Was supposed to be for New Years but I was somewhere without internet during Holiday season so oops. When I came back school started... So I'll post this now. Late is better than never? It's supposed to be three parts...and might eventually lead into the Spring Festival.

Sitting on the dais next to Sesshomaru's throne, Rin sneaked a glance at her Lord out of the corner of her eye. He sat straight and tall, his face as impassive as ever. Not a word escaped his mouth, but Rin could see how tense he was, his hand clenched under the great sleeves of his haori.

Court was always a tedious business, and they had been holding Court the entire day meeting various advisors. The period before traditional festivals was always hectic. But this was taking things to a new level. It has been a week since Rin had seen her mate sleep all the troubles of the Western Land had apparently chosen this week to rear their heads. From the domestic disputes between an official and his 10th mistress, to the trade agreements with the East that needed to be finalized. It seemed like the West as a whole decided to hassle their Lord by not letting him have a wink of time for family and friends during a time when it was supposed to be celebrated. Today was New Year's Eve…The two had been up since 6am listening to request after request. It was 12pm now, and they had a banquet scheduled for later this evening. The visiting Lords would be arriving in about three hours, and along few any magistrates able to make the trip. The day was packed, and Rin had long ago lost track of who was who and what was what. All she cared about was her Lord-mate. She knew that he was tired, she could tell from the stiffness of his shoulders from how he was taking deep breaths through his nose in an effort to hold himself together, from the dullness of his golden eyes. Pouring him more tea, Rin sighed in relief as the last appointment for the day finally drew to a close. Maybe now they can relax a bit before the excitement of tonight.

No sooner had that thought passed through her head, did the doors open again revealing an alarmed Jaken followed by an incredibly angry prime minister. Rin fired a thought to Sesshomaru through their bond as the two got closer 'Just when it seems the affairs of court were over, and we can enjoy the rest of the night, something has to happen…doesn't it?'

Sesshomaru didn't answer, a soft breath from his mouth was all Rin needed to know he agreed with her. As they drew close Rin looked to Jaken "Master Jaken, Master Kyo, can this not wait until tomorrow?"

The prime minister, Master Kyo was the one to speak up "I'm afraid not my Lady, this is of the utmost importance" Rin sighed and glanced to Sesshomaru, under the guise of arranging the great sleeves of her Kimono, she discreetly took her Lord's hand, providing what little support she could in their situation. His mokomoko slithered off his shoulder to wrap around her, while he maintained his dignified posture, listening attentively to the problem. Rin for her part failed to see why a land dispute between the Prime minister and that baka Official-With-Way-To-Many-Mistresses could not wait until the next day. But maybe it was that fear of bring the bad water of the previous year into the new one. It was supposed to be a fresh start after all…

She scooted a littler closer to her Lord-Mate, as the mokomoko wrapped more securely around her. Prime Minister Kyo was now discussing whether putting Baka-Official under house arrest was a good move for being a Land-cherous, phi-Land-erer. Why not just castrate him? She thought bitterly, she was losing precious time with her Lord because of Baka-Official after all.

The room was suddenly very silent. "I never thought the Lady would have such a brilliant mind, milord, castration would be the ultimate humiliation for a Land-cherous phi-Land-erer like Baka-Official" Rin's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets…had she said her thoughts out loud? Quickly straightening, she cleared her throat, "Master Kyo, Master Jaken, we appreciate all that you do for the sake of the West, is there anything else that cannot wait until tomorrow?" Both looked to Lord Sesshomaru, seeing something there that made both shiver they shook their heads and Sesshomaru dismissed them with a wave of his hand.

As soon as they were alone in the large room she climbed into his lap and rested her head on his shoulder gently weaving her fingers through his hair, it was soft, silky to the touch, light as it weaves through her fingers, he closed his eyes and sighed. Looking up, she bit her lip at the weariness that marred his face. Rin continued methodically running her fingers through his hair, The longer she stroke, the deeper and calmer his breathing becomes. Rin revels in moments like this. The intimacy, the comfortable silence, the warmth. The knowledge that she is the only one to see him so vulnerable.

Rin's fingers venture to the nape of his neck, where she had noted tense musculature. 'A massage and a trip to the hot springs would do him a lot of good…But with our luck, we won't have the time. It's easy to start anew during New years they say. Get rid of any bad water before the New Years they say. It's a time of Good Fortune they say. They never mention how stressful it can be for some.' Rin thought bitterly. Soothingly, she massaged along his neck, working out the stress and ache. He lets out a deep sigh as his neck visibly relaxes. Then her hands travel to his broad shoulders. They're just as tense, if not more so. She sighs "My Lord you really should start taking better care of yourself, this one knows you've had a rough week, but relaxing one of our Hot Springs can do wonders to your muscles and your mind. Also be sure take some gingko next time we have a week like this" Rin's reprimand fell on deaf ears as Sesshomaru reaches out, firmly grasping her hip with one hand and a silk covered thigh with another, urging her a minuscule distance closer so she was effectively pressed against him.

Tilting her head, and leaning up she pressed her lips to his in a sweet kiss, her hands resting on his shoulders. He was stiff beneath her, but slowly he softened ad kissed her back. She opened her mouth against his as he quickly took over the kiss. Rin could feel the tension easing out of him bit by bit. They would have stayed like that longer… But right at the moment the doors to the Great Hall flew open as Tsukimaru all but barrel rolled in out of breath, and quite shaken.

Sesshomaru huffed, and removed Rin before discreetly righting himself as he watched his cousin huff and puff…He looked like he ran across the country…rather stupid in the young Lord's opinion when FLYING was much better, but he figured if Tsukimaru ran like that it has to be important.

"Gomen I think I interrupted something…but milord did you really order Master Ichiya to be castrated?" Rin spat out her tea in a very unladylike fashion. She didn't think that her angry remark would be treated as an order!

"This one has yet to decide on the matter and will do so after the festivities of this season. For now Master Ichiya is under house arrest, should he behave in a manner unfit for his status again he will face severe consequences. Have a team of your ninja observe him and any he interacts with, also deploy a team to observe Prime Minister Kyo, if anything is found you may do whatever needs to be done"

"Yes milord"

Dropping the formal speech Tsukimaru turned to Rin "Rin-sama take care of him. He looks dead on his feet…I'm surprised he hasn't taken to simply flying yet…"

"Tsuki-chan, Rin knows~ she's dreading tonight's excitement. Human Lords as well as Youkai Lords…ugh"

"Rin it is not proper to complain so much especially here…"

"Right~ and you're one to talk kissing your mate like that in the Great Hall…picture of proper breeding…Aunt will be so pleased. " With that Tsukimaru lifted off the ground and flew out…much to his cousin's mirth…

…4 hours later…

Sesshomaru and Rin were heading up their dais again officials and ministers were on their knees, hands folded in front, head tilted to the side in submission. This time Rin was the picture of sophisticated grace. A lovely red Kimono patterned with blossoms draped over her form, her obi was white with the West's signature blossom patterned along it. Her hair was twisted and combed on top of her head. She held herself tall and proud; back straight, chin slightly up, hands folded in front of her covered by her great sleeves. She walked with small dainty steps a bit behind her mate. He wasn't wearing his usual white kimono/haori hakama outfit. Instead he was wearing a red kimono paired with black hakama and a haori of black patterned with silver lines. The silk layers settled nicely on his form, and the wooden zori he wore in place of his usual black boots didn't make a sound on the floor. He kept his yellow/blue obi, and carried his swords with him like every other Lord. His steps were more self-assured than Rin's, and he walked with a grace that Rin struggled to copy. He kept his eyes focused in front of him, chin slightly lifted back straight the great sleeves of his haori rustled softly as he moved. Rin felt it odd to see her mate with his hair in a topknot, but had to admit it looked good, making the markings on his face stand out that much more.

As they sat down, Rin struggled to maintain her elegant posture…legs close together was easy, but sitting with such a straight back was uncomfortable…but what she really dreaded was addressing the ministers in Inu as they came up one by one…then receiving the visiting Lords with a smile. Before FINALLY they can start the party. She'd had a long day…she had to play a good hostess and do things properly…BUT she was so damn tired…If only Shippo were here…he'd know how to liven up this party immediately providing an excuse to skip the boring half hour of addresses…Glancing at her mate she noticed that he had his mask of a cold distant ruler back in place...Rin briefly wondered if talking to him through their bond was a good idea..she wanted to know how he felt...when they left this very hall four hours ago he looked about to pass out from exhaustion. Rin had bribed Jaken, guards and other servants into leaving them alone until about an hour before this event. She had to make sure he rested...so first she gave him a thorough massage gently working over his WAY TO stiff back, before both went to the bath and just soaked for some time. He fell asleep shortly after her impromptu therapy session. 'Is he really ok?' 'Hai, this one is fine now' Rin almost jumped out of her seat...she hadn't meant to send that thought...but at least she now knew he was feeling fine...'Stupid he really needs to rest more' '

This one will try in the New Year' Rin can't help but show her shock on her face...but she quickly righted it seeing someone approach 'Let the...very Fun~ verbal battle of wits, begin' To her surprise three voices sounded in her mind at the same time 'agreed'

"Sesshomaru-sama, Rin-sama this Gyro would like to congratulate you on a successful year, the West is truly blessed to have you" Came the first insincere "congratulation. Rin resisted the urge to smack her forehead and groan. She knew many of these officials hated Sesshomaru for his methods, Under Toga these same officials could use the state's money to line their own pockets. Under Sesshomaru however things changed, if anyone was caught using state money for personal means it was a capital offence and treated accordingly. They felt Sesshomaru cheated them of money, but they were educated officials and great at coating their words…

Rin liked speaking Inu…especially on the rare occasion she heard her mate, Lady Mother and Tsuki-chan speaking it. But for now, all she knew for was this scripted sentence "Thank you Master [Gyro] for your hard work I wish you and your family a lot of joy. Please enjoy this night" Try making that sincere when her heart wasn't in it…she wished she was as great an actor as these self-righteous officials…'This is going to be a long…painful…night…' Rin thought as she forced a smile and uttered her lines.

A/N: So yea...They're in for a LONG BORING TIRING night of...erm...whatever you call half-assed "best wishes" and other such stuff...I'm sorry but for the next little bit, you're gonna have to bear with all the sarcasm.