Disclaimer: I'm Sesshomaru's kept woman...does that count for anything?
Once again, thank you to my reviewers! BIG love to you all!
Rin sank into the gently flowing stream, mindless of the chill of the water. The heat still had not left her cheeks as she went deeper into the stream, letting the waters reach her chin. Mortified? Yes, she was. Such flights of fancy while she was awake were one thing. At least then she could control her actions and keep from calling out her lord's name! His mercy at not having asked her any questions would not go unnoticed. She was even further in Lord Sesshomaru's debt now. Closing her eyes, Rin allowed her body to sway and move with the current.
Sesshomaru remained in the clearing, thoughts racing through his mind like quicksilver. Clearly his young charge was also developing a woman's desires as well. It hardly surprised him to hear his name tumble from her lips as she slept. What other male had she known in her life? Her human family was long forgotten. Himself, Ah-Un and Jaken were all she had...all she had trully known. Sesshomaru watched as his vassil attempted to catch the two headed dragon's reigns but it refused to obey. These days the only one Ah-Un trully seemed to listen and follow faithfully was Rin.
Minutes ticked by and still she had not returned. Sesshomaru's patience soon wore thin. Knowing the girl, her attention had been quickly and thoroughly captured by some flower or such nonsense. Jaken was reaching and straining to grasp Ah-Un's reigns and the great dragon demon snorted. They were as eager to be on their way as their lord. Sesshomaru glanced up towards the steadily climbing sun and frowned. It would seem he would have to go and gather young Rin.
"Jaken, remain here. If you are not here when I return, you will be left behind." he instructed, his tone being such that it brooked no arguement from the skittish vassil.
"Aye, me lord."
As swiftly as a summer's wind, Sesshomaru followed the sound of the water through the dense woods. No splashing could be heard. His pace soon quickened. If there was one thing to be said about Rin it was that she was not a quiet girl by any means. Whether it be her endless chatter, her quick laugh or her playful manner as she bathed. Suddenly, the youkai lord stopped. A scent. Not his nor Rin's...it was close. A soft breeze stirred and the scent came heavier this time, thicker almost like a fog to his keen senses. A demon. A wolf demon. The memory of seeing Rin's small broken body, her clothes torn and bloodied came rushing to the forefront of his mind and Sesshomaru sped for the stream.
Over and over Rin dipped beneath the surface of the water, her hair forming a wet clinging curtain to her arms, back and breasts as she rose up. She had lingered here long enough. Lord Sesshomaru wished to be moving on from these lands before the sun was directly overhead. She was going to have to face him once more. With a heavy sigh she turned and made her way to the bank of the stream when her breath caught in her throat. The cold of the water rushing around her hips was nothing in comparison to the icy fingers that wrapped around her heart, squeezing it painfully. Over and over she opened her mouth to scream but no sound would come out. It was if she were frozen. The creature on the bank watched her intently, its piercing eyes never wavering. The wolves that had attacked and slaughtered her as a child were mere pups in size when compared to the wolf before her.
"L-Lord S...Sesshomaru..." her voice was a weak and pitiful whisper, certainly not loud enough to bring her savior.
At the sound of her voice the wolf licked at its muzzle and Rin shuddered. The blood of a recent kill still clung to the demon's glistening fangs. A whimper of terror bubbled from Rin's tight throat as she dared to step back, deeper into the stream and away from the demon. Perhaps if she could make it to the other side she could find a way to circle back to her lord and Master Jaken. The demon took a step toward the stream with a deadly growl. Not again. She could not die in the jaws of one of these creatures again. Her lord would find her. Somehow he would sense she was in danger and come to her aid.
Sensing her fear, smelling her terror in the air the wolf demon snarled and barked, its teeth seeming to bite at the air that carried her scent. A scream wrenched itself free from Rin's chest, its echo carrying through the trees. Needing no further encouragement to strike the massive demon lept from the muddy riverbank. Paralized with fear, Rin could only watch as the creature seemed to descend upon her in slow motion.
"Please, let it be swift. Let me feel no pain." she prayed as she squeezed her eyes tightly closed, ready to embrace death for the second time.
Suddenly the air seemed to crackle and a quick sharp yelp sounded. Water sloshed over Rin's trembling form as she stood stalk still in the middle of the stream. Was it over? Was that her own final cry she had heard? Slowly she dared to open one eye. Before her in the water, its eyes glazed over was the wolf demon. The current causing its deadly claws to sway and brush against her thigh. Quickly, in a desperate attempt to keep its blood from coming in contact with her skin, Rin scrambled backwards, losing her balance for a moment and sinking to her shoulders in the water before diving to her feet once again. How? Who? Her eyes flew to the riverbank and relief flooded her, stopping her breathing for a split second.
Lord Sesshomaru stood at the edge of the trees, the deadly whip that eminated from his finger tips barely visible. Neither of them spoke, their eyes locked. Mindless of her nudity before her lord, Rin slowly made her way to the river's edge. He saved her. Just as he had always done without fail. Tears of gratitude flooded her eyes as she struggled to speak and thank him. His countenance changed as his eyes seemed to look beyond her. Was he cross with her for having not called him for help? She opened her mouth to speak when her lord's command came.
"Rin. Get down."
Without hesitation, Rin threw herself down onto the grass of the embankment and covered her head. She had seen her lord's hand grasp Toukijin and knew better than to ask questions. The wave of deadly power crashed above her and from the river Rin heard the wolf demon howl, a death cry. Lord Sesshomaru's whip had not finished of the beast but there was no missing with Toukijin. Death was an absolute. Rising up on trembling arms, Rin dared to look over her shoulder. Nothing remained. The demon had been completely destroyed. Swallowing thickly she turned once again to thank her lord only to find herself looking at his booted feet. Her head tipped back quickly so she might look him in the eye as she scrambled to her knees.
"Th-thank you, my lord. Once again you came to my rescue. My life is again in your debt." she breathed.
Sesshomaru's eyes remained locked with hers before straying further. Several strained and silent moments passed before he spoke. His voice never giving away the merry hell she was having on his senses, being so close and her skin completely bare to his gaze.
"Dress yourself, Rin. I have no more need of human debts. Next time, you will bring Ah-Un with you when you bathe."
With that the youkai lord turned on his heel and quit the area. Curse her, that had been to close! Another second and she would have been so much food for the demon. She was so niave, so trusting, so certain her lord would always be there to save her that she was mindless of any danger. Sesshomaru's anger was directed at Rin, at himself, at the whole cursed world for having a human girl cross his path and give him cause to feel!