Chapter Eight

The rest of his family, however, wasn't as fortunate. His parents and sibling died, attempting to spare the humans from any harm. Since their servants had long since run out, fled from their new forms, the man was left alone, without a single companion.

The rest of the day seemed to drag on slowly. She couldn't seem to get Sesshomaru's words out of her head, which made it increasingly hard to stay upset about her date with Kohaku on Saturday. By the end of the evening, her problem was all but forgotten.

"Why are you in such a good mood today, Rin?" Her mother asked during dinner. She had been smiling throughout the whole meal, picking at her food, as she wasn't very hungry. Her head lifted when she heard the question, and her face went blank.

"Uh... I..."

What was she supposed to say? 'I'm happy because I get to see Lord Sesshomaru tomorrow! You wouldn't know him; he's a full-grown demon man who lives in the forest. See you when I get home!' ... that wasn't going to work.

"I... I have... a... date tomorrow!"

Time seemed to stop as Rin realized what she had just said. What kind of excuse was that?

"You... have a... date?" Her mother asked, her smile fading.

Rin averted her eyes nervously. "Um... uh yes?"

"Wonderful! Who's the lucky guy?"

....

........

..............

Rin blinked. "W-what?"

"Oh you don't have to tell me, honey. Just be back by ten and make sure you're careful!" Her mother smiled widely as she regarded her daughter. She had seemed upset lately, she had noticed. Even though she wasn't too sure about her going out with a boy, she knew Rin would be safe. Besides, she knew that her daughter needed this. She needed to get out. She hadn't been seeing Kohaku as much recently, she knew, and was worried that something had happened between them.

But those were just the silly notions of a worried parent.

As Rin lay awake that night, staring up at her ceiling she found herself unable to sleep. She sighed, turning over for what seemed like the umpteenth time. Why was this so difficult? It was just closing your eyes!

After a few hours, Rin gave up, deciding instead to read that book again.

She spent the rest of the night sitting up late and reading with her back to the headboard.

As soon as the clock hit noon, Rin was out the door. Telling her mother that she was going on her 'date' now, she bolted down the stairs, making sure she remembered to grab his book and the nightgown she had wore. Once she got nearer to the forest, she slowed, panting slightly. Coming to a sudden realization, she blushed. How would he know when she had come? They hadn't specified a time and it would be ridiculous to think that he would just wait for her all day...

Sighing slightly she decided that she'd figure out miniscule details like that later.

As she neared the tree line, she bit her lip, running a hand through her undoubtedly messy hair. After looking for a moment, she thought that she saw a figure's outline become clear. Confused, she squinted slightly, quickening her pace. A flash of sunlight glinted off of something silver. Walking closer, she discovered her lord, Lord Sesshomaru sitting on the ground, leaning against a tree that was rooted a few feet into the forest. His eyes were closed, the slight wind lightly lifting his silver locks. His expression was peaceful, a wave of calm washed over him as he basked in the sunlight. Blushing slightly when she realized she had been staring she stepped over to the demon lord, watching him as he slept. Her shadow pooled over him.

Slowly, his eyes blinked open, regarding her curiously.

"Ah! Lord Sesshomaru! I thought that you were asleep..." Rin said nervously, rubbing the back of her head. He turned his head away slightly, looking off at something behind her. Then he focused his gaze on her, beginning to stand. Once he was on his feet, he kept his support on the tree, looking off sleepily nowhere in particular. His eyes were half lidded, and his lips parted slightly. He seemed to snap out of whatever trance he was in after that, nodding his head.

"I am a very light sleeper."

She blushed, not knowing what to say next.

"Um... oh! I brought your book back..." She smiled, holding the novel out to him. He reached out a clawed hand and took it, his fingertips gently brushing against hers. "Erm... I brought this as well. I didn't realize that I had taken it home."

Awkwardly she held out the nightgown, but he rejected it with a slight shake of the head. "You may keep it. I have no use for it."

With that he turned, beginning to walk further into the woods. "How long will you be staying?" He asked, knowing that she would follow. She did as was expected and looked at him as he spoke, tracing the stripes on his cheek with her eyes.

"Oh, my mom said I had to be home by ten so, I should probably start heading back before it gets too dark-"

Sesshomaru turned, glancing behind them, his eyes narrowing slightly. He stayed turned for a full minute, unable to find what had disturbed his delicate senses.

It was quiet.

"... Lord Sesshomaru? What's wrong?" Rin asked, taking a step closer to him in case it was something dangerous. He looked down at her, shaking his head.

"It is... nothing."

They continued onward without stopping until they reached his manor. Both of them failed to see the figure hidden in shadows watching them from his hiding spot behind a tree.

The building was even grander than she remembered. He allowed her to simply walk through his home, looking in whatever door she wanted to. She came to the ballroom and stopped. Still marveling at it's size. Wandering inside she noticed something she hadn't before, an ebony-colored piano sitting in the corner. She turned her head to the demon lord, looking at him questioningly.

"Do you play?"

"A little." He admitted. "That was my mother's piano. She was much better than I."

Rin found she was drawn the instrument, sitting down at the bench gently. She ghosted her fingers over the keys, wondering if it was even in tune.

"Well let's hear it." She declared, motioning for him to sit next to her. Hesitantly he took a seat, the soft fabric of his pants brushing against her thighs that were clad in shorts. As if recalling a memory he positioned his fingers over the blank white keys of the piano, and with a gently firmness began to play.

The song was a sad, sweet melody, starting out very softly. Listening to it was heart wrenching, the raw emotion in the song almost too much to handle. With interest, Rin watched his fingers playing, and as his sleeves fell back slightly she noticed there were more of those magenta-colored stripes snaking up his wrists on both arms. Without realizing what she was doing, she reached out her hand, lightly tracing a finger along the line his markings made. He stopped playing abruptly, and she could feel the flesh trembling slightly under her fingers. He drew his wrist away from her and she put her hand down, blushing slightly.

"I'm sorry. I just wanted to know what they –ah- what they felt like."

They were a different texture than his skin, she noticed.

He stood, averting his gaze.

"I will be back. Stay here, Rin."

She nodded, watching as he sauntered off, closing the ballroom door behind him. She sighed, drumming her fingers against the piano. She played around with the notes, attempting to play something that at least resembled a song, but after a moment, she resorted to standing. Her head turned, as she looked at all the corners of the humongous room. Forcing her feet to move, she soon found herself standing under the huge chandelier that hung in the middle. She grinned, twirling her feet around so that she began spinning rapidly in the center.

After going in circles for a bit she slowed, moving her arms so that it was a bit more like a dance. Humming a song of her own creation, she performed a routine by herself. She twisted, allowing her eyes to slide close to better imagine the music. After a while of the pointless dance, she began getting more intricate, twirling her arms about as if she actually had a partner.

Reaching her hand out to her side, she brought it back in, using the force to propel her in another spin. She giggled, preparing to do the same thing, holding her hand out. She froze, however, as her fingertips felt something warm.

Her eyes flew open to discover Lord Sesshomaru, holding her hand and gently twirling her around. She blushed as he drew her close to him, holding her there before spinning her back out and allowing her to twirl around once more.

"W-what are you doing?" She stammered, too shocked to stop the impromptu dance.

"A lady," He began, beginning to lead her in a step that she didn't know. "When in the company of a gentleman, should never have to dance alone."

Her blush grew rapidly as he placed a hand delicately around her waist pulling her a bit closer as they continued where Rin had left off.

Submitting, she carefully placed a hand on his shoulder. Tightening the grip on the hand he was holding, she laced her fingers in between his. Not wanting him to see her crimson stained face she buried it into the soft fabric on his chest. He made no protest so she stayed there, breathing in his comforting scent.

Though there was not a single noise echoing off the walls, Rin's ears could hear a beautiful symphony, playing a song just for them.

After the initial awkwardness of their dance had faded and they had walked around the mansion a bit more, Rin had asked eagerly if they could go through the gardens, as they hadn't gotten a chance to the last time she was there. He agreed, walking her down the hallway (that Rin was quickly becoming familiar with) and out the door. They circled round to the back of the mansion, walking under a silver archway overgrown with vines and entering the single most beautiful place Rin had ever seen in her life.

There were flowers there that she didn't even know existed, all around her were vivid reds and soft blues, bright yellows and complex purples. Roses and lilies, daffodils and marigolds, complete with chrysanthemums, gardenias and geraniums. She stooped over to a rose bush, reaching for one with wide eyes.

"It's so beautiful..." She whispered, trailing off. She looked back up at her lord, a questioning look in her eyes. "May I?"

He nodded his consent, and with new motivation, she reached for one, grasping it firmly and picking a rose from its stem. She hissed slightly as a thorn left a small gash on her palm.

"Owch." She said, wincing and holding her injured hand fondly. The cut went from the outside of the knuckle of her pinky, and ended about where the thumb began. Frowning slightly she placed the rose in her hair so it would be out of the way.

"You are injured." The demon lord said, watching her palm. She smiled up at him, laughing sheepishly.

"It's just a scratch." She insisted. Suddenly remembering something, she gasped. "Oh! You can heal it, can't you? Like you did last time?"

Ever since the wounds on her stomach had magically disappeared, she had been desperate to learn the secret. Was it a spell? Or something simpler? Would she be able to imitate it?

Lord Sesshomaru shifted uncomfortably, opening his mouth to speak slowly.

"It is... quite an... uncanny method."

Her grin widened.

"I don't mind if you don't! Here."

She held out her hand palm up, and he tentatively took it, eyeing her wearily before pulling the limb up to his mouth, ducking his head slightly. His eyelids lowered imperceptibly and Rin was slightly surprised to see his tongue move slowly out from between his parted lips.

"Lord Sesshomaru?" She said, blushing slightly as she watched the pink appendage. "What are you... ah!"

She felt the sensation of his tongue running over her palm, gently but firmly putting pressure on the cut. Her immediate reaction was to pull back, but he had a firm grip on her wrist. The slight pain was drowned out by the other sensations. She inhaled sharply as his gaze turned to her, watching her expression as he continued to heal her wound.

Her breathing had begun to increase slightly and she was relieved when he pulled away, taking her hand back quickly. She stared at him for a moment, before turning her eyes to her palm, surprised to see that the cut was no longer there. For a moment her mind flashed back to the first time she stayed in the demon lords castle, and she remembered the odd feeling she had had, something warm running over her stomach.

That was...

She blushed profusely, averting her gaze.

"I warned you that it was uncanny."

"Yes, well... um –ah-..." Instead of attempting to answer, she simply turned, subtly hinting that she wanted to keep going. He followed her, smartly choosing to not comment on the matter any further.

They were wandering around outside for hours -she hadn't been keeping track of time- and had eventually came to a small pond with a sakura tree next to it. Rin chose here to rest, laying down on her stomach and watching the small ripples in the water, as Lord Sesshomaru took his spot sitting under the tree. She rambled (as that was what she was good at) and he listened (that being a quality of his) and commented occasionally. He wasn't a particularly avid speaker, as she had noticed before, but his presence was comfortable to be in, and he gave off the impression of sincerely taking in what she was saying. After a while she rolled over, looking up at the sky as the moon was just beginning to come out.

After a while they moved again, Lord Sesshomaru leading her even further around the house until they came to the steps which led to the back door. He made his self comfortable, and she followed suit, sitting as close to him as she dared.

And looking up she discovered why the demon lord had chosen this spot to watch the last remaining minutes of daylight.

The sun was in perfect view from their seat, and as it set, red and purple hues could be seen disappearing beyond the treetops. She gazed on in wonder, leaning forward slightly.

"One day you shall have to see the view from the roof. It is... quite spectacular."

Rin turned her head, slightly startled when she saw how close the demon lord actually was. Perhaps she was closer than she had originally thought.

Focusing back on the statement, she turned away, smiling.

"Yeah... I'd like that."

The day eventually had to come to a close, and as it did, it found Lord Sesshomaru and Rin inside, saying their parting words.

"I'll be fine." Rin insisted, trying to convince him that he didn't have to walk her home. "Since I'm going to be coming here a lot I'm going to have to get used to getting to and out of the woods by myself."

Realizing what she had just implied she blushed.

Reluctantly he nodded. "The way back to your home, to get out of the woods." He began. "Walk straight back from here until you come to the Goshinboku tree. It is the largest one in the forest, and it's roots stretch far. You will know when you find it. Once you reach there turn left, and continue walking straight."

She nodded, retaining the simple directions before looking back up at her lord.

"Well then... this is goodbye." She stated awkwardly, clasping her hands together. There was a moment of silence, before she darted forward, pulling him into a quick, warm embrace and proceeding to dash out the door, shouting an embarrassed, "Goodbye!" behind her.

Lord Sesshomaru stared after her, watching the door long after it had closed.

"Perhaps I was... wrong."

Rin ran off the grounds, the newfound adrenaline that came from doing something so daring as hugging the demon lord propelling her forward.

Though something was nagging her in the back of her head. When they had passed the hallway that she had slept in before, while wandering around after their 'dance'. The portrait that had looked so much like him had been taken down.

She hadn't gone ten feet past the main gate when she ran into something, squeaking softly and falling backwards.

"Ah! What-"

She looked up, gasping. There before her stood the worried and cold eyes of Kohaku.

Foxgirl: sorry about the wait, I finally managed to get it out without my computer going berserk. Hope you liked. This chapter was really all fluff, and it was kind of difficult to write, as I had little inspiration. sorry if fluffy was too OOC.

Vixen: review please.