All Grown Up
Dis: Inu-Yasha and co. are property of Rumiko Takahashi.
A/N: Today is one-shot day if you haven't guessed. This one isn't quite as fluffy, sorry. Set in Sesshomaru PoV.
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It really is amazing, how fast she's grown. Eleven years, they passed so quickly. I still can't believe she's eighteen. She's a woman now. Not the little girl who brought me food when I was injured.
Why is she still so devoted to me? She's obviously re-paid me for reviving her by now. That leads to another question though. Why am I still so protective of her? She's only a human after all. A beautiful human but a human none the less.
Don't tell me I've developed feelings for her. No, that's stupid; I must just be spoiled from her taking care of me. Perhaps I should take her to a village; she's better off with her own kind.
Yes, I think that's for the best. Oh- she's coming, I'll tell her now, there's no sense in dragging it out after all. "Come in Rin." I scared her, I can smell it. Doesn't she know by now that I can smell her coming?
There's no doubting she's beautiful. She has truly grown in these last few years; she's much more graceful now. "Do you need something Rin?"
She shakes her head slowly. I can smell flowers. Is that what she has behind her back? Yes, it is. She's still bringing me flowers, after all these years.
She offers them to me and I have no choice but to take them. "Thank you Rin."
She smiles, it lights up her whole face. Can I really tell her she has to leave? Yes, I have to. It's safer for her.
"Rin, wouldn't you prefer to go live in a village? You are not required to stay with me." I can't look at her, so I look at the flowers instead. They're pretty enough, if you like flowers that is.
Her eyes go wide. "I like it here Sesshomaru." She tells me. "I like traveling with you." She's nervous, why is that? "I like you."
It's almost difficult to hide my surprise. "Rin, I am a demon. As a human you should be terrified of me. Not enjoy being with me." I can't help but think of my father and Inu-Yasha's mother. Is this how father felt?
"You're kind though." She replies. "You saved my life years ago, and you've protected me since then."
I cannot ask her to leave. No more than I can tell her I want her to stay. "Do you truly wish to stay Rin?"
She nods. Her eyes are wide, waiting for me to pass judgment. She's nervous that I will tell her to leave. But I cannot.
"Very well. It is your choice Rin." It's all I can manage to say. I never knew emotions could be so difficult to handle. Of course I never knew I was capable of such emotion either.
"I want to stay." She says firmly. "But… can I ask a favor?"
"You may. I do not know if I will agree but you are free to ask." What is it she wants? A friend to accompany her perhaps?
"Uhm… well…" She won't meet my eyes. She takes a nervous step closer to me. Then her arms are around me. Hugging me tightly. "Thank you." She whispers, her voice is warm against my neck.
And, for once, I let the emotion show through. I hug her back.
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As always, reviews are loved. Feel free to request a pairing!