Sesshomaru carried his light burden back into the room he had burst from upon awaking. Carefully he laid Rin down on the bed and quickly checked her for any injuries. His fingers feathered over the knot forming on her head and she flinched lightly with a pained moan. Sesshomaru had to grit his teeth to tamp down the spurt of fury that filled him again. He grimaced as sharp pain shot from his side and he gently covered his wound with his hand. Glancing down he checked the bandages covering his side and the blood that was slowly seeping through. He was still not fully healed but the abrupt void he had felt when Rin had lost consciousness had brought him fully awake despite Kagome's sleeping spell.
Hearing footsteps approach, Sesshomaru pushed aside any remnant of pain he might still feel and placed himself at the opposite side of the room where he could observe the entire room and its coming occupants easily. He leaned against the wall and reserved his strength as he waited patiently for his brother to enter. Sesshomaru highly doubted Inuyasha would be foolish enough to allow any of the others to enter before he himself verified Sesshomaru was in control of himself again.
Inuyasha opened the door and Sesshomaru bit back a grin as he predictably entered first and cautiously swept the room before his eyes unerringly landed on Sesshomaru. Behind Inuyasha, Kagome entered and nervously glanced in his direction with Kohaku close on her heels as Inuyasha moved forward and protectively placed himself between Sesshomaru and his wife.
Sesshomaru suddenly growled low in his throat and caused Kohaku to tense and Kagome to gasp in fear. Inuyasha, quickly recognizing the reason for his brother's displeasure, moved slightly to the left to keep his body firmly between Sesshomaru and Kagome but kept a clear path between Sesshomaru and Rin.
His warning heeded and his view of Rin no longer hampered, Sesshomaru rolled his shoulders and forced himself to relax. He didn't enjoy seeing his family so nervous around him but he was still struggling to control his baser instincts that were demanding he destroy Kohaku for daring to hurt Rin, though he had to reluctantly admit, it had appeared to have been accidental. Kohaku's horror had registered briefly to Sesshomaru when he had burst onto the porch, but seeing Rin's prone body lying on the ground like a broken doll had snapped something within him he had not realized was even tethered. Sesshomaru noted Kohaku was moving with his usual confidence and he could only assume Kagome had fully healed him. Kagome took a step towards Rin but hesitated as her gaze flew back to Inuyasha then Sesshomaru. He merely raised an eyebrow at her, and after a brief nod from Inuyasha she knelt next to Rin but made sure Sesshomaru had a clear view of Rin at all times.
Kagome felt Kohaku step closer to her other side and flank Inuyasha. She allowed her powers to flow from within her and reached out to Rin to heal her. Kagome was surprised to find the threads that binded Rin and Sesshomaru together were not only vibrating with energy again but the barrier she had constructed to dim their connection and grow stronger over time was pulsing with tension. The energy coming from Sesshomaru now that he was awake was battering against the barrier and close to shattering it. Kagome briefly considered strengthening the barrier but she doubted she could do it without drawing Sesshomaru's attention to it…and to be honest she had been considering taking it down herself. Though she had done it to protect Rin, the guilt she had been living with over taking Rin's choices from her had been eating away at her. Kagome decided to leave well enough alone. When she had an opportunity she'd speak with Rin privately and see what she wanted to do. Now that she thought about it she wondered if Rin was even aware of what Sesshomaru had done. Kagome glanced at Sesshomaru and decided maybe she would approach Sesshomaru himself and have him tell Rin he had tied their souls together. Sesshomaru had specifically warned her to not interfere and Kagome just hoped that if she left everything as it stood, nature would take its course and hopefully Sesshomaru wouldn't kill her.
It took only a few minutes for Kagome to finish healing Rin but the tension in the room made it seem like hours passed before she was done. She briefly spoke with Kohaku and they both moved Rin gently into a more comfortable position.
It had not escaped Sesshomaru's attention how attentive Kohaku had been while Kagome healed Rin or his lingering touches on her arm. Kagome's nervous glances between Sesshomaru and Rin drew his curious gaze as well. He could've easily dismissed her concern based on his attack earlier, but the guilt he detected on her face and her deference to Kohaku instead of to him when it concerned Rin made his lips tighten in annoyance.
The children suddenly ran into the room, but before either could run towards Sesshomaru Kagome had quickly stopped her children and glanced in his direction with trepidation. Sesshomaru merely raised his eyebrow at Kagome. Kagome glanced at Inuyasha who nodded his head and she reluctantly allowed the children past her. Kichirou was the first to approach Sesshomaru cautiously. Sesshomaru, unused to this new sudden wariness from his nephew frowned.
Kichirou pushed his nervousness aside at his uncle's frown and openly glared at him. "You hurt mom." He accused angrily, his tiny dog ears so similar to his father's flattening back on his head.
Sesshomaru inclined his head. "I did."
"You haven't told her sorry." Kichirou said with his lips thinning in displeasure.
Sesshomaru immediately turned to Kagome. "I apologize little sister for my lack of control. I beg your forgiveness." He said formerly.
Kagome flushed when her son's expectant gaze landed on her when she didn't answer right away. "Of course. All is forgiven."
"Would that I will be so forgiving when I discover what causes your wary glances Kagome." Sesshomaru added quietly.
Kagome turned away, unable to hold his probing stare and Inuyasha frowned at Kagome. "What is he talking about?" He asked her suspiciously.
"Nothing." Kagome hissed back still refusing to meet Sesshomaru's gaze. He couldn't possibly know or suspect what she had done for Rin.
Kichirou studied his uncle for a moment before Sesshomaru asked. "Anything else you require for your forgiveness?"
Kichirou suddenly grinned. "You really kicked dad's butt."
"The hell he did." Inuyasha defended gruffly.
Kichirou laughed and launched himself up into Sesshomaru's arms with his usual exuberance.
Sesshomaru hugged Kichirou tightly and whispered for his ears alone. "I'm sorry I frightened you and your sister."
Kichirou smiled and kissed Sesshomaru's cheek before he squirmed, signaling he wanted to be put down.
Chieko shyly tugged Sesshomaru's pant leg to get his attention. He knelt by his nieces side. "Were you angry because Rin is empty?"
"Empty?" Sesshomaru asked with a frown.
"Only when she's in your company. She's normal with all of us." Chieko answered solemnly.
Sesshomaru nodded his acceptance of her answer. Chieko had inherited great many gifts from her mother and had already demonstrated great spiritual powers of her own.
"Do you know why-"
"Children, we need to give Rin time to rest." Kagome interrupted with a nervous glance at Sesshomaru. He narrowed his eyes at her but made no comment.
The children quickly ran towards their father and began pulling and tugging at him to play with them outside. Inuyasha stared at his older brother and Sesshomaru shrugged in answer to the question in his eyes. He was in full control again and Inuyasha could feel free to watch over his children while he remained alone with Kagome, Rin and Kohaku. But if Inuyasha wasn't comfortable with the thought then he could take Kagome and Kohaku with him for all Sesshomaru cared. But his warning glance to his younger brother assured him he'd be damned if anyone attempted to remove him from Rin's side. Inuyasha rolled his eyes before leaving the room. Sesshomaru couldn't help the small grin at his brother's impatience. He still found it amazing the two of them could speak without trying to kill one another.
Once Inuyasha had left the room Sesshomaru stared at Kagome and Kohaku without blinking. Kohaku returned his stare but Kagome shifted nervously before she finally snapped. "What Sesshomaru?"
"Anyone care to explain?" He asked of them both.
"Explain?" Kagome hedged.
Sesshomaru remained silent but his focus made it clear he wasn't in the mood to play games. Kohaku and Kagome glanced at each other briefly before she reluctantly explained they had agreed Rin needed to learn how to protect herself, and that Kohaku had taken her training upon himself.
Sesshomaru's response was a widening of his eyes. The mere idea of any human, let alone Rin, believing they could really stop a full blooded yokai or even delay them long enough for help was laughable. Sesshomaru's shock had held his tongue long enough for Kagome to breathe a sigh of relief at his apparent agreement before he looked at her as if she was the greatest of fools. "It's safe to assume you were the master mind behind this brilliant idea?" Sesshomaru asked drily.
Kagome had straightened her shoulders and looked at Sesshomaru in the eye. "Yes it was. Rin doesn't always have to play the damsel in distress. She needs to know how to take care of herself." Kagome defended.
"Don't presume to know what she needs or doesn't Kagome." Sesshomaru chastised. "She was murdered as a child, before that she had been abused by her village and left to her own devices for survival. True, when she traveled with us, I as well as Jacken and A-Un, watched over her but she was expected to pull her own weight. She gathered her own food, learned what roots and herbs would heal her flesh and which would poison her through trial and error. I nor Jacken had need of such knowledge so she had no choice but to learn on her own. She learned to hide when necessary and escape when attacked. She has taken care of herself as well as Jacken, A-Un and myself as much as we took care of her. I see no benefit to her with these lessons."
"The point is she needs to gain more confidence-" Kagome tried again.
"You think she needs more confidence." Sesshomaru corrected.
Kagome openly glared at him. "You are intentionally misunderstanding me."
"No, I am correcting your assumption. You believe Rin is weak. She is not." Sesshomaru stated matter of factly.
"I never said such a thing. Look Sesshomaru, Rin has been attacked before, and if she had the skills Kohaku is teaching her now she wouldn't have been hurt."
"As she was hurt today?" Sesshomaru asked pointedly.
"That was an accident. Accidents can happen when you're training."
"I see. After all, she's not a powerful priestess such as yourself. You have the spiritual powers of this lands greatest priestess and are being trained even further by her younger sister. Such a thing as the attacks on Rin would never have happened to you right?" Sesshomaru asked her.
Kagome frowned warily. "Unlike Rin I do have powers to defend myself with when necessary."
"And you consider yourself to be stronger than Rin?"
Kagome hesitated. "I'm more prepared than she might be and being older I have experience where she does not."
A brief flicker of the light was the only warning Kagome had. In the next breath Sesshomaru had one of his sharp claws poised over her jugular and his other hand held both her wrists immobile before her.
Kagome's shocked eyes sought Sesshomaru's.
"The only reason you are allowed to use your powers with any success is because battling Inuyasha requires more attention than a lowly human like you would deserve." Sesshomaru said with barely concealed anger lacing his tone. "You are more of an irritant than a true threat or opponent to our kind. Though powerful you may be, had Inuyasha not weakened the demon, your powers would be of little concern. Inuyasha has allowed you this delusion, but I will not allow your willfulness and arrogance to place Rin in any danger. Where you see weakness, I see intelligence and strength. She knows her limitations and works within them to her advantage. She trusts us to protect her because we have powerful abilities where she does not."
"I've helped Inuyasha many times-" Kagome tried to insist without moving for fear of stabbing herself upon the lethal claw still at her throat.
"You place Inuyasha in grave danger by forcing him to divide his attention between protecting you and slaying the threat to you and the children." Sesshomaru interrupted her, his anger fueled by his deep seated fear that Inuyasha would fall in protecting the family and Sesshomaru would lose them all. Though he hated to admit it, Inuyasha's family was very important to him and he could not imagine life without them. "Rin would have known to never place herself or those protecting her in such a position."
"So the women should stay home? In my time women are independent and are equals of men." Kagome said.
"This is not your era. It's past time you adapted. You have children and poor excuses for your behavior. I could have easily killed you just now."
"You took me by surprise. I wasn't ready." Kagome sounded like a sulky child even to her own ears.
"Do you expect your enemies to warn you? To count to three and then attack? Don't be ridiculous." He said finally and sheathed his claws and stepped back.
Kohaku breathed a sigh of relief and released his hold on his weapon. Sesshomaru had even caught him by surprise with his unexpected attack. He barely had time to react himself. However, he knew Sesshomaru would never hurt Kagome and if he were honest with himself, Kagome had needed this lesson.
The swift look of impatience and censure Sesshomaru bestowed on Kagome made her feel a bout of shame. She needed to speak with Inuyasha as soon as possible. All this time she had never considered the possibility that she was a liability for him. She had only wanted to help.
"The training I've been giving her have had to do with evasion and escape. I didn't want her trying to take on a yokai by herself." Kohaku admitted with a quick glance to Kagome in apology.
Sesshomaru nodded in approval. "At least one of you displayed some intelligence."
"To be fair Inuyasha was firmly against these lessons." Kohaku added with a guilty look towards Kagome.
"Next time it would behoove you to listen to your husband who has greater experience than you with dealing with yokai." Sesshomaru scolded Kagome. "As for Rin's injury, though it was minor, it was unnecessary. The lessons stop now." He decreed.
Kohaku crossed his arms over his chest. "Don't you think that's a decision that should be left to Rin?" He asked.
"Learning these techniques will be useless to her since you are not as fast as a yokai." Sesshomaru said to Kohaku. "As talented as you may be, your true skill comes from the surprise of your attack and being underestimated."
"Rin would have the same advantages."
"But she doesn't have your experience or instincts. That cannot be taught. The only way she could truly learn is to train with another yokai."
"You volunteering?" Kohaku asked with a grin.
"She's mine. Her protection falls to me and she knows that." Sesshomaru said, ignoring Kohaku's question.
"You weren't there for her before." Kohaku dared to say, watching Sesshomaru for his reaction.
Sesshomaru's face remained expressionless. "My cross to bear."
The tension in the room rose and Kagome quickly interjected. "Rin needs rest boys. Why don't we all leave her be for a while? And you should still be lying in bed as well Sesshomaru. You're still recovering." She said with concern.
"Where is Jacken? I need that herb I sent him for."
"He already left for your mother's lands. We expect him back any day now." Kohaku answered for Kagome.
"Why are you still here Kohaku?" Sesshomaru asked, fully aware Kohaku's normal visits were never longer than a day or two. He suspected his delay had much to do with Rin.
"Rin asked me to stay on so we could catch up." Kohaku said with a tender smile in Rin's direction.
Sesshomaru clenched his jaw and moved back, deeper into the shadows. Though he understood Kohaku's interest in Rin it did not mean he had to like it. Even if Rin never responded in kind…he feared Kohaku would never be completely safe from him again.
Inuyasha's sharp scream from outside drew all their attention, followed by the laughter of the children. Kagome rolled her eyes. "Let me go check on him before the children kill him." Kagome hesitated for a moment, not sure if leaving Kohaku and Sesshomaru alone would be wise. But when neither made a move to follow her Kagome turned and followed the sounds of Kichirou's taunts and Inuyasha's threats outside.
Kohaku and Sesshomaru stood watching each other for a time but a rustle and distressed moan from the bed drew their immediate focus.
Rin slowly opened her eyes and looked into the concerned eyes of Kohaku.
"Kohaku." She whispered his name with a wince. She suddenly realized she was lying on a bed with a comforter pulled over her.
Kohaku smiled back down at her. "You gave me a fright there Rin."
"What happened?"
"We were training and you tripped. I ended up nicking your temple and knocked you out. You had a bit of a concussion but Kagome fixed you right up so you're perfectly fine now."
Rin laughed. "Is that why my head is still throbbing?"
Kohaku grinned and brushed her bangs lightly from her forehead with his fingers.
A low growl rumbled through the room and Kohaku immediately removed his hand from Rin's forehead as he glared behind him.
Rin turned her head and saw Sesshomaru with his arms crossed, leaning his back against the wall at the far end of the room. She was shocked he was up and knew she should be thrilled he seemed to be better but that same hollow feeling began to shift through her whenever she was around him now.
Sesshomaru glanced at Kohaku and held his stare until Kohaku rolled his eyes in disgust and stood. Rin frowned and looked at Kohaku. He shrugged. "Inuyasha was right in his assumption Sesshomaru would not be pleased with your training."
"She was needlessly injured." Sesshomaru said with a bite.
"I thought we agreed we'd leave it to her to decide if she wanted to continue her training or not." Kohaku reminded him.
"To say that we agreed, implies that I cared or sought your opinion. I do not. Her protection does not concern you. It falls to me." Sesshomaru said.
"Great protection when she almost died while you fucked Kitsune." Kohaku said with anger, suddenly recalling the conversations Rin had shared with him during Sesshomaru's recovery and not liking at all how easily Sesshomaru not only dismissed him but made him feel as if he was laughing at him for even thinking his opinion mattered.
Sesshomaru shimmered then reappeared right before Kohaku. He glared down at the young man threateningly but Kohaku held his stare. A twinge of grudging respect grew in Sesshomaru for the human male despite his insolence.
Kohaku held his stare for a moment longer before he looked down at Rin and smiled tenderly at her. "I'll be right outside if you need me Rin."
Rin bit her lip to keep from asking Kohaku to not leave her alone with Sesshomaru. She glanced at Sesshomaru's face but it held no expression now.
Kohaku squeezed Rin's hand encouragingly before he walked past Sesshomaru saying briefly "Be careful with her."
Sesshomaru flicked a dismissing glance to Kohaku before he continued to look at Rin, effectively ignoring him and his comment.
Kohaku sighed in frustration and walked out of the room closing the door behind him.
Sesshomaru waited a beat before he stepped towards the bed Rin laid upon. Rin tucked her blanket more firmly around her chin and took a deep breath.
Sesshomaru sat by her hip. "You've found a protector in that one." He said casually.
"Kohaku has always been a great friend to me." Rin said soothingly, slightly fearful for Kohaku.
"The first time you speak to me in years and it's his name falling from your lips." Sesshomaru said with lethal stillness. Flames briefly flashed in his eyes before he tamped down his growing jealousy.
Very curious.
When Sesshomaru had believed Kitsune to be Rin, he hadn't cared at all when Kohaku had embraced her. But now when he had seen the way Kohaku had tenderly brushed his fingers across Rin's forehead, and how she trustingly had leaned into that touch and whisper his name with a smile had spoken volumes to him.
Sesshomaru wondered now if perhaps a part of him had always known Kitsune was not actually Rin. He had had his suspicions but nothing concrete. He also briefly entertained the notion that his sudden flare of jealousy may have a lot to do with his tying their souls together. He could sense a hollowness within her that had not been there before and Chieko's words echoed in his mind. He knew there would be repercussions for his decision to tie them together, but the risk of losing her had forced his hand.
"Kitsune spoke to you…" Rin began but trailed off.
Sesshomaru nodded. "She did, though at the time I was distracted and the little detail of her speech returning was lost on me." Sesshomaru answered honestly referring to Rin having lost her voice again.
"Distracted? By what?" Rin asked.
"My curiosity is rarely peaked but there were moments when I could hear muffled words, or sense another's presence, which I now assume was you. Kitsune knew what she was doing and paid attention to the tiniest detail. I know she stole your essence. It's the only explanation I can conceive of where she was able to deceive me so thoroughly." Sesshomaru said with regret.
"She attacked me while I was alone at camp. I did everything I could think of to warn you but you couldn't hear me." Rin said quietly with a hint of shame.
Sesshomaru cocked his head. "Rin, I'm the one who failed you. If there is guilt to be born then it lays solely on my shoulders not yours."
"I was terrified she was going to kill you." Rin said with a catch in her voice.
"She was far more intelligent than I gave her credit for. Only by your hand would I willingly accept death and I think she knew that."
Rin gasped in shock. "Why would you say that?"
"I've spent more time with you than anyone else. If you could find nothing redeemable about me then I do deserve death."
"Jacken has spent more time with you than I ever could."
Sesshomaru shrugged. "I don't think I'm capable of causing you physical harm. However I've killed him and revived him for the sake of knowledge."
"He loves you."
"He has his uses. And he loves the prestige he receives from serving me."
"Prestige?"
"I as well as Inuyasha could be considered royals in the demon world because our father was so powerful."
"The respect and fear you receive has nothing to do with your father." Rin said.
"I ask that you don't tell Inuyasha I said that. We don't need that pup running around believing himself a prince." Sesshomaru responded drily.
Rin couldn't help the laugh that escaped her at the image of Inuyasha acting haughty.
Sesshomaru looked at her in surprise. He was happy to know he had been the cause of her amusement and for a moment he wanted to just sit and bask in the warmth of her smile.
"Jacken acts more like a wife than a servant to you." Rin teased. "Would that make him your queen?"
"If I were a king I would have no need for a queen. Making someone my queen would give them the impression they have power or can have an opinion about decisions I make. I don't explain or cater myself to anyone. The decisions I make are my own and any consequences are my responsibility."
"And we all know how you feel about other's opinions." Rin said with a laugh, recalling how easily he had disabused Kohaku's notion that his opinion mattered.
Sesshomaru turned his head, not wanting her to see the struggle that consumed him and ruin this moment they had shared. He was glad she seemed to enjoy Kohaku's company…but a very selfish part of him he wasn't sure he recognized found he didn't want to share her with anyone.
"He's only a friend." Rin said quietly, though Sesshomaru had said or done nothing.
"He wants to be more." Sesshomaru said with no emotion to his voice which only caused Rin to clench her fists in the comforter nervously.
Sesshomaru reached up to brush his fingers across her forehead, as Kohaku had done, but she flinched away involuntarily.
Sesshomaru froze briefly before he allowed his hand to fall back to his side. "Why do you fear me Rin?" He asked, with a trace of hurt in his tone.
"I don't fear you Sesshomaru." Rin denied, hating the hitch in her voice which made a liar out of her.
Sesshomaru sighed. "You said his name with such affection, but mine is said with such fear."
Rin didn't know how to react. The room was small, dimly lit and the fire kept it warm. Rin hugged the comforter closer to her chest despite the warmth.
"You're sweating." Sesshomaru said with a frown. He turned towards the window and waved his hand, making the curtains and window fly open allowing a cool breeze to flow into the room.
"Thank you." Rin said quietly.
"How are you feeling?" Sesshomaru asked into the silence.
Rin thought for a moment before she answered. "I'm fine."
Sesshomaru remained quiet for a minute before he replied. "Don't lie to me Rin. You must know I would never hurt you. I have failed you miserably these last few weeks. And I will spend the rest of eternity regretting I had not discovered Kitsune's deception sooner. There's nothing you can say that would ever make me hurt you."
"There's not much left to hurt now." Rin said before she could censor herself. Her eyes snapped to Sesshomaru's and he bowed his head.
"Rin…" He trailed off, almost unsure of what to say.
Rin gazed at him curiously. Sesshomaru was always so sure of himself. He always knew what to do, what needed to be done. He was never at a loss for words. Sesshomaru was showing her a nearly vulnerable side to him she had never seen before and it touched her as nothing else could. She couldn't stand to see him suffer. Hesitantly she placed her hand above his on the bed.
Sesshomaru looked at her tiny hand atop his and he turned his so he could thread his fingers through hers. He looked into her eyes and slowly raised their connected hands to his mouth as he tenderly kissed her fingertips.
Rin held her breath, awed at the affection he was displaying.
"Rin…little one…I owe you a thousand apologies. There aren't enough lifetimes for me to make up to you what was done. What you must have witnessed." At his reference to his time with Kitsune, Rin tried to release his hand but he held on tightly and would not allow it. "I ask for your forgiveness." He asked formally.
Sesshomaru could feel the void within her. A hollow emptiness he could only blame upon himself. Whereas before Rin had always demonstrated affection, loyalty and love for him in abundance, he could not feel it or even sense it from her now. Just that emptiness. Her body responded to his lightest touch but he couldn't detect her emotions and it was driving him crazy. Which was odd in itself as he was always in control, but the thought of Rin slipping away from him, even with just her emotions was killing him. He feared she would never forgive him for his betrayal and he wanted her forgiveness. He needed her forgiveness.
For the first time in five hundred years Sesshomaru gave in to impulse. He leaned down and brushed her lips with his. Rin's eyes widened in surprise, then he pressed his mouth more firmly against hers, deepening the kiss and she was lost. Rin felt him pour all his emotion into that kiss, his sorrow for failing her, his longing for her and his near desperation to have her forgive him. Rin couldn't help but respond to him. She reached up and threaded her free hand into his silver hair. Sesshomaru lightly trailed kisses along her cheek then nibbled her jaw playfully.
Rin felt herself tremble against him when he leaned back and slowly pulled the comforter down, exposing her body wrapped in her kimono to him, then ran both his hands up her arms and back to her neck in a soft caress. He allowed his hands to trail lightly down to where the kimono wrapped across her chest in a deep v. Sesshomaru ran his fingers down her cleavage, skin to skin, leaving goosebumps in their wake before he looked at her questioningly as if asking for permission to continue.
Rin swallowed audibly and nodded her head as her heart pounded.
Sesshomaru slowly, reverently opened her kimono down to her stomach. Her nipples hardened but were still covered by the fabric. Using both hands to span her tiny waist, Sesshomaru moved them up slowly to her ribcage causing Rin's breath to stutter in anticipation. Rin was grateful he was moving very slowly, giving her more than enough time to stop this if she wanted and keeping her from feeling too exposed. If he had bared her instantly she was sure she would have panicked. She had had many fantasies and dreams of Sesshomaru touching her, caressing her but they paled in comparison to the reality of it. He was being extremely gentle with her and that void she had felt whenever she was around him was starting to warm, as if he was filling her up with the touch of his bare skin against hers.
Sesshomaru leaned forward and ran gentle kisses along the path of her exposed chest, past her stomach and to just beneath her naval. He then opened his mouth and used his tongue to trace the same path back up to the valley of her breasts and nipped lightly at her throat before he kissed her lips again.
Rin was lost in the magic of the moment. She opened her mouth and felt his tongue sweep inside, leaving her hot and aching. He moved his hands up, cupping her breasts over the fabric and ran his thumbs over her tight nipples before lightly flicking them with his fingernails.
Rin gasped into his mouth.
Sesshomaru leaned a little away and watched the expressions sliding across Rin's face at his touch. He flicked her nipple again and enjoyed watching her eyes nearly roll to the back of her head as she panted lightly.
Sesshomaru moved aside the fabric covering her breasts and leaned down to take one turgid nipple into his mouth as he gently kneaded her other breast with his hand. Rin moaned loudly and she could feel Sesshomaru's lips smile against her. He gave her nipple one last lick before he moved up and whispered into her ear "Quiet little one. Unless you would like for my family or your precious Kohaku to burst in to see if I'm distressing you."
Rin felt herself blush to the roots of her hair and Sesshomaru took a stinging nip of her earlobe before soothing it with his tongue. Shivers raced down her spine with every flick of his tongue to her ear. She had had no idea it was that sensitive.
Sesshomaru reached down with his hand and very slowly caressed her knee before sliding his hand up her thigh through the high slit of her kimono.
Rin froze and would've protested if he hadn't, at that very moment, captured her lips with another soul searing kiss. Distracted, Rin didn't even realize his intention until she felt his fingers between her thighs.
Rin squealed and attempted to clamp her thighs together. She pressed her hands against Sesshomaru's chest and whispered raggedly. "Please…" She begged, not entirely sure if she was begging for him to stop or to continue. Every sensation she was experiencing was new and frightening for Rin. Her body didn't feel like it was her own anymore. She wasn't sure if she wanted to stay or run as far away as she could.
Sesshomaru kissed her lips lightly and whispered against them. "Relax little one. I would never hurt you. Allow me to do this for you."
He kissed her eyelids closed and kissed the tip of her nose so tenderly Rin felt her heart beat wildly within her chest. He was being so gentle with her, giving her a moment to make her decision. Unsure, and not understanding her own bodies demands, Rin was about to halt everything when he said with heartbreaking vulnerability. "Don't fear me Rin."
Rin looked into his eyes and saw the remorse he wasn't trying to hide from her. He hated the idea that she feared him. There was desperation in their depths as well. He needed something from her and she could do no other than give him what he needed. Rin took a deep breath and forced herself to relax. Sesshomaru kissed her rewardingly for placing her trust in him again. He very gently explored her with his fingers and when thumb found a knotted bundle of nerves she nearly jackknifed off the bed. He circled the tiny knot before he pressed against it firmly and then played her body to the tune of his own making.
Rin felt herself climbing towards something incredible. Heat engulfed her and she turned her head and pressed her fist to her mouth, trying desperately to remain silent. Her heart hammered against her chest and blood rushed to her ears. His magical fingers pushed her over the edge and she would've screamed in ecstasy if he hadn't caught her cry with his mouth. Once her body stopped pulsing she felt lethargy take over her. Her limbs felt heavy and her eyelids drooped with the need to sleep, her climax had been so strong.
Sesshomaru raised his fingers to his lips and licked the moisture from them to Rin's infinite embarrassment. He gently raised the comforter up to her chin again and placed a warm kiss to her cheek. "Rest little one."
"Please stay with me." Rin whispered before exhaustion overtook her.
Sesshomaru climbed in behind her on the bed and wrapped his arms protectively around her. Rin had never felt safer in her life or more cherished. She happily dozed off to sleep with Sesshomaru's lips against her temple, bathing her in sweet, small caresses.