Rin stared at Sesshomaru. She blinked once. Then twice. "W-what?" she croaked, her face paling by the second.
Sesshomaru hid himself behind her arm, but not before she noticed the light tinge of red that flooded his cheeks. "I said," he muttered softly, sounding almost embarrassed, "I love you."
Rin swallowed thickly. Inwardly, she struggled with believing his words. He said he loved her; was it true? He was so young; how would he know what love was? And was it truly possible for him to fall for her so quickly? "S-Sesshomaru?"
"My name is Sesshy," he grumbled, still under her arm.
"Sesshy... Please," she licked her lips which had chapped, "let me see your face."
He gently shook his head. "Nuh-uh."
"Please," she whispered hoarsely.
"I don't want to."
"Why?"
"A 'cause my cheeks are really hot. And I know they're red, 'cause every time this happens they get weally, weally, red."
She stared at the ceiling, then closed her eyes after taking a deep, tremulous breath. She needed to remain calm. No weeping, she told herself, mentally. He would become worried and ask questions that wouldn't be as important as the ones she felt like asking him now. "Sesshomaru, lift up your head. I... I won't laugh at you."
"I n'care if you laugh. I like your laugh," he muttered.
She let out a raspy chuckle. "I'm glad."
He lifted his head just a smidgen to take a peak at her, only letting her see one golden eye. "I'n glad you're glad."
She shook her head. "Sesshy, lift up your head, fully. Do it or I'm going to have to get up and pick you up myself."
His head shot up like an arrow sprung from a bow. "No!" he cried. "You can't get up. You still has a booboo and it might open up if you move."
Rin bit the inside of her lip. "Alright. I won't get up. But only if you don't hide and tell me why you said that."
He cocked his head to the side, giving her a bewildered look. "What did I say? I can't 'member."
Rin narrowed her eyes at him. Was he deliberately trying to evade a discussion about what he'd just confessed to her? "You just told me that you... You..." Rin choked out the next words, "love me."
He lowered his head and his white bangs shadowed his eyes, but not his face. He then crossed his legs together, tightening his garb around his thighs, and toyed with it. "Was I not supposed to say that?" he asked in an achingly adorable whisper.
Rin's heart tore in two. She suddenly wanted to wrap her arms around her husband and snuggle him against her chest like a doll. She rubbed her forehead with her calloused fingers. "N-no, that's fine. I just want to know why you said it."
"A 'cause it's true. I love Rin."
"Why? I mean, how do you know?"
"'Cause I asked you and you told me love is when you always want to be with that person. You want to hug them lots and be with them forebber. And I want to be with Rin for-forever." He played with his fingers nervously. "I don't like it when you leave me. I waited for you all day and it hurt. It was like I had to peepee but I couldn't do it 'cause there were no trees or leaves to be found."
She did not understand his logic. Almost laughed out loud at that statement, but it wasn't the time to do that. "What?"
"I couldn't find your hug when I needed it. And I needed it badly because you hurt my feelings."
She swallowed again. "So why go in to my arms?"
He gave her a quick, inexpedient glance. "Because you don't get mad when I cry."
"Oh. I... er, yes. That's true."
"I know. Yasha doesn't like it. Says a youkai lord shouldn't do it. But I'n not a youkai lord yet. I'n just Sesshomaru."
Just as Rin was about to comment on that statement, she heard quick footsteps fluttering along the floor. Ikuto barged into the room, sweaty and wide-eyed. "Rin!" he exclaimed at the doorway.
She looked up at him with one arched, black brow. "Yes?"
"I heard you were hurt!" He narrowed his eyes at her and growled, "Who did it?"
Rin rolled her eyes. She didn't understand these boys. Was she as easy to love as they made it seem? She doubted it. The adult Sesshomaru wasn't like the child. "No one did it," she told him. "But if you want to put the blame on someone you can point it at me."
He gave her a confused look.
"I was clumsy and hit myself against a rock."
His mouth formed a tiny, pink O. "I see..." Then his gaze fell on Sesshomaru who was holding onto Rin and staring at Ikuto with a look mingled with a hint of possession and fury.
"Had I interrupted something important?"
Rin waved her hand. "It's fine."
He cocked his head to the side. "You don't look very comfortable laying on that cot."
Rin's lips twitched. "I'm not."
Sesshomaru glared at her. "Why didn't you tell me?" he demanded.
Why? She thought. Well, because her discomfort was his fault. His arm was under hers and the way it was positioned was not comfortable. But she didn't want to tell him that at the time because it would change the subject. Which Ikuto did on his own.
She sighed. It was better off this way. Rin turned to Ikuto. He swept into the room with his green hair moving against his neck. His eyes were a calm grey; quite beautiful now that Rin bothered to observe them.
"Where is everybody?" she asked while still staring. It was as if clouds were gently traveling in circles beneath them.
"Outside still. Inuyasha told me what happened and I rushed over as soon as I could. You should be more careful, Rin," he chided. "If you know you're clumsy you shouldn't be near any rocks or dangerous objects."
Sesshomaru nodded beside her. "He's right. You shouldn't be near anything hazardous."
She rolled her eyes. "Haha, boys. I'm not that clumsy."
"I don't know," Ikuto drawled. "The bandage on your leg says otherwise."
Her kimono was currently covering that bandage so how did he know it was there? "How do you-"
Ikuto chuckled and smiled mischievously. "I'll never tell."
"Ikuto," Rin growled.
He looked away from her and blushed. He bit his lips and mumbled, "I don't want to tell you."
Sesshomaru sat up and frowned. "Whaz going on?"
"Ikuto!" Rin barked. She narrowed her eyes at him, and her brown depths cackled with rage. She already knew how the boy knew the exact position of her bandage; she just wanted him to confess. His word in front of Sesshomaru, who would be her witness, would make her next actions justifiable.
Ikuto gave her a quick look, then covered his eyes with his bangs. "I, uh... It's a gift. I just know certain things-"
"Ikuto!"
"I can see through your kimono!" he quickly confessed.
Sesshomaru gasped like an old woman who'd just been granted the privilege of witnessing a scandal. "How could you do that, Ikuto? Do you have no honor?"
Lightning flashed in Ikuto's eyes when he turned sharply to glare at Sesshomaru. "Of course I have honor."
"Then how can you look through an older woman's clothes?" Sesshomaru shook his head. He looked half disappointed at Ikuto. Rin almost smiled. Unfortunately, the current predicament didn't warrant humor.
"Have you used this power on anyone else?" Rin said, darkly.
"No!" Ikuto cried.
He knew Rin did not believe him by the skeptical look on her face. "I'm telling the truth," he stated.
"Have you looked at Nagisa-"
Ikuto jumped up, red faced. "Never! I would never do such a thing without her permission. I promise you, Rin, I have not done this with anyone else. I just did it because I was worried."
Rin's heart softened against the demon. Damn her kind soul! "Well, don't do it again," she gruffly replied.
"I won't. Promise."
He sat back down and leaned against the wall.
She laid there on the floor, still uncomfortable, but not because of Sesshomaru. He was no longer laying on her arm- he was sitting up. She just hated being on her back when the sun was still out, and the day was beautiful. It wasn't fair! Damn her clumsy feet. She just had to slip on that rock and injure herself. How was she supposed to go about the task of being with Sesshomaru during his change in the woods? She could hardly walk without threatening to open the wound. And she needed to be some place other than in Inuyasha's village because the place would quickly remind him of the numerous debts he would now owe his half brother.
Rin groaned. He was going to change back in a day and a half, and she needed to be far from here. She could ask Jaken and Ah-Un to come with her and fly her off deeply into the woods, but she doubted Sesshomaru would want them there to witness his transformation. And if he did, he would probably only use them as punching bags.
Sesshomaru lightly tapped Rin's arm. She turned to him. His golden eyes were looking down at her with concern- an emotion he'd never revealed to her before. Lust, yes, but fear, anxiety, hurt and concern? Never. Would he be willing to bestow these same expressions when he returned?
She doubted it, just as she doubted everything else.
"Are you well, Rin? You groaned."
"I'm alright. I'm just thinking."
"About who?"
How did he know she was thinking about a person? What, did Sesshomaru have a mind reading power she wasn't aware of? "About my husband."
She heard a feint choking sound and chose to ignore Ikuto.
Sesshomaru tilted his head. "What about him?"
"I miss him, that's all."
"Oh... Well, he should be back any time now."
"Yes, very soon," Ikuto muttered loud enough for them both to hear.
Sesshomaru turned to him. "You know her husband?"
Ikuto nodded. "I have had the misfortune of meeting him, yes."
"When?"
"A while back."
"How was he?"
He gave Sesshomaru a hard look as if he were describing him instead of Rin's husband. Sesshomaru squirmed. "Arrogant and mean."
His mouth dropped. "And you married this man?" he asked Rin.
She snorted. He was that man! "Yes, I did," she said proudly. If he forgot all else, she prayed he remembered this moment as she showed off her pride for her husband.
"Why?" he asked, sounding rather incredulous. "He sounds bad."
"Ikuto met him at a bad time."
"I did not!"
"You did too," she snapped.
"I told him specifically not to use the path. It wasn't my fault he didn't listen."
"He could've taken your mother on, any day!"
Ikuto barked out a laugh. "The same way he handled me, right?" He shook his head. "I gave your husband a fair warning. He should've taken it and used a different route. But nooo, he had to be all 'I'm Se- I mean, strong and big. I can do as I please.' He needed to be humbled."
Rin's nostrils flared. "Because of your actions my husband will never be the same."
"That was the point, Rin. I meant him no harm. He just needed to learn a lesson."
"And who are you to give him one?"
"I have all the rights in the world to do as I please."
"He is your elder."
Ikuto quirked a brow at that. "Really? Tell me Rin: how old is he?"
He caught her there. She had no idea. What did that say about her? She glowered. "Centuries."
"And how do you know I'm not more than that?"
"Are you?" Sesshomaru asked with huge eyes filled with intrigue and a tinge of awe.
Rin stared at him. How old could he be? Was his aging process even slower than her husband's? What was Ikuto? "Who are you?" she said softly. "What are you?"
"It isn't important."
"It is if you wish to continue coming here."
He stammered. "W-what do you mean?"
"I will tell Inuyasha what you did to my husband."
"Please don't," he begged her. His eyes took on a dark grey hue; the kind one saw before a rain fall. It was truly heart rending and caused Rin to relent.
"I won't, Ikuto," she told him gently. "Just tell me what you are."
"I'm a demon."
"I've never met a demon with your gifts."
"That's because I'm not a demon from here. I'm a foreigner."
"From the continent?"
He shook his head. "Farther."
"How much farther?"
"Other world, farther."
Rin, and even Sesshomaru's gazes focused on Ikuto. His words were implying something possible. But was it really so hard to believe in other worldly creatures? she thought. This world alone was filled with mysteries- who knew what the great beyond held. "Are you telling me you're-"
"I'm not telling you anything specific. Just that I'm a demon from another world."
That was good enough for her.
"Why are you here?"
"We were kicked out."
"Why?" Sesshomaru asked, edging closer to Ikuto. His elbows were on his knees and his attention was held completely by Ikuto's words.
"Mother and father rebelled against our maker." He waved his hands. "But that's a story too long for me to explain. And it's not important."
"Ikuto," Rin said quietly, "I see how you look at my niece."
Red colored his entire face. "I... It's hard to hide."
"I know." She met his gaze. "I won't let you hurt her."
Her gave her an almost wounded look. "I would burn in Hell with father before ever marring her tender flesh."
"She's young."
"I can wait centuries for a girl like her."
Rin shook her head, smiling. Young love.
Sesshomaru frowned. "Iz he talking about Nagisa?"
Ikuto replied before Rin could say a word: "Yes."
Sesshomaru glared at Ikuto. "I'n related to her. I don't want to be related to you."
Ikuto growled, "I had forgotten about that fact till now. Thank you for reminding me, Sesshomaru."
Sesshomaru frowned. "Why are you thanking me?"
He didn't understand sarcasm, Rin thought. He'd yet to experience it enough to comprehend its meaning. "Boys," she muttered. "I'm sleepy. May I have some peace?"
Their lips clamped shut and they sat there in silence. Rin harrumphed. "I would like to rest alone."
"Oh." Ikuto stood up to leave. "I shall see you at dinner." Then he exited the hut, leaving Sesshomaru and Rin together.
In the past she would have enjoyed his company. At present time, she just wanted some time to herself. Her wound was still throbbing beneath her clothes, and she could hardly move it without wincing. She cleared her throat. "Sesshomaru, I-"
"No."
She blinked, clearly taken aback. "What?"
"I'n not leaving," he stubbornly replied. His chin jutted out and his jaw tightened.
"But-"
"I'n staying to watch you."
Rin pulled her bangs back and blew out some air. "Sesshomaru-"
"I don't want to leave."
"Sesshy..."
He gave her a glassy eyed looked, and pouted. The fiend. How dare he give her that look! It was positively gorgeous. "Fine," she grumbled. "Just be silent."
"I'll be as quiet as a mouse."
"Make sure you don't squeak like one."
He covered his mouth to stifle a giggle. Rin lifted her hand and placed it atop his own. She lightly put it on his lap and said, "Don't hide it from me."
He understood. "Allight, Rin. I won't."
"Promise?"
"Yes."
Silence ensued for the next ten minutes. Sesshomaru watched Rin as she closed her eyes and breathed in evenly. He desperately wanted to lay within the crook of her arms, or on top of her lap, but he gave her the space to rest as she wished. He had his Rin back. The one that loved him in return. The one that didn't care much for proprietary, and more for the person. She let him smile and laugh with her; something father strongly disapproved of, for a demon lord wasn't supposed to reveal any emotion in front of a human. And she let him cry. He still despised doing it, but not because he knew she would discipline him for doing so. He just hated being such a baby.
He sighed. He genuinely looked forward to getting older. He would be taken seriously at that age- not just by Rin, but by all. And no one would dare disrespect him for he would be a strong, powerful demon. It was in his blood.
He looked around the room and found another cot at the right hand corner, beside a large white, empty bowl. Sesshomaru stood up, retrieved it and then placed it beside Rin's as quietly as he could.
He lay next to her, watching her fall into a fitful sleep. He reached for her hand and clasped it with his own, feeling the rough texture of her skin. He loved the way it felt. It wasn't soft and smooth as it may have seemed, but tough and calloused as if she worked and toiled with these hands.
Sesshomaru traced the lines with his nails, gently so that he wouldn't hurt her. Then he placed it by his face and lightly kissed it.
He whispered good evening and goodnight to her, and closed his eyes thinking about the future. Maybe Rin would let him live with her for a time. If her husband willed it, of course. He wondered if the man was as bad as Ikuto said, than thought it best for him to form his own opinion of the man after meeting him. If he wasn't good enough for Rin and caused her to hurt in any way, he would destroy the man and keep Rin for himself. And he would never hurt Rin. Ever. Not so long as he lived, because doing so would only hurt himself...
They slept together for the rest of the day, holding each other's hands.
It was late in the evening of the seventh day and clouds were beginning to hover over the village, grey with water, darkening the sky. Jaken tapped his green feet along the dirt road. He'd crossed his arms over his chest a few minutes ago, and sighed enough sighs to last him a month. Or a year; he didn't really know. In a few hours Sesshomaru would be himself again, and Jaken was anxious for the event to come at hand already. He missed his master dearly, and despised having to look at that tiny, weak version of his once formidable lord.
This week had been pure torment for him; seeing the great demon laugh with hanyous, enjoying their company rather than his own! It was positively insulting. And it made Jaken incredibly jealous. The demon boy didn't even remember his family-not even Rin!- and yet he preferred their company as opposed to his. Why, he hadn't even been invited to one of their dinners, and only Sesshomaru could order Jaken around- no one else. He would never allow it.
During this past week he hardly ever entered Inuyasha's home. In fact, he and Ah-Un spent most of their time at the front gate of the village. He wasn't comfortable being surrounded by so many humans, and his master didn't seem to need him.
Bitter tears formed at Jaken's eyes and he whimpered. Ah-Un heard the sound and cocked one of his heads to the side. It groaned in its language. Jaken understood, though.
"Yes, of course I am crying," he snapped. "Can't you see the great big tears falling down my cheeks?"
The demon groaned again.
"Why, you ask? Well, isn't it obvious? Milord has abandoned us!"
Another groan.
He sighed. "I know he'll be changing back in a few hours. And he'll remember us, too, but I'm going to be positively livid when he comes looking for me. I won't be in a pleasant mood."
Groan.
"Ah-Un, you're stating the obvious. Of course I know he won't like that. He'll probably throw a rock at me as he always does when I don't give him a proper welcoming party." He humphed. "But I don't care."
Groan.
"Because he didn't care this week. He focused more on the humans and half breeds, than on his servants. Aren't you vexed?"
He groaned again, telling him very seriously, "No."
"Well, I do," Jaken grumbled. "I'll be relieved and happy for his return, but I won't show it. He needn't see that. He doesn't care." Jaken's lips trembled. "He never cares!" he whined.
"What are you crying about now, Jaken?" Inuyasha said from behind him.
Jaken whirled around and found the half breed standing before him. He was in his classic red attire, probably too poor to purchase something new. Jaken sneered. "What are you doing here?"
"It's my village. I move where I please."
"I don't want you here." He waved him away. "Move along, half breed."
Inuyasha punched his head. Jaken shouted in pain and a large bump formed there. "What- why'd you do that for?"
Inuyasha shrugged. "Saw a bug there."
Jaken began to jump around and scream. "Gah! Get it off me! Get it off me!"
Inuyasha keh'd. "I was only kidding there, toad."
Jaken stiffened and he glowered. "You are evil!" he shrilled.
Inuyasha sighed. "Yeah, I guess..."
"Don't make me use my staff-"
"Would you shut it? I came here to ask you something."
Surprisingly, Jaken stood quiet.
"I need Ah-Un."
Jaken eyed him wearily. "Why?"
"Not for now," Inuyasha said. "Later."
"What for?"
"Rin needs him for the morning."
Jaken understood. "We know. We will be leaving together before Lord Sesshomaru-"
Inuyasha lightly scratched his ear. "Uh... She said she just wants Ah-Un."
Jaken glared. "Did she?" he growled. "And why is that?"
"She's afraid Sesshomaru will use you as a punching bag when he returns."
"He will no-" Jaken paused. Sesshomaru probably would. He nodded. His mistress's consideration for his welfare greatly pleased him. "Very well, then. But who will go with her?"
Inuyasha's eyes darkened. He gritted out, "They told me it would be best if she did this by herself."
Jaken did not know who "they" were. He just knew they were insane. "Have they gone mad!"
"Yeah, I said something like that. Unfortunately, they don't want to listen to reason."
"They are being irrational. Sesshomaru will not be pleased when he returns. His pride has been battered. He will try to prove himself somehow."
"They think he won't do anything to Rin."
Jaken hmphed. "I can almost agree to that. Sesshomaru cares for the girl."
Inuyasha said, almost casually, but with a hint of curiosity, "You think he loves her?"
Jaken gave Inuyasha a disgusted look. "He cannot love. It is not in him to feel such an emotion."
"Huh." Pause. "You really think so?"
"Yes."
"Than how do you explain the way he's been with Rin this whole week?"
"I can't," he grumbled. The child lord stuck to Rin like demon blood. "I think the spell muddled his brains."
"Looks authentic to me."
"I don't care what you think. It is not possible for milord to love. It takes a demon with a heart to feel that way, and Sesshomaru has none."
Inuyasha crouched down, his hands dangling between his legs. "How can you say that? Isn't he your friend?"
"I am not worthy to be his friend," he sniffed. "And besides, I did not intend to insult him. I am only being honest. Milord cannot love."
Inuyasha's brows furrowed below his white bangs. "What do you mean?"
"It is not in him to love. I already said it. It is in his blood to have a cold heart. His mother is that way and so was his father."
"But our father loved my-"
"She was the exception."
"And Rin isn't for Sesshomaru? I mean, the demon did marry her- a human."
"Yes," Jaken sighed. "It shocked us all."
Inuyasha nodded.
"But just because he has married the woman does not mean he loves her. Love proves itself, I believe. And he has not proved his affections. Not in that way. I have yet to see him reveal any tender emotions toward Lady Rin."
Inuyasha sincerely doubted that for some reason. "What do you mean? They don't... You know- make love?"
The blood rushing to Jaken's head was so thick even Inuyasha could see it. "Of c-c-course they do! But that proves noth-"
"How do you know? Do you watch them?"
Jaken gave him a look of disgust. "Why would I ever watch such a thing?"
"Curiosity?"
"I am not as perverted as you are."
Inuyasha muttered something under his breath, but Jaken failed to hear it.
"Like I said," Jaken continued. "Milord has yet to show any tender emotions toward his wife, and second, his pride is still number one in his life."
"I know that," Inuyasha muttered.
"Then you know what that means. Sesshomaru cannot love her and his pride."
"How do you know?"
"Don't you know?"
Inuyasha understood, and realized Jaken was right. After Kagome came into his life, she became more important to him than breathing. He loved the woman more than he ever thought he could love another person. She was his heart. His pride meant very little when she was by his side. For all anyone knew, Kagome and his family were his pride and joy. But they were also his most treasured gifts, and caused him to experience a large amount of humility every time he looked at them. He never earned them (who could earn such love?) but once he had them he never squandered or misused them.
Could Sesshomaru feel as strongly as Inuyasha did for his family? He knew their father did for he had given up his life for Inuyasha's mother, but was it in Sesshomaru to feel such an unselfish emotion toward Rin?
After this week, Inuyasha had seen a side to Sesshomaru he never thought he would ever witness. This Sesshomaru loved Rin more than anything. Was this just a tiny reflection of what the adult demon felt, but kept hidden from everyone else?
Inuyasha hoped so. He truly hated the fact that Rin, Kagome, Kohaku and even Miroku all agreed that leaving Rin alone with him would be the most prudent thing to do. He didn't want the demon to take his anger out on her. She was confident he wouldn't lay a finger on her, but Inuyasha had witnessed mass murders made by Sesshomaru in merely a few hours apart from one another. He was naturally violent. Would he hold this back from Rin after having been so helpless and weak for so long?
Damn, but he was confused and scared, too. He didn't want his sister to get hurt. And he didn't want Sesshomaru to get hurt either, for bruising Rin would surely wound him inside. After all these years, Inuyasha had no reason to doubt that he cared for the girl. Love was different, but he couldn't be far from it. It was impossible for someone not to fall in love with Rin. Even for a cold hearted bastard like Sesshomaru.
Inuyasha looked down at Jaken. "She told me to leave her with him. I have to respect her wishes and so do you."
He knew by the look on Jaken's face that the toad did not approve.
"Very well. But do you know how far she plans to go with him?"
"Not far, I hope. I don't think she'd be stupid enough to be secluded from everyone."
"Yes, you're right. Good. Well-" Jaken clapped his hands. "I am looking forward to my lord's return. He has been that little thing for far too long."
"I kind of liked him," Inuyasha admitted with a blush. And it was true. Only a monster could look at Sesshomaru and still be cold to him- and Inuyasha was not.
Jaken's green eyes flashed. "He will never approve of you!" he shrilled.
A bitter sweet smile tugged at his lips. Inuyasha already knew that. Still, he'd miss the little pup. It was kind of nice having a real brother for once.
"Ikuto," Rin said, sitting against the wall of her room, with a blanket covering her legs.
He stopped eating some leftover rice from dinner and placed his box at the floor, leaving his chop sticks at the side. "Yes, Rin?"
"You're coming with me, right?" She wanted him there in case something happened. Like nothing.
"If you wish."
"I do."
He stared at her. "You don't believe he will change, do you?"
A brow rose. "Is there a reason for me to doubt?"
Ikuto wiped his hands. "None. I promised you the spell would end at the seventh day and it will happen."
"What time exactly?"
"At the end of it. It has to be on the exact hour it was cast."
"So it'll happen in the morning, right?"
"Yes."
"We'll leave late tonight to find a good place."
Rin looked around the room. Sesshomaru was outside, probably with Inuyasha. A soft smile tugged at her lips. It seemed the boy also had a soft spot for his half brother, because when he wasn't with her, he was almost always with the half breed. Rin silently prayed that he wouldn't resent Inuyasha for being so kind to him. He didn't deserve that. If all went well, maybe they'd make some sort of truce.
More wishful thinking, Rin? She inwardly told her conscience to shut up.
Today was a day of rejoicing. Well, kind of. The man she loved was returning! She was glad, truly she was. But she was also nervous. And scared. Happy-
But terrified.
Since this morning she'd caught herself shaking with anxiety. Mostly her hands shook and Kagome had inquired after her, but Rin said not a word about what she was feeling inside. Her friends didn't need to worry about these things. They already knew enough.
She just had to calm down. Relax. Take deep, heavy breaths. Everything would turn out fine. They always did. Rin had been through many trials. One thing life taught her throughout her time with Sesshomaru was that anything was possible. She would make it through this stronger and better- with Sesshomaru by her side.
But what if he leaves you?
Then she would run after him.
But what if he-?
Rin turned away in disgust. She could hardly believe the questions flickering through her mind. She'd never been this unsure of herself before. And she'd never acted so weak. She was a strong, independent woman, damn it! She'd lived on her own when she was eight and even when she was with Sesshomaru before their marriage, she'd continued getting her own food, and fought for herself. Yes, Sesshomaru was almost always with her, but she could still take care of herself in this world. She'd taken on other demons. She could certainly take on her husband.
Rin's fingers curled into a fist. Resolve churned at the pit of her stomach. If she had to fight Sesshomaru, than so be it. And if he continued to deny her her rights as his wife, then so be it. If he wanted to leave her, then damn him!
Tears filled Rin's eye lids. No, she didn't want that.
She just hoped he would surprise her, somehow, and continue to love her after all was said and done.
Late that night, Sesshomaru and Inuyasha came back from the woods after hunting for a few birds for the next days dinner. Inuyasha had wanted to do this alone, but Sesshomaru had insisted on accompanying him on the trip. Rin was asleep again, and he was wide awake. She'd fallen asleep immediately after dinner, surprising him.
Maybe her wound was taxing her more than he thought, he mused as he walked along the village's path toward Inuyasha's house. He clutched the bundle of jinchogei flowers he'd collected a few minutes ago. They were covered with white and pink petals, centered with a set of red lines. They reminded him of Rin's clothes. She seemed to love the colors red and white, wearing clothes with these hues for most of the week.
He looked forward to giving it to his friend. She would like them, and hopefully it would bring a nice, big smile to her face. He really liked her smile. Just thinking about those curled up lips made him grin.
Inuyasha must have noticed his tilted lips, because he grunted next to him. "What's so funny?"
Sesshomaru shook his head. His secret love for her smiles would be his secret alone. "Nothing."
"Fine, don't tell me. I don't care."
Sesshomaru shrugged. "Allight."
Inuyasha grunted again.
The night was clear with stars resembling white, blinking diamond eyes. The air was fresh and cool, kissing their flesh. And the scents of summer-trees, flowers and polin-wafted through the village. Both of their hairs moved against the slight breeze that passed through them, like white banners flying against the wind.
Inuyasha took in a clean breath of air, and then sighed. Sesshomaru looked up at him while he hefted the set of birds he had on his shoulders to a more comfortable position.
"Yasha," he said.
He looked at him through the sides of his eyes. "Yeah?"
"Thank you for taking me and Rin in this week."
Inuyasha blushed. "Yeah, uh... My pleasure, Sessh."
"I had fun."
"Really?" he croaked.
"Mhmm."
"That's nice."
"After Rin decides to leave I'n gonna tell her that we should visit again."
"You really want to?"
"Yes! I wanna see Kagome and Tomoya and Nagisa again. They're nice."
Inuyasha sucked his teeth. "What about me?" he asked, annoyed.
"A 'course I wanna see you too! You're my brudder. I has to see you first."
"I'm your half..." Inuyasha shut up. He shook his head. "Yeah, I'm your brother."
"Yes, so I has to see you again some time."
They fell into a companionable silence after that. When they stood in front of Inuyasha's house, Inuyasha paused by the front entrance. "Wait, Sessh."
"What happened?"
"I have something to give you."
Sesshomaru's eyes lit up clearly, even in the dark. "What is it?" he whispered eagerly.
They swept through the side of the hut, then jogged on off toward the back. "I forgot to give you your dagger," Inuyasha replied.
There was a large glass box by the wooded fence, covered with shrubs as if hidden from the rest of the world. Inuyasha lifted the top off of it, and peered inside. When he found what he was looking for through the thick area of treasured weaponry, he found the dagger, then picked it up. It was covered in a red and black cloth with golden swirls embedded into it. He looked into his brother's eyes and swallowed thickly. Sesshomaru's eyes glowed.
"I got this a few years ago from a village that was being plagued with demons. The princess there gave this dagger to me as a gift. She gave me a number of weapons as well, but this one was special." He handed it over to Sesshomaru. "I want you to have it."
Sesshomaru stared at it as if he were afraid to touch it. "Why give it to me if it is your treasure?"
"Because when I..." He cleared his throat. "When I got it, it reminded me of you."
Sesshomaru looked up at him and their gazes met. "You knew about me even then?"
Inuyasha nodded.
"And you thought of me, too?"
Inuyasha noticed the suspicious sheen of liquid in his brother's eyes, and turned away. The emotion pouring from the boy was too much to handle and he knew he would never get used to it.
He nodded. "Yes, Sesshomaru."
"I wish I knew about you before, but that's allight." He grabbed onto the dagger, brushing against Inuyasha's hands. Then he smiled brightly. "We has each other now, right?"
He swallowed before nodding. It was all he could do without embarrassing himself.
Sesshomaru clutched the dagger in his chest. "I'll treasure it forever, brudder," he told him.
"Don't you-" He coughed. "Don't you want to see how it looks?"
"You mean you want to see me open it?"
That confused Inuyasha. "What do you mean?"
"Mother doesn't like it when I open presents. I get too excited, she says."
"Hmph." His mother needed an ass whooping. "Open it. I don't care," he lied. He wanted Sesshomaru to like it.
Before looking into that, the boy unwrapped the cloth and revealed a silver blade with a hilt made of pure gold. Round rubies surrounded it, the same color as Sesshomaru's stripes.
Sesshomaru gasped at the piece, and turned it around to look at all of its angles. "Iz amazing," he whispered in awe. Then he cleared his throat and quickly bowed his head. "Thank you for this gift, brudder. I will use it for protection from now on."
He sincerely doubted that he would use the thing, but he was happy nonetheless. Sesshomaru clearly loved the gift, and he was strangely pleased by that.
He stretched his hand out. "Come on. Let's go to bed now, Sessh."
The boy nodded and grabbed a hold of Inuyasha's hand. Soft, gentle fingers curled around his, and Inuyasha understood that he could easily take down Sesshomaru at this moment. He could hurt him with just one punch. Kill him with one kick to the temple. But this did not fill him with a sense of power. Instead, he felt protective. For the first time ever he actually cared about his brother like a brother should. And he didn't want him to get hurt, either. He tightened his hold and said, "Sessh."
"Mhmm?"
"Can you promise me something?"
"Yes."
"Will you take care of Rin and- and... Love her no matter what?"
"I will."
Inuyasha's eyes bulged. So he admitted it! Sesshomaru loved Rin! Sure, he was only a kid, but this had to mean something. "Even if you're mad?"
"I can never be angry with her."
"Sessh..."
"Fine. I won't hurt her even if by a miracle I'n angry with her."
"Do you swear on your honor?"
"Yes!" he exclaimed, half exasperated.
"Good. I just wanted to-" Inuyasha was so focused on forcing out promises from his brother that he failed to see a stone on the floor. He tripped against the sharp object and howled in pain. Water accumulated in his eyes, and fell in light rivers down his pale cheeks. Then he collapsed in a loud thud, and obscenities quickly sprang forth from his lips. His eyes were closed and he was clutching his leg against his chest. "Damn it!" he growled. "Where the hell'd that thing come from?"
Sesshomaru stared down at Inuyasha, at first concerned for his clumsy brother. But after Inuyasha continued to curse at the rock, and then at himself for being such a cry baby, he covered his mouth to hide the soft chuckles rising from his stomach. Unfortunately, he could no longer contain himself so he burst out giggling in front of Inuyasha.
That was when Inuyasha froze and stared at him in shock. His half brother, known for his cold, unflinching facade, was laughing with mirth. And it wasn't evil! He could hardly believe it!
While he watched him giggle adorably, warmth spread across his chest, and the throb on his feet felt like only a far away heart beat. He couldn't help himself; he smiled too. And then he laughed.
Sesshomaru shook his head. "That was funny! Do it again."
"It hurt, Sessh."
"I know. It hurt really bad." Sesshomaru beamed. "You curse like a villain."
"Yeah..."
"Father does that sometimes. I think you got that from him!"
He didn't know if he should be pleased or offended by this statement. He rather liked having some of his father's characteristics, but cursing like a villain wasn't exactly something to be proud of. "You think so?"
"Yes. You also has his big nose." He giggled.
He self-consciously touched his nose. "Hey! My nose isn't big."
"Iz very big," he told him in a grave tone. "Very, very big."
Inuyasha sat up quickly and Sesshomaru squealed. He probably thought Inuyasha would run after him because he ran off into the hut, laughing and screaming.
But instead of following after him, he laid back on the grass. He rubbed his foot; massaged it till it healed, then he stared at the sky, and watched the lights become unfocused and blurry.
"Oh, God," he moaned, hiding his eyes beneath his arm. "Sessh..." he whispered.
How he was going to miss him...
Rin awoke early the next morning before the sun came up. The room was dark, but her eyes quickly adjusted enough for her to be able to limp around with a stick Inuyasha had found for her early last morning, and grab her and Sesshomaru's belongings. She put his swords around her waist, then tapped the boys shoulders for them to wake up. Ikuto groggily sat up, groaning, but Sesshomaru woke up as soon as she touched him.
He rubbed his eyes and yawned. "What happened? Why are we up so early?" he whispered.
"We have to go," she replied.
He frowned. "Where?"
"Don't worry. We'll be back," she lied. Honestly, she wasn't sure if she would ever return to this village. Wasn't so positive that Sesshomaru would allow such a thing.
The boys stood up and began to put on a pair of Tomoya's old hand-me-downs. Once they were ready, they followed quietly behind Rin and left the hut.
Rin took a deep breath in. The sky was black, and the air was wet with humidity. Birds were just beginning to sing their tunes for the morning. She looked back at the hut and tried to sear an image of the place into her mind. She then grabbed a hold of Sesshomaru's hand and lightly pushed him away from the hut. "Come on, Sesshy," she said. "Let's go."
He nodded and followed behind her with Ikuto at his side.