Chapter twenty-five:
As Rin pushed herself harder, her heart pounded in her chest, matching the rhythm of her rapid footsteps. She could almost feel Sesshomaru's presence closing in behind her, his white hair and cold aura driving her to run even faster.
The forest blurred around her, the trees becoming a green and brown streak as she darted between them. The laughter bubbled up inside her, excitement that fueled her legs to pump harder.
Suddenly, Rin stumbled on a root, her foot catching slightly. She fell forward, but managed to catch herself before hitting the ground. With a quick glance back, she saw Sesshomaru closing the gap, his golden eyes fixed on her.
Adrenaline surged through her, and she pushed herself back up. She could see a clearing up ahead, a small possibility of beating him in a race urged her to keep going.
With a burst of energy, Rin sprinted towards the clearing, her lungs burning and legs aching. As she burst into the open space, she skidded to a stop, turning to face Sesshomaru with a triumphant grin.
But as she looked back, she realized he was no longer there. Confused, she scanned the trees, searching for any sign of him. That's when she heard a low chuckle behind her.
"You're getting faster, Rin," Sesshomaru's voice rumbled from behind her, making her jump. She spun around to see him standing there, a few feet away, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement.
Rin's heart pounded in her chest, but she couldn't help but smile. She had managed to outpace him, if only for a moment, and that was enough. Sesshomaru was easily faster and more agile than her, but he entertained her nonetheless.
It didn't take Rin or Sesshomaru long to reach the next clearing up ahead. Rin noticed how advanced her sense of smell was, she smelt Au-Uh before she saw him, and the dragon smelled horrid. Jaken smelt like smoke and ash, as well as a hint of sea water.
When they approached Jaken ran towards Sesshomaru and bowed deeply, "My Lord! You have returned!"
The happiness in his voice was evident, his focus only on the demon lord and he had yet to look at Rin. She wondered how he's react to her new appearance.
Jaken shrieked and jumped back, his black beady eyes narrowed with mistrust, he appeared to be sniffing the air. Confused laced his features there after and he turned to Sesshomaru again.
"My Lord…Who is this woman?" he asked cautiously.
Sesshomaru looked at the little imp, who cowered slightly under his gaze.
"Rin." was his only response.
Jaken shook his head, "My Lord that is not Rin. It cannot be because Rin is a human woman…"
Sesshomaru didn't humor the little demon with a response and walked off, leaving Jaken with Rin.
Her eyes trailed to him, watching his broad shoulders as he disappeared through the brush.
Rin finally turned to Jaken, "Master Jaken it is me, Rin. It a little complicated to explain my transition but I will tr-"
Jaken put up his little hand to silence her, "Rin, you smell like a half demon. Personally, I do not care but I still do not want you here. Perhaps you'd be less burdensome now with your…change. Regardless though, you are a grown half demon woman who can fend for herself."
Jaken crossed his arm and looked at her, "I'm confused on why you're here, you said it wasn't your intention to come back little girl, yet here you are. With Lord Sesshomaru and a new appearance no less."
Rin took a step closer to him, he placed the staff of two heads in between warely.
Rin rolled her eyes, "Jaken I understand you're skeptical but I'm here for Lord Sesshomaru to travel with him again. I do not want to argue with you, HOWEVER if you dont stop pointing that staff at me I will do more than argue with you. "
Jaken's face went red and he clicked the staff on the ground, willing fire to come in her direction.
Rin easily blocked it with her own elemental power and willed the flames to surround the outside of his form in a circle. Once done he looked like he was in a fire made cage and he began to sweat from the heat of it. Shocked and angry he threw down his staff of two heads and gawked at her.
"Are you done?" Rin asked him, raising an eyebrow.
Jaken shut his mouth, looking at her with pure rage.
"NO!" the toad screamed at her. Rin covered her ears and groaned at the high-pitched squeal he emitted; it reminded her of the Helioskan from the eastern mountain. Now that she thought about it, Jaken actually resembles it a bit too.
Sesshomaru appeared moments later and eyed the pair. Jaken, still in his fire cage, clutched the staff of two heads glaring at Rin. His Rin who returned his glare with her arms crossed as if scolding a child.
He heard most of their conversation and that awful noise. Personally he didn't care, he was used to their bickering from before when Rin was a child. Yet it was interesting how the tides had turned; Jaken was never fond of Rin even when she saved his life. However, he still protected her and scolded her often. Rin now scolding him was amusing but no less annoying.
"Enough." He commanded, before assuming his usual position of sitting against a tree.
"Release Jaken," he uttered.
She did as she was told.
Jaken stepped over the warm ground to Lord Sesshomaru and dropped to his knees in a deep bow.
"I do not mean to question you my Lord, but I do not believe this to be Rin. It is not possible for a human to become a half-demon as this wenc-woman appeared to be." He said quickly.
"Jaken, I do not like repeating myself. Go get wood for the fire."
"B-But" he stuttered.
"Now" he growled out.
Jaken scampered off immediately afterwards, almost tripping on his own staff.
Rin sighed, "Well, that was much better than last time."
Sesshomaru cocked his head, "Last time?"
Rin turned towards him, "Yes. When you are caught from the tree. He was not happy with me being there then, but he yelled considerably less this time."
"What did he say to you?" he questioned.
Rin dropped his gaze and rubbed the back of her neck, "Nothing of importance my Lord."
Sesshomaru kept quiet but continued to stare at her, waiting for a response. Rin shuffled her feet and looked up at him shyly, "I'm going to go bathe my Lord. I will return shortly."
"Answer the question." he stated.
"Well, he mentioned that I was a bother and not really welcome is all." she said vaguely.
Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at her, as if daring her to leave it at that.
Rin huffed, "He also nearly got my feet with his staff but I left after that."
Sesshomaru's eyes grew cold, "Is that so."
"Yes but- I um…he didn't though and I just left."
Sesshomaru leaned his head back against the tree, "The staff of two heads bring the fire of the netherworld here. It engulfs whatever it comes into contact with, no matter if it was only a strand of hair."
Rin's eyes widened in shock, if she had been a bit closer she would've died.
"Oh." was her only response. Jaken wouldn't do that on purpose right?
'It seemed pretty intention when you arrived here.' said the nagging voice in the back of her head.
He had entrusted Rin's safety to the imp, and Jaken's carelessness had nearly cost her life. Sesshomaru's eyes glinted dangerously, a silent storm brewing within him. His usually composed demeanor crackled with an undercurrent of anger as he contemplated Jaken's recklessness.
"Jaken will answer for his incompetence," Sesshomaru declared, his voice a low ruble in his chest.
Rin bit her lip, feeling a pang of guilt for unwittingly trouble. "I'm sorry, my Lord. I didn't mean to-"
Sesshomaru raised a hand, cutting her off. "Jaken's carelessness is his alone to bear."
With a flick of his wrist, Sesshomaru summoned the staff of two heads, its ominous aura pulsating with dark energy. He stared at it intently, his expression unreadable.
"Yes my Lord." Rin conceded.
Then she turned on her heels and followed the sounds of rushing water.
Hello lovely readers! Sorry for the long wait, but Urges is back!