InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Eien Wo Shinjiteru ❯ Chapter 6

I originally posted chapter 6 yesterday but I made a few revisions. Here's the real thing…for those of you who have already read the unrevised one, please take the time to go over this because I believe it's much better, more dramatic. Hehe! Thanks a lot, and enjoy!!!

 

Writer's Yaps: Hey you guys! I know I take such a looong time to update between chapters. Sorry about that, it's just that I don't feel like writing sometimes or I'm too lazy to turn on the PC or there's just so much to do around here (which isn't true most of the time, haha). Haha, I am gonna finish this story though. Please oh please feel free to say whatever you want about this. Thanks for all the reviews, I really can't say how much I appreciate you guys taking the time to say what you think, and for all the praise and encouragement, I love it all hehehe! Anyway, I'm babbling again so here goes, enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

Eien Wo Shinjiteru

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 6

 

 

 

 

The heavy mist made it very difficult to see what was ahead. The ghostly outlines of the trees, the strange hoot of an owl, and the yapping of coyotes from a distance sent shivers down her spine. Rin wrapped her cloak more tightly about her and increased her grip on the pommel on Ah-Un's back.

 

 

They had been traveling for several days now. And in that time, everyone barely said a word. They were going at a slow but steady pace, stopping frequently due to her condition. Her Sesshoumaru-sama was some distance directly ahead of them, scouting for danger. The forest was relatively peaceful, but he didn't want to take any chances. Not after what happened.

 

 

Jaken was plodding steadily along beside the youkai dragon. The green toad only spoke to her when it was necessary, It was in his nature to scold her and berate her for practically every little thing she did, but in light of everything she had gone through, he kept his mouth shut. From time to time, he looked up at her and there was always a mixture of pity and concern in his glances that was making Rin increasingly uncomfortable. She wanted to tell him she was all right, but didn't have the heart to.

 

 

As for Sesshoumaru, he never once uttered a single word to her. On the duration of their journey, she rarely saw him at all. He would always be in front of the team, and he would seldom appear when they stopped along the way. She knew he was there though. His presence was unmistakable.

 

 

A strong gust of wind blew in from the west, whipping the hood from her head. The air was heavy with the scent of an oncoming storm. Rin shut her eyes and tried not to think, thunderstorms would always remind her of that night. Suddenly she was overcome by a huge wave of exhaustion. She slumped in her seat and didn't bother to push her hood up. The icy wind was like a hundred little knives lashing at her hair and face, but she did not mind the pain, in fact, she welcomed it.

 

 

The figure of Sesshoumaru suddenly materialized out of the swirling fog. He looked at Jaken and said, “There is a cave not far from here. We will stop there for the night.”

 

 

 

 

 

-o0o-

 

 

 

 

Jaken had made a healthy, roaring fire. He was roasting some mushrooms for their meal. Outside, the storm was raging on, but they were safe in the confines of the cave.

 

 

After giving Jaken specific instructions and with not so much as a look in her direction, Sesshoumaru headed for the exit.

 

 

Rin turned over in her pallet to face the wall and closed her eyes. He was going away again. Whenever they made a stopover Sesshoumaru stayed out of sight of the camp. She knew he would just be somewhere nearby, but every time he left it made her feel like she was being abandoned all over again. Shivering uncontrollably in spite of the heat in the cavern, Rin curled into a tight ball . The chill she felt was in her bones and no amount of heat can ever make her warm again.

 

 

In the next moment, she felt something soft and thick being draped over her body. She opened her eyes slowly and looked over her shoulder to see Sesshoumaru walking away. He had covered her in his fur stole.

 

 

 

 

 

-o0o-

 

 

 

 

The gales continued to plunder across the land, and the rain battered on mercilessly. Sesshoumaru gazed up into the ink black sky. Ever since they left the peasant hut, his mind had been a mass of turbulent, nameless emotions. Seeing Rin as she was now, evoked feelings of utter helplessness and sheer rage. His thoughts drifted to that day over a week ago.

 

 

“It has been difficult this past two weeks, but in that short period of time, my husband and I have grown very fond of the child.”

 

 

Failing to evoke a response from him, Ayume pressed on determinedly, “She is at a difficult phase in her life right now. When I ask her about you she looks away and changes the subject. I know that you care for her in your own way. But as she is just a little girl and she needs to be with her own kind. It would be good if she stayed with us for a while. We can see that she is happy here. It would be good for her recovery.”

 

 

The last rays of the sun had sunk behind the violet mountains. Sesshoumaru was in a pensive mood as he gazed off into the distance. It had been over a week since the incident. In all that time, Rin had barely said a word to him, nor had she made an attempt to. In other words, she had done her best to avoid him. He could say the same for himself, as he usually was not around enough for her to strike up a conversation. But whenever he was near, she eluded him like the plague.

 

 

Sesshoumaru did not want to admit it to himself, but her continued avoidance bothered him. It irked him in such a way that he wanted to strike the woman before him for daring to suggest such an absurd request. Rin was his charge. But that was a decision Rin had to make herself.

 

“What if is she is with child?”

 

The question sent Sesshoumaru's senses reeling with shock. And for a moment a shadow of an unnamed emotion flickered behind his eyes-was it fear, trepidation, or something else entirely? But it was instantly quelled. The fists clenched at his sides was the only sign she could see that he was even listening to her. Seeing this encouraged Ayume to press further, “I've had several children myself. I think it would be more beneficial for Rin if she stayed here for the time being, or until the child is grown, if there is one. I promise my husband and I will care for them as if they were our own.”

 

With an outward calm that belied his inner turmoil, Sesshoumaru turned his gaze to the west, where the sun was nowhere to be seen. “That is none of your concern, woman.”

 

 

 

 

-o0o-

 

 

 

 

Rin had chosen to stay with him, for reasons he could not understand. He could barely contain his relief when she announced in a small voice that she was ready to head on home.

 

 

Humans must feel cold whenever they were out in a storm like this, but as a youkai, he was immune to such. For the first time in his life, he wanted to feel the bite of the wind, the icy lash of the driving rain, for the chill to seep into his bones. He realized then that he had been standing like this for hours. Time held little essence for him, for he was immortal.

 

 

 

 

-o0o-

 

 

 

 

It was dark. The blackness was so absolute she couldn't see her hand in front of her. It pulsed as if it was living, tangible thing that enveloped her. It was getting harder and harder to breathe. Suddenly, something latched onto her ankle. She let out a horrified scream. Jerking her legs violently, she tried to dislodge it, but it's grip was like iron. She pushed her arms forward and seized it, trying to pry the fingers off one by one. At once more hands came out of nowhere, grabbing her legs, pulling her hair, scratching at her face. They were all over her body. Quaking in terror, she opened her mouth to cry for help, but she was slapped brutally in the face by a bony hand. She was going to die.

 

 

 

 

-o0o-

 

 

 

 

“Rin! Rin-chan!”

 

Rin was whimpering and tears coursed down her cheeks as she thrashed wildly about in her pallet. Jaken shook her harder but she would not wake up.

 

“Rin! Please wake up!” He was going to cry. Poor Rin-chan! He had no idea what to do. He wrung his hands helplessly.

 

“Stand aside.”

 

The quietly spoken command caused Jaken to jump in fright, then he let out a sigh of profound relief as he realized that Sesshoumaru-sama had returned. He scrambled away, watching Rin worriedly.

 

The demon lord knelt by the pallet and gathered Rin in his arms. In the next instant her eyes opened. Upon feeling the arms encircling her she let out a scream of such fear and began pummeling his chest. “Let go of me! Don't touch me!” She began to sob uncontrollably, heaving spasms rocking her entire body.

 

Sesshoumaru continued to hold her. “Hush now Rin. It's me,” he said in a soft voice. She had been in the throes of a terrible nightmare. If he could, he would transfer all the pain and anguish inside her into himself. He wanted to feel, even a fraction of the pain she was feeling right now. Then she would know that she didn't have to go through it alone. One of his hands stroked her hair soothingly while the other clutched her tightly to him. Somehow, he would make it right.

 

 

 

-o0o-

 

 

Ok, that was another short chappie. I can't promise this is gonna be updated soon as I'll be busy for the next couple of days. Sorry about that guys. I hope you still take the time to read and review though. See ya!

 

 

Ja ne!

 

 

-bungeegum-