Returning to Heal

Chapter 1; The No House.

There were no human or demons territories. The whole world was at war and it was the all the humans versus all the demons. Old grudges were put a side and treaties formed in the hope of destroying the enemy.

The war had been raging for at least a hundred years and there was still no sign of a victor. The two sides were equally matched. While humans had the numbers, the demons had the strength and power. Very few areas were left touched by the war. One of these safe places was the aptly named "no forest" as it belonged to no one.

Most pass through the forest and never strayed from the path, so not many knew of the little house that was in the middle of the forest but those who did were always grateful it was there.

The house was quite large, well made and strong. It was made up of two parts, one a two storey building that reached half way to the trees around it. The other half was a small flat building with flowers around it and three gardens behind it, separated by a strong fence.

The house was home to two people, a woman and a child. They were both healers and would heal anyone who came to the house, no matter their allegiance. It caused problems when demons needed help and humans turned up but the woman was a great negotiator. "If you want my help, then the war stays in the trees!" she would often shout at them, breaking up fights as she did. It didn't always work but most of the time it did. 'The No House' as it was called was a place of peace and healing.

Lord Sesshomaru was the leader and chief of the western forces and used his position well. His was one of the most feared forces on the war. Even the other demons were cautious around him. His cool emotionless face and attitude didn't help him make friends. Not that he needed or wanted any.

His forces had been marching to their next target when the humans had had a cowardly attacked them. Many of his men had been lost but more humans lost their lives before being driven back.

It appeared the attack had been to get rid of Sesshomaru as many of them went straight for him. He saw them all off with no difficulty but one had managed a hard blow to his side and now he was wandering through a forest to reach the rendezvous point with a large wound on his left side. The problem was this wound, although fatal to many other demons, was painful and disorientating the lord. He wouldn't lean against a tree for support or even hold the wound for his pride. He walked with his head high and his back straight, casuing it to grow worse with each hour.

But as time went on and his search for his men or a safe place to recover dragged unsuccessfully on.

"Oh."

A little voice called and he turned to see a young human with black hair dressed in an old orange kimono staring at his wound from behind some bushes.

Before the lord could do anything to kill her, she vanished. He thought of following but didn't have the strength. He paused for a moment to get his strength back when the bushes moved again, this time moving around something bigger. The little girl reappeared and was followed by an older woman who appeared very much liked the girl. She too looked at the wound then walked over calmly, her face polite and respectful. "Please, your hurt. Let us see to it for you."

Sesshomaru stared at her not believing that a human would be so fearless around him. "I do not need your help."

"By the look of that wound and the amount of blood around you, I would disagree. Please." She stepped closer and held out her hands, the palms facing him. "We won't hurt you."

As she stood, there Sesshomaru thought of how to kill her. But he could smell herbs in the air as well a human and demon blood. He nodded once, hardly anything. The woman nodded in return and turned around, leading the way through the trees. The smells grew stronger until they appeared at a large house. The woman looked back at him as they walked. "This is our home." She explained. "Please come inside."

The child opened and held the wooden door as the two adults entered. Sesshomaru looked around slowly as the woman gave the child instructions. The place stank of blood and herbs as well as spices and clay. The smaller side of the house where he had entered was just one room, a large bed made in the corner while a fire roared in the middle, a boiling pot hanging over it. There was a table and several benches around the room. The woman pointed to the largest bench against a wall. "Please sit down and take your shirt off. I need to see the wound clearly."

Sesshomaru wasn't use to taking orders, only giving them but he followed her request, not once shy of himself or caring for the woman dignity. Then again the woman didn't seem to care as she knelt before him and looked at it. Just then the girl retuned with a large bowl of water and several cloths.

"Thank you Rin. I will be a while, can you see to the gardens for me?"

Rin nodded and ran off as the woman began to wipe the blood off his skin. As she did, Sesshomaru blinked. There was something in the water. It was numbing his pain and refilling his strength. Only one thing could do this. He realised as she continued. Jilsob root.

"Why would a human like you have Jolsob root? Its poison to you."

The woman didn't stop as she washed the wound. "I do not see a point to this war. I am a healer and will tend to any in need of my help. Demon's included. Jolsob root is hard to grow but it's very useful with wounds like this. It will help with the blood loss."

He fell silent for a while as she worked. She was an excellent healer and the Jilsob root was making him feel strong and refreshed. She eventually stopped and looked at the clean wound.

"I won't bother putting a bandage on, your already healing so well and fast. All you need now is some rest." She lifted her head softly. "Rin. Rin come here please?"

The little girl reappeared and looked sweetly at the two. "Yes mother?"

"Rin will you show this gentleman to a bed?"

"Yes mother. This way sir."

The demon looked between the two for a moment then picked up his shirt and followed the young girl to the other side of the house. It was filled with rows of beds, all the same, bare and wooden. "Here you are." She said, pointing to a small rack bed near the door. "You can rest here until you're ready to leave sir."

Sesshomaru looked at the bed then stepped over and sat down. Once the child was gone he lay on his back and closed his eyes. The smell of human blood was annoying but he drifted off.

As silently as a tickling stream, Rin's mother entered the other part of the house and headed to Sesshomaru's bed. She looked at him for a moment from a distance then stepped closer. She was glad he'd kept his shirt off, allowing her to see the wound. It was already healed, just a small cut on the side. She smiled and turned to leave.

"Human."

She turned back as the demon sat up. "It's Sarah and how are you feeling?"

"That child is not yours, is she?"

Sarah stood for a moment then shifted. "No she isn't but to her mind I am."

"Why is that?"

"I helped her mother give birth but there was a complication and she died. I took Rin in as my own."

The demon looked at the human then stood, replacing his shirt. "You tend to demons and humans. That must bring difficulties."

"Yes but we cope."

The demon looked at her again then at the floor. "I will leave now."

"I understand." She bowed politely and left him alone.

Outside the recovery room, Rin and her adopted mother stood smiling at him. "Take care out there and come back if you need to."

The demon looked at them both. "Do you not know who I am?"

Sarah smiled at him. "You are the commander of the west demon force."

"And you still helped me?"

Rin smiled at him and stood forward. "We help anyone who needs it."

"Rin's right. We look after anyone who needs help."

Eyes lowered the demon thought silently then stepped over to the two. He dug his middle finger deep into his palm. The sharp nail soon broke the skin and brought a small drop of dark blood to the surface. He dipped his finger into it then reached out to the older of the two. Slowly he drew a half circle on her forehead in his blood then repeated it for Rin. Rin looked confused but Sarah understood and nodded her thanks. Silently the demon turned and left.

Once he was out of sight, Rin touched the blood on her forehead. "Why did he do that mother?"

Sarah smiled at her, kneeling down and looking at the drying blood. "He just blessed us Rin. And that was a great honour. Come now, its dinner time."

The frist person to guess what and why Sesshomaru did what he did, they get to name a charactor!