-1Don't own this…….

Chapter 25

Rin awoke later that afternoon alone in the vast comfort of her lords bed chamber. She moved to pull the blanket closer to her body when several pangs of pain seemed to attack her all at once. Her small hand made its way to her neck as she attempted to make contact with the tendril of sensation emanating from the curve in her neck. Her delicate fingers barely gliding over two very small puncture marks. There was some swelling but as she pulled her hand away there was no sign of blood. The later of her sensations came from that place between her legs were her lord….last night had….

Her stomach gave the false sensation of having fallen a million miles when she recalled just why she'd felt so sore and stretched down there. That the events of last night had occurred at all slammed into her like a hurricane wind. With deeps breaths and a hand to her fevered forehead she sat back against the pillows. Her bright hazel eyes blinking in hysterics at the idea….the very idea that she had given herself to her lord. It was a dream, so impossible dream.

The bedroom door came open quietly and a very agitated Sesshomaru came marching in, his eyes downcast his temperament foul. Rin gasped at the sight of him, still clad in his night robes with a very large open flap revealing his unmarred chest. Almost at once his golden eyes drifted upward and locked with hers. He seemed relaxed in that short instance and he took a deep breath before speaking.

"How fare you this afternoon Rin?" he asked quickly as he moved to reposition the sash at his waist and make himself more presentable. Rin was awestruck and moved her mouth quietly but no sound escaped. Her lord was asking after her well being and she was yet unaccustomed to it and seeing him so…..so unkempt and casual.

"I…I am well milord…" she breathed out as she sat back further on her pillows, the pain in her lower area beginning to dissipate. He nodded and moved toward the bed only to continue further so that he was gazing out a window. Something was troubling him and Rin was curious as to why. He hadn't mentioned at all so far what had happened last night, and they had to talk about it sooner or later.

"Did you sleep well…" it wasn't really a question. He was nervous and Rin could practically feel it in her own bones. Much more strongly than she had ever known herself to sense his moods. Something had changed to have caused it and almost against her will her left hand returned to the hollow in her neck. Sesshomaru caught the gesture and after taking a deep breath he moved toward the bed and sat down to come face to face with the young woman whom he had given his immortal promise to. Had marked.

"Does it pain you?" he asked as he reached for her chin and caressed it gently. Rin's eyes fluttered at the sensation his touch brought, it made her stomach feel as though it were full of the wildest butterflies so lost of control. A small smile graced her lips and soon after a giggle. Sesshomaru frowned but did not move away. "You are so full of questions this morning my lord. I fare fine…a bit stretched but otherwise I feel like a new person. What ever have you done to me milord?"

But he did not reply instead he pulled away from her chin only to place a lone clawed finger atop her lips and a very serious air took him. "I am no longer your lord Rin. You are as equal to me as I to you. It would please this Sesshomaru if you called me by my name. There is to be no more formality save for public appearances and before my court. Do you understand?"

"I do milo- forgive me. It will take some time….maybe even years for me to get used to that.."

Sesshomaru smiled and replied, "Good. I shall look forward to it".

"You do?" replied Rin almost instantly. Sesshomaru recovered from his smile and simply smirked. "We are to be honest with one another Rin. No more secrets and no more lies to stand between us. I have been foolish in the past where concerns you. I have avowed that there is to be no more secrets. I want but for your happiness at my side".

Rin could not believe she was hearing any of this. Did he just say what she'd heard him say? Was this still part of some dream? But as the words left his mouth she could hardly control her thoughts of last night, and of the shadow of recent events. She released then a deep sigh and thought better of herself. If he was lying about being completely truthful and with holding no more secrets then now was as good a time to find out as any, while they were alone and unspoiled.

He took note of the confusion that was spreading about her smooth features and prepared himself. "Speak Rin what troubles you?" his voice was quick and sharp, and she'd known that he was sincere for his mood grew slightly foul with the idea that he would soon have to reveal less than pleasant truths. Rin took a deep breath and tried to start from the beginning.

Where to begin, she thought.

"Last night milor- Sesshomaru, you and I became as one. I gave myself to you fully. I know that you have already told me, its just. Its just that I need to know for absolute certainty that you will never send me away again. That you wont change your mind…"

Sesshomaru seemed to ignore her as he looked harder past her eyes and down her neck, "Look there. Those wounds on her your neck, do you not understand the significance of them?" he asked with all sincerity. Rin reached again for her neck and looked confused. He took a breath and decided to explain the rituals of his kind.

"Among my kind Rin a bite to the neck from a male demon to his intended is a mark that none other can break. I have given you my bond, my eternal protection. In your human world the bonds between male and female is made significant with a marriage ceremony. You must think of the mark as such. You have given yourself to me, and I returned the same…….vulnerability when I marked you. We are one now. And it is with me you shall stay".

Rin nodded in complete understanding. "I see…I am grateful."

Sesshomaru released a deep sigh before turning his attentions back to his young lover, there was so much now in his life that would change. Seeing to her safety as he had never done before. She was more than his equal, more than just his mate. But another part of himself. For she would be the other half of his soul and mother to heirs. He looked away from her his mind venturing to the tapestry that hung in his study. Was he so unlike his father now? The question seemed to lay heavy on his mind.

"There is one other thing I feel we must talk about…..". said Rin almost out of no where. Sesshomaru felt his blood still. With a nod he urged her on. Onto the path of questioning he was still loathe to speak of. His past dealings with Yanori and that of the son that was spawned in its wake.

"Is it true that you have a son?"

The question did take him off guard almost as soon as it was spoken. It broke what little calm there was to be to their afternoon. And yet he could not fault her for it nor deny the answer. He would prove himself to be a coward if he walked away and a liar. He wasn't ready to talk of such things yet such dealings could not be avoided. He couldn't look at her and so he moved up and away from the bed. Slightly disgusted with himself. His back to his beloved he again turned to the window and that of the after noon sky. All its beauty could offer him no escape and so he prepared to answer.

"Yes. I have a son, its is something that I have never denied".

Rin released a sigh she wasn't aware she was steadfastly holding, her eyes closed, "Then why had you never told me? Why did you never tell me anything about him….or Yanori".

Sesshomaru turned quickly just then to face her, though his eyes were still lost. "This Sesshomaru's past was his alone to ponder. His alone to know. There was never a need for you to tell you".

Rin seemed to ignore him when she pressed on, "She was cruel! That woman, she was vile and evil. Shouting out the most horrible things. That she knew you in ways that I…that I never could," a lone tear fell as she spoke almost without emotion," and her words ripped into me milord. Tore at my heart! That I meant nothing to you….that I didn't have your love because you never trusted me with such things…."

"Rin stop this……."

"I can not milord! I feel I must tell you…..I must in order to move ahead with you in this new life. I have to tell you how I feel, how I felt then when I felt in my soul that I was to die without ever having seen you again. I never want to hear such secrets spoken from another woman about you like that…what I am saying milord is….is that all of it?"

He moved toward the bed fully and sat down and pulled her into an embrace that washed away all doubt. Running his hand gently up and down her back he allowed her to rage and vent at him, to unleash what was left of her broken heart. He'd reasoned that he did deserve it. There was never a way of him knowing that the events of his past would have crushed her so. His intent was not wholly malicious, just something he was none to proud of.

"This Sesshomaru is here with you now. I will withhold nothing else from you..you have my word". Rin nodded in his embrace and slowly over the span of many minutes began to calm down. Her shivering sobs to cease and ease over took her. He pushed her back slightly onto her pillows and as he looked into her face he wanted nothing more than to see her smile. And yet he too had questions. He had fought within himself for many weeks now from pressing the issue of exactly what happened that night.

Perhaps now that he fully had her trust he could ask his question and hope to resolve a fear that had been growing with increased unease ever since. The half demon that had escaped him and his Rin. Finding the right moment he prepared himself.

"Trust me Rin". he said suddenly and Rin turned her head in a childlike manner before giving him a wide smile. "I do milord…err…Sesshomaru". He smirked at the fact that she was right and it would take her some time. But as for now he would over look formality. Taking her hand in his own he grew serious and it caused Rin to worry.

"What is it?" she asked quickly.

He stared down at her smooth delicate hands before looking directly into her dark hazel eyes. There was no other way to say it and he was not one for beating around the bush even in matters such as these. He would be direct, that was the best way. She'd said she trusted him, now was the time for him to call out that trust.

"The half demon, did he----"

Before he could finish he could see that Rin's eyes grew large with fright and she was now squeezing his hand and pushing ever so slightly away. Her breathing had speed up and her pleasant demeanor to vanish. He had feared as much but reassured her through every ounce of his soul that he was still there for her. Did not see her any differently.

She shut her eyes and pushed away the very thought of Shido, and wished so reverently that she had never met him. Swallowing down the sick feeling of bile she looked at her lord who was drawing his own conclusions. There was no way she could for one moment allow him to think that way of her. By the blessings of the gods nothing had transpired between her and the half demon whom she'd called friend. Her lord had to know.

"No….milord. Nothing happened…..he did not".

Sesshomaru carefully let out his sigh of relief as he locked eyes with his beloved. His nose scented out the truth in the air she breathed. She was telling the truth. He was relieved with the revelation of the truth and relieved that she truly did trust him.

He could think of nothing to say in light of her honesty and so he comforted her. "We must leave this room some time today Rin, are you not hungry?" he asked as he stroked her face with the back of his hand. Rin shifted closer toward him. She only wished to remain sealed up in the safety of her lords room, it was her new sanctuary and she reasoned she could never grow tired of it. But there was a knowing ache in her belly that demanded she take some sustenance. A slight smile graced her smooth features and she had to admit the truth.

"Then come along then and we shall bathe and take our lunch in the garden".

"Yes…"

Sesshomaru stood up and guided his still naked Rin up with him, his golden eyes taking in every inch of her exposed flesh. His eyes scanning her up and down in a complete unabashed display. He was proud to have this female, nay this young woman as his mate. His mate! And none other. A thousand curses could not erase the feelings of absolute foolishness that were the past, that were he was ever so insistent upon. That this innocent young woman would bring him harm, and bring him shame. Such foolishness.

Rin could not help but blush and it spread from the delicate curve of her face to the tips of her toes. She laughed wholeheartedly, "What is it Sesshomaru, you are looking at me like you intend on devouring me…" she giggled and then realized how very true that statement was. Sesshomaru was struck by those words for a moment before he caught the humor in the bizarre statement. He cracked a slight smile. "I may very well do so if you do not leave this room and nourish yourself."

"Yes of course," said Rin as she reached for a violet kimono robe that was laying atop cushioned chair. She carefully placed it on and tied the sash, eager to get away from the hungry stare of her new…

"Milord….what am I to call you..?" she asked suddenly.

Sesshomaru gave a confused frown, "Call me? By my name of course". Rin giggled and moved to stand before him, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "No, you said it yourself that in the human world when a man and woman share themselves as we have, and the male has…in your world marked her that she is his mate?"

He nodded still puzzled, he'd suspected that she was getting at something very personal and potentially embarrassing for him even if ever so slightly. He sighed and glared down at her to intimidate in his own way as he had done millions of times with her. It was a playful intimidation, meant to drive the subject away and move on to more interesting things. But this was a method that seldom worked on his Rin. She was a strong willed creature much like himself.

"Are you my husband?" she finally asked and immediately a flush filled her cheeks. Sesshomaru could only stare after her, he was feeling most unlike himself of late. His golden eyes darkened ever so and he let out a breath of pure exhaustion. Surely she had to know the answer to that already. With a grunt and a wave of his hand he turned and left the room. Rin released another slight giggle as she realized that he was his off handed way of avoiding the comment and saying yes all in one. She had her answer completely now and so she tugged on her robes and followed him towards the bath house.

TBC…..