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 12

Sesshoumaru entered the condo the same way that he'd left and all still seemed quiet of the early morning. Dropping his aura, he felt the weight of fatigue. Stripping the jacket the pain of his wounds resurfaced. He was grateful the bleeding had stopped and was drying against the shirt. He was well aware that if he'd gone into that kind of fight before his new station with Rin, he would have ended up much the way that she'd found him the morning after the pier. Akari's comment regarding his health kept her from encouraging him to take a lesser fight. His healing would be faster and less detrimental. Still, Kyora's wounds were deep and would take time to heal and fade. He'd forced himself to endure the sting of the cool water of the shower to rinse away the dried blood only to relax and start to appreciate its presence. In the ring, against Kyora, he'd longed for its relief. Now he stood letting it sooth his body and clear his thoughts. The outcome reminded him of his thirst and lack of sleep.

Sesshoumaru grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator before noticing Rin round the corner from her room. Her presence right now was as worrying as it was welcomed. The wounds on his back would not welcome the re-irritation of a shirt at the moment and damp hair did not lend to its comfort either but it was all he could do to keep it covered. He was relieved to see that Rin looked pretty much the way he left her albeit, her hair was pulled into a messy bun on the top of her head as she rubbed an eye trying to rid it of sleep. At some point, she'd changed to pajamas and even in the dark, he could tell that the lace camisole and shorts were pink. The matching housecoat hung off one shoulder. He'd seen her in many facets up to this point but there was something about this sleepy, disheveled, look that he loved. Rin could be makeup-free whenever she wanted. His boss was beautiful in the day and night. The sun and the moon were her best friends.

Rin paused momentarily and fought against the smile that threatened to cross her features. She welcomed this sight. Sesshoumaru's lack of consciousness regarding his physique was completely refreshing to her. Who wouldn't look at this tall shirtless demon with sweatpants on, standing in the kitchen looking like he stepped off the cover of a magazine? The demonic markings on his face, wrists, and waist should create fear, yet she was far from afraid. His hair was still damp part of it hung over his shoulder as he brought it over his back. The few pounds he'd put on were all muscle and any movement accentuated his abs with great detail.

"Midnight snack?"

"Just thirsty."

"Same."

Sesshoumaru was mindful of facing Rin but he wasn't planning for her to wrap her arms around him, hugging him to her.

Rin felt Sesshoumaru tense and immediately realized that she was somehow causing him pain before registering the jagged feeling against her fingers.

"What's the matter?!"

"Nothing..."

"You're hurt?"

"I'm fine." His body threatened the lie as the heat re-emerged and his back throbbed. Even the air in the room felt like an insult.

Rin proceeded to ignore Sesshoumaru's attempts to keep his back from her view. Her level of shock didn't allow her to make sense of how Sesshoumaru was still standing. She was careful not to touch the wound as she traced the two gashes from his side diagonally across his back to his shoulder.

"Why are you wounded? What happened to you?"

"I got into a fight."

"When? With who?"

"..."

Sesshoumaru's inability to respond or even face her was the answer she didn't want.

"Sesshoumaru..."

The concern in Rin's voice reminded him that she cared. It hurt her to see him this way. She'd insisted on dressing the wounds and quietly searched for answers.

"The point of this job was to keep you out of the Rings. Why did you go back?"

"It's complicated."

"..."

"I don't want to risk you getting any further involved."

"I already am, and I'm not going anywhere. When I met you, you were running from someone who I now know is Takemaru, but I still don't know what you're up against, and I don't know why."

Rin's fingers worked gently and carefully, covering the open wounds. Sesshoumaru was sure this was how she'd bandaged him the first morning. Sesshoumaru knew he would not be able to keep leaving for the Rings a secret but wasn't sure if now was the right time to tell her. Still, he reminded himself of all Rin had done for him and how much he cared about her. Rin was worthy of answers and deserving of his trust.

It was subtle but Rin accepted Sesshoumaru's nod of confirmation. She laid back on her bed beside him. Recognizing his hesitancy, she gave him time. Even as she'd done so, he reached over to gently brush away the loose strands of hair, freeing them of her eyelashes. She registered something deeper behind his eyes that seeped into her heart.

"You know about the Rings and Takemaru but, the start of this was with my parents being on his team. When my father was younger, Takemaru convinced him that if he joined him his life would become something of luxury. Being a rogue demon himself, my father was tired of living on the streets and eventually agreed. A few years later, my mother was introduced to the team and that was how they met. Things seemed to be going well and Takemaru convinced my parents to register. While my father was an excellent fighter, not all of the demons were as talented which led to losses. My father started to see another side to Takemaru and what initially was a partnership started dwindling. When my parents were ready to walk away, he threatened to have them jailed for abusing their power during unsanctioned fights even though he was just as responsible. By the time I was born, my parents were trapped, but they couldn't stand the thought of me being trapped in that life too. My father made a deal with Takemaru to get me out. He agreed that all of his earnings from the Rings would be paid toward the loss of letting me go. So, when I turned sixteen, I was on my own. It wasn't long after that I learned that Takemaru failed to stop a fight even though it was clear my father wouldn't win."

Sesshoumaru paused. The time since his father's death seemed to do nothing but fuel his anger against Takemaru. For a while, he'd tried to find the reasoning, to make sense of it. Why didn't Takemaru stop the fight? His father was the best fighter he had. Yet, he'd risked everything on a level X fight gone terribly wrong. Rin's simple gesture, placing her hand on his wrist and letting her thumb trace the markings there was enough to calm him.

"The loss of my father left Takemaru at a deficit so, he came after me. I resisted paying the debt for a while but it only gave him time to recruit stronger demons to send after me. My rogue status is one of the only things holding me away from him. While I'm not on his team, I've been fighting to pay off my father's debt from the rings. I pay him whatever I win. In return, he leaves me to live as I choose as long as I don't leave the rings for too long."

"I'm sorry. That's not living as you choose. That's still living trapped." Rin couldn't begin to imagine the heartlessness of that kind of life. She'd grown up with everything she could've wanted. Her freedom was never thought of as part of that equation it was assumed. Demons were required to register but it was never supposed to be used as a means to imprison them. The more she thought about it, the more she realized that this thought process was wrong. Sesshoumaru couldn't forego the debt even if he wanted to. It was clear that Takemaru would continue to haunt him to return to the rings or threaten his life and now hers. Rin understood Sesshoumaru's growing concern. The more that Takemaru had against Sesshoumaru the harder it would be for him to rebel against his requests no matter his status.

"Is there anyone else that could help? What about your mother?"

"I don't know what happened to her. I refuse to give Takemaru any satisfaction of my asking."

Rin felt her heart breaking for him and wondered how this could happen, but more importantly, how to get Sesshoumaru out of it.

"I know your father agreed to earn the money from the rings but what if I agreed to pay you outright? Do you think Takemaru would take it?"

"It's not likely. He likes the challenge. If I were registered for sanctioned fights on his team I'd be worth millions for him. He makes a living by betting around me, not just what I pay toward the debt."

As bad as it sounded, Sesshoumaru said something that immediately gave Rin hope, but she wasn't sure if it was worth entertaining, especially after what his parents went through.

"How many fights would you have to win to pay back the debt?"

"Roughly, 100."

"That's too many. There has to be some other way for you to get out from under him. We have to do something. You can't live like this!"

Despite the situation, Sesshoumaru was beside himself, at Rin's determination. It wasn't her responsibility to claim and he never wanted it to be, yet she wasn't afraid and she wouldn't back down. Sesshoumaru was resolved some time ago that he was destined to fight no matter what the circumstances. He wasn't sure if a distant future was possible. Even his ability to be in Rin's presence at the moment was something he never predicted but something that he wanted to protect for however long he was able.

"It's not for you to figure it out. I know my limits. Despite what these wounds look like, this is nothing."

"But..." Rin quieted feeling Sesshoumaru place his hand over hers as she leaned into his kiss.

"...Sesshoumaru, I can't think like this..." Sesshoumaru interrupted her again and he felt her return the passionate gesture. This time she didn't relent, understanding what this was and what it did for him and it left them breathless. She was his escape, his freedom, and his home.

Rin lay awake, letting the warmth of the sunrise wash over them. Her thoughts raced and it was easier to keep vigil over Sesshoumaru. Every search for a way out led her to dead ends. Sesshoumaru told her a number of wins for unsanctioned fights but what would that look like on the sanctioned side? As quickly as the thought entered, would it too have to pass? Sesshoumaru's entire goal rested on his ability to keep his freedom and only being registered on a team would allow him into the sanctioned arena. Rin was resolved as she noticed the peace in his face against her chest as he slept.

'I refuse to do nothing and let you go back there. If Takemaru wants a challenge, he'll get one.'

A/N: There will be light again. I promise.