InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Into the East ❯ Home-Coming ( Chapter 9 )

A/N: Eep! Before I start, many apologies for misspelling Crystaru-chan's name last time! I must have misread it when I was checking through my reviewers, but I've changed it in the original file so when I make a revision (inevitable) all will be well in the world. Thank you thank you for continuing to read despite my transgression ;)

 

A few things before I start:

1. Thanks to everyone who commented so quickly!

 

2. Hmm okay… I'm not entirely satisfied with the first half of this chapter. Means to an end, I suppose… the next chapters will be much more interesting and much more entertaining, so bear with me, please.

 

3. On that note… I actually have been working on the story these past couple weeks… just… future chapters… I got an idea in my head and I had to follow it through… and proceeded to write about 14 pages in Word. In a day. I'm not sure if it'll be the next chapter (10) or the one after that, but in any case, the time between the next few chapters will be fairly short! I hope. I should give myself a deadline… Nah, then it'll feel like work. ^_^ but… I may have to if I get a job… just to make sure I don't keep putting this off in favor of things like, oh I don't know, sleep... something like limiting myself to two weeks between chapters. Or something. We'll see. But, I digress.

 

How about we find out what's going to happen next?

 

 

Into the East

Chapter nine: Home-Coming

Posted: 7 June 2006

Characters/Plot originally appearing in the anime/manga Inuyasha © Rumiko Takahashi

Everything else © me

 

 

 

 

William and Melinda Cartwright sat on the front porch of their New England estate. Their daughter, Vanessa, had been missing for almost a week and Melinda was beside herself with worry. They were just talking about said daughter when a stranger approached. He should have been stopped at the gate, so either he had an appointment that they weren't aware of or he found another way in. Either way, he approached calmly and casually, as though nothing were amiss. As he drew nearer, Melinda noticed that he was well dressed… very well dressed. She wondered what sort of trouble a man with his tastes could be. He wore a white casual suit and designer sunglasses. Melinda's only complaint was his hair: though his below the shoulder, black tresses were tied back into a neat enough queue, she wasn't overly fond of long hair. However, if he could afford a suit like that, then he might be allowed certain liberties with the rest of his appearance. She would withhold judgment until she heard what he had to say.

 

As he approached, the stranger removed his hat and sunglasses to reveal intense hazel eyes, and when his smooth voice reached her ears, Melinda was very nearly entranced. “Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright, my name is Yoshida. I have only just been informed of what has happened to your daughter and I would like to offer my sympathy. If there is anything that I might do to aid in the search, please, do not hesitate to call.” He offered them a business card, which William rose to accept.

“That's very kind, Mr. Yoshida, but how do you know our daughter?”

“Forgive me, where are my manners? Vanessa and I traveled together once and have been friends ever since, though we seem to have fallen out of contact. You see my business takes me out of the country fairly often. It was only by chance that I happened across a news article detailing her disappearance, and I came straight away.” Melinda smiled up at Mr. Yoshida, her eyes misty.

“I'm glad our daughter has friends who care about her so much.”

“Yes. Now, I am afraid I must be going, but you have my number, please call if you need anything.” He shook William's hand and then Melinda's before turning back the way he came. Then he stopped and turned once more to Vanessa's parents. “One more thing, if you don't mind. I understand Vanessa had a dog, Max. `White and fluffy' as she described him.” Melinda heaved and exasperated sigh.

“Yes, and that hairy beast has been getting more underfoot now than when she brought him around before. We've never really been dog people, but Vanessa… Vanessa's wanted a puppy ever since she was little. Finally, about three years ago, she bought Max and the pair has been inseparable since.”

“I see.” Mr. Yoshida looked thoughtful for a moment before continuing, “If it would help, I could take the dog off your hands until Vanessa returns. I understand that we have only just met, but I have room for him to run and have always been rather partial to dogs myself. He will be under the best of care.” William and Melinda glanced at one another, uncertain if they should trust their daughter's beloved pet with this stranger. Mr. Yoshida could see that they were nervous so he tried again to reassure them, “You have my home address. If you are concerned for his well-being, you may stop by at any time to check on him.” One last shared glance and the Cartwrights agreed.

“It would help not to have him moping about… But if anything should happen to him,” Melinda stood and assumed her sternest `mother' pose, “you will not only have to deal with us, but Vanessa too - when she returns.” she added softly. Mr. Yoshida nodded.

“I assure you, he will be well cared for.”

 

William called one of the household staff to bring Max and anything else Mr. Yoshida might need - food, bed, leash, toys… When Max emerged from the house, Mr. Yoshida held out a hand for him to sniff, and when the dog seemed not to object, he took the leash while Max followed him down the front path, tongue lolling. “I am parked at the gate. If you would be so kind as to bring his things and follow me, I would be most grateful,” he said to the house staff. They followed and William and Melinda watched their receding backs. “I don't know why, but I like him,” commented Melinda. For some reason, she wasn't feeling as uneasy as she thought she should after relinquishing custody of the dog.

“Only because he's gotten that dog out of your hair,” was William's response. She laughed; he was probably right. The dog had been a constant reminder of Vanessa's absence. Melinda hoped that now that he was gone, perhaps dealing with her disappearance would be just a little bit easier until she was returned to them.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Rin and Vanessa spent the morning practicing their language lessons and, since Sesshoumaru was the only one in the group that could understand them both completely, that meant that he spent the morning practicing as well. He didn't mind terribly much, though he had to admit that after several hours, the routine grew tiring. Finally, as the noon hour approached, Sesshoumaru deemed it time to stop for lunch. It was clear that the humans would go on tirelessly for the rest of the day if he continued to participate, but he for one, desired a break. When he announced that they should take their meal, both females pouted at him as though he had cancelled a favorite game, and it was a bit unnerving the way he felt he should disregard his own discomfort and continue on just to make them happy. Sesshoumaru held firm, though, determined not to be swayed by a pair of mere mortals. Eventually they relented and Vanessa suggested that she and Rin take a short walk to work up an appetite, promising not to stray too far. The taiyoukai nodded and kept his ears trained on the pair as they made their way to the stream to wash up.

 

While they were gone, Sesshoumaru quickly caught two rabbits for their meal and was just setting the spit over the fire when a shriek echoed through the forest. In an instant he was on his feet, responding not only to the sound, but also to the traces of fear he felt through his connection with Vanessa. He couldn't sense anything in the area that would be a danger to her and that combined with silence from Rin caused him to race to the area where he thought the scream came from. Did something happen to Rin? From what he knew of Vanessa, she wasn't easily frightened to the point of voicing that fear, so what could have happened in the brief time that the two humans had stepped out of the campsite? As he burst through the brush, Sesshoumaru was met with a scene that caused him to skid to a halt on the sand of the stream bank rather less gracefully than normal.

 

Vanessa was crouched on top of a boulder, while Rin knelt on the ground coaxing a spider with a body twice the size of Sesshoumaru's fist back into the grass. It was a youkai, but of such a low level that Sesshoumaru had not been bothered with its presence. It had simply been passing through the area; no youkai that weak would have dared start trouble with one such as he. Sesshoumaru approached, intent on either eliminating the perceived threat or strongly suggesting that it move about its business. Aside from it being the source of Vanessa's obvious distress, he had no quarrel with the creature. He walked toward Rin and was surprised to hear a small, gravely voice. “Have mercy, my lord, I was only passing through. I had no intention of frightening the human.” It is sentient? How odd. He looked down and watched as it cowered beneath his stony gaze. “Please, my lord. I didn't know they were here until the older one screamed.” Sesshoumaru could detect no falseness in the spider's plea and thus found no reason to kill it.

“Be on your way then. Now.” The spider scuttled backward in the direction that Rin had earlier been urging it.

“Thank you, my lord. You are most gracious.”

“Go.”

“Yes! Right away!” The spider spun around and sped off into the underbrush.

 

Sesshoumaru stared after the small creature until he felt something attach itself to his arm. He shifted his gaze to the right only to meet Vanessa's pale gold curls. She had her face buried in his sleeve and he could feel a shudder course through her before she turned her face up to him. “That,” she began, “was the biggest spider I've ever seen. I don't like spiders.”

“Indeed. Now, will you kindly remove yourself from my person?”

“Sorry,” Vanessa said, smiling sheepishly and stepping back.

“Come, your lunch will soon be ready.”

“Great!” Vanessa called Rin and followed Sesshoumaru back to their camp where the enticing smells of roasted rabbit teased their senses. After a few more minutes, the meat was ready and the humans eagerly dug into their shares while Sesshoumaru left his untouched. He had not been able to prepare it to his liking and, being so close to his home, he didn't feel hard-pressed to eat it. Instead, he would save it for the humans' dinner. “That was a youkai, wasn't it?” Vanessa asked, after swallowing a bite.

“It was.”

“And… you knew it wasn't a threat, didn't you?”

“I did.”

“Hm.”

“Why did you fear it so?” Sesshoumaru's curiosity grew when Vanessa gave another shudder.

“Spiders are so… creepy.”

“Creepy.”

“Yeah, their hairy bodies and all those legs and beady little eyes. They're creepy.”

“I see.” He found it interesting that she feared spiders when Naraku was essentially a spider hanyou.

“Anyway, thanks for lunch,” she said with a grin. “And I'm sorry yours got cooked too much.”

“No matter. I will soon be home, and as you are aware, I do not need to eat as often as you do.”

“Yes, I remember.”

 

Little was said for the rest of the afternoon, but Vanessa took Rin for a swim in the stream and then a soak in the hot spring, promising to try not to get `freaked out' by another spider. Sesshoumaru moved so that he could reach them in an instant if they needed him, and settled into his thoughts. He hadn't had a quiet moment all day to think about how he would deal with Naraku. Who did he have on his staff that he could trust with finding information? Perhaps Saburo… Myouga had grown more unreliable over the years and couldn't be counted on to show up when he was needed. It also seemed that he spent a great deal of time with Inuyasha. If the flea did happen to appear, Sesshoumaru would ask his advice, but Saburo was one of his resident advisors. He was the closest thing Sesshoumaru had to a friend and had never steered him wrong before. There were still those whom he could not trust, so he had to be careful what reasons he gave for seeking out the hanyou, though it was common knowledge that he didn't think very highly of him.

 

Sesshoumaru's thoughts kept wandering to what Naraku could possibly want with Vanessa - besides getting to him. Consequently, such thoughts led him back to his dream of his father and whether he had meant that she was the one that he was talking about. It couldn't be possible; he knew how Sesshoumaru felt about humans. And why now of all times did he have to make an appearance that only proved to set Sesshoumaru's mind in a state of unrest? It didn't make any sense, and Sesshoumaru didn't like feeling so out of control.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Sesshoumaru was quiet again… Not that he was an overly talkative youkai by nature, but this pensive, brooding silence was starting to trouble Vanessa. She and Rin had just finished a bath and were heading back to camp when she came across him leaning against a tree. His thoughts seemed to be a million miles away, but Vanessa had the feeling that he would snap back to the here and now in an instant if he had to. She passed by him and a quick glance over her shoulder proved that he had noticed their presence and was following them back to camp. Once back in the campsite, Sesshoumaru took his place on the slope overlooking the small clearing. Vanessa decided that she would try to coax out of him whatever it was that seemed to be taking over his thoughts, but it would have to wait. For now, she settled for chatting with Rin in their limited vocabulary while they re-heated some of the rabbit from lunch. Swimming in the stream and then the hot bath had sufficiently tired the girl to the point that Vanessa didn't think it would be long after their meal that she fell asleep. Once Rin was put to bed, it would be the perfect time to talk to Sesshoumaru, and so Vanessa waited.

 

Finally, when the sun sat just above the horizon, Rin fell asleep and Vanessa made her way to the hillside and took a seat. For a while, she met Sesshoumaru's silence with her own as she watched the setting sun. I could get used to this, Vanessa thought with a smile and reclined against the hillside.

“Why do you smile?” Startled from a rather picturesque sunset, Vanessa turned her head to find Sesshoumaru staring at her.

“Hmm? Oh, no reason really. I was just thinking.”

“What about?” She thought it a little strange that he had actually initiated conversation.

Vanessa shrugged. “Just that it's so peaceful here. I like it.” Sesshoumaru turned back to the setting sun, resting his arm on his bent knee.

“It is not always peaceful,” he said softly.

“No… I suppose not.”

 

They fell into silence again and watched as the sun dipped below the horizon, scattering molten gold across the treetops. Vanessa could tell that something still troubled Sesshoumaru and she had a feeling that it wasn't only the Saimyoushou. She knew that he would be resistant to talking about whatever it was, but she wanted to at least try to coax him into expressing himself, so she sat up and turned back to him.

“So… Care to tell me what's on your mind?” She immediately turned away again at the look he leveled on her. I guess that's a `no'.

 

Vanessa was in the middle of trying to come up with a `Plan B' for broaching the subject when Sesshoumaru finally spoke. “It was my father.”

“What was?” she asked when it didn't seem like he would say anything more, but he turned his gaze on her in a way that clearly said, `If you would like me to continue, then let me speak.' “Sorry,” she said, grinning sheepishly, “go ahead.”

“He died a long time ago, but last night he spoke to me in a dream. It was… unexpected.” Vanessa waited for him to continue, but, again, it didn't seem as though he would.

“What did he say?”

“He seems to think that I should have a better relationship with Inuyasha.”

“I see… well… he is your brother- ”

“Half-brother,” interrupted Sesshoumaru.

“Sorry, half-brother. My point is he's family.”

“That is what he said.” Ah, the sullen side of the great lord surfaces, Vanessa thought with amusement.

“As dysfunctional as my family might be, I don't know what I would do without my brother and sisters. Why is it that you and Inuyasha don't get along?” She hadn't asked it to pry, just to try and understand Sesshoumaru better, but the question seemed to cause him some kind of pain. He hid it perfectly behind his stoic mask, but Vanessa could still feel traces of it. “You don't have to answer,” she said, thinking that he probably wouldn't anyway.

“He is a constant reminder of a time in my life that I would really rather forget.”

“Oh… It must have been terrible if it made you hate your only brother - sorry, half-brother.”

“No, it was not a pleasant time, and I do not wish to speak on it further.”

“I understand. So… Did he say anything else?”

“He did.” Sesshoumaru didn't elaborate.

“And… you don't want to talk about that either.”

“Not at this time, no.” Not at this time? Hm… some other time then.

“That's alright,” Vanessa said as she leaned back in the grass to watch the stars come out. The sky was so clear that even in the faint twilight she could see more stars than in the middle of a `clear' night in the city. “Oh, hey!” she said, sitting up again and earning herself a raised eyebrow from Sesshoumaru. “You said before that we'd be staying here for a day or two, so… do you plan on leaving tomorrow?”

“Yes, and we should arrive by nightfall.”

“Really? So soon?” The thought of meeting a castle full of youkai was suddenly a daunting prospect. What would happen to the friendship that she felt certain was growing between her and the taiyoukai when his subjects would certainly be watching him? Sesshoumaru gave her a strange look then; he seemed to be trying to read her. Vanessa was no master at controlling her features like he was, but how could she tell him that, all of a sudden, going home with him frightened her a little?

“You have no need to fear.”

“What? I'm not afraid,” she lied, but Sesshoumaru actually smirked at her.

“I do not need this bit ribbon to know that is untrue.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.” When he didn't elaborate, the amusement in his eyes told Vanessa that there might be a chance that he was toying with her. So, she took the bait.

“And how is it that you know so much about what I'm thinking?”

“It is not what you are thinking, but what you are feeling.”

“Oh? Then… how do you know what I'm feeling?”

“Simple. Your scent changes.”

 

Vanessa had never thought of that. She knew that Sesshoumaru had a strong sense of smell, but to actually be able to smell her emotions? “Really?” she asked seriously. “I thought that was just a myth, something to say so that people wouldn't panic if they came across large animals in the wild.”

“Where do you think the notion came from that creatures could scent fear?”

“Hm. That makes sense I guess.” Vanessa laughed softly. “I think that after I get back home, I'll have to rethink my beliefs on all of the so-called legends that I grew up on. In the week I've been here, I've encountered something very similar to the Greek Minotaur, a talking spider, a flying dragon, a man with dog-ears, and a man who has super-human strength, speed and whocan fly, not to mention magic portals that transcend time. None of these things are supposed to exist. You aren't supposed to be real.”

“But I am.”

“Yes, I can see that. I just don't know how I'm going to explain where I've been to my family, or anyone for that matter, and not be locked away for the rest of my life.” Sesshoumaru's eyes darkened slightly in what Vanessa could only guess was concern.

“Why would you be locked away?” he asked.

“Well, for starters, no one would believe me. They'd think that I've developed some sort of brain disease and would try to cure me of whatever it was that was causing these `delusions.'”

“Have you ever caused your family to distrust you?”

She shook her head, “No.”

“Then why wouldn't they believe you?”

“It's not that simple. Things are different in my time. I'm sure even Kagome's family would have a hard time believing her if they hadn't seen her travel through the well themselves.”

“I see.”

“I'll just have to think of something believable when the time comes… something that doesn't include a time portal. Sesshoumaru… do you think that we'll even be able to find a way to send me home?”

He seemed to consider the question for a while before answering, “You came here somehow so there must be a way for you to return otherwise the balance would be disrupted. You will find a way home.”

Vanessa smiled and leaned back against the slope again. He probably hadn't meant it - or maybe he had? - but she felt comforted by his words. His confidence was reassuring and she knew she'd be home before she knew it.

 

“Vanessa.” Sesshoumaru's voice drifted to Vanessa's ears through the darkness. She opened her eyes. Had she fallen asleep?

“Hm?”

“You should go to your bed near the fire.”

“Hm,” she said, sitting up and rubbing her eyes. “How long have I been asleep?”

“Not long.”

“Okay,” Vanessa said through a yawn and rose slowly to her feet. “Good night, Sesshoumaru.”

“Good night, Vanessa.”

 

~*~*~*~*~*~

 

The next morning, Sesshoumaru greeted the dawn and watched over his sleeping humans for a little while longer. He had spent the night thinking about how to explain Vanessa's presence to the rest of his house in such a way as to take the focus off of her. She was clearly frightened, and that was partly his own doing since he had told her before that it was likely that the other youkai wouldn't take very kindly to his `adoption' of another human. The plan he had come up with would certainly raise a few eyebrows, but hopefully the others wouldn't think too much about it. Sesshoumaru had decided to tell Saburo the complete truth in order to ward off unwanted questions, but the rest needed only to know a portion. He would tell them that he had happened across the woman and found that she was a visitor from another land, stranded indefinitely in this region. In return for offering her shelter in his home, she would take care of Rin. Even to the other youkai, it would be clear that the human child needed human influence. Vanessa was educated and was also learning Japanese at a surprising rate, so he would tell them that she would also serve as a tutor for the child. Since she had already taken to both roles of her own accord, Sesshoumaru assumed that it would continue once they arrived at the palace, especially since Rin would be the only familiar company Vanessa had while Sesshoumaru was otherwise engaged in his duties. If it so happened that she could not return to her own time, she would always have a valid position within his household - in addition to simply being his friend.

 

If they covered the distance that Sesshoumaru knew they would today, the small group of travelers would pass through his gates by nightfall, maybe shortly thereafter. By that time, most of the residents of the palace will have settled in for the night so there should be few besides the servants who would be wandering the halls as they made their entrance. He thought it would be best for Vanessa not to be met with the inevitable surprise of her presence after a long day of travel. Breakfast the next morning would be a better time to introduce her formally. There would be fewer in attendance and before the day was out, they will have spread the word of her arrival to practically everyone else within the compound. That way, if she happened across any of the other youkai alone or with Rin, they will know something of who she was and at the very least, that she was not to be touched or harassed. Jaken was another matter entirely. He would be gruff and rather abusive, but for the time being, Vanessa would be saved from his offensive words simply because she did not yet understand them. To his credit, Jaken had never let harm come to Rin if it were at all in his power to prevent it. It was clear that he cared for the girl in his own way, though he stoutly refused to admit it. Sesshoumaru was certain that, after a short time, his attitude toward Vanessa would be the same. It couldn't be helped. Vanessa was… likeable, for lack of a better word. She had fallen asleep beside Sesshoumaru for a short time last night and he couldn't help but stare down at her. She seemed to glow in the moonlight and a soft smile played on her lips. Despite being thrown into a possibly hostile world compared to her own, she was holding up remarkably well. He couldn't imagine what it must be like for her to try to believe what her eyes told her when her brain clearly `knew' something different. The thought that his kind would eventually be reduced to mere myth and legend was also an unsettling thought. Sure, she had mentioned it before, but it wasn't until last night that he truly grasped the meaning of what she had said. To think that one as sweet and honest as he felt she was could be `locked away,' as she put it, simply for telling the truth of what she saw with her own eyes did not sit well with him. True, he himself had had a difficult time believing that she and the miko had traveled through time, but the notion of powerful magic was not as far-fetched in his time. Perhaps he would have to help her come up with a plausible story to tell her world. It would, after all, be in the effort to ensure her safety, and wasn't that what he had sworn to himself to do?

 

Finally, Sesshoumaru decided that it was time for the humans to awaken. They ate a quick meal and gathered up the few supplies that they had, which had somehow been scattered throughout the campsite. Once everything was safely packed away on Ah-Un's back, Rin and Vanessa clambered on and hit the trail again. Sesshoumaru set a fast, ground-eating pace, occasionally taking to the air to bypass terrain that would only slow their progress. By mid-morning, though, he had a strange desire to fill the silence. Any other time, Sesshoumaru would have been more than content to travel in silence, but ever since Vanessa had joined his small party, conversation had begun to feel somewhat normal. The first days of travel were awkward, neither was quite sure how to react to one another, but now… it was strange how natural it felt to hear her voice, whether she was explaining the ways of her time, or chatting with Rin in her ever-improving Japanese. At the moment, however, Rin was lying on her stomach watching the trees pass by far below them and Vanessa was sitting with her chin in her hand propped on one knee. Her gaze was directed somewhere off in the distance, and it was clear that her thoughts were at least that far away. Sesshoumaru was slightly impressed with the way she had taken to flying; she didn't seem to hold the same fear that she had that first time. Occasionally he would hear her breath catch when they first took off, or when Ah-Un began to descend, but more often than not, she simply took the change of altitude in stride. He spared a glance toward the ground below and found that the terrain was more to his liking, so he signaled for Ah-Un to descend. Flying the entire distance to the palace would significantly shorten the time it took to arrive, but he wanted to arrive just at dusk, not before. Also, after two days of relative inactivity, he felt the need to stretch his legs.

 

Once again on the ground and with no conversation forthcoming from Vanessa, it was up to Sesshoumaru to fill the silence. He wasn't quite sure why he wasn't content with his usual traveling style; he just knew that somehow it felt right that they should be talking while they traveled. The problem was that Sesshoumaru wasn't sure how to simply start a conversation for the sake of conversing, rather than briefing his advisors about the state of his lands, acquiring information or threatening someone. Those things he could do effortlessly, but engaging in simple conversation… normally he had no interest, so why was he troubling himself with it now? Then he had an idea; he might even be able to have some fun while he was at it. “Vanessa,” he said, breaking the silence.

She jerked out of wherever she had been and turned to Sesshoumaru. “Yes?”

“There is something that we must discuss.”

Puzzlement flitted across her features before she responded, “Okay. What about?”

“It is about you.”

“Me?” she squeaked. “What about me?”

Sesshoumaru kept his tone neutral, curious as to what her reaction would be. “Yes, you have not fulfilled your end of a certain bargain.”

Now the confusion was plain on Vanessa's face; she didn't remember. “Bargain…?”

“Of course,” he responded, raising an eyebrow. “When you requested a `story,' you offered to tell something of yourself in return. As yet, you have not done so.” The look on her face was priceless. Clearly, Vanessa had not been expecting playfulness from the stoic youkai lord. It is entirely her fault. Sesshoumaru reasoned that if the woman's cheerfulness had not been so infecting, he would not now be feeling the need to lighten the mood; he could tell that she was still uneasy about their impending arrival at his palace.

 

“Is something wrong?” Sesshoumaru asked, his golden eyes sparkling.

“You… I thought I might have done something wrong,” Vanessa admitted, “but you… you were trying to get a rise out of me!” Of course that had been his goal all along, but for the moment he thought it best not to respond. He had an image to uphold, after all. “So, you're calling me on this bargain of yours… but… I thought you didn't want to know anything about me.” Her amusement was apparent in her voice and he was pleased that she seemed to be playing along.

“Perhaps not, however I intend to hold you to your word.” It was entirely untrue that he didn't want to learn more about her; however it didn't seem right to him that he should dodge her personal questions and then expect her to answer his own so he had simply refrained from asking about her life and focused instead on her time. Besides, he never actually said that he was uninterested. It may have been implied, but ultimately, the interpretation was left to Vanessa.

“Okay then, what would you like to know?”

He wanted to know everything about this curious creature, but at the same time, did not want to feel obligated to reveal too much about himself so he met her gaze and mirrored her own request: “Tell me something of your childhood.”

Vanessa wrinkled her nose and said, “My childhood really wasn't all that interesting, not compared to the things you must have done.”

“That is of no consequence. You asked what it is that I wish to know. I answered.”

“Well…” she said, tapping her chin, “I suppose I could tell you a favorite memory.”

“That will do.”

“Alright then. When I was little, maybe five or six years old, my family took a trip out to the country to visit some friends of the family, and I think that was the first time I saw a horse up close and personal.” `Up close and personal?' Where did she live that she had to travel just to see a horse?

“Are horses uncommon where you are from?” he asked, curious.

“Yes… well, no… sort of. They're not exactly uncommon - they just don't serve the same purposes as they do in this time period. The people that own them mostly have horses for pleasure or to compete in performance or races. Occasionally you might see a horse-drawn carriage, but those are more of a novelty than anything else.”

 

She wasn't making any sense. Horses were by far the most efficient way for humans to travel… in this time. Perhaps methods of travel will change in the future… but to what? When Sesshoumaru noticed Vanessa's amused smile, he knew that she could tell that he was confused. Still, he had a hard time admitting his ignorance. There were few that the taiyoukai had encountered who could match him in intelligence and he accepted that Myouga and Toutousai were the sometimes-resident experts in anything he might ever need to know. Grudgingly, he went to them when he needed information regarding the histories or the laws and traditions in other territories. Cowards those two may be, but they were certainly well traveled. Now beside him, was someone - a human woman, no less - who clearly knew a great deal more than he could ever have imagined. It was difficult to stomach. Eventually, Vanessa herself saved him from trying to voice his questions. “You want to know what we use instead of horses, don't you?” she asked. Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes, but nodded just the same. “Machines have pretty much replaced livestock for everything except food. Automobiles are the main form of transportation. You can think of them as sort of a horseless carriage. They were even called as such in the early days. Roads have improved and are harder and smoother than the ones you might be familiar with. Japan is actually one of the leaders in producing reliable autos. Other types of machines are used to plow fields, haul equipment and build other machines. It's not a very good explanation, I guess, but it's a start. So,” she said, clapping her hands together, “back to my first encounter with a horse. As you might guess, not everyone owns horses, but it's just about every little girl's dream to own a pony one day, and, well, I was no different. It didn't matter that I had never seen anything but pictures of the animal; I was so excited when my parents told me that we were taking the trip. The two-hour ride out to our friends' stable seemed to take forever, but finally we arrived. Sometimes, I think my parents did it just to torment me, but once we arrived, we spent another few hours talking with our hosts. It turned out that they had a son close to my age, just a year older and we became fast friends. His name is Bryce.

 

“Anyway finally, finally, the adults consented to a tour of the stables. Bryce and I ran out the door and across the yard while our parents followed at a more appropriate pace. I'm sure they were probably laughing at us, but I didn't care - it was finally time to see my all time favorite animal up close. I could hardly contain myself. Bryce showed me the tack room and the hayloft and just before we wandered into the aisle where the horses were housed, he gave me an apple, but told me not to eat it. He stopped at the first stall that we came to and waited, grinning like a fool at me. I didn't know what he was waiting for, and being the small child that I was, I couldn't very well see what was inside the stall, and I was growing rather impatient. Then, all of a sudden, this huge black head reached over the door and snatched the apple right out of my hands. I was so startled that I jumped back and tripped over my feet, landing rather unceremoniously on the floor. To this day, I still say that horse was laughing at me, along with Bryce and both of our parents who had just rounded the corner in time to witness my intimate encounter with the ground. Gathering up my wounded pride, I brushed myself off and took a good look at my apple thief. She was jet black all over, except for a white star and a few other small white spots on her forehead. `Starry Night' was her name, Star for short, and it was love at first sight. Bryce's father let me into her stall and lifted me up onto her back. I felt like I was on top of the world. Star was so much taller than I had imagined, but I wasn't afraid. After all, this was what I had been waiting for all day and for the weeks leading up to the trip.

 

“Bryce's family invited me to come and learn to ride whenever I liked - as long as it was okay with my parents, and I immediately accepted. Bryce and I became very good friends and we would go riding together all over their property after I had grown up a bit. We kept in contact throughout our schooling until eventually we ended up at the same university. He graduated the year before I did and asked me to marry him. This ring,” Vanessa said, holding out her hand, “is the symbol of his promise.” She pulled her hand back and watched the diamond glitter in the firelight. “He was so different then,” she said softly then shook her head to clear her thoughts. “Anyway, several times per year I visited Bryce's family and was able to ride their horses. I never owned my own, but Star was always a favorite of mine. And… that's that. My childhood memories, with a little extra thrown in for good measure.”

“I see.” Curious. She is betrothed to a childhood friend just as I was… except the outcome of Vanessa's relationship seemed to be a little brighter than his had been. Her story had triggered a series of strange emotions in Sesshoumaru. It was the second time in a little more than a week that he found he desired something that someone else had, something that he couldn't simply take for himself, and he decided that jealousy was certainly not a pleasant feeling and one that he would take great pains to avoid. He had to think about what it was exactly that caused such feelings to stir, but he knew that they all centered on Vanessa. It wasn't until he found her that he realized what he was missing without the closeness that Inuyasha's pack seemed to have. Then he had felt an undeniable pang of loss when Vanessa mentioned her betrothal. She has known him since they were young… That was it. Of course he would not feel jealousy toward the man she was intended to marry. It was simply that they had what he did not - someone to share his affection. He could never be envious of a human, even if they held the heart of one as intriguing as Vanessa. No, thought Sesshoumaru as his thoughts began taking him into questionable territory. No, Vanessa merely reminded him of what he didn't have. Nothing more. He might have had all of those things once if events had turned out differently, but he didn't need them now. The past two centuries had proven as much. Sesshoumaru was a successful ruler, respected or feared depending on what the situation required. He was content in his life, wasn't he? Of course he was - why shouldn't he be?

 

“Sesshoumaru?” Vanessa's voice cut through Sesshoumaru's musings and he blinked, clearing his head, and turned to her. “Everything okay?” He blinked again.

“Fine. I was just… remembering,” he admitted.

“Oh.” Sesshoumaru knew that she probably wanted to ask what it was that he was `remembering,' but he was thankful that she didn't press it. Perhaps he would tell her more, one day, but today would not be that day. Sometimes, when she spoke, it would trigger some memory that he thought long forgotten or spark some errant thought that normally would never have risen to the surface of his mind. Clearly she was affecting him, and he wasn't sure what to make of it.

 

During the past two days, there had been no other appearance of the saimyoushou and he wondered if he should feel relieved or more concerned that Naraku no longer seemed to be so obviously watching. Sesshoumaru was certain that he could eliminate the hanyou in no time at all in a fair fight, but Naraku didn't fight fairly. He used cheap and backhanded tricks to manipulate his enemies. There was no honor in anything that he did, and it made Sesshoumaru, not by any means fearful, but wary of what the next move would be. Of one thing he was certain though, and it was that for whatever reason, Naraku had turned his sights on Sesshoumaru - probably to try once again to assimilate him into his conglomeration of lesser youkai. He is a fool to think that I would allow him so close again. Once they were safely within his walls, Sesshoumaru would investigate the matter and track down any leads that might surface, but until then, he would simply keep a wary eye open for any further signs as they completed the last leg of the journey home.

 

When the group stopped for lunch, they made a light meal of some fruit, rather than take the time to build a fire for cooking. They took a few minutes to stretch their legs, since Rin and Vanessa had been riding Ah-Un since that morning and were eager to move around a bit. Since Rin was getting a little antsy before they stopped for lunch, Vanessa engaged her in a game of `tag,' as she called it, which consisted of one chasing after the other alternately until they both collapsed into a panting, giggling heap. It would seem that the woman had succeeded in `burning off' some of Rin's pent up energy. Sesshoumaru was watching the pair catch their breath and was just about to call them back so that they could set off again, when a familiar scent teased his senses. He growled to himself and ordered the females to stay close to Ah-Un and not to move from the dragon's side until he returned. As he turned to follow the scent, Sesshoumaru scanned the skies for any sign of further threat to their safety. Finding none, he sped along the scent trail until he reached a small cluster of trees and slowed to a walk to approach the shadows in a more dignified manner.

 

“Naraku,” Sesshoumaru announced into the semi-darkness. Slowly, a figure cloaked in a baboon pelt stepped out of the shadows. It was merely a puppet if Sesshoumaru was any judge, but he still kept a wary eye on it. “You have no business here, half-breed,” the taiyoukai continued, but was met with cold, dark laughter.

“I assure you, Lord Sesshoumaru, that I do.” Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes in response to Naraku's mockery of his title; more than anything he wanted to sharpen his claws on this imitation, but he also wanted answers.

“Why did you reveal to this Sesshoumaru that you were watching? What game are you playing?” Sesshoumaru knew that Naraku was after either him or the girls, but the hanyou would get nothing. He would make sure of it.

“I play no games, dog lord. I let you see the saimyoushou so that you would know I am always watching. I will always know what you are doing and when you are at your weakest. Already I have tried to absorb you and even if I fail again, I will see to it that you are of no further use to anyone. What will your little humans do then?” Sesshoumaru could hear the smirk in his voice. “The older one is a pretty thing - she would make a fine… companion… for my next detachment, or perhaps…” Naraku laughed again, “perhaps I shall take her for myself, but what to do with the young one…”

“You will never lay a hand on either of them.” He had managed to keep his voice under control and had guarded his mind from Naraku's probing, but inside he was seething. How dare Naraku threaten what was his - and to his face, no less? Sesshoumaru wanted to tear the hanyou - not just this puppet - to shreds with his bare claws, but that would have to wait. He would have to get Rin and Vanessa to a safe place before he could hunt down and destroy Naraku.

 

“Tell me, Sesshoumaru,” Naraku said, continuing his taunting, “when did this affinity of yours to human females develop? Was it when you found the girl-child broken and bleeding in the dirt? But now, you have taken in an adult, a woman.” He gave a low chuckle, “Maybe it began long before that. Inuyasha is a hanyou as well as your brother, is he not? That would mean that his father and yours had taken a human female as his mate. Following in your father's footsteps, are we?” Evil laughter filled the forest and Sesshoumaru had had quite enough.

“Enough.” he snarled, lunging for the puppet and slashing through the pelt with his claws. As the fur disintegrated, a small wooden doll rolled through the grass and Sesshoumaru quickly crushed it beneath his boot. He had dallied far too long with the puppet; it was time they continued their journey home. Once again, Sesshoumaru sped through the forest, this time returning to his charges and long before he saw them, his nose told him that they were still unharmed. When he slowed to approach them, he was secretly pleased to find that they had obeyed him. He was certain that Kagura was nowhere nearby and if the need arose, Ah-Un would have been able to easily lift them to safety in the sky. So… Naraku had no intention of taking them this time. But what about next time?

 

When Sesshoumaru re-entered the clearing where he had left the others, Vanessa immediately rose and walked toward him. “Sesshoumaru? What happened?”

“Nothing that you should be concerned about. Come, we must go.” Sesshoumaru began to walk past her to Ah-Un, but paused when he caught her staring at him. She knew that he wasn't telling her everything and he sighed inwardly. “Later,” he said softly so that only she could hear. When he saw her nod, he continued to Rin and Ah-Un. They had never really spoken of her previous capture by Kagura and she had put up a brave face, confident that her Sesshoumaru-sama would save her, but she was still a child and he didn't want to frighten her with the prospect of being taken again. Finally, the humans were mounted on Ah-Un's back and the journey began again. They traveled quickly, but didn't rush; Sesshoumaru still wanted to arrive just at nightfall, but they had some time to make up due to their extended lunch break.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Rin's complete faith in Sesshoumaru was infectious. Vanessa had been concerned when Sesshoumaru rushed off so suddenly, but she reasoned that he would not have left them without some protection (Ah-Un), and Rin had calmly and happily walked over to the dragon to await her lord's return, helping to ease her anxiety. She had a hunch that it had something to do with the saimyoushou from before and her suspicions grew when Sesshoumaru returned and refused to say anything on the matter. To her immense surprise, he had as much as told her that he would tell her what happened later. Vanessa figured that whatever happened, Sesshoumaru didn't want to frighten Rin with the information.

 

Before long they were continuing their journey. Vanessa talked to Rin, determined to gain some sort of handle on Japanese, and sometimes she would explain different aspects of life in the future to Sesshoumaru. He didn't always offer much input, but she could just tell that he was listening and absorbing everything she said, storing it away for a later time. It was nice to have someone really listen to her. They hadn't really had any overly `deep' conversations, but they were still learning from one another.

 

Idle chatter filled the rest of the afternoon, mostly between Vanessa and Rin, until they came to a stop at a road - it was the first one that Vanessa had seen since they left Kaede's village. She was a little puzzled as to why they were suddenly stopped when they had been moving so quickly earlier, but when she glanced over at Sesshoumaru, he was staring down the road to the west, seemingly waiting for something. The sun wasn't far above the trees and Sesshoumaru had said that they would reach the palace by nightfall so it must not be far, or he wouldn't just be standing there like that. When he didn't say anything or look as though he would be moving again until he was good and ready, Vanessa turned her attention to their surroundings. Tiered fields lined the opposite side of the road with the occasional villager still working, though by this hour, most had already left for home. Beyond the fields, farmland gave way to a forest that climbed the mountains in the background. It was beautiful country and Vanessa was fully engrossed until Sesshoumaru spoke. “There,” he said, and she turned to face him again. He was pointing in the direction that he had been staring for the past few minutes. Curious, Vanessa followed the line of his arm and gasped when she saw what lay in the distance. Now she knew what he was waiting for; the sun had sunk low enough on the horizon to reveal a magnificent palace set on a high hill, when before it had been hidden in the glare of the afternoon sun. It was beautiful. Even at this distance, Vanessa could see the sweeping tile rooftops above brilliant white walls. She imagined detailed carvings below each of the peaks in the black-tiled roofs and couldn't wait to see them. A tall wall of stone surrounded the palace, designed so that only the tallest of the buildings could be seen from the hill below, but Vanessa was certain that it allowed those inside to perfectly see what lay beyond. Outside the wall, tucked into the trees, were smaller structures, presumably belonging to minor lords and other retainers. Eventually, she found her voice: “It's beautiful.” Sesshoumaru nodded and then turned to her.

“Come,” he said, “It will not be long now.”

 

True to his word, a little over an hour later, the sun had set and the sky was steadily growing darker while Sesshoumaru led them up the hill to the main gate where he told Rin and Vanessa to dismount and collect their belongings. Vanessa shouldered her backpack and draped her dress over her arm, while Rin took the blankets. Sesshoumaru opened one half of the massive gate himself and held it so that the girls could pass before leading Ah-Un through and re-closing the gate. After seeing how big and heavy the gate was, Vanessa fully understood pup-Sesshoumaru's shock when his father had opened both doors with such force that they `burst' open. She also had a newfound respect for how strong Sesshoumaru must really be to have opened the door as easily as he had.

 

Sesshoumaru sent Ah-Un off with one of the guards and began walking toward the palace. “Walk behind me, Vanessa,” he said without turning to her. Trusting him to know what to do in his own home, Vanessa did as she was told as Rin fell in beside her. They hadn't encountered anyone yet, besides the gate guards, so she began to feel a little more at ease. Inside the wall, Vanessa found the palace to be even more beautiful. It turned out that it was made up of several separate buildings connected by covered walkways on the second level. The walkways looked like they were built in such a way that the top could be used as a bridge as well, actually creating two covered walks and one uncovered. There were more floors, but Vanessa figured that traffic between buildings on those levels wasn't as heavy since there were no walkways connecting them. Sesshoumaru led them through a large courtyard to the only building that was not connected to the others. This one was smaller than the others, only three floors and not as wide. The rooftop was white with black trim rather than black with white trim like the others, and there was a tall wooden fence on either side, further separating this building from the rest. Is this where Sesshoumaru lives?

 

As if in answer to her mental question, Sesshoumaru walked up the stairs to the wrap-around deck and opened the large main door. He motioned the two humans inside, telling Rin to go to her room and prepare for bed. Rin skipped through the door and disappeared up the stairs. When Vanessa followed her through the door, the bustling servants stopped what they were doing - it was clear that they were caught unprepared for their master's unexpected arrival - and stared openly at her. Her face heated at their scrutiny, but before all the attention grew unbearable for her, Sesshoumaru entered and let the door close loudly behind him. That sound - as well as his hard glare - sent them scurrying down hallways or to their places along the walls where they tried to become as unnoticeable as possible. “I will speak with them in the morning,” he assured her. Vanessa nodded as she took in the wide hall where they stood; it seemed to be a center point for the whole building. The wide hall stretched from the front door to the back and was so tall that the ceiling was on the same level as that of the third floor. A staircase rose from the center of the first floor to meet a large landing at the second floor, which branched out to the sides in a walkway and connected with a staircase to the third floor. Along the three walls forming a U-shape around the front wall was a balcony on the second and third floors that met the walkway and staircase. On each level, two hallways branched from each of the walls to the right and left. In the dim lamplight, Vanessa thought she could pick out some kind of pattern in the wood floor. This front room was impressive enough itself, but she still couldn't wait to see the rest of the place.

 

It took only a few moments for Vanessa to take in her surroundings and soon Sesshoumaru was walking toward the staircase. He paused at the landing and gestured to the left walkway. “My personal office is at the end of those halls and similarly, down these halls,” he pointed to the right, “is my library. Look in either of these places first if you need to find me during the day. Tomorrow you will be shown the rest of the grounds.” Then he started up the second set of stairs, pausing again at the top. “Guest rooms are down the halls to the right; however, tonight you will stay in a suite with Rin. If you wish to have your own rooms, it can be arranged tomorrow.”

“Oh, I don't mind staying with Rin. I don't want to make extra work for anyone.” Sesshoumaru stared at her for a moment and then turned to the left, walking around the balcony to the first hallway. Lamps were lit in wall sconces down the entire length of the hall, revealing doorways on the left side but not the right. Some of the doors were solid wood, while others were sliding shoji screens. Vanessa was curious as to what lay behind the doors, but didn't have time to explore

 

Sesshoumaru continued down the hall to the very end and opened the wooden door. Only one lamp was lit, so Sesshoumaru took a candle from a stand beside the door and set about lighting more lamps, leaving Vanessa to explore the room on her own. She set her belongings down beside the door and took a look around. The table with the first lamp was set low to the ground and was surrounded by cushions. On the far wall was a sliding door that stood open a few inches to allow a breeze into the room. Being that they stood on the third floor, Vanessa assumed that the door led out to a balcony. Sesshoumaru must have seen her looking at the door, because he paused and said, “Out that door and to the left is an outhouse. It is convenient to have the facility nearby with a child here.”

“Thank you, that's good to know.” In truth, she had been wondering about the bathroom situation; she knew that there was little chance of actual plumbing. To her left was a sliding shoji door like she had seen in the hall and she turned to ask Sesshoumaru what was behind it, but he was gone. Frowning, Vanessa glanced around the room again. Now where did he go? That was when she noticed the small hallway in the right-hand wall. None of the doors had opened, so she figured that was the direction Sesshoumaru had gone. Picking up a small lamp, she went to investigate.

 

Light spilled out of the first doorway and Vanessa was about to enter when she saw Rin sitting under the covers on her futon. She wanted to say good night to the girl, but had second thoughts when she saw Sesshoumaru kneel beside her bed facing away from the door. His back was straight and from what she could tell, his hand appeared to be in his lap, but his head was turned slightly, giving the girl his full attention. He must have been speaking softly to the girl, because every now and then, Rin would nod and say something in return. It wasn't exactly the most intimate of scenes, but it was strangely endearing to see this powerful, sometimes-intimidating youkai lord basically tucking in a small human girl. Vanessa decided that she didn't want to intrude on their routine - she felt like she had already witnessed more than she should have - and was about to turn away when Rin caught her eye so she smiled and blew a kiss before turning to explore the rest of the suite.

 

Back in the narrow hall, Vanessa noticed that it extended farther than Rin's bedroom. She shrugged and continued to explore deeper into the suite. Eventually, she came across a second door, so obviously she had to open it. Beyond the circle of light from her lamp, Vanessa found another bedroom identical to what she had seen of Rin's room, except the futon was on a low frame instead of the floor. Almost the entire width of the wall behind the bed was a window with shuttered segments and light, flowing curtains and the wall that she shared with Rin contained a small fireplace. There was a small table next to the bed and a writing desk and bookcase on the right wall. Next to the door stood a large wardrobe. Curious, Vanessa opened the doors. Nearly all of the shelves and drawers were empty, but there was a thick white robe and a few lighter robes folded neatly on the top shelf. “Is this room acceptable?” Sesshoumaru's voice cut through the darkness, causing Vanessa to jump and nearly drop the lamp in her hand.

“Oh! You startled me. Is this where I'm staying? It's great!”

“Hm. Come then, we must speak.” Sesshoumaru turned and strode out of the room and down the hall to the door she had seen in the first room. He waited for Vanessa to catch up after she set the lamp on the bedside table before opening the door. “The suite you now share with Rin is surrounded by a barrier so that the only youkai that may pass are this Sesshoumaru and Jaken,” he said as he slid the door open.

“Jaken? Who is Jak -”

“Sesshoumaru-sama!” The squawk came from the room beyond.

“This is Jaken,” Sesshoumaru said smoothly, all but ignoring the source of the voice. Vanessa scanned the room, but didn't see anyone until the voice spoke again and her eyes were forced down to the floor. She wasn't quite sure what to make of him except that he was very small and very green with large, bulbous yellow eyes and a beak-like mouth. At the moment Jaken was bowing at Sesshoumaru's feet, but had lifted his head to take in the new guest. That was when he began talking so quickly that Vanessa had a hard time understanding more than a few words. He said something that she knew to mean `my lord' and said the word `ningen' several times. Ningen… that means `human.' He must be talking about me!

A sharp “Jaken” from Sesshoumaru silenced the little green man and sent him cringing into another bow. “This is Vanessa. She is a guest from another land and will be treated as such. She is unfamiliar with our tongue, but I will not have you speaking to her in the way I know that you do Rin. For now, she will be staying in the room next to Rin.” He fixed Jaken with a glare as he finished the command and walked past him into the next room.

“H-hai, Sesshoumaru-sama,” Jaken said sullenly. Clearly, this Jaken was one of those youkai that wasn't overly fond of humans.

“Leave us, Jaken”

 

Jaken bowed again and scurried out the door that Vanessa had just entered. Sesshoumaru stared after him for a moment before crossing the room to kneel at a low table like the one she had seen before. He looked at Vanessa expectantly so she followed suit and joined him, sitting on a cushion beside the table. “Would you like some tea?” he asked, lifting the pot off the table.

“Oh, yes please.” Vanessa couldn't remember ever having Japanese tea, so she wasn't sure what to expect, but she thought it only polite to accept what was offered. Sesshoumaru poured a light-colored liquid into two cups and it was then that Vanessa was reminded that he had only one arm - how had she forgotten? She must have been staring in amazement that he had managed the teapot so well with a single hand because when he looked up again he smirked.

“I have had time to practice,” he said dryly. She blushed as she took the cup that her host held out to her and turned her eyes down to the hot liquid.

“I'm sorry,” Vanessa said, “I didn't mean to stare.”

“I have not taken offense. There are more important matters to discuss.”

 

Vanessa looked up and smiled gratefully before taking a sip of her tea. It was good, not as bitter as black tea. “So,” she began, “When you ran off earlier, that had something to do with the saimyoushou, didn't it?”

“More than that, I encountered a messenger of the one who sent the saimyoushou. I believe he will try to use you to get to me - he has already tried to do so with Rin. It would seem that the shards of the jewel that he has collected are not enough, as he has been trying to absorb powerful youkai.”

Vanessa almost choked on her tea. “Absorb? How can he absorb someone else?”

“This is a hanyou by the name of Naraku. He was once human, but gave his soul to a horde of youkai in return for power. Naraku is nothing more than a conglomeration of other youkai and as such has the ability to take the body and youkai abilities of another.”

“You said that he's already tried to get to you, what happened?”

“One of his detachments, a wind witch called Kagura, took Rin as bait. As I fought Naraku to get her back, he tried to absorb me. Clearly, he failed and will do so again should he cross my path.” Naraku seemed like a dangerous youkai if he would even attempt to take on someone like Sesshoumaru. Vanessa had never seen him fight - other than that time with Inuyasha, but he wasn't out to kill then - but she just knew that he was a force to be reckoned with.

“What do you mean by `detachment?”

“Naraku created Kagura from his own flesh. She is a part of him and he controls her by his possession of her heart. There are also others and each have different uses to him.”

“I see… So, what should we do?” Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow at her.

“We? You will remain within the palace gates unless accompanied by no other but myself, and I will continue to gather information on Naraku. You are safe here, he can't touch you.” Well… he did say that he would protect me. Besides, where would I go?

“Okay. I'll do as you say.” The taiyoukai gave her a look that suggested that he would not accept otherwise. I'd hate to be his child. Sesshoumaru had what some call `the look' that brooked no argument. If he ever had children, Vanessa couldn't imagine them being anything other than obedient - at least in his presence - for no other reason than to avoid that `look.'

 

They sipped their tea in silence for a few minutes before Vanessa let her curiosity take over again. “Why is Jaken the only other youkai allowed into Rin's rooms?”

“I do not trust the others.”

“Because she's human… but, from what I could gather, Jaken isn't very fond of humans.”

Sesshoumaru gave a small snort. “He would not dare harm her.”

“Why not?”

“He was there when I found her,” he said, “and he knows that I would not hesitate to destroy him.” The casual way that he said it made it sound even more deadly and sent a small shiver down her spine. It told Vanessa that Sesshoumaru was more than simply Rin's guardian. Whether he would admit to it or not, he had as much as adopted the girl as his own child. It was just another bit of evidence that there was more to him than what Kagome and the others saw.

“Jaken watches over Rin when I cannot,” he continued, sipping his tea. “He also sees to domestic duties in both of these suites. It is likely that you will find your belongings put away when you return to your room.”

“Really? Oh I hope it's not an inconvenience.” There was that look again, the look that he seemed to wear when she said something that he must not have expected. He never commented on it though. Vanessa often wondered what thoughts crossed his mind whenever Sesshoumaru let some expression flash across his face. He seemed to be a little more at ease now that he was in his own home, not friendly exactly, but not frigid, though he had seemed to warm up to her just a little bit over the course of their traveling from Kaede's village. It gave Vanessa hope that he might be starting to consider her a friend and not just another ward.

 

Suddenly, the days of traveling caught up with Vanessa and she unsuccessfully fought a yawn. “I guess it's time for me to go to bed,” she admitted somewhat reluctantly. Immediately, Sesshoumaru rose and held out his hand to help her up, which she accepted.

“I will accompany you to see that you have everything you might need.” Vanessa thanked him and they made their way back to her room. Just as Sesshoumaru had said, her pack hung from a hook on the wardrobe and her clothes and other items were stored on the shelves inside. Even more surprising was that all of her dirty clothes were in a basket on the other side of the wardrobe. As though reading her thoughts, Sesshoumaru said, “Put your clothes in the basket with the rest and Jaken will come tomorrow to collect them for cleaning. A new kimono will be brought for you before breakfast.”

“Oh, thank you.” She hadn't been sure what to do with her clothes. Sure she could do her own laundry, but she was fairly certain that there were no washing machines anywhere nearby. She felt bad needing someone else to do her wash, but they would know better than she when it came to hand washing.

 

On a table near the window, Vanessa found a small basin and a pitcher of water with a few towels folded beside them. Good, at least I can wash my face and brush my teeth before bed. “I think I have all I need for the night,” she stated, turning back to Sesshoumaru who was standing in her doorway.

“Good. I will come for you in the morning, and I will introduce you to some of my staff at breakfast.” A nervous flutter appeared in the pit of Vanessa's stomach at the thought of meeting more youkai, but she did her best to squash it down.

“Do you think you could show me where I might take a bath beforehand? I'd like to make myself a little more presentable.” Sesshoumaru nodded.

“I will come for you earlier then,” he said, turning to leave.

“Good night, Sesshoumaru, and thanks again for letting me stay here,” Vanessa called softly, causing the taiyoukai to pause and turn his head to face her.

“Good night.” Then he was gone, extinguishing all but a few of the lamps on his way back to his room.

 

Vanessa picked up the lamp that she had left burning on the table and walked out to the main room and then onto the balcony. She wasn't sure if she would be able to get used to the lack of plumbing, but she would have to take what she could get. When in Rome I guess… Back in her room a few minutes later, Vanessa went to the wardrobe and took one of the light robes she had found in there earlier. She changed, dropping her other clothes into the basket, and grabbed her toothbrush before going to the basin to wash her face. The water was cold, but it did the job of cleaning off the sweat and road dust. Finally refreshed and ready for bed, Vanessa set the lamp on the table again and pulled back the covers. Sliding between the sheets, she relished in the feel of a real bed beneath her; it seemed like she had been sleeping on the hard ground forever. She soon dimmed the lamp and was asleep just moments after her head hit the down pillow.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Leagues away in a dark castle, glittering crimson eyes stared into a circular mirror held by a small pale child. He had watched the trio pass through the gates of the lord of the west, but then, just as the walls blocked physical intruders, the mirror could no longer detect what lay beyond. His frustration didn't last long, though, and soon an evil smile spread across his face. He thinks he can protect them behind those walls of his, but will he know to protect himself? He knew how to extend his reach beyond those walls - all it would take was a little time and planning. Soon, Sesshoumaru, soon you will be mine.A/N: and this concludes another segment of Into the East - makes it sound like a soap opera, dunnit? Sorry, I'm in a weird mood tonight. Anyway… sorry for the wait. It might have been even longer, because just as I finished this chapter (at about 3:40am, I might add) my internet cut out, but all is well.

 

In the off chance that any of you didn't get the reference: there's a saying that goes “when in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Anyway, pretty self-explanatory.

 

Also, just a note: I have nothing against people writing boy on boy action, but you won't find it in my stories. That's not how I write. So, just to set the record straight, in this story, Naraku's interest in Sesshoumaru is purely for the power he would gain by absorbing him, nothing sexual. Now I'm done.

 

Now, few notes to my reviewers :) …too bad there isn't a “reply” option in the review page.

 

laa_girl: I'm glad you like my writing. I get annoyed myself when I read a story that raises more questions than it answers, simply because the writer leaves out the detail. I am also annoyed when a story jumps from topic to topic with no explanation or transition. Obviously, I can't outline each and every day, but since my dear Vanessa and Sesshoumaru are just getting to know one another, going a little overboard on detail seems fine to me. ^_^ I'm glad you approve, and I hope you keep checking to discover what new adventures my crazy pair will find themselves in. I've said it before, but I'm as eager to find out what happens as the rest of you - part of the reason for the detail. After all, I have to keep myself entertained, right? Thanks again.

 

Take two: I'm sorry to hear about everything you're going through. Hang in there, it won't be bad forever. If you ever want to vent to someone that's not intimately involved, feel free to email me. I don't know how much I'd be, but sometimes you just need someone else to talk to.

 

Crystaru-chan: (Got it right that time!) I never really thought I had any “talent,” per se, for writing (side note: I seriously just misspelled “writing” three times, what's with that?) but I had so many ideas swimming around in my head and I couldn't get them down just right in my sketchbook so thought I'd try simply explaining what was going on up there. It's been… interesting. At first I was totally freaked out, I wouldn't let any of my friends read it (nice thing about being anonymous on the internet) - but I finally let one friend read and didn't get a bad reaction. Sweet! Anyway, my point is: give it a try, who knows what'll happen? Now I'm addicted to reading/writing the stuff. To think… it all started when I was looking up fanarts of Sesshoumaru on deviantart.com and came across some based on Resmiranda's Tales from the House of the Moon (Very good - I recommend it if you haven't read it already). Anyway, I ramble. Thank you for continuing to read my stuff!

 

Cochrann: I love reviews that begin with “I loved this chapter!” Makes me feel like I've accomplished something in my currently state of unemployment, so I thank you :) I also like when people specify what they like about my chapter. I try hard not to leave loose ends - unless the unknown is important to the plot… though I don't think I have too many of those yet. Drives me nuts when writers leave me guessing about their characters. I'll try not to do that to you all.

 

lovely liz: hey, thanks for the review! Answers to your questions:

I can't tell you what Naraku's going to do, that'll spoil the surprise. I decided that I needed some sort of conflict in the plot, and Naraku's an ever-ready fallback guy - so he gets to be Mr. Conflict for this one. What Sesshoumaru is going to do about him falls under the I-can't-tell category too, but if anything does happen to either Rin or Vanessa, I can say that he'll will fight for them ^_^

His father was trying to tell him that it's been long enough and he should let go of the past. He was saying that Rin is sort of a catalyst for the whole breaking down of emotional barriers thing. It was supposed to by slightly vague as dreams tend to be, so that Sesshoumaru could sort of interpret it how he wanted to.

I haven't decided what I'll do about Vanessa's fiancée yet. I will be doing some more flash-forwards to the present/future like the one with mystery-man and the news article and the one in this chapter with said mystery-man and Vanessa's parents - you can let your imagination run wild with him for the time being, but who he is will become clearer the more we see of him… But a lot of those ideas haven't quite solidified yet. It'll all come together in the end that I hope isn't too confusing.

I hope I've cleared everything up for you. If you have any other questions, please, feel free to ask! If telling you won't give away too much of the story, I'd be happy to explain. Maybe it will give me some ideas on editing and clarifying within the chapters themselves.

 

nessie-poo: At the rate I'm going… this story isn't going to be finished for a looooong time :-P so don't worry. Have fun on holiday! Sometimes lack of electronics is nice… Then again, if you get bored, you have to actively find something to do rather than surf the net until entertainment surfaces. Still, it'll be a good time.