InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Polar ❯ Chapter 1 ( Chapter 1 )

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the original characters of the anime/manga Inu-Yasha. All other characters are property of the muses in my head, so please ask if you feel the need to barrow.  

 

Author's note: This is my first Inu-Yasha story, so please be gentle.

I don't know what the hell happens at the end of the series, since I live in America and we're just now getting it on cable tv, and the anime/manga is still going on in Japan. My story, ideally, happens after Naraku is destroyed and what not. So know that.

Umm… I can't think of anything else to say right now. So read, review, and enjoy

 

~nEo~

=^.^=

 

 

Polar

Chapter 1

 

 

The sun had just begun to set on the horizon when he halted his steps and ordered Jaken to start a fire. It was still light out, and even with her limited sight, Rin would have been able to go on for at least another hour. But she was starting to trail behind, and he suspected that the sickness hadn't quite left her body yet, despite the majo's efforts. As Jaken left to gather wood he turned to keep and eye on her, watching as she wrapped a dark blanket around her shoulders and sat down.

 

The weather had changed, although he wasn't effected by it, he noted it by the color of the leaves and the mist that appeared in front of his face whenever he exhaled. He hadn't, and wouldn't have, paid much heed to it if it hadn't been for the girl's constant cough and complaints about being cold despite the fire in her skin. He knew nothing about the needs of an ill human, and had no desire to, so he took her to the nearest village and demanded that she be cared for. The only person that stepped foreword was an old hag, who's back was so crocked and hunched over and who wreaked so much of pain and decay that he doubted her ability to care for herself, let alone another sick person.

 

But she plucked the shivering child from his arms and walked painstakingly slow to the hut that served as her home on the outskirts of the little village, and after eleven sun rises and ten sun falls she slid open her door and ordered him down from his watchful spot in her roof. He had been able to ignore her demanding tendencies for the past week and a half, but he hadn't been able to ignore the awful stench of her. It seemed that every inch of the two room hut was saturated with it. Whoever she was, death hung in every corner, and no amount of herbs and medicine would keep it away. He suspected she knew this, underneath her cryptic words and crazy ramblings she knew that it was there.

 

She offered him food, but he declined having no need or want for it. Instead he went directly over to the sleeping girl to rouse her. It only took a hand on her shoulder to open her dark eyes and she smiled up at him before starting the chatting that never really seemed to cease (even in her sleep.) Despite the frown he gave her he was relieved. During the period of her sickness she had been unnaturally silent, and while he welcomed it in the beginning, his enjoyment soon turned to a heavy uneasiness as the hours went by.

 

The witch had disappeared into the second room as he instructed the girl to get ready to depart. He watched Rin intently as she gathered what little things she had with her when they arrived, the outer part of her kimono, and a small white comb. She wasn't as energetic as she usually was, but she had made a dramatic improvement from her state when they first arrived.

 

The old woman had returned by the time the girl was done and she was holding a small, hand-sized cloth bag,

 

“You need to give her some of this at every meal until it runs out,” she instructed as she shoved the bag towards him, “Let it steep in hot water before you serve it to her, and make sure she drinks all of it. Do you understand?”

 

He frowned inwardly at her use of the word `serve' be ignored it (as he'd ignored a lot of things she'd said or done) and took the bag from her. It gave of the strong aroma of some unidentified plant, and while it was slightly pleasant it still held the stench of the dieing woman. He very reluctantly placed it inside the folds of his kimono.

 

“Are you ready,” he asked Rin, who was standing patiently beside him. She nodded once before following him to the opening that served as a door.

 

“Remember, every meal, until it runs out,” the woman called after them. He stopped and looked at her over his shoulder. His patients had finally reached an end and he narrowed his eyes at the old woman that was standing there with her crocked back,

 

“You have exceeded your time and purpose, youba. It would be wise that you silence your foolish tongue before you find it missing,” he warned in a low voice. Most humans, the ones mindless enough to test him, would had taken this heading to mind and tried to get as far away from him as possible. But not this one, and maybe it was because she was so close to death that it no longer frightened her when she was faced with it. It didn't matter what form it came in, an enraged youkai or that black shapeless thing that stole your breath away in the darkness of night. Or maybe it wasn't that, maybe she was just too old and crazy to really realize how close she was to having her blood spilt on the packed down earth that served as her floor.

 

Whatever the reason, her reaction actual cooled his anger rather then fueled it. It had been a long time since a human had amused him. Rin had sparked his curiosity just a little when she returned day after day to help him after that idiot of a brother had injured him. But that had only been a slight pull, though it was enough to make him help her in the end.

 

The old woman simple made a clicking noise against her teeth with her tongue and walked over to Rin, bending over and cupping her cheeks in her hands,

 

“Oh, you make sure that baka there takes good care of you, do you understand child” she asked, “I don't want to see you around here sick like that again.”

 

Rin scrunched up her nose, but nodded, “I don't think Sesshou-maru-sama enjoys being called a baka. He might-“

 

“Don't worry about me, child,” the woman shook her head and stood up as straight as she could, “You just make sure he gives you those herbs. And if he forgets, bug him until he does.”

 

“Sesshou-maru-sama doesn't forget,” Rin countered, taking a hold of his pant leg.

 

“Of course he doesn't,” she answered in a non-convincing way while turning to look at him. “Perhaps you best find someone to take care of the child. Someone good with little girls.”

 

“I am not incompetent,” he answered, and decided to leave before he got anymore irritated. “Come, Rin.”

 

And with that he turned and headed out the door, Rin trailing close behind him. She paused long enough to wave goodbye.

 

A day had passed since then, and now he sat watching her as she curled up by the fire and closed her eyes. Perhaps the majo had been right. He wasn't capable of completely taking care of the child. She was a human, after all, and he wasn't an expert in their needs. It would be best if he did seek outside help in the matter. The only question was who?

 

He glanced at Jaken, who was relaxed against the base of a nearby tree. The Staff of Heads was resting across his lap and a loud snore emitted from his lips. He, obviously, wasn't the one for the task. He couldn't even manage to get Rin to do the simplest of things, like making her sit still long enough for her studies. He supposed he could always get a slave to do the job, but he didn't exactly approve of the idea. The last thing he needed was another mindless servant running around at his feet.

 

He sighed softly, closing his eyes and leaning back on the tree trunk he was sitting against. The girl, once again, was proving to be a lot more trouble then she was probably worth. Of course, there was always another option. But was she worth it?

 

He opened his eyes again, watching as her shoulders rose and fell with each breath. He stayed that way for quite awhile, hearing nothing but the crackling of the fire, Jaken's obnoxious snore, and the sounds of the forest. And then, he made his decision.

 

“Jaken.” The toad demon continued his slumber despite his call. Sesshou-maru glanced at the ground and picked up a rather large pebbled, tossing it effortlessly at his servant's head. He awoke with a start, knocking the Staff of Heads down as he stood up abruptly and grabbed his now swelling head.

 

“WHAT!” the confusion was evident on his face and in his voice. Sesshou-maru rose, gaining the smaller demon's attention.

 

“My…my lord,” he hurriedly reached down and picked up the staff, “You roused me?”

 

“Watch after the girl. Wake her and make sure she eats and drinks the herbs that the majo prescribed. I will return in three days. I expect you to have reached the castle by that time. If anything happens to her, you will be held responsible.”

 

“Hai, Sesshou-maru-sama.”

 

He turned and walked away from the camping area, passing Ah-Un on his way to the dirt path. Perhaps it would have been best if he had sent a letter ahead of time, warning them of his arrival and intentions. But the longer he walked, the longer he realized he didn't really care. The promise made many years ago still held. He would get what he wanted in the end.     

 

 

[majo - witch]

[youba - hag ]

[baka - idiot, fool]