The End [10/12]

[Calla Lily]

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They arrived at the palace doors with barely time to spare. Kirara changed back into her smaller self and hopped into Kagome?s arms. Rin knocked.

?Jaken? Jaken, it?s me Rin.? She lifted the brass handle once again and released it, producing a loud THUD that echoed among the waiting group. The maiden started to get worried and looked among her companions.

?What if I came too late?? she spoke her thoughts aloud, ?what if Sesshoumaru thought something had happened to me? What if he went out looking for me?? Then an unspoken question formed in her mind.

?What if he?s hurt and I?m not there with him??

But the doors opened and Sesshoumaru appeared with Jaken by his side. The demon Lord peered from one face to another before bidding them to enter as his guests. His eyes fell upon Rin and the girl tried to hide the strange blush that covered her face.

?Jaken, take them to the drawing room on the main floor, I?ll join you in a moment.? The party made to follow the toad up the stairs but a voice cut in, ?Rin, you?re late and that?s unacceptable. You are to stay in your chambers until further notice.? The girl just stared at him dumbfounded, he never said such things.

?But Sesshoumaru, I wasn?t late. If it hadn?t been for their generosity,? she indicated the others? presence, ?I would have never made it in time. Besides, Jaken was late in coming.? Her eyes filled with apprehension.

?No, you were late. Jaken was delayed by some palace business, you should have realized that. You know that dinner is served exactly at sunset, and yet you did not come. For once, you disappoint me, Rin.? With that said, he left the group and the girl behind.

Bidding her friends a good evening, Rin departed from the group and went to her room as Sesshoumaru asked of her. She sat cross-legged on her bed, had she truly heard wrong? Had she really disappointed him? With nothing else to do, Rin let loose her hair from its plaits and prepared a bath, glad to remove all the dirt that came with building a new house. Inuyasha and Kagome?s new home? and since Shippo was understandably their surrogate son, it was his home as well. The maiden felt a stab of jealousy at the new family, why the sudden change in Sesshoumaru?

After what seemed like hours, a servant came to retrieve Rin from her chambers, saying that it was time for her to join the others to late dinner for their guests. Rin changed into a silk kimono and silently made her way downstairs, hoping her Lord was in a better mood.

But he was stoic as ever, barely acknowledging her presence with one glance as she entered the dining room. The others felt the tension as well, keeping their tongues in check as they tried to induce some small talk at the table. It failed miserably and the meal was eaten in unsettling quiet.

After dinner, Kagome requested a special audience with her brother-in-law and left the table quietly as the others relaxed in an adjacent drawing room. The miko kept quiet until they were both seated in Sesshoumaru?s private library, then she spoke in a voice lacking considerable politeness.

?What are you thinking, Sesshoumaru! What was that all about?? and glared at him.

?It?s none of your concern.?

?Of course it?s my concern, Rin is part of my family whether you admit it or not. What is with you, I?ve never heard you speak to her in such tones? you scared us all.? The strong-willed woman continued her reprimand him on his ill behaviour.

?Rin was late returning home, she has to understand what I expect of her.?

?That?s a load of crock and you know it.? The aristocrat drew himself up to his full height and strode towards Kagome, towering over her.

?Just what is the nature of your visit, Lady Kagome? You did not come here just to lecture me on how I treat those under my care.? She stood unwavering at his booming voice, ?I have come on the behalf of many others? regarding Rin. I want to take her away from here so she can lead a semi-normal life.?

?Excuse me??

?You?ve kept her for too long, Sesshoumaru. Look at what you?re doing to her. She?s 18 years old; she?s not a child anymore!? [*Taken off Disney?s The Little Mermaid.*]

?She chooses to live here and here she will remain.?

?Let her go, Sesshoumaru. She needs to be with her people.? [*Inspired by Elrond and Aragorn?s dialogue in Lord of the Rings movie trilogy.*]

?No. She stays.?

?Let her go. There is nothing more for her here.?

?I won?t.?

?What can you offer her? Riches? Knowledge? She can acquire those on her own, Rin?s a smart girl but she can?t live under your protection anymore.? Kagome tried to reason with him, her chocolate-brown eyes reflecting the fear that had haunted the demon Lord for so many years.

?Let Rin live her own life, let her be free.?

?I can?t, she stays because she belongs here.?

?She stays because of you! She chooses to remain here because of you! You?re suffocating her, Sesshoumaru, why can?t you see that? Let her be happy with her people.?

The words stung. Let Rin go? That was unheard of, it was impossible for him to do such a thing. But the more he thought about it, the more it made sense for the maiden to leave him. He had brought her here, and it was understood that he would have to release her from his world? someday.

?It?s for the best, then.? He whispered calmly and Kagome gazed at him sadly, she knew he was breaking up inside.

?I beg of you, let her go??

Not fully trusting his voice, he nodded his head and uttered ever-so-softly, ?I?ll tell her tonight. Take good care of her for me, Kagome. You and everyone else back at the village.?

?I?m so sorry, Sesshoumaru. I never wanted to tell you this way.?

?No,? he shook his head, ?you?re right. She?s human and I?m youkai. It?s forbidden. I had no right to be in her life.? He lifted up a finger to silence Kagome before she protested. ?Let?s just leave it at that, it?s easier to believe in lies than to live with the truth.?



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