InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Captive Soul ❯ chapter 16 ( Chapter 16 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Author's note: Ok, I need to tell you all some facts about the story. Ages ( Rin:19 Kagome:22 Kikyo: 20 ). The word Shimeru means strangle in Japanese.

..

.now on to the story...

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of its characters.

__________________________________

Chapter 16: Colors of the heart

Sesshomaru could hear the sound of gentle breathing. Opening his eyes, he found Rin lying next to him in his bed.

Her nose and cheeks were a bright rosy color and tear tracks lined her face.

With some effort in his waking state, he tried to recall what had transpired the night before.

His heart sank at the memory of hearing Rin's voice utter the word that had brought him so much pain in the past. It had been a long time since someone had used it. He had been careful not to disobey so he would be spared.

His mind then searched for an answer as to why she had felt the need to punish him.

Another image appeared; A vision of Rin holding him close to her while light drops of salty liquid fell on his hair and lips.

The last faded scene then flashed in his mind, one of Rin, telling him to lie down. She had laid beside him and caressed his face in a slow soothing motion, tears falling from her reddened eyes and whispering that she was sorry over and over again.

Sesshomaru reached over and traced a tear stain from under her eye lash to the tip of her chin.

The woman laying next to him breathed deeply. Her eyes then fluttered open, trying to focus.

After blinking several times, she turned her head and looked at him. For a second, she brightened, then her face fell and her lower lip began to quiver.

She moved toward him, then buried her face in his chest and began to babble in hesitant whispers. "I'm sorry, Sess. I...didn't mean....to say....that word .... and ....and.....I didn't mean to hurt you.. I'm sorry.....please....... forgive me."

Sesshomaru nuzzled the soft vanilla scented strands of her brown hair, then rubbed relaxing circles on her back with his left hand. The female trembled with small sobs as hot wet drops fell on his skin.

He waited until Rin's cries died into mere sniffs and hiccups and she relaxed in his arms.

Sesshomaru spoke in a quiet, soothing tone. "It is okay, Rin. I am fine."

Her voice cracked on the verge of crying again. "But...but...I...hurt you ...and...and..."

He held her tightly then lowered his lips to her ear. "Shhhhh....It is okay.... I forgive you, Rin."

She hiccuped once. "You do?"

He pressed his cheek against her heated temple. "Yes, little one. I am unhurt. I heal fast."

She did not reply, but the scent of sorrow faded with her deepened breathing and the smell of comfort took its place.

They lay there together for a long time.

Rin's breathing evened out and a soft rumbling came up out of her mouth.

He smiled.

The young female in his arms was snoring, albeit in the most cutest way he had ever heard.

As the youkai reveled in the warmth of the bed and his temporary bedmate, the morning light grew brighter throughout the room.

Rin wriggled, a sigh escaping from her lips every now and then.Closing his eyes, Sesshomaru breathed in deeply, catching the last faint vestiges of her heat cycle.

Without a doubt, he determined that it was the most enticing scent he had ever smelled.

Never in the inu youkai's life had he ever come across anything like it.

It tingled on the tips of his senses and made his body react in unfamiliar ways.

Security and need along with the rush of desire combined to form a sensation so great that it flooded his spirit.

Rin made him feel whole and unspoiled.

She was his salvation.

Tiny butterflies danced in his stomach.

He wanted to ask her.

He needed to know, if she would want him, if she would consider being his for as long as she lived.

Rin's breathing became more shallow. The brush of her eyelashes tickled his skin.

She leaned back sleepily and rubbed at her eyes.

While yawning, the young woman stretched in cat like fashion.

She sat up, then stopped, staring blankly at the sheets in front of her.

A sorrowful pout graced her lips.

He wanted to see her smile.

He raised up some and rested on his right arm. "Rin?"

She looked at him still frowning, her voice slightly hoarse. "Yes?"

"You....are....beautiful." he said honestly.

Then he got the reaction he was hoping for.

She gave him the prettiest smile yet, blushing in the process.

He wanted to see that smile always.

"Rin?"

"Yes?" she replied, still smiling.

"Will you.......could you......I...." suddenly he found the blanket in front of him very interesting. "Would you....?"

Rin tilted her head "Yes? Would I what?"

His courage failed him and he sighed. "Would you consider.....

Rin grinned. "I'm not gettin any younger here, Sess. What is it?"

"Would you consider allowing me to live here even if the spell can not be broken?" He felt like such a coward.

She gave him a funny look. "Now Sess, I think I already said you could stay. but I'll say it again. Yes, you can stay here as long as you want."

He let out a breath. "Thank you."

The young woman moved over and gave him a brief hug then slid out of his bed.

Before getting to the door, she turned around. "I'm going to do some painting outside today. Will you help me set some things up?"

He nodded once. "Yes, Rin."

She smiled. "I'll go fix us a quick breakfast."

After he heard the door to her room close, Sesshomaru smoothed his hand over the place where her body had been.

He bent down, trying to catch her lingering essence before it faded away.

Taking a deep breath, he leaned over and got out of bed. While getting dressed, he picked up Rin's footsteps descending the stairs. The youkai then headed for the bathroom.

Entering the kitchen which smelled of yeast bread mixed with cinnamon and sugar, he noticed Rin walking from the stove to the breakfast table.

The clothes she had on were old with many holes, some in places that he didn't mind at all. Streaks of different colors crisscrossed her blouse, leaving him no idea what color the top had been to begin with. The blue jeans she wore were tight and frizzled around the waist, showing off part of her midrift.

The demon blinked. He liked the look.

Without knowing, he stared at her in a daze, brought only to attention by the female in front of him clearing her throat.

He looked up at the woman who sported a pony tail and a curious smile.

The flower he had given her was pinned snuggly behind her right ear. Strange, it hadn't wilted.

They sat down to eat.

After eating the morning meal, Sesshomaru followed Rin outside, back to the shed where she had hurt her ankle.

While he waited outside the door, the young woman carried out three paintings, one at a time.

One canvas glowed in the midmorning sun light. It had a bright blue background and an image of a giant, yellow, two tailed cat with fire burning around its paws as it flew among the clouds.

Another painting he helped carry to the destined clearing in the middle of her flower garden was a portrait of a young woman: a raven haired girl who greatly resembled the woman who held the large boomerang in the picture on Rin's night stand.

Rin brought out the last picture; A scenic mountain top with thunder clouds and lightening flashing across the night sky. A pack of wolves gathered on the rocks, their wild nature caught in the realistic brush strokes.

Sesshomaru studied the painting of the wolves.

While setting up her easel, Rin gestured to the picture. "Like it? It's for one of my clients...Nice guy...just always in a hurry."

Rin put her hands on her hips as she looked around the clearing at the three pictures and wooden easel. Then she turned to him. "I just have to put the finishing touches on these. It shouldn't take too long. What are you going to do?"

He shrugged. "I do not know."

"Want to swing in the hammock while I paint?" she asked.

He looked over to the swinging mesh then back. "Yes."

The sun warmed him as he swung in the calm breeze and watched while Rin dabbed and mixed the colors with her brush.

Early spring wind played in the leaves and he found himself lulled by the fragrance of the roses and the tinkle of the wind chimes nearby.

Folding his hands behind his head, the youkai fell asleep.

The next thing he knew was hearing Rin call his name.

Sesshomaru opened his eyes to the young woman's glowing features.

She was kneeling next to the hammock.

Curious, he raised up and looked closer. There were smudges of paint on her face. Red streaked down her jawline. Green and blue dotted her right cheek. And a white fingerprint was smeared just under her left eye.

He smiled and reached over and wiped at the white as she blinked to something foreign being so close to her sense of sight.

Bringing his finger back, he looked at it then showed it to her, raising an eyebrow.

She only grinned at him. Then her smiled softened as she gazed at his features.

Silently, her brown eyes wandered over his face in childlike innocence.

Sesshomaru held his breath as Rin leaned in with curious wonder and brought a delicate finger to his cheek.

He felt the touch of her fingertip as it slowly traveled over his red markings.

Her exploration continued to his blue quarter moon as he felt her trace a light circle on his temple.

The pounding of his heart rushed in his ears as she lightly pushed back a lock of his hair. He shivered as she gently grazed the outside rim of his ear stopping at the tip.

She turned her brown eyes to his.The youkai noticed, for the first time, the clearness in the pool like depths.

Everything around them became distant.

As she leaned in closer, he could feel the heat of her skin.

All his thoughts became muddled in a dizzy, whirling haze.

So close......their noses were almost touching when.....

.

.

.

.

.

"MEEEEOOOOOOWWW!"

.

Rin shook her head slightly as if coming out of a daze then looked down at the ground.

Sesshomaru peered over the edge of the meshy material to find a yellow cat with black markings and two tails.

He briefly wondered how he could have missed picking up on the presense of the small youkai cat.

But then he realized that Rin had been his distraction.

He frowned at the little interloper. The little snit had interrupted something important.

Rin reached over to stroke the cat. "Hey, Kirara. What are you doing here?"

Rin's eyes widened. She stood up and rushed over to the paintings.

Grabbing the portrait of the young woman, Rin hurriedly carried it back into the shed. After she came back out, she shut the door.

A light breeze brought him the scent of a strange female.

While getting up to stand, he heard a woman's voice from around the side of the house.

"Rin?........Rin, are you out here?"

The youkai cat rubbed up against his leg as he watched Rin greeting the visitor with a hug.

He walked over to the two chatting females, while the feline trailed behind him.

As he neared them, the visitor spotted him. "Oh, I'm sorry Rin, I didn't know you had company."

When he had moved close to Rin, she introduced him. "Sango, this is Sesshomaru. Sess, this is my friend, Sango."

He bowed on one knee in acknowledgement, then stood.

The woman smiled but faltered somewhat when her eyes fell on his collar.

She seemed about to say something but stopped.

She smiled at him again. "Nice to meet you, Sesshomaru."

The dark haired woman turned to Rin. "Rin, I came to see if you have finished that painting yet."

Rin smiled "Just got through, Sango....come on...."

Rin walked over to the painting of the giant fire cat and showed it to the young woman who clasped her hands together. "It's wonderful, Rin! I love it! Can I take it home today?"

Rin looked at the painting. "I don't know Sango. The paint is still wet in some places."

The young woman knitted her brow. Then her face lightened and she snapped her fingers. "Rin, I came in my van. I can lower the seats in the back and we can lay it flat."

Rin nodded in agreement. "That would be alright. When you get home just make sure you set it up some place safe to dry."

Rin looked to him. "Sesshomaru, Sango and I are going to carry this painting to her van. Would you put the other painting back in the shed for me?

He nodded and replied. "Yes, Rin."

After Sango and Rin had carried the painting to the van and laid it carefully in the back, they both leaned against the vehicle.

Sango wiped the sweat off of her brow. "Whew! that was a tight fit."

"Yes, it was." Rin agreed with a small smile.

Sango turned to her. "Rin? Sesshomaru is an inu youkai, isn't he?"

Rin gave a quick nod. "Uh huh."

"Is he your......servant?" Sango asked.

Rin sighed and looked down at the cement driveway. "Yes, Sango....he is... and it's a looong story."

Sango raised an eyebrow. "Does he live with you?"

Rin gave her friend a knowing smirk. "Yes, Sango....he lives with me...I gave him my spare bedroom."

Sango smiled back. "He's very .....good looking."

Rin rolled her eyes knowing where Sango was headed with the topic. "I'm not blind, Sango.....you aren't trying to play matchmaker are you?"

Sango laughed. "Nah...just wanted to see if you actually noticed. I was beginning to think you were in training for the nunnery."

Rin stuck her tongue out at her friend playfully. "For your information, Sango, I have been on dates before."

Sango gave her a skeptical look. "Like who?"

Rin started, then stuttered..."I..uh..well..."

Sango pointed at her "Ah Hah!....caught!...you haven't been on a date in so long that you've even forgotten the last guy you went out with."

Rin pouted. "I just haven't found the right person yet. The right one who actually likes me for me."

Sango looked at the house then back at her. "And what about Sesshomaru?"

"What about him?" Rin asked, slightly puzzled.

"Do you like him?" Sango asked with a sneaky grin.

Rin felt heat rise up in her face and she stuttered again. "Well...yes...but we're just friends...and I'm trying to help him...and.....I couldn't take advantage... of him.....and well........we're just friends..."

Sango shook her head. "You don't see it, do you, Rin." She said, more of a statement than a question.

"See what?" Rin asked.

Sango smirked. "You don't see the way he looks at you. If I didn't know better, I would say he was considering making you his mate."

"Mate?" Rin said, somewhat surprised.

"Yes, mate. Most inu youkai mate for life, Rin."

Rin looked at her friend. "How do you know that?"

"Well, one, by listening to my grandfather's stories on youkai and two, my part time job in small, youkai vermin extermination helps as well. I've studied all youkai and I know alot about their habits and traditions. It's a shame that full blooded youkai like Sesshomaru are so rare in these parts. They have a fascinating culture in their homeland."

Sango waved her hand, clearing the topic of discussion. "But anyway, I have got to be going. I need to get home so I can put this painting up safe. Plus, I have to go shopping for my date Friday night."

"Ohhhhh and who is the lucky guy?" Rin asked, already knowing who Sango had her heart set on.

Sango gave a giggle. "You know who I'm refering to, Rin. Me and Miroku."

" I hope it goes well, Sango." Rin commented earnestly.

"Thanks, Rin. So how much for the painting?"

Rin thought for a moment. "Well, it took me about a month to paint. How does five hundred sound to you?"

"Sounds good to me." Sango reached into the van to pull out her purse.

After paying for the painting, Sango called out to Kirara. "Kirara! come on girl we got to go!"

From around the house, came the little youkai cat, her bell tinkling as she ran and jumped into Sango's arms.

"Call me, Rin. And tell me how everything works out with Sesshomaru." Sango said while getting into her van.

Rin grinned "Sure thing, Sango, bye."

Sango winked at her as she rolled down the window. "Bye, Rin, tell Sesshomaru I said goodbye."

Rin watched as the van pulled out of the driveway then disappeared down the street.

After staring for a few minutes, Rin blinked out of her daze.

She smiled and shook her head at Sango's absurd suggestion. "Mates..." she muttered, still shaking her head as she turned to go in search of Sesshomaru.

.

.

.

.

________________________________________ __________________________

.

.

.

.

.