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 18

The countdown came, and the lights were adjusted onto the seats on the stage as the introductory music to the show played. Ruri entered and introduced herself as the host and anchor of this midday news and talk show.

Rin smoothed her hands over the faux leather black dress. Its pleated skirt added a playful touch. The belt around her waist accented her curves as she slipped her feet into the red designer heels. Rin's eyes softened as Sesshoumaru moved a strand of hair behind her ear and caressed her cheek. Rin withheld a giggle as one of the older stylists shooed Sesshoumaru out of the way to prevent him from undoing her masterpiece. Sesshoumaru was undeterred and as the old stylist turned, he landed a quick kiss on the back of Rin's hand to wish her luck. She silently loved these subdued, yet playful antics backstage that kept her calm before appearances and she was glad that this would be her last before returning home.

Rin took her seat, relaxing as Ruri welcomed her. Initially, she started the interview by asking questions about her current projects, designs, and future endeavors. Rin found it easy to answer regarding the work on her clothing line and an upcoming album.

Sesshoumaru leaned himself against the wall backstage, attentive to Rin's interview. He'd figured it wasn't much different than the appearances she had in the past but at least the crowd wasn't so close to her here and the security around the studio was sufficient. Jaken's pacing was growing and Sesshoumaru couldn't help but feel slightly annoyed by the assistant's nerves.

"Would you relax?"

Jaken took off his hat and started to bite the brim of the flat cap before responding.

"That's easy for you to say. Miroku's been trying to keep her image positive for months and now these sanctioned fights are threatening to derail the whole thing. Rumors are flying off the rails and everyone has started wondering what's going on!"

Sesshoumaru couldn't help but acknowledge the truth. The public reaction to Rin entering the Rings was mixed at best. The wins in the lower-level fights were bringing her participation to the light and his fight with Inuyasha was so explosive that it made headlines. Rin's past wasn't something that he'd worked to gain any knowledge on. The woman he knew and fell in love with wasn't the same as the person that some had described her to be. Even so, to him, it didn't matter. He would continue to trust Rin with his heart and his life.

"Luna, your concerts were absolutely spectacular with so much work involved. It must be exhausting?"

"Absolutely, but it took a team to pull them off."

"Certainly. If I was so pleasantly surprised, I'm sure that your fans around the world were as well."

"I wouldn't be here without them." Rin smiled, nodding to the audience as they erupted at her acknowledgment.

"All of them?"

Rin furrowed her brow, confused by the reiteration of the question.

"Yes, of course."

"I'm sure that young demon girl who appeared to be attacking you at one of your shows would appreciate that as well since you didn't appear too happy about that situation."

"I assure you it was just a misunderstanding. Nothing more."

"Well, you certainly seemed to think it was something by the photo. And, my understanding is that you fired your bodyguard and hired Sesshoumaru not long after that event."

"Being a part of my team is not easy. I have high standards for a reason and my team knows that and respects it."

"I'm sure those standards mean maintaining your image as well and hiring a demon would be a great way to show that you're not the same person that you were. Was that your way of fixing that?"

Rin laughed, beside herself, at the turn that this interview was taking. Though they were beyond it, the last thing she wanted Sesshoumaru to think, even for a second, was that she was using him.

"I wouldn't say that I was working to fix anything. I've had my run-ins and I've made mistakes and learned from them like anyone else. But the fact that you're suggesting that I was using Sesshoumaru in such a way is unthinkable."

Sesshoumaru tried to tune out Jaken going off again about Ruri poking at old wounds that Rin tried to heal and put behind her. Rin was still holding her own and for anyone that didn't know her, she didn't appear to be rattled by the questions. Underneath it though, Sesshoumaru could tell that Rin wasn't at her best. The traveling, the appearances, the fights, the rumors, and the stress were all taking their toll on her. Rin was starting to get fed up with the trivial and unnecessary but Ruri was insistent on getting to the bottom of everything.

"I'm so glad to hear it. I only ask the most difficult questions because everyone wants to know the reason why, up until now, the only demon you've ever hired onto your team is your current assistant. And now you've hired a demon bodyguard who is also a fighter, in the Rings. How does that work?

"The Rings are just a hobby. Something to pass the time."

"Oh, I hardly think that you have so much time on your hands with such a busy schedule. Still, I can only imagine the reason why."

"I'm not sure I follow."

Rin tried not to fidget with the hem of the skirt. Its pleats were encouraging her to do so but she reminded herself of what Miroku told her. There would be questions regarding her participation in the sanctioned fights despite her writing them off as a hobby. The situation could take her a few directions which she would have to be careful about concerning her reputation and this appearance would prove to be a challenge.

"There was quite the sum of money on the table for that fight and you waited so long to end it..."

"..." Rin found herself speechless, letting herself return to that fight, knowing why they were there, the seriousness and the ramifications that it held for Sesshoumaru's life. It meant so much more to her than the money but she couldn't think of a way to communicate that without talking about the real reason that they were participating in the sanctioned fights without jeopardizing Sesshoumaru.

"Sesshoumaru means a great deal to me. I would never risk his life."

"Rumor has it, you were in tears over that money and I would have been too."

"It wasn't about the money..."

Sesshoumaru could hear Rin drifting back to the fight. There was so much that happened that day that it took them both some time to recover. Even if Inuyasha's words had come out roughly, the one thing Sesshoumaru kept reminding himself of was that this was a team sport. Rin shouldn't have to shoulder the burden alone.

Jaken gasped at Sesshoumaru beginning to move forward and reached to grab for his leg to prevent him from going out during this live interview.

"Don't you dare! You've caused enough trouble already. Don't you do it!"

Sesshoumaru tuned out Jaken's warnings as he pulled out of his grasp. Sesshoumaru questioned if he was doing the right thing but felt encouraged as Rin's eyes landed on him, almost desperate to end this interview. Being in the spotlight was never his interest. The relieved smile taking over her features told him to keep moving toward her and to do what would come naturally. Leaning down, he kissed her before taking the seat next to her.

Ruri fanned herself with the cue card as the audience took to the two of them. Their relationship was a running rumor but Sesshoumaru was sure that it could now be the answer to every question that Ruri was asking Rin.

"Rin...Luna, didn't choose the Rings. She hired me when I was living off the streets and no one else would. She trusted me and gave me a chance. I wanted to fight to be able to use my abilities as a demon so she found a way to let me by becoming a handler. She knew what she was sacrificing, her reputation, her life, everything because she loves me and I love her."

Jaken slapped his hand to his forehead and slid it down over his face before finding relief in the crowd taking positively to this admission.

"The rumors are true. This warms my heart. That is so beautiful! Luna's got a new beau and she's in love! You must tell us more."

Rin blushed leaning into Sesshoumaru. Having everyone focus on their love for each other rather than her past issues with demons and the fights was a welcomed reprieve. Ruri seemed to be letting up and taking their story in stride. It helped that Sesshoumaru's reactions were natural. Aside from the video shoot, he'd never been prepped for interviews or to be in front of the camera and the audience loved it.

Sesshoumaru focused on Rin as Ruri asked questions about their relationship. Maybe they'd been in a fight for his life but in the midst of it, they could recall the peaceful moments that they shared up until now that would answer the questions without exploring the complexity of their situation.

...

Sesshoumaru wasn't sure what to make of Rin's quiet. She'd seemed relatively happy while they were on stage and speaking about their relationship. She'd rather quickly sent Jaken out of her presence to set the rest of her schedule and meet with Miroku to do any other damage control that was necessary from the interview.

"We need to talk."

Sesshoumaru sighed watching Rin lean against the table in their hotel room while attempting to gather her thoughts. He nodded understanding where this was likely coming from. He'd talked about her personal life, their lives, openly. It was the one thing she'd asked him not to do.

"I know that your personal life was supposed to be off-limit. Jaken tried to stop me but, what was being asked of you was unfair and you wouldn't be in this situation if it weren't for me."

"Sesshoumaru..." Rin sat next to him on the edge of the bed. "I'm not upset with you. I know that I asked you not to speak about my personal life but I'm glad you said what you did. You saved me from making a complete embarrassment of myself."

"So, I'm not fired?" He bowed his head gently toward hers.

Rin was tickled by the affectionate gesture and placed a kiss on his forehead, "Never."

"What did you want to talk about, then?"

"There are things that aren't just rumors about me. The same way that I know your truth, you should know mine."

"What's your truth?"

"Before I met you, I didn't have a great reputation and certainly not one with demons. Ruri was right about that. Jaken was the only demon I hired and back then I did it because I was under a lot of pressure. I didn't trust them and maybe I was a little jealous about the imbalance of power between humans and demons. The story about the demon girl in the crowd was mostly true. I've questioned myself over and over if I would have reacted differently if she was human and the answer is always yes. I fired Han, my previous bodyguard, because I wanted to blame someone else. That happened right before I met you and I can see how the rumors started that I was using you to fix my image. All I can do is ask you to believe me when I tell you that was never true. Meeting you, and falling in love with you changed everything I thought I knew. I assumed a lot about demons that wasn't true. Running into my mother at the Agate made me realize too that I didn't have to think like her anymore. You reminded me that I didn't have to care about what anyone else thought. Knowing your past and finding out what you're up against now opened my eyes. You've defied the odds and you've put your trust in me. I don't always feel worthy of that but I want to live up to it. I love you and I don't want to experience this life without you."

Rin felt Sesshoumaru take her hand in his. Meeting her eyes he could only find the truth. Rin's actions spoke louder than her words and it was the reason he was so sure of her long before now.

"Your past doesn't define you. I know the person you are with me. Everything that you've done, tells me exactly what I need to know. Hearing you say it is just the bonus."

Rin kissed him as he brought her closer. Sesshoumaru secured her in his arms, as he took in the softness of her skin, the beauty of her scent that he knew so well, and the gentle touches and kisses that would only draw them into each other. Rin could feel the race of her heartbeat against his. Her kisses became less subtle, lacking any reluctance. Sesshoumaru hesitated slightly, the two of them catching a breath. He knew it was the product of nervous anticipation that only Rin could evoke. "Rin, I haven't..."

Her kisses became patient, more controlled. She'd refrained from making any judgments, and her next few words told him so.

"Do you want to?"

Rin smiled hearing his response. "I'm yours."

A/N: As always, thanks for reading. Reviews are always appreciated!