AN: Thank you for the reviews/favs everyone! ^_^
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Rin went through another one of the old scrolls, the epic tales within only catching her attention for a brief span before her thoughts began to wander... It was nearly evening for the sun was setting blood red over the streets of Edo... What kind of parcel could she be waiting for? Surely it was not so important as to keep her in this damn room ALL day.
Her eyes slid over the room and back to the lacquered boxes and Sesshoumaru had given her in the morning. The bottle of perfumed oil rested on the top, the pale green glass now glowing red with the setting sun, she went over and removed the stopper inhaling the heady fragrance. Vivid, electric visions of Sesshoumaru passed through her mind, making her flush. Quickly she capped it and set it down like it were on fire, glaring.
This was no normal perfumed oil... She had a feeling that it was... was... tainted with something magic. But why would Sesshoumaru-sama give her something like this? Did he wish to charm her... Was... he courting her...
The very thought sent Rin into sputters, just then there was a gentle rap on the door and Rin stood dressed in the peach kimono she had been given today and slid back the screen. A woman was bowing, dressed in an exquisite kimono, her head pressed against the floor. In front of her was a huge box tied with red ribbon.
"Rin-sama, we have brought you what you ordered." Without looking up the woman pushed the box forward stopping just shy of Rin's toes. Dumbfounded Rin opened her mouth and no sound came out, she was just a commoner what was this woman doing? Was she mad?
"Please, please rise" Rin said putting her hand on the woman's shoulder.
"May Kami-sama shower his blessings upon you Rin-sama." the woman said and she pulled the door shut. Leaving Rin staring at a piece of the brightly painted mural on one of the many squares of rice paper. Quickly she opened the screen again, and found that the woman was gone like magic, by this time Rin did not have the strength to close the door the whole way. Instead she left it slightly ajar and kneeled down in front of the huge deep box.
Pulling apart the ribbon she slid the top off and gasped.
"W-what..." her mouth was dry as she beheld the kimono she had seen in the shop. The forbidden kimono, the one that the empress of the last century refused to wear because of its beauty. Suddenly she was very happy she was sitting for her shoulders slumped in shock.
Then an idea came to her... She slid open the screen door with a bang and called "Please! Can I have a bath drawn up here?"
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Sesshoumaru the Lord of the Western Lands was feeling quite content at present. Everything so far was moving according to plan. Repairs on the Palace were nearly complete, much of the furniture and goods he had bought were promptly on their way by royal escort to his home. He had a week and a smattering of days to introduce the Crown Prince to Rin with the help of Arashi of course... And being just the person that Arashi was, she had guaranteed success. Sesshoumaru knew that she would not go back on her word, for she knew her nephew nearly as well as she knew herself.
Jaken surprisingly was not following behind him, he had become distracted while they had passed a fair and got sucked in. Sesshoumaru was quite content to leave him, the small bird like demon could take care of himself. Besides Sesshoumaru would like to savor the mess he had created back at the mansion without... interruptions...
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As if she were cradling fine rare glass, Rin pulled the final layer of the kimono out, dragged was more appropriate since it weighed over fifty pounds... This was the layer that she had seen at the shop. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest, after so many layers it had taken her nearly two hours to tie all of them properly. Now... Now... She looked out the window, it was dark... A lone moth circled one of the candles shielded by an oiled paper, where was everyone?
Just then the screen door slid back in the other room and Rin's heart jumped into her throat, she suddenly felt too warm in these fine layers of red and orange. Her excitement had emboldened her once again to step into the musky sensuality of Sesshoumaru-sama's room, but now as the footsteps drew nearer to the screen fear assaulted her. Quickly she slid into the kimono and as its luxurious weight settled on her shoulders she suddenly felt empowered. A new confident energy seemed to fill her as she placed the jeweled pin in her hair, letting her long hair settle on her shoulders like chocolate colored silk.
Rin nearly cried out when Sesshoumaru pulled back the screen, he looked up and stopped dead. His liquid golden eyes widened.
"Rin?" his voice was husky, yet breathless. Rin instinctively backed up till she hit the low bed covered by thin silk sheets, and yet her fear did not entirely rule her.
"Is this what you wanted me to wait for?" she said boldly, clasping her hands in front of her in the perfect imitation of a princess from the Palace. Sesshoumaru seemed to recover as he strode into the room his long legs eating up the distance between them.
He stopped about three feet from her, his eyes now appraising. Rin's blood pounded so hard in her ears that it seemed to sing. Her heart pumped so fiercely she wondered if it would fly out of her chest and land between them. That thought made her smile and Sesshoumaru saw it.
"Why do you grace me with such a secretive smile Rin?" Sesshoumaru began his voice tinged with something like amusement "please come away from the bed"
Rin obeyed "Now turn around." Slowly she rotated in a circle, grabbing the long train of the kimono so it wouldn't snag on the bamboo mats.
"Well? How do I look?" she said haughtily, trying hard now not to smile broadly.
Sesshoumaru was suddenly close to her, in one electric moment his hand came up to her hair pulling the pin from it and placing it between his teeth. A moment later he had twisted her long tresses into a decadent bun. Rin's courage suddenly deserted her, he was so close. Close enough for their bodies to touch and yet they did not... She did not understand why that made her feel sad...
Rin felt the pin return to her hair and Sesshoumaru stepped back with the eye of an art critic, golden eyes sweeping her up and down. Her face began to grow hot,
"Sesshoumaru-sama..." she began "you didn't answer my question" she prodded wondering if he would become angry for her pushing it.
Sesshoumaru looked at her through his long lashes for a moment, "This kimono has made you bold Rin. Maybe it was not prudent for me to purchase it for you. But indeed I believe dressed as your are you could fool any noble at the Court."
He smiled more to himself then to her... Rin felt dread fall to the pit of her stomach, her momentary happiness gave away to suspicion and fear...
"You are confused now aren't you my dear?" Sesshoumaru said his voice sweetly cloying, like molasses. Rin shook her head, willing herself to break from the fog she had fallen into. To control her stomach that churned with pain.
"Sesshoumaru-sama what are you talking about?" she replied softly, sitting down on the bed. One arm over her stomach.
"Tomorrow I will be taking you to the Imperial Palace to stay with Arashi-san and begin your training to become a princess"
Rin gasped "W-what? One does not simply become a princess Sesshoumaru-sama. There are documents, seals..."
"All has been taken care of, you are replacing a distant Princess on the Imperial Line. Her name too was Rin. She has died recently, but no one is aware of that...She was a recluse and a spinster, being the same age as you and unmarried."
Rin's cheeks colored with rage, she was suddenly attacking him with her small fists. "I will not go! You cannot make me!" she screamed as he effortlessly grabbed her wrists and pinned them between the two of their bodies.
"Behave yourself Rin think of the expense to fix such a beautiful kimono, if you choose to ruin it." he cooed gently in her ear.
Rin did the only thing she could do and stepped on his foot hard. Sesshoumaru yelped and released her, she bolted for the screen door.
She began to slide it back nearly tasting her victory when an arm lashed out and slammed it shut pinning her to the screen. Sesshoumaru twisted her around to face him, she still trapped between the door and his huge body.
Rin was choking on her tears now, a sob escaped her throat "Sesshoumaru-sama please don't send me away from here. Not away from you"
"You must leave, unless you desire to become Consort to the Lord of the Western Lands." he said softly alabaster cheeks flushed a pale pink. "I cannot force such a title on you... No matter how I desire to..."
Rin's became still not believing what she had just heard.
"C-Consort?"
"Yes my wife." he replied "I have a duty to my people... To become their Lord once more, I can only become their Lord with a Consort... And a heir"
Just then the loud voice of Jaken broke the silence, Sesshoumaru slid away from Rin and opened the screen door.
Jaken was there his puny arms laden with prizes from the fair, Sesshoumaru laughed. "I see you bested all the mortal children for the best share of the prizes."
The bird like demon grinned catching a glimpse of Rin's elaborate kimono, "Milord?" Sesshoumaru seemed to be in a strange mood. Color was high on his cheeks, and his silvery hair was askew
"I have just told Rin of our little plan" Sesshoumaru replied "she needs time to digest... but you will be going with me in the morning to the Palace, aren't you my dear?"
Rin made no reply, she trembled, cold. If Jaken hadn't come when he did... Could she have answered him? What would have happened? Hot tears dribbled down her cheeks as she slumped to the floor and wept.
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When Rin slept, Jaken quietly slid into his Master's room. Sesshoumaru was by the window reading a scroll by the light of the moon and a lone candle that burned low.
"What happened when you told Rin, Sesshoumaru-sama?"
"She attacked me" he said amusement coloring his voice, he did not put the scroll down even as Jaken came close.
"What?"
Sesshoumaru chuckled wickedly "Like a kitten's blows Jaken, though I admit her stepping on my foot was the most surprising."
Jaken nearly choked "So her reply to your marriage plan is a..."
"Resounding no" Sesshoumaru set the scroll on the table and looked down at Jaken. "But... I believe that I should hasten the wedding plans with Arashi-san. I hope we are to be married soon, preferably before Rin announces her engagement to the Crown Prince."
Jaken looked at his Master for a long moment "Sire, I know it has always been in your mind to marry the woman but why now?"
Sesshoumaru made no reply for a time "My situation with our little mortal has become precarious. You have not noticed her demeanor change in the past months?"
Jaken blinked slowly "No Milord"
Sesshoumaru's lips curled into a shadow of a smile "Maybe it is just as well then. Goodnight Jaken." he stood and blew out the candle.
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Sometime later in the early hours of the morning, Rin roused from her futon, pillow wet with tears. She had carefully packed her trunk before Jaken had returned from Sesshoumaru's room. She stood silent as a cat and slid on her tabi sandals. Hefting her small trunk on her back, even with the new additions of Sesshoumaru's benevolence it was still light. Stepping over Jaken she made the few agonizing steps past Sesshoumaru's room and was home free...
"Where are you going Rin?" a deep voice whispered. Rin froze and turned around, there leaning against the frame of the door was Sesshoumaru, dressed in a white sleeping robe. He was wide awake, how long had he waited for her to make this stupid move? Silently she cursed herself, as he reached out and grabbed her wrist pulling her into his room and shutting the screen door.
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Once inside, Rin looked around like a caged animal. The large open window tempting...
"Do not even think about it Rin" Seashoumaru said putting his hand on her shoulder, his voice very close to her ear. Her shoulders sagged
"Please let me go Sesshoumaru-sama" she replied softly her voice filled with tears. They drifted silently down her face.
"No, did you hear what Jaken and I discussed about when you were packing?"
"Yes, I had no idea you were in love with Arashi-san." Rin said, her heart squeezing painfully.
"Love? Well not exactly" he chuckled in her ear before biting it softly. Rin gasped, her insides liquefying. Her legs unexpectedly gave way as Sesshoumaru wrapped his arm around her waist, supporting her.
"Then what is it?" she asked trying hard to regain her mental footing.
"Advantage, our children would be related to the Emperor of the Throne of Edo." Rin longed to see his face, but he trapped her like this.
"Why tell me this Sesshoumaru-sama?" she asked as his lips explored her neck.
"Because you said yourself that you were in love with me. I feel it right that you understand my intentions in doing what I have done for you." Rin went tense, so she had said it... Her cheeks turned hot red, squirming under his touch.
"Please release me." He did and she spun around to face him. His face was composed, not even a smile played on the corners of his fine mouth.
"I don't want to become a princess, I could never marry the Crown Prince with a clean conscience knowing that you and Arashi-san doctored the papers to make him believe I was her. I want to become your Consort... And live by your side for Eternity..."
A geniunely amused smile seemed to grace Sesshoumaru's mouth " What if you have no choice in the matter?"
"I will do everything humanly impossible to impede my training as well as the plans for your wedding with that half kitsune demon." she spat. Sesshoumaru laughed now seeing the fire in her eyes.
"Truly? Come here Rin" he beckoned with one finger curled. Rin looked at him defiantly
" If I am to be made a princess, we are equals now, I no longer come when called."
Sesshoumaru's silvery brow rose, his smile grew "Then I, only a Lord come to you instead." He approached her and Rin saw the strange predatory gleam in his eyes. It had been many many years since she had last seen a look like that... She began to tremble...
He stopped arms length from her "What is your wish Rin-hime?" he asked voice deliciously wicked.
Rin's head suddenly spun, "My wish is... is for you to kiss me. Before I am confined in the Emperor's Palace, for I know there is no way for me to be released from this net you encased me in."
"Correct" he drew closer, smoothing the hair away from her face. "Where shall I kiss you, Princess?" Rin flushed as his arm snaked around her waist, pressing her close.
"My lips" obediently he bent and kissed her mouth softly. Like the barest brush of a butterfly wings, Rin nearly cursed in frustration.
"Again"
Sesshoumaru returned ever so patient, offering a sweetly innocent and chaste kiss devoid of nearly every emotion. Rin brought her hands up around his neck, longing for a deeper... connection with him. He was truly the most wicked... depraved dog demon that ever walked...
This time there was no command his third kiss pressed a bit longer, tongue softly flicking over her closed mouth. At her gasp, Sesshoumaru claimed her mouth with his own. Rin felt her thoughts scatter as she pressed close to him. Abruptly he pulled away
"No" he said cooly "in a few hours you will be escorted to the Palace as Rin-hime. And I... Will return to Arashi-san to prepare for the wedding."
Rin felt the tears that lingered in her eyes spill down her face... She took a deep breath "As you wish Sesshoumaru but I will not make it easy for anyone."
He smiled "Of course, I am counting on it"
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