Disclaimer: Inuyasha is Copyright of Takahashi Rumiko
Nothing Without The Other
Chapter 10
Rin approached cautiously, almost nervously. She suddenly felt very subconscious about her appearance and what the Noboru family would think about her now. True, she had not outwardly changed that much, but the three stars on her forehead made it quite obvious that something about her was very different. She could only hope they would not be utterly appalled by what had happened to her.
She spotted someone sitting out front and immediately recognized it as Akane. The young girl seemed to stare in disbelief for a short time before running inside. Shortly afterwards, she appeared with Yuriko and Saori. Rin smiled brightly, all fear and apprehension rolling off her shoulders. She eagerly quickened her pace and embraced both women affectionately.
"Oh, Rin. I was so worried about you!" Saori exclaimed as she held Rin's face in her hands. "But look at you. You're even more beautiful and healthier than before."
"Hai, Saori-sama, I am fine," she added with a smile. "Your little girls have grown quite a bit since I've gone and I see you already have another on the way!"
Saori rubbed her ever-growing belly. "Hai. Tadaki and I are both hoping for a boy."
She smiled before looking down at Akane. "Can you still fit the yukata I made for you Akane-chan?"
Akane giggled. "Of course I can, Rin-chan! And I've taken very good care of it."
"I'm so proud of you." Rin bent to hug the child again before she spoke to Saori. "When will Ichigo and Tadaki-sama return? I have so much to tell you all."
"Very shortly, I'm sure. Please, come in and sit. Let me pour you some tea. Surely you must be tired from your journey," Saori added.
"I'm fine, arigatou. Oh! Excuse my manners!" She said and quickly turned to Sesshoumaru, whom she had nearly forgotten was there. "I did not introduce you. This is Lord Sesshoumaru. He is the one I spent most of my childhood with and whom I have been staying with this winter."
Saori bowed respectfully. "Thank you for being so kind to Rin and taking such care of her. If not for you, we would not have the honor of knowing such a wonderful young woman."
Sesshoumaru glanced at Rin. "Indeed."
Rin forced a smile before she turned back to Saori. "He doesn't say much."
Saori eyed them both suspiciously for a moment, sensing that something was going on. A mother knows all, after all. "There. Tadaki and Ichigo are returning now."
Rin turned and watched them as they approached, a bright smile across her face. She embraced both men affectionately once they reached them. Tadaki clucked his tongue and tried his best to look angry.
"How long have you been well, young lady? Saori has been quite worried about you. Why didn't you come see us sooner?" Tadaki questioned her.
"The youkai probably kept her locked up somewhere," Ichigo answered for her as he looked at Sesshoumaru with fire in his eyes.
Sesshoumaru returned the gaze with equal fierceness, but said nothing.
"Ichigo please. Had it not been for Sesshoumaru-sama, it would have been you who came to visit me. And at my grave, for that mater. Gomen ne, Tadaki-sama. I came as soon as we felt I was ready."
"Hold your tongue, Ichigo," Tadaki advised his son. "You have been ill this entire time?"
"No, I have been healthy for quite some months. A month passed in Kagome's care before I became well again. There were other circumstances keeping me from reaching my complete strength."
Tadaki raised an eyebrow. "Please explain. You have our attention."
Rin quickly told them what transpired after they sent her to Kagome, how she managed to escape death for a second time, and the transformation she had undergone because she had survived. She summarized her months of training to gain control of her body and her time at her lord's estate, leaving out, of course, and her changing relationship with him.
"Tell me it isn't true," Ichigo demanded. "Tell me he hasn't changed you into a youkai."
"Had there been another way other than this one, Sesshoumaru-sama would have taken it. But I have no regrets. I am alive and that is all that matters. You do not have to accept me as I am now, that is not why I came here."
Saori stepped forward and inspected all the features Rin explained had changed. "It's true. You are no longer human, or at least you are not this close up. But when I look into your eyes, I still see the same woman I have come to love as my daughter."
Rin smiled and did her best to fight back her tears. "Arigatou, Saori-sama."
Tadaki stepped forward. "No matter how much you change physically, you are still Rin. You will always be welcome and loved here."
She bit her lip. "Arigatou, Tadaki-sama. That means so much to me."
"We should be thanking Lord Sesshoumaru," Tadaki reminded everyone as he turned to the youkai. "Saori. Why don't you take the children inside for tea? I would like to have a word with him alone."
Rin looked at Sesshoumaru quickly, fighting a wave of panic. How would he respond to Tadaki's request? "Tadaki-sama, I'm sure- "
"Go inside and make up with your friend Rin," Sesshoumaru advised her. "It seems he still needs some reassurance."
"H-hai," she said and let herself be dragged inside by an excited Akane.
Tadaki walked off a short distance before speaking. "I'm sure you would agree it isn't any of my business, but as I consider myself Rin's father figure, you cannot blame me for asking. A father is always protective over his daughter."
He raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "This Sesshoumaru understands."
"What are your intentions toward Rin?"
Sesshoumaru merely stared. There were many things he intended to say and do to Rin, but some how he did not think these were the type of intentions the old man was referring to. He mulled over the proper response for a moment before answering.
"I intend to return to my estate with her and carry on with the rest of my duties."
Tadaki shook his head. "You misunderstand me. You obviously love Rin, but what do you intend to do about it? Will you take her as her wife or are you opposed to the idea of being so involved with a human as most people seem to be?"
Again, Sesshoumaru stared, his features slightly lightened with surprise. The ideology of love often escaped his complete understanding. He had seen the things love caused many to do and nothing he felt toward Rin could be considered love, at least to his knowledge. Was there perhaps more to love that he was unaware of? Some emotion, some action or sign? Were his actions toward Rin a sign of love? Was this strange pressure on his heart trying to tell him he loved Rin?
"You do love Rin, don't you? Had I the power to give my life's energy to Saori if she was in death's grasp, I would do it with out hesitation. A man does not do such a thing unless he is deeply in love with the woman."
Sesshoumaru continued to stare at him blankly, at a loss for words. The concept still escaped him.
"Kami, you would think you don't know what love is."
"This Sesshoumaru will admit he does not."
Tadaki stared in shock before he gathered himself. "Tell me, would you give your life, without hesitation, to save her? Would you rather die than live without her?"
The answer came faster than Sesshoumaru anticipated. He had, essentially, nearly given his life to save Rin as it had taken most of his youki to heal her. He had been more than willing to do so because the possibility of letting her go had seemed quite unbearable. Now he understood why.
"Hai, I would," he admitted quietly.
"I have never met a man who is so deep in love that he doesn't even know it," Tadaki chuckled to himself. "But I have learned what I wanted. Rin will be in good hands with someone who loves her that much. I wish you the best of luck. But a word of advice my boy. Don't think that just because you figured out that those strange feelings are love that things are going to get easier."
"Hnn."
"Ichigo is getting married in two days. I'm sure Rin will want to stay," Tadaki added. "I am also sure you will not."
"You are quite perceptive, old man."
"Perhaps. If you had any desire to be around humans, Rin would probably have taken leave of you and spent her life among them. That much is obvious."
"Tell Rin I will meet her at the cavern in two days. And take this," Sesshoumaru retrieved two small pouches from his sleeve and lightly tossed them to Tadaki. "I am sure she will want to buy you all something."
"Understood," he said and with a nod he returned to his home. "Rin, Sesshoumaru-sama left these for you."
Rin furrowed her brows in confusion. "Where did he go? You two didn't have an argument did you?" She narrowed her eyes. "Tadaki-sama, did you say something to offend him?"
"Of course not!" He laughed. "He will meet you at the cavern after the wedding. Ichigo has informed you hasn't he?"
"Hai, he has. But I think it is best if I leave. I do not want to further upset Ichigo."
"I am not upset Rin, just...I don't understand. You hated him so much and he hurt you so deeply, how can I trust him not to do it again?"
"I was young and confused and hurt," she admitted with a shrug. "Those horrible things I said about Sesshoumaru-sama were never true and I am sorry I led you to believe they were. I will never turn on him again, even if you still dislike him."
Ichigo sighed. "I will trust your word Rin, as I always have. It would please me to have you at my wedding. Please stay."
Rin looked toward the door, hoping to sense Sesshoumaru nearby. Obviously he had given her the okay to stay even though they were on a tight schedule. She had no choice but to take advantage of this rare, kind moment.
"Hai, I'll stay," she finally said. "Now, tell me how this young woman caught your eye."
Rin peered into the forest, patiently waiting for some sign, some motion that would give away his position. Remaining focused, she tuned into the sounds around her and listened in hopes of hearing his footsteps. Her ears twitched slightly as the barest hint of a rumbling sound reached them. Smiling, she rose to her feet and dashed silently into the forest.
She immediately jumped into a tree and bounded to the next. There was a single moment of hesitation before she hopped down and raced through the forest, dodging trees as he pursued her. She turned her head as a tree she passed shook from an added weight. Shifting carefully but quickly, she changed direction and barely managed to dodge being captured.
But he quickly regained momentum and was following closely at her heels. She jumped into another tree, trying to lose him, before landing back down on the ground. But it had not helped. She could feel him reaching out to grasp her. He was close. He had only to pounce and -
They tumbled to the ground, rolled across the forest floor until they collided into bush.
Rin let out a breathless laugh and covered her heart with her hand as if to steady it. "You are much to quick for me Eiji. I think you lied about how often you play this little game."
Eiji sat up and struggled to catch his breath. "It is a game we must play in order to be successful in our hunts. I did not hurt you did I?"
She smiled and sat up. "No, I'm fine. Tell me," she added as her eyes lit up with curiosity. "What other games did you play that also helped you hunt?"
"Well it has always been within the same game," he rose to his feet and hid within a bush. "Sometimes I would stalk my brother or mother," he quietly circled around her. "Hushed in silence, blending with the shadows, waiting for the right moment to catch my victim off guard."
Rin followed him as best she could but he was quite practiced. His heart rate was slow, his breathing steady, and his movements were barely audible. It was quite clear that had it not been for the youki in her blood, she would have been an easy target.
"And then without warning, the chase starts," he quickened his pace. "or I simply pounce if I'm close enough," he jumped from the shadows and landed just inches in front of her. "But as much fun as this game can be, it is always just practice."
"Did your mother teach you?"
"Not really. It is more instinctual to play in such a way when we relax after a meal or when we wake up. Only when we're older do we realize how important it is."
She smiled and nodded her understanding. "It seems you had a very entertaining as well as insightful childhood."
"I did."
Rin watched his ears twitch and gave into the urge to touch them, if only for a moment. She smiled when she was rewarded with a rumbling purr from his chest. He moved closer, urging her to continue, until she obliged him. She pet him eagerly, earning deeper purrs, and longed to take him home for her pet.
"I better go," she looked down at the adorable cheetah lying in her lap. "Tomorrow I have to be up with the sun."
Eiji rose and helped her to her feet. "Will I see you tomorrow?"
Rin brushed the debris from her kimono and hair. "Same place and time," she told him with a smile.
"Tomorrow then," he waved and dashed off into the night.
Rin quickly raced back to the Noboru's home and quietly slipped inside, unaware that she was being watched from a figure hidden in the distant shadows.
Okay, another chapter and quite informing neh? Or maybe not. I'm sure you're all thinking "What the hell is Rin doing?" Yes..what IS she doing...only time will tell.
Verona - I'm not really sure why the last chapter was so short, to be honest. I was rather appalled myself when I updated it, believe it or not. If anyone remembers when I first began posting this story, I had ten chapters written. Meaning chapters 1-10 (which you are only seeing just now) were complete. So basically when I upload I run through a final spell check and stuff. So yeah...the only thing I can think of is that I wanted to bring an aspect of Sess/Rin's relationship to a close. Rin wants to be apart of Sess's family but first he must deal with his issues with his father brother. Though he doesn't confront it directly, he does, finally, voice his issues to another person. So basically all of that comes to a head and it won't be dealt with again until he sees IY. So that's done! On to issues w/this Eiji person. That is the only justification I can think of for having such a short chapter. As for the chapter being dry (and I'm sure you'll find this chapter dry as well)...ehh...I don't know really what to say to that. I know everyone wants to see more lime, but some things can't be rushed. I can't have a lime scene in EVERY chapter because then I miss the opportunity to develop the subtle and finer side of the relationship. So I just ask for your patience. The juicy stuff will be back next chapter. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENT!
Flor - Yeah not an abundance of reviews, but I'm extremely grateful for the ones I do get. I know that the way things are going, I think I will get more reviews than on my previous stories and that is what I'm going for. It means that I've improved. So yeah, I encourage people to review and really give me some constructive criticism as well as encouragement!
Shampoo-chan - Ahh, already looking ahead. Yes, there WILL be fluffiness when they discover they are nothing without the other. I know these last two chapters have been a little lacking in the lime department, but things will pick up and escalate with the next chapter. So just be patience! Hehe, I promise you won't regret it!
Thank you everyone for the reviews and support! Hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Rabid Anime Gurl
