Before the Oncoming Storm

By Zaru

Summary: The great Inutaisho has returned full force from the world of spirits. He follows the scent of his youngest son only to become mesmerized by the sweet scent of Sesshomaru's ward left behind in the village.

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. It was created by Rumiko Takahashi.

A/n: Okay, please don't hate me. I know it's actually been quite a long time since I've updated a chapter of this story. So, please forgive me and I hope you enjoy this small Inutaisho/Rin fluff! ;) I basically did it to make up for my absence!

~~~~~~Chapter 4~~~~~~

It had only been a couple of days since the arrival of Inutaisho and already talk of him was reaching its peak. He wandered aimlessly through the Forest of Inuyasha feeling that he was being followed by someone. Most likely someone from the village itself. His mind was so muddled at the moment, his senses were on less alert and he couldn't bring himself back to normal. The return of himself from the spirit world weighed heavily on his mind. Inutaisho still had no idea how he was able to come back, but he intended to find out.

She followed him aimlessly through the forest without so much as a sound. Her lord's father didn't seem to know she was there at all. Poor Rin hoped he would so she could get over the little embarrassment of following him around like a lost little puppy. But she couldn't seem to help it. She was drawn to him somehow. Perhaps it was because he resembled her lord so much or was it because this strange demon intrigued her interest. Either way, her body moved of its own accord to follow her new friend.

Walking along for a few more minutes, the great demon lord finally decided to take a rest, finding a big trunk tree and leaning against it. He felt that whoever was following him would show themselves shortly and waited patiently.

As a breeze blew through the forest, the gentle sound of the leaves shaking on the branches seemed to lull the demon to sleep. It was so peaceful in the forest that he figured he might be able to make it a permanent napping spot until his time in the village ended. His amber eyes closed, but kept his other senses on alert. The smell of dew in the wind notified him finally of his stalker. The side of his lip curled up a little knowing who exactly was following him behind. It was his son's ward Rin.

Rin hid behind one of the trees, peeking out, able to see Inutaisho sleeping against one of the many trees that made home in the forest. Her warm brown eyes couldn't help but stare at him. He was definitely interesting. In the past couple of days, the two had spent some time together. She spoke of her past with him, able to speak freely about anything that was on her mind. Not that she could never say anything to Sesshomaru or Jaken, but they seemed to have other things to think about all the time while they were on their journeys through the land. Inutaisho reminded her of Sesshomaru a lot, but there were definitely differences between the two demons. Boldly, she moved from behind the tree, took a deep breath and continued her walk toward her new demon friend.

Inutaisho heard the crunching of twigs snapping on the ground and he opened his eyes. Standing right there, several feet away was Rin. So he was right. It was the little human who was the first to greet him after his return.

"Young Rin, why have you been following me? Did you fear I would not return to the village?"

She flushed a little before shaking her head. "No, my lord. I knew you would return to us."

Inutaisho's head tilted to the side, the smile on his face. "Then why follow me?"

She couldn't exactly tell him outright she was following him because of her curiosity of him. He might just laugh out loud at her. It would be embarrassing to the poor girl.

"Um, well, honestly, I do not know. Perhaps I was just…curious."

"Curious? About me?"

Her fingers played together behind her back due to her nervousness. He knew so there was no use hiding it. "I-I guess."

"Rin, you know if there is ever anything you wish to know about me, all you have to do is ask." He reached out a hand to the human. "Come."

Nodding, the young teen walked slowly over to him before kneeling down in front of him.

He chuckled a little. The demon wished to have the human a little closer to him, so he pulled one of the furs around his body, setting it beside him. "Do not sit on the ground. I do not wish for you to dirty that beautiful kimono Sesshomaru has gifted to you." He patted the fur seat. "Come on."

Blushing, she took his generosity and made herself comfortable on the white softness. "Wow. This is very soft." She petted it, only to hear a small growl coming from the demon himself. "Eh, is everything all right, my lord?" Continuing to pet the fur absentmindedly.

When she glanced over at him, his eyes were closed, small growls and purring coming from him. She wondered if he was all right. Ever since she came into contact with his fur, it was then he began to sound like that. Was it possible her sitting on it was hurting him?

"Um, Lord Inutaisho, am I hurting you by sitting on this?" She pulled away from her sitting position on him.

Inutaisho opened his eyes, not feeling the warmth from the girl on his fur any longer. "N-No, Rin. You weren't hurting me at all. It felt…" He wasn't going to finish that sentence. If he did, she would possibly stay away from it. "No. It's nothing, Rin. You can sit on it. No harm."

Nodding small, she gathered herself again to sit on it, but this time not all the way and she kept her hands away from it. "Okay."

The demon took a deep breath before facing the human. As many times as they have talked, he never once asked her about how she and Sesshomaru met. "So, Rin, how long have you been a ward of Sesshomaru?"

"Mmm, about five years now."

"Five years?"

"Mm-hmm." She smiled, her knees bending and arms wrapping around them. "Yes. Lord Sesshomaru found me when I was only eight years old. It was during the time that my village was attacked by the wolf demons." She shivered a little recalling the memory. "I was running away from them as fast as I could, but they killed me."

Amber eyes widened. "You were dead?"

She nodded. "Yes. But next thing I know, I woke up and was in the arms of my lord." Her eyes softened at that precious memory. "After that, I followed my lord everywhere. Not once did he turn me away."

Inutaisho took what she said in. He never figured his human-hating son would allow a young human girl to follow him anywhere. Ever since Sesshomaru was born, his hatred of humans had come from a trait within his mother. She never liked humans at all. And because of that, there were plenty of times she wished to murder Izayoi because she took her mate away from her. Wanting to destroy the human female and eliminate the fetus that had been growing in her womb. Luckily, Inutaisho had threatened to dispose of her immediately if she ever tried to lay a hand on his mate. And the only reason he mated with Sesshomaru's mother was because of a political situation. Also because he needed a full demon heir. When his son was born, he was done with her, the mating bond broken and raising up Sesshomaru to become his successor. It made him wonder now if the demoness was even alive still.

"Rin, you love Sesshomaru, don't you?" Rin was taken aback by the question, and the deepening crimson on her cheeks made him aware of the answer. "It is nothing to be ashamed of, young one. Perhaps Sesshomaru might love you back as well."

"Huh?" She glanced up at him.

"If Sesshomaru didn't at least like you a bit, he wouldn't have taken you under his wing and let you tag along for all these years."

"Actually, I only traveled with my lord for a little over a year. And after the battle with the demon Naraku was over, he told me to stay here in the village so that I might learn how to live amongst humans again."

"But he has taken time to come see you sometimes."

"Yes, he has. And always he comes bearing a gift for me. But, honestly, I don't really care whether he brings me anything or not."

"Oh?"

"Just seeing my lord makes me the happiest."

There was that smile again. It was always the brightest one she wore when speaking of Sesshomaru so fondly. Inside, Inutaisho growled a little. Rin could wear that smile for his son, but never showed it around anywhere else he noticed in the past couple of days. Truthfully, he felt a little jealous. Some odd reason, he wished for her to smile like that for him as well. But inside as well, he was happy this child could smile like that. In these days of war and demons, she should keep up her happy demeanor. If she didn't, it would only sadden him. Rin was like a bright light through the darkness. A special child she was and the thought made him want to hold her close to him.

"Rin."

"Yes, Lord Inutaisho?"

Suddenly, she was gathered into the arms of this powerful demon. Her eyes widened in surprise and wonder. He was hugging her for the first time since they met and she didn't care. She could feel the coolness of his armor on her bare skin that showed from the kimono she wore and shivered a little. But the strength of his embrace made her feel all warm and tingly inside, fully accepting the comfort of his hug. Her eyes closed, laying her head on his shoulder, small arms winding around his neck.

Inutaisho's eyes were halfway closed. Why did he suddenly do this to her? Was it because he wanted to feel her human warmth? Or could it be because he just wanted to hug her? He had no idea, but didn't mind it. Holding her so close made his heart beat a little faster than usual, making him a little wary. But he didn't care. Being able to hold someone again after all this time made him the happiest and that was all he wanted right then.

Rin was feeling a little flush as the hug continued. It was the longest hug she had received in her entire life. And it was from her lord's father no less. It should have made her feel uncomfortable that it wasn't Sesshomaru doing it to her. Not once had her lord hugged her in any way unless he was rescuing her. Inutaisho felt similar to Sesshomaru though, so it was comforting. But being this close to him, she felt nervous and it felt like butterflies were in her stomach. Perhaps she should pull away from him until the feeling stopped within her.

He felt her pull away from him, but begrudgingly he didn't want to let the feeling go away. Since he didn't want to scare her though, he let her move away a little, her small hands resting now on the chest of his armor, her face flushed.

"Rin, are you all right?" He asked, one clawed reaching up to caress her cheek. "Did I make you uncomfortable with me?"

"N-no, you did not. I am just a little surprised that happened so quickly is all."

A ghostly smile appeared. "I'm sorry. I couldn't help it. You were just so close to me. And it's hard not to hug you when you are nearby."

Rin smiled warmly at him, her own hand moving from his chest to his purple striped cheek. "It's okay, my lord. I understand."

Inutaisho leaned in close to her face, rubbing his nose against hers a couple times before resting his forehead against hers. She was so sweet and innocent. This little girl sitting right before him. There was nobody else in existence that could be like her. Someone who could smell as sweetly as her nor who could make his heart race at just the thought of her. It was even different than when he was first with Izayoi. Definitely different. And he didn't wish to allow this one to get away.

I have only known this child for such a short time, yet I am unable to turn my eyes away from her. She has become so precious to me in the small amount of time I have known her. His amber eyes glistened, just staring into hers coyly. Could I have really fallen so deep?

"Rin, you are such a special human. Are you aware of that?"

She blushed. Special? Me? How special can I be? "I'm not special. I'm just a regular human like everybody else."

"No, Rin. You are special."

"How am I special?"

He smirked. "Because any human who could make a demon's heart beat faster than normal has got to be special in some way. And if you weren't special, I wouldn't have this urge."

"Urge?" She was confused now. What kind of urge could he be talking about?

"Yes. The urge to do this." His head tilted to the side and connected his lips with her own soft ones.

She gasped a little, pulling back. "M-m-my lord?" He kissed her. He really had kissed her! Her small hand covered her mouth in shock. And it was her first kiss as well. Her Lord Sesshomaru's father was the one to steal her first kiss. She saw him smirking again, wondering if he was going to laugh at her reaction.

"That was what I had the urge to do, young Rin. I hope you will forgive my actions." He grabbed the hand on his cheek in her own and kissed it.

"O-of course." Her lips twitched trying to find the right smile to give him. But she was so nervous now just sitting in front of him. How would she be able to react now that something like that had occurred between the two of them?

Unfortunately, she didn't know at the moment, but hopefully she would become aware of her feelings soon.

TBC…

A/n: Like that? Well, I hope you can't wait for the next chapter to come out.

Zaru-san