Finding The Balance

Yay Second chapter Hope you all like. I only own my character nothing else but my own creativity.


Chapter 2: The Lamb, the Lioness, and the Dog


~The Next Morning~

Saiyuri woke up when she heard voices and feet approaching.
This just gets better and better. she thought sarcastically. Before she had even fully waken up they had clearly spotted her, or at least one of them had.
“Hey, look!” said a voice that sounded decisively child-like. For her own good, and the benefit of the doubt, Saiyuri decided to keep pretending sleep, at least for now.
“Ah, a lovely young lady.” remarked a second voice which was obviously that of a young man. Saiyuri didn’t move other than to draw breath, doing all she could to keep herself calm. But a second later, there was a light slap-sound and his voice again. “Ow! What was that for?”
“Behave yourself monk.” said a female voice more sharply. Something touched Saiyuri’s should, it felt like a little hand and it attempted to shake her.
“Um guys? I don’t think she’s gonna wake up.” said the little child-voice, much closer this time. The tiny hand tried to shake her awake again, and Saiyuri only rolled over onto her other side, away from them, still faking sleep most convincingly. They all let out their breath when she lay still again, and a different voice spoke up now.
“Feh, let her sleep if she wants.” said a much gruffer male voice. “She’s got nothing to do with us.”
“I wonder where she came from.” the other man mused aloud. “Her clothes are as strange as yours Kagome.” he commented.
“Is that a compliment or an insult?” asked a female voice with a touch of amusement, or maybe annoyance.
“She has no weapons though,” said a different female voice wonderingly.
“Well that’s her own damn fault isn’t it?” said the gruff man irritably. At present the voices began to fade a bit, still clearly squabbling over something or other. But once she could no longer hear them, Saiyuri jumped to her feet and dashed in the direction directly opposite of where the strangers had gone. For a long time, she didn’t know why she was running from them, she was still too panicked though without any clear idea of why this was. And she only stopped when she nearly slipped into a little river, not more then about ten feet wide. Still jumpy, she crossed this and sat down under a tree, only slightly damp around the edges of her jeans. She found, she didn’t care much but what she did care about was the rumbling in her stomach, and that there was no way to get rid of it, unless one counted the mints in her purse, and she really didn’t. She caught her breath and, because she was thirsty from the run, drank some of the water. But before too much time had passed, she got up again and made herself go on, though she did take out one mint to stay the pain in her stomach. After awhile, when the shadows fell straight again, she rested for a second time. It was a moment before she noticed the pair of brown eyes peering out at her from behind a tree about six or seven feet away. Saiyuri blinked, in slight confusion, and the set of brown eyes did the same. Eventually, the rest of the face showed itself and it turned out to be a little girl with black hair and bare feet, wearing a pink kimono of some kind. The little girl gulped audibly, and stepped out from behind the tree completely. Saiyuri was still confused. Surely a child would not come out into the woods all by herself? She cocked her head to one side feeling distinctly interested in the little girl. The child came up to her and looked up into her face, tilting her own head this way and that to look at the older female. Then the expression of wonder the little girl wore broke into a wide smile.
“You’re really pretty!” she told the young woman. For half-a-second, Saiyuri did not know what to make of this, then she smiled in return and finally spoke.
“Thank you, and you look adorable.” she said and then asked, “What is your name young lady?”
“My name is Rin.” she said happily and she plopped down beside the young woman. “What’s your name?” she asked and received a smile.
“My name is Saiyuri.” she replied, and added, “I’m pleased to meet you Rin.”
“You’re really nice too.” said Rin, making Saiyuri chuckle a bit. Then her mind came back to more serious matters.
“Listen, Rin, shouldn’t you be heading home?” she looked up and observed the shadows slanting again. “It’s getting lat, and I’m sure your parents will be worried sick about you.” At once Saiyuri wished she hadn’t said that. Rin’s face took on a sadder expression, and she looked at the ground.
“I don’t have any parents.” she said softly.
“Oh I’m sorry sweetheart, I didn’t know.” Saiyuri apologized.
“But I have Lord Sesshoumaru.” Rin piped up, and smiled again. Now this confused Saiyuri to no end, at least at first, because she had never heard any such name.
“Who is he?” Saiyuri asked, utterly clueless. “Does he look after you?” Rin nodded.
“He takes care of me. When I was really hurt, he healed me and let me stay with him.” The young woman heard and registered all this with a working mind. If this Lord Sesshoumaru had looked after a child like Rin, he must be nice or, failing that, civil. She was brought out of her thoughts again as Rin spoke up, tugging on her hand. “Come on, I’ll show him to you, and we can go have supper.” Rin didn’t know it, but she had said the magic words, at least for the time and situation. So Saiyuri stood up, brushing the dirt and debris off her legs and rear, and let herself be led away by Rin. All the way to wherever they were going, Rin kept saying things like “You’ll like Lord Sesshoumaru” and “The lord is really nice, he’ll like you.” Saiyuri couldn’t help but smile at all this and was quite sure she’d have a lot of explaining to do once she met this person.

~Evening, Elsewhere~

In a small clearing a campfire burned and a set of bright golden eyes stared calmly, coolly into it. The firelight danced upon the pale feature of his being, for it was a man, or something like. But no human had claws on such slender, strong hands, nor with such striking marks on his face and arms, and certainly no mortal of such youthful complexion had such long gleaming silver hair. But since he was not human, none of this really mattered. At the present, he merely sat and thought, his pointed ears listening to catch any sound that dared to come close enough. As far as he knew there where only a few who he would let dare so, but as he heard the quiet little feet of Rin, he heard another pair as well, a set he did not know. He stood up and was in a tree well before they entered the clearing, so he could watch and judge his next move. There was Rin as she came holding onto someone’s hand. And the Lord of the Western Lands saw, quite distinctly, a young woman, or rather he saw her back. But the way she was dressed was as odd as the strange miko who had his idiot half-brother so turned around. Her clothing made no sense. Why would anyone wear a shirt with no sleeves? Even the very poor could afford proper clothing. And if the few pieces of jewelry were any indication, she was not all that poor, though not overly wealthy either. He listened as his golden eyes watched the little play before him, not making a sound.

“Look Saiyuri, there’s master Jaken. Lord Sesshoumaru must be somewhere else.” Rin said, a little disappointed he noticed and couldn’t help a slight smile since no one could see him.
“I’m sure his lordship is just fine.” said the young woman and Sesshoumaru found himself wondering just how old this person was. She looked young enough, but then so did he, and her voice was nothing like that of his half-brother’s woman. This woman, Saiyuri had a far more mature tone which he thought must give others the impression she was very wise. The lord tried not to scoff audibly at this thought.
“But what if he’s hurt and all alone?” Rin sounded as though she were panicking slightly now, and the lord beat down the feeling of guilt at this, telling himself that Rin should know better than to worry. But he stared at what he saw next. The young woman put her arms around the child hugging her close, and he caught with some surprise what she said to the little girl.
“He’ll be back, I’m sure nothing bad has happened to him. Don’t worry, he’s probably on his way back now.” Her tone was soft and gentle, something rarely heard by Sesshoumaru.
Interesting, he thought as he watched the older of the two females comforting the younger one. Perhaps it was time to enter and keep Rin from crying her eyes out. Slipping silently out of the tree he landed just as silently in the clearing, so much so that neither of the two looked up when he entered. For a second he just observed the two of them, they made a rather cute picture, almost as though they where mother and daughter, or maybe older and younger sisters. Presently he spoke. “Rin?” the single word was enough. The little girl broke from the young woman just enough to look and make sure.
“Lord Sesshoumaru!” she squealed and ran over to him, hugging his leg because she was so little and he was so tall.
“Are you well Rin?” he asked in that same even deep calm voice. But as he asked this he did not look at the child, he was looking at the young woman to see what her reaction was. However, the young woman was not looking at him, her vivid green eyes were focused on the child who still clung to his leg, and she had a mild smile on her lips.
“I’m alright my lord.” Rin chirped happily, still hugging him.
“And who have you brought with you?” his tone changed just a little, though neither female quite knew what the change meant. Rin smiled up at him then ran back over to the young woman, took hold of her hand and pulled her forward.
“My name is Saiyuri.” the young woman said, a little uneasily, clearly not sure what to make of all this.
“I found her my lord.” Rin informed him with quite a bit of pride, so much so that both adults looked at her. “Isn’t she pretty?” said Rin as she held onto Saiyuri’s right arm and Sesshoumaru’s left. The lord gave no sign of what he was thinking while the young woman Saiyuri blushed and was clearly trying not to grin, or at least not too much.
“Rin, would you go pick some thistles for Auh?” To Saiyuri, it sounded more like an order than a request, but for the moment she didn’t abject.
“Yes my lord!” Piped Rin, who seemed only too glad to do as she was told.
“Jaken.” the lord was apparently irritated when he noticed his servant had fallen asleep and now, did not follow his orders. However at the abrupt contact of a small stone to his head, the little toad-like creature sat bolt-upright. He grumbled for a few seconds before realizing what was going on, but then he spotted the newcomer.
“A human?” he shrieked and brandished his staff. “How dare you approach his lordship? Now you will feel his wrath!” The little creature went on and Saiyuri only looked at the pale stranger next to her in confusion. The little creature called Jaken was met with another small stone to the head, promptly knocking off his perch.
“Excellent shot my lord.” said Rin still with some pride. Eventually Sesshoumaru succeeded in sending the two away and thus gaining some time to figure out this odd woman. Once they were out of sight and earshot, he turned to the woman and gave her a hard look. She stared back at him and it was obvious she had not the slightest clue who he was since her expression was not really fear or for that matter shock or terror. Instead she looked puzzled and even curious. Carefully, he walked around her taking in every detail of her appearance from the chopsticks pinning up her hair, down to the tips of her black boots. He noticed that she turned her head to watch him as he moved, but he could tell he had little if anything to worry about from this girl. After all, she wasn’t even carrying any king of weapon. When he stood in front of her again, he reached out his slender hand and held her face with only his fingers, but the action was so fast that Saiyuri jumped slightly. But she could not back away, though she clearly wanted to, because Sesshoumaru still held her there.
“Listen to me human, and do not move.” he told her in his calm cool voice, and except for one dark eyebrow raising itself on her face, Saiyuri obeyed, probably because he let her feel his claws. “How was it that you met Rin?” Bright green eyes blinked in perplexity at him, and he sighed. “You may speak.”
“She just sort of came up to me in the woods.” Saiyuri said blankly, not sure where this was going. But he seemed satisfied with this answer.
“And how is it that you reek of my half-breed brother?” his tone had changed and sounded even colder now.
“I don’t know Sir.”
“Lord.” He corrected her and let her feel the bite of his claws again, only letting up a bit when she winced. “How could you not know?” he went on keeping her there, though he observed both her hands give a nervous twitch, as if she wanted to bring them up in defense. “My idiot brother doesn’t exactly blend in with humans.” he added with a smile Saiyuri didn’t like. How could that innocent little girl trust this guy?
“You and Rin are the only people I’ve met.” she stated more bravely than she felt. Lord Sesshoumaru tilted his head slightly and raised one narrow silver eyebrow at this.
“Perhaps,” he leaned a bit closer and inhaled deeply through his nose, “you merely crossed paths. Did you see a half-breed dog-demon with a little rabble of companions?” He asked and watched her expression carefully. Saiyuri frowned, but not as though she was annoyed. Instead, she looked as though she were thinking hard about something. Finally, she decided what she would say.
“I didn’t see anyone else, but,” she paused for a moment picking her words carefully. “But some people did pass me by earlier this morning.” Sesshoumaru raised that silvery eyebrow again. But this time, instead of increasing the pressure of his claws on her, he moved his hand lower and fastened it loosely about her throat. When she would not speak, that scary little smile of his was back.
“Go on.” he ordered quietly, and chuckled a bit when he felt her throat move under his grip as she swallowed.
“I pretended to be asleep, to see what they would do. All they did was talk for a few minutes them left me there.” He looked suspicious and the pressure on her throat tightened just a little, enough to be a threat. “That’s all that happened! After that I ran as fast as I could away from them.” For a long moment golden eyes pierced green ones, and Sesshoumaru’s hand slipped behind her neck and the other somehow seized both her wrists and held them tight behind her back. Saiyuri tried to back away but at the insistent prick from his claws on the back of her neck, she ceased movement again. As Sesshoumaru leaned even closer, he was a little amused to note that her vivid green eyes had gone as wide and perfectly round as coins. Very carefully, so as to impress the seriousness of her situation on her, he leaned in so that his cheek just barely brushed hers, and he whispered in her ear.
“If I find a truth other than what you have told me, I will personally remove your lying tongue.” And as he finished, he gave her a little nip with his teeth, not enough to do any damage, but just scare her a bit. The moment she jumped and flinched, he knew it had had the effect he wanted. With that, he backed off quickly, and noted with satisfaction the look of shock and a wish at disbelief, though it was clear that she didn’t dare to think he was bluffing. Hmm, she must be fairly intelligent if she’s figured that out. He smirked to himself. Saiyuri took a hesitant step backwards, and then another but the look he gave her made her reconsider. “Sit down.” He ordered, and after a few moments in which her frightened stare turned into a glower, she sat where she was. Compliant as well, if even a little annoyed. She is a strange one, but so much the better. He found himself thinking and he sat down beside her. Saiyuri did not, and would not, look at him, she was both scared and furious. Sitting with her knees drawn up to her chest, her arms around them and her chin resting there, she merely stared daggers into the campfire. After a little while, she became aware of just how close Lord Sesshoumaru was sitting, and started to edge away. But she was stopped by something bigger than her, and furry as well, and when she turned to see what it was, she nearly jumped out of her skin. Whatever it was, was certainly big and furry, but what she hadn’t expected was two pairs of eyes glowing down at her, nor growls from two separate sets of jaws. Scrambling backwards, she didn’t stop until she hit something very solid, and a pair of unnaturally strong arms came around her. “Human, do your best not to panic at every turn.” Came Sesshoumaru’s voice in her ear and this time she really did jump. Before she had quite known what had happened she was on her feet again, but before she could even think to run, she was pinned with her back against a tree, staring into those yellow eyes and that cold face. “If it makes you feel any better,” he murmured, his warm breath on her face, “I could just have you sleep for awhile.” But this, of course, did not make Saiyuri feel any better, and in fact the effect his words had where quite the opposite. Now definitely scared beyond what was reasonable, Saiyuri fisted both hands, and raised them to try and break free. But again she was disoriented as her position had changed. Struggling only helped her register just how much trouble she was really in. For instance, Both her arms were held at the wrists by one of his, and his claws were beginning to dig none to gently into her flesh. Something fluffy, which looked to her like a boa of some kind, encircled her waist, holding her rather tightly, against that very solid body behind her now, and his other hand covered her mouth firmly. “Would it kill you to do as you’re told wench?” his voice was calm and icy. Saiyuri tried another struggle, but obviously it didn’t work and Sesshoumaru only tightened his grip on her further. “Human,” his breath was on her neck now and Saiyuri froze, terrified. “Either you will calm down on your own, or I will calm you down. It’s that simple. Do you understand?” Most unwisely for her, Saiyuri’s fury decided that that moment was best for it to flare up. With a glare of pure defiance in her eyes, she gave what ended up being her last real struggle for the evening, tossing her head back and forth as hard as she could, and twisting her hands around behind her to try and get free. There was a low, irritated growl in her ear and then something was stinging her nose. Trying to breathe through it, was swiftly getting tough to do and the world was blurring together in a many-colored mass around her. Saiyuri felt herself falling, but never registered anything beyond that before she passed out. The Lord of the Western Lands sighed with more irritation than he let his face show, as the young woman sagged in his arms. Retracting the poison from his claws, so as not to end up killing her, he sat she and himself down with their backs against the tree. Just as he had taken his seat, and the young woman slumped against his shoulder, Rin came bounding into the camp with an out of breath Jaken hurrying to catch up behind her. She set her armful of thistles and such down in front of Auhn and skipped over to the two adults. When she saw Saiyuri leaning against the demon lord’s shoulder, apparently sleeping, she tiptoed over to them.
“Is Saiyuri-chan alright?” she whispered looking concerned for the other female.
“She if fine, she’s just very tired.” Replied Sesshoumaru in a soft tone. When he said this, he felt an odd kind of twinge inside him, though he didn’t show it, and wondered why it bothered him at all. Rin, however, didn’t seem to notice as she yawned and stretched before curling up in his lap.
“I’m sleepy too.” she said through another yawn and Sesshoumaru coiled his tail around her loosely so she would be warm, but still able to breathe.
“Rest yourself Rin, we’re going home tomorrow.” he told her in that quiet voice. Rin smiled up at him and snuggled in closer.
“Goodnight my lord.” she said and then promptly fell asleep. The demon lord, however, did not fall asleep for a long time. Instead, he allowed his golden gaze to shift between the heavens and the two females that slept alongside him. Such strange creatures, humans. He mused idly. His eyes fell back to Saiyuri and oddly enough, she seemed to curl herself closer to him, and nuzzle her face against his shoulder. Sesshoumaru found himself pulling his arm a little tighter around her feminine frame as if to keep her warm too. Why should I care what happens to her? he asked himself, coming up with no logical answer. Deciding to give up for now, he finally shut his eyes and fell into a light doze. His last truly coherent thought was that he could sort this all out when he got home.

~Elsewhere~

A different, yet similar set of amber eyes glared out towards the forest, and a set of dog-ears twitched in irritation.
“What’s he doing so close to a village?” Inu-Yasha muttered to himself as he sat on the roof of Kaede’s hut. He knew his brother was not after the jewel shards as Naraku was, and he generally despised the human race. Why then had he come so close? After all it wasn’t as though this village was anything special, and it wasn’t even that big. Was he still chasing after the Tetsuaiga? “What’s he up to?” he asked himself, just as one of the other called him for dinner.


Author's qurestions: INterested yet? I hope so. If not then I need a few more Long Island Ice Teas LOL or something. Keep sending the revies and suggestions Thanks a bundle!