Stolen Seasons III
Lm. Samiko

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It was strange, he reflected, that the paths of two such unrelated beings continued to cross. This time, she had stumbled across him--quite literally--as he sat against a rock near an slow-moving river. The woman now sat upon a fallen log, nursing bruised shins and scraped palms. He had watched in silence as she pulled out a strange box from the unnaturally yellow pack she carried and further objects from the box to clean and bandage her hands. Strange objects, like everything else belonging to her, but Sesshoumaru had seen too much in his centuries of life to be astonished or even very curious about such things.

His curiosity was reserved for the small 'teddy bear' the woman even now pulled from her pack and held. She rested her chin upon the thing's head. "You know," she said quietly, staring at the flowing water. "I would suspect this was deliberate if I didn't know any better. As it is, I'm beginning to believe that the gods have a perverse sense of humor. Or some really fucked-up plan." He glanced at her, but said nothing. He had nothing to say. After all, who was interested in a human's conception of the gods? But it would appear she was not attempting to stimulate dialogue; the woman continued on. "But I suppose I should be used to such things by now. I always run into people when I'm screwing up. Even after all these years, when I finally know what I'm doing... Company pops up and 'Oh, look, there's Kagome falling flat on her face again!' So why would running into you be any exception? Of course you can't see me when I'm actually doing something useful. No, you have to run into me when I'm sobbing on an effing teddy bear. Typical. Just the thing to revolutionize your view of humanity, watching some pathetic human wallow in loneliness and self-pity." Her eyes became even more distant, as though seeing beyond the surface of the river, beyond the sandy bed below. "I bet..." she began softly after a long silence filled only with the sounds of nature. "I bet Rin-chan never does such stupid things." She sniffled slightly and a tinge of salt-tainted the air. "Listen to me. Still more pathetic, to be jealous of a child."

Sesshoumaru was about to agree with her when several memories presented themselves before his mind's eye. Rin screaming for him, the scent of her tears on the wind as the monk tried to take her with him. The fear behind her eyes that he would leave her behind. And her question later that day... "Someday, after I'm dead, you won't forget me, will you?" Other incidents as she grew, when he caught her looking at him, an unreadable expression in her eyes, hugging her knees to her chest. And she had grown so incredibly quickly, so unlike youkai children. "Tell me, woman," he said finally, "do all humans require such tactile contact?" He gestured idly towards her and the 'teddy bear'.

He watched her jerk slightly and a small, choked sound escaped her before she settled again, this time appearing thoughtful. "I suppose," she said slowly, "that it isn't strictly necessary. A lot of people live without it, after all. But I think that... humans live better when they have something, hopefully someone, to love. It gives us purpose, makes us feel that we have a place to belong. And 'tactile contact', as you put, is a very strong part of the way we express that." She turned to face him and blinked, as if noticing his presence for the first time. "But surely... I've known of youkai who loved humans. Haven't you ever... Well, don't bite my head off, but haven't you ever, um... embraced... someone? Anyone?"

"No." Such an answer did not require elaboration, though apparently the woman was expecting a more lengthy reply.

"Oh." She paused for a moment. "Well, I suppose I can understand that." The woman tried to sound cheerful, but there was something wrong in her attitude. "After all," she prattled on, "you do have this 'touch-me-not' kind of aura about you. And the armor doesn't help much either, does it? After all, who wants to get smooshed against metal spikes just when they're feeling affectionate? And I s'pose it's a youkai thing. Or, um, something. And, yeah, I'll shut up now."

Silence was a marvellous thing.

After nearly a half-hour of listening to cicadas, water, and the occasional splash of fish, the woman opened her mouth again. "I suppose I'll be going now." She rose, packing her 'bear' once more into the depths of her sack. "Um, thank you for putting up with my presence. I'm sorry I tripped over you earlier. Um. Good-bye." She had enough manners to remember to bow.

"Woman." She stopped in mid-stride and turned, wobbling slightly as she almost tripped over her own feet.

"Um, yes?"

"Woman, you will procure one of these 'teddy bears' before we meet again. For Rin."

Her eyes widened to an impossible size. Perhaps this hadn't been one of his wisest decisions. "Oh! Um, well, of course," she stammered. "I'll try to find a really nice one. And small, so it'll travel easily." There was a pause and her face softened into an unfamiliar expression. "But you know, Sesshoumaru, she'd probably appreciate you more." With that final sentence, she bit her lip and bolted into the forest proper.

He merely watched her leave. It was no business of hers to know that, over the years, Rin had never once even tried to touch him.

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Author's Notes

Rin's comment is my translation of a line in ep. 162 - Together Forever with Sesshoumaru. And it has been my observation that whenever the two are together, Rin always maintains a respectful distance from Sesshoumaru. Mind, I haven't seen a number of episodes, but this is what I've gathered. Thanks to those who have already reviewed. -- Lm. S.