Chapter Twelve

Light waves crashed and a cool breeze followed along, sending my hair tickling my cheek. Why is this happening? Am I dreaming? I slowly opened my eyes to find myself lying on the ground and facing the shore where the waves I heard crashing. Why am I here? I thought we went back to camp?... Then it dawned on me! Where is Sesshomaru?

I jolted up fast, not realizing he was here all along and had his arm around my waist. He too jolted upward, "Rin, what's wrong?" Does he not realize where we are?

"Sesshomaru, we fell asleep beside each other!" My parents would freak out if they saw us like this. Mostly my father! "Why are we still out here?" I got to my feet, brushing the sand and dirt off of me. "I thought we went back to camp?" I know we talked for part of the night, but I can't remember anything else. Why didn't he bring us back?

"You don't remember?"

"What?" I turned around with a confused look. "I can't remember anything. Sesshomaru, what happened?" I needed to know now.

His gentle hand cupped my cheek and rubbed the under part of my eye which now felt dry and sore. Did I cry so hard to dry my eyes out? "You broke down and explained that you didn't want to go back to camp. You had that fear they would all still be awake and see you in your half-demon form."

"Oh!" I looked at my arms and they were normal again.

"I tried to reassure you that they would be asleep, but you begged me not to bring you back to camp multiple times throughout the night." He continued to rub my dry eye, "I took your words for account, and we just made camp here." I looked around to see we did make a small campsite. There was a small campfire that had died down.

An odd place to make camp I have to say. "Did I say anything else afterward?" I hope I didn't. I hope I didn't say anything about myself that I didn't want him to know.

He tilted his head to the side, indicating to head back to our actual campsite and taking my hand within his. "You talked about how life is unfair for you and that you want to turn back time and make a certain day not occur."

…Please tell me I didn't tell him my biggest secret! "Did I say anything else?" I hope I didn't.

"No, you wouldn't go into detail… Rin, what happened to you wanting to change time?" He will never know! "What happened back in Yamanashi?"

I know he was looking down at me, but I refused to look his way. "I don't want to talk about it."

"Why not?"

"I'm just not ready to talk about everything." I never will be. I'll take it to my grave.

"In time, when you feel confident about yourself, will you talk about what happened that day you regret?" Nope!

"In time maybe," never will happen. So, I'll continue with the lies. "Just give me time and when I feel self-assured with myself, I'll explain it all."

We stopped in the middle of the path, and I looked up at him. It looked like he trusted me. "Good and if it makes you feel comfortable, we'll go somewhere private to talk."

There wasn't much I could say but, "okay." We both looked at each other and he let out a chuckle. "What?" What was so funny?

"Your hair, it's tangled in leaves!" ... "here." A little at a time he started to pull the different sized leaves from my rat's nest of hair. "You also have some dirt and sand mixed in."

That's not too bad. "At least there's a bath house near our campsite…" I'd rather take a dip in the water near us to rid the mess within my hair.

"What's wrong now?" He doesn't see what my mind is thinking.

"Everyone's going to think you had your way with me…."

…."they will not." His voice was soothing as he tried to pull more leaves out. "My kind, when it comes to being really intimate, we wait until our mate tells us they are ready even before marriage."

"What are your thoughts on that?" I was kind of curious.

"For me marriage is the top key factor before intimacy." Marriage to me is nothing but a waste of time and money. I've never thought about marriage. "I think I got most of the leaves out, but I think this will help keep their minds off a certain subject." He took the hair tie from my wrist, walked behind me, combed his fingers through my hair and put my hair into a neat bun. "There!"

I turned to face him, with a gentle smile, though I still felt unease with what they all might think. "Thanks."

"Anytime." He chafed his thumb against my lower lip to where I almost kissed his skin. But I wanted his own lips against mine.

We started to lean towards each other but stopped when we realized we weren't alone. "So, instead of coming back to camp you decided to stay out here all night! Dad is not going to be too keen when he hears this!" Inuyasha scared me so much that I hid behind Sesshomaru. "Embarrassed? You should be!"

"Inuyasha! Nothing happened between us!" Sesshomaru stood by his words.

"Ha! I don't believe that for a second. Both of you look like you rolled in the dirt, and you smell of wet earth," I wish he would shut the hell up! "She doesn't even have the proper gift to be your girlfriend! Face it! You couldn't wait to get in her pants… ahh!" Sesshomaru was in front of me at first and now holding Inuyasha by the grip of his red flannel shirt. This is basically like the last time of my first day at school, except not this aggressive.

"You watch your mouth half-breed! I would never stoop so low to that point!" It's like what he explained earlier about waiting for marriage to be intimate.

Inuyasha gripped Sesshomaru's arm, breaking his grasp off of him. "Then why the hell didn't you both return back to camp last night then?" He crossed his arms in a demanding mood. It's not his business to know why we didn't return back to camp. My half-demon form can't be known by others, ever.

"Inuyasha, if you really want to know," please don't tell him my secret Sesshomaru! "We were asking more questions about each other and fell asleep without realizing."

"Eh, I don't buy it."

Just say something Rin! "It's true!" I finally used my voice. I walked up beside Sesshomaru and took his hand. I hope he doesn't mind this type of affection of holding hands in front of others. "We came out here to walk around, asked each other questions, and we made a small camp to keep warm and fell asleep by accident." Inuyasha looked at me dumbfounded. This was basically the first conversation I had with him, besides that day when he dropped off the pizza.

"What Rin said is the truth, Inuyasha! You may believe us or not, but nothing serious happened." I didn't look his way, but I could feel the corner of Sesshomaru's golden eyes on me. "Now if you don't mind, we need to go get ourselves ready for the plans we have made for today." In seconds Sesshomaru had his arm around my waist and jetted off into the air in seconds. "Sorry, I had to get out there before things got out of hand."

"It's understandable. I was uncomfortable with what he had said." But something did catch my attention of what Inuyasha mentioned a moment ago. "Sesshomaru, what did he mean by proper gift?"

"What Inuyasha meant by proper gift is that my kind, we tend to give a special gift to the one we want to date officially and want to make our mates for marriage in time. It can be bought, handmade, or sometimes a hammy down," he explained and released his mokomoko around me. I didn't realize that it was this cold.

"Like an early proposal?" That's just weird. What happened to the normal proposal getting down on one knee?

"Not exactly. My kind does the typical normal proposal when we are ready to ask. A better way to explain the topic is the one who accepts the gift they usually will wait till they are asked to be married."

"Oh!" Still weird. For me I don't need a proper gift to be with someone. Though not long-ago dating was out of my lead. But since that first date with Sesshomaru I'm open to continuing with what we have going on. Just how long will it last though?

After we were both cleaned up after sleeping out all night in the wilderness, also having a bite to eat, we both headed out to be alone again. "When will you tell me how I'm unique? I don't think I can wait till tonight."

"It's just a few more hours, can't you wait?" Her gift rested inside my jacket pocket. Tonight is supposed to be a very special night as the sky will be very clear, with little to no clouds.

"Can you at least tell me a few?" Her mind must still be on last night!

"You are one of a kind, Rin. I haven't met or seen anyone with a personality like yours. You know how to handle and put anyone in their place when different obstacles are thrown at you. You are even an amazing big sister to your little brother Tashi." Rin really is. Those days he was around, she always made sure his priorities were first before her own. That's something I look for in a future mate that puts the needs of their family before she tends to herself.

I watched her smile when I mentioned Tashi. "Thanks." She looked towards the clear blue sky as I knew her mind was on him. "I hope he's having a good day today at the aquarium, knowing he couldn't join us this time."

I held her hand within mine and let her know, "I have a feeling he will. He'll probably tell you all about it when you return… Rin, can I ask you something personal?"

"Of course."

"Does your family know about what happened to you last night?"

Before she would answer, I watched her look around for anyone in close hearing range. When the coast was clear, "yes."

She went on explaining the first day that it happened. Being only six years old and experiencing such a change must have been difficult all those years ago. It's kind of like that day I finally changed into my true form when I lost control that following night after my mother left. I knew what was happening to me and I ran. I ran till my body gave way from running on two feet to being on all fours. I at that age never had that type of anger. It was a story I haven't told Rin yet and right now wasn't the right time… "I know the pain of changing into something that binds us for life, Rin."

"What do you mean, Sesshomaru?" We were now near an open beach on the other side of the island.

"What I mean is… I too can change into a creature only when I'm provoked."

"So, I'm a creature now? What the fucking hell!" Bad word to use. "Am I unique for being a creature? What do you mean you can change?"

"Rin, don't take everything I say as an insult!" I gently pulled her towards another cave and walked us inside for a few minutes. "No, I wouldn't describe you as a creature. What I meant by the word creature is… true form. Our true demon forms. We both have…binds that we were born with. Something that we inherit from our parents. You…" I looked around to make sure that no one could hear us. "A yori no tori."

"Okay, and what is your true form?" Today is not going as planned and I hope that it gets better later tonight.

"My true form is of a giant white dog." I won't show her at any time. It would be dangerous if Rin was there when it happened. She could get hurt by my claws. I am very venomous and could kill her easily. "But for me to change into my true form I have to be triggered."

Her mouth hung low for a few seconds, "what triggers?"

"My mother for one, which is something you have nothing to worry about. The death of my cousin…" How badly at that age I wanted to tear that bastard's throat out. "There are more ways that could trigger me to change, but I haven't experienced that yet." One way is to see that the one I love was hurt badly by someone that wishes or has harmed my mate. That said mate would be Rin. Only if she accepts my gift. I would be okay if she didn't accept and would just remain friends.

"Did your change hurt?" Her left hand rubbed her right wrist. Is she in pain?

"No, it didn't. Are you in pain again?" I need to be sure so that she is out of plain sight if she were to change again.

"No, it won't happen probably for another three months," she finally let go of her wrist and seemed to relax a bit more. "How did it feel that night you changed?"

"It just felt uncomfortable from the first few transformations." I actually don't remember the pain, just that I hated the feeling of being on hind legs. Made my knees feel weird when I transformed back to my human form. "All demons and half-demons, including you and I, we all have gifted traits. Traits that we were meant to be born with." Like tonight being the new moon, Inuyasha will be in his human form. So, he will have no chance at finding us tonight.

"It still doesn't explain my traits." She turned her back towards me, facing the entrance from whence we came. "I still don't understand myself and… I've read my test results so many times through the years and none of it makes sense."

"Do you have your test results back at the apartment?"

She still kept her back towards me still, "no. It's in a storage facility back in my old hometown. The only way to know for sure is to find my birth mother."

"Are you ready to find her Rin? Are you ready to get the answers you've been seeking for the last ten years?" She has to be!

"I… I am now ready. But," I finally turned around. I just had one thing that must be dealt with first, "I need to speak with my parents first when we return home next week." I know mom and dad would be all for it. They are just waiting for me to come out and tell them.

"My father will be waiting for your call."

"Thanks." It's finally time to have this sixteen-year mystery solved.

Evening came and we both still remained out on the other end of the island. It was quiet and no one was around. It kind of felt like we had it all to ourselves. Even though that was not true. Sesshomaru had a fire going from a premade fire pit. We ate the lunch we had brought for our dinner since we knew we would be back late.

"So, what's more unique about me? Or would you rather ask questions instead?" It was nighttime and he did promise.

Sesshomaru pulled me closer to him before he answered and wrapped his tail around me. "Both!"

"Both." I could handle each. "Ask away."

"Besides flying, do you have other powers being in your demon form?"

The question shocked me deeply. "I'm not sure, Sesshomaru. I've actually never paid attention."

"Hmm, then when did you know you could fly?" That I could answer.

"I learnt that I could fly the second time I transformed. I didn't go too high, just in case I changed back to my human state." I know I scared the hell out of mom, but dad… he was scared at first, then he had me race him. I think that's where I got more of my adrenaline from.

"Are there times you enjoy being a yori no tori?"

"No! I've never enjoyed it. The pain… sorry if it's too much information, but it's ten times worse than period cramps." It really is. I never wish this type of pain on anyone. Not even… maybe the ones who want me now in their clutch, but people who dislike me over something stupid I wouldn't want them to suffer that pain. Enough about that. Time for me to ask him a question, "Speaking of powers, Sesshomaru, do you have any?"

"I do, but they are far too dangerous for you to be around and see." Now I was curious.

"How dangerous? I just want to know the basics of your powers." He's a full-blood demon, so he has to have lots of skilled powers.

"I'm very venomous, Rin. A serious scratch or bite from me can kill someone in seconds to minutes in my true form, which you'll never see. I have a power whip that is deadly with my venom."

"Oh!" He must fear that he could really hurt me if I was near him in his true form. I'll take that as a safety precaution.

"Rin?"

"Mmh?" I now rested my head against his shoulder. "Another question?"

"Kind of." His hand moved from lifting grains of sand from the beach to his pocket. What is he grabbing? "Here!" In his hand was a little gold box that he placed in the palm of my hand.

I was confused. Why is he … "What Inuyasha meant by proper gift is that my kind we tend to give a special gift to the one we want to date officially and want to make our mates for marriage in time. It can be bought, handmade, or sometimes a hammy down." He's asking me to be his…. "Sesshomaru, is this a proper gift?" Is he going to ask me to be his girlfriend?

He chuckled, "just open it, Rin."

I looked at him baffled for like a minute, then I turned my attention to the little gold box I held. When I lifted the lid off, I found a bracelet with my zodiac symbol. With the Leo bracelet was a pink pearl. I took it out and I realized that it was a ring. A ring bracelet. A proper gift. "Did you make this?" It was very beautiful. I don't own any piece of jewelry like this.

"I did. Took a month to make. The pearl came from an oyster I collected that day you were thrown from the cliff." That's why he didn't hear me when I was in danger! "I have great vision looking deep into deep waters."

I couldn't help but laugh, "are you part fish?"

"No! Just another power that I have. A safer one. Anyways, Rin. This is a proper gift I wanted to present to you. A gift I thought you would like in hopes of making it official for us." I was right! Am I actually ready to make it official and become a couple? What if I was tracked down by the ones who are after me and my family and I had to leave? Sesshomaru wouldn't be able to contact me ever again. I would feel hurt if that were to occur. "Rin?"

"Yes, I am ready" Am I making the right decision? I hope I am.

Sesshomaru ever so carefully helped me put on his gift, clipping the bracelet around my right wrist. The ring that rested on my middle finger fit like a glove. He really did a good job at guessing my ring size. "Rin, I want you to know that I'll always be there for you whenever you need to talk about stuff. Things you don't want others to know." Does he know my secret? Did I actually blurt it out last night and he's just not telling me?

"What do you mean?" Please don't tell me you know what actually happened to me Yamanashi.

"I meant like your true self of becoming a demon, your birth story, and whatever else you have not told me about yourself." Oh, thank goodness!

You'll never know my deep secret, "I promise I'll come to you whenever I want to speak more about myself." You won't ever know.

Have you guys figured out more of the clues I've been giving out? Can you guess who the demon parent is? Let me hear your thoughts!