The moments between the "x's" are flashbacks
I hop you enjoy. Thank you for taking the time to read this and my double thanks for your reviews. -Druidica
The forest as always, was tranquil by day and menacing at night. Sesshomaru could hear every night crawler and nocturnal animal scurrying in the shadows watching out for their next prey. The Demon Lord of the Western Lands could smell their fear as he walked past, his footsteps silent and sure. This is where he felt more like himself. A predator seeking out his prey without question, without fear. Stopping under a great tree, his eyes glanced casually upwards to the red cloaked half demon lounging idly in the branches.
"Why do you trespass on my lands, Inuyasha?"
The dog eared half blood smirked down at his brother.
"Kagome asked me to make sure you haven't killed the human yet."
"The matter is none of your concern."
The half demon jumped down from the tree and leaned up against the trunk surveying the demon before him with amusement. He could smell the anger and frustration emanating from hisolder brother'sbody despite his cool exterior. The woman's under your skin now, isn't she? A chuckle escaped him and Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed.
"What is it you find so humorous, half breed?"
"Fully mated one day and you already have her crying and you moping," Inuyasha watched his brother's eyebrow slightly rise at his statement. "What? You think I didn't know. I can tell she's been crying all day, it smells like you live on an ocean! Besides," Inuyasha lifted his hand to the top of his head and jiggled his white dog ear as if it pained him. "It wasn't like you two were exactly quiet about it!"
Sesshomaru adverted his gaze away from his brother, his blood starting to boil.
"Leave, Inuyasha, go back to your human."
"Ha, I could say the same to you. Besides, if I was really a trespasser the barrier wouldn't have let me enter. Don't forget I am still family whether you like it or not."
"Do not try my patience."
Inuyasha pushed himself off the tree trunk and slowly walked over to his brother with his arms crossed. "So, you rutted with the girl and now you think you can just ignore her. You think that if you got one lick in, you'd be satisfied. Guess what, buddy, now you actually know what you hunger for and you will crave it every damn day of your life! It's called being mated. You truly are stupid, Sesshomaru. "
"I have killed for less, Inuyasha. Do not make the mistake in thinking I would need provocation to kill you."
The half demon could sense the fury within the demon rising. Good, he thought. Inuyasha was playing a dangerous game with his brother, but he knew it would be better for Sesshomaru to take his venom out on a half demon then Rin. Standing a foot away from the angered Inu, he crossed his arms over his chest and lifted his lips in a leering grin.
"So, was she as good as you imagined or did you find her plucked before taking her?"
Sesshomaru's eyes lowered to lethal slits, his golden eyes afire. His hand was flexed at his side, his knuckles cracking. Inuyasha was not unaware of this warning, but he smirked inwardly. That's it you arrogant bastard, tell me how you really feel. Inuyasha knew his comments where erroneous as the Inu in them both could smell purity in a female, however his brother seemed to have forgotten this knowledge.
"Worthless aren't they? Always having to indulge them, always having to look out for them. Then when you think they could give something back, you find they've already given it someone else. Some human women can't help but become whores. I mean she's hardly had a proper upbringing. What could you expect?" The demon's rage was at the precipice. Inuyasha grinned on the inside, feeling some slight satisfaction at his brother's wrath. Just a little bit more, Sesshomaru, and you'll be right where I want you.
"I take it from your silence that my assumptions must be true." Inuyasha started to walk away but then he stopped, turned his head and pierced his brother with a mischievous grin and a malicious glare. "Hey, Sesshomaru, since you are obviously done with her and she obviously isn't too choosy with who she lays with, why don't you hand her over to some other demons? Better yet, a ran across a bunch of randy human villagers who would be happy to take her so she can finally know what it's like to have a real man between her thighs!"
Inuyasha immediately felt the air cut off from his lungs. Sesshomaru had him pinned against the tree with his feet dangling above the ground. He grinned at the demon's blazing red eyes. So you do care for the girl. Kagome was right. I know you now. He knew the war his older brother was waging and he only hoped he figured out the answer before he killed the poor girl. I still feel sorry for Rin, he thought casually.
Sesshomaru snarled his fangs stark against the darkness, "What I claim, I conquer! No one will touch what is mine!"
The half demon sank his claws in the demon's arm and pulled his hand away a fraction so that he could breathe. "You arrogant bastard," Inuyasha choked out. "I know that!" A muscle in Sesshomaru's jaw ticked at Inuyasha's response. "Think about it Sesshomaru. Think about it real hard. Even before your mating, would you have let anyone come near her?"
The demon's eyes widened.
Xxxxxxx
He stood amongst the trees watching Rin buying food from a merchant in the village. It was winter and foraging had become difficult for the human girl. She had not complained or voiced any concern over the situation but he could not abide the constant rumbling of her empty stomach. So he handed her a coin and told her to go buy supplies for herself from the nearest village.
It was not Sesshomaru's intention to follow her, but the scent of her heat caused a stirring within him to make sure she was not attacked by male demons on her way to the village. Such a bother this human is to me, he mused. Rin was sixteen summers an age when most human women were married with a child on their hip, yet he sensed no desire for that within her yet. Her body had the telltale signs of womanhood with all of the feminine mystique that attracts males, but she was ignorant to it. The men in the village, however, were not so blind.
He watched as their eyes groped her flesh with lecherous intent. Their desire was so potent that the stench of it surrounded his being and he clenched his hand, an anger rising deep within him. A young man around Rin's age saw her carefully examine one farmer's wares and approached her offering his assistance. Sesshomaru's acute hearing picked up their conversation easily. Though it did not please him to see her speaking with an unknown male.
"May I help you, girl?"
Rin looked up at him in surprise and her body slightly tensed at his nearness.
"No, I just wanted to by some fish and vegetables. I'm fine, thank you."
"Oh, I didn't mean to make you nervous. My father is the farmer that grew these vegetables." The young man smiled at her and Sesshomaru could sense Rin's body relaxing. He found his reaction to this unsettling. It is natural for her to comfortable around her own kind, he tried to convince himself. I should leave her here. The demon averted his gaze momentarily pondering leaving.
"Oh, yes! We do have some mushrooms. In the shed. I will go fetch some for you."
Sesshomaru's eyes snapped back up to the scene and he watched the human male walk behind the stalls a few yards away out of sight. He didn't know why, but he transported himself to the human's presence and lifted him off his feet by his throat. The human unable to yell out, gripped onto his arm trying to pry his hand off.
"You will forget this woman at once. If you go near her again, I will kill you."
Dropping the human to the ground he teleported over to Rin, startling the other villagers. She blinked at her Lord in astonishment then smiled.
"Rin, take what you need. We are leaving now."
She didn't question him. Picking up a few items she left the coin and followed her Lord out of the village, the young man easily forgotten. Though it was too faint for her to hear, Sesshomaru growled at everything with a male scent for the next five days.
Xxxxxxx
The demon dropped his half breed brother to the ground. A quiet surrounding his being as he mulled over what his brother had said. How does he know this? How did I fail to realize my own weak actions? It was true that he had resented any other male that had come near her, starting with the demon slayer boy who tried to kill her while being ensorcelled by Naraku. His reactions had always been more severe when her cycle would arrive, even to the point of making Jaken leave her presence while he stayed nearby, guarding over her. No, guarding over my…
…I make you angry at these times, because I smell bad…
Rin's small voice haunted him. She knew, without ever really knowing, he reflected. Still, why now? What was the catalyst that started this?
Inuyasha watched the mental struggle going on inside his older brother and he almost felt sorry for him. It must be hard to have everything you never wanted. Leaning back against the tree he waited for Sesshomaru to speak. He mentally shook his head. I don't know why I give a damn, but I'm here, he thought silently.
"Why did you come here? Why this night, Inuyasha?"
"Huh?" The half demon looked up in surprise then cast his glance to the ground. "Call it a hunch or call it experience, but I knew after the first night you would screw it up somehow. As Kagome puts it 'you're a man, you can't help but mess things up!'"
Sesshomaru's eyebrows knitted in careful contemplation.
"Do they forget?"
"Ha! You wish! You have to apologize, grovel and then maybe if your lucky they won't mention it again until the next time you screw up! Which believe me seems to be an almost everyday event!"
Sesshomaru's eyebrows lowered.
"I will not apologize to anyone."
The half demon's lips lifted into a knowing smile. "Yeah, I said that too. I'd try flowers. It doesn't always work, but sometimes you get lucky."
Inuyasha turned away from his brother and started walking towards the barrier. He saw what he needed to and he had fulfilled his promise to Kagome. I don't miss what you're going through, but for her sake I hope it all works out. The hell if I know how though.
Sesshomaru stood there silently for a few moments before slowly returning back to the manor. He bypassed the main entry way and for some unexplained reason he headed to the one room that most demons have no use for, the kitchens. Mulberry, Azuki, dill, plum, shiitake, Daikon… The room always held a myriad of scents from the various herbs and vegetables incased in woven sacks and jars. The ground was covered in stone work instead of wood and on the main wall there was a deep recess with a stone fire pit at the bottom. A thick metal bar was anchored above with an iron pot hanging above the ashes of an old fire. On the center island there were palm fronds covered with wild mushrooms and dangling overhead were fresh water fish recently dried and salted.
Gazing at all the different ingredients that sustained human existence caused his mind to be flooded with the face of his mate. Rin was a half complex creature because even though her moods were erratic, her tastes were simple. If she liked something, she searched it out always. If she disliked something she avoided it. Simple. His brows lowered in dismay. Is this what she now feels for me?
Xxxxxxx
"Rin, don't you ever get tired of eating those things?" Jaken squawked poking the mushrooms with his staff.
She smiled at the little demon her cheeks stuffed with the food she had been preparing. Rin looked like a foraging squirrel when she attempted to answer Jaken. Realizing speech was near impossible without emptying the contents of her mouth over the little green demon, she chewed quickly and swallowed. Sighing contentedly she grinned at Jaken.
"Why, no Master Jaken," she answered happily.
"Don't you like other human food?"
Rin giggled, "Of course! I like squash and rice and dill and fish!"
"Silly girl!" Jaken muttered before walking away.
She didn't even seem to notice his dismissal as she started to fall back on the ground with her hands clamped on her stomach. It was her signature statement of being full. However, this time when she leaned back to let gravity bring her down she did not land among the long blades of soft grass but instead her head landed directly on Sesshomaru's lap.
"Oh!"
Sesshomaru looked down at her surprised expression with a single raised eyebrow which quickly turned her shocked face into girlish giggling. The rumbling of her body's levity sent small vibrations up his leg. He pondered the sensation of her mirth transcending to his flesh and he found it was not a disagreeable circumstance, but rather curious.
"What do you find funny, Rin?" He asked blandly.
Rin quickly sat up and grinned. "I was so satisfied from my meal I hadn't realized you were behind me. Forgive me, My Lord."
Sesshomaru's eyebrow lowered slightly then he returned to looking at the sky in silence. She knew very well he had been sitting behind her, but yet she felt compelled to try to be near him. He heard the rustle of her kimono and smelled the faint scent of crushed grass blades as she let herself fall back down on the ground. With a stealthy glance out of the corner of his eye he watched as she tried to ponder the wonderment of what he was constantly looking at in the world above. When he averted his gaze again he could feel her soft stare. What is it that continues to fascinate her so? He wondered casually.
Xxxxxxx
Time continued to pass by, yet he still stood there staring at the food when the soft rays of sunlight started filtering through the windows, he blinked mildly surprised. The light glinted off the various metal pots and the dangling fish spread shadows over the mushrooms. Dawn's light always seemed to heighten the senses. All scents seem headier and objects appeared sharp and bright. For a moment he could imagine how the light would have reflected in her dark hair, a shimmering cascade of four shades of russets and brunettes converged into a flowing mass framing a jubilant smile and bright eyes that held every hope in this world for all things right and good. She would be washing various vegetables while a soft hum from her lips filled the room. A tension that he had been holding in his body started to melt away. Strange how these thoughts somehow soothe me, Sesshomaru mused.
Xxxxxxx
The flames licked the night air with little crackling groans. Ah-Un lay nearby guarding over the small clearing. The Demon Lord stood behind her in silence watching her stoke the fire. Rin had her knees gathered to her chest with her head laying on her left arm her dark hair a cloak around her shoulders. She had not noticed his presence and was quietly humming to herself. The sound was not unpleasant to his ears even though it could be heard for quite the distance by demons. Sesshomaru had followed the sound many times with her scent to ascertain her location when coming to fetch her.
"Rin."
"Huh?" Her head perked up at his voice and she jumped to her feet a huge smile across her face. "Welcome back, my Lord!"
Sesshomaru looked at her happy face blankly.
"Why do you always hum that tune?"
If it was even possible, her smile widened even more.
"Rin."
She nibbled on her lip slightly and answered only by smiling.
"You don't have to tell me." He started to turn away and took a single step.
"I know it will sound silly, but when I hum that song I feel it will bring you back to me all the sooner, my Lord."
Sesshomaru paused and turned his head to the side to look back at her. The image he had seen just mere moments before seemed altered as the clouds unveiled the moon above and its pale light trickled down, illuminating her face with a diaphanous radiance. Her dark eyes glittered with such a deep felt joyance that he felt lost in her gaze. Why have I always returned to her? What is this light she holds over me that can be seen but not touched? Mentally shaking his mind of these pointless thoughts he refocused his vision and the temporary illusion disappeared as the clouds once again shadowed night's lantern. Rin blinked at him tilting her head to the side. He was about to tell her not to be foolish, but instead he continued to walk away.
"Come, Rin. We are leaving."
"Yes, my Lord," She answered jovially and sprinted forward to walk by his side. Ah-Un quietly trampled out the fire and followed his masters.
Xxxxxxx
The morning passed without incident and still she did not exit her room. By noon, Sesshomaru had enough of her quarantine. I will not be avoided, by this slip of a woman. He placed some of the food she had gathered on one of the fronds and carried it to her room. First she will eat and second, she will promptly return to normal, he affirmed, surely if he thought the command it would be done without question. Sliding the door open with his foot, he prepared himself for whatever sight may have greeted him. So he thought.
Her room was empty.
...Chapter 11...awakens soon...