Late Date

A/N: I'm not the biggest fan of Sess/Rin, since I always saw their relationship more like a dad/kid kind of bond and I stumbled upon Sess/Rin after watching the anime while browsing fanfics, but a Bark with this ship was requested of me and I'm not one to turn down a challenge, so... Brace yourself, a Sess/older!Rin Bark comes your way!

o0o

Sesshomaru lifted his nose to scent the air. His ears moved lightly, catching all kinds of noises as he was standing on the top of a hill - a proud, magnificent dog. His fur was practically glowing in the light of the moon and he knew he was looking beautiful and terrifying at the same time. He was the great inu youkai, son of the Lady of the West and Great Dog General - a true Lord in his own right - there were only a few youkai of his level out there. He was strong, perfect in any way possible.

And he felt perfect - perfectly at peace, perfectly strong, holding much more wisdom than many youkai at his age would. He was proud of his achivements, knowing he gained what he had - was what he was - by his own strength, hard work and strong will. His mother had named him well.

And there was one more reason Lord Sesshomaru was feeling perfect at this very moment just before the dawn of a summer day.

"Lord Sesshomaru, look, the sky is brightening! Lord Inuyasha will be so angry with Rin that she delayed her return home so much!" exclaimed a young woman currently sitting on his back and holding fistfuls of his silvery ruff. Lord Sesshomaru would probably let the corners of his mouth go just a milimeter up in an expression of wide - well, in Lord Sesshomaru's way - grin. In this form he just let the tip of his tongue stick out a little from the side of his mouth. It was enough for Rin to see that he was in a wonderful mood and that he didn't care if Inuyasha was angry or not.

"Rin," he said, his voice low and rumbling like a distaant thunder. The woman smiled widely when she hard aa mischievous tone iin the way he spoke her name. Her lord was up to something.

"Yes, my lord?" she asked as she tilted her head.

"This one lied to you," he stated proudly and glanced back to see her reaction. He met confused eyes and continued. "The sunset from here isn't the most beautiful thing one can witness in this land. Rin should see the sunrise to witness the greatest beauty. Would Rin like to see the sunrise with this one?"

"Oh!" Rin's smile returned and she looked to the East. "Yes, my lord!"

With a smug grin - well, in his way - Sesshomaru turned his head away to look to the slowly brightening sky and the sun rising slowly. Rin was joyfully poiting all pretty colors to him and when sunlight bathed the hills around them she let out a cry of amazemet.

Flowers were opening their petals when Lord Sesshomaru was walking through the forest, holding Rin's hand to support her - there were roots and rocks hidden under the thick grass and he was quite determined not to let her trip. She was admiring the beauty of nature in silence now, a serene smile on her lips, her fingers warm in his hand. They both froze when a flash of red and white caught their eyes. Sesshomaru took a discreet inhale to judge who it was before turning in that direction.

Inuyasha walked from beside a tree from which he jumped a second ago. He folded his arms in his sleeves and glared at his brother, a deep scowl on his face.

"You're late. You were supposed to be back just after sunset," he said grumpily. Rin blushed while Lord Sesshomaru merely arched a brow.

"Please, don't be angry, lord Inuyasha," the girl pleaded. "The sunset was so pretty and then we went for a walk, and then we swent to see the sunrise, and..." she stopped babbling when she saw the hanyou roll his eyes.

"Keh! Just remember to tell Kagome you won't return before morning next time you're going for this date thing," his left ear swiveled backwards and he looked back at his brother. "Or Kagome will make a set of beads for you too."

"Hm," Lord Sesshomarun said as he noticed a woman in miko robes walking through the forest. He said nothing more but turned around and left. Knowing his half-brother's mate she had the beads made long ago.

A/N: Oh goodness, I hope it doesn't suck much...