Thank you to all that reviewed & read, and also thanks for the many fav. Adds. I'm feeling good =] Anyways, read, review, enjoy. –AF
Chapter 6-
It was the light from the early morning sun that woke her from her seemingly deep sleep. Her eye lids separated slowly, letting the scenery soak into her brain. She felt dizzy, almost like she was spinning and flipping around when in truth she was laying down.
Her hand came up to grip her head in an attempt to stop the misplaced feeling, and her eyes caught sight of something peculiar. Pointy, sharp, long claws protruded from her small delicate fingers. Rin gasped quietly to herself; her brain suddenly remembering everything Yurin had granted her.
It was as if the realization that she was a different Rin switched the switch on her other more advanced abilities. Every noise around her was magnified; the rustle of an animal that wasn't near by, the sound of the wind blowing the trees around her, even her own heart beat resembled a constant beating drum.
Further examination of her self revealed her dark tresses now sweep past her shoulders and down her back. She stood a litter taller at maybe 5'6 now, and her body seemed fuller and curvier. Finally, she took her time to observe where she was.
The clearing was big and grassy; large blossoming flower trees circled it. The sun was bright and cherry in the sky.
This is Sesshomaru's time, the Sengoku Period huh?
Her feet led her into the cherry blossom trees. Soft pink petals swirled around her angelically, and Rin truly thought that it was heaven. Why had society cut them down and built roads? Who could look at the pure serenity of the world and destroy it?
Abruptly the trees ended and so did Rin's thoughts. She was on a hill now, looking out over the flat grassy lands and the intertwining streams. Her lungs inhaled the fresh air; it was nothing like the air in her old time.
This one was fresh, exhilarating. Her feelings of utter serenity were paused however, when she could sense a dark aura. Her eyes scanned the seemingly endless land, and she found something. To her far right was a path of youkai; heavily armed and they looked suspiciously rowdy.
Her vision allowed her to see them so far away, and she plopped down into the plush grass to avoid being seen herself. This could not be good. She scanned them over, assuming there had to be at least three hundred in their numbers.
She wondered if they were Sesshomaru's, but that thought escaped her when she heard a pair of beating hearts; the sound of heavy boots invaded her ears along with the faint flick of words. Keeping calm, she slid herself further into the seclusion of the grass. Her foot touched something wet, and a quick investigation told her she was right in front of a small lake.
She remembered reading in a make believe book that water hid your scent, and suddenly it didn't seem so make believe. Clamping her hand over her mouth, she slid slowly and quietly into the still waters. Her head disappeared just as the two men approached; they were standing some 50 feet away.
Rin blinked; surprised she didn't feel the instant need of oxygen. She watched the two carefully, and heard their hushed tones through the rippling water.
"They are all there, my lord." His hair was dark and short; bright green eyes gazed out at the clearing beneath his with some form of self accomplishment.
The one he was talking to nodded his head; the fire in his red eyes seemed to scorch everything in sight. His lips were pulled into a straight line.
"How many?" The obvious 'Lord' turned a speculative look upon his company.
"400 sir. Enough to throw Sesshomaru off with such a surprise attack."
The lord nodded, and a small smile erupted on his face. Rin decided that he looked deadlier with the smile.
"Let them rest tonight; we'll march at dawn and surround the west fortress by tomorrow night. You're dismissed."
The man nodded, and was gone in a few seconds. Rin frowned then, wiggling in the water to shake of the need of air. Her movement caused a bubble to rise up to the surface. All she could do was watch in despair while it surfaced and made a hardly noticeable pop. Hardly noticeable for a human maybe.
The remaining demon's head turned around slowly; his face voiced clear agitation. He stepped closer to where the lake was; stopping to gaze down at the spot she had be laying before they came. His nose twitched, and his hand reached down to brush the matted grass.
His eyes looked to rise to the lake, but the voice of his commander stopped him. He rose swiftly, and Rin let her muscles loose. When she was sure the man had left, she surfaced and inhaled deeply. Fear soaked, she tried her best to lift her self quietly onto the grassy bank. Strands of dark hair stuck to her face, and she quickly wiped them out of the way.
This was certainly not good. The sun was hot and burning; it wouldn't take long for her hakama to dry and leave her scent to be tracked freely. She crept away from the cliff; not sure exactly where she was going but her brain seemly to be on auto pilot.
Maybe self consciously she knew where the western estate was. She had to follow her instincts at this point, because it was all she had. Her couched walked became a full out sprint through the forest; her speed increased to demonic levels as she maneuvered her body out the way of harmful branches or stumps.
In her mind she marveled her new body. The feeling was incredible; she felt invincible. The wind wiped her now slightly damp hair with a vengeance, and she felt herself push off the ground to travel by tree.
She neatly landed on a thick branch, and proceeded to push herself off to the next one; her immediate threat of danger forgotten in her fun. Then the trees broke. She landed with an ungraceful thump on the hard ground; her eyes quickly registered her surroundings.
And then his scent.
It came suddenly; she barley registered her body bending back out of the way of a brilliant metal sword. Her brain caught up and she jumped back away from her predator. Her chocolate eyes narrowed to see the same demon from earlier, only it wasn't the so called lord. It was the man who had been dismissed.
He sneered at her and raised his blade.
"Stand still, so I can get this over with."
Rin glared at him. She could feel her fangs digging into the flesh of her mouth.
"What business do you have with me, man?"
The man faltered a bit; momentary confused with her response.
"Don't play stupid, woman. I know you were spying on Lord Kaso and I. We can't have you running to Lord Sesshomaru with that information now can we."
On the outside Rin kept a bored yet annoyed expression glued to her face.
How'd he know?
"I warn you, if you fight me you will not win. But seeing as though I can't let you run back to your Lord Kaso and tell of my knowledge, I suppose a fight will have to take place."
He scoffed at her.
"You intent to beat me with no weapon? This will be over quickly."
Rin growled; a low threatening sound that she didn't know she was capable of. Her anger suddenly grew at his brush off of her, and she flexed her fingers.
"Yes, you're right."
He came at her first, swinging his sword with a graceful incision that cleanly cut through the air. Rin moved her shoulder back, narrowly missing the attack. She jumped back then, and used her speed to advance on him quickly.
Her hand was thrown at his exposed neck, and Rin grinned when she felt the satisfying slice of flesh. The man gaped; his free hand shot up to grip his bleeding neck. Enraged he swung wildly at her; getting her once in her right arm.
Cursing, she backed away. Her eyes stayed trained on him.
"How dare you!"
She allowed him to see her cocky smirk.
" Oh, I'm sorry. Here, come and get me. I'll stand perfectly still."
He growled harshly then. His hand came off of his wound to grasp the hilt with both hands. He charged at her then; disappearing in plain sight only to reappear a few feet above her. A victorious laugh erupted due most likely to her surprised expression.
"I win."
Rin quickly regained herself; her hand reached out in front of her and there was suddenly an explosion of power. The man fell to the ground then; his weapon skittered across the dirt in a bloody fashion. He chocked and blood fell out the corners of his mouth.
Flesh and bones were sticking out in a variety of different places; his hair was burned to a crisp. Rin pulled her fingers back to study them incredulously. The surge of power she felt had come out through her fingertips and had struck a very unfortunate victim.
He was glaring up at her when she glanced back down at him.
Oh, Yurin
Sesshomaru let his claws lightly thump the dark wood desk before him. He was mildly irritated. In part from the growing issue of the North and East with their Lords Kaso and Desu. Lately they were both having a bit too much movement then he would have liked; he was now keeping the territory thirsty men under his close scope of watch. His nerves were also being put to the test by the female who was seated across from him.
Apparently; his best attempt of ignoring her had not deterred her. She sat there, patiently waiting with a smile planted on her delicate features. Anna was not so easy to send running scared as the other hoping women were. He had seen many women attempt to win his heart over; countless tricks and games and persistence.
Yet Anna seemed to bring a new, different type of perseverance to the table. Her patience was sickening. Hours, she would sit there for hours if only to earn her a word or two from his self. He signed, wanting nothing more then for her to go away.
"Anna."
Her face lit up, and he groaned mentally.
"Yes, my lord?"
"Have you nothing else better to do then observe me?"
He poured as much annoyance and aggressive hinting as he could in his statement, but watched unsurprised as her smile grew.
Yes, rather sickening.
"Was there something you needed me to do, my lord?"
She leaned forward, and he caught sight of her loosened kimono. He hoped the look of disgust clearly presented it's self on his cold face.
"Go and find something to do, Anna."
She nodded, and stood slowly. Her smile never faltered as she cut him an exaggerated bow. No doubt to reveal her cleavage. He breathed out in relief when his study's door slid shut behind her. Now he could go back to the pressing matters on his mind.
The west has had it fair share of wars; most of them against the formed allies that were the north and east. His father had fought time and time again against the north's long dead leader Lord Kanyee. When his son Kaso rose to the title a few hundred years back, Sesshomaru had little to no problem with him.
Until recently.
Kaso was increasing his army by thousands; inwardly forcing Sesshomaru to do the same. If Kaso planned to declare war on the west as his family's history indicated, then he didn't want to be unprepared.
Sesshomaru growled; his hand reached up to run through his long silver hair. Kaso was not the average opponent, and though Sesshomaru didn't even touch the possibility of losing he still knew it would not be an easily one war.
The north and the east were tricky, sneaky bastards. They relied on back door operations to win. The element of surprise seemed to be their best offense. And he did not like to be surprised. Nor would he do the surprising. He was raised to fight with some sort of dignity, or was that his dog blood talking?
Sesshomaru heard his commanding officer approach before he was at his door. Before he could knock he called out to him to enter. The door slid open to reveal a tall menacing man; his eyes were a chilling crystal blue and his dark hair was captured in a neat low ponytail. A scar ran from his left brow down to the right of his nose.
"Kanori, what is it."
Kanori gave him a brief bow, and sat cross legged across from the taiyoukai.
"You wanted to talk with me about edits in our perimeter, my lord."
Sesshomaru reached back in his memory, surprised he had forgotten about the scheduled meeting.
"Yes. Go ahead."
Anna signed, and slipped deeper into her bath. The steam rose around her in soothing wisps. Her mind was elsewhere, on the demon lord whose house she occupied. Her heart fluttered as his face appeared in her mind. Those cold amber eyes, that pale stoic face.
He was simply beautiful. He had to be hers, she wanted to be his.
She remembered the first time she had seen him; it had been forever ago when they were still very young. Her father, the lord of the South Isa, had brought her over Inu no Taisho's estate for a meeting of some type. She remembered wondering the halls, very bored, and in need of something to do. She had found him in what were the gardens, staring at a blossom tree with solid concentration.
His gold eyes had turned to glance at her when she got close. Nether of them spoke. After a moment he went back to looking at the tree. Timidly, she had slid on the bench next to him. He was possibly the prettiest boy she had ever seen. Without warning, she laughed. He had looked back at her with mild curiosity.
"What's funny, girl?"
She recalled the sweet smile she game him.
"One day pretty boy we're gonna get married."
Anna smiled softly to herself, still feeling a sting of embarrassment for her childish mind. No matter now, she was grown. He was also older. She knew he had her, that at any moment he could only just ask and she would be his.
Yet, he was so…frustrating. Had she not made this point clear? He was ether incredibly dense or completely unaffected by her ministrations. There was no reason to deny her. She was beautiful, the daughter of his ally, smart, schooled, quick witted…
There was simply no reason why he wouldn't have her. Unless he simply didn't wish to take a mate now. She nodded to herself, sure that this was the answer. He was waiting, probably for the threat of war to go away before asking her hand.
A smile slid across her face, and she settled in the tub once more. Her thoughts stayed with him though. It was nearly boarder line obsession. The constant need she felt to be around him was sometimes overwhelming.
She wanted to touch his smooth skin; wanted to feel the touch of his lips on her neck, the slip of his fangs marking her as his mate. His mate. She shuddered at the sound of that. She was waiting patiently, but now she was becoming antsy.
She stood from the bath and stepped out over onto the wooden floor. Wrapping a towel securely around her, she made the quick trip back to her temporary room.
Soon I'll be in his room
She dressed herself in a light sleeping jinbei, and then slipped her room door open. She would pay him a visit tonight, invited or not. Her foot step were silent; the halls were empty except for the occasionally servant that bowed low when they saw her.
His door was much bigger than any other room's; the wood a deep cherry dark color. She fell to her knees, sensing his presence past the heavy doors. His voice came clear through, beckoning her inside within seconds of her arrival.
Her thin fingers found the part in the doors and slid one open. Sesshomaru was out on his balcony; his molten eyes observing everything that was his. Anna wondered for a moment what that feeling was, to know you own so much land and possess so much power.
She moved forward when he turned to look at her. Smiling meekly, her hand touched his sleeve.
"Anna."
She gazed up at him sweetly, extending her hand to touch the markings on his face. His hand caught hers, and she gasped.
"You should go back to your room."
Anna grinned then, enjoying how serious his expression was. She attempted to kiss him then; her body inching up closer to reach his face. He spotted her antics miles away, however, and angled his face so she got his cheek.
Still she didn't waiver. She lessened the space between them, and rubbed her nose against the base of his neck. Her breasts were pressed firmly against his hard chest. They stayed like that for a few long seconds; then Sesshomaru pushed her away forcibly.
She hit the door with a quiet thump and slid to the floor; a look of shock transforming her small face. Sesshomaru did nothing; his empty cold face stared back at here without as much as a hint of regret. Finally, he turned back to go onto the balcony.
"Go back to your room, Anna."
She got up quickly; anger blurred her vision as she made her way out and into the hall way. She stormed down the corridor, past a confused looking servant and back to her room. Her body met with the bed with little force, and she pressed the pillow so hard into her face that Anna thought she may have broken something.
How could he just brush her off like that? He couldn't do that to her, not after all of this time.
"I'll tell father! And get him to kill him!"
She quieted after her exclamation, horrified at what she just said. No, she hadn't meant that. She loved Sesshomaru, and her father would do no such thing. He was a smart man, and knew that Sesshomaru was better to be with then against.
She sat up, all anger leaving her. Of course he had rejected her. She had conducted her self in a wanton manner, just throwing herself at him like that. He was a man of tradition; no doubt he would want to seek permission from her father first and court her properly.
She was feeling extremely childish now, and as the hours passed by it became her fear that she had just destroyed any possible chances she may have had. The feeling to go apologize could not go on ignored. Rising from her spot on her bed, she made her way yet again to Sesshomaru's room.
She was close when she heard the sound; the ones that made her stomach turn in knots. The distinct panting sound was obvious; she could hear that slut call her Sesshomaru's name over and over again. Her ears tried to overpower the repetitious sound of skin smacking against skin, but it was to no aid. It was that servant, she was positive. The one she had passed by earlier.
How dare she warm the bed of her future mate? Her blood boiled hotly; her fingers tightened into a ball. She had heard the rumors of Sesshomaru using the maids for his own satisfaction, but being an audience for it was too much.
Her heart turned sour. He was so beautiful. Wasting it on these worthless toys.
She would get him; it was just a matter or time.
She swore it.
The night was quiet. The moon was up high ahead; shining brightly in the star lit sky. Kaso frowned up at the sight, slightly disturbed at the open display. His crimson eyes fell to the small army of youkai; they were lounging about, obviously excited for the ambush taking place tomorrow.
He rolled his eyes. He counted on a majority of them not surviving. Even with the element of surprise on his side as it always was, Kaso knew Sesshomaru too well to believe even for a second that the great dog wasn't watching his every movement.
His preparations were nearly complete. Now the final step was to initiate war against the west. He wanted that territory for his self. That dog deserved to have nothing, not after what his family did to his father.
Kaso signed, looking around for the umpteenth time. He had been looking for Jai since morning when he delivered the fleet. The bastard just disappeared. He had though he had smelled blood in the air earlier, but when he went to go see what it was he found nothing.
Now, he sat here aimlessly. His heavy fang rested in his hand from recent sharpening. The demonic sword caught the shine of the moon quite brilliantly. He was restless. He had the overbearing need, no, desire to kill. He wanted to move out the fleet this very minuet, but he waited. Waited for the morning sun to set him off.
What lord would he be without any self control? He chuckled to himself. Yes, Sesshomaru will be quite the angry dog when he see's four hundred deadly armed soldiers aimed his way. By the time he picked up their scent it would be much too late to organize a good counter attack.
Oh how he loved warfare.
A solider sauntered up to him then, causing Kaso to frown in annoyance.
"What do you want?"
The youkai waved behind him, causing two more soldiers to come closer. They were carrying what looked like a bundle.
"My lord, we found this body dumped in the river not far from here."
They dropped the bundle and Kaso reached forward to fold the sheet back. Jai's lifeless eyes stared back up at him. Further inspection revealed three evenly spaced claw marks on his neck. The wound looked particularly nasty. His body looked almost burned; a good part of his face was gone. The taiyoukai shook his head, tossing the flap back over his dead wet clammy face.
"Who killed him?"
The soldiers seemed to stumble for a second; as if they were unsure of what to say.
"We're not sure, my Lord. We just found him like this floating in the river. I think he may have died earlier this morning."
Kaso looked up at him; his red eyes flashed.
"You think?"
In a quick second, Kaso had stood up and seized the soldier by his throat.
"I don't want to hear your thoughts; I want to hear the facts. The next time you share your self with me, I'll be sure to kill you. Sadistically."
He let the man go and watched in mild boredom as they all scurried away except for one. Kaso looked at him expectantly.
"My Lord, what about the body?"
Kaso shrugged, turning to face the other way.
"I don't care, bury it or something."
He listened to the body being dragged away, and reached for his forgotten sword. He lifted the weapon, inspecting the blade's edge, before sliding it smoothly into his sheath.
He wondered if Jai had just been unfortunately attacked and killed, or ambushed. It seemed odd that he was uneventfully killed this day. The day right before the planned attack. It made him wonder. He could recall smelling the scent of another earlier up on the hill, but he had no time to investigate it.
He shook his head, discarding the entire thing from his head. Simply, he did not care. And Jai?
Hm. Ah, oh well. No loss there.
Rin splashed her face with cold water. The night was slowly giving way to the early morning light. She quickly threw dirt over the smoky remains of her fire. Though she didn't require a rest, she stopped to make camp anyway. She didn't want to show up at Sesshomaru's door step acting like the amateur demon she was.
After throwing the man's body into the nearby river to prevent the smell of blood from traveling, Rin traveled a little further in the assumed direction of the western palace. On the way an old couple was nice enough to give her a horse in exchange for some minor work, and they confirmed her direction to her destination.
For the rest of the day she became acquainted with her new existence as a demon, and what it entailed. The attack she used on the man, she found that if she focused her energy and let it flow through to her fingers she could re create it.
She named the move Daiki, or Great Radiance. After she deemed herself 'knowledgeable' of all her changes, she had set up camp to broad over her plan of action. Sure, she could just walk into the west and claim that there was an attack coming. But who's to say she won't get thrown into the dungeon on suspicion?
She would especially look questionable if she didn't have a clear motive to help Sesshomaru. She couldn't just say, "I was sent from the future to try to make another attempt to do our whole soul mate thing right this time." She would bypass the dungeon and go straight to the gallows.
Now, as she climbed up on her horse, she knew exactly what she planned on doing. When she came up with her story, she left it how it was. Too much thought on it would make it sound rehearsed and fake. Her horse rode swiftly; she watched in silent awe when the first rays of sun light danced over the beautiful lands like it was spreading fire.
The west was full of life and vibrancy; she wouldn't be surprised at how many wanted to take it for their selves. TheSengoku era was breathtaking; it made her life seemed pointless and empty. It was fading anyway; her life memories that came before this wonderful one.
The fields where clear and open wide; her horse whom she named Sai galloped with speed like the wind. Up ahead she could see another looming forest, and Rin assumed it was the one right before the fortresses as she had been described.
She was close then. Only another hour or so of riding and she would have to throw her plan into action. She was surprised though, that no one had stopped her yet. She had thought that Sesshomaru would keep a tight line of warriors around his home, but she couldn't see none nor smell them.
Even so, she kept her senses keen. It wasn't long before Sai slowed to accommodate the new obstacles that were the trees. Fortunately for them, the trees were spaced far enough apart to allow them comfortable passage.
The trees in this forest where tall; this tops expanded miles into the sky it seemed. Never had she seen such spectacles, and Rin had to keep herself from staring up the entire time. There were more important matters to attend to.
Silently, she signed. Couldn't Yurin have put her in after the war? A war that was obviously going to happen judging by the dialect she had witnessed the morning prior concerning the west. And a certain ambush.
Rin narrowed her eyes at a shadow that loomed ahead.
"Ah, I knew they would appear eventually."
She slowed Sai to an abrupt stop; her eyes looked the man over from where he stood in front of her. He appeared quit intimidating with his battle scar that ran down his face, and those sharp blue eyes. He didn't seem too pleased to see her.
"You are trespassing on the estate area; please state your name and business."
Rin signed, and took a moment to swing her leg over the horse. Effortlessly, though not as graceful as she hoped for, she landed on the ground. Her body then turned to face him; her face set in its seemingly bored manner.
"My name is Rin. I've come with very important information for Lord Sesshomaru. It is vital that I pass it on to him."
The man cocked his head, as if not buying her story. Rin felt mild irritation coming on. She hadn't even lied yet and he didn't believe her.
"Oh, yeah? Well, Rin, my name is Kanori. I'm the head general of Lord Sesshomaru's army. I'll take this 'important' information to Sesshomaru for you."
A light scowl crossed her soft features.
"With all due respect, General Kanori, I do not know you and there for will not rely on you for a message delivery."
Kanori glared at her then; his hand rubbed the hilt of his sword lightly. Rin, un phased, gave him a cold look.
"What's the subject of this?"
"Lord Kaso. He's starting trouble."
At the mention of that name, Kanori quickly narrowed his eyes.
"Kaso. Follow me. I'm not guaranteeing that he'll listen to you at all, but I'll let you pass."
Rin nodded but did not let her hard look falter. She grabbed the reins of the horse, and followed Kanori through the rest of the forest. A few moments later the trees disappeared, and they were standing on a grassy incline. Looking on, Rin mentally gasped at the sight of the fortress.
It was bigger then any house she had even seen, stretching as far as the eye (demon that is) could see and standing at least five stories high. A tall protective wall circled the entire estate, and soldiers were posted along every inch of it.
They approached the huge wooden gate then, and it was immediately opened when Kanori's rough roar demanded so. Some of the soldiers stared at her on their way through; she frowned in disgust when some even dared to whistle at her.
Kanori turned to give them a cold glare and it immediately stopped. After leaving her horse in the stables they swept into the house; large doors magically separating only for Rin to find servants operating it on the inside. He led her down a richly decorated hall; large portraits lined the wall and family heirlooms were displayed through cases.
Finally they arrived in a large spacious room; a long table dominated the center of it and a wonderful smell was wafting in from somewhere nearby. Kanori turned to her.
"Wait here"
He was gone in a quick stride out of the door. She didn't know how long she sat scanning the high ceiling, the decorated rug, or the hard low table that she had never seen so long. She was snapped out of her feelings of entering a fairy tale only to be thrown back in one.
He swept into the room with grace that had to be stolen from the heavens above; hard amber eyes locked on her chocolate ones. His silver tresses swung in perfect motion behind them.
Yes, medieval Sesshomaru was much, much different.
He stopped a while away from her, and she watched as Kanori re-entered the room. When he spoke, she could have sworn her heart was beating uncontrollably.
"What Is so important that you could not give it to my commanding general …"
"Rin, my lord."
He nodded, letting his eyes scan her entire being as if she wasn't there. His presence was incredibly suffocating. He seem to exude power into every corner of her soul; as if daring her to think of him other then the almighty being that he was.
"I had to make sure you receive this information. It…"
"Are you insinuating that Kanori is a traitor then, woman?"
His eyes studied her own; amber ice against unsure chocolate.
Could she ready do this?
She coughed; and focused intently on keeping her calm stance.
"Not at all, my lord. Pardon any rudeness but I would like to move on to why I'm here."
She cursed herself in her mind at the annoyance she had let intertwine her words. As she expected Sesshomaru's eyes flashed and he was mere inches from her face in seconds. Behind him Kanori's lips grew into a dark grin.
"Speak quickly, because I'm not sure if I'm feeling magnanimous enough to let you live that long."
Rin bit her quivering lip, clearly shaken.
"Lord Kaso has an army of 400 assembled a day's march from here. They plan on attacking here at night fall."
Sesshomaru's raised an eyebrow; Kanori shared a similar look of surprise.
"And how did you acquire such information?"
She could feel her body stiffen as he craned his head forward; the motion moving him even closer to her face.
She straightened her back, and met his hard gaze on with her own. She would not be scared off by this man or anyone else. She had a mission to accomplish after all.
"I was in the area when he was 'discussing it' with another man. I was fortunate to make it out and away without being caught."
Kanori eyed her with great suspicion now, and she knew what question was about to leave his lips when he opened his mouth.
"Why should we trust you? What benefit do you have in informing Lord Sesshomaru?"
Sesshomaru was regarding her with an unreadable look. He finally stepped away from her in a backward step.
"Indeed. I am not so ready to believe such a story. You will need to convince me in the next few moments; otherwise I will see no need to keep a spy of Kaso's alive…"
He was behind her faster than she could react, and her eyes widened when green tainted claws came into her view. They circled dangerously around her thin neck.
"I would get talking, miss. Such a waste of a creamy neck that would be." Kanori's cocky grin seemed to grow at the malicious glare she threw his way. She could smell his scent from their proximity; the forest like smell played with her nose to no end. The heat radiating from his body unnerved her to a point that she had to will away the tingles that traveled down low. Her next breath was shaky.
"Because Lord Kaso… he killed my family. Many years ago, when I was younger. I could never forget those red eyes. I would do anything in my power to bring him down before anyone else."
A silence fell over the room; Rin was on edge. She was this close to him, and yet so painfully far away. She didn't even hear the exhale of her lungs when he finally brought his claws away. He seemed to step back from her then, and his voice rang clearly over her shoulder.
"If what she says is true, then I want to be ready by then."
Rin turned around then, caught up in the need to see his face again. It was unbelievably icy and unwelcoming, and yet she couldn't get enough of it.
His eyes found their way back to her, and he looked at her as if her credibility was printed on her. She was still under his cool gaze. Finally, the taiyoukai pointed to Kanori.
"Go and prepare for this battle. Kaso thrives on the feeling of surprising his enemies, so I doubt this is a trick."
Kanori nodded, turning to look at Rin.
"And her, my lord?"
Rin sneered at Kanori; she could already tell that the coming relationship between them was going to be quite a struggle. The man caught her look and gave her a charming smile.
"I'll handle her. Leave."
When he left the room, Sesshomaru turned a thoughtful gaze on her. She marveled at how evenly stoic his face was. How many years did it take to rein total control over his every facial muscle?
"Follow me girl."
Rin frowned at the lack of use for her name. She walked fast to catch up with him in the hall; she came up on his side and pointed an accusing finger at him.
"My name is Rin"
He eyed the finger that wiggled at him coolly.
"Unless you no longer need that finger, I'd suggest you remove it from my face."
She snatched her appendage back and held her chin up.
"May I ask where we are going, my lord?"
She decided he didn't scare her. If she was truly his soul mate then he could feel the silent connection even now, pre-marked. He wouldn't be stupid enough to ignore such a calling. It was purely instinct. Even she herself found it hard to avert her eyes from the beautiful demon lord.
The instinct to touch him, even breath his air was quickly turning out of hand. She noted control on her list of things to accomplish. She was so into her thoughts that she didn't notice when Sesshomaru abruptly stopped. She ran into his back hard, or was it a brick wall she had collided with?
He turned his head slightly in her direction. She could feel the burning weight of his gaze while she rubbed her aching head. She finally looked up to see the reason for his uncalculated stop. Her breath hitched then, and her anger threatened to boil out of control.
Anna was walking towards them with a bright smile. The moment she saw Rin however, her smile quickly turned into something more like annoyance. Though Rin knew she didn't remember her or the recent misdeeds that landed her in this time, she couldn't bring herself to not scowl at her.
"Why Lord Sesshomaru, it's always a pleasure to see you. But I thought you told me you were busy this evening. That's why you declined lunch with me is it not?"
Rin surveyed the look on the lord's face, and quickly gathered that he clearly did not want to be bothered with the woman. Thinking quickly, she thought of a way to push her way out of potential enemy and to faithful informant. She placed her hand on his chest, ignoring the surprising presence of his obviously well defined muscles, and looked at Anna sweetly.
"I doubt Sesshomaru would spend his time dawdling with a clueless female when he could be with me"
Sesshomaru glanced at her, and she could see the old spark in his bright eyes. Anna's eyes widened at her lack of title and formality with him, and her eyes questioned Sesshomaru unbelievably. Rin's lips curled into a smile that hinted a pointy fang. She eyed Anna from the position on Sesshomaru.
"Sorry, but Sesshomaru does not want to be bothered much less stalked by a senseless little girl with a painfully obvious crush on him. So don't feel bad that he'd fabricate a lie just to get you out of his shadow for a few hours. Now, I don't want to see you hanging off of him any more, because if I do happen to see it you will be answered by me. Understand?"
Anna looked as If she had no conception of what just happened. Her green eyes went from Sesshomaru back to Rin then back to Sesshomaru. When he didn't protest Rin's blandly spoken words, she rushed from the hall in obvious embarrassment.
Sesshomaru's gaze connected with Rin's, and she smiled coyly up at him. She dragged her hand across his hidden stomach before withdrawing it completely.
"Sorry, I don't like sharing much."
This time she received an unturned brow, and a slight smirk.
"Refrain from touching me, woman."
Her heart dropped, and she fought back the want to just tell him their inevitable fate. This man was dense to the core. He probably now saw her as some odd girl with a crush just as misplaced at Anna's. Recovering from his order, she shrugged her shoulders in a dismissive manner.
"Your welcome, Lord Sesshomaru."
His silver head moved to face back towards down the hall. He was quickly striding down the hall before Rin could even register his movement.
"It will take a little more then a few harsh words to chase away that one. Had that been the case I would of freed myself some time ago."
She could see him glance at her from the corner of his eyes.
"I'm very sorry for you then. Death is always an option, however."
At that she witnessed the far corner of his mouth upturning. Strike!
"You're a very interesting woman."
Maybe she did have a chance.
At least, that was what she was thinking when he threw her into a door way and slid the door shut. She eyed him accusingly where he stood in front of the entrance. His face was stone, as usual, but something about this unnerved her.
"What are you doing?"
He ignored her question, and stepped closer to her. She didn't trust the odd gleam in his eyes. When he got too close she scooted back until her back was pressed flat against the bed's wooden pole, and watched with increasing discomfort as he came closer.
"Did you think I would fall for your victim story?"
She started at him with what she hoped was a very convincing look of indifference. Thinking wisely, she kept her mouth shut.
"Kaso has never be interested in the destruction of people, making your little lie most amusing. All the more reason for me to think you're a spy. Yet, Kaso would not be so dull as to send a spy with such a laughable story. So I know you're not from his forces."
He was in her face again; so close she could feel the heat from his mouth as he talked. Though she knew she was in hot water at the moment, she couldn't help but to think of how easy it would be to kiss him in this state. The challenge wasn't going to be to stay alive; it was going to resist the bait dangling in her face.
"So I'm going to ask you once, and only once. Why are you here, Rin?"
Thanks for reading. Review please-AF