Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.
Chapter 4
Danger
-Get back here, ya little punk!
Kagome sighed possibly for the eleventh time in that day. She narrowed her eyes when her mate caught the poor kitsune by the tail and punched his head.
-Inuyasha, stop! Can't you see he's sorry?
He looked up at the miko fearlessly. He was burning with rage. The twerp just couldn't keep his mouth to himself!
-Keh! He needs to learn that my ears are not a chew toy!
-Inuyasha, let him go!
-No!
-He's just a kid!
-Keh!
Miroku, Sango, Rin and Kohaku were contemplating how much of a tomato Kagome's face resembled at that moment. They all flinched when she shouted.
-NO SEX FOR A MONTH!
Inuyasha froze and his ears flattened immediately in his head.
WHAT?
-K-Kagome…no need to be extreme…
She crossed her arms above her chest and walked away towards her friends who were just as stunned as Inuyasha. She smiled brightly at them and looked at Rin.
-Hey, Rin-chan, do you want to take a walk with me?
Rin blinked.
-S-sure, Kagome-chan.
Meanwhile, Shippo looked up at Inuyasha who was mourning his sexual life. He fidgeted with his fingers before asking.
-Ne, Inuyasha…what's sex?
Inuyasha groaned.
At the same moment there was a very unhappy demon lord sitting in his usual tree. He could hear the entire discussion from there.
Loud, pathetic people those two…
He smirked when he remembered how the miko punished Inuyasha.
He will be one very grumpy half breed.
He shrugged and leaned against the tree once more. He brushed his hair with his left hand. He still marveled in the feeling of moving the limb that he lost not so long ago. Since then he promised himself he will never be so careless ever again. His eyes narrowed and he growled. Oh he hoped Inuyasha suffered at the miko's hands. He can't kill the half breed now because honestly it would be dishonorable after everything that happened and Inuyasha proved his worth no matter how hard it was to admit. Besides, Rin would never forgive him.
Rin…
He closed his eyes feeling the soft rays of the sun caressing his face. He should return to the West soon. It was not prudent to leave it in the hands of his councilman for long. He didn't want to rush Rin either.
He sighed exasperated. Things just couldn't go smoothly to him. He sniffed the air and frowned. He caught the scent of Ah-Un and…
-LORD SESSHOMARU!
Sesshomaru groaned despite himself. No, things just couldn't go smoothly.
Rin walked beside Kagome with a light blush in her cheeks. She just couldn't find the courage to speak with her after what happened.
Kagome was finding the silence rather awkward though. So she started talking.
-So, Rin-chan, nice weather we're having huh?
Rin only nodded. Kagome frowned and tapped her chin.
-Do you think we should restock the healing herbs again? There have been lots of sick people lately.
Rin shrugged, looking at the floor while she walked.
-What's wrong, Rin-chan? You are such a talkative person and now you barely look at me!
Hearing the hurt in Kagome's voice, Rin looked immediately at the miko and shook her head in the negative. Kagome caressed her cheek.
-What's wrong, Rin-chan?
Rin was fumbling with the sleeves of her kimono.
-Why was Inuyasha-kun so distressed when you forbid him sex for a month, Kagome-chan?
Kagome stomped her foot roughly and crossed her arms over her chest.
-Because that's all males think about! Freaking sex! I bet if I forbid him something else he would still be punching Shippo!
Rin's eyes widened and she blushed furiously.
-Surely males aren't so simple minded, Kagome-chan…
Kagome snorted.
-Of course not. What I'm trying to tell you is that if you deprive sexual pleasure on a young and virile male they will beg it back in no time.
Rin nodded.
-I see.
She kept fumbling with her sleeves and blushing madly. Kagome quirked and eyebrow and touched her shoulder.
-Is there something you wish to ask me, Rin-chan?
Her big, brown eyes looked up at her friend innocent and strangely hopeful.
-Hum…I was just wondering…Lord Sesshomaru is…young and…no doubt…virile…is he like that too?
Kagome blinked slowly. Then suddenly…
-Pfft! HA!
…She was bent over laughing like a maniac.
Rin frowned.
I don't understand.
The screams echoed in despair. Blood everywhere, corpses mutilated beyond recognition. Lives taken. Women raped. Babies impaled in pointed sticks in some sort of gruesome show. Children kidnapped as slaves.
Barbarian devil creatures!
They pillaged what little the poor villagers had. The crops and huts were burned to the ground. The flames licking a lifetime of work.
The general, Takeru, removed his spear from one more unlucky villager. His face was painted with their blood. His honorable armor tainted with the atrocity. He looked at the still twitching corpse and sneered in disgust.
Weaklings.
He called his second in command. The soldier saluted him with the most respect. Takeru sighed in frustration.
-So? Anything?
The soldier gulped and shook his head.
-No, sir. No signs of the girl or the hanyou.
Takeru growled fiercely and the soldier trembled, fearing his own life.
-Then we will keep looking! Move on!
At his command, the unit stopped what they were doing and followed blindly, heading for whatever unfortunate village next.
Kohaku was sharpening his weapon while humming some random tune. He was really happy to be back. He loved this village and its inhabitants. He inhaled the clean air and marveled in the sweet scent of blooming flowers. Spring was coming quick it seems.
Sango eyed her brother who seemed deep in thought. She knew about his love for Rin and she approved of it one hundred percent. Rin was everything Kohaku needed in a woman. Still…she had the feeling that it wouldn't happen and it was horrible. She just hoped her instincts were wrong.
Oblivious to his sister's thoughts, Kohaku was planning on his courting request for Rin. He was nervous, no, beyond nervous. He was anxious! His heart thundered in his ribcage as he thought in the perfect gift to give her. Her favorite flowers…
White roses.
Sesshomaru tried not to kick to death the little annoying squeaking toad whose favorite hobby lately has been reminding him of his tasks and responsibilities as lord of the West. As if he didn't know already!
-Jaken.
The toad stopped immediately fearing the cold and deadly tone of his master's voice.
-Y-yes, my lord?
Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes.
-Your voice is most irritating.
Jaken's eyes widened to the point that they looked like popping out of his skull at any moment. He rubbed his throat as if Sesshomaru had just grabbed him there.
It is?
As Jaken was left to wonder his misery, Sesshomaru walked towards Ah-Un and touched its muzzles, rubbing it in a soft caress. The two headed dragon purred with its four eyes half lidded satisfied with its master's soothing presence. The corners of Sesshomaru's mouth tilted upwards slightly. He liked Ah-Un.
Jaken gathered the courage to approach his lord and cleared his throat. Sesshomaru looked at him a bit annoyed and for the sake of Jaken's life he better no remind him yet of another insignificant task. The little demon produced a small scroll from inside of his robes and handed it to his lord.
-I believe you should take a look at it. It is important.
Sesshomaru quirked an eyebrow at the suddenly tense imp but opened the scroll. His fury grew as he read.
"….three of the six mixed villages (human and demon) in the western domain were mercilessly destroyed and pillaged by what looked like an eastern special unit. Further information shall be obtained but scouts say they are headed south, close to Inuyasha's village."
Sesshomaru growled and he saw red for a minute. Those imprudent fools dared to attack what was under his protection. Once again Jaken cleared his throat and gained his lords attention…even if it wasn't in the most pleasant way.
-What is the meaning of this? Why didn't you stop this?
He was choking Jaken whose neck was completely covered by the large pale hand. Hardly, he managed to spit out.
-I…talk…you…first…they…might…Rin!
He dropped Jaken just when the little demon said "Rin". He was right. This wasn't good. They found out about Rin already.
Damn, that was fast.
They were seated near a fire, chatting happily. They ate and laughed. They joked on Naraku's defeat and relived funny moments. Rin looked at her food blankly. She was just not hungry. Her eyes kept darting towards the forest. Wondering…about him. They hadn't talked since yesterday and even that wasn't much. She felt so empty every time she was away from him. She felt guilty for leaving him alone even though he seemed to don't mind. Well, she did! And she just felt…terrible.
She stood up and excused herself. Everybody looked at her worriedly. Only Kagome had that sympathetic look and she nodded at her. The miko nodded back. She darted towards the forest in a quickened pace. She wanted to see him so badly. Her heart pulsed in anticipation.
Kohaku watched all of this with a frown. Just where was Rin going at night and to the forest no less? And why nobody stopped her? Almost as if it was…alright. He excused himself too and followed after her, ignoring the advices to just leave her alone. Leave her alone? Never! He will just reassure her safety and when calmed he will head back. But he will never leave her alone!
He watched as Rin halted in some sort of clearing and looked up at a tree near her. He looked up too and gasped.
Lord Sesshomaru!
With his long, silver hair glistening in the moonlight, his face regal and severe as always and stoic expression. A creature that Kohaku feared and respected.
Rin twirled a lock of her thin hair in one finger and she bit her lip as she laid eyes on his never changing appearance. She took a deep breath and requested his attention.
-My lord?
He looked at her from the corner of his eye and she gulped. His eyes looked predatory; its beautiful color standing out in the night. He nodded slightly.
-Yes, Rin?
-May I stay with you tonight?
Sesshomaru's and Kohaku's eyes widened in shock. An unmarried woman spending the night with an unmated demon of his status? Sacrilegious!
He landed elegantly on the soft grass. She inhaled greedily when his scent washed over her.
Oh, kami…
-You are a woman now, Rin. Haven't you noticed? It would be inappropriate to…
Rin cut him off.
-Please…just…just tonight…
Again that pleading and desperate tone. Like she was begging for her life. He hated it. Kami, how much it pained him to see her like this. He knew that that boy, Kohaku, was watching them but he couldn't care less. He laid down and leaned against the tree. He then raised his left arm, inviting her.
Her eyes sparkled in pure delight at the rare opportunity to touch her beloved. She wasted no time and clumsily seated next to him and boldly, once again, leaned into him, snuggling into him like the times when she was a child. She felt Sesshomaru's arm tighten around her and she made a little happy dance in her mind. His warmth radiating from his body and the safety he provided made her feel exhausted. With heavy eyes, she tried to stay awake as much as she could. She wanted to savor the moment! But her body betrayed her and she felt herself slowly drift to sleep. Still, not before she heard his deep, velvety voice whisper.
-Just tonight, silly girl…
She smiled a little smile and fell asleep.
Kohaku watched all this and his heart clenched at the sight of those two. It seemed so…intimate. He shook his head. Impossible. Sesshomaru just wants to make Rin happy and she just misses her lord. He smiled bitterly and left towards the village but not before stopping at a bush full of white roses.
The morning came and Rin found herself in her futon. She frowned. Was it all a dream? She proved it wrong when she could still smell his strong, addictive scent all over her. She smiled brightly. She made herself presentable and got out of Kaede's hut, shining like the sun. She spotted Kohaku nearby and she ran towards him.
-Kohaku-kun!
She kissed him in the cheek and the man-boy blushed prettily. She giggled.
-How are you doing, Kohaku-kun?
He rubbed the back of his neck and smiled nervously.
-Great! And from what I see, you too.
She nodded happily. He then remembered his present.
-Oh! Rin-chan, close your eyes, please.
She giggled and did as she was told. She heard some shuffling and got really curious. Still, she didn't peek. She felt Kohaku take her hand and place something in it.
-Okay, you can open them now.
She did and she gasped marveled. There in her hand was a bouquet full of white roses! It was so beautiful! She hugged the sweet boy and presented him with grateful kisses in the cheek.
In the shadows, a pair of red eyes glowed. His beast lusted for Kohaku's blood and he couldn't control it. Seeing Rin embracing him, kissing him…like that. He growled frustrated. He glanced at the item of such euphoria and felt his beast smirk smugly. White roses.
Hn.