Catch My Disease
By flo4ever
Gosh, I suck at titles. I was listening to Ben Lee, and the song title just popped up on the page. I'm really psyched about getting back into Rumiko's world of demony goodness.
Summary: Sesshomaru resorts to extreme means after he and Rin share a moment. Will things remain tense between them, or will Sesshomaru finally admit to himself how much his ward really means to him?
Like I said, choice of song: Ben Lee –Catch My Disease.
Disclaimer: Rumiko owns all things IY, whereas I own a very nice set of Disney coffee mugs.
Enjoy!
Rin sighed, kicking at a small pebble on the ground. Had she really sounded that cold hearted? As much as she hated to admit it, she felt bad for what she had said to the stoic youkai. There was just never a good time to tell him. Ducking to avoid an overhanging tree branch, she groaned. Her eyes landed on a very familiar settlement. Her weary feet had carried her back to his castle. Habit, she figured. She always came to him when she was troubled, only this time the trouble was over him.
The demon lord actually winced, drawing the blade across his chest with a firm grip. The hand holding Toukijin was covered in blood as well, flowing down from slashes on his arm. Another silent gasp escaped from his tight lips, watching small splotches of the deep red liquid rise to the surface of his skin. Sure the self-inflicted wounds didn't hurt him, physically, but he was still pained by what she did to him.
She was the only one to blame.
Clenching his eyes shut, he dug the blade deeper, concentrating on the foreign, burning sensation traveling through his arm instead of the pain of conflict in his chest. Opening his red eyes slowly, he studied the damage he had done to himself. Cocking his head to the side, he sniffed, tracing a clawed finger along one of the jagged cuts. The blood, his blood, was an unfamiliar sight.
Rin stared at the door of his fort, unsure whether to knock or just go in, like she used to. She stood there, debating, concentrating on the soft lines on the wooden door. She couldn't believe she was going to do this, to tell him she was sorry. She wasn't going to take it back though. Shaking her head and sighing, she gathered her strength and pushed the door open. She at least owed it to him.
Swallowing the lump etched in her throat as she entered, she squinted in the darkness to make out his white form. Nothing. She almost wished Jaken would come running around the corner, spluttering insults and wave his staff at her head. She walked solemnly over to his mantle where his trusted swords were displayed above, running her fingers over the worn hilt of Tenseiga. She noticed Toukijin was missing. Had he stepped out? Her reflecting eyes shifted to the left, catching the soft glow of candlelight from his study. So he was here, then. She scuffled over to the room, hesitant to go in. Gathering her thoughts and courage, she dropped in, opening the door with a soft creak.
"Lord Sesshomaru, Rin..." She stopped, staring at the white figure. He sat on the edge of his desk, his red-and-white sleeve and white haori covered in blood. Her eyes focused on the sword that kills in his hand. She felt a lump rise in her throat again, "Oh Milord, what, what are you doing?"
His livid red eyes focused on hers, wavering slightly. He turned around, his back to her, and faced the wall. "Go away Rin...." His voice came out in a raspy whisper, instead of the collected calm that usually accompanied his voice.
Rin was shocked. How could he do something like this? Why was he hurting himself? She stood for awhile, watching the back of his head. She fought the need to reach out and comb her fingers lightly through his curtain of satin hair. It always used to relax him, visibly. He jumped slightly when her small hand grasped his shoulder. "
Milord?" He didn't even look at her, his eyes focused on the nearest wall.
She glanced around, rummaging through numerous cabinets when spotting a first aid kit on a nearby side table. His eyes finally fell on her when she murmured something about water, walking backwards, disappearing to the upper floor. He watched where she had gone, unable to look away. He jerked his head back around when he saw her returning.
"Sesshomaru?" She dared address him formally. Still he said nothing. She sat down next to him quietly, setting the bowl of water and first aid items down next to her.
If she was the reason for his self-inflicted torture, why then did he still want her around?
She sighed, grabbing the bloodied blade gently from his wintry fingers and tossing it to the floor where it hit with a sharp clang. Dipping a small towel into the water, she pulled his arm out, wiping away the blood. He didn't say a word as she cleaned his ghastly wounds. When she was convinced that his arm was cleaned up, she traced her fingers over some of the stripes on his pale skin. She swallowed as they began to bleed again, quickly grabbing the gauze she had brought. She wrapped his arm tightly; making sure the bandages wouldn't come off. He could easily rip them apart with a snap of his teeth or claws, she supposed. When she finished, he pulled his arm protectively back into his lap.
"Why are you doing this?" He asked coldly, still avoiding her gaze.
She stood slowly, standing in front of the brooding youkai. She pulled his face down to look at her, staring into his pained, red-rimmed eyes. He had been furious, quite a bit by the looks of it. He always chastised her for being so exceptionally observant at reading his emotions. Brushing her thumb over his closed magenta lids, she whispered softly. "Rin doesn't want to lose her friend." She removed her small hand from his face, giving his shoulder one last squeeze before walking out. "Goodnight, Lord Sesshomaru." Her voice floated through the room softly, wavering slightly. "I miss you."
He swallowed hard, standing and embedding the blade into the nearest wall with a sharp throw.
*Le gasp* I feel like I should continue this... should I? Lend me your thoughts by reviewing!