InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sympathy for the Devil ❯ Chapter 1 ( Chapter 1 )

Sympathy for the Devil
Devon Masterson
Aoi37@hotmail.com

"O-Rin Ishii," a voice boomed in the seemingly void that nearly surrounded her. Rin stood in a single column of light amongst the darkness. The situation seemed to be an exact metaphor for her life. Ever since the event that took place 15 years ago, she had been caught off from everyone. Only Pater understood. Pater, her savior, saved her and raised her in the way. She was the top demon hunter because of his lessons and now the council was trying to take that from her. "Please explain to the council why humans were found amongst the demon remains and why you did not wait for your fellow hunters to assist you. Choose your words carefully."

Rin's dark eyes stared into oblivion emotionlessly. "I arrived at the rendezvous point early and waited for my team. At that time I was attacked by several demons, after sensing their capabilities I knew that I did not need my team to finish the vermin off so I proceeded to handle the situation myself. While in the middle of battle, several humans appeared and assisted the demons. I dealt with them accordingly."

"Did it occur to you that maybe the humans did not have a full grasp of the situation or were controlled?" one of the council members asked. "Why not put them down without killing?"

Rin's anger gripped her for a moment as she balled her fists. "They were assisting demons and in my opinion any human that does so deserves the same fate as the vermin and if they were being controlled then I have done my duty by freeing them. They will never be used a tool of the devils again."

"That kind of lunacy makes us sound just like them," another member replied.

"Out of due respect, you are entitled to your own opinion as am I?" Rin stood straight and prepared for their decision.

"Rin, please wait outside for our decision." Rin sighed inwardly, a familiar voice. She did have a friend in the council, her Pater. There was nothing else to do but to wait. He would do all he could to make them see that she lived for the demon hunter clan and that she did only what she felt was right. Pater understood that there were those on the council and in the lower ranks who hearts were beginning to soften towards demons. Those who were losing faith needed to be reminded that the demons were evil and always would be evil. All they lived for were destruction and thing only stopping them was the demon hunter clan.

"Yes." She balled her right fist and placed it sideways over her heart in salute. She would leave this in Pater's hands. Rin looked sideways before turning on her heel and following the roaming spot light towards the exit. Whatever their decision she would not stop...she did not want to give up the only family she had left, but she could not let innocents continue to die at the hands of demon filth.

Large, ornate, stone doors closed loudly behind her as she stood outside the council chambers. Loneliness enveloped her as she stood alone with only the company of armed escorts. They were to make sure that she stayed around to hear whatever decision was made. They were no threat; she could easy take them down. She was the top hunter after all, the youngest to ever have a command and the first female. Naturally she would be brave, she would accept the council's decision, however; there was a difference between accepting a decision and rolling over. Submission was not a choice.

Time passed by slowly and it was all that Rin could do to not beat on the great doors and demand an answer. She was about to do just that when she a familiar face joined her in the dimness of the hallway. Pater motioned towards the guards to leave them alone. "What was their decision?"

"You have been suspended," he replied looking at her tenderly. "I had to heavily pull on my rank for you not be killed or ousted. You did as I would have in your place and I am proud of you. Times are changing, my Rin, and I will need you by my side when they do." Rin nodded. Pater opened his arms and pulled his foster daughter into them. She had grown so much and so powerful, he was confident she would handle things well if ever something happened to him. "I have told the council that you will be going on a sabbatical to regain your focus." Rin opened her mouth to protest, but Pater continued. "No, little one, there is more. I want you to look into something while you are away. There is a strong demon lord that lives in the heart of Tokyo who is up to the worst kinds of evil. When we are focused on our purpose again, he will be strong obstacle. I want you to take care of him now and any consorts he has human and demon alike. I do not want our enemies rising up later to strike us down."

Rin nodded. She had a new mission. Pater trusted her. He would work the politics of the demon hunters, sway them back to the old way and she would take care of the only thing standing in their way. "Yes, Pater." She pushed him away and saluted him.

Brown eyes smiled in pride. Rin did turn out well despite her tragic beginnings. "You must leave to night. The demon lord you seek is clever. It may take you time to get close and discover all of his going-ons, when we are ready to strike, I will send you word. Do not report to me while you were gone. I do not want the demon lord to suspect you in anyway. Now go and be careful, O-Rin. I have given you my name, raised you as my own, and trained you well, do not dishonor our family."

"I will not bring shame upon our family." She stared into intense brown eyes. She refused to let him down. "Goodbye, Pater." He nodded and both turned to leave.

"I know you won't disappoint me," Pater said lowly.

1-1-1

Amber eyes narrowed in annoyance. "What are you doing, Inu Yasha?"

Inu Yasha looked thoughtfully for a moment then stretched out further on the plush white wrap around couch. "Just checking out the VIP suite." He yawned as a thought of getting a mid afternoon nap started to creep into his mind.

An eyebrow rose slightly. "Does it meet with your approval?" he asked in sarcastic curiosity. It was sarcastic in that the couch was staying where it was and he did not care whether his brother was comfortable, but curious as to whether his customers would be comfortable and therefore by more drinks. This night club was to be like all his other properties, a success despite the fact that this was a mixed club.

Inu Yasha sat up and gave him the thumbs up. "I know you don't care what I think, I am a lunatic." He crossed his arms. His feelings were still bruised from the earlier conversation some months ago…

"So this is the new place?"  Inu Yasha smirked as he looked around the two story building. It was obvious that it was a converted warehouse. Some remodeling and it would be the perfect place. Sesshomoru was good at turning nothing into something. In fact he was a genius, though Inu Yasha would never tell him that. Inu Yasha was still reeling from the fact that he and Sesshomoru saw each other on the regular basis and did not cross swords immediately. It had been over a hundred years and he still couldn't get used it, though Sesshomoru was always and would continue to be a jerk.

"Yes." Amber eyes surveyed the surroundings with confidence. "This will be my latest premises."

A white eyebrow rose mischievously. "So you're making this a club for humans? Going soft?"

Sesshomoru shook his head. " Again, Inu Yasha, you do not have all of the information. This club will be mixed club. I find that the more I widen the market, the more successful I become learn this and do not question me again."

"Whatever," Inu Yasha mumbled. Sesshomoru was such an ass. Who did he think he was? He would change the subject. He promised his mate that he would not come home looking like he was on the wrong end of an accident. Of course the only consolation he had when he and Sesshomoru fought, was the fact that Sesshomoru looked disheveled too (for him anyway). A promise was a promise and he did not want to sleep on the couch tonight. "So what are you going to call this place?"

An eyebrow rose slightly. One would think that it was out of mischief or out of arrogance. "The Lunatic."

Inu Yasha laughed. He could barely contain himself. Sesshormoru had finally gone off the deep end and he was going to get a front row seat.
"What kind of name is that?"

"I find it suitable given the clientele that it will receive." Sesshomoru stared at his younger brother determined not to show even the slightest bit of amusement, the fool had been growing on him the last hundred years. He and Inu Yasha were the last inuyoukai left, it was only appropriate to tolerate him.

The demon lord watched as his younger brother continued to laugh with a lack of dignity and decorum. Inu Yasha, though mated and an expectant father, was still nothing more than a pup himself. He had so much more to learn. "It's appropriate that you find it amusing since I have named my establishment after you."

Inu Yasha stopped immediately. He could not have heard right. "What?" he growled. He balled his fist.

"I do not have time for this today, Inu Yasha, and you have that insipid promise that you made to your mate." Sesshomoru walked away. "Perhaps tomorrow."

"I hope you do not expect me to run this place."  He crossed his arms growling inwardly.

"You  will be head of security," Sesshormoru stated. "For this business venture, I will need someone to govern as I would."

"I guess it would take an ass to work for an ass," Inu Yasha grunted.

A brief smirk graced Sesshomoru's noble features. "You work for me," he said before exiting the building.


To Be Continued…

© 2004 Devon Masterson-Bond

I think we know who belongs to whom in this fan fiction. The characters of Inu Yasha belong to their creator, Rumiko Takahashi and everyone she leased them out to, me not being one of them.