Disclaimer: I do hereby acknowledge to all that stuff you have heard before and that you don't need to hear again since we all know it by heart. Takahashi-sama is the only one who can do that.

This is an AU fic based off the plot of an old romance novel of my mom's.

Cyancat (/)

Hello to all my readers.

I just wanted to say to everyone here that I am still with the game. I am so sorry that it has been so long since my last post, yes over a month and I hate that, but writer's block evaded my mind and I couldn't knock it out. I am also trying very hard to suddenly deal with online classes that are very demanding. A lot of learning animation and a lot of drawing for it.

Please just hold on a little longer and I promise that there will be another chapter up with in a week or two, instead of my now longer than usual stints!

Again I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your patience.

The Captive Bride

Chapter Ten – A Long To Do About Nothing

Rin sighed heavily as she stared into the mirror. Sango stood behind her, brushing her hair in even strokes and even humming a little. They were inside the room Rin has first used those few days ago with Rin sitting at the dresser. A long white wedding dress lay on the bed, still covered in its protective clear wrapping.

Lulled by Sango's humming, Rin thought back to what had happened just yesterday. It hadn't really been the best day of her life; kidnapped by a lunatic, used as a hostage, almost killed by your fiancé, shoved into a world that you never knew existed. Did every girl have this much trouble before she was married?

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Yesterday, it had been a nightmare come to life. When they had returned to their home, Rin was grief stricken at the sight. The front of their home was blasted away, like a hurricane had torn it right off. Remembering who was still inside, Rin bolted toward the house looking for her mother. Maneuvering through the debris, Rin ran through the house until she reached her mother's room. Opening the door, her eyes widened in surprise. Sango and a man were there reading out loud to her mother, who was evidently enjoying the pair bicker about how the book was supposed to be read. Three pairs of eyes turned to look upon the intruder, but when Rin locked eyes with Sango, the young woman leapt from her chair and grappled her in a tight hug.

After some reassuring words and a few promises, Rin explained what had happened with Naraku and Sesshomaru. She left out the information that he had nearly strangled her though, no need to worry them more.

Returning to the front of the house, Rin found Sesshomaru and Koga staring at the house, studying as if they were formulating a plan. She later learned that Sesshomaru had a 'quick fix' company coming to repair the house before there were any questions about its destruction. Also they had hired a live-in nursing complex to take in her mother, so there would be no burden for the care of her mother.

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Now Rin sat silently, staring at herself as the brush was pulled through her ebony hair. She blankly gazed into her own brown eyes, wondering if this was all just a dream…a very distorted and weird dream. The brush stopped pulling through her hair and Sango sat down on the bench beside her.

"Alright. What's wrong?" Sango plopped the brush down on the counter top.

Rin paused, peering at Sango before replying. "Wrong? There's nothing wrong."

Sango rolled her eyes and leaned back against the dresser. "Right. You're grumpy, unresponsive, and not at all what a blushing bride is supposed to look like on her wedding day. Granted it is the day after you were kidnapped by your husband-to-be's nemesis and used as a hostage, but you did say yes."

"Sango…you aren't the one being forced into marriage like this. I still don't know if I'm doing the right thing."

"Look, with everything that's happened, you didn't run away, you stayed and even put your life on the line. That's one reason why this will work out. Not many women out there would stay in the same house of a demon, much less marry him."

"Okay, okay I get it." Rin stared into the mirror for a moment before turning back to Sango. "That reminds me, why didn't you tell me that you were a demon hunter?"

Sango paled at the question and her mouth hung open like a gaping fish. "I…I…I don't know." She stumbled. "I never thought it would come up… Life as a demon hunter isn't seen well to the public. Because most people don't believe in demons, the tradition that has been in my family for years has become a laughing stock of the country. We chose to hide our true identity to the outside world because it was no longer welcome. But I really am a certified nurse! Being a demon hunter is only part of my life, nursing is another. Believe me when I say that I never thought that something like this would happen." Sango sighed. "But I guess everything I thought was wrong."

The room sat stagnant as both women reflected on the conversation. Suddenly a rapping knuckle knock to the door brought them back to reality. "Hey, you guys ready yet? The priest is here and he isn't happy to be kept waiting, nor does Sesshomaru!"

"Just a few more minutes, Koga!" Rin yelled out. "We're doing the finishing touches!"

"You don't need the finishing touches! Just get down to the den as soon as possible!" Koga remarked as he started to walk away from the door.

Rin smiled wryly as she turned to Sango and the two burst out laughing, all tension between them had suddenly melted away.

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When the cold band of that gold ring slipped on Rin's finger, her whole body involuntarily trembled. Why, she didn't know. Maybe it was the fact that now it seemed legally that she was the property of one Sesshomaru Sadamoto. He still hadn't let her forget about her aberrant 'loan' that he was paying off for her. Just when she thought something was building between them, she saw the path crumble under Sesshomaru's lack of trust. But now, he stood dominantly over her, his height dwarfing her small frame. The dark blue suit he wore contrasted her brilliantly white dress.

As the small toadish priest spouted words before him, many in a language she couldn't understand, Rin's eyes wandered to rest of the wedding party. Sango stood off to her right with an expression that Rin couldn't read, that is, until Sango noticed that she was being watched and smiled widely at her. Beside Sango stood Ayame, her long red hair released from their pigtail imprisonment. She smiled weakly at the pair before turning her eyes back to the small priest. He was now glaring at her with an intensity she'd only seen in horror movies. He turned his attention back to the book in his pudgy hand for a moment and then looked to Rin.

"As I was saying, Do you proclaim that you are willfully agreeing to this marriage?"

Rin's eyes widened and an involuntarily gulp gripped her throat. She glanced to Sesshomaru, his face solid and emotionless. Sighing heavily, she found the words she needed.

"I do."

The toad nodded his head sarcastically and turned to Sesshomaru.

"As it was stated in your father's will, you had to be married by the deadline appointed by your father after his death. This marriage is conducted under the premise that you, Sesshomaru, son of Taisho Sadamoto, will take over as the rightful heir to the demon lands and all control of demons therein…"

Rin stifled a gasp. Her blood began to boil and she now felt like a demon herself. This is why he was marrying her? This is why yesterday happened! All just for the sake of control over land! Rin couldn't believe it! After everything that happened, after the company, the whole blow-up, his indecent proposal, she thought that he might have actually had some feelings for her. Now she knew, there were no feelings, nothing there inside that tall exterior. He was just using her to his own benefit. Ooohhh, he was gonna pay for this! The sudden movement of the toad priest snapped her attention back to the ceremony, as he swung a staff around in circles above him and then stamped it upon the floor.

"As the priest residing over this joining of partners, I acknowledge you as a couple, Lord Sesshomaru Sadamoto and Lady Rin Sadamoto. My Lord, you now hold the reign over the lands, following in your father's path." The small priest said as he bowed to he couple, 'And not a moment too soon.' He mumbled under his breath.

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"You seem unnerved, my dear. Wedding day jitters?"

Rin's head snapped to look up at Sesshomaru's face. His words were sudden, along with that term of endearment that she never thought to hear from him again. He merely stared ahead, sipping slowly on a glass of champagne as he watched their few guests talk among themselves.

Sango and Kagome were talking with the young man that Sango had brought along. Inuyasha stood by the window, having a heated discussion with Koga while Ayame was trying to intervene.

Rin looked down at the floor. "No, its not that. I just wish that mother could have been here."

"You know as well as I do, she would not understand me being a demon and the whole ceremony. Plus, you decided that it was too far for her to travel in such a short time."

"I know, it's just, we've hardly ever been apart, save for the part of the day I was at work. Now, I'm miles away and she's in a home where she can be looked after better than I ever could." Rin sighed.

"Don't worry about it. You will see her tomorrow and any other day you feel like it." He placed the now empty glass upon the small table beside him and looked to Rin. "You should not be so glum. There is still something left to fulfill in our contract."

Rin's mouth dropped open. "What's left! I married you! Wasn't that it?"

"Of course, but what comes of a marriage night?" Sesshomaru said with a sly smile before he walked away toward Koga and Inuyasha.

Registering Sesshomaru's words slowly, Rin's face suddenly paled to mimic the white dress she wore. Gods, she'd forgotten all about that part. He really thought for her to actually do…that…with him?

She watched in shock as he walked away, leaving her to stand there with those images in her head. She didn't know how long she had stood there, but a hand to her bare shoulder, startled her out of the state she had been in.

"You okay, Rin?" said the familiar voice of Sango.

Shaking her head, Rin put on a smile to hide her fading shock and turned to the young girl. "I'm fine… I was just thinking of my mother, that's all."

Sango nodded her head in agreement. "She would have loved to have been here. But I will tell her about it when I see her tonight. You needn't worry so much about her. Now, you have much more things to think about, such as tonight." A small smile crawled upon Sango's lips.

Rin's face flashed red with embarrassment and she covered her face with her hands. "Don't speak of such things, Sango! I can hardly think about it, much less talk about it!"
Sango let out a chuckling laugh at Rin's reaction. "Okay, I won't talk about it."

With that out of the way and out of mind, it eased the tension holstered in Rin's shoulders and neck. She hardly noticed the time pass away as she talked with Sango and then Kagome and Ayame. Suddenly there was a large hand upon her shoulder.

"Ladies, I think that the night has come upon us. Its best you leave for your own homes." Sesshomaru addressed the three girls with an unemotional look on his face.

Rin clutched to Sango's hand as she lead her to the front door. Both Koga and Miroku were outside leaning against their cars, talking to Inuyasha. With everyone that had assembled that day outside, it didn't take long for everyone to leave. Koga and Ayame were taking Inuyasha back to their house while Miroku and Sango returned Kagome home. But it was hardest for Rin to let Sango leave. She wouldn't let go of the grip she had on her hand until Sesshomaru's hand squeezed her shoulder, telling her what he didn't need to say out loud.

When the last bit of red faded into the night, Rin turned sharply from her place on the front stoop next to Sesshomaru and stalked into the house. Confused at her actions, Sesshomaru followed, but his mind was starting to wander to other things at hand.

He was met by a turned woman. She stood at the foot of the stairs, glowering at him as he quietly closed the door.

"Can't wait to have me alone, can you?" He taunted, making slow steps toward Rin.

"Hardly! Why didn't you tell me!" She yelled at him.

'Okay, what brought this sudden change of temper?', thought Sesshomaru as he headed closer toward Rin. "Tell you what?"

"You were using me! That's all this marriage was about wasn't it! You didn't ask me because of my loan, you needed a female body to be married to get your precious inheritance! That's all I am to you, to any demon? A tool that you use and then throw away once you're done?"

Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed. "A tool? That's what you think I see you as? Well, maybe I do!" Sesshomaru stepped next to Rin on the stair stoop. "But you used me as well, didn't you! I was also a tool in your ploy to con your way out of the money that you stole. Don't forget about that, my dear! You used me to fall into your trap and offer the one thing that could fix your life!"

Once again, Sesshomaru, reminded himself to stay farther out of arms reach from this woman. For now his right cheek throbbed with a vengeance as she had connected once again, slapping him when he was off guard. Sesshomaru stepped back and put a hand to his cheek, cursing under his breath. Rin glowered up at him, her mouth a thin line and her whole face menacing as she breathed through her nose.

"How…Dare…You…Even…Think…That…Of…Me!" Rin spat out at him. "I did no such thing, never in anyway since the first day I met you. I only turned to you because you were the only person I trusted about it! And when men go around proposing to women that they hardly know, they shouldn't talk lightly of others until they get a decent look at themselves!"

Rin spun around and quickly made her way up the stairs. Sesshomaru stared after her as she made her way all the way up to the third floor and entered his bedroom, slamming the door behind her nonetheless. At least she hadn't retreated back to the second floor room; it would have been a fruitless night if she had. Her anger had most likely clouded her judgment.

"Women!" Sesshomaru snapped at the empty corridor, his voice echoing through the house. "Why do you have to be so complicated?"

Taking his time, hoping more to give Rin time to cool off, Sesshomaru started his way up the three flights of stairs to his room.

Rin sat a dresser table, dressed in a light blue nightgown she had found in the closet. She hadn't realized that she had walked straight to Sesshomaru's room. Her mind had been so cracked by the thoughts of what was to happen tonight that her body moved there of its own will without any more thought on the matter at hand. At first entry to the room, Rin had gasped at the immenseness of it all. The walls were colored a deep burgundy red that was accented by matching curtains and furniture. There was a pair of open terrace doors that showed a huge expanse of land that ranged far into the countryside. There was a double king-size bed against one wall covered with black satin sheets. Across from it, a cackling fire that had to have been lit in preparation for that night. Rin snorted at the thought and had ran into the nearest closet, tearing off the wedding dress she had loved at the start of the day, but now she hated. What a surprise to Rin, to find all of her old clothes and even more hanging in the closet.

Now, she did the only automatic thing left to do, get dressed for bed.

"You should wear your hair down more often."

Rin's head nearly snapped at the force she used to turn and look where the voice had come from. Sesshomaru was leaning with one shoulder against the bedroom door, a hand in his jacket pocket and looking very smug about himself. Rin stuck up her chin and turned back to the mirror on the dresser.

"I'll try to keep that in mind." She said coldly.

Her eyes looked his reflection in the mirror and noticed that he had started to slowly advance toward her, slipping his jacket off his shoulders. Immediately she was on her feet and moving away toward the bedroom door. Who knows what demons did to obstinate women! She didn't get as far as four steps before Sesshomaru caught her like a mouse in a trap, his hands were a vice on her arms.

"I should go back down to my room. I don't want to bother you anymore." Rin tried to shake herself free from his grip. It was hopeless after a few tries.

"And why would you do that, my dear mate. I did say that there was still something more to fulfill in your contract." He said as he lowered his voice, his eyes slowly warming to the vision before him.

Rin looked up suddenly, meeting his face and became worried by it. He still wasn't serious! Was he?

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Okay people I did it! There you have another chapter! It was hard to get by the wedding but it was all flowing after that. Next might be a little bit because I will be writing the lemon, if you hadn't guessed, that would be happening next. But it will only be located at my website, so watch for an update on here and I'll tell you when it's done. I will try my best to get everything done faster. I will have more time after Sep 12 because then I will be back from Anime Iowa and there will be no more qualms about my costume.

Thank you for your reviews! Please keep them coming, Everyone of them pushes me to keep writing!

Cyancat (/)

Lindsay