Chapter Four
'We're getting closer and closer to Inuyasha's home and Lord Sesshoumaru seems to be getting more distant. I wonder how he's going to handle seeing his brother after all these years.'
Rin sighed and looked up to the moon and the dark clouds that were forming. Before becoming his pup she used to be scared of the night and thunderstorms. The first couple of nights under the royal demon's care had been filled with terror with all the sounds that darkness produced, until Lord Sesshoumaru took care of that.
~*Flashback*~
"Rin what are you still doing up?"
The child looked over at her lord who she thought was quietly sleeping with his back against a tree. She hadn't been with him long but she figured that he wouldn't like her very much if she told him that the thunder was keeping her up. That and she was scared of the night because it was dark and that's when monster's came and ate children. At least that's what the boys in the village, where she once lived had, told her.
The demon lord studied the child and noticed that she shivered a bit. She couldn't be cold, it was a warm night. He looked in her soft brown eyes and was surprised to see fear lying there. Before it could register that he was standing up in her young mind he was already by her side. He turned his expressionless eyes to her and said softly but loud enough for her human ears to pick up, "If you don't tell me what's frightening you then I can't do anything about it."
Rin played with the end of her kimono and made a small noise. "Rin doesn't like the dark very much.... That's when monster's come out and eat girls like Rin. Also Rin hates...."
Her explanation died in her mouth as a loud clap of thunder was heard. Quickly she buried her face in her hands and gave a small whimper. Now she'd done it. Lord Sesshoumaru wasn't going to let her stay with him now. He didn't like humans and humans that were scared of the night and thunder were probably worse than most.
He would send her away because she was a stupid weak human! Tears filled her eyes and she felt her little body start to shake. She had only been with him for a few weeks and sure Jaken wasn't very nice to her but being with the two of them was her home. If he sent her away then she'd have to be alone again. Or worse with more humans that were meaner than Jaken.
"I used to travel with my father as a small pup. When we would set up camp for the night he used to tell me that the thunder was merely our ancestors reminding us that they were never far away. They're always talking to us."
She looked up at him with tear filled eyes, "Why do they sound so angry?"
His golden eyes shut close as he reminded himself that she was a human pup. When he had been a pup he didn't ask any questions once given the thunder explanation. "They're not angry Rin. They're only loud so they can catch our attention. We tend to forget about them and everything they stood for so every once and awhile. They remind us of their constant presence."
"So is that Rin's family talking to her?"
For a brief moment his expression of indifference almost faltered. Even though she had only been with him for a few short weeks it had been easy to forget that she was indeed human and had once had a life before him. He made a small noise in his throat before answering, "I suppose."
A genuine smile devoured her once frightened face. She crawled into his lap and wrapped her arms around his pale neck while nuzzling her face into his fluffy tail. "Rin think my family sent you to chase away all the monsters and bad people that hurt Rin. Rin is very happy now that you and Jaken take care of me."
He in turn brought her closer and stared at the fire as her breathing fell into a steady pattern.
~*End Flashback*~
"Jaken collect some firewood and set up camp. Do not disturb us. I wish to talk to Rin alone."
The little imp stuttered his reply but he was not heard. The handsome demon lord had already began to lead his charge to a large tree where he sat down and leaned against it. Without a word she followed her lord and carefully sat down in front of him.
He ran his right hand through his long silver mane and glanced at her before turning his eyes to the endless sky. His stupid little brother's scent lingered in the air. They would reach his home early in the morning. Then he would have to say goodbye to his human.
A growl almost escaped him as that thought forced itself back in his mind. It had been two months since Inuyasha had given his consent for Rin to live with him and they were almost there. He hadn't expected him to agree so quickly. Of all times to listen to his dear older brother Inuyasha had to pick now.
Fear crept into Lord Sesshoumaru and decided that it was an emotion that he did not want to feel often. At first he wondered if the emotion steamed from the thought of his" family" tainting Rin. While she might be full human she was a far cry from one. Her before mentioned education included sword fighting, hand to hand combat, and magic she had learned from older demons that were in debt to him.
His Rin is a cold calculating warrior underneath her sweet disposition if she needed to be. It amazed even him that when she needed to fight her warm brown eyes became as cold as his and only held the desire to kill. Sometimes it was frightening but those eyes were always filled with adoration when looking at him.
No those foul creatures that he was related to wouldn't tainted her. The thought of her actually liking human life is what scared him. He had taught her that humans were nothing but lazy creatures that got in the way. They were all dirty who abused their young because they could.
"You may not become too friendly with them. Remember you will be returning to me so don't get any ideas about staying any longer than I deem necessary."
As his eyes returned from the sky she felt her face grow hot under his gaze. "Yes Lord Sesshoumaru. Will you go see them as well before you leave? Jaken said they had a son that resembles you."
Yes Jaken had been quite excited when reveling this news. A young boy, his nephew no less, that looked like him. Knowing his luck when he had a son he too would like Inuyasha.
The lord was curious about the boy. Without them knowing he had heard Jaken tell Rin that his nephew looked and acted the way he had when he was a pup. That was so long ago. Before his family was ripped apart.
He wanted to see this child. Sesshoumaru had always had a soft spot for children, he was sure that became quite clear when he took Rin in. Though he would still say that she was only an experiment at the time.
Truly he was shocked that she had the courage to go to him when he was injured. Perhaps that's why he tried not to talk to her as harshly as he would to anyone else. He also couldn't ignore the fact that she still tried to help him when she was so hurt. Not only that but when she was in trouble she ran to him, knowing that only he could protect her. When she later began to talk she finally told him the abuse she suffered.
Knowing the things that were done to her by her own kind nearly sent him into a fit. It had taken him back to a time when his father had struck Inuyasha for talking back to an uncle of theirs. Oh how he had cried and screamed, until his adored older brother had arrived.
~*Flashback*~
It was time for his visit to his father's home once again. He hated taking time off from his hunts but his mother wished him to do so.
As he and Jaken drew closer to the castle Sesshoumaru's eyes flashed. He could smell his little brother's blood and tears waving in the air. Leaving his servant behind he quickly made his way to his brother.
In his father's study he found the small pup on the floor wailing and pushing his mother aside. Their father stood in front of them with utter rage flashing in his eyes.
Inuyasha noticed his brother immediately and flung himself I his waiting arms. "Sesshoumaru!"
He caught the small bundle and glared at the two adults. Not wanting to talk to them, as he never did, he glanced at his still wailing brother. "Stop that racket Inuyasha."
Quickly he stopped, remembering his brother's much more sensitive ears. He buried his face in his older brother's robes and tried to stop his tears as he slowly said, "That old man kept staring at me. He wouldn't stop so I told him off! Then Father hit me!"
At this point their father stepped in. "You are to respect your elders as well as your own family. Saying the things you said are not fitting for someone of your station."
"How would he know his station when your bitch keeps him locked up in his rooms? He's a pup but he's completely ignorant of all the things even lower dog demons teach their young. How do you expect him to behave and act like a young lord when he's treated like an ordinary human brat?"
"Sesshoumaru watch your tongue! I will not have my sons act like mutts in my own house!"
The heir snorted, "I wasn't aware I was your son. I assumed I was merely your heir."
The older demon lost his rage and looked sadly at his oldest. "You know that's not true."
"No I don't know that. However this Sesshoumaru will continue your sick charade that you love me as you do your miserable bitch if you never strike my brother again. I agree that he should learn his station but I won't allow that to be beaten into him. Remember Father, I'm only here because my mother wishes it. For her sake, if nothing else, I will take over the western lands when the time comes."
Without another word he carried his brother out of there and into his room. The little pup looked at him with childish worship and jumped around while the older one prepared for dinner. After promising to take him out early tomorrow to explore the forest surrounding their home and telling him of his adventures Sesshoumaru had Jaken take his beloved little brother to prepare for dinner as well.
Once the boy was out of his room he sat on the bed and sighed. He looked around, almost afraid that someone might see him, before he reached into his robe and pulled out a bracelet that once belonged to his cherished mother. The small trinket still held her scent, one of the many things his mother left behind that he couldn't bare to let go. He glanced out the window at the stars, 'I must love you Mother for me to come back here year after year.'
~*End Flashback*~
"I suppose I should. Inuyasha isn't very bright so I feel that I must explain carefully what I expect of him."
Rin smiled at him. She knew what he meant by his comment. Despite her skills he still worried about her and despised the idea of not being around to take care of her. That duty would fall in his brother's hands and Sesshoumaru did not like the idea.
Well if he didn't like it then he should allow her to stay home and make sure that dreadful Lady Astoria didn't get the wrong idea. Rin supposed that she was pretty but she certainly wasn't Lord Sesshoumaru's equal. Had he announced that he was going to marry the demon then she would have left and find a village that would suit her needs. She didn't want to stick around and see him marry.
The demon knew exactly what she was thinking, "Stop thinking about it. We'll find what we seek and send Lady Astoria home."
She looked down and sighed. "Yes Lord Sesshoumaru."
"Rin come here."
The young woman stood and sat close to him. Carefully he let his remaining hand to fall on hers and brought her even closer to him. The two turned to look at each other as the sun slowly set behind them.