InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Hurtful Words: Past & Present ❯ The Present: Chapter 13 ( Chapter 13 )

Disclaimer: Inuyasha is Copyright of Takahashi Rumiko

Hurtful Words: The Present
Chapter 13

It was cool and breezy. Dew still licked blades of grass and fell from newly bloomed flowers. Many birds sang their afternoon song, welcoming the new day and awaking those who were determined to spend it sleeping. The sun towered high in the sky, resting directly above Mother Nature. A tall mountain rose into the sky as if trying to reach the sun. It appeared to have failed miserably since its peak was mostly flattened instead of being pointed. Still, the sight was beautiful, welcoming, and peaceful.

Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha stopped abruptly as the world around them gave one powerful pulse. They stood dazed and frozen for what seemed like days in their minds until a voice as soft as the bird song spoke the words they longed to hear.

"Tetsusaiga, Tenseiga. They are calling to you."

Rin obviously could not feel what the pair had but she knew what had caused their strange behavior for that short moment. Toutousai had explained many details to her about the swords and the ties each had to its master. But there also existed direct ties to their father considering the swords were made from his fangs. For some time she believed such powerful swords did not belong in the hands of any youkai. But upon seeing the reaction Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha had to the calling, she knew it was best that each of them had something to remind them of their father.

"It must be nice," she thought aloud as she stared up at the top of the mountain. "To have a part of your father call to you so."

Sesshoumaru followed after Rin, considering what she had just said. Inuyasha considered it as well. Neither brother had thought of their swords as anything more than family heirlooms. Though they knew the blades were made from their father's fangs, they did not fully realize that they were also a direct connection to their father. It was as if he was always by their side, protecting them, fighting for them, offering them his strength. They never considered that when the blade pulsed it might have been their father speaking to them and offering them advice. The idea brought both brothers a calm feeling and a greater sense of pride and honor.

They made their way up the beaten path of the mountain. There were times when they could walk with ease, other times they were forced to do a bit of climbing in order to continue on. Up so high from the ground they could no longer hear the birdsong, there were no flowers or grass and therefore certainly no dew. And though there was still a breeze, the sun beat so roughly upon them that they barely felt it. Despite the lack of peace they continued on wholeheartedly, anxious to reach the glorious peak and see the treasure it held.

The youkai that littered the area were far from the treasure they had expected.

Protective instincts kicked in and both brothers placed themselves in front of the women. Inuyasha held his mate's hand loosely, daring any youkai to so much as look at her. He growled, obviously annoyed by the unwelcome guests. Kagome merely rolled her eyes and noted that Rin seemed not to mind the youkai at all. Rin, unlike the others, had not been surprised by their presence. Obviously she had encountered them before and knew they were no threat. And so Kagome paid them no heed and allowed her thoughts to examine why Sesshoumaru and Rin looked like a high ranked married couple.

"They will not attack. You two can relax," Rin offered casually and continued to walk as if only the four of them existed.

Sesshoumaru looked over at Rin. "You have been up here before." It wasn't a question. "Alone, I'm sure. You could have been killed."

"As I said before, they will not attack so you see-"

He cut her off. "I see you are being foolish. You can never know when these brainless youkai will attack. They are weak and therefore do not value their lives. They could have easily attacked you without thinking of the repercussions. Who ever made you think you would be safe around perhaps hundreds of youkai should die a thousand deaths."

Rin quickly drew her sword and held it just inches from Sesshoumaru's throat. When he narrowed his eyes she could not help but smile. "Shall we begin then?"

Sesshoumaru glared and pushed the blade away. Taking his eyes from her, he picked up his pace.

She grinned and followed after him. "They will not attack yet, because they are not completely brainless. Most of these youkai started arriving the moment we placed Tetsusaiga and Tenseiga here. They have accepted the fact that they are too weak to get past the barrier. They intend, instead, to attack the one who does get past it in hopes of getting the sword that way."

"Keh, I'll just blast them away with the Kaze no Kizu." Excited by idea, Inuyasha tightened his grip on Kagome's hand and pushed past his brother and Rin.

"I figured as much." Rin shook her head. "But Inuyasha, you must remember that Toutousai wanted you to learn not to depend on Tetsusaiga to much. Do not forget the powers you have as an inu-youkai."

"Yeah, I got that much. I fully intend to teach my sons everything that I had to learn when I grew up on my own." He smiled when he felt Kagome squeeze his hand appraisingly.

When they reached the top of the mountain they paused for a moment to stare at the brilliant spheres of yellow and white light. Hidden just among each blurry cocoon was a sword. They pulsed visibly, attracting the attention of many youkai that were lingering around. Inuyasha ordered Kagome to get back and she rushed over to Rin and linked arms with her. Rin blinked at the contact but settled with Kagome as far away from the spheres as possible.

"Which is which?" Kagome asked curiously.

"It does not matter, they will know." Rin watched each brother closely.

Inuyasha touched the white sphere- Tenseiga's sphere- just to see what would happen. When it shocked him, he pulled his hand away quickly and smirked. "Good luck getting through that Sesshoumaru." Then he disappeared behind the yellow sphere. Tetsusaiga stood in a small crevice in the ground in the center of the sphere. He sighed heavily, unable to describe the wave of happiness that washed over him, and reached out slowly. The moment his hand wrapped around Tenseiga's hilt, the sphere dispersed. He was only able to catch a glance at Sesshoumaru as he disappeared behind the white sphere before the youkai began to attack.

Fools. Did they really think that he, Lord of the Western Lands, would come this far if he was not sure he could retrieve what was his? When he had handed Tenseiga over to Inuyasha he had no doubt that he would get it back. But these fools, with their filthy human blood, had undermined his power and his abilities. He had expected such from Kagome and Inuyasha but he was surprised that Rin, one of the few creatures that knew him well, had adopted their opinion of him. It would please him greatly to see their disappointed and shocked faces once he stepped out with Tenseiga.

But to Sesshoumaru's surprise, he would step out with something more than his precious sword.

The moment he placed his hand on Tenseiga's hilt the sphere dispersed. Tenseiga pulsed and the sensation traveled through his hand, up his arm, across his shoulder blades, and down to the nub that Inuyasha had left him when he had severed his left arm. But instead of stopping there, the feeling continued as if traveling down an imaginary arm and out through imaginary fingers. And yet, it felt all too real, as if he wasn't missing his left arm.

Sesshoumaru quickly placed Tenseiga at his side, lifted his left sleeve and stared in shock. Inuyasha finished getting rid the youkai and turned quickly when he heard the loud gasp from Kagome and Rin. He followed the direction of their eyes and his mouth fell open. He stalked over to Sesshoumaru and grabbed the arm he had chopped off several years ago and found that is was attached as though it had always been there.

Sesshoumaru gathered himself when his brother yanked at his arm. Flinging his arm back, he watched with pleasure as Inuyasha lost balance and fell. He was not sure how it happened, but Tenseiga healed him, made him whole again. Perhaps this trip had not been an entire waste of his time.

Inuyasha pushed himself to his feet and quickly followed after his brother as he headed toward the women. "How the hell did you get your arm back Sesshoumaru?"

"This Sesshoumaru is unsure but perhaps Rin can offer an explanation," Sesshoumaru gestured to Rin and noted that her mouth was still slightly agape with her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Or are you too disappointed to speak?"

Rin quickly shut her mouth and turned to make her way down the mountain, her brow still furrowed in confusion. "I am surprised, not disappointed. I never expected you to be able to get past the barrier let alone master one of Tenseiga's abilities so quickly." And what exactly did that mean?, she asked herself.

"Keh, Tenseiga can heal and resurrect people? No wonder why he doesn't use it," Inuyasha crossed his arms as he trudged down the path.

"Tenseiga is a sword of life and therefore some of its abilities are difficult to master if the desire to protect life is not there. Toutousai never fully explained the details of Tenseiga's abilities to me. He did not think it was necessary considering Sesshoumaru..." Rin trailed off.

"Considering what?" Sesshoumaru demanded.

Rin paused for a moment before speaking. "Considering your strong desire for Tetsusaiga. That desire is what has prevented you from mastering Tenseiga completely, that and your disregard for life. But it was that desire that Toutousai and I believed would not allow you to get through the barrier."

"Nani?" Inuyasha interrupted before Sesshoumaru could speak. "That’s all that would have stopped him? No wonder Sesshoumaru was able to get through the barrier."

Rin stopped and turned to face Inuyasha. "What do you mean by that?"

"Sesshoumaru hasn't really come after Tetsusaiga since we learned of its connection to my youkai blood. I've known for a long time that he doesn't want Tetsusaiga anymore."

Rin narrowed her eyes. "What are you talking about? He tried to take Tetsusaiga some five years ago."

"Keh, that bastard only came to annoy me. Only when I mentioned Tetsusaiga did he try to take it. He was probably just trying to prove that he could take it if he wanted to. Though he failed to prove that." He shot his brother a challenging smirk.

Rin turned away and resumed walking, going silent to contemplate what she had just learned. Could it mean what she was afraid it did? What she had been afraid to believe all along? She forced herself to keep her breathing easy, to remain calm even though she was trembling on the inside.

"I don't understand," Kagome spoke quietly. "Why haven't you mastered all of Tenseiga's abilities if you no longer want Tetsusaiga?"

Sesshoumaru kept his attention trained on Rin, wondering why she seemed so uninterested in their topic of conversation. "What need do I have to revive and heal people? I protect what is mine with my own power and so Tenseiga goes unneeded."

"Keh, you're so selfish. I think father gave you Tenseiga so you could learn to show compassion for others. But since you lack that compassion, you have been unable to use all of Tenseiga's."

"Inuyasha. It is nice to see you finally using your brain, but don't hurt yourself thinking of something you know nothing about," Sesshoumaru responded coolly.

Rin ignored the argument that ensued and nearly shouted with joy when the reached the ground. She sat down and placed a hand to her head, trying to slow the speeding thoughts in her head.

Kagome rushed to her side. "What is wrong Rin?"

"I just need to rest for a second, I feel a little dizzy."

"Here, drink this." Kagome handed a bottle of water to her.

"Arigatou." Rin took a long drink before handing the bottle back to Kagome. "Thank you, I feel much better." She rose to her feet.

"Oi, Kagome," Inuyasha called from up ahead. "Hurry up. We need to get back to camp before I die of starvation."

Kagome glared at Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru. "How mean! Trying to leave us behind. Come on Rin, we better hurry."

But before they could take a step, the sky darkened suddenly and thunder sounded loudly. They looked up just as one bolt of lightening struck the ground. It was followed quickly by another, then another, and then yet another until they began to fall down as if it was rain. Inuyasha struggled to get to Kagome and Rin but was stopped with each attempt he made. He could barely move an inch before he had to dodge the lightening that threatened to strike him. When he heard the explosion and saw his mate being tossed into the ground, his heart sank. He would save her, even if it killed him.

Sesshoumaru was having the same luck as his brother. Though he was able to weave through the strikes of lightening with ease, he was not getting anywhere. It appeared to him that whoever was responsible for this was probably after Rin. Some jealous creature that wanted the swords for himself was seeking revenge upon her because she had given them to someone else. This Sesshoumaru would not allow it, he would not allow harm to come to Rin. But when the explosion upturned the ground beneath her feet, he wondered if he would be able to save her in time. She fell atop Kagome and struggled to get to her feet. If she did not move quickly...she was not moving quickly...

Thunder rumbled loudly and sky flashed with lightening. Sesshoumaru watched as another bolt came down directly above Rin. He dashed forward, ignoring the bolt of lightening that struck his shoulder. When Tenseiga pulsed and flew from his side, he ignored that too. But the giant flash of white light forced him to stop and cover his eyes. The lightening and thunder suddenly ceased and the sky cleared. He dropped his hand and stared as Tenseiga's barrier dispersed and the blade dropped at Rin's feet.

Rin sat on her legs and leaned forward, planting her hands in the ground in front of her. And there she stayed as Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru came to them. Inuyasha helped Kagome to her feet, anxiously checking if she had been harmed in anyway. Sesshoumaru picked up Tenseiga slowly and held it in his hands to stare at it. Everyone except Rin turned at the sound of explosion and a moo from behind them.

"Well, that was certainly a surprise. Not at all what I expected from that little test." Toutousai rubbed his chin, considering what had just happened.

Inuyasha blinked in surprise. "Nani? What are you-"

"TOUTOUSAI!"

Everyone turned their attention to Rin when she cried out angrily, unable to recall a time when she had raised her voice so loudly. As she marched past them, her body shaking with anger and confusion, she snatched Tenseiga from a surprised Sesshoumaru. When Toutousai climbed from his cow, she threw the blade in his arms. Her calm exterior no longer existed.

"What is this about? You said he wouldn’t be able to get past the barrier! You said he wouldn't be able to use its full powers. Yet Tenseiga healed him and it protected m-" Rin cut herself off, unable to finish the sentence, and simply stared at Toutousai in confusion. "What does this mean, Toutousai?"

Toutousai said nothing for a long moment. His expression suddenly turned very grim before he spoke, "I think you know what it means Rin."

Rin took a step back as the color drained from her face. Her expression went blank, her eyes and head drooped. She turned slowly and walked away.

"Rin. Rin? Stop." Sesshoumaru called to her and when she ignored him, he went after her.

"I'd leave her alone if I were you boy!" Toutousai called loudly after Sesshoumaru.

"Nani?" He ignored the old man. "Rin, stop. Where do you think you are going?" He grabbed her arm and turned her to face him. He released her quickly when he saw the tears in her eyes.

"Don't," she whispered weakly as she held her arms up to keep him at bay. "Don't." Turning, she took off in a run.

He stared after her. When she disappeared from his sight, Sesshoumaru turned and walked over to Toutousai. "Explain."

"Maybe I should go check on Rin." Kagome stared in the direction Rin had gone.

"No, Rin needs to be alone. There are many things she must come to terms with." He tossed Tenseiga to Sesshoumaru.

Sesshoumaru caught the sword and placed it back at his side. "I am waiting."

"Patience you good for nothing mongrel!" Toutousai quickly sat down, knowing this would take awhile. "Tenseiga is a sword of life in more ways than one. It is a sword that protects, heals, and returns life."

"She said as much. But what does this have to do with Rin?" Sesshoumaru asked.

"More than you know! Now that you have completely accepted Tenseiga it can now fulfill its complete purpose. Tenseiga is obligated to protect and heal its master but it also protects and heals those its master commands it to. When you went through the barrier and came out with two arms, I was completely surprised. You have been so stubborn and reluctant to use Tenseiga so why would it heal you? I had to test just how strong your connection to Tenseiga is. Now tell me, did you command Tenseiga to protect Rin?"

"Wait a minute! Test?" Inuyasha rounded on Toutousai. "That incident just now was a test? What if the test failed? Kagome could have been killed!"

"Silence, boy!" Toutousai bellowed. "The lightening was fake. Look at Sesshoumaru's shoulder. He was struck but it didn't even tear his kimono. Now, answer the question Sesshoumaru."

Sesshoumaru stared at Toutousai for a long moment. "No."

"I didn't think so. Your desire to protect Rin was so strong that you were able to use the abilities you have yet to learn," Toutousai stated calmly. "Your desire to save her was so strong that Tenseiga acted upon that desire and protected her without your command. That is why the girl is so upset."

Kagome's brow creased. "Why would she get upset that Sesshoumaru wanted to protect her?"

"Because that implies he cares. When Rin heard Sesshoumaru tell Inuyasha he was using her, she was devastated. She convinced herself that his kindness all those years was nothing more than a pretense. As long as she believed he never cared about her and that he hated all humans as Jaken so often professed, then she could excuse his behavior. Because, after all, someone who cared about you would never say anything so cruel. Not unless they hated you of course. If Sesshoumaru had hated her the entire time they were together, then she could hate him for the rest of her life with out giving it a second thought. It was easier that way, you see. Hate helped her overcome the pain of betrayal."

Kagome nodded. "But now she sees that Sesshoumaru never really hated her, so she has no reason to hate him."

"Yes, exactly," he turned to Sesshoumaru now. "For the past five years she has convinced herself she hates you and I'm sure up until this point that hate feels real. So how will she erase that hate and accept that you really do care about her? How will she forgive you for saying something so cruel to her face? How will she overcome the pain that has been dormant for the last five years?" Toutousai crossed his arms and glared at Sesshoumaru. "And what will you do to help her?"

The demon lord turned away from the old man and stare in the direction Rin had gone. How, he wondered, had things gotten so out of hand? What happened to the sweet and happy girl he once knew? Had she been lost or sacrificed to the pain and hate that had consumed her over the past five years? Did Rin really hate him? Was she really so foolish that she believed that he had never truly cared for her after everything he had done for her? He knew the answer to at least that. After all, she had only been a child when this all happened and her young mind obviously jumped to the wrong conclusion. Her behavior should not surprise him. But it, like the tears he had seen glitter in her eyes for the first time since he knew her, had surprised him. And for the first time in his life, Sesshoumaru did not know what to do.

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