Chapter 13

Three Card Monty

For Ari, riding Ah-Un was over far too quickly. For the first time in years, she was happy! For that brief time in the sky, she felt free. Free of the castle, Free of responsibility, free of worry. Free to howl and remember what it was to be with her family and her pack. Upon landing, she appeared a disheveled mess! Amidst the "dips and dives" that she experienced, various pins and combs that had been placed in her hair were lost to the wind leaving her looking akin to a "wild child" of a sort. Her dog blood was given free reign as her eyes had changed color, and her K-9 teeth were still visible. Rin could only laugh, happy to have given her such a much-needed moment of relief.

Sesshomaru was waiting on the pair as they landed near the stable area. This new "feral" look in his mate did not go unnoticed. And while he would never admit it to her, he found this look to be a pleasant change. Only Rin could have brought on such a difference in her. Perhaps I may yet keep her as a Beta female. He thought.

As Ah-Un landed, Sesshomaru further noticed that neither female seemed concerned about his presence. Both continued laughing and giggling as women are inclined to do when thoroughly engrossed in conversation.

Sesshomaru noticed something else. Once Ah-Un had fully landed and approached him, both women looked directly at him. From Rin, this type of behavior was to be expected. But Ari usually did all she could to avoid looking directly at him. Sesshomaru would never admit it, but he found his mate's constant submissiveness to be irritating. Yes, he could dominate her at any given time, but she never once showed even a glimpse of having a backbone of her own. This was a very pleasant surprise. Rin was the first to speak. "Good morning, Lord! I hope you don't mind, but I borrowed your mate for a bit! I think the air may have done her some good!"

Sesshomaru gave a slight smile. "Apparently!" Ari's smile did not fade as Sesshomaru came closer. She happily reached for him to help her down. "I like this new mate you bring." He said evenly with a small smile. Ari beamed "Thank you husband! But I now must go get my hair redone before breakfast!" Sesshomaru lifted her to the ground with surprising gentleness before lightly kissing the knuckles of her hands before letting her go. Ari beamed, as she practically skipped off to her chambers.

Once Ari had left the immediate area, he then turned his attention to Rin. He gave a clearly mischievous look before letting out a soft "Keh". Rin returned his mischievous look. "Is there a problem my lord?" she cooed. Sesshomaru went to lift Rin from Ah-Un, but instead of setting her down, he pulled her into his arms only to be surprised by Rin wrapping her arms around his neck.

"This is a most inappropriate position for a mated female to be in Lord". "Then stay with me." Sesshomaru purred. Sesshomaru immediately cursed himself. Damn it! That just slipped out! What must she be thinking now?" Rin surprised him further smiling as she said "We must speak of that later. But for now, release me, so I can better prepare for breakfast."

"As you wish." He said as evenly as possible. It took every bit of his well-practiced neutrality to maintain himself.

Sesshomaru could barely hide his excitement! What on earth were these two women talking about?

Meanwhile in Midori's rooms…

Now being shorthanded five servants, Midori needed replacements. She'd forgotten she was not at her castle, and she needed to keep up appearances while visiting with Sesshomaru. She was also in need of a plan. Yes. Lunch with Rin was a good idea, but now, how was she to approach her? Midori made a grave miscalculation assuming the "timid little human" that has left the palace so long ago still existed. She further complicated her mistake by assuming that any "accomplishments" she brought to the Southern House were brought on through that same timidity (remembering that "human saying" about kind words turning away wrath). While Rin may not have been a true "yokai", It was clear that she handled herself like one. For now, she would have to send for more servants and prepare for breakfast. Sesshomaru made it very clear that her absence would not be tolerated.

Meanwhile in Ari's rooms….

As the adrenalin rush of flying with Ah-Un began to "wear off", Ari found an unusual calm coming to her. For the first time in their mating, Sesshomaru showed actual affection. Ari knew her mate well enough to know that false pretense was not his style. It may have been a small gesture, but it was there. He looked directly at her without any trace of irritation. His touch was voluntary and without the usual hint of annoyance he never bothered hiding. He truly was gentle. She did not know what to make of this sudden change, but she chose to enjoy and welcome it. While Sesshomaru may never allow her to know of any of his plans or intentions he may have had concerning anything daily or otherwise, she knew him well enough to know that he did not lie. His gestures were sincere. Soten would be joining her shortly for their walk to the dining hall. There was much to talk about.

Soten did not rest well. He was still very concerned about both his mother's physical and mental state of mind, and what type of mood his father may be in. He approached his mother's chambers with a sense of dread and fear. He was not prepared for what met him when he entered.

Ari smiled and was nearly incapable of sitting still as her servants attempted to "refresh" her hair. She frustrated them further when she once again jumped from her seat to greet her son giggling and taking him into a playful spin. Soten thought his mother had gone mad!

"What kind of enchantment are you under? Where is all this energy coming from?" he asked with more than a hint of concern. Ari could only continue smiling as she brought her son to sit by her at a nearby table. Ari calmed down a bit and took hold of her son's hand.

"Rin took me on a flight! I rode the two headed dragon!" Soten's eyes widened. "You did WHAT?" Soten all but shouted.

By now, Ari had calmed down enough for coherent conversation.

"We had only a brief private conversation, but I am certain that Rin means us no harm. I'm not sure what her plan is, but I believe she is here to help me. To help us."

Soten wrinkled his brow in worry. "So, then what do you think brought this bit of information on?" Ari gave her son a relaxed sigh.

"To be honest, I really don't care! For the first time in our mating, your father treated me like someone he cared for – someone of worth to him. That may be a one-time occurrence, but somehow, I doubt it. Rin is about to bring on a change to this house, and I for one welcome it!"

While Soten smiled happy with his mother's present mood, he was not totally convinced. He would save his reservations for later, and simply remain watchful. For far too long they both were treated ultimately like pariah to the House of the West. An obligation barely tolerated. How can one woman come along and suddenly change all of that? Soten dutifully took his mother's arm and escorted her to the dining hall for breakfast.

Midori was usually the first member of the royal family to enter the breakfast hall. Today she would be the last to enter. All would rise and show respect, but this time, the focus of the room was on Sesshomaru, Ari… and Rin. All seated comfortably together with Soten seated much closer to the group than usual. Everyone wondered what hand transpired for this new seating arrangement to come to pass. But all were wise enough not to let their glances linger, or make mention. Although, rumor would have it that some "agreement" obviously had to have transpired between the two females and Sesshomaru for such amiable behavior to have come about so quickly. The only "odd" person in the group was Soten. He had yet to master his father's "mask of neutrality" and his concern about this "change in behavior" was obvious to the trained eye. And Midori had that trained eye.

She smiled graciously at the group and took her "Mother's Seat". She sat quietly paying close attention to Soten. It was no news that Sesshomaru considered his son to be an embarrassment and a waste of his time. And yet, here he sat much closer to his father. Something was amiss here. Midori began to form a plan, and Soten was going to be her weapon of choice. The trick here would be how to beat use him to her advantage.

Soten has always, to the best of his abilities, tried to watch over his mother. Such attempts at being an Alpha would be considered "cute" if seen in a very young pup that had yet to learn its place. But in Soten's case, the effort was amusing at best, and laughable at worst. But his discomfort was obvious. I think I will use this discomfort to my advantage!

Midori would have to get Soten alone to find out what his reservations may be. After that, the rest would be easily accomplished!

"His useless pup will finally be of use to The House of The West! And the icing on the cake is that Sesshomaru would never suspect a thing! Midori gave her son a small glance and nod of acknowledgement before taking an offered cup of tea.

Sesshomaru gave her only the briefest of acknowledgement before returning his gaze to the two women sitting close to him. Midori smiled into her cup.

Yes, Soten will indeed be my weapon of choice!

ARTHORS NOTE – I know this chapter is a bit short, but I believe you all can see why. Things get rather "dicey and dangerous" in short order! Grab your popcorn and your hankies folks! It's gonna be a scorcher!