This is the fluffiest chapter yet! Filled to the brim with sweet sugary goodness! You are SO welcome!
O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o
Another year would pass, and as the summer season would dwindle into autumn, the sentient life of plants and animals would fade with the end of the harvest season. Rin would continue to grow, and Sesshomaru would start to notice. By this time in their lives, Sesshomaru would have had to endure many, many nights of Gods' awful amounts of introspection. His travels would start to blend together, and his fighting would gradually become numb. There would still be a need for it, therefore it will continue to be necessary, but the longer he finds himself away from Rin, the more difficult it would start to become for the Demon Lord of the West to stay very far.
On this lovely autumn afternoon, Sesshomaru and Rin would reside in a wooded area quite a bit closer to the village than usual. It would be Rin's turn to surprise Sesshomaru on his visit with a walk towards the notorious Bone-Eaters Well. He would see that familiar sparkle in her eye as she would speak of things from Kagome's "modern era" such as customs and different celebrations. Such customs would even include the one that they would be celebrating that very evening. This news would be why Rin would request that they stay in the village on this particular visit of his. She would point to the well as she would tell Sesshomaru of the stories she would hear from Inuyasha and Kagome.
Kagome's integration into the village would be an age-old memory by now, and Rin would feel exceptionally sentimental on the calm autumn day while the leaves would endlessly fall around them. He would start to notice that glint in her eye a bit more these days, as she would reminisce on the short time she would have gotten to spend traveling with Sesshomaru and his small group all that time ago. Speaking of things such as these would enhance Rin's desire to explore other cultures, and her smile would radiate as she would continue to tell Sesshomaru of Kagome's stories of her home from another time.
Another time?
It would be difficult for him to understand what that truly meant.
Sesshomaru would've already had a few small questions/fights with Inuyasha about this - questions here and there about time, repeating the vernacular of Rin's words. Those conversations would rarely end well. Inuyasha wouldn't know how the hell to explain what on earth Kagome was doing while traveling between worlds, only that it was in something called "the future". Kagome would try to better explain, but the idea of it would fly over anyone's head in this time period.
The future.
What of the future?
Sesshomaru never really thought much about the future, at least not past his father's death. He had previously thought of a future where he would best his father and take his place, but having such high hopes for something only for it to become so disappointing in the end would tend to stick to the mind a nearly immortal demon. Sesshomaru could only learn a lesson like that once, and he would be careful not to put so much hope into the future ever again. He would only be focused on the present, and heaven forbid he think about anymore of the past.
Truth be told, any definition of the concept of time would change, as time would march on for all of those who would know the girl that traveled through it. If the human girl were, indeed, to be from the future, then Sesshomaru would also begin to wonder- what exactly is time? But that question would flee just as easily as it would come. He wouldn't be able to help but wonder what time would be like in Rin's eyes, and would find himself curious to know her thoughts.
There would also be... something asking him why he would care for her opinion in the first place, but the recurring memories of her throughout the past very few years would overcrowd any arguments as to how he couldn't. But the more he would think about the human, the more he would realize that every year she would grow older, and every year she would walk closer to her death-
'No'
Not death.
'Not again.'
They would not have the same concept of time, though they would very much try to. One cannot help but wonder how time truly would affect them.
Rin's disposition would not fade from her intrinsic smile. Her curious eyes would loom as she would gently lean her body over the peculiar well to peak inside. She would be wearing one of the many Kimonos that he would send her. This one would be lined with lovely dark purples and oranges to match the colors of the autumn season. It would be here that it finally clicks inside of Sesshomaru's mind that she is very real, and growing at a rapid speed. He had known the pathetic fate of humankind, for it did not take long for humans to grow and die.
That was never something he'd care enough to consider before, but he would remember the day that he met her for the first time. He would remember how battered and broken she had seemed to be, but she would continue to go out of her way to try to care for him. He would remember how cold he had been towards her, and wonder why she kept coming back. This would lead him to wonder how battered up he would have looked to her when she stumbled upon him that day.
He would remember the scent of her death as he would revive her body with his father's stupid sword. For what would this little human have done to deserve such a fate?
His heart would skip a beat when he would remember the very first time he'd heard hers.
The chilled kiss of a harsh breeze would flow through his hair as he would remember the day that Rin was kidnapped by the demon woman who could control the wind. He remembered how his mind blanked as he started running towards the human girl that had gotten herself caught for some stupid scheme. He would remember the sound of her scream, and how every inch of his being was be called to such a horrid sound.
This would also cause him to remember the time that he would hear her scream as she'd fallen off of a cliff to get some medicine. It would have been for an injury that Jaken had gotten while on their travels. Hearing her far cries of the past would fade his memory to the time where she had begged to be freed from some monks that would try to "rescue" her from this evil demon that was believed to have enchanted her.
He would also remember the day that he had lost her again, if only for a moment.
He wouldn't be able to think about that.
He saved her, and he would always do so, time and time again. He would always save Rin, for she would do nothing to deserve what fate would constantly put her through.
Here it would dawn on him that his reactions to her cries were always involuntary. He wouldn't even have to think about it; his entire being would just go running towards her before he would even begin to think of why.
Why would he care so much for one single tiny human?
But he would eventually come back to his visits on those spring and summer days, her laughter, her voice, and her carefree disposition. She would always be so happy to see him in the distance. Why would she always be so kind to him- so warm, open, and positive? She would always accept his cold-hearted creature that was bred to kill and to take what he could. No matter how little he would speak, how little he would react- she would always accept the demon with all of his faults. She would always be so happy just to sit with him, no words, and just keep him company.
Why would she?
And... Why would it affect him so?
He would finally remember a year old memory... the day where she would leisurely put a flower behind his ear, and he would feel the sudden sensation of her electrifying touch. This memory would prove that merely seeing her would no longer be enough for a demon who had always craved his own personal solitude. Maybe…. just maybe… there might even be some sort of aridity inside him for just a little more. Just… one more touch- any touch- be it the way their skin would almost meet as they would walk side by side, her strands of hair that would seem just out of his reach, or maybe if he were lucky, he would experience another blessed brush of her thumb to his cheek.
Just a touch to make sure she was still real…
To make sure she was, indeed, still living… still breathing….
Just to make sure she was okay.
But he would never voluntarily touch her.
No.
But she would.
She would on this night, for she would have a plan.
As the day would move on, Rin would continue to divulge on the festivities that all of the villages would have agreed to be a part of. Inuyasha's village would be somewhat of a staple to trade and bargain with, since the land around them would be very plentiful, and a group of demon slayers would also reside there as protection. Word would get around about the stories that Kagome would tell, and after some community gossip, a festival would be announced, and it would join together the other four villages in the area to celebrate the harvest. Everyone would come together and do many things with their communities, such as decorate with hand made objects, each family would bring their own special meal, and they would even plan a small show of fireworks that Inuyasha would buy off of a caravan passing through the village a few moon cycles previous.
Sesshomaru would not be one for crowds, and Rin would know this. She would know that he would stay away from most people, but would be quite attentive to him, even if she would have her hands full with so much commotion. He would watch her, much as he had always done, and observe how naturally she would converse with her friends. His ears would always be drawn towards her infectious laughter when she would play with various children.
He would hear the rumors around. Humans from every which way would love to spread their gossip, and no gossip could be any juicer than the esteemed Demon Lord of the West coming to some human festival filled with a bunch of humans. But none of that would matter to Sesshomaru. His only goal would be to keep Rin happy, and keeping her happy would mean having to endure some strange human custom that may or may not have even been invented yet. His eyes would focus on Rin as she would run around with Sango's twin daughters.
Throughout the years, Rin would play with them the twin girls the most out of all of the kids in the Village. She would love the idea that more than one person could be born at the same time. She would imagine what a blessing it would be to be able to create such a miracle, but she would think that she would never be strong enough for something like that.
Sesshomaru would continue to watch.
"Don't let ye be fooled," a voice would be heard from somewhere off in the distance. Lady Kaede would be able to see the slight change in the Dog Demon's features as he would look to see the elderly woman. "The girl puts on a brave face, when you are near." Is all the old woman would say before she would walk past him while carrying a basket of trinkets for children to collect. He would try to ignore the old woman, and continue to observe Rin's every move. Her giggles would remain as she would run around with children while keeping them occupied with games and attention.
That evening, Rin would beg him to "stay just a little longer" to see the light show that Inuyasha would keep on insisting "would be the most spectacular show since the explosion of Naraku". Sesshomaru would usually ignore the pleads of the human girl to stay past sunset and go hunt, but the lively group of human interaction filled with illumination and noise could be an ideal target for those that wish to do large amounts of damage in a single place. Sesshomaru would use this conclusion as an appropriate excuse for "staying just a little while longer".
When the time would come and the sun would set, this would be the ideal time for them to start the light show, and among all the craziness, Rin would somehow find the time to create a special place just for her and Sesshomaru, far enough from anyone in the crowd to see them, yet close enough to see the show full of fireworks and festival poppers. She would want Lord Sesshomaru to feel comfortable and enjoy himself at the grand finale of the day, and he would best enjoy himself if he were to be totally alone (with Rin).
She would hope that it wouldn't disappoint as she would guide him to their spot on a blanket-covered ground while easing into a comfortable position. Gently tapping the area next to her for him to join, he would silently accept the invitation, comfortably landing from a leap with his legs and arms crossed. Rin would muse that he would be entirely too graceful as she would murmur about herself being as clumsy as Jaken would be with a head cold.
With teamwork from Inuyasha and Shippo's fox fire, the light show would successfully begin. The noises would be loud and thunder-like, but the adrenaline of light and sound would even seep through the calm tempered Sesshomaru. The colorful lights would shine vibrantly in the sky as they would sit beside one another beneath the sheen of the crescent moon. The noise would almost seem to be comforting to the Demon Lord of the West, as he would relax a bit further, resting his back up against a tree and releasing his stress while his arms would gently fall.
Rin would be good at hiding her true emotions at this point. She would carry a smile of gratitude as she would be able to catch a small side view of his growing state of relaxation. She would watch as his demeanor would slowly yet surely ease into his usual meditation as the features in his face would soften. She would know that he would use these times with her to rest, and rest is what she hopes that he would get for as long as he would be able. This would be an opportune moment to go ahead with her little plan.
He was supposed to have come to get her by now. He was supposed to have given her a choice by now, at least that is what she would keep telling herself. It would be no secret that Rin would adore the esteemed Demon Lord, and she would be proud to say it. She is supposed to be with him so she could be whenever he needed her. Of course throughout the years, Lady Kaede would try to influence her ideas. -"What would he need you for?"- and would urge her into a more "realistic" plan and settle down with someone good and kind, maybe like Sango's younger brother or something, but that isn't what Rin would want.
Settling down and being stuck in some village would be something that used to terrify her. Her family was slaughtered by bandits in an unprotected village, and that very village only greeted her with pain and torture when she would try to steal to survive. Although Inuyasha's Village would be nothing of the sort, she would not want to stay in this place forever. She would love her friends, and be so grateful for all that she would learn from everyone, but she would be firm on the account that she's meant to be with Sesshomaru.
She would know deep down that he would come back for her- that was the deal... at least that is what she would used to tell herself. Yet he would never ask. He would come by time and time again, but he would never take her with him. As a child, she would never know just how silly it would sound for a kid to think of such things, because she wouldn't know what it would actually mean. But she would be much older now, and as her smile would fade away from the resting Demon Lord's rested features as her thoughts would take a turn. She is not so naïve as to think that he would ever care for her in that way.
She would know the story. She would always hear Inuyasha gripe about it every now and again- about how Sesshomaru was always after him just for being a half-demon. There would be a day when she was still in her younger years where she would finally ask the group what a half demon-really was. Her mind would blow at such an idea, and she would unknowingly start a much needed talk about the birds and the bees with Kagome. Never in her life did she ever think about the possibility of giving birth to half-demon children. She didn't know that humans could even do that with demons. She had a vague idea of human mothers having babies, but she didn't know that it would have to involve all of that!
All of it would be so very... embarrassing to think about for a poor young Rin- not that it would be something that she would ever have to worry about anyhow. Sesshomaru hates humans- But if he hates humans, then why would he always try so hard to protect them- to protect Rin? She would think that he mustn't hate humans as much as everyone would think. Then this would make her wonder why the heck Sesshomaru would be the first demon that she would think of, anyway?! Why would her mind go to such a place as to consider such a thing? Her cheeks would start to burn at the very idea!
*sigh*
No.
He would never think of her that way. She would be certain of it.
Why would he?
Besides... she would never think of getting married to Sesshomaru. The very idea would cause...something inside of her to tremble. N-no... Maybe she could meet someone special when his empire would start to grow. She didn't care how she were to be apart of his life, all she knew was that she wanted to be apart of it.
But... something inside of her told her to do it- to go on with her plan, and she needed to do it, and fast.
She would think long and hard before she would attempt her next move. The firework show would be well under way and the lights would pop and boom for what seemed like forever as ash would be seen sprouting from the explosions. Never breaking her gaze from the light show ahead, she would decide to do the unthinkable and do what she had been wanting to do ever since she met him. Her body would move with purpose. She would adjust as if getting more comfortable, and all would be normal to Sesshomaru until he would suddenly feel her intertwine her left arm around his right, and thread her fingers between his. This action would lock their hands in the most gentle embrace.
Such action would cause him pause.
There would be the slightest hitch in his breathing as he would start to feel the soothing lull of her heartbeat through her fingertips.
*Thump-thump, thump-thump, thump-thump-*
Never has she been so bold as to give more than gentle movements that she had given when picking flowers from his hair last summer. Her warmth would be what would throw him off the most, but he would not falter. Each muscle of hers would move with divine act as her eyes would flutter to a close. He would feel her take in a deep breath and gently exhale while settling the weight of her body against his in a comfortable fashion.
This would send a brand new sensation through him. The soft rhythm of her heart would soon thump through his entire body. Such a new feeling would frighten any creature to their core, but the Demon Lord Sesshomaru would not be so weak. After a moment of trepidation, the lull of her heart would soon sooth the demon to an even more idle state than usual. There would be a strong sense of ease that she would start to feel overflowing from his aura. This would be a peace that would cast through her touch with the knowledge that she is safe, right there, with him. Her fear of him pulling away from her touch would vanish as she would feel a gentle exhale from his being, as well.
She would be overcome with emotion as she would lean her head against the fluff of his shoulder. As if it were her instinct, she would gently start to hum a familiar tune reminiscent of words about packages tied up with string. Such a sound would envelop his eardrums as the fireworks would fade to a silence in his mind. The show would last a while longer, which would be ideal for the human and the demon that would unknowingly start the journey of bending the rules of nature and time. She would complete this moment by drawing lazy circles on top of his hand with the caress of her thumb.
Neither of the two would have ever felt so…. content until this moment. He would allow her touch for as long as she desired. As the light show comes to an end, she would be waiting for him to let go of her hand, and she would understand. As it were, she never thought that he would have accepted this rather bold move in the first place. She would try to save her heartbreak for her bedroll, ready to go home to probably cry herself to sleep after such a long day. After making a fleeting wish to an unknowing star to stay this way just a little longer, she would watch the large party of humans gradually disband and clean. She knows that she would finally have to face reality as she waits for him to part from her and release her hold on his hand at any moment... but... the moment would not come.
Rin would be so busy watching the crowd dwindle and calm that she wouldn't realize that Sesshomaru would not just be resting, but that he would actually be... asleep! Her eyes would grow wide in awe. 'He's... sleeping? I've never seen him sleep before.' She would look down at their hands, but their hold on to one another would be intertwined with a mix of fabric and his moko-moko. Looking back up to the features of his face, he would be calm and stoic. His breathing would be deep and rhythmic. Rin would be at an impasse. She would want to get up and help everyone, but...
FAT CHANCE.
Something like this would never happen again. She would not be about to WAKE UP Lord Sesshomaru. That was NOT going to happen. Instead, Rin would lay her head on his shoulder again, and this time she would join him. He would be so warm, and his fluff would be so soft. She would recognize his familiar scent as her face would become lost within his fur, and she would easily flutter her eyes to a gentle sleep.
One could imagine her immense disappointment when she would wake the next morning to find herself safely tucked into her bedroll inside of her and Lady Kaede's hut. It would take a moment for the disorientation to settle as she would wonder how long she had been asleep before coming to her senses. Her features would go from tired to irritated as she would look to see yet another lovely looking gift right next to the foot of her bed.
She would then wonder if all of what happened the night before was nothing more than a dream.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o
So... this is kind of paying homage to my family. We have lost quite a few people this past year, the biggest one being my uncle- a man who opened his home that was always filled with wealth, love, and family. I am from America, and he would throw a 4th of July party every year, and every year the firework show would grow in time. Our very last one lasted an hour. An HOUR for ONE family of about 80 people, (I have a BIG family on my mom's side) but those will only be memories now.
I never got to experience our firework shows in a romantic way and I always did, so this chapter ended up being therapeutic for me in more ways than one. If I can't have it, then by golly SOMEONE WILL.
This whole story has been therapeutic.
Rest in Peace to my Uncle Benny and Aunt Kay. They were the Godfather and Godmother of my entire family. They loved every single person around them.
Anyway, I'm sorry for the ramblings. Just a few chapters to go. And I promise to give it a good ending. :)
