InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Handprint ❯ Chapter 10

Disclaimer: The characters of InuYasha are not mine, they are property of Rumiko Takahashi, Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, Sunrise, and Viz. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

=#= Handprint part 10 =#=

 

The dying fire reflected eerily in Rin's eyes as, like the night before, she fought to stay awake. Dark red and amber gold danced across Rin's face, so that her brown eyes were alternately the color of crimson blood, then the color of polished gold.

For a time, Sesshoumaru watched her in silence, holding his tongue as he let her do as she pleased. When her drooping eyelids fluttered closed for the third time and she jerked awake, he decided it was finally time to intervene.

“Rin,” he chastised her quietly, “Sleep.”

Refusing to meet his steady gaze, Rin gave a stubborn, drowsy shake of her head.

“Can't,” she mumbled, fear and panic laced through her tone.

“Why not?” he queried, with a hint of exasperation.

“Rin will have bad dreams,” she replied, looking slightly more alert.

Sesshoumaru tilted his head slightly to the side, regarding her with amber eyes devoid of mocking, impatience, anger, or derision. Without conscious thought, he looked at her with a faint light of worry in his eyes. He frowned slightly, his expression one of casual reproof.

“You are human, Rin, and you have already gone one night without rest. Go to sleep.”

“No!” Rin protested; her wide dark eyes filled with the terrors that haunted her dreams.

“I will be here, watching over you. Is that not enough to quiet your night terrors?”

Her eyes met his, the steady, serious light of truth his eyes clashing with the anxious, frightened light in hers. Rin whimpered, shying away from his searching gaze. His eyes hardened, a spark of anger flaring to life in them.

“I'm afraid,” she cried softly into the night, cringing away from his temper.

“Do you doubt my ability to keep you safe?” he asked softly, his voice quiet and deadly.

“No,” Rin replied quickly, her dark eyes flashing back up to meet his so he could read the sincerity in her gaze. “But…”

“…You do not have your puppy to keep the nightmares away,” Sesshoumaru finished for her. The anger vanished from his eyes, replaced by a solemn melancholy that made him look almost forlorn.

Rin gave a small nod, her eyes widening as she realized how lonely he looked, all by himself. He broke eye contact, looking away from her, but the hard set of his mouth betrayed his unhappiness.

“It is just a toy. Stuffing and stitches. I gave you life. I see to your needs. Yet, that thing quiets your nightmares; and I cannot,” he made a statement out of it, his voice thickening slightly as he fought to keep his tone even and neutral. Calling himself ten times the fool, Sesshoumaru turned fully away, masking the naked turmoil inside. She was just a little girl, a mere mortal; and yet…her handprint, small and perfect, remained on his clothing because he…treasured it being there. He hadn't let himself admit that he was jealous of the attention Rin bestowed upon the stuffed animal. That all of the kisses, hugs, smiles, giggles, and touches she gave the puppy he considered rightfully his. He had returned her bright smile to this world, and it was his and his alone. He'd never required payment from her for the new kimono, had never ordered her to serve as he did Jaken, had never placed any restriction upon her that wasn't for her own benefit.

All he wanted in return was her smile.

That smile, just for him.

Not until the puppy deprived him of her adoring attention had he realized that her bubbly personality didn't annoy him anymore. That instead, he missed being the center of her attention. He…

Rin spoke up, interrupting his thoughts.

“Sesshoumaru-sama can keep Rin's nightmares away,” the little girl said at last, her dark eyes hopeful and wistful at once. “But Rin never thought Sesshoumaru-sama would be willing to.”

“I was always willing,” he answered softly, before he could censor his thoughts. The sound of his own voice in the night startled him, making him realize with dawning apprehension what he'd admitted aloud. He felt the stirrings of dread and hope spiral through him as he waited for her response.

“Will Sesshoumaru-sama…hold Rin?” she asked with sweet and tentative hope.

Shocked down to the very core of his solitary soul, he could only stare at her with disbelief. The arrested, startled look on his face seemed to encourage rather than deter her, for with a happy, tentative smile, she crawled onto his lap. Snuggling against him, she squirmed about a bit, making herself comfortable.

Speechless with bemusement, Sesshoumaru let her, watching with distracted fascination as she grew quiet, her little arms wrapped around the end of his fluffy. The soft sounds of her sucking her thumb lapsed into the quiet, even puffs of her exhales before he collected enough of his composure to even begin to be offended.

For a moment, he considered moving her off of him, wondering if she would even know the difference now that she was asleep. Shifting slightly, he began to ease his arm under her, but the way that her hands curled into fists and her face scrunched up made him pause. Immediately, she lapsed back into a more peaceful sleep, her face content and carefree as she dreamed.

He watched her sleep for a while, musing over his quandary. It didn't truly bother him to have her in his lap; and it was nothing more than he deserved—having brought the latest turn of events upon himself.

With a small, put upon sigh, Sesshoumaru let her remain where she was, undisturbed for the rest of the night.

 

=#=