***I do not own InuYasha or any affiliated characters***
~*Part three*~
Of all the people in the world, be they human or demon to bow before him, Rin was the last one he wanted to see in such a position. It somehow felt wrong for her to be bowing to him.
"That is unnecessary Rin."
She nodded and stood, a look of worry on her face and he had to fight the urge to tell her she had done nothing wrong. But instead he held out a hand to her. "I have been told that it will be good for your health if you walk"
"Thank you." She barely whispered taking his hand she stepped down from the engawa onto the grass and let go. He regretted that she had let his hand go. Her hand was small and soft in his, her delicate fingers felt very pleasant. Pushing aside the thought he focused on the task at hand.
They walked side by side, though not closely, as he thought over what to say to her. What would be safe? He wondered and turned an eye to her face, noting that she looked sad, even worried.
"Rin, are you well?" he asked breaking the silence.
"Yes my lord, I am feeling much better, though I am tired." After a moment she began to play with the sleeve of her Kimono nervously. "Thank you for, everything really, I didn't mean to be a burden I just wanted…"
"Rin." He cut her off not wanting her to think she was unwelcome. "It is of no consequence." He said as they continued on turning toward to peach grove. The avenue they followed traced a path through the middle of the well groomed trees. He had sought the privacy that they would provide and then was annoyed at himself for seeking to be alone with her. The grove was long and narrow, followed on both sides by a high hedge.
As the trees surrounded them muting the sounds or the gardeners and the distant household he realized his error; being alone with her could be disastrous to his glared at nothing and was determined to simply walk through the flowering trees to the open safety of the lawn beyond.
But Rin had not yet been in the peach grove and once under the canopy of blossoms, her breath caught and she stopped to look in wonder at the beautiful sight. "Oh how lovely." she said mostly to herself as she reached for the delicate flowers.
If she knew what she did to him, would she mock his weakness? He wondered as he turned to see her standing in the pale twilight, a cascade of petals falling around her, hand extended to sweetly cup the blossoms in her lovely hand. The Kimono she wore making her stand out all the more. She was like a vision of the divine, one that he wished to be near, to embrace and know.
And then he was standing next to her, unsure of when he had decided to come so close to her. His hand reaching for the same blossom, she froze, He too did not move, afraid that he would somehow break the moment.
Standing over her, he was so close that her scent was like a drug to him and he wanted more, wanted to run his hand through her dark hair, to feel every curve of her. His hand strayed to brush aside her hair from her cheek.
His mind told him that this was not wise. That she was wrong. That this path was what had caused his father's death. And when his mind had nearly won the battle she turned her face up to look into his golden eyes, a look so trusting and innocent that his rational reasons vanished.
She was so very close to him. All it would take was a slight tilt to bring his lips to hers. So little effort to taste her. To wrap his arms around her would be so sweet. Would she come into his arms willingly?
"Sesshomaru." she whispered, her hand coming to rest on his chest, his breath came in sharp at her touch. A sweet blush rose to her cheek and he wondered what had caused it.
No!
He turned his head aside closing his eyes from the sight of her. I am not weak! He yelled to his mind and turned suddenly. "The peach blossoms are lovely this time of year." He said as he turned to hurry through to the safety of the open lawn.
..0..
Rin felt hurt as she watched him walk away from her. For just a moment his eyes had been so soft. When he had been at her side his hand near hers as she cupped the flower on the branch Rin thought her heart might beat out of her chest. He had brushed her hair aside and she wanted so badly to kiss him and to tell him that he was all she wanted. She had dared to touch him; she could feel his heart and breath beneath her hand.
She could feel his muscles beneath the silk fabric and found her mind wondering what he looked like without his shirt on causing a blush to raise in her cheek. She had almost dared to lean into him and tell him what her heart felt. And then he was gone again.
She had already told herself that if he rejected her that would be ok because that was better than having the regret of not asking for the rest of her life.
She followed behind him, hurt by his sudden change in mood. "I will return tomorrow" he said at her approach. Before she got very close he suddenly turned to leave.
"Sesshomaru-sama I…"
"Tomorrow Rin" he said cutting her off "you need rest now." And with that he was gone again.
Rin stood alone in the garden. Feeling somehow rudely abandoned. She sighed turning back to her room.
The sun was set and gone when she slid the screen open and entered. Yakio waited her arrival smiling brightly. "Did you have pleasant walk?"
Rin nodded and put on a false smile answering the many question directed at her as she prepared for bed.
"You are quiet this evening, perhaps two walks were a bit much?"
"Yes that must be it, I would like to go to bed" Rin replied wanting only to be alone.
Yakio nodded and left her alone in the quiet room.
..o..
Sesshomaru glared out his window at the clouded day, the wind shaking the trees as a storm blew in from the south. It would not do to have her out in such weather. Disliking how much he regretted it, after such an enjoyable evening last night, Sesshomaru called for Jaken. At his fast arrival Sesshomaru wondered if perhaps the Imp sat outside the door at all times on the off chance he would call. Did he ever sleep? He suspected that perhaps the Imp had learned to sleep with his eyes open. This image amused him. Jaken the ever faithful and constant.
"Milord?" Jaken said stirring his musing back to the present and to the reason he had called.
A furrow appeared in his brow as Sesshomaru wondered why he had called Jaken. The wind whipped up, making the shutters bang loudly against the frame. Ah yes the bad weather. "Jaken send for…" He paused suddenly aware that he did not know said servants name. "Rin's Servant, the Lizard female." he finally added.
"Yes milord. At once!" Jaken hurried away. Sesshomaru sat comfortably at his desk waiting.
When said female presented herself Jaken bowed "Yakio milord!" Sesshomaru nodded Jaken away, glad to have a name.
The demon bowed low and seemed worried "Lord is there something amiss? I have only done as the girl asked, and you directed"
"You should do as she asks. Anything she wants should be hers, within reason" he added. After all she might want something he could not give... To that he only grinned smugly What could she need that I could not give? really the question was not worth asking.
"She only asks very little lord, she does complain some in regard to her kimono saying they are too fine. But I assured her it was your wish that she have them"
With a raised brow Sesshomaru wondered why she was prattling on? "I called you here for farther instruction"
Without raising from her prone position the demon sighed with relief.
"Is she content?"
Seeming to ponder this for a moment the lizard nodded "Yes…Well I assume so lord. She says very little in general."
"Does she seem at ease, is her health improving?"
To this Yakio grinned "She is a very polite human Lord. She has only once complained of feeling unwell. Her color is much improved as well as her appetite. Which at first was small." It was no wonder Rin said little around this female, she never ceased speaking "Yesterday she said that walking in the garden had tired her but then…"
"Walking in the garden tired her?" Sesshomaru interrupted.
"Yes, she seemed unwell upon her return and when I asked she said that taking two walks may have been to much for her"
Damn…
"Tell her I will not be able to join her this evening" He said "The weather is not permitting today"
Yakio bowed "Yes Milord"
..0..
Rin sighed heavily and watched the light rain mist the gardens. "My Lady you should not have the screen open!" Yakio said as she entered the room.
"If I cannot be outside I should at least be allowed to look at what I can't enjoy!" She pouted
"Lord Sessh..."
"He worries far to much." Rin said cutting of the servant. She turned from the wet view and looked instead to her bath that was waiting for her. "I may be human but I am not that pathetic" she mumbled. Her mood soured from the moment she had been told he would not come. The overcast sky and following rain only adding to it.
"Such a mouth on you!" Yakio tutted as she moved about the room picking up after Rin. "I would think you would be more grateful, more willing to obey him" To that rin huffed and pulled the pins from her fancy hair do that had taken over an hour to complete. Sighing with relief as she ran her fingers through the long locks. "Letting your hair out too! Really you are very..." Yakio stopped as she seemed to think better of her words.
"I am what?" Rin said looking down at the nice cloths, her well tended hands and scrubbed feet. She glared "When did I become so different?"
"What was that?" Yakio said coming to help her undress so she could bathe.
"Nothing" Rin said as the lizard came to aid her in undoing the elaborate obi "I can do it myself. I would like to be alone" She said annoyed with where her life was suddenly going.
"But..My Lady should not be alone!" Yakio persisted
"As your Lady I am telling you I want to be alone." Rin insisted.
Yakio nodded, though she seemed annoyed. "May I return with your dinner?" she asked at the door.
"Yes that is fine" She said without turning.
Once she was gone Rin Looked over the fancy room. It was lovely but she missed her free life, she wanted to wander among the trees bare foot and run in the rain. When she had gone in search of Sesshomaru she had assumed he would be like her childhood memories recalled. She had envisioned moonlit nights sitting near a fire cooking fish that she and Jaken had caught. She had pined for the days of wandering, riding on Ah-Un until only the starlight guided them.
She had never dreamed that he had such an elaborate and beautiful home. Did he prefer it here? The entire time they wandered before had he simply wished to return home? Or maybe he had been seeking the escape from all of this? The room felt closed in, stifling in fact. She wanted out. With determination she moved to push the screen open, letting in the cool rain dampened air.
Breathing deeply Rin grinned, an idea forming. She turned, searching her room she located an umbrella and quickly left. Regretting for a moment that she had not let Yakio untie the obi to set her free from the binding cloths. Her naked feet on the wet grass a small consolation, a simpler freedom and for now she would take it.
It had been far to long since she had run barefoot. The light sprinkling of rain only adding to her enjoyment as she wandered the gardens undisturbed. The small creek of water that flowed through the grounds bubbled happily with the extra water. There was no wind and she smiled brightly for the first time in a while.
"I should be happy here, why aren't I?" She asked no one. "Is it because I feel like I am not me?" Rin sighed at the thought. When she had first arrived she was happy to dress as a Princess. Feeling somehow that she was more worthy of him. Now however she felt like a painted doll in a gilded cage. In the distance she heard the sound of little voices laughing. Without really deciding to she stood and followed their happy sounds.
Wandering away from the garden, toward the only other large structure on the grounds, she followed the sound. "It must be the stable" she mumbled to herself and was suddenly thrilled to think that Ah-Un might be there.
"How would you know!" said one little voice. She stopped short at the door.
"Because my parents told me so, they trick humans all the time!" Said the second voice.
"Well my parents said that they are too stupid to hunt for themselves. Even when they are grown up they cannot even catch fish!" Said a third little voice.
Rin listened to their small augment, it was several demon children, a Pair of Kitsune were arguing with a crow and a lizard.
"Well my mom is helping Lord Sesshomaru with his human right now and she said the girl is kind" yet another proclaimed.
To that Rin laughed, coming into their line of sight. They all jumped, the eldest kitsune grabbing the arm of the littlest one near him, stopping his attempted departure.
"Ah... its the human!" Said a Raven child.
"I aint afraid of humans!" the Older kitsune said standing a little taller.
"I do not mean to intrude, but I was looking for Ah-Un" she said
The little lizard gasped and covered his mouth "Why do you want to find the Lords Dragon?"
Rin smiled "I wanted to see him"
"They are dangerous, no one goes near them except lord Sesshomaru and Lord Jaken!" The smaller kitsune pipped up from his hiding place behind the older boy.
To that Rin giggled "I will take my chances I think. Would you show me?"
They seemed to think showing her the two headed dragon was a bad idea. Rin sighed and moved past them walking deeper into the building. She knew that they followed her, though not closely.
The stalls were large and housed a few other dragons, a blue one, two red and a black, though none had two heads. Most ignored her, a few chuffed her direction. There were a few demon horses too, their red eyes regarding her with suspicion.
Rin was beginning to have second thought about entering the stables, the longer she was in here the more she felt unwanted. These demons did not like her presence at all.
"She is gona get eaten!" Rin heard the Lizard say and he took off out of the stable
Then she spotted them, Ah was snoring but Un was looking around. Perhaps they felt her coming? Would they remember her? She was a child the last time she had seen them after all.
"Ah-Un... Hey boys... do you remember me?" she asked quietly, holding out a hand suddenly nervous, maybe they only followed Sesshomaru's instructions in the past. Did they only watch over her because he said so? That thought made her feel sad, she recalled loving them as they watched over her so many times.
"Hey you should not get close they don't like anyone but Lord Sesshomaru!" The older Kitsune said.
Ah stirred and looked her way too, his sleep bleary eyes blinking heavily. Un was rumbling low, unsure if it was a purring greeting or a warning growl Rin stopped moving closer.
Around them the other demons stirred in response to Ah-Un and the children squeaked in fear. Both heads came over the fence and with teeth bared snorted at her. She froze but did not move away, though she wanted too "What is it? Do you not remember me?" she asked the four eyes that regarded her suspiciously. Ah leaned out farther and Rin felt sure that he was trying to smell her, so she lifted a timid hand, hopping that she would not loose it. Un glared not moving as Ah sniffed at her.
"What the HELL!" a gruff voice said somewhere behind her. The children screamed and scattered. "Do you have a death wish human!"
Rin turned to the voice and was surprised when a very gruff looking InuYokai with a long scar down his face came running at her. Startled and taken of guard she backed away from him and right in-between Ah and Un who immediately began nuzzling her hair.
The unknown Demon paused, clearly shocked "Well my lord sure can pick em!" and then he laughed.
"Who are you?" she asked timidly. He was InuYokai that was obvious but his hair was short cropped and he had no marking on his face like her lord. His face was handsome enough but the long scar marred his features.
He laughed again "I think as the stable master I should ask who the hell you are little human" he stepped closer, Ah-Un growling low at him and each one circling her protectively. "But seeing as these two like ya I won't bother. You could only be Rin"
..0..
Sesshomaru stared out the of his study and wondered what she doing this morning. The continuing bad weather had stopped him from using the excuse of walking in the garden with her. He found that he wanted to know what she was doing with her time. He wondered if perhaps she was not feeling well again and so he stood to go and see.
"Lord Sesshomaru." Said the rat demon that stood at his door and then began to follow him as he ignored the thing. As he drew close to her room the servant coughed and tried again "Lord Sesshomaru, several of the household vassals have wondered what the human girl means to you, that you allow her to wander at will in the palace."
Sesshomaru turned and raised a brow at the short demon, trying to place the face with a name he knew. There were so many servants and vassals these days that keeping their names straight was not worth the effort. So rather than try, he simply looked at him, his face unreadable.
The short rat demon began to fidget under his gaze and soon began to stutter. "I… We have just…noted how she has… how she is with the…um… servants. Not like a lady of class would… behave… and so we wondered if… if perhaps she was… a um perhaps a hired servant… as… well." Fear and panic almost dripped from him as he became quieter and took a few steps back.
Sesshomaru looked at the fool and considered killing him for his stupidity. But Sesshomaru did not approve of killing in his home so instead he glared at the offending rat.
"Uh…N…Never mind Lord Sesshomaru it is of no importance!" And with that he did a hasty departure.
A servant! Rin would never be a servant in his household. The very thought was demeaning. He would have to ask Jaken about this foolishness.
The Lizard Demoness who was her maid was walking his way. While walking he tried to remember her name again, He hated trying to recall all the servants in his household, there were far too many...
"My Lord" she said bowing to him. He stopped walking and looked down at her, it started with a y did it not?
"Is Rin feeling well today?" he asked to hide that he did not recall her name at all.
"My lady saw fit to send me away for the day" the Lizard huffed with some indigence.
Sesshomaru raised a brow at that "Indeed, did you offend her in some way?"
"Wha... well I do not think... No my lord I would never intentionally do that!" she stuttered suddenly very worried.
"Hn..." He walked past her, ignoring the servant Yakio. Ah yes that was her name.
Perhaps she was simply in her room? As he approached her door he was surprised that
No... he sensed her... Outside? Odd, but was she still unwell? Annoyed that she would have such little regard for her health he went looking for her.
Sesshomaru stopped outside the stable, listening as she talked with someone.
"How long have you known him Taichi?" she asked
"We are pack mates" he said
"So you are a brother?" Rin sounded in awe at that, as she would, her only knowledge of his pack was InuYasha.
To that he laughed "Pack mate and brother are quite different. You can be part of a pack without being part of the blood line"
"How do you know who I am?" she asked him. Sesshomaru listened with interest. What would be said about him when he was not around, although Taichi no doubt knew he was near, Rin could not know with her limited sense.
"The entire household knew of you. While My lord was out attempting to defeat Naraku we were kept up to date on his doings by Lord Jaken." He said dancing around the subject, no doubt not knowing what she was to him now. Did he even know himself what she was?
"I think I was simply a burden to him all that time" She sighed
To that he laughed again "There is nothing in My lords life that is a burden, he would not allow such a thing."
Rin laughed back "Oh I don't know"
"That you don't young thing." he said
"But he seems to not want my company now" she whispered. Had Sesshomaru been mortal he would have missed her complaint.
"I imagine his Lordship is only thinking of your health. Were you not unwell?"
"Yes, but I feel almost completely well now. I am not so fragile"
"But you are just a human!" complained one of the children
"Perhaps, but I can still take care of myself. If I had not gotten sick I would have been fine." she protested
"How would you feed yourself?" asked another child
"I know how to gather food, someone has been telling you mis-truths about us humans!" she laughed
"That may be young'uns but now I have work. You no doubt need to move along too" he said
"I suppose, could I at least come back, visit them again?"
"I ain't gona stop you. If these beasts were gona eat you they would have already!"
"Thank you I will be back then" She said.
Sesshomaru moved out of sight as she walked past, trailed behind by four little ones. She was bare foot and carried an umbrella though the rain that had almost stopped.
"A rarity among humans" Taichi said at his side. Sesshomaru did not respond only watched her walk away "Has she always been so unique?" He asked.
"Does she come here often?" he asked ignoring the question.
"This is her first visit lord"
"Will she remain safe among the animals?"
"Ah-Un rules this stable like you do your lands My Lord. They will watch her"
Sesshomaru nodded "She may do as she wishes" he said turning to return to the house.
"Of course milord"
He followed her path through the garden, trailed by the little children. She had not in returned to her room as he thought she might, their trail was leading outside the walls following the stream.
As he approached he heard the sound of laughter, hers and several small childlike voices were screaming with delight and laughing.
The small gate that led out into the forest which surrounded his home was open and beyond he followed the sound. As they came into view he moved to stand just out of view behind a tree.
Rin and several small demon children were playing in the stream; their cloths tied up so as not to get wet. In addition to the ones who followed her from the stable there were several others who had joined them. Had there always been so many small children in his home? The thought an odd comfort, if his servants and vassals felt safe enough to bring their families they must trust him more than he thought. He allowed a small smile at the thought. His father once telling him that loyalty was measured in more ways that those who could wield a sword.
Rin stood in the middle of the stream, her outer kimono was safely placed on a branch while she stood in the simpler light one that went underneath. She had it tied up clear of the water.
She had her hair pulled up into a loose knot, several strands falling loose as she bent to the water. Her legs were bare up to her thighs and Sesshomaru found it hard to breath at the sight. The delicate curve of first her calf and then up to the thigh was enchanting and looked so very soft.
"Lady Rin, will it really work?" asked the littlest kit.
Rin smiled at the young child. "If you keep quiet it will. Now shush." she looked back at the water holding still she waited.
After a moment she stood quickly holding up a fish. The children all laughed and clapped at her proud trophy.
"Yay! You did it!" one cheered
"I told you I could" she said rather smugly
"Can we eat it now?" asked the lizard child
"If you would like to but I think we will need more." Within no time there was several fish in a basket and the children were happily talking about eating them for dinner.
"Lady Rin would you like to share with us?"
"Sure, but you all go ahead to let the cook get them ready. I'll be back soon." She said as she stepped out of the water and watched them go back the way they had come.
As they passed he held a clawed hand to his lips warning them to silence. With small chests puffed up they proudly followed his silent command. The eldest ones even offering childish salute to him. As the last ones past he turned back, intent on going to her side, but instead he found himself rooted in place simply watching her.
Sesshomaru watched with regret as she untie the knot in her kimono and let it fall back into place. And then pulled on the beautiful outer one up over her shoulders tying the smaller sash and then picked up her obi and glared at it.
"This ridiculous thing how can anyone tie it alone." She complained.
She was right, the thing was longer than she was tall and he had always found it odd that they were so unmanageable.
Rather than try she simply wrapped it up and laid it in her lap and reached up to undo her hair letting it fall loose again. Rin began to hum as she ran her fingers through her hair. She still sings. The thought came to him that while she was so different than the child she was before so many things had remained the same.
He stepped out from behind the tree and walked toward her. She remained unaware of him and stood turning to head back to her room when she literally ran right into him.
..0..
"Oh!" she said in shock and looked up at whom she had bumped into and immediately blushed prettily at him."Lord Sesshomaru, I…didn't know you were…" He looked down at her and she thought that he was looking at the wadded mass of an obi in her hands and felt embarrassment overcome her.
He must think me so undignified! "I am afraid I cannot tie these up by myself… you see I was just…" Just what? Playing with the servant children and catching fish with her hands.
Oh how she wanted to curl up and die from her embarrassment!
"You were always very good at catching fish." He said in an effort to calm her, turning out of her path back to the garden gate. "Shall we?" he asked before he began to walk.
Rin nodded and tried to follow but the long piece of fabric was proving to be a huge hindrance, it would not stay put and kept falling to the ground no matter how hard she tried not too let it.
Noting her trouble he stopped and turned to her. "I shall take that." he offered.
Rin was surprised but handed it to him and they continued their walk. Once past the gate he set the obi on a nearby bench and began to walk again. Rin looked at the long piece of fabric and wondered if she should just leave it and was about to pick it up when he looked back at her.
"Rin?" he said his face unreadable.
"Well the um…." She said turning to the obi.
"A servant will take care of it."
Rin nodded and followed him. They walked in silence for several long minutes before he stopped by the bridge that crossed the stream. Rin wondered what he was thinking, his face only changed in the slightest but she was sure he was thinking about something. She stood next to him wishing she could talk to him about what it was that bothered him.
With her standing so close to him, he had to concentrate on not giving into his desire to hold her close and kiss her lovely lips…
Damn!
"Sesshomaru are you well?" she asked laying her hand on his arm softly and looked up at him with concern on her face. He turned from her moving his arm away from her touch, angry at himself.
"It is nothing of importance." Deep inside he wanted to tell her, to confide in her all of his many responsibilities and daily troubles. He was sure that she would not judge him or try and make him see her reasons like so many others did. She would simply smile and be there for him.
If she told me that she loved me I would be lost. He thought, looking into the distance. And so he never saw the look of deep sorrow that crossed her face as he moved from her touch.
He wanted to know if she was completely healed but did not want to hear the answer. If she were well then he would have no reason to keep her here any longer unless…
"Do you have all you require?" he asked instead looking back at her, she looked so sad and he suddenly regretted his cold reserve.
"Yes my Lord." she said quietly. "I feel tired suddenly my I return to my room?" She asked and before he could reply she was gone.
***End Part three***