InuYasha Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Through your Heart ❯ Rabbits and pink toads ( Chapter 4 )

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Through your Heart

Chapter 4: Rabbits and pink toads

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Sesshoumaru bared his fangs silently, glaring icily at the human who was currently snuggled in his tail with a contended expression. He tried to tug his tail back gently, but to no avail; the girl had a dead grip over it. He considered himself lucky it wasn't any 'sensible' part of it, or he would've literally ripped her throat in half.

He normally had perfect control over his body, so why now? Why now of all time couldn't he control the movement in his sleep? The Taiyoukai always kept his tail around himself tightly, so he doubted the girl was the one to unfurl it from around his waist. He tugged some more but froze when she started to move a little and give a muffled groan.

The rabbit was instantly on alert mode when she felt herself being nestled in a warm cocoon, but she relaxed when she smelled it. It smelled of nature, a good smell…very familiar indeed. It was the demon's tail! How the hell did she woke up with his tail around her?

She was still leaning on it with half lidded eyes and, immediately sensing Sesshoumaru's discomfort in this situation, she concluded it hadn't been intentional. She acted quickly to prevent a quarrel between them. She thought he was making a slow progress in the socializing department and she wasn't going to ruin the mood.

She opened her eyes and yawned and then made her way to the small girl the Taiyoukai had called Rin, paying no attention to his appendage. The moment she got up, Sesshoumaru yanked his tail to himself and wrapped it in its usual manner.

He was secretly glad she hadn't noticed his tail around her but couldn't help to ask himself if she had ignored his tail intentionally. That rosy hue that had colored her cheeks before she yawned was making him speculate if the human had done this to save him from this embarrassment. He was also glad she kept her mouth shut when she took back yesterday's bowls of soup…empty bowls of soup.

Still, he let out a tiny growl when she eyed him with a happy smile when she took his bowl. She was about to open her mouth when he got up and moved toward the door. "Don't push your luck, human" he said blankly and went outside to run around a little.

Usagi stared as his retreating back and shrugged it off.

"Where is My Lord, human?" Jaken yawned widely and shook himself a little before narrowing his eyes at her.

"My name is Usagi, Jaken-sama, so use it. As for Sesshoumaru-sama, he went in the woods to stretch his legs, I guess."

Jaken glared a little at the way she had previously addressed him but nodded his assent as she diligently answered his question. "Alright then, rabbit. I guess I'll take a look around too. You better not wander off or we'll both get it from My Lord!" Then, he was out the door, leaving a gaping blue eyed girl.

'Did he just call me rabbit?!' she asked herself with a bewildered expression.

"Oh well, I guess it could be worse…"

*~*

It was now around 1 in the afternoon and Usagi had decided a while ago to work in her flower garden. She was removing the weeds when she heard a noise coming from her house. Her eyes narrowed slightly. The toad and Inu youkai weren't back yet, so who dared intrude on her territory? She had made sure no evil could come in the woods, so maybe it was just a curious animal.

Still, she got up and carefully approached the small house and peered inside the semi-opened door. Her eyes widened slightly and she smiled, entering inside. "Hello there Rin! I see you finally woke up!"

The little black haired girl jumped a little and gave a frightened look at the warmly smiling rabbit. "Where is Rin? Where is Lord Sesshoumaru-sama?" Of course the child was scared, waking up to unfamiliar surrounding and faces did that to anyone.

Usagi crouched down to her level and put a hand on the top of her head, stroking lightly in reassurance. "Don't worry, Rin-chan! My name is Tsukino Usagi. Do you remember what happened 2 days ago?" Usagi continued when the child nodded. "Well, seeing that you were hurt, Sesshoumaru-sama searched villages after villages to find a healer, until he found me. I took care of your injuries while you slept away. Sesshoumaru-sama and Jaken-sama are away for the moment, though I don't know where, but they'll surely be back by sunset. You're lucky to have such 'people' to care for you!" Usagi chirped, and then was surprised to see the girl running into her and hugging her legs tightly.

She had on this wide toothy smile and Usagi herself had to smile at the happy face. "Thank you for helping Rin! Not many people want Rin to live except Lord Sesshoumaru-sama and maybe a little Jaken-sama because Rin travels with demons! But Usagi-sama cared for Rin! Can Usagi-sama be Rin's friend too?" The child asked energetically, and the blond girl couldn't help but to laugh.

"Of course, Rin-chan! But don't call me Usagi-sama, please, it makes me sound old. Call me Usagi-chan, or Usa-chan if you wish. Now, are you hungry?" She laughed out loud again when the child looked at her hopefully and when her belly groaned because of the lack of food. She prepared a good lunch with plenty of fruits and vegetables and Rin practically gulped it down in one go.

"Usa-chan is a good cook! Normally, Jaken-sama is the one to cook but it tastes bad!" Rin giggled and Usagi had to hide a snicker with a cough.

"Come on, Rin-chan! Don't be so mean with Jaken-sama! I'm sure he does his best!"

Rin nodded. "Can Rin go outside now? Rin wants to do something!"

Usagi thought about it. "Why not? But don't go running around too much or you'll reopen your freshly healed wounds. Come on, I'll show you around a little."

Rin took her hand but as soon as she was outside, she let out a yelp of glee and ran to the flower garden. "Oh! The pretty flowers! Look! Look Usa-chan! Rin loves flowers! Can Rin pick some? Can she?"

The rabbit crouched down beside Rin once again and eyed the flowers. "Only if you help me get the weeds off. I have to take care of the garden or it'll look like a jungle!"

Rin nodded enthusiastically and followed Usagi's pointers about how to pick them without harming the rest of the flowers. They did that all afternoon while pausing to rest on the grass sometimes. Usagi had to ask herself why Rin always talked about herself in the 3rd person but shrugged it off for the moment. 'It's just so cute!'

"Say Usa-chan?" Rin asked while tugging at a particularly resistant weed. "Are there any kids like Rin near here or is Rin the only one?"

Usagi smiled while she helped her cut the wild plant. "Yes there are. They live in a village in the outskirts of the woods. I went there yesterday to get more food and I dare say, the children wanted to meet you very much!"

Rin gasped happily. "Really? Can Usa-chan bring Rin there now?"

The blond girl shook her head negatively and gave a small smile. "Not until you're 100% healed. And we have to ask Sesshoumaru-sama what he thinks about the idea, don't you think?" The kid nodded fervently. "Oh yes! It's very important to ask Lord Sesshoumaru-sama! Rin will do whatever he wants Rin to do because Lord Sesshoumaru-sama saved Rin's life!"

Usagi quirked an eyebrow but didn't ask what she meant. But Rin, being the little chatterbox that she is, started to tell how Sesshoumaru had found her and how he had saved her, while they cleaned the garden. Usagi listened to it all and would sometimes input a joke in their conversation, making Rin laugh joyfully.

*~*

Sesshoumaru slashed yet another demon standing in his way and growled. The tiger youkai that fell had succeeded in the task of making Sesshoumaru very angry. He had reopened the wound where the bear youkai had stricken 2 days ago and now his white kimono wasn't quite as white as it was.

Still, it wasn't such a wound that would stop him. He was starting to get tired and decided to stop playing, if anyone can call slaying demons a funny game. He couldn't just stop hunting and get rusty while his ward was being treated, couldn't he?

He suddenly stopped in his sprint when a familiar smell invaded the area and changed direction abruptly, making a chunk of earth fly away when his footing changed sides. What was Jaken doing here, away from the human's house, he wondered.

The toad squeaked when he sensed his master approaching fast and straightened, then bowed when his Lord appeared in front of him with unnatural speed. "Good afternoon, Milord! I see you decided to return to the clearing?"

He received no response and dared to lift his head a little, only to squeak again and bow lower. Sesshoumaru was looking at him with empty eyes and Jaken knew the question before it was even asked. "I left the house to collect healing plants, Milord! See?" The toad took his bag in his hand and lifted it nervously for his master to see its content.

"The human girl will surely need some more…and I couldn't help but to see you have reopened your injury…You will need to let the rabbit take a look at it again, Milord…" Jaken was very reluctant to say the last phrase by fear of angering his master even more, but he had said it nonetheless.

Silence lapsed a little, making Jaken squirm uncomfortably and fearfully, until The Taiyoukai finally opened his mouth. "Why are you defending the human, Jaken?" It was said neutrally, without any trace of curiosity or anger, so Jaken breathed a sigh of relief, though he didn't really know why he did help her in the first place.

"I…do not know, Milord. I would usually ignore any human, but this one…this one is strange, enthralling…I cannot put it in the right words, this lowly servant apologizes, master." Then, he bowed again.

Sesshoumaru knew exactly what Jaken meant. Rare was the time when he agreed on something with his servant, but he was as intrigued with the human woman as Jaken was, if not even more. "Let's go, Jaken." Without offering any response to Jaken's answer, Sesshoumaru dashed off and left him sputtering and trying to follow him.

*~*

"Lord Sesshoumaru-sama! You're back!" Sesshoumaru and Jaken were very surprised to say the least, to see Rin up and about. But oh, the comical scene! Rin was looking at the Taiyoukai with adoration written in her eyes and she was dirty all over. Her clothes, her hands and even her hair had dirt in it!

Sesshoumaru managed to stop himself from chuckling and look indifferent, while Jaken gave some sort of sound between a laugh and a cough. Rin got up and Usagi laughed as the little girl ran to Sesshoumaru into a full leg bind, giggling happily and talking nonsense. "Usa-chan and Rin had plenty of fun while Lord Sesshoumaru-sama and Jaken-sama where away! Rin's been a good girl and helped Usa-chan in the garden! Rin learned a lot from Usa-chan!"

Usagi smiled and got an idea, calling the child over. "Rin-chan! Come here for a second?" Rin nodded and ran back to her.

Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyebrows when the blond woman began to speak inaudibly to his ward. She had to speak very low if even his sensible ears couldn't detect her voice!

Usagi bent down and whispered in Rin's ear in conspiracy; "Ne Rin, remember when I said you could have some flowers if you helped me?"

Rin nodded, understanding she had to stay quiet and play the game. The black haired girl's eyes sparkled as Usagi gave her a small bouquet of freshly cut red and white roses and eyed the Taiyoukai with a smirk. The little girl caught on and her eyes sparkled even more.

Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow as the young woman glanced at him with a playful smirk and gave something to Rin. He watched as his ward ran back to him with the biggest of smiles and something hidden in her back. She stopped in front of him and hastily sprung a bouquet of roses up for him to take. "Usa-chan told Rin those are called roses, Sesshoumaru-sama! Aren't they beautiful? Rin is giving them to Sesshoumaru-sama!"

Under such an assault of cuteness, the almighty Taiyoukai couldn't help but take the roses with an uncomfortable look, as if he was shy of being seen like that. Usagi giggling in the background didn't help him either and he shot her a nasty look. She only looked back at him with a peaceful smile, proof that she wasn't directly mocking him.

He couldn't help but to be mesmerized by her. Such shining eyes, caring and tender, yet still managing to keep their determined radiance. He was about to take a step in her direction when a gasp awakened him from his reverie.

"Lord Sesshoumaru-sama is bleeding! His kimono is all red! Lord Sesshoumaru-sama isn't going to die, is he?" Tears appeared in the little girl's eyes and her voice wavered.

Sesshoumaru frowned. 'Why are humans always exaggerating?' He was about to tell Rin to stop crying when she was pushed aside gently by Usagi, who began to examine him.

"Don't worry Rin, it's not serious. Sesshoumaru-sama will be ok, but I'll have to take a look at that wound again." She looked pointedly at Sesshoumaru and the Taiyoukai couldn't help but look away.

Her voices, her subtle touches…she was driving him crazy! He was fighting the urge to do something to her, but what, he didn't know. It was the price to pay to be called the Ice Prince.

*~*

"Come on, Rin. You can put Sesshoumaru-sama's flowers in a vase while I prepare the dinner" Usagi said, and Rin giggled and sang nonsense while the older girl cooked the meat.

Rin gobbled the food down in one go and Jaken even asked for a second serving. As usual, Sesshoumaru hadn't touched his plate but he grudgingly began to eat when Rin eyed him with big eyes. "Why doesn't Lord Sesshoumaru eat? Usa-chan's food is very good, even better that Jaken-sama's!"

The toad choked on his piece of riceball when Sesshoumaru silently answered; "I know, Rin, I know", and then looking elsewhere while eating as if Usagi's gaze would burn right through him.

'The kid has some power over him alright!' Usagi thought, silently chuckling to herself.

Once they were seated comfortably, Usagi first checked Rin's bandages on the Taiyoukai's orders. Her healing was going fine and she was going to be back to her usual bouncy self soon- though she wasn't far from it now- and be able to travel again in just a couple of days. When Rin showed signs of boredom, the rabbit took something from the shelves in her room, giving them to the curious girl.

"What are those sticks for, Usa-chan?"

Usagi sat beside her and explained, under the scrutinizing gaze of Jaken. "Those are called pencils, Rin-chan. You can draw anything you like with them. Just use the papers I gave you. I'll just check up on Lord Sesshoumaru and I'll draw with you after if I have the time."

Rin nodded happily and started to draw Jaken, to his displeasure. Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes a little when he remembered she had to take care of his wound. He thought she had forgotten about him and unfortunately he was wrong.

"Come on Lord Sesshoumaru! Stop pouting and pull down your upper kimono, would you!"

The Inu youkai frowned at her. "This Sesshoumaru does not pout."

Usagi rolled her eyes and crouched down in front of him, making him growl softly. Unknown to her it wasn't because she was mocking him, but because she was too damn near and her smell was driving him crazy. Before she could pull his clothing off herself, he hurriedly took it off and turned so that his injured side was in front of her.

"Hmmm…What have you been doing?! It's not so bad but the wound has half-reopened. I'll have to put some more ointment on it and change the bandages. But before that…would you like to take a bath? There's a hot spring near and I thought that maybe you would like to wash away the dirt and blood. I know you have a keen sense of smell."

The long haired youkai's eyes glimmered when she perfectly reflected his thoughts. And he was doubly surprised when she tapped on her chin with a digit in a pensive manner and continued; "To think of it, Rin and I should go after you. We've been playing in dirt all afternoon!" Usagi giggled and got up, bringing back with her a big fluffy piece of cloth which Sesshoumaru eyed carefully. "It's just a towel, Lord Sesshoumaru. You dry yourself with it. Now off you go! I think you'll find the hot spring by yourself if you use that sharp nose of yours! Yell if you need anything!"

Sesshoumaru suddenly turned around. "This Sesshoumaru does not ye-" he couldn't finish his phrase as the door closed in front of him. He stood there frozen. She had dismissed him again, the little vixen! He could sense she was only playing but someday her jokes would fire back at her someday!

The hot spring wasn't so far away and he sniffed to make sure the area was safe. Shedding his clothes and folding them neatly on a rock nearby, he let himself relax in the calm water, letting his worries wash away and his thoughts invade his mind in a raging tsunami.

*~*

When he came back, Rin and Usagi were already outside waiting for him. Usagi bowed a little and smiled. "You can make yourself comfortable, Lord Sesshoumaru. We'll try to not take too long." She opened the door to let him in and tried to ignore the knot in her stomach at the heavenly vision in front of her.

His hair was still dripping and some strands were sticking on his cheeks. But what made her heart beat was the intense look in his eyes, a peaceful look; the first time he had ever dropped the icy mask in her presence. But as soon as she gazed at him in the eyes, his features hardened once more and he adverted her gaze, going inside.

Rin tugged on her hand and soon they arrived at the same place where Sesshoumaru bathed minutes ago. Rin yelped joyously and shed her clothes in a frenzy, jumping into the hot water and creating a wave. Usagi chuckled and followed, more calmly that is.

She had already attached her hair in a tight bun-so it wouldn't have big knots- back in the house, and it proved to be really tight when the bun didn't even undo itself when she plunged into the water.

They spent some time playing but it was getting late, so Usagi ushered Rin out of there so they could get back to the 2 awaiting demons. She dried the child on the spot, and then herself. Rin didn't want to put her clothes back on since they were still dirty so she was sporting a shirt of Usagi's, too big for her, on their way back.

Usagi had simply put on what she thought to be an ordinary kimono, but Rin had found a fascination with it since it was made of silk. It was sparkling white and had light golden embroidery on it, more on the long sleeves and on the back.

"We're here! Sesshoumaru-sama! Jaken-sama!" Rin giggled and went to the Taiyoukai to show her nightclothes, to which Sesshoumaru approved of. "But Usa-chan's kimono is so pretty, Lord Sesshoumaru!"

Usagi was folding the dirty clothes so she could wash them tomorrow when the Lord finally deigned to lift his gaze up to her. His eyes stayed riveted on her light form for quite some time until Rin squealed, making him draw back a little because of his sensible ears.

"Ahhh! Lord Sesshoumaru's hair is still wet! Can Rin braid it? Can she?" The child asked eagerly with hope in her eyes.

The Taiyoukai sniffed and made a disgusted face. "I think not. This Lord Sesshoumaru does not braid his hair."

Rin awed with a pout and Usagi gave up with a smile. "If you want to play with someone's hair, Rin-chan, it would be better if it was mine. Sesshoumaru-sama is a man and very few men wear their hair in a braid!" she finished gently. She giggled when Rin's eyes widened to an impossible size and the rabbit sat down with her back half turned to Rin.

The small girl moved automatically and she stopped before she touched the ribbon that was holding her hair up. "Really? Rin can touch your hair?!" Usagi chuckled and nodded. The kid didn't waist any time and, squealing a second time, she undid the noose.

Normally, her hair reached her calves when she had it in her traditional odangos. So now, being free of their restraints and all, even Jaken had to stare when the golden tresses pooled on the ground like a massive curtain.

Rin took some time to stroke her hair silently in complete admiration and Sesshoumaru had to admit to himself that she was damn sexy like this, not that she wasn't with her usual odd hairstyle. He didn't budge from his position but kept his gaze riveted on her and his ward.

"Ohh!" the child cooed, "Rin wish she had soft hair like Usa-chan's! It's so long and pretty!"

'Pretty' didn't seem to be the right word for it, the Taiyoukai thought silently. It looked even silkier than his hair! And it wasn't to be taken lightly, because he always took great care of his silver mane, even though he was fighting half the time.

Rin kept babbling while playing with her hair, until Jaken became curious and asked the child a question. "Say Rin, did you finish that picture of me you were drawing earlier?"

Rin finished tying Usagi's hair and they all looked at the small, blushing toad with curiosity. Rin nodded and bounced to the bed where she had hidden the papers and put the drawing in Jaken's face.

Usagi took a quick look at it and she put her hands on her mouth, turning around quickly and her back began to shake. Sesshoumaru lifted a finely sculpted eyebrow, asking himself why she was trembling, until she just couldn't keep it and exploded in wild laughter, pointing at the picture at the same time.

Jaken had his mouth wide opened while taking a good look at the child's drawing, then whined with embarrassment. Rin just thought it was funny and grinned even more. "Rin wanted to make Jaken pretty! Look Lord Sesshoumaru! Look at the pretty Jaken Rin drew!"

Ignoring Jaken's loud protests, she handed the picture to the curious Taiyoukai. Oh GOD, he was barely holding it in himself, until a chuckle escaped his lips, transforming into full barks of laughter.

There, on the paper, was Jaken in his usual garments, but let's just say his skin wasn't its usual color. Instead of the dull green, pink made Jaken's skin stand out more than anything else. It didn't help that the face staff Jaken always had with him was not adorned with the woman and old man's heads, but with strange flowers that came out of Rin's imagination.

Jaken was kind of insulted with this, but of course the child was a girl and girls liked pink more than any other color. He heard his master laugh with heart for the first time, and the sound was so pleasing to his ears that Jaken couldn't resist but to laugh to, amused with the whole situation.

Sesshoumaru was so amused by the situation he let himself go. Usagi barely noticed the manly laughter of Sesshoumaru as she was too busy gripping her sides. When they all finally stopped, a comfortable silence took over, until the golden haired young woman took the picture back from Sesshoumaru and pinned it on the wall so they could all see it clearly. "You did very well Rin! I didn't know you were so talented!"

Rin grinned and thanked her, and even Jaken mumbled a shy thank you. It wasn't really what he had in mind for a picture of himself but if his master was pleased, might as well go along with it and enjoy. "Will Usa-chan draw with Rin, now?"

Usagi was about to answer when the strict voice of the youkai Lord interrupted whatever she had wanted to say. "It is late, Rin. This Lord Sesshoumaru has let you stay up long enough. It is time for you to go to bed." Long gone was the carefree voice. He had gone back to his serious position and he shot his ward 'the look' when she started to protest. "Bed. Now."

Rin finally nodded with a pout but hugged his arm shortly, patted Jaken on the head in a playing manner and hugged the rabbit tightly.

"Goodnight, Rin-chan. Sweet dreams." The blonde smiled softly.

She might have whined about staying up longer, but Rin fell asleep the minute her head touched the pillow. Jaken also excused himself, the day taking its toll on him.

Usagi wasn't very tired but she leaned on her pillows. She knew the demon Lord was watching her intently but ignored it, instead watching the moon from the window.

*~*

Somewhere in the night, the hime awoke, being incapable to sleep any more. She looked some more at the moon with an expression of longing, until her gaze fell on the soundly sleeping Taiyoukai. Even in his sleep, he looked like heaven itself. What was even more pleasing and captivating, though, is that his features had considerably softened, making him look years younger. He looked so peaceful and she was so taken with the picture he made that her hand moved without her own accord and took a pen and a pad of paper nearby.

With deep concentration, she started to sketch the heartwarming picture he made. It was only an hour later that her eyes started to drop again and the pen and pad fell at her sides with a muted sound. Still, it was loud enough for sensible youkai ears to hear and Sesshoumaru awoke with narrowed eyes.

Sensing no danger, he searched for what may have caused the small sound, until his gaze fell upon the sleeping rabbit in a sitting position near the window. 'What was the human woman doing?' he asked himself and, as soundly as the youkai would ever be, he got up and kneeled beside her, her warmth spreading to him, making him inconsciously edge closer. That is, until his slowly approaching hand touched something near her legs.

He took the pad of paper and turned it around slowly. What he saw made his eyes widen in a daze. It was him while he was sleeping! A part of him wanted to shred the drawing because she had caught him in such a vulnerable position, but he decided to let this one slide.

His eyes softened. She really had a talent for this and it would've been a waste to shred it. Besides, he really looked good on this piece of paper! Not many artists could truly capture the essence that was him and she did it with such ease! Maybe…Maybe he could ask her someday to make a painting of him. His late father, Lord InuTaisho, did have had one made for his person, so why not him?

He caught himself right before his hand was about to brush her cheek and pulled back a little, stunned by the movement he was about to do. He shook his head and put the drawing aside. He laid her down gently so she wouldn't wake up and pulled the sheets up so she wouldn't be cold.

He went back to his bed and laid down himself, but he started to turn restlessly. Sesshoumaru grunted and gazed with half lidded eyes at the fair haired human and, with a small grumble of resign, he unfurled his tail from around himself and let it trail to her. It wrapped around her small form instantly and she snuggled into it unconsciously with a content sigh.

Sesshoumaru smiled the smallest of smiles towards her sleeping form, but then he frowned to himself. What would the other youkai think if they ever found him in this position; unable to sleep without his tail curled up around a human woman, like a pup needing his mother!

But he quickly erased this thought from his mind. It had been a long time since he had felt this utter sense of belonging, and he wasn't going to let go, even though he didn't know why he felt this in the first place. It was going to be saying goodbye, the hardest part.

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Love ya all

Eternal Cosmos ^_~