InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Surprise my mind ❯ Part VIII ( Chapter 8 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

“You are truly stupid, aren't you? You know you could just run away. For you, the image wouldn't be disgraceful. After all, your living soul itself is already the pinnacle of disgrace.” - Sesshomaru; Inuyasha

Chapter Eight, Part VIII

Sesshomaru had concluded that there was nothing else he could do for Rin about her past masters. She didn't remember any others that had abused her, and therefore he could do nothing to help her. He supposed that it might not be so much that she didn't remember, but probably that her unconscious mind deemed it to be too painful for her to recall the events that had taken place in her past. Not only did Sesshomaru need to protect her from the whispers of the ton and her past, he now had the problem of Naraku, Ryukotsusei, and their demons on his hands. For the past days since their attack, many other leering demons were lurking outside his manor. He had no doubt in his mind that they were demons of Naraku and Ryukotsusei. Rin had kept to her word and before bed every night, she would stare outside and see the demons. Knowing they were there frightened her enough, but seeing them nearly made her heart stop. Now, she would follow him around the home, sometimes clinging to his cloak or pants. Sesshomaru had a strong feeling that Naraku had planted a command into the demon's head - and that was to eliminate Rin. He glared outside the window and stood up from his desk. Not while I still breathe, he vowed to himself. If he absolutely had to, he would kill any and every demon or human that dared to look at Rin wrong. In this case, it wasn't as though he had a choice. Who was he to trust? - or not to? Sesshomaru stalked to the door of his study and jerked it open. He half expected to see Rin huddled in the hall; instead, he saw Jaken with his fist raised to knock. The imp's eyes had shot open when his master had flung the door open. He slowly lowered his hand and the demon lord watched with slight amusement as his servant colored in anxiety. Sesshomaru brought his eyes up and down the hall, searching for Rin. Hmm...He turned his gaze back to Jaken, whose eyes were darting everywhere, avoiding looking at Sesshomaru. “What is it that you wanted, Jaken?” Sesshomaru asked him, not unkindly.

“Ah...” Jaken colored once again and Sesshomaru suspected that he knew that, whatever he was about to say, was going to anger or irritate him. “You see, milord...” He hesitated. “Well...” Sesshomaru stepped forward and he shuffled away as he shut the door behind him, once again glancing around for any sight of Rin. Seeing him look, Jaken cleared his throat and informed him, “Rin is upstairs sleeping.”

“Hmm. Very well. Now, what did you come to disturb my thoughts about, Jaken?” The imp lowered his eyes almost uncomfortably. Sesshomaru frowned at him, wondering what it was that made Jaken feel so awkward about. Certainly, he was used to Jaken's stammers, sputters, and fumbles, but this time he wasn't saying anything and that disconcerted Sesshomaru a bit. He wasn't used to this type of attitude from Jaken. “Jaken. Speak.”

“I...Milord...I don't wish to anger you,” he began nervously, “but you see...I believe that those demons are Naraku's and - ”

“Have I gotten any word from that hanyou?” Sesshomaru interrupted, remembering his and his brother's agreement. Sesshomaru knew that if Rin woke up and he was gone, she would start to panic and probably barricade herself in her room. However, he needed to make arrangements with his brother and he also had to deliver the curing potion that was tucked safely in his pocket. Jaken paused in what he was doing, appearing thoughtful, before giving a shake of his head `no.'

“As I was saying, milord...If it is true that Naraku's demons are purely after Rin...Don't you think we should do something? I mean...I know you made arrangements with Inuyasha to have him kill Naraku and Ryukotsusei, but I...Well.”

“You don't think he can,” Sesshomaru finished for him. “Jaken, the only reason that I am `hiring' Inuyasha and his friends to do this is because I cannot get away from England myself. If I were to leave England, the demons would go out of control and Rin would be killed.”

“But if you took her with you - ”

“It's too dangerous,” he intercepted. “At any rate...Inuyasha just might be able to get rid of Ryukotsusei - and weaken Naraku, if possible. If he cannot do these things...” Sesshomaru trailed off and Jaken knew then that if Inuyasha failed to kill Ryukotsusei or Naraku, then if he were still alive, Jaken's master would hunt him down and kill his brother for his own idiocy. Jaken also knew that at that moment, Rin was Sesshomaru's first priority. That was an odd thought. His lord, Sesshomaru, had never really showed so much thoughtfulness or anything as such to a single, human girl. Jaken furrowed his brow. He would have to observe the both of them more closely, he supposed. “I'm leaving here soon. Go wake Rin and tell her to get ready to leave.”

“Yes, milord.” Jaken scuttled upstairs, his mind seeming to be in another dimension. He opened the door to Rin's room and saw her curled against the headboard on the pillows. He blinked slowly, looking around. Rin normally would be sleeping more to the left of the bed, closer to the window. Ever since the demons had attacked, she had been sleeping in the day near the window and staring out the window at night. “Rin?” He hurried to the bed and shook her. She gave a mumble, snuggling deeper in the pillows. “Rin!” He gave her a hard shake and she jumped awake, blinking groggily. “Lord Sesshomaru's leaving and he wants you to accompany him.” She sat up and stared at Jaken, as if she were confused. “Get ready, foolish girl!”

“Oh.” He left the room, huffing. Sometimes the girl could be so - The door opened again and revealed Rin, a dress on and pulling her stockings up. She smiled at him and his jaw dropped.

“What kind of woman are you? Pulling your stockings up in front of a man...” He proceeded to mutter under his breath as she pulling her jacket on, following him downstairs. Sesshomaru was waiting at the foot of the stairs, frowning at the vile he was holding. He glanced up as Rin jogged next to him. She offered a large grin accompanied by her twinkling eyes. Sesshomaru didn't question why she was suddenly so happy. Perhaps Jaken had said something that had made her act so. However, by the embarrassed look on Jaken's face, Sesshomaru didn't think that was the case.

“Come,” he said simply. Rin nodded and followed him outside, pulling on her coat.

“Where are we going, Lord Sesshomaru?” Rin asked curiously, leaning against the window, staring at the children that were playing outside. There had been many times that Sesshomaru had considered introducing her to society so that she could find a mate, but there was a gut feeling that told him he shouldn't. After all, Rin was his. Why should he give her away to some man when the only one that Rin belonged to was him? Ridiculous, was Sesshomaru's thought. He didn't think any suitable men would take her as their wife anyway. “Lord Sesshomaru?” She sat next to him, staring up at him with a childlike expression.

“What.” It was a flat syllable and didn't sound like a question, either. Rin hesitated, uncertain of whether she should say anything. Her master was obviously irritated. “What, Rin?” This time he made his tone softer, aware that he had made her uneasy. The one thing that Sesshomaru had no desire to do was to startle Rin. She had only been with him for a short time. Almost two months. That wasn't much by his standards.

“Um...Where are we going? To the palace to see the king? The king is nice, don't you think?” She was rambling on about nothing, a sign that she was nervous. Sesshomaru glanced at her. He didn't want to make her any more comfortable than she was. If he started to say sweet things that were completely out of character, then she might just go out of control and do whatever she wished. “Well, my lord? Are we?” She smiled shakily and he shook his head.

“We're going to see my brother.” The disgust was evident when he said `brother.' Rin tilted her head to the side, observing him with a curious look, before she smiled again and nodded, setting her hands in her lap. She looked pleased, as though she had accomplished something. Rin smoothed her dress and then returned to staring out the window, admiring the children outside. I never was allowed to play with other children, Rin thought to herself, eyeing the cheerful faces outside the window. Mother and father thought being a proper young lady was more important. Rin smiled to herself. It's come in handy. Since I studied that before my parents died, I'm not a disgrace to Lord Sesshomaru. Rin grinned widely and sat back, her eyes bright. Sesshomaru cast her a suspicious look, wondering just what she was thinking about that made her so exultant (happy.)

Rin pursued her master loyally as he moved towards the manor of his half-brother, Inuyasha, and Kagome Higurashi in long strides. Rin wasn't sure why her Lord Sesshomaru was returning to his hanyou of a brother so early, but she supposed that it wasn't really any of her business. Sesshomaru was not, Rin observed, one to speak her thoughts. She didn't wish to question him on the matter, either. Well, Rin thought, he probably only brought me along because I've been so clingy...I should start to grow up! She frowned to herself and began to jog after the demon. I'm thirteen, not four. Lord Sesshomaru must be ashamed of me...Sesshomaru paused at the door and gave Rin a pointed stare. She blinked, before she reached up on the tip of her toes and smacked the doorknocker on the door three times. The door swung open almost immediately to show Kagome, who glanced at one to the other. “Um. Come in,” she ushered them in, uncomfortable with her fiancée's brother. “I assume that you came to see Inuyasha?”

“Mm,” he nodded once and she sighed.

“Alright. Francesca!” An English human hurried to her mistress, curtsying. “Show...him...to Inuyasha.” Francesca stared at Sesshomaru, her eyes wide with fear and her skin pale. Nodding numbly, she hurried up the stairs with Sesshomaru following. Rin made to move, then her master paused.

“Stay down here, Rin,” he ordered. Then, turning his attention to Kagome, he threatened, “Do not try to harm her.” Kagome blinked, surprised at the threat. Before she could remark, he was already out of sight and on the second floor, close behind the servant. Kagome didn't see how Sesshomaru could think she would harm his young ward. After all, she had nothing against the girl. Slowly, Kagome turned to Rin, who smiled at her.

“Hello,” she greeted with a shy look. “I'm Rin. Are you Lord Sesshomaru's sister-in-law?”

“Um...I'm going to be,” Kagome replied awkwardly. She was still a bit stunned that Sesshomaru had taken in a human ward. Kagome wasn't used to him being so kind towards a mortal - a young teenager, at that! What was more, she had heard multiple rumors about Sesshomaru and the `girl-child' as the people of the ton were becoming accustomed to calling her. Kagome, at this point, was unsure of what to think about the relationship between Sesshomaru and Rin. I guess I'll just have to wait like everyone else...

Inuyasha sat up, ignoring the waves of pain that pierced his skull. Sesshomaru entered and Francesca fled, not wishing to be with the silent demon any longer than necessary. Sesshomaru walked to the front of the bed, his lips curving in a smirk, amused by Inuyasha's weak appearance. In turn, the hanyou shot him a dirty look, his lips pursed tightly together. “Well, well, Inuyasha,” he murmured softly. “I would never have imagined that you would be brought any lower.” A growl erupted in his brother's throat and a chuckle rumbled deeply in Sesshomaru's chest. He revealed the bottle of medicine, holding it up for Inuyasha to see. He stared at it, almost shocked, the growl cutting off abruptly.

“Is that...?” Inuyasha breathed in disbelief. Sesshomaru set it on the window sill. “Well, Sesshomaru? Is it?”

“This medicine can cure you in a mere two hours, Inuyasha,” the elder of the two informed him with cool certainty. “All you do is inject it in your blood stream with a needle and you'll be fine. Now, my question is: have your friends agreed to destroying Naraku and Ryukotsusei?” Licking his lips, Inuyasha got out of bed unsteadily and dragged himself to his desk, dropping in the chair. He brought out three sheets of parchment from a drawer, holding them out. Sesshomaru's gaze drifted to them and Inuyasha shook them, saying not a word. Cautiously, he approached the sickened male and took them, reading them over. “So. They have agreed?” Inuyasha nodded and wiped sweat from his face. Sesshomaru took out a syringe from his pocket and a needle. “Have your fiancé inject you as soon as I leave.”

“Who is this ward of yours, Sesshomaru?” Inuyasha asked, getting to his feet, holding onto the desk's edge. “You would never bother with a human girl before - why the change?” Not replying, Sesshomaru moved out of the room. Muttering darkly under his breath, Inuyasha followed him at a slow pace.

Kagome smiled at Rin as she chatted on happily, nibbling on the cookie she had received from Kagome. For someone who was locked in Sesshomaru's manor for a long amount of time, she certainly liked to talk. When the younger female paused to take a drink of milk, Kagome asked, “How did you come to be in Sesshomaru's care?” Rin paused and wiped her mouth with a napkin.

“I was sleeping on his porch after I was kicked out of my previous quarters,” she explained. “He found me and offered a position as his servant.”

“But now...?” Rin looked confused. “Doesn't he protect you now?”

“Oh, yes,” she beamed. “He's a very nice demon!” Kagome gave a shaky smile, bringing her cup to her lips and taking a drink of her tea. She could never see Sesshomaru as being a `very nice demon.' Many times, she found herself frightened of her soon-to-be brother-in-law. He was powerful, cold, and even more so, he was heartless. Or so, that's what Kagome had assumed. Now, she was reconsidering that. If he had brought in a girl so willingly, he might not be as bad as she and the rest of society thought. Kagome saw something in the corner of her eye and she set her cup down and stood up. “Lord Sesshomaru!” Rin exclaimed, hurrying to his side. “Are you done already? That was quick!” He nodded. Inuyasha was staring at Rin, appearing surprised.

Somehow I think that Sesshomaru isn't just protecting that girl, Inuyasha thought to himself. She's a cute one. Inuyasha glanced at his half-brother, who was waiting for Rin to get her coat. What a softy. He smirked to himself, before he was bombarded by Kagome.

(End Part VIII)

“Inuyasha, half-breed though you are, the blood of a demon still runs through you. Be proud of that. Don't accept human aid even in death.” - Sesshomaru; Inuyasha