I Do Not Own Inuyasha

Chapter 33

They arrived at Sōten's compound and he was slightly impressed as he got out of the vehicle quickly then helped Rin out of the small truck.

"Look this is just a stop on the road for you two; my brother had the family mansion and that's where you two will be staying once it's inhabitable. Hiten did not take care of his stuff, and neither did Manten, but there's only a few repairs needed for the family mansion and it won't freeze you out or drown you. Inuyasha and his wife will stay in Manten's mansion; again after I get it all fixed up and Shippo will stay with me. Are you alright with working on a small farm?" Sōten asked him rapidly as he pulled Rin to his side. His mate nodded and the small yōkai female smiled happily.

"That's good, Shippo already filled me in on the background of your guys' situation and I have to say if anyone comes here uninvited they'll be blasted. Oh, your dogs will be coming in tomorrow; I'll go pick them up. Follow me, I'll take you to your temporary room," Sōten motioned for them to follow.

Rin was the first to follow Sōten and he followed Rin quietly Sōten was babbling nonsense about the place and he just ignored her. It wasn't that this place wasn't interesting, it was more of all his senses were on overdrive. Everything here smelled of the ozone, and lightning, and earth; but that could've been Sōten's natural scent as a thunder yōkai. His ears twitched with every unfamiliar sound, and he couldn't tune them out as he listened to the forest surrounding them. It wasn't a pleasant feeling, feeling paranoid that is as his nose scented everything, his internal beast growled at everything new, and his ears twitching at every new sound. It was damn irritating if you asking him but he couldn't seem to relax.

"Ah, here's your room; sorry about the dust, it's just me since the accident and I have an entire farm to manage so the house care is lacking. Lightings good, plumping is still good, and there's hot water in your bathroom, if you need anything just call for me. Kitchen is downstairs, just follow your nose; there's always something cooking in my kitchen, and if you have questions just call me. I'll hear you; oh and Rin just take this. If you need me or someone blow it," Sōten said handing Rin a dog whistle.

Rin nodded, he nodded his thanks and Sōten smiled before leaving them. Sesshomaru looked at the whistle then at Rin who was grinning rather happily; perhaps he should've gotten her one of those from the start of this mess.

"Rin," he said her name and her large eyes flicked up to him filled with concern. "Are you alright with this?"

She seemed to ponder it for a moment before her hand rested on his heart and she nodded a bit. He just felt relieved as he tilted down over her and lightly kissed her lips. Pulling back he noted Rin yawning and scooped her up to settle her on the bed.

Sōten had had her share of horrors, and she had her share of skeletons locked away in the darkest parts of her closet; parts of her only Shippo knew and understood. And as she leaned on the door of her room she just stared at the ceiling as she fought back her own pain. It was the first time in a long time the pain of everything which had happened sunk up and bit her on the ass; and it was because of the looks in those eyes.

Rin's eyes were so dark, honest, pained but it was clear she was healing and getting stronger. And Sesshomaru's disguised eyes, well they held his secrets, distrust and stubbornness clear as the day came. And seeing two people so much more damaged than she and healing; something she had never accomplished; it hurt her and inspired her. They were so much stronger than she, and they would never know, she thought as her gaze slid over to the family portrait she kept on her battered dresser.

Perhaps people were stronger when they confronted and fought their demons rather than hiding from them. Sōten didn't know but she did know she didn't have the strength to ever heal, she could just hunker down and endure. And because she was in awe of Sesshomaru and Rin in a way she would never expect people to understand she was going to stand with them against the evils which were coming after them according to Shippo. There would be no more pain in her house, her home would no longer be a home of secrets and pain; she would let them help her fix it up and maybe it would help her heal in the process.

But no matter what no one was coming in her home and hurting anyone ever again. This was her home, and she would not permit anymore pain into this house, it was distasteful. Deciding this, she walked over to her family portrait and looked at the images of her beautiful brother, her disfigured brother, her mother and father and she lowered the face of the picture then. They would no longer run this house, it was hers' and she would not have any more pain in here!

Steeling her resolve Sōten left her room and stalked to what had been Hiten's house, and looked at the wreckage her brother had created. She would not tolerate her brothers running her life anymore, they had no power over her and were merely more skeletons in her dark closet. Starting now they had not control over her, and with this in mind she resumed the work she had been doing off and on for the past two weeks.

If Rin and Sesshomaru could recover from the worse life had to offer; as Shippo had put it; then by Kami she could get past her own skeletons!

More Chapters to Come Today for Sure! Hope you can keep up with my updates!

That's all for now folks!

Enjoy Rain for Tears! =)