InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Exhilarating ❯ Vindicated ( Chapter 12 )

[intro] n.n;; Hn…. not many reviews for that last chapter, eh? -.-0 Ah, well... I'm still glad for making it what it was. >_>; Why...? Eh, it's the little things that count XD. Okay, truth is, Marchan admitted to saying that the chapter made her cry. o.o;;;; W00t, that made my day, doggonit! xDDD I'll be writing this on WordPad, rather than Word, meaning I won't be able to tell if something's spelt wrong ((eek, such a big risk...!)). Nani? Ano... I feel like trying to fix my own mistakes. For once, anyhow. XD It makes me feel smart, so bear with me. Besides, I'll be writing an extra-long chapter today ((or, I'll try to....)). I read over my old one today, which I never, ever do.... not before, anyway.... and yeah, I realized it was so BLOODY short! Why didn't any of you tell me?! -.-0 Why didn't you comment either? Ack, anywho....

Sorry for not updating last weekend. I had to go to VA to visit a dying relative. >_>; That's all you need to know..... Enjoy the fanfic...!!

Final note: {blah blah blah} = song lyrics

No, this won't become a songfic, I just like this song, and it seems to fit this part of the story…. >.>;;; Hn, don't hate me because I'm weird. XD [/intro]

Rug: Tenshi nor Marchan own Inuyasha or its character!! Though.... Tenshi was about to buy the absolutely CUTEST Inuyasha plushie at the mall the other day.... (rolls eyes) She decided to save her money for Eerie Queerie and Petshop of Horrors, instead... -.-;;;;; Sheeeeee....!! They also don't own the chapter's title, yet AGAIN...! O.o;; Tenshi stole yet another song title for her story, ah my me oh my....! This time, it's the main song for the Spider-Man 2 soundtrack, Vindicated. W00t.

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Exhilarating Chapter 12 - Vindicated

By: Tenshi and Marsama

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'He's.... 'pleased' that I chose to be with him.' Rin smiled, keeping the expression hidden from both her lord, and the frog demon beside her. 'It's cost me pain... but at least he's happy with what I've done...! ...for once....'

{Hope dangles on a string

Like slow spinning redemption}

Dark eyes glanced up at the dog demon, whose own gaze was staring straight ahead, at their path. It was three days since Rin made her decision to be with Sesshoumaru instead of Inuyasha, and it'd been three days since Rin had actually laughed. The occasional smile here and there, and appreciative glances, but that was it. Besides those, and Jaken's random rambling, the group had basically been quiet those few days.

{Winding in and winding out

The shine of it has caught my eye}

'Does she still think of him?' Sesshoumaru's own mind was wandering, as he led his followers through the countryside. He had no clue where he was headed, as long as it was as far away from the hanyou and that portal-like well as he could get. 'Three days. And yet, her heart won't forget him.' Obviously, the grand Sesshoumaru, despite all his power and greatness, didn't know how the human heart worked, nor the meaning of the word 'love'. It took a lot more than a mere three days. More than a week, or two weeks, sometimes even months... perhaps years... to forget someone you loved. None of this the taiyoukai knew, nor even young Rin. Inuyasha was her first love, after all.

{Roped me in so mesmerizing

And so hypnotizing}

Or was he? Sesshoumaru certainly held a great amount of significance in her heart, as made obvious by her decision to stay with him rather than his half-brother. Who was truly more dear to her? The human-like, half-demon Inuyasha, who likes to think that he's tougher, emotionally, than he really is? Or the demon lord Sesshoumaru, who seems to hold no regard for anyone, especially humans, yet still keeps a human girl in his company?

{I am captivated

I am…}

Which one truly won her heart over?

'Inuyasha...' This fact was made obvious in her mind. Despite the strong feelings she held in her heart for her master, her soul screamed to see Inuyasha once more, to make sure he was okay and fine. And... alive.

{Vindicated

I am selfish, I am wrong

I am right, I swear I'm right

Swear I knew it all along}

The last she saw of the hanyou, he was bleeding from a wound by Sesshoumaru. The two brothers had fought, if only briefly, over something concerning Rin and the half-demon. The little fact that they'd both wanted to run away together; away from Kagome and away from Sesshoumaru. So far away, that neither (despite Sesshoumaru's great demonic power) could find them. So far away, that they could make their own happy ending together. Alone, in their paradise made for the both of them.

{And I am flawed

But I am cleaning up so well

I am seeing in me now

The things you swore you saw yourself}

Was it possible, though? Rin's mind had hoped so, but apparently... one can never run from Sesshoumaru-sama's sight. Especially when one is hiding strong feelings for him. Feelings that she'd been harboring for so many years now. A crush that made her face turn several shades of red before, which had now bloomed into a silver rose in her heart. And every rose has its thorns....

{So clear…

Like the diamond in your ring

Cut to mirror your intention}

And the thorns of her love for Sesshoumaru were tearing into her heart every second she was with Inuyasha. Guilt, and inner grief even, for keeping such a thing from her master.

{Oversized and overwhelmed

The shine of which has caught my eye}

Rin sighed. A sad, almost mourning sigh, which perked the ears of Sesshoumaru. He glanced at the girl, whose chestnut eyes seemed lost in inner sadness. One question had been written all over her face since they left the forest near Inuyasha's home village.

Was he okay? Did Inuyasha survive...?

{And rendered me so isolated

So motivated, I am certain now

That I am…}

Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes at the sight of her expression. He could tell she was still thinking of the hanyou. "Don't cry over him," he stated sternly, claws sweeping through his long, silvery mane.

"Huh...?" Rin looked up at him. How could he tell? 'Well, of course... he is Sesshoumaru-sama.... I'd be more surprised if he couldn't tell.'

{Vindicated

I am selfish, I am wrong

I am right, I swear I'm right

Swear I knew it all along}

"Such a thing could not kill a thing like him....," Sesshoumaru continued, snorting. "As much as I would've wished it so. In the past, it's taken many more hits to even bring the halfling to his knees." He smirked a bit, remembering the many past battles with his brother. "That bastard brother of mine is tougher than I'd hope for. At least you can take relief in such a thought... Rin."

She blinked. Was this being truly her Lord Sesshoumaru? What happened to the cold, senseless demon that would tell her to shut up if she cried too loudly? The taiyoukai that slashed at many unsuspecting humans, just because they were there, and he was bored.

Is that heartless beast the same as this beautiful creature that had attempted to put her at ease? The corners of her mouth curled up in a smile. And she laughed. A quiet, giggle of a laugh, consisting of a couple of short breaths, but nonetheless... a laugh. Sesshoumaru gazed down at her.

{And I am flawed

But I am cleaning up so well

I am seeing in me now

The things you swore you saw yourself}

"And what's funny?" he asked, one brow slowly rising. "I wasn't telling you as a joke."

{So turn up the corners of your lips}

"Aa, I know, Lord Sesshoumaru," Rin replied, a familiar red tint appearing on her slender face. "It's just that... you made me so happy right now." She turned her gaze to the path ahead, wanting to escape the look of his golden eyes. She knew if she looked him in the eye now, the other well-known feeling of fluttering in her chest would appear, just as it had done many times before.

{Part them and feel my finger tips}

"Hn..." The demon blinked, twice, before returning his stare to the trail before them, as well. 'She's happy...? Over such a menial thing? Humans are odder than I'd first presumed.....'

{Trace the moment, fall forever}

Jaken 'humph'-ed, huge, yellow eyes glaring at the human teen that had chosen to stay with he and his lord. 'Damn whelp… once you think you've gotten rid of her, she comes back…! She's nearly as bad as that Naraku fellow Inuyasha felled some odd years ago…' His tiny claws fiddled together, along with the staff he always held, as the toad thought. 'And I was certain she'd be punished! Yet, Lord Sesshoumaru does nothing about her and that ill-fated infatuation of hers over his brother. And to think, even if I say anything wrongly, I get death-threatened. I loathe how Sesshoumaru-sama's favoring is on her side…'

The mini-youkai was so lost in his own, envious thoughts that he hadn't realized his pace was slowing compared to Sesshoumaru's and Rin's. It wasn't until Rin called him that he sped up.

"Jaken-sama, you don't want to be left behind…!" she cried back to him, that fleeting smile returned to her lovely face. He jumped in surprise, quickly hurrying after them both, his mind still mumbling hidden cursings at the unsuspecting girl.

Sesshoumaru hid his own faint smile from them both, after hearing her words to Jaken. 'Ah… so she is finally returning to her original self…?' the demon lord mused, not realizing that a familiar, sentimental feeling was also creeping upon his being. It was almost… nostalgic, reminding him of when Rin was much younger, and much, much more innocent of her surroundings.

Back when the only thing she saw as important was him. When the only one she cared to know was the taiyoukai whom she followed. Back… when the only one she loved was him.

{Defense is paper thin

Just one touch and I'd be in too deep down}

The dog demon narrowed his eyes. That foolish, caring heart of his was speaking again, like it had done just a few days before. 'Shut up,' he demanded of it, expecting it to obey like almost everything else he came in contact with. However, of all the things the powerful being was able to control, his own inner mind wasn't one of them.

'Rin can love and hate whomever she pleases. It was her choice to come back, not my own. I do not… care for her.'

He could practically hear the mocking laughter that came after in his head. There was such a cold, betrayed feeling he had, after stating those words, mentally. Did it make him feel… perhaps, ashamed? In his own mind (would that be possible?)?

{To ever swim against the current…}

'Hn. Annoying voices. Being around humans and half-breeds all the time is making this Sesshoumaru insane…,' he finally considered, almost rolling his eyes in disbelief. 'It can happen, though. After all, my own ward has fallen in love with my bastard brother. Obviously, another sign that the world is coming to a swift end… and not to my hands, as I'd hoped for, before.'

{So let me slip away, so let me slip away}

-

"Rin…" The hanyou moaned again, closed eyes clenched in emotional pain of her loss. Was she really gone? Did she actually choose to go back to Sesshoumaru, even after her promise?

"As long as you want to be with me, I'll be by your side, Inuyasha."

His mind cursed those words, which had been repeating endlessly in his head, as if his mind were nothing but an empty cave, with nothing but hopeless echoes supporting it. Slowly, the half-demon opened his amber eyes, not exactly wanting to wake up from the false realities of his mind, where Rin was still with him.

{So let me slip away, so let me slip against the current

So let me slip away, so let me slip away}

What he saw was dimmed, afternoon light coming in through thinly-draped windows. "W-what…?" He sat up, but just as quickly laid back down, the sting from Sesshoumaru's sword's wound suddenly stabbing at him. Inuyasha winced in pain.

He looked over again, at the windows. This definitely wasn't the Feudal Era, judging from the infernal racket coming from outside the glass. Besides, they didn't have such soft sheets back then, either, his mind reminded him, as his clawed hands felt against the downy bed he was lying on. Remembrance jumped at him, just as he thought this. Draped, glass windows? Soft sheets? The most annoying beeping noises one could ever hope to hear?!

"Ka… Kagome?!" Again, the hanyou attempted to sit up, but was pushed back down by the throbbing in his torso. 'But… why?! After what I did to her?!' His amber eyes were wide in confusion, and possible fright of what the woman was planning for him.

{So let me slip away, so let me slip away…}

"What does she want….? Does she want to kill me herself?" Inuyasha's mind immediately traced back to Kikyou's arrow piercing through him. 'Damn… I never wanted to go through that again, but…'

The dog half-demon sighed. There was just no helping it. If Kagome was going to slay him with her bare hands, there wasn't going to be any fighting it…. 'specially if it was Kagome. Not like he could fight back with the sword-wound in his middle.

{Vindicated

I am selfish, I am wrong

I am right, I swear I'm right

Swear I knew it all along}

"How long's it been, anyway…? If it's been more than a day, I should be healed by now…." he mused, out loud. "Then again… it's that ass, Sesshoumaru, so… maybe not. Damn, that guy just loves to see me squirm…!!"

"Talking to yourself, huh?" A voice suddenly stated, making him nearly jump off the bed.

"What? Who…?" Frantic eyes searched all around, but… no one?

"Down here, stupid," the voice said again, slightly irritated. The hanyou obeyed, looking towards the edge of the bed more than at the door.

"A… kid?"

Indeed, it was, as it seemed. Big, steel-colored eyes stared back at him, under wispy bangs of seemingly-white blonde hair.

"Um… hello?" Inuyasha asked, more than greeted, a bit disturbed by the kid's staring.

"Your ears," the boy said. "They're…"

The half-demon's eyes narrowed in annoyance. "What, kid?"

"Weird," he blatantly replied. No sooner had the boy said this that a small hand came out of nowhere and clamped onto Inuyasha's dog-like ears.

"Kitty…!" the owner of the hand cried, appearing from behind the culprit-hand. It was a small girl, with shoulder-length, black hair and a wide smile.

"Yeah, what are you? Some kind of cat…?" her male companion asked the silver-haired demon, one brow raised high.

{And I am flawed

But I am cleaning up so well}

Inuyasha yanked his ear out from the girl's hold, by moving sideways. "I'm not a stupid cat, you stupid brats!!" he yelled, anger quite apparent on his face. "And how'd you get into Kagome's apartment, anyway?!"

"I let them in." In the door stood a tall shadow, the apartment building's hallway lights shining dimly behind the womanly figure.

"Kagome…?"

"Higurashi-san," the small girl who'd grabbed onto Inuyasha's ear suddenly piped up, "there's a kitty-man in your house. Not a 'Inuyasha'…"

Surprisingly, Kagome beamed down at the girl. "Oh, don't worry, Rei-chan," she smiled, patting the child's head. "That 'kitty-man' is Inuyasha."

"Yeah, don't be stupid, Rei," the boy muttered, rolling his grey eyes, much to Rei's obvious dismay.

She gasped, before allowing large tears to well up and fall out of her huge, chocolate eyes. "Well, don't be so mean, Izumi…!" Rei cried, running out into the main building's hallway in a huff.

The boy, Izumi, crossed his arms. "Geez, don't be such a baby…!" However, despite his macho attitude, the youngster found himself following after her. Kagome just watched them, not really surprised at either's actions.

"Hn… weird kids," mumbled Inuyasha, from the bed, turning his head so as to not have to look at Kagome. He faced the windows instead, trying to keep the obvious guilt splattered all over his face from being shown to the woman.

The sound of a door shutting, and a sudden movement on the bed indicated that she had sat down next to his lain body. "Inuyasha…"

When he didn't reply, she continued. "Those kids are neighbors of mine, both living just a few apartments away from me. They're not related, at all, but they sure act like a married couple sometimes, huh…?"

Inuyasha, again, didn't answer. He couldn't speak, after all. Something was stopping him, be it her presence or that ever-lurking shame that loomed over his form. Still, she spoke.

"Izumi-kun, that blonde boy… he can sure act like a real jerk, you know? Yet, Rei still hangs out with him. Why is beyond me but… he doesn't seem to mind either." He didn't see, but Kagome had tucked loose, raven-colored strands behind her ear as she spoke. "In fact… they enjoy each other's company…. And no matter how many times Izumi-kun calls Rei names and is mean to her, she still returns to his side. And even though he can be really mean to her, Izumi only does that to get her attention…"

{I am seeing in me now}

Inuyasha nodded this time, not wanting her to think he was totally ignoring her words. After doing so, he felt another tug on his ears, apparently from the woman sitting by him. She'd tweaked his ears, much to his thoughts that she hated him.

'Maybe… this is some kind of trick? She's waiting for me to lower my guard then she'll strangle me with my own innards…? Geez, Kagome's harsh.' He side-glared at her, as she smiled down at him.

"They're just like us, Inuyasha," she finally said, suddenly, causing the hanyou to blink twice in confusion. "Izumi-kun and Rei-chan… it seems like they both should hate each other after all their abuse to one another, but they still stay close."

"…" Inuyasha opened his mouth to say something, breathing for the first few seconds before finally stating what he was thinking. "…Scary…"

"Heh, yeah I know," Kagome replied, soon laying her head next to his.

"But… aren't you mad…?" he finally asked her the question that had been piercing at his mind since he'd awoken, turning his head slightly to face her. She shook her head, lightly placing an arm over his chest, the other digging under the pillow below her hair.

{The things you swore you saw yourself…

Like…}

"You're… not?" His eyes widened once more, in even more disbelief. "But, what about-"

He couldn't finish because Kagome had, once again, cut his words off with a quick kiss. Just as soon as she broke her lips away from him, and tried to sit up, his hands brought her back down to his level. Confusion was evident in her eyes, until he locked his lips with her own again.

The hanyou could feel shivers going down his spine, as he and Kagome kissed, lying in that bed next to each other. Were they from even more shame, of betraying Rin, or did they spring from the feelings he still held for the woman before him?

Was he wrong for wanting two women at one time…? He loved two women before, but… even that was slightly different. Considering the fact that Kagome turned out to be Kikyou's reincarnation, anyway….

'Hn, I'll figure this out later.' His mind stated, just as he broke away from their kisses for air. 'Until then… I'll be here for Kagome.'

{Hope dangles on a string

Like slow spinning redemption}

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[author's notes] Unnnn…. -.-0 Geez, I'm making Inuyasha seem like such a bloody JERK! Ack. (rolls eyes) Anywho, like the lyrics? Or did they just seem stupid and out of place in there…? Ah, don't worry about it, it's not permanent. XD I just love that song right now, and it fits this chapter. Hnnn, am I right, or am I right? Hahahahaha! Unlike what most people do with 'songfics,' I wrote the chapter before actually putting the lyrics in. O.o;;; Yeah, I was just going to steal the title and do nothing else about it, until I noticed how much 'alike' the song and chapter were. Hn. Odd, life is sometimes…

Ack, did I make anyone -more- OOC than usual? If so, I apologize. I sorta… had to hurry on this chapter… eh. I'm supposed to be writing a monologue for drama class, and I have to have it memorized by Monday. (gasps and faints) I've terrible memory! Gack…!! My guy-friend is always saying how I seem to have Alzheimer's, because I always forget little things…!! X.x;;;;; Oh no….!

Anywho, enjoyed it? Thanks muchly. Please review, or I might not feel the need to update… busy as I am, after all. (wink wink)

If you want to see something I've drawn for the fic (an InuXRin picture, nothing BAD… mind you), go here: http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/10141265/

I suppose that's it, now… Toodles![/a.n]

--…review…review…review…--