Disclaimer: I don't own this, so sad, I know. loll!
Quick Note: Okay, so, sadly, there is a ((filler chapter)) warning. Writer's block is a majore bitche, sowwy :(. I hope it's not too bad ^_^'
"I really do wish you would stop," Suki exclaimed, exasperated. Rin stood in front of her, pacing and fidgeting like a mouse in a cage. Suki had seen the entire exchange between her and their Lord. He had growled so ferociously that Suki could have taken Ah-Un and fled. But, alas, she absolutely could not do that. Call it a sense of foreboding, if you will, but she knew this would happen. She knew that the result in Prince Keiji's fondling would cause a ruckus. But had she the sense enough to point these things aloud? No! Because she was an idiot like that.
Fear had paralyzed her entire body as her Lord strode forward, looking more dangerous than ever, and she almost felt like running over to the Northern Prince to yell at him to run! But noooo, he stood there like a fool. Looking fearless into her Lord's eyes and she knew that the prince was masochist. Love really did blind you. So her Lord looked maliciously at the Prince's retreating back, and, as Rin made her way towards Suki, he practically hissed at her that she would ride with him. Suki was to take Ah-Un back to the Western Lands. She knew it!
"What do you expect me to do, Suki? For if you have a better way to help me calm my nerves, then by Kami please tell me!" Rin practically screeched. Suki stood there, staring at Rin through a wide-eyed expression. Rin had never snapped at her, ever. In fact, Rin had never snapped at anybody. Well, maybe Jaken, but did he really count? He tormented her just as bad. The thing here was that Rin had just snapped at her. Really, truly snapped at her. Suki bowed her head and chewed on her lower lip. Obviously Rin was really angry, so she would take the warning, keep her mouth shut, and not say a damn word.
Rin saw as Suki silenced herself and let out a frustrated sigh. It wasn't that Suki was getting on her nerves –Rin was getting on her own nerves– but… damn it! She hadn't meant to snap at her the way she did; the guilt had started to spread through her now –gnawing at her mind and forcing her to apologize. She was not about to disobey it; this was her best friend after all.
"Suki… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you in that manner. Please forgive me," Rin whispered, silently begging that she would accept. Suki scoffed then chuckled; she picked up her head and raised an eyebrow at Rin. She continued to chuckle softly.
"You know you do not have to apologize. After all, I'm simply the servant, so you have the right to yell at me anytime you wish to," Suki answered, no form of accusation in her voice.
"Suki you know I… that is not how it goes. You know that I do not see you in that way at all. So, please, do not ever say that again," Rin whispered fiercely. Suki was startled at the force behind those words and she knew that, from now on, the words she had just spoken would never fall from her lips again. Yup! That is how scared she was.
"I promise," Suki affirmed. Rin nodded and continue to pace in frustration.
"So… what exactly did he say?"
"Oh, Suki! If only that were the case. It was agonizing; it was exasperating the entire time," Rin whined. Suki suppressed the urge to whistle.
"That awful? But what did he tell you?" she pressed on.
"Nothing," stated Rin. Suki frowned. If Rin had not wanted to tell her about it she shouldn't have gotten Suki hyped up for nothing.
"Rin why get me excited if you were not going to tell me anything?" Suki sighed. Rin looked puzzled, then she understood.
"What? No! Suki I meant that literally. Throughout the entire time he said absolutely nothing," she explained. Suki let her jaw drop and her eyes widen.
"Nothing? Nothing at all?" insisted Suki.
"Nothing whatsoever. Until the end when we began to make our way home, and after he destroyed the northern bamboo field," Rin responded with a shudder.
"Oh, hell. You have to tell me what happened now. Tell me everything," Suki begged as she took Rin by the hand and sat her next to her on the floor. Rin rolled her eyes playfully but she knew she would tell her no matter what.
"Okay, when we left I knew not to ask any questions. I was too terrified to in the first place; I had feared for Prince Keiji's safety, too. It was when we arrived to the bamboo field that I became confused...
Rin stepped off the youkai powered cloud gracefully. She looked at her surroundings in confusion. Why were they here? She turned to look at her Lord only to be struck with minimal fear as he held his sword in his hands; energy crackling around it as it did when he was preparing to attack. Surely he wasn't going to kill her... right? Rin took deep breaths to calm her sudden nerves. Her Lord wouldn't off her this way. Not so disgracefully.
"Dragon Strike." She heard those two words and remained still. He tilted the sword and sent the blue lightening currents to the side of her. Immediately demons responded to the powerful aura, charging towards the source of power. Of course, they did not know who they dealt with, but these weren't demons with common sense. No, just blood crazed multicolored creatures. She looked on in pity and horror as her Lord slaughtered every single creature that foolishly went his way.
She felt stupid for thinking, at times like these, that even now he looked beautiful. Beautiful even in this lethal, destructive rampage. Of course he showed no sign of anger, sadness, or any other emotion. But Rin knew better, after all, actions speak louder than words. She stared as the last of an ogre demon was beheaded, and flinched. She looked at his back, boring her eyes into it, begging him t turn around and look her in the eye. Give her an explanation of some sort of his actions.
She walked forward one step before she heard the hissing, gurgling growl from above her. She looked up slowly, fearing the worst, and her fears were confirmed. A lizard demon leaned over the limb of the tree, looking at her through blood-thirsty eyes. He opened his disgusting, foul smelling mouth and flicked his tongue towards her; she whimpered as she grimaced. He croaked a last awful sound then lunged so fast, she did not have time to scream.
She waited for the impact, waited to feel it's incisors sink into her delicate skin. But it never came. She cracked open her eyes and caught the sight of her Lord sheathing his sword. His back turned to her once more, though in the opposite direction. She looked at him with wide eyes now. If he hadn't struck when he did, she would have been a goner for sure. But she knew he would never leave her to die that way... right?
He wanted to growl. He wanted to slash millions of double the amount of demons he had slaughtered in just a few seconds. These had not been enough. The fury still rolled around in his mind and he fought back the demanding control of his demon. Now was not the time to lose control in that manner. He thought in frustration that, no matter how much she had been able to anger him, he still could not allow her to die. He could have scoffed at the mere thought. She persisted of his protection even in times of his anger.
He knew he should not be mad at her –no, not her. The stupid, idiotic human who dared to put his hands on her. He had never heard his demon roar with so much rage before in his life. So troubled was his demon, that he wondered if this had the slightest bit to do with simply just "liking" her. His demon had clawed forward with so much force that he decided this was more than just a simple attraction towards the small female. He grimaced at the fact that was practically scowling in his face: since when had he decided to fall for a human? He breathed in her enticing scent and his disgust evaporated into nothing. What had happened to him? The almighty Lord Sesshomaru of the Western Lands... fell for a human? Preposterous!
He held still as he felt two small arms wrap around him in a backwards hug. When did her arms become so welcoming to him? When had her hold become so... alluring? He relaxed absurdly in her arms. Letting the warmth of her sweep him into a blissful peace.
"Thank you," she whispered urgently. As if trying to convey a stronger message. Not a simple 'thank you' for the passed event, no, a thank you for every single thing he had done for her. She wanted him to remember that she regretted nothing. He let out an extremely silent sigh. What was she doing? What were her intentions with him? He was this careless demon, who could once determine exactly what he wanted, now... he was a turmoil: flipping and twisting with each new overwhelming sensation she brought upon him.
Her face flashed in his mind. Her face when she was in the arms of the damn human. He suppressed the anger that began to build once again, and focused more on the look of her face. She had looked as if at ease; on the other hand she looked... guilty. As if that had been what she once needed but no longer wanted. That look had confused him beyond comprehension. What could she had possibly needed from that despicable man? What did she want so badly now that she gave that despicable man up? His mind was as clear as a jigsaw puzzle.
"So... you have decided?" he asked simply, uncaring, though on the inside, he was anything but. He knew she knew what he meant. He had once told her that, if she so wished it, she could rejoin her human society. She could live among her people once more, where she truly belonged and fit, leaving this surly mythical world behind. Rin did not deserve to be in the middle of demon wars, death fights, or blood spills. No. She was far too delicate, and innocent, to witness these things. And alongside him, she would most definitely see just that. He felt her stiffen at his question, then the pressure of her holding on harder.
"There was never a decision to make," she whispered. He couldn't possibly think that, because she shared one comforting moment with another human male, she would want to run off with him. She felt her stomach tingle when Keiji's lips were placed on her forehead, but felt ablaze when Sesshomaru even touched her. Keiji's arms made her feel relaxed, but Sesshomaru's embrace had made her feel whole. There was very little comparison between the two men. She knew Keiji was the one for her. But she knew that her Lord was the one she most definitely wanted, no, needed.
"You may join your world once more. Nothing restrains you." How his demon, and himself, wanted opposite of just that. He wanted to restrain her, keep her at his side until the end of her days. He thought hard on what his choice was to cause him or where it was to lead him. But, without Rin, surely that would be nowhere or nothing pleasant. He reluctantly admitted to this. Knew exactly what would be the price if he truly let her go. So, then, why offer the choice? He had a pretty good idea why, because no matter what, he knew she would not leave him. He did not know whether to consider that a good or bad thing.
"Lord Sesshomaru... do you bid me away?" Rin flinched as she heard the pain in her own voice. But mostly because it was a haunting idea; her Lord wanting her gone was possibly more than she could ever bear. She knew she would not last long without seeing his handsome face, the inside of the Western Home, or her best friend Suki. It would leave her in such a devastating state, such an immense depression, that perhaps it would be the very end of her life.
She said nothing as he turned in her arms, her own never leaving his mid-section, and hesitantly held her in his own embrace. He seemed uncomfortable at first, but slowly began to relax in the rare hug. She felt when the tension and rigidness left his body, and she allowed a smile to spread across her face. He lightly set his chin atop her head and she understood his message quite clearly.
"You are to go nowhere, but where I go."
"My Kami, Rin. It cannot be...," Suki whispered. She looked at Rin through surprised eyes. Every single detail set her into a tight, stiff position. Almost like a violin string pulled too tightly and she burst when she came across understanding.
"You... fell in love with our Lord?" she gasped. At that moment Suki wanted to slap herself stupid. The signs were as clear as day, yet she was as blind as a bat to see them. The entire Western Home probably knew of this and she knew had no idea of any of it. Well, she thought that maybe it had been some sort of admiring infatuation.
Everyone responded to their Lords with high respecting regards, right? Some more insanely than the normal but like it nonetheless. Perhaps some went way beyond simple admiration or high respect.
"Suki, keep it down! That is the end of the story," Rin replied. She was blushing probably redder than ever. She would have figured Suki to have long ago discovered it, but obviously some weren't as smart as others.
"So, in other words, Lord Sesshomaru was... jealous?" Suki asked in amazement. The two girls stared at each other for a long moment and burst into giggles.
"I believe that is impossible. He does not seem as the "jealous" type," Rin confirmed. Suki giggled more but then became slightly serious.
"Rin?"
"Yes?"
"Lord Sesshomaru was jealous." The room fell into complete silence as they thought this over. It was impossible, she said... but as of yet, the Lord had not proven anything impossible. Rin gasped in alarm. A smile, closely reflecting the beaming brightness of the sun, spread across her face; hope rising in her immensely.
It was amazingly shocking how life could turn around. All it sometimes took was a twenty-summers aged human female for some. The great tai-youkai could not remember a day in his long, power hungered life before the day that Rin stumbled into it, in where it was so hectic. Never before had he felt insecure or overthrown by the petty emotions that struck through humans on a day-to-day basis. He had looked down on them and rendered them disgusting for the simple gesture of such absentminded actions, and now...
Sesshomaru stopped in his steps, rolling his eyes to the side as he waited. The aura had been hitting him, as well as the scent, for a while now. He had been hoping that his half-brother's deceased woman would have changed her mind and stopped following him. The dead priestess had always struck him as a sort of bad omen. She had led his brother into the fifty summers of sleep, to his heartbreak, to his never ending unhappiness –all in which Sesshomaru cared naught for. His half-brother's foolishness was rewarded with the deserved consequences. However, though it brings not one shred of concern to Sesshomaru, the half-breed seems to love tormenting himself. Roaming the world with what seems to be the reincarnation of his ex-lover while having said lover trail behind him. How pathetic.
He watched as one, then another, Soul Collector entered the clearing. His eyes observed the white, fish-like serpents in disgust. He continued to wait impatiently for the dead priestess to show up. Her scent grew stronger and stronger as she neared, and he repressed the urge to crinkle his sensitive nose at the dirt, decaying scent. She stepped into the clearing, a few more Soul Collectors surrounding her, looking as young as she had fifty summers ago. It was evident how her beautiful looks made her badly wanted in her time. But to the great Lord Sesshomaru, who could see and smell the proof of her nonexistent life force, she is as easily bypassed as a slug.
"Sesshomaru," she addressed informally. He narrowed his eyes at her casual use of his name. True, they had bumped into each other on more than a few occasions, but nothing for her to get comfortable with. He simply continued to look at her, addressing her silently.
"What do you think you are doing?" she demanded. He lifted an eyebrow in amusement. He did not know what surprised him more; the fact that she demanded something of him, or the fact that -for once- he had no clue as to what she was speaking of.
"I fail to understand what you are speaking of," he replied back harshly. She staggered back in surprise at the fact that he responded. She went to him in hopes that he would speak to her, but went instead with knowledge that he was not going to –that is, until now.
"Y-you...," she stuttered and then began once more, having collected herself. "I have received word on the handlers of hell. Well, not word directly said to me of course, but... I suppose rumors could be another thing to call them. You plan to destroy the Northern Lord?" He stared at her in his normal stoic way, but on the inside he was quite upset. For one, who was she to come demand answers from him? She was no one to him. For two, what was is it to her?
"That is none of your concern, miko," he answered coldly. She flinched at the icy tone of his voice.
"No, probably not. But your fate is well written. This, of course, is only truly known to the dead. The fact that I am here states that I am only half dead, therefore I only know half of your story. Leave Rin be; leave her to live among her own. For you will only cause her harm and deep grief. If she is someone you car of surel-"
"Whether Rin will be caused grief by me or not is also none of your concern. The fact of which status your life has taken is none of my concern. You have lived your life, miko, and you have wasted it foolishly. Do not interfere with such ridiculous statements, or you shall experience the true settings of hell." He walked off, leaving the dead priestess to glare after him.
His half-brother's women had no reason to come after him with such absurd words. Especially the ones who are no longer living. Her words, however, continued to gnaw at him. Hurt Rin? In what manner? Why would he ever? A demon hunt to scare her like the other day, possibly. But to cause her physical or mental harm was out of the question. It was practically impossible.
His thoughts floated back to the night he went to retrieve Rin. The way that pathetic human had his hands on her. The way his lips caressed her face in ways that he could not bring himself to do... at least, not just yet. There had never been a time that he so wanted a humans blood to spill; never been a time where he wanted to kill so badly. He could not help but wonder when all this would stop; when he would stop craving for her so... much.
Sesshomaru continued to walk forward. He could not help but wonder what her thoughts were when they came home and he simply walked away. He left her in the Western field and just walked off, his overwhelming thoughts making him take actions subconsciously. And he hadn't seen her since...
He had a pretty good idea that she was, perhaps, sulking. Or not sulking, so to speak of, but perhaps... worrying. He knew Rin and he was quite sure she was anything but calm at the moment. Walking further down the road, he began to make his mind up. He would speak with her later on in the day, otherwise, she would probably search him out anyway.
Keiji stood at the edge of the lake. His thoughts wondering aimlessly but fully centered on Rin. He thought random things about the young woman, and wished again -for the millionth time- that the Lord of the West would have waited another couple of minutes before barging in the way he did. Well, not barging, but interrupting. Yes, interrupting was a more appropriate way to describe it.
He had backed away, backed away unwillingly, but backed away nonetheless. He was no fool and he knew better than to actually stand up to the great Lord Sesshomaru. It still struck him as odd that Rin -a sweet, caring, cheerful woman- would make a happy living in such a cold demon's home. It was all so overwhelming to him, and he tried not to ponder on it too much.
He spoke with his parents after he had returned. His mother was just as he suspected: gushing and cooing over Rin. His father seemed to approve of her manners and positive attitude, but never worded his opinion; never going beyond the approving smile he had. However, his father's eyes told of another story. The neutrality of them was suspicious, as if Rin served to cause a problem in some sort of plan. Keiji had told himself he would have word with him later on, but never truly got around to it.
Perhaps it was the idea of maybe there actually was something Rin was imposing on. And he would not how to respond to that had his father said something of the sort. For nothing was gong to stand in the way and his Rin. Not even the great, powerful, tai-youkai Lord Sesshomaru!
If another should hear him speak this way, surely they would deem him a lunatic, but he could not bring himself to care –especially when it was about Rin. He could not explain precisely why he felt for her as strongly as he did. It was unexplainable sort of situation, and he would not even bother trying to, all that mattered was that he does.
The picture of the whole scenario between his and Rin's future was obsessing. He knew he was a fool for falling so quickly, but alas, it was inevitable. All the facts and details that made up Rin called him alluringly. And who was he to deny his callings?
Keiji's mind then flashed to Erina's face and words. She stopped him just a few ways away from the lake; spoke with him sternly. She had told him that he needed to be careful with his actions from there on out. Warned him to make the wise choice and to, most importantly, not fall into the all too welcoming hands of temptation. He had frowned at her in confusion before she turned and walked away, then slowly turned to look back at him.
"Do not walk in the same footsteps as he. For it may just be your last out of all."
He had no idea as to who "he" was, or what exactly she meant. But it woke up a sense of foreboding inside him. A sense that he would not end up well against this game with Fate. But his obsessing mind would not let the idea of Rin go. If only she could see how happy they could be together; how happy he could make her...
But he saw something in the gleam of her eyes as Lord Sesshomaru made his appearance known. He saw the adoration and admiration as he walked ever-so-closely to her. At that instance Keiji knew that Rin looked at the Lord as something more than just that –her Lord. He doubted the tai-youkai felt the same -the rumors all indicated to this- his cold, uncaring demeanor would not warm Rin up; his ice-covered heart would not soften to Rin's touch. But most of all –his hatred for humans would not allow her to be happy.
However, though all these explanations were backed up by, possibly true or false rumors, the tiny voice inside his head argued otherwise. Argued that the Lord could possibly in fact does have mutual feelings for Rin. His protective way of her the other day proved so. The malicious, hate-filled look in his eyes could also be an important factor. And through all that, the only thing that had him rooted to his spot beside Rin was his own raging jealousy inside.
Jealousy of likely losing to the powerful demon. He knew there was no competition, and the expression in Rin's eyes backed up this fact. But his stubborn attitude would not allow him to back off. He would make Rin see how wonderful life she could be with him. How she could lead a normal human life with him.
But the voice still disagreed with him, and he wondered why, oh why this was.
:: A-ha! Two days to spare!! (loll) It was almost a month again, so sorry. But I made it! I know the chapter might not be so interesting, but I hope it's not too bad. :)
Alli: itz... ok :P
:: Gee, thanks.
Alli: hey! at least im bein honest! :P
:: (sigh) True. :) Now... onto Review Replies (You guys are so wonderful :'))...
Angel of Blood:I just love making your day :D Because you make mine with your encouraging reviews :) And as this chapter was reached, yes, Sesshy growled over Rinny (Possesive isn't he? lol) I hope you enjoyed the new chapter :)
islandeyes:I'm so glad you enjoyed the last chapter :D Rin has a bit in her hands now and, yes, Sesshomaru got a little personal there. ;) Thank you for the Holiday wishes :D They are much appreciated! I hope you enjoyed this chapter :)
raptor-akida:Patience is Virtue, my friend ;) lol. Thank you for your review, I hope this chapter wasn't so bad :)
New Fan:lol, no Ah-Un is much to calm for that, but good guessing ;) The process in which Sesshomaru will take will soon unfold, just stick with me :) Thank you for your review, I hope this new chapter did not disappoint too much.
Kurai-Tenshi of Doom:Your enthusiasm is so wonderful :D I missed you all as well; it was hell to not press the "update" button and reply to you all :) I'm glad you enjoyed my last chapter. I try hard to keep everyone to their respective attitudes and manners ;) i'm glad you are here to stay :D Having said, thank you for your review and hopefully this chapter wasn't so dull :)
CrazySiriemBlack:You reviewed for a couple of chapters, didn't you? :D Thank you so much! :) Your reviews were much appreciated and I'm glad my story gave you the reactions you had :) I'm sorry I left you swinging in mid-air on the last chapter, but look! The new chapter is here, lol. I hope you enjoy this chapter, and thanks again! :D
Alice:Woman... get to writing yourself! lol! Oh, leave Jaken be, he didn't mean it (I explained this plentyful of times lol). Well, here is my update, and I hope you like it. Because if you don't then... I will...! .... Cry...?! lol! Thanks so much for your review best bud! ;)
And, as usual, please review. You make me so haoy after all :D
