…
Sesshomaru was fuming when he returned to Rin's room, transforming back into his humanoid form he returned Yuki's glare.
"Leave the candles, Yuki-san" He ordered with a snarl.
Yuki scoffed at him, "You think that because you are lord and master, that I would let you taint my charge's innocence before mating? Think again! Her room is next door to your mother's, one false move and lady Rin will be sent away!"
The young lord growled at the notion and bared his teeth, "She's MINE! No one will remove this one from her presence! This Sesshomaru will denounce his birthrights and live with her in the wilderness if it means that hid mother tries to separate her from him!"
Yuki's eyes widened in alarm, "Oh my…you truly have fallen for her to renounce everything you worked so hard for…such a foolish pup…"
He snarled at her, "This one doesn't care as long as he is with lady Rin, and only her…I …this one…don't care about pure heirs or more power….I…cannot live…without her."
The older maid gave him a sympathetic look, "I understand more than you realize…does she know now about your smaller form?"
He shook his head in dismay, "No"
"Then why was she in your sleeping robe, and why the candles?"
The young lord looked away to try and hid his face so that Yuki couldn't see the light blush on his cheekbones,
"I…this one met her…in his natural form…but she doesn't know that this one and 'Maru' are one and the same…"
Yuki sighed with a head in her hand, "I cannot believe this…why haven't you told her yet?!"
It was his turn to sigh and look down at his boots, he stayed quiet for two reasons. The first being that he was a prideful lord that didn't want to admit has weakness, and the second reason was because he knew that no matter what Yuki would protect her charge…even from him.
The dog demoness gripped her face in irritation, "If the lady mother does know…that could be why she requested for Rin early this morning?"
Sesshomaru's eyes snapped open and he quickly bolted out the door. Yuki followed him at her own demonic speed till she was then blocking the door with her arms wide.
"You cannot go in there, milord, we don't know what is truly going on!"
Glaring down at the dog maid he used his nose to smell for any scent of Rin's to see if he could sense any of her emotions.
There were four different smells in the room: his mother, one of her elderly maids Korau, lady Rin, and…the demon slayer boy from before!?
He snarled in anger and reached out to tear the door open with his deadly claws, Yuki held back his arm with great strength and barked up at him, "NO! Milord, Control yourself!"
To hell with control! Rin was HIS!
He growled at the older maid as she sank her claws into his arm out of hopes of stopping him, "Release this one NOW!"
"No! Mouri-san! Mouri-san!"
Her mate appeared in a blast of a golden orb, glaring at the sight of his wife holding back the young lord, quickly he helped her by grabbing Sesshomaru's other arm and growled.
"Beloved? What the hell is going on here? What is happening to milord?"
Yuki shook her head and pointed to the one of the windows, "We need to get him outside before he transforms!"
Sesshomaru felt his anger rising and his inner beast inwardly roaring to be released and destroy anything that could harm his Rin. His hair rose over their heads, and he felt his eye sight become blurry with red. His fangs and claws enlarged as his nose grew more pointed like a dog's muzzle.
Yuki gasped, "Mouri-ai! We need to get him outside or else he'll destroy the castle!"
Her husband nodded and spoke in a calmer voice, "Very well, you grab his arms, and I'll teleport us outside, you ready?"
"Yes!"
Sesshomaru fought them and himself, his inner beast clawing out in anger and sadness for his lady.
He didn't even feel the energy and force when his body was flung out a window into the rain filled garden.
…
Rin found herself sitting between Kohaku and the Lady Mother while the maid quietly served the herbal tea and rice soup.
As Rin poured the tea, she avoided eye contact with Kohaku so she could perform her best manners before Lady Inukimi, she didn't want to embarrass herself more.
The lady dog demon sipped her tea while Kohaku sat formally and said nothing.
Rin tried to stay quiet and not feel annoyed, but the suspense and lack of sleep was starting to make her feel irritated inside.
Lady Inukimi halted her suspicions by speaking, "Lady Rin, am I correct to assume that you recognize this demon slayer?"
Rin looked only at her to nod, "Yes milady."
"And you are no doubt curious as to why he is here in my private chambers of all places, and in our company?"
"The thought has crossed my mind…"
She waited till the demoness sipped some more of her soup and tea before speaking again, Rin could only sip tea since her stomach kept churning. She noticed that Kohaku accepted nothing laid before him.
The dog lady finally spoke, "He came to the palace gates with a message from the village of Endo…"
Rin finally looked over at the young man sitting with them in surprise, this was a different approach from before.
Lady Inukimi continued, "…apparently, you are needed to return home due to an urgent matter."
Kohaku lowered his head to look down at his lap before he spoke, "Sango-nee's having problems, I need to bring you back to the village immediately!"
Rin gasped and clutched her hands in her lap, "Kohaku-kun, what has happened to your sister?"
He shrugged, "How should I know? I was just sent here to get you…"
Rin frowned, "What has been done? What did Lady Kaede and Kagome-san say?"
The young man shrugged again, "I don't know, they said I wasn't allowed to know…I just did what Inuyasha told me to…"
"Did they at least write me a letter to deliver? I could get some healing herbs here in the city-"
Kohaku looked up to snap in her face in fury, "Damn it Rin-chan! Just come home and save my sister! What is it going to take to get you away from here?!"
Rin gasped with a shocked look on her face, Lady Inukimi said nothing and continued to calmly sip her tea as if she didn't hear anything.
Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Rin clutched her hands together to look down at her lap, "I-I can't save your sister if she has complications, Kohaku-kun, I've only assisted in delivering five children, including the twins and Kagome-san's hayou son. I don't have the experience that Lady Kaede has, or even Kagome-san's knowledge from her travels, they have done more successful deliveries than anyone I know, why do they need my assistance now?"
Kohaku groaned and reached out to grab her right wrist in his hand, "Time is already an issue Rin-chan, what matters is that you're needed now?!"
Rin felt her body grow tense and cold to his touch, and felt like pulling away in panic.
"Kohaku-kun, where is lady Kaede? Or Lady Kagome? Where is your sister's husband Miroku-sama? Why did Inuyasha-sama send you here?"
The demon slayer's eyes flashed in anger as he gripped her wrist harder, Rin clutched her teeth to the pain, "Rin-chan, just come home now!"
Rin narrowed her eyes,her fear had quickly evaporated to anger, "How long is Sango-san?"
"What?"
She flattened her palm to pull her throbbing wrist out of his grip smoothly, "How long has your sister, been pregnant?"
Kohaku looked away with narrowed eyes, "How should I know? Why does that matter?"
Rin sighed and looked away sadly to the Lady Inukimi, "Milady? Forgive me, but may I please be dismissed from your company, I am feeling unwell…"
The lady didn't change her stoic expression, "You do appear pale, you may be as you wish."
Rin bowed her head in respect with a small smile, "Thank you, milady."
Kohaku watched her in shock as she rose to her feet and walked gracefully towards the door, "What are you doing Rin-chan? Why are you turning your back to us again?!"
Rin gripped the iron door handle and hesitated before speaking, "Because you are lying to me again, Kohaku-kun, please end this game and leave me be. Don't return unless there is a real problem that needs my attention…"
"R-Rin-chan-"
Rin turned around and gave a deadly glare at the now startled young man, "You have come here and scared me to death, and you have the gall to address me personally while still lying through your teeth! And you used your own wonderful sister in this as well! What kind of the brother are you to not even pay attention, or care for her labors?! I gave you plenty of time to explain yourself and come clean to me because I remembered our friendship and was willing to give you a second chance! But I was wrong, you still lied to me to make me give up all that I have worked for!
"Sango-san and Kagome-san each sent me a letter talking about their conditions, and it is far too early for them to even have complications, and if they did they wouldn't have sent for me in the first place! Lady Kaede also sent me a letter not too long ago explaining to me how there is a new doctor in the Shooshan village nearby, and has proven himself very trustworthy in Endo for assisting Kaede a week prior…The village of Shooshan is an hour away from Endo, and it's a week's journey to the Western palace…I already told you that I wouldn't be of help due to my lack of experience and knowledge…
"No, Kohaku-san…I will remain here…if I truly an needed, send master Inuyasha or Miroku-san next time."
With tears threatening to leak out of her eyes, Rin turned away and walked out the door.
…
Sesshomaru took a few deep breaths as Yuki and her mate stood by him in a covered arch in the palace garden to cover them from the rain. He was able to keep himself from transforming into his larger form when he was in his rage, but it still bothered him that the demon slayer boy had returned and had been in his mother's quarters when she had summoned Rin.
His captain of the guard broke his thoughts, "Milord, are you well?"
The young lord regained himself and stood to his feet to not appear weak to his servants, "Hmph…need to return upstairs…if that boy takes her away…this one will –"
"Kill him? Milord, I don't think that will win the lady's affections…if she hasn't be prepared to see you in your larger form, you might frighten her..." Mouri chuckled finishing the sentence.
Yuki gave her mate a knowing glare and looked back at her lord, "Sesshomaru-sama, just because this young man from her village comes to visit her, doesn't mean he would steal her away…"
Sesshomaru looked away to fold his arms over his chest in thought, 'Hmph, nothing will separate me from her, much less some impulsive boy.'
Yuki sighed, "Here, I need to return and learn what I can…I am glad you have decided upon a wonderful woman that has character, and it has now become apparent that she can calm your demon side…BUT if you want to appear before the lady again, I suggest it be somewhere more appropriate with a chaperone. NOT in her private room, nor YOURS! Do you not realize how difficult this is going to be for me to smuggle YOUR robes to the laundry, and not to mention the candles past your mother?!"
Captain Mouri chuckled deeply and pulled a strong arm around his mate's willow waist to hold her against him in surprise, "Come, come my beloved…we cannot condemn our young lord for trying to take on the trying endeavors of love alone-Oooph!"
His wife cut him off by elbowing Moru in the gut hard, "I am not condemning him, I'm merely stating that he needs to handle this in a more appropriate manner that is expected of him as a lord! And now I'm covered in rain water and mud! Stop laughing Mouri-sama this is serious!"
Her mate looked down upon her fondly, "I cannot help it when you look pretty beloved, especially covered in mud in anger."
She pouted with a frown, causing the wrinkles around her eyes to twitch when narrowed, "I 'm going back upstairs to clean this entire mess, but I will deal with both of you later!"
Giving her mate a quick lick on the cheek, she bowed to her lord, and then stomped off in a fury.
Sesshomaru noticed her husband giving her back a sly smirk, "That's the spitfire I married, only my good woman could give an officer and lord a good tongue lashing."
Sesshomaru looked away in embarrassment, "Hmph, ridiculous…"
The captain of the guard pulled back long strands of dark hair from his scared face to chuckle, "Wait till you are mated, milord, you'll learn to love even the moments when she is furious and beautiful…Come, we can wash in the training room since it's empty…kami knows you'll need a good scrubbing with that much light hair!"
…
Rin chose to not return to her room once she had left the Lady Mother's chambers; instead she continued to walk along the hallways alone to silently fume to herself.
Without realizing it, she had ended up in the south side of the castle where she noticed the families interact with one another as they did their indoor chores and scold their children for jumping into mud puddles.
Seeing the mothers and children of different races and animal features brought a smile to her face, but also made her anger more ignited inside her heart for what she had experienced moments beforehand.
'What was Kohaku-kun, No! Kohaku-SAN thinking? My heart almost gave out in fear of hearing about Sango-sama! If it hadn't been for her recent letter I would have believed him in my panic and gave up everything for a lie…giving up my last challenge, and all my new friends here…But why? Why does he seek to do this to me? We have been friends since we were children, then he went away to train for a few years and comes back with a different attitude…now he claims that he cares for me more?!'
Groaning, Rin clutched her forehead and walked outside along the shaded pathways to keep the rain off and hope no one would see her incase the tears poured down her tears.
'…if Kohaku truly cared…why is he trying to separate me from everything I choose to accept…including Sesshomaru-sama…could I….really leave….after all that has happened? Oh dear…my face feels warm just thinking about him, what is the matter with me?'
While she was lost in her thoughts, she almost ran into a taller person wearing armor, "Oh! I'm sorr- Morui-sama!"
He looked like he had changed into new armor since she had last seen him the night before, and the hair from his tall ponytail looked wet from either the rain or a bath.
He gave her a bow and a smile, "Lady Rin, always a pleasure, why are you alone child? Is one of the maids with you?"
Rin felt like a shamed child as she looked down at her clutched hands, "I apologize, Moru-sama, I was walking as I was thinking, then…I think I got lost in the castle again…"
He gave an understanding smile and chuckled, "No worries, come I'll escort you to a quieter place of private?"
Rin looked up in surprise, "Really? You're not going to take me back right away?"
The older Inu shook his head kindly, "Not yet, shall we?"
She took his offered hand with a smile and followed his lead down a different hallway.
...
Sesshomaru buffed out the towel around his monmoke tail till it was bristled a bit, but cleaner than before. It had taken him a while to get all the mud out of his silver hair and white tail, but it give him time to clear his head with the steam of the private baths. He was also grateful no one else was training today in the dojo's hall since he needed the privacy.
He had only lost control of himself only three times in his life when he allowed the rage to take control of his body to transform into the giant monster. The first time had been when he was an adolescent while training, the second time was when his father was killed and he couldn't stop it, and the third time had to be when he chose to protect his younger brother when enemies tried to pursue them into exile.
It was a shameful act for a well-trained warrior to easily lose control of one self, whether he was in battle or not, and Morui-sama did have a point if he lost control around Rin.
Holding his wet face in his pale clawed hand, he took a couple of deep breathes to clear a headache. He knew it was already a challenge to tell her the truth about his smaller form visiting her in her private chambers almost every night, but he knew he couldn't risk her seeing his larger form this soon. Rin held more than just his cold and isolated heart, she held control of his inner beast's temper and didn't even know it.
Sesshomaru pulled on the spare training gi and hakamas he kept in the trunk of his private dressing room as he thought about how he would get the lady to stay with him. His mother did tell him that the lady would have to be willing as well as he at the end of the final challenge, but he still didn't know what she felt for him. He was well aware that she cared more for who he was over his title, wealth, and power, and she was starting to act more at ease around him as a close friend…but a part of him told him that it wasn't enough.
Even if she denied the demon slyer boy a second time, it still wouldn't change anything between them other than knowing that she preferred a demon lord's company over an old childhood friend. This did give him hope, but he still wanted to do something to prove his feelings to her and earn her heart and trust.
A familiar scent tickled his nose till he found his body feel warm and content, his headache started to slowly seep away.
He closed his eyes and inhaled more of the smell through his nose as it came closer to his location, he breathed out the fresh sweet scent with a word, "Rrrriiiinnn…"
Quickly, he finished dressing and running a clawed hand through his long strands of hair to pull it into place with his tail over his shoulder. Once he was satisfied with his collected appearance, he quietly moved the sliding door aside to peek into the dojo's indoor training area to spot her.
She was a vision as she walked into the softer lights of the dojo, her purple kimono and hair ribbon brought out the dark highlights of her hair and the creaminess of her silky neck. The blue obi belt around her waist was covered with stars and white blossoms, the material calling her trim waist to his attention, his claws itched to touch the dark silk and feels her in his arms again. Her face was flushed with laughter from whatever jest Mouri-sama told her as he escorted her into the secluded dojo, the young lord found his own cheeks feeling warm as he continued to watch through the crack of the door. He did feel a hint of jealously towards his captain of the guard for being able to make her laugh and smile, and escort her with the touch of her hand, but he held backa a growl to keep from being discovered.
Mouri-sama was talking again, "…you should have seen the smile on her face when she held our first daughter, she's a merchant's wife down at the village, specializes in teas and herbal remedies."
Rin's face brightened, "I would love to meet her someday, I think we would have a lot to talk about! When was the last time you and Yuki-san have taken a day off to see all your pups?"
The elderly Inu dog knit his brows in confusion, "Rin-sama, you already gave my beloved the night off yesterday, and nearly got lost after she had left you for the night before…Besides, our pups are all grown up with families and pups of their own…we enjoy serving with the rest of our friends and some we consider family…"
The young lord watched the human lady turn to face the Inu captain, giving him a chance to admire her dark hair being down and held halfway up behind her neck. He refocused his attention back to their conversation when she spoke with her clear voice again.
"Mouri-sama, I am well aware that you and Yuki-san enjoy your work and take it seriously, I can understand why. What worries me is that even though you don't se your children too often, it never hurts to focus on your relationship."
She held up a hand to keep him from speaking, "Please let me finish…I understand that you are dog demons that have been mated for a long time, but from what I have learned from my friends and family back home, it shouldn't matter how long your material years have been extended, what should matter is how much you are both still committed to one another.
"Please continue to pursue Yuki-san, even if she does act stubborn about it, I can tell she holds great feelings for her mate, and I can see from how you talk about her with high regard that you love her as well. It fills my heart with joy and warmth when I hear you both speak of each other, and…"
She looked down at her feet with a bashful blush before continuing, "…it makes me desire to have a fulfilling relationship that will last till I am old and gray…"
Sesshomaru found himself kneeling to the wood floor in awe of the little lady he had been watching, 'She is more than this one could ever earn or deserve…the kami would bless any male that would win over her affections and heart…by her own choice…Rin…'
Guilt filled his chest when recounted his selfishness and envy, he still wanted Rin as a willing companion and return the same feelings, but he couldn't find the motivation within himself to force the sweet lady to act out of character. It would break what was left of his own heart if he, or anyone else, did.
He lifted his head when he felt Mouri-sama's gaze meet his through the slit of the door, the captain giving him a smirk and raising an elegant eyebrow before lightly tapping the hand of the lady in front of him.
"Milady, you do this old dog and his exquisite mate great honor…and with your permission, I would respectfully request that I go to my mate and take her off your hands…or will this be of any inconvenience on your part?"
Rin smiled and laughed, "No, none I can think of since it is still raining and I already have had morning tea…I'm used to taking care of myself since I didn't have a servant back home…"
Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes and gave a forwarding motion with his hand as he quietly slid open the paper door carefully so that he was still a distance behind Rin, and silently let Mouri-sama know of silent approach.
Mouri-sama gave the still blushing woman a nod of respect with a smile, "Then wish me lucky on my quest to flatter may mate till she gives in to her wants."
Rin's laugh reminded Sesshomaru of the bells she had worn on her ankles, hands, and neck during her dance a few days prior, it gave his lips a small smile.
"B-Be kind, to p-poor Yuki-san, please?"
Rin laughed harder when the older male gave a comical and mock serious look on his face, "Why lady Rin, I would never disobey such a pleasure, I mean privileged order, of caring for my beloved Yuki till she begs for no more of my assistance."
He leaned in more to whisper behind a hand, "However, she cannot resist me for long."
Rin giggled and shook her head, "Alright, that is too much for my young ears, please give her my best and it was good to see you again."
He once again bowed at the waist, "The honor is mine, lady Rin, my beloved was correct when she spoke of you…If I may with your permission? I give you my loyalty and whatever strength is left in this old dog to see you protected, well, and happy. I, Takasaharu Mouri, son of Kenta the Krude, pledge my life and strength to you, Lady Rin of Endo…"
Rin gasped with a dainty hand over her open mouth in shock, her long lashes fluttering in surprise.
Sesshomaru stood with wide eyes as he witnessed his old instructor and the loyal comrade to his late father, bow formally at the waist while giving a serious oath of loyalty to a human woman! His memory reminded him that the elder had only given public promises of loyalty only to two individuals in regards to defending them with his life: his dead father and the maid Yuki.
Surly Mouri remembered that his lord was in the room to witness what was transpiring to make it legal and binding in every sense of the term?
…
Rin smiled at the gallant elder brightly, "All I ask, dear sir, is for the friendship and kindness that you and your mate have freely given to me when I was but a guest of this clan. I thank you for your loyalty, I am greatly honored and humbled for your words, and I hope that the friendships that I have established with you and all that I have made here will be blessed with glory on this household that I have come to love and cherish."
The young lord's jaw dropped as a new light seemed to glow about the lady Rin as she made her proclamation in a formal yet warm tone, '…she…will be a perfect lady…she…will be a perfect lady of the West…"
He straightened himself as he watched his captain of the guard bid the lady a good afternoon to leave her alone, although he knew that Mouri-sama would most likely be hiding in the shadows near the door to be a chaperone.
Taking a couple of breaths, he ran a clawed hand through his hair one more time before stepping into the main center of the dojo where the lovely lady Rin was still unaware of his presence.
…
Hi everyone! Sorry this took too long, almost done with the next chapter as well...thank you very much for your encouragement and kind words these last few weeks... :)
