Chapter Four
Lord Sesshoumaru watched Rin and Jaken as they conversed loudly the effects of healing herbs on demon wounds versus human wounds. He had leaned himself against one of the trees and sat down comfortably in the exact moment that Jaken had taken to start yelling that Rin couldn't possibly know the differences between humans and demons and that she needed to start learning before Lord Sesshoumaru got mad. Rin's only response to Jaken sent him and Sesshoumaru's head reeling. "Master Jaken, it was I who tended to Lord Sesshoumaru's wounds when we first met. I know exactly how long it took for his wounds to heal, and which herbs I used that were most effective. I am actually struggling to learn how fast it takes a human to heal, so please don't judge me just because I am a human."
Jaken was so shocked by Rin's statement that seconds after his jaw dropped, so did he. His head hit the ground and he was out cold for only a few seconds before he regained his conscious thought. Impudent, foolish girl! Jaken thought, while lifting himself back onto his feet. "Rin, how can you presume to know more about my lord, than I?" Jaken fired back at the stunned healer.
Rin pursed her lips and thought for a moment. Because my feelings for him run deeper than yours…! She gaped at her own bold thought and shook her head to banish it from her mind. "Because he saved my life more times than I can count! My only means of repaying my life's debt to him is by dedicating my life to save as many demons and humans as I can…even you, Master Jaken." Rin's hardened gaze softened as her friend relaxed his annoyed expression to match her own. "Remember when you were stung by Naraku's insects?"
Sesshoumaru focused his attention on his servants face and could almost feel the side of him mouth curl into a very rare smile.
Jaken gaped at the young mortal girl in amazement. He did indeed remember that day. It was so long ago, but still remained fresh in his thoughts as if it had just happened. Without realizing it, he lifted his green hand up to grip the arm that the stingers had disappeared into. Rin had risked her own life to save his own. She…a mere human? How could he not be grateful? "Oh, Rin…I do remember. I thought you had failed in finding the berries…and then Lord Sesshoumaru appeared with you and Ah Un to save me." Jaken's eyes began to water as a smile of pure delight lit up Rin's face. "Alright, you won your argument. Happy?" He asked with a fake sense of defeat, knowing Rin would hear it in his voice.
Rin was grinning from ear to ear. Master Jaken had given her a compliment…sort of. "Mmhm." She turned her bright brown eyes to Lord Sesshoumaru and blushed when she realized that he was staring. Not only was he staring, she realized, but he was studying. Lord Sesshoumaru's golden orbs were moving, taking in her body as it was clearly visible through her shimmering blue gown. He caught her gaze with his own, and held her prisoner with his molten stare. She could almost feel the heat radiating from his intense looks. "Rin?"
Lord Sesshoumaru's voice nearly penetrated her very soul in that moment. "Yes, Lord Sesshoumaru…?"
Jaken looked back and forth between the two with a nervous feeling in the pit of his stomach. Oh…?
Rin could almost hear a leaf hit the ground a mile away; the night air was so silent. "Your attire is inappropriate."
Rin closed her eyes and could feel the color draining from her face. "I…I'm sorry, my Lord. Kagome gave me this dress in hopes that it might please you on our next visit…I shall discard it at once, if that is your wish."
"No!"
Rin's eyes snapped open and gazed at Jaken in disbelief at his sudden outburst. "Master Jaken?" She turned her gaze back to Lord Sesshoumaru in fear, but his face remained frozen.
Jaken appeared to have surprised himself more than anyone else. His black eyes had widened and he was gaping at nothing in particular except his boldness. Without warning, he threw himself to the ground and bowed before his Lord. "Lord Sesshoumaru, forgive me!" He squirmed as if he were being tortured by Sesshoumaru's very gaze. "I meant no harm, my lord! I would never go against you…but young Rin looks simply charming in this garment…it would be a shame to have her discard something that sets off her loveliness so modestly…"
Rin stood up, showing Jaken and Lord Sesshoumaru just how much she had grown. She was tall for her age of seventeen, and her midnight black hair hung loose past her waist line, adding to her femininity and enhancing the innocent beauty of her lovely face. There was no trace of her childhood left in her features except her deep brown eyes. "Thank you, Master Jaken…"
"Jaken, that's enough." The edge in Lord Sesshoumaru's voice was enough to scare even the lowest of insects into hiding. Rin turned her attention toward him and gasped as she was met with his strikingly handsome face merely inches from her own. She had not even heard him rise from his tree. "As my ward, I will not tolerate such attire regardless of whose company you are in. You are giving men the freedom to leer at you as if you were not dressed at all." He stepped closer toward a frightened Rin, and nearly backed her into a tree. She could feel the fire in his gaze, knowing his golden eyes were taking her in again. For some reason, she had the urge to cover her breast as if she were truly naked before him but stood still as Sesshoumaru's clawed hand lifted to unexpectedly brush a strand of her hair behind her ear…a move that surprised even Jaken, who hung back with his mouth almost to the ground. "You are no longer a child, Rin. You are a woman with the ability to attract not only decent men, but cruel monsters who would stop at nothing to hurt you."
Rin trembled before Lord Sesshoumaru's intense stare. She feared him that much was evident. But the fear she was experiencing was not that of being in the line of danger. No…she was fearful of Sesshoumaru's aura, which permeated through her gown, her skin all the way to her very soul. She knew then why he was being so dominant over her. Lord Sesshoumaru was being possessive.
Nothing had prepared her for his assault, and her body was beginning to betray her. If her heart was not pounding before, it was now. What blood was left in her body began to surge through her system and she could feel the pounding in her ears, and she felt a strange heat in the pit of her belly. Hiding wasn't one of her options. Lord Sesshoumaru was clearly aware of how her body was reacting judging by the change in his molten stare. His eyes were becoming more and more narrow, and his nostrils fared, but he never betrayed himself with expressions. "…my Lord?" Rin pressed herself into the tree behind her as Lord Sesshoumaru stepped closer toward her, eyes slowly beginning to glow red.
"Lord Sesshoumaru…?" Jaken could barely be heard in the background, as if he were calling from a mile away. He wouldn't dare change in front of Rin…Jaken thought, fearful for the helpless girl.
Authors note: I really think I like where my story is going.
