[An: ! Please Read! Before you even think of reviewing and telling me about my last Sesshomaru fanfiction and how this is better or worse, don' only want positive feedback or true constructive criticism. To be honest because of the immense hatred I received for the last one I pulled the whole thing down and was scared to put this one up. If i receive that type of negativity again then this one will go through the same thing. With that being said, just be kind, honest, concise, and give advice. Please Enjoy. If you don't like it, don't review it. Simple as that. Thank you.]
For someone who was immortal the world shifted about in a different way than it did for others. The flow of time was simply different for a demon than a human. Humans treasure each day as if it is their last and try to savor every moment, feeling each second pass them by. For Lord Sesshomaru, for all demons, it was like a blur. Time moved past him speedily, days feeling like mere moments and a year like a day. It was all too easy to take a stroll through the woods, admiring the scenery nature provided, and then suddenly it had been a decade. For him this was usually never a problem before, he could scarcely care about the changes about himself, that was until he had gained a human ward, a girl child called Rin. Suddenly he was now very aware of time, and though he tried to push it away and ignore it, her death. He had tricked his own mind so much that he seemingly forgot she was human at all.
She had his scent all over her, she was marked as his and even if not so she belonged to him in her own eyes. This made the usually alert and intelligent man think of her not as a mortal but as one of his own kin. Admit it or not, like it or not, she was as much his family as his own mother if not closer, she was a pack member. A long time ago he would have snubbed the idea if presented to him, if not feel deeply insulted anyone would suggest anything of the great and terrifying, not to mention not very fond of humans, Sesshomaru. She was his greatest sin and at the same time his greatest joy, even if he didn't seem to show it. He was not saddled with her, he could have easily dumped her off in any village and went on his way but he didn't. He kept her around.
He washed her up and gave her a new kimono, he couldn't stand the overwhelming scent of her blood and wolf all over her. He had gotten used to being her protector too quickly and her caretaker, even if he made her fend for herself. He took care of her and heaven forbid anyone who laid even one talon on her. She was his biggest weakness, she was his biggest strength too. Still he was no fool, she needed to be among her own people for a time. He knew his half-brother's mate would take care of her, she, like him, found the little girl to be family too. He entrusted the priestess with his precious Rin, their parting words not of set in stone goodbyes but see you soons. He was not going to just leave her but she did need to go to school and play with children and live life through human eyes. She had been so accustomed to being with a demon that something about her felt different than other young ones.
She had taken to it well of which he was glad because if anything went wrong it wasn't going to be pretty. Thankfully she seemed to be enjoying herself there, learning, helping around the village, and becoming acquainted with spirituality at the temples. She had never prayed before and it felt so strange to her but as time went on, she got used to it more and more. No matter what though, as comfortable as she was starting to become in her new environment, he could tell just by looking at her. She missed being with him and every time he had to leave, she had this sad look in her eyes. Sesshomaru gave Rin whatever her heart desired and so though she was a village girl she had such fine things. Even so she liked to be in plainer clothing and run around getting herself dirty but she loved each thing he gave her.
On his last visit he gifted her a beautiful golden comb which he even put into her hair with some reverence because she seemed not to know how. With her hair pulled up like that she looked less like a wild child and more like a little lady. The thought made him mentally step back a notch and realize something. Rin was growing up and it was hard for him to come to grips with that. She had always been a girl to him now she was going to become more and something about it all made a knot in his stomach formed. He didn't like that feeling at all, it wasn't like him to feel anything of the sort. It felt almost like fear. His duties to his kingdom and an outbreak of rebellious demons had pulled him away from her but he could never be away for too long. Once the dust had settled and all was taken care of, he went back to her to check up on how things were going in his absence.
He came baring gifts as per usual, a jade bead necklace, each piece of jade carved by the waters of time and given a smooth polished surface. Usually once they entered the village Kaede might be there to welcome them but she was not there. He wondered if she had passed on already, she was in her later years. Instead he saw the demon slayer and her husband who waved at him briefly before mounting her cat and riding off. He would never call any of the humans here his friends but they had a respect for him and made sure to say good evening to him if he came about. They would always be helpful in telling him where to locate Rin because she was always off somewhere, still free as a bird running about in the forests, chasing after deer and catching fireflies at night. One of the people who had the most respect for him was Kohaku and after being in his presence and seeing his might he should very well respect him.
He would tend to bow to him and call him by his proper title. A familiar face appeared in his line of vision, Kagome in her usual attire, but she looked pissed off, which was normal being with Inuyasha. The two were equally hot headed and bickered often only this time it seemed her anger was directed at another white-haired person, the one standing right in her path. She strode right up to Sesshomaru and pointed her finger in his face, not even caring about who he was, his abilities, or his rank. She did not fear him at all and the way she would conduct herself with him was too familiar for his liking. She seemed to think she could talk to him any old way, as if he was just another person.
"Where have you been?! Do you have any idea how long you were gone?! Rin's been worried sick about you! No letter no sign just gone without a trace. What do you have to say for yourself?"
"Where is she?" He simply replied, blinking slowly at her with a monotonous voice. He didn't have time for her or her arrogance and temper. He was never in the mood for it nor did he enjoy being talked down to. He was the prince of the western woods, not some friend of hers.
"Is that all you have to say? After all this time that's all you respond with? Maybe it hasn't gotten through that thick skull of yours but it's been years, Sesshomaru. Years!"
"If you're not going to tell me I'll find her myself," He remarked, moving past her in a steady pace, not at all caring for her attitude or processing what she had told him. It seemed to go in one ear and out the other either that or he just didn't understand the levity of the situation.
"Drop it Kagome," Inuyasha retorted, leaning up against their hut with his arms crossed. "He's worse than I am when it comes to listening to people. Let him settle this with her, it's none of our business anyways."
"None of our...how could you say that? We practically raised her! She's been our responsibility. Of course it's our business! I can't believe you sometimes."
The two started getting into a heated argument of which Sesshomaru tuned out, he was used to it at this point, he and everyone else in the whole village. The others were much more inclined to telling him where Rin was, she was helping get buckets of water from the stream. He was well aware of where that stream was and went there to find her. He could smell her clear as day but something about her scent was different and unusual. It wasn't an unpleasant smell but it bothered him that she no longer was the same smell as before. Then he was smacked with the reason why and not only that the facts that he had been ignoring. Heading up and over the hill with some of the younglings and other women was someone whose scent was nothing but Rin and yet...there wasn't a child in front of him. Holding tightly to the bucket, careful not to let a single drop slosh out, was a woman. He had never seen this woman before, not that he paid much mind to them but he couldn't place her face and yet when he looked at it, he knew her. He knew those eyes, those big sweet brown eyes and he saw in her pinned up hair that jeweled comb. Rin would not be so callous as to give it away.
No of course not that's because she didn't because she had kept it. This was Rin. No mistaking that. Suddenly Kagome's words rang in his head. Years she had said. Could it have really been so long? To him it was but a blink but for her it must have felt an eternity. He had only thought he was gone for a few months at best but years? It was the truth though and she was living proof of it. She had grown up, no longer was she a little girl, his dear small Rin but she was a woman. Last he saw her she was thirteen, trying to find her form, now she was, well he couldn't tell just by looking but she was a fair bit older for sure. She wore a loose fitting cotton kimono, nothing fancy at all, not too long not too short. It was a faded yellow with large orange flowers and rectangles on it, it brought a feeling of springtime and youth of which both suited her well.
She had such healthy rosy cheeks on her sun kissed complexion and her feet were entirely bare, just as they used to be when she was young. Little curls of brunette hair bounced as she walked along, singing along with the children merrily, unaware of his presence as he stood completely still and just watched her. Her freckles had all but gone away leaving unblemished skin, she kept herself natural, not a hint of makeup on her, and she didn't need it though it would suit her full pink lips well. Her kimono did not fit her body right, it did not show off all the womanliness she had gained, making her appear boxy but she was toned, he could tell that much, she wasn't some skinny thing. Years of running about had done that. She stopped in the middle of her jubilant singing, now finally noticing him standing there. The wind around them blew gently, the only sound at the moment until she dropped the bucket of water. It landed with a thud on the grass, spilling all the clear fluid to soak into the dirt.
"Lord Sesshomaru..." She whispered under her breath. He could see she was shaking and something more, tears were gathering in the corners of her eyes. Her breathing was uneven and quivering like her hands. Her heart was pounding hard in her chest as she came to grips with who she was seeing there. Really and truly there. She could no longer take it, she cried out his name in a rush of overwhelming emotion and happiness, then sprang towards him in large leaps with arms open. It took him off guard, he would admit, that she all but pounced on him as she did, as if she was still a kid and not...what she had become. She was so warm and that warmth surrounded him when she enclosed her arms around his midsection. He could hear her muffled sobbing and feel her wet tears staining the front of his robes.
He wasn't sure what to do or how to react to all of this. Perhaps it would have been simpler to hug her back in secrecy and if she was young but she was not and he was out in the open. Something like that was private to him. Yet here she was, grasping onto him for dear life, nuzzling into his abdomen and saying his name over and over again. The others that had been following her stared for a while then went on their way, the children having to be pushed and shooed by their mothers. They all knew Rin needed some time alone with him. Once he was for certain alone, making sure of it about ten times, he let himself place his hand on the back of her head, right on her rich dark chocolate hair.
He was still not the best at comforting someone, it was awkward to him to say the least. He had not given anyone any affection his whole life but he had her now and she sought a lot of it. At night when she slept by his side he would pet her cheeks and hair and that seemed to help her sleep better. As he stroked the back of her head silently, she began to slowly let up on her crying and started to release him a little to look up at him. He cupped her face gingerly then wiped off her tears with a flick of his thumb. He didn't like to have her sad over anything or hear her cry but right now he could do nothing about it. He was the one who had caused it. She wiped off her tears too with the back of her hand.
"Oh, look at me I'm so foolish," She halfway laughed at her own words, "making all this fuss. You must think I'm a baby for crying so much over you. I can't help it though...you haven't come back in three years. I had no note from you or anything telling me you were even alive and now you're here. I had prayed and prayed for you to come back and my prayers were finally answered. You've come back to me. Please don't leave like that again, at least write something to me, send a messenger. I need to know if you are alright. Wouldn't you have been worried too if it was me?"
"Rin..." His stoic reply was all he needed to say to her and she understood. She knew he would feel the exact same way only he was far too strong to cry like she did, though he knew now because of her he was capable of it. Their eyes were locked and neither said a word until she noticed his robes were all wet.
"Oh, look at the mess I made. I'm so sorry my lord. Come with me, I'll fetch you a dry towel right away."
"It's not something to bother yourself about."
"But it is! Because of me you're soaked. It just isn't decent to have your kimono all ruined like that. Please come inside with me, besides even if it wasn't a problem we should head inside anyways. It's going to rain soon and you're already wet as it is. Come, I'll make you some hot ginseng tea."
He didn't want to keep going back and forth with her and besides she was right anyways. He wanted to see where she was staying too, it couldn't still be with Inuyasha, not with all those children he had. Rin let go of him making him lose that warmth of hers and grabbed her bucket from the floor. She felt self-conscious of how she looked right now, her hair was a mess and her eyes were now bloodshot from crying and her feet were bare and muddy. Her hands were also work worn and she had not worn one of his many dresses he had given her. She couldn't bring herself to, though. They were much too lovely to accidentally get filthy outside. She'd never be able to live with herself if one got even a drop of mud. She had indeed acquired her own hut, nothing too spacious and lavish, but enough room for her and some guests. She could at least entertain four there but no more.
The inside was just as humble as its outside with only the simplest of things but any wall art or decorations he gave her were proudly on display. He was not used to being in such low surroundings but he sat down anyways. He wasn't so rude as to not at least do that much. She went about making her tea, speaking very rarely to him as she hummed to herself. It was so calming and soothing, her voice, it too had changed and matured along with her but retained its purity, its clean beautiful sound. Rin chose the cleanest and nicest of her cups to give to him. She had been gifted with a blue china tea set and used that but gave herself a plain little cup, something as low class as herself. He noticed that immediately and didn't at all like her lowering herself down to peasant status. It was enough that she had to live here but she was not like the rest. She should know better by now.
"Do you need anything else, my lord?" She asked sincerely as she placed his teacup down in front of him.
"I'm fine, Rin. Sit down."
She did as she was told and sat down properly as she could and waited for him to pick up his teacup first before she even thought of taking a sip of her own. It was the polite thing to do when around nobility. She tried to keep her gaze just under his eyes but she never could do that, not with him, not after all this time. They were too close to each other for formality even if she tried her best to be formal for him. As she had predicted the rain had started surely after he took his first sip and the delightful taste and heat from the cup made the rain almost seem uplifting. It made this space around them seem enclosed and given their proximity there was something intimate about this.
"How have you been?" He questioned, taking another soft sip.
"Oh, I've been fine I suppose. You know just doing the same things all the time, I help with harvest and gathering water, I watch over the children, I cook and clean, normal things. I hunt a little too, Kagome taught me how to use a bow and arrow."
"You work a lot," he noted, looking right at her weathered hands which she wanted to move away from his eyesight but she couldn't. He preferred her to not work at all, honestly, but he knew that it was part of the deal. All women did chores. It was just to see her like this, in this place, living the way she was, dressed the way she was, everything about it felt wrong and he thought maybe leaving her here wasn't the best idea. It wouldn't be his first time thinking such things. He questioned it every time he left and he saw that somber look she had. The rain pelted down upon the straw rooftop and he noticed a leak that dripped into the precisely placed bucket. "And your roof is leaking."
"Yes, I know...I've been meaning to get Kohaku to take a look at it. He's very handy but always so busy with Sango slaying demons. He always offers I go with him sometimes but I would prefer not to see demon blood shed...though I have anyways. Sometimes I have to defend the village too, just last week when we were attacked by demon crows, I shot one down all on my own," she proudly explained with a smile.
"It's not safe here..." He mused, though he meant it to be to himself. He already was not at all liking the idea of her living situation but now he knew that demons were out there and attacked the village. Sure, they had two very fine slayers and plenty of able-bodied fighters but he'd hate to have come back and see nothing but rubble and ruin. The thought alone made a lump swell into his throat which he swallowed quickly.
"Oh, it's not that bad, my lord. It's one of the safer villages actually. A lot of people come here for refuge and I help tend to the sick and needy."
"And who tends to you?"
"I do. I stopped letting people coddle me as soon as I turned thirteen. I didn't want to feel useless or childish. I wanted to let everyone know I could handle these things. I haven't gotten hurt save for roughing around with the children. The half breeds are rather rowdy."
"Hmm."
He drank his last sip of tea in deep contemplation of what to do about all the information he was given. He didn't speak it out loud but deep within himself was this regret for leaving her here with these people. He was sure she got a decent education and made lots of new friends but all of this rubbed him the wrong way. She was a lady now and no matter what Kagome said she was always under HIS management. Someone so close to him, someone that he felt was kin, should not have to live like this. He couldn't believe he even let her go in the first place but every time he had questioned himself he told himself it was for the best, that this was what was right for her and that if he ever really wanted to it would be easy enough to take her back. But would she come back at all having been with so many others? She must like and love a lot of them, they had become close to her too. He couldn't just tear her away from something that made her happy. Did it though? Did it truly make her happy? If that was so why did she always look so sullen when he left? Pleading with those eyes, begging him to just come back. She seemed happiest when he was around her.
"My lord, would you find it presumptuous of me if I asked you to stay here...just a little until it stopped raining? You've been gone for so long and I really don't want you to leave me just yet..." 'or ever', her mind added on.
"If you want that then so be it."
She beamed brightly at him. Her face, he noticed, looked the prettiest when she smiled just like that or at all. They passed the time with talking about whatever came up until she made dinner for herself and ate. He had nothing else to do but watch her which made her blush as he watched each piece of fish enter her mouth. It started getting late into the night and she was yawning. He told her to go ahead and go to sleep, that he'd wake her up if he decided to leave. She seemed content with this and started to head to her room to get ready for bed. Later on she showed back up to say goodnight to him, wearing a simple white robe with peach circles on it. It was lighter than her previous outfit and just a bit shorter. One of her sleeves slid down a little and she blushingly pushed it back up, averting her eyes from his. His gaze had gone to the slight movement and stuck there on that bare piece of skin until it was hidden from him. She really was quite tan from the sun and that flash of naked lightly bronzed skin caught his eye.
Then her flushed face creating a ripple of pink across her flesh. He stared at her face, all rosy and red and her coy smile, her eyes shying away from his even though his were stuck on hers intently. He would be some kind of fool if he didn't understand why she was so flustered. Any woman would be if caught in some slight undress in front of a male, especially one she was personal with and admired. He also was wary of another thing, the comb was out of her hair letting it all loose down upon her, a cascade of dark hair that still had those cute flips at the ends. A piece of her hair was stuck to her mouth bringing his attention there when she moved it away calling it a silly thing then laughed uncertainly and went into her room. Her hair had grown just as she did, longer than Kagome's but not as long as his. He was not one to judge on mortal beauty, he liked to think himself too stubborn to even say they were beautiful, but she looked better with her hair out.
It didn't take long until she was able to fall asleep, comforted enough just by the fact that he was within her reach if she needed him, if only for so long. As long as the rain kept showering her little hut he would stay and so she silently crossed her fingers that it would rain all night and all day so he could stay with her. Then again, he was no stranger to walking in the rain, though he disdained being doused in water. He could leave if he really wanted to. He was staying because, and this made her smile in her sleep, he must want to. He sat there for a long time just listening to the rain hitting the roof, closing his eyes slightly and taking it all in. Jaken had not come with him this time though he begged to be near him. Sometimes Sesshomaru just preferred to be without his toad servant but he wasn't far away, he was watching after A-Un. If he needed to, all Sesshomaru would have to do is call out his name loud enough and the short green man would find him like that. He was thankful that he wasn't here, it was so much more peaceful without his constant and loud voice.
He opened his eyes slowly then pointed them in the direction of her room, picking up on some faint breathing and light sleepy mumbles. He could have sworn he heard her say his name. Regardless he thought it prudent to go look over her, something had uprooted him from his spot and pushed him to go to her room. Once there he stood beside her makeshift and small bed, covered with straw and wood and a plain thin patchwork sheet, assumedly she had made it. So that meant she knew how to sew and he briefly pondered on if she created her own clothes in order to not wear his. He'd be a little disrespected if he didn't know better. She thought herself unworthy but it simply wasn't true. She was more than worthy of such things. His golden eyes roamed about the room some, it was dark and dingy and cold, she constantly kept tossing about trying to wrap herself up in the sheets.
In his palace he had too many spare rooms to count and each one was well suited to someone of his stature. If she were to stay there she could lay on a proper bed and be covered in luxurious furs to keep her warm. He let himself picture it for a moment, yes it seemed right. He had too much space in his castle, more than enough room for her to roam about in, and gardens to explore, a well-guarded woodland area, whatever she could ever want it was there. And he could protect her, he could watch over her, he could take care of her. The rain was starting to let up now. He looked her over and thought things over. He came to his conclusion and put his hand on her shoulder, shaking it as gently as he could. Eventually he roused the slumbering woman who turned to him, rubbing her eyes and yawning sleepily.
"Lord Sesshomaru...what are...Oh...the rain...it...I see..." She sighed heavily, not even stopping her forlorn attitude from showing. "Are you on your way out then?"
"Yes but I..." How was he supposed to phrase this? He wanted her to come with him? Needed her to come with him? No matter what he said it would make him sound desperate to have her. He just wanted her to be provided for, taken care of the way he saw fit. She had spent enough time with the humans, too much time out of his charge. She was old enough now to come back with him and to keep her safe she'd stay at his palace. There she would have a living space that wasn't falling apart and if she ever wanted to visit here again, she was welcomed to. He wasn't going to cage her...he just...she just...belonged with him. "I'm going to take you back with me this time."
"You mean...for an overnight stay?" She excitedly inquired, suddenly perky and bright eyed.
"Is that all you want, Rin?"
"In honesty no...I wish...for nothing than to be with my Lord Sesshomaru..." She hesitantly admitted, her cheeks once again dotted with red. Her hand went to her cheek and she smiled shyly again. "Even though I do like it here it's just been difficult without you and Jaken and A-Un. I miss you all so much...you mostly."
"Then come with me," He obliged, looking at her earnestly. "to my castle in the west. No harm will come to you from any of the demons that reside there, that I can swear to."
"I can come back with you? Forever?"
"Only if you want to. If you wish to stay, I understand. These are your people and you are a part of their village now. I would still come see you as often as I can."
She shook her head no firmly over and over. "I only stayed because you asked me to but every day I wanted to just run after you and never leave your side. I care a lot about the people here of course, they've done nothing but give me kindness and love. Still...something is always missing. Please... I want to come with you...even though I don't think I'm worthy of living in such a nice place."
"Don't speak such things. You do wrong to belittle someone like yourself. Enough of it. Now, get your things. I'll go get A-Un and come back for you. You'd better tell everyone you're leaving."
Sesshomaru left from the house to seek out Jaken and his faithful two headed dragon while Rin, still tired but at the same time wide awake, started packing. She kept thinking that maybe this was all a dream and she would wake up at any moment. Afterall she was asleep when he came to her, how did she know she wasn't still asleep and dreaming this all up? She had been for years. Almost all the time she thought about him coming back for her, telling her it was time to return by his side but she feared she would never and she would go on living this half life forever. Thankfully she was not dreaming at all, at least she hoped so. She gathered everything she could, making sure to take some time to properly fold all her nicer clothes neatly. Then she went about telling everyone what was going on. Needless to say it was a bit of a rude awakening for some of them, they had come to love her and feel she was dear to them but they understood, in particular Kagome understood, Rin would never feel herself among humankind. She had to be with him.
Kagome knew how Rin felt about him even if Rin might not ever say it, she could tell. She knew what it was like to be deprived from someone you cared so deeply for and want to be with them no matter what. She would not deny that to Rin so as much as she grew to be fond of her, she let her go. They knew though that this wasn't the last they would see of her, she would come back to see them sometimes but she would always stay with him. He returned not too long after her last farewell with both A-Un and Jaken. Rin promptly went to him and squeezed the life out of him in a hug which he complained about incessantly, even if he did like Rin. She mounted A-Un like it was second nature and Sesshomaru knew no other human that could ride on a dragon with as much grace as she did. His home in the western woods was barely a day away, she could sleep and when she awoke, they'd be there.
She would have gone to sleep, given how tired she truly was but the excitement kept her up and she kept asking a million questions. Jaken reprimanded her for asking so much to the lord when he had better things to do than answer them. However, Sesshomaru wasn't at all bothered by her, he knew she was always curious about things and answered each without a single note of aggravation. They flew through the night until they reached his fortress. Rin stood in awe of it all, it was as majestic and beautiful as its owner. It was just like all those pictures Kagome had shown her in the fairy tales. It had a certain Gothic architecture about it, very regal and dignified as it should be. When they landed she wanted to search about the entire place but she knew her lord wanted her to go to sleep, she had a long night and she was truly very sleepy it was just all these feelings were flowing through her rapidly and she couldn't handle them all. She enjoyed the liberating sensation of being able to be with him at last in his own abode. She had never seen it in all her time with him and now that she had she loved every inch of it even if she couldn't see every inch of it.
Rin was still barefoot and didn't want to go inside his pristine home and dirty it up with her feet. Jaken agreed that she was indeed filthy and Sesshomaru shot him a look. He already didn't care to hear her say it and he would not allow anyone else to say such things about her either. He would get these things situated immediately. There were plenty of rooms to choose from but he knew she'd like the one with a window looking out into the fields and gardens and luckily that one was within walking distance from his own private quarters. He called upon one of his many servants and explained who she was and that she would be staying with them for the time being. He also explained that she was to be treated with the same decency that he had for though he said nothing about it out loud, he held her to a high standard. After so long together, they had a mutual respect of the other, and though of course he still had a bit of superiority complex, he didn't view himself as too far above her.
The servant took her stuff to the room he described then two others showed her the way to his private hot springs so she could cleanse herself. They were also provided with a change of clothing for her, something much better than simplistic cotton robes, naturally. Rin enjoyed the hot springs but she didn't soak too long because it was so enjoyably warm that she could fall asleep in it if she wasn't too careful and that just wasn't safe at all. She dried herself off and put on some shoes, wooden sandals, nothing too extravagant. The robe she was given however, was much more expensive than she was normally used to wearing. It was pure silk, fine as it comes, navy blue with reds and silvers, tiny butterflies danced across it in various shades. When it was on her body and touched her skin it felt like she couldn't even describe. It was so cool and silky, like ice made into fabric.
She was taken by the two servants who were both ladies to her room and once there she gawked at everything provided for her. The biggest roomiest bed she had ever seen was there with so many sheets and pillows, a dresser with a powder box and lip rouges, a closet full of dresses and kimonos, an expansive set of hair bobbles, books to read, a calligraphy set, and so much more. Her eyes started to water at what she was shown and when asked by one the elder servant ladies if she liked it, all she could do was nod. She had no words to say to express just how she felt about all of this. It had all happened so fast too, he had come back and now she was here just in a span of a few hours. It was surreal to say the least. The two servants bowed and told her if she needed anything to call for them and they would be there for her.
She stood in the room for some time just contemplating all the splendor until she found herself holding a pure silver hand brush and weaving it through her hair while sitting on her new bed. It was the softest thing she could imagine, soft as a cloud. This just had to be a dream it had to be. Nothing so wonderful could be real. She heard a light rapping at her door and her name, it was her lord. She placed the brush down and opened the door for him as fast as she could manage. When Rin answered he was met with her in something that he felt was better suited for her but he had not seen her in it yet. Her hair was still a little wet and curlier, sticking to her cheek now but given the smooth finish it was most likely just brushed through. He took his pointer finger and slowly moved the hair away from her cheek, lightly, very very lightly scratching the side of her face with his long sharp nail. She shuddered at his touch and he was not blind to that. He threw away any thoughts about it and tried to delete the action from his head too. The robe was picked out for her and it looked just right on her, the butterflies were his choice. He knew she liked them.
He counted each one on her making his way from the bottom to the top of her robe which she was desperately clinging tightly shut towards the top, afraid it might slip off of her again. He took something out of his pocket and presented it to her, it was the jade necklace. In all of this commotion he had forgotten to give it to her. She let out a small gasp of delight and surprise and another type of gasp when he put it on her. Feeling his hands gingerly caress her neck made her feel tingly all over. His hand lingered there on the beaded piece of jewelry, stroking each pearl then their eyes found each other again and she stood there, she assumed looking dumb as her mouth was parted and her breath shifting because he was still touching her. His thumb went over the small bit of her clavicle that was exposed causing her to shiver again. He ignored the reaction. He was good at ignoring things, in particular his own feelings towards anything.
"Do you like it?"
"L-like what, Milord?"
"Everything," he answered back, still staring directly into her eyes, daring her to tremble like that once again. His knuckle rubbed against the hemline on her chest and she did. He tried to suppress his arrogant smirk and also tried to push away the reasoning as to why he did that, any of it. Yet he did not take his hand away. He had felt velvet and silk and all manner of fabric and yet nothing felt like her skin did and it was hot from her recent bath, just a bit dewy.
"Of course my lord! I'm overjoyed! The room is beyond compare and this robe is exquisite. The necklace, it's stunning. Is it real jade?"
"I wouldn't give you it if it wasn't."
She blushed vibrantly and laughed again in a nervous way. She moved her hand to play with her hair, moving it behind her ear and twirling her fingers in it, this caused her to let loose of her top. He didn't know what was compelling him to look down, what kind of deranged magnet existed that was drawing him there but his eyes looked at it. She had revealed some cleavage to him and his eyes stuck there for a moment then leisurely made his way up her neck, flashing with her breaths and painted with rosy colors, decorated with green beads. They did look stunning, actually, he never noticed it really before. Green looked so good on her, he would have to commission a new jade green dress for her.
"My lord is too kind...he does so much for me. He is so good to me..."
"Am I?" He questioned with a low voice, his tone of voice, just his natural tone always sounded so smooth and silky, like her robe. She swallowed a little and nodded as he moved another piece of her hair away from her face, this time slower, never breaking eye contact.
"Y-yes...I can't think of a time where you weren't and I am thankful every day that we met."
"Rin..." He softly sighed in what sounded like a blissful way. "If you need anything my room is right down there," he explained pointing it out to her. "Or you can ask anyone to come find me. Sleep well."
"You as well my lord," she answered back to him but didn't close the door because he hadn't moved, he lingered there, concentrated on something, scanning her eyes, deep in thought. He seemed to want to say something else but left it at that, leaving from her doorway before he did or said anything that would make him look foolish. She watched his trailing figure then went back into her room, closing the door behind her. She let out a long breath that she felt she had been holding and then looked at that oh so comfortable bed. She plopped down right on it, snuggled into her covers, and fell deep asleep. Inside her lord's castle in this amazing bed she slept better than she could have ever imagine, never knowing that Sesshomaru found his way back to her room and stood guard outside of it the entire night.