Shayril: Hiya, everyone! I'm back!
Aliri: Is that a good thing?
(Inuyasha and Navi snicker.)
Shayril: Yes! Geez, don't tell me you're going to be like them.
Aliri: Why shouldn't I be like them?
Shayril: Hey, you volunteered for this. I could always pick one of the
others.
Aliri: Fine. I'll be good.
Navi: (Gaping) You mean you actually want to stay?
Inuyasha: Are you insane? Get out while you can! Run!
Navi: Be free!
(Aliri just stares at them in amusement.)
Inuyasha: Feh! Fine! We warned you.
Shayril: (To readers) Everyone, this is Aliri. She's Kalika's cousin.
She'll be filling in for her while she's hiding from her family in Ireland.
However long that will be.
Aliri: (Waves) 'Ello. Don't expect me to be as cheerful as my cousin. First
of all, it's impossible. For that to happen I'd have to drink twenty-four
cups of coffee every day for three hundred years. (Makes a disgusted face.)
Loaded down with lots of sugar with chocolate crème in it.
Inuyasha: What's coffee?
Navi: You've been stuck here how long and you don't know what coffee is?
Shayril: (Grins) Okay, you readers go on to the chapter while I introduce
Inuyasha to the joy that is coffee.
Chapter Twenty-One - Developing Feelings
"Shippou-chan, come on!" the little girl cried.
Sakura watched with a smile as Rin played with the young kitsune. The energy she had in her was amazing. No one would know just by looking at her that she had recently been severely hurt. No one could guess at what she'd been through. No one that hadn't run to her screaming side in the middle of the night. No one who hadn't comforted a poor child's tortured sobs as she remembered what no female should have to remember. Sakura dearly hoped that Sesshoumaru could handle it. She knew that it would never completely stop. The nightmares and fear could come back at any time in the girl's life. She would be forever scarred because of what happened to her.
As Sakura watched the children playing her thoughts wandered to the taiyoukai. As was the norm nowadays, tiny butterflies fluttered in her stomach and her heart beat quickened. It was just her luck that she would start falling for a demon from the past. And what's worse, he probably had no feelings for her whatsoever. In fact, were it not for his affection for Rin the sorceress wouldn't have believed he had feelings at all.
'That's not fair. Anyone with a soul has feelings,' a voice in the back of her mind said.
Who says he has a soul?
'Only someone with a soul would take in an orphaned child and raise her as his own. Besides, what about that kiss?'
What about it? It was just a peck on the cheek. It doesn't mean a thing.
'Says you. I doubt he would have done it if he didn't have affection for you.'
It was probably just a way of saying thank you.
'Uh huh. And I'm the ghost of Christmas past.'
Oh shut up! Who asked you anyway?
'Nobody ever asks me. I'm here to give my opinion whether you want it or not.'
Well go away!
* * *
He leaned against the battlement wall staring up at the stars. A sigh escaped his lips. He didn't want to be here. He wanted to be with Rin. He hated that someone else was there to comfort her when she needed someone. He was her father. He was the one who should be helping her through this. Instead he was here fighting this idiotic army. The only reason it didn't completely bother him was because this was part of Naraku's army, and anything that weakened his forces was a good thing. He still didn't like being here when Rin needed him. The only consolation he had was that Sakura was taking care of her. As usual, the thought of her made his heart lighten. He felt like he could do anything with her around. He couldn't believe how strongly he felt having barely known her.
* * *
She was woken from her sleep by the all too familiar sound of a little girl screaming. She bolted across the hall to Rin's room and gathered the girl close. She cooed softly while rocking gently and stroking the girl's hair.
"Shhh. It's okay, flower child. You're safe now. We'll protect you."
As she had for more than two weeks, the child sobbed into her shoulder. Sakura's heart ached for her. No one should suffer pain such as this. Except for Naraku, she told herself. Gradually the sobs died down and an occasional shuddering breath was the only indication that she had been crying. Sakura wished she could take the pain away for good.
"Sakura-chan, when is Sesshoumaru-sama coming back?"
"I don't know, Rin-chan," the older girl told her honestly. "I'm sure he'll be back soon, though."
"Rin misses him. Rin wants him to come back."
"He will, Rin-chan. He always comes for you."
Rin looked at her with innocent eyes. "He would come back for Sakura- chan, too."
Sakura smiled gently. "I don't think so, Rin-chan."
"Why? Don't you want Sesshoumaru-sama to come back for you?"
* * *
He stopped just outside the door when he heard them talking. He knew he shouldn't, but he listened for a moment. He was just about to enter the room when he heard Rin's comment.
"He would come back for Sakura-chan, too."
"I don't think so, Rin-chan," the sorceress said.
A thoughtful look crossed his face. Would he come back for her? A mere human woman? It was one thing to take in a human child, but to grow attached to one of their females?
'Don't be like that now. You know you feel for her.'
It's one thing to feel for her. It's another to act on it.
'And why shouldn't you? Despite what people say it is not all that uncommon for youkai and humans to be together.'
I'll think about it.
He pushed his thoughts to the back of his mind and once again was about to enter the room when his daughter's question floated out to him.
"Don't you want Sesshoumaru-sama to come back for you?"
He froze, wanting to hear the older girl's response. There was a long silence that was beginning to make him nervous. Was he being foolish for considering a relationship with her? A woman who probably isn't attracted to him. He was so lost in thought that he almost missed her reply.
"Hai, Rin-chan," the girl said softly. "I want him to come back for me. Now, I think a certain little girl should go back to sleep."
"Sing to me."
He listened as her sweet voice lulled Rin to sleep. The lullaby was not one he knew, but that didn't surprise him considering where she came from. As he listened, he couldn't help thinking that she would make a wonderful mother to his pups. A small smile tugged at his lips as he imagined what it could be like.
* * *
Rin was asleep halfway through the song, but Sakura kept singing anyway. She loved the lullaby she sang. She vaguely recalled her mother singing it to her. She was fairly certain her brother used to do it after her death. After the song ended she carefully tucked the blankets around the sleeping child. Pressing a light kiss to her forehead, she quietly slipped out the door and almost collided with the Lord of the Western Lands.
"G. Gomen, Sesshoumaru-sama. I didn't see you. When did you get back?"
"I only just arrived. Why was Rin awake at this time of night?"
Sakura sighed. "Nightmares. She woke up crying."
He frowned slightly. "Has she had any peace?"
Sakura shook her head. "I'm afraid not. She has them every night. Sometimes they wake her up more than once."
"Well, if she wakes up again tonight then I can take care of her. You won't have to worry about her now that I've returned."
"Oh, I don't mind. Rin is a wonderful little girl."
A small smile tugged at his lips. "It seems it wasn't as difficult to care for her as you thought."
"No, it wasn't. I enjoyed it. Did you take care of all you needed to."
He gave a slight nod. "Naraku will pay for the lives he took, even if I brought them all back."
"Kagome-chan says the final battle will be soon. She has been training every day so that she'll be ready."
"I have every faith that we will succeed." He watched as she tried to smother a yawn. "But not if we're exhausted from lack of sleep. Perhaps you should go back to sleep."
"I think you're right." On impulse, she stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. "Good night, Sesshoumaru-sama. Sleep well."
She disappeared into her room before he could react. The taiyoukai stared at her closed bedroom door. He allowed his hand to stray to the spot her lips had come in contact with. They had been woamr and soft. He couldn't help wondering what it would be like to kiss those lips.
Aliri: Wow. That was incredibly fluffy. Navi: Wasn't it though? Shayril's prone to writing such things. (Said author enters with a very hyper Inuyasha buzzing around her, talking a mile about minute about god only knows what.) Navi: What in the world is wrong with him? Shayril: (Starting to get dizzy from following the buzzed hanyou with her eyes.) I let him test every flavor of coffee I could find. Aliri: (Gaping) WHAT! That's insane. Shayril: Well so am I. Why do you think I did it? It just seemed so wrong to let him continue going on without ever having coffee. Aliri: But must've had at least twenty cups since the beginning of this chapter. Shayril: More. He liked Irish Crème, French Vanilla, and Hazelnut so much that he had about four cups of each. Navi and Aliri: WHAT!!!!!! Navi: That's it I'm out of here. Not even Kalika drinks that much coffee in a day. Aliri: Yeah. There's no way we can handle a hanyou that's had tha Shayril: Uh uh!!! You're the one who brought up the subject of coffee, Aliri. If you hadn't he wouldn't have wanted any. YOU STAY!!!! (To readers) Bye. Don't forget to review
Chapter Twenty-One - Developing Feelings
"Shippou-chan, come on!" the little girl cried.
Sakura watched with a smile as Rin played with the young kitsune. The energy she had in her was amazing. No one would know just by looking at her that she had recently been severely hurt. No one could guess at what she'd been through. No one that hadn't run to her screaming side in the middle of the night. No one who hadn't comforted a poor child's tortured sobs as she remembered what no female should have to remember. Sakura dearly hoped that Sesshoumaru could handle it. She knew that it would never completely stop. The nightmares and fear could come back at any time in the girl's life. She would be forever scarred because of what happened to her.
As Sakura watched the children playing her thoughts wandered to the taiyoukai. As was the norm nowadays, tiny butterflies fluttered in her stomach and her heart beat quickened. It was just her luck that she would start falling for a demon from the past. And what's worse, he probably had no feelings for her whatsoever. In fact, were it not for his affection for Rin the sorceress wouldn't have believed he had feelings at all.
'That's not fair. Anyone with a soul has feelings,' a voice in the back of her mind said.
Who says he has a soul?
'Only someone with a soul would take in an orphaned child and raise her as his own. Besides, what about that kiss?'
What about it? It was just a peck on the cheek. It doesn't mean a thing.
'Says you. I doubt he would have done it if he didn't have affection for you.'
It was probably just a way of saying thank you.
'Uh huh. And I'm the ghost of Christmas past.'
Oh shut up! Who asked you anyway?
'Nobody ever asks me. I'm here to give my opinion whether you want it or not.'
Well go away!
* * *
He leaned against the battlement wall staring up at the stars. A sigh escaped his lips. He didn't want to be here. He wanted to be with Rin. He hated that someone else was there to comfort her when she needed someone. He was her father. He was the one who should be helping her through this. Instead he was here fighting this idiotic army. The only reason it didn't completely bother him was because this was part of Naraku's army, and anything that weakened his forces was a good thing. He still didn't like being here when Rin needed him. The only consolation he had was that Sakura was taking care of her. As usual, the thought of her made his heart lighten. He felt like he could do anything with her around. He couldn't believe how strongly he felt having barely known her.
* * *
She was woken from her sleep by the all too familiar sound of a little girl screaming. She bolted across the hall to Rin's room and gathered the girl close. She cooed softly while rocking gently and stroking the girl's hair.
"Shhh. It's okay, flower child. You're safe now. We'll protect you."
As she had for more than two weeks, the child sobbed into her shoulder. Sakura's heart ached for her. No one should suffer pain such as this. Except for Naraku, she told herself. Gradually the sobs died down and an occasional shuddering breath was the only indication that she had been crying. Sakura wished she could take the pain away for good.
"Sakura-chan, when is Sesshoumaru-sama coming back?"
"I don't know, Rin-chan," the older girl told her honestly. "I'm sure he'll be back soon, though."
"Rin misses him. Rin wants him to come back."
"He will, Rin-chan. He always comes for you."
Rin looked at her with innocent eyes. "He would come back for Sakura- chan, too."
Sakura smiled gently. "I don't think so, Rin-chan."
"Why? Don't you want Sesshoumaru-sama to come back for you?"
* * *
He stopped just outside the door when he heard them talking. He knew he shouldn't, but he listened for a moment. He was just about to enter the room when he heard Rin's comment.
"He would come back for Sakura-chan, too."
"I don't think so, Rin-chan," the sorceress said.
A thoughtful look crossed his face. Would he come back for her? A mere human woman? It was one thing to take in a human child, but to grow attached to one of their females?
'Don't be like that now. You know you feel for her.'
It's one thing to feel for her. It's another to act on it.
'And why shouldn't you? Despite what people say it is not all that uncommon for youkai and humans to be together.'
I'll think about it.
He pushed his thoughts to the back of his mind and once again was about to enter the room when his daughter's question floated out to him.
"Don't you want Sesshoumaru-sama to come back for you?"
He froze, wanting to hear the older girl's response. There was a long silence that was beginning to make him nervous. Was he being foolish for considering a relationship with her? A woman who probably isn't attracted to him. He was so lost in thought that he almost missed her reply.
"Hai, Rin-chan," the girl said softly. "I want him to come back for me. Now, I think a certain little girl should go back to sleep."
"Sing to me."
He listened as her sweet voice lulled Rin to sleep. The lullaby was not one he knew, but that didn't surprise him considering where she came from. As he listened, he couldn't help thinking that she would make a wonderful mother to his pups. A small smile tugged at his lips as he imagined what it could be like.
* * *
Rin was asleep halfway through the song, but Sakura kept singing anyway. She loved the lullaby she sang. She vaguely recalled her mother singing it to her. She was fairly certain her brother used to do it after her death. After the song ended she carefully tucked the blankets around the sleeping child. Pressing a light kiss to her forehead, she quietly slipped out the door and almost collided with the Lord of the Western Lands.
"G. Gomen, Sesshoumaru-sama. I didn't see you. When did you get back?"
"I only just arrived. Why was Rin awake at this time of night?"
Sakura sighed. "Nightmares. She woke up crying."
He frowned slightly. "Has she had any peace?"
Sakura shook her head. "I'm afraid not. She has them every night. Sometimes they wake her up more than once."
"Well, if she wakes up again tonight then I can take care of her. You won't have to worry about her now that I've returned."
"Oh, I don't mind. Rin is a wonderful little girl."
A small smile tugged at his lips. "It seems it wasn't as difficult to care for her as you thought."
"No, it wasn't. I enjoyed it. Did you take care of all you needed to."
He gave a slight nod. "Naraku will pay for the lives he took, even if I brought them all back."
"Kagome-chan says the final battle will be soon. She has been training every day so that she'll be ready."
"I have every faith that we will succeed." He watched as she tried to smother a yawn. "But not if we're exhausted from lack of sleep. Perhaps you should go back to sleep."
"I think you're right." On impulse, she stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. "Good night, Sesshoumaru-sama. Sleep well."
She disappeared into her room before he could react. The taiyoukai stared at her closed bedroom door. He allowed his hand to stray to the spot her lips had come in contact with. They had been woamr and soft. He couldn't help wondering what it would be like to kiss those lips.
Aliri: Wow. That was incredibly fluffy. Navi: Wasn't it though? Shayril's prone to writing such things. (Said author enters with a very hyper Inuyasha buzzing around her, talking a mile about minute about god only knows what.) Navi: What in the world is wrong with him? Shayril: (Starting to get dizzy from following the buzzed hanyou with her eyes.) I let him test every flavor of coffee I could find. Aliri: (Gaping) WHAT! That's insane. Shayril: Well so am I. Why do you think I did it? It just seemed so wrong to let him continue going on without ever having coffee. Aliri: But must've had at least twenty cups since the beginning of this chapter. Shayril: More. He liked Irish Crème, French Vanilla, and Hazelnut so much that he had about four cups of each. Navi and Aliri: WHAT!!!!!! Navi: That's it I'm out of here. Not even Kalika drinks that much coffee in a day. Aliri: Yeah. There's no way we can handle a hanyou that's had tha Shayril: Uh uh!!! You're the one who brought up the subject of coffee, Aliri. If you hadn't he wouldn't have wanted any. YOU STAY!!!! (To readers) Bye. Don't forget to review