AN: Thank you for the reviews! I finally post something yay!
0000
What awoke her was not the soft molasses like voice of Sesshoumaru the next morning, but Jaken hollering into her ear
"Get up girl!"
Rin's eyes snapped open dressed in a light robe, "W-what?" she rubbed her eyes drawing the oversized robe closer to her neck.
"Its noon Sesshoumaru-sama has already left for the kimono shop" he sniffed bustling about the room and folding her futon.
"W-why?" she asked sliding near Ah-un whose one head dozed like a contented cat. It rested on her lap as Jaken industriously cleaned up the room with the speed of a small ferret.
"To buy you a new set of kimonos" he replied casting another black look at her.
Her eyes brightened "Really? But why, I still have the old one with the white lilies on it." she stood and went over to her own small trunk one of the few things that she took with her after she left her abandoned village.
Opening it she pulled out a pale pink kimono, which she realized with shock that was now too short.
Jaken snorted "You outgrew that six months ago"
She made a face at him "Oh well, why didn't he bring me?" she whined
Jaken laughed "Sesshoumaru-sama would never do something like that, even though you are still his ward. Not after you've filled out like that, it would be indecent."
Rin flushed hotly "I haven't filled out" she said holding the robe close to her neck
"Yes you have, you aren't a little child anymore no matter how you act like one" Jaken rolled his eyes. Rin bit her lip hard as tears filled her eyes, just then the screen door slid back and Sesshoumaru was framed in the doorway dressed in a pale yellow yukata his long hair pulled into a long ponytail causally thrown over one wide shoulder. Yellow was a color Sesshoumaru seldom wore and Rin's eyes widened.
"Ah, so you are up" Sesshoumaru said his face a mask of neutrality. Rin flushed and looked down remembering the escapade last night.
"Yes. W-where are we going today?" she asked quickly
Sesshoumaru tilted his head to one side as he stepped through holding two lacquer boxes tied with a silver cord.
"You are not going anywhere Rin"
"W-why not?"
"I am expecting a parcel from the kimono shop"
"A-a parcel?" she blinked quickly
"Yes, a parcel. It is very important that you are the one to receive it. Once I return, we will talk. There is something important we must discuss."
Rin's thoughts were suddenly whirling "Yes Sesshoumaru-sama" she bowed lightly.
"These are for you, I cannot have you walking around in one of my robes all day. What will the neighbors think?" he said almost lightly, deep voice hypnotic, strangely teasing. Rin felt the hair on her arms standing up and her blood began that wild song in her ears.
He held out one of the lacquered boxes to her and she took it quickly removing the lid and gazing in awe at the deep yellow ochre kimono embroidered with silver sweet william blossoms.
"This is exquisite" she ran her long nailed hand across the flowers, feeling the high quality of the silk. Her legs felt weak, no one had ever given her something so beautiful in all her life. Slowly Rin sat watching with shock as Sesshoumaru crouched down beside her. His wide shoulders blocking out the bright sunlight from the window, shutters thrown open to tempt a strong breeze.
"Silk from Chin, Arashi-san informs me it is one of the best." he cooed. With a flick of his wrist a beautiful bottle appeared between his elegant fingers. Rin was transfixed, swaying like a snake beneath the song of a flute.
"And this..." he said holding it out to her "is perfumed oil from Kush" he opened it and the heady smell of amber and patchouli filled the air between them. The world around them seemed to be separating, fading as Rin lost herself in the luminous gold of his eyes... Made brighter by the pale yellow he wore. Was this some dream? Was she still sleeping?
A ghost of a wicked smile played on his shapely mouth "Rin what did I tell you in the kimono shop" he reminded gently, closing her fingers over the bottle. Rin stiffened as if struck, coloring in shame her whole body singing like a taut instrument at his mere touch.
"Be glad that Jaken can't smell that scent sweeter then any perfumed oil." Sesshoumaru watched Rin turn a pleasant shade of eggplant purple before standing and sliding back the screen to his room.
"Enjoy your new gifts" he said before stepping through and shutting the door behind him.
0000 Several hours later 0000
"That is an excellent idea Sesshoumaru" Arashi said as she smiled wickedly over the rim of her cup. They were having tea in one of the wings of the Emperor's palace,
"I wonder how my nephew will take this new arrangement, considering that for all intents and purpose your ward is a commoner."
Sesshoumaru looked up "I would hope his opinion would be swayed once you are finished preparing her."
Arashi set her tea down and inhaled the incense burning in the room "I do hope so too" she breathed before silence descended back over them...
000
