AN: Raising this story once again from the dead... Enjoy! The higher rating stays for this chapter...
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Rin awoke slowly, her lids heavy like lead to the scent of vetiver, amber and herbs. Along with a curious floral scent that was like a newly opened peony in the rain. Rolling to her side gingerly she sat up gazing blearily around in the semi-black gloom waiting for her eyes to adjust. Before the rush of memories returned to her.
"Oh gods" she whispered putting her face in her hands, what had possessed her to do that to Sesshoumaru? Heat filled her face, remembering his reaction to her wicked touch and where he had put those skilled fingers. How he had rubbed them against…
She made a strangled noise, pressing her thighs together. She wanted more, she had begged him…
"Rin"
Her head shot up "Sesshoumaru?" she whispered, peering vainly into the darker shadows of the room "h-have you been here the whole time?"
"I have" his voice was graveled as if he had been sleeping "you were thrashing too hard for me to sleep beside you"
Rin swallowed loudly, wishing she could see better just what room she was in. This futon felt a little too soft to be hers.
"I take it then I am in your room" she replied evenly, proud her voice didn't quaver.
"You are- I wasn't going to leave you alone. The Change was coming upon you and your vision should be improving as we speak"
Rin blinked quickly- she hadn't noticed it but indeed the room was getting lighter and not because another light source had been added. It seemed that her eyes- her vision was getting brighter, till she clearly made out Sesshoumaru's shape at the corner near the screen door. He wore a long white robe, translucent and trimmed with threads of gold. His hair was tousled and his lids heavy perhaps with sleep.
Oh! But she could not wipe the vision of lust that he had painted after he had brought her to that shuddering, soul shaking release. She shook her head a little- the ache in that forbidden place had only increased- not….
"I can see you very clearly- what time is it?" Rin asked trying to bring her erratic heartbeat and slickening thighs under some control.
"Several hours before dawn. I believe my half-brother and the reincarnation of the priestess managed to destroy the Jewel" he declared nonchalantly.
For a long moment Rin was still before there was a great cacophony of noise outside, Sesshoumaru was up opening the screen door Tokijin drawn. It was Kagura- or a least what was left of her, she was trailing feathers in her wake like blood, the screen door to the balcony had come down and hit the lacquered table all but flattening it.
"Kagura" Sesshoumaru said softly as she stumbled into the room- her heavy silk kimono was torn. Kanzashi gone leaving her hair to flow around her thin shoulders like heavy silk. Even as he stood there he watched her feet begin to dissolve
"Sesshoumaru-sama, I came back to give you this" she opened the hand clutched at her chest. A small black box sat within
She wobbled and fell, Sesshoumaru setting aside the sword to kneel down in front of her.
"Let me use the Tenseiga" he said gently
Kagura shook her head with effort "Naraku held my heart in his hand- he is no more now." She pushed the small box into his hands.
"I am glad to die by your side" she whispered before her body dissolved into ash. For a long moment there was no sound save the gentle breathing of the kappa youkai, Sesshoumaru staring numbly into his hand at the small lacquered box.
"Milord?" came the hushed voice of Jaken. Sesshoumaru looked up
"I think it is best we make for the mansion by the Coast"
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Rin had no idea what to think as the large doors of the ornate gate opened, but she truly wasn't expecting this... dawn had come to the decrepit mansion that was Sesshoumaru's inheritance and though it must have once been a beautiful place it was not so now. Even though the high stone wall and its decorative roof had held out all these years . The expansive grounds had been overgrown with grass and trees that reminded Rin more of a forest then a garden. Actually she could barely see the mansion's imposing, if dirty red roof through all the sakura and red maple trees that had grown over the years of disuse. Tentatively she took a step forward as Sesshoumaru was speaking in quiet tones to Jaken.
The little youkai looked determined- not distressed as she was and Rin found that strange. Indeed what did Jaken have to do with any of this?
The kappa held up Nintojo and a plume of magical greenish flame shot from the mouth of the old man, clearing a clean path directly to the stairs to the entrance hall. Just as quickly as the fire began, it sputtered and went out. Leaving the smoking remains and scent of burnt vegetation to fill the early morning air.
Rin saw that it had been Sesshoumaru who had stopped the flame from burning with a quick whispered spell. Surprise flared in her again, just what had he learned in the Celestial Plain even with the still diminished strength… Those golden eyes focused on her briefly before he looked away almost embarrassed- Rin couldn't read him since it was an emotion she had never seen before.
"Kuji sensei will be coming to help with the cleanup." He began then, coming over offering his arm "his father was the steward of this place before his family was forced to leave"
She slid his arm easily into his and they began to walk the path that Nintojo had carved with the flame, "Why leave?"
Sesshoumaru's smile was bitter "Because my father took a human princess as a lover"
Rin bit her lip looking down to her feet, there was a long silence as Sesshoumaru helped her up the dirty stone stairs.
"Do you hate him, Inuyasha- san I mean" she asked as he pressed his hand to the ward on the door
Sesshoumaru was silent for a long moment as the imposing doors opened on creaky hinges, revealing the dark and dust covered entranceway. Immediately the scent of wood, dust and stale air came to her
When he answered he chose to sidestep the question entirely "Oh I did forget to mention- but my Uncle & Aunt will also be coming to help us. Apparently my Aunt has begun to plan a grand wedding for the two of us"
There was a gust of wind from behind them and a deep sinful voice made them turn "You beat us here nephew"
When she turned round to the source of the voice Rin sucked in her breath. For the two figures that stood on a white cloud, were majestic enough to be Divine. The woman wore the elaborate celestial robes of a tennyo, while the man well…. he was most definitely related to Sesshoumaru. But his physique was muscular, shoulders wide and imposing in the ancient armor and robes he wore- the silvery fall of his hair long past his hips. He was also tall- taller than even Sesshoumaru, the tennyo beside him the same height.
Sesshoumaru bowed deeply "it is honor to see you again Uncle, Aunt" he said formally.
Elegantly the Lord of the Western Lands extended his hand and his Aunt took it, stepping elegantly down from the cloud. Her robes rippling around her like something alive.
"Rin this is my Aunt, Hotaru- if you have guessed she is a tennyo. A celestial maiden who retains her Robe"
Rin bowed murmuring a polite greeting, pinned like a rabbit beneath the sharp intelligent gaze of the women before her. Long ago Rin remembered her parents telling her the tale of the celestial maidens that came to earth and when their robes had been found by the young village men. Were taken as brides by the men of ancient Japan, to bear half tennyo children and continue their bloodline. Inevitably finding their hidden robes and returning to Tenkai- Heaven. Looking at the woman through her lashes there was no doubt that this woman was some divine being, her long ebony hair pooling over her thin shoulders like spun silk. Heart shaped face and delicate no exquisite features a study in perfection.
A single peony scented hand reached out and tipped up her chin "Don't be so frightened dear child- the only one who bites here is my husband and I hold a tight leash on him" she smiled gently at Rin. Before turning to Tasogare who had stepped down from the cloud before it disappeared in a flurry of peony petals.
"My husband is Tasogare, he is a protector of my people"
Tasogare bowed with a mischievous grin, ancient armor glimmering in the fast brightening light "Don't forget the part about me being an incorrigible flirt " he added with a wink in Rin's direction.
Rin's face reddened slightly and Hotaru's pale brown eyes suddenly narrowed "You promised me you would behave Tasogare" she said firmly.
"I will- if my nephew will. Even now the Heat eats at him that is what that fragrance is Rin- chan. The one that has been driving you mad all this time."
Her eyes widened, turning sharply to Sesshomaru who was fastidiously avoiding her gaze. Her eyes flicking back to Hotaru with a helpless look in her eyes.
Seeing this Hotaru hooked her arm in hers "Come dear- there is much to be done. Let us leave these two stupid inu-youkai to themselves" and with that declaration the two women stepped into the mansion.
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"Where is Hinoe?" Sesshomaru asked as he and Tasogare went deep into the mansion. Streaming down the long hallway that led to the altar room where the Avatar slept.
"Hinoe is late as usual. His ever persuasive Heat is going to make your life difficult Sesshomaru- kun. Especially when your impressionable lover falls under his spell. You know he's a worse womanizer then even I was- but that was long ago" Tasogare said with a wicked laugh, golden eyes dancing with mischief.
Sesshomaru shot his Uncle a glare "Rin would never fall for a buffoon like Hinoe."
Tasogare swept the silvery bangs out of his eyes, gazing at his nephew with a secretive smile painted on his carnal lips "Don't be so sure- he has tennyo blood. That makes him irresistible to human women- I fell under your Aunt's thrall in but a few days of meeting her" he said with a dramatic sigh.
Sesshomaru resisted the strong urge to roll his eyes as they came to the red lacquered doors at the end of the hallway. It was only Tasogare who was able to open these doors. Apparently the Avatar had a special fondness for his Uncle and indeed the moment that Tasogare's long elegant fingers touched the door did it give away. Opening to a darkened temple like space with high pillars, heavy with the scent of amber- Tasogare stepped elegantly into the room-
"Come now Setsuna- don't be so difficult" he called teasingly into the darkened space. In response several oil filled braziers flared to life around the room- revealing the huge crystal formation tied with a thickly braided shimenawa festooned with intricately folded shide.
The crystal itself had been corded off by another shimenawa- and even from here he could feel how very old and powerful it was. Essentially it acted as a kekkai to those who wished to approach the crystal formation.
As Sesshomaru's eyes grew used to the feeble light from the braziers he saw that the strange crystal formation was beginning to glow- revealing in its very heart a figure, eyes closed in what looked like repose. Actually the figure was of a handsome young man, a pair of large white wings half shrouding his thin form. All of his person was white- even the long lashes that rested against his high cheekbones.
This was Setsuna-kami-sama a god that harkened far back to the ancient beginnings of their bloodline; supposedly he had been imprisoned here by the Progenitor of the Clan. In turn Setsuna fed from the energy of those who shared the blood of the clan or other equally powerful beings who came into the mansion. He acted as Avatar, as overseer and protector of the legacy of their inu-youkai clan. Though judging from the dismal state of the mansion and grounds something had happened that caused Setsuna to sleep and sleep deep.
"Setsuna" Tasogare called again, ducking under the shimenawa that ringed the perimeter of the crystal and approached the formation slowly. Before gingerly pressing his hands against the rapidly warming crystal. Pouring some of his power into its depths- in response his head grew heavy, lids coming to half conceal his golden eyes as a familiar power began to swirl around his feet lazily. Filling his nose with the comforting scent of sandalwood and cedar, inside the crystal he watched life flush Setsuna's pale lips and cheeks.
Though Tasogare would admit it to no one it hurt him to know Setsuna had slipped into this slumber- the Avatar was no lowly youkai but a once majestic god that deserved well- respect.
Beside him there was a ripple of power and materializing in a swirl of feathers was the tall lean form of the Avatar. Like his true body in the crystal his entire person remained white including the wealth of milk colored hair that fell past his waist. His eyes were the deepest of crimson ringed by thick white lashes. But his cheeks and lips were tinged with the palest of shell pinks- as well as the tips of his long elegant hands, reach finger adorned with a silver ring of varying design.
"Long have I missed your presence here Tasogare. The energy of this Land grew so weak with the insidious power of the Shikon Jewel. Which I believe is no longer in this world is it?" Setsuna began gazing at Tasogare as if he could see beyond the flesh of the inu-youkai and into his very soul.
"It is gone Setsuna-sama" Sesshomaru replied from his place just near the double doors. The Lord of the Western Lands knew the protocol well enough, being exposed to the families' ceremonies in honor of the imprisoned kami when he was a little boy.
"I suspect it is not of your making is it?" he replied turning away from Tasogare to approach the shimenawa that ringed the stone. Tasogare tore his eyes away from the small white wings on the Avatar's back and crossing the space lifted the rope so that Setsuna ducked under.
"It is not- with was rather the reincarnation of the original priestess that protected the stone who was its undoing" Sesshomaru replied, wondering why his Uncle had fallen so silent.
Setsuna's sharply intelligent eyes widened slightly "Kagome and your half-brother- how amusing" Setsuna turned to Tasogare with a grin, before adding
"It is a pleasure to see you here as well Sesshomaru-kun, I am eager to see and hear children in this mansion once more"
Tasogare couldn't help but smirk when a hot blush creeped over his nephews cheeks "Thank you Setsuna- sama. Know that-"he began
"That the girl remains mostly untouched?" Setsuna finished with a smirk of his own "no wonder the Scent of your Heat is trying to kill us all as we speak"
Tasogare choked back a snort when his nephew ducked his head "The environment has not been conducive to romance Setsuna-sama." He said in a quiet voice
The former kami dismissively waved his hand "Pah! The Sesshomaru-kun I once knew would have bent her over and taken her then and there. You missed your opportunity in the garden- she was ready for you. She begged you- why didn't you give in?" he murmured reaching out to tuck a stray strand of silvery hair dotingly behind Sesshomaru's pointed ear.
The Lord of the Western Lands was silent for a moment- as if choosing his words carefully "She is different- I couldn't let that be her first time." He looked up at the two of them a mixture of agony and longing painted on his handsome face.
Setsuna let out a little sigh "Besotted- completely besotted. Just as you were with the tennyo Tasogare" the Avatar rolled his eyes. Before linking his arm with Sesshomaru.
"Come now boy- led me to all the lovely women who have come into my Mansion"
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Rin look a long sip of the cool tea in her cup just as Sesshomaru and his wickedly handsome uncle glided into the room. Along with another younger looking man, shorter then Sesshomaru with a small beautiful pair of white wings on his back. Her eyes widened slowly setting her cup down onto the highly polished lacquered table.
"This is the Avatar- Setsuna-kami- sama" Tasogare said as they all sat down at the huge feast. Jaken stopped eating long enough to incline his head at the Avatar before returning to the copious amount of food in his plate.
Instead of being insulted at this Setsuna laughed, leaning his cheek on his hand with a playful smile on his face "I see that you truly managed to bring the tennyo, how are you doing my dear?" Setsuna asked the celestial maiden in those dulcet tones, as the two inu-youkai began to pile their plates.
Hotaru's spine stiffened "I am well- this is exceptionally good food Setsuna-sama. Was a little sip of my husband's energy capable of this?" she asked haughtily.
"It was- you know how fond I am of Tasogare. He's my favorite person- next to the Progenitor"
Beside him Tasogare was silent the humor once again gone from him, before those unnerving crimson eyes flicked to Rin. Who was the only one of the party that wasn't easting much.
"Nervous?" he asked mischievously, as a cup of tea appeared in front of him. Rin held her breath when a plate of dango joined that.
"I am- it is an honor to meet you" Rin said softly "you should eat more Setsuna-sama. Hotaru told me you went to sleep for a long time" she added, sensing that the Avatar was not as well as he appeared to be.
Something unreadable flashed in Setsuna's eyes at her words "I do not normally consume food Rin-chan. Just sweets, my sweet tooth rivals any young woman's."
He lifted a skewer of dango and gently bit into it.- "Delicious- perhaps I should tell dearest Rin- chan just why you have been so slow to consummate your relationship Sesshomaru-kun" he declared loudly from his position beside the Avatar Sesshomaru promptly choked on his yakitori. By now everyone had stopped eating was staring in open shock at the Avatar.
"Don't you dare!" Sesshomaru wheezed when his coughs had abated.
"I want to know" Rin replied loudly drawing the shocked stares at her direction. She set her chopsticks down and folded her hands neatly in her lap
"Rin" Sesshomaru began- just as Setsuna held up his hand
"It is because he cares for your well-being my dear. I do think yesterday in the garden was passion that easily could have grown into something a little rougher than ahem- virgin would be used to." He replied delicately, taking another bite of the dango on the skewer. Rin's face flamed, remembering the sweet taste of Sesshomaru's blood on her lips. The mark on her neck hadn't yet faded and she knew that her own… bite would not have yet healed on his shoulder either.
"It wouldn't have mattered I- I wanted him." Her hands tightened in her lap, heartbeat pounding loudly in her ears "I would have accepted any pleasure he gave me even" she wet her dry lips "if it was- unrefined" she choked on the last word. Wishing that the tatami floor would open and swallow her or perhaps if she could muster the strength to pelt Sesshomaru with closet serving tray.
However she did none of these things, instead she rose declaring "Setsuna-sama is there a place that I can rest? I find myself weary of this conversation" she shot Sesshomaru a glare from beneath her lashes. Who was staring up at her with a mixture of lust, shock and perhaps admiration?
Beneath her anger- nay mortification there was that ever present and insidious lust for him. Her own words had revealed a dark corner of her heart- a place that she had pushed aside and pretended did not exist. But there it was- it was base and ugly something much like the feral child she once was on the outskirts of the small village she was born in.
Setsuna looked up at her with a little sardonic grin on his lips- a knowing look in his eyes.. For a brief moment Rin wondered if he could read her mind and decided that it was the least of her problems.
"There are some rooms I can make serviceable, would you like me to take you there?" he rose too. Just as there was the loud banging of a door.
"Father?" ventured a deep voice in the silence of the house. Before the screen door to the dining hall opened without ceremony revealing Sesshomaru's cousin Hinoe.
Tasogare set his chopsticks down and rose with a wide grin "What excellent timing son- welcome"
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"Hotaru-sama, thank you for helping me" the immortal girl said softly about a half hour later as she finished tying the light robe she wore for sleeping. After a good long soak in the adjoining bath to her room which seemed was shared with another, the aches from their hasty trip were fading. However the hot water it had done nothing for the headache that was pounding through her brain like a blacksmiths hammer.
"Think nothing of it" Hotaru replied bustling about the room and arranging the clothing that had appeared in the newly clean and renovated bedchamber. Rin realized that this mansion was completely under Setsuna's power and as he had walked with her the mansion had transformed. Years of neglect and dilapidation were erased wherever he stepped till they had come to this room, which had only been briefly wretched and the next moment glimmering.
Like a room truly fit for an Empress with its large sinfully red futon lacquered furniture and gorgeous kimonos. Yet now Rin desperately wanted to be alone the bold words she had spoken at dinner ringing in her head like gong. At least she could thank the great Amaterasu-sama that Hinoe had not been present for her vulgar declaration- she winced as her head gave a throb.
"You don't have to work yourself up so much Rin-san" Hotaru said handing her a small ceramic cup full of a bitter tonic. Rin sipped it with and winced-the taste was foul. Before draining it with another gulp, shuddering as the horrid flavor filled her mouth.
"That will help with the Heat and your headache" Hotaru added as Rin wordlessly handed her the cup.
"What do you mean?" she asked sinking down into the heavenly futon with a sigh.
"You have tasted Sesshomaru-sama's blood in the world of youkai that is more intimate then even consummation"
Shock burned through her "W-what?"
"Oh yes, even I have never sampled Tasogare's blood. Do not be afraid if he comes to you tonight Rin- or perhaps you feel the compulsion to go to him..." the tennyo smiled coolly "Goodnight" leaving Rin to her dismal swirl of thoughts.
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She awoke suddenly late in the night to a cold room and the pleasant sound of gently splashing water. Confused and disoriented- the last vestiges of that headache clinging stubbornly she sat up-realising she had business to take of in the watercloset.
Unfornately the watercloset was located beyond the bath and with her limited knowledge of the mansion had no idea if there was any other way to access it.
With a sigh she fixed her sleeping robe before rising from the futon .Silently crossing the luxurious room to the entrance to the bath.
"Um, hello?" she called out the splashing seemed to pause for a long moment "is there someone there?" she added
"There is" came a faintly familiar voice, at first Rin thought it to be Sesshomaru's but no- there was something perhaps weaker in the tone. She realized with horror that it could have been no one else other then Hinoe. Her heart began to pound wildly in her chest taking a hesitant step back only to bump lightly into the warm and sensually scented form of Sesshomaru.
"Setsuna-sama is unfair no to put my cousin next to you- isn't he?" he whispered softly in her ear, that sinful voice no more than a purr. A muscular arm coming to encircle her waist as the other teased back the collar of her sleeping robe to reveal the mark he had given her less than a day before. Placing a single hot kiss there. Rin shuddered melting into him- resisting the urge to moan. Writhing as he laved that sensitive spot
"Sesshomaru? Is that you?" came Hinoe's inquiring voice from beyond the door.
"Now it is my turn to sample this sweet blood" he murmured
Rin's pleasure filled mind suddenly sharpened with panic as a candle flared to life in the bath, before there were more splashes. It was Hinoe no doubt getting from the bath.
"Sesshomaru your cousin…" she whispered heatedly as he pressed her against the screen the candle in the room going out, his free hand sliding down her hip and into that secret place. Stars exploded in Rin's eyes as he lightly thrust the fullness of his arousal against her bottom. Mindless she pressed her bottom against him, rubbing as he worked her. The slickness of his fingers against her bud unbearable- before he teased his fangs into her neck, Rin climaxed with a sob as he drew two precious drops of blood to the surface. Eagerly lapping it with a purr of pleasure, before he pulled her away from the screen and into the darkest corner of the room. When just seconds later the screen door opened with the snap.
"I know you are in here Sesshomaru I can smell your awful scent" Hinoe said wrinkling his nose in the light from the bath. Sesshomaru had propelled Rin around into his arms, kissing the tears of pleasure from her cheeks as silent as a cat, her delicate body trembling from the aftereffects of bliss. Thighs slick, aching as she pressed her face into his neck, willing some kind of coherence, of control to her thoughts.
"I am Hinoe, I suggest while you are here you leave Rin alone. I've Marked her as she has Marked me" he replied running his fingers lazily over the swollen bite he had created. A surge of lust so powerful hit Rin again that she whimpered, her grip tightening around his waist.
"Mark or no, you cheated in getting yours. The Avatar told me she bit you in a pique of passion- nothing more. Her side of the joining needs to be completed and that still leaves room for me"
Hinoe's handsome face twisted into a wicked grin "Don't let my cousin be too "indecent" with you Rin-chan. When you strip away that suave facade- he's nothing more then a horny dog in Heat" and with that Hinoe closed the door with the snap.
Sesshomaru saw the light go out in the bath- throwing the entire room into darkness- though he could see well enough he knew that Rin could not. Immortal or no there were certain senses that human could not ever develop as finely as a youkai's.
He felt hot tears wet his neck "I hate your family" she whispered, her grip tightening around his waist.
Sesshomaru picked her up and brought her over to the red futon, laying her down gently "You won't have to worry about my family- we won't be seeing them for the honeymoon" he whispered in her ear. Nimbly undoing the tie at her waist and bearing her flesh to the cool air of the room. Before covering her body with his own and taking her down into the sweet dark world of pleasure….
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