Chapter VII

That one night had changed everything between them. Although everything between them moved slowly, Rin had noticed subtle differences in the way the stoic man behaved and couldn't help but giggle. When they were at home, he would wrap an arm around her, holding her close against him as though he thought she would flee the moment he let her go. However, it was when they were at the bar that Rin noticed the biggest difference in him. There was never any physical contact between them there, but his eyes would narrow and glare daggers at any man who a little too much attention to her. Rin found this possessive behaviour endlessly amusing and very endearing. She would never have though that the stoic man who had initially scared her would end up being her latest romantic interest.

The man was full of surprises, Rin noted with a smile as she watched him appear in the living room beside her with a mug of coffee for her one cold morning. It was unusual for him to be up early in the morning, but he seemed to have fallen into the habit of doing so just to spend a little bit more time with her and she couldn't help but smile every time she saw him emerge from his bedroom and slump down onto the sofa, his hair dishevelled and clothes rumpled. He was good looking when he was properly dressed, but in Rin's opinion, he always looked best when he woke up.

"What are you doing today?" Rin asked as she accepted the coffee and watched him sit down heavily beside her.

"Nothing until later," he said quietly, still looking half asleep. "You?"

"I'm going to sort out someone who can finish what we started on the garden at the house and then I'm going to see my parents."

Sesshoumaru nodded but said nothing as he drank deeply from his mug of coffee. She usually visited her parents once every two weeks and evidently it was time to do so again. He couldn't believe she had been living with him for only a month and a half now, but it seemed so much longer.

"You're working tonight?" he asked, looking at her as he set his now empty mug down on the table.

"Same shift as usual," Rin replied with a smile.

"Do you want a lift to work?"

"If you don't mind. I'll be coming back here before work. In fact, I should be going now so I make sure everything gets done."

After biding him goodbye, Rin got to her feet and headed over to the short hallway and pulled on her shoes. She was just pulling on her jacket when two strong arms wrapped around her waist from behind and pulled her against a warm, solid chest. Smiling happily, Rin turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck, giggling when he nuzzled her neck. It was his own way of saying goodbye to her and it was yet another thing about him that she found endearing. This time, however, when Rin tried to step back to make a move for the door, he didn't let go as he normally did. Looking up, she found an intense amber gaze trained on her and she bit her lip, wondering what he was thinking to make him look at her that way. Sesshoumaru tilted her face up and smirked before moving towards her and brushing his lips against her own for a moment before pulling away.

"See you later."

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Throughout the day, Rin's mind had constantly gone back to the chaste kiss he had given her that morning. Part of her was happy that it had finally happened while another part of her fumed that he had teased her so and only given her one before ushering him out the door. She would gladly have cancelled her morning's plan to stay if she could have had more, but he had instead bid her farewell and left her craving more. A frown knit her brow as she approached the apartment building a few hours later and she paused to gaze up at it. He had done it deliberately knowing that she would come back wanting more. He was teasing her and she doing just as he what he wanted. A devious smile crossed her face as she made her way into the building. Two can play games and if he wanted to play, she would not deny him.

Sesshoumaru looked up as he heard the door close and saw Rin come into the room moments later. He narrowed his eyes when she merely waved at him before disappearing into her bedroom. Normally she would sit beside him and tell him what she had accomplished that day and snuggle into his side until she had to get ready for work. She was slightly late returning today so he supposed she worried about being late for work. A smirk crossed his face as he wondered how she had reacted to the kiss that morning and how long it would be before she came back wanting more. He would gladly give her more, but he was curious to find out how she was going to go about asking for more. Rin was polite and easy to embarrass so this would be very interesting.

"Rin, are you ready?" Sesshoumaru called from the living room as he pulled on his usual coat and waited for her.

"I'm coming," she replied and came out of her bedroom a moment later, smiling brightly at him.

A frown creased Sesshoumaru's brow as he saw her approach. Although she looked the same as normal, there was something about her that seemed different but he couldn't pin point what that was. Her smile grew when she came to a stop in front of him and grew even bigger when he wrapped his arms around her as always. Despite the fact that one of the reasons he had offered her accommodation was that she continued working at the bar, Sesshoumaru was beginning to regret making that condition. He didn't like other men ogling her like an item in a shop window, but there was little he could do about it short of telling her to quit her job, which he knew she wouldn't do without good reason. He could only hope that the evening went well as he didn't think he would be able to restrain himself as he had the last time a man had clearly been after more than pleasant conversation.

They arrived at the bar a short while later and Sesshoumaru slipped into his usual seat, aware that Osamu's eyes were on him but ignored the man. Rin appeared a short while later with smiles for everyone and was immediately busy refilling drinks and serving newcomers. After the sudden rush of people had subsided, she sighed softly and looked around, her eyes meeting Sesshoumaru's for a moment before her attention was drawn away.

"You're in high spirits tonight, girl," Osamu commented with a smile as she approached.

Rin giggled. "Life is good."

"You got yourself a fella yet?"

"You could say that."

Osamu lifted an eyebrow. "What's the boy like? If he don't treat you right, I'll cancel his birth certificate."

"No need to go that far," Saburou said with a smirk from beside his friend.

"You gonna tell us what's he like, girl?"

Rin cast a furtive glance over her shoulder to where Sesshoumaru sat. How was she going to describe him without giving away his identity? As she cast one last glance at him, a smile crossed her face as she saw that he was listening to the conversation even it didn't look like it.

"C'mon girl!" Osamu said in exasperation. "I don't wanna wait till I'm on my deathbed to hear what the boy's like."

"He's tall," Rin said, leaning on the bar in front of her with a thoughtful look. "He's kind and looks after me. He's exceptionally good looking, but I think he looks at his best when he wakes up."

"Hell's bells, girl!" Osamu exclaimed, missing the smirk that crossed Sesshoumaru's face as he listened. "I don't wanna know what you do in your spare time!"

"Just what do you think I meant?" Rin asked, raising an eyebrow in question as she watched Osamu's face turn slightly pink.

"He's got dirty thoughts in his head," Saburou laughed, clapping his rosy faced friend on the back.

"How else would she know what he looks like in the mornin'?" Osamu mumbled, still blushing slightly.

Rin laughed and stood up straight, crossing her arms. "I live with him," she said simply. "I can't help it if I notice how he looks when he stumbles into the living room after just having rolled out of bed."

"Gods, girl," the older man sighed as he downed the last of his drink. "Be clear about those sort of things. Who is this boy anyways?"

"That is my secret," Rin said with a broad smile. "I'm not having you cause trouble for him."

"C'mon, it ain't fair to tell us that and not who he is."

"You really want to know?"

"'Course, we wouldn't have asked if we didn't."

"You promise not to cause trouble for him?"

"Can we not just say we'll cause trouble if he hurts you?" Saburou asked, now curious about the mystery man.

"Well, I suppose that's alright, but he won't," Rin said with a smile.

"You sure?" Osamu looked sceptical.

"Very."

"Alright then, we promise," the older man sighed. "Now who is he?"

Sesshoumaru looked on with curiosity as he wondered what Rin planned to do. Was she just playing and would then turn around and say that she wasn't going to tell them? Or would she actually tell them? He was so lost in contemplation that he didn't noticed Rin step out from behind the bar, Osamu and Saburou's eyes following her as she walked around the bar. It was only when he heard her soft footsteps growing closer that he looked around and saw her approaching him, a smile pulling her lips. When she stopped in front of him, Sesshoumaru was about to question her on what she was doing but all thoughts were wiped clean out of his head when her tiny hands grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him forwards, her lips meeting his. Amber eyes widened for a moment before he smirked and lifted a hand to cup the back of her head, tilting it backwards as he deepened the kiss. Completely forgetting where she was, Rin wound her arms around his neck and smiled as she felt him pull her closer. She smiled radiantly up at him when they finally parted.

"That was how you planned to get more?" Sesshoumaru asked quietly, knowing that she would understand exactly what he meant.

"You teased me," she whispered. "I thought it only fair to tease you."

"You're not doing a very good job of it though."

"Am I not?"

Rin grinned at him and pressed a chaste kiss against his lips before turning around and walking back to her position behind the bar. Osamu and Saburou stared at her in amazement, not sure what to say about what they had just seen. Rin simply smiled as though nothing had happened and went back to work, completely ignoring the looks of disbelief the two older men gave her and the narrowed eyes Sesshoumaru directed at her. Everything had gone according to plan. She had gotten another kiss and had no doubt left Sesshoumaru wanting more. Her smile widened as she thought about what a good day she had had.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Sesshoumaru had been unusually quiet on the journey back from the bar that night, but when they stood in the apartment afterwards, he turned to look at her with a thoughtful expression. Rin looked at him curiously as she waited for him to speak, but instead he pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. She stiffened in surprise but relaxed soon enough, melting into his warm embrace and sighing happily. Sesshoumaru stepped back after a moment and led her over to the sofa where they sat quietly for a while before he looked at her.

"Are you not worried about people will think if they find out we're together?" he asked seriously, holding both her hands gently as he waited for a response.

"I don't care what people think," Rin replied.

"People don't like me, Rin."

"That's their loss. Why does it bother you?"

"I don't want people to avoid you because you're associated with me."

"It doesn't matter," she said with a gentle smile. "I want to be with you and I don't care if others don't like it."

Deciding to end the conversation there, Rin leaned forward and wrapped her slim arms around his neck. Sesshoumaru was stunned. He couldn't remember the last time anyone had shown him any affection. Wrapping his arms around her, he leaned back against the sofa and relished in the feeling of being cared for, it was a feeling he had forgotten over the years spent alone.

He didn't know how long they sat on the sofa in content silence, but when he heard a quiet sigh, Sesshoumaru looked down at Rin and found her asleep. The tiniest of smiles curved his lips before disappearing as he leaned forward to pull her flush against him as he made himself comfortable. Sleeping on the sofa wouldn't be so bad if she was with him.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

"You know, this wasn't really what I expected when I accepted your offer of accommodation," Rin said with a smile one morning as she emerged from the bedroom.

Sesshoumaru looked up from the book he was reading and noticed her leaning against the wall nearby, dressed only in one of his shirts and smirked at the sight. For once he had woken up before her and had left her to sleep while he contented himself with reading a book he hadn't touched in years. From where he sat, she looked incredible. The shirt reached mid thigh, the sleeves were so long that her hands were lost and the top few buttons were open enough to catch a glimpse of full breasts beneath the thin fabric.

"What wasn't?" he asked, setting aside his book and pulled her down onto his lap.

"Well I expected to use one of your bedrooms and the one you gave me hasn't been slept in for a couple of weeks now."

"Does that matter? You're using one of them now and isn't that what you expected?"

"That's true. I didn't expect this though."

"Neither did I," Sesshoumaru admitted, knowing exactly what she was talking about.

Rin turned around so she straddled him and smiled as she ran her fingers through his hair. He smirked up at her and ran his hands up her bare legs to her hips as he leaned towards her, intent on capturing her luscious lips, but a loud knocking on the door stopped him before he even got halfway. Rin sat back on his knees and looked in the direction of the front door with a curious expression before turning to Sesshoumaru.

"Were you expecting anyone today?" she asked.

"No," he muttered, unimpressed by the interruption and by the thought of having to deal with someone unexpected.

"I better go get dressed," Rin sighed and then smiled at him. "Can I keep the shirt?"

Sesshoumaru smirked and kissed her gently. "You can keep the shirt."

Sesshoumaru watched in amusement as Rin grinned and got to her feet, disappearing into the bedroom they now shared. There was another loud knock at the door and he growled softly as he made his way over to the door. Sighing to himself, he pulled the door open and his eyes widened as he was pushed to one side and a small group of people pushed past him and into the living room he had just vacated. He recognised them instantly as his family and felt the urge to groan. He did not want to deal with them now or ever.

"Sesshoumaru!" his father, Inutaisho, boomed from the centre of the room, a frown creasing his forehead.

"What?" he asked even though he didn't want to hear the response.

"You will cease this foolishness immediately!" Inutaisho said seriously, grimacing as he watched his son light a cigarette.

"It's not foolishness," Sesshoumaru said simply, leaning against the closest wall and exhaling a cloud of smoke. "It's how I like to live."

"It's not healthy!" his stepmother, Izayoi, exclaimed, her face downcast by the sight of the cigarette.

"Why do you care now?" Sesshoumaru asked with a shrug. "It didn't bother you before."

"I don't want to have to run this damn company, Sesh!" Inuyasha bellowed.

"Neither do I."

"You always said that you did!" Inuyasha said sadly.

"I changed my mind."

Izayoi and Inutaisho stepped away from the siblings knowing that coming between them in an argument was a bad idea. It was best to leave them until they were done before trying to talk normally.

"You can't seriously tell me that you think sitting in a bar is better than being the head of a company?" Inuyasha demanded.

"If you think it's so much better, then you take over it. I don't want it," Sesshoumaru replied calmly with a shrug.

"I have a family now, Sesh! I can't it all on my own!"

"So you want to pass your burdens on to me? I don't think so, Inuyasha."

"I need your help!"

"No, you're looking for a scapegoat. You made your bed, so lie in it. My life is just fine the way it is."

Almost as though to prove his point, Rin emerged from the bedroom her hair hanging over her shoulder as she finished the long braid. She stopped in her tracks when she saw the crowded living room and looked to Sesshoumaru for an answer as to who they were. Pushing himself off the wall he leaned against, Sesshoumaru made his way across the living room and draped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into his side before looking at his family seriously.

"As I said, my life is just fine. I don't want any part of this family until you realise that I will not become the head of the company."

"You need a routine in your life; something to aspire towards!" Inutaisho argued, forgetting the fact that he didn't who know Rin was.

"I have both of those."

"Don't argue with your father, dear," Izayoi pleaded and gestured to Rin. "Would you introduce us?"

"No," Sesshoumaru said flatly. "When you're willing to accept that this is how I want to live, then I'll introduce you. Please leave."

Rin watched in shocked silence as the trio of people slowly left the room. Sesshoumaru followed behind them as though making sure that they left the building and returned moments later, pausing briefly to throw away the cigarette end. He turned back to the still figure of Rin in the doorway and wrapped his arms around her, nuzzling her neck gently as he willed his racing pulse to calm. After a little while, Rin stepped back and looked up at him.

"Are you alright?" she asked with a frown.

"I'm fine," Sesshoumaru replied, a small smile tugging his lips when he saw her concern. "Be careful of them, Rin."

"Who?"

"My family."

"Why?"

"They'll try to use you against me to make me do what they want. I don't want you to be involved in a pointless family feud."

Nodding, Rin allowed herself to be led over to the sofa when she was immediately taken in his arms again. She smiled and leaned her head against his shoulder as she thought about what had happened. Rin sat back and looked into his serious face for a moment as she tried to choose her next word carefully.

"Sesshoumaru…"

"Yes?" he turned his amber eyes to her and waited patiently for her to continue.

"I've been thinking about something for the past few days and I wanted your opinion."

"Oh?"

"I was thinking about furnishing the house outside town."

"Why? Do you still want to rent it out?"

"Not really. I was thinking more along the lines of living there," she bit her lip as she met his gaze.

Amber eyes closed for a moment as Sesshoumaru tried to take in the information given to him. She wanted to leave? She wanted to move out of the town? It so surreal that he began to wonder if he was imagining the conversation.

"I thought you didn't want to live alone there?" he asked, pleased by how calm his voice sounded.

"I don't."

"So why furnish it?"

"Well, I was wondering if you'd like to come with me. Since you're on bad terms with your family, it'd be a good chance to have a break somewhere they can't find you."

"Are you serious, Rin?" Sesshoumaru asked, unable to mask his surprise as he turned to look at her.

"Perfectly serious."

"What about your job?"

"I'll cut down my hours," she replied with a shrug. "It's doesn't matter too much. I'll find another."

"It sounds like a good idea, but are you sure?" he asked again.

"I'm very sure."