InuYasha Fan Fiction / Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Those We Leave Behind ❯ Beauty in the Buildup ( Chapter 34 )

Those We Leave Behind

Chapter Thirty Four

Beauty in the Buildup

 

Inhale…Exhale…

Inhale…Exhale…

She sat under the tree feeling the breeze on her face, willing it to calm the blood raging within her. It was all she could do stay calm.

Why was her father doing this? The human boy currently being subjected to such scrutiny had been nothing but a gentleman. Had he been anything less, she could have taken him on herself. Fortunately for all involved, she hadn't needed to. Here she sat on the most awkward date she could have ever imagined. Her taiyoukai father was within hearing distance. Eventually, he convinced her father into giving them audible privacy, if nothing else. Now, he was sitting on the roof of the shrine.

As odd as it sounds, she would have preferred Jaken's company.

Rin looked over at Kazuma and felt guilty. He was trying to distract her from her ire and here she was ruining the whole day. She smiled at him as he handed her a homemade bento. With a smile on her face, she inwardly prayed that Kagome had helped him. She didn't even want to contemplate what he could come up with on his own.

“Rin? Hello? Spirit World to Rin?”

“Oh my! I'm so sorry! I got lost in my thoughts.”

“Hehe. Don't worry about it, but are you sure you're feeling okay? You look like you want to cry. I know the food might not be as good as your father's castle, but I didn't think it was that bad.”

“My expression has less to do with the food and more to do with my leash.”

Kuwabara looked at her neck in confusion. “Uh…is it one of those things that only demons can look at, cause I can't really see it. Otherwise I'd chop it off with my spirit sword.”

Rin chuckled at his response and was amazed at how refreshing he was to be around. “That may be one of the sweetest things anyone has ever said to me, but I wasn't referring to a physical leash.”

“Oh. Okay, well if you give me a minute, I'll go stick my head under a rock.”

“I'm sorry Kazuma. I'm ruining the whole day.”

“What are you talking about? I wouldn't have had near as much fun by myself. But seriously, what's wrong? And this time, could you tell me what's actually wrong.”

“My father doesn't trust me.”

“Of course he doesn't. You're his only daughter.”

“I'm not his daughter. I'm his show dog. I'm a pet he owns and hands off to be cared for by a trainer. Jaken has raised me, not him. It's infuriating that he tries to get involved in my life now. I used to beg for his attention. Why is it now that I don't want him, he won't go away. I don't want him to know what goes on between you and me.”

“I'm sorry your dad is making you feel bad, but I just want you to know that I don't care if your dad knows. In fact, I don't care if whole world knows. Except for being taken in after my parents died, this is the best time of my life.”

The weight of his statement gave her a heart clenching joy she had rarely known. But, not quite as much joy as Kazuma felt when her lips miraculously made contact with his cheek.

 

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Elsewhere, Hiei confronted the presence he had felt lingering on the shrine. He would not stand for anyone harming the miko. That would be his pleasure and his alone. Unfortunately, his human form was far less intimidating than his usual self.

“What are you doing here?”

“I could ask the same of you Demon Lord.”

“My presence here does not concern you.”

Hiei noticed that Sesshoumaru's focused gaze never left the sight of Kuwabara and Rin. “Is it really that objectionable?”

“You're one to talk.”

`'My situation was entirely different from yours.”

“I fail to see that distinction.”

“Yukina was in an unfamiliar environment, seemingly alone, vulnerable, and defenseless with no family she knew of to test the devotion of potential suitors. It would be only natural for her to favor the buffoon who was falsely accredited with rescuing her. Those facts do not apply to the princess. If she chooses the oaf, it would not be a decision of desperation. It would be for another reason. I more than anyone understand the oaf's shortcomings, but I would think you would try to use the situation to get closer to the miko.”

“That necessity has passed.”

“Yesterday you were still scheming to recapture her attention. Surely you weren't swayed by the wind woman. What changed?”

“No. The actions of that witch would never dictate the decisions of this Sesshoumaru. “

“Than what would?”

“Your thief has stolen the greatest of my possessions. Tell the fox he will protect it diligently. His alternative would be to suffer my abiding dissatisfaction.”

“Kurama-?” `Oh' But the girl just severed ties with Yusuke.'

“She would not have coupled with one her heart did not truly desire.”

“You did.”

“Do not confuse neither my necessity for a pureblooded heir nor my impatience to have said heir for poor judgment or negligence toward Kagome. Had she no reservations in choosing either myself or Inuyasha, she would not have continually postponed bonding herself to either of us for as long as she did. I see that now. Their connection has been intensifying since the moment they met. His previous conquests were games to him. He takes her far more seriously, as though she is someone he cannot afford to lose. She was far more reserved with her past relationships, what with lingering doubts to their fidelity. I am confident she has heard about his numerous past encounters by this point, yet she has obviously entrusted him with all she is. I knew with the detective around, I still had a chance. Afterall, both were left so eager and desperate that anyone who could sympathize would have done. And look how that turned out.”

“Any fool who has ever faced him has known his weakness. I myself exploited that knowledge to get a chance to fight him.”

“Let's see if your human friend has the same weakness.”

“Meaning what? What have you done?”

“I have only done that which any good father would have done.”

“Which is what?”

“Protect my child.”

He saw his daughter peck the fool's cheek. The girl would be here soon. The ice maiden's presence would surely draw the boy's attention from his beloved daughter.

 

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“Kagura?”

“Kagura?”

“Kagura?”

“Go away.” She did not.

“Didn't you hear me? Go.” She remained steadfast.

“I said leave me alone. My life is pointless now. Everything I've worked for, everything I've built now has no meaning. The children to whom I wanted to leave my empire have denied me. First Raizen turns his back on my legacy. I could have given him control of my lands, lands that were four times the size of the ones he had at his death.

“How could he do that Kanna? How could he starve himself like that for a pitiful human? If he hadn't convinced Inuyasha to separate Sesshoumaru and my lands into another realm when the damn barriers went up, I could have made him eat. He would still be alive. What a troublesome son. To spit on your mother's gifts, to spite her by setting yourself up as her rival- Then when that doesn't work, you seal her off while killing slowly killing yourself the whole time. His descendent is just as infuriating and just as suicidal. Was I foolish in hoping her to be different, in hoping that it was by Sesshoumaru's force and not her choosing that she was kept from me? Why won't my children just do what I tell them?! It's those damn dogs and the stupid girl. Had it not been for them I would have everyth-“

“You sound like Naraku.” With that one statement the quiet voice drilled a penetrating fear deeper and louder than any battle cry Kagura could fathom.

“How DARE you?!”

“You try to manipulate your children's lives, while they rebel against you and work with the sons of the Inu no Taisho and the priestess. It reminds me of Naraku.”

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