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Note: I changed chapter 11 a little bit. To make sense of this chapter, it might help to know that in the last chapter, Sesshomaru could hear Rin talking to him. Thank you for your patience with this story.
Chapter 12: Sesshomaru's Love Confession
The next day was another sunny cool autumn day.
It was late morning when Hasu finished her chirography class. She was standing in her yard waving the kids goodbye when Rin walked down the village path with her head lowered to the ground. When Rin passed her and had gone off a short distance, Hasu silently followed.
Rin stopped by a bamboo hut and went inside. When Rin came outside with two little kids, the kids hugged Rin and and ran off, skipping down the path, giggling.
"We love you, Rin-sama," they screamed at Rin.
"I love you too. Be careful now." Rin smiled.
Rin turned around. "Oh! Good morning, Aika-sama."
"Oh, good morning, Rin. What are you doing here?"
After Rin told Aika about the orphan kids, Gozu and Mezu, who she had been helping, Hasu smiled, "You are an angel."
'Hm, it would be easier to get to Sesshomaru if I have her skin.' Hasu gleamed. 'I love easy prey.'
Hasu walked toward the door behind Rin and pretended to look inside. Hasu reached out a hand to draw energy from Rin's head. Rin's knowledge and memories started to flash through Hasu's mind, but Hasu suddenly withdrew her hand and stopped the process.
Rin held her head and frowned, looking puzzled but seemed to quickly forget about it.
'She's in love with Sesshomaru. But why did he transform at the moment of their union? Hmmm.'
"Rin, I think you should send these kids to my class. It's good for their future," said Hasu.
"I've thought about it, but we don't have enough to pay the fees right now. They're making weed baskets to start selling them. Maybe until then -"
"Don't worry about the fee."
"But I - "
"If you're reluctant because of the fee, then we can make a fair deal. If you help me with my flower garden, then the class fee is taken care of. Hah?"
"Really? That's so kind of you."
"Let's start tomorrow. Send the kids to me at sunrise."
"Yes. Thank you, Aika-sama. I will come to see your garden by mid or late afternoon today when I finish with my garden. I'll see what I can do."
"Perfect-tion. I will see you later."
"Have a good day, Aika-sama."
Hasu grinned as she walked away. "You too, Rin."
….
At Kaede's place.
Sesshomaru's senses came slowly back and became clear.
He opened his eyes and scanned around. It was Rin's room. He was lying on Rin's bed. Rin's scent pervaded the place. He had never been inside a human home, but at the moment he was quite pleased.
He was nude from the the waist up, and his body was bandaged. His kimono was missing.
Rin's loving words rang in his ears. Though, he was teetering between dreams and reality, and those words had been what he was waiting to hear, so it might have been a figment of his imagination while he was unconscious.
But him pushing Rin away in the sakura forest certainly did happen.
He quickly sat up. With some effort, he got up and went out to look for Rin. He struggled a little walking because of the pain. When he got to the end of Inuyasha's, Kagome ran out and tried to support him.
He put up his hand to signal for her to stop. "I am fine."
Kaede came out to hand him his kimono. "Lord Sesshomaru, Rin had washed it last night, and it is dry now."
He took it from Kaede and gazed gently at her. He put it on and continued walking down the path.
"Sesshomaru," Inuyasha called him.
He stopped and glanced back.
"You're alright?"
Sesshomaru nodded and resumed walking.
He arrived at Rin's garden.
"Rin."
She turned around with a happy frown on her face.
He glanced at her frown and then at her bandaged hand. The girl was injured, yet she was still working. His muscle tensed up, making the pain from his wounds intensify. He staggered slightly.
Rin ran to him and held his arms.
"Sesshomaru-sama. You should stay in bed. I'm sorry for not staying home to take care of you. I just have these chores to do, but I'll hurry and be home soon."
She tugged on his arms, trying to lead him to a tree.
He didn't follow her lead. Instead, he held her hand and brought it closer to him. He scanned her wound and frowned subtly.
She started blushing.
He circled his arms around her and gently pulled her into a tight embrace.
She tried to loosen herself from him.
"You are displeased with me holding you," he asked her.
"Sesshomaru-sama, I'm just afraid to cause you more pain if I press on your wounds."
"If my pain is the only thing you are worried about, then don't worry. Stay in my arms, Rin."
Rin whispered, "Yes, Sesshomaru-sama."
She rested her head against his chest.
Her scent was mixed with a touch of sadness. He gazed downward at her. She must be hurt because he had pushed her away. She should know why. It might not make her completely happy, but it might help ease her sadness.
"Rin. I was unable to control my transformation when I felt the passion between you and me in the forest. If mother didn't come to discipline me in time, I would have taken you in my true form, and that would have killed you."
Rin pushed deeper into his chest. He groaned softly from pain. Rin abruptly looked up, "Sorry, Sesshomaru-sama."
"It's alright, Rin. I need the pain for now when I am close to you."
"But that would mean you will avoid me, will you?"
"At times, I might need to."
She threw her arms around him and squeezed tighter, apparently forgetting about his pain. She whispered, "Sesshomaru-sama. I don't want you to stay away from me. I would die for you."
A surge of energy rushed through him.
"Don't say such silly things. Be patient with me, Rin. I shall find a way."
He refrained from making any sounds that could make her think he was in pain. Her embrace was what he needed. Pain was no issue. The real problem was they could never go into a union, unless she came second. And she would not be second to anyone in his world.
A moment of silence ensued.
His mother had said that he had chosen to love. Love was not something he was familiar with, but his feelings for Rin were unique. Those must be what mother was talking about. It must be love.
He had held back because he was afraid Rin would find him distasteful if he had revealed his feelings to her. He did it because he was greedy for her love, longed to be chosen by her, wanted to be her idol. It was all done because of himself. It had inadvertently made her think she was unworthy. Whether her words from the night before were just his imagination or were genuinely spoken by her, there was a strong possibility that Rin would feel that way.
He had been selfish.
She deserved to know.
He broke his silence.
"I love you, Rin, more than even my life. And if you don't wish to travel with me, I'll stay in this human village with you - that is if you allow me so."
"Sesshomaru-sama," Rin quivered.
She tried to say something else, but she was stuttering a little. So, she stopped and remained silent. Her tears started to dampen his chest, but it was happiness. Her scent became even more pleasant.
They stayed in that position for some time in silence until Jaken showed up in a dramatic arrival. Sesshomaru sent him away, telling him to go back to Kaede's and tidy up Rin's room. Jaken pouted but left as instructed.
Sesshomaru told Rin she should go back to her work, which she agreed with a nod and a bright smile.
He followed her. He knelt down with her and pulled up the exact plants she was pulling up. Sometimes when he pulled the wrong ones, she giggled and he frowned. He helped her fetch the water from the creek and then put up the tools.
When they were done, Rin giggled. "Sesshomaru-sama, I think you're the best gardener in the whole wide world."
He threw her a chastising glance. "You shall be punished for mocking Sesshomaru."
Rin ran to Ah-Un and took off with him.
"You'll have to catch me first." She zipped away with Ah-Un.
Sesshomaru ascended and drifted behind her. Downwind from Rin, her scent was always stronger, and the happiness from her mood at the current moment made it all worthwhile that Sesshomaru had shed his pride and confessed his love. He should have told her much sooner. His pride should have never been a factor when it came to his Rin.
...
sorrelkaren: Thank you for your review. You have been so kind to me by reviewing so generously. It really really helps motivate me. I must say that SessRin are my two most favorite characters in the whole anime, so I kinda pick and choose the episodes with them when I rewatch lol. The final act did look so much better. And sorry about the late update. I have been revising the whole story, so I haven't updated. But I'm done revising now, so I have time for new chapters. ^^