500 Years and Waiting
By swirly87
Author's Notes: Sorry for taking so long to update and I'm even sorrier to say that it might take awhile longer for the next chapter to be up. So PLEASE FORGIVE ME! I would also like to thank those who wrote a review. I totally love them! THANKS.
*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 4: A Whole Lot of Love, Jealousy, and Rejection
It had been only two days since their arrival in the village, but Sesshoumaru already hated it. For the past two days, Rin had gone with Kohaku around the village and helping the villagers out. She would spend sunrise to sunset with Kohaku and Sesshoumaru could only watch her go with him in anger. Sesshoumaru could not stand that pathetic human hanging around his Rin. Inuyasha and his friends could only watch helplessly as Sesshoumaru got angrier each day and their worry for Kohaku's safety also grew with each passing day. Jaken, himself, was worried about Sesshoumaru's anger. He had never seen Sesshoumaru so angry before in his nearly a century year of service to Sesshoumaru-sama. He pitied the poor creature that had cause Sesshoumaru's anger.
At the moment, Rin and Kohaku were collecting herbs in the forest; Sesshoumaru had followed them in order to ensure Rin's safety and because he was jealous. He was hiding in the trees and the two humans never suspected that he was there. Sesshoumaru watched as the two joked around and laughed. His eyes narrowed and he glared at the young man with hate, resentment, and anger. His thoughts were all about ways to kill Kohaku. Not far from Sesshoumaru, in a tree nearby, Inuyasha and Shippou were watching his movements. They were there because Sango insisted that they watch Sesshoumaru just in case he does decide to go after Kohaku so that they should stop him from killing her little brother.
"This is really stupid, I could do something far more productive than this. Why doesn't Sesshoumaru just tell Rin his feelings? That way I don't have to be here. Heck, why doesn't Kohaku admit his feelings so that Rin could reject him and we can all be on our merry way home?" whined Inuyasha. For the past two day, he was reduced to stalking his own brother to ensure the safety of Sango's precious brother. And personally, he was tired of following and watching him. Shippou looked at Inuyasha and could only sigh and shake his head at Inuyasha's whining.
"Love doesn't work that way. It takes time to confess one's feelings. Look how long it took for you and Kagome to confess your undying love for each other," retorted Shippou. Inuyasha glared at Shippou before turning his attention back at Sesshoumaru. He looked at Rin and Kohaku as they collected the herbs. He then turned back at Shippou and declared, "I'm sick and tired of this, I'm going to talk to Sesshoumaru."
"Wait! Inuyasha! I don't think that's a great-," said Shippou too late as Inuyasha had already leaped to where Sesshoumaru was hiding, "-idea." Shippou could only sigh and shake his head at Inuyasha's stupidity and impulsive actions. Inuyasha no baka. When is he ever going to think before doing anything? Thought Shippou.
"Oye Sesshoumaru!" shouted Inuyasha as he leaped onto the branch Sesshoumaru was standing on. Sesshoumaru glared at Inuyasha to be silent before quickly looking back at Rin and Kohaku. Apparently, Rin and Kohaku did not notice Inuyasha's shout. Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes even further as he noticed their lack of attention. They're so busy talking and having fun with each other, they don't even notice their surroundings. Thought a jealous and angry Sesshoumaru. Any nearby youkai could come up right behind them and kill them and they wouldn't even notice. Inuyasha saw and felt Sesshoumaru's anger rise.
"You know what I think?" asked Inuyasha. Sesshoumaru did not even look at Inuyasha; he was so absorbed in his anger and jealousy. "I think you should just tell her how you feel. What's the worst thing that could happen?" said Inuyasha. Sesshoumaru looked at Inuyasha with angry and saddened eyes before replying, "Have you forgotten my little mate requirement? She has to be a full-blooded youkai. Until I can change that requirement or make Rin a youkai, I do not wish to tell her anything. I don't want to raise her hopes too high…that is if she actually loves me."
"Then tell her your feelings so you can find out if she loves you or not. You got to let her know. You shouldn't change her to a youkai without her knowing. That would be wrong. What happens if she likes being human?" asked Inuyasha.
"I never really thought about that," admitted Sesshoumaru. He thought about Inuyasha's words and realized that he had never thought about whether or not Rin actually wanted to be his mate.
"Plus you should really tell her before that Kohaku does and she falls for him," added Inuyasha. Sesshoumaru glared at him before turning to look back at the two humans. As Sesshoumaru watched the two humans finish collecting the last of the herbs, he decided that he would ask Rin later about whether or not she wanted to be his mate and to confess his feelings for her…when Kohaku wasn't around.
"Why don't we go have a contest on who's better with a sword? For old times' sake, let us beat the crap out of each other and see who emerges out as the best," declared Inuyasha, disrupting Sesshoumaru's thoughts.
"Fine, but we all know who'll win," agreed Sesshoumaru. Inuyasha merely smiled at Sesshoumaru's comment and said, "Yeah… me."
"You? A formal half-breed?" mocked Sesshoumaru in disbelief.
"Yeah, me. This 'formal half-breed' as you said just now, happened to beat your ass before when he was still a hanyou," said Inuyasha.
"That happened only because I was being easy on you," replied Sesshoumaru, "A royal full-blooded youkai never goes all out in battle against something that is only half youkai."
"Yeah, yeah whatever. Let's see whose better now that I'm a royal full-blooded youkai like you," challenged Inuyasha. Sesshoumaru raised one of his perfectly curved eyebrows in response before saying, "You've only been full-blooded for a decade. Do not be so cocky, little brother. Never compare the skill of a 12 year old youkai with the skill of a 200 year old youkai."
"Bring it on, oh ancient one," teased Inuyasha as he led Sesshoumaru away from Rin and Kohaku. Sesshoumaru followed Inuyasha deeper into the forest, but not before taking one last peek at Rin. Inuyasha silently barked an order to Shippou to watch Rin and Kohaku, before the two inu-brothers left the clearing. Shippou could only watch the two leave before resuming his boring task of watching the two humans. Why can't I do something interesting for once? They could at least let me watch them fight instead of being here. It's not like Rin or Kohaku actually need my protection. Rin's been trained by Sesshoumaru and Kohaku is a youkai exterminator. Plus Kohaku use to be a formidable enemy when he was brainwashed by Naruku 12 years ago. As for Rin, she's strong enough to even whoop my ass. However, it is odd that they're not paying much attention to their surroundings. I'm surprised they haven't noticed me yet. Thought Shippou. As Shippou pondered about it, Rin and Kohaku were busy talking in the clearing below.
"Well, that's the last of the herbs Sango-san wanted. Let's go back, shall we Kohaku-kun?" suggested Rin as she brushed off some of the plants from her kimono.
"Sure, but before we go. I have something to tell you Rin," said Kohaku as he gathered up his courage.
"What's is it, Kohaku-kun?" asked a puzzled Rin.
"First of all, could you stop calling me Kohaku-kun, Kohaku would be just fine," said Kohaku.
"Um…o.k. Is that all Kohaku? I think Sango really wants these herbs," replied Rin as she started to leave. Kohaku gently grabbed a hold of the sleeve of her kimono and said, "Wait, Rin. I haven't finished yet."
"You haven't? What is it that you want to tell me, Kohaku?" asked Rin, waiting for Kohaku to tell her. Kohaku let go of her sleeve and his face turned a bit red.
"Rin…I…I…really care about you…ever since I first met you," stuttered a red Kohaku.
"Oh, Kohaku. I care about you too," said Rin. Her reply gave Kohaku more courage to go on.
"I think, no I know…Rin… that I'm in love with you. I've loved you for a very long time. I didn't realize that until I saw you two days how much I missed you. I think I've loved you for years," blurted out Kohaku. Rin looked at Kohaku surprised and shocked before her eyes saddened.
"I don't know what to say Kohaku," replied a shocked Rin.
"Just tell me how you feel about me Rin. I have to know if you feel the same way," responded Kohaku. Rin's eyes looked even sadder and her shoulders slumped a bit.
"I'm sorry Kohaku. I care about you a lot, but I'm in love with someone else," confessed Rin. Kohaku's entire body slumped and his eyes turned sad, "I see…" He then looked at Rin and smiled a small, weak smile, "We can still be friends though, right? Even if someone has your heart and I've made a complete fool of myself."
"Of course, Kohaku," replied Rin. Kohaku then took a deep breath and smiled.
"So… who's the lucky dog who has your heart? If he ever treats you wrong, come straight to me. I'll fix him right up. No one's going to mess with my friend Rin," said Kohaku. Rin smiled at this and Kohaku felt a bit better. As long as she's happy, I'll be happy to. Thought Kohaku.
"Let's go back to the village. I think your sister really wants these herbs and I need to go talk to Sesshoumaru-sama," replied Rin. Kohaku picked up the other basket of herbs and the two started walking back to the village. However, before the two were even out of the clearing, Shippou jumped out of his tree and landed in front of them. His jump was so sudden; Rin stumbled and landed on her bottom. She got back up and brushed herself off before scolding, "Shippou-kun, what did you think you were doing? You scared me half to death. You shouldn't suddenly jump out of nowhere. You're acting a lot like Inuyasha. And this happens to be one of his many bad habits. You should stop this immediately. Plus Kohaku and I are in a hurry. We need to go and give these herbs to Sango-san before she gets impatient."
"Don't worry, Rin-chan. I just came over to check how you people were doing and I overhead you saying how you were going to talk to Sesshoumaru. I just want to tell you that Sesshoumaru is not at the village right now and that he's having a fighting session with Inuyasha in the other clearing somewhat near here," said Shippou.
"How much of out conversation did you hear Shippou?" asked a suspicious Kohaku.
All of it including your little love confession and rejection. Great news for Sesshoumaru, but bad for you. "Just the last bit about heading back to the village, why? Were you guys discussing something I shouldn't know about?" teased Shippou. Kohaku turned a bit red before replying, "No, of course not."
"Um, Shippou-kun, could you please bring me to where they are sparring? I'm a bit worried about him. You know how those two fight," said Rin.
"What about those herbs?" replied Shippou.
"I'll carry them back to the village," volunteered Kohaku.
"Thank you so much Kohaku," said Rin.
"No problem Rin," said Kohaku as he took her basket of herbs and his own. He bid Shippou and Rin goodbye before heading out to the village. Shippou and Rin watched as he left.
Kohaku walked at a steady and relaxed pace until he was sure he was out of their sight. After he was sure they couldn't see him, Kohaku stopped and sighed. He walked to a nearby hill overlooking the village. He sat down on the grass and watched the villagers down below. He saw the small villagers walking around and doing their daily chores. He looked at his basket and Rin's basket of herbs; he wondered and thought about the last hour. He wondered about how everything and yet nothing had changed. He knew he was in love with Rin, but he also knew that Rin wasn't in love with him. He knew he wanted Rin to be with him forever, but he also knew he didn't want her to be miserable. Kohaku wanted her to be happy even if she was with someone else. Kohaku sat on that hill for the rest of the day and later, when he did return to the village with the herbs and Sango scolded him for being so late, he knew exactly what he was going to do from now on.
As soon as Kohaku had disappeared from their sights, Rin turned to Shippou, who was still looking at the direction Kohaku had walked towards. She wondered if Shippou was still watching Kohaku, considering youkai had heightened senses including better eyesight. And indeed she was right, for Shippou was still watching Kohaku and had noticed how Kohaku had stopped, sighed, and turned to walk at another direction. I hope he's going to be alright. Thought Shippou, as he hoped his best friend would not do anything stupid. As soon as Kohaku had disappeared from his sight, he turned to look at Rin.
"Shall we get going then?" asked Shippou to Rin.
"Yes, of course. Is it far, should we walk or run or what?" asked Rin, who was anxious to get to Sesshoumaru as fast at possible.
"We'll get there, Inuyasha style," answered a grinning Shippou.
"What's the…'Inuyasha style'?" asked a puzzled Rin, who noticed Shippou's grin and couldn't help, but wonder what he was up to.
"Remember how Inuyasha brings Kagome to places? That's the Inuyasha style," replied Shippou as if it was something everyone should have already known about.
"You're going to give me a piggyback ride?" asked a shocked Rin.
"Not a piggyback ride, a youkaiback ride. There's a big difference you know…I'm not a pig," retorted Shippou as Rin climbed on his back. Shippou ran towards the woods as fast as he could, leaving only a trail of leaves and twigs scattering in the winds.