Sesshomaru and the Songstress: Passion From Within
Chapter Thirty-Six: Inukimi Is Reborn
Rin lingered in Rumana's arms, her nightmares driving her once again to seek parental comfort. Rumana wiped the tears away from her eyes as Sesshomaru stroked her hair. She had seen a dark figure in her sleep again…a large apparition that killed whatever he touched. It took about an hour to calm her sobs, but finally Rin laid docile as Rumana rocked her in her arms. Sesshomaru sat up in the bed, alert and worried. Rumana looked at her husband in concern as she laid Rin in between them under the sheets. The little human magnetically succumbed to sleep as she drifted off into a sense of complete safety.
"This is the fourth time this week Sesshomaru…"
"I know."
"She didn't start having nightmare until after Naraku was destroyed. You don't think that Kiyoshi is messing with her somehow…"
Sesshomaru gazed at his little human miracle, and hatred began to surge through his veins. Damn that traitorous whore!
"I will find out. Until then, Rin will sleep in here."
Rumana nodded in agreement as she settled under the covers with her new found daughter. Wrapping her arms around her tiny waist, Rumana buried her face in Rin's chocolate brown hair. It was one thing to harm an adult full of sins and mistakes…but not this innocent child…
Lady Mother sat in her room, embroidering her kimono with various golden designs. The night was so still since Rin had calmed down…even the stars seemed to exude a hypnotic glow of peace. Sighing with relaxation, Lady Mother closed her eyes in satisfaction. She had spent most her day watching Shippo and Rin play childish games among the garden trees. Lord Atsuko even gave her the joy of his company, they would talk for hours as the children played. The old days were gone…..but she felt a glimpse of her teenage self when he was around.
"Inukimi…"
Lady Mother froze in shock as she felt his presence behind her. No one had used her real name in years…decades. Not even Inutaisho had graced her with that honor.
"Atsuko…what are you doing in here?"
"I came to see you…you have been so melancholy for the past week."
"Oh…I'm fine. Rin has been plagued with nightmares recently. We are suspecting foul play…"
Atsuko grabbed Inukimi without a moment's hesitation, kissing her tenderly with a wave of passion. She gasped as he drew back from her, his hands still firmly wrapped around her.
"Atsuko…..we can't. You need to find a wife…..a wife that will bear you children. You have a dynasty to create, a land to uphold. You know that I became a barren woman after Sesshomaru's birth…"
"I care nothing for creating a lineage of my own. When Mamiko died Rumana became my god daughter in name and responsibility. That is enough for me."
"Inutaisho would be appalled…"
"Inutaisho wouldn't want you to spend the rest of your days alone. I have been a grieving man for many years now. I am tired of wallowing in my own sorrow Inukimi. We have known one another since we were children learning courtly manners and rules. We were both dealt poor hands in this life, but that doesn't have to be permanent."
Inukimi stared at Atsuko…his long black hair hung seductively over his broad, masculine shoulders…his dark eyes gleamed in honest desire. Slowly, she reached up to kiss him once more, afraid that she had forgotten how. Atsuko gave her a quick lesson in the art of love. Gently he peeled off her royal kimono piece by piece, until just skin remained. Inukimi blushed…a man had not gazed upon her nude body since Inutaisho. Atsuko gazed at her, hungry for more.
When they finally reached the cool sheets of her bed, Inukimi had managed to disrobe Atsuko of his dark kimono. Skin to skin…Inukimi hungrily placed kisses of desire in the nape of his neck. It was there that they made love for the first time…each moan and gasp awakening senses that Lady Mother had thought long gone. Inutaisho was an arranged match, so a slight awkwardness always plagued their bedroom. But this…it was so natural…so animalistic. There was nothing she could do to displease him, or leave him dissatisfied.
They had knocked all the sheets onto the floor, even the pillows laid in dissarray in the room. Atsuko laid beside Inukimi, his hands running down her long ignored body. She fearlessly looked into his eyes, knowing that his gaze would never shift from her.
"What have we done?" Inukimi said, laughing. Atsuko smiled and pulled Inukimi into his arms. For the rest they lingered among the moonlight, muttering conversations of the past and the future. Atsuko wasn't sure what he would do about the Eastern lands, and Lady Mother wasn't sure how Sesshomaru would take the news if he found out. But one thing was for sure…they would stay together. Both had searched for love and affection their entire lives…and finally after hundreds of years of suffering and loneliness, they had found happiness.