Chapter 16

Sesshomaru came across one of the demon maids in passing who bowed respectfully to him.

He ignored her greeting, "Bring a tub and wash cloth to my chamber immediately. Bring the healer as well."

The woman hastily agreed and scurried off, as Sesshomaru turned into his room.

Sesshomaru kicked open the door and glanced around. Everything was the same. He laid Rin in the huge bed he never slept in, he ensured she was comfortable before stepping back. The blankets and many pillows where black with gold trimming on the edges. A huge canopy above them with shear draping tied up to the four corners. Sesshomaru went over to his closet that opened up into huge area he could walk around in.

He pulled out a new kimono that was a deep blue and threw it on his side chair before going back farther into it and locating his clothing from when he was much younger. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes and grabbed a solid white Kimono, it was soft and would fit Rin's current height. He worried it would tight on her chest area and made a mental note to order her new clothes. That would have to wait until she woke up because he didn't know if she preferred to wear pants now as she always seemed too.

A soft knock sounded at his door and Sesshomaru exited the walk-in closet, taking both kimonos with him. He put the white one by the side table next to his bed and kept the blue one in his arm.

Two male demons walked in and lifted the large tub into the center of the room, appearing puzzled slightly at the request. A female healer who Sesshomaru didn't remember the name of walked in and battled her long eyelashes at him. Two maids flanking both sides of her. Sesshomaru scowled in her direction, but she didn't seem fazed and continued to look at him in awe with her shining purple eyes.

"You called my lord?" she said sweetly.

The two males had already filled the tub and bowed at him.

Sesshomaru ignored the healer and turned his attention to the guards, "You may leave, come back for the tub in an hour."

"Yes, my Lord!" they spoke in unison.

Sesshomaru turned to the healer with distain on his face and pointed towards his bed. The woman blushed wildly then attempted to remove her kimono top, smiling up at him seductively.

"What are you doing." he said angrily.

She didn't answer immediately but looked stunned at his aggressiveness.

"I need you to look over her wounds." he growled out.

A look of embarrassment crossed the woman face as she quickly made her way over to the bed to see Rin lying there.

Rin's top had already been removed from her early medical treatment on the battlefield, her breasts cover by the black cloth she used as a type of bra.

The healer worked quickly to remove the bandages and looked down at the stab wound by her lower stomach. Once done she backed away and bowed to Lord Sesshomaru.

"My Lord the wound has been stitched and will heal in time; the other minor scraps require no addition attention. Would you like us to prepare a room for that woman?" she said quietly.

Sesshomaru left her bowing and turned towards the two maids, "Bath her and clean her wounds. Her attire is by the table."

They walked around the healer who was red in the face and still bowing low.

Sesshomaru then addressed the healer with his arms crossed, "Get out."

He didn't bother to watch her leave and turned towards his washroom door.

The washroom was square with a reheating tub built into the floor. Torches lined the granite walls lighting the room dimly. The red tile floors looked almost black in the low lighting. The yokai lord let his armor drop to the floor, removed his swords, then slid out of his boots, and let his stained clothes drop to the floor.

He went down the steps and slowly eased his body into the steaming water, sighing contently as the heat sunk into his muscles.

Sesshomaru closed his eyes and leaned back, letting his thoughts drifted towards the woman currently in his room. He hoped she'd wake up soon, he noted that her wounds healed slower than demons but noticeable faster than a human. Rin fought well and savagely, he'd never seen her fight like that, and he was impressed. So impressed that Sesshomaru wanted to fight her himself, not to hurt her but to see her limits.

On the battlefield when she had looked him with such...admiration it made his blood pump faster. She'd never looked at him that way before and it stirred the creature in his chest and he desperately wanted to see inside her head at that moment.

Sesshomaru growled at the thought and turned towards more pressing matters, like how he was going to torture his new prisoner locked down several feet below him. Sesshomaru almost laughed at the ten different ways that his mind had conjured up to make Tokin suffer.

When Rin woke up the first things she noticed was she was disoriented, undressed, and in chest deep water.

She shot up, two delicate hands gripped her arms and Rin recoiled at this.

"No, No!" the oddly dressed woman said quietly, "We are only here to clean you dear."

Rin glared down in confusion at this woman and looked around not knowing where she was. When it was apparent the demoness wasn't going to let go, Rin drifted her eyes back to her crouched down on her knees calming look back at her. Beautiful was Rin first thought as she checked for any weapons.

Deep, red eyes like rubies, one hidden by a lock of black hair and fair skin with few blemishes by her cheeks. The kimono she wore was a light lilac with faint stains from a day's work, her hands had calluses and Rin felt them when the demon tried to lightly tug her back down to the water.

Rin remained standing, "Where am I? Who are you?"

The woman kept both hand on her arm, "You've been injured. I'm Sakura and this is Ninma, we are maids here at the western palace Miss."

Rin noted the soft-spoken maid was no threat and slowly she allowed the demon woman to pulled her back down into the water.

Sakura smiled faintly, continuing to wash the grim off Rin arms and Ninma went to washing Rin's long grey hair with citrus smelling soap. Rin felt awkward having others bathe her, it just didn't feel right.

Rin felt uncomfortable but let them anyways, "What happened and where is Lord Sesshomaru?"

Ninma answer her this time as she rinsed the cleaning soap from Rin hair, "We don't know. Lord Sesshomaru came covered in blood with a woman in his arms and order us to clean and dress you. The Lord himself is bathing now and will return shortly."

The two-demoness left after bandaging her stomach and dressing her in a soft white kimono, it was a bit large on her, but it was very comfortable.

Soon after two male demons came and collected the porcelain tub, looking anxiously at Rin before leaving. Rin looked around aimlessly, to curious of this new place, and heading toward the closet.

Inside was very big and enough for her to walk around in but she noticed it was full. As in this is someone's closet, filled with someone else's things. Rin huffed and backed out, not wanting to disturb it if belong to someone.

Rin figured the bed was hers at least, it was comfortable and conformed to her body as she sunk down into it. She decided to lay down on it as she wanted for Lord Sessomaru, he'd come eventually.

Half an hour later she heard a soft click of the door, the door she didn't go investigating into upon realizing it belonged to someone. Lord Sesshomaru walked out of a connecting room and Rin blushed at his appearance.

He was beautiful as always, but she'd never seen him so…casual. Instead of his signature white color, he donned a navy-blue kimono with half of his long white hair pulled up in a makeshift bun at the base of his head.

However, that was not what made blood rush to her face, it was the fact that he left his top unfastened showcasing his muscled stomach. Nothing could've prepared her to see so much of Lord Sesshomaru, it didn't help that his pants rode low on his hips, and she could see them make a 'V' shape.

Rin wanted to play dead but knew he'd sense she was awake, she only hoped he didn't hear her heart pounding painfully in her chest. Rin sat up and did her best to be unfazed by his physique.

"Hello Lord Sesshomaru." she said in the most profession voice she could muster.

He nodded to her and his eyes traveled around the room as if he was looking for something. Rin watched him curiously as she swung her legs over the side of the bed.

Sesshomaru walked along the wall and traced his long nails under the small desk by the door and then turned to the dresser, bending down and doing the same to the bottom portion of it.

A low chuckle emitted from his chest, "Found it." he said softly.

Rin cocked her head at his actions, trying figure out what was happening. He stood up slowly and in his hand was a thin, cylindrical, leaf covered…something. The demon then turns towards the two double doors and pulled them open letting the nighttime breeze through and he walked out.

So, Rin took that as an invitation and followed the way he went. It was a terrace, and she peaked her head out to see him lighting whatever it was with torch posted against the wall, he brought it to his mouth and inhaled deeply. He 'hmm'ed and sat down in one of the extravagant chairs, carefully removing it from his lips.

Sesshomaru stretched out his long legs and leaned his head back, "Will you continue to stare at me or come sit down"

Rin cocked her head at him and narrowed her eyes at him.

'Who is this person and where is my Lord' she thought brazenly.

The woman sat down next to him, "What did you find?"

Sesshomaru's lips tilted up, "Tobacco"

Rin only stared at him waiting for him to explain what this 'Tabacco' was, but he never did.

Rin huffed, "Why was it hidden?"

"When I was younger, my mother didn't like that I smoked them. Said it was a nasty habit and confiscated them, so I hid them." Sesshomaru replied.

Rin laughed at this; he said it so nonchalant. It was hard to think of Sesshomaru as a child, even more so a rebellious teenager who hid his tobacco from his mother because she wouldn't allow it.

Even so, it was nice in a way, to know he went through what every teenager goes through in the art of rebellion. It made him appear more personable.

Shaking her head, she got up to go to the edge of the balcony, looking around at the scenery. Saying it was gorgeous was an understatement even if she could see everything in the dark.

The castle walls were beige color with symmetrical bricks, they appeared to be located on the top floor. The darkness made her have to squint to try to see what was below.

"What happened my Lord? After I blacked out?" asked Rin curiously.

Sesshomaru remained quiet as Rin returned to her seat and flicked what was let of his tobacco off the balcony.

"I cut off his arm and then his legs," he said simply.

Rin eyes hardened, "Good."

"But I didn't killl him." he reiterated.

Rin's eyes went slightly wide, "What?"

Sesshomaru continued, "He will go on trial in these next few days and be executed once I get information out of him."

Rin shifted in her seat, "What do you intend to get from him?"

"Many things,"

Rin wanted to pry but she could guess what he wanted to know. How was he able to turn a bunch of humans into...mutants? Or where he came from and why all of the portal where in the Western lands?

"How are you feeling Rin." he asked.

"I'm feeling fine now my Lord. You?" she asked back.

He didn't answer her for a time and then said, "Inuyasha, my lieutenants, and your captains will arrive here in the coming days. Your soldiers as well."

Rin nodded, "I see, I gave them orders to disperse before we escaped the Igami. They all went East until they were called back."

Sesshomaru kept looking out at the darkened sky, "I intend to give them asylum in the West if they so choose."

Rin gasped, "Why?"

"The Lord of the East, Kirinmaru hates half demons and humans alike. I doubt he'd allow them in his lands. The South and North are no better." he said emotionlessly.

Rin looked shocked by this news, "They have no half demons? There must be humans there at least."

"They allow human there, but they are ignored. Human-demon relations are forbidden." he replied.

Rin scoffed, "So not one-half demon has been born there?"

Sesshomaru shook his and turned to her, "There has been, and they all seek refuge in the West."

"If the other Lords don't allow it, why do you?"

Sesshomaru kept her gaze, "It makes no difference to me."

"There is a lot of animosity between them…" she drawled out.

"Yes, and your blue blood will add to that." he stated.

Rin gaze hardened, "Yet you'd allow us here. Is it because they fought for you?"

"They fought for you, not me. If they wish to stay they can." he stated.

"Have you had any issues with the other Lord's?"

He looked away, "You should rest Rin."

"I do not need sleep." she argued.

"Yes, but your body does." he remarked.

"You'd let me sleep in your bed?" she argued smartly.

Sesshomaru breathing caught at her unexpected questioned and tone of her voice.

Sesshomaru breathed out, "Yes."

Rin blushed, clearly not expecting that to be his answer and crossed her arms.

"I-uh your servant will talk. If Ninma's tone when she said," Rin spoke with a mocking tone, "'Lord Sesshomaru came with a woman in his arms' is any indication on the gossip in your pala-." she huffed, blushing madly at the implication of her words.

Sesshomaru laughed. Laughed! Rin had never heard him laugh like this before, his head thrown back, eyes closed, and holding his side.

Rin gawked at him and playfully smacked his muscular arm, "Sesshomaru!"

When his laughter finally died down, his smile was still on his face as he tilted his head to look at her.

"Let them talk Rin." he said, humorously.

Rin continued to gawk at his behavior, "What is in that tobacco?!"

Sesshomaru eyes widened, and he laughed again so just Rin threw up her hands. His laughter was contagious and soon she was laughing with him. The joy on his face made her stomach feel warm.

Rin smiled and shook her head, "I'm going to bed. Goodnight my Lord."

Amusement flickered in his golden eyes, "Sleep well Rin."