EMBRACE OF A DEMON

Chapter Two:

Rin heard footsteps approaching and she looked up to see Inu Yasha and Kagome hovering about her. Instantly anger began to burn deep inside of her, engulfing her mind.

"Why did you do this to him?! How could you?!" she screamed, more angry tears streaming down her pale cheeks.

Inu Yasha stared at her incredulously. "What the hell do you mean? He was the one that attacked me!"

"Inu Yasha!" Kagome warned, her voice reprimanding.

"What?!" He exclaimed, turning to look at her with his eyes accusing. Kagome just sighed.

Rin charily adjusted Sesshomaru's robes and smoothed out the wrinkles all the while whispering softly to him. Inu Yasha's eyes widened as he watched her. "She's psychotic! How can she love a sadistic beast like him?!" he exclaimed.

Rin froze at those callous words. How could he dare say that about Sesshomaru when he was lying dying and unconscious?! He didn't understand...that Sesshomaru...he was special...he meant something to her.

"Shut up! Don't act like you know him or what he's like! You don't understand him like I do. You can never understand him!" She yelled, her hands clenched into fists.

Inu Yasha sniffed indignantly. "I know enough about him. He's a bastard and that's it."

Rin shook her head vigorously. "No...Sesshomaru-sama is different...You don't know what he's really like inside. He raised me, he cared for me...he protected me...and for what? Nothing, absolutely nothing. I guess you could call him a bastard and say that he is cold and cruel, but he is a demon...but a demon that has a heart....a demon...just like your father..." Rin said, her voice shaking with anger and sadness.

"That is...quite enough...Rin..." A weak, but cold as ever voice called. Rin looked down at Sesshomaru who was struggling to sit up. "Don't shame me with your foolish prattling."

Rin forced back her tears and hung her head. "Sorry, Sesshomaru-sama. I did not mean to talk to you in such a way..." she mumbled softly, but there was relief in her eyes. Sesshomaru was awake!

Sesshomaru was just barely to stay conscious, awoken from his stupor by Rin's gentle hands and words. His heart was glad to see her again...glad that he had not died.

He turned to Inu Yasha, his golden amber eyes glowing. "Inu Yasha...why don't you kill me now...this may be your only chance. Why do you hesitate from taking this life from me when I am so vulnerable? Is it that you feel some attachment to me as your brother? I certainly feel nothing for you. You are no brother of mine!"

Inu Yasha stared at him silently for one second before he shrugged and turned away. "C'mon Kagome, let's get out of here." And with that they left.

Sesshomaru boiled with rage and struggled to stand, but only managed to weaken himself. He couldn't stand for Rin to see himself like this...so weak...so vulnerable.

"Sesshomaru-sama?" Rin questioned softly. Sesshomaru was silent, his head still resting on her lap.

"What are you doing here?" he asked coldly, trying not to sound relieved that she was here. He winced in pain.

"I sensed something was wrong...so I came...I'm sorry Sesshomaru-sama..." she whispered, biting her lip. Their conversation was interrupted beating clatter of giant wings. Into the clearing came Jaken riding the big two- headed beast.

"Sesshomaru-sama!" Jaken's toady voice called as he hopped down and waddled over to his lord. "What happened to you?"

"Jaken, help me get him back!" Rin ordered as she struggled to lift Sesshomaru off of the ground. Jaken stepped forward to help him, but Sesshomaru's eyes flashed dangerously.

"Don't touch me, Jaken..." he hissed. He struggled over to the winged beast with his arm slung over Rin's shoulder, his furs dragging limply behind him. Rin sighed. He was going to be alright...

Rin looked down at Sesshomaru who was currently sleeping. Rin had never really seen him sleep and it intrigued her. The supple curve of his lips were no longer in a cruel smile or an absentminded frown, they were gentler, along with all the other features of his face. His eyelids fluttered in a dream, his long black eyelashes curving upwards lusciously and contrasting by the faint reddish glow around their rims. The blue waning crescent on his forehead stood out brightly against his pale skin as she hesitantly reached out a hand and brushed her finger along its circumference. He stirred slightly at the touch, but only settled back into his deep sleep.

Rin sighed and withdrew her hand, her fingers accidentally catching on the stray silver strands of hair that drifted over his skin. She gently untangled them and put them back in their rightful place in his silky mane.

Sesshomaru had been sleeping for a while now, almost a day and Rin had not left his side. She knew that back in the clearing he had said some harsh words to her, but they were true and she accepted that. She knew that Sesshomaru hated humans above all, knew that he probably thought she was disgusting, but he tolerated her and protected her. That was what made her respect and love him so much. That was made it so unbearable to see him like this.

Rin understood Sesshomaru perfectly. After all these years, growing up under his wing, she knew her lord like the back of her hand. Every little movement and gesture she could read and understand what he needed and wanted...except for right now. She couldn't understand his behavior. His reaction around Inu Yasha was exactly what she suspected, the cold indifference, the independence, and the rejection, but now it was different. He had done something unpredictable...something she couldn't connect with his personality.

It all started when they had reached Sesshomaru's palace after Jaken and her had taken him back on the winged beast. Once they had managed to struggle to get him onto his bed, he had quickly dismissed Jaken. She had turned to leave, but he had stopped her by grabbing roughly onto her hand. He had said one word, "Stay." The way he said it confused her to no ends. Not only was there some amount of needing in that single word, the look in his eyes was something she did not recognize...like he almost...'needed' her...

"That can't be true...he can't...possible need me...can he?" she wondered aloud softly to herself. She sighed heavily and reached gently to brush his clawed hand and take it in her own.

-YAY! 'nother chapter. I'll be workin' on the next one ASAP, well...if I can find time T-T! Love to all you who reviewed!!-