I do not own Inuyasha.
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Sesshomaru found Melissa near Sango and Miroku's house playing with Rin and the girls. She always seemed to be surrounded by children. She was helping the kids make flower chains. Rin was an old pro, but the little ones were having a little difficulty.
"Melissa." She froze hearing him say her name. She whipped around and stared at him, her eyes wide. The smile she gave him was worth having sought Kagome's help earlier. He turned and began to walk away. Sensing he wanted to speak with her she made sure Rin was ok watching the girls by herself then jumped up and followed him.
They walked past Kojo and his two buddies. Melissa sped up and walked closer to him as they passed them. She was afraid of them? It made sense that she would be, and that made Sesshomaru's blood boil. He growled and looked over at them when one of them whispered "Youkai whore." The men were wise enough to divert their eyes.
Once they were out of earshot of the villagers he turned to look at her, "Do you feel safe in this village?" He knew the answer, but he wanted to be sure. She looked at him for a long time, then slowly she shook her head.
"I have heard that you refuse to learn how to plant rice." There was no accusation in his voice, but their was a question.
She took a minute to think of the words. Sesshomaru was patient, it was remarkable that she had picked up as much Japanese as she had in such a short time. Finally she looked up.
"Kagome say... women plant rice because make babies."
"It is true, the simple people of this village are superstitious, they believe that the fertility of women of childbearing age will have a positive effect on the crop."
"I not have babies."
"Many of the women working the fields are not yet married. They do not have to have children, only be capable of bearing them."
"Sesshomaru, I marry."
He stared. Kagome had said she had nothing to go home to. If she had a husband why was she not doing everything she could to return to him?
"You have a husband?"
"No." But she just said she did. "He gone."
"Where did he go?"
"I marry. I not marry. He gone." She struggled to explain.
"This Sesshomaru does not understand. What are you trying to say?"
She shook her head, whether trying to clear it or simply frustrated he wasn't sure. She turned away. She paced a bit then turned back to face him.
"I not have babies. I marry. I not have babies. He gone."
"I see." Her husband had abandoned her because she didn't bear his children. Melissa was barren. She was in more danger than she realized.
These were superstitious people, if it was discovered she was barren she would be blamed for any crop failures or famine. And if she was honest with men who showed an interest in her, and he believed she would be, she would never have the protection of a husband. The men of this village could not afford to keep multiple wives and concubines, a barren woman would be worthless to them. If they decided to run her out of town or kill her they need only wait until the night of the new moon.
"Melissa, dou you wish to leave this town?"
"Yes."
That settled it then. When he left she would come with him. He had traveled once with a human and actually found it to be enjoyable. She would be no different than Rin.
Later that night he was sitting in Keade's house watching his girls play on the floor. They were having a tickle fight, each trying to tickle the other while fighting off the other's attempts to tickle them. Melissa was winning and Rin squealed with laughter as Melissa attacked her ribs with her fingertips. Melissa only relented when Rin announced she had to pee.
Rin darted out of the house and Melissa sat beside Sesshomaru, giggling. After a moment he noticed she kept looking over at him and breaking into fits of giggles. What was going through her mind? She... She wouldn't dare! She couldn't anyway with him wearing his armor.
She could and did. She dug her fingers into his armpit, just above his armor. He pulled his arm protectively to his side and squirmed away, clenching his jaw shut. Melissa's eyes went wide then she started laughing so hard she fell over. He squirmed! He actually squirmed!
He got up and moved away. He sat down against another wall, glaring at the brazen woman. She tickled him, she actually tickled him! Rin came back in and looked from one to the other in confusion just as Keade informed the daiyoukai that is was unbecoming one of his stature to pout. He glared at the elderly Miko but she paid him no mind as she continued her task.
Rin decided to sit with Melissa and taught her the names of seeds they'd gathered in the woods that day. After a while Sesshomaru moved to sit with them. He needed to speak with Rin.
"Rin, you are aware that Melissa has been treated poorly in this village."
"Yes, my lord." The girl replied, putting a seed down and giving Sesshomaru her full attention.
"I have reason to believe she is in real danger here. She has also expressed a desire to leave this village. For these reasons when I leave tomorrow I will permit her to accompany me if she wishes." He looked from Rin to Melissa and she nodded. She did wish to leave with him.
Rin looked from him to Melissa "You'll still come see Rin?" She asked the woman.
"Yes. I leave with Sesshomaru, I come with Sesshomaru." Melissa assured the child.
"Why are you in danger though?"
Melissa looked up at Sesshomaru. She didn't know until just now that she was. But she trusted his judgment. If he felt she was in danger she was willing to believe him.
"Melissa has told this Sesshomaru a secret. I will not share it." He explained.
Rin nodded and hugged Melissa. She would miss her, but she knew Sesshomaru would keep her friend safe. And it wouldn't be to long before she came back to visit, Sesshomaru came to visit often.
Sesshomaru watched the girls together. Melissa was so good with Rin. She was good with all the village children. She obviously loved them all. She'd have made a wonderful mother. Sometimes the gods were truly cruel.