Chapter 2

A cool breeze cascades over Rin's body she stirs in her sleep; Thump...Thump...Thump thump...Thump thump, 'Is that a heartbeat? But it's not mine, whose heartbeat is it?'

"Good morning" The deep baritone voice replies

Rin's eyes snap opened at the sound, she looks up; there was the injured man from yesterday. 'What was his name? Se…? Sessh…? Sesshomaru? Sesshomaru! That was it, that sounded like his name.' Upon seeing their predicament Rin blushed immediately, for her legs were entangled with his long ones, her right arm resting on top of his bare chest, his right arm wrapped around her possessively. Sesshomaru's hand despite being deadly was gently caressing her side with the greatest of care; his touch was very soothing and Rin felt a sense of comfort waft over her. She knew he could slice almost anything yet she felt safe in this dangerous demon's hands. 'Despite being rude at first, I think Sesshomaru might actually be a sincere person.'

Rin moved her gaze towards his handsome face; hazel eyes met golden ones. They just stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity, but all goods things must come to an end just like the end of a beautiful melody. Rin remembered how devastated she was yesterday and how vulnerable she must have looked around him. She was furious! Anger bubbled up inside her! 'How could I allow myself to be weak like that? Especially around some stranger!' Rin abruptly sat up while berating herself; She scooted back until she was a good couple feet away from the dangerously intoxicating man. The loss of warmth sent a shiver down her spine, and for the first time that day, Rin spoke

"I'm sorry, please forget everything I said last night."

"Hnn"

'Rin, think of something! Get out of this awkward moment. Oh yeah I could do that.'

"Sesshomaru, I'm going to get some more herbs"

"Fine"

Sesshomaru was confused by this strange little woman. First she demands to help him, insults his pride, and then she started crying. What was he supposed to do, be a dick and let her cry by herself? Or be a gentleman and comfort her? He did what he thought any man would do, try to comfort her. So he held her quietly until she stopped crying, and he just held her in his strong arms until they both fell asleep in each others embrace.

Sesshomaru awoke to the most beautiful scene, Rin's sleeping form; her long eyelashes covered her closed hazel eyes, slightly parted pink lips inhaling and exhaling, black wavy hair draped over her shoulder and down to the waist. Sesshomaru was in awe of this small creature, he was so caught up in the moment he forgot about his injuries and lack of dress. Slowly her chest began to rise and fall faster, limbs stirred, eyes twitched. He knew she would wake up soon, so he tried to stay still patiently, but his patience ran out after a couple minutes. He whispered a 'good morning' to Rin. She opened those doe eyes and they gazed at each other but the moment didn't last long and what came next threw him off. Rin rejected him. Pushed away from him like he was a stinky sock. Once again Sesshomaru's pride was hurt by this beguiling woman, and ponders,

'Did I do something to upset her?'

Rin spoke seconds later

'Hmm.. I don't understand? She cried to me yesterday, but now she's taking it all back. Why are women so confusing?' A cold breeze slides by, a shiver runs down his spine, 'I should probably put my shirt back on' Sesshomaru stands up, turns to his left and grabs his shirt on the nearby tree.

"Huff"

He noticed the rips on the sides and the blood stains covering the white and red fabric. Sesshomaru heard a rustle behind him, Rin had returned.

"I could mend that for you, and wash the blood out."

"There's no need for that. I have more clothes at my home."

'His home? Well I guess he would have one. Wait is that an invitation?' Rin shook those thoughts out of her head, meanwhile she crouched down and started grinding the herbs until they looked done. She quickly applied the medicine to his injury and tried to leave from his presence, so she wouldn't have to remember the way he held her she wasn't fast enough; strong arms grabbed her shoulders into a tight hug.

"Don't reject me." His voice says dejectedly

Rin was confused, when had she rejected him?

"I never rejected you, did I?"

"This morning, you left me abruptly" A hint of anger tinges his voice

"Then you told me to forget about yesterday!"

By this point Rin was haughty, and tried to struggle out of Sesshomaru's arms

"I didn't think I needed to explain myself to you! You're not my keeper."

Sesshomaru's grip tightens more; he needed Rin to understand his confusion.

"You're not making sense! One moment your sobbing your eyes out clinging to my shoulder and the next thing I know we're happily cuddling together, and then all of sudden your mood changes from black to white. Make up your mind woman!"

Rin flailed in Sesshomaru's arms and managed a good slap in the face at that 'woman' remark! 'How dare he call me that!'

"You bastard! How dare you say that to me!" Tears stream down her face

"I didn't think it was important! I just...I just was mad at myself! I didn't want to admit that I was a vulnerable girl, that sought out the comfort from the first decent being she meets." Rin's throat grows tight, eyes pouring tears, body shaking

"Was that it? That was what you were concerned about, looking weak? 'The hell! I was nearly passed out when you tumbled down!"

"Was that it? WAS THAT IT!"

SLAP

Anger just rolled off of Sesshomau's skin, he was losing face again! His next steps were irrational and not planned at all; he grabbed Rin by the waist and held her bridal style

" Wha… wher...aaah….."

Sesshomaru ran at full speed, blindly carrying Rin in his arms. He raced through the forest, village after village he snuck by, but finally stopped when he came to his fortress. It was a gigantic, edo period, Japanese style castle. His house was built near a waterfall, so that he wouldn't have that many visitors. Sesshomaru gently puts Rin down once they are inside his humble abode.

"Where are we? Why did you bring me here?"

"Rin!" Sesshomaru's voice sounded like razor's

She closed her lips and waited for his reply

"...Rin, this is my home. You may stay as long as wish"

He approaches her, and Rin backs up

Angry, Sesshomaru takes another step forward, and again she steps back, they repeat until her back is against the dark brown wooden wall. His arms, are on each side of her. His right arm forcing her chin up, so she would look at him,

"Rin, you need not fear looking weak in front of me. You saw me at my weakest and yet you still helped me... You Rin, allowed me to return the favor by comforting you when you were most vulnerable. Let us not argue over petty things anymore "

"Okay" sniffle

"But answer me this one thing"

"What?"

"I heard that the great Sesshomaru was a great dog demon that was ruthless and coldhearted, yet here you are holding me, showing me emotions and I can't help but wonder, Why?"

"I wish I knew."

"Huh?"

"I don't know why either! But whenever I think of you it's like the first day of spring has come and I want to hold on to that feeling forever"

Sesshomaru's face slowly closes the distance between them and softly kisses Rin's pink lips .

"