My Death, My Love, My Incarnation

Written By SexySesshieSama

Author's Note: I am so sorry it has taken me this long to update! I have had a lot written for a long time, but it's taken me until now to finish taming those reviews and put this up. I feel terrible. I love this story and those who review it, it should start getting more interesting real soon. Questions, review or message me. I love it when random people email me. I make up the names I use here, sorry if they suck. I don't own Inu-Yasha the show, but my characters are...well...mine, so back off. If I did own Inu-Yasha I wouldn't be writing crappy fanfiction. I would also be older and less poor, because I was very young when it started, perhaps not even born. So in your face. Enjoy.

Chapter Two: King Daizano and Princess Taimara

"Rin," the cold, hard voice of the inutaiyoukai Sesshomaru stated, immediately grabbing the attention of the young girl as she frolicked in the grass. Running over to her lord and waiting patiently, looking down, she did as she was trained to do. "What are you doing?"

She fiddled with the tattered edges of her bright orange and yellow yukata. She had been running in circles, chasing a butterfly. The eight-year-old girl had grown quite in the past two years; all of a sudden she has grown taller, and prettier in a way, shedding some of her baby fat from all that walking she had to do, and fending for herself. Her mind has also matured some, still happy and innocent, but with less of the dumb ignorance all children share. She was intelligent—for a human—which was rather odd, but doable. Sesshomaru can't stand stupidity in any case; Jaken, on the other hand, was jealous and worried about her intelligence and what it may bring.

"I was chasing a butterfly, Lord Sesshomaru," she replied. It was one of her favorite past times, especially when she caught them. They were so pretty, and intriguing, the way they moved and flew and would sometimes land on your finger or your nose, there for a moment, gone in the next. The chase was fun, the catching was better, and in the end she would let them go and try again.

"Why?" he asked. Every since he had first met this human girl his cold, distant exterior had not changed, but he had gotten to talking more, and wondering about the ways of humans. They didn't quite intrigue him, but since he knew next to nothing about them, he wanted to know more; being in the dark about human behavior did not suit him. Not knowing and being ignorant were not acceptable for Sesshomaru in others, much less himself.

Rin shrugged. "I don't know. It's fun. I like it."

"Fun". A concept Sesshomaru still doesn't grasp. It seems so simple, but that is because—as humans—we were born with the capacity to have and understand the concept, making it a very "easy" one for us. But for the youkai, it was as foreign as mortality, sadness, pain and love. They simply do not have fun; rather they have varying levels of pleasure and displeasure. When things go well and they don't have to squash a rebellion or have their lands and daughters stolen from them: that's pleasure. When your supposed time of peace is cut short by the uprising begun by one of your most powerful and trusted vassals: that's displeasure. Laying with a new woman, that can be pleasure or displeasure, depending on the noises that are made and the release that is achieved. Things are very black and white for the eternal beings: Humans live in that permanent gray area, far sadder and happier than any youkai can ever be.

Sesshomaru heard something. He turned and found Jaken, his most annoying servant and retainer, the green toad youkai no one likes, running towards him. His staff was waving around wildly, threatening to hit something or burn it down. He stopped several feet before his lord, panting, about ready to collapse. Before he would dare, he spoke, "Lord...Lord Sesshomaru...King...King Daizano has arrived...with...with his daughter, the...the Princess...Taimara."

Jaken passed out. Sesshomaru stepped over him, and still possessing the shortest attention span known to man, Rin trotted on after him, simultaneously abandoning the toad everyone hates...except her, but she's a bit...scatter-brained. Haha, loser.

XXX

The horses had hardly come to a complete stop when the front gates, made of impossibly strong silver trimmed in gold as hard as steel, began to open from within. Sesshomaru stood there to greet them, his face as blank and impassive as always. I smiled slightly. I hadn't even told Chibara or Mother, but I find Sesshomaru extremely pleasant to look at. And although love is not possible amongst demons like him, I knew that—as his mate—he would watch over me and care as far as demon instincts dictate. Which is pretty damn far.

Father stepped out of the carriage and motioned for the horses to stand still. I remained seated, waiting for him to signal me out; I may be a feminist, but I do know better than to be so bold as that in my own culture. Our steeds filled me with pride, as beautiful and strong as they were; they come from the East, representor of Water, where they are far more wonderful than in any place else. Only six were needed, as fancy as they were: One was gold, another red, one black, silver, white, and the last a rich and deep brown. Their manes were combed through and silky. They stood taller than your average human or human-formed demon. The silver one, a mare named Moonlight, is my favorite. She's been mine since I was a little girl. It was on her I learned how to ride. She was going to stay here with me and my six kimonos. Her mate, the golden one named Sunshine, was also to stay, as a present to Sesshomaru. (In reality, it was to keep them together and happy, which would in turn do wonders for me.)

They spoke, just the two of them, as regally as all Demon Lords do. I couldn't hear what they were saying; my father was blocking my view of Sesshomaru, and mysteriously enough a semi-strong breeze began to blow in the wrong direction. The lengths to which my father goes to keep me in line as long as he can. How I love him so.

I didn't quite notice the little girl as she slipped through the gate, unnoticed by my father at least, for she was too small to see over the high carriage. The horses hardly noticed her, unalarmed by her presence, and so she was able to approach my door, ducking under the compartment from the other side. I sensed her presence then, carefully opening the door. Upon doing that I revealed a slightly dirty, brown-haired, brown-eyed young girl wearing what had once been an orange and yellow yukata but had transformed after much frolicking outside. She smelled of nature, fresh air, and flower pollen. I smiled. Human, yes; evil, no.

"Hello there," I said in a near whisper, in case my father happened to hear. "My name is Taimara. What's yours?"

"I'm Rin," the young girl said back, her voice low and wispy to match mine. "I like your dress."

I smiled; how sweet! "Thank you very much." I looked at her hands, which were clean in comparison to the rest of her body, faintly smelling of fish. "Do you like fishing?"

She nodded. "There are lots and lots of rivers and streams and lakes and ponds in Lord Sesshomaru's castle. I fish all the time, because I like the taste. Sometimes Lord Sesshomaru even lets me catch him some fish. Usually I use a net, but lately I've been teaching myself how to use my hands only. And I'm getting pretty good at it."

I smiled. The young girl had enchanted me and stolen my heart. She was so innocent and open and honest, not at all suspicious or wary like most humans are, especially when it concerns youkai like myself. In her eyes I saw a bright intelligence and love for life. She was a good person, and I hoped that we would get to know one another further. "That's wonderful. Would you like to come and sit up here with me?"

She nodded, and I effortlessly picked her up and set her down next to me, in the open space in which neither my father nor I had been sitting earlier. Her hands were rough and calloused, her body lean and muscular; fast and flexible. Nothing like me, as voluptuous and curvy and subtly muscled as I am. "Do you like those horses out there?"

Rin nodded vigorously a second time. She really seemed to like them; and how could one not? They were magnificent, beautiful, strong, enchanting and graceful beasts. "Which one is your favorite?"

She sat there, in silence, for several moments; I could see the indecision in her eyes. I laughed. "I understand. It's sometimes hard to choose just one. Do you see that silver one in the front? Her name is Moonlight. She's mine."

"She's very pretty," Rin said in a dreamy, trance-like voice, almost like she was daydreaming, distant and far away. That intelligence must have yet to have been tapped into; I suddenly grew determined to expand her vocabulary.

"And that gold one next to her, his name is Sunshine. He's to be Sesshomaru's. They are going to stay here with me," I told her.

She turned to me. "You're staying here?" Apparently no one had yet told her about me coming to be Sesshomaru's mate (or she was told and simply forgot; it is Rin we're talking about, after all). What is her role in his castle, anyway?

"Yes," I complied, "I am to be his mate. Is that a problem?"

Immediately her head began shaking back and forth. "No. I like you. I'm glad that you're going to stay. I can show you the grounds, the fish, the butterflies. And you can meet Master Jaken." She then pointed to the red one, a young stallion named Star; he was not yet old enough to be wild like Thunder, the black one (my father's), or broken in and tamed, like Sunshine. (The brown one was Lightning, a wild mare, Thunder's mate—my mother's; and the white one was Snowcloud, a gentle mare and Thunder's sister.) "I like that one," she announced.

I smiled. "He's yours." The look of wonder and pleasant surprise only too much to be handled made that far more than worth it. Then, to break the silence, I finally heard my father, his voice loud and noticeable and directed at me specifically: "Taimara! Come!"

This should prove to be interesting...

XXX

Daizano's order was immediately carried out, without so much as a verbal conformation or reaction or complaint. The door on her side opened, and two long legs became visible as she dropped down, the kimono momentarily rising up. She was lightly tanned, bringing out the gold in her ivory skin. Only graceful fingers and long claws were visible as she held the door, fiddling with something in the carriage. The demon lords watched with looks of confusion and curiosity written on their handsome, otherworldly faces. Finally Taimara closed the door, and she wasn't alone. Resting on one wide hip was a young girl, secured by a strong arm. Somehow, this only proved to add to her beautiful look, even though the girl was dirty and blocking part of the glorious dress.

She set Rin down once she had walked over to the two men. With an air of grace and calm, hidden control, she curtsied to her mate-to-be, saying all of the necessary words of formal greeting and everything else like that. Finally rising to her feet, she caught Rin's hand in her own, having so mastered her talons that the girl came to no harm, nor did she even come close to feeling any pain or showing any blood. Still the men said nothing.

Finally Taimara spoke up, her voice soft and womanly and polite, as she addressed her husband only. "I am honored to be here, Lord Sesshomaru. I thank you for accepting me into your home. As a token of our gratitude, my father and I have provide for you this stallion for your stables, if you will accept him." She went over to Sunshine, unhooked him, and walked him over. Bowing her head and holding the restraint out within easy reach, Taimara waited.

Sesshomaru accepted the gift, taking the reins carefully from his mate. Shivers shot up her spine as his claws brushed past the sensitive skin of her hand. She retracted her hand and stepped back, immediately regaining her composure and smiling sweetly. Sesshomaru handed the stallion off to a servant, presumably the Master of the Stables, who had just at that moment appeared. He had been a ohitsujiyoukai of some sort, short and muscled beyond all reasoning, with coarse hair all over his face and arms, red in color, small ears on either side of his head and a flat nose.

"Who is this human?" Daizano asked, his voice kind, deep and intrigued; not at all scary or scornfully demanding. He is not a cruel man...unless he needs to be. Like all demon lords. All of whom are horrendously terrifying when they need to be. That's the key. When they need to be.

"Rin," Sesshomaru said, "what are you doing out here?"

Rin did not feel afraid, for subtle tones in her lord's voice told her that he was not displeased. She has long since learned to interpret these subtle changes; she knows a lot of things about this invulnerable and elevated taiyoukai. "I met this nice woman. She said that she was going to live here as your mate. I like her. She said I could have Star." She turned around and pointed to the red umayoukai, who had the most beautiful azure blue eyes.

Daizano looked a bit surprised, smiling at his daughter so only she could see. "Really now?" He walked over to Rin and bent down. His hair was silver, bordering on gray rather than on white as Sesshomaru's did; his eyes were green, like emeralds, and his skin darker. He wore a very big black coat, under which you could not see. "You're name is Rin, right? Well mine is Daizano."

Rin curtsied, the cutest little thing ever. (If she were ever to turn to the dark side, the world would be held under her sway, humans and demons alike; she already has two of the four demon lords down, the last two wouldn't be able to resist.) "Greetings, Daizano-sama."

He smiled. "Star is a very good horse. I raised him from a foal. Sunshine and Moonlight are his parents, so it makes sense that he would be yours. If you'd like, I could show you how to take care of him before I leave."

Rin nodded. "I would like that very much, Daizano-sama."

The Dragon King smiled and ruffled her hair, standing up. Turning to Sesshomaru, he said, "She reminds me of my youngest. She's rather pleasant for a human."

Sesshomaru nodded once. "She knows her place."

Daizano laughed. "If only everyone did." Hooking his arm through his daughter's, he began walking forward. Sesshomaru lead them to and through the front entrance. Rin followed Taimara, holding onto her hand until Jaken came along and stopped her progression, beginning to scold her. She waved good-bye, and then began to run, chasing another butterfly. She would get to see them later, Taimara was sure.

She hoped.

XXX

Dinner was luxurious but uneventful. I didn't even attempt to speak during it; Father and Sesshomaru spoke sparingly, neither of them eating much, and what they did eat was only for the formality and out of politeness. I was the one actually having myself some dinner. Their eyes moved always, stopping sparingly, movements slow and deliberate, consistent and uniform. I did not feel uncomfortable, but I have been in plenty situations that were far less tense and much more social. Around one another, Demon Lords tended to be quite...unlike their normal selves. Sesshomaru and Kitara are actually like this, and only around them do my mother and father act as cold and silent. Around one another and around us, their children, they are warm and loving and all the rest of that.

After I had eaten my fill, they stood simultaneously, and I rose after them. Sesshomaru led us into his private chambers for discussion. I was to be present but silent—fine by me. It was a library of sorts, all walls lined with tall and wide bookshelves, laden with scrolls and documents and old leather-bound novels. Beautiful. On one wall there was a large fire I could literally fit in. It crackled pleasantly, permeating the cold of the room, brought on by the night that had fallen. Earlier he had provided a tour of the place, somewhat for my benefit as a new addition to the household, but more to show my father that he was a worthy mate who could take care of me.

Not that he didn't know that already.

I don't need warmth or fire, but I had always loved both in any case, so I took a seat in the large, cushiony chair by the fireplace as the two demon lords stood on either end of the mantle; my father next to me, Sesshomaru facing him. I allowed the heat of the fire and the warmth of their voices to wrap around me as the night began to pass around me.

"Have you been experiencing any difficulties in your own territory?" my father asked Sesshomaru, starting the original business reason for him to come here. Periodically it is a good idea for demon lords to meet up with one another and speak of current events and problems, things that have gone well and what can be done to improve.

"None," Sesshomaru replied. "Things have been peaceful, aside from the occasional rebellion, but those are small and easily rid of. News has reached me that the Southern Castle was attacked not too long ago." Try a year.

Father nodded. "Yes. My wife was with me in my castle to the north, so some of her unstable vassals decided to try to take over the stronghold. They, however, hadn't been anticipating the many spells laid upon the place, in every grain of wood, in every massive stone. What sort of protections are there on this castle?"

"My ancestors made it of a marble so rare that this is nearly half of all that exists in the world. It is rumored to have been made from the bones of the ancient gods, before they became heaven-bound. The gold and silver is also of a very rare kind; what we have hear we only discovered by accident, for it exists deep within the earth. Every sort of protection and warding spell has been laid over this fortress, replenished each decade; the larger ones are redone every century."

And so it went on and on and on. They spoke of problems, tips, solutions, spells, demons, humans, obedience, the natural order, politics, diplomacy...anything and everything that applied to their stations and then some. I began to block out there words, only allowing the deep and powerful tones of their voices to reach me, lulling me to sleep. The warmth and protection I felt brought out my drowsiness. I yawned softly, delicately, and hardly noticed as my mind slipped into slumber...

Almost immediately I felt a soft and gentle hand on my shoulder. Groggily my eyes blinked open; the fire had died down some, reduced to embers. There was a chill in the room I was immune to feeling—I regulate my own temperature via the volcano and ocean within myself—and quite some time had passed. My father was kneeling by my side, rocking me gently, whispering my name. "Taimara...Taimara...Taimara, wake up, it's time for us to go to our rooms..."

I sat up. Sesshomaru was standing some ways away, cloaked in shadow, watching me. My father didn't see this. My spine tingled, his gaze was so powerful, so enchanting, so handsome...I smiled, touching my father lightly on his cheek, as I would when I was younger. He smiled back and helped me up. One arm wrapped around my neck, he proceeded to lead me to the door. He obviously knew where we were going, because Sesshomaru stayed where he was.

I risked a glimpse back before the door closed, only to find him standing in the exact same place, eyes still on me...

XXX

Father left the next day. Things were very emotional. He had only three horses this time, but without me in my pretty kimono, the thing will be lighter and the need for leisure less great. He would be home very soon. I kissed and hugged him goodbye. He promised to visit me once I had settled down. He would bring the others; Ryuumaru would be born by then. I told him I couldn't wait, and that I loved him. Setting one of my tortoise shell combs in his hand, I said my final goodbye. I was no longer one of his subjects, his daughter, his resident. I belonged to Sesshomaru.

I hadn't seen Rin since the previous day, when I first went inside, and I felt lost, alone and afraid.

XXX

kimono - formal dress, prettier and fancier than a yukata

ohitsujiyoukai - ram youkai, ram demon