((AN: Heylo readers, hope things are well. ^.^ Wrote another short and very sweet SessRin story, thought I'd go ahead and post it up since it's been nearly a month. x3 At least I'm being consistent in my length of time between stories again. :3
I had the idea of writing a little moment that explores how Rin feels about her husband getting some unwanted attention from other women. x3 Inadvertently it kinda goes with the theme of Pride Month; to me, Sesshomaru has always given off asexual (at the very most, demi) vibes, as he's never seen being interested in anyone past how they would have affected his own agenda. Once he had the time to even think about being in a relationship, Rin was the one who affected him the most emotionally, thus also physically. I myself am demisexual, so I guess it just feels quite easy to tell so in other characters...I sometimes almost fear that I write Sesshomaru too romantically, but one of the latest chapter scans from the manga shows that he indeed seems quite romantic, if only around Rin, so I'm a bit more confident. x3
Anyway, do enjoy another indulgent romantic chapter while I still explore potential ideas. x3 I actually have one for a nice family story next time that's partially written, and also one with another little look at the InuKag family as well.
Until next time, hopefully not as long a time ^.^))
One True
Coming across other demons was par for the course when traveling with one...especially one whose reputation ran far and wide across the country. One whose name tended to inspire awe and fear. A Great Demon with an easy claim to a kingdom in his grasp, waiting for him to seize it.
Rin was quite used to seeing such attentions paid to Lord Sesshomaru; she'd also seen it often enough as a young girl. Most often it was a demon who boasted great strength, looking to challenge him...those were fewer and further between since he'd become a Great Demon and the devastating power he could wield became known. Other times, it would be a demon who would want to aid in whatever quest he had going on, thinking him still on the track to ultimate conquest of the lands...to which he'd brusquely refuse (leaving the imp vassal to add that there was no particular need of allies at the moment).
And sometimes, attention also came from demons who were after him for other reasons...a piece of his power, his prestige...his bloodline.
As his wife, though she knew that she had nothing to worry about on that front...at least, she thought she did...these interactions still tended to bother the young woman a little when she witnessed them.
Rin stood back a little ways, having been stretching her legs on their walk and holding onto A-Un's reins for Jaken, watching one of those sorts accosting Sesshomaru for a conversation. The creature was one of the more beautiful demon women that she'd seen in their travels: a very pale humanoid form covered in a white-green glow of sorts, with long braided hair a shade darker than her skin, and an elegant black kimono with moonlit patterns that she wore quite low on her shoulders. Traveling along in her glowing presence was a throng of fireflies, flitting about their random ways, but not far away from her...it was hard to tell if they were real. The human figured that perhaps she was a firefly or glowworm demoness, considering the two short antennae curled back on the top of her head. Her pupils caught the light of the midday sun as if they were made of tiny facets instead of singular eyes, though they were focused securely with interest on the imposing figure in front of her.
"Lord Sesshomaru," the demoness greeted with a silky voice that seemed to echo, and the smile on her seemingly-painted lips was recognized as one of interest. "What an honor it is that you come to travel before my meadow. Do you wish to rest here?"
"We are but passing through," Jaken immediately sounded for his Master with indifference, waiving his small hand dismissively. "Show your reverence and then step aside for my Lord and Lady, lest you incur his wrath."
"'Lady'?" the firefly demon blinked and briefly glanced over Rin. "Ah. I had mistaken her for a vassal, as she seems to be towing your beast for you. And she is dressed for travel."
"If I may, Madam; I like to walk A-Un too, so they don't always have to carry me, and to let Jaken rest his hands, rather than just sitting there," Rin spoke up, patting the dragon's side and earning her a soft, grateful grunt. "It makes them happy."
The demoness's eyes narrowed at her, which instantly told the young woman that she wasn't going to see or hear any of her words past her observation.
"She is a human."
Her gaze turned back to Sesshomaru, quite clearly showing that she was going to direct all of her statements to him rather than anyone else. "Interesting how you let your plaything speak so freely. I'd have thought someone like you intolerant of such impertinence."
Rin's brow furrowed at her blunt behavior, but one sidelong look from Jaken silenced any retort. She quickly got back onto the saddle instead. I have to remember that demon nobles don't see me as equal to Lord Sesshomaru. We'll avoid much trouble if I just stay quiet. But I hope we get past this one quickly.
"And who are you to speak as boldly to me?" the Great Demon calmly inquired, though his own eyes had narrowed at her. Rin could at least see that he was more annoyed than anything by the guest as well.
"Ah, yes, where are my manners," she giggled playfully behind one of her sleeves and bowed only lightly at the waist, "I am Akiko; I once held the distinction of princess of the lantern flies...sadly, fights with other demons have whittled our peaceful clan down to a mere few who guard their own little fields by night."
"A fallen noble, then," Sesshomaru lightly huffed, and started walking past her. "You've barely the temerity to speak as you do."
"Perhaps not," the demoness acquiesced, her eyes following him, "However, that means I instead must wield the humility to search for aid from greater powers without the need for a fight...and it is quite fortunate for us to have met. I wish for you to hear my offer. An alliance with a strong and noble lineage as yours would benefit...not only to strengthen us, but to bolster you, as well. I have heard tell that the Dog Clan aren't in very different circumstances. My belated condolences for your father. My ancestors knew him well."
"It is appreciated, but unnecessary," he stopped to speak, but he didn't turn to acknowledge her. "As is the offer of an alliance. I need no such help."
"You heard my lord! Begone with you!" the imp squawked.
"You begone, little pest; surely Lord Sesshomaru speaks for himself," the glowing demoness huffed back and walked up to the taller creature's side. "And surely you aren't going to continue to let your bloodline be muddled with humans...you know how that turned out for the Great Dog. I, however," she reached out to touch his arm, and there was a visible glow of desire in her eyes, "can provide you with strong heirs, if you so wish it...or even if you just tire of a…" her fingers brushed his sleeve, "mortal's touch."
Rin didn't notice her fingers curling into fists around A-Un's reins...she could only stare forward, trying to stay quiet, though she was certain she was scowling. How dare she…?
Suddenly, his arm whipped up, and Rin could hear a light smack as the other woman's hand was forced away. "I am not interested," he seemed to growl. "Neither in you, nor in your pleas to bolster your dead clan. If they were not strong enough to survive, then that was their mistake to rectify. That you would offer your body makes it all the more pathetic." He turned so that he glanced at Rin and Jaken. "Let us keep moving."
"Pathetic?" the demoness hissed as she watched the party walk past her again. "Hrmph! You are as cold and cruel as they say, Lord Sesshomaru. Or that human has you under some kind of enchantment. There is no reason a man would have to reject me. You are the pathetic one for spurning help for your dead clan."
"You are clearly more desperate than I," he stated simply, and set his eyes forward, intent on moving on past the distraction.
Rin, relieved still in the knowledge that her husband wasn't so easily coerced by such women, couldn't help but feel a little sympathy for the demoness...though it wasn't quite the same, broken families were still a hard thing to move past, and she could understand on some level.
"I do wish happiness for you in the future, Lady Akiko," she told her sincerely with a short bow of her head, before turning her gaze back to the path forward.
Unfortunately, the demoness couldn't be mollified with the girl's show of kindness. She watched the group slowly moving away with simmering anger boiling up to the surface. Not only had one of the strongest Great Demons in the country spoken to her like that...but that human had the gall to pity her?!
It was all too much.
"Well then...at least I can do you a favor and rid you of your little distraction, Lord Sesshomaru…" a voice seethed from behind them. The demon glanced behind him to see the glow around Akiko having grown much brighter, much more fierce, and she was taking on a more monstrous appearance as she floated into the air, a pair of gossamer wings having erupted from her back and an extra pair of arms from her midsection.
"No one humiliates Akiko, Princess of Pestilence!" She cackled in a mad fashion, and sent a conjured ball of lightning toward a surprised Rin, who couldn't but let out a yelp and tumble to the ground from the draconic steed's back to avoid it...ever thankful that she'd made sure to train her reflexes.
As she ducked and covered her head (and A-Un shielded her with his own body), she could hear the two-headed beast roaring, and Jaken screaming out, "You disrespectful wench!"
It was a shadow passing overhead followed by the sound of slicing through the air that caused her to look up and witness what was occurring. Sesshomaru had wordlessly leaped forward in front of the party, his whip of light striking the creature and cutting across her arms, severing them and carving a tidy "x" into her body in the process. Her high-pitched scream was grating as she fell back, bleeding.
As Jaken was helping Rin up, she watched as her husband calmly recalled his whip, facing the hissing and shaking creature, whose glow was gone and whose seeming throng of fireflies had vanished.
"I will honor your former alliance with my father by letting you live. But if you try that again, there will be no amnesty," he intoned with a light sneer as he turned his back once more, letting his chilling silence fill the space in his wake.
To her credit, the demoness didn't try to get up again. She only watched with simmering pain as he walked away, with just a short pause to inspect the human for wounds. When she softly confirmed that she was unharmed, he continued to lead the way forward once again, through the meadow and out of the fallen noble's path.
Once they were a good distance away, Jaken could be heard letting out a quiet sigh of relief. "Glad that's over. What a stupid woman, assuming the Master would cow to her wiles."
Rin hummed with some agreement. "Not to mention rude...flirting with him even after hearing he's married."
"Well, yes, but that's really neither here nor there, as marriages are mainly political agreements," the imp replied in an almost flippant manner. "A demon noble has the prerogative to take as many lovers as he wishes; an official marriage didn't stop his father, after all," he added in a mutter. "Still, Lord Sesshomaru has always had better things to do than to indulge in such things."
In the back of her mind, Rin knew that little fact. But, when she was with him, the thought never crossed her mind that he'd ever think of anyone else over her...he always let her know, in his own way, that she was the one who managed to capture his heart, and without really trying. He made her feel like she'd become an important part of his whole world. She trusted him unconditionally, and never knew him to lie.
And still the demoness's words had seemed to leave an invasive little thought. "...Even if you tire of a mortal's touch."
Looking up to Sesshomaru's back, he was a good few feet ahead of them, and yet she didn't even wish to speak her question out loud to Jaken, knowing that he'd hear.
Would he ever want anyone else? I doubt it, but...again...I am only a mortal.
"Well," she finally said with a sigh and distractedly patted the hair down on both A and Un's necks, "However my lord husband is happy...so am I."
The statement sounded sincere enough, but it lacked enough of Rin's usual enthusiasm that it made Jaken start to mentally double back on his words, a bead of sweat forming on his brow. Oh dear...I am not much of an expert on a woman's thoughts, but something tells me that I shouldn't have run my mouth.
Up ahead, Sesshomaru had barely made out her words of reply, but he read the discomfort behind them more clearly.
Sometimes I wonder how I've gone so long without killing that imp.
"Take a look, milady...I think I found many different kinds of edible mushrooms!"
It was much later on, a bit after nightfall, when they'd found a place to rest. They'd crossed from one meadow into another past a rocky ravine, and had come upon a curious sight at the edge of a nearby stream: a tiny abandoned cottage.
Rin couldn't help but want to take a peek inside, after Sesshomaru had confirmed that he could smell nothing but dust and old wood and paint. Whatever inhabitants had been here, human or demon, had left long ago. Save for a few holes in the roof, the place was fairly intact, though the only two rooms were empty of anything valuable. Still, a roof was a roof, and they'd found it a good enough place to make camp.
The young Lady had stored her travel armor in one of the rooms and easily made a cozy fire of the pit in the center, illuminating the dark and dreary home with a semblance of life and bringing a more comforting atmosphere; the home itself then seemed welcoming of the arrivals, as if it were just happy to be of use again after so long. Jaken had eagerly volunteered to forage (probably to make himself useful to make up for whatever he said to upset Rin), while Sesshomaru silently patrolled across the perimeter, his senses open to any approaching danger.
Pausing her poking at the fire, she stood up and stepped over to inspect the imp's little haul. After moving them around for a second, she smiled lightly. "Indeed; these are all edible. Good work, Master Jaken, you've gotten good at that...oh, hang on," she paused on a piece of fungus that bore a different color than any of the others, "This one's poisonous…"
Once she poked the offending mushroom, it suddenly gave a short squeak and proceeded to wiggle out of the pile.
"...Or apparently alive."
"Aaah, a young fungus demon! How'd I miss that?" Jaken yelped and raised his staff, the pointed end hovering overhead. "I'll get it!"
"Not in the food!" Rin immediately yelped, pulling the other good ones in the pile away so that the fungi were separate. "Okay, now go after it!"
Thankfully, the tiny fungus demon was quite slow, and with a good thock, it was dispatched. "Hoo, that was a close one."
"Again, that's good work," she smiled once more, making Jaken beam with pride as the two of them gathered the mushrooms to add into the food mix.
Listening to the conversation from nearby, Sesshomaru couldn't help but notice that Rin's slightly more disquieting demeanor from earlier was still there, even if she could put on a good show of cheerfulness. She hadn't spoken as much during the walk.
Mayhap she needs a distraction now. After today, I am not far from her in that regard.
Not long after he thought that, he finished his patrol and turned back toward the cottage, and paused to notice that the grasses around them had been coming slowly to life. The flickering of the light from the dwelling seemed to be awakening the natural fireflies from their hiding spots and their slumber, to begin their nightly summer dances to look for mates.
Looking up from her meal, Rin noticed the movement outside and caught sight of her husband in the darkness, watching the tiny floating flashes. Her heart, as always when noticing how very ethereally beautiful he was in the midst of the nature around him, skipped a beat.
After a second of feeling her heart aching, she set down her empty bowl and stood up to go join him. As she did, she caught sight of one tiny firefly daring to land right on the tip of his nose, briefly startling him. The sight jostled a giggle from her, and she watched as he merely raised the tip of a claw to let the insect walk there instead. When Rin raised her hand, he lowered his to let her see it.
"I hope these aren't following anymore firefly demons," she murmured as she gently took it in her palm, watching the little beetle simply flashing on its new perch.
"No...I sense no presence here but for us," he hummed back.
"That's good," she breathed out, smiling and letting out another short giggle as the tiny bug finally lifted back into the air to join its brethren. She couldn't help but feel uplifted once more, as she'd always done when she was free of the day's events and able to breathe the fresh night air. She turned her head up to look at him. "It feels like a good night for a stroll through the grass, in fact."
A fortuitous distraction. "My thoughts are the same," he replied with a glance back down, and she felt the warmth in her heart when she saw his gaze soften upon her. "Do you wish to join me?"
Her smile widened a little more, and the shine in her eyes seemed to return, if slowly. "I am always happy to, Lord Sesshomaru."
He nodded, and spared his vassal (who was still eating and listening to them) a glance. "Mind the camp, Jaken."
"Yes milord, I'll await your return," the imp quickly replied, before adding with a cheeky wave and a smile, "Don't do anything I wouldn't do…!"
Thwack!
"Guh...I mean, have a nice stroll."
Rin would briefly wonder if Sesshomaru actually stored rocks somewhere just for throwing at Jaken, or if he really found them that quickly...but soon, her mind happily jumped back to just the thought of such a lovely night to spend with him as they walked on together.
The two followed the stream, at first just lazily walking in companionable silence and taking in the sounds of the night life and the feel of the cool breeze on an otherwise humid night. Each were catching glances to each other out of the corner of their eyes, wishing to talk and yet finding no way to start. Rin was usually the one who could speak quite easily about everything, but right now it seemed that she was doing more thinking. Sesshomaru allowed her to do so, knowing that she would eventually speak her mind.
Just then, another firefly seemed to appear out of nowhere in front of her face, shocking the young Lady out of her reverie and making her release a surprised giggle. As it flew away, she took the intrusion as a challenge and went after it with another laugh, while Sesshomaru just watched her.
He was happy when he saw glimpses of her inner child coming to the forefront. Sometimes, after the long gap of time that he'd spent away from her, it would feel like he knew two different Rins: the playful girl that he took in as a ward, and the slightly more serious woman that he loved...seeing her like this, letting herself go and hearing her laugh, reminded him that they were one and the same, and that she'd never been away from him...not really.
A wonder that her smile stirs me so, he thought as she returned with the firefly she'd caught and placed it on the tip of one of the spikes on his armor, to see if it would perch there. He was frozen, watching. And only hers. Mother might have been right...maybe I am strange. But then...I never cared.
The tiny creature stood flashing its light for a minute more before leaving, giving Rin's ear a tiny buzz and making her chirp a giggle. Her hand had been resting beside the firefly on his armor as she watched it, and was still there as she watched it depart.
His own hand reached up, settling gently on hers and making her turn again to look up, questioning.
She was struck for a moment with the look in his eyes. With his gold irises glowing steadily and lightly in the dark, she saw that they were completely focused on her, and she couldn't quite tell the mood in them...admiring and soft, but at the same time...worried? He was searching for something in her gaze, and she could only peer back with the same inquiries floating around, but hard to grasp onto, to make into words. His fingers enclosed around her hand, and her thumb found itself rubbing over the length of his, from knuckle to claw and back.
"My lord…" Rin finally hummed, breaking the silence and stepping closer, her other hand resting up on his shoulder under the mokomoko. "Does something trouble you?"
"No," he replied after a pause, and he led her to the crest of a nearby hill where they could see the stream and much of the field around them. He moved his swords to his side on the ground and sat down, letting her follow to sit comfortably facing him between his knees. "However...I know something has troubled you," he continued, releasing her hand.
"Me? No," she shook her head and turned her gaze from his. "I'm just tired after such a long day."
She felt him take her chin in his fingers, and he coaxed her gently to face him again. His stare was a little harder, but still patient. "You cannot lie to me, Rin. I can hear your heart change its pace as you speak."
The young woman took in a breath, and she shuddered a little as she let it out. She felt his thumb softly brushing against her cheek as he still held her to face him. "It isn't a lie, really…" she murmured. "I really will be okay. I was just...it's stupid, and I didn't want to trouble you with it…" she reached up and lightly rested both hands on his raised arm. "I think I was letting what happened with that female demon today get to me. What she said about me...and then what Master Jaken told me, about demon nobles having several lovers…"
"Human nobles can do the same, to my knowledge," he pointed out, letting go of her chin to idly run his fingers through strands of her hair that were falling forward over her shoulder. "Keeping mere servants to sate pleasures of the flesh, or more than one wife. If that is your concern, you may rest assured...I've never had such inclinations...before or after I married you."
A soft smile came to her face again, and she placed her hand over his. He let it drop to be held between hers, and she ran her fingers, so delicate compared to his slender and bony knuckles, along the inside of his palm. She seemed fascinated to play with his hands like this sometimes, as if disbelieving that they could be so strong, his claws deadly and poisonous, should he call up that power. He found the sensation rather soothing.
"I had figured as much," she nodded her assent. "I suppose that woman's insistent eyes on you had just annoyed me as well. But at the same time, I feel I must be selfish...wanting to keep someone as utterly magnificent as you all to myself."
"It is selfish," he answered quite bluntly.
She couldn't help but snort, her smile dropping again. "My lord, please…"
"Allow me to finish my thought," he hummed, regaining her attention as his fingers curled around hers again. "You are not wrong to feel this way, for it is also my will. It is you whom I have married, Rin."
The insistent, possessive look in his eyes as he said this told her everything. He married ME. Only I have been given his heart. Given his own complete trust. She felt her face warming. Given his body. So only I have the right to be selfish.
She shifted herself closer and he lowered his legs, letting her sit on his thigh, and as she felt his arm going around her back to support her, she looked at him with what he recognized as curiosity in her eyes. They looked like two chestnut-brown pools that shimmered even in the firefly-hazed darkness. She laid her shoulder a little into his, relaxing. "So, in all of your years of life before me, Lord Sesshomaru...you have never had a lover?"
"No. As was mentioned...I had focused on other pursuits. Self-betterment and power. Distractions of the flesh were beneath me; as were distractions of the heart."
"Hm," she breathed as she thoughtfully looked down at the patterns on his sleeve. "I hope you'll pardon me my fascination...that just feels so unfathomable to me, that I'm the first being with whom you've fallen in love...or even had experienced intimacy."
"I suppose it would seem unfathomable to a human; they would only be able to see time within the scope of their own lives," he pointed out, holding her a little more tightly. "You should understand that, even at my current age, to my kind, I have only just entered my young adulthood."
She giggled, having thought of something, and he could see her hiding a grin behind her hand. "So you could say that we were kids together."
"Only just," he huffed, and she giggled again; he didn't mind. The sound was like a gentle chime in his ears, only giving life to the rest of the night sounds. "The point is, I wouldn't have long had an interest in such things. I will admit to having had an...education on intimacy when I came of age…" the memory seemed to make him sneer. "A concubine that I suspect was sent for by my parents. One of many things about noble life that I would have no problem leaving behind."
The memory in his head seemed to dissolve as his attention returned to the real world, and to the watchful presence of the woman now resting in his arms. The fingers of his free hand came up and slid across her cheek, and he felt trickling, life-giving warmth in his heart when she nestled it into his palm. "Not until you, have I ever felt what it meant to love in such a way," he concluded with a soft voice.
Her eyes were half-closed in comfort as she was leaning into his touch. Her fingers came up and lightly curled upon his wrist, over the demon stripes. "I remember us meeting a couple of other women that you seemed to feel for a little," she pointed out, more with curiosity than with any kind of apprehension. "Like that princess who gave her body to demons to fulfill a desire for you."
"Sara Asano; I do remember that day," he nodded, turning his head as he thought back. "I suppose she garnered a measure of empathy in me, once I finally heard from the human that was trapped in that molded body of demons, and her plight. Empathy, perhaps some flattery at her declaration of feelings, but nothing more than that. She was dead."
"True; she was very pretty though," Rin hummed. "Then there was Kagura; I used to think she had a thing for you. I still remember her well."
He nodded in agreement. "As do I." A short pause of thought. "She was another I could empathize with, perhaps. She just wished to be free of Naraku's grasp. And she was tricked. As for what she'd thought of me, I knew she saw me as a means to an end...the one who could free her. I saw a strong will, an acquaintance, perhaps...nothing more than that. But...hers was a regrettable fate."
"It was," the young Lady agreed with a quiet sigh, before smiling again as she rubbed her hand over his. "And then there is plain little me, who caught your eye even though I haven't the kind of otherworldly beauty that demons could have."
She felt his hand leaving her face and his arm drop from around her back. "Rin."
The sudden, serious way he sounded made her tense, and she quickly sat up again to face him. "Yes?"
He had a stern look about him as he met her gaze, intensified by a small frown of disapproval. "Did I not tell you to carry yourself with pride? I will have no one treat you as anything less, not even yourself. You are worthy of me. I want you to repeat that."
"I…" she gulped, feeling the heat rising on her face at his insistence...knowing that he was quite serious. She was finding it hard right then, though she hadn't an idea why, to break through the barrier of her own uncertainty. But, she knew that it was only her fault for letting the words of a jealous demoness get to her...and she knew that he wouldn't let her feel weak about herself. Weighted by his intense, focusing eyes, she nodded and repeated his words, though softly. "I am worthy of you."
"You aren't convincing me," he said. "Again."
She felt a jolt through her spine, and with it, resolve.
He wanted her to convince him? She was certainly going to make sure he knew.
Her brow furrowed, and her back straightened, and the timidity was banished from her voice, for all she could summon through a shaky breath. It was as if she were telling him, herself, and anyone who dared to listen.
"I, Rin...Lady Rin, am worthy of Lord Sesshomaru...I, and no other."
A light smile curled the corners of his lip, his eyes alight with approval as his fingers tucked under her chin. "Now that is more like my lady."
She took a long, deep breath and let it out, as if she had let a weight slide from her mind, and smiled brightly back at him. "I should never have doubted, you or myself…I feel well and truly silly about it now. My sincerest apologies, my lord."
"There is nothing to forgive," he hummed as he wrapped his arm around her again and pulled her close against him. "Reassurance is needed at times. I wished to give it, and to have you find it yourself. You needn't have felt threatened even by a demon woman...outward appearances are superficial and hardly telling. I find it is not what catches my eye."
Rin nestled more comfortably, feeling the softness of his fur trail at her side as she continued to happily gaze at him, taking in every handsome feature of his face. She found, ironically, that while his otherworldly looks had caught her eye first, it was his nature, his silent kindness and air of mystery and strength, that kept her. It still had. "So...what did catch your eye about me?"
Where to even begin? Sesshomaru thought with an inward hum. Perhaps it was because he knew Rin for much longer than any woman (save for his mother)...but it didn't seem like it was any one thing that kept his thoughts wandering back to her. It was just her, all of her, that struck his heart so deeply.
His free hand reached up again, his fingers lightly combing through the black strands, while he thought back and remembered many events with her in his life, even somewhat counting them as he spoke. "Perhaps...your courage. Kindness. Loyalty. Wit."
She smiled wider, and he looked at her face framed partially by his fingers and partially by his fur, the way her cheeks grew pink, and the way her eyes sparkled when they looked at him. Where any other woman wouldn't have been so purely, honestly open with their smile to him, there was no deceit, no ulterior motive behind hers.
Gods and spirits help him, but he'd never been so drawn to someone as much as her. He couldn't even imagine letting anyone else have that power over him.
"Radiance," he murmured, perhaps the best word he could think of to describe her appearance and everything within it, as he obeyed the pull of his heart and leaned in, brushing her lips ever softly with his. He felt the little surprised gasp against his mouth, and then her hands slowly going up to cup his face as she fully sealed the kiss.
It was rather like the first time he kissed her, Rin thought; an unspoken question as to how she felt, which she'd answered without hesitance. Tender and gentle, exciting when she felt his fangs so close, feeling the power he was holding back.
She caressed his lips back with a lingering and slow pace, wanting to remember every bit of what he was willing to bestow, to take him in and let him do the same. He seemed to appreciate when she did; a particularly soft and slow pull of his lip made him emit a low, moaning growl as she felt his hand drifting up to her back, and down her spine, to rest right in the curve above her hips. Her own arms lifted further to clasp around his neck and brought her closer, deeper, his tongue taking a dip past her lips.
It was Rin who broke the kisses after a while of indulgent exploration, withdrawing only slightly to catch her breath. Sesshomaru's half-drawn eyes looked her over as their gazes met, her body heaving under his hand as she panted for air, heart thundering, so warm...it still took him by surprise at times, how much of an obvious impact he had on her. And he was quickly becoming just as undone, feeling her hands sliding from around his neck to dip into his collar.
"Lord Sesshomaru…?" she practically whimpered in want, echoing the change in her scent...oh what hearing his name on her voice like that did to him...
But, he felt like he had to regain some control...they were still out in the open. His hand reached up and took one of her wrists. "Not here," he murmured back. "The cottage."
He felt her slight disappointment making her tense body sag a little on him; but she knew that he was right, as the light came back to her eyes and she hid her face in his fur to ground herself. "Master Jaken must be annoyed to be sent away most nights though."
"Mm," the demon nudged her head with his cheek, "This time I will close the door to our room and enshroud us. He will hear nothing."
Rin's eyes widened and her fist gripped some of his fabric. He'd done that only once before; she didn't quite know what he did...all that she had felt and seen was the mokomoko fur all around her, and his body above...it was like they'd been transported into a bubble, a world of their own, the rest of reality gone in a white haze.
She curiously looked up at him again. "That seems like it takes more of your energy to do, doesn't it?"
"Yes; but it will not be as draining as the last time if I do not fly."
She abruptly sat up a little more, gaping at the insinuation that he'd flown with her the last time. "Be serious, my lord!"
He only glanced back at her with a short smile on his lip, and her face fell back into his fur with a shy laugh. He shows off to me...I never knew he could be a tease.
She felt his claws combing through her hair in a comforting manner after a moment of silence, her rushing blood calming to a trickle, safe and loved in his presence. She brought her eyes back out to the world again, seeing nothing but peace and darkness, and fireflies.
"I've an inquiry to pose to you as well, Rin."
The young Lady sat up again and turned to face him. "Yes, Lord Sesshomaru?"
His claws lingered at the ends of her hair, gently moving across the top of her back. He knew the answer that she would give to the question at hand...but he figured that it would amuse her to do so.
"Was there ever any man that you've considered before me?"
As expected, she barked out a mirthful, loud laugh. "None whatsoever. I suppose the closest human man I'd consider would be Kohaku, if I hadn't always seen him more like an older brother. But I've always been so consumed by thoughts of you that no one else could even stumble into my fancy."
"Is that a fact?"
"Mhm," she nodded, before straightening up and proudly lifting her chin. "I would turn away a thousand of the best suitors presented to me. None could wrest my heart from you." She sighed a little and placed her hand over his. "I think a few of the village men may have tried, but I was quite adamantly uninterested."
"A thousand? How bold. Such discriminating tastes you have," Sesshomaru mused, turning his palm to take her hand. He brought it close to his lips, and she felt his warm breath on her skin as he murmured into it. "To give your heart to a ruthless demon warlord."
"You mean a very dashing and glorious Great Demon prince," she corrected, feeling her face warming again, "Who has taken my heart, and surely will never give it back."
"I cannot if I've consumed it so, as you've claimed," he hummed as he pressed a kiss to the back of her hand, before facing her again. "Come; it grows late. We'd best not remain here."
Rin hummed with disappointment as her moment with him was over, but nodded with tired agreement and stood up, smoothing down her kimono as she did. "Yes, we should return…" she sent him a coy side smile as he followed, "If we would still like to spend some of the night attending to one another."
In response, he let out a short chuckle through his nose and brushed the small of her back with his hand as they started walking. My own fervor has hardly abated either. As I thought...only she can do that to me.
"There is one more thing I might ask about, my lord, if only to be certain that I am acting properly," she stated, concerned as she looked up at him, crossing her hands in front of her. "Because you wish me to hold myself with pride, as your wife and equal...does that mean I was not wrong in speaking as freely with Lady Akiko as I had before?"
A quick moment of contemplation passed, but he shook his head. "No, you were not wrong. You are neither slave nor servant to this Sesshomaru, but his Lady wife. You will not hide who you are. Any demon who has a problem with that is asking to be cut down."
She smiled and nodded, straightening up more and making sure to walk with confidence beside him. Even now I've more freedom than I had as a human peasant. I think I'll find it hard to ever doubt with him again.
The walk back was as silent as before; but the air was no longer filled with tension. The Great Demon even slowed his pace to a more leisurely stroll, allowing Rin to both move along beside him and enjoy the peace of the meadow. It wasn't long before they were back at the cottage, the fire still steadily glowing on the inside...but oddly, Jaken was looking around with narrowed eyes at the doorway, his staff held in two little clawed hands as if he were making it ready for something.
Sesshomaru stopped somewhat abruptly upon seeing this, causing the young woman to look curiously between the two demons. He lifted his nose to the air and glanced around for a moment before stepping forward, keeping his wife tucked beside him. "Jaken. Do we have visitors?"
"I am not too certain, my lord...I've just been hearing suspicious rustling in the grass. Rest assured, nothing is in the cottage; I've checked."
"Good. Rin," he glanced down at her, "Go inside. Stay behind the entrance."
"Yes," she nodded, slightly concerned as she turned and ran up behind Jaken, peering out from the corner of the doorway. Something did feel amiss right then, but she didn't quite know what; she could only watch as her husband kept looking around, utilizing his senses to capture every noise.
I do smell a demon presence. But they are preferring to lurk instead of make themselves known. How annoying.
He stood still for a moment listening to the shifts in the wind; soon enough, there came another rustle in the grass, and in response, Sesshomaru's hand closed around Bakusaiga's hilt.
"Show yourselves and state your business here," he demanded aloud as he drew the blade out enough for the firelight to glint off the steel, "Or be flushed out."
Almost instantly, there came the sound of hushed, nervous chatter, followed by a throng of shadows raising above the grasses. Six heads in all, nearly human-looking in their silhouettes...but in the light, their eyes were completely compounded like those of insects, black and shiny, and they each had four arms; they looked rather similar to Lady Akiko's more demonic form, but smaller. Their dark haphazard clothes somewhat reminded Rin of ninjas, though none of them seemed terribly skilled at stealth if even Jaken had heard them; on their backs, each of them seemed to carry a bright ball of light.
"So there are more of you firefly demons," Sesshomaru hummed.
"Yes, Lady Akiko sent us to find you, we just got here," one of them blurted out, rather nervously.
"A-and we aren't actually here for trouble, Lord Sesshomaru!" another stuttered, raising all of his hands in a gesture of peace. "Please allow us to speak!"
A tense beat passed, before the Great Demon slid his sword back into the sheath with a shick. "If you do not come for trouble, then why were you spying our camp?"
"Er, we were waiting for you, honest," one squeaked.
"We'd have shown ourselves to your imp there, but uh...he seemed on a hair trigger with his staff," another nervously pointed to one spot where the tips of the grass appeared to be smoldering.
"I was enacting my due diligence of minding my Master's camp!" Jaken spat back. "I will not let anyone pass!"
"Jaken. Silence."
"Er, yessir." As the small demon cowered, Rin gave him a conciliatory pat on his back while continuing to watch the encounter.
"Whichever of you speaks for the rest, step forward," commanded Sesshomaru, "And do not waste my time."
"Th-that would be me," said one of the insect demons as he motioned to the others to step forward in a tight group. They all dropped to their knees; the others had their heads on the ground, but the lead looked up at him as he spoke. "We come to beg forgiveness on behalf of our princess; what she spoke is the truth, there aren't as many of us as there used to be, and because of that we do not wish to engage in any more fighting. But she can still be very haughty in her dealings with potential suitors. Grateful as we are for her life, we hope that you weren't dishonored in any way."
"Her life was spared, even with her unseemly coercion of me," he replied with a snort, and then walked over to stand beside the doorway of the cottage. The demons watched him, still frozen in place and listening. "In fact, if she truly sends you to beg forgiveness...it was not I who was dishonored."
Jaken glanced up at his master, perplexed, but Sesshomaru's gaze had fallen to a watchful Rin. He gave her a silent, meaningful look, and one light tilt of his head towards their audience was all that was needed to understand his intent.
I don't know if this will work...but we'll see. The girl stood up and took a breath, putting on a serious visage and trying to look as imposing as it was possible, as she stepped out into view of the creatures. The imp, with only a short pause to understand, faced them again with a scowl, pointing his staff. "That's right; if you really wish to show your respect, then you will direct your princess's apologies to Lady Rin!"
The firefly demons looked between one another for a moment. Rin felt that she knew what was coming, considering how she was treated by their princess...demons believed humans to be lesser creatures, after all...would an apology to her be beneath even them, seen as mockery? She knew that Sesshomaru would defend her honor (even Jaken, despite his complaints, seemed to have come around on that front), and that his intent here was for her benefit...but to a degree, she would still feel like more like a spectacle than a true wife of a demon lord.
Yet, to their surprise, the demons nodded and turned on their knees to face her, not hesitant in the least. "Your ladyship," the leader bowed his head, "Please forgive our princess and the lantern fly clan for the transgressions made against you and your Lord husband, and for the attempt on your life."
They ARE serious, Rin thought, very moved by the gesture. Even though she figured that they had still done so out of fear of Sesshomaru, there had never really been room in her heart for grudges...and they seemed sincere about only wishing for peace from the constant wars, even among their kind. What would happen when demons and humans finally realize that they aren't so different?
"There is no need for you to beg," she gently spoke, her inflection clear, using the voice she'd found earlier at Sesshomaru's coaching. "I have long forgiven your princess. I hope you will tell her that I bear her no ill will, and that I hope she and the rest of your clan continue to live peacefully for a long time."
The throng of insect demons let out audible sighs of relief, and the leader smiled as he raised his head to her. "You are most gracious and kind, even for a human; it is clear that Lord Sesshomaru has chosen a formidable bride...a rather lovely one at that." He motioned to one of the others, who stood up with something in his hands. As he came closer, it was revealed to be a tiny but ornate gold lantern that glowed steadily with a flameless light on the inside. "As a token of our gratitude and our apologies, we wished to present your party with a gift. This lantern is a treasure of ours; the light always shines in darkness and will never go out."
"Oh, it's quite beautiful!" Rin smiled. "And will certainly come in useful on nights we cannot light a fire. We will treat it with the utmost care." She started to raise her hands to take it, but the imp gave her a glance, and she cleared her throat. "If you would please, Jaken."
"Aye, milady," he smiled as he reached up and gingerly took the gift (also making certain that it wouldn't be a trap or a curse given if Rin had touched it herself).
When it seemed to be the case that the gift wasn't a trap, the Lady glanced up at her husband, who gave her a very quick look in return, a light smile and a twinkle present in his eye.
Never doubt that you are worthy.
"Your clan has no more to fear from us, then," Sesshomaru confirmed, easily switching to his serious demeanor again. "We will have passed through your meadows by dusk tomorrow."
"There will be no further disturbances from us, Lord Sesshomaru, that we promise," the leader stood and bowed once more, facing Rin. "It really was quite an honor to meet you as well, your ladyship. Word of the Great Demon's human bride, one of a boundlessly kind and fearless nature, has been spreading quite rapidly among the demons of this province, and it seems it is true. We wish you well."
"Most kind of you," she returned with a gracious nod, and with that, the demons quickly departed, soon to leave the night silent around the noble travelers. "Farewell!" she called after them with a wave.
After a moment, the young woman, still quite surprised at the turn of events, let out the nervous breath that she held. "Huh; I never once considered that I would be gaining a reputation alongside you, my lord."
"It is true that mostly comes with being associated with me," he hummed and inclined his head. "However, there is now also something to be said for the way you are, Rin. Everyone to whom you speak will see it."
I guess he means...my radiance, she thought, feeling a blush creeping back to her face. I guess I can try to be used to the thought that...I'm more worthy than I realized, if other demons can believe it.
"You are indeed something else, milady," Jaken sighed with a shake of his head and a smile, looking over the small lantern in his hands. "Now, where shall I put this?"
"Somewhere in the doorway will be good for now I think, Master Jaken," Rin said with a short yawn and a stretch of her arms, turning back into the cottage. "I will be about ready for retiring to the room I chose," she informed, only pausing to inspect the fire. She added a piece of wood and poked it a little more before turning and heading off into the corridor where the rooms stood.
Sesshomaru watched her for a moment, catching the quick glance she cast in his direction, as she slid her door to only lay slightly ajar.
He turned to follow, addressing the smaller demon with a look. "Make sure there are no disturbances out here for a little while, until I give word."
"Oh," the imp glanced up at him curiously. "Certainly, milord...but where are you going?"
He answered without turning to look at him, but the servant could hear the minute lightness in his master's tone. "I will be performing my duty to her ladyship."
"Your duty to...oh! I read you loud and clear," the little creature chattered out, turning red and hurriedly turning around.
"And Jaken," he heard Sesshomaru adding with a stern note, making him stop in his tracks, "Rin is the only woman who will ever have the distinction to stand beside me. Remember that."
"I-I-I promise I will, Sire," he stammered out, and once he heard him start walking away again, quickly made to post himself outside on the dusty engawa.
I hope I won't be waiting half the night this time...but then again, I still can't help but feel quite happy for milord, he giggled to himself as he plopped down, facing the firefly-ridden night with the little lantern at his side. And our dearest Rin as well.
...I definitely should have thought before telling her such things. It is clear that, when the time comes...Lord Sesshomaru will never move on from her. And do I dread that day as well.
Despite the solemn thought from the small vassal, the energy felt from the night couldn't help but be peacefully blissful, gratefully silent, and filled with hopeful thoughts for the future.