InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Exchanged ❯ Rescue ( Chapter 2 )

Disclaimer: All I possibly own is the storyline…Takahashi-sama owns the characters!

 

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“Yes, my dear Lady Rin, we are raven-youkai…and we have orders to bring you to the Mistress' presence; alive, unfortunately.” I tore my eyes away from the seething mass of black feathers that had my protector under it and met Moto's cold beady eye. What I saw there froze the blood in my veins. I realized that he was about to move towards me; the speed that he had used to dispatch Josh made me realize I had no time to react.

 

So I jumped.

 

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Exchanged: Part Two

 

Deep Water

 

I heard a raucous caw, and a flurry of feathers above me; I tried not to think about what it would feel like to be grabbed by giant man-eating ravens. I folded my arms tight to my chest, and hoped that the water would take me first.

 

I never found out if the water was as cold as it looked.

 

There was a flash of light, and then the wind was knocked out of me as I was grabbed firmly out of mid-air. I froze, my eyes shut tight, trying to tuck myself into a ball. My face was jammed into something firm, covered by something soft. I was gripped by strong arms…no talons.

 

“Oi, wench…do you mind helping me out by hanging on? You ain't exactly a dainty little thing, and I went through a lot of trouble to catch you…”

 

That voice. I opened my eyes. All I could see was red and silver. Inhaling carefully, I tried to rationally examine what was in front of me. Red fabric. Really soft red fabric covering someone's shoulder. Silver hair streaming in the wind. Very cautiously, I peeked over towards the owner of the body parts.

 

My eyes must have been the size of dinner plates, because Inuyasha just grinned cheekily at me, and took advantage of my relaxing body to shift me closer against him. “I'd get a grip, wench…got some major whiplash coming up.”

 

“Hold on…where?” I'm not sure where my voice came from.

 

“Shoulders, chest, where ever… Just keep it above the waist… Hang on tight…here we go!”

 

I screamed, and grabbed his shoulders in a death grip, squeezing my eyes shut. He just laughed, as both of our bodies quivered from the shock of his landing and the recoil of his takeoff. Four or six more violent direction-changes, punctuated by stomach-losing drops followed by near weightlessness, and I was wrung out like a limp noodle. Thankfully, he seemed to be slowing slightly.

 

“It's okay, Rin…I don't think anything got past Sesshomaru and the others, so we'll go to the rendezvous point and wait for him…you can pull your fingernails out of my shoulders now.”

 

I flexed my lifeless fingers, then cautiously slid my arms up around his neck while trying to peer over his shoulder. He obligingly shifted me higher in his arms. I was looking at a moonlit panorama of Tokyo. We were flying over it, from skyscraper to skyscraper, but the landings and takeoffs weren't as jarring. In fact, it was kind of soothing so long as I didn't think about it. He finally skidded to a stop. I was too scared of what might come next to unlock my arms from around his neck.

 

Chuckling, he eased my feet down to make contact with what turned out to be the tiled roof of a building…a temple? We were balanced in the dip of the upturned eaves, on the shadowed side of the roof. He braced my back with one hand, and gently disentangled my arms with the other. I pressed my hands against his chest, and slowly met his amber eyes, which were sparkling with humour at the probably Oscar-winning look of astonishment on my face.

 

My mouth was dry. I tried to swallow before speaking, but I still sounded breathless. “I-I guess… you really… are… him…” He merely smirked, and watched as my entranced hand slowly reach for one of his ears.

 

Leaning his head down, he said, “Go ahead and touch `em… girls just seem to have a thing for `em.” Just as I was about to make contact, he flicked it away, making me jump. “Just kidding…go ahead.” I touched the soft white fur…and the ear was warm. I snatched my hand back, feeling really, really faint. His other arm came around me, and he pressed me against his chest. I could hear his heart beat through the sounds of the blood rushing in my ears. “Don't you dare pass out on me…Sesshomaru'll have my ass on a platter.”

 

My legs were shaking violently. “Could w-we p-please sit down? I-It might help…” Shrugging, he collapsed himself and pulled me down too, holding me in his lap. Too many weird things had happened in the last hour for me to care that I was sitting in the intimate embrace of a living, breathing half-demon. I leaned into him, trying to get control of my hyperventilating lungs. I was so busy doing the `in through the mouth, out through the nose' thing that I totally missed the grand entrance.

 

I was kind of glad I did. Inuyasha told me later that Sesshomaru was still licking the blood off his claws when he arrived on the temple eaves. That was a visual I really didn't need at that moment.

 

I realized we had company when a gentle hand stroked my cheek…and both of Inuyasha's were currently accounted for elsewhere on my anatomy. I peered through my lashes, and saw a very long, very sharp-looking claw right in front of my eye. I flinched, and pulled away, turning my face into Inuyasha's shoulder. The claws dropped from my cheek, and began stroking through my hair. Two voices began having a conversation as if I wasn't there, although the hand didn't stop soothing me as they talked.

 

“Two or three escaped us…did you see any signs of pursuit?”

 

“Nope. I changed direction more times than usual before coming here, just to make sure.”

 

“Her shoes aren't even damp…excellent catch, little brother.”

 

“Keh… She isn't exactly a lightweight, y'know…are you sure this is your Rin? She's nearly as tall as me, and doesn't look anything like her!” The hand in my hair stilled for the briefest moment.

 

“Eye and hair colour are irrelevant. You never saw Rin as an adult, brother. Your last trip through the well was when she was still a child.”

 

“Yeah, but I seriously doubt Rin was ever this tall. Does she smell right? You and Shippo the only ones who can tell…”

 

“I do not need the kitsune's opinion to know this is Rin. As I told you, I couldn't clearly catch her scent the first night because of the strong smell of the borrowed clothing she was wearing. It wasn't until after she left, when I discovered the faintest trace of her scent on my fingertips, that I knew I had found my lady…” He was interrupted by a snort, which I both heard and felt, from Inuyasha.

 

“Keh! Who are you and what have you done with my bastard brother…I just can't get over you becoming this sentimental fluffball...” My almost-human sling chair got swatted, and none too gently, either.

 

“Blame it on your mate and pups, brother. It is immaterial now, because she is here, and must be protected. I am afraid the leader is among those that fled, and will report as such to his mistress.”

 

I sat bolt upright and into the conversation. Sesshomaru's hand, tangled in my curls, came to rest lightly on my shoulder. Two pairs of golden eyes fastened onto me. “Moto got away? He killed Josh…who is his mistress, and why does she want me?” I think I was sounding a little shrill by the last word, because both winced slightly.

 

“Your brave companion will be avenged…unfortunately we were just slightly too late to prevent his demise. You…know Moto?”

 

“He works in my office…”

 

The two exchanged significant looks. Inuyasha sighed. “Keh! That explains a lot…”

 

The claws on my shoulder tightened slightly. “Moto is an evil youkai. His mistress is an old foe of ours. She hoped to seize you to use as a hostage in her plans.”

 

I shuddered violently, as the memory of the look in Moto's transformed eye came roaring back. I was abruptly transferred from one lap to another; now my cheek was cushioned by fur…good thing, too, because those spiky bits were sharp up close. A clawed hand gently tucked my hair over my shoulder, and then ran a thumb along my cheek. I looked up to see those molten eyes…and then couldn't look away again. His expression had a great deal of tenderness…and longing? I blinked, hard, and took a close interest in the fascinating pattern on his kimono, my finger coming up to trace a flower above his breastplate. My hand was trapped, and he brought my fingertips up to his lips; he kissed all of them lightly, and then the palm of my hand. Tucking my hand against his breastplate, and patting it, he then stood up, lifting me in his arms as easily as if I were a small child.

 

I found my voice. “Ummm…didn't you…lose an arm…in the story, I mean?”

 

He gave me a small smile. “Yes, I did. Full youkai can regenerate almost any body part, if given long enough.”

 

My head spun with a few lines of questioning that would have been highly embarrassing, so I ignored them. “Oh…okay. Ummm…where do we go from here?”

 

“We will escort you to your apartment to collect a few essential items, and then you are coming home with me.”

 

I was dumbfounded. “Home…home with you? Bu…but I don't know you!” An image of a St. Bernard dog dragging a half-dead traveller up to the door of a monastery popped into my head…Inuyasha was sniggering rudely up on the ridgepole.

 

“If you are Rin, you've already known him a whole lot better, girl….” I think my eyes must have blown a few muscles as they popped wide open. Sesshomaru shot a blazing glance in his brother's direction, and then made soothing noises in his throat that sounded suspiciously like a purr.

 

He was purring. Mental image shifted to cat dragging in a half-dead mouse…

 

“That is true, until your memories are awakened…however, now that the wind witch knows that I am aware of your presence, it is not safe for you to be anywhere that I am not. Therefore, my residence is at your disposal. Let us go.”

 

I was held tighter against his armoured chest, and then we were surrounded by a shining light that blurred our surroundings. My head was spinning enough that I didn't mind the break in our conversation. I tried to think rationally.

 

Rational apparently included wondering if his hair was as silky to touch as it looked, and if he was striped anywhere else besides his wrists. I slapped myself mentally again…twice in as many nights, and over the same guy. This was becoming a habit, and he wasn't exactly Orlando Bloom…this guy kills things for kicks…not exactly the type of smooching material I usually had fantasies about. If I were going to think positively, I guess this was sort of an improvement, because unlike a fantasy, Sesshomaru was definitely a solid reality. Without thinking, I rapped on his breastplate. Yep, pretty solid. He looked down at me questioningly; catching his look, I felt really stupid, and then hid my very pink face in his furry tippet. I felt his arms tighten, and then he started that purring vibration again.

 

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Point of No Return

 

Summary of current situation. Being carried through night air of Tokyo cradled in arms of very powerful dog demon. Dog demon in question can regenerate body parts. Dog demon is certain that I am his `little' girl. (Whoa. Better damp down the inappropriate thoughts regarding those stripey bits…) Dog demon and his half-brother are protecting me from another demon, who hangs out with nasty bird demons. Dog demon is bent on taking me back to his…kennel.

 

My overtaxed emotions finally sprang a gasket; I started giggling at images of chew toys and bowls of kibble, and Sesshomaru rolling around on his back with his `paws' in the air. I wondered if he liked tummy rubs…

 

I peered up at my rescuer. He was smiling slightly at my laughter, and shaking his head, then looked down at me, catching me peeking. I blushed again, and hid my face like a little kid. I felt a soft kiss on the top of my head, and a gentle rumble echoed against my ear. “Try to rest, Rin, and think about what you need from your apartment…”

 

I wriggled a bit. “How do you know where I live?”

 

“Since our brief encounter last week, I've learned a surprising amount of things about you, Ree-an-na Tanaka…” He stumbled only slightly over my first name.

 

“Don't forget the Johnson,” I muttered peevishly. “My poor dad, always ignored…”

 

“Your father…Row-brrt?”

 

I grinned. “Not bad…Raw-brrt, actually. My mom is Reiko, and my younger brother is Kai…” Another thought occurred to me virtually simultaneously. “Oh, man…how am I going to tell them about this? They'll want me to come home right away…”

 

“You should not tell them anything…not until this is over. They will worry needlessly otherwise. You are perfectly safe with me.”

 

“Ummm…is your ken…I mean, apartment, close to my office? It would be nice not to be so far away from work…”

 

“You will not be returning to work, Rin. I cannot risk losing you again… I once entrusted your life to someone else, and they failed to protect you. I will not make that mistake again, except perhaps where my brother is concerned. He would also die for your sake…”

 

“Better check with Kagome on that, Sesshomaru…she might have an objection or two…” Inuyasha's head rose and fell away. I realized he must have been bounding alongside us the whole time, and listening in.

 

“I believe her answer would be entirely dependent upon the level of annoyance you had been causing her at the time, brother…I think she sometimes misses the power of the rosary…”

 

“Keh! I know she does…lucky for me she had a weak moment…”

 

With a soft whoosh, we arrived on the top of a building…my building, I brilliantly deduced. Inuyasha alighted a scant second after us, and immediately began prowling the roof edge. Sesshomaru set me on my feet, but didn't let me go. He curved one arm around my shoulders, twirling a stray curl in his long fingers. It was almost as if he was afraid that if he broke contact, I would disappear… We watched his brother do a thorough check.

 

“What is he looking for?” I whispered.

 

“Signs that those damn birds have been up to their usual shit…it looks clear, Sesshomaru.” His hearing was good. I'd have to remember that…

 

Sesshomaru walked me briskly to the door leading off the roof. I was about to say that I didn't have a key, when he nonchalantly tore the door right off its hinges, with no more effort than pulling a daisy. He set it carefully to the side, and then ushered me in. I'm sure my overworked eyeballs popped again, but that was all I had time to do before I was negotiating the stairs.

 

Sesshomaru had other ideas. Halfway down the first flight, he scooped me up again, and we dropped down the centre of the stairwell in a nerve-wracking free-fall. I heard Inuyasha whoop, and looked up to see him launching from side to side off the banisters, nearly keeping pace with us in our downward flight. His cursing was spectacular when Sesshomaru abruptly yanked both of us onto a landing, and he hurtled past us, held tightly in gravity's grip. I was peering over the railing at the angry half-demon as he came to a stop about fifteen floors below, when Sesshomaru murmured in my ear, “Have to keep the pup on his toes…”

 

I couldn't help grinning back at him. “Not bad, not bad at all…I would take notes, but my brother isn't as indestructible.” He nodded gravely, a smile quirking the corners of his lips.

 

“I would wield Tenseiga for you, if he ever found himself in the same situation.”

 

I was still goggling over that remark when he took the door in hand. I quickly stopped him, and carefully cracked it open myself. One destroyed entryway a night was enough for my conscience. Inuyasha arrived on the landing and pushed me aside, glaring witheringly at his brother's bemused smirk, then crouched at the opening, ears flickering, eyes intent.

 

“It's clear…let's move.” They bustled me along the empty hallway (well, it was some time in the wee hours), until we reached my door. I produced the key from my thankfully zippered inner pocket, and turned the lock. Inuyasha brushed me aside, again, and slid his sword out of the scabbard.

 

His sword. The Tetsu-something…I was really going to see it in action? I jumped backward, when a crackle and a searing light announced its transformation…hoo, boy, Hiromi would give her right arm to see this…the thing was huge. Considerably longer than even Sesshomaru was tall, and twined with white vapours, he easily hefted it in one hand while cautiously pushing my door open, like he expected something to leap out at him. Nothing moved, so he nudged the door the rest of the way open, and leading with the sword, stepped inside.

 

Sesshomaru gripped my shoulders from behind when I made to follow.

 

“Let him make sure that it is safe, Rin…the ravens are notable for both their intelligence and deviousness.” I thought I saw his nostrils flare before he winced at something.

 

Inuyasha backed out hurridly, keeping the sword pointed into the room and quickly closing the door. “Don't go in there, Rin…the bastards were here before us, and they've done a thorough job.”

 

“W-what do you mean?” I asked, in a very small voice.

 

“They busted a window to get in…it's been trashed.”

 

“Aside from my clothes, there wasn't much to destroy…”

 

“They've pissed and shit everywhere, and torn up everything that wasn't nailed down…hope those dishes weren't yours.” Numbly, I shook my head. The brothers looked evenly at each other, and then Inuyasha grinned jauntily, sheathing his katana. “You realize, of course, that this means war…”

 

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Haven

 

One fast trip via glowing ball of light later, and we were standing outside the roof access door on top of Sesshomaru's apartment block. He opened this door by pressing something on the frame…no superhuman heroics to impress the ladies this time. Inuyasha started heading for the roof edge; guess he was going to fly away home. I hesitated a moment, wavering, then quickly stepped close and hugged him. His body stiffened, then he relaxed and gave me a bear-sized hug back. I started to sniffle.

 

“Thanks…for everything…”

 

“Hey, Rin…it's okay…we'll make sure it's okay…between Sesshomaru and me and Kagome, we'll take care of you, all right?…wench, no tears!” He was patting my back, but at the first sign of serious tear-duct activity, he gripped my chin, and made me look at him. “You can't get any safer than where you are right now…well, except maybe at my place, but the kids will keep you up, and you're exhausted.” He handed me back to his brother, and then grinned. “Kagome will be dying to talk to you, so have a good sleep before we see you tomorrow, okay? G'night…be a good dog, brother…”

 

I couldn't quite catch the expression on Sesshomaru's face in response to that last comment, but the hand on my shoulder clenched a bit as he ushered me through the door, closing it carefully behind us. A choice of stairs or elevator greeted us; not knowing exactly what to expect, I waited for the tall guy to decide. He pushed the button on the elevator.

 

Of course I was nervous. Wouldn't you be? Enclosed in a small space with a guy with razor blades for finger nails…sounded like a bad moment in a worse movie…

 

Once the door slid open, I scooted in and wedged myself in the far corner. He reached past me and poked a button for roughly the halfway point of the building. He said nothing, just stood an arm's length away. I tried not to fidget; I noticed that if I did, my body seemed to float closer to him, like he was magnetic or something. This was more than a little disconcerting; it was like my body knew something I didn't. I sure wish it would pass on the information. I hadn't been formally introduced, didn't officially know his name, or even if he had a phone number, and here I was traipsing along home with him. My mother would kill me if she found out.

 

The elevator dinged softly, and opened onto a non-descript hallway. Sesshomaru stepped out, and waited to make sure I was tagging along. I did notice that the hallway was overly wide, like it was meant to be easily manoeuvrable for people in wheelchairs, but the ceiling was fairly high, too. Actually, come to think of it, the elevator was more like a freight-sized one as well. I nearly bumped into him when he stopped in front of a wide door about halfway down the hall, and placed his hand for a moment on the doorframe. I heard the bolts snick, and he opened the door, indicating that I should precede him. Gentlemanly…or predatory? I shelved my misgivings when I walked in.

 

It was big. My whole apartment could fit in the foyer.

 

Kicking off my shoes, I cautiously edged forward, taking in the expansive living room, traditionally outfitted dining area and an impressive open kitchen; beyond were floor-to-ceiling windows framing a spectacular view of pre-dawn Tokyo. Recessed lighting gave everything a soft glow; my dropped jaw was able to tell me there were thick carpets on the floor, not tatami mats. Sesshomaru came up behind me.

 

“Would you like something to drink before you retire?”

 

Cold beer, please? I wished, but decided to play it safe. Come on; what would you do? Here I was, in the tastefully-appointed apartment of an honest-to-goodness demon lord, very alone and very vulnerable; would you have gotten tanked, even if that's really what you wanted to do after seeing someone get killed?

 

Didn't think so. Neither did I.

 

“A tall glass of cold water would be terrific, actually.” He moved into the kitchen, while I followed along and took the opportunity to swoon over the view. A glass was pressed into my hand. “Thank you…um, er…what should I call you?”

 

His face became pensive; a far-away look came into his darkened eyes. “When you were a child, you called me `Lord'… After we were mated, you had a number of nicknames for me, but I respond well to just `Sesshomaru'.”

 

I smiled at him, and raised my glass to him. “Very well, `Just Sesshomaru' it is…” He growled softly, but there was no threat behind it. We stood together at the window, contentedly admiring the view, until a massive yawn took me completely by surprise. Before I had finished rehinging my jaw, Sesshomaru deftly relived me of my glass, and steered me towards an open door off the living room.

 

It was a bedroom, complete with the largest bed I'd ever seen. Well, outside of one of those interior-decorating magazines that did a spread of the Bedrooms of Stars of the NBA. And it was a real American-style bed, not a futon. Yessss!

 

I would have flung myself into the middle of it right there and then, and rolled around in sheer delight, but the presence of its owner stopped me from being quite that, um, uninhibited. “The ensuite is behind that door, and you will find something to wear in that cupboard over there.” He pointed in both directions. I suddenly felt quite shy; my socks were extremely fascinating. The toes of his boots (hey, how come he didn't take them off?) came into my peripheral vision. A clawed hand cupped my chin; I started trembling. He tilted my face up, and moved in… for a gentle kiss on the cheek. “Goodnight, Rin. Sleep well. Call me if you need anything.” He shut the door behind him. I exhaled. And then tossed myself onto the bed and rolled around, just because I could.

 

The cupboard he indicated was full of yukata, neatly sorted into `winter' and `summer' sections. I pulled out a cream number printed with russet bamboo stalks, and quickly undressed in the ensuite, shaking my head over how much had happened in four hours or less. Folding up my clothes more or less neatly, I left them in a pile next to the door. I was startled at the face greeting me in the mirror. I looked awful, despite the very flattering lighting. `Haggard' did not quite begin to cover it. I washed my face and sloshed some water around my teeth. I wasn't going to dig around for toothpaste…maybe dog demons with perfect teeth didn't need dentists?... then gratefully climbed into the huge bed, and snuggled down into a fluffy pillow. Another small luxury. No traditional wooden block either…

 

My serenity didn't last long. I was being chased. Again.

 

Breathing hard, my heart pounding in my ears, I peered into the darkness, trying to pick out the shapes of my pursuers. A noise close overhead startled me; deer-like, I bounded away. I could hear the rush of air through wings, many wings, and then the air was filled with harsh cawing, and clawed feet raked my head, ripping at my hair and back. Screaming, I threw up my arms to protect myself, and kept running, dodging, screaming. The birds flew away; I collapsed at the base of a tree, gasping raggedly. I snapped my head up at the sound of the panting of many mouths. Hair-raising growls sent me racing helter-skelter through the bush. I was stumbling, falling and I could hear the pack howling their hunting cry. Sharp teeth were in my throat…my flesh was being torn away…my whole body was shaken by the onslaught…a slash of silver sliced through my pain.

 

I was being shaken, but by a dog, not a wolf.

 

Sesshomaru's face swam into focus, his facial markings startlingly sharp-edged and clear. “Rin! Rin! Aisai…wake up…please wake up!” His normally cool tones were urgent, anxious. Dizzily, I reached out and grasped his clothing with both hands. He pulled me up to sitting; I collapsed against his chest. Strong arms wrapped tightly around me; a hand worked its way through my hair and started making soothing patterns on my scalp. I sighed deeply, and wrapped one arm around his waist and slid the other hand upwards until my fingertips just contacted the skin at the base of his throat. His pulse was pounding just as hard as mine. I rested my head in the angle of his neck and shoulder, grounding me in his reality, and tried to find my breath while watching my fingers meddle with his neckline.

 

“What was it, Rin…what did you see?” His voice was so soft and gentle, more rumble than words; his hand never ceased its tender caress of the back of my head.

 

“Wolves…” My own voice floated, seemingly disembodied. The word hung fire in the air, before it dissolved away. “Ravens too…but the wolves killed me…” A shudder went through his body; he pressed me closer to him, dropping his chin to my shoulder. Several strands of shining silver looped over his shoulder and brushed against my fingertips; I twined them around my fingers, and admired their sleek beauty, so different from my own rough curls.

 

For long minutes, Sesshomaru gave me the security of his embrace, and I accepted it without thought. Finally, he laid me back down and curled himself around me, stroking my hair and face. I drifted off again, the strands of his hair wound around my fingers.

 

Ψ Ψ Ψ Ψ Ψ Ψ

Contented

 

I sat straight up, blinking wildly. I was alone, in a large rumpled bed, but wearing a yukata with the strings still knotted firmly. What the…?

 

Slumping back down, I remembered. Everything burst in and ran around my brain gibbering. David and Sayaka… Josh…leaping over tall buildings in a single bound…discovering that demons are alive and well and swinging swords in the 21st century…having a horrible dream and being soothed by… a silver-haired, whisker-striped dog demon.

 

Yep. Nothing out of the ordinary…

 

I dragged my butt out of the lovely, comfortable bed, and staggered into the ensuite. A brand new pink toothbrush lay on the counter, next to a pristine tube of toothpaste, a stick of deodorant, bottles of shampoo and an expensive natural-bristle hairbrush plus assorted clips and elastics. I hesitated, wondering, but then figured that Sesshomaru probably didn't have a toothbrush quite that colour for his own personal use. It felt incredibly good to clean the fuzz off my teeth. I looked longingly at the huge shower and massive tub; I should probably say good morning to my host before I disappeared in there for half an hour. The hairbrush made short work of my spectacular bed-head; I can count on one hand the times I've woken up with that sexy tousled look. And no, it wasn't because I'd had anything exciting happen to me…

 

I dug a blue yukata out of the cupboard and pulled it on over top of the pale one, since I'd noticed in the lights of the bathroom that it was somewhat see-through. Organizing myself into respectability, I opened the door and stepped into the living room…and stopped short. Sesshomaru was sitting on one of the couches, dressed in a green yukata, peacefully reading a weekend copy of the `Japan Times', a teacup in his hand. He looked perfectly normal…well, as normal as a demon lord could look, I suppose. He seemed thinner, somehow…right, no armour or furry shoulder throw.

 

He looked up as I hesitated by the doorway. “Good afternoon, Rin…I trust you slept well?”

 

I blinked, owlishly, and came farther into the room, perching on an arm of the couch nearest to me. “G-good afternoon?”

 

He was gently amused. “Yes. It is now about three o'clock Sunday afternoon.”

 

I swung my dazed glance to the windows. Sure enough, it was late afternoon; the sun's rays were slanting in on a near flattened trajectory. I had slept for nearly twelve hours. I couldn't remember having slept so soundly or deeply, ever.

 

Well, I did have a rather unusual evening the night before.

 

“I suggest you have a shower before we leave; Kagome left some supplies for you.” Kagome…ah, only another girl would pick up on the need for toiletries.

 

“Kagome was here? Nobody woke me up?”

 

“I do not believe even an earthquake would have roused you; Kagome and Inuyasha came this morning to guard you while I conducted a meeting. They are expecting us for dinner this evening, and it is nearly an hour drive to the shrine from here...Inuyasha can accomplish it in forty minutes, but I prefer a less life-threatening pace.”

 

I grinned, bounced off the couch, and headed into the kitchen. Sesshomaru watched as I rooted around in the crisper of the refrigerator, coming up with an apple. He brought his teacup with him as he leaned against the counter, watching me as I looked for a paring knife in the drawers. There were none to hand. While I was poking around and starting to mutter, he reached for the apple, and deftly sliced it into pieces with his claws. He had even flicked out the core. I stared at the neatly sectioned fruit, then turned my head to stare at him. He reached over and tipped my jaw closed, then leaned back, head cocked, one fine eyebrow arched.

 

I shook my head to clear it. “Thank you, Sesshomaru…ummm, no offense, but I know what you used those claws for last night…next time, I'll just use a knife, okay?”

 

He didn't seem upset, merely nodding thoughtfully. “As you wish, Rin.” He returned to his spot on the couch, taking up a section of the paper. I found a plate for my apple, and went to sit. Rubbing one foot against the other, I hesitated for a moment, then walked over to boldly sit beside him. He looked at me; I smiled brightly back.

 

“Well, you have the paper…”

 

He snorted, but passed over the front page. We sat peacefully while I munched the fruit and we both read the news of the day. Or rather, I tried to. Finally, I had to ask him what some characters meant, and he ended up translating much of it for me, since many of the nuances escaped my less-than-stellar grasp of the written language. I shared the apple; we ended up cuddled against each other; his silver strands actually intertwined with mine where our shoulders touched, our heads bowed together over the text. I was surprised when he unfolded himself from the couch and stood up, holding out his hand to me.

 

“Our time is short, Rin…if you wish to bathe, I suggest you do it now.”

 

I jumped, and took his hand to stand up. “Oh…I forgot…I was enjoying myself very much. Thank you for your patience, Sesshomaru. I'm afraid my reading ability is a scandal…”

 

His eyes became that misted, dark honey colour again. “I taught you to read myself, because Jaken did not have the patience…you now seem far less prone to skipping off after butterflies.”

 

My breath caught in my throat, as he pulled me close to him, so close that I was sure he could feel my heart pounding against his rib cage. The slightest dip of his head would have brought our lips together. I gulped.

 

“Y-you really think that I'm her…?”

 

Those eyes held me trapped. “I know you are…my Rin.” I felt dizzy again; and needing to ground myself, reached up to lightly touch the stripes on his cheeks. They were very, very slightly indented, and the red was of a finer texture than the rest of his skin. His eyes half-closed, and he leaned into my palm, that rumble starting low in his throat. When I carefully withdrew my hand from his face, his eyes snapped fully open and I was looking into molten pools. Suddenly, he shook himself, and stepped back, releasing my hand. “Your nightmare was one of your previous memories returning. You may wish to ask Kagome about being a reincarnation…she has some experience in it. Now, off you go, or you'll have to wear that outfit, which probably fits me a little more flatteringly.”

 

Slightly flustered, and definitely weak-kneed, I tottered off to the bathroom. While using up an impressive amount of the building's hot water supply, I tried to sort out the conflicting emotions whizzing around my system. I mean, I had really only met him about fourteen hours ago (twelve or so of which involved me gently drooling on a pillow)…I'm not the sort for hook-ups, unlike some of my acquaintances back home…and yet…what was with my body's reaction to him?

 

He could make me hot, bothered and giddy just with his touch. No matter how embarrassing, I had to face it. Part of me wanted to do it with a demon. (Please insert favourite species-specific sexual position joke here, and move on, people.) The other, smaller, part was running away screaming.

 

What would my mother say? What was I thinking?

 

I wound my hair up in a towel, and commenced looking for clothes and a hairdryer. My dirty ones from last night had disappeared; Sesshomaru also did not apparently own any sort of hair appliance. Great. He obviously didn't have a lot of overnight guests needing that sort of thing. Wrapping a towel around myself, I decided to ask the demon of the house where my clothes might have disappeared to, and may I have them back, please? And no, I'm not dropping this towel, even if you sit up and beg nicely.

 

When I stepped out into the bedroom, I found my question already answered, and my towel in no danger of meeting the carpet. Laid out on the bed were two choices of complete outfits, including underwear and shoes. I paused, then took a closer look.

 

Wow. Someone with taste and deeper pockets than mine had picked these out. One was a long swishy dark skirt with a peach-coloured tank and matching sweater combo. The other was a classy brick-red dress with a restrained black floral pattern. Quite a change from the black jeans, t-shirt and jean jacket I'd arrived in last night. As soon as I touched the sweater set, I had to put it on…it was so soft, so on went the dark skirt and the low heels.

 

Damn. Everything fit, even the underwear. I was a little uneasy about how my dimensions may have been measured, particularly my bra size… I was basically out cold after my nightmare…but, I was properly dressed when I woke up. Maybe they looked at the labels in my own clothes? Inuyasha had said I was taller than the original Rin, so these couldn't be hers…I picked up the towels I dropped on the floor, and hung them up in the bathroom like a polite guest, brushed my teeth and ran my hands through my still-damp hair. I eyed my reflection. Better than last night…my lip gloss was on the counter; whoever removed my clothes obviously checked the pockets first. I put on a swipe, smiled bravely at myself, and headed for the door.

 

I stopped with my hand on the doorknob, took a deep breath, and swept out into the living room. Sesshomaru was standing by the windows.

 

Damn again. Did he have to look so ridiculously hot? I felt like banging my head against the wall behind me, as parts of me went all quivery at the sight of him. He was wearing dark Western-style pants and a shirt. That, coupled with the silver hair, made him a real head-turner. I know what the look on my face was (hopefully the drool wasn't dripping off my chin); he stopped dead in mid-turn when he saw me, and then came towards me with rapid steps, taking my hands in his. I flushed even brighter under his intense scrutiny. He was pleased, that was extremely obvious, and I felt all fluttery. What was happening to me? Well, duh, I know what…maybe the better question was why?

 

“You look lovely, my lady. Do the clothes please you?”

 

“Y-yes…thank you, Sesshomaru…”

 

“That colour suits you particularly well, although you do not need to try to match it with your blushes…” Well, that comment really helped me to control things…