Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.
Chapter2
Changed
*Flashback*
The sound of a child's giggle could be heard. It was a happy and innocent sound. Something Sesshomaru never actually appreciated but for some reason this child…amused him. She ran to him with a big smile and eyes twinkling.
She was not afraid of him.
She was happy with him.
Many times had Sesshomaru pondered why he let a human child follow him. Not only for being a nuisance in his quest for Naraku's destruction but that the dangers he confronted daily were no place for a child. Not that he cared for a human. He just felt this egoistical urge to keep her with him.
Sesshomaru felt something making itself comfortable in his lap and he immediately opened his eyes only to see…Rin with a white rose in her hands.
-Look, Lord Sesshomaru! Isn't it beautiful? There are a lot of them nearby the river!
He grunted. When was this child stop bothering him with mundane things such as flowers? He didn't even acknowledge the insignificant things to exist before she practically shoved them in his face blabbering about how beautiful and delicate they were. He narrowed his eyes at the shining with happiness child.
-Rin, what did this Sesshomaru tell you about interrupting his meditating?
She looked downwards apologetically, fingering the rose that was losing some petals already. She muttered.
-To never do it since it is essential for your quest for power to succeed, my lord.
He blinked. She told the very same thing he always told her. Was he repeating himself, to a mere human, no less? He looked away.
-You know very well not to yet you keep doing it. Tell me, Rin, what is your reason to disobey this Sesshomaru?
She smiled. She moved forward and Sesshomaru felt a bit uncomfortable for having her so close. She took his hand and gave him the rose. He raised an eyebrow demanding an explanation.
-You gave me a new life, a new kimono, companions and you give me protection. You gave and did so much for me, my lord, so I… wanted to give you something too.
His stoic mask broke and he let surprise show for he was bewildered that the little girl in front of him was so conscious of all the things he has done for her when to him it was nothing. He examined the rose.
Just that, a rose. A flower.
He gave her the rose back avoiding her eyes filled with hurt.
-This Sesshomaru has no use for a simple flower.
She gulped obviously trying to not cry in front of him knowing that that was one of the reasons why he despised humans. They were emotionally weak in his words. She took a deep breath hoping her voice wouldn't tremble or falter.
-Sometimes a gift doesn't need to be something you need. A gift can also be something simple, something to relish in. Something… that when you look at it you feel that you're important to someone…
With trembling hands she took his hand once more and gave him the flower. Fearing that she would burst in tears at any moment now she got out of his lap and run towards their camp where Jaken was snoring loudly. Sesshomaru leaned his back in the tree behind him and caressed the petals of the white rose in his hand.
He felt something in his chest when he looked at it. Some alien emotion begging to enter his well fortified demon heart. He wanted to hate her for what she was doing to him but he carefully guarded the rose inside his kimono, close to his heart.
Yes, something to relish in indeed.
*End Flashback*
Sesshomaru opened his eyes in a lazy motion; his mind was still numb from the intense meditating he has done for the past ten years. Without her he no longer felt the need to appreciate little things or engage himself in affairs with no benefit for himself. He ruled the Western Lands with little enthusiasm and became the power hungry demon that he always was. But meeting her eyes again…made him doubt of his resolve. She was no longer a child but a beautiful woman. There was just one thing that kept bothering him though. He always thought that when he showed up again she would welcome him with that smile that always seemed to warm his heart. But alas, her expression was blank like it was another boring day. She didn't even listen to him when he talked to her. Was she angry with him for being away for so long? He snorted. She has no right to! He doesn't have to explain himself to no one! And that includes her.
-Rin-chan? Are you sure that you're okay?
Rin blinked awaking from her daydreaming. She looked at Kagome and smiled.
-Yes, Kagome-chan. It was just so…unexpected.
Kagome nodded still trying to clear her mind from the obscenities she learned when Inuyasha awoke from his unconscious state.
-Did Sesshomaru tell you why he was here, Rin-chan?
Rin blushed remembering that she was rather… distracted when her lord was definitely saying something to her.
Oh kami, what is wrong with me? He would have my head if he knew what I was thinking.
She didn't know why but she giggled imagining the always stoic face of her lord contorting in disgust.
Kagome eyed her friend that was giggling like a madwoman.
That's it. She has finally lost it.
Still giggling Rin said to her friend.
-No, Kagome-chan. Well maybe he did but I…um…was somewhat shocked and didn't listen.
She became terribly serious at the end of her line. Now it was Kagome's turn to giggle.
-You can tell me what really happened, Rin-chan.
Rin's blush intensified to the point that even her neck was red.
-Well, I…
Rin fanned herself. Hotter than she was and she would melt!
-I…looked at my lord…with the eyes of…a woman…
She covered her eyes, fearing Kagome's reaction. Would she mock her? Look at her with disgust like her lord would?
Kagome smiled and gently moved Rin's hands away from her eyes.
-Don't be ashamed, Rin-chan. You're a woman in love with a man…err…demon. A good looking demon. It is perfectly normal to think less…innocent things about the loved person.
Rin's eyes were twinkling.
-Really?
Kagome nodded.
-So…do you think the same things about Inuyasha-kun?
Kagome blushed ten tones of red. She stuttered shyly.
-Huh…well…I…yeah…sometimes…I do…
Rin giggled and spared her friend.
-Don't worry, Kagome-chan. It is perfectly normal.
And with that the two women burst in laughs, overwhelmed with the kind of happiness only the two of them could provide.
Inuyasha was patrolling around the village rubbing the burns in his sides from Sesshomaru's acid whip.
-Fucking Sesshomaru…coming to this fucking village…and almost fucking blowing it up…I'll show him the next time he gets his royal ass in here…
His dog like ears twitched when he heard laughs coming from the nearby hut. He got in and saw his mate and Rin laughing like idiots.
-Keh! What's so funny so I can laugh too?
They both blushed and Inuyasha found it amusing. What were those two troublemakers laughing about? Rin said shyly.
-Inuyasha-kun…we didn't notice you there…we were laughing about…you know…girl stuff.
He quirked an eyebrow. Kagome saved her friend and faced her mate.
-Yeah, girl stuff, Inuyasha. The things girls talk about that you "don't give a damn" like you said. Now go back to your duties, dearest mate, we were in the middle of something.
Inuyasha gave her a murderous look but Kagome stood her ground, grinning. He turned around and got out with his head proudly up. This, of course, brought back the incessant laughter of the two young women.
Truth is, Inuyasha was just so bored. The lowly demons knew already that he was guarding the village and mostly avoided it at all costs.
He saw his half-brother sitting on the branch of a tree and he grinned wickedly.
He approached him but Sesshomaru didn't even acknowledge him.
-Oi! Sesshomaru! Get your ass down here we ain't done yet!
Still nothing. Inuyasha growled.
-Ya prissy bastard, I know ya can hear me!
Sesshomaru's eyebrow twitched but he still did nothing.
Inuyasha sighed. Guess he will have to play dirty.
-So Sesshomaru…what are ya doing here? Got tired of your mother bossing you around in the west?
By the end of his line Sesshomaru had his hand on his brother's neck with murder in his eyes.
-I grow impatient, Inuyasha. One more of those remarks and you are as good as dead.
He dropped him and Inuyasha rolled his eyes. It wouldn't be the first time Sesshomaru tried to kill him anyway. He got up and faced his brother who was looking at him with his usual stoic expression.
Keh…you're as bored as I am, aren't you, Sesshomaru?
-Now seriously, Sesshomaru. I think I deserve to know why the hell ya decided to show up here.
Sesshomaru only replied.
-Rin.
Inuyasha snorted.
-Why? She's a big girl now. Ya don't need to bother yourself anymore.
Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes.
-This is none of your concern, Inuyasha.
Inuyasha ignored the danger in his brother's voice and replied, angered.
-The hell it isn't! I protect this village and the people who live in it! Rin is my responsibility since the very first day you left her here! I can't let ya just show up like this after all this damn time and do kami knows what with her!
His brother growled lowly but didn't say anything.
-Ya'll tell me what are ya doing here or ya can go back to your lands. I'm not letting ya see her even if it costs my life!
Sesshomaru looked at his brother curiously. He must really be fond of Rin to want to protect her with so much fervor.
-You insolent fool. Rin is my ward. If I wanted to harm her in any way I would have done it already, don't you think? My purpose here is rather the contrary, actually. Now, get out of my sight.
There was commotion outside. Rin was starting to get worried. She finished combing her hair and satisfied with the result approached old Kaede, who was milling some herbs.
-Kaede-sama? Is there something going on outside?
Kaede raised her tired eyes to meet Rin's youthful ones. Oh, how she wished she was that young once again. But alas, her time was almost up and, truth be said, she was pleased with what she accomplished in her long life.
-You know Lord Sesshomaru is here. The villagers are apprehensive about it, of course. He is a demon after all.
Rin sighed. She should probably talk to her lord now. Wouldn't want to prolong his stay in a place he so loathed just because she was afraid.
It has been so long…
-I better talk to him then.
Kaede nodded and returned to her work. Rin opened the door and the old woman said.
-Good luck, girl.
Sesshomaru looked boringly at the trembling human who dared to defy him.
-Step aside.
The villager clenched his fists and with astounding courage spoke.
-Be gone, demon! Your kind is not welcome here!
The demon lord narrowed his eyes and his claws began to glow with his poison. He gave one last warning, feeling generous.
-Move.
But the poor fool nothing did and nothing said. The sound of a poison whip clashing the ground was heard and there laid a villager cut in half. The others fearing the same fate turned back to their duties not speaking a word and removing the corpse with haste to be buried.
Rin saw everything from behind a nearby hut. Her eyes were filled with sadness and anger. She knew that her lord has always been ruthless; an assassin. But seeing him kill like that and just because the man was in the way…it clenched her heart, for the lost life and for Lord Sesshomaru.
He must already be aware of her presence for he was still standing in the same place and looking in her direction. She took a deep breath and went for it.
-My lord? Can we talk now?
He nodded.
-Well…why are you here?
Sesshomaru sighed, something he rarely did.
-Can we speak in a place more private, Rin? This is no ordinary matter.
She was scared with the seriousness in his voice and the coldness in his eyes. It was like he was a completely different person. She silently nodded and he walked away with her following carefully behind.
They stopped nearby the tree Sesshomaru sat before. Rin waited for her lord to speak.
-This Sesshomaru declared war to the Eastern Lands for an act of high treason for the past three years. We have the upper hand but they discovered that you are my ward and I won't let them use you to blackmail me.
Rin absorbed all of this calmly. She felt really angry. He only came here because of his stupid war games! He didn't come to visit her…
-So you came here…to assure that no Eastern soldier tries to kidnap me or harm me?
He nodded.
-You can return with me to the Western palace now or, if you think you are not prepared to leave yet, this Sesshomaru can protect you here for a few days.
Rin narrowed her eyes. Now she had to leave? Leave the village where she was raised and happy? She gave him a hard look.
-Understood, Lord Sesshomaru.
She turned and walked away.
-Rin.
She stopped but couldn't look at him. She heard him sigh again and she frowned.
-You…have grown well.
Tears stung her eyes. She wanted to turn around, hug him and scream for everyone to hear that she had missed him like hell. But, kami, her heart was broken and it hurt so much. Her eyes locked with his amber ones.
-I know.
He walked towards the forest but she knew he will be watching her from now on. A lone tear escaped and she wiped it, frustrated.
You really have changed.