500 Years and Waiting
By swirly87
Disclaimer: Sesshoumaru, Rin, and all characters of Inuyasha are the property of Rumiko Takahashi. All characters that are mentioned in this story, but are not part of Inuyasha are either my creations or are characters that have been changed a bit from their respected anime. This includes the characters of Rurouni Kenshin and any other anime that is recognized.
Chapter 8: Some Planning, Some Teasing, and Some Affection
The next morning, everyone went his or her separate ways. Inuyasha and Shippou had to go to their new youkai classes while Sesshoumaru and Rin had to discuss the planning of the ball. Sesshoumaru and Rin were on one side of the castle while Inuyasha and Shippou were at the other side. Frustrated and loud cursing could be heard from Inuyasha's side of the castle as well as the sound of breaking items.
"You don't suppose Inuyasha-oneesan has broken anything valuable do you Sesshoumaru-sama? It seems as if he is not enjoying his lessons very well," commented Rin as she and Sesshoumaru were walking to Sesshoumaru's den to discuss the upcoming ball's plan.
"He is not suppose to enjoy it," replied Sesshoumaru, "As for anything of value…the room they are assigned to is the brown room."
"Oh, well in that case we don't have to worry about a thing," said Rin as she recalled all the ugly and cheap junk in the room. Images of ugly figurines, vases, furniture, and glass that previous inu lords had collected and placed in that room filled her head. She remembered the first time she had entered the room and how she wanted to destroy all the nasty and ugly junk that didn't seem to belong in such a beautiful castle. As for the room itself, Rin had wanted to repaint that room since it was a horrible dung brown color which the room was named after. Rin had often wondered why Sesshoumaru kept all that junk in that room and had never bothered to throw things away.
As if he read her mind, Sesshoumaru said, "The room is used to hold gifts from human and youkai that my family found repulsive, but could not throw away without disrespecting the human or youkai that gave them."
Rin looked up at Sesshoumaru in surprise. She had not expected him to give her the answer she wanted especially since she had not even asked the question. Sesshoumaru merely glanced down at her for a moment before he stopped in front of his den door and opened it. Rin walked through the door as Sesshoumaru closed it behind her. The two went straight into the den and sat down on the two large pillows in the room. A plate of food, two cups, a pot of hot tea, empty scrolls, a brush, and an inkbottle could be found between the pillows.
"I told Inuyasha that the ball is to be held in two weeks, but I have changed my mind and have decided to have it in four. Two weeks is too short of a notice for the youkai lords and two short for Inuyasha to learn all his manners," explained Sesshoumaru as he went straight to the point.
"How long will this event be, Sesshoumaru-sama?" asked Rin as she picked up a brush and dipped it in the inkbottle.
"About a week. There will be about 50 or so guests. They will be staying in the guest wing. There is to be a welcoming dinner on the first night. For the next 5 days, there will be events of entertainment. On the last day, will be the night in which I announced that Inuyasha will be my heir," answered Sesshoumaru. Rin wrote all the information down one of the scrolls.
"What sort of events do you wish to have Sesshoumaru-sama?" asked Rin.
"That Rin is up to you. I do not really care about what you plan. I trust that you will plan it well and that the guests will enjoy it," answered Sesshoumaru as he sipped his tea. Rin blushed at his compliment and Sesshoumaru could not help but think she looked adorable when she blushed. As Rin sipped her tea, she thought about the different events that could be planned.
"Would you mind having tournaments and contests, Sesshoumaru-sama?" asked Rin; "We could have martial arts tournaments, archery tournaments, sword-fighting tournaments, cooking contests, sewing contests, and other types of competition. We can also have performances like plays, singing, and dancing to entertain them."
"That is fine," answered Sesshoumaru. Tournaments and other types of competition huh? Excellent idea, Rin. That way I can see the skills of my fellow youkai lords and my subjects. Thought Sesshoumaru.
"As for the theme, I think winter will be the best theme considering it will be winter by the time it shall begin," commented Rin.
"Very well then. I shall give you the guest list tomorrow Rin. Will you be able to plan the rest, Rin?" asked Sesshoumaru as he picked up his cup of tea and looked at her for her response.
"Of course Sesshoumaru-sama. I'll just inform you about it once and awhile if that is alright with you," replied Rin. Sesshoumaru nodded his head and the two continued drinking their tea in comfortable silence although once and awhile one of them would stare at the other for a second or two. Suddenly Rin recalled something that she had found last night, before she went to sleep. She put her hand inside her kimono and took out a single cherry blossom in full bloom, a rare flower to be found at that time of year. It had a delightfully pink color and it smelled wonderful. The aroma from the flower filled the room as soon as Rin took it out. Sesshoumaru stared at the flower and looked expectantly at Rin as she placed it in front of her. Rin looked up at Sesshoumaru and said, "I found this in one of the scrolls, Sesshoumaru-sama. I thought it was odd to find such a flower at this time of year in that scroll, especially since that scroll was about the requirements of a inu youkai lord's mate and the mating ritual itself. Perhaps you can tell me why it was there, Sesshoumaru-sama?"
"It was there because I left it there. It is for you, do you not like the flower, Rin?" inquired Sesshoumaru as he looked up from his tea at Rin, waiting for her reaction.
"Of…of…of course, Sess…Sesshoumaru-sssama," stammered a blushing Rin. Sesshoumaru smirked behind his cup of tea at her stammering state. "But why would Sesshoumaru-sama place the flower for Rin in that scroll? Why that particular scroll?" asked Rin as she regained her composure.
It's now or never. Thought Sesshoumaru. "Because Rin, I thought you might like the flower. As for it being in that particular scroll…" Here goes nothing. "…I wanted you to know what to expect." Was that pathetic or what? I'm worst that that brother of mine.
"Expect? Expect what?" asked a confused Rin as she stared at Sesshoumaru-sama for answers.
"Rin, as you know I have to have a mate that is a full-blooded youkai," said Sesshoumaru, Rin merely nodded at this while sadness crept in her eyes as she expected some sort of rejection from him, "However, there is a problem."
"What is the problem, Sesshoumaru-sama?" asked Rin. Has Sesshoumaru found his mate? Who is she? How come I have never heard about her before? Thought an insecure Rin.
"The one I want for my mate is not a full-blooded youkai," answered Sesshoumaru as he looked at the curious and somewhat depressed Rin. He couldn't help, but mentally smirk at this as he noticed her growing jealousy at the unnamed possible mate.
"She isn't? What is she? Who is this person?" asked Rin as her eyes narrowed in jealousy and suspicion.
"She is human," replied Sesshoumaru, "A human I am very fond of and have known for a very long time." Sesshoumaru couldn't help, but smirk even more as Rin became more confused and insecure.
"Human? Have I met her before?" asked Rin, unaware that he was talking about her.
"You can say you have met her before," teased Sesshoumaru who was enjoying torturing the clueless Rin a bit.
"If you want her for a mate, what is the problem?" asked Rin, who had decided to accept this person if Sesshoumaru cared a lot for her and made him happy.
"Like I said, she is human. My mate has to be a full-blooded youkai. I plan to make her a full-blooded youkai by finding a spell or magic of some sort. However, I do not know if she wants to be my mate or not or if she is even willing to give up her humanity to be a youkai for me," stated Sesshoumaru as he asked Rin indirectly.
"If she cares about you enough, of course she will! Who wouldn't want to be with someone they love forever?!" exclaimed Rin.
"But I do not know whether she loves me or not," confessed Sesshoumaru silently.
Rin, who had never heard her master sound so dejected before, tried to cheer him up despite feeling rather dejected herself.
"Then you should ask her to be sure. You'll never know until you try," said Rin. I should try to follow my own advice. Thought Rin.
Sesshoumaru stared at Rin and slightly lifted one of his eyebrows as if he was questioning her reasoning.
"What I'm trying to say here, Sesshoumaru-sama, is that you should ask her anyway. The worst that can happen is that she rejects you. You may have a broken heart, but at least you'll know. That way you could always mend that heart and move on," explained Rin as if she was totally sure about everything, although she herself didn't feel that sure of her explanation.
"Do you really think that's a good idea?" asked Sesshoumaru in a slightly teasing manner, although Rin didn't notice the teasing bit because she was too absorbed in her own emotions to notice.
"Of course, Sesshoumaru-sama!" chirped a fake-smiling Rin.
Sesshoumaru knew that Rin was faking her smiling, but he couldn't help but continue to torture her. At least up to a certain point anyway. Thought Sesshoumaru. He knew now that Rin had serious feelings for him because of her jealous reactions. He was never exactly sure if Rin had feelings for him or not because there were so little opportunities to make Rin jealous. Most of their time was spent traveling and the few females that they had met, he had pushed them away or had scared them away with his cold attitude.
"Sesshoumaru-sama? Are you…going to ask that woman soon?" asked a nervous and slightly distraught Rin.
"Hai," replied Sesshoumaru softly.
"When?" asked a slightly sad-looking Rin.
"Now," declared Sesshoumaru as he took Rin's hands into his own. "Rin, will you be willing to wait while I look for that spell? Will you be patient enough? Can you stand being ignored by me in front of other youkai? Can you be that strong and patient? Will you be willing to become my future mate?" asked Sesshoumaru in a silent whisper. Rin heard him and looked at him in shock. He was talking about me the whole time!
"Sesshoumaru-sama…of course I will!" exclaimed a happy and crying Rin as she flung her arms around him. Sesshoumaru gently hugged her back, carefully holding her with his claws. As she hugged him, Rin couldn't help but ask, "But Sesshoumaru-sama, why didn't you just tell me before…instead of just talking in circles and making me so…"
"Jealous? Because it was fun torturing you so," answered a slightly smirking Sesshoumaru.
"Mou! That was so mean Sesshoumaru-sama!" exclaimed Rin as she gently pushed against him.
"There's something more I have to tell you though, Rin," voiced a serious Sesshoumaru after hugging Rin for a few moments, "I can not proclaim you as my desired mate until I have made you a full-blooded youkai. I do not know how long that will take. It may take years or decades. I may even have to wait until the next time you are reborn. Until then, I will have to court you in secret. That means I have to ignore you sometimes in front of others. That may be a bit hard on you. Can you be that strong and patient? Are you able to handle that?"
"I can handle anything as long as I can be with my Sesshoumaru-sama! I don't care if it takes years, decades, or centuries as long as I'm with you. You do not realize how happy I am to hear you say that you want me for your mate!" exclaimed a watery-eyed Rin.
"Then I am happy, Rin," stated Sesshoumaru as he looked at the sniffling Rin.
"You probably think I look really unattractive right now with my runny nose and teary eyes, ne Sesshoumaru-sama?" muttered Rin softly. Sesshoumaru merely smiled and gently used one of his claws to tip Rin's chin so that she could look into his eyes.
"You're always beautiful to me, Rin," said Sesshoumaru. Rin could only gasp in surprise as he lowered his face to hers. He gently licked her away her tears and then his mouth descended upon her lips. His mouth caressed her mouth. His tongue pushed against her mouth, asking her permission to enter. As soon as Rin opened her mouth to let his tongue in, it thrust through and what started out as a gentle and chaste kiss became a deep passionate one. Rin could only moan in ecstasy as his tongue explored her mouth throughly. She had never been kissed before. Although she had imagined herself kissing Sesshoumaru many times before, she had never imagined it to feel this good. If the kiss is this wonderful…I wonder about the….
Sesshoumaru felt himself begin to harden at the sound of Rin's moans. He knew that if he continued to kiss her like this, he might not be able to stop himself so he pulled away his mouth. Rin moaned in disappointment when he did. Sesshoumaru was tempted to place his mouth back to hers after hearing that last moan. Both he and Rin were breathing a bit hard; both needing air after such a long and passionate kiss.
Sesshoumaru looked at the gasping Rin apologetically and said, "I'm sorry if that was too soon for you, Rin. I know that was your first kiss, but I meant it to be only a quick and chaste kiss. I did not realize it would be so…"
"It's quite alright Sesshoumaru-sama. I really…enjoyed it," said a really red Rin, her cheeks flaming from the kiss and from shyness, "I hope that Sesshoumaru-sama would give Rin a lot more of those kind of kisses later."
Sesshoumaru smirked at this before replying huskily, "Do not worry Rin. There will be plenty of those later." Rin's face, if possible, turned even redder. A very masculine chuckle sent warm vibes down Rin's back. Rin looked up at Sesshoumaru with astonishment, having never heard him chuckle before, never believing that he could even chuckle. Oh she knew he could smirk, maybe smile a bit, but chuckle? Rin couldn't help but wish that he would chuckle more; perhaps he would even laugh eventually?
Sesshoumaru finally stopped chuckling after noticing Rin staring at him in surprise. He smiled at her as he rose from his seat, making Rin even weaker in the knees, his smile bright, warm, and very handsome. Seeing as she couldn't seem to move at the moment, Sesshoumaru lifted her up in his arms and carried her.
"Ano…does Sesshoumaru-sama really have to lift me up? I think I can walk on my own," muttered an embarrassed Rin.
"I enjoy carrying you, Rin," said Sesshoumaru as continued to carry her outside into the garden.
"But Sesshoumaru-sama, what happens if anyone sees us?" whispered Rin as she looked around her for anyone else that could be watching them.
"The servants in the household and our guests at the moment are already aware of our relationship. We need only to worry when our other guests start to arrive. Until then, I wish to enjoy our time together seeing as we won't have that much privacy when the guests arrive in four weeks," answered Sesshoumaru as he set Rin down on his lap as he sat below the sakura tree that they had stood below the morning before.
"Oh…How did the servants know? Does Jaken know? What about Inuyasha and Shippou?" asked a curious Rin.
"Apparently the servants, Inuyasha, and Shippou were already aware of our attraction to each other. Only Jaken does not know, but he will soon. You need not worry koishi, he nor Inuyasha nor his ward nor the servants will tell. You know how loyal Jaken and the other servants are to me," assured Sesshoumaru as he began to nuzzle Rin's neck.
Rin began to blush again, surprised at how affectionate Sesshoumaru was being and so quickly too! Her mind was filled with questions on why he was being that way. Sesshoumaru noticing her quietness turned her around toward him and looked at her.
"Is something the matter, koishi?" asked a concerned Sesshoumaru.
"Umm…it's nothing…really," answered the flustered Rin. Sesshoumaru looked at her in disbelief and waited for her true answer. Rin, knowing that Sesshoumaru didn't believe her, sighed and asked, "I was just wondering on why you're suddenly so affectionate with me and talking to me so much. It's not that I don't like it. I do, I really do. It just seems kind of odd, especially for you."
Sesshoumaru pondered on her words and realized that he was moving a bit quickly. She had never, after all, had someone to court her (since he would of course drive them away from her) especially an inu youkai. Of course, she would not understand inu customs. He looked at Rin, who was expecting an answer from him, and said, "We, inu youkai, are naturally very affectionate with those we care about. When we find someone we wish to mate and they agree to be our mate, we are naturally very happy. We start to open up to them and show them our true selves. We become very affectionate and very possessive of our future mates as soon as they agree to be our mates. So please forgive me if I get aggressive with any male coming near you. You'll understand more if you had finished reading that scroll with the flower I gave you."
Rin, if possible, blushed even more in embarrassment for not having finished reading that scroll. Sesshoumaru couldn't help but smirk at this. He was pleased with himself for having made Rin blush so much in such a short amount of time. He then noticed, however, that Rin was facing him and was sitting on his cough and was practically straddling him without knowing it. Upon realizing the dangerous situation, Sesshoumaru quickly lifted Rin up and carried her toward the brown room. He made sure that Rin was carried in such a way that she would not feel his slight discomfort. He did not want Rin to know just yet how much she affected him. Plus, as he walked toward the brown room, he wanted to see how well his brother's lessons were going. Perhaps the idiotic antics of his brother would make him forget his little…or rather big problem.