Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

Chapter 9

Aristocracy

Rin just wanted to dig a hole and hide herself there until the end of times. As her lord led her to her chambers, demons of all types whispered to each others. They sometimes glanced at her with curiosity others with pure hatred and disgust. She flinched when a beautiful female lizard demon made a rather…colorful comment about her scent. With each cruel statement she inched closer to Sesshomaru until their shoulders brushed and he could feel her nervous trembling.

Sesshomaru was getting really annoyed with the way his people were behaving. Yes, he still shared the same opinions they had about humans. But this was Rin. Her scent was delicious like freshly blooming flowers. Her skin was smooth like the silk of his clothing.

-…look at her face. I spotted at least twenty six flaws if not more. Pathetic ugly human.

He growled lowly. Such an ignorant wench. Looking at her made him want to vomit. He smirked at the obvious jealously that corrupted her beastly eyes.

Bull demons were never the most appealing after all.

Rin's face…he couldn't even find the words to describe such delicacy, such innocence. Just one oblivious look from her big brown depths beat many female demons' seductive glances. He marveled at how much Rin grew. To him, she was much more than a simple human.

His vassals could shove their harassing up where the sun doesn't shine.

Her trembling wasn't stopping though. That for some reason made him uncomfortable. Maybe he should order her to calm down.

Hn...that seems a bit harsh. She's not used to this after all.

But what could he do to calm a nervous human down? This was all new to him. Sure he had dealt with her when she was a child but it's not like it is still the same…or is it?

He remembered something then.

*Flashback*

Sesshomaru killed the last one of the demons that attacked his pack. The fools thought that he wouldn't be able to hear them from the distance he was in. Obviously they didn't know the power of a dog demon.

He heard sobbing and his eyes softened in concern. Rin was the first target and she had a large gash in her thigh. He winced when he saw the white of her femur poking out. Unceremoniously, he ripped a bit of the sleeve of his haori. Looking at the wound that was bleeding and no doubt will start get infected he wondered what he could do. Her sobbing wasn't helping either. He could lick it clean like he would to any of his kind but would his instincts scare her? Her face contorted in pain was enough for him to decide.

-Rin, this will sting a bit but I need you to stay still. Can you do that?

She merely nodded, desperate for the pain to end. With a deep breath he transferred some of his restoring power to his saliva and began to lick her wound fast. He shivered as she screamed loudly making his ears throb. For a moment he felt guilty. It was his fault she got hurt. He wasn't there. But how could he know a bunch of demons would randomly attack his defenseless pack. That damn Jaken was useless. He vowed today would not be a good day for that imp. The wound was finally cleaned and all he could do now was use that bit he ripped from his sleeve to bandage it and wait for his saliva to work. He sighed. She will not be walking for a couple of days. He moved to stand up but her little hand gripped his arm with surprising steadiness. She pleaded in a strained voice.

-Please, my lord. Stay with me for a little while.

Something hurt in his chest as he looked at her eyes. So desperate and wild. He nodded and sat next to her, keeping close. He didn't want to lose sight of her ever again. Her little hand moved down from his arm to his hand and held it softly. He quirked an eyebrow in confusion but felt quite satisfied when she fell asleep.

She still was holding his hand for dear life though.

Such an intriguing gesture.

*End Flashback*

Maybe it was a human thing. This "holding hands". If it meant she would calm down then he would do it. He awkwardly rested his palm in hers and interlaced their fingers. He noticed her jump startled and looking down at her hand, then at him, then at her hand again and then she resumed to looking at the floor but with a pretty blush.

Sesshomaru was really confused. He thought this would calm her nervousness but it was practically rolling of her in waves. He squeezed her hand to see if it could help and it actually did. She was not trembling anymore. She actually squeezed back and he felt something foreign wash him entirely. Something warm and fuzzy.

He brushed it aside and finally stopped at two large doors. He opened them for her and she gasped marveled at the grandness and luxury. She smiled to him, showing her human teeth and bowed in gratitude. He nodded back.

-This Sesshomaru will send a servant to prepare you a bath and some clothes. Dinner will be ready soon.

She nodded slowly and he walked away. He could use a warm and relaxing bath too.

The servant opened the office's door gently and peeked out.

-Sir?

Isamu looked up from his work to the servant.

-Speak.

The servant gulped, nervous.

-Lord Sesshomaru has returned.

Isamu sighed in relief and closed the scroll he was reading. Finally, he wouldn't have to bear with those brain witted fools of the court. He pitied his lord for that. Sesshomaru's absence made them extra annoying these last days. Isamu thought he would burst if he heard one more whine about their lord killed or kidnapped by the eastern bastards. Seriously, didn't they know how powerful their lord was? He smoothed his haori and stood up. The servant was still bowing on the floor.

-Tell the lord that I wish to speak with him as soon as possible.

With a quick nod, the servant was off to his duties.

Rin had a silly smile on her face. This was just wonderful. Her new bed felt like heaven. She never had things like this. Her lord was going to spoil her, she was sure. She bit her lip recalling the touch of his hand on hers. It felt…surreal. Lord Sesshomaru, all mighty demon lord and so on, holding hands with her…doing such a human gesture.

Hope glimmered in her eyes. Perhaps Sesshomaru's soul wasn't that lost.

Maybe he still is capable of feeling…

She gulped. The lump in her throat was getting heavier and her eyes were wet.

…love.

There was a rough knock then. She quickly whipped away her unshed tears.

I'm so foolish. Why am I crying?

Her voice was strained.

-Come in.

A servant opened the door. Rin noticed the slight disgust in the demon's eyes as she slowly lowered herself in a low bow. It was with sadness that Rin witnessed how hard it was for this confused being to be in her simple presence. The demon had a rough voice which matched the fierceness in her grey gaze.

-I will lead you to your bath now…Rin-sama.

The human flinched at the spiteful tone. She sighed. Rin just felt tired. She would pretend that the frown on the demon's luscious lips was a sweet smile, the outrage and disgust in her gaze was accepting and understanding.

Because that was all Rin ever wanted. To feel accepted.

Sesshomaru let his head throw back with a frustrated grunt. This was ridiculous. Surrounded by the steam of the bath house tickling his skin in a comfortable manner and a voluptuous servant between his legs how could he not feel satisfied? The woman took his grunt as a sign that he was enjoying her ministrations and began to suck with all her fervor her lord's manhood. He grunted once again when his organ remained limp.

What is wrong with this Sesshomaru?

We don't want her!

With a fierce growl his hand fisted in the wench's hair and pulled her roughly of him. She submerged in the water coming up later coughing and looking at him confused. He simply leaned back on the wall and said in his cold tone.

-Get out.

The servant was still in a daze. Sesshomaru's order sounded muffled in her ears. She immediately snapped out of it when his eyes flashed crimson and he ordered in a beastly growl.

-Get out!

She nodded frantically, grabbed her clothes and ran faster than she ever had before.

As the doors closed, Sesshomaru let his mask shatter. He rubbed his face with his hands and sighed.

Damn it all to hell!

-Careful!

The servant merely glared at Rin and resumed scrubbing her clean. Yeah right. More like ripping her skin off. She tried to ignore it. She really did. But how could you ignore rough yanks and tearing claws? She sighed with relief as the servant announced that she was finished. She was drying in a fluffy towel and soon kimono after kimono was dressed.

Oh my…so many layers. I'm not used at all dressing like this.

They were all very beautiful. She expected no less from her lord anyway.

She gasped for air as the obi was tied extremely tight. She could hardly breathe.

-H-hey…could you loose the obi a bit, please?

The servant huffed and ignored her request, working now on her hair. Now, Rin was a very gentle and kind creature but this servant was getting on her nerves. She wanted to teach her a lesson somehow but since she couldn't fight with a demon she could always report her arrogant behavior. Rin then sighed.

Lord Sesshomaru would never bother on such trivial matters.

She might as well endure this. For Sesshomaru she would.

-This is an outrage!

-A human! Have you gone mad, my lord?

-Her stench pollutes these walls!

-What good is a human in the war?

Sesshomaru slammed his fist in the wall near him. It cracked and collapsed.

-Silence!

They all shut up and the air was filled with quietness.

-How dare you question this Sesshomaru's rule? Have you forgotten your places?

They looked down, obviously ashamed and angry. Sesshomaru took a shuddering breath and kept his anger inside. His coldness was back and deathly.

-If anyone, this Sesshomaru repeats, anyone lays a single hand on that woman they will deal with my wrath. Understood?

The nodded weakly.

-This reunion his over.

They all turned to their business.

-My lord.

Sesshomaru sighed and turned to meet Isamu's hazel eyes. His councilman bowed low.

-I am happy you are back safe and sound.

Sesshomaru smirked weakly.

-You are the first one saying that to me ever since I arrived. Such hypocrites those nobles are.

Sesshomaru said "nobles" in disgust. Though they claimed to be by title and wealth they were anything but noble in the demon lord's eyes. Isamu smiled and rested his hand on Sesshomaru's shoulder.

-Do not bother yourself with mere ants. I have to inform you on our progress in this miserable war.

Sesshomaru's eyebrow twitched slightly.

-That is not needed. This Sesshomaru has been informed about everything by scouts.

Isamu nodded. He took a deep breath.

-My lord…may I ask something?

-Speak your mind.

-About the human girl…what is exactly your connection with her?

Isamu gulped when he heard his lord's annoyed growl.

-She is this Sesshomaru's ward.

-Well…as your ward then she should be introduced to demon costumes. Should I hire a teacher?

Sesshomaru actually pondered about it. If Rin acted more like his kind perhaps they would respect her more. He didn't want to change her completely. No! He liked Rin how she was. But it would help him more if she wasn't constantly in danger of being harassed. With a determined glint in his eyes he answered.

-Bring me the best teacher around.

Author's Note: Silly demons…