Rin

Chapter 1: The Celebration

"I will be right there!" I exasperated to Kaede.

"Well get thy bones working faster! Ye only turn 18 years once!"

Without her knowledge, I did an eyeroll and continued to work my fingers in my hair for an updo. I usually never even try to put effort into my hair, but I felt that it would be worth it for tonight.

Sesshomaru might be coming tonight.

I giggled at the thought that it had been a minute, but my heart leapt with absolute joy at the thought of seeing him again. The last time I saw him, he brought me this nice kimono and it was the softest material. I think it was silk from the finest by the way it felt on my skin and the way the light blue and white colors danced in the light; however, it being from Sesshomaru made it more special. Though my chest has grown a bit out of it. I knew he would be by tonight to give me another as he always did on my birthday.

I looked at myself in the mirror once I was content with what I did with my hair. My black hair usually flowing to my waist was now in a perfect, tidy bun with purple and white flowers adorning the center of it. I put a touch of red berry puree to my lips for just a little bit of color. I put some white powder on my face to enhance the complexion of my fair skin. My brown eyes were lit with excitement and joy. I sat up and looked at myself in the mirror for one final appraisal. I used to be super short, but now my legs stretched long like a doe's legs, and my waist had some curve to it by the way my purple and white kimono hugged a little tighter at my waist. I grew into a woman of course, but every time I put on my nice kimono and put some effort into my hair and features, I was always shocked with how much I look like my mother.

I wish you could see me, Mom.

Even though my parents died when I was young, my soul still yearned for them to be by my side. I missed them and thought of them every day.

Sesshomaru might come, Mom. He has taken really good care of me . . .

I trailed off. Sesshomaru, I realized, had not been around much in these last few years. Each visit grew shorter and time between them become longer. He used to be so easy to read, but he was very distant the last time he saw me for my birthday. I wondered if he was doing okay.

He will not miss my birthday. He will be here.

With that thought, I went outside to Kaede to help finish the preparations for my celebration.

. . .

The sun set with still no sign of Sesshomaru. I was feeling more deflated as the time went on; people around me were drinking sake and were dancing by the flames of the bonfire. Some people were passed out already from the food coma of the boar we all ate along with the sake we all have been drinking. I was always polite to the villagers, but I still did not trust a lot of people. I only trusted Kaede, Inuyasha, Kagome, Sango, and Miroku with their children. I did not like mingling with others since bandits were the ones that murdered my parents. I always told myself that humans were worse than demons. None of the girls here never showed interest in befriending me since I was always eager to talk about a "dog demon".

"Hey, want another?"

I jumped slightly from being so deep in thought and looked up at the person who spoke. Kuro smiled down at me while holding out the sake bottle. Kuro was around my age, but he smelled of sake and the way his eyes twinkled had a hint of mischief. He wasn't terrible looking with his long black hair, brown, dark eyes, and decent, tan build. All the girls in the village wanted him. However, I just did not feel super thrilled about him, especially after the way he was smiling at me.

I was already feeling a little buzzed from the sake, so I shook my head. "No, I'll pass," I said as I pushed the bottle away.

"Aw, come on now, Rin. It's your celebration. Have a little fun," he teased as he sat down next to me.

I scooted away from him. He noticed and his smile faltered.

"I had good food with good sake. Now, I'm waiting for someone."

"Who? Your dog demon boyfriend?" he grunted.

"I know people do not like Lord Sesshomaru, but he took care of me when I was little. He's not my boyfriend."

"Is that your way of saying you don't have a boyfriend?" He asked as his eyes gleamed at me in the most uncomfortable way.

I felt my ears burn in frustration. Because this guy thinks he has it with the girls, he thinks he can just swoon me. Reminds me a little bit of Miroku before Sango came into his life and beat it out of him. Though Kuro gave a more uncomfortable, vile vibe than Miroku did.

I laughed it off instead of showing my irritation. "I do not. Now if you'll excuse me." I got up and retreated away from the fire and the laughter of people. Though, I still felt Kuro's eyes on me, which sent chills down my spine.

I didn't walk very far. Just to the edge of village where there was a clearing before the tree line. It was starting to get a little dark. I wanted to see if Sesshomaru would show because I knew he did not like crowds.

Where are you?

"Well this is definitely more quiet."

The hairs on the back of my neck stood on high alert. I turned around and Kuro was standing behind me with a crooked grin on his face.

"Why did you follow me?" I asked warily while taking a step back.

"You know, you are hard to please. I have been trying to court you for months now, but you just don't notice me at all. You prefer your dog demon instead." He slurred. He was drunk.

"You can have any of the other girls in this village. I just don't see you that way."

His nostrils flared as his eyes appraised me greedily. "I only have desire for you, Rin. You're gorgeous. You're independent. You would make a fine wife for me."

My whole body turned cold, and I took another step back as he took a step toward me. His eyes burned from anger as he saw I was not reciprocating his interest.

"If this is your way of a proposal, it sure doesn't deserve a yes while you're drunk and getting angry like this."

He laughed. "Rin, men can do whatever they want. Hell, if I take you by force, no man or even your dog demon would want you after that."

Bile rose in my throat. Is he actually serious? No. I would rather die than have him take me.

"If you approach any closer, I swear to the Gods, I will kill you," I seethed, but I was terrified.

He took another step forward; I was frozen. I knew I was petrified by the way his eyes were boring into me like that. It reminded me of the men that murdered my parents. There was only lust and greed and anger.

If he touches me, I will kill him.

"Rin, if you don't fight, this will go a lot smoother. Everyone is drunk or gone to bed for the evening. No one will hear us."

"Kuro, do not touch me," I warned.

I couldn't move. I was that terrified but I knew if he put a hand on me, I would not hesitate to lunge for whatever I could grab or hit: eyes, face, stomach, or dick.

His hand reached out toward me while there was a disgusting hunger in his eyes. He was about to touch my face, when I saw a flash of light from behind him.

"Rin, get down."

I knew that voice too well, and it whispered to my frightened heart as if my whole body sank into a hot spring. I immediately did as I was instructed and bent down. All I heard was a grunt from Kuro and then agonized, terrified cry as I felt his body fly over me. I felt another powerful gust of wind rush past me. Kuro started begging for his life in the distance. Before, I would have been too afraid to look, but I have not seen Sesshomaru in a while. I slowly got up and turned around toward the commotion of Kuro's cries.

There he was.

The moon was out now, so his hair was glowing silver in the moonlight. It looked like a waterfall cascading down his back. His back was facing me as he towered over trembling Kuro. He still wore his same clothes, but I didn't notice before how the way his muscles contracted underneath them as he held his blade up. He was more built than I noticed before . . .

My thoughts trailed off when I realized what he was about to do.

"No, Lord Sesshomaru. Don't kill him." Though remembering what Kuro was about to do to me, I said, "Death would be too easy for him."

Sesshomaru briefly glanced at me over his shoulder. I caught a glimpse of his fierce red eyes before they turned back into their golden, emotionless gaze. Sesshomaru sheathed his sword and looked back at Kuro.

"If you value your life, I suggest you do not bother Rin again. If you do, I will not hesitate to find you and end your life."

Kuro just nodded frantically and scrambled to his legs and ran back to the village. I think I saw a wet spot on his pants from where he urinated himself. The coward.

"I should have killed him," I thought I heard Sesshomaru say, but I was too excited to see him.

"Lord Sesshomaru!" I exclaimed and ran toward him and embraced him. He's usually not an affectionate demon, but I felt one of his hands on my back as a small gesture. I knew deep in my heart he was glad to see me too.

I got a whiff of his scent. The smells of the forest and sandalwood filled my nose. It was a smell so familiar and soothing that I buried my face into his fur shoulder. I felt so elated to see him. My heart was super light with happiness that I could cry. I just wished it had not been so long since the last time I saw him.

"I didn't know if you were able to make it."

I did not mean for it to slip out, but he simply said nothing as I felt his hand on my back pull me closer.

I knew he would come.