The Courting of Rin

Untitled


Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of it's characters.

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Chapter 5: True to her heart?

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Last time on the courting of Rin: Her heart had chosen. "I...."

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Rin paused, frozen, gazing into the dark cobalt depths that were waiting
in soft patience.

She did not know what had made her break eye contact, but she faltered, slowly
looking up from the beautiful male, compelled by some unknown feeling, searching.

Her slow yet momentary search ended when her rising gaze locked with a darkened
amber. No longer was her Sesshoumaru-sama sitting on the rock but standing only
a few paces away, watching her intently. He seemed to be....waiting.

Unaware, an emotion birthed within their locked gaze, something unearthly, bordering
on ethereal. It took her by surprise, embracing, filling the void between them.

Rin held on. She held on to this...feeling, fascinated by the hint of something
that she could feel but not entirely see. That hint shimered for only a moment
then died, fading into golden ice. The fleeting sensation lasted for only a
slow blink of an eye but it was enough to sway her reply.


She looked down to the swan youkai kneeling before her, his long sun kissed
hair touched the dark green grass, wings spread apart and outward, their
feathers trembling from the wind of the waterfall's spray. His features
softened with emotion. Emotion so pure it almost took her breath away.

She smiled calmly, knowing her answer. "Lord Sunoo, I, Rin, ward of Sesshoumaru,
Great Lord of the Westernlands, will decline your first spoken request on this
first full moon of our courting."

The swan youkai wilted at her reply.

Rin gave him a warmer smile, reaching for him, lightly touching his cheek,
tracing the line that ended in a teardrop at his jawline. "But you
may ask me again, my love. You may ask me again the next full moon. I will
await the morrows sunrise. I will await the chance to see you again."


If at all possible, the cobalt in his gaze darkened almost to a black indigo.
He returned her warm smile, closing his eyes and leaning into her touch, resting
his cheek in her palm. "Yes...my love. I will see you again on the morrow,
my dearest, Rin."


Opening his eyes, he stood. Taking her right hand in his, he brought it to his
lips, placing a small soft kiss on her palm. The simple act evoked
a tingly sensation. In sweet wonder, she gazed up at him, the
warm tingle flowing up her arm all the way to her heart. All thought
stopped. All she could see or feel was his spirit, blazing with the inner light
of his immortal soul. He was...beautiful. He bent down, his breath a whisper
from the heated skin of her cheeks. Breathing caught, her heart....hesitated,
anticipating. Soft warm lips brushed against her left cheek then alighted on
her temple in a swift quick kiss.


Rin swallowed, making herself breathe as he released her hand,
winked, then turned. His wings rustled in the movement, flattening
against his back. Facing her protector, he bowed low, his voice, deep
and smooth. "Lord Sesshoumaru, your ward has declined my first request."


Her Sesshoumaru-sama raised an elegant brow. "Indeed."


Sunoo straightened. "I will continue our courtship and will ask for her
hand again on the next full moon."


The tall inu youkai sniffed indifferently. "Your persistence is noted."

A soft glow lightened around Sunoo as he turned to her once more
with a small smile. "Till the morrow, Rin." The glow brightened in intensity
till she could no longer make out his form. With a faint gust of wind, the
sphere of light rose, ascending to the starlit sky.


Rin stared into the dark heavens, wondering how the pale moonlight had suddenly
become so warm. Her gaze fell, descending from the eternal beauty of night,
settling on the expressionless inu youkai standing a few paces away. His
icy golden stare was fixed on her. Rin did not shiver at his gaze. Instead,
she walked toward him, lifting the corners of her mouth, giving him a faint smile.
Stopping directly in front of him, she waited. He broke eye contact and silently
turned, walking into the forest.


Sighing deeply, Rin followed, her heart heavy with longing for
Sunoo. But for the first time since the courting began, she yearned for
something else along with it, a need for something she could not
explain. It was somewhat confusing. Hopefully, some sleep might help her
suffering spirit figure it out.


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After seeing Rin to her room, Sesshoumaru went to his. It was late and he
wanted to get some rest. Before disrobing, he walked to his window and
stared at the dark sky. Dawn would come all too soon. All too soon
he would be here and Rin would welcome her love with open arms.


Detestation wound its way into his blood, a loathing bordering on hatred.
How dare that...that... low youkai filth...touch his ward in such a way.
How dare he stand so closeher her small form. And how dare he...kiss
her...his...Rin.


The dog demon paused, suddenly realizing what emotion had
kindled its way into his heart. He growled low, a new, yet familiar anger
welling up. The anger seethed, rising, making him tremble. No. He was
not his father. He would never, never...take...a...human as his...
...mate. He would never lower himself to that disgusting notion. Rin
was his ward, his human ward. If the swan lord wanted a lowly human
as a mate then that was the hakuchou's affair. Soon he would never be inconvenienced with
her presense again. Soon he would never be bothered by her sickingly sweet
sentiments, her silly gestures, or her...ridiculous....angelic...smile.

The last image of Rin's beauty lingered in his mind.


The mounting rage in his blood diminished, draining out of his spirit.


No. He would never see her...smile...again.

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Rin yawned while approaching her bed. It was so very late. She really needed
some rest. Stopping by the bed, she began to untie her kimono. Setting
the garment on the bed, she reached for her night robe. In mid reach, she
paused, her fingers tingled. Curious, she drew her hand back, turning it over
to look at her palm. A small pink blemish stained her skin. Bringing it
to her nose, she sniffed. Her eyes widened at the sweet smell, a fragrance
close to the fruity wiff of cherrys but with more of a dark sugary
tinge.

Puzzled, she stared at the pinkish blotch on her skin. This is where Sunoo
had kissed her, making her skin tingle. The strange sensation slowly
ebbed away, but the delicate scent remained. Shrugging, Rin reached for her
night robe, dressed, then slipped into her bed, smiling. Tomorrow was going
to be another wonderful day.

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In the darkness before the dawn, Sesshoumaru woke, opening his eyes.
Something was wrong. He could sense it. Rising from his bed, he walked
to the window. Looking out, he noticed the first rays of the rising sun.
The land seemed peaceful, quiet.

Puzzled, he turned, strolling quietly to the door that separated Rin's
room from his. He stoppped before the solid wooden door, listening.

A moment later, he heard Rin get out of bed, a few bare footfalls on the
floor before they faltered. Her breathing caught, then began again, laboring in
hard jerky exhales. She let out a whine which lowered to a moan.

Concerned, he reached to open the door, but stopped, listening. Directly, he
heard a light thud as if Rin had fallen. Fearing for his ward, he grasped
the handle. It did not budge. It was locked. Another low moan struck his
sensitive ears, a moan that rose in pitch, cresting to a wail of pain.

He growled, gripped the handle, broke the lock, then pulled the door open.


Light, brighter than the sun, blasted forth, burning his vision, blinding him.
He squinted, nearly closing his eyes at the searing intrusion, holding
up his right arm in an attempt to shield his vision from the onslaught. The light
burst forth, covering everything, raining sparkles thoughout the room.
Some of the specs of stars fell on him, yet they did not burn.

He took an almost blind step forward. "Rin?!"



She did not answer.


The invading light faded somewhat, the sparkles melted out of
existence. His full sight slowly returned, healing quickly.
Details came into focus as the brightness lessened, receding to the
center of the room. Lowering his arm, he blinked once,
his vision clearing, diverting to the pulsating source of light a few paces away.


He froze, staring in shock. "No...Rin."



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Ooooo, cliffy. ^_^.

Reveiw responses:

Frost Riven: I am trying my best with characterization, just hoping I can
pull it off. Yea, he is kinda confused.


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