Chapter notes:
Dear Rin...
"When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often you look so long at the closed door that you do not see the one which has opened for you."
The Lily of the Valley signifies "The Return of Happiness"
Disclaimer: The depictions of the characters in this story are completely fictitious. In no way does this represent the views or the story arcs as envisaged by the original copyright owners of this franchise and its characters. The ownership if the characters and the original concept are sole properties of Rumiko Takahashi.
Chapter 6 – Suspicious
Under the moonlight, a startled Rin stares at Sesshoumaru's impassive face with her wide large hazelnut eyes while her hand lifts to cover her gapping mouth. The taiyoukai's question is now echoing clearly in her ears. The demon lord's gaze does not leave the river.
Rin looks away; it is needed as she feels extremely shameful at this moment. She rolls her eyes a bit to the right trying to catch the demon lord's facial expressions. Just as always, the taiyoukai shows no emotion. His golden eyes stare blankly at the moonlight river. Who knows what the demon lord is thinking at this moment. Is Lord Sesshoumaru angry with me? Rin thought as she lets out a small sigh. She remains silent; she sets her tired eyes on the beautiful river. The scenery created by the moonlight river is too beautiful to be spoiled by the current conversation. She shuts her eyes and breaths deeply, hoping to gain some relaxation. A warm breeze blows creating a refreshing feeling which has helps Rin to clear a little tension in her thoughts. She draws her legs up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them and rests her chin within her knee.
"He is a gentleman." Rin acknowledges with a barely audible voice due to the fact that it is taking all of her moral fiber to answer her lord. Sesshoumaru narrows his eyes sending an unsatisfied look at the girl.
"Oh that's very interesting. Well I am a gentleman too; does that mean I am the father of the kid? Your sense of humor has definitely improved Rin." The taiyoukai answers sarcastically. Rin gasps in shock; she rolls her eyes to steal a glance of the demon lord's face. His face is serious.
"No, it is not like that, he is just errrm .. an ordinary man." Rin instantly regrets her words. There is no way an ordinary man could have a child with white hair and orange eyes. She buries her face in shame between her knees struggling to think of a proper excuse. Sesshoumaru's brow narrows, but he shows no other reaction.
"I believe you are making fun of me." The taiyoukai states coolly. Rin snaps her head up in shock.
"Of course not why would I be making fun of you my lord?" Rin asks confused. The demon lord turns to face the girl as he taps on his nose. Rin thinks her lord gesturing is cute but she does not feel like laughing because that would just show that she is indeed making fun of the demon lord's superior sense of smell.
"Aito has a unique scent which will not belong to an ordinary human and yet you claim that his father is a human. Don't make fun of me Rin." Sesshoumaru firmly replies. It is clear the demon lord is slightly upset with the way the girl tries to twist the answer, however he does not take offence. He understands that Rin has her own reasons to do so. But Rin is nearly chocked by her lord's statement. She is trying to explain but unable to the find the right words.
"I am sorry my lord. I did not mean to upset you, please forgive me." Rin sounds rather gloomy as she rests her chin in-between her knees. The demon lord's heart is in anguish at the sight of the girl struggling. Instead of explaining she chooses to apologize. He is surprised to see how much time has changed this bubbly happily girl into someone so secretive. Sesshoumaru sighs in disappointment.
"You have changed a lot; you have lost your smile." The demon lord voices his concern. Rin remains silent. She is kind of agreeing with her lord, there is probably not much of a reason for her to be smiling other than when it pertains to her son.
"You never disobey me before." Sesshoumaru continues. Rin slightly moves her head to the side to glance at her lord's face side view.
"When did I ever disobey you my lord?" Rin questions astounded.
"You have avoided all of my questions." Sesshoumaru replies unequivocally.
"I am not avoiding, I just ... " Rin swallows hard as she continues. "I just need some time and it's not like you can't figure it out by yourself." The taiyoukai's eyes widens before he shoots a stern look at the girl, if those words were coming from others, he would have strangled them instantly but there is no way he can do so such a thing to Rin. Sesshoumaru shifts his gaze to the moonlight river. Few years ago under the same moonlight, they were close to each other, today they look nothing of the like but strangers. Closing his eyes for a moment, he knows what he has to do. The taiyoukai rises from the grass and turns, taking his leave. Rin's head snaps up and watches the demon lord walking in the direction of the hut.
"Where are you going my lord?" Rin inquires in confusion. She rises from the ground and faces the back of the taiyoukai who has stopped but is not turning back.
"I am leaving." Sesshoumaru answers coolly without turning his head as he continues on his path leaving the startled girl behind. Rin's warm hazelnut eyes fully glass over with unshed tears as she watches the demon lord walk further and further away from her. Her heart beats rapidly; her unstable emotion has made her loose her mind and soul. She is loosing her composure and slowly drops to her knees. She trembles as her head lowers and grips at the grass beneath her. Clenches both her hands into fists, Rin starts to curse herself badly as she regrets every single word she has said to her lord earlier. Tears brim in her eyes, and the girl cries her heart out.
On the other side, Sesshoumaru can distinctly smell the scent of tears from Rin but he does not stop in his tracks. While he doesn't plan to leave the girl until he seeks out the answer from her, he wishes to at least walk away from the scene, allowing the girl to retire for the day. Since the conversations between them aren't going well, there is no point to keep pestering the girl. The demon lord thinks to himself that perhaps he shouldn't have brought this matter up at this time. He thinks he should give the girl some time to adjust with the current situation. Sesshoumaru sighs uncharacteristically.
Rin watches her lord's shadow disappear. Her mind is really blurry as she is unable to think off what to do. She clutches her chest tightly with her right hand. Rin breathes heavily, trying to control her weep. I have just seen Lord Sesshoumaru, I can not let him go so soon. He deserves an answer and I should deserve some time too. No! I can't afford to let him go. I can not to let him go! Rin repeatedly murmurs those words as she tries hard to rise from the grass. Her body has reached its limit but she needs a little bit more of strength to catch up with her lord. Without further delay, Rin speeds as fast as she could to chase down the taiyoukai.
"Lord Sesshoumaru! Lord Sesshoumaru, please wait up!" Rin shouts as loud as she could as she continues running. She tracks down the demon lord not far away from the hut. Thank god! The girl thinks to herself. Sesshoumaru has stopped; he is not turning back but waiting. Rin stops behind the taiyoukai and pants heavily, trying to catch her breath.
"My lord, please stay another day, I promise to explain everything you want to know, please my lord please." Rin is begging the demon lord in a shaky voice as she swallows hard to catch her breath again. Sesshoumaru remains in his position unmoved.
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to." The taiyoukai begins to walk away but Rin manages to run past her lord and blocks his path. She is now facing the demon lord with her swollen reddened eyes. Sesshoumaru is astounded watching Rin drop to her knees with her head lowered as she grips the dirt beneath her.
"Lord Sesshoumaru I beg you, please give me at least one more day. Today's day was tiring, I was up before dawn approached, I have not been sleeping well for the past few days since Aito was sick and I have plenty of things to do at work. I really need a rest now. Please my lord PLEASE!" Rin cries as she continues pleading with her forehead touching the ground several times. She continues the same action; the contact with the dirt is a bit hard that it leaves small bruises on her temple. Sesshoumaru quickly walks up to the girl, drops to one knee and lays his hands on Rin's shoulders to stop her. She is struggling to keep her composure.
"Enough Rin. I shall inquire no more until you are feeling comfortable." The demon lord's voice softens as his heart is in anguish to see the girl's plight. He does not mean to make her suffer. A warm hand reaches out to touch the girl's face; he guides the girl to look up. Sesshoumaru's heart is despondent as he spots the bruises on Rin's temple. Gently he uses his thumb to rub on the bruise and places a kiss on it. It causes the girl to shudder.
"You may go and rest." Sesshoumaru says softly. Rin silently inclines her head to acknowledge that she has heard and accepted his help to rise from the grass. The girl walks away from the demon lord but stops after a few steps as she turns in the direction of her lord.
"My lord, do you hate me?" Rin asks in guilt. Sesshoumaru stares at her intently. Do I hate this girl? The taiyukai questions himself in his thoughts. She was nothing when I revive her with tenseiga. She was something when she lost her life in hell. She was everything when she left the western fortress a few years ago. There is no way I could hate this girl, who has brought so much of change in me. Sesshoumaru thinks as his golden gaze fixes on Rin.
"Why should I?" the demon lord replies as he walks closer to the girl, and gently brushes away the remaining tears on her cheeks. A long moment of silence follows.
"Rin get going, there are only a few hours left before dawn approaches." Sesshoumaru declares. Rin noddes and turns to leave. The demon lord watches the girl walk back to the hut.
As Rin reaches the hut, she learns that the green toad is sitting at the bench located nearby the hut, facing the direction of the river. She walks closer and approaches the little kappa.
"Master Jaken, am sorry about the inconvenience earlier, Aito did not mean to be rude, he was just happy to have guests. You know that I know you won't be this small hearted don't you?" Rin apologizes with a slight tease in her tone. The little toad doesn't seem too pleased with the girl's comment but chooses not to press further. Jaken sighs as Rin chuckles at the toad's reaction. The green kappa shoots a stern look at the human girl.
"What is so funny girl?" Jaken asks sarcastically. Rin can't help herself but to burst out a small grin with her fingers covering her mouth.
"I am sorry Master Jaken; I just miss your face expressions." Rin replies as she sports a delighted smile. The green toad turns to face the girl's smiling face. His brow narrows in annoyance.
"You fool, where have you been all this time? Do you know how long we have been searching for you?" The green toad queries in displeasure. Rin's smile fades as it gets replaced with a gloomy face. They were searching \for me all these years? The girl thinks in guilt as she slowly turns to enter the hut without bothering to reply the toad.
"Hey girl, are you not listening to me? You have grown this tall and still yet to learn manners. Human are plain selfish!" It is just when the toad finishes his last word a giant rock hits him causing the green kappa to shout as he loses his balance and falls off the bench. After laying there for a moment he feels the top of his head only to find a bump there. He then catches a glimpse of the taiyoukai's shadow.
Rin chuckles hearing the toad shout. She was remembering the days she traveled with her lord, Jaken used to face same fate whenever he tried to over smart her.
The girl then walks to the bed and lays beside Aito. She stretches out her right hand, she places it on the boy's forehead to check his body temperature. Thank god the fever has completely gone. Rin whispers with a smile. Massaging Aito's temple, the girl stares at her poor son's face. The boy is only 4 years old but he has already suffered lots of hardships. Even then Aito always seem to be tougher than her mother. Whenever something bad happened, he will always stay in her embrace and speak lots of encouraging words. It always made Rin realize that, if her son can endure so much and still keep going, how could she do anything less? Aito is the only reason for Rin to live on.
"Son you are as tough as your father, you will definitely grow up as strong as your father." Rin speaks but her voice is barely audible as she smiles with tribulation at her son. Aito seems to hear his mother as his eyes are half opened and bleary. He seems to murmur some words but Rin is unable to make out anything. She then pulls Aito a bit closer; he is asleep again but with a thumb in his mouth. Rin can't help but laugh at Aito's cute gesture. Seeing her son deeply slumbering, she slowly drifts her mind off to sleep.
Sesshoumaru rests himself under one of the trees not far way from the hut. He does not wish to move further away from Rin, the girl could be exposed to a variety of dangers. Living in this simple hut which is quite isolated from the village doesn't seem to be safe. The taiyoukai begins to wonder why the girl doesn't just live in the village instead. Perhaps it has to do with Aito? Sesshoumaru tries to guess in his thoughts. The demon lord found the kid quite amusing. For some reason Aito seems to resemble so much of him. The white hair and the orange eyes definitely have their similarities with him. Now the scent, the demon lord strongly believes he has caught some of his scent around Aito. Not much but very mild. Could Aito be my son? Sesshoumaru excitedly questions himself.
The taiyukai golden gaze is fixed above upon the starry skies. The moon still shines beautiful. Locking his gaze around the moonlight river, the memory of what happened several years ago is flashing back and forth in the taiyoukai's mind. That night the same moonlight was shining by the pond of his private chamber, when everyone was busy celebrating the lord's victories of defeating the panther clan. It as a very significant victory since the demon lord proved that keeping the human girl in the fortress has not weakened his strength. Instead of celebrating with the crowd, Sesshoumaru choose to have some private celebration with the human girl.
Sesshoumaru's heart is despondent at the memories of that night. It was a stunning night; the demon lord and the girl had their private conversation, where they shared their own feelings. The night completely belonged to them, where they spoke face to face and skin touched skin. They were so close to each other that even if they didn't speak they could still know what's on each other's minds. I have unofficially mated with Rin, though I did not mark her on that night, since she had surrendered herself to me, she is mine. Sesshoumaru clenches his fist tightly, he regrets for not marking the girl. If he had marked Rin that night, their life would be linked and it probably wouldn't have taken him this long to trace the girl. The demon lord lets out a loud growl in anger.
It is at this time the green toad approaches the demon lord. With the bump on his head the little kappa stares at the angry lord intently.
"Errr my lord, is everything ok?" Jaken inquires with a shaky voice. Sesshoumaru narrows his eyes as he sends the toad a stern look.
"You are not going to pick any fight with the kid. If he requires help you will have to serve him." Sesshoumaru warns the toad as he shifts his gaze back to the river before he continues.
"Be gone. Do not return until dawn." The green toad's jaw drops in shock. Why do I have to serve that kid when he has insulted me? That's not fair! The little kappa thought furiously biting his own sleeve.
"But my lord why shoul.." The green toad is not able to finish his question as he is interrupt by the taiyoukai.
"Be gone!"
"Yes my lord right away." Jaken flees as fast as his small legs allow him to.
Sesshoumaru watches the toad disappear. He sighs, finally he is alone. His mind is still puzzled with some others doubt. He can confirm that he has caught no other male scent around the house, which proves Rin is not staying with another male. Furthermore he does not catch another demon's scent on Aito except the mild scent which belongs to the taiyoukai. Which means the boy could be his child. But there is this strange demon scent caught on Rin's body. It is a scent from a leopard demon. Why would this man's scent be caught around Rin? Who is this demon? They must have been in a very close distance to have the scent caught around her. Does this man have anything to do with Rin's job? Sesshoumaru whispers as he shut his eyes off. He is trying to picture the kid's appearance in his mind. Other than his eyes and the hair, there are no other signs that he could use to trace. Wait a second! The demon lord pops his eyes wide open in a sudden. If Aito is my son, he has to be a half demon. Sesshoumaru's thoughts run wild as he smirks victoriously to himself. Now that he recalls, Aito has a scarf wrapped around his head. The truth is behind the scarf. The demon lord smiles mischievously.
"Everything will be revealed once the scarf is removed." Sesshoumaru declares out aloud.
Chapter end notes:
I am on leave so I should get more time to catch up with this story. I have told in the previous chapter, things will start to reveal very soon. I did not intend to make Rin holds up Aito's father identity. Imagine they have separated for 5 years, I don't think you can clear all the doubts in one night. Give her some time ^_^
As usual I always welcome any types of reviews because I believe the reader holds the key of an author success. For those who have been reviewing my stories, thank you for your support, you guys are awesome. *hugs* and *kisses* for you all. They empowered me to write more ^_^ cheer!