Rin entered the hut making sure to be exceptionally quiet to not disturb the old woman's rest, while making her way to her own private side of the shared home. She slid the shoji door shut and then sat down the bamboo basket next to her shelf, quietly moving towards the fire she had started before sneaking off to her private location near the shrine of the late Priestess Kikyo. The warmth the fire was giving off helped relax her cold tired body, and while poking at the flames, they seemed to move almost as though it was a choreographed dance that had her hypnotised. Her mind began to drift back to a short while ago with the powerful demon Lord, images of him was all she could envision in her mind. His slender jaw line with two red talon markings on each cheek, his captivating golden stare outlined with red painted on his eyelids, adorned with a purple crescent moon in the center of his forehead perfectly displayed in between parted silver hair. She clenched her fist tight next to her chest, feeling the rapid beating of her heart when thinking of Lord Sesshomaru.
He has not changed one bit, but yet he has to me somehow.. I always remembered him being extremely beautiful but when I looked at him tonight, my heart would not stop pounding inside my chest, exactly as it is now.
A soft sigh escaped from her pink dusted lips.
The whistling of the wind mixed with the rustling sounds of the falling leaves caused by the strength of a fast approaching autumn, pulled the beautiful chocolate eyed beauty from her concentrated thoughts, suddenly reminding her of the items in her basket that she brought home from the trip.
Those winds are starting to really pick up, it makes me so glad I made it home when I did. Now, for me to finally look at all of the new belongings that Shizen provided me with.
Another yawn escapes from the tired young woman, but was shook off by her determination to stay up a while longer. Standing from her cozy spot in front of the fire, she walked over to grab the basket, to then quickly return back to her warm seat. The onyx robe sat neatly on top of everything and was the first item she pulled from her basket, laying it next to her to inspect it in full detail momentarily. One item at a time was removed out of her basket, until she pulled out a few rolled up rice paper scrolls that provided much importance. These scrolls held details for medicines and other information that Shizen felt it was important to pass on to Rin, in which she began immediately scanning through.
A while had passed as she was deeply engaged in the knowledge that she held in her hands. Tired eyes read through the many recipes that would allow the young apprentice to create new medicines, hoping to cure the villagers of illnesses, but was especially concerned with Lady Kaede's condition. Her yawning was becoming more and more insistent, but wanted to closely examine the robe before retiring for the evening, so she carefully rolled up the scrolls and reached for the magical material. The softness of it was equivalent to that of animal fur, and yet light as a feather when she put it on. Inspecting the depth of the robes color, she was awestruck by how material can sparkle though, being so extremely dark, it seemed almost as if she was staring directly into the night sky.
Standing there with the robe tied closed, it appeared to be as simple as a yukata with an oversized hood attached, in which she placed the hood upon her head and continued on with admiring the softness of this unique and beautiful gift from the Leopard demoness. Unexpectedly, the chocolate eyed woman noticed her body began to feel extremely warm with a tingling type of sensation all over.
"How is it suddenly so warm in here??"
She spoke just above a whisper.
Looking at her arms that she held out in length, there was no detection of anything that could cause such an effect; her bare heels spun quickly to face the fire to see how the temperature could increase so instantly. Suddenly, the robe's sparkles began to emanate a bright white light from them.
"Uh…What's… What's happening???"
The young woman felt afraid at that moment, unsure of what was happening, so in a panic, began immediately untying the thick string that was used to close the material. Lithe fingers were moving as quickly as they were able to, removing the robe completely from her body. Feeling her heart about to explode from her chest with the rate and force it was beating at, she stood there for a moment slightly shaken and breathing hard, holding this magical robe in a tight fist close to her eyes to see what would cause it to act in such a way. There was nothing.
Shizen never said anything about lights coming from this! Maybe…. Maybe my eyes are playing tricks on me, because I do not see anything... I am tired after all, I think it is time for bed now. I will inspect this another time when I am not so tired.
She began to doubt herself, that everything was only in her mind due to the exhaustion she felt, deciding that she had done enough and began to fold the robe, setting it in her wooden chest where she kept all of her kimonos. After placing the robe in a safe location, her eyes were captured by the brown paper package that held the new kimono Lord Sesshomaru had sent to her before his return home. Her gaze became fixed, which took her thoughts right back to thinking of the Lord of the West.
"Lord Sesshomaru…" The young woman whispered.
Another yawn escaped the tired female, turning towards her vacant futon. She felt long overdue for a good night's rest and dove right on top of her futon.
"What a strange day today has been. Good night world."
The Lord of the West gazed out into the night sky that filled itself with tiny sparkles of light that shone through the thick puffy light grey clouds as they floated by; his mind reminiscing over the events that took place that evening. Rin's growth was a drastic change to him, she was just a young girl when he ventured abroad, and did not expect to come back to find her fully grown into adulthood. Visions in his mind of her running through fields of colorful flowers laughing and carefree, but in the same instant, images of the curves that frame her body, the color and length of her hair, take over his thoughts. He could not help but feel pulled into her chocolate gaze when their eyes met, such strength and confidence they held of an experienced warrior, but with the youthful innocence that only Rin could possess. He is completely intrigued by this new Rin, but Inuyasha's words still strongly plagued his thoughts about Rin being pursued by a demon named Tsukuyomaru, for his wife. For some unknown reason this information really bothered Sesshomaru but he just could not figure out as to why.
She is not a child anymore and if she chooses to be courted by this demon who wants her as his life mate, then I will not stand in the way of their courtship. I will wait for her to bring up this matter when she is ready to. As for this other demon, I need to make him very aware of my presence around Rin.
The demon Lord shook his head and a deep sigh came from his nostrils, this is an unexpected situation he did not foresee coming. He has only wanted nothing but happiness for Rin, as she had always shown to him when she was a child, but his mind began pondering of this other demon that would be responsible for her safety and happiness. This potential male that would mate her, would be the only one to see her bright sunny smiles and experience each day the soothing melodic sounds of her laughter. Golden spheres melted into pools of fire when the demon Lord thought about any male touching her.. Intimately. That very thought caused Sesshomaru to growl menacingly low; sizzling sounds with a distinct metallic smell of melting earth were caused by the poisonous acid that dripped from his deadly claws.
The angered demon Lord closed his fiery glare, inhaling a deep breath of the crisp air, making sure his senses were locked in on Rin's floral scent. Even after all of these years apart, the girl, (actually the woman now), being near him, still holds the same ability to calm his raging demon and give him a sense of peacefulness. In that meditative moment, a strong gust blew right through Sesshomaru, picking his hair up almost in a whirlwind, sending an unusual cold chill that pierced deep into his bones.
With his pristine Inu hearing, he heard someone speaking his name.
"Lord Sesshomaru.."
The voice was as soft as a whisper but feminine.. ….Like Rin.
His head shot towards the direction of the village.
"Hmmn?"
What is this aura I sense?
Sesshomaru stood from the position he had been comfortably resting in since he departed from the human village, and began to pace back in the direction of Rin's hut. His mind was completely focused on only one person right now and he needed to check on her wellbeing and figure out the source of this incredible power that came from that very same direction. There was definitely a storm approaching these lands, but that wind was speaking specifically at the Lord of the West and he needed to figure out the source of this possible new threat.
Landing at the entrance of the hut that was occupied by Rin and the old Priestess, the demon Lord could pick up both women's scent and hear their calm breathing as they both slept soundly. Making sure to lower his yoki and not cause any unwanted attention being drawn towards him while he snuck inside the hut unnoticed, he immediately could detect the sickness that was soon going to be the cause of the old woman's demise. Her spiritual priestess powers have nearly waned, therefore she would not have been able to sense his demonic energy nearing, but now see's that Rin possesses the ability after his encounter with her a few hours before. He gazed towards the right, the old woman in deep sleep on her futon, wreaking with the stench of an approaching death.
The Priestess is surely to parish soon. Her spiritual powers have nearly diminished as well.
Not giving in to any more thoughts on the old woman, the demon Lord proceeded left, in the direction he knew Rin was. Quietly closing the shoji door shut, glowing amber orbs scanned the room for a moment to familiarize himself with the surroundings of Rin's personal space. She still kept in her possession everything that had been gifted to her from the demon Lord throughout the years, causing his pride to swell knowing she utilized every single item he sent to her. He removed Bakusaiga and Tensseiga from his yellow heko-obi, leaning them against the wall near the shoji door and proceeded towards his sleeping ward. His footing was stopped dead in their tracks- glittering golden pools began to glow once they graced upon the most breathtaking sight ever seen in all of the dog demon's longevity. Sesshomaru was convinced his eyes and breath were captured by what appeared to be an ethereal goddess sleeping peacefully. Waving tides of obsidian flowed like fluid from every direction around her body, her fair porcelain skin accented her smooth roseate lips. He was frozen and breathless, staring at his ward, unsettled by these new and complicated feelings he was experiencing.
"Lord Sesshomaru…"
He was slightly taken aback for a moment, almost believing that he was caught when he heard her call out his name. Observing his ward's breathing patterns and expression on her face, he was certain she was in a deep slumber.
Hmmm… She still calls out to me in her sleep.
Blushing of his cheeks and slight grin appeared on his face, but only for a mere second and was quickly gone before any eyes were able to capture his appearance. He knelt down next to her, taking in every one of her distinct and individual features without her being aware of his closeness and piercing gaze. Draped over her pale exposed shoulder was a thick lock of her midnight sky hair, which the demon Lord picked up in between his clawed forefinger and thumb. Feeling the smooth and softness of the beautiful strand, then gently laid it back upon her shoulder. He swallowed a lump that was lodged in his throat when he looked at her exposed skin and noticed his heart began beating rapidly inside his chest.
"..Please don't leave me again.. Please do not go.."
The demon Lord peered at one of the corners of her eye, a tear ran down her cheek, but before it was able to fall from her skin, his clawed finger caught the single salty tear, wiping the moisture from her soft smooth skin.
"Do not cry."
The demon Lord spoke just above a whisper.
Rin's tears suddenly ceased and her glossy pink lips curved upward but only for a quick second, it being just enough for the demon Lord to see. He continued to gaze at her from head to toe, still intrigued by her elegant transformation and the overwhelmingly magnetic force he felt inside of himself when being near her at that moment, again causing his heart to pound hard against his chest. He stood up from his kneeling position, amber eyes never leaving the sight of Rin's sleeping form, but deciding that he must continue on with his search for that power he sensed a short while ago. The dog demon truly did not want to leave her side, but knew the source to that power must be located as soon as possible.
I felt that incredible power near here, but now it's gone. Hmmm... I must keep searching now that I know Rin is safe.
Before his exit, he turns one last time to take in the beautiful sight of Rin sleeping, capturing the image in his mind like a painting that only he holds for all of eternity.