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Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha
Sesshomaru took off and was out of Rin's sight in no time. But he didn't want to leave her behind, now that she has a potential 'bridegroom' by her side. Various thoughts and emotions plagued his mind, simultaneously. He tried to calm down and make sense out of what he was feeling.
Rin has almost reached her adulthood; an eventuality that can never be avoided. Indeed, she was assured of the choice between life with humans and with me, when she was old enough. But the choice was purely hers to make. Even I, the demon lord Sesshomaru, cannot withdraw my undertaking, given that I cannot take back my words of assurance, being a LORD that I am. Years ago, I left Rin in the village and promised to give that choice, only after extensive contemplation of pros and cons. Now Rin's decision is all that counts. Being a young maiden, living in a village with other women around, having female companions, who all live almost a normal life, it is likely that even she would desire a normal life; falling in love; getting married; giving birth to children; taking care of family… if those are what she wishes for, then this 'intimacy' between Rin and the human prince is not surprising. Being a human that he is, the prince is all any village girl would die for. Sesshomaru halted his musings and blinked. BUT….. MY RIN… she's not ANY village girl. She's MY WARD. I must admit, my GREATEST COMPANION! I have not been taking so much care of her all these years, to have her married to an unworthy human, although of Royal bloodline. I must assess whether he deserves my little Rin. All these years, I have been her guardian. If she gets married to the human prince, then he shall succeed the status of 'guardianship'. Not only will he be her guardian, but… but he will be more than that, to her. Her HUSBAND…
Sesshomaru was never one to be happy about being 'succeeded' by anyone, especially over something that was DEAREST to him. Indeed Rin is his dearest! Not only that. His 'successor' will surpass his status, by marriage; a bond which is undoubtedly superior to guardianship. Sesshomaru was finding all these facts, hard to swallow, as he was never used to get 'superior'ed by any.
He pushed his disturbing thoughts aside, and noiselessly followed the human couple, unbeknownst to them. The prince seemed to be relieved of the privacy granted to him by the lord. Sesshomaru 'Hmph'ed. Rin could read what the prince was feeling. She felt a bit at ease with the privacy, but she was very disappointed of Lord Sesshomaru's sudden flight; especially when he never seemed to have intended to leave that early. Why did he leave so abruptly? What would he think of me with Seiko? What was he thinking when he left?
"lets go for a walk, Rin" the prince prompted.
"Yes!" Rin smiled brightly and followed the prince.
Rin began a conversation by inquiring about his hunt, training and other errands, in his kingdom. The prince gave his answers with all details, in a manner understandable to Rin. He doesn't seem to be an extrovert like Rin, but his patience to her inquisitiveness is outstanding. He doesn't seem to be bothered about giving elaborations. Hmm… that's good for someone like Rin, sesshomaru contemplated.
"Rin… Will you sing a song for me?" Sieko said.
"…. I don't know-"
"You do know how good you are in singing and how much I adore your voice… Sing any song of your choice!"
"yes! YES!" Rin breathed. A song of my CHOICE, is it? Rin's subconscious mind made her choose a song; she cleared her throat, took a long breathe and began:
'Is there a wind that doesn't speak with flower?' so the forest asks,
Oh my love, 'Is there any worth to my life without you?' so my heart asks,
Why have you come down to my world?
Oh my lord, because of you, my maidenhood blossoms,
(Sesshomaru's heart began to pick up pace; well, guess what! So did the heart of the prince!)
Why have you been born way before I did?
'Cause, you may embrace me in your arms
(At this line, sesshomaru made an unconscious microscopic smile, as he recalled all those moments when he actually held her petite form, whenever he rescued her)
Maiden heart does not seek malleable male,
You Ruffian! How I adore you and your tail,
(Rin! Sesshomaru's eyes widened and jaw loosened. Am I a ruffian to you? But he was only amused; he smirked at the reference of his tail, the mokomoko. On the other hand, the prince thought it was the 'tale' told by him to her. He smirked to himself, slightly flushed)
Never do I like that which falls easy by simple touch
Oh God! How I admire your icy pride! My ice prince!
(Sesshomaru felt proud of his pride)
Is your wide chest my eternal bed? What have you in mind?
Is your torturous kiss a trap? What sort of trick is that?
There is no male akin you; I'm no more without you
(Sesshomaru was processing the lyrics in mind; for some reason, he had not much difficulty in imagining himself with Rin in the way so portrayed in her song. Strangely, he was not even offended by the intimacy so portrayed; he was thrilled instead, although he never admitted it; also, his heart felt warm at her praises.)
If you are fire, I'll seek your warmth, Oh my love, please be you,
If you are thorn, I'll be your Rose, Oh my love, please be you,
Yes! I love you, for who you are, please be you,
You are a dashing lurker; your bearing says so,
You are a damp boulder; my heart says so,
('You're so dashing Lord sesshomaru!' little Rin's praise came into Sesshomaru's mind; he was wondering how realistic her portrayal of him is. She never said that the song was about him. But it was very evident that, if at all she sang the song with anyone in mind, it must only be him. The song portrayed the 'male' which was as good as Sesshomaru's reflection of his self, how compatible Rin was with him and how she adored him, the way he was)
I love you with all my heart!
I breath in your breathe!
My home is only being by your side,
'cause My love is unbiased
(Rin… Sesshomaru was filled with new emotions he never felt before, he could neither think nor talk)
'Is there a wind that doesn't speak with flower?' so the flower asks,
Oh my love, 'what worth is a life, without you?' so my heart asks,
Why have you come down to my world?
Oh my lord, because of you, my maidenhood blossoms,
Why have you been born way before I did?
'Cause, you may embrace me in your arms, my LOVE…..
"That… was an amazing song, Rin. It felt…. So warm…." Seiko breathed out.
Sesshomaru mentally noted that the human spoke his (i.e. Sesshomaru's) mind.
They were so much intent into the conversation, that they hadn't noticed the danger lurking behind. Sesshomaru's eyes snapped open, scenting danger. But he worried only little. The danger was big but not significant enough for Sesshomaru. What was there to fear when he was there for her. After all, he was the one who even pursued her to hell and retrieved her, wasn't he?
"Hsssssss…huhuhuhun"
The human couple instantly turned towards the direction of the sound and gasped in alarm. There was a large black snake demon, fifteen feet in length. It was a 'python'ic demon, red eyes gleaming at it's morning breakfast. "mmmmm…" the demon said with an evil smile (if a snake demon can ever smile), " Two humans! I shall have a feast today!"
Sesshomaru chose….. NOT TO INTERFERE! Hmph! Lets see whether the human really deserves to be Rin's "protector".
Oh nooo! If Sesshomaru chose not to interfere, what will become of our Rin and the prince? Will the prince prove himself 'worthy'? what about Sesshomaru's own feelings? Hey! Hold it! Whom does our Rin loves anyway?
Stay tuned… until next chapter… ;-
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