A/N: So here it is…a new chapter…
My head is filled with sludge of confusion and melancholy right now. I am surprised I succeeded doing something in less than one month. I am not sure what it is worth, but sludge-brain judges it's not so bad…and writing is so therapeutic. I was lazy during revision though, so I suppose this is not my best writing, but I am sure most of you care more to see the story progress than clean grammar, so I update anyway.
You shouldn't read this chapter in a public place. Just saying…
Enjoy.
Chapter 25: Bloodlust
Rin watched Sesshomaru, sitting peacefully under the shade of the sacred tree…silvery hair blown ever so slightly by the early summer breeze, shorter strands framing the side of his face, hiding part of his markings, but even then, it was still obvious he was not human…His perfect complexion and the unusual shade of his hair and irises were obvious sign that he was an intruder in this village of mortals…
She crouched in the bushes as she kept inspecting him. He didn't come so often, as of late. She knew he was very busy building his empire. She was amazed he still cared enough to come …once in a while, to sit under this tree, or in Kaede's hut, sometimes, apparently to see how she fared. She frowned; thinking her protector will always remain such a mystery…
However, this time…Sesshomaru had shown up in a very untimely moment.
Rin blushed in embarrassment, as she remembered the outcome of her last truth or dare game!
Being the silly girl she was, Rin had chosen dare, and had been challenged to peck Sesshomaru-sama on the cheek. Oh of course it was so innocent…and meant to satisfy the girls' sick curiosity about the youkai lord's reaction at such an eloquent demonstration of affection…But the more that she approached him, the more anxious she became! Rin had never ever tried to peck her lord protector on the cheek - even when she was a little girl - and now being a young maiden of fourteen, she feared that this silly gesture will be wrongly interpreted (and make Sesshomaru come even less often).
She blinked as she watched his hair being blow by a shy breeze again. It was fascinating how his mane was sensitive to the slightest of wind…
She shook her head and stood up. It was a silly, silly challenge! Of course she could do it! Lord Sesshomaru never was angry with her…Certainly he won't mind one stupid…
She stopped breathing as she noticed that her feet had brought her in front of him already. Sesshomaru did not even dignify her with a glance…seemingly lost in his contemplation of the horizon, as usual.
She inspected his angular features and pale complexion…looking ageless, yet young all at once. For the millionth time, she tried to guess how old he would be if his state of maturity was converted in human years. He certainly looked much more adult-looking than Inu-Yasha, but not very old either, certainly below 30…
Maybe he could be of Miroku's age… around 25 years old? She was certain that Sesshomaru would have absolutely no wrinkle of expression if he ever smiled or laughed (not like it was ever going to happen anyway).
She wondered how he felt inside. He was so much older than everyone else in the village…did he felt strained like some old humans? Was his young features only a façade, or did he feel as young as he looked? Did he ever have silly thoughts, or rash emotions and wants…like most humans…
Like her?
"Rin."
She gasped, and blushed as she noticed that his penetrating amber eyes had locked with hers, face still as stoic…and…
So handsome!
She blushed harder. What had she gotten herself into!?
"You have never requested permission to sit before", he observed acutely, with his soft baritone voice…
She blinked. "I-I wasn't necessarily requesting permission…my lord…"
She didn't explain her trail of thoughts any further and just sat in the grass next to him. It will probably be easier to achieve her goal if she sat close...
She gave him a discreet sideways glance, now inspecting his profile and relaxed expression. He truly was pleasant to watch…The silky, fancy white and red fabric giving out the nice shape of his shoulders…He was such a perfect mix of refinement and masculinity…She had grown unaccustomed to such beauty, after years among humans.
As a little girl, she did admire how good looking he was. She had also been quite amused by the fact so many women were swooning over him…She did get why now though…these days…with these terrible blushes that only seemed to get worse as she got older…
She repressed a sigh. Even with her prettiest kimono on…she felt out of place next to him like this…If only she were a fully-grown demon woman, maybe she could have rested her head on his shoulder. She was curious to know how it felt like, to rest like this on a man…
Rest like this on him…
She kept admiring his features shamelessly, thinking how blessed she was to have been saved by him. Yet she felt cursed as well…cursed because he will forever ignore how her feelings for him have grown complex and out of control. Kaede had warned her that her admiration for him might harm her eventually…
But she couldn't help it. Rin always felt her heart speed up when she looked at the moon, because she knew Sesshomaru was doing the same, somewhere else…
Sometimes she wished he would look at her the same way he stares at the moon …but he was a mystical being, and probably not even capable to admire women like human men could. He was above that. He was sacred, godly and his sole presence in this village and attachment to her was of the oddest occurrence…
She looked down an instant, thinking about Kaede's warnings, yet…she decided to dive towards him slowly, intent not to ask permission, for intense fear of having to explain herself and her silly motives. She wanted to get this over with. She knew the girls were watching, but they might lose focus if she kept beating around the bush...
Rin squeezed her eyes shut as she kept approaching him, unaware of his confused sideways glance and sudden tenseness showing in his jaw and shoulders.
Yet, that's it, get this over with Rin! With a bit of luck, he will not even react, and then you will be able to run away from him without seeing his reaction!
However, hazel eyes reopened as she felt a warm hand rest on her cheek and stop her.
His amber gaze was so close. He was now entirely turned towards her, meaning that she saw all of his face, from so close! His cheekbones and jawline and burning…amber eyes, scrutinizing her…seemingly trying to solve some sort of puzzle in her face.
She looked at him look at her, having absolutely no idea what to do!
And then she saw his golden eyes travel very…very briefly on the lower part of her face, as if he had glanced at her lips. Rin felt her face heat up at that thought and her heartbeat accelerate…not even aware that her features were so drawn to him…an invisible force pulling her in his direction…
His hand was firm on her cheek. "What are you doing, Rin?", he asked suddenly, now displaying slight bother by the closeness, it seemed…
She blinked. "It's-it's not my fault", she stammered nervously, getting away from him briskly. "It's truth or dare!"
He raised an inquisitive eyebrow.
Rin cleared her throat. "It's a game. The girls challenged me to give you a kiss on the cheek…"
His features hardened. "This would be inappropriate."
She felt something inside of her break into pieces. She looked down. "My apologies, master. This is indeed…silly childishness…"
"I suppose that you will lose if I decline?", he inquired without even looking at her anymore.
She blinked in confusion. "Wh-what?"
He gave an indecipherable sideways glance. "You said it is a challenge. I assume they will judge you negatively if you do not oblige to their foolish request?"
She smiled with embarrassment. "Y-you could say that, yes."
"…Do it", he ordered laconically.
She blushed again. "What? But you said that it would be inappropriate!"
He narrowed his eyes ever so slightly. "Just get this over with."
He looked away again, and she felt some sort of inexplicable void when he did so. His way to stare straight to her soul were making her insides feel warm with something she knew she had no right to feel about him.
She took a deep breath and dove…giving him one quick peck on the cheek, warm flawless skin surprisingly pleasant to touch with her lips, but she tried not to think too much about it, as she got up, away from her guardian and protector. Her limbs felt so limp! She looked at him with wide eyes and flushed cheeks, as he stared back, with his unblinking amber eyes.
"Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiin!
She gasped and looked up, noticing a few girlfriends bowing at her from far away, and Kohaku was there too, back from his demon slaying.
She looked back at Sesshomaru, who gave her an icy sideways glance.
"Your mortal friends are waiting for you."
She laughed nervously, bowed and left, running away from her source of embarrassment.
Oh why had he agreed?! He should just have shooed her away!
It was not even the kiss that had troubled her more, but the feel of the skin of her face tingling and burning all at once as his perfect features had been so close to hers, with his face turned towards her only a few moments before the kiss could occur! She thought that she…even felt his hot breathing against her face. How embarrassing was that?! What if she had…landed on his lips instead of his cheek?!
She felt all dizzy now…
However, Rin did feel a little hurt by the way he had reminded her of her mortal friends waiting…as if he wanted to remind Rin that…it was with those humans that she belonged…not next him. Surely he was right.
Or so she had thought at the time…
One hand wrapped itself gently around her wrist as Rin tried to slide out of the sheets.
She looked at her left, feeling her heart flutter as she saw Sesshomaru look at her with his usual warm…loving gaze he so often displayed when they were alone. Oh, if she had known…a few years back…how their relationship would change…
"Where are you going?", he whispered softly.
She made a moved smile, as she caught glimpse of disappointment in his voice. She decided against getting up and slid closer to him instead.
"I was just…going to let you sleep."
"After being away for so long…I expected that you would be more affectionate…"
She grinned. "But you had a hard-sleeping episode again!", she protested playfully.
He snuck closer, brushing away loose strands over her eyes. "I have been awake for a while. You were simply too absorbed with your musings to notice…"
She laid her head on his chest, smiling. "I was just…reminiscing past events…"
"Which one?"
"The first time you ever wanted to kiss me…"
He frowned suspiciously. "When was that?"
"When I was playing truth or dare…", she smiled mischievously. "When I was fourteen…"
He looked indignant. "What are you talking about?"
Her smile widened. "Oh don't play innocent. I wasn't sure what it meant at the time, but now I know…"
He looked away. "I had no such yearnings when you were still a child…"
"You gazed at my lips…certainly you must remember…"
"I especially remember how you threateningly dove in my direction…"
She blushed. Now it was her turn to look away. "I meant to kiss your cheek…"
When she looked back at him, she saw a glimpse of smugness. She crossed her arms. "Okay…I may have been carried away very briefly. So what?"
"You did place me in a delicate position."
"How so?"
"Inu-Yasha was watching."
She snorted and raised a playful eyebrow. "Now what…would you have behaved differently, had he not been snooping around?"
"No. You were a child", was his curt reply.
"You weren't even a little tempted?"
"No", he repeated, now annoyed.
She displayed slight disappointment.
Then she felt him kiss her cheek a few times…as if silently wanting to distract her from the peculiar topic…
"Does that mean I am not a child anymore?", she inquired with a playful whisper.
Sesshomaru climbed on Rin, kissing her briefly on the lips, light, yet warm and luring. "Of course not. You are a fully grown, magnificent young woman, with an entrancing fragrance of kadupul blossoms…", he blew to her ear.
She blushed…very well knowing he was referring to a rare, yet beautiful flower blooming only under the moonlight with a unique and lovely scent…
Then she frowned a bit. "Entrancing…fragrance…you say?"
"Hmm-hmph", he simply replied, now kissing her neck while both of his hands rested on her waist, starting an enticing strolling on the fabric of her night robe.
"Is there something wrong with my scent?"
He paused briefly his seduction attempts. "No. Why are you asking?"
She looked at her hands nervously. "I was told it is different as of late…"
"Different…"
"Yes."
He glanced up at her and frowned.
She frowned. "You disagree?"
He caressed her hair "…To me your scent changes as often as you change clothes. I don't understand why it was even mentioned to you…"
She felt instant reassurance at that. Nozomi did say that her nose was not as keen as those of dog demons…
Rin closed her eyes and sighed as she felt Sesshomaru massage her shoulders softly, her muscles relaxing instantly under the pressure of his warm hands. He dropped soft, tender kisses on her lips as he kept going at his very pleasurable attentions. He had fallen asleep so quickly the night before (as soon as his head landed on the pillow, in fact), that they hadn't even had time to celebrate their reunion and officialised engagement properly...
"I stopped taking moon tea", she blurted out.
He stopped kissing. She instantly regretted voicing it, afraid of what he might say next…
In fact, he didn't say anything.
"Are you mad?", she prompted nervously.
She wasn't sure if he would be mad because she had stopped taking it, or because she hadn't stopped yet, but she knew she had never brought that up with him, since that time…when he had just shrugged off the topic with an irritated-sounding monosyllabic… Later on Nozomi had gasped and told her it was a beverage for whores…courtesans at best, female demon warriors not even bothering with it, on contrary of human demon slayers…
"Why did you stop?"
She looked out of the window and noticed Sesshomaru's upper part of his garbs, hanging, drying up to the wind. "I…once had the impression bearing you children would be negatively perceived, but it did strike me that it might not be the case anymore…"
He frowned "I thought it was because you did not feel ready."
"I suppose it was a bit of both…", she whispered.
"Did someone implied things to you?", he inquired, his piercing gaze now scrutinizing her.
Rin cleared her throat... "I suppose I was unconfident about your court's perception…and yours as well…"
"What have I done to make you doubt as such?", he asked, a bit dryly.
She gulped. "Nothing…", she muttered. "But…you have called Inu-Yasha a half breed so many times in the past…I thought that you might consider a child of mine a…burden…"
She felt his aura quiet down. She supposed that he judged her explanation satisfying.
"It would have been true of a simple concubine…not you…", he reassured.
She didn't answer.
"I apologize if I made it seem this way…", Sesshomaru continued.
"Please don't… I should have asked you, instead of jumping to conclusions…", Rin muttered. "But I was not ready for children anyway…"
"How can you ever feel ready if I fail making you feel safe?"
"Are you trying to take all the blame again?"
He took her hand and kissed her fingers. "Dearest…", he whispered, glancing at her. "I want you to feel at ease…"
She smiled softly. "We are getting there now…I am not afraid anymore."
"Not at all?"
She looked down. "Hanyou pregnancy can be complicated sometimes. Can you make sure I get proper care?"
He caressed her cheek, corner of his lip almost twitching up, but the inner battle was unnoticed. "I find it hard to believe you dared voicing that question..."
She smiled with amusement and blushed slightly, while looking at him silently.
"You will be the most important person of the Western Lands…are you even aware of that?"
"Not more important than you."
"I insist…You will only be surpassed by the heir..."
She giggled softly. Her...Rin…the most important person of the Western Lands? A human! How ironic was that?
She laughed louder when she felt Sesshomaru's hands roam on her ribs and brush the sensitive spot on her belly, as he resumed his kissing of her neck.
"It tickles!", she protested between laughers.
"Forgive me."
"Would you like it if I…"
She counter attacked with tickling attempt on his stomach. He got away from her with his demonic speed.
"Oh Kami it worked!", she exclaimed with a gasp.
He made a face, not going to answer that with words.
She giggled more and tried to reach him, but he caught both of her wrists and pushed them over her head. Oh it was frustrating how he always got the upper hand with the slightest effort…
"Don't force me to mistreat you again", he warned.
She writhed against him and squealed as he kept tickling with one hand and kissing her…all at once.
"No! No! Stop!", she begged while laughing hysterically.
"Will you quiet down or must I keep chastising you?", he inquired haughtily.
She shot him a smug look and retorted with a swift lick of the side of his face. He squeezed an eye shut and gasped silently.
He was so classy and sophisticated. He will be grossed out that is certain…He was going to get away from her and then she will win the battle…
No… instead, he let her wrists go, both of his hands landing on her cheeks and his lips crashed on hers, not very long after his tongue ravished her mouth. She moaned in surprise, feeling her body heat up. Her arms wrapped themselves around his neck as he kept bewitching her with his lustful kissing.
"I-I don't mind it, but I think it is getting late", she whispered as he let her mouth go while opening her night robe a bit roughly.
"I don't care", he mumbled with all the baritone richness of his voice, while pouring rain of kisses on her skin. "I want you now."
Rin watched him with sinful awe, certainly not going to protest to his procrastination of his lordly responsibilities. She moaned a bit more loudly than she intended as he nipped a breast, sending an thrilling feel through her body.
"…Maru…", she murmured with a blissful smile, and flushed cheeks. "If that's so…don't make me wait."
That order made him rush to remove the few clothes he had left. She discarded her undergarments, while she panted uncontrollably already. He hadn't even touched her there yet, but he could tell already that she had missed him, her yearnings so great he was mesmerized.
He ate her with his eyes. Her mane was already unruly on the pillow and her hazel eyes had become the entrancing dark shade as she spread her legs open, luring him with her womanly charm. He felt his body stir. He crawled on her, dropping kisses here and there, with her moaning softly, her soft legs wrapping themselves around him as soon as he reached her level. He liked when she did so. He reached his favourite spot and then stopped: he buried his face in her hair, close to the nape of her neck, closing his eyes and he breathed in her intoxicating fragrance, like a good sake, getting always better as time passed by…
Rin was his. All of his. Heart, body and soul. Her trust and affection so great she was already willing to grace him with children. He felt inebriated, but they hadn't even started their lovemaking yet.
He stopped breathing her sweet scent and immersed himself within her, the feel of her warm body wrapped around him, numbing every rational thought. He couldn't control a quiet sigh coming from the back of his throat. She caressed his cheek and pressed her lips on his, while he buried himself deep.
Soon enough, she started calling his name in wicked songs while his mind was lost somewhere past the sun and clouds.
…
The sounds of waves and steady…unstoppable movement of the wooded floor, swinging right and left, was an endless reminder of their journey on the sea. Endless indeed…As many demons…Kazuo did not like boats very much, and he was cramped inside a tiny room, damp and suffocating with heat…There was this one drop of sweat dripping down his back…continuously.
"Oh look at this one!", squealed the high pitched voice of a woman outside, sounding muffled through the walls. "It has the shape of a whale!"
"Whale? Where do you see that?", inquired another feminine voice, a bit less high pitched.
Kazuo opened his eyes at the sound of that voice, noticing for the first time the figure through the pale curtains…Rin's silhouette, based on the dark colour of the hair…
"Right there to the East!", added her friend.
"Pfff! That is boring, kitsune girl. The one right there is much better…", chimed in a male voice, familiar also, but Kazuo didn't like this one that much…
"What is the matter, general?", inquired another voice: low and stoic.
Kazuo glanced back in front of him, inside the room this time, to stare back at amber eyes blazing with irritation…or even fury…Lord Sesshomaru not exactly the most expressive character. He was not easy to decipher, but the general assumed that the grimness of the leader of the Western Lands should not be interpreted as a positive sign.
His yellow eyes looked out the window...slight smirk on his lips as he noticed his other half, then he looked back at him, with a gleam Kazuo didn't like very much. "Were you distracted as such, when you got word of hundreds of snake demons inhabiting Cirrus Hill?", Sesshomaru inquired, tone dripping with sarcasm.
The general stared at his tied hands and shook his head. "I swear my lord… This was an honest mistake. Had I known these beasts were roaming in that area, I would have told you."
Sesshomaru remained impassive. "…Two hundred snakes gone undetected…Is this some sort of jest?"
The Heartlands' general shrugged. "I understand your scepticism, my lord. I must say that if I had something to hide, I would have come up with a better excuse than that…"
"So your sole proof of credibility is the idiocy of your tale?"
"I was gone for days and my men didn't patrol in that area during my absence. A negligence on our end. That area is usually so quiet…I only learned about these beasts after you left your castle. There was no way for me to warn you without detection…"
The Lord of the Western Lands did not blink. His stare had something predatory, like a half-starved wolf. He was impatient now, that was certain…
"So if I want to trick the Heartlands, I only need to strike from a reputable quite spot, is that it?"
"I think I did mention to you that we lacked men when you attacked…" Kazuo repressed a slight smile, and looked away, towards the window again, as he heard a high pitched You are so silly Tenmaru. "I am sorry that you had to deal with this unexpected incident. However, you did manage it wisely. You detected the demons on time and made the right adjustments to your strategy. Had master Tenmaru's troops been the one to venture there…the casualties would probably be very different…", Kazuo continued, while he unconsciously gave a sideways glance outside again…at the sounds of feminine giggles.
Sesshomaru stood up silently, walking towards the captive and slammed his hands on the wooden table with a loud BAM! Kazuo startled.
"Will you just stop looking at my mate when I am talking to you?", he growled.
"I-I wasn't looking at her…", the young general stammered.
"Hmph."
"I swear this is the truth…" Kazuo cleared his throat and looked back outside with a frown.
Sesshomaru's jaw tightened. He took the general by the collar and slammed him against the wall roughly. Kazuo's features grimaced. The wall of the cabin was cracked under the impact.
The chirping of the people outside had stopped.
The inuyoukai smirked defiantly. His face was not very far from Kazuo's now. "Enlighten me then. Was it the clouds you were staring at ?"
"No. I was watching master Tenmaru", Kazuo retorted with sudden fierceness, blue eyes now staring at the lord. "My lord, with all due respect how can you trust him so?"
Sesshomaru raised a sceptical eyebrow, slightly taken aback.
"You seem to trust him, and I don't understand why…is it because he is your relative?", insisted the general.
"I see no point to grace your odd questionings with a proper response."
"He is lecherous man… constantly following your mate…he is greedy", Kazuo muttered "…and a coward…"
"Who defeated you in battle."
"Your mate was the one talking to my men when their troops arrived. Your vassal couldn't even fight on his own… before she reminded him you shared common blood and that he had no excuse for defeat…"
Sesshomaru didn't answer. This was a whole new tale, compared to all the other versions he had heard …
"I assume you let him win the fight?", he felt compelled to verify.
The general didn't answer, but Sesshomaru didn't need any voiced response to understand.
"Why did you insist that we cut your hair for a fake defeat, then?"
Kazuo chuckled. "Now how would that look if I got back home without the haircut of the defeated warrior?"
Sesshomaru frowned. This was Central Lands' culture. He had no precise knowledge of their doings, but he doubted a simple haircut could truly reinforce the general's credibility.
"Without Rin's diligent support…Tenmaru might very well have failed. Besides…I can't help but think that his apparent friendship with your mate is a mean to conceal his own infatuation for her…"
The lord narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"Rin is a beautiful woman. You must have noticed...", Sesshomaru replied sceptically.
Kazuo blushed slightly and looked down. "She is, I will not deny it. She is an exquisite young woman, brave and dutiful. Had I been in your position, it is likely I would have made the same choice…"
Sesshomaru blinked at that, trying to conceal his surprise. Kazuo sure was transparent about it…
"…but I swear I have no hidden intention in her regards. However, I cannot say the same of a self-centered character like Tenmaru. From what I've seen, I am not sure he would be the most uncomfortable deceiving you, if that would be necessary to protect his personal interests…"
"These are grave accusations, general…"
"Indeed. I do not trust cowards", Kazuo replied a bit bluntly. "Take this friendly advice my lord…Allegiance motivated either by greed or fear of the suzerain should not be mistaken for loyalty. Tenmaru may be obedient today, but put that same man in a superiority position in your regards…and who knows what he would do of Rin and his vows to you…"
The Lord of the Western Lands felt his jaw clench against his will. He knew his relative was much smarter than he looked, and he sure knew how to behave to stay out of trouble… but Sesshomaru never had any reason to doubt Tenmaru's loyalty…
He stared back at the captive, with threatening stoicism.
"Is this truly what you call a friendly advice, or are you purposely bringing the attention on another topic than yourself."
Kazuo frowned and looked at his feet. "Believe what you must, my lord…"
"Why do you tell me this?"
"As I said. These were friendly advices. If you want to keep this man close, at least test his loyalty a bit more…before giving him what he seeks…"
This part at least…seemed like a wise advice.
Sesshomaru let his hold on his captive loosen. He walked away, to the door of the cabin. "We will arrive to the West's frontier soon. Rest assured…I am not done with you yet…"
Kazuo saw the youkai lord leave the room, closing the door behind him. He was a little amazed he hadn't been tortured yet…or killed…maybe Sesshomaru wasn't as cruel as his reputation gave him out to be…
…
"Oh great gods, I can't believe this is finally happening!", exclaimed Tenmaru, while throwing his arms in the air for extra drama.
"Why must he always be so obnoxious about his petty needs?", brooded Jaken, next to Sesshomaru, both of them leading the walk , while the three "Merry Wives" (slightly pejorative nickname used by the court to talk of Rin, Nozomi and Tenmaru) were behind, along with the general, his hands still cuffed and playing prisoner.
Sesshomaru's cousin huffed, as he looked up at the thick foliage of the forest. "These are not petty needs, Mr Frog. Today is the most important day of all!"
"He is talking about the signature of the treaty?", inquired Kazuo softly to Rin.
She shook her head. "He is talking about his reunion with his wife!", she whispered.
"Exactly! Today is the day I will resume my marital duties with my lovely Kishiko!", exclaimed Tenmaru, squeezing his eyes shut with glee. "And no need for another attempt at discretion sweet Rin. How many times must we remind you that demons have better ears than humans?"
"Actually, I don't think my earing is any better than most humans", corrected Kazuo matter-of-factly.
Tenmaru huffed. "And you're bragging?!"
The general cleared his throat. "My bloodline has other skills, if that may reassure you…"
"What type of skills?", inquired Tenmaru, doubtful.
Sesshomaru turned his head, ever so slightly.
"We have no particular sense of earing or sense of smell, but we feel auras very precisely, and some of us have forecast abilities…"
"What…rain forecast?", Tenmaru retorted mockingly.
Kazuo smiled mysteriously. "Do not jest with the weather, master Tenmaru…"
"You have overall good magical abilities too. You seemed very strong on the battlefield…", continued Rin with curiosity.
"I do have good control of blue flames", he replied with slight reserve.
"My own skills are badass too", retorted Sesshomaru's cousin childishly.
No one saw his relative up front close his eyes in exasperation.
"Of course they are Tenmaru! You were very strong too! Kishiko will get to see with all the war marks you carry now!", replied Rin with a grin.
"What marks? Everything must be healed now", retorted Nozomi with surprise.
"She can still see the traces on my clothes! The burnt fabric and the dried blood!", Tenmaru exclaimed with great worry, pulling and looking at his shredded and soiled garbs.
"I don't think you needed to keep your old clothes for her to believe you…", Rin observed with a smug smile.
He looked at her hopefully. "You will tell her what happened on the battlefield right? You will speak of our great victory and my heroic acts?"
She patted with shoulder. "I will tell her everything I have seen…Everyone will know of it!"
"Your remarkable piece of acting will be sung about", added Sesshomaru with barely concealed sarcasm.
Kazuo pretended he was scratching his upper lip (successfully hiding all the lower part of his face), Nozomi just giggled without hiding it, while Tenmaru simply looked at his cousin.
Rin had great struggle to retain her gasp, Tenmaru glaring at a mocking Sesshomaru was quite a rare sight…and quite funny actually…
The Lord of the Western Lands stared back at his mate, and showed the empty spot next to him with a discreet nod. He needed not beg her more, as she warped next to him, while the others kept chit chatting and arguing.
"What is it?", she asked discreetly.
"Nothing."
"But didn't you just asked to see me?"
"I did so, yes."
"Why?"
He dove towards her ear. "Must I always need a reason?"
She blushed gleefully and shook her head, intertwining fingers with his as he kissed the side of her head. It was one thing of him to display his love in private, but these unexpected demonstration of affection in public she was graced with once I a while always made her feel special…
"In any case, the blocked path on the searoad was not pleasant at all! We had to crawl and climb on a really steep cliff, and sweet Rin was scared…"
"I wasn't scared", she retorted back, while glancing over her shoulder.
"Do not trouble yourself. It is his own fear he is talking about", replied Sesshomaru casually.
Kazuo snorted this time.
"Hey this is mean!", protested Tenmaru. "I protected your mate for days without a single complaint and this is how you thank me?!"
Sesshomaru glanced over his shoulder to shoot one of his piercing gazes, while his interlocutor shrank of a few inches.
"Respect is to be earned. Though you have done a few steps forward, I have yet to see genuine bravery from you…"
"He was brave…", defended Rin boldly.
Tenmaru smiled conceitedly.
Then she blinked. "He did need a lot of encouragements, but…he was at least a little brave…", she corrected.
"Oh sheesh, you ruined everything now!"
They started to hear the sound of warriors discussing with vivacity, and soon enough they knew why. Quite a high mound stood in front of them, earth half covering uprooted trees, rocks and other debris. Rin felt her eyes widen, as she looked at a cliff to their right, realizing that it must the result of a landslide. She approached the mound, curiosity hitched by the unusual sight.
"Rin. Don't move closer", ordered Sesshomaru.
She frowned. "Why?"
"These soils are unsteady."
She nodded and took a step back.
"What is the meaning of this? There never was any landslides around here before…", thought Tenmaru out loud, as he carelessly climbed on the mound, kicking a dead trunk with annoyance.
"When there is a lot of rain…", started Kazuo.
"Someone must have done this on purpose", interrupted Sesshomaru's cousin with mistrust. "Any idea, general?"
His wide blue eyes blinked. "How should I know?"
"My lord…ahem if I may…this landscape is very similar to the one we witnessed after we had to endure the landslide during our journey in Cirrus Hill", observed Jaken.
Sesshomaru approved silently. "General, could it be the work of the Heartlands' wildings?"
Kazuo looked pensive. "…I…wouldn't know. I am not aware of any tribes using such strategy…but it could be new…"
"So you judge it plausible?"
Tenmaru cleared his throat. "I notice the trunks are still wet with sap, so this must have happened recently…which means it can't be pretty boy's soldiers on their way back…it would have dried out more than that…Besides, it would have been idiotic of them to trespass on the Western Lands, my men would have hunted them. I would also be surprised if any peasants had something to do with this. There are no villages in these areas…and why the hell would they do that anyway?"
Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow. "Must I assume that is your way to support the theory that the wildings are the only one who could have done this, Tenmaru?"
He shrugged. "Nah, I just talked about sap to look smart and all…", he replied sarcastically.
Sesshomaru blinked.
"Of course I agree! It must be the snakes again!"
"…There is a foul scent around here…", thought Sesshomaru out loud.
"You can smell that, even though it rained?", inquired Tenmaru.
"Sesshomaru… you said that some of the snakes got killed during the landslide. They would have done it…knowing they could kill themselves in the process?", inquired Rin.
"I highly doubt they would value their own life very much", confirmed Sesshomaru.
"Hmmm… it would be unusual of the snakes to use such tactics in battle. They tend to prefer…brute strength", commented Kazuo.
"Their strength would be sufficient to destroy the landscape as such", insisted the Lord of the Western Lands.
The earth started to rumble, Rin feeling the ground move under her feet. Sesshomaru grabbed her upper arm gently and took a few steps back, while the warriors were already unsheathing their swords, moving all around them, readying for battle.
"Oh sheesh, looks like we are about to find out", observed Tenmaru, slightly exasperated.
"Stop your whining and prepare yourself", retorted Sesshomaru, all in dryness.
It didn't take any longer for a few snakes to hiss and get out of their hiding spot, attacking a few guards in the frontlines.
Sesshomaru unsheathed Bakusaiga. He glanced at his cousin and the fox vassal. "Protect Rin and the captive."
He moved forward, quick steps towards the foes, with many warriors following behind.
Rin took out Shinsei, ready to fight as well, though she had to repress a sigh of annoyance, for she knew she will be once again treated like a fragile harmless being. Soon enough, the snakes multiplied and she could only watch nervously, these scaled beasts being by far the ones she despised the most among the wildings.
"I could be of assistance if you only lent me a weapon", offered Kazuo, hands still tied.
"In your dreams…prisoner", Tenmaru spat back.
Then a scaled snake rushed in his direction. He dodged the reptile with a gasp and struck it with force, his sword doing a peculiar shrilling sound as it landed on unbreakable skin.
"Between the scales!", reminded Nozomi.
"I know!", he exclaimed with irritation.
He struck back, but the snake rotated before his sword landed at his target, blade colliding with the hard skin again.
And…
It broke in three pieces, two of them flying in the air before falling like mere debris in the grass, leaving only a thin shard attached to Tenmaru's sword handle.
"CRAP!"
The snake threw itself towards Rin. She raised her sword, ready to meet the beast, but Kazuo ran in front of her, even though he was weapon less. He rose both of his tied hands and launched blue flames on the beast, to no avail. Pointed fangs closed on one of his arm before he could get away and the scaled tale enrolled around him. He was now the prey.
The beast retreated and crawled towards the woods.
Rin felt her body starting to shake…but she couldn't tell if it was of fear of anger. She wanted to scream, but nothing came out, the scene all too familiar. She had seen too many people hurting because of these monsters.
…Long ago, she had promised Sesshomaru she wouldn't do rash moves based on emotive impulses, but today…she knew she would fail to please him on this matter.
She ran towards the beast through the thick foliage, raising her sword, resolved to end this. She could hear her friends protest and run towards her, but she knew that none of them would reach the beast before her. She was a quick runner.
"Damn it, Rin!", exclaimed Tenmaru.
Sesshomaru glanced over his shoulder, just in time to see her disappear in the wilderness. He slayed his opponent nonchalantly and hurtled down the hill for a proper intervention.
Soon enough, Rin reached a muddy grove, an ideal spot to strike. She roared like she did during the other battle against the birds in Kuno and struck with deadly precision between the scales, dark blood splattering, while the creature hissed and let Kazuo fall limply on the grass.
The beast turned towards her and launched a new attack. She dodged it and struck between the scales again, behind the neck.
"Aaaaargh Rin get away from it!", panicked Tenmaru.
"Oh stop it! Don't you see she has everything under control?", retorted Nozomi, not far behind.
Sesshomaru stopped his running as he had a good glimpse of the scene…very different from all those he had seen of Rin with snakes before. The training had helped. Her moves were swift and precise…she didn't spill pointlessly her limited energy. Her weapon was appropriate to slay that foe. His young vassal was right. Rin did not seem to need any assistance.
In fact…the sight was breathtaking.
"My lord, what shall we do?", inquired a guard, catching up with the lord.
"Nothing. It is her battle", he replied while he kept watching her intently.
The beast tried to bite her another time, but the last attack was her best opportunity. She thrust her sharp blade inside of the beast's mouth, the monster falling on the ground as she threw herself savagely on it.
She felt invisible lightning cross her body as the blade pierced through the flesh. She did not quite understand what was happening. The fight was energizing her… Rin removed Shinsei from the snake's mouth and stabbed again, and again and again…and again…barely seeing the gore. It didn't even feel as if it were her arms slaying the beast…it was as if an invisible vengeful force inside her limbs had taken over.
It had never felt so good to kill something as it did that day.
"Gods!", exclaimed Tenmaru.
Kazuo just watched with bewilderment.
Sesshomaru made a few steps towards her.
"Rin…"
She kept stabbing.
"Rin…it is dead…", he stated. "It has been for a while."
She stopped suddenly, as if pulled out of her trance, briefly glanced at her bloody blade and threw it on the ground. Her body started to shake uncontrollably and before she could stop it, she started to sob, still sitting in a straddle position on the snake, soaked with its blood.
Sesshomaru watched her for a while, and then stared back at the crowd. "Give us some privacy."
The people dispersed, some of them half-heartedly.
Sesshomaru kneeled and touched her shoulder, in an attempt to bring her back to reality.
"Rin…are you okay?", he whispered.
"…I am not injured, if that is what you mean…", she answered between sobs.
"Why are you sad?"
She shook her head, while touching her heart. "I-I'm not…"
"What is it, then?"
She looked at him, lip quivering. "I-I don't know…", she replied meekly.
He brushed her cheek with his hand, and then looked at the blood on his fingers with tads of amazement. "You have just killed a mature scaled snake demon..."
"I'm sorry…I had to do it…", she whispered. "It attacked Kazuo…"
"You don't have to apologize for a situation that you handled", he replied curtly, while he brushed the tip of his thumb with his other red fingers. He remained quiet for a while.
"How do you feel?"
She let out a shaky breath and looked at the dead beast's face.
She did disfigure its face.
"For Kazuo I had to…but for Kaede and Kohaku too. For myself as well…I think. I had to do it. I-I think I feel better now…sort of…"
"Aren't you overwhelmed?"
She took a while to answer. "No. Actually…I think I feel good. I feel…relieved", she smiled and wiped the tears. "I killed a snake…and I wished I could kill many others…How strange is that?"
She looked back at him. He was looking at her too, unblinking. "I believe you have just experienced a killing impulse."
Her eyes widened, while looking back at the beast. She knew she could have left the task to another warrior, let them act on their own; but she couldn't help it, her limbs had moved before she could do otherwise. She struck the beast…and killed it mercilessly…and…
She liked it.
Rin looked back at Sesshomaru worriedly. "…It is wrong right? It shouldn't feel so good to kill!"
"…Hmph."
He licked the blood on his fingers, while he kept staring at her. She felt hair rise on the nape of her neck.
"If you want a morality lesson, you are asking the wrong person…"
She blinked, then shook her head. "Kaede would not understand…she would be mad…"
"But you aren't a human miko's apprentice anymore. You are one of the strongest demon lord's betrothed…and you just demonstrated now that you understand it…and even feel it…"
"Feel what?"
"Urges. Like mine."
She felt goosebumps on her skin while she looked back at him, surprised by his slight smile.
"…You taught me love…and I taught you bloodlust…"
She let that sink in her mind, unsure what to do of it…
"Impulses such as these can be tamed, but not eliminated. You only need to discern the moment such needs will increase your power, rather than weaken your judgement, and exploit it to your advantage…"
He wiped the other side of her soiled face and showed her his index finger covered with snake blood.
"Taste your prey now. Embrace your fierce side."
She should be disgusted and say no.
Instead, she took his finger in her mouth and sucked, eyes locking with his…ambers suddenly burning with an intense level of primal urges…
She knew, that if there wouldn't be so many people around…
He pulled at her obi.
She gasped.
"Here?!"
He gave a long lick on the remaining blood spot on her face and kissed her with his lips and tongue still full of it. She moaned when she felt one of his hand already on her breast, while the other started the undo the clothing.
She did not protest. The need was strong in her too, as if the snake blood had been a powerful aphrodisiac…flowing through her veins.
He pushed on her shoulders, to make her kneel on the muddy soil. She looked at him disrobe himself in the plain daylight, not quite believing they were going to do this while the others were waiting for them, it didn't make any sense, they should just move on and wait later…
"Put your hands on the ground."
"It's all…muddy…", she protested shyly.
"Trust me. You will like…", he whispered as he kneeled behind her, caressing her back with his bloody hands.
She looked at the red marks his bloody fingers left on her white stomach, and felt her body melt…
And so she obeyed, and took a deep breath, eyes closing as she felt all of him enter her from behind, his want so great she could feel her insides stretch, this new form of pleasure making her moan.
Less and less she felt like a human, as he mounted her like a feral animal, his hands now covered with mud and blood soiling her breasts while he grabbed them fiercely, fingers sliding against her nipples, while his sweaty torso glided against her back. Some part of her thought this was horribly wrong, but it felt so right…
She fell on her elbows and arched her back during the ecstatic feel of her body tightening even more around him, to a point he could hardly move.
She looked at the dead snake's head as she felt her body quiver. She shouted her elation, not caring the least to be heard. He growled as he filled her, knowing the blissful relief was only temporary and that the needs would torture him constantly until her belly started to swell.
…
Rin sat at the wide table, trying to focus on the maps and treaties in front of her.
They had arrived the day before at the Northern border's mansion (Tenmaru's mansion, in fact…). This is where the signature of the treaty would occur…as soon as Lady Miyah and general Yuudai would show up, that is. They were supposed to arrive at any moment now…
No one had commented about Sesshomaru's (and her own) creased clothes during their travels…after the ferocious lovemaking in snake gore…except Tenmaru with two or three puns he couldn't keep inside his mouth (the last one deserving him a rock behind his head).
However, they hadn't heard of him since they had arrived in his mansion. In fact, Kishiko was unable to greet them as cordially as she had intended, because of him grabbing her like a pouch of rice that he held on his shoulder quite primitively as he ran towards their chambers.
They did hear a bit of ruckus, but Rin supposed she wasn't the best-placed person to complain about it. She was sure she and Sesshomaru had done much worse with the snake incident. She still couldn't believe they had done that. Yet for some reason, she was not ashamed.
Well…she was a little shy about the incident at first, but then Sesshomaru made her some kind of face, that she understood as a mean to say that it was not her place to be embarrassed, for their subordinates had no right to express any sort of judgement about their ways (or at least, this is how she imagined he would say it had he voiced his thoughts out loud). If he, king of secrecy, cared not to be ashamed, she didn't why she should.
In fact, Sesshomaru had been unusually demanding during the past few days. She assumed that her benediction for bearing his children affected him more than he was willing to admit.
She felt a mix of excitement and trepidation at the prospect of being with child. Back at the village, many called her a late bloomer because she was always turning down boys, and procrastinating with anything to do in regards to commitment with a man…She didn't understand why she was uneasy about the matter. At the same age, Lady Sango already had two children and had no problem with it. Kagome was slower…but she was from another culture. Yet, even though a bit of uneasiness in front of the unknown remained, it was the first time that Rin felt confidant enough to embrace the role of mother. Her love for Sesshomaru ran deep, and she knew that she would deeply love a child of his as well. She also had the feeling that he will do a remarkable father. Each time she had seen him in presence of children, he had an extremely patient behaviour (even with those emitting high pitched shrieks). Also, there was a mix of authority and gentleness to his way to be, that seemed to work fine with many of them.
She did feel a bit uneasy about her own abilities. She didn't confident having an authoritative role around children. Most of those that she had babysitted in her life seemed to think that it was party time when she was around and she rarely succeeded having control on them…especially with Inu-Yasha and Kagome's little bra…ahem…turbulent children. Sango and Miroku's were much easier to deal with (though…quite numerous). She supposed that the parents' personalities had an influence.
She blinked, thinking any children from Sesshomaru would surely be very calm and smart…or possibly joyful and bubbly, if they retained some of her traits, but then she frowned as she remembered how lively she could as a kid sometimes…and stubborn…
Sesshomaru could be stubborn too…especially when his pride was involved…Rin scratched her head. Yes…that wouldn't be surprising if they birthed a little pig headed prince or princess…That might be troublesome…However, she knew that they will both fight very hard to make sure the little heir would not become a spoiled child taking all for granted (though she suspected that she will have to monitor Sesshomaru's prone habit in regards to presents). She shook her head in amusement at that thought…
…She just hoped that no endless wars would keep Sesshomaru away from fatherhood…
"You will be there for us, right?", she blurted out.
His eyes left his paperworks, to display an inquisitive glance.
"When…there will be more than two of us…", she continued shyly.
His features softened. "Dearest…do you doubt me?"
She blinked innocently. "I was just asking. …You might have to go on the battlefield… From what I was told and what I noticed myself, you like to be away a lot…"
"You like to be away too…"
"I will have no choice but to hold the fort…"
He crossed his arms. "It did occur to me that in most realms, lords stay within their walls, hire sufficient warriors with the intent of avoiding the riskiest tasks…"
She was doubtful. "You hate walls…"
He uncrossed his arms and leaned against the wall behind him. "Recently, I found out that they are less smothering when you bear them with me."
She felt her heart melt.
"I will not abandon you, Rin. Though many demons do not value the benefits of parenthood, I do not share their views. I think we should strive to give our children what we both lacked…"
A tear rolled on her cheek, as she looked down. "You sure know what to say…"
Without Rin noticing, Sesshomaru came sit next to her and encircled an arm around her shoulders. She snuggled against his chest.
"You are afraid…", he stated in a whisper. He could feel it.
She tensed in his arms, and he felt her nod against his chest.
"My mother…I…didn't have her for long. My memories are vague. I especially remember being on my own a lot. I am not sure I would know how to… watch over a child…"
"You strike all the foes like only a wild dragoness would. You can do it already."
She giggled. "It is more complicated than that…"
He caressed her hair. "You are a brave woman…and you have the kindest soul. Whatever you do, it will be right."
She snuggled tighter.
"In fact…I have more trust in your abilities than in mine."
She giggled. "Really? Why?"
"I fear I might not succeed bonding with them as I did with you."
"Ridiculous. I always find you so perfect in presence of children! In fact, you seem to be fond of them!"
"…Is that so?"
"Sesshomaru you are being silly now!", she exclaimed with a small voice. "All the women were squealing during the audiences. You are every mother's dream!"
"Not mine."
"That doesn't count!"
He paused. "I think we are both nonsensical in a way…
She nodded with a grin, as she broke the embrace. "I can only agree…"
The door opened…
"I hope we aren't disturbing you too much?", inquired a feminine voice.
They both glanced over their shoulders. Rin grinned. "Kishiko! You are alive!"
"Of course now, what did you imply now, sweet Rin?", wondered Tenmaru innocently.
"That you fornicated your wife to death?"
Rin gasped. "Sesshomaru! Don't use words like that!"
"Why?"
"It sounds so wrong in your mouth!"
Tenmaru chuckled. "Not to death…but close to."
"Honey, it's impossible to make love to death!", his wife exclaimed cheerfully.
"Don't challenge me", he warned, swelling his chest.
They both laughed and slapped hands.
Rin smiled. "Kishiko, you look beautiful today! You are glowing!"
The blue haired demoness grinned. "Oh thank you sweetie. You are glowing too! Everyday I've seen you!"
At that the human blushed. Apparently, the glowing concept was unknown to demons…
"May we proceed?", inquired a formal feminine voice.
"Right, of course! May you please step in and sit with the lord and his mate!", exclaimed Kishiko with a wink, stepping out of the door.
"Good", Lady Miyah retorted with an impatient huff, while eyeing Tenmaru with wisps of contempt.
Rin had the reflex to try to stand up, but Sesshomaru simply laid a nonchalant hand on her shoulder, intent to remind her of her hierarchical importance…Not that Rin thought that she was more important than everyone…but if he thought it was better for her to behave as if she was the Lady of the West already, then so be it!
"Be careful, this woman is in a bad mood today!", exclaimed general Yuudai, stepping in as well.
"I apologize for not being in the mood for your boyish talks…I must admit I was a little disappointed that even the Lord of the Western Lands succumb to such a trivial topic just then."
At that Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow, as the Lady of Kun'Ketsu bowed for him.
"My apologies my lord…I think I've got my earful of these in the past few days. We also had such horrendous travels it left a chilling feel in my bones…", she continued.
"Horrendous you say?", wondered Rin.
"Yes…alas…the tide was terrible…even for me…I bet we'll have very bad weather soon…", Miyah answered as she sat in front of Rin. "And I had to bear with this…man…", she said haughtily while pointing Yuudai with a nod.
"Oh, you are one grumpy old lady!", huffed the lynx as he sat far from the she-wolf.
And then Kazuo was the last one to get in, with two guards escorting him.
"Hey fellow general, ropes on your wrists look great on you!", exclaimed the lynx jokingly.
"I know right?", insisted Tenmaru, sitting swiftly next to Rin as soon as he glanced at the boy.
"You are always on his back! Come sit next to me general I will not bother you like them!", exclaimed Nozomi with a slight blush.
Rin blinked, and started to think the fox vassal had a soft spot for Lady Amane's little brother. That one better be careful or Tenmaru was going to start spreading rumours…
Sesshomaru examined the papers in front of him. "I suggest we move forward with these matters as according to plan…", Sesshomaru cut off all in dryness.
"I second", answered the she-wolf.
"Jaken. The treaty."
"At once, my lord!"
"I, Lord Sesshomaru of the Western Lands, on this twenty-eighth day of the month of Month of leaves, hereby announce the beginning of this special meeting, hosted in Lady Kishiko's and master Tenmaru, warden of the North's mansion, with attendance of Lady Miyah of Kun'Ketsu, general Yuudai, instigator of the NorthWest's rebellion and defeated general Kazuo, former protector of the Northlands. We are to solve a territorial matter. With the sworn acceptance of the Western Lands' council the time has come to decide of the fate of the Northwest, stretching from the western sea to the Fun'jin mountains…", he turned towards the guests. "My Lady, general, now is the time to report about your battles…"
"We confirm success and conquest from the extreme North to Fun'jin mountains", answered Yuudai.
"Lady Miyah, shall you confirm?"
"Yes, my lord. Katari was taken without any struggles. The towns on the northern coast as well, though the bad weather disrupted our travels slightly, our mission was successful all the same, with limited casualties."
"Good. Kuno and its areas were taken as well. We however got delayed by landscape issues and premeditated ambushes of the snakes…"
" Premeditation remains to be proven", added general Kazuo with a low voice.
"It is very unlikely two hundred of them stepped on us by luck", retorted Sesshomaru.
The general didn't argue.
"Did you have to cope with unexpected casualties, my lord?", inquired Lady Miyah with concern.
"Not as bad as it could have been. Hopefully, my troops were delayed, but we arrived on time to support Tenmaru's men…"
"Who has done the leaders' battle?", wondered Yuudai with curiosity.
"Tenmaru did", answered Sesshomaru.
"HE defeated Kazuo?!"
"Of course he did! Master Tenmaru is a fine warrior", vouched Rin with a sweet smile. "I was there, I have seen everything! He is so strong he even broke his blade on a scaled snake during our most recent battle!"
Yuudai snorted. "That's because he used his blade wrong …"
"Even you are strong enough to break a sword, Lady Rin", insisted Lady Miyah.
Tenmaru just facepalmed.
"I broke a sword not too long ago and it was not because of poor skills. A blade can shatter more easily if it is not forged strong enough to sustain the wielder's strength or the foe's resistance", added Sesshomaru casually.
Lady Miyah smiled quietly, while glancing at the lord with her good eye. "Indeed, but it is a rare phenomenon…"
"Not out of my bloodline's reach", insisted Sesshomaru with cold stoicism. "Now if we are done with the superfluous comments about fighting skills, I assume we can proceed with the signature?"
"Yes my lord. Forget my bad mood. This old Lady is not eager to give up her power…", Miyah replied earnestly.
"Let's get this over with. Nao will start worrying if I get back late…", continued Yuudai.
"You mean the human Lady you are not involved at all with?", wondered Tenmaru innocently.
Yuudai frowned. "Yes that one…"
Jaken sprayed the paper on the table, all wide and impressive-looking, by Rin's standards at least…
Sesshomaru didn't look at the paper twice (he had written it himself, after all…) and signed, with long and elegant characters.
"Here it goes…", mumbled the first general, scribbling his signature second.
"It is for the sake of my people…", whispered Lady Miyah with slight exasperation.
The paper was given to general Kazuo, which had the task to sign as the witness, and then the paper was brought back in Sesshomaru's hands.
"There's a blank space, left there…", he observed to Rin with a low voice.
She threw him a very sceptical sideways glance. "Last time I regretted it deeply…"
"None will oppose this time…", he insisted.
Rin's eyes widened. "…You have her accord?"
"Yes."
Now Rin was surprised! She made a moved smile and took the quill, reading only the most prominent line.
As of the twenty-eighth day of the month of books, the NorthWest and the Kun'Ketsu Islands shall form the three newest provinces of the Western Lands, as of today, renamed, the Western Realm.
She signed just next to Sesshomaru's name, her fingers doing all the work on their own, while her mind just looked at the task being done under her eyes.
Lady Miyah laid her chin on her fist and raised an eyebrow. "Not that I like being a killjoy, but Rin is just your mate. Does this signature have a symbolic meaning you would like to share with us…"
Amber eyes were smiling "It does."
Rin heard a few people gasp…and felt her heartbeat accelerate.
"Rin and I are betrothed. We are to be wed sometimes during the month of frost, but the exact date remains to be determined. I deemed it fair for the new hanyou subjects to see the signature of at least one human on this treaty. The signature of the first Lady of the Western Realm…"
"Oh gods Tenmaru! Two historical announcements under our roof!", exclaimed Kishiko.
He stood up ceremoniously. "Old sake for everyone! And thou shall kiss for the luck!"
Rin blushed. "In front of everyone?"
"First rule of this house. Demonstration of affections are allowed", retorted Tenmaru.
Sesshomaru raised a sceptical eyebrow. "What is the second rule?"
His cousin blinked. "I don't remember."
"Oh it matters not! Please a kiss! For the Lady of the house!", insisted Kishiko, with her eyes watering.
And so they obliged…with people cheering and sharing kampais.
"Oh sweet Kamis Rin congratulations!", squealed Nozomi, jumping from her seat, and running to her, hugging her tightly.
Lady Miyah smiled earnestly "Lord Sesshomaru…now you just made my day…", she stood up and bowed to them both. "My humble respects Lady Rin. I always knew you had the potential to carry the burden with the great demon that is your beloved."
"It is great to see you come out of the closet, my lord. I guess my turn will have to come soon then…", added general Yuudai. "Lady Rin, it will be an honour serving such a beautiful and brilliant Lady."
She didn't know what to say, she started to feel a little moved.
"Congratulations sweetie", said Kishiko with a brief hug. She grinned back at Rin. "With a bit of luck, our little heirs might even play together!",
"So you ARE pregnant?!", exclaimed Rin.
Kishiko nodded with a wide smile.
Then it was Rin's turn to squeal and throw herself in Kishiko's arms.
"Felicitations to you both. I sure know my cousin was looking forward to such rejoicing news", Sesshomaru replied cordially.
Tenmaru shrugged him off with one hand. "Oh of course, Rin must have told you every one of my privileged secrets during your pillow talks…"
Sesshomaru frowned. "Don't worry…We do not talk that much about you…"
"But it is a sad news as well!", exclaimed Kishiko, while looking at her husband, which looked confused by her remark."…It means that our sweet Rin will never be our first paramour, as according to plan!", she continued jokingly.
Tenmaru's eyes widened for a brief moment, as if remembering it, all of a sudden. "You are right!" He dropped the back of his hand on his forehead. "I already feel the budding heartbreak…"
"Me too!", exclaimed Kishiko, while throwing herself briefly in his arms for more drama.
Rin grinned, but she could feel Sesshomaru's aura boil. He wasn't as amused as her, it seems.
"Wasn't this paramour thing just supposed to be a joke?", inquired Nozomi naively.
"Of course not", replied Tenmaru with a saddened expression. "Our offer was meant to be a consolation prize for our sweet Rin, in case our wonderful plan failed…However, it seems that we are very close to success now…"
"…What now? You will repeat that I owe you, Tenmaru?", inquired Rin jokingly.
He smiled earnestly. "Not this time. Where you are today…you've did this all on your own."
Rin felt her eyes water.
He panicked. "Oh no-no-no! No crying now! There, have a brotherly-platonic-hug!", he exclaimed, while squeezing her briefly in his arms.
Sesshomaru raised an irritated eyebrow.
Tenmaru squeezed his eyes shut while smiling cheerfully. "Though it does sadden me that you will stay out of our love family, nothing thrills me more than knowing you will become part of our bloodline…"
She patted his shoulder with a grin. "You really are a good friend Tenmaru. I think your promptings helped me become stronger…", she replied while wiping another tear.
"Oh stop it Rin! I will cry too now!", he exclaimed, now clearly upset, walking away hurriedly.
"Oh…is he…mad?", inquired Rin. "Did I say something wrong?"
Kishiko laughed. "He always had a great struggle bearing conversations when they get too serious…Don't worry…he likes you too much not to forgive you…" She looked in the direction where he had stormed off. "I should go make sure he is not too overwhelmed…"
"Please do! Tell him I am sorry!", exclaimed Rin.
Tenmaru's wife smiled smugly and nodded while walking away.
"So you permanently decline our bloodline's offer, my lord?", inquired general Kazuo, with wisps of irony.
"…I thought this was old news", Sesshomaru retorted nonchalantly.
The general smiled slightly. "My father admired you very much. He would be disappointed to hear that you have declined a union with his daughter for good and chose a human instead…"
"Hmph. I am certain my own would rejoice."
Kazuo laughed. "I do not doubt it my lord…"
He turned towards Rin and bowed. "My lady…"
"Oh please…do not be so formal with me Kazuo!"
"I insist, I must get used to it now. The last time we will see each other, you will lead a realm…"
Rin made a moved smile.
He took her hand and kissed it. That surprised her a little. "I rejoice for you both Lady Rin…silently, once I get back home, but I will rejoice all the same…"
"I think you do not belong in the right lands, general…", she whispered.
"Or maybe he does", replied Sesshomaru with a low voice.
Kazuo smiled mysteriously.
Rin did get the unspoken implications. She knew there were quite a few speculations about Kazuo…
"I must leave now. Wish me luck. I am not certain Lady Amane will take the news of her defeat very well…"
"Please be careful. I will pray for you, general…", whispered Rin.
He nodded. "I shall pray for you as well, my lady…"
…
Rin felt the heat of the sunrays on the top of her head, and the salty breeze chase away slight drops of sweat on her forehead. She frowned…it wasn't that hot, why did she sweat so much?
She shrugged. It mattered not. She leaned on the ramps of the boat and watched the quiet waves, the swollen sails a sign that the travel down the coast was going to be short. She smiled slightly, happy to see another part of the Western…realm…that she hadn't explored that much yet. She had seen Tenmaru's mansion, now she was about to see Hatsuno's…She wondered if Lady Takara –the stunning pretender of Sesshomaru– was going to be there. How she and her father were going to react, when they will learn about the upcoming wedding? Certainly Sesshomaru was going to mention it to them…
"Hey Rin!", exclaimed Nozomi cheerfully as she sat next to her. "You okay?"
Rin blinked. "Of course...Why do you ask?"
"You skin is flushed…Do you have a fever or something?"
Rin's lips became a thin line. "N-no…The sunrays are a bit hot…that is all…"
Nozomi looked at her doubtfully. "I still think you look under the weather a bit…"
"Oh you know…Sesshomaru doesn't let me sleep a lot these days…"
The redhead raised an eyebrow. "Has he ever?"
Rin's eyes widened, with a budding smile on her lips. "Nozomi, is Tenmaru fading on you?!"
She blushed and smiled playfully. "Do I need to remind that one of the first time I saw you, you were awake late with our Lord…playing hide and seek!"
Rin giggled. "Kami…it feels so far away now … I can't believe we are really going to get married!" She grinned. "I can't wait until you meet my human friends! I am sure you will like Shippo!"
The kitsune smiled, but then her green eyes widened as she looked at the horizon. "That…sme…"
"What is it?", wondered Rin, looking in the same direction, but she saw nothing but blue.
"Kami…it smells…like…death!", she exclaimed.
Rin gasped. She felt the sweat on her brow get cold. She stood up and crossed her arms nervously, trying to fight off the sudden chill. "What are you talking about? We don't see the coast yet…how is it possible?"
Nozomi squinted her eyes as she inspected the horizon. "It shouldn't take long. The land is near…I have such a bad feeling…"
Rin felt hands on her waist, pulling her away from the ramp. "You should get inside…", whispered Sesshomaru, that had appeared without her noticing.
"What is it? What is going on?"
A vicious breeze brought more of the truth in their face. Rin covered her nose in an outburst of disgust…Now she smelt it too…Smoke and burned flesh…it was not pleasant at all!
And then…the lands came to their sight when a wave dropped in. There were fires all around a town stretching down the coast, yells and sounds of swordfights…but they couldn't see any trace of battles yet. However, there was one single…head on a pike…greeting them sinisterly.
Sesshomaru's eyes widened as he recognized whom it belonged to.
"Hatsuno…"
He had gotten beheaded.
…End of chapter…
Oh no! Cliffhanger! Argh, mean me!
Not to sadden you people…but…we are coming closer and closer to the end now…Not yet…but we are closing in…
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To Jj: :) Thanks!