There had been three similar trips in which Sesshomaru deceived Rin and led the unwilling refugee soldiers into an ambush for arrest.
For some reason, his mood became fouler as the day went on, and by night fall he sensed how exhausted Rin was – though her eyes sparkled, believing whole heartedly that she had just helped at least sixty people from certain death at his own hands. She was none the wiser and Sesshomaru was fuming.
When it came time for Rin to leave him, she embraced his human form tightly.
'We're only going to be here for another two days' she said, her face pressed into his cloak. 'Will I see you again?'
Oh yes, she would be.
'I don't know' he answered. 'I intend to find work and become a little more – settled' he said, looking into Rin's hopeful face. Her scent was like a wave of nostalgic sweetness that had the power to soothe him, but his nerves were raw.
'Really?' Rin breathed 'then you should get work at the castle, which is where I'll be going. Then I can see you more often. I'd like that, if it's possible' her voice sounded shy as she said it, and her brown eyes looked away as she blushed.
Kami. He cursed inwardly.
'I will try, though it's no easy task to gain employment within the Emperor's grounds'
Rin furrowed her brow a moment 'maybe I can talk to Lady Machiko, when she knows she can trust me, and get her to recommend you?'
The irony of Rin thinking herself at all trustworthy after witnessing the fervour with which she had betrayed her country and as a result himself firsthand, Sesshomaru had a difficult time to maintain his composure.
'I would be indebted to you' he responded curtly.
Rin wondered at Hitori's withdrawn demeanour, especially seeing as it was possible that she may not see him again. Perhaps her feelings had run away with her; lecturing herself inwardly Rin shook off the feelings of doubt and smiled at him.
'I'll try my best' She turned to leave and Sesshomaru let out a sigh as though he'd been holding his breath the entire time.
~!~!~!~!~!~!
As Rin returned to the royal camp that night, she was looking down at her feet in case the darkness hid something that could trip her up.
But it wasn't the ground that caused Rin to stumble, instead it was something right in front of her.
It felt like she had hit a wall and she faltered backwards.
'I'm sorry!' She quickly breathed out, clutching at her chest in shock.
'You will be' said the voice of the Guard Captain, Jiro. 'Lady Machiko has referred to me information regarding your absence of duty for the past 24 hours. You will be explaining yourself to the Emperor, who was kind enough to let you out of that cage to serve the Lady.'
Jiro approached Rin and took her by the arm.
'You've been nothing but troublesome since we arrested you on Saturday' Jiro remarked, marching her somewhere. Rin was way too tired for this – she knew she'd get in trouble for her insubordination, but her day had been so filled with rushing emotions and physical exertion that the gravity of her current situation did not weigh as much as it should have. She allowed herself to be pulled along as Jiro seemed to get something off his chest.
'If it hadn't be for Lord Sesshomaru you'd still be in that cage, yet you seem determined to get back into it. Whatever you've been up to instead of serving the demoness, I am at a loss. Why you should be so keen to disobey the orders of the King himself is insanity! You'll be explaining yourself to him, and count yourself lucky if you merely end up in that damn carriage again'
Rin winced as Jiro's hand hurt her arm, yet her heart was more at peace to face her old guardian – knowing that now he couldn't do anything about all the people he had come to this city to kill indiscriminately. She'd be secretly laughing at him inside, knowing she had bested him and rescued lives that day.
Rin was not taken to the large tent as she'd expected, but to the pavilion where some of the elite still sat and drank sake, eating food.
Sesshomaru was lounged there like he'd been sitting around all day; his glowing eyes were hooded with the deep magenta lids, and he seemed to be not entirely contemptuous of the company and noise surrounding him. Lady Machiko was seated beside him.
Rin thought it looked like some banquet of the gods, so merry and sublimely beautiful they all were.
'Sire' Jiro called out and Rin watched with a blank expression as Sesshomaru's eyes went from studying the heavy rings on his fingers to suddenly pinning her with a gaze so piercing that Rin felt her resolve try and dissolve within.
That could not happen.
'Oh, there's my wayward maid – tell me, Rin, am I so awful that you needed to run away from me so desperately? What on earth have you been up to? My Lord, please don't punish her too harshly – perhaps the cage will do' Rin watched as the demonesses green eyes slanted in her direction slyly, glinting like a shard of glass in quite an unpleasant way.
There would be no stopping what might come next; Rin had achieved far more than she ever had thought possible with Hitori's help today and if it meant being placed back in that moving jail alongside Sato, she'd not give a word of complaint.
Rin bowed formally to the company present, most of whom were too drunk, loud or careless to notice her.
'Come'
To her surprise, Rin heard Sesshomaru's voice beckon her in quite an understated way.
Confusion apparent in the crease between her dark brows, Rin kept her eyes lowered as she moved forward to obey the Emperor. She stopped once she was standing behind him, and that white demon had barely moved to notice Rin's position. Yet he still spoke to her despite facing away;
'Pour me more sake' he ordered in an even tone, and Rin's eyes widened. When was the whip lash of anger going to come? To his left, Lady Machiko was sneering.
Stepping forward with uncertain movements, Rin gritted her teeth as Sesshomaru did not move an inch to allow for her to reach between him and the aristocrat on his right, feeling a violent shiver try and shake her body as first the tender skin of her inner forearm brushed against his broad shoulder to reach for the wine jug.
Due to Rin's unimpressive height, her chest was at his upper arm height and her heart pounded as her breast pressed slightly against his bicep as she extended her arm as far as possible to reach forward without falling into Sesshomaru's very lap.
Rin felt as though she'd held on to every part of her breath on the inhale, and she was sure it was helping minimise bodily contact.
As far as this strange order went, though, it was the total opposite of what she'd been expecting from the Emperor by way of initiating punishment for her actions.
Surely, he did not know this was a far more effective form of castigation than merely throwing her back behind bars?
She noticed the beautiful Daiyokai still spoke to Machiko as though completely unaware of Rin's very close proximity to his person, and her small arm muscles contracted as she poured the sake into the drinking vessel before the Emperor, hating every moment that her body was against his.
As soon as the cup was full, she replaced the jug and withdrew with evident haste, lacking the required elegance of a slave who had the privilege of serving Lord Sesshomaru.
Rin stood and waited behind him, then stood some more – but no other word came from Sesshomaru's mouth toward her.
With deep anxiety she watched as the sake she had just poured for him went untouched.
What on earth was happening? A dread was settling in her gut, a feeling of such portentous fright that her fingers trembled and twisted together as she stared at the back of her old guardian's white head – wondering what on kami's green earth that unfathomable mind could be thinking?
Had he merely forgotten her presence, as he had done for the past ten years?
More than probable, Rin answered herself with acidity.
The only time Rin had seen him act like this toward a victim of his anger was merely to prolong their psychological agony before he killed them, like a cat toying with their food.
Was he going to death curse her, too?
An entire hour passed in this way and Rin's feet were screaming at her to sit right where she was and fall into a sleep so deep that she might not awaken for a week.
She wondered what all the refugees were doing, if they were still safe in their hiding spots – one thing was for sure, Sesshomaru was not out killing them for he was sitting right in front of her like a man of too much leisure.
Machiko was preening and laughing at him, poking her fingers at his muscles and drinking more and more; the noise of the rest of the table grew rowdier as time passed, yet Sesshomaru did not touch that drink.
Rin cast furtive glances around her, seeing how the chefs kept darting in and out of the pavilion to ensure all food was maintained in quantity, as well as the wine. She felt deeply awkward standing behind Sesshomaru without an apparent purpose, and a quick exhale of frustrated breath escaped her lips, thankfully completely drowned out by the sounds of drunken laughter.
She certainly hadn't expected Sesshomaru to hear it.
Yet, that exquisite head turned slightly, and Rin found her eyes met by golden ones.
'Am I taking too much of your time?'
Aghast and trying hard to hide it, Rin realised his sonar hearing had indeed picked up on the infinitesimal sound of her frustrated sigh. Sickly butterflies erupted in her stomach and Rin looked away from his powerful gaze immediately.
'No, sire' Rin replied demurely.
'I would hope not' Machiko purred 'it's more than an honour for the Emperor to even require one's time' she arched a dark brow at Sesshomaru 'what will you do with her, my Lord? Will she stand there shivering all night?'
'I am feeling particularly merciful' Sesshomaru spoke mostly to Machiko, but though his gaze was on the demoness his periphery was entirely trained upon Rin as he moved slightly more to the side.
'Oh? And why would that be' Machiko pried.
'My time in this city has been particularly fruitful'
'Indeed' Machiko was intensely interested, waiting for Sesshomaru to elaborate. Rin's body had stiffened greatly, and it took all her effort to not demand of her old guardian the meaning of his cryptic words.
It was not to come from the royal demon however, but the aristocrat to his right who was red in the face with inebriation.
'It's what we're celebrating here!' Cried out the man, holding a sloshing cup in the air toward Machiko and the Emperor.
'Our ruler here has single handedly routed all of the illegal immigrants within Fyuoshu – one fell swoop I tell you – formidable!' He drank deeply of his cup to toast the fact.
Sesshomaru now faced Rin fully, his arms crossed against his broad chest, his right hand nonchalantly rested under his chin, the inhuman eyes boring into her unblinkingly.
Rin felt her heart turn cold.
What did that drunken idiot mean? Her brown gaze was fixed on the laughing imbecile of a man so rigid with shock that she did not realise the Emperor now stood in front of her.
'A maid abandoning her duties must be taught what servitude really means' the dog demon said to Machiko 'I will return her under your service once I have shown her the definition of the word'
This was far better than anything Lady Machiko could have imagined; the tone of the Emperor's voice turned even her own immortal blood cold. Eyes shining emerald, the demoness watched as Sesshomaru led Rin away into the night.
In the darkness behind her old guardian Rin allowed her sight to be almost completely disabled by heavy tears that choked her vision.
She was rendered mute by what that intoxicated aristo had said – was he bluffing? He surely couldn't be right; Rin had toiled the entire day since 3am to ensure everyone who had come off those ships were safe from harm!
The demon's fingers around her forearm were colder than the late-night breeze; he let her go roughly as they entered the large tent.
'Remove my armour' he ordered in a low voice, drilling her with a stare so dangerous Rin erratically moved forward and brought trembling fingers to the ties keeping the great metal accessories together. She'd done this before, but why he was making her do it now didn't even cross her mind as a question, so shell shocked was she.
Rin allowed the armour to drop with a clank as it fell away, and her skin rose in goose bumps as his long hair tickled her.
'The sash' he bit out curtly.
Terrified to her core, Rin obeyed, wrestling with the knot for some moments as her tiny fingers got between the material to slacken it. Ungracefully she loosened it in a few minutes, and her hand knocked against his hard abs still covered by his kimono.
She couldn't even bring herself to apologise.
Surely, this old guardian of hers had not killed them? It was not possible; she'd been with Hitori all day, since early morning, and she'd seen all the refugees to safety straight off the docks! Sesshomaru had been lounging at the pavilion when she returned as Jiro's suspect; - had he slaughtered them all in a supernatural way Rin was not yet aware of?
Grimacing, turning her face away, Rin reached around Sesshomaru's lean waist to gather the material in her hands so as not to let it fall, folding it as she went. It took three turns around him to get it off completely – her cheeks burned at what he was making her do. Rin knew she would refuse to do anything further – kill her if he must!
Kill her like he did everyone else, so it seemed!
'You have no choice phrases you wish to throw at me this time?'
Rin stilled a moment as she heard his deep voice so close above her head; there was a certain tinge to it she did not like, and even more she resented the way the words rumbled through her own body due to their proximity.
'It's not my place to say anything to you, your Highness' Rin answered with quiet coldness.
'And from where does this swift change of heart arise?' he retorted with even more ice, watching Rin as she attempted to fold items of his clothing properly.
'That sharp tongue is not now lying still from any sense of esteem towards your Emperor. You fell silent as soon as you heard that drunk explain the cause for celebration'
Rin felt her breath exhale shakily with passion and she looked at Sesshomaru, a wild look to her dark eyes.
'My Lord, I am here to receive my punishment and leave. If it means returning to the cage, so be it. But I do not wish to talk to you or answer your questions'
The sheer aversion in her voice caused a pain to stab within him.
'That would be easy, wouldn't it?' He stepped forward, a gravelly snarl to his voice. 'Go back to the cage – to your imprisoned friend. But it is not for you to decide what sentence befits your crime, nor is it up to you what you say to me. If I ask something of you – it is never a question, it is an order. You will speak with me'
Rin stepped back and put a hand up in defence, her senses bristling with confrontation.
'I beg you to tell me your judgement so I may carry it out immediately and get it over with' she said in a rush of words, feeling claustrophobic as Sesshomaru's form towered over her.
'You will be my maid until you learn your place' he snarled in response and Rin visibly flinched.
'You – you need a maid?' Someone so powerful did not require anything from a weak woman such as herself.
'No - you need to learn how to be one; to display respect – obedience – obligation' as he spoke, he watched as Rin's face became pale with anger.
'I may not be an animal, but I'd rather be locked behind bars with a rotting corpse than be expected to do such a thing. I'd rather you put one of your damn death curses on my skin like you did to – '
Rin closed her eyes, placing a hand over her mouth, realising she'd just given herself away to Sesshomaru courtesy of the fury he was so talented at stirring within her.
'Ah' the tall demon stepped toward her again, his kimono now free of bonds gaping wide open at the chest, his strongly formed muscles taut under alabaster skin, showing a peek of abs below the sternum, pale hair spilling down over his shoulders.
'You make quick work of betraying your country' he almost purred, and to Rin's frozen fear he reached out a claw to tip her chin upwards.
She refused to look up.
'Did you think you'd get away with it?'
Hot tears forced themselves down her flushed cheeks; she bit hard on her inner lip to stop it trembling.
'Don't make the mistake of thinking you can ever outwit me' his voice dropped a tone, an ominous sound. He would not let her have power over him.
'You'd be wise to keep yourself out of business far above your understanding'
Rin flicked her chin away from his hold defiantly.
'I've already told you what I think of your actions' her words shook with passion. 'I won't apologise for what I've done.'
The demons' eyes gleamed yellow at her cold, quiet, insistent insolence towards him. For a moment it seemed he would reach out and touch her again.
Her lust filled face; her body grinding against his in ecstasy, her need - a memory so at odds with how she looked and acted now before him. His mouth was dry with desire.
Instead, the Inuyokai pulled back.
'You will' he replied autocratically 'and you'll start by cleaning all of that armour and preparing my clothes for tomorrow. I will be visiting Lord Fyuoshu in the morning, and you will accompany me – you will not be allowed out of my sight - as you are so apt to run off into enemy arms at the first opportunity'
Her tired eyes suddenly seemed to plead.
'Please' she said quickly 'let me sleep. I am exhausted'
His gaze ran over her; the adorably dishevelled hair – a strand hung over her nose which he wanted to reach out and move behind her ear – the darkness under her lovely expressive eyes; the aura of exhaustion and dejection that permeated her being. It seemed the wind was knocked from her sails finally, for tonight at least. Despite the turbulence within him, his most base self just wished to reach out and hold Rin all night; to let her sleep against him as she used to.
But as Sesshomaru's gaze travelled up again, the burning amber turned cold yellow, his pupils' vertical slits. He clicked his fingers, and some soldiers came by the entrance to stand sentry.
'There's no rest for the wicked'
With that his hair swirled as the Daiyokai turned and left Rin to her nocturnal task.
Yet, maybe he'd meant the phrase more for himself than his precious ward.
Rin.
He'd never felt emptier.