Kyoto…
Rin suddenly awoke from her deep sleep, just as dawn was banishing away the foul darkness of the night. The jewel in her chest was pulsating, like a second heartbeat. She closed her eyes, the Shikon jewel granted wishes… But whose wish was this!
She looked at Sesshoumaru's relaxed face and blushed. Though they were still distant and her future was uncertain… Rin still loved him, though she denied it with every fiber of her being at times.
What was this jewel trying to tell her?
Pressing her hand to her heart she bent over and kissed his mouth. A soft closed mouthed kiss, she rarely ever kissed Sesshoumaru-sama because she was afraid she would work him into a lustful frenzy.
That was something that Rin was not prepared for.
Did he really love her? She wondered as hands came up, once snaking around her waist and the other tangling into her dark brown hair.
Abruptly the kiss ended and Rin sat up, almost on top of Sesshoumaru. He stared at her with wide eyes, golden shimmering with a sudden shock that he took no time to hide. Slowly he brought his two hands together stunned.
"What has happened?" he asked calmly
The Shikon jewel's pulsing had died and soon she heard only the blood pounding through her ears. No twin heartbeat mixing with her own…
"The Shikon jewel did this" Sesshoumaru sat up staring at his new arm with satisfaction. Rin was wide eyed, her sleeve covering her mouth.
He smiled softly "Don't look so terrified, I'm not going to do anything terrible to you." Rin and already stood by the time he had finished his sentence was halfway to the dying fire before he took another breath. She glanced back at him once or twice her eyes wide in half terror, half curiosity at his words…
A chuckle bubbled up and escaped into the cold morning air, Rin twitched at the sound of Sesshoumaru-sama's laughter and poked the fire more rapidly as if it would be a barrier between him and her own body.
"Jaken!" she cried in sudden terror and then clamped a hand over her mouth, when Jaken snorted awake.
"What is it child!" he asked groggily sitting up from the small deerskin pallet with a magnificent yawn.
"I-I want to know if you could go out and get some eggs for breakfast" Rin stammered
Sesshoumaru continued to gaze at her, even as the hair on Rin's neck began to stand. She was supposed to be angry with him, not willing and able to run into his arms…
"Eggs, what an odd request, and what will you be doing while I'm gone?"
Sesshoumaru chuckled again and Rin went red "I'll be out gathering some uh… Herbs for the s-soup I'll be making"
Rin stood mechanically and went over to Ah-un's pack, the two headed demon was already awake chewing somewhat moodily on the grass around him.
"Ah-un you have to get me out of here" she whispered with fervor, one of the heads turned to her and growled.
She smiled and pet the demon slowly "we are going to get some herbs today, so you are going to have to help me find them…"
The head nodded in understanding and for one childish moment she threw her arms around the demon, giving it a quick hug.
"Thank you"
Rin stood with new energy quite happy that she would be away from Sesshoumaru-sama's roving eyes and deep chuckles. With a little skip in her step she heaved the small cauldron off the fire and walked into the forest to go gather some water.
The afternoon became hot, so hot that she had to stop several times with Ah-un, who seemed very happy to be out in the dark forest… In her forging she had found several ginger roots, some scallions, a couple of miniature potatoes, a large garlic and two small wild onions. So after things were turning out to be quite successful. There was a pull on the braided reins and she looked up. Ah-un was leading here into an open field; in the very center of the field was a small house and a lovely garden full of all sorts of vegetables.
Though the demon and suddenly froze, she tugged at his reins and in frustration let go. Quietly she walked into the garden, remembering the days of when she used to steal to eat, just before Sesshoumaru had saved her…
Picking a few ripe cabbage and watercress she quickly hopped onto the demon and took off for the camp…
AN: Wow you guys rock, I've never had so many reviews in my life. THANK YOU! And this chappie's kinda short. The next shall be extra long…
Harmsstar: Thank you!
Cring White Wolf: Thank you!
Sweetpotato1992: I try to make them nice, thank you for the comment!
Tlad: Thank you!
Annoying Took: Sorry it took so long… (sweatdrop) I don't know, he seems like he could have been a very annoying, spoiled little demon as a child. So I guess fickleness could rear it's ugly head… Eh… LOL.
Yami Adritha: I love when they fight (but can you really call it a fighting!)
Miroku's Boo: A thousand thanks to you, for reviewing on so many of my chapters. Yeah Sesshoumaru is a bit mood swingy, but he's trying to figure out what love really is… Eh…
HalfDemonluvr: I'm trying to post faster (sniff). Thank you for your enthusiasm it gave me the courage to continue!
My thanks to Rae, AnimexLover, AngelsHeart1622, JereseyGirl246 and wisebunny! (my hand is getting tired) and everyone else I forgot! THANKS MILLIONS!
Cassie1: I wouldn't kill Rin! Oh Kami! I have a weakness for Jaken, I find him adorable. He's the comic relief amid all of his master's angst. LOL
Smilez4ever: Aw thanks for liking the chapter! He becomes very human around Rin, so it's really funny! I honestly had the most fun writing that chapter…
AttackingHentaiChibisLoveFluff: Poor Sesshoumaru, he needs people skills… (sweatdrop)