Thanks to SesshRinLover and itzatakahashi for reviewing! I've not been sick don't worry! I've just been struggling with my mental health here lately and if I'm not in the right mindset to write, I can seriously mess my stories up. That being said I made the decision to sit back and work on myself before writing. But now the beast is back baby! :)
Chapter Twenty Nine
Sesshomaru and Takeharu touched down on the continent just after dawn with the rest of their traveling party on their backs. Sesshomaru, growing accustomed to carrying humans on his back, was nearly unphased by the two hour journey with Rin, Amari, Izayoi, and Hikaru. Takeharu, on the other hand, was not. He stretched and rubbed his shoulder as he walked out from behind the tree line, moving to tie his pants as he sauntered back to the group.
"Damn Inuyasha, you're about as heavy as ole Sesshy," he said. "Remember that time ya got your ass kicked and I had to come pack ya back home! Boy was your old man hot."
"That was three hundred years ago you mongrel, he wouldn't have been mad at all if *you* hadn't told him of our excursions prior. Oh. Don't call me Sesshy," Sesshomaru growled.
"Fine fine," he held his hands up in defense.
"Hey no fair, Kagome was on your back too!," Inuyasha called from the back of the group as Sesshomaru led them walking down the Kings Road.
"Sit boy!," boom. Sesshomaru, Rin, and the children devolved into a fit of laughter as Inuyasha's face connected firmly with the ground.
"What. The. Hell. Was. That?" Takeharu shouted from a tree above, which he'd taken cover in.
"Beads of subjugation," Sesshomaru clarified. "Now come down from there. We have work to do, cousin."
"Yes..." he leapt from the tree, landing perfectly before them. "Of course. Lead the way, I've never been to France. Sure smells a lot better than England though," he wrinkled his nose.
"Wait till you've caught a whiff of Paris," Sesshomaru gagged and Rin giggled.
"No don't think I'll be going there anytime soon. If the English of all stinky humans think the city is disgusting, that's enough confirmation for me," he quipped.
"Hey honey," Rin peered up at Sesshomaru. "Would it be okay for me to go ahead and see the Lady Greer while you're getting everyone else settled?"
"Yes, I'll come and find you afterward. We should be there by lunch. I know how you love the dinners at court," he looked down at her.
"Oh yay! I can't wait," she spun around to Kagome. "You're going to love it here,"
"What Queen are you helping again, Sesshomaru?"
"Mary Stuart. The queen of Scotland. Granted she presides here, in France, with her husband the dauphin."
"You mean-"
"Yes, Francis," he said. "Though I've yet to meet the husband, I hear he's quite sickly. At least from the portrait I've seen."
"That's what I learned in school too!"
"Best not to say too much about ourselves," Sesshomaru announced to the group. "Got that kids? And Kagome? All that needs to be known is we are a group of mercenaries. That's it. No background."
"Mhm," they gave a collective nod.
"Alright good. We're nearing the castle," he pointed ahead.
"So how how long have we been doing this Sesshomaru? Doing jobs for these people I mean?"
"I've been doing this for the past three centuries or so. Father started the tradition long ago. That's why his lands are filled with things from distant lands. He traveled all over the world. As he gained interest, he'd assign a demon or two to a Country. I've conducted missions in France, England, and Scotland. This is Takeharus first time in France but he's conducted many missions in Scotland. And trained with me in England under father. I suppose we are making up for lost time now, aren't we, Inuyasha?" Sesshomaru turned to look at his half brother, the corner of his mouth twitching ever so slightly.
"Ain't gotta get all mushy," Inuyasha huffed.
"Dad loves you too, uncle Sesshu." Izayoi interjected.
"Another thing, French court is full of people who like to use poison, please use caution and make sure anything you eat is screened by Inuyasha, Diaroku, Takeharu or myself before you eat it. That goes for water too."
"Got it," one of the kids chimed.
...
Sesshomaru stalked slowly through the corridors, having spent some time down in the kitchens checking the royal families food he was now on the hunt for Rin. They'd been apart for hours and he'd grown irritable to say the least in her absence. Suddenly, rounding a corner, he bumped into a blonde haired man, probably about the same age as the queen and carrying a sword with the Valois crest. Accompanying him was Sebastian, the Kings eldest son whom Sesshomaru had met on his last excursion.
"Oh excuse me...didn't see you there," the mystery blonde said.
"Lord Sesshomaru, good to see you again," Sebastian extended a hand which Sesshomaru accepted.
"And you, Sebastian."
"Allow me to introduce you to my brother, Francis, the dauphin."
"Yes of course, pleaded to make your acquaintance," Sesshomaru have a curt nod.
"Likewise," he nodded back.
"So where're you off too?," Sebastian said.
"I'm looking for my wife, I was hoping to steal her away for a while before the party tonight," he said.
"I was just at Mary's rooms a moment ago and I saw the Lady Rin there with Mary and her ladies, trying on dresses it looked like. Hey, why do you have two swords?," Francis spoke.
"Thanks," Sesshomaru nodded and made his leave.
"Strange fellow," Francis cocked an eyebrow once he was gone.
"That he is, but he's the best of the best I assure you. And I swear those assassins can fight like something otherworldly. I, for one, would never want on his bad side. I believe father is a bit skiddish of them as well. ."
"I'll remember that," he nodded.
...
Sesshomaru took the steps three at a time, finally able to pick up Rin's scent through all the smells. Good and bad. He reached the top of the stairs and found Takeharu sitting in front of the queens door, picking at his claws.
"How's it hangin?," he looked up through hooded eyes.
"Eh. It's hangin. Could you move?," Sesshomaru played along in hopes that he'd not draw this out.
"Yeh, knock first. They've been trying on dresses for over an hour," he rolled his eyed before closing them and resting his head back on the wall.
"I swear sometimes I think you are Inuyasha's true brother and I am a stand in. Heavens knows you act exactly the same," he scoffed and tapped sharply on the door.
"Come in," Mary's voice floated back and he pushed the door open. Not seeing Rin at first, he began to panic before she stepped out from behind a screen.
"R-rin. You're stunning," he said softly.
"Thanks," she blushed. "I borrowed it from Kenna." She ran her fingers lightly over the tiny jewels trailing down her dress. "So you like it?,"
"I love it," he breathed and cleared his throat, remembering their surroundings. "Could we possibly speak...in your study for a moment, Queen Mary?," Rin turned to her.
"Of course," she motioned to the door at the side of the room and Rin took Sesshomaru by the hand, leading him away as the four girls devolved into a fit of giggles.
"So I was thinking," he skimmed a hand across her body as she closed the door behind them. "I was thinking I could take you back to our room and...explore that new dress of yours before the party," he murmured in her ear.
"Hmmm..." she turned in his arms and kissed him long and sweet, trailing a hand down and brushing his hardness, slinking down to her knees, she made quick work of the tie around his waist, looking into his eyes as she stroked him.
"Well you see...I was thinking," she dipped her head, flicking her tongue over the tip. "Since you want me to take charge and reverse the roles, I'll indulge you," she gave him a long lick from bast to tip before releasing him and fixing his clothes, rising to keep feet she gave him a kiss on the tip of his nose.
"Don't worry, I'll take good care of you. Later," she winked and with another peck, turned on her heel and swung the door open.
"I'll see you later sweetheart! Amari was looking for you earlier," she called after him as he was stalking out the door.
...
Reviewwwwwwww :)
