Love and Deceit by Kate the Inuyoukai018

Prolouge: The End;Complete

Love and Deceit

By: Kate the Inu-Youkai

Prolouge::

Inuyasha... you fiend...

This was Sesshomaru's first thought as he looked into the face of his love, her blood staining his prestine white hakama and haori as he held her to his chest. They were to be married in the spring, but now all he looked forward to was his younger brother's blood staining his hands and the ground beneath his lifeless corpse for what he'd done to the only thing he considered worth living for. His golden eyes seemed like ice as they stared down; down at her lifeless form. A single tear that had been waiting for eternity to be released fell onto her porcelain skin. Since Jaken had died in their last battle with the Leapord demons of the North-a sad loss on Sesshomaru's part- and he couldn't bring him back a second time, he had noone to protect her.

Rin... I should never have left you alone...

----Flashback----

"Rin."

A young woman looked up at him from her place in front of a warm fire, "Yes, milord?"

"I am going to the forest to hunt, please stay inside and I will return shortly," Sesshomaru ordered.

She stood up with a quick 'yes, milord', and ran into the small hut that they were staying in until they could journey back to the Western Palace. He would have gotten Ah-Un to stay and watch over her, but he had gone on temporary leave to take care of his own family.

He checked the surrounding area for any suspicious energy. When he found nothing, he left shortly after and soon entered the forest without a care. He knew that Rin was smart enough to take care of herself. He spotted a boar just off of the path a little ways and proceeded forward quickly so as not to be detected by the beast. As quickly as he had spotted the beast, the boar's head was severed and he fell with a resonating thud on the forest floor. He hadn't noticed how quiet it had gotten, the woodling creatures and smaller youkai becoming silent as he pulled the beast further off of the path and proceeded to skin it when he heard a blood-curdling scream coming from the direction of the camp. He stopped what he was doing and stood for a moment, not really sure he had heard anything. The smell of blood and something burning quickly entered his sharp nose and he wondered momentarily why he hadn't noticed before... Another scream reached his sensitive ears and he flinched inwardly at the familiarity of the voice.

Rin! He thought as left the beast on the ground and moved with as much speed as he could back to the camp. A tightening sensation he didn't really find comfortable began twisting in his chest, goosebumps ran over his pale skin. What had happened in the short time that he'd been gone? He didn't know, but he was sure that he'd checked for anything suspicious in spirit energy or scent... How could anything have slipped past his keen senses?

He skidded to a stop in the small clearing where the hut stood, and he quickly turned away from the atrocious sight, hoping that what he just saw wasn't real... he turned back around to see that his worst nightmare had become reality...

The hut that they had been staying in was completely destroyed, bits and pieces scattered and aflame. Rin was laying amongst the rubble, whimpering and hissing as she tried to move. "S-Sesshomaru... sama..."

"Rin," he exclaimed as he ran to her, lifting her limp body into his lap as he gently pushed her hair out of her face. The scent of her blood was thick in the air and he looked down to see that the words 'demon's whore' were written across her abdomen with thick claws... her wrist was slashed, as well. Upon further inspection he also found that she'd been robbed of her innocence. A thing that she was saving for their wedding night... Had it really taken him that long to get back to camp? Or had this happened right after he'd left? His hand cupped her cheek, running imaginary circles across her left cheek bone.

"I-I'm s-so... sorry..."

"Shhhh... don't speak, Rin. It will only make things worse." He shook his head, "I'm sorry... I should have taken you with me so that I could better protect you." He could feel the warmth of her body beginning to dissapate as he gently stroked her cheek. She'd already lost far too much blood, and was fading fast.

He began thinking of something.... anything he could do to atone for his carelessness. He had failed in protecting the one thing that had ever brought him true happiness.

"I'll bring you back with the Tensiega, Rin." He went to unsheath his sword when a pale hand came to rest on his.

"It won't work, milord," she spoke weakly. "You've done this once before, have you not?"

A young girl on a mud path covered in blood... His eyes clenched shut when he realized she was right, and the twisting pain in his chest tightened painfully. He bent down and kissed her lips, "I-I love you, Rin... please don't go..."

She lifted her hand and placed it on his cheek. She ran her finger along a dark purple stripe and smiled weakly, "Don't worry about me... anymore, koi... I just... want you to b-be... happy, alright?" She was trying her best to talk, but every time she got a few words out she would have to take a deep breath. After a moment, she lifted her other hand slightly and put a crumpled piece of parchment in his hand. "The one w-who... did this... I-I might have been... able to s-stop him... if I had my... arrows, but I misplaced them... g-gomen... ne..." She smiled brilliantly as she spoke, "He said he was your brother....." Sesshomaru's eyes went wide with realization. Suddenly, her limbs went limp all at once, her head slightly turning to the side as she exhaled her final breath.

He stared at her for a moment, not wanting to believe what had just happened. In that moment he grew sickeningly sad and angry at the same time, and he shook her frail, limp body gently, "Rin!... Rin!!!" He quickly unsheathed the Tenseiga and swished it through the air.... nothing. Again... Again.... Again! He stared down at her for a reaction and still nothing happened. He fell to his knees once again before looking at the crumpled parchment in his hand. He slowly uncrumpled it as best as he could, only to find a quickly written message... written in Rin's blood...

'You realize now that I am not a joking man, big brother. Hand over the Tetsusaiga or anyone who ever becomes near and dear to you will die!

-Inuyasha

He growled lightly, crushing the parchment again and clenching his fist so hard that his claws pierced his flesh. His eyes glowed a crimson red as they began to water, and he let out a horrible scream that filled the night air and kept every living creature from coming near.

Inuyasha... you will suffer by my hand and die by the blade you covet!!!

----End Flashback----

Sesshomaru looked down at her... completely dumbfounded that a young girl who had done nothing to deserve the fate she'd been brought... could still be so happy just before passing on. She was only sixteen... and had already been brought back by his Tenseiga... he couldn't have her back. He couldn't do anything to help her situation except avenge her death. Sesshomaru was sure... Inuyasha would pay with his life for his transgressions.