Killing Your Memories

normal disclaimers apply





Chapter 3-





At times the wars and trials

Cover all that we seek

Yet at times of peace and serenity

You still cannot seem to find me





I groggily opened my eyes only to see a pair of large, inquisitive eyes staring back at me. “Good morning Rin.”



The child giggled and ran away yelling, “Master Jaaaakeeeeen, Master Sesshoumaru is finally awake!!!”



‘Finally?’ I thought and looked up into the sky and sighed, I had slept in… but I was not going to complain, it was the best sleep I had had in many years.



Something shifted on my chest; looking down, I noticed for the first time that Kodora and I were not in the same position as when we had fallen asleep, in fact, we were lying on our sides, facing one another on the ground. My hand was still around her waist and her head still rested on my tail. I could not resist the temptation, and moved my hand up and brushed the back of my hand against the place on her forehead where the ivy leaf sign would normally have been, but today it was only pure, smooth, human skin.



She lazily blinked her now brown eyes open and looked up at me, taking a minute to get her eyes focused, and, once she did, she nearly jumped from her skin in surprise, yelping at me.



Ignoring her antics, I coolly stated, “Good morning to you as well. I suggest we get a move on, since Shaekaku is closing in on us as we speak.” She then slowly seemed to sort through, and regain the memories of the happenings the day before. With that, I stood up and began walking over towards Rin, but suddenly I paused and turned back. Kodora had rolled over, grasping my tail with both hands. Then she began to do something I would have never expected, she cried.



She smothered her face in my fur, holding it close. The scent of her fear and anguish burst into the air flooding my scenes; the smell, and feel, of her cold, salt-water tears streaming down her face made me stop in my tracks. Her now raven black hair shivered ever so slightly as she let a small sob tumble out; never have I known her to do such a shameful thing, even while in her ningen form.



Once Rin realized what was happening, she quickly ran over to Kodora’s side and used her small hand to pet Kodora’s hair, in an effort to sooth her. Rin, knowing that now was not the time for idle questioning, ignored the changes in Kodora’s hair and eye color for the moment, “Is there anything Rin can do to help?”



She released my tail and sat up with a false smile on her face. She shook her head at Rin and gently embraced her; her eyes, blurry pools of tears. She seemed grateful at the child’s small gesture of compassion and calmed down a bit. I shot her a commanding look from over my shoulder as Rin helped her to stand. Her right arm held onto her left as she looked towards the ground, bangs shading her eyes from view.



I raveled my tail back around my shoulder, and turned forward, walking as I called Rin to my side. After a few minutes, I knew neither woman was budging and I felt both women staring holes into my back. Even though I was extremely tempted to growl, I kept my composure. I spun around and grabbed up both young ladies in my arms. Kodora began struggling ferociously at once, yet her senseless struggling eventually ceased after awhile of traveling.



My casual pace belied the true extent of our inherent danger. I had not been bluffing when I stated that Shaekaku was nearing our location. As I had predicted, he flew through the night in high speed whilst we slumbered. The true fact of the matter was I was merely ‘fleeing’ from him as a façade, I truly had no intentions of running away, if Shaekaku had picked up my own sent by now, which I was sure he had, and he still chooses to defy my wishes and continues pursuing us I would deal with him face to face, this Sesshoumaru was no coward.



I placed both slightly agitated women back on their own feet. Rin immediately stomped on the ground, “why did you do that to Kodora-san, Sesshoumaru-sama? Could you not see her tears? She seemed quite distraught to Rin.” She looked up into Kodora’s now pouty face.



Realizing she was now the focus of attention, quickly fained a look of glee announcing that all was well. That, however, did not seem to satisfy her curiousness and Rin’s eyes returned their piercing gaze to my own. I turned and resumed walking, “crying is a very unbecoming and unnecessary act, Rin, you know I do not allow it.” she seemed content with that and both of them began fallowing me.



After many hours of travel, all emotions had calmed and Shaekaku was progressing ever nearer for his yet unknown purpose. I began mulling over Kodora’s words, what was it that she had said? He was very angry and wished to capture Kodora for some matter concerning her mother. Again, a fowl taste rose to my mouth, that whore of a human. Who knows how many illegitimate children that wench bore. However, it is not her children that burned me so, but the way that conniving witch’s inability to protect herself eventually lead my father to his demise. Yes, it is true that such a disgusting creature actually mothered my idiot of a half-brother. However, there was also another, later, lesser known conception of a half breed, kitsune hanyou; one that turned into a women which has possibly affected my life more so than any other hence.



I was torn from my thoughts suddenly as dust from the road behind my group swirled up into the air. The cloud blocked my vision though I did not need it to know the terrified Rin and confused Kodora stood behind me, and the man whom, over the past few hours, I had developed a shallow loathing for, Shaekaku, was standing amid the dirt.



The dust dissipated and his proud form stared down at the women cowering behind myself. I decided to be the first one of us to speak, “Lord of the Southern Lands, Shaekaku! How dare you stalk my presence and my company? What excuse is it that you have for these actions? Come forth and explain yourself at once!” A cruel smirk played across his face, displaying his intimidating fangs. I looked on, unfazed, as the young master walk up to me and studied my face, scrutinizing me. I quickly grew annoyed at his insolent little games, “I do not enjoy repeating myself…, boy,” the insult seemed only to fuel his perverse pleasure as the fire in his eye blazed on, “answer my question now, before your head gets delivered by mail to your mate back home.” He chuckled lowly in his throat and spun on his heels, beginning to walk away, apparently ignoring my order.



My anger flared as I struggled to keep control, but stopped all action once he uttered his next statement. His voice, liquefied velvet, was deeply seeped in mirth and dripping with the implicated threat. He bowed mockingly, “oh forgive my indecencies great Lord Sesshoumaru…,” he paused and stood up to address me directly, “however, I believe that you are not the one to be handing out the orders here.” His tail slipped about his waist as he awaited my heated reply. “ I know not what it is you want, however, I will not stand for your crudeness, and so if you would so kindly seek your twisted jollies elsewhere, I might give you a break and let you keep your pathetic life…, for now.”



He turned to face me directly, “I am terribly sorry Master Sesshoumaru, but I’m afraid that it is too late for that…, much too late for that.” His ever-increasing smile of malicious pleasure intensified, the burning twinkle in his eye, seemingly caged, but relentlessly trying to break free. He continued, “You see Sesshoumaru-sama, I have information. Information that could bring about you ruin,” I began to attack but quickly shoved that impulse down my throat and hear him out as his next words registered in my mind. “Again I say, I am the one holding all the cards here Sesshoumaru. Do you mind me calling you Sesshoumaru? I thought not. Well Sesshoumaru, let us get down to business. I have come to you with an interesting proposition. I implore you to hear it out. You see, I have an interest in that beautiful creature quivering behind you that may be of significance to both your reputation, and your… how should I say this in the presence of a minor,” he paused in false concentration as I looked down at Rin whom reacted by clutching at my haroi even tighter. “Say what you came here to say and be done with it. I tire of you. What business is it that you have with the women.”



“Ah, but you should not be so disrespectful to her. Call her by her real name. Won’t you?” he tilted his head slightly to view Kodora’s confusion better. “What do you mean by her ‘real’ name? Her name is Kodora, you know that.” Chuckling soon after poured forth from his mouth and quickly grew into a full blow laugh, which gradually died back down. “She doesn’t know?” he replied, still trying to stave off his laughter, ”oh this is truly rich, truly. You did not even have the courtesies to tell the lady of her true name and position? May shame lie upon your face Sesshoumaru. To keep such valuable information to yourself, truly it is a selfish act on your part.”



I was in a complete rage by now and slowly losing control over my instincts of shredding him on the spot. My hands glowed with venom, my claws, elongated; my blood filling my eyes, my fangs lengthening. I began to speak slowly, my voice nearly failing me, drowning in the growl spilling forth from my mouth, “How…,” many years of sophisticated aristocratic training, instantly forgotten as I struggled to find even the simplest of words, “how do you know these things? Who told? Tell me… Now!!!” Calmly, as cool as ice he replied, seemingly humoring me “Oh Sesshoumaru, how could I not know? Honestly do you take me for a fool?”



“Do you really want me to answer that?” I questioned in all seriousness, trembling slightly in my fury. Somehow, some way he knew, this was no joke, he truly knew that Kodora‘s mother and Inuyasha‘s mother… were one in the same. Once that human wrench was mated to my father, other powerful demons wanted her, and right after my father had given his life to save her and Inuyasha she threw herself into their awaiting arms just like the whore she was. Kodora was rightfully third in line to inherit the Western territories, she was a princess born of a Lady and an unidentified tiger demon noble, my half-brother‘s half-sister, no relation to me, her true name was naishinnou Mouko-sama. “Now, now Sesshoumaru,” he chided, as if I was a child “now, now, I won’t be having so rude a word spoken to me. Forgive me, Milady,” turning to address Kodora. He knelt down onto one knee, bowing his head to acknowledge her supremacy, “I now realize that I have caused you to doubt and even fear my intentions,” he sighed, ”and it is clear to me that this man has done nothing to change you opinion in that respect,” he spared a disdainful glance in my direction before rising to his feet. “Allow me to properly introduce myself,” he said giving a quick bow at the waist, “I am Shaekaku, Lord of the Southern Lands and,” Kodora quickly cut him off, “Do not attack my dignity with such absurdities, I know good and well who you are you scoundrel. You are the man whom has been stalking me for months now.”



“And for that injustice Milady, I am truly sorry, however I could find no other means of dealing with your,” he paused, searching for the word, “your… evasiveness. Truly, you live up to the old adage ‘as sly as a fox‘.” By then I had regained a bit of my composer, but still my enraged appearance did not shift. ‘Surly, I thought, had Kodora been in her hanyou state, but now she would be growling.’ “Your taunting has me growing tiresome my Lord,” she drawled. I felt a tang of pride as I watched her standing there, a ningin staring down a youkai without a thread of fear. “Please Milady, I come bearing gifts, do not shun them,” he pulled three obviously tainted shards of the Shimon no Tama. She huffed, “what use would I have of that?”



“What use indeed…” he looked past the shard into her eyes, “were you not just recently in possession of pieces of, as you put it, uselessness?” She suddenly became wary of him, “…hai.” He continued, “And is it not true that the possesion of said shards had been no accident? That you sought them out?” I turned slightly to look at her, surprised to hear this. Kodora desiring the sacred jewel? For what perpose? She sighed, “What is it to you?” Shaekaku chuckled again darkly, “I have the power to give you what it is that you desire…” She gasped and took a step back, “How can you… how do… why…?” she seemed to finally decide on one question, “How do you know what it is I desire?” He smirked, a sharp fang protruding from his mouth, “I do believe the question is, how could I not? I can smell it, since it, as I am sure he can…” I looked at her once again, a bit confused as to were this conversation was headed. At my attentions she blushed and turned away. Shaekaku snorted, “Not to mention I can see it…” She cast her eyes down to the earth, “And you claim to hold the power I seek?” I blinked once. She was actually considering this? I growled despite myself. I had seen all the chaos brought down on those who used the jewel, even those pure of heart. Never would I allow such a fate to bestow itself upon her, no. “I do not claim to have it. I truly do have it.” She turned back to face him fully, her eyes suddenly sad, “What do you want form me in return?” My mind reeled, ‘NO!’ I snarled loudly, grasping both party’s attention. I hated this, not knowing what was going on, unable to control the situation, unable to control myself, it was infuriating! Shaekaku walked passed and, completely ignoring me, held out the tainted jewels to her, “I ask for nothing…” She looked at him, surprised. Her hand lingered over his, hesitating for a moment before greedily snatching the crystal away from him with a hunger I would not have imagined her to possess.





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