Chapter Eleven

These are the days I hated the most. The first time I turned into a phoenix daiyoukai I was six years old. I was playing outside on my newly built purple swing set. A birthday gift from my parents. I was going to flip over the bar but stopped when I was close to my goal. A sharp pain shot through my right arm. I fell off the swing backwards, screaming in agony. Mother came running out, fearing I had actually fallen off, and broke my right arm. I told her I didn't and that it started hurting when I was going for my goal.

My mother called and managed to get an appointment to see my normal pediatrician for the pain that I had that same day. Unfortunately, the doctor just told my mom I was going through a growth spurt. She wouldn't buy it. She then rushed me straight to the emergency room, where they did so many blood tests, a CAT scan, and an MRI. That's where they discovered I was different from any other human child.

I turned into a half-demon that night, inside their office. Both my hands up to my elbows were covered in this stone-like material. It looked like I had a cement cast on both arms. My eyes even turned a bright red. I cried for my mother to hold me, and she did. She told me everything will be fine, and we would figure out why it was happening.

My test results baffled so many doctors. They have never seen a case like mine before. I always thought I was human, but I was wrong. Unfortunately, they weren't able to detect where my demon traits came from. Now with today's technology testing they could, but I opted out for now. I'm just not ready yet. One day I'll find out where my demon traits come from. I just still want to know why I only turn into a phoenix daiyoukai every so often to where most half-demons change once or twice a month.

Of all nights, why did my night of turning into a yori no tori have to happen tonight. This was a secret that no one knew of, only my family, and myself. Now Sesshomaru will know my other secret I've been keeping from him. I didn't want him to know I turn into a bird demon every so often. "Rin?" He called my name with alertness.

"Stay back!" I ordered him. I didn't want him to see me like this. I looked like a hideous monster. I want to go home and hide away in my room.

"Rin, what's wrong?" I could hear him moving slightly closer to me.

"Just stay back! Please!" Please! I don't want you to see the hideous monster that I am. My tears were coming, but I wouldn't let them release.

"Rin, is there anything I can get you?"

"No, please! I just need a minute or…." A loud cry from a demon bird came from up above us. I knew he looked up to see the same bird who sees me as their master.

"Rin, we need to get out of here!" I heard him walk around the tree at a fast pace, "there's a demon bird… Rin?"

Shock… shock was all I saw in his golden eyes when they saw my deep red eyes glaring back at him. Sesshomaru was not seeing the normal human girl he was used to seeing. He was now face to face with a demon he wanted to avoid from earlier. I moved backwards as he moved towards me slowly. I gripped each tree trunk my hand could get a hold of. "Stay back! Don't… don't come near me." I wanted to fly off now, but I knew he would chase right after me.

He lifted his hand for mine and still moved towards me. I refused to accept his hand. "Rin?" his voice went from a rush to soothing. I hid my face on the last tree I could grip. "Rin," his hand found my face and brushed my hair behind my ear. "Will you talk to me?"

I still refused to meet his gaze and shook my head no.

I heard him inhale and release at my response of not saying anything. "Then will you at least look at me?" Why is he acting this way? Earlier he was beyond pissed about the issue. "Rin, what I said earlier… I didn't mean…. I hope you can forgive me! I… don't want to avoid you!"

"I'm… not upset… what you said… earlier," I let out. "I didn't want you…" A flash of camera flashed at me.

"I FOUND ONE! Oh! We're going to be swimming in money!" Another flash, flashed at me as I bolted for the sky, leaving Sesshomaru behind. I already knew who it was, even without looking at them. I flew fast as my body would allow me to go. I didn't care where I hid on this island. All I had to do was wait for sunlight and I'll be human again.

Just within the few seconds I took off, I could hear Sesshomaru scolding them at the top of his lungs. "YOU WILL DELETE THAT FUCKING PHOTO AT ONCE! SHE IS A MINOR! IF I FIND ANY TRACE OF IT ONLINE OR IN ANY NEWS ARTICLES, I WILL HUNT YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS ALL DOWN! THEN I'LL TAKE YOU STRAIGHT TO THE POLICE!" I then heard him take off towards me. "RIN, STOP!"

I know I wouldn't be able to hide from him. He would catch my scent and follow wherever I hid. I went for the same cliffs I was thrown from and took the same seat as before. I even went to hide my face in my lap and wrap my arms around my legs. Within seconds Sesshomaru joined me on the cliff. "Rin?" He joined by kneeling in front of me. "Rin, can we talk?"

"Why did you follow me?" I muffled into my lap. "I'm a hideous monster that people seek for a big pay out."

"You're not a hideous monster, Rin! You're… unique. Was this another secret about yourself you weren't ready to speak about?"

"Yes, and there is nothing unique about me. I truly am a hideous monster." I got up from my spot and walked a few steps in the opposite direction from the cliff. I kept my back to him. "There's a lot about me I don't talk about." One in particular I will never mention of why I had to really move to the city. "I feared you would hate to see me in this form."

Sesshomaru walked up behind me and placed both hands on the sides of my shoulders. "I don't hate you, Rin, and I do find you very unique."

I still refused to turn around and meet his gaze. "I don't see anything unique about myself. I never have and never will." I had a question to ask him, "why did you follow me?"

"My instincts told me too. Rin, why don't you find yourself unique?"

"...because I'm not like others. I have never met anyone with the same condition where they turn into a half-bird demon. My old friends, from my old town, don't even know about my condition. Even though one was a full demon herself." I crossed my arms now, wanting to hide my arms.

"Are they uncomfortable?" They weren't.

"No. They are hideous to look at. I look like a freak when I look in the mirror." I moved forward a few steps, raised my right arm up, and allowed a demon bird to land on the stone.

"Rin?" I heard the alertness in his voice.

"Don't move! You'll startle her to attack." Though I haven't witnessed it yet. I've read about their history and learned how to tame them by a hoot they repeat back. I lightly petted her head and explained, "she's just a year old and still considered a hatchling. They don't reach maternity until their fifth year."

I rested my head against hers, sending a telekinesis message, and told her Sesshomaru was harmless. I even let her know to not cause a scene and reframe causing any harm to campgrounds with people camping. She replied back saying she would stay clear and stay along the shores of the waters here in this vicinity. With those words, I petted her one last time, and she took off.

"Rin?" I heard him whisper softly.

"It's okay to move, Sesshomaru. She won't cause any harm." He stepped ever so carefully towards me.

"How?"

"Telekinesis. It only works when I am in this form… are you truly not afraid that I am a hideous monster?"

He huffed again, trekked around, and stood in front of me, face to face. His hand gently lifted my chin and had me stare into his golden specks. "Stop calling yourself a hideous monster! Rin, you are just the same as you are in your human form."

"That's a lie!" I know it is.

"Rin, it is not a lie! I just wished you could see what I see in front of me." He kept his eyes on me the whole time.

"Sesshomaru, when I look into your eyes I do. I'm a hideous monster…"

"Stop calling yourself a hideous monster, Rin!" He brushed my hair behind my ears again.

"Then what am I to you?"

His lips inch towards me. His voice was more of a whisper, "you are the girl who still keeps to herself and that's just perfectly fine for me."

"What else?" There has to be more. He knows I am a terrifying creature of the night.

"You are the girl who almost beat the shit out of Muso on her first day and I wished I allowed you."

I wanted to laugh, but I held back.

"This next one will surely make you smile or laugh." I doubt it. "You are still that same girl who blushed from head to toe, that night you saw me in a speedo at my diving competition."

I bit my lip, holding back that memory. I felt my skin heat up within his hand. I watched the corner of his lip turn into a smirk. "Shall I strip down to a speedo for you?"

"You better not…" I pushed back on his chest, and he lightly gripped my stoned wrist. Now that memory popped up into my head. "You're such a jerk."

"You're thinking of that night?" His lips hovered over mine. I could feel his cool breath against my lips. "Aren't you?"

"No I wasn't." I know he wouldn't buy it.

He got closer to me. Our bodies are almost touching. "Yes, you were, Rin." Our lips are close to touching this time. Just by an inch or two. His free arm wrapped around my frame and his other still held my face. His thumb rubbed against my lower lip. "Do you still see yourself as a hideous monster? Or do you see yourself as something more unique?"

I still see myself as a hideous monster. So, I'll lie, "I see myself more unique?" He won't buy it.

He huffed, "you're an awful liar, Rin." He huffed again, "I am going to find a way to make you see that."

I'm going to find a way and prove you are unique, Rin. I'll have to sleep on it. I know I want it to happen the night I give you the ring bracelet. Tonight is too soon and with her in this form wouldn't feel right.

Our lips were just a second from touching when an unwelcome, familiar male voice, "Sesshomaru! Rin!" Him calling for both of us to step away from each other.

"Damn it, Inuyasha!" I muffled under my breath.

Rin gasped at who I heard was coming towards us. "I'm… sorry, Sesshomaru. He… can't see… me like… this," was all I heard Rin say and she took off in the opposite direction. I will follow her soon. I do not want them bastard photographers catching a glimpse of her again.

Just as Rin was out of sight, Inuyasha popped out from the dark path. "Inuyasha, what the hell are you doing here?" I thought he had other plans.

"Dad paid me to come out here and make sure nothing happens between you and Rin." Of course, father would pay the half-breed to come out here. I am not here to deflower Rin. I would never do such a thing. Inuyasha's eyes examined the area of the cliff. "Where is she? I can smell her scent, but she's not here. Did she jump from the cliff?"

I'm going to lie, "she went to get a few photos and would be right back."

"You let her walk off on her own? It's pitch black out!" No shit. I'll tell another lie. "Rin's used to this type of stuff. She used to explore the woods at night back in her old hometown." It makes me wonder if she truly did explore the woods at night for photos to take.

"You have a strange girl… Did you bring Rin out here to make it official?"

I glared at my younger half-brother. I didn't want Rin to hear what he had just said. "Keep quiet you idiot!" I ordered him. His voice almost echoed.

"Whatever. I'm going back to camp with the gang. When you both are done, dinner should be about ready." I have a feeling Rin will wait till everyone is asleep before we return. Inuyasha left in a flash.

I huffed the air out that I had built up and dashed for Rin. I could smell she wasn't too far off. She was near the waters where it meets the ocean. I could hear her feet walking along the pebble shore, almost touching the water. I heard her whisper, "Inuyasha almost saw the grotesque monster that I am. I'm glad I got out of there before he arrived."

I landed right behind her, "Rin, stop calling yourself a monster!"

She jumped at my voice and spun around, with a hand to her heart. She held up a finger and allowed her heart to settle down. When she had that minute to herself, her thin brows turned down to anger. "I am one! Don't you see that, Sesshomaru? Don't you ever read about the myths about my kind? We are known to be monsters for calling upon demon birds and sending them to kill humans for them to feast upon."

She fell to her knees, hiding her eyes from my own. "Rin, that's why it's called a myth. No one truly knows what actually occurred during those years. People fabricated stories just so they could make your kind look bad." I got down to her level, soaking the fabric of my pants. "Will you look at me?" I kept my voice low and soft.

She obliged and lifted her head. "I wish I could accept your words, but I truly am a…"

"Stop!" I whispered. "No one will think you are a monster. I don't," I kissed her lips vigorously. She needs to know that I will always find her unique. "Inuyasha and his group of pals won't either. But I know you are not ready for them to know and that's okay."

"I don't want to go back, knowing they are there. Only… if they are all asleep."

"We can wait till you are ready to go back to camp."

"Okay."

I once again kissed her lips vigorously. "Just remember that you are unique, and I will show you more of why I believe that tomorrow night."

Her eyes lit up hearing those words. "Will you tell me now?" I know why she asked that.

I brought us to our feet and brushed her hair behind ear again. "Just wait till tomorrow night."

"Twenty-four hours seems like a long time."

"It will be here before you know it."

Are the clues helping? Can you guess where Rin gets her traits from? I want to hear what you think.