AUTHOR'S NOTE: As requested here is the next installment, I know only like three of you are reading it but well I thank you very much and I'm sincerely sorry that this chapter is pure and utter crap on a stick. But if you would be so kind as to review it would be much appreciated! I even made another little witty poem for you!! WOOT!
Master Toutousai was still talking when I tuned back into the conversation.
"… There it is now repaired, you should be able to wield it relatively easily for the time being so long as she is with you… what did you say your name was dearie?" The old man asked me.
"Uh… Lin."
"You are suggesting that I take her into battle with me?" Sesshomaru interupted.
"Are you deaf, boy? So much as your brother."
"No. And there is no need to compare me to that hanyou." Sesshomaru stated airily as he lifted the Tensaiga and sheathed it next to the Tokijin. I stood up beside him and gave the old man a bow.
"Thank you, we will do our best to see what can be done. Your help is appreci…"
"Are you coming?" I heard Sesshomaru state as he was ducking out of the cave. I gave one quick bow and grabbing up Shinjite who was still on the floor I walked out, jogging to catch up to Sesshomaru. Once we were back at the lave river I looked around.
"Where is Rin?"
"It is none of my concern." Sesshomaru said flatly. I rolled my eyes and set Shinjite up onto his shoulder.
"Thankies ma'am! AH! FLUFF!" The demon purred and was lost in white fur. I was more concerned with looking about for Rin; she was in her pink kimono today that much I knew. I finally called out for her.
"RIN!!!" No answer.
"RINNN!" I called and my voice echoed in the empty air of the early evening. I hadn't known we had been in the cave that long. I waited with baited breath and finally I heard a reply.
"I'm coming my lady!!!" Rin then came dashing out from behind the cave.
"Look at what I found!" She cried smiling and held up a few sparkling stones.
"Oh they are gorgeous!! Tuck them in your obi so they don't get lost!" I advised and then picked her up and she giggled.
"Alright let's roll Fluff n' Tough." I stated as I attempted to wrap my arm around Sesshomaru's shoulder. It required a slight jump and a prod from his armor to get me adjusted and he leapt up into the air and moved from one stone to the other with ease. When we landed on the base on the other side he set me down promptly. I in turn set Rin down gently and took her hand.
By the time we made it back to a grassy space that Jaken had a fire going, it was quite sometime after sunset. Shinjite hopped down out of the fur and scurried about just outside the ring of firelight playing with Rin while Jaken busied himself pulling some crispy meat off of a stick from over the fire. I sat down in the circle of light and Sesshomaru sat on the side opposite from me.
"I don't bite you know, and I don't have cooties." I stated smugly and took a small chunk of the meat from the stick that Jaken gave me with a bow. Sesshomaru's amber eyes were glaring even in the warm firelight.
"I do bite. And whatever cooties are I am sure you do have them. It sounds like a mortal ailment, you all are sufficiently weak." His tone was level and uncaring, which seemed to be the norm as of late. I nibbled at the meat in silence while Sesshomaru watched me with is his lips slightly pursed. He was thinking but of what I didn't know how was I supposed to read the thoughts of a demon? Setting the empty skewer beside me I readjusted as Rin came dashing towards me looping her arms around my neck, Shinjite came to sit on my knee.
"Do you want to chase the little stars?" Rin asked.
"The what?"
"Little stars." I stood carefully so Rin was piggybacked.
"Sure. Where are we going?" I asked. Rin pointed and Shinjite dashed ahead.
"There." And I walked a few paces and set her down near a cluster of bushes. Rin without hesitation shook the bushes sending out a flurry of fireflies, flickering and fluttering up into the clearing.
"Oh how pretty!" I stated watching the small insects until they had settled once more, Rin then took my hand with a yawn.
"Hmmm I'm sleepy my lady…" She murmured.
"I TOO!" Shinjite chirped and scampered up Rin's kimono to rest on her shoulder. We walked back in silence to the small circle of firelight. Rin immediately jumped into the sleeping bag Shinjite beside her. I walked around to Sesshomaru. Only his eyes followed my movement his head didn't even twitch.
"Rough day huh?"
"Are you not sleeping? We are departing in the morning." He stated matter of factly.
"So I'd assumed." I snorted and sat beside him. Jaken was gone probably off with Ah-Un. So it was just a Lord and his Lady.
I looked down at my hands in the dim light. The glitter from the ring on my finger caught my gaze and I watched it as the night breeze caused the firelight to dance across it. I felt Sesshomaru shift next to me and so I looked over. He sat up rather straight and was looking out into the woods over Rin's head.
"What is it?" I asked looking over at him. He was completely focused. I watched his nostrils twitch as he sniffed the air.
"Disgusting insects, following everywhere." He murmured.
"What?"
"Naraku's insects they act as observers. We are getting a little close for his comfort." He stated standing.
"Oh. I see." I stated quietly. I stood brushing the grass from my rear and when Sesshomaru began walking I followed him, back down to the river, or rather creek where I had waded the night before. It wasn't quite so bright tonight; the moon was partially hidden and we stood in silence. Sesshomaru was the first to speak.
"I am overly surprised at your tongue not moving as fast as rabbit tonight. One would think you have many things to say, though hardly any worthy of a listener." He said flatly.
"Psh! Have I got things to say! I just… don't know where to start…" I admitted slipping out of my shoes and dipping a toe into the cool water.
"Hmm. Well you know I find this situation most disagreeable… Lin." The last word rolled off his tongue reluctantly and my heart dipped a bit.
"And you think I don't? I mean it isn't exactly pleasant, and we are both adults… or rather I will be…" I stated quietly knowing perfectly well he could hear me.
"Which is precisely why this is unsuitable, woman. I find no physical pleasure in your presence and you none in mine."
"Not hang on! That's not tru…"
"You deny it?" He stated finally really looking at me for the first time since we returned from the cave.
"No." I hung my head staring at the water. After several painfully uncomfortable moments I cleared my throat.
"I don't see why this is such a big deal at all. Since this obviously isn't working out I want to go home, because I'm of no use apparently," I paused and then muttered,
"Or you are just too plain stubborn."
"I heard that, and that is not the case nor a problem."
"Then what is it?"
"There is no problem."
"Good! Then… then the next shrine we pass we're getting married officially."
"Indeed, as it should… I beg your pardon!" Sesshomaru's voice was a notch higher then normal and his eyes flashed what I would have sworn over my right arm was panic.
"That was not what I was referring to."
"You just agreed to it none the less, and I can't think of anything else."
"But,"
"You should listen oh mighty fluffy one."
"Why should I take the time woman?" He snapped turning slowly. I grabbed his hand.
"You aren't getting off that easily!"
"Let go woman."
"NO!" I stamped my foot in the soft bank and my foot slipped and the two of us toppled into the water with a loud splash.
"Agh. You stupid and incompetent… unbalanced female mortal… thing!" Sesshomaru's growl made be scramble along in the shallow water away from him.
"Well you don't have that great of balance either."
"Would you have preferred I rip your limb off?"
"Well no!" I sputtered from my place in the rippling water.
"Then it is settled." He stated, but didn't rise out of the water. I glared at him with my hair plastered to my cheeks.
"We are getting married. You agreed. And I can't go home till this is over so that's exactly what we will do."
"That is not a reasonable way to solve any situation. The formality is not wanted or required, I need simply to drag you into a dark…"
"Oh will you shut up! You are disgusting! I'm not a village woman you could rape or pillage!" I yelled, slamming my fist in the water so hard that it hit the rocks in the water and I could feel the pain searing up my arm but I didn't dare pull it out of the water to see if it was bleeding.
"The suggestion was never that of rape. I may be a demon but I'm not so stupid as to--"
"Well that's what you were soliciting! Now if you want to see this through then do it my way because on the .000000000000000001 percent chance I'm really the one you're looking for then whoop de do! So humor me for a change and I'm not then you can send me home!" I was practically begging him now as I scooted up to him. That was probably a bad idea but I was starting to get cold and shivered a bit.
However Sesshomaru wasn't even looking at me. His gaze was out but I could tell he was considering what I said. He finally stood, slowly rising till he was fully upright and he stepped on to the bank, sure of himself. He shook the water off of him like a dog sending the small orbs soaring in the moonlight like diamonds. His gaze finally rested on me. If I wasn't two inches from hypothermic death I was now.
His look was violent. He was angry beyond all reason; the amber fire in his irises scared me. But it wasn't warm like it was sometimes; it was pure cold, and utter disgust. I'd only seen it once before. I wanted more then anything for it to go away, I wanted to cry or to run in the opposite direction or perhaps slip away in the water.
"Out." He ordered holding out a clawed hand to me from the bank. I sat there.
"Only if you promise to make the deal. We get married at the next shrine and do this my way."
"I consent. Now get out."
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