Bound by Privilege

This story is not for profit. It is purely fanfiction. I don't claim any ownership of the manga or anime Inuyasha, the original story, or the characters created by Rumiko Takahashi.

Chapter 11

Sesshoumaru heard Rin's comments as she shook her head looking at the coffee drink that she ordered. Rin sat it on the countertop before walking away from it and scrolling through movies. It was one of the few times the barista failed to get the order right by adding whipped cream on top of it. Sesshoumaru heard her call it extra fluff and added sugar. Rin looked over her shoulder, unsure why Sesshoumaru had yet to reply to any of her remarks regarding the sweet concoction. She was rendered speechless as he handed her the drink sans whipped cream. She thought he'd scooped it off and thrown it away as she would have in protest. But in her shock, she'd started giggling mid-sip because Sesshoumaru did have the spoon in his mouth when he handed it back to her and it made sense now why he hadn't replied. He was too busy eating it.

"Don't tell me you liked it?"

"It's not bad."

"I will never order this without it again."

"You won't be disappointed."

Sesshoumaru basked in Rin's joy. They'd taken the last few days away from the public eye giving them a chance to rest and spend time together. Rin never failed to send Jaken on some errand to keep him busy and out of the house. Neither of them addressed the kiss from the Agate, instead, they'd continued to test the waters around each other, finding themselves easily enjoying everyday life together from the workouts, to cooking, and games. Sesshoumaru found out Rin was a competitor and challenged him to a rather old-school game where they'd been reaching for colorful dots on the floor. Between his height and her flexibility, the game ended in a draw with Jaken walking in and assuming that they'd missed the point, purposefully choosing the spots that would wrap them around each other, yet holding them both up at the same time.

Even now, attempting to watch a movie turned into a session of cuddling with each other. Rin grabbed a blanket and Sesshoumaru grabbed her. Rin interlaced her fingers into his, enjoying their time, lying against her demon protector wondering if she'd underestimated Sesshoumaru. She understood that it would take time for him to adjust to life with her going from the shadows to the spotlight but at every turn he'd gone beyond her expectations.

Sesshoumaru couldn't help but admire Rin even as she drifted off. She'd been adamant that she wasn't too tired and would make it through the movie but as soon as she nestled in, he'd looked down to see her fighting to keep those beautiful eyes open. He smirked, hearing her mumble a quote from the scene playing. The coffee did nothing. A few moments longer, he waited for her to find the depth of her sleep before taking her to her bed. He'd stolen a kiss from her forehead to prevent waking her.

The moon was full tonight as Sesshoumaru closed his eyes listening to the sounds of the streets below. Even close to midnight, the low hums in the distance weren't enough to distract from his thoughts. The Agate was another reminder that he was still under surveillance. Looking over his shoulder one more time into the darkness of the condo Sesshoumaru was satisfied that Rin would be safe while she slept tonight. Any threat would be lured toward him. Despite the height of the dwelling, it didn't bother him. He'd landed easily in the shadows, reminding himself to maintain the distance to the closest wall and remain out of sight of the windows to avoid the night owls that may still be up and moving around as he'd done several times.

Sesshoumaru slipped down an alley beyond a few run-down buildings on the west side of town. He felt less restricted in this place that he used to call home. He knew the streets like the back of his hand. He'd knocked at one of the boarded-up doors, the pattern only known to a select group. The door opened and he nodded to the demon that led him through a labyrinth of hallways and stairs. Demons and humans lined them drinking, laughing, or talking up their bets for the next fight as the hum of music and cheers, boos, or screams and shouts could be heard as they closed their distance to the ring. The demon led him to one of the tables, getting the attention of the woman laughing as she placed a rubber band around a stack of cash and handed it to the man behind her.

"Well, well! Aren't we a sight for sore eyes darling? The last time I saw you was a couple of months ago. You won some low-level fights then disappeared."

"Good to see you too Akari."

He watched her settle, combing her nails through her long dark tresses, letting it all rest over her right shoulder and leaning forward.

"What do you have for me today? Entry is up to $200 for level X. Subtract $10 for every level below."

Sesshoumaru furrowed his brow, somewhat surprised by the number. It was higher than it usually was. Still, it wasn't a deterrent as he slid her more than enough to pay the entry and bet on himself.

Akari made the quick count of $1200 before laying it on the table and placing both hands over it to quickly hide the amount from prying eyes as she beckoned him closer. Her striking blue eyes attempted to search beyond the gold of his. Red lips, pulled into a frown before she held her head down momentarily. Sesshoumaru wasn't sure of her body language here but she seemed concerned only to be confirmed by her next few words.

"You know what you're doing? This is the most you can bet without a handler."

Sesshoumaru nodded, "Enter me at level X and bet the rest."

"Alright. You look healthy. You know yourself better than I do."

Akari handed the money back to the man behind her as she'd done with the stack of cash prior. Slowly she calculated the amounts in her head this time. Akari was usually quick but Sesshoumaru was aware that she was giving him time to rethink his decision and also time to figure out how to slip him tips without giving herself away. She tapped the pen on the table four times and then drew an imaginary circle before knocking it with her knuckles. She began writing what was essentially a receipt for his entry and the amount of the bet.

"You're in a level X fight. Kyora is your opponent."

"Got it."

"Be careful and good luck!"

Sesshoumaru made his way to the edge of the crowd, peering down into the ring. The fight was a level V. The two demons faced off against each other. The barrier of the ring was substantially smaller than the fights that he usually took around level VII or VIII. Half the crowd cheered at a forceful blow delivered by a Neko demon. Sesshoumaru turned to the tables to his right where Takemaru sat. Sesshoumaru didn't hesitate to find Takemaru's wolves among the crowd. They'd easily made their way around him but he'd already known that they were there. He made his way to the table, sitting a seat's distance from his parents' handler.

"Sesshoumaru, how have you been?"

He watched Takemaru tap a finger against the table a few times making a quick wager without looking at the man who quickly slid him a slip next to a half-empty glass.

"You should already have the answer to that question. You're still keeping track of me anyway. The pier, the arrest and having me set up, and now The Agate. I know a wolf in sheep's clothing when I see one."

"I had to be certain that you haven't forgotten me."

"I'd like to."

"I'm sure you would. As you can only imagine, I've been a little worried about you becoming distracted."

"..."

"How is it playing guard dog to the pop princess?" Does she treat you well?

"She stays out of this."

"Come now, don't tell me you're developing feelings for her? Just make sure that she knows that no matter how much you pretend your loyalties lie with her they will never be your truth. Your father's debt is bound by the earnings from the rings and nowhere else. You can be a millionaire lapdog in her world but you'll always be a homeless stray in mine, unless, of course, you decide to join me."

"Why waste your breath?"

Takemaru laughed as he rested a necklace on the table. Attached to it were two rings with crescent emblems. Sesshoumaru immediately recognized his parent's rings but knew not to reach for them and instead looked away. Takemaru was attempting to toy with his emotions before a fight and doing so was dangerous. Kyora would be a strong opponent. The energy of the crowd would not be on the side of the rogue demon who felt he was beyond handling teams. He was not favored to win and any seasoned gambler knew it.

"Kyora's 30:1 so far this year. What is a handler to do with the dog demon's record of 12:2? Your parents would be so disappointed."

"..." Sesshoumaru left the table, resolved that the anger building would only fuel him for the fight.

Sesshoumaru stood in the ring to face his opponent Kyora. From what clues Akari was able to give, his handling team was the four war demons. His power would be fire and he would likely utilize a ring of flames to keep him centered for every attack. The war demons were a ferocious team handled by their leader. Kyora's fiery red hair and diamond-shaped marking signified his status. He was no bred creation. At the sound of the siren, a barrier automatically went up around the ring, and Kyora shifted to his true form which looked like a phoenix. His screech was ear-piercing and deadly. The ring's width and barrier height accommodated Kyora's flight. As Sesshoumaru shifted, he was well aware that the large bet that he'd seen the handler place before him was meant to tip the scales in Kyora's favor.

The wings of the large bird flapped surrounding them both with fire, the heat creating an uncomfortable ring that Sesshoumaru was sure he would not be able to last in for very long. Kyora was the first to strike, diving before turning deadly talons toward Sesshoumaru. He utilized his speed to avoid the initial attack only stopping short by the ring of fire on the other side. Kyora dove again, this time talons meeting their mark carving two deep gashes into Sesshoumaru's back. Sesshoumaru struggled against the heat that he could feel radiating underneath the surface of his skin. He'd quickly gotten back to his feet and carried his offensive forward but missing the left wing as Kyora took himself higher and fanned the flames, creating a shield against Sesshoumaru's second attempt. The temperatures rose and Sesshoumaru could feel his endurance waning against it. He forced himself to think of something, an option, a way to combat the flames. The poison in him was deadly but without being able to sink his fangs into Kyora at the moment it did him little good. His ability of flight existed but Kyora's speed outmatched him in the air and left him more vulnerable. Kyora dove again, missing, but Sesshoumaru could feel the heat against his tail and hind leg as he'd dodged too far back. The one thing that he wished he had at the moment was water. The thought was immediate and he was sure he knew exactly how to bring Kyora down. Sesshoumaru was well aware this would not be his finest moment in the ring but a win was a win so long as he did not use the barrier to his advantage. As Kyora began to dive again, Sesshoumaru allowed the poisonous saliva to drain from his mouth. Mixing into the flames, the mist rose and became a poisonous funnel. Despite the barrier's large size, they were still trapped within it. Sesshoumaru watched Kyora attempt to back out of the mist of poison but struggle as the bird's eyes burned and a screech erupted from his throat in an attempt to find fresh air. Sesshoumaru found the timing perfect to lift himself into the air, his jaws clamping around the bird's throat and bringing him down to struggle further in the poisonous mist only exacerbated by his own heat and flames. Sesshoumaru struggled to keep his stomach free of the talons that flailed wildly. He would not relent. He'd brought a clawed paw to the air, the poison glowing on the tips before sinking them into Kyora's wings, the blood crossing his nose. He knew better than to land a deadly blow but he had to make his intentions serious enough to show his dominance and get the fight to end. He landed three more blows in the same manner. Sesshoumaru wasn't sure what Kyora's handler was waiting for but the bird demon was certainly flightless at this point and struggling against asphyxiation and blood loss. Sesshoumaru was relieved as Kyora's handler threw his hand into the air and he heard the siren sound. The poison and flames were immediately swept away by the vents on the floor of the ring and the fight was called. The two of them shifted back to their human forms. Kyora held to his right arm and took his time sitting up as Sesshoumaru kneeled, his throat and the wounds in his back throbbing and burning before he decided it wasn't enough to keep him from his feet. The crowd was roaring both in satisfaction and discontent. The rogue demon had beaten the odds and both of them got to walk away.

"You're better than your father." Kyora coughed out in a worn voice.

"You two fought?"

"We did. He won, but not as quickly as you. I should have known better. I didn't study you well enough. You rarely use your poison that outright in your fights and I've only seen that showcased many years ago..."

Kyora was cut off as his handler entered the ring and addressed him and Sesshoumaru took his cue to exit, taking the slip he was handed. Thinking on Kyora's words, his mother likely demonstrated that ability in a showcase. His father wasn't known for poison.

Akari smiled, taking the slip and then handing it back to him with a stack of cash. "It's not handler money but I think this is your biggest win yet. Three grand. It's all yours."

"Thanks."

Sesshoumaru tossed the winnings where Takemaru sat as he kept walking.

"Keep your wolves off my back and you'll get your money."

Takemaru smirked at the comment.

"Well played Sesshoumaru, but heed my words. Don't make yourself scarce."


A/N: Yes, I am unapologetically playing on a pup latte at the beginning of this! More to come soon. The reviews are encouraging! My continued thanks!