"Promises Promises"

By Pixie

Disclaimer: Sigh. Not mine.

Author's Commentary: I have an excuse! Shortly after updating, my computer was broken. It wouldn't even turn on. And then, for only a little while, it was fixed! And then broken again. Just two days ago, I arrived home from another trip and found a new computer. But I really did have an excuse for not updating.

Chapter 15:

Rin smiled as she listened to Sango's story of how she was going to humiliate Miroku. Of course she believed Sango. Kagome as well, looked like she believed her. Miroku still looked dazed. Inu-Yasha looked confused, and Sesshoumaru…well he looked like he always did.

Rin had yet to figure out Sesshoumaru. He seemed like he always had something he wanted to say to her, but he never did. Even after he volunteered to walk her back, he neither said, nor did anything. He was as cool, calm and distant as ever. It made Rin terribly frustrated. Why he couldn't he be more like…Miroku? Well, not more perverted, but more open about his feelings. It frustrated her, the way he always seemed so aloof and the more she wanted to be close to him, the more he pushed her away.

But aloofness didn't seem to be the worst of the problem. From the way Rin saw it, Miroku very much liked Sango. She probably liked him back. But, the fact that he was such a pervert and always trying to feel her (Sango) up, meant that he didn't know she liked him back. The way Rin saw it, this was Miroku's way of being polite. It was twisted, but he didn't want to force his feelings on her.

Inu-Yasha on the other hand, seemed to like Kagome just fine. But from what Kagome told her, he also had another woman, though Kagome wouldn't say who. And he liked her as well. Kagome really REALLY liked Inu-Yasha, but didn't know if she should tell him or not, because of this other woman.

And Kouga seemed to like Kagome, but seemed more interested in doing whatever made her happy.

But Rin liked Sesshoumaru, and she thought Sesshoumaru liked her, there was no one in their way, so why on Earth did he still act that way? But she had no time to ponder that right now as Kouga burst into the room.

"Nar…ku….here…Mir…Inu…Yah….need….you…front…line," the out of breath wolf-demon panted. He pointed at Sesshoumaru and Sango too, indicating that they could probably use their help as well. Inu-Yasha sniffed the air.

"Its going to be a bad battle. I can smell blood already…" He looked over at Kagome and caught her eye and for a moment, his eyes seemed to soften, but it was only a fleeting glance as then he turned away from her.

"Stay here Kagome. Stay hidden." And with those words, he was off, followed by Kouga, Miroku, and Sango.

"Remember their faces Rin. That may be the last time you see them. Inu-Yasha is right, this will be a bad battle." Rin watched them go and turned to see if Kagome had as well. Rin's eyes widened as she saw tears falling softly down her friend's face. Rin slipped out of the room and felt Sesshoumaru following her.

"You're crying." Rin looked up at Sesshoumaru and was surprised to feel that she did indeed have tears.

"I wouldn't want you to die." Rin's voice sounded small, and empty in the hallway. As everyone else was racing off to fight, the hall was empty and Rin heard her voice echo slightly.

"Master Sesshoumaru! Master Sesshoumaru!" The toadish voice of Jaken came echoing down the hall, interrupting Rin yet again. Angry and frustrated she strolled right past Sesshoumaru and kicked the toad into a nearby linen closet and slamming the door. She spun around to see Sesshoumaru standing there.

Uh oh…this isn't going to be-

Her thoughts were suddenly cut off at the feeling of Sesshoumaru's lips against her's. She stumbled backwards, ever so slightly, leaning against the linen closet door, but this didn't seem to throw off Sesshoumaru in the slightest. His kiss was bittersweet, and salty, but perhaps that was just the taste of her tears. He parted his lips ever so slightly, deepening the kiss, but just as Rin was about to, he broke away.

"The air in the linen closet will run out shortly. Perhaps we should let my servant out?" Rin realized they had been leaning against the door of the closet she kicked Jaken in and blushed as their kiss had trapped him inside.

"How can he make a joke at a time like this? My heart is pounding so loud and can hear it in my ears!" But she managed a shaky smile and stepped away from the door. Jaken, who had been pressing up against the door, suddenly fell over when Rin unexpectedly opened the door. He brushed himself off, trying to look dignified.

"And what were you two doing out here anyway!?" He demanded in his toad-like voice. Rin looked away, bright red now, but as always Sesshoumaru kept his cool.

"It is not your place to ask a question Jaken." Jaken looked embarrassed and quickly walked off, mumbling something about going to get armor ready for Sesshoumaru. Sesshoumaru followed, dignified as always, and without a glance back at Rin. Rin smiled, and watched as he left.

"Well, perhaps he and I aren't that bad off afterall.."

But there was still the battle to come.

Author's Commentary: Finally. ^^ I've been planning this moment since the beginning, of Rin finally getting fed up with Jaken and Sesshoumaru kissing her. Wasn't that sweet?