InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Light in the Darkness ❯ Defiance ( Chapter 2 )

 

Light in the Darkness

Chapter 2: Defiance

 

“I am defiant. I am an untamed steed whom only wants to grow. To you I am only a nuisance, but to loving friends I am the soul of the wonderer. I am the curiously defiant one with dares to love.”- Kolbi Monasmith

***

“Who are you and what do you want here? Tell me now onna (woman) and you can leave with your head,” his voice floated around her like dust till it rested nicely on the tip of her tongue, where she savored the taste of it. And then she caught herself, spat it out and did her best to ignore him. But who could resist his rich baritone? Who couldn't help but feel like he was staring right into their souls?

 

At that moment Shy felt like he was swallowing her up while he ripped her apart as he searched her for some secret information. But she whispered reassuringly to her self, “He won't kill you in front of Rin, so you're safe.” This pumped up her courage, just enough to be able to look up at him.

 

His aura! She gasped as she tried to contain the shiver that crept up her spine. She could see his aura and it was vibrating with curiosity but he also showed that he was confusion, agitated maybe, even a little sad. But why was he sad? Was it her will that was causing her to see his aura? Was that even how it worked?

 

Shy did want to know why he was so uptight-she could tell by the sternness in his voice- but Shy was naturally curious. She had to know what was wrong and what was going on: it was her curse.

 

Then again some people just didn't have a clue. People like the toad demon, Jaken who hopped from foot to foot in anticipation. “You better do as my lord says woman!” Jaken snickered with glee and clapped his hands together. “You don't want to be roasted do you? Oh, please let me roast her master! She'll taste delicious.”

 

“Oh, shut up you!” The accused female pulled herself out of her daze and stepped toward him with her fist raised before Sesshomaru had his chance to reply. In truth Shy was afraid of what he would say.

 

“Don't order my servants around,” Sesshomaru growled back at her as his golden eyes narrowed. His youkai (demon) side was growling, and fighting for control so it could rip the insolent woman to pieces, and yet it purred as well since it was liking that her dark eyes were aflame with independent ferocity, (even if that ferocity was the same as a sleeping kitten's.)

 

“Oh, sorry Lord-“his name, his deadly name, almost escaped her lips but she bit it back and asked instead. “What is your name?”

 

“That is privileged information,” he stared down his nose at her and pursed his lips. He detested how the sunlight seemed to wrap around her and make her pale skin flame with radiance. It was like the Earth loved her more than everyone else, and the sun seemed to feel the same. She looked like a goddess, well the goddess of Hell at least.

 

Rin, who stood at Sesshomaru's side, had watched the heated exchange with narrowed eyes. Even though it was exhilarating to hear Lord Sesshomaru's dark voice again: a joy that made her stomach dance a little jig and sent her face flame while her nether regions squirmed. The thing is her womanly organs always did this when something pertained to Sesshomaru, except today it felt different.

 

An unnamed feeling was curled in her stomach making her angry and nauseas. If she was told to name the feeling she'd have called it jealousy, but she believed herself above such mortal discrimination. Yet she couldn't keep herself from getting the impression that her lord was taking a liking to the strange new-comer -a liking Rin was beginning to dislike- since the look the taiyoukai was giving Shy was the same look he used to bestow on the wind sorceress.

 

Rin was young but she wasn't naïve, for she already knew what a man's eel was as well as what it meant to have a man's eel to explore a woman's cave. Furthermore, Rin had begun to bleed long before now and had already come to the decision of whose eel she wanted exploring her cave, and she wasn't going to just sit back and watch as some foreign ninny took her only love away- she didn't have any personal grudge against Shy, Shy was just unconsciously getting in the way of Rin's dreams.

 

For a few moments Shy had stood silent before smirking. “You know it's very rude to ask someone else's name before giving yours!” She exclaimed, amused, “Have you no manners? Well, then you must be some kind of barbarian.”

 

“Watch your tongue wench,” he grabbed her throat, not tightly but enough to lift her off the ground. He's trying to scare me, Shy mused with a smirk. “And I believed you were the one who just asked my name first,” he said watching her reaction closely, gauging her courage. Her reaction was beyond surprising.

 

Even the bravest of warriors flinched and cowered in terror when he threatened them, but a mere onna, a mortal no less, smirked and laughed in amusement. It reminded him of the brash fearlessness of the wind sorceress. The thought made his icy heart warm slightly.

 

“Please Lord Sesshomaru don't hurt her, she is my friend,” Rin whispered hoarsely, and tried to clear her throat.

 

Shy's eyes went to Rin as well as Sesshomaru's own, both in surprise. In the short time Rin had been talking to her had this woman taught Rin how to speak for herself? Sesshomaru wondered. Before the woman appeared Rin never went against his decisions and never had she spoken out of turn. Maybe she had been yearning for a human companion but had decided not to say anything?

 

Anyways it was a convenient that Rin had said something, seeing as it gave him a reason to drop the woman unceremoniously on her rump. For, even with her defiant nature, he couldn't help but be enthralled. This young female was almost like a God-send, someone sent to replace Kagura.

 

Rising to his full height he regarded the disagreeable onna. Indeed, the woman was a lot like the late wind witch, so much so that it frightened him. Was this her reincarnation come to bring him some fake salvation or was she just nature's mistake?

 

The toad gave a dignified snort in Shy's direction and followed briskly after his lord as the demon turned to leave. But almost as an after thought the demon paused and turned back to her. “I still want answers; though I see I will not be getting them from you today. But I do not plan on having this occurrence repeated, so I suggest going back to your village and staying there.”

 

Although the taiyoukai had just threatened her she couldn't help but notice how regal he looked (even if she was only getting a very nice view of his back side): with his chin held high and his shoulders back. He walked in such a dignified assurance that not one step wavered, and at that moment the light of the sun caught him just right. It caught so right he seemed to glow, seemingly radiating his own light. Exactly like the full moon in the night sky.

 

With some effort she pulled herself from her day dreams and cleared her throat, “Wait!” He paused again, glancing back to look at her.

 

“I need your help.” Yep, she was stretching the limit and she admitted that she would probably lose her head because of it, but clearly Sesshomaru had to have some resources that could help her.

 

“I have no reason to help you,” he stated. Rin looked at him with a pleading look, but he ignored it and continued walking.

 

“Wait,” he did. “If you won't help me… Then just point me in the direction of a priestess.”

 

“I cannot help you,” he repeated.

 

“Why not?” This girl is stubborn, Sesshomaru realized with a frown. “Just tell me which way to go it's as simple as that!”

 

He turned to face her and stared her straight in the eyes, and she did not waver. She stared back at him, straight and steady. “Why is it you need a priestess?” he asked calmly.

 

Shy sighed heavily; did he need to know everything? She gave him a piercing look and answered smartly. “I need to get home.”

 

He gave her a bland look making Shy feel slightly stupid. “Where is your home?”

 

“She comes from the U.S,” Rin answered; Shy gave her a half-hearted glare as Lord Sesshomaru's eyebrow raised.

 

“It's on the continent,” Shy swiftly added. His eyes narrowed even more, and she shuddered. He knew she was lying, but it wasn't that that made her shudder. The searching look in his eyes was starting to resemble a look of longing

 

“Go to the East,” he turned away from her and walked away with Rin following, all the while Jaken stood gawking at his lord.

 

“Thank you…. I think,” she also turned and went in the opposite direction. I hope I'm going the right way. Wait, isn't Sesshomaru lord of the West, she pondered as she walked hastily through the underbrush trying to gain significant distance between her and a certain beautiful but deadly youkai. He only wants me to go east so he doesn't have to deal with me!

 

“That bastard!” she stopped, fists clenched in anger. “Lord my ass!”

 

The thought of turning around and giving him a piece of her mind ran through her subconscious, but she dismissed it rapidly. That would be a suicide attempt and it didn't matter how bold she was feeling at the moment, she just wasn't up to getting herself killed-which the demon surely do if he caught sight of her again. So instead she continued walking making up insults along the way. She also vowed that if she ever did meet up with the taiyoukai again she was really going to let him have it.

***

The tree swayed lightly in the calm breeze making the demon that hid in its shadows feel like he was on a boat in the middle of the sea. He shut his eyes to get a mental picture, but was assaulted by a image of a tall, ebony haired teenager. A growl rumbled in his throat. He practically forced himself to open his eyes to look out over the rolling meadow toward a small stream where Rin commenced splashing an unhappy Jaken in the face.

 

But he couldn't keep his mind occupied and his thoughts went back to the helpless looking girl. She certainly was an enigma. Jabbing, poking, and prying her pale, little fingers into him till she had completely pulled him apart. And then she rebuilt him around her and confused him with her riddles, laughing all the while.

 

It was possible that she could be just another of Naraku's tricks, but she seemed too stubborn and independent to allow herself to be used. Just like Kagura, his demonic side teased. Sesshomaru wanted to ignore that little voice but it was right. Even her smell reminded him of Kagura. The smell of the wind, but then she also smelled like pines on a damp spring morning. Her smell was almost calming, yet it was suffocating, as it coated everything near her. And then there was another smell on her: it was something unearthly, like it didn't belong. It was a stench of something foul and human-made.

 

Another thing her smell told him was that she was about 22 years old in human years, but she acted as if she was only 15. But she had already been “touched,” so she may already be married. He had to doubt that though. Who'd want her?

 

“Lord Sesshomaru?” Rin looked worried. The young woman's eyebrows where knitted together and there were wrinkles on her forehead.

 

“What is it Rin?” he asked out of impulse. He slid off his perch and dropped fifteen feet to the ground. His sudden appearance in front of her startled Rin, who fell onto her bottom and stared at him as his clothes and hair settled. “Lord Sesshomaru, you startled me,” she stuttered.

 

He stared down his nose at her. Why did she always interrupt him? She craved attention more than Jaken. “What is it?”

 

The girl noticed the peeved look in her master's eyes, but she wasn't about to back down. This was her chance to finally prove to Sesshomaru she could replace Kagura. “You just look troubled. I was just worried.”

 

Golden eyes narrowed, “Is that all?” Rin shivered at the venom in his voice. Yet, she still stood tall and looked him in the eyes. This wasn't any mean feat either, his eyes, though they may be as bright as the sun, where cold, and menacing, and he was a dog demon and just like a dog he didn't like it when people stared him straight in the eyes. It was meant as a threat if anyone did.

 

“No,” she said strongly despite her knocking knees. “I know you're thinking about that woman, Shy.”

 

This statement puzzled Sesshomaru. “Who is shy?”

 

“The woman who fell from the sky,” Rin frowned. “You think she's the wind-witch don't you?”

 

Jaken came forward with his robes disheveled and wet, and a look of scorn on his green face. “Lord Sesshomaru, why do we keep this annoying mortal? She is only a nuisance and just listen to her insolence!” He wagged a finger at her. “We should just leave her in some human village. At least there she can be with her own bothersome kind.”

 

“Jaken be silent.” The imp yelped at the tone of his voice and backed away as not to get hit.

 

Sesshomaru turned back to the angry Rin and spoke evenly, “Rin what do you know about this Shy?”

 

Rin blinked, I thought he would be mad at me. Why is his tone so gentle? Then she was hit with recognition. He was asking about the foreigner. “She fell from the sky just like some evil demon, so she can't be any good or human.” She thought for a moment, “I don't know anything else, but she didn't know where she was at all. She must be stupid or maybe just dense.”

 

Sesshomaru was truly surprised by Rin's hatred for the woman. Hadn't Rin said that Shy was her friend? She must have said that just so I would drop her. “Rin do you know anything more?”

 

She hesitated before shaking her head, “No, but she did talk funny and she was really mean.” Sesshomaru nodded, and dared to ask, “Would you care if she joined us?”

 

“You can't Milord! She's a human!” Jaken wailed flinging his arms around his master's legs. Rin stared at Sesshomaru in alarm feeling like she had just been punched in the stomach.

 

“Quiet Jaken,” he said warningly. “That female is foreign. Foreign women make good servants, they know manners,” he kicked Jaken and watched with satisfaction as the demon tumbled away.

 

Jaken bounced back up and continued with his argument, “but Milord, women from the Continent are seductresses!”

 

“Jaken! Quiet your ramblings!” The lord turned to his young ward, “your answer Rin.”

 

“No!” Rin screeched. “I don't what to see that seductress ever again!” Enraged, Rin turned to leave but spun back around to yell, “And she isn't Kagura! She doesn't' even know who you are and she doesn't need your help!”

 

For the first time in a long while Sesshomaru finally thought about Rin and realized how much she had bottled up inside. All her hopes and dreams, and her deepest desires had been hidden from his view so he wouldn't throw her away. But when she realized that she was to be replaced she felt threatened. Rin just didn't what to lose her family again, and she didn't want to lose him to someone else. She was in love with him and the realization hit him like a hundred pound boulder.

 

Sesshomaru just stared at her retreating back as it shook with rage. Above them the sun had moved to the western sky and was preparing to dip down below the clouds.
The shadows it cast where creeping along the meadow and passed over Sesshomaru.

 

Was he to give up Rin for this girl who could be connected to Kagura? Better yet, was he willing to give Rin up? Yes. If there was a chance of seeing Kagura again he would give up everything.

 

He glanced at Rin one last time before bounding into the trees. He jumped from branch to branch surveying the ground below him. In his chest his heart beat lamely- weighed down by his feeling of guilt- but his mind tumbled through different thoughts all telling him he was doing the right thing. If he had figured this out right then Naraku would be after the girl too, and so would Inuyasha and his motley crew. This girl could be the key to Naraku's victory, or to his downfall; it only took the right measures to find out.

 

When Inuyasha's miko arrived she stirred up many controversies, and this strange girl named Shy may very well do the same thing.

 

***

She stumbled, her shirt ripping on a branch as she fell forward. Panic willed up in her chest and she shut her eyes from the nightmare she was in. Her body ached, and burned from the scratches she'd received, and she was constantly being poked and prodded by the plants all about her. She curled into a ball on the leafy foliage and rested. She needed to rest.

 

For a few moments she seemed to be asleep till she heard a twig snap above her, as a tree creaked as weight was added. Should she flee or wait? Her body decided first. It shot up and bolted. Her mind didn't even have time to catch up with it. She was swerving through the trees, dodging limbs, jumping over logs, and avoiding all the obstacles in her way as if she had lived in the forest her whole life. But when her animal instinct to escape finally wore off and her humanity finally kicked in she would realize she was lost.

 

Then she tripped on a root. Her ankle twisted painfully and she was left skidding to a halt. In the end she was even more banged up, clutching her foot, and hoping that the thing that scared her had only been a bird or other animal. Then again, knowing her luck it would must likely be a blood-thirsty demon.

 

This was one horrible vacation she concluded as she untied her black Converse to relieve some of the pressure. She'd do well to remember never to come back here again. Then again…….

 

“What are you doing?” She froze. Okay, maybe not a blood-thirsty demon, but close enough. She tried to stand but ended up falling down again. Swollen ankles definitely were a nuisance.

 

She gritted her teeth and persisted in trying to stand. Luckily, she fell near a very useful and sturdy tree. “Would you not scare me like that? I nearly had a heart attack!” He didn't say anything which made her even more pissed off. She leaned against the tree and glared at him, “You told me to go away and I did, so you have no frickin' business with me any more. So go the hell away!”

 

“Do you plan on traveling injured through a forest filled with demons?”

 

“What's it to you?” She shifted against the tree so she could look him full in the face. “You know, I'm not in a very good mood right now and I really don't need you making matters worse.”

 

Again he didn't say anything and she was getting fed up, but at least her ankle didn't hurt that much anymore. She gave him a frustrated look and sighed, “If you're not going to talk then I'm just going to leave!” At least I can't see his aura anymore, she thought as she started limping away.

 

And when Shy was feeling like she could get away he goes and grabs her wrist, pulling her toward him. She managed a startled gasp before her air went out in a `swoosh' as he hauled her onto his shoulder.

 

“Put me down!” Enraged, she slammed her fists into his back when she managed to get her breath back. “God damn it! I said put me down!” She struggled ferociously biting and kicking at him. She even went to the extremes of screaming in his ear and pulling his hair. At one point the thought of death paced her mind (but that was only because Sesshomaru's eyes flashed from gold to crimson) but she was determined. Nevertheless, she surrendered and went limp. “I hate you,” she mumbled, exhausted. “Nothing I do works on you. Demons suck.”

 

He raised an eyebrow, “Suck what?”

 

She gave him an exasperated glare and laughed dryly, “They don't really “suck” anything. It's more of a figure of speech or slang used a lot where I come from.”

 

“Humans came up with it?”

 

She laughed again, “There is only humans were I come from. Demons don't exist.”

 

He stayed silent and she sighed. She had actually thought she was going to get a descent conversation out of him, but the moment had passed quickly.

 

After a few moments Shy got bored and asked, “Can you put me down? This is very uncomfortable and this furry thing hurts to lie on.”

 

Golden eyes sifted to look at her and Shy tried her best to make her dark eyes to look sincere. “I promise I won't try to run away.” But she had her fingers crossed, and as soon as he dropped her she pushed him away and ran like the devil him self was chasing her (and to an extreme he was.) He didn't try to grab her again and he didn't run after her. Instead he walked slowly toward the way she had run. Wasn't it true that caged birds never sing when you force them to? How could something sing when it was always dreaming of freedom?

 

* * *

Slowly, slower than she wanted to go, she limbed through the underbrush toward a small stream. It had been hours ago that the ridiculous trick on Sesshomaru had been made. Shy had escaped him by hiding in a hollow tree- she hadn't a clue how she found it- the only reason he hadn't found her was that she threw a rock out a small hole in the trunk that sent him searching in a different area. And when Shy was absolutely sure Sesshomaru was gone she scrambled out of the tree and ran the opposite direction.

 

It must be at least midnight, she realized as she sat down next to the stream. I'm pooped. I ran all that way on a twisted ankle, jeez I must be crazy. The tender flesh on her ankle throbbed and it exploded with pain when she prodded it with a finger. She bit her lip and slowly removed her shoe and set it to the side. With her shoe gone she saw for the first time just how swollen her foot really was, and it made her worried that she did more than just twisted it.

 

What if I fractured it? Oh no! This is terrible, if Sesshomaru or any other demon finds me in this state I'll die for sure. I'm screwed, doomed to die in some weird fantasy world! Damn it all to hell! She gritted her teeth, taking her sock off and plunging her foot into the icy cold water. It numbed the pain and all she had to do was lay back in content.

 

The moon was full above her and she smiled at it. “At least the moon looks familiar,” she yawned and closed her eyes. Next to her the babbling brook sang a sweet lullaby in her ear while the Man on the Moon turned his head to look over her as she slept.

 

The time in which she slept was peaceful with only a few crickets chirping in chorus to the Earth's pulse. And then a dark figure descended next to a tall willow that leaned out over the water. The willow's yellowed leaves rustled and spiraled away to land near the sleeping girl, while the figure watched. If you were just a passerby you wouldn't have noticed the still figure hiding in the willow's shadow, you still wouldn't have seen the figure as he moved slowly toward Shy. Only when a pale, ghostly white hand reached out from black sleeves to stroke her soft cheek would you see him and his demonic crimson eyes, but then it would be too late to escape and you'd be killed in the burst of miasma that swallowed the figure and rose into the sky to vanish a second later, all the while the chuckling voice of the dark demon whispered, “Soon you will be mine to control.”

 

***

“Ah, shit!” Shy jumped up, completely forgetting her shoeless foot. “Oww!” she screamed when she stepped on a nettle. “Darn, I fell asleep.” She sat down again and commenced pulling her sock back on. When she looked around for her shoe she found it in a bush, she grabbed it and shoved it on while mumbling, “How did that get there?”

 

When she finally had things in order she stood and patted her butt in an attempt to remove the dirt caked on there. It didn't do much leaving her even more frustrated. She huffed indignantly and stomped away in the direction of the moon.

 

Hiding in the shadows of the willow tree a demon watched her for a time before going after her. “Onna,” he called out and she paused looking back over her shoulder.

 

“Oh, it's you,” she sighed and adopted an annoyed posture (which consisted of her standing with her hands on her hips and her eyes glaring at him.) “So you finally found me, congratulations. Now, you can watch as I walk away.”

 

She turned away from him and waved good-bye as she walked away. The demon raced out in front of her, barring her exit. “What the hell?” She growled and stomped her foot. “What the hell do you want with me?”

 

“Rin needs a care taker,” he seemed almost bored. “You will do finely.”

 

She wasn't buying it and her dark eyes spoke that clearly. “Do you expect me to buy that?”

 

“Buy what? I did not chase you out here so you could buy something.”

 

“You know what I mean,” she shouted in exasperation. She was close to tearing out her hair in frustration, but decided against it. Maybe later.

 

“I am afraid I don't know what you mean.”

 

“Forget I said it, ok.” A soft breeze blew around them, sending their hair spiraling around them. The foreign teenager, Shy, shivered and spoke softly for the first time, “I've talked with her, and she doesn't need someone like me watching over her. I can barely take care of myself.”

 

He smirked, “You just admitted you need help taking care of yourself.”

 

“Hey, don't use my words against me! Anyways, maybe I was lying to you!”

 

He sniffed lightly. Golden eyes narrowed, and he growled possessively. “Demons are coming.”

 

“What?!” Dark eyes darted toward the forest and widened when they saw thousands of glowing red eyes. “You've got to be shitting me!” He looked at her in confusion, his eyebrows arching. “Shitting you?” he asked unsurely, “Is that another thing said in your village?”

 

“Yeah,” she said hastily, “But that really doesn't matter right now. What matters is how we're going to get out of this alive.”

 

He chuckled darkly making her shudder. “Only you will die tonight,” the calm tone of his voice made her blood run cold.

 

This cannot be happening! She screeched inside her head. I can't die here. I've only just begun to live. Ah, crap, I'm going to have to go with the dirt-bag next to me it if what to live! He was planning this all along.

 

She rounded on Sesshomaru screaming at the top of her longs. “You planned this didn't you? You wanted these demons to show up so I'd have to go with you to live. Goddamn you, you son of a bitch!”

 

“What a mouth,” a demon in the shadows laughed. Shy froze in a mix of terror and hot rage. “If I were her master I'd cut her tounge out.”

 

“I will remember that,” Sesshomaru mused indifferently.

 

“Huh? Wait, you better not get any ideas. Sesshomaru!”

 

Twisting to face her he coldly asked, “When did I tell you my name?”

 

“Um, I guessed?” She shrugged lamely, and nervously laughed.

 

“Onna,” he threatened as the demon in the shadows laughed in amusement.

 

The voice's crackling laughter caused them to look toward the trees in annoyance. During their argument the pair hadn't noticed how many demons had surrounded them. When they finally realized that there was no way out, Shy screamed out and shook her fist at the demons. She raved about how she had enough of demons and their demented fancies. She raved for a good ten minutes before dropping to the ground with her arms crossed over her chest mumbling about needing aspirin.

 

Above them demons circled like buzzards waiting to eat the scraps after a lions kill. Gloomily, Shy stared up at them. They were gruesome in all accounts and looked just like one of those monsters you see in the movies, and the smell they emitted smelled a lot like rotten flesh. No wonder they were called demons. They were really the devils helpers that's for sure, and the devil was finally coming after the cocky, punk that called herself Shy. God, what had she done to deserve this?

 

One of them roared. It looked like a cross between a bat and a gorilla. It was hairy with a gorilla-like face but with bat wings protruding from its back. It had claws for feet like a bat's but its arms were that of a gorilla. Maybe an ape had sex with a humongous bat and that's the by-product. Pretty gross if you ask me, Shy reflected. That thing smells the worst too.

 

“I see my pets are egger to feed, but I'm having so much fun watching you,” his accent was unmistakable. This demon was French. But why was a French demon in Japan? Who knows, however that question would always plague Shy many years after her adventures had ended.

 

Maybe he was collecting different animals to make into new species, actually this idea proved right when the demon spoke again. “I heard about a very handsome dog prince from an associate of mine, and I said I must have him for my collection and here you are. My, you are handsome Lord Sesshomaru. I want to just eat you up.”

 

“Eww,” Shy said, “You're totally gay.”

 

The demon scoffed. “You have no decency. Where have this county's manners gone?”

 

“Umm, I don't know,” Shy shrugged, thinking about how Japanese culture was supposed to be about manners. “I was wondering that myself, since I happen to be a foreigner too.”

 

“Are you really? Well, I guess the clothes prove it,” the voice mused, as he stepped out of the shadows. Shy gawked at him. Damn, why do all the hot guys have to be gay! She eyed the passive demon next to her suspiciously. He's probably gay too.

 

French men were always know for being good looking, or maybe that was Italian men? Oh, well Shy didn't care either way the French demon was still drop dead gorgeous. His long blonde hair was tried back in a low pony tail, and he had what looked to be a six-pack, but he was still tall, lean, and fair skinned. He was wearing a white suit with a large collar and cuffs with a purple lining. If you had a picture of a vampire, this demon would be what he looked like. Completely aristocratic and dangerously beautiful

 

Just when Shy thought she might be drooling the guy goes and smiles sending her completely over the edge. Too bad he was gay she wouldn't mind having a night with him.

 

“Hello, may I introduce myself?” The demon asked.

 

“Do,” Sesshomaru said, completely unfazed by the situation. The French demon chuckled and smiled again. “My name is Christen and I am a collector.”

 

“A collector of what?” Shy asked enthusiastically. “I was getting to that,” Christen sighed. “Women are such a bother aren't they Lord Sesshomaru.”

 

“Only she is,” Sesshomaru replied.

 

“Hold one here a minute. Was that a joke?” Shy stared at him in befuddlement.

 

“No,” he gave her an irritated glance.

 

“Oh, you're so cold Lord Sesshomaru,” Christen laughed handsomely, leaving Shy swooning.

 

“So handsome,” she mumbled. Sesshomaru frowned. “It seems you have an admirer.” With a `humph', Christen pouted his lip and gazed at Shy. “I guess she's not too bad looking. Rather cute actually, must admit I like the spark in her eyes, and their so dark too!”

 

Shy smiled girlishly and blushed, “You really think so?” With an almost drunken tilt to her head she cupped her cheek and tried to hide her blushing face. Sesshomaru was surprised she could act like a love-sick bride so easily. He had been begun to think that she may actually be a man in disguise-a poor disguise at best.

 

Smiling broadly-and affectionately- Christen kneeled before Shy and ran a clawed finger down her cheek. “You have a face I'd love to have in my collection.” He leaned forward and kissed her cheek.

 

Obviously, Shy couldn't resist and fell romantically into his arms, while Sesshomaru watched emotionless. “Would you like to be part of my collection?” She nodded, and he commenced pulling a part of her shirt off her shoulder to expose her neck and collar bone. She watched him do this with cloudy eyes as if she was under some sort of spell. He grinned, showing off his elongated fangs. By this time Sesshomaru had had enough.

 

He tore Christen away from her right before his ivory fangs pierced her tender flesh. “You won't be drinking her blood tonight, or any other night,” Sesshomaru threw- yes, he literarily threw Christen into the trees. A few of them broke from the impact and came crashing down with a loud boom.

 

Despite their frightening appearance the demons were all cowards and when their prey was too tough they fled. It was kind of funny in Shy's opinion, yet completely ironic. She smiled slightly at the thought but that precious, one-in-a-million smile vanished when she saw Sesshomaru

 

Sesshomaru was standing over Shy with a frown on his face and a frightening gleam in his eyes. “You were saying you could take care of yourself?”

 

She glared up at him and shook her head trying to clear the fuzziness. “Shut up.” Half sighing and half yawning she stood, stretching. “Jeez I can't believe that he was a vampire!”

 

“A what?”

 

“Vampire: an immortal, blood-sucking demon. Common in folklore in Europe,” she said in monotone like she was reading it out of a dictionary. He gave her a quizzing look. “Oh, please tell me you know of Europe?!” she exclaimed when she saw his confused look.

 

“Of course I do,” he snapped at her, taking her comment as an insult.

 

“Good,” she laughed and smiled jokingly.

 

“How do you know of Europe?” The joyful laugh she had was choked down and was replaced with a nervous one.

 

“I told you I come from the continent,” she scratched her head, giggling. Then all of a sudden she started walking in the direction in which she had come hours before. “Everyone knows about Europe there and I've been well educated.”

 

Golden eyes shone skeptically but the taiyoukai didn't voice his opinions. Instead, he decided to fallow after the foreigner who looked Japanese, yet he couldn't help but pester her. “Do you still wish to be left alone?”

 

“Yes!”

 

A smirk-the closest thing to a smile you'd ever see- twisted onto his pale lips. “This Sesshomaru remembers that you asked for help. Do you not want it now?”

 

“And all of the so called Sesshomaru's denied my plea,” her defiant stare and livid attitude toward him made Sesshomaru more skeptic of her origins. But he was tired of playing into her games, this enigma was going to be solved, he vowed that then and there.

 

“I am now willing to help you.”

 

“Really? But I'm so sorry but I'm not that stupid,” with hands on hips, she stared him down. “You've just messed with the wrong girl. And I didn't believe that shit about Rin either.”

 

He sniffed in distaste. “Do you always have to speak so indignity?”

 

“I do not!” she screeched, clenching her fists. “And it's none of your business how I speak, so buzz of jackass.”

 

“I do not buzz and I am not a donkey,” he stated simply.

 

She'd had it. Her whole sense of calm went over the edge - with her fallowing- and she was left as a bundle of nerves and bad temperament. The screams of her exasperation reverberated all over the forest, even traveling as far as a human castle miles away, a place named Akimi Castle, where the screams were interpreted as ghosts.

 

The soldiers shivered and murmured amongst themselves. “Shut up you cowards!” The general yelled angrily. “It is only the demons trying to scare you!” He had sat by his lord, but had stood to yell at the soldiers who were waiting in the courtyard just beyond the small room.

 

“But sir, it sounds like a female,” one soldier named Narita timidly spoke up. He was soon after hit with the handle of a daito for his insolence.

 

“Are you men or mice?” The Lord Shinobu shouted. They shifted uneasily, finally shouting “men” in unison after a few moments. Shinobu's lip curled into a grin- a yellowed, crooked teethed grin- and shouted to the men once more. “You know your enemy is no longer other men! You know your true enemy lies in the forest in wait. Show no weakness men. They your smell fear and will not hesitate to devour you whole.”

 

Beads of sweat streamed down Lord Shinobu's forehead even as some retainers fanned him, and his wife shuddered at his harsh words. How could he say not be afraid when she could feel him shaking with that deadly emotion?

 

Shinobu noticed his wife's look of contempt, and commanded her to be quiet with a stern look. She instantly bit her lip and looked toward the tatami floor. The fires flickered, casting shadows along the ground. Shinobu turned away from his wife and continued whispering to the general. “Those devils have us surrounded,” the general said.

 

“At dawn we make our stand,” Shinobu strongly whispered, eyes glowing like a hound about to begin the hunt. “We shall not back away like cowards.”

 

“Milord, it might be best to send your family away,” the general suggested adding, “so if that demon comes, your honorable bloodline will live on and will one day return to reclaim the castle.”

 

Shinobu was a sensible man who loved his family dearly and had married his childhood love even though she had been nothing more than a peasant. When his general suggested that he part with his beloved he became enraged.

 

“No,” he said, “they'd be killed as soon as they left the castle. You said it yourself, we're surrounded.”

 

“My love,” Shinobu's wife choked tearfully, clutching his arm

 

“It shall be alright, Mitsuki,” he whispered back and gently stroked her cheek. This war would not end well at all, Mitsuki thought to herself. How could anything as vile as a war with the demons ever be anything but bad?! But if my children stay they will surely be killed, oh I must convince my husband to change his mind!

 

Mitsuki glanced at her husband, who had clasped her hand in their tender moment. She saw the wrinkles that had creased his forehead, and she saw the gray that was beginning to sprout in his once luscious ebony hair. Guilt panged at her heart, while the child tucked away in her womb turned. Tears came to her ears as she looked at her husband who had still stayed with her even after her treachery.

 

“Milord, you should let your children leave Akimi Castle,” the general said then added under his breath, “but don't let Lady Mitsuki leave.”

 

“And why the hell not?!” Lord Shinobu shouted, a vein on his forehead pulsing. Courtyard went quiet except for the chirping of the crickets. Mitsuki's hand impulsively went to her neck to hide two small, pink scars.

 

The general pressed his nose to floor in a deep bow and did not glance up. “Forgive me Lord Shinobu,” he said, “I did not mean to anger you.”

 

“You think that Lady Mitsuki is the whore of a demon?” The feudal lord raved looking ravenous. “Is that what you've all heard?” His furious eyes gazed daringly at his soldiers.

 

The general stared at Lord Shinobu, then at the terrified Mitsuki. Mitsuki noticed the general's accusing glare and bowed her head in resignation. “Enough,” she murmured. “Enough! I have had enough of these lies!” The tears streamed down her cheeks. She had tried lying but she couldn't deny it any longer, she was in love with a demon. “I am soon to bare child, and I wish it to grow up peacefully. If a war is fought against its father than my dreams are lost.” Everyone was startled from her outburst; then they were hit with recognition. “Yes, I am to bare a hanyou. I am to bare the child of Christen, the man you are to fight tomorrow, the man I love!”

 

“How dare you!” Shinobu rounded on his wife swinging his fist at her. She tried to jump up and dodge but she couldn't move very fast and his blow hit her in the stomach. The woman cried out, clutching her stomach as she collapsed in a flutter of kimono. “My child, my baby, you've killed it!”

 

“You've brought this upon yourself,” Shinobu said hoarsely. From its place at his waist he drew his sword. It shone in the dim light, and Mitsuki stared at it with horror filled eyes. Feudal lords were not know for being forgiving, especially when under the control of a demon, and soon Lord Shinobu's hands were covered with the blood of his beloved wife.

 

In the trees surrounding the castle a shadowy figure watched and listened in amusement as the soldiers tried to contain their lord. The sound of the maids screaming as they walked into the room with sake` and rice cakes sounded like music to his ears. He chuckled, his demonic chuckle, and dropped down into the courtyard. Some of the soldiers saw him and charged toward him, swords raised, but they didn't get far.

 

Everyone in the castled began to drop dead where they stood, choking from a deadly miasma that emitted from the intruder. The flesh of the bodies of the dead humans began to melt away leaving only bones, and the stench of death.

 

Soon his incarnations and his legion of demons would arrive and he'd be able to set up his barrier, but for now he was left vulnerable, surrounded by corpses and his thoughts. His thoughts were never to be trusted. They weaved webs around him trying to push him away from his plans, but he wasn't going to let Onigumo take control. Naraku was tired of Kikyo; she was no longer a threat and he had found a new prize.

* * *

 

“You will come,” he ordered. Sesshomaru stood up to his knees in foliage, surrounded by trees on the top of a steep hill. It was pitch-black, but Sesshomaru could see perfectly. On the other hand, Shy was completely ticked-off and was too tired to bother trying to see anything around her. “Not this again,” she sighed brushing some hair out of her face. “Why are you so persistent?”

 

“Because it annoys you,” he simply stated and continued his trek through the undergrowth. Shy fallowed after him, only because his white clothing stuck out in the darkness.

 

“I should have seen that coming,” she mumbled. She started to fall forward, but grabbed Sesshomaru's arm. This caused Sesshomaru to lose balance as well and send them both tumbling down the hill. At the bottom they were left in a crumbled pile.

 

“Get off,” Shy whizzed trying to push him off her, but his armor was too heavy. At least he isn't wearing any spiky armor, she thought as she imagined herself being skewered by armor- it wasn't a pretty picture.

 

He stood, glaring, and growled huskily. “You are nothing but a nuisance.” The girl sighed and struggled to her feet. She was panting, looking bedraggled, and wishing that she could just be rid of Sesshomaru.

 

“Well, I'm sorry that I am a nuisance,” she snapped haughtily. “If you don't like me then just leave me the hell alone!”

 

“I cannot do that.”

 

“Why the hell not!” She shouted, clenching her fists.

 

“I do not need to explain myself to the likes of you.”

 

“Why you,” she stepped forward threateningly, then suddenly she smiled. “Alright then, have it your way.” She turned tail, smiling all the while, and ran. And he went running after her.

 

She was fast, faster than any other mortal woman, but that may have been because she wore those strange pair of hakama. Despite her speed, he was much faster, and yet before he could make a move to grab her, she turned to face him. With her face just centimeters from his he could get a good look at her eyes. And he was surprised to find that they were very beautiful and they sparkled like a piece of adamant, however they were a strange shade of reddish brown.

 

She smiled fiendishly and made a swipe at him with her hand, fingers poised to scratch, but he easily dodged. She jumped back a little and waited for him to charge at her. When he did she swung her foot and caught him in the chest. Then he made his move. He grabbed her foot and threw her to the ground which knocked the wind out of her.

 

She lay there panting and glaring ferociously at the smirking demon lord. “Damn you,” she wheezed, pressing her palm to her chest trying to steady her racing heart. “I guess I have no chance of getting rid of you do I?” He stood above her gloating over his prize. “Could you help me up?” The question was fallowed with an annoyed clicking of her tounge.

 

She opened her mouth to say something else but quickly closed it again when Sesshomaru leaned over her. As her neither region ached with desire from his close proximity and she bit the inside of her cheek knowing he could smell her desire. His smell invaded her nostrils, over powering her with his sweet sent. Her problems only escalated when Sesshomaru threw her nonchalantly over his shoulder and bounded off into the trees. She sighed and squirmed in discomfort as her body wished that he would take her right then and there, while her mind was screaming no.

 

Sesshomaru on the other hand could smell the change in her body but pretended to be unfazed. He was used to women fawning over him. Yet he couldn't help but be drawn to the smell of her. Why was she having such an effect over him? Damn woman will only lead to trouble, his demon side sneered -even though it wanted him to take her. Why do you say that? He questioned back with a snarl. His demonic side just chuckled and whispered, remember what happened to Kagura? Sesshomaru's stomach clenched at the memory as he tried to shut everything out.

 

It took only a few minutes to arrive at the camp. There everything was quiet except for the crackling of the fire, and Jaken's snoring. Rin lay curled into Ah-Un's side. Shy noticed that her face was streaked with tears and she looked like she was having a nightmare.

 

Unceremoniously he dropped her before the fire. He got a heated glare in return. “You could be a bit nicer,” she mumbled gutturally as she leaned up against a tree as far away from him as possible. “If I am going to travel with you could at least be nice.” She blinked and studied him. “Are you even listening to me?”

 

“No.”

 

She grinned, “You are listening to me then.” He glared at her, but he didn't have the heart to tell her off, he just sat against a tree opposite her and closed his golden eyes.

 

Shivering she sat down and curled into a ball, with her arms wrapped around her legs. Strange was her mind. You would think her thoughts would drift to the demon that had chased her through the night, yet her thoughts lingered on a woman only a little older than herself. How could Sesshomaru not realize how much he hurts her? Every time he disappears she probably feels lonely. Hell, I would too if I was her, Shy thought sadly. How did Rin feel when she found out that the man she loves went out looking for a different woman? Oh, how could I have believed that this might have been fun? Rin must surely hate me now.

 

Her dark, brown eyes drifted over to the girl, and then they glanced over to the demon who sat not too far away from Rin. Is he sitting there to tell me to stay away from Rin? Or is he just trying to prove to Rin that he does care. I'm sure Rin will like it that he's so close. And that I'm so far away. She looked solemn as she shut her eyes and tried to sleep, even if she was cold.

 

The world was a cruel place she knew that much but she never intentionally wanted to make it even crueler to a girl who had already suffered so. How could she be so evil? Why am I allowed to live? I only hurt people. I can never be forgiven, she thought. But most of all there is no God to forgive me, and I have committed no sins, because sins don't exist. I am human. At least that gives me comfort in this cold.

 

She opened her eyes and looked about in the darkness. The fire was going out but Shy didn't care, she had excellent eyes that could see well in the dark. First she looked at Jaken, he had a blanket, and then she looked at Rin and Ah-Un: they had blankets as well. Even that bastard Sesshomaru had a blanket! Damn him! He could've at least given me a blanket! Jeez, I'm freezing my ass off here!

 

AN/ This chapter was so long, 18 pages long to be exact. It sure took me even longer to write than the first chapter. Jeez, Shy has such a bad temper but it's so fun to write her. She's an interesting character. Sesshomaru's so mean to her =p. Well, there are a lot of plot keys in this chapter too, and when you figure out what they are you better tell me! So please R&R.

@%Lady Red Dragon%@