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 14

Sesshoumaru kept his focus toward the ring as they made their way through the crowds. Rin seemed to be less than phased by the noise and the screaming out of bets. She'd shrugged it off and kept the air of confidence around her. Although she'd never been near the Rings before, it wasn't all that different than what she faced at her shows. Some recognized her and made a big deal of it but others were more concerned with the fights at hand. Rin was right about the level of wealth that accompanied the sanctioned fights which meant that most handlers in the venue were used to rubbing elbows with the upper class.

"How are you holding up?"

The question reminded Sesshoumaru exactly why getting through this crowd seemed so exhausting. Miroku was right about the band. Getting used to the purification was proving to be a task. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion compared to the way he usually interpreted it. Still, it wasn't impossible to exist in this manner for a short period of time. Sesshoumaru reminded himself that as soon as he was in the Ring, this feeling would cease to exist and his full powers would be restored.

"Weighed down, but otherwise okay."

Rin focused on the motions that she needed to remember, knowing that almost all of the handlers here were more experienced than she was. The spectrum was large and all of them had their own stake in the fights. Some would be more ruthless than others, calling shots with ego involved and brute force, while others would be more laid back and play a mind game.

Sesshoumaru wasn't sure if Rin was emotionally prepared for this. He'd instructed her to allow options. He'd asked her to never stop the fight and she'd protested this with every fiber of her being. In the end, it wouldn't be his decision to make. It was typically only reserved for when a demon looked like he was out of control and willing to finish the fight with a kill or he was about to be killed. Most handlers didn't have the depth of emotional connections with their fighters that the two of them had with each other. Their circumstances would be different. No matter how good of a fighter he was, he would not be able to avoid getting injured and Rin would have to be able to accept that.

Rin fisted her fingers nervously for a moment before glancing at the red band around Sesshoumaru's wrist. Despite its temporary status, she didn't like seeing it there as much as Sesshomaru never wanted it. He'd worked too hard for too long to keep his freedom but he was willing to go along with giving it up momentarily to gain it forever. She would have much rather just have paid Takemaru outright. Unfortunately, he wasn't willing to let Sesshoumaru go that easily. Rin wondered if she could despise Takemaru as much as Sesshoumaru did. Sesshoumaru's father fought with every breath in his body so that Sesshoumaru would have a chance and it still wasn't enough. But here they were trying to obtain what his parents could not.

Rin stepped forward to the table sliding a card forward to the young woman sitting there. Sesshoumaru noted the difference in how the sanctioned fights handled pay and bets. This crowd was not carrying cash that couldn't be traced and with such high amounts, it was no wonder.

"Miss Luna, I'm a fan. I never took you for the Rings though."

"Nothing wrong with a new hobby."

Sesshoumaru was pleasantly surprised by Rin's easy exchange and her ability to keep things casual despite the situation. She'd passed this off as a hobby to avoid incriminating him due to the unsanctioned side.

"Just you and Sesshoumaru?"

"Yes. There's ten grand there. Enter at level VII."

"You got it. Team name?"

"...Lunar Strike."

"Great! The Panthers are the team you're up against. 20 grand is the amount if you win."

Rin took the slip handed to her, "We'll be back to claim our winnings."

Rin smirked pushing the sunglasses up on her face as Sesshoumaru repeated the team name aloud hearing the smile in his voice. She'd had to think of the name quickly as they'd completely overlooked it being the least of their concerns. Entering them at level VII, she'd heeded Miroku's suggestion as she thought back to a not-so-distant past once Sesshoumaru had agreed for them to go into this together. He'd wanted her to enter him at Level X to try to speed up the process but she'd placed the concern on her abilities and lack of knowledge getting him to agree to a lower-level fight. Although that was part of it, Sesshoumaru had never operated under being purified and she was worried about its effects right up to his stepping into the ring.

...

Recent Past

Miroku led them to what looked like an abandoned warehouse. However, once inside, Sesshoumaru could tell exactly what this was. The west side of town wasn't the only place that hosted unsanctioned fights but Syla city had done a good enough job ridding itself of them leaving behind abandoned rings.

"I figured if you both went through with this then the two of you would need a place to practice. This particular facility is yours. Sesshoumaru, you can use your true form freely without having to worry about law enforcement breathing down your neck."

Rin stepped onto the floor of the ring getting a feel for its size and trying her best to envision what it looked like from Sesshoumaru's perspective. What seemed huge to her was likely confining for Sesshoumaru when he was in his true form.

Rin turned as Miroku handed her another band. This one she assumed was hers as it looked similar to a watch with a screen attached.

"The two of you will likely need to practice with it before you attempt an actual fight. I would encourage you to take a lower-level fight for your first one. Sesshoumaru is not used to being purified and you'll be at a disadvantage. Most of the demons wear these 24/7 and have operated in a purified state since they could remember. Luna, there are no specific rules that make you a handler. One day you can be a handler and the next you're not. The only thing that makes you so is entering Sesshoumaru for a fight. The screen on your band will allow you to see his vitals. If you ever see critical, I would implore you to stop the fight."

"What does that mean?"

"It means that if he received another direct blow, he may not survive it. There is a referee in sanctioned fights as a backup but if they have to stop the fight, you'll be fined or placed on probation to prevent him from taking another fight for a while. Clear?"

"Yes." Rin nodded her thanks as Miroku left them.

Sesshoumaru could see the concern written over Rin's face as she looked down at the band in her hands. He could feel her eyes searching him as he placed his hand under hers. He'd studied the smallness of her wrist, the softness of her palm, and the pastel pink of her nails now boasted a lavender purple. They were no threat but the claws that he boasted could've easily caused her harm. Still, she stood, unbothered by her wrist in his hand, fully trusting in his abilities and with a greater concern for his life than hers. Taking the band, he held her wrist to him and placed it. She'd shook her head in protest as he'd given her his. He understood why she didn't want to take it. It was his decision to let his freedom go to her and she wanted him to be in charge of making that decision for himself. It was the only time he'd ever gone against her wishes, keeping his hand clasped over hers, the band between them.

Rin looked at her hands as they struggled to encircle his. She'd heard him whisper, "It's okay. I trust you." She relented fighting against it as his band now rested in her hands. Rin traced the markings on his wrist like she'd done so many times before and Sesshoumaru allowed his hand to rest in hers completely. Placing the band there she was relieved to see that his calm was not shattered, that she had not broken his spirit. Her heart calmed and she was satisfied as Sesshoumaru returned her kisses a few times over. In her quest to understand what her role would be in these fights, she allowed him to take her hands in his. Standing behind her, her head to rested back against him, giving him full reign of her movements as she listened intently to his voice and his heart. Raising both of her hands fisted to the air would create a barrier while splitting them would bring the barrier down. Crossing her arms in the air and bringing them down to her chest was a gesture he was particularly fond of as the motion was meant to instruct him to have options for however he chose to fight. Rin smiled noticing him hold her in this position for a while as it hugged her to him. She'd laughed as he repeated it a third time and she'd noticed him smirk, realizing that she'd caught onto what he was doing. When she'd inquired about how to stop the fight he'd gone over a few other options, playfully attempting to distract her before she'd finally insisted. The movement was simply a hand raised, palm open.

...

"You're ready. Clear your head."

Sesshoumaru saw Rin gather her strength, channel it the way that she did before her shows, and look into his eyes. Rin placed her hand into his, feeling the pressure he applied there as she took a breath and returned it, reassuring him she was ready. He was relieved to see that she would be on a platform outside of the crowd, unlike the handlers in the unsanctioned fights that stood down on the floor. Even while he was fighting, he would be able to easily find her.

As soon as he stepped into the ring, she'd deactivated the purification and he could feel his full powers return. Rin presented the gesture for options. The Neko demon roared into his transformation as Sesshoumaru did the same. The Panthers' handler called and gestured for a barrier almost immediately. Sesshoumaru was well aware the Neko would be no match, sizing him up for a while but he needed to give Rin enough time to feel the fight out and make the necessary decisions. He made her aware of his disdain for barriers. Her goal would be to break them as soon as the two minutes required was up. During this time, Sesshoumaru and the Neko were equally matched unable to land any dominant blows. Sesshoumaru struck out at the demon's chest driving him backward but stopping just short of the barrier. The Neko struck at him but missed before finally landing a blow hard enough to knock him backward. Rin gripped the railing of the platform keeping her eyes trained between the fight and the clock on the screen. While two minutes might have seemed like a short period in reality, during a fight, it was an eternity. The moment the two minutes ended she signaled for the barrier to come down and proceeded to watch Sesshoumaru drag the poor Neko across the floor. It was becoming apparent to her that this level of fight was too low to test Sesshoumaru's ability. Her dog demon seemed to be having a rather easy path to remaining on the offensive. Poison claws would bring the Neko demon down as Sesshoumaru pinned him to the ground and if he applied any more pressure he would break the Panthers' ribs. Sesshoumaru held his position despite the Neko's roars that were slowly dwindling with every ounce more of pressure applied. The Panthers' handler threw his raised hand into the air and called for an end to this embarrassment. Rin heard the siren sound and celebrated as Sesshoumaru got close enough for her to hug his nose. Rin hoped for every fight to end this way.


A/N: More to come soon! I have something special in mind for Chapter 15. Thanks again for sticking with this story!