Disclaimer: Characters by Rumiko Takahashi
It was one of the last days of summer. A warm breeze brushed gently through the trees announcing Autumn's arrival. Nature was once more entering a time of change.
«I wonder if he will come this time» - thought the young girl while gathering the last of the season's medicinal herbs in preparation for the long cold days ahead.
It had been over half a year since the Taiyōkai had passed through these parts. The air today seemed heavy and the harbinger of loss, although she tried to push the thought far away into the deepest corners of her mind.
Kagome and Inuyasha had now been gone for nearly two years with Kohaku exterminating demons in the farthest regions of the land. Sango and Miroku had moved away from the village some time ago to a cosy hut in the forest.
Rin was now about 14 years old and feeling left behind and out of place. Everyone was moving on in their lives and the villagers were now looking at her with judging eyes.
She was the girl who wanted to forsake a normal life in exchange for a life by the side of a Mononoke. Although she now had been living among her own kind for a good few years, she refused to "fall in line" and choose to be a traditional housewife. Instead, she dreamt vividly about the day she could leave and join her Lord Sesshōmaru in his travels once more. Recently this was her only comfort against the harsh criticism that fell upon her each day.
The leaves continued to echoe in the backround as she finished the task in front of her. It was almost like living in a dream, where every path and everything was predetermined for her...the anguish of it, tore at her each day more and more.
«Sesshōmaru-Sama...how I wish it was time to leave with you...»
As she walked back to the village, a familiar voice sounded behind her.
- Rin.
Her heart jabbed at the of this voice and she dared not turn around in fear it was her mind was playing tricks.
The voice called out to her again... As she turned, the basket she held in her hands dropped to the ground and tears began to come form in the corners of her eyes. The sight of the tall white figure standing a few metres away brought her more comfort that the sunshine itself...
- Sesshōmaru-Sama! - she gasped under her breath - You are finally here - she whispered to her heart, and, without any hesitation, she ran straight to him throwing herself at him hugging him tightly around his waist and burying her face against his chest armour.
An astounded Sesshōmaru, who was not at all prepared, found himself unexpectedly reacting to her unusual greeting by returning a makeshift embrace, holding her with one arm and gently placing his free hand on her head in an attempt to reassure her.
Rin clinged to his arm as they walked through the forest. Finally seeing him this time made her extremely happy, more than usual in fact. She felt all her troubles and sorrows meltting away.
She began to talk about all that had happened in his absence, constantly interrupted and reminded by Jaken that Sesshōmaru-Sama was not interested in the daily futility's of humans. She did not care. Her Lord had returned and that was all that mattered now.
The time passed quickly and food had been the last thing on her mind, until her belly reminded her of it's existence. She reluctantly requested him to go with her to the river so that she could catch some fish.
The Yōkai sat down in the shade, leaning his back onto the base of a tree and looked intriguingly at his precious girl as she rolled up her kimono and entered the water. He couldn't help but notice that Rin was a lot taller than the last time he had seen her.
«It looks like the Kimono I brought this time might not fit ... and … she is acting unlike her normal self … did something happen to her?... what is she hiding? ...»
He was lost in his thoughts examining every move she made until, after a few minutes, an intense smell of Rin's blood filled the air waking him from his thoughts. He sat up and frowned angrily
«I knew something was amiss»
Sesshōmaru: Who gave you that wound? - he remarked rather dryly
Rin: hun? wound?
Sesshōmaru: Don't insult me! It has obviously re-opened, I can smell the blood from here.
Rin was so concentrated on trying to catch a fish for her growling stomach, that she hadn't noticed the crimson line streaming down her inner thigh. She turned slightly red and started to stumble out of the water while rolling down her kimono as fast as she could.
«oh no! Not now...» - She screamed in her mind - «Of all times! How embarrassing...!» - in a flash, Sesshōmaru was standing right in front of her, stopping her in her tracks.
She was to embarrassed to face him, she wanted to hide herself in a hole in the ground if she could, but the tall Yōkai was towering over her inquisitively. He placed one had on her shoulder and knelt down while reaching for the edge of her kimono with the other. Instantly Rin flinched at his action and stepped back – astonished by his action. Her next reaction was to rush passed him, but the strong Demon caught her by the wrist.
Sesshōmaru: Why do you run? What are you hiding from me? - an angry Sesshōmaru asked.
-Rin looked back at him, now bright red and a little worried, her heart beating wildly at what was happening.
Rin: Forgive me Sesshōmaru-Sama! I...I.. must go now! - For the first time the Yōkai saw, what seemed like a twinge of fear in Rin's eyes, and instantly released his grip on her dumbfounded. Rin had never given him that look before.
-Rin, free from her lord's grasp, turned and was about to run when she realized that Kaede was standing in front of them-
Rin: Kaede-Sama?...I...I was picking the herbs you asked me to...but then...- she stuttered – the embarrassment of the situation and guilt quickly eating away at her. She was also quite worried about how long Kaede was standing there.
The Miko looked at her calmly and said: - Rin dear, you are needed back at the village.. Please go now, I will be there shortly.
Rin stared at her, somewhat relived to be able to get away from the current situation, but also quite restless, the feeling from earlier ringing loudly in her head like a thunder storm...
«Does she wish to speak to Sesshōmaru-Sama alone?» - she thought as she hurried back to the village.
Kaede waited for a bit and then moved closer to the Yōkai.
- Sesshōmaru, I must speak to you alone.
Jaken, in deep distress with all that just passed, jumped up and interjected - How dare you approach Sesshōmaru-Sama and speak to him like that! You humans are so disrespectful!
Sesshōmaru looked at the short old woman and frowned. He was now very annoyed by this interruption and felt apprehensive about what the conversation ahead of him might bring. He knew all to well that it was going to be regarding Rin and about why she was acting so strangely. He recalled the last time they spoke, when she persuaded him to leave Rin in the village to re-learn how to live with humans. He knew instantly that things were going to change.
Sesshōmaru: Jaken! Go and check on Rin – he instructed
Jaken: But Sesshōmaru-Sama, I..
Sesshōmaru: Now Jaken! ! - the Yōkai roared –
Jaken: arghh! Yes my lord, right away! - and off he scampered – Rin! Riiinn! Wait for me!
Sesshōmaru turned to Kaede and said - What do you want with me old Miko? - to which Kaede replied – I'm sure you have noticed by now...Walk with me? There is much to talk about...
