Chosen

A/N Well, here is chapters 3&4. Sorry the chapters are so short, that is just how thing turn out. i am trying to make them at least two pages long, but sometimes that is not possible. Well hopefully you like it so far and continue to. Thank you for reading it this far and i will do my best to get the chapters coming. Unlike my other stories i am doing this one straight computer so that limits my writing, so do be too upset if the length between chapters is a little long. i am doing my best.





III



Kiri ran down the hall, Sesshomaru's long robe trailing behind him on the marble floor. His eyes blurred from the tears that threatened to come forth. He hated it here. He wanted to go home. He thought he could do it, that after the bonding Sesshomaru would be- different. But no, that was not meant to be. Sesshomaru hasn't changed, he was still the same arrogant bastard and he was never going to change.



Kiri made it to the end of the hall about the time Sesshomaru casually walked out of the door, blissfully naked, without a care in the world. There was no one about save for the guards that patrolled the halls and the grounds. One was at the door that led to the center of the palace. The same door that Kiri was running towards. The guard looked up when he saw Kiri running towards him wearing Sesshomaru's robe. When he made the mistake of stepping in front of the youngling he was flung out of the way like a rag doll, Kiri just kept running.



Sesshomaru stopped when he saw this. He had to find a way of neutralizing those vines or else this will be a short chase- for him anyway. He would never go to his father. That would be unthinkable. He knew of someone that would be able to him tell where to look.



With this in mind he went back to his rooms to prepare for his journey; not at all worried about loosing the pup. He would find him and he would claim him again and again, until the pup begged him to stop. Then he would claim him some more. He will learn his place. Through pain. Through dominance, he will learn his place.



~



Kiri continued to run. Not caring about anything, only of getting away. He ran, straight into the dark forest that laid before him. Dawn was approaching, but that was still about an hour off. It was dark and cool and Kiri was a little apprehensive about this forest. It felt- frightening- hungry. But even that didn't deter him for very long. He continued to run until his strength gave way and he collapsed to the ground, exhausted. He fell asleep where he had fallen, protected by his plant guardian.



The morning's sun began to fill the forest with it's partial light. It was still somewhat dark, because of the thickness of the treetops. Only flecks of light managed to break through. But it was enough to wake Kiri from his slumber. Sitting up he yawned and rubbed the sleep from his tired eyes. Sitting back against the thick tree he looked around. It still felt creepy, but not so dangerous as before. It felt old and ominous, but that was okay, it will do for now.



Getting up Kiri started walking, his bare feet just barely touching the forest floor, the robes he wore trailing behind him. He knew Sesshomaru would soon be looking for him, he hoped to be long gone before the young daiyoukai got wind of his location.



He continued walking and soon found a great spot to make a temporary camp. It was by a beautiful lake that had a small waterfall and had a nice spot by it to make a decent shelter. He was youko so he could do without a roof over his head but judging by what he smelt in the air it was going to rain soon and he was not looking forward to sleeping in wet garments.



Within minutes he had a shelter up in the tree to keep away from ground predators. Looking up at his work he smiled. It looks good. Out of his brothers he was the best at this sort of work. His twin was better at attacks. And his youngest brothers were better at the elementals water and air. The middle set at the youko mind magics. But him, anything that has to do with plants he was great at.



He stood there a couple minutes more then decided to rake advantage of the clean fresh water that coyly beckoned him. Stripping the robe he had grabbed when he fled Sesshomaru's room he slowly entered the cool waters and sighed as the cool liquid wrapped around his sweat coated body.



~



“Lord Sesshomaru, it is good to see you.” a huge tree said, a face appearing in the thick bark. “To what do I owe the honor of you visit?”



Sesshomaru stood in front of the large demon tree, his face and expressionless mask. “I need to know how to neutralize a plant guardian to a youko.” he stated plainly.



“Oh, tricky tricky.” the tree said with mild humor.



“Is it possible?” Sesshomaru ask nonchalantly.



“Oh it is possible,” the tree answered. “And actually quite simple. All you need it the root of a negune bush.”



“Really.” Sesshomaru said waiting for the rest, for he knew there was more. And it was the tricky tricky part.



“Good good young lord.” the tree said with admiration. “What you need to do with the root is to ground it into powder.”



“What am I supposed to do with that?”



“It must be drunk.” the tree said simply.



“And how am I supposed to do that?” Sesshomaru asked. “The kitt won't have anything to do with me and will attack me upon first sight.” Sesshomaru said, his ire for the kitt rising.



“That is for you to come up with.” was all the tree said.



Sesshomaru left then. He had to come up with a way for the kitt to drink the concoction that would disable that troublesome plant guardian of his. He will come up with one. He will.





IV



Kiri yawned and stretched as his sleep wore off and morning's light began to fill his little makeshift shelter. “Time for a morning bath.” he thought as he climbed out of the tree. Removing the robes that were smelling less and less like Sesshomaru and more and more like him, he stepped into the water.



After a quick bath he went in search of some fruit and berries. He knew where to find some. He had seen them on his way in here. All he had to do was locate the place.



He found the place easily enough and began the process of collecting the mouthwatering goodies. Youko did eat meat, but they preferred fruit, nuts and berries even more. And that is what he collected. He had been stuffed full of meat back at the palace that he was getting a little tired of it. Now he had a chance on stuffing himself full of his favorites. And he was going to love it.



He found his way back and sat down to eat. It was while he was eating that he heard someone approaching. His ears perked up and listened. The footsteps were to soft to be Sesshomaru's. He glided, Kiri thought with annoyance, and he would never announce his approach with such carelessness.



As he watched a young girl around the age of ten came walking into the clearing. She wore an old kimono and looked a little unkept. “Hm,” Kiri thought as he watched her approach. “Must be the child of a peasant family.”



The little girl looked at the food that Kiri had in his hand and Kiri heard her little stomach growl loudly. The little girl blushed deeply and bowed her head in shame. “I'm sorry.” she said softly.



“I take it you are hungry.” Kiri observed. “Come,” he said patting the ground next to him. “Sit.”



The girl came up and sat down next to him. When she was situated he handed her some fruit that he had collected. She ate every bite with such vigor that it made Kiri smile. It reminded him of his youngest brothers. They ate much in the same way.



“So,” he said when she was finished with the food he had given to her. “What is your name?”



“Rin.” she said with a smile.



“My name is Kiri.” he said with an answering smile.



“Are you a demon?” Rin asked looking at his silky black ears. She wanted to touch them but she didn't dare. He was kind to her and she didn't want to upset him.



“I am youko.” Kiri answered. He asked much the same question when he was younger. And his mother answered him like thus.



“What is that?” Rin asked, confused.



“I am not sure. Mother never told me.”



They sat there in silence and waited for their food to digest, just enjoying the fresh fall air. The girl, Kiri noticed, did not like to sit still. He smiled at this, and an ides came to him. It has been a long time since he has played a simple game. Looking over at her he asked with a smile, “Would you like to play a game?”



Rin looked up, a smile forming on her small lips. “Yes,” she squealed in delight, jumping up to her bare feet. “What games do you know?” she asked, delighted that he was going to play a game with her.



“Do you know 'catch the fox'?” Kiri asked getting to his feet.



“What is that?” Rin asked. She never heard of such a game. Must be a youko game.



“I suppose it would be like the human game of chase.” he answered thoughtfully.



“Rin likes chase.” Rin said with glee.



“Good,” Kiri said with a smile. “So do I.”



With that said they began the game. Kiri was so preoccupied with his game that he did not even notice that he had an observer. Sesshomaru watched the two of them as they played and waited for his plan to take fruit. He knew his plan was going to work, it was already in motion as he stood there, down wind from the two. All he had to do was wait.



The two played until they both became to exhausted to even move and collapsed to the ground, laughing.



“That was fun!” Rin exclaimed as she laid there looking up at the cloudless sky.



“I enjoyed myself too.” Kiri said with a smile. Rolling over he looked at the human girl. “Rin,” he asked as he looked at the human. “Do you live near by?”



Rin looked over at him. “Yes I do.”



“Do they have fresh water?”



“Yes they do.” Rin answered, a little confused. “Why?”



“Because I am a little thirsty.” Kiri said with a mild blush.



“Hunn?” Rin wondered, then it hit her, “Oh!” she exclaimed. With that she pulled out a little container from her kimono and handed it to him. “Drink this.” shoving the container into his hands.



“What is this?” Kiri asked staring at the wooden container.



“It is something to drink.” Rin said looking at him, confused. “The person that gave it to me said that it was good.”



Her look became a little hurt and she asked, “Do you not trust Rin?”



Kiri looked up from the container he was holding and smiled. “No it is not that. I was just curious.”



He opened the container and downed its contents. No sooner had the contents hit his mouth and been swallowed that the container fell from his hands and he crumpled to the ground. “Negune!” his mind screamed. He learned from early on never to even touch the forbidden plant. It has the ability, if given in large quantities, to kill your plant guardian. He did not know how much of the plant was in that container, but the effects of it hit him like a waterfall. His mind was reeling, and he could hear Neran cry out as if in great pain. It hurt him even more then if it were happening to him. And, in a way, it was.



Soon the pain became too great for his mind to handle and it began to shut off, but before it did he saw a sight that he had wished he would never see again. Sesshomaru.



~



“Rin did not mean to hurt him Lord Sesshomaru!” Rin cried, seeing her lord approach. “Rin did as you told her to. Rin gave him the container. Rin did not know it would do this to him! Rin is so sorry!” she cried.



“It is okay Rin. I knew this would happen. Go along now. Go back home.” Sesshomaru said dismissing the little girl.



Rin nodded her head sadly and did as she was told, walking quietly away. Sesshomaru looked down at the young pup. The pup was curled on the ground motionless. He knew that he was clinging onto consciousness, and that, in a strange way, pleased him. Reaching down he picked the young pup up and carried him home.