Disclaimer: I own nothing. Not the characters, not even a blade of grass--nor a single sakura blossom. Hell, I don't even own a Sesshoumaru plushie. All characters are from the inspired mind of R. Takahashi and everything else is my poor attempt.
Chapter 3: Excerpts
"My Lord! My Lord Sesshoumaru, you are alive! Oh, Jaken is so happy to see you. Jaken thought that stupid hanyou had—not that a mere hanyou could possibly, ever even dream to hope to defeat the great Lord of the Western Lands."
"Shut up Jaken," Sesshoumaru growled in annoyance. Not yet a minute, and the stupid toad had already taken his mindless blubbering too far.
The blessed silence lasted a mere moment however, before Jaken gasped in shock. "My Lord Sesshoumaru, you are injured! That bastard hanyou—UGH!" Jaken fell over as a rather large rock unerringly found his head.
"This Sesshoumaru does not repeat himself, Jaken."
Jaken straightened his hat and gulped. The rocks seemingly got bigger every year. "Hai, wakatta Sesshoumaru-sama, wakatta." Amber eyes narrowed dangerously, and Jaken gulped again, "Jaken—will go build a fire!" with that, the little youkai scampered off to find wood.
Jaken stopped suddenly and turned around to face his master. Ningen! There was a filthy ningen standing beside his master! "Ahhh…stupid human! Get away from here! Don't you dare touch Sesshoumaru-sama with your filthy hands!" He ran towards Rin, clumsily waving the Staff of Two Heads at her.
Rin looked at the small, green—creature. It was bug eyed, wore an overly large floppy hat and carried a huge stick. "Sesshoumaru-sama, what is that?" she asked curiously, not perturbed in the least as Jaken did his best to seem threatening. His attempts however, were woefully undermined as he tripped over a rock and landed at their feet.
"Jaken."
The toad cringed, fearing to look up at his very angry master. "Jaken," Sesshoumaru said softly, "you will find suitable clothing for the child at the nearest village. Then, you will make sure no harm comes to her as she bathes at the nearest stream."
Still prostrate, Jaken nodded frantically. Anything to get him far away from his homicidal master. Quickly getting up, Jaken hurriedly grabbed his staff and began his quest.
"And Jaken," the predatory sound made the little youkai freeze in fear.
"Ha—hai, Sesshoumaru-sama?"
"Do you know what happens to those who fail me, Jaken?"
"Na—nani? Jaken will not fail his master!" Terrified, and unsure as to why his lord now kept a ningen child, Jaken ran as quickly as his short legs would allow.
Smirking, Sesshoumaru watched his retainer run as if the prince of hell himself were after him. I still have it after all he thought, pleased at the outcome. A tug at his hakama interrupted his thoughts.
"What was that little man, Sesshoumaru-sama?"
If Sesshoumaru was amused at the child's question, he did not show it. "You are filthy. Rin, you must bathe. Come."
"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama!" she said and happily followed her lord—knowing in her heart that she would follow him wherever he led.
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That day seemed like a lifetime ago to Rin. Really, it was only the span of a few short months, but at her tender age it was—forever.
Rin loved her Sesshoumaru-sama. He took care of her, provided food, clothing and even friends like Jaken-sama and Ah-Un! Rin grinned at the thought of her newfound friends. Just this morning she had made a pretty flower crown for Jaken-sama and a flower braid for Ah-Un. She giggled at the memory of Jaken-sama's pained expression when Sesshoumaru had ordered him to wear the crown. At least Jaken grew to like the crown—after all, he had thanked her profusely for it. As well he should have! It was much prettier than that ugly floppy hat he always wore.
Rin smiled happily. She would make flower crowns for Jaken-sama as often as she could because they made him so happy! And of course she would have to make the very best one for Sesshoumaru-sama. For one so pretty, he never smiled. That made Rin very sad. If Sesshoumaru-sama never smiled, did that mean that he was never happy?
"Jaken-sama?"
"What do you want now, human?" he grunted.
"Jaken-sama, why does Sesshoumaru-sama not smile? Is Sesshoumaru-sama not happy?"
Jaken stared at the girl, flustered. It had been months, and he had yet to fully comprehend the child. She asked the strangest questions, charmed Ah-Un, followed a youkai lord loyally, and most shockingly, had not managed to get herself killed by Sesshoumaru.
"Sesshoumaru-sama is not unhappy," he stated simply.
"But why doesn't Sesshoumaru-sama smile?" she persisted.
"Rin, did not this Sesshoumaru tell you to desist asking these questions of Jaken?"
"Sesshoumaru-sama! You're back!" Rin ran up to the tall youkai and hugged him. It was a strange sight—the tiny human trying to wrap her short arms around the much larger youkai.
Sesshoumaru held back a sigh. There was nothing he could do—Rin had long ago decided that she could hug him, and had proceeded to do it as often as she thought she could. Thankfully, the frequency of her hugs was still within some semblance of reason. Gently disengaging himself from the girl, he offered her the package he spent the past few hours retrieving.
Rin eyed him curiously. "What is it Sesshoumaru-sama?"
"A new kimono—your current one is unacceptable for a ward of this Sesshoumaru."
Rin's eyes widened at the sight of the kimono. It was lovely—white like Sesshoumaru-sama's and embroidered with delicate flowers—surely it was made for a hime! "Arigatou gozaimasu! Rin thinks its almost as pretty as Sesshoumaru-sama!"
"Hn."
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"Sesshoumaru-sama, where are we going?" It had been months since Rin had received her white kimono—in fact, she had now been traveling with Sesshoumaru for almost a year.
"Stop asking foolish questions you stupid human! Can't you see Lord Sesshoumaru is busy?"
"Shut up Jaken."
Jaken glowered at Rin's back. Ever since she came, the verbal reprimands—and the rocks became more frequent. There was simply no explaining why his Lord should suffer the presence of a mere ningen. A young, ugly, smelly, stupid and ridiculously happy ningen.
Jaken was jealous.
All the years he had followed his Sesshoumaru, all the dangers he had faced—and had his lord once showered him with presents? Given him a new suit of clothing? Urge him to ride Ah-Un rather than walk? Taken meaningless breaks simply because he was tired? NO! But, he carried out his lord's most secret demands, had his lord's ear, and hadn't Lord Sesshoumaru gifted him with the irreplaceable Staff of Two Heads? YES! Kimonos were cheap and replaceable—but Sesshoumaru had gifted him with the precious Nintoujou. Thus relieved, the toad set about to ending Rin's persistent questioning.
"We are patrolling my borders," Sesshoumaru said. Jaken's relief was short lived—Sesshoumaru-sama never answered his questions!
"But why are we patrolling, Sesshoumaru-sama?" asked Rin.
Sesshoumaru looked at the little girl, and after a short pause, answered "because Rin, it is something this Sesshoumaru wishes to protect."
"Hn," was all Rin said response.
Translations:
Hai: Yes
Wakatta: I understand.
Nani: What?
Hime: Princess
Arigatou Gozaimasu: Thank you very much!
Nintoujou: Staff of Two Heads—basically it's a staff with the heads of a man and woman; it spits fire amongst other magical properties.
Reviewers:
LadyRinUchiha: Thanks for reviewing and I included Jaken in this chapter just for you :P err…not that I wasn't already planning on having him in this chapter or anything :)
Chi little lady of the western lands: Thanks for reviewing again!
Spirtually-lunar: A new reviewer! Awesome. Thank you so much for reviewing and adding me and Sakura Blossoms to your favourites list.
Sraven7278: Thanks for adding my story to your favourites list!
OtakuGirlEmi: Thanks for reviewing "What Do You Have To Protect," though it seems to be making everyone cry! And, for adding Sakura Blossoms to your favs list. Now hurry up and update "An Unlikely Pair" :P
Thank you to everyone who reviewed "What Do You Have To Protect," it's my baby and I'm glad you liked it.
A/N: Please Review!
I know the story is progressing slowly right now, but I promise it will get better. Rin will be growing up in the next one/couple/few (I'm not sure yet) chapter(s). Then will come the long awaited drama/angst/romance/smut (joking) etc. Sorry I took so long to update this time, with work and family stuff I really didn't get any time to sit down and write. And don't say I didn't warn you about that! I did mention plot bunny condoms in the prologue :P
And to the anonymous person who emailed me—no I actually, truly, really etc. etc. don't plan what I write. It just magically appears. As for the one-shot—that was even more magical, I have no bloody clue where that concept came from.
One more time, please review! Or, go read and review "What Do You Have To Protect." People seem to like it—even if it makes them cry.
P.S Just another reminder that reviews make an author very happy.
Danica