Note: This chapter is dedicated to my girl Smiley and the anonymous reviewer who signs there name as?????????????????????. Thanks for waiting, now without further adeu here is my send chap…..
Sesshomaru bolted up in his bed. A thick film of sweat covered his body and his sheets clung to him like a second skin. With wide eyes Sesshomaru looked down to find he was involuntarily shaking…trembling. No, it couldn't be, he, Sesshomaru Lord of the Western Lands, he did not tremble from mere dreams. Although probably the most befitting word would have been nightmare. Yes, a nightmare that was all it was. It had been immensely disturbing. Lifting the heavy covers off the mattress, he strolled into the bathroom. Flipping on the light he gazed at his haggard reflection.
One could not say that the Lord of the Western lands was not handsome. If they did, they would be telling a colossal untruth. However, perhaps more so than being handsome the demon lord was simply, magnificently, perfectly… beautiful. So much so that sometimes he was mistaken for a woman, something that he hated to an unusual extent. It was visibly clear why many made the mistake. Sesshomaru long silvery-white strands hung to the end of his back.
Very uncharacteristic for men of the present age. His eyes were also abnormal, gold irises with flecks of purple, blue, and green spotting them. Many women had found those eyes irresistible and oddly compelling. Set in a dignified, aristocrat, flawlessly sculpted face. Physically he had the body of a Greek god, muscular, dominant, and undeniable to the opposite sex. His fingernails also were slightly extended on his slender hands. Besides his physical distinctiveness Sesshomaru carried himself like the superior being he was, head held high, posture straight, etc.
However, the man standing before the mirror looked nothing like the imposing lord of the western lands. No this man was bent over the sink his hair plastered to his face be droplets of sweat. His eyes weary and glassed over, his mouth dry and scowled. Looking at the apparition staring at him as a reflection Sesshomaru immediately splashed a handful of water on his face. Grabbing a towel, he wiped the sweat from his face. Taking another glance in the mirror, he was satisfied.
"Better." He'd be damned before he started acting like the humans he was around, with their sloppy posture, slurred speech, and appalling grammar. Quickly he turned on the shower adjusting the knobs until the water was scorching. A light steam filled the room. Stepping into the shower Sesshomaru let the hot water pour down his somnolent body. If he had been, anyone other than the demon he was, the water would have been far too hot to stand.
Standing under the cascading water, he contemplated his current situation. He was staying in New York trying to negotiate a promising business deal. Living in the future wasn't as hard as he had first believed. However, it was a big jump from feudal Japan.
Within months of coming to the present, Sesshomaru had set up one of the largest profiting businesses in the world, manufacturing steel and weapons for international armies. He was currently number three on Teen People's "Richest Bachelors list." Sesshomaru could not deny the fact that he enjoyed the title of CEO and president of "Youkai Steel" Corporation. Using his strength, power, and connections, he had maneuvered his way to the top. Strategy was something Sesshomaru knew a lot about. Not many dared defy him. Those who did were in danger of shorting their life spans about 10 years.
The only one who did not live in danger of Sesshomaru's wrath was probably his child-like adopted daughter Rin. Now a preteen, Rin loved to defy the youkai lords every request. Tall, slender, and beautiful Rin was a bundle of energy. Still a flower child, Rin loved the new age with all its technologies and had adjusted to the new change quickly.
After coming to the future, Sesshomaru had legally bound Rin to him as a daughter, making their relationship even stronger. Although he would never admit it, the young girl had touched his heart and in turn changed his life. He would do anything for her and protect her with his life. She traveled with him everywhere, always in his sights. The famed child of wealth and privilege, together they had toured Europe, Italy, and a number of other countries.
Rin loved Sesshomaru but as she grew, she had started getting rebellious. Not so much that he had to reprimand her, she had been raised far too dignifiedly for that. However, Sesshomaru felt that something was wrong. When he looked at her Rin's eyes held a sadness that Sesshomaru try, as he might, could not understand.
She had everything she wanted. Anything she desired was hers at her command. So what was the cause of her melancholy? He recalled it had started when she'd gotten her first moons blood or in present day terms, her period. Of course, he had known it was to one day happen, as with every female. It was just a matter of time. He'd been prepared, or so he'd thought.
{Flashback: 3 months past}
That was it. It was final. Rin officially hated him. Her perfect Sesshi-sama had betrayed her in the worst way. A fat tear dripped down Rin's somber face. She'd promised herself she wouldn't cry.
She'd broken that promise as Sesshomaru had broken his promise to always be there when she needed him. Damn him! Where was he? Rin trembled as she sat locked in her bedroom closet. Sickeningly she could feel the puddle of red liquid pooling between her legs. Rin was intelligent enough to know blood when she saw it, it was the same color as the blood Sesshomaru spilt when he killed demons in the feudal era.
The puddle was quickly growing into a lake; Rin felt it. Sobs racked her pubescent body. What was happening? What had she done to deserve this pain? The demon in her stomach that was battling with her insides and making her bleed.
As if on cue, the demon punched Rin making her double over in pain. Her head was spinning and a great feeling of nausea swept over her. Trying desperately to hold back the vomit, Rin looked for something to distract her. As a second wave of pain hit, Rin's control diminished and a tidal wave of vomit came spewing into her lap and over her hands. Rin tried the last thing she could think of, a method Sesshomaru had taught her.
Clasping her hands together Rin bowed her head, "Demon of um…something. What have I done to anger you? Whatever it was I apologize and I humbly ask thee to spare me." Obviously, the demon wasn't into taking requests, and Rin's body hunched over as another ripple of pain shot through her. It was taking all of Rin's power to keep her from screaming. However, Sesshomaru had taught her well and Rin wasn't about to let the demon have the satisfaction of hearing her pain. Even as she trembled, a searing heat traveled through her body.
The stench of blood and vomit was getting to be too much for Rin and it was making her head spin. Rin was so disoriented she did not hear the verbal beating Sesshomaru was giving Jaken nor did she hear a door open. When a brush of cool air whipped past her Rin groggily looked up to find a looming Sesshomaru standing over her in the open doorway. Sesshomaru took one look at the pain ridden Rin and all thoughts of anger dissolved replaced by ones of concern. As he looked down at her Rin looked away.
She was a mess, soaked in vomit and blood. How could he ever look upon her again? Sesshomaru being so faultless would probably never want her again. She had soiled his beautiful carpet and her hair was disheveled. No doubt, her stench was strongly assaulting his sensitive nose.
Rin felt new tears of guilt mingled with her past tears of pain as she felt Sesshomaru's stare. However, Sesshomaru wasn't looking at her instead he was looking at the crimson stain that decorated her legs. She was bleeding. Without hesitation Sesshomaru swept Rin into his arms and carried her out of the closet. Rin was surprised to feel herself in Sesshomaru's arms. Her head, rested against his brilliant white turtleneck. They were in the hall, Rin knew, as she heard the almost silent thud of Sesshomaru's boots on the marble floor.
"My lord you've found her. Thank heavens if something---"
Without pausing in his step, Sesshomaru kicked the chattering Jaken into the nearest wall. "If something had happened to her I would have held you personally responsible. Therefore, you would not be before me living and breathing. You owe her your life, pathetic and meaningless as it is. Make yourself useful and call the nurse," Sesshomaru said over his shoulder.
"Yes milord," came the timid reply from the smashed Jaken. Rapidly the toad was of his tiny feet scratching the ground. Despite the pain Rin laughed, it was good to hear Sesshomaru intimidate Jaken. Sesshomaru looked down at a slightly giggling Rin with a quizzical eye. As he made it into the infirmary, Sesshomaru gently laid Rin on the bed. Concerned Sesshomaru placed a gentle hand on her head. She was burning up with fever. But first, the blood he had to stop the blood. Quickly, Sesshomaru got out what the humans had called a "First-aid kit". Someone knocked on the door.
"Leave," Sesshomaru called roughly. He had no time for pesky servants.
Gently a voice floated through the door, "Um…it's me Glenda. Jaken said you requested me, sir."
Sesshomaru sighed, "Come in."
Glenda, a short squat nurse with fire engine red hair waddled through the door. Her eyes widened in alarm at the site of Rin.
"Oh dear, what's happened?" Quickly Glenda grabbed the kit from Sesshomaru who had taken a step back. Placing a chubby hand on her forehead, she felt the heat under Rin's skin. "Why, she's burning up, hotter than a firecracker in July. Well we'll take care of that won't we deary." Glenda motioned to Sesshomaru, "This child needs a cold rag now!"
At any other time, Sesshomaru wouldn't have taken an order from a human. Then again, this wasn't any other time and Sesshomaru hurried out of the room. Rin stared up into the motherly face of the nurse. Glenda's soft Scottish accent was comforting.
Softly Glenda brushed a piece of stray hair from Rin's face, "What happened deary? How did you hurt yourself?" Rin could barely speak her mouth was so dry and she was beginning to get a headache.
"I-I I don't know. I was j-just sitting, watching TV and then blood starting coming down my legs and there was pain in my stomach and I-I---" Rin broke down into a mass of tears as Glenda stroked her back.
"There, there missus it's okay. You'll be alright." Cautiously Glenda looked down at Rin's legs, which were covered in dried blood. Glenda had to pinch herself to keep from laughing. Sesshomaru rushed back into the room, cold rag in hand. Snatching it from him, Glenda laid the rag against Rin's sweating forehead. The rag felt so good on Rin's head she would have smiled had it not been so painful to do so.
"I believe I know what ails you missus."
"What," Sesshomaru interjected.
"Rin you're about," she counted her fingers, " Twelve now aren't you?"
Rin barely managed a nod, "Thirteen"
"Aye. Is your stomach hurting lassie?"
Rin nodded as vigorously as she could, "Yes, I tried to appease the demon but he won't leave me alone. He's been punching me in the stomach and made the blood come. I don't know what I did to him."
Glenda let a small smile cross her lips, "Nay miss, that's no demon you got there. Tis your menstrual cycle your avent nothing to fret o'er."
"Menstrual cycle? What's that?"
"Well lassie it's when you become a woman."
Sesshomaru could have slapped himself in the face. It was just her period. In his maddened state, he hadn't noticed the scent. Sniffing he found the scent was pungent, different from the scent of regular blood. His first thought when he saw the blood between her legs was that she had cut herself. Visibly he relaxed, Rin was in no life threatening danger.
Rin looked at Sesshomaru confused, "But I'm already a woman. I'm a girl."
Glenda tried a different approach, "Aye, you are. This just means that you can ave babies and the lot. It means your growin' and mighty fine too."
Rin's face blanched, she didn't want to have babies. More tears started to roll down her cheeks. Glenda handed her two red pills, "'ere take these they should elp wit tha pain," glancing at the tears she frowned, "What's wrong now lassie?"
Rin sobbed through her sea of tears, "I-I-I don't want any babies. I'm not even eighteen yet. I'm not married"
Glenda chuckled, "No missus you don't ave to ave babies yet. It just means you're physically ready and able to make 'chilren." Rin's tears came to a halt.
"Besides I'm not letting any heathen children enter my house Rin."
Rin smiled Sesshomaru would make sure she never had children, and that's the way Rin wanted it. A less painful spasm ripped through her body.
"Why does it hurt so bad?"
Glenda placed a comforting had on her stomach, "Because a long time ago, when tha earth was firs created a young lassie by the name of Eve got a bit too curious. She did somethin' bad that screwed it up for all the lassies to come. Curiosity also killed the cat. The medicine I gave you should ease the crampies. But don't you fret o'er pretty little 'ed missus Glenda's gonna take good care of you, Aye she will."
Tenderly, Glenda bent down and placed a kiss upon her cheek. Sesshomaru almost let a smile grace his features before they became hard beautiful pieces of marble once more. Pulling back Glenda wrinkled her nose; the stench in the room was horrible. Smiling she turned to Sesshomaru, "Now if thee will please leave the room the lassie and I will see what we can do about the stench." Rin's cheeks burned scarlet. Sesshomaru gave an imperial nod and one last glance at Rin before turning away.