*Disclaimer - Takahashi Rumiko is the rightful owner of Inuyasha and all of its characters. Now that I've admitted it, I think I'll go cry now.*
Sequel to "Theft Through Seduction"
"You may deny your fate, but you cannot escape your destiny."
For Rin: Chapter 12 - His Stubbornness
They saw nothing more than a massive blur of red and silver as it sped past the border of the Western Lands. His destination was set and its goal already coming into view. He skidded to a halt at the castle gates, prepared to deal with those that intended to stop him. He withdrew his sword, transformed it to that beautiful fang like shape.
And had his enemies backing down in fear.
Inuyasha stood for a moment, wondering what had just happened. Perhaps it was his towering height or the sharper and longer fangs he just couldn't help but flash. He had changed a lot in twelve years. His hair, still just as silver, matched the length of his brother's. He liked to think Sesshoumaru's poor excuse for guards were afraid of him, so much so that they opened the castle gates for him. Then he realized they were just opening them for Sesshoumaru.
"It seems these men fear the fang that father wielded so well, Inuyasha. But they do not know that they need not fear its current owner. Tell me, did you come here wishing to greet death?"
Inuyasha replaced Tetsusaiga in its sheath, knowing there would be no need to fight. "You want to play insult games as if we were children, go right ahead, but I have a mate to go back to and I am afraid I can't play long."
Inuyasha flung the arrow he held at Sesshoumaru, not at all surprised that he caught it between his fingers. Sesshoumaru merely glanced at it, saying nothing.
"Just thought I should give you something to prove that your mate is alive and well. Though I believe you should keep better track of her."
"That woman is not my mate."
"The mark suggests otherwise. It may not be permanent, but she is still claimed as yours until it fades away. I think you should bring her back here before it completely fades."
"How interesting that you would give me advice about mating, Inuyasha. That woman does not belong to me. You may keep her for all I care."
"Deny her if you like, but know this: You hurt her, so much so that she cries every night. And if that doesn't make you feel bad then hopefully knowing that you have put her in danger does. Those birds that are nesting outside of your lands followed her all the way to my forest and they are probably waiting until the mark fades before they attack. She cries because of you and she will die because of you. You have the power to prevent both. You have kept her this long but is your hate for humans really that deep that you would not make her your mate?"
"If that is all you came to tell me Inuyasha, please escort yourself from my lands."
"Feh, pathetic." Inuyasha turned, walked away. "I guess we can give her to the hoshi's son."
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Rin chased after the small girl named especially after her. Only two years old, she ran as fast as her little legs could carry her. She looked so much like her father that it caused Rin to wonder if her children would look like her. And it made her sad for she wished for children that would have pointy ears atop their heads and baby fangs and claws. But there was only one person that could give such children to her and he wanted nothing to do with her.
So she sat outside Sango's door, rocking the small child to sleep longing to have children of her own with Sesshoumaru and unaware that he was currently watching her.
When Kohaku sat next to her, she reluctantly handed little Rin to him but watched her as closely as though she were the mother. "I still can't believe that you named her after me."
Kohaku smiled at Rin's innocence and modesty. "She exists because I do, and it seemed only fitting that I named her after the person responsible for my existence."
"But Sesshoumaru-sama resurrected you, not me."
"Yes but it was because of your affection for me that he decided to do so. He wanted me dead for what I nearly did when I was being controlled and I sure he was glad to see the shard and life leave my body."
She frowned. "I suppose...I would say that Sesshoumaru-sama isn't as cruel as people think he is but I think I was the one with the wrong impression."
"Sesshoumaru has always cared about you, probably more than he wants to. He just has to accept it."
Rin sighed as Kohaku rose to his feet and wrapped her arms around her legs. "I don't think he will."
"You are far to wonderful to deny Rin, give him time to realize that. Come by for your weapons at sundown, they should finished by then."
"Arigatou, Kohaku. Ja ne."
That kuso, Sesshoumaru thought to himself as he watched Kohaku walk away. He should not have let him live after what he tried to do to Rin. Perhaps it wasn't in Rin's nature to fear what was a threat to her life. Kohaku had tried to kill her, and yet she treated him as though it had never happened. He shouldn't have been surprised that he chased her back to Kohaku. But he hadn't come to see them together, he hadn't come to see her at all.
He had come to see if his brother had been correct about those disgusting birds. They were close by, but not nearly close enough to pose a threat. And since they were not a threat, he had decided to see if he could catch a glimpse of Rin before he returned to his lands. And it was quite a glimpse.
She wasn't dressed as she had been when she left. The kimono she wore was orange with long flowing sleeves and more fabric pooled at her feet. It was decorated with slashes of forest green and held closed with a forest green sash. She wore something at her ears and smelled as though she had bathed in vanilla. Her hair was gathered and tied atop her head, causing her hair to bunch together and form thicker curls.
He hadn't realized she had walked away, hadn't realized he followed her, until she stopped to lean against a large tree. He thought he had imagined it and her striking beauty, but he realized now that she was real as the heart he sometimes forgot he possessed. It beat in tune with hers now, telling him that she looked out of place, that she would always look so if she weren't by his side.
And he realized then that he had missed her at his side.
Without thinking, he stepped forward and into the light, needing her to know that he was there. She froze when she saw him and stared as though he were an illusion. But she held herself together, never showing an ounce of emotion. He of course did the same, unsure of why he had let her see him, unsure of why she showed no joy or any emotion in seeing him, unsure of why their hearts beat so quickly. And it was his uncertainty that had him searching for anything to say.
"Where did you get that kimono?"
Rin sat up straight, wondering if her voice would work and hoping it wouldn't reveal her surprise. "It was a Christmas gift from Kagome."
"I see."
They stared at each other for sometime until Rin spoke up. "You did not come for me."
Sesshoumaru hesitated, wondering why the answer did not seem clear. "No."
Rin stared at him, wondering why she didn't collapse with death. It seemed as though her heart stopped beating and that she was robbed of words as she had been when she was young. So she turned and walked towards the village, consumed with pain and anger and the need to get away. Sunset was upon them and soon her weapons would be finished. She would retrieve them and walk away from everything, with her back to the moon that always reminded her of Sesshoumaru. If it meant she would be away from the pain Sesshoumaru was content upon bringing her, then she would walk until she fell from the face of the earth.
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"Feh, what a baka."
Sesshoumaru turned his head slightly, sparing the eavesdropping Inuyasha a small glance. "Silence, Inuyasha."
"Those birds will probably kill her now, especially since your marking just faded away. Your mate is walking to her death."
"She is not my mate. And I am sure you will save her since it is in your nature to protect every living human."
"If those birds decide to attack, I wouldn't know until the scent of her blood reaches my nose. By the time I get there, it may be too late to save her. Either way it goes, you are letting your mate die."
Inuyasha turned, intending to go back to his home when he caught the scent of blood upon the air. He shook his head slightly, started to turn back to Sesshoumaru. "Smells like they have already-" He cut himself off, realizing he was talking to himself.
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Now that I have moved into the dorms and have finally settled in, I was able to finish this chapter and pretty soon the story. The next chapter will probably be that last!! A climatic ending, let me tell you. But it will be a good one, trust me. I am so very very pleased that you all are like my fic, makes me more certain about my major. Thank you all so much for you reviews! I love you all!!
-~Rabid Anime Gurl