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Chapter Three
Rin sighed contently and snuggled closer to Sesshomaru's bare chest. They'd been in the hot spring so long even he had grown pruny. Now they were curled up on top of his usual perch, his fur wrapped around them to conceal their nudity as their clothes dried on the rocks below. He lightly scratched up and down her back, almost soothing her to sleep. Almost.
"Lord Sesshomaru?"
"I wish you'd drop that Lord garbage. If we are together there is no reason for such formalities. Especially when we are completely alone."
"Oh...okay...so Sesshomaru? Have you ever marked a woman before?"
"No. I have not. Why?"
"So...I would be your first then?" She propped herself up on her elbows and gazed down at him with eyes full of wonder. It seemed impossible to her, the fact that Sesshomaru had lived for over five hundred years in solitude.
"My first. My only." He answered matter of factly.
"I like the sound of that."
"So do I." He kissed her forehead and she settled back against his chest.
"How does it work? When you say you would mark me...how?"
"Your scent will change."
"Oh that's it? So not an actual mark?"
"Well...there is one thing many other InuYoukai do...but I find the practice barbaric to say the least."
"What is it?"
"If I were to sink my fangs into you...the scar would mark you to the world."
"Does it hurt?"
"I'm not sure. That's a question for you to ask my brothers wife. She bears the mark of his fang."
"Wouldn't that cause me to bleed a great deal?"
"No. Actually quite the opposite. It'll bleed a little, but the bite will heal completely in a matter of hours."
"How could you know?..."
"Father told me about it."
"Oh...it's good you spent so long with him."
"Three hundred years still doesn't seem like enough."
"I'm sorry, sweetheart." She raised up and planted a kiss on his cheek, that's when she caught sight of the smile playing on his lips.
"Sweetheart?" His tone was playful and he cocked an eyebrow at her.
"Yeah. Sweetheart. Because that's what you are. You're cold and callus on the outside, but on the inside you have a heart of gold and you know it. Don't deny it."
"It beats for you," he nuzzled her neck, a little embarrassed but accepting her praise nonetheless.
"I love you, Sesshomaru."
"I love you too. I have for some time now." Her breath hitched at his declaration.
"Since when?"
"Remember two summers ago? We were in the castle, I had a lady in my rooms, you burst in."
"Yes...I remember." Her heart ached at the memory of seeing him wrapped in the embrace of another woman.
"I knew after you ran out, that I could have no other. You were my one true chance at happiness. Hurting you like that...it devastated me. I've never so much as looked at another woman since then. I don't know if I said it then but I'm saying it now, Rin. I am sorry. Truely."
"Sessh...Sesshomaru...I don't even know what to say,"
"Be mine," he said and tightened his hold on her.
"Then take me...if you want me to be yours, take me."
"Right now? You're sure you've had enough time to think?"
"Yes. I've had all the time in the world. I want you, all I want is you."
"Not here...we'll go back to the castle."
"No! I mean uh...why not here? This is as good of a place as any..."
"Surely you'd be more comfortable in my bed?"
"Actually I uhm..."
"What's wrong, Rin?"
"I don't want to do it there."
"Your reasoning?"
"Because you've had so many uh...friends...there. And this place...I don't know. It feels more like ours."
"I'll take care of it tomorrow, sweetheart," he said, testing the word. "But we can't here. I won't seal your virtue in a forest for all passerby to hear. I'll lay you down and claim you when the time comes, in a setting that is befitting of you. In the morning I'll switch rooms. You can do our new room however you like."
"Y...you'd do that? For me?"
"Of course I would. Rin, I would move the earth with my bare hands if it be your desire."
"All I want is to stay by your side," she pressed her face into his neck and breathed in his scent.
"I think I can manage that." He kissed the top of her head. "We should be getting back though."
"But whyyy," she whined.
"Because, my sweet Rin, your stomach has been growling for a while now. Come, let's get our clothes."
...
Rin sat with Sesshomaru in the room that he and his family congregate in. Not necessarily a *dining* room as they rarely eat. Normally she ate with the other humans, only entering this room on rare special occasion. She could tell that everyone in this room was related to Sesshomaru in one way or another just by looking at them.
"Diaroku," Sesshomaru called from across the room but was ignored.
"Uncle. Do not ignore me," his voice boomed over everyone else's chatter and the whole room grew silent.
"Yes?," the man across the room from them looked up from his sake and frowned. To Rin, he looked to be in his fifties or sixties. He had the same amber eyes and similar markings to Sesshomaru, a fur over his own shoulder, and long silver hair braided down his back and pooled on the floor beside him.
"You will move into my rooms in the morning. Rin and I will have Father's from here on."
"Psh, have it your way Tashi."
"What did you just call me?" Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes. Even though he knew that was his uncles lifelong nickname for his father, he was smart enough to figure out that it had now been used as a term of endearment just now.
"Sorry, boy. Must have confused you for your father there for a moment. He grew soft after knowing a human as well," he said with a wave of his hand.
"Need I remind you, uncle, that you live here at MY bidding? Or shall I make it known the disgrace you brought upon this tribe?" He spat.
"No, I don't suppose I need reminding," he sunk back where he was originally slumped against the wall and continued sipping his sake, acting like nothing had happened. Rin looked around nervously and felt him grip her hand reassuringly. She knew that nobody in this room was exactly shocked. She'd heard most of them at one point or another speak of his father passing down an affinity for humans to his sons. There were a few, however, that looked displeased. Luckily they were all smart enough to hold their tongues. Mere moments after Rin had finished eating, Sesshomaru pulled her to her feet and out of the room. As they were walking down the hallway, her curiosity got the better of her.
"So Diaroku is your uncle?"
"Unfortunately. He is my Father's little brother."
"Oh..."
"He looks quite young to be 2900 doesn't he? I'd have thought he'd turn into a fossil by now." Sesshomaru looked down at her and cocked an eyebrow, the slightest hint of a smile playing on his lips. This earned a giggle from Rin.
"I take it you don't get along?"
"My uncle was partially to blame for my fathers demise, unfortunately. Granted, I can't really hold it against him. He told father outright that he'd alerted the castle of him coming for Inuyasha's birth. It was a last ditch effort to keep him from her I suppose."
"So your father knowingly ran into a trap?"
"Yes."
"So your uncle detests humans?"
"I wouldn't say detest. More of a dislike than an outright loathe. But he and Izayoi did not get along in the least."
"Really?," she gasped.
"Really. I remember those few years she was in and out from time to time. Father would leave her at her home village when he went on a journey that lasted for more than a day, as she wasn't much for traveling. But when he was home, she was glued to his side. Things were very tense at that time between my father and uncle, and Izayoi recurved most of the backlash from it."
"Why do you let him stay?"
"I truly believe he did not mean father any harm. When I brought him news of fathers demise, he was genuinely shocked and devastated. For the past two hundred years I've watched him do nothing but lie around all day and drink."
"That's very big of you, Sesshomaru. And kind hearted."
"Oh? Want me to show you how big I am?" He squeezed her ass earning a slap to the shoulder.
"Sesshomaru!" She looked around wildly. "What if someone had seen?"
"So what? Let them see," he said flippantly and gave her another squeeze.
"Pervert," she laughed as he led her the rest of the way to his rooms.
"So Sesshomaru?"
"Yeah?"
"Did you mean what you said earlier? I can make our new room however I want?"
"I don't see why not. You'll be here an awful lot more than I will."
"Wha...what's that supposed to mean? You can't be considering leaving me behind!"
"Calm yourself, Rin. I do not intend on leaving you behind. But there are times you simply won't be able to come along."
"Like what?"
"When you are with child, for instance, when that day comes. You won't be able to travel in that condition. But even sooner, there are days already when we are here that I have to go and take care of problems. Surely you'd rather stay here and rest yourself while I'm away?"
"Yes...you're right...but why would you leave me when I am with child? Can't you stay with me?"
"We will discuss it when the time comes. Most likely, yes."
"Okay," she settled for that, knowing she'd be able to convince him to stay.
"So, Rin?" He started once they got back to their room and were undressing.
"Yea?"
"What do you plan on doing with this room?"
"I dunno. Just wait and see. It'll be a surprise," she shot up on her top toes and gave him a quick peck.
"Just what have I gotten myself into, woman?" He smirked and snaked his arm around her waist.
