InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Sesshomaru Story ❯ Chapter 5 ( Chapter 5 )

Chapter 5

The next morning while she was making herself breakfast she was surprised to hear a sharp knock at the door. She opened it to find Jaken and Rin on her doorstep. Bowing Jaken graciously asked her permission for Rin to spend the day. Alexandra was agreed delighted.

Rin seemed to be just as happy about it and said so more than once after Jaken had left. As contented as Rin seemed to be in her life with her strange companions, Jaken, her primary caretaker, evidently didn't do much to entertain her. Although being a demon perhaps he didn't know how.

Alexandra found Rin a complete joy to spend time with. She was curious, asking an endless stream of questions and seemed to delight in everything. She tried to help in the garden but spent most of her time chatting and snacking. Alexandra decided to make them lunch surprised at how fast the morning had gone. Rin ate everything she made being particularly fond of the dumplings. The child's appetite was amazing!

After they were finished Alexandra got out paper, charcoal and ink. The two of them spent more time drawing and painting. Alexandra even started teaching Rin to read and write. It was fabulous to use her teaching skills again and Rin took to it with great enthusiasm.

Just as the sun was getting low in the sky Jaken and Sesshomaru descended on the two-headed beast, swooping over them in large circles. After they landed Alexandra noticed Sesshomaru was carrying something large on his shoulder. Coming closer she saw that it was the hind leg of a cow. She was surprised when he put it down in front of her.

"Hamburgers," he said.

She burst out laughing covering her mouth. He regarded her without any expression. Jaken looked shocked that anyone could laugh when the great Lord Sesshomaru presented them with a gift. Rin appeared puzzled.

"What are hamburgers, Lord Sesshomaru?" she asked looking up at him curiously.

"I'm going to show you, Rin," Alexandra answered. She turned to Sesshomaru and bowed graciously. "Thank you, Lord Sesshomaru for the kind gift. Might I trouble you to bring it inside?"

He picked it up easily hoisting it back on his muscular shoulder and followed her to the house. She held the door open for him noticing how he had to duck slightly to get inside.

"I'm sorry I laughed," she said as Sesshomaru lowered the heavy leg down on the table. "It's just so big. I don't even know if I could lift it."

"I forget you are human," he answered, artfully peeling the skin off it. Then he drew one of his swords and quickly cut it into more manageable pieces. His grace and skill amazed her and she couldn't help but wonder what it would be like watching him in battle.

"Thanks," Alexandra said feeling herself flush at the thought. She let her hair fall to hide her face as she gathered up the large bones and waste. "Do you think it would be alright to give this to Ah-Un?"

"I'm sure it would be appreciated," Sesshomaru replied. He held the door open for her. With her hands so full it was difficult to pass him. She squeezed by using her body to shield him from the bloody mess she carried.

Rin ran up to Alexandra as she came outside. Together they went and fed the two-headed dragon. Alexandra was in awe of the power and beauty of the beast close up as it cracked the bones between powerful jaws. After watching it feed she turned her attention to their own supper.

It was a bit of a challenge but she made a reasonable attempt. The hardest part was chopping up the meat fine and getting it to stick together. But in the end she was quite proud of her effort and everyone enjoyed the meal. She couldn't believe how much they ate. Even Rin who talked almost non-stop through it had her fair share.

Alexandra cleaned up afterwards while her guests relaxed around the fire. By the time she was done it Rin was curled up next to Jaken leaning on his shoulder breathing softly. Jaken's head was bent forward. His mouth was open and he was drooling. Sesshomaru as always looked totally perfect. He sat with one knee raised, his arm resting across it, eyes closed.

It seemed a shame to disturb them. She took the rest of the meat wrapped in oilskin outside. There was still a fair bit left. She lowered it into the well. It was cool there so would keep. Any scavengers that might be around wouldn't be able to get at it either. It took a bit of maneuvering but she managed to get it down and the rope tied off.

Alexandra appreciated the coolness of the evening after having exerted herself. She decided to stay outside for a few minutes and let them rest. She sat on the edge of the well and stared up at the sky. It was a clear night full of stars. The moon was waxing. It lit up the clearing around her little house with its silvery light. She could see Ah-Un curled up at the far end of the clearing dutifully waiting for his master. One head lifted to look at her curiously. She wondered if it would be safe to approach him alone.

Just then the door to the cottage opened light from the cottage spilt out into the yard. Sesshomaru's silhouette filled the doorway. He glanced in her direction then came outside, shutting the door. Alexandra stood up. The moonlight illuminated him as he gracefully approached. His hair flowed behind him shining.

"Are Rin and Jaken sleeping?" Alexandra asked trying not to stare at him. She looked down at her skirt smoothing it out.

"Yes." Caught on a breeze tendrils of hairs danced across her shadowed face. He caught the intoxicating scent of her, mixed with warm homey smells.

"Rin had such a busy day." she sighed smiling and suddenly meeting his eyes.

"Jaken as well," Sesshomaru turning his gaze to the moon. Its pale light made his chiseled features appear almost unearthly.

"They need their rest," she said turning her attention to the sky as well. "It's such a beautiful night. It reminds me of when I was a kid. I used to love being outside at night. My dad would build big bonfires in the fall. We'd sit outside talking for hours. All night sometimes..." She smiled at the memory and her voice trailed off.

Sesshomaru looked at her; she had a bitter sweet expression of melancholy. She too had memories of belonging and being loved. Memories like that he had long since buried. "You miss your family,” he said.

Alexandra nodded. "It's hard sometimes living here by myself. It gets lonely."

He too knew what it was like. To be alone. To have lost everyone.

Sesshomaru moved forward and reached out instinctively to comfort her as he might when Rin was upset or hurt. He touched her cheek. It was warm and her skin made silk feel rough. Her eyes clear and green looked back at him. She didn't seem surprised and she didn't pull back. He smoothed the hair back from her face.

His touch seemed to awaken all her senses. The sounds of the night forest blended with that of her own heat beating. She felt Sesshomaru's boa tickle her skin. Felt the heat that radiated from him. Smelled his warm musky scent. She felt so alive. The idea that this could be a figment of her imagination now seemed absurd. Alexandra's gaze wandered over Sesshomaru's smooth face taking in every detail. His intent golden eyes met hers. He understood and she wasn't alone.

He bent down and kissed her. He didn't think he could've stopped himself if he had wanted to, only he couldn't think of wanting to. When their mouths met Sesshomaru's blood caught fire. His tongue flicked through parted lips against hers tasting her. His hand traveled down her back. He could feel her soft curves through the coarse material. He drew her closer and her body responded to his.

Sesshomaru covered her throat with kisses as Alexandra braced herself against his hard muscular body. A warm delicious sensation rose up from within her, leaving her breathless with desire. He swept his tongue soft and moist, from the base of her neck to her jaw. A thrill went through her as he nuzzled her, hot breath in her ear. She felt as if her body was turning into liquid.

She was on the brink of losing herself body and soul. It had happened so fast. She paused. Is this what she really wanted, to give herself totally and completely to a man she barely knew? And then what? All the assurances she'd given her mother in her youth that she would wait for marriage, all the promises she'd made to herself to be strong - she never realized how tempted she would be to throw them aside and give in.

Sesshomaru felt her hesitate and pulled back to look at her.

She looked at the ground, sliding her shirt up to cover a bare shoulder. Summoning all her willpower she said "I'm sorry, Sesshomaru. I can't do this...” She wanted to explain and searched for the words, unsure she would be able to resist him if he tried to convince her.

It was like he had all the wind knocked out of him. He fought hard within himself. He ached to blanket her with his body, hold her close and show his feelings for her. But she had none for him and there was nothing he could do. Sesshomaru knew the art of restraint and he would practice it.

He took step back. "I understand," he said and turned walking back to the cottage. His heart was hammering and there was a roaring in his ears. He managed to compose himself by the time he got inside. "Jaken! Rin!" he said a bit more sharply than he intended.

Jaken woke with a start. "Yes, Lord Sesshomaru!" He hastily wiped the drool from his chin and then gently shook the little girl. "Rin! Wake up! You are keeping Lord Sesshomaru waiting!"

She sat up and rubbed her eyes. "Is it time to go?" she asked.

"Yes, Rin," Sesshomaru answered.

Alexandra walked inside. Rin got up and ran over to her. "Will I see you tomorrow?"

"If you want," she answered looking over at Sesshomaru, his expression unreadable as always. She wondered if he was angry or if he really did understand.

He looked at Alexandra and Rin both looking at him expectantly. He thought of their conversation in the moonlight and remembered the look of loneliness on her face. Perhaps Rin could ease her pain as she had his. He felt an unexpected stab of pain as he wished it could be him. "Do as you wish," he said and went outside.

He was grateful for the cool darkness that enveloped him as he strode across the clearing. He could hear the hasty goodbyes behind him as Jaken and Rin hurried to catch up. He felt much calmer by the time they climbed aboard. As Ah-Un started beating his bat like wings lifting them toward the silver moon Sesshomaru had convinced himself that he could live quite happily without the girl or the small piece of himself that he'd left behind.

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