A/N: Hi. I KNOW you've all been waiting for this, so let's go!

Patience

Chapter seven: Cross-breeds are only good for one thing...

Sesshomaru placidly drew his gaze across the planes of Rin's bare back. He had removed all the expensive silk outer kimonos and left her in only her innermost cotton sheath. True to Rin's modesty, she had requested that he turn around as she lower the top and lay chest down on the grass. Sesshomaru smiled as he rubbed her back in small, soothing circlets. Ever since she had come of mating age she had had a problem with anyone seeing her naked form. 'Although', Sesshomaru thought, 'She is much more to look at now than she ever was as a child...'

"Sesshomaru?"

"Hai, Rin?"

"What does that bastard Kouga want? His pack only gives you trouble. Why do you put up with it?"

Sesshomaru watched a tendril of long black hair sweep itself across her back. "Because he is pack, Rin. Even if by a large extension."

Rin frowned. "A very large extension." She huffed impatiently. "So who are you thinking of mating to his man, because I can tell you right now that I refuse to marry into that clan of flea-bitten mangy scoundrels."

"You don't like them because they ate you when you were a child. Why do you insist on holding such a grudge?" Sesshomaru smiled, knowing it would rile her.

"I think it's a damn good reason to hold a grudge. And you really aren't one to talk, Sesshie, because I seem to remember a little thing called the hunt for the tetsuiga..."

"That was different, Rin." Sesshomaru stopped rubbing, and watched as she ever so carefully shifted her body to lie on its side, facing him while she held her very thin sheath to her full chest. He suddenly had a hard time breathing. 'I haven't wanted anyone this badly before. Not even Kagura when she proffered to me interested me like Rin does.'

"Oh really? How so?"

His thoughts beginning to go a little hazy, Sesshomaru felt a deep frustration building up within himself. All he wanted to do was reach out and take her. He was the Lord of the Western Lands, wasn't he? He could take what he wanted, couldn't he? "It was about family honor."

"Forgive me, Sesshomaru-sama," Rin leaned forward towards the Taiyoukai. "But I believe that little tiff was about you not getting what you wanted. But that is only what I believe." She smiled and cocked her head to one side as he hair slipped from it's perfectly kempt bun. Sesshomaru could feel his mouth going dry, and something else harden.

"You're right, Rin, I don't do well when I don't get what I want." And the only thought that kept going through his head was, 'And all I want right now is you.'

Sesshomaru's eyes flashed their demonic red as he scooted to be nearer to Rin and pulled her back to his chest. Rin felt the intense purring emanating from Sesshomaru's muscular chest. A shiver went down her spine as he bent to her left shoulder and began to lick it slowly.

Rin felt her skin tingle where his tongue lapped at her clavicle. For some reason she wished he would just bite her and get it over with. Claim her as his, even if he wouldn't allow her to claim him in return. She would be his concubine, but she would never let another man touch her. She had seen the bite on Aki's shoulder. It was beautiful and intricate, the binding kanji inscribed with Sesshomaru's own incisors.

Sesshomaru grazed his canines across her flesh. 'She's mine. She has always been mine she cannot be any other's.' She shivered. Her scent rose. His eyes became a sustained red as he prepared to sink his fangs into her shoulder.

"Sesshomaru!"

A growl rose from Sesshomaru's throat. "Damn that wolf! Kouga what the hell do you want?" Sesshomaru's hackles were raised. He had never been interrupted with a female before, and he had had quite a few. Most people had the sense to leave him alone when he was seducing anything. Apparently not Kouga.

No. The stupid wolf was practically frolicking through the field to reach them. "Rin, Put your robes in place." He let his eyes survey her body as she scrambled to hold the slippery silks in place. "You were all dressed, weren't you?" Rin nodded and pouted her lip just a little, making Sesshomaru thrill with more anger at the wolf for interrupting him. Sesshomaru stood between Rin, who was frantically attempting to put her robes back on, and the idiotic wolf. "Kouga, Sometimes I really do think you want me to kill you."

The wolf came to a stop in front of Sesshomaru in a cloud of dust. "No. I just wanted to tell you that we've found the bondmate."

This intrigued Sesshomaru. "Whom, may I ask, has your man chosen? Without my consent to look, may I add."

Kouga nodded. "I know, and I'm sorry. But she's perfect. She's half wolf and she's beautiful. More beautiful than any full blood I've ever met."

Sesshomaru's cold voice emanated across the court, "Aki" and was followed by a series of yips which Rin identified as a direct order for her to come straight to the garden immediately.

Rin clung to Sesshomaru's robes as she did when she was a child. It reminded her of how he always took incredibly good care of her when she was young, and how on more than one occasion he had protected her thus. She dare not interrupt him; his fury was tangibly streaming from his body, sending a clear warning even to her weak human senses.

A silver figure appeared over the hillside, the sheen of her silver hair reflecting in the sun's rays. Aki moved gracefully to kneel in front of Sesshomaru and bow in a submissive position. "My Lord, How may I be of service to you?"

Sesshomaru's cold gaze fixed itself on Aki. "You, daughter of wolf and dog, will you be the bondmate for our two packs? Your offspring shall be protected always."

Rin knew the meaning behind those formal words. It wasn't a question, it was an unbreakable bond. The mark on her shoulder required that she obey the will of Sesshomaru, and it was his will that she mate Hakaku. It also promised that when she died from the inevitable hatred that would rise from the wolf clan her children would be considered Sesshomaru's own and be his heirs if he had none himself at his death.

Aki's eyes filled with tears as she bowed low again and answered, "Yes, Lord Sesshomaru. Who am I to refuse you the right to bond our packs? I am your servant always, my Lord."

"It is settled then." Sesshomaru declared icily. "Kouga, after this night's feast, come to me and we'll draw up the contract. Make sure Hakaku is there, and on the dawn of the Dog Star, you shall leave with your new bitch."

Rin bit her lip. Knowing she could do nothing, she waited until Kouga raced away and Aki stood. "Aki..."

"Help her into her robes again. I will be in my chambers preparing for the feast this evening. If you want me I'll be there. Tomorrow, Rin, we will talk of your mating. I have made a decision." With that he swept away and followed Kouga.

When he was out of sight Aki began sobbing uncontrollably. "Oh, Rin! What was I supposed to do? Say no?"

Rin held out her arms to her distraught friend, who collapsed into them. "Shh. It's alright. I'll see if I can fix it. I'm sure Lord Sesshomaru will listen to me."

'But will he? I don't want to see Aki and Sumisu torn apart. They love each other so much. I wish Sesshomaru could love me the way Sumisu loves Aki. I would never ask for anything else in the world. I'll do anything to fix this. Even give myself as a substitute."

Sorry About another Cliffie, but I bet you can guess what happens next. Poor Sesshie!