thereceiv3r Oh Hun, thank you! I just wish I could focus on my homework with the same passion as my fictions! I had actually taken the inspiration for the 1/6th pig demon from Chokyukai in the original series! I've never watched AHS, but maybe I should check it out!
fumirevive I hope to cover that in this chapter, and after this; Mei's chapter will close completely! Also, I hope you caught that tasty morsel last chapter about Tadano's ex-fiance cheating with a girl that slightly resembled poor Rin(ako).
YoursAnonymous THANK Q!
Also disclaimer for this chapter, there is a difference between being unconscious and sleeping. And usually, when people fall unconscious, they wake up and go back to sleep because unconsciousness drains them!
(P.S. sorry for the late update y'all! A lot has been going on at home!)
The dusky violet night sky surrounded the couple as fog and blizzarding snow obscured them.
Sesshomaru held Rin bridal style, as she tousled with fever in his arms.
A particularly strong gust of wind sent Rin's teeth chattering,
And Sesshomaru slowly descended from the sky.
Freshly fallen snow crunched under his feet,
and he glanced at Rin once more.
Angered, that she fought tooth and nail for her life,
and that the evidence marred both her skin,
And her heart.
Sesshomaru walked up the stairs to his home, and noted sourly that the slate stairwell had already accumulated black ice. He turned his shoulder to push in the previously unlocked door, and found himself relieved that the blizzard obscured them from prying eyes. Though, the cold didn't do much to help Rin's already high fever.
He stood in the lavish living room, and debated whether or not the girl should bathe because of the dried blood and possible glass shard fragments still lodged in her skin. But, before she could be placed to rest, the glass needed to be removed lest it lodge itself deeper.
She's so covered in glass and gashes, I don't know how to position her without causing her more pain.
In that moment, he found himself more grateful that she were unconscious. He couldn't bear causing her more pain; but it needed to be done.
The home remained completely dark, aside from the light upstairs emanating from the office.
Lugging her in tow, he slowly walked up the stairway not to jostle her too much. Her head swayed slightly as it hung over his elbow, since she remained limp from fever, utter exhaustion, injury, and possible excessive blood loss.
Sesshomaru looked down at his hand under her armpit, and mentally grimaced from the sheer volume of blood that soaked his sleeve and caked on his forearm and fingers. Making up his mind, he crossed the threshold of his bedroom and entered the master bathroom. Hefting her legs higher up on his bicep, he leaned forward and turned the door in.
He walked past the glass shower and vanity, and straight to the circular quartz tub overlooking the back garden. He placed Rin sideways into the tub and examined her ankles and feet.
He took her single flat off, and noted that only the side of that sole was scraped, but her right sole had four long lacerations, as well as two deep puncture wounds by her heel; once of which, glass protruded from.
He sighed heavily then, and walked over to the restroom's vanity and leaned down to pick up the wastebasket. He returned and sat on the tub's ledge to gently take her small foot and remove the large splinter.
He rolled her ankle in his hand, and used his claw to pluck out the sharp material. Her eyelashes fluttered as she shivered then; and he watched her intently, trying to gage whether it was fever or pain.
She relaxed momentarily, before resuming her involuntary shivers and tossing slightly.
He threw the glass into the bin, and resumed spot checking for any other splinters of glass. He found a few that lodged themselves into her palms, and a few pieces had stuck on her shoulder.
He frowned momentarily upon realizing her to procure her maximum wellbeing, he'd have to check further. If he hadn't needed servants before, being the self-sufficient person he was, but, he would've killed for one now.
So much for servants anyways, although a female servant would have been preferable for this. Maybe, he would run the idea by the maid. But, having a live-in maid would wreak havoc on his body.
He closed his eyes, and felt for the hem of her dress. Upon finding it, he unsheathed a claw to shred the material from toe to head. When the sound of shredding clothing ended, he pulled the bloodied pink satin from Rin's frame and balled it up into the trash.
He stared at the wad of fabric in the can, and snatched it back up before burning it with his dokkasou. The fabric singed until it fluttered around in green tinged ashes.
He turned back to Rin with closed eyes and shredded the remaining fabric of her intimate delicates and strapless dress slip angrily burning those too.
Careful not to linger anywhere more than necessary, he opened his eyes to check for any additional glass. He prodded at some cuts and lacerations on her thighs and back, before pulling some splinters that found their way into her back.
He briefly wondered how they got there, before realizing she was most likely dragged across the broken glass. It was truly a wonder how the glass seemed to have missed important nerves. Anymore, and a particular gash running vertically across her back could've labeled her dead.
Satisfied that no more glass remained on her person, he looked up to the ceiling before turning on the water. After finding the temperature satisfactory, he plugged the tub's drain and scoured the cabinets for first aid materials.
One thing living amongst humans and inferior demons taught him, was that one could never have enough preventative measures.
His cabinets turned up empty, so he looked over to make sure the tub wasn't overflowing. The tub was still far from full, and Rin's head hung over the ledge, so it gave him the chance to check the guest restroom. He walked out of the hallway and entered there, knowing his maid Aka kept a first aid kit in there.
He opened the sink's bottom storage cabinet to see not only a first aid kit, but epsom salts, some antibacterial ointments, and some salve in a small green pot wrapped with parchment paper. He grabbed all of the items and kicked the door closed with his foot before returning to Rin's unconscious form. He poured out a quarter of the bag of the lavender-scented epsom salt, and some dettol antiseptic. The water immediately turned white and murky as it bubbled amongst the surface. Once again appreciative of the reprieve from awkwardness he was given, he decided to leave her soaking in the warm water to cleanse the wounds. He sat on the tub's second stair then and looked over the small green jar's poultice. Not finding any words on the jar aside from healing, he peeled the cloth and parchment paper back to get a closer smell at the product.
It was faint, but it smelled somewhat grassy and mentholish. Unsure of what it was, he decided he would patch test it on Rin later.
He stared out the window momentarily at the blizzard, before deciding he would actually have to touch Rin in order to wash her hair. Being she was unconscious, he felt exponentially more uncomfortable about touching her; especially since it wasn't in his nature to touch people, either.
He watched the milky water swirl in the tub with great unease.
Gathering his courage, he leaned over the sloshing water to pull her head from the wall to the ledge of the tub. He pulled some stray pins from her hair and unraveled the long mass of hair over his forearm.
Surprised at the actual length of her hair, he ran his own shampoo through it before briefly massaging her scalp. He leaned her head back into the large tub before rinsing it under the faucet. After he was done, he left her there to soak some more while the water remained hot.
But for now, he needed a shower himself.
As well as some time to breathe before having to deal with her nude form.
Opting to not think on the matter for the moment, he entered his bedroom and searched for presentable sleepwear.
Opting on a gold and white nemaki for himself, he turned to exit the walk in closet; but, stopped mid-turn only to think of Rin as an afterthought.
Haughtily, he sorted through the folded nemakis in his drawer, before settling on a black and yellow honeycomb print on for Rin. It would be too large, but it would have to do.
He wasn't necessarily angry, or scornful of Rin; but he was too much of a gentleman to bring himself to touch her.
With the two fabrics and ties in hand, he passed his drawers to the clothing rack. He snatched a new purple haori from the hanger. Because, obviously, Rin was very female and needed her privacy.
He returned to the restroom, and quickly peeled off his own clothing before throwing his clothing into the hamper across from him. He bathed and dressed quickly, as to not let Rin see his own nudity through the glass walls of the separate shower.
Before, the setting of the restroom was fine as it was him alone, but out of respect some changes may be made to the current situation of the room.
Rin stirred in the water behind him as he tied his obi over his hips.
He turned and drained the tub of its contents before quickly throwing a fresh towel over her to preserve her modesty.
He took another towel to dry her hair as the opposing towel simply maintained her privacy. He maneuvered her back to his chest as a third was used to dry her arms, legs, and feet.
He grabbed the poultice sitting on the ledge and quickly applied it to her back, legs, and arms upon noticing that the product immediately relieved the redness and irritation around the said lacerations.
Whatever it was, he would compensate Aka greatly for it.
He smartly decided to place the nemaki on backwards to save them both embarrassment, and positioned the high back of the collar onto her neck. Now that the worst was done, he simply tied the obi across her waist up to her armpits to stop the broad-shouldered material from falling off her much smaller frame. Finally, he draped the haori over her shoulders before laying her onto his bed and folding the comforters over her so that she may sweat out the fever.
Exhausted, he reclined himself on the chaise at the foot of the bed before returning to his youki into his fully human form. God forbid she woke up, he did not wish to frighten her.
He watched over her, until sleep claimed him as well.
For three days, Rin didn't wake. She often stirred, with pained features showing her discomfort.
She wasn't supposed to take this long to sweat out the poison. Unless, it was more than she could handle.
The blizzard seemed to have lightened up, but being so involved with Rin caused him to forget to contact the overnight crew to plow and salt the estate. Hell, he should've done it three nights ago.
Damn it all to hell.
Rin finally stirred, and gasped before screaming bloody murder.
Sesshomaru startled, and started patting Rin's hair. He must've missed her gradual heartbeat increasing from being so deep in thought.
At least she was alright.
"Rin...You...are safe, you aren't there anymore"
Rin finally stopped screaming, and stared at his face, the ceiling, the bedspread, and her clothes. Finally after a moment, everything came back to her. She sat up, stunned, and filled with oh-so-many questions.
Sesshomaru handed her a glass of water, but Rin shook her head sideways. She caught herself then, and apologized.
"Shigeto-san, I am so sorry. I don't w-want a-anything." Her voice cracked as she tried to swallow the lump in her throat.
"Rin, it's been three days. You need to drink something at the very least."
"I don't mean to be rude, but I don't think I could hold anything down."
Sesshomaru's lips tightened, and after placing the glass of water on the nightstand, he sat at the edge of the bed.
It wasn't a lie, considering she didn't hold anything down for the last few days.
He looked at her chapped lips, and watering eyes; then, decided against his better judgement to ask Rin about her feelings. Although, it was not his strong suit.
"Why do you feel guilty?"
"H-How did you know?"
Shit, he was supposed to ask how she felt; not demand why she felt that way.
With a quick wit he intoned silently, "You're like an opened book."
She chuckled then, before bursting fully into tears.
"It was my fault, I-"
"None of this was your fault." He all but hissed.
Rin drew her knees up and hugged them, shying away from the harsh admonishment.
"Sorry, I-"
"Stop drawing away from the question." He demanded, but more gently.
"I feel so terrible for Mei. I-I tried to save her, and I grabbed her hand, a-and she slapped me away. I shouldn't have let go. I let..I let her die."
Rin took another shaky breath, "I didn't mean to let go, I really didn't. But when she fell, I ran to help her, b-but that man, the next door neighbor, grabbed me. I felt he'd been watching me for a while, but I couldn't confirm it. I thought the apartment was empty, I d-didn't know. Then -Oh God- all the blood. H-her brains were splattered in the stairwell. S-she didn't deserve to die. I-I could've saved her."
"Rin, you did not let her die. Regardless, she tried to kill you, you had no business trying to save her anyway," Rin interjected then with a soft gasp of horror, "but you did, from the goodness of your heart. She instead, chose her own fate."
"But I should've held on harder," She started bitterly, " maybe if I had fallen with her, she wouldn't have fallen so hard! Maybe, we'd've both ended with just..broken legs..or something."
Sesshomaru shook his head at her wistful thinking, and decided to leave the subject alone. Instead, he decided to approach it from a different perspective.
"How did you meet her?"
Unsure of his question, Rin's eyes glazed over in deep contemplation, she'd figured he thought she was a monster or something.
"I promise, Mei wasn't really that bad when we moved in!"
Sesshomaru's brain short circuited then, "You need to stop prefacing your stories with excuses for people."
"It's not an excuse! Really! We met under..odd circumstances to say the least."
He watched her face as it fell, and her eyes become unfocused from nostalgia.
"I-I was homeless actually. Mei was a medical student saddled with bills. I had been kicked out of the girl's home I was staying in, and I saw her advertisement in the newspaper. I called her from a payphone, and we met in a coffee shop. I had nothing to offer but my two long arms, and I remember that instead of getting angry with me for wasting her time, she brought me a croissant and a tea. I remember she took me in without a shadow of a doubt, and she said she knew that I'd get a good job. She told me she believed in me...the first person to ever do that since my parents died."
Sesshomaru was actually intrigued now; but, refused to let curiosity show on his face.
Rin continued after her short pause, "I remember I had moved in, with nothing to my name but a bookbag and one set of change-of-clothes, and I immediately set to searching for work. Mei was struggling with her classes, and I promised I'd get something to help her out. I found a job, and the first thing we did was celebrate. We were like sisters. Hell, we even watched dramas together on the weekends to keep ourselves sane. We were like teenagers with idol posters hung over the walls and fan merchandise laying around the place. We were poor, but we were happy." Rin smiled sadly, before her eyes watered then. Her throat was dry and voice started cracking, but; she pushed forward anyways.
"Things took a sour turn though, when Mei started falling behind in her classes. I remember initially I was working 14 hour shifts, so I used to come home late while Mei was doing her homework. One d-day she was really sick, and I offered to help her with her assignment because the deadline was that night."
Rin took a shaky breath then, "It was a one time thing, but she'd gotten lost in the course. Within a few weeks, I started doing all of her assignments, online modules, and her online shadowing. One day soon after, while I was trying to walk her through the course, she sat beside me completely lost. She watched me for a moment, and said, "Well, maybe you're more suited for this than I am.""
Rin began to rock back and forth, suddenly reliving the day. Sesshomaru turned his body more fully towards her, showing his rapt attention to her story.
"I nervously laughed it off, but...she wasn't laughing at all. After that, she dropped the subject and began to work on something else, but didn't talk to me for the rest of the evening."
Tears started to actually fall down her cheeks. "Things were strained after that, and I pulled her aside one day. Her exams were nearing, and we couldn't continue lying like that. I asked her if maybe she would be happier in another subject, and she dismissed me. I didn't know how else to tell her that she wasn't fit for pre-med."
She stopped abruptly, and a pregnant pause followed suit.
"Two weeks after my failed attempt at conversation, she asked me to take her pre-med exams for her. I remember she was crying too, she said her parents wouldn't accept her unless she excelled in medical school. Her father was angry he didn't have sons, and he'd disowned her for not being smart enough. I snapped then, and I told her I couldn't; If I took her exams and got caught, I'd be convicted of a felony and serve easily 8 years. For her, she would receive a lengthy sentence and expulsion from University. Plus, if I passed her bar, she would hurt someone in serious malpractice."
Sesshomaru watched her intently. She must be very intelligent to catch on so quickly to medical school work mid-semester.
"It...didn't go well." Rin sobbed then, remembering the caustic slash of the accusations hurled her way.
"She got so angry then, and said I must've hated her, because I know what it's like to not have a family. Whereas she does, and I'm purposefully keeping her from reuniting with them. She had slammed the door that night, and didn't return for days. It hurt, it hurt so bad. I would never do that to anyone. But, people's lives were at stake."
"You made the right choice." He stated simply.
Rin shot off the bed then, "No, you don't understand! After I made that choice, and she lost all hopes of earning her father's grace again! That's why she became the way she did! She started looking for love and acceptance in all the wrong places! She started dating these guys that gave her everything but didn't have her best interest in mind!"
"And whose fault was that? She made her own choice."
Rin yelled at the top of her lungs, and Sesshomaru tamped down the urge retaliate.
She's experienced trauma, she's experienced trauma, she's-His mental chant was cut off by her sob. It's a case of serious misplaced guilt, and...judging from her life; a deep ingrained desire to please everyone for appreciation and affection.
"Rin, you aren't at fault for her choices. She, herself, was willing to place others in danger for her own ulterior motives."
The girl stared at him then with her mouth agape, she wiped her reddened face and coughed violently.
He handed the water to her, and she gratefully accepted, downing the water before giving another soft clearing of her throat.
"I-I never thought of it that way..."
"Because you cloud your judgement with excuses and justification for others. You refuse to acknowledge the negative traits of them, and instead defend those unworthy of defending."
"Oh…" She whispered then, internally wincing at his quick analyzation of her as well as how much the truth hurt. "Y-you're right. Facing the music hurts though."
In an uncharacteristic display of comfort, he simply patted her now strewn leg.
"S-she didn't deserve to die...I-I don't want her to die. Please, don't say she brought it upon herself. She could've changed, and gotten a new lease on li-"
"No, but she did try to kill you." He tried rationalizing, but Rin shook her head violently before covering her ears."
"Rin, listen to me. If she hadn't have tried to kill you, would she be dead?"
She refused to acknowledge his form leaning towards her.
He hissed then, and dragged her forearm towards him. She looked up, stunned.
"Answer me."
"Please, I really-"
Giving another harsh tug at her arm, she stuttered, "N-no..."
"You are much too forgiving, and much too kind hearted. You are foolish."
"I-I know."
Sesshomaru caught himself then, and unhanded her before trying to work up some semblance of an apology. But, none came to mind, he didn't regret saying what he did. So instead, he settled, "I am sorry for hurting you."
Rin shook her head, "No, it's okay, it's like...you were trying to literally shake some sense into me." she chuckled sadly.
"There it goes again. You are truly too soft." He sighed heavily.
Rin nodded her head and curled back onto the pillow.
Sesshomaru pushed his hand into the bed to straighten his previously leaning form before standing, but before he could Rin grabbed his hand.
"I am sorry, I shouldn't have gotten so excited. Especially since you saved me. I didn't mean to get angry at you, and I shouldn't have taken my outburst out on you. I can't thank you enough."
He nodded, and slipped his hand from hers before leaving the room. Rin lied there, listlessly staring at the ceiling, until she fell asleep once more.
A brisk knock at the door shook Sesshomaru from his reverie, and the ceramic ochoko filled with sake on the kitchen table.
Sesshomaru opened the door, to see his maid, Aka, freezing.
"Arigato, Shigeto-san. How are you today?" the middle aged woman greeted cheerfully.
Starstruck, he moved from the door to let her slip in. After closing the door, he watched as she took off her heavy snow boots and hat.
"Aka-san, you did not have to report during such weather."
"I just wanted to make sure I check on my other son!" she laughed, before patting his cheek.
Oh, how he hated when she did that!
The active woman tossed her coat onto the coat rack, and raked through her salt and peppered hair.
"I was concerned when my son told me he passed the estate and saw the ice hadn't been cleared. It's unlike you to not have that taken care of! So, I said I'd at least stop by to check in on my aloof other-son and tidy up."
She slipped her feet into some slippers laying at the genkan, and frowned, noticing something amiss.
"Shigeto-san, why is there blood on the floor?"
Sesshomaru walked over to where she stood, and realized some sparse drops of blood had fallen between the genkan and the master bedroom.
"There was an accident." She turned to face him, terrified at the implications.
"Did-did someone try to break in again?" Aka inquired.
"No, I have," He hated lying, "a friend who is staying with me. She lost everything in a house fire."
"My God! Is she alright? Did she receive medical attention?"
"No, the snow impeded emergency services from reaching. She inhaled no smoke, but jumped out of a window."
Aka turned from him, and made a beeline for the master bedroom.
She carefully creaked the door open, and rushed over to the young lady laying in his bed.
She patted her head, and Rin readjusted herself into the sheets.
Sesshomaru followed suit after her, and sat on the chaise as Aka leaned over the bed to inspect Rin.
The woman huffed, "You need to start keeping more groceries in here! Just because you're a bachelor doesn't mean you should neglect your kitchen! There's some groceries in my car, I'll go-"
"I'll get them." Sesshomaru stated as he stood from the chaise.
"Are you sure?"
He nodded. Although I hate performing unnecessary errands, it is for Rin after all.
Sesshomaru sighed, If only I had demon servants, then I would be able to relax in my true form.
He opened the passenger car door, and pulled several brown Aldi bags from the seat.
Regardless of the circumstances, he appreciated the sentiment all the same. Rin required sustenance he did not, and therefore he was barely equipped to care for her in any way.
In an unpleasant turn of events, Sesshomaru found himself helping Aka clean the house. Everytime she turned, he would use his youki or whip to either incinerate or move items that he had no interest in handling.
Aka ran into the kitchen, and stirred the chicken soup in the pot before calling out to Sesshomaru.
"Shigeto, how long has it been since the young lady ate? I have some cabbage and mushrooms to add here, but it could make her sick if she's gone too long without."
Sesshomaru frowned, and internally berated himself for the length of time she went without. It would reflect badly on him as a...caregiver. But, he still wasn't too keen on human wellness and reluctantly told her anyway.
"...Three days."
A shrill yell grated against his ears, he usually preferred for her to come while he wasn't there. Aka was too much of an excitable woman.
"THREE DAYS?" She yelled, "SHI-"
"She refused, and could not hold much down." He supplied, hoping to calm the elder woman.
She sighed before continuing, much more calmly; "I don't have any daughters, but I have nieces. She's grieving, and that sounds like depression."
Rin sat up to meet the eyes of an older woman, and nearly flew off the bed from her close proximity.
"Hello, Rin-san. My name is Aka. How are you feeling?"
Rin nodded, before forcing herself out of her brain-fog.
"I-I'm okay." She whispered, "Oh! I'm sorry, Aka-san, it's a pleasure to meet you."
The elder woman nodded before shushing her, and sliding the lacquered wooden tray into Rin's lap.
"It's soup dear, you should really eat. It's game-ni. It's light enough that you should be able to stomach it."
Rin thanked the woman, and apologized for being a burden.
The elder woman nearly blew her top off. "Why are you apologizing! You have nothing to apologize for! You are no burden! What happened to you was out of your control!"
Rin blinked, only to be met with warm, stern hands on her shoulders. "That fire was not in your control. I can only imagine the grief you are going through. Especially to have lost all items of sentimental value. Just be glad no one was hurt"
Rin nodded foolishly, too flabbergasted to form a response.
Just go with it Rin! Shigeto had to have made this up!
"I'll be right back with some tea, you eat up!"
Grateful for the moment to recollect her thoughts, Rin forced her trembling arm upwards to drink some soup. Even though I don't want to it, it would be rude to refuse her.
"Shigeto, I didn't know you had friends! That young lady of yours is a true beauty. Sure she didn't catch your eye?"
Sesshomaru broke decorum, and actually glared at the woman.
"It seems I've hit a spot! Maybe I'm not too far off?" She finished in a singsong voice.
He refused to answer.
"It's surprising to actually see you make an expression, Shigeto! It usually feels as though I'm speaking to a brick wall! Hopefully," she wriggled her brows, "with the young missus residing, we can see some humanity from you!" She laughed lightheartedly.
She walked off, and Sesshomaru took the brief moment to bristle out of annoyance.
Rin sat in the bed, staring at the lacquered tray with the empty bowl and cup of tea. She felt so useless not being able to help.
She fought against her body's protest, and pushed herself out of the bed to take the tray to the kitchen. Before she could even place her hands on the tray, she was startled.
"Just what exactly are you doing?"
"UH"
Sesshomaru cocked his head from where he stood in the doorway as to reiterate the question.
"Uh..taking this to the kitchen?" she said cheekily while shrugging her trembling shoulders and tilting the tray higher.
Faster than she could react, she found herself pushed back into his bed with an "oof" and the tray, with rattling dishes, being snatched out of her hands.
"Hey! I could've gotten that!"
Too late, he was gone.
I want to help, I want to bathe, I want….to not be a burden...
Resigned, Rin just sighed before succumbing to sleep once again.
Sesshomaru watched Rin as she slept, her chest rising and falling in a gentle rhythm. He finally made up his mind after watching her for the last few hours after the maid, Aka, had left.
He released his youki to release his humanoid form, and slowly levitated over the bed. He reached his hand out to the gold sword rack that held both Bakusaiga and Tenseiga between two large ceramic and gold vases.
He outstretched his hand, causing the darker sword to fly off of it's rack and towards his hand.
However foolish it was, he would acquiesce to Rin's request.
A bright purple light swirled in the room,
And he was gone.
All that was left in his wake,
Was the fluttering of curtains and sheets.
Rin groaned, and snuggled deeper from the slight chill.
Maybe, she was more comfortable than she thought.
Fin: Recovery (recuperação)