Chapter Seven
Sesshomaru woke when he sensed another presence in the room, dragging his eyes open he took in Rin's sleeping form. She was splayed across his chest snoring softly. His eyes landed on the foot of the bed and he groaned inwardly.
"Jaken. I see you have returned. Is your family well?"
"Yes my lord, may I ask what you're doing?"
"Fool, I'm laying with my mate. Now be gone before you wake her. We leave first thing in the morning."
"Where to, sire?"
"South. Rin wishes to visit her human friends. Far be it from us to deny her, isn't that right, Jaken?"
"Y-yes my lord," he turned and scurried away, grumbling to himself. Rin stirred and her eyes fluttered open. She blinked a few times, eyes adjusting to the room.
"Sesshomaru? We're you just talking?"
"Yes. Jaken has returned. Forgive me for waking you." She nodded into his shoulder, not fully awake, and drifted back off.
...
The next morning, Rin awoke to the sound of a bath being drawn and the smell of steam rolling from their bathroom. She smirked and closed her eyes again, settling back into her place.
'He'll have to come get me," she thought mischievously. Within a few minutes, he emerged and cane to sit on the side of the bed, stroking her face in attempt to wake her.
"Rin, darling I know you are awake and have been for some time now."
"Well Damnit," she huffed and opened her eyes. Sitting up to face him. "I was trying to be cute," she tried to sound mad but couldn't help giggling.
"Well you've succeeded. Let me clean you up before we leave. How are you feeling?"
"Sore but...satisfied..." she blushed and looked down, pooching her lips out and raising her eyebrows like she does when she's embarrassed.
"Sore but satisfied...I like that. Now that's cute," he kissed her and nipped at her bottom lip. "Now, up."
"Yes, my lord," she rolled her eyes and threw the covers back.
"Hey. Don't make me spank you." He narrowed his eyes at her.
"Again? Bring it on," she smirked and jumped up from the bed, striding to the bathroom.
"I hope you aren't too sore," Sesshomaru lowered himself into the tub and Rin settled back against his chest between his legs.
"I'm not. As I recall, I asked for every bit of it."
"I realize that," a low growl escaped him and she felt him start to stiffen against her back. Just as quickly, he'd calmed himself. "Before we leave, we will find you some new clothes."
"But...what's wrong with my normal clothes?"
"Rin, you are now Lady of the West."
"But my clothes are so comfortable."
"In the castle you must play your part. However, when we are away I see no harm. It might be best that way, as not to put a target on your back during our travels."
"I guessssss I can play the part at home," she rolled her eyes and grinned, lolling her head back against his shoulder.
"I have to tell you something...don't be angry," he put his face in the crook of her neck and licked at her shoulder.
"What is it?," she brought her hand up to stroke his cheek.
"I already got you clothes. You can choose between them."
"What? When?"
"I sent for them to be made when we first arrived."
"So you'd decided...you'd already decided?" She turned and cocked an eyebrow at him.
"Yes," he stared in her eyes, expressionless but silently bracing for impact, knowing she would be furious that he'd done such a thing without even talking to her. Instead she beamed at him.
"It seems our minds were in unison, my Lord."
"It seems so...now." He reaches over her to the side of the tub and grabbed a bottle of soap given to her by Kagome. "Lean back," he ordered and put a finger to her chest, pushing her back against the wall of the tub. "Close your eyes." The last thing she saw was him squirting soap on his hand. He massaged her skin with gentle strokes and she marveled how he could switch back and forth so easily.
"Sesshomaru?"
"Yes? What is it?"
"Last night you were so...vigorous. Yet today you are tender and almost hesitant."
"Last night was for pleasuring you, mate. And today is for licking your wounds and caring for you as you recover from an eventful night of love making. I'm simply doing my Job. I love how responsive you are to it all," he brushed his hand between her thighs and ducked under the water, opening his eyes and washing her, noting the two light bruises on the inside of her legs. He surfaced and wiped the water from his eyes.
"Okay. You can open them now. It seems you have bruises on the inside of your legs."
"Yeah that's what happens when you twist me up and plow me," she countered.
"You're the one that asked to be upside down, woman," his eyes narrowed but a small smile spread across his lips.
"Fine. You win this round."
"Are you ready to deal with Jaken?"
"Did he really see me naked?"
"No. You were covered with my mokomoko."
"Oh...good."
"Come on, out with you, your skin is turning pruny." They got out of the tub and he slid some pants on, passing her his shirt and she wrapped it tightly around herself. He led her to a storage room near their own.
"I'll have everything moved while we're away, don't worry," he said as he pushed open the door. She took in a sharp breath as she looked around.
"Sesshomaru! Where did you get all of this?" She looked over the brightly colored kimonos, all bearing his seal in one way or another. Not only were there kimonos, but there were shoes, belts, hair pieces, ribbons, skirts, pants, shirts, everything.
"Pants?" She picked up one of the garments and held them against her tiny waist.
"I figure that particular ensemble will be much more comfortable for training than skirts."
"Yes it will be! Now, shoo. I need to get dressed and I don't want you looking over me."
"Alright alright," he held his hands up in defense and slid her backpack from his shoulder. "Here. To pack for our trip."
"Thank you," she smiled appreciatively.
"Meet me in the dining hall when you are finished."
"Yes," she nodded.
...
Rin walked hesitantly you the dining hall, awaiting Sesshomaru's approval. She'd dressed in the outfit that was laid out on a wooden mannequin. The shirt was all white and similar to his usual attire, only the flowers down her sleeves were black and purple to match her black skirt. She'd hastily slipped on a pair of black shoes, knowing he preferred her feet to be covered even though she despised it. When she stepped into the dining room, Sesshomaru's eyes immediately locked with hers and he looked her over slowly, drinking in every inch of her from across the room. He never halted the conversation he was having with the man standing beside him as he motioned for her to come to him.
"Rin, this is my cousin, Takeharu," the man bowed his head and smiled at her politely.
"My lady, nice to meet you."
"Are you Diaroku's son?"
"Oh heavens no," he laughed.
"His parents reside with my mother. His father and my mother are siblings," Sesshomaru clarified.
"Oh...cool." She looked him over curiously. His hair was blue as the sky and he had markings similar to Sesshomaru's that matched his hair. He wore all black save for the armor across his chest. "I've never seen you around here before."
"I only come when Sesshy here is off traveling. Someone has to keep the rif raff in line," he winked.
"Yes, it's all very interesting, cousin. Now we must be going. And do not call me 'sesshy' again."
"Oh whatever, Sesshy," he teased and smirked defiantly.
"Rin," he held out his hand expectantly and she took it. Turning on his heel, he led them away. He looked over her again at they walked and reached out to touch the pin in her hair that bore his seal.
"Subtle. Nice choice."
"Thank you, My Lord," she smiled.
"You look beautiful. Breathtakingly beautiful." He growled in her ear and tightened his grip on her hand. "I cannot wait to peel that off of you tonight," he nipped at her earlobe and straightened back up at her side. As they approached Jaken who was holding to Ah-Un's reigns, Sesshomaru got an idea.
"Shall you and I fly? We'll reach Edo much faster that way."
"But what of Jaken?"
"He can follow with AhUn?" He suggested.
"That'll work," she perked up.
"Jaken. You will follow us with Ah Un. Rin and I are flying ahead."
"Yes, Milord." He nodded and mounted the dragon. Sesshomaru wrapped his arms around Rin and looked up to the sky, an orb of bright light surrounding them as they took off to the South.
...
Kinda short but oh well. Please review. I'll try to have the next chapter up in the next two days :)
