Chapter 11:
Mating Rituals Redefined
It had taken him almost two days to find Naraku. He had placed several copies of himself around the globe, Sesshomaru suspected just for such an occasion as this; being hunted. The real one however had finally become clear to him with the elimination of the second copy he had found in Russia. He had disposed of enough of them that he could now scent out their creator. It had been too murky earlier, and he suspected this was also a device of Naraku's. Always a filthy coward. He had followed his scent halfway around the world in less then two days. It had not been easy and with both failures his rage had grown exponentially. He had arrived in Peru, his whole body ringing with a sense of deliverance and justice. He was now at Naraku's true location and about to knock on the door of the small shack just outside of the city of Iquitos. It was a calm yet densely populated city and Naraku's location was on the edge of the urban area, away from most of the population. He supposed a demon of his stature was not often seen outside of Japan, which is why he was in hiding here. He was a well-known face, even outside of Japan. All demons of a certain era were now. Mostly due to their rapid extinction.
He had been able to trace only his scent once he had destroyed the second copy. Initially, he had used travel records and hacked airline schedules to predict Naraku's whereabouts, but those soon dried up once he had destroyed the first copy. He wondered briefly if Naraku was on to him. He knew he could feel the destruction of his clones. So he instead used his ability to sense specific energies, knowing Naraku's well. This had also failed, bringing him to Russia and the second decoy. After that short but decisive battle he realized there was only one thing he could rely on: his scent. Somehow everything lately seemed to trace back to his dog demon lineage, culture, and power. Yet that also seemed to be his biggest problem. Mostly his inability to control it, especially around a certain human girl. It felt ironic that he needed it for proving his worth and following the (what he perceived to be) negative instincts considering how carefully he had repressed it in the past years since re-emerging back into society. And he knew as he raised his fist to knock on the door he knew he had been right to follow his dog demon senses. Perhaps this applied to the girl as well. He logged that thought away for future contemplation. Naraku's smell permeated from behind the door.
He was relaxed inside he knew, probably not aware that Sesshomaru was outside. He decided not to knock and instead with a slight push of his hand blew the door off of its hinges and into the middle of the one-room house. Naraku was inside, seated at a small table in a kitchen area on his phone. The exterior belayed the comfort of the interior. Sesshomaru observed all of this as he flew at super-human speed to Naraku, and hoisted him into the air by his neck before Naraku could even register the exploding door. "I found you." His voice was foreboding and came out of him in a deep menacing growl. Naraku's eyes bugged as he dug his nails into his pale skin. "You...don't know...what...you...have!" Naraku choked out. Sesshomaru roared and threw him through the wall. It crumbled, despite the concrete, and Sesshomaru stepped through the dust and remains as Naraku lay coughing on the ground outside from the blow.
"Those girls Sesshomaru!" he gasped, looking up to the deathly man above him. "They're the future, our future!" Sesshomaru elongated his claws to their full length, but before he could strike, Naraku threw up his arms. "Listen to me you simple dog! That jewel the priestess possess, it can cure the plague, we could breed again! They've been studying it, the Higurashi, I've got a mole inside their project, I know what they're developing! It's a cure!" Sesshomaru stopped, frozen. He felt he could not trust Naraku, but the slippery demon did know his life was on the line. Would he risk lying? Of course he would, but his own research rose from the back of his mind just then, and he decided to listen to the disgusting demon's pleas. "What does the Shikon Jewel have to do with Rin?" he asked after a moment of menacing contemplation. Naraku began to stand shakily and pushed his hair out of his face so he could focus his cold gaze fully on Sesshomaru. He recovered fast, that he could give him, and it served to remind Sesshomaru to be cautious. Naraku was almost as ancient as him and would and could be a deadly foe if he lowered his guard too much. He kept his claws ready, arm poised to strike. "It's the bloodline." Naraku went on, now focusing on Sesshomaru's cocked weapon. "It's been in their family for generations, they all had the ability to produce offspring with demons. They chose to hide their gift all this time. Until now. That's why they arranged a marriage to a half-demon; their family had bred with demons for years before that and they weren't sure it would work with a half-blood demon." Sesshomaru continued to listen, not letting any emotion show on his face at these stunning revelations. Naraku took this as a sign to go on.
"I didn't know the girl was your's, I just assumed you were applying that kin nonsense because of your stupid half-brother. I was going to take her as my wife. Make her an honest women you see, plus she seemed like a dirty little thing, I assumed I could have some fun-" Naraku was cut off as Sesshomaru closed his hand around his throat again and lifted him from the ground. He felt his throat begin to collapse underneath his grip but Naraku choked out a laugh, despite his quickly diminishing air. "You want her too then? What you fancy her a mate? Sesshomaru falling for a weak little human, that's hilarious!" Sesshomaru growled and his fangs were bare now, giving Naraku a harsh shake that made his head whip back and forth like a furiously-hit ping-pong ball. If he had been a younger demon or a human he would have snapped his neck, but this was Naraku so it only served to shut him up. "You will stay away from her. You will stay out of Tokyo. You will stay out of Japan." Naraku laughed in his face, and smirked at him. "Yeah? Or what?" Sesshomaru, in one swift movement, released his neck and grabbed his left arm. He used the energy attack from his claws to slice Naraku's hand clean from his wrist, and it fell to the ground with a thick "thump". Naraku screamed, as Sesshomaru threw him to the ground.
He curled around his hand, cradling his wrist. "You're a fucking maniac! I'm filing a suit against you, you'll lose everything-" "If you return, if I catch even the slightest hint of your scent on the wind I will take the rest of your limbs and scatter them across the continents." He cracked his knuckles, talons glinting red in the light. The wound had been cauterized instantly by the energy of his strike, but blood still coated his nails. "Fine, fine, I'll leave you alone you fucking psychopath." He stood, wavering and hissed: "This will take forever to grow back." Sesshomaru picked up the severed hand and slipped it inside of his pocket, wanting a trophy for the matriarch. Not wanting to leave Naraku in any state to pursue him, he lunged at him again, pinning him to the palm tree trunk directly behind them. His head hitting the tree was a pleasant noise to Sesshomaru who growled, fangs bare. Naraku had the decency to look slightly frightened at the blood-lust in Sesshomaru's eyes, as he commenced his beating.
...
Kagome sat at Sango's kitchen island swirling her spoon in her tea. Sango eyed the obviously-distracted girl as she twirled the spoon and sighed. "The past three days, girl, you have been a basket-case. You're not still upset about Sesshomaru and Rin? I thought you gave that up?" Kagome eyed Sango wearily and placed her spoon on her saucer. "I had. I took Inuyasha's advice and gave my blessing. He needed a push, and having him take care of her will hopefully wake his ass up. I'm assuming he went to find Naraku, all that demon ritual crap. But I can see how much he can hurt her. Emotionally and especially physically. I mean, aside from being Inuyasha's brother, there's only a long history of bloodshed when you look into his background. I don't know if he's the one for her, I had hoped this silly crush of hers would fade that it was just a phase...but she still cares for him so deeply. I can't explain it, it's a side of her I don't know, I can't understand it. Rin's so young she can't possibly understand what it means..." she trailed off so Sango finished for her. "To be with a demon?" she asked, tone skeptical. Kagome bit her lip, but nodded. "I mean you know better than anyone how important it is who she chooses. The world is going to fall into chaos once all your research gets out. The serum will be ready in as less as a few months...we have to announce this right, it could put our family in danger. I worry for her. She's not a direct blood descendent, it doesn't seem fair she'll have to deal with this." Kagome faded into a worried silence, brow creased.
Sango smiled and moved around the island, placing a hand on Kagome's shoulder. "She's your sister in every way but blood. She's always understood your responsibilities to the Jewel, has even helped you with your training. The title doesn't matter, she is a direct descendent. Rin's very responsible and bright. Stronger then steel too, despite how gentle she seems, you know this. She'll understand the consequences. As for Sesshomaru...you're mated with a dog demon, you know how deep that bond is, what it means. Now imagine one of the most powerful dog demons to ever live and I don't see how she wouldn't be safe. If there's going to be any danger, I'm pretty sure he's the one you want her with. I can't claim to know him or understand him, but I think Rin being so hurt shows she's already chosen him. And he clearly has chosen her, we knew that from the first time they met. She's going to be okay, Kagome. Honestly." She made sure the other girl met her eyes as she emphasized her point with her own. "Besides, dog demon fever obviously runs in the family." She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively and Kagome snorted and rolled her eyes at her. They fell back into silence for a few moments.
Kagome sighed, sadly, and nodded in agreement after awhile. "I know you're right. It's just...I'm not ready for this era to end. The era of Rin and I being innocent, me being her protector. I think all the other excuses I've been making have been because I'm so terrified of possibly losing someone I love. Rin's been so damaged by her loss, so hurt by her past and I don't think she's ever really coped with it properly. I've seen her when she thinks no one is watching and the sadness in her eyes shows she's all but drowning in it. I thought I could save her." She shook her head, wiping a single tear from the corner of her eye. She shook her head softly, trying to accept the truth she already felt. "I guess it had to happen sometime, even if it wasn't Sesshomaru it would have been someone to want to take her for their own. And if it was going to be any demon I suppose it could be worse. I've never sensed anything but love from him towards her, even before he knew it himself." She cocked her eyebrow, remembering their first encounter with him. "And it's not exactly like he's been subtle. Right from the start." "Well, good, I'm glad that's settled!" Sango dusted her hands off then sat down opposite Kagome and gave her a toothy grin. "Now tell me where you got those boots, they're darling!" Kagome giggled, knowing how rare it was for her and Sango to be talking about something that wasn't work, and remembered they had met and how they came to the cure.
...
Sango had been a doctoral candidate with a crazy dream when they had met at one of her grandfather's fundraisers just after Rin had left town and Kagome had been pining over her absence. She had taken to her immediately. Her field of study was demon genetics and she was hell-bent on finding a cure for the virus. She had been wrestling her confusion over her feelings for Inuyasha and the mystery of the awakening Shikon Jewel. Not even her master Kaede had answers for her, and she had been pouring over every ancient text she could find and that money could buy for answers. The two girls had begun a simple conversation after having been formally introduced by Kagome's mother, starting with idle small talk. Then Sango had spotted the Shikon Jewel when Kagome had bent over to fix her dress.
Her eyes went as wide as saucers and she pointed a trembling finger to the Jewel. "Is that a sacred jewel?!" Her voice had rung out across the hall and Kagome had hissed at her to quiet down, pulling her away from the crowd and into a back room. Once there she had turned on her suspiciously. Such artifacts were not common knowledge and there was a reason Gramps had kept her and Rin hidden all these years, even after the Jewel had chosen her as its heir. Danger followed the Jewel for it's value and it's power. Kagome peered around earnestly to check they were alone. Then she surveyed the girl before her. She couldn't explain it, but she felt she could trust her. She had always had a sense about people, and it was currently telling her she had been destined to meet this willowy stranger. She sighed and answered her question: "Yes, it's been in my family for years, but it doesn't do much anymore." she had lied flawlessly, she would not give her everything immediately. Although she had never been asked in such an excited and demanding manner.
Sango's eyes never left the again-hidden jewel. "I'm sure it's just...I study ancient artifacts, for my research, and I believe the answer to the virus is in them. The virus seems to be magic oriented, why is it so crazy to think magic could cure it?" Her eyes flicked up to hers, seeming to perceive more then Kagome was comfortable giving up. "Or at least it could appear to be magic in theory. If we don't understand the science of something when it first presents itself as this did so long ago, we would only think to call it magic. I've always wanted to fight fire with fire." Kagome shifted uncomfortably back and forth.
She had suspected something similar for some time. She knew about the ability to reproduce with demons that ran in her bloodline and understood how dangerous this was for her and her family, but she also felt something deep inside of her when she used the Shikon. And they were not going to re-populate an entire race themselves after all. This Jewel born of sacrifice was not for battle, it was not for power...it was a warm, soft, healing force, and she was using it wrong. She thought, maybe, all the priestesses had been for all of time. Or maybe it was just her. She took a deep breath and decided to dig deeper into the pretty girl with flashing eyes who worked in demon genetics, and her next question would start the chain of events that may change history: "What are you researching, exactly?"
...
As she had sifted through her old memories, while also telling Sango about the great sale in Roppongi, there was a knock at the door. Smart, two raps. She and Sango exchanged perplexed looks and Sango rose to answer it. Kagome checked the clock on the stove. It was nearing midnight. 'Maybe it's Miroku?' "Who's th-erre!" Sango called in a sing-song voice while peeking through the peep-hole. "Oh my! Well goodness gracious, it's a gift from above! We were just talking about you!" She pulled the door open holding it wide. Kagome's view of the hallway was blocked by the kitchen wall, and she heard nothing from the person who entered. Her alarm rose at the foreboding lack of sound. 'Demon' she thought, and felt her aura expand and react to her panic. A second later around the corner emerged Sesshomaru, holding something tightly in his left hand. Her hackles rose and her defense tightened her shoulder blades. "Sesshomaru! What-" Her mouth dropped open as she gasped, surprised despite her caution. She had caught sight of what was in his hand.
His eyes had a slight tint of crimson to them, his fangs poking out from his top and bottom lip, and his claws were partially-elongated his free hand appearing ready to strike. She reflexively reached for the Jewel around her neck, then remembered she had given it to Sango about a week ago. She doubted she could have really done anything with him in this state anyways. She had only been able to knock him out before because she had caught him off guard, and this was her primary reason for her immediate worry over Rin's love for him. His power was staggering and his pride threatened his reasoning at times, she had sensed this as soon as she had laid eyes on him. The power of him filled the room now and it gave her a stark awareness of her weakened humanity. And this was only him partially tapping into his power! She also felt a slight shiver of fear at the wildness in his hair and face and how it sharpened his perfected features. He was still gorgeous, of course, and she understood Rin's obsession a bit more.
"I have brought you your request." He threw the hand carelessly down onto the floor and it made a sick noise when it hit the carpet. 'What the fuck am I supposed to do with this?! Is that Naraku's?! Why did he bring it to me?'. "What say you now?" His eyes met hers, openly challenging, somehow keeping his face elegantly nonchalant. 'He thinks this will win my approval. Smug prick.' Kagome thought to herself. Her eyes flicked between the severed limb on the ground and the rigidity of pride that had first deterred her from him in the first place as it glinted sharply in his eyes. Inuyasha's voice played through her mind, lecturing: "So if there's a family, or clan to us, surrounding the female being pursued, the interested male must approach the head of the clan and demand a challenge. It's usually just a fetch kind of thing, but it's really important to both. Once he's retrieved it, he asks if he can then pursue the female, and the clan leader has to say yes. Doesn't matter if they want to or not. It's just the law.". She groaned inwardly at her foolishness. With the specific and slightly nonsensical task she had demanded of Sesshomaru, what did she think, he wouldn't come back? That he wouldn't seek out what he perceived to the the largest danger to Rin? Especially since it almost perfectly (and unintentionally on her part, truly) fit his instinctual mold for mating procedure. She was married to a half dog demon, and she had accused him of not paying attention to her life. She made a note she would apologize to Inuyasha and make it up to him immediately.
And really, what would have been the chance Naraku would actually escape him? Or really, even be a match for him? She knew now of course that Naraku had been fodder to her ignorant machinations. She knew the power levels of both broadly and Sesshomaru, she had thought, was slightly higher then Naraku's. Naraku was almost as ancient as him, so she assumed it must have at least been a fair fight. She had greatly underestimated his powers, he kept them well hidden. Apparently, she also had not had any reason to worry. 'I really, really hope he didn't kill him.' she thought, suddenly forming an alibi in her mind. Naraku had clearly been through a shredder of some sort given the state of his misplaced limb. Sesshomaru, however, did not have a scratch on him. His clothes were a bit disheveled, his skin spotted with bits of dirt, but aside from that he looked untouched.
Kagome bit her tongue as she realized that level of control in him over his unspeakable power was what had actually had Rin captivated this whole time. She had sensed it immediately to it's full extent and had accepted it wholly. She needed to stop underestimating Rin. She knew she had always possessed power of some kind, even if it had never been drawn out of her in her brief training. That's why Kagome had trained her as much as she could on the side and made her come to all of her retreats into the mountain temple with Kaede. She just hadn't known that her ability was specifically for Sesshomaru. Oh fate is such a bitch. She did also know that Inuyasha's power had been dead sexy to her as well. If a demon like Sesshomaru had come to her defense like this, with one of the other most powerful demons in the world's limb thrown at her feet...yeah, her panties would've dropped like a stone. She squared her shoulders, and kept his gaze solidly ignoring her see-sawing thoughts on the situation. She still refused to like him, despite furthering her understanding in a few seconds. He was still awaiting her verdict.
"Yes, Inutaishou Sesshomaru you have fulfilled my request. I relinquish my claim over Rin. I still expect you to show me you can care for her however. And I hope this little adventure of yours' helped you sort out your issues." She wasn't exactly sure what the correct response to this situation was, but that must have been close enough, because the edges of Sesshomaru's eyes softened and the thin line of his lips loosened. The smoldering pride in his eyes faded and their glow was amber-colored once again. He gave a nod of acknowledgement, and bowed politely. There was a moment of silence, which Sango instantly broke, as was her way. "Sesshomaru, can I get you something to drink?" she asked sweetly, hands clasped together, smile bright despite the clear absurdity of their current situation. "Don't worry though, I won't need a hand with anything." She wiggled her eyebrows at both of them. Kagome held back a laugh, knowing Sango well enough to detect the sarcasm laced in her actions, and loving her pun. Sesshomaru glanced towards her and seemed to measure her in a second, and she wondered if he could sense the sarcasm too. He did not react to her pun. Kagome had heard his biting sarcasm before, so he certainly knew what it was. No sense of humor it seems, only sarcasm. "No." he answered, voice hard.
His eyes focused back on Kagome. "Thank you, Inutaishou Kagome-san." She could see a satisfaction in his eyes that again tallied another reluctant point in her mind in his favor. She crossed her arms across her chest and turned her nose up at him. "Well, you're a thug, and uncontrollable and I don't trust you with Rin, but I won't stand in the way for now. You've proven your resolve for her, and I have to give my permission. I still want to make sure you can care for her however." Sesshomaru exploded with a growl at her statement, and his eyes were immediately ferocious again. "I do not need anyone's permission, it is my right as her mate!" Kagome blinked at his burst of emotion unsure of how to react. Dropping her arms after a moment of shock she turned her head back towards him, leveling her eyes back at his. Threat and power resonating back at him as she met his demon with her inner priestess. "If you ever lose that control around her, hurt her, or break her heart, I will rip yours' from your chest and make you watch while I destroy it." Her voice was level and full of the threat her eyes flashed blatantly. He seemed to balk ever so slightly, his physique seemed to be back under his control along with his emotion. He nodded his chin to her slowly and solemnly, letting her know he understood. "Well good, now we all understand each other!" Sango clapped her hands joyfully.
Sango turned towards him, eyeing the hand on her floor. "He's not...dead is he?" she asked, reluctantly. Sesshomaru shook his head "no". "And his hand will grow back, it will just take him a few days." "That...is...hilarious!" She burst out laughing, loud and raucous. Kagome glared at her. "Don't encourage him!" she hissed. "Oh come on 'Gome, you have to admit this is hilarious, and Naraku had every bit of that coming." Kagome crossed her arms over her chest with a slight pout. "I suppose." She whirled on Sesshomaru again. "But you!" Her finger came out, accusing. "No more hijinks or severing of limbs!" Sesshomaru cocked a lofty eyebrow at her, sarcasm dripping from his eyes. "Agreed Inutaishou-san." Kagome blinked, surprised by the sudden rush of personality from the monolith. Coupled with his acquiescing to her silly demands, and his emotional explosion form a moment ago, she was still tallying points reluctantly. "Well, please take that with you. I really don't want it smelling up my living room any longer." Sango pointed to it hesitantly. Sesshomaru, not even giving her a glance, picked up the hand, and slipped it into his pocket. Sango shivered. "You're giving me the heebie-jeebies!" she exclaimed.
"What will you do now beast-man?" Kagome was glad she was not the only one startled by Sango's next question. Both her and Sesshomaru turned to Sango with shock on their faces. She had one hand on her side, hips cast sideways in a pose that spoke volumes in confidence and wit. Sometimes she would catch Kagome with her happy-go-lucky act too, but she saw Sesshomaru was clearly thrown by the level-headedness in Sango now. "Who, may I ask, are you?" His brow furrowed when he asked and Kagome giggled quietly behind her hand as Sango smiled devilishly. He had seemed to not even take notice of her existence. "I'm whoever you want me to be. However, right now, I'm wondering what's keeping your paws here. Shouldn't you be out claiming your mate, your prize?" She cocked her head to the side, and Sesshomaru growled lowly, exposing half of his fangs on the right side. "In due time, human. I will be leaving now however. I wish you ladies' a good evening." He bowed courteously, then turned on his heel and left, closing the door with a soft 'click; behind him. When they were both certain he was gone, Sango took Kagome's shivering hand. "You're ready to let her go, hun, don't worry." Kagome smiled at her, tears pricking the corners of her eyes. "Thanks Sango-chan. I just hope the jerk makes her happy." Sango huffed and rolled her eyes. "Speaking of jerks, I totally met him at his office, like, last week. You'd think having lived as long as him he would have learned courtesy at some point." She scoffed, and Kagome burst out laughing.
...
Rin collapsed into bed, mentally, and somehow physically, exhausted. She had spent the last two days pacing her apartment and worrying. She had never felt so tense in her life. She had finally been able to draw herself a warm bath and relax with some calm music playing softly in the background. Once she was done she had laid out the fluffiest robe in her wardrobe and gotten into her softest pajamas, falling into bed. The mattress was fine quality and fit to her form perfectly, but it did nothing to soften her thoughts. After they had kissed and he had left she had been a mass of confusion. It was such a delicate, tender moment and then he had left as though he were on fire, barely considering her. He hadn't even spared her a backwards glance before he had left. In fact he had resolutely acted like she wasn't even there, and certainly not as if he had just kissed her in such a way that he made her entire body feel as if it were wrapped in flames. She had been restless with the lust he had inspired in her and the mystery of it had surrounded her every cell. She immediately thought of every story she had ever heard from friends (or Kagome) about sex and its lurid details. She wanted more. Plain and simple, she wanted him to kiss her until time stopped, and everything else people did in an intimate relationship. Butterflies circled in her stomach at the brash thought.
Kagome had stayed with her for awhile after that night, trying to offer comfort and distraction. Inuyasha had stayed because Kagome had stayed, but he had left his earbuds in, playing games on his phone and occasionally tapping his feet to a tune only he heard. "I thought this would be it 'Gome, you know? Like, once we kissed everything would be clear, be easy." Kagome held her to her side, chin on the top of her head as she babbled and cried softly. "Oh Rin-chan I'm so sorry to tell you this, but it never gets easier. Only more and more worthwhile." "Damn you to hell!" her husband burst out suddenly, cursing at his game. Kagome's face reddened and she whipped a pillow over her shoulder, pegging him in the head. "Ouch! What did I do?!" He whined and Kagome threw him her middle finger. Rin giggled despite herself, and Kagome brushed her hair away from her face. "He is good at that. Lightening the mood. If I didn't know him better I'd almost think he does it on purpose." She winked down at Rin. More hours passed, Kagome comforting Rin, Rin letting all of her confusion and frustration fall into her lap. Eventually when Rin had passed out, Kagome had Inuyasha carry her to her room and lay her in bed.
When Rin woke the next day she felt slightly more at ease. Until it hit late afternoon and she had heard nothing from her boss. Sango had checked in, as had Kagome, and she had assured them both she was fine and didn't need company. She had wandered her apartment like a ghost, eating little and barely sleeping. As her eyelids drifted lower and lower tonight in her bed, warm and finally relaxed, she realized she had not really been sleeping either. She was now running on about five hours in the past two days. The email notification on her phone rang through her bedroom and she sat up so quickly she swore she heard her back crack. She fumbled in the dark for her phone on her bedside table. Her trembling hands found it, and as she pulled it to her she forgot about the charger being plugged in and with an unpleasant snapping noise it almost pulled the phone back out of her hands. She gripped it for dear life and typed in the code to unlock the screen. Sure enough, a small envelope sat at the top of her screen, ominous. She swiped down and opened the message choosing not to think too hard about it in case she stopped herself from reading it.
From: Inutaishou, Sesshomaru inutaishouincexec
To: Higurashi, Rin inutaishouincoffice
Re: Monday
Rin-
I will be back in the office tomorrow and will meet you at your door at 7 AM.
-I.S.Rin exhaled swiftly, and her heart stopped pounding as hard as it had been the past two days. She was a little miffed by the shortness of the message. It seemed to suggest everything would remain the same between them, even with such a momentous event. More then that though she was relieved. She had not been entirely rejected by him. Kagome had tried to help her understand that his leaving had not meant he was leaving her, but it had felt that way all the same. The idea had only snow-balled since she had been alone. Now though, she was needed. And he would be at her door? What did that mean? Not pondering it too much she felt she would rather have him as a boss behind a solemn wooden door then driven from her life completely. Her desperation hit her hard, along with the helplessness enhanced by his absence. She took a few deep breaths then responded, fingers shaking as she typed back deciding to keep it short:
From: Higurashi, Rin inutashouincoffice
To: Inutaishou, Sesshomaru inutaishouincexec Re: Monday Morning Sounds good, see you then!
She frowned after hitting 'Send'. It sounded fake, even through text. She sighed as she lay back down to sleep rationalizing it. She had at least sounded nonchalant and not as if she had been an emotional hurricane all weekend. Her phone was on her chest where she had placed it after answering. She almost jumped from her skin when it went off once more:
From: Inutaishou, Sesshomaru inutaishouincexec
To: Higurashi, Rin inutaishouincoffice
Re: Monday Morning Get some sleep, it's too late for you to be up still, little one.
Her heart was pounding hard again, and it felt like it could actually burst from her chest. She laid back down, placing her phone back on the nightstand. She did not want anything to do with it if she intended to sleep, which was looking more and more grim. It was already one, and she would have to be up at five if she wanted to be ready at seven for him. She would be putting all of her efforts in tomorrow, make him see what he was missing. Or what she had hoped he had missed anyways. She closed her eyes and began a slow countdown from ten, and when she hit one she restarted her countdown this time from nine. A trick Kagome had taught her when she was younger and her nightmares used to wake her up in cold terror. It still worked, and she was asleep in one more round of descending numbers.
Rin brushed imaginary dust off of her skirt nervously as she waited patiently by her door. 6:59 rolled into 7:00, and sure enough there was a smart rap on her door immediately. She jumped, despite knowing it would be coming and unlocked the many locks, pulling it open a crack. There stood Sesshomaru, fully-suited and looking as sexy as ever. He stood straight with his hands behind his back, and she found herself staring at his chest, defined in his slim jacket. "Are you ready Rin-san?" he asked, and his voice was slightly raspy. Probably because he had just woken up. It made her blush. "Um, yes, let me just grab my bag." She left the door cracked and snagged her laptop case off of the couch and slipped it over her shoulder. She slipped into the hallway then locked her door, entering the security code as she left. She turned to face him, and gave him a smile.
He was staring at her, and she was glad her two hours of work and little sleep had paid off. She had a high-waisted khaki colored skirt that accentuated the length of her legs perfectly, with strappy heels. Her shirt was black, and down the center of her chest was a sliver of sheer fabric that tucked into the skirt just above her navel. The busty bra showed the sides of her breasts through the fabric. Not enough to be over-bearing, but enough to show they were there. She had thought it had made the skin there look silky. She had wrapped her hair tight and high on her head, and her make-up had been done so her eyes were large, the gold-flecks in them highlighted, her lips were lush and colored. Sesshomaru seemed to need to pull himself away from her, and he motioned for her to follow him down the hall to the elevator. Rin almost stumbled as she tried to keep up with him. "Sooo...what's going on here?" she asked as they reached the elevator and he pressed the button. He did not look at her at all, but he did answer honestly. "Your cousin. She asked me to watch over you after Naraku's attack. I made a vow that I would. From now on, I will be escorting you everywhere, work included." Rin was a little surprised by his honesty, of course Kagome had already told her this, but she was a little miffed he carefully left out why she had asked and why he had accepted. "Oh." Was all she could muster in return.
The ride in was quiet, and Sesshomaru kept his eyes resolutely on the road ahead of him and away from her. Rin tried to keep conversation with him, choosing to keep the topic of their kiss for a later time avoiding it carefully. He returned her conversation with the bare minimum of response required. Once they reached the office however, his hand moved to her waist again and he opened every door for her, including the car door as they arrived. He led her by the waist up to the office, and they still drew every eye they passed. Once he swiped them in, he left her at her desk, giving her a polite nod. Rin nodded back, wanting his hands on her again almost immediately. She settled in, sighing at herself. She wished she had the courage to just ask him to touch her, but she still felt far too afraid of the answer to try. Something had definitely changed since Kagome had spoken with him, but it felt tenuous at best. Somehow she had acquired a bodyguard when she had wanted a romantic partner. Calling the great Sesshomaru her "boyfriend" felt odd, almost like he didn't fit that title at all, but she definitely sought something with a title from him. She remembered Kagome and Inuyasha's comments on dog demons and men in general. He was making some kind of move, but she had a hard time deciphering what it specifically meant.
She logged in, set his appointments for the day, then rose from her desk pulling her skirt down and fixing her hair. She knocked on his door and he called for her to enter. She would not let all of this get in the way of her work routine, and the plants were in desperate need of her attention. He was busy with his work, but she knew he was paying close attention to her. She smiled to herself as she filled the watering can in the bathroom (she had left it in there last week and he had not moved it yet) and made her way around the room. She kept quiet, but found herself singing softly before long. It was funny that for all of the uncertainty and self-doubt he inspired in her she had also never felt more comfortable around someone who wasn't family. She had always been slightly reserved, opting out of large social situations that her friends seemed to revel in; karaoke, parties, bar-hopping. She wasn't shy necessarily, she just never knew her place in larger groups.
Sesshomaru broke her thoughts by clearing his throat. "You look lovely today, little one." She was by the door and her singing stopped abruptly as she turned to face him. He had stopped "working" and was openly watching her. His look was nothing short of predatory, and instead of intimidating her she stood tall and bowed politely to him. "Thank you Sesshomaru-sama. I've tried hard to fit the part." The eyebrow rose and there was a hint of a twinkle in his eyes. "Fit which part?" he asked, crossing his hands on his desk. "Well, this is a pretty high-end job. And all of the perks of it, the apartment, the car, the wardrobe...I feel as if I've been employed by a diplomat or a royal or something. I figure I can't show up looking anything but proper." She walked to the next pot as she spoke, keeping her voice level and matter-of-fact. She saw a slight tremor in his brow when she mentioned the perks awarded to her and she loved that she could deliver torture back to him as he did to her.
"No one else has received those...perks." She whirled on him at his admission, and she saw his surprised reaction to her sudden ferocity. "Then why? Why me? What makes me deserve all of those things?" He did not answer her immediately, simply kept her gaze stolidly. "I did not mean to offend you Rin." Rin felt the air leave her chest, and her frame loosened the tense anger leaving her. She shook her head sadly, and turned around again giving him her back. She went back to watering the fern before her, mind spinning. 'He will not admit it! I'm running out of options, I'll have to push him to it. That or throw myself at him...' She pushed that thought away. If he was this timid about this she doubted her openly admitting to being in love with him would do more then scare him away. She finished with the plants and gave him another formal bow on her way out. He had gone back to work, and without looking away from his monitor he nodded in acknowledgement. Back at her desk, Rin sat, huffed, then pulled out her phone texting the one person who might be able to push Sesshomaru into admitting he wanted her.
...
A/N: Very short, I know, I'm sorry. It's all mostly building to the next circumstance. The next chapter is in progress, and we're finally to the fun part! (If you catch my drift) Thank you guys so much for bearing with me, I should be much more available moving forward, so hopefully I can get this going and get it all out to you as soon as I can. You're all so lovely, thanks so much for being who you are. I'd like to thank Crystal Castles, without whom this entire re-write would not have happened and of course, per usual, my T-Bone for letting me bounce my ridiculous ideas off of and listening to all of my arbitrary details and convincing me they weren't as silly as I felt they were. And you! Of course, you, always you! For reading and reviewing and following, etc. See you next time!