Rin's Choice (Sesshomaru x Rin)

Intentions

Rin

­­I was wrong, I think, watching the man—yokai—I love walk away from me again. Lord Sesshomaru feels nothing for me.

I barely manage to restrain my tears, only stop my lip from quivering by sheer force of will.

"Well, I must say," Jaken says quietly from beside me, "it looks like the poison is really and truly out of his system. I've not seen him this out for blood since Inuyasha...never mind. I was told never to mention that story to you."

Jaken cuts a side look at me before clearing his throat, "Anyway, dinner time soon, I suppose. You'll have to go with me this time, Rin, or else stay in the sky on A-Un."

"I'll stay with A-Un," I whisper, proud of myself for keeping my voice level. I still can't tear my eyes away from the forest. It's crazy, but a part of me feels like he's watching me.

"Very well," Jaken says, sighing heavily, "I'll go procure you some human food, Lady Rin."

That changes my focus. "'Lady' Rin?"

He nods sagely, "Lord Sesshomaru and I had a talk this morning after I brought you bread. First of all, he said, I need to bring you something more substantial, and second of all, you are grown now and should no longer be addressed as a child. Lady Rin? Are you okay?"

"You had this conversation this morning?"

He nods, arms crossed, "Yes, um hmm, indeed. Right after he told me he planned to hunt down the ones that got away. I think he's also going after their leader."

"And do you think he'll change his mind?" I ask pointedly, "The day after tomorrow?"

"About killing them? Certainly not. They sealed their fate when they turned against him."

"No, I meant about... well about me."

Jaken side-eyes me again then sighs, "There's no more poison, Rin."

I can feel my eyes widening, my mouth dropping open. "Wh-what?"

"I've never known Lord Sesshomaru to take as long to heal as he did, but I've seen him recover from poison many times. It was out of his system long before the kiss."

My world tilts, "Then why would you say—"

"Oh, Rin—I—I mean 'Lady Rin'," he sighs, leaning on his staff. Then he looks to A-Un, "You've seen it too, haven't you?"

A-Un both nod, watching me quietly, carefully.

"Lord Sesshomaru has loved you for a long time, Rin. I've known that since you died at his mother's castle."

"Yes, but—"

"But it wasn't the same as what you felt for him," Jaken continues sagely. "I know. I'm a lot more aware than people give me credit for. I was a lord too, you know, before I decided to follow Lord Sesshomaru. I gave up my title and everything to follow him because I saw greatness in him. At first I thought you'd be a weakness, but you haven't been, my lady, not even a little bit. If anything, you've pushed him to become stronger, better. You've unlocked the true power of his father's line."

"True power?" I whisper, barely daring to breathe.

Jaken nods, "Yes. Inu Daiyokai are powerful to be sure, but it's only when they seek to protect someone that that power is fully realized. I had hoped it would be me, but..." he tears up, pausing a moment to wipe his nose, his eyes.

I hand him a bit of cloth.

"Thank you," he rasps, blowing his nose on it before handing it back.

"You can keep it," I say dryly.