InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Captive Soul ❯ chapter 25 ( Chapter 25 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of it's character's.

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Chapter 25: Calm before the storm

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Inuyasha dashed towards the hotel. When he neared the parking lot, he slowed to a fast walking pace. By the time he had reached the front steps, he could have cursed out loud. He caught the last glimpse of Naraku as the double doors closed behind the hanyou.

Inuyasha gave his name and ticket to the man at the small podium then waited impatiently for the two doormen to pull the immense wooden doors open.

Upon entering, he glanced around but did not see the hanyou. He sniffed the air fervently, trying to determine which way the sneaky demon had gone.

Nothing.He almost outwardly snarled. The half demon had masked his scent somehow.

The lights were dimming. Walking ahead, he neared the steps which led down to the main floor. Stopping at the top step, he scanned the sea of tables in an attempt to see at least a hint of the evasive creature. But the lights died all too quickly and only darkness covered the area. The soft flickerings from candles which had been placed on each table dotted the shadows.

Inuyasha rested his hand on the hilt of Tetsusaiga.

A spotlight lit on a tall wooden podium which had been set up on a stage at the other end of the vast banquet hall.

For a moment he watched the stage. An older man stepped up into the spotlight and began speaking.

Suddenly Tetsusaiga pulsed, sending a vibrating current through his hand and up his arm.

Without looking down, he began to scan the shadowed tables once again. "What are you trying to tell me old friend?"

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Sesshomaru's warm hand held her's lightly. His upright posture and impassive features betrayed no outward sign of the simple, private gesture.

The lights dimmed to a candled darkness.

When a spotlight lit up the podium, Rin switched her attention to the stage.

An older gentlemen stepped up to the tall, wooden podium. Rin recognized him to be the head of the hospital. The older man began speaking.

Suddenly, Sesshomaru's hand squeezed her's. She turned to look back at him. His stoic profile revealed not one hint of an emotion. The flickering candlelight reflected in the firm coldness of his amber gaze. Rin watched as he tilted his nose upward a touch, it seemed as if he were sniffing the air.

Leaning towards him, she whispered. "Sess, is something wrong?"

For a moment, he did not answer, only stared straight ahead; his face: an expressionless mask.

But then his grip on her hand loosened and he blinked. Yet, he did not look at her.

"No...Rin...nothing is wrong."

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The scent hit him hard: a long forgotten memory of his past; one he recalled with clear ferocity.

Tenseiga pulsed.....

...calling him.

A warning?

Or

A welcome?

To its sibling fang.

Rin's whisper pulled him from the new development, dragging him back from distant memories of the past.

"Sess, is something wrong?"

Loosening the unintentional tight grip on Rin's hand, he replied.

"No...Rin...nothing is wrong."

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Rin heard her father's name mentioned. Reluctantly, she turned to watch her father rise from his seat as the room thundered with clapping hands.

Her father stepped up to the podium and delivered his speech with humble grace and witty eloquence.

When he had finished speaking, he accepted a small, gold engraved plaque before returning to his seat.

Four more people were honored after her father.

After the speeches were given and all those who were honored had accepted their plaques with refined gratitude, a clasical band took the stage and began to play. Soft, elegant music filled the banquet hall.

The lights brightened only a little, allowing a semi-clear view of the far side of the room. It left the surroundings somewhat dim, giving the feel of romantic shadow.

Soon, waiters came, bringing food. Buffet tables had also been set up at certain areas.

Fruits, meats, cheeses, breads, steamed vegetables, and desserts of all kinds had been placed on the table cloths. And now, servants uncovered the savory smelling dishes.

Rin's stomach rumbled. She hadn't eaten anything since breakfast.

One waiter brought her a ribeye steak and she accepted it graciously.

Sesshomaru nodded once to the servant who asked him if he wanted steak.

Throughout the orations, Sesshomaru had taken occasional glances about the room. The deepening cold in his eyes appeared to be searching for something....or someone.

But now, he only ate silently, centering his attention on his plate, seemingly ignoring the laughing and chatting people around the table.

A little worried, Rin lightly touched her love's hand. He stopped eating and looked at her. She felt relieved to see a hint of the emotion that he gave only to her still there.

Rin bit her lower lip a little. "Sess, are you okay?"

With a slow blink, a tinge of a smile lit the corners of his mouth. "Yes, Rin. I am fine. Do not worry."

He returned to the meal before him.

Puzzled, Rin continued to enjoy the meal and conversations with her family and friends. But, in the back of her mind, she pondered over Sesshomaru's behavior.

Maybe all these people were making him nervous.

There had to be at least two thousand people here tonight. All those scents and voices probably played havoc with his sharp senses.

She needed to get him away from all of this for a bit.

When Sesshomaru had finished his meal, he began, once again, to search the room with veiled glances.

Rin sighed, he needed to loosen up.

Standing up, she held her hand out to him.

He looked up at her with curiosity for a brief moment before giving her a small smile and taking the offered hand.

Promptly excusing herself and Sesshomaru, Rin led him away from the commotion, passed the standing groups of mingling bodies, across the room, and to the double glass doors which opened up to the hotel's garden.

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Rin's sweet giggle prompted his mood to lighten.

She opened a glass door and pulled him through it.

The chaotic mixture of voices and smells were shut off when the heavy glass door closed behind him.

He breathed in clear, sweet air filled with the scent of flower's, fruit trees, water, and fresh cut grass.

Before him, in the center of a red brick courtyard, a large water fountain sprinkled droplets in a spiral arc.

Hidden lights lit up everything: the trees, the water, the flowers, and the brick pathways which seem to branch off from the enclosed fountained alcove in several different directions.

He looked up to the expanse of stars scattered in the night sky.

Rin tugged on his hand, pulling him passed the fountain and down one of the brick paths.

Soon, they came upon another enclosed area fenced in by red, white and pink roses.

Another smaller fountain centered this one. A stone bench had been placed under a tall weeping willow on the far side. Tiny lights blinked between the swaying, green branches

Rin glittered her way over to the bench, her smile shining brightly.

Letting go of his hand, she lifted the front of her dress and delicately stepped up on the flat stone.

She turned on the bench and grinned. Her chin now came to his nose. Two warm, small hands touched his shoulders as she looked down at him. The grin became a playful smirk. "Now I am taller than you."

With a smirk of his own, he grabbed her waist. The emerald beauty wavered and gripped his shoulders for support. "Woa!"

He blatantly looked her up and down before raising both brows. "I see that you are."

Rin's smile softened.

The beat of her heart took on a distinct, relaxed rhythm .

A warmth whispered across his cheek.

Curious wonder graced her flushed features.

That incredible emotion sparkled in her brown eyes: the one that evaded his understanding; but made the world disappear and time stop for a welcomed eternity.

The faintest question fell from her lips. "What have you done to me, love?"

He gazed in fascination with a small smile of his own. "Mine."

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Several moments carried the tinkle of water. Night mist played at their feet. Gentle music drifted from the banquet hall: a single melody of slow devotion.

Without thinking, his grasp on her waist pulled her petite form closer.

She leaned against him.

His mind clouded in a strange haze.

Rin's delicious scent enticed a craving to taste.

But he did not; instead, only caressed a soft cheek with his nose, breathing deeply, indulging in the smell that made his heart beat heavily with a want that he never new could exist.

Whatever this feeling was, he became lost in it; wanting it, reaching for it: a living dream of wonderful desperation.

The young woman in his arms sighed.

Smooth, satiny materal glided under his palms.

This unnkown feeling combined with her warmth, firm hips, breathy sighs, and overwhelming scent sparked something within, waking a part of him he had believed to be long forgotten....or dead.

The entity stirred, breaking out of it's long sleep.

He recognized it immediately and gripped Rin's hips tightly.

Rin did not seem to notice as she leaned into him; her eyes closed and the skin on her face flushed a rosy red.

That part began to claw inside, wanting to be set free.

It was his feral demon nature.

It wanted to be free.

It wanted Rin.

He growled too low for Rin to hear.

This part of him had been gone for so long.

It would take a monumental amount of effort to overpower the savage beast which seemed to be ascending to an unbearable impatience.

If he were not careful, it would take over.

His restraint would not allow him to hurt Rin.

But the lustful creature wanted Rin's body.

And it knew how to get what it wanted without a fight.

His demon spirit had no qualms over ravishing the ethereal angel in his embrace.

The feral part of him would seduce his future mate...and win.

Inwardly, he trembled with the battle of suppressing the carnal beast.

Rin wrapped her arms around his neck.

A hot, sweet breath skimmed across his red markings before a small, wet kiss touched the skin close to his ear.

He bit his tongue.

But the taste of blood only excited the entity further.

The youkai swallowed the coppery liquid.

This time, the rumble in his throat rose to a louder pitch, gaining Rin's attention.

Rin ceased the small kisses; her heart beating fast as her quickened breathing hitched. "Sess....?"

The female's tone conveyed slight concern but her scent still carried undeniable desire.

A desire for him.

He closed his half lidded eyes completely and steadied himself.

This was new.

After nearly five hundred years, he had to work at controlling something that he could have done easily before he had been cursed.

He was out of practice.

And he was finding it difficult.

Because his feral spirit had been asleep for so long, it came alive with powerful force; trying to rend it's way to an unchained surface.

The dog demon needed a counterbalance.

He thought of Rin.

That strange yet cherished feeling spread through him. He took it. Embraced it. Used it.

Sesshomaru made this emotion his inner strength.

And with it, he calmed the beast and his demon blood.

When complete control had been obtained, he opened his eyes to see Rin staring at him with curious worry.

Giving her a reasuring smile, Sesshomaru cupped both hands on her heated cheeks. Leaning in, he tenderly touched his lips to her's once. "Didn't I tell you not to worry?"

Backing away, he helped the angel step down from the gray, stone bench.

Rin smiled. "Dance with me?"

With a bow, he offered his hand. "Always."Placing one hand on her waist and clasping the other with her's, Sesshomaru pulled Rin closer.

Together, they moved with fluid grace, drifting away on a current of dreams.

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The music died.

Sesshomaru blinked.

Where had he been?

Vanilla floated on the faint breeze.

He smiled.

Rin looked up, blushing beautifully. "I think we should go back in now."

He gave a single nod.

As they came back through the heavy glass doors, another melody began to fill the room. Couples were dancing in the destined white circle.

Rin tugged on his sleeve.

He looked to see Rin's somewhat pleading expression.

Sesshomaru held out his hand once more. "Would you give me the honor of this dance?"

She smiled prettily. "Yes."

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