The End of It All

Unlike Sesshomaru, Rin had often been victim to speaking more than she should, and at this moment, with the strongest man she had ever known rendered inert before her, she deeply regretted her words.

What have they done to you?

Gods, that was like going up to a gored human in shock and pointing out all the blood he was gushing. How could she be so insensitive?

How could this be?

Rin had only seen Sesshomaru look this disheveled once, unconscious beside a tree from battle wounds she didn't yet understand. In the mists of memory, she still recalled that for all his disarray, the daiyokai still carried himself with his signature air of barely contained pride.

The ragged, stooped sylph was scarcely a shadow of the former Western Lord.

In the silence of Rin did the only thing she could think of: she started talking.

"I'm surprised really, Lord Sesshomaru, that you actually let them live. Quite a show of mercy on your honored part."

She glanced out of the corner of her eye. He hadn't stirred. Rin drew a breath. "Do yokai forget themselves?" The young woman bit her lip and made for a quick recovery. "That is to say, do demons go soft after a time? Since I was young I was warned that yokai were creatures to be feared, not friends with whom to keep close company." Rin had no idea where this inane conversation was going and Sesshomaru's continued unresponsiveness didn't sit well with her. She kept talking.

"Though I guess I went up to you anyway, huh? Even if you only matched my mother's description of yokai to the finest detail. Your ears, for instance, were very telling." Rin traced the curved ridge on the bottom and Sesshomaru finally offered a reaction. That flinch was enough. "They were pointed, you see. Not large, but sharp at the tips." She flicked her finger backward in swift swoops so her audience of one could feel the incline. Then, stifling a gasp, Rin smiled to see that the flesh was slowly remolding itself, streamlining into a fine, angular point. The ear twitched.

"Though I have to admit," she continued eagerly, "that these were not the first quality I noticed. Actually, those eyes of yours. Now that's something! Looking into dog-demon eyes!" Rin added a little breathless sigh. "I'll bet that you look at your reflection seldom, Lord Sesshomaru. Such a proud being needn't have to ascertain regularly his own majesty. But to see your eyes!" Caught up in her own frenzy, Rin cupped the daiyokai's chin in one hand, forcing him to gaze at her. To the young woman's private delight, Sesshomaru resisted a little.

"Yes, that's it!" She smiled into flat brown eyes. "They were a luminous gold – crimson with your power whenever your anger boiled over, but gold always otherwise. I envy how your pupils are cat-slit so you can see at night. How blessed to be a yokai."

Sesshomaru remained silent, only half hearing the effusive words that bubbled from Rin. But it was Rin who spoke to him. Recollection glowing dimly in his mind, Sesshomaru sifted through memories, memories that were his and could never be tainted by anyone, human or otherwise – the memories of when he first met Rin. Her smile, her laughter…Rin had always had the courage to approach and speak what occupied her mind, even when at first the very strength of speech had fled her young grasp. The years following had never ebbed at her soul like most people; Rin had matured splendidly and so maintained her faith. Sesshomaru could see it with his own eyes. Eyes that she was now calling…gold?

"That's right, and silver hair, too!" She pointed to the sky. "See? It was highlighted much like the heavens. You were fortunate to be born colorful, my lord. May I?" Rin didn't wait for Sesshomaru to respond this time. The haughtiness was flickering in his eyes again and she didn't want to waste another second. Indecorously, she poked a finger on his forehead. "This azure crescent moon" – she moved down to the sides of his face – "these magenta stripes, thin and graceful…they used to baffle me until I found out what they meant." Reaching down to pick up a wrist, she traced a couple more lines and stripes Sesshomaru hadn't noticed before seemed to show where her finger trailed.

"You're venomous."

Sesshomaru tilted his head.

"Ah, you smile, my lord! Your fangs are showing!"

The dog-demon immediately clamped his mouth shut. He did not smile. That much he knew; but inside his mouth his tongue ran over teeth – and four fangs, top and bottom.

Rin reached out for his hands, taking them in hers. "Claws," she said simply.

Sesshomaru relaxed. Like taking one's foot out of uncomfortable footwear, he felt his fingers take their true shape. And they did not fade or disappear. Rin was holding on to him, what more proof did he need?

There was a sudden tug on his hands, or as they were, claws. "Let's go inside, it's getting cold and late. As you yourself would say, 'There is no further reason to tarry here.'"

Sesshomaru smirked at the ridiculous imitation. He knew his voice did not sound like that. Easily, he rose. The weight of twin blades at his side never hindering the motion. Now where had they been?

Sesshomaru didn't concern himself with it. He kept his posture erect and head level, but his blazing amber eyes found Rin.

"Lead the way."