Disclaimer: I do not own and of the characters used in this fan fiction.
To the people who reviewed: Wow.. I mean WOW!! I received 9 reviews for chapter 1on the first day. Thank you all so much. It's great to have people enjoy the sweet little stories that I do. It really is inspiring.
Japanese vocabulary: -sama : respectful title, a little like "lord" Gomen-nasai : sorry as in "I'm sorry" hai : yes houki : demon energy aura Kami : deity Youkai : Demon Tsuzuku : To be continued (It think) Owari : End
Warmth: Chapter 2 -------------------------
As the night wears on, Rin sleeps uneasily, frequently slipping into sickness induced nightmares. But always, Sesshoumaru is there, ready to comfort her and smooth back her sweaty hair. She needs him, and so he is there for her. Presently Rin cries out from a particularly bad dream, waking with a sob that turns into another bout of coughing. Gently Sesshoumaru collects her against his chest to warm her.
Never has Sesshoumaru missed his arm more than right now. His wish to hold Rin against him with both arms is so strong. His little Rin. How it made him grieve to see her suffer. He cares for this little human more than he can admit to himself, but that thought does not occur to him as she lies before him, in pain. Still his emotionless mask remains, even as his heart reaches out to her.
*ba-bump*
The Tenseiga is stirring. From it's place in the pile of discarded armour, it is answering it's Master's unwitting call. Caught up in caring for Rin, Sesshoumaru does not realise how palpable his wish is to see this little girl restored to health. The Tenseiga, as mighty in it's own way as the Tetsuaiga, powered by mercy and love, is waking like it has never done before. The Tenseiga, given to Sesshoumaru by his father, a lesson and gift, an artefact of great strength, though Sesshoumaru does not see it that way. But right now, Sesshoumaru is more like a lost boy than his usual 'heartless Youkai Lord' self.
*ba-bump ba-bump*
It's glow hidden by the sheath, the Tenseiga begins to awaken. Sesshoumaru's eyes narrow as he sees it. Of course, he could lower himself to use the sword. It could heal even death at his command. It is surprising, and somehow discomforting, the way that the sword connects him to this little girl. The sword that seemed such a weak and despicable inheritance. Why must it be that this sword and not his own power can accomplish this task? Again his feelings are becoming conflicted, until he looks at the little girl cradled against him. She is struggling for breath, and feverish. Her spirit feels weak. She is in much pain. The sword will be used.
Sesshoumaru does not move from his close embrace with Rin. Instead he calls Tenseiga to him. It resists. Sesshoumaru's eyes widen in anger and surprise. He calls it more strongly. Again it resists. He is about to unleash some rather interesting magic upon it when he is distracted by Rin's coughing. Suddenly the sword is by his side.
Sesshoumaru prods the sword, finding to his chagrin that it only wishes to be used in one way. It requires that he submit to it and use his love for Rin as the conduit for healing.
Sesshoumaru sneers, why bother with this method of healing when he can restore one's very life by a simple cut of the sword. He reaches for the sword intending to end this struggle in a moment, and a bolt of energy leaps out from it, as though to slap his hand away from the hilt. Sesshoumaru's eye narrow to glowing slits. Tonight is a most frustrating night.
Elsewhere, the shrunken toad demon quietly steals medicine from an unsuspecting town fast asleep, and comes scurrying back to his master, triumphant.
One can almost see the spirit of Sesshoumaru's father hovering over him, carefully instructing him in the ways of the heart as though he is an untested child. Sesshoumaru is nothing if not strong willed, and he will persist until the child is healed. For her part, Rin knows little more than that Sesshoumaru is there, as she drifts in and out of consciousness. She is filled with a feeling of warmth, physically and spiritually in a way that she had almost forgotten. Truly, Sesshoumaru is acting more like a parent caring for a child than a guardian. A guardian who cares this much has long since become family.
Indeed this is one wiley sword. As Sesshoumaru is distracted by his struggle with it, the sword stealthily heals Sesshoumaru's heart, and through it, Rin's heart. Giving both exactly what they need. Love. In Sesshoumaru's case, it is love given, in Rin's, love received.
It is a long night as Sesshoumaru slowly learns his sword. Pride made him learn to use it before tonight. Desperation is forcing him to learn its inner secrets now, in order to heal his little Rin. The sword is suddenly fickle. Nothing but purest intentions will make the sword work it's magic tonight. Sesshoumaru must change approach in order to get more than a trickle of power of Tenseiga. The sword has him where it wants him. But as he learns the secrets it holds, somehow, those same secrets help him shed his frustration, to make him respect the sword, to ask it rather than command it. To work with it towards a mutual goal.
The hours creep by in the long cold dark of the winter night, the blackness perfect save for the line of pale light where the Tenseiga's hilt meets its sheath, and the subtle glow of Sesshoumaru's eyes.
The fire uses it's fuel, and slowly dies down into embers and ash. Still, he will not relinquish his possessive contact with her for even a moment to restock it. Healing her is his goal, his warmth will provide for her, his power will heal her, his alone. How.. childish. Be patient, he is still learning.
Morning dawns, and Rin is healed. Sesshoumaru feels a peculiar form of exhaustion, his emotions drained from the long process of healing. But he feels relaxed, a feeling like nothing he can remember. Peace. A heart at ease. And so he leans back on a boulder and sleeps, with Rin curled up on his stomach, his arm and tail protectively around her. He had never realised before how wonderful the scent of a healthy child was. The fire lies in cold ashes before them, unneeded and unheeded.
And that is how Jaken finds them, dozing in the pale glow of dawn, Sesshoumaru gazing out the cave's entrance and Rin sleeping peacefully, healthy as a proverbial ox. Sesshoumaru's rigid mask of impassivity is gone, his face's current lack of expression caused by complete relaxation, and a feeling of security. Strangely, the night's events have left Sesshoumaru with a new confidence in his strength. How strange that submitting to the Tenseiga allowed him to master it. How strange that he does not care that he has to bow down in order to gain the power of the sword. It could not be confidence in the strength of his healing heart, could it?
As Jaken waddles up, Sesshoumaru spares Jyaken a glance, and shushes him quietly but sternly before once again dozing, apparently alert despite everything that has happened. Absolutely speechless at the way his valiant effort to obtain medicine has been unrewarded and in fact was made moot during the night, Jaken face-faults and stalks off into the forest to take his impotent rage out upon some defenceless trees. Sesshoumaru's smile widens fractionally at that.
Later that day they are back to travelling. Everything is back to normal, Rin is playing and laughing happily, Jaken is indignantly grumbling and Sesshoumaru is silent and stern, practically stalking down the road with his usual fluid grace. But something is a little different too. Before, Rin's joy was like a candle, small and bright, a flickering illumination in the darkness. Now.. now it's like a fire, not only bright but also strong, not easily snuffed. More importantly, it is warm, like the sunlight of spring. And Sesshoumaru is more than content to bask in it.
Sesshoumaru's father knew well that there was much more to becoming the True Master of the Tenseiga. But finally, Sesshoumaru has become its student.
Owari. ----
I hope you enjoyed reading the end of this little fan-fic of mine as much as you did the beginning. Please tell me what you think, and especially tell me of any mistakes, since I'm my own editor.
Note: This half of the story has be fairly heavily editted since it's first publication. When I came back and reread it, it didn't sound so good anymore. I hope you enjoy this version.
To the people who reviewed: Wow.. I mean WOW!! I received 9 reviews for chapter 1on the first day. Thank you all so much. It's great to have people enjoy the sweet little stories that I do. It really is inspiring.
Japanese vocabulary: -sama : respectful title, a little like "lord" Gomen-nasai : sorry as in "I'm sorry" hai : yes houki : demon energy aura Kami : deity Youkai : Demon Tsuzuku : To be continued (It think) Owari : End
Warmth: Chapter 2 -------------------------
As the night wears on, Rin sleeps uneasily, frequently slipping into sickness induced nightmares. But always, Sesshoumaru is there, ready to comfort her and smooth back her sweaty hair. She needs him, and so he is there for her. Presently Rin cries out from a particularly bad dream, waking with a sob that turns into another bout of coughing. Gently Sesshoumaru collects her against his chest to warm her.
Never has Sesshoumaru missed his arm more than right now. His wish to hold Rin against him with both arms is so strong. His little Rin. How it made him grieve to see her suffer. He cares for this little human more than he can admit to himself, but that thought does not occur to him as she lies before him, in pain. Still his emotionless mask remains, even as his heart reaches out to her.
*ba-bump*
The Tenseiga is stirring. From it's place in the pile of discarded armour, it is answering it's Master's unwitting call. Caught up in caring for Rin, Sesshoumaru does not realise how palpable his wish is to see this little girl restored to health. The Tenseiga, as mighty in it's own way as the Tetsuaiga, powered by mercy and love, is waking like it has never done before. The Tenseiga, given to Sesshoumaru by his father, a lesson and gift, an artefact of great strength, though Sesshoumaru does not see it that way. But right now, Sesshoumaru is more like a lost boy than his usual 'heartless Youkai Lord' self.
*ba-bump ba-bump*
It's glow hidden by the sheath, the Tenseiga begins to awaken. Sesshoumaru's eyes narrow as he sees it. Of course, he could lower himself to use the sword. It could heal even death at his command. It is surprising, and somehow discomforting, the way that the sword connects him to this little girl. The sword that seemed such a weak and despicable inheritance. Why must it be that this sword and not his own power can accomplish this task? Again his feelings are becoming conflicted, until he looks at the little girl cradled against him. She is struggling for breath, and feverish. Her spirit feels weak. She is in much pain. The sword will be used.
Sesshoumaru does not move from his close embrace with Rin. Instead he calls Tenseiga to him. It resists. Sesshoumaru's eyes widen in anger and surprise. He calls it more strongly. Again it resists. He is about to unleash some rather interesting magic upon it when he is distracted by Rin's coughing. Suddenly the sword is by his side.
Sesshoumaru prods the sword, finding to his chagrin that it only wishes to be used in one way. It requires that he submit to it and use his love for Rin as the conduit for healing.
Sesshoumaru sneers, why bother with this method of healing when he can restore one's very life by a simple cut of the sword. He reaches for the sword intending to end this struggle in a moment, and a bolt of energy leaps out from it, as though to slap his hand away from the hilt. Sesshoumaru's eye narrow to glowing slits. Tonight is a most frustrating night.
Elsewhere, the shrunken toad demon quietly steals medicine from an unsuspecting town fast asleep, and comes scurrying back to his master, triumphant.
One can almost see the spirit of Sesshoumaru's father hovering over him, carefully instructing him in the ways of the heart as though he is an untested child. Sesshoumaru is nothing if not strong willed, and he will persist until the child is healed. For her part, Rin knows little more than that Sesshoumaru is there, as she drifts in and out of consciousness. She is filled with a feeling of warmth, physically and spiritually in a way that she had almost forgotten. Truly, Sesshoumaru is acting more like a parent caring for a child than a guardian. A guardian who cares this much has long since become family.
Indeed this is one wiley sword. As Sesshoumaru is distracted by his struggle with it, the sword stealthily heals Sesshoumaru's heart, and through it, Rin's heart. Giving both exactly what they need. Love. In Sesshoumaru's case, it is love given, in Rin's, love received.
It is a long night as Sesshoumaru slowly learns his sword. Pride made him learn to use it before tonight. Desperation is forcing him to learn its inner secrets now, in order to heal his little Rin. The sword is suddenly fickle. Nothing but purest intentions will make the sword work it's magic tonight. Sesshoumaru must change approach in order to get more than a trickle of power of Tenseiga. The sword has him where it wants him. But as he learns the secrets it holds, somehow, those same secrets help him shed his frustration, to make him respect the sword, to ask it rather than command it. To work with it towards a mutual goal.
The hours creep by in the long cold dark of the winter night, the blackness perfect save for the line of pale light where the Tenseiga's hilt meets its sheath, and the subtle glow of Sesshoumaru's eyes.
The fire uses it's fuel, and slowly dies down into embers and ash. Still, he will not relinquish his possessive contact with her for even a moment to restock it. Healing her is his goal, his warmth will provide for her, his power will heal her, his alone. How.. childish. Be patient, he is still learning.
Morning dawns, and Rin is healed. Sesshoumaru feels a peculiar form of exhaustion, his emotions drained from the long process of healing. But he feels relaxed, a feeling like nothing he can remember. Peace. A heart at ease. And so he leans back on a boulder and sleeps, with Rin curled up on his stomach, his arm and tail protectively around her. He had never realised before how wonderful the scent of a healthy child was. The fire lies in cold ashes before them, unneeded and unheeded.
And that is how Jaken finds them, dozing in the pale glow of dawn, Sesshoumaru gazing out the cave's entrance and Rin sleeping peacefully, healthy as a proverbial ox. Sesshoumaru's rigid mask of impassivity is gone, his face's current lack of expression caused by complete relaxation, and a feeling of security. Strangely, the night's events have left Sesshoumaru with a new confidence in his strength. How strange that submitting to the Tenseiga allowed him to master it. How strange that he does not care that he has to bow down in order to gain the power of the sword. It could not be confidence in the strength of his healing heart, could it?
As Jaken waddles up, Sesshoumaru spares Jyaken a glance, and shushes him quietly but sternly before once again dozing, apparently alert despite everything that has happened. Absolutely speechless at the way his valiant effort to obtain medicine has been unrewarded and in fact was made moot during the night, Jaken face-faults and stalks off into the forest to take his impotent rage out upon some defenceless trees. Sesshoumaru's smile widens fractionally at that.
Later that day they are back to travelling. Everything is back to normal, Rin is playing and laughing happily, Jaken is indignantly grumbling and Sesshoumaru is silent and stern, practically stalking down the road with his usual fluid grace. But something is a little different too. Before, Rin's joy was like a candle, small and bright, a flickering illumination in the darkness. Now.. now it's like a fire, not only bright but also strong, not easily snuffed. More importantly, it is warm, like the sunlight of spring. And Sesshoumaru is more than content to bask in it.
Sesshoumaru's father knew well that there was much more to becoming the True Master of the Tenseiga. But finally, Sesshoumaru has become its student.
Owari. ----
I hope you enjoyed reading the end of this little fan-fic of mine as much as you did the beginning. Please tell me what you think, and especially tell me of any mistakes, since I'm my own editor.
Note: This half of the story has be fairly heavily editted since it's first publication. When I came back and reread it, it didn't sound so good anymore. I hope you enjoy this version.