(A/N) Hey readers. I'm truly very sorry for the lateness of this much awaited chapter. Life's been...well life's been what life is supposed to be, a bitch, ne? And school is a contributing factor to the lateness of future chapters. I can't promise not to post a chapter this late again because I hate when I break promises. Well I'm not going to keep you guys from the story much longer :D
Disclaimer: All Inuyasha rights go to Viz Media and Rumiko Takahashi and may we thank all the gods that she was born :D
Chapter Two: Extinguished heart and new encounters.
Rin's heart was about to split in two. Since the 'incident', as Rin liked to refer it too, Sesshomaru had not so much as glanced her way. But she had managed to keep herself from crying in his presence. However, she would need to have a talk with him about it soon. They were on the move once again. She was on Ah-Un while Lord Sesshomaru and Jaken walked. Maybe now he would be up to talking about it.
"L-Lord Sesshomaru?..." She said quietly but she knew he heard her.
"Jaken. I'm going to hunt for you and Rin" he said with a short pause and then going off into the trees on either side of the path that they were walking along. Yeah, he definitely didn't feel like talking. She knew this because one, Lord Sesshomaru never usually told Jaken where he was going, and two, he was very aware of the fact that Rin could get food for herself. In fact, he had encouraged her to do so.
"Rin? About what happened a few days ago..." Jaken began before looking at Rin. She sent him a very Sesshomaru like glare which made him shut his trap. After looking away, Jaken went off in another direction to find a place to sleep for the night. Only after Rin saw Jaken disappear in the bushes did she release a sigh she had been holding in for a while.
What am I going to do? Lord Sesshomaru won't talk to me about what happened. He's being so stubborn. If he would just let me...Ugh I wouldn't even know how to begin explaining that. Rin thought. Then suddenly, the stress and tension that had built up over the past few days hit her full force. Her head began to throb. She and Ah-Un sat down and she leaned back against the dragon horse.
Kami, I'm getting a head ache from Hell. Rin's hands went to her temples and she began caressing them. She let out a moan of pain. Her head was hurting so bad, that she didn't even hear the footsteps now approaching. Only when she heard Ah-Un snort in alarm did she look up.
She gasped silently when her eyes met the powdery lavender eyes of the male now standing before her. The reason she did not scream is because he was not just a man, but a demon. He had shoulder length hair that was dark blue at the root and got lighter and lighter until it was silver at the ends. The skin around his pointed ears appeared reptilian. He wore a blue kimono and hakama that had dark blue hems. The tie around his waist held in place a sword and gourd. And tied around the tie was a small brown pouch that looked like it was made of some kind of animal skin.
"Hello. May I help you?" Rin asked casually although her head her head was throbbing more and more by the second. She was very comfortable around demons, so she showed no fear when the youkai opened his mouth to respond, revealing sharp canines.
"I apologize for my sudden appearance. I was running by when I saw you rubbing your head and you sounded like you were in pain. I was just wondering if you were okay." He replied. His voice was gentle, but still low in octave.
"How kind of you. No offense, but why is it a concern of yours?" Rin said
"My young maiden, I may be a youkai, but I don't like to see damsels in distress. Even if they're human" He replied now coming closer. Rin looked him in the eye and narrowed her eyes. He paused, then approached more slowly
"Do I frighten you maiden? I don't blame you. I'm very scary." He said adding a light chuckle at the end.
"As if." Rin scoffed which caused the youkai to raise his eyebrows. "Demons don't scare me. Not even disturbingly ugly ones. Not that you're ugly!" Rin added quickly.
The youkai laughed again. "Then why is it you glare at me like I'm going to hurt you?"
"I can't just trust anyone. Even someone with a sword, as welcoming as they are." Rin said sarcastically.
"I see. Whoever raised you raised you well." He said. Rin widened her eyes. Lord Sesshomaru raised her most of her life. A second wave of pain came to her head. This time twice as painful. Her hands went to her head and she let out a painful gasp.
"Holy shit!" Rin exclaimed. A tear began forming on her bottom lid. She didn't want to seem weak, but as the pain increased, the tear began to get bigger and fatter until it fell, leaving a wet trail down Rin's cheek and onto her kimono. She heard a rustling sound then a pop. When she felt a hand on her shoulder, she looked up. The youkai was kneeled in front of her holding the gourd. He made no move to make her drink what was inside of it. Instead he waited for her to reach for it with a shaky hand. Rin didn't know why, but she felt like she could trust him. That simple gesture was enough for her to grab it and down its contents. It didn't taste bad. It tasted...like flowers?
A better way to put would be it tastes like how a flower smells. Sweet and very natural. Rin thought when she gave the gourd back. A few moments later, her heads throbbing began to die down. Rin let out a big sigh of relief.
"Better?" the youkai asked. Rin had almost forgotten he was there.
"...Yeah. A lot better actually." Rin looked at the youkai. "Thanks. Thanks a lot."
"Like I said, I don't like to see damsels in distress. And I am surprised that you so willingly drank from the gourd. Other people that I have tried to help would scream and run away..." he said then looking a little sad.
"Well I don't see why. You're very kind. And plus, I'm not scared of demons. I'm scared of...humans." Rin said the last part in a whisper
"Humans? That's very strange. Why is that? If you don't mind my asking." He said now sitting a few feet in front of her.
"It's just a bitter memory now so I don't really care who knows. You see...my whole family was killed by human savages. In fact, my whole village was killed by these savages. I was the only one who survived. Lord- I mean a youkai saved me. And I've been with him since then. I...I wouldn't be alive today if it wasn't for him." Rin finished with a sad smile.
"...I see. Well I don't blame you for being scared of humans now. It's only natural that if you were saved by a youkai, then you wouldn't be scared of them."
"Alright, enough of my sob story. What about you? I don't even know your name. My name is Rin" Rin said bowing slightly.
"Oh! You're right! I apologize; a real gentleman would have introduced himself first! I am Kenichi" He said also bowing.
"Kenichi...may I ask what type of youkai you are? I mean because of-" Rin pointed to his head "-the hair and eyes."
Kenichi only smiled. "Young maiden, I would be honored in telling you what I am. It would be the only time anyone eagerly wanted to know. I am half butterfly youkai, and half Chinese dragon youkai."
"Dragon youkai? Wow! I didn't even know they existed. I've heard stories but I never thought for a second they were true!" Rin exclaimed. She had a child like look of glee on her face. Kenichi chuckled once more.
"Indeed. As do many others. But maybe it's better that way. You see, they are known for amazing medicine skills. Far better than any human. No offense."
"None taken. Please continue"
"Right. As I was saying, they have medicine capabilities exceeding that of everyone else. Dragon demons are also very peaceful and quiet at nature. However, they make up for it in pride. So of course when Chinese emperors and empresses approached them and demanded they teach their doctors their medicine skills, they would flat out refuse. So the Chinese emperors passed a law that all dragon demons be killed and their bodies would earn the killers reward money." Kenichi finished.
"What? That's stupid! Ugh! Humans make me so MAD! They think that they can just act all high and mighty and command everyone to do what they say and-" Rin stopped abruptly when Kenichi started laughing under his breath. "Sorry. I was rambling." Rin said.
"Do not apologize young maiden. I have never met a human who was this enthusiastic about the rights of youkai...You are...strange. But I like your kind of strange." He said smiling warmly. Rin found herself blushing and she looked down so her bangs would quickly conceal her face.
"Thanks I think" Rin said quietly
"It was my pleasure." He said smiling warmly. They sat and talked for about a half an hour more before Kenichi got up and offered a hand to help Rin up.
"I should probably leave now. It's getting late." Kenichi said brushing off his knees.
"Oh! Well thanks again for the medicine. Will I see you again?" Rin asked eagerly.
"Perhaps. Until next time young maiden." Kenichi said grabbing Rin's hand. He brought it up to his lips and he placed a soft kiss on the back of Rin's hand, causing her eyes to widen and her face to turn a shade of scarlet. Kenichi turned around and jumped off in another direction. She stared at the spot he disappeared.
"Rin." Rin heard from behind her. She turned around and met the eyes of Sesshomaru.
"Yes Lord Sesshomaru?" Rin replied. There's an approaching question. I just know it.
"Who else was here? I heard you talking to someone." There it is.
"A new friend. His name is-" Rin didn't have to tell Lord Sesshomaru Kenichi's name. Besides, there were A LOT of things that Lord Sesshomaru didn't tell her. "-unknown. He didn't get a chance to tell me. However, he did give me some medicine for a horrible head ache I had."
"And you just willingly drank it?" Sesshomaru said calmly.
"N- Yes I did." Now Rin knew that Sesshomaru would scold her because she 'willingly drank it' but she needed to see if that answer would make him talk to her. He was about to get what's been building up the past few days.
"Why would you do such a stupid thing? He could have put something in it that would have made you unconscious. Or kill you." He said coldly. Rin felt defiance swell up in her chest. What she did next surprised Sesshomaru. She released an empty laugh which made Sesshomaru to raise an eyebrow. She marched up to Sesshomaru until she was a few feet in front of him. She looked up at him and smiled before she let him have it.
"Do. NOT. Talk to me like that! Like I'm some stupid girl!" Rin yelled. Her eyes began to sting with tears now beginning to shed.
His eyes widened slightly. In all their time together, Rin had never raised her voice to him. Usually he would have any other person on the ground begging for mercy. However, Rin was the last person he expected to raise their voice at him. Well, except for Jaken.
"Rin, do not-" Sesshomaru began.
"NO! You don't get the right to care now! After all you've put me through the past few days! All I've wanted to do was talk! And what did you do? Avoid me with the first excuse you could think of! You don't even know in the slightest how much I've been hurting!" Rin's voice slightly cracked as tear after tear created trails down her cheeks.
"I just want to know why you wouldn't talk to me! Is it because maybe, just maybe, you return some of the feelings I have for you? And Kami forbid you find yourself falling for a human!" With that Rin collapsed.
She was unaware at how the fearsome Lord Sesshomaru was looking at her. He was honestly and truly speechless. Was what she said true? Did he feel the same about her? He had known her since she was eight and in all the nine years he knew her, he never looked at her that way. Of course he noticed...physical changes as she grew up. But the thought of her as a potential mate had never crossed his mind. There were times he thought of her as a daughter however they never really had a bond close enough to be considered father-daughter. So that was out of the question. The only other option was just traveling companions. However, ever since the...kiss...he was now starting to reconsider traveling companions. Now he was getting a head ache. What was he supposed to say? He would need to reflect on how exactly he thought of her.
"Rin, I need some time to think about our relationship." Sesshomaru said. Rin's head snapped up and she shot him a glare from Hell. Then she laughed coldly. Nothing ever scared Sesshomaru, but that was out right terrifying.
"I know you have never said so, but I know how smart you think you are. The key word in that sentence being THINK." Rin laughed. Was she calling him stupid? He narrowed his eyes and opened his mouth to confirm so but she beat to the punch.
"No I am not calling you stupid. I am however calling you oblivious. You are oblivious to the fact that I am actually going to accept what you just said and go on living like nothing ever happened. You think that I am going to give you time to think about our relationship? What so you can decide that I'm not good enough for you and tell me so? So I can then die of a broken heart? I don't think so. You had all this time of not talking to me to think about our relationship which you instead used to avoid me. Well guess what? I ended up getting my talk anyways. But unfortunately for you, if you had not been so stubborn, then we could have actually had a decent discussion. And I am going to end this discussion. Right. Now." Rin said clenching her jaw at the last word. With that she turned around and began walking away.
"Where do you think you are going?" Sesshomaru said. He took a step toward her but froze when she sent a glare his way.
"I KNOW that it's none of your business" Rin said coldly. She ran into the trees that surrounded their camp site. She had to get far away from there. Perhaps Inuyasha would allow her to stay in their village for a while? No that would be the first place Sesshomaru would look for her. Well...who was she kidding? He wasn't going to look for her.
Inuyasha's village it is then...Rin thought as tears began going down her face.
Sesshomaru watched as she disappeared into the trees. He was truly shocked. Not that he let it show. He stood staring stoically for a few minutes when he heard a rustling sound to his left. Out came Jaken from the bushes. He looked hesitantly up at Sesshomaru.
"Err...Lord Sesshomaru?" Jaken asked timidly
"What is it Jaken?" Sesshomaru said. His eyes hadn't left the spot Rin disappeared into.
"Are you just going to let her leave like that?" Jaken asked before flinching, fearing that Sesshomaru would hit him for questioning him. But Sesshomaru merely turned his gaze to Jaken and shot him a disapproving look.
"She's seventeen now. By human standards, she's old enough to do what she wants. If she wants to leave, then so be it." Sesshomaru said before his eyes widened as he felt an unfamiliar feeling in the pit of his stomach.
Was...was that anguish? Regret maybe? Why did he feel like that? It was just Rin. He would have outlived her anyways. So what was the point of having her stick around for about seventy more years? Seventy years in ratio to his lifespan was like a week or two. She would just slow him down. There will always be humans dying everyday. She was just a human. But...Rin wasn't just any human. Yes, Sesshomaru knew that quite well. Rin would never be just 'any human'. She was different. She actually respected demons. She didn't stick her nose up to them and treat them like scum. Not that anyone ever treated him like that and lived to tell the tale. Rin was comfortable around demons and didn't fear them. Sesshomaru knew only a few humans like that. Kagome was one that came to mind. However, Rin was still different. She had watched the bloody slaughtering and raping of her family and village. Yet, there was still some innocence in her. It didn't make her faith in the world's decency fall. Rin had actually risked her life in order to help him way back he first met the cheerful toothy grinned girl. It was right after his battle with Inuyasha in the Netherworld on their father's remains. She tried to give Sesshomaru fish when she found him. He saw the bruises she had on her. He knew that the local villagers would abuse her when they found out she had been stealing fish from their ponds. So why had she continued to try to help him? It was because she didn't see him as a monster like the monsters who murdered her family. She saw him as a being that was injured so she attempted to help him.
Yes...Rin is very special to me... Sesshomaru finally realized as he closed his eyes. She stood in silence for a few minutes more when his senses picked up something in the wind.
Blood. Rin's blood. And poison. He needed to get to Rin before something worse happened to her. Even if she didn't want to come back.
Rin was walking blindly for what seemed like forever, when she heard a rustling sound from behind her. She whipped around.
"Lord Sesshomaru?" she asked. But no one was there.
Ugh what is wrong with me? You know he's not coming for you. Rin thought as she turned back around. Then she heard a low growl that sent a chill down her spine. She turned again and looked down at a snake looking creature. She knew from its big red eyes and over sized fangs that it was a lowly snake youkai. And also, normal snakes don't growl.
"Listen little...err...thing. I am not in the mood. Can't you go try to eat some other lonely human girl walking in the woods by herself?" She said even though she knew it couldn't understand her.
It growled again. It slithered forward and its mouth gaped. Rin grabbed the nearest broken tree branch on the ground while keeping her eyes on the snake youkai. It sprung forward and struck her on the thigh, its large fangs piercing through the material of her kimono. She suppressed a scream and she swung the branch and it collided with the snakes head. It soared a few feet until it landed against a tree. Rin went up to it and she stabbed an end of the branch through its head, ensuring its death. Breathing heavily, Rin turned around to continue walking only to realize that her vision was beginning to go blurry. She wasn't crying. Well not for the past ten minutes anyways. So what was it? Then she felt a sharp searing pain from the bite wound on her thigh. Once the adrenaline had worn off, she could now feel the effects of the snake youkai's poison. She now felt light headed and like she was going to get sick.
"Crap. I hope that it wasn't that poisonous." Rin voiced aloud as she continued her trek. But she didn't get very far because the more steps she took, the faster the poison spread through her body. She began coughing violently. Rin gasped when she tasted a metallic tang in her mouth, realizing that she was coughing blood. She reached a clearing where she saw a small creek. She wobbled over to it and almost fell to her knees. She cupped a handful of water and rinsed out her mouth. Her head began to spin and she was about to faint.
"Young maiden?" said a familiar voice from behind her. She turned her head slowly before her gaze met the sight of Kenichi. His lavender eyes looked very concerned.
"Hey Kenichi. What's up?" Rin said.
"I smelled blood. Are you – Kami what happened to your leg?" Kenichi said as his gaze fell upon the bite wound on her thigh.
"What this? Oh it's nothing. I feel fine. Really it's noth-" she broke off as she made a shuddering gasp for air. Then everything went black as she fell to the ground. Kenichi was at her side in an instant.
"Maiden?" he called as he knelt beside her. He put a hand on her back to raise her closer to him while his other hand supported her neck and head.
"Rin!" he called again. His sensitive youkai ears could still pick up her heartbeat as his eyes scanned her face. There was a trickle of her blood on the corner of her mouth that was beginning to dry.
Then his nose alerted him that there a fast approaching youkai. The one whose scent lingered on Rin. He knew that she was upset earlier because of this youkai. He needed to keep her away from this youkai. Quickly but gently he picked her up bridal style and put her on the other side of the creek. He went back over to the other side and closed his eyes, readying his magic that was beginning to pulse throughout his whole body. His butterfly demon side allowed him to put up concealing magic around an area to make something appear to be different. All he did though was cover the area up until the creek. So when the youkai came, Rin would literally be right in front of the youkai, but it wouldn't be able to see her. And it came in handy that he can also mask scent with his magic. Just as he finished, a powerful male demon broke into the clearing. This demon had long silver hair and fierce amber eyes. The demon met Kenichi's eyes and he narrowed his.
"You were at our camp earlier." Sesshomaru said matter-of-factly
"Yes I was. What of it?" Kenichi replied
"Where's Rin? I know she's here somewhere. Tell me. Now." Sesshomaru said clenching his fist.
"So you can just go back to hurting her? She needs my help right now and I can't afford to waste any time." Kenichi said turning around and walking toward the creek. Sesshomaru bared his fangs. How dare he turn his back on him? He grabbed Toukijin and lunged at the blue haired demon. Kenichi swiftly turned around to block Sesshomaru's attack with his own sword. The swords clashed together with a loud clang and bright sparks. Sesshomaru jumped back and after a few seconds, he lunged forward again. Before the swords could clash again, Kenichi's body began to fade. Sesshomaru stopped in his tracks and Kenichi's appearance began fading and then in matter of seconds, he was gone. Ah, now everything clicked. While Sesshomaru fought with a mere image of the demon, the real one made off with Rin. And the worse part of it was Sesshomaru couldn't smell anything but trees and water. The blue haired demon masked their scent.
Kenichi smiled quietly to himself as he saw the silver haired demon fight with his illusion. He picked up Rin and jumped off into the trees, being careful not to rattle around the delicate human in his arms. Kenichi finally came across an area surrounded by thick and tall trees. He gently put her down in the softest patch of grass. He then put up a magic barrier to conceal their location, just in case that demon was pursuing them at the moment. Once he was sure that nothing could see, hear, or smell them, he used his magic to then start a small fire. He made sure it was controlled and wouldn't get out of hand. And because it was his magic, he knew it was controlled, no wood necessary. Afterwards, he grabbed the pouch tied to his side. He opened it and shook it onto his hand. Only a few single leaves fell onto his palm.
"It seems I should have restocked on herbs." He said quietly to himself. He put the leaves back in the pouch and walked over to Rin. He knelt down and put the back of his hand on her head. His eyes widened. She had a very high fever. If he didn't do something quick, she was going to die. It would be pointless to use the few leaves he had to brew a tea for her to reduce her fever. He was just going to have to find a way to keep it down for a while until he could find herbs to brew an appropriate tea for her. He grabbed the gourd at his side and opened it. He didn't want to risk drowning her by pouring the concoction down her throat and it going down the wrong way. He would have to do it by mouth. He brought the gourd up to his mouth and poured in a little, being careful not to swallow. He slid a hand under Rin's neck and raised her head up until it was only inches from his. He lowered his face a little until his lips met Rin's. He tilted her head up a little so the liquid could pour down her throat with little difficultly. He kept repeating this process until he could feel her fever beginning to lower.
Rin felt very hot. And cold. Then hot again. The only good thing about the way she felt at the moment was a very comforting flavor of flowers in her mouth. It took her a minute to process the fact that she also felt something soft pressing against her lips. She groaned and her eyes fluttered open only to see powder lavender staring at her. She then realized it was Kenichi and he was...kissing her? Her eyes widened and she was about to release a startled gasp when Kenichi moved his mouth from hers and put a gentle finger over her lips.
"I took you to an area where we wouldn't be bothered. I am giving you something to make your fever go down. Please don't scream." He finished as he took his finger off her lips. She propped herself up her elbows.
"I wasn't going to scream. I was just surprised." She said after clearing her throat. He smiled and reached down to grab the gourd which he had put down after Rin woke up.
"I trust you can drink it by yourself now. Although personally I would still like to give it to you by mouth." He said then winking. Rin blushed and then scowled. She grabbed the gourd and downed the rest of it's contents. He looked down at her wound.
"The medicine you just drank will only keep your fever down for a while. However I need to get rid of the source causing your fever." He said as he leaned down and sniffed at her wound. He could smell the rotting scent of poison. He now had to find a way to get the poison out of her system.
"Because I lack enough herbs to make a salve, I'm going to have to use my last resource." He said looking back at Rin. She was blushing from the fact that his face was hovering inches away from a place she cared not to even think about.
"And what resource would that be?" she asked hesitantly, fearing the answer she would receive.
"Well Dragon demons have medicinal saliva. So being half Dragon demon, I also carry that trait." He said smiling slightly when she blushed.
"I know it would be awkward, but I really can't afford to waste time. The longer I wait, the faster the poison will spread. I really have to do this now." He said putting a reassuring hand on hers. Rin looked into his eyes and after a few seconds, she nodded. Without hesitation, he put his mouth over her wound. Rin gasped at the feeling. She felt his tongue licking away the dried blood and then the wound itself. It stung at first but the pain began melting away afterwards. His saliva really was medicinal. She felt her face growing hotter, and not because of her fever. If someone had told her earlier that day that someone she had just met would later be licking a wound on her upper thigh, she probably would have scoffed then punched that person in the face.
She was pulled out of her thoughts when Kenichi cleared his throat.
"I'm going to go look for proper herbs now. Just relax, okay?" He said
"Alright." She said nodding. He smiled and began getting up. Rin grabbed his shoulder before he could. She pushed herself up more with her other arm. "Hey Kenichi?"
"Yes Rin?"
"Thanks so much" Rin said before pecking Kenichi on the cheek. Surprisingly, Kenichi blushed lightly and he smiled.
"No thanks necessary." He said getting up all the way. Then he walked off into the surrounding trees. But not before Rin caught him putting a hand gently on the cheek she had kissed. Rin smiled and laughed quietly. She turned and lie on her side toward the fire. It had been Kenichi who healed her. It had been Kenichi who saved her. But...all she could think about was Lord Sesshomaru.
(A/N) Again, very sorry about the lateness of this chapter. Oh and don't worry, Rin still loves our dearest Sesshy. I just needed to add another rival for her affection. But of course she will never like him like that. Just think of him as the Kouga of this love triangle. Is it sad? Yes. Is it necessary? Yes. Do I feel bad about it? Yes. Does that mean he can't have a happy ending though? Of course not. I'll come up with someone for him. Have a good day you guys and please review to help me with the next chapter because honestly at this point, I have no ideas for the next one :D
