Don't own this….

Chapter Seven

Half Demon

Rin held onto the reins tightly as she drove her dragon mount onward, tears clouding her vision as she raced toward the field of lilies where she could be alone. For there was nothing in the world she desired more than to be away and drown herself in solitude. Her world was coming apart at the seams, her lord would never love her, and she felt for sure that she would never know what it felt like to be so loved. His cold manner would never change, and though it was a part of him; a part she had grown to accept and in a sense love it was the very part of him now she hated. And it tore at her heart. Using her long sleeve she wiped at the tears as they fell, intent on loosing herself in the feel of flowers and the serenity they offered.

Slowly A-Un came to a slow decent and her vision was filled with the warmth of green and a sigh of relief filled her however brief. The dragon landed and turned both necks in her direction, he knew she was upset and was unwilling to let her down until she convinced him that she was alright. A small laugh escaped her as she leaned forward and patted the dragon on both heads.

"Thank you A-Un, and here he says that demons and humans can't love one another….." she said to him. He tossed his heads and allowed her to slowly climb down from his back. For a long moment she just stood there and for the first time realized how late in the day it was, very soon now the sun would be setting and was casting a glow of soft reds and pinks across the haze of azure sky. She had no idea how quickly the day had slipped away from her but at that moment none of it mattered. Her mind raced as she began to walk toward nowhere in particular. She could hear A-Un behind her as he plopped down on a soft patch of grass and began to nibble at the long blades within his reach.

Questions assailed her as she walked, why had he saved me all those years ago. What was his purpose….if now he warned her that demons and humans could not love another. He was wrong, and it also spoke volumes of his own feelings. The very same feelings he hid away behind that mask of cold stone. Tossing her head she fought back tears, he was lying he just had to be. How could he say that there could be no love between humans and his kind when he had been so protective of her for nearly twenty years now. His actions spoke only of what a hypocrite he was.

And now she just felt trapped, trapped in his world where he warned of no real love. And abandoned and shunned by her own kind who saw her as nothing more than his whore. A deep sigh escaped her as she pondered taking A-Un and running away, far away from it all. And from anyone where she might be recognized as having ever 'belonged' to Sesshomaru. But where was this place, did it exist. And would he let her go so easily, she whom he could not love. Would he search after her and if he did what would it mean, he confused her more than anything. His actions said one thing and when he spoke it was another. She sank to the ground at the base of a large tree and leaned back into the trunk. Looking up overhead she knew that she should get going back to the estate, but her heart felt like a weight in her chest gluing her to the spot unwilling to let her go back to the torrent of confusion in the lord of the west's household. She began to fidget with the folds of her sleeves when she saw A-Uns heads perk up in alarm and she could sense a presence behind her. She didn't have time to react when she heard the deep voice of man.

"Good evening Lady Rin".

Turning around she saw the form of a man, and as he emerged from the shadows she recognized him at once. It was the man who saved her from being trampled by a demon, a man named Shido. Instantly she stood up and dusted herself off and moved away from him, and though she didn't necessarily deem him a threat she wasn't going to be so careless as to trust him either. He laughed a bit at her abrupt actions before stopping where he stood unwilling to cause the young girl more alarm than was needed.

"Please milady, I will not harm you. I am very sorry that I caused you such alarm but I understand all to well that a woman must be cautious of strange men. Please wont you sit down…" he said his voice relaxed an smooth. Rin observed him from head to toe trying to gauge a threat or a hidden weapon. He was dressed as he had been when last she had seen him, only now he wore what looked like a long black robe with gold trim at the edge. His face was as serene as before and his long black hair hung over his right shoulder stopping just above his waist.

There was an air of mystery about him that held her attention and against better manners caused her to stare at him. His brilliant violet gaze caught hers and he smiled, confused by her silent behavior. He started to laugh, "Why milady acts as though she has never seen a grown man before…"

"I'm…sorry its just that you scared me…I didn't think anyone else knew about this field…" she began suddenly nervous. He nodded and then walked toward her but at a slow yet respectful distance. The loud snort of A-Un broke the silence as the dragon rushed to Rin's side hissing and snorting. Rin almost laughed, as she reached out a hand to the dragon grabbing hold of the reins and whispering words of assurance in his ears.

"The dragon is yours?" asked Shido as he halted in his steps. Rin thought about it a moment while her hands calmed down her dragon friend, "In a manner of speaking yes". she replied.

"I see, well you can tell your demon dragon friend that I mean you nor him any harm. I'm merely a wandering merchant whose made his home nearby at the river village. And I am very sorry to have scared you…."

"It's alright, there's been no harm done. But what are you doing out here at this time of night shouldn't you be at home beside the fire?" she asked with a smirk. Her mood somewhat uplifted. There was something about him that made her feel like she could laugh and how she wanted to laugh .

"I could say the very same of you Lady Rin…."

"Please don't call me that, you……may call me Rin…" she corrected him as she scratched A-Un lazily behind his ear. She wasn't a Lady, she was as plain and simple as the man before her or any young woman from a neighboring village. The title of 'Lady' had been bestowed upon her by her lord, and she didn't want anything further from him.

"Very well then Rin, what brings you out at this hour. Surely the warmth of a good fire awaits you at your estate, and you would be missed by the demon looking after you…."

Rin spun around to face him, "And what do you know about him?" she demanded suddenly wounded by his statement. Her large hazel eyes wavering as she fought back tears and words of anger. Was he implying what the villagers had, that she was nothing less than a demons whore.

"Because I am my own person, I am! I'm not his… I'm me, Rin….a girl who can't even remember her last name. Just a girl, who just wants to be herself and be…."

"There there little Rin, I did not mean to offend you….." offered Shido as he slowly approached her. Nothing ate his soul more than to see a woman cry. Cursing himself for bringing up the demon lord he wanted to set her mood back to that of a minute ago where she was light hearted and joking with him. Almost without thought he was at her side and reached out a comforting hand just underneath her chin drawing her attention to him. The hiss of the dragon next to her became more menacing but he decided to move ahead and press his luck.

A sigh of shock escaped Rin at his touch and she allowed his gentle hand to incline her face in his direction. It was brotherly in its affection but gave her butterflies none the less. And when her quivering hazels eyes set upon his violet ones she quieted, caught up in the simple act of his concern. "Please I didn't mean to offend you, it is only common knowledge that you reside with a demon. Don't cry". he said with a soft smile.

"That's right I do reside with a demon, and because of it no one in the village thinks to highly of me…" she stated looking suddenly so sad and abandoned. Shido shook his head and seemed to dismiss the idea of something so trivial. "What do they know of you Rin, in that village. You are dressed in fine clothing, walk with grace and appear confident. It is only natural that you be so envied".

"But I didn't ask for any of it". came her swift reply.

"Sometimes that can't be avoided Rin, what we are is what we are. You just have to accept the life that was given to you and make the very best of it, that's all". he said as he pulled away and Rin was left standing there alone beside A-Un. His words rang true whatever happened in the past that put her in her lords care was done. It was fate and she was at this very minute and moment in life where she was meant to be. And no where else, the life lived of a poor orphaned child was not her destiny but to walk along side demons. A life like none other.

She smiled and looked down at her feet feeling somewhat better about herself and her anger for Sesshomaru began to wane a bit. This had been a good outing away from the estate.

"You should return home Rin, it grows dark…." said Shido as he walked off into the growing gloom of the forest. Rin turned to look up at the sky and the velvet darkness that was fast on its way bringing night.

"Yes, I should…", she said but was suddenly filled with a bit of sadness at having to leave. She had to admit that there was something about Shido that had captured her interest and his tenderness of only a moment ago was quite nice. In all her years of living with Sesshomaru he had yet to show that kind of outward tenderness. Grabbing hold of A-Un's reins she mounted up quickly and turned to thank her new found friend but was surprised to find that he was gone. Almost like his visit was a dream she'd had. Frowning she tugged on the reins and took to the air. She had wanted to thank him for his kindness, it had helped her, and perhaps to meet him again.

Diner that night was a very quiet affair. Sesshomaru didn't speak at all to Rin only gave her harsh glares and seemed to grumble under his breath. It was clear that he was angry but he seemed to be holding himself in check from speaking. Rin tried not to look in his direction at all, she knew that she should have been home hours ago before it grew dark but there was just no avoiding it once she'd started talking to Shido. And she almost smiled at the fond event of their meeting today when she heard Sesshomaru growl very clearly under his breath. Poking at her food she tried to be as lady like as possible and not wolf the food down but her lord was making her very uncomfortable with his vile mood and repressed growls.

A servant girl came into the hall and refilled the water pitchers and brought in fresh sake for the lord of the house, and he nearly snapped at her in an animalistic way when she appeared to move to slowly at his side. Of course the girl was quick to throw herself to thee floor and ask forgiveness and Rin starred up at him frowning. What had gotten into him, again he confused her. This wasn't like him at all, and she guessed that there was more to it than her coming home late.

After his behavior with the servant Rin placed her eating utensils down carefully and sat back from the table, arms folded in her lap. She brought her gaze up to his level and simply starred at him a minute before gathering her courage to speak. It was clear from the way he was sitting that he was wound up tight, and seemed to be having trouble staying composed. She'd no idea that he was still so bent about the incident this morning in the stables. And she really didn't want this tension in the air between them it was maddening.

"I am sorry…." she said simply looking down at her hands. Sesshomaru turned his head in her direction carefully simply starring and saying nothing. He watched as she twisted her hands in her lap which only a moment ago were totally calm. When he said nothing she felt she needed to continue, "for this afternoon in the stable, I'm sorry for being so disrespectful…."

His golden eyes sought hers but she avoided his gaze like hot fire. With a sigh he nodded but there was still a high tension running through him. For the smell of another male was all over her, she reeked of that same scent from weeks ago. Only now it was mingled with something else, a demons scent. And the longer he sat there at the table and mindlessly ate his food and caught scent of this male the sooner he'd figured it out. Rin had been out just now with a half demon. And it ate at him. He was so furious with her and that he didn't really know how to react. Surely going into a rage and dragging the truth from her would only scare her and he wasn't about to have her scared of him.

But her words still clung to him 'With all do respect milord, I do not belong to you…" is what she'd said. And his fist clenched as he reflected on it. He had no right to be so angry. She was a woman now, grown and independent. However the fact remained that she was still under his care and his charge. If anything he was as responsible for her now as he was when she was but a child. She was still untouched and innocent, and she had no idea what human men were like, or for that matter male demons either. He didn't want this tension between them but he was at a loss as to how to deal with it. He had already determined that this was to be her last winter in his home, come the spring he would take her to his brothers village and be done with her. What he hadn't expected was to feel this build of rage and anger that she was….in the company of another male. And a half demon at that, and did she even know that this man was such?

For whatever reason he didn't want her to know that he was on to her and shut his eyes and drew a deep breath. "All is well Rin". he replied as he opened his eyes and affixed her under his hard gaze. He seemed to be back to normal, the tension in his face and demeanor was gone and he was like himself again, reserved and stoic. A sigh of relief washed over her and she gave him a genuine smile.

"Thank you milord". she replied and she began to get up from her seat when she looked at him for is consent to leave the table, he nodded and she smiled warmly at him again before leaving the dining hall with renewed spirits. Once the girl was gone from his line of sight and ear shot he let loose a growl and turned his attention toward the night and pondered who this half breed demon was and why Rin had failed to mention anything about it.

TBC…..