Chapter Eight

I am not sure how long we were into our group trip when I felt a slight thud against my right shoulder. I turned my head slightly from my book to see Rin had fallen asleep. It didn't bother me. She looked quite peaceful and relaxed. She seems to be one of those types of people who could fall asleep on long road trips, or in our case a boat trip. Her younger brother Tashi remained asleep in her arms. I can see they have such a strong bond, even though they are not blood related. She has a mother's touch when she cares for him while her parents work the night shift. They have a bond I can see that can never be broken.

This weekend I hope that Rin and I can have some alone time together. Possibly tomorrow. Just for a few hours. I think it's time that we got to know one another, but mostly I wanted to know more about her. I know she's adopted and would be nice to know the story behind that. I wonder if she's met her actual birth mother. Even her birth father? Or maybe her adoption was a closed adoption? Were her parent's teenagers that made the best decision for the hopes she has a better life? Or did she come from a household that she has no memory of that lives in terrible living conditions and was removed for her safety? I would also like to know what got her interested in photography. Famous photographers?

As I continued to look at Rin, I could feel the eyes of everyone on us. I, of course, looked over to see they were in fact looking our way. Though I couldn't hear their thoughts, I could read their eyes. They were wondering if I had feelings for her and if anything was going on between us. Nothing was going on between us as of yet, but I started to have feelings for her that Saturday when we hung out that morning. When I had Rin get into a photo with her brother, her quick smile changed how I felt for Sara. Her face was so relaxed, pure, and not caked with any make-up. I've actually haven't seen Rin wear any make-up since her first day at school. One other thing I've noticed was her scent of coco butter and vanilla fit her personality: calm and reserved.

Then there was that night when she came with Tashi and their father to my diving competition. She looked quite endearing, all blushed head to toe from seeing me in a speedo. I could hear her heart race from where I stood that night. It fluttered with butterflies. What's even funnier was actually hearing Rin's father tell her to not get any ideas.

As I still allowed Rin to sleep against my shoulder, I overheard the group speak about what they wanted to do starting tonight. A group dinner was their first priority. Then after, I think they planned to spend alone time with their partners. Maybe after the younger two kids go to bed, I hope Rin will enjoy a small stroll along the shore with me. We wouldn't walk too far off from camp.

"Hey, Sesshomaru!" Inuyasha is too damn loud.

"Keep your voice down, Inuyasha. There are people sleeping." Rin, Tashi and Sota are not the only ones asleep on this jetfoil. Across from us looked to be a wedding party resting up for what will be someone's big day tomorrow. "What do you want, half-breed?"

"Geez, you're in a mood tonight. So, do you like her?" It's none of his concern.

"Why would I tell you that?"

"Just asking. You usually don't like someone that gets close up against you." Which is true, but for now I am fine with Rin leaning up against me.

"Your point?" He's going to bring up Sara, after I told him to never mention her name to me ever again.

"When Sara tried to do that, you pushed her away," he reminded me. "Why all the sudden are you allowing this girl to rest up against you?"

"I didn't allow it to happen. Rin just happened to fall asleep and I'm not going to push her off. Don't bring up Sara again!" Her family is still trying to contact me and make me rekindle our relationship. I don't care to be with her again, nor join her family's business.

They ran a very popular boutique in the city that sold very expensive instruments. I didn't care for that type of stuff. Plus, they were a family that wasn't friendly towards demons. They were only acceptable towards Sara's demon group of friends, including me, when we were together. Now that we are finally separated, I can focus on school finals next year, and start university next summer.

I ignored the group and went back to my reading. While we were away this weekend, I needed to get some diving practice in, and I knew the perfect place to go. I hope that Rin would like to join and watch. If she does join, she doesn't have to worry about me in a speedo, though I couldn't stop seeing her reaction in my mind. For now I'll leave her to rest against my shoulder and I'll continue with my reading.

Two hours into our trip the jetfoil crashed into a wave. I reacted quickly, wrapped my arm around Rin and Tashi, when most of the group bounced up and came back down hard. That sudden movement awoke everyone.

All I remember before I passed out was comforting Tashi from his fear of the jetfoil. But what awoke me was feeling myself being grabbed around the waist and a slight thud underneath me. I didn't even bounce. When I felt like I was free from the grip that held my waist, I opened up my eyes slowly, turned my head to find I was laying up against Sesshomaru. What? How? Oh my god! I sat up fast, with Tashi still in my lap. I felt myself blush and I still hate that feeling. "Sorry," was all I could say. I feel so embarrassed right now.

"It's quite alright," he doesn't seem fazed by what happened. "Did you rest well?"

"Uh… yeah." As I was trying to come back to reality, Tashi awoke and moved from my lap, but stayed by my side, clinging to me tightly. I know whatever that slight bounce was, scared him. So, I did the big sister thing; poured him a cup of tea that was still hot, served him one of the many snacks our mom made for us again, and wrapped the blanket around his back.

"Thanks Rin. Are you going to have some?" He turned to look up at me with a raised eyebrow.

I was more thirsty than hungry. "Just a little thirsty. I'll eat later tonight." I wasn't big on snacking before dinner.

I still felt embarrassed for what happened earlier with Sesshomaru. I couldn't look at him for the rest of the ride, but I did feel his eyes on me every so often. I tried to focus on other things. I knew when we arrived at our campsite that I would set up the large tunnel tent dad provided Tashi and me. It had an open screened roof to look up at the stars. With tonight being clear, I could look up to the sky and count the stars. Something I missed doing back home. Sometimes during the night, even after midnight when mom and dad were asleep, Tashi and I would chase fireflies, cup them in our hands, just to watch them light up.

The last two hours went by quickly and we finally arrived at the docks of Yakushima. The fresh air I breathed in when we all stepped off the boat was refreshing to smell, but it wasn't the same when I lived in the country. With the country I could smell the wet dew of the forest and the fresh cut grass. Here I could only smell the salt from the ocean. It was okay, but nothing beats the smell of the outdoors from my old home.

The campsite was about a half mile away from where we were. I didn't mind if we had to walk. The sky was still clear but turning to dusk. A pinkish purple color, with hints of yellow. With the calm clear sky came chilly winds. I forgot to check the weather for this weekend. I was now feeling cold and was in thin layers of clothes. I had a feeling my jacket was deep in my bag. "I guess I'll have to deal with being cold till we get to camp." I hope no one could hear me.

Everyone from the group talked amongst their love partner and left in the direction for camp, when I heard Sesshomaru behind me. "Rin, here." I turned around to find a cotton jacket in his clawed hands. Is he... offering me his jacket? "I see that you are not dressed properly, and it wouldn't be great for you to end up sick on our first day here."

True, but I was dressed in jeans, a white tank and light flannel shirt… I see what he means. This outfit was more day than night. "Thank you, but I'll be okay. It's just a half mile walk." A bolt of cold wind blew past us, and I nearly fell to my knees from the cold. I knew this wind was mostly coming off the ocean, but it's only October and it shouldn't be that cold.

Tashi grabbed my hand, and I knew what he was about to say to me. "Rin? I think it's best if you take Sesshomaru's offer. You know how you get if you get sick."

Tashi is right, when I'm sick I'm miserable. "Okay." I removed my large bag from my back and was going to grab the jacket from Sesshomaru, but he came around, and slipped the material on me instead. "Thank you." His jacket was quite comfy when I closed it up.

"You're welcome," he softly said as he helped put my bag onto my back. "Shall we all head over?"

I looked up ahead to see that the group was far away from us. Damn they walk fast. "Sure."

The last thing to grab was the cooler packed with our food, but Sesshomaru beat me to it and grabbed the handle. "Let's get going before it gets too dark."

Sesshomaru walked before us, and I just gazed at him from behind. I don't understand him and I'm not going to argue. He must think that I'm carrying too much. I think he would be more shocked if he knew I could carry more than my own weight. My father had trained me in backpacking for long hiking trips. I miss those days. Days I wish I could rewind too and relive again.

I finally caught up with Sesshomaru and Tashi as we headed for camp. My little brother took my hand as we crossed the street. It was mostly golf carts on the road. Golf carts that looked to be owned by families that lived on the island. I miss the ones we owned. Dad would take us off roading through the woods and sometimes he took us jumping off of large dirt piles for dirt bikes. That was the best adrenaline rush I ever experienced. What I would give to just spend a day doing that again.

Tashi squeezed my hand, and I had a feeling he was having nostalgia. "Rin, remember when dad took us out on ours and he did a flip?"

Oh! I remember that day very well. Mom raised hell on dad when she found out. I lightly laughed and squeezed his hand. "Yes, I do." It will be a memory that I'll always remember. "I almost broke my arm but ended up with a sprain elbow."

Sesshomaru came up beside us and took my hand in his. "How did that happen? If you don't mind me asking?"

I guess I should tell him since we have a conversation going. "Well… last year around this time, our father made a purchase of an off-roader golf cart. A used one, and being the outdoorsy people like we were, he took us out through the woods, to jump the boulders. Well, we made several jumps and came up to a boulder he thought he could jump. Well, he made it partially up when the cart tilted backwards and made several flips and… my right arm flung out and took a slight impact with a boulder. It scraped the skin and cracked the olecranon and the trochlear notch bones." The recovery was hell, but it didn't stop me from getting back on the golf cart.

"Did you suffer any other injuries?"

"No! But thankfully we all were wearing helmets." It could have been worse. "The only thing I have now is joint pain and a permanent scar." I know I'll have joint pain tonight and I have the medicine to help with that.

"Did it stop you at all from getting back on?"

"No, but I was made to wait a month to recover. Same with our father. Mom practically grounded him from his golf cart." I had to laugh. I haven't felt like this in a long time. "After a month of recovery, we got back out and had a fun time just exploring and I got some photos in."

"Rin, that was the day you got the photo of the rare brown bear and her two cubs?"

I had to smile at that memory, "yes."

"How far were you from them?" I knew Sesshomaru would be curious.

"Mmh, well I guess fifty yards at most. They were playing in a river, near a waterfall." The babies were so cute chasing each other and catching their dinner of fish. But also playing with one another. I can't believe I'm having a full-on conversation with Sesshomaru. This is so unlike me.

"Uh… speaking of wild animals, what type are out here?" Tashi has a point. We are on an island inhabited with wildlife.

"Many kinds, Tashi. But do worry. They are more afraid of us than we are of them. Look!" Sesshomaru pointed ahead. I turned in the direction he was pointing at. There in the middle of the road was a full-grown gray wolf. Our eyes met as his paw scratched and licked the road. His nose lifted into the air, taking in our scent, and then he jetted off into the woods, howling to the wind. "They only will attack if you provoke them."

"Oh!"

"Tashi, remember what dad told us that last year?"

"Oh right!"

Moments later after we continued walking, "we're here!" Sesshomaru announced.

I looked up ahead again to see that we were in fact at our campsite. It was quite large; open fields, trees surrounded in a large circle, and the ocean… or bay? Wow! I already knew I was going to get some amazing photos this weekend.

Our camp spot surrounded a fire pit that was already lit. Good! I can warm up soon. The others were setting up their tents and I should do the same. I pulled all the parts out and started to get the poles into place. I didn't need directions since I have it memorized by memory. I had it all assembled within five minutes. One special thing about this tent, it had separate rooms for Tashi and me to sleep in. Actually, it had plenty of room for the whole group to sleep in. Dad likes to think ahead. "Okay, now to get the sleeping bags." Or in our case an air mattress. "I believe dad gave us the ones that blow up with the push air pump."

I found the pump wrapped up inside and would spend the next several minutes pumping up mine and Tashi's air mattress. My arms were throbbing after I sealed the air up inside. I could throw myself down and go to sleep now, but I needed to eat. I went back outside the tent so I could make mine and Tashi's dinner, but a familiar voice stopped me from opening the cooler. "Here, Rin!"

Before me stood Sesshomaru, with a plate of food and a can of soda. "Thanks." On my plate was a hamburger, with all the fixings, and on the side was some garlic chips. The soda was a sprite. I followed behind him and joined the others around the campfire. I took my seat along a log bench next to Sesshomaru and Tashi.

It feels weird being this close to a group of people. I told myself that I wouldn't, but I'm out somewhere that makes me feel at home. I took in the smell of the forest, followed by the salty sea air. A perfect mix. On top of the outdoor smell, came from the burger. I could smell all sorts of spices coming from the meat. I took a bite and it practically melted in my mouth.

"Is it to your liking, Rin?" Sesshomaru must be the one who made the burgers.

I had a mouth full of food. I held up a finger that I would answer soon. I just wanted to enjoy the savory flavors; pepper, salt, garlic powder, caramelized onions, swiss cheese, including peppered bacon strips. After I swallowed, "it's delightful." I don't even remember the last time I had a burger.

"Good."

The night led on, and we all soon turned in for the night. Tomorrow I was set to go out and take photos. Sesshomaru told me he would take me to some interesting places on the island. Tashi was set to hang out with Sota, Kagome and Inuyasha, and I wasn't sure what they planned to do, but I know my little brother will have fun.

I looked up to the night sky and at the stars that I have missed these past few months. No clouds, but floating stars. I lost track counting them when my world went into a dreamless sleep.

It was mid-morning on a Saturday as Rin, and I ventured out along a trail in the park forest. "Where did you say we were going?"

"The Arakawa Mountain Trail. It has interesting sights. I thought you would like to get some photos for inspiration for your club project." It will also lead us to the falls I want to get some dive practice in at. We will be gone till almost sundown, and I hope with that amount of time I will get to know more about Rin.

"Oh!" Her camera was in hand and ready for whatever catches her eyes. "I hope to get a good sunset photo before the day's end, but the spot has to catch my eyes first."

I know of the perfect place, but I won't say anything yet. "You'll find the spot today, if not maybe tomorrow."

"I hope you're right."

I think now is the time to start asking Rin questions about herself. "So, what got you into photography, Rin?" Start slow and work towards the question you want to ask her about her adoption.

"I think ever since I picked up a camera and took random photos." I watched as she stopped and had her camera ready to take a photo. I turned in the direction she was aiming for. There sitting on a thick wooden fence were two whistling green pigeons. They were nuzzling one another, and I knew they were mates. "What got you into diving?" Rin whispered to a point that she thought I couldn't hear her as she took a few shots.

I had to think about that. It's been some time since that night. "It was the summer that I had turned ten and my father took me to the brand-new sports complex to see a relative of ours compete in a diving competition. At first, I wasn't too intrigued to go, but… then I watched my cousin step forward on that diving board and perform the same dive that I did when you came that night."

"Did your cousin inspire you for the sport?" She was looking my way now, still holding her camera in hand.

"Yes! He did." But there's another story behind it. "But that was months later."

"Was he there that night you performed?"

My face changed to sorrow remembering that day. I gestured a finger for her to follow as we continued down the trail. "No, he… he died that same year."

"I'm sorry for your loss. What was his name? Was it sudden?" Worse.

I stopped walking and clamped my clawed hands tightly, "His name was Tsukuyomaru and he was killed by someone who hated demons severely. Poisoned to death, along with many others at a bar back in the city."

I heard Rin gasp, and I knew it would shock her. "Did they ever catch his killer or killers?"

"Yes, they caught him. He was sentenced to death and is still awaiting execution." My hands gripped tighter, until I felt a smaller gentle soft hand overlap mine. It actually calmed my nerves. "After his death, I begged my father to let me train in the sport in his memory. He didn't hesitate and had me signed up after the funeral. My goal was to do the same dive as my cousin immediately, but then I scared myself by going for the higher diving board then the lower one. It took all the courage to gain that strength to get to where I am today."

"I have a feeling your cousin would be proud of you and the goals you achieved." Rin's right.

"True!" Now to ask Rin another question, "with photography, what's your goal for the future?"

I saw a smile break upon her face. It's good to see that instead of anger or a frown I've seen since day one. "To open my own studio gallery. Since I got into the photography club, I'm really focused on getting a scholarship now."

"Do you know which one you'll go for?" I looked these up after she told me her plans. There was plenty to choose from.

"No, so I'll apply to them all and see which one will accept me. For school, I'll be applying to community college." Rin will be taking a lot of courses to reach that goal. "Your father said that you planned to attend Oxford University for law. What got you to go that route?"

"Movies were what inspired me and stories I've read." Actually, my late cousin's story was my inspiration. Tsukuyomaru didn't have a good upbringing and the lawyer that was given the case didn't care for his side of the story about the abuse he had endured from his father. Taigokumaru was mentally ill demon and tried to manipulate his mind and say his mother was the one who was abusive. It took a new lawyer to finally get him to his mother after his father tried to kill him and himself. Taigokumaru is now in a mental institution where he belongs. With everything Tsukuyomaru had dealt with in his youth, he came out strong, and took that pain away by taking up diving.

"Sesshomaru?" I think this is the first time she said my name aloud.

"Yes?" We were now near one of the many caves along the trail. We stopped in front of the path that leads to the deep tunnel.

"Is there something else on your mind? I can tell you're in deep thought." She's quick to notice.

"I was thinking of why I chose this path. My cousin, Tsukuyomaru, and his story." I went on explaining all to Rin of his past and how much he endured and came out to be the man he was until the week he died. All but one thing. "Tsukuyomaru was also a young father. He had a daughter, Shiori, who was born a week before his death." His daughter was his world and so was his human girlfriend, Shizu. He too was also studying to be a lawyer, including Shizu.

Rin's hand remained within mine as she lightly squeezed. Her eyes were looking down to the dirt path. "It must be hard for his daughter to grow up and not know who he was. To not know what he dealt with growing up and the obstacles to get to where he was before his death."

Rin will be happy to hear what I'm about to say. "Shiori's been told every story about her late father. She's a bat half-demon and looks so much like her father." Silver hair, purple eyes, and very tan skin. Personality like both her parents.

I watched as Rin raised an eyebrow in confusion, "a bat demon? How?"

"That's quite a story that I'll tell you at another time." She only nodded in agreement. I wonder if now is okay ask her the question that's been plaguing my mind for some time. "I've been wanting to ask you, what's the story behind your adoption?"

Sesshomaru's question was something I was preparing for, and I told myself that I wouldn't talk about it, but he told me about his cousin, and the story behind the inspiration for his own future. So, I guess I should do the same. Just not my biggest secret that I am hiding. He will never know that story. I looked around to see we were surrounded by others, and I didn't want them to hear me. "Can we go somewhere that's private?"

Sesshomaru didn't say anything, he nudged his head for me to follow inside the cave that looked like it had a restaurant. "Are you hungry?" More thirsty than hungry. Plus, we just ate not long ago… How long have we been talking for? I pulled out my phone to see that it was noon. Where has the time gone? "Rin?"

"I'm a little hungry, but I don't have my wallet with me."

The corner of his lips lifted into a smile, and I already knew what he was going to say. "It's on me."

"I'll pay you back when we get back to…"

"It's okay, let's go get a seat in the back corner there." I watched him point to a booth far from anyone's hearing. I nodded again in agreement and followed him to the empty table.

We were about to walk past a group of human males, who were all in the midst of drinking beer, and looked to be almost drunk, when one of them grabbed my right wrist unexpectedly, and stood in between me and Sesshomaru. "Hey there, beautiful. What's a girl like you doing with a bastard of a dog demon like him?" I could smell a strong stench of beer on his breath, and I felt sick to my stomach from the aroma.

"Let me go! Don't you call him a bastard!" I was about to try and free my wrist from his grip, but someone else did.

I watched as Sesshomaru somehow released his grip and shoved the drunk dude back into the chair. I could see the anger in his eyes. They were red for what the drunk man had just done. "Lay a hand on her again, then I'll call the park rangers!" His voice was so harsh that I had to step back a few feet and place my back against the cavern wall. I looked all around to see other people looking our way. Okay! Now I feel embarrassed that we caused a scene.

The drunk man tried to stand, "I'll… make you… eat those… words, bastard… dog demon." He lost his footing just as he was about to throw a punch towards Sesshomaru and fell to the floor hard on his ass. He deserved that so much.

"It seems you passed your limit." His hand held out for mine and I didn't hesitate and allowed him to take me away from the group. Before we walked off, he told the others, "Take your asshole of a friend out of here before he gets himself knocked out cold and arrested." With that, Sesshomaru led me towards the same table as before.

I'll have to thank him for that. Never have I encountered a drunk individual before. I hope that will be the last. When we took our seats, I took a hold of my wrist that was throbbing from that drunk man's grip. "Rin, are you alright? Did he hurt your wrist?"

"I'm alright, just a bit startled, and my wrist is just throbbing. Thank you for stopping that ass before he could do worse." My eyes look down at my wrist that now holds a red hand grip. It would be sore for a small bit of time.

"You're welcome," his voice was now soothed, but more concerned. "How did your photos of the parrots turn out?"

I forgot about that. I put the memory of the drunk man behind me and looked at the photos I took. The first photo had me smiling. The parrots were looking my way, nudging their heads together. I could see their story of the love they have for each other. "They turned out great."

I showed him the photo and saw him smile in return. "Will that be one of the photos you'll use for your project?"

"I think so, plus many more to come." I still have today and tomorrow to get as many photos in as possible.

"We'll check out some other places after we get a bite to eat, only if you still want something?"

A small bite to eat wouldn't hurt, "sure."

As we waited for our server, a very well-dressed bird demon, who I believe was the owner, came by our table. "Excuse me, I would like to apologize for what happened to your date, sir."

Date? The word almost made my jaw hit the table. I was about to say something, but Sesshomaru beat me to the punch. "It's quite alright. I'm sorry he had to cause a scene for all your paying customers." Does he really think that this is a date? Or is he just playing along?

"It happens, especially with the wedding we are hosting tomorrow. But anyways, I would like to offer you and your date with anything on our menu. On the house of course."

A free meal? "Are you sure? I don't mind paying." Sesshomaru is so generous.

"I insist, sir." He snapped his fingers, and the dragon waiter came before us. "Get them whatever they ask for, Baku." He's treating us like we are celebrities.

"Yes, Mr. Kero." The dragon demon faced and bowed towards us. "Good afternoon, I am Baku, and I'll be serving you this afternoon. What can I start you out with to drink?"

He looked at me first and I said the first thing on my mind. "Water, please? And I'll just have the house salad to eat." I knew we were going to have a bigger dinner tonight and I didn't want to fill up on much food.

"Of course," as he wrote down my order. "And you sir?"

"Make that two and the house tea, please?"

"Yes sir." With that he left.

Now that we were alone, I could tell him the story. "My short story that I'm about to tell you was on the news sixteen years ago."

I watched for his response, and he nodded that he was ready. "I'm all ears."

"Sixteen years ago, on July twenty-fourth, my birth mother gave birth to me in a metro station bathroom in one of the handicap stalls. She abandoned me and left me still attached to the umbilical cord and the placenta, wrapped in an old, tattered jacket."

I watched for his reaction to see his golden eyes become wide.

I continued with my story. "A female custodian found me and nearly had a heart attack from what I was told. She… My adopted mother was the one to get the call. Mom… she had never had a call like that before. It was that same day she called the hospital and asked if a social worker had found a family already for me. She was in luck. They were in the process of putting me in foster care when I was well enough to be released from the hospital. Mom told them to stop and to allow her to foster me. It was from there and years later I became her only daughter."

I watched Sesshomaru reach his arm across the table and take my hand in his. "That's quite a story, Rin. Did they ever find your birth mother?"

My eyes lowered to the table again, "no. They never found her."

"Do you ever want to find her and get the reasonings on why she just abandoned you?"

"Yes, there have been times I thought of that and sometimes no. My mind jumps between each option."

"If you ever want to start the process to find her, let me know, and I'll speak with my father." I remember he told us he was a private investigator.

"If and when I'm ready, how much would he charge?"

"Probably not that much. My father is known for finding people really well. He could probably track your mother down much quicker if you have anything from the day you were born."

I did! "We still have the jacket I was found in." My parents were smart to keep it.

"When you're ready, we'll have our fathers meet up, and talk about it." He squeezed my hand lightly and it was comforting.

"Thank you, Sesshomaru." I'll give myself a month to think about the idea.

After our lunch we went back out to explore some more. Quite a few wild deer came out, but were cautious, and I was quiet enough to get a photo in. When we continued along the trail again, Sesshomaru would ask me simple questions about myself, and I did in return. I was actually enjoying the time we were spending with each other, and I didn't want it to end. I wished I had a way to stop time right now. My heart felt warm and… something I told myself that would never happen till I felt safe again.

More hours passed and Sesshomaru finally brought me to the place he left a secret. My eyes were shocked to see a waterfall before me. "Wow!"

"Amazing isn't it, Rin?"

"Yes!" The sun was just a few hours from setting, and I knew that I would get the best photo of this scenery. We stood by a cliff that was several yards from the actual falls. The drop had to be about fifty feet but had no rails to protect people for safety. I'll just stay where I am and get several photos.

"Do you want to get a closer view for your photos?" Sesshomaru was right beside me to where I could feel his chest up against my back. He was so warm.

"No, right here is good." Even if I accidentally fall from here, I could swim and rock climb.

"Okay, I hope you don't mind if I get a couple of dives in?" What did he just say?

"Are you nuts? It's fall!" Plus, the water would be freaking cold.

"As a full-blooded demon, I can stay warm at the lowest of temps. The water would practically steam at my touch. Just take a seat on this boulder here and I'll be back in a few."

"Okay." Just a thought occurred when I took my seat. "I'll guess you'll be diving from here?"

"No, by the waterfall I will."

"And you're going in your clothes?" He's nuts.

He smirked my way and started to remove his shirt. Is he… he's not doing what I think he is doing? I turned around so fast just as he was unfastening his belt. I was now blushing. "Do you have to do that in front of me?" Another thought. "Are you in a speedo again?" I resaw that image of him again from that night. All lean and tall, with tight muscles up and down his body. A very handsome body at that.

I felt him lower himself next to me and his lips were in my ear. "Does me wearing a speedo bother you, Rin?" His question followed with a deep, rumbling growl.

A slight shiver went straight down my spine and suddenly I felt cold. "Nnnn… nnn… oooo."

I heard him chuckle, "I'm not in a speedo, Rin. Just my boxers." That's even worse. He's basically naked.

"So, how do you plan to get to the falls if you're planning to dive?" They were far from us. He would have to walk all the way around.

"I'll fly over."

Fly? I turned around so fast to see him all down to his dark boxers. I pivoted my eyes away from his lower half and moved them up to his face to see a smirk upon his lips again. "You can fly?"

"Yes, one of my many powers."

Powers? The word really surprised me that I keep forgetting that he's a demon. His right hand lay up against my cheek and a thumb rubbed my lower lip. "You're quite amusing, Rin." The skin of my lips was actually heating up at his touch. I knew he could feel and see that I was blushing. My heart even raced from his touch.

After that he levitated in front of me and flew off to the other side from where we were. My heart slowed down to its usual pace. I looked over towards where he stood now. The sun was now setting behind him and the perfect time to get a photo in. I adjusted my lenses to where I could see him. The shine of the descending sun made his skin glow like honey. Warm and breathtaking. I managed to get a few shots in. I hope he can't hear the click of my camera, but in my case, he could hear it.

I watched Sesshomaru position himself with a forward dive this time. With a quick movement, he fell forward, legs straight, and tight. Then in another quick movement he held his legs close to his forehead, with a few flips, and then nose-dived into the pool below. I didn't dare to get that close to the edge, but I did manage to get a few snaps of him with his dive.

As I waited for his return, I went through the photos I took today. Some were great and some not my greatest. I deleted the ones that came out blurry and ones where people just walked right in front of my photo. Then came the ones I took of Sesshomaru with the sunset. He looked quite handsome, and I couldn't stop looking at the very first photo I took of him. His golden eyes held a story when he looked my way. They had feelings of love within them.

I was so lost within my photo that a sound of someone, or a group of people called my way. I turned around and fear shot not just down my spine, but in my stomach too. These were the same group of men from that cave restaurant. The man who grabbed my wrist earlier was ahead of the group. "Thought I would never find you, dear. Did you finally ditch that demon bastard?"

I couldn't get a word out and I was a sitting duck and trapped. There was no way for me to get around the group and even if I did try, they would grab me, and make me go with them. It was at this moment I wished Sesshomaru was here.

"What's wrong, cutie? Cat got your tongue. Or in your case a dog!" He came closer to me. I jumped to my feet and moved back several steps. Almost near the cliff's edge. "Say, why don't you come with us and have a beer."

"Nnnn… ooo!"

His brown eyes became heavy, "what did you say?"

My brown eyes became heavy in return, "I said no! Now leave or my friend will be back and put you in your place!" Why isn't he back up here yet?

"He left you all alone?" I refused to answer.

His eyes looked to the ground and then back up at me. "Did your friend by chance go for a swim?"

I still refused to answer him.

It made him mad even more that he lunged at me and took hold of the same wrist from earlier. His grip was much tighter and hurt to the point I could cry. He removed my camera from my hands and threw it over the cliff. No! "Now, will you behave and come with us, darling?"

"NO!" I screamed so loud in his face. "I WILL NOT GO WITH YOU, BASTARD!" I hope that Sesshomaru could hear me and know that I am in danger.

The man grabbed both sides of my arms and moved me backwards so quickly that I could feel the heels of my feet hanging over the edge of the cliff. "Fine then, I hope that you can swim, bitch!"

He pushed me so hard that I couldn't grab a hold of him. I felt myself fall at great net speed. I tried to grab the cliff but failed and I think I have sprained my wrist now. The only thing I could think of was to call his name, "SESSHOMARU!" was all I got out before I hit the water.

I made the decision to keep diving below the crystal-clear water to grab an oyster that I saw when I dove in. Inside one these sea creatures held several pearls. I wanted to make something out of it, just not sure what though. When I made it back up to the surface, I heard Rin scream my name "SESSHOMARU!"

I knew that she was in trouble. I turned just in time to see her hit the water. "RIN!" I dove back under again and swam for her. I don't know if she can swim or not, but I won't take my chances. My big concern was to get to her fast. Just as I reached Rin, she happened to see me as she swam back up to the surface. I looped an arm around her waist, and she did the same, but with my neck. "Rin, what happened? Are you hurt?"

Her forehead rested on my shoulder, and I could feel her hot tears run down my back. "The same drunk man from earlier pushed me in. Sesshomaru, he tried to have me go with again to drink." That angered me. I wanted to rip his head off. "I think I sprained my wrist." With her hot tears came the smell of blood. Rust and now sea salt mixed together. She has a cut and needs tending to immediately. "He… he threw my camera over the cliff. All my photos are gone."

Damn that bastard! "I'm sorry." I looked up as I couldn't hear them… "Rin, look up!"

"What?" She followed my eyes to see that her camera was hanging by the strap from a tree branch that stuck out from the cliff. "Oh! Thank goodness." I know a camera like those costs quite a bit of money.

"I'm going to fly us out here. I won't let you go."

"Mmh."

I gently held her tighter to me and lifted us out of the water. I stopped mid-way to grab her camera and proceeded back up. "I have stuff to treat your wrist in my bag." Rin remained quiet, even when I sat her back down on the boulder and placed her camera in her lap. I have a feeling she called for me a few times. I know for sure everything happened when I swam down to grab the oyster.

I examined her wrist which had a slight gash, but not too deep to have a doctor look at. As I pulled out my small first aid kit I told her, "I'm sorry." I had medical rubbing alcohol, which was the burning type. "Rin, I want to clean the gash. It will sting a bit and I need you to remove your flannel shirt so I can treat your cut."

"Mmh." She removed the damp material from her, and I noticed the scar that she spoke of yesterday along her elbow. It was almost in the shape of a crescent moon. I had a white cloth drenched in alcohol and patted it across her cut wrist. I heard her teeth clench as she sucked in air. "Ow!" Her hand tightened into a tight fist.

"Rin, relax." I soothed her right arm, just above the gash. "Relax."

Rin's eyes closed, her breathing relaxed to slow, and steady. "Thank you, Sesshomaru."

"You're welcome." Her cut smelled clean, and I couldn't detect or smell any other injury on her. "Does your camera have any damage?"

I watched her examine her camera all over as I bandaged up her wrist. "It seems to be all intact." Good.

As her eyes were still on her camera, I got dressed again. "Rin, let's head back so you can get changed. I hate to see you get sick."

She shivered with the cool wind that blew around us. "Are there showers at our campsite?"

"Yes, there is." I hope to make her night better from what had just happened. I'll make her tea with special herbs her father sent along. Like the ones she made this morning. With everything packed up, I lifted Rin in both arms and flew us back to camp. I even wrapped the fur of my mokomoko around her.

After a while her frown softened up and so did her eyes. "Your tail is quite soft. Almost like my quilt back home, but your tail is much softer."

I had to chuckle, "maybe if you'll allow me, I can keep you warm all night."

She laughed for a second, "not funny. My father wouldn't be too pleased."

I chuckled with her, "I'm kidding, Rin. But if you like, I can keep you warm till you go to bed."

"Will see. Thank you for taking me out today, I really appreciate it. I got a lot of photos in and several to choose from for the club." I already know she got a few shots of me. I know they turned out well with the sunset behind me. I hope she'll show me later.

We arrived back at our camp to find everyone in the process of making a soup dinner. All of them had asked what happened to Rin, since she was still soaking wet. I just told them she lost her footing and fell into a pool of water and hit her wrist on a rock. They all bought it, except her brother Tashi. Though Rin reassured him that our story was true. I have a feeling that Rin hates lying to her brother. I could tell they don't keep secrets from one another ever.

The night led on and soon everyone turned in for the night, except for me. I couldn't sleep. Inuyasha was snoring his head off and it was to the point that I had to get out and go for a walk. That usually helped me get to sleep.

I tossed and turned on my air mattress as I just couldn't get to sleep. My mind was still not at ease of what happened earlier today. When I feel like this, I usually put on a movie and fall asleep to that, but since we were here on an island, I couldn't watch anything. "Maybe a walk will do me good?" I was going to get up, but I heard someone walking by my tent. I hid my face with my hair and peaked through to see Sesshomaru walk by. "Why is he up?"

I heard him walk across the pebble beach right near my tent. "Should I join him?" I laid here for about five minutes and made the decision to join him. I've been wanting to show him the pictures I took earlier. After I laced up my sneakers, I grabbed my camera, and left the tent to go find him.

It was much cooler tonight, much colder than last night. I had to hold myself tight and try to keep warm. What I would give to have a cup of hot tea right about now, plus a warm campfire… I could smell one not too far from me. I looked up ahead to see Sesshomaru sitting by one. He had a stick within his hand and poked the burning logs to keep the fire going.

When I got closer to where Sesshomaru was, I watched his elf-like ears perk up, and turn in my direction. He looked shocked to see me up this late, "Rin?"

"Hey, I couldn't sleep. I guess you couldn't either?" I joined by sitting beside him.

"Yeah, plus Inuyasha is snoring his head off." I hate the sound of snoring. "How did you know I was out here?"

"I saw you walk by through the curtain of my hair." That sounded pathetic.

I heard him chuckle at my response. "I thought I saw you awake." Another cool breeze blew through and caused me to shiver. "Here." His tail released and wrapped around my shoulders, including his arm. "Better?"

For some reason I rested my head up against his shoulder for more comfort. "Much better." When the fur of his tail wrapped around me, I felt warm instantly. "Is there anything else you want to know about me?" Did I really just ask him that?

"Mhm, what were you like before you moved here?"

"Adventurous, adrenaline junkie, and environmentalist." My turn to ask a question. "Were you tempted to let me punch that bastard my first day at school?"

"Personally, yes." I had to chuckle at his response. "Have you ever ridden on a motorcycle?"

"No, but it's on my bucket list." Now that makes me wonder, "do you drive one?"

"In fact, I do." Our hands met each other, fingers interlocked, and I actually liked it. "Would you go for a joyride with me and possibly dinner?"

"Are you asking me out on a date?" I looked at him and he did the same. His golden eyes glistened from the reflection of the fire. They looked so beautiful.

As I waited for his answer, his free hand relaxed against my cheek, and his thumb rubbed my lower lip. "Yes, I am." I wanted to feel shocked, but I had a feeling that this question would come. "Can I kiss you?"

...Did he just ask me? My face felt frozen at his question.

"Rin, you don't have to…"

I finally came back to reality. He has feelings for me and… so do I. "Sorry, your question caught me off guard." I closed my eyes for just a few seconds to try to make sure I answered his question properly. When I opened them up again, they were soft and warm. "Yes, you can." Am I making the right decision?

I watched his lips lift into a half smile and lower towards mine. I remained still, afraid if I moved, I could mess everything up. "Relax," his words were more of a whisper.

Our eyes closed at the same time, with my lips slightly parted, and I felt his lips pressed against mine. They were warm and soft. We parted with our lip's inches from each other. I didn't want it to stop, and I think he could read my mind. His lips were back on mine and my free hand rested against his cheek. I wanted to feel the warmth of his skin against the palm of my hand. We ended our kiss with slow pecks and then curled up more next to each other. We held each other's hand, palm to palm, and the sides of our heads rested together. For the rest of the night, we remained silent, curled up together, and enjoyed the beauty of nature before us.

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