After the Mask (Secret of the cursed mask game sequel)

Part 3

That morning Rin showed me around. The mansion was beautiful in every way and I was excited to be walking around in it. We ended up on the porch overlooking the garden. "Rin, have you heard anything of Inuyasha and the others? Are they still at Kaede's village?" I ask her, wondering if perhaps I can see them soon.

She looks thoughtful. "I think so. Why?"

I grin, "I would really love to go and surprise them with a visit. I would like to see the looks on their faces when they see I'm back." Rin giggles at this before gasping.

She looks past me into the room we sit in front of. "Lord Sesshomaru, you're back!" I look over my shoulder and see him walking up to us, looking as regal as ever. Standing up I bow to him respectfully.

Blushing slightly I sit down again when he just stares at me. His stare is making me feel self-conscious. I'm surprised when he sits down with us, not waiting for anyone to prepare a seat for him. "Thank you for having me here. I hope I didn't cause too much trouble." I say.

He just grunts, "It's fine."

It's silent for a minute, but as usual Rin find something to break the silence. "Lord Sesshomaru, can Kaname teach me all those things she learned at school? It will be much more fun!" She turns towards me, "Right now there's this mean man coming over who teaches me, but I don't like him at all. I'm sure you're smarter and more fun than he is." she compliments. I blush at this.

"Hn, if she wishes too, she can try. We'll see if she's qualified." Sesshomaru says stoically.

I smile at receiving permission. "I'll try my best."

Rin cheers, "I'll go tell master Jaken!" She then runs off leaving me alone with Sesshomaru.

After a moment I decide to speak up, seeing he won't do so. "Sesshomaru, could I ask you a question?"

"Hm."

I believe that might be a yes, so I continue, "What exactly happened back there? How was it possible for me to return?" I ask. This has been running through my mind all day.

"That place holds a strong connection to where you come from. I believe that it is where your home now stands." he simply explains.

"That would explain the familiar surroundings." I mutter. "But how do you know this?" I then ask.

"I saw it. The connection was so strong at times that images overflowed through time." he tells me.

I cock my head, wondering what he means, but then another question fills my head. "Why were you there Sesshomaru?"

For the first time he looks at me. "It doesn't matter." He stands up turning to leave. "You can stay for as long as you like, Rin is happy to have you here."

"Thank you." I say quietly.

I watch him walk off, wondering about what he said. Images overflowed through time... Does that mean he could see me? Is that why maybe I could see his reflection, because we were sitting at the same pond? When I tried to touch where he would be it felt like the same wind that often passed through. If Sesshomaru was that wind, than that would mean he would be there often. Where you watching over me Sesshomaru? It that why you were there?

My head spins in confusion. There are just too many questions, but it would be embarrassing to ask them. Speaking off embarrassing; I hope I didn't make a fool out of myself while he could see it. I feel a blush dust my cheeks again at the thought.

.........

As a week passes I didn't see much of him. It seems although he has a home of his own now, he is unable to sit still for long. Though he never seems far as he shows up out of nowhere now and again. As for Jaken, we spoke once or twice. He was skeptical of me staying here but seems to tolerate it. Rin and I on the other hand are having tons of fun. She was picking up on my lessons quickly as she was really motivated. But that may be because I always took her outside and afterwards we just played. Sesshomaru didn't seem to mind, as long as she was taught the things that she was suppose to learn.

Right now we are playing hide and seek. I finish counting and looked around. "Now where could Rin be?" I ask in a way to make sure she will hear it. Suki watches with a smile as I look around the garden. I look behind trees, under the veranda, besides the...

"Aaaah!" Rin comes running out of the bushes and wraps her arms around my waist.

"Rin! What's wrong?" I look up and spot red glowing eyes from the bushes she was hiding in.

I quickly pull her behind me and stand my ground. The eyes rise up and smooth scales show before a large snake like head appears. It lunges out towards us revealing a long and large body. I dodge, pulling Rin with me.

Holding out my hand I yell, "Shikigami, attack!" A familiar red light engulfs me before shooting towards the foe. It hits the side of its head harshly, making it slide a bit away. As it recovers I tell Rin to run and take cover with Suki.

The reptile spots her running and is about to slither after her when I attack it again. Turning its attention towards me it goes straight for me. I run off and make sure it follows me for I need to lead it away from them. I look over my shoulder to see that it's gaining on me.

I run behind a thick tree and wait. As soon as its large head comes around the tree I thrust my hand before the opening between the large fangs. "Raging Flame!" Spiritual flames blast from my hand right into its face. It explodes and my body is flung away. I land roughly on the ground a few feet away and roll a few times before finally coming to a stop.

I pull myself up with some difficulty, my ears ringing. The creature is thrashing around wildly in pain as a good part of its face is gone.

It's still alive? It must have been stronger than I thought. I barely get the time to duck as its tail flies over my head. It rushes after me once again while hissing loudly, its eyes showing the anger it feels towards me. It knocks me over and I quickly crawl back until my back hits the wall surrounding the mansion.

My hand feels a large piece of bamboo that was knocked over from within the garden. As it lunges at me I push the bamboo piece in its direction. I watch as it disappears into its mouth with almost my entire arm until it hits its brain. The creature comes to a halt just inches away from my face. Wide eyed I gasp for air in shock.

"Ah!" yells out the creaky voice of Jaken. It seems they came back. I let go of the bamboo as I feel goo drip on my arm. I'm sure I don't want to know what it is. I can't take my arm back yet though as a fang is pierced into it.

I scream as the upper part of the head is pulled back, making the fang slide out. The head lands a few feet away with a thud.

I look up from my arm as Sesshomaru crouches beside me. "Jaken, get the doctor." he orders before picking me up. Before I can wonder what and why, my eyesight grows blurry and it becomes hard to breath. All I can bring out are groans as my head lulls back.

Taking me inside I hear echoes of voices sounding like Rin's and Suki's. Soon though everything goes quiet before I can feel myself being lain down on something soft. By now I feel like I'm trapped in my own head. There is all this pain, but there seems to be nothing I can do to express it. It feels like this goes on for hours before I fully lose consciousness.