A/N: Well hello, I am back already. I hope the harvest of gifts and calories was good this year, for those who celebrate our annual holidays of consuming! Mine was reasonably satisfying until now.
So, there are some steamy parts in this chapter…quite a lot of them, actually. I kept thinking that I should just delete some parts, there is at least one of them that is completely unnecessary for the story, but then I thought…meh…it's written already…
Steamy parts will be punctuated with little "x" to separate them from the other sections without steaminess, so you may chose to skip if that is not your thing.
Enjoy!
Chapter 14: Lady Witness (part 2)
Lady Miyah got back inside, sat back down, and took a few seconds to brush strands of hair in front of her good eye, in a relaxed fashion, contrasting with the one she had previously.
"You know…I did hear what you said, when I was away", she announced matter-of-factly.
Rin gasped in indignation. "Wh-what?!"
"You said you wished to have time for reflection, not for snooping", Sesshomaru commented, with annoyance.
"I had already made up my mind before I left", she retorted. "This was a small ruse of mine to test your honesty"
"People openly talk about their bad intentions, knowing anyone could hear?", Sesshomaru asked sceptically.
"You have no idea how many people I caught trying to deceive me this way", she replied smugly.
"And what did you find out that was so interesting to spy on?", retorted Sesshomaru with wisps of irritation.
The she-wolf shrugged. "Alas, not much, except some demonstrations of your demon pride, my lord. It only confirms what I already know about both of your kinds…"
"What do you mean by that?", asked Rin with a frown.
The she-wolf smirked. "That truth always comes out of the mortals' mouths first, of course!"
"Do you imply demons always lie?", asked Sesshomaru with annoyance.
"Not always, but the most precious information is in the way you behave, rather than in the words you say", she retorted dryly. "You think I was such an idiot, not knowing what is going on in the outside world? You personally haven't learned me much. I am aware the Central Lands conquered the North and are after my Islands, and I know you do not get along that well with the Heartlands dynasty, you've been at it for centuries, it was one of the reason Inu Taisho came to me in the first place!"
Sesshomaru gasped a bit, baffled by the revelation, and heard Rin do the same.
"I don't understand your allegations about my father. He came to you with the purpose to strengthen the Western Sea because of numerous attacks lead by the water cats, it had nothing to do with the Central Lands…", he responded dubitably.
"Well…of course, he wanted to find allies to get rid of the cats you were at war with, but one of the reasons he came to me was to avoid a coalition with the Heartlands. In the end, he had no choice but to negotiate with his rival, because I refused his offer…", she explained coldly.
Sesshomaru frowned; he hadn't known his father had sought an alliance with Kun'Ketsu for this reason. He felt a bit uneasy at the prospect that this foreign leader knows more about Inu Taisho's past intentions than him.
"Hmph…why did you even bother listening to me then, if everything I said is old news?", Sesshomaru asked with scepticism.
"To test you of course. I wanted to see if you would speak the truth right away…", she replied, matter-of-factly.
"…Hmph"
Sesshomaru smirked. Of course…Lady Miyah had tricked them in making them believe she wasn't well aware of her own situation. He frowned…he could have guessed that on his own…he had done it himself to test Lady Amane's honesty at the wedding…It was one of the world's oldest trick. He found back his cold composure, even though he felt like a fool…
"Everything we said is the truth…we have nothing to feel guilty about", Rin commented with a frown.
"I am almost affirmative you personally didn't lie, Lady Rin, but your lord, he didn't expect you to be so open. He was hoping his demonstration of facts about the Heartlands' minions would be enough to impress me, without having to speak of his relations to humans, because he must care for his overall image…He may not have lied, but he was ready to leave out many relevant information because of his demon pride", she explained neutrally. "Not only that, but facts are not enough for me. I need to have information about the worthiness of the prospective ally. So you see, your lord would have failed for two reasons, if he had been on his own…"
Sesshomaru just frowned, openly irritated. Lady Miyah smiled coolly.
"In fact, my lord, your little frustrations at Lady Rin's explanations of your personal motivations were much more relevant than anything else you said. I knew for a fact that she had brought up sensitive topics. Your reactions also allowed me to confirm you hadn't trained her for some darker purposes. If she would have said something you expected, you would have kept your cool demeanour", Miyah retorted with a look full of personal satisfaction, then she returned to seriousness. "However, it is true that the Heartlands are a mystery to me, when it comes to their functioning. They had no coasts before; my merchants never had any reasons to cross their lands. I am a bit surprised the precisions about their rules on hanyous came from Rin's mouth, rather than yours. However, I do not mind, I trust her more than I can trust a demon", she commented thoughtfully.
"So what shall it be, then? If my word has no worth to you, I doubt we can trust each other enough to negotiate", Sesshomaru retorted sceptically.
Lady Miyah shook her head in amusement and crossed her arms in a thoughtful manner. "You shouldn't take my observations for reproaches, my lord. You may have left out a few things to serve your personal tastes, but Lady Rin is right: you did not lie. In fact, you admitted to an alliance with humans and even accepted to give precisions about your motivations and reasoning."
He raised an eyebrow. "I wouldn't stoop so low as to consciously lie about facts, only to serve my pride", he spat back coldly.
The she-wolf smiled mysteriously. "Well…your honesty about facts you didn't want to talk about was almost as useful as your frowns at your pretty ward. You see…when I asked your father if a pact with us was a mean for him to attack the cats and attain power that would allow him to surpass the Heartlands, he denied everything. Apparently, he preferred to lie, rather than disclaim the less honourable part of his offer…and this is exactly why your father never had a chance with me."
Rin gasped, while Sesshomaru blinked doubtfully. "This is the primary reason, why you never accepted an alliance?"
"…His lie would have had for consequence to embark us in a political game we weren't interested in. He wanted to make me believe the sea was his only interest, when in truth, he wished for a coalition that would have confirmed his own supremacy over other demon lands. Do you really think a neutral hanyou nation wanted to participate to such a pompous project? On the long term, it would have been awfully harmful for Ken'Ketsu to agree to this, considering the other nations, such as the South and the East, had good relations with the Central Lands …"
Sesshomaru frowned…that didn't sound like his father… He had always seen Inu Taisho as a powerful and unifying character. Could he really have lied to serve such greedy purposes, or was it only a poor strategic choice, a mere mistake during the negotiations? Has Inu Taisho already been that desperate in his attempts at surpassing the Heartlands' power? Now he was intrigued, he took note to investigate later…
The only thing that looked certain to him at the moment was that this she-wolf wasn't the insane character depicted by his mother and some of his vassals. His father had always been depicted as a very wise ruler. If Lady Miyah had succeeded seeing through him, it meant not only that her cleverness could surpass his father's, but also that she is not someone to mess around with. He was glad he had worked along with Rin's revelations about the pact with humans, or else, he certainly would have failed for good…
"Well, I may sound a bit shallow here, but I still think your manners were a bit rude. Everything you say seem to confirm you are very well aware we have nothing bad to hide, yet you heard things that were meant to be private", Rin commented, looking a bit offended.
"Do not say private things inside of a stranger's house, Lady Rin, never", advised Lady Miyah with a small smile. "About private content I wasn't supposed to hear, I got curious over your motivations Sesshomaru. Why do you trust your young human advisor so much?", inquired the she-wolf with curiosity. "I personally dearly trust humans, but I thought it was the opposite for purebloods…"
Sesshomaru seemed to be taken aback by the question. "Why are you even asking…if what demons say is pointless chatter to you?", he inquired sardonically.
"Even though you are a demon, you do seem to have some honesty in you and I like to know whom I deal with", she replied matter-of-factly.
Sesshomaru frowned and crossed his arms, while staring at her. He had his fare share of revelations for one day.
"What you are asking for is none of your business. The reasons justifying my trust towards Rin are private, and you do need to know them to make up your mind", he retorted impassively.
"You truly despise opening up, I see. Too bad, I was truly hoping we could develop some affinities here", Lady Miyah commented, with a small smile, then she sighed. "It doesn't matter. I may have only one eye, but I am usually pretty accurate at identifying deceivers. I don't think that you are. I may need to corroborate some of the information you have given me about the Heartlands, but it doesn't prevent us to move forward for now…I will negotiate with you Sesshomaru…."
"Good", he said curtly.
"I still have some difficulty to comprehend why you'd rather not arrive to an agreement with the purebloods of the Heartlands. Direct confrontations with them would be risky for the Western Lands, shouldn't you do your utmost to avoid that?"
"I shall not negotiate with demons who try to hierarchize unjustly", Sesshomaru retorted dryly.
"Fair enough. But you do are aware that teaming with hanyous might anger them…", she responded, raising a daring eyebrow.
"I wouldn't bother protecting the coast if we were in the best of terms", he retorted curtly, Rin looking at him worriedly.
"Fine, you seem determined, I can see that. Let's get to business. What do you want from me?", she asked.
"I want the Western Coast to be secure, but we have no expertise at this", he answered straightforwardly. "I need a defensive fleet, the sailors too."
"We do have a lot of boats. I suppose we could arrange something. Maybe around ten ships and their crew…for a year or two…but I would certainly be pleased if I didn't have to use so many men of my own fleets to explore for safe commercial routes. If you gave us a safe way to human lands…it could work out between us…"
Sesshomaru frowned. "You are asking for a highway of human and hanyou merchants?"
"Yes, that would be most helpful", she said. "And I'm also wondering if you could spare a few warriors. Our fleets are powerful, yet imperfect to kill flying enemies: we lack land fighters. Your youkais would certainly be useful to secure our lands…"
"You are asking for a lot. My vassals will not like", he commented sceptically.
"But in the end, you must be like me, right? You are the only one making the important decisions?", she replied with a sly smile.
"I never said it can't be arranged…However, it will cost you", Sesshomaru warned.
"How much?"
"I want a fleet twice the size. You start your collaboration with us to watch over the entire coast by the next new moon, for a decade. First five years for safety, the last five is to share necessary expertise to take over half of the fleet as our own."
"Oh…you are asking for a long term relationship here", she commented, her eye widening. "And quite a lot of my boats too…I am not sure I can afford that."
"What else can you afford, Lady Miyah? You either keep fighting the wildlings, or you accept the deal", he retorted dryly.
Rin blinked at his firmness, and stared back at the she-wolf, wondering how she would react to the ultimatum. She had no idea how to evaluate Sesshomaru and Lady Miyah's negotiating skills, but it sure was entertaining to follow.
The she-wolf frowned and sighed, thinking for a long while before speaking up. "Well… I suppose such a deal with demons would reassure our people. I do have a lot of problem with immigration lately. However, if I am to commit, it should be long enough for my people to feel safe raising their families here…"
Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow.
"What I mean is for a permanent alliance, Lord Sesshomaru. It is what your father wanted when he came to me, but the context was very different and as I said earlier, I didn't trust him. Not only did he lie, but he also pretended he cared for other species, but he had nothing to prove it", remembered Lady Miyah with wisps of spite, and then her features lightened up. "Your style is different. You come here with a human advisor with a seat on your decisional council, which is tarnishing your image of proud pure-blooded demon, and you let her speak so freely I could have mistaken her for your consort, if only she had been a demon. I truly didn't expect that…"
Rin felt her face whiten. Did Lady Miyah really just call her that?! Where did that come from? She didn't look like a suitable consort at all…her dress was full of creases and sand, she had an odd walk because of the stitches, and had no idea how to behave at all. She was all the opposite of the actual Lady of the Western Lands, who always knew what to do and what to say, walking so gracefully she looked like she was floating over the ground, immaculate and perfect at any hour of the day…
Rin stared back at Sesshomaru, who was already gazing at her, discreetly scratching his eyebrow. What now? He thought it was amusing?! Shouldn't he be insulted or something?
"Some would say I wasn't given much of a choice to behave as such, you are not known to negotiate with demons…", Sesshomaru finally replied evasively.
"You made a choice. You chose to overcome demon obstinacy for your duty and your people. I don't think all youkais are lucid enough to do the same", Miyah insisted with a frown. "However, if you are committed to protect your lands and that you need my help, I require safeguards. A permanent alliance, with a permanent army from you would be most precious."
"If I am the one watching over the safety of your Islands permanently, some people may question your sovereignty…", he replied, raising a daring eyebrow. "They might even say you capitulated to a demon…"
"I am like you, Sesshomaru, I think about my duty, here. You saw it yourself; the foreign wildings set houses afire and kill our young. As long as a hostile empire holds the north, my Islands are at risks, even with the best fleet… We are merchants, we don't know much about wars, especially on lands, and the situation unsettles us. Safeguards like this would give a lift to my people. With permanent protection, I solve my short-term problems and any other outbreaks that might occur in the future…"
Now it was Sesshomaru's turn to think before speaking. He hadn't anticipated this hanyou woman would be so eager to give away power…But controlling the Western seas on the long term did sound appealing…He did have the resources to sustain such new powers and responsibilities, yet he had to impose his own terms to call it a success…
"I cannot commit to anything permanent if I do not know if your people are worthy. I need to see how they work, first. And I certainly cannot commit to a commercial route on a permanent basis", he stated thoughtfully.
"We would have taken care of the pirates in the Southern Seas already, if only I didn't have to keep my crews to fight on lands", she retorted, drinking sake with frustration.
"So you can engage on taking care of them before the next year, then?"
"If I have an army from you for my Islands, I could do it in six months."
"It still doesn't solve the duration issue", commented Sesshomaru thoughtfully.
"Let's just announce our alliance is permanent for the plebs and sign for twenty years. I will assure the coast's safety and give you the boats you requested, including their sailors over the next decade. In exchange, I want two hundred seasoned demons by next week."
"Two hundred, are you out of your mind?", Sesshomaru retorted with annoyance, startling Rin.
"A hundred and fifty", Miyah answered impassively.
"You have six Islands. A hundred is already a handful, if they are properly trained…", Sesshomaru retorted with a frown.
"You know…if we go by your terms, with my crews of 10 people per boat, we would exchange two hundred of my men for a hundred of yours, except that you have no boats for me…"
"Two hundred hanyou sailors for a hundred trained youkai warriors, including a route to human lands, allowing you for more coins and more efficient use of your men …I think I am fair here", retorted Sesshomaru.
"I need a hundred and fifty fighters", insisted Miyah.
"Then I want thirty boats, and I keep them all", Sesshomaru retorted, frowning.
"Now that escalated quickly!", she exclaimed. "Well, you can keep twenty three, if I have a hundred and seventy five men…"
"Your number could work…if I keep twenty five ships, and seventy five of my warriors will have to be recruits", he replied quickly.
Lady Miyah sighed, massaging her temples.
"Trained recruits, right?", she asked, raising her eyebrow.
"Yes, but they will only be ready in four moon cycles", he retorted matter-of-factly.
"Oh, fine! It's a deal…", Miyah exclaimed with exasperation. "Tomen!", she called, snapping her fingers.
A small bird-like demon opened the door and bowed. Rin thought he did look like Jaken…a little…
"Summon the scribes. We have a deal here", she announced solemnly.
The demon bowed and left, then Lady Miyah stared back at then, with a small pout.
"You know, when I woke up this morning, I didn't think I would have to manage dozens of wildlings on my capital and an alliance with a demon lord I know almost nothing of."
"You did what you must", commented Sesshomaru nonchalantly.
"I hope so", she said with wisps of doubts. "I will make my own investigations, as I said earlier…about these Heartlands. The deal will be conditional to the results of our findings. You have no problem with that?"
"I would have been concerned about your wit, if you were to sign a treaty based on facts brought up by strangers… ", Sesshomaru retorted.
Lady Miyah nodded.
"Good…I never thought I would say this…but I am under the impression we might get along, Lord Sesshomaru, even though you are a demon. I never thought I would actually deal with demons…"
He raised an eyebrow. "And I certainly never thought I would have to deal with hanyous either", he spat back dryly.
"They say open-mindedness is a virtue", she retorted nonchalantly. "However…there is one last thing…"
"What is it?"
"Your human advisor…she has to sign the treaty too. You know we are of mixed breeds. Even though she is not your Lady or anything of the sort, it would look much better if a human's name was on it…", Lady Miyah stated with a guarded expression.
"I do not mind. She did play a big part in convincing you to negotiate with a demon", retorted Sesshomaru, with half a smirk. "She can certainly sign as a witness", he suggested.
"Good, she shall be your lady witness then…", she said with a wink. " Now, if you will excuse me, I will dictate the terms to my little scribes", she said, standing up.
She nodded to them and left the room. Rin stared back at Sesshomaru, with wide eyes.
"So it's done, then?"
"Almost", he said, taking the tokkuri of sake, left barely used during the discussion, and pouring two glasses.
"I know nothing of this…but it seems like a very important agreement, right?", Rin asked with curiosity.
"Very", he answered evasively.
Rin stared at the door, and whispered very softly.
"Is it a good deal?"
He looked at her with amusement through his amber eyes, giving her a full cup. She looked at it questioningly and then back at him. He raised his own, satisfaction across his features.
"To our first conquest", he announced solemnly.
Rin gasped. Now…that said it all! She grinned and banged her cup against his.
Then Lady Miyah banged the door open with parchments in hands. "Now now…already drinking to mock my poor negotiating skills?"
"Your skills aren't poor, Lady Miyah", tried to reassure Rin.
"Oh whatever", she exclaimed nonchalantly, signing what seemed like two copies of the same agreement with a bit of frustration. "Your turn, now, my lord"
Rin looked at Sesshomaru's features, as he read the terms, remaining completely impassive, until he reached the last line, corner of his lip twitching for a brief moment, ever so lightly. He shot a knowing look at Lady Miyah, signed swiftly and he slid the papers to Rin's side.
Her eyes widened a little, the papers looking all official, even though it was written so quickly. She supposed that being a witness or whatever Lady Miyah had called her was important for the agreement, so she did bother reading them all…
"Now now…with a deal as good as this. You will have to indulge me with appropriate celebrations", said Lady Miyah with a smirk, opening a small box next to her, revealing an intricate wooden pipe.
Sesshomaru looked at her doubtfully.
"Oh, come on, don't make me that face! You are young by demon standards, your pretty advisor too…", she said with a small smile, lighting up the long pipe.
"I do not smoke", he stated. That is a typical human habit, but he stopped himself before he could say it. He knew some demons had grown fond of this vice, but certainly not him, he had no time for such a futile occupation, which stank terribly at that…
"Oh come on, I thought a youkai of a more recent generation wouldn't play the superiority card over a bit of tobacco", Miyah retorted with a sly smile. "You know it is a custom on our Islands to seal the deals with a sharing of the kiresu…"
Sesshomaru frowned, not liking the implications of what she said. Rin didn't bother with them while she read the papers, everything looking right according to what they had agreed on…until…she reached the last line…
First to the right was signed:
Lady Miyah
Under her name, there was the simple identification: Leader of the Kun'Ketsu Alliance
Under her signature was the one of her servant called Tomen.
And then, in the middle and the left side of the parchment was a long blank space, barely filled with Sesshomaru's signature…with the indications under it:
Lord and Lady of the Western Lands.
Rin's eyes widened, almost spilling out her sake. She felt her heart starting to pump furiously. Then she poked at Sesshomaru's shoulder, who only bothered with a sideways glance, apparently glad to get away of Lady Miyah's unpleasant pressuring.
"My Lord…I can't…possibly sign…there!?", she whispered with panic.
"Why not?", he asked nonchalantly.
"I mean…I'm not…", she mumbled, and pointed him the title under the blank space.
Sesshomaru just smirked at her panicked feature. "Don't bother, it is merely a pun of our Lady right there…", he responded calmly, not even bothering with whispers.
"So…what do I do? I just sign it!?", Rin asked, unbelieving.
"I need a second signature", he replied indifferently.
"There cannot be unexpected consequences?", she asked, doubtful eyebrow raising high.
"You can expect my mother to whine, but aside from that, no", he retorted, barely hiding his amusement.
She looked at him hesitantly. He frowned.
"Well you can request for a correction yourself, but I personally couldn't care less", he added a bit dryly.
"O-Okay!", she whispered, giving up at her attempts at reasoning him.
So she just signed both parchments and put them in the middle of the table, in hopes to forget about what she had just done and the implications coming along. She had the terrible impression she was going to regret this. She suddenly felt very dizzy, as if she was intoxicated with bewilderment.
Then she just noticed the smell and noticed Sesshomaru was holding a pipe with doubt, Rin's eyes widened in shock.
"Hum, since when do you smoke, my lord?", she asked dubitably.
"This is the peace kiseru, Lady Rin. On these Islands, it is a tradition to smoke this to acknowledge the seriousness of the pact and slowly move towards appropriate celebrations", explained Lady Miyah with a smile.
Sesshomaru looked at his ward with wisps of doubt. "Do you want to try?", he asked.
"She has never smoked?", wondered Lady Miyah.
"Not that I know of", he answered.
"How cute! She must do it!", exclaimed the Lady with a amusement.
"Do not pressure her", he retorted with annoyance.
"No-no, it's fine, my lord. I signed this thing, I must acknowledge the pact too, right?", Rin said, taking the pipe from his hands without any hesitations. "Besides…I already smoked the kiresu", she replied smugly.
Sesshomaru shot her an offended look.
"What? I tried it in ceremonies, a few times. I never liked the taste, though", she explained with an innocent smile, taking a long puff, as if she wanted to demonstrate her knowledge.
Sesshomaru felt betrayed. This is not what he had in mind, when in had left her in a human village. He decided she was far too much at ease with nasty human habits for his likings.
Rin blew the smoke out, with a sour expression on her face. That tobacco was much stronger than anything she had tried before…damn sailors…She gave the kiseru to him. He looked at her doubtfully.
"Come on, Lord Sesshomaru!", exclaimed Lady Miyah impatiently.
Rin's eyes blinked a few times, then she understood.
"Have you already smoked, Sesshomaru-sama?", she asked innocently.
"…"
"I guess not. Many demons still consider it a filthy human habit, Lady Rin", answered the she-wolf coldly, she gazed back at Sesshomaru. "You know, signing a pact with mixed breeds come with implications. You will have to open your mind, at least a little", she added, as if wanting to add salt to the wound.
"Fine", he said dryly, snatching the kiseru from Rin's hands. "How does it work?", he asked, glancing at his ward.
Rin was so moved she almost wanted to cry; as she realized it was probably the first thing she was actually teaching Sesshomaru. She thought it was quite odd smoking was the first thing she would have to teach him, but then again, the prospect that she knew something he hadn't had never crossed her mind before.
"Men inhale it deep", answered the Lady with a smug look.
"Not too much", Rin retorted, frowning, irritated that Lady Miyah had intruded into what was supposed to be HER lesson!
"Just take your time or else you will choke. You might even want to keep it in your mouth in a while before…", Rin stopped talking, as he impatiently brought the kiseru to his lips: she supposed his male pride was at stake and he didn't want to look like a wuss.
Sesshomaru just smoked to get this over with, noticed an unpleasant taste, yet not as terrible as the smell implied, but the breathing in made his immortal and perfect lungs burn much more than expected, so he just blew it out with a barely concealed grimace. He even had to put a fist in front of his lips while he gave back the abomination to Lady Miyah, while repressing hard the urge to cough. He could deal with miasma and other demonic damnation of the air, but when it came to human inventions…apparently, he didn't have the same tolerance…
"See? You just celebrated like a human, and you survived!", exclaimed Lady Miyah with a laugh. "Let's call the main crews now, for proper festivities!"
Sesshomaru just glared dangerously at the hanyou leader, while Rin repressed a smile. She decided she didn't hate the she-wolf after all.
…
Rin stared with fascination at the quiet undulations of the sea, illuminated by a clear nightly sky. She couldn't help but wonder how it was possible that the waves had seemed so scary and threatening when she had swum in them, the night before. They looked so small and soothing right now…the sea was so calm she could see the star's shimmering on the water. She glanced briefly at them, thinking they were so shiny tonight, she thought their cool light was almost overwhelming…they were beautiful rivals to the moon…
She shook her head and stared back at the water. She changed her mind about the sea. She didn't like to swim in it during a thunderstorm, but that first experience wasn't the best. Maybe that if she tried to take a dip in calm waters, it would be nicer…
"There you are, Lady Rin", commented Lady Miyah, going out on the balcony with two cups of warm sake.
Rin stared quietly at the she-wolf, wondering why they were all so adamant to make her drink sake and smoke smothering tobacco. She wasn't the type to celebrate hard, like Inu-Yasha, Miroku or even Kohaku. Kaede had taught her to be in control and to watch over the others during parties, similarly to Kagome…but then…she wasn't at the village anymore, so she just shrugged to herself and took the cup with a smile.
"Why are you on your own like this, outside?", wondered Lady Miyah.
"Oh you know…your subjects are nice, but quite chatty, I needed some fresh air…" Rin answered earnestly. "I had quite a day…"
Lady Miyah smiled.
"I hope I didn't offend you with my questions earlier…"
"N-no…not really. I understand that the sight of a demon lord from the lands with a human must be peculiar…", answered Rin cautiously.
"Indeed it was. The little team you make is almost too good to be true. The rational demon talking smart facts, and his cute human talking emotions and the fact not honourable enough for him to say…Yet never contradicting each other…You are both pretty good at your little games, you know? Have you done this often?"
Rin blushed and looked away. "N-no, not really…"
"Hmmm…well there is strong chemistry then…", thought the she-wolf out loud.
Rin just smiled shyly. "Well…we have known each other for a while. I suppose it must show…"
But apparently, the she-wolf wasn't satisfied with her explanations, staring at her doubtfully. She glanced at the stars thoughtfully, before speaking up.
"You know, I myself much prefer human lovers over demons. Humans are more genuine, spontaneous, passionate…but being mostly demon-blooded, it must affect my ways of thinking, because I sometimes find myself with a male human talking and I don't always understand how they think…"
Rin blinked anxiously, wondering why she was suddenly talking of humans and lovers. Was it really so obvious something was going on between Sesshomaru and her?
"…Aren't there moments you feel overwhelmed, because you don't understand his motivations and his behaviour? Demons and humans are different…if myself, stuck between both, still find it hard to conciliate at times, I can imagine it would be very tricky for a human like you, living with a demon from the lands… "
Rin took a small sip of her sake and stared at the sea…thinking of many things at once…the demon boy…the things Sesshomaru had said about him, and a while ago, when he had told her he couldn't take care of her in the ways she was used to…
"…I suppose it's all about…acceptance", Rin whispered mysteriously, hoping she wasn't giving out too much.
Lady Miyah smiled. "He is lucky to have you. You know…I wouldn't have listened to him if you hadn't been there…
"But…my lady, it is in your best interest to make a deal with the West", replied Rin, tilting her head in confusion.
"I know…but how am I supposed to trust cold-blooded demons? Emotional intelligence is mandatory to make honourable rulers…"
"Emotional intelligence?"
"The state of being emotionally aware and to reason accordingly. Those who have that faculty are prone to making decisions that transcend their own personal interests, because they are able to feel sympathy and compassions towards the others. This is quite rare: most purebloods will not feel these emotions spontaneously…and that makes them the worst possible allies…"
"With all due respect, I do not share that view, Lady Miyah. My own family was slayed by human bandits and I got beaten my fare share of times by villagers when I was on my own, yet I was saved numerous times by a demon. I believe the goodness of beings has no link with their blood", replied Rin with a frown.
"I've never said demons can't be good, however they aren't inborn sentimental like humans. They are capable to feel emotions…but it is much harder for them: they need to learn them one by one. Then, learn to acknowledge them…It was hard for me, even though I am not a pureblood and that I am raised with humans. Imagine for demons who are taught that emotions are weaknesses to be supressed…", she explained, matter-of-factly. "So you see…this is why you certainly are more influential than you think. Unlike what I was told, your lord behaves as if he weights the pros and cons, before taking human lives. He might argue he has practical reasons about his deal with humans, but I know for a fact it wasn't the easiest solution for him, even if he shares common enemies with them. He is more sensitive than he seems. I can only assume you have influenced his ways of thinking…"
Rin only answered with a frown. She already knew she had an influence on Sesshomaru's reasoning, he had admitted some bits of it, and other bits came from Jaken…but she wondered how big was that influence …She didn't believe she learned him emotions…he had them inside of him already…he just didn't know how to express them, or accept them…
She felt tads of sadness, wondering if she will live long enough to witness him feel…She sighed and drank sake, not wanting to think anymore. Sensing her uneasiness, the she-wolf felt the urge to speak.
"You know, I may have only one eye, but it's quite obvious to me he is acutely emotionally-aware when you are concerned…"
"What do you mean by that?", asked Rin incredulously, small blush creeping up.
Lady Miyah raised an eyebrow. "I was talking about the fact that you are in love with each other. He knows it", she spat a bit bluntly, finishing her drink.
Rin suddenly felt dizzy. "Your…eye…saw that?"
"I think even a blind or a deaf would notice", the she-wolf retorted with a frown. "The way you both look and talk to each other leaves no questioning…"
"But…he…", Rin whispered, not finishing her sentence.
He said he couldn't love me…This is what he meant, when he said that involvements with demons were "emotionally detached"…
"What? Can't you see it? He even makes you sign as his lady…", Lady Miyah continued with a smirk.
That again…Rin felt uneasy, as that thought crossed her mind.
"He said it was pun", Rin retorted blankly.
Lady Miyah laughed.
"Yes, of course, it was such a good pun he left it on the sheet!"
Rin just blushed, not knowing what to say.
"You know Lady Rin…there is at least a bit of truth in most jokes. He didn't even look offended when he saw the agreement. If I wouldn't know better, I'd say he was quite amused…as if he may have considered that option already…"
Rin glanced down, feeling confused. Barely two weeks before, she was just a mere human ward, flower girl, "back up lady" in case Sesshomaru's escort didn't show up. Then she got appointed Warden of a place unknown to her, and now she in the running to be the next Lady of the West?! That was too much to be true. Rin shook her head, finished her cup and dropped it on the ramp, looking a bit lost.
"He… he can't do that…", she whispered.
"In all honesty, I am indeed speculating", commented the she-wolf with a small smile. "I would lie if I said such a union in demon lands wouldn't serve my personal interests…but I swear I speak the truth for at least one thing: whatever nonsenses he tells you, it's pretty obvious he loves you."
"But how can you know all of that? How can you arrive to such conclusions when you barely know us?", wondered Rin with a frown.
"My eye, Lady Rin…I told you that. You have two; it should be even easier for you. Just stop listening to all his prideful silences and denials and examine what he does…how he looks and talks to you, like I said before. You know…when he asked if you were injured before we got started, he could already tell you were fine with his sense of smell. I bet it was just a poor excuse to hear the sound of your voice", the she-wolf said with a smile.
Rin blinked a few times, stared back at the sea and closed her eyes for a while, the waves giving her vertigo.
"Are you alright, Lady Rin?"
"Y-yes…a bit dizzy, that is all…I should probably eat something…", supposed Rin absently.
"Yes, yes of course. Let me accompany you inside…"
…
"I still can't believe it, twenty five boats? You want to control all of the Western Sea or something?", inquired Tatsumaki, before taking a sip of her drink.
"Why not?", replied Sesshomaru nonchalantly, staring at no point in particular, as if lost in a distant contemplation.
"Good luck finding that many demons with sea legs", she retorted.
"There is no need, the crews are part of the deal too", he responded, glancing at the vassal impassively.
"Well, it sure is an excellent agreement. I wonder what Hatsuno will think of the highway, though", commented Kireru thoughtfully.
"With partial control on the fleet, he won't have a word to say", retorted Sesshomaru nonchalantly, emptying his cup.
"That old dried raisin will find other sources of complaints, I am sure", retorted Tatsumaki with a frown.
Then a shadow covered the dog demon partially. He glanced up, to see his inebriated looking ward, nibbling at a daifuku, staring at him thoughtfully. Sesshomaru frowned interrogatively.
"What is it, Rin?", he asked softly.
"Hmmm, nothing", she answered absently, apparently satisfied even though she was standing on unstable feet.
"You should sit down", he advised, looking at her posture doubtfully. He glanced around and noticed there were no available seats left.
"Well I can give you my seat, Lady Rin", suggested Kireru politely.
"Nah…", retorted Tatsumaki. "Why don't you sit on your boyfriend's laps, Rin?", she asked with a sneer.
Rin glanced at her absently, then gazed back at her lord…and did exactly as she was told, Sesshomaru's eyes widening a little as she swiftly sat bridal style on his lap, but he showed no protest and held the side of her waist to make sure she wouldn't fall…she didn't look very steady…
The wind demoness stared at them in disbelief.
"You're the one who suggested this in the first place", observed the fox with a smug look.
"Do you want some?", Rin asked to Sesshomaru in a low voice, showing him the few daifukus she was holding, while staring at him from up close.
"No thank you", he replied with a sideways glance, half amused at her obsessions over the sweet treats.
"I still think those guards from the Central Lands weren't supposed to be seen…they were hidden under cloaks", observed Kireru, back to serious conversation.
"It was stupid of them to keep their official identification tags…", added Tatsumaki.
Sesshomaru frowned and gazed back at Rin, still staring at him intently with her big hazel eyes, as if she was trying to decipher something.
"They're really the best, you should try one", she insisted, waddling one of the small desserts in front of his face. He looked at her with wisps of annoyance, just took it from her hands and took a bite, in hopes she would stop her endless nudging, but a raising eyebrow and a glance at the little ball of sweetness made her grin.
"I know right?", she said laughing. "They are sinfully good!"
"Hmph…"
He stole another one from her hands without asking and returned his attention to his vassals. But she kept staring and staring…and staring…
This lady Miyah had told her to examine his way to speak and to talk, so she couldn't control herself and had to examine him very intently. She knew already that he talked to her differently than with other people, he was prone to address her with softness or with whispers to her ear, and she knew he looked at her warmly once in a while, but she had to examine how he looked at the others. Could he be expressive with them too?
She saw him stare at his vassals, half interested by what they said, responding with curt answers once in a while, with his deep…pleasant voice, with crisp…perfect elocution. It was hard to believe he had drunk sake…his way to be perfect-looking all the time was so amazing…it was almost infuriating…
She focused again on the eyes, and saw that even when Tatsumaki tried some sly joke, he stayed neutral. She thought it was odd, he would normally have bothered with a small frown of annoyance …but he did look...very relaxed. She supposed it must be the deal that put him in a good mood.
Then he gazed back at her with a sideways glance, and it struck her. The difference Lady Miyah was talking about, hard facial traits relaxing, piercing icy eyes switching to gentleness. She had never noticed it could be so drastic! He raised an eyebrow and caught her chin between his thumb and index finger.
"What is it, Rin?", he asked softly.
The baritone voice…so smooth…
She didn't answer and kept staring, completely obsessed with him.
"What are you looking at?", he counted-attacked.
"You."
He looked a little taken aback by her straightforwardness…he must have expected some sort of blush, apology and some stammering, but she didn't care very much about inhibitions, even if he stared at her with his powerful, beautiful eyes…and warm too…
"Why?", he just asked in a whisper.
She bit her lip in hesitation, thinking she probably shouldn't answer. The answer to this question did bring some doubts in her hazy mind. His face got closer to hers, as if forcing her to acknowledge his penetrating amber eyes.
"Wanna truthful answer?", she slurred, then she blushed, her elocution drastically mediocre compared to his.
"Always", he answered back.
She seemed thoughtful a moment, even though she was clearly inebriated, and then she leaned over to whisper to his ear…
"Are you aware of it, my lord? Do you feel it?", she asked very shyly, placing a small peck on his cheek.
His amber eyes blinked in confusion, while he turned his neck to gaze at her.
"Aware of what?"
He didn't get more precisions, she just caught his lips with hers, his eyes widening for a brief moment at the sudden incursion, but her arms suddenly all over him awoke the primal part he usually hid away and he just kissed back. She tasted sweet because of the daifukus. He deepened the contact hungrily.
"…I can't believe this", commented the wind demoness. "They are making out"
"You know you shouldn't look, Tatsumaki", retorted the fox with annoyance.
"But they're doing it right in our faces!", she exclaimed.
Then, as if remembering ways to behave in public, Sesshomaru suddenly broke the kiss, and took her waist with his hands, forcing her to stand up before doing the same.
"Wh-what are you doing?", Rin asked lazily.
"It is time to go", he answered curtly, giving a nonchalant nod at his subjects before pushing her lower back until they got close to the exit.
"What? Already leaving?", asked Lady Miyah from a distance.
Sesshomaru glanced back casually. "She needs to lie down", he explained matter-of-factly, while holding Rin's waist in an attempt to steady her.
"I don't…need…lying down", Rin slurred, looking offended.
The she-wolf smirked. "Yes, I understand, do what you must", she said with a bow.
..X..
Then they got out swiftly, but Rin's coordination issues convinced Sesshomaru to grab her bridal style and carry her around. She laid an arm around his shoulder, still not completely limp.
"My lord…where are we going?", she asked, slurring again.
"You are tired, you need to sleep."
"But…that's boring", she retorted, seemingly already more lucid because of that annoying prospect. "Can we go see the beach instead?"
"The beach? Why for?"
"It's so pretty…please… the stars' reflection was so beautiful from the balcony, I want to see it from up close…", she said, with her begging eyes he couldn't resist.
"You will go to sleep after?", he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes…I guess so", she whispered.
He repressed a sigh and made the detour towards the dark beaches. At least, the sky was clear, and the breeze was pleasant, he could sure use it at the moment. Maybe it wasn't a bad idea after all…His steps slowed down a little, as he reached the sand, his feet sinking in, not as pleasant to walk in than the stony pathways.
"Can you put me down, please?", Rin asked in a whisper, cute pout on her lips.
He looked at her doubtfully and obeyed. As soon as her feet touched the ground, she removed her zoris nonchalantly and sighed with a smile, enjoying the feel of the sand on her toes.
"The sand is nice, it's still warm", she commented with a grin, as she started to walk slowly towards the water, her footing already more steady than earlier, as if the sea breeze was helping her sober up.
"Hmph…"
"You should try to remove your boots too, my lord", she suggested with a smile.
"I'll pass", he replied, wondering what was the fuss with getting feet dirty with sand.
"You know…you shouldn't be uptight like that all the time…it's not like you were on duty or anything…", she commented, still a bit tipsy.
"I am always on duty, Rin", he replied, matter-of-factly.
"…Don't you have days off, once in a while?", she asked with curiosity.
"Entire days…I don't need that. What would I do anyway? Sleep?", he inquired, raising an eyebrow quizzically.
"Yeah…"
"I barely need to rest", he retorted.
"Well, I don't know, you could just relax, read a book under a tree, take a long walk in the wilds…you know…have fun…", she suggested spontaneously.
"What is the point of walks in the wilds? We do that daily", he replied rationally.
"Well…we are taking a casual walk right now…Don't you enjoy it? The nice salty wind and the…", she stared at the sand, then at his boots. "Yeah whatever"
His eyes narrowed at her last judging "whatever", so he unceremoniously removed his boots to make a point, under her wide eyes and open mouth.
"There. I enjoy myself", he stated solemnly, as if trying to convince himself.
She burst out in laughers at his official statement. "There you go, Sesshomaru-sama! Show these little grains of sand who's the lord!", she cheered.
He scratched at his forehead, mocking smile creeping up his lips, yet successfully controlling laughter. It was a close call.
"Hmph… You can be so silly", he retorted, with a smirk.
"But you like my silliness, right?", she shot back with a mischievous grin.
She did entertain him, it was true, but he just answered with a smirk, expression stuck between annoyance and amusement.
She glanced at the water, now very close, and raised her skirts, and dared to dip one of her feet.
"The temperature is so nice…", she observed casually.
He raised a suspicious eyebrow. "We should go back…"
"But…I want to swim!", she exclaimed, while glancing back at him. "Would you mind, Sesshomaru-sama? You could come too?"
He looked at her pleading eyes; she wanted him to come so much, he almost said yes. Cool water could soothe him a little, but then he remembered he should actually watch over her, instead of fooling around…like he just did. He had the impression they could actually mess around a lot, if he dared to go in there. He did drink a little too.
"Do as you please, I will stay here", he just said while staring at the waves.
When he glanced at her, he noticed she had already removed her obi, and was throwing it unceremoniously on the sand. He took a few steps back and just sat down, hoping she wouldn't take too long…
He looked away, the movement of the waves unsettling his senses a little…he supposed he might have drunk a bit too much…
He kept himself busy staring at the sand, he touched it with his hand. He frowned, realizing it was pretty warm…warmer…than the ambient temperature. Then he glanced up, just in time to see her remove her kimono, fold it nonchalantly, look behind her and throw it into the sand, leaving her only in her hadajuban. Then, she noticed that he was looking, and stared back at him, impassively.
He broke eyes contact and buried one foot deep into the sand, and surprised himself at enjoying it. He must really be more intoxicated than he previously thought.
…Then he sincerely hoped she wouldn't remove her hadajuban. He felt his blood was hot since the kiss in front of everyone, and he wasn't sure if he could still control himself. He glanced up, and saw that she was like frozen into space, still staring at the sea.
And then, he saw her hands come at the front of her body, and the white fabric fell.
He stopped breathing, his eyes glued on her glistening silhouette even though it was dark…cream-coloured skin looking snow white under the moonlight, long dark locks caressing delicately the small of her back, only a thin undergarment covering her from waist to her highest part of her thighs, her arms in front of her, probably covering her bust. He felt his blood heat up intensely, his heartbeat speeding and urges he had tried so hard to repress until now… He sincerely hoped she wouldn't glance back at him, or else he might see that part of her anatomy…and then he might lose control of himself…He had enough clues to know this sight could only be delightful and he wasn't sure how he would react. He sighed in despair…He felt like an idiotic stripling.
He tore his eyes away from the sight and stared at the sand. It wasn't the right time or the right place for this… It hadn't been his intention to frolic about in this place…and she was severely inebriated, it wasn't fair of him to glance at her like that…he shouldn't even let her bathe…
But then again, under the fireworks, she was the one who had asked him to undress her…
He chased that thought away, displeased with his wickedness. He couldn't join her. If he did, he was concerned he may not be able to hold back…It wasn't the time and place to give in…it certainly wouldn't serve her interests if he did…but then again…he did hold back in other difficult situations…maybe he could…
He heard her gasp. He glanced up instinctively and saw her walk into the sea, raising her arms to her sides, as if afraid to dip her arms in the water. She was now covered to the waist, and he realized that, at this stage, he truly didn't have any choice but to watch, or else she might drown, while he kept debating pointlessly with himself.
Her figure started to be a little blurry, and he was glad, because it meant he had not a clear view of her splendid figure anymore, and it meant he could maybe…control himself…He kept staring as she played with the wavelets, finally touching them with her hands, and then her arms, like graceful wings dipping in midnight waters.
And then, worst of all, he repressed the urge to hold his head and cover his ears as she started to sing with her pretty voice…He was quite sure he heard his name in her improvised lyrics, evilly luring him like a mermaid…Yes that's it…she wasn't a swan anymore…his Rin was a…corrupted…mermaid…
His body flinched, he had just repressed a hiccup…He cursed at his own drunkenness. How could he watch over her in this state?
He glanced briefly at the moon, in search for wise advices, but even the white round figure was blurry, his mind sinking in some dark place, as if all the celebrations from earlier were catching up with him, numbing his mind and his will, firing up his unspoken wants.
He kept hearing her bewitching singing…Then his dazed mind remembered briefly the surprised face she made, cute blush on her cheeks, when he caught her reading at her fantasy, closing the book in a loud slap.
Slap. He felt the last bit of resolve crumble.
.x.x.
Rin sang quietly, as she watched the stars and walked into the cool waters. The waves were pleasant, massaging her sore muscles from her swimming the night before and the race with the nasty snakes…what a day it had been... She smiled in bliss, the seawater helping her soothe her dizziness…slowly getting back to her senses. She should probably take a swim and stop being so sensitive to the cold…
And then, she remembered Sesshomaru must be somewhere on the beach. She glanced back carefully, but her eyes widened as she realized he wasn't there.
"Sesshomaru-sama?", she called softly.
No answer. She turned her entire body, while covering herself, and made a few steps back, silently searching for him, but he was no where to be found.
She shivered self-consciously, not liking to be alone in dark waters like this. Where could he be?
"SESSSHOMARUU-SAMAAAA", she called loudly.
No answer.
"Where is he?", she wondered out loud.
But then she heard a very faint sound coming from the waters, she glanced down and saw a few bubbles…and then…her eyes widened in realization.
A tall predatory figure got out of the undulating waters and threw itself at her, catching her waist in a firm grip. Rin yelped in surprise, gulping a bit of salty water as her entire body fell under the waves, only to be brought out of the sea in a strong embrace, Rin laughing hysterically, fighting like a little demon as brushing hands tortured the sides of her waist. She splashed water on the enemy as a mean of defence and got away, hiding her figure underwater.
"Again, you scared me, Sesshomaru-sama. You always do.", she commented with a mischievous smile, as she looked at him brush his hair away from his eyes, and then at tiny droplets falling off the side of his jawline.
He didn't answer and just stared at her, while she swam friskily, splashing bits of water. She didn't seem to notice his state of mind.
"You can't possibly think you could undress and sing like that without dire consequences", he said in a dangerously low voice, while approaching her.
She felt her face redden, as she watched his broad shoulders and torso coming out of the water, suddenly understanding what he meant.
"I am sorry, my lord…I feel…a little wild, it must be the sake or…"
She stopped talking and closed her eyes as she felt two hands grab her thighs, to end their exploration at her hips, gently lifting her. She wrapped her legs around him, like she knew he liked, and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, while trying to ignore the uneasiness caused by her almost-nakedness.
"I will not be a soft kisser tonight", he announced in a whisper to her ear.
"It's fine with me", she answered, as his lips landed on hers, making her heart flutter, giving him every permission he wanted.
One of his hands brushed against her cheek, caressing it as he continued his ministrations, the soft touch sending a jolt through her entire being, as she pulled herself closer to him. She loved this kiss; it was a pure delightful balance of lust and tenderness.
He broke the kiss a bit too quickly for her likings to look at her with hooded eyes, staring at her face from up close. She looked down timidly.
"Rin…", he whispered to her ear, with a tad of desperation.
She glanced up at him worriedly. "What is it?"
He gazed down, as if embarrassed of what he was about to say. "May I…look at you?"
She blushed furiously and then smiled at him tenderly, feeling moved by his display of vulnerability.
"Of course. I don't even understand why you ask permission…" she replied softly.
"It may not be the most appropriate time", he reasoned.
"On the contrary. I think the timing is perfect", she insisted, feeling a bit bold.
Then, she awkwardly removed her arms from her bosom, and stood up, the water so shallow it went down to her thighs when the waves passed by her. But he kept his focus on the waves.
"W-well…you can look now, if you want", she announced, with a blush, still unused to the chilly breeze on the usually concealed part of her body.
He slowly glanced up, as if brought back to reality by her voice and Rin felt her body heat up in embarrassment, as she saw his gaze freeze over her womanly shape, careful gaze quickly turning unfocused, as if the image had bewitched him somehow.
She blushed harder and looked away in embarrassment. She felt him get closer and wrap his arms around her in a soft embrace, kissing softly her neck as his body brushed against hers.
She opened her mouth to speak but closed it again.
"Before you ask", he whispered between two kisses. "Yes, you do look good"
"R-really?", she stammered.
"Rin, your allure is killing me", he retorted with spite.
"Why do you sound so upset?", she wondered worriedly.
"I am not used to enjoy it so much when I glance at a woman", he confessed, continuing his kisses, now reaching her collarbone, Rin feeling herself blush and melt all at once.
"And…and how is that a bad thing?", she asked back, a bit distracted, closing her eyes.
"I do not like how you dispossess me of my control…", he admitted in a husky whisper. "I feel lewd and this is not right. I don't want to frighten you."
"I was just kidding earlier. You never scare me. You are always gentle, whatever your mood is", she murmured back, looking at him shyly. "I can't imagine you could possibly do something I wouldn't like…"
Then she looked at him look at her in the eyes, and she suddenly felt the urge to look down, but before she could do so, she felt one of his hand leave her back to brush her bottom lip, making her shiver, then touch her shoulder and her collarbone, and then rest on her breast, while his eyes rested on her face, examining her reactions.
She stopped breathing and closed her eyes, as he kept touching the most sensitive part of her shape, feeling weak on her knees.
Then she felt him come closer to place small kisses on her shoulder and her collarbone, and she had the impression she knew where he was going, but as he came close to his destination, he pulled away violently, and hid her womanly parts with his body, pulling her in a protective embrace with one arm. Rin opened her eyes and realized with great frustration that a bunch of drunkards had gotten inside the water, screaming and messing around with the waves.
And then the mood was killed and she was very afraid to be glanced at by some obnoxiously drunk striplings.
"We should leave", she said with disappointment.
He glanced at the partiers with wisps of annoyance. "I agree…"
…
"Your turn", stated Kireru.
"Yeah-yeah…", replied Tatsumaki with nonchalance, rolling the dice, the little wooden pieces giving off numbers she didn't want to see. She looked back boringly at her black and white checkers on the table.
"My game is a mess", she complained and then she sighed. "I hate ban-sugoroku, this thing is boring"
"You have a better idea?", asked the fox demon.
"Cho-han?"
"No way I play that game with you"
"Oh come on! I thought that foxes love gambling!"
"Not me. Not anymore", he retorted with annoyance.
"Pfff! Addiction problems, Kireru?", asked Tatsumaki with a smirk.
He looked at her annoyingly. "Shouldn't we try to locate Sesshomaru and Rin? Maybe something happened?"
"Nah…they're fine", Tatsumaki replied with a frown.
"We do not know for sure", Kireru said, rising a thoughtful eyebrow.
"I will not be the one chaperoning the almighty Sesshomaru and you should avoid it too, if you want to go back to the Western lands with your head on your shoulders!"
Then a loud thud was heard on the door. Both demons stared back at it.
"What was that?", wondered the fox.
"I don't know…a boar or something?", supposed wind demoness.
Another louder thud was heard. Both vassals stood up, already in defensive mode.
"I think something is trying to get in", observed Kireru.
"Yeah, congratulations, genius!", exclaimed Tatsumaki, grabbing her weapon.
And then finally, a third thud was heard, the loudest of all, and the door smashed open, revealing a squealing young woman, held bridal style by the source of their torments, both of them with wet hair, the demon with a clothe less torso.
"Oh kami! Sesshomaru-sama, you're the worst!", Rin said between laughers.
"What are you talking about?", he asked with annoyance.
"You broke the door!", exclaimed Rin.
"We could have opened", commented Tatsumaki with annoyance.
Then Rin turned her head, noticing the two others were there, blushing and opening her mouth in bewilderment, but before she could say anything, Sesshomaru distracted her with a kiss and carried her hurriedly towards one of the bedroom and slammed the door shut with a foot, leaving only some muffled noises, and sometimes what seemed like loud feminine laughers come out.
Kireru and Tatsumaki stared at each other, both of them a little troubled. Then the fox tried to examine the damaged door, while the wind demoness just put away their board games.
"Well, that answers our questions", commented Kireru.
"YOUR questions, fox!", exclaimed Tatsumaki dryly.
"We should go take a walk", he suggested with a frown.
"At once!", she said, getting out of the room swiftly as the wind.
.X.X.X.
"Sesshomaru-sama, what are you doing?!", Rin asked half amusement, half dread.
Without answering, he just carried her through the room, frowned at all the beds much too narrow for his likings, settled for the one closest to the window, and threw her unceremoniously on it, the young woman a bunch of squeals as she fell on the mattress. She rolled on her back and opened her eyes to see him extinguishing the torches lighting the room, leaving only a few candles, changing the ambiance…all of a sudden, dim lights screaming wickedness. She stopped breathing, as she saw him walk towards her, her hazel eyes widening as he climbed at the end of the bed, and walked on all fours to hover over her like some hungry predator, brushed her hair away from her neck to give a few suggestive kisses before ravishing her lips. Rin let out a trembling sigh as he reached for her obi. She raised her back to let him untie it more easily, which also allowed him to kiss and nip her at the junction of her neck and shoulder while he fought hard not to rip the piece of fabric.
"Wh-what are we going to do?", Rin stammered, with uncertainty in her voice, closing her eyes at the sensation of his lips on her skin. "A-are we going to…"
He put his index finger on her red lips, darting a lazy-looking sideways glance. "Do not speak. Your speculations are ill omen."
"But I was just asking if…"
"I only want to please you", he cut her off with a whisper full of lust.
"What is that supposed to mean?", she asked, a bit puzzled.
"It means…that I will not take you", he said slowly, throwing off the obi and opening her kimono while kissing her neck and cheek and shoulder. "…Not until you beg for it…that is…"
She shivered …now that was some obscene talks…
"Beg? But…it may take a while, my lord", she said in a low voice, that she wanted daring, closing her eyes as she felt his hot hands free her from her hadajuban and brush over her stomach. She sighed, the hot feel of his hands marvellous on her skin still cold from the sea. She covered her breasts instinctively, not used to his eyes yet.
He glanced at her daringly. "A while? Are you sure of that, my lady?", he asked, mimicking her daring tone, with half a smirk.
She gasped at his pun and gazed at him silently, thinking he looked a bit absent and tired, much more than on the beach…she frowned, wondering if he was growing tipsy? But it had been a while since they had left the celebrations…she herself had the time to sober up a little since…
Then she forgot her questionings about his state and let her head fall on the pillow as he kissed her on the stomach, numbing the weak inhibitions left, feeling less and less self conscious about her almost naked form. Then she felt his kisses go up, and heat rush up her cheeks as he removed her arms of the way, feeling so vulnerable, but she forgot her uneasiness in an instant, still mesmerized the feel of his lips over her skin. And then his mouth reached one of her breast, resuming what they had started in the water. Her eyes blinked compulsively, head titling in the pillow as an inexplicable bliss consumed her body. She couldn't help but whimper and bury her hands in his hair, as he kept torturing her there for what seemed like forever.
She glanced down as she felt him stop his ministrations, just in time to see him gaze up with hungry eyes, before attacking her other mound, her whimpering and sighing and being unable to control herself. After a while she pulled at his shoulder, wanting him to come closer. He left her bust and obeyed, which allowed her to attack him with a hungry kiss, holding the back of his head, locking lips with him with his own dominant fashion, while he kept massaging her body with his hands, silently hoping that titillating her on many fronts would make her beg, not caring anymore about the other plans he had in mind for her.
As if she wanted to kill him, she spread her legs open and encircled his waist tightly, forcing him to break the kiss, his jaw tightening at her torture. He took her hips and pushed her firmly against the mattress, not able to bare that a minute longer, glancing at her dangerously.
"Should I take that for a begging?", he asked with a low husky voice.
She just stared at him with hooded eyes, while trying to push her hips against his hands, wanting to find back his closeness.
"Rin?"
"I-I don't know!", she stammered. "Don't keep me away like that!", she begged with frustration.
He smirked slightly, enjoying the sight of her inner struggles. "If I keep going, chances are high that you will beg", he warned darkly.
"I-I don't care! Go on!", she ordered impatiently.
He snatched roughly the last undergarment still covering her, which made her gasp in surprise, and she forgot to breath, as his hand reached for her intimate parts, exploring carefully the forbidden place. She stopped breathing. She felt odd, as she felt him wander around places she didn't even dare visit herself, uncertain how she was supposed to feel…until he brushed some sensitive spot, making her shudder and pull away in surprise. She saw him glance at her with fiery satisfaction. He soothed her with a soft kiss on the lips, which made her forget her past uneasiness. But then he started titillating her again, and she had to break the kiss in surprise, mouth wide open, feeling her cheeks reddening.
"Oh Kami!"
"Stop your pious talks around me, Rin", he warned in a whisper, and then he kissed her under her ear.
Then she just stopped using words and closed her lips tightly in a desperate attempt at concealing her moans, as he continued tormenting her with his touching, making her wild with lust, cold sweats and chills. She wasn't sure what he was doing, but if it was some act of persuasion to let him have her, it was working very well…
"Sesshomaru…", she succeeded whispering between two whimpers. "I-I-I need to know", she stammered.
"What?"
"You said that d-demons were emotionally detached but…Lady Miyah…she says that we love each other…I-I…"
He glanced up absently, unfocused by her talks. She yelped at the increasing pleasure and started to buck her hips to move in synch with him, febrile and eager for the intense sensation, goosebumps covering her skin.
"Rin, you shouldn't talk in a such a state", he whispered, kissing her cheek softly, as he kept stroking.
"I-I know I love you! I love you so much!", she exclaimed with a desperate, trembling tone, ignoring his warnings. "Do you think you could love me too?"
He felt deep affliction and other foreign things at her admissions and questions. Why did she have to torture him with this dreadful question at the worst possible moment? He knew his highly intoxicated mind would not find any easy way to get out of this one.
"Sesshomaru, please, answer me", she begged.
"Rin…of all the places and moments, why now?", he asked with frustration, still touching her in hopes of distraction.
"I-I need to know…", she murmured sadly.
"Rin…", he whispered, looking at her. "…Love is an abstract notion to me."
"What is it then? Is it just lust?", she asked quickly.
"Of course not."
"Then tell me. I-I don't know what you can feel, I just want to understand…", she whispered, looking at him with piercing eyes, as if trying to see something through him.
He suddenly felt nervous, not knowing what to reply, so he just kept going at his ministrations in hopes she wouldn't listen too much to what he says, and decided to blurt out everything he could think about, hoping a sentence or two may satisfy her emotional needs…
"I…I can't take my eyes off of you when you enter my eyesight. I feel anger each times another man glances at you. They have no right to watch you like that or-or to claim you when the only thing they care for is your…nice features…", he whispered angrily. "You are much more than that to me…"
"M-my lord…", Rin whispered, worried and moved all at once. She noticed he was sweaty and his elocution wasn't as good as usual. He looked so drunk all of a sudden…
"They don't understand…they don't understand at all that you are fragile and require protection. Th-the only one who understood that part is dead….Rin, I am the only one to deserve you, now, wh-who deserve to have you tht-is way", he stammered with pants, his low voice slightly trembling, now looking a bit upset and lost.
Rin looked at him with anxiety, she felt as if he was slowly losing it. Was it really the sake that made him so unstable, all of a sudden? She frowned. She didn't even want him to speak his mind anymore, she was afraid the alcohol was making him say things he might regret later…she had never meant to violate his mind or anything…
"My lord it's okay…I didn't want to push you to…"
"I might be un-unable to feel l-love as you d-do, but I care for you, Rin…more than you can ever ima…gine…", he whispered, getting closer to her ear.
"My lord…you can stop if you want, I think you are drunk", she said quickly, now completely overwhelmed.
"If I must…I w-would cross the ent-tire woorld to rescue you…", he continued, ignoring her.
She tried to kiss him, but he pushed her away before she could reach his lips, suddenly very eager to make his thoughts come out. He secured her on the mattress, with an arm around her waist, and a thigh on her legs.
"I would slay f-fiiive th-thousands demons or…m-ore with my bare hands to p-protect you…"
Rin shivered wildly as he started fondling her again in the most indecent way…her body answering very enthusiastically at the touching…She panted erratically, as she realized the situation was completely out of control…
"I would give up soo…so many things if-if it m-m-meant…I could k-keep yo…with me…bec-cause I do not w-want to lose you…ever…again…", he stammered in a whisper getting weaker and weaker, the last words barely understandable.
"My lord…", Rin murmured, deeply troubled, not wanting him to stop talking anymore, not even sure what between his touching and his words was making her closer to ecstasy.
"…You are so dear to me Rin…you are the most important person in my life…", he kept going, sounding suddenly very lucid, stutter magically gone.
And then a long silence ensued, Sesshomaru with his mouth half open as if his brain was trying very hard to find the end of his reasoning. Rin glanced at him, heart racing, waiting for whatever was going to come out, hoping he was finally sobering up. He glanced up at her, face very close to hers, overwhelming her with his piercing eyes.
"Rin…", he whispered, eyes widening a little, as if he had reached enlightenment.
"Sesshomaru…", she responded in a barely audible whisper.
"You a-are…my…dearest…", he blurted out, and then he blinked a lot, his eyes harder to open each time, all his strength seemingly leaving him, all of a sudden.
Rin pulled at his shoulders so he could lie next to her. He took the opportunity to kiss her tenderly, while snuggling against her. She gasped, with his lips still on hers, as she felt the weight of his body. And then, he broke the kiss and rested his head on the pillow next to her. She felt a long sigh on her neck, afterwards his forehead fell awkwardly on the side of her shoulder.
"Sesshomaru? Se…Sesshomaru-sama?", she whispered.
No answer. Worried, she glanced down, couldn't see his eyes because of his closeness, but his limp form, half crashed on her body, and his slow regular breathing, told her he had passed out…
She sighed, completely overwhelmed by the emotional and physical state he was letting her in, still intoxicated with his touches and revelations, but she supposed it was a bit of her fault too…
He hadn't said it, but what he said through his stammering was so beautiful to her that it was far than enough…She felt bittersweet emotions flow through her, unsure if she should be glad of what she had heard, or remorse at the prospect he should have kept that for himself. His lucid mind may not have wanted her to hear all of this.
After a while of not knowing what to do, not daring to move, because she didn't want to wake him up, her eyelids felt heavier. A content smile spread on her lips, forgetting all her frustrations and worries as she remembered his last words.
…my dearest…
…End of chapter…
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Yup. You know what to do now. You know…the big blank box downstairs, screaming to be filled with comments X)