Rin moved her gaze to the head of the court where Lord Sesshomaru sat in state.
It had been only yesterday that he had sent her away from his study.
Was he angry with her?
She could think of no other reason that would account for him behaving in this strange fashion. It seemed that he could hardly bear to be in her presence.
She thought furiously, but could not think of any transgression that would have earned her his displeasure. He had not appeared to be angry with her at the wedding, when she had had too much sake…but then why was everything so different now?
She was still staring at him when his eyes moved from the nobleman who was currently speaking, to settle on her own.
His gaze suddenly dropped to her mouth, and back to her eyes, and she was caught in those bright golden eyes. She gasped at the strangeness of the look. There was something in his gaze that made it difficult for her to move, to think…even to breathe.
His eyes moved back to the youkai who was still talking, and she felt the breath enter her lungs in a harsh inhale as the weight of his gaze was removed.
Impossibly, she could have sworn she saw a ghost of a smile cross her lord's lips.
Her head was still in a whirl when he stood up, signalling that the time he gave to the demands of his court was now at an end.
Five minutes later, Jaken had come to her with his summons.
'Lord Sesshomaru wishes you to come to his study,' the little demon told her.
She followed him, feeling alternately hot and cold.
'Master Jaken,' she said as she paused outside the doors. 'Do you know why I was called here?'
The toad's eyes grew wide. 'Insolent girl! It is not for either of us to question Lord Sesshomaru's motives!'
'Forgive me, Jaken,' she said breathlessly, wringing her hands. 'I do not question my lord—I only—I only—'
Jaken stepped closer to her, his wide eyes filling with concern as he saw her obvious distress.
'It is probably nothing, Rin,' he said awkwardly, his hand hovering over her own, which were shaking. He seemed as if to pat them reassuringly, but he did not.
'Lord Sesshomaru is waiting,' he reminded her after a pause.
She nodded, heart pounding as she tapped on the door.
'Enter,' came the call from within, and she took a deep breath as she slid the door open.
She took a few steps into the room and waited for him to speak.
'You did not finish your song yesterday.'
A wave of relief swept over her, making her feel almost giddy. He was not angry with her!
With a smile, she moved to the koto, and settled herself before it. He stood by the window, staring out into the sky as the music swelled, filling the room. Her fingers fairly flew over the strings as she played, her heart light as a bird at the thought that her lord was not displeased with her.
So caught up was she in the music, watching her own fingers on the strings, that she jumped when he suddenly placed his hand on hers. The strings jarred, the notes ending discordantly as she jumped in surprise.
'My lord?' she said breathlessly. His hand on her own was making her skin tingle.
He said nothing, running his long, graceful fingers over her hands as if fascinated by their shape. His hand drifted under the silk of her kimono, lightly lingering on her forearm.
She could not control the shiver that raced through her frame.
He looked up at that, and she forgot to breathe as his golden gaze held her captive once again. Very slowly, he raised his hand to her face, running a gentle thumb over her cheekbone. Her lips parted as she drew air in a harsh pant, and his gaze fell on her mouth.
Her heart pounded as his hand shifted, and then he was passing his thumb over her lower lip.
'Beautiful,' he said in a soft whisper, his eyes brighter than she had ever seen them.
'My lord…' she whispered, unaware that she was doing so. Her gaze had riveted itself to his mouth, and she saw a smile cross his lips.
'It has taken you a long time, Rin,' he said softly, and she blinked.
'For what, my lord?' she asked unsteadily, and saw his smile widen.
'For you to wonder what it would be like if I were to take your mouth with mine,' he replied.
Her eyes widened as she stared at him in shock, heart pounding as he leaned closer, still with that strange look in his eyes.
'Do you wish to find out?'
And with that he leaned forward, catching her lips with his own.
--
She was hesitant, her lips stiff and dry as he brushed his mouth over hers.
He drew away from her a moment later, looking at the shocked confusion in her eyes, and the flush on her face.
'You are a woman, now, Rin,' he said softly to her. 'Know that I see you as such.'
She nodded dazedly, a look of wonder in her eyes, and he drifted his fingers over her face as he released her.
'Go now.'
She nodded again, and swept out of the room without another word.
She had not protested at his show of affections.
He watched as she left the room, and it was only when he knew she was halfway to her own rooms that he smiled.
---
He had kissed her.
Lord Sesshomaru had kissed her.
Rin sat in front of her mirror in a daze, listening to Hitomi putter about in her own room. She raised a hand to her lips, which still tingled, and traced her fingers over them. No, she didn't feel like her heart would burst when she ran her own hand over her skin.
Why was the sensation of his fingers on her skin so different?
'My lady?'
She started when Hitomi called her name, and looked up to see that her lady in waiting had come up behind her, and was eyeing her suspiciously in the mirror.
'My lady,' she said firmly. 'Tell me the truth. You went somewhere after Lord Sesshomaru spoke to you, didn't you?'
When she didn't reply, Hitomi narrowed her eyes.
'Were you with a man just now?'
Rin blinked, running her tongue over suddenly dry lips. She did not feel like sharing the details of her encounter with Lord Sesshomaru, it was too private, too sacred for that. But the look on her face gave her away, as did the flush climbing up her cheeks at the memory of those moments she had spent in her lord's arms just a little while ago.
Reluctantly, she nodded.
Hitomi's lips thinned, her brow creasing. 'Did he touch you?' she asked.
She said nothing, but she knew that her heightened blush gave her away.
'My lady,' Hitomi clucked in distress, 'you cannot allow this man to take such liberties! Lord Sesshomaru would not approve of it!'
Rin fought hard against the smile that tugged at her mouth at that statement, and succeeded in containing herself only by biting the inside of her cheek.
In other circumstances, she knew Hitomi would have been right. She frowned as she remembered how protective her lord was of her, and she had always seen him only as her adored guardian, but now…
'You must tell me who this man is,' Hitomi said firmly, breaking into her thoughts. 'I wish to have a talk with him.'
She shook her head, eyes wide. 'I cannot tell you,' she said to her maid.
'But—my lady—'
'I am sorry, but no.'
Hitomi sighed, and moved to start tying her hair into the style she wore when she went in to dine with Lord Sesshomaru and Jaken.
'Please, my lady,' the older woman said, her voice pleading. 'Please be careful. Don't let this man force you to do anything you don't want to do. Such intimacies are only to be shared between those who love each other.'
At that, Rin blinked. Love?
She had always adored Lord Sesshomaru with a simple, wholehearted devotion, but love?
You are a woman, now, Rin…Know that I see you as such…
'How am I to know if I love him, Hitomi?'
Her maid paused in her movements, and met her eyes in the mirror. 'If you like spending time with him, if you never feel so happy as when you are with him…if you want him to always be content…if you do not mind sharing intimacies with him—you are in love.'
She cocked her head in thought. Did she feel that way about her lord?
Yes, came the answer. She smiled a little giddily. Yes, she was in love with Lord Sesshomaru.
'And you know he loves you when he respects you, he shows consideration for your feelings, when he doesn't try to force you to do anything,' Hitomi went on, voice firm.
Happiness bloomed in her at the thought that her lord might possibly love her in the same way, too…
She nodded as her eyes met those of her maid's, touched at the concern the youkai showed for her.
'Thank you, Hitomi,' she said, laying a hand on the other woman's.
The youkai nodded, and silently went back to her work.
---
When Sesshomaru entered the dining room that afternoon, Rin blushed as their eyes met. There was no shock in her expressive eyes now, though, there was only an awed wonderment as she looked at him.
She peeked shyly at him from under her lashes as he sat down, and he hid his triumph as she coloured again.
Clearly, he had achieved his first victory.
The fact was proved a day later, when he called her to his study again, and she stood before him in a red kimono—one that she knew he liked—and his favourite flower in her hair.
He beckoned her to join him at his table, and he could hear her heart pounding as she came to him. He took her chin in his clawed hand, giving her time to pull away, and his heart leapt in triumph as she allowed him to lean down and slowly kiss her.
She was nervous and hesitant at first, but then she softened against him.
After a while, she began to respond, her lips clinging to his as he slowly coaxed her mouth open, letting the tip of his tongue play against hers.
He kissed her leisurely, taking his time in learning the shape and contours of her delightful, hot, wet mouth, and when he drew away from her long minutes later, they were both breathing hard.
He met her eyes then, and saw that hers were nearly black. He felt a jolt of lust hit him when he saw that her lips were already swollen. From his kisses.
He moved toward her again, heart pounding at the way she tipped her head up eagerly, to meet his mouth with her own open one. They nipped at each other's mouths, their breaths intermingling. He moved down to her neck; and she shuddered as he licked at the pulse point jumping under her skin.
He drew away from her to look at her. She looked dazed, her eyes dilated as she stared back at him. She raised a hand to her lips, her breathing loud in the quiet room.
'Leave me now. I would draw up this treaty tonight, and you distract me,' he said softly to her, and she nodded slowly, eyes still hazy.
She stood up slowly, and he could see that her legs were unsteady as she turned to leave.
'Will you still come down to dine with me?'
Her eyes were hopeful as she looked up at him, and he found he couldn't deny her, despite the responsibilities pressing down on him.
He nodded, and she glowed as she smiled at him.
He couldn't just let her go. He could still hear her heart pounding and her shallow breaths rasping through her lungs, could still taste her lips on his own…
'Rin,' he called.
She turned at the door, and crossed the room to stand in front of him. He looked into her flushed face, and felt a sense of satisfaction that he had put that look in her eyes.
Leaning forward, he kissed her again, gently. Breaking away, he ran his thumb over her lower lip, careful not to let his claws hurt her.
'Remember that,' he said to her, and she nodded, her pulse jumping under his fingers as she turned to leave with a brilliant smile.
---
Sesshomaru moved his hand up into the silken fall of her hair as he angled his open mouth over hers.
This day, like the others, had started out in court, where he listened to his advisors and vassals bringing their seemingly endless problems to him. He had endured it somehow, thinking of the coming afternoon with anticipation, and then he was in his study, and Rin was in his arms, their mouths fused as he sought to teach her the pleasures of physical intimacy.
He had never enjoyed these particular pleasures before, though he had long known about them—his education had been complete, after all—for the simple reason that he had never seen it fit to lose control for a mindless dalliance of a few moments, as seemed to be favoured by most youkai.
But now, he was making up for lost time, and the beautiful girl sighing in his arms was proving that it had been well worth relinquishing his control to her.
Sesshomaru took her hands in his own, and moved them up until they rested on his shoulders. She looked up at him shyly, seeming to find it strange to be touching him.
He reassured her with another kiss, and she moaned against his lips, the sound igniting his insides. Her tongue moved against his, shyly tracing his fangs, and he groaned.
His open mouth dropped to her neck and she moved restlessly against him, hands tightening on his shoulders. Would it feel the same when she moved over his bare skin, he wondered dazedly. He growled low in his throat at the thought.
He licked a path up her neck, and she trembled, a gasp on her lips. He felt like he couldn't get enough of her, he wanted to taste every inch of her, to put his mouth all over her luscious body…
His lips moved to her ear lobe, and he nipped at the delicate flesh, delighting in the shudder she could not suppress.
'Rin,' he whispered hotly into her ear.
She arched her neck, and he shivered when he felt her small hands hands clench in his pelt. With a sigh, she leaned back against his arm encircling her waist, almost as if she was boneless. Her eyes were heavy lidded as she gazed up at him, and she panted as she sought to force air into her lungs.
'I love you,' she said dazedly, and his heart leapt, though he kept his gaze neutral.
'We have always loved each other,' he replied non commitally, knowing how much of himself he had just revealed, but prepared to risk it in order to know her mind.
'Not like this,' she shook her head, drawing heaving breaths as she licked at her dry lips. Pulling his head down, she met his mouth with her own. 'I love you like this, my lord…'
At those words, he kissed her fiercely, his joy overwhelming his usual reserve. She responded enthusiastically, and soon they were lost in each other again. He broke away from her a moment later to look down into her eyes.
Slowly, he laid her down against the mats, and she stared up at him silently as he hovered over her body, her eyes huge in the soft light of the early evening.
He propped himself on one elbow as he reclined over her body. His hand moved to her kimono, and he traced the silk with his fingers as he leaned forward to whisper in her ear.
'Take this off for me.'
Her eyes widened, and she hesitated for a long moment before she raised shaking fingers to her robes. In a few moments, she was bare to the waist.
She lay displayed to him, her hair swirled around her wildly, her eyes hooded, her lips swollen and beautiful, the curves of her breasts rising generously to precise, upraised peaks. She ran her tongue over her lips and his body clenched at the unconscious invitation in the gesture.
He said nothing, did nothing, waiting until she would feel comfortable with the situation. He could see it in her eyes, she wished desperately to cover herself from his gaze, her hands clenching and unclenching as her body's responses fought with her shyness. She licked her lips again, and his eyes followed the path of her tongue helplessly. After what felt like aeons, he felt her relax against the mats.
He felt a smile touch his mouth. He had her permission.
Very, very gently, he laid his hand on her collar bone, moving his fingertips over her hot skin. She was so delicate, he mused, as he acquainted himself with her skin in long, slow strokes. He let his hand drift until his fingertips ghosted over the tops of her breasts, and she moved restlessly beneath him.
Ah, she liked that.
He'd wondered what she'd feel like under his hands, and now he knew. She was like a living flame, and all of a sudden, the image of her burning beneath him, on fire for him, rose up in his mind, and he felt his stomach clench in response.
Very slowly, he let his fingers find one burgeoning nipple and ran his thumb over it, savoring her gasping shudder. His hand settled over the delicate mound, testing the weight of it in his palm. She stirred again, and his hand moved to show similar attention to her other breast.
Her eyes had become dark and inviting, and her breath was coming in sharp gasps now, making those beautiful breasts heave up and down.
His hand drifted to her hip as he leaned down, and gently kissed the tip of her breast. She moaned now, and encouraged by the sound, he took the point into his mouth, laving it with the tip of his tongue.
'Ooooh,' she gasped, her hands coming up to convulsively clutch at his head as she writhed under his tongue.
He smiled against her breast, and continued to pleasure her with his mouth.
It was a long time before he ceased his exploration of her body, and even longer before she made her way back to her own rooms.
-----
Rin paced in her room as she felt impatience war with concern within her.
Lord Sesshomaru had gone to check on the strength of his borders immediately after he had left court that morning, glancing her way only once, with a look of something like regret in his eyes before he had left.
That had been five hours ago. Now it was seven in the evening, and he had still not returned.
She had had a listless lunch with Jaken, disappointed that he hadn't been there with her, staring at her across the table with heavy, dark eyes that followed her every move…
She paused in her circuit of the room, wondering what was keeping him. It had only been three weeks since their relationship had changed, but already she had gotten used to feeling her lord's arms around her, to feeling his lips on her own…
Her body tingled, and she nearly let loose with a cry of frustration. Nowadays, when she thought of her lord, fire would pool in her lower belly, and her skin would feel like it was too tight for her own body.
More and more, she felt she could not go a single day without kissing him, without running her hands shyly through his hair, without clutching at his shoulders as he tangled his tongue with hers…
She felt herself colour as she remembered the events of two days before. He had asked her to take off her robes, and she had found she could not refuse the dark pleading in his voice. Hitomi had warned her not to be forced into anything, but it had only taken her a moment to realise that she wanted to be seen by him, very, very much.
But now, being looked at what not enough. Now she wanted to see.
She wanted to run her fingers over his flesh, she wanted her fingertips to know the bare skin of the shoulders she clutched at in her pleasure…
Rin raised a hand to the heat she felt in her cheeks, flustered by her thoughts.
At that moment, Hitomi entered the room.
She looked at Rin's pinkened cheeks with disapproval, and she frowned at the words that left her lady's mouth.
'Has Lord Sesshomaru returned yet?'
The youkai shook her head no, letting out a sigh of disappointment at her lady's hasty exit.
Evidently the child was off to meet that man she had been seeing lately. It must be the only reason she was so concerned about when Lord Sesshomaru would return. She probably didn't want the lord to tear the poor youkai into pieces if he were to find them together.
Lord Sesshomaru was known to have a fearful temper.
Hitomi sighed, and moved to put aside the things scattered about her lady's room. She had tried to find out who this man was, but Rin was being extraordinarily discreet. She hoped the affair would have a happy ending. She would hate to see Rin get hurt, the child was a joy to serve.
------
Rin found him an hour later, walking in through the gates.
It was strange to see him in armor again, he had not worn it once since he had returned.
He stopped when he saw her, and blinked slowly. He said nothing, and for a moment, she was worried that he was angered by her presumption in daring to come looking for him—as if he was but an errant pup.
'My lord—'
He cut her off, his voice soft when he spoke. 'I had not realised how late it was.'
She shook her head, unable to speak. He was apologising to her?
He came closer, catching her by the wrists. 'Were you waiting long for me?'
Rin bit her lip, and nodded slowly. 'I couldn't go another moment without seeing you,' she confessed softly.
His eyes glittered at that, and he pulled on her arm, leading her away from the house and its inhabitants.
She followed him into the nearby gardens, and when he sank to the ground, she tumbled into his lap. He settled his back against a tree trunk, and she leaned against his arm as she sat more comfortably in his embrace.
'Rin,' he said huskily.
His eyes were dark with longing, and she controlled a small shiver. Excitement climbed in her at the sound of her name on his lips.
She curled her arms over his shoulders, her hands resting at the nape of his neck. He moved forward, mouth meeting hers in a long kiss. He kissed her softly, withdrawing every now and then to give her a series of successively deeper kisses before he slowly opened his mouth and swept his tongue inside. She let out a muffled moan, and she felt him smile into their kiss.
He drew his fingers in slow circles over her hip, before slowly moving his hand lower, until it cupped the ripe curves of her bottom. She broke away with a gasp.
'Ai,' she moaned, feeling her blood almost sizzle at the touch of his hands on her flesh.
Her head lolled back on her neck, she felt like she couldn't keep it upright. He leaned forward and laved her fluttering pulse point with his velvety tongue.
His hand left her bottom with a last sweet caress, and moved to her shoulders. He traced over the edges of her kimono, and she broke away from his lips to tug feverishly at her robes. Soon she was naked to the waist, the cool night air caressing her burning skin.
His eyes glittered as his hand swept over her form in heated strokes.
'Rin,' he said huskily, 'stand up for me.'
She obeyed, her knees shaky as he looked at her. He reached up, loosening the ties of her obi, and drew her down again with his hand on her wrist.
She went down to him, but this time he arranged her legs so that they were on either side of him. She gasped at the heat coming off him, feeling her nipples tighten in response. She couldn't take it any more. She had to ask.
'My lord,' she said hesitantly, raising her eyes to his, 'I—I wish to touch your skin.'
Impossibly, his eyes seemed to grow hotter at her words, and then he smiled, a slow, predatory smile. Her breath caught in her throat, and she felt her heart pound faster.
'As you wish,' he said softly, letting his arms fall back to his side.
Her fingers shook as she gently moved his pelt aside, the soft fur slipping through her fingers. Her hands moved to his armor, fumbling with the ties, and soon she was untying his haori. He said nothing, lying back against the tree trunk, watching her go about her task with hooded eyes.
With a sigh of accomplishment, she pushed the fine silk off his shoulders, her hands immediately going to the flesh she found underneath. His skin was hot under her fingertips, and she smiled as she ran her hands over his chest, loving the feel of the rippling muscles under her palms.
Her fingers trailed down his arms to his hands, which were now clenched against the bark of the tree behind him. She traced the magenta stripes around his wrists in fascination, and the question was out before she could think about it.
'Do you have these elsewhere on your body?'
He smiled again, opening his eyes, which had fallen shut during her explorations.
'One day soon, you shall undoubtedly find out,' he said huskily.
She smiled back at him, and let her hands feather up his skin and onto his shoulders. She moved to his face, and traced gentle fingertips over the crescent moon on his forehead, before moving down to the stripes on his cheeks. Her fingers drifted to the pointed ears that had so fascinated her as a child, and she saw him slam his eyes shut at the first touch.
Struck by his reaction, she leaned forward to take the lobe of his ear between her teeth. She had enjoyed it when he had done the same to her, perhaps he would like it, too…
He rumbled low in his chest when she swept her tongue over the point, and she smiled against his flesh as she moved away from him. His pelt had wrapped itself around her waist, and the sensation of the fur moving against her hot skin was delightful.
His hair was falling over his chest now, and she moved it aside carefully, drawing the silken strands through her fingers reverently. She followed one lock of hair to its end, and found the flat, hard disc of his nipple. On an instinct, she lightly raked it with her nails, and let out a gasp when he moved convulsively against her.
'Again,' she said breathlessly, running her nails over him once more.
His eyes sparked as he moved again, this time more deliberately, and she felt something hard brush against the heat between her legs. She gasped again, and this time she moved too, hips jerking instinctively.
He groaned at the contact, head falling back against the tree, eyes slipping shut. He seemed to like that. She did it again, and this time a spark zipped through her body as well, making her cry out.
And then he was grinding against her in long, slow strokes, and her breath was coming faster and faster…
She blinked when he suddenly stopped, his head cocked as if listening to something far off.
The next moment he was pulling her kimono closed, and then he gently pushed her off his body, adjusting his own robes to cover himself.
She hurriedly pulled herself together, her hands shaking, her breath still coming in gasps. Suddenly, she remembered his armor, and whirled to help him fasten it again.
'This is not over,' he said to her in a low voice as her fingers collided with his on the straps. She shivered at the promise in his voice, and nodded.
Now she could hear it too, the sound of footsteps coming toward them. She sprang up, and stood a safe distance away from her lord as Jaken burst into the garden.
'There you are, Rin!' he cried. 'I have been looking for you everywhere! Your maid has been frantic! No one could find you in the house, you went off without a word—'
He broke off his stream of invective when he caught sight of the other person in the garden. 'L-Lord Sesshomaru!' he stammered as he took a step back. 'I did not see you!'
Her lord raised an eyebrow as he glared at the toad. 'Is there a problem?'
Rin hid a smile. She, too, was not feeling very kindly disposed to Jaken at the moment, not after he had just interrupted them.
'No, my lord!' Jaken quickly reassured him. 'We were all wondering where she was.' The toad turned his head toward her, little eyes bulging. 'Stupid girl, making us all worry about you—'
'Jaken.'
The youkai stopped, turning to face his lord.
'Do not speak to her that way.'
His tone was mild, but then he did not need to raise his voice for an order to be carried out. She felt happiness bloom in her as he defended her. It was all she could do not to smile giddily.
He stood up gracefully, and her eyes followed his movements almost helplessly.
'Come,' he said, turning to her. She nodded, following him as he led her back to the mansion.
------
It was only with great difficulty that Sesshomaru was able to restrain himself from inflicting violence on his servant.
His eyes turned to the side, where Jaken was walking beside him. Evidently, the toad had realised that his master was not in the best of moods; he was keeping quiet, an unusual thing for him.
Curse the fool for disturbing them. Another moment, and undoubtedly, she would have—
His hands clenched at the thought of someone else coming across Rin as she had been at that moment, her head thrown back, mouth open on a gasp as she writhed against him…
No. No one but him would ever see her that way, lost to the pleasure he could awaken in her.
They reached the house in time for the evening meal. Sesshomaru was not hungry, but he went into dinner despite it, knowing that it pleased Rin to share her time with him.
That evening, he could not keep his eyes off her form, and often, she would look up to meet his eyes. At those times, she would colour, her eyes widening, and he knew that she was reliving those moments she had spent in his arms in the garden.
And when his desire threatened to flare out of control, he promised himself: tomorrow. She would be his tomorrow.
Accordingly, he started to make arrangements early the next day, once his obligations to his court had come to an end.
'Jaken,' he said to the toad as he looked out of the window in his study, 'I do not wish to be disturbed today.'
Turning, he met the eyes of the other youkai. 'For anything.'
The toad nodded anxiously, and he turned back to the window, pleased. 'I have made arrangements in the kitchens. See to it that they are carried out.'
'You may leave, Jaken. Send Rin in to see me.'
She came to him a few minutes later, smiling and pink cheeked.
'Yes, my lord?'
'We are going out today, Rin,' he said, looking down at her happy face. 'We shall only return in the evening.'
Her eyes widened in surprise, and he went on, 'I wish to leave in one hour. Make any arrangements you may need.'
She nodded, and with a last smile at him, went out of the room.
They left the house a little while later, and he led her to the woods that lay in the lands surrounding his house. In his hand he carried a basket.
He knew Rin was curious as to their destination, as well as the basket and its contents, but she did not bother him with questions. They did not speak much, and the peace he often felt in her presence washed over him in waves.
She gasped when they crossed the hill that covered their destination from plain sight: it was a field of flowers that would have sent her younger self into raptures of ecstacy, but which now served to make her eyes shine in delight as she looked at him.
He nodded at her, and with a brilliant smile at him, she slipped off her sandals, running barefoot down the hill and into the flowers.
He had pulled out the contents of the basket by the time she had returned, arms full of flowers of various kinds. She stopped, and stared at the food spread over the grass in amazement. Gracefully, she slid to the ground, her back to the tree he leaned against, her lap full of the flowers.
His hand reached for a bloom, and he placed it behind her ear, fingers lingering on the delicate shell of her ear. She shivered under his touch, and he leaned forward to kiss her gently.
'Eat,' he said to her as he drew away. She nodded, and he watched with hooded eyes as she ate, her sensual enjoyment of the food increasing his hunger for her.
Soon, she had finished with her meal, and her fingers went back to the flowers she had plucked, weaving them into an elaborate crown, much like she used to make when she had been younger.
When she was finished, she set it on her head with a grin. 'How do I look, my lord?' she asked teasingly.
'Beautiful,' he replied, and she blushed at the lust that had laced his tone.
She was smiling as he tugged her into his arms and met her mouth with his. The kiss was gentle at first, but then she opened her mouth against his, and brushed the sharp points of his fangs, her tongue a slow, langrous sweep against his own. He shuddered into her touch, and she tangled her fingers in the fall of his hair.
She had grown bolder, his Rin.
His blood heated at the thought, and he pulled away from her to lick at the salty skin of her neck. 'Rin,' he murmured into her hot skin, 'I cannot wait any longer. Will you stay with this Sesshomaru tonight?'
She stiffened above him, and he drew away from her to look into her fearful eyes. It caused his heart to plummet, and he wondered if he had misjudged her eagerness to be one with him.
Slowly, she nodded, trepidation evident in her movements. After a few moments, while he stroked her hair comfortingly, she spoke.
'My lord,' she said hesitantly, not meeting his eyes, 'I do not fully know of what you speak, but…I do not wish to disappoint you.'
Relief washed over him. 'You will not,' he assured her. She did not appear to be convinced, however, and it was only after another long, slow kiss, that she seemed any happier.
They spent a few more hours in the gardens, surrounded by the scent of the flowers, while she spoke about how she had spent the years before he had returned to his home.
When dusk fell, he climbed to his feet, and she did the same. He left the basket where it was; a servant would find it and bring it back home later.
He took her hand in his as they walked home, and her answering smile was shy as she twined her fingers with his, giving them a little squeeze, and he was pleased by the success of his impulsive gesture.
They did not speak as they walked, each of them content to let the silence envelop them. She sighed happily when his thumb moved over her fingers in a caress, and he felt a gentle smile grace his own features.
It was night by the time they had reached his house, and she frowned at him as he pulled her to a side entrance. She had made to enter through the main hall, but he did not want anyone else to witness these private moments. This night belonged to them.
She followed him hesitantly as he led her to his rooms, her steps slow and unsure. For his part, he did his best not to rush her, hoping against hope that she would not change her mind.
Soon, they were safely inside his rooms, the doors shut tight against the world outside. Her eyes were huge as she looked at him, and her breath was shallow. He knew she was nervous, and tried to reassure her the best way he knew how.
He leaned forward and kissed her.
She sighed as his hand moved up to rest on her breast, and when he brushed her nipple with his thumb, she gasped into his mouth.
----
She was melting.
There was no other word for it. His fingers, so hot and so hard on her, were turning her to liquid. She wondered that they hadn't gone up in flames together, she felt almost incandescent with the pleasure of his touch.
She moved restlessly in his arms, and he groaned low in his throat.
'Rin,' he ground out against her ear, causing goosebumps to break out over her skin.
Her head spun at the tone of his voice.
He sounded like he was dying for want of her.
She smiled as she felt a surge of raw feminine power go through her. That she could make him feel that way…
'My lord,' she said softly, nipping at his mouth, running her hands over the stripes on his cheeks. Her hands moved down his strong neck to feather over his chest, she could feel his heart beating, hard and fast. It matched the blood pounding in her veins with abandon, and her fingers curled in a caress.
He responded by touching his tongue to the pulse tripping in her neck, and she moaned softly. She tugged at his haori, impatient to feel his skin under her fingers again. Slowly, he pulled it open, and she sighed with pleasure as her eager hands found his skin.
She licked her suddenly dry lips, and saw his amber eyes glitter. And then he was on her again, leaving no room for thought as his mouth met hers again and again and again…
He drew her closer to him, pulling her body flush with his with an arm around her waist. She bucked involuntarily at the feel of the hardness pressing against her, and he fairly growled. He pulled away from her, and looked her in the eye.
'Take off your kimono,' he said huskily, and she obeyed, her earlier fears about disappointing him forgotten.
Slowly, trying to control her pounding heart, she untied her obi and peeled the silk away from her body, enjoying the subtle change in his breathing, and they way his eyes grew darker, until they seemed nearly black in the candlelight.
----
She was beautiful.
He feasted his eyes on the loveliness that was her body, and once again, was grateful that this bewitching creature had chosen to give her love to him.
She blushed, and he could see it start all over her body, moving up to settle in her cheeks.
With a smile, he bent to kiss the crook of her neck, moving down over the soft, delicately scented skin of her breasts, enjoying the way she writhed against him.
Tenderly, he smoothed his hand over her, taking pleasure in the sensual feel of her hot skin under his fingertips.
His hand moved to her thighs, and he moved his fingers between them, tracing her moist curls. Her mouth fell open on a gasp when he slid one finger inside her, careful of his claws. The sound of her gasping moan added to his low growl when he saw how wet she was for him. He was spiralling out of control, all he could see was her, all he could smell was her musky scent all around him, surrounding him…
'Oh-oh-oh,' she moaned, and his fingers jerked at the sound.
He felt a thrill go through him when she tangled her fingers in his pelt, and he leaned down again, kissing her neck as he slowly moved his fingers. Soon she was moaning and sighing, and kissing every part of him she could reach as her arms clutched at him. He pressed his thumb against her, and she bit down hard on his ear lobe, but he didn't care, the sight of her writhing in his arms was well worth the slight discomfort.
'My lord,' her voice was strangled when she spoke, 'I do not think I can—'
She broke off as her knees sagged, and he caught her quickly before she could fall.
She blushed as he set her down on the futon, laying down with her. 'Do not fear,' he said gently as her eyes skipped away from his. 'I am well pleased with you.'
'And I with you,' she replied shyly, and his heart swelled at her praise.
He looked into her eyes, and after an endless moment, she nodded.
------
She had not really known what he was asking of her when he looked into her eyes, she had only known that he was seeking her permission.
Her heart was pounding with hesitation and fear and anticipation all at once, and it was with difficulty that she had nodded, trusting him not to hurt her.
With a grunt, he frantically worked to divest himself of the rest of his clothes. And then he was on her again, the hard angles and planes of his body pressing into her as he kissed her. He broke away from her and tangled his hand in her hair, pulling her head back as he laved her neck with open mouthed kisses.
Somewhere in the middle of it all, he wrapped an arm around her waist and lifted her a little so he could slide into her. She stiffened in shock and pain as she felt him fill her, and he stilled, face hidden in her hair.
'My lord?' she said, voice quivery.
'The pain will pass,' he said softly. 'It could not be helped.' He paused, and took a deep breath. 'Hold still for a moment,' he went on, voice husky.
But she could not, the feeling of being stretched made her want to move and ease the tension building in her body.
Obeying her instincts, she gave an experimental roll of her hips, feeling her mucles contract and give her momentary relief.
He groaned and raised his head, face twisted in pleasure. She felt his breath leave him on a shaky exhalation, and with wonder, she realised that he was fighting for control.
Suddenly, she remembered that he had liked it when she had moved against him yesterday…
Biting her lip in determination, she deliberately rolled her hips again. This time, a flame licked through her body, making her moan and shiver under him. The muscles in his shoulders bunched under her fingers as his upper body reared away from her, sweat dripping from his forehead.
'Hold still,' he admonished her, voice tortured.
'I cannot,' she said helplessly, and then she leaned up to run her tongue over the pulse hammering in his neck.
Her small teeth moved down to bite into his shoulder, and she felt him shudder under her tongue. He moved in her, almost involuntarily, and it was her turn to gasp as she fell back against the pillows.
With that, he started to move, his mouth still on her neck, biting into her flesh and then laving her with his hot, hot tongue as he surged into her with sharp thrusts that sent her senses reeling.
It was too much, and her back arched as she moaned helplessly. Her hands flew up to cup his face, caressing the stripes on his cheeks, thumb moving over his mouth. His lips parted on an exhale, and he drew the digit into his warm mouth. She felt his tongue move over her skin, and couldn't stop the twitch of her hips. Her eyes had nearly rolled back into her head by this time, but he managed to lock gazes with her somehow, and his eyes were on fire.
'My name,' he rasped out as he thrust into her, making her moan. 'Say it.'
'My lord,' she gasped, blinking away the sweat that had run into her eyes.
He shook his head, sending silver hair whispering over her skin. 'My name. Say my name.'
'Se…ssho…maru…' she moaned, her gasps of pleasure breaking it into three different syllables.
His eyes bled crimson for a moment as his hips slammed into her, making her back arch off the bed, mouth open on a silent scream at the sensation.
And then she was falling, and he was following her, his gasp of pleasure muffled in her neck.
----
When he blinked his eyes open a few moments later, they were entrenched in a sweaty tangle of arms and legs. They were both panting, and he shivered as he felt her hot breath against his neck.
He could wait no longer.
'Rin,' he said softly, raising his head to look into her eyes, 'I wish for you to become the Lady of the Western Lands.'
She gasped, eyes wide, and said nothing. He waited patiently, knowing that it would take some time for her to accept it.
'This Sesshomaru wishes to call you his lady.' He paused, and went on, making the words a promise.
'I want you to be my mate, and the mother of my heirs.'
Her eyes filled with tears, and his heart stopped.
'I—I wish the same,' she cried, raising a hand to dab at her eyes, and he could not suppress his sigh of relief.
She smiled giddily as she drew his head down for a kiss, and he went happily. He drew away from her long moments later, pleased at the dreamy look in her eyes.
Kissing her forehead, he carefully withdrew from her. He raised himself on his elbows, taking care not to jostle her, and blew out the candle. Wrapping his arms around her possessively, he settled himself against her again, and she sighed contentedly.
He felt a satisfied smile touch his face he drifted off to sleep.
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A/N: And the story finally earns its 'M' rating. ;)
-Again, all comments and concrit is very welcome. Tell me how the smut was, I'd like to know.
-Thanks to all the readers. :)