InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sympathy for the Devil ❯ Chapter 20 ( Chapter 20 )

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.

 

 

Sympathy for the Devil

Chapter Twenty

By Devon Masterson-Bond

Aoi37@hotmail

 

AN: Gotta love those hard drive crashes right at the end of the chapter…

DarkCrystalis: …and DarkCrystalis for saving the chapter from crashing grammatically. (I wonder who added that in… heehee.) Hope everyone had a good holiday and a nice New Year's!

 

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Sesshomaru stood in the ruined hallway of Kenji's building. Ragged breaths escaped him as he looked down at the ruined body of Genjuro. The fox's servants had long since made themselves scarce upon feeling his aura in their general direction. It was just as well, seeing as he probably would have killed them in his current state.

 

He was furious and had not been this riled in centuries. His mate was in danger and there was not a damn thing that he could do about it. Despite his actions towards to Inuyasha, he blamed himself for his loss. He should have been more careful with predators about. Guards should have been assigned or at least GPS should have been placed in her clothes. A slight smile curled his lips; his mate was too feisty to simply be guarded like some frail lady. It was one of the very attributes that he cherished about her; her survival instinct. While she needed his protection, she did not crave it like a child. Her strength and tenacity assured him that he would have strong pups with her.

 

He would not lose her; everyone on the planet would die first.

 

The irony of the current situation was not lost on him. This was almost exactly the same situation his father was in some five hundred years before. Izayoi's people came for her too; this was when his father was occupied and his father went rushing to her, to his death. At the time, he thought it was a fool's errand; and he still thought so, but now he understood it. His fate would not be the same; he refused to leave his mate and unborn child. There had been too much `change' on his part to allow such things. He would raise his pup with his mate by his side and she would bring him more pups (much to her pretend irritation).

 

“I must gather myself,” he thought. Options would be closed to him if he could not keep his wits about him. He closed his eyes and willed his boiling blood to simmer. It was then he felt it, barely there but there nonetheless; his pup's youkai through Rin's side of the link. A sense of calm came over him at the feeling; they were both still alive.

 

Sesshomaru open his eyes and held out his hand outward as the windows blew outward in response to the raise in youki. An orb of light rushed to his hand then dissipated to reveal his battle swords. His eyes narrowed as he slid them into his belt and pulled his youki inward. “Weakness” whispered in his mind for a moment, but he dismissed it. He was not dependent on the weapons, but they were part of his history and a symbol of his power. When he took his mate back, those responsible would know exactly who they were dealing with before they drew their last breath.

 

Light surrounded his being as he streaked off in the direction of the connection. Losing O-Rin was unacceptable. She still owed him…ten fold she swore.

 

20-20-20

 

Kenji and the others stood on the roof across from his office building. His hair raised on end slightly as he felt Sesshomaru's youki rise to a dangerous level. The Lord of the Western lands was very close to transforming--and in his building, no less. Not that he cared so much for the building, but more for the type of behavior that his anger would give rise to if left unchecked. It was all too similar to five hundred years ago when his godfather died. He was not about to let his best friend share the same fate. “Inuyasha, you are to come with me.”

 

Inuyasha nodded. Normally he would have been ready to smack the fox lord upside the head for such word choice, but he could clearly see that Kenji was being serious. It was scary actually. Normally he would have taken after Ryoko, sword swinging. But Kenji's behavior gave him pause.

 

“We do this together, Inuyasha. This is not just about Ryoko. Rin betrayed her own kind; she is no safer than Ryoko is and this scene in history has played out before. Inutaisho-sama did not survive and I'll be damned if I let you and Sesshomaru make the same mistake.”

 

The fox's words echoed in his mind as he watched his brother's form streak away. “Let's go…”

 

“Are you forgetting something?” Kagome asked, grabbing Inuyasha's ear. The half demon yelped.

 

“We are going with you,” Kaede said, staring at Kenji. The fox opened his mouth to protest. “No, Kenji. I will not yield in this. My granddaughter and Rin are out there. I will sit here and wait. You can either take us with you or you can worry when we will show up in battle.”

 

“And we will be there,” Kagome finished. She let go of Inuyasha and frowned, daring him to say otherwise.

 

Kenji raised a pale eyebrow, then smirked. “It's nice to know you haven't lost your spark, Kae. We'll have to talk about it later.” He pulled her to him suddenly. “The pirate eye patch is sexy. Gives me ideas,” he said lowly. Kaede flushed brightly and began to sputter when he turned to Inuyasha and Kagome. Light started gathering around his form. “Hold on tight.”

 

20-20-20

 

Brown eyes opened as their owner slashed into the air against an invisible attacker. Rin looked around the room, breathing hard trying to take stock of the current situation. Ryoko was still dutifully attached to her leg and appeared to be intact. She could only surmise that they could not pry the little monkey from her tree. “Ryoko?”

 

The little girl yawned. “Mommy?” She squeezed Rin's leg and nuzzled closer. “Auntie,” she smiled in recognition. “Safe?”

 

“Not yet. I want you to hang on a little longer.” She replied, standing up. There were going to be all kinds of muscle cramps when she finally got her leg back; it could not be helped, since she did not possess a leash. Ryoko's tendency to take off in whatever direction kept her father in top shape, but she was not in the mood for it, considering. The child did deserve some credit; she half way listened, but being Inuyasha's kid did not win her any points in the judgment department.

 

The door opened; a guard armed with a staff opened the door and Rin fought not to roll her eyes at the obvious trap springing itself. She refused to believe that the security had grown so lax as to let one guard approach her, given the level threat she posed. She had been placed in the typical holding cell; no guards to watch over her, no double security when approaching her, and no real threatening weapon. She trained most of the guards that come through and she knew they knew better, but if she was going to be dangled the bait, she might as well bite. There were not many options. If Ryoko were not with her, she would have waited it out for spite, but she owed it to the little girl to try and get her safe. It was her fault that Ryoko was there in the first place. “Pater wants to see you. Don't try anything funny.”

 

Rin nodded demurely and moved slowly towards the guard with her hands in a surrendering gesture. The guard watched her cautiously as she walked with grace despite having a demon child attached to her leg. A smug look crossed his face as realized that she was not going to put up a fight. “That…” Rin grabbed the staff and pulled it downward and shoved the bottom of her palm up his nose. Blood squirted as tears sprang to his eyes and he released the staff. With a slight flick of the staff to the chin, she knocked him out. “Never show the enemy you're in pain.” It was one of the first lessons she learned and taught to others.

 

“I better not catch you copying anything that you see here, Ryoko.”

 

“Yes, Auntie.”

 

Rin inched down the hallway, keeping her back against the wall. After going the first fifteen feet and not encountering a trap or guards, she stopped. A familiar sensation that she had been fighting for months settled over her. Her mate was coming and he was angry. “At least I'm not the only sentimental one,” she smirked before continuing on her way. The others were not too far behind. There was no way Kenji would let Sesshomaru traipse around the countryside playing hero alone. It also explained the tactics of her current situation. They were preparing for Sesshamoru and thus leaving her to Pater.

 

“Ryoko, your mommy and daddy are on their way to get you. When I say `run away' I want you to find them.” The little girl nodded against her leg. “Here we go,” she started down the hall again with the staff in her hand. She preferred her sword, but beggars couldn't be choosers and it was far better than a lawn ornament. Damn Kagura.

 

Just as she reached the other side of the main building, she heard a commotion. Rin poised, ready for action when she realized it was outside. Sesshomaru had gotten through the barrier. A mixture of pride and annoyance crossed her face. She designed most of the defenses and already he tore through them. If she lived through this there would be no living with him. “Arrogant bastard.”

 

“O-Rin,” Pater said calmly before revealing himself.

 

Rin stood at attention, squeezing Ryoko's arms. “Owie, Auntie,” She cried out as she nearly let go.

 

“Don't let go, Ryoko,” Rin replied, not taking her eyes off of her father. “Pater….”

 

“I am disappointed, O-Rin,” he interrupted, staring at the quarter demon clinging to her leg, “but I can overlook your co-mingling and protection of this monster if you put her down now and rejoin your squad.”

 

Monster! Rin flinched at the words coming from his lips. Words that she herself uttered and worse, he wanted her to leave everything behind. Six months ago she could have sunk back into such habits. But now… she could not leave him. She was going to be a mother, have her own family. It was okay to be happy again. She would not give that up!

 

A hard resolve crossed her features as she said the three words she would have killed anyone else for saying. “I have changed.”

 

“I see,” he pulled out his sword and readied it regretfully. “The demon called you auntie. I take it you are mated to one of the outside ones near our border.”

 

“I am Sesshomaru's mate,” Rin answered confidently, “and I won't let you hurt him.”

 

“Forgive me, O-Rin for failing you,” he said softly as he moved to strike.

 

Rin blocked him and pushed back. “Run away, Ryoko.”

 

The little girl released the leg she had been holding onto for dear life and rolled behind her aunt before running away on all fours. “I see your skills have not waned,” he commended, striking again. “You knew I would strike her if you did not send her away.”

 

“This is between you and me, Pater, and I cannot lose in this.” Rin blocked with the staff and swept at his feet. “Why did that guard have to have a staff?!”

 

“You will not win, O-Rin. The quarter staff is your weakest weapon.” He cut through the staff and hooked his ankle around hers in her moment of shock. He thrust down and caught Rin through the arm. She screamed out in pain as she kicked Pater in the hip to knock him away from her. Rin pulled the sword from her arm and more intense pain flooded her vision. Blood streamed down her arm in rivers and her abdomen fluttered. She had to end this.

 

“I'm sorry,” Rin said as she raised the sword and moved to attack him. Fire erupted in her chest, but she did not let it stop her. A surprised looked crossed Pater's features as she rushed him and pinned him to the wall. He trained her too well. “Father….”she murmured leaning against him

 

Pater frowned as he coughed. Blood leaked from the corner of his mouth. His fingers tangled in her hair before throwing her from him with the last of his strength. “You are dead to me.”

 

Brown eyes widened sorrowfully. Rin struggled to her feet, only to fall back down. The pain in her chest was throbbing in time with her heartbeat. She could not believe she left herself open. She let him down and she could feel his anxiety towards her pain. “Don't get distracted, damn it! I am fine!” She propped herself against the wall opposite Pater. Too much movement and she was done. She would just have to sit tight and wait for him to come to get her. Dying was not an option; she would not give him the satisfaction. Besides… he had payback coming back to him.

 

 

 

To be continued…

 

AN: just so you know I am immediately starting on the next chapter.

 

12/31/07

© 2007 Devon Masterson

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.