Chapter Summary : Life gets a little more complicated for the mismatched couple as they travel to Lord Sesshoumaru's holdings, arguing and bickering all the way. En route, they meet a disaster that brings both of them – demon lord and human ward – closer than ever. And a mysterious new demon emerges from Sesshoumaru's past.
Title : Only Time
Pairing : Sesshomaru and Rin
Disclaimer : I don't own any Inuyasha characters. This story is purely fanfic. This was inspired after I heard Enya's song called " Only Time ". So here we are.
Setting/Timeline : This happens 6 years after Sesshomaru left an 11 year-old Rin at Kaede Oba-San's village.
ONLY TIME
CHAPTER THREE : A DEMON'S TOUCH
Although he had initially left after the familiar-looking demon lord growled his unwelcome, he had chosen to run off for only a few miles before stopping to listen for anything he might pick up. The young miko who had so brazenly challenged him to a spiritual match greatly amused him..and interested him. She bore so much resemblance to the Mistress. And her spiritual energy was enormous. Was it possible? He had wondered, then decided it was worth a risky investigation. So he had stayed..only not so near the couple.
He had listened..and had found out that indeed, the familiar-looking daiyoukai was really Sesshoumaru, and that the young human miko was an important person to him. Now how did that happen? The black demon dog felt that this was all worth something useful to his Mistress, so he set out to tell her. As he ran over the great hills and valleys, travelling for three straight days now, he thought about the demon lord and the human..and their chance encounter three days ago.
Grown-up Sesshoumaru, he chuckled to himself. Little more than a boy the last time I saw you..now you're all grown-up..and 500 years older than when we last met. This dog is a little grateful his powers are yet to be fully restored, otherwise you might've sensed immediately who I was, and attacked me.
But I have to say, this little-more-than-average-dog size is irking the hell out of me.
He chuckled again and ran faster. Maybe, he should sidetrack first before going on to his destination. It would be fun to see little Sesshoumaru again.
Not so little anymore.
" Demo, Sesshoumaru-sama - " , Rin reasoned, " If you wish to keep me by your side, I must learn how to fight – properly. With a sword, if possible. "
She caught up with him and tugged at his sleeve. " Teach me..please? " , she said sweetly, batting her eyelashes.
" No, Rin. ", Sesshoumaru replied, not even bothering to glance down at the girl who was making puppy-dog eyes at him. " You have no need to learn how to fight. I can protect you. "
" But what if you can't? ", she asked.
Sesshoumaru made a slow turn and looked at her inimically.
Rin thought, uh-oh.
" Do you insult me girl? ", Sesshoumaru thundered, " I am not so weak that I can't protect what I own. " He gave her a good glare and resumed walking, muttering: " only humans are that weak..and lesser demons..I, Sesshoumaru, am no lesser demon nor am I a lowly human filth ", as he did.
By Kami's name, he was beginning to regret taking her. She was the most rebellious, opinionated, foolish – wench – he had ever had the misfortune to know. They'd been travelling for three days now, and he hadn't had a moment's rest from their constant argument. Arguments, he rectified. He counted mentally, the different topics they'd been arguing on.
It had all started with an innocent request that Rin made of him.
On their first day together, she had asked him if she could hunt food for her dinner. He had declined, saying that he could do it himself and that she should just stay where she was because it would be safer for her. She reacted rather..violently. He did the same.
Somehow, around Rin, he always failed to uphold that stoic calm that he was famous for. Well, almost always.
And that was it.
And now, she's pestering me about that damned sword-training she's not even supposed to think about. She never used to be like this.
Kami help him, or he was going to take off and leave her. Pest someone else about that sword-training of yours, Rin. Even a patient lord like me has limits. I'm losing it. He felt his own temper rising.
Then he thought about the insolent brat named Kohaku..and the kiss. And his temper reached boiling point.
Sesshoumaru quickened his pace. Maybe we should fly. But that would mean holding her close to me, and I can't risk that again. Not with the way my body keeps reacting to her scent. But every moment we spend walking together is driving me insane. She drives me insane. I really should just take off and leave her in this mountain. She'll find her way back to the village soon enough.
Then he sensed her anger slowly building up, sighed, and waited for the storm to erupt. She's got a temper that flares up at the slightest provocation. It rivals even my own.
He smirked. But then again, maybe I like her this way. And maybe, I will never take off and leave her. Maybe, she amuses me like this.
Besides, I like walking.
Rin flushed an angry red, took a deep breath, and shouted, " OWN? " She stomped up to him and gave him one of her own glares. " Are you saying, Sesshoumaru-sama, that YOU OWN ME? " And don't you say yes, Sesshoumaru-sama. And you say 'human filth' like I'm not human too. Or have you forgotten?
" I didn't say that. I implied it. " Sesshoumaru hid a smile. He was somehow enjoying her temper in his own perverse way. He knew just how outrageous his answer seemed to her and sensed that Rin had somehow flushed scarlet at this. But why Rin found so much offense in this simply eluded him. He saw no reason for her to take offense. He was her lord, and, by agreeing to come with him, she had placed herself under his subjugation. She was, in a matter of speaking, his.
He frowned. If this Sesshoumaru did not love so you much ningen girl, I would've killed you long ago for your insolence. You should count yourself lucky. Though exactly how I love you still confuses me..and why..But that doesn't matter so long as you are by my side.
" WHAT? ", Rin could barely reign her anger in. I am in my happy place, she thought to herself, I am not seething with anger right now. I am in my happy place.
He said it. He really said it. You proud, vain, demon lord, you…! I don't believe this. Do you know what this does to me Sesshoumaru-sama? No. And you keep saying such things.
You liked it, Rin-chan. Him calling you his own – or him stating that he owns you..whichever. They mean just the same, I think.
No, I didn't.
Liar, liar, miko robes on fire.
Oh, shut up.
" Stop screaming my head off, Rin. Whatever you say or do will not change my mind. ",Sesshoumaru said. " More so if you keep shouting incoherently. " ,he added, smirking. Damn the girl. That she would actually question his strength seemed unthinkable to him. Have I not saved her countless times before? Hasn't she relied on my strength countless times as well? Why would she want to learn swordfight when she doesn't have to?
He smiled in spite of himself. Just like Rin to ask the most random of things..and the strangest. And the most irritating.
" Sesshoumaru-sama, PLEASE.. ", Rin begged. Not for me, but for you. I don't want to be a burden. When I was younger, I couldn't do anything because I was so weak. I did not see it then, but I see it now. Don't you see it too?
" Damare, Rin. I have made up my mind. " Sesshoumaru looked at the three-day-travel-weary girl who so energetically argued with him. She still hadn't changed from her robes into one of her kimonos, preferring instead, to bring them with her. Her arrows slung from her shoulder, and she held her bow in her left hand. Prayer beads hung from her neck but were hidden beneath the upper white part of her robes. Her hair was still pulled together in a bun. He had not seen her let it down yet. She doesn't smile or giggle at the slightest things, like she used to ; she doesn't obey me like she used to ; and she no longer addresses herself as ' this Rin ' like she used to.
But she's got an attitude this Sesshoumaru finds just as refreshing as her other antics.
Sighing, he said, " What of your bow and arrows? Are they not weapons as well? And you boast of your spell casting skills, yet you ask me to teach you swordfight. "
He stopped walking and spun around to face her. " Or were you really just boasting? " He moved closer and bent down to her level until their noses were almost touching . " You do know Rin, that would make it a lie. "
Rin blushed from the closeness. " I..I wasn't lying, Sesshoumaru-sama. "
" Then I have no need to teach you sword-fight. " He straightened up and resumed walking, at a faster pace.
" Onega i-desu, Sesshoumaru-sama. I really want to learn. " Rin tried to catch up with him.
" No. "
" Please? "
" No, Rin. I intend to make you a lady, when we return, and that means no sword fighting. And as for this conversation, it's over. " ,Sesshoumaru said. His silver mane flowed gracefully behind him, his mokomoko wrapped around him tightly. He had dismissed her in a way that left no room for more argument.
Sesshoumaru sighed mentally. Yes, he did enjoy her attitude, but he needed her to learn that he was still the lord of her. To think that such a fragile human would have such a strong, rebellious attitude. He sniffed the air around him and sensed the dejected feeling of his human. There was nothing he could do about it.
Rin felt her spirits drop. He barely even listened to me.
Wherever her Lord Sesshoumaru's castle was, this was going to be a long journey.
Night fell almost immediately on the travelling couple. Tired and weary, Rin had barely finished building them a fire, when she felt faint and fell to her knees on the soft earth. But before she could even touch the ground, she felt strong arms gather her to their warmth and envelop her in a sweet embrace.
The rich aroma of his robes woke her senses and brought her hand flying to her mouth. Eyes wide open, Rin looked up at her lord. His golden amber eyes seemed to look deep inside her and melt her from within. She could feel a prickling heat flushing through her body as they stared at each other.
Finally, Sesshoumaru spoke, " Rin? Are you alright? "
" Eh? Erm..yes, Sesshoumaru-sama. Just a little tired. " She tried to wriggle herself out of his embrace but he held her tight. " Uh, you can let go of me now. "
Sesshoumaru released her to the ground unceremoniously, making her land on her bottom with a plop. " Then rest. ", he said.
" Yeah, right. " Rin muttered. She picked herself up and dusted the earth from her robes and
said, " Sesshoumaru-sama, maybe I just need a bath. I spied a waterfall near here. "
Sesshoumaru had gone to lean on a tree next to the fire and close his eyes. How he managed to do that so quickly, she believed was due to his demon speed. But..she sighed wearily, she was too tired to admire it.
He opened his eyes and gave her a long look before nodding his ascent.
She went to the waterfall and checked the water temperature, to see if it was too cold. Satisfied, she stripped down to a towel and stepped in, wading carefully until the water was waist high and she was near the gentle shower. It was only a small waterfall and shallow, and the trees that hid her were very quiet.
Here, Rin found peace for her thoughts. She bathed slowly, taking the time to leisure the feel of water on her skin. She had brought soap with her, the one Kagome nee-san had given her. She lathered it all over her body, taking pleasure in its softness and fragrance. After all, she hadn't bathed in three days, since this was the first time they had found a water form big enough for more than just the purpose of drinking.
She felt herself being refreshed and began to rub her body vigorously.
Sesshoumaru-sama drives me crazy..ooh, what have I gotten myself into? How did I fool myself into thinking I'd survive more than just three days with him?
I won't even comment.
Meanwhile, Sesshoumaru leaned on his tree and patiently waited for his ward to finish her feminine duties. He kept his ears and other senses open for any sign of any danger, not that any demon would dare to even come near them while his scent was around. But still..there was just no telling what might happen to the ningen onna. And Rin was a magnet of Death and Danger.
He sighed. Rin..his beautiful Rin with the beautiful, enticing voice and the big, innocent, brown eyes. Now that he was alone for even just a minute, he was free to ponder about his situation.
She had been but a child when they had first met, that fateful day in the forest, after his battle with Inuyasha..after losing his arm. He had been resting for some time, weakened from all the loss of blood. Weak, but not too weak to sense the human child that had seen him.
He had tried to shake her off and scare her away but she remained unfazed. She had even smiled at him. She had brought him human food too, of all things. That had been the start of their short companionship. Short-lived nevertheless. Even then, Death had come between them.
When he found her dead, abandoned and cold, ripped to pieces..he had felt something in him stir. It was something a little like pity, he knew. But no quite. It also felt like a sense of loss. He thought of her smile, how it had seemed so warm.
So he revived her, and she began following him. The years he had spent with her became one of the most tumultuous and…happiest he had ever had. But Death, it seemed had been so inclined even them to separate them. And he had done so.
Sesshoumaru cried his first tears. He had cried for her even when he hadn't shed a single drop when his father had died. His was a heart of stone, but she was sunshine and human, and he cherished her.
Rin, why do you have to trouble me so much now? Our relationship was so simple back then. I was your guardian and you were my ward. Admittedly, I protected you at first only because I felt a selfish desire to keep your smile on this bloody world. But I've longed for so much more for you since then.
I really do love you. And I feel stirrings of something that feels not quite right but also correct.
This is why I have declined the companionship of humans for so long.
I am a demon – a hater of humanity..but Rin, your smile..it makes me feel loved.
" Sesshoumaru-sama! " That scream! It was Rin. Sesshoumaru fairly flew to where she was. What had happened? He had been so immersed in his thoughts that he hadn't sensed an approach.
What was it with that human and danger anyway?
He found her, topless – since her towel had fallen and was floating around her – in the waist-high water, holding her bow and arrow and aiming at a dark figure standing just beyond the line of trees. He tried to ignore the fact that in the light of the bright full moon, her skin glowed alabaster white and looked absolutely perfect.. and she was half-naked.
Her aim was strong and true, and there was no trace of fear on her face at all. The scream had not been one of fear but had been meant just to call him and let him know of the situation. There was no fear in her features or her posture, but she clearly did not believe that she could take this creature down.
" Sesshoumaru-sama? This was the same demon I was trying to take. "
Sesshoumaru focused his attention on the demon and realized that it really was the same demon he had warned off three days ago. The black demon dog growled menacingly at both of them but made no attempt to move. It just glared.
Sesshoumaru bared his teeth in answer and prepared his killing claw. " Rin, ", he said, "Cover yourself. "
" I will not. "
" You are indecent. "
" We are under attack. "
" Rin. " .He deliberately used his voice in a tone that had often sent her into silences when she was a child. But she did not budge. Instead, she tightened her hold on the bowstring and seemed about to fire.
" No. ", Rin replied. She was not about to back down in front of her guardian. And she was desperate to know why the black demon dog had followed them here.
The black dog, who had previously been growling at them and glaring, suddenly began to laugh at them. " This is a pleasure for me to finally see you again, little Sesshoumaru. ", it said, while looking at Sesshoumaru.
Sesshoumaru tensed. There was no person on Earth who could ever call him that, not even his father. Aside of course, from his own mother. Who was this demon? Sesshoumaru waited.
The demon continued : " I find your apparent affection for this human amusing..and reminiscent, Lord of the West. You really take after your father. Does your mother approve? "
Sesshoumaru answered, " What I do doesn't need my mother's approval. "
" You were always your own man even when you were just a little boy. Give my regards to your mother. "
" Give them yourself. "
" Hmph..maybe I will. "
Rin frowned back and forth at the two demons. " Who are you? ", she called out to the black dog.
The black dog turned its gaze towards her and smiled maliciously. He answered her but not her question. " It's actually hilarious, what you tried to do in the forest three days ago. Imagine you, a slip of girl, trying to make me a demon familiar. Why don't you just start with little Sesshoumaru? He'll fall for you easily enough. "
" Shut up. "
" You make a good priestess. But you would have made an even better demon. Who knows? Maybe you will..someday. " The demon's red eyes glittered dangerously, holding secrets of their own.
Sesshoumaru growled at this and flung one of his swords at the demon. It avoided the blade with surprising speed and threw a fang of its own, not at the daiyoukai, but at Rin. At this point, Rin released her arrow and shot the demon.
Her arrow collided with the fang, and because of its holy properties, it managed to cut the fang in two and wound the demon. The demon fled, but not before throwing another fang that both Rin and Sesshoumaru failed to block.
It hit Rin.
Sesshoumaru released a barrage of attacks on the fleeing demon, hurting him again once or twice, his anger fueling his actions. But the demon dog had already escaped and had flown off into the sky.
Rin fell backwards on the water, bleeding from her wound. " Sesshoumaru-sama. ", she gasped.
Sesshoumaru caught her and took her to the camp. He covered her body with his mokomoko and held her close to him. She was cold. He held her tighter. " Rin. ", he said.
" Sesshoumaru-sama, I'm sorry for not listening. "
" It's not your fault. "
They reached the camp and Sesshoumaru placed Rin beside the fire. He rummaged in the pack that she had been carrying, for a kimono and wrapped her in it. The he tore a strip of cloth from his hakama to dress her wound.
" Sesshoumaru-sama, I left my robes at the waterfall. "
" We'll get them tomorrow. "
Sesshoumaru began to examine Rin's wound and saw to his chagrin that it was no ordinary wound. It had been caused by a kind of daiyoukai fang that had existed only once in all the dog demons' history. He began to realize who their unknown enemy could be.
But it couldn't have been possible. Then, all things aside, he had fallen in love with a human, so maybe it was. He frowned at his irrational train of thought and focused on his task.
The wound was festering at a rapid rate and would not stop bleeding. It could only be cured through one way.
" Rin, listen to me. ", Sesshoumaru said. Rin turned her head towards him and nodded faintly. She was weakening. " Whatever happens, don't flinch. This is the only way I can save you. "
" How? "
" Just close your eyes and count to a hundred. By the time I get done, you should be fast asleep. "
" H..hai, Sesshoumaru-sama. "
Heart pounding and nervous for the first time, Sesshoumaru gently unfolded the wraps of his mokomoko, and bent his head over the wound of his ward. He bit his lower lip and let the blood drop freely to the wound.
Then, as gently as possible, with slow strokes he began to lick the wound.
waah!this is getting to be sooo exciting to make!
