaken's face fell, but he didn't offer any argument this time. After Rin's recent abduction, he knew better than to suggest Rin go. And there was no one else.
"Thank you Master Jaken!" Rin called as she jumped down from A-un's back and skipped to follow Sesshomaru toward the shack.
Once enshrouded within the structure, hidden behind the bamboo mat, Sesshomaru let out a heavy breath and closed his eyes. Finally, he acknowledged the weariness of his body. The energy output to prevent Naraku from absorbing his demonic energy, was immense. He couldn't remember the last time, he'd battled and used so much power in a defensive manner… it was quite possibly the only encounter as such.
Sesshomaru's impulse, was to leave Rin and Jaken hidden in the barrier and hunt down Naraku. To the end of the world. But… if interacting with Naraku had shown him anything, it was that he could not leave Rin behind. Additionally, wisdom told him that he needed to be at peak energy before encountering Naraku again.
Behind him, Rin entered, the bamboo mat shifting as she moved it aside. The simplicity of her presence, soothed his rambling thoughts and anxieties. His eyes shifted to her, and found her gazing back at him with a smile.
"You should rest, Rin."
Her smile brightened. "Okay." Turning, she walked toward the small bed mat that had been left from their last visit. Sesshomaru's gaze followed her as she moved over and settled herself on it, using her small blanket that she carried to cover herself. But when she lay down, and pulled the blanket up, her toes peeped out from the bottom.
She's grown.Thoughts of Naraku slipped away from his mind as he focused on Rin. Slowly he moved across the room, his kegutsu boots were soundless on the wooden floor. She was curled under the blanket, with just her tiny bare toes sticking out from beneath the bottom of the blanket. Her breathing and heartbeat had already evened out in sleep.She must be exhausted. I'll have to send Jaken for a larger blanket once he returns.
Lifting his hand, Sesshomaru's armor disappeared, as if into the ether. The energy infused into the armor, absorbed into his body, leaving him in his clothing, obi and swords. Reaching with his right hand, he loosened the tie of his hankimono, letting it slip from his shoulders. It was a bit awkward with one arm, but he managed to slide it free, leaving his under lightweight white kimono on beneath it. Sesshomary so rarely disrobed in a human fashion, the process felt abnormal to him, the last time had been when he'd taken a soak in hot water at Tanko's hidden hut in the mountains.That was the day that I found Rin.It was many months ago now - perhaps a year or more by human's reckoning. He had barely survived that encounter with InuYasha, he'd had no remaining energy to absorb or repair his clothing or armor, as he would usually have done.
Shifting such thoughts aside, he focused on Rin, lowering himself to one knee he carefully slid the expensive cloth over Rin. It was significantly larger than her blanket, and dwarfed her small form beneath the creamy fabric. He pulled it up to her chin, making sure her toes were covered, then shifted to sit back against the wall, beside the mat.
He wouldn't feel comfortable resting until Jaken returned, but he could relax. They were safe inside the barrier, at least, in this hidden hut. A little hideaway for his small clan. Again the word rose to his mind.
Family.Turning, he watched Rin sleep. The fabric of his hankimono rose and fell with each breath. The bright white was a stark contrast to her dark hair.Is this what family is?