Chapter 80 - Path

"Lord Sesshomaru?" Rin asked hesitantly, still gazing up at him. Her dark eyes were a mixture of adoration and uncertainty. Sesshomaru looked down and met her gaze briefly, before pulling his focus away again. He was not willing to consider the implications of her… friendship… with Kohaku at the moment. Or why the idea of such a friendship made him feel such intense emotions. There were more important issues at hand.

"Let's go."

Sesshomaru led them back down the mountain, all the while his mind on Naraku. There's some way onto the mountain. He's there. So close. Hiding behind a sacred barrier… likely trapped within another barrier inside. It would be the perfect time to destroy him. But how do I get inside? Before they reached the mountain base, there was a craggy path that led off sharply to one side. A path which the yokai eagerly veered to follow. The path was wide and fairly flat, but surrounded by sheer mountainous walls on both sides. It wound around the lower levels of the massive mountain on a slow rambling path. Eventually, it began following the river that cascaded down the side of Mount Hakurei in an impressive network of waterfalls.

"Watch your step, Rin." Sesshomaru cautioned as they followed alongside the trail. The spray from the rushing water, sent fine mist into the air and splashed the boulders along the path. They followed it until sunset, when Sesshomaru finally decided that it would be best for them to stop for the night. Important clues could be missed in the dark, and it seemed certain that Naraku wasn't leaving his hiding place anytime soon.

Turning, he observed his followers, who trailed behind him in a ragged line. Rin was closest, she had a small flower in her hands, which she was gazing at with an intent and somber expression. Jaken was panting and leaning heavily on his staff as he walked. A-un was in roughly the same shape as the imp, his heads hung limply as he followed at the back of the line.

Should I send them to wait for me at the base of the mountain? Sesshomaru considered it for a moment, before discarding the thought. No. Naraku has that mercenary band doing his bidding… the risk of leaving Rin and Jaken alone is too great. Jaken will have to withstand the pain of the barrier. Sesshomaru also felt the pressure of the sacred barrier, bearing down against his skin like an invisible wall. It was a bit like walking with extreme weights on his shoulders, pressing him down as if to crush him. Though, here, farther down the mountain, it was not as intense as it had been when he'd explored farther up. There is no other way.

Moving, Sesshomaru led them off the main path, into a small protected area that was formed by some boulders. They would be off the main path and less visible, if someone should be following them.

"Rin. Get some food from A-un's pack." Nodding, she hurried over to the dragon. A moment later she reappeared with enough dried foods in a small bag, to hold her through tomorrow. Sesshomaru gestured for her to go into the protected area, and she complied with a nod and a shy duck of her head. The yokai walked to the dragon and unlatched the matching muzzles with his right hand. "We will continue searching the mountain. You should fly somewhere that you feel is safe, and far enough from the barrier that you no longer feel ill. I will whistle if I need you."

Sesshomaru placed the muzzles into the hidden saddle bag, and watched as the twin dragon heads gave him a curious and wide eyed look. The closest one, nuzzled his hand in a way that could almost have been mistaken for affection — had both of them not been demons. Then the dual headed dragon leapt into the air and vanished in the darkness and swirling mist, their roar was the only sound that echoed back. Sesshomaru watched the dragon go in silence. Dragons are not usually so... grateful. How strange.

Turning, the yokai moved to join his companions in the small, rocky, protected area. It was only a few feet wide, so A-un would not have been able to join them anyway. Jaken was slumped to the side against a large boulder, still looking sick. Rin was sitting quietly, nibbling on some dried fruit. Her eyes did not lift to meet his. Sesshomaru pressed his lips together. Without intending to, he'd opened his mind to her earlier. Even spoken directly to her thoughts. Because of his emotional state — one he would never readily admit to. How am I supposed to remedy it now? Feeling an odd sense of hesitancy, one he had never experienced before. He moved to sit in the narrow space between Rin and Jaken. Rin scooted over to give him a few extra inches of room. Jaken neither moved or spoke, and at length, Sesshomaru heard him snoring. He cast a glance at Rin, sitting inches beyond the fur of his mokomoko. She appeared to be deep in thought, her food forgotten in her lap, hands clasped together as she gazed sightlessly at the ground. The flower she had carried earlier sat beside her bare foot.

In his thoughts, Sesshomaru struggled. I should say something. My words before were harsh… regarding that boy, Kohaku. The memory of the young human boy was enough to make his fur bristle even now. I've never been harsh to Rin before. I should have spoken more softly. The heavy, terse silence hung in the air for long moments. Darkness fell around them, the shrouding of the mist casting an eerie milky glow. Finally Sesshomaru set aside his uncertainty and turned to the human girl.

"Rin?"