Disclaimer: Characters owned by: Rumiko Takahashi, Viz Entertainment, etc.
I don't own it.
They had walked halfway through the night and Rin's mortal body was beginning to succumb to fatigue, but she raised her chin in defiance, and stubbornly soldiered on, if for no other reason than to learn all she could about the woman who had kidnapped her so that she could be of use to Sesshomaru-sama.
She watched the woman's red hair swing back and forth like a pendulum, and Rin's hands itched to grab it and pull it out by the roots. It was obvious that this woman had powers, but was she a demoness? She was definitely exotic enough looking to be one, but there was something about her that didn't quite match up with the other high-level demons she had encountered since traveling with Sesshomaru. Rin wasn't about to ask, and she guessed if she had, her question would go unanswered.
Despite her outward displays of bravado, inwardly Rin felt sick to her stomach. Once again, she had managed to get captured so that she could be used against her lord. Kagura and Naraku, Takemaru, and others through the years had captured her to lure Sesshomaru to his death. It never worked, Rin thought, a smug smile of pride, on her lord's behalf, took shape on her lips. Over the past eight years, Rin had come to know Sesshomaru like no other, his smallest gesture speaking volumes to her. He seldom spoke, but she was no fool. What lie beneath those mesmerizing golden eyes was a fierce intelligence, unmatched. Rin could spend several lifetimes trying to figure out the man behind the stoic mask, and if she ever got her hands on the sacred jewel that would be her wish with the addendum that Sesshomaru would love her - and only her.
Rin tripped over a tree root that had found its way above ground, and grimaced, rubbing her stubbed toe.
"This is far enough. We will camp here tonight, and reach your master by mid-day tomorrow."
Rin could feel sweat trickling down her back, staining the inner folds of the beautiful kimono Sesshomaru had bought her on her sixteenth birthday. Rin's face took on a wistful expression as she remembered the first time Kagome had informed Sesshomaru-sama of the significance of a human birthday. Rin cherished this specific memory because, not only had her lord expressed how much he cared by creating a day of birth just for her, but she also learned that she was changing into a woman, and because of this, might be able to get even closer to Sesshomara-sama.
---BEGIN FLASHBACK---
Rin had been twelve at the time, although she did not know it. Sesshomaru and company were coming down on the other side of a hillock when they stumbled upon Inuyasha's taichi. Rin looked at Sesshomaru curiously, knowing, given his acute sense of smell; he knew damn well what lay on the other side of the hill. Although Rin would never want to live in a human village, sometimes she longed for human companionship, especially of the female variety. Her body was starting to undergo some unsettling changes and Rin had no idea what it all meant. Her chest felt tender all the time and she wanted to ask Kagome about it. Sesshomaru-sama must have sensed some of the changes taking place with her body, and that is why he brought her to Kagome.
Inuyasha's group was kneeling around some sort of stick that was lit with fire on one end. As Rin approached, she realized that there were several thin sticks that were lit. Shippo was leaning over the little sticks and blowing on them, and Inuyasha's taichi was so absorbed in what he was doing, they didn't even notice Sesshomaru's group approaching.
Kagome was the first to sense his powerful demonic aura, and rose, smoothing her skirt down and adjusting her shirt. She 'ahem'ed' and the rest of the group quickly got up from their kneeling positions.
Inuyasha did not look the least bit happy to see his older brother, and pulled his sword out and brandished it at the approaching demon.
"I have need of your miko," Sesshomaru commanded with a regal air.
On both sides of the clearing, the two groups wore twin expressions of horror.
Sesshomaru snorted contemptuously, "Not of that nature. I simply need to speak with her about my ward."
Rin looked up at Sesshomaru in surprise and curiosity. Although taller now, her head still did not reach the cuirass across his chest.
"Bastard, stay away from Kagome, she doesn't…" Inuyasha grumbled, but was cut-off, not by the cool, uncaring tone of Sesshomaru, but by Kagome, who seemed more than willing to hear Sesshomaru out.
"Inuyasha, it will be fine. We are just going to speak beneath the sakura tree over there," Kagome said, indicating a tree not fifty paces from the group.
The level-headed monk's voice rang out in the air, "Inuyasha, let's let Kagome have a minute with lord Sesshomaru. You will be able to watch them the entire time."
Inuyasha look less than pleased, shoving his sword back in its sheath, crossing his arms and turning his back on the pair.
Kagome walked towards Sesshomaru, and he gave her a slight nod of his head in acknowledgement.
"Sesshomaru-sama," Kagome said and gave him a slight bow. Sesshomaru looked surprised that she used the honorific, a spark of something catching in his eyes, as his face remained impassive. "Let's speak by the tree in privacy," Kagome said and Sesshomaru nodded.
"Rin, stay with Inuyasha's taichi. I will be back momentarily." He turned on his heels and walked with Kagome, until they came to a stop beneath the sakura tree.
Rin thought it was an odd sight, as she knew her lord didn't particularly care for the miko. Why did Sesshomaru bring her here? The possibilities worried her. As always, forefront in Rin's mind was the fear of being abandoned by lord Sesshomaru. She prayed to the Kamis that that is not why he brought her here.
Rin slowly drifted towards Inuyasha's group, all the while keeping a wary eye on Sesshomaru and Kagome. She noticed Shippo had blown out all of the sticks and had some sort of white paste on his cheek.
"What's that?" Rin asked.
Sango spoke, "That, Rin-chan, is called a birthday cake." Sango paused and caught Miroku's concerned eye, which did not go unnoticed by Rin. "It is very good. Would you like a piece?"
Rin looked toward Sesshomaru for approval, but noticed he was still engaged in conversation with the miko.
"Yes please, thank you." Rin settled down in the grass as delicately as possible, as not to ruin her expensive silks.
"Wow, this is so good!" Rin enthused. The sweet flavored bread tasted better than the abandoned honey combs she occasionally found.
Sesshomaru looked up briefly at Rin's exclamation, realizing she was unharmed and just excited; he turned his attention back to the miko.
Whatever Sesshomaru-sama and Kagome discussed must have been in regards to her, because he left Rin with Inuyasha's group for several days. He assured her that he would come back for her in two days time.
It seemed Sesshomaru had ulterior motives beyond letting Rin be around other humans, and these motives became clear to Rin when Kagome and Sango sat Rin down in Kaede's hut, kicking all of the males out of the room. Sesshomaru-sama wanted Kagome to explain to Rin why her body was changing…and she did.
To this day, Rin's face blushed whenever she recalled the conversation. Kagome had explained to her that she was developing breasts and that her hips would flare, and someday soon she would be a woman. Kagome then went on to tell her that she would begin to see body hair under her arms and in between her legs and that it was normal and, this too, meant she was changing into a woman. Kagome said very soon, she would begin to bleed once a month and that meant she could have a child when she found the right man. She gave Rin a knapsack with something she called a 'bra' to bind her developing chest, and 'underwear' and 'pads' to wear during her monthly flow, and assured her that she only needed to ask and she would be provided with more. Kagome explained everything with a mien of expertise until Rin asked Kagome how the baby was created, and Kagome's face went scarlet.
After her initial embarrassment and several false starts, Kagome was able to explain to Rin the sexual act between a man and a woman. Rin could still remember how she felt as Kagome explained how the male would insert the thing between his legs in between hers. Rin had felt all tingly inside and the place between her legs warmed and pulsed with this added information, her mind conjuring images of a certain silver haired demon.
Rin was very embarrassed by the conversation, but she was also excited about the possibilities. She was changing into a woman and Sesshomaru was a mature demon. Maybe if she was a service to him in this way, she would no longer have to worry about how useful she was to him and the possibility of abandonment. In the darkest corners of her heart, she wanted him to take her as his mate – his one and only.
Being the inquisitive creature that he was, Sesshomaru must have asked Kagome what Shippo was doing when he dropped Rin off, and she must have told him how humans celebrate their birthday every year, because Sesshomaru bought her a beautiful pale green silk kimono when she returned and told her it was a birthday gift. He then told Jaken he better remember the day each year 'under pain of death'.
---END FLASHBACK---
"You are thinking about that arrogant dog, aren't you?" the woman said, her green eyes glittering with outright malice.
Rin was pulled out of her pleasant memory, now having to deal with her unpleasant reality. She was the captive of a crazy woman with unknown intentions towards her lord.
"It is none of your business," Rin snapped back.
The woman harrumphed," You are a fool, doubly so, because you don't see your attentions are being wasted on such a heartless creature. Mark my words girl; if you continue down this path, he will break your heart."
Rin didn't like the bit of doubt that suddenly crept into her heart at the woman's words.
She continued to glower at the woman.
"Bathe if you want. There is a hot spring nearby. We will rest for the night." The woman disappeared into the forest, her dark garb blending in with the shadows.
Rin was alone, without the added comfort of Jaken and Ah-Uh nearby. Rin walked to the hot spring to bathe, wondering if she was important enough to the woman to be rescued if a marauding demon came upon her.
As she made her way through the growth, she considered that she needed to be extra careful around this woman. She was capable of inflicting a lot of damage to Rin's psyche if Rin did not keep her wits about her. The woman was obviously trying to alter her perception of Sesshomaru-sama. Rin would not allow it. She clenched her jaw in determination and steeled herself to do what she needed to do to draw this woman out - to have her confess what she wanted from Sesshomaru-sama. For once, she was going to be of use to Sesshomaru-sama and not just a pretty bauble.
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