InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Her Protector ❯ Rebirth II ( Chapter 6 )

Disclaimer: I don't own any characters from Inuyasha, it's the sole property of Goddess Romiko Takahashi, and I cannot take credit for her genius.

 

Kagome is a college student unaware of the mortal peril she is in. He's a bitter silver - haired Adonis with a checkered past and a vow to protect humans. So when the two meet, it's a given that fireworks follow…

 

 

A/n: Well now that you have been well and truly warned, I hope you enjoy this chapter. Like I mentioned it was supposed to be part of the previous chapter but I've just about managed to get it all together. It turned out a little more angsty than I expected but I'm sure you will all enjoy it. ::crosses fingers::

 

And I apologise in advance cause I will be updating Rebirth I and II to clean it up over the next couple of days, so you can expect some Inbox cluttering.

 

Note: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS RAPE, CHARACTER DEATH AND ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.

 

A/N 2: A big thanks to my wonderful beta, Rowdyjaner. Thanks for helping me traverse the comma minefield! ::laughs:: Any mistakes are still all mine!

 

 

Chapter 6 - Rebirth II

 

 

“Oh! Please…Inu …faster…fuck me harder!”

 

Inuyasha rolled his eyes at the woman behind her back as he complied. The woman was already on her third orgasm, and frankly, he was a little bored. He had known from past experience that she would not hold his interest and had, therefore, positioned her on her knees before taking her from behind. In this way, while his body was doing the needful, he could allow his mind to wander without being caught.

 

He remembered making out for the first time. It had been Kagome who had suggested, at the tender age of thirteen, that they should take their friendship to the next level. And they had kissed and made out and ended up in hysterical bouts of laughter. There had been no zing…no spark…nothing. Just like there was nothing here. And yet he was fucking his landlady like a prize stud. Just like he had fucked most women - with hardly any emotion. And there had been too many of those.

 

Ever since he had `matured', women had thrown themselves at him. Not because he was good looking, smart or witty, but because he was a hanyou. A freak of nature who possessed the stamina and endowments of a demon and the emotions and `gentleness' of a human. So women had flocked to him - all looking for a satisfying fuck. His landlady, the one who was currently moaning underneath him, had seduced him and taken his virginity when he was only fourteen. And that had opened the floodgates for women of every shape, colour and nationality to hop into his bed.

 

Initially, he had been fool enough to believe that these women were attracted to him. That maybe some even liked him. But his hopes were always dashed, as none of them would be caught anywhere with him, arriving and leaving in secrecy. They would give him gifts, money, or do him favours but they would never go out on a date with him keeping it strictly business. Of course, it was acceptable for them to sleep with a hanyou, but to actually have a relationship with one would have demeaned them.

 

Some of them were married, some were cheating on their boyfriends and some were single women but they all had one thing in common: they were all sluts. Some of them went as far as to even call out other men's names when they orgasmed. It all had made Inuyasha very cynical.

 

The bitter hanyou had found out that there were two types of women: the ones who wanted to fuck him and the ones that he wanted to sleep with. While it was true that the majority of women he had been with were of the first category, there had been a few whom he had slept with because he actually desired them and not because of some ulterior motive.

 

He knew that he had become a man-whore, a gigolo even, and at first he had tried to fight it. The ones who paid him for sex, in cash or kind, left him feeling dirty and he had tried to stop it. Not that he didn't enjoy women, in fact, he had quite a sexual appetite, but the whole matter left him slightly cold. Later on, he had realized that life became simpler for him if he just did what was expected of him. Like he knew that he would never have to pay his landlady a dime. A romp in the bed every now and then was enough to keep her happy.

 

Despite the numerous women he slept with, Inuyasha was desperately unhappy. He craved someone who would love him for himself. Someone who was pure and not a slut like the others. Someone with whom he could actually have a relationship beyond the bedroom. In school and college, where the girls were not so prejudiced against hanyou, he had dated several girls seeking his golden girl, but had been consistently disappointed at their attitudes. And so he went through girl after girl, scoring continuously, but never actually getting lucky.

 

For some time, he had even thought that Kagome could be the one with whom he would fall in love. But, somehow, he never felt aroused when he saw her. He felt at home with her and he loved her a lot, but he knew that she was not his mate. Their relationship was strictly platonic, and to be honest, he would not have it any other way.

 

He had worked very hard to hide this side of his life from Kagome and, especially, Satori, who had saved him from certain death when he had been a child, and he had succeeded. Of course, Kagome knew of the girls in college and the fact that he went though girls like people went through clothes, but she didn't know the reason behind it. And he swore that she never would. He didn't want her to know how low he had fallen. He did not want to repay their help and their love by letting them know that he had indeed been reborn when they saved him, but only as a perverted sex-machine.

 

“Uh...Oh…Inu…Oh Kami! I'm cumming…ahh...ahhh…ahhhhh ahhhhhhhhh!” the woman screamed.

 

Inuyasha pinned his ears against his head at her loud scream and decided that if he gave her any more pleasure, the woman would probably die. Thrusting harder and faster into her pulsating channel, he imagined a couple of other more desirable females in her position, and came hard into her, moaning loudly.

 

He got off her, as he added another mental tick to his mostly complete mental to-do list:

 

Make sure the rent is paid for three months while in college - check - just accomplished that.

 

Get enough money for the college tuition - almost check.

 

Get pocket money for college?

 

Hmm. He bit back a groan as he realized that there were only three days left for him to get the last task done. As his landlady exited his room in her ratty nightgown, after giving him a peck on his cheek, he yawned tiredly - it was going to be a busy three days.

 

xxXxxXxxXxx

 

 

<<TRINGGGGGGGGG>>

 

Rin yawned and stretched before hopping out of bed. Dressing quickly, she reached the kitchen to find it empty. She looked at the time in the kitchen clock. It was 7 A.M. and she knew that the demon generally awoke around this time. `Good! It means I'm early.'

 

Making a cup of coffee for herself, she sat down at the island counter in the kitchen waiting for Sesshomaru to awaken. She knew she had been acting strange ever since Poison. And yet, he had borne all her tantrums and her tears with equanimity. He had stayed with her the entire time, comforting her and pacifying her. She had wanted to thank him yesterday for being there for her, but he had still not come home from Divine Protection when she had gone to bed around midnight. `As if this is the only thing you have to thank him for.'

 

No, she had much to thank the demon for. He had been her anchor when things had fallen to pieces and had helped her regain her sanity. She was alive today only because of him. And she knew she could never thank him enough for it.

 

xXx

 

Once long ago, she had been happy. She had had a loving mother, a caring father and the world had been perfect. But then the kamis had cursed her and her happy world had exploded on itself. She still remembered the day when she had come home from school to find that her father had died of a heart attack. Her mother had been devastated and had found solace in drink. At the tender age of thirteen, Rin had lost both her parents, one to death and the other to alcohol. The young girl could not grasp that her mother was grieving in her own way and they would constantly bicker.

 

Things came to a head when on her fourteenth birthday, her mother brought home a man from the bar where she worked, to stay over at night. After that day, many men stayed the night with her mostly drunk mother but, unfailingly, all of them would leave before breakfast. The young girl hated her mother for behaving like an uncaring whore, while her mother kept hoping that one day she would find someone who would bring back light and laughter to her life.

 

And then, one day, a man came for dinner and he never left. As the days passed, her mother grew cheerful and happy. She stopped drinking and began taking an interest in Rin. She wanted her daughter to call the man `Dad' but she never would. He was nice and very sweet, and at some level, she felt grateful that he had rescued her mother. Still, she could not rid herself of a certain unease that she felt around him. She never did know what it was, since there was nothing tangible. She couldn't put her finger on any specific reason why she felt that way. As the days passed, her unease grew to such an extent that she began feeling uncomfortable around him. She would try as much as possible to avoid him but, somehow or the other, would find herself in his company as her mother went all out to ensure that the two `bonded'. He never raised his voice at her, in fact, he was always smiling at her and bringing her presents. She knew he was trying his level best to make her like him but she just…couldn't. She was polite and respectful to him but her smiles were always forced and her tone was always a little stiff and formal. Something about his eyes creeped her out…

 

On her fifteenth birthday, the shit had finally hit the fan. She had been in the kitchen preparing dinner, while her mother was taking a nap, when she felt someone press against her back trapping her against the counter. Warm breath tickled her ear as he whispered “You're a big girl today, Rin.” The girl froze as his hands slowly came around her body to lightly cup her breasts. Shocked at the man's audacity, her mind tried to comprehend what was happening to her.

 

“Would you like me to give you your present right now?” he whispered again, thrusting his obvious erection against her soft backside.

 

Rin pushed him away roughly and ran up to her room, slamming the door and locking it securely. She had shivered in fear and revulsion as comprehension of what the man had said filtered through her clouded mind.

 

In the morning, he apologized to her saying that he had been drunk and hadn't known what he was doing. She wanted to tell her mother everything but, looking at her mother's happy face and her obvious liking for the man, she had kept quiet. Even though he kept his distance from her, from that day on she slept with her bedroom door locked and a kitchen knife under her pillow. She also enrolled herself in self-defence classes on the sly, attending the dojo straight after school, so that no one suspected her of anything.

 

He left her alone after that, playing the dutiful father to the hilt. But when she started dating, he started making subtle advances on her - staring at her breasts, asking her all sorts of personal questions, making innuendos, cracking vulgar jokes. She noticed that her mother had become quieter and let him do whatever he wished. She feared for herself and kept a knife in her pocket every time she left the sanctuary of her room.

 

And then one day, she came home from the dojo to find her mother dead on the floor. The doctor's conclusion was that she had consumed excessive quantities of alcohol and had fallen down the stairs, cracking her head against the railing. But Rin knew the truth. Her mother had been murdered by `Dad'. Her long endurance of the man for her mother's happiness had been in vain. She knew no one could protect her from the monster.

 

While he had accompanied the police to make a statement, she had taken as much money as she could lay her hands on and had run away. With the little money she had, she managed to rent a dingy closet-sized apartment in the youkai-predominant area of the city, secure in the knowledge that her `father' would never have the guts to venture into youkai areas. She had been desperate for a job, and after much searching, had managed to obtain a part-time job as a waitress in a very up-market Youkai-only bar. Rin didn't care that the bar was across town or that she had to cross some unsavoury districts on foot to get there. She also didn't mind that she was the only human in the establishment. All she knew was that she was free and was earning enough to put food in her belly and a roof over her head.

 

Luckily one of the older hands, Nori, a bat demoness, had taken her under her wing, so Rin faced no discrimination at work. While she was safe in the bar itself - as none of the powerful youkai who frequented the bar would lower themselves to even look at her - it was outside the bar, when she had to go back home at night, that she was virtually defenseless.

 

Nori had taught her a trick to protect herself from youkai at the end of her first week. “Just choose a powerful youkai and become his Pet.”

 

“Pet? What's that?”

 

Nori had smiled, “A pet is a slightly polite term for a human mistress.”

 

Rin had recoiled with anger, “Well! That ain't gonna be happening.”

 

The demon shrugged “I knew you would say that. But think about it, since the alternative is tougher to manage. It involves a complicated procedure to make youkai believe that you are a pet, and therefore, under youkai protection. First choose a high-ranking youkai. Go to the cloak-room and rub his coat or cloak against the exposed parts of your body. If you bathe infrequently, you know, like a sponge bath, the scent would remain on you for at least two or three days and for those days you are protected.”

 

“Ewww! That's disgusting.”

 

“Disgusting or not, it is extremely effective. No youkai in his right mind would dare harm or trouble a pet belonging to a higher-ranking youkai. So you must take care to choose only strong demons.”

 

And she had been right. Rin had followed the technique time and again and had never had a problem with any youkai. Several times, she had been accosted by muggers but the youkai had fled after getting one sniff of her. She had been happy and content. Not only was she working and supporting herself, but had managed to continue her in education through correspondence.

 

But fate had once again looked the other way. And she had seen Sesshomaru for the first time. He had swept into the bar, his silver hair gleaming against the soft light. His amber eyes had been cool and his face had an arrogant cast, as if he owned the world. If that hadn't indicated to her that he was someone important, the submissive reactions and low bows of the other patrons had made it clear. That night, he had been the most powerful demon in the bar and Rin had quietly slipped out to the cloak-room and scented herself in his scent.

 

Like any other day, she exited the bar from the back-door into the alley that cut her walking distance by half. She had almost reached the other end of the alley when her way was blocked by three youkai.

 

“Look what we have here, Ginta.”

 

Rin grew nervous. This shouldn't be happening. She was practically bathed in the silver-haired demon's scent and should have been strictly `hands-off'. The youkai's words had brought her back to reality and she realized that perhaps she had made the wrong choice tonight.

 

With a scar across his face, Ginta was a menacing figure. He growled, “You stink of that mongrel. Did you give him a quickie or did you do the whole caboodle? And him with a human too! Tsk! Tsk! How the mighty have fallen.”

 

Calming herself, she tried to bluff. “You better let me pass. He won't be happy that you've dared trouble me.” She slowly inched back into the alley.

 

If anything, the demons smiled at her words. “Good! `Cause that's what we want. Grab her, Hakkaku!”

 

The demon with a Mohawk hairstyle grabbed her arm, but she pivoted and kneed him hard in the balls, before taking off at top speed towards the bar. She had barely gone three feet, when the third demon appeared in front of her. Grinning widely, he punched her in the stomach and, as she lay gasping on the ground, he kicked her in the ribs. “This is for him thwarting my plans.”

 

“Shee, Ken, don't you know that's not how you treat ladies.” Ginta walked up to her and dragged her off the ground. He held her by the neck and slammed her limp form against the wall. “By the time we are through with you, he will regret even thinking of protecting that worthless bitch.”

 

A look of uncertainty passed his face as he leaned closer to sniff at her. And then a look of pure astonishment and joy beamed across his disfigured face. “Why boys, she's an innocent. A virgin. She must be his intended.” He turned to her and said slowly, “We were only gonna beat you, but since you're his intended maybe we should spoil it for him.”

 

He threw her on the hard pavement and the three jumped on her like rabid wolves. Rin struggled hard, using all the techniques she learnt in the dojo to defend herself, but she knew she was no match for a youkai let alone three. While Ginta and Ken held her down, Hakkaku slapped her several times for daring to knee him. Her throat, already sore from screaming, begging and pleading with them, clogged as a deep heavy fear arose in her. Hakkaku ripped her shirt and bra off with his claws, licking her breasts with fervour. He kneaded her other breast while he suckled on the first. As she tried to struggle, he bit down on her nipple drawing blood. She screamed in pain.

 

“Hush, little one. The more you struggle, the worse it will be for you.” Rin shuddered as she saw her blood on his lips and closed her mouth tight. In one sudden move, the demon ripped away her skirt and panties, spread her thighs and plunged into her viciously. Rin had never felt pain like this. With every thrust, her insides were being torn by the lack of lubrication. It felt as if he was ripping her entire body apart. With each thrust, he was hurting her, punishing her, his claws raking across her thighs leaving welts across her creamy skin.

 

The other two were panting slightly. Ginta began nipping and sucking her neck, collarbone and shoulder, marking her with his love-bites, though every now and then one of his fangs would graze her, drawing blood. Ken was kneading her breasts roughly, pinching and tweaking her nipples in excitement while he stroked his hardening member. With a final thrust, Hakkaku came in her and then rolled off her with a satisfied grin. He panted out, “Kami, but she's a hot little bitch!”

 

An excited Ken took his place between her thighs and thrust into her as viciously as Hakkaku had. Rin was trying to keep from screaming as she just wanted them to finish with her and leave. She did not want to make it any worse for herself. She was already in agony and bleeding in several places, she did not want the youkai to hurt her any more than she was already. But however hard she tried, she could not control the streams of tears flowing down her cheeks. `It hurts so much!'Her nether area was a mass of pain, her insides feeling as if knives had been plunged into her. Ken kept thrusting into her with abandon, increasing her internal injuries but at least she could be thankful that her blood was acting like some sort of lubricant.

 

Meanwhile, Hakkaku had regained his strength and was jerking off in her blood-smeared hand. Ginta had moved his attention from her shoulder and neck onto her breasts and was decorating her creamy skin with his nips, bites and grazes.

 

As Ken finished raping her, Ginta took his place and gave her a very frightening look. As he positioned his member against her opening, he said “This scar that I have on my face, that bastard inu did that to me. He scarred me and I will do the same to you. And when he sees you he will curse his foolishness.”

 

Rin was, by now, a bloody mess, with multiple bites on her upper torso. Her neck and shoulders were covered in an unbroken tattoo of red and blue bruises where Ginta had bitten and torn at her. Deep gashes and scratches were dripping blood and Rin felt something die within her at his words. She did not care what happened to her, she knew she was going to die. She lay as though lifeless, the connection between her mind and body severing. It almost felt as if someone else was being raped and hurt.

 

Ginta thrust into her with such violence that she involuntarily screamed. If the others had been vicious, he was doubly brutal, slamming so hard against her that her entire body almost lifted off the ground. He kept his violent pace and, as he came close to his release, bent down and bit her sharply on the lips in a cruel parody of a kiss. He tugged at her lips with his fangs until small chunks of flesh were torn from her lips. It was at that very moment that he came in her with a triumphant howl.

 

Rin was already light-headed and weak when she felt him bite her lips. The shock and extreme pain was the last straw for her already drained system. Darkness was closing in on her and she gladly surrendered to it, wishing the pain, humiliation and anger to just fade away. And it all faded away leaving only darkness.

 

And then….Nothing.

xXx

 

At the other end of the alley, Sesshomaru had emerged from the Bar's front entrance and was wearily walking towards his house. It had been a long day for the demon and he had come here to unwind from the dreadful case he had just finished. Though the three Ookami Youkai who were stalking his client's young daughter had gotten away, he had managed to wound one of them. The Youkai Law Enforcement Agency had posted a lookout for the three and he was sure that they would be caught shortly.

 

As he passed a dark alley near the entrance, he heard a faint sound which sounded like a girl's scream. He strained to hear more but there was nothing. He would have shrugged and walked away but the thought of a certain human woman, whom he had failed, and the vow he had taken compelled him to investigate. He entered the alley and warily made his way towards the sound aware that the whole setup could be a trap for him. He had only walked for a minute or two in when he smelt a multitude of smells: sex, blood, semen, lust, fear, tears; and the scent of three familiar wolves. Swallowing a curse, the demon ran towards the source of the smell, only to come up short at the grisly sight before him: the naked body of a young girl lying in a pool of blood, her battered body festooned with bite marks, gashes and bruises. He knelt quickly, feeling her carotid artery for her pulse, but he knew that she was dead.

 

He felt sorry for the girl, recognizing her as the waitress who had served him his drink. He sighed and prepared to follow the three bastards who had killed her. He was about to get up, when another scent hit his nose. It was weak and almost obliterated under the other strong smells but he could smell it. It was his scent.

 

Perplexed he sniffed her neck to confirm it. He was right, she did smell like him. `How could that be? Unless…'It took him only a second to figure out what had happened and he groaned in misery. `The girl transferred my scent onto her, thinking she would be protected,but the opposite happened. She had the misfortune to run into my enemies and they took out their frustration on her. She had chosen me, however indirectly, to protect her and I failed her. I have failed again!!'

 

The familiar clamour arose in his mind as guilt for failing to protect another human ate into his very core. Besides HER, no harm had come to any person who had come under his protection. Until now. He looked at the mutilated corpse and made a quick decision. She had chosen him as her protector and, by the Kami, he would protect her.

 

He picked her up, wrapping her body in his long overcoat, and orbed his way to his home, moving too fast to be visible to the human eye. At home, he deposited the girl's body on to the bed in the guest bedroom and then steeled himself for what he was going to do. It had been several years since he had sworn that he would never use anything that his father had left him and today he would be forced to break that oath to keep another one. He would use the sword called Tenseiga - the healing sword.

 

Going to his bedroom, he let his youki touch a painting of a transformed taiyoukai hanging on the wall. Immediately, the painting swung forward, revealing a wall safe that could only be accessed and opened with his youki. Once again, he let out his youki and the safe opened. He gritted his teeth, withdrew something small from the safe and closed it. Moving to the guest bedroom, he opened his hand to reveal a bladeless katana. The leather wrapped grip - Tsuka and hand guard - Tsuba were intact but the blade of the sword was missing. Sesshomaru held the tsuka in his right hand and hesitated. He had never used the sword and was not sure that it would work but he had to try. Letting his youki wash over the ancient katana, he called his sword to heed him, `Tenseiga! I call you. Please help me.'

 

Immediately, a sharp, wicked looking blade appeared. Tenseiga had accepted him as its master. Swiftly, he swung the blade though the otherworld imps that were clustered around the dead girl's body, banishing them back to the underworld. The girl shuddered and then grew still as the bruises began lightening and the gashes began closing. As the blade disappeared again after doing its work, the youkai lay back to wait for the effects to be completed and to contemplate what complications this one act would bring into his life.

 

xXx

 

Rin awoke from a horrible nightmare, her mind reeling from what she had felt and seen in the dream. It took her only a minute to realize that the dream had been reality. She remembered being raped and then dying, so where was she now?

 

She examined her naked body, still grimy and bloodstained, wrapped in an unfamiliar overcoat. Her bruises and minor cuts had faded; the deep gashes on her thighs almost healed. As she tried to move off the unfamiliar bed, she realized that her insides were still hurting and that the slightest movement of her lower body sent waves of pain through her body. She lay back again, wondering where she was and what was going to happen to her.

 

Her uncertainty at her future, coupled with her memories of her past and the pain in the present, completely shattered her psyche. She sobbed as she relived her torment. She felt guilty, helpless and very, very scared. Her physical scars were disappearing but her mental scars were still unhealed as they festered within her, making her hysterical. She felt dirty at having been used in such a ruthless manner. She remembered the touch of their hands on her body and shuddered with revulsion. Rin wanted to die. She did not want to go through life remembering her shame, remembering her weakness and her pain. She was determined to end her misery, and despite her physical pain, dragged herself to the dresser. Picking up a beautiful crystal perfume bottle, she cracked it against the edge of the heavy wood dresser and placed the sharp glass edge against her wrist.

 

Her courage deserted her for a second and then she remembered the feeling of nothingness she had experienced when she had died. There had been no guilt, no pain, no shame, nothing. And she wanted that feeling - that peace - again. She pressed down hard on the crystal shard and felt it prick her skin lightly and then it was gone. She looked at the hand that had snatched the shard from her and then at the golden eyes glaring at her and she snapped. Screaming obscenities, she slapped him and punched him with her feeble strength, trying to release all her frustration on him.

 

It was because of him she had been raped, because of him she had died, because of him she was alive again and because of him that she had been denied a chance to regain peace. So she hit him as hard as she could and he took the beating, never flinching, never moving away, until she collapsed unconscious in his arms.

 

Sesshomaru had been petrified when he had seen her trying to commit suicide and had snatched the shard from her before she could seriously harm herself. She had been wild after that, but he had borne it calmly, figuring he deserved much more punishment for failing in his vow. A few of her blows would have hurt a lesser youkai than him, and seeing her spirit and strength, he realized that the girl must not have surrendered herself easily to her rapists. Oddly enough, a kernel of pride bubbled up in him as he carried her unconscious body to the bed.

 

Taking a wet sponge, he cleaned her, wiping the blood, grime and the stench of those three off her. He dressed her in a loose robe and then set about clearing the room of all things he deemed she could use to harm herself.

 

Despite his efforts, over the next couple of weeks, she tried several times to kill herself, using everything from nails pulled from the bed frame to a dinner fork. Thankfully, Sesshomaru managed to foil each of her efforts. Instead of getting used to his presence, she had become afraid of him and he had but to enter the room for her to stiffen and roll herself into a ball. If he came too close, she would whimper and cry. The only time when she had voluntary touched him had been on the first day when she had attempted to beat him up. She remained in her room and, despite the fact that her internal injuries had healed, would not walk, preferring to sit in one corner of the room.

 

Rin was going crazy. She did not understand what the demon wanted from her. She was scared of him because he was both of her current hates: a male and a demon. Her mind was healing slowly, but her fear would not go. He had only to come close to her for her fear to overwhelm her. He was kind to her but having been betrayed one time too many she did not trust him.

 

To protect the girl from hurting herself, Sesshomaru started working from home. Several of his colleagues came home to work with him, as he was adamant about not leaving the young human alone. Time passed and the girl's melancholy reduced considerably. She finally stopped trying to kill herself and when Sesshomaru engaged a female tutor for her, immersed herself in her studies. Still, her room and its attached bathroom was her world and she never left it. And she was still scared of the demon. He had but to step one foot beyond the doorway of her room for her to run to her corner.

 

Six months having passed since the heinous incident, the two unusual housemates had settled into a sort of a routine. While she would remain in her room at all times, the inuyoukai would never try to cross the threshold of her room. And that strange routine was disrupted when, the demon suddenly announced one day that he was going away for a fortnight in relation to a case. Rin had been confused at that.

 

The first day after his departure she remained in her room. But by the second day hunger forced the young girl to timidly creep out of the room that had been her sanctuary. Over the days, she gained confidence and explored the beautiful house to her heart's content, trying to get clues as to the mystery that was Sesshomaru. His large one-floor house had been as pristine as a museum and just as impersonal. So the girl, reveling in her new-found freedom and her awakening confidence, had put her crazy touch on the house in an effort to make it more livable, figuring she would `re-pristine' the place before he came back.

 

A fortnight rolled into a month and still there was no Sesshomaru. By now, a tinge of worry had entered the girl's mind. Frightening or not, the demon had been the one who had become a stabilizing factor in her life and now he was gone.

 

Sesshomaru had come home after a month and a half, expecting the worst from his ward. However, he had been pleasantly surprised to see her in the kitchen, humming to herself as she cooked. Silently he settled himself in the living room to observe her, reveling in the fact that she looked calm and almost happy. He was also anxious to see how she would react to his return.

 

On spotting the demon sitting a couple of feet behind her, the girl had screamed and cowered against the counter, reeking of fear and nervousness. The demon hadn't liked the fact that she was still afraid of him and to calm her had done the one thing he was most uncomfortable doing. He had begun talking to her as an equal.

 

The first thing he had done was to reassure her that whatever happened he would NEVER, EVER hurt her. He promised her on his honour that he would not touch her in any way until she grew to trust him. He then began telling her about himself, his cases and various anecdotes related to his life.

 

At first, Rin had been startled when she had seen the youkai and then glad that he was back. However, uncertainty grew in her as some of the old fears resurfaced. She was also worried that he would be angry that she had messed up his house. However, as he spoke, she relaxed and actually began to enjoy herself.

 

Every day they would talk, seated far apart, and slowly Rin opened up to him, telling him about herself and her life before the rape. She grew comfortable with him and didn't mind being around him - as long as he didn't touch her. And he kept to his promise of not touching her, taking care to keep a distance of a few feet between then so as not to come in contact with her, even inadvertently.

 

One day, a couple of weeks short of her one-year anniversary with him, the demon had handed her an envelope calling it a special present for her. She had opened it and found three photographs. Each photograph showed the horribly mutilated corpse of one of her rapists. The stoic demon informed her that he had personally sent each of the offenders to the next world for daring to hurt her. Rin had felt a number of emotions at viewing the three `presents' but the premier emotion she felt was one of freedom. She had walked up to the demon and had tightly hugged him, all her misery, heartache and pain flowing out with her tears. That night she burnt the three photographs and from their ashes she had been reborn, just like a phoenix. She had even gone for therapy to get rid of all her unresolved emotions and to regain her self-esteem and confidence in order to become the old Rin again, the one who was all laughter and fun. Her fear of him had all but disappeared as she recognized all that he had done for her.

 

Things were going great until one day Rin had questioned the demon regarding her future. He, in turn, had calmly stated that she was free to do as she wanted. He said he hoped she would stay with him and allow him to protect her, but left the choice to her. The girl was in two minds as to her answer. She knew that, in effect, he had asked her to become his Pet and she did not know whether she wanted that. So she evaluated all her options carefully. If she agreed, she would be safe, as she knew that he would not hurt her in any way. She would also gain a powerful protector, as well as a safe environment to stay in. Over and above that was the fact that she owed it to him, as he had saved her life and nursed her back to health. She also knew that he cared deeply for her. On the other hand, she was uncomfortable with the fact that she would be getting intimate with him. Upon careful reflection, she realized that she was still afraid of getting physical with any male - man or youkai. And while her own feelings regarding him were muddled, she knew that she cared for him and thought of him as her best friend. She then and there decided that if she had to do `that' with anyone, she would rather do it with her friend. She would become his Pet.

 

And that night had once again changed her, revealing to her the true Sesshomaru: the one she cherished and had grown to love. Deciding to take matters into her own hand for once, she carefully planned this major step in her relationship with the demon. Wearing a silk negligee and a matching gown, she had entered Sesshomaru's room that night to see him reading a book on the bed. Stopping halfway into his room, she waited until she had the demon's attention before deliberately letting her gown drop to the floor. The demon had been surprised, his eyebrows almost climbing into his hairline. Finding him staring at her, she had slowly slid the straps of her negligee off her shoulders. The garment had fallen to the ground, revealing her naked body to his perusal and she nervously awaited his reaction. He had walked towards her, his eyes intent on her and had bent down towards her…

 

xXx

 

Rin was yanked out off her thoughts, as she realized that Sesshomaru's door was opening. She was mentally preparing herself to launch into a lengthy but heartfelt apology when she froze at the sight of the creature exiting his room.

 

xxXxxXxxXxx

 

 

Sesshomaru awoke in pain. His face, his chest, his throat and his privates were all extremely sore. It was another matter that his entire body was tingling, his skin having become rather sensitive to touch.

 

`Damn that pesky Kitsune! He should have warned me that it would hurt so much.' Groggily, he got out of bed to get his daily fix of coffee. He considered getting dressed, but with the state his body was in, resigned himself to going out in his boxers. He made his way to the kitchen and was surprised to see Rin sitting on the counter giving him a glare. Not in the mood for pleasantries, he ground out a `Good morning', before making a beeline for the percolator.

 

Rin was incensed at the rather rude and nearly naked woman who was prancing her way to the coffee machine. `Who does she think she is? Walking around the house as if she owns the damn place. And that too, clad only in Sessy's boxers…Does she have no shame? Fucking slut!'

 

Watching the woman sip coffee as if it were the elixir of life, Rin conceded that the young woman was pretty. But she could not understand why Sessy had done this. Not `why' per-se, because she knew that in the past he had slept with other female demons, but why he had brought her to the house. In the two years that the young girl had spent with him, he had never brought another woman home. Her mind went into overdrive as she considered the implications. `Is he serious about her? Is that why he brought her home? Maybe she is his girlfriend. Does he want to get married to her and have perfect little inuyoukai babies? What will happen to me, if he does marry her? Will she hate me and try to throw me out of the house?' Then another thought struck her and her eyes narrowed. `Is she using Sessy? Does she even like him or is she just trying to get money out of him? I must find out the truth.'

 

“I know what you are trying to do…bitch!”

 

Sesshomaru looked up at the still glaring human and blinked trying to put the statement in perspective. `huh? Bitch? Is she referring to the going-undercover-as-a- female thing? How…Of course! Shippo must have told her. I'm so going to kill that brat…Is that why she is angry? She's not disgusted with me, is she?' Deciding discretion was the better part of valour, he grunted a noncommittal “So?” trying to get her to reveal exactly how much she knew.

 

The girl, if possible, grew angrier and her voice dripped icicles. “You can try what you want to but it will not work. He will not fall in with your plans.”

 

The demon gave a soft sigh. `How did she know about Inuyasha and my plans for him? And if she knows what I am doing, why is she doubting me now?' His voice filled with confidence, he said, “He will not be able to resist me, once I put my plans into action. By the time this is over, he will be wrapped up around my little finger. Don't worry, Rin, I will charm him into forgetting the past. I will show him my sincerity and he will see that he needs me. And that I need him. He will believe it!” `He must believe it. Oh Kami, please let Inuyasha believe the truth.'

 

While the demon had said it in all honesty, Rin heard only slyness and deceit in the soft voice. `So she thinks that she can charm Sessy into forgetting the past…into forgetting me? I won't let that happen. I won't let him fall into her trap.'

 

“You really think a trashy slut like you can accomplish this? You don't know anything about what he is like, what he wants, what he needs. It is all a fallacy that you have built for yourself. Forget about it. It will not happen.”

 

Sesshomaru was loosing patience with her, “Firstly, stop calling me names. I am like this because of him. This is all for him. And it will happen. I will make it happen. I will succeed.”

 

Sudden anger flared in the young girl and she jumped down from the counter. Striding to where the slut was leaning against the wall, Rin brought her face close to the other's face and ground out. “He has been hurt enough in the past and I will not allow it to happen again. Can't you see that you will only end up hurting him? How can you be so selfish?”

 

Anguish lanced through the demon as he acknowledged the girl's words. He HAD hurt Inuyasha and how. His pain came out in a rush of words. “I know that! Don't you think that I know all that? But I need to do this…I need to make it all better for him. You think I'm being selfish? You think its selfish wanting him in my life? If you think that, then it's true, I am selfish.” His voice dropped an octave as he pleaded with her. “Please Rin, do not fight me. I need your help to do this.”

 

Whatever she had expected, it was not this. The emotion in the other woman's voice had touched Rin and now the woman actually wanted her help? “My help?” she squeaked.

 

He blushed as he whispered, “Will you teach me how to act like a lady?”

 

Rin gazed at the woman in shock, in two minds regarding her answer. It would not be easy molding a semi-nude tramp into a lady, but then again, why should she help her?

 

Sensing her confusion, he pleaded again. “Please Rin, this Sesshomaru needs your help.”

 

The ground shifted beneath her feet as she heard the very familiar phrase slip out of the other woman's lips. “Sesshomaru?”

 

“Yes?”

 

He looked at her in confusion as she stared at him. “What's my favourite-ist thing in the whole wide world?”

 

The demon grinned remembering an old argument and replied, “Why, ME princess!”

 

She gaped, that was Sesshomaru all right. “Oh, Sessy if you could only see yourself. I thought molding a semi-nude tramp into a lady would have been difficult, but molding a semi-nude tramp, who is actually a male, into a lady is just…just impossible!” She paused as a smile lit up her face. “And will be a whole lot of fun!”

 

And then she took one look at the highly confused demon and burst out laughing.

 

xxXxxXxxXxx

 

One hour and an extremely amused conversation later, Rin accompanied Sesshomaru to Divine Protection to get the charm repaired. Dressed in a fitting t-shirt and baggy jeans, Sesshomaru looked like an icy, yet beautiful girl. She was amused at how a T-shirt that fit the male demon's wide chest, still managed to snuggly hug the decidedly less expansive but more curvy chest of the female illusion; which alerted the girl to the urgent need for lingerie shopping for the newly-created female.

 

Rin grinned to herself. The whole plan, as the demon had outlined it, sounded fantastic and difficult to pull off, but she knew if anyone could do it, it was the silver haired demon beside her…or should she refer to him as the black-haired demoness? Wild laughter bubbled at the thought and Rin let herself go. The demon looked at the girl patiently as they rode the subway to reach their destination.

 

Minutes passed by and a naughty thought arose in the young girl's mind. She nudged the demon and whispered to him, “Do you want me to help you behave like a girl?” As he nodded, she inclined her head towards a young demon a couple of seats away who was looking at Sesshomaru with a small smile on his face. “Then you have to pass the test. That demon's checking you out. Go and flirt with him!”

 

At the girl's words, outrage flared in the demon. `How dare that tiger shit check out this Sesshomaru. He is not fit to even gaze at me. Flirt with him, huh, I can do better!' Then, as his mind registered what he had just thought, he cringed. Why had he thought that he could do better? `Damn! It's just a small test! Its not like I want to mate with him or something.'

 

His eyes widened at his strange thoughts. `Wait! Mate?' He shuddered, deciding that his mind was totally messed up due to sleep deprivation and tiredness.

 

Rin giggled at the conflicting emotions on the demon's face and nudged him again. “I want to see if you are able to put yourself into a female mindset. Now go!” Giving her a very nervous smirk, the demon arose, walking like he imagined a female would, towards the tiger youkai.

 

The girl chortled as Sesshomaru sashayed with exaggerated hip movements, like a model-on-crack-walking-on-the-catwalk, towards the grinning demon. She watched as he demurely sat next to the other demon, remembering to keep his legs closed and began a conversation. Oh! What she would do to be a fly on the wall.

 

Sesshomaru's feminine avatar leaned towards other demon, his voice soft as he snarled. “Listen up, shithead. Keep smiling as if your life depended on it. If you make one wrong move, I will rip your head from your torso and feed it to the crows.” The youkai whose smile had vanished at the demon lords first words, pasted on a sick parody of his earlier smile. Nodding in approval, Sesshomaru murmured. “Very good. Now you were staring at me, do you have something to say to me, tiger?”

 

“Uh! no…I mean yeah…I just wanted to tell you you're not only beautiful but you're one hell of a powerful bitch.”

 

Sesshomaru groaned mentally. He knew most inuyoukai bitches would consider a line like that very sexy but he just wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible. So he let his youki flare up and press against the tiger's youki - a youkai way of flexing his muscles. “Maybe, but way out of your league.”

 

Seeing the tiger's eyes bug out in pain with the amount of power he was forcing on him, Sesshomaru relented and, after softly smiling and patting his cheek, moved back towards Rin.

 

“So how did it go, Sessy?”

 

“Piece of cake! The guy was ready to fall down on my feet.” `Literally. Any more power and the poor twerp would have fainted.'

 

Rin looked pleased as Sesshomaru smirked. “Fine we'll start your training once we're back home.” As he grinned, she whispered “And Sessy, did you really have to frighten him so much?”

 

His smirk evaporated, `Busted!' Catching the smile on her face, he smirked again. “Hn! He should have known not to mess with his betters.”

 

After a few seconds, the tiger youkai walked hesitantly towards the pair and apologised to the demon. “I'm sorry Miss. I did not mean to cause any harm. I'm really sorry if you are offended. Please forgive me.” Sesshomaru nodded regally accepting the apology. The tiger spoke again. “Miss, if you don't mind, I just wanted to say that I am honoured to have met an inuyoukai of your stature. If I could only be graced with your name…”

 

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow at the tiger's boldness just as their stop was announced. Leaving the tiger behind them, they walked towards the door. Sesshomaru turned before alighting and replied stoically, “My name…My name is Kikyou.”

 

 

TBC….

 

 

A/N: Long chapter or what? LOL. Bet you didn't see that last part coming! Yeehaw! And I couldn't stop laughing when I wrote the flirting scene. It was soooo funny imagining him in that situation.

 

And please don't hate me for ending Rin's memories where I did…the chapter was already too long. Don't worry everything that happened that night will be revealed later….

 

Like it, Hate it or just indifferent to it, Please review. I will appreciate much. And I would prefer that I get a review instead of an email. It's just simpler that way.

 

Heartfelt thanks to my reviewers:

 

Angel Killer: Thank you for you email and for your wonderful idea. Yes, this is going to be a long story. Am aiming it to be anywhere between 25-30 chapters, so strap in, its gonna be a bumpy ride. LOL.

 

Ladydeath31178: Thank you. As for him noticing he was topless, he couldn't cause he forgot about the fact that he was wearing the charm and he couldn't see the changes himself. LOL. As you can see its Rin who pointed it out to him. Poor Sessy, I feel so sorry for him knowing what all will happen to him. ;)

 

Sovereignity: Two reviews again. Wheeeee! Man your tens give me a high every time, so thanks a million. Yeah, I guess great minds do think alike, but still it was freaky that both of you kind of outlined my plot. Heeeheee, But I sure threw you off with Kikyou. Score one for me. LOL.

 

Sweetkijo: Thanks a lot. I'm glad you like the story. Praise from you is indeed great since I think your story was absolutely fab! ::giggle:: With female Sessy being called Kikyou, imagine what kind of stuff I could do…LOL.