Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.
Chapter 13
Learning
After some more embarrassing talks and Lady Mother's attempts to reveal Sesshomaru's childhood "adventures" it was time for them to have dinner and sleep. She was heading to her chambers when Sesshomaru's mother interrupted her.
-Oh, Rin I forgot to mention that you will start your lessons tomorrow by sun rise.
Lady Mother then narrowed her eyes and gave a serious, deadly glare at Rin.
-Do not be late. I detest waiting.
Rin shivered from head to toe and nodded stiffly. Lady Mother's expression quickly turned from dark to sweet as she smiled pleasantly at Rin.
-I hope you have a good night then.
When Lady Mother was out of sight, Rin allowed herself to sigh.
Just what have I got myself into?
She shook her head and entered her room. She then called a servant since she wouldn't dare to be late tomorrow.
There was a knock on the door and with Rin's permission the servant entered and waited, if not vexed, Rin's orders.
She smiled her best smile.
-Could you please wake me up a little before sun rise?
The servant, who was the same that treated Rin so poorly when she arrived, gritted her teeth but nodded and bowed.
-Anything else, Rin-sama?
Rin sighed inwardly noticing the hatred she was sure was not going to fade soon. She shook her head in the negative anyway.
She never noticed the cunning smirk on the demoness' face as she walked away.
Rin yawned and covered her eyes when they met the sun's blazing light. She frowned.
Sun?
Her eyes widened and an enraged voice echoed in the halls, only reassuring her fears.
-Where is she?
With speed she didn't know she possessed, she got up and dressed. She smoothed down the kimono and brushed her hair just in time for the door to open with a loud 'bang' revealing a very much disappointed Lady Mother. The lady stopped just inches away from Rin's face and glared.
-Is this how you show your gratitude? With disrespect and sloth?
The young ward gulped and tried to search in her mind how in the seven hells could this happen. She was sure she ordered a servant to wake her up before sun rise so she could meet the lady on time. She suddenly gasped, realization hit her.
How dare she?
She gave the lady a pleading look.
-My lady, let me explain…
-I do not need your pathetic excuses!
She all but screeched making all the beings within hearing range cringe.
That was when a certain demon lord couldn't take it anymore and his powerful voice boomed within the walls.
-MOTHER!
The lady snapped her mouth shut, closed her eyes, took a deep breath and waited for her very angry son to show up. His steps could be heard from the entire palace.
Soon enough, Sesshomaru appeared. His beautiful features were marred by a frustrated scowl and his lip was curved in a vicious snarl. His sleeping yukata was wrinkled and messy. It was the first time Rin saw her lord less pristine than normal. She had to admit she found herself quickly sweeping her hungry eyes through the way the yukata hugged his hard muscles and revealed a bit of his pale chest. She blushed and looked down. It was shameful the way she thought of him!
Sesshomaru obviously couldn't care less how he was looking like. His attention was solely on his loud parent. He managed to calm himself a little. Truly, only his mother could make him feel like pulling his hair in irritation.
-This Sesshomaru spent the whole night reading and signing requests and reports and would appreciate some rest. You will cease your incessant screeching at once!
If Rin didn't know Lady Mother better she would say that she was pouting.
The lady crossed her arms and glared at her son.
-Well, this wouldn't be happening if it wasn't for your irresponsible ward!
Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow and his eyes locked with Rin's.
-Is this true, Rin?
She blushed but this time of embarrassment.
-Huh…n-no…I mean yes…kind of…
He frowned in confusion. The lady glared at Rin and proceeded to explain his son what happened.
He shook his head and stared at Rin.
-This Sesshomaru is sure that Rin has a good reason for this.
She glanced at her lord hopefully.
-I do, my lord.
He nodded and the lady hesitantly nodded too to make her know they were listening. Rin cleared her throat.
-I would never disrespect you, my lady. I am sure I asked a servant to wake me up before sun rise. It is clear that the servant didn't attend to my request.
She could hear her lord growling lowly.
-And who might that be?
Rin knew that her lord would be unmerciful in his punishment. Even if the servant has been only mean to her Rin was still innocently kind and forgiving. She said almost in a whisper.
-I ask of you, my lord…do not hurt her…
Sesshomaru couldn't help but feel concerned. He moved closer until he was an arm's distance from his ward and gripped her chin. He searched in her eyes and his heart clenched when he could only find guilt.
What do you blame yourself for?
That was the last straw and he could feel anger like never before invade his entire body. He roughly squeezed her arms making her gasp. He snarled in her face.
-Why are you doing this? What do you gain on blaming yourself? Can't you see that if nothing is done about it, it will only get worse?
-M-my, lord…you're h-hurting me…
He only growled and shook her. He wanted her to understand!
-Damn it, Rin! Who was it?
-I-it was me, my lord.
They all turned to the one who spoke. Rin's eyes widened as she recognized the maker of her problem.
Truth was, the demoness heard how the human she so much despised tried to defend her despite everything. She decided the girl was foolish but deserved her gratitude and respect. When she saw her suffer for her own evil she couldn't bear it anymore and revealed herself. She gulped when Sesshomaru released Rin and growled deadly in her direction.
-You know what awaits you, don't you?
She nervously nodded.
-Good. This Sesshomaru will not be disturbed anymore and kami help me if my rest is interrupted again.
And with those words he left.
Rin sighed. She was just tired of all this drama.
-Rin.
The young ward silently faced Lady Mother with sad eyes. The lady tried to smile apologetically.
-I'm sorry.
Rin nodded.
-It's alright. You didn't know.
Lady Mother sighed and noticing Rin's bleeding arms made her feel even worse. She gently grabbed her hand.
-Come. Let me treat those wounds and then we'll start your first lesson.
Rin just complied and followed her lady. Both of them made sure to avoid Sesshomaru's chambers all day.
Rin glanced at the gorgeous kimono that she was wearing. It was white and its form showed all her curves nicely and even enhanced her bust. It had a big crescent moon just like her lord's in the back. As she admired herself in the mirror she noticed the lady standing behind her smiling and tying her golden obi.
-Lesson one…
She announced proudly.
-You must dress yourself in the proper attire one such as the lord's ward deserves. As they look at you and at the symbol in your back they know whose protection you're under.
Rin nodded and returned the smile. She couldn't help but blush at her reflection. She humbly considered herself pretty in the kimono. She wondered if her lord would be pleased to see her in this.
Silly Rin.
As if reading the young ward's thoughts, Lady Mother whispered in her ear.
-His chest will swell with pride.
Rin blushed a darker shade of crimson. She stuttered.
-W-who will?
The lady smirked.
-Don't play dumb.
Rin decided to stay silent until the end of the lesson but her blush stubbornly remained.
Dressed and pampered, Rin could hardly recognize the woman staring at her in the mirror. She felt a nice feeling of confidence take over. She felt like she could get whatever she wanted. Whoever she wanted.
She definitely liked this woman.
The lady grabbed her hand and spun her around so that she was facing her.
-Come, vain. It is time for your second lesson.
Rin was led to the garden where the sun was shining. Almost unbearably so. She soon was sweating through the thick layers of her beautiful kimono and she felt awful for staining such fine silk with her now sickening scent. Lady Mother giggled.
-Don't worry, Rin. Your scent is as always.
Rin felt confused. The lady gripped the silk between her thumb and forefinger and caressed it.
-It's demonic material. It can repair itself and can maintain the original scent of its owner at all times, no matter what.
Oh, such a wonderful thing! Still, Rin would take care of them like they were normal clothes.
Her eyes widened as the lady took her hand and placed it on her shoulder and gripped firmly the other in hers and raised it in a dancing stance. The lady grinned, showing a pointy fang.
-Lesson two…
She then gently moved Rin's neck slightly to the side.
-When dancing, the female must always bare a little her neck to the male. It shows her not entire submission and enjoyment.
The lady then gripped the young ward's waist and flushed her against her body making Rin gasp. The lady then rested her head in Rin's shoulder and whispered in her ear.
-The male will press his body closely against the female sharing his warmth and showing his protectiveness. He will position his head like this to have better access to the female's scent and neck. You can say it is a daring move.
Rin could only nod dazed. This way of dancing felt somewhat right.
Kohaku sighed relieved when he spotted the tall walls of the western palace. Just a few more minutes and he could see her lovely face again.
With perfected agility he climbed the stone walls like it was nothing and noticed he was in a beautiful garden. He heard voices and watched as his beloved danced with an ethereal demoness. He frowned confused at the intimate way they were dancing. In a small dark and perverted corner of his mind he thought it was…well…kind of hot.
He looked to his left then to his right and made a move to greet HIS Rin but stopped frozen when he heard a deathly growl and felt a powerful aura he knew too well behind him.
All of the hairs in his human body stood up when a striped clawed hand gripped his shoulder and fangs scraped mockingly in his ear.
-Kohaku.
Author's Note: Uh oh…