InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Leaving the Past ❯ Chapter One ( Chapter 1 )

Author's Note - First published in a slightly different form on fanfiction.net. Rin is about 13 when this story begins. I hope that you enjoy - reviews, either critical or complementary, are ALWAYS deeply appreciated! ^_^

Chapter One

He had been staring at her strangely all day.

Rin wondered if he could sense that she was sick. At least, she thought she might be sick. She'd been irritable for two days, slightly nauseous and sullen. Even Jaken had noticed.

"Silly girl," he muttered. "What's wrong with you? Usually we don't get a moment's peace from your chatter and nonsense."

"Be Quiet!" Rin had snapped.

"Hmpf! Well, if that's all I get for my con -" He stopped mid-sentence. Sesshoumaru had stopped walking and had turned around to face them. His golden eyes had narrowed slightly, and he was staring directly at her.

"Rin."

Shame bubbled up inside her. She looked down at the grass around her feet. "I am sorry, Sesshoumaru-sama."

She didn't look up, but she could tell that he hadn't moved.

"I am sorry, Jaken-sama." Rin sighed.

"Hmpf," was the little demon's indignant acknowledgement, and he turned around to follow Sesshoumaru.

Stupid toad Rin thought. She stuck her tongue out at his retreating form. Why do I have to be so respectful to him? Sesshoumaru-sama never is. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. She tried to ignore the twangs of guilt. It was unlike her to be so hateful. Stupid Rin. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

That had been last night. By the end of this morning she had noticed the staring. Sesshoumaru had been quiet, more quiet than usual, and she knew that, somehow, she was to blame. She wondered if he was still angry. When she was younger and thought she had annoyed him, she would have gone off alone to pick flowers. He would wordlessly accept them with a nod, perhaps sticking them in his belted sash. And Rin would have been overjoyed. But now she felt oddly embarrassed at the thought of presenting Sesshoumaru with flowers. In fact, she looked back in embarrassment at many of the things she used to do. Once, as he had sat resting against a tree, she had crept behind him. She had reached out, and gently stroked his long hair - white and silky. She had paused, waiting for a reaction, but when none came she had smiled and plunged both hands into the mane, running her fingers through it and giggling again and again until he said, "stop now, Rin." And then there had been nights when she would snuggle sleepily against his tail, warm and comfortable and safe while Jaken shot her dirty looks from across the campfire. She hadn't done any of these things for a long time now, and remembering them made her cheeks warm.

"Jaken." Sesshoumaru was standing alert, and, as Rin thankfully noted, finally paying attention to something other than her.

"Lord Sesshoumaru, what is it?" Jaken gripped his staff and scampered over to the demon lord's side.

From behind her, Rin heard a woman's laughter.

Two demons, a male and a female, were standing downwind on the rocks behind her. The female had long bluish white hair, and wore a sky blue robe. Rin had never seen a female youkai of such obviously high status before. She was confident, she was beautiful, and she was smiling. A sword was fastened at her side.

"Sesshoumaru! I recognized your scent." The woman's voice was clear and ringing, and in no way deferential to the high youkai lord she was addressing. Rin scanned the bushes for a place to hide in case there was trouble coming.

But the female did not seem hostile. She turned to her male companion. "Please continue on, my lord. I shall rejoin you shortly."

The demon beside her was tall and menacing. Obviously a warrior - carrying a long curved sword and armor on his chest and shoulders. Rin could also tell that he was distinctly unhappy with the situation. He glowered at Sesshoumaru.

He's nervous thought Rin, somewhat proudly. Of course, even a very powerful youkai would be foolish not to proceed with caution around Sesshoumaru.

The male demon turned to the female.

"Oh, it's quite safe," she said without looking at him. "Sesshoumaru and I are no longer enemies. Are we Sesshoumaru?"

Sesshoumaru remained silent.

The woman laughed merrily. "Go on, my lord," she placed one hand against her companion's arm. "I merely wish to greet an old acquaintance." Her companion finally nodded, and disappeared in a ball of golden light.

Rin cautiously crawled towards Jaken.

"Jaken," she whispered. "Do you know her?"

"Hush," Jaken answered. But he was frightened, not annoyed. "She is one of the panther youkai, from the Western Lands."

"She's a cat demon?"

"Touran." Sesshoumaru had finally responded. "Why are you in these parts?"

Rin stared at him, not for what he had said, but the way in which he had said it. His voice was not what could be called respectful, but unusual for Sesshoumaru, it was not openly disrespectful either.

"No need to be concerned. I have kept my word. My siblings and I have no plans to make claims in these lands. Nor do we have plans to provoke mischief with the sons of the great Dog Demon. Besides," she said slyly. "I have found a new way to acquire new territory. I am now the Lady of the panther youkai clans of the North, as well as the West."

"The one beside you?"

"My husband."

Sesshoumaru smiled slightly.

"It is unfortunate that our fathers were enemies," she continued.

"Touran. Shouldn't you rejoin your husband?"

The cat youkai frowned, almost imperceptibly. She sniffed the air, and turned in Rin's direction.

"You still keep the little girl with you? Ah, but she's not so little anymore. Humans grow so quickly." The youkai stared at her intently, making Rin uncomfortable. "She's a homely creature, isn't she?"

Rin's hand flew up to cover the embarrassing spots that had recently appeared on her nose. Her cheeks were burning. She wondered if Sesshoumaru would defend her.

"You leave her alone!" Jaken sputtered. He shook his staff at the cat demon. "Beauty isn't everything!"

Now Rin wondered if she could feel any more miserable.

The cat youkai laughed once more, and brushed her long shining hair from one shoulder. "Such strange companions, Sesshoumaru."

~~~~~~~~~~~

Sesshoumaru waited with Rin and Jaken for a little while, until all scent of cat youkai had disappeared. "Stay here," he finally said. "I will return before nightfall." He lifted into the air, and flew off in the direction of the east.

For once, Rin was happy to see him leave. She was feeling a little better, and in the mood for conversation.

"Jaken-sama?"

"What do you want?" Jaken was gruff, still probably upset about yesterday. But Rin knew that it he secretly enjoyed it when she called him Jaken-sama, and he had been protective towards her with the cat youkai.

"She was very beautiful, wasn't she?"

"I suppose."

"Is she a very powerful youkai?"

"Not as powerful as Lord Sesshoumaru."

"I think Lord Sesshoumaru admired her." Rin waited to see how Jaken would react.

"Hmpf. Even so, Lord Sesshoumaru would never choose a cat demon as a mate."

"But even if he admired her? Even if he was in love with her?"

"Of course not! Marriages aren't just about love, they're carefully planned alliances."

"Will Lord Sesshoumaru ever get married?"

"Probably. Why are you asking me these questions?" Jaken looked around nervously. "I don't think that Lord Sesshoumaru would like us discussing this."

Rin settled down in the grass, ignoring the concerned glances Jaken threw her whenever he thought she wasn't looking.

~~~~~~~~~~

Several miles away, Sesshoumaru floated above a human village. He sniffed the air and frowned slightly. Yes, Inuyasha lived here.