Chapter 13

I'm back! Dear readers, I know many of you might be feeling that, having known Sesshomaru's pride and personality (p&p), he may never let his emotions to take him over and that he wouldn't even assess his own emotions and feelings (e&f) for Rin. Then how come he has been assessing them in the previous chapters? The justification is, be it a human or a demon, if you are on the verge of losing something that is dearest to you, to someone else, then your emotions will automatically overpower your pride and you'll begin to judge e&f for that special someone.

Likewise, Sesshomaru had platonic love for Rin from the beginning. Never had he thought or imagined beyond that at any point of time. But gradually his love DID undergo transition. But he was not able to identify it sooner cuz such things are beyond his world and his p&p never let him explore his own e&f. He HAS fallen in love with Rin. But since when? Only God knows… But he found about it only when he explored his e&f with external aid from Inu Yasha, as Rin was to become someone else's and not his.

This is probably the most important chapter of the story… plzzzz enjoy reading and reviewing….

Hope you like it….

Disclaimer: I do not own Inu Yasha


"Oi KAGOME! I've got some news for ya! You may never believe me, you'll probably flip!" Inu Yasha who just returned from his quest was calling out his mate to share his oddest encounter. At the yell of the sire, the infant awoke from his slumber and started crying. "THAT INU YASHA!" said an annoyed Kagome not having the least anticipation of the truth she was about to behold.


"L-Lord Sesshomaru! I beg of you…. (sniff….) Please accept my request" a sobbing Rin pleaded.

Sesshomaru somehow managed to compose himself and said in his deep soft tone, "Rin. Get up... I won't have you like this". He had enjoyed the prostrations of thousands before him. Not once did he feel guilt or pain till now.

Rin stared at her lord for a moment and his expression told her that she had to comply with her lord's orders before he forces her to do so. So she got up and was on her feet.

"What is it, Rin?" Sesshomaru asked, not having the least bit idea of what her request may be; he had never seen his ward in such a tormented state. He felt such anguish that even though the pain was HERS, the grief of that pain was HIS.

"I…. I-I can't take this anymore….. please… (sob…sob….)"

"Rin. Please stop crying….." It pains me. Sesshomaru's stomach squeezed at her distress. So his mouth betrayed him of the word "please".

"Please take me back with you…." Rin entreated.

"…." Sesshomaru's eyes went wide. Then he quickly composed himself and said, "why?"

"I don't want to stay in the Village anymore. I – I just don't belong here. I belong with YOU my lord! I do not seek a normal human life; to me… to me a normal life is a life with YOU!"

Sesshomaru felt choked as he was trying to decipher what she was saying. His inner being leapt with joy at her EVERLASTING LOYALTY!

"When you left me at the Village, you promised me the choice of returning to be with you, once I'm old enough. Now that I'm seventeen, I should be old enough to make this choice!" Rin reasoned trying to defend her decision.

Yes, Rin. You are 'seventeen', but you have not changed one bit! Sesshomaru was immensely proud of his ward and of himself. He also noted that she has purposely phrased the words 'you promised', because being a Lord that he is, he has to keep his promises without dispute, in all circumstances. Clever Rin.

Discouraged by his silence Rin began, "Lord Sesshomaru! Please let me travel with you as before. I'm sure I will not be a burden. A-As you know, in the recent past Kagome discovered that I possess the powers of a priestess when I unintentionally purified a demon by shooting an arrow at it, in an attempt to save little Janaa. So I have been learning Archery. I will gain control soon enough, although I have not till now. Then even I can slay demons by purifying them. So I can take care of myself. Besides, I can be of SOME value addition to your troop, although I may not be the best"

Sesshomaru was calmly listening and inwardly enjoying at how his little ward was trying to defend her resolution. She knows what justification I may present to deny her, if at all I do. So she's trying to corner me from all sides…. He inwardly smirked at it. Rin's big brown eyes expressed rocky resolution and such aggression that she'll do anything and everything to get what she wants. Too obvious…. She's MY ward…..

"And-and…" Rin was not one to give up that easy on the only thing she held dearest to her heart; she was raking her brain to identify every possible reason he may pose to refuse her and to find some remedy to the same, so that she may give assurance to her Lord. She took a painful breathe and went on, "if your mate dislikes my presence then….. then I shall return to the Village. I will not let a speck of filth taint your marital relationship, at ANY cause. I ASSURE you that…." Rin heard a breaking noise from within her chest. Her heart was in bit and pieces, ready for trash. Rin steeled her whole being to make sure she does not break down, "please Milord…. You must TRUST me!" Rin pleaded Sesshomaru with all her might.

Again the demon lord's stoic mask slipped. His widened eyes and slightly opened mouth revealed his surprise. Her resolution is outstanding! Sesshomaru hastened to put back the mask that just slipped. Brilliant Girl! She has deliberately cornered me. She has also stressed 'TRUST'. Now I cannot refuse her, without being offensive; or use of force.

Sesshomaru's flow of proud thoughts was cut off when his blissful mind recollected something bitter; He tore off his gaze from her and was looking straight at vacuum as he always does while beginning a conversation with Rin of some topic he's not particularly comfortable with, "what about your engagement with that human?"

"What?!... Engagement?" Rin wore a puzzled look at the question. It took her a moment to understand what he meant, "We were never engaged Lord Sesshomaru. When he made his proposal, I only requested for some time…. Supposedly a week before giving an answer"

Sesshomaru recollected that he had left right after Seiko's proposal and Rin's smile in return. He was not there when Rin gave him any answer. He had no idea how relieved he felt. Most importantly, her statement confirms that they NEVER MADE LOVE! She… is not his…. The pang in the chest which was there ever since he witnessed Seiko's proposal, finally dissipated.

"why?" Sesshomaru couldn't help his curiosity.

"I was never in love with him. He's just my friend" Rin's reply was prompt.

Rin's stress of 'him' told Sesshomaru that she was in love with someone else. But curiosity got the better of him, "choosing to be with me would mean rejecting his proposal Rin"

It was Sesshomaru's was of asking: Are you going to decline the proposal just to be with me again?

"I know" prompt!

"Do you not wish for the life of a queen?"

Interpretation: Are you rejecting a life of Nobility just for me?

"No Mi-lord! I never desired luxury and such extravagances" prompt!

Sesshomaru's heart swelled with pride at his girl's simplicity. "...…. Do you not wish for a husband, children and a family to love and be loved"

This time Rin couldn't be so 'prompt'. Rin lowered her gaze to the ground and began "...… yes I do". She had to tell the truth given that she's not a good liar and her lord can discover it at ease.

Then she met his eyes with confidence and quickly added, "But my wish to be with you is much bigger than my wish to have a family"

Sesshomaru was indeed taken aback at her affirmation.

"Please Lord Sesshomaru! I can survive without a family but I can never survive without YOU! YOU'RE MY FAMILY!" Rin blurted out.

Sesshomaru's mind, body and soul were filled with happiness, an emotion which he cannot describe by words of mouth. After all, words like "happiness", "love", "excitement" were never part of his vocabulary till recently.

Then it struck him. His eyes widened at the realizations. Firstly, Was that downhearted song, she was singing, about… ME….. all along?. Secondly, while she was ready to reject a perfect suitor; to throw away a queen's life just to be with him, she has actually buried her wishes to have her own family. Not only that, she presumed that even being with him may not be permanent for her, as chances were high that his future mate may dislike her and do her away, being his pet and companion that she is, not to mention her humanity; still she boldly made the choice to be with HIM. Surely Sesshomaru would never mate a demoness who would either dislike or dismiss Rin. But who knows what and how demonesses think and do? Such…. Such sacrifice! Such hopeless choice! Has she lost all her senses?! Sesshomaru was indeed dumbfounded.

Rin went on with a melancholic voice, sadness causing tears to pour, "…..besides… I'm a human…. and my life is very short…. Just as Master Jaken had said, by the time you set up your Empire I'll probably be 'LOOONG GONE!' "

Jaken! That worthless little imp! He'll pay-

I….. (Rin gulping the lump in her throat) I've very little time Mi-lord, I just don't wish to waste it by living away from you. It's not WORTH it! I wish to spend the little time left, with YOU!"

The last bit of ice barrier that surrounded his imprisoned heart has melted completely by the warmth of his ward's love.

He was experiencing contrasting emotions simultaneously. Extreme elation at Rin's love and total wreck at the mention of her short life. But looking only at the bright side, the one and only love of his hopeless demon life has chosen to be with him FOREVER! What more can he ask for?

Sesshomaru consciously removed his hard armour and tossed it aside. He chose to express himself in the manner in which HE is good at. He held out his right hand to Rin. The girl didn't understand initially, but when she read his calm face and eyes which sparkles only when he's delighted, finally took his cue and his hand. Before Rin could think he gently pulled her into his arms. Rin stiffened and of course, blushed at the intimate contact while he placed his chin above her head. After few moments Rin relaxed in his embrace. It was all what she dreamt of. Oh God! Let this not be just a dream! Rin began her prayers. It…. Felt so good to be like that with him. Her mouth opened automatically and said, "I love you, Lord Sesshomaru"

SESSHOMARU SMILED! It was a small one though.

"Not as a ward or a companion….. But as how a woman loves her husband" Rin blurted out without thinking. She immediately regretted it. She wanted to kick herself. Just a moment ago her lord took her back and now she has said something so offensive that would banish her from him forever! Her whole body was shaking at the fear of her lord's reaction. Before she opened her mouth to apologize his embrace only tightened! He was holding her so tightly, it meant that she's mine! I'll never let go of her again! NONE can claim her! SHE'S ALL MINE!

Rin could understand that his gesture conveyed a "yes" but she couldn't understand why. She was so surprised at his reaction that she even forgot to be happy about it. Sesshomaru's pride began to get damaged from the moment he encountered Seiko. Now it is damaged enough to let true emotions of Sesshomaru take over and finally let him to speak his mind, for once. He told himself, After all, Rin's worth it, if not anyone or anything else.

"Rin... Will you take this Sesshomaru as your mate and be the Lady of the West?" Sesshomaru was fighting hard not to blush although his cheeks were faintly tinted pink!

"...…" Rin froze dead as a corpse. She just couldn't believe her ears. She knew this cannot be reality, for Lord Sesshomaru would never want to mate with her! She chose to calm down till she awakes from her dream.

Sesshomaru held Rin's chin with his forefinger and lifted her face to his gaze.

Rin wore a blank expression which both amused and confused the demon lord.

"Rin." Which meant Why are you still? Why don't you answer this Sesshomaru?

This must be a dream. Or some sort of hallucination. Rin mused.

"Rin." This time the tone was firm and demanding; Why don't you say anything? Why don't you even smile or blush the way you did when that human proposed? Sesshomaru was seething in jealousy. Don't you want me for a mate?... but you say that you're in love with me! An impatient, jealous Sesshomaru lightly shook her.

Rin snapped out of her trance and blurted out, "but-but lord Sesshomaru! I'm a human!"

"So?"

"You hate humans….." Rin said and then added to herself although I'm an exception.

"Not as much as before"

"Really?" Rin just couldn't believe her ears again.

"Humans have proved their worth by taking care of you in the Village"

Rin was really touched at this, but she lowered her head and added with tears in her eyes, "But…. but I can give you only half-breeds as pups! You despise them more than anything! Besides, not only I, but they will be a disgrace to your clan as well."

Sesshomaru was actually hurt at the remark she made about herself and of his future pups, "Don't say such foolish things! You are Rin. Any pup Rin endows with this Sesshomaru, shall be priced possession. A blessing. The HEIR of the WEST." Rin just couldn't believe his announcement. Her eyes widened so much, they looked like a pair of eggs. She was gaping so much that her lower jaw might get dismantled and fall. Sesshomaru felt like a fool.

"YES! YES! YES! YES! A MILLION TIMES YES!" a blushing Rin pronounced and hugged him tightly. Sesshomaru was more than pleased at her acceptance and he hugged her back.

"Please! Please, Lord Sesshomaru! Tell I'm not dreaming! Please!" Rin pleaded in a muffled tone, as her face was buried against his chest.

How could Sesshomaru suppress the slightest chuckle the emanated from his body? "Dream? Hmmph!" he scoffed. But he tightened his embrace furthermore. Which of course means, No, Rin. It is not a dream. Thank Goodness Rin did not get squashed in his embrace!

That was enough reassurance for Rin. She smiled widely.

Before Sesshomaru could enjoy the elation of the moment, he felt something nagging at the back of his head. Involuntarily he envisioned the figures of two the most powerful males of his family standing in front of him, with a look of accusation on their face.

One was well-built, clad in clothes of a noble demon warrior; golden eyes; white hair held high in a pony tail; both hands on his hip.

The other one was younger vaguely resembling the former; clad in Red Haori and Hakama; same golden eyes and white hair; puppy dog ears; hands crossed.

"You disregarded me for falling in love with a human. You indicted that I was weak. You accused me for sacrificing my life for one" charged the first one.

"Keh! And you hated half-breeds! You treated me like trash!" blamed the other.

"and LOOK AT YOU!" both men charged simultaneously.

Sesshomaru gulped at the irony of the situation. What he disregarded and accused his father for, was what he has done eventually himself! He had vowed never to take after his father, but he actually has all along! NOW he could understand his father – how alluring he must have found Inu yasha's mother; how his demon heart must have melted in her love; how weak he must have felt in her very presence.

"All this fuss over one human girl? …He has taken after his father in the strangest ways" His mother's remark ringed in his ears. She had already seen it coming in him, no matter how hard he had fought not to show it so apparently. On the contrary, he had not even disputed when she had made that remark! not even a scoff! nor a scowl! His silence and calm demeanor was conformity to her statement. He has been in this state, from almost nine years ago. "strangest ways" his mother had felt it strange because, in his case the human was a ward, too young, while in his father's case the human was a mate; Now Rin HAS turned out to become his mate, the successor of the title held by Sesshomaru's mother.

While he had held half-breeds as weak and as a symbol of disgrace to the demon race, he is ultimately in a situation to sire them himself! He used to think humans as weak, pathetic, worthless, selfish, what not? He used to treat humans like INSECTS. He recalled the scoff and contemptuous words he shot at Inu Yasha years ago when the latter was risking his life in saving Kagome, "Humans. Hmph! Why protect them? Why miss them? Why love them?" NOW! The condition has turned UPSIDE DOWN. He has been PROTECTING, MISSING and LOVING a human girl all along!

Sesshomaru understood that this was nothing but the cruel twist of fate which wanted to shatter his pride; punish him for his misdeeds towards humans and half-breeds; make him eat back his own words; place him at the exact position as his father and half-brother whom he had treated with disdain. The fate has achieved them all tactfully. Sesshomaru slightly nodded his FAILURE and whispered, "I'm sorry" to those accusing men in front of him.

Rin looked up at her Lord confused. She had never heard her lord utter any sort of apology to anyone. "L-Lord Sesshomaru?"

Sesshomaru quickly recovered from his trance and said, "It…..was nothing. Ignore". At that moment he was just happy that life was not so 'unfair' after all. He only thanked the fate for making him fall in love with Rin. He was content that she is human. If she is a demoness then she would never have been what she was and what she is. And Sesshomaru would never have fallen for her in the first place. He has no regrets about his destiny for he only got what he deserved from fate's cruelty. So what? If fate wants him to be madly in love with his human ward, then so be it! Is this not a blessing in disguise? Not having Rin for a mate would have made his life miserable. Having her married off to another would have been even worse. Fate has taught him VALUABLE LESSONS and has also GIFTED him with Rin. He was just glad things ultimately turned out well.

Rin held him tighter to herself, as if he'll fly off again, if she hadn't. The odd couple was the happiest one on Earth! To the demon and the human, time was frozen and what mattered to them was their love and a promising future…..

At this defining moment, a sudden curiosity made him ask her, "Rin. Why me?"


Justification as to how Rin possesses priestess powers (subtleties that require your attention):-

1. In the manga/ anime/ movies Rin is purposely compared to Kagome from looks to virtues. So, Rin having special powers like Kagome is an anticipated eventuality. Like how Kagome identified her powers when she turned 15, Rin identified it when she turned 17.

2. Wikipedia says that in the 3rd movie: swords of an honourable ruler, she used Sesshomaru's sword as a protective a barrier. (dunno when and how. sorry ^.^)

3. Also I noticed in the 3rd movie, that Rin yelled, "you let Kagome GO!" and threw the beads of the Rosary that Inu Yasha wore, at a demon zombie that was about to attack Kagome. The demon's head got hit by the beads and puffed up in smoke. When kagome herself threw a bead at it, nothing happened. Plzzz closely watch that scene. The sheath of Sounga (that little ghostly old man) who sealed the sword for 700 years, said to Kagome, "you missed it". But he didn't even watch kagome throw the bead the first time, cuz he was hiding behind her back at that moment. Now, closely watch, the bead Kagome threw for the first time had HIT the demon and bounced upwards. It was NOT missed. She threw the bead again, but the second time she really missed it. So Kagome was not able to do what Rin did.

Based on the above points, most particularly on the 3rd point, I have assumed that even Rin has some unique powers akin to priestess.

YAY! Our most favourite couple has finally reunited after years of separation. LETS CELEBRATE! Now, what has made our Sesshomaru curious and ask that question? What will be Rin's answer?

Stay tuned until next chapter ;-)

Since I have not covered too many sessXrin moments in the story, I would add next few chapters for that…

From now on, it's gonna be fun with FLUFFY moments and few more thought-provoking contents. it will really be interesting! ;- (giggles!)

Plzzz review ;-)