Disclaimer: Inuyasha is Copyright of Takahashi Rumiko
Nothing Without The Other
Chapter 4
Rin lifted the skirt of her kimono as she struggled to keep up with Sesshoumaru's pace. The moment she stepped outside that morning and found him waiting, she knew he was still upset because of yesterday's argument. Though he hid it well, she knew an angry inu-youkai when she saw one. His pace was unusually fast, even though he was walking, and he refused to so much as acknowledge her with a word or look.
His behavior was certainly unexpected. The great Sesshoumaru rarely let a problem carry on to the next day to annoy him all over again. He especially never let that annoyance show. Had her behavior really offended him that much?
She frowned as she slowed down. She had gone a little to far. Had she not learned during their journey to retrieve Tetsusaiga and Tenseiga that arguing with him always made her feel worse after all had been said and done? Still, once she started toying with him, it became so difficult to stop. After so many years of dealing with the reserved youkai lord seeing him so animated, even though it was out of anger, was some how...exhilarating. How could she be satisfied with the boring and quiet inu now?
"Rin. Don't dawdle," his angry voice penetrated her thoughts.
She quickly masked her frown and ignored his comment. He had often told her not to dawdle when she was a child. If he thought he could go back to treating her like one, he had another thing coming! She gave a mental frown. Be respectful, she told herself. He has done so much for you! Be more grateful!
"Gomen ne, Sesshoumaru-sama," she said as she picked up her pace and tried to shake feeling of being eight again. "Sesshoumaru-sama, about yesterday, I want-"
"Silence. You missed your training due to yesterday's events, do not interfere with today's by dwelling on it."
"I wanted to apologize," she raced forward until she was walking next to him.
"I do not need an apology," he said without sparing her a glance.
Rin ground her teeth together, trying not to give some biting remark. "Whether you accept it or not, I apologize for my behavior yesterday. It was unacceptable."
"Hai, it was very unacceptable," he added.
She looked up at his face as if to say something and then thought better of it. She faced forward again and quietly walked beside him until they reached the river where they would continue her training. To Rin's surprise, many servants littered the area. Some were holding drums, others practiced on a flute. A fire had been started and mushrooms were already being cooked. They formed a circle around a large, flat rock and appeared to be happy with the break from their chores. But when Sesshoumaru appeared, all fell silent and they parted the circle for their master to enter.
"Sit," he gestured to the rock.
Rin hid her surprise and suppressed any questions she wanted to ask. She sat as ordered and took her regular position. Legs crossed at the ankle, arms resting lightly on her thighs, back straight, shoulders relaxed, breathing even, eyes closed. She felt Sesshoumaru place the blindfold over her eyes and gave no protest when he tied it tightly. She listened to him walk away, trying to follow where he was going. Then all at once, the most horrible noise assaulted her ears.
The drummers played two different beats and the flutes sang at the highest note possible. Something else was added to the fire, leaves or herbs perhaps. The rock was extremely uncomfortable as was the mist from the waterfall. The noise, the scents, the physical and sensed presence of the things and people around her made it more than difficult to concentrate.
Hours later, Rin was swearing revenge on Sesshoumaru. This was her punishment for her behavior, for missing her session yesterday, but he had gone to far. More than once she had attacked one of the servants in her attempt to locate Sesshoumaru. Under those conditions, she could do no more than stumble around and at this point, she no longer cared. Sesshoumaru's treatment had not taught her to respect him, but to spite him. It was something they would both come to regret very soon.
"Enough," she said finally as she ripped off the blindfold.
"We are not through, Rin," Sesshoumaru said from somewhere in the forest.
"Yes, we are," and to prove it, she marched in the direction of the estate.
Sesshoumaru jumped down from the trees in front of her, blocking her path. "This Sesshoumaru has not give you permission to leave."
Rin growled low in her throat and felt her body heat up. "I did not ask for nor do I need your permission," she spat with a fierce glare.
When she brushed past him, Sesshoumaru grabbed her arm, ignoring the surge of youki he felt the moment he touched her. She growled again and flung her arm back in attempt to shake him off. He let go as he sensed a great amount of youki being released from her hands. Jumping into the air, he barely missed being hit by the explosion that erupted from her fingertips.
Rin collapsed weakly to the ground and stared at scene before. Terrified servants huddled behind trees and cast a wary glance her way as the dirt cleared the air. Just at her feet a hole was filled with singed trees and burning shrubs. She glanced down at her hands and then up at Sesshoumaru as he stood next to her.
"How did I do that?" She asked in a whisper.
Sesshoumaru inspected the scene himself. "You let your youki control you again and discovered an interesting ability."
Rin looked ahead of her and said nothing, her mood visibly dropping for reasons that escaped him.
"The attack appeared to be similar to Inuyasha's Sakontessuo only instead of shredding things, your youki explodes upon contact. If it was not obvious that you enjoy blowing up things before, it is now."
She rose slowly to her feet, turned, and walked away. Sesshoumaru followed after her.
"Why are you leaving? This should be explored more. You should try to do it again," he suggested.
"No," she said flatly.
"Why?"
"I only did it because I was angry with you. I doubt I will do it a second time since it is obvious to both of us that I do not have control over my powers."
"Anger or not, you should try again."
"Get used to hearing no, Sesshoumaru."
He grabbed her arm and stopped. He waited until she turned to face him before he spoke. "You will address me correctly."
Rin snatched her arm away. "Maybe later. Right now, I can't stand to be in your presence."
He once again grabbed her arm and this time, his grip was fierce. "You test my patience Rin. I have tolerated your blatant disrespect far to long. As long as you are on my land, you will show me the proper respect or leave. I will not have you reflecting poorly upon my reputation."
"Then I will leave," she said calmly. "Release my arm, you're hurting me."
He loosened his grip and stared at her for a short moment. "I will not allow you to leave."
She growled and attempted to strike him with her free hand. He caught it firmly in his other hand and quickly transformed into a ball of light as his servants approached. He would not allow them to see how she treated him. They traveled to the top of the waterfall and once there, he released his old on her.
"This Sesshoumaru demands to know the reason for your behavior."
Rin rubbed her arm silently and turned her head to the side, avoiding eye contact.
"Enlighten me, Rin," he said as he tucked his hands in his sleeves. "Why do you continue to do everything within your power to anger me?"
"Why are you so easily angered?" she countered, but did not wait for a response. "To think this all started because I was curious about your family. You chose to be spiteful by punishing me for reading about it. All of this could have been avoided if you just would have told me."
"What gain can there be from knowing?" he demanded.
She turned to him then, barely able to mask the pain in her eyes. She straightened her spine and held her head up high. "You are right, there is no gain. I will speak of it no further."
Sesshoumaru tried to grasp what had just transpired. There was that sudden drop in her mood again and he did not understand why. And why was she suddenly dropping the matter after she had persisted so much? He stared at her intently, searching her beautiful face for answers but found nothing but sadness. Why was she unhappy that he would not tell her of his family?
When he discovered the obvious reason, he felt like a fool and quickly sought to fix his mistake. "Rin-"
"I apologize for my behavior, Sesshoumaru-sama. To be completely honest with you, I must admit that I found it amusing to upset you so. You were always rather reserved and boring. You are easier and more enjoyable to be around when you are not so nonchalant. Still, it is wrong of me to hope to find amusement at your expense."
They stared at each other for many moments. Rin grew increasingly uncomfortable under his intense gaze. There were no traces of anger or any emotion she could clearly identify, but something about his look told her she should be wary. It was as if he was trying to coax something from her, be it a response or a smile. He wanted something from her and judging by his silence, neither of them understood what it was.
"You may go Rin. We will continue your training tomorrow," he said quietly.
"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama." She bowed and made her way back to the estate.
Sesshoumaru watched as she disappeared in the distance, his eyes still burning with that strange look of wanting. This was something beyond attraction and far beyond his comprehension. He felt those strange forces constrain against his heart again as he considered what it would mean to give Rin the single thing she wanted. A memory of her came to mind, one that reminded him of how much things had changed.
"I have long since accepted the fact that a family is not meant for me...When my family was murdered and villagers would give me no aid, I became convinced that I was meant to be alone. And then I met Sesshoumaru...I considered him and Jaken-sama and Ah Un my family..."
A family. To be a part of a family. His family. Some how Sesshoumaru knew if Rin became to close, it would be more permanent than either of them was prepared to handle.
Thank you for all the wonderful reviews and compliments!
I know everyone is waiting for some lemony/fluffy goodness, but that aspect of Sesshoumaru and Rin's relationship is developing slowly. There is still a lot for both of them to come to grasps with. So, nothing extreme will happen right off the back, but I have provided some tidbits into what could be and that should satisfy you for the time being. Matter of fact, the next chapter is a little saucy as Tiger5913 puts it. As for losing her head to Sesshoumaru...maybe not physically, if you catch my drift. )
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. From here on out, their relationship begins to change as I'm sure you can tell from the horrible little mini-cliffhanger.
Rabid Anime Gurl
