InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Confrontation ❯ Strange Happenings ( Chapter 17 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
Disclaimer: I do not own any of them!! However, now and forever Jouyoku and Miebi Kokushi will always belong to me!!
Chapter 17: Strange Happenings
Still headed in the direction of his castle he realized that there was no one there that could see to Rin's injuries. A thought occurred to him, `Inuyasha.' He knew that the village his half brother frequented harbored an elderly priestess who could take care of her, and if she couldn't then he would force the miko that his brother was fond of to care for the girls' injuries, but either way somebody was going to take care of her, even if he had to kill a few people to get the job done.
Glancing down at a still sleeping woman he quickened his pace as if he was trying to out run his thoughts. He kept seeing the infant pup, and her smiling face as she held it. `Was it mine? Is this some sign that I should mate with her? How can I, didn't I practically raise her from a child?' Although these thoughts made no sense to him, he still couldn't fight the overwhelming feeling of protectiveness and the need to sooth her every whim. He couldn't remember ever feeling this way before, not that he could ever remember.
Any women that showed any interest in him, he ignored. When he pulled Kagura from the river half dead and practically naked, he didn't even spare her a second glance until she started giving away some of Naraku's secrets. When she finally flew off she did pay him a rather dignified compliment, but that didn't matter to him…he had brushed it off as if it was a whisper on the wind.
Then the young priestess turned half-breed stole Tetesusaiga because she thought it would win him over. She had advised him that she had seen him years before, when he was injured after his battle with Inuyasha in their fathers' tomb, which coincided with the time that he first met Rin. The Priestess stated to him that she loved him from the first time she saw him and had wished only to please him. Sure she was beautiful, if he was honest with himself…she was the most beautiful women he had ever laid eyes on, but still no matter how much he would have liked to be with her the fact that she gave up her soul to hoards of demons just didn't sit right with him. In the end he found her to be the ugliest of them all and ended up having to kill her in order to the kill the demons that lived with in her.
All of these thoughts did nothing but reassure him of his feelings for the girl turned woman that was currently being held securely within his embrace. Maybe that's why Tenseiga brought her back, because even though he had no clue what the future held his father's fang knew all a long.
Maybe that's why he never forced her to leave him, because somewhere deep down, he always knew that she would be the one he eventually chose. He remembered all the times she was kidnapped by one of Naraku's minions, he would always save her but he would never vocally admit that, that was what he was doing. He would always give some other…any other excuse, except the truth.
As the village came into view he slowed his pace and glanced down at the girl, `did you know all along? If I choose you as my mate, would you even accept? Rin, I will always protect you whether you agree to be my mate or not…I will always protect you.'
He held his head high as he walked into the village with the girl cradled close to his chest. He noticed the stares he got from the villagers but he didn't care, right now his only goal was to find the hag and make her help his charge. Then he would hunt down the one responsible for this. Sure he didn't know his name but he had his scent and that's all he needed, right?
As he neared a small hut that sat at the opposite end of the village from where he entered a familiar scent came to him. He had smelled it before on Inuyasha and his companions, though it was light, it was there. `This must be the place.' Stepping into the hut with out knocking he paid no attention to the villagers gathering behind him.
He immediately became aware of an older woman sleeping on a mat in the corner of the hut, “are you the priestess?” he stated loudly.
Sitting up abruptly, Kaede squinted in the direction of the voice. The only thing she saw was white, white and more white, `my gods what is this?' She questioned. In an attempt to get a better look she leaned forward and squinted even more as she stood to her feet. While her eyes slowly began to adjust she noticed first the colored strips that wrapped around his hand, his long silver hair that was the same color as a certain ill-tempered hanyou, his golden eyes, and then she noticed the girl he carried. Looking from the girl to the man she was sure was a demon, she grimaced as she watched drops of blood splatter on her floor. `Did he do this?'
Unable to stop herself, she reached out to the woman but pulled her hands back as if she was afraid he would bite them off, “I am the Priestess Kaede. Would you mind telling me why you are here and what ye have done to her?” She demanded pointing at the unconscious woman. Now able to stare at him directly in his face she noticed the burgundy streaks on both his cheeks and a purple crescent moon in the center of his forehead, `he must be Inuyasha's older half brother, but why is he here?'
Looking as if he was bored the white lord responded with disdain, “She has been injured. You `will' see to her injuries.”
“Are you Inuyasha's older brother, Sesshomaru?” Kaede inquired as she walked over and grabbed a basket that was full of her medicinal herbs. She didn't know why but she didn't fear him, although he must have stood at least 6'7' and bore a mask akin to a marble statue. Turning towards the cot she noticed that he still had not answered her, “If you wish for me to help her, ye will tell me who you are?”
Watching as the chunky woman scampered around the room, his patience started to wear thin. If it hadn't been for the smell of Rin's blood in his nostrils there would have been no doubt that he would have certainly detached this hags' head from her body for demanding anything from him, so instead he responded coldly, “I am Sesshomaru Lord of the Western Lands and half brother to Inuyasha the half-breed.”
“I see. Please lay the girl down here.” Kaede stated with a nod as she knelt beside the cot.
Walking over he gently tried to lay Rin down, but she wouldn't release her hold around his neck. He tried to reach wiggle out of the hold, but she started to whimper. Glancing over at the old lady he said quietly to Rin, “wake up.”
“Lord Sesshomaru?” The girl mumbled as she lazily opened her eyes. Noticing that she was now half on a foreign cot and half in her lords grasp she tightened her hold on him even more as if she was afraid that should she release him, he would leave her again. Looking up at him tears immediately started to swell up in her eyes, “but y…you said you wouldn't l…leave me?”
He didn't think that she had heard him when he made that promise but now was not the time to think about that, she needed to be treated and in order for that to happen she would need to release him. “I'm not leaving you, but you have an injury that has to be treated.”
Looking around the small hut then at the old lady, Rin turned her attention back to Sesshomaru, “do you promise, you won't leave me?”
This girl turned woman really had him, Lord Sesshomaru wrapped around her finger. He would have never allowed himself to appear so weak in front of anyone. Knowing that the option of remaining or acting insensitive to her request would more than likely backfire on him, he swallowed his pride and replied, “I promise I will not leave you.”
Satisfied with his answer she reluctantly released her hold on him and laid back.
Standing to his feet the demon Lord turned and headed toward the door but stopped. With out looking back he said so coldly that it would've frozen time it's self if that was possible, “if you harm her in anyway I 'will' kill you.” He then walked out the door to allow the old lady the time she needed to tend to Rin…his Rin.
Simonkal of Inuy
After pulling her mental state together as much as she could after her encounter with Jouyoku she wondered aimlessly, not wanting to return to her pack because she knew they would smell the change in her scent and wonder whom she had mated with and why since she was already promised to Kouga.
She didn't think she really felt that different at all except the feeling of something being missing, but she knew what that was…her virginity the purity she carried with her since her birth was now gone taken from her with out her consent and still she found herself wanting him, the youkai that stole it from her without a care in the world…he took it as if he was simply plucking a fruit from a tree and discarded her as if she was nothing more than the rotting carcass of a dead animal. Still her body craved his, but her mind wanted nothing more than to peel the flesh from his bones and watch him die a thousand deaths.
She hadn't noticed anything different until she stumbled among a group of men. They tried to help her, but she in return ended up killing them. She didn't know why but the moment they approached her something in her snapped. She felt like boiling water was being poured all over her, it was like there were a million tiny bugs of every kind biting her repeatedly…over and over, this feeling came and with each moment that the men were close to her or touching her, the pain grew worse and worse. She didn't mean to kill them, they were merely ningens but she felt like if she stayed near them, if they continued to assist her she would have died.
So she decided that maybe it was a good thing that she didn't go back to her pack. She would only end up hurting them, or they would end up killing her. She wasn't sure why this was happening, but she knew it only started after the demon attacked her.
She wanted to go to Kouga she wanted him to save her, she wanted him to save her honor, but she knew that once he found out that she had allowed someone else to mate with her, he would discard her just as the heartless youkai had. In return she would be shunned by her pack.
That was just something that wolves and Inu youkai's just did not do…once the female had mated she was of no use to them. They were monogamous creatures and valued that above all else. The only time a mated female or male was allowed to mate with another was if and only if their mate had died and even then the other that you wished to mate with would have to truly with out a doubt love you. So she knew that even though this would surely be considered a rape, unless Kouga truly loved her he would turn his back on her and right now she was sure he didn't, because he loved that ningen, Kagome.
This thought brought tears to her eyes, which she quickly wiped away. There was no place for her to go, no place for her to belong…what would she do now? It would only be a matter of time before the elders dispatched a search party to locate her…She knew that they would eventually find her, but what then…what then?
Stumbling through the dark forest she continued to walk without caring what direction or where she was headed. She tried to steer clear of villages, she refused to risk the chance or running into any more ningen men. After her last encounter with them she had learned her lesson, but still she wondered why? Why was this happening to her? Why couldn't she turn back the hands of time to the morning before she went to the river? Why wouldn't the fathers of time cut her a break and grant her that one wish?
Hearing voices screaming, no yelling at one another, she followed the sound, she wasn't going to make herself known she just felt lonely. She hadn't had any contact with anybody in the last few days. Maybe if she stayed at a distance and just listened no one would get hurt.
Walking closer to the area where the noise was coming from she stopped and sniffed, `Kouga...' She wanted to turn and run she couldn't let him see her she couldn't let him sniff her, if he didn't then her dream could live on in her heart, but as hard as she tried she couldn't make herself turn around, her heart cried out for him, she wanted…she needed to see him if only for a second. Maybe she could get a glance then she would leave before he caught scent of her. Strolling closer to the bushes she ducked down so that her head was lower than the highest of small shrub.
Peering through a small opening she watched as Kouga and the hanyou. They were viciously kicking and ripping at one another. `Look at him, fighting over her again! Why does he do this? Why does he fight over her when it's clear she doesn't want him?' These thoughts danced in her head as she surveyed the area and noticed that the girl, Kagome was definitely there, standing a few feet away holding a bow and arrow in her hand. She also noticed that the two ningens she traveled with were present as well.
Hearing a loud thud, she looked back at the fight. Inuyasha had just punched her love in the face. Inhaling deeply she watched as the hanyou unsheathed his fang and stalked towards Kouga, she wanted to jump up and defend her love but she couldn't he would smell her, he would shun her and she would surely die a thousand deaths.
Continuing to watch the altercation she gasped as the hanyou came to a stop and looked in her direction, `oh Kami, he knows I'm here! If I leave now he'll see me and…and he'll chase me, oh Kami what can I do!' Before she could get her thoughts straight she watched as her love proceeded to stalk towards the half-breed, he stopped as well, `NO, NO, NO…not like this not now…he can't see me, he can't smell! She cried as she watched the inevitable.
Kouga turned around and stared directly at her with out seeing her. She heard him whisper her name and she wanted to answer him but she couldn't find her voice.
Closing her eyes tightly she tried to will herself to disappear, but to no avail. Lifting her head she watched him stare down at her. As her eyes met his own the burning fiery sensation came rushing back, the feel of a million tiny bugs biting and gnawing at her flesh…her very being became too much for her to bear. Using her palm she shot it up with as much power as she could muster, ramming it into his chin sending him flying back. Leaping from the bushes with the elegance of a neko she landed in between a dazed wolf prince and a stunned hanyou.
Standing in her fighting stance she rocked ever so slightly back and forth in tune with the beat of her. She bared her fangs menacingly at the dazed wolf then at the bewildered looking dog demon.
“Fuck, Ayame what'd you do that for?” Kouga exclaimed while shaking his head in an attempt to dismiss the stars that blurred his vision. “What are you doing here anyway?”
In answer to his question she wrapped her arms around her small body and proceeded to scratch at her skin as hard as she could while growling viciously at him. She wanted this feeling to stop, she wanted it to go away, but she also wanted to be here with him, with her Kouga. She didn't mean to hurt him but he was too close!
“What in the hell is wrong with her?” Inuyasha asked, making sure to keep his distance. This girl was acting weird; she was behaving like she had some kind of sickness that he had only seen in wild animals like homeless dogs or foxes.
Walking towards Ayame, his hand on his chin as if he was trying to readjust it, Kouga yelled “I should kick your ass for that! If you weren't a girl, I SWEAR I would!”
Backing away from him she turned and ran down the small clearing. No matter how much she wanted to stay here…to just be near him, she couldn't risk hurting him since she knew he wouldn't fight back, but more than that, she had to put some distance between her and the men. She felt like at any minute her flesh was going to start falling from her bones.
Seeing her turn and run Kouga yelled, “Oh no you don't!” as he took off after her in a fast sprint. Sure she was a fast runner, but she could never out run him. Catching up to her he tackled her to the ground. Turning her over so that she lay on her back, her arms pinned over her head he smirked, “so you thought you could just hit me and runaway with out telling me why? Ayame what's your problem, what are you doing here?” This time when he spoke his voice had more sincerity, he was worried now…this woman was not the Ayame he knew, the one that had told him that she would wait for him, that they were destined to be together.
Feeling him on top of her the sensation became unbearable. It was the worst feeling she had ever experienced. All she wanted to do was tell him what happened, tell him she was sorry for hitting him and that she needed to go, but even her tongue felt swollen.
She thrashed around trying to throw him off of her but he was too heavy, he wanted answers and she knew he wouldn't stop until he got them. All at once she felt every nerve in her body explode in a thousand electric shocks causing her to scream out in utter and terrifying pain. Thrusting her knee upwards it connected with his testicles, sending him rolling off of her, but her screaming didn't stop it continued like a loud siren in the night. The pain wouldn't go way…it just got worse…it was going to kill her…
“What in the hell is wrong with you people? Why is everybody after my balls?” Kouga hissed as he cradled his manhood and their attachments in his hands and balled up in the fetal position praying that the searing pain would pass.
Running up to the screaming girl and the practically whimpering wolf, Inuyasha and Miroku approached first followed by Kagome, Sango, Shippo, and Kirara. Covering his sensitive ears the hanyou screamed, “If you don't want me to shut her up, you better do it yourself!”
Kneeling beside the girl Miroku rested his hand on her shoulder, however before he could open his mouth to say anything he felt he claws glide across his left cheek knocking him back so that he was laying flat on his back. Sitting up he stared at the girl as she as she screamed and screamed like someone was trying to gut her from the inside out. Reaching his hand up, he caressed his cheek immediately noticing that there was wetness. He didn't have to look at hand to know that he was bleeding he could feel the blood trickle down. “What's wrong with her? Inuyasha, do something!” The monk yelled. Of course he had always been a patient man, but this was even starting to wear on his nerves.
“Feh, what do you want me to do?” The sully hanyou replied, his hands still covering his ears, “if you want I could cut out her tongue.”
“You will do no such thing. We don't even no what's wrong with her!” said Kagome stepping between Inuyasha and the screaming wolf. Kneeling down next to her, she spoke softly almost as if she was talking to a child, “Ayame, do you remember me? I'm Kagome…”
Staring at the girl with the soothing reassuring voice, Ayame tried the recoil with in her own psyche. She was the reason why this had happened to her, it was her fault. If Kouga weren't busy chasing her then they would have mated and this wouldn't have happened. Staring at the girl her eyes laced with hatred and despair, she growled baring her fangs as she took a swipe at Kagome aiming for her chest, fortunately the hanyou moved fast enough to pull her out of the way. Therefore she was only able to catch the calf of her leg, leaving a deep gash.
After pulling Kagome behind him, Inuyasha stumped up to the girl who was still growling and hissing. Glaring down at her with something close to disbelief trimmed with anger he hissed, “no one touches Kagome!” Then brought the hilt of his Tetesusaiga down on the back of her head, knocking her unconscious.
Until Next Time…
Special thanks to Darkmikokikyo