With Or Without You
A/n: Well, I wanted to get this freakin' chapter upbefore the week was over,but alas, school and cheerleading have prevented me from doing so. But it's finally done and I hope that you all like it. I know I say it in every chapter BUT...thank you guys for so many reviews and such support! You guys are the best!
Rvyengoddess: Thank you for the continuous support and reviews! I made this chappie longer, so I hope you like it!
mZk0rEA: I know, I know! I don't want her to be w/ him either, so I think you might not like this chapter too much! I'm sorry!
HawkAngel XD: Well I'm not sure about the kidnaping, we'll just have to wait n' see, but stuff does happen in this chapter and most definitely in the next!
Cassie1:Well what's his face is definitely gonna do stuff in this chapter and in the next, so I hope you enjoy! Great fic, m'dear! Hope you update soon!
hotaru4sesshoumaru4ever: I'm glad you liked it and good luck w/ your own Sesshy/Rin fic!
rosesbleedto: Yes m'dear, they will be together...eventually. And yes, there will be a lemon much later on. And don't worry bout the fighting, it's coming. Thanks for the star too! ;P
Karite: Thanx for the review, this chappie is longer than the other, I think it's back to the other chapters' normal lengths...hopefully :P
Inuyasha'swife15: Well m'dear, awhile back, you asked for Inuyasha and you have received him! Thanks for the idea about him and thanks for the reviews!
Chranze: By stuff I mean, not just them thinking and all that introspectiveness, lol. I'm glad it intrigued you and as for the rating, yes, in time, there will a lemon.
The Kaizeress: I liked writing about Rin and picking the flowers too, I thought it was a nice lil touch, lol. Thanx for the review too!
overlyobessive250: I'm glad you like this story so much and I'm happy to know it's your favorite, that makes me smile! Lol I'm sorry to have disappointed you, but I think I may have made up for it by adding a few lil events to this chappie:P
loyalsoul: I'm glad you decided to read it too! Thanx for the reviews!
Show-jumper: I hope I don't let you down either! ;)
SweetyPieRin: Thanx m'dear, I hope you like this chapter too!
Damian 2.5: That's great that you love this story so much! Thanks for the review!
Love ya 4 eva: Thank you for the review, I hope you like this chapter!
Okay:takes a deep breath: I think I covered everybody! Now onto the story!
Chapter Seven
New Lives
>
She stood beside her mother as Roiyaru and his men approached. Soft breezes blew against her as she stared straight ahead, her expression solemn. Everyone excitedly awaited the handsome young man's arrival. Rin could feel something within her towards him as well, but it wasn't excitement.
She had slept most of the day away. It hadn't been until much later that Tokiko had awaken her, telling her to wash up and change as quickly as possible.
Now fresh from sleep and bathing, Rin could feel her heartbeat. It was slow and steady. Her palms were dry and her hands were still. She was unfazed, to say the least, by her fiancee's presence.
"Try to cheer up dear," whispered Lady Adzumi.
Rin nodded with a small grin. "I'm sorry."
The older woman shook her head. "No need to apologize, Rin."
Rin did not reply, but simply took a deep breath as her eyes met dark cobalt. They sparkled with a light that Rin had once mirrored with her own towards him.
He frowned slightly, stepping off of his horse as his joyous expression was not returned.
He walked up the steps quickly not taking his eyes away from hers until he stood before her mother. He then bowed respectively before her.
"It is wonderful to see you again, Lord Roiyaru," she greeted, bowing in return.
He grinned fondly to her. "And the same to you, Lady Adzumi. I see that Lord Kisho is still away?"
Lady Adzumi nodded with a sad smile. "Yes, I'm afraid my husband has run into a few delays while returning from the west."
Rin's eyes widened. 'The west?'
She turned to Lady Adzumi, but the woman did not take her eyes off of the young man.
'In the west? I thought he was in the northern lands! What kind of delays? What if he runs into Lord Sesshomaru?' she asked herself, panic coursing through her suddenly.
"Lady Rin," greeted Roiyaru. His eyes glittered lively behind his ebony bangs, a sort of gentleness about him that almost reminded her of one of Lord Sesshomaru's brother's comrades...he was a monk she believed.
Rin bowed slightly. "Lord Roiyaru. Did you travel well?"
He nodded with a smile. "Yes."
He turned to the others and Lady Adzumi turned to the crowd. "Let us go inside and let my future son-in-law and daughter speak privately."
Rin could hear her step-sisters groan and wave flirtatiously goodbye to him. Roiyaru simply blushed, turning away from them.
"How are you feeling, Rin?" he asked gently once the others were out of earshot.
He watched her soft smile and wondered why he felt as if something were hiding beneath it. She was hiding something from him, he could tell.
"I'm fine. I'm sure my mother exaggerated in her message," she replied shyly.
Roiyaru nodded, taking her hand in his. She followed silently as he led her to the garden. She felt her stomach churn. It had once been her secret place. A place where she could find solitude and hide away from the world.
She had made the mistake one of day of leading him here.
He entered her sanctuary and inhaled deeply. "It's beautiful. No wonder you hide her so much," he teased. Rin just smiled, standing at the entrance with her hands clasped in front of her.
"I heard that you had a visitor last night."
She looked up and nodded. "Yes."
Roiyaru turned away, his hands gliding softly over the numerous petals. "Who was he?"
Rin frowned, wondering if it were jealousy she heard in his tone.
"He was my old guardian," she replied shortly.
Roiyaru turned back to her, sitting upon the stone bench. "What did he want?" he asked quietly.
Rin shrugged, feeling slightly irritated with him. "He just came to check in on me."
Roiyaru nodded slowly.
He stared at her for quite some time, trying his hardest to read into her. Though he loved her, he knew so little of her. She kept so much from him. Never did she allow her emotions to run freely. She was always polite and kind, but never did she express how she truly felt.
"I heard that...that he was trying to kidnap you," he whispered.
Rin shook her head quickly, idly smoothing out her kimono. "No. Lord Sesshomaru would never kidnap me."
"I also heard that he left in the middle of the night, without warning."
Rin shook her head once again. "He said goodbye to me...he's gone for good. I won't ever see him again."
Roiyaru could hear the shakiness of her voice. He could see the sadness within her eyes as well.
When he had first approached the mansion, he had thought that she were simply in pain still, from her injury. He could now she that she was clearly upset with the sudden leave of her guardian.
Roiyaru rose up and walked to her. He stepped before her, making her eyes lock with his. "Don't be sad, Rin. You have our wedding to look forward to," he stated lightly, trying to cheer her up.
Rin smiled. "Yes. Four weeks now, isn't it?"
Roiyaru nodded, taking her hands in his. He lifted one, and examined it closely.
"So delicate," he whispered.
Rin blushed. Rarely did Roiyaru express his love for her. They were usually under the close watch of Lord Kisho. With him gone, no one was here to make sure that the two love struck teens kept their hormones in check.
Roiyaru dropped her hand and looked at her.
The sunlight was now beaming behind her, causing the natural highlights of her dark mane to stand out. Her beautiful skin was clear, free of any blemishes or scars and her cherry lips were small, but pouty, quite tempting to say the least. Her emotional eyes were cast downward, her thick, long lashes outlining them.
She was a rare beauty in these times and he knew that he would never find a woman as pretty as she.
He pulled her into a tight embrace and Rin squeaked in surprise. He was crushing her to him and should feel his strong heartbeat racing against hers.
"I was so worried about you, Rin," he whispered against her cheek, "I can't imagine ever losing you."
Rin simply stood there, her hands at her sides. 'You do care for me, don't you Roiyaru?' She frowned as her eyes began to sting. 'Why can't I care just as much for you?'
"You didn't loose me though. I'm right here, Roiyaru," she whispered.
He nodded, backing away slightly. "And I suppose I am thankful that your guardian was here to save you." He grinned, running a hand through her hair.
"I wish that I could have met him. He must have been a great man if he had such an impact on you."
'If only you knew,' she thought bitterly.
She simply nodded. "Yes, he has had an impact on me."
Roiyaru lifted her chin in his hands and Rin felt her pulse quicken for the first time since Sesshomaru had left. 'Why is he looking at me like that?'
"I know...I know that I've said it many times before, but you are quite beautiful."
Rin blushed brightly. "Th-thank you, m'lord."
Roiyaru sighed, yet his eyes still held that gentle kindness to them. "We are away from your family's eye, Rin. You have no need to be formal with me. I am your future husband. When you are my wife," he paused a moment.
Rin frowned, but did not interrupt.
"When you are my wife, you will never need to be so formal with me."
And with those words, he leaned forward.
Rin gasped as she felt his lips touch hers.
Never had anyone kissed her so.
His lips were warm against hers, but instead of exciting her, or making her heart sing, it made her heart clench with a familiar guilt.
"No," she whispered, pushing him away suddenly. She backed away a few steps, blushing furiously.
Roiyaru stared at her, blushing just as deeply as she was. His eyes were wide and embarrassment was written upon his handsome features.
"I'm sorry, Rin. I shouldn't have," but he did not finish, for Rin had turned away from him.
"Did I upset you, Rin?" he asked, walking to her.
She turned to him as he reached for her. "No...it is...it is just that-"
"Lady Rin! Supper is ready!" came Tokiko's voice.
Roiyaru turned back to Rin. "We had better go inside before they get any ideas."
Rin did not answer, but simply led the way back inside. She could feel her entire body shaking. From what? She really didn't know.
>
"Did you want some fish m'lord? It is quite tasty if I do say so myself!" offered Jaken happily.
Sesshomaru turned away, staring blankly at the glistening stream before them. Evening was settling upon him and his small comrade. The day's high temperatures were now cooling off and it had turned out to be quite a pleasant evening.
In a few days they would soon be back in his territory and he could busy himself with the many tasks that pathetic humans given him by simply trespassing. They were constantly trying to take over his land. They would try to settle upon it, grow fields of food and raise cattle. It was something he knew his father would hate to happen to his beautiful lands.
Sesshomaru thought often of his father, but it was one of his most private secrets and not even Jaken, who had been with him for so very long, knew of how much Sesshomaru respected his father.
And as easily as his father slipped into his thoughts, so did Rin.
How had his father reacted when he had realized that a mortal woman was affecting him? Had he been just as confused as Sesshomaru?
It was times like this that Sesshomaru wished for a confidant, someone to help answer his questions.
But he had been alone for so very long, excluding Jaken. It was not something that he wanted to pitied for, because he was not sadden about it. In fact, he did enjoy being alone.
"M'lord, did you hear that?"
Sesshomaru turned to Jaken, pulling himself from his deep thoughts.
Jaken's beady eyes were turned towards the other side of the river where the weeds had grown high. Sesshomaru stood up, walking towards the river's edge.
He sniffed the air and at first, it was faint.
Then as the winds picked up, he was definite.
Without a second thought, Sesshomaru leapt over the river. He took off in a quick sprint towards the source of the scent. It was a scent he knew far too well.
It was somewhat similar to his, but it was tainted with mortal blood. It was the scent of his half-brother.
It was Inuyasha.
>
"And then this gigantic spider came out of no where! It was snarling and growling and I swore that we were all going to die, didn't I, Saeko?"
One of the oldest daughters nodded to her twin.
"Yes, we thought we were all surely dead!" she added quickly.
"But then! Like an angel, came this man and he attacked it," continued Namiko, her round, chubby face identical to her sister's.
"Don't forget that he hit Rin!"
"What!" exclaimed Roiyaru turning suddenly to Rin.
Rin let out a heavy sigh. "He didn't hit me, Saeko. He pushed me out of the way. The youkai was about to attack me and he saved me."
Saeko rolled her eyes. "Whatever, anyways-"
"Anyways, that beautiful Sess...Sess...ooh, what was his name again, Rin?"
Rin stared at her a moment, her eyes narrowing viciously. "Sesshomaru. His name is Lord Sesshomaru."
Saeko nodded, glancing to her sister. "Ah yes, Sesshomaru. He comes out and in just a few swipes of his claws, kills the creature!"
Namiko grinned. "Yes and then he ran and scooped Rin into his arms, er, I mean arm."
Rin let out a small sigh and rose up, silencing her sisters. She had heard enough. "Excuse me for just a moment, m'lord, sisters...Mother," she whispered.
Lady Adzumi eyed her carefully, but Rin did not try to explain.
The two babbling sisters soon resumed their story, though Roiyaru did not hear much of anything. He watched as Rin quietly slipped away.
"Excuse me Lady Namiko, Saeko...I think I should go check on my fiancee."
The twins glared angrily in the direction that Rin had left and turned to their mother.
"It isn't proper for a man to go after a girl like that after dark. Father would never allow it!"
Lady Adzumi waved for a servant to clear away the dishes. She turned to two of her daughters with a serious frown set upon her lips.
"You two will hold your tongues from now on about that man who visited Rin last night. Your father will never know of it, understand?"
The two glanced to one another, but under their mother's steely gaze, reluctantly nodded in agreement.
Rin took in a deep breath as she stared into the lively, spacious skies above her. In the morning, Roiyaru would return to his village and she would be allowed to have some time to think.
Right now though, she was quite angry with her sisters.
How dare they speak of him in front of Roiyaru? They knew what buttons to push and though Rin rarely thought bitterly of her new family, she could not contain every emotion that passed through her.
She was already having to hold down this newfound feeling of love for Sesshomaru and he didn't even return the feeling.
"Rin?"
She groaned silently and turned to him. "Yes?"
Roiyaru fumbled with his hands a moment before he slowly approached her. "I must apologize for earlier...I didn't mean to offend you so. I know that...that we are supposed to wait until we are married to do anything like that, but you don't understand."
Rin frowned, walking closer to him to hear his soft voice. "What do you mean?"
Roiyaru looked up and for the first time that day, she actually appeared to be interested in what he had to say.
He took a steadying breath. If she were to be his wife, then he had to be honest with her.
"I feel so much for you Rin...and...everyday I must keep it under control," he explained slowly.
He looked up to her large brown eyes. They could pierce one's soul so easily, without remorse. 'Where did she learn to do that?' he asked himself. (If only he knew...;-P)
"It's hard to explain...but I wish I could. I wish I knew how to tell you without sounding like a fool...especially when, when..." he trailed off and Rin stepped even closer to him.
"I know how you feel Roiyaru, for I feel the same everyday."
He looked up from staring at his hands and looked into her eyes. "You do?"
Rin nodded, biting her lower lip nervously. "Yes."
Roiyaru hugged her to him once again, laughing. "Then why must he pretend so?"
Rin gulped back tears and shook her head, trying to make her voice sound steady and happy. "Because we must."
Roiyaru released her and took her cold hands in his.
"Then we'll run away, Rin! We don't have to stay here forever."
He laughed again. She knew that his laughter should bring a smile to her lips, that his touch should send electricity through her and though he were, without a doubt, handsome, she felt nothing when he touched her so. She felt nothing when he spoke so truthfully to her. How could she feel anything for him, when she felt everything for Sesshomaru?
"Oh it is such a relief to know that you feel as I do!" he laughed, his eyes so bright. "I would have never guessed that you felt so."
Rin smiled, shrugging. "I'm sorry I deceived you."
Roiyaru's smile, if possible, only grew wider. "Don't apologize! I don't care anymore because I know that you and I feel the same for one another, and that is all I need to know."
Rin felt the weight of the world pushing down upon her with her lies, but she could only smile and nod.
'This is my life now. My life is with you, Roiyaru. I can't play with the past anymore.'
>
Where had they gone?
Jaken had heard them and he had smelled both Inuyasha and his mate's scents. So where were they?
He was beginning to think that perhaps some other half-breed had come past this way and he had simply mistaken them for his brother.
'No, that was most definitely his repulsive scent.'
And then he heard her bright voice.
"Inuyasha! Stop it!"
It was his mate, she was laughing.
And there was another laugh.
It was that of a child.
No, children.
Sesshomaru stood behind a large oak tree and stared in disbelief at what his eyes saw.
'So this is what you've been doing while in hiding, dear brother?'
There she sat, upon the glossy green grasses. She seemed to not have aged a day. What had her name been?
Sesshomaru frowned.
"Shut up, Kagome," spouted his brother.
'Yes, Kagome...she looks like Rin.'
Sesshomaru's frown deepened at the thought, but he did not dwell upon it long.
In her arms, she held a child. The child's eyes were golden, like his father's and Sesshomaru's. However, the child had ebony hair, black as night.
Inuyasha was lying upon the grass and sitting upon his abdomen was another child. He had dark hair like his mother's and his eyes were a dark, deep chocolate brown.
Sesshomaru couldn't believe it! His dim-witted brother had actually had children...with a mortal...twice! Though Sesshomaru knew his brother had been infatuated with the girl, he had never thought that it would go this far.
The winds blew about him madly and he knew that his scent would soon carry itself to Inuyasha.
He didn't mind. He needed a challenge, someone who could keep up with him. And though he knew that while away with some female in hiding, he may weakened. However, he would still be much more entertaining than the vermin that now populated the land.
Sesshomaru cracked his knuckles as he saw his sibling sit up suddenly, holding the child to him. Golden eyes met and Sesshomaru stepped out of the shadows and into the evening sunlight.
>
A/n: Ooh, I really, really liked this chapter! I know it may have seemed a bit rushed, or maybe I just saw it that way, but oh well, I liked it XD I can't wait to write the next chapter. I'm praying that I get it up sooner than these past two, maybe sometime like Thursday...hmm, we'll just hafta wait n' see. See ya!