Chapter twelve: Dance

"Why are you so sad, Rin? I'm sure everybody will love it."

"Yes..." the little girl sighed, arranging a blue flower into her hair. Kaede approached her, tightening her beautiful blue and red kimono.

"You know... I've never seen a girl of your age being so gifted," the old woman continued, trying to lift Rin's spirits. Rin smiled then, looking up at her.

"Really?"

"Of course..."

Rin nodded slightly to herself, asking Kaede: "How do I look?"

Kaede smiled.

"You look beautiful."

"I didn't mean it that way!" Rin said, shaking her head. "Do I look like a bird or not?"

"You do," Kaede assured her and Rin - obviously satisfied - ran outside into the falling evening. It was a warm summer day, the sun had already gone down but the sky was still lightened in the aquatic shades of green and blue. Rin breathed in the sweet air and quickly walked in the middle of the village, where a small wooden podium was standing. Villagers had already been gathering around it, chatting with each other. Rin went behind the podium, saying hello to other children waiting there.

"Are you scared?" one of her friends asked. Rin shook her head.

"No, I'm not. I'm just nervous..."

"That means you're scared," the friend explained but Rin frowned.

"Why should I be? It's not like I'm going to die or anything, is it?"

Her friend opened her mouth but closed it again, not knowing what to say. They heard the sound of a gong and Rin turned.

"It's time... Who's the first one?"

"I am..." a girl younger than Rin said, anxiously walking up the wooden stairs on the podium and disappearing from their sight behind the wooden wall. Soon, the village musicians started playing a slow melody and Rin closed her eyes, imagining her friend dancing. It was her turn when she finished and she breathed deeply, trying to control her shivering fingers. She knew he wouldn't come, she knew he wouldn't see, she didn't even want him to, because she didn't want to bother him so, but still... If only he saw her...

"Rin! Rin, where are you!"

Rin woke up. It was time...

She climbed up on the podium, surprised with how many people had come, looking around. She bowed down and announced: "My name is Rin and I will dance for you the dance of the moon."

She bowed again, waiting for the musicians to start playing. Although she couldn't wait to start dancing, she felt the sadness spreading inside her. He wasn't there and he wouldn't see...

"Watch out!" somebody shouted and she looked up, widening her eyes. Right in front of her, a few feet away, lord Sesshomaru was standing, watching her closely. He started walking forward, the villagers' eyes bulging out of their faces, as they gasped silently, backing off from him and clearing his way.

"That's the demon..." she heard them whisper with fears.

"Stay away from him!"

"Somebody send him away..."

Lord Sesshomaru stopped in the last row of the standing people, looking right into Rin's eyes. He raised an eyebrow slightly and Rin smiled with happiness, nodding and giving a sign to the musicians to start playing. They seemed pretty shocked, but fortunately started their song and Rin began to dance.

She danced with her heart filled with the warmness of love and joy. She danced with every single muscle in her body. She danced for him and from the deeps of her heart. And all the time, he was watching her. And if she could look at him just for one second, she would notice the pride and love in his yellow eyes.

But this time, he was proud of her.

She stopped when the melody was over, breathing heavily and panting. She bowed and they clapped their hands, but she didn't pay attention any more, running down from the podium and jumping into lord Sesshomaru's arms.

"Lord Sesshomaru, you've come!" she exclaimed and felt his arms holding her tightly, as well as the bewildered looks people around were giving them.

"Let's go somewhere else," lord Sesshomaru said and Rin agreed, walking away with him. She held his hand firmly, looking up into his face.

"I didn't think you'd come, my lord," she said, smiling. He gave her a side look.

"Why not?"

"I know you don't like being in the village and you don't like the villagers..."

He looked back in front of him.

"I wanted to see you dance," he said, his voice quiet and composed as usual. Rin tugged his sleeve.

"And did you like it?" she asked, not able to hide how much she wanted him to. Lord Sesshomaru allowed himself a little smile.

"I've never seen someone dance better, Rin," he said and Rin had the feeling she had just taken off on a pink cloud of happiness.

"Thank you!" she shouted, jumping up with euphoria.

"I can teach you if you like it so!" she said and lord Sesshomaru's smile changed into a smirk.

"I'm not sure... But you can teach Jaken. I think he'd be delighted."