Title: Grilled Kid -- or Not
Author: CrystalTokyoPrincess
Chapter Rating: PG (possible violence!)
Summary: Jaken muses on the changes in his master and begrudgingly muses over his own feelings for the human child Rin.
Author's Notes: Spoilers for later episodes and volumes! This begins my series of outsiders-looking-in stories.
Pairings: Sesshoumaru/Rin (though, not romantic)
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That dratted child. Why him?
Hidden behind a patch of shrubbery, Jaken leaned heavily upon the Staff of Heads for support. Beads of sweat dotted his forehead and he panted, slowly regaining his breath and his senses.
After a few moments he glanced up, quickly looking from side to side before sinking to the ground in complete and utter relief. He had escaped the child's intolerable presence and infernal questions. Not to mention, Rin still hadn't realized that he, Jaken, was not a toy.
It was quite annoying.
Jaken sighed and then...his attention turned from the ground to the staff he held in his hands, the staff holding him up. Could he use it against her? Hmm.
Perhaps he could. His beloved Sesshoumaru-sama would be free of whatever bonds tied him to the dratted human child. His beloved Sesshoumaru-sama had changed vastly since the child had begun tagging along; yes, Sesshoumaru-sama certainly had changed. Not for the better, either, thought Jaken.
To love a human, that was a weakness. Sesshoumaru-sama had always said so. Always said so.
And yet, the child had rescued Sesshoumaru-sama, healed Sesshoumaru-sama. And then there had been changes in Sesshoumaru-sama. These changes were not for the better, thought Jaken.
No, they were not for the better.
He could be thankful for Rin caring for his Lord and Master, but not for the changes in him. Jaken missed the old Sesshoumaru-sama, the Sesshoumaru-sama who loathed humans, the Sesshoumaru-sama who did not do what a human child requested of him.
The Sesshoumaru-sama who did not protect that human child, save her, or bring her back to life.
Rin was his Lord's weakness. Rin would be his Lord's weakness if he continued to care for the child -- for as long as he cared for her. If he could be rid of the child, all would be right again. Sesshoumaru-sama was not so attached to the child that her death would cause more than a moment's discomfort...
Yes, perhaps the loss of the human child would do his master more good than her presence. Perhaps he, Jaken, should use the staff against Rin. Get rid of her. Rid his Lord of her existence!
But...
But...Sesshoumaru-sama would be angry if the child...He would surely...
"Jaken-sama! Jaken-sama!"
Jaken took a quick intake of breath. That dratted child! Perhaps it would be well worth it...perhaps...perhaps... "Jaken-sama? Jaken-sama! Jaken-sama, where are you?!"
Jaken stood and directed the staff towards the direction the human child was coming. Just a few more moments and then... "Jaken-sama! There you are!" said Rin as she enveloped him in a huge hug, lifting him off the ground. Jaken squealed. Rin set him down and backed away, hands behind her back.
Jaken considered the Staff of Heads and set his jaw and his stance.
...but. He let out a sigh. No, he couldn't. Not now, not ever.
"Jaken-sama, you look sick, is there something wrong?" Rin considered him a moment, but before he could answer she grabbed him by the hand and started pulling him towards Aun. "Come on, Jaken-sama!"
That dratted child. Why him?