InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Silver turns to Red ❯ Chapter 7 - Home at last ( Chapter 7 )

Chapter 7 - Home at last

 

 

The painfully white landscape glares in the noonday sun, as `The Great Dog' trudges up a steep incline bearing a pair of human females upon his back. As the beast's labored breathing can attest they had been traveling at a relentless pace for several hours. Though the journey had been arduous, it had also been surprisingly pleasant for his traveling companions sang many songs in a thankfully harmonious duet. He didn't recognize the language but would have to personally thank Tara-san for teaching her these new songs. As much as he enjoyed being in Rin's company she had a penchant for singing the same songs over and over again on their long campaigns through the countryside.

 

Tara contemplates the last twenty-four hours while her eyes rove over the tall pinnacles, awash in a brilliant display of dazzling whites and shadowed blues. Her body stills as a delighted sigh escapes her lips in admiration of the wondrous sight before her. This subtle declaration of her pleasure in his people's ancient lair pleases the beast beneath her immensely.

 

`I never would have guessed a three legged dog would have such a smooth gait if I weren't comfortably traveling upon one, right now. I wonder if they travel this way often? He certainly is faster than a common horse, even accounting for his larger size I can tell by the ferocity of the wind rushing past us that we are traveling at a ground consuming clip even for an automobile.'

 

At the end of the winding, snow laden pass their journey comes to a halt at the base of another tall peak with a boulder strangely resting up against it. Sesshoumaru quickly lays down, allowing the females to dismount into the knee deep snow.

 

With a bright smile Rin gives her fury rescuer a big hug, exclaiming loudly into his ear, “Thank you for traveling so quickly Sesshoumaru-sama. I'm glad we're home now, `cause I'm famished!”

 

Trailing behind Rin, as she walks toward the huge stone, Tara gives a friendly pat to their canine companion. “I can hear from your labored breathing how hard climbing this last stretch has been for you. I hope you get to rest now that we have arrived and your master gives you an extra tasty bone tonight. You have certainly earned it.”

 

Weary from maintaining his canine form, Sesshoumaru, after obligingly shoving the boulder out from in front of his lair's entrance, quickly reverts back to his humanoid body. After seeing the newcomer disappear inside, he slowly steps into his home waiting for the humorous reaction he expects from his little prank. `I can not wait to see the look on her face when she realizes she wanted to give `The Great Dog Lord of the Western Lands' a treat.'

 

I stumble through the snow and enter a richly decorated cave, instantly inhaling the pleasant aroma of burning wood. Examining the vibrantly colored tapestries adorning the dull gray walls, I notice how well they blend with the intricately woven rugs. There are a few low cushioned chairs resting in the far corner, easily accessible for guests' comfort. A large fireplace and a few glowing sconces illuminate the foyer as Rin dashes toward the brightly burning fireplace calling out, “Yasu-san, we're home!”

 

Soon the hurried footsteps and a woman's anxious voice are heard echoing through the hallway, “Stop yelling you little imp, that's no way for a lady to act.” With arms out-stretched, a traditionally dressed plump matron rushes to enfold Rin in a bone-crushing hug. If it wasn't for her ample bosom providing a convenient cushion, at least one rib would certainly have snapped.

 

“I'm alright, Yasu-san. Let me go,” she squeaks out trying to gently push away out of the distraught woman's overwhelming embrace. Secure in the knowledge that Rin is safe and sound she unfolds herself from around the young girl and finally notices the oddly dressed stranger standing a few feet away. Not even needing to be prompted Rin begins introducing the two women, “I would like to introduce my new friend, Tara-san. After Ah-Un died defending me she came and protected me during the storm.” Turning slightly she gives Tara a respectful little bow, “Tara-san this is Yasu-san. She's the most important person here. She takes care of us all.”

 

Bowing in response to Yasu's greeting, I am immediately the recipient of one of her famous crushing hugs.

 

“Thank you, Dear, for seeing to my adventurous charge.” Seeing the melting snow on Tar's coat, Yasu exclaims, “Oh my, you must be frozen. I'll see to a room and something warm to eat.” As she's turning away she notices the stunned look on her guest's face and glances in the direction of Tara's gaze.

 

Lounging in the entrance way, with the sunlight behind him, stands Sesshoumaru in all his mischievous masculine glory.

 

Noticing his significantly depleted youki (demonic energy) and his desperate attempts to hide that knowing impish grin from her, ire overtakes the little inuyoukai woman. His humor quickly shifts to a visible concern for his wellbeing as his former nanny pins him with a glare that would cower even the most hardened of veterans, - a look he's come to avoid since he was pup. “I can't believe you actually did that Sesshou-kun. Not telling this precious lady about your transformation abilities, just so you could spook Tara-san…” she starts wagging her finger at him, “…as if you were some misbegotten whelp - that is no way for a Lord to behave!” She fairly shrieks at him, barely catching her breath as she barrels onward in her chastisement. Tara tries to shield her reaction by covering her mouth with her hand. “And if you don't apologize to our guest for that immature stunt…so help me God, I don't care how big you are I…I'll take you over my knee and smack that fuzzy bottom of yours `til you can hardly sit!” She finishes her tirade with an impressive growl for such a small creature and hastily retreats grabbing an awestruck Rin on her way out.

 

`How does she do it? Even now, I can barely keep from squirming under that piercing glare, as if I were still an ill-disciplined chibi?' He thinks as he desperately tries to keep from hanging his head in shame.

 

He is about to bite the proverbial bullet and apologize to the woman when she starts laughing uproariously, sputtering the barely discernible words `fuzzy bottom' several times. He is slightly offended at first at the woman's audacity to laugh at him, but her energetic behavior is so contagious that he admits to himself the absurdity of the previous scene and soon his own deep chuckles joins her joyful glee.

 

While their laughter subsides he moves two chairs over to the fireplace. Gracefully easing himself down into one, he arranges himself in cross-legged position in a subtle indication for the woman to join him.

 

Coming round to sit next to him, she is finally able to speak after stifling the last chuckle, “Wow! I haven't seen a grown man scolded like that since my grandmother caught my older brother spying on the widow McLaughlin one day when she forgot to draw the shades while she dressed herself.”

 

Regaining his regal aura once more after such a lighthearted moment, he speaks in a firm, deep voice, “I apologize for shocking you, but the opportunity was too good to resist. Allow me to properly introduce myself,” he bows his head, “I am Sesshoumaru-sama, Inutaisho of the Dog Clan and Lord of the Western Lands. In gratitude for saving my young ward's life I offer the hospitality of my home and my personal protection within these lands for as long as you have need of it.”

 

Silence envelops the room before the young woman returns his bow with a graceful one of her own, “I am O'Connor Tara, a simple lass from the Emerald Isle. I gratefully accept your offer Sesshoumaru-sama. I am pleased that everything has worked out for Rin. She was quite distraught when I first met her,” she finishes with a slightly worried frown marring her face.

 

“I'm sure she was, Rin was very attached to Ah-Un,” he utters softly as a veil of sadness briefly shadows his golden eyes, vanishing in the blink of an eye. His expression flees abruptly as he takes command of the situation and briskly states, “First we must send word to your family that you are safe and will be well taken care of in my clan. I am sure they are quite worried.”

 

“That's alright, they don't actually know I am here,” she says with a slight catch to her voice.

 

He narrows his eyes at her, “Does this have anything to do with the Guardian's Heart?”

 

At her uncomprehending expression he explains, “The Guardian's Heart is the proper name for what human's call the Bone Eater's Well.”

 

She stares into his golden eyes for a moment gauging his trustworthiness, “Yes it does. I presume you already know about the inner workings of the well, so I'll be honest with you. I am from the other side of the well - five hundred years in the future to be exact - I've been staying with my cousin's family for a couple of weeks. They are aware that the well would call me for some purpose but they have been away these last few days so they won't know I've crossed over `til they come back tomorrow.”

 

Silence ensues as he mulls over the last bit of information she divulged, verifying for him that it is from the future that this woman hails and not a parallel dimension.

 

“So you have met my half-brother?” he asks in a guarded tone.

 

“You mean Inuyasha?” With a quirky smile she continues, “Yes I have. As a matter of fact he challenged me to a duel. I punched him the stomach with the hilt of my sword. He slapped my leg with the flat of his blade. After all was said and done, we called it a draw.”

 

He looks at her thoughtfully, “I'm impressed, he is not that easy to strike.” His lip twitches in the beginnings of a smirk, “He was probably holding back since you are a woman.”

 

Tara surprises him by looking him dead in the eye and answering him with a devilish grin, “Who's to say I wasn't holding back…hmm?”

 

His retort is cut short with a servant's arrival notifying them that the young woman's room is ready and that the cooks noonday meal awaits them in the private dining room. With the help of her guide, Tara carries her belongings triumphantly from the hall.

 

 

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I hope y'all enjoyed that little chapter. I'm trying to update this story every weekend now, even if it's only a scene or two at a time. I simply don't think it's fair to y'all to wait longer than that for an update, so even if it's not a full chapter like I would have ended it to be if this were a real book, I'm still going to do everything in my power to update this story once a week.

 

Please let me know how I'm doing, is there anything in particular you like, what do you expect to happen next - any honest criticism is welcomed and appreciated since I'm writing this story to become a better writer and to share my made-up world involving the great and wonderful Fluffy-sama with you lovely people.

 

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha that privilege belongs to Rumiko Takahashi. I do however own Tara O'Connor and her dog Bran.