Hello xD
Hn… I know I'm almost five months late, but what can I say? Real life got in the middle and you all know what a pain in the ass it can be sometimes… So… sorry? Hope you can forgive me with the third installment: To understand a Demon.
You know, this chapter is not betaed and I've just finished this, so… Keep also in mind English is not my first language. xD
Koto – traditional musical instrument with usually 13 silken strings.
Hanare – separate.
Furisode – kimono worn by unmarried woman.
Disclaimer: Takahashi owns InuYasha, I own this plot and some of the OC mentioned here.
Warnings: Smutness (cause Sesshomaru makes it impossible to write anything without some sexiness) and possibly OOCness.
Mating Policies
III – To understand a Demon
Warm lips descended upon the cold bare skin trailing from the prominent scapula to the barely noticeable last rib. The kisses were so feather-like, so light, she shuddered.
Golden eyes closed, his already sharp senses became even more heightened as his tongue slithered past his lips to taste her marvelous curves.
Everything about her — a ningen woman, and that lay the great irony of his life: the great dog demon, even greater than his father, the indefeasible InuTaisho, was bewitched by a human — pleased him. From her little throaty moans, to the way she arched her back into his touch, eager for more.
Such a seductive little thing.
After the rough lovemaking from minutes before, now he castigated her overly sensible body in torturously slow touches that had her entire being trembling. The raven locks were entwined in his long claws as he pulled her to her knees, on an all fours position.
When she moved her hips, seeking more of him, indicating even where she wanted his attentions, he growled. The sound reverberated in his chest, now close to her back as he nibbled on her earlobe delicately.
The act should serve as a warning, instead, she moaned, utterly delighted with his dominance. She thrust her hips higher against his own hips again, trying to slide on his shaft and heighten both of their pleasures.
He did not allow.
With another growl, he bit into her permanent mark he had just placed upon her skin and broke apart unceremoniously. Panting, the ningen woman fought to keep herself in the position he had put her before, her limbs too weakened to sustain herself for much longer.
Before long, all coherent thought flew from her mind as instead of positioning the tip of his desire against her core, he ran his claws over her sensitive spot and lowered his face, his tongue having a small taste of her.
Her cheeks flared red at his wanton action.
It embarrassed to no end that he was looking at her in such a fashion, but it also aroused her all the more to have such a powerful demon — the most powerful of them all — between her legs, commanding her body to unimaginable satisfaction.
She looked over her shoulder, lips bruised by the second, as she tried to keep quiet. His golden eyes were focused on hers as he worked his magic. She was the one able to play koto and some other traditional musical instruments, but he was the one to play her like a gifted artist.
When his clawed hand slithered from her thighs — he used it to keep her in place, instead of moving her own body against his face in a shameless stimulation — and moved past her belly to tease her sensible breasts, she could not help but think that even if he was the one pleasuring her, she was the one at his mercy.
She was no more than a slave to him.
A slave he commanded at his pleasure.
A slave to her own desires.
Another moan escaped her lips as his tongue entered her. The silken sheets placed upon their futon were completely torn apart already — mainly because of his claws. She threw her head back and moved herself against his face seeking desperately the sweet end she knew was approaching a gallop.
His fingers inside of her were pure heaven, she could simply not get enough of it. And the so explosive orgasm was almost there, so hers to take, she sobbed when he brought his movements to an abrupt end and broke apart.
Eyes widened in disbelief, she looked at him, in search of some explanation for such interruption.
She found none.
Nor would find, for as soon as she opened her chocolate orbs, she had to close them forcefully at his sudden entrance. He leaned to kiss her and was met with no resistance for her mouth was hanging open in a silent scream at his unexpected movement.
The kiss was savored by both of them. He kissed her in the same manner he took her body. Slow and intense. His fingers stationed on her hips, bringing her against him deeply, moved down to entwine with hers.
The pleasure started building in her entire being stronger than before. Perhaps the fact he denied her it seconds before made it return in an even powerful fashion.
In a movement that had him groaning inside her mouth, she took his hand and moved it to her core, showing him how she wanted to be touched. It took less than a few strokes to have her clenching and convulsing around him; her silent scream absorbed by his hungry lips.
Oh Kami.
She only hoped the mating ceremony would last for the rest of her life. Mortal or not.
#
"I see that you have changed your mind." InuKimi smirked as the ningen entered the training yard where she had been expecting for her for the last… five minutes. "You are late."
Rin's eyes widened to the size of saucers. But she took no more than a few minutes to cross the huge manor! It could not be past five! And honestly, why did they have to meet even before the sunrise?
It did not help the tiniest bit that once her Lord left their bed she could hardly get any sleep at all. Her usually peaceful and filled with flowery fields dreams changed drastically in the course of the night. Soon, she saw and experienced things that would have even her Ladyship blushing.
Erotic dreams caused by the mark?
She recalled having thought last day. Even though it was bound to happen, she could never imagine it would start so soon. Unable to get even a minute of proper rest for as soon as she closed her eyes the torrid and sensuous flashes took a hold of her mind, she stood awake most of time gazing at the full moon.
"When I say I expect you by five, you better arrive before that." Her voice was firm and left no room for contestations, still, Rin felt like opening her mouth to disagree, worse, to apologize. "Your lateness will not be tolerated a second time around."
"B-But…"
It made no sense. If Her Ladyship expected her to arrive earlier than the agreed why in the heavens she did not say it before? Surely, she did not believe Rin to be a prophet.
"Boring!" InuKimi dismissed with a roll of eyes. The girl understood very little of her mischievous nature. She could barely lean a finger on what so special his son saw about the ningen woman.
Speaking of the devil… She sniffed her son's scent all over the girl. It could only mean that at least part of the night he spent with her on his arms.
Well, no one could say he was not trying.
A small smirk lifted the curves of her lips as she focused her attention back on her new project. It did not matter Sesshomaru was trying, she would still teach him a lesson — and it would be mostly funny.
"Let's see your fighting skills."
#
He was restless as his golden eyes roamed once again the agreements he needed to proofread before lunch. Before he could finally join Rin and forget at least a little that his life turned into something chaotic because he happened to go against the respected demon council.
Wretched old hags.
His lips set into a straight line as he thought about what his aunt and uncle said during breakfast. Sometimes he wished that the rule that applied to married — and recently mated — females applied to their partners as well. Instead, he was not only allowed to leave his wife as he was also expected to continue attending such boring and wreck nerving meetings.
Lady Kaoru of the Southern Lands is coming to visit you.
It was very unlike him, but he growled at the news. If Lady Kaoru was planning to visit when he had just get married and was right now courting his wife — needless to say he did not advised Rin that once the temporary mark was placed upon her skin the courting process began, even if he did not wish it —, it could only mean that she herself and her family did not acknowledge of his relationship with Rin.
In other words, they were defying him personally. They were defying his authority and Rin's authority as his wife and soon to be mate.
Another growl formed on the back of his throat as he recalled having said to both his uncle and aunt that if she did come, she should not expect to be allowed into his Lands.
A small smirk crossed Michiko's lips — and he hated her smirks more than he hated his mother's — as she gave him a small parchment with Shinobu's words.
Unable to concentrate on the task at hand, he let go of the agreements with both the East and the North and grabbed the parchment to read the man's hateful words.
I understand that your Lordship shall welcome and treat my daughter with the utmost respect and delight as it is in your best interests to remain partners with the Southern Lands.
The entire missive was rubbish, what mattered were one of his lasts lines, in which he dared to assume Sesshomaru was afraid of him or losing their alliance. While it would be indeed a great loss — peace was actually proving to be quite profitable —, he would not be even a little saddened by it.
A man who once brought the evil Naraku to his end would not fear the Southern Lord's wrath. Not because of his daughter at least. Not to mention that War was something he could hardly evade right now. With Rin by his side he had the support of humans — she had proved to be a skilled diplomat when it came to business transactions that always ended with the best for him —, with Lady Kaoru he could have the support of the South, but the East and possibly the North would evade him as both Demon Lords learned that humans were important partners.
He could not have both of them. Needless to mention who was more important to him in both matters of the heart and in political terms.
All in all, a partner that could not understand nor respect his choices was not a good ally. Lady Kaoru could even come to have a get at his heart — more likely at his breeding grounds —, but she would discover that despite being spring she would meet in the West her coldest winter yet.
The same treatment would be dispensed to his family if they thought to ever cross his path.
Relieved to finally have his concentration back, he retrieved the documents and looked at them with renewed attention, however short it was. Before long, Rin's floral scent assaulted his nose as she stopped in front of the shoji doors of his study.
He rose to his feet at the same time the door was opened. His senses were assaulted with her glorious smile as she bowed her head.
"Good afternoon, Sesshomaru-sama!"
#
Silence was their primary companion during lunch time. The only noise heard in the anteroom was that of her chopsticks hitting the bowls incessantly. While Sesshomaru did not need to eat as frequently as a human, it did not mean he did not like keeping Rin company.
His golden eyes were intensely focused on her as she finished her bowl of cucumber and took a sip of sake. It was unprecedented that a ningen woman would be far more valuable to him than a full bloodied yokai.
Who knew the girl Tenseiga had him saving eight years ago would become such a trophy? He certainly did not. Still focused on her, it did not go amiss by him when her chocolate doe orbs met his and a light — and adorable, if he could add — blush crept into her cheeks. She bit her bottom lip and the act had his loins tightening.
Who knew the girl would become such a sight for sore eyes? Who knew he would end up — much to his chagrin — desiring her?
Who knew he would be so weak to the point of not resisting the side effects the temporary mark had upon her and he himself?
He did not. He certainly did not.
"Sesshomaru-sama?" Her voice was soft and melodic as she turned her head slightly as if wondering if something was wrong with her — to have him staring for so long that could be the only explanation.
He cleared his throat and tore his eyes from her plump red lips — he had to tell her lady's maid to stop painting Rin's lips in such a tempting color.
"How was your first day of training?" he asked, his eyes firmly trained on hers. He did not dare to look lower, he knew she was biting her bottom lip again.
An easy smile curved her mouth slightly. Rin placed the chopsticks down and released a deep sigh.
"It was good, my Lord."
His eyes narrowed at her words. He did not believe her. Something smelled fishy. It was not alike Rin to let out a sigh if she was content with something. Unless such sigh was caused by him and their delectable interludes…
Once again, without his consent, he found himself staring at her lips. His urge to take her without warning was too overwhelming. He shook such thoughts away. After not having slept for most of his night, he could not help but lose himself in such sinful images.
"Did my mother hurt you?" He approached her his eyes suddenly scanning her entire being in search of any minimum scratch. InuKimi would pay if a single mark was found on Rin's delicate frame. "Did she do anything that displeased you?"
His will to punish his mother to have them in such predicament — after all she was the one to put in Rin's mind to seduce him and even if she was not trying she was certainly succeeding — was so great, even her smaller lapse would do.
"Oh, no." A small giggle escaped her. Her Lady had said it would be his first reaction to their trainings. He would find any excuse to bring an end to their lessons. She hissed as she turned to face him openly. Her entire body ached now her blood cooled down. "Not at all, Sesshomaru-sama."
"You are sore," he stated matter-of-factly.
In less than a second, the small coffee table set between them was removed and he invaded her personal space, lifting her chin as he inspected her fully.
She shook her head as she lowered his hand and wrapped it with her own. Even if he did his best not to sound concerned, Rin knew that he was.
It brought a calm feeling to her heart. A small, contended smile graced her mouth.
"Rin."
She sighed.
"I am fine, my Lord." She caressed his hand, being mindful of his long claws. "However, it is to be expected that I feel terrible after spending a great part of my morning studying Demon History with Master Jaken."
If Sesshomaru were a man inclined to laughs, he would have laughed. Instead, he relaxed in his stance.
"No wife of mine shall be uncultured in Demon History." His voice albeit serious held a jest edge to it.
Her heart sped at his words. Wife. She was not used to it at all — but she figured that she soon would be. Each time Lady InuKimi asked of her what she would do to have him to herself, she felt her resolve melt little by little. And with those dreams plaguing her mind, it would not take long before she threw caution away and gave her heart on a plate to him.
Only to have it crushed later.
Her humor darkened a little at the thought. Why did she fool herself? It was obvious that albeit his wife, she would never get to be his mate. It would be a great disgrace for her Lord who valued his demon nature more than anything.
Sensing her change of mood, he removed a bang from her face and placed it behind her ear carefully. Her hair smelled of flowers and at the present moment, he would give everything just to bring her closer and inhale her sweet scent.
"Rin," he started, holding her chin in place. It seemed quite impossible to keep his hands off her. "I want to be the first to know if Lady InuKimi does something that displease you."
A sigh escaped her lips. She kissed his hand lovingly.
"She has been nothing but kind to me, my Lord."
He narrowed his eyes. He thought that her change of humor could only be related to his mother, but her words continuously went against his impression. Could it be that his mother was, in fact, not harmful to her? What made her change so quickly and thoroughly in a matter of minutes then?
"Either way, I want to know."
"And you will." She smiled with ease at him, setting his heart in a quicker rhythm.
Silence took root between them. Sesshomaru's longs fingers kept on her face, as he caressed her face leisurely. It was strange that he and Rin had a very limited bodily interaction before and now, after he marked her, he could not control himself around her.
In fact, he used to touch her more when she was just a child. And it is without saying that he refrained from getting to close. She was always a very independent child. She would hunt her own food, if she fell and hurt herself, she would tend to her own wounds… So when he came to fetch her, after so many years living with old Kaede, he did not have it in himself to share the smallest of touches with her.
It felt… odd. She was a grown woman now, no longer the child that he saved and followed him in his journey before. But Rin was not only a grown woman, she was a desirable woman. If he, who did not like humans, could see that, it was without saying that the villagers could see it as well.
That Kohaku could see it.
A possessive growl was born in his chest.
Sesshomaru hated it, hated it very much, for it went against his deepest beliefs, but Rin was his. And he was not willing to share her with anyone.
Before he could control himself — and inside his mind he tried so hard to resist —, he lay her on the carpeted floor, his body moving over hers; his head interred on her neck. Fangs elongated, he lapped at her mark, contemplating whether to bestow upon her the permanent mark now or not.
Even if his rational side did not want to, his baser instincts pushed him to do it. He gave her a long lick and disentangled his fingers from her raven locks, freeing them from the clips that kept them high up in the process.
The demon brought a lock to his nose and inhaled deeply the floral scent he adored so much. His golden eyes were trained on her face, watching every emotion crossing her chocolate doe orbs.
He could hear her heart beating madly… not out of fear as one should have expected, but out of excitement. She trusted him so much… More than he trusted himself. Her big eyes were so full of love he wondered how such an innocent creature could find it within herself to love him — a creature that could have her killed with his sharpened claws only.
Before he could realize, his finger was upon her plump lower lip, tracing it slowly. His desire to kiss her almost overpowering. He cursed under his breath when her tongue brushed against his tip accidentally — arousing more than just scenes he did not want to think of.
He broke apart at once.
Her cheeks were flushed and her need of him was almost unbearable. She hoped that he could not smell her arousal, but to her despair and utter shame he was already sniffing the air.
Closing her eyes, she did not see as he rose to his feet and walked to the shoji doors of the anteroom — probably nauseated at her inability to control herself around him.
"You should come see me and Lady InuKimi one of these days, Sesshomaru-sama," she said trying to adjust herself in a sitting position. Her long hair was a mess now. She fought to adjust them back in place.
He stopped where he was as if struck by her words.
"These fighting classes are nonsense," he said tonelessly. "This Sesshomaru can protect you fairly well."
Rin gulped, trying to find the right words, but found herself unable to come up with a good answer. She even wet her lips as she thought about the best way to circumvent the situation.
"You can't be by my side forever, my Lord. And…" She bit her bottom lip fiercely. "And I refuse to be a liability."
Sesshomaru was now facing her out of the corner of his golden eyes. He had a serious aura around himself. Who knew the carefree and sensuous moment between them would turn into something so tense and suffocating?
That day was full of who knew situations, it seemed.
"You were never a liability."
The atmosphere between them was thick. Rin was still looking down, unable to face him. He was still looking at her out of the corner of his eyes, back turned to her. The pregnant silence was almost unbearable.
"The girl is right, beloved son."
Both of them turned to face her. The movement was so quick, Rin felt her head ache slightly.
"My Lady!"
"Mother." He pursed his lips into a thin line. "You shall not enter my rooms without the proper announcement."
InuKimi waved her hand dismissively. A mischief smirk lay upon her purple lips as she outstretched her hand for Rin to take. With her help, the girl found herself on her feet in half a second.
"Let's go, Lady Rin. We are far from finished with our lessons for today."
Hand in hand, both women left the anteroom she shared moments ago with her Lord. When they crossed the threshold, she mouthed to her son, making sure that Rin could not understand what she was saying.
"You should definitely come to see her one of these days, beloved pup."
#
"Did you start having the dreams?"
The sudden, direct question made Rin choke with her tea. She was being schooled in demon proper etiquette during events for the past few hours. Even though she was a diplomat to her Lords's human partners, as his wife and future mate — her mother-in-law was sure it would not take too long for the mating ceremony to take place —, she was expected to know everything about demon's costumes.
And surely to host proper Balls, dinners and diplomatic gatherings.
It was obvious that while her Ladyship made the topics far more interesting than Master Jaken, Rin had been spacing out for the last minutes. Half an hour to be exact.
Obviously, she could not help but think about what happened between herself and her Lord during lunch time. It was not frenzy as their bodily interactions usually were.
It was… so fulfilling. In every aspect. And even more sensual them the dreams that plagued her sleep that night. She could not help but wonder if the dreams did him some justice or if being in his arms would be so much better.
A sigh left her lips.
It was a pity he broke apart so unceremoniously then. It was obvious he desired her, even if he tried to conceal his carnal thoughts, it was clear to her he wanted her as much as she wanted him. Their third interaction was only proof of that.
More than a pity, it was unforgivable she was so weak and such a coward… If she had a little more of courage within herself, she could bring him back to his arms and do to him the same she did in her dreams.
At least, he seemed to like that she was a bit more… adventurous, to say the least.
A blush crept to her cheeks at the thought.
She was so lost in her own little world, that it did not come to her attention that InuKimi was talking about the expectations of a mate of a Daiyokai. The question then came out of blue in her eyes.
"Excuse me?"
InuKimi smirked. And repeated the question, adding a word that would surely have her daughter-in-law blushing.
"The erotic dreams… Did they start already?"
Crimson.
That was the color that colored Rin's cheeks. Such a funny color, InuKimi thought. A Daiyokai such as herself did not blush easily. Demons, even the weakest, did not have the same bodily reactions as humans, so it was interesting to watch how simple words affected Rin so easily.
Oh Kami. She did not ask that question did she? Why did she want to know? It was private for fuck's sake.
"And then...?" She asked with a silver eyebrow arched.
Rin cleared her throat.
"InuKimi-sama…" She started, too shy to look at her in the eye. "Surely you do not expect me to… t-to speak of such matters."
The demon Lady scoffed. The girl was so much fun.
"I see…" She touched her chin pensively. Her golden eyes shone with mischief. "They did."
"N-No!"
"You deny it then?"
Rin bit her bottom lip, unsure. It was clear that the teasing would not stop, not if she continued to act in that shy manner at least. Still, not keen on replying to that invasive question — to which the answer was already clear — she changed the topic.
"InuKimi-sama, earlier today you said you would tell me about the differences between the temporary and permanent mark. I would like to hear that."
A full smirk curved the demon's lips.
"Do not think you are off the hook with me, young lady, but for now I shall give you a break."
#
In the final moments of the daylight he had to himself alone — excluding Jaken that followed him up and down, till he found two good rocks and knocked him down for a couple of hours —, Sesshomaru sat on a tree on the Southern borders of the Western Lands.
He looked at the full moon through narrowed eyes, as if blaming the natural satellite for his body reactions. Instead, it was only natural that he felt the way he did.
Not a man prone to sighs, he kept his lips pursed into a thin line and closed his orbs. If it was up to him, he would never get himself a mate, nor procreate. Yet, it was what was expected of him.
If he was not such a selfish bastard, he would give his inheritance to InuYasha and continue his journeys of incessant travels with Rin and Jaken by his side — even if sometimes he just wished Jaken did not exist in the first place. His little half-breed brother had a family of his own after all, and two children and more to come. But he was selfish and the Western Lands were his to rule.
Not to mention that InuYasha would never accept such burden.
Now he had a wife to take care and, more importantly, to resist. He should not have placed that temporary mark upon her skin. He thought — such a fool — that he would be able to resist her for she was human — and he did not desire ningens.
Sesshomaru, the great Demon Lord, found himself unable to resist his base needs. Resist a human woman. Never he felt so much contradictory feelings stirring inside of him because of someone of the opposite sex. And he had had the greatest females yokai he happened to cross paths with.
There was another reason — apart from his proud nature that rejected deep inside the fact he was attracted to a human — why he should have refrained himself from marking Rin. While he played house with her, there were far more urgent matters that needed his full attention. Losing time fighting his attraction for her would not do.
His family was putting a knife on his throat. And no matter how much he wanted to rip them to shred with his claws, he knew that it was a just a dream. A pleasant and wonderful dream, but still a dream.
No Demon Lord that destroyed his entire council was respected. Ever. And if he did not want to find himself in a War he could not win, he better respect them — and respecting them meant keeping them alive while they plotted behind his back.
Life was far easier when he kept wandering alone, fighting InuYasha for the almighty Tessaiga.
And that knife would only get sharper if he marked Rin for real. He knew it was bound to happen sooner than later. The full moon would end in a few days, if he lost the time, he would have to wait for another month of incessant physical torture to the new opportunity of marking her as his.
Still, if he marked her now, the possibility of having the knife not only pressed against his throat, but actually cutting it was too big. Not that he cared about himself that much, but he could not deny that the prospect of being weakened and unable to protect him scared the hell out of him.
If till the end of that week he did not find allies within his council and he still desired to mate Rin for real — the thought did not revolt him anymore — he would have to do it far from the Western Lands.
His senses warned him for a sudden invasion of his Lands. A small smirk curved the side of his mouth. At least, something to distract him from such troubled thoughts and prospections.
At least, someone he could safely kill without suffering the consequences of such an act.
#
Rin groaned as she thought she would have a break as the Lady started talking. On the contrary, InuKimi forced her to play a koto with twenty-five strings. While she was used to play the usual instrument with thirteen strings made of silk, twenty-five was too much even for a skilled musician such as herself.
She bit her bottom lip, trying to concentrate. The last two times she missed a note, she was met with a very scary look.
"You already know everything there is to know about the temporary mark. The permanent is another entirely story."
It picked Rin's attention. So far, the Lady had only been mentioning what she already knew about the temporary mark — or what she had read last night when she found no comfort in her sleep.
Apart from the — she gulped, erotic — dreams, after the temporary mark was placed upon the intended mate, there would be a period of time for the courting to take place. It usually included both craving for skinship. The demon who bestowed its mark — she learned that it was wrong to say male, for the same would happen if the temporary mark was placed upon someone of the same sex — would get all protective and territorial. It would increase if the species of the male was of inu daiyokai, for example. If it worked, upon the next full moon the permanent mark should be given.
In her case, it could happen till the end of that same week, once it was already full moon.
She almost missed a note and cringed at the mere thought. Shifting her attention back to the koto in front of her, she closed her eyes, as it was far easier to concentrate on what she was doing.
"The permanent mark requires too much from both involved in the act," InuKimi started, almost rolling her eyes at the fear the girl displayed as she missed a note. "When I knew Sesshomaru married you, I came from my Palace immediately, for I knew that should the mating ceremony take place right away he would need me."
"Why?" Rin could not help but ask. Eyes still closed, she almost bent completely over the instrument to reach with her diminutive frame the last silken strings.
"Because the mating ceremony leave the alpha demon weakened for a few days. His enemies knowing this could take the advantage to easily kill him."
"Surely they would not!" She breathed deeply through her nose, her doe chocolate eyes now focused on the proud figure. "Sesshomaru-sama is a respected figure. No one would seek to harm him in such coward fashion!"
"What a naïve creature you are, Lady Rin." She placed the silk fabric she was choosing among the several Naoko brought her.
It was time to change the usually furisode the girl wore for far more appropriated clothes for a married woman. So why not choose the fabrics and the colors? If she intended on making Rin irresistible to her son, she better start by changing her appearance.
Not that there was something wrong with the girl, InuKimi could see she was quite pleasing to the eye — for a human, that is — but she looked too innocent. It would be shocking for her beloved pup if the pure, chaste human were to adopt a seductive posture.
A low chuckle escaped her lips at the thought.
It would be, indeed, a great shock.
Looking back at the girl, she added, "There are people inside these very walls that would do everything to have my son killed."
Rin's eyes widened at her words.
"It makes no sense, InuKimi-sama." She stopped playing, the last string she touched still rang in their ears, in a not so pleasant sound. "Surely no one would go to such lengths as to wish my Lord dead."
InuKimi clucked, drawing her attention.
"You are too naïve, Lady Rin. Just because you and I love my son, it doesn't mean everyone in this Compound feels the same."
Rin inclined her head. Her Ladyship was right, but… But it was too shocking to even think someone would seek his harm. He was their Lord after all.
"That's why he chose to mark me instead of Lady Kaoru of the Southern Lands?"
InuKimi even wanted to say that his son if not loved, at least felt something for her, but she thought it was something the girl should figure out on her own.
"Speaking of her… I understand you are aware she is coming to have a chance at his heart?"
At her silence and widened eyes, InuKimi could not help but smirk. If her love for Sesshomaru could not bring her to decide to fight for him, perhaps a little competition would do.
"B-But…" She wet her lips and bit them afterwards. Her inner struggle was visible. "We are married and permanent marks cannot be bestowed upon more than one mate." Her statement seemed to give her some courage. She seemed sure of what she said.
InuKimi scoffed. If only she knew…
"Rin, inu daiyokais do not mate for life." Her voice grew smaller as she continued, her usual smirk failing her. The memories of the past. Of she herself, InuTaisho and Izayoi plaguing her mind. "It's no more than a charming story to keep males faithful."
That's why I said that to love a demon is never enough.
Rin's face was now completely sorrowful and the silence in the air was bothering InyKimi more than should be appropriate. Forcing a smirk upon her lips, she said.
"Now, who said you could stop, girl?"
Her mischievous smirk had Rin groaning and wondering why on hell she accepted to be educated by her.
#
Rin was dead tired when she left her the onsen and with the help of Naoko, her lady's maid, wore her night yukata. It was baby blue with few white and black flowers printed on it.
It was almost half past six. The full moon was not yet high in the sky, but it was approaching. The last signs of day were vanishing quickly with the darker color that colored the firmament.
All she ever wanted was to eat something and get some well-deserved sleep. It is, those were her plans for the night till she heard a growl that set her heart beating madly against her ribcages.
"Rin-sama…" Naoko stopped drying her hair with the white towel and tried to get a hold of her when she quickly got to her feet and ran away without warning.
In her mind, all she could think as she left the hanare room and approached both A-Un and Jaken that were together set on edge as they recognized to whom that pained growl pertained.
Without much thought, Rin mounted on A-Un and flew from the Compound with a very loud Jaken asking what she was doing out of the hanare room and telling how she would be punished on their return.
They would.
Jaken was quite aware his Lord would punish him as well for not keeping the girl safe and sound inside his castle. He did not have much time to think about it, for he was sliding from A-Un and if not holding onto his long tail, he would meet his death far earlier than he wanted.
"Faster, A-Un," Rin cried out while holding onto the reins of the two-headed dragon yokai. The demon complied and flew higher and quicker, till all she could see was a blur passing by her.
Soon, she was landing close to the Southern borders of the Western Lands. From high up she could see dozens of yokai already defeated and her Lord in his dog demon form stepping aristocratically over their corpses. Her heart skipped a beat in the face of his beauty.
Slowly, she got down from A-Un and walked to him, hand outstretched to touch his white fur. She was not in the least afraid of him. On the contrary, she had seen him like that once or twice when she was a child, but given the circumstances she could never approach.
It is, until now.
"Sesshomaru-sama," she called, still in awe at his giant, magnificent size. With light steps, as if afraid to disturb him and have him hating her for disturbing such a moment, she approached.
"Rin, you foolish girl, come back here!" Jaken yelled from his place, he was still trying to see where Rin was, as A-Un's head kept preventing him from spying.
Their annoying noise captured Sesshomaru's attention. His huge head turned to face Rin, his red eyes completely focused on her. She has always been small when compared to him, but in his dog demon form, she seemed even smaller. However, what surprised him the most was the fact that she did not show fear when close to him — a feeling even his most powerful enemies had trouble hiding.
He looked at her in the eye, making sure she would continue to stare or if she would run away scared, but she smiled at him, her small teeth showing through her plump, and now nude, lips.
When Rin got even closer, her hand outstretched to touch him, he lowered his face and his body all together, till he was — and the idea made him feel ridiculous — completely lying on the ground like a lap dog.
It took her no more than a few seconds to run her fingers upon his muzzle tentatively and then threw herself at him, embracing him with all her might. It took him even less to distinguish her despair and tears.
"Rin…" He growled low in his chest. She caught him off guard. He did not expect her to cry once she met him.
"Rin, you wretched gi— His blabbering was shut by Sesshomaru's stare. He nodded at A-Un, who hanged Jaken with his tail before flying away from the couple. Usually, whenever the imp did something that displeased the Lord, the dragon demon would simply sit over him, shutting him immediately, this time, it was quite obvious he wished to be alone with Rin.
"You scared me, Sesshomaru-sama!" she whispered still embracing his form. With the back of her hand, she wiped away her tears — she could not understand why she cried in the first place — and took a sharp intake of breath.
It had been obviously a tiring day with more than information than she could have expected. She started the day far earlier than she was used to since she settled down in Kaede's village and ended it with more than she could bargain for.
Their marriage was not only at stake as his life was endangered by his own family, for he decided not to do what they wanted and instead took a ningen for a wife.
"I was so scared when I heard you howling." She sniffed. "I-I… I thought you were in pain." She forced then a smile, however smile that was. "I-I'm so glad you are well."
"Pathetic," he whispered, his sharp fangs showing. As if a demon such as himself could be endangered by such inferior creatures.
He howled before, true, but it was out of frustration. Out of boredom. He realized now he only transformed into his dog form out of tedium. He simply wanted to kill those lesser beings as soon as possible and return to his state of contemplation.
Breaking apart, he put a few inches between them, before lying down again. Sesshomaru figured out that if he wished to remain to her height, he should do so — even if he looked like a trained lap dog.
It took him to distinguish her earlier scent that was mixed with his was now washed away and that the usual flowery fragrance covered her frame. Said frame was, much to his distaste, barely covered with a night yukata. Growling low in his chest, he prepared himself to change back to his humanoid form when she touched his demon marks without warning.
"Don't change back, please…" Her soft voice was no more than a whisper as she caressed him. He had to close his eyes and to his astonishment, he found himself leaning into her touch. "You are beautiful this way."
If his mind was working in its best, he would have growled in warning at her choice of words. Instead, he was captive of her strokes. Her touch was so feather-like he tilted his huge head to give her more access.
Pathetic.
He was utterly pathetic.
"So beautiful…" she whispered, her face interred on his fur. Her heart beatings that were so quick before calmed down a bit. And Sesshomaru found out that his own heart started beating in the same cadence as hers.
Pathetic.
It was all he could think of as he let her — a weaker being — caress him — a powerful demon, a predator — in such heartfelt fashion and actually feel happy while doing so.
Rin closed her eyes and inhaled his scent. She was fascinated with him. Everything about him screamed power and dominance. However, she knew best. It was no more than a façade. He was as trapped as she was. Trapped by social rules and expectations, trapped by his own family and by her own humanity.
In that moment, with him in her arms in his true form, she could not help but feel sorry for him. She could not help but hate herself. And even hating herself, she could not help but fight for him.
She, better than Lady Kaoru who was a demon herself, understood him and she would stop at nothing to protect him — even if protecting him meant endangering herself.
"So beautiful, Sesshomaru-sama…" she whispered to herself, her eyes closing on their own accord.
His red eyes narrowed at her frame still attached to him. Nevertheless, it took him very little to realize she slept all over him. He lay her on the ground, ready to change to his humanoid form and lead them back to the hanare room, when she pulled his paw to herself, muttering in a sleepy tone he would not be able to hear if his senses were not supernaturally enhanced.
"Don't change back… please…"
It was all it took for him to lay back on the grass and embrace her with his huge form. If it was not a display of how ridiculous people became because they had someone they cared about, he did not know what else could serve as an example.
Rin turned him into something he should feel — but did not — ashamed of. Instead, he tightened his embrace around her and closed his eyes as she slept hugging his frame. Her sweet scent calmed him down and even his blood lust caused by the battle of minutes ago that usually kept him awake and energetic for hours did not seem as enchanting as before. Actually, having her with him did him in such an innocent fashion did him more good than he would have expected at first.
The girl was inexplicably intoxicating. A drug he only wanted to get more of, till all his senses were sated — if ever.
He scoffed. Sesshomaru, the great demon dog, was losing touch. If anyone saw him — friends and foes alike — they would undoubtedly lose their respect forever.
Pathetic.
A/N – And there you have it, kids!
It's funny how this chapter started with a lusty tone to it and ended up with so… I don't know, somehow sweet, and a bit angsty? In this chapter, I tried to move on with the plot and also with their relationship. Hope you did not find it boring.
I'm sorry for the delay and I know I promised to update by the end of May and here I am five months later… I really didn't have much of time to write before, you know… Life got crazy… I could only finish this chapter now. I started it yesterday, but my menstrual cramps didn't leave me alone, so I decided to finish it today. Hope you understand xD
I'll do my best to update next weekend, though it probably won't happen for I have to work next Saturday and I'm planning on travelling next Sunday… But who knows?
Just to let you know… I finished my final paper. It was indicated to the best final papers in my college and now I started my masters… It's about Memes, love it very much. Anyone out there who likes Memes? xD
And I'm also planning, as soon as I finish this fic — remember, it's a short fic, seven chapters only —, start an AU with our loved couple. Is anyone interested? Not much details for now as I once had my idea taken in commentaries such as this xD
To everyone who favorited and added this fic to the following and reviewed last chapter my biggest thanks. Guys, you are amazing! Never expected this fic to have with only two chapters 80+ followers. It's too much! So thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are truly awesome!
And if anyone out there still reads this fic, would you mind reviewing it for me?
Take care and love you all,
Velvetsins