Work Text:
Rin couldn’t understand what it was that Sesshomaru had against her. She knew him through Kagome by way of Inuyasha, her boyfriend, who was Sesshomarus brother.
Every day at school it was the same thing. It wasn’t that he was mean to her, by any means. He made off handed comments about her height such as how he could fit her in her pocket and take her home with him.
He would lean against her with his arm on her head using her as an arm rest and come up behind her poking her in the sides commenting on how little she was and how tall he was in comparison.
In these instances she would shoo him away, give him looks of displeasure, or tell him to bug off. Secretly though she was thrilled that he was giving her attention.
Sesshomaru was handsome, athletic, and popular. All of the girls liked him but he paid them little to no mind. He only engaged with her. When she would ask Inuyasha about it he would just make comments that his brother was annoying and a ‘weird dude’.
Kagome was convinced Sesshomaru liked her but Rin was not entirely convinced. She had been picked on since primary school for her height and it was a sore spot for her.
Walking to the cafeteria she inwardly groaned seeing Kagome sitting with Inuyasha knowing Sesshomaru wasn’t too far behind once she strolled in. It felt at times as if he just appeared out of nowhere.
“Hey.” Jumping at the voice she glanced to her side to see Naraku, Sesshomarus best friend. “Heads up, he’s in a mood today.”
“What does that mean?” Rin asked curiously.
“Uh, just…prepare yourself for…something.” Naraku replied.
“Tell me.” She insisted turning to him and staring up at him.
“He got something for you.” Naraku relented rubbing at the back of his head in a nervous gesture.
“Oh god, what?” She moaned out feeling her stomach knot.
“It’s a…” He began only to be interrupted by Kagome who began waving her down.
“Hey girlie! We saved your seat.” She called. No sooner had she that Sesshomaru magically appeared behind her poking her in the sides.
“Eeep!” She squealed out turning quickly swiping her hand at him to land against his midsection. “Don’t do that!”
“Rin, I’ve been looking for you. I couldn’t find you though, because you’re so small.” He said. Sighing in a defeated way Rin made her way to the table placing her lunch bag down on it.
Sitting down Sesshomaru was right beside her. Taking a package from his own bag he placed it in front of her.
“What is that?” Pointing at it she looked to Naraku who seemed embarrassed, looking away at other students as they entered the cafeteria.
“Is the packaging to big for you to manage?” He asked making to take it from her.
“No.” She said firmly opening the gift box and pulled back the tissue wrap. Inside was a folded piece of purple cotton fabric with a picture of a smiling carton of French fries. Below it read, ‘small fry’.
Closing her eyes and clenching her jaw she took deep breaths.
“Awww, is that a shirt?” Kagome questioned looking it over. “That’s so cute.”
“If it doesn’t fit you I can get a smaller size.” Sesshomaru offered with a smirk. Reopening her eyes Rin shook her head.
“Why did you get me this?” She near demanded.
“You are my small fry.” He stated as if it were obvious putting his index finger against her nose. Hitting his hand away she huffed.
“What is with you and my height?” Rin queried crossing her arms over her front.
“You’re tiny. My teeny, tiny Rin.” He replied.
“I am not ‘your’ Rin, Sesshomaru. Lord, why do you have to make fun of me? Why are you picking on me?” The words spilled out of her mouth and she felt hot tears form in her eyes. “What did I ever do to you?”
Not waiting for an answer she grabbed her bag and got up quickly.
“Rin, where are you going? He’s not being mean! It’s a gift.” Kagome interjected standing as well. Taking the box Rin practically threw it at her.
“Take it! It’s yours! You like it so much, you wear it!” Leaving the crowded lunch room in a near run Kagome was left speechless.
“Nice one, jackass.” Inuyasha retorted throwing daggers at his brother. Putting the box down Kagome ran out to find Rin. Naraku let out a breath of air he had been holding.
“I told you man; keep making the small jokes and she’d snap.” He chimed.
“They’re not jokes.” Sesshomaru retorted glaring back at Inuyasha. “What?”
“You are the stupidest bastard I know, you know that? For how smart you are, you’re a moron.” He said.
“I don’t need advice from you, Inuyasha.” Sesshomaru practically spat out.
“Well, obviously you do because you just pissed off the only girl you’ve ever shown any interest in. Great job.” Standing he shook his head in disappointment and left as well.
“I have to agree with your brother Sessh.” Naraku said. “You can’t just go at people like that without some kind of rapport. Did you ever stop and think maybe Rins sensitive about her height?”
Shaking his head Sesshomaru looked at the box feeling crushed. “If you have any chance of salvaging anything with that girl, you need to apologize. Be real, be honest and explain yourself. Otherwise, whatever you wanted from her, is over.”
Sighing Sesshomaru felt the best course of action may be to let Rin be and stay out of her way. Immediately deciding against that he picked up the box and left.
“Look, Sesshomaru’s not like other people. He was dropped on his head or something.” Inuyasha said as Rin sat next to Kagome being consoled. “He’s stupid when it comes to people.”
“Sesshomaru does like you Rin and I know you like him.” Kagome expounded.
“Then why doesn’t he say anything to me with any substance? He isn’t stupid, he’s smart. He knows what he’s doing.” She answered back wiping her eyes.
“Again, he IS that stupid and doesn’t know how to act like a person.” Inuyasha reiterated. Putting her hands over her face Rin sniffled. “Aw shit, dude; don’t you know when to quit?”
Looking up she saw Sesshomaru had come outside with the gift box tucked under his arm. His face was unreadable as he displayed no emotion as he walked over to them with purpose.
Placing the box down in front of her on the ground he stared at her, intently.
“I’m sorry Rin.” He said softly turning to leave.
“Wait.” Rin stood with her eyes on him, sizing him up. “Why did you give me that shirt?”
“I saw it and I thought of you.” He replied honestly.
“Inuyasha.” Kagome nearly hissed out tugging on him as she stood up.
“What?”
“Time to go.” She insisted.
“Now? This just got interesting.” He protested.
“Now, Inuyasha.”
“Fine, whatever.” He mumbled following her. With the two gone it left Rin and Sesshomaru alone in the court yard.
“I wasn’t picking on you or teasing you.” Sesshomaru said after a few moments had passed.
“Then why do you always say things about how short I am? I am painfully aware of it and I’ve told you to stop but you just keep on going.”
“I thought you were playing along.”
“A little bit, sometimes, but it’s relentless. It wears you down after a while. This, talking like normal people, is nice.” Watching as Sesshomaru looked away seeming uncomfortable Rin waited patiently.
“I don’t know how to talk to people.” He said.
“I see you talking with Naraku, Inuyasha, and Kagome about normal things.”
“They’re different.” Sesshomaru replied. “They’re safe.”
“What does that mean?” Rin asked genuinely curious.
“I don’t have to pretend to be someone else around them.”
“Be someone else?” Rin questioned. Nodding Sesshomaru glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. “As in a perfect student?”
“Yes. I am able to get good grades and excel in whatever I put my mind to. That has created an illusion that I am perfect in every way but I’m not, far from it.” He confirmed.
“So, engaging me the way you do means you feel safe with me?” Rin pressed.
“Yes.”
“Sesshomaru, I very much want to be your friend but you have to understand that I’ve been humiliated and bullied because of my height. You think it’s funny or endearing but for me, it hurts.” Rin explained.
“I understand and I’m sorry for not listening.” He said sincerely.
“I want to move on from this. I want to start over.” Rin continued. “I apologize for sending you mixed messages but I…I don’t mind when you show me attention just not at my expense. No one has ever shown any type of interest in me before and I…I do like you.”
“Like me?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Thank you Rin. I am very fond of you and I want to start this relationship over as well and be friends.”
“That sounds nice.” Turning around she picked the box up off the ground and her lunch bag. “I do like the shirt. Maybe I’ll wear it tomorrow.”
“So, can I call you my small fry?” Sesshomaru wondered cautiously.
“Don’t push your luck.” Rin smirked at him. Returning it with a nod they went back to lunch.