InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Imperfect Curse ❯ Against His Will ( Chapter 2 )

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Chapter Two - Against His Will

 

Rin stopped in the middle of the moonlit clearing on the crest of the hill. She dropped her pack and let her little arms dangle, loosening the tense muscles of her shoulders and sighing with exhaustion. As she wiped the sweat from her brow, she turned to see Lord Sesshomaru entering the clearing with Jaken, his servant, a few steps behind.

 

Sesshomaru knew that Rin was tired. His golden orbs swept the clearing as he paused for a moment, and decided that here was a good spot to rest for the night. The sun had set some time ago, and the company had been travelling since well before daybreak. The young human female had not been on a long journey for a quite a while, and was exhausted.

 

The group was on its way back from a routine meeting with the Southern taiyoukai. They had been traveling for just over a week, and it would be another week or so before they reached home, in the Western lands.

 

Usually they would travel by magic in the air, or, if need be, the demon lord's faithful dragon steed, Ah-Un. In this case, they happened to be passing through rough demon territory, as the ones who resided here were very protective and territorial, not to mention violent. Sesshomaru didn't feel it was necessary to draw attention to him and the others just to get into a fight. He knew that these demons were formidable foes, but even if he could defeat them, there was too much at risk. He'd made the decision to slip silently through these lands. There was no rush to get back to the Western Plains anyway, so they decided to travel on foot, much to Jaken's dismay.

 

The small toad demon had done nothing but complain ever since the trio had begun walking a few days ago. Sesshomaru had been ready to silence him many a time, but Rin almost always beat him to it, never ceasing to amuse him.

 

Sesshomaru suspected that they were being followed as well. It was possible that the demons that lived in these parts were tailing them, but he doubted it. They would've just jumped them long ago. Although the stalkers hadn't revealed themselves yet, Sesshomaru decided that he would be keeping one eye open tonight. The youkai lord rarely ever needed sleep in the first place.

 

Jaken waddled past the lord and sat himself under a wide tree, heaving a large sigh. Rin gave him a look meaning don't say a word or I'll slap you again.

 

Sesshomaru found a comfortable spot beneath a large oak tree and gracefully sat down cross-legged, leaning against the trunk.

 

“Master, how much farther until we reach the outskirts of these foul demons' territory?” Jaken asked.

 

“If we continue walking, no more than another days travel.”

 

The small child dragged her pack over to where her adopted demon companion lounged, rummaged through it, and pulled out some of her human food. She ate it quickly, not forgetting to offer some to the lord, who turned it down. When she was done, she pulled off her tiny sandals and rubbed her blistered feet, wincing slightly.

 

“Do your feet hurt much, Rin?” Sesshomaru questioned quietly.

 

She looked up into his deep golden eyes and shook her head, no. The youkai lord knew she was lying, the blisters on her feet looked quite irritating, even to him. The child was evidently trying to be strong, not letting her pains bother her. Sesshomaru had to admit (though not out loud) that he admired that in the little girl.

 

The moon began to rise as the trio rested beneath the trees. Rin was slowly dropping off to sleep, her head nodding, bobbing up slightly, as her half-closed eyes fluttered.

 

Suddenly she shook her head and straightened up somewhat. The small girl turned to Sesshomaru and tugged gently on his patterned sleeve. The demon looked down at the young one, her usually bright eyes droopy with lack of sleep. She smiled slightly and blinked, suddenly covering her mouth to hide a large yawn.

 

Sesshomaru nodded slightly, picking up the girl and bringing her into his lap. He sighed deeply, and as she made herself comfortable, she did the same, mimicking him. She gave him as big of a smile as she could manage, and then settled her head against his chest, closing her eyes. He had removed his armor, so Rin cuddled up to him, enjoying the feeling of his silky shirt. She always loved the safe and protected feeling she got on the rare occasions when he let her fall asleep in his lap. He had been the only one to ever care for her after the death of her parents, so she looked up to him as sort of a guardian angel, perhaps even as an adopted father. She wrapped her small arms around his torso and held him tightly.

 

Sesshomaru held the girl to him until she fell into a deep sleep, her breathing even and quiet. He had taken pity on the strange girl, as she had taken pity on him in the forest after his first encounter with the Wind Scar. The youkai lord somewhat enjoyed her silent company, and was relieved to have someone else to chastise Jaken when he was acting like a half-wit. Honestly, it could be exhausting sometimes.

 

Slowly he could feel the effects of drowsiness creep up on him, and his amber eyes began to close. With the young human girl cradled in his lap, he involuntarily let sleep defeat him.

 

* * *

 

Kaia's face scraped along the rocky shore of the deep, swirling river. Her head spun as she listened to the rushing sound of the water, feeling it try to pull her back into its deep blue void. With one arm she dragged herself a few feet, her claws digging deep into the rough ground. One of her eyes opened half way, but the other felt puffy and bruised. Her vision was foggy; muted colours danced before her eyes. As she slowly regained consciousness, she began to remember the events of the day.

 

Those cursed eagles, the hanyou thought bitterly. Damn them, damn them all. Thankfully Shippo had reached safety, as she recalled Miroku grabbing him by the tail and pulling him up into his chest. Miroku…I hope you're all right. He had taken a hit from one of the demon eagles, and the sight of his face in her memories brought a chill to her bones. The side of his face had been covered in dirt and his own blood, and his midnight blue eyes shone with fear for her own safety. Still, he was alive, as were all the others, and that thought gave her hope. Hope that they remained safe still. The thought also gave her strength.

 

She closed her eyes tightly and bit her lip against the pain as she pushed herself up off the stony riverbank. She held herself steady on her knees as the head rush, followed by the wave of nausea, passed. Kaia looked down at herself. At least I'm all in one piece. Some of her flesh was torn from the demon encounter, and she fingered it tenderly. All of her weapons seemed to be there, except her sword. She still had the gauntlet, thank the gods.

 

The half demon took in her surroundings and found her sword behind her, just bumping onto the bank. Luck was on her side tonight.

 

It was past sundown, but the sky in the west still held a faint blue light. The moon was just beginning to rise, just a few nights away from being full. It had been several hours since her fall off the cliff. She was surprised that she had lived through it, as she noted the chill of the water that had taken effect on her body. Her senses were dulled somewhat, and shivers coursed through her being. A warm gust of wind blew through her damp golden tresses, lessening the chill and bringing her out of her daze.

 

She was in a forested area with lots of cover. The other side of the river was sheer cliff, but not as high as the one she had fallen over. The current was strong, so she knew that she'd have a long way to travel to reach the others once more.

 

The weakened girl needed rest, so she took hold of her sword, and using it for support, she stumbled over to the nearest tree and curled up beneath it. Just before she dozed off into a fitful sleep, she silently prayed that no demon would find her there that night, as she would fall easy prey to any hungered beast.

 

* * *

 

The demon lord awoke to Rin thrashing slightly in her sleep. She whimpered somewhat, and Sesshomaru held her close. Hypnotically, he rubbed her back, lulling her back into a quiet slumber. He removed his fur from his shoulders and placed it on the grass beside him, and then lowered the young human girl onto it, wrapping it about her petite frame. She did not wake.

 

The lord sighed. He should not have fallen asleep. He would be on the watch now, however, and he donned his demon armor once more. He glanced in Jaken's direction, seeing him still sprawled beneath the tree, twitching slightly to some unknown dream.

 

He gazed up at the moon, now high in the sky. Spring was coming to a close, and the nights, though still cool, had a lessened chill as of late. He turned his gaze back to Rin, who had rolled onto her side, clutching the fur tightly in her tiny fists. The taiyoukai could not understand how a human child had managed to steal affection from him, but shrugged inwardly, brushing the thought aside.

 

A gust of wind blew through the area, and Sesshomaru's blood ran cold. His youkai senses were completely alert, and his amber orbs darkened. He sensed demons nearby, and their foul scent was steadily getting stronger. His hackles raised as a growl erupted in his throat. Jaken snapped awake at the sound and stood up, grasping his staff.

 

“These demons are stronger than some of the dumb beasts that live in these woods,” Sesshomaru growled.

 

“I agree master,” Jaken spoke, straightening his clothes and rubbing his huge eyes. After a pause, he continued, “and they approach at great speeds, I believe. They come in great numbers.”

 

Jaken's master nodded his agreement and spoke in a low, commanding tone.

 

“They are surrounding us, Jaken. You will take Rin and stay out of sight.”

 

“I won't argue with you, my lord,” Jaken replied, walking over to the human. She was already awake and had taken in the whole scene. She got up and ran to her adopted demon companion's side. Taking off the fur, she offered it to Sesshomaru.

 

“You hold on to it, Rin. It holds some power to protect and conceal the both of you.” Rin nodded in understanding and then smiled up at him, her eyes filled with worry.

 

He crouched before her and looked her right in the eye.

 

“Do not worry.”

 

The statement was more of a command than a reassurance.

 

Jaken took the child by the hand and began leading her out of the clearing. He called over his shoulder, “Good luck master.” The girl looked back at Sesshomaru as she was ushered to the clearing's edge. The fear and apprehension still tainted her wonderfully bright eyes.

 

Sesshomaru leaned against one of the many trees that bordered the dell, and waited a few minutes. He was sure that Rin and Jaken were in hiding now, and then he heard a faint, low buzzing. Surely they cannot be Naraku's hellish insects!

 

Thankfully, he was wrong. These demons appeared to be a sort of flying spider, yet definitely more lethal. They didn't appear to be that powerful, but the man knew better. After all, Jaken had a substantial amount of power, yet you wouldn't know it on first sight of the dried up old frog. Now Sesshomaru began his assault.

 

He tore through many of the unsuspecting creatures with one sweep of his poisonous claws. He used his toxic whip to snap down many as well. The minutes passed slowly, and he narrowed his eyes as he attacked continuously. This is too easy, he thought. I smell a trap.

 

There seemed to be no end to the flying bugs. They came from all around him, their pincers snapping and their numerous eyes glittering with malice as cold as ice. It seemed as if they were only there to tire him out, because they were doing him virtually no damage. After a short time, the dell was filled with spider corpses, their severed legs and wings twitching slightly.

 

Suddenly there was a deafening roar from behind Sesshomaru. He turned just in time to see a larger version of the flying beasts before it lunged for him. Cleverly, he dodged it, and it spun to charge again. As it surged forward, the lord evaded its pathetic attempt and dashed in behind it. He raked its exposed back with his venomous nails, searing the flesh a sick greenish colour. The monster screeched in rage and pain, and turned to Sesshomaru, hissing at a malevolent pitch. It shot a thick strand of webbing at him, but the youkai lord was too quick. He eluded its assault and snapped his whip at its many beady, lifeless eyes.

 

The lord turned around to see dozens more of these giant monsters, and they circled him, creeping ever closer. Then all at once, they shot him with their spinners. He whirled on the spot, snapping away the cords with his deadly lash. Jumping into the air, he avoided their second attempt at an assault.

 

Sesshomaru drew the relentless Tokijin from his sash and let the rage of the twisted demon inside it course through him. Left and right he swung, destroying countless numbers of the unnatural creatures.

 

And yet, still, there was no end to them. It seemed that for every demon he slay, more than double would appear to replace it. Their numbers were growing exponentially!

 

The tremendous beasts closed in, surrounding him on every side, above and below him. He was shot at from every possible angle, but a harsh blast of raw power from his demonic sword reflected their attempt...and still the dead were replaced by even more.

 

It continued until the flying spiders blocked out any view of the night sky, and the demon lord was caged in their masses. One after another they tried his strength, until his body was hopelessly tangled in the sticky strands. Clawing them away did no good, as the thick cords kept coming. He struggled only to find that the web tightened. It was time.

 

Sesshomaru's eyes shone a bloody crimson, open wide as he stopped his resistance. He could feel the power rushing through his lean body…but he could not change! Suddenly the webs tightened even more, so much that it cut deep into his ivory flesh. He tried again to transform into his true demon state, but to no avail. That was his last chance of freeing himself.

 

The webs pulsed excruciatingly, and the great youkai felt himself weaken. The webs were draining him of all his strength and energy! Again he struggled in a futile attempt to liberate himself, eyes burning red and fangs bared. The pain was unbearable. It ripped at his entangled body and tore at his very heartstrings. His mind screamed with fierce rage, and he let out a mighty roar as he began to lose consciousness. He seemed to be falling into an inescapable black void…

 

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YAY! Finally finished that chapter—whew. Anyway hope you liked it! Don't forget to review dudes. CHEERS