Chapter 13: A Mere Moment

Slow sleep deprived thoughts began to stir the drowsy girl out of the uncomfortable slumber she found herself in as she moved to alleviate some of the tension that had built up in her back.

Rin's spine curling as she stretched while taking a moment to question why she had fallen asleep in such a place to begin with before the memories of what had happened earlier that day crept back to the forefront of her mind.

Immediately Rin jumped to her feet, almost falling out of the plastic chair she had slept in for who knows how long. Its metal legs scraping against the cement floors as her entire body went rigid once she realized she must have fallen asleep at some point while watching over her angel.

Because, the last thing she and her sore muscles remembered was the excruciating journey they had gone through to get the angel into the abandoned site she had circled by earlier that day. Remembering how relieved she was to see that someone, somewhere, had heard her internal begging since the instance she got out of the maze like alley Rin saw that the building she was seriously considering breaking into at this point had a back entrance that, unlike its front, wasn't boarded up.

Its back door left wide open to anyone that was courageous enough to cross its threshold. Inviting in any verity of vermin. Humans and animals alike.

But, by then Rin couldn't have cared less since she had more than expended the physical limits of what her body could endure. Sheer determination and adrenaline being the only reason she had made it that far hauling a man probably more than six-foot something on her back across the damp concrete trails as she tripped and fell more times than she cared to remember. Having to order her failing body to get up each and every time, no matter how much it begged her to stop. Because the angel's life was on the line.

Thus, Rin pushed herself until she finally managed to get the man situated undercover. Finding a suitable room with a small kitchenette and table that were abandoned to furnish the otherwise large empty space she had found once they were in the building. Her legs all but giving out in relief as she quickly worked on setting the angel down by propping him up against the nearby wall.

Though as her muscles rejoiced from what felt like the weight of the world being taken off her shoulders that was when the real work started.

Because the angel was still bleeding out. And since she had found him like that she could only imagine he had been bleeding for some time now. So, not having any more time to waste Rin started sprinting down the hallways in order to find whatever might help her tend to the being's wounds. Looted the building for all the supplies it still had, but only coming up with an emergency first aid kit and blanket that had been left behind.

But, none the less Rin hurried back to her bleeding patient who's shallow breaths became less and less prominent with each passing minute as the lingering chill of his ice cold body against her careful fingertips.

Reminding her why she had to hurry. Modesty be damned.

And so, Rin hastily untied the jacket she had lent him, seeing how much blood it had soaked up in the little time it spent around the man's injury, as Rin finally realized how much flesh had been carved out from the man in front of her.

It was to the point where she almost couldn't believe he was still alive…

It was a miracle.

A miracle she refused to let slip through her fingers. So, without letting the state he was in get to her, Rin dabbed the affected area through the gaping hole in his kimono with antiseptic. Then, once that was done she covered the entire thing gauze so she could bandage up the wound.

Therefore, feeling a little more relaxed now that she had taken care of what looked to be the worst of his injuries, Rin let out the small breath she didn't know she was holding as she continued to look over him for injuries. Rolling up the sleeves of his kimono to see if there were any other wounds that needed her attention, and being incredibly relieved that his missing arm seemed to be an old wound. Concluding her makeshift emergency treatment by putting a hand over the crescent moon on the angel's forehead so that she could check his temperature and brushing the wet silky strands of hair out of his face. Because after that there was nothing else she could to ensure he survived the night.

So, Rin covered the man with the blanket she found and set down a cup of water she got from the kitchenette before making her way to the table in the corner of the room where she sat and watched the being breathe shallow laboured breaths until sheer exhaustion must have consumed her.

And that was hours ago, as indicated by the dim creeping light that flooded through the broken windows.

She wanted to cry. Rin had planned on staying up the entire night to make sure he was okay. Even if it was just to assure herself that he kept breathing.

Because…

"What if…?" The very thought devastating her, as all the fears that were kept at bay started to work their way up her throat. Stealing all the air within the room as a morbid darkness threatened to overcome her.

Until a beautifully familiar voice reached out and pulled her out of her despair.

"Why…" The demon spoke.

That one word grabbing the entirety of her attention, and vanishing all her worries and fears in an instance.

Because that one word meant that he was alive.

And with that Rin's legs could no longer support her, falling beneath her weight as she finally met his pale amber eyes with a smile that expressed such an array of that happiness that Rin didn't even notice the tears that were threatening to spill down her cheeks.

The full display of emotion immediately halting Sesshomaru's questioning demand, as the words refused to leave his lips.

But, as the demon sat there gathering what was left of his thoughts, Rin noticed she had fallen on top of something. Reaching out to the blanket that she could have sworn she had wrapped around the angel last night, before connecting the dots and realizing that she hadn't woken up as chilly as she thought she would have been from sleeping in soaking wet and tattered clothes… since there was something else around her shoulders that had been warming her up throughout the night.

And with that, another warm smile bloomed on her lips as she picked up the blanket that must have fallen onto the floor when she had jumped out of her seat. Holding the thin material in between her fingers as a different kind of happiness swelled up inside of her.

"I knew he was an angel." Rin thought, looking back at the being as she tried to express that she had noticed his kind gesture, and how she felt about it.

"I merely did not want to owe any more to a human than I already do." The demon scoffed, quickly looking away from the new expression she directed at him. "Do not misunderstand my actions." He threatened.

Yet, the smile on Rin's face didn't falter. Showing that his words didn't bother her in the slightest since his actions spoke in a completely different tone to her. A tone that showed her that even if she had misunderstood everything as he so rigidly pointed out, she didn't care. Not one bit.

Because, she could see how kind he was.

"I will not repeat myself." The man said, bringing her attention back to the discussion at hand. "Why did you bring me here human." He spoke, no longer asking and instead demanding an answer from her.

That was when the girl's expression faltered. The smile she wore disappearing as one of her hands seemed to unconsciously reach for her throat while she curled into herself.

"Oh." Sesshomaru concluded.

This human couldn't speak. And clearly, it was a sensitive matter to the girl. A matter that oddly enough resonated with him, as a phantom twinge went through his missing left arm. Reminding him how humiliating it was to be seen as a cripple by those that thought they could stand against him. Viewing his loss as a deafening handicap that somehow deluded them into thinking they stood a chance against him. Not realizing how wrong they were, and how badly they would suffer for it until it was too late.

And so, although not the same, after thinking of their akin afflictions the demon decided to speak one last time, "I have no intention of conversing with a human." He stated coldly, "But, as I will not repeat myself I expect an answer." The demon trailed off. "So write."

His words taking Rin by surprise as she uncurling from the defensive position she subconsciously displayed, looking up to see that his pale eyes still staring back at her. Allowing her to see the gesture in full as there was no ridicule, or disgust in his words, and he wasn't judging or looking down on her either. He saw her as she was, and accepted her as such.

And so her shy, yet completely genuine, smile returned.

The girl got off the ground, picking up a piece of paper from the floor and finding a pen before returning to her seat to write at the table.

Then not long after she lifted up the piece of paper in front of herself in order to show him the script she had written down.

Because, even angels need help sometimes. The girl answered in delicately neat handwriting.

"What?" The demon blanked, questioning the astoundingly absurd sentence.

Did she think…? There was no way… No…

"Is she referring to me?" Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed slightly, trying to see if the human was serious or… maybe disabled in some other way he couldn't quite see yet.

But, as he stare continued to stare Rin couldn't help but look at him expectantly. Hoping that she was right, and that he would just spill it and tell her he really was an angel that had fallen from heaven. Blushing slightly as her imagination ran wild, imagining that he was an angel that he was sent to her specifically. Like a real guardian angel!

And as her excitement grew it became more and more obvious that this wasn't an odd joke, instead the girl really was waiting for his answer.

"… She's serious…" Sesshomaru finally deduced after seeing the girl clearly struggling to maintain her wondrous excitement.

If he wasn't sure before, he was definitely sure now that his human had no connections to the hidden realm in any way, shape, or form.

Then suddenly, completely against his own will, Sesshomaru's lips trailed up a fraction from where they were usual positioned on his stoic face.

"How ridiculous." The demon thought with more amusement than he would ever let on. He had never been one to lie, as it was not an honourable trait, but he figured that in the grand scheme of things it didn't matter what he told this human since sooner or later it was bound to leave, and he would in turn forget about her.

So, deciding to humor its ridiculous idea Sesshomaru answered her.

Because, if anything it was more interesting than just sitting there, waiting for his tissues to mend together sufficiently enough for him to leave.

And so, with his usual straight face he played along with the human's twisted fantasy, allowing her to live in the painted scenario the girl had imagined by neither denying nor affirming her idea.

"I don't need help. Especially not from some human." Sesshomaru straightened out. "A being such as myself could never be killed by a half-breed." He emphasized without alluding to the fact that she had been sorely mistaken when she assumed he was anything remotely virtuous.

Rin almost couldn't believe her ears as her brain's own bias thoughts took his words as confirmation that he was in fact a real angel! Her mind racing as she started scribbling down all the questions she had for him, until she realized he said something about someone trying to hurt him.

Immediately Rin crossed out all the silly questions she had jotted down and circled the one she wanted to clarify.

You were hurt in a fight?

Suddenly reading her question made Sesshomaru's pride prickle, and anger coursed through him. He didn't owe this human an explanations. It was forgetting its station and getting too familiar. So, deciding it needed to be put in its place, Sesshomaru thought on what cruel statement he could lash out at the insect.

That is, until, he once again made the mistake of looking into the human's eyes. Eyes that were so bright that they resembled the colour of summer light glistened through leaves as they hit the earthy colour below. While the concern she felt for him was evident as it was at the top of their sinking depth.

But… still, he owed her no explanation. Especially when it involved explaining to a human how he had suffered another humiliating defeat by the same the same half-breed that had taken his arm only a few months ago.

So, he stated callously, as he decided to hold off on the verbal lashing he was more than willing to inflict upon the girl just moments ago. "That is none of your business human." He stated, effectively ending their conversation by looking out the window, and seeing that the rain had stopped.

Rin took a moment to understand what had happened. Realizing too late that she had stepped out of place by asking a sensitive question, and quickly wrote a sorry on the other side of her piece of paper. But, by then the angel was no longer looking her way and the soft air between them was replaced with an uncomfortable silence.

"Rin. You big dummy… Why did you go and ask him a personal question like that. You should have realized he wouldn't want to talk about it. He almost died!" Rin thought as she bit her lip.

Though, despite her blunder, she was determined to make things right.

Because… She didn't want to lose the chance to know him. Not after… finding out how caring and kind he was.

Since unlike everyone else, he hadn't judged or ridiculed her for not being able to talk, and he despite almost dying from losing so much blood out in the rain he had given her his blanket to keep warm throughout the night.

And so, looking up at the angel with new resolve, Rin noticed that the cup she had previously set down beside him filled with water was now empty. Making Rin jump out of her seat as she thought of the perfect way to tell him how sorry she was, and ran out of the room

The ruckus making Sesshomaru's ears twitch, which was the only indication that showed the demon even noticed the girl had left, as he didn't bother to look her way.

Because he didn't care, is what he told himself

She had been interesting enough to pass some time. And that was all.

Either way, he would heal in a couple days all the same should he choose to stare out the broken window or be bothered by some insect.

Since time to a demon was nothing more than a fleeting moment.

AN-Okay, so in regards to a question asked in a Review (and because I don't know if there's some DM function I can use :P) I'll just answer all questions this way.

Question: Are Sesshomaru, Inuyasha, Kagome and everyone else part of the modern world? Or just Rin? Also do they wear modern clothes?

Answer: Yes! The setting is in the Modern Era, so everyone is in the same Time/Dimension/World SO FAR (:D heh heh heh). But I ain't spoilin nuthing. Also YES the characters all wear modern clothes, if they're in battle or heading off on a mission of sorts though most of them will wear the usual garb that's showcased in the anime. But there are some technicalities with that too. Most of the character's ages in my story are older than what the the anime portrays. So, for example, I can't have Kagome running around in her school uniform T-T. Which sucks, but it just doesn't fit the timeline.

ANN- Also don't kill me because Sesshomaru is so AU. I swear it's because Rin is older so they have to have a different relationship dynamic! Her name means "Companion" for a reason in this story.