Captive Soul
chapter 35
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Chapter 35: coming to terms
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Even though he was warm, Rin shivered. How could someone do that? How could someone
be that cruel? That...that...evil? Now she knew who had crushed his
spirit. It had been the witch who had cursed him, the dark miko that wanted him to live
a life like this, wanted him to serve forever. She had been the one to break him.
A knot welled up in her chest, a dark anger. Evil witch.
Evil, evil witch.
Rin, however, knew she would have the last say. After tomorrow, no more would he be a servant, no
more would he be subjugated. He would be free.
Deeply breathing the anger away, Rin allowed a small smile. Yes, he was going to be
free.
She only wished she could live to see it.
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Inuyasha started his car and pulled out of the driveway, Kagome sitting next to him in the
passenger seat.
He glanced at the young woman with a curious smile. "Okay, Kagome, tell me. What has you
so excited? What is going on?"
Kagome took a deep breath. "First, I must tell you why I was looking for another releasing
spell, one that would not physically involve Rin."
Inuyasha gave a nod as he stopped at a red light. "Go on."
"Sesshomaru's restraint, the black choker around his neck, is cursed.
Sort of....booby-trapped...in a way."
He watched the traffic light. "How so?"
"The dark miko who subjugated him put a curse on the collar. Whoever physically removed the
restraint from his throat would be cursed with a living death."
The light turned green. "Living death?"
"Yes, whoever takes the choker from Sesshomaru's neck would die, their soul
would be purged in some way. I don't know how though. Rin would be the one
to remove the collar when we attempt the releasing spell. She would be the one
to die."
Inuyasha swallowed heavily. "What kind of person could have done such thing?"
The young woman beside him sighed. "One that wanted Sesshomaru to remain a ser
an
and punish anyone who dared to release him. If he were freed, in a way, that dark miko
would be making Sesshomaru suffer as well. She knew that anyone who cared enough to
release him.......Sesshomaru would care for them also."
"She sounds sick in the head."
Kagome shrugged. "It doesn't matter now. Hopefully, well more than likely, she is long dead.
Right now all that matters is that I found a way to thwart the dark miko's plans."
"How so?"
Inuyasha heard the rustle of old parchment as Kagome opened the book to a certain page.
He could not really see it while driving but he glanced at it anyway.
She placed a fingertip at the top of a page. "In this book is a spell, the most powerful protection
spell known. It is a spell that protects anyone who it is placed upon from being cursed. No
matter how powerful the curse is, this spell will protect the person from it. It is as ancient
as time and was said to be created by Midoriko. With this spell, I will be
able to protect Rin while she removes the collar. The only thing is.....to make the
spell stronger, a certain item must be present."
He glanced at the young woman sitting next to him who was now eyeing him somewhat
strangely. "What?"
"Rin has to be wearing something when I place the protection spell on her."
Inu Inuyasha glanced at her again. She was looking at him intently. Something in her
grey eyes were watching, trying to decide. It unnerved him. "What?"
Kagome licked her lips and looked down at the book. With a decisive sigh she
spoke hesitantly, "Rin...will have to wear.....the Shikon no Tama."
Inuyasha nearly slammed on the brakes. He pulled the car to the side of the road.
He sat there for several minutes before looking at the startled miko beside him.
"You....have...the Shikon no Tama?"
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He did not want to let her go but he could hear Miroku and Sango returning, their
footfalls coming closer. Gently, he motioned for Rin to sit beside him. She did,
if somewhat reluctantly, giving him a small smile of understanding.
Sango and Miroku stopped at the edge of the blanket holding hands. They
seemed to have resolved their argument.
Rin looked up at them. "Ready to go?"
Sango smiled and nodded. "Yea."
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During the ride home, all Rin wanted to do was sit by him, sit so close
that she could imagine never leaving his side again. She wanted
to be with him forever, but she knew that was not possible. No. Tommorrow
she would give her life to set him free, and she would be giving it
with no reluctance or qualms. She had made a promise to herself.
That promise filled her heart with a strange, sad, happiness.
Miroku and Sango dropped them off in her driveway. With a few goodbyes
and a last parting wave, they left.
Rin glanced up at Sesshomaru who was looking at her quite intently.
She smiled a little. "What?"
His nose rose a touch, as he peered down at her. Curiosity laced with concern
hinted in his features. "Tell me, Rin. Tell me what I sense.
For there is something deep inside. It almost escapes me but...
I can feel it. What are you hiding from me?"
Her bottom lip fell a little in a gape before she caught herself and blinked up at him.
"I....I don't know what you mean."
Rin looked away from the intensity of his gaze and began walking to her house.
"Rin."
She could hear his footsteps trailing hers up the walkway. Silently, she
cursed that sharp demon nose while searching for the house-keys
in her purse.
As quick as she could, Rin unlocked the door and went in, walking up the
stairs, hoping he would not pursue his sudden suspicion.
"Rin. Talk to me."
At the middle of the staircase, she turned around, startled by the gold
gaze that watched her. "What do you want to talk about?"
"Tell me what I sense. Tell me what I know is there."
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The young miko gave a nod. "Yes, I have the Shikon no Tama."
Inuyasha could not believe what he was hearing. What he had
searched for, what he had dreamed of attaining during most of his
life was the infamous jewel of four souls. Now he had come across it and
the woman sitting next to him had it in her possession. "Are you its keeper?"
"Yes, I am."
The hanyou shook his head, looking away to stare out
the windshield. This was incredible. What he had finally given
up to myth so many years ago now showed up in present reality.
Somewhere deep down he knew fate had been planning this all along.
He no longer wished to become full demon, but this sudden revelation
brought out the temptation of desire for such a wish. "This is....
incredible. I have been searching most of my life for
the Jewel of Four Souls."
"Yes, many demons as well as men have been looking for it. That is
why I was a little reluctant to admit that I have it."
He looked back at the miko. "Then why did you tell me?"
"One reason is because I had to. I promised you could be there
when we removed the collar, you would have seen it then. Another
reason is...." She averted her gaze away from him. "I believe I can
trust you."
Inuyasha did not know what to say. She trusted him with a secret
knowledge that belonged only to the order of the miko.
A new respect emerged for the woman who was fidgeting next to him.
This young woman was powerful enough to keep the Shikon
no Tama safe and hidden from demon senses.
For the first time in a long time, a warm smile pulled
at his lips. "Hey."
Kagome looked back at him.
"You can trust me. I will keep your secret."
The young woman returned his smile.
Inuyasha started the car, pulled out into the street, and continued the drive to
Rin's house.
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She knew she couldn't tell him. No. If he knew, he would never allow
her to keep her promise. "I..."
Thankfully, the doorbell rang.
"....will go answer the door." Rin stepped around Sesshomaru and down the
stairs.
She opened up the front door to see Kagome standing there, Inuyasha behind her.
"Hi, Kagome, Inuyasha, what brings you here?"
Kagome's smile reached all the way to her eyes. "Rin, I have some very good news."
Her sister grabbed her hand and began pulling her down the hallway.
"Come on, I need to speak with you in private."
Rin glanced up at Sesshomaru while Kagome dragged her along. "I'll
be right back."
Kagome tugged her out of the house, down the cobblestone pathways,
all the way to the outer edge of the garden, far from the house.
Stopping near the old oak, Kagome turned and enveloped her in a
warm hug. Her tone was light with relief. "I found it Rin! I found
a way!"
Confused, Rin patted her sister's back. "Uh...what way?"
With a light laugh, Kagome held her a little tighter. "I found a
way to keep you safe while you remove Sesshomaru's collar."
"What?"
Leaning back, Kagome looked her directly in the eyes. "I have found
a way to protect you while you remove Sesshomaru's restraint. I have
found a spell that will keep you from being cursed. You will not
die, Rin!"
For several moments, Rin blinked at her sister before what she had
said finally sunk in. Then a knowing smile began lifting her cheeks.
Suddenly, she jumped, hugging her sister back. "Thank you, Kagome!
Thank you!"
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Sesshomaru watched Rin and Kagome until they disappeared down the
hallway. He then looked calmly at his brother who was still standing
in the front foyer stupidly gazing at the after-image of the young miko.
Inuyasha blinked out of his daze, lifting his gaze to him.
Without a word, Sesshomaru broke eye contact and turned, ascending
the stairs to his room.
"Sesshomaru."
The inu youkai paused.
Several moments passed, the only sound, the clock ticking in the kitchen.
"I do not wish to babble with you, Inuyasha. If you do not have anything
important to say, do not call my name."
With that, Sesshomaru left, ascending the stairs, heading for his room,
thankful to be leaving his half-brother's presence.
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Inuyasha watched his older sibling ascend the stairs, enter a room,
then close the door.
He had wanted to speak to his half-brother, but frankly, he did not
know what to say. Sesshomaru did not know he knew about the collar.
Inuyasha wanted to talk to him, find out who had done this to him,
find out who it was that had enslaved him, but he knew Sesshomaru's
pride, which was growing ever stronger, would never allow
that knowledge to be known. His brother who had been so proud, so
confident, so strong, had been stripped of his dignity and worth.
He know knew, deep inside, that the dark miko that had taken his half
brother had ravaged his spirit and stolen his inner strength.
Nothing else could have made his half-brother bend to being a
....a slave. That evil miko witch had....broken him.
Inuyasha looked down to the polished wooden floor. He knew what he
wanted. He wanted vengeance. He wanted retribution for his brother.
He wanted to find who had done this to his older sibling and choke
the very life from their body, end the existence of the sadistic dark
miko. His right hand tightened into a fist as he held it out in
front of him, letting his claw pierce the skin, firmly promising
a blood oath. In a low whisper under his breath, he formed the words
sealing that oath. "I promise brother, I will find who did this
to you. I will find the witch and make her pay."
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Kagome and Rin sat under the old oak tree, lazily watching the roped
board swing creak back and forth in the breeze. They had just finished
discussing the details of the removal spend tnd the protection spell. Rin sighed, smiling.
Fate was finally shining on her and Sesshomaru.
She looked over to Kagome who was holding her hand out, trying to
catch a falling oak leaf. The green leaf fell into her hand. She
began rubbing it between her fingers.
Rin tilted her head, slightly smirking. "Kagome, are you and Inuyasha...?"
"Are Inuyasha and I what?"
"Are you and the hanyou...uh...getting close?"
A pink hue tinted Kagome's cheeks. Rin had never seen her sister blush
before. She found it quite sweet but incredibly tempting. A sudden
mischievous notion sparked. She grinned. "I bet you have already
kissed him."
That pink hue reddened Kagome's entire face, all the way to the tip of
her ears. She could tell her sister was trying not to sputter.
"I....I..."
Giggling, Rin held one hand over her stomach while pointing to her sister.
"Ha! You have kissed him! It's written all over your face!"
Huffing, Kagome stood, dusting her behind with her hands. "Rin, that is
none of your business." She finished dusting and folded her arms over her
chest while looking away toward the field beyond the garden. Offhandedly,
she shrugged. "Well, it was just a little one."
Rin leaned against the tree, smiling. "Where did you kiss him?"
Kagome raised a brow, looking down at her. "That, sis, is none of
your bees wax." She held out her hand. "Come on, we need to get back."
Smiling, Rin nodded, taking her hand.
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Rin stood at the front door waving goodbye as Inuyasha and Kagome
drove off.
Somng vng very warm breathed close to her ear. "You smell different."
Rin smiled, turned, and looked up at the male that had been standing
behind her. "How so?"
He bent forward, his eyes almost closing as the tip of his nose touched
hers. The warm wisp of contact trailed across her cheek then down to
her neck before nuzzling into her hair. His words, whispery deep but
light in tone, warmed her skin. "The scent from earlier has departed."
The tall youkai leaned back, gazing down at her. "Will you tell me now?
Will you tell what was....upsetting you?"
Rin smiled faintly. "It's so hard to keep anything from you."
Reaching out, she grasped his hand and led him to the couch then
sat down, tugging on his hand for him to sit down with her.
Rin stared at the large hand that now lay between hers in her lap.
Telling him outright about the curse would be a bad idea.
If he knew about the curse attached to his restraint, he
would never allow it to be removed even if Kagome had found
a way to dodge it. Held cld consider it too great a risk for
her to take. No. She would have to fugde over it a bit,
tell him just enough, as close to the truth as she could
possibly get without informing him of the curse.
Building up her courage, Rin inhaled deeply, letting it out
slowly. "Sess, this morning, Kagome informed me about her
worries concerning the removal spell. She feared it was too
great a gamble that I might get injured,
so she was reluctant to carry it out."
A warm finger touched under her chin, lifting her eyes to meet
his golden ones. "Is that why you were worried?"
Rin swallowed and nodded. "I was worried that Kagome wouldn't
help me."
"What changed?"
She smiled. "Kagome found a way to keep me from harm. She will be using
a powerful protection spell that will shield me from anything dangerous that
may arise."
"A protection spell?"
"Yes. Are you angry with me because I did not tell you?"
He did not say anything for several moments, merely studied her face
in silent reservation. Finally, he spoke, the softness of his words
vibrating through her senses. "I am not angry with you, Rin. What I
sensed bothered me deeply. I can feel more than smell your emotions.
We are connected. I know this. I feel this. What you feel, I feel."
Suddenly, her heart began pounding in her chest, thundering in her
ears. It was almost as if he were saying that he......
Her thoughts scattered for he closed the distance in a breath,
the warmth of his lips touched hers.
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Kagome glanced at the hanyou sitting next to her, driving
quietly. He had been silent ever since they had left Rin's,
sullen in a way. Maybe she could pull him out of his mood.
She smiled. "So, uh, what brought you to my house today?"
Inuyasha seemed to startle from his deep contemplations to
acknowledge her question. "Huh? This morning? Well I... uh. was
just..."
Kagome inwardly grinned. Was he blushing? She glanced at his ears.
They were twitching back and forth now, almost nervously.
She remained fixated on them. How soft would they be? Did the
fur smooth one way and crinkle in the opposite direction or
were they soft all around, like a new-born kitten's?
He must have caught her looking for he cleared his throat.
"Yes, they're ears."
Kagome hid her grin with her hand. "I'm sorry for staring."
He glanced at her shrugging his shoulders a bit. "It's okay.
I get a lot of strange looks. It's like no one has ever
seen anyone with dog ears before."
Kagome lowered her hand, smiling. "Well,t hat haven't.
Youkai are rare around here. I think I know more youkai than
eighty percent of the population. Hanyous are not
as rare, but most look so human that nobody
notices that they are half-youkai."
The hanyou glanced at her again with a small smile.
"Are you hungry?"
Her stomach rumbled, answering his question.
He switched lanes, heading toward the center of town.
"I think that was my reply."
Kagome shook her head. "I am so embarrassed
"Why, because your stomach decided to inform me how
much you need food?"
"It growled."
"I can growl."
Kagome willed her jaw not to drop. Was he flirting with her?
"Uh...I kinda figured you could...since you are a...dog demon
and all."
He smirked, glancing at her again. "Want to hear me growl?"
Now her jaw did drop, slightly agape before she caught
herself, shutting her trap. He was flirting with her!
Her heart spedwithwith an unexpected excitement.
"I...uh..."
Inuyasha laughed. "You don't have to tell me now. I can wait
for you to decide if you can handle it or not."
Trying her best to contain the feeling that wanted
to explode from her chest, Kagome grinned back at him.
"You would be surprised to see what I can handle."
While pulling the car into the parking lot of the
local grill and bar restaurant, he raised a dark brow.
"Is that a challenge?"
"Maybe."
He parked the car and turned off the engine then
turned his complete attention to her. "Women like that
word too much."
"Maybe."
The hanyou smiled brightly. "Be my dat
Kagome smiled. "Yes?"
He gave her a playfully stern look. "Is that an affirmative reply?"
She nodded. "Yes."
He pointed at her. "Stay right there."
Somewhat confused, Kagome watched the hanyou as he got out of the car
and quickly walked to her door. He opened it and held out his hand.
Kagome accepted his warm invitation, stepping out of the car.
Together they walked, hand in hand, towards the restaurant.
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Rasberries here, sorry for the long wait in updating. Next five chaps will be the releasing spell.
I will try to update every tuesday from now on. Ras.
Reveiw responses:
VampirePrincessMiyu: Yes, I am trying to make Kikyo the way she is in the series, sad, tainted,
and willing to do anything to keep Inu with her. I know that kinda makes her a b***h. but she is
an enigma in the show and here too. Sorry for the long wait. I kinda got out of the loop with this story. I am now
returning to my muse and will try to update next tuesday. Yes, I will try to help him. ^_-.. Ras.
Riomi: lol. I will try to help Sess become a dad but I don't know what can fix him. I knew all along
that Sess could not have children. I knew that the one who had cursed him would make it so he
could not sire more little demons. That is one thing she did not want. But I am the authoress and I
can fix it. I think. About torn, It is so good, You make first person speaking work for me. ^_^.
Will wait to find out what you have cooked up in your imagination on that one. Ras.
The dragon
Tiranth: Lol, poopyhead...lol Well, hint hint, she may show up. but under a different name, one that will not allow her true mission
to be obviously known to outsiders.
animechick262003: I am enjoying OSAC too. Love to see your updates. I don't get to read much and now
that my muse is back with this story I may be doing more writing than reading and chatting. ^_-.
New Fan. Hey fan, maybe her (secret power) will. *winks*
DelKaiden: She may be still alive. scary huh. I like Aburana. It is darn good. Can't wait to see how that one turns out.
Laura: Hey Laura, Well that is not quite what I had in mind that she did. She did do something magically and physically to
marr him in that respect for eternity. If she actually did that, Rin would have noticed in the little lemon after the banquet.
lol
Kawool
CyberEmly01: I got it fixed. ^_^
Luna
Mija: lol, you got it child that is what she wants to do. I was hoping everyone would catch on to that.
lere
stayingput29: next five chaps will be the releasing spell and I have got my muse back. yah!
fyyrrose
Dark Willow: My main premise of this story was to get Sesshomaru back from being broken and return him to
his original character. Now I believe that most of the characters, considering their positions and age, are in character.
Kagome is older, and a fully trained miko, Kaede is the wise kind older helper, Miroku is a sweet perve, Sango is
the older, experienced, level headed exterminator, Rin is the younger, independent, able to fend for herself type of
girl, Inuyasha is older, learned his lessons in life and has matured from his experiences, Shippoh is the ever
resourceful companion with his tricks and equipement helping Inuyasha, Sesshomaru, who had
been broken from his original state was helped back into main character by the love of Rin. Because he is a demon,
that transition did not take long and because of Rin's love and support, it helped him out of that fog. I have tried to
make Sesshomaru completely into his old self but I finally had to resolve to the fact that the experience has
changed him completely in some ways, He will never completey become the d he he was before. Parts of his
past will haunt him forever, but because of Rin he will be able to heal in time. Sorry if the story did not work for
you. Ras.
river
MomofFluffyandFluffier: you may get your wishes. lol
dragonflyelj: I am glad it is not dragging. I was a little afraid of that. ty. Ras.
nicole: can I pet the pet dragon? Ras likes dragons.
Evelyn
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