"Simply Love Me"
Chapter 1
Mountain Palace
Lord Sesshoumaru stood still against a wall and surveyed his new palace built on the one of the oldest mountains of feudal Japan. The red and black columns lined with gilded gold dragons held up the shingled roof were decorated with fresh cherry blossoms and sprinkled with rose water for good luck. This palace reminded him of the old elegant temples with triangular roofs he saw on his travels. In the middle of the circular court yard an elaborate fountain was set up. Two beautifully carved water goddesses posed in dancing form, their heads to the heavens, and ice-cold water sprouted from their mouths. It was a wonder that it didn't freeze in this climate. Spring this time was chilly, especially in the mountains; he kept warm under his blanket of fluff which he carried around with him always. It serves its purpose well. He exhaled the frosty air from his lungs and saw it slowly blend into the atmosphere. He had decided to build this palace in the mountains because he wanted to have some peace and quiet from all the fighting and war raging through Japan at this time. Sesshoumaru, Rin, and Jaken had moved to this palace just a little over a week ago. One of the trails leading from the courtyard direct to a gorgeous garden arranged with lovely azaleas, camellia, wisteria, and jasmine flowers. Maple, peach, magnolia and cherry blossom trees grew in abundance around a small lotus pond at the end of the garden walkway. A few acres of green forest surrounded the palace and created an air of mystery for those entering for the first time. The palace contained a modest fifty spacious rooms with delicate sliding paper screen doors painted with intricate Japanese block prints depicting the many Japanese gods and spirits. Tatami matts were set out the on floors and futons hid in the secret closets. A small Shinto shrine stood at one end of the courtyard; incense still burning gently from the Morning Prayer. Two demon guards stood watch at the front gate for any intruders. They would get their heads sliced off if Sesshoumaru agreed. Sometimes he would go out into the deep forests at night and train himself, or just wander around, lost in his thoughts. He was satisfied with the completion of his new home and felt a slight elation in his heart. Looking up at the clear blue skies, he let his mind drift away from the boundaries. He sighed deeply and closed his golden eyes. There was no smell of the wind, but coldness of the snow capped mountains and tall pine trees.
A feminine cry from the tutoring room woke him from his trance and he opened his eyes to see Rin running towards him, an enormous grin on her face with arms widespread in the air. She wore a loose flowing orange silk kimono sewn with beautiful red and gold phoenixes on the sleeves and hem. Random yellow circles appeared on it and a black obi sash was tide loosely around her tiny waist. Long flowing ebony hair shone with a clean, fresh sheen from her morning bath, trailed behind her like dark silk and her warm chocolate brown eyes twinkled with mischief. Her pale cheeks were pink with the cold and her breath came out in short puffs.
"Lady Rin! Lady Rin, please come back! You still have five more pages to practice your handwriting on!" The short scrawny gray haired tutor, Taro, ran after her, waving his teaching stick and panting from exertion. His hat fell off along the way and he didn't bother to pick it up.
Sesshoumaru lifted an amused eyebrow at her when she came up to him. "It's going to happen today Sesshoumaru! I can just feel it!" Rin clutched her hands together in front of her and jumped up and down excitedly. Sesshoumaru looked down at her and asked, "What is it, Rin?"
"It's going to snow and it'll be my first time seeing it too. I want you to come watch with me because I want us to experience this together. Please?"
They were interrupted by Taro's stern voice behind them. "Lady Rin, you would discard your studies just like that because you want to see a bit of snow? I can't believe this! Lord Sesshoumaru-sama, I implore you to order her to come back to her senses and proceed back to the tutoring room. She has heaps of work to do and time is wasting right now!" The tiny mustache over his lips quivered with indignation at the thought of abandoning knowledge for pleasure.
Sesshoumaru looked down at him and contemplated the situation. "Please, Sesshoumaru? I would be so happy!" Rin's imploring face cut through his reasoning and he felt his lips curve up slightly. "Well, it wouldn't hurt to have a little leisure once in a while." Rin gasped in pleasure, knowing what he was going to say next. "All right. Leave us, Taro. Rin will continue her studies tomorrow. You have the rest of the day off, go and enjoy yourself." Rin uttered a cry of triumph and flung her arms around Sesshoumaru.
"But Sesshoumaru-sama!" Taro looked like Sesshoumaru has given him the death sentence.
Sesshoumru raised his monotone voice up a level. "GO." An angry fire burned in his golden eyes at Taro's challenge to his authority. He towered over Taro, and a dark shadow passed over the two. His fanged teeth flashed dangerously.
"Y-yes, my Lord! I'm going now!"
Taro backed from him in fright and scampered away alarmed, tripping over his feet in the process, making Rin break into giggles. "I think you were being too harsh on him, Sesshoumaru." She shivered slightly.
There was concern in his voice as he asked, "Are you cold, Rin?"
"Yes, a little. But I'll be all right."
"You'll catch a chill, standing out here with just your kimono. Here, let's share this."
He draped half of his fluff blanket over her and she snuggled next to his body and wrapped her arms around his waist. He put an arm over her shoulder protectively and pulled her close to him. She leaned into him and sighed contentedly. He stroked her hair, it felt like soft silk and smelled so lightly of jasmine and her special scent. She pressed her face against his chest, whispering, "I like it this way, I feel safe and warm when I'm with you." He tightened his hold on her as his reply. You've grown up, Rin, he thought, into an intelligent and beautiful young lady of sixteen years. Time has passed.since the first time I met you, in that lonely forest. You, a mere human, saw me lying hurt, and did not even hesitate to come to my aid. You brought me food; a kindness that I never knew existed. You are different from the rest; you stayed by my side no matter what.
"Sesshoumaru, look!" He gazed up from his thoughts and followed where her finger pointed to the sky. Tiny white snowflakes fell from the heavens and Rin gasped in delight. "It's snow! Oh, it's more lovely when you see it in real life!" She ran to the middle of the courtyard and twirled around in a circle, her face lifted to the skies and her arms spread out. Sticking her tongue out to catch a snowflake, she looked like a fiery angel in the center of a white snowfield. Rin turned and beckoned to him, "Come on Sesshoumaru, let's have some fun!"
"Fun, and what might that be?" He came up to her and she took his hands in hers and spun him around, laughing gaily. White snowflakes had fallen into her dark hair, looking like pearls in black satin. He had a sudden impulse and lifted her under the arms up high in the air. She clung to his arms and joked amusingly, "I certainly hope that you don't drop me!"
Just after she said that, he stumbled over a rock on the ground and fell backwards. They collapsed in a crumpled heap with her lips pressed against his. Sesshoumaru's eyes widened in surprise at the feel of her soft lips on his. Rin's chocolate brown eyes seemed to bore straight into his soul. Her long sooty lashes fluttered and she closed her eyes but didn't lift her mouth from his. She tasted like sweet delectable honey and he couldn't get enough. He his tongue inside her mouth slowly and heard a sharp intake of breath. A few seconds later her wet tongue shyly touched his and they kissed. He feasted on her soft pliant mouth and reached out to pull her closer to his heated body. He stroked her back tenderly and she pressed his lips tighter against hers.
"Sesshoumaru-sama, what is going on here?!" They leapt from the passionate embrace and Rin blushed profusely as they faced Kagome, Sesshoumaru's brother's wife. She had a bewildered expression on her face as she looked at the Rin's beet red face. Sesshoumaru presented a calm and cold façade to Kagome and Rin, but inside his emotions were in turmoil. What had he done? He had tried so hard these past few years to stay away from her and yet, one kiss was all it took to break down all of his defenses, he thought.
"I need to take a walk," was his only reply. He turned from them and rose far above the ground, flying away into the forest, his silver white hair and fluff blanket trailing behind him in the distance. The two girls watched him disappear over the horizon with a look of anxiety and a multitude of questions forming in their heads.
Chapter 1
Mountain Palace
Lord Sesshoumaru stood still against a wall and surveyed his new palace built on the one of the oldest mountains of feudal Japan. The red and black columns lined with gilded gold dragons held up the shingled roof were decorated with fresh cherry blossoms and sprinkled with rose water for good luck. This palace reminded him of the old elegant temples with triangular roofs he saw on his travels. In the middle of the circular court yard an elaborate fountain was set up. Two beautifully carved water goddesses posed in dancing form, their heads to the heavens, and ice-cold water sprouted from their mouths. It was a wonder that it didn't freeze in this climate. Spring this time was chilly, especially in the mountains; he kept warm under his blanket of fluff which he carried around with him always. It serves its purpose well. He exhaled the frosty air from his lungs and saw it slowly blend into the atmosphere. He had decided to build this palace in the mountains because he wanted to have some peace and quiet from all the fighting and war raging through Japan at this time. Sesshoumaru, Rin, and Jaken had moved to this palace just a little over a week ago. One of the trails leading from the courtyard direct to a gorgeous garden arranged with lovely azaleas, camellia, wisteria, and jasmine flowers. Maple, peach, magnolia and cherry blossom trees grew in abundance around a small lotus pond at the end of the garden walkway. A few acres of green forest surrounded the palace and created an air of mystery for those entering for the first time. The palace contained a modest fifty spacious rooms with delicate sliding paper screen doors painted with intricate Japanese block prints depicting the many Japanese gods and spirits. Tatami matts were set out the on floors and futons hid in the secret closets. A small Shinto shrine stood at one end of the courtyard; incense still burning gently from the Morning Prayer. Two demon guards stood watch at the front gate for any intruders. They would get their heads sliced off if Sesshoumaru agreed. Sometimes he would go out into the deep forests at night and train himself, or just wander around, lost in his thoughts. He was satisfied with the completion of his new home and felt a slight elation in his heart. Looking up at the clear blue skies, he let his mind drift away from the boundaries. He sighed deeply and closed his golden eyes. There was no smell of the wind, but coldness of the snow capped mountains and tall pine trees.
A feminine cry from the tutoring room woke him from his trance and he opened his eyes to see Rin running towards him, an enormous grin on her face with arms widespread in the air. She wore a loose flowing orange silk kimono sewn with beautiful red and gold phoenixes on the sleeves and hem. Random yellow circles appeared on it and a black obi sash was tide loosely around her tiny waist. Long flowing ebony hair shone with a clean, fresh sheen from her morning bath, trailed behind her like dark silk and her warm chocolate brown eyes twinkled with mischief. Her pale cheeks were pink with the cold and her breath came out in short puffs.
"Lady Rin! Lady Rin, please come back! You still have five more pages to practice your handwriting on!" The short scrawny gray haired tutor, Taro, ran after her, waving his teaching stick and panting from exertion. His hat fell off along the way and he didn't bother to pick it up.
Sesshoumaru lifted an amused eyebrow at her when she came up to him. "It's going to happen today Sesshoumaru! I can just feel it!" Rin clutched her hands together in front of her and jumped up and down excitedly. Sesshoumaru looked down at her and asked, "What is it, Rin?"
"It's going to snow and it'll be my first time seeing it too. I want you to come watch with me because I want us to experience this together. Please?"
They were interrupted by Taro's stern voice behind them. "Lady Rin, you would discard your studies just like that because you want to see a bit of snow? I can't believe this! Lord Sesshoumaru-sama, I implore you to order her to come back to her senses and proceed back to the tutoring room. She has heaps of work to do and time is wasting right now!" The tiny mustache over his lips quivered with indignation at the thought of abandoning knowledge for pleasure.
Sesshoumaru looked down at him and contemplated the situation. "Please, Sesshoumaru? I would be so happy!" Rin's imploring face cut through his reasoning and he felt his lips curve up slightly. "Well, it wouldn't hurt to have a little leisure once in a while." Rin gasped in pleasure, knowing what he was going to say next. "All right. Leave us, Taro. Rin will continue her studies tomorrow. You have the rest of the day off, go and enjoy yourself." Rin uttered a cry of triumph and flung her arms around Sesshoumaru.
"But Sesshoumaru-sama!" Taro looked like Sesshoumaru has given him the death sentence.
Sesshoumru raised his monotone voice up a level. "GO." An angry fire burned in his golden eyes at Taro's challenge to his authority. He towered over Taro, and a dark shadow passed over the two. His fanged teeth flashed dangerously.
"Y-yes, my Lord! I'm going now!"
Taro backed from him in fright and scampered away alarmed, tripping over his feet in the process, making Rin break into giggles. "I think you were being too harsh on him, Sesshoumaru." She shivered slightly.
There was concern in his voice as he asked, "Are you cold, Rin?"
"Yes, a little. But I'll be all right."
"You'll catch a chill, standing out here with just your kimono. Here, let's share this."
He draped half of his fluff blanket over her and she snuggled next to his body and wrapped her arms around his waist. He put an arm over her shoulder protectively and pulled her close to him. She leaned into him and sighed contentedly. He stroked her hair, it felt like soft silk and smelled so lightly of jasmine and her special scent. She pressed her face against his chest, whispering, "I like it this way, I feel safe and warm when I'm with you." He tightened his hold on her as his reply. You've grown up, Rin, he thought, into an intelligent and beautiful young lady of sixteen years. Time has passed.since the first time I met you, in that lonely forest. You, a mere human, saw me lying hurt, and did not even hesitate to come to my aid. You brought me food; a kindness that I never knew existed. You are different from the rest; you stayed by my side no matter what.
"Sesshoumaru, look!" He gazed up from his thoughts and followed where her finger pointed to the sky. Tiny white snowflakes fell from the heavens and Rin gasped in delight. "It's snow! Oh, it's more lovely when you see it in real life!" She ran to the middle of the courtyard and twirled around in a circle, her face lifted to the skies and her arms spread out. Sticking her tongue out to catch a snowflake, she looked like a fiery angel in the center of a white snowfield. Rin turned and beckoned to him, "Come on Sesshoumaru, let's have some fun!"
"Fun, and what might that be?" He came up to her and she took his hands in hers and spun him around, laughing gaily. White snowflakes had fallen into her dark hair, looking like pearls in black satin. He had a sudden impulse and lifted her under the arms up high in the air. She clung to his arms and joked amusingly, "I certainly hope that you don't drop me!"
Just after she said that, he stumbled over a rock on the ground and fell backwards. They collapsed in a crumpled heap with her lips pressed against his. Sesshoumaru's eyes widened in surprise at the feel of her soft lips on his. Rin's chocolate brown eyes seemed to bore straight into his soul. Her long sooty lashes fluttered and she closed her eyes but didn't lift her mouth from his. She tasted like sweet delectable honey and he couldn't get enough. He his tongue inside her mouth slowly and heard a sharp intake of breath. A few seconds later her wet tongue shyly touched his and they kissed. He feasted on her soft pliant mouth and reached out to pull her closer to his heated body. He stroked her back tenderly and she pressed his lips tighter against hers.
"Sesshoumaru-sama, what is going on here?!" They leapt from the passionate embrace and Rin blushed profusely as they faced Kagome, Sesshoumaru's brother's wife. She had a bewildered expression on her face as she looked at the Rin's beet red face. Sesshoumaru presented a calm and cold façade to Kagome and Rin, but inside his emotions were in turmoil. What had he done? He had tried so hard these past few years to stay away from her and yet, one kiss was all it took to break down all of his defenses, he thought.
"I need to take a walk," was his only reply. He turned from them and rose far above the ground, flying away into the forest, his silver white hair and fluff blanket trailing behind him in the distance. The two girls watched him disappear over the horizon with a look of anxiety and a multitude of questions forming in their heads.
