Disclaimer: Inuyasha is Copyright of Takahashi Rumiko

Nothing Without The Other

Chapter 7

Rin collapsed on the lush futon, wondering where the week had gone. She had exhausted herself trying to occupy every second of the day so she would not think of Sesshoumaru. Practicing the shakuhachi, helping to furnish the new guests rooms as well as Sesshoumaru's quarters, and exercising. She had only succeeded in wearing herself out and making the end of the week come faster.

She cursed her luck.

What had Sesshoumaru been thinking? He willingly kissed her as if it was the most natural thing to do. She laughed at the idea. There had been nothing natural about that moment and the way it made her feel. Sesshoumaru disliked humans, or at least the idea of mixing human and youkai blood. But she was not exactly human, was she?

It was then Rin realized that she and Sesshoumaru had many things to address. From the start she had wondered why he had come for her upon Inuyasha's request. A part of her expected him to come and that is why she had run off, but she still found it odd. He wanted them to go their separate ways so why had he come? Why had he been so willing to give up his youki in order to save her?

And how did he feel about her transformation? She had sensed his apprehension from the beginning and some how, it was still there. He stared at her, with that strange want in his eyes, as if he wanted her to go back to being human. Though he never mentioned it, her appearance mimicked his quite a bit. Did that annoy him?

She let out a frustrated sigh as she sat up. And what of his strange behavior toward her? She clearly remembered their conversation after the...incident..and realized that it was only her that had acted out of instinct. Sesshoumaru was far too powerful to give in to instinct so easily and he had proven so by dumping her in the ice-cold river. She was left to assume that he had kissed her willingly, just as he had done earlier that week.

But what she experienced when he kissed her was nothing like with Ichigo. That had felt natural, though it made her slightly uncomfortable when he held her so tightly. The moment had felt just as natural as it had when she kissed Akane or Yuriko on the cheek. What she had experienced with Sesshoumaru made her heart race faster than she thought possible, even though it felt heavier than Ah Un himself! There was nothing natural about that.

What she needed was someone to talk to, someone who understood what she was going through. She had considered more than once talking to Fumiko or Kimiko and Yumiko, but thought better of it. If Sesshoumaru found out she was sharing information about their...involvement, he would be most displeased. She had a feeling that what happened between them was meant to stay between them.

"Rin-dono," came Yumiko's voice from outside her door. "Lord Sesshoumaru has returned."

"Hai, I'm coming," she said and quickly fixed her clothing. Though she was nervous to see him, she had to admit that she missed him greatly. Since he had become so honest and open with her, she found their conversations quite stimulating.

But as they greeted him at the gates, no one was prepared for anger that seemed to carry from him in massive waves.

Wanting to avoid their master at all costs, everyone went their separate ways and immediately tended to their jobs. Rin took Ah Un to the stables and saw that he was fed handsomely. After changing the water, she patted him down generously.

"Rin-dono," Yumiko called to her again. "Lord Sesshoumaru requests audience with you."

Confused, but obedient, Rin quickly returned to his quarters, Yumiko following closely at her heals. They found him in his new study, still visibly annoyed, and sitting behind the large table. She bowed respectfully and sat as Kimiko brought and poured tea for them both. They sipped in silence for many moments before Sesshoumaru finally spoke.

"Play," he demanded simply.

With a nod, she retrieved her shakuhachi from the pouch in her kimono and played the song she had been practicing during his absence.

"Fumiko tells me you helped organize this room and my own."

"Hai, my Lord. I wanted to be of some service to you."

"Hnn. Do you wish for some extensive duty?"

"If it would be of some help to you."

"Fine," he said as he rose to his feet and she followed him to his room. "You will be my hostess. Your servants will assist you. Can you handle that?"

"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama."

"That means none of your smart remarks or disrespect. You must conduct yourself like a lady."

"When you have guests, I will behave and keep my disrespectful remarks to myself," she stopped when they reached his room, not daring to follow him inside.

"But only when I have guests," he noted, removing his obi and placing his two swords on the table at the foot of his futon.

She flashed him an innocent smile. "May I ask what is troubling you, my Lord? You look rather drained."

"There were many annoyances during my patrol."

Realizing he did not wish to speak on them further, she nodded her understanding. "If there is nothing more I can do for you, I -"

"Play again."

"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama."

He watched her for a time as she played before he turned and removed his armor. Rin averted her eyes and ignored the growing familiarity of the heaviness on her heart. He stretched out in front of her and let his body slowly relax as he closed his eyes. And as she grew more comfortable once the mood lightened, she played until she was breathless.

"Well, that tops any amount of practice that I did this week," she smiled. "I was quite bored while you were away."

"Is that so? This Sesshoumaru was under the impression that you were glad to see him go," when she said nothing, he assumed he was correct.

She stared at him, glad his eyes were closed. "You made me uncomfortable."

"How so?"

She narrowed her eyes. "You know how."

"It slips my memory," he said, sitting up so they were face to face. "Or perhaps I did not expect you to be uncomfortable and therefore cannot pinpoint the action that caused your discomfort."

She clinched her teeth together. "You know exactly what you did. Do not toy with me."

"Do not give this Sesshoumaru orders. Perhaps you should explain or show what I have done to make you uncomfortable."

Rin rose to her feet, her cheeks flushed. "It's late and I am tired. Please excuse me, Sesshoumaru-sama."

He nodded to her in dismissal, but followed after her. "Since when do you bite your tongue? And if you are not honest, this Sesshoumaru may do it again."

She stopped at her door and quickly slid it open. She turned back to him and gave a small bow. "Goodnight, Sesshoumaru-sama."

When he leaned forward and quickly captured her lips with his, Rin promised herself she would never again be polite to him in private. The kiss was short, but the sensation traveled down her spine and assaulted every nerve on her body. When he pulled away, she could have sworn she saw humor in his eyes.

"Goodnight Rin."


"You may enter," Sesshoumaru called, not bothering to look up when the door opened. He already knew who it was. "What is it Rin?"

"I would like to visit Inuyasha and Kagome," she said calmly. "And Ichigo as well."

"No," he wrote something down. "I have no desire to see that wretched hanyou or that disrespectful human."

"I will go alone. It is not as if I have not done so before."

"No."

"I am not asking for your permission, Sesshoumaru-sama." When he looked up at her, she continued. "They tended to me while I was ill, I owe it to them to let them know that I am well."

"Send a letter," he suggested.

"I will do no such thing. That would be rude and dishonorable," she added. "I must visit them as soon as possible."

"It will have to wait. My guest will arrive in three weeks. You wished to be a hostess, did you not? Your duty is here first."

Rin fought to remain calm. "I know my duty, and three weeks is enough time."

"You are being unreasonable, Rin."

"No, Sesshoumaru-sama. You are being just as unreasonable as I thought you would be, that is why I hesitated bringing the matter up until now. I am more than capable of making the journey myself and returning within two weeks."

"Tell this Sesshoumaru why it cannot wait until his guests have come and gone."

"It will be spring. With all the beauty of nature awakening, what is to stop me from enjoying the sights and taking two months to do what would take two weeks?"

He thought of it for a short moment. Rin did have the tendency to obsess over flowers and whatever baby animal that happened to cross her path. Though he honestly could not recall the last time she had become utterly lost in nature, he was not willing to chance it.

"Fine. But you will not go alone."

"Fine."

Rin fisted her hands in her sleeves and marched from the room, rethinking her plans. Though she had every intention of visiting Kagome and Ichigo, she would have preferred to do it without Sesshoumaru. After all, he was the reason she wanted to leave as soon as possible. She needed space, time, and certainly not Sesshoumaru's advances, in order to fully understand her feelings and his actions.

She could only hope he would not further complicate things during their short trip.


I hope this chapter clears up any confusion. I know I make Rin quite cunning and clever, she is still rather confused, for lack of a better word, about things regarding intimacy, as you can see from this chapter. I'm developing things a little slowly between them, but I'll never keep you bored! Thanks for all the reviews, they really keep me going! I have also been getting reviews for previous stories I've written. So for anyone who doesn't think I still read them, I do, and thank you for them!

THANKS EVERYONE!

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