"Simply Love Me"

Chapter 5

Simply Love Me

Rin awoke in the morning to the sound of the sweet nightingale's song in the trees outside her window. She stretched and got out of bed to put on her orange silk night robe. She decided to tie her long black hair back with a green bow today and walked barefoot out of her bedroom to find Sesshoumaru. She walked down the hallway in search of him, yawning slightly. She checked in Sesshoumaru's room, but he wasn't there. The others were gone, probably going about their usual business.

Feeling lonely all of a sudden, she rounded a corner and saw Inuyasha, who was running outside with his sword strapped on. "Hey, Inuyasha, wait!"

He stopped in his paced and turned to her. "Morning, Rin, what's up?"

"Have you seen Sesshoumaru?"

"I saw him earlier, he said he was going out in the forest to hunt. You want to see him?"

"Yes, which part of the forest was it?"

"The north I think. Just follow the northern trail from here. You won't have trouble finding him." He winked at her. "I'm guessing he's mighty hungry. Why don't you bring him some food?"

She blushed and said, "That's a great idea! Thanks Inuyasha, I'll do just that! But first I have to go change."

Rin turned and sped away to her room, with Inuyasha looking on with enjoyment. "Ah, young love."

In her room she changed into a long bright orange silk kimono with delicate green designs on the sleeves and large red chrysanthemums on the bottom lined with gold and small dark green slippers.

She went into the kitchen where Kagome was cooking some pleasant smelling food. "Good morning Rin, had a good night's sleep?" Kagome gave her a sunny smile and gestured for her to sit down.

"Yes, how was yours?"

"Well, you know me and Inuyasha," she said slyly, a huge grin on her face.

Rin giggled when Mirokou walked in and commented; "I'm guessing it was doggy style this time?" He smiled ruefully at their shocked expressions.

The girls gasped and Kagome threw a skillet angrily at his head, which he dodged with ease. "Mirokou, you pervert! Get out, get out!" She ran after him, brandishing a roller out of the kitchen and down the steps.

"Hey, take it easy! I was only joking! Ouch!"

Rin laughed as she watched them run off in the distance. "Well, I guess I'll have to cook for him myself." Kagome had always insisted on cooking for everybody so Rin never got a chance to really do it by herself. Now she would have to put her learned skills to the test.

She rolled up her sleeves and took out a pot. She poured some water in and heated it over the fire. She put in some special ingredients and chopped vegetables, stirring. After that she made sushi and tempura, knowing they were Sesshoumaru's favorites. When everything was ready, she put them in a neat box and wrapped it up tightly, carrying it out into the cold courtyard. It wasn't snowing this morning, but the air was chilly. She shivered, wishing she had bought a cloak when she was down at the village as a sharp wind blew past her.

She walked along the northern trail into the deep forests. The green pine trees towered high above her and she felt like an ant amidst these giants. She looked around for a sign of Sesshoumaru but saw none. She spotted a baby deer five feet away and waved to it gaily. It just stared at her, unmoving. She came up to it cautiously and nuzzled her neck with friendliness. "Hello, I've never seen you before. Where is your mother, little one?"

She fed it a piece of meat and it ate it gratefully. She petted its head and it made a soft contented sound. She noticed a large white spot on its back and said, "I shall call you Snowdrop, and do you like that?" It looked up at her and inclined its head. A noise sounded behind in front of them and she looked up to find a mother deer. "That must be her," Rin said softly. She hugged the baby deer one final time and saw it trot off with its mother through the trees. She smiled and resumed along the trail, listening to the chirps of the birds and otherwise quiet of the forest.

Snow capped the leaves of the trees and on the forest ground. She loved to take walks here, because it was so peaceful and she wanted to be close to Mother Nature's work. The end of the trail branched off into a clearing where the sunlight shone brightly. There was an icy waterfall and a deep hot spring. Large amounts of steam sprang from the hot spring, melding with the ice-cold water from the waterfall. Rocks surrounded the pool of hot water, made for sitting on.

Rin stood at the edge of the clearing and observed a pile of clothes and two swords near the water's bank. She walked to them, realizing they were Sesshoumaru's, but he was nowhere in sight. She started to bend down and gather them up when she saw a movement in the corner of her eye. In the middle of the water up to his waist were Sesshoumaru, his silver hair and naked body glistening in the sunlight. He was turned slightly away from her, his face raised up to the skies with water droplets falling over his closed eyes. He had a ragged cloth in his hand and dipped in the water, rubbing it over his finely sculptured chest and muscled arms. His skin gleamed like a bronze statue and his arms stretched with power as he raised them over his head and squeezed the cloth, letting the water spill down over his torso and the taunt muscles on his stomach. He was built like a god and Rin found that she couldn't tear her eyes away from his male beauty. He immersed himself in the hot water and sprang out a few minutes later, shaking the water out of his long hair wildly.

Sesshoumaru stopped at the foreign smell that had entered his heightened senses. His golden eyes flashed dangerously as he inhaled it. It was Rin, but what was she doing here? He turned his head towards the trees and saw her standing there, with a daze like expression on her face. "Rin?"

He moved out of the water, forgetting about his nakedness and came to her with a perplexed look on his face.

Rin looked at him coming out the water to her in amazement, water droplets dripping down his beautiful body and his wet hair clinging to his handsome face and sparkling like diamonds. She didn't dare look down, fearing she would faint if she saw anymore of his maleness. Her legs seem to be frozen on the spot and she just stared at him with her mouth slightly open.

"Rin, are you all right?" Sesshoumaru looked down at her exquisite face with concern. He reached out and touched her cold pale face, feeling her small tremble at his touch. "You are freezing." He went to the pile of clothes by the rocks and picked up his fluff, wrapping her in it. "You know better than to go out without some protection," he scolded her softly.

She looked up at his face, her innocent brown eyes wide, saying breathlessly, "Sesshoumaru, y-your clothes."

His golden eyes flashed in surprise when he looked at himself. "Forgive me, I forgot all about myself when I saw you."

Rin's cheeks reddened horribly and she tried to stifle her giggles when he went to get his clothes. She watched his round backside appreciatively as he walked away from her. So he does have a nice bottom, she thought.

He put on a thin white robe with the hemline in yellow and purple waves, tying a sash loosely around his waist. Most of his chest was exposed and his feet were bare as he came back to her.

"Better?"

Rin laughed nervously, "I suppose so."

"What are you doing here, and how did you find me?"

She didn't know what to say so she smiled sweetly and presented him with the box of food. He looked down at the box in surprise, not expecting any thing from her. "What is this?" He opened it hesitantly and a corner of his mouth curled up when he saw the deliciously food she had cooked for him. His eyes brightened considerably, reminding her of the beautiful rays of sunshine. "I thought you might be hungry so I made it all for you."

"I-I don't know what to say. No one has made anything for me before. Thank you, Rin." He touched the food with a delicate hand and smelled its pure aroma with rapture on his face. "It smells delicious."

She beamed up at him and clasped her hand together hopefully. "You're most welcome. Would you like to eat it now?"

"As a matter of fact, I am a bit hungry. Come, we'll share if you like." He gestured to the rocks and helped her climb on. He spread a blanket on the cool surface and they settled down, watching the calm water falling from the waterfall.

Rin took out some sushi and hovered it by Sesshoumaru's mouth, indicating for him to open. He opened his lips warily and let her feed him the scrumptious sushi, grunting in pleasure at its delectable taste. He bared his teeth in appreciation. She grinned in pleasure and offered him some soup. He devoured it quickly in large sips and licked his lips.

"Do you like it?" Rin looked at him shyly.

Sesshoumaru's eyes shone softly as he nodded, "I don't like it. I love it."

She clapped happily and proceeded to watch him wolf down the tempura and rice. A few minutes later, the box of food was empty with only crumbs left. "I'm so glad you liked it. I wasn't sure if my cooking was good or not since Kagome never really let's me help around the kitchen much."

"I shall make certain she let you next time. You'll have to make more for me sometime."

"Oh, yes, of course I will, if you like it that much!"

Rin put the box away behind them and lay down on her stomach, with her head nestled in her arms, watching the rapids fall and listening to the waters hitting the rocks. Sesshoumaru watched her with hungry eyes; he could feel his heart beating rapidly inside his chest, threatening to burst. She was so lovely, wisps of dark hair had fallen loose from her ribbon and blew around her flushed face. Her lips were slightly parted, with wet moisture and her warm brown eyes shone with the same youthful innocence and cheeriness he so loved. Her kimono had slipped from one of her shoulders, revealing soft pure white skin that he longed to touch. Pretty soon, there would be young men running after her for her hand in marriage and he was afraid of what he might do then.

It felt so right to have her here like this, spending this quiet time together. He was delving into the same situation his father was in years ago. My father, the great dog demon, had fallen for a mere human. She had taken his heart in the palm of her hands and made him so happy the few years they were together. I resented her then, because I couldn't believe that a human could have such control over my father. He'd left my mother for her and with that he took with him my love and respect for the human race. Now it seems that the same thing is happening to me. This tiny human had slowly opened my hardened heart, bringing her sweet warmth and laughter back into my bleak life. Now I understand why Inuyasha had fallen for Kagome.

"Sesshoumaru?" Rin said. She had looked up at him and saw him observing her with a strange light in his eyes. She'd never seen that looked of desire before, and it frightened her a little. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

He shook his head profusely, replying, "It was nothing, nothing at all." His face turned cold again as he tried to hide all of his emotions.

She gave him a sunny grin, putting the questions in the back of her mind. "The water seems so nice. Can we go swimming?"

"If you want to."

"Yay! Let's go!"

Rin untied the sash around her kimono before he could say a word. She shook it off her shoulders and took off her shoes. Only a thin almost see through slip covered her body. She took the ribbon out of her long hair and dived into the hot water with a splash. Her head appeared above the water a few seconds later. He stood up and stared down at her.

"Come on in, the water's fine!" Rin shouted and dived under the surface again. Sesshoumaru undid his robe and plunged in after her gracefully. He surfaced and smelled her scent behind him. He swung around quickly, hearing her laughter when he missed catching her.

"Catch me if you can!" She stood a few feet away from him, her hair wet, the slip clinging provocatively around her body, molding to her womanly curves.

Sesshoumaru growled low in his throat and lunged after her. She took a nose- dive into the water and swam towards the waterfall, taunting him. He swam after her with powerful strokes and caught up with ease. She squealed when he pulled at her foot and proceeded to splash him shamelessly with the hot water. He let go and she tried to run away but he caught her around the waist and hauled her up against him, their bodies spooned together.

The world seemed to stop right there as they gazed into each other's eyes. Her hands were on his muscular chest, and she could feel the rapid thumps of his heart under her palms. Her own heart was beating so fast and her breath came out in short gasps. The laughter disappeared from her eyes as she saw the hot sexual need in his golden eyes. His hands at her waist were like burning flames through the thin fabric of her slip.

He let go of one hand, slowly caressing it up her arm, neck and face, sending shivers up and down her spine. His golden eyes darkened until they looked almost a light brown and he growled low in his throat. She saw two of his sharp fangs peeking out from underneath his lips. His heart beat faster than ever before. He cupped her chin and lowered his lips to hers. Their lips met with relentless passion, but this time there was no lingering fears, no shock. There they stood, like two star-crossed lovers in the middle of the steaming water, oblivious to their surroundings.

Rin wound her hands around his neck as he pulled her closer to him, skin to skin. She stroked her hands through his soft and silky silver hair, relishing in the feel of the beautiful long strands. A mew of pleasure came from her and she heard him chuckle surprisingly against her mouth. He drew her deeper into the kiss, pushing his slick tongue into her mouth, tasting of the brandy he had drank earlier. His body was lean and hard while hers was soft and curvy in all the rights places. They fit perfectly, as they were made for each other, their destinies woven by the gods.

Sessshoumaru's fang grazed her bottom lip and he bit it gently, drawing out a gasp from her and nibbling it with fervor. She touched her tongue to his lips and licked them shyly, pressing herself deep into the kiss. He raked his pointed nails up and down her curved back, sending quivers of delight from her head to her toes. He moved his hands down her back to below her bottom, cupping it tenderly and stared to life up the hem of her slip, caressing the smooth bare skin beneath. How he'd longed to touch that delicate white skin, his senses were filled with only her intoxicating scent of jasmine. He moved his lips from her mouth and placed light butterfly kisses over her eyelids and cheeks down to the column of her neck, nipping at the fragile vein. She pressed her flushed face against the base of his neck, kissing the hollow and breathing in his wonderful scent of sweat mingling with maleness.

Rin slid her hands down his back and arms, feeling the hard sinewy muscles contort with her touch. She could feel his hardness against her belly growing larger. She trembled at the heat of his hands on her body; they seemed to be everywhere at once, sending ripples of ecstacy through her. He licked the water droplets off her neck to her shoulder, his hands still moving upwards, finally resting below her breasts. She squirmed in his arms, wanting him to touch her aching breasts. His fingers finally touched the soft globes, massaging them deftly, making her moan in pleasure at the waves of electrical shocks going through her body. Her hands moved of their own free will down his chest to his hard muscular stomach, almost going beyond before he suddenly snapped out of his heated desire, halting her exploring hands and pushing her away.

"Rin, I-" His golden eyes were glazed, like he'd just came out of a dream. He staggered backwards, shaking his head to rid himself of the cravings he still harbored. What had he done? What could possibly have possessed him to do such a thing?

"Sesshoumaru." Rin looked up at him with dreamy eyes. Her cheeks were flushed, her lips rosy from his kisses. Half of her slip had fallen off of her shoulder and half the hem was raised to her waist. She looked so beautiful standing there, like a water goddess in all her rumpled glory and he couldn't take his eyes off of her.

"Forgive me Rin, I-I could not control myself." He turned his back to her, his hands starting to shake for the first time. His shoulders shook from the wealth of emotion inside of him. "You, you have to stay away from me Rin, for I fear that the next time this happens, I won't be able to back off." He clenched his hands tightly by his side, gritting his teeth and hung his head dejectedly.

He started to walk away when a small hand touched his shoulder, making him turn back. Rin looked up at him with the most heart-warming smile and unexpectedly wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. His eyes widened in amazement and he stood there for a second, not knowing what to do before hugging her back. He put his nose in her hair, filling his senses with her, absorbing the splendid warmth of her being.

"Rin," Sesshoumaru whispered. "What was this for?"

She giggled merrily. "You look like you need a hug, Sesshoumaru-sama."

He chuckled for the first time and heard her intake of breath at this revelation. "I've never met anyone as tenacious and free spirited as you are Rin. You make me feel good about myself and as though I can conquer the world."

"You're special too, Sesshoumaru. I feel safest in your arms. Please don't make me leave."

"I don't want to hurt you, Rin."

"You could never hurt me. I know it in my heart." She looked up into his pained face and gave him a sunny smile. "I want to be with you, Sesshoumaru, forever and ever."

He smiled sadly at her. " You seem so sure of yourself. What if something happens to you in the future?"

"I don't like to dwell in the past or future. What I want is now, and now I want to be held in your strong arms, because you are my comfort, my pillar of strength."

"I care for you too much to see you hurt Rin."

"I won't get hurt, if you're be my side." Her eyes showed such trust, such innocence; he couldn't help but believe her.

"You're one hell of a woman, Rin. Whatever shall I do with you?" He grinned widely.

"Simply love me," was her only reply.