What you don't know—or realize—is that I have previously written all these chapters by hand, and read them five times each. After a while, the excitement in all of them disappears. I have writers block right now so you are lucky all these chapters are pre-written. I usually change a few things though so if this chapter gets kind of screwed, blame the writers block. (I also can't spell right now so just bear through the typos.)
Rin Lends a Hand to Love
This cannot be true, thought Jaken. Lord Sesshomaru cannot be in love. No, that feeling does not exist within him. He owns nothing but anger and malice., thought Jaken. love
Could it be? Lord Sesshomaru loves Lady Miyoko? (Rin) That has to be whom the fortuneteller was talking about. After all, the other fortuneteller said he cared about two people, and he doesn't know any other women well enough. Maybe he does love Lady Miyoko. He will probably have trouble hinting it to her so I will help him. That way it will be easier when he confesses his love.
They continued to walk. The scenery started to change; they were walking on a path surrounded by a meadow of wildflowers. Sunset would begin any minute. Sesshomaru led the group, Rin and Jaken were in the middle, and (unlike usual) Miyoko walked in the back taking in the scenery.
Rin got an idea and picked up the prettiest flower she could find. She skipped over to Sesshomaru.
"Isn't this flower beautiful, Lord Sesshomaru?" Jaken leaned inward to eavesdrop.
Sesshomaru glimpsed at it, seemed to think for a moment, and then stated, "Yes."
"Almost as beautiful as Miyoko, right Lord Sesshomaru?"
He stopped walking for a second. He looked down at Rin who was holding the flower up and smiling. He continued to walk and said nothing.
"You should give it to her, Lord Sesshomaru. And tell her that it is almost as beautiful as her," said Rin.
Sesshomaru glimpsed down at her trying to figure out what she was trying to achieve. He moved his eyes back upward and stared blankly ahead as he did before.
"Why don't you give her the flower since you find it so radiant," was his response to Rin's request.
Rin nodded and skipped to Miyoko. "Lady Miyoko?"
Miyoko looked down and smiled "I told you Rin; you don't have to call me that."
"I know but with your permission, I'd like to."
"Alright then Rin-chan."
"Lady Miyoko?"
"Yes Rin?"
"Lord Sesshomaru wanted me to give you this flower for him."
Miyoko stopped walking. As Jaken hopped over she said, " I'm sure you are mistaken Rin—"
"No he did not Rin. Miyoko is right, you are mistaken." At this point, Miyoko started to walk again, and Jaken and Rin followed. "He didn't mean 'give it to her from me', he meant 'give it to her'!" said Jaken.
"It sounds the same to me," retorted Rin with her fists on her hips.
"Well, it is not the same," said Jaken angrily.
Miyoko bent down facing Rin. "Here," she said taking the flower out of Rin's hand and putting it in her hair. "Since we are unsure, why don't you take the flower? There, now you are even prettier."
Rin gasped. "Thank you Miyoko-dono." She skipped to Sesshomaru.
"I have got a flower in my hair Lord Sesshomaru."
He glanced at her as she pranced around him but continued to walk. She continued skipping behind him while Jaken watched her. Then he shifted his attention to Miyoko. She was looking at the scenery again, but this time she spent a while staring at the flowers, as if she were deep in thought.
That night, after they had reached another forest (with a very large clearing in its center) Miyoko tended to the fire. Jaken was sitting near the fire, but Sesshomaru was farther away. He was sitting, facing away from it. He appeared to be thinking, although his face was empty (as it always was).
Rin came over and sat beside him. She sat there for a moment the said, "Lord Sesshomaru?" She spoke gently and quietly—a contrast to earlier.
"Yes Rin?"
She paused. "The man who was reading your palm without permission, he told me what he read."
Sesshomaru said nothing.
"Would you like to know what he said Lord Sesshomaru?"
He paused. "Yes. I would like to know what that man told you without my permission.
"He…said that you were in love. With Miyoko."
Sesshomaru's expression did not change.
"Is this true Lord Sesshomaru?"
For a second he remained silent. The he said, "Not all fortune tellers tell the truth Rin."
"Oh," she said simply. She was a little disappointed.
"It is late Rin. You should sleep," he said. He led her to her bed.
Miyoko wasn't in sight.
"Keep watch over Rin," he said to Jaken.
"Yes me Lord………she is fetching more wood."
Sesshomaru looked at Jaken with fierce eyes when he said that. They weren't glaring, but they were fierce and intent.
He then turned away and headed deeper into the forest. Jaken scowled.
Sesshomaru found a large tree and leaned against it. He thought. The knowledge we obtained from the fortuneteller today was not aiding. Although it entertained me, it revealed no clear answers. He recalled what Meyami had said about Miyoko. I knew she liked me. But I was not aware that she loved me. Love is much stronger than just a liking and she has not really shown that strong emotion. He knew Miyoko was somewhere nearby; he could smell her. He closed his eyes and gave in to his urge to seek her out.
Miyoko had picked up wood then realized there was no need for it. She knew why she was really there. She dropped her wood in frustration and traveled to a log. She sat on it and placed her hands in her lap being careful of her shoulder.
What was Rin doing? What happened today?
Miyoko suddenly did something she had not done in a long time. She thought about her friends. I'm sure they are fine without me. Besides, they would be glad to know I am happier here.
She looked down at her hands and was instantly reminded of Sesshomaru. "Such exquisite hands," the fortune-teller had said. "Emotionless. Your feelings are barely there."
She looked up at the sky to see the moon but the trees blocked her view. Then she heard a noise. Sesshomaru appeared behind the trees and stood before her. What has he come to do? Tease me about how red my face was today? No, he must be here to tell me I look old without my ribbon. She looked up at him. He gazed back at her. Emotionless, empty eyes. Suddenly, she felt weak and vulnerable. She tried to look away but could not. Her eyes were locked on his, and his on hers.
Finally, she turned away. "Stop staring at me," she said crossing her arms.
He continued to stare. "Where is your wood?" he asked, slightly smiling in his sly manner.
Miyoko thought quickly. "I threw it…out. I realized I didn't need it anymore." Maybe too quickly. Great cover up, Miyoko. Lie you butt off, she thought.
Sesshomaru maintained his smirk. Yes, I see now.
"Stop staring at me like that!" Miyoko shouted standing up.
Sesshomaru slowly erased the smirk off his face. "Does it make you anxious?" His emotionless face had returned.
"Meyami was right; you are conceited."
Sesshomaru took a few steps closer to Miyoko. (Now about 3 feet away.) They were silent for a while—Sesshomaru looking up at the starry sky, Miyoko looking down at the grassy ground. Her expression was calm and relaxed. When she looked up, Sesshomaru was looking back at her.
"I was thinking about my friends I left behind."
"…Do you miss them?"
Miyoko sighed. "I suppose so. But I am much happier here."
Sesshomaru turned to face sideways. He stared blankly ahead. Then calmly said, "Sometimes Miyoko, It does not appear that way. It seems as if you'd be more content hunting for the hanyou that killed your family with your human friends."
Miyoko frowned. "If you do not speak of my family, I will not speak of yours," she said.
There was a pause.
"I have given you much freedom Miyoko. Are you aware of the reason for this?"
There was another pause. "No," she said.
"Nor am I," Sesshomaru said softly, looking at her intently. He turned and step closer still. Now they were only about a foot apart. Miyoko tried to keep herself from blushing but couldn't do so. She turned her head away and looked down but she knew it was still not hidden. She felt his cold, empty, emotionless, yet beautiful and entrancing eyes on her. She felt weak again and as if she would faint.
He was tearing her to pieces and he knew it. Why is he doing this to me? This is the worst way he has ever tried to get enjoyment out of my discomfort.
"I hate you," she whispered under her breath.
"Yes," said Sesshomaru, "It is quite obvious that you do." He turned and walked away, heading in the direction of where they'd set up camp.
She wanted to throw a rock at his stupid head. But knew she wouldn't. Maybe I do hate you Sesshomaru. Hate you for the way you tease me so. For the way you make me feel. He husband never gave her this feeling. This feeling was different. It made her feel uncomfortable, but in a somewhat pleasant way. She felt herself blush again. Why?