*Disclaimer - Takahashi Rumiko is a freaking genius! Who in their right mind would try to claim her work as their own? I know I wouldn't, everyone knows I couldn't come up with anything as great as Inuyasha.*
Sequel to "Theft Through Seduction"
"You may deny your fate, but you cannot escape your destiny."
For Rin: Chapter 9 - Love and Affection
Rin removed her sheath from her side and unsheathed her katana. She took her stance with her own blade and extended the sheath to Aamiboshi with her other. She waited a brief moment before attacking, already having assessed her opponent.
He successfully blocked her first attack with a speed she knew he received from being a cat youkai. But she was trained to be agile herself so she blocked his attack with a speed that obviously surprised him. Taking advantage of it, she turned quickly, forcing him to react. He blocked her sword in time but was knocked off his feet from the force.
Instinct kicked in quickly and Aamiboshi turned in a flip, landing on his feet. Then he raced towards her, not waiting a moment to attack. Rin rushed forward as well, pushing him back as their weapons locked. But he shoved her back with a burst of energy that surprised her enough to send her falling backwards. She felt herself tripping and extended her arms over her head in time to fall into a back flip. She landed on one knee, her katana extended at her side as she once again assessed her opponent.
Aamiboshi smiled, pleased that Rin's skills were formidable. They were both breathing heavily, waiting for the other to make the first move. When she smiled and twitched the hand holding her blade, he raced forward again. She held her position, thrust her blade upward and locked weapons with him once again. She knelt down quickly and twirled, tripping him with her outstretched leg. When he would have flipped to land on his feet, she attacked him again, forcing him to loose his balance.
She rose over him, her blade at his throat, and a smile of victory upon her lips.
How was it that daily morning training had turned into a sparing match? She was out of breath, surely her sheath would need some repairing, another bath was in order, but she was pleased. Aamiboshi had proved to be an acceptable opponent. So she stepped back and offered him a helping hand.
"I must say Rin, you are incredible. It has been a long time since I used a sword and I am afraid my skills could be better. But tell me, how did you learn?"
"I have spent everyday of the past two years training and practicing."
"Why? You are under the care of Lord Sesshoumaru, surely there is no need for you to protect yourself."
Rin took the sheath from him and placed it and the sword on her side. "There were rumors that I was Sesshoumaru-sama's weakness and they weren't entirely untrue. So I decided that I would no longer be his weakness."
"Amazing, absolutely amazing." Aamiboshi stepped forward, took her hand. "Rin-"
"Aamiboshi."
Both turned at the sound of the strong and familiar voice. Rin's face turned as emotionless as the one she stared into. Here she was, purposely trying to make Sesshoumaru jealous, but as she was caught in the act, she suddenly felt very afraid of what repercussions it could bring.
Aamiboshi dropped Rin's hand quickly and bowed to Sesshoumaru. "Yes my Lord?"
"Your father is very displeased that you are not at our meeting. You're very late."
"Ah, gomen-nasai, I lost track of time." He bowed to Rin and raced back to the castle.
Rin smiled slightly and bowed in return, holding Sesshoumaru's gaze as he stared at her. And she watched warily as he walked away.
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Perhaps it was for the best. Sesshoumaru had intentions to part ways with Rin sometime in the future. Of course giving her to a cat youkai as a mate had not been what he had in mind. But the young woman obviously had affection for the young cat youkai. It may, in the end, create tighter bonds between the Lord of the Western Lands and the Lord of the Southern lands. They then would probably share common enemies and be even more feared. Still, he hated the idea of giving up Rin for something so trivial. This Sesshoumaru needed no one to help him be feared.
Frustration from not knowing what to do had him slashing a few trees in half with his Toukijin.
"A little jealous...Sesshoumaru?"
Sesshoumaru turned slowly, already knowing whom the voice belonged to. "Asami."
"Sesshoumaru. It is a pleasure to see you again. This is my sister, Ikie, Flower Goddess of Vision."
"You seem to have an endless supply of sisters, Asami. I thought you were dead."
"The young miko's arrow did much damage to my body, forcing me to degenerate to my bud form. From that I grew into what you see now."
"What do you want? Surely that dream you inflicted upon me was enough amusement for you."
"Was it really a dream Sesshoumaru? Or your most secret desire?"
"I would never desire Rin in such away, it was the result of your magic."
"As I told you before Sesshoumaru, my magic does not control what you dream but only reveals your desires."
Sesshoumaru stared at her and said nothing. Instead he turned, intending to return to the castle. He had gone for a walk to think about the way Rin had been acting the past two days. She spent so much time with the cat youkai, had even practiced with him. Things she had only done with him. Could this Sesshoumaru really be jealous?
"You asked what I wanted. You need to see how loyal Rin is, how much you mean to her. How she is only trying to show you that. Obviously you do not see or do not wish to see the truth, but I feel I should aid her in her plans."
Ikie stepped forward, her hands in front of her as if she were holding a large object. Flower petals began to appear, multiplying and taking shape. They vibrated with motion as they held the shape and an image slowly began to come into view. A voice Sesshoumaru recognized caused him to turn back.
Aamiboshi and Rin sat on the garden bench facing each other, their knees nearly touching. Rin placed her hands in her lap, looking like an exquisite lady. The night wind caused her hair to dance behind her. He saw her shiver from it, thought she should be inside. She smiled at Aamiboshi as she had been since he arrived, but he noticed that it did not reach her eyes, and was glad that she saved that bright smile for him.
"I fear this is the last time we will be able to see each other Rin."
"Hai. Perhaps there will be a need for you and your father to visit again."
"Perhaps. But I was thinking, how would feel about coming with my father and I tomorrow?"
"I would have to speak with Sesshoumaru-sama about such a visit. I don't know how he would feel about me going with you alone. However, I would enjoy seeing your lands."
Aamiboshi reached for her hand, squeezed it lightly. "I meant to come be with me....as my mate."
Rin stared down at their hands, unsure of what to say. She had never meant for it to come to this. Rin was well aware that she would have no choice in the matter if Sesshoumaru and Suboshi agreed to the pairing. And for some odd reason, she feared that Sesshoumaru would not disagree.
She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with sadness. "Leave the Western Lands...and...Sesshoumaru-sama..?"
The image faded away, the flower petals flew off into the night sky. Ikie and Asami stood before him, staring at him in such a way that seemed to pull out the emotions he kept at bay from witnessing Aamiboshi and Rin together. Questions he could not yet answer clouded his mind, allowing him to only see the image of Rin in his head. Sesshoumaru knew that for once, the answers would not come soon enough.
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Sesshoumaru and Suboshi stood outside the doors of the castle. The sky was black and orange, giving the sleeping world a warning before the sun arose. Suboshi and his son would depart for their lands today as their business had come to an end. Sesshoumaru was not at all disappointed to see them go. Cats had always been troublemakers.
"Lord Sesshoumaru, it was a pleasure to come visit your lovely lands. I am glad that our visit produced very good results."
"As am I, Lord Suboshi. Should you encounter any problems in the area around my territory, please send a messenger and I will see to it immediately."
"Of course. Though I doubt those foolish creatures will attack me. But remember Lord Sesshoumaru, if I can offer any assistance to you in handling this problem, please let me know."
"This Sesshoumaru will do so should it become necessary."
"Good. Now if that foolish boy would come along, probably trying to say goodbye to Rin. I do believe that young woman has captured his heart my Lord."
Sesshoumaru said nothing.
"Perhaps we should see that they are mated in the future."
Aamiboshi stepped from the castle doors, hearing his fathers comment. "I am afraid that will not be an option father. Rin's heart belongs to someone else and I could never break her wonderful spirit by forcing her to be my mate."
Suboshi turned to his son as he walked towards them. "Since when has a woman's opinion mattered?"
"Since the heart belongs to Lord Sesshoumaru."
Again, Sesshoumaru said nothing, allowing both men stare at him in question.
"During these two days that I have spent with Rin, she always managed to speak of Lord Sesshoumaru in some way. It became obvious to me that her love and affection is for Lord Sesshoumaru alone. I of course cannot compete with that."
Aamiboshi stepped forward, bowed deeply to Sesshoumaru. "I envy you, my Lord. I know that I do not need to ask, but please, take care of her."
Suboshi said nothing as his son walked away and turned to say his final goodbye. They followed Jaken from the castle as the sun began to rise on a new day.
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So sorry about the typos and stuff. I sort of rushed through that chapter because I have a tendency to want to hurry up and get my ideas down. Sorry for that. I really want to finish this fic before I start college...don't believe I'll have much time to keep it going. So I'll be careful about rushing even though I want to finish by the 17th. Thanks so much for the reviews, guys. I really really appreciate them.
-~Rabid Anime Gurl