Chapter 10
Rin stared at Sesshomaru in shock.
"My lord, ar-are you sure? Do you know the weight the term carries?" Rin whispered, still close to him after their kiss.
Anata. Anata. He wants me to call him anata! She could feel her cheeks burning, and she stared at him in amazement.
Sesshomaru held her gaze, a softness overcoming him. "If you wish not to, I understand Rin. You've been given free will to do as you desire, so do not let me decide your path for you."
Rin shook her head, clutching onto him. "Milord, no, no! You have it all wrong! I-I desire to call you that, b-but well," she looked down unsure if she should continue.
Sesshomaru had made it clear he wouldn't let Rin marry, but he was asking be called a term only married women used with their husbands.
So what does this mean?
The magnificent demon before her cleared his throat, taking a step back from her. She looked at him with sadden eyes, fearing she hurt him.
"I didn't mean to confuse you, Rin," he spoke slowly, "it was just something I've heard around the villages I visit."
Oh. Her chest deflated a bit. He doesn't really know the weight of the term after all.
Rin took a step towards him, reaching for his hand. "A woman who belongs only to her man refers to him as such, but perhaps someday," she lifted his fingers to her lips, "I will be given the privilege to do so."
She desperately hoped she was able to give him insight of the word, and it seemed as if those were the words Sesshomaru wanted to hear, since he caressed her face with the hand she still held.
"Good enough for now," he replied. Sesshomaru reached for her with his other arm, burying his face within her hair as he embraced her tightly.
A tremble ran down Rin's figure against him, and almost instantly, Sesshomaru let her go and began directing her out of the clearance.
"How come we're leaving so soon, milord?" Rin asked nervously when they were in front of the apple trees. They had only left her home moments ago and she feared he was going to depart in a bit.
"The weather is not being kind to you," he sighed, "and I felt you shiver just now. I was foolish in bringing you out here in this coldness."
"Oh, haha," she laughed weakly, allowing him to lead her down the worn path again. She didn't want to admit it was him who had caused that.
As they made their way across the bridge, a few villagers took notice of them and bowed deeply in their presence. Rin nodded her head at them, but let go of Sesshomaru's hand when she noticed her friend Sayo among the villagers that walked away to continue working.
"Sayo!" she smiled, waving at her. Sayo flashed a toothy smile back and walked over to hug her.
"Lady Rin forgive me, but damn," she whispered in their embrace, "you had us losing our freaking minds when the honorable monk requested we have a village prayer for you."
"Ugh, I didn't know the village knew of my rendezvous," she frowned.
Sayo let go of her and straighten her headscarf back into place. "No one but you knows the details of what happened. All we were told was that something horrible occurred during your hiking trip with Kohaku."
Hiking trip? Rin bit her lip, nodding in embarrassment. "It was something like that. We'll just have to wait for some private time to discuss the details," she said, looking around.
All because the villagers had returned to their normal routine didn't mean that someone wasn't eavesdropping.
"How about tea at my place tomorrow? My dear husband is visiting his sick sister in the nearby village, so I'm a bit lonely," Sayo pouted. Rin eagerly agreed and they both said their goodbyes when another villager called for Sayo.
Rin worried Sesshomaru had grown annoyed for being kept waiting, but instead there was a pleasant look on his face when she returned to his side.
"That girl was one of your first friends in the village, correct?"
"Why yes, milord. You met Sayo before, remember?" Rin beamed, looping her arm in his.
They continued walking along the path home, Rin acknowledging a few bowing villagers.
After passing the working hut and another group of respectful villagers, Sesshomaru spoke again.
"I could hardly recognize her, you see. I recall years ago you played with a girl who wore colorful robes. Now she wears dirty cotton."
"How observant of you, milord! Sayo hails from one of the more wealthier families in this village, but alas, she married a farmer. After the harvest is complete each year, Sayo does little jobs around the village to earn a few coins. Some of the work is pretty dirty, like collecting firewood for the elderly."
Sesshomaru seemed to contemplate this as they walked, and after a few turns, they walked up to the steps on her home. He slid the door, letting himself in before her, and she sighed in relief since now she knew he wouldn't be leaving.
"Hmm?" Sesshomaru arched a brow.
"I was hoping you weren't going to just drop me off and leave," she admitted sheepishly.
Sesshomaru shook his head at her, slight frown on his face. "I dare not leave you while you continue being in this weaken state."
"Though I'm not complaining, I really am fine, milord."
Sesshomaru gave her look as he walked to a few candles, lighting them on.
"The healing stone only fixed that horrific stab but in reality, we have no idea how much of it is healed underneath the surface. I plan to stay close for the time being."
"Thank you so much," Rin said, bowing, "I can't begin to explain how grateful I am to have you by my side."
Sesshomaru closed his eyes in contentment. "I suggest you get dressed for tonight. Asa has invited us over," he added matter-of-factly.
"Dinner with Lady Asa?" Rin's eyes twinkled.
It was exactly something she had wanted to do after coming back to the village.
Sesshomaru smirked, golden stare watching her again. "I don't believe I mentioned it before, but she had wanted to apologize properly for making you upset last time we were over."
"Ah, I see," Rin felt her chest tighten in guilt, and she looked down as she walked to him. "Perhaps I could gift her something in return?" she asked optimistically.
"Think about it as you dress," he nudged her.
Rin nodded, stepping into the hall. She was halfway into the open walkway when she noticed Sesshomaru following closely behind.
"Yes, my lord?" she stopped, arching a brow.
During the time she was under his care, Sesshomaru would remain in the main room as she hobbled to her dressing room. But now, she could walk just fine.
And yet.
"Relax. I'm only following in case you fall from your weaken legs."
Hmm…
Rin bit her lip, deciding not to argue. There was a stubborn soreness throbbing within her arms and legs, and she could fall at any moment. (Though highly unlikely.)
"Of course. I knew that," she grinned, turning back to search for her dressing room.
She made a quick stop at the door, daring to glare at Sesshomaru with the most piercing look she could manage.
"Do not enter this room," she warned, and promptly slid the door, closing it with a bang.
Though Sesshomaru said nothing in response, a dark, malevolent chuckle vibrated the room, and goosebumps scattered across Rin's arms.
I need to stop playing with death so much, she sighed, opening her closet.
— — —
When Rin was finished coaxing a few bruises and cuts in ointment, dressing into silky robes of purple and sliver, and decorating her lovely face with makeup, she picked up her comb to put the finishing touches on her look.
Being as clumsy as ever, the comb fell into a pile of dirty cloth. Rin sucked her teeth, bending over to retrieve it.
However, when she picked it back up, the comb was filthy with dried blood.
"H-Huh?" Rin stuttered, holding it in her hands. Just what the?
She knelt by the dirty cloth, spreading it and gasping when she finally recognized the pattern on it. It was the same pink, or well was pink, kosode she had worn when she was attacked by the armored man. The kosode was absolutely ripped apart, stained with dirt and blood, wet still from the snow.
Rin picked it up on carefully, only to eye another set of ripped garments.
The under kosode she had worn that night was also shredded into pieces, along with some tape she used to wrap her breast in. Rin's eyes searched the materials wildly, fearing her handkerchief was among the shredded clothes.
"Lord Sesshomaru," she called, "are you still there?"
A rustling of metal against metal could be heard, and he answered worriedly. "What is it? Is something wrong?"
"I-I-I, well, don't know?" she stared at the robes in confusion. She could hear Sesshomaru's clawed hand hesitate against the door.
"Tell me now." His voice was clear as day, and she knew he was pressed against the door, awaiting for her call of distress.
Rin sighed, standing back up. "I just don't recall being in ripped up clothing when Kohaku found me."
I mean, I know there had to be some rips, but I wasn't naked when Kohaku was holding me.
A sigh of relief escaped Sesshomaru. "I had to free you from them to treat your wounds," he said calmly.
"Oh," she responded, looking back down at the robes.
Duh. How else would he access the stab.
Rin touched her side, grateful it was closed up. She couldn't imagine how ugly a scar from beneath her breasts to the start of her ribs must have loo—
Her eyes widened, and she covered her mouth to muffle a gasp. Holy shit, he saw me! Lord Sesshomaru saw me naked!
Rin stumbled around, wind completely knocked out of her, trying to grasp something for stability.
She hadn't realized dressing her wounds during that time she was unconscious meant that he had to see her bare body.
And along with that, Rin now also realized she had been clean that afternoon she awoke, smelling of lavender and arms and legs slick with fragrant oils, dressed up in a simple kimono.
Oh my fuckin—
"Are your legs causing you pain again? I'm going to open this door—"
"No!" she snarled and immediately covered her mouth again.
There was no more noises coming from the dog demon outside, and she shakily clutched the tainted comb, placing it on a tower of gift boxes nearby.
With a quickness, she grabbed a brush and furiously tried to untangle her hair, resorting to leaving it down for the time being.
Lord Sesshomaru hasn't mention any of this! Hasn't been acting strange, like the body of a naked woman has no effect of him!
An image of the deceased Kagura came into mind, and Rin remembered how she had been completely bare from waist up when they rescued her from floating away in the river. Hmm, Sesshomaru had been unfazed during that too.
Though it was long ago, she recalled the two demons had carried a normal conversation like nothing was out of place, so maybe he just didn't react like another man would.
"My lord, if I may ask," she said aloud, "who else treated my injuries while I was unconscious?"
There was silence for a while as Rin continued to brush her hair.
"No one but I," Sesshomaru finally replied. Rin's chest tightened with embarrassment, and she laughed a bit, trying to ease of the tension.
"Oh, how marvelous," she joked, blushing wildly. She placed the brush down and walked over to the door, sliding it to meet his golden glare. Sesshomaru was most unhappy.
"What ails you?" he asked annoyed. He was done playing guessing games with her.
Rin cleared her throat, placing a hand on his armor. "I just didn't think you were so bold as to take care of me all by yourself."
"The old priestess almost fainted when I laid you down in front of her. She could not control her emotions," he scoffed.
Rin picked at his armor. "And you could?"
Sesshomaru's eyebrows twitched. "Hardly," he confessed. His hand overcame hers, resting on top of the armor.
"And what emotions were going through you, milord?" she dared ask.
As trivial as it seemed, she wanted to know if Sesshomaru had felt as indifferent as he had when he saw Kagura's bare form.
"Anger." Not what I wanted to hear…
Rin laughed weakly, patting the armor with her free hand. "Oh. That was to be expected wa—"
"Anger from knowing you left the village while I was away. Anger from knowing Kohaku was too weak to protect you. Anger from smelling the scent of men on you," he growled, glared fixed upon her.
Rin's small frame shook with fear.
"Anger," he continued, narrowing his eyes, "from knowing you battled with some low-life scum. Anger from knowing what the scum's intentions were with you. Anger from knowing he harmed your face and body without a care," his fingertips lightly traced a few yellowing bruises on her cheeks.
Rin looked down in shame. She had feared this trip could have caused a disturbance in her relationship.
"But," his voice was much softer this time, and Rin glanced up at the towering demon before her. "Pride also brewed within me. I couldn't help but be proud that your intention of leaving the village was to find Taro and aid him if he was in danger. Your friendship with him is admirable," he admitted.
"You knew about that?" she asked quietly.
"Kohaku informed me when I came to you," he ran his fingers through her hair, looking down at her with soft eyes once more.
"There was also pride from realizing you could defend yourself without a man's help. The fact that you killed a skilled warrior single-handedly and are alive to tell the tale proves what type of maiden you've grown to be."
"Girl power," Rin huffed, furrowing her brows in a mockingly intimidating way.
Sesshomaru shook his head, and before Rin knew it, she was up in his arms, pressed against the door of her dressing room.
Sesshomaru's lips hovered over hers, eyes staring into her cinnamon pools. "But you know what made me proud of you the most?" he asked, mesmerizing the beauty.
Rin stayed quiet, allowing him to finish.
"Though the scent of men was around you, it was not one with you," he raised a suggestive brow. Rin nodded understandingly. "Which meant that you hadn't left the village to go elope with Taro," he snorted, "or given into an uncomfortable situation. It's the fact that you carry yourself with grace wherever you may be, not just in my presence, that will forever draw me to you. That fact that you have a pure heart, soul and body, well," he breathed, closing the gap between them.
Rin closed her eyes as Sesshomaru laid a soft kiss on her lips, feeling the weight of his hands gripping her thighs gently.
Their lips moved slowly against each other, and after a bit, she tilted her head, deepening the kiss.
I was stupid to get worked up over him seeing and treating my body, when all I want is to feel his touch forever.
It was all so tender and sweet, but soon enough, the kiss became fevered, as if they couldn't have enough of each other. It was unlike any kiss they've shared before, and Sesshomaru pressed himself more into her, engulfed in her taste.
The weight of him felt so pleasant that Rin didn't realize her hands had found themselves in his robes, seeking the warmth of his body until Sesshomaru tore his mouth from her.
He stared at her alarmed. "It is wise we become aware of our touching," he stated breathless.
"Says the one digging his claws into me," she retorted, breathless as well.
She watched Sesshomaru's cheeks flush with a rare pink, and he set her down slowly, but remained over her.
"Forgive me, Rin," he huffed, running a hand through his hair to ease his embarrassment.
The maiden giggled, standing on her toes to give him a quick peck. "I wasn't complaining, only pointing it out, milord. But now, I have to go reapply some lip color," she pouted cutesy.
Sesshomaru looked at her amused and placed a claw on her lips. "This look suits you well."
"I probably look disheveled," she snorted.
"It's a lovely sight when it's because of me."
The statement had butterflies fluttering within her, and she shoved him playfully. "You are so bold today, milord," Rin smiled, walking back into the dressing room.
Sesshomaru didn't follow her, but leaned against the doorframe, watching her reapply her favorite shade of red.
Once satisfied, she gathered a gift box she had prepared in her hands, coming up to him and slid the door close with her foot.
"Before we leave," she said while trailing behind him to the main room, "I forgot to ask you about my handkerchief. You know, the one with the crescent moon in the middle that I always wear in my folds."
Sesshomaru offered his hand for stability as she slipped her sandals on, then lead her outside the home, closing the door behind them. Once he had her in his arms, ascending into the afternoon skies, he spoke. "That was ripped apart as well. It was tainted with blood, you see."
"Oh, pitiful," Rin frowned.
"If you ask nicely, Asa could fix you another," he suggested. Rin leaned into his strong arms, comforted by his warmth.
"I'll be sure to do so," she smiled, placing a kiss on his cheek.
Nothing could beat traveling in her man's arms during an afternoon sky.
.oOo.
AN: Short chapter because I'm unsure how you guys feel about the long ones. More sessrin centric chapters coming back after all the action our Rin has endured.
Please leave a review! I tend to get motivated and update faster if I see interest uwu
