Heeeeeere comes the romance!
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or its characters. All rights to Rumiko Takahashi.
Chapter 4: Rin and Sesshomaru
Rin woke up the next day with a smile on her face.
Sesshomaru would be arriving within the next few hours, so Rin quickly got up and prepared herself for his visit.
Rin knew it was a little silly, but she always tried to look especially nice whenever Sesshomaru came. She would either go down to the river or she and Kagome would find a hot spring that she would bathe in the morning of the fourteenth day. Then she would use one of Kagome's old hairbrushes to smooth the tangles from her hair.
After that was done, she would choose her clothing from the plethora of kimonos that she owned.
That day, she decided to wear a light blue kimono with pink flowers printed on it. This was the kimono she'd been wearing when she realized she loved Sesshomaru. Her figure had filled out since then, so every so often Rin had to sew in a little extra fabric so she could tie the kimono. Her handiwork wasn't noticeable, and Rin was pleased that she'd grown up so much.
The smile stayed on her face as she took the kimono and began making her way to the river to bathe. Kagome was busy that day, so no hot springs…usually Rin would be a little disappointed, but knowing that she'd be seeing Sesshomaru that day made her feel better.
After she was fresh and clean, Rin dressed herself in the blue kimono and went back to the village. She estimated that Sesshomaru would meet her in their usual clearing within the next hour or so.
About two years ago, Rin began making Sesshomaru small treats when he came to visit. He didn't particularly care for human food, so she only made it every so often.
She hadn't him anything in several months, so she decided to make sweet rice balls. She'd seen him eat one before, and he'd seemed to like it. Rin was in a good mood, so she decided to make him some of the treats.
Once the rice balls were made and Rin was completely ready to go, she headed out with the treats in a basket and made her way to the clearing.
As she walked, she drifted into her thoughts.
Rin was in love…obviously. To her embarrassment, she became rather light-headed when she thought about Sesshomaru. Well, most people said that Rin was usually a bit ditzy, but when it came to Sesshomaru, she knew she was even worse. She always felt as if she were eighteen all over again.
Somehow, she was able to keep it together when she was around other people. She hadn't told a soul about her feelings for Sesshomaru, but she had a feeling Kagome knew, and she never shied away from dropping hints about it. She'd said something a few years ago that had made Rin nearly die of embarrassment…
"You know," Kagome had said while she brushed her then six-year-old daughter's hair. "Silver hair is just beautiful on children… and I think your kids would be lovely with it, too…" At first Rin had been confused. She wants me to have a child with Inuyasha? Then the realization had dawned on her, and that was when Rin had nearly curled up and died.
Rin shuddered at the memory. She'd been so embarrassed, but Kagome had only giggled like a teenager.
Rin shook her head and brought herself back to the present. She'd be at the clearing in a few minutes, and she didn't need that memory playing in her head.
Finally, the clearing came into view and she caught sight of a head of silver hair…despite her greatest efforts to push this thought to the side, Rin couldn't help but picture her children with silver hair.
Darn that Kagome for putting that idea in my head, she thought to herself.
Upon seeing Sesshomaru, all those thoughts left her mind and her face broke into a big smile.
"Lord Sesshomaru!" she called as she made her way to him. Ever stoic, Sesshomaru's face was unfathomable, and he left her no indication of his emotions.
Rin had known Sesshomaru for over half her life, and over that time she'd learned how to read him. She didn't need a smile or a frown to know how Sesshomaru was feeling. It was almost like a sixth sense; she could just tell.
"Hello," she said when she reached him.
Sesshomaru gave her a slight nod. "Rin," he said in greeting. "Are they treating you well in the village?"
Rin smiled. Ever since she began staying in the village, her wellbeing was always the first thing he asked about. Rin didn't need a smile. She knew he cared.
"It's great," she replied. She filled him on the lives of her and her fellow village residents. Sesshomaru kept his eyes on her, and she could see in his eyes that he was pleased that she was happy.
When she noticed things were a little too quiet, Rin realized there was no shrill voice yelling at her. She glanced around at the ground. "Where's Jaken?" she asked. For the first time, Sesshomaru looked uneasy. It was subtle, but obvious to her.
"They are resting," he said coolly. "We had a long journey, and they could not sustain the travel without sleep." Rin nodded.
"I see," she replied. "Well then I guess we should wait a few days before we all go on our trip together. I don't want them to be too tired to enjoy themselves." Rin motioned to the basket she was holding.
"I made you some sweet rice balls," she said. "I'm sure Jaken and A-Un would enjoy them, too."
Sesshomaru looked at the basket as he took it from her silently, and then he titled his gaze up to meet her eyes. "Rin…" he began. When he didn't continue, Rin eyed him.
"Lord Sesshomaru, are you okay?" she asked worriedly. Sesshomaru's subtle hint of uneasiness returned.
"Don't be foolish," he replied in a monotone voice. Rin's concern grew; he didn't usually speak to her that way.
"Are you sure?" she asked. "You seem a bit…off." Sesshomaru didn't meet her gaze.
"I will return soon," he said. He ascended into the sky and Rin stared up after him. "But…" she trailed off.
It wasn't like Sesshomaru to leave so suddenly. She'd seen the new kimono he'd brought her just barely slipping out of his sleeve, but he hadn't given it to her. He seemed distracted…well, maybe nervous was the right word.
But what could Sesshomaru have to be nervous about?
When Sesshomaru didn't come back after an hour, Rin decided to just go back to her house. Sesshomaru would be able to find her when he returned.
When Rin walked into her house, she found a crowd waiting for her.
"Rin!" Kagome cried when Rin walked through the door. Inuyasha just nodded at her from his perch beside his wife.
"Hi," Rin said cheerfully. She was surprised that they were here, but she was happy to see them nonetheless. "What are you guys doing here?"
Kagome was practically beaming. "We want to hear about what happened with Sesshomaru," she said excitedly. Rin was confused.
"What do you mean?" she asked. Inuyasha rolled his eyes.
"Come on, baka," he said. Kagome shot him a look. Inuyasha shrugged.
"Well, she needs to stop playing dumb." Inuyasha looked at Rin. "Sesshomaru came and spoke with me earlier." Rin frowned.
Sesshomaru came to the village to talk to Inuyasha? she thought to herself. That definitely isn't normal.
"Why?" she asked. Inuyasha made a face. "He was asking me for some advice," he explained. "He asked me how I was able to get such a wonderful woman to marry me." Kagome lightly swatted him, but she was smiling.
"He wanted to know how to begin a courtship," Inuyasha finished. Rin processed what he was saying for a moment.
"So…Lord Sesshomaru has fallen in love?" she asked. Inuyasha nodded. "Oh, I see," Rin said.
Kagome frowned. "Why are you sad, Rin?" she asked. Rin shook her head.
"I'm not sad…exactly," she said. "I'm just a little surprised." She looked at Inuyasha. "Did he tell you who it was?" she asked.
Kagome and Inuyasha exchanged a glance. "Rin, I think you're a little confused," Kagome said kindly. "Sesshomaru came to Inuyasha today to ask how to begin a courtship with you." Rin's eyes widened.
"Me?" she asked. Kagome and Inuyasha nodded. "He asked what he should do, and I told him to just tell you how he feels," Inuyasha said. Rin thought back to her and Sesshomaru's conversation.
"Well, that explains why he was so edgy," she replied. "But he didn't say anything about a courtship when we I saw him, and then he just suddenly left." Rin frowned. "I guess he changed his mind." Kagome smiled and took her hand.
"Don't worry, Rin," she chirped. "I'm sure he just doesn't know what to say yet. If it's meant to be, then it'll happen." Rin smiled.
"You're right," she replied. "I'll stay positive." Rin was always being told that she was an almost unbelievably cheerful person. After all that had happened to her when she was little and the kindness Sesshomaru had shown her, Rin wanted to pass on the mercy and happiness she found as she had grown up.
Not too much later, Inuyasha and Kagome left so it was just Rin inside the house.
Her thoughts were racing in her head. Lord Sesshomaru loves me?
It seemed too unbelievable. Even though it was something she'd been dreaming about for years now, she didn't ever think it would really happen.
Sesshomaru was a yokai and she was a human. A marriage, or even just a courtship, had always seemed out of the question to Rin.
But maybe it wasn't so crazy after all.
Could it be true? Rin thought about the time she'd spent with Sesshomaru. He'd always been with her, and although he wasn't vocal about it, she knew that he enjoyed her company. Why else would he come visit her at the village so often?
Was it all because he loved her?
Rin tried to put those thoughts out of her mind, but her pensiveness about Sesshomaru persisted. She could only hope that he'd return tomorrow.
As Rin began preparing her futon for a good night's rest, she sensed a presence behind her.
When she turned around, she was face-to-face with Sesshomaru.
"Lord Sesshomaru," Rin said in surprise when she saw him. "What are you…?" Rin didn't get to finish her question. Sesshomaru moved too quickly.
His hands were suddenly on her shoulders, his eyes were closing, and his mouth was on hers.
Sesshomaru's kiss was light, but Rin could feel a firm sense of purpose. She was blissfully happy, but she was also cripplingly surprised.
Sesshomaru must have noticed her lack of a reaction; he pulled back after a few seconds and stepped away.
"Um…" Sesshomaru stuttered. In fifteen years, Rin had never heard Sesshomaru unable to speak. That's when she knew that Inuyasha had spoken the truth.
Before Sesshomaru could say any more, Rin put her arms around his neck and pulled him back down to her. Sesshomaru's hands were quick to rest on her waist as he bent down to kiss her more passionately than before.
Rin couldn't believe she'd gone this long without kissing Sesshomaru. He was worth the wait, of course, but what she wouldn't give to have been able to have this luxury sooner.
Finally, Rin had to pull away to breathe. She leaned her head on Sesshomaru's chest and felt his arms encompass her.
"Lord Sesshomaru," she murmured into his kimono. "I love you." Sesshomaru gently ran a clawed hand through her hair.
"And I you," he replied.
Rin felt tears prickle in her eyes at his confession, and she couldn't help the ones that escaped down her cheeks. She figured Sesshomaru must have smelled her tears because as soon as the first one fell, he pulled her away from him to search her face.
"You're crying," he said. "Did I upset you?" Rin laughed and shook her head. She lifted her hands and cupped Sesshomaru's cheeks.
"Of course you didn't upset me," she replied. "I'm just happy." Sesshomaru seemed to relax, and Rin almost thought she was imagining it when he smiled. It wasn't a big, toothy grin, but it was a small and sincere smile, much like the one from six years ago that made her realize she loved him.
That was enough for her.
"And thank you for the sweet rice rolls," he added. Rin laughed again and gently stroked Sesshomaru's cheek.
"Rin, will you have me?" he asked. "I will be forever yours."
Rin's heart was singing. "I never thought I could be happier than the day I met you, but with every day that passes by, my happiness has somehow grown," she said. "Now here am I at the epitome of joy, and I know that things will only go up from here." Sesshomaru wrapped his arms around her again and pulled her closer.
"Yes," she finally said. "I'll have you."
To be continued…
It took me forever to write this chapter because I wanted to get it just right. I really like how it turned out, but it's possible I might be a little biased. ;) Let me know what you think!
Much love. :)
