This is a Happy Father's Day to Sesshomaru! The song might be a stretch, but I'm going to make it work! Remember, their love is that of a father and daughter!
Otulia: We don't own InuYasha or the song If Only You Knew, which is by a favorite band of mine, YES.
If Only You Knew
He watched her as she ran happily about in the grass, laughing, stopping here and there to pick a flower which caught her eye. Though he wouldn't admit it, he was glad she was in such a good mood today. He supposed it was because he'd brought her a new kimono, to replace the old one that was quickly wearing out. He'd simply acquired it for her so she wouldn't have to be running about in rags. She was his ward, after all. It was his duty to see to her basic needs. Yet that act on his part had overjoyed her to the point that it amazed him. He simply couldn't understand it. But it was that confounding joy with which she greeted him each and every day that he'd come to rely upon.
I can lift you with my heart
Give you meaning every day
Cannot live without your truth
She was slowly but surely bringing something out in him that he'd worked so hard to bury. And this gradual change in him was only making her happier.
Yet if he were angered or worried about something, she would always know it. He could tell by the way her mood subtly changed when he approached, as if she wanted to say something, but didn't have the words. And on days when she was feeling low, he felt a pang in his heart that made him want to cheer her up.
And be the true me
To be the true you
Jaken began scolding her for being noisy, but she ignored him, as she was custom to do. The imp would never learn that he couldn't dampen her spirits so easily. No, Jaken couldn't. But he could, without even meaning to.
She caught sight of him and grinned, dashing around Jaken and coming toward him. A surprised look crossed her face as she tripped over a stone and went sprawling, her flowers scattering across the ground.
Pick the flowers from your floor
Put them in your arms for you my love
Realize my life and more
He knelt down in front of her as she sat up, wiping tears of pain from her eyes. "Are you alright, Rin?" he asked.
She inspected her hand before answering with a small smile. "I'm okay, Sesshomaru-sama. It's just a scrape."
He nodded and scooped up the discarded flowers, placing the bundle in her arms. "Be more careful," he instructed.
"Thank you, Sesshomaru-sama!" she said happily, getting to her feet. Without another word, she turned and ran toward Jaken, and tried to give him the flowers in an attempt to cheer him up. Sesshomaru barely repressed a smile.
She was a happy child, and as long as she remained that way, he knew he would be content. He felt something toward her that he couldn't quite understand, but it was not unpleasant. In fact, he cherished the feeling.
Say you will and then
Take me home
Make me clear
It feels so much better
Take me home
To this heart of hearts
He pondered on this as he rose to his feet. He had been searching for something all his life, something he could not name. He had thought it was power he craved, but the stronger he became, the more incessant this need had become. He had begun to bitter towards the world that he had once appreciated, and was falling into the abyss of his own hatred. But then…he met Rin.
If only you knew
You caught me when I was falling
Yes you caught me when I was falling fast
Everything had changed the moment she had brought him food as he lay injured, completely unafraid despite the fact that he was a powerful demon, and she was only a weak human child.
Later, when he had found her killed by wolves, he had felt…saddened. And for a brief moment, a mere second in time, he had wished he hadn't turned her away when she was trying to help him. Then maybe…maybe…
He had remembered Tenseiga. He had silently called out to her, hoping beyond hope that his father's sword would truly bring her back. And she had come.
And only you knew
You answered me when I was calling you
You answered me when I was dreaming you
Into my life
He knew she had no family, and that she was unwanted in the village she had been living in. But yet, after all that she had gone through, she loved life itself. He could see it just by looking at her, and somehow, it calmed his inner tempest. It made him feel content.
Everyone who looks at you
Sees the loving in your every move
You're the healing of the soul
To be the true you
To be the true me
Though she was a weak mortal, she was strong of spirit. She was brave, and hid her fears. Yet he knew how afraid she was when he left. And just as she would never admit it, neither would he admit that he feared for her safety as well, when he was not there to protect her, and to give her the courage to face down any obstacles she came across.
He was starting to realize what he felt toward her. It was, in a sense, and how he hated to come to this conclusion, love. He cared for her more deeply that he had cared for anyone or anything else in the world, and would be devastated should any harm befall her. He wanted nothing more than for her to grow up happy and healthy, and lead a full and prosperous life.
I will be your strength all time
Ever wishing you this love and more
Forever be your guiding song
It was time they moved on. "Rin, Jaken, come."
"Yes, milord!" Jaken called, hurrying after him.
Rin clambered onto Ah-Un's back with a smile as bright as the sun, guiding the dragon after them.
Say you will and then
Take me home
Make me clear
It feels so much better
In this life
In your heart of hearts
They traveled the rest of the afternoon in near silence, the only sounds being the birds and Rin's quiet humming. For the first time in a long time, Sesshomaru felt at peace.
If only you knew
How you caught me when I was falling
Yes you caught me when I was falling fast
And only you knew
You answered me when I was calling you
You saw me when I was dreaming you
Into my life
They stopped to make camp for the night. Sesshomaru went on his usual patrol of the area, giving himself a little time to think. Tonight, his thoughts turned towards the constant struggles going on in the world. Everyone, human and demon alike, was always fighting, wanting only to gain power and material possessions. Did they not realize that there were more important things than personal gain?
In fact, he himself did not know that until…until he had Rin.
When I feel the hurt in so many people's lives
I take a deep breath and think of your smile your eyes
Rin…she knew of the cruelties of the world. She had experienced them firsthand. And yet, she was still so happy, so hopeful.
When I hear the sadness of this earthtime
Then I take a deep breath and know that you understand
That you understand
He returned later than he had planned, expecting to find everyone asleep. But Rin was still awake, sitting by the fire. She sniffled, and he knew that she had been crying.
"What is the matter, Rin?" he asked quietly, sitting beside her. He didn't want her to be sad.
"Master Jaken doesn't like me," she said quietly. "He said I should just go away."
He frowned. Jaken was still going on about that?
"And…and he said that you don't like me either, Sesshomaru-sama." She stared into the fire, tense, waiting to hear the truth from him.
And only you knew
How you caught me when I was falling fast
Caught me when I was falling fast
"Don't be silly," Sesshomaru said gently. "I do not wish for you to leave."
"Really?" She seemed so hopeful, and it occurred to him that perhaps the only reason she was so happy was because she was allowed to stay with him. The idea of leaving seemed to frighten her terribly.
If only you knew
How you answered me when I was calling you
Saw me when I was dreaming you
"Really," he confirmed, smiling his first true smile since he was a pup.
That was all she'd been waiting for; to see him smile. And the smile he received in return before she hugged him was the best gift that she could have given him.
They had come together out of necessity, and a deep bond had formed between them.
If only you knew
Yes you caught me when I was falling fast
You caught me when I was falling
Into your life
"Sesshomaru-sama?" she asked tentatively, looking up at him with big brown eyes. "Can I…can I call you Papa?"
That's when it struck him. He had come to love her as a father would his daughter.
"Of course, Rin-chan."
Isn't it cute? I'm such a sucker for that father-daughter relationship! Please review for me!