A/N: I had a crazy non-stop weekend that included host a british rock band at my house for the weekend, as my band did a set of shows with them here in New England. Phew! Any way, This is a short but a little angst, a little fluff...all good. If you didn't already know, "Rin" means "companion". Just a lil insight on that. ENjoy, and the next one will be longer I promise!
Chapter 9: Don't Speak
The hanyou, his miko, the daiyoukai and his young ward sat around a campfire outdoors under the canopy of some tall nearby trees, enjoying the fresh spring evening. Jaken was off by the stream nearby with A-Un, and everyone else had gone to bed. Sesshomaru was thankful for the sakura, which heavily perfumed the air, covering some of the scent of humans that offended his refined senses. The sake from earlier had made everyone a little warm and fuzzy. Kagome was snuggled up to her husband. Rin was already droopy-eyed and leaning into Sesshomaru. All was quiet as everyone watched the fire dance. Inuyasha rested his head on Kagome's and looked over at his brother, who he could feel watching him and his wife's gentle behavior. Inuyasha just sent his brother a crooked half-smile as he let his gaze fall to Kagome. Love isn't such a bad thing, Sesshomaru, he thought as he looked back up to the golden eyes that matched his own.
A big yawn from Rin broke the silence as she stretched and slid from an upright position to lying with her head in the daiyoukai's lap. "Sesshomaru-sama," she mumbled sweetly as she fell asleep. Inuyasha witnessed for the first time softness in Sesshomaru's eyes. But it was only for a fleeting moment, as Sesshomaru realized his hanyou brother was observing him. "You know, Sesshomaru," Inuyasha said quietly as not to disturb the little girl, and the peacefulness of the night, "loving someone doesn't have to be a weakness," he hugged a sleepy miko a little tighter under his arm, "it can be a strength."
"Hmph." Sesshomaru responded blandly, his eyes returning to the little ningen in his lap, allowing his hand to rest on her shoulder.
"Kagome is a part of my strength," the hanyou continued. "She inspired me fight harder than I ever have in my life. She gave my life a special purpose."
"I have no need for a sense of… purpose, Inuyasha," the daiyoukai said coolly. His voice betrayed him, however, as its even tone lacked much its usual frigidity.
Inuyasha knew exactly which button to push. "Well, does power and conquest, fighting for the kingdom, truly fulfill you?"
The hanyou watched in silence as golden eyes lifted from lap to fire. Good, the wheels are turning.
Kagome had just been listening with her eyes shut, cozy and half-pretending to be asleep. She continued to relish in the warmth of the fire and her husband, letting the brothers have what was the most personal moment they'd ever had.
"That is my responsibility as the heir to the throne. My purpose, if you would call it that," Sesshomaru's lip curled at his use of the word that made him think more of the little girl in his lap than his kingdom. Damn that hanyou. I can't let him know that he's right…Never.
"I have no idea why the hell I'm about to tell you this-" Inuyasha started.
"Then don't," his brother replied, sounding annoyed but secretly intrigued.
"Dammit, Sesshomaru," Inuyasha had raised his voice, suddenly becoming conscious again of the slumbering females, "this is something you need to hear. When the hell do I ever try to have a serious conversation with you?"
Sesshomaru glanced sideways at his brother with a slight raise of the brow. Sesshomaru was stuck. He dared not move Rin to get up and walk away from this. His time with her was limited now; And as much as he loathed the fact that he was getting what could be considered a lecture from his half-breed brother, the tug on his heart strings begged him to listen. He hated feelings, but he couldn't deny their blatant truth; At least to himself. When did my brother acquire an ounce of wisdom? Has this miko truly awakened a latent power in InuYasha? Does "love" actually have the power to transcend time itself? His pride was the only thing he had left to cling on to that would keep himself from unraveling over a little human girl. Sesshomaru had paused deep in thought, finally acknowledging his brother with another, "Hmph."
InuYasha took that as his cue to finally speak his mind, "I'm not going to try to change your mind about anything. You are who you are. I am who I am. None of us can help that. But I lived a life without trust; neither of humans, except for my mother, nor of demons. But over the last four years, and everything we've all been through, I have learned live with the best of both worlds: Demon powers and human heart. Have you ever known what it's like to not know your place in this world?"
"Baka…Of course not."
"Exactly. I lived like that for 150 years before I met Kikyo, who was the first person other than my mother that I learned to trust. Even that got screwed up. Then came Kagome…"
She blinked open her eyes at the sound of her name. She looked up at her hanyou with a sleepy but tender smile. He placed a kiss on her lips and lingered a moment, recalling all the times he had wanted to kiss her those years ago and never had before finally finding her in the darkness. Kagome snuggled back up with a smile.
Sesshomaru could feel the strength of their energy together as her miko power fed into his as their lips touched. His demon senses had never experienced nor witnessed this kind of reaction in personal energy fields. He was shocked to find that it wasn't just a mythical whim, this Love that humans always live by.
"She is powerful for a human," Sesshomaru stated observantly.
Kagome gave another smile and a mumbled "Thanks" only opening her eyes half-way.
"Yes she is…in mind, body and spirit. She is special…and she's special to me. She's my friend, my lover, and my companion."
At the last word, the daiyoukai looked back down at Rin, and began playing with her soft ebony locks, combing through them with his claws, ever so gently. Companion…he let that word ring in his brain.
Kagome sat up and stretched to see the great and ruthless demon stroking Rin's hair. "I'm glad you come and visit her still, even if it is only once in a while. She needs you in her life, no matter where she is. Whether you admit it to us or not, we know you need her, too."
Sesshomaru felt the sting of truth at those words as they seared into his pride. I, Sesshomaru, need a human? He shot a defensive glare at Kagome, who responded with a smile, "Don't worry Sesshomaru, your secret's safe with us."
InuYasha knew his brother well enough to know that he wouldn't confirm, nor deny any of it. Sesshomaru was a demon of action, not of words. And his subtle actions spoke so incredibly loudly to the hanyou and miko. They knew how important it was for them to keep her safe. On that note, the two knew they had said enough to plant the seed in Sesshomaru's mind. They let him be, and left Rin to peacefully slumber with her lord.
