The moments between the "x's" are flashbacks.
I hope you enjoy. Thank you for taking time to read this and double thanks for your reviews. - Druidica
Rin didn't leave her room all day; though he casually reminded himself it was the absence of human food cooking that kept him appraised of her whereabouts and was most assuredly not the result of a growing concern for her well being. Normally she could not go six hours without her stomach growling incessantly, but it seemed that she was too exhausted to care about her body's needs. Sesshomaru again reminded himself that it was idle curiosity and sheer boredom that made him stand in front of her door panel listening for her slightest of movements, and not a foolish need to maintain a constant visual over his mate.
Why does she plague me so?
The pain in his shoulder finally abated once the sun had set in the mountains and the only connection he felt to her was her acute fatigue. He had intended to leave the grounds and go on patrol for a few days, but the mark, now completed, pulled him back once he had reached the barrier. Though annoying, the sensation could have easily been ignored, however his feet would just not go any further. In resignation he wandered the grounds and surveyed the house in great detail. The effort was fruitless as the enchantment did not let anything fall into disrepair. He was filled with great displeasure when he returned to the cellars only to find that the bottles had mysteriously refilled and the room was fully stocked again. No matter how many times he smashed all the contents of the room, the minute he turned his back they were repaired.
Overall, the day had felt wasted and dull. Jaken for once had heeded his words and was beyond the barrier supposedly patrolling the area, but it was more likely that the little imp was sleeping in the sun on Ah-Un's back. So even he was not there to break the monotony with his high pitched babbling. When had I ever longed for company? He would ask himself idly.The gardens though brimming with colored blossoms looked barren without the woman-child. There were no annoying little giggles or groaning protests from a flower inundated Ah-Un. Nothing but blaring silence. Why do I feel this emptiness?
Xxxxxxxx
She was dancing again. Rin had done so on many occasions from young child to young adult and though he was loathe to admit it he had witnessed this unbridled display of leisure numerous times. As a child her movements were simple and sometimes awkward with the grand finale being her small body falling into the flowers with a wide smile and a satisfied giggle. Over the years the girl's soundless dance had blossomed into something bordering on being graceful.
Sesshomaru noticed that Rin would linger in the gardens waiting for a moment when she felt the world was just hers and that no eyes where intruding on her secret moment of frivolity. Her movements were always small at first as the music inside her mind slowly filtered down through her body. Her hand would slowly rise from the flowing grass and she would mimic their movements, her fingertips brushing over the petals and blades like a soft caress. He could sense all her inhibitions flowing out of her body and into the wind. Instead of offering resistance to their waves she joined with them.
Gradually rising to her feet, one arm would lift to the sky while the other lowered to the ground, a bridge from the earth to the heavens as she slowly twirled in place. The sleeves of her kimono billowing in the wind as her long hair swept up into the air with her fluid motions. Her dancing had no thought or plan but rather it came from some unfathomable connection with the world around her and her own vibrant spirit. Sometimes it would last for mere moments other times it seemed timeless like the world slowed just to relish in her innocent display of absolute freedom.
Though an aristocratic demon would never admit to it, they all had an affinity to grace and beauty. They would find themselves basking in the finesse and decorum of their surroundings and always held a longing to claim such elegance as their own. Without any instruction this frail yet lithe human possessed such natural brilliance. Try as he might, Sesshomaru could never pry his eyes away from Rin's dance and when it ended as it always did he felt like he had been rudely interrupted from a dream.
xxxxxxx
His mind flooded with random memories of Rin, some he indulged others he pushed roughly as it reminded him of the night before. Still she was a frequent thought, like an itch that wouldn't go away and he couldn't help but scratch. The thoughts though, did not mask the feeling that something in the day had been missing and was for this reason that time slowed to tease him with a quandary that he could not find the solution to. It was in some parts of the longer hours of the afternoon while leaning up against a tree lashing out his light whip at cricket demons that Sesshomaru entertained the thought of his brother's company being more favorable than this nothingness that hovered over his properties. The fact that the thought had even crossed his mind aggravated him to no end.
Still the dayhad progressed like a dying heartbeat waiting to rest. Inwardly, he seethed. Why do humans feel the need to pout? Sesshomaru left his post outside her door and slowly wandered the hallways, trying to forget that it was he who made this day what it was. It was true that in the moment he had meant to hurt her out of resentment for giving into to his cravings, but demon sake or no, he had wanted to claim her. The bath was evidence of that. This realization did not bode well for him. It was his inability to keep control over his body and keep what vows he had made for himself that forced him to push her away. Throughout the day, he tried to feel regret over the completion of the ritual only to find that once again he had none.
She is your mate.
His eyelids lowered in consternation.
…You should take responsibility for your actions. You owe Rin that much…
Sesshomaru's eyebrows met his eyes in disdain.
His idle meanderings took him to an older section of the residence where his father had often locked himself away in solitude. He stopped when he came to the only hinged wooden doors in the manor house. His golden eyes scanned their length looking for some clue he may have missed in the past. The wood was intricately carved with the image of the true form of the Inu standing proud over the Western Lands. There was no fear and no false arrogance in the demeanor of the great beast, but rather a deep confidence that his will would be done and only a fool would not recognize this fact. His youth had been spent in the shadow of the great demon Lords that came before him, and every time he stood in front of this door gazing up at the ruby eyes, the Great Dog Demon looked down upon him like he was nothing more than a pitiful insect at his feet. They once wrought fear inside him, but now they only brought him disappointment. Funny how these doors do not seem so tall now, he wryly thought.
Sesshomaru brought his hand over to the door handle.
Xxxxxxx
"What is in that room, my Lord?" A bright voice asked to his left. A young Rin approached the door in awe pressing her hands against the rough dark wood, her eyes wide with curiosity.
Sesshomaru stepped back from the door and watched as the child held no fear under the door's gaze. Why does she not feel the weight of the Great Dog's stare? The girl happily ran her fingers through each of the grooves that her small height would let her reach. She stretched as far as her tiptoes could raise her as she seemed to pet the engraved Inu's tail. He watched her innocent actions with a blooming resentment. I feel as if this place accepts her more than it has ever accepted me, he reflected bitterly.
He left without ever answering her question. Sesshomaru anticipated that the child would follow him as she always did, but instead she stayed near the door fascinated by the secrets it held. Several yards away, he thought he heard a surprised gasp from Rin, but he dismissed the thoughts as more than likely being the result of the foolish girl's constant wonderment over trivial matters and continued back to his suite.
Xxxxxxx
The handle grew red with great heat as his hand came into contact with the metal. Sesshomaru snatched his hand away and stared at the red welts on his fingers. His eyes went up the embossed door to the glowing ruby eyes of the Great Inu. He could feel the imprinted memories of his forefathers pushing against his mind searching for an answer to a question he had never been asked. His body clenched at the unwanted invasion into his mind, but he was careful not to protest. A few moments passed and the sensation retreated from his body.
You still may not enter, eldest son of the Great Inu Taisho.
Sesshomaru was not surprised by his family's rejection. He had tried many times to gain access into the study only to be deprived of the right of entry. Turning away from the door, he slowly made his way back to the main section of the manor. Returning to stand in front of her door he closed his eyes and listened for the sound of her steady breathing. What power do you have over me that makes me stand by your door like some dejected pup? Cursing himself for being so pathetic he turned and exited the manor. The cool night air washed over him. Embracing the chill he strode across the clearing, the ethereal moonlight shining on his path. He felt a presence in the woods surrounding his property and he was all too familiar with the scent the wind carried.
...Chapter 10...looms near...
