Flop

As before, the demon's hands clamped around her own, but again without any true pain. Just a lot of discomfort with that weird face he's making. It wasn't until the final click of Kichiruka's incantation resonated in her ear that Rin felt the spell's effects. Though her hands had gone numb in his slick, cold grip, a smaller lightening jolted up the girl's arms through her nose, making the hairs on her head stand at attention. It's like eating a bite of wasabi. A second wave seared her nerves. All at once! Then the spine-tingling sensation dwindled to nothing.

Rin peeped one eye open. "And that's all?"

"What else were you expecting?" Kichiruka gasped, breaking his hold and sliding back into deeper water. His breath came in ragged shudders and he wrapped his arms around the brook's central rock for support.

"Are you okay?" Rin edged closer to the bank. Did stuff like this take something out of water yokai?

Kichiruka nodded weakly. "Just…gimme a sec." Rin watched with keen interest as the demon gradually reconstructed his composure. She knew what whipping up a blank mask looked like, but this slow-motion exhibition was something else. Even though his head was slumped so the long, gray bangs hid his face from view, Kichiruka's whole body nuanced every expression. Shoulders straightened and claws flexed as he collected himself. His chest puffed as he inhaled deeply. When dull eyes blinked back to their usual sparkling sapphire, Kichiruka turned to address his audience with a winsome smile. "All right, lemme show you how this works. Get undressed. Ow!"

Rin picked up a second rock. "Come again?"

Kichiruka rubbed the quickly swelling lump on his head. He was already recovered so it didn't really hurt. Judging by Rin's reaction, she figured that out, too. Either that or she really liked staying dressed. "Well, it's not like your clothes are water," he tried to explain. "It makes things less complicated if you just go in without any hindrances."

"And how do you manage otherwise? You're all decked out in your fancy getup." Rin countered, gesturing to his layered clothing.

"I'm yokai. It's different when it's part of your whole guise."

"And your seashell staff thing?"

"It's special," he said matter-of-factly.

Rin chewed her lip. "Will it make any difference if I just remove the top layer?"

Shoulders rolled in a careless shrug. "It helps."

If I get this right the first time, I can practice at a more…complicated level later. Determinedly pushing back the ivory comb in her hair, Rin hoped she sounded braver than she felt when she spoke. "Could you turn around for a bit?" She made a spinning motion with her hand.

"Why?" Kichiruka asked. "If I'm going to show you what to do I'm going to see you anyway." But Rin's brows knit together in a silent plea and he did as told. For whatever reason, the odd request seemed to make her feel more comfortable.

Stripped down to her undergarments, Rin carefully folded the silky second layer and set it aside. Then she stepped into the stream's gentle current, the water's chill making goosebumps and more pucker. Self-consciously, the young woman crossed her arms over her chest.

Kichiruka just tilted his head from one side to the other as if listening to some metronome in his head, probably wondering what was taking so long. "Can I turn around now?"

"All right. Fine." He's a water-fish-creature, or something, yokai, Rin assured herself. And if he just learned how to construct a human body, it's not like he knows what to get turned on about.

Slipping his arms around her waist, Kichiruka pulled Rin close until she was flush with him. "Wow, a pretty girl up close!"

Wonderful. "I thought you'd never met humans before." She twisted around to look at the spotted face with its idiotic grin. "Since when do you know what attractive ones look like?"

"Don't need to," Kichiruka said simply, eyes twinkling. "It's the same for everyone: health, proportions, symmetry. And you fit perfectly!" The water demon squeezed Rin in a bubbling embrace, demonstrating the ease with which she fit in his arms, tucked under his chin.

Much to her chagrin, Rin felt a blush creeping up her throat. No. Ew. Random yokai. No. Putting some space between them with the blunt of her elbow, Rin grumbled an annoyed "Do you mind?"

Kichiruka's hug loosened. "Humans don't like to be touched?"

"I don't like to be groped!"

Blue eyes blinked innocently. "Groped?" He shook out his arms on either side of him. "So what are these things good for if you can't hold other people with it?"

Rin reached up to touch the comb in her hair, taken aback by the water demon's sudden sentiment. "Well…not strangers or new acquaintances. You have to know them personally."

"Like family?"

"Yeah."

"Oh…" Kichiruka's shoulders drooped. "Do you ever get to hug the miko or your guardian?"

"One more than the other," Rin chuckled. Then she noticed that Kichiruka still wore an unusually sober expression. Actually, it's more like an absence of feeling. He didn't frown and his brows didn't draw together like with normal, human expressions. He just flat-out stopped. Is he…sad? But before she could make any inquiries, the demon crossed his arms and started doling out directions.

"First, you have to be completely submerged," Kichiruka explained. "But the real trick is that you have to know exactly where you're going."

He certainly isn't lingering on it. "Like precisely?"

Silver bangs swished in a grave nod. "You had better be very familiar with wherever you're going if you want to get your whole self over."

Rin gulped. Whole self? "So there's a chance not all of me will make it over?"

The pearly-toothed smile returned. "Hey, it's you who didn't want to get naked."

"When were we even talking about that?"

"Close your eyes and breathe through your nose," Kichiruka instructed in serious tones again.

Rin did as told, though at first she peeked through her lashes. Just in case he pulls anything.

"Relax," the yokai gently encouraged, minding his own space. "Water isn't a solid. Flow with it. And visualize where you want to go."

After taking a few deep breaths, Rin did feel the tension start to leave her muscles. The exercise was rather calming…until she was swiftly dunked into the brook.

I'm being held down. As she fought to breathe, Kichiruka's instructions came to mind. Relax and think: those cattails over there.

Then for a split-second, Rin felt the water around her swirl away, like it wasn't there anymore. Just me and open air…or something. Suddenly the water came rushing back. Without wasting another second, she stood up. A tall cattail pricked her nose, drawing out a triumphant giggle. "It worked!"

Just a little ways down the stream, Kichiruka cheered. Success! She didn't fall apart!

Rin dove under again and in the next heartbeat she was back in front of Kichiruka. A quick glance at all ten fingers assured her she was all there. "This is amazing! Thank you!"

And suddenly Rin's arms were around his waist, squeezing him close to her soft, warm body. Um, now what am I supposed to do? His hands grazing just the tops of her shoulders, Kichiruka was confused. Maybe it was okay only if human females embraced you first?

Before he could test the theory, Rin broke her hold and resumed her personal distance. "Thank you," she repeated.

The shimmer in her gentle eyes brought a smile to Kichiruka. "My pleasure," he said, coupled with a courtly bow.

The gesture made Rin remember that this water demon didn't just fall out of the sky. He had a home somewhere back out in the ocean with an important position to fill; though, with a half-smile, Rin hoped no one bet their lives where Kichiruka was concerned. As klutzy and touchy-feely as he was, a little piece of her mourned that this was probably their meeting. "Will you ever come back?"

Kichiruka shrugged noncommittally. "Eh, maybe. It was sorta interesting seeing the waters beyond the sea. I'll drop by in a little while. How 'bout another decade from now?"

Rin laughed. "You really have no clue about humans do you?"

"What? Is that a long time?" He tugged on his topknot. "Or too soon?"

Slipping a hand over her mouth, Rin barely stifled the next giggle. "If anyone complains about another ruined net I'll have found you."

Kichiruka smirked, then slogged deeper into the waters until the current swept past his chest. "Well, without further ado..." His farewell was lost as he dove back into the brook.

For the first time since she'd met him, Rin watched Kichiruka dip into the water and physically swim away, or at least glide away with the current since he didn't seem to put much effort into it. Either way, it was a change from his usual vanishing act. Vaguely, she wondered if it had anything to do with the new power she had just received.

Maybe I simply notice it now.

"Whatever!" Rin was delighted. No, that's far too tame! I'm ecstatic! Once she got the hang of this trick, she could go places. Scooping up the rest of her garments from the bank, she plunged back into the brook.

The first rice pond to the east, she thought, picturing the corner nearest the trees and its muddy edges overgrown with crabgrass. Again came the rush of emptiness followed by the sweep of water. Rin bobbed up easily, startling a frog off its lily pad. She giggled giddily, but clamped her mouth shut when she heard Kagome's voice chime somewhere nearby. Quickly, Rin scrambled out of the pond, muddying her bright kimono as she did so.

"Did you fall in?"

Drat. "No, erm, yes. Hi, Miss Kagome," Rin answered lamely. Well, Kichiruka always manages to come out dry those couple of times when he climbed out of the brook. Rin stood now clear of the pond, but nothing more happened. Her soggy clothes still clung to her skin, heavy and reeking of pond water. With Kagome staring quizzically at her.

Maybe it just takes some practice. "I'm fine, really," she insisted, plucking off a stray leech.

Keeping close to her friend's side, Kagome walked Rin home. Maybe it's a phase.

What the priestess didn't know was that this new "phase" involved frequent practice. And whenever she had a free moment, Rin did just that. Sango's twin daughters were nearly old enough to look after their own siblings now and all Rin needed were a few minutes here and there. By the time Kohaku and Miyoko returned a couple days later, she was feeling quite proficient in her new technique, often fighting the urge to run off and share it with someone.

But I can't have them go blabbing about it. Not that I'm doing such a great job myself. On more than one occasion she had to explain to a few inquiries why she was so frequently now "falling in by accident."

And I'm still not getting dry. No matter how much Rin focused on a "drying technique" – or at least just damp – it never took. Which didn't make it any easier in negating attention.

Did Kichiruka do something wrong?

oOo

It had only been a week since he last visited Rin's village and Sesshomaru was somewhat discomfited to return to a human settlement in such close proximity. But the interest to know if she had taken any pains to improve herself outweighed the dog-demon's general reserve.

Because I just have to know. Sesshomaru inwardly grimaced at the idea came back to haunt him. But this is entirely for her benefit. As much as he feared for her safety, the daiyokai wanted to see his little charge fend for herself. Get established. Be strong.

Even when she was no bigger than the sword that revived her, the girl-whelp had impressed Sesshomaru with her indomitable strength. Despite the trauma inflicted in her short life, she showed him compassion long before he even thought he was capable of it. And Sesshomaru had never made anyone smile before. Rin was the fresh air in his suffocating world of politics and pomp. At the end of the day it wasn't an heirloom, a groveling crowd, or even his cherished lineage that made Sesshomaru feel like royalty, but a small girl who trailed at his heels and awaited his return, reminding him he would be missed if he didn't.

Sesshomaru realized he had become his father in the strangest of ways, but he never knew dealing with a young adolescent could be so rife with worry. He couldn't even begin to list for Rin the mounting concerns he had for her independence. But time and again the daiyokai was pinned by a singular question: what mattered more? Rin's safety or her sovereignty? Sesshomaru scoffed at anyone who dared to limit his authority, so why did he expect any different from his own ward who grew up in a tiny human village? It seemed Rin didn't quite smile as much these days as she used to but a couple years ago. Unacceptable. Striped jaw set, Sesshomaru strode forward. If she wanted to seek her own happiness, Rin had to be strong enough for the journey.

Before he walked much farther, Jaken blurted the obvious. "Rin's here."

A light humming overtook the air and the dog-demon smelled the flowers long before he saw them. The bouquet in Rin's hands was as bright and beautiful as her smile. Good news?

As she approached their usual meeting place, Rin felt her smile widen, glad she hadn't ignored her hunch that Sesshomaru would drop by today. It never came down to prediction so much as just knowing. When she first started to gradually stay in Kaede's village, Sesshomaru drifted in and out nearly every day, not always to everyone's knowledge. As she grew older and more accustomed to his extended leaves, it wasn't so difficult anymore to manage without the daiyokai's constant supervision. And, while it contradicted her new-found ideals for independence, Rin still enjoyed Sesshomaru's protective company and his guarded affection. For years he was her constant, confidant, and care-giver. You don't just overlook that. Especially when Rin considered that the ever-traveling Western Lord probably wasn't used to committing to anything for so long without ulterior motives. It was such a plain gesture, but she wanted to throw her arms around Sesshomaru's neck, returning all that was simple and unconditional. Then, strangely, somber blue eyes came to mind, making Rin feel both lucky and guilty about the notion. She stopped a few paces short, instead presenting the wildflowers she'd brought.

Sesshomaru suppressed the impulse to accept the offering; now that he got a full view of her, he felt his heart sink for what he would have to do next.

Rin felt the amber gaze flick up and down her side. "What?"

"Fail," he pronounced. When Rin still stared blankly at him, the daiyokai clicked his claws over Bakusaiga's and Tenseiga's hilts in a sharp, reprimanding tattoo.

"Well?" Jaken snapped, replacing his own vacant expression with one of disdain. "What's your excuse whelp?"

"Oops." Sesshomaru had presented her with her first blade over a year ago and while it was understandable that she might not carry it where she felt safest, it was inexcusable that she leave the village without it at all. Especially if I'm supposed to be responsible for myself.

Carefully wrapping claws around the flowers' stems, Sesshomaru spoke slowly. "Act like an adult, if you want to rise from the chaff at all." A bittersweet smell pricked the air as poison claws melted the colorful bouquet from the stems up. Abruptly, the fumes evaporated, and a single, orange gardenia remained. Dropping the mulch, Sesshomaru gave a slight smile as he returned the flower to Rin. "It takes time."

"But you're human so hurry it up," Jaken piped.

Sesshomaru punted his vassal aside. When he looked back at Rin his face was its usual phlegmatic expression. "Get to work." He made to leave.

"Actually, I have." Rin scooted in front of the dog-demon before he took another step. "Look, I'll show you why I don't need it."

Sesshomaru arched a skeptical brow. Why on earth was Rin wriggling down to her undergarments? "Are you ill, Rin?"

"No, no. Come see!" She plunked into the stream where she had first practiced with Kichiruka.

"Lord Sesshomaru doesn't have the time or the stomach to watch a human attend to personal hygiene!" Jaken squawked.

Rin ignored the imp, too worried as to why she didn't feel the right tug of transition. What was she doing wrong? Maybe I'm too excited? Am I not focused enough? Resurfacing, she glanced up; Sesshomaru was walking away!

"Wait! I've been practicing!" she called.

"If you're going to swim it's going to involve more motion than just sitting underwater." The daiyokai's voice trailed with his increasing distance.

Rin smacked a hand over the water. Now what's wrong?

.

A/N: It's a bit of a long chapter, so I hope you'll excuse the delay. Alas, a sentimental moment on my part: ever since I heard it, the song "Unconditional" by Jordan Pruitt always reminds me of Sesshomaru and Rin. Thank you for reading!