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Deadly is the Poison Pill

Chapter 7

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A week passed in a dizzying whirlwind for Rin who returned with Sesshomaru to the castle to find that some guests for the wedding had not left . For a new wave of merchants had arrived from India's shores at Mahendra's insistence. Apparently both the Mahrajah and the Lord of the Western Lands were greedy men after all.

That suited Rin just fine, she had missed out on the 1st bazaar and was excited to attend one again.

Jaken had been the one to tell her that the fruit she had consumed had been no ordinary fruit. But the fruit of the gods, essentially she was now immortal.

She would never age past 30- indeed the changes to her person were coming on gradually. Her hair seemed thicker and silkier, even her cheeks were naturally rosy.

She felt a vitality in her, a hope filled her that she had never felt in all the years of her life.

Rin was grateful. No doubt this had been Mahendra's plan all along. That is why Sesshomaru had been there for her at that vital moment...

How would she ever repay him?

Speaking of - as per his usual Sesshomaru had not approached her again, she suspected with a sense of impending delight that he was planning his new mode of attack. He watched her carefully enough at mealtimes, she shamelessly gazed back even though her skin prickled at the look of lust plain in his eyes.

Now it was early afternoon and Rin sat at the low table in one of the common area sitting rooms with Jaken. Who was reading a scroll and briskly making notes on a piece of parchment with his brush.

Rin was painting with her pots of watercolors, supplies spread out neatly as she filled in the intricate sakura blossoms with deft movements of her brush.

"Jaken" Rin looked up after a time as she rinsed her brush in a dish of water

"What is it girl?" he barked

"What is that fragrance around Sesshomaru?" she asked, Jaken paused meeting her eyes with his yellowy own.

"Of what do you speak girl?"

Rin studied the diminutive kappa youkai for a moment, wondering if he was being deliberately cruel to her. But no- he seemed truly not to understand. Rin set her brush down on the holder and folded her hands in her lap before speaking.

"In the last few months there has been the smell of amber and sandalwood around Sesshomaru's person. I was wondering are you scenting his garment boxes?" she explained patiently.

Surprisingly Jaken laughed "I scent them with the bark of camphor to keep the moths away- nothing more. But if you can smell it" a unexpected and slighlty disturbing smile slid over his beak "it is the Heat kicking in after all these years." Jaken finished returning his attention to his scroll and making a quick note.

"What is the Heat?" she murmured utterly perplexed at the undisguised look of glee on Jaken's face.

"I should think you know what it is girl. You've read enough" Jaken replied evasively. For a moment Rin considered it, oh yes heat was...

She felt her face pale, gulping audibly "What does that mean for me?" she asked in a slightly strained voice.

Jaken smiled "Now that my Master has no woman to slake his lusts. He will be visiting you to quell that insidious power"

Something leapt into her stomach, her heart suddenly pounded hard in her chest.

"Is that so?" she managed evenly, picking up her brush with a lightly trembling hand. Jaken saw this of course

"Yes" Jaken drew the word out looking at her square in the eye "isn't this what you have always wanted girl?"

"I have no more to say on the subject" she proclaimed haughtily & with a laugh Jaken returned to his notes.

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"Sesshomaru, there are two very interesting people coming into the courtyard" Mahendra commented as Sesshomaru stepped out onto to the large veranda from the study, the wind rippling the heavily embroidered haori he wore.

Leaning against the railing Sesshomaru had no need to squint- he saw the two beings as plain as if he stood there instead of nearly 4 stories up.

"Oh gods" he breathed "those are my family"

Mahendra looked up in excitement, amber eyes suddenly glimmering "What?"

"The slightly shorter figure there, in the pale lavender furisode is my Mother. The gentleman with the long white hair and armor is my Uncle"

Mahendra squinted as a flood of their entourage spilled into the high walled courtyard.

"More beings to clothe and feed Sesshomaru- you are turning into a regular philanthropist" Mahendra said wickedly with a wiggle of his dark brows.

Sesshomaru laughed "These are set of beings which cannot be refused. Come down and let me introduce you to them"

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Briskly Mahendra moved down on of the spacious hallways in the palace, his belled anklets jingling rhythmically as he made his way to the entrance. Unaware that he would come face to face with Rin- who had been lured down here by the sheer volume of voices.

"Rin-chan"

Rin turned and smiled widely "Mahendra-sama!"

He laughed when Rin embraced him "So you figured it out- took you long enough."

"Cad!" she hit him lightly on the shoulder with a laugh

"That's the first time I've heard you laugh so Rin-chan" he commented

"I have renewed hope, hope is a dangerous thing Mahendra-sama" she replied smartly. A glint of mischief in her eyes.

He shook his head amber eyes sparkling "No more 'sama' Rin-chan, its just Mahendra now"

Rin grinned "Good- then its just Rin for me as well. We are now officially friends"

He chuckled "Well then since we are friends and all, would you like to come with me to greet Sesshomaru's guests?" he asked as they walked down the hall together at a much slower pave.

"Of course"

"Sesshomaru tells me they are his family"

Rin stopped walking "What?"

"Oh yes, I'm as surprised as you are. Who knew he had any relatives left other than Inuyasha." a gimlet glint suddenly entered his expressive eyes.

"Come now don't tell me you are shy? I thought you were as strong as a man Rin. An equal to all of us"

Rin was stunned at the words that left his mouth "Equal?" she laughed briefly "I was never trained to be like other women- Lady Kaede was far from average. She lived how she wanted & I strive to do the same"

Admiration filled his eyes "That's my girl- then take all that courage & lets meet the rest of your benefactors family

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Rin stood in front of the two beings who had gathered in the center of the reception hall- cursing Sesshomaru for being conveniently absent at such a crucial time. Mahendra was the first to step forward and bow deeply.

"I am Mahendra Mursil- King of Bihar, it is a honor to meet the two of you in person" he said elegenatly.

"I am Inukimi & this is my brother in law Tasogare. He is the Lord of the Eastern Lands" the woman spoke. Her voice light and airy, returning a short bow of her own.

Tasogare did the same & when he raised his head his eyes fell on Rin and he winked.

Rin's mouth went briefly slack in shock, her cheeks reddening. Before she quickly looked away. W-what was that? She could feel how his amber gaze burned into her face.

It was now Rin's turn, elegantly she stepped forward and bowed to the two of them determined not to lose her composure. Addressing them with the proper "sama" at the end of their names. It would be a cold day in Hell when she bowed to Sesshomaru like this ever again.

But she had to admit when she straightened that they were dazzling. Their very majesty put Sesshomaru's to shame. It was clear who Sesshomaru took after- Inukami's cool serenity & gentle doll like features echoed Sesshomaru's. Tasogare- well what could she say he was handsome beyond words- a dark kind of magnetism oozed from his very pores.

"Ah Honorable Mother, Uncle" a familiar deep voice sounded beside her. Rin wouldn't turn even as that milk white hair flashed from the corner of her eye.

"We weren't expecting you so soon. I apologize for my lateness- I was completing last minute arrangements for your rooms" Sesshomaru continued as Inukami stepped forward.

"My son I am glad to see you. It heartens me to know that you are finally taking some care in your appearance. This haori would make your father quite proud" Inukami reached out one her flawless hands to gently touch the heavy embroidery, before brushing Sesshomaru's cheek in a doting gesture that made her son flush.

Rin ever a secret lover of Sesshomaru's clothing since childhood couldn't resist- she turned to him. His face had pinked under his mothers assessing gaze. Garbed today in a blinding haori of pale red so heavily embroidered it was glimmering in the countless lanterns that lit in the massive hall- beneath was a deep red silk yukata that hugged his muscular body. He was a devastating sight.

She felt her lips part lightly, red suited Sesshomaru most of all. It brought such a allure to his pale lips and golden eyes that he was all but irresistible. If he had wanted her to burn with longing this day Sesshomaru had achieved his goal. Rin's elegant hands tightened in the folds of her pink kimono.

"I live to please you Mother" he replied most diffidently, his eyes quickly flicking over to Rin. Rin avoided his gaze and lowered her lashes demurely- knowing how to deal with his games now. Tasogare watched the exchange with a barely concealed grin before he proclaimed

"By the gods Inukami don't fuss over the boy. You know that he is wearing such an ostentatious thing for a certain person we all know" he looked pointedly at Rin as he said this. The hall which had been respectively silent suddenly began to buzz excitedly.

Rin could have swore- instead she pasted a pleasant smile on her face to confront the Lord of the Eastern Lands. His amber eyes alight with mischief.

"I haven't any idea of what you are speaking Tasogare-sama. I find it terribly unfair that you would single me out in front of the whole court in such a fashion" she said boldly- willing that the wood floor would open now and swallow her whole.

Tasogare closed the small distance between them & reached out to take her hand, bringing it to his lips where he placed a gentle kiss there. The heat of his lips against her bare skin made a strange frisson of heat speed through her body. That is when she smelt it faintly- incense. Dear gods was he also?

"I meant no offense young lady. Only that I am surprised that my nephew has made so many changes to his person and this palace for your sake. When my brother was alive this was a gloomy place indeed. Don't you agree Inukami?" he turned to his sister in law that deep voice ringing through the hall. Rin's hand still trapped in his.

She nodded serenely "Having a human here has changed my son's tastes. Hasn't it Sesshomaru?" she turned to the Lord of the Western lands for confirmation.

"Oh it has Mother" Sesshomaru boldly met Rin's eyes when he said this, like that time in the garden which seemed like ages ago. His eyes practically smoldered through those long white lashes, they were now nearly the shade of Tasogare's. Amber, hot- erotic.

Rin took a step toward him and Tasogare's grip on her hand grew bruising

"Control yourself Rin. The Heat is a dangerous thing" he whispered low

Rin shook the stars from her eyes "W-what?"

"Mother would you like some wine before retiring to your rooms?" Sesshomaru asked pleasantly as she took his arm & they walked to the edge of the Reception Hall.

"Yes- does Jaken still make that delicious camellia wine your father was so fond of?" she inquired serenely

Sesshomaru nodded "It's in the Public Hall waiting for you"

"Wonderful- Tasogare don't dawdle" Inukami called out as she and Sesshomaru disappeared into the hallway.

As soon as they were gone the Hall burst into a din of conversation several youkai trying to swamp Rin. Tasogare who was still holding her hand guided her through the crush and into the hallway where he shut the door on the crowd.

"Thank you for your assistance, but you can release my hand now Tasogare-sama" Rin said with a tug of her hand.

Tasogare's divine lips were briefly pressed into a line "Before I do who told you about the Heat?" he asked in that sinful voice.

"Jaken, but only because I asked. I was confused as to the scent that lingered around your nephew" Rin replied as he released his grip on her flesh. Rin brought her hand protectively to her chest- feeling it smart lightly.

"How long has it been since you smelt it?" he continued his sheer size seeming to fill up the hallway.

Rin studied his features, those carnal lips were much the same shape as Sesshomaru's. Though Sesshomaru's were pale shell pink, Tasogare's was almost rosy- yet utterly masculine.

"Three or four months perhaps. At first I found it pleasing now- it is going to be hazardous to my health isn't it?" she answered her tone scathing.

Tasogare threw back his head and laughed "That may be the understatement of the century Rin-san"

Despite herself Rin felt her lips curling as he offered her his arm. Sliding her hand into his unnatural warmth, they walked down the hallway at a sedate pace.

"The Heat is a dangerous thing, now that you are aware of it. The bitterness and anger that is between you two will mold into something quite different. If only Sesshomaru had given vent to his feelings sooner the situation would not be quite so dire as this"

"Dire?" she looked up at him perplexed "but Sesshomaru has asked me to marry him"

"That may be so little lady- but the Heat will extract a heavy price from the both of you. It is a magic that does not like to be starved or denied. Especially when the candidate is so carnally pleasing"

Her face reddened "Are you speaking of me?"

"Yes I am. Have you looked at yourself in the mirror Rin? You are beautiful and not because of your newfound immortality. I can only imagine the sleepiness nights that Sesshomaru has spent thinking about your lips" Tasogare said most wickedly.

Rin almost tripped over her own feet letting out a little puff of incredulous air "Please spare me, Sesshomaru wouldn't-" her words died in her throat vividly remembering that night with the fudge.

How Sesshomaru had sucked his thumb, slyly- eagerly of the moisture from her lips. It had taken everything in her body in her very soul to resist him in those moments.

"We have arrived Rin-san" Tasogare said gently, breaking her swirl of thoughts. Abruptly she came back to herself as he slid open the door.

"After you little lady" he said with a flourish. With a wan smile Rin nodded and stepped in.

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