AN: Hope everyone had a good holiday because I know I did which is also the reason I took a bit longer on this story. I spent my thanksgiving at A&M in Texas where I got to see a friend of mine for the first time in months and check out the university there. All very interesting and very very fun especially at night when all the collage kids feel like having a good time drinking at a few bars while yours truly became the designated driver when the first one got drunk as well and started throwing peanuts at random people….but that's another story lol XD
I had a great time but all the while my story was in the back of my mind so here you go the next chapter and as you can see it is a bit longer to make up for lost time so I hope you all enjoy it and do please R&R!
Disclaimer: I own none of the Inuyasha characters.
"Sesshomaru," Ami said with a bright smile shining on her cherry red face. "It's been a while I didn't think I was ever going to see you again!"
A silver brow arched and a smug pout formed on the face of the dog lord as he stared in confusion at the bubbling female. Her arms were still around his torso, and after the whole ordeal with her uncomfortable embrace he untangled himself from her grasp.
"Sesshomaru?" repeated Ami as her dark brows scrunched together to show her own sign of confusion. "Do you not remember me?"
There was no doubt in Ami's mind that the demon before her was the very same demon that assisted her a while back. It was all in his response that she knew she was not mistaking him for anyone else. His response being that he gave no response at all so most definitely him.
With a quiet "Hmm" Sesshomaru turned away from Ami and began to walk away with his stone cold expression that she remembered him giving the last time she layed eyes on his frozen yet angelic face. "Sesshomaru wait!" she shouted as she reached out her hand to him only to see him walking in Rin's direction.
Rin watched in fascination. She rarely ever saw his associate with other human beings aside from perhaps Kagome, Kaede, and a little of Kohaku. His attitude took a small turn when someone else was around.
When it was just him and her he still was a demon of few words and a smile was never molded into those lips of his, but she would not want him any other way. Although, when it was just her with him she was able to see a touch of gentleness added to his eyes that broke apart his stone cold gaze leaving a pool of rich golden sunsets staring at her. And just like staring at a real sunset, she found a certain warmth envelope her like a soft silk blanket.
Of course with Ami here he would not act that way, but his distant non-talkative personality was nothing new to Rin so despite his hard gaze she still smiled as she did when she was a child looking up at that same hard gaze.
Sesshomaru walked to Rin and passed her with a simple "Let's go" leaving his mouth. Rin nodded her head and took one last look at Ami. Jaken too was staring at the girl after his purple face finally turned green again much after a few hard squeezes to his neck area thanks to a certain riled up female.
"My lord are you sure you do not recognize her?" the imp asked.
"No…," he answered back in his usual distant tone as he didn't even look back to give Ami a second glance.
"Do you recognize her Master Jaken?" Rin looked to the girl who shivered from the lack of warmth as her expression showed a mix of anger and sadness.
"How can you forget me?" Ami shouted while Sesshomaru ignored her harsh tone of voice. "You helped me not long ago. I am Princess Tenami, and you Sesshomaru helped save my lord from a tragic death."
"That's Lord Sesshomaru to you gi…wait," stuttered the imp in Rin's arms. Jaken suddenly felt as though a picture show nudged its way into his green noggin to reveal to him all the memories having to do with that young arrogant girl. "Don't tell me your that foolish girl who asked if you could accompany us!"
"What was so foolish about asking such a question?" shouted Ami as she sent Jaken a dirty glance. "You are that foolish human!" Jaken sent her his own dirty look as he hissed while Rin held him back to dissolve any confrontation the two may start.
Rin looked back and forth between a still angry Ami, and a very distant Sesshomaru. "Lord Sesshomaru wait!" she shouted while dropping Jaken in the process. Rin ran the short distance to catch up to him till she was at his side.
"What about that girl?"
"I leave the course of action to you."
"Me?" she asked a bit shocked that she was now responsible for the young adolescent teen. She saw him look at her from the corner of his eye as though he was telling her "That is what I just said."
Rin rubbed her thumbs together as she looked back and forth not knowing exactly what to do next. Her actions were more than obvious enough to make him stop and lend her some small advice on the situation. Rin was so lost in thought that she didn't even realize the person she was walking next to suddenly stopped. She turned her red face around and smiled crookedly at him.
"My lord?" she asked as she noticed he had yet to move from his spot. Sesshomaru's eyes moved to the side to signal he was looking at Ami. Rin understood the meaning of glancing at Ami, and she smiled and nodded her head.
"I will not wait long," he stated while Rin stepped a little closer and agreed with a gentle smile as she saw a his eyes soften just a tad.
"Why don't you come with me?" Rin asked as Ami and Jaken kept hissing at each like angry cats. They didn't like each other in the beginning, and they didn't like each other now.
"Were taking her with us?" Jaken said in disbelief at the horrid thought of having a human tag along that he considered more annoying than Rin.
"No, I am only asking that she accompany me to the village."
Ami thought about the offer, and turned her head to the side. "I didn't really have any intention for settling down. I wanted to see the country side before I ever choose a place to live out my life permanently."
"I can understand that," Rin said as she walked closer to Ami noting the young girl was just a few inches shorter than her. "But you cannot possible survive the winter without shelter. Why not accompany me to the village and when the spring comes along you can continue your travels."
Ami turned her head to Rin and gave her offer another thought. "If you don't something even more deadly than crows may come after you," Rin warned.
That seemed to do the trick when Ami's eyes shrunk to the size of black dots, and she quickly turned her head looking off to the distant nothing. "Well…as long as I can leave when spring comes along."
"You can leave anytime you want to, but it would be safer in the village for now."
"Very well then," Ami declared as she straightened up her back. "I accept."
"Good," said Rin as she hoped she made the right decision. Why would she even doubt this decision? She couldn't just leave the poor defenseless girl out in the cold.
"And what about him," Ami asked as she stared as Sesshomaru. "Lord Sesshomaru," Rin started off as she looked at him as well, "Looks like he is losing his patience so we better hurry."
Rin ran in his direction followed by Ami. "Don't leave me behind," Jaken shrieked as he tripped over his staff.
"A Perfect Killer?" questioned Sue as she looked at her Uncle as they rode along the outskirts of the village.
"You told me last night if I knew the name of the demon we are searching for, and I told you I didn't have a name to give him." The general of the demon assassins stopped his horse as he looked to his niece with a serious stare emitting from his eyes.
"But that name is the only source I was able to pick up long ago when our journey first began. It was given to me by some lowly demon who begged for his life. I said I would spare him if he told me the name of the most powerful demon he knew. He gave me that name, but I was foolish back then to have killed him anyway without even getting a specific name out of him."
"And "The Perfect Killer" is the only name you have heard? Did you not ask any other demons about it?" The general closed his eyes and brought his face down in disappointment.
"Demons are arrogant creatures Sue, and when the question was asked to them the answer was always given that they were the most powerful demon to ever live."
The general bought his horse to a stop which led to the entire army stopping theirs as well knowing that the halt of the horse meant they were going to rest for a while. The general stepped down from his steed with the fire in his eyes igniting.
"The Perfect Killer, The Killing Perfection…either one it doesn't matter. We will find that demon and bring an end to the era of demons and dark sorceresses."
Sue stepped down from her horse and stoop next to her uncle with the same fire in her eyes. "Father's last wish was for us to be able to create a world where everyone could live out their lives peacefully with one another. That was my father's last wish, and as his daughter I am going to make sure it comes true."
"To fight for my brother's last wish is very honorable, but demons will only get in the way of peace," the general said as he rumbled through the horses saddle pack to take out some scrolls and maps.
"And that is precisely why I aim to see to this all so mighty demon's death, and put an end to all demons so that the world may live in peace. I will fulfill my father's wish no matter what it takes…"
Sue was suddenly brought out of her speech when she heard the rustle of paper and the other men in the background taking their own rest.
"What is it you have there uncle?" she asked as she undid her hat and sat down next to him. "Just a few maps of the places we have traveled. I am marking this place down as…."
"Uncle?" Sue suddenly interrupted, "Who is that?" she asked as she pointed to a painting of a figure with long white hair tied into a high ponytail while clad in large black magnificent armor.
Sue's long black hair cascaded down her shoulders as her dark black eyes closed in on the figure painted on the old scroll.
"I know what you are thinking, but it is not the demon we are searching for," the general mentioned as Sue let out a disappointed sigh. "But it looks so much like the demon we are searching for, the hair even the eyes and look he is even wearing fur. How can it not be him?"
"Yes I know he looks similar to the demon we seek but," the general explained as he picked up the scroll. "This scroll has been handed down from our ancestors. It is over 300 years old by what my grandfather told me when his grandfather passed it down to him."
The general allowed Sue to look at the portrait again. The creature looked majestic and royal, and for some reason Sue felt as though raw power was seeping out of the different colored ink used to paint the figure to the utmost perfection.
"It certainly could pass off as human," she replied. "We have dealt with demons that masquerade as human beings before Sue," he uncle reminded her. "Yes I know," she replied but didn't know what else to say.
"Why don't we ask this demon if he knows who "Killing Perfection" is?"
"We can't do that," the general replied as his eyes closed. "And just why not," she protested.
"That demon is dead…." He said while his eyes opened to look into his niece's shocked face.
"D-dead?"
The general looked into the sky. "I have heard stories of that demon from my grandfather. Your father and I would listen to his stories trying our best to get as much information on demons as we could."
The general's eyes went from the sky back to Sue's pitch black eyes.
"Over 500 years ago a clan of dog demon lived and prospered around the North Western regions. My ancestors passed down the story of the dog demon clan being destroyed by another clan of demons. This demon you see in this picture was able to survive."
The general brought his hand to his chin as to recall what he could remember, "And I have even heard my grandfather mention of a female dog demon who escaped the whole ordeal due to her giving birth to a child."
"So if this demon was not destroyed along with his clan why did you say he was dead?"
"I was just getting to that. Well to get more to the point that demon you see there was a well known general that ruled over the western continent. He was known to be all powerful, and led his army like no other with an iron fist ready to strike any enemy that dare oppose him."
"Sounds like a difficult opponent to kill," Sue stated.
"You would think so, yes. Although, one way or another that demon met his demise over 200 years ago. There was said to be many rumors of his death, but none that was passed down into the family story. Perhaps a war got to him, or a betrayal could have gotten the better of him…it is all unknown to us."
"Hmm," Sue grunted as she looked at the picture one last time before rolling it up again. "And I really thought it was the one we were looking for too. The silver white hair and the yellow eyes match what we are looking for."
"Some demons just happen to look similar. Like that half demon from yesterday; he too had the colors we were searching for but he was not the one, and besides that he was a half demon so no demon as powerful as the one we are searching for could ever associate with himself with a lowly half demon."
A few more moments passed and the general marked down the area they were in as clear. Soon after he placed the scrolls neatly in the pocket saddle of his horse before he ordered his army that the resting time was over. He took his seat on the saddle as Sue did the same.
"I thought you mentioned there will be a lot of demons in this area, but I have yet to see even one."
Sue brought her head down and growled to herself. She figured out halfway through the trip the little trick Rin had pulled, and Sue did not like to be made a fool of. She figured out that Rin was actually trying to lead her away from the demons. Why would the foolish girl want to protect them so? What was so special about them?
Did she not know that in the end demons only betray those who trust them…?
"I am aware of that Uncle, but I assure you tomorrow will be different," Sue said as her eyes became even darker than they already were.
"And that girl will pay."
Only a few minutes into the walk and Rin could already sense that her little offer was a bad idea, but of course being the kind person she was Rin could not just leave Ami in the cold. However, the more Ami got closer to Sesshomaru the more apparent it became as to why exactly Rin did not like her tagging along.
"Sesshomaru?" asked the young girl as she got closer and closer to the demon. "Do you honestly not remember me?"
She was given no answer…as usual, but still got close enough till she was side by side with him while Rin walked behind them with Jaken feeling suddenly sweaty at the amount of heated energy Rin was emitting.
What is with this girl?
Rin watched as Ami walked with Sesshomaru…with her lord…with her Sesshomaru. "With my Sesshomaru?" she thought as her eyes widened and her cheeks suddenly heated up her whole body.
He was not hers nor had he ever been hers. He was her lord, yes, but that was it…right? Rin knew she was feeling jealous to see Ami stand so close to him, and it wouldn't have affected Rin so if Ami wasn't any more obvious on her feeling for the dog demon.
Rin picked up the feeling of Ami adoring him as much as Rin does, and if Rin didn't know better she would say Ami looked and sounded as though she was in love with him, but it was way too soon to tell. One thing was for certain though, and that was the fact that Ami did not see Sesshomaru as just some other being.
She obviously must have some feeling of admiration for him, or perhaps just a lot of respect but the young teen looked at him too many times to simply feel just that.
From behind Rin was unable to see either of their faces, and the thought of not being able to see Sesshomaru's reaction was slowly eating at her heart. Don't make such a big deal out of it Rin; just smile now is not the time to trouble yourself with this.
And smile she did, but if there was ever a time putting on a smile was considered difficult for her that time was now. She looked happy on the outside, but on the inside all she could think about was how much Ami looked at Sesshomaru, and….if or how he was looking back at her.
Rin began to wonder if his eyes began to soften for Ami as they did for her, and she also wondered if Ami was able to see his rare smile like Rin has seen in the past. Rin's mind trailed off thinking if Sesshomaru looked at Ami as much as she looked at him, and perhaps Rin just couldn't see it from walking behind them.
Why did it bother her so much, and why was she allowing this jealousy to take over? Why was she so sad at the sight of him with another female, a female that is obviously attracted to him? She could not comprehend why she was so sad or why she was so angry…
"Angry," Rin whispered to the lowest her voice could get, but Sesshomaru heard either way.
Angry, she thought, what exactly was making her angry.
Was it Ami? To be angry at a girl who was freely expressing her feelings to someone she seemed fond of. Rin knew the sad truth was that she had no right to be angry at Ami when in reality Sesshomaru had no one tying him down in any type of intimate relationship.
Rin knew she could not be angry with the young teen especially when Rin knew she certainly was not and…perhaps could never be the one to tie her lord down to such a relationship. Not when he seemed to like his freedom. Not when their worlds still seemed to be at battle with each other constantly.
Was she angry at him? Rin suddenly felt as though all the color in her body was lost.
To be angry with her Lord Sesshomaru was a feeling Rin never ever wanted to experience. She felt that pain once, and it was hardly considered anger rather more like irritation but that is how their argument long ago started but was soon resolved with her in falling asleep in his strong arms.
She learned back then that getting angry will only make things worse between them, and Rin knew deep inside she could never get angry at him when he has given her so much in the past. What was she to be angry about anyway? He didn't even seem to like Ami by the looks of it, and if he did he had every right to be with who he wanted to be with even if the outcome would break her heart.
Rin had a feeling her whole jealousy revolved around the possibility of someone else seeing the rare beautiful smile he would sometimes give off even if one would only see it as a smirk or slight shift of the mouth; to her it was a smile.
The thought of someone else seeing his smile aside from her was probably the painful part.
There was also the thought of someone else seeing his eyes soften up to reveal gentle pools of gold that could mesmerize even the strongest of souls. His eyes which Rin would gladly look at all day long knowing looking into his eyes was like looking into the doorway of his soul.
And for some reason Rin wanted to be the only one with the key to unlock all those hidden emotions. Compassion and tenderness; even if it was only small affections every caress he gave to her cheek as well as every gentle look he gave her was precious to her.
Every single moment with him she wanted to lock way in her heart to forever remember the time spent with him not knowing when or if it would end.
For him to display such affection on her when a demon of his status should see her as one rank up from mud left her feeling special to him. For him to show her a side of him that no one else was able to see…she wanted to be the only one to see it…she wanted to be his only "Special one".
Was it selfish of her to want to be the only one to be able to see his eyes soften, or feel his hand caress her cheek? Is that what it means to be jealous?
Rin's mind wandered from left to right without knowing which direction was which. Her thoughts were so jumbled she barely even heard the stern "Rin" that was called out to her.
Rin lifted her had to meet those very pools of gold that she had wanted to see only to realize Sesshomaru was standing right in front of her. "Answer the master the first time Rin," Jaken scolded as Rin realized he must have called her out a few times before her thoughts cleared to allow her to hear him again.
"Rin," Sesshomaru spoke again which caught her attention immediately. Rin bowed her head a little as she shut her eyes tight. "I'm sorry my lord. I did not mean to ignore you I was just lost in thought."
Rin evaded his eyes knowing that after all her thoughts and thinking, seeing him will only cause her blush to deepen.
Apparently he did not like the lack of eye contact though because soon Rin felt a finger lift her chin only to have her staring at the eyes her mind was just thinking about.
Rin stared into his ember depths being able to see his gentle gaze hold a bit of concern over her. For a few moments Rin watched contently as his eyes just bore into her leaving her face turned the shade of red she was embarrassed to have, but leaving her body feeling warm despite the chilly weather.
"Don't fall behind," he said softly in that smooth tone of voice that made the texture of a new forged blade seem only second in comparison to his soothing deep voice. The tip of his finger never left the spot under her chin, and after his words were spoken Rin could not help but give him her sweetest and brightest of smiles to warm up the atmosphere for the both of them.
She realized at that moment his soft gaze and hidden emotions had never left her line of grasp. His small affections were still for her and only her, and for some reason all she need was a few simple words from him to make her feel as though all her jealousy suddenly vanished along with her thoughts of some other "special person" entering his life.
She was that person right now, and no words needed to be said because the simple twinkle of his sunset orbs told her all she needed to know leaving her smiling and happy.
"Yes Lord Sesshomaru," she said happily as he removed his hand from beneath her chin and began walking again all the while coxing her with his eyes to follow at his side.
Rin did just that, and all the more happily as well. She was soon walking by his side with him on her right and Ami to her left.
It was obvious there was odd tension between the two females, but Rin was glad Ami was mature enough not to make a big deal at the sudden intrusion. Rin decided she would later try her best to settle the tension between them and hopefully end up with a new friend instead of another Sue…. Well hopefully.
At the moment that didn't matter for Rin felt she was back where she belonged, and that was by Sesshomaru's side. She gave him a few simple glances and noticed the few he gave her from the corner of his eye.
He would much rather have Rin's pleasing company then the girl of a thousand stares looking at him for the far left staring at him yet again.
Somehow though the sight of Rin's warm smile calmed his nerves enough to allow them all to finally make it to the village only to have a familiar voice shout out Rin's name.
"Rin," Kohaku said as he ran to her with a flower in his hand.
"Kohaku," Rin said as she watched her friend run to her with his face as red as the rose he held in his hand. "What are you doing here?"
The young slayer stopped in front of the Rin and took a few deep breaths as his blush deepened.
After a long talk with his brother in law about how to get a woman's attention Kohaku had thought up of the plan to bring her flowers…or more like a flower.
"Here," he said quickly as he tried his best to put on a straight smile while he held up the rose to her. The sight of Sesshomaru and even Ami completely escaped his mind.
Rin's face also turned a bright red when presented with the sweet gift. "A rose?" she said as she took the gift with gentle hand as to not harm the delicate plant. "How did you get this?" she asked knowing finding one was hard enough in the spring or summer.
"I found it on a journey I made a while back. I put it in water and somehow it survived all this time despite all my nieces and nephews wanting to get to it." Kohaku laughed shyly and smiled even more when he saw Rin's eyes glow at the beautiful rose in her hands.
She couldn't remember ever holding one before because they were rare to find, especially in the autumn when plants were suppose to by on the verge of dying. So holding one for the first time in her life was very unique.
"D-Do you like it?" he asked finding himself choking on the thought of her answer.
"Yes," Rin said with a smile to match her red face. "It is beautiful, thank you," she said properly while bowing a little to show her thanks even more. "I will have to put it in water when I get back."
Kohaku smiled at hearing her answer and felt like jumping high into the air and do a double back flip. "I can assist you with that," he mentioned.
Off to the side no one noticed Ami's ach to the brow nor did anyone notice Jaken's huff of disgust.
Another thing that was failed to be noticed was Sesshomaru's quiet growls and slight twitch to his eye.
AN: Puppies getting pissed lol That ends this chapter and as you can see Rin is not the only one getting jealous, but how Sesshomaru takes it you will have to just stay alert and find out XD Also it seems Sue isn't doing too hot either but what will happen when she is confronted with Rin or worse Sesshomaru.
All these questions and more will be answer in the next coming chapters but right now it is 4 in the morning and I am going to the nearest bed and falling asleep so goodnight all and till next time!
Comment if you like I would appreciate it!