(Warning- Tasteful, yet mature content.)
Chapter 2- Unity
With his kimono parted slightly revealing his chest, Rin sat in Sesshomaru's lap. Her head was pressed against his chest. Her hands rested just below his collarbone. Her own clothes were draped around her waist, revealing her back. Whatever realm they were in, the breeze was calm and warm.
"Rin," he voiced, with a hand on her shoulder, lifting his chin from the top of her head to peer down at her. She had been dozing in and out of sleep, feeling so safe and secure. She sat up with her cheeks still slightly pink and rubbed her eyes. "Are you alright?" he asked.
She smiled gently with the nod of her head and began to gather her kimono back on to herself. He watched as she slowly pulled her arms through the sleeves, then carefully crossed the clothing over her chest to tie at her waist in a white bow. When she stood from his lap, blood became visible in speckles across the bottom of her clothing, as well as his.
Her face became red.
"This was to be expected," he said with the tilt of his head. He put a hand on his knee and stood up from his seated position. Rin saw his pleasant, yet disheveled look. His pants were loose around his waist and his kimono had fallen off one side, revealing his chest and abdomen. Rin stepped closer, pulling his kimono back on to his torso. She layered the clothes with great care and tied them into place, fixing his pants as well. Lastly, she reached for his purple and yellow cloth that he used to hold his swords in place, securing those accessories too. As for his battle armor, he had no problem leaning over himself and placing it over his own head and shoulders. He pulled his long hair out from under the warrior garb, using his long nails like a brush. He approached her once more and pressed his forehead against hers. In an instant they were transported back to the riverside.
Jaken shouted, having been caught off guard. He had created a small campfire to keep warm through the night. "Lord Sesshomaru! You've returned!" he exclaimed with his eyes watering. "Rin, what happened to your clothes?" he asked, seeing her white kimono slightly speckled with blood. Lord Sesshomaru shot him a stern side glance and Jaken swiftly slapped his clawed hands over his mouth to silence himself.
"From this moment on, it will no longer be wise for you to be alone. I will escort you back to your village," he turned away from her and began to walk in the appropriate direction. Both Rin and Jaken followed.
"Why can't Rin be alone, Lord Sesshomaru? And you still haven't told me where you went! I don't get any compensation for my services, the least you could do is keep me in the…"
Suddenly Lord Sesshomaru spoke, "Jaken, it would not be wise for you to speak out of turn again." He drew his sword and took a battle pose.
"I'm sorry my Lord!" Jaken nearly screamed it, then realized his sword hadn't been drawn for him at all. Together Jaken and Rin cowered behind Sesshomaru as a demon approached. At first glance, it appeared to be Naraku, but instead of white fur the demon was cloaked in brown, sniffing the air with her black snout.
"I thought I sensed the scent of taboo and hypocrisy in the air," her voice rang demonically.
Without any hesitation, Sesshomaru charged for the demon, slicing its head clean off. Those were the only words he needed to hear before deciding upon a swift and imminent demise. "Get moving!" he shouted at Rin and Jaken with a growl in his voice. Quicker than before, they began jogging for the village. Around them they could hear the sounds of battle, the falling of trees, and slain enemies.
When at last Rin reached the village, she noticed Jaken was no longer at her side. Near a clearing, she surmised Lord Sesshomaru standing with him, dust and debris billowing behind them. "Take care, Rin," she could hear his words in her head.
In a slight daze, Rin turned back to the village and started sprinting to lady Kaede's house, worried that she might be putting others at risk, and looking over her shoulder. Once she made it, she came in and slid down the side of the wall, curling into a ball to catch her breath momentarily. "Rin, what's the matter. Are you hurt?" Kagome asked kneeling down beside her, seeing her clothing. In Rin's mind, she continued to hear the forest demon's words on repeat, taboo. Additioally, she thought about how sensitive the senses of demons were and how it would be in her best interest to transition as soon as possible.
"I'll be fine Kagome. Thank you for asking," she took another deep breath. "I'm going to change and bathe. Would it be too much to ask for you to stay nearby?"
Kagome smiled, standing up. She then offered Rin her hand. "Not if you don't mind doing the same for me when Inuyasha and I…" her cheeks began to blush.
Rin appeared surprised that she knew and took her hand nonetheless, getting back on her feet.
"Lady Kaede told me," Kagome admitted with a shrug before the young woman could ask. "We'll all be right here with you, Rin, on this beautiful and challenging journey. Who knows, maybe they'll also be there for each other in the future too!" Kagome's hopefulness radiated to Rin's soul. It was exactly what she needed to hear right now after having one of the most peaceful, unifying experiences of her life to being under attack.
"A life worth living is one with variety," Rin told Kagome, also providing her reassurance in exchange.
