Sesshomaru x Rin 2
A/N I forgot to add a disclaimer last time. I do not own Inuyasha; it belongs to its respectful owners, etc.
*A mokomoko is that flowing pile of fluff on InuTaisho, Inukimi (fan name), and Sesshomaru's shoulders. It represents a high-ranking demon.
Chapter 2: Encounter
Rin could see the snow-white hair of her lord before she fully faced him. She could also recognize his flowing mokomoko* billowing from his right shoulder. Finally, they were face to face.
The stoic expression that Sesshomaru wore was never changing, hiding his emotions at all time (assuming he had any). His golden eyes seemed to stare into Rin's soul, keeping her frozen for a moment. Nevertheless, she was not afraid, if anything she was overjoyed to meet her lord once again.
It was tempting, Rin thought, to run and hug him. However, the consequences just might cost Rin her life.
"Lord Sesshomaru…" Rin barely whispered his name, but she knew he heard her loud and clear. With careful steps, she slowly approached him until she was merely a few feet apart. Rin had so many questions to ask her Lord, yet no words seemed to form when she opened her mouth to speak. There was a ball of nervousness, sitting deep within her stomach spewing one pessimistic question that was keeping a wet blanket over her: what if this was a dream? If it were a dream, it was a very vivid one. Most of Rin's dreams were blurry and unclear, but most of all weird. This one was in full detail, it was so clear; Rin could reach out and touch Lord Sesshomaru…
In fact, it was not a bad idea. In all of Rin's time with her Lord, they seldom even brushed against each other. The most memorable moment was awakening at Inukimi's castle; Sesshomaru placed a gentle hand upon Rin's cheek. It was a compassionate gesture, and both Rin and Lord Jaken were surprised at this.
Slowly, Rin's hand reached up. She was going to touch his mokomoko; Rin had always wished to touch this extreme piece of fluff. Sesshomaru could have easily stopped her by now, but he simply watched as Rin began to stroke his mokomoko. It was soft and felt like the fur of an animal. There were very few ways to describe it, but the most accurate would be fluffy.
This is no dream, Rin thought. It was too real to be a dream.
Rin looked up at Lord Sesshomaru, and he looked down at her as well, curiosity filling his eyes.
"Rin, what are you doing?" Sesshomaru asked. Rin gasped and realized she was still stroking his mokomoko. She quickly pulled her hand to her side and backed away, saying a respectful apology. Though the moment was awkward, she still was stifling a smile. Rin had a little bravery now, enough bravery to ask what she wanted.
"Lord Sesshomaru…" Rin began, hoping her voice did not sound as scared and nervous to him as it did to her. "Where did you go? You had left for so long, I was sure you wouldn't be returning."
They stood in silence, simply watching each other. Eventually, it seemed as if he was not going to answer, so Rin shook it off and was about to continue.
"It is none of your concern, I am here now." Sesshomaru said, glancing off to the left of him, as if there were something so important over there. Rin was very disappointed with this answer, but she had not expected him to give her a true answer. Even so, it was her concern because she had missed him so much. She was not going tell him that, however.
"So much has happened ever since you stopped visiting, my lord." Rin began. When Sesshomaru said nothing, Rin continued. She began to tell him about all the misfortune and excitement that had fallen in his absence. The time Sango had her fourth child, the time when Kagome thought she was pregnant, but she had only drank some bad sake and began throwing up.
Rin also spoke of her coming of age. It was extremely awkward, having so many of the village men look at her with such vulgar lustful stares. A few months after that, the younger men closer to her age began asking for her hand in marriage. She of course refused them all; she had absolutely no feelings for any of them. The other women frowned upon her, for she even rejected men from noble families and handsome backgrounds.
Occasionally, Rin would giggle at herself, and Sesshomaru's eyes would soften at this, and would watch her smiling. Rin was now babbling on to herself, and she was not expecting Sesshomaru to be listening. He was hanging on every word, however. He wanted to know all that happened to her, and then some.
Rin looked up and noticed the sky turning blue. Her heart began to sink into her stomach, from fear of being caught and fear of this being the last meeting with her lord.
"Do not worry Rin, I will return tomorrow night." Sesshomaru said, catching on to Rin's worried expression. Though this eased Rin a little, she was still worried about being seen by Inuyasha or Miroku. Rin bowed respectfully to her lord and then bid him a farewell.
Rin began to run towards the gates of the village. It did not occur to her that she had been up the whole night. She was nearly back to the hut she shared with Lady Kaede and Kagome when a voice made her stumble.
"Well, well, well. Look who finally decided to show up!" Inuyasha yelled down from where he was perched. Rin froze mid-step and she immediately opened her mouth to form an excuse.
"I-I was… I-I, ah, had…" Perhaps she should be vague. "I had heard something, so I went to see what it was…" This was not technically a lie.
"Mm-hmm…" Inuyasha said skeptically. He watched Rin as she inched towards the hut. She quickly pushed the door aside and ran inside. She took a deep breath as she plopped down on her futon. Rin had not slept much at all that night, and now that she was thinking about it, she was exhausted. An hour or two of sleep would be very pleasurable.
-Short Timeskip; Early morning-
"Come one Rin, time to wake up!" Kagome shook Rin's arm and Rin reluctantly opened her eyes. She would have been more than happy to sleep until midday, but that would be unheard of.
"Just a few more minutes…" Rin mumbled as she shifted over in her futon.
"We don't have a few minutes! There's a very important guest visiting the village." Kagome took Rin by the wrists and forced her to her feet.
Kagome helped Rin pick out her best miko attire, though Rin complained about not wearing a simple yukata.
"It's not as if we're going to meet him! We're just watching him arrive." Rin argued. Kagome gave her a look of disapproval.
"Even so, we have to look our best. We are miko; it would be disrespectful to show up in our everyday yukatas." Kagome thrust her miko outfit to Rin and left the room. Rin huffed, but listened to reason and wore her outfit.
At around midmorning, a large group began to line the streets. A very regal carriage began to pass through the main street. Everyone began to whisper wondering whom it could be riding in such an expensive carriage.
"Maybe it's a shogun!"
"Idiot, why would a shogun be passing through our puny little village? It is most likely a noble prince or princess."
"Or it could be a tax collector…"
"Riding in that? I think not."
"Perhaps it is our neighboring village, wishing to—"
"SSSHHH, here it comes." The crowd silenced as the regal carriage passed Rin and Kagome. Rin rolled her eyes, finding this to be as exciting as watching the grass grow. Kagome, however, had an enthusiastic glow in her eyes. Her facial expression could be read like a book: 'Wow, actual royalty! I wonder if he's a prince.'
Rin giggled at her own thought, causing Kagome and a few others to silence her.
After a while, the small crowd dispersed. Rin stayed behind to catch a glimpse of the person riding in such a carriage. She watched as with the help of his servants he stepped down onto the ground. He had fair skin and an even round face. Rin could tell even from the distance that he wore a kind a smile. The kimono he wore had intricate designs, and was obviously expensive, a sure sign of royalty. More than likely, he was an heir to a noble family. It did not explain what business he had in Rin's small village.
He was going to talk to Kaede, the current village elder.
