Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.
Chapter 20
Intimidation
Sesshomaru sat at his desk thinking about the previous events. He wanted to think that everything was right but it was obvious the memory of her lips made him feel like a complete hypocrite.
How could such a weak creature…a human…make him feel so good? Make him feel better than any other one of his kind ever did?
His ideals, his teachings, his everything…felt so wrong now.
He was just so confused.
There was a knock on the door and he gave permission to whoever was there.
-My lord, I have come to discuss the plan as you requested.
Ah yes, his general.
-Sit down, Masaru.
Sesshomaru growled. He was not in a good mood after all.
The general gulped and did as he was told. He watched as the demon lord stood up and returned with a large map. He unfolded it on top of the desk. Sesshomaru began to point at some areas and listened to all the reports the general gave him about what happened to them. He frowned and grew even more suspicious as he heard the report on that important camp Isamu said was completely destroyed.
-There was one survivor. He's in no good shape but we managed to get some words out of him.
Sesshomaru nodded for him to continue. Masaru took a deep breath.
-Between crazed mumblings and pants I was able to recognize the words orange, shining eyes and brown inu traitor.
Sesshomaru frowned. The orange eyes he knew they belonged to that bastard Akio.
-There are only five brown inus serving this Sesshomaru. Their breed is not as rare as the white inus but still rare.
Masaru nodded and produced a list from his armor covered haori.
-These are the names of all the brown inus in our service.
Taking the list Sesshomaru read them all knowing that his name would be there too.
Natsuki
Teiko
Daichi
Daiki
Isamu
He crushed the list in a ball and threw it at his general's face who grunted and rubbed his nose.
Sesshomaru caressed his chin and sighed, frustrated.
-This Sesshomaru wants all of them ready for interrogation this evening.
The general bowed.
-Is there anything else you require of me, my lord?
The demon lord eyed him strangely but just shook his head.
-No, that is all.
Masaru bowed once again and exited the office.
Sesshomaru collapsed in his big chair.
He couldn't believe he was going to interrogate his only friend.
Inuyasha poked at the guard's nose who was glaring at him for all he was worth. The hanyou giggled rather childishly and muttered.
-Ya guys can't really do nothing, huh? Poor bastard.
-There you are, Inuyasha!
The hanyou cringed knowing that he was going to hear it from his mate about his behavior lately. He would never admit it but he had been practically running from Kagome the entire morning.
Noticing this, the guard's mouth twisted in a small smile.
Inuyasha growled and faced his mate.
-What do ya want, Kagome? Can't ya see I'm busy?
The miko looked between her crazy mate and the silent guard.
-Huh?
The hanyou sighed.
-Look…can we talk later? I really don't want to hear ya yelling at me this soon in the morning.
Kagome's face twisted in an angry scowl and she opened her mouth but Inuyasha quickly covered it with his hand.
-Please, Kagome? I'm asking nicely and all.
She huffed but with a last warning she turned and left. Inuyasha crossed his arms and sighed.
Oh, he knew what that moron was doing.
The hanyou slowly turned to the guard by his side who was looking at him with laughter in his eyes and a wide grin on his face.
Inuyasha growled and poked him roughly on the chest.
-Eyes on the front and face serious, soldier!
The guard promptly resumed his early position but as the hanyou left mumbling and cursing the fellow couldn't help but smile again.
Rin sighed dreamingly and touched her lips. She had been acting silly since yesterday. Oh, how good it had felt. If she died now she would die happy.
It had been even better than any of her countless dreams.
But with a confused frown she recalled Kohaku's actions too. She felt terrible but she didn't blame herself for a change. She didn't know after all and she could never see herself more than a friend to Kohaku and vice versa.
She only needed her lord to be happy.
*Flashback*
Rin sneaked out of her bedroom as quietly as possible and made her way to the dining room. She felt a little hungry and couldn't sleep. She kept daydreaming about the kisses and hot touches.
She blushed bright red as that tingling in her most private area returned. She felt embarrassed since she was not that naïve and knew that she was still aroused.
She sighed in relief as she saw a servant and asked politely for a snack. She was pleasantly surprised when said servant smiled warmly and hurried to bid her will.
Well, it looked like today was a good day.
She carefully opened one of the large, heavy doors and entered the dining room. She turned and was startled to find the tormentor of her fantasies speaking to some guard. She bit her lip and pondered if she should forget her hunger and run back to bed or stay and wait for…anything.
It didn't help that he was dressed for bed already too.
Damn that yukata, she thought. So tight and silky.
Her breath hitched in her throat as he dismissed the guard and his eyes found hers. He blinked once and if she didn't know her lord better she would have thought he was embarrassed too.
He walked towards her with slowness that Rin could only call mocking.
He raised an eyebrow in that manner of his.
-It is a bit late for you being still awake, Rin.
She opened her mouth but closed it again like a gaping fish.
Heh…look at that, he was right.
She gulped and hoped that she was not making some weird face or blushing like hell.
-I…I feel a little hungry and…
She decided to whisper the last words like a dirty secret.
-…can't sleep.
The corners of his mouth tugged slightly upwards and she felt like kissing him and punching him at the same time.
He hummed and she could only stare. Kami, she wanted to talk to him about what happened. She wanted to know if it had meant as much to him as to her.
The servant appeared and gave her something to eat and she thanked him. She stood there stupidly with a scalding bowl of soup in her hands and she looked up shyly at her lord.
His eyes softened and she smiled.
-Good night, Rin.
And then he left.
With a yelp she dropped the bowl on the table with a loud 'thud'!
-Damn! That was hot!
The bowl…not the…
She sighed.
*End Flashback*
She smiled and hummed some random tune as she brushed her hair and dressed herself to eat breakfast.
In the dining room she was surprised to see everyone was already there except Sesshomaru. Seeing her disappointment, Lady Mother sniffed her, which was really weird, and grinned.
-My son will not join us this morning, Rin. He's discussing important 'lordly' things again.
Rin giggled and rolled her eyes. She sat and served herself.
-Missing your lover already, Rin?
She froze as she heard those words leave Kohaku's mouth. She raised her head a bit to peer at him and saw him and Sango glaring on the seats in front of her. She gulped.
Inuyasha was choking on a meat bone and Kagome was smacking him on his back to help him.
He spat it out and gasped.
-S-since when…Rin has a…lover?
Oh kami…here we go again.
-I don't have a lover, Inuyasha-kun.
Rin answered through gritted teeth and continued eating.
-Pffft, that was not what I saw yesterday.
She decided to ignore him.
Just keep eating.
She could feel Inuyasha's and Kagome's gaze burning her but she just kept eating.
-What's the matter, Rin? Are you embarrassed? Did he reject you?
Kohaku just didn't know when to shut up.
-Kohaku-kun?
Kagome asked in concern but the slayer had his whole attention on the girl that stubbornly kept eating like no one was talking to her.
Like he meant nothing.
-Don't like to hear the truth, huh? You're just another delusional virgin for him to fuck with! He will NEVER love you!
Well, that broke the dam.
Dropping her chopsticks, she stood up nearly knocking the chair backwards and slammed her fists on the table, screaming at the top of her lungs.
-FUCK YOU!
The room went silent. Inuyasha had a smug smile on his face and Kagome was pale like a ghost. Sango looked like she wanted to kill someone and Miroku was just confused. Shippo kept eating.
Grown up problems weren't his business after all.
Rin closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She then opened them and smiled coldly at Kohaku's shocked expression.
-Excuse me. I lost my appetite.
She turned to leave but Lady Mother's voice stopped her.
-Let me go with you. I could use a walk in the garden.
Rin sighed in relief. She really didn't want to leave alone right now.
She waited for the lady to reach her and together they left the dining room.
Inuyasha slumped down on his seat.
-Well, damn.
He frowned.
What the fuck was that all about?
-Don't worry about it. That slayer was being really rude.
Rin sighed and nodded. She nervously wetted her lips.
-It's just…he's not like this…
That familiar tightening in her throat and the smell of salt reached her nose. Tears pooled her eyes.
-He's my best friend. He's a sweet person.
She wiped her eyes. She was tired of crying for men! If she ever cried for a man it should be of happiness! She stopped and Lady Mother stopped too. The Lady awkwardly wiped the tears from her face and gave a weak smile.
-I'm sure he didn't mean it. He's just…angry and…disappointed.
Rin sobbed.
-I-It's not my fault he…he…fell in l-love with me!
This time, Lady Mother's smile grew strong and confident.
-Of course not. We can't help whom we love.
She squeezed Rin's hands.
-If there's something I learned with love, it was that when we really love that someone, no matter their flaws or attributes, their actions or thoughts…we just love. And it hurts.
She looked into the human's eyes.
-But what life is there without hurting?
Rin sighed.
-Pretty shallow I guess…
Rin snorted.
-We're just a bunch of masochists, heh?
Lady Mother snorted softly too.
-Maybe.
The demoness patted her shoulder.
-What I mean is that this is…ok. Just let the slayer keep…what would Inuyasha say?
Rin giggled.
-Bitching? XD
Lady Mother laughed too.
-Yes, that.
Rin nodded and before she could stop herself she hugged Lady Mother.
The Lady's body went still for a moment but Rin just mentally shrugged and hugged harder.
After a few moments of 'freaked out', Lady Mother relaxed and awkwardly returned the embrace.
Urgh, I haven't been hugged since Sesshomaru was a tiny, cute, fluffy pup.
Lady Mother sighed.
He sure wasn't such a problem as he is now.
They parted and Rin rubbed the back of her neck.
-Love intimidates me now.
The demoness chuckled.
-You're not alone.
Rin didn't know if that soothed her or scared her more.
Author's Note: Oh…GODS! My brain is frozen. ;_; I knew I shouldn't have eaten so much ice scream at once. *sigh* So if this chapter sucks blame it on the delectable icy treat. And once again, thanks for all of your wonderful reviews and patience and interest for this story of mine. This hug is for you. *hugs*