Chapter Six- Times of Relaxation And Jealousy
Mirouku sneezed, but continued brushing out and drying Rin's hair by the fire. Despite this being the opposite of what he wanted—to be miles away from the castle and nearer to Naraku—Sesshoumaru sat in a high back chair not too far away.
"Mirouku-sama," the girl murmured, staring at her wiggling toes.
"Aa?"
"Rin knows why Sesshoumaru-sama took you away."
The youkai raised his head with a soft grunt. Mirouku looked away from him, back to Rin, laughing inside. "Really?" he asked. "Why?"
"Because he didn't want you to leave, either."
"Correct!"
Rin giggled, stretching for her toes.
Mirouku set the towel aside and focused solely on the brushing to remove all tangles. "Do you know what your prize is, Rin-chan? Sesshoumaru will tell you a bedtime story." He picked up a hair tie from beside him after asking and answering his own question.
"Really?" the child squealed. "Sesshoumaru-sama, that's great!"
Mirouku pulled her hair back in one, promising to do it in the morning, and stood, lifting her and carrying her to the stoic silver-haired youkai—inside, Sesshoumaru was plotting ways to torture the monk that would last for years. Once released, Rin settled herself into Sesshoumaru's lap, hands fisted under her chin in an innocent manner. The monk covered his mouth, stifling his laughter at the blank expression on the other male's face.
"Do you want Rin to start, Sesshoumaru-sama?" Rin asked softly, tilting her head.
"...Aa." Sesshoumaru could find no other word to access the situation better; he was now on his hundredth tactic for torture. Mirouku knelt beside the chair, leaning his head on its arm, and listened closely.
"Once upon a time, a lonely princess came across a 'white' prince on a... a... foreboding—" The word Mirouku had whispered to her. "—day. The prince approached the princess and held out his hand to her with a message. Your turn."
Sesshoumaru had never felt this uncomfortable and also never thought he'd be sitting here telling stories; that was something a family did. He sighed inwardly and stated the first thing that came to mind, "Travel with me," he started softly, "Travel with me and I'll show you the world." 'God...'
Mirouku watched a new being unfold from the youkai before him with more heart than he could ever hope for; this new and wonderful person was someone he would give his heart to.
§§§
"Oi," the long-haired male sighed, shaking the human. "Wake up." The monk stirred and slowly opened his eyes to stare up at a pale smirking face.. "You fell asleep," Sesshoumaru pointed out.
"Ah." Mirouku stretched and yawn, staring around at the empty room. "Where's Rin?"
"I put her to bed." After his statement, Sesshoumaru reached out and took the other's wrist, pulling him easily to his feet and leading him away from the dying fire without so much as a hint to where they were going; Mirouku knew. He smiled and followed after the youkai as he made his way through the halls. The door was held open for him then closed behind him, the lock's click echoing in the large room.
Sesshoumaru watched as the monk's hands slid over the armor he wore, learning its notches and ties before removing it. Mirouku pulled the folds of the kimono apart and the youkai's golden eyes narrowed as the blue orbs before him mirrored sadness and sympathy. The human touched the other's left shoulder then trailed his fingers down the remainder of the arm.
"Sorry," he whispered.
"It's not your fault."
"Sorry..." Mirouku kissed along Sesshoumaru's collarbone, trailing up his neck to the firm jaw.
"Stop apologizing," Sesshoumaru sighed deeply, turning and pushed the brunette onto the bed. He knelt over him, smirking, and tugged at the dark robes. Once they were out of his way for the moment, the youkai nipped at the soft flesh of the human's neck.
Mirouku gasped as the demon-sharp canines sank into his skin. "Sesshou... maru..."
"You belong to me."
"Hai, Sesshoumaru... sama." The blue eyes closed and the human body was soon fully exposed under a caring, but lust-filled gaze.
§§§
Jaken pounded his head against the floor as the moans and cries wafted through the halls and inches-thick walls just to reach him and torment him. "Noooo! Sesshoumaru-sama...!" With an extraordinary hit, he managed to knock himself out.
Sesshoumaru used his arm to push himself into a sitting position and shifted so he was able to stare blankly down at the human beside him, wrapped complacently in the fur he always carried; he felt his heart clench. 'Humans... Their lives are so... short. It's almost pointless as to why they were allowed to exist.' His gaze was drawn to the sealed hand as the monk stirred. All the word he'd uttered to his hanyou brother came back to haunt him.
"My eyes do not care for them... these lowly creatures called humans!"
"Then what do I feel right now?" Sesshoumaru muttered aloud
"I did inherit our father's great power, but not his merciful heart for humankind."
"A lie. This man and that child is living proof. Father... you really do leave a lasting mark.:
Mirouku shifted again, obviously disturbed by the soft voice above him, and pushed the fur under his head for more support, making the marks of ownership placed upon him in the throes of passion last night stand out more on his light tan skin.
"Why protect them? Why miss them? ...why love them?"
"Because they're mine," Sesshoumaru stated softly, more for himself than anyone else who happened to be listening.
Eyelids fluttering, the dark blue and sleep orbs became visible. They slid to the corner of their sockets and a lazy smiled crawled onto Mirouku's face. "Mornin'," he mumbled. Sesshoumaru nodded in response and the other's smile faltered and he raised his head slightly, noticing the troubled look in the golden eyes. "What's wrong?"
"Inuyasha's out there, tearing through most of my lands to get information on Naraku. He's probably already got it and is on his way back to storm the castle." Never had he spoken so much in one sitting, and to a human at that.
"You're worried."
"This emotion could have been avoided if a certain human hadn't gotten himself separated and lost."
Mirouku's smile returned as he placed his head back on the furry object. "I made you a deal. I'm sticking with it. Whenever I can, I'll come back."
"Good." Sesshoumaru leaned down and brushed his lips over the human's.
"Sesshoumaru-sama!" Rin's voice came through the thick doors in a yell.
Mirouku bit his tongue to keep from laughing as the youkai snarled.
"Sesshoumaru-sama, Mirouku-sama's missing!"
"I'm in here, Rin." Mirouku answered, still restraining his laughter.
At the sound of the monk's voice, the girl girl squawked indignantly, "You had a sleepover without Rin!"
Mirouku laughed softly, pushing himself into a sitting position. His lower back throbbed dully, but the sensation only thrilled him more. "Open the door for her," he sighed, smiling, and wrapped the covers tightly around himself. "I'm incapacitated, thanks to a certain someone."
"You were the one screaming 'more'," Sesshoumaru scoffed, dragging on his kimono. He smirked at the pillow to his back of his head and headed for the door. Rin was pouting as it swung open.
"Meanie," she huffed. His eyebrow rose, half in amusement and half in surprise.
"Come in, Rin," Mirouku called from the bed. "I promised I'd do your hair for you."
"Hai!" She squeezed by the lord and ran to the bed with her arms spread. Hopping on, she made her way across it to the young man.
"Sesshoumaru-sa—"
Sesshoumaru slammed the door in his lackey's face and joined the duo on the bed. "Sesshoumaru-sama..." Jaken sobbed, sliding to the floor.
Rin sat in Mirouku's covered lap, listening to the men talk about their plans to travel while she had her hair done; instead of the usual way it hung down, Mirouku was going to do two separate ponytails—or pigtails, as they were on the sides of her head, then bring them back to meet in one long ponytail. She giggled at her thoughts and smiled up at Sesshoumaru, waiting for a break in conversation.
"Sesshoumaru-sama, are you happy?" Rin asked when one came. Mirouku's hands stalled in the girl's dark hair as both humans waited for an answer.
The youkai gave a short, soft laugh, shaking his head with a smirk. "Hai," he sighed. Rin smiled broadly and folded her hands in her lap, allowing them to continue talking.
"Get up. You're an embarrassment."
The monk went flying from the well-placed kick to his behind and lay sprawled on the cart path, face buried in the dirt. After days of seeing nothing but green leaves and brown bark, he'd given in and resorted to crawling around on his hand and knees, kissing the village ground.
Sesshoumaru strolled by, Rin beside him with her arms swinging widely. Jaken cackled softly and proceeded to prance over the human body A hand shot out, grabbing his neck, and he stared into Mirouku's dark face.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" the human growled. "Huh?!" Jaken screeched as he was tossed into the air then swatted with the monk's staff. Mirouku got to his feet with a smirk, dusting himself off, and took a look around, eyes sparkling. "Life. Other humans... Ah! He's just going to walk through." He chased after Sesshoumaru and grabbed the fur, digging his heels in.
The youkai grunted at the sudden halt; Rin stopped also. They'd left Ah-Un at the edge of the forest, not wanting to bring the pet in for the sake of the villagers.
"We are not leaving until the week is over," Mirouku declared. "I want a bed to sleep in... I want a nice, hot luxurious bath."
"Un." Rin nodded. "Rin wants that, too."
"See!" Mirouku stressed. "I'll see if I find one." He happily ran off to try and locate a village inn. Sesshoumaru sighed and turned to follow the monk's actions closely and make sure he didn't get into any trouble.
Mirouku ran to the nearest food stand surrounded with people, swallowing the lump forming in his throat from the unnecessary exercise and looked around. His eyes brightened and he took the hands of the young woman nearest him.
Sesshoumaru clenched his teeth as the pair conversed with smiles, laughing occasionally. His claw tightened into a fist as his lover kissed the young woman's hand with a bow. Rin's giggling made him look down and he followed her gaze back to the stand where Mirouku was now waving at them and running over.
"She told me we have to keep walking," he announced. "We'll know it when we see it." A dusky eyebrow rose. "What's that look, Sesshoumaru?"
Rin giggled softly to herself as though she held a secret and turned away from the males. Mirouku tried not to think about it as he took Sesshoumaru's arm, starting them moving. The youkai lord stared at the top of his lover's head in question. 'Has he really changed... for me?'
"Look!" Rin pointed. "Jaken-sama!"
"Jaken?" Mirouku snorted.
"Sesshoumaru-sama!" the frog yelled. "I found the inn!"
"Jaken."
"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama?"
Sesshoumaru couldn't find the strength to invoke a punishment on the diminutive youkai for not coming to get them if he had known where they would be going, proving something was wrong, but instead offered the task to the human male before heading in with Rin to get settled. The monk grinned evilly, a dark look in his eyes, and cracked his knuckles.
"Sesshoumaru-sama..." Jaken whimpered.
After the task was completed, both males watched the little girl run around her room several times before diving into the futon and under the covers. Sesshoumaru sighed sharply and left for his own room, raising a claw to his head with a soft growl. Mirouku came up behind him, escorting him to one of the two futons.
"You're thinking too much," he murmured.
"You've got to be kidding me." Sesshoumaru shrugged off the touch and sank to a knee with a surprised gasp.
"Tired from too much thinking," the monk continued matter-of-factly, wagging a finger.
The youkai dug his claw into the wooden floor with a snarl. "Monk..." he snarled.
"My fault?" Mirouku chuckled. "Maybe. Maybe all those barriers you built around the ice palace you call a heart are shattering to allow me to enter." He patted Sesshoumaru on his head. "Think about it. I'm going to bathe."
Golden eyes followed the human as he moved about the room then finally left, Sesshoumaru wondering if what he'd just been told was true. He stood slowly and decided to confront the other to see what if he could pinpoint what the problem was exactly. The youkai lord stood outside the bath doors, unable to bring himself to move forward. Only when he noticed a flushed human girl come forward carrying a tray did his legs figure out how to work again.
Mirouku moaned loudly as he sank into the bubbly, steamy, hot water. "It's almost as good as..." He sighed, keeping the rest of that thought to himself as he reveled in a feeling that was hard to come by—euphoria.
"Um..."
Blue eyes opened and stared up at the blushing young woman.
"The owner sent me to bring you some tea." She placed the tray down averting her eyes. "She says our guests deserve the best service."
Mirouku smiled and placed a hand over her trembling own, making her jump. "Thank you," he whispered. Her blush deepened and she nodded before pulling away and rushing out. Sesshoumaru stepped to the side as the girl ran by then looked towards the actually water.
"Ah. Sesshoumaru. She brought tea. Join me."
He sighed and smirked. 'Apart from the appalling words the monk uttered, I have to admit to myself that... I'm jealous of every woman he encounters.'
Mirouku continued waving him over with that bright smile until the other relented, strolling unhurriedly over. The monk managed to know towel around his waist as he stood to greet his lover. "It's no use getting this wet..." he murmured, standing on tip-toe to try and pull the lengthy silver locks into a bun and out of water's way. "Now strip." Mirouku flew into the water from the smack, laughing loudly. Sesshoumaru scowled faintly as he undid his armor and set it down then started on his clothes.
The brunet grinned broadly once the other was stripped fully and pulled him into the water. They sat side by side, Mirouku on the youkai's right—as always—and having his own internal conflicts to deal with. He wanted to hear from the other's lips that he was needed and wanted, and loved. His hand clenched into a fist and he then raised it to stare at the moist cloth. 'I need to be needed right now...'
"Sesshoumaru..." Mirouku settled into the youkai's lap, arms draped over strong shoulders. He nestled his head under Sesshoumaru's chin with a sigh and forgot what all his problems were as the other's arm wrapped around him. Sesshoumaru's warm breath caressed the tops of his shoulder after the youkai had lowered his head.
"Didn't you have something to say?" he asked.
"Hmm. Do you love me?"
Golden eyes widened and Mirouku looked up with a comforting smile that conveyed complete trust. "You... don't have to answer now, but... it would be nice to know." He gasped as he was turned and lifted onto the edge of the bath, his right leg draped over the youkai's left shoulder. "Sesshou... Sesshoumaru!"
Mirouku cried out at the warmth engulfing his member and bringing him to a complete hardness. 'This is not what I wanted in an answer... Also, not here...' He tangled his fingers in the silver hair, causing the bun to come undone, and arched his back.
But Mirouku knew this was Sesshoumaru's answer. He could feel it in his boiling blood; the way the expert tongue worked around his length, tracing every vein before making its way back to the head to tease the tip. Mirouku's grip on the youkai's hair tightened and his heel pressed into Sesshoumaru's back, urging him closer. No matter how much protests tumbled from his lips between gasps, Mirouku's body betrayed him in wanting and seeking more of the raw pleasure.
Sesshoumaru eased the monk's arousal from his mouth, licking his lips, and spread the human's legs. The blue orbs widened then squeezed shut as the same tongue returned, probing his entrance, and Mirouku slid his fingers free of the youkai's silver mane, curling them atop the stone floor. "Yame... yamette..." he breathed, tossing his head furiously.
The lord smirked and nipped at the inside of his lover's thighs. "Do you want me to stop?" he asked in a rumbling voice. Mind clouded with ecstasy, Mirouku shook his head, but uttered he did wish the other to stop. "Which one, monk?"
The brunet opened his mouth to answer but all that came out was a scream, muffled by his quick thinking of biting his hand, at the clawed digit that sank into him. "I didn't answer..." he gasped.
"I got tired of waiting," Sesshoumaru said with a smirk, sliding his finger in and out, the sharp nail constantly brushing the monk's prostate. He drank in the moan's the other emitted and rose from the water to take Mirouku's erection back into his mouth.
Mirouku forced back his tears of frustration at the doubled pleasure, feeling as though his heart wanted to beat its way out of his chest, and thrust his hips to meet Sesshoumaru's mouth as it moved downwards. 'Sesshoumaru...' He broke the skin of his hand as the pace of the finger inside him hastened and arched his back sharply, emptying himself into the youkai's mouth.
Sesshoumaru swallowed as he removed his mouth, licking his lips, and pulled his lover back into the soothing water. He shook his hair back out, the bun useless, and it cascaded down his back. 'I'll deal with it later.' "You seem a little..." His lips locked onto the arched neck. "...sexually frustrated."
Mirouku pushed at the other with jelly-like arms, face flushed. "I told you not here," he groaned. "The room... it's better."
"No."
He yelped at the fingers against his throat, swallowing hard. His own hand came up, trembling as he placed it to the lord's cheek, stroking a thumb over the twin red marks. Sesshoumaru smirked at the other's sign of submission and forged ahead with the proclamation of his answer to the monk's question.