InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Tale of the Twins ❯ Chapter Twenty-Six: Gone ( Chapter 26 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Chapter Twenty-Six

Gone

America seemed to be the perfect place for them. Sesshoumaru's more adventurous side kicked in immediately, and he left—for days at a time—to explore this new territory. Sometimes, Naraku accompanied him on these expiditions. There were places that were still wild, untouched. The climate was different, the scenery was strange, and there were some animals he had never seen before, but that added to the excitement. Everything was so new. So wild. There was so much to see that, at times, he never wanted to return home. But the thought of the twins and Rin anxiously awaiting Sesshoumaru's return always made him want to go home. He didn't miss Naraku too much usually. He needed some time alone, after all, and they were normally always together.

When Naraku came with him, he enjoyed the company. He liked traveling with someone who could appreciate silence, and sharing the experience was something he treasured. Sometimes, they found it necessary to share it in more explicit, x-rated ways.

Moving every few years was a real chore, but it was do-able, and gave everyone more to see of the New World as they traveled along the coastline.

The twins were really growing up now. They were teenagers. Still rambunctious, but less whiny, more witty, and stronger. Rin quickly understood what Sesshoumaru had meant when he said that it would be tense with two dominant dogs in the same house. Kuraimaru was already showing signs of obvious aggression towards Sesshoumaru—even resentment at times. They had never come close to throwing punches—yet. But it was going to come to that eventually.

Kuraimaru had learned, effectively, how to teleport short distances, what his capabilities were, and what his limits were. He could still force his emotions on to others, and it was dangerous when he and Sesshoumaru were in the same room. He really did look like a miniature version of Sesshoumaru. There was really only one real difference—his blood red eyes, so obviously inherited from his father, Naraku.

Shuarra Meitsuki looked a lot like Kagura, much to Naraku's dismay. She didn't act anything like her, but she did look a lot like her. Her power was much akin to Naraku's, as predicted, but at only a tenth, at most, his strength.

Rin was concerned about what would happen when Sesshoumaru and his son finally attacked each other. Sesshoumaru spent less and less time at home, but when he was home, he clearly established his “territory” in a show of power over Kuraimaru. Not that he ever struck him; he forced his aura at Kuraimaru, which was enough to temporarily subdue the younger dog youkai.

It wasn't going to last for long though. Rin saw that; Iria was preparing for the outcome; Naraku was concerned about Kuraimaru's welfare; Sesshoumaru was prepared; and even Shuarra Meitsuki was well aware of the goings-on.

The only thing no one knew yet was when it would finally happen.

Rin managed to find Sesshoumaru when he was coming home after being gone for almost a week. She was so worried about Kuraimaru's attitude that she had to ask him something. “Sesshoumaru-sama? What will you do when Kuraimaru challenges you?”

He glanced at her and frowned. “I will subdue him.”

“You'll hurt him?” she demanded.

“Of course,” he answered.

She frowned. “That's normal?”

“Perfectly.”

Her frown deepened. “But, then… What if he keeps challenging you? What if… I don't know…”

He glanced at her. “If it comes to that, I will chase Kuraimaru away for a while, if he doesn't leave on his own.”

“But…”

“It is normal amongst youkai, Rin,” he informed her.

It may be normal, but she didn't like the idea. What if Kuraimaru never came back?

Shuarra Meitsuki's eyes shot open. Something was wrong. She climbed out of bed and wandered silently down the hall. There was movement in Kuraimaru's room. She opened the door and invited herself inside. Kuraimaru was apparently changing clothes, as he was half-naked when she walked in.

Completely unbothered by this, she closed the door and sat down at his desk. “What are you doing?” she demanded.

He grabbed his Western tunic and slipped it on. His slender fingers worked at buttoning it. “I'm leaving,” he said flatly.

She blinked in surprise. “What? Why?”

He looked at her. “Sesshoumaru. I really don't want to fight with him. But if I stay for too much longer, I know I'm going to.” He pulled on his coat and flicked his long silver hair back. It cascaded around his shoulders, glinting in the moonlight. “So, I can leave, or he can kick me out. I'd rather leave on good terms.”

Shuarra Meitsuki looked like she might cry. “But… Kurai-kun… Can't you at least wait for morning?”

He shook his head. “If I do that, Rin will try to convince me to stay. I don't want to see her cry when I leave, so…”

His twin looked away. “But…”

“Shuarra…”

She looked at her twin pleadingly. “Kurai-kun! You're leaving us? You're leaving me?”
He froze. They had never been separated—except as a punishment. He slowly turned away. He looked out the window. “We need to do things separately once in a while. Even though we're twins.”

“But… I don't want…”

He looked back at her. “Mei-kun, how will we ever do anything in our lives if we are always together?”

“But, we've done everything together… It's never bothered you before.”

He sighed. He opened the window, letting in a cool summer breeze that caressed his long locks. Shuarra Meitsuki shivered slightly. “That's not what's bothering me. I need to leave alone.”
“Why?” she cried.

He didn't look at her. “I just need to. Rin will be lonely if you come with me.”

“But I'll worry about you!”
“Be quiet. And you don't need to. I'll be okay.”

She rose to her feet and began walking over to him. “I'm going with you,” she said.

“No.”

“Kuraimaru—“
“No.” He threw open the window and leaped outside. She saw him land down below and then disappear into the night. She rushed to the window ledge, squinting, trying to see him. She tried to look for his aura, but it was no good. She didn't know what to do. If she tried to follow him, he'd just run away. If she told Sesshoumaru, he wouldn't care. If she told Naraku, he wouldn't care because Sesshoumaru didn't care.

So, Shuarra Meitsuki did the next best thing; she ran in to Rin's room. She didn't even knock; she just threw open the door and burst in to tears.

“Kuraimaru left!” she wailed.

Rin's murky mind suddenly snapped to attention. She bolted upright. “What?”

She brushed away a tear, only to have it be replaced by another one. “He left. He's gone. He said that if he didn't, Sesshoumaru would kick him out. He said that… He said that… He didn't want me to go with him,” she cried. The abandoned twin fell to her knees, all of this too much for her. She already felt like half of her—half of her soul, her mind, her spirit—was gone, running away into the dark of night.

Rin slowly slipped out of bed and tried to comfort her adopted sister. “It's okay. Kuraimaru is strong. He can take care of himself…”

“I know,” Shuarra Meitsuki said quietly. “But he didn't want to bring me with him.”

Kuraimaru was gone.