"You claimed her as yours."
He stared at the person in front of him with wide eyes and blanched as Sesshoumaru's words echoed in his head while the world seemed to lurch at an uncomfortable pace.
"W-what do you mean by claimed? When did that happen?!" He exclaimed, his voice getting louder with each word in his panic, "I wasn't even aware!"
"Nekomata have been known to have large families." The Dog Demon began, steadily looking at him in the eyes, "The hormones of your changing might have accelerated the need for an offspring."
Need for a-
Blinking in surprise, Haru stared for a moment before his brain caught on his words. Face turning into a deep shade of red he exclaimed scandalized that the demon in front of him had the gall to tell him in such a nonchalant way that he was desperate of having children like he was some sort of maniac or someone who needed to be impregnated to subside.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU SAYING?!"
He was a man! He wasn't looking forward to get any woman pregnant and there was no way he could carry! ...right?!
The Lord just remained impassive at his outburst as he continued to explain, "Nekomata have an innate instinct to nurture. The lack of a familial bond was harming you. You needed an anchor, something that would keep you grounded, and your scent was already on her." He paused, letting his words sink in, "I believe you unknowingly imprinted on her the moment you met. The continuous closeness just secured the bond further."
Green eyes widened in shock at his words, shoulders dropping as he remained rooted to the spot.
"If you hadn't imprinted on Rin then it's almost certain that you would've gone on a rampage destroying everything in your path." Until you killed yourself. Sesshoumaru thought with a frown, refraining himself from telling him so.
Feeling unsteady, Haru sank to his knees as his body trembled and swallowed heavily.
He was this close to losing his mind?
"B-but I am fine, right?" He managed to utter in a low tone, suddenly feeling drained of any previous energy. "I-I didn't hurt anyone?"
"If you had, then you wouldn't be here."
Haru swallowed, his throat feeling dry, "Did I scare her?"
"You woke next to her; you can figure that out on your own."
Haru let out a shaky breath in relief, clenching his hands on his lap as Sesshoumaru glanced at him, "There is something else bothering you."
"How could they not tell me? They knew and-" he swallowed thickly, hands shaking in his own tight grip, fearing that he would do something he would regret afterwards, "They forced me to stay as a human."
"Humans are despicable and selfish creatures. They fear what they can't control yet they fight and kill each other for the most inane of reasons. You should've known that by now."
He had a point, Haru knew that, however, he also knew that harsh circumstances could bring out the worst in people. He would admit that he was too soft of a person and that he believed that people could change for the better.
"But not all of them," Haru muttered softly with a smile as the image of the little girl flashed in front of his eyes and chanced a glance at the Lord, after all, for someone who seemed to despise humans, he had still accepted to take in a little homeless girl and even protected her.
Perhaps he had seen the other side of humanity.
The Demon Lord barely glanced at him before he diverted his gaze towards the trees.
He sighed, acknowledging that the other wouldn't just display any kind of emotions that wasn't disdain or boredom. Such a shame, he thought, considering the demon had a handsome face and would certainly benefit from having a different expression that wasn't one of constipation.
Rising from his kneeling position, he brushed the dirt of his kimono a little before he spoke, "We should go back. They must be worried what took so long." He said before he chuckled a little trying to lighten up the mood, "They might think you finally decided to kill me."
His mirth was short lived when the Dog Demon stared at him motionlessly. "You are stalling. If you want to say something just speak up. This Sesshoumaru won't endure you just dithering around like a child."
Haru flinched at the bluntness and grimaced. It won't do to just bail out on fear right now. Why was he so weak around the other? After all, he seemed amenable enough, he supposed. He hasn't threatened him with bodily harm, he considered that as a plus.
"There are so many things I don't know about myself. I don't have any memories of my mother."
"Have you ever known any Nekomata? Before…" he trailed off uncertainly.
"My father knew a small clan close to the border, they scattered many years ago."
"You think I might be... the last?" He swallowed heavily and closed his eyes. "What does that mean for me? What do I do?" He inquired, looking at the demon in front of him for any kind of answer before he looked away in defeat, "I guess nothing. Simply live my own life, perhaps I could try to find some information about what happened. Maybe," he sighed, knowing that it was nothing more than wishful thinking, "with enough luck I could find others."
Sesshoumaru watched as the young demon's ears lowered in a clear display of his emotions. As if it was difficult to know of them just by simply glancing at him or looking into his eyes, he frowned then at the undesired thought, "Before your appearance I had thought your kind was extinct. There hadn't been any sightings for years."
Haru looked up in surprise, his eyes hopeful as he spoke, "You think they could be in hiding?"
"There is a possibility."
The boy inclined his head at the reply, mollified but looking better than before, and nodded shakily, "It's better than nothing," he muttered, and in his opinion, it was preferable to remain positive and hopeful than just thinking on the possibility of being the last of his kind.
Taking a deep breath, he decided that they had stalled for long enough as he gathered his things and began walking back towards the camping site.
When the Dog Demon just remained on his spot, he paused and looked back at the him, tilting his head in silent question when the other just stared as if trying to dissect him.
And wasn't that a scary thought?
Haru gulped nervously and was about to comment on it when Sesshoumaru walked past him without a word.
Confused, Haru looked at him curiously for a moment and startled when the Lord paused and glanced back at him. Flushing, he hurried towards him and, squaring his shoulders in embarrassment, made sure that there was a few feet of distance between them.
After a moment of walking in silence Sesshoumaru spoke, "You regret it?"
The sudden question made him pause in his tracks and stared at him in surprise. Looking down, he stared as his hands clutched the bundle of clothes as he considered the question over. "No," he finally spoke, a little surprised at how easy the words came out, "no I don't regret having met her nor do I regret imprinting on her." He breathed deeply, feeling at ease with himself and casted a side glance at the older demon, "Are you-?" he inquired risking a glance at the other, "Are you bothered by the fact that I bonded with her?"
He waited unknowingly holding his breath in anticipation as Sesshoumaru silently regarded him for a moment, "Rin needs someone that would keep her in check." Not to mention that she had already latched strongly on the other. If they were to be separated when the bond barely started the result could be catastrophic.
"So now I am just a babysitter." He snorted. He really shouldn't expect much from the other in terms of heart-to-hearts. "Guess Jaken will be glad I relieved him from that duty." He sighed pushing some stray strands from his face and his eyes widened when a sudden thought crossed his mind.
"Hold on-" he started, "If I adopted her as my own..." he faltered, swallowing and shifting uncomfortably, "as my child, does that mean..." he trailed off as he recalled how he had met Rin and his shoulders sagged in defeat. "That makes me her mother, isn't it?"
In reply the Lord barely looked at him for a second before turning away and leaving the flustered boy rooted to the spot.
oOo
Soon enough they returned to the camp and he allowed himself to breathe in relief as he saw Rin next to Jaken, shifting anxiously in her seat from time to time and immediately looked up as she heard them approaching.
"Haru's hair is long!" Rin squealed excitedly as soon as she saw him and ran towards him. "I'm glad to see you too." Haru laughed as the girl promptly threw herself against his legs.
Hugging her close, instincts relishing in having his kit close, he was astonished when a purr almost escaped his throat and he coughed in alarm.
He brushed his discomfort away as he looked at the girl that stood by his legs staring at him in confusion and he smiled in reassurance as he kneeled in front of her.
"Rin, I need you to look at me, alright?" He said, waiting for her to nod until he continued, "Can you tell me about what happened last night? Was it scary?" He asked softly and paused for a moment, fearing his next question, "Did I hurt you?"
Rin immediately shook her head looking at him with wide eyes, "Rin was not hurt! Haru was in pain!"
"But did I scare you? It's alright to tell me if you did."
Shook her head slowly and avoided his gaze staring at her feet, "Rin was not hurt…"
Hary smiled softly, gently carding his fingers through her hair in a caress, "But you were afraid. I'm sorry for that." He murmured, tentatively opening his arms in an invitation which she immediately took and he became confused as she pressed her face against his neck but he pushed the thought away as he held her close, brushing her back comfortingly as she clutched to him.
"Remember when we met and you called me Mother?" He inquired after a moment, "Did I look like her?"
"A little…?" She said hesitating, shyly glancing up at him from under messy bangs, "Mom's hair was short. Had to cut it for food."
"I see," Haru murmured with a slight frown. It wasn't a rare occurrence for people to sell their hair in exchange of money of food but what bothered him was the thought that Rin, this sweet child would've probably starved.
Trying to lighten up he grabbed handfuls of his hair, moving it wildly around as he showed her, "I don't know what to do with it and it's a bit annoying, should I cut it?"
"It wouldn't matter if you did. It would just grow as quickly as you cut it." Sesshoumaru suddenly spoke surprising him as he didn't know the other was nearby.
"What do you mean?" Haru asked in growing apprehension while Rin looked from one person to the other and clutched nervously at the boy's kimono, fearing that they would take him away from her. Sesshoumaru's watchful eye didn't leave the figure in front of him and his suspicion was correct when Haru instinctively placed a hand against the girl's back in comfort.
Jaken stared at the Lord wide eyed, choking a startled screech, "You think-!"
"What is so weird about my hair?" Haru inquired in confusion, "Now, that I think about it, that old woman used to cut my hair regularly but I didn't know why. Always thought it was a hygiene thing but…"
"He really is…" Jaken trailed off with a panicked look.
"Can you just tell me already? You are scaring me."
"Submissive." Sesshoumaru finally said without looking at him.
Puzzled, Haru tilted his head a little and frowned in confusion. "What does that mean?" He asked lowly making Jaken squeak.
"A-a s-submissive-"
"Jaken, your squeaking doesn't help." Haru grumbled.
"I'm not squeaking you-!" Jaken screeched, flailing his staff around.
Sesshoumaru interrupted, eyebrow twitching in exasperation, "All of the signs you keep showing are clearly signs of a submissive."
"Again, that doesn't exactly-"
"That means that you will seek a dominant figure to bond with."
The following silence enveloped them until Haru broke it with a quiet, "Eh?"
oOo
AN: This chapter took this long because I wanted to finish writing the Extra and post them together. If you like this story and pairing then it's for you! I'll greatly appreciate if you could check it out.
*You can find the Extra as a separate story; it's named "Spring In Your Eyes - What If..."