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, Yashahime, the original stories, or the characters created by Rumiko Takahashi or Takashi Shiina.

Thank you SessRinLover for your continued reviews! They are greatly appreciated! Here's a little recap and further clarification to answer your question :) All registered demons are purified enough to be on the same level as humans. They can't remove the purifying bands themselves. During legal fights, demons only have their powers in the Rings. Takemaru, and other handlers, figured out a hack to the bands so that demons have access to their powers during illegal fights and whenever the handler chooses without getting exposed to law enforcement. That same hack allows Takemaru to immobilize them. He wears the handlers band constantly. The multiple humans in Takemaru's mansion are his backup. Demons cannot walk away from teams like Takemaru's without consequences.

Chapter 22

Rin shifted taking the pressure off her heel. She was used to wearing higher, but the shoes weren't the challenge at the moment. It was her nerves as she fidgeted with the sunglasses on her face. A resting frown turned toward a smile as Kagome jogged down the steps of the warehouse practice Ring and met her and Jaken as they walked in unison down the sidewalk away from the downtown. Since Kagome and Inuyasha returned she'd filled them in on Takemaru's threats and now the looming fight. But she wasn't the only one who had information to deliver. Kagome's reaction to the new developments hadn't been what she'd expected. She'd pulled her off to the side, making sure that they were out of hearing range of Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha as they trained. Even so, Kagome handed her a small paper, the dates and times written were as curious as Rin's thoughts. The longer she studied them, the more she made the connection. All of the dates were connected to the fights that she and Sesshoumaru were in. Kagome whispered what she'd learned and the information came from a second encounter with Satomi. Sesshoumaru's mother had been watching them. Kagome's smile told Rin that she was right and what was connected to it was a plan.

"I take it you didn't want to tell Sesshoumaru about this?"

"I didn't exactly tell Sesshoumaru where we were going. I suspect that he may know something's up but I'm glad Inuyasha convinced him to stay. I didn't want him to be involved if this goes badly. Law enforcement wouldn't necessarily be apt to believe him."

Kagome acknowledged Rin's disappointment with herself for creating suspicion between her and Sesshoumaru that they didn't need at the moment and she was sure that the storm was more of a drizzle compared to the monsoon rains that they were dealing with under Takemaru. She'd reminded her that Sesshoumaru was more likely concerned about the risk to her safety than the omission.

"You've seen and heard Inuyasha and I fight like cats and dogs. At the end of the day, we still love each other. We've gotten through some major challenges. The one thing I can say about falling in love with a dog demon is that they don't fall out of love easily. Remember, everything in them is wired to protect those they care about. Being your bodyguard is the job, being there to protect you protects his heart. And, if we get this right, you'll never have to deny him that again."

Rin smiled in thanks stopping at Kagome's car.

"Ladies, where to?" Kagome shook her head, rolling her eyes as Myoga bound up and down on Shippo's shoulder as he sat in the driver's seat. Kagome nudged him to the back as she and Rin got in the car.

Rin was sure the young man was barely old enough to drive and even more surprised he'd volunteered for this but Kagome reassured her that this was their best option. Shippo wasn't registered and Myoga was small enough that society didn't consider him enough of a threat to care. They were the most likely pair to go unnoticed. Pulling up to the side of a long stretch of road, Rin directed Kagome to stop, not wanting to take the chance of being spotted and certainly not captured.

"Okay, Shippo. I need you to become something unsuspecting."

"What about a cat? They can carry fleas and it's not that big of a deal."

Rin nodded as she bit at her lower lip, the nerves building again.

Rin was shocked by Shippo's quick transformation into a black cat, jumping into her arms as Myoga bound onto the back of his neck. Kagome nodded to her as Shippo jumped from her arms and made his way onto the unpaved road. A couple of miles would lead them to the mansion. She'd instructed them not to linger and if anyone became suspicious to leave immediately. Their goal was direct. Shippo would get close enough for Myoga to get in, go through the mansion, capture images, and then leave. All that she and Kagome could do now, was wait.

"You've never fought against Takemaru or any of his team?"

"Not outside of our most recent encounter."

"Be careful. He sometimes uses gestures that go against his own fighters."

"What? How does that help?"

"It's not about helping his fighter as much as it is in creating confusion among the other team. Just when you think you're winning he'll pull the move that's benefitting you from underneath you and leave you and Sesshoumaru in a vulnerable position. I've seen him do it over and over again to other teams. He'll sacrifice his fighter for the build-up and the show."

"How twisted is he?"

"Just, be prepared."

Rin tried not to look down at her phone for the time and attempted to concentrate on the handler's gestures again as Kagome taught her. One hour turned into two and she was sure that Shippo and Myoga were caught. It wasn't making any sense for them to take so long.

...

Sesshoumaru let off a growl as Inuyasha jumped back out of his range, attempting again, he connected with Inuyasha. The half-dog demon shook off the blow and retaliated quickly as Sesshoumaru dug his claws into the ground and bit back already prepared for Inuyasha to come at him again. Inuyasha snorted his satisfaction at Sesshoumaru's sharper movements and ability to think quickly but he could tell that Sesshoumaru was still distracted. Leaving the ring, Inuyasha came out of the transformation feeling the purification return and rested on the floor as Sesshoumaru did the same.

"You're faster, that's for sure but you're still off."

"Hmph." Sesshoumaru shook off the comment. Inuyasha was more perceptive than he anticipated.

Inuyasha turned up a bottle of water eyeing his brother's glance at the doorway. As subtle as it was, it was just as telling.

"You're worried about Rin aren't you?"

"..."

"Just, trust her. She's with Kagome and she'll be back."

"It wouldn't quite be the same if the threat of Takemaru wasn't so imminent."

"As much of a threat as Takemaru is, the one you're going to have to face in that Ring is Kirinmaru. Have you ever fought him before?"

"No, but I've seen him fight..."

"Good! So at least it'll be easier for you to anticipate his moves..."

"...when I was six."

"You mean on tv...?"

Inuyasha stopped short of finishing the question and had difficulty swallowing the water he'd taken in as his brother met his eyes. Narrowing them, he wasn't even sure it would've been possible for a child to see any fight beyond the television that was unsanctioned.

"He and our father fought when I was just a kid. I can remember it like it was yesterday. Kirinmaru saw me before the fight as I stood next to Takemaru, outside of the ring. I can only imagine he was wondering what a child was doing there. Kirinmaru was still on Suikotsu's team at the time. Our father won, but it wasn't without a struggle. Kirinmaru had one major attack that our father narrowly avoided. A large orb of energy."

"Tch, if it was large then, it's enormous now. I saw him fight when I was still on Naraku's team. Whatever you do, don't let him corner you or get too far above you. He likes to wait until you're too worn out to put up a defense. If you can, you're going to have to use Dragon Strike to counter it."

Sesshoumaru committed the tips to his memory, giving Inuyasha a nod in understanding.

Inuyasha turned the band on his wrist. "You're lucky you can still use your powers when you choose. Toga and Satomi were smart enough not to fall for the rosy image of an easy life, peace, and getting along with the humans. You didn't have one of these bands slapped around your wrist before you were old enough to speak. I'm sure that being a Rogue demon is a difficult life but being registered is a mistake. It gives society and handlers power over us when we should be in control of ourselves. Every bit of this fight you're putting up against Takemaru is worth it. Don't forget that."

Inuyasha's comments were the same as the thoughts Sesshoumaru had for so long. Something about the half-dog demon's situation knawed at him though.

"I never asked you this. How did you get out from under Naraku?"

Sesshoumaru's brows lifted as Inuyasha huffed out a half-hearted laugh. Inuyasha considered his words and attempted to heed Kagome's advice that would prevent the two of them from getting worked into a frenzy of destruction while she and Rin were gone.

"It was more about him getting rid of me. This was before I met Kagome and let's say Kikyo, Naraku's now ex-wife, was over his drunkenness and philandering and Naraku was over me."

"...?" Sesshoumaru found himself in a rare moment of confusion as Inuyasha started to laugh again.

"Naraku and Kikyo were both handlers and while the entire team favored Kikyo, she was particularly fond of me for supporting her."

Inuyasha's retelling of Naraku's frequent drunken nights and one in particular where Kikyo had locked him out of the house and left him screaming in the rain was nothing short of hilarious. Sesshoumaru envisioned Inuyasha sitting there pretending not to hear the wretched handler's cries to let him in the house, pulling the curtain to block the visual as Kikyo flipped another latch closed and sipped from a glass of wine.

"Please tell me you never opened the door?"

"Hell no! I was hoping he'd drown out there. I rubbed that shit in every chance I got, too"

Sesshoumaru rolled back, completely undone by Inuyasha's sense of humor that rivaled their father's. Inuyasha's animated recollections of his many adventures of making Naraku's life a pure hell were taking him off guard more than he wanted to admit. Surely Inuyasha's lack of bonds to any family should have affected him? Yet, it was the same thing that made Inuyasha fearless and immune to Naraku. There was no threat to a family or anyone Inuyasha loved to be torn from him. Sesshoumaru was sure that Naraku's plan to get rid of Inuyasha was a lot worse than what he led on but Kikyo's interference landed him at Kagome's grandfather's door.

...

Kagome was sure the young diva was relieved seeing Shippo and Myoga jog back to the car after a few hours, successful in their mission. She was now trying to match Rin's pace up the steps to the warehouse. They'd prepared themselves to hear exasperated growls, a heated exchange, or dead silence. Instead, they were met by something much more perplexing that Rin hadn't anticipated. Laughter. The two women exchanged quizzical looks. Inuyasha's enthusiastic bursts were offset by Sesshoumaru's snickering. In their amusement, neither demon seemed to notice them enter and Rin was more than happy to take advantage of the moment. She'd prepared to launch herself into hugging Sesshoumaru from behind to surprise him. Rin's underestimation of his senses told her that she'd been mistaken and Sesshoumaru knew exactly when she'd entered the room. Her attempt at this loving attack left her sitting in his lap. His lips were already tasting hers and a shiver passed through her entire body at how quickly he'd procured her presence. She delighted in the kiss that moved down to her neck. He'd lingered there and she allowed her scent to be a comfort, revealing that she hadn't encountered any immediate danger.

"I missed you."

"I missed you too."

"Keh! It's only been a few h...", Inuyasha halted as Kagome kissed him he squeezed her gently checking her over, "You're okay?"

"Yes. Shippo and Myoga are too. Thank you, Inuyasha."

"Yeah, yeah."

Inuyasha sighed as Kagome smiled at Rin and Sesshoumaru. He hoped that the images from Takemaru's mansion would be enough to solidify the truth and give his brother and Rin a chance at an eternity of moments like these.

A/N: My thanks as always for reading and reviewing! Just a heads up that the next chapter starts the fight! Btw: the practice Ring works the same way the legal Rings do so Inuyasha has his powers in them and loses them when he steps out.