A/N: Oh hai! It's been awhile. So...every year on my birthday (December 9th) I post a chapter on one of my stories. It's me giving you guys a present even though it's my birthday...yeah confusing, I know. Anyways, it's been one hell of a few months. Illness rattled me, school overwhelmed me, and now I'm on some not so fun drugs with stupid side effects...but enough about me. How are all of you?

Oh and this chapter is in Sesshomaru's POV. Probably one of the few chapters that will be in his POV, so enjoy it while it lasts! :D

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter IV

Curiosity

Her face haunts my dreams every night.

I can remember her tears, silently rolling down her cheeks; her words asking me why but I cannot give her an answer. I cannot speak. It's then the air thins and I can no longer breathe.

And I always awaken to find she is not there, nor will she ever be.

-Sesshomaru

xXx

Eight years earlier.

"Why?"

The question stained Sesshomaru's mind, repeating it over and over like a broken record player. He couldn't help but look at her. She was so fragile, she looked so fragile. He was afraid if he touched her, she would break like one of his grandmother's China dolls. And when she spoke, she spoke with confidence, something Sesshomaru found proud of. Many people spoke with little words, little voice, around him, but this girl spoke like she was something, like she represented something.

It was why he found her so…

"Interesting."

"What?" she said.

Sesshomaru closed his book and stood up, making his way towards her. A small smile landed on his face as he stopped short a foot from her, towering over her petite body. His eyes narrowed when she looked down at the ground and the beast inside of him roared for attention. He placed his finger under her chin and moved it upwards. He moved even closer to her, leaning down towards her face, and spoke softly.

"You...interest me, Rin Mori."

He could tell the girl was growing nervous. It was her heartbeat he had grown so fond of. Still, she kept her stance. He grinned softly, stepping away from her and sitting back down with his book; his eyes remained on the girl's form. She shifted on her feet slightly and his inner beast growled again. Her scent - lilac and rain - overwhelmed him. He had to fight to not take her now.

But he was confused.

Never has he ever had this...feeling. It irritated him. But it also made him curious to research it more. He wanted to know how long until his beast couldn't be maintained no longer. He wanted to stick it with needles and see how much pressure it could handle. And this girl...would be able to assist him in his research.

"Rin, you are allowed to sit down," he spoke softly.

And slowly the girl did so, sitting opposite of him. He watched her eye things around the room. Sculptures, paintings, the fireplace a few times, it was all in a patterned action. The way she sat too, nervous still, but with her back straight, her head held high; the girl….

She kept eyes one painting behind him in pedicular. An old painting of a woman and a white, giant dog circling her like a wall.

"Do you like it?"

She blinked. "What?"

"The painting. I see you're eyeing the painting behind me."

She raised an eyebrow. "I could be just looking at you."

He shut his eyes for a moment. "If you were looking at me, your actions would be more timid." He stood up and held out his hand, waiting for her. "Come."

Her hand was soft in his. Warm to the touch. A zap of energy rolled through his body when the tips of the fingers first contacted his palm. His beast growled again and he breathed.

He walked her over, stopping short of the painting."This painting has been in my family for centuries. It tells a story about love and about loss," he said.

"A tragic romance...like Romeo and Juliet."

"It's older than any Shakespeare romance. You see, Rin. This story is true. Do you recognize any of these two figures in this painting."

"Should I?"

"Perhaps not and perhaps so. The woman is long gone. But the white dog, you just happened to meet him a little while ago in his study."

"Mr. Takahashi...your father," she spoke, her voice coming out in small breaths of air. "How old is this painting?"

"Well into the eight hundreds."

"Years?" He nodded. "I had no idea...I mean, I knew dog demons could live for a long period of time, but I never thought this long. How old does that make you?"

He looked down at her, catching her eyes with his. They stood there silently for a moment before his mouth turned up slightly. "How old do you think I am, Rin?"

"I don't know. I know you're not the same age as me or any high schooler."

He chuckled lightly. "No, perhaps I'm not. As such, I am still able to attend school. Let's just say, I've lived as long as this painting."

A small gasp hit Sesshomaru's ears. "That old? Then why are you going to school?"

"Boredom. This century has turned out to be a very dull one. There isn't much to do."

"Oh, I see." A pause. "Can I ask who this woman is then?"

"This woman was my father's wife."

"So...she was your mother? But she's...I mean, she looks human."

"You are correct. She was human. But she was not my mother. This woman was Princess Izayoi of the West and she was Inuyasha's mother."

"Inuyasha? Your... where's your mother?...eh, sorry I shouldn't be so...forward."

"It's fine, Rin. You may ask me anything you desire. My mother happens to be still alive... unfortunately. Inuyasha's mother died when she gave birth to him. Too much blood loss, I believe. My father did everything he could, but she could not be saved. Even Tensaiga, a sword made for healing, could not revive her. This was when he realized, Tensaiga could only bring back a person once. Since he brought her back when they first encountered each other, he could not repeat his actions a second time."

"Only once? So does that mean…"

"Yes, it means if you die again, I will not be able to save you." He looked back down at her, his eyes softly staring into hers.

"But why save me the first time around?"

"Do you not value your life?"

She looked away, crossing her arms. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at her, wondering what life meant to her. This was the first time he had ever used Tensaiga, let alone on a fragile mortal girl. She should be on her hands and knees thanking him, not asking him the same ridiculous question again. It made his blood boil over.

What was this girl? Why did she seem to act and speak so casually towards him in the first place? He didn't understand any of these mixed emotions he had. One part of him wanted to rip her apart from being so narrow minded and foolish, and another wanted to take her into his arms, mark her for his own, and protect her forever. He looked back at the painting…

"My life…" she started, bringing Sesshomaru's attention back to her. "My life is nothing."

"Every life has a meaning."

"I find no meaning behind it. I wake up everyday and it's the same. The same cold apartment. The same nasty landlord. The same nightmares in my head." She looked up at him. "You should've left me dead. Then you wouldn't have to worry about me being a nuisance."

And when she turned from him, he snapped.

In seconds, he had taken her shoulders, thrown her on the couch, and pinned her under him. His glaring eyes dug deep into hers, searching her soul for answers.

"You fool of a girl! Do you regret it then? Do you wish for death that much?"

She was scared. Sesshomaru could see the fear in her eyes. Her rapid breathing and heartbeat. He didn't understand humans...he didn't understand her…

"You listen well, girl. Life has meaning. You may be human, but even in your short life-span you have a reason to go forward. However," he placed his claw to her gular, "if you wish to die so badly, I can end it right here, right now."

The fear in her eyes disappeared and it was replaced by tears. "Why did you bring me back? Out of everyone in the world that is dying, how can I be important to you?"

He froze and pulled his claw back, taking a hold of her wrist again. "I answered this already. But if you wish for more…" he leaned down close to her ear and whispered. "curiosity. You're doing something to me, Rin, and I want to know why. You are human, yes, but there is something about you...something that makes me want more."

He could hear her heart beat faster. "You shouldn't bother with me. I'll only drag you down."

"You're wrong," he looked back into her eyes. "You mean more to me than you will ever know."

"How can I mean so much to you if you barely know who I am?" Sesshomaru's eyes widened slightly at her sudden harsh tone. "You don't know what I've been through. You don't know what my life has been like, what I've seen. You know nothing."

She pushed him away as hard as she could. He could've easily overpowered her, but she was angry, he could see it radiating off of her body in waves. Her eyes held a dark past, one that Sesshomaru wanted to know. But would she tell him?

"I do thank you for saving my life, but it doesn't mean you automatically can do what you want with me. I don't belong to anyone. I am human, not some throwaway mouse. I'm not some experiment for your own game."

"Then why come to me as well? I see you looking at me around school. Why?"

"I came to you because... maybe I was curious too, I don't know. I'm still trying to figure that out."

"We are on the same page then. I am only trying to figure you out. I am not someone who admires humans, Rin. You must understand I despise them and would rather rid the world of them without a second thought. But you…" he growled low. "...I don't understand you."

She looked at her lap and bit her lip. "I guess we are on the same page after all."

Sesshomaru held back the urge to pin her again and taste those lips. But the girl and him were already in a tight position, he didn't want to make it worse.

"I should go…" She stood up, and Sesshomaru followed.

Shortly after arriving at the main entrance, she turned towards him. Before she was about to say something, another voice echoed from behind Sesshomaru. He didn't have to turn to know who it was.

"Father," he announced.

"Sesshomaru...ah, Rin, right? Are you leaving?"

She nodded. "Yes, sir. I just want to thank you again for your hospitality."

"It's no problem at all, but won't you stay for dinner at least."

Sesshomaru kept watching her. She was hesitant, but gave his father a smile. "No, I really must go. I have...homework that needs to be completed."

"Of course, but you have to join us for a gala this Friday night. It's our welcome into this amazing city, and we would love to have you come. You can be Sesshomaru's date!"

Sesshomaru snapped his head to his father.

"Right, Sesshomaru?"

He glared at him silently.

"I...can't," Rin said slowly. Sesshomaru moved back to her. "I'm sorry, I've got plans already."

"No worries. Another time then." He opened the door for her. "Let us at least take you home. A car is already waiting in the driveway for you. He can take you anywhere you like."

Rin bowed. "Thank you." She looked at Sesshomaru. "I'll see you at school."

He nodded and she disappeared behind the door.

His father let out a loud sigh. "Interesting girl. She seems nice though."

"No, she isn't," he said quietly. "But, she makes me curious."

Curious indeed.

Anddddddd Review! ^_^ Because it's my birthday...and birthday reviews are always very nice.

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