Otherworld - The Strength of Love



Chapter 12 - Leaving


They stayed at the river for three days. Sesshomaru wanted to make sure Rin's fever did not return. They ate and drank their hunger and thirst away, gathering strength for the coming journey. He decided they would go further west, where there was a somewhat prosperous village. It was located in a valley and had a nice climate with fertile lands. He would find her a home there, he was sure of it. They set out once again into the dry terrain. They had their container of water and some foraged fruit, berries, and roots to last them for a few days. They walked for two days before the land started changing. It was cooler here, with fluffy clouds coming out to hide the sun now and then. The wind was blowing a not unpleasant mixture of pollen and seeds into the air. Rin was once again compelled to stop and smell flowers, chase butterflies, and sing and dance in her happiness. She was in the middle of a twirl when she bumped right into Lord Sesshomaru, standing very still in front of her. She had run into the back of his legs with her hips, bouncing off of him. She hit the ground with a soft thump. She gazed up at his back, wondering why he was standing so still. When she stood up and peered around him she gasped in pleasant surprise.

	There, in a valley before them, was the prettiest little village she had ever seen! She giggled in delight when Lord Sesshomaru told them they would spend the night there. She had not even seen another human, let alone a village, since her flight from her own home, nearly six months ago. On their way down the slope towards the village she could not keep the happiness from her voice as she hummed cheerily.

Rin and Jaken stayed just behind Lord Sesshomaru as they began walking down the village's single road. People had stopped their work in the fields to watch them walk past. Some stared in open-mouthed gawks, others merely stared. All of the villagers knew Lord Sesshomaru. He came through the village at least twice, sometimes three times per year. This, however, was not the season he usually showed up. And he had NEVER had a child with him before! Sesshomaru made his way slowly towards the headman's cottage. He knew he would be welcomed and fed. This man, more than any other he had ever met, extended him courtesy and was a gracious host. He neither asked nor demanded anything. He accepted what was given and gave in return. Sesshomaru did not dislike the man. When the headman Masamune saw them coming he shouted to his wife that they had guests. She immediately put on a pot for tea and went to the door to await them. She was uneasy around the dog Demon, but she had learned to accept him graciously into their home. He was not unkind, so she ignored his silence. She preferred simply to think of him as shy instead of rude. When the group made their way to the headman's porch he was already there, holding out his hand in welcome. Lord Sesshomaru accepted his handshake graciously. When he turned to introduce Rin he found her cowering in his robes, her fingers tangled in his belt. He gently extricated her and moved her around in front of him, introducing her as he did so. When she was quiet, only staring, the woman came forward and held her hand out to the little girl. "If you come with me, we can have cookies and tea." Rin looked back once at her white Demon, then took the woman's hand and followed her inside, where she had the first sweets she could ever remember eating. Late that night, as the Demons slept on the porch and the girl in a bed, the couple talked quietly. The headman told his mate of Lord Sesshomaru's request to find the girl a home. They decided that they would take her in themselves. They had children, but they were long grown and had families of their own. The grandchildren came over now and then, but they missed the constant busy-ness that children brought with them. The couple fell asleep, content with knowing they would be adopting the child now sleeping on the other side of the wall. The next morning Sesshomaru called Rin to his side. He explained about his decision to leave her with the couple. She was silent, staring at the ground after he relayed his thoughts to her. "You have nothing to say?" When she still said nothing he stood there, unsure of himself. He finally turned away and left her there, brooding under the shade of a large tree. Lord Sesshomaru and Jaken prepared to leave that afternoon, after hearing about the village and its woes and triumphs. The people were doing well and needed nothing from him at present, so he and Jaken made ready to leave. They were barely out the door of the cottage when Rin came running to him. She dropped to her knees in front of him. "Please, Lord Sesshomaru, whatever I have done to displease you, I apologize. I will make it up to you no matter what it is! Please do not leave me here! I would so much rather be with you! I will walk faster, I'll stop singing, and I promise I will do whatever you wish me to do, but PLEASE take me with you!" With that, she broke down into large hiccupping sobs. She covered her face with her hands, her head now touching the ground in front of him. The couple, standing inside their doorway, watched as the Dog Demon lifted the child into his arms and comforted her. They had never seen this Demon show compassion to anyone at any time. Their amazement had no bounds. When he set her down and lifted her chin with his finger, careful not to scratch her with his claws, he stared into her eyes for long moments. She stared back, the tears still free-flowing. He nodded once and turned to the headman. No words were spoken as the couple each hugged the girl in turn then waved them out of sight.