Chapter Eight

The atmosphere had changed dramatically after the destruction of the bear demon. Once Jaken had left Sesshoumaru in the clearing to search for the two headed dragon demon Ah-Un, the great demon lord turned and made way for the direction of Inuyasha's village with Rin wrapped protectively in his arms.

Rin remained unconscious as Sesshoumaru carried her through the thick forest. He moved swiftly amongst the trees, but his eyes were not watching where he stepped. Rather, he had his eyes focused on the human woman in his arms.

Birds chirped happy tunes all around them as he walked, uncaring that blood permeated the air. Rin's temple was still oozing fresh blood, but it was slowly coming to a stop from what Sesshoumaru could sense. There was no telling what she had hit when she went down after being struck, but whatever it was, was enough to knock her completely out for a long period of time. That was what worried Sesshoumaru the most. He knew that she was alright other than her obvious injury, but try as he might, he could not wake her.

"Lord Sesshoumaru?" The sound of Jaken's voice wasn't loud or annoying as the demon lord stopped in his tracks and turned. Sesshoumaru looked around for a moment and located the small imp demon towing a rather large two headed dragon demon by its reigns. "I have found Ah-Un. Is she alright, my Lord?"

Sesshoumaru watched the two demons for a few seconds before he turned back and continued on his way. He said nothing for a time, but then shocked Jaken by stopping in his tracks once again and whispering as he glanced back down at the fare young woman in his arms. "She has yet to open her eyes…take Ah-Un and fly to the village. Tell the elder priestess what has happened, and I will follow on foot with Rin."

Jaken stared up at him with his mouth open slightly, then closed it and nodded solemnly. "Yes, my Lord." The small imp didn't take long to mount Ah-Un's back. Once situated in the stone saddle, he pointed in the direction he wished to travel and allowed his voice to call out a command to the two headed dragon demon. "To the village! Fly!"

Before taking off, Ah-Un looked over toward Sesshoumaru and both of them could not contain their twin sad expressions as they looked at the unconscious human in their master's grip. Sesshoumaru fixed them with his frosty stare, indicating that it was time for them to leave.

Jaken kicked his heals against Ah-Un's sides and they were off without a second glance.

"Hmm." Sesshoumaru waited until his companions were out of sight and then continued on his way. This time, he did not look back down at Rin.

(Inside Rin's mind)

Wha…what is this? I…see nothing but darkness…and my head really hurts…I can feel myself moving, but how am I moving when I cannot even feel my arms? My legs! Where are my legs? I cannot feel them either…Oh wait! There they are…they are where they are supposed to be but it feels as if I am being carried. Who could it be that is holding me so tightly? OH! The bear?...No, it doesn't feel like the bear. It feels like…no. It can't be him, but…every breath I take allows me to smell his light flowery fragrance…ohhhhh, he smells of yellow roses. Could it be…

"Lord…Sesshou…maru…?" Ow…even my mouth hurts…did I hit something? My eyes are so heavy but I feel as if I should open them.

Sesshoumaru stopped, unsure of he had heard his name or if he was just imagining things. To be sure, he looked down and studied Rin's pale face. His eyes widened when he saw the young woman's eye lids flitter and part, careful to reveal weak but lovely deep brown eyes. "Rin?" He heard her heart beat flutter.

Rin took her time to take full control of her aching limbs. The more she focused on her body, the more pain she started to experience. Wincing, she opened her eye lids wider and saw nothing but a large white blur only inches from her face. "Lord Sesshoumaru?" She took possession of her right arm and proceeded to rub the weariness from eyes. "Ow!" Pulling her hand back, she saw a smear of blood. Gasping, she looked back up and her heart nearly stopped at the sight of her demon lord gazing at her with concerned eyes.

Sesshoumaru was astounded as the young woman started to regain consciousness. Rin was in obvious discomfort as she moved around in his arms. "Don't move too much. You were thrown and struck on the left side of your head."

Rin wasn't paying attention to his words as she took her eyes off of him and started squirming to find a way to move again. "Where am I?" She twisted her head to the side and noticed that she was elevated high off the ground. "Oh!" Rin sucked in a sharp breath and attempted to turn completely to swing out her feet.

Sesshoumaru watched Rin curiously as she struggled in his grip. "Stop this, Rin. You are hurt." He tightened his hold on her and forced her turn back and look at him. "You are not alright to walk, now stop this."

Rin felt her heart racing, unsure if it was caused by her fruitless attempt to flee from the comfort of her lord's strong arms, or if she was just afraid of him in general. "Lord Sesshoumaru…" Her words came out in a breathy escape and she felt her face flush when the great demon lord trapped her with his golden stare. "Why…why am I bleeding?" She was unsure if he had already told her, but the feel of her sticky blood against the side of her left cheek made her wonder.

Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed, slightly confused. "You were thrown and hit your head."

"Where is Master Jaken?" Using any attempt to avoid seeing his face, Rin looked out around them and tried to spot the little green imp.

"Look at me, Rin. I know when you are trying to avoid me."

I never could hide anything from him…ever. Rin returned her gaze back to face her Lord Sesshoumaru and she was almost overcome with dizziness. "Oh!" The beautiful face staring down at her began to blur again and she could have sworn that the ground beneath them swayed and tilted at a dangerous slope. Acting on instinct, she reached out a shaking hand and grasped the front of Sesshoumaru's white kimono to keep herself from falling. She felt strong demon arms draw her closer and tighten their grip.

"Rin?" The young woman heard him but couldn't keep her head still long enough to respond. "Answer me." Rin nearly melted as her lord's voice whispered softly into her left ear and she couldn't help but release a startled gasp of pleasure as a wave of goose bumps appeared all over her already heated flesh.

"Wha..what is wrong with me, my Lord? Everything is moving and I feel as if I am going to fall." She held onto his clothing as tightly as she could to keep herself from swaying in his arms.

Sesshoumaru nodded. "You are not going to fall because I will not let you. Just try to relax and close your eyes."

Rin did as she was told and closed her eyes, but she could not seem to find the strength to calm herself as her world began to rock back and forth. It took her a moment to realize that Sesshoumaru must have started walking again.

After a while, the young woman finally started to relax enough to notice that her head had stopped spinning and she felt comfortable enough to open her eyes once more. Once she did, all she saw was Sesshoumaru's handsome face staring out in front of them while he held her protectively against him. He looks so much like he did when I traveled back in time…maybe a little older but…he looks so much more handsome…although much more reserved. It's so hard to believe that he is the same demon that nearly attacked me because I had started bleeding both when he was young and earlier today while in my house. Oh, my lord…if I truly went back in time…did you remember me when you caught my scent again?

"Rin?"

Startled, Rin shook out of her momentary stupor and refocused on Sesshoumaru's face which had somehow managed to look back down at her while she was deep in thought. "Y…yes, Lord Sesshoumaru?"

"How did you know what I had smelled when I came to visit?" Sesshoumaru's face was expressionless as he watched her.

Rin's mouth opened, trying to answer but caught herself once she realized she did not know what to say. "Um…"

The great demon lord never stopped moving while he questioned her with his eyes. Those honey gold orbs watched his captive while she struggled to find the words in which to speak. "You spoke to me as if you had known how my demon nature would react. How did you know, Rin? Answer me."

"No!" The word was out of her mouth before she could stop it. Horrified, Rin harnessed all of the courage she could find inside of herself and refocused her frightened eyes on Sesshoumaru. What she saw made her wish she had never spoken.

Sesshoumaru's eyes had widened and were looking at her as if she had sent a powerful electric current through his system. "No?" He watched as Rin bit her bottom lip in fear. "Defiance is not an option at this time. I will not ask you again. Answer me."

Oh gods… "My Lord…do you not remember me? From your past?"

The air was silent around them as Sesshoumaru spoke. His voice was calm. "Hmm…so that's it."

"What, my Lord?"

Sesshoumaru froze in mid stride and released a sound that Rin had only heard him produce in the heat of a battle he was winning. The great dog demon let out a soft laugh and closed his eyes as if I deep thought. "I wondered when this day would come…"