InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Concrete Rose ❯ Fulfilling a Promise ( Chapter 2 )

Concrete Rose

 

Chapter 2: Fulfilling a Promise

 

 

 

 

Rin held on to Ah-Un's reigns. The two-headed dragon was starting to look tired and famished. Rin looked up and saw that it was in the middle of the day. The sun was high over her head and the heat beat down on her. Ah-Un came to a stop and Rin hopped down. She patted both of its heads.

 

“ Go and rest for a moment, Ah-Un. I'm going to the river to drink. I will be back soon.” She said. The dragon nodded in reply and Rin started for the river. As Rin kneeled down on the riverbank, she saw a flash of hair next to a bush of white flowers. Pulling out a dagger she carried, she slowly approached. A hand with claws like Sesshomaru's was laying next the bushes. Moving more of the bush out of the way, Rin saw a puddle of blood next o the hair and hand. A young demoness lay on the ground, seemingly dead. Rin kneeled down to her.

 

“ She's a hanyou. She's an inu-hanyou.” She whispered to herself. She looked over towards Ah-Un. “ Ah-Un!! Over here!!” She said, trying to help the girl up. Ah-Un came over to her and inspected the girl. Rin managed to pick her up and put her on the back of Ah-Un. Then she mounted him. “ Let's go. We have to hurry before we lose her.” She said. Ah-Un snorted and took off as fast as it could go.

 

When Rin arrived at the castle, Jaken was waiting outside with some male youkai servants. She hopped down as the other youkai came over to her. Jaken looked at the young demoness next to Rin. Rin told the youkai what to do as Jaken gasped.

 

“ Who is this?” He exclaimed. Rin sighed, taking Ah-Un's reigns off. Jaken stamped his foot on the ground. “ This Jaken expects an answer, Rin.” He said. Rin turned toward him.

 

“ Hi, Jaken! It's nice to see you, too. Why don't you make yourself useful for once and go put my medicines in the guest room where the hanyou is going.” Rin said. Jaken hmphed.

 

“ I am not your slave, Rin.” He said. Rin began walking. She pulled the small stick holding the knot of her hair together and her hair fell down her back. “ Rin, who is that hanyou you have brought into Lord Sesshomaru's castle?” He asked again. Rin sighed.

 

“ Jaken, I found her by the river on my way back here. Unlike you, Jaken, I'm willing to help those in need of help. I couldn't just leave her laying there on death's bed.” Rin said. Jaken made another sound of irritation.

 

“ What will Lord Sesshomaru say?” He inquired. Rin shook her head.

 

“ Nothing, Jaken. You need to loosen up. I think you are way too uptight about things.” She laughed at the toad youkai. “ You've got to know how to handle Sesshomaru. Well, in your case, I think that will be a bit harder. You're in no way as lovable and cute as me. I'm going to tend to that female hanyou.” With that, Rin disappeared up the stairs.

 

In the guest room, Rin kneeled down to the side of the futon where the demoness lay. Her face was covered in a mixture of dirt and blood. Rin sighed and began cleaning her face up. After cleaning and bandaging her head, arm, and side, Rin left the girl alone for the night.

 

Three days later, Rin walked out in her garden. Kai walked up to her silently. Before she could scare her, Rin stopped Kai dead in her tracks.

 

“ Hello, Kai. Where've you been these past three days?” Rin asked. Kai frowned and crossed her arms.

 

“ How do you always know when I'm coming?” Kai said, sitting on a stone bench. Rin laughed and sat next to her.

 

“ I just know. Now, where've you been?” Rin asked. Kai leaned back and looked up at the sun.

 

“ Places. Where's the big bad puppy?” She asked. Rin laughed at her friend's antics.

 

“ He had business with Lord Faiku.” Rin answered. Kai nodded and sniffed Rin. Rin looked at her as if she'd gone crazy. “ Kai, what the hell are you doing?” She asked. Kai smiled.

 

“ You are a miko. You shouldn't be using such profane language. Plus, you reek of another youkai. I'm sure Sesshomaru won't be happy about that when he smells you.”

 

“ First of all, I'm a miko's apprentice. I have not yet become a full-fledged one. Second, I saved a female hanyou three days ago. I found her lying in the forest, unconscious and beaten badly. She's upstairs now.” Rin said, nodding towards the castle. Kai nodded.

 

“ Oh, this should be interesting when Sesshomaru gets back. Can I see her?” She asked. Rin nodded and stood up.

 

Upstairs, the female hanyou sat up suddenly. Rin's servant, Suki, jumped in fright. The hanyou looked around frantically. Her breathing was fast. Her green eyes switched from side to side quickly. She looked as if she was trying to decipher where she was. Suki watched the hanyou quietly.

 

The female hanyou jumped as the door opened. A human and a female youkai walked in. The girl stared at them with wide eyes. The human girl smiled.

 

“ You're finally awake.” She said. The hanyou glared at her as she came nearer.

 

“ Be careful, Rin.” The female youkai said. The woman now identified as Rin smiled and kneeled down at the side of the futon. The hanyou looked down at her.

 

“ What's your name? I'm Rin and that is Kai.” Rin said. The hanyou looked at Rin with a questioning look. Rin sighed. “ Do you understand me?”

 

“ Yes. My name is Kimi. What am I doing here? How did I get here? Where am I?” All the questions came at once. Rin smiled and put her hands up.

 

“ Whoa, Kimi! I saved you from the forest. You were very lucky. Your wounds seemed to have healed up nicely. It's a good thing you are a hanyou or you would probably still be out. You took quite a blow to the head. Do you remember anything?” Rin asked. Kimi shook her head.

 

“ I am not a hanyou. I'm just a hybrid of two types of youkai. I'm half inu-youkai and half thunder youkai. That is why my hair is two different colors.” Kimi said. Rin nodded and for the first time realized that the girl had both white and black hair. “ Why did you save me?”

 

“ I'm not a cruel person, Kimi. I'm a miko apprentice. I was also fulfilling a promise I made to someone. Are you sure you don't have any recollection of what happened?” Rin asked. Kai kept her arms crossed, watching Kimi very closely. She had ears like Inuyasha, probably because she was half inu-youkai.

 

“ No. All I can remember is my name and waking up here.” Kimi looked around. “ Where is `here' anyway?” Kimi asked. Kai looked down.

 

“ You are in the Western Lands, the lord's castle.” Kai said jovially. Kimi looked over at her.

 

“ Lord?”

 

“ Lord Sesshomaru. He's an inu-youkai like you and I. He doesn't know you are here, though. I'll introduce you to him when he returns.” Rin said. “ You need a bath though. Suki, help Kimi to a bath and dress her in another kimono.” Rin said.

 

“ Yes, Rin-sama.” Suki bowed.

 

Downstairs, Jaken ran up to Rin and Kai, looking very frantic. Kai looked down at the toad youkai.

 

“ What is it, Jaken?” She sighed. Jaken glared at her, then looked at Rin.

 

“ Lord Sesshomaru is back early, Rin! What are you going to do about that hanyou upstairs?” He asked. Jumping from one leg to the other. Rin shook her head. Kai hit Jaken on the top of his head., making him still.

 

“ Turns out that she's not a hanyou, Jaken. She's half inu-youkai and half thunder youkai. That's why she appears to look like Inuyasha. Plus, she has a name and it's Kimi.”

 

“ A hybrid? Lord Sesshomaru is not going to be pleased, Rin.” He warned. Rin and Kai looked at each other.

 

“ He'll get over it, Jaken. Didn't I tell you that already? All these years with Sesshomaru and you still don't know how to handle him.” Rin said. Kai laughed. As Jaken frowned.

 

“ I lack your apparent `charm' with Lord Sesshomaru, Rin. Plus, you do not `handle' him, as you so superciliously put it.” Jaken stated. Rin smiled.

 

“ I beg to differ. Watch and learn, Jaken.” She said as Sesshomaru entered the room. Rin walked up to him, smiling. Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow. She looked a little too happy to see him.

 

` Welcome back, Sesshomaru.” She said cordially. Sesshomaru nodded and looked over at Kai who just waved, smirking in her usual way. Sesshomaru looked back down at Rin. He knew she wanted something. He could practically smell her anticipation. That was when Suki entered. She bowed to Sesshomaru.

 

“ Welcome back, Lord Sesshomaru. Rin-sama, Kimi awaits you.” Suki left the room as Rin nodded. Rin turned and looked back at Sesshomaru. He was glaring icily down at her.

 

“ Kimi?” He asked. Rin smiled sweetly. Sesshomaru sniffed the air and followed the unfamiliar scent all the way to Kimi's room. Suki was brushing Kimi's long black and white hair. Suki turned when she heard Sesshomaru, Rin, and Kai enter. Kai stood off to the side, watching the scene unfold. Kimi turned and looked at Sesshomaru. She stood up and walked up to him.

 

“ Kimi, I want you to meet Sesshomaru.” Rin said. Kimi looked Sesshomaru up and down. Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow at her.

 

“ Rin, I thought he was a guy.” She said innocently. It took a long moment of silence for Kimi's words to sink in. Kai was the first person to come back to life. Her laughter filled the air. Suki tried to turn her head to stop from giggling. Rin was also fighting it. It was very hard to do so. Sesshomaru's face remained as stoic as ever. He merely stared down at the short youkai before him. Kai was beating her fist against the wall.

 

“ Kimi, this is Lord Sesshomaru. He is a guy.” Rin said. Kai wiped the tears away from her eyes.

 

“ Yeah. He's just a very...pretty guy. That's all.” Then she started laughing again. A guttural growl escaped from Sesshomaru and everyone fell silent again. Sesshomaru examined Kimi.

 

“ You are a hanyou. Rin, why did you bring a hanyou in my castle?” He asked harshly. Rin looked down. Kimi's eyes widened.

 

“ How dare you speak to her that way after all of her kindness towards me. And you shouldn't make assumptions. I am not a hanyou. I am a hybrid.” Kimi said, distaste in her voice. Kai and Rin's jaws dropped. They looked at Sesshomaru. He only allowed two people to speak to him in any ay they pleased: Rin and Kai.

 

“ A hybrid? Of what?” Sesshomaru asked. Rin and Kai let out the deep breaths they had been holding. He wasn't going to kill her. Kimi crossed her arms.

 

“ Inu-youkai and thunder youkai.” Kimi replied snidely. Sesshomaru did not like Kimi's tone. He sighed, biting back the urge to rip her head off her shoulders.

 

“ Can you defend yourself?”

 

“ Can YOU defend yourself?” Kimi retaliated. Rin heard Sesshomaru's knuckles crack. Kimi stared him in the eye.

 

“ Inu-youkai have golden eyes. Thunder youkai have blue eyes. How is it that you have green?” He asked. Kai looked appalled at his question. Where did that come from? Kimi sighed.

 

“ Blue and yellow make green, don't they?” Kimi said. Sesshomaru made a low growl and closed his eyes. They stood in silence a moment longer. Kimi stared the Lord of the Western Lands down with her intense emerald gaze. Finally, Sesshomaru cleared his throat.

 

“ She can stay as long as she stays out of my way.” Sesshomaru turned on his heel to leave. Rin nodded as he passed by her.

 

Far away, an army of thunder youkai rested in the forest. One of the female youkai stood up and walked over to their apparent leader.

 

“ Masato, when are we going to find that little ingrate? We grow tired of searching.” The female said. Masato, looked through his black hair at her.

 

“ Yukiko, we would not be in this predicament if you hadn't lost the child in the first place. She can barely fight. How did she manage to slip beneath your grasp? Masato said. The youkai now known as Yukiko narrowed her eyes.

 

“ It was the night of the new moon, Masato. Her thunder youkai blood takes over and she becomes a killing machine. I was lucky to have escaped her.” Yukiko said. Masato shook his head.

 

“ That is exactly why we need her blood. She has the blood of Nariko flowing through her veins. That is the only way to get the Sai of Raiden out of her mother's grave. Once we have those, we can dispose of the little brat and finally take over the Western Lands.” Masato said. Yukiko nodded.

 

“ You really think we can defeat Sesshomaru with those?”

 

“ Of course. The power of the Sai of Raiden is unparalleled to any other demonic weapon. Come, we need to keep searching for the brat. Gather the men.” Masato stood up. Yukiko nodded. Masato looked off into the black sky.

 

` We are coming for you, young sprite,' he thought, a malevolent grin spreading across his face.

 

Kimi sat up abruptly, breathing hard. A pain in her head registered and she shook it off. She stood up and walked to the balcony. The sun was starting to come up on the eastern horizon. Kimi closed her eyes and tried to think about what happened before she was saved by Rin.

 

“ I can't remember anything...” She whispered to herself.

 

Later that morning, Rin was walking in the garden when she saw Kimi sitting on a bench, looking at the flowers. Rin smiled and walked over to her.

 

“ Good morning, Kimi. Did you sleep well?” Rin asked, sitting next to her. Kimi smiled and shook her head.

 

“ I keep having nightmares. I've been up since the sun rose.” She answered. Rin nodded.

 

“ So, do you want to talk about it?” She asked.

 

“ I can't even remember what it was about now.” Kimi laughed. Rin nodded again and looked at one of the white roses.

 

“ Where are you from, Kimi?” Rin asked. Kimi looked up at the sky.

 

“ A place in the east. My mother died when I was very young. She was a powerful thunder youkai. I lived with my grandfather, Raiden, until he was killed in battle with another clan of thunder youkai. I never knew who my father was. The last thing I remember before I met you was being captured by a crazy miko named Nami in the southern lands. Then I ran. After that, nothing.” Kimi said.

 

“ My family was murdered, also. They were killed by bandits. I was left alone for a while when I was six.” Rin said, looking down. Kimi looked around, trying to change the subject.

 

“ Tell me, Rin. How do you put up with a youkai like Sesshomaru? He seems to be a cold-blooded person. You're nice and warm.” Kimi said, the distaste still ringing in her voice. Rin laughed.

 

“ Well, Kimi, he's not as bad-ass as he makes himself out to be. He's a really nice guy under all that hard exterior. You've just have to get to know him.”

 

“ How'd you get with him, anyway? He doesn't seem like the type of youkai to just welcome humans in on his doorstep. Or anyone for that matter. I have a funny feeling the only reason he let me stay was because of you.”

 

“ That could be true. When I was six, after my family was killed, I crossed Sesshomaru's path in the forest. From what he told me later on, he had just been in a fight with his brother, Inuyasha. He was badly injured. Initially, he was a total jackass to me. I was just six, so you know I was a bit naïve. I found odd ways to be nice to him. I stole food from the villagers and they beat me for it. But, I did it anyway. Then, some wolves came by and killed me.” Rin said fondly. Kimi raised an eyebrow.

 

“ That's impossible. You're sitting right in front of me.” Kimi said. Rin smiled and shook her head.

 

“ Well, Sesshomaru has this sword he inherited from his father called the Tenseiga. It is a sword of healing, so it can't cut or kill. He used it on me, for reasons I still don't understand. So, I was given my life back. I've been with him ever since that day. I guess you can say I see him a sort of father figure. He's a little over-protective of me and always almost knows when I am in trouble.”

 

“ Weird, I tell you. I don't think we'll get along too well.” Kimi said, sighing. Rin nodded.

 

“ You never know, Kimi.” That was when a human boy came running up the hill. It was boy who lived in the village below the castle. Rin stood up.

 

“ Ringo, what is the problem?” She asked. Ringo stopped running to catch his breath. “ You didn't run all the way up those steps, did you?” Ringo nodded. When he finally caught his breath, he spoke in a hurried voice.

 

“ Rin, you must come quickly. Masako is dying and she wants to see you before she goes.” Ringo said quickly. Rin nodded and looked at Kimi.

 

“ If Sesshomaru asks where I am, I'm in the village.” She said. Kimi nodded and Rin ran off with Ringo.

 

Down in the village, Rin slid open the door to Masako's house. She went over to the old miko's futon and kneeled. Masako opened her eyes and smiled at Rin.

 

“ Ah, Rin. My dear, sweet Rin.” Masako said. Rin smiled, tears welling up in her eyes. Masako let out a harsh laugh. “ Rin, don't cry over me. We both knew this was going to happen one day. I'm old and it is my time.”

 

“ I know, Masako. I still don't want you to go, though. You are like a mother to me.” Rin said, sniffling. Masako let out another laugh. She took Rin's hand in hers.

 

“ Child, be strong. You will be one of the greatest mikos of all time. Remember what you have learned. Do not forget your promise to me, Rin.” She said. Rin nodded, tears falling down her face.

 

“ I won't Masako.” She whispered.