"Inuyasha, have you seen Rin?"
The white-haired demon's ears twitched as the old priestess came up behind him.
"Keh! No, but if you're wondering where she is, just follow her scent to the woods."
What does he think I am, a dog? Kaede thought tritely.
"Why do you ask, Kaede?" said Kagome, who was hanging up clothes to dry. "Oh! What a lovely kimono! Is that from big brother?"
Kaede held a beautiful ivory kimono in her arms. The flowers embroidered onto it were cherry blossoms, Rin's favorite.
Inuyasha shook his head, disturbed every time his wife referred to Sesshomaru by that title.
"Don't worry," said Inuyasha, "His scent is near hers. She's safe."
Kagome placed a hand on Kaede's shoulder. "It is almost time for her to choose."
"She should stay here," Inuyasha interjected. "It isn't safe for a human out there."
Kagome rolled her eyes, "Like it was safe when I was traveling with you all those years ago?"
Inuyasha turned red, reminded of all the times he had put Kagome's life in danger, "Keh! You had your powers and even then, there were many close calls. Rin is an ordinary girl."
Kagome's eyes softened as she saw through her husband.
"Rin is stronger than you think," said Kaede and there was great sadness in her voice, "She's not scared of anything."
Kagome and Inuyasha merely looked at the old priestess, bewildered by what she meant.
~END SCENE~
Feelings. They had snuck up on him. Somehow, a human had taught him how to care. But, to him, Rin had never been an ordinary human. She was honorable, selfless, resilient, and brave, qualities most demons didn't even have. Even though she was a human and he was a demon, they had always shared a connection, a mutual understanding that surpassed words. It was something he was grateful for since he didn't take pleasure in pointless conversation.
He wasn't sure when his feelings for her started to change. He had always seen himself as her protector, which was why he had thought it was best for her to live amongst humans in the care of that priestess, Kaede. If she still wanted to travel with him after living with humans, then he could be rest assured in her choice. So long as she was happy and safe, that was all that mattered.
However, he had grown to care for her in other ways that would complicate their companionship.
"You are so beautiful, my lady! I have loved you for so long! Please, end my agony by becoming my wife!"
Kaede, Inuyasha, and Kagome were watching shamelessly from a window inside the hut.
Sesshomaru waited with bated breath for Rin's response.
"Lord Tomoya, forgive me. I humbly cannot accept."
The young lord's hands gripped hers even tighter as he sputtered, "W – why not?"
"Well…" said Rin, looking up in deep thought, "Right now, I don't want to be anybody's wife!"
Sesshomaru smirked at her matter-of-fact answer. But his frown quickly returned when the young lord continued to insist.
"Just walk away now, Tomoya," chuckled Inuyasha, "While you still have some dignity."
"Shh, Inuyasha!" whispered Kagome.
"Please, my lady," Lord Tomoya brought her closer to him, "What can I do to change your mind?"
"You heard the young lady."
Sesshomaru had emerged from the woods where he had been watching this exchange and he was now next to Rin.
"Lord Sesshomaru!" exclaimed Rin, her face lighting up at his presence.
The color drained from Lord Tomoya's face and he quickly released Rin's hands.
"A demon! Do you know this demon, Rin?" he stammered, falling to the ground.
"Why, yes!" Rin giggled, "Lord Sesshomaru, this is Lord Tomoya. Lord Tomoya, Lord Sesshomaru."
"Nice to… meet you… Well, I better be off!"
That foolish lord never returned. Sesshomaru had been taken aback by his own feelings at that time. Where were these possessive feelings coming from? Rin did not belong to him. But, one day, she would belong to someone. The thought made him most melancholy as he realized even if she chose him, she could fall in love with another human on their adventures and leave.
Eventually, he grew resigned to this fact until he realized her feelings for him had begun to change. She had been out chopping wood, which for him, was an idle task. He was bored, until a gentle breeze blew, and he caught whiff of her scent, only this time it was different. He turned to look at her and the scent grew stronger. Was he the one causing her scent to change? It was desire he smelled on her. Curious, he took several steps closer to her. Her face became flushed, and he got the confirmation he was looking for. He closed his eyes, allowing his senses to become engulfed. The two of them were so close his demonic ears could hear her heartbeat quicken. Luckily, Jaken had shown up and effectively brought them both back to reality.
"Lord Sesshomaru?"
He snapped out of his daydream. "Yes, Rin."
They were in the woods, now in the present, only this time she was gathering medicinal herbs and flowers.
She was looking at the flowers, "Do you… remember that day?"
"What about it?" he said, not sure why she was bringing up the day he resurrected her.
She smiled, as if happy that he had understood her meaning.
"Why did you bring me back from the netherworld?"
He remained silent, not knowing how to answer.
"Tensaiga wanted me to," he finally said.
"Oh, yes," she said hollowly, dropping the flowers, "Of course, that makes sense!"
She reached down to retrieve the fallen stems, but he beat her to it. He placed them back in her hands and leaned forward so that his mouth was next to her ear.
"And…"
His lips brushed against her ear as he whispered into it. He was rewarded with a smile and that alluring scent of hers.
~END SCENE~
Because I wanted to see your smile again…
Rin blushed every time she thought of that autumn day. She wanted to see Lord Sesshomaru again. He had been absent this past winter. It was springtime now. Was he alright?
The village was awfully quiet. Weeks ago, Lord Inuyasha, Lady Kagome, and Lord Miroku had gone off to vanquish an evil sorceress. She wondered if Lord Sesshomaru and Master Jaken had joined them.
She heard a twig snap and quickly spun around. It was a demon. At first, she was scared but she quickly noticed the scratches on its body. And even though its large, white fangs were out, it was merely gazing at her. It looked like a dog demon… Wait. She finally noticed the crescent moon on its forehead.
"Lord Sesshomaru?"
The great dog demon lifted his paw and underneath them was a bouquet of red and white sakura flowers. He then bowed his head in front of her.
She smiled and ran over to pick them up. "Thank you, my lord!"
Even in his demon form, he was still beautiful.
She slowly reached out and placed a hand gingerly on his nose, "Lord Sesshomaru, are you hurt?"
He inched closer and nuzzled her face with his nose. She giggled, leaning into him. "Oh my lord, I'm so glad you're okay."
~END SCENE~
"Rin! Where have you been!"
Kaede ran out into the morning dew and placed a shawl over the young girl coming out from the woods.
"Thank you, Granny Kaede. I'm sorry for worrying you, but I was just with Lord Sesshomaru."
Kaede gaped as Rin ran into the hut. She was out all night with Sesshomaru?
Rin was placing flowers into a vase when Kaede walked into the hut.
"So… what were you doing all night with Lord Sesshomaru?" She winced as she had not meant for it to come out like that.
"We slept under the stars," Rin said wistfully.
Oh thank the gods, Kaede thought.
"He's more relaxed in his true form."
Kaede sat down as she grappled with the implications of what Rin had told her.
"Granny Kaede, is everything okay?"
"Oh nothing, child. Just these old bones cracking in the cold."
Rin smiled and turned to face the fire. It was a magical night. She wished she never had to leave.
~END SCENE~
"You can't hide anything from me, Sesshomaru. I can see what it is you desire. Or rather, who," the evil sorceress had cackled, "There is nothing but pain for that mortal girl if you two are together. Only tragedy awaits the love between a human and a demon. Just look at your father."
"Silence, witch," he said, his face emotionless.
"Come now," she flew to his side and rubbed her body up against his, "That human isn't here, but I am. Why don't you let me fulfill your needs?"
His eyes glowed red as he raised Bakusaiga at her.
He could still smell that demon sorceress on him. He had taken off after the battle, still in his demonic form, to find Rin. She looked as gorgeous as ever, meandering through the woods on her way home. He had only intended to see her and to drown out the sorceress's stench, but they had ended up sleeping together.
What was he thinking? Well, truth be told, he needed to see Rin. He needed to be with her. He had made sure she was warm the whole night, wrapping his fur securely around her. It was innocent enough. She probably thought nothing of it.
"Lord Sesshomaru, I want you to have this."
They were parting ways. He had resumed his human form.
Rin reached into her hair and pulled out the comb that had been holding it in place. He watched as her hair fell gracefully onto her shoulders.
"So that a part of me will always be with you."
He took her hand in his. "I won't forget you, Rin. You're here," he said, placing her hand on his temple. "And here," and then over his heart.
And then he was gone.
~END SCENE~