Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

Chapter 8

Arrival

Rin.

That delicious voice sent shivers down her spine. She smiled lazily and tried to memorize those three single letters pronounced so sinfully. It echoed in the dark walls of her mind as she dreamed. She didn't want to wake up. She wanted to hear his voice saying her name for all eternity. But alas, cruel fate, the feeling of strong hands shaking her awake made her open her eyes.

-Hm?

Rubbing her clouded vision from the heavy sleep she nearly gasped when she saw beautiful golden eyes gazing at her with a strange softness. His lips parted, speaking.

-Get up, Rin. We are leaving.

She immediately woke up and sat up. Sesshomaru admitted she startled him with her sudden speed. Since he was kneeling before her face he had to back away or she would hit his head. Still, her face was disturbingly close to his. She didn't seem to notice though. She was still dazed from her sleep. My…she wasn't a light sleeper was she?

He didn't move. He wanted to see her reaction. He knew he shouldn't tease her like this but he was just…curious. She then blinked adorably and light red tinged her smooth cheeks. The beast in him licked its lips hungrily at her innocence.

I want her!

Silence!

With a grunt it calmed down. Having had enough he stood up and grabbed Ah-Un's reins. He and the rest of his pack waited for her to get ready and her blush deepened to one of extreme embarrassment. She stood up, smoothed down her wrinkled kimono, brushed her hair with her fingers and headed towards her lord's side.

-Hey, Rin! Forgot about us already?

Her eyes widened. She totally forgot that Inuyasha and his pack were here as well. They probably waited for her to wake up to say their goodbyes and she just forgets them! She lowers her head in shame. Truly not one of her best days.

She turned to them and gave them a brief smile that didn't reach her pretty eyes. She hated farewells. Slowly she hugged each one of them. Wiping her wet eyes she answered.

-How could I ever forget you all?

Their eyes softened and gave her a bone crushing group hug. Inuyasha then pinched her nose.

-Ow! What was that for, Inuyasha-kun?

She whimpered. He snorted playfully.

-Take care of yourself, you hear me? And if Sesshomaru acts like a bastard to ya, come to the demon slayer's village and find me. I'll make sure to kick his prissy ass!

Rin giggled, though she couldn't picture her lord treating her badly. He only ever did it when she deserved it and for that she was grateful. She knew how cruel her lord could be. It was simply a raise in his voice, an argument and then he would ignore her for the rest of the day.

-We are waiting for you, Rin. Are you done with your goodbyes?

She nodded stiffly and let one tear roll down her cheek as she watched her childhood companions walk away.

At least they are safe.

She wouldn't be causing them trouble any longer. A delicate hand touched her shoulder and she turned away. She smiled a sad smile at Naomi.

I even allowed myself to forget she is with us now.

She swallowed the bitter feeling once again as she recalled the way her lord had looked at the woman yesterday. Her melodic voice washed her ears and her soul whimpered.

Even her voice is pretty.

-Let's go, Rin-chan. Lord Sesshomaru is leaving already.

Rin nodded and followed them. Her head was bowed in submission. Something her sweet but rebellious spirit rarely did. Sesshomaru noticed this. And he didn't like it.

Akio sighed. Things were still pretty bad on his side in this horrible war.

And where the hell is Takeru with that human wench?

It makes today one week before he gave him his orders. All of his allies were aware of the human. So why was he taking so long? Akio's eyes suddenly widened as a thought crossed his mind.

Don't tell me that hanyou, Inuyasha, killed him…

He quickly shook his head. He snorted. He shouldn't put so little faith in Takeru. He was not his general for mere coincidence after all. Akio was sure his general would win against a pathetic hanyou anytime.

He's just a little late.

With a huff he focused his mind on more important matters. He felt really stressed. With all this war business he barely had any time for himself. Smirking evilly he recalled a voluptuous body, silky blond hair and crystalline blue eyes. It has been a while since he tasted that woman's vixen flavor. He closed his eyes as he felt rather uncomfortable between his legs. Impatient, he called a servant.

Soon enough there was a knock on the door and with trembling hands the poor servant opened the door.

-You called, my lord?

-Yes. I wish Naomi in my chambers tonight.

He noticed how the servant stiffened at the mention of the woman's name. Akio frowned suddenly not liking the tense environment. When the servant just stood there shaking to the bones, Akio growled lowly.

-Well? What is going on? Why are you not attending to my order at once?

The servant gulped and prayed to whatever divine entity to spare his life. He fell to his lord's feet in a bow.

-Forgive me, my lord, Naomi has escaped the castle this morning!

Akio's blood was boiling.

That ungrateful bitch! After all I have done for her she dares leaving me!

He took a deep breath.

-She took the battle plans too…

Akio glared at the servant. He really felt like killing someone.

Rin fidgeted with her fingers randomly as she stole a peek at her lord's back. She knew it would probably take two days until they got there but would it stay this silent the entire trip? She groaned loudly at the thought.

-Rin?

She blushed madly when not only Sesshomaru's but everyone's eyes were on her. She cleared her throat and smiled at him.

-It's nothing, my lord. Please carry on.

He frowned and looked at her in a strange way but he just let it go.

First the submissive posture and now the random groaning?

Unfortunately, Sesshomaru's beast was taking this the wrong way. The very wrong way. He sighed.

When was the last time this Sesshomaru bedded someone?

Yep, that most probably was it. He was just feeling sexually frustrated. He would take care of it as soon as he arrived at his castle. He stole a glance at Naomi. She was pretty. But then…

"I used to be a servant of the eastern lands. Specifically, a personal servant…of the lord himself…"

Urgh. He knew damn well what that meant. He preferred them pure and only for him.

Rin is pure…and only for us.

Sesshomaru huffed in annoyance.

You again…

He knew the beast was grinning.

Heed my advice, other self. It will be pleasurable for both of us I assure you.

He growled lowly.

Cease this nonsense! T-taking Rin never has been in my mind!

Dear kami, he actually stuttered in his own mind.

The beast gave a feral laugh.

You will eventually give in.

He clenched his eyes shut with such force that when he opened them he saw dark dots in his vision.

Looking at the sky he huffed. It was already darkening. Guess it will be better if they set up camp for tonight and continue tomorrow. He stopped and felt Jaken's little body hit his leg. The pathetic imp quickly bowed and apologized.

-We will set up camp for tonight.

Naomi and Rin nodded and started making a fire.

-Hey, Master Jaken!

-What now?

-Can you use your staff to light us a fire?

He stuck his head proudly up and with a dramatic shout burned the dry logs that were gathered. Naomi rolled her eyes and Rin giggled. Rin knew Jaken liked to be praised so just to lighten his mood a bit she did it.

-Oh, thank you, Master Jaken! You are so strong!

Sesshomaru lifted an eyebrow when Jaken seemed very satisfied with the generous yet false compliment.

Such a dense creature he is.

Naomi had to cover her mouth to hide her snickering and ended up giving a very unladylike snort.

It was fully nighttime by now and the camp was comfortably silent. Naomi made sure that the fire stayed up. Rin was leaning against a tree humming a soft tune and Jaken was already snoring with Ah-Un. Sesshomaru was perched in a tree like a vigilant even though his aura alone was enough to keep foolish demons at bay. Still, he was precautious.

A low growl interrupted Rin's humming. Sesshomaru stood immediately looking for any aura and sniffing any scent. He frowned when he couldn't find any.

What in the world…?

The growling started again but louder this time and he could tell where it was coming from. His eyes snapped at Rin's direction and his claws were already dripping poison. But then Naomi was giggling.

He looked at Rin and saw her clutching her stomach desperately and deep red tinged her cheeks. He felt like rolling his eyes at the girl. He really did. He jumped down and walked towards her. He knelt down and looking her in the eyes he asked.

-Are you hungry, Rin?

If possible, her blush deepened even more but she numbly nodded. Her face was so scarlet that Sesshomaru thought she was maybe getting sick or something. Without a single word he left towards the forest.

-You look so uncomfortable, Rin-chan. Is something the matter?

Her eyes snapped at Naomi and she weakly shook her head in the negative. The demon quirked an eyebrow though. Rin sighed.

-It's just…it's been so long since I traveled with him like this.

Naomi nodded and smiled sweetly at Rin. She knew this wasn't the only reason but she wouldn't press the girl on the matter. If she ever felt like she wanted to tell her she would.

They heard light footsteps and the sound of dragging. They saw their lord appear with an adult deer. He tossed the dead animal at Naomi.

-Cook it for Rin. If you want you may eat too.

Naomi smiled knowingly. That was just adorable, the rather cold lord worried about the young woman like that. She nodded stiffly, happy that she could fill her stomach too.

Then…he licked his bloodied fingers clean and all hell broke loose. Rin just couldn't stop from staring at the way that pink muscle moved around those long, slender fingers. Naomi's eyes widened as the scent of arousal reached her nose and she quickly thought of a way to stop it before her lord noticed. She just shouted the first thing that came to her mind.

-Rin-chan! Your kimono is on fire!

That snapped Rin of her thoughts and she screamed. Looking down at her kimono and seeing it pristine as ever she frowned and looked confused at Naomi. Sesshomaru seemed pretty confused too. Naomi rubbed the back of her neck with shame.

Of all the things I had to say…

-Heh…false alarm…my apologies, Rin-chan.

Rin's frown turned into a beautiful smile.

-It's ok, Naomi-chan.

Sesshomaru was still looking at her with suspicion though.

The next morning they were walking again. At this pace they would arrive at the western castle by sun fall. Rin felt a little bolder this time and walked side by side with her lord. Naomi was grinning like an idiot in the back.

Come on…say something to him, girl!

Sesshomaru though enjoying the fact that Rin wasn't acting like yesterday couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable with the short glances she gave him when she thought he wasn't looking.

She seems to want to tell something to this Sesshomaru.

She glanced at him again and he exhaled frustrated. That seemed to startle her. He looked at her sideways and asked.

-Rin, you've been acting strange. Is there something you wish to tell this Sesshomaru?

Rin nibbled her lower lip and shook her head. Sesshomaru frowned. He wanted to demand her to tell him but he decided to let it go for now. The earlier he gets to his castle the better.

The sun was falling in the sky and the magnificent fortress appeared in their lines of sight. They all sighed with relief.

The soldiers at the entrance greeted their lord and his followers and opened the large gates. Rin gasped marveled and felt extremely out of place.

Author's Note: *giggles*…next chapter coming soon.