I Do Not Own InuYasha

Chapter 9

Her hair was heavily piled up as the maids dictated, and it was itchy. Rin hated it, she also found she had difficulty breathing with how tight they had tied her obi, also it was hot, miserably, muggy hot; it was so humid it was like she was never dry! But she grinned and bore it as she let them style her up, faking their joy over Kagome-hime's union to the daiyōkai. Sesshōmaru wasn't fooled, she knew that, he had known she wasn't his bride the moment her hand was in his.

"Must you take my daughter!?" the shōgun balked.

"We must be on our way," Sesshōmaru answered as she walked into the grand hall. The shōgun was feigning sorrow over losing his 'daughter', which nearly sickened Rin. Looking up as Sesshōmaru approached her she didn't flinch under his intense gaze.

"Let's be off," he ordered in his cold, soft tone.

"Hai my lord," she bowed her head as she stepped out of his path. He moved softly, quietly, she hurried after him before the shōgun could say anything. Rin made it to the stables before she leaned on a post gasping for air. The daiyōkai paused as she held herself up.

"Gomen," she gasped as she rubbed her sore middle. No doubt it was going to be bruised when she removed the obi.

Sesshōmaru said nothing as he collected his steed, she was stunned at the sight of a two headed dragon.

"Are you educated in riding?" he asked.

"No," she shook her head. He grabbed her by her hips before dropping her on the saddle.

"Grip here," he ordered softly as he tangled her fingers in the mane. "Hold this tightly, direct the heads as one, two reigns, but one dragon," he stated.

She nodded as she accepted that.

"I will instruct you further when we are away," he said softly.

She nodded again before he motioned for his steed to follow. Rin nearly yelped feeling the coiling and rippling of the massive, heavy body beneath her moving slowly. The limbs seemed heavy, but the dragon was nimble, and before she knew it they were off, he slapped the rear of the steed which took to the skies. She bit back her squeal as she tightened her grip, Sesshōmaru appeared beside her, at ease and indifferent.

It was after a while that she relaxed before he seemed to land, the dragon followed, Rin grunted at the changes when they landed before he caught her and set her on her feet.

"Arigato," she gasped as she gripped his arms to keep herself upright, her breath wouldn't catch and there were black spots dancing before her eyes.

"Rin?" his tone was soft, cold, yet there was an inquiry there.

"I… obi, loosen it!" she gasped.

Sesshōmaru was swift and before she knew it she was gasping as she leaned against a tree, taking deep, evening breathes, her head fell back as she felt herself relaxing.

"Arigato," she breathed as she rubbed her ribs carefully.

Sesshōmaru was examining the obi rather curiously, before his eyes landed on her.

"I think the maids were trying to kill me, tiny waistlines are all the fashion," she rolled her eyes with a soft smile.

Sesshōmaru frowned.

"'Tis a joke, my lord," she said as she held out her hand to take back the obi and redo it.

"I do not see the humor," he stated.

"Naturally," she chuckled as she shucked the outer kimono.

"Nani?" he snarled.

"You are male, therefore you cannot understand the pains of conforming to fashionable tastes," she said as she rolled up her sleeves and bent over to take care of the too long hem. Kagome was a bit taller than herself, and bustier. However, Rin's hips were her asset, which she knew well. Standing upright she saw her husband giving her a bland creature.

"I do not see humor in being unable to breath," he stated.

"I do not, but I find it better to be in good humor about a situation rather than dower," she chuckled. Reaching up she yanked out all the hair pins, letting them clatter around her as she unwound her heavy hair. Sesshōmaru came over and started aiding her. His claws were a wonderful asset for untangling it, until it fell loose and free.

"When may I send post to my family?" Rin asked him as she swept the mass over her shoulder and started braiding it. It wasn't the fashionable, or acceptable style, but it was too hot for her to leave it down.

"I will return you to them for the time being," he answered. He shoved her hands aside as he took over the task, she was stunned as she stood utterly still, barely breathing. Sesshōmaru's fingers were swift and nimble, and before she knew it he had reached the end and looked around.

"Just hold it for the moment," she said as she crouched down and looked through her discarded hairpins. Finding what she was seeking she picked up a bit of ribbon before offering it to him. Sesshōmaru tied her hair swiftly, which had her taking the end and twisting it swiftly into a knot before stabbing it with two hair pins. "There," she sighed.

He nodded.

"My lord," she said as she picked up the discarded hair pins to put them into the pack. "Might I ask you something?"

He didn't answer but inclined his head ever so slightly so she took that to mean she should continue.

"Why did you proceed with the union, when it is obvious, I am not your bride?" she asked as she looked him over. Folding the heavy silk kimono, she waited.

"You did not scent of fear," he answered.

"I was terrified."

"Not of me," he answered. "I could not understand you," he stated. "Even now you express no fear of me."

"I see," she nodded thoughtfully. "Well, I suppose you deserve to know I do not fear death, and I do not judge off reputations," she stated as she shoved the kimono into a saddlebag.

Sesshōmaru cocked his head at her reply.

"Death is an inevitable part of the cycle of life, we all come to an end just as we all start with a beginning. To fear what I have no control over seems like a waste of time and energy, as well as creating unnecessary stress. Either I live or I die, but I will not live a life in fear," she explained. "As to judging reputations… a reputation is composed of other's perspectives, and while it may possess fact based off action, I will reserve my judgement for when I know the person."

"Dangerous philosophy," he replied darkly.

"But it's worked out well so far," she shrugged as she finally kicked off her shoes and disposed of the socks. "However, this does not explain why you would wed the false bride."

"None but my mother gazed upon me without fear," he answered. "You are a curiosity, Rin," he decided.

"You decided to marry me, knowing I was the false bride, I'd think that'd make you the curiosity, my lord," she retorted.

He frowned.

"My village is that way, south east," she answered. "It will take a bit," she sighed. "You are free to remain with us, my lord," she informed him.

"That is bold," he drawled out.

"I would rather offer now than never," she answered.

He nodded. "We will fly, arrive there sooner rather than later," he decided coldly.

"I…" she floundered as she looked the dragon. "Does he have a name?" she surrendered to her fate, she would have to learn how to fly or die apparently.

"A and Un," he said, gesturing to each head.

"Lovely to meet them," she nodded.

He nodded as he picked her up and set her on the saddle. It was swift, how he worked to adjust the saddle, he slipped her feet into the stirrups and adjusted, once he was satisfied, he handed her the reigns and nodded. Slapping the rear of A-Un they took to the skies, he followed, and she gasped as she held on a bit tighter, she felt surer with her legs straddling the beast. But at the same time, she felt so much more terrified.

Sesshōmaru kept an eye on her as they flew low over the trees.

A laugh escaped her as they sped along, it felt liberating and freeing despite the exhilarating terror!

Sesshōmaru watched his bride with interest as she laughed and held onto A-Un tightly. She was interesting, uncomplicated of fears and worries that most would have in his presence. It was… nice. Strange that she would take such liberties with him but nice all the same. Sesshōmaru kept pace with A-Un as they flew south east, he scented peaches on the air and knew they were nearing her home. It wasn't difficult to find.

"Oh! It's so lovely up here," Rin giggled. "I feel like a bird!" she laughed.

He said nothing as he watched her.

He could grow accustomed to his bride, he supposed.

Rin was shocked at how swiftly a few days journey was mere hours by flight as Sesshōmaru guided them down. He helped her off the dragon when her, the farm was in smoldering ashes, which had her frantically looking around.

"Ken'ichi! Yasu! Tomomi!" she shouted her brothers names as she looked around at the ashes. Whatever had happened, had happened a few days ago. "Dad!" she shouted as she looked around, gathering up the material in her hands as she started walking through the ruins. This wasn't good, fear was starting to swell in her, fear for her niece and nephews.

"Rin," Sesshōmaru called for her.

"No, I have to find them!" she shouted as she hurried down the hill. "Dad!" she shouted again.

"Rin!" Sesshōmaru shouted.

"No!" she screamed as she made it to the smoldering pile of ruin that had been their home. "No! No! I did… I did what he asked!" she gasped.

Hands caught her waist and spun her into a hard chest, hands tangled in her loose hair that was escaping the braid.

"I did what the shōgun asked! I did it!" she whispered.

"Rin?" a new voice called out, hesitant, soft, scared.

"Dad!" she shouted a sshe yanked herself from Sesshōmaru to run for that voice, she found him standing outside the ruins and a ragged sob escaped her as she threw her arms around him and felt her father envelope her in a heavy hug.

"I thought you…" he started.

"I did what the shōgun asked, I did it," she sobbed hysterically as she hugged him tightly.

"I… Rin," her father pulled them apart, cupping her face as he examined her. She smiled meekly as his thumbs wiped her tears away like he had done when she had been a child.

"I did what he asked," she whispered.

"Oh, child," he sighed.

"Where are Ken'ichi, Yasu, Tomomi?" she asked looking around.

"In the village, we only just got the fires out," her father answered.

"Are they?"

"They and their families are good," her father answered. "We were so worried about you, where were you? Shizu said…"

"I was taken by the shōgun's men, they thought I was his daughter," she answered. "I am married now father," she said as she turned to smile at her husband. Sesshōmaru was watching warily from the distance.

"He's… oh, my sweet child," her father whispered as he pulled her closer to him.

"He's Sesshōmaru-sama, he's been very kind to me," she promised.

"The shōgun ordered the union?" her father deduced.

"How'd you…?" she started.

"The shōgun was never a kind or brave man," her father answered which had Rin's eyes widening. "What's done is done, I would like to meet my daughter's husband," he said firmly.

"Of course," she nodded as she rose to her feet; she didn't even know she had fallen to her knees until she rose. Walking towards Sesshōmaru with her father at her side she trembled slightly as they neared. Sesshōmaru assessed her and her father.

"I welcome you to our house," her father said with a bow. "Forgive the state of things, yōkai."

"I am aware," he answered.

"So you're the inuyōkai the hyakkikoumori insisted saved our children," her father said.

"You… you were here?" Rin stuttered as she looked at her husband.

"It appears the three of us have much catching up to do," her father sighed. "Thank you for returning my daughter to us."