Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.
Chapter 18
Smile
She woke up to the sound of rain. It had been so long since she had a sleep as good as last night. For some reason she had felt protected and loved. The emotions had tickled her belly making her feel warm and tingly. She sighed. She wished she could feel that way every night.
She sat up and stretched. She frowned as she heard her bones crack and wondered when the last time she exercised a bit was.
She shrugged and proceeded to dress herself in the white kimono with the western symbol on the back. She always felt a strange pride whenever she wore it. It gave her the feeling that no matter what she had a place where she belonged to. She couldn't imagine it in any other way. She brushed her hair and looking at her reflection, she realized.
No matter what happened she couldn't picture a life without her lord and the agitated world of demons.
She couldn't bear with the thought of living for the rest of her life as a normal human amongst…humans.
She whimpered, feeling more intimidated as ever. Sesshomaru had in his hands her entire life.
And she could never hate him for it.
In fact, it made her love him more.
Shaking her head, she snapped out of her thoughts when there was a knock on her door.
-Yes?
-Rin-chan?
She huffed. She was planning to spend all day with her lord so she could maybe give a push in their relationship. Ever since he didn't ban her after knowing her feelings and Lady Mother's encouraging words she had been looking forward for today where she could be a little bolder. She liked him very much but she didn't want him interfering with anything.
-What is it, Kohaku-kun?
There was movement on the other side of the door.
-I…I was wondering if you would like to take a walk with…me?
She sighed. If she wanted this to work, today was only her and Sesshomaru.
-I'm sorry, Kohaku-kun but not today.
There was a moment of silence.
-Oh…alright…no problem. I'm sorry for bothering you, Rin-chan.
He sounded surprised and so sad. It made Rin's heart clench but it's not like it was going to kill Kohaku. She had spent lots of time with him before. What would one day do to him?
She heard his footsteps getting fainter and she took a deep breath.
Kami, give me the strength so I don't run away when I see him.
She giggled nervously and headed for the dining room. She was starving.
He was not there again. Rin felt both disappointed and relieved. Lady Mother saw the turmoil in her eyes and decided to calm her.
-He said he would skip breakfast to discuss some matters with his councilman.
Rin blushed and looked up at Lady Mother. The demoness smiled knowingly and Rin's blush intensified. Was she that easy to read?
She threw a nasty glare at Lady Mother but it quickly faded.
She pouted. She just wanted to be with her lord.
-How can this be possible, Isamu?
The councilman looked at Sesshomaru nervously and fidgeted with the large map on the desk. He bit his lip roughly enough to drop a small amount of blood.
It caught Sesshomaru's attention and he startled the other inu when he swiped the blood off his chin with his thumb. He licked it clean and Isamu blushed in embarrassment.
His lord reeked of suspiciousness.
If only things were different. He felt beyond miserable. He knew he was the only one his lord truly trusted and to think him of all people was the traitor.
Sesshomaru sighed and pointed at a location in the map.
-This was the last camp. It was well hidden. Yet when this Sesshomaru sent scouts to check how things were going it was completely destroyed. How could the eastern know about it when they weren't even close to that area?
Isamu gulped and nearly had a heart attack when the demon lord slammed his fist on the desk.
-That camp was important!
Isamu averted his eyes and tried to find an explication that didn't involve betrayal.
-M-maybe they have been spying the camp for a while but only now they decided to attack?
There was a moment of silence as the demon lord narrowed his eyes and tilted his head thoughtfully.
-Perhaps you're right. Alas, we have to do something before they gain the upper hand. This Sesshomaru suggests an invasion.
Isamu gasped.
-Are you sure that's prudent? They will be prepared before the army reaches their walls!
Sesshomaru smirked coldly making his councilman shiver.
-That is why they will all drink scent masking potions.
Isamu breathed deeply through his nose. It was a brilliant plan. But he knew that once the invasion started that damn Akio would notice he didn't warn him and kill his family! Still…there could be a chance Sesshomaru would reach the other lord in time.
If he wanted this to work…maybe he should trust his lord's amazing capabilities.
Isamu smiled and nodded.
-A fine plan, my lord.
Rin huffed and looked boringly at the now cold tea in her cup.
Where is he?
It was almost lunch time and he was nowhere to be found. It was raining outside so she couldn't play with Shippo in the garden.
She sighed maybe for the fiftieth time today and drunk the tea in one gulp. She grimaced at the spoiled taste since the tea was cold. She heard a giggle and her eyes met Lady Mother's.
The demoness walked towards her and patted her head. Rin grunted and made a face.
-Don't be like that, Rin. He will lunch with us today.
Her mood brightened at that.
-There ya are, Rin.
Rin blinked and turned towards the voice. Soon enough she saw those dog ears twitching on top of Inuyasha's head. But he wasn't looking at her.
He was looking at Lady Mother.
And she was looking at him too.
Rin's eyes widened and she dreaded their reactions.
Lady Mother's eyes ran the hanyou's form and her nose twitched. Offspring of a demon and a human usually were abominations. They were hideous since their mixed blood couldn't give them neither the appearance of a demon neither of a human. But this one, right before her eyes, was actually…cute.
She smiled wickedly.
Not to speak of those ears.
Even if he was the proof of her deceased mate's infidelity she was proud that their strong blood made an exception for hanyous.
Inuyasha stood still but held her gaze with ease. He could tell by her features and markings that she was Sesshomaru's mother and for that he couldn't tell if the bastard took after her or he hit his head somewhere in his childhood.
Brrrr…
She took a few steps towards him and his fingers twisted by instinct for Tensaiga. He couldn't help it. So many times he had to draw this sword for someone that looked so much like her. In fact if Sesshomaru was a female they could be twins. He snickered.
At least he inherited his father's manly looks.
Oh! I gotta use that one on Sesshomaru.
He was so absorbed in his thoughts he didn't notice Lady Mother touching his ear in childish curiosity.
It twitched madly and his leg moved slightly. Oh that felt wonderful!
Wait…
He looked up the Lady and narrowed his eyes. She didn't seem to notice and caressed his ear with renewed vigor and a determined expression on her face.
He yelped.
-H-hey! Lady! Get yer claws o-ooooff m-my ears!
He didn't even notice his leg was twitching too when he heard Rin giggling quietly.
He blushed in embarrassment for acting like some dog even if he was half that. He rudely slapped the Lady's hand away for his ear and waited for her to call him 'filthy' or 'half breed'.
He looked up and a chill ran through his whole body when he saw her freaking smiling.
Sweetly.
She clasped her hands together and said in a soft voice.
-I have wanted to meet the youngest son of my fallen mate for a long time.
His eye twitched.
Where are the insults? And did she just admit that I'm my father's son like it was no big deal?
Lady Mother sighed.
-It's true that if things were like before I probably would be the one that treated you worse. But I understand that it isn't your fault our blood runs through your veins. You share it with my Sesshomaru and that is enough.
Inuyasha blinked not used at all being treated by a demon like this. He took a deep breath and decided to give the old hag a chance. She didn't attack him or insulted him yet. He took a step towards her and did a small bow. He was no boot licker.
She smiled again and bowed in return.
Rin watched silently the exchange and her admiration for the Lady increased even more. She huffed. If only her son realized his mistakes like her.
The ear that was caressed twitched again and Inuyasha tucked his arms in his sleeves.
Well, look at that…
Maybe the bastard got really hit in the head somewhere in his childhood.
Oh, there it was. That delightful shiver that ran through her spine whenever she watched him picking the chunks of raw, bloody meat and tearing them with his deathly fangs. They were all eating peacefully, Inuyasha's moans and Sesshomaru's glares making her laugh like a maniac inside, Sango's warning glances burning her, Shippo's silly faces that he did to her across the table, Kagome's melodic laughter and Lady Mother's elegance. This…this was what felt right. Where she belonged to.
He could feel her nervousness prickling his skin. It made him uneasy. There was anxiousness there too. He wondered what made such emotions dominate her.
All the little hairs in her body stood up as she felt his piercing gaze. She shyly looked up only to see him looking back, blood dripping down his chin and a strange glint in his eyes, predatory.
Once again, she experienced that wonderful tingling in her stomach and she closed her eyes. She stood up and excused herself knowing how much like a fool she probably looked.
She headed for the garden hoping for some fresh air unaware of those eyes that followed until she disappeared.
He was kind of sad and unmotivated since Rin denied to take a walk with him. He was planning to confess to her on that moment.
He sighed.
No worries. Tomorrow I'll do it.
She probably was not in the mood and he understood that considering she seemed pretty upset not long ago. Whatever it was, it was still taking a toll on her.
Kohaku nodded to himself and even though it was raining he decided to walk slowly towards the garden. He always liked to go there to think.
She breathed in deeply the musk of rain and earth. It quickly calmed her and she sighed, pleased.
She didn't know why she reacted like that. But there was something in his eyes that made her both want to run away and fall in his arms at the same time. It terrified her that she didn't know what to fear. It made her feel weak.
She never has been with a man before. Much less a demon.
She didn't know what that look meant.
But that tingle in her stomach always felt so good. Maybe it was normal to feel this way.
-What are you doing here, Rin? You will get soaked.
She raised her eyes to his, startled. She saw him walking towards her and soon enough he too was soaked. She inwardly giggled at how much of a nuisance his hair was like this.
He supported a long bang in his hand so it didn't cover his eye and he looked at her. He knew that they both looked silly out in the rain getting soaking wet when there was a warm castle right near them. He too liked the rain and most of the times didn't mind it. He only hated fighting in it. But otherwise, it was nice.
Rin fidgeted nervously with her fingers.
-Now you are soaked too, my lord.
If he wasn't so captured by the way her kimono was clinging to her form he would have chuckled.
It made his breath hitch in his throat as the sexual frustration he has been suffering came to the surface. Her flaws made her perfect, her body small and made for his larger one, her nipples sticking in the drenched kimono provoking him, beckoning him like a siren's call…
He cleared his throat and focused on her face. She was frowning and seemed confused. He felt, dare he say, embarrassed since maybe she noticed his none too discreet staring.
He too was confused. These feelings were all new to him. All his life he lived on hatred, numbness and loneliness. She made him feel warm inside. She made him feel alive.
But that frown both on her brows and lips was making him uneasy again. He wished she would smile at him. To make the confusion and pain go away.
He raised a hand and her eyes followed with interest. He hesitantly cupped her face and heard her gasp at his touch. His thumb caressed her lips slowly, tracing them and memorizing their softness until it rested at one end where he tugged it gently upwards. Her eyes were half lidded burning with love.
His voice was soft and so different from the usual indifferent tone.
-Smile for me, Rin.
Dazed, she leaned in and captured his surprised but welcoming lips in a desperate and passionate kiss.
Author's Note: …Please don't kill me. *hides*