InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Goddess of the Past ❯ Frozen Pain ( Chapter 7 )

Yay! I finally updated! I know I've been gone a long time, but stuff happens. A family member died in the spring, college stuff, the finals, and over the summer I had almost no comp access. Sorry! But I'm back and I writing like crazy! So here is the next installment in Goddess of the Past

You know already but I don't own any of the Inu character :(

Golden eyes stared intensely at the setting sun. As he watched the brightly hued sky slowly give way to darkness, he couldn't help but frown slightly.

She's late. The demon lord did not like to be kept waiting. But what did he expect? He knew the person he would soon be conversing with was not someone to taken lightly. He is fully aware of what she is capable of.

Sesshoumaru was jolted out of his thoughts when he felt a tremor beneath him. He looked down from his perch high in the tree to see the highly bruised and unconscious form of Jaken at the base of the tree. A smiling Rin came bounding out from the bushes a moment later, with a newly made ring of flower in her small hands.

"Jaken-sama?" The girl looked around for the green imp she loved to torture. "Jaken-sama!" When she finally spotted his motionless form on the ground, the sight caused her to giggle and point. "Hee-hee, Jaken-sama ran into a tree again!" Rin almost fell over laughing, clearing enjoying the crumpled sight of him.

Sesshoumaru decided now would be a good time to descend from his high post. Once on the ground he gave a quick look at Jaken, assessing that he would indeed survive the endeavor. He now looked to his young ward, who was currently attached to his right leg and looking up at him with a toothy grin. "Rin, have I not told you that you are not to damage Jaken anymore?"

Rin stared at him with the maybe, but-if-you-did-I-wasn't-listening look. "But why Sesshoumaru-sama? Jaken-sama looks so funny like this." She gave a quick glance to the injured imp beside them.

Sesshoumaru inwardly grinned at the girl's seemingly innocent nature. He sometimes wondered how it was possible for someone to live in such a carefree way. But he quickly pushed the thought aside. "Rin, if you continued to abuse Jaken so forcefully he will become even more inept in his service to me." Rin nodded compliantly, but the taiyoukai knew all to well that she would soon forget the words he had spoken.

Rin wandered back to the flower bushes and began making new flower ring for her to decorate people with. Sesshoumaru had traveled over to the now stirring form of Jaken. The little imp was muttering something about annoying little ningens, when he noticed the daunting sight of his master looming over him.

"Sesshoumaru-sama! Please forgive me. That child chased me through the wood again! She is always torturing me with her flowers and such. Oh please my lord, don't have watch he any longer. Please have pity on me, my lord!" Jaken was nothing but a pathetic puddle of groveling flesh at Sesshoumaru's feet.

"Get up Jaken." Sesshoumaru was clearly disgusted with his vassal's miserable display. "I have no need for a servant whose ability to function dissipates because of a child's game." Jaken looked away guiltily, knowing he should be ashamed of his actions. "Your duty is to guard Rin, you know what will happen should you fail in this duty." Jaken cringed at the mere thought of dying a painful death at the hand of his master. He bowed low in apology, "Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama."

The youkai swiftly returned to his post high in the tree, and awaited her arrival.

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While her guardian waited listlessly atop the tree, Rin was occupying herself by picking more flowers, and completely unaware of the troubles that plagued her father figure's mind.

As she went through the meadow to search for new flowers, Rin noticed a figure in the distance, it was a woman. As she got closer, Rin noticed this woman was very pretty and was dressed in very odd-looking kimono. It was black with a pale celestial blue, but it didn't look like a robe at all. It fell off her shoulders slightly; leaving her collarbone completely exposed. Several layers of a sheer material made up her sleeves and skirt. It was all black, save for the band of the silvery-blue satin that adorned her torso and lined her shoulders. This woman walked barefoot. She also wore no jewelry, none but the circular pendant that hung over her forehead.

Rin decided that this person could be entertaining to her, so she naïvely approached the stranger. The woman smiled gently at the girl, "Well hello there young one. What is your name?" Close up Rin could see that she had chestnut hair and emerald green eyes. There was something different about those eyes that would make a normal human nervous. But being the carefree child that she is, Rin simply took it for a new type of beauty that she never seen the like of before. "Rin's name is Rin! You're a really pretty lady! What's your name? Rin wants to know!"

"Makeda. My name is Makeda. Pleased to meet you, young Rin. Are your parents nearby?"

"Rin doesn't have parents. Jaken-sama was supposed to be watching Rin, but Rin ran away so she could pick flowers. Jaken-sama doesn't like flowers, Rin doesn't know why, so Rin shares her flowers so he will like them!" Rin somehow was able to saw this all in one breath. Makeda expected the child to be winded after exerting her lungs so, but Rin merely inhaled and started again.

"Makeda-san, your kimono is very pretty. Rin has never seen one like this. Is it from far away? Are you from far away? Can Rin have one too? Wha-" Rin was about to ask about Makeda's pendant, but Makeda had stopped her before the child collapsed from lack of oxygen.

"Rin you certainly have a lot to say for one so young." Makeda smiled at the girl and remove her hand from her mouth. "Is there somewhere nearby where you are staying? I have traveled very far and would like to rest for awhile."

"Uh-huh!" Rin nodded excitedly. "Come with Rin." She quickly took hold over the woman's hand and led her toward the forest.

Along the way, Rin continued to talk to her new companion. "Rin likes to pick flowers more than anything. See?" She held up the flower necklace she had made earlier. "Would Makeda like to wear it?"

"Yes Rin, thank you." Makeda lowered her head so Rin could place the ring of flowers around her neck. "Well, how does it look?" Rin smiled widely, "Very pretty."

The girls continued to walk and to converse. "So Rin does this 'Jaken-sama' you spoke of care for you all the time? Is he a relative of yours?" Rin snorted at the idea of being related that slimy little toad. "No, no silly Makeda. Jaken-sama only watches Rin when Sesshoumaru-sama is busy. Jaken-sama doesn't like to be left behind, but he does what Sesshoumaru-sama says."

"These people must be very important for you to have such respect for them"

"Oh, Jaken-sama is just Sesshoumaru-sama's best servant, but Sesshoumaru-sama likes Rin to have manners. So Rin must speak politely to Jaken-sama. But Rin gets him when Sesshoumaru-sama isn't looking." Rin had look of great pride on her face.

"Who is Sesshoumaru-sama?"

"He's very powerful and strong. He saved Rin after the wolves attacked. He brought Rin back. So now Rin follows Sesshoumaru-sama everywhere, and he protects Rin from bad things." Rin was all smiles while describing her guardian.

Makeda pondered at how such a carefree child could have such a dreadful past. She's so happy and innocent, despite everything that's happened to her. Parents gone, attacked by wolves. What's keeping her spirits so high?

By now the pair had reached the forest and they were nearly beneath the taiyoukai.

Sesshoumaru's senses had already informed him that Rin had returned from the meadow, and that she wasn't alone. The only problem was it wasn't Jaken who was accompanying her. Sesshoumaru's patience was already thinning greatly and he was not about to tolerate any unworthy humans today.

He promptly descended back to the earth and waited for Rin to appear with her new companion. He was expecting perhaps another child that Rin deemed worthy of being her playmate. However, when he saw that it was, in fact, a young woman with his ward, he was not surprised in the least. I should have known.

"Sesshoumaru-sama!" Rin quickly reattached herself to the taiyoukai's right leg.

But Sesshoumaru simply looked down at the girl. "Rin what have I told you about picking up strays?" Rin's toothy smiled faded into a guilty grin. "Sesshoumaru-sama told Rin that humans can't be trusted and not to go near them, not even the pups, unless Sesshoumaru-sama said it was okay."

Sesshoumaru nodded his head in concurrence. "Then tell me Rin, what is she doing here?" He pointed to said female to accentuate his point.

Rin quickly decided to ramble on and on until Sesshoumaru got irritated enough to just let Makeda stay. If that didn't work she could just pull one of her cute faces that could get her almost anything she wanted. Mind, all she ever wanted was to pick flowers or play with the other taiyoukai's pups, but it works nonetheless.

"But Sesshoumaru-sama, Makeda-san is really nice. And she is different from other humans. She doesn't wear dirty clothes or muddy shoes. And she smells really nice too!"

Sesshoumaru now understood the purpose of the flower necklace. Rin had adorned this human with nicely scented flowers to make her more tolerable for his sensitive nose. She just keeps getting smarter.

"Rin, enough. You shall remain here with Jaken. I must see if this Makeda is indeed as worthy as you claim her to be."

Rin's smile faded slightly, but she knew there was some hope. So she quietly obeyed, "Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama." She went to sit by the tree and waited for Jaken to find her.

Sesshoumaru led Makeda away from Rin and deeper into the forest as he wished to interrogate her where Rin could not hear.

When they were far enough into the forest, Sesshoumaru stopped and turned to look at the young woman facing him. "So Makeda, is it? A little much, but you never were able to do thing half-way were you?"

Makeda smiled, "I see you haven't changed. Still the same cold mask, still the same stoic nature. Although, that human child still puzzles me. I can't figure out why you would keep her around."

Sesshoumaru frowned and glared at the woman. He did not need to explain himself, to anyone. "You will not question me, and especially not in my own domain. Your purpose here is simple; you will do no more than what I have requested. Now drop that ridiculous human form, I tire of looking at it."

"To think you of all people would despise one race so much." Makeda's expression displayed a tiny smirk.

"Woman, you will learn to hold your tongue, or lose it. I did not call you here so you could dig up my past. Now reveal yourself, goddess!" Sesshoumaru sent a large sphere of energy straight at Makeda. But instead of dodging or blocking the shot, she embraced the power that had now engulfed her. As the blue energy surrounded her body, she fused it with a power of her own. Thus changing the aura around her into a soothing violet. Almost instantly this new power seeped into her body, revealing a completely different creature than what had stood there before.

This new female grinned slyly. The chestnut hair that Makeda had possessed was now a dark honey, with golden streaks. Her emerald eyes were replaced by silvery blues on. But these eyes were unlike any other eyes, youkai or human. The whites of her eyes did not exist. Instead her beautiful irises were surrounded by a deep blue that rivaled the darkness of the night sky. These eyes had the look of powerful stars that could pierce through your very soul like ice, with a mere glance. Finally, this new female had no pendant adorning her brow. Instead was the mark of a circle in the center of her forehead. Sesshoumaru remembered this mark well. "Oya."

The youkai nearly grinned at the woman's display. "I see that you have not lost your touch."

"And your skills are as sharp as ever, Sesshoumaru."

"Now if you are done playing your games, let us get to the matter at hand."

"Very well." Oya sighed. "Why have you summoned me here?" she asked almost listlessly.

"You know perfectly well why I had you come, do not ask pointless questions." Sesshoumaru knew this woman was just playing with him. And he also knew better than to fall prey to her. He may have tolerated her games in the past, but that was a very long time ago.

"Yes I know why. However, I need you to give the information that you possess, so as not to be redundant. You see, I know how much you hate it when people talk to you like you're an idiot." Oya gave him a playful glare, letting him know she was still taunting him.

But Sesshoumaru was not in the mood to be mocked or to endure Oya's flighty attitude. He was here for a reason, and he would not waste his time to endulge her.

Before she could blink, Oya was pinned between the tree behind her and Sesshoumaru's powerful forearm. Despite the mortal threat she faced, she again smiled, "And I see your temper is as short as ever."

Unfortunately for her, Sesshoumaru had reached his edge. He pressed his harm even harder against her neck. "Woman, I am not here to endure your sarcasm or your elusive nature. I want straight answer from you, now." Though his voice betrayed no emotion, Oya could see the rage building his eyes. The youkai lord swiftly released her and moved back in one fluid motion. However his eyes still shot through her like a katana, "You won't receive a second warning."

Oya massaged her neck gently, though she could tell a bruise would appear on the delicate flesh shortly. Same old ice. Gods this isn't going to be pleasant. "Very well we'll do it you way, spoilsport. What is it you wish to know, Sesshoumaru?"

Sesshoumaru was pleased to finally have control of the situation, and Oya would give him the information he needed. "Oya, what are these visions? Why are we seeing the past?"

"Surely you know, Sesshoumaru." Oya crossed her arms. "Or have you forgotten what happened 80 years ago?"

Sesshoumaru's rage was now back and it was boiling to its maximum. His eyes began to glow a deep crimson and his claws were lengthening.

But Oya merely rolled her eyes. "Calm down, you foolish youkai! That day is directly linked to ours visions, and you know it! Don't growl at me just for bringing it up, Sesshoumaru. And you can put away that little demonic display, now." Oya narrowed her eyes at the youkai, almost as if she was challenging him.

Sesshoumaru calmed himself, and returned to his normal state. So she is having vision. I presumed as much, considering she is their seer. Still, how much does she know for a fact?

"Oya, tell me, how could that which occurred so long ago possibly have any affect on what is happening with the here and now?"

"Are you really going to make me say it, Sesshoumaru?" The taiyoukai made no move to reply. Oya sighed loudly. "The events that led up to that day, the struggles still to come, all of it was foretold in the Seer's Prophecy. You know it's the only explanation that fits!" Oya faced Sesshoumaru defiantly. She knew he despised every word of that foretelling. But she needed him to believe in it, or both his world and hers would be in great peril.

Sesshoumaru shook his head at her, "You still believe in that mystic's fairy tale? I would have expected a skilled seer such as yourself would have the sense to know fantasy from a true vision."

"Come off it Sesshoumaru!" Oya's voice had become tense and almost angry for the first time since the conversation began. Her body showed that she had become frustrated as well. Her hands were clenched upon her crossed arms, when they weren't moving about her body in exuberant gestures. "You know better than anyone that the prophecy holds truth to it. You lived through it all. Hell, you even part of it. He whose heritage is the like of her own. Together will th-"

"Enough! You will not utter one more word of that gods-damned prophecy! You know what it caused.

"So much was taken from me because your people believed in that foretelling. My mother died because she had so much faith in it. She gave in to death because of what was foretold. Well, no more! Never again will I believe in it. Its no prophecy, it is a curse placed upon my soul me to taunt and torture me and those I lost because of it." Oya could feel his aura building again but it was the fiery rage behind it that surprised her.

"But it was I who lived, and it is I who shall never repeat past mistakes!" Sesshoumaru then put his claws through the nearest tree, and blasted said tree into wood chips.

Oya was in disbelief. His voice, the way his entire body had tensed, but most of all his eyes. It had been a long time since she'd seen Sesshoumaru like this. Sure, she'd seen him angered, in fact she was usually the cause of it. But this time was different, the emotion behind it all. That was something she hadn't witnessed for 80 years, since that day. After that he closed himself off from all emotion and became the stoic figure he is today. At least, that's what she thought until now. He's still in there. Maybe there is hope.

"Sesshoumaru… I… I'm sorry. I know it's difficult for you to believe in it after what happened, but the prophecy is the only answer that makes sense to me right now. Your dreams, my visions, they both show us the past when we're supposed to be seeing the future. I don't know why it's happening anymore than you do. But I do know that we need to work together in order to find the answers we need, and to prepare for what may come.

Oya looked to Sesshoumaru for a response, but he could only stare at the goddess in front of him.

"Please for once accept help when it's offered to you. Even if it's not the prophecy behind all this, we need to know what is." Oya then did something most females would not have lived to regret, she embraced Sesshoumaru. "Please Sessho-kun, I really need you this time. Will you do this, for me?"

If anyone had been watching the events thus far, they would have been shocked that a woman would be stupid enough to embrace the Lord of the Western Lands. But they would have keeled over and died from shock at what happened next.

Instead of killing her, Sesshoumaru placed his hand behind the base of Oya's head and returned the embrace. "Oya we've always been allies, despite the most difficult of circumstance. I've always helped you when you needed it, just as you for me. Is there really a need to get so upset?"

Oya looked up at him and smiled, " No, I suppose not." She then released him from her tight embrace.

"Very good. Now you know the agreement, don't te-"

" 'Don't tell any of the others, especially not the elders or Lady Tatani.' I know Sesshoumaru, we've only been doing this for, what, 100 years?"

"120, if you count from the first time we met, when you ruined a banquet to try to make me laugh."

"Oh yes. That was fine time. We were only younglings then and you were much more pleasant afterwards. Though you never did like it back at home, you were always happier here on earth."

"And you know precisely why that it."

"I do."

Sesshoumaru, wanting to get back on track changed the subject, "Now do you still have the ring?"

"Yes, of course I do." Oya brought her left hand up for him to see, and there upon her middle finger was a plain silver ring with only a small setting. But instead of a jewel or crystal, within the setting there were two fangs crossed over each other. The fangs seemed to be held within an orb of blue energy keeping them protected from any outside force. "I keep it on, in case I get into too much trouble."

"Oh, so you are smarter than your behavior would show, then?"

Oya simply rolled her eyes. Okay so I can get in over my head sometimes, but that hasn't happened in over 40 years. Besides without risk, life would be so dull.

"Very well, then. Keep the ring on at all times so I may contact you. And if you need me to come to you, just press the fangs up against your marking, and call to me mentally."

"Sesshoumaru, I've had this ring for over a decade, I think I know how to use it." Oya grinned as the light from the rising moon began to fall through the trees.

"I think it is time we both parted from this place." Sesshoumaru now needed to go find Rin and what is left of Jaken, the impending darkness made it necessary for them to make camp.

"Yes, the elders will notice if I don't return." Oya's body was suddenly surrounded by a beautiful violet mist as she took to the skies. But the taiyoukai stopped her.

"Left without permission again? If you don't stop taking so many risks we both many end up in some real trouble one day."

Oya simply smiled and said, "Until next we meet, farewell." She was soon among the clouds and on her way.

Sesshoumaru then turned to search for Rin and Jaken. She will never change, will she? Oya, even after all this time you can still get to do things I know I'll come to regret. But we best be cautious this time, or one of could actually be captured by death.

The taiyoukai could now hear the voices of his ward and his servant through the bush. Rin's laughter rang through the trees, as Jaken cursed her existence. "Child, I would wring your neck if it didn't mean my own demise!"

Sesshoumaru would have sighed, if it were fitting for a lord to do so.

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Oya watched him closely from above before she made her true departure.

I can't believe it. Oya thought about what she had seen as she soared through the sky. The ice is melting. I may actually get the old Sessho back, and just in time too.

That girl. Amazing that it would be a human child who would call his heart back from the frozen cage he'd banished it to. Young Rin, when this is all over, I shall grant you the greatest of rewards for bringing the real Sesshoumaru back to us.

With that, Oya gave on last backward glance to the child who'd done what no immortal could. She then took to full speed and was gone from Earthly sight.

Hope you liked this chap! I tried to give some info about Sessho's past without blowing the mystery. Tell me what you think.

Reviews:

Crecy- I'm glad you like the chapter. I didn't want to jump into a main character relationship right away. So I figured San/Mir was a good way to get things started. Keep reading!

DemonessVampress- thank you. I was trying to keep things concerning her dreams mysterious, at least for now.

Anime-and-Toons- I'm glad you like her sisters. Puppy face right back at you =^_^=

Sakura91- thanks I'm happy you think my story is actually interesting, I was worried when I got so few reviewers. But quality over quantity, ya know?

Hope you all liked the chapter. Press the reviewer link and I might be inspired to update faster! Review!!!!