A/N: Hello again! Yes! This is where it ALL gets interesting. Heee. I know how you all think this will go, but it won't. I assure you.
Sess: Jade, you forgot to tell them something.
ToJ: What? That I don't own you, Sesshomaru?
Sess: Well, that too. But you DO own Sumisu. I give him to you. Freely.
ToJ: Oh, YAY! My very own Bishie!
Sess: My God. What did I do wrong to deserve her?
Patience
Chapter Six: Revelations
"Aki, Will you help me?"
Rin was fighting a difficult tie on her festival robes. Her hair was perfectly coiffed in a twist held by two sticks and her makeup was done so that she bore the mark of Sesshomaru's clan, the crescent moon on her forehead. Aki laughed as Rin stuck her little pink tongue out of the corner of her mouth while she struggled with the slippery silk.
"Come here, Rin. I've done this so many times I could do this in my sleep." Aki's dexterous fingers quickly tied the sash in the right place as she held the collar with her teeth. "There. I think this should very much please Lord Sesshomaru." She carefully smoothed the orange and red silk design and sighed. "He spent more on your festival garments than he ever has for even his concubines."
Rin spun to face Aki with a look of quiet rage on her face, much like Sesshomaru wore when he was angered. "He has concubines?"
A thousand thoughts rushed through her head at one time. Looking at the beautiful Inu female before her, she noted that her black locks would never compare to the silver sheen of Aki's. She wasn't as tall, nor were her breasts as large or her legs as long as Aki's. Her eyes would never glow that entrancing shade of silver. If Sesshomaru had had many females like Aki, how could she ever hope to please him? 'What? When did I get so hentai?'
Aki smiled and nodded. "I was supposed to be one of them. I was a gift from the Grey. I was unsuitable to be mated to any of the pack. I am half-wolf, after all." She sighed and looked down. "But I am considered to be exceptionally pretty by youkai standards, even if I am of mixed blood. So I am his most exotic concubine, you might say." She watched as Rin blanched ever further. "But he has never used us. ANY of us. So relax Rin. Your mate is faithful."
Rin blushed. "He isn't my mate. He just puts up with me."
Aki coked an eyebrow. "Puts up with you? He lets you sleep in his bed. You might not know it, but he cares for you deeply. Only immediate family members are allowed to share the Alpha's bed. Meaning mates and pups, no one else."
"Then maybe he sees me as a pup." Rin frowned. "Aki, I have never told this to anyone, but, I love him more than anything. I hate it. I can't have him and it hurts. It hurts so badly that sometimes I just don't want to love him anymore if it meant I wouldn't feel this pain."
Aki fondled the necklace that hung about her throat. "I know what you mean."
A long silence followed as Aki arranged a few cherry blossoms in Rin's hair. "Rin, if you breathe a word of this to anyone I will kill you."
Rin could sense that something important was about to be revealed to her. "Okay."
"When I was first brought here, Sesshomaru wasn't anywhere to be found. I was greeted by a simple human. I thought it odd for the Lord of the Western Lands to keep human pets, but still more so when I found that he was in charge of the entire estate in My Lord's absence. He took me to my room, helped me select my wardrobe, even acquired decent battle gear for me. He ordered a fire rat outfit for me." Aki swept her long silver hair over her shoulder.
"He and I spent much time together, mostly at first because no one wanted him and no one accepted me. A human and a mixed race. Who would have thought that we'd ever find love." Aki smiled down into Rin's shocked face. "Yes. I love Sumisu, and he shares my feelings. But we can never be together."
Rin murmured sadly, "I see. You are youkai, he is human. I have the opposite problem."
Fingering the edge of her jade tunic, the Inuyoukai continued. "Not only that, but as Sesshomaru's concubine, I cannot mate with anyone unless he gives me permission. If I do and he smells it on me I can be executed faster than you can blink. If Sumisu and I would consummate our love, I would die and he would be miserable for the rest of his existence." She walked to the window and looked out wistfully across the sunny plain. "We have to finish getting you ready. If you are supposed to be ready for the evening feast, we have some work to do. Look at all the clothes you will need to be wearing." Aki gestured to a large pile of silken garments lying on the bed. "You were having trouble and we were only on the first layer. I'll stay and help you with the rest."
"Thanks, Aki."
Sesshomaru stood clothed only in a white silk robe while the frog youkai servants prepared the ceremonial bath. Behind him were the heads of each pack. Each had their own color of silk robe that was required for the purification rights. The Grey alpha, Takahisa, wore silver silk, the Spotted, Kobe, a pattern of fall leaves, the Brown, Masahiko, a deep chocolate, the Wolf, Kouga, a jet black, the Fox, Hokosawa, a flaming red, and the Bear, Suzo, a light cinnamon. When the water was perfumed with the night flowering jasmine and sandalwood, Sesshomaru clapped twice. The frog youkai exited and a female of each pack entered wearing matching silk. No other youkai performed a bathing ritual this elaborate, therefore it was kept clandestine so that others would not strike while they were most vulnerable.
Sesshomaru clapped twice again and howled. The rest answered. The chamber resounded with their howls, yips, and roars. He dropped his robe and held out his hand to the beautiful white female who followed suit and shed her robe, took his hand and they entered the bath. All the other pack alpha's followed suit. Soon they were sitting in a circle in the water. They all turned to help the person on their left and their right, reaffirming the bonds between the packs through communal grooming. Sesshomaru stood, the water coming to his waist.
"The time has come for me to address the issues of the packs for the next year. My first announcement is that the White clan seeks the aid of the Wolves," at which he gestured to Kouga and his female Ayame, "and to seal our pact we have agreed to a bond pair." The rest of the youkai nodded in assent. "Do any of you have anything to announce?"
For the next two hours the males discussed warfare and their plans for the upcoming year while the females washed them. Halfway through they switched and they scrubbed the women while the women discussed what the male alphas had forgotten to mention about the battles and poked holes in their plans. Finally, when all was said and finished, Sesshomaru clapped his hands twice. Everyone rose, put on their robes and went their separate ways.
Kouga walked down the hall with his usual swagger. He was looking for his usual companions, Hakaku and Ginta. 'Ah, here they are.' He ran up to them. He always loved running.
"Hakaku! Ginta!"
"Hey, Kouga." Ginta snickered, "We've been shopping all day for a bondmate, but he still hasn't seen anything he wants. I keep telling him he's lucky to even be getting his own bitch. We aren't all so lucky."Kouga clapped his hand on Hakaku's back. "You know he's right. We haven't had enough females or pups since the Birds of Paradise wiped out over half our pack. You'll just have to suck it up and mate with whatever you get." Kouga gave a wild smirk. "Just be glad you don't have to share with the rest of the men."
Hakaku just nodded. He wasn't happy about this at all. Kouga had chosen him because he was one of his best men, and Kouga wanted him to reproduce. But he just couldn't understand why he wanted to ruin his bloodline. All of Hakaku's offspring were going to be mixed bloods. They would be noticeably mixed bloods. While wolf demons were usually a dark brown or black, Sesshomaru's line was as white as snow. Any children of his would be marked, unless he could find one that was half wolf. Sesshomaru still had some suggestions to make, so he could wait until all his options were laid out before him. "Kouga, not to change the subject, but did you know that Sister Kagome is here? I just saw her and Inuyasha going into the wing built for Inuyasha. And guess what?"
At the mention of Kagome's name Kouga had perked up. Even after the years he had spent with Ayame as his mate, he still loved the human priestess. "What? How is she? Will she see me?"
"Kouga, I don't know how to tell you this, but Inuyasha has her pupped."
"WHAT?!!"
Ginta cringed. "Now don't worry. That doesn't mean you aren't an option. Remember, bitches are fickle"
"I KNOW THAT! Ginta, go tell the pack to camp towards the back tonight. I want to see her and see how she's doing. Plus it'll piss off mutt-face if she still accepts my attentions even while she's carrying his pup."
Ginta turned to run and smacked right into a girl in orange and red silken court robes. "Sorry Lady. I didn't mean to step on you".
Rin stood, frozen to the spot. "You are Wolf, are you not?"
Kouga swept forwards towards the pretty girl. "Yes. He is. I am the alpha. Hmm. I didn't know Sesshomaru spent so much on his concubines. I am actually very surprised that he would have a human for his pleasure. Exotic tastes, huh Ginta? Hakaku?
"Yeah."
"Sure."
Kouga came closer to her. "Perhaps I could see if he'll let me borrow you for an evening. I've never had a human myself, but I've wanted to try it for some time. You wouldn't happen to be a miko, would you?" He reached out a hand and drew her closer to him.
Rin knew this man. Kouga. He had been chasing Kagome around before Rin ever even knew her. "I suggest you unhand me before I remove your reason for the undergarments you now wear."
"Ooh. Feisty. Well, let me remind you, little girl, of who I am. Kouga, prince of wolves. I have tasted your blood before, when it was much sweeter and younger. Before it had even a hint of demon to it. But now," He reached out and drew blood from Rin's forearm, "You reek of Sesshomaru. Your blood even smells a bit like his. Odd trait for a human to pick up." He gestured for his two companions to leave. "Ginta, do as I told you. Hakaku, wait for me in the tea room. I will come with Sesshomaru to discuss your choice in mates." The two youkai bowed and turned to go the opposite direction down the corridor.
"I warn you, Kouga, I am not the little girl who was once so scared of you. I belong to Sesshomaru and even if you get his permission to have me, I will rip off your balls and feed them to you before you even get started." She watched as a flicker of surprise flashed across his smooth, confident face. "What? I am, after all, the Favored of Lord Sesshomaru himself. I have spent all my life under his tutelage. I have his bite, all I lack is his venom."
With that she pulled him close to her and kneed him in the groin. She swept his feet out from under him and proceeded to push him back against the floor and sat on his chest with her hand at his throat, growling as best she could.
"Very impressive. Especially for a human in court robes." Kouga rolled her under him. "But, I am a youkai in battle gear. You have no chance."
"Then you give me no choice." She smirked. Then, bellowing at the top of her lungs, "SESSHOMARU! HELP!" then she uttered a series of yips and whines that Kouga distinctly recognized as youkai speech.
"What the hell? Are you sure you're human?"
As soon as Kouga finished his sentence he found himself being held up by Sesshomaru's right hand which also happened to be dripping with poison. "What the fuck do you think you're doing, wimpy-wolf? Prepare to die for your insolence."
Rin touched his left elbow. "Sesshomaru-sama, he didn't know any better. I heard him say his pack was at a loss for females. Forgive him."
"No Rin. A trespassing like this challenges the order. You are one of MY bitches."
Rin arched her eyebrows and crossed her arms. "Oh, really?"
"Yes, really. Do you deny my claim to you?" Sesshomaru looked her straight in the eyes, challenging her to challenge his right to dominate.
"No. But I would prefer it if you let me mete out his punishment. I would enjoy him paying me a favor in return."
Kouga gulped. "I can do that."
"Fine." Sesshomaru growled. "But you must give her whatever she asks. No holds barred. Now go wait for me in the tea room." Sesshomaru chucked Kouga into the wall just for good measure. "GO!" He watched as Kouga swaggered his way down the hall.
When he was out of sight Sesshomaru turned to Rin. "Pup, you are too smart for your own good."
Rin smiled. "I know."
Sesshomaru shook his head. Then he noticed how her scent was mixed with Kouga's. Not something he wanted to smell. He growled deeply at the back of his throat and grabbed her and held he close.
He licked her pulse points and nuzzled the base of her neck. "Sesshomaru?" Rin's voice was questioning and slightly scared. Her scent spoke volumes as well. Things she would never say were said by her scent alone.
In one whiff Sesshomaru knew she was frightened, oddly pleased, excited, and fertile. If he could just have her right now....
'Stop! She is too young. She is merely a child to me. Only eighteen. I am well over five hundred.'
Yet he didn't let her go and instead wrapped his arm around her waist, heading for the grounds outside. He snagged a servant to tell the wolf boys not to wait. They would meet after the festival tomorrow. He would be "comforting" the traumatized girl in the garden.
Rin knew that meant she was going to get an incredibly good backrub. Ah, the joy.
A/N: Oooh. Can you even think of how orgasmic a backrub by Sesshomaru would be? Now if only I could get him to do it for me...