Ch 10

Sesshoumaru stood holding the now semi conscious Toshie by the throat high in the air. As dawn approached he could hear Rin beginning to move about their chamber. His eyes flashed a dark crimson red as he spoke to the mortal. "Now you shall see to whom Rin's heart really belongs, me." He was on the balcony within a second landing soundlessly on the stone railing Toshie limp in his grasp. He entered the chamber and stood before his mate. Though he would never admit it to the boy, a part of him wondered what her decision would be just as much as he did. It was then that he asked himself only once if his mate would question his judgment to save the boy.

He stood silently for a moment to let the shock fade from Rin's face before he began to speak. "I found this roaming around the back of the garden Rin; I assume you know the penalty for a servant being found there without permission." She nodded; it had been the same since her arrival, death. Sesshoumaru looked the boy in the eye for a second before he began again; the moment of truth had come. Would Rin choose to save him?" If you would like me to let him live all you need do is ask Rin. I could never deny my mate such a simple request. What would you have me do with him? Since he belongs to you and you are my mate the decision is yours to make, his life rests with you." He stood silently as both males anxiously awaited her answer.

Many thoughts ran around in her head. Though she did not want Toshie to die it was her duty to do all she could to help her ate keep order in their home. When she realized that she also realized that he had made the decision for her. This realization made her almost hit herself; she should have known that instinctively. "Rin has never thought to tell you what needed to be done here and never will. Rin agrees with any decision you make and will trust that that judgment is for the best." Sesshoumaru nodded and called his guard.

He handed Toshie to them and left instructions to lock him in the dungeon. Returning to his mate he pulled her small frame against him and let the fragrance that was uniquely her fill his nose. He stilled any movements in her as he held her lovingly. The choice was hard for her, he knew that, but he had to have her make it alone. He placed a soft kiss on her lips before whispering in her ear. "Rin I know you care for the boy and what you did had to have been difficult for you but I felt that you needed to be the one to do it. I needed to ensure that you did not love the boy as you do me and that as my mate you would make any decision that would be best for our home and our lands." He felt her body go rigid against his as she pulled herself away and came to stand several feet from him.

His comment had hurt her more than any decision ever could, so much so that her eyes filled with tears that. She looked at him as though he had stabbed her with his acid claws. She spoke in broken words as the tears fell, she could not hold them back. "Has Rin done something to make you doubt those things?" Her brain began to sort through her memories to find anything that could have made him question her loyalty to him, when she failed to find anything she looked to him again. "What can Rind do to show you that, to ensure you know?" Sesshoumaru pulled her back nearly suffocating on the stench of her tears, he knew then how much he had hurt her.

For the first time in centuries he regretted his words, he had hurt the only being he had ever truly loved. "You already have Rin" he said "all you ever need to do is trust me." He kissed her again, more forcefully this time in an attempt to rid her of the sorrow he caused. His only intent for the moment was to gain her forgiveness this was void of passion, and lust. Even though he would rarely if ever tell her how he felt he hoped that in moments like these she would know how much important she was to him, how much he really did love her.

She milted in his arms and lost herself in the gentle kiss. The kiss was deepened instinctively as their bodies responded to the nearness of the other. The remained locked like that as light poured in from the sun. Although he wanted to stay with her like that forever he knew he had things he had to do. It took every ounce of willpower he possessed to pull away from her. When he finally managed the look of loss on her face nearly made him pull her back again.

He placed a kiss on her forehead and walked out of their chamber. Rin sat on the bed and cleared her head. She needed to find something to occupy her thoughts before the turned back to the events of earlier. She wandered through the palace somewhat absentmindedly until she came upon the one room she had never been allowed into. She looked at it for a long moment before her hand slowly reached for the door. Sesshoumaru was at her side so fast it nearly startled her.

His hand covered hers and held it snugly, he had to warn her. He guided her inside and quickly shut the door and lit a candle to aid her sight. "This room contains the histories of great Generals, Lords, their mates, and their pups. This room contains my lineage; centuries upon centuries listed my own being the latest. No being that is not somehow connected to that linage can enter that this room. As my mate you are now a part of that and can now see its contents as you please." He left the room to continue his work and her to do as she pleased.

Sitting at the large desk she opened the largest scroll she had ever seen. It had to weigh at least a hundred pounds, she could hardly open it. Although hundreds of names were present on it she only sought two. After nearly an hour of searching she found them, she noticed a while before that it went in order of age. She nearly hit herself in the head wondering why she had not started going backwards when she realized it. Taking note of the number she turned around. It was then that she realized each wall was ten feet high and lined with scrolls. Taking a hint from the wall that had yet to be filled she began searching.

Doing it that way she found them surprisingly easily and sat down to read. First she picked up the larger of the two. This scroll was very long and read Inu No Taishou. She opened it and began to read about his first life. She thought about how long it was and decided to make notes of what she felt important, after all only by looking at the past can one avoid the same mistakes in the future. She quickly got writing materials and began trying to write. Before her quill touched the scroll however Sesshoumaru much larger had covered her own. She gave him a quizzical look asking silently what she was doing wrong.

He wanted to allow her to do anything she pleased, this time however he could not. "Rin, it is crucial to all who's history has, is, and will be contained in this room that not even the slightest piece of information leave its walls. This room connects all generations of my clan, and my ancestors to myself. Each scroll holds the record of one of my ancestors, all they did, and all they attempted to do. When any deed is done, great or small, it is inscribed on their scroll instantly. If even the smallest piece of information, original or not, leaves this room its protective spells will vanish exposing its contents to all who would seek to see the fall of my clan." The quill fell from her hand and she moved to tightly embrace her mate. Her mind could hardly bring herself to realize what she had almost caused him.

Sesshoumaru left the room knowing she would not try that again. She placed the quill outside of the room and reopened his father's scroll. She read of him killing his father, of his forced mating, his first and second son, his first battle with the snake like youkai, his beloved, their son, and rather his heroic death. His life contained many more battles and a very interesting tale of his swards as well but she had read over that part. He had had an interesting life filled with war, and sprinkled with true peace. Having finished that one she closed and put it away.

She then read Sesshoumaru's. It was considerably smaller but more interesting, at least to her. She red of his birth, of his first fighting lesson, his court training, his distain for his father's mortal love, his first attempt to gain the sward he so often sought, meeting Jaken, his encounter with his newly awakened little brother, and her own appearance. She knew it then. She knew why Sesshoumaru loved her and his father Izayoi. She knew why InuYahsa had cared so for that other girl, whatever her name was, and why he loved Kagome.

(Next chapter: How the three loves are connected and what happens when a council of Sesshoumaru's elders attempt to force him to produce an heir of pure blood. Should not take near as long to post)

3

Sess Rin Ch 10