AN: Have an early update, I was going to post this later tonight but I guess this was a good time as any. This is the longest chapter at the moment, was going to divide it but it worked better as a whole. Hope you guys like it.
This chapter was a bit harder and I'm not exactly happy with this one. 'Harry' kept being an imprudent little shit and made things worse
Uncertain of what he should do, the boy raised his arms in shock and barely breathed, too astonished to move as he felt the small body press closer against his legs.
Later, he would look back at this moment and mentally kick himself when realizing how stupid he was for reacting this way but when he felt the small weight slamming against his legs and call him 'mommy' he didn't know how to react and he screamed. Loudly.
In his defense, he was on edge, being in unknown territory, assaulted by the people on his village, tied to a tree, exhausted after walking around for hours and irritated at an infuriatingly silent Yokai for making him chase after him when the bastard moved too fast for him to catch on. The mere thought of said Yokai made him angry.
"Rin, you foolish girl!" The angry squeaks of Jaken broke the silence, "That's no woman! That's just a ratty boy!"
The abruptness of his comment brought him back to reality and the boy stammered. "W-what is-?" 'Wait, ratty?'
The girl squealed as she quickly pushed away whimpering softly. "Rin is so so sorry!"
"I-It's alright! I'm sorry I'm not the person you wanted." He said as calmly as he could, trying to reassure her. "I apologize for scaring you." He added with a little smile, knowing that a stranger with their eyes covered could be an intimidating sight for a child, even if they were in the company of Yokai.
"I'm here because-" He started but trailed off with a shiver and felt piercing eyes on him. Lifting his face, he gazed towards a certain point to his left. "May I speak with the Yokai?"
"Eh?!" The squeaking thing exclaimed.
"I don't have a name; he was the one who made me come here in the first place."
"If your intent is speaking with our Lord, you can just go back where you came from!" Jaken stated as he angrily stomped his staff against the ground. "He doesn't have time for the likes of you!"
"'Lord'?" He inquired with a tilt of his head, "I don't care about his title I just want to speak with him."
"You little-!"
"Jaken." The Lord barely spoke before the imp shriveled and blubbered, "L-lord Sesshoumaru!"
"Ah, for a second I was starting to wonder if you were even there." The boy groused out.
Jaken screeched bewildered at this boy's gall, "Insolent-!"
"I'm here to-" He started once more but yelped as a clawed hand forcefully grabbed his arm, pulling him away from the others. "Hey!"
oOo
"Stop! S-stop it!" The boy demanded and yelped as he was manhandled before the grip on his arm released making him crash against a tree. Again.
"If you are going to remain in the presence of this Sesshoumaru you will mind your behavior." The Lord spoke, looming over him. "I won't have you being impertinent."
The boy paused for a second at this man's way of speaking before he regained his composure and exploded, "Why do you have a small child with you?! She sounds like she is barely ten! If you harm her-!"
The sudden slam inches from his head stopped him with a jolt and swallowed heavily.
"Enlighten this Sesshoumaru," the Lord inquired impassively as his sharp claws remained embedded into the tree, "what would you do?"
Feeling his closeness, the boy trembled. He knew he shouldn't antagonize someone who could easily kill him without a second thought but he didn't want to relent and look like a coward when a child could be in potential danger. The little girl mistook him for her mother, for God's sake!
"I won't let you! Whatever plan you have for her, you will have to kill me first." He exclaimed, mentally congratulating himself for not stammering.
Even when silence was his only reply he hadn't dared to move. Feeling that his wits were being tested he couldn't afford to back down, so he waited, face firm as he remained there making sure to face him, even if he couldn't really see him.
Intrigued as this boy's stubbornness to not show any kind of submission he narrowed his eyes at the cloth covering the boy's sight, having the impulse to rip it off once more just to see if there was any trace of fear in his eyes.
"You are on trial." He spoke as he finally released his claws from the tree. "Do anything wrong and this Sesshoumaru will make sure you regret it." He finished without looking at him before he retreated to the camping grounds.
The boy remained standing frozen in place for a moment before he slumped heavily against the tree, trying to calm his racing heart.
He'd better control his mouth if he wanted to remain alive.
Sadly, thinking before speaking wasn't his forte.
oOo
He appeared in front of the group minutes later, face downcast, completely embarrassed that he was feeling like a small child who was scolded.
"I'm here to apologize about before." He started after a moment of hesitation. "It wasn't in my intention being rude to anyone," he continued, lightly picking at his sleeves in a nervous manner. "I promise I will do my best to stay out of trouble a-and you won't even hear me complain!" His voice hitched before he quickly bowed, "I-I'm only asking for a place to stay."
Rin stood by the fire, gaze going back and forth between the boy and Jaken until finally staring questioningly at the Lord. Not seeing anything in particular, she quietly approached the boy and took a hold of his hand making him jump slightly before the corners of his lips curved into an embarrassed smile as he left himself be pulled towards the bonfire.
"M-my Lord!?" Jaken sputtered as he stared wide eyed at his master, bewildered at the thought of having another human in their group.
"Mind yourself." Were the only words the Lord spoke not leaving the boy out of his sight.
Jaken wasn't certain if the words were addressed at him or at the boy. Probably both, he thought but stopped as he noticed as the boy immediately nodded and his confusion peaked wondering what had happened when his Lord had dragged the boy into the forest.
The imp grumbled as he sat on a rock close to the fire.
He didn't know what were his Lord's intentions with this human boy but what he did know was that he would have another human to babysit. He wasn't a nanny, dammit!
oOo
Sitting in a proper seiza, the boy remained content with absorbing the warmth of the fire and waited for the onslaught of questions that would surely happen at any moment if the squirming of his small companion at his side was anything to go by.
He didn't know the little girl sitting next to him but he had a feeling that she wasn't exactly the one to remain quiet; he thought and smiled when he could almost feel her curiousness increase by the second. He was just waiting for it to boil over.
"Why do you cover your eyes?" Finally, he thought with a little chuckle.
As soon as the first question left her mouth more came out by the second. "Is there something wrong with them? What is your name?"
"Rin." A voice scolded from one of the trees where Sesshoumaru had decided to reside in, being able to watch over should anything happen with the newcomer.
"Sorry," she pouted.
"Don't worry. I don't mind." The boy laughed lightly, "To answer your questions, I was told to keep my eyes covered at all times."
"Why? Can you see? Are you blind?"
He just shook his head with a small smile. "I can see, but it's hard for me to focus when there is light. The woman who took me in was just insistent on covering my eyes; she never gave me a reason. I just learned to do as she said without question."
Doing things without questions, that was what the villagers asked of him and he was stupid enough for allowing it, and for what? They never gave him anything in return, he bitterly thought as he tightened his hands into firsts on top of his knees.
Tilting her head to the side so she could properly look at his face, the girl asked curiously, "What is your name?" She noticed the darkening of his expression and decided that it didn't suit him, she liked it much better when he was happy and smiling and laughing.
The boy paused at her question not knowing how to reply her, "I don't have one."
"But everyone needs a name!"
At her exclamation the boy couldn't help but smile at her. "Not me. People never bothered with a name for me, they just called me 'boy'." Along with other things that no child should ever be called.
The girl's face fell before she exclaimed earnestly, "Then Rin will give you one!" but paused for a second as she thought for a proper name.
"Can Rin see your eyes?"
A name, he thought, it would be good to finally have a name. He swallowed heavily, feeling touched that this little girl would be the one to give him one.
"Rin, tell me," He started as he cleared his throat, "is there another source of light apart from the bonfire?"
"Um, there is the moon?" She hesitated as she raised a hand to point at the sky, even if the boy couldn't actually see it.
Chuckling, he reached towards his bandages and his fingers hooked on the cloth and paused, hoping that the child wouldn't be afraid of whatever she might see. Taking a deep breath, he pulled and the bandages feel on his lap.
Slowly opening his eyes, he blinked a couple of times to focus. The flames dancing in front of him was the first thing he saw and he became entranced by it. Blinking, he drew his gaze to his left and was greeted by the sight of a small brown haired girl. Big brown eyes stared at him in amazement and she squealed, "Green!"
The boy chuckled and bowed his head slightly, "Midori, then?"
"U-uh, no! That's girl name! Something else!" She hummed as she thought. It was a pretty name but it wasn't for him, she thought, he needed a special one!
The boy just stared at the girl in bemusement as she glared into the fire as if it was the cause of her hardship and then she promptly exclaimed, "Haru!"
Blinking in surprise at her energy, he tilted his head in consideration, "Haru?" He said, trying out the name as it rolled out of his tongue.
"Yes! Because Haru's eyes are like spring!" She beamed as she squirmed excitedly next to him.
He was entranced at this child's happiness and innocence and decided at that very moment that he would do anything to protect it, even if he had to fight one hundred Yokai for it.
oOo
AN: So, speaking in third person... I wasn't sure if I should implement it to the story as it is a bit difficult for me. I have to admit, it's adorable for Rin but a bit irritating for Sesshoumaru lol
On another note, if anyone noticed that I never gave 'Harry' a proper name on the story, then congratulations! (I hinted at it on a note in the first chapter but that was about it)