AN: I don't have much to say so I'll just you guys read!
Five
"MY LADY! MY LADY! Wake up please!" I heard Rin's voice slightly panicked as she interrupted my odd sleep. I had been in the middle of a very bizarre dream. The cherry blossoms surrounding Lord Sesshomaru's palace were all covered in the delicate pink and white flowers. I was standing under one of them while a soft breeze blew sending some of the blossoms floating down. The scene was straight out of an anime. Lord Sesshomaru was standing several feet away, but I could see him clearly. He was saying something that I couldn't discern, but I knew for sure that even the me in my dreams didn't like the look in his eyes. It was too warm, and dare I say… loving? NO WAY!
I spun back into reality quickly and saw Rin's smiling face next to me when I sat up.
"Morning Rin, sleep well?"
"Yes. Lord Sesshomaru came in to say goodbye this morning he… said he wouldn't be back for awhile." I didn't like her abrupt finish. I wanted to hear what she was really going to say, as she turned a light shade of pink.
"So he came in then did he?"
"Uhuh. I got us a melon for breakfast then we'll go to the springs and then we can see if…"
"Whoa slow down a bit there. Sounds like you've got the day planned out. However I have to ask, how are we eating our other meals while his fluffiness is away?"
"Master Jaken said not to worry, hurry! We have to get your kimono for today!" Rin bounced around impatiently while I ate and then grabbed me by the hand and I let her pull me to the room I was now to call my closet. Another purple kimono was in order today I thought. Before now I never really liked the color much, but for some reason, since I had worn it the other night I couldn't resist. Jaken emerged when we were closing the lid on one of the chests.
"My Lady, Rin tells me you wish to go to the springs today."
"Yep. I have to stay squeaky clean." I stated slightly sarcastically. Jaken missed it though, he nodded and then left. Rin looked about for a minute and then grabbing a basket took my hand again.
"Okay we can go now, my Lady." I sighed at her formal behavior. I was sick of it and I had only been here for four measly days.
"Look Rin. You shouldn't have to call me "Lady" all the time I…"
"But Lord Sessho…"
"I don't care what the fluff ball wants you to call me. Just call me Lin okay?"
"Okay…Lin."
"That's much better." I smiled and we made our way out in the morning sun…
Several days passed in a manner like that. It was very laid back and I did what I pleased. Rin even took me to Ah-Un and let me take him for a short ride. We managed to scrounge up a ball for her to play with and so for many hours she was amused. I grew more homesick though and in the spare moments my mind would drift back to Gram and Gramps, house in Tokyo. However my days began to change a bit about a week and a half after Lord Sesshomaru left. I was with Rin playing in one of the several courtyards when Jaken appeared in the company of the largest mole I had ever seen.
The thing was dressed like a samurai and his eyes bulged oddly. He bent in a deep but very ungraceful bow. I brushed the wrinkles out of my kimono as I stood before him and put on my imperial face.
"Rise." I said levelly.
"My lady I was sent to the find the Lady of the Lord Sesshomaru,"
"Well you found me."
"Oh! I do apologize for not seeing it before my Lady!"
"Yeah you and the rest of the world. What do you want?"
"I bring you news as to the Lord…" After that I immediately lost interest and sat in grass with Rin.
"What of it?"
"You do not seem excited to hear he is well." The mole stated.
"It is none of your business whether I am happy or not to hear about him." I snapped standing again, this time with my back to him.
"My Lady, I am merely am a messenger, do not waste your wrath on me. I was told to tell you that Lord Sesshomaru will return in two weeks time to fetch you so I suggest that you make plans and arrangements for then." The mole bowed deeply once more and bounded away as fast as his furry legs could carry him. Jaken looked up at me with his yellow eyes narrowed.
"You are almost as bad as Rin. Think of all that my Lord has given and done for you."
"Hey look toad man your "lord" hasn't done shit for me except cause trouble and I've been here for fourteen days! I just want to go home!" I stomped my foot angrily.
"I would not share that so loud my Lady."
"Oh and why's that?"
"There are many demons lurking about that may attack here. Many have a grudge against Lord Sesshomaru and to have someone of well… your status can be very persuasive. Besides the barrier has been brought down so that I could give you word on Lord Sesshomaru."
"What barrier?"
"The one to keep you safe my Lady. I broke it bring word to you. Now we are fairly unprotected until…" Jaken explained. I held up a hand to silence him.
"You mean to tell me that this 'barrier' was our only source of protection and you trashed it just so I could hear about some loser I don't give a hoot about?"
"Yes."
"IDIOT!" I kicked Jaken sharply and stormed off. Rin was at my heels as I headed for my room-sized closet. As I rifled through the chests I hadn't gotten to yet, Rin sat in the middle of the room watching me intently. She stood suddenly and opening a chest in the far corner pulled out a midnight blue kimono with what looked like snow flake patterns on it.
"Isn't it pretty Lin?" Rin asked as she pulled it on. It was much too big for her and it piled on the wood floor, but she must have thought she was a fairytale princess.
"Yes, on you it is very pretty. Tell me Rin is that that orange and yellow kimono the only clothes you have?"
"Yes, it's pretty isn't it?" I could hear doubt in her voice.
"Yes it's pretty but it sucks that you only have one."
"Sucks? What do you mean? Is that bad?"
"Umm no, no exactly, it's just well it isn't fit! I can't believe that you have to wear the same thing all the time when there are all of these. Apparently his Fluffiness can't take care of anything!"
"Is that why you are here Lady Lin?" Rin asked sitting on the floor. I was taken aback be her question. Why was I here?
"Well Rin, I don't know. It's a wonder you are so happy! I mean you have no shoes, one kimono and it's a wonder it isn't threadbare and you have to sleep in the woods!" I ranted. I almost didn't hear Rin's next words after she looked at me and blinked twice.
"He saves me when I am in trouble and he makes sure I don't get hurt or lost." I could barely believe it, she was defending the jerk, but once again being as young as she was she was pretty blind.
"It's good to know he watches out for you but…" I was about to continue when my hand rested on a small box in one of the chests. Grabbing it I opened it quickly, nestled inside were several what looked to be ivory needles and several small spools of silken thread.
"Rin,"
"Yes, Lin."
"Pick out a kimono you like or even better two!" I commanded gently as an idea sparked in my head.
"Any of them my lady?"
"Yes, it doesn't matter, what color, pattern or fabric."
"Will you be wearing it?"
"No, you will, after I alter it to fit that is."
"Oh you can't do that! My Lady…" Rin was almost in a panic. I looked at her critically.
"Rin what did I say about calling me 'Lady'?"
"Right… Lin I'm sorry… Well Lord Sesshomaru he said to…"
"To what Rin? Sit around just looking pretty? To collect dust like a doll?" I asked smartly. She nodded not catching the suppressed rage in my voice. Oh I was going to skin that Sesshomaru character alive when he returned. Rin handed me two kimonos, one being the blue one she had on earlier and the other being a dark pink.
"These the ones you want?"
"Uhuh."
"Okay come then let's get going." I gathered up the three kimonos of my own plus the two of Rin's the sewing box. I took her hand in my empty one and headed back to my room. I set everything down on the porch overlooking the lake, next to a cushion I had been sitting on earlier. I went back in and unwrapping my black obi I took out the dagger from Gramps and sat on the cushion again with the blue silk in my lap.
"So what are you going to do with that Lin?" Rin asked looking frightened at the unsheathed dagger in my hands. I didn't answer but let her watch as I located the back seam and began to undo the stitches. Thank goodness I had taken several sewing classes and could hand sew with the best of them. I had to alter everything I bought in Japan anyway, unless Gram was feeling up to it with her arthritis.
"Rin come here. I need you to try this on so I can readjust the seam." With it turned inside out Rin slipped into it and I marked the seams not only on the back but the sleeves as well.
"Okay Rin off you go. I've got a lot of work and it's pretty boring."
"I could talk to you."
"That's alright, why don't you go play some?"
"I know! I'll take Ah-Un for a walk! He will like that!"
"I'm sure he will."
"Did you know that sometimes Lord Sesshomaru rides him?"
"No, I didn't, that is interesting isn't it?" I replied as I threaded the needle.
"Don't go too far and come back here before sundown."
"I won't I promise, do you wish Jaken to go with me?"
"No toad man can barely walk in a straight line, let alone escort you." I stated as I began to stitch carefully.
I heard her footfalls as they faded away. I continued to work silently, my toe tapping to one of the tunes from a J-Rock CD I had bought just before I was brought here. What I wouldn't give for a CD player. I'd worry about trimming the excess later with the dagger, but for now I'd work while the sun sank lower in the sky without too many worries or cares as to where Lord Sesshomaru was or why he was where he was.
Several more days past, six to be exact and things fell back into their own new pattern. I got up, went for a walk and then after eating made a trip to the springs, then played with Rin, continued sewing eat again and then fall asleep.
The nights however were a different story. So far every night I had a different dream including my least favorite person, Lord Sesshomaru. Yes the Fluff Lord himself wasn't I lucky? Anyway the even weirder thing was he wasn't doing anything but normal things, like putting on his little footies or eating rice that was drowned in soy sauce. In another he was brushing his long hair. After each dream I would shoot up wide awake and no matter how I tried I couldn't go back to sleep. I wasn't sure why the dreams occurred or why they bothered me so, but here I was forced to deal with them.
I had finished the blue kimono for Rin and we had managed the makings for a matching obi. From there I began work on the pink linen kimono, linen was more practical then silk so Rin could play in it. I had already finished the sleeves and began work on the back seam when the day I was dreading in the back of my mind came.
Rin was playing in the late afternoon sun with Jaken and her ball, while wearing her blue kimono. I sat on the porch on the front of the palace letting the sun warm me like it had all afternoon. In the distance I noted the blossoms on the cherry trees still hadn't bloomed, but in another month they would be starting to. By now my stitches in my sewing were had been repeated so many times over that I could do it behind my back.
"Lin! Look! Look how far I can make it go!" Rin shouted eagerly. I looked up and watched as she kicked the ball into the air. It went fairly high the girl had a lot of strength. I continued to watch while she chased it and bring it back to where I could see her well.
"That was great Rin!"
"Thank you! Now watch this!" I let out a laugh as Rin balanced the ball on top of her head and then began to bounce it off her head like a pro soccer player. I was ready to tell her to stop when a sphere of white light zoomed towards her. Instantly Lord Sesshomaru fabricated beside her with the ball in his hand high above Rin's little head.
"Lord Sesshomaru! You're back!" Rin squeaked. Jaken's squawk of welcoming quickly followed.
"Rin, Jaken, I see you have faired well. However Rin unless you wish to dull your wits further I recommend you stop bouncing this off of your skull."
"Yes Lord Sesshomaru. Oh Lord Sesshomaru?"
"Yes Rin?"
"Look at my new kimono, isn't pretty?" Rin wondered. I saw Lord Sesshomaru give her a small nod.
"Lin did a…" Rin stopped at the look she was being given.
"I mean the Lady Lin made it for me. She is also making me a pink one! It will be so pretty!" Her enthusiasm returned. I watched the exchange for another few seconds before resuming my sewing. Apparently Lord Sesshomaru hadn't noticed me. Maybe I was just here to care for Rin, the little sunshine of his life.
"You certainly have fallen into the role of caretaker and seamstress haven't you?" I flinched as I heard Lord Sesshomaru's voice behind me. I could feel his breath warm on my skin and I wanted to reach back and push him away, but instead I feigned indifference. He took one of my hands in his, which in the process caused me to jab my index finger with the needle. He continued to raise my hand, palm up towards his lips.
"JUST WHAT ARE YOU DOING!" I demanded, jerking my hand abruptly from his grasp, sending my sewing into my lap. I had to give the jerk props for trying to be suave, but that whole moving without me seeing it was just downright creepy.
"You are bleeding."
"Oh look little dog demon can state the obvious!" He stared at me for a minute, probably debating whether to slap me, kiss me or kill me. I was praying for the first or last option. Lord knew, the kiss just might do me in. He chose to say nothing but continued to look at me from where he was kneeling. The position looked odd for him, like had never done it before in his life.
"That doesn't change the fact that you are ruining that kimono with blood."
"Yeah so? You just want me to stick my finger out and let you suck me dry like some vamp?"
"Vamp?"
"Oh right you wouldn't know what that is… after all you're just a stupid dog demon who does little tricks like sit, roll over or…" I took advantage of his kneeling and grabbing one of the swords off of his sash threw it as far as I could, which all things considered wasn't too far.
"Or fetch! Go on go get it, I know you want to… I've got treats in my pocket if you bring it back." My teasing got a glare from him that froze hell over ten times by now. He rose swiftly and backed up a few paces, before barking at Rin.
"Rin, Jaken go inside and do not come out until I fetch you."
"Yes Lord Sesshomaru!" They chorused and ran past us.
"Your mocking will be dealt with here and now…." He snarled as his eyes glowed suddenly red. I watched in disgust as his lips curled back and his body mutated grotesquely into the shape of a giant dog. My first thought was to was what steroids he was on and then I realized he wasn't human… definitely wasn't human.
"Okay big guy just calm down, I didn't mean it, I really am sorry it just sort of slipped oooooooooouuuutttt!" I squealed as a huge paw swiped me off my feet and threw me into the grass. I could feel the burn of the grass on my skin. Now was no time to panic. I rolled out of the way as the paw came again. Now I was on my stomach and I felt one claw pierce my leg. That was gonna leave a mark. I knew he had missed or he would have killed me. I reached out my hand searching for something, anything I could use as a weapon. I found the hard casing of the sheath from his sword. I grabbed it and unsheathed the heavy weapon as fast as I could. Thank goodness for fencing classes. Ignoring the pain in my leg, I rose to my feet. What I assumed was still the same Sesshomaru towered above me, his teeth bared and growling. However he made no motion to jump me or eat me in one bite, I was scared shitless even with a sword in my hands. I watched a drop of saliva fall from his mouth and it hit my hand and the hilt of the sword.
"Okay that was just SICK!" I whined, before diving underneath him so I was looking up at his furry stomach.
"Okay you got one shot Lin make it good!" I threw the sword straight up and was surprised when it disappeared in the fur up to the hilt. A bolt of green shot along his underside and I sat there paralyzed until one drop of red blood fell on my face with a plop. I then rolled from under him and lay with my face pressed into the grass until I heard a soft thud. I was beginning to become delirious as the pain from my leg and oddly my back returned. The then turned my face to see Sesshomaru, back in his human form (I would never call him Lord again after the spectacle I saw today) yank the sword out of his stomach toss it aside, before laying on his back on the ground. I carefully edged over to him half dragging and half army crawling motion.
"Wench!" He hissed sitting upright and pulling me to his chest once again with his right hand only. I could hear his breath was slightly wheezed and short. Apparently my shot had hit home, and then before I could blink he continued.
"You're bleeding."
"Yeah… so? What's the… big deal? What… do you… care?" My own breath was coming irregularly.
"I will not…"
"Not what? Be insulted… in such a… manner?" I tried to mimic him, but you try mimicking when every cell in your body wants to give up and die.
"You are terrible at mocking, you should know that now."
"Well… I'll work on it…" Sesshomaru pulled us to our feet. I stayed clinging to his waist, but one thing that I did was realize was I couldn't find his other arm.
"I see your view of me has not changed in the least." He commented and I thought I heard sarcasm in his tone.
"Darn… right! You're tryin' to be all smooth and witty but it isnnnnn…" I didn't have a chance to finish before my legs gave out and I blacked out. The last thing I saw were Sesshomaru's eyes looking down at me…
"She should be just fine now my Lord." I heard Jaken say softly. I kept my eyes closed, but I could feel the hard warmth of someone mixed in with the feel of fur.
"Will she wake up Lord Sesshomaru?" I heard Rin ask.
"It is uncertain, the Tensaiga should have taken affect directly."
"You didn't mean to hurt her did you?" I heard Rin's voice, it was an almost a whimper and that was followed by a sniffle. I opened my mouth and muttered.
"Don't cry Rin… it's silly." I felt whoever was holding me jump slightly with surprise and then relax as if relieved.
"Lin! You are okay! YEAH!" I then felt two little hands grab my waist. I opened my eyes then to see Rin clinging to me tightly. I looked up to see Sesshomaru, his eyes looking across the room his face emotionless as usual. I knew now I was sitting in his lap.
"Well, well, well look who it is." I teased. His gaze shifted to look down at me, and while he held my gaze, which halted my tongue as well so I couldn't speak, he ordered.
"Rin go get some water and Jaken find some rice or something."
"Yes my Lord!" Jaken and Rin then left. I pushed myself off of Sesshomaru and went into a sitting position so I was facing him in his lap. I could now see his kimono was dirty and bloodstained and the fur looked like it was going to need a dry cleaners badly.
"Are you going to say something, like that it's a good thing I'm alive?"
"I am…" Sesshomaru didn't finish but stood quickly sending me to the floor. I could see the gaping hole in the front of his armor and kimono to reveal a little of a rock hard and pale stomach that was partially taken up by a gaping hole of ripped flesh.
"That was real nice of you." I said standing carefully. I looked down at myself. The kimono I had on was the one from earlier and was almost in shreds, but my leg that I thought for sure was chopped meat, was completely flawless, even the scar I got from playing a little too much rugby was gone.
"I suggest that you begin to behave a little better, next time I may not feel so generous.
"Generous? I wouldn't call turning into something from a twisted horror movie and slashing me to ribbons generous."
"I could have let you die."
"Good point." At that minute Rin and Jaken returned and setting down the things they brought left quickly then. I sat before the tray of rice and bowl of steaming water. Sesshomaru sat across from me, looking as regal as ever. For the first time I noted how handsome he actually was. The way his silver hair framed his face, which was angled and slightly feminine. The shape of his eyes and the color, oh the color! It was like looking at Tiffany glass. I shook my head. I think that fact that he saved my life was getting to me. I ate the rice slowly in silence and all the while Sesshomaru watched. When I had finished the bowl he stood up.
"I will leave you for now."
"Wait! Just a minute!" He kept walking out. I dived and grabbed his left sleeve.
RIIIIIIPPPPPP!
His sleeve came off in my hand and fluttered to the floor.
"Wait I… OH MY…" I stopped when I saw what the sleeve had been hiding ever since I had arrived; I wondered why I hadn't noticed it before. Where his left arm should have been there was only from his shoulder to mid upper arm. To elbow or hand anywhere. He turned slowly, the look in his eyes was like I had found something I wasn't supposed to see but he continued to stare at me sprawled out on the floor.
"You are fortunate that this kimono was unsalvageable." I tossed the sleeve and looked away.
"I apologize for furthering its damage."
"It bothers you does it not?"
"What?"
"My arm what else?"
"Well…" What was I supposed to say?
"I too am disgusted that my half brother could do so much damage."
"You have a half brother?"
"Unfortunately, yes."
"Where is he?"
"Who knows he is running about with some mortal friend of yours."
"Friend of mine?"
"Yes." Sesshomaru seemed that since I was talking he would indulge and answer my questions.
"So your brother cut off your arm?"
"Yes."
"Hmm." I couldn't look him in the eye now, not after realizing that even he wasn't as strong as I had thought and for being slightly embarrassed. In fact I pitied him just a little bit.
"I want to yell a thousand curses at you or thank you for doing whatever it was you did to save me today."
"It was of no consequence, besides there is only one that I have serious issues with."
"Oh and who is that?"
"A half demon named Naraku."
"Nara… who?"
"Naraku. He tried to bribe me using Rin for the bait."
"Oh I see, Uh sit down I'm sure that gash in your gut is killer."
"It will heal on it's own."
"Not when it's dirty like that it won't." I argued.
"If I follow what you say will you stop asking so many questions?" I nodded. He sat down and I grabbed the torn sleeve from earlier and dipped it carefully into the hot water. "You will have to take that armor off."
"And if I don't?"
"I'll rip it off you." I countered. I wasn't in the mood for him to mouth off to me. He silently and one handedly removed it and then peeled his kimono off of him where it was plastered in parts with blood. I took a deep breath my emotions ready to let go. Sesshomaru was certainly built. I watched the strong muscles in his arm as he flexed his hand in what I assumed was nervousness or rage. Deciding to make this less awkward if it was possible I cleared my throat and started a new subject.
"About Rin, what is she to you exactly? Is she your daughter or something?" Sesshomaru looked disgusted.
"Daughter? I have never wed nor fallen into that absurdity called love. What makes you think she is my daughter of all things!" He spat daughter out like it was burnt food or something.
"I just thought that since you were always so, well if she isn't your daughter then… oh no, no, no, no that is totally sick! I mean I've heard of perverts but…. But a five year old!"
"Whatever you are implying it has not and would never occur between myself and a mortal like her, no matter what the age."
"Gee! I'm sorry for insulting you." I bit my lip and pressed the wet cloth against his skin over the gash. I worked silently rinsing the fabric until the water was bright red and the lamps in the room were lit by Jaken who left quickly thereafter.
"I think I should get some more water."
"No that will be quite enough. Go now leave wench."
"Okay I'm a getting Grumpy!" I grabbed the bowl and left quickly. I wasn't halfway back to my room when I heard a shout and Jaken whizzed past me.
"Hmph, so much for being nice."
"JAKEN!" Sesshomaru shouted in anger. Jaken skidded into the room seconds later.
"Yes my Lord?"
"Remind me why I didn't kill that wench!"
"I don't know my Lord is it possible that you have become fond of her?"
"NO!" Sesshomaru snarled tossing his armor across the room. He was still topless.
"I believe you should calm down my Lord I'm sure that she will…"
"Do you know what I saw in her eyes Jaken?" Sesshomaru stated his icy air returning.
"No my Lord."
"Pity. Pity was what it was Jaken, a mortal pitying me! It is disgraceful! She ripped my kimono and revealed this worthless stump courtesy of that hanyou!"
"How could she pity someone who needs not be pitied my Lord?"
"If I had the answer Jaken I would answer but I do not. She then orders me around and tends me like I'm a child insulting me all the while. Just for her behavior maybe I should not reward her tomorrow!"
"My Lord, don't you believe you are a being a little harsh?" Sesshomaru was silent for a minute.
"Jaken, go pack three kimonos that match mine, the green would suffice they should fit her well."
"Yes my Lord and for you?"
"The same as always."
"Yes my Lord."
"We leave as soon as she is asleep."
"Where to then my Lord?"
"We will continue to hunt Naraku, but first to… Tokyo."