InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Forever Mine ❯ Scars ( Chapter 7 )

Disclaimer: "Neechan, can you give me Sesshoumaru for my birthday?"

"I can give you an imaginary version fully loaded with scalding intense eyes and rock-hard body, but the real thing....no way in hell.

"Sigh, I will never get to own him."

Allow me to warn people now, this chapter will not be pleasant and those who are unable to handle non-consensual sexual situations (no rape this time) and/or descriptive violence don't read.

Ojisama - Uncle

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Makoto felt the wind blow her hair around her face and with it came a familiar scent that made her smile. A hand covered her eyes, blinding her, while another brought the soft petals of a flower to brush just above her lips.

"Guess," the young man whispered lightly into her ear.

She took a deep breath, inhaling the unique aroma of the flower.

"Nadesico."

Her eyes were uncovered and she watched as the pale pink flower was placed in her hair just above her pointed ear. The young man moved so that he was sitting on the grass in front of her.

"Beautiful."

Makoto laughed. "Tanshin, every flower you bring me is beautiful."

"I wasn't talking about the flower."

Makoto's cheeks soon matched the colored petals lightly caressing her skin. Tanshin stood up and gently took her hands, helping her to her feet.

"Come on, Okaasan was asking for you."

Makoto nodded and allowed herself to be led to Sango's home with Tanshin's strong hand wrapped around her slender one. Tanshin was now a young man of sixteen, and Makoto at fourteen was considered, by human standards, a young woman. InuYasha saw less of this and still considered her to be a pup, but the rest of the villagers thought differently. Tanshin was beginning to think differently.

Makoto blushed a deeper shade of red as she spared a glance to her escort. His black hair was cut just above the neckline, and his long bangs shadowed his brown-gray eyes giving him an air of mystery. He stood a head taller than her, well built but not bulky. What she like the most was his hands, so strong and protective, yet gentler than the morning breeze.

The larger than normal house came into view and Tanshin turned back to give her a quiet smile. Makoto was staying with Sango and Miroku while the rest of her family was out. After traveling so extensively fighting Naraku they had acquired quite a reputation for demon slaying. As a result, people came from all over Japan to hire the services of InuYasha, Kagome, Sango, or Miroku…whoever decided to go. This time it was unknown exactly what type of demon was causing trouble, only that there were more than one and very powerful. So InuYasha, Kagome, and Kyo went to deal with the situation leaving Shinryo to look after Makoto.

Shortly after they left, however, Shinryo agreed to go out in search of Kenji, Miroku and Sango's second son, after rumors started coming in about a lecherous spiritualist who was on the run from a nobleman's entire army. Apparently, he got a little too close to a princess for her father's liking and now was running from town to town trying to get away. Sango, though disapproving of her son's wandering hands, did not want him hurt, and thus, Makoto was staying with them while Shinryo went hunting for a hentai.

It felt rather odd really, being in so large a house with so few people in it. When all of their children lived there it was always filled, but Shuuyou and Seika were both married and Kenji was off traveling. That left only Hikari and Tanshin, and Hikari was old enough to take a husband.

Makoto didn't mind it though. She was too shy to admit it, but she did love spending time alone with Tanshin, especially now that it wasn't just Tanshin protecting her from Muchi. A lot had changed since she had met her cousin. Saraku refused to allow her just go on letting other people take care of her. She forced her to support herself. She still had trouble, wasn't as strong willed as the rest of her family, but the threat of her uncle had pushed Muchi back to a point Makoto could handle.

Saraku had been the one to actually place the threat of Sesshoumaru, but after meeting him, Makoto was somehow sure he would follow through on it. He was much more reserved than InuYasha, and their lifestyle was so very different from hers it left her in awe the first time she visited. They lived in a castle, next to a village filled with demons, all of whom respected them. They had such power and dignity, and if anyone even dared to insult one of them Sesshoumaru did not let it go unpunished. That was the advantage to ruling the lands, Makoto supposed. If her father ruled instead of just lived in the village she was sure Muchi would never be let near her again.

A soft squeeze of her hand brought Makoto from her thoughts and drew her attention to Tanshin, who smiled contently at her.

"What do you think about when you get that look on your face?" he asked.

She looked at him confused. "What look?"

"That look as if we were reliving a wonderful dream."

"I was thinking about my visits to see Saraku. It is such a great place."

Tanshin's eyes seemed to age slightly. "No one hurts you there. It is too bad you can't live with them. It would be safer I think."

Makoto leaned her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes slightly as they walked. "You're here. I'm safe."

Makoto restrained her laughter as she felt the heat rise in his face.

"You know, InuYasha is going to be coming after you if you keep acting like this Tanshin." Sango was standing in the doorway of the house, watching the two approach.

"Okaasan, InuYasha knows I'm not like Kenji. I would never do anything to Makoto."

"A father's fears are never quelled. Just ask your sisters."

All three of them laughed as they thought of Miroku's almost deadly interrogations of any potential suitors for his daughters. Seika was nineteen and just been married off, while Hikari, at seventeen, was anxiously waiting for someone to pass her father's tests. Not that any of them got close enough for her to even properly meet and talk to.

Makoto looked over to Sango once they had all calmed. "What is it you wanted, Sango?"

"Oh yes, I was going to be heading down to the lake with Hikari and wanted to know if you wanted to join us for an afternoon bath."

"That would be great."

"Well, you go back to your house and get your things and we'll meet you at the edge of the village. Hikari should be returning any moment now."

Makoto nodded and began turning back in the direction of her house only to find Tanshin turning with her. He was so very protective of her when the rest of her family was gone, but she never complained before and never would. She couldn't deny him the opportunity…she owed him that.

"What's wrong, Makoto," Tanshin asked, his voice tinged with worry.

"What do you mean?"

He stopped and turned her to look at him. "Your face, you seem really concerned about something."

"It's nothing," she said shaking her head.

"Really?"

"Really, I was just thinking."

He didn't appear completely convinced but he let her be. His body was a bit tenser now, his eyes, more sullen, appeared a deep shade of gray. She placed her hand against his right forearm while still keeping their fingers interlaced, and rested against his shoulder.

"Really, there is nothing to be concerned about. I was just thinking. I'm sure the bath will clear my head. You worry too much."

"I know I do, but I can't help it. I love you too much."

Tanshin nearly stopped when he heard the words come from his mouth. His face went scarlet and Makoto's was right behind him. He didn't try and change what he said, or rationalize it, but it was obvious he hadn't meant to say it quite like that. Makoto had to admit, she hadn't expected him to say it. He had always said he cared for her and worried about her, but never he loved her. It was weird to hear it, even though a part of her knew, but the words themselves were…strange.

They arrived at the house and Makoto went in to grab a towel and her bath supplies while Tanshin waited outside. When they were younger it wouldn't have mattered, but now it was considered improper for him to enter the house with her alone. It was odd, their relationship. They had just always been together, him protecting her, and now…now things were changing, slowly, but definitely changing. Makoto smiled to herself as she headed back to the front door. Change wasn't always a bad thing.

She hurried to rejoin Tanshin and went to the edge of the village to wait on Sango and Hikari. Within a few minutes they saw Hikari on her way, only instead of Sango, Miroku was in tow. Somehow Makoto knew her bath was about to be canceled. A very angry Hikari stopped right in front of them, her eyes softening a bit as she looked at Makoto.

"I'm sorry, Makoto. We can't make the bath since Okaasan has to go try and calm Takai's family down. Otousan broke his wrist," she glared at Miroku as she said the last statement.

"He was trying to grope you," Miroku said defensively.

"He was walking and his hand brushed my hip!"

"That may be what it looked like but he was getting ready to do more than just brush your hip."

"Otousan! Not everyone thinks like you and Kenji!"

Makoto had to use all her will power not to laugh. Tanshin didn't seem to care though and was holding his side in a hysterical pain.

"Tanshin! This is not funny!" Hikari yelled at her younger brother. "Maybe I will tell InuYasha you tried to grope Makoto, then let's see how funny you think it is."

Everyone immediately sobered and Tanshin's expression became reserved.

"I would never do that to her and you know it."

Hikari lowered her head apologetically. "I know, Tanshin. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that."

Not liking the silence that followed Makoto smiled up at Hikari.

"So, you won't be joining me then, for the bath?"

"No, I'm sorry."

Tanshin looked at her concerned. "You're going anyway?"

"No point in not. Besides I had gotten to like the idea of a bath and I have my things with me already." Tanshin's concerned expression deepened. "Nothing will happen. You worry too much."

Tanshin was about to speak but stopped when he remembered what he had said last time and obviously didn't want to repeat it in front of Hikari and Miroku. He let out a resigned sigh and smiled.

Miroku smirked at his son's reaction. "Don't you worry either, Makoto. I'll make sure he doesn't go sneaking a peak."

"Otousan!" Tanshin yelled as both he and Makoto returned to their crimson shade.

Hikari grabbed her father's arm and started dragging him back to the house. "Like I said, Otousan, not everyone thinks like you."

Tanshin looked to the ground trying to hide his blush. "I'll see you back at the house."

Makoto nodded and turned to the path heading to the lake, almost tripping since she had not yet looked away from Tanshin. She laughed nervously as she regained her balance and focused on walking away. Why were they always this awkward when others were around?

Makoto made quick time to the lake and checked for any nearby demon or human scents before undressing. The wind was in her favor, or so she thought, since it blew towards the village and should any creature come from the woods she would smell it beforehand. She hurried into the water and relaxed as it eased the tension and embarrassment from her.

Maybe she had become too complaisant. Maybe she had become too confident. Maybe she felt too safe. For whatever the reason Makoto never heard the soft footsteps on the shoreline behind her, not until the water splashed with the person's entrance into the lake. She ducked into the water to cover her exposed body before turning to see who her intruder was.

Muchi's dark brown eyes stared down at her as she carefully moved to the shore, being carefully how far out of the water she went. He was only ankle deep in the lake, not a threat from that distance, but Makoto was less than pleased at his presence.

"Muchi, get out of here now. If anyone finds out you are here they won't go easy on you." Makoto sent a sidelong glance at her towel and kimono still neatly folded only a few feet from the water's edge.

Muchi took a step forward, his eyes gleaming with lust. "No one will know. You won't tell a soul I am here."

"What makes you think that? I won't let you do whatever you want anymore."

Another glance to her clothes and another step forward by Muchi.

"You have forgotten your place, you little bitch. I own you and you won't do anything but what I say."

Makoto made a dash for her clothes and lifted the cloth in front of her not caring to put it on as much as cover herself. Muchi turned and slowly began walking towards her.

"You don't own me. I don't have to listen to you."

Why wouldn't her legs move? She wanted to run, so why weren't they moving? He can't still do this to her? Not like this…she wanted to run. Makoto looked up and saw him standing right in front of her, smirking.

"If I don't own you why didn't you run away. You know you belong to me."

She managed to step back as he tried to touch her face but couldn't bring herself to turn and leave.

"I do not belong to you."

Muchi's hand thrust forward grabbing her neck and lifting her onto her toes. He leaned in till his nose touched her cheek and only the thin cloth of the kimono in front of her kept him from her bare form.

"You are mine now and you will always be mine to do with as I please. Or have you forgotten it already. Tell me, did it ever heal properly? The scar is well hidden, and I know it must have scarred so it must always be a reminder. A reminder that if you don't obey me I can do far worse that that scar."

Makoto tried her best to remain calm. "To be honest I haven't seen that scar in years."

"What," Muchi said smirking, "you haven't been a good little bitch to that boy? Was it his left hip or his right? I can't believe he takes care of you so much, considering what you did to him."

Makoto's body was visibly trembling and her breathing was strained and shallow as his grip tightened around her neck. "I didn't do anything to him, you did. He protects me from you."

"He has no right to keep from me what is mine."

"I'm not yours."

Why wouldn't her body move? Scratch him! Kick him! Bite him! She begged her body to move, to do anything to free herself, but it refused to listen. The only thing she could do was maintain her grip on the kimono before her.

"You had better start remembering your place or I will not go easy on you. Your family, they go out for any demon call. Amazing that this time they didn't know what kind they would be fighting. One day they could be called out and no one would hear from them again."

Muchi lowered his mouth to her neck and began kissing his way down her wet skin. Tears ran down Makoto's cheeks as she clung to the thin cloth covering her chest. His lips found their way to her shoulder then returned and headed down her collar bone, his chin rubbing against the silk kimono. He paused a moment at the center of her neck and smirked.

"And what of that brother of yours. Rumors are easily created, one shouldn't believe everything they hear." His free hand tugged at the silk. "Move this."

Why! Why did her hands let go? Why didn't she hold that cloth with all her might? Why was it falling to her feet?

He let his free hand slowly roam over her newly exposed skin. His fingers danced over her still forming breasts, caressing the sensitive flesh and earning a choked sob each time. Seeing her reaction Muchi leaned down and passed his tongue over her nipple causing her to wail in shame and terror. He loosened the grip on her throat so he could receive better cries and screams from her small voice. Slowly, he raised his face to hers and licked the tears still streaming down her cheek.

"And what about that boy? That precious boy of yours. That precious, safe, protective boy. How many things I could do to him? Meat can go bad and poison a person. Water can carry sickness. Bandits roam the lands. Anything could happen. You don't want anything to happen, not again."

Her body was no longer her own, it obeyed only him and he knew it. He carefully lowered her to the ground, kneeling to straddle her legs. Cries and sobs raged in her throat, escaping to the wind that no one would hear. No one whose senses ranged this far was in the village…InuYasha…Shinryo…Kyo…they were all gone. No one could see this. No one could stop this.

Muchi lowered his face to hers but she turned away, trying as best she could to hide the only part of herself she seemed to have control of. He moved to kiss her again but she looked the other way.

"Bitch!" Muchi yelled grabbing her face and forcing her to stare at him. "You will move your head when I say so and none other."

Raise your head!

"You are mine, bitch. You will not look down on me or away. I am your master."

It implies inferiority and that is something you do not have, so don't act like it.

Makoto tried to move her body, tried to free herself from his weight only to have his hand strike her hard across the cheek.

You are still of noble blood.

What would they think when they all returned and smelled him on her? What would InuYasha think? What would Tanshin think when they told him?

Didn't I tell you to raise your head?

She tried, she tried so hard to move her face out of his grasp, but she couldn't. Why? Wasn't she stronger? Wasn't she a demon? So, why?

Stop doing everything you're told just cause you're told to do it. Have a little pride in yourself.

Her frightened sobs were replaced by a low growl slowly gaining strength. Muchi's shocked face twisted with anger and he struck her face repeatedly, each hit increasing the volume of the rumbling in her chest. Her upper lip twitched, baring her fangs to her attacker, and her fingers tensed and contorted beneath his body.

Infuriated by her defiance Muchi grabbed her throat with both hands and pressed it hard against the ground.

"Didn't I tell you, you are mine, you little bitch!"

Makoto's eyes narrowed and her clawed hands clamped down on his wrists. "Flattery will get you no where."

Makoto forced herself up and slammed her fangs into his left bicep, biting and gnawing until her teeth met bone. Now it was Muchi who was screaming in pain. Makoto released him and spit out the blood in her mouth. Muchi held his left arm as he stared at the crazed girl.

"You'll pay for this."

He lunged forward to strike her but her claws swept over his face, tearing the skin from skull and shattering the bridge of his nose. He stood there a moment, bleeding, knowing defeat, but not willing to surrender. He knew how to control her.

"Can you see what you've done? You really are nothing more than a wild beast. Once again you have let the demon rule and someone is hurt. Bitch, nothing more than a cowardly, worthless dog. They will all fear you. Hate you. They will hunt you because of what you've done."

Makoto looked down at her blood soaked claws and tasted the metallic fluid coating her teeth, mouth, and tongue. Her body shook again, terrified at what she was doing. At what she had already done. Muchi made a tentative step forward, slightly submissive so as not to draw out her anger again.

"Run. Run as far as you can. I'll tell them a beast came and I barely got away. Just like last time, I'll make sure no one knows. But you have to get out of here and never return. Never come back to this village, never come back to your family. No one will accept you, not if they know what you do. I'll cover for you, but you had better run."

Makoto stared at Muchi, her eyes filled with terror and blurred by tears. She grabbed her clothes from the ground and bolted into the woods without bothering to put them on. She had to run. She had to hide some where. She had to find a place she could be safe…but where?

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Tanshin tapped his fingers anxiously against the wooden floor. Something didn't feel right. Shouldn't she have returned by now? What was keeping her? Did something happen? Should he have let her go on her own? Maybe he should have insisted she wait…made sure she was safe. Why wasn't she back yet?

"Makoto was right, you worry too much," Hikari said.

Tanshin ignored her statement. "Shouldn't she be back by now?"

"Maybe she is just taking her time. You know, enjoying her time alone. She doesn't get very much with you around."

He glared at his sister before returning his stare to the ground. Why wasn't she back yet?

Everyone turned their attention to Kirara who had suddenly sprung to her feet, the fur on her neck and back rising along with a low growl. She burst out of the house and into the village heading for the fields with Tanshin, Miroku, Hikari, and Sango in quick pursuit. When they finally caught up with Kirara none of them could believe what they saw.

Muchi was being dragged into the village, his entire face was dripping in blood and his left arm hung limply at his side, a large bite wound near the shoulder. People gathered round to try and help him as one or more ran to find his father. Tanshin felt something about this wasn't right. What was wrong with this? Why couldn't he feel at ease?

Kirara's growl became stronger the closer Muchi got to her. Why? Why was she so upset? Did she smell something coming? Was something on Muchi? Tanshin looked at the trail of blood leading into the woods…leading…in the direction of the lake! Those wounds…Makoto!

Tanshin rushed the group and grabbed the bloodied man by the collar, yanking him off the ground. Even though he was much younger Tanshin had no problems lifting Muchi.

"Where is she! Where's Makoto!" he screamed, shaking Muchi with each word.

Muchi coughed, spraying Tanshin's face with blood. "That bitch did this to me. She went mad and attacked, then ran into the woods still rampaging. She left me to die."

Never before had Tanshin been filled with such a desire to kill anyone or anything as he did at that moment. If anyone knew Makoto he did, and he was sure she would never hurt someone without cause. For that…Bastard!…to call her…her…mad … rampaging…to slander her name…to cause her to…to…

Tanshin threw Muchi to the ground hard and dropped to his knees, slamming his fists against Muchi's blood-soaked face. A number of strong arms grabbed Tanshin and yanked him off the wounded man. He struggled and fought against them but was unable to free himself. He couldn't think of anything but killing that bastard for what he must have done to Makoto to make her fight like that.

Miroku ran to his son and landed a solid punch to Tanshin's cheek, forcing him to the ground. Tanshin rubbed his sore cheek, spreading Muchi's blood over his face, as he slowly managed to think straight.

"Killing Muchi won't do anything. Go out and find Makoto!"

How stupid had he been? Why was he wasting time here when Makoto could be hurt…or worse? Tanshin said nothing, only stood and ran as fast as he could to the lake, praying that she was nearby…that she was safe.

Beside him Kirara transformed and he quickly jumped. Within a few minutes they were at the lake and the scene was less than helpful. Blood covered the land near the lake's edge and there were obvious signs of a struggle, but Makoto was no where in sight.

"Kirara, find her scent. Find Makoto."

Kirara nodded and sniffed around before heading west. She seemed to have found Makoto's trail and was making swift progress until they came upon a small river. Kirara searched and searched but to no avail, Makoto must have used the water to hide her scent.

"Damn it!" Tanshin screamed as he clenched Kirara's fur. "Where did she go? What happened to her?"

He reluctantly directed Kirara to return to the village. If he couldn't find Makoto he sure as hell was going to make Muchi suffer for it. By the time they reached the village Muchi had been taken in to have his wounds treated. He hurried over to the headman's house forcing his way through the men at the doorway with ease. There was no question which room Muchi was in, Miroku stood guard outside the door.

"Otousan, move."

"Where is Makoto?" Miroku asked without even a flinch at his son's command.

"Otousan. Move."

"Is she hurt? Dead?"

Tanshin could barely contain his anger. "O..tou..san. Move."

"Where is Makoto?"

"I don't know! She's gone and that bastard is the cause! Now move!"

Miroku's eyes narrowed. "So you can kill him?"

"He deserves to die!"

Tanshin was slammed against the wall by his father's superior strength.

"Otousan, why are you protecting him?"

"I'm not protecting him, I'm protecting you. If you kill him you will be committing murder. Not just defending or fighting…murder! Cold blooded murder! Do you want that on your hands?"

Tanshin shook with fury and frustration. "I want him to pay."

"For what? We can't know what happens until we find Makoto. Do you want to tell her you murdered Muchi?"

"I can't just stand here and do nothing!" Tanshin collapsed to the floor unable to think or move. His body felt like it was weighted down, pressing on his body, trying to suffocate him. Hot tears ran down his face. "I need to find her."

Miroku knelt next to his son. "We will find her, but you have to wait. When we find out what has happened, or when Shinryo or InuYasha return, we will find her."

"Where could she have gone!" Tanshin pounded his fists against the wood until his own blood mixed with Muchi's, staining the wood beneath. "Where…"

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Sesshoumaru watched as his son and daughter resumed one of the more annoying games they shared. Seto, his second born, stared admiringly at his older sister, Saraku, who had a knowing smirk on her face.

Seto at four already show an amazing resemblance to Sesshoumaru. His white hair hung just above his shoulders, having been cut short at Rin's request. He had, a number of times, tripped on his longer hair, or had it caught on something in his haste and Rin hoped to avoid further incidents. His golden eyes shimmered in the light of the dawn, almost reflecting the image of his sister.

At eleven, Saraku was a sharp contrast from her younger brother. Her black and white was pulled into a tight braid that fell to her upper calves, making her hair longer than Seto was tall. Her brown eye softened the piercing glare of her golden one. Saraku's manner and disposition mirrored Sesshoumaru's, where as Seto's obviously held more closely with Rin, though when needed he could adopt a more composed attitude. Sesshoumaru doubted this was his influence as much as Saraku's as the boy showered his sister with awe and reverence.

Perhaps the one thing they both inherited from Rin was a love to converse, and right now they were doing so excessively considering they were supposed to be sparring with weapons, not tongues. Seto's age did not help matters as he had found a very amusing word that he repeated over and over again.

"Why?"

Saraku was squatted down in front of her brother. "Because if we fight in the back all the flowers will get destroyed."

"Why?"

"Because there isn't enough room to go around them."

"Why?"

"Because it was made to walk in, not fight in."

"Why?"

"Because when you walk in there you can admire all the flowers."

"Why?"

"Because you are going slow."

"Why?"

"Because you are meant to look at the flowers."

"Why?"

"Because that is what it was made for."

"Why?"

"Because someone wanted to have the flowers there."

"Why?"

"Because they are pretty."

"Why?"

"Because that's the way the fates made them."

"Why?"

"Because they didn't have anything pretty to look at."

"Why?"

"Because it is a very dull place where the fates live."

"Why?"

"Because the fates are very dull people."

"Why?"

"Because they never do anything with their own lives."

"Why?"

"Because they are too busy messing around with everyone else's lives."

"Why?"

"Because they find it fun."

"Why?"

"Because they can do whatever they want?"

"Why?"

"Because they are the fates."

"Why?"

"Because," Sesshoumaru stated.

Seto was about to ask once more when Saraku's hand covered his mouth. At least one of them knew when enough was enough. Sesshoumaru glared at his two young pups.

"Saraku if you do not spar with Seto you cannot spar with me."

That was enough to get Saraku working. Since Seto was only learning the most basic of techniques Saraku's smaller body, though taller than a normal eleven year old, would be easier to fight against than Sesshoumaru's full size. Perhaps that is what gave Saraku her strength; she did have to spar against him when she was younger.

Saraku make quick work of her brother, refusing to go easy on him just because of his age and size. Even with the apprehension she had shown when he was born, it was easy to see the care Saraku now had for Seto. True her care often left him with bruises and scratches, but she herself was the only one she allowed to treat him that way.

As their training progresses the wind shifted, blowing to the north and bringing with it an uneasy scent. Both Saraku and Seto stopped their sparring when they caught the smell of human blood mixed with demon approaching. Sesshoumaru took a protective stance in front of his children, that was until he managed to determine the demon scent that traveled with the blood. It was definitely one of InuYasha's pups, but the blood was too strong to figure out which one. He made his way to the forest line and slowly was able to make out the form coming towards them.

"Makoto!" Saraku cried as she rushed to help her cousin.

Black hair curtained Makoto's face, which was staring at the ground before her. The kimono she wore was haphazardly hanging from her shoulders without even an obi to hold it closed. When he was close enough Sesshoumaru lowered onto one knee and gently lifted his niece's face. Blue and purple bruises covered her cheeks and one of her eyes was swollen shut. Blue marks surrounded her neck, as if someone had tried to strangle her, but what surprised him the most was the smell of blood was think in her breath and her teeth were stained red. He was relieved to find no trace of rape in her scent, though by her appearance that may have been what her attacker was after.

Saraku was struggling to see past Sesshoumaru. "Makoto, what happened? Why are you hurt?"

"Saraku, go and get your mother." She hesitated, not wanting to leave. "Saraku, now."

She nodded and hurried back to the castle, leaving Seto standing nearby very confused. Makoto looked at Sesshoumaru, her eyes filled with fear.

"Please…please let me stay here. I can't go back. Please!"

She looked away as her body shook beneath the silken fabric and tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Where is InuYasha?"

"Away…they are all away. No one…was there." He face suddenly ripped up, staring into his cold amber eyes. "Please! Please don't make me go back! Let me stay here, I beg of you."

He slowly pulled her partially open kimono together and let her take hold of it. "You are safe here."

She failed to form a weak smile, her mouth trembled as she spoke. "Thank you, Ojisama."

When Makoto seemed calmed Seto carefully made his way over. His eyes showed his confusion and concern. He might not have understood what was wrong, but he could smell the fear around Makoto. Too young to know how to help Seto did the only thing he could think of, he took hold of the Makoto's leg and nuzzled his face into it comfortingly. The action caused her tears to come faster but she rested her free hand on the back of the boy's head and held him to her.

Sesshoumaru stood and moved away as he heard Rin and Saraku approaching from behind. His mate quickly cradled the young woman in her arms, smoothing her hair and speaking comforting words. Nothing would be learned until Makoto was mentally more stable, and patience was a trait both he and Rin were masters of.

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Well, this chapter is getting split up into two, so no funness yet. We have another dark chapter coming up. I had wanted to write it all at once, but if I do this is going to be prolly 30 pages in Word and that would be a pain to read all in one sitting.

So, tell me, how many of you are mad I completely ruined that pretty puppy love scene between Tanshin and Makoto with all of this? So yeah, Review, I love them! Helps me write.

Ja Ne