Chapter 2
"Well, this is the best that we can do," replied Rin as she eyed the cave with regret. She hated caves and despised the emptiness of them. The cave was deep and dark as the eye could see. Rin saw some blocks of wood she could use to produce a fire with the help of the dragon. " All right Ah Un, show me what you got!"
Ah Un breathed out a huge flame of fire onto the pile of wood. The light from the fire began to light up the cave. It only gave the place a little warmth but it didn't erase Rin's uneasiness. She removed the veil that protected her long waist length rich chocolate hair. Her long eyelashes that surrounded her oval shaped eyes brushed the tops of her checks as she blinked to adjust to the new light in the cave. Many men in other villages she visited would stop and stare at her. They would ask for her hand in marriage but Rin was dedicated to her master. She knew nothing of love and marriage. The thought of having a husband never crossed her mind. But recently, she began to wonder of such things of having a baby. She saw many babies by young maidens the same age as herself. She so desperately wanted to hold them and touch the little ones.
Rin began to be deep enthralled in her thoughts that she put herself into a deep sleep. She began to dream about her fantasy family
A half-demon child with long white hair and dog-ears would rush to her outstretched arms. Rin leaned down to pick the child and the little girl giggled as she was tossed in the air.
A hand touched her shoulder that caused Rin to jump out her dream with a startled scream. She found herself face to face with a handsome man with wide eyes.
"Kohaku, my goodness, you scared me. How did you find me in here?" Rin felt her heart thudding against her chest. She was relieved that it was only he.
"I saw Ah Un carrying you so I decided to follow." Rin gave him a sarcastic look. "What? I can't be concerned for the well being of a friend." Kohaku grabbed for his chest as if he was in pain. "I'm hurt, Rin. You should know that I would always be worried about your safety. Why do continue you to look at me that?"
"I know you waited to make sure Lord Sesshomaru wasn't with me. You always do that. You should have no reason to avoid him."
"I don't, but that dog demon despises the sight of me. He just gives me that cold stare and says nothing." He tossed up a rock and caught it as he talked. "He gives me the creeps. Why do you continue to travel with that demon in the first place?"
Rin caught the rock he threw in mid air. "He saved my life, Kohaku. I could still be dead if it wasn't for him."
Kohaku couldn't argue with that fact. He just looked at her and shoved his thoughts away on the dog demon that protected her. He did take notice on how the light from the fire made a warm glow upon her heart shaped face. Her lips were full with a kissable pout. Her eyes looked like almonds that were surrounded by long feathers of eyelashes. He found that he couldn't keep his eyes off her. She had grown into a lovely creature. It was very rare to see a human with beautiful features that over matched those of female demons. Kohaku even sneaked upon her in the hot springs during her hot warm baths. Her naked figure would even make any male, human or demon, feel hot with lust. He recalled her long shapely legs that connected to soft puddles of hair covering her womanhood. The roundness of her breasts, Kohaku began to daydream.
Rin interrupted his sweet thoughts. " Are you going to continue to stare at me like a piece of fruit?" Her words knocked him out of his dream and he glanced away quickly. She tossed the rock she took back at him. Kohaku dodged it and sat down on the floor on the other side of the campfire.
Rin stood up and walked over to sit down beside him. She laid her head on his hard shoulder. She was shocked to find that he was bigger than she thought. He had grown into a very handsome man. He continued to wear his hair in a ponytail but now it was longer past his shoulder blades. He was tall and had a muscular built. His face had that broad more adult look but rather nice than ever. She wondered why she failed to take notice the change before. Rin notice a feeling of awkwardness come over her while sitting there beside him. They had been friends for years and not once had this emotion come over her. They just sat there in silence for seconds, which seemed like hours.
" So, where is the great demon?" Kohaku broke the silence. Rin could feel her frustration sore. She had not heard from him for ages, and that was all he could manage to come out of his mouth. She had been dreadfully worried about his well being ever since the return of Naraku.
" URGH! Is that all you have to say to me after a couple of months without seeing you! Where have you been? I was worried. I didn't know what happened to you. I thought, surely, Naraku hasn't gotten a hold of him again. Well…tell me where you have been?" Rin was back into her old habit of running her mouth when she was afraid, nervous, or aggravated. She just couldn't restrain herself anymore.
"I was off trying to find that Naraku. To tell you the truth, I have no idea where he is." Kohaku shut his mouth and let out a sigh. "I also ran into my sister, Sango." He avoided looking into her eyes while he continued speaking. "It was so hard seeing her again. She has so much pain her eyes. It is my entire fault! I really had brought nothing but sadness into her life. I don't even think our relationship will ever be the same again. Rin, I believe I lost Sango forever." A dark shadow came across Kohaku's eyes as he began to think deeper as he talked. "If I ever find Naraku, he will die at my hands. I will avenge my father, the other slayers in the village, and importantly, Sango." He realized then that had his hands in deep fists.
Rin could feel her heart go out for him. His eyes looked desperate, dark, and sad. She could tell he was struggling real deep inside of himself. She put her arms around him for comfort; she could feel his hand reach around her waist in return.
"Sango loves you with all her heart. She is overjoyed to have you back in her life again. It is just hard on her right now. We all just found out Naraku is still alive. Things have just gotten more complicated. Last time Naraku was alive, he really had you by the palm of his hands." Kohaku laid his chin on the top of Rin's head. He really needed to feel her friendship. His chest was filled with sorrow with thoughts of his past. The memories were filled with darkness and death; he could never forgive himself for that. If it were not for Rin, he would not be the man he is today.
"You see, Kohaku, things will work out for the best." She then reached within her kimono and pulled out the two sai, weapons with three pronged daggers. She spun them around in her hand. Totousai had forged them both for her. They were supposedly made out of the bones of a powerful demon that had possessed jewel shards. The daggers had its own fighting techniques that could test Inuyasha's Tetsaiga. "Besides, I have been training to fight against Naraku, too. Thanks to you and Lord Sesshomaru. I can help to bring down that evil half demon for good."
Rin had been training to the extreme extent. Sesshomaru started to teach her fighting techniques ever since the Band of Seven was thrashing turmoil over the Western Lands. He didn't show any restraint in her training and was tough on her as he was on his half brother Inuyasha. She had the bruises to prove it.
"Oh yeah, I forgot you and the great Lord Sesshomaru has been in deep slaying training. He must be real tough on you. I recall seeing those lovely bruises on your arms." Kohaku let out a chuckle. "Wow, I can't believe he allowed himself to bring any harm to you. His dear sweet human Rin"
"And what is that suppose to mean."
"The demon that claims to hate humans keeps a lovely human female around." Kohaku smiled to himself. He couldn't help but feel a jealous. The demon had a part of Rin that he could never reach. He looked at her in the corner of his eyes. "Why do you think Lord Sesshomaru keeps you around after all these years?" Rin continued to look confused. Kohaku rolled his eyes and sighed to himself. "Take your time. You'll eventually get it."
Rin jumped up to her feet. "What are you talking about? Are you referring to Lord Sesshomaru in disrespect?" She was filled with anger that her best friend would say such a thing. It was then Kohaku's turn to jump to his feet. As he towered over Rin, she continued to stand up for her demon protector. She squared her shoulders and looked him straight in his eyes. "You owe him, after all, he did save your life after Naraku snatched out the jewel shard from your back."
He narrowed his eyes at her. His pride was hit real hard in his gut. He refused to believe that Sesshomaru saved him out of sympathy. The demon hated him to the core, just as much as he did Inuyasha. "You know that Tenseiga saved my life because the sword chose to do so. Sesshomaru did not do it on his own free will. That demon hates humans! He just keeps you around for own personal gain. I wondered if you looked at your reflection lately. " Kohaku didn't blame the demon either. His envy for the demon soared. Rin was a rare beauty and a lovely body to match. He didn't mean to be perverted; he did desire her as his own. But he cherished their friendship and held it dear to his heart. He would never do anything to jeopardize it, no matter how bad he wanted to confess his feelings towards her.
"Personal gain! What? My reflection? You are not making any sense at all!" Rin was startled. He just doesn't understand Lord Sesshomaru. She hated fighting with Kohaku but Lord Sesshomaru was like a big brother to her. She disliked anyone to speak badly of him. Deep down she knew she had deeper feelings for him, but refused to give in to them because she really knew Kohaku was right. She had denied as much as she could.
A couple of weeks ago….
Kagome looked into Rin's eyes and felt nothing but pity for her. She didn't mean to be harsh but the truth will only save her from heartache.
"Rin, loving him will only bring you pain. Inuyasha can be too straightforward and harsh but falling in love with Lord Sesshomaru is not smart. Inuyasha is right, he only allows you to stay."
Rin looked at the beautiful woman before. Her long black hair swaying the wind as they stood beside the hut Inuyasha built for Kagome to live while she was in the Feudal Era. They had been together for many years, and eventually confessed their love for one another. Inuyasha's first love, Kikyo, has eventually laid her soul to rest. She had been a part of the undead for too long and was killed along with her sister Kaede in a battle against Naraku. They both sacrificed themselves to save them all and a temple had been built in their memory.
Kagome walked up to Rin and gave her a hug out of sympathy. She hated the fact that the girl was headed in a huge heartbreak. She recalled many times she tried to get Inuyasha to see inside of her heart.
"Kagome, thank you for listening."
Inuyasha yelled from inside of the hut. "I don't understand why you stay around my older brother anyway? He hates humans! I don't even think he is couple of love. He is going to eventually get rid of you! Why do you even waste your time…."
"INUYASHA, SIT BOY!" yelled Kagome. There was a large crash from inside of the hut. Inuyasha made a huge yelp and rushed outside of the door. His hair was in a mishap as well as his clothes. He had the enchanted necklace around his neck.
"KAGOME! You told me you wouldn't do that anymore. I was only giving Rin good advice about no good brother of mine!"
"You were being insensitive to her feelings. She doesn't want to hear that."
"Why should I sugar coat it? It isn't like he was going to return her feelings anyway!"
Kagome's face grew bright red as her eyebrows ferried up. "URGHHH! INUYASHA! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! BOY!" Inuyasha crashed real hard to the ground. His body made a huge dent as he lay upon the ground with dirt and dust surrounding him. The charmed necklace still had its effect on him. What an idiot, thought Rin as she walked off as they continue to fight their lovers squall.
"Hello? You really have no idea, do you?" Kohaku got his answer by the confused look displayed upon Rin's face. " Dammit! You lack common sense in intimate things. You shall see. Demon or not, he is still a man." Kohaku abruptly grabbed Rin and put her in his arms. He held her close to him, tightly as he possibly could. He rested his chin on top of her head.
" Kohaku?" He said nothing, just held her. She didn't understand why but she felt so comfortable and right in his strong masculine arms. He is in so much pain, thought Rin. She held him back, to ease the hurt within his heart. Her body began to feel fuzzy and warm in places she never known existed. Her stomach began to feel butterflies. She couldn't place a name to the feeling that was coming over her.
" Rin, don't ever lose that innocence that you have. It is so beautiful and rare. I missed that so much about you. Promise me that you will never allow the world to change you." His hand rubbed her hair and back, as the other one was tight around her waist. Rin felt herself slip into soothing trance. She did not want to let this moment go.
" Don't worry about me. I am now able to take care of myself. I just want you to have your life back. I hate seeing you in such pain and Sango, too." She raised her head to look into his eyes and saw nothing but hurt in them. "Kohaku, I'm sorry." He placed his hand on the side of her face as they continued to look at each other. Ah Un's growl broke their trance. Rin spun around to get on to dragon for the interruption but she gasped at what she saw instead.
"Lord Sesshomaru! I was…I mean we…Kohaku was just…" Rin found herself startled and lost of words. She was over with fear that Sesshomaru may attack Kohaku. He may be a well-trained demon slayer but he no chance against Sesshomaru. She thought of everything she could possibly say to him. She then remembered that she was just in Kohaku's arms. I wondered how much he saw, pondered Rin as she turned to face her friend. He reached for his weapon that was tied behind his back.
"Human do not tempt me to a fight. I do not want to have to kill you." Sesshomaru reached up his cracking knuckles as his long nails glowed. Rin finally found her voice and thoughts together.
" Lord Sesshomaru, Kohaku just wanted to make sure that I was safe inside the cave. Naraku has been reborn, and he could be lurking anywhere. " Sesshomaru continued his demonic stare on them both. She then saw Kohaku slip the weapon back behind him, with its chain hooked to his slayer's uniform. He then walked around Rin and headed out of the cave.
" I'm gone. I know when I am not welcomed" He paused a little as he grazed passed the white haired demon.
"Kohaku," said Sesshomaru, " I advise you to keep your hands to yourself."
Rin watched as Kohaku turned his head towards the demon. "You saw for yourself that she wasn't complaining." Sesshomaru made a loud growl, but Kohaku had leaped into the night and disappeared.
For the first time in her life, Rin felt nervous being alone with the dog demon. His tall form made her feel small and childlike. She tried her best to stand her ground but her heart kept pounding real hard in her chest. She did her best to say something but nothing would come out of her mouth. Sesshomaru continued his long silent stock stare upon her. Rin could feel her pulse race and she tore her eyes from him. His golden eyes were burning a hole right through her.
" Rin, you do not wish to speak. This is a first." Sesshomaru's voice cut through the thick silent air. " How long has Kohaku been back? Is he still working for Naraku? Tell me the truth."
Rin opened her mouth to reply but closed it back shut again. She didn't want to say anything wrong that may cause harm to her cherished friend. He began to walk closer to her, until he was close enough to stare deep into her eyes. His golden eyes bearing down into her brown ones.
"Rin, I asked you a question. Do not disappoint me. Protecting him will only lead to your harm." He eyes shown no emotion but his presence was very overbearing. Rin reached deep within herself to answer his question. What should I say to him? Damn you Kohaku for getting me into this.
" Kohaku has just returned from the village that his sister Sango lives." She backed up a little to give herself some breathing room. You owe me, Kohaku! She attempted to look at him but felt guilty for not telling him the entire truth.
"I see. " That was all he said before he turned around and walked out of the cave. He then suddenly turned back around toward her. His amber eyes glowing into her chocolate brown ones. "Rin, do not it make a habit of lying to me. I will not show you any pity." She began to feel panicked as her breath was in her throat. She could not tear her eyes from his. He eventually turned around and walked out of the cave. Rin was following behind him with shame written all over her face. Dammit Rin! You really took a chance this time. Her chest like someone had put a knife right through it. She remained silent as she trailed the white haired demon.