A/N: Wow, another night up writing lots of chapters. And then I wake up this morning and there was a wifi outage in our area. Finally fixed it.
I really liked this chapter. Enjoy!
WildHeart44: Yea, Akemi has kinda disappeared for a bit, but she'll be back around.
kagomeLove2: Well, when I first planned out the events between InuKimi and Rin, of course at first I'd have her looking down at Rin, most like she did when she was younger, but after a while, even in a few chapters, she grows to like her and care for her. And I'm glad you like Sesshomaru's caring side, lots of people are saying "This is way OOC", well maybe while at the same time I want to think this might take something after the anime, but at the same time, it can be another story all on its own that can have no connection to the anime story line, and one of my own stories. Like some that I've read on your profile. I like some of the other stories you've favorited, that AU one with InuTaisho still alive. Awesome.
Anywho, I'm getting carried away.
Enjoy!
Chapter 10:
"Good morning, Lady Rin. How do you feel this morning?" Hana found her and Sesshomaru in the kitchen sitting on the sofa eating.
"I'm much better, thank you." Rin said, and she really did. A night's sleep made her nearly forget about yesterday. She almost wanted to go back to training as if nothing happened, but she chose to heed Hana's words.
"Good. I can sense you look better too. What will you be doing today?" Hana asked quizically.
Rin glanced at Sesshomaru, before turning back to her, "Nothing. I guess. I think I'm going to take a walk with Sesshomaru or something like that."
"Okay. Remember. Don't work yourself." Hana said.
"I won't." Rin said, it seemed she could not stress the words enough.
"Okay. I will check on you in a few days. Summon me if it needs to be sooner." Hana said, before turning to Sesshomaru, who nodded in agreeement.
"Good day my Lord and Lady." She bowed before leaving.
When she was gone, Rin focused on Sesshomaru, "Please tell me there's more to do than just walking."
Sesshomaru smiled, but it faded as soon as it had appeared.
Remembering.
He was meeting the North dog demons tonight.
"Actually, Rin..." Sesshomaru trailed off, "I was talking to Mother yesterday, and she told me that she and I need to talk with the Northern clan. Tonight."
Rin's heart dropped, she had nearly forgotten about those problems. "O-oh. Well then, that's okay. I'll find Akemi or something-"
"That's not all Rin. They request that you come too." Sesshomaru said.
Rin looked at him in complete shock, "M-me? Why me?"
She was just human, sure those dog demons...
"They want to see my mother, and the next future leaders. They want to see you as proof." Sesshomaru said.
Rin's breathing nearly stopped, "B-but I'm human! What if they don't accept me."
"Then their deal will be off. Rin, I'm not going to let them hurt you. No matter what happens, you will be safe." Sesshomaru explained.
Rin was quiet for a minute, thinking over the information. It is as she said before, she really didn't want them to have to start something over her.
"If you do not want to come. I won't force you-" Sesshomaru added.
"No. I'll go." Rin said, "When tonight?"
"When Mother gives the word. We will head out and meet on neutral land, so there should be no reason to fight. We'll be meating in our true forms, so just stay on my back, and we will do the talking."
"I'm just curious... I can understand you in your true form, can I understand others?" Rin asked.
"I'm not sure, Rin. We'll see when we're there." Sesshomaru said.
Rin nodded, "Okay."
"Okay. We all know what to do. Hisashi, Minori, and Kenta, stay behind us. We will not show any type of violence unless asked for. Stay in line. Rin..." InuKimi trailed off, glancing at her, "Just stay with Sesshomaru, and all should be fine. This is a truce meeting, not a battle."
Rin nodded lightly.
"Alright. Let's go." InuKimi said and they all made their way outside where the sun had nearly disappeared.
Once outside, each demon transformed.
Sesshomaru lowered himself to the ground for Rin to get on, and soon, they were off.
The flight lasted about an hour, before they began descending out in an open field.
They stopped for a few seconds when they reached the ground, scanning their scanning their surroundings.
Rin also looked around, were they being stood up? Was there going to be an ambush?
Then, a loud snap sounnded and another group of dog demons emerged from the forestry, into the open.
Their numbers were even to theirs.
'Stay behind me.' InuKimi mentally said to the 3 guards, before she and Sesshomaru began walking towards them.
These dog demon's fur was as black as the night, an easy camouflage for such a night.
Soon, each side stood inches before one another.
'Hmm. I do recall asking for this meeting alone.' One who looked like the male leader spoke.
'You don't look very alone to me.' InuKimi replied, glancing at the three dog demons behind him.
'Looks like we both had the right idea then.' The male spoke, then turned his head to Sesshomaru, 'Hello, I am Makoto. I don't believe we've met.' He said.
Sesshomaru only narrowed his eyes at him, glaring intently.
'And that would be your... Mate? I presume?' Makoto continued.
Sesshomaru gently growled warningly.
'Calm yourself. It is just a question.' InuKimi told him.
'Hmm. Well this is a strange view if I've ever seen one. You have proven your position as leader, your son looks prepared to take over when necessary, but with a human mate? Do we know the gender and breed of the child she carries, yet?' Makoto asked, facing InuKimi.
'We don't. She is still in her early cycle. But either way, it can be raised as one of us. Rin may be human, but she belongs to this clan, our clan already looks up to her and know of her position. She is an excellent fighter, and I believe she will be an excellent leader.' InuKimi explained.
Makoto nodded, interested, before focusing on Rin again, 'Is that so?'
"U-um. Yes." Rin replied.
Makoto took a small step back, but anyone could sense that his surprise was fake. 'And she can understand us. Fascinating. I'd like to see how she leads one day.'
'We are here for a truce. Not Rin's abilities.' InuKimi reminded, noticing Rin's discomfort, and Sesshomaru's slowly bristling form.
'Of course. As long as you keep the status this way, we will have no need to take over such a... Successful clan.' Makoto said.
'So it's done? You will leave my clan alone from now on?' InuKimi asked.
'Yes. As long as you leave ours alone. We are at amends.' Makoto agreed.
'Good. I hope not to meet with you again about such standards.' InuKimi said simply, before turning away, the rest of them following suit.
'You know, the human looks to be a strong leader already. A strong mate.' Makoto commented from behind.
Rin grew rigid, as did Sesshomaru.
Letting out a low growl, he turned on the other dog demons, prepared to show Makoto his place.
His guards immediately began moving forward to protect him.
Then, InuKimi blocked his path.
'Control yourself, Sesshomaru, the rest of you, back off!' InuKimi demanded to Hisashi and the others who had also begun coming forward.
'Makoto. You would hold your tongue if you know what's good for you. This is a truce, not a provocation.'
Even in his dog form, Makoto had an extremely smug look on his face.
'Let's leave. Now!' InuKimi demanded, walking Sesshomaru back until he moved himself 'Your mate shouldn't get stuck in the middle of your rashness.'
Leave one last glare towards the Norther dog demon leader, he turned away, and they all took to the skies, making their way back home.
"What was that?" InuKimi asked Sesshomaru when they were alone in her office.
"He was testing me. And he succeeded." Sesshomaru said roughly, "If this was a truce, how dare he talk to my mate like that. She is Mine."
"I understand." InuKimi said gently, "At least no battles were caused. I know how you feel about her, especially since your bond with her is still fresh, but you have to ignore his approaches to provoke you."
"He was looking at her the entire time. I knew that look. He wanted her, and not even close to the way I do. Since you now know about her, you can understand why that would upset me. I wasn't going to let her experience that again."
"I know, Sesshomaru. And we won't let it. What's done is done. Nothing happened. You may go to her now if you wish." InuKimi dismissed.
Sesshomaru nodded before leaving to find Rin. He had left her with Akemi to get something to eat.
...
"Wow... Protective much?" Akemi commented after Rin's story of the experience, "I wish I had someone like that." She sighed happily.
Rin laughed, "Wait, you don't?"
"Well... No. I mean, I'm not really supposed to... do anything like that. I'm just here to serve. My ranks aren't really supposed to mate. Rarely do we even find a mate." Akemi said nervously.
"Oh. That's terrible." Rin said, some people aren't allowed to find love?
"Mmm, it's not that bad. Us dog demons are constantly busy, not really have time for that." Akemi said.
"Still though. I just told Sesshomaru I never thought I'd be in any of this, and now I can't see it any other way." Rin said.
"And that is amazing for you. It's just the way of the clan." Akemi said.
"Oh. Ok." Rin sighed, before letting the matter drop.
Just then, Sesshomaru arrived.
"Oh. There's your knight in shining armor. That would be my cue to leave." Akemi spoke up, nodding Rin farewell before walking away.
Sesshomaru watched after her, before giving Rin a look, "What was that?"
"Oh. Nothing. I was just telling her about the meeting." Rin said, efoore pausing and looking at him worriedly, "Oh gods, was I not supposed to?"
"You are okay, Rin." Sesshomaru moved to sit next to her, "How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine." She answered simply.
Sesshomaru sighed, taking her hand, "I'm sorry about tonight. I reacted without thinking. And nearly put you in danger."
"It's fine, Sesshomaru. I heard what he was saying, and... I didn't expect you to react any differently, honestly." Rin admitted.
"You can understand them, hmm?" Sesshomaru asked.
"Yeah. Which reminds me. InuKimi lied to him." Rin said.
"What?" Sesshomaru asked confused.
"The clan does not look up to me. And I am not an 'excellent fighter'" Rin said roughly.
"Rin. You are doing very well at fighting. Your training-"
"Sesshomaru! I had a panic attack because of a simple question! It's prevented me from training again for a couple days. What if it happens again? And even if people did look up to me, after that inciden I doubt they do now-"
Sesshomaru suddenly pulled her close, silencing her with his lips.
He kissed her, deeply, forcing her to forget any of these thoughts. Tonight, yesterday, everything.
He forced her down onto the couch, leaning over her, hands caressing her cheeks.
Even though most of this was for pure comfort, another part of him was doing it for himself. To forget what happened tonight, himself.
After a few minutes, he pulled away.
"Rin... Stop talking."
His lips were upon hers again, just as she had managed to get in a few breaths.
She could barely process his words anymore. Or her own thoughts to react to them. All she could do was continue to kiss him back, for all that he was worth.