Don't own this….

Rin

Chapter Four

Questions

It was nearing dark when A-Un touched down on the demon lords estate. The two headed dragon headed instinctively for the stable and once he come to a halt Jaken jumped down followed closely by Rin. Rin hadn't spoken a word since the journey back and for the second time that day Jaken was worried for her. The precious items she had been sent to gather had all but been ruined and he wondered if he should dig his grave now or later when the great Lord Sesshomaru found out. But there was also the demon that attacked and the strange human male who had grabbed Rin.

True Rin wasn't harmed by the man but his scent was all over her and Jaken hated to think what Sesshomaru would think if he smelled such an odor on his ward. "Rin perhaps you should go and bathe before seeing milord…that filthy human man's scent is all over you. Milord will be most furious if he finds out…." stammered the toad demon.

Rin nodded and gave him the basket of items that had managed to be saved which included the bottle of wine she had so sought. "Yes Master Jaken, I think that would be a good idea as well. When you see Lord Sesshomaru will you let him know that I am sorry…"

"For what Rin it wasn't your fault some crazed demon attacked us! Don't be a silly human, now get going and bathe!" he chided as he ushered her along. She smiled at him and bent down to pat him on the head.

"Your not such a bad demon after all are you Master Jaken?" she joked with a soft smile. Jaken's cheeks blushed red and he began to curse that he was as fearsome as any other demon then he turned and watched her walk away. Picking up the basket of goods he made his own way up toward the manor house and crossed himself that his lord was in a forgiving mood.

Rin was careful to walk down the far east hallway as not to alarm her lord that she was back yet. She'd never thought about the scent of the man, Shido until Jaken had pointed it out. Surely her lord would ask questions, as to the scent on her. And she didn't want to face him now with thoughts of the villagers roaming through her mind. The more she thought about their hateful words the more she questioned herself and her true role in life, she wasn't his daughter, slave or wife. For what purpose was she there surely the women in the kitchens could run his household and make sure that all was in proper order. Any number of demon females under his care and watchful eye could do that. So what was so damn special about her if he didn't care? She wished she had the courage to ask him these things but she didn't and doubted that she ever would. Passing by a room she heard the booming voice of a group of men and she ignored it just as swiftly until the smooth voice of her master was heard above all others.

Her heart beat sped up a bit and she tried her best not to make a sound in the hall way and head straight for her rooms but then she heard her name called, it was Sesshomaru's call.

"Rin" his voice was marked with some amount of tension, and she couldn't help but feel apprehensive about the mood he might be in. She froze in midstep as the door came open and she turned to see her lord seated at the head of a long wooden table, there were three male demons on each side each with sake cups and bottles before them. Apparently he had been in some sort of meeting and she wished she'd had his canine sense of hearing or she never would have come near the wing.

"Yes milord…?" she weakly replied and watched as some of the male demons sat forward like they were in for a show. Sesshomaru glanced at his current situation with his men and decided that now would be a good time to take a break from their long discussions as he asked them to leave and return to the room within the hour. The men grumbled slightly but obeyed and Sesshomaru eyed each one of them in turn as they all left the room.

"Come in here Rin". he ordered as he stood up and she noticed his small pointed nose sniffing at the air. He knew, she thought, surely he can smell the demon and the strange man all over me! What must he be thinking….

"It is near evening and you and Jaken have only now arrived. You smell of dirt and dare I say of a human male……," and his eye twitched angrily," explain".

"Yes milord I went to the village and bought all the items you requested," and she paused trying not mention the nasty villagers and their rude acusations,"after, well on my way back to A-Un a demon attacked me and Jaken disposed of him immediately, but not before I fell. And there was a man there who grabbed me before Jaken could complete the spell and pulled me to safety…I am unharmed milord."

"A man?" he replied and it was clear to Rin that the idea of some strange man alone with her bothered him. He approached and put his loan hand on her shoulder and began to sniff wildly at the air like he was some dog on all fours. His touch was gentle but Rin couldn't help but feel caught up in the closeness he now occupied with her. She wouldn't look at him as his face came close to hers as he smelled the scent of the days events. A second later he pulled back away from her hand still holding firm to her shoulder.

"This human male did not hurt you?" he asked his golden eyes impassive only his voice gave any indication into his inner thoughts. She shook her head at him, lost in the feel of his hands on her shoulder and the scent that was him, like wild berries and mint leaves. She nearly shut her eyes intoxicated by his sweet yet masculine smell. Then his golden eyes narrowed at he looked deeper into her eyes as though he could pull out her very thoughts. His stare was intense and she had to break away lest he find out more than she was willing to tell.

"Then why were you crying Rin? I smell tears, old tears on your face. Was there more that occurred before this demon and this….human man?" he asked. The way he said 'human man' made her stomach lurch. For some strange reason it made her that much more curious about her lord, she wasn't his mate by a long shot. What did it matter if she had had a chance to meet another male about her age of her own will, would he allow it.

"I…I dropped something and caused it to be ruined and I got rather emotional and I may have cried…." she lied knowing he would see right through it. She couldn't face him his eyes were like hot gold orbs boring into her mind and she always suspected that he had powers to read the thoughts of others with the deep golden eyes. He didn't like the fact that she wouldn't meet his gaze and was withholding something potentially vital from him. He released her shoulder and found her chin and pulled her face carefully towards him, mindful not to injure her with his sharp claws.

She gasped aloud at his contact on her bare flesh and her heartbeat picked up its pace.

"Rin it is unbecoming of you to lie…tell this Sesshomaru the truth…."

Throwing caution to the wind she decided to respond to him if he wanted to know the truth then she would tell him. There was the hint of punishment in his voice just now and that was something she had never before known in the years of living at his side. Tears welled up before she could find her voice and she decided to let it all rage forth.

"Very well milord, the villagers said some rather awful things about you. That you were a monster and a murderer and that you were nothing but the devil made flesh…."

He smiled evilly as he thought about it a light glint showing in the depths of his golden eyes before he nodded, "and they are correct Rin, I am all of those things. Surely their insult of me should not have so wounded you…."

"That wasn't all….that was said. Some of the women talked of how I am nothing more than a tool to be used by you…," and she cried louder," that I am nothing more than a whore…." and she slipped from his grip and sank to the floor hands covering her face as the shame enveloped her and she wanted to sink down into the underworld and be forever forgotten as she should have been many years ago.

Sesshomaru looked down at her from his full height eyes wide and watched as she shrank away from him as though shamed. This small human girl he had come to care for nearly twenty years was no longer a child as he was now reminded again. She was a woman grown and living in his home under his people and among demon society. No demon would dare say or elude to such accusations when near him or on his estate for wanted fear of death. But the humans who occupied their own world operated under different more base and crude rules. His Rin had been insulted, and so had he. Turning away from her he placed his mask of cold defiance on and he would deal with the humans on his property once and for all, there was a reason the river village was the only one left standing and by nightfall it would lay in fire and ash and never again would Rin venture among human unless in his direct company.

"Go and rest yourself Rin". he instructed his voice cold. Rin rubbed at her eyes and noticed that the edges of his kimono were glowing red with a furious aura, he was going to kill!

"No milord please!" she screamed as she jumped up and grabbed the edge of his long bell like sleeve pleading. She sniffled and begged him yet again tugging on the sleeve, a simple act that she had never before dare do to touch him. He was adamant that his person must never be touched but he seemed also to break the rules by touching her as well. It didn't matter to her anymore.

"Rin go now, the fools should die for their ignorance. I am the monster they fear so let them die. I care not for human lives…" he said almost laughing.

"But there are children there milord please….", she breathed in a whisper, "I beg you….spare them".

Her soft plea reached him and he wanted to shake with more fire as he allowed her words to touch his cold icy heart. What fool was she to cry at being so insulted, her honor stained and then beg him not to kill the very ones who had stained her! What kind of foolish human sense did that make. Tearing his sleeve away from her he turned angrily and left the room leaving her there to weep.

Rin woke up with a start as she called out her lords name only to be greeted with candle light and the sweet face of Adori at her bedside. The old demoness smiled at her and gently guided her back down atop some pillows. Rin could only look at her in wonder, only minutes ago she had been in her lords meeting room and he had been furious when she told him of the horrible things said about him and her. Adori reached towards a small night stand and took hold of a tea cup handing it to the confused girl.

Rin sat up to accept the cup and drank it deeply. "How do you feel child?" she asked looking rather concerned. Rin finished the tea quickly and handed the woman the cup before she thought about her answer.

"Numb, Adori….I just feel numb. Lost and confused. What am I to do?"

"About what girl, perhaps you should start from the beginning and then we will see whether or not I am able to help you in accessing your feelings". replied the older female. Rin thought about it a moment before she began, telling Adori everything from her adventures with Sesshomaru as a child up until now, including her deep feelings for him now. Feelings that were beyond admiration but a fully bloomed love.

When Rin had finished Adori sat back fully on her small cushion and took in the full view of the young woman before her like she was indeed a stranger. Or perhaps was looking upon her with new eyes, the small human child was indeed a woman. A woman who had fallen in love with one of the coldest, reserved and unemotional beings she herself had ever met. Shaking her head the old woman reached for Rin's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"I understand now child, I see. Long have I known this, or suspected that you were in love with our great lord but to hear you voice such things is another matter…"

"You wont tell him will you?" blurted Rin as she panicked. He'd already known she cared but the words she'd expressed to Adori she prayed he might never hear.

"There's no need for me to tell him Rin I do believe he already knows Lord Sesshomaru is no fool and knows everything that goes on under his roof even while he is not in it. I do wonder how much longer he shall keep you here given this new change of events".

Rin's large hazel eyes saddened and she squeezed Adori's hand a bit firmly out of fear that she too would let her go," Would he send me away, this is my home. The only one I have ever really known where I was safe. I cant go anywhere else….humans hate me cause I grew up along side a demon. No one would want me…"

"Don't be a fool Rin you are a beautiful young woman. I have personal knowledge that many times in these last few years since you were seventeen that men have been sending letters asking for your hand in marriage."

"What?" Rin exclaimed putting a hand over her mouth as the weight of Adori's words sank in. Men had already been asking after her, this was news to her. Why had she never been told, and for what reason did her lord obviously turn down such suitors. Could it be that she was too young, or the men not good enough or perhaps something she dare dream of. The he wanted her for himself?

"Don't look so abashed child, as I have told you milord knows how you feel about him. And I dare say, that he feels something for you as well. There simply is no other explanation girl is there? You have a hold over him that no other has ever had save his father. He listens to you…"

"But suitors Adori….I had no idea that I was even thought of as such. Let alone so sought after without me even knowing…"

"Would you fancy meeting these suitors?" asked a Adori with a wicked smile. Rin shook her head emphatically 'no'. "I have no desire to meet any of them, but I feel slightly betrayed and ashamed. My love for milord may never be realized yet he….he denies me a chance at such a chance with any other man".

"Here…" whispered Adori handing the girl another warm cup of tea. "Drink this down and rest you have had too much excitement for today. In the morning we will talk again".

Rin drank the hot tea quickly as she had the first cup and wanted to continue talking with her den mother friend well into the morning when her eyes began to flutter and her hands shook unable to hold up the cup any longer. Adori watched as the girl feel back into sleep and she carefully caught the cup before it crashed to the floor. She hadn't meant to shock the poor girl with all that information but she did need to know. Her lord had indeed been keeping her under his watchful eye and for what other purpose other than for himself. He had invested much care and training, grace and stature within her to simply let her wander out among humans or marry her off to the first male who came calling.

A breeze drifted in an open window and her demon senses told her that very soon now the weather would change and with it a whole new host of mysteries.

TBC….