Chikaku Watashi no Sesshomaru-sama
Near my Lord Sesshomaru
To my wonderful readers: I regret to inform all of you that my former story The Screen Names has been removed from this site. I almost cried with grief when I found an email with this information, so I know that for those of you who didn't know how the story would end, the grief is endless. Please do not despair, because I am not giving up. I will write even greater works of fan fiction, and I will make sure that this will never happen again.
Thank you, and please enjoy this little fan fiction on the bond between Lord Sesshomaru, and his little ward, Rin.
It was a quiet day in the sengoku jidai. The sun streamed down between the trees, settling upon a certain demon and his companions.
"Milord, where are we going to go now that Naraku is gone?" a small toad thing asked.
"Silence your tongue, Jaken. We are going back to my father's shiro."
The small human girl, who was riding a two-headed dragon-like beast, called Ah-Un, looked up at her lord's words. She had always wondered where Sesshomaru had been raised, but as he was of few words, and because he didn't really tolerate lots of questions, she had never asked. She had to be content with wondering most of the time.
"Sesshomaru-sama, may I ask you something?" Sesshomaru turned back slightly, so that he could look at the tiny human.
"Hai."
"How long will it take to get there?" The little girl looked at him with innocence and curiosity.
"No more than two or three days. We'll have to get you a new kimono and find a hot spring for your bath before we reach our destination, so that you will be presentable to the household."
She gave her lord a cheerful smile.
"Thank you Sesshomaru-sama! I promise I'll be good!" Sesshomaru gave her a slight nod of the head, and then continued walking sedately down the path.
"But, milord," Sesshomaru looked down on the toad with a glare.
"What?"
"Um, milord, why should we bring Rin, it would only start rumors among the common demons, and they might use her against you. We could just drop her off at the next village."
"Jaken, quiet." Sesshomaru would never admit it, but the toad had a point. It would cause talk among his subjects, and some would even disrespect him for it. Humans were weak and needed much protection, and the girl was of no use to him. She was neither powerful nor witty, only very cute and charming. The others at the shiro would only assume the worst.
But he could never get rid of Rin by force, she was too innocent to strike, and she never would leave his side for long. She would get lost occasionally, but Sesshomaru couldn't just abandon her when she was out in the wilderness, he would be constantly plagued by images of her being eaten by a demon, or wounded by bandits, calling out his name in hopes that he would rescue her, like he always did.
He had grown soft for this human. She had been by his side for over a year now, and had gotten very close to him, and even Jaken had become fond of her. She had even earned a place in Ah-Un's heart.
Sesshomaru wondered what he would do with Rin. She never talked to him about going back to the humans, and when he had brought it up one time, she had grown quiet and sullen. And she had followed him like a little puppy for the rest of the day, constantly under his feet, never even leaving to get food for dinner, as was her habit. He had told her to cut it out, but had instantly regretted it when she burst into tears, asking why he wanted her to leave so badly. He had apologized for his behavior, but he knew to never bring up the subject again. He hated seeing her cry like that, because even though he knew what to do when it came to slaying demons, he knew nothing about human emotions, and could not stop her from crying. It was quite unusual that this little girl was a companion of his, when he knew almost nothing about humans, and even less about children.
But if he somehow found a way to convince her to leave him, whom would he give her to. She had no family, no friends, and he was not one to walk into a human village, and just thrust her upon them, and leave her where she might not be looked after properly.
Hmm, doesn't InuYasha have a human wench? I think Rin mentioned her once. She was the one that looked after Rin when InuYasha and I went after Sou'unga. She would look after Rin with some fondness, and they have other companions to help, too. That monk and the demon slayer. And there's also the kitsune and the neko. The group would amuse Rin, and possibly educate her if she was in their care. Then it's settled; I'll bring Rin to InuYasha and his friends. Although I do not like the fact that my half brother will be looking after her, it is my only option.
"Rin, I would like to talk with you."
o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Kagome sat next to the well, pondering whether she should leave for her era, or stay in this era. School had ended, so she didn't need to go anymore, and her family wasn't expecting her home for a while. Here it was more peaceful, and her friends couldn't pester her about her love life.
Although that was plenty reason to stay, she had little reason to. Sango and Miroku were staying at the exterminator's village, (after it had been rebuilt with help from the group) and had been married not too long ago. Kikyo had been permanently laid to rest, and InuYasha had moved on. Even little Shippo was happy, and though he would miss his surrogate mother, he would be fine without her.
Kagome felt as if she was unwanted in both times, unneeded by everyone. She could keep sitting by this well, and nobody would care.
She sighed and rose to her feet, intended to do something besides sit and mope on her situation. But as soon as she stood up, a tall figure landed in front of her.
"Sesshomaru! What are you doing here?"
Sesshomaru swung Rin down from his shoulder, and placed her in front of Kagome.
"I would like it if you would take care of Rin."
Rin, who's crying had ceased on the flight over, began again, and her sobs were heartbreaking, as if she would die.
"Sessssshoooooomaruuuu-saaaaamaaaaa! Why must you be so mean to Rin? Kagome-sama is nice, but I never wanna leave you! I thought that you would take me with you to the shiro. Pleeeeeeaaaaaasee let me stay with you, Sesssssssssshooooooomaruuuuuuuuu-samaaa!"
Kagome felt a bit shocked that Sesshomaru would allow this loud crying. It was loud even to her, how would it sound to a demon with superior hearing? But Sesshomaru patiently stood there until her wails died down.
"Rin, you know I would never forget you. I just can't have you trailing behind me in demon-court. Besides, you would grow bored of being confined in my shiro. Here you can have companions that will amuse you, and Kagome may even educate you. But I need to ask her." He turned to Kagome, who was surprised that Sesshomaru was being so patient and gentle with the sobbing girl.
"I require someone to look after Rin for the time being. She will need to be taught her reading, writing, simple arithmetic, and self-defense. I do not know how long she will be here, but I will come and visit to check up on her progress. I expect her to be well treated, and raised as if she was your own flesh and blood. That is all I require."
Kagome stood for a moment and blinked. She was being given a little girl to look after, for Kami knew how long, and was expected to take it in stride? She looked quizzically at Sesshomaru, who obviously thought that she was trying to ask something else.
"In return, I owe you a debt. If you or your friends ever need a favor, you only need ask. While Rin is staying here she will be on her best behavior, and will not cause any trouble. She will also help you if you need her to run any errand. Do we have an agreement, human?"
"H-hai. I will look after Rin-chan. But, why me?" Sesshomaru did not answer. Instead, he did a very surprising thing. He kneeled down, and hugged Rin, as if she were his own daughter.
"Now you'll be good for Kagome, right? I don't want to hear anything bad reported about you. If I do, I might just think twice about coming back." Rin's eyes widened.
"Rin'll be good! Rin won't even attempt something bad!"
"Good. I promise to come as soon as I can get away from my duties. I won't leave you without coming back. So no more tears, for me, if for no one else."
"Hai, Sesshomaru-sama!" Rin kissed the demon lord on the cheek, and then blushed at her own boldness.
For a moment or two, Sesshomaru stayed perfectly still, as if he was in shock. His cheeks tinted pink, and his cold face thawed a little. But he recovered, and stood up, absentmindedly patting Rin on the head. He nodded briefly to Kagome, and then walked off. Rin looked after his disappearing form, not breaking her gaze until he had left her sight completely.
"Rin will always wait for Lord Sesshomaru." She said to no one in particular, before following after Kagome.