InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Youkai Forest ❯ Prologue ( Chapter 1 )

Prologue

The surrounding forest was dark and eerily silent. No birdsong rang out, no wind blew through the trees. It was cold here and the forest gave off a feeling of death and impending doom. They had been walking since dawn and now it was midday and even her companions seemed to be unnerved by their surroundings. Rin glanced towards her white hared guardian and sighed quietly, she was starting to get hungry, "Rin wonders when we're going stop walking so Rin can find something to eat?" Her musings were broken by a loud growling sound from her stomach. Up ahead the white hared demon known as Sesshomaru paused in midstep. Glancing over his shoulder, he took in Rin's sheepish expression and the fact that her hand was currently covering her stomach. Sighing quietly, Sesshomaru took in their surroundings before deeming it fit as a resting spot. "Rin."

"Hai, Sesshomaru-sama?"

"You may forage for something to eat, but do not go far. The magic of place is very old and dangerous, and even this Sesshomaru does not want to linger here longer than necessary." Turning around, he sniffed the air and nodded before continuing, "There is a stream nearby. I suggest that you get something to drink as well before we leave."

"Hai Sesshomaru-sama, Rin will be careful. Rin will be right back with her food," She replied, whirling around, Rin dashed off into the darkness; trusting her Sesshomaru-sama to protect her.

"Jaken!" Sesshomaru called for his servant.

"Yes Lord Sesshomaru?" the toad demon replied as he came running as fast as his short legs would allow.

"Follow Rin and make sure she does not get hurt." Sesshomaru growled his command.

"Yes Master," Jaken replied, prostrating himself on the ground in front of Sesshomaru.

"Oh, and Jaken?" Sesshomaru spoke coldly.

Jaken raised his bulbous eyes from gazing at the ground to stare at his masters blank faced expression, "Hai Master, how can this lowly Jaken be of service to you?"

Sesshomaru smiled menacingly and replied,"If Rin comes back hurt, kidnapped, attacked or lost on purpose then, I will not revive you this time after I shred you into a million pieces."

Jaken froze at the threat laced through his masters tone of voice and gulped. He had lost Rin too many times and this time he was determined to keep his life, even if it meant watching that human pup that his master cared for. "Y-yes, Sesshomaru-sama. This lowly Jaken will not fail you again. I will watch her even if it means my life if she gets hurt."

"Good," Sesshomaru replied, before walking over to sit down on a boulder to await his charges return. Glancing over his shoulder, he spotted the toad demon still kneeling on the ground, "Jaken," he lifted his arm, flexed his claws and continued, "Why are you still here?"

"Wak!" Jaken squawked, leaping to his stubby legs, he ran out of the clearing to catch up to Rin.

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Shivering in the chill air, Rin ignored Jaken as she searched the bushes for something edible. Spotting something from the corner of her eye, Rin turned around and hurried over towards what looked to be a patch of strangely colored berries. Crouching down, Rin sniffed them as her Sesshomaru-sama had taught her to do to see if they were safe to eat. Detecting no hint of poison, Ring quickly set about picking her lunch.

Jaken watched as the the human pup sniffed the berries and yelled, "What do you think you're doing?! Your pitiful human nose can't detect poison!"

"Sesshomaru-sama taught Rin to look for safe food!" Rin replied before sticking out her tongue at the toad demon.

"Why you insolent pup!" Jaken squawked in outrage. Lifting his staff of heads, he shook it threateningly and proceeded to chase Rin around the forest.

Rin giggled at Jaken's antics. She knew that he was not allowed to hurt her or her guardian would kill him. Spinning around, Rin taunted the toad demon, "Sesshomaru-sama also gave Rin some of his blood to help Rin's nose get better." Unfortunately, she was not looking where she was going before something suddenly grabbed her around the waist, yanking her off the ground and into the air. Rin gasped, she didn't even have time to scream before she was enveloped in darkness. The last thing that Rin saw was Jaken being impaled by a strange looking root.