AN: I do not own Inuyasha or any of it's characters. Only this plot :D
Just a quick thing. Thank you to all those who have reviewed. I honestly didn't expect anything for this story, but here it is and i am so happy :P So thanks again and here is an update.
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Chapter Two: Healing of the Heart
Kagome dressed Rin and both headed back to the campsite, Rin still quiet but not deathly so. When they arrived Kagome was surprised to note how dark everything was getting, her friends would be worried, she had been gone nearly the whole day. Sesshoumaru noted her worry,
'Do not worry…Kagome. I found your friends and told them you will be staying with me for a few days. Until Rin is better.' Kagome glared at him.
'Hey,
I would have liked an option you know! Instead of you deciding whom
I'm staying with or not!' Rin stared wide eyed between the two of
them, obviously anxious.
'Do you wish to leave Rin then? I can
get you back before full dark.' Kagome sighed; no she couldn't
leave Rin, not with three yokai and no human company.
'Fine! You win. I'll stay here for Rin, is that okay Rin?' Rin looked up at her with muted happiness and nodded. Exhaustion entered Rins gaze and seeing how tired she was reminded Kagome of how tired she was as well. 'Time for bed I think, ne Rin?' Again the small nod. Settling by a tree Kagome prepared for sleep, unfortunately she had left her bag with her friend, she was surprised when Rin joined her by her side of the fire, curling into her stomach. Soon the both of them were fast asleep.
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Sesshoumaru moved to the opposite side of the clearing, leaning against a tree he let his one arm sit atop one knee as he examined the two females across the fire. He had gone to find them when they were taking too long, and had come upon a naked Kagome kneeling and hugging a sobbing Rin to her. When Rin asked Kagome the questions about the bandits and himself, he was certain that Kagome would say that he did not care for Rin, and would turn Rin against him whilst she was in this delicate stage of mind, because Kagome and him were enemies, he had killed her a total of 5 times now and had attempted to kill her on several other occasions.
But she did not, she told Rin he loved her and would risk his life for her. The scary thing was she was right, and the hope that filled the child at those simple statements was heart wrenching. He had quickly evacuated the area and had gone to find Kagome's friends, for he was certain now that Rin needed Kagome. He remembered that he had left Rin in Jakens care hours before, she had curled into that foetal position just before he left, and when he came with Kagome at least 5 hours later, she had not moved so much as an inch. But already she was talking and almost even smiling, Kagome had an amazing gift, he had seen many women broken by rape, but already Rin was healing, not just physically, but mentally.
He had found Kagomes friends and after their initial shock was over, he told them that Kagome would stay with him for awhile, that he needed her help with something and she would not be returning for some time. It had hurt his pride to say he needed help for something, especially from a human, but he never lied, and help was what he needed; Rin would probably never want to be near another male again, after her ordeal, she needed another woman's help.
Sighing he turned his gaze from the slumbering women to the sky; the stars twinkled innocently down at him. He remembered how angry his beast had been when it arrived at Inuyasha's group. He had been pushed to the back of his subconscious when his beast took over, watching but unable to control what it did, he had fought it, disgusted by the thought that he may kill needlessly. But then Kagome had whistled, and it hurt his sensitive ears like nothing before, his beast had been royally pissed to say the least, and he was very tempted to just let it kill her, but then she had run and he had realized immediately what she was doing, for she knew better than to run from an angry beast as that would only incite it further.
His beast gave chase and was soon ripping her to shreds, he had managed to regain slight control but nowhere near enough, and he was certain she had finally died, but then she came back and was soon running again, the fear obviously forced but still more than enough to spur his beast on and so it continued. He had killed her three times and had finally regained control of his beast, locking it in its cage in his mind. When she questioned him he felt she ought to know, considering what she did for him, and it was for him as he had seen the sorrow in her eyes after he finished his tale, how she could feel that for him he did not know, but it was there.
When Kagome and Rin had returned to the clearing he was surprised to note that all of Rins wounds were healed, realising what Kagome must have done he looked on her with new eyes. He had always thought her a liability to his brothers group, but apparently she was their healer. When she predictably agreed to stay for Rin he watched as her and Rin curled up close to the fire, but not close enough to be burnt by wayward sparks.
Returning his gaze to the woman he watched as Rin whimpered in her sleep and Kagome absently rubbed soothing circles on the young girls back, effectively calming her. This Kagome was a truly curious creature; she was willing to stay with three yokai, one a taiyokai and her leader's enemy, just to help a little girl she had met on one or two occasions for no more than a few minutes. Truly a curious creature.
From across the clearing he saw Kagomes' eyes slowly open, apparently Rins' whimpering had woken her. She blinked a few times, obviously forgetting where she was, before her eyes widened and shot to where he was sitting, he was almost tempted to wave it was that comical; how easy he could read her, she may as well have her every thought written across her forehead. She glared at him, somehow she could tell he was amused, that thought sobered him, his emotions which he trained to be invisible for centuries could be read by a human? A human woman? He watched as her gaze drifted to the small bundle curled into her side and her gaze softened considerably. He could tell that by the time she left for her own group, she would love Rin as a mother loves a child, hell from what he could tell; she already did. That would present a few problems, all of which he would deal with if she could heal Rin.
'How is she?' he couldn't help but ask, he needed to determine how long the woman would be staying with them. Or at least he hoped that was why he asked the question, not foolish emotions like worry or even love. Her gaze snapped to his, but her eyes were still soft, which surprised him…again.
'She will make it. I don't know how long, but already she has come far. Maybe a few days? I have a question…' She asked staring straight into his eyes, he had forgotten how forward this human was, pushing aside status so that everyone was equal. Amusing really.
'Hn.'
He answered, she would take it as consent. And just as he predicted,
'Do you love her? Or is she merely a passing amusement to you?'
She asked, her eyes were no longer soft, they were hard with a
mother's righteous anger, and she wasn't even the mother of this
pup. Looking into the stars again he prepared his answer,
'I
love her. If I did not would I go on a rampage for her?' He
returned his gaze to her blue eyes, 'It is you I have problems
with.' She seemed amused.
'Oh and why is that? Because you
can't kill me? Because you have to endure a filthy human travelling
with you?'
'Because you already love her and getting her to not love you in return will be an impossible task. When you leave it will probably drag her back to the state she was in before you arrived.' She was startled by what he said; clearly she was expecting something derogatory, not a statement on how useful she was. Then her gaze went thoughtful.
'Then we will just have to help her love you more than me, although I think that she does already. That way when I leave she will have love to fall back on, unfortunately you will have to show her that love, if you truly do. Treat her as a father would treat his child, with love and care, play with her, give her small gifts, and even if it's only when no one else is there, but drop your mask, smile once in a while. Then she will truly love you, not in a protective God sort of way, but in a daughter to father love.' He stared at her and before he could stop himself his head was thrown back and he was laughing. When his laughter finally subsided he looked into her eyes which were shining happily and in awe, she didn't realise that that was the first time he had laughed in centuries. He looked into her eyes, an almost smile playing on his lips,
'You have no idea what you ask woman, I was trained since child birth to never let emotions show, to always have a mask, to repress emotions, to be as my name states: The Killing Perfection. That was the first time I have laughed in at least 3 centuries. I will do as you ask, but I cannot do anything of the sort around others as they will use Rin, believing her to be my weakness. And she is. But it will take awhile to dismantle this mask for even one person to see through.' He couldn't help smiling again as he turned his eyes to the heavens, 'and to think I am dismantling it for a human girl-child.'
When his gaze returned to Kagome she was sleeping whilst leaning against a tree, Rin sitting in her lap, a smile playing across both their lips. And for once Sesshoumaru was content to just wait for them to wake, ready to take on whatever the day had to bring. Truly a curious creature was his Kagome.
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Kagome woke again the next day to the sounds of birds chirping and the swish of leaves in the breeze. Her gaze went to the taiyokai lightly resting across for her; a rush of affection came from her for him. Last night when she explained to him what he needed to do she expected him to cut her down with harsh words and derogative phrases, something Inuyasha still did without hesitation. But when he had laughed, oh when he had laughed; it was one of the most beautiful things she had ever heard, and it was not a mocking laugh either, no she knew those off by heart, it was pure. Right then she worried for herself because already she felt the beginnings of affection forming in her. And when he spoke. He was willing to listen to her, to take her advice. He was going to love Rin and Kagome knew Rin would love Sesshoumaru so much more before they left. As long as he didn't try to force his love on the child, but this was Sesshoumaru they were thinking about, he did everything to absolute perfection, and she had no disbeliefs that he would be anything but perfect, even in the art of loving.
Glancing down Kagome noticed two wide hazel eyes staring up at her from within her lap and a huge smile broke across her face, one which was hesitatingly returned.
'Hello Rin. Did you have a nice sleep?' Rin smiled slightly, nothing compared to the full glory it used to be, but it was something,
'Mm hm, Rin had a nice sleep. But the bandits came back to Rin in her sleep, and then I saw Okaa-san come and make them go away with Sesshoumaru-sama.' Kagome eyed her, was dreaming about her mother a good or bad thing?
'Okaa-san, Rin?' She asked, wondering whether it was a painful question, but Rin only smiled again.
'Yes, Kagome-chan is Rins' Okaa-san now.' Kagome nearly fell over.
'Me? You're Okaa-san? But I hardly know you Rin…' Rin looked at her, but her eyes showed determination; clearly she had decided this and no-one was going to change her mind.
'Yes, Kagome-chan helped Rin yesterday, just like my first Okaa-san did before the bandits took her away, when Rin had nightmares Okaa-san was there, and last night Kagome-chan was there for Rin, so Kagome-chan is now Okaa-san.' Well who can doubt an eleven year olds logic? Kagome smiled brilliantly at Rin and hugged her happily,
'Thank you Rin!' Rin hugged her back carefully. Kagome drew away and looked into Rins eyes. 'Do you want to do something Rin? Pick flowers, play, find something to eat…' Thinking about it she was really hungry, glancing around she didn't notice anything edible. She looked back at Rin when she tugged on her sleeve.
'Rin has to find her own food when she wants something to eat, Okaa-san. Will you help Rin find food? Maybe we can catch a fish! Rin likes fish!' Kagome smiled happily as a bit of the old Rin shone through.
'Yes let's catch fish Rin, but you will have to teach me, because I've never tried before.'
Kagome smiled as Rin quickly stood and grabbed her sleeve, trying to drag her in the direction of the stream they had washed in last night. Rising she dusted herself off and took after Rin when she noticed her already running in the direction of the stream, little did she know that two amber eyes had watched the whole exchange from across the clearing.
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Kagome stood in the center of the stream, her legs spread ankle deep in water, as she concentrated fully on the task at hand. Her hands in the water she waited for the quick brush of scales on her hand and then WHAM!
'Rin I caught one! I caught a fish!' She spun happily to Rin who was already preparing her 3 or 4 fish on the bank. Chuckling she kept a grip on her thrashing prize, Rin was a very good teacher, showing her how to do it and telling her the basics before letting her try, always coming over to correct her if her stance was wrong or hands in the wrong place. Smiling she went over to Rin and proudly displayed her prize, Rin looked up and clapped when she saw the fish Kagome was holding.
'Yay Okaa-san! You caught your first fish! Rin helped right? Did Rin teach you good?' Her pretty hazel eyes turned worried, dropping the fish next to the others, Kagome swooped down on the child, lifting her in the air and spinning them both round,
'Rin you are the best teacher I ever had!' Rin smiled happily as she was once again placed onto firm ground.
Picking up their fish they both began their journey back to camp. Kagome was glad her fish was fairly large otherwise the small meal wouldn't sustain her to lunchtime, never mind the whole day.
Once back at camp Rin immediately
set the fish over the fire, leaving Rin to cook them
Kagome sat
leaning next to a tree, watching as Rin hummed a low tune to herself,
an almost content smile on her face. Rin was truly a strong girl, she
had been through so much in her life and yet she always seemed so
happy, as if she could take whatever the world threw at her with a
wide smile and lots of flowers.
Something thumped down next to her and looking at it Kagome nearly yelled in delight when she saw her downtrodden yellow bag. Looking up she found Sesshoumaru watching her, his mask in place. Kagome was very tempted to hug him,
'Change miko, you're clothes are too indecent. I do not want you to influence Rin badly.'
Sticking her tongue out at him she began ruffling through her bag. Finding some clothes she deemed were worthy, she went behind some bushes and changed into a long green skirt, some trainers, and spaghetti strap white top. It was a spare outfit that didn't cost too much when it got damaged and she had to replace it. Walking out she noticed Sesshoumaru staring at her, so in a very lady like fashion, she stuck her tongue out at him and stalked to her bag, stuffing her tattered uniform inside it.
'Wow Okaa-san! You look pretty! Can Rin have a new kimono too?' Rin asked innocently and suddenly Kagome realised how right Sesshoumaru was, anything she did would undoubtedly affect Rin, so smiling at her she went to the young girl,
'Sure, but later Rin okay? And you have to get a prettier kimono than me, because pretty young girls need very pretty kimonos.' Ruffling the girl's hair she looked at the fish and then Sesshoumaru pointedly, Rin catching her drift jumped up and ran to Sesshoumaru.
'Sesshoumaru-sama, look how many fish Rin and Okaa-san got!' He looked briefly at the fish before returning his gaze to Rin, who was staring up at him with large sparkling eyes, and to everyone's complete amazement (especially Jakens) he smiled, a true smile that reached his eyes, Rin gasped aloud and Kagome nearly fainted, Kami but was he handsome when he smiled!
'Otou-san, you smiled! Do it again!' Immediately the smile left Sesshoumaru's face and his eyes hardened,
'Rin, what did you call me?' Rins face fell and all her joy died, obviously she was in trouble, but Kagome couldn't help her, because if she 'saved' Rin from Sesshoumaru then Rin would no longer look to him for protection, Kagome bit her lip and glared a hole into him, if he screwed this up she was going to kill him!
'Rin is sorry Sesshoumaru-sama. Rin said it by accident.' He reached a clawed hand to her and despite her flinching he gripped her chin and stared into her eyes, as if daring her,
'Say it again.' Rin obviously tried to avoid his gaze, but he was having none of it.
'Otou…san.' Rin whispered and flinched, looking away from his eyes despite the claws holding her chin,
'Rin look at me.' And she did, as soon as their gazes met he smiled again, a lovely smile filled with love, 'You have my permission to call me that whenever you want.' At first Rin seemed dumbstruck but then her face broke into a huge grin which soon fell at his next words, 'But only if…' His claws released her and she watched him warily, 'you teach me to fish like you did your Okaa-san.' He glanced at her as Rin began to dance happily around him; Kagome smiled at him and winked. As she knew he would, he had made Rins love perfectly, and truly; when he dropped his mask, he was drop dead gorgeous, not that he wasn't gorgeous any other time…
'Okaa-san!' Rin called as she grabbed a surprised Sesshoumaru's hand, 'Come help teach Otou-san how to fish!' Kagome smiled as she walked after Rin dragging Sesshoumaru behind her, obviously Sesshoumaru would already know how to fish, but it was a good way to earn Rins trust, and the beginning of being her father.
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AN: Hey, sorry i took so long to upload this chapter, I just don't really know what i want to do with this story :D Didn't really think it through before i started to wright it, if anyone wants to give me some ideas, please go ahead. Anyway thanks for reading...