InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Time of the Roses ❯ 1568 ( Chapter 1 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: shoriookamiyoukai 
Sesshoumaru says goodbye for the first time.
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Drama / Action / Angst | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 01.30.2010 | Pages: 5 | Words: 5.7K | Visits: 275 | Status: Completed
Sesshoumaru says goodbye for the first time.
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Drama / Action / Angst | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 01.30.2010 | Pages: 5 | Words: 5.7K | Visits: 275 | Status: Completed
Time of the Roses
A Sesshoumaru Fan Fic
By Shori
Five-shot
Disclaimer: I do not claim any rights to Takahashi Rumiko’s creations. This story is just for fun.
Year: 1568
Sesshoumaru was asleep, well he was more like resting his eyes. Who was he kidding, he was asleep. Sticky fingers knew when he was asleep, that’s when those fingers wanted to explore his usually pristine hair. Those sticky fingers, covered in the flesh of some strange fruit the owner of those fingers found, never dared to touch him when he was awake. But now she used this moment, his sleeping moment, to dare to touch.
“Chiyo!” It was the voice of the child’s mother, Sesshoumaru looked up with disdain.
“Control your daughter, Rin.” Sesshoumaru frowned. “Or I will be forced to do so.”
Rin tried to keep a straight face but it was in vain, soft chuckles turned to laughter, Sesshoumaru was covered in fruit and making threats, it was a sight to see. “I’m sorry Sesshoumaru-sama. You just look so funny!” Sesshoumaru could remember a time when his Rin wouldn’t dare laugh at him. But now after many years, he didn’t care. He loved the woman although he would never admit that aloud.
“Rin-chan, you really shouldn’t tease him.” It was the voice of a man. A tall strapping man, Kohaku scolded his wife and mother of his child. “Sesshoumaru-sama isn’t one to be teased, especially if I want his assistance in fixing our roof.”
They were still children, at least they were to Sesshoumaru, they aged like humans, grew and loved like humans. Rin and Kohaku have raised a little six-year-old girl but they were somehow still children. Sesshoumaru remembered a time when he had plans, plans to take Rin as his own. Secretly of course, but he missed the time in between her being a child to becoming a woman. Rin felt it though and Kohaku certainly saw it. And before Sesshoumaru knew it, the young couple was exchanging loving glances and Kohaku was asking Sesshoumaru for his blessing to marry his Rin. Sesshoumaru wanted to refuse, he really wanted to kill Kohaku but he didn’t. Instead he gave the couple his blessing and they were married.
Sesshoumaru couldn’t answer why he stuck around after that. Hell, maybe he was a pet or something. Sesshoumaru didn’t like that thought, he was really a guardian to Rin and now Chiyo. Sesshoumaru didn’t doubt Kohaku’s ability to care for his family, he just wanted to be sure he supposed.
“Chiyo! You know better than to touch Sesshoumaru-sama!” It was Jaken squawking loudly and jumping up and down like an jackrabbit.
“Jaken-kun!” Chiyo squealed and lunged after the shinwa youkai. “Froggy! Froggy!” Chiyo chirped as she crushed Jaken in a hugged.
Rin could only laugh at the sight, out of the corner of her eye she noticed Sesshoumaru glancing at her. Sesshoumaru wondered how she could always be so amused by such antics, it was fascinating to him. Rin turned to Sesshoumaru and smiled.
“Have you ever laughed in your life, Sesshoumaru-sama?” Rin asked.
“It’s senseless behavior.” Sesshoumaru scoffed.
“You should try it sometimes” Rin smiled in response. “Come Chiyo, let us go pick flowers for your father and maybe some for Sesshoumaru-sama if he’s nice.” Rin grabbed Chiyo’s hand and lead her into the woods.
“Yay! Chiyo-chan will pick pretty flowers for Tou-chan!” Sesshoumaru could hear Chiyo singing to her lovely mother.
“Perhaps I should gather food for dinner, do you wish to join me Sesshoumaru-sama?” Kohaku asked Sesshoumaru even though he already knew the answer. Sesshoumaru would stay there and listen for danger. He would always protect the family when Kohaku wasn’t there to do so.
Chiyo wandered back to her home hours later. Kohaku had already returned and was cleaning his game. Sesshoumaru looked at the little girl with what Kohaku saw as bewilderment. Then Kohaku saw it, blood was on his daughter’s hands.
“Kaa-chan won’t get up.” Chiyo said in a small voice to her father. All Kohaku could do was stand in shock, a white blur brought him out of his trance. Almost as quickly as Sesshoumaru, Kohaku was standing over his wife’s pale form. There was blood everywhere, when Sesshoumaru saw the source he almost laughed and he would have if Rin were a youkai. But she wasn’t and she was caught in a hunter’s steel trap, she had lost too much blood.
“Anata-san,” Rin whispered softly to Kohaku who held her broken form in his arms. “I’m sorry, I’m always so clumsy.”
“Hush, koishii. You will be alright.” Kohaku said quietly through tears, he knew it was a lie.
Rin smiled softly and shook her head, slowly she turned to Sesshoumaru. “I need you to go on, Sesshoumaru-sama.”
Sesshoumaru frowned. “What makes you think this Sesshoumaru will not?” Sesshoumaru knew that statement was inappropriate but he has never showed Rin weakness before.
To both of the men’s surprise Rin laughed slightly. “Liar.” Moments later, Rin was dead. Sesshoumaru stood in silence while Kohaku wept in his wife’s kimono. Finally the taiyoukai turned to leave the grieving husband. In truth, Sesshoumaru himself needed to grieve. Sesshoumaru was screaming inside, he wanted to pull Rin away from Kohaku and disappear with her into the stars, no one saw Sesshoumaru dig his claws into his own palms, drawing a fountain of blood. And no one saw the mighty Inu youkai’s silent tears. His Rin was dead, Sesshoumaru knew it would happen, but now he didn’t believe it really did.
The sound of Kohaku’s voice stopped Sesshoumaru in his tracks. “Bring her back.” Kohaku whispered through clenched teeth.
Tenseiga was heavy on Sesshoumaru’s hip. He wanted to, God did he want to, the moment he saw Rin dying on the damp, cold ground he wanted to. But he couldn’t, tenseiga was useless to her, he had already brought her back twice. Rin wasn’t coming back this time.
“You know I can not.” Sesshoumaru replied without turning.
“You can! But you won’t!” Kohaku screamed. “What kind of inu are you, you could have been here long before she died! You killed her!”
Any other time, Sesshoumaru would have ripped out the young man’s throat but this time he just couldn’t. Sesshoumaru actually agreed with Kohaku, he didn’t smell the blood until Chiyo came home, he was weak. Sesshoumaru leapt into the sky and disappeared. It was to days before Sesshoumaru returned, only to return to an empty home.
******
It was months before Sesshoumaru knew of his group’s location. They had went to live in Inuyasha’s village with Kohaku’s sister’s family. Sesshoumaru knew he would never see them again. The taiyoukai stayed at the home of his former love. He didn’t know why, but Sesshoumaru never strayed far from the hut that still held Rin’s scent.
“Why are you here, Rin?” Sesshoumaru asked the darkness. The figure that appeared before him wasn’t what he expected. She wasn’t beautiful, like most apparitions were said to be. She look that same way she did the day she died. Dressed in her orange kimono, with her hair up in a messy bun. She wasn’t covered in a heavenly glow, nor did she float. Rin was just there like she never died.
“I came to see if you were alright, it seems a little lonely here.” Rin frowned and looked around the dark,, lonely room.
“Do not concern yourself.” Sesshoumaru frowned. “I am well.”
“Liar,” Rin chuckled.
“Rin, you have succeeded in insulting this Sesshoumaru once before.” Sesshoumaru growled. “Do not presume that you can do it again.”
Rin sighed and boldly sat next to the tai youkai. “Sesshoumaru, my love.” Sesshoumaru looked at Rin in shock. “I’m not coming back.” Rin continued. It was then that Sesshoumaru let his hurt show.
“I know that is what you are waiting for, but it isn’t meant to be.” Rin wiped away a small tear. “I do wish that wasn’t the case.”
Sesshoumaru was silent for a moment, then he spoke. “It wasn’t meant for you to be with the boy.”
Rin looked up and smiled. “No, I think I was.” Rin stood and stretched happily. “Hey, I’ll see you around.”
Before Sesshoumaru could stop her, Rin was gone. The next morning Sesshoumaru left the hut for good.
“Hello, youkai-sama.” The girl surprisingly smiled. “Did you come for shelter?”
“Why are you here woman?” Sesshoumaru growled.
The woman’s smiled faded and she seemed to get worried, “I um, I live here. My village exiled me. My name is Shori, is this your home?” Shori seemed to plead with her eyes, she wanted to stay there, she had no place else to go.
Before Shori could take another breath Sesshoumaru was upon her, roughly he took hold of her arm and began to drag her out of the hut. Before Shori knew she was out in the snowstorm.
“Sesshoumaru!” It was Rin, she had here hands on her hips and was glaring at him angrily.
“She isn’t you.” Sesshoumaru snorted as he snuffed out the roaring fire.
“I do not care, that was mean.” Rin leaned against the wall and crossed her arms. “She wasn’t exiled, the human villagers tried to kill her after they learned that she cared for an injured youkai. Don’t you remember being injured once?”
“This Sesshoumaru doesn’t get injured.” The youkai prince frowned.
“Interesting, I seem to remember that you have been injured, and I also remember a little girl, that cared for you.” Rin smiled at Sesshoumaru. “Please, Sesshoumaru-sama?” Rin whined in her little girl voice.
Sesshoumaru closed his eyes and inwardly sighed. How he hated the little girl voice. Rin watched as Sesshoumaru stood and left the hut, the little phantom smiled as she disappeared.
Shori was found shivering under a tree, wrapping herself in her thin yukata, Sesshoumaru felt a minuscule twinge a regret, it was a foreign feeling to him. Sesshoumaru startled the girl when he spoke. “Girl.”
Shori looked up with fear. “My apologies, youkai-sama. I wasn’t aware that I was intruding.”
“Come with me or stay out here and freeze, it is of no consequence to me.” Sesshoumaru said as he turned and headed back to the hut. Shori shakily stood and followed. When Shori managed to find her way back to the hut there was a roaring fire, and the soup she had begun to prepare was steaming.
“Thank you, youkai-sama.” Shori smiled as she warmed her hands and bare feet by the fire.
Sesshoumaru tossed Shori a thick kimono and looked away. “My name is not youkai. I am called Sesshoumaru.” He didn’t know why he told the woman his name, he just thought it to be proper.
Shori put on the warm kimono and blushed at the handsome tai youkai. “Thank you, Sesshoumaru-sama.”
Sesshoumaru watched as the young woman ate and he decided to ask her a question. “Shori,” he was surprised that he remembered the girl’s name. “Why did you assist that youkai.”
Shori looked up sharply. “How do you know about that?”
Sesshoumaru frowned. “Answer the question.”
Shori looked down and blushed again. “I don’t know, it’s seems wrong to see someone so powerful, so broken.” Shori looked up and smiled. “You know?” Sesshoumaru didn’t respond.
“Well anyway, people called me foolish because the youkai tried to attack me after he regained his strength. It’s okay though, he was a snake youkai after all.”
“How did you escape?” Sesshoumaru found himself fascinated by the woman.
“I don’t know,” Shori said. “I think he fought his instinct to kill me, maybe because I saved him.”
“You called him someone and not something.” Sesshoumaru pressed on.
“I know, youkai are living and breathing, just like humans. They feel and even love like us.” Shori looked hopefully at Sesshoumaru. “Have you ever loved, Sesshoumaru-sama?”
Sesshoumaru almost scoffed. “Love is for the weak, girl.”
“Oh,” Shori sighed. She didn’t say anything else until she prepared for bed. “Sesshoumaru-sama?” Shori finally said.
“Hn?”
“Will you be here in the morning? It was nice to have company.”
Sesshoumaru looked at the woman for a moment before speaking. “You should sleep, woman.”
Shori smiled and coaxed herself into sleep, visions of silver haired youkais flooded her dreams.
Sesshoumaru found himself watching Shori sleep. She was fascinating, honestly. Sesshoumaru studied her soft features. She had lovely silky hair, it was very dark but not quite black. Her skin seemed to be the color of honey and her figure wasn’t the thinnest but it was touchable.
“She isn’t like me, you know.” Rin appeared next to the slumbering girl.
“I know.” Sesshoumaru replied.
“Why are you staring at her then.” Rin smiled.
“I do not know.”
“Really?” Rin giggled at this. “But my dear Sesshoumaru, you know everything.” With that Rin disappeared again.
Sesshoumaru could hear Shori’s fluid filled lungs. The girl coughed violently but didn’t wake. The tai youkai left the hut. No doubt the girl will die, she was ill and Sesshoumaru didn’t want any part of that.
Five days later, Sesshoumaru returned. Over the last two years the tai youkai hasn’t felt like himself. He found himself feeling things, he found himself caring. He carried a pouch filled with many different types of herbs, herbs he had collected that lived in the winter. The air was blanketed with the thick scent of sickness, but not death. Sesshoumaru could hear the violent coughs of Shori echoing out of the hut. With heavy feet, Sesshoumaru stepped inside the hut, there wasn’t a fire and the stench of a sick human who hasn’t washed assaulted his delicate nose. Shori could hear someone enter but was much to weak to lift her head.
“Is that my mysterious youkai?” Shori whispered. “I hoped you would return.”
“You are ill.” Sesshoumaru pointed out.
Shori tried and failed to stand up. “I’m sorry, Sesshoumaru-sama. I don’t want you to see me like this. You are so beautiful and I am so ugly.”
Sesshoumaru growled softly. “You are not ugly human, you are merely weak.” Sesshoumaru was surprised at his own blatant honesty.
Shori smiled weakly. “I wish you felt differently about love, perhaps you could love me someday.”
Sesshoumaru wanted to scoff at this, he wanted to say that he would never love a human. But that would be a lie, he did love once and he felt that this human deserved the same opportunity Rin had at love. Sesshoumaru listened as Shori fell into a deep slumber. The youkai prince, started a fire and began mixing the herbs he had collected, the room filled with a medicinal stench and gave Sesshoumaru a headache. But he stayed and stirred the horrific concoction, Shori breathed in the thick scent and sighed happily, Sesshoumaru knew it would clear Shori’s lungs of the sickness but not her heart. It had grown weak and sesshoumaru knew that once she was well it would never be the same again.
Shori stretched happily and opened her creamy brown eyes. It was morning and Shori wondered if last night was a dream. She was clean and dressed in a fresh kimono, she could breath clearly and her stomach didn’t hurt anymore. Shori watched a dancing fire and thought of a silver haired youkai. She didn’t see the youkai in question and was disappointed.
“I suppose he wouldn’t stay.” Shori mumbled to herself.
“Why are you talking to yourself, girl?” The voice of Sesshoumaru startled Shori, she whipped around to see the youkai of her dreams standing at the door holding fire wood.
“I was hoping you wouldn’t leave last night.” Shori blushed.
“You have been asleep for six days.” Sesshoumaru stated matter of factly. Shori’s eyes widened at this, she looked down and noticed her clean clothes, then mortification hit her hard.
Shori covered her already dressed form comically. “You saw me!”
Sesshoumaru chuckled ever so slightly and placed some of the wood he collected on the dwindling fire. “You humans have a strange obsession to modesty.”
“But we are not married, it’s not proper..” Shori knew her face was on fire. “And I’m not...”
Sesshoumaru looked up when Shori trailed off. “You are not what, girl?”
Shori’s eyes burned as she held back tears. “I’m not thin and beauti...” Before Shori could finish her sentence Sesshoumaru had her pinned against the wall. “Wha-what are you doing?”
“Silence!” Sesshoumaru roared, he stared Shori in her eyes for a long moment, slowly he loosened his grip on her arm and turned away. “Self doubt is a useless emotion.” Sesshoumaru left the hut without another word. Sesshoumaru sat crossed legged in a field of snow. In a way he wanted it to be wild flowers, he wanted to scent of Rin around him maybe then she would come. Instead Shori came wrapped in furs, slowly the young beauty sat next to the tai youkai. It was silent as they watched stray snowflakes fall.
They probably sat for over an hour in silence before Sesshoumaru spoke. “Why are you staring at me, girl?” Shori blushed and looked away, she was staring at Sesshoumaru and his amazing markings.
“I don’t know, I guess I was just trying to think of a way to thank you.” Shori looked up at Sesshoumaru and closed her eyes, Sesshoumaru was perplexed as he watched the girl purse her lips and seem to expectantly wait for something.
“What are you doing?” Sesshoumaru asked with confusion. Shori opened her eyes, her face was completely flushed. Embarrassed, Shori stood and began to walk away. Sesshoumaru was upon her before she could take another step. “What are you doing?” Sesshoumaru asked again.
“I’m sorry, Sesshoumaru-sama,” Shori turned to face Sesshoumaru. “I couldn’t think of any other way to thank you.”
Sesshoumaru frowned. “So you use your body, pathetic.” Shori’s face twisted into one of despair she turned and ran, this time Sesshoumaru didn’t stop her.
“Well that was rude.” Rin huffed. Sesshoumaru almost rolled his eyes.
“Why are you here, Rin?”
“Sesshoumaru, my love.”
“Don’t call me that.” Sesshoumaru shot Rin a glare.
Rin feigned a hurt expression. “Sesshoumaru-sama, I think it’s time to move on.”
Sesshoumaru looked at the empty space that once housed Rin, she was gone again. And this time Sesshoumaru didn’t think that she would be coming back. Shori sat alone looking at the wall, she was mortified. Sesshoumaru probably would never want to see her again. Just as she thought of him, Sesshoumaru was there. Shori stood and faced him, but she couldn’t look him in his beautiful eyes. Sesshoumaru stepped closer and forced Shori to look at him.
“Do not use yourself in such a way.” Sesshoumaru said softly. “I did love someone once.”
Shori took in a sharp breath. “What happened?”
Sesshoumaru smiled faintly. “She was a weakness, it was a mistake to love her. I will never make that mistake again.”
Shori slowly placed her hands on Sesshoumaru’s strong chest and the tai youkai didn’t feel the need to remove them. Carefully, Sesshoumaru placed a hand on the small of Shori’s back and he pressed her close.
“If you can’t love again, Sesshoumaru-sama.” Shori whispered. “Please allow me to at least love you.”
“I do not wish for this to be a payment.” Sesshoumaru growled low, it really has been a long time since he had a woman. He didn’t have to be bound to her, nor did he even have to love her. But just for tonight he would have her.
“No. This is just a moment.” Shori smiled as she allowed Sesshoumaru to take her mouth into his.
******
When the morning flooded the hut, Sesshoumaru had plans to leave. But, he didn’t. The tai youkai didn’t have any anything to do anyway so there really wasn’t any point in leaving. Sesshoumaru laid back down and looked at the naked, beautiful form asleep next to him. Somehow, Sesshoumaru could understand his father’s attraction to the human woman. They were softer and gentler than any other youkai female he had ever been with. The former virgin that laid besides him was shy and sweet. He could still feel the gentle, moist kisses she had laid on his finger tips and remembered how she shook beneath him when he entered her and her beautiful cries when she climaxed.
Shori truly was fascinating to Sesshoumaru. The tai youkai knew of a hot spring not far from the hut, he would take her there today. It was the same spring he took Rin to every once in awhile. Now Shori could enjoy it to.
Shori slowly opened her eyes and blushed prettily at the youkai gazing at her. “I’m so glad you stayed with me, Sesshoumaru-sama.”
“I have no reason to leave.” Sesshoumaru almost smiled. “I have no prior engagements.”
Shori softly giggled, “So what do you want to do today?” Shori smiled coyly.
Sesshoumaru didn’t answer as he fell upon her, laying gentle kisses on her body and on her soul.
“What are you thinking about?” Shori asked the youkai who seemed to be in another place. Sesshoumaru shifted in the water, he was partially thinking of love. There was a time that he thought that he loved Rin, but it wasn’t like this new feeling. Rin and Shori were completely different. While Rin was wild and impulsive, Shori was demure and always thought before she spoke, she was innocent and loving. Shori hasn’t seen the things that Rin did when she was growing up. And that made Sesshoumaru want to protect her even more.
“Sesshoumaru-sama?” Shori asked again. Sesshoumaru slightly chuckled. Shori always used an honorific when addressing him, she only dropped it when he pillowed with her.
“It is getting late, perhaps we should return home.” Sesshoumaru said as he stood and exited the spring.
Shori smiled and followed her love. “That’s what you were thinking about?”
“No.” Sesshoumaru responded honestly. He helped Shori get dressed and then dressed himself. Shori began to walk towards the hut but stopped when she noticed that Sesshoumaru wasn’t following. “That isn’t what I was thinking about.”
“Sesshoumaru-sama.” Shori took his hand and began to led him back to their home. “You don’t have to say it, I already know.”
The summer brought fewer red and white roses so that made Shori appreciate the ones Sesshoumaru brought home even more. She had been sick lately, and she began to feel more weaker everyday. Sesshoumaru would always bring home many different herbs. But he knew that only slowed the inevitable.
“Sesshoumaru-sama, I wish to have a child.” Shori was lying in the crook of the tai youkai’s arm in front of a waterfall, they welcomed the spray of the mist on their naked, hot bodies. Shori could feel her youkai tense then relax.
“Why would you want such a burden?” Sesshoumaru asked.
Shori sat up on her elbows and gently shoved Sesshoumaru. “I don’t think a child is a burden.”
Sesshoumaru smiled at the girl who gave her all to him, but still he had yet to give his all to her. He already bounded himself to the human woman. That was something he never intended to do, but he was drawn to her. And no one knew of his relationship with the girl, but a child? That had to be out of the question, he would probably be hunted because he will be seen as weak. And the hanyou child would be persecuted and most likely killed once his back was turned. Sesshoumaru gazed into his woman’s eyes and gave her a soft sigh. Shori was looking at him with hope, but this he could not give her. Sesshoumaru pulled Shori back against him and held her tight.
“Shori, if you want a child, you can have one.” It was a lie, but somehow he couldn’t bare to hurt her. Sesshoumaru felt Shori smile against his skin.
“Thank you, Sesshoumaru-sama.” Shori closed her eyes to let sleep claim her. Once again, Sesshoumaru could here the sickness in her lungs. Softly, Shori coughed.
Sesshoumaru looked down on the sleeping Shori once again before stepping out of the hut. Rin quickly followed.
“Do not take her, she is still very young.” Sesshoumaru almost pleaded.
Rin shook her head and wiped away a tear. “I was young too. But this isn’t my doing.”
“Then why are you here!” Sesshoumaru snarled. Rin didn’t react to his temper, she wanted to hug him and tell him that everything would be okay. She wanted to tell him that she was only there to help, but she knew he wouldn’t see it that way.
“I’m sorry, my love.” Rin said softly. Before Sesshoumaru could think he swiped at Rin angrily. Rin stood there and let the tears fall. “You can’t physically hurt me, and because you already know that, I understand why you are so angry. If I could, I would give my soul to stop this, I want you to be able to meet your son, but some things can’t be controlled.”
“I don’t have a son, spirit.” That was the first time Sesshoumaru didn’t address Rin by her name since she died. Rin didn’t hide the hurt on her face.
“No, but you would have.” Rin looked towards the hut and smiled softly. “Can’t you sense it.”
Sesshoumaru thought hard, the pneumonia was strong in Shori, but there was something else that Sesshoumaru denied to himself. Shori knew it, that’s why she mentioned it weeks before. The angry youkai turned quickly and reached for Rin only to snatch at air.
“I will stop this!” Sesshoumaru growled.
“You can’t, not even with tenseiga.” Rin frowned. “The sickness will always be within her, she will just suffer.”
Sesshoumaru could hear Shori shift and cough within the hut. “Sesshoumaru-sama?” Shori called out. Sesshoumaru shot in the hut without a second look at Rin. The phantom wore a look of despair as she disappeared.
“Are you well?” Sesshoumaru asked as he knelt besides the weakened Shori.
“I didn’t see you, I was worried.” Shori confessed.
Sesshoumaru chuckled and wiped the sweat from Shori’s brow. “I am strong, you need not worry.”
Shori lifted a weak hand and touched the tai youkai’s cheek. “I can’t help but worry about you koishii.” Sesshoumaru’s eyes widened when Shori used such a familiar term. “It think it’s about time to stop being polite, you know?”
“Yes, I think it is.” Sesshoumaru held the woman close and breathed in the scent of vanilla that has never left her. “I wish I could find my words, Shori. But I’ve never had to.”
Shori sighed softly. “You don’t have to, koishii. Everything you have done for me has spoke more words then you’ll know.” Shori looked up and smiled. “But can you promise me something?”
“What is it?” Sesshoumaru asked.
“I don’t want you to be alone, can you find the brother you told me about?” Shori had tears in her eyes. “Can’t you forgive him for the past. I want you to find someone and have a big family. Family is important to have.”
Sesshoumaru nodded. “ I can grant two of your wishes.” He said honestly.
Shori laid against Sesshoumaru’s chest. “And the third?”
Sesshoumaru gazed at the ceiling of the hut he and his human shared, he would more than likely leave it behind for good, somehow he couldn’t bare to stay there. Finally the tai youkai spoke. “The third would be impossible.” Shori smiled and closed her eyes, never to open them again.
Sesshoumaru stood by the grave that housed the human woman that effected him so greatly. Rin took slow steps to stand besides the youkai. She watched as he took a poison claw to scratch Shori and their son names into the stone. Shori and Ken’ichi’s names would never fade, mother and child was on the next line, then Sesshoumaru paused. What else could he say about Shori and their unborn child. Finally, slowly, steadily Sesshoumaru lifted his claw and wrote one word. Rin stared at the word and sadly smiled.
“You should keep that third promise.” Rin said quietly.
“Leave me.” Sesshoumaru whispered under his breath.
“If you don’t allow yourself to move on, you’ll never love again.” Rin stated.
“I do not care, now leave me.” Sesshoumaru growled.
Rin began to walk away, when she looked back she saw Sesshoumaru settle besides Shori grave. Wearily, the apparition shook her head and disappeared. Sesshoumaru eased himself against a tree and closed his eyes. He didn’t hate Rin, in fact he still cared deeply for her. He knew that Rin was only an spirit and had no control over fate. But it was because of Rin that he came to know Shori, if he would have let her die in the first place his heart wouldn’t ache so terribly now. Sesshoumaru was tired, he reserved that he just needed a nap. That night visions of red and white roses danced in his head.
A Sesshoumaru Fan Fic
By Shori
Five-shot
Disclaimer: I do not claim any rights to Takahashi Rumiko’s creations. This story is just for fun.
Year: 1568
Sesshoumaru was asleep, well he was more like resting his eyes. Who was he kidding, he was asleep. Sticky fingers knew when he was asleep, that’s when those fingers wanted to explore his usually pristine hair. Those sticky fingers, covered in the flesh of some strange fruit the owner of those fingers found, never dared to touch him when he was awake. But now she used this moment, his sleeping moment, to dare to touch.
“Chiyo!” It was the voice of the child’s mother, Sesshoumaru looked up with disdain.
“Control your daughter, Rin.” Sesshoumaru frowned. “Or I will be forced to do so.”
Rin tried to keep a straight face but it was in vain, soft chuckles turned to laughter, Sesshoumaru was covered in fruit and making threats, it was a sight to see. “I’m sorry Sesshoumaru-sama. You just look so funny!” Sesshoumaru could remember a time when his Rin wouldn’t dare laugh at him. But now after many years, he didn’t care. He loved the woman although he would never admit that aloud.
“Rin-chan, you really shouldn’t tease him.” It was the voice of a man. A tall strapping man, Kohaku scolded his wife and mother of his child. “Sesshoumaru-sama isn’t one to be teased, especially if I want his assistance in fixing our roof.”
They were still children, at least they were to Sesshoumaru, they aged like humans, grew and loved like humans. Rin and Kohaku have raised a little six-year-old girl but they were somehow still children. Sesshoumaru remembered a time when he had plans, plans to take Rin as his own. Secretly of course, but he missed the time in between her being a child to becoming a woman. Rin felt it though and Kohaku certainly saw it. And before Sesshoumaru knew it, the young couple was exchanging loving glances and Kohaku was asking Sesshoumaru for his blessing to marry his Rin. Sesshoumaru wanted to refuse, he really wanted to kill Kohaku but he didn’t. Instead he gave the couple his blessing and they were married.
Sesshoumaru couldn’t answer why he stuck around after that. Hell, maybe he was a pet or something. Sesshoumaru didn’t like that thought, he was really a guardian to Rin and now Chiyo. Sesshoumaru didn’t doubt Kohaku’s ability to care for his family, he just wanted to be sure he supposed.
“Chiyo! You know better than to touch Sesshoumaru-sama!” It was Jaken squawking loudly and jumping up and down like an jackrabbit.
“Jaken-kun!” Chiyo squealed and lunged after the shinwa youkai. “Froggy! Froggy!” Chiyo chirped as she crushed Jaken in a hugged.
Rin could only laugh at the sight, out of the corner of her eye she noticed Sesshoumaru glancing at her. Sesshoumaru wondered how she could always be so amused by such antics, it was fascinating to him. Rin turned to Sesshoumaru and smiled.
“Have you ever laughed in your life, Sesshoumaru-sama?” Rin asked.
“It’s senseless behavior.” Sesshoumaru scoffed.
“You should try it sometimes” Rin smiled in response. “Come Chiyo, let us go pick flowers for your father and maybe some for Sesshoumaru-sama if he’s nice.” Rin grabbed Chiyo’s hand and lead her into the woods.
“Yay! Chiyo-chan will pick pretty flowers for Tou-chan!” Sesshoumaru could hear Chiyo singing to her lovely mother.
“Perhaps I should gather food for dinner, do you wish to join me Sesshoumaru-sama?” Kohaku asked Sesshoumaru even though he already knew the answer. Sesshoumaru would stay there and listen for danger. He would always protect the family when Kohaku wasn’t there to do so.
Chiyo wandered back to her home hours later. Kohaku had already returned and was cleaning his game. Sesshoumaru looked at the little girl with what Kohaku saw as bewilderment. Then Kohaku saw it, blood was on his daughter’s hands.
“Kaa-chan won’t get up.” Chiyo said in a small voice to her father. All Kohaku could do was stand in shock, a white blur brought him out of his trance. Almost as quickly as Sesshoumaru, Kohaku was standing over his wife’s pale form. There was blood everywhere, when Sesshoumaru saw the source he almost laughed and he would have if Rin were a youkai. But she wasn’t and she was caught in a hunter’s steel trap, she had lost too much blood.
“Anata-san,” Rin whispered softly to Kohaku who held her broken form in his arms. “I’m sorry, I’m always so clumsy.”
“Hush, koishii. You will be alright.” Kohaku said quietly through tears, he knew it was a lie.
Rin smiled softly and shook her head, slowly she turned to Sesshoumaru. “I need you to go on, Sesshoumaru-sama.”
Sesshoumaru frowned. “What makes you think this Sesshoumaru will not?” Sesshoumaru knew that statement was inappropriate but he has never showed Rin weakness before.
To both of the men’s surprise Rin laughed slightly. “Liar.” Moments later, Rin was dead. Sesshoumaru stood in silence while Kohaku wept in his wife’s kimono. Finally the taiyoukai turned to leave the grieving husband. In truth, Sesshoumaru himself needed to grieve. Sesshoumaru was screaming inside, he wanted to pull Rin away from Kohaku and disappear with her into the stars, no one saw Sesshoumaru dig his claws into his own palms, drawing a fountain of blood. And no one saw the mighty Inu youkai’s silent tears. His Rin was dead, Sesshoumaru knew it would happen, but now he didn’t believe it really did.
The sound of Kohaku’s voice stopped Sesshoumaru in his tracks. “Bring her back.” Kohaku whispered through clenched teeth.
Tenseiga was heavy on Sesshoumaru’s hip. He wanted to, God did he want to, the moment he saw Rin dying on the damp, cold ground he wanted to. But he couldn’t, tenseiga was useless to her, he had already brought her back twice. Rin wasn’t coming back this time.
“You know I can not.” Sesshoumaru replied without turning.
“You can! But you won’t!” Kohaku screamed. “What kind of inu are you, you could have been here long before she died! You killed her!”
Any other time, Sesshoumaru would have ripped out the young man’s throat but this time he just couldn’t. Sesshoumaru actually agreed with Kohaku, he didn’t smell the blood until Chiyo came home, he was weak. Sesshoumaru leapt into the sky and disappeared. It was to days before Sesshoumaru returned, only to return to an empty home.
******
It was months before Sesshoumaru knew of his group’s location. They had went to live in Inuyasha’s village with Kohaku’s sister’s family. Sesshoumaru knew he would never see them again. The taiyoukai stayed at the home of his former love. He didn’t know why, but Sesshoumaru never strayed far from the hut that still held Rin’s scent.
******
It was perhaps a year after Rin’s death when her scent suddenly became stronger. Sesshoumaru dismissed this as his imagination, but it was not.“Why are you here, Rin?” Sesshoumaru asked the darkness. The figure that appeared before him wasn’t what he expected. She wasn’t beautiful, like most apparitions were said to be. She look that same way she did the day she died. Dressed in her orange kimono, with her hair up in a messy bun. She wasn’t covered in a heavenly glow, nor did she float. Rin was just there like she never died.
“I came to see if you were alright, it seems a little lonely here.” Rin frowned and looked around the dark,, lonely room.
“Do not concern yourself.” Sesshoumaru frowned. “I am well.”
“Liar,” Rin chuckled.
“Rin, you have succeeded in insulting this Sesshoumaru once before.” Sesshoumaru growled. “Do not presume that you can do it again.”
Rin sighed and boldly sat next to the tai youkai. “Sesshoumaru, my love.” Sesshoumaru looked at Rin in shock. “I’m not coming back.” Rin continued. It was then that Sesshoumaru let his hurt show.
“I know that is what you are waiting for, but it isn’t meant to be.” Rin wiped away a small tear. “I do wish that wasn’t the case.”
Sesshoumaru was silent for a moment, then he spoke. “It wasn’t meant for you to be with the boy.”
Rin looked up and smiled. “No, I think I was.” Rin stood and stretched happily. “Hey, I’ll see you around.”
Before Sesshoumaru could stop her, Rin was gone. The next morning Sesshoumaru left the hut for good.
******
The next winter for no particular reason, Sesshoumaru found his way to the clearing which housed Rin’s former home. He wasn’t going to go inside, just pass through. That is until he smelled the smoke. Without thinking Sesshoumaru bursted through door to find a woman, she was a strange girl. She was tall, almost as tall as Sesshoumaru. She had darker skin than most other Japanese woman and exotic light brown eyes. Her hair was down and fell just past her butt. There was a small mole on her chin, and a smile on her face. Sesshoumaru was angry that the girl claimed this home that Rin’s scent once permeated through, now Rin’s scent of wild flowers were gone and this new scent of vanilla was strong.“Hello, youkai-sama.” The girl surprisingly smiled. “Did you come for shelter?”
“Why are you here woman?” Sesshoumaru growled.
The woman’s smiled faded and she seemed to get worried, “I um, I live here. My village exiled me. My name is Shori, is this your home?” Shori seemed to plead with her eyes, she wanted to stay there, she had no place else to go.
Before Shori could take another breath Sesshoumaru was upon her, roughly he took hold of her arm and began to drag her out of the hut. Before Shori knew she was out in the snowstorm.
“Sesshoumaru!” It was Rin, she had here hands on her hips and was glaring at him angrily.
“She isn’t you.” Sesshoumaru snorted as he snuffed out the roaring fire.
“I do not care, that was mean.” Rin leaned against the wall and crossed her arms. “She wasn’t exiled, the human villagers tried to kill her after they learned that she cared for an injured youkai. Don’t you remember being injured once?”
“This Sesshoumaru doesn’t get injured.” The youkai prince frowned.
“Interesting, I seem to remember that you have been injured, and I also remember a little girl, that cared for you.” Rin smiled at Sesshoumaru. “Please, Sesshoumaru-sama?” Rin whined in her little girl voice.
Sesshoumaru closed his eyes and inwardly sighed. How he hated the little girl voice. Rin watched as Sesshoumaru stood and left the hut, the little phantom smiled as she disappeared.
Shori was found shivering under a tree, wrapping herself in her thin yukata, Sesshoumaru felt a minuscule twinge a regret, it was a foreign feeling to him. Sesshoumaru startled the girl when he spoke. “Girl.”
Shori looked up with fear. “My apologies, youkai-sama. I wasn’t aware that I was intruding.”
“Come with me or stay out here and freeze, it is of no consequence to me.” Sesshoumaru said as he turned and headed back to the hut. Shori shakily stood and followed. When Shori managed to find her way back to the hut there was a roaring fire, and the soup she had begun to prepare was steaming.
“Thank you, youkai-sama.” Shori smiled as she warmed her hands and bare feet by the fire.
Sesshoumaru tossed Shori a thick kimono and looked away. “My name is not youkai. I am called Sesshoumaru.” He didn’t know why he told the woman his name, he just thought it to be proper.
Shori put on the warm kimono and blushed at the handsome tai youkai. “Thank you, Sesshoumaru-sama.”
Sesshoumaru watched as the young woman ate and he decided to ask her a question. “Shori,” he was surprised that he remembered the girl’s name. “Why did you assist that youkai.”
Shori looked up sharply. “How do you know about that?”
Sesshoumaru frowned. “Answer the question.”
Shori looked down and blushed again. “I don’t know, it’s seems wrong to see someone so powerful, so broken.” Shori looked up and smiled. “You know?” Sesshoumaru didn’t respond.
“Well anyway, people called me foolish because the youkai tried to attack me after he regained his strength. It’s okay though, he was a snake youkai after all.”
“How did you escape?” Sesshoumaru found himself fascinated by the woman.
“I don’t know,” Shori said. “I think he fought his instinct to kill me, maybe because I saved him.”
“You called him someone and not something.” Sesshoumaru pressed on.
“I know, youkai are living and breathing, just like humans. They feel and even love like us.” Shori looked hopefully at Sesshoumaru. “Have you ever loved, Sesshoumaru-sama?”
Sesshoumaru almost scoffed. “Love is for the weak, girl.”
“Oh,” Shori sighed. She didn’t say anything else until she prepared for bed. “Sesshoumaru-sama?” Shori finally said.
“Hn?”
“Will you be here in the morning? It was nice to have company.”
Sesshoumaru looked at the woman for a moment before speaking. “You should sleep, woman.”
Shori smiled and coaxed herself into sleep, visions of silver haired youkais flooded her dreams.
Sesshoumaru found himself watching Shori sleep. She was fascinating, honestly. Sesshoumaru studied her soft features. She had lovely silky hair, it was very dark but not quite black. Her skin seemed to be the color of honey and her figure wasn’t the thinnest but it was touchable.
“She isn’t like me, you know.” Rin appeared next to the slumbering girl.
“I know.” Sesshoumaru replied.
“Why are you staring at her then.” Rin smiled.
“I do not know.”
“Really?” Rin giggled at this. “But my dear Sesshoumaru, you know everything.” With that Rin disappeared again.
Sesshoumaru could hear Shori’s fluid filled lungs. The girl coughed violently but didn’t wake. The tai youkai left the hut. No doubt the girl will die, she was ill and Sesshoumaru didn’t want any part of that.
Five days later, Sesshoumaru returned. Over the last two years the tai youkai hasn’t felt like himself. He found himself feeling things, he found himself caring. He carried a pouch filled with many different types of herbs, herbs he had collected that lived in the winter. The air was blanketed with the thick scent of sickness, but not death. Sesshoumaru could hear the violent coughs of Shori echoing out of the hut. With heavy feet, Sesshoumaru stepped inside the hut, there wasn’t a fire and the stench of a sick human who hasn’t washed assaulted his delicate nose. Shori could hear someone enter but was much to weak to lift her head.
“Is that my mysterious youkai?” Shori whispered. “I hoped you would return.”
“You are ill.” Sesshoumaru pointed out.
Shori tried and failed to stand up. “I’m sorry, Sesshoumaru-sama. I don’t want you to see me like this. You are so beautiful and I am so ugly.”
Sesshoumaru growled softly. “You are not ugly human, you are merely weak.” Sesshoumaru was surprised at his own blatant honesty.
Shori smiled weakly. “I wish you felt differently about love, perhaps you could love me someday.”
Sesshoumaru wanted to scoff at this, he wanted to say that he would never love a human. But that would be a lie, he did love once and he felt that this human deserved the same opportunity Rin had at love. Sesshoumaru listened as Shori fell into a deep slumber. The youkai prince, started a fire and began mixing the herbs he had collected, the room filled with a medicinal stench and gave Sesshoumaru a headache. But he stayed and stirred the horrific concoction, Shori breathed in the thick scent and sighed happily, Sesshoumaru knew it would clear Shori’s lungs of the sickness but not her heart. It had grown weak and sesshoumaru knew that once she was well it would never be the same again.
Shori stretched happily and opened her creamy brown eyes. It was morning and Shori wondered if last night was a dream. She was clean and dressed in a fresh kimono, she could breath clearly and her stomach didn’t hurt anymore. Shori watched a dancing fire and thought of a silver haired youkai. She didn’t see the youkai in question and was disappointed.
“I suppose he wouldn’t stay.” Shori mumbled to herself.
“Why are you talking to yourself, girl?” The voice of Sesshoumaru startled Shori, she whipped around to see the youkai of her dreams standing at the door holding fire wood.
“I was hoping you wouldn’t leave last night.” Shori blushed.
“You have been asleep for six days.” Sesshoumaru stated matter of factly. Shori’s eyes widened at this, she looked down and noticed her clean clothes, then mortification hit her hard.
Shori covered her already dressed form comically. “You saw me!”
Sesshoumaru chuckled ever so slightly and placed some of the wood he collected on the dwindling fire. “You humans have a strange obsession to modesty.”
“But we are not married, it’s not proper..” Shori knew her face was on fire. “And I’m not...”
Sesshoumaru looked up when Shori trailed off. “You are not what, girl?”
Shori’s eyes burned as she held back tears. “I’m not thin and beauti...” Before Shori could finish her sentence Sesshoumaru had her pinned against the wall. “Wha-what are you doing?”
“Silence!” Sesshoumaru roared, he stared Shori in her eyes for a long moment, slowly he loosened his grip on her arm and turned away. “Self doubt is a useless emotion.” Sesshoumaru left the hut without another word. Sesshoumaru sat crossed legged in a field of snow. In a way he wanted it to be wild flowers, he wanted to scent of Rin around him maybe then she would come. Instead Shori came wrapped in furs, slowly the young beauty sat next to the tai youkai. It was silent as they watched stray snowflakes fall.
They probably sat for over an hour in silence before Sesshoumaru spoke. “Why are you staring at me, girl?” Shori blushed and looked away, she was staring at Sesshoumaru and his amazing markings.
“I don’t know, I guess I was just trying to think of a way to thank you.” Shori looked up at Sesshoumaru and closed her eyes, Sesshoumaru was perplexed as he watched the girl purse her lips and seem to expectantly wait for something.
“What are you doing?” Sesshoumaru asked with confusion. Shori opened her eyes, her face was completely flushed. Embarrassed, Shori stood and began to walk away. Sesshoumaru was upon her before she could take another step. “What are you doing?” Sesshoumaru asked again.
“I’m sorry, Sesshoumaru-sama,” Shori turned to face Sesshoumaru. “I couldn’t think of any other way to thank you.”
Sesshoumaru frowned. “So you use your body, pathetic.” Shori’s face twisted into one of despair she turned and ran, this time Sesshoumaru didn’t stop her.
“Well that was rude.” Rin huffed. Sesshoumaru almost rolled his eyes.
“Why are you here, Rin?”
“Sesshoumaru, my love.”
“Don’t call me that.” Sesshoumaru shot Rin a glare.
Rin feigned a hurt expression. “Sesshoumaru-sama, I think it’s time to move on.”
Sesshoumaru looked at the empty space that once housed Rin, she was gone again. And this time Sesshoumaru didn’t think that she would be coming back. Shori sat alone looking at the wall, she was mortified. Sesshoumaru probably would never want to see her again. Just as she thought of him, Sesshoumaru was there. Shori stood and faced him, but she couldn’t look him in his beautiful eyes. Sesshoumaru stepped closer and forced Shori to look at him.
“Do not use yourself in such a way.” Sesshoumaru said softly. “I did love someone once.”
Shori took in a sharp breath. “What happened?”
Sesshoumaru smiled faintly. “She was a weakness, it was a mistake to love her. I will never make that mistake again.”
Shori slowly placed her hands on Sesshoumaru’s strong chest and the tai youkai didn’t feel the need to remove them. Carefully, Sesshoumaru placed a hand on the small of Shori’s back and he pressed her close.
“If you can’t love again, Sesshoumaru-sama.” Shori whispered. “Please allow me to at least love you.”
“I do not wish for this to be a payment.” Sesshoumaru growled low, it really has been a long time since he had a woman. He didn’t have to be bound to her, nor did he even have to love her. But just for tonight he would have her.
“No. This is just a moment.” Shori smiled as she allowed Sesshoumaru to take her mouth into his.
******
When the morning flooded the hut, Sesshoumaru had plans to leave. But, he didn’t. The tai youkai didn’t have any anything to do anyway so there really wasn’t any point in leaving. Sesshoumaru laid back down and looked at the naked, beautiful form asleep next to him. Somehow, Sesshoumaru could understand his father’s attraction to the human woman. They were softer and gentler than any other youkai female he had ever been with. The former virgin that laid besides him was shy and sweet. He could still feel the gentle, moist kisses she had laid on his finger tips and remembered how she shook beneath him when he entered her and her beautiful cries when she climaxed.
Shori truly was fascinating to Sesshoumaru. The tai youkai knew of a hot spring not far from the hut, he would take her there today. It was the same spring he took Rin to every once in awhile. Now Shori could enjoy it to.
Shori slowly opened her eyes and blushed prettily at the youkai gazing at her. “I’m so glad you stayed with me, Sesshoumaru-sama.”
“I have no reason to leave.” Sesshoumaru almost smiled. “I have no prior engagements.”
Shori softly giggled, “So what do you want to do today?” Shori smiled coyly.
Sesshoumaru didn’t answer as he fell upon her, laying gentle kisses on her body and on her soul.
******
Sesshoumaru watched as the human woman he had become drawn to, soak in the hot spring. Winter was officially over and the young woman still loved coming to the hot spring Sesshoumaru had brought her to months before. Still Sesshoumaru had stayed with Shori, Rin hasn’t haunted him for months and Sesshoumaru found himself to be content. Sesshoumaru was really sure about his decision when he learned of Shori’s favorite flower. And the day after his discovery, Shori woke to find herself surrounded by dozens of the rare red and white rose. It was then that Shori told the tai youkai that she loved him. Sesshoumaru didn’t respond but Shori was just fine that.“What are you thinking about?” Shori asked the youkai who seemed to be in another place. Sesshoumaru shifted in the water, he was partially thinking of love. There was a time that he thought that he loved Rin, but it wasn’t like this new feeling. Rin and Shori were completely different. While Rin was wild and impulsive, Shori was demure and always thought before she spoke, she was innocent and loving. Shori hasn’t seen the things that Rin did when she was growing up. And that made Sesshoumaru want to protect her even more.
“Sesshoumaru-sama?” Shori asked again. Sesshoumaru slightly chuckled. Shori always used an honorific when addressing him, she only dropped it when he pillowed with her.
“It is getting late, perhaps we should return home.” Sesshoumaru said as he stood and exited the spring.
Shori smiled and followed her love. “That’s what you were thinking about?”
“No.” Sesshoumaru responded honestly. He helped Shori get dressed and then dressed himself. Shori began to walk towards the hut but stopped when she noticed that Sesshoumaru wasn’t following. “That isn’t what I was thinking about.”
“Sesshoumaru-sama.” Shori took his hand and began to led him back to their home. “You don’t have to say it, I already know.”
The summer brought fewer red and white roses so that made Shori appreciate the ones Sesshoumaru brought home even more. She had been sick lately, and she began to feel more weaker everyday. Sesshoumaru would always bring home many different herbs. But he knew that only slowed the inevitable.
“Sesshoumaru-sama, I wish to have a child.” Shori was lying in the crook of the tai youkai’s arm in front of a waterfall, they welcomed the spray of the mist on their naked, hot bodies. Shori could feel her youkai tense then relax.
“Why would you want such a burden?” Sesshoumaru asked.
Shori sat up on her elbows and gently shoved Sesshoumaru. “I don’t think a child is a burden.”
Sesshoumaru smiled at the girl who gave her all to him, but still he had yet to give his all to her. He already bounded himself to the human woman. That was something he never intended to do, but he was drawn to her. And no one knew of his relationship with the girl, but a child? That had to be out of the question, he would probably be hunted because he will be seen as weak. And the hanyou child would be persecuted and most likely killed once his back was turned. Sesshoumaru gazed into his woman’s eyes and gave her a soft sigh. Shori was looking at him with hope, but this he could not give her. Sesshoumaru pulled Shori back against him and held her tight.
“Shori, if you want a child, you can have one.” It was a lie, but somehow he couldn’t bare to hurt her. Sesshoumaru felt Shori smile against his skin.
“Thank you, Sesshoumaru-sama.” Shori closed her eyes to let sleep claim her. Once again, Sesshoumaru could here the sickness in her lungs. Softly, Shori coughed.
******
“Sesshoumaru, my sweet.” Sesshoumaru was sitting next to Shori who was lying in bed coughing violently, the herbs stopped working and she wasn’t long for the world. The voice that called out to the tai youkai wasn’t that of Shori, but it was someone Sesshoumaru hoped he wouldn’t see again.Sesshoumaru looked down on the sleeping Shori once again before stepping out of the hut. Rin quickly followed.
“Do not take her, she is still very young.” Sesshoumaru almost pleaded.
Rin shook her head and wiped away a tear. “I was young too. But this isn’t my doing.”
“Then why are you here!” Sesshoumaru snarled. Rin didn’t react to his temper, she wanted to hug him and tell him that everything would be okay. She wanted to tell him that she was only there to help, but she knew he wouldn’t see it that way.
“I’m sorry, my love.” Rin said softly. Before Sesshoumaru could think he swiped at Rin angrily. Rin stood there and let the tears fall. “You can’t physically hurt me, and because you already know that, I understand why you are so angry. If I could, I would give my soul to stop this, I want you to be able to meet your son, but some things can’t be controlled.”
“I don’t have a son, spirit.” That was the first time Sesshoumaru didn’t address Rin by her name since she died. Rin didn’t hide the hurt on her face.
“No, but you would have.” Rin looked towards the hut and smiled softly. “Can’t you sense it.”
Sesshoumaru thought hard, the pneumonia was strong in Shori, but there was something else that Sesshoumaru denied to himself. Shori knew it, that’s why she mentioned it weeks before. The angry youkai turned quickly and reached for Rin only to snatch at air.
“I will stop this!” Sesshoumaru growled.
“You can’t, not even with tenseiga.” Rin frowned. “The sickness will always be within her, she will just suffer.”
Sesshoumaru could hear Shori shift and cough within the hut. “Sesshoumaru-sama?” Shori called out. Sesshoumaru shot in the hut without a second look at Rin. The phantom wore a look of despair as she disappeared.
“Are you well?” Sesshoumaru asked as he knelt besides the weakened Shori.
“I didn’t see you, I was worried.” Shori confessed.
Sesshoumaru chuckled and wiped the sweat from Shori’s brow. “I am strong, you need not worry.”
Shori lifted a weak hand and touched the tai youkai’s cheek. “I can’t help but worry about you koishii.” Sesshoumaru’s eyes widened when Shori used such a familiar term. “It think it’s about time to stop being polite, you know?”
“Yes, I think it is.” Sesshoumaru held the woman close and breathed in the scent of vanilla that has never left her. “I wish I could find my words, Shori. But I’ve never had to.”
Shori sighed softly. “You don’t have to, koishii. Everything you have done for me has spoke more words then you’ll know.” Shori looked up and smiled. “But can you promise me something?”
“What is it?” Sesshoumaru asked.
“I don’t want you to be alone, can you find the brother you told me about?” Shori had tears in her eyes. “Can’t you forgive him for the past. I want you to find someone and have a big family. Family is important to have.”
Sesshoumaru nodded. “ I can grant two of your wishes.” He said honestly.
Shori laid against Sesshoumaru’s chest. “And the third?”
Sesshoumaru gazed at the ceiling of the hut he and his human shared, he would more than likely leave it behind for good, somehow he couldn’t bare to stay there. Finally the tai youkai spoke. “The third would be impossible.” Shori smiled and closed her eyes, never to open them again.
Sesshoumaru stood by the grave that housed the human woman that effected him so greatly. Rin took slow steps to stand besides the youkai. She watched as he took a poison claw to scratch Shori and their son names into the stone. Shori and Ken’ichi’s names would never fade, mother and child was on the next line, then Sesshoumaru paused. What else could he say about Shori and their unborn child. Finally, slowly, steadily Sesshoumaru lifted his claw and wrote one word. Rin stared at the word and sadly smiled.
“You should keep that third promise.” Rin said quietly.
“Leave me.” Sesshoumaru whispered under his breath.
“If you don’t allow yourself to move on, you’ll never love again.” Rin stated.
“I do not care, now leave me.” Sesshoumaru growled.
Rin began to walk away, when she looked back she saw Sesshoumaru settle besides Shori grave. Wearily, the apparition shook her head and disappeared. Sesshoumaru eased himself against a tree and closed his eyes. He didn’t hate Rin, in fact he still cared deeply for her. He knew that Rin was only an spirit and had no control over fate. But it was because of Rin that he came to know Shori, if he would have let her die in the first place his heart wouldn’t ache so terribly now. Sesshoumaru was tired, he reserved that he just needed a nap. That night visions of red and white roses danced in his head.