Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha (as cruel a fate as it might be to not have made it I know Rumiko Takahashi really stole my destiny. Darn her…)
"Lord Sesshomaru! Please, wake up!"
Sesshomaru opened one eye to see Rin glaring into his face. He growled and turned over onto his side, not struggling to hide his annoyance. Rin smiled knowingly and tapped at Sesshomaru incessantly. Sesshomaru, though he tried to ignore her, reached out and gripped her wrist in a strong grip. His amber eyes, large with anger, glared into Rin's. Slowly, he loosened his grip and rose to his feet to begin dressing. Rin rubbed at her wrist until the pain subsided and raced over to Jaken. After stirring Jaken and allowing him to dress, he demanded an answer to Rin's insolence. Sesshomaru stared out among the land.
"Jaken," he stated calmly, "Are you but death? Rin has been announcing for weeks that her eighteenth birthday approaches."
He smirked to himself, hiding his face from the two. She has also been making a nuisance out herself about it, he thought. Sesshomaru began to walk and Rin groaned. Always moving, she thought, never taking a break, not even for my birthday. She dashed along to catch up, the shorter skirt allowing her to run faster. She had quickly outgrew her clothes and was forced to make a few alterations, cutting the skirt shorter and sewing it together to make it wider for her much more voluptuous hips. Her shirt had become restricting, and she was forced to make a simple tube top out of it, revealing much of her skin. Jaken had said she looked indecent, but Sesshomaru made no indication of liking or disliking her new look, and gave no hints about changing it anytime soon.
"Where are we going Lord Sesshomaru? I was hoping we could do something special today," bubbled Rin from behind him.
Jaken struggled to catch up as always. Sesshomaru's face showed no emotion as he grunted in reply. Rin frowned. Some special birthday she was having. In her village they would have celebrated with candies and wine, showering Rin with presents, and telling stories about how much trouble she got into. But to Rin, her village was no more. No bothering to make any more conversation Rin followed Sesshomaru. Rin wondered what it would have been like if she lived with humans instead of Sesshomaru. She wondered what it would have been like to play and grow up with friends and to meet boys. She wondered what it would be like to fall in love.
Rin's heart squeezed at the thought of loving someone. She had never known what it was to love, never known the wonders to be loved by others. Her gaze lingered from the grass below her bare feet to Sesshomaru. Or does she? Does she truly only wonder what it's like to love or does she already know? Could she be in love with Sesshomaru? She nearly laughed at her foolishness. Though she knew not what love felt like she knew there was no way what she felt for Sesshomaru was love. Who could love a cold-hearted demon, one that often showed he cared for no human? No, what she felt for Sesshomaru was respect, like that of a father. But deep inside something said something different. Something tugged at her heart and told her she knew that Sesshomaru was as cold as she made him out to be, but refused to show emotion.
Rin's thoughts were soon cut short as Sesshomaru ceased walking and turned to look at Rin.
"We're here." He stated simply and stepped aside for Rin.
She stared in awe at the sight before her. It was a village full of stores, and women and children staring at the goods from merchants. Perplexed, Rin stared at Sesshomaru who was calmly staring at the traveling humans.
"My lord," Jaken imposed, "why are we here?"
Sesshomaru stared emotionlessly at Jaken and turned his amber eyes to Rin.
"Why Jaken, this is a present for Rin. It's obvious she needs new clothes, so we will take her shopping."
Rin was overcome with emotion and did something not even she expected. She swept Sesshomaru up in a hug, sobbing out thank you several times. Sesshomaru, baffled by such a move, stood there coldly, his body tensed. Jaken searched his eyes searched for any sign of compassion but saw embarrassment instead. But it quickly passed as Sesshomaru stepped back.
"Get going." He growled.
Rin needn't be told twice. She raced into the village and tried to fit in, but her revealing outfit made it hard. Young boys and old men alike gaped at Rin. Sesshomaru watched Rin from behind the trees, and then turned to Jaken.
"We better follow her before she gets raped."
Jaken nodded, agreeing with Sesshomaru and they head out to the village behind Rin. The crowd seemed to part when they saw Sesshomaru, but neither Rin, Jaken, or him seemed to notice. Rin squealed in delight as she approached a man selling jewels. Rin studied one of his pearl necklaces, obviously intrigued.
"Tell me sir, how much for these."
The man eyed Rin's breasts and smiled malevolently at her.
"Miss, it's normally about 3,423 yen but I can give you a discount on one condition."
He leaned in to whisper in her ears and Rin's eyes grew as big as saucers. Sesshomaru, pretending to be interested in other things, overheard what the man had said to Rin. In disgust, he stepped forward and tapped the man on the shoulder. The merchant looked back at Sesshomaru and began to cower.
"Sir," he cried, "Please don't hurt me!"
Sesshomaru stared at the man with such cold anger in his eyes Rin shivered.
"Give the girl her necklace and I promise not to kill you for soiling the mind of a young girl."
He grabbed at the sheath of his tensaiga to show he meant what he said. The man nodded and reached out for the pearls. He dropped them into Rin's hands and ran away, screaming his head off. Sesshomaru, mouth turned up in disgust, watched the man run off. Rin leaned in close to Sesshomaru and laid a hand on his shoulder. He looked down at her.
"That man asked me to have sex with him and his son. At the same time!"
Sesshomaru acknowledge Rin with a simple nod. He heard what that man had said. Rin fingered the pearls in her hand, walking off to the next store she was interested in. Sesshomaru watched her, carefully scanning the streets for any greedy pedophiles. As he watched her Sesshomaru seemed to see her as if for the first time. She was smiling with one of the women at the stores, laughing and giggling as they conversed about her selection of clothes. Has Rin always been that pretty when she smiled? Sesshomaru looked eyeing one of the men lurking nearby. Surely he can't be turning into that little hanyou Inuyasha? Liking humans? He cared for no one. But if he cared for no one, then why was he here? Why was he spending money on this human child on her birthday, or protecting her from the men? Surely she could handle herself. The man whispered to one of his companions, both gawking at Rin now. Sesshomaru stepped closer to them. No, she couldn't protect herself, not against these vultures. But why did he care?
Rin was finally done shopping and seemed quite satisfied with her wardrobe choice. Both Jaken and Sesshomaru were frustrated from chasing her around all day, but Sesshomaru showed no sign. Resting for the night, Rin insisted on modeling her new outfit for them. Jaken insisted on them just going to bed and letting "Lord" Sesshomaru rest from the long day. But the demon showed no intention of sleeping at the moment and told Rin to do as she pleased. Rin bounded off into the woods and came back with a wide grin on her face. Jaken gasped and Sesshomaru turned to see what for. His heart jumped at the sight of Rin, a picture of a princess. She twirled about it a snow-white kimono with rose print. Her hair hung down and framed her sharp face and contrasted against the pure white of the pearl necklace. Her eyes glittered and the developed silhouette of her body against the moonlight made Sesshomaru stare with hunger. He felt guilty, like the men at the village and looked away quickly.
"Where are you shoes?" Jaken asked, and the dog demon glanced at her toes poking from under the flowing kimono.
"I've always felt better without them." She answered, "Well what do you think."
Jaken nodded at her. "Much less demeaning than your other clothes. You look at much more attractive now."
Something in Sesshomaru said that Jaken was wrong. She always looked attractive, but Sesshomaru forced his thoughts to change.
Rin looked at the dog demon. "Lord Sesshomaru. What do you think?"
Rin was hopeful for a humanitarian answer. Anything that might tell her he thought she was beautiful.
"I think they fit." He said impassively, making Rin's heart sink.
But Sesshomaru knew he felt more. But could it be possible, she was but a human!
I know, long chapter of nothing, but the other chapters won't be so stupid and long. Promise, just hang in there and R&R so I can make it better. Who knows, if you give me your ideas about where the story should head I might use them! Arigatou!