The Guardian

By Ichigo2491

Don't get me wrong, I am still a total SessxRin devotee. But this one is supposed to be sad, which is why I made Rin be with Kohaku instead. I do not own Inuyasha or any of its characters, except the ones I made up in this story. Please, please, please review! And while you're at it, it would be cool if you were to read and review my other stories as well. Enjoy.

Sesshomaru's hand tightened around Rin's arm. Though she struggled against him, he overpowered her and succeeded in dragging her through the human village. The townspeople stopped and stared at the cold-eyed, silent demon and the teenage human with the wrathful face who was shouting obscenities at him.

"I'll be damned if I go!" she screamed. "Release me this instant, you brute!" With her free hand she pummeled Sesshomaru's chest. She didn't even care about the scene she was making. "I hate you!" she wailed, angry tears springing to her eyes. "Let me go, curse you!"

Sesshomaru did not say a word. He merely continued to drag the reluctant Rin through the village, 'til they reached the outskirts. His eyes hard as stone, he flung Rin to the ground before the small hut they had reached.

Her demeanor changed almost at once. Her face became still as pond water and her cries ceased. The tears in her eyes spilled over and ran down her flushed cheeks.

"My lord, what have I done to warrant this treatment?" Rin asked in an agonized whisper. "Please, I did not mean to anger you, please forgive me! I'll never do it again, never… just let me stay with you!"

"It's too late for apologies, Rin. What you have done, this Sesshomaru will not forgive," he replied, his tone icy.

"'tis a heavy punishment for such a small crime," Rin wept. "I only wanted to…"

"This Sesshomaru knows what you wanted to do. Your desires are foolish, and your will is weak. He knows what you have done, you would try again, and he will not allow this."

"Why?" Rin challenged, looking up at him with blazing eyes. "Do you fear the weakening of your own will, milord? Do you fear that you will one day give in?"

Rage exploded in Sesshomaru's heart as Rin hit on his true reason for sending her away. He reached down, seizing the front of her kimono and pulling her to her feet. His eyes were red with fury and his clawed hand swept the air as though to strike her, but before he could land the blow he looked at his hand, and he stilled. His eyes reverted to their usual color and he dropped his hand to side. Rin slid once more to the ground, her knees weak with shock.

"I will never give in," he said in a fierce whisper, more to himself than to her.

It was at that moment that a tall, lean man carrying a load of firewood rounded the corner. His brown eyes widened at the sight of a demon in his yard, and the firewood clattered to the ground as he drew a weapon form his belt. But when Sesshomaru and Rin whirled to face the source of the noise, the young face relaxed slightly and the weapon lowered.

"Rin, Lord Sesshomaru, it's just you," Kohaku said with a hint of relief. But still he felt unease. Sesshomaru hated him, why was he here? And why was Rin crumpled on the ground, her eyes tearful and appealing?

"Kohaku," Rin begged him, stretching out an imploring hand, "help me… he's trying to leave me here… I don't want him to! Say you won't take me in!"

Kohaku blinked. "What?"

Sesshomaru stepped forward. "Haven't you always wanted her? Ever since you were children, I've seen it. You want her, you even… love her." He paused, looking off into the distance. "Well, you can have her."

Rin looked fearfully from Sesshomaru to Kohaku. The latter's heart wrenched at the expression on her face. It was true, Kohaku had always loved Rin. He longed to protect and shelter her, and for her to become his wife would be heaven indeed. But in her eyes was written the truth of her emotions… Sesshomaru was the one she wanted.

"Well, Kohaku?" Sesshomaru pressed. "Make your decision quickly. I neither desire nor have time to be here all day."

Kohaku felt a surge of anger at Sesshomaru. Couldn't he see what his callous words were doing to Rin? Couldn't he see her heart breaking? How could he be so cruel?

"This is rather sudden," Kohaku said slowly. "Also, it appears clear that Rin has no wish to abide here with me. It seems, my lord, that she would rather be with you." He caught a grateful glance from Rin that he had come to her aid, but it did not fill the hole in his heart.

"What she wants is of no consequence," Sesshomaru said stiffly. "She will abide with you, or this Sesshomaru could make other arrangements. She has had several offers of marriage…"

"No!" Kohaku snapped. Rin looked blankly at her bare feet. Sesshomaru smirked, but there was no real satisfaction in the gesture. "You will take her, then?"

Rin looked up sharply. Kohaku could not bear to face her and instead fixed Sesshomaru with a glare. "Yes, I will." His words cut the silence like a deadly sword, and just as surely cut into Rin's heart.

"NO!" she screamed, her hopes dashed. Kohaku closed his eyes as if unable to bear the sight of what he was doing. Sesshomaru merely nodded, then with a swish of white hair he turned to go. Rin was stunned. He was really leaving…

Jumping to her feet, Rin shouted after him, "All this over one kiss, Sesshomaru? All I did was kiss you, dammit!" Kohaku flinched, but Rin barely noticed, so intent was she on her master's retreating back. "Aren't you even going to say goodbye?"

Sesshomaru paused, and Rin's breath caught in her throat. Without turning around, Sesshomaru said somberly, "Goodbye, Rin." Then he continued to walk.

"Can't you at least say you'll miss me?" Rin hollered at him. "You coward! You're afraid of me! You're so afraid of me that you can't even look in my eyes!"

Sesshomaru continued to walk. He was getting smaller and smaller as he started to fade away into the distance, and finally it sank in that he would not turn back. With a moan of defeat, Rin fell to the ground and sobbed in the dirt. The only words she said were "I loved you, I loved you!"

Sesshomaru closed his eyes against the pain. Rin's words struck home, for they were all true and all painful to hear spoken by that tender fluff of a girl who had become his obsession. Leaving her… walking away… he had never thought it would come to this. Never had he thought he would allow that human girl to capture his heart. But he had allowed it, and now he must face the consequences of having said organ broken.

If only he could give into these soft thoughts, run back to Rin and take her in his arms, and never release her… If only he could feel her warm lips one more time… But it could not be. He was leaving her for her own good, and his. If he were to openly claim the girl as his bride, the penalties would be severe. She would be in danger at very moment, and he would risk being weakened by his feelings.

He had brought her to Kohaku not because of any kind feelings he personally had toward the boy, but because Rin had always been fond of him. She would be far happier with Kohaku than with any of her suitors. And though Sesshomaru was loathe to admit it even to himself, Kohaku cherished Rin. He would be kind to her and provide for her well. In time Rin might forget Sesshomaru had ever existed, and that would be beneficial.

Then why was it so damn hard to accept?

Was it truly any kinder to lose her this way than at the hand of some foe? Either way it was his fault. He shook his head. In good conscience Sesshomaru could not keep Rin by his side any longer. It sounded ironic considering his status, but she needed more than he could give her. She needed someone warm and loving who would be as open with her as she was with him. He would not reduce her to bearing his half-breed children, though the thought of Rin and Kohaku being intimate was torture to him.

It was for both their sakes, he told himself. And so Sesshomaru walked out of Rin's life forever.