He scented her even before the knock sounded on the doors of the Usagi chamber. Though it was two past the midnight, both Hares had been awake, waiting for her arrival.
"It's Rin," announced Satoshi to his father, keeping a straight face despite the overwhelming sense of happiness. She had really come to him tonight and for that he'd already won half the bet. All he needed was for her to stay the night.
"Usagi Taisho-sama, Satoshi-sama." Rin's greeting was followed by a bow. Despite her forced politeness, Satoshi could see that the earlier events had made its impact on her demeanour.
"How are you my dear Rin?" His father moved forward with open arms as invitation. When Rin stepped forward, he folded his sleeves over and held her close. "Your father would have been proud. I'm sorry to have kept it from you for so long my dear. But it was his wish."
"Otou-sama is alive and well?" Her head snapped up, eyes glistening slightly as she stared at the Usagi Taisho.
"Alive yes but his recovery has been slow. We were not aware of the counter-effects of having the Dragon pendant too far away from his physical body." At the mention of her confiscated heirloom, Rin's face hardened slightly but she kept silent, simply listening to his father patiently. "An immortal wound inflicted on a mortal often leads to death. And your father…"
"He knew this would happen and yet he gave me his pendant? It was his only chance to survive!" Rin pulled away, fuming –presumably towards her father's actions than that of what the Usagi Taisho had said. "And now he will die a mortal?"
Satoshi watched his father's eyes looking downwards and away from Rin. The Hare Lord was not one to lie and while he was trying his best to sculpt the best truth, the three of them knew he was really not saying what Rin wanted to hear.
The pendant had already chosen its new bearer.
"Chichi-ue, perhaps I should take Rin for a walk. It's been a difficult day for her," offered Satoshi.
But Rin however had other ideas. Ignoring him, she took a seat right in the middle of the room and took out a scroll from inside her sleeves.
"If Otou-sama is to die, then I want to at least know what he died for." Unfurling the scroll, she laid it out on the tatami mat and put a finger to her lip.
The trio read the Shogun's words in silence, though Rin got up a few times to let out a couple of soundless screams –an act Satoshi endorsed fully –before snatching the letter and scrunching it into a ball.
Tossing it across the room, Rin then collapsed onto the floor and curled herself into a cocoon.
"Rin-chan," soothed Satoshi, closing in to pull her into a reassuring embrace. If he hadn't read it with his own two eyes, Satoshi wouldn't have believed the Shogun's ploy to take out the West. The only question now was why a Rat assassin was sent to then kill Ryunnosuke when his help was needed to amass the forces in the East and South.
"Unforgivable!" hissed his father, bending to pick up the ball of paper. "To think he'd use Hebi-Taisho's daughter as a pawn! Like as if Ryunnosuke would –"
"Chichi-ue, we all know he would never marry again. So that was out of the question. But do you think his reluctance as what caused... you know?" The attack.
"No…"
For a moment, Satoshi didn't hear her soft words for he was busy discussing with his father. But as her 'No' took on a punchier note, he removed his hands to uncover a bleary eyed girl holding the most determined stare he had ever seen.
Rin obviously had made up her mind about something.
"Otou-sama is still alive isn't he? Then whatever the Shogun has ordained is invalid." She gently pushed his hands away as she stood up. "That means I'm still the Tatsu-Hime."
"Rin. No…" She was making a mistake. Satoshi wasn't going to allow her to leave. Her place was here with her Eastern family.
But to be honest there was nothing that either Hares could do apart from letting her march right out of their room. The Dragon princess –nay, the Dragon Lord –had made up her mind and there was no way either of them could have over ruled her decision.
/ / /
Sleep was for the weak. Sesshoumaru had stayed up the night; mostly staring out into the starry sky. He wasn't sure at what moment he'd crossed the line from wanting Rin to be a political ally to simply… wanting Rin.
Slapping a hand down his face, he groaned, cursing himself at the show of weakness he had earlier. Bowing down to a woman, much less a human! Unbelievable. If his father was still around – well, if the previous InuTaisho was still around, he'd probably have done the same thing. Chichi-Ue was the most kind-hearted demon Sesshoumaru had ever met.
"Sesshoumaru! Open this door now!"
His head whipped towards the translucent shoji but he kept still, unsure if his slight fatigue was wearing on his sense of smell and hearing. True, the voice on the other side of the door sounded like Rin; even the snapdragon scent of hers penetrated through the thin barrier and yet…
Did she just call my name?
Out of all the people she had come in contact with, his name was the only one Rin had never pronounced, not even when they were alone. And to hear her shouting them so freely…
Something was wrong.
The sliding door was pushed aside within a heartbeat, his concerns caught in his throat for Rin hadn't allowed him a chance to speak; leaping and hanging her entire weight on his shoulders, his confusion silenced–
By soft, urgent lips pressed against his; her scent a heady mix of wildness and need.
"Rin…" he managed to whisper, prying her slowly off his body. But the lithe, wriggling form clung onto him almost desperately; her lips searching once more for his as her fingers wound themselves through his thick white hair, urging him closer. He could let himself be lost in this moment, perhaps even responding back to the female before him. Sesshoumaru knew that if he wanted to, Rin would be under him in seconds, wet and withering –
"No." This time he peeled her away from him, using just enough force to leave some distance between both of them. Taking a step back, he took in a deep breath and tried to regain his usual stoic composure. "Rin…"
The heat in her eyes waned slightly, a flush creeping up the side of her neck in what looked like embarrassment. But instead of backing away, Rin kept still; her eyes watching his intently as though waiting for his next move.
Sesshoumaru wasn't allowing one. Breaking eye contact, he gestured towards the koto lying by his window and simply took a seat. This wasn't a dream. It was real.
Rin had just sealed their first marking ritual.
"Hime-sama, the koto… please." The request came out more like a plea but there was no way he'd repeat the instruction again. Words were a rare commodity at the moment.
Perhaps the Kamisama above heard his plea for Rin picked up the instrument silently and settled herself opposite him. Short, uncertain notes followed suit before morphing into longer, fluid sounds that seemed to characterise Rin's koto playing. As the music filled the emptiness between them, Sesshoumaru finally allowed himself a proper look at the Dragon princess, watching as her eyes shyly avoided his. Only when she completed her first set piece did she lift her head up to hold his gaze full on.
"Does this mean that we are –"
"Mated?" Sesshoumaru kept his face sombre, although his heart pummelled repeatedly against his chest. "Would you like to be?"
Her reply was to look away; cheeks burning red with innocence. Truly, had she no idea what the consequences of her actions were?
/ / /
Rin hadn't intended for this awkward situation between them. She had, without much thinking, run into a man's room and literally rendered him speechless with her actions. Humiliation was too tame a word to describe her situation right now. If he thought her shameless, Rin wouldn't be too insulted.
"So?" A single cold harsh word escaped his lips.
Looking up, Rin expected a reflection of his tone in Sesshoumaru's features but instead, she caught light glint of laughter in his eyes.
Was… was he laughing at her?
Too stunned at Sesshoumaru's ability to process humour, Rin found herself slowly snickering too; the laughter boiling first in her tummy before gurgling in her throat and out in a roaring fit of giggles. "Good night Inu Taisho-sama. I'll… We'll speak in the morning."
Yes she was a coward and the Daiyoukai had sniffed that right out of her. Grippingher by the wrist, Sesshoumaru pulled her closer before she could make an escape.
"It is technically morning Rin. Just an hour before sun rise." The trembling hand was brought to his lips in an amused kiss. "As I recall, you were calling me by my name not too long ago. Why has that changed?"
She had been worried and desperate. His title was too much a mouthful to be repeating when one was in distress!
"Ano… I didn't mean any disrespect Inu –" Another kiss on the back of her palm caught her mid-sentence.
"When we are alone, I will allow you to use my name as I, yours. In front of others, you are now to address me as go shujin-sama." The edge of his lips tilted upwards slightly at the endearing term he had chosen for her to call him in public.
Rin wasn't sure if her face could turn any deeper shade of red than it already was at the moment. Plucking up whatever courage she had left, Rin held her head up in defiance and held his gaze. "And you? What will you call me?"
If not for their current circumstances, her direct question could have been misconstrued as rude –especially when speaking to one of higher prestige than herself. But Rin chose to risk it. After all, the arrogant male just told her to call him master.
"I have the most fitting of titles for you Rin." His lips curled up even more, finding his own thoughts highly amusing. "Yama no kami suits you best."
"What!" Snatching her hand away she stared open mouthed at his choice of endearment for her. Goddess with horns… seriously? "That's a terrible name! I will not allow you to use that!"
Her outburst only fuelled his amusement for Sesshoumaru began to snort back a laughter. He wasn't doing a very fine job at restraining himself for with every pout and protest she made; it only made him laugh a little louder.
"I think it's perfect for you." He gripped her chin lightly, tilting it towards him. "Didn't you know that if a man makes his wife angry, horns would grow on her head?"
"You are the most… argh! I am not talking to you anymore!" She snapped her head away and gave him a view of her back.
It didn't surprise her when he approached, a hand gently reaching out to touch her cheek. But instead of laughter, his eyes were impassive and serious once more. "I was convinced you would choose Satoshi. Perhaps that is what your heart truly wants but your mind doesn't agree."
Their small light hearted moment was officially gone.
Rin understood his reservation about her decision but there was no way she could explain to him her reasons. Not yet. The less he knew, the safer he would be.
"It matters not what my heart truly wants. I never thought that was part of the equation to begin with," she replied instead, forcing all doubts to the back of her mind. "The only question now is –are you willing to be mated to a female of no societal value?"
Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow but did not reply her immediately. Instead he stepped closer and pulled her into his embrace –one hand travelling to her waist and the other scooping her up from under her knees.
"Inu Taisho-sama! What are you –" Her breath came out in a huff as he dumped her on top of his tatami mattress; his weight pressing on top of hers a second later. With his palms holding her wrist down and his knees clasping her thighs together, there was only one conclusion to her question.
"Let me go!" Her eyes burned with anger –disgust even at the thought of him taking her purity this way. It wasn't like she was ignorant of what it meant to be mated; it's just…
The heat of his breath at the side of her neck sent a shiver down her body; her toes curling in anticipation. This was not how she'd imagine her first time to be like. But if it was to be…
"Sesshoumaru…" her whispered plea was low, meant only for his ears. "Not like this… please."
To her surprise, the weight on her wrists were removed but the Daiyoukai still kept his grip on her lower legs, rendering her immobile. "What did the scroll say?"
Her eyes sprung open in surprise as her body went limp. How did she think she could ever hide anything from the powerful male before her? Even thinking that he needed her protection?
"Just as he removed me from power, he will to you too," was all she could say for now. Keeping her eyes cast onto the ground, Rin shied away from him, praying that he wouldn't pry any further.
Sitting on top of her, Sesshoumaru had gone predatory still, as though trying to digest the implication of her words. Then very slowly, he got to his feet before offering a hand to help her up."Sealing the kiss only marks the start of the courting rituals. As I have offered you the kiss first, the choice to exit the mating dance is not mine but yours."
"So you're saying you have to court me even if you don't want to?"
"And you may reject me at any time."
Kami-sama above! These youkai rituals were harsh! Either that, or Sesshoumaru was making them up. Was he telling her to leave just so he wouldn't have to tie himself down to a fallen noble? Well, then too bad. She was sticking around!
"Make me."
Her mocking dare made him glance at her curiously; his lips smirking to one side. "Very well Rin. I must warn you however that from this point forth, any advances made towards you from other males will result in his immediate death."
Forcing herself not to show any fear, Rin held her chin high and nodded. She hoped whatever change in her scent would be enough to deter Satoshi and Hiroto from coming too close to her. The Dog youkai were not known for their willingness to share.
"Good," he replied, a smile decorating his face. Bringing hers closer, Sesshoumaru pressed his lips fleetingly on hers, trailing a row of kisses along her jaw before resting next to her ears. "Remember all those things Hiroto promised you? I'd perform them on you a hundred folds better. Be ready."
Rin didn't think she could breathe even when Sesshoumaru had released her and gone back to sitting by the window. What was it again that the Horse Lord had said?
"I believe he mentioned licking you all night. He didn't say where but I'd start with between your legs."
Rin almost snapped her back turning around too quickly at his words. But Sesshoumaru looked nonchalant as his eyes stared out into the night sky; the corner of his lips slightly teased into an upward bow.
/ / /
A/N: Sesshoumaru, what a tease! *sigh* it's about time too!
Anyway, I must confess that I am having a bit of a writer's block writing this chapter and moving forward! And the reason is my renewed obsession with the Legend of Korra. Not sure if you guys watch it but I'm distracted because I'm thinking of writing a fanfic for that. With that said, I did enjoy writing the scene between Sesshoumaru and Rin, churning it out faster than I thought.
Next update might take a while as I will be gallivanting in India for a week. First time there so perhaps I might return with renewed inspiration!
