InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Hanging by a moment... ❯ Vulnerability ( Chapter 30 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Genre(s): General, Romance, Hurt/Comfort
Rating: T
Warnings: Blood and Injury
Word Count: 500






Per his request, she had remained with Kaede until adulthood, when she could make her own decisions. Sesshoumaru had always said that ultimately the choice would be hers, where she wanted to live, what she wanted to do, so when she’d told him that it was her desire to resume traveling the countryside with him as he maintained his borders, nobody was surprised by his response.

“Do as you wish.”

The truth was he had missed her company, though he would never utter such a thing aloud, but though he was unaware of the deeper reason behind why Rin had chosen him over life in a human village, he was secretly pleased with her decision, as well as his own decision to allow her the choice in the first place.

It was ultimately that decision that saved his life, and permanently altered hers.

Even with Bakusaiga, Sesshoumaru wasn’t so foolish as to think he was invincible against a daiyoukai more powerful than himself. He had not believed there were daiyoukai more powerful than himself, aside from his mother, but he had learned that lesson the hard way. Fortunately, his enemy’s lesson had been fatal. Even with more raw power, against Bakusaiga nobody was invincible. The ancient tiger had fallen, his thirst for conquest his undoing. Sesshoumaru’s undoing was his collection of injuries, acquired before landing the deathblow.

Rin, whom Ah-Uh had successfully kept safe, was instantly by his side, despite Jaken’s squawking protests that she not insult Sesshoumaru by presuming him in need of her aid, in between lamenting wails of his imminent peril.

“Jaken.”

“Y-yes?”

“Shut up.”

One glance in Ah-Un’s direction and the dragon obeyed, carrying Jaken off despite his stuttering outcries. Sesshoumaru smirked before cringing. That had felt good, though nothing else presently did. It was humiliating to be seen in such a vulnerable state, but for some unknown reason, Rin’s presence did not bother him. Perhaps it had something to do with how she’d first found him all those years ago.

“Here…” she soothed, gently wiping blood from his forehead while he sat nearly motionless against a tree.

Cursing his injuries but also cheering his victory, Sesshoumaru was pulled from his random thoughts by the sensation of Rin tracing his crests with her finger.

“Rin.”

Gasping, she snatched her hand away. How could she have permitted her mind to wander so inappropriately!? She knew…she knew he could never return her feelings.

“Forgive me.”

Ignoring her faint whisper, he studied her face, his thoughts drifting to his hanyou brother and his miko bride.

Could she possibly…?

“Rin.” he began inquiringly, “Do you…”

He needn’t finish the question; her eyes said it all.

“Please…” she began quietly. “At least let me stop the bleeding, then if you want to send me away I’ll return to Kaede’s.”

His eyes softened at her own vulnerability, realizing how scared she was at the thought of him knowing she loved him. Foolish girl.

Cupping her hand, he murmured, “Do as you wish.”






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