InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Redemption ❯ Even More Beautiful ( Chapter 4 )

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Redemption

Chapter 4: Even More Beautiful

 

It is a beautiful, warm and sunny day. A Daiyokai consumed in a reflective nature, with his retainer not too far behind, is drifting along a sea shore, periodically halting in order to take in the bedazzling affects of the ocean. It shimmers like diamonds as its waters are bathed in the suns life giving rays which reminds him of a certain pair of eyes that once sparkled like that. The sparkle has faded over the years, now replaced with a more subtle sparkle and a deep wisdom, `How my Rin has changed over the years, he thinks to himself, `She is a woman, now.' The breeze sends the Inuyokai's very long, silky white hair, along with the exceedingly long fir on his shoulder, hovering far behind him like a kite as he closes his eyes and takes in the refreshing sensation of the winds as they caress his face gently.

 

After continuing to stroll along the beach for a while, at some point, his nose captures a scent in the air. But instead of being alarmed by it, he decides to keep walking and if the source of the scent makes itself evident, he'll just deal with it then. Not too long after his thoughts, he spots an eighteen year old human male a short distance away, collapsing onto the beach. Once he gets closer, he notices that the young man's dark green kimono and light blue hakama are totally soaked and almost clinging to his skin. He is also lying down on his stomach, panting really hard. “It's a human, Me Lord!” The Daiyokai doesn't respond to his retainer but instead decides to just stand above the human silently and wait to see what he does next. Finally, the man turns around onto his back, only to look up and then let out a small gasp.

 

Then he says as if in a daze, “Sesshoumaru, is that you?” Jaken jumps back dramatically as if he's seen a ghost. The Inuyokai immediately recognizes the voice, along with the face, hair and body. “Hm...Naraku!?” Sesshoumaru exclaims, completely forgetting who or where he was, at the moment or even that Jaken was with him. Feeling as if he were in a dream, he kneels down quickly by the young man's side and then touches his shoulder with an astonished expression on his face. The male utters with complete wonder, “You're even more beautiful than I remember you…” “Huh?” Jaken utters to himself as he continues to stare with shock and foreboding. As the inuyokai's expression changes from awe and surprise to a flattered smile as bright as the sun, the man peers up at him one more second through squinted eyes, with an awestruck grin on his face, before suddenly passing out.

 

Sesshoumaru panics for a second, but then he senses the young man's pulse and starts to calm down again. Sesshoumaru continues to lean down beside the ningen as he gazes upon him and then he brushes his hand unconsciously through the man's hair as he thinks to himself, `Did you really come back to me? Are you really here?' Suddenly a tear roles down his cheek. He wipes his face in surprise, wondering how it managed to make its way out of his eye. Then he whispers to the unconscious young man once more, “I don't know where you've been or how you got here, but you must be here for a reason. I will take care of you.” “What…what are you doing Sesshoumaru Sama!? He looks just like Naraku and he's human! You must inform Inuyasha…” Sesshoumaru responds indifferently, “Silence, Jaken. I will do no such thing and neither will you. Let's go.” “But why Me Lord? Why are you acting this way…?” Before Jaken can other another word, he senses a powerful Daiyokai fist colliding with his fragile skull. “R…Right away Me Lord,” he utters sheepishly as a giant sizzling lump rests menacingly atop his olive green head. Without another word, Sesshoumaru uses an enchanted ring on his finger in order to produce a bright green meidou.

 

He then picks the young man up into his arms before jumping through the meidou with Jaken scampering behind him as it is closing. He flies on his shoki cloud, over an enchanted forest in the world of the Yokai, before reaching his castle. As he walks through the giant doors of his castle, two of his servants are standing on each side waiting to honor whatever request he happens to make. “Fetch some water and a towel,” he commands glacially without making eye contact as he continues to walk, holding the human in his arms. “Right away my Lord,” one of the servants' reply aptly. “Jaken,” Sesshoumaru utters unenthusiastically. “Yes, Sesshoumaru Sama?” “Do not follow me. Today Rin is going back to the human world to stay with her (adoptive) parents for a while. Go with her. Watch over her.” “But Sesshoumaru Sama, she doesn't need me to watch over her anymore. She is an adult.” He sighs before saying in a softer tone much more different from the former way he would have responded, “Just do as I say,” then he quickly goes back to how he would have formerly addressed Jaken, “If you inform Inuyasha of anything that happened today, I will kill you.” “Ye…ye…yes Me Lord,” Jaken responds nervously, before scurrying away as quick as his legs can carry him.

 

After Sesshoumaru reaches the second floor and places the young male on a futon in a partitioned off area, the servant arrives shortly after, with the water and towel. “Sit it down and then leave,” Sesshoumaru utters impassively without turning around. The servant does as he's told. The Inuyokai waits until the servants scent is no longer as strong and then he proceeds to immerse the towel into the cool water, before placing it over the ningen's head. `This isn't going to work,' he thinks to himself impatiently.

 

He stands up, picks up the bowl and throws the water into the young man's face. He jumps up quickly as he gasps loudly, sits there for a second looking ahead of himself in shock and then he says to himself, “Where am I?” He turns around and immediately jumps out of his skin as he notices Sesshoumaru standing there. “Who are you?” the man asks with terror and doom written all over his face. Sesshoumaru is so taken aback by the man's response, that “Hm?” is all he can say. The young man continues to look up at him stiffly as Sesshoumaru just stands there with a perplexed expression. Finally he replies, “I found you on the beach…unconscious and brought you back to my castle.” “But you're a yokai.” “I know.” “So you just wanted to help me?” “Yes.” The man pauses for a second, then a really confused look crosses his face, “Who am I?” A bell rings in Sesshoumaru's head. `That's why he responded to me that way, because he can't remember…wait a minute, he can't remember? Was it all just my imagination? His voice sounds different and his eyes are blue, but other than that he still looks like Naraku.”

 

The man continues to talk, “Wait…I remember something…” “What is it?” Sesshoumaru utters apathetically, trying not to reveal how anxious he actually is to hear the answer, “It's a name…Tensei. I think it's my name.” “Hm,” is all the yokai is able to utter. He feels disappointed and angry at the same time for feeling so disappointed. `Dammit, I feel so stupid. He has a name. How could he be…him? Wait…maybe it's his reincarnation and Naraku's soul was temporarily awakened in his body. But he was so…tainted. How could he have been allowed to reincarnate in human form this soon? I must keep him here, so I can figure this out.” There is silence for a moment and then Sesshoumaru says, “Well…Tensei, you are welcome to stay at my castle until you regain your memory. If you need anything, just ask one of my servants. Although they are yokai, they will not harm you. You have my word.” He proceeds to head towards the shoji door. “Wait!” the young man calls out suddenly. “Yes.” “I…I feel so afraid here by myself. I hope I'm not overstepping my bounds, but could you stay with me for a while?” `Who does he think I am, his fucking babysitter,' Sesshoumaru thinks to himself bitterly.

 

As Sesshoumaru stands there silently, the young man begins to speak out of discomfort, “Umm…you know what, it's alright. I guess I can manage. Something inside of me wanted you to stay, I don't know why.” Sesshoumaru starts to feel guilty, `Why is the idea of this bothering me so. All he wants is for me to stay with him for a little while. What harm could it do?' “Alright, I'll stay with you,” Sesshoumaru replies in monotone. “Thank you?” “Sesshoumaru…” “…Lord Se-sshou-maru…that's a really nice name,” Tensei mumbles as he directs his vision down and to the side of himself bashfully. Sesshoumaru grins very slightly. The young man speaks again, “I am very grateful for your kindness. I am indebted to you.” “Hmmm…You must speak no further. You must focus on rest,” Sesshoumaru utters as he sits down on the floor, Indian style and a few feet away, on the side of the futon with his arms folded. “Right,” is all Tensei utters in reply before proceeding to turn over on his side. Then slowly, with Sesshoumaru in his sights, he begins to close his eyes. `He's so beautiful. Although he's human…I'm still attracted to him?' Sesshoumaru thinks to himself in amazement as he continues to gaze upon the sleeping ningen.