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 10

Rin glanced herself over in the mirror. The dark violet gown was A-line, off-the-shoulder, and sleeveless with a sweetheart neckline. The gold diamond sequins weighed the dress down but would impress against the evening. The gold hairpiece drew the eyes to the easy yet elegant updo that was not to be outdone by the embellished platform heels that might only receive their due justice by revealing a slit in the dress just above the knee when posed correctly.

Sesshoumaru was stopped in his tracks and drawn to the live portrait of beauty that was Rin. She warmed up her vocals and stood like royalty posing in the mirror in preparation for the night. He wasn't sure how the cameras would ever find a bad side. She didn't have one. As sure as he was that it was considered impolite to stare, he could not take his eyes off her. "You're stunning." His words had likely broken her focus, yet she seemed to care less as her smile landed on him.

"Hey, handsome." She'd nodded her satisfaction to her date tonight. She was sure no other would hold a candle to this demon in an Ivory Jacquard Tuxedo. Its only color was the pocket accent to the dark violet and gold of her dress. Seeing him now, she would have never guessed anything about his past. He didn't just pass for a prince, he was one. Everything about Sesshoumaru garnered respect and yet he gave it back to her in return twice over.

Sesshoumaru was drawn in by her sweet, floral scent leaving it hard to focus but reminding himself that this was only for the evening. This gala was just as much Rin's job as it was his. Her safety would not be sacrificed by distraction. Even as he thought it, Rin contradicted him. She slowly rounded him, the train of her gown wrapping him in to be closer to her. He'd picked up the slower, more methodical, and deliberate rhythm of her voice. Her vocal facade was elegant and formal, meant to match the crowd that they would soon face.

"You are escorting me to the Agate Gala tonight. Keep in mind you are rubbing elbows with the elite snobs of the world. Do not let their comments or whispers provoke you. Pretend that those words are not worthy of your attention. When their smiles become disparaging, take a bow. You are winning."

"I'm not winning. I've already won. Shall we?"

Rin smiled as she looped her arm into the one he offered her. "We shall."

...

Sesshoumaru kept his attention trained to his surroundings as much as he did to Rin but it was becoming increasingly evident that these were people that while she criticized them, she also fit in with easily. The same woman he'd seen gleefully command the stage, hit dance steps, and drive crowds to their feet screaming for encores, now held herself with the utmost elegance, smiling or laughing quietly at the accolades she received. What was more impressive was that Rin lacked any hesitancy in including him in the conversation. He'd assumed she might wait to introduce him and yet she'd seemed to thrive in the challenge and dared these people to accept him. Sesshoumaru heard the whispers, some questioning who he was or bringing up the rumors that ran rampant in the media. Still, they weren't anything that he hadn't heard before. Rin didn't give them time to linger as she placed her hand in his and they made their way over to the dance floor, closer to the stage where she would soon perform.

"One dance before I go on?"

"Absolutely."

The violins and piano transported her to a place beyond the ballroom in Sesshoumaru's grasp. It was the first time she'd ever actually felt like she was enjoying herself at one of these events. She felt Sesshoumaru close the distance between them, her head nearly coming to rest against his chest. She was close enough to feel his heartbeat, steady but increasing. Like every card player's tell, Sesshoumaru's heart revealed itself but still left her guessing the details of what was in his hand. Was it nerves, her, or both? That thought would have to wait as Jaken interrupted them.

"My Lady."

"What is it?"

"Your mother has arrived. She's requesting to see you."

"I wasn't informed she was on the guest list."

"It would seem she was a last-minute invite."

Sesshoumaru noticed Rin drift into thought as they exited the dance floor and she motioned for Jaken to hand her the shawl that she'd worn only upon initially getting into the limousine. She'd removed it even in the night air and the ballroom seemed to be warm enough not for her to need it. Coming face to face with a woman in a blue sequined dress, she seemed older but held similar features to Rin's. She'd greeted her with a kiss.

"Rin, my dear. It is good to see you again."

"Mother."

"Ah, but who is this handsome gentleman?"

"This is Sesshoumaru. He is my date tonight. Sesshoumaru, this is my mother Tsunade"

"It's a pleasure."

"Likewise, though I must admit, you either have a twin or you are the same as the bodyguard my daughter hired some time ago."

"Your eyes don't deceive you."

"Then I suspect you are taking good care of her?"

"Your daughter seems quite capable of herself but I am there when she needs me."

"Well spoken. As you should and I thank you for that. Would you be so kind as to give my daughter and me some time, please? It's been so long since I have been able to speak with her."

Sesshoumaru took Rin's nod as confirmation to give them space. Even as he did so, he was aware that she did not want him to leave. Moving from her side, he'd caught a familiar scent and he locked eyes with a wolf in sheep's clothing. As quickly as he'd appeared, he was gone. The scent weakened along with his disappearance.

Rin joined her mother holding tighter to the shawl across her chest. Tsunade's pleasurable greeting to Sesshoumaru turned into a flat expression as she landed on Rin.

"Mother, please don't start and make it quick. We are in public, need I remind you and I have to perform."

"I assure you, I have no interest in embarrassing you. You've already done that for yourself."

"What are you talking about?"

"You know very well what I'm talking about."

"No, I don't. So, unless you plan to speak with me in more than riddles, we can end this conversation right now."

"Must you mix business and pleasure?"

"I am not mixing business and pleasure. And even if I was, it's none of your concern."

"It is when the media is having a field day with my daughter. You're a demon hater, now you're a demon lover. You boss them around and then you give them the freedom and liberty to do as they please at your expense. You fight with them in the crowds and now you're hanging off a demon's arm at an event like this."

"I could care less what people think. They don't know my reality."

"Who cares what the reality is? What people care about is what you're presenting them with on the screens, on the page, in pictures, and at high society events. Not to mention you're parading around half-dressed in front of him during the majority of it. And even now the slit in that dress is too high to prevent wandering eyes. If you provoke him, he will destroy you. I barely understand it. You have your pick of any human walking through your door but now with a demon of all things? It is preposterous."

"Why does it matter? Sesshoumaru is not the one who will destroy me. It is you and the people who think like you. You refuse to let me be happy, even if it is for a moment. You've never been satisfied with my choices or much of anything that I have done. Why don't you just tell me you don't approve of me because I chose not to be what you wanted to make me, some ballerina or opera singer like you?"

"Rin, you don't have to put yourself through this just for attention."

"You think this is for attention? Have you ever stopped to think that I am actually enjoying what I'm doing? As much as I want you in my life if you can't accept that, then you're welcome to stay out of it."

"Excuse me, My Lady. You're being announced."

Rin didn't wait for her mother to respond before making her way to the stage. Even as Sesshoumaru joined her again, he could tell that she was off. Removing the shawl, Rin's breaths were uneven and she was too nervous. Sesshoumaru grabbed her hand to steady her as she closed her eyes and took a deeper breath before opening them, focused, and moving forward. The entire crowd quieted to the slow build of the instruments and was drawn to a stop as she began to sing Never Enough. The song choice demonstrated the range of Rin's vocals and the emotion attached was real. Sesshoumaru wasn't sure if Rin was aware that she was stealing time, space, and movement simultaneously from everyone in the room. Even her mother was speechless as her voice carried throughout and dared anyone to breathe. Most wouldn't recognize it, but Sesshoumaru could hear the change in Rin's voice in the last two words. She'd barely survived the over three-minute performance. Despite it, she'd smiled and curtsied at the appreciation of the applause before making haste off the stage.

"My Lady, wait..."

"Jaken give her a minute. Stay here."

The solitude of the courtyard was a poor attempt to ease her mind. Despite every return she'd made to her mother, it was hard not to entertain some of the truth. Rin realized some of her mother's thinking was present in her when she'd pushed back against the demon girl in the crowd. Would she have reacted so poorly to a human? It was present in the way she bossed Jaken around without thinking twice about it. When she first met Sesshoumaru, she immediately looked for a band on his wrist and instead, she'd found herself on alert to his rogue status. She and those closest to her were the only ones who knew what happened in her personal life but the millions that watched her only saw the appearances. In every moment that perfect Luna faltered or couldn't meet expectations, there was another headline. Still, she'd learned to carry herself immune to these attacks, letting cover-ups and time make it like these things never happened or at least deposit them far from memory.

Despite Sesshoumaru having given Rin and her mother some distance, it was hard not to hear what was said. The humans and purified demons in the room would be oblivious to their conversation but his hearing was impeccable. It was easy to understand now why Rin had become so concerned and why her entire mood seemed to change when she'd been informed of her mother's arrival. It was clear that this was not the first conversation of its kind that Rin had with her mother. The shawl was an attempt to keep her appearance from being attacked and yet her mother still found offense even when the slit in her dress wasn't a problem. As with many humans, Tsunade was no different regarding her feelings about demons and the last thing she wanted for her daughter was the inconvenience of getting too close to the supposed enemy. In the little time that he'd known Rin, there was nothing that rattled her that she couldn't regain control over. Everything that was not a benefit to her was beneath her but her mother's words found their target. What was he to say to this woman who always seemed to be at a stable place, now fighting for ground, when he'd just witnessed her smiles and laughter only a moment ago?

"Rin..."

"..."

Sesshoumaru became more aware of exactly what was happening at Rin's uncharacteristic quiet acknowledgment of his presence, keeping her back to him. Any words were just too hard. She'd never kept herself turned away from him or tried to hide. Her hand had reached to her face one too many times. Sesshoumaru thought better of the conversation he and Rin had before arriving. Rin relaxed as Sesshoumaru took her into his embrace. He held her the way that he'd seen his father do for his mother so many times. Rin would never have to worry about the vulnerability of showing him her tears. He knew better than to confuse her strength for weakness. Rin listened to him quietly recite her own words back to her.

"Do not let their comments or whispers provoke you. Pretend that those words are not worthy of your attention. When their smiles become disparaging, take a bow. You are winning."

In Sesshoumaru's arms, Rin was reminded that her mother's thinking did not have to live in her. She was allowed to contradict the negativity in her past and move toward what her heart knew was right.

"I am not winning. I already have won."

Rin smiled feeling him catch the last tear to fall as he placed his hand against her cheek. He'd let it linger there but before he could second guess it, she'd placed her hand over his encouraging the touch that soothed the hurt. It was exactly what she needed right now and if this was the definition of mixing business and pleasure then she welcomed it with open arms. Sesshoumaru was becoming more aware that he was in a losing fight against the laws of attraction and giving in was completely inevitable. Watching her eyes, he'd seen the moon reflected there in all its beauty. In a fleeting moment, he'd placed his lips against hers. He was reassured by the delicate softness of her lips adding pressure in return. Even as it ended, Rin placed both her hands against his chest and leaned into him requesting him to hold her for a little longer and let every pressure that she faced lift from her shoulders. Sesshoumaru understood this request all too well, not to have to face this world alone.

A/N: :) One of my favorite chapters to write for this fiction thus far! My appreciation as always for continued readers and the reviews. By the way, Never Enough by Loren Allred was the song Rin performed.