AN: Many thanks for the favs, follows and favs! ^_^
00000 One week later 00000
Rin streamed down the long hallway to Alack's room- he had improved greatly since that day in the Spell Room. His wings were making a lovely recovery, as for Tsuki he was much the same except maybe more cheerful if that was really possible. She still hadn't spoken to Sesshoumaru since that night- for all intents and purposes he was avoiding her. Despite his impassioned wish that night, Rin had returned to the Consort Quarters and he had let her go without a word.
For the first time since she had married Sesshoumaru she felt uneasiness about their relationship, it didn't help that her own Heat continued to burn her. Though her body was well on the way to recover, Botan told her that it would be a least a month for more before….
She stopped suddenly in the hallway, stamping her small foot. The geta made a loud sound in the silence of the hallway. Before with a huff she took the last few steps to reach the door
"I am coming in" she announced opening the screen door with an elegant motion only to gasp in shock. Not only was Alack sitting up in the thick futon three small children between the ages of 6 & 8 with lavender eyes and raven hair like Alack were clustered around him. One of the tallest, a little boy had his arms wrapped around Alack's long neck. Whispering something loudly in his ear
"Alack-sama" she bowed noticing that he was wearing a very light yukata- had the children dressed him?
"Ohayo!" the boy wearing the tall sandals peeled himself from Alack's side and ran up to Rin, grabbing the front of her kimono grinning. Rin let out a little sigh of pleasure, what a beautiful little boy though none could compare to her little Sakuya.
"Ohayo to you little one" she said with a wide smile, he was too cute!
"My apologies Rin-sama, my son is precocious at the best of times" Alack cast her an apologetic almost shy smile
Rin's thin brows shot into her hair "Son?" he looked at the other two boys who were in reality twins. It was only the child that clung to her silk kimono who looked a bit different. His features were so soft they could be considered beautiful. No doubt he would grow to be a dangerously handsome tengu, as his father was.
"This is Akira, Sou and Jun" he indicated each with a sweep of his long fingered hand.
Jun grinned widely "Are you here to feed my daddy?" he asked softly. Looking at the lacquered tray she held in her hands.
"Not feed him- just bring him breakfast" she said, Jun released her kimono and Rin went over to the lavender scented futon kneeling down to set out the trays. Akira and Sou sat near their father watching with the interest of all small children. Jun however returned to his father's side and wrapped his arms around his neck once more.
"I should go and find more food for the children, I did not know that they were coming" she said gently
Alack flashed a smile "I did not either, but then they always like appearing when I least expect it"
Rin looked at the 3 boys with new appreciation, how powerful exactly was Alack? If he could push aside the lightning from that Spell the way he did- what else could he do?
"I heard from Tasogare that you and Sesshoumaru are not speaking…. Could it be because of what happened in the Spell Room or is it what my idiot friend told Sesshoumaru about the Heat?"
Rin blinked quickly "Ah- um, he never even thanked me for what I did for Crown Prince. You, Sestuna- sama and even Tasogare-sama have. But he…." She trailed off "I thought he would have wanted me…." words failed her as she looked down stirring the miso soup before handing it to him. Setsuna was always so kind to keep the food warm on her long trek to this part of the Palace
"What did Tasogare- sama tell my husband?" she asked when Alack was silent staring into his soup with a serious look on his handsome face.
Alack took long sip of the miso "He told him the reason the Heat was still with Sesshoumaru. Was because of you"
Rin's hands tightened in her lap "What that's impossible"
Alack shook his head "I took one look at you the night I first came and knew you were a passionate woman Rin. The Heat and the Marking took you very strongly didn't it"
Rin's face flared hot remembering how incredibly powerful the Marking had been, how she had made Sesshoumaru…. She shook her head quickly as if to clear the images- the emotions.
She took a ragged breath "Y-yes" she answered in a small voice.
"Then? Do not deny you do not enjoy his attention, even at the inappropriate times or places" a slow, lazy grin was curling his lips.
Rin blinked quickly, casting quick looks at the boys "Tell me do you have any more children Alack-sama?"
Alack chuckled softly "Don't change the subject" his eyes flashed.
Biting her lower lip, she put her head farther down "Hai"
She didn't see the wicked smile bloom over Alack's handsome face "Well then I daresay that everything will turn out right. You are going to make him pay for his hard headedness aren't you little one?"
Rin looked up and nodded once quickly changing the subject mostly out of embarrassment "If you can make it down to the music hall tonight I will give a performance in honor of all of you being here"
"If Tasogare has to carry me like a princess I wouldn't miss it for the world"
00000
Rin bumped into Sesshoumaru just out the hallway to the music room- biting back a curse and shifting the kugo to her other arm she glared at her husband. By the gods he was in some pale yellow yukata and haori printed with lotus that made her mouth water. She had worn a similar color as well- damn Botan, they were almost matching.
"Good evening Sesshoumaru" she said coolly, feeling the sudden stupid urge to cry. Why is it she had been so iron composed these last few days only to fall apart the moment he came near her?
How she hated him sometimes….
He inclined his head, face unreadable "Good evening, I trust you have a lovely evening of music planned for us" he began formally.
Rin pressed her lips together "Indeed I do" she trailed off words suddenly failing her. The anger that she had been banking all week rose up in her.
"You are a bastard" she growled looking up into those hot molten eyes. Sesshoumaru had sensual eyes that she could drown in forever. Even now they were flecked with deep bits of amber- either he was vexed or aroused.
To speak the truth Rin was both angered and aroused. She wasn't sure it she wanted to kiss or smack him- but the cadence of her heart beating in her chest was almost painful.
Sesshoumaru folded his arms over his muscular chest, quirking a single slash of a silver brow. "Do you think me so"
"Yes I do" she set the kugo down against the paper screened wall and advanced on him. Grinding her finger into his chest
"You once told me that you don't own me- well all I can see is you behaving like a selfish chauvinistic prick for the last week! I was the only one who was able to truly help your own half cousin- and what do you do- you"
He caught her chin with a swift elegant motion silencing her- a strange look had slid over his face during her little impassioned diatribe. She glared up at him, her beautiful pink mouth set into a tight line. She grabbed at his wrist and tried to pull his hand away.
The grip on her chin tightened "Let me go!" she seethed trying to keep her voice down. No doubt the music room was now full of people. Including Sesshoumaru and Tsukasa oni friends
Sesshoumaru bent till his lips were inches from hers "You have every right to be so angry with me dearest. I only can humbly beg your forgiveness" he brushed his lips over hers. As soft and fleeting as a butterfly wing,
Rin jammed her sandaled foot on his toes and with a whuff of surprise released her. Rin staggered back the kimono tangling between her thin legs. She wobbled only to have Sesshoumaru catch her before she fell. Rin couldn't quite help herself, she buried her face in his shoulder. Inhaling deeply of the clean scent of the silk kimono and beneath that the hot scent of amber.
"I-I was frightened of your Power Rin. I didn't know you would grow to be such a woman- a woman who is my equal in all ways" he said with a soft sincerity.
Rin left out a little sniffle, feeling the tears prick at her eyes- he anger evaporating at those words. In that moment Rin understood just how deeply he loved her. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him passionately, wrapping her arms around his neck. Sesshoumaru seemed almost reluctant at first to return her impassioned kiss. Even when she slid her tongue into the sensual heat of his mouth tasting him, but that was not for long. His arms came around to crush her into his hard chest
He was the one to break the kiss with a groan of something like agony "Rin- my Uncle told me the reason for the Heat lingering" he moaned as she bit his earlobe hard.
"Why is that?" she murmured knowing the answer well enough, gliding her tongue into the shell of his ear.
"Its you" he replied kissing her again, this was no chaste kiss. This was hard and brutal- Sesshoumaru releasing all the pent up love and lust that he had stored for a week his hands tangling in her chocolate colored hair to hold her head still as he ravished her mouth.
A frustrated noise bloomed through the hallway "By all the gods, can't the two of you conduct your liaisons in a bedchamber? Why- why must it always be a hallway" Tasogare said teasingly. Sesshoumaru turned to see that Tasogare was supporting Alack who was standing on still weak legs. Tasogare's powerful arm wrapped around the ancient tengu's waist, while Alack held onto his shoulder. Clustered around him were Alack's young children. Boldly Jun stepped forward
"Can we all go in now?"
00000
Setsuna watched through his long screen of lashes as the kappa youkai known simply as Jaken walk into the room. Truly the kappa must have thought him stupid- but then the Avatar of this Palace knew and saw all.
The small demon had been scarce for the last few weeks and Setsuna knew why
"Jaken" Setsuna said cooly, the little demon froze turning guility to the Avatar. Sestuna beckoned him with a pale hand and reluctantly he came. After all Jaken was one of the few other then maybe Alack and Tasogare that knew what the Avatar really was. Being confined to a single form such as this was something that the Avatar bore with great grace.
"Is there something I can help you with Milord?" he asked formally
"Why have you been brewing aphrodisiac in the Potion Room?" he asked plainly, the demons dusty green face flushed with sudden embarrassment.
"It is not aphrodisiac it is a tonic-"
Setsuna let out a short dulcet laugh "Tonic- not when it smells so sweet. It intoxicates even me- I wish you to get rid of it Jaken. Whatever is brewing inside that devious little head I will not allow it"
Jaken actually looked affronted "It was nothing devious- merely…"
"Insidious? Depraved?" he added helpfully
Jaken's face turned a deeper red "I made sure the two of them came together Milord. I will also ensure they stay together. Rin's Heat needs to be satisfied- they need time to be alone. As you can see with the amount of people that fill your halls" he made a surprisingly elegant gesture with his small hand "it is diffuclt"
Sestuna leaned his cheek on his hand and stared down at the little youkai "Do you truly love them that much?"
Jaken quickly looked away from the Avatar "I have no idea what you are talking about"
0000
The Lord of the Western Lands felt surprise bloom through him when he opened the door to his bedchamber. Jaken was there with several large chests overflowing with priceless garments. Still faintly buzzed from the copious amount of plum wine he had imbided it took him a few moments to come up with a sutiable sentence.
"What are you doing here?" he asked lamely as the small kappa was pulling garment agfter garment out. Laying them on the crimson bed.
"Sestuna dumped these in your room Milord. He wished you and Rin to wear them. Apparently they had once belonged to former Lord's and Ladies of this Palace"
"Hm" he walked in to see a small tray with a ceramic cup of green tea lay on a tray along with two large manju buns. When was the last time Sesshoumaru had one of those? He couldn't quite recall- it had to be several decades at least.
Taking up the green tea he took a long sip, watching the small demon begin to fold some of the fine ancient kimonos with the speed of a ferret. Before reverently place them in boxes to be stored with Sesshoumaru's now vast wardrobe.
"Jaken" he snapped feeling a headache flare between his eyes "there will be plenty of them tomorrow to do that. I wish to retire"
Ever the innocuous snake Jaken cast his yellowy eyes up at his Lord "Truly milord it is not yet midnight. I expected to you to be downstairs still dawn of tomorrow morning"
Sesshoumaru let out a bark of a laugh "Not anymore- I suppose I'm getting old. Besides I went to go check on my son before coming here"
A strange and entirely unexpected smile slipped over Jaken's beak at the mention of Sakuya. "He is a darling child. Not fussy at all"
Surprise bloomed through Sesshoumaru chest "You went to go see my son?"
Jaken let out a sniff "Why of course- he is the next Lord. I hope to be here to watch him grow"
Sesshoumaru was stunned "You will be Jaken…" he trailed off a bit lost at the strangeness of his Jaken's words.
Jaken smiled at Sesshoumaru "You have my sincerest thanks Sesshoumaru-sama." He hoped down and lifted the tray towards Sesshoumaru "would you like a manju bun?"
0000
Drunk for the first time in over nine months, Rin stumbled her way back to the Consort Quarters. It had to almost be dawn judging from the pinkish light that illuminated the spacious hallway from the skylights.
How long had she spent downstairs with everyone? The only 2 had been conspicuously absent was her husband and Avatar. They had retired long ago- even as the rest including Rin had indulged in both food, wine and excellent company.
Gratefully before her descent into utter frivolity- Botan had brought Sakuya in, which caused such a ruckus that she could only marvel. Apparently Sakuya was too cute for even someone like Tasogare to resist. The inu- youkai cradling the infant in his huge arms, crooning ancient words to him in that archaic Japanese.
In the last weeks Rin had noticed that Sakuya was terribly intelligent- his beautiful eyes always alert and watching. When he smiled though Rin's heart melted- surely not even a tenshi could be as beautiful as her son…
She stopped finding that her usual pathway had now spilt. One hallway went left and the other right.
"Setsuna-sama?" she called waiting to feel the sudden pressure of his energy yet none came. Perplexed she look the left hallway which abruptly plunged her into darkness, a vaguely familiar door came up to her right side. She turned around to find that the hallway had sealed itself of to her.
"Setsuna this is not funny" she murmured- yet she was not afraid. The screen door that she passed slid open slowly and a strong hand caught her arm.
"What are you doing here?" came the deep molasses voice of her husband husky with sleep. The sheer sound of his voice was like honey down her spine.
"Setsuna is playing with my head Sesshoumaru" she replied quickly "he somehow made me end up in front of your room" she replied words slightly slurring.
Gently he pulled her into the amber scented darkness of the bedchamber "Why not? What if it was I who told him to."
The darkness was so that Rin couldn't even see his face, but the hands on her shoulders were solid enough. "Then you are wicked- wicked youkai and deserve to be punished" she replied emboldened by the darkness and the drink in her veins.
"Will you punish me?" he asked then, stepping closer till their bodies touched.
"I still haven't forgiven you" she said like a petulant child, hands coming up to touch his chest. To her surprise his chest was bare. Smooth muscled flesh- hot as a flame lay beneath her small hands, as his own skillful fingers had already begun to open her kimono and it fell open as if by some magic spell.
"Sesshoumaru?" she whispered in the darkness, listening to the sound of rustling fabric as her kimono opened fully. The underskirt that she wore beneath it being untied from her slender hips. Hot hands parted her legs before Sesshoumaru opened her thighs and tasted her in a place that no man except him had touched.
In shock she nearly pulled away but Sesshoumaru held her tight "Relax sweetling" his voice was thick with lust "let me pleasure you"
By the gods, he was using not just his mouth but his tongue, his teeth. Her mind blanked out as he worked that dark magic till her world had splintered into a thousand points of light. Her climax so brutal that she was unable to even stand- Sesshoumaru caught her as her legs gave out from under her.
"Show me now how you will punish me."
0000
Several thousand miles away Tsumu the newly cornated Child of Heaven tossed a man more gold then the assaisn had seen in his short life.
"You know where to go" he said coldly. With a deep bow the youth in the black yukata bowed and melted back into the shadows.