A/N: A bit of a spin-off on "Episode 96: Jaken Falls Ill."
Don't Mention It
Twirling the long, green stem, Rin watched mesmerized as the white, violet-tipped petals swirled into lavender. The little girl trotted lightly, only half-aware that Sesshomaru walked somewhere ahead, she was spellbound by the striking flower in her hand. How beautiful it was to see and touch and smell, how she could describe it in words if she wanted. It'd always have the same basic components: stem, leaves, petals.
It's funny, she thought. Everything you can touch or see can be put into words.
Trees had bark and branches and leaves. Master Jaken was small, green, and grouchy. Lord Sesshomaru was tall, pretty, furry, and wise.
But what about things you can't touch?
Rin gave her ponytail a pensive tug, a gentle breeze curled black strands over her fingers. The wind – that couldn't be seen. Could it be put into words?
Well, yeah, it's cool, clear – sometimes dusty – but it moves over you and then you can tell the strength by its force. You can still sort of touch the wind. ...And untouchables? What about feelings?
She chewed her lip for a minute, but Rin's pace picked up when she came up with something. In sadness people cry, tears welled up then fall as the stomach tightens. Glowing smiles were offered with happiness and pointed glares in anger. And with love…her mind came up blank.
"Lord Sesshomaru, can you define love?"
He didn't even glance down. "Of course not."
The readiness of the response may as well have been a tripwire. Rin stumbled back in shock, squishing the hapless imp behind her.
"What? Why not?" The words choked in her throat; underneath, Jaken choked back obscenities.
"Don't lag," was all Sesshomaru's fading voice droned ahead.
A breath of heartbeats later, Rin clamored to her feet, dashing to catch up with the daiyokai. For all his years, how could Lord Sesshomaru – the most sapient, most collected entity she had ever met – not be able to answer one of her questions? "So you really, really don't know how to describe love in words?"
"I don't entertain abstract ideas."
Uncharacteristically quiet for a stretch, Rin mused at the daisy again. How could he not answer her? Impossible. The taciturn demon didn't talk much, but he always answered her directly. Always. Unless…if someone like Sesshomaru couldn't put love into words, then did it truly not exist?
Jaken scowled as petals smacked his face; a flower that was dejected cast off.
--
In his remaining arm, Sesshomaru hoisted his load close, inspecting for further damage. A couple of scratches, otherwise Rin had only fainted from the sudden rush of his blazing white aura. Better a jarring catch than the jagged rocks below.
Golden eyes didn't miss that Rin still clutched senenso berries – an antidote for saimyosho venom... an antidote for Jaken. Sesshomaru quirked a bemused brow. For all her chatter, this child knew perfectly well the definition of love.
Now might have been an appropriate time to explain words didn't always encompass emotions where tangible actions did...but the girl was out cold and, as she had correctly thought before, Sesshomaru wasn't much for talk.