Chapter Twelve: Stories, Dancing and Jealousy.
The songs ended much to quickly for Sesshoumaru's liking. He had felt so at ease with the soft tones from the elves, that he had felt at peace, which was something, he had not been familiar with for a very long time. Sighing audibly, Rin shifted on his lap and glanced up at him.
"That was very pretty, Lord Sesshoumaru." She whispered.
Sesshoumaru nodded in agreement. His attention was caught as an elf approached the fire, dressed all in white, and his long golden hair flowed down his back in waves, many elegant braids were twisted in the locks, and he stepped onto the hearth around the fire place. The elf nodded to Elrond, and Elladan leaned over whispering quickly before the elf began talking.
"This is Lindir, our minstrel. He weaves his tales into images and is entrancing."
Kagome felt her eyes widen and she nodded. Lindir smiled slowly and then in a commanding voice, began telling his story. Elrohir leaned over and whispered as images formed around the minstrel. "This is the Tale of the Children of Húrin."
The story was long, and everyone seemed to be entranced by not only Lindir's voice, but by the images that floated around him. Grinning, Kagome had to hold in her clapping once the story was finished and she blushed as she had first moved into an upright position to do just that, but caught herself in the nick of time.
Sitting back Kagome bit her lip.
"What is wrong with you?" Inuyasha whispered.
"Nothing, remember my class play? I almost clapped." Kagome explained quickly, embarrassed.
Inuyasha snorted and shook his head. Looking over at his brother, he saw a small smirk on his lips and he almost chuckled.
Before he could say anything another story left Lindir's lips and Inuyasha quickly turned his head to watch and listen to the powerful voice of the elf standing on the fireplace.
Elrohir once again leaned over and whispered before the story began full force. "This is the Fall of Gil-Galad. You will see many times during this story my father react to the tale, and song."
Kagome frowned and nodded. "Who was he?"
"He was like a father to Lord Elrond. Listen and watch." Elrohir leaned back and smiled apologetically to his twin.
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Several hours later, Lindir finally left the hearth and bowed low to Elrond and received a long embrace in thanks. Sesshoumaru smiled as Rin shifted and sighed loudly. "Are you tired?" He whispered and she shook her head in response.
"Those stories were long." She whispered back earning a chuckle as response.
"I found them rather interesting." Sesshoumaru leaned back in his chair and stroked her hair once again with his clawed hand.
Kagome nodded as she listened. "It was great. I wish we had stories that were told like that. It was like watching a movie." She grinned at Sesshoumaru's look of curiosity and Rin's frown. Inuyasha only rolled his eyes and shook his head, trying to inform them not to get Kagome started.
Sesshoumaru shrugged it off and glanced around the room as several elves entered the room with trays filled with food. Rin smiled broadly seeing the food, and Elladan walked over to her and lowered himself to his knee. "The women and children gather their food first, so if you would allow me to take Rin and Kagome to get some food, I will return them before too long."
Sesshoumaru nodded and Rin gripped Elladan's hand while Kagome got up to follow. A few minutes later, Rin bounded back with a large plate of fruit and vegetables, and various cheeses and meat cuts. Kagome's plate had pastries, and other items that Sesshoumaru or Inuyasha couldn't identify and watched as they began eating.
Rin placed a fruit piece to Sesshoumaru's mouth and he frowned leaning back slightly. "Won't you try some, Lord Sesshoumaru?" She asked, but grinned when he took the offered piece into his mouth and nodded in thanks.
Inuyasha almost laughed out right at his brother's expression, but a cold icy glare made him bite it back. Snorting, Inuyasha turned his head, only to be greeted by a face full of something sticky and sweet smelling. "What's this?" He asked Kagome, who held it out with a wide smile.
"You have to try this, Inuyasha. It is delicious."
"Keh!" He scoffed, but took it from her hand and slipped it into his mouth and he realized she had been right. "Wow."
Kagome smiled. "Told you." Inuyasha leaned over, peering at her plate, and made to swipe another one, but she turned and held the plate out of his reach. "Get your own." She giggled.
"Oh trust me, I will. I won't be sharing either." Inuyasha grumbled crossing his arms over his chest.
Kagome pouted, but saw that the men now began moving towards the set up tables filled with food and nodded towards them. "It looks like you guys can get your food now." She observed.
Inuyasha was gone in a flash, while Sesshoumaru shook his head and placed Rin onto the chair he had been sitting at. He strolled much more casually then Inuyasha had, and Kagome shook her head. "Men." She sighed.
Rin giggled and placed another fruit in her mouth and licked her lips once it had been devoured. "Lady Kagome, did you get any of these green fruit?" Rin asked, holding one out for her.
"I didn't no. I decided to try the dessert first." She giggled, and took the fruit happily. Kagome noticed it was similar to a honey melon and ate it quickly loving the taste immediately. "Here try this."
Rin gasped as Kagome handed her the same thing she had given Inuyasha. "That's your last one." Rin exclaimed.
"That's okay. I can get more, and if I can't I'm sure I can sneak one off Inuyasha's plate." Kagome giggled.
Rin grinned broadly, and lifted her head when Sesshoumaru's return alerted her. She peered at his plate and noticed it was empty, and she frowned. "Lord Sesshoumaru? Aren't you hungry?"
The youkai lord shook his head, but still carried his empty plate, as though fearing that someone would take it. Kagome blinked confused.
"If you aren't hungry, then why do you have a plate?" She asked, lifting her gaze from his plate to his golden eyes.
Sesshoumaru glanced down at his plate for a moment, as if he were trying to think up a reason why he still held the plate. Instead, he lifted his eyes and held Kagome's, and remained silent, blinking.
Rin tilted her head, and slid off the chair allowing him to take a seat. He glanced down at his plate again. The little girl smiled and quickly placed the pastry Kagome had given her onto the empty plate he held in his lap, wordlessly.
Sesshoumaru blinked once and then lifted his gaze to Rin's. "You know I do not eat human food, Rin."
"Oh, but Lord Sesshoumaru, this is elfsen's food." Rin smiled happily, stumbling awkwardly over the foreign word.
"Indeed." He muttered, absently. He then lifted his head when he saw his brother approach, and he almost rolled his eyes.
Kagome knew her eyes widened. Looking at the plate he held, she wondered how he had managed to keep everything from falling off. "Why you greedy little…little…dog!" She huffed exasperated.
Inuyasha frowned and took a seat beside her. "Well if you didn't half starve me to death, I wouldn't be hungry, now would I?" He growled.
"Half starve you?" Kagome blinked. "Excuse me? Who eats all the ramen the instant I return from my era? Not to mention all the food my mom bakes."
"Keh!" Inuyasha scoffed, turning his attention back to his plate.
Sesshoumaru shook his head, and then went back to staring the pastry Rin had given him, into submission. Even though it just sat on his plate, innocently, he still peered at it as if it were alive. He waited, and it didn't move and Rin giggled gaining Sesshoumaru's attention once again.
Both Kagome and Inuyasha turned their heads to stare at the youkai, and then at Rin who climbed back into his lap wordlessly. Carefully, she picked up the pastry and held it to his mouth and he leaned back slightly, his eyes locked onto the proffered food warily.
Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "Keh! It's not going to bite you, Sesshoumaru."
Sesshoumaru's eyes turned from the pastry to Inuyasha's. "I am aware of that, half-breed."
"Then eat the bloody thing." Inuyasha sniffed, going back to his plate.
The twins returned and seated themselves beside the small group and watched amused as Rin tried to get the Lord to eat the pastry.
Elrohir watched and smiled. "Try it, it's a honey cake from Mirkwood."
Inuyasha froze before taking a bite of his own food. "Mirkwood? That doesn't sound welcoming, does it?"
Kagome shook her head. She watched as Sesshoumaru's eyes wandered back to the food, Rin held, and took it from her grasp slowly. Lifting it to his nose, he sniffed at it, and then placed it to his lips taking a small bite. Chewing it slowly, he then nodded and finished the pastry slowly, with practiced ease, unlike his brother who scarfed his meal down quickly.
Kagome watched and sighed. "You are so rude sometimes, you know that?"
They ate in silence, and Rin continued to share her plate of fruits, vegetables and meat with Sesshoumaru. Once they had finished, a round of drinks were presented, and even Rin was granted a small bit of wine to try, after gaining the youkai's approval first.
Elladan held the small glass to her lips and smiled when her eyes lit up brightly. "Try a small sip. It is a sweet wine from Lothlorien."
Kagome smiled happily sipping at her wine, and watched as Rin's wine vanished very slowly. Sesshoumaru nodded his approval when Rin had finished hers, and took a sip of his own and flinched. The incredibly sweet taste filled his mouth and he placed the glass down beside him.
Kagome glanced over at him and frowned confused. "Do you not like it, Sesshoumaru?"
The youkai shook his head slowly, a faint movement from him. "I find its taste not to my liking."
"Too sweet?" Elrohir asked, lifting his head from his darker shade of wine. "I find that also, try this." He handed his glass to the youkai and watched as Sesshoumaru's nose twitched slightly and then took a small sip.
"Better." He stated simply, handing the glass back to the elf.
Elrohir nodded and waved another elf over, indicating Sesshoumaru. "Careful with this stuff." The younger twin smiled. "It's fine cordial wine called miruvor. It has quite the kick, if you drink too much."
Elladan smirked. "You should know little brother."
Elrohir threw a playful glare at his twin.
Sesshoumaru nodded and lifted the glass to his lips, and found the taste to be rather pleasant. The spicy liquid was somewhat sweet, however had a bold taste of fruits. His taste buds approved, and he sipped the wine carefully, wondering exactly how this wine would affect him, when the youkai brews he had before had no effect.
Elrohir stood up after some time, and gathered another glass of miruvor and then returned. "The dancing and music will start shortly." He grinned and glanced at his brother.
Elladan shook his head. "Slow down on that stuff. I certainly do not want to deal with you tomorrow having a hangover."
Elrohir smirked. "You just do not want to have one yourself."
"Yes, exactly. Every time you imbibe on the stuff, I always end up being bedridden much like you are."
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The dancing started soon after. A bright beat filled the halls and the flurry of motion caused Kagome to stand there in amazement. Smiling happily, she wondered silently if Inuyasha would step up and ask her to dance. The steps looked complicated, as the elves took the floor.
Glancing over at the hanyou, she saw his uncomfortable look, and the scowl on his face. "Hey, Inuyasha?" Kagome asked, feeling her cheeks flush.
"What?" He snarled.
"Want to dance?" Kagome blurted it out before she could change her mind.
"Keh! Don't be ridiculous." Inuyasha muttered darkly, his cheeks tinged slightly pink with embarrassment.
Sesshoumaru threw a glare at his younger brother, who stared at the impressive movements the elves made.
Kagome looked down at her feet and nodded sadly. "Okay." She whispered.
Elrohir had frowned at the harsh words from Inuyasha and he nudged his brother. Leaning over, he whispered his question.
Elladan smiled and nodded, standing up. Walking over to Kagome, he gripped her hand, and before she could reject, he swung her in a wide circle onto the floor. Elrohir grinned, and almost chuckled when he heard the soft growl from the younger brother and he glanced over at Rin who stood there with her hands clasped together excitedly. These demons's seemed to not enjoy anything, and so got to his feet. Strolling over to Rin, he knelt down to her level and asked. "Do you want to go out there?" He asked, waving his hand to the floor.
Rin's mouth fell open and she quickly nodded. She looked up at Sesshoumaru and saw his slight incline signaling his okay for her to go, and before she could utter a word, she was swept into the elf's arms.
Elrohir swung her around in a circle, in tune with the music, holding her firmly.
Inuyasha kept his eyes locked on Kagome who flushed happily, as the elf swung her around the floor with practiced ease. Elladan guided her without any problems, and this made Inuyasha feel incompetent.
The words filled the room…(Song is called Diamond Sun written and performed by Glass Tiger)
When they came to this land
We gave our friendship
Gave them our hands
But it was never to be
Oh! You must bow down
They said, "Fall to your knees"
Oh! Diamond sun has to burn
Oh! Are we never to learn
Elladan swung Kagome in a light arc away from him, and then gently eased her back, catching her hand and turning his body in a slight circle. Kagome squeaked, and then giggled. Even though she didn't know the steps, Elladan seemed to be able to guide her just by using his right hand that lay on her hip, and his left hand, which held her hand gently.
She grinned and looked up into the elf's face, he held a soft smile, and his eyes were alight with joy. Even though the elves held a certain resemblance to youkai, their demeanor certainly wasn't that of a youkai's.
Her thoughts were cut off when Elladan tilted her back, and then bent her back even more. His practiced hand held her at the curve of her waist, and then Elladan leaned over her, giving her a smirk as her eyes widened in surprise, followed by the most amazing sound she had ever heard. It was a musical laugh, filled with excitement and happiness.
Kagome gasped, when the elf pulled her back up, and swung her around the floor again.
Oh! Ohhhh!
Love gives life and life is love
But what have we done
We have walked on this earth
Since the first star was shining
And the moon had its birth
But as with the shadows
Of lonely trees We are in bondage
But are hearts are still free
Oh! Diamond sun has to burn
Oh! Are we never to learn
Elrohir held Rin tightly, as he spun in a circle that caused the little girl to giggle. Her little hands were wrapped in his hair, holding on as he spun around and around. The elf didn't seem to mind and she turned her head slightly, to glance at Sesshoumaru, who stood watching over them protectively.
Grinning, Elrohir made a few steps forward and then skipped back playfully causing Rin laughed excitedly. Elrohir feigned a left move, and then swung in a wide circle, and Rin squeaked with happiness. The little girl's eyes trailed over to Sesshoumaru, and she waved at him, before she yelped as Elrohir dipped her in time with Elladan's dip with Kagome.
Oh! Ohhhh!
Love gives life and life is love
But what have you done
Still diamond sun has to burn
Oh! Are we never to learn
Still diamond sun has to burn
In my heart I believe
Someday the sun will shine
And you shall be free
And bless our children as they're
Put to the test
You'll hear the heartbeat
Of a nation's unrest Oh! Diamond sun has to burn
Oh! Are we never to learn
Inuyasha released a soft snarl as he watched the elder elf dance with Kagome. The elf's movements were sure and fluid, and he never missed a beat. Sesshoumaru glanced over to his brother without moving his head and whispered.
"If you are so jealous, little brother, perhaps you should not have turned her down so rudely."
"Keh! Who's jealous?" Inuyasha scoffed, a bit too loudly. Biting back any further comments, the hanyou stared at the elves who danced with their girl's and once again let a soft snarl slip past his lips. Narrowing his eyes at the elf who held Kagome, Inuyasha sniffed, and tried his best to melt the poor elf with his golden gaze.
Oh! Ohhhh!
Love gives life and life is love…
The words slammed into Inuyasha's brain, and he snorted, turning to stare at his brother to see if any reaction was apparent on the youkai's face. To his chagrin, Sesshoumaru remained even and emotionless. Inuyasha was about to turn away when he caught a flash in his brother's golden eyes and he almost gaped in amazement.
So that was his brother's secret. His face remained completely void of emotion, but his eyes showed what his face did not. Blinking, Inuyasha edged forward slowly, and peered into his brother's eyes, and almost yelped when the golden orbs rolled over to his and locked him into a stare of death and denial.
"Ah, Ha! I know your secret now!" Inuyasha triumphed.
"Really?" Sesshoumaru smirked, and his eyes narrowed. Inuyasha watched as the golden eyes became a dangerous tawny yellow, and the hanyou gaped. Knowing his life was about to be cut short rather quickly, Inuyasha almost breathed a sigh of relief when his brother's attention was diverted once again to the little girl, who had yelped again in surprise.
Inuyasha slumped his shoulders and swallowed. Looking once again to the dance floor, Inuyasha saw Elladan spin Kagome in a complete circle, and then catch her hand with ease, stopping her spinning.
Oh! Ohhhh!
Love gives life and life is love…
What have we done…
What have we done…
The song ended, and Kagome bounded over happily, her face flushed and a wide smile on her lips. "Did you see, Inuyasha? Oh it was so much fun." Kagome exclaimed.
'Fun? Shouldn't it be me who makes her laugh?' Inuyasha thought silently, feeling incredibly inferior to the elves around him. He felt clumsy, and awkward and he scoffed at her words, folding his arms across his chest.
Kagome narrowed her eyes and glared at him. "What's wrong? Why are you so cranky?"
Sesshoumaru smirked, and watched as Rin raced over and flung her little arms around his knees.
"Lord Sesshoumaru, did you see? Rin was dancing." The little girl tilted her head up to look at his face.
Looking down, he nodded. "You are speaking in the third person, Rin." He said quietly.
Elrohir walked up and smiled. "I noticed that. She does that a lot, doesn't she?"
Rin blushed and buried her face in Sesshoumaru's pants. Sesshoumaru tilted his head curious at her behavior, and a small frown creased his forehead. "Why do you hide, Rin?"
Kagome smiled slowly, and turned away from Inuyasha's scowl. "I think she is embarrassed." She whispered softly, mouthing her words.
The demon lord nodded once. "Kagome?"
"Yes?"
"Might we go for a walk?" Sesshoumaru asked softly.
Elladan and Elrohir both heard and the younger elf knelt back down to Rin's height. "Hey, Rin?" He asked, placing his hand on her back. "I think I saw a rather tasty treat, and I was wondering if you would like to help me get it?"
Rin nodded, her head still buried in the white pants of Sesshoumaru's hakama. Slowly, she detached herself from him and took Elrohir's hand.
Inuyasha watched as his brother and Kagome walked out of the halls, speaking softly, and once again he was alone. Growling, he sat down hard. He didn't even notice the elder elf, Elladan watching him with a raised brow.
"You like the girl, don't you?" Elladan mused, sitting down next to the hanyou.
"Keh!" Inuyasha scoffed.
"Keh!" Elladan mimicked and then chuckled at the odd sound it made. "What is it with you and your brother?"
"What are you talking about?" Inuyasha asked, turning his golden gaze to the elf's gray eyes.
Elladan shook his head. "I might not be perfect at love myself, but elves are open with their feelings. If we like someone, we don't hide it. I don't understand having to hide your emotions."
Inuyasha rolled his eyes, and allowed them to roam to the doors once again. "Who said anything about liking the girl? She 'sits' me whenever she gets the chance. Kagome is temperamental, and rude."
"Rude? I find her charming. I think she is only hotheaded when it comes to you." Elladan grinned. "I think she loves you."
Inuyasha felt his eyes widen and he glanced at the elf sharply. "How the hell do you know?"
Elladan laughed. "I've seen many years, Inuyasha. I see how she looks at you, when you aren't looking. I hear when she sighs in frustration when her attempts at gaining your attention fails."
Inuyasha frowned. "I know she has feelings for me, but they are nothing more then friendship. You are wrong, Ellden."
"Elladan." The elf corrected.
"I said that." Inuyasha wrinkled his nose.
Elladan shook his head and chuckled. He had been correct on his assumptions of Inuyasha also loving the girl. The signs were there. Looking over towards his father, the elf noticed Elrond's frown of disapproval on his match making and the lord shook his head, mouthing, 'Don't get involved.'
Elladan blinked in mock protest. 'I'm not.' He mouthed with a small smile.
-------------------------------------------
Kagome looked over to Sesshoumaru and waited. She saw his mask, and wondered what it was that made him uneasy. To her it seemed like he was collecting his thoughts, and she waited.
"You must be patient with my baka brother." Sesshoumaru muttered.
"Huh?" Kagome blinked stupidly. She certainly wasn't expecting Sesshoumaru to talk about Inuyasha.
"I trust he is confused and that leads to his rude behavior towards you."
Kagome felt a small blush rise to her cheeks. "Inuyasha loves Kikyo." She whispered.
"Does he?" Sesshoumaru glanced at the girl. "I think in his own way, perhaps. I however do not think that either of those two understands where their loves lies. They were unable to love one another, due to Naraku interfering. It is no longer a love that is possible."
Kagome frowned. "I think you're wrong. I can't compete with her."
"You don't have to. Inuyasha loves you, Kagome. Whether or not he realizes this. I think perhaps, he is afraid. He loved once and it was taken from him. He is afraid that if he shows this feeling again, the same thing will happen." Sesshoumaru stopped at a window and peered out. "His trust was broken, and you are slowly allowing him to heal and to regain this trust."
Kagome sighed and sat down on one of the benches in the halls. "Kikyo died for Inuyasha. How can I compete with that?"
"Why do you have to? Do you stick by my hanyou brother? Regardless of all the mistakes he has made in the past?" Sesshoumaru asked, without turning.
Kagome nodded. "I…I do."
"Building a love is first built on trust. Finding that trust is perhaps the hardest obstacle in this emotion."
"I guess so." Kagome whispered. She gasped softly, when she felt a finger lift her chin.
"He is a baka for hurting you like this." Sesshoumaru whispered, staring into her eyes. "Don't give up on him, Kagome. Remain by his side and have patience with him. Inuyasha is in denial, and is afraid. I suppose I am also."
Kagome blinked. "You're afraid?"
Sesshoumaru smiled slowly. "This place has brought out many emotions in both myself and my brother. It is a dangerous thing for a youkai to show emotion, for this is used against us regularly. My weakness is Rin. However, she is also my strength, and my power. I do not wish for harm to befall the girl, but time after time, she is placed in danger, because she is my weakness. Do you understand?"
Kagome nodded slowly. "When did you start to realize that you care for Rin?"
Sesshoumaru stood up and sat down beside her. "My father asked me once, if I had someone to protect. This was on the night of Inuyasha's birth. My father understood that love was power I however did not. I am still uncertain as to who he meant exactly. Whether he meant, Inuyasha, or perhaps he knew that one day I would have someone to protect." Looking at the floor, Sesshoumaru paused for a long while before continuing. "I believe my father was trying to tell me something that day."
Kagome nodded. "I think your father was trying to tell you that love is power, and protecting someone is strength."
Sesshoumaru nodded. "My father spoke in riddles. His actions were also a riddle. Such as leaving me Tenseiga. He knew my desire for Tessaiga and Sou'unga were strong, but he instead left me a useless sword."
"Useless?" Kagome shook her head. "How many swords do you know heal? Every sword can kill, Sesshoumaru. Anyone can master a sword with a sharp blade, slice an opponent down and take their life. However there is only one sword that can bring the dead back to life. Only one sword that will save your own life, should it be in danger."
Sesshoumaru tilted his head slightly. "Indeed."
"Tenseiga is not a useless sword, Sesshoumaru. It is a sword that is unlike anything I have ever come across."
"Rin…" He paused. "She was attacked by wolves."
Kagome looked at him, and waited.
"She had stumbled across me in the forest outside her village. It was after Inuyasha discovered the wind scar."
Kagome nodded, indicating she remembered the day. "Tenseiga saved you that day."
"Yes. Do you know what caught my attention of this little girl?"
"Besides her brilliant smile?"
Sesshoumaru chuckled softly. "Besides that, yes. It was her lack of fear. It seemed like she had given up completely on life, when she discovered me. I had been so out of it that I didn't even sense her until she had emerged from the bushes. I was on the defensive and even in my partially transformed state, and warning, she remained void of fear. Rin was nervous, but her attitude was one of relief. She wanted escape."
Kagome listened intently, knowing that Sesshoumaru was trying to talk sensibly.
Sesshoumaru sighed. "I didn't want help, but I was injured. Rin approached me, and stared at me long and hard, trying to urge me to kill her. It was like she was aiming to anger me in someway, so that I would grant her this silent request."
Kagome nodded, and remained silent.
"I did not grant her wish and she left, later returning with water and food. Despite my telling her I didn't require her assistance. I think it was a day later, when she returned to my side, bruised and beaten. Rin had gone out of her way to bring me a fish from her village, which had lead to her beating. She had done this for me. I still don't understand it, really. I had asked her where she had gotten her bruises, and her response took me off guard."
"What was it?" Kagome asked softly.
"She smiled. Rin didn't say a word; she only smiled. I didn't see her again, after that. It was perhaps the next day, when the stench of blood and wolves alerted me, and I recognized the blood to be that of Rin's. I went to investigate. I found her, on the path, leading back towards the clearing where I had been situated in. Wolves had killed her."
Kagome gasped. "You resurrected Rin?"
Sesshoumaru nodded. "She has been with me ever since. Her village was gone, and she was alone. Rin follows me of her own accord, and I will not choose for her. If one day she decides to leave my side, then it will be granted. However it is her choice. It is not mine to make."
Kagome grinned and nodded. "Rin loves you, I think she will be by your side until her dying day." She noticed Sesshoumaru flinch at her choice of words.
"Do you know who killed Rin?" Sesshoumaru whispered.
Kagome frowned, shaking her head. "You said wolves did."
"They were wolves commanded by your wolf friend." Sesshoumaru turned his head to stare at her.
"Kouga?" Kagome gasped.
Sesshoumaru nodded slowly. "This is between you and me, Kagome. I do not wish for Inuyasha to find out about this. Kouga and I had a little run in, a few months down the road, after I had resurrected Rin. He shows no blood lust. Perhaps it is because of you, that his way of life has changed. I know this wolf has an attraction to you, and Inuyasha fears this."
Kagome blinked. Somehow the conversation had taken a turn once again to Inuyasha.
"Inuyasha fears betrayal. He was betrayed once, and he fears that you will leave his side, betraying him for Kouga."
Kagome shook her head. "I have no feelings for Kouga, Inuyasha knows this."
"Still, the thought is still there. Inuyasha is guarded, and will protect himself, until he knows that you return these feelings. He is brash and idiotic at times, and this is how he protects himself."
"So he pretends not to love me, to save him from being hurt again?" Kagome frowned.
Sesshoumaru nodded. "He will come around, eventually. His trust has slowly begun to surface, and this is his strength. Inuyasha has no problems admitting to protecting you, where with me, I am in denial of that. In our world, I show nothing for others, this is my way of protecting myself. Rin holds a respect for me, and understands far more then a child her age should. I am surprised that here she is so open with her emotions."
"I always see her smile." Kagome looked at him.
"Yes. Rin is full of life, now that she is allowed to live it, but I mean regarding me. She was disappointed at first that I refused to release her from life. After I had used Tenseiga on her, and she saw me, her eyes filled with instant love. A child like love. One a child gives a parent." Sesshoumaru sat forward. "Rin has complete and utter trust in me. She knows that I will never hurt her, emotionally or physically. Rin also knows that I will be there, anytime she needs me to be. I fear disappointing her. She is…she is a daughter that I will never have."
Kagome gasped. "One day I am sure you will find a love."
Sesshoumaru smirked. "Perhaps. I have a favor to ask of you."
Kagome felt her eyes widen.
"Two actually. One, be patient with Inuyasha. Let him approach you, and things will fall into place, if they don't, I'll knock some sense into him. Two, I want you to help me with Rin."
"Help you? I don't understand." Kagome gaped.
"I mean help me protect her. This world is strange, and I am not certain of my abilities here. The unknown is dangerous, and I fear for Rin's safety. All I ask is for you to watch over her, when I cannot."
Kagome nodded. "I would have done that without you asking, Sesshoumaru."
They remained in silence for a long while, before Kagome turned to him. "How are you dealing with these new emotions?"
Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes. "I find them to be irritating at the best of times. The smile hurts my face, the fear overwhelms my jyaki, somehow I have lost control over my own self and I find it rather annoying. I fear that this will affect the way I protect Rin, and I don't quite trust myself in being there at all times when she needs me."
"Emotions confuse even me, Sesshoumaru." Kagome began. "Even though I'm human, they overwhelm me and I end up in tears, or I end up laughing like a maniac."
Sesshoumaru chuckled. "Shall we go back?" He asked, standing and holding his hand out for her to take.
Kagome grinned and nodded. "What do you think of the elves?"
"They are interesting. These elves are one with nature, and I find that they are too gentle hearted. However, they hold an ancient power that is even beyond that of a youkai." Sesshoumaru smiled softly, guiding Kagome through the halls.
"Are they more powerful than you?" Kagome asked surprised, lifting her head to stare at him.
Shaking his head, Sesshoumaru smirked. "No, but the power that they fear, rivals that of Naraku."
Kagome gasped. "More powerful than Naraku?"
"Let's just say that should those two evil's go against one another in battle, it would be impossible to know who would come out the winner."
Kagome shuddered. "Well hopefully we won't have to fight this evil. I just want to go home."
Sesshoumaru nodded. "Things will get harder if we are faced with battle."
"How so?"
"Inuyasha is untrained in his youkai form, and we both do not have possession of our swords, which I might add, we have come to rely on in battle."
Kagome swallowed and nodded. "You'll help him right?"
"Inuyasha?" Sesshoumaru raised a single brow and smirked. "I will do what I can. Inuyasha is hot blooded, and anxious. I find training him to be tiring at the best of times. Do not fear, Kagome. I will train Inuyasha in the same manner my father trained me."
Kagome giggled. "Just don't cut off his arm, alright?"
"Hnn. I was hoping to return the kindness he bestowed upon me." Sesshoumaru winked and Kagome sighed in relief.
They reentered the halls of fire, and Sesshoumaru immediately sought out Rin. She was curled up in Elrohir's lap sleeping softly, and both Kagome and the youkai lord noticed that people were beginning to disperse. Had the night already past? Were they really gone that long?
Inuyasha took Rin from Elrohir and walked over to Kagome and Sesshoumaru. "Took you both long enough."
Kagome nodded and blushed. "I'm sorry, Inuyasha. I didn't realize we had been gone for so long."
"Keh! Here, take the girl." Inuyasha handed her out for Sesshoumaru, who took her without a word.
Immediately, Rin snuggled into his chest and her eyes opened sleepily. "Hi." She whispered.
"Go back to sleep." Sesshoumaru told her gently.
Silently, the four headed back down the halls towards their rooms. Whatever came with the rise of the sun, they would be ready for it.