The girls had been sitting patiently in their beds listening to Ryumi - their governess - tell them the usual bedtime story. Sorana - the youngest daughter of the Inu clan - nudged her sister. Kohana - the eldest twin - shook her head. They were restless. The story was defeating it's purpose of putting them to sleep. As much as they adored their nanny, they were not so fond of her limited supply of bedtime fables.
"Kohana, I'm bored." Sorana pouted and faced her twin sister.
"Me, too!" Kohana agreed.
The sisters faced each other, nodded and crossed their arms across their chests in disapproval before glaring hotly in the direction of the dragon demoness.
Throwing her hands up in defeat, Ryumi tried to keep a lid on the boiling pot - she'd been on the edge of her patience since she started the fourth story. The twins had been extra fussy today and no matter what story she weaved together, it simply would not satisfy them. "What am I going to do with the two of you?"
"Tell us an adventure story with loads of action and -" Sorana licked her lips in anticipation, "bloodshed." She finished. Her eyes had grown wide in excitement as she wiggled her finger tips together.
Kohana put her hands over her ears and shook her head furiously. "Nnnnooooo! I want a fairytale with flowers and weddings and - "
"Kisses?" Sorana puckered her lips and made smooching sounds.
"They're way better than ack-shun!" Kohana shot back, admittedly not impressed at how comical her sister's face appeared.
"Is not!" Sorana fumed.
"Is too!" Kohana glared.
Not a growl later, the twins leapt on each other, out of their blankets and onto the floor in a tumbling heap of white cotton nighties and black and silver pig tails.
"Kohana! Sorana! Stop this foolishness!" Ryumi's voice thundered in the room shaking the mahogany furniture but that did nothing to stop the little trouble makers. The dragon demoness tried to pry the two apart but they kept slipping out from her hold. With grave effort, she finally grabbed an elfish ear belonging to each little girl and yanked them apart.
"Enough! You're both going to behave and get into bed right now!" She muttered angrily and dragged them in the direction of their beds. "Neither of you did well in your etiquette nor your French lessons today and you killed a live squirrel during archery! A live kill by six year olds in pigtails! I definitely don't want to suffer your father's wrath when he finds out real arrows are missing from the weaponry. Hopefully your mama can keep him distracted tonight until I restock-"
"Papa!" The twins cried in sudden excitement.
Ryumi groaned. She shouldn't have said that.
Easily slipping out of her hold, the twins ran around the elderly demoness until she was dizzy and had to take a seat.
"Papa's home! Papa's home! Yay!" They ran in circles around her with amazing speed and agility, leaving the elderly demoness very dizzy, light headed and slightly nauseous. Before she could see straight, the trouble makers had bolted out the room and the only sound resonating in the hallway was the soft thuds of their footsteps.
"Is it possible for someone to grow even more beautiful with time?"
Sesshomaru's dark, teasing voice ran like shivers across Rin's skin. Placing the tea cup in his direction, Rin took a moment to study her handsome mate. He was the epitome of every school girls dream with his dark blue jacket and contrasting white silken shirt gathered at his neck with a light blue scarf held in place a golden pin, darker than night pants and perfectly polished boots; however, it was the beauty of his features that so wonderfully completed his stylish ensemble. The play of light and shadow on his pale skin, the way his hair shone in the dark as though it was moonlight itself and the untamed intensity in his amber eyes made him look handsomely roguish. And most important of all - he was hers.
Rin poured herself a cup of brewed beverage and smiled. "I wonder if my lord would say that if I was old and wrinkly like Lady Kaede."
Sesshomaru only chuckled in response and with a swift approach, moved to sit right behind his lovely mate.
"My lord!" Rin gasped as he snaked his arms across her waist and pressed her against him, "Think of what the servants would say!"
"They dare not speak if they value their lives." Sesshomaru deadpanned. Grazing his lips over the delicate flesh of his human mate's neck and running his tongue over his mark, he whispered against her skin. "Hm, I don't mind an older woman."
Rin giggled for a moment but shivered in delight and rested her head on his shoulder baring her neck to his delicious assault. When his warm mouth covered his mark and sucked on it, Rin moaned. Her hands fisted into her skirts and warmth pooled between her legs. Sesshomaru's travels often took him away for months and although he had been gone for only four months it had felt like an eternity. The effect his mouth had on the now hyper-sensitive mating mark on her skin was pure bliss. The simple cotton of her dress felt restricting against her breasts and her skin yearned for his touch and kiss.
When he ended his ministrations and kissed her cheek, Rin used the opportunity to turn around slightly and eagerly lick and nip the bottom of his chin and curve of his neck. The guttural growl that vibrated through his chest was his approval of her actions of surrender to him. Never did he force her to submit to him, rather this was a mutual understanding between the two. Besides Rin loved his dark, delicious dominating personality.
"Rin…" He ground out. His coarse and rough voice fed Rin's own desire and she pressed herself harder against his body. One hand went to explore the silky softness of his hair while the other grazed across the hard muscles of his thighs and rested against the tight bulge in his pants. "Not so quickly, my sweet. I wish to take my time tonight."
Her empty sheath clenched tightly in anticipation of the passion they would share tonight.
"Sesshomaru… I... I missed you so, so much." Rin squeezed the aching bulge in his pants and bared her neck further for him. Unaware that he had begun to open the buttons along the front of her bodice, Rin gasped when his large hand slipped behind the fabric and eagerly cupped her breast; her nipple instantly hardened and ached against his palm.
"Damn." Sesshomaru hissed, threading his fingers through her brown locks and tilting her head back just enough to crash his lips on hers hungrily. Rin kissed him back with equal fervor. With the way things were going, she was certain they wouldn't make it to the bedroom. At least not for round one.
"Papa! Papa!"
The high pitched sounds had both lovers jerking back. Sesshomaru cursed in Inu, pushing Rin away from him.
With shaky hands, Rin fixed her bodice and skirts and Sesshomaru had just enough time to right himself before two of his favorite girls rushed him, making him land with an 'oof' on his back. They wrestled playfully with him, kissing him on his cheeks and biting him lovingly with their now blunt fangs until Rin chided them.
"Easy now, little ones. Papa just got home from a long journey."
"Oh mama, we're just having some fun." Kohana flashed an ear to ear-smile, smoothing onyx bangs away from her big, brown eyes and squealing loudly when Sesshomaru began tickling her furiously.
"Yes, mama. It's just some good fun." He rolled his eyes and winked playfully at Rin. "Where do you think you're going, you little trouble maker?" Sorana screamed in playful delight when Sesshomaru's mokomoko hooked around her mid section and dragged her back to where all the fun was.
"Mama! Save me from the big, bad monster." Sorana stretched her arms and reached out to Rin, who simply shook her head.
"You brought this on yourself." Rin shrugged and stuck her tongue out.
Sesshomaru was a warm and caring father. He hadn't been entirely cold and aloof when she had been a child but far more reserved. Fatherhood had only melted whatever barriers he had erected around his heart. Suddenly Rin's thoughts were drawn towards their first born. Sesshomaru had made a point to brag to everyone - including the demon council - about how his exceptional human mate had birthed not just an heir but a pure-blood demon. Those days had been short-lived albeit happy ones.
Rin briefly wondered how her teenage son had been faring ever since his exile. A sudden pang of pain gripped her heart at the memory of the feud between her husband and her son. Part of her wished it hadn't happened but the similarities in their personalities made it difficult for them to get along and they often disagreed over little things. With a heavy heart, Rin put those thoughts behind because this was not the time or place to bring it up.
When the girls ended their giggling fit, they were both hugging their father fiercely.
"Papa, we missed you." Sorana mumbled into his massive chest and Kohana nodded as well.
"I missed both my little girls." Sesshomaru gently patted Kohana's black locks and Sorana's silver mane. "Have you both been good while I was away?"
Sitting on each leg, both girls found a comfortable spot on his thighs and nodded eagerly. "Yes, Lord Sesshomaru!"
Sesshomaru's heart burst with pride at the eagerness that shone from the loving set of two different but very similar eyes. Traces of their mother's innocence were reflected in those beautiful orbs. As much as he wanted to do nothing more than play with his daughters, it was past their bed time and chances were they had been a handful for Ryumi. In a flash, his hands each reached for an elfish ear and tugged hard.
"Then tell me why two very mischievous little girls are running about so late at night when they should clearly be in bed?"
"Owie, owie, owie!" The two girls cried in tandem.
"Sorry, Papa! But Ryumi ran out of stories to tell us so we thought Mama could tell us a story instead." Kohana quickly clarified.
"Yes, Papa! And we can't sleep when we're bored!" Sorana added but that only resulted in a deeper frown on their father's face.
"Ah, a story, you say?" Sesshomaru quickly release their ears. The girls rubbed their now stinging appendages and nodded in unison.
"Well, go ahead then Lady Rin. Weave us a story for our amusement." Sesshomaru leaned back comfortably into a large pillow and patted on a spot next to each side. The two bursting bundles of energy nestled themselves in each arm with gusto. Elbows on their knees and heads in their palms, they faced their mother with wide expectant eyes.
"Make sure it has loads of non-stop action, Mama!" Sorana enthused.
"And a kiss and a wedding!" Kohana added.
"Action and romance, huh?" Rin laughed nervously. The gleam of excitement in her daughter's eyes was also present in Sesshomaru's - only his had a sharp edge to it that made her even more uncomfortable. She knew she would never hear the end of this.
Making herself as comfortable as possible, Rin folded her hands neatly in her lap and searched her thoughts for just a moment before the idea hit her like a ton of bricks. Straightening her back and lifting her chin, Rin began...
"A long time ago, in a magical kingdom there lived a servant girl who went by the name Cindergome. She lived in a large country house where she served Sarah, who was the Lady of the House, and her two daughters: Kagura and Kanna. The country house did not belong to Sarah but she had gained her title by marrying Lord Higurashi - Cindergome's father - ten years ago. Ten years ago, Cindergome had lived in the same house like a princess.
Lord Higurashi had loved his daughter very much and had always brought a gift for her from his many travels. Although they were simple things such as clay sculptures, wooden artifacts or simple jewelry, Sarah felt apprehensive towards his actions. On nights that he would spend sharing fables of knights in shining armour and wish-granting fairies, Sarah jealousy grew towards Lord Higurashi's love for his daughter. The lord hardly ever spoke with Sarah much less indulge her in silly stories. She grew an immense hatred towards the little girl. So upon his death, Sarah shoved a broom in Cindergome's hand and told her to serve the house that now rightfully belonged to her.
In her younger years, Cindergome had been eager to please her stepmother so she did as was asked of her. Ten years later and Cindergome had learned that her stepmother was not the loving matron she had thought her to be.
"They're coming to inspect the stables, Gome! You have to hide them, quickly!" Hojo, the stable boy, muttered under his breath. Hurriedly wrapping the arrows in a torn cloth.
"Just great!" Cindergome exclaimed and clumsily hid her bow as far beneath the pile of hay as possible. "Argh! Why do they have to inspect the stables anyway! It's not like they know a thing about horses!"
"They don't but you have been out of her sight all afternoon. I keep telling you that the more you practice, the more you'll keep getting into trouble but you never listen." Hojo shoved the stack of arrows behind a resting mare.
"Listening gets me nowhere!" Cindergome got up and dusted debris off her old and worn but clean off-white shirt. Smoothing her stained apron and fixing her hair, she made herself as presentable as possible in her servant's frock. "If I keep practicing, I know I can win at least third prize and when I do, I'll be off to live my own life with my prize money. No more boring tea parties to serve coffee and cakes to French elite."
"The world is a dangerous place; it's not a place for young, helpless girls-"
Cindergome roughly shoved Hojo in the chest. "I'm not a helpless ninny, Hojo." Bringing her fists up to eye level, she moved her left leg to the back and leaned on her right leg, preparing for attack. "You know I can take you down any day."
Falling on his behind in an unpleasant pile of horse dung, Hojo groaned. "It wouldn't hurt you to learn a few manners. You're practically like a guy."
"I am not!" Cindergome fumed and kicked him in the ribs. Hojo wheezed and held his midsection in pain but managed to grab her ankle so she fell on top of him.
"Ew! Hojo!" Cindergome shoved against the boy in disgust.
"Oh my! My! I think we've interrupted a tumble in the hay." Lady Sarah's syrupy voice echoed in the stables. She was dressed in an expensive gown of silk and brocade, generously supplied by her father's hard earned money. It had been imported from Italy, she always used to brag.
"I doubt she even knows what a tumble means, mother." Kagura followed close behind and laughed with an annoying high pitched voice that made Cindergome want to cringe.
Lady Sarah smiled sheepishly but the look in her narrowed eyes was anything but friendly. Her movements on the muddy floor were smooth and slick almost like a snake. "Behave, Kagura! For goodness sake, work on your laughter. It's as annoying as your lack of talents for the talent show. Now, tell me dear stepdaughter, where exactly had you been all afternoon?"
Fixing herself up and lifting her chin, she responded. "I was helping Hojo all afternoon, my lady."
"Hm." She responded and continued to saunter around the stable, poking and prodding as though searching for something. Cindergome froze.
"You're not hiding something from me, are you, my dear?"
"No, my lady." Cindergome replied, fixing her gaze on the muddy floor.
"Hm." She responded again and continued her leisurely stroll around the stable. "You wouldn't be practicing a talent for the Royal Talent show, would you?"
"Preposterous! She wouldn't dare-" Kagura eyes resembled her late-mother's china saucers and she bristled in anger.
"Silence, Kagura!" Lady Sarah lifted a hand in Kagura's direction and raised an inquisitive brow at her stepdaughter.
"Would you?"
"No, my lady." Cindergome tried to sound as modest as possible. After her careful inspection of the stable, Lady Sarah promptly instructed Cindergome to come up to the dressing room right away, Kagura was going to attend a ball this evening and her gown needed hemming.
Waving goodbye to Hojo, Cindergome fell into step behind her stepmother and stepsister like an obedient little servant girl. Only one week longer would she have to keep up appearances, and then she would be free to make her own destiny. Free to laugh, free to cry, free to live her own life. After ten years, Cindergome had decided that she would no longer wait for someone to make her dreams come true. She would turn them into reality herself."
Although the story was nowhere near complete, Rin had successfully put her little ones to sleep. A deep snore from the elder demon had her giggling slightly. The old dog passed out on her, too!
"Don't you worry, miss. I'll take care of the little ones." Ryumi carefully picked up the twins, one first and then the other and head upstairs to their room.
Before Rin could turn to kiss her sleeping mate, she felt two strong arms caging her and warm breath on her neck.
"I thought you were asleep!" Rin said in mock surprise.
Sesshomaru growled lowly and responded by pressing himself closer to his beautiful mate. Within seconds they were kissing again. Words were no longer needed when actions articulated their feelings and desires for each other.