A/N: Did an all nighter with this. Hope you guys like it. Enjoy. Thank you for all the lovely reviews.
Chapter Six
Sesshomaru and Inuyasha stared at their father and Izayoi with much dismay. They wanted to send Rin away! It caused turmoil throughout the family, the brothers against their parents. Sesshomaru disliked the idea of having Rin no longer in his life, and Inuyasha felt the same. The parents wanted the well-being of Rin and thought that a new life for her could help her recover. They argued for an hour or two with some shouting and some walls were punched by fists from the youngest.
"Two weeks," Sesshomaru stated with an authoriative voice among the shouting match between Inuyasha and Inu no Taisho. Inuyasha and Inu no Taisho stopped and looked at the eldest prince with Izayoi staring at his stepson as well. The room was silenced by that one statement.
"What do you mean, Sesshomaru?" Izayoi asked, her voice echoing throughout the quiet room.
"Allow me to take Rin in my travels for two weeks and I will get Rin back to smiling again and return her to being who she once was," Sesshomaru suggested. He wasn't going to let go of Rin without a fight.
"And why should I accept this offer? Have you forgotten Rin is still afraid of you?" Inu no Taisho asked coldly. Sesshomaru glared at his father but went back to his cold facade a second later.
"This Sesshomaru knows of Rin's fear of him, and that is why I want to make amends. Your distaste of me and Rin's change has caused a shift in the castle. And since I am to succeed you, this Sesshomaru wants to correct the damage," Sesshomaru stated as his excuse. He could never truly confess of his true feelings. Silence filled the room once again. Inuyasha growled at his half brother.
"Why can't you just state what you mean, Sesshomaru! This is the reason why Rin would never get close to you! Because you use excuses, it actually pushes Rin away," Inuyasha shouts angrily. His fist shivered from how tightly he clenched it. He just wanted to punch Sesshomaru in the face so much, but he tried to maintain himself. Rin's fear of violence made Inuyasha careful to hide his angered emotions, so Rin wouldn't have another relapse.
"I don't know what you mean, half breed, and do not shout. I am right next to you," Sesshomaru stated.
Before any more damage was done, Inu no Taisho intervened. He looked to Sesshomaru with a sigh and shook his head.
"Your excuse does not convince me, Sesshomaru. Why shall we take this offer?" Inu no Taisho said firmly. Sesshomaru took a step forward to his father. His face was full of determination. And if anybody understood Sesshomaru, they would know he wanted to be close to Rin again and have her back to his side. He needed her warmth and happiness in his cold darkness. Because that is what all he sees now. A dark abyss.
"For Rin and for us. I already failed once, and I will not fail again," Sesshomaru stated, and that is what convinced them, not by his words but Sesshomaru's determination. He truly wanted to right his wrongs.
Rin was confused when the royal household summoned for her. Now, she is standing in front of the Taishos with Kaede and Totosai present inside the room. Rin noticed that Kagura wasn't invited to her relief. Rin didn't really like Kagura all that much. She seemed to have something against Rin, and Rin didn't know what to do but just accept her attacks. After some time, she found herself no longer caring about her mental abuse. Rin just let it be.
"Your Majesties, may this lowly self ask why this lowly self is summoned?" Rin asked, her head tilted to the right slightly. This gesture reminded the royal members as well as Kaede and Totosai of her old self. Every time she did it, it made her look so innocent and cute. Sesshomaru found his heart beat harder against his chest at just one simple gesture.
"Rin, with much thought, Inu no Taisho and I thought of sending you to serve in a household that we trust to help you get away from the nightmares," Izayoi started. Rin's eyes widened at the idea, and it made her panic inside. The castle was her home; and the thought of leaving her home even though she had nightmares, scared her for she only knew how to live in the castle. But truthfully, the place also caused her great pain because everywhere she went she feared Naraku might pop out of nowhere and the darkness and shadows sometimes caused her to take her back to that moment in the dark, dreary dungeon. The thought of living with strangers made Rin fear they will be like Naraku. Everyone noticed her expression, and Inu no Taisho continued before she had a panic attack.
"But instead, Sesshomaru thought of another plan. He is thinking about taking you in his travels for two weeks," Inu no Taisho stated. Rin stopped shivering, but her eyes continued to be wide as her mouth gaped open. Rin didn't know which is worse, live with strangers or travel with Sesshomaru. She didn't understand why they were doing this to her. Rin understood they wanted her well-being, but she tried so hard to get back to normal but she couldn't. Naraku was always there creeping into her mind and make her scared. She wondered how traveling with Sesshomaru could help her when she feared Sesshomaru.
"I understand your fear of Sesshomaru, Rin, but this can be a way for you to get away from all your troubles and for you to find yourself in your journey. But do not worry, Rin, Inuyasha and Jaken will also be your traveling companions," Inu no Taisho stated to comfort her panicked expression. The thought of Inuyasha and Jaken coming along had made Rin let out a breath of relief.
Sesshomaru was unhappy at Rin's expression when she first heard she would travel with Sesshomaru and then how she became relieved that Inuyasha and Jaken would be coming along. Inu no Taisho had added in the idea that Inuyasha and Jaken should travel with them. At first, Sesshomaru had gotten angry and objected against having Inuyasha and Jaken tagging along, but Inu no Taisho made it his point that if he wanted Rin to travel with him then Inuyasha and Jaken must come along. At that point, Sesshomaru reluctantly agreed since he did not want to anger his father any further and because he did not want to miss an opportunity to have Rin by his side even if it were to be temporary.
"But it is your choice, Rin. You have three choices: to stay in the castle, to live in another household, or to travel with Sesshomaru, Inuyasha, and Jaken. We will not force you," Izayoi said softly to the young girl at the mere age of fifteen.
Rin lowered her head in thought for a few minutes before looking up. She looked over at Inu no Taisho and Izayoi. She shook her head with a saddened look. Everyone's breaths had been held in awaiting for Rin's decision. Sesshomaru felt like destroying something to take away the impatience of waiting for Rin's answer.
"May this lowly self have some time to think about her choice. This lowly one shall have her answer tomorrow," Rin stated. Izayoi and Inu no Taisho looked at each other momentarily and then looked at Rin as they nodded in unison after a second later.
Rin bowed her head and excused herself. She left the room normally. But as soon as she was in the hall, she hurriedly fled to her room. She closed the door behind her as she sat on her bed, crying. She didn't know why, but she just felt like crying with no reason at all. Now, she needed to think about the positives and negatives of each choice. But she knew right away, the only negative in traveling with Sesshomaru was traveling with Sesshomaru even though she had Inuyasha and Jaken with her.
Sesshomaru was in his room pacing back and forth in impatience after everyone dispersed to go to their destination after the meeting with Rin. Sesshomaru didn't understand. Rin should have chosen to travel as it was the best choice of the three. Her hesitance to travel with him had hurt Sesshomaru's pride deeply, but the hurt went deeper than his pride. Sadly, he would never know that because he tried to deny it.
His door suddenly flew open, and Sesshomaru growled in anger at who would disturb his thoughts. He stopped when Rin stood at the door staring at him in shock and fear from his angered expression. He inwardly cursed at himself for making Rin fear him once again. She just caught him in the worse possible moment.
"Th-this l-lowly self kn-knocked a few times, but," Rin started, gulping her saliva down her dry throat from her fear of Sesshomaru, "Prince Sesshomaru did not answer. This lowly self was worried for the Prince. Please forgive this lowly self for interrupting whatever Prince Sesshomaru was doing."
Sesshomaru stared at her for a moment. His cool expression returned onto his face. But inside, he felt his heart beat when Rin stated she was worried for him. Nothing made him feel more than that mere statement. If Rin still cared about him, he knew he had a chance. But instead of being kind like a normal person would, he continued with his facade.
"Why are you here, Rin?" Sesshomaru asked. Darn his self pride. Darn his principles.
Rin looked at him sadly but the expression disappeared and a slight smile filled her lips. It wasn't one of her 100-watt smiles she gives, but it was a start for Sesshomaru. He had hoped to see her beautiful bright smile soon. He couldn't get used to her frowns that marred her face.
"This lowly self wants to know why Prince Sesshomaru would want this lowly self to travel with him. This lowly self will get in Prince Sesshomaru's way," Rin stated.
Sesshomaru looked down at Rin, which made Rin shiver. He disliked it when she would shiver from his penetrating stare. Usually, Rin would take it head on with a smile on her face, and he wished that part of her came back to him because he was tired of people fearing him, even Kagura would fear him when he got angry. At least, the old Rin tried to cool him down. But he had to admit, the new Rin did the same as the old Rin. Both parts of this Rin cooled him down for different reasons. One was out of pure peace while the other was something he did not understand. What he didn't know is that feeling he had is the pure fear of losing her.
"Do you think this Sesshomaru cannot handle it? Rin, this Sesshomaru thought you would know not to worry about unnecessary things," Sesshomaru said in his usual cold demeanor yet if anyone listened closely his tone is softer and also a little caring. Rin saw it, but the kindness of Sesshomaru's hurt Rin even deeper for reasons she does not know. Maybe, because she loves him when he is to wed another.
Rin bowed her head in forgiveness.
"Please forgive this lowly one for ever questioning Prince Sesshomaru's power," Rin stated. She looked up at him with her brown orbs staring into his honey colored eyes. Their stare gave a spark in Rin's eyes and so did Sesshomaru's. Sadly, it was cut short when someone entered the room.
Kagura.
Sesshomaru inwardly growled at Kagura for ruining the moment, yet he did not understand why. He chose her as his bride, yet the feeling started to shift of pure annoyance towards her more than anything else. Rin had immediately excused herself and left, which made Sesshomaru watch her walk further away from him and it gave Sesshomaru a foreboding feeling. His attention had been snapped back when Kagura had tried to get his attention by annoyingly calling out his name.
"What do you need, Kagura?" Sesshomaru asked coldly. His eyes still at the door where Rin left.
Kagura crossed her arms and let out a frown towards her husband-to-be. She wasn't going to pout like other ladies did when they didn't get what they want. Kagura wasn't the kind to show such disgusting display.
"I heard you are traveling for two weeks with that mere servant," Kagura said disgustingly, "Why didn't you tell me?" Sesshomaru glared at her, and Kagura couldn't help but wince and shiver. Even though he will be her husband, Kagura couldn't get used to the way he glared or stared at her with those deep penetrating honey-colored eyes. She had to be careful with her words from now on.
"What this Sesshomaru does does not concern you," Sesshomaru stated before he left and not look back.
Rin was in the garden looking at the flowers. She used to love the beauty of the flowers, and she wished to touch them with her hands but couldn't. Because every time she did, it felt like she dirtied such beauty with her hands. Ever since she returned to the castle, she noticed her hands were disgusting. She had calloused fingers and her hands were rough from working as a servant while compared to Kagura's were smooth, pale, and beautiful. Rin was nothing like her, and she would never be like her.
But then again, she didn't want to be like her. Kagura was a cruel person, and she never wanted to be like that. Maybe, that's why Sesshomaru and Kagura fit well. Not only were they of nobility and their looks were heavenly, but they both held pride and hardened expressions as their top priority. They had the same motives. Motives that Rin would not follow. Fear did not earn respect, it only earned just that. Fear.
Sesshomaru had entered the garden to see Rin staring at the flowers sadly. He had noticed Rin was about to pick up a flower but stopped herself. She retracted her hand away and frowned. She had a thoughtful and dazed expression on her face before she sighed and continued her way. Sesshomaru trailed far behind her, watching her every move. How ironic their positions were. Rin used to trail behind him. And now, he is the one trailing behind her. And for some reason, Rin seemed farther away from him with every step she took. And he wonders, is this how Rin felt when she followed him?
Sesshomaru noticed that Rin did not touch any flowers. She merely looked at them with a sad expression and then she looks at her hands for a moment before letting her hands fall to her side. All this time of him following her, Rin did not notice he was behind her. She used to know when Sesshomaru was present without him calling her. She would never fail to notice him or be by his side, yet she wasn't anymore. He missed turning his head to see her smiling and welcoming him with open arms.
"Sesshomaru," he heard her whisper. He whipped his head to look at her, wondering if she finally realized he was right there all along. But instead, he saw Rin squatting down and looked at the flowers before her. She still did not notice Sesshomaru's presence which made Sesshomaru disappointed. "I wonder if it would be best that I was dead."
His heart throbbed painfully against his chest at her whispered statement. The thought of Rin being dead caused his heart to pulsate as if it was ready to jump out of his chest. His stomach twisted into knots. His Rin cannot die. He wouldn't let her, not when he is alive and strong. She cannot die without his permission.
He immediately left Rin behind and went back to his empty room. Glad that Kagura had left. He closed the door and stood there with his back against the door. It was as if time stood still for him for the thought of Rin's statement caused a wreck internally. Losing Rin wasn't an option anymore.
Rin stood in front of Inu no Taisho and Izayoi in the library. She had finally made her decision when she had finished her walk into the garden. She didn't know if it was the right decision, but it was worth giving it a try. She had nothing to lose anyways. When she found out Inu no Taisho and Izayoi were in the library, she let her feet do the walking. And now, she was in front of the King and Queen. She could feel her palms sweating and her heart beating hard against her chest in nervousness.
"Your Majesties, this lowly self has made her decision. This lowly self wishes to travel with Prince Sesshomaru, Inuyasha, and Jaken," Rin stated with a bow. And that was it. And that was the start of a journey.
Will the red string of fate between Rin and Sesshomaru fully break or would it be mended? Only time will tell.