The Guardian

by Ichigo2491

Don't own Inuyasha and Co. Rumiko Takahashi does. Chapter 4, hooray. It's sort of short.

Chapter 4

Kohaku slammed his fist into the ground, drawing blood from his knuckles. He felt sick to his stomach, and his mind was awhirl with anger, betrayal, jealousy…and terrible sadness. He closed his eyes and massaged his injured hand, cursing himself for being such a fool. How could he have ever thought that Rin could grow to love him?

He never should have taken her in. He never should have married her, and he never should have gotten her pregnant. But above all, he never should have fallen in love with her.

Rin couldn't love him, that much seemed clear. And as long as she had to stay here with him, she'd be miserable. I've already ruined her life enough, Kohaku thought bitterly, and I can't hurt her anymore. So be it. After she has the child, I'll take her where she wants to go.

Absorbed in his melancholy thoughts, the normally alert man did not notice his wife approaching until she laid a timid hand on his shoulder. "Husband," she whispered.

Kohaku's back stiffened, and it was all he could do not to run away. "What do you want?" he said sharply.

"Forgiveness…though I don't deserve it."

Kohaku shook his head. "I'm the one who should be sorry. I married you and made you miserable. I could have…"

Rin stepped in front of him and looked him in the eyes. Hers were brimming with tears. "No, Kohaku. You have done more for me than I deserve, and I have not been properly grateful. But I swear to you…" she swallowed hard. "No more dwelling on the past. From this day forth I shall be yours… only yours, as it should be."

He was overwhelmed. Could Rin really be saying what he thought she was…

"As far as I am concerned," Rin went on, "he never existed. You are my lord now, Kohaku. I will do whatever you ask of me." She swallowed hard, her face determined and sincere. "I would even die for you, husband."

His heart twisting, Kohaku wet his lips and said in choky voice, "I would be content for you to love me, Rin."

She smiled gently. "It will come in time."

Kohaku drew his wife into a fierce embrace. "I love you, Rin. I always have. Please be happy in that knowledge. That's all I wish for. Your happiness…"

"It warms my heart to know this," Rin replied, her voice muffled against his chest. "And I swear that all my thoughts from this moment… will be of you."

Rin was as true to her word as she could possibly be. No longer did Sesshomaru's touch substitute for Kohaku's in her mind. She no longer stared at the stars and wondered how her life might have been if Sesshomaru had seen fit to make her his. He did cross her mind, she couldn't help that. She wondered what he was doing now. She wondered if he was happy.

Above all, she wondered if, after their child was born, she could come to fully return her husband's love.

The next chapter will be longer, I hope... and I'll get it up as soon as I can! My schedule is kind of unpredictable these days, with school starting again soon (blech).

Oh well... reviews are good!