Chapter 4: I'm Doomed
Lina swung the sword full force but it only took out a couple of them. She growled in annoyance and jumped into the air, swinging again. As she landed back on the floor a few more perished.
"Damn it!" she yelled
A ghostly demon attacked her, sending the sword flying out of her hand and more than five feet away. She breathed in sharply but stood her ground in front of Rin as the demon came at her viciously. As it came close to her she expected to feel a heavy blow but instead she felt nothing but warmth. She looked up to see a barrier surrounding her and gawked in surprise. The demons repeatedly attempted to get inside but the barrier held strong.
"What's happening?"
Lina turned to look at Rin who was looking at her in surprise. She bit her lip and ran to Ah-Un, climbing on in front of the younger girl. Lina glanced over to see Sesshomaru fight off the demons outside the barrier and sighed with relief.
"We're okay now," Lina breathed to the frightened Rin and turned to hug the girl
Soon the barrier fell and Lina looked up to see Sesshomaru. He nodded at her and headed back into the castle. "What was that?"
"Let's go Lina," Rin exclaimed to the older woman as she ran off after Sesshomaru
Lina nodded and jumped off the two-headed dragon, following them back inside the castle.
0.0.0.0.0.
Lina walked into the kitchen silently and noticed the youkai standing near one of the counters. She frowned and moved to stand in front of him.
"What happened out there?" she asked
Sesshomaru stared at her and then his eyes fell onto the crystal around her neck. He looked back into her eyes and realization dawned on her. "The crystal..."
"It protected me..." she said lightly, "Us..."
Sesshomaru nodded slightly and reached out to touch it lightly, "It's been in my family for years, given to each woman in our family but since InuYasha's mother died, it hasn't had an owner...until now."
"Why did you give it to me?"
"So it could protect you, dumbass..."
"Don't read too much into it...Rin has taken to you, I'm unwillingly bound to keep you alive."
Lina's eyes narrowed at the dog-demon and she turned away on her heel, "Nice to know you really care!"
"I don't," he said bluntly
She gawked at him before raising her hand to hit him but as usual he caught her arm. Amber eyes met dark red as he held her arm midair.
"When are you going to quit attempting to strike me?"
"When you stop being such a cold bastard."
He smiled slightly, "Then I'm doomed."
0.0.0.0.0.
Lina smiled sleepily as she sat down on her bed, and tried to remember what she was supposed to do. There was a knock at the door and she looked up to see Sesshomaru standing with his arms crossed.
'Oh yeah...'
"Sesshomaru..."
"Yes?"
"Does Rin know how to protect herself?"
Sesshomaru's body stilled as he looked in her eyes, "She doesn't need to know, she's a child."
"Sesshomaru..." she muttered with a shake of her head, "Of course she does!"
"No, she doesn't."
"We are not always going to be there to protect her!" she yelled, now standing in front of him
"I never asked you to, she's safe with me."
"No Sesshomaru! You're not always going to be there to protect her!"
Sesshomaru turned to leave but she held a firm grip on his arm, "I'm not saying she has to go into battle. I'm saying she should at least know how to protect herself..."
"That is none of your concern Lina. She's my responsibility."
Lina sighed angrily, "Yes it is my concern Sesshomaru! I love her too you know!"
Sesshomaru turned towards her, "Like I said Lina, she is none of your concern."
"Sesshomaru! Do not walk away from me you fucking prick!" she yelled after him as he made his way down the hallway
He stopped in his tracks, "There's nothing left to say."
"Yes there is!"
"What?"
"If you're not going to teach her then I am."
Sesshomaru's look became harder as he advanced on the young woman, "Let me tell you this, that child is none of your concern and if you even think about letting her touch a sword or any other weapon, I will make you regret it. As I said before, its not your business so stay out of it!"
The sound of his yell, more like a roar, made her jump slightly but she held her ground.
"No! If she's not protected then I'm not going to be..." she said with a sharp intake of breath and took off the necklace
She held the necklace out to him but all he did was stare at it, "Take it."
He looked at her and took the necklace from her hand, "Its your life."
Her eyes closed with a sigh as he began to walk back to his room. The feeling off protection quickly fled from her and all she could do was lean against the wall.
"Great job Lina..."she muttered to herself and turned around
Rin was standing behind her, tears in her round eyes and lip quivering. Lina bit her lip and bent down to take the girl in her arms.
"I'm sorry Rin...you shouldn't have had to hear that."
Lina kissed the top of the girl's head lightly before picking her up, balancing her on one hip and walking to Rin's room. She laid the little girl down on the bed and brought the covers up to her chin. Bending her head down, she kissed the girl's forehead and left the room, heading to her own. As Lina settled into her covers, she knew that the next day would be a long one.
0.0.0.0.0.
Rin got out of her bed early the next morning and made her way to Sesshomaru's room. She knocked on the door lightly before walking inside to find him staring out the window, as always.
"Yes Rin?"
"Lord Sesshomaru, do you care about me?" she asked in a small voice as she sat in front of him
He looked down at her in surprise before nodding.
"How about Lina? Do you care about Lina?"
Sesshomaru's breath caught in his throat as he looked back at the window, not giving her an answer. She sighed heavily and left the room, closing the door behind her.
I don't know Rin...and that scares me...
0.0.0.0.0.
Lina walked into the training room and noticed a pile of clothes on the floor. She reached out to touch it and discovered it was Sesshomaru's boa, armor and shirt. Her eyebrows furrowed and then she heard a disgruntled growl.
"Huh?" she asked and turned to see Sesshomaru training with his Tokijin
She subconsciously licked her lips when he saw he was wearing only pants and his swords at his side, leaving his top half uncovered. Suddenly he turned to look at her and she blushed heavily, looking away.
"Um...sorry, I just came down here to like train. Yeah, 'cause its the training room and all..." she babbled nervously
He turned to hide his knowing smile and continued with his training, "I do not mind, just stay away from me."
She rolled her eyes, "Like I came down here to see you."
"You seem to enjoy seeing me...like this anyway."
Lina narrowed her eyes and began to punch the bag hanging from the ceiling. Throwing her leg up from time to time to hit the sides.
"Why must you wear those clothes?" he asked after awhile
She sighed, looking down at her short shorts and a red 'wife beater'. Turning to look at him, she put her hands on her hips and rolled her eyes.
"And red of all colors."
"What the hell is wrong with red? My hair is red!"
Sesshomaru looked at her hair and turned back around, "My brother's color is red, and besides I despise your hair."
She huffed and turned around, "Your hair makes you look like a girl."
"Wench."
"Dog."
"Thank you."
"Humph!"
Sesshomaru smiled and turned back around, "You don't know very good swordsmanship, do you?"
"No not really," she said, fidgeting slightly
He nodded and grabbed the sword she had been using earlier. Handing it to her, he stood behind her, attempting to take her hands in his own. Lina visibly tensed at the presence behind her and gripped the sword tighter.
"Relax," he said calmly and she tried her best to, "Lina, I'm not going to hurt you, just relax."
She sighed heavily as she let her body relax into his and allowed him to cover her hands on the sword, "Okay."
"Alright, like this," he said into her ear, sending a shiver down her spine, and moved their bodies so that they went to the left as did the sword, "And shield."
He moved their arms so that the sword was horizontal, "Like that?"
"Yes, now move to the right," he said
She did as she was told and swung the sword in a complete circle, "Did I do it right?"
"Perfect."
For some reason her eyes closed slightly at the one word and fought the urge to turn and ravage him right there. He noticed the change in the girl's attitude and opened his mouth slightly.
"That's good for today," he said in a breathy tone
She looked at him curiously and watched as he scooped up his stuff, leaving the room. Sighing heavily, she continued to punch the bag hanging from the ceiling.
0.0.0.0.0.
'No, I was mistaken, she wouldn't think of me like that,' he thought as he entered his room, 'Sure smelled like she did.'
"Kami this is crazy..." he muttered and grabbed his stuff for a bath
As he stepped into the tub, he instantly felt calmed by the warm water and green tea soap. 'What was I thinking when I offered to help with her swordsmanship?'
'You were turned on Sesshy.'
'Shut up, no one is talking to you.'
'You just can't face the truth...'
"I was not-" he began but looked up when he heard the door open
There stood Lina in a brightly colored towel and clothes in one hand. Her mouth dropped open and she turned away.
"Oh KAMI!" she breathed, "I'm so sorry! What the hell is wrong with me today?"
He hesitated in surprise and looked around. She began to walk out the door but his voice stopped her.
"Don't worry, you can have it," he said with a sigh
She smiled and begun to turn around, only to find that he had just stepped out of the tub. Shrieking she turned back around and banged her head on the wall.
"OH KAMI!"
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