Chapter 3:
The Summer night is like a perfection of thought
-Wallace Stevens
Sesshoumaru awoke, the sun blinding his eyes. He combed his hair with his fingers, he looked to his right side, Rin wasn't there. she'd always wake up early he thought. He heard clanging near by, and some laughter. Sesshoumaru got up, and followed the sounds. it's Rin he could smell her scent of cherry blossoms and a hint of sweat ahead of him And That Boy, what was he called? Kohaku.
Sesshoumaru arrived at a meadow near the bone eaters well, and stood in the trees. Rin was there fighting Kohaku with a wooden Naginata, her hair was in a pony tail and she was wearing different clothing, it was a longer kimono but it wasn't as colorful then her usual kimono's. Rin was elegant and graceful in attacking Kohaku. Kohaku was struggling to block her attacks. Sesshoumaru smiled to himself That's my Rin, She'd never quit for anything. wait, his Rin? what is he thinking he can't fall for a human like her. Sure she is beautiful, graceful and witty but she will not live forever. Sesshoumaru shook his head and looked at Rin, she had pinned Kohaku to the ground with the wooden naginata at his throat.
Rin laughed, "I beat you once again!" she moved the naginata away from Kohaku's throat and held out her hand "You're getting better and better each Day, Rin" he said smirking. Her eyes widened "You let me Win!" she yelled. "No i didn't!" he protested "Prove it, Fight me again" she said in ready position. "I'd rather not" he said, looking in the forest. Rin stood up, and followed his gaze. Her heart skipped a beat when a figure stepped out of the trees shadow "You have a keen sense of hearing boy" said Sesshoumaru. Kohaku bowed in thanks. "How long were you standing there, M'lord" asked Rin. "Long enough," he said standing in front of her. "Are You ready to go?".
"Go Where?" asked Kohaku, anxiously
"Not Yet" replied Rin
Sesshoumaru Nodded, "I see you haven't told anyone about it" Rin blushed "I'll go tell them now" She walked away. Kohaku looked at Sesshoumaru in disbelief, Kohaku turned to follow Rin, Sesshoumaru did the same, but he took his time. Rin was walking fast throw the forest. It wasn't long until she got to the Village. Everyone was in Lady Kagome and Inuyasha's Home. "Rin! Wait Up!" called Kohaku from behind her "Where are you going?" he asked breathlessly. "I'm going to travel with Lord Sesshoumaru again" she replied. "Oh" replied Kohaku, frowning. "It's okay, i'll come and visit from time to time". Kohaku nodded, "Don't leave just yet, i have to get you something" he turned and ran for Kirara who was laying on the grass with Taro and Haru. Rin jestered Taro and Haru over to her to come inside the home. Everyone was there, Shippo, Miroku, Sango, Inuyasha, the twins, and Kagome. Taro and Haru ran towards Inuyasha and tackled him.
"Everyone i have something to say" she said taking off the outer layer of her training robe, revealing her usual blue kimono with the moon and stars on it.
"What is It Rin?" asked Kagome from the Kitchen
"I know what it is" said Inuyasha trying to stop the boys from pulling his hair "I heard you and Kohaku's conversation before you got inside.
"You have?" she asked.
Inuyasha Nodded. "Shes going to travel with Sesshoumaru again"
"Is that So?" said Sango getting up. Shippo, Haru, Taro and the Twins stopped what they were doing and looked up at Rin. Rin nodded, smiled at the children. Haru and Taro ran to Rin crying "Please Don't Go Rin!" they sobbed. Rin smiled and gave them a hug "Its okay, I'll come visit".
"Good thing we came back in time, We got you a present" Kagome said while getting something in the cubboard, she took out a box wrapped in nice paper and a ribbon, "We were going to give it to you for your birthday next month, but i think now is a good time" Kagome handed the box to Rin, she looked at it and carefully took off the ribbon keeping the box together, she opened a box, there was a fake flower head on it, "Its an accesory for your Hair, its made of a very strong plastic, the flower is a pink cherry Blossom". Rin looked at Kagome and Hugged her tightly "Thank You! its Beautiful!"
"Let me Put it on for You" called Shippo getting up and walking beside her. Rin handed the flower clip to the fox demon, She untied her hair letting it down. Shippo took one side of her hair and put it behind her ear, clipping the flower to hold it steady. "You Look Beautiful!" Exclaimed the twins, they handed her a mirror, Rin's mouth dropped open she touched the flower gently "It Brings out your eyes" said Inuyasha looking at her. Rin looked at him and smiled in thanks. "I guess Kohaku is getting our present for you" said Miroku. Rin gave the mirror back to the twins and thanked them "Yes he is, he took Kirara somewhere to get something, so i'm not leaving just yet" Rin turned on her heel and walked to the door.
Sesshoumaru was standing on the bridge looking in the sky, the wind was blowing in his hair, it shimmered in the sunlight. Rin walked up to her Lord Sesshoumaru and stood beside him. He turned to look at her "You look beautiful," he said, looking into her eyes. Rin looked down and smiled "It was a gift from Kagome and Inuyasha". Sesshoumaru ran his hand through her hair taking two fingers under her chin and lifting her face up. Rin's heart was beating rapidly. Sesshoumaru leaned in, Rin froze with shock. STOP IT! cried Sesshoumaru's mind. He released himself from Rin, and looked away. Rin blinked not knowing what just happened, she reached out to Sesshoumaru to ask what was wrong.
"Rin!" someone called
Rin Turned around seeing Kohaku with a pole and another set of clothes on his arm, he was at the end of the bridge. "Yes Kohaku?" called Rin walking towards him.
"Here," he Handed the Pole to Rin.
"My Own Naginata?" she said smiling widely, she unsheathed the blade, it was shiney and the sun reflected to her eyes blinding her, Rin blinked and looked at the sheath, it had beautiful markings on it.
"Yes, Sango and I made it for you" Kohaku unfolded the clothes he had, Rin looked at it. "Miroku and the Kids made the sheath and this uniform"
"My own demon slaying outfit!" Rin expclaimed, it was just like Sango's demon slaying outfit but the color was different, it was orange instead of pink. Kohaku handed it to her blushing. Rin sheathed the blade on her naginata. She took the clothes and put it on her arm, she stood on her toes and gave Kohaku a kiss on the cheek. Sesshoumaru's heart tighten as she kissed Kohaku's cheek, his lips were in a thin line, he walked towards the two teens, he laid a hand on Rin's shoulder. "Let's Go" he said.
Rin nodded and walked to the house with Kirara and Kohaku behind them. Sesshoumaru stood nearby ready to leave. Everybody was outside, They all gave Rin a hug, "We will miss you Rin" the twins said, tearing up. "i'll miss you too" she said smiling, her eyes were blurring up her sight she wiped them away, Taro and Haru where hugging her leg begging her not go to "But i must go" she said. Kagome and Sango pulled they're children away from Rin. They were still sobbing, Haru was having a fit "He takes it from Inuyasha" she said slyly. Inuyasha grunted "Good bye, Rin" he said, handing out his palm, she refused and hugged him instead. He Returned the hug. She turned to Shippo who was not looking at her. She smiled and opened her arms, Shippo rolled his eyes and smiled, he hugged her too. "Be a Good Fox Demon" She Said giggling at the Fox demon.
Kagome handed Rin a bag for her to carry her new demon slaying clothes in so she doesn't have to look ridiculus carrying clothes with her. "Its an old Messenger Bag, i don't need it anymore" she said Smiling, Rin hugged Kagome for the last time, and turned to walk away. When she got near Sesshoumaru he started to walk, Rin waved goodbye to her friends in the village. As soon as they cannot be seen she continued to walk with the fair haired Demon. Her new Naginata was wrapped around her shoulder by a strap Sango had given her so it would be easier to travel with. Just like Old Times Rin thought Only without Master Jaken and AhUn...I wonder where could they be?.
The fire crackled as it cooked the fish that Rin had caught in the stream. Sesshoumaru had gone for a walk somewhere, Rin was eyeing her Naginata. she crawled towards it, she grabbed it and dragged it beside her. When she had asked Kohaku to teach her the art of demon slaying, he had showed her the various weapons that demon slayers used, she liked this one the most, "this one is for those who are graceful, it's perfect for you" his voice echoed in her head, she shook them away. She unsheathed the blade, it shimered before her. Rin traced her fingers along the staff, and up towards the blade, the blade was curved and sharp to the point, she traced her fingers along the edges "Ow!" she hissed, her middle finger started to ooz out blood, "stupid me" she said putting the finger to her mouth.
"What happened?" asked Sesshoumaru, who hovered above her. Rin looked up with her bleeding finger in her mouth. She took out out "Just cut myself by accident, its okay" Sesshoumaru kneeled down and took her hand. The blood smelled sweet and it continued to ooze out of her finger. Sesshoumaru the finger in his mouth, and sucked out the blood. Rin can feel her face heat up. Sesshoumaru released his grasp and Rin moved to grab her bag. She opened it and started searching for something, She gasped silently, she pulled out a small object and start peeling off the paper, "This is a Band-Aid" she said wrapping it around her finger "Kagome gave me a box of them a few days ago. They help stop the bleeding". Sesshoumaru walked away as Rin sheathed her weapon and set it aside.
Rin Finished the Fish, and looked up, it was partly clouded and the moon was a wanning gibbous as Kagome recalled it. Sesshoumaru was leaning against the tree looking up. Rin breathed in, and sniffed her shoulder, she needed a bath. She got up. "I'm going to the River to Bath" she said. Sesshoumaru didn't say anything he kept looking up. Rin walked off to the river, She took off her barrette and kimono. her dagger that was strapped to her thigh was still hanging, she took it off, seeing no reason why she needed it now she placed it on her kimono, Rin was now standing by the small river naked. She walked in the water, causing to have shivers down her spine "So Cold" she whispered. She dove in, She floated in the water for a little bit till she had to breath, she shot up gasping for air. She wiped the water away from her eyes and pushed her hair back. The clouds had passed revealing the stars and the moon above. Where are the Flowers wondered Rin, she looked around looking for a tree of flowers. She had found some, Cherry Blossoms, She reached out at the branch for some flowers to scrub her body with.
She knew Lord Sesshoumaru didn't like the scent of humans, and she tried her hardest to keep herself smelling nice and clean. she grabbed a few cherry blossoms and began rubbing her arms with them. She started to Sing "Sakura, Sakura, On Meadow-hills and mountains As far as you can see. Is it a mist, or clouds?" Rin reached up for another Cherry Blossom. She realized there was a snake, Rin gave out a starddling shriek. Sesshoumaru emerdged from the tree's claws glowing green, Rin watched overhead as Sesshoumaru used his whip to cut the giant snake demon's head. Sesshoumaru Landed on a tree branche. he turned to face Rin. She looked up, Sesshoumaru turned the other way, Rin realized she was waist deep in water and naked, she covered her chest and sank into the water. Rin looked down to hide the fact that she was blushing. She looked up to find the Sesshoumaru wasn't there anymore. She took one more dive in the water, to wash away the embarrasment that haunted her. Sesshoumaru had just saw me naked! What am I going to do? Act like nothing happen? she got up and walked to the shore But something did happen, i just have to find out what it is.
