To Fulfill One's Destiny
Chapter 31- Noonrise
Maria awoke to find the sun caressing her face.
Turning, she found Sesshomaru asleep with his arm wrapped around her.
Aww...he looks just like an angel, carefree and relaxed.
Slowly, he stirred and looked at the woman beside him.
"Mmmm...beat me again. I wanted to wake first."
"To watch me sleep? You can't fool me, you've done it many times before. It was my turn for a while."
With a wicked smile, he moved to draw her in closer.
Only to be foiled by her slipping out of his grasp to rest on her knees. Clutching the sheet to cover herself, she shook her finger at him teasingly.
He brought his arm to his forehead in mock frustration, soliciting a laugh from his mate.
Even the air around her seems to radiate with her own light.
Why didn't I see it before? He really did love me all this time. And I was too scared...
A small, rapid knocking on the screen doors interrupted both of their thoughts.
Maria gave him a pointed look from her seated position beside him.
Sliding off the bed, she pulled the sheet with her, tying it around her body like a Roman toga. Kneeling beside the screen, she slid it open slowly, permitting Rin to barrel into her waiting arms.
"Mami!"
"Morning mija"
Shifting, she noted her daughter's questioning looks and maneuvered her body so as to block Sesshomaru from her sight.
"Rin, I'm very tired. Why don't you go ahead and get breakfast and bathe okay?"
With a smile, she nodded and pushed the screen back, sliding outside of the room.
Something in Rin's eyes betrayed her smile.
"Wait."
Rin stopped and looked back, looking for all the world like a caught escapee.
"Ri...I...have a Otousan."
Maria's mouth slightly opened in disbelief. Unseen in the shadows, so did Sesshomaru's.
"You slept in Sesshy-sama's room last night. And I already took my bath and ate...cause it's not morning anymore, its afternoon."
With a giggle, she rushed and kissed Maria on the cheek and tore off into the maze of a palace.
Sliding the door panel closed, she stood and faced her mate.
"Don't you say it."
Her eyes widened in mock innocence.
"Say what?"
"You know what I am speaking of."
"Oh...hm... what was it...o...right...ITOLDYOUSO!"
Suddenly she found herself pinned under a dog demon who was trying (and utterly failing) to act as though he would inflict serious harm.
"Caray, get off. You knew that you'd have some explaining to do. Don't get mad at me for pointing it out."
"Apologize."
"Umm...ahehe...no."
"Apologize."
"You're heavy."
"A fact is not the same as an apology."
Smiling, she tilted her head to his and kissed him on the chin, and then on the lips.
"Apology accepted."
"Is that so? Well then, you'd better hurry and inform the castle of our situation, if Rin hasn't already."
"Is that all my lady?"
"That and bring back some food if you don't mind, my lord. Your lady is starving."