Authors note: I'm so excited and grateful for the favorites and reviews! I love Sesshomaru and Rin's interactions so much, and how her presence truly changed his soul. That being said, following the anime canon, this will eventually be a SessRin pairing - if I continue writing long enough to see her into adulthood. Just wanted to state that, so that no one was surprised.
This chapter focuses on the time period not covered in the anime, specifically their first verbal interactions after episode 35.
Love you guys!
Chapter 2 - Who Are You?
The odd foursome traveled in silence for much of the day. Sesshomaru in the lead, the girl walking a few yards behind, Jaken leading A-un bringing up the rear. The imp muttered to himself on and off, but didn't speak directly to the girl, or his master. Likely feeling insecure about the most recent developments. It had been many decades now, that the yokai had permitted the imp to follow and serve him. Never had any other sentient beings accompanied them.
Intent on leaving the heavily occupied human villages far behind, Sesshomaru led the small band toward the mountains. His secondary motivation being, he needed his armor and clothing repaired, before any more battles were to come upon him. His eyes cast up toward the mountain which loomed above them. The moon had steadily risen high in the sky, now casting silver light in long streams across the traveling figures.
Sesshomaru's thoughts strayed. His trusted armorer Tanko lived in an isolated hut, outside of the demon rat village on the mountain. Tanko knew to always keep anything that Sesshomaru would need — additional armor, hakama, fundoshi, himo… anything he could possibly need after a battle. There was always a hot bathhouse waiting if needed also. After the agony of his recovery, Sesshomaru intended to soak the grime from the battle with InuYasha off thoroughly.
"My Lord Sesshomaru." Came the shrill sound of Jaken's voice from far behind, interrupting his thoughts. "My Lord… If I may be so bold, I think we may need to consider stopping for the night."
Sesshomaru did not turn. "We are not stopping."
"But my Lord— the girl." Jaken shrilled.
Instantly Sesshomaru stopped and glanced behind. The girl was stumbling, eyes heavy, but silent. She had not uttered a single complaint even in her exhaustion. For a moment Sesshomaru felt entirely inept, a completely foreign feeling. He had no idea how to care for a human, much less a child. "Put her on A-un." He instructed, then watched as Jaken muttered to himself, while attempting to hoist the girl onto A-un. The lord made no move to assist him. Finally, A-un, reached back and nudged Rin into position in his saddle.
"My Lord. How long will this human girl be traveling with us?" Jaken asked, in what could have been an accusatory tone. Sesshomaru glanced down at the imp, eyes cutting and narrowed.
"W-what I-I mean my Lord… is that she is a human. You're well known to despise all things mortal!"
If possible, Sesshomaru's eyes hardened further. He turned away and began walking once again. "I am accountable to no one." Blubbering apologies, Jaken scrambled to grab the lead for A-un and hurried to catch up to his master.
How dare Jaken question him in such a blatant manner? Sesshomaru's lips pressed together. If he questioned his lord's reasoning, so would others. There would be no avoiding it. Glancing back, he allowed his gaze to fall on the girl, now asleep on A-un's back, her fingers curled into the beasts thick black mane. Completely trusting. Whatever anyone thought of him, he would not abandon her. Surely, she had been abandoned enough already in her short life. This Sesshomaru could not offer her a loving home, and a family… but he could offer her protection. His protection. Which was significant. When she was grown, he could find her a safe place to live a peaceful life, if she wished it.
Turmoil churned wroth in his chest. How could one small human cause such inner angst? Changing everything. This is your fault Tenseiga. Had you not meddled in my soul, I would have no reason to have saved the girls life. Turning his gold eyes away, he focused on their destination.
Less than an hour later, the rather ragged looking band walked into the outskirts of the demon rat village. Toga had first introduced Sesshomaru to Tanko. The rat demon had crafted armor and infused fabrics for the Inu no Taishō family for generations. Pausing, he turned to where Jaken was panting heavily behind him, apparently exhausted by the steep climb up the mountain.
"Bring the girl inside, Jaken." The imp wheezed, his mouth moving without any audible words coming forth.
Without waiting, Sesshomaru turned and brushed passed the mat that covered the door and strode into the hut. Inside, a fire blazed, keeping the mountain chill out. "Tanko." Sesshomaru intoned. "This Sesshomaru has need of your services this night."
The demon rat appeared at the doorway to the back room. With grayed fur, indicating his advanced age, Tanko bowed low and gestured for the yokai lord to enter.
"We are honored my Lord." The rat had a soft voice, despite his rodent looks.
For a moment Sesshomaru hesitated. Uncertain how to proceed. "Is your mate present this night, Tanko?"
If he was surprised, the rat did not show it. "She is, my Lord."
At least a woman's presence would make this less awkward. "I require her assistance." At that precise moment, Jaken came waddling in, followed by the bleary eyed girl. Blood stains caked her clothing. Still silent, her eyes immediately shifted to Sesshomaru, the sleepy ghost of a smile touching her lips. Briefly their eyes met, he reached out with his senses, scenting, assessing her — yes she still seemed healthy. Just exhausted.
Sesshomaru's gaze shifted from her, to Tanko, who stood watching the silent exchange. Seeming to understand, without having been instructed, he bowed and scurried to the back room. A moment later he returned with his mate in tow, she hurried forward, wrapping a haori over her cotton yukata. Upon seeing the girl, she gasped and hurried forward, murmuring softly and tsking in a motherly fashion.
"Tamia will see to the girl, my Lord." Tanko said with another respectful bow.
The girl cast a concerned look at Sesshomaru, when Tamia tried to guide her to the back room.
Sesshomaru met the girls eyes, offering the tiniest nod. "Go with her." A smile spread across her face, and she grasped the elderly rat's hand, allowing herself to be led from the room.
"I will cover any cost incurred. She needs new clothing." Sesshomaru hardly knew the names of female clothing, but surely the elderly rat's wife would know what the girl needed.
Tanko nodded and waved his paws. "You need not worry my Lord. We will attend her every need. Please come and take your bath, the water is ready. I will have fresh clothing and armor waiting, when you're finished."
Without offering thanks, Sesshomaru nodded and headed toward the room that waited for him on his every visit. There were few the yokai lord trusted with his secrets, Tanko was one of those few. Grudgingly, Jaken was also, despite his crassness.
Removing his ruined sode and do armor pieces, he didn't give them a second glance as he dropped the broken fragments to the floor. His hand grasped the Tenseiga, pulling it and the sheath free from his obi. For a moment he hesitated, staring intently at the blade grasped in his hand. It was silent now, perhaps mollified and pleased at finally having changed its masters soul. Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed, setting down the sheath, he pulled the blade free and held it aloft. The sharp edge caught a glint of moonlight.
"What is it that you wanted of me father? What possible use could a human child have to my path of supreme conquest?"
There was no response, but in his mind, the youthful face of Izayoi flashed bright and young — hardly older than the girl in the other room.
"I will not become you father. I will not sacrifice myself for any human." The words were hardly more than a whisper. With a sound of derision, he replaced the blade into it's sheath and set it aside. With proficient efficiency, he removed the remainder of his clothing - hakimono, hakama and his kegutsu boots and stepped into the steaming water.
It wasn't until after he'd shed his clothing and entered the water, that Sesshomaru realized he was still not yet fully healed from his battle. His body hurt, a rare occurrence. Glancing down at the mirrored surface, reflecting his countenance in the firelight, he noted the dark red slash across his torso, and the healing skin across his left shoulder. The damage was not permanent, all that remained were angry red and pink marks across his porcelain skin, where the Tetsusaiga's energy had attempted to devour him.
"Hm." Turning away from the reflection, he lowered himself into the water. It was infused with healing herbs for demons, which would only assist his natural healing energy. The spicy scent of the potion tickled Sesshomaru's nose. The caked blood - both his own, and that of the girl's, dissolved in the hot water. With it, seemed to dissolve the deep aches in his bones.
Some time later, he walked from the bathing room, redressed in his traditional sode and do armor, hankimono, hakama, mokomoko secured over his shoulder. Looking every inch the aristocratic yokai lord that he was born to be.
Tanko met him with a bow. "I know you do not usually rest for the night my Lord. But may I respectfully recommend that you allow Rin what remains of the night to rest?"
Slowly Sesshomaru shifted his gaze to the rat. Processing what he had said. "Rin. That is her name?"
The demon rat blinked, far too collected and well trained to show his surprise. "Yes my Lord."
Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed. "She is not mute?"
The demon rat gazed at him steadily, Sesshomaru could have sworn he spied the ghost of a smile behind his demure expression. "No, my Lord. She is quite verbal."
Interesting. Perhaps being resurrected, has restored her ability to speak. He had been quite certain she was mute, when they had first met.
"Where is Rin?"
With a bow, Tanko gestured to his and his mate's bedroom. "This way my Lord."
Sesshomaru followed him to the back room, not turning his head as both the Tanko and Tamia backed out of the room respectfully. His eyes were trained on the small, sleeping form on the mat. He could smell that she was clean, blood washed away, the scent of lilacs fresher and sweeter now. Her hair shone glossy in the light of the moon through the mat over the door. Somehow, at this moment, she hardly seemed human. As he watched the slow rise and fall of the blanket that covered her, she shifted, brown eyes opening to gaze up at him as if she had sensed his presence. Slowly, she sat up, eyes intent on his face showing no fear of his presence. Again, he found himself surprised by her bravery.
"Who are you?" She spoke finally, breaking the silence. Her voice was as high and sweet at the scent of the lilacs that she carried with her. For a moment he simply watched her, considering how to respond. He couldn't tell if it was his heart which responded, or if he had acquiesced to the will of the Tenseiga which hung once again at his side.
"This Sesshomaru, will protect you."
The smile she rewarded him was as bright as the sun.