500 Years and Waiting
By swirly87
Author's Notes: Here's the next chapter as requested. I know I don't have that many reviews, but I don't really care. The ones I have are very kind and encouraging. Thank you! I started writing this fanfic as a birthday present to my friend. I'm still writing it and she receives the first hard copy of it each time I'm done with a chapter. Obviously the chapters I will put her will come at a slower pace so don't expect another chapter for at least a couple days or weeks.
*Disclaimer: Sesshoumaru, Rin, and all characters of Inuyasha are the property of Rumiko Takahashi. All characters that are mentioned in this story, but are not part of Inuyasha are either my creations or are characters that have been changed a bit from their respected anime. This includes the characters of Rurouni Kenshin and any other anime that is recognized. *
Chapter 3: Long time no see
Rin woke up to the smell of fresh grass and water. As soon as she woke up, she knew that Sesshoumaru was not there, for Sesshoumaru did not smell like fresh grass or water. She surveyed her surroundings and wondered where her Sesshoumaru-sama was. She then looked at her sleeping companions, Ah-Uh who smelled like grass and Jaken who smelled like water and lily pads. She could barely smell Sesshoumaru's expensive scent of eucalyptus and spearmint. His scent was exquisite, for he bought the eucalyptus leaves and spearmint leaves from overseas ever since his father gave some to him on his 25th birthday. Her own scent was not as expensive, but just as exquisite for she always smelled like flowers. As Rin observed her surroundings, she smelled a hint of sandalwood. If I didn't know any better, I would think this smells like Inuyasha. Thought Rin. She quickly woke up Jaken and Ah-Uh.
"What is it brat?" asked a groggy and grouchy Jaken.
"I think Inuyasha was here and that Sesshoumaru went with him somewhere. Don't you think so, Jaken-sama? I mean, I think Inuyasha's scent lingers around here," explained Rin. Jaken and Ah-Uh both sniffed the area. After sniffing for a few brief seconds, they both looked startled.
"You are right, Rin. Inuyasha was here, but why is it that Ah-Uh and I could not detect him? We are youkai and have a much better sense of smell than you humans," wondered a puzzled Jaken.
"Perhaps that is because we are all so tired, Jaken-sama. I don't think we're in any danger though or else Sesshoumaru-sama wouldn't have just left us here alone. He must have gone with Inuyasha to talk or fight. Don't you agree, Jaken-sama?" asked Rin.
"You're probably correct Rin. But why would Sesshoumaru-sama leave behind his trusted Jaken!?" complained an unhappy Jaken. Rin merely looked away from Jaken, as he muttered about how much more important he was than Rin, when she noticed two small dots coming their way.
"Jaken-sama! Jaken-sama! I think they're coming back now!" exclaimed an excited Rin. Jaken instantly ceased his muttering and looked at the direction where Rin was looking. He saw what Rin saw… two incoming shapes in the sky. One appeared to be a calm, flowing cloud; the other appeared to be a small little white tornado/cloud. As the two shapes became larger and closer, the faces of the two figures slowly emerged. When the two royal inu-youkai landed in the clearing, an excited Rin ran up to Sesshoumaru and hugged him. A surprised and shocked Jaken could only drop his jaw while a smirking Inuyasha could only watch the scene in front of him with amusement. When Rin realized what she was doing, she immediately stopped hugging Sesshoumaru and stepped back.
"Gomen-nasai Sesshoumaru-sama. I forgot my place, but I was just so excited and happy that you came back. When I woke up, you were not there so I kind of panicked even though Jaken and Ah-Uh were there with me," apologized Rin as she slightly bowed her head. Sesshoumaru could only look at her, for he was still kind of surprised by what she had done. He was not mad at all at Rin; in fact, he wished she had not stopped hugging him. He enjoyed her warm embrace and flowery scent. As the shock of her hug faded, he suddenly realized the meaning of the hug. Yet, how was he going to phrase his response to her apology without forbidding future embraces and yet ensuring his dignity?
"We should get going now," replied Sesshoumaru as he started walking towards Inuyasha's home. Rin, Jaken, and Ah-uh instantly followed behind. Inuyasha merely shook his head and grinned at Sesshoumaru's response to Rin's apology before he walked after them.
Inuyasha's Village
"Meow, meow…meeoooarr," meowed a small two-tailed cat youkai.
"What is it, Kirara?" asked a young kitsune youkai. The kawaii kitsune had long orange-red hair tied in a ponytail with a blue ribbon. He wore a large blue shirt with sky blue triangles and large navy blue pants. He also had one of the fluffiest foxtails seen in the land and little fox feet. His eyes were grass green and he had little pointed ears. This youkai, now, was holding the youkai cat that was meowing off at a distance. They were sitting on the fence overlooking Inuyasha's Forest when they noticed a few figures coming out of the forest.
"Oye! Sango! Miroku! Kohaku! I think Inuyasha's back and he has some company with him!" shouted the kitsune as he looked at the distance.
"Who's with him, Shippou-chan?" asked a beautiful young woman with long, black, yet slightly tied up hair. The woman had dark brown eyes and she appeared to have maroon eyeshadow on. She was dressed in a bright flowery kimono and was holding the hand of a 10-year-old girl with black hair, violet eyes, and maroon eyelids.
"I wish you would stop calling me Shippou-chan, Sango, I'm too old to be called that," replied Shippou. Sango merely glared at him before he continued on to answer her question, "The wind is carrying their scent in this direction so I can only rely on my sight right now, but if I didn't know any better, I would think it's Sesshoumaru. I think Rin, Jaken, and Ah-Uh are with him as well, but why would they be here, Sango?"
"I can't imagine why Shippou, but I think we better tell Miroku and Kohaku just the same," replied Sango. She then turned to her eldest child and said, "Sakura-chan, can you please tell your daddy and Uncle Kohaku that we have some company and that mommy needs them here right away?"
"Hai," exclaimed the little girl in a pink kimono before she dashed off with her errand.
"I don't think Sesshoumaru is here to start a fight, Sango," remarked Shippou as he watched Sakura run off.
"I don't think so either, but I would prefer having Miroku and Kohaku to be here when they arrive," responded Sango.
"Years of motherhood and Miroku must have dulled your youkai exterminator skills and made you more dependent on him," said Shippou without thinking. He instantly felt something hit his head before he fell on the floor, his eyes all swirly. An insulted and angry Sango stood behind him with her huge boomerang she had dubbed Hiraikotsu.
"I see that Shippou-chan has picked up another of Inuyasha's bad habit, speaking without thinking," remarked a man with black hair and a small pigtail on the back of his neck. He wore a dark violet kimono and wore small gold earrings. His eyes were violet and he had the boyish look as well as boyish charm about him. The man appeared to be some sort of Buddhist monk because he carried a long, golden staff with large sharp rings. He walked up to Sango and stood besides her. "Sakura-chan told me that you needed me. Who's coming here with Inuyasha?"
"Shippou said that it's Sesshoumaru, Rin, Jaken, and Ah-Uh. I can't tell from this distance though, so we'll have to take his words. What should we do, Miroku?" asked Sango as she stared at the small figures walking their way.
"I think we should prepare for their arrival by cooking dinner. They must be starving. If Inuyasha is showing them the way, they're probably not here to harm anyone especially if Rin is with Sesshoumaru. You know how she's so against violence and how attached Sesshoumaru is to her, even though he'll never admit that," answered Miroku.
"I guess so…" said Sango. Miroku gently kissed her forehead and said, "Don't worry too much about it Sango. Let's go prepare for their arrival."
As the couple walked back into the village, a young man ran in front of them. He wore a black and grey kimono that showed his arms and legs. His black hair was tied up into a ponytail with a white ribbon. Cloth was wrapped on his arms and legs, not for injuries, but for defense. The young man was holding a chained-scythe. He was sweating and appeared to have been working in the crops with the scythe.
"Nee-chan! What's this urgent thing that Sakura-chan told me? Who's coming here with Inuyasha? Where's Shippou-kun?" asked the sweating teenager.
"One question at a time, Kohaku-chan. To answer your questions, we think that Inuyasha is bringing Sesshoumaru, Rin, and Jaken here. Shippou was watching their arrival, but he…um…feel asleep. Kirara is watching him now," answered Sango.
"Rin's coming?! I better go and clean up then. Um…ja ne nee-chan! Miroku onee-san!" exclaimed an excited Kohaku before he dashed off into his house.
"It's so cute how Kohaku still has that crush on Rin," remarked Sango.
"Too bad for him, Sesshoumaru likes her too," replied Miroku. Sango nodded in agreement. Two little kids ran up to the couple as soon as Kohaku had run off. The two children consisted of Sakura holding the hand of a miniature 6-year-old version of her father.
"We're back otousan, okasan. What do you want us to do now?" asked a polite Sakura. Her younger brother merely looked up at his parents and smiled.
"Go inside with your little brother Sakura, please," asked/commanded Sango.
"Hai!" said Sakura as she gently pulled her brother into the wooden house, "Come on, Mirogo. Let's go inside, ok?"
"Let's go in as well Miroku," commented Sango. The two quietly walked behind their children into their home with Sango's head resting on Miroku's shoulder and their arms intertwined.
"How much further is this village of yours, Inuyasha?" asked Sesshoumaru after what has probably been 2 hours since "the hug." The group had been walking endlessly in complete silence.
"Not much further, probably another hour or so at the most. You're not tired are you Sesshoumaru?" teased Inuyasha.
"Of course not, baka, but they are," explained Sesshoumaru. Inuyasha turned around and realized how exhausted Rin, Jaken, and Ah-Uh looked.
"Why are they so tired? It hasn't been that far. Even a normal human shouldn't tire this easily," commented Inuyasha.
"Unlike other people, they have been traveling for the past three days with only one 10 minute break every day and 3 hours of sleep every night," answered Sesshoumaru.
"What were doing to them Sesshoumaru? Were you slave-driving them? No one should travel like that, not even youkai, unless it's a complete emergency like you're in a life or death situation! They're not you or me! What were you thinking?" exclaimed a shocked Inuyasha.
"Your message was…distracting," replied Sesshoumaru.
"It couldn't have pissed you off so much that you would forget about the health of your traveling companions!" retorted Inuyasha. Sesshoumaru did not respond to that, he merely gave Inuyasha a dark look before turning around towards Rin and Jaken. He felt a bit guilty already for tiring and exhausting Rin (he wasn't feeling so bad about Jaken though, for Jaken should have been use to it by now). Having his own pathetic half brother reprimanding him was making him feel even worse. He walked towards Rin and lifted her up from Ah-Uh. He then continued walking beside Inuyasha while carrying Rin. Rin looked quite shocked and looked up at Sesshoumaru. Sesshoumaru merely continued walking and did not glance her way. Inuyasha and Jaken could only stare in shock.
"Um…Sesshoumaru-sama? Why are you carrying me? I could continue riding on Ah-Uh or walk by myself," asked a puzzled and blushing Rin as she looked up at him questioningly.
"Ah-Uh has enough to carry as it is, with all the supplies he is carrying on his back. You are too tired to walk, being the human that you are. As for why I'm carrying you, is there a problem with that?" retorted Sesshoumaru. Rin quickly shook her head and her blush deepened. She looks adorable when she blushes. Thought Sesshoumaru. Inuyasha could only watch and hear the conversation with amusement as he continued to lead the way.
An hour later, the group finally made it to the village. A small group of villagers and youkai came to greet them. Jaken merely nodded at the gathered villagers grumpily before he led Ah-Uh away to a stable. Sesshoumaru and Rin stayed behind to be greeted by the villagers.
"Welcome back Inuyasha! And welcome Sesshoumaru, Rin, Jaken, and Ah-Uh to our village!" welcomed Miroku. Sesshoumaru merely nodded in reply as Rin (who was still being carried) happily exclaimed, "Hi Miroku-kun, Shippou-kun, Sango-san, Kohaku-kun, Sakura-chan, Mirogo-chan, and Kirara! Long time no see. Where's Kouga-kun and Ayame-san?"
"They don't really live in this village. They live near this village with their pack of wolves. They come and visit once in a while to keep in touch," replied Sango. "I haven't seen you in years Rin. You've certainly grown into a beautiful woman. Um…there's something I want to ask you though, why is Sesshoumaru carrying you?"
"Um…well. You see…um…I was really tired and couldn't walk anymore, but Ah-Uh couldn't carry me because he was carrying a lot of supplies. So instead, Sesshoumaru-sama decided to carry me, replied an embarrassed, nervous, and blushing Rin. After her answer though, she quickly jumped out of Sesshoumaru's arms and said, "But I'm not tired anymore."
Kohaku and Shippou eagerly ran up to Rin and hugged her. "We haven't seen you in years Rin," said Shippou, "You should come and visit more often."
"Well, the castle is pretty far away though…" responded Rin.
"Then we should just come and fetch you," replied Shippou, "Right, Kohaku?"
"Yea…" agreed a somewhat quiet Kohaku. Kohaku couldn't help, but notice how pretty Rin had become. She's a lot cuter than I remembered. He thought.
"Hey, Kohaku-kun, do you want to show me around this village? It's been a while since I've had any human contact," asked Rin.
"Sure. No problem. Just follow me," replied Kohaku as extended his arm out to Rin. Rin took the crook of his arm and they began walking around the village. Just before they left, Rin turned around to tell Sesshoumaru, "Sesshoumaru-sama, I'm going to take a walk with Kohaku-kun, ok? We'll be right back."
Sesshoumaru watched as the two left; he glare at Kohaku's back. Sesshoumaru couldn't help, but be angry with Kohaku. Kohaku, a little pathetic human that once tried to kill his beloved Rin, was stealing his Rin away from him. Sesshoumaru felt like killing the little human runt. Sesshoumaru could imagine the many different, painful methods of killing he could use on Kohaku: squeezing the life out of him, slashing his throat out with his poisonous claws, cutting him up into pieces with his sword, cutting him up with his claws, transforming into a dog and tearing him into pieces, etc. And the best part was, Sesshoumaru thought, was that he could bring that pathetic human back to life and kill him again, torturing him repeatedly with life and death. However, Sesshoumaru knew Rin was fond of Kohaku. How fond of Kohaku she was, Sesshoumaru did not know. He couldn't help though, but feel jealous of Kohaku for Kohaku was able to express his feelings for Rin unlike Sesshoumaru who had to hide his feelings for her.
Miroku, Sango, and Inuyasha watched as Sesshoumaru's anger and frustration grew. They worried about Kohaku and the fate that Sesshoumaru might give him. Shippou merely stood to a side and watched thoughtfully at the angry youkai lord.
"You don't suppose he'll really kill Kohaku, do you, Inuyasha?" asked a worried Sango.
"I wouldn't be surprised. I would kill Kohaku if he were messing with my Kagome. Heck, Kohaku reminds me of Kouga…before he mated with Ayame and was trying to get my Kagome," added Inuyasha. Sango looked worried as Sesshoumaru's glare got angrier and scarier.
"I'll talk to Kohaku later about this. Although personally, I think that Kohaku is actually helping Sesshoumaru and Rin," commented Miroku. Sango and Inuyasha both raised an eyebrow at this comment. "Really, I mean, have you ever seen Sesshoumaru so riled up over someone, over anything? Kohaku is making Sesshoumaru jealous. Eventually Sesshoumaru might think Kohaku is such a big threat that he'll actually tell Rin of his feelings for her," explained Miroku. Inuyasha and Sango nodded in agreement, as they thought about the situation.
"Yeah, but what happens if Sesshoumaru decides to kill the competition for Rin's love, by killing Kohaku?" butted in Shippou, who had been listening to their conversation for awhile.
"I seriously doubt it Shippou. I mean Sesshoumaru knows that Rin adores Kohaku and is very fond of him. He wouldn't want to hurt her, neither physically or emotionally," replied Miroku.
"Then let fate run its course. Sesshoumaru is bound to crack and spill his emotions to Rin. I mean, everyone shows their emotion one day even if they're cold emotionless youkai lords right?" joked Shippou.
"Yeah…sure. Did you know that the last time Sesshoumaru showed his emotions, besides anger, was the day he was born?" said Inuyasha. Miroku, Sango, and Shippou looked at him, surprised that he even knew this, considering Sesshoumaru was a lot older than he was. "I found that out from Myouji-jiji. He was there when Sesshoumaru was born," explained Inuyasha.
"So what should we do?" asked Sango who was getting more and more worried about her brother's safety as she thought about what Sesshoumaru might do to him.
"Let nature and fate run its course. Even if we did tell Kohaku to stop being so obvious, he wouldn't listen unless Rin knows about his feelings and rejects him. Right now, she only thinks of him as an older brother and Kohaku thinks that she thinks of Sesshoumaru as a father figure," said Shippou. The others nodded in agreement. They turned their faces back at Sesshoumaru who was still watching Kohaku showing Rin the village. He had not heard anything Sango, Miroku, Shippou, and Inuyasha had said despite his youkai hearing abilities. He was far too angry, frustrated, and jealous to hear them…although they were right next to him.