The rain had finally come to a halt, allowing soft morning light to greet the world below. Sesshomaru had been staring up at the clouds as they parted. He was seated on a large rock, which he easily dried with a bit of flame. Once the rain ceased he destroyed Nazoki's makeshift roof, so not to waste her power. The vixen had left without a single word to him. She did not even let him watch her leave, after bowing, and slipping her sleeve on, she glided to the tree tops, and concealed herself. Completely invisible.
Sesshomaru pondered what she would do, or where she would go. He would not have minded if she had asked to stay until the dreary weather passed, but she had fled so quickly, the lord had not had a chance to sort out his own thoughts. The vixen had completely avoided his touch, not allowing him to even place a hand on her shoulder. The entire time, she had a warm, phony smile plastered on her face. It was one of the softest, most inconsolable expressions he had ever seen, and yet he had not said a word.
A tiny groan diverted the lord's attention, and he turned to gaze at Rin. She was sitting up, and wiping her eyes. The moment she saw him, her face lit up.
"Lord Sesshomaru! You have returned!"
Jumping to her feet, Rin hurried to the man's side. All trace of sleep quickly disappeared from the girl's face, as she threw her arms around his leg. Sesshomaru watched her for a moment, before picking her up, and placing her on the rock beside him.
"I trust you are well?"
Enthusiastically nodding, Rin grinned up at Sesshomaru
"Yes, Milord! Ah, is Nazoki collecting food" The girl's tone lowered, and she glanced over the clearing. A thick quiet hung over the pair as Rin returned her gaze to Sesshomaru. It took a moment for the lord to answer. He calmly watched Rin, finding he was unable to stare at the sky any longer.
"No, Nazoki has taken her leave." The words cause an immediate frown to crease Rin's brow. She seemed confused, and intensely gazed at Sesshomaru as if he had not finished speaking.
"What? Like Lord Sesshomaru?"
Shifting his gaze, Sesshomaru focused on the pine trees surrounding the clearing. Rin was still studying him, patiently waiting for an answer. He was unsure of whether he wanted to provide one.
"When will she return?"
The only response Rin received was silence. A confused state of panic crossed her, but she did not show it. Instead, the girl continued to watch Sesshomaru. Something had happened; and she did not know what it was. Though she did not want to pry, she had to know. Why would Nazoki leave?
"Milord?" Rin pushed, and the man shifted his gaze.
Sesshomaru focused his eyes on A-Un, still avoiding the girl's questions. Rin normally did not ask such things. The child was always happy on her own, Nazoki was not that important. Right? Of course she wasn't. Before the vixen had come along Rin was always cheerful, and smiled. She would continue to do such.
"But Nazoki was going to take Rin to get a pretty kimono like hers today! Nazoki was going to ask Lord Sesshomaru!"
Still silent, Sesshomaru grew uncomfortable. So that's what Nazoki was going to request. He had been wrong; she definitely did need his permission to take Rin somewhere... A slight breeze carried the scent of salt to the lord's nose. Upon gazing at Rin, he found the girl staring up at him with large, grieved eyes.
"But- B- But- Nazoki did not say bye to Rin!"
The corners of the girl's mouth tugged down, and she frowned up at the lord. Neither spoke, simply stared at one another. Rin brought the back of her hand to one eye, and started to softly rub, as if it would hide her tears. "Nazoki did not say bye!", she repeated, and Sesshomaru watched her wide eyed. She was crying. Not only had he made Nazoki cry, but Rin as well.
He had no idea as to what he should do. Completely baffled by the situation, Sesshomaru found himself unable to tear his eyes away from Rin. The girl started to sniffle, and raised her left hand to her eye as well. Then she saw it. A tiny white ring around her finger. Falling silent, she studied the ring, trying to make sense of it.
"It is from Nazoki." Sesshomaru stated, still watching the girl. The moment he said the vixen's name Rin started bawling again. Frozen in place, Sesshomaru didn't know what to say.
"Nazoki- not- coming back? Never?" The girl managed to choke the words, and Sesshomaru lowered his gaze. The man placed a hand on Rin's head hoping it would console the girl.
Behind them, Jaken stirred. He had probably been awoken by Rin's outburst. Trying to tune out the girl's grief, Sesshomaru turned to peer at Jaken.
"Rin! Quiet that incessant blabbering!" The toad had obviously woken up on the wrong side of the dirt, or grass. Whatever. Much to everyone's surprise Rin immediately stopped. Wondering why, Sesshomaru frowned. Before he could even look at the girl, Rin spoke.
"Lord Sesshomaru... Rin is on fire..."
Snapping his attention to the child, Sesshomaru found her right. Flames had consumed her hands, yet did not burn her clothes or hair. The girl curiously stared at her hands, unsure of whether she should scream, of try to put the flames out. Wide eyed, Sesshomaru studied Rin. The ring. It had to be the Ring Nazoki had made. Grabbing Rin's hands, Sesshomaru snuffed out the flames, and slipped the ring off her finger. That was too dangerous right now.
"No- Nazoki made that for Rin!"
"Rin, will you stop crying?"
Peering up at the lord the girl pouted, and slowly nodded.
Sesshomaru offered a tense smile, and pocketed the ring.
"This Sesshomaru will return Nazoki's ring to you in the future." The words seemed to calm the girl, and she nodded once more before focusing her attention on the man's hands.
"Lord Sesshomaru! You grew another arm!"
He would have laughed, if he had not been so distressed. It seemed as it his actions had caused everybody grief. Rin had even cried, and obviously still wanted to. Words that had not meant much at the time now plagued him. Behind the pair, Jaken yelled something about his new arm, and rushed to his side. In a matter of seconds, both of his subordinates were holding up his hands, and examining him.
However, he could not appreciate the moment. Even if he did want to find Nazoki, it was too late now. She had chosen to fly and the rain had washed away her trail long ago. There was no way to track her. She was completely gone. Knowing her, she would not return, just because she felt unwanted. It was obvious that the vixen had felt as though she was a burden, but telling her she could leave seemed to amplify that thought. Everything would return to normal; without her. The sun would continue to rise, as it was now, as well as the moon in the evening. Nothing would stop for her. She would return to whatever she was doing before they met, and everything would be fine.
Despite the obvious air of mournful nostalgia that surrounded the group, they continued about their way; led by the lord. It was a beautiful day, but for some reason, he wished otherwise.
A/N: Hi all!
I have to thank NonieBee ( 4352183) for the suggestion that Rin have one of her "talks "with Sesshy! Let's face it, she's the only one he would listen to lol
