InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Handprint ❯ Chapter 12

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.

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When Sesshoumaru returned to his group after being absent a handful of days, they greeted him with their usual curious queries as to where he had been. Neither of them seemed to notice anything different about his person and with inward satisfaction, he remained mute and secretive about his trip. Looking well groomed and pleased with himself, he removed a small rice paper package from his kimono and held it out in front of Rin's nose.

“This belongs to you,” he said by way of an explanation, letting it go as she reached up to grasp it in both hands.

With eyes as big as saucers, Rin numbly accepted the package. Her eyes flickered over to rest on Jaken, who gave a helpless shrug, as mystified by Sesshoumaru's actions as she was. Shifting her weight restlessly underneath his direct, pointed gaze, she glanced up at Sesshoumaru with confusion on her face.

“Well?” he asked impatiently, “Open it.”

Rin gave him a quick smile of relief mixed with anticipation. Needing no further prompting, she tore it open, almost dropping the thing inside as she fought her way through the layers of paper. She made a quick grab for it, and he watched her expression change as her fingers encountered the silk. Slowly, with dawning realization, Rin stripped the small, white puppy of the last of the wrapping. Handling it as if it was breakable, she gave it a thorough and critical inspection before turning awe-struck, confused eyes to Sesshoumaru.

“But Rin thought…” she trailed off, frustration flashing across her face as she struggled to find words to voice her question.

“The old one had to be disposed of,” he told her gently. “This one is made from cloth woven from the threads of youkai silk worms. This one will never stain.”

Mutely, with puzzled perplexity on her face, she turned the toy over and over in her hands.

“Will it not suffice?” he purred with sudden, sharp edged temper.

Startled, Rin quickly looked up to meet his eyes.

“Rin likes it,” she assured him meekly, still toying with the puppy in her grasp, “But…”

“Yes?” he urged her impatiently.

Eyeing him speculatively, with direct stare that was slightly unsettling in its intensity, Rin continued on.

“Will Sesshoumaru-sama still…keep away Rin's nightmares?” she forced out, looking up at him with half hopeful, half wary eyes.

“Is that still necessary, now that you have the puppy?” Sesshoumaru countered her question with carefully cultivated neutrality.

Rin nodded firmly. “Rin would rather have Sesshoumaru-sama,” she added with a touch of entreaty in her voice.

Sesshoumaru smiled imperceptivity.

“Do you not want the puppy then?” he asked with mild curiosity, his mood indulgent.

“No! Rin will keep Sesshoumaru!” she answered at once, her tone sure and slightly challenging, as if she expected him to take it back.

The slight hints of his smile vanished and he glanced away to hide the flash of jealousy that flared in his eyes. His gaze came to rest on Jaken, who snapped his gaping mouth shut under the weight of Sesshoumaru's threatening glare.

“What do you say Rin?” Jaken prompted the distracted girl.

Looking up from where she was rummaging in Ahun's saddle bags, Rin pulled out her “Jaken” as she turned back to Sesshoumaru.

“Thank you, Sesshoumaru-sama!” she piped obediently; offering him a bright, easy smile. She missed his brief, curt nod of acknowledgement as she returned her attention to the imp. “Look, Jaken-sama!” she exclaimed. “See? Rin has a Jaken and a Sesshoumaru now!”

“Stupid!” Jaken protested, making a desperate grab for the little green toy, “I TOLD YOU THAT IS NOT ME!”

For a moment, Sesshoumaru remained, watching Rin dance about, waving the toy around out of Jaken's reach. Satisfied that both his companions were occupied enough to not immediately notice his absence, he slipped away into the forest to steal a moment alone. Letting the quiet serenity seep into his soul, he gradually eased the stiff control he normally imposed upon himself. Immediately, his mind wandered to the subject that was never far from his thoughts.

Rin.

Precious little girl.

Beautiful smile.

Allowing himself to lean back against a tree, allowing his head to fall back so that his silver bangs hid the majority of his face, he let the quiet smile he'd been suppressing to surface at last. Reaching into his kimono, he pulled out a folded piece of silk. He fingered the neatly hemmed edges, shaking it out and placing it flat on the solid surface of his thigh. He then traced the outside of the small handprint with one claw, his attention absorbed with the idle task as, in a rare moment of self indulgence, he let his emotions wash over him unhindered.

Life—her life—was too short to waste. As much as he was able to, he would take care to see that all her needs were met.

Sesshoumaru splayed his hand over Rin's handprint, bemused again by the size difference. She was just a human girl…and he was an inu taiyoukai. He was not, and would never be human…but he would do his best to see that she never suffered because of her association with him.

As long as she was with him, he would consider her his to care for and keep safe.

Folding up the silk square, Sesshoumaru tucked it into his kimono, returning it to its resting place against his skin. For as long as he lived, he knew he would keep it there, reminding him of the handprint one little girl had left on his heart.

 

 

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