InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Worthy ❯ Chapter 4

Sesshoumaru sat at his desk, scolding at the letter in his hand. It appeared that the lord of the Southern Lands was having a party and he was invited. Sesshoumaru wondered if the lord thought he was a fool. He knew that the southern lord was desperate. Without any sons there was no possible way for him to spread his boundaries and to insure that his land would be safe, he would have to marry off his daughters. Sesshoumaru was one of the two riches lords so of course he would be invited, and would probably be seated at a table with at least one of the daughters. This was all a plan to get him to mate one of his daughters.

Sesshoumaru remembered how the oldest two had flaunted over him. The third had tried but she was much younger than the others and shyer. He had enjoyed her company. She acted like a lady while the others acted like whores. But she was a child, not much older than Rin but apparently her father didn't see her as such. She was just a tool for his kingdom.

He would go. As a lord, he didn't have much of a choice. There were standards that had to be met. He would go but he would not claim one of the females to be his mate. It may be unheard of, but the south would have to be run by a female once the lord's life had passed.

Sesshoumaru took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of his nose. He was already getting a headache and the party wasn't for another two months. This was not going to be something he was going to look forward to.

The screen was thrown open just as Sesshoumaru put the letter away and Master Seiji walked into the room. Sesshoumaru's eyes immediately narrowed. Sesshoumaru was a lord but Seiji thought that since he had taught him that he was able to do as he pleased. Sesshoumaru had little liking for the old bird and if it wasn't for the fact that he was the best tutor for miles, he would have killed him or at least, cast him out of his castle.

Seiji was old. His face nothing but wrinkles and his dull gray eyes sunken into his skull from age. His body was bent at the shoulders; his spine no longer able to hold his frame fully up anymore and his movements were slow and cautious. It was rare that youkai lived to be Seiji's age but when they did they were helpless. They were still strong compared to humans but once at this age, humans were faster. It was an age that most youkai tried to reach but the same time prayed they died before they did.

"Lord Sesshoumaru, I have had enough," Master Seiji stated as he stood in front of Sesshoumaru's desk, glaring down at him with beady eyes.

Sesshoumaru held back a sigh and met the old youkai's eyes.

"Master Seiji, what as upset you."

"It is the memory of the intelligent pup I taught so long ago that caused me to take this job. But I see now it was a mistake."

Sesshoumaru's jaw clenched and his shoulders had stiffened. It appeared that Rin had once again upset her sensei.

"What has she done?" Sesshoumaru asked.

Seiji took a deep breath and if he had been in his youkai form, he would have ruffled his feathers.

"I wasted a good deal of time, that I don't have much left of, teaching that child and she disrespects me by not coming to her lessons. That is something I will not tolerate. My apologies my lord but I will no longer put up with that creature."

Sesshoumaru closed his eyes to help ease his headache before looking out the window. His eyes narrowed dangerously when he realized how late it was.

"Her lessons start after breakfast, do they not?" Sesshoumaru asked.

Seiji nodded. "They do."

Sesshoumaru looked at his old master.

"The day grows late. You must have been waiting a while."

Seiji met Sesshoumaru's cold stare with one of his own.

"I am old, Sesshoumaru," he growled. "There are times when I can't get these old bones to moves. I can barely fly anymore. So yes, I am late but any student would have waited until I either showed up or until the hour their lesson ends. We would have only been into three hours of her lessons if I had managed to get here on time. But when I arrive, the child is not there. Her papers untouched and the pillow cold and I will not teach an ungrateful student."

Sesshoumaru nodded and slowly stood so he could go to the window. The rain had started again. It was a gentle drizzle but darker clouds were heading his way, promising a real storm.

"Rin is changing. She grows moody and more unpredictable. She is also free spirited and curious. She probably did this to upset me or she snuck away in hopes to view the strangers that have taken root in my land."

"Honestly my lord, I don't care. I personally believe you should have drowned that human in the nearest body of water you could find the moment you found her. But since it was not my decision to make, I let you deal with the consequences and I will be leaving now and I will not return."

Sesshoumaru nodded his understanding.

"Very well. Jaken will give the pay for this week. And Seiji," he looked over his shoulder at the bird, "you're right, it wasn't your decision to make and if you speak ill of Rin again, you will find your life to be much shorter."

Seiji's back stiffened at the threat.

"You threaten me? Your old sensei?"

"It is you being my sensei that keeps me from killing you now. Now leave."

Seiji nodded and hurried out of the room as fast as his old body could take him.

When the door was shut, Sesshoumaru sunk to the floor in temporary defeat and he leaned against the wall. Now what was he going to do? Rin needed her lessons and Seiji was the best and the only youkai Sesshoumaru trusted not to kill her. Educated humans were rare and well educated unheard of and if there did exist would they actually tutor a ward of a youkai? Sesshoumaru didn't believe so.

It couldn't be helped now. Seiji was gone and Rin was missing, or more likely locked in her room. Sesshoumaru rose to his feet. He would have to tell her about Seiji's departure then lecture her about her behavior toward him.

Sesshoumaru heard a clatter outside his door and smelt wolf. His hand fell to his sword. Had the wolves decided to attack after all? Sesshoumaru couldn't smell blood but he could smell fear and excitement, as the wolf grew closer.

Three bodies fell through the screen. Two of them were Sesshoumaru's guards but one he recognized to be one of the wolves from the new pack. He was struggling with the guards, trying to get them off him without hurting them and with little success.

"Get off!" the wolf ordered. "I have important message for Sesshoumaru."

Sesshoumaru's brow rose in curiosity. Judging by the fear in the wolf's scent, the message was important.

"Release him," Sesshoumaru ordered.

Both guards looked surprised but quickly did what they were told. The wolf slowly rose to his knee but didn't raise any further. Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes when he got a good look at the wolf. His features were similar to the female that had captured his interest. They had the same hair, the same eyes, even the same nose. He had to be her brother. No two creatures looked so much alike unless they were. Their scent was even similar. Sesshoumaru took a deeper breath and started to growl. The scent of the woman's blood was on him.

"Lord Sesshoumaru," the wolf started as he tried to catch his breath, "your ward, Rin, has been attacked. She and my sister are…not well."

Sesshoumaru's grow got louder and more hostile at the mention of Rin.

"What youkai attacked her? What do you mean by not well?"

"Youkai? I do not know this word."

"What you and I are."

The wolf nodded in understanding before rising to his feet.

"I don't know the words to tell you. But they lie in the cave and being cared for."

Sesshoumaru nodded before leaping out the window and racing in the direction of the cave. Alban took a few deep breaths before chasing after him.

~

No one tried to stop Sesshoumaru when he entered the cave. Some did look frightened but they said nothing as he followed Rin's scent to the back of the cave. A fur blanket was separating the back from the rest of the cave and a few women were standing in front of it. One dared to touch his shoulder when he reached it.

"Lord, you best wait."

Sesshoumaru growled before pulling from the woman's grasp and pushing past the curtain.

Those behind the curtain looked up in surprise and the one he recognized as Morgan quickly covered herself with her blanket since her torso was bare for treatment. Her face blushed bright red but he didn't see it. His eyes were focused on the motionless body of the human child lying close to the fire. One of the wolves was treating her injury while another poured a foul smelling liquid down her throat.

They quickly moved aside when he approached but the one who had been tending her arm was hesitant but the anger in his eyes kept her from protesting. Sesshoumaru knelt next to Rin and gently lifted her arm so he could see the injury. She whimpered in pain and he had used the lightest of touches. He spared a look to her face and noticed that she was covered in sweat and her skin was pale. Sesshoumaru gently touched her forehead and nearly snarled when he felt the fever. He looked at her arm again. Three long claw marks went down from her shoulder, almost to her elbow. The bleeding was sluggish, letting him know that it would soon stop and the wounds were covered in a clear paste that seemed to be helping it along and by the strength of the scent, it was fighting the poison as well.

"Lord Sesshoumaru?"

Sesshoumaru looked up and met the female's eyes. She met his gaze but there was no challenge. Instead, they were the eyes of a mother, full of concern and sympathy.

"I need to bandage her and get her fever down," she explained. "It be easier if you wait outside."

Sesshoumaru growled.

"I'm staying."

She didn't argue but nodded in understanding. Sesshoumaru moved aside but stayed close and watched as the woman went back to work. She was gentle but Rin still whimpered in pain as the bandage was applied. When that was done, she started working on the fever.

Morgan had only woken minutes ago. Being a demon, she recovered quickly. The poison was still coursing through her veins but her heart had slowed from the lack of adrenaline and the poison wasn't very strong anyway. The only reason she was affected at all was that she had so much in her but thanks to her Aunt Ena, the best healer in the pack, and two of the other healers, she was fine. A little embarrassed by her condition and that she was naked but otherwise fine.

She sat quietly as she watched Sesshoumaru. His face was emotionless but she could feel the anger radiating off him in waves. She never would have suspected that he would care so much for a human child but then she was just judging him from one day.

Her Aunt Ena stepped in front of her, blocking her view of the lord and handed her a cup filled with a green liquid that smelled so foul Morgan tried to pull away.

"Drink it," Ena ordered.

"I'm fine."

"I'll be the judge of that, now drink it."

Morgan sighed and took the cup and took a sip. She cringed at the taste.

"God in heaven, could you make it more foul?"

"Quit your complaining and drink it."

Ena then stood and went to help the other healer with Rin. Morgan took that chance to pour the cup into a patch of moss like grass that was growing next to her. The plant started to smoke and her eyes widened. Frantically, she covered it with dirt and sighed when it stopped. She pouted when another cup was placed under her nose.

When the three healers were finished, they left so Morgan and Rin could get their rest. Seeing that they were finished, Sesshoumaru gathered Rin into his arms and stood.

"Where are you going?" Morgan asked.

"We are leaving."

Her eyes widened in denial.

"Have you lost your mind? She won't last five minutes out in the rain."

Sesshoumaru glared down at her but Morgan didn't back down. Instead she glared back though she doubted she looked menacing, clinging to a blanket and slightly green from the foul tasting potion.

"What do you suggest I do then?"

Morgan shrugged then motioned to Rin's bedding.

"Stay and rest. She's not going anywhere and you have no enemies here. So why endanger her life?"

Sesshoumaru sighed and returned Rin to the bedding and covered her with a blanket. He wasn't concerned about the wolf watching but remained focus on Rin. Her fever had broken and her color was returning and instead of looking like she was in pain, she just looked asleep. Whatever the wolf had given her was working.

Morgan smiled as she watched Sesshoumaru care for his ward before looking down at her cup. She made a face and after pinching her nose, drowned it. She still gagged on the taste but at least she didn't have to smell it.

"What is in the potion?" Sesshoumaru asked.

"I don't know and nor do I want to." She answered as she set the cup down and reached for her sleeping gown. She grimaced when the movement pulled on her injuries but otherwise; she ignored it as she dressed with the blanket carefully covering her. She sighed in relief when her body was safely covered. Morgan was not shy but she didn't think it was appropriate to be naked in front of the lord, especially when she was covered in bruises and cuts.

Sesshoumaru carefully watched her. She may have kept herself covered but he noticed the bandages and how she seemed to have more than anyone else.

"Tell me what happened."

Morgan looked at him.

"Do you need to ask? She was attacked and we saved her. What more do you need to know?"

"Is the youkai dead?"

"Youkai?"

Sesshoumaru growled.

"Why did you come here if you can barely speak the language?"

Fire flashed in Morgan's eyes and her mouth twisted into a snarl.

"I can speak it just fine. There are just some words I don't know. Youkai is one of them."

"Youkai is what we are. What the creature who attacked her is."

"Oh. Well, now I know. Yes, he is dead. Killed by fire, which happens to be a very painful way to go."

Sesshoumaru nodded his agreement and looked at the bandage that peeked out at her shoulder. He didn't know why she bothered to cover herself with that strange yukata. It left very little to the imagination and with the glow the fire, he was able to see through it. Being a gentleman, he kept his eyes on her face.

"You were the first to go to her aid."

Morgan blushed but she shrugged and looked away.

"I was the closest."

"You saved her life."

Morgan smiled and she looked at the lord.

"Are you thanking me, Lord Sesshoumaru?"

Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed.

"Is that what you want?"

"I want lots of thing, my lord, but I need little. There's no need to thank me. I did what I felt was right therefore, I need no thanks. But, you're welcome anyway."

Sesshoumaru nodded his acceptance and lowered his eyes to Rin. She was still sleeping soundly. She even managed to curl on her side. His eyes softened at the sight. She looked more like the child he had found right now and he wanted to hold her in his arms but he resisted the need.

"Lord Sesshoumaru."

Sesshoumaru looked up. Morgan wasn't looking at him and her eyes looked solemn and she looked uncomfortable.

"I will never apologize for my attack on you," she explained. "But I do apologize for how I treated you later. It was uncalled for."

Sesshoumaru nodded.

"I accept you apology."

Morgan softly smiled and laid on the bedding with her back to him. She would have trouble sleeping with him there but she was tired from the physical and emotion strain she was put through today so she was willing to try. What made her the most uncomfortable though was the fact that she was hoping he was watching her. Morgan blushed and mentally scolded herself. She barely knew the man and already she was thinking perverted thoughts. Of course it didn't help that she would be going into heat in a couple of weeks but still that was no excuse. Cursing herself, Morgan bared her face into the blankets and forced herself to sleep. With the potion and poison running through her veins, she eventually did but it was nowhere near as fast as she had hoped.

~

It was another three days before Sesshoumaru left carrying a resting Rin. The rain had finally let up and Rin was well enough to travel and Sesshoumaru took the opportunity to leave. Several members of the pack gathered at the mouth of the cave and watched him depart. Morgan was among them. She was almost completely healed now. The only wound that still needed her full attention was he shoulder and though it would probably bare a nasty scare, she would still have use of her arm.

Next to her was her sister Katherine and her Aunt Ena who had protested Rin's leaving so soon when she was still far from well.

"I'd never thought I seen a demon lord carrying for a human child." Katherine said.

"Nor I. It's strange but comforting," Ena replied.

"He's got a cute butt."

"Morgan!!" Katherine and Ena shouted as several members turned to look at her, including her father.

Morgan's eyes widened as she blankly stared in front of her.

"Please tell me I didn't say that out loud."

AN: I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentines Day. I know I did. Don't know when next chapter will be up or what it will even include but I'll work on it and have it up as soon as I can.