Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha

Chapter 10

Corruption

Rin blinked in confusion at her lord.

-A teacher?

He sipped his tea and nodded. She frowned.

-But…Kaede-sama said my education was complete right after I turned eighteen.

He looked at her and she could swear there was sadness in those beautiful eyes.

-Are you aware of the demonic ways, Rin?

She had a thoughtful look on her face. Of course demons were different but she has been watching them in the castle and though mean to her they behaved like human nobility. Just glancing at her lord sipping silently and with a grace only fit of a kami was proof enough of that. She blushed in shame for not knowing much of Sesshomaru's kind.

I claim to love him yet I never seek his true nature.

Her bangs covered her eyes as she shook her head. She kept her head bowed so she missed the tiny smile Sesshomaru graced her.

-I knew you don't, Rin.

She raised her head and his smiled disappeared into the usual cold mask. She could not know his weakness.

-I see. That is what the teacher is for then?

She sipped her untouched tea. It was now a bit cold but she didn't mind. It was delicious.

-Yes. This Sesshomaru's councilman already sent her a letter. She will arrive tomorrow morning.

Rin admitted she was nervous. What if the teacher was like the others? What if the teacher refused the job when she found out she would teach a human? Rin didn't want to cause her lord trouble.

She gripped her cup tighter. Now that she thinks about it, what if Sesshomaru's opinion changes? Once he realizes how much tiring she is he would think like those nobles. Hell, he did already. She was confused that she was the only one he tolerated.

Sesshomaru wasn't feeling comfortable with Rin's mood. There was darkness in her aura. A bitterness in her scent. He frowned, worry in his eyes.

What burdens you, Rin?

He finished his tea and stood up. Rin didn't seem to acknowledge it which worried him even more. It was as if she spaced out to her own little world. Maybe all this stress was having an effect on her? He kneeled near her and whispered her name in her ear.

She snapped out of her dark thoughts at the sound of his voice and she raised her head to meet his gaze. She shivered. Once again, he was so close. She could feel his warmth soothing her. That inexplicable feeling of always being safe with him even though he could break her neck with a flick of his fingers. She smiled sincerely and there was pleasure in his expression. She watched in awe as her lord's face looked more angelic than ever.

He likes my smile.

She giggled like a silly little girl but she couldn't care less. Sesshomaru stood up and like a proper gentleman helped her up too. She blushed. This was a side she has never seen of her lord. It pleased her greatly nonetheless.

He is quite the charmer.

Her expression saddened again. Yeah, he was irresistible. He could have any woman he wanted. Beautiful female demons. Well endowed, strong and ethereal females. She looked down at her body. She barely claimed herself a woman with her narrow hips and waist, small breasts and childish face.

She jumped when his hand touched her shoulder.

-Rin, you will tell this Sesshomaru what has been bothering you.

She opened her mouth and closed it several times. She wanted so badly to just spit it out. All her feelings, all her love. She wanted to end this façade for good. She took a deep breath, opened her mouth and forced her voice to speak those three simple words…

…but nothing came. She was stuck. She couldn't say anything. She was trembling so much that she felt like falling to the ground.

She was afraid.

She was afraid of losing him. Of losing everything they had. This understanding and comfort only the two of them shared. She was terrified with the fact that her lord would be disgusted with her. That he would banish her from his presence forever and never see her again. So…she desperately closed her mouth shut.

Sesshomaru was having none of that though. He didn't know why but it always pained him to see Rin like this. And right now she looked so…miserable. He wanted to help her so that he could help himself.

Just when he was going to press on the matter the door barged open and there entered one of his sentries. He shot him a deadly glare. This better be important.

-My lord! Two eastern units just entered the castle!

His eyes widened.

-What?

The sentry flinched and whined submissively when Sesshomaru's angry powerful aura spread out the room.

-Lead this Sesshomaru to them at once!

The soldier nodded and ran with Sesshomaru following closely behind.

Rin stood there not knowing what to do.

Akio kicked once more his general's stomach and relished in the pained whine. They were both panting. Takeru tried to stand up but ended up falling on his knees so he just stayed like this. He looked up at his lord's orange burning eyes and flinched.

-Must you fail me so?

Takeru gritted his teeth.

-My lord…let me explain…

Akio raised his hand.

-Spare me your pathetic excuses, Takeru. Luckily, I was prepared for something like this to happen.

The general, although a wicked soul, gulped when his lord grinned evilly. Something about Akio screamed "run away while you can".

-W-what do you mean, m-my lord?

He started walking.

-Come.

Takeru stood up awkwardly and followed. His nose twitched as the dungeon's stench became clearer the more they walked. Why was Lord Akio going to the dungeons?

Akio opened the heavy door still with that creepy grin on his face. Soon, the agonized screams and pained whimpers washed away all the other noises and Takeru just wanted to get out of that place as soon as possible.

The fire demon led him to a cell and Takeru's eyes widened at whom he saw.

A dog female demon and two pups clinging to her. Their eyes were clenched shut and shivering like crazy. They were wounded and looked pretty messed up. Perhaps Akio already had his share of sadistic "fun" with them. The general shivered.

-Do you know who these delightful things are?

He said "delightful" with sarcasm. Lord Akio, of course, was not fond at all of the inu race. Takeru looked at them but couldn't recognize them.

-I don't, my lord.

Akio looked at him through the corner of his eyes. He then grinned again but this time he showed all of his terrifying pointed teeth.

-They are the uncivilized beast's councilman's family.

Yes. He actually called Sesshomaru an uncivilized beast. Akio then turned fully to his general and his fiery eyes were shining in the dark environment.

-As long as I have them he will do anything I want.

Naomi stared helplessly as the servants rushed one side to the other. They were tending to the wounded from today's unexpected battle. How those two units managed to infiltrate the castle she didn't know.

-Hey, "blondie"!

She huffed. She hated when somebody called her that. She turned and yelped when the soldier gripped her rather roughly on the arm and practically dragged her out of the room. She growled.

-Hey! Get your hands off me, you filthy brute!

-No can do. Lord Sesshomaru demanded to bring you to him immediately

She closed her eyes. Of course. She comes to the palace and suddenly the eastern can infiltrate the palace like magic. Sesshomaru had every right to be suspicious of her. She just couldn't think of a way to prove him wrong.

She winced when she was thrown to the ground. She could see Sesshomaru's boots right in front of her face. She cried out when one was placed in her back and he slowly revealed his true weight. It was getting hard breathe. If not for her demonic blood she was sure she would have died crushed already. All of her torso's bones were breaking and the crack of it echoed through the walls of the room. Everybody but Sesshomaru flinched imagining the pain Naomi was going through. When she though she couldn't bear anymore he spoke.

-Do you know how the eastern scum knew about the secret passage in the west wing, Naomi?

She managed to gasp out.

-N-no, my lord! I…I…I'm j-just as s-s-surprised as y-y-you! P-Please! You have t-to believe m-me!

Through her bangs she could see a terrifying smirk.

Oh kami…save this poor soul…

-Lock her up.

Author's Note: Yeaaaah, I know this one is smaller than usual but I'm a bit tired and I need to study really hard this week. I just don't want to leave you guys hanging. I'll do my best to update as soon as I can! Until then, I hope you liked this chapter!