I've seen enough cyber bullying on the internet worldwide against SesshXOlderRin fans, and it only encourages me more to think of new stories of them! They make a great couple! In this one, while it is a sort of AU, its more of an experiment that just popped into my brain to see where it would go since the last one got interesting reviews...so here's an experimental fairytale one-shot...please rate and review, be kind, honest, and if you do want to argue (please don't do it on the public page with no evidence, or facts, or disrespect to the original creator!) be understanding and professional with your criticism.
Rin laughed in relief and danced around her new spacious room as Yuki clapped her hands in delight with her.
"Yuki-san! I can't believe it! We're here in the palace now! I still feel like I'm waking up from a dream…I can't believe she would allow me to stay!"
Yuki laughed as she finished clapping her hands, happy to see her charge looking more alive and smiling again. Something about lady Rin seemed to make the room more bright and warm as she twirled and giggled, it made Yuki feel the same youth and contentment she hadn't felt since she watched her own pups play without a care in the world when they were little.
Smiling in a warm motherly fashion, she walked over to the tall paper window screens to watch lady Rin's surprise as she followed her and her eyes widened to the view below.
Tall blooming sakura trees alongside a pale maple with triangular leaves were a shade for the room window's ledge that gave a fantastic view of the palace gardens. The stream that flowed into the koi fish pond was becoming loud as it was filled with pouring rain drops dancing on its normally glassy surface. The trees and shrubs swayed in the gentle wind as the signs of a harder rain shower were on the horizon.
Yet, not even the storm clouds arriving in the distance seemed to faze the lady Rin's bright smile, "Oh Yuki-san, such a beautiful day…will I be allowed to leave this room to explore other parts of the castle?"
Yuki failed to keep a straight face, "Only if I, or another lady servant, would escort you so you wouldn't get lost… or wander towards the western side where the lord and the males reside."
Rin's eyes widened a bit, but she quickly looked at her hands that clutched the window frame as she cleared her throat, "Yuki-san, are all the women separated from the men? What of the families and children on the staff?"
The dog maid walked softly over to one of Rin's trunks to unload another kimono to put away carefully into the wood carved wardrobe by the thick futon bed.
She answered her lady's question as she worked, "If a male and female are mated (or married) with children they reside in the lower quarters on the northern side of the palace, or in a private property down the mountain near the village where we shop for supplies…However, males that have not yet taken a wife must live separately from the single females for modesty's sake and the protection of any aggressive males…"
Rin looked over her shoulder in surprise, "Are all male demons that aggressive to their females?"
Yuki shook her head and gave a smirk, "Only when provoked, but they never harm their mates due to instinct and respect…why do you ask, lady Rin?"
The lady in question looked down at her fidgeting hands again to blush, "N-Nothing, just curious…"
Looking for a way to change the subject, Rin gracefully walked over to her trunk to unload it as well and ask another question, "Where do you rest your head, Yuki-san?"
Yuki sat next to her to carefully lift another wrapped parcel from the trunk, "Well, since my husband is captain of the guard and my children are all grown up and moved down the mountain with their own families, I stay in a smaller abode with my husband at night."
"How long have you been married?"
The demoness maid stopped her hands from gathering another wrapped package of clothes for a few seconds before she continued, she shut her eyes and gave a quiet smile before gracefully rising to her feet to walk towards the wardrobe again, "For a very long time, lady Rin."
Rin turned her head to stare at the back of Yuki's blue and plum colored kimono, "Do you still love each other?"
Yuki allowed a warm expression to grow on her face as she looked over her shoulder at her charge, "Very much so…"
…
Lord Sesshomaru stood in-front of one of his private chamber windows to watch the rain drops fall all around the palace grounds. His sharp gaze caught sight of the open window on the second story of the eastern side of the palace where a familiar silhouette surrounded by a warm glow from the room stood with her head out the window looking over the garden.
Rin…
Uncharacteristically, he leaned against the wooden windowsill to sigh and ponder how he could find a way to see lady Rin without his mother's interference.
He still needed to reassure her that he wasn't angry for her missing out on their outing in the early morning, that fault rested on the head of the foolish young demon slayer who thought he could arrive unannounced and take Rin away!
With all the excitement and chaos of moving around the ladies chosen for the final challenge, and sending the rest away protesting with military escort, he couldn't find a moment to get to Rin with anyone seeing him.
The last two days have taken a toll on his schedule and now he had no choice but to lock himself in his quarters to finish work and avoid anyone in general.
Looking over his shoulder to his work desk he saw the pile of scrolls and parchment seem to grow taller by the hour every time the imp Jaken came in to add more requests or demands of the people that morning alone.
With the spring rainy season starting, it would be hard on local trade and military inspections, he would have to settle with reading the accounts and reports before signing his approval.
He knew that his work was important to his lands and people, and all of it needed to be addressed the next day before noon, but he could barely focus when lady Rin was now consuming his mind.
Shaking his head from his dream-like thoughts, the diligent young lord sat down to read one the order forms needed for military supplies on the south side of the mountains.
…
As soon as Yuki had left for the night, Rin poked her head out of the main door to peek into the darkened hallway. The elegantly decorated hallway was now covered in shadows that flickered off the glow of torches held by iron stands or armored demon guards only a few yards away from her door.
She heard arguing echoing on the right from around the corner and decided to feed her curiosity by sneaking out of her room towards it.
Walking on her the tips of her bare toes she carefully walked towards the corner that she heard the noises coming out from. A crash of heavy pottery caused her body to jump and duck her head behind a carved wooden chest along the wall.
Peaking her head upward carefully she heard the familiar angry voice of Kagura debating with a couple of unfamiliar male voices.
"…I refuse to be trapped in this poor excuse of a room! I demand to be in a room closer to the Lady Mother, my status demands its perfection!"
'I guess lady Kagura is one of the finalists too, I wonder who the other three are…?' Rin's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of an older baritone voice addressing the upset demoness.
"Milady, with all due respect, these orders were specifically directed by the Lady Mother herself. I cannot in any good sense disturb her nor the headman of the household at this time of night. Now, unless there is another matter of real urgency that demands my men-"
Rin heard Kagura snort through her nose loudly before stomping her foot, "The Lady will hear of this!"
The male with the deep voice continued politely as if Kagura hadn't interrupted him at all, " –then all that I need to do is summon a maid to clean up your mess, and report to the Lady Mother tomorrow for the loss of that expensive basin you broke."
The slam of the heavy wooden door was the final word from the lady Kagura, Rin peered around her hiding place in the shadows in time to watch a row of ten tall grumbling demon guards in red armor and long sharp staffs march past her spot down the wooden hallway.
The eldest looking of them, that looked like a dog demon with a black and brown fuzzy tail over his shoulder to match his long pony tail topped on his head, turned his nose into the air to give the quick sniff before halting his steps.
One of the younger guards called back to him, "Captain, are you coming or not?"
Rin recognized the same deep voice that came from the older demon that she had heard talk to lady Kagura earlier, "Go on ahead, I need to check something before I retire for the night."
The group of guards chuckled as the same young demon called back at him with a grin, "Give our best to the missus?"
He grumbled, "You wish…"
Rin stiffened as he lifted his nose to sniff the air some more around him, turning his body until he was facing her direction!
'Uh oh…' she thought as she bit her lower lip to keep from making any yelping noises.
"I can smell you, human child, come on out here, or else I will have to wake the Lady Mother herself…I do warn you, she doesn't like to be disturbed this late in the night…"
Cringing, Rin gulped her nervousness down her throat and rose to her feet looking down at her feet sheepishly, "I-I'm sorry, sir. I heard the noises down the hallways and was curious."
It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't her main intentions for opening her chamber door in the first place. She had wanted to explore the palace on her own, but this did mean she would have to find a different way to look around.
Looking up after hearing the older demon bow down at the waist respectfully, she noticed from the torchlight that his former grim frown was now replaced with a pleasant smile. He had a few strands of his long bangs that had escaped his hair tie and were covering some of his face, making his older appearance seem younger despite the gray hairs mixed in his natural high lights. The jagged markings around his face were similar to Yuki's with blue stripes, but a scar was marred alongside his eye and nose.
"Ah, lady Rin I presume?"
Rin nodded and cleared her throat, "Yes, sir."
"I'm sorry for the loud noises, lady Rin, I am the Captain of the palace Guard Mouri-san."
The young human's eyes widened in realization, "Oh, you're the husband of Yuki-san!"
He nodded with a twinkle in his eye, "I pray she's been of great assistance to you, for she does speak highly of you when we're together."
Rin quickly found herself more comfortable and smiling at the subject of her appointed maid, "She's wonderful and very helpful, you are truly blessed to have her as a loving mate."
Nodding again with a knowing smile, the taller demon approached the smaller woman to hold out a gloved hand, "I thank you for the praise given to my mate, lady Rin, and as much as I would love to continue the conversation at my poor beloved's absence. I would have to insist that you to retire before the rest of the household and milady awakens."
Trying to hold back her giggles with a hand, Rin used her free hand to accept his to escort her back to her room, "I understand, Captain, forgive me but I couldn't help myself."
He deeply chuckled as he led her back to her room without her instructions as if knowing already where she resided.
'It must be the smells,' Rin reasoned as she continued to listen to gentle giant next to her.
"If you have trouble sleeping, I could send Yuki to you-?"
Rin waved a hand up and smiled, "No, no, please! You spending the much needed time with Yuki-san is all I ask for tonight! I know you both have been working hard and deserve some quality time together! It would be selfish of me to interrupt you both."
"Our work is part of your lives, lady Rin, we are proud to serve the family of the West, and will continue to do so until we both die of old age…though I do thank you for being kind and understanding."
She looked up at Mouri and lightly patted his large clawed hand that held her smaller one, "Both of you have earned your positions, and I can see the pride and enjoyment of your work…I just don't want you both to miss the wonderful loving moments you can now have while your children are away, please take the time to relax and love each other openly. I think it will make you both very relaxed and happy."
Mouri raised an elegant brow as he looked down at the human lady whom clearly didn't fear him, "I will admit that I do miss my beloved since this entire event of chaos began, I cast no offence lady Rin…"
She giggled softly as he continued, "…there used to be more moments of peace before and after the war, although a little excitement now and then never hurt. We do both need to be ready for our duties should we be needed-"
They reached Rin's door as she waved her hand again, dismissing concerns, "All I need and demand for tonight is for you and Yuki-san to have a wonderful, simple, yet affectionate evening since I have no need of her assistance tonight, alright?"
The demon captain gave an impressed smirk and chuckled as he bowed formally at the waist, "Who am I to disobey such a kind lady to not follow her wise martial advice."
Rin couldn't hold back her laughter as he wiggled his eyebrows comically at her, she did however have to hold her hands over her mouth out of fear of waking a bed ridden Inukimi
'I think Captain Mouri-san and I are going to get along just fine!' Rin thought as she tried to hold back her giggles to his joke.
After a brief good night to her new friend, Rin sat next to her room window again to look outside at the pouring rain to ponder over her next idea of sneaking out.
'I hope Sesshomaru-sama is still not disappointed with me for not meeting up with him…I wonder if he will stay inside due to the weather instead of going into the garden again tomorrow?'
…
Frustrated, lord Sesshomaru ran a clawed hand down his tired face and replaced a finished scroll with another one that needed to be finished. He was barely getting done with his tasks since the beginning of his mother's circus of a courtship ceremony looking for a perfect wife. While he hated to admit to the fact that if his mother never had the even, then she never would have invited Rin to him in the first place.
He couldn't believe himself! He was starting to miss her and it had only been less than a day since he had filled his nose with her wonderful scent, enjoyed her soft touch, heard her sweet voice, and gazed into her deep dark eyes.
Shaking his head at his now pathetic thoughts he got to his feet to walk over to a tea tray set near the blazing hearth to keep his private quarters and office warm. Pouring himself a cup out of hopes of clearing his headache, he almost choked on the dark liquid at the sight that caught his attention out the window.
Little Lady Rin's room window was open and she was climbing on a tree branch in the pouring rain!
…
'Alright, maybe this wasn't a good idea after all…' Rin thought as she clung to the thick tree branch on the sakura tree moving in the wind faster than before.
'It must be a storm if the wind and rain are picking up…the branch is getting slippery…oh no!'
Rin clutched her hands together around the branch as the mighty wind rocked the tree branches and trunk to the side. Her bare feet and arms were scratched as her short sleeping yukata caused her body to slide under the branch as it moved in the wind, her body was dangling in the air as she hung onto the rough thick branch by her arms.
As lighter stick branches lost their wet petals in her long drenched hair and torn clothes, Rin shivered a bit and shut her eyes to keep from looking down from the long distance from the ground.
'Oh no...Now what? I guess I could swing my body a little towards another branch…but I'm slipping…'
Rin cringed as she struggled to keep her wet fingers together around the scratchy branch, 'I can't fall, I can't fall, I can't fall…'
When she lost her grip she barely had a chance to scream as she felt engulfed by something powerful and warm.
Her last sight before she blacked out as a pair of concerned golden eyes surrounded by a bright green light.
…
Sesshomaru took a breath as he held Rin closer to his chest, not caring that her torn wet robe was making his drenched as well.
By instinct, he had opened his office window to transform into a green orb and fly in to grab Rin before she hit the ground. He had returned to his office to bring her unconscious form to the square fire hearth in hopes of warming her up.
He was fully aware of how delicate human health was and found himself in a state of fearful emotions again, the same emotions that had surprised him when she had nearly fallen in the garden, and when he thought his mother was sending her away.
Rin…why do I have a feeling you will be the death of me by these new emotions alone? Why did you do something so foolish? You have a keen mind and yet you're innocent of anything that could harm you…how do you create such emotions and longings in this one's cold interior? Please Rin…please don't fall ill…
"L-lord S-Sesshomaru? W-W-What h-happened?"
Her sweet voice sounded choppy due to her chattering teeth, her breath felt cold against his face, yet she still looked lovely to him. Her scent was still fresh in the air clearing his head instantly, and having her close seemed to relieve any tension he had earlier.
She was safe, alive, and in his arms.
His monmoke tail seemed to have a mind of its own as it wrapped itself around her to try and warm her cold body from the chills. He had to bit his tongue to hold back a groan as she nuzzled her face into it's soft fur, her cold face rubbing his sensitive tail was giving him shivers up and down his spine in excitement.
He look down at her in wonder of her innocent actions, 'What did you do to me? It feels absolute perfection holding you close to this one, even when you and this one are not acting properly in formal settings this one feels honored to be in your presence…'
A soft yet cute sneeze interrupted his thoughts as he returned his gaze back to the shivering lady in his arms, "Are you ill?"
The young woman bit her lower lip in puzzlement as she tried to shrug her shoulders with little success, "J-Just-t-t c-c-cold…"
Carefully setting her down reluctantly on the wet tatami mats before the hot coals, he used his demonic speed to quickly gather a thick blanket made of furs and one of his own sleeping yukatas. He returned to her seeing that she was holding out her small pale hands towards the hot coals to get them warm and dry. As he came up behind her he noticed the scratch marks on her hands and arms.
Setting the dry materials aside he lowered himself to his knees, not caring that her wet clothing was causing a small puddle on the mats was now seeping through his own silk kimono.
Gently reaching out to take her now dry hands with his bigger ones, he looked over the pink and red scratches carefully while in the back of his mind he was enjoying her soft skin.
"How did this happen?"
He looked up see her pale face blush and look away from him in embarrassment.
"I-I accidently scratched my arms when I was c-climbing the tree from my chamber window, milord…"
He lifted an elegant eyebrow, "In the middle of a storm?"
She whipped her head back at him in surprise, some of the wet strands of her long hair sticking to her smooth neck and shivering shoulders like a shawl, "It wasn't a storm when I first started…yet, I neglected to remember I am in the mountain palace…I forgot that the weather would be colder and more fierce during the rain season..."
The young human woman had a guilty look on her pretty face as she rearranged her body to sit up properly and bow down with her face and hands on the now wet mat, "Please forgive me for my childish actions, lord Sesshomaru, I'm sorry that I am a burden to you every time you save me…you probably grow tired of rescuing idiot human females…I also want to apologize for not coming to the garden yesterday, I was held up by an old friend…but it was still no excuse to keep you waiting…If you're tired of my presence, I'll leave after you speak… "
Sesshomaru allowed his stoic mask to fall for a few seconds before replacing it with a warmer expression with his eyes gleaming.
Touching her shivering hands again gently, he encouraged her to sit up again until he was sitting in front of her, his face was a few inches away from her own.
He took a quick breath through his nose to calm himself from wanting to hold her closer again, and softly used a clawed hand to turn her face towards his. His tail tracing around her body to cover her toes and lower back, he felt her shiver through the soaked material and was pleased that she was effected as well.
His voice came out as a soft whisper, yet it was commanding and dark, "Never assume that this one is weary of your presence, I will decide what pleases me and what doesn't!"
Rin's eye lashes fluttered like butterfly wings as she blinked rapidly in surprise at his silent outburst and change of formal speech, "S-Sesshomaru-sama?"
Feeling her small hands stop shacking in his own as he gripped them tight towards his silk cover chest, he took another quick breath before speaking again, "Do not apologize for being what you are, lady Rin, and do not think that this one doesn't desire your company when this one doesn't wish to see you in pain…"
Knowing that he had said too much in frustration, and possibly frightened her when he revealed his fangs while gripping her small hands, Sesshomaru loosened his grip and looked away at the hearth trying to form is own apology to give.
How was it when this one spoke to his troops and gave strict orders to his servant, or fought with his mother, he was never at a loss for words? As a lord he was just taught how to choose his words carefully and it was a practice he strived to carry with him as a good principle.
He recalled how he was a quiet pup in his youth mostly because he didn't want to be a loudmouthed fool like his mother when she had her outbursts of temper, or his vassal Jaken who kissed up to anyone with power.
Yet, one look from Rin's sweet face made his tongue and stomach feel tied in various knots. The dog demon lord would have called her a powerful miko, or a trained witch whom might have cast a spell on him for making him feel these strange emotions. If he couldn't smell her fresh and clean innocence that made her beguiling to his inner raging canine, he would have avoided her since the beginning.
Rin's soft touch to his face awoke him from his inner conflict; he naturally leaned into her touch without a thought to enjoy her attention just as much as he did when he was in his smaller form.
"Sessomaru-sama?" Her sweet voice pulled him from his thoughts to give her his full attention.
"Hmph?" He gave, still nuzzling her palm as if to warm it up and enjoy her touch at the same time.
Opening his amber eyes, he noticed that she was smiling brightly up at him and was not leaning forward towards him to get closer.
The closer she became, the more her fought to continue breathing in her scent without looking intimidated as she traced the red stripes on his right cheek.
She continued to smile as she used her free hand to now squeeze his own in his lap, "Sessmoaru-sama, we both agreed to be friends that were open and honest with one another remember?"
He could only nod at her without speaking; this seemed to encourage her to continue talking.
"Hearing you openly tell me how you felt makes me feel, well, very happy!"
His eyes widened a bit in surprise at her enthusiasm and a wave of warm spread through his chest from her words and actions.
"Sesshomaru-sama?"
"Hmph?"
Rin's smile wavered a bit and her expression became shy and endearing to him, leaning back as she sat back on her heels he lifted a clawed hand to tenderly brush back some of her wet hair from covering her blushing face.
"A-Are you happy, t-that is, are you pleased, that I, that I stayed?"
…
Rin didn't know what to feel or think in that moment as she sat before the hearth, sitting very close to the handsome lord of the west himself!
'It must be the intimate settings…of course I would feel more comfortable around him here…why else would my heart be pounding so loud in my ears and my face feel so warm? Maybe its because he just rescued me again and I feel grateful? I did like how he was holding me…no! He needs a friend whom he can trust, not another love-sick infatuated female trying to marry him for power and riches! Evele and lands…he's still Sessmoaru-sama, strong, yet shy, gentle, yet dangerous…I feel both safe and nervous around him…I don't want to ruin anything… '
She tried to look away from the lord who now had a concerned look in his eyes as he lightly brushed her wet hair away from her face, his touch and smooth cheek were making it difficult not to sigh and moan out loud.
'Kohak-kun was right, I am falling for him…and I can't seem to stop…I should just count my blessings that lord Sessomaru still considers me a friend and be happy for his future…even if I'm not part of it…No Rin, don't become sad now, he would smell it on you and then you would have answer more embarrassing questions…'
Shutting her eyes to lightly smile and hide her thoughts she spoke up, "N-Never mind, forgive me for asking something so silly."
"You are correct, it is a silly question…"
Rin felt her heart stop beating for a few seconds before he continued, "…this one is more than pleased that lady Rin never left him, or his household."
Opening her eyes wide, Rin found that his face was now a few inches hovering over her own face!
He was still playing with her curly wet hair with one hand while the other still held her own, the hand that she had placed on his face tenderly was now clutching at the red collar fold of his kimono.
How did they get so close that their knees were brushed up against each other's?
She loved how soft his tail was, it reminded her of Maru's silky white fur, but this tail seemed to tighten more around her waist as if to hold her still like an anchor.
The dog demon lord's voice and presence seemed to captivate her attention, it was hard to focus on anything else around her, or be aware of her own self.
"Don't ask such silly things, lady Rin. You are free to be yourself with this one in private, but don't you ever doubt this one's word when he says that he doesn't wish to part from your company."
"Sessomaru-sama…I-I don't know what to say…t-thank you…I-I'm honored…I…"
She could barely speak as she got lost in his golden gaze, 'I-I think he likes me…even if it is as a friend… it does say something! Oh my…I feel so happy! He's not angry with me! He wants to speand more time with me-'
Her thoughts were cut off when she lowered her head to sneeze again.
Clearing his throat a bit to ease the tension, lord Sesshomaru loosened his grip on her hand and picked up the blue kimono and fur blanket to hand over to her, "Here, go to the back rooms and change, we mustn't let you fall ill too soon."
Taking the garments from his hand carefully she smiled her appreciation widely and fought the need to wrap her arms around him in a hug, "Thank you so much, I-I'm sorry I got the floor, and your tail wet…"
Her breath caught again when he brushed a clawed finger lightly down her cheek before going under her chin to gently lift it so she would meet his gaze, "You will cease your apologies for things you have no control of, now change your clothes so you may return and dry."
Rin could only nod with wide eyes, "Umm, uh huh…"
'That's not the right thing to say! Why can't I think of anything elequint if he's sitting here looking at me like that!'
Quickly getting to her feet with the lord's tail sliding past her hips down to her feet, she looked down to realize that the entire she had been wet and dripping on the mats; her night yukata was so drenched it had stuck onto her entire body revealing her shapely figure!
'Oh no! How embarrassing!'
Turning away she walked as fast as she could to the back room to hid her blush and change from the wet clothes.
I'm sorry this took too long everyone, I finals and graduation to finish, plus the limit I made for each chapter in this story is between 4,800-6,000 words...so there will be more on the way soon I promise! Thank you very much again for the comments and encouraging messages they have helped me out a lot... and don't worry! There will be some Maru scenes coming up!
