Appearances are Deceiving…
Disclaimers: I don't own Inuyasha or any of their products. This is an AU story but deals with the same timeline as the series. Enjoy!
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A lone figure was standing in an open meadow as his long silver mane blew in the wind and his face cold as ice. His robes were moving with the wind as he watched the sun rise and looked over his shoulder as a young child and his little toad were awakening with the morning sun. He loathed humans and yet he let one stay in his care for nearly a year now. It was odd even to him, when she needed him, he went to her rescue and yet he could never seem to find the answer he sought after.
Sesshomaru the Lord of the Western Lands was confused, even by his deceased father's words. He could never understand why he would leave his own mother for the human woman that gave birth to Inuyasha and protected them with his life. Jaken was the first to awaken and began pushing on Rin, for the young child to awaken. Sesshomaru kept his gaze on the two small figures as the young girl awakened.
"Water fall," Rin said as her eyes widened in as she spoke those words. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes as the small girl began walking away from the group.
"GET BACK HERE RIN!" Jaken shouted as he bowed before Sesshomaru's feet. "My Lord, the child began… ACHK!" Sesshomaru stepped over him as he followed after the small child. He followed her into the unfamiliar woods as she guided herself as if it was nothing. As if she had been there several times before.
"My Lord, wait for me!" Jaken called behind him but he paid no attention as he followed the small child. Sure enough he could smell water nearby and hear the rushing waters. He quickened his walking pace as he saw Rin speed up. He maneuvered through the trees without difficulty as he finally found himself at the edge of the base of a waterfall. Rin was standing near the edge and he looked at her curiously as she stepped in.
Sesshomaru went at lightening speed to try to stop her but she was already under and in the crystal clear water. He stuck his hand to reach for her, but what broke the surface of the water was not a small child. He tossed the body to the side; it was not a body of a little girl but of a woman, half human and half demon…a half breed like his brother. Her short hair was long reaching down past her waist; it was at least to her knees. She was nude and her skin was a smooth creamy color with no flaws as the water glistened on her body. She had curves in all the correct places to be a goddess and her breasts were firm and full, he could see over her shoulders. Her scent was Rin's but there was something different about it now as it would appear she has aged, she stood up with her flowing hair and Sesshomaru unsheathed his sword. "Who are you?"
She turned around and she was….beautiful. She was a vision, if a person looked at her now…even a demon would mistake her for a goddess. She knelt before him, "Forgive My Lord, I am Rin."
"That is not possible, she is a young child."
"My Lord, what you see before you is my true form; I am a half demon…" Rin told him and looked up at him with her soft brown eyes she saw the distaste in his eyes after the mention of the words 'half demon' and knowing full well he could smell the difference in her scent. "I have healing powers…I can even restore your left arm, if you so desire…"
Sesshomaru looked at her skeptically, "How can I believe you?"
"Can you not tell by my scent," Rin asked him. "I am not a demon with your keen sense of smell…our kind is those with the abilities to heal."
"But your kind has been extinct," Sesshomaru told her coldly.
"True, but fifty years ago a half demon Naraku came into our lands," Rin told him slowly. "When our kind refused to give him ourselves to him, he vowed to kill us all. He absorbed our people, all but me."
"Why you?"
"Because I was a half demon, it was common among us to do so," Rin paused for a moment. "My punishment for not being his queen was to be forever stuck in the body of a child without my ablities."
"Then how did you return to your original form," Sesshomaru asked with a curious glint in his eyes.
Rin pointed to the waters, "These waters have healing properties that our people used on ourselves and those that were dying. It was able to return me to my true form, but at a price. However, it can also return you your arm."
"Can it now," Sesshomaru stepped closer to the water and then threw his top robe towards her. "Get clothed."
Rin nodded and covered her body with his outer robe. He removed his armor, the huge fur, and his inner robe but kept his pants and boots on as he stepped into the water. Rin stood up and her eyes glowing a soft violet blue color as Sesshomaru came out of the waters with both arms intact. Rin bowed once again as Sesshomaru put his sword back into his sheath and Rin looked up at him with her eyes returning to their normal brown.
"Lor…Lord Sesshomaru," Jaken stated in shock as Ah and Un came after him. "Your left arm has returned! And who is this woman that smells of a half breed…"
"It is good to see you master Jaken," Rin said in a soft voice and Jaken looked at her in shock.
"You smell of the girl Rin, and yet…" Jaken looked her curiously and poked her with his two headed staff. "It is not possible…"
"Jaken…" Jaken cowered at the sound of his master's voice. "I want you to locate Inuyasha and his companions."
"Why my lord," Jaken looked at him curiously. Sesshomaru looked down at him and quickly went on his way and Sesshomaru motioned Ah and Un to come near him. He placed his armor and fur on the demon. He turned back over to Rin, "What is this price you spoke of?"
"Naraku spoke that if I were able to return to my true form, I would only have three full moons before I was turned back into the little girl," Rin told him simply.
"What would you need to do in order to stay in this form," Sesshomaru asked as Rin slowly backed away from him.
"I would have to mate with someone my Lord," Rin told him looking at the ground. Sesshomaru arched an eyebrow and turned on his way. Rin followed after him slowly, "Is there a reason you are looking for your younger brother, my lord?"
"Do not concern yourself," Sesshomaru said coldly and Rin nodded in her response. She took the reigns of Ah and Un as she followed behind her lord in his other robe. However she could sense his cold aura even more so due to her empathic abilities, she would just have to keep her thoughts to herself. "Do you fear me now as you are in this form?"
Rin looked at him in surprise, "No my lord."
"Then why do I smell tension in you," Sesshomaru asked in his usual flat tone.
Rin sighed, "I have empathic abilities my Lord, as well as the ability to read thoughts."
"I see, then heed this warning to stay out of my head."
"As you wish my lord," Rin said softly and continued walking past him. Sesshomaru watched her walk on with his outer robe flowing against her body but he could sense other demons watching the full grown Rin with eagerness to claim her. His scent was on her due to the robe she wore and they kept their distance due to that but how long before other demons would seek to claim her as their own.
Why should he care? She might be in his care as a ward but she is more than able to be on her own, why stay with him. He was confused by her behavior even as a child she followed him and now as a woman half demon she still does. It was odd, and it made him wonder what makes this girl stay with him? She was an odd child and even more so now as woman.
"Do you think Jaken will find your brother," Rin asked softly. Her voice was the same but it had years to it now and sounded like music. She was not the young child Rin at least until the third full moon, and there was something in her voice that even pulled at Sesshomaru's cold heart. When she received no response she sighed, "I'm sure he will, he always seems to find him when we least expect it."
Even now in a woman's body she rambles on, interesting. "I heard that," Rin called out to him in a firm tone that sounded like she was upset. "If you don't want me to hear your thoughts, don't make them obvious."
"Who are you to threaten me?" Sesshomaru asked with a firm tone.
"Hmph!" Rin continued to walk on following Jaken's loud complaining thoughts.
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"What do you want toad," Inuyasha asked stomping up to him and Jaken had his staff ready. "Where the hell is Sesshomaru or did he send you here to give me a message?"
"It's none of your business to talk about Lord Sesshomaru that way!" Jaken shouted back in response as he readied his staff.
"Let's not get to hasty," Miroku stood up with his staff ready along with some spiritual tools. Sango also stood ready as did Kilala with Shippo resting on her shoulder. "I don't like the looks of this, is he going to be here for a fight?"
"Then why isn't he with the toad," Sango asked looking over at the monk.
"Inuyasha, do you sense Sesshomaru," Kagome asked holding onto his arm. Inuyasha looked down at her and began sniffing the air.
"I can smell him a mile away, what does that idiot want now?" Inuyasha put hi arm up in front of Kagome and his other hand was the hilt of his sword. "Come out you bastard!"
"My, my is that a proper way to greet your older brother," Sesshomaru taunted as he came out into view. "Good work Jaken." Jaken quickly went to his master's side and the others looked at him, he was missing his other robe.
"Is it just me or is he missing something," Miroku asked looking dumbly at the elder dog demon.
Sango blinked, "He doesn't have his armor on nor that big well, fluff!"
"I don't care, if you are here for a fight then lets have one!" Inuyasha roared when Sesshomaru held up his … LEFT ARM? "How the hell did you get your LEFT ARM BACK!"
"Surprised," Sesshomaru taunted and used his green whip at the group causing them to jump away from their camp sight. Sesshomaru casually approached their things. He was looking for something and Inuyasha didn't want part of it as he hurled at his older brother with his sword and Sesshomaru moved out of the way.
"What the hell do you want," Inuyasha asked as he stood ready. "Why are you looking through our stuff?"
"This does not concern you," Sesshomaru unsheathed his sword as he fought with his younger brother. He might as well get some exercise in while he was here, he could always look for the time he was searching for later.
"Lord Sesshomaru," a female voice called causing Sesshomaru to put his guard down for a spilt second. The group nearly let their jaws fall to the ground. There stood a beautiful woman dressed in Sesshomaru's outer robe and her face bathing in the moonlight.
Miroku made his way over to her and held up one of her hands, "My fair maiden, would you do me the honor of baring my child?"
Sesshomaru's eyes turned red and he pushed off of Inuyasha and was by her side in a spilt second. Miroku backed off as Sesshomaru was in front of her and the look in his eyes. Inuyasha looked confused and so did everyone else. Miroku received a blow to his head by Sango who had a very irritated look in her eyes. Kagome stepped forward and the girl recognizing her face but Sesshomaru growled at her approach and Inuyasha was in front of her.
"Ok, what the hell do you want," Inuyasha growled.
The woman stepped out from behind him and looked at them, "I am Rin, and I was the small child that you saw traveling with Lord Sesshomaru. What you see before you is my true form; I was cursed by Naraku fifty years ago due to my unwillingness to be his concubine."
"Then what brings you here to us," Kagome asked as she stepped out of Inuyasha protection.
Rin looked up at him and read some of his thoughts, "My Lord wanted to know if you had any spare clothing for me. I only had that small dress as a child and as you can see it will not work for this current body."
"How interesting," Miroku said and only got smacked upside the head once again. "OW! Sango you wound me!"
"Shut up pervert!" Sango shouted and Kagome laughed.
"Does that happen often," Rin pointed at the monk who was currently rubbing his head.
"Damn Monk," Inuyasha crossed his arms. "Look, we don't have anything for yea so why don't….OW!"
"Rin, if you want you could join us for a bath, we were heading to a hot spring and after wards we can give you something to wear," Kagome offered and Rin smiled warmly.
"That would be greatly appreciated," Rin said in a warm voice. Sesshomaru tightly gripped her arm, "I will not be long my lord. I am in need of a bath, and I shall return with new clothes." Sesshomaru let go of her as she followed after Kagome and Sango. Once they were gone Sesshomaru held his sword to Miroku's neck.
"I see you near her again, I will not hesitate to cut your throat," Sesshomaru warned as his eyes returned to their golden color. Inuyasha pushed is sword away from his perverted friend. "Your wench better treat her well, she is after all royalty."
"What," Inuyasha looked at him with an irritated look. "What do you mean royalty?"
"It does not concern you," Sesshomaru told him not knowing why that slipped out of his mouth. He turned his way over to the batch of trees before him. He rested at the base of the tree as Jaken followed him over as did Ah and Un. They were waiting for Rin to arrive back, even with her adult form the two headed beast still loved her.
"Is it just me or is he acting strange," Shippo asked jumping on Inuyasha shoulders.
"What do you mean Shippo," Inuyasha asked as they walked back over to their camp fire. Inuyasha and Miroku keeping their eyes locked on Sesshomaru in case of some funny business.
"I dunno, it's just well…that girl, if he doesn't like humans so much why did he protect her against Miroku's pathetic advances," Shippo asked.
"The hell if I know, but all I can say the sooner he is gone the better," Inuyasha said with a grunt.
"Shippo does have a point," Miroku interjected. "Rin is after all a beautiful young maiden, even Sesshomaru has to see that. He might be cold and heartless but even with a goddess like that, he can't be totally turned off."
"Who are we talking about again," Inuyasha asked as he turned to his perverted friend.
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"AHHH! The water feels so good," Kagome stretched her hands up in the air and Sango smiled as she joined in. Rin let her body sink slowly into the hot springs, "So Rin, tell us more about yourself…"
Rin looked up with wide eyes, "There is not much story to tell. My father was a healer demon and my mother a human…"
"But I was led to believe that all of the healer demons were gone," Sango spoke softly.
Rin nodded her head, "They are. I am only one, like I told you before I was cursed by Naraku. He made sure that I would not be able to return to my true form…walking around in a body of a child was my punishment…I could not grow old but if someone were to take my life, well I would die."
"So have you permantaly returned to your true form," Kagome asked and Rin shook her head sadly. "I don't understand…"
"Naraku made sure if I was to return to my true form, that I would only have a limited about of time before I returned to the body of a child," Rin sighed. "I have to mate in order to stay in my true form…it's quite unfair really, I didn't want to mate with Naraku so he turned me into a child and if I wish to stay in this form, I have to mate with someone."
"The very thing you refused to do, you have to do in order to stay in your true form," Sango said sadly.
"How long do you have," Kagome asked softly.
"Until the third full moon," Rin said looking up to the night sky. "I am guessing tomorrow will be the first full moon and than only two more left."
"You can stay with us," Kagome offered but Rin shook her head. "Why not?"
"Lord Sesshomaru wouldn't know what to do without me," Rin said with a wink. "I can read his thoughts and it bothers him, besides it's kind of fun to peak inside of his head."
"Maybe you can answer a few things about Miroku while you're at it," Sango said with a certain expression that made both Kagome and Rin laugh.
"Men are a little bit more trouble than what they are worth," Rin said softly with a bright smile.
"Tell me about it," Kagome took in a deep breath. "I mean, it's hard to figure out what the guy feels when he keeps chasing after his dead priestess."
"Pardon," Rin asked looking at the young girl with curious eyes. "I am assuming you are talking about Inuyasha, Lord Sesshomaru's younger brother?"
"Ye…yes," Kagome blushed. Rin closed her eyes and Kagome felt some memories surface…some good and some she didn't want to remember. Rin opened her eyes to be glowing a different color before returning to their soft brown hue. "How did you?"
"Sorry, I have telepathic powers," Rin blushed sheepishly and Kagome just waved it off.
"No, it's alright…Just surprised that's all…"
Rin nodded, "Well, all I can say he is an idiot…I can drive him crazy if you like…"
"How," Sango asked curious.
"I'm not a telepath for nothing," Rin said with a smile. "Sometimes being half demon has its perks."
"Oh, I can't wait!"
"Let us hurry back to the group," Rin said the girls quickly washed off. Sango handed Rin some of her extra robes. Rin thanked her as she dressed herself in a pink kimono and tied a sash around her waist. Sango dressed her in usual attire and Kagome into her usual school uniform. The three women slowly approached the camp sight and Rin began messing with Inuyasha's motor functions in his arms. He began hitting himself and was looking stunned.
"WHAT THE HELL!" Inuyasha shouted as he began dancing around the camp fire like a maniac and Miroku and Shippo laughing uncontrollably. Sango then motioned for Miroku and began doing the same thing. Sesshomaru was curious and approached the camp sight.
"WHAT IS GOING ON!" Inuyasha yelled.
"Do you think I know," Miroku asked…"It's like we are bewitched or something! It has to be the use of magic or strong spiritual powers."
"Well use yours and stop it!" Inuyasha barked and Sesshomaru actually watched in amusement at the sight before him. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU LOOKING AT?"
"At a fool," Sesshomaru smirked and then turned his head to the left. "Rin, is this your doing?"
Rin came out of the shadows and handed him his outer robe with a smile on her lips. Kagome and Sango were laughing hysterically as they approached the dancing males. Kilala was trying to contain her own laughter but could not as Sango picked her up into her arms. Shippo had tears coming out of his eyes. Rin shrugged, "I do not know what you are speaking about Lord Sesshomaru. I mean, they seem to be enjoying themselves."
"Come Rin," Sesshomaru ordered as Ah and Un quickly came up to Rin. Rin then rode on their back as Jaken had been laying there already asleep. Rin waved to the group as Inuyasha and Miroku were still stuck dancing around like idiots. Jaken awoke to the feel of movement to see they were taking their leave but he could hear the sound of laughter.
"My Lord, what is going on back at the campsite," Jaken asked.
"Just a bunch of fools," Rin answered with a smile on her lips as she looked over her shoulder as Inuyasha landed on this bottom and Miroku on his stomach. She had a satisfied grin on her lips and turned her gaze forward.
"Where are we heading my lord?"
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Well, here is my first installment of this story. I was always curious on what could happen if Rin was actually a woman instead of a little girl. Hehehe, well let me know what you think! See you next chapter!