Author's Note- I will attempt to post a new chapter every day or every other day. I know many of you are more interested in my actual story rather than the flashbacks I am currently posting; I am grateful for you giving me a chance. Keep reading please, and pay close attention to these flashbacks, they are all somewhat important in my story. Without further ado, here's chapter 2!
Disclaimer- I do not own Inuyasha- not the characters or the manga or any itty bitty piece pertaining to it.
Disclaimer- I do not own, Who You'd Be Today, that song belongs to Kenny Chesney. I do not seek to profit off of this song; I merely wanted to use it to convey Rin and Inuyasha's feelings at the moment. All rights go to Kenny Chesney… so don't sue me!
Chapter 2- The Hanyou and the Ward
Flashback- Inuyasha's return 3 days after disappearing into his Meido to find Kagome.
Rin stumbled, exhausted, carrying three bowls full of Kaede's stew towards the small group that kneeled on the hard, dead forest floor where the Bone-Eaters well had previously stood. The little girl was emotionally exhausted; physically as well as she had not been sleeping well since her Lord had left. The group she walked towards had continuously ignored meal times, choosing to go hungry rather than leave their silent vigil to eat. So; Rin had taken it upon herself to bring them food and water; much like when she had discovered her Lord so long ago. A sudden sadness washed through the little girl as she thought of her Lord; she missed him and Master Jaken, even A-Un, to the point where it hurt.
She shook her head; he had said he would not abandon her and Lord Sesshomaru did not lie. She pressed determinedly towards the group.
She nearly dropped all three bowls of stew when a bright pillar of soft pink light erupted from the earth where the Bone-Eaters well had resided. Rin carefully dropped to her knees, placing the bowls of stew down gently before shielding her eyes with petite arms against the piercing light. Sango, Miroku and Shippo were all standing, disbelief coloring their facial features. Among the blinding light, the well slowly reappeared, the light vanishing abruptly as the well took its original place. A flash of red and silver launched out of the well.
Rin dropped her arms, blinking and willing the white spots that hindered her vision away. When she could see clearly, she saw Inuyasha standing by the well, his dark amber gaze turned in her direction, but the crushing sadness and sheen of unshed tears told her he was not actually seeing her; rather looking through her towards the remaining forest that had not been obliterated by Naraku's miasma. Before the small group could say anything, Inuyasha spoke quietly.
"Kagome is safe." That being said, Inuyasha launched himself towards the green that was the forest towards the Sacred Tree that had remarkably remained unscathed by the horrors that had occurred just a few days prior. Rin watched the hanyou bolt away; her heart breaking for him before turning back to the small group still by the well.
Though no explanation was needed; it was clear that Kagome was unable to return to the Feudal Era. Sango was being embraced by Miroku's strong arms while tears poured down her cheeks and soaking Miroku's purple robes. Shippo looked utterly lost and miserable at the thought of losing the woman he considered to be his foster mother. Miroku had closed his eyes, arms tightening around the woman he loved and so desperately needed as his lips moved in a silent prayer to Buddha. He pushed Sango an arms-length away while still grasping her and spoke softly.
"We have to believe that we will see Lady Kagome again someday." Sango and Shippo looked at him, tears still rolling, and nodded their heads. Miroku scooped Shippo into his arms and gave him to Sango before tightly wrapping his right arm around them both and escorting them back in the direction to what remained of Kaede's village.
As they drew nearer, Rin looked at the ground, afraid that she was trespassing on their grief and that they would be angry with her. She saw two sets of feet stop before her before a hand rested itself on her head lightly. She looked up shyly, unshed tears threatening to spill over as she gazed at the group in front of her. Miroku gave her a small, gentle smile before looking down at the stew.
"Thank you so much for bringing us nourishment, Rin. We greatly appreciate it. Would you like to join us as we return to the village?" he asked softly, meeting her eyes again. Rin looked at the forest where Inuyasha had disappeared to and then back to Miroku. She bit her lip and squeezed her hands together.
"Would it be alright if Rin went and sat with Inuyasha?" she asked, timidly. Miroku's eyebrows rose before glancing at the forest. Understanding and pity washing through his violet eyes before turning back to Rin. He nodded slowly.
"I don't see the harm in that. Perhaps Inuyasha will confide in you. You both have very similar pasts. Just be careful." He said, picking up the forgotten stew. Rin nodded before walking towards the large Sacred Tree that towered over all the others in the forest.
As she walked through the thick brush towards her destination, her eyes scanned for a spot of red against the green and brown. She found him almost immediately; he was sitting underneath the scar that marked the place he had slept dormant for 50 years, and the place where he had first met Kagome. Rin knew next to nothing about where Kagome came from, really all she knew was that Kagome was from 500 years in the future and that she and Inuyasha used the Bone-Eaters well to pass through the two times. She stopped about ten feet in front of Inuyasha, wringing her hands nervously, unsure of what to do.
"What do ya want brat? Shouldn't you be with my bastard brother?" Inuyasha's gruff voice startled her before she relaxed and walked to his side, plopping down a few inches from him. She didn't say anything but regarded him with eyes more mature than the average 8 year old; she had known a lot of pain in her short life and she knew Inuyasha had as well.
Inuyasha's nose twitched as the young girl's scent registered to him; her scent was sweet but with a tang of sadness and bitter with salt, indicating that she had cried recently. He lifted his head and his eyes swept to his right to look at his brother's ward. She was looking up at him; those brown eyes practically screaming what had happened and that she understood his pain. Inuyasha flinched slightly before looking away again; his own eyes were rimmed with red. His beloved was gone, and he wasn't sure he was ever going to see her again. He had found and admitted his feelings for her only to have her ripped from his life shortly after.
The silence that stretched between the two was remarkably comforting; each of them silently taking comfort in the other's presence. Rin did not expect him to coddle and pity her, and for that, Inuyasha did not order her away from him. Instead, the two gazed up at the blue sky and pondered their own silent thoughts. Some time passed before Inuyasha's ear flicked in Rin's direction. She had started to softly sing a song she had thought up after her family had passed; making his heart clench and throb at words, tears blurring his vision at her song.
Sunny days seem to hurt the most.
I wear the pain like a heavy coat.
I feel you everywhere I go.
I see your smile, I see your face,
I hear you laughin' in the rain.
I still can't believe you're gone.
Silent tears ran down Rin's face as she thought of those she and Inuyasha missed. Some were gone and never coming back, others were alive and well but she was unsure when or where they would meet them again. She herself thought of her family; taken by death she would not see them again until she herself perished. She then thought of her Lord, Master Jaken and A-Un; wondering where they were and what they were doing. Did they miss her?
It ain't fair: you died too young,
Like the story that had just begun,
But death tore the pages all away.
Kami knows how I miss you,
All the pain that I've been through,
Just knowin' no-one could take your place.
An' sometimes I wonder,
Who'd you be today?
Inuyasha's breath hitched in his throat, the tears breaking free to cascade down his prominent cheek bones and land on his lap; soaking the red fabric of his hakama. His thoughts flickered to his mother and all the pain he had endured growing up. Then to Kikyo; his first love who was finally at peace and the pain he had felt when she had passed on; but she was at peace and for that he was glad. Finally; he thought of his beloved Kagome. So sweet, fiery and temperamental; how he loved her! He would not believe he'd never see her again; she was meant to be with him, he was born for her! At this realization; Inuyasha's heart felt a little lighter, his head a little clearer. Rin continued with her song.
Would you see the world? Would you chase your dreams?
Settle down with a family,
I wonder what would you name your babies?
Some days the sky's so blue,
I feel like I can talk to you,
An' I know it might sound crazy.
It ain't fair: you died too young,
Like the story that had just begun,
But death tore the pages all away.
Kami knows how I miss you,
All the pain that I've been through,
Just knowin' no-one could take your place.
An' sometimes I wonder,
Who you'd be today?
Today, today, today.
Today, today, today.
Rin suddenly smiled through tears and snot; her Lord would never be as cruel as to leave her forever. He was a man of his word and he always followed through on his promises. She felt considerably better as she finished her song.
Sunny days seem to hurt the most.
I wear the pain like a heavy coat.
The only thing that gives me hope,
Is I know I'll see you again some day.
Some day, some day, some day.
Rin's quiet voice faded off and silence embraced the pair again. They sat beside one another, sniffling occasionally and wiping their faces. Rin felt content as she studied the various clouds and tried to pick out certain objects they formed.
A few minutes had passed since her song ended when Rin felt warm, strong arms pick up her small frame and deposit her into Inuyasha's lap. A tinge of red graced her nose as she peered up at Inuyasha through her bangs. He was gazing at her tenderly and the corner of his mouth turned up slightly, a white fang peeking through. He tightened his arms; trapping her in the protection and warmth of his body, his chin rested on her head as she listened to the healthy thump of his heart. She slowly relaxed, closing her eyes; a smile graced her lips as she fell into a dreamless slumber.
Inuyasha continued to hold Rin as night came; he settled himself more comfortably against the trunk of the Sacred Tree and glanced down at the girl peacefully sleeping in his embrace. He would protect her, he decided, and be her anchor as she would be his until their loved ones returned to them. A sense of fatherly devotion; similar to what he felt for Shippo, bloomed in his chest. Yes; a strong friendship had just formed between two unlikely people, and he would cherish it for the rest of his life. He gazed up at the stars; his thoughts on Kagome.
'Yes. Someday, Kagome; someday I will see you again and hold you in my arms. I love you, beloved.'
With that; the hanyou closed his eyes and fell into a light sleep. He would not succumb to deep sleep just yet; no, he had a little girl to protect. He would not fail her.
Chapter 2 is finished! I altered a few words in the song; hope it didn't put it off too much. I want to thank my readers for giving me a chance. I should have another chapter up by the end of the day! Love you all!