Disclaimer: The following chapters are rated M due to the continued description of what had happened to Rin. I'm not good at pointing out triggers so be warned.

AN- This is a nice fluffy chapter, but things should be getting darker in the next couple chapters.

Chapter 18: Behind Topaz Windows

The demon's pale orbs went still as he stared at the girl before him.

Because, there she was again calling him; the merciless Lord of the West, an angel.

Her guardian angel.

And Sesshomaru knew the only reason that foolishly naïve smile was plastered across her face was because he hadn't told her the truth. Causing the heaviness he had been experiencing as of late to grow within the confines of his chest. A weight he couldn't seem to ignore any longer as the demon realized that even though he had initially found it amusing to play with the girl's delusions and continue the façade she had brazenly conjured… Something had changed as he looked at her now.

For as much as he tried to push the thought away, in the corner of his mind; the image of those expressive brown eyes filled with panicked fear as her rose coloured fantasy shattered before her almost genuinely bothered him. Since, that smile untouched by any trace of putrid malic or cunning intent was what made it impossible for him to ignore the fact that this human, whole heartedly, believed that he was… something righteous.

The smiling girl somehow unable to see the blood thirsty beast everyone else did, as his silhouette reflected off her own transparent windows.

And maybe, that was the reason why he didn't want the happiness this frail human constantly lavished him with to disappear.

Even though he knew that he wouldn't be around to see it much longer.

So, Sesshomaru finally responded breaking the silence that had formed as he processed his thoughts in order to preserve the girl's fragile bit of joy.

"If that is what you believe, then think however you'd like." The demon dismissed, "Though, you should at least clean your wounds if you aren't going to tell me how you acquired them." He pointed out.

But, as the girl looked to the piece of paper in her small hands, a flicker of irritation brushed across the being's face.

"Don't bother writing anything down. I won't read it." The man almost growled. His harsh tone piercing Rin's heart as her head jerked up. A twinge of hurt immediately evident behind her eyes, but completely unnoticed as Sesshomaru's gaze was set upon the medical supplies the girl had left behind the other day. A sight that stirred something within him as he remembered how she had dressed his wounds, and yet when she was the one in need of medical attention her own cuts went unattended to.

Which irritated the demon immensely.

Though, oddly enough, Sesshomaru knew he wasn't angry, annoyed, or even truly irritated at the girl.

"We'll have time to speak after you've clean your wounds." Sesshomaru stressed before he continued in a baritone that even he noticed had softened. "You should prioritize your own wellbeing girl. I've seen humans die from less."

And although the man had practically ordered her; his words still managed to mend the stubborn wound her heart had felt, and further heal the heaviness that had clung onto her after what had happened earlier that day. Because, despite his brash nature and harsh comments, there was no way anyone could have missed the worry that bleed through his almost tender tone. Making Rin choke up as she smiled to convey her understanding before going to get the medical supplies in order to dress her wounds.

The girl contently taking her time to clean and bandage up all the minor cuts she hadn't been aware of. Though her biggest concern came once she felt the pain that hit her face now that she was smiling again. Realizing that without a mirror she wouldn't be able see where this particular wound was. Rin's only clue being the pain she felt as she swiped a cotton pad of antiseptic across her cheek and winced every time it unknowingly hit its mark. But, once she got to the bandaging portion, her true frustration became apparent as she attempted to place the plaster over her cheek more than half dozen times without any success. Causing Rin to huff soundlessly, as she got lost in the task at hand. Forgetting about the eyes that had followed her every move. That is until she heard a sigh escape through his lips, and became acutely aware of the silent gaze that had been watching her the entire time.

And as the embarrassment kicked in, Rin couldn't help but flail her hands in a panic as she tried to explain the idiotic predicament she had been caught in. Until his voice stopped her every movement.

"Come here." Sesshomaru called out impulsively. His amber irises doing a good job of hiding the shock he felt for outright beckoning the girl over before he was able to regain his focus. Because, for a stagnant moment as the human sat down beside him with a look of anticipated curiosity, Sesshomaru himself was having a hard time figuring out what had urged him to call out to her like that.

However, as his gaze narrowed in on the cut that marred the girl's otherwise unblemished face, and his claws tensed at the unrest he felt, a myriad of clashing thoughts fought behind his luminous lenses. Until, finally, a tranquil lull formed as the demon accepted the answer he had found to explain his impulsive order.

Which ultimately led to what he did next.

Slowly, Sesshomaru reached out for the bandage in the girl's hand. Carefully taking it between his own clawed fingers, and holding it in front of himself in another moment of consideration before lifting it towards the human's wound as the girl sat there immobilized.

The demon purposefully taking his time, since despite how nonchalant his actions seemed, Sesshomaru was highly aware that any miscalculated movement on his end would do more harm than good. As his control and precision was the only thing saving her paper-thin skin from being torn by his talons.

And, yet…

With her… He didn't mind having to be careful.