"Simply Love Me"

Chapter 7

Masked Emotions

"Sesshoumaru, that was really rude of you. Why did you talk to Kohaku like that?" Rin ran after him, panting from his long legged strides. She was confused about what had happened back there. Poor, Kohaku, they had just left him there alone, she thought. She wondered if he would be all right getting up those mountains. Being utterly loyal to Sesshoumaru, she had to follow after him. When she first saw Kohaku, she couldn't believe her eyes. He had grown so tall and handsome. She bet some lucky girl was going to vie for his affections soon. She thought about that kiss he gave her, she wondered why he had done that. It didn't seem friendly at all to her, and it was long too. But it didn't make her toes curl or her breath quicken like when Sesshoumaru kissed her. It just felt like his lips on hers, nothing. She wondered why he did that. It was so unexpected of him. The hug was okay, but the kiss had gone too far for her.

After the final battle with Naraku, they had parted ways. He decided to go far away to distant lands and make his fortune, vowing he would return one day to her. They were so young back then, she eight and he ten. She never thought his feelings would go further then friendship. She had felt a kinship to him, because both their parents were lost in the feudal wars and they were orphans. He'd tried to kill her once, but she realized now that it wasn't his fault.

They reached the end of the street and Sesshoumaru turned to her, his face a blank mask. "Be silent right now, Rin. Or I'm afraid I will do something you will regret." His left hand rested on the hilt of his sword and he clenched his fist tightly. That boy, how dare he? Running up to them out of nowhere and manhandling Rin like that. He felt like stabbing that boy right between the eyes, but out of respect for Rin he had restrained himself, though it was very difficult. He growled darkly, just thinking of him made his inside crawl with rage. And to think that he actually invited the conniving scumbag to dinner tonight! Sesshoumaru was afraid of what he might do if something like that happens again. The consequences would not be pretty. Rin, I wonder if you like him too?

Rin shut her mouth at the fire burning in his golden eyes. I wonder what has gotten into him? She decided to ask him when he had cooled down a bit. Now was not the time to anger him more. It was snowing more heavily and white flakes fell into their hair. She trailed after him into the tavern in front of them. It was darkly lit inside, with a few customers drinking some sake. The owner recognized Sesshoumaru and offered him a table. He declined, asking if she had seen Jaken.

"Jaken, ah yes. He is here. I will go get him right away, Sesshoumaru- sama." She hurried into a door behind the counter and came back a few minutes later, dragging a sleeping Jaken with her. She plopped him on the counter and slapped his face. "Wake up! I said, wake up! Your master is here."

Jaken sat up sleepily, his eyes bloodshot. He wiped at them, trying to focus his vision. "M-my master is here?" He looked straight at Sesshoumaru's face and uttered a terrified yelp. "S-Sesshoumaru-sama! You're later than usual!"

"I expected you to wait for me outside the tavern, Jaken. Why were you not there?" His eyes darken considerably and his mouth was set in a grim line. He had sent Jaken to do business in the village, not get drunk on his ass.

"I was getting tired of waiting for you, my lord. So I decided to have a few drinks." His hands began to shake.

"It was only a few drinks? It doesn't look like it. You seem to be drunk Jaken," Rin said, peering close to him.

He swatted her away annoyingly, "You, Rin, are obviously very unexposed."

"Eh, what are you talking about?"

"Uh, never mind," Jaken said quickly, seeing the death look on Sesshoumaru's face. All those times he'd been killed and then revived by Sesshoumaru again was starting to wear thin on him.

"I need to speak with you, Jaken," Sesshoumaru said in an emotionless voice that spelled trouble. "Outside."

Jaken bowed and jumped off the counter, following Sesshoumaru out of the tavern. Rin went after them but Sesshoumaru held her back with a staying hand. "Get something to drink, Rin. I know you are thirsty." She nodded obediently and pretended to go back in but snuck back to the window to see what he was going to do to Jaken. She giggled softly when she saw Jaken cowering under Sesshoumaru's penetrating stare. She knew what was coming next. Jaken was backing away from Sesshoumaru in panic, pleading, "No, no! Please, Sesshoumaru-sama. Not again!" He drew out his sword and slashed Jaken across the neck. His head rolled ff his neck before he could utter a sound.

Rin laughed out loud, startling the customers and raising a frown from the tavern keeper. She watched Sesshoumaru revive Jaken again with his Tenseiga and kick him in the behind, cursing softly. Jaken yelped at the pain and went on his knees, apologizing and begging for another chance as usual. Sesshoumaru then looked right at the window where Rin was, catching her in the act. She grinned and waved at him. He shook his head at her and curved a finger for her to come. She ran outside, laughing at Jaken's ashen face. She hugged Jaken, making him cry out in annoyance. "Let go of me! Let go!"

She took his staff and ran in circles with him chasing her around Sesshoumaru, who looked on in masked amusement. "Ha, you can't get me!" Jaken caught up with her and stepped on her skirt, making her fall to her knees. He grabbed the staff from her, hugging it tightly against him. Sesshoumaru reached down and helped her up. She dusted herself off and smiled brightly, asking, "So, where to next?"

"Sesshoumaru-sama, are there any more errands that you need me to do before we take off?" Jaken asked him.

"As a matter of fact, yes. You will stay here and wait for the seam stresses to finish Rin's cloak. They are at the tailor's shop."

"B-but that may take the whole day, even two!" he wrung his staff impatiently.

Sessshoumaru glared at him darkly and Jaken cowered under his penetrating golden eyes. "You will do as I say, Jaken. If you do not like taking orders, I suggest you be your own master then."

Jaken gasped, "Sesshoumaru-sama, please do not leave me here! I have been stranded for too long, I say!" He groveled on his knees, clutching Sesshoumaru's pants. He kicked Jaken hard in the stomach, saying coldly. "When the cloak is finished, you will bring it to the palace." He turned to Rin and nodded. She smiled and came and wrapped her arms around his neck. He lifted her up into his arms and flew off into the skies again.

They sped high into the clouds and Rin felt that elated feeling again. She rested her face against his strong chest, listening to his steady breathing. Today he wasn't wearing his usual armor, only the thin white kimono. She liked it this way, because she could feel his rippling muscles underneath instead of the hard plate of armor covering him. She sighed contentedly, "Sesshoumaru?"

He growled deeply at her. She giggled, knowing that was supposed to scare her off but it never worked. That would have terrified a stranger, but not her. She was so used to it now. "I enjoy it this way, don't you?" She played with a stray length of silvery hair that had fallen over his shoulder. Those fond memories of their time together came spilling back to her and she smiled shyly up at him. He didn't look at her, his face impassive as he flew faster over the acres of green forest. His grip tightened, as if he was fighting with some inner emotion.

"I'm not supposed to."

"But do you?"

"We are here," he said gruffly at her. She looked down at the lush green of the trees, marveling at their beauty. A lone cliff stuck out from a high mountain and Sesshoumaru seemed to be flying towards.

"Is that where we are going?" She pointed to the hanging cliff.

"Yes."

He landed silently and put her down. Rin walked around, surveying the foreign area. "What is this place?" she looked out in the distance, and shaded her eyes against the bright sun. She could see the trees, and the palace far away. The huge mountains roamed ahead. The air was cool and relaxing here.

"It's my secret spot to think. I just thought I might share it with you."

"Nobody else knows?"

"Just Inuyasha, and that was by accident."

"It's so beautiful. I can see almost everything from here. I wonder what the sunset would look like." She plopped down on the edge and looked beyond the horizon. Sesshoumaru came and sat down next to her.

"Thank you for sharing this with me," she said quietly.

He glanced at her under his eyelids, observing the tiny wisps of wind blown hair on her delicate face. He wanted to touch them, and feel her soft skin under his hands. She looked at him then, her warm brown eyes open and welcoming. He reached out and tucked the stray strands behind her ear, slowly sliding his fingers down the side of her cheek. She closed her eyes, letting him feel the shape of her face, her eyes, and her lips. She felt the light scraps of his long claws against her sensitive skin. It didn't hurt, but sent prickles down her whole body. He stopped a moment later and her eyes opened in surprise. She had been enjoying his ministrations. She took his hand in hers and laid it on her heart. She heard his sharp intake of breath, and felt his hand freeze.

Rin rested her head on his strong chest. She felt tired all of a sudden, her eyes closing sleepily. He gathered into his arms, cradling her head. Her heart beat steadily in under his palm. He wrapped his fluff around them and laid down on the hard ground, thinking. Maybe they were meant to be together, since he would always end up with her after all. This was just like his father and Inuyasha's mother. Was he then, destined to become like them? He had never thought about it this way before, and it frightened him. He did not want to get hurt again, and neither did he want anything to happen to Rin. Who would take care of her, if he were to die? His kissed her sleeping forehead, sighing deeply. Their relationship was so new, it seemed so perfect at this moment, and he did not want it to end. For the first time in his life, he had actually felt happy. He closed his eyes, sinking into the dream world along with her.

"Wake up, sleepy head," her cheerful voice woke him up from his sleep. He opened his eyes to see her laughing face above him. She grinned and leapt up, running to the edge of the cliff.

"Be careful Rin, it is dangerous."

She smiled mischievously at him. "But you'll be there to catch me, right?" She looked down below; it was so high above the ground and jumped.

Sesshoumaru got it quickly and came after her, he dived down, catching her under the arms and sweeping her off into the air.

"Wahoo!" She yelled elatedly as they soared above the treetops. The air rushed by her face and she felt so free and uninhibited like a bird. "I'm flying!" He took her up into the clouds and beyond, and they flew about, sweeping and soaring with the mountains below their feet.

"I think it is time we head home," Sesshoumaru said after a while. He flew her to the palace and landed at the gates. The demon guards let them pass without question and they went up the steps to the center courtyard.

Kohaku was already there and he ran out with Sango to greet them. "Rin, I'm so glad you're home! I have been waiting for your return. We have so much to talk about." He clasped her hands in his, his eyes jovial. She smiled friendly at him, "Yes, we do, don't we?"

"It is lunch," Sesshoumaru interrupted impatiently. "We will eat first." His eyes shot daggers at Kohaku. Kohaku abruptly released Rin's hands and laughed nervously. "Ah, yes, forgive me, Sesshoumaru-sama. I was so happy with your return that I failed to notice the time."

Rin looked between the two men, her expression puzzled. Sango laughed knowingly. "What is so funny?" Rin asked her.

"This is just like Inuyasha and Kouga long ago, all though a bit more civilized."

"What happened with them?"

Sango shook her head, "Someday Rin, you will understand. Now, come. Kagome has cooked us a huge feast. I bet Inuyasha has eaten half of it already so if you all want to eat, you had better get started now." She led them into the kitchen to see if there was anything left to eat. Inuyasha was sitting with Kagome and the children. Mirokou was preparing the tea, still wearing the cute chef's hat. They were gobbling up the food at an extremely fast pace.

"Hey, hey! Spare us some! Don't be greedy now!" Kohaku sat down and grabbed a chicken leg halfway from Inuyasha's mouth. Inuyasha glared at him, reaching for it.

"That was mine, you thief!"

"Inuyasha, sit!" Kagome yelled at him. He fell facedown hard on the floor. The girls all laughed and Inuyasha got up grudgingly. "Kagome, I was about to get that."

"We must let he guests have their share," she scolded him. "It's not polite."

"Feh, I never had manners in the first place."

Kioko ran up to Kohaku and flung herself in his lap. "Kohaku, tell me a story!" Her hair was tied in a cute pink bow, her chubby cheeks ruddy. Kagome grasped her daughter arm, pulling her away. "Now, Kioko, let the poor man eat. He hasn't had a meal all day."

Kohaku chuckled, "It's all right." He bent down to Kioko, "I'll tell you one at bedtime."

"Promise?"

"I promise." He winked and pinched her cheek fondly and she giggled delightedly, running to sit by her mom. "Okay people, let's dig in on what's leftover," Sango said, eyes on Inuyasha, who reddened slightly.

The food was delicious, as usual, thanks to Kagome's superb cooking. Sesshoumaru remembered the talk he had with Rin in the morning and spoke up. "Kagome?"

"Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama?" Everyone looked at him in surprise. Most of the time, he was the one to answer, not ask.

"I believe that you like to cook."

"That is true."

"Well, this morning Rin happened to bring me some of her food that she made by herself. I happen to like it.'

"Oh, she did? Rin, I didn't know you could cook," Kagome was taken aback by the news.

"Because you never let me."

"Oh my goodness, I am so sorry. I was so wrapped up in it; I simply just blew you over. Will you forgive me?"

Rin grinned. "Of course I will. You'll let me help out some from now on, won't you?"

Kagome said, "Yes, I realize now that I do need some help."

Rin winked at Sesshoumaru and he raised his cup to her. They finished the food and Sesshoumaru got up out of his seat first, walking to the door. Rin followed him out, but was called back by Kohaku.

"Rin, wait up!"

She turned to him and he asked her, "I was wondering if you care to show me around the place? We can talk along the way. I have much to tell you."

"Oh, if it is all right with Sesshoumaru." She looked at Sesshoumaru questioningly.

Sesshoumaru looked at them, thoughts racing through his mind. He did need to go pick up Jaken, and he had a few things to get straighten out with the forest demons. Leaving her alone with this man, was it safe? "I guess it would not hurt. I suggest you be back by sundown."

"Yay," she popped a fist in the air. "I'll be right back, Kohaku. I have to go change into some new clothes."

She smiled up at Sesshoumaru and leaned her face up to his. Rin unexpectedly kissed him on the cheek, whispering in his ear, "Thank you, Sesshoumaru," before running up the steps to her room to change.

She left him standing there, with a hand on his cheek, his mouth slightly open. Kohaku watched the two, a knot tightening in his throat.