Chapter 9
-Sesshomaru's POV-
Yumiko kissed my cheek as we walked towards the gates of the castle, "Sorry I can't stay longer my love, but my father is very strict about the times he wishes to see me."
I merely nodded, "It is fine I understand, until next time then."
She smiled softly and let go of my hand, walking away and taking only a few steps before she turned into a pure ball of energy. I watched her until her spark was completely out of sight, closed my eyes for a moment and began to head back inside the castle. I didn't understand why she was so attached to her father so when he could care less for the girl... Whatever made her happy I suppose, its fine.
-Rin's POV-
I sat up in bed groggily and began to rub my eyes and stretch out with a loud yawn... It was morning already? I still felt so very tired...
"Rin!" Inuyasha called as he slid open the door of his room, rushing inside towards me with a bowl. "You're awake! Look I got you something to eat out of grandma's garden."
I looked down into the bowl curiously and saw it was filled with various fruits, strawberries, blueberries and raspberries. I took the bowl happily and picked up a strawberry, placing it in my mouth. It was the most perfect strawberry I had ever tasted in my life. Me and Inuyasha sat in bed, eating the fruit and making small conversation until his door was slid open.
"Father!" Inuyasha cheered as Master Sesshomaru stepped into the room, attaching himself to Master Sesshomaru's leg.
"Good Morning Inuyasha." Master Sesshomaru said softly, placing a clawed hand on the boy's head gently then looking over at me. "Good Morning Rin."
I stopped mid-chew on a wild berry as I returned his gaze, my heart feeling as though it were pounding out of my chest. I swallowed the fruit quickly and gave a small bow of my head, "Good Morning Master Sesshomaru."
Inuyasha looked up at his father with a hopeful look in his eye, "Father, may Rin and I go to the hot springs today?"
'Hot Springs...?' I thought to myself. It's been a long time since I've been to a hot spring and I had to admit, it seemed like a blissful idea to me at the moment.
Master Sesshomaru looked down at the boy, "After you misbehaved and drug Rin out to play with you in the middle of the night? Why should I offer a reward for misbehavior?"
Inuyasha made a small pout and began to beg his father to forgive him and allow him to go to the hot springs. I softly smiled at the two and began to think of moments like these that I use to have with my parents... I missed them so very much.
"Very well." Master Sesshomaru finally gave in to his son's constant begging, "Gather your clothes and let's head out."
XXX
-Sesshomaru's POV-
I watched as both Inuyasha and Rin ran ahead of me on our walk to the hot springs, they seemed to get along very well. Rin began to run past Inuyasha and drop down to her knees, admiring the wildflowers that grew in this area. She began to pick a few and bring them to her face, closing her eyes to take in their aroma. She seemed to love nature, and it was clear by the look on her face that it brought her peace.
"Rin! Come on, it's this way!" Inuyasha rushed the girl as he tugged on the sleeve of her kimono.
Rin stood back to her feet, holding the flowers she had just picked close to her chest, and began to let Inuyasha drag her towards the hot springs. Rin dropped her spare clothes and flowers by the nearest tree near the hot springs as her and Inuyasha began to undress and rush towards the springs. I lifted an eyebrow and turned my head off to the side as I placed Inuyasha's spare kimono near Rin's and taking a seat near the tree, my back resting against it. The girl was clearly not aware that she was indeed a young woman and didn't seem to be embarrassed or hesitant to strip down like that. I closed my eyes with a sigh before opening them again to glance at them both. Rin was cupping water into her hands, looking down into it at her reflection. Inuyasha ran up behind her and jumped on her back, dunking her into the water then quickly swimming off.
"Inuyasha!" Rin shouted out at him, trying to swim up and catch him.
I absently began to watch as the sun glisson off her wet sun kissed skin. The water of the springs rushing down her chest, making her seem as if she were shining. At that moment I felt as if I should have left Inuyasha at home, so I could enjoy this scene more for myself. I closed my eyes and began to grind my teeth down a bit. How could I be having such thoughts? I wanted to save this girl from people like that... and here I was being no different from the many others that may have abused this girl in that way...
"Father!" I heard Inuyasha shout out at me, causing me to open my eyes again.
-Rin's POV-
After a while Inuyasha and I began to run out of the springs, it was beginning to get a bit windy and we didn't want to catch a cold. We ran over to where we dropped our clothes and quickly began to get dressed. We looked over towards Master Sesshomaru and noticed something seemed wrong. He had his eyes closed tight with a distressed look on his face. Inuyasha and I kneeled down in front of him while Inuyasha began to call out to his father. Master Sessomaru began to open his eyes and looked directly at me. He had an apologetic look in his eyes which confused me deeply. Master Sesshomaru looked down and took one of the flowers I had picked earlier and began to lift it up towards me, placing it in my hair.
"Wow that looks really pretty on you Rin-chan." Inuyasha said admiringly.
But my gaze never broke away from Master Sesshomaru's. I began to smile softly at him, quickly leaning in to kiss his cheek. Master Sesshomru brung a clawed hand up to his cheek, a surprised look in his eyes. I giggled lightly and grabbed Inuyasha's hand, rushing off with him back towards the direction of the castle.
