|
Post by Rin on Jan 22, 2012 16:21:36 GMT -6
Rin walked calmly through the Inu-Yasha forest, occasionally having to push a branch out of her path as she moved forward. Though Rin appeared calm, she was anxious - she had made a promise to herself, that if Sesshoumaru did not appear to visit her on her twenty-first birthday, then she would never see him again. It was a promise to help her let go of the past, because if she allowed herself to live alone much longer than twenty-one years, she would become too old to ever marry or have a family of her own.
Today was her twenty-first birthday, and she was not ready to let go. Rin did not want to marry, or have children, with someone she didn't love. Village-men had tried proposing to her before, but she would always turn them down, 'I only want to marry you, Lord Sesshoumaru...'
Rin stepped on a wild-flower as she passed, '...I must get my head out of the clouds, I am not a child anymore.' Rin clenched her open fist, as she continued to walk. She carried an empty basket in the other. 'It has been ten years, he will never come back.'
After walking a while longer, the young woman stood before a small entrance to a grotto. It would often go unnoticed through all of the vegetation growing around it, but as Rin was a child she found this place easily through her curiosity. Rin pushed the hanging vines out of the way of the entrance, and entered the grotto.
The grotto was mostly dark on the inside, aside from the few holes in the ceiling allowing sunlight through, and a strange pollen-like substance that glowed as it floated through the air. Rin breathed in the sweet smell of flowers that was strongly present in the air, as the glowing substance began to collect on her body and clothes like dew-drops on grass. There were sparkling orchids everywhere, of various colours - this is where Rin would come to collect the orchids she used for her orchid stand, back in Kaede's village.
An ominous male voice came over the grotto as Rin removed a small knife from inside her sleeve, "I have been awaiting your return, Rin. The orchids are especially beautiful this round, do you like them?"
Rin knelt down and used her knife to cut the stem of an orchid, afterward placing it in her basket. "I always like them, orchids are beautiful flowers." Once Rin had picked enough orchids of that colour, she moved to another part of the grotto to pick another.
"Something is troubling you... I can see it in your face, and in the way you pick my orchids with such haste. Do you plan on leaving so soon, Rin?" Rin gathered the last of the sparkling orchids she needed in her basket, and stood up, sheathing her knife in her sleeve. "Today is an important day for me, I will be back."
Rin left the grotto after she had finished speaking, and nearly ran back to the village. Once she arrived, she moved quickly to her orchid stand and dumped her basket of orchids onto it. She organised the sparkling flowers by colour, and quickly brushed her hair out. After she had adjusted her simple kimono, she felt ready to wait for customers.
"Rin's sparkling orchids! The only sparkling flowers in all of Japan!"
|
|
|
Post by Sesshoumaru / Yuunagi no Kimi on Jan 23, 2012 3:25:50 GMT -6
He had been away for ten summers—kept away for a war that had taken him quite by surprise. The Western Land had been invaded by an upstart Southern Youkai Alliance—one led by a daiyoukai who called himself the Owl. Fifteen years ago, Sesshoumaru had gone to war, and had nearly lost everything. The enemy had been methodical. In the war that spanned over a decade, the Owl’s Alliance had wrought great loss and destruction upon Sesshoumaru’s territory. His father’s shiro now stood in ruin from the siege that had been laid to his land. Half of his territory had been devastated from the fires that burnt through them. The Owl had proved himself a thorn more pervasive than the hanyou had ever been—Naraku had merely sought power through petty manipulation and deception. The Owl was a charismatic strategist who sought supremacy and conquest through propaganda, ideology and the devotion of his followers. The Owl presented himself as a god among youkai. Thus, it was by the Owl’s indoctrination of his prisoners, that many of Sesshoumaru’s own warriors had turned tail to serve a new master—even his own mother has narrowly escaped that same fate after the enemy had kidnapped, tortured, and violated her. …And Sesshoumaru hated the fact that he owed his mother’s rescue to Yuunagi’s intervention. To Yuunagi, the traitorous spy who had been working for the enemy all long, before turning traitor against the Owl, as well. Trust a snake to bite the hand that feeds it. Sesshoumaru also hated that it was only through Yuunagi’s aid that he finally gained the intelligence needed to vanquish the Owl’s military forces and turn the tide of war. With the snake at his side, he was finally able to drive the Owl’s army out of both the Western and Southern territories. Yet, still, many a night Sesshoumaru found himself lying awake under the stars, wondering if he had truly won the war. Despite his victory and the reclamation of his—albeit damaged—territory, the Owl lived. The Owl had escaped, and disappeared deep into hiding. For three years, now, Sesshoumaru tried to follow his trail—to track the Owl down and slay him. Unfortunately, the enemy had vanished without a trace. A small, very small, part of him hoped that the Owl had somehow met his end. The more rational side knew it was a hope in vain. How long would it be until the Owl would rise again? Such evil as that never stayed gone for long. For now, though, there was nothing to be done about it, but to keep a watchful eye on his own territories. No longer could he afford to neglect his own—a lesson hard learned in these recent years. It was high time that he stopped toiling his youth away toward meaningless pursuit of false ambition, and start taking responsibility toward the things that really mattered... Do you have something to protect? Only now, did his father’s words find their merit; it was a realization met with regret and shame—a lesson learned through his own failure. One does not understand that which he possesses, until he faces its loss. Is my humiliation what it had to take for me to understand the depth of your words, Father?Sesshoumaru did not fully know the answer to his own question, but he suspected that much to be true. He had been so obsessed with his personal gain, that he had put his own needs ahead that of other inuyoukai. He had ignored his own clan, and neglected his territory. No wonder so many of his own inuyoukai defected to the Owl’s Alliance—his own kin abandoned him, just has he had abandoned them. This had to change… He had to change. No longer could he afford to wander around Nippon like a carless—selfish—pup. It was high time that the absentee heir returned, and fulfill his neglected responsibility as Inu no Taishou’s son. It was this somber realization that finally compelled Sesshsoumaru to set aside his personal pursuit of the Owl, and return to his father’s shiro. Now, more than ever, he needed to focus his attention upon the western lands—on restoring the dens that had been pillaged and the forests that had been burnt. And… Although he had confidence in his personal prowess as a warrior, as a leader, he had found his confidence shaken by the war. Now, he hoped he would be able to become the leader his kin had needed. He hoped that he would not fail them, again. No… Hope was a useless, passive, thing. He could not afford to merely hope. From now onward, Sesshoumaru knew that he must think for the future of his pack—he will become not only the leader they needed, but also their protector. I understand, now, Father. They will be my purpose.However, before he returned home, he must make a detour into the East… to Inuyasha’s Forest, and to the village that the young hanyou protected. He had left Rin other the village’s care, so that she might learn to live amongst humans. For a while, he visited her, always bearing presents. Then, when the war had called him away, his visitations stopped. To his own surprised, he had come to realize that he missed her greatly. She had grown on him during their time traveling together—a strange curiosity turned something more. She had become his first something to protect. He wondered how she was, now. Still running barefoot through flower patches, if that he was sure. She did seem to favor such things, for she was constantly presenting her findings to him. It was the memory of flowers that brought Sesshoumaru to pause when he noticed a flower stand at the edge of Inuyasha’s village. More specifically, it was the sparking orchids that caught his attention, and he realized that he had brought no gift for Rin. It had been so long since he’d visited her, that he had forgotten the human custom of gift-giving. To show up empty-handed, now… ..and those orchid seemed like something Rin would like. Decision made, if a bit impulsively, Sesshoumaru stepped toward the flower stand. He noticed that a young human woman managed it, and inclined his head toward her. She looked to be merchant women—young, but far past the age of being marriageable. He might have assumed that she standing in for her husband, had she not smelled unattached. The merchant woman was a strange sight, indeed, for Sesshoumaru did not recall ever seeing a female merchant before—a human one at least. Although, he was not very learned in their ways; for all he knew, such things could be commonplace. “Onna.” He greeted, not noticing how addressing her as woman might come off as rude. His pale hand reached forward and he picked an orchid from the stand. “How might I acquire this?” He was not sure how humans conducted traded—was it in goods or gold? No matter, it was Rin for which he was more curious. He did not see her amongst the children playing in the field. Was she unwell? “Also, do you know where I will find Rin?”
|
|
|
Post by Rin on Jan 23, 2012 18:24:46 GMT -6
Business had been unsuccessful. Rin had tried shouting out occasionally to get attention, but it wasn't enough. She watched as the villagers walked past her stall, with no intentions of buying what she was selling. Perhaps she needed a new product? She had been selling these same flowers for a long time, and as a result the locals have grown used to them. Rin only ever had decent business when foreigners and travellers stopped by the village.
The problem with stocking new products was that Rin did not have enough money to buy things that she could sell and make a profit off of. Her sparkling orchids were easy to sell because she did not have to pay for them; she only needed to collect them from the grotto. As far as Rin knew, the grotto was a secret place that no one else was aware of but her. She came to this conclusion because no one ever recognised the sparkling orchids she sold - which were unique to the grotto.
As for the strange voice that guarded the grotto, she wasn't sure...
Rin assumed the voice belonged to a spirit, or a demon. She was uncertain if he had a physical form, because he had never revealed himself to her before. Rin had first discovered the grotto when she was about twelve years old, and since then she had gone there to make conversation with the guardian. She had been very innocent, and trusting of him at the time - though recently she had begun to feel rather unsettled upon visiting him.
When she had turned fifteen, Rin began to sell the orchids that grew in the grotto. Though, in return for using the guardian's orchids, he required her to eat one of them. She still didn't know what benefit the guardian got out of her consuming the flower, but ever since, whenever she entered the grotto the glowing substance in the air collected on her body in small droplets.
Rin leaned on her stall, using her elbow to support her as she rested her chin on her hand. She stared out into the village, with a dreamy look in her eyes. '...Should I be concerned?' She thought, uncertainly, 'I have been noticing my scent, changing... It is slight, but almost more floral-like...' Rin straightened herself out, and held her hand out in front of her face, before the sun, '...My skin, it almost seems to sparkle.' She brought her hand into a fist, and placed it over her heart, 'It must be my imagination.'
It was then that Rin saw someone that she did not expect to ever see again.
'Lord Sesshoumaru...!'
Rin stared at him in disbelief, worried that if she were to blink that he would disappear when she opened her eyes. She felt her muscles tense up, as her heart began to pound and race inside her chest. The blood was rushing to her head, and she felt a headache coming on, as if she might faint. Rin felt overwhelmed, she had never experienced such a rush of emotion before.
The young woman looked down, and put a hand to her forehead. What was she to do? Her chest ached, and she was sure that she was making a strange face right now. Tears threatened to form in her eyes, but she wouldn't let herself cry right now, she couldn't.
Rin shut her eyes, as she remembered Sesshoumaru. She had been eleven years old the last time she saw him, and he had been all she had ever thought about. The longer he was away from her, the more she daydreamed about him returning. It wasn't until recent years that she began to try and let him go, but now he showed up again... 'Oh, Sesshoumaru... Are you going to show up now, just as I was trying to overcome, and then leave me again?'
Rin heard his voice, it could only be his - she hadn't heard his voice in so long, that hearing it now hit her strangely. She opened her eyes, and saw Sesshoumaru standing before her. 'Will you haunt me forever, Sesshoumaru...?'
She blinked, and looked at the sparkling orchid he held in his hand. He had asked her where he would find Rin? She smiled slightly, at the irony of the situation. 'Sesshoumaru - you plan to give that flower to Rin? The innocent child that thought you were perfect, and believed in everything.'
'...You are not perfect, Sesshoumaru. But you are still my hero.'
Rin took her hand away from her forehead, and tucked some of her hair behind her ear. "I will give it to you, Lord Sesshoumaru. Rin used to give you flowers often, didn't she? It will be just like old times." Rin could hardly believe that she was speaking with Sesshoumaru again.
"The Rin you seek is not here anymore. It has been ten years, Lord Sesshoumaru..." The young woman could feel her heart pounding quicker with every word she spoke, "She grew up."
Rin could only hope now that Sesshoumaru would recognise her.
|
|
|
Post by Sesshoumaru / Yuunagi no Kimi on Jan 24, 2012 9:33:38 GMT -6
Time seemed to slow for Sesshoumaru as he took in to the woman’s later words. "The Rin you seek is not here anymore. It has been fourteen years, Lord Sesshoumaru... She grew up." Rin is no longer here? She had grown up? Sesshoumaru found his mind racing with questions, and a bit of confusion. Logically, he knew the day would come eventually, but he did not expect it to be so soon, and without his noticing. Regardless, the knowledge that Rin—that gap-toothed child who smiled so brightly at the strangest of things—had become and adult while he was away, took him by surprise. He did not think it had been that long. But, apparently, it was long enough. By now, Rin must have made her own place among the humans. The women said she was no longer here… she must have married and left the village to live with her husband. It was... unfortunate… that he’s missed seeing it all. Perhaps, though, it was for the best. The old Miko had advised him to leave Rin amongst the humans, so that she may learn to live with her own kind. He’s realized, then, that he wanted her to stay at his side. However, he also wanted what was best for the girl who’d become his something to protect. He wanted to ensure that she lived a safe and peaceful life. Following him, she would find none of that. It was this knowledge that finally compelled him to agree to Kaede’s suggestion. It was this knowledge that would also cement Sesshoumaru’s decision for what he was about to do: He would leave her be, so that she may continue in her life amongst the humans, and he will return to his life amongst the youkai. Theirs were separate lives to live, after all, for both belonged to different worlds. Sesshoumaru lifted the orchid, which he had been holding between thumb and forefinger, and started at its slightly shimmering petals. He’d keep it as a memento—or, perhaps he would give it to his mother. Rin had always so heartily believed that such seeming trivial things could bring cheer to the saddened, and Mother had been so… out-of-sorts… since the war. Some cheer would certainly do her good. “Very well.” He stated, and trucked the orchid into the sleeve of his kimono. Then, he inhaled, and inclined his head to look down his nose toward the flower vendor. “You seem to know Rin well. Should a time come that you see Rin again, tell her...” Tell her what, exactly? Sesshoumaru found that he was not sure what message he wanted the woman to give. Maybe the answer was non at all. Should his and Rin's paths cross again, he'd speak to her, himself. Until then.. "Tell her nothing." That said, Sesshoumaru stepped away from the flower stand to make his way back into the forest, and to continue his journey toward the Western Territory. He will leave Rin to her life. However, before he took his fifth step, he paused. There was something he wanted to make sure about, to confirm before he left—never to return again. Taking one step back, Sesshoumaru half turned to look at the flower women over his shoulder. “Onna,” He addressed her, to get her attention once again. “Before I depart, there is something I must know: Is she… happy?”
|
|
|
Post by Rin on Jan 27, 2012 18:16:48 GMT -6
Tension built quickly inside of Rin as she stared at Sesshoumaru. She wondered what he was thinking - had he caught her hint? Each moment became more suspenseful than the last, as she waited for his response. It was overwhelming to think that she could reunited with Sesshoumaru in a matter of minutes. '...Will he recognise me?'
If Sesshoumaru did recognise her, how would he react? Rin shut her eyes as she imagined what their reunion might be like:
Among these painful moments she would shut her eyes, in an attempt to hold back her tears. Shortly after, he would come to the realisation that it was not a simple flower vendor, but his precious companion standing before him. He would speak her name in a low, melodic tone; and in response, she would open her eyes, and she would see her beloved hero standing before her with his arms extended out in a welcoming gesture. She would be unable to hold back her tears any longer, and she would run into his arms, burying her face into his warm mokomoko...
"Everything will be alright now, Rin, I am here." He would whisper to her.
Rin was brought back to reality by Sesshoumaru's voice, but he had not spoken her name, as he had in her daydream. The young woman opened her troubled eyes, as she listened to her Lord speak to her as if she were just a simple friend of Rin - the girl he had wanted to find.
'But I am Rin... Why don't you recognise me, Lord Sesshoumaru?' She couldn't hold back her tears any longer, 'I know that I have grown older - but have I changed so much? Do I not have the same smell, the same eyes?' Rin ran a hand through the shorter part of her hair, which she still continued to tie up with a ribbon. '...Or the same hair?'
She felt her heart skip a beat, with fear, as she watched him turn his back to her. He was leaving her with nothing! Nothing other than a cold memory that would haunt her troubled mind for many years to come. Rin had feared this - was she too different from the Rin he cared for before? Had she changed so much that he wouldn't be concerned with her anymore?
'...If you had to leave me here, Sesshoumaru, I wish that you would just leave! Stop coming back, and giving me hope that you will take me back with you.' Rin let a sob escape her lips, as it was too difficult to control her emotions any longer. 'Because you never will... You want me to be safe, you want me to become one of them; to live this simple life in this simple village.'
She was not going to do that anymore.
Rin could have tried to fit in. She could have married around sixteen, and had many children by her twenties. She could have been supported by a husband, and she could have made friends with the other women in the village. She wouldn't have had to support herself with the little money that she made selling orchids, barely managing enough to feed herself.
But she didn't do that, because she was in love.
Rin was so in love, that she couldn't understand it. All she could think about was how she was going to train to become stronger, and hopefully become strong enough to return to Sesshoumaru. She would think about him throughout the day, and she would dream about him when she went to sleep at night. She refused to marry anyone that proposed to her, because she loved Sesshoumaru. She loved him more than anyone, or anything else in the world. Her love was so strong that she would hardly even think of herself, her love was so true that she still loved him, even after all this time.
Rin loved him right now, as he was leaving her again. She would not let him go this time. Even if he didn't recognise her, she would make him.
Her knees felt weak, but she still managed to run. "...Sesshoumaru!"
Rin stood in front of the demon, she wasn't going to play games anymore. "Will you give up on me so easily?" Rin tried to keep her voice steady as she spoke, despite her tears. "I tried to be happy, for you, because I knew that you wanted me to find here. But I have lived in this village long enough to realise that I can never fit in. I am not like the other villagers - I am supposed to be dead, but I am not. I have experienced adventure, and going back to a village - a place where I had previously felt so much pain... It makes it harder for me to overcome."
Rin paused for a few moments, breathing. After catching her breath, she took grasp of Sesshoumaru's hands, and looked up into his golden eyes. "...I-I think about you every day, Sesshoumaru. I know that I have changed a lot; humans grow and develop so quickly, and I feel like I have been throwing my life away..." Rin looked down, "Even if you won't recognise me... I am Rin, and I have been waiting for you."
"Please don't leave me again, Lord Sesshoumaru." She must have sounded desperate, "If you leave me here, I will die!"
|
|
|
Post by Sesshoumaru / Yuunagi no Kimi on Jan 29, 2012 22:46:10 GMT -6
When his own inquiry toward Rin’s happiness was met with the scent of tears and distress, he was confused at what could have the woman to suddenly cry.
Had some horrible fate befallen Rin?
His confusion turned to surprise at the desperate words that soon flowed from her, and the claim she held about her identity—that she was Rin. Yet, more so disturbing than her claim, were it true, was the realization that he had not been able to recognize her. His nose twitched as he took in her scent—a scent of a woman that smelled nothing like the Rin he remembered. All he smelled as the scent of orchids.
An imposter?
His lip curled into a sneer at the sudden thought. He would not put it past the Owl for stooping to such treachery. If this woman was one such agent, and if something had happened to the real Rin, he would ensure that her death was slow and painful. His claws twitched with the desire for blood, but he chose to temper his fury instead. Through first his encounters with his brother, and later in the war, he had learned the hard way that impulsive action lead to folly. He would not make such a hasty mistake again. For this reason, he would not kill the woman, just yet. First, he would seek answers.
Sesshoumaru looked down at his hands, of which the woman had taken hold. Pulling his right hand from her grasp, he lifted it to cup against her cheek. Although the touch may have looked tender to any passing observer, the presser by which he grasped her cheek as he forced her to look into his eyes was not.
“You dare lie to this Sesshoumaru?” He muttered in a voice laced with a growl, “You smell nothing like Rin. Who are you?”
|
|
|
Post by Rin on Jan 30, 2012 23:14:49 GMT -6
When Sesshoumaru cupped her face and made her look up at him, she assumed that he was trying to recognise her. The feel of his hand against her face reminded her of the time she had been revived a second time, though the touch was not as affectionate. Despite his force, she loved the way his hand felt against her skin.
After hearing him speak, Rin looked deep into the daiyoukai's eyes. The words hurt her, yes, but she could tell that Sesshoumaru was hurting as well - she could see it in his eyes, beyond his intimidating demeanor she sensed a sadness residing deep in his core. '...How could I have been so selfish? He must have sought me out in hope of receiving some comfort, and I have been giving him nothing but grief.' She wondered where he had been for the last ten years - what had happened to him during that time?
Rin decided that she wasn't going to be selfish anymore; she was going to protect Sesshoumaru, like she swore she would since the first time she saw him. At that time, he seemed incredibly sad and alone. Rin had wanted to help him in whatever way she could, and she still did. Even if she was a mortal, she wanted to protect Sesshoumaru from sadness. Rin squeezed the hand that she still had grasp of, and leaned her face into the other. 'You didn't let go of me entirely, Sesshoumaru. I am still connected to you...'
Her eyes trembled, but she was not going to cry anymore. She had to be strong for Sesshoumaru, and for herself. Her brown eyes continued to meet with his golden ones, "Sesshoumaru..." she breathed. How she loved that name.
"I am still Rin."
She had wanted to say more to him, but she didn't know what else to say. No more words would escape her lips. Rin didn't understand why she didn't smell the same as she once had. She felt like she couldn't move, the young woman only trembled as she continued to hold Sesshoumaru's hand. 'If I could only move... If I could only find the energy, I would touch your face.' Rin was frightened, but she believed that Sesshoumaru would save her - he always did. She only hoped that he could save her from himself.
Despite the aches in her chest, Rin smiled. She had always been good at that - even when times were hard or situations were sad, she managed to smile, and it made her feel bright inside.
Rin hoped that she could share that brightness with Sesshoumaru.
|
|
|
Post by Sesshoumaru / Yuunagi no Kimi on Jan 31, 2012 9:23:52 GMT -6
A mixture of disgust, hatred, and anger coursed through Sesshoumaru when the woman still tried to pretend that she was Rin. When she gripped his hand tighter and leaned into the grasp he held upon cheek, he had the strong urge to rend the woman’s head from her neck for continuing this deception.
But then the woman smiled, and the forceful hold he held upon her face slacked. Sesshoumaru’s eye widened with and inhale and his breath caught in this throat. He knew that smile. The face was older, more matured, but that brightness that was special to Rin was still there.
“Rin…” Sesshoumaru murmured with an exhale.
The hand that had cupped her cheek moved to rest on her shoulder. Momentarily taken off guard, surprise that had been visible on his face, just moments ago, soon gave way to a very small smile. “It really is you,” his words were spoken with a touch of wonder.
But then the smile, brief as they often were to him, vanished. His mouth set into a thin line as he removed his other hand from her grasp and set it upon her other shoulder. He stared at Rin, taking in her older appearance, before taking a half step closer. His eyes narrowed as he noticed the slight sheen that her skin held. Nearly unnoticeable earlier, it was now plain to his eyes. There was an almost familiar otherworldliness to it, but one he could not quite place.
His nose twitched; again, he inhaled her scent. There will still the scent of human to her, although it was vague to his keen nose. Earlier, he had attributed the faintness of her sent to the presence of the flowers. He had thought they were overpowering the woman’s sent; but now, has he stood closer to Rin, the scent of orchids only increased. Inhaling again, this time more deeply, he caught an earthy undertone of youki. It was extremely faint, but present. A sent both sweet and bitter, it struck his nose as being something more flora than human—and it made his gut churn uncomfortably at the implications of how her scent could have changed in such a drastic manner. Especially unsettling was the realization that this change likely involved a youkai.
“Rin…” This time, Sesshoumaru spoke with a slight growl to his voice, “You smell of orchid and youki… Why?”
|
|
|
Post by Rin on Feb 1, 2012 23:01:54 GMT -6
A wave of relief came over Rin with the exhale of her name. She loved the way he made it sound - the surprise and disbelief in his voice made her feel like a heavy burden had been lifted off her chest. Sesshoumaru placed his hand on her shoulder, and she trembled as some of her energy returned to her small frame.
Rin's heart soared when she saw him smile. It was so beautiful - had her presence really attracted it? The young woman suddenly felt inspired, 'I am going to make you smile more often, Sesshoumaru…' Rin wanted to see a happier Sesshoumaru. She wanted to make him feel emotions other than anger and indifference – and to be able to swallow enough of his pride to express them. 'I want to make you happy.'
She felt the last of her stress disappear when Sesshoumaru confirmed that she was Rin. It felt like Sesshoumaru was staring into her soul when he grasped her other shoulder, and looked into her face. Rin stared back, not knowing what to expect. She wondered what he was thinking about - was he still insecure about her identity, or was he simply observing her?
When Sesshoumaru told her she smelt of youkai, she became very concerned. Surprise was apparant on her face as she contemplated why she would smell that way. "Youkai…?" She repeated.
Rin looked away from Sesshoumaru thoughtfully, as she considered her situation. She had noticed the change in her scent before, but she had only ever smelt orchids – but Sesshoumaru had much keener senses than her own, and it worried her. 'So that voice belongs to a youkai…'
She didn't want to believe it, but it was likely that the orchid she consumed had been affecting her. Rin had been naive, and desperate, at the time when she did. At that time, she had been recently released from Kaede's care – due to her death, and she had no choice but to try to find a way to support herself. She could have let someone else take her in, or had gotten married – but Rin didn’t want to have to depend on anyone anymore. She saw it as an opportunity for her to become stronger, and more independent.
If only that had worked out the way she had wanted it to. She had taken that path in hope that she could become strong enough to return to Sesshoumaru, but it had only ended up making her look like a fool in the end.
Rin sighed sadly, "Lord Sesshoumaru, I am not entirely certain... But I can assume that my scent is due to the connection I have with the orchids I sell." She knew that wasn't enough information, and that he would not be satisfied with her answer, so she continued reluctantly. "After old Kaede passed away… I saw it as a chance to support myself, and become stronger." 'For you...' she thought. "...I eventually discovered a grotto, where I also discovered the sparkling orchids. I had intentions of selling them for a living, as they were unique and unlike any orchid I had ever seen."
She didn't want to continue, she wanted Sesshoumaru to be proud of her. 'This is degrading…' She thought, embarrassed.
Rin paused before continuing, she knew that Sesshoumaru was waiting for her to finish. "…W-When I attempted to pick one, a voice sounded over the grotto. It told me that I could only have his orchids if I swallowed one, entirely." Rin bit her lip, "…And I did."
There was silence, and Rin was afraid to look back up at Sesshoumaru. She didn't want him to be disappointed in her. "I was young and foolish at the time, my Lord."
Rin did not want to end herself there, "I can take care of it, I am much stronger now – I have been training with Sango." There was only one problem with her theory – if she were to disassociate herself from the orchids, then she would have no way to support herself. She frowned, as she began to feel insecure. 'Sesshoumaru is here now. Perhaps if I can prove to him that I have become strong, I can convince him to take me back…'
'If that were to happen, I would never have to worry about anything ever again…'
|
|
|
Post by Sesshoumaru / Yuunagi no Kimi on Feb 2, 2012 9:37:03 GMT -6
Sesshoumaru suppressed a sigh as he gazed at Rin’s face. She was avoiding his gaze now--but was it from guilt for her foolishness, or shame from thinking that he would be disappointed in her?
To be honest, Sesshoumaru was disappointed in Rin. He would have expected her to know better than to eat something given to her by a strange youkai. Then again, Rin was always so very trusting. She had, after all, trusted him when they first met, despite him being at his more feral state.
And...
It looked like she still trusted him, despite him essentially abandoning her when she was just a child. She really was a foolish girl. Or, perhaps he was the greater fool for being so very taken by her trust--both then, and again, now.
He did not want anything to tarnish her trusting nature... and the smile that came with it.
It was not lost on Sesshoumaru that her situation was possibly his doing. With the onset of war, he had cut off all contact to Rin--he did not want the Owl to find out about her existence, and use her against him. However, it seemed that someone had found Rin anyway. Whether this orchid was something as harmless as a benign youkai, or as dangerous as an agent of the enemy, was yet to be seen. For Rin’s sake, he hoped it was the former. However, for his own need to sniff out some lead toward the Owl’s whereabouts, he hoped for the later.
Still, he would allow her request, and leave Rin to deal with the orchid as she saw fit. However, that did not mean he would not keep an eye on her--tail her to see this orchid for himself, to either confirm or alleviate his suspicion.
“Do as you will,” Sesshoumaru noncommittally stated as he removed his hands from her shoulders.
|
|