InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Heart of Pain, Heart of Ice ❯ chapter 4 ( Chapter 4 )
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Drama | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 04.21.2004 | Pages: 1 | Words: 2.6K | Visits: 483 | Status: Completed
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of its characters.
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Chapter 4: Unable to Understand....
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Sesshoumaru lifted his head up, away from the faint but steady heartbeat.
Shaded afternoon light entered his vision as he opened his eyes.
For a long time, he simply stared at the bedraggled female lying on the blue green moss before him. Shadows fell from the looming trees above. The shady splotches danced a dark dance over her defiled body, giving the impression that her spirit had vanished from this world for a happier one, leaving the bruised and battered flesh to rot in this place of pain. It was only an illusion the veiled sunlight played on his numbed senses. She was not dead. Far from it, her heartbeat grew stronger with each passing minute.
An early evening breeze touched the ragged edges of her pink dress, a hint of a flutter at the bottom hem. Transfixed, he watched the pink frayed material as the cooler wind tugged it back and forth. By degrees, his attention traveled from the hem of her dress, over her midriff, and to her chest. The half-buttoned garment had crumpled, almost exposing the young girl's breasts. Pale skin rose and fell with long whispered breaths. Unaware, he went further along the pallid skin up to the dip where her neck and shoulder met.
The dog demon stared at the wound, two very deep fang marks covered in both his blood and hers. Crusty reddish brown laced a horrendous blackening bruise the size of his fist. It had been a savage piercing, more brutal than any he had ever seen.
Wrenching his gaze away from his gruesome mistake, he shifted his attention to the girl's face. Smooth pink skin graced innocent features with the purity of youth. She was no more than a child. A very young...human...child. Dropping his gaze with an emotion he could not name, the inu youkai glanced across her muddy disheveled form before closing his eyes. She was so small compared to him. He could have so easily broken this weakened creature.
Taking a solid breath of self assertion, he opened his eyes to look upon the girl once more. She was resting, a deep healing sleep bordering on the rim of unconsciousness. Sesshoumaru considered her condition. A full demoness recuperated from a marking within minutes. A female hanyou only needed a few hours but, for a weak human female, especially one as starved and beaten as this one, it would take at least two days or more for her body to recover from the shock and awaken.
With that last thought, the dog demon leaned over the young female, slid his left clawed hand between her warm back and the cool spongy moss then moved his right arm underneath the girl's knees. Gently, he picked her up and stood. He stared down at the filthy child in his arms, her limp body in his protective grip, her serene expression halfway hidden by his shirt, strands of dingy brown hair plastered to her face and stuck in the mass of clotted gore on her throat and shoulder. His nostrils flared in annoyance. The staleness of muddy water merged with the coppery pungency of blood. The ghost of pain blended with the fading stain of fear. For an instant, his vision flashed a murderous shade of dark red. The foul stench of that hanyou lingered, a sickly blanket coating every inch of her pale skin.
Sesshoumaru switched his attention to his home and began the numb journey back. The stink of that hanyou needed to be removed.
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It did not take long to return to the door that opened up into the back yard patio. Maneuvering as best as he could, Sesshoumaru slid the paned glass back and walked into the sun-room. Not taking the time to close the door, he proceeded to walk out of the sun-room, through the small den and into the hallway. When he reached the large downstairs bathroom, he entered and shut the door.
Slowly, he kneeled, gently laying the female down on the plush bathroom carpet next to the bath tub. He carefully assessed the filthy girl. This should not be too difficult. He had watched his step-mother bathe his younger half-brother many times when he was a child. Sesshoumaru leaned over and began filling the oversized garden bathing tub with warm water and soap. As the rushing water frothed with rising bubbles, he turned his attention back to the young female.
Sesshoumaru extended both clawed hands to the buttons of her pink dress then paused. Closing his eyes, he swallowed heavily. This simple act should not bother him. He'd already seen her naked body but the inu youkai found himself blind and frozen. Several seconds passed. In that time the dog demon fought the unwelcome invading feelings that were beginning to threaten his sanity. After drawing in a deep breath, he opened his eyes and began to unbutton the material. As each button fell away, his normally steady hands began to shake. He paused again, raising one hand in front of his face. Crusted, black crimson stained the tips of his claws. Returning to the intended task, the dog demon glanced at the girl's arms, nearly wincing. The young female had struggled. Unfortunately for both of them, she had not been able to break away.
After the last button at the bottom hem had been taken care of, he reached over and turned off the running water, his sleeve brushing against the bubbles in the process. Grabbing some towels from a nearby shelf, he laid one down next to the tub and kept the other folded to the side before turning to the girl once more. He had not removed the dirty garment from her body. In between the buttons, a line of exposed flesh reached from her throat to her faded pink underwear. Trying to control his thundering heartbeat, Sesshoumaru reached toward the girl and began removing the dress and undergarment. When finished, he carefully slid both clawed hands underneath her shoulders and pulled the naked girl forward. Limp, her bare warmth fell against his chest, her cheek resting on his shoulder. With some effort, he first stood then kneeled by the tub, lowering the sleeping female by slow degrees into the bubbly water. Taking a wash cloth in his right hand while holding on to the girl with the other, Sesshoumaru began the unaccustomed task of bathing another being.
The wet cloth smoothed the soapy water over her skin. Soon, Sesshoumaru found the touch of soft, bare skin pleasing to the pads of his fingers. His hand slid across her body, moving from her shoulders and arms to the fullness of her breasts. Without thinking, he cupped the right one with his cloth covered hand. His fingertips tingled, indulging in the delicate roundness that nearly filled his palm. A distinct, aching pull began deep inside him as he absently rubbed across one nipple. His body reacted to the sensation. Sesshoumaru growled in frustration at his hardening arousal. Willing the urge to pass, he finished by carefully cleansing her face and washing her long brown hair.
As he lifted the girl up out of the bubble bath, stray bubbles stuck in patches to her wet skin while hot water fell, dripping small droplets on the light blue carpet.
After easing the young female down on the towel, he covered her body with the other white towel then went in search of something for her to wear. Returning a minute later with one of his t-shirts, he once again kneeled by her side. Taking great care, Sesshoumaru dried the small female, dressed her, gathered her up in his arms, then carried her across the hall to the downstairs bedroom. He neared the queen sized bed and gently laid the sleeping girl on the royal blue comforter, propping her head up on the pillow. She needed to be kept warm. Reaching over to the bedside night table, he grabbed a large cream colored velour blanket out of the drawer. When he was assured the young female would not get cold, Sesshoumaru stood silently by the bed, staring at the woman child he had marked.
What was he going to do? The gravity of the situation dawned on him. He had chosen, or more to the truth, his instincts had chosen without his consent. Why did his instincts betray him? Why had his rage blinded him, allowing the animal lust for this sick, weak, pathetic wisp of a girl? Why had he not killed the bitch when he awoke from his rage driven instincts? He waited but heard no answer to his silent questions.
How was he going to tell his father? Not that his father would be displeased. Far from it. His sire would be most thrilled with the choice. Seeing as his father's current mate was human. Human....the word cut through his thoughts like a razor sharp knife. The lowly beings were beneath him. They were the scourge of the earth, the jagged scar on society. He hated them.
Sesshoumaru turned around, not able to look at what now lay on his bed, not able to stand the sight of his new human female mate.
Dark anger heated his every thought, almost shattering reality into a blistering, fiery rage. Thick, oozing warmth dripped in staccato rhythm from his tightened fists as the scent of warm copper flashed across his senses. The dog demon dropped his gaze to the light blue carpet that was now stained with small black spots of his fresh blood. He stared at the stains. Slowly, the angry cloud of emotion drifted away, lacking purpose. No. She now belonged to him, his lifelong human mate....and he would have to deal with it. This was his mistake and his responsibility.
The youkai's gaze drifted slowly to his once white shirt. Smudges of brown blood and dried tears now soiled the material. Sesshoumaru glanced over his shoulder once toward the sleeping girl before leaving the room.
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After taking his second shower of the day, Sesshoumaru dripped his way to his bedroom, a towel around his waist, passing the girl's room along the way. He found a dark blue shirt and black dress pants in his closet. When he finished dressing, the inu youkai went in search of food.
Upon entering the kitchen, a thought struck him. He had no food that a young human girl could possibly want. Opening the refrigerator door, he glanced in, finding nothing. The only food in the house was frozen steak in the freezer. Snatching his wallet and keys from the bar, Sesshoumaru quickly checked on the sleeping girl before setting the burglar alarm and leaving the house.
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Sesshoumaru entered the small convenience store. The male human clerk at the counter glanced up once, eyeing him before returning to his reading. The smell of new plaster lingered and the fragrant aroma of freshly brewed coffee permeated the air. The shelves were dust free. From what he could tell, the store was new, it seemed these quick mart gas stops were popping up everywhere lately. Thankfully, this one had a grocery section. He would have had to travel a few more miles to the grocery store but he did not want to spend too much time away from the girl. For some reason, it felt wrong to leave her by herself for very long. Grabbing some bread, milk, soup, cheese and lunchmeat, Sesshoumaru walked to the register and placed the items on the counter.
The brown haired attendant put away the newspaper. "Will there be anything else?"
Sesshoumaru glanced around. Spotting a barrel full of fruit, he picked two apples, two oranges and three bananas and added them on the counter.
After ringing up the items, the clerk asked again, "Anything else?"
Something that caught his eye while the human male was busy ringing up purchases was a small stuffed panda bear on a shelf by the counter. He pointed to it. "How much for the stuffed animal?"
The attendant glanced at the toy. "Six dollars."
"I'll take it." Sesshoumaru said as he dropped his hand.
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As he drove, Sesshoumaru glanced at the dim evening sky noting that the sun would fall behind the tree-line soon. The convenience store had been just a few miles away and it took a few minutes to drive back home. Upon nearing his house, he glanced at the house across the street with a leer forming on his face. The black SUV was parked in front.
After parking in his driveway, Sesshoumaru grabbed the brown paper bag full of groceries before stepping out of the car.
Without a glance toward his neighbors, he walked to his front door, unlocked it, entered his home and switched off the burglar alarm.
First, he went straight to the kitchen and placed the bag on the counter by the refrigerator. Next, he hurriedly went and checked on the girl. Somewhat relieved to find her still resting, Sesshoumaru returned to the kitchen and began filling the cabinet and fridge. Just as he was about to finish, a knocking sounded at the front door.
Already sensing who it was, the dog demon let out a low growl to himself. While trying to suppress the hot rage in his blood, Sesshoumaru slowly walked to the foyer. When he opened the door, he found himself eye to eye with the hanyou. With a forced mask of cool indifference, the inu youkai spoke in an even tone, "Yes?"
The raven haired half-demon smiled a warm, fake smile. "Greetings, my name is Naraku."
Sesshoumaru stared down at the open hand offered to him and sniffed. "Yes?"
With a hint of irritation in his slightly fading smile, the hanyou lowered his hand then pointed to his house. "I'm from the house across the street."
The scarlet gaze turned back to him. "I'm sorry to bother you but...you see... I have a fifteen year old daughter and I can't seem to find her. Have you seen a petite girl with long brown hair....." the half demon raised his open hand up, palm side down, to a point about five feet from the ground, somewhat level with his chest. ".....about this tall?"
With a neutral expression, Sesshoumaru shook his head in a slow motion once. "No, I have not seen your daughter."
Darkening red eyes narrowed a fraction of an inch as they darted to the house before returning instantly with reserved civility. "Thank you for your time, neighbor. Forgive me for interrupting your quiet evening."
The inu youkai gave a nod then watched the half-demon walk down the concrete pathway leading to his driveway.
Closing the front door, Sesshoumaru inhaled deeply, trying to force the urge to kill away. The dog demon knew the bastard hanyou was suspicious but the half-demon could do nothing and would not dare call the authorities. No, that would expose the sick son of a demon whore for who he really was. Sesshoumaru's claws extended with a loud crack as a bloody scene of retribution darkened his thoughts. A small sneer lifted the corners of his mouth as he envisioned ripping the half-demon's throat out. No...the weak hanyou would not dare use his pathetic powers against him. The bastard was no match for him... and they both knew it.
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