Chapter Twenty Two
Rin stood and panted, amazed at Sesshomaru's strength. Yet, she sensed he was still holding back. Obviously it was because she was pregnant but still, she wanted nothing more but to really spar with him. Like he did with Inuyasha and Diaroku. Just once, she thought. No, he'd never allow it. With a grunt she charged for him again, this time making a direct hit to his tokijin. He frowned and pushed her back, but she grinned from ear to ear when she saw the proud gleam in his eye. He'd trained her to be a fighter, and a fighter she was. In her distraction, he managed to catch her off guard. In blocking him, both of their swords were flung off to the side. It was a race betwixt the two but Sesshomaru was always faster. Seizing his sword in the blink of an eye and pointing the tip directly to Rin's nose, stopping her in her tracks.
"I believe I've won this round, my love," he smirked and she frowned. "Amari...your turn," he held out a hand, motioning for his niece.
"Yes!," she grabbed the small Katana he'd gifted her on her seventh birthday, much to Kagome's dissatisfaction, and took off as hard as she could go at her uncle. The small crowd gathered around the training ground watched in astonishment as Sesshomaru threw the match, allowing his young niece to win. Everyone that knew the two of them knew that this happened part of the time. Sesshomaru would allow her to win and she would strut about for weeks, sometimes months before he knocked her off of the pedestal he built. He lifted her to his shoulders, his face shining with pride.
"I believe, the lord of the castle has met his match," he declared with a smile and she giggled, throwing her arms around his neck. The crowd dispersed quickly enough, leaving only Sesshomaru, Rin, the ever present Jaken, Inuyasha, his family, and Diaroku.
"Hey Uncle Sesshu? Can you take me for a run now?," she grinned up at him.
"I'll take her," Rin interjected. "I feel like I haven't seen you girls at all. Izayoi? Would you like to come?"
"Yes! Your a demon now so we can actually run run," izayois eyes lit up. Not much for fighting, she still shared one thing with her father and uncle: all dog demons, no matter half, full, or quarter, LOVED to run fast.
"Spunky girl you have there, Sesshomaru has told me so much about her, about all of your children," Diaroku commented to Inuyasha as they ran off.
"Yeah...he's been teachin' her to fight since she could walk. Izayoi ain't much on it though. Who knows what Kichiro will do," he replied. Kagome bit her lip, remembering the promise she made to her husband, the promise to butt out and let them heal instead of holding a grudge.
"Well it shows, she's very good."
"Yeah too bad she doesn't get much of a chance to really train...she's been talking in the past year or so about wanting to do what we did for a while, being a traveling assassin of sorts. Seems to have her heart set on it."
"You know Inuyasha, I'd never mention this to Amari without consulting you but...as your mothers chambers remain empty, and there are four bedrooms in them, I wouldn't have an issue if Amari wanted to keep a room here."
"I, uh, we'll talk about it later...I'll get back to you on that okay?"
"Sure thing. If you'll excuse me, I've got some things to go over with Diaroku. Shall we?," he cocked an eyebrow at his elder and he nodded.
"Yes, let's go."
"So what's going on?," he questioned once they were away fro the group.
"You'll go to France in my stead. Explain that the lady Rin has fallen pregnant and that is the cause for our delay. Once I've taken Inuyasha and visited my mother, we will all accompany you in France."
"Yes, of course. Am I to take the assassins?"
"Yes. Don't mention Inuyasha, they aren't expecting him. It's best they only think they're missing the presence of one guest. The French aren't too fond of cancellations."
"Understood," he nodded.
...
Rin sat down in the hot spring and relaxed back against Sesshomaru's chest, flushing as he ran a claw along her cleavage.
"We were separated for some time today, I missed you," she admitted.
"I kissed you too, mate," he craned his neck and kissed the curve where her neck and shoulder met. "Being away from you is agony," he admitted with a sigh.
"I agree," she drew invisible circles on his knee with her own claws.
"How was your run with the girls?," he inquired and she turned her head to meet his gaze.
"It was great. I love being able to finally keep up with them. I can't wait until we are running wild and free through the forest with our own children," she admitted and his heart clenched.
"Yes, I cant wait for that day either."
"So, how was your afternoon?"
"Mostly uneventful. Inuyasha is considering allowing Amari to keep rooms here at the castle, for her training."
"Isn't she a little young to think about that now? Taking her away from her family? To train as what? A teenaged assassin?," Rin's blood began to boil, her hormones still raging out of check.
"No no no, just occasionally. I was thinking a couple days a week or maybe a full week out of the month would be simpler? You see, Inuyasha was the one who mentioned expanding her training."
"Oh really?," she began to calm. "Why would he suggest that? With her being so young? She's only nine afterall..."
"It was originally Amari's idea. Not to train here, but to train in general. She wants to follow in her ancestors footsteps and travel the lands, working as an assassin when she's older."
"Oh...I suppose if that's her career choice she should start seriously training as soon as possible."
"Yes...which is why I made the offer to Inuyasha. His mother suite has four bedrooms anyways, so Amari will have her own regardless. I don't see why she can't keep that room with her father gone. I plan on keeping those chambers for Inuyasha and his family only anyways."
"That's kind of you," she offered.
"Yes well, I'm trying to show my sister in law that I am not the villain I used to be," he admitted and ran his hand over her already, almost indistinguishably, growing belly.
"I can tell, and I'm so proud of you for it," she reached around behind her to cup the back of his neck.
"Your price brings me great joy," he nuzzled her again.
"Good. Let the only opinion that matters to you be that of your wife," she turned to finally face him, her eyes boring in to his, searching for finality.
"Yes...I couldn't imagine a better person to keep me from returning to the villainous monster I once was."
"Sesshomaru..."
"No Rin, it's true. You don't know. But you can ask anybody. My heart began to beat for the first time when you fell into my life. Before you I was heartless and cold, a shell of a man who even tried to put down his own brother every chance he got. I didn't deserve you or your love, but as glorious fate would have it you are mine. I'll spend the rest of my life, however long, proving that I deserve my angel."
"Sessh...Sesshomaru I don't know what to say..."
"Don't say anything more, your presence is enough," he sighed and relaxed, pulling her back slightly with him.
"Do you think Inuyasha will accept?," she inquired.
"I'm not sure...I know he was ready to say yes on the spot but needs to discuss with Kagome first.
"Want me to work on her?"
"Maybe...not yet at least. Wait until she says no and then I'll send you in."
"Got it," she nodded. They didn't linger in the bath long after it started to grow cold. Dressing minimally, they pulled each other close, wrapped in each others furs.
"Say...Sesshomaru? I was thinking about something today."
"Oh yeah? What's that?"
"Well...you know how you like to play games?"
"You can't possibly want more sex," he tugged on her hair, pulling her head up and making her look him in the eye.
"No no no, not now," she laughed. "I am thoroughly sated from this morning...and this afternoon...and right before we got in the bath...," she trailed off and batted her eyelashes at him.
"Don't purr at me then," he shifted uncomfortably. "I never knew that such a simple sound could-"
"Bring you to your knees?," she teased.
"Yes," he breathed. "That is really what you do to me."
"Good. That's how it's supposed to be. Now listen to my idea!," she scolded with a smirk.
"Yes, ma'am," he grinned back.
"So you know how you like playing games?"
"Yes...your point?"
"Well...what if I did something...something innocent enough but deserving of a punishment...one of your...special punishments,"
"I see...what would you do to deserve such a...punishment?"
"Dunno," she shrugged. "That's as far as I got before the girls caught up to me," she admitted.
"Allow me to improve upon your little plan," he raised an eyebrow. "The servant boy, the one that pissed you off in the garden the other night. I want you to flirt with him. Don't tell me when. Surprise me. But flirt with the boy and make sure he knows it."
"Why do I make sure he knows it?," she questioned.
"So I can intercede when he reciprocates and humiliate you both," he gave her wicked grin and she instantly felt a slickness between her thighs.
"Y-yes my lord."
"Is that alright?"
"Yes...let's do it," she nodded.
"Don't tell me when," he reminded her.
"Yes, of course."
...
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