Get Bent

I don't own anything Inuyasha

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

‘Sesshoumaru’ gave a small nod, not sure where this realization would lead, but certain she didn’t want to hurt Rin any longer. With ‘his’ confirmation Rin collapsed into clawed hands and cried what Kagome felt were rare tears. She had been so determined, so ready to do what she had to for her lord, and too young to mentally handle the ramifications of such mature actions.

After several moments of bringing Rin back to herself, Kagome felt the anger well up inside. This body was well practiced with anger, and it felt gratifying to hear the low growl deep within ‘him’. Against her rage with Sesshoumaru for giving a small child a dangerous weapon, ‘he’ asked in a low, steady voice while slightly shaking ‘his’ head, “Rin-chan, why do you have that thing?”

Blinking back the slowing tears, Rin looked up into the eyes of Sesshoumaru-sama; the eyes that no longer belonged to him. She was one of the few people who have actually looked the taiyoukai in the eyes up close and lived to tell the tale. She was sure if more people had, they could have seen what she knew almost immediately. After Sesshoumaru-sama came back from the witch incident and bent down to pick her up, she saw it then in ‘his’ eyes; she saw her lord absent in his own skin.

It must have been minutes since Kagome asked her question, and ‘he’ gave Rin a small shake to get her attention once again. “Rin-chan, why would Sesshoumaru give you that?” ‘He’ pointed to the dropped dagger for emphasis.

The child’s facial expression stayed emotionless, as if imitating Sesshoumaru better than Kagome ever could and simply said, “For protection.”

Replaying the last half hour, she realized that Rin hadn’t defended, but took the offense. That means…

“Um, Rin-chan,” ‘Sesshoumaru’ reasoned, “I think he meant for you to protect yourself, not him.” It was almost kind of cute, the image of the tiny human fighting for the great demon lord.

Rin shook her head immediately. “Rin doesn’t have to protect herself.”

‘Sesshoumaru’s’ next obvious question was written all over the face that wasn’t used to displaying anything. To the ward, it was almost comical how everything was so exaggerated. She was used to picking up the tiniest movements and facial quirks to determine the taiyoukai’s meanings. Kagome just made him look… silly.

Before ‘Sesshoumaru’ could ask Rin for her meaning, the small girl’s genuine smile returned with every ounce of sparkle in her eyes that had been missing and claimed, “Rin has Sesshoumaru-sama for protection!”

It probably wasn’t Sesshoumaru’s meaning, but Rin’s interpretation was endearing.

~~~~~~~~~~

Rin’s bright smile transformed into pursed lips as a sudden thought hit her.

She never would have dared before. As much she trusted Sesshoumaru, she knew he was strictly “off-limits” when it came to certain things. Songs in his honor, yes. Flower crowns, maybe. But this…

This would be her only chance.

“Kagome-sama?”

‘Sesshoumaru’ smile was deep and misplaced. Rin suppressed her rude giggle by continuing her question. “May Rin… Rin would like to…”

Her brown eyes darted to ‘his’ right and back to her tiny, tangled hands. A deep chuckle rumbled from ‘his’ chest, and Kagome exclaimed, “Sure! I kinda wanted to myself!”

Beaming, Rin reached towards the furry addition to the usually frightening taiyoukai and started to pet lightly. Before she could comment on how soft it was, ‘Sesshoumaru’s’ shoulders were shaking and deep voice was surprised and playful. “Oooo-Ooo, that tickles!”

The small child was thrown off by hearing such words from ‘him’. Unable to hold it back any longer, she exploded with giggles, trying to get out the words, “Kagome-sama (hehehehe) is not a good Sesshoumaru-sama!”

Kagome frumpfed playfully. “Maybe you can help me, Rin-chan, but what's funny is how bad he acts like ME.”

With that, all the amusement drained from Rin’s face. “Oh no… Sesshoumaru-sama… is… Kagome-sama?”

‘He’ nodded, curious to what Rin had thought happened to her lord, but didn't receive an answer.

“Sesshoumaru-sama is going to be very angry…” Looking off towards the lowering sun, her hands left the warm fluff and dropped to her lap.

“Rin-chan,” ‘Sesshoumaru’ softly called out, “Maybe you can help him, too?”

She whipped around, the lop-sided half ponytail swinging swiftly with her motion. “Rin will do anything for Sesshoumaru-sama!”