Rikechi had the woman. She kept squirming as they traveled, which was beginning to irritate him. He was glad when he found his clan in a cave behind a waterfall. His clan cheered for his arrival and triumph as he set her down. He dragged her with him as they traveled down the cave with others checking her out as they went. People were coming out of their tents to see.
"Rikechi? Is this her?"
"She's beautiful!"
"Only the best for our boss."
"She will give him strong healthy sons."
"Sons?" Rin whispered, "What did they mean by sons?"
Rikechi made his way to his tent at the end of the cave, separated from the others. He jerked her around to face him. He held her body against his. Rin could barely squirm to protest. He painfully grabbed her face and jerked it toward his.
"I need a queen by my side to provide me with sons to continue my line. I chose you. You should be honored to be mine. You are my woman now. We bandit demons mate for life. No other male can have you. Got that?" he reached down to her lips. She took the chance.
"I'm not your woman! Get away from me, you pervert!" she said slapping him across the face. Others were gasping at her action. He was just as shocked as everyone was.
"That bitch!"
"She slapped the boss!"
Rin backed away from him. He just blinked at her. Her hand was pulsing slightly from the slap. Then his eyes focused. He glared at her as if he found out what emotion to go with. It looked like he chose frustration.
"Why do you resist? I'm offering you status and a wealthy life. I will treat you like a queen and give you anything in the world. The only thing I demand in return is to produce children with you. Any other woman would kill to have this offer in my clan," he snarled at her. She growled at him.
"I'm not from this world so I'm not used to be thrown around like property. Second, I'm seeing someone else!"
"So you have another male in your life. Tell me is it that mutt from before? What does he have that I don't?"
She snarled at him, "He has my heart! He has my love and soul. He has my trust and undying devotion! Something that you can never hope to have!"
He slapped her across the face, which made her hit the wall and crumble unconscious. That was enough out of her, he thought. He picked her up. She seemed more attractive to him when she wasn't talking. She seemed so peaceful. She was still unconscious as he took her into his tent.
Sesshomaru staggered back slightly. He could just tell that she was still alive and well. He had a special bond with her that only he could understand. His mind could tell him that she was alive but that part of him stopped. He couldn't tell if she was alive or not! She was either dead or unconscious. He growled. If he hurt her then there would be hell to pay. The moment that Sesshomaru smelled Rin when they first met, he knew that she was his to have. His and only his. That demon took her from him. That is punishable by death in his heritage to take another males mate. He pushed on to keep tracking her scent. It was getting stronger, which meant his was getting close. Hold on, my Rin, he thought.
Rin woke up on a bed inside a tent. She sat up quickly and noticed that she was wearing a kimono that wasn't hers. She was red and covered herself with the covers. Rikechi entered the tent. She looked scared. He smiled at her.
"What did you do to me!" she shook. He sat down on the bed beside her. His hand went to her face but she smacked it away.
"You are my mate now. You must wear the clothing to match your mate. Your other clothing was inappropriate. This fits you much better," he purred at her. She crawled to the opposite side of the bed from him in disgust.
"You sick, PEVERT!" she shouted at him. He smiled at her. He raised his hand to her.
"Come here. You've been sleeping for a day now. You must be hungry," he cooed at her. She rolled her eyes at him. Seriously? She thought. He heaved himself off the bed and came to her. It was pointless to run since he was faster than she was. He would catch her in a heartbeat. He's being gentle for the moment. She shouldn't aggravate him or he might force himself on her.
"I'm not hungry, leave me alone," she snarled. He put his hand on her face despite her squirming. He tightened his hold on her as he locked lips with her. She about bit his lip off which made him back away. His lip was bleeding a little. He looked angry.
"I am going to have you. I've tried playing nice, but my desire for your body is too powerful to be gentle. You'll see. Once you've been with a real man then you won't want that other male again," he said crushing her body against his as he held her. Weak from being slapped, weak from a day and a half without nourishment, made it hard for her to put up much of a fight. He began to untie her kimono open even though she tried to keep it closed. She slapped him and tried to run but he grabbed her. She shrieked as He smashed her mouth with his; he tried to get at her kimono.
"Boss, we have an intruder! Our scouts saw him coming toward the cave."
Rikechi groaned with his mouth against her neck. He pulled back to look at her red tear stained face. She was whimpering and shacking madly. He stroked her wet cheek. She seemed to be vibrating under his touch. She kept crying as he kissed her forehead.
"I'll be back, my love. Once the intruder is taken care of, we can pick up where we left off," he said softly. He stepped away her as she tried to tie her kimono. He left her alone in an emotional mess as she cried herself to pieces.
Sesshomaru felt her again which meant that she had regained consciousness. He sensed the scouts keeping an eye on him. He didn't give them a hint that he knew that they were already spotted. The scouts were not his prey. That demon was. Besides, those demon scouts are a sign that he's close to their camp. He could sense more and more of the scouts as Rin's grew stronger and stronger. He came to a waterfall and her scent stopped. He was at a loss. Then a few troops came out from behind the waterfall with the head demon appeared from the roaring water. Sesshomaru tensed his eyes at the one who took his mate.
"Where's Rin?" he snarled. Rikechi grinned.
"My queen is inside where she belongs. You interrupted our special moment, dog demon. Something that I can't forgive."
Sesshomaru gasped to himself. What had he done to her? Did he take what was due to him? If he hurt her or forced himself on her, then he will die by his hands right here and now!
"If you harm her in anyway then you will join your people in the depths of hell," Sesshomaru warned fiercely. Rikechi drew his sword and readied for battle.
"SESSHOMARU!" a cry came from behind the waterfall. Sesshomaru's heart raised. He knew that voice. Rikechi glared over his shoulder.
"KEEP HER IN MY TENT! SHE ISN'T GOING ANYWHERE!"
Sesshomaru heard her scream and struggle which made his insides burn. His eyes turned red. His anger and rage would only stop when he takes back what it is his, his true mate. He didn't draw his sword but raised his only hand and made his claws grow longer. His demonic aura was swirling around him, making everything around the area sway around him. Rikechi and his troops hid their faces from the power.
"What's happening?" Rikechi exclaimed.
Then Sesshomaru moved so fast that they couldn't see him. He used his own claws and began slaughtering them as his rage went. Rikechi watched in horror as his troops fell. Sesshomaru's aura completely overcame his own. Rikechi dropped his sword and backed into the wall of the cliff by the waterfall. He watched Sesshomaru bloody his claws with his latest victim. His eyes red and filled with blood lust. Rikechi screamed in terror as Sesshomaru approached him.
"NO! SPARE ME! TAKE HER! PLEASE!" Rikechi begged with all his might.
Sesshomaru picked him up by the neck, choking him. His hate reflecting his vice grip on Rikechi's neck. Rikechi held onto his arm as he choked. Sesshomaru was about to snap his neck when something struck at his heart. Something was telling him something. He could feel Rin's need for him.
"SESSHOMARU!" his fantastic hearing picked up from the cave.
Rin needed him. His eyes went back to normal as her voice echoed from the opening. He turned his head to the cave. He calmed down enough for his monster aura to escape him. He looked back at her assailant. He was close to passing out. With great effort, Sesshomaru slowly released his grip on him. Rikechi dropped to the ground, gasping and coughing for air.
"She wouldn't want me to sink to your level. I will spare you until she says different. You are nothing more than an eyesore. She is the most important thing that I treasure in this world. You don't deserve to even be in her presence. If you ever come near her again, then I WILL kill you so slowly that you would beg for hell to take you," Sesshomaru growled impassively.
Rikechi was shacking madly as Sesshomaru threatened him. Without looking back, Sesshomaru stepped inside the cave. The demon people inside shook in fear as they stepped out of his way. Their senses could tell that he wasn't in a mercy mood. A woman approached him with a shacking bow.
"Please, she's in the tent on the other side of the cave. She's in that tent," she informed with a shacky voice.
Sesshomaru grunted in his thanks as he followed the trail. Soon he could hear her tears in the large tent that was being guarded by two men. They didn't hesitate to move as he stepped inside. At first he couldn't see her, but he heard a crying voice from the corner of the tent next to a nightstand. Sesshomaru carefully walked over to her. She cringed away as she cried harder. Sesshomaru crouched down to her level. He used a hand to try to coax her to look at him but she fought him
"Rin," he whispered.
Rin stopped fighting him. She knew that voice then the hand returned to her face. His touch calmed her. She looked up at him. He growled. Her face was red and stained with heavy tears. Her eyes looked scared and tired. She swiftly wrapped her arms around him as quiet tears fell. He held on to her.
"It's alright now. I'm here. You're safe. I won't let anything happen to you again, my gentle lovely Rin," he whispered to her softly. She calmed down enough to look at him.
"Sesshomaru, I was so scared, but I … I knew that you would come for me," she sniffed. He smiled at her and kissed her on the forehead.
"Let's go," he said, helping her to her feet.
His eyes widened when she had to use both hands to adjust her wrinkled kimono . He growled again which made her cringe. She bowed her head in defeat. He looked around and found a small blanket on a chair and wrapped it around her shoulders. He wished that he had his left arm so he could carry her out, but could only hold her with his one arm. He turned them into a large ball of light and left the cave in a flash. When the ball of light found a quiet spot away from the cave, he turned them back to normal. Rin was shacking as he set her down and turned to make a fire. Once the fire was up he sat down next to her.
"Did he…..?" he asked her carefully. She shook harder as it brought back memories.
"No, you came just in time," she whispered. He held her closer to him.
"I'm sorry, Rin. I wasn't able to protect you," he said.
"Sh. Don't. Just hold me," she whimpered as she held him as close as she possibly could.
He stayed quiet and held her tight. He could feel her relaxing against him until all he could hear was her sleeping breathing. He was glad that that demon hadn't taken from her what was his to take. Sesshomaru hated the idea of her lying with another man, let alone being forced to. He sighed. He was glad to have her safe in the protection of his embrace. He tilted his head back and fell asleep.
Rin woke up on the ground. She yawned as she extended her hand to Sesshomaru. She felt nothing. She moved her hand this way and that to find him. Not here! She jerked up and started looking for him.
"I'm here," he said.
She stood up in a flash. She ran over to him and squeezed him tightly. A moment of fear that he wasn't there was enough to make her nervous. He wrapped his arm around her and kissed her on the head. She felt something in his hand at her back. She pulled away to look. Sesshomaru turned his eyes from her and handed her what he had.
"I found these for you," he muttered, keeping his eyes off her.
Rin took them. It was the same kimono that he had given her when they started seeing each other. She went behind a tree nearby to change into her familiar clothes. She rounded the corner to find him in front of her. He pushed her hair past her ear.
"You look more yourself now, my love. Let us be off," he said holding a hand out to her.
What? My love? KIYAAAAAAAA! Rin kept thinking about. Rin knew that Sesshomaru cared for her and all but he had never said that he LOVED her. The 'my loves' always catch her off guard. She never got tired of hearing it though. She smiled as she took her protector's hand. He kissed it. They were hand and hand as they took off into the woods.
Days have passed since that day. Rin was completely over it since Sesshomaru was with her. He seems extra keen on staying close by her or at least keeping her in his sights. Rin understood why and didn't mind. One day, Rin was stroking Ah Un's main, combing it neatly. Ah Un whined in pleasure. He enjoyed her pets and attention. He hugged her by wrapping his heads around her gently. Rin chuckled as she tickled on of his ears. Jaken was grumbling to himself as he looked into the distance. Sesshomaru was sitting down against a tree, resting his arm on his propped knee. He was watching her love on his faithful steed. Rin glanced over at him. She smiled at him as she patted Ah Un's neck. With a loving sigh, she moved to sit on her knees. She started playing with his long hair. She ran her fingers through it like a comb. Sesshomaru actually shifted to over to give her more of his hair. He closed his eyes as she combed him. His hair felt so soft and smooth against her fingers. She wondered how cute it would be to have him in one long braid. She could bet that he wouldn't go for it, but couldn't help but wonder. Then he turned his gaze to her. She let his hair fall from her fingers as she looked at his eyes. His gaze made her feel warm inside. Unexpectedly, he grabbed her arm and threw her into his lap. Rin was shocked by how fast he moved her but looked at him adoringly. Her head was resting on his shoulder, putting a hand on his chest. He stroked her face with his hand.
"You are so, beautiful," he purred. She blushed. "It's amazing that I still make you flush after all this time." He tilted her chin up to him. The sun was beginning to set that made him beautiful under the diming sunlight. She was intoxicated by his breath and touch. His eyes putting her under his spell. His face drew closer to her. They were almost nose to nose.
"Rin? For a long time I have felt a deep connection to you. Ever since we first met, I knew that you were different from any other woman in this world. You are the most precious thing in the world to me," he whispered calmly as always. She was blushing and swooning from all the romantic words.
"Sesshomaru," she muttered but he put a finger to her lips.
"How honored should that lucky man be to become your mate," he purred.
His eyes up to no good at the hint. Rin didn't have time blink when he gave her a surprised kiss. Rin wrapped her arms around him and held him closer. His one hand tickled her thigh as they kissed. Then Rin knew that there was something that she had to tell him something. Something that she wasn't sure of until now. She slowly pulled back to stroke his face. She traced his dog demon facial birth marks as she memorized every mark he had. Then she shifted her eyes to his. His eyes focused on her.
"Sesshomaru," she started with her head moving toward his ear, "I love you."
His eyes widened. They had traveled together for many months and have never had as strong of feelings for each other as they did now. His heart soared. The one, whom he deemed the most important thing in the world, had told him that she loved him. She pulled her face back to look at him. She saw the glitter in his eyes. In her world, men often get scared when girls say 'I love you' first in a relationship. Sesshomaru actually looked overjoyed. He gave her a quick kiss.
"I love you, my lovely Rin," he whispered back to her. She smiled back as he brought his head back down for another kiss. They were truly in love.
Sesshomaru led the way with Rin holding his hand as they walked the forest path. Ever since they said those magic words to each other, Rin was head over heels for him. She was truly happy. She knew that he cared for her deeply but hearing him say those words to her was a bonus. But lately, She's noticed that Sesshomaru's been acting strangely. He seemed on edge about something. She could tell that he was getting frustrated that he couldn't find any trace of Naraku. With few remaining shards of the jewel, Naraku will soon have a complete jewel and become more powerful than before. They have spent a lot of quality time together, but Rin knew that he really wants to find and destroy Naraku. She couldn't blame him. She just hated that Naraku was so hard to find.
"We'll find him," She said to him, squeezing his hand.
He nodded. Then he stopped. Rin followed his gaze to see to young wolf demon men blocking the rode. She shivered slightly. The memory of the wolves attacking her over a year ago, always gave her the chills. Ironically, these two are with Koga, who had sent a pack of wolves to take out the human village she was at when she found Sesshomaru. In a way, she was glad that they got her or she wouldn't have been able to be with Sesshomaru. In fact, she knew these two through Kagome. She sighed at the fools.
(Reference to Episode 99)
"This road is closed! Turn around and take another route! I'm Hukaku from the depths of hell. And I'm Ginta, I've got dimples! We are great warriors of Koga, the young leader of the wolf demon tribe. This road is closed!" they said.
Rin moaned in pity. Sesshomaru wasn't too keen on taking orders from anyone…but her. She had a feeling that this will turn out badly. Sesshomaru kept holding her hand as he kept walking toward them. They shivered in fear then they tried to stop them by trying to impress Sesshomaru with wimpy hand to hand combat. Sesshomaru wasn't impressed. To be honest, Rin's grandmother could do better.
"You heard us! This road is closed!" Ginta said.
Sesshomaru kept walking. They trembled as he advanced on them.
"We should just take Koga and run!" Hukaku shrieked.
"Somebody say my name?"
Everyone heard the voice above a cliff. Then they saw a young wolf demon that Rin recognized as Koga. Rin stayed a few paces behind Sesshomaru as they kept walking hand to hand. Koga jumped down by his comrades to face Sesshomaru.
"He reeks like that filthy mutt, Inuyasha," he smirked.
Rin trembled slightly in Sesshomaru's hand. He side glanced her slightly. He understood her body language.
"Heh, except you're not a half demon," Koga smirked again. Sesshomaru turned his sympathetic gaze to an icy glare at Koga. "What's this? Looks like I've struck a nerve!"
"Koga! No!" his comrades exclaimed.
"Stay back, Rin," was all Sesshomaru said as he dropped her hand to prepare to fight. Rin went to get on Ah Un's back in case she had to get out of the way.
'Fool's, they've just signed their own death warrant!' Jaken thought as he backed up.
Sesshomaru was a few yards away when he sensed something coming at them. His body language told Koga to look to. Then an ogre demon charged at Koga.
"Hand over the sacred jewel!"
"No, chance!" koga said, kicking the demon. The demon stumbled toward Sesshomaru who withdrew Tokijin. With a fluid motion, he sliced the demon in two.
"Thanks, but I could've handled it myself," Koga grinned.
"Sesshomaru!"
Sesshomaru whipped around to see a giant centipede demon preparing to strike at Rin. He charged forward, but Koga's shards made him go even faster. Koga's powerful legs took it out with ease. Koga landed next to Rin, who was surprised to see him save her. Sesshomaru stopped where he was. He dared the wolf to even attempt to attack his Rin while he was there. Koga looked at Rin.
"You remind me of Kagome," he said. She decided to not show fear to him. He didn't seem to remember her. Better break the ice so Sesshomaru doesn't react negatively.
"Thank you! You see, Kagome's my cousin," She said. He was taken aback.
"Kagome's cousin! I'll remember to say hi to her for you," he said smiling. Rin nodded. He walked over to his comrades. As he passed Sesshomaru, his face came serious again.
"Unnecessary interference," Sesshomaru muttered.
"Feeling's mutual," Koga scoffed, "Come one guys. We've got a long way to go."
He wrapped his arms around his comrades' shoulders, leading them away from Sesshomaru.
"Are you sure you want to let them go, my lord? Those wolves were the same ones who attacked Rin," Jaken chided in. Rin was shocked that Jaken cared about her so much to remind her love of what had happened last year.
"If he tried that again, I would have killed him. Naraku is only thing I'm after. Unnecessary conflicts don't interest me," he said continuing on his journey.
"Besides, Jaken, Koga is a friend of Kagome's and he doesn't even remember that day. He didn't know Kagome then, I'm sure, so there's no need to start a confrontation with him," Rin said urging Ah Un to walk closer to Sesshomaru. Jaken leaped on Ah Un as they continued down their original path.