InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Bound Together: Danketsu ❯ In the Garden ( Chapter 3 )

Bound Together: Danketsu

Chapter 3 - In the Garden

Rin pulled her clothing tight around her as a fierce gust of wind tore at her small form. The sun had already begun to sink behind the tip of the mountain and the gardens were a maze of sharp-edged shadows writhing in the dying light. The fall heat was quickly dissipating, leaving behind a cool wind that held the wet, fetid scent of approaching rain. She glanced apprehensively at the sky, already overrun with the thick purple forms of storm clouds and then stepped out of the gallery onto the large stepping stone below. She walked determinedly into the garden, head bent against the wind. The fruit trees, ravaged by the harbingers of the approaching storm, looked ghastly in the red glow of the setting sun: skeletal arms and fingers reaching out to catch her in their bony grasp.

The manor seemed miles away as she glanced back at it. Its windows were aglow with the warm, inviting light of many lamps, shielded from the brunt of the wind by delicately painted paper lanterns. Jaken was inside somewhere, probably ordering the servants about, believing that she was tucked safe and warm in her bed instead of out here in the throes of an approaching storm. In respect to him she had added an extra layer of clothing to her ensemble, but that did little to ease the pang of remorse that throbbed in her heart. He always tried so hard to make sure that she was safe and happy.

Something about the strange meeting earlier in the day wouldn't let her rest, though. That boy's face, those dark eyes, burned in her mind. She knew without a doubt now that he had been one of her servants at Usagi Manor. He hadn't been one of the house servants. His hands had been sinewy, muscular, the palms ringed with rough calluses and his fingernails short and ragged. They were the hands of someone used to working outside, in the fields or stables, even the battlefields, though something about his gentle demeanor informed her that he was not a soldier. She didn't think that she could rest until she had unraveled this mystery.

"Hime-sama!" She jumped slightly as his excited voice issued from her right. Casting one last look back at the house, she sank down to her knees and out of sight, fingers knotting nervously in the folds of her kimono. He appeared from the depths of the bush, making only the slightest bit of noise as he pushed the branches from his way. An eager smile surfaced on his face and he bowed deeply before her.

"I'm greatly honored that you would give me a moment of your time, my lady," he said reverently. Rin blushed uncomfortably and motioned for him to rise. The evening light washed over him, giving her a clear look at him. He was of average height, lean and muscular of build, his broad shoulders straining against the thick fabric of the jacket that he had thrown on to protect him from the chill weather. All but a few strands of his black hair were hidden beneath a thick, dark-colored scarf that was warped around his head and neck. The rest of his clothing consisted of a worn grey haori, battened down from wrists to elbows by thick leather guards. Dark colored hakama, patched in several places, bulged from a pair of shin guards. It was common military garb, drab and ill-fitting. The outfit didn't suit him at all, and from his restless fidgeting she could tell that he was very uncomfortable in it. The jacket wrapped around his shoulders was another story.

The cloth was common, but very finely woven with thread of two slightly different shades of blue that gave the garment a nice sheen under the light that complemented his eyes. Along the neckline a small, circular insignia, stitched in red thread could be seen. It was a family crest, and she recognized it immediately.

"You're Moe's son! You used to work in the stables at Usagi Manor!" she blurted, eyes wide with surprise. His grin widened and he bowed again.

"Hai, hime-sama. I'm happy to be remembered by you. My mother loved you very much, as we all did." His eyes met hers for a brief moment than turned back to the ground, draping his face in shadow. "She is very concerned for hime's safety, so much so that she has fallen ill."

Rin stared blankly at the twisted form of a leafless bush. The guilt she had felt upon disobeying Jaken resurfaced even stronger, twisting and tearing at her innards with renewed tenacity. Moe was ill?

"Is she…I mean, is your mother going to be okay,…ah…"

"Yoshiro," he supplied eagerly.

"Yoshiro, then. Is it serious?" she finished. Despite the many layers of clothing she wore, her fingernails dug painfully into her thighs. The boy remained silent for some time, expression hidden in the spreading darkness.

"You and your father live here…with the youkai who took you from us, right, hime-sama?" He spoke quietly, his words nearly completely drowned out by the rising gale. Rin hesitated, struck by this odd question and the even stranger feelings it was invoking in her.

"I do. But he, that is, Sesshoumaru-sama, didn't take me. I chose to go with him. That night he came to save my life. And he-" she stopped herself from finishing the rest of the sentence, realizing that she was babbling.

Yoshiro stood silent, clothes flapping in the wind. "But he's youkai, hime-sama. You're in great danger." The last of the dying sunlight suddenly struck his face. His eyes glittered brilliantly.

"That's not true," she replied firmly, frustrated that she couldn't bring herself to meet his fervent gaze. Her voice rose, and she tried to convince herself that it was only in attempt to speak over the howl of the wind. "Sesshoumaru-sama would never hurt me. He's made me his wife. And I'm happy here," she added. Her eyes darted from one object to another. Why was she getting so defensive? Earlier in the day she had been blissfully happy, impatient for her husband to return home. But ever since that fateful moment this boy had called to her, she could feel a sense of unease that seemed to be growing with every passing second.

"When I was little, my mother would always tell me about the taiyoukai that lived on the top of this mountain two hundred years ago. She said that he fell in love with a human woman, one who had already been promised to another." Rin sat in silence, recognizing the story as one Jaken had told her sometime ago. Of course, with her it had been a history lesson.

She studied Yoshiro carefully as he continued. He seemed more uncomfortable now, almost fearful. The fingers of one of his hands nervously massaged the contents of a small round pouch that dangled from his belt. The wind shifted so that it beat upon his back and into her unprotected face. An odor, sharp and sickeningly sweet, assaulted her nostrils, and she wrinkled her nose against it. It was like nothing she had ever smelled before, possessing both the bitter scent of a medicinal herb and the cloying aroma of incense. She felt a sudden dizziness and her vision blurred and swam slightly as the smell increased in intensity. The odd sensations disappeared suddenly as a cold gust of air, laden with moisture, rushed by in the opposite direction, and she found herself feeling intensely relieved for the fresh air.

Yoshiro's large, rough hands suddenly engulfed hers in a firm grip. "My lady, you must come with me tonight. You aren't safe here with that demon."

"You don't know what you're talking about!" she suddenly cried, eyes flashing angrily as she wrenched her hands from his grip. "He has cared for me ever since I was a child. He would never hurt me!" Her voice broke on this last statement as a rough sob shook her body. She hugged her arms around her chest, frustrated with Yoshiro and his stubborn insistence and with herself and this uncharacteristic show of anger. A few drops of cold rain spattered lightly on her cheek, and she shook her hair around her face to shield herself. Why was she getting so upset? It wasn't as if this was the first time that she had heard these things. She had never really let them bother her before, but somehow hearing them tonight of all nights struck a nerve deep inside her.

"Please forgive me, hime-sama!" Yoshiro cried, a look of genuine concern and compassion surfacing on his features as he caught sight of the tears trembling at the corners of her eyes. He bowed low before her. "I had no desire whatsoever to make you so upset!"

Rin dipped her head in acknowledgement of his apology. "You should go back to the village, Yoshiro," she said. At his distressed look she continued with more force, "Please tell your mother and all of the others that my father and I are safe and very happy here and that we have no intention of leaving." Before he could utter another word, she rose to her feet and hurried back in the direction of the house, shielding her face from the erratic sprinkles of rain with one of her sleeves.

She had just enough time to wipe the raindrops from her skin and brush her wind-tangled hair before the hurried patter of footsteps in the halls announced Sesshoumaru's return. Immediately she set down her comb, jumped into her bed, and pulled the blankets over her lap. She looked up eagerly as her husband's heavy footsteps sounded outside her suite. Jaken's high-pitched voice filtered through the thin walls somewhere ahead of him.

"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama, she has been wondering around in the gardens all day. But don't you worry, my lord, I made sure that she kept warm." The little toad youkai slid the door open. Sesshoumaru's tall, stately form soon appeared in the open doorway beside him, large golden eyes focusing immediately on her as he entered. At the sight of him she felt all of her troubles melting away into the past.

"Anata!" she cried, a large smile of happiness spreading across her face. His stony expression softened somewhat and he made his way towards her, Jaken following on his heels.

"See, my lord? She's safe and sound, warm in her bed. I've been keeping a close eye on her all day and-"

"Jaken."

"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama?" he replied, large eyes rolling upwards to gaze into his master's face.

"Leave us."

Jaken bowed. "Hai." He made his way to the hallway, sliding the door shut behind him. Sesshoumaru's eyes darted to the side, watching Jaken carefully from the corner of the eye. As soon as he heard the soft thump of the door meeting the frame he hastily made his way over to Rin. She started slightly as his hand rose to grip her hands, her face. His fingers patted her cheeks, smoothed over her eyelids, nose, and lips, almost as if he didn't believe she was actually present before him.

"Anata?" she had time to utter before he pulled her to him in a tight embrace. His breath was warm and uneven as it rushed over the shell of her ear. She hesitantly wrapped her arms around him, taken aback by his actions. It wasn't like him to be so agitated. His chest wracked with a huge sigh of relief and she felt his lips press briefly against the base of her neck before he pulled away completely and rose to his feet.

"Have you eaten?" he asked. She blinked up at him, stunned by how quickly he had regained his composure. He stared down at her impassively, waiting patiently for her answer. She nodded absentmindedly, a confused look on her face.

"Hai, Anata, but I would be very happy to join you for your meal," she finally managed to reply. He immediately extended his hand and she took it, rising to her feet with his help. "Sess…Sesshoumaru…what was-," she quieted as he released her hand and walked towards the door. She sighed and tapped her palm to her head in a pantomime of idiocy. She could be so silly sometimes, asking him such a foolish question when it had been plainly obvious to her from an early age that he wasn't the sort of person to explain his actions. Rin grinned good-naturedly and followed him into the corridor.

The juicy scent of cooked meat and vegetables tantalized her nostrils as they entered the room, making her mouth water and her stomach growl despite the fact that she had eaten a scant few hours before. Sesshoumaru seated himself on a large red cushion and she followed suit, taking a seat to his right. Jaken soon entered, an ant-line of smaller toad youkai bearing trays of food and drink at his heels. He bowed before the both of them and ushered the servants into the room. Sesshoumaru stared blankly ahead as they arranged the steaming dishes around him and gave one last cursory bow before disappearing into the shadows of the adjoining room.

"Is there anything else you need, my lord and lady?" Jaken inquired, eyes shining in the warm light of the lamps situated around the room. At Sesshoumaru's sharp glance he nodded, bowed, and exited the room, sliding the door shut and giving them privacy. Rin grabbed a small ceramic bottle of sake and slowly poured a small measure into his cup. He gave her the slightest of nods and then set into his meal. She watched in silence as he ate, carefully studying the refined way he shrugged his sleeve back so that it wouldn't drag into his dish. Each bite was slow and artfully taken; if he was ravenous he didn't show it. She refilled the cup as needed, her eyes every now and then darting over to the closed doorway behind which Jaken had disappeared.

As the minutes dragged on, the only sound the clink of chopsticks on the plates and the sounds of chewing, she found herself idly wishing that the small youkai was in the room so that she could talk to him. She had been taking her evening meals with Sesshoumaru ever since he had made her his wife. She was always at his side during dinner, pouring his drinks and eating in silence. Despite how happy she was, she couldn't help but feel slightly nostalgic for the boisterous meals she had had back at Usagi Manor with Jaken, his make-believe stories of adventure, heroics, and love drawing gales of laughter from both her and the waiting servants. Even before that, when she had resided as Sesshoumaru's servant, she had always eaten and engaged in lively conversation with the toad-like youkai. She had always been a chatterbox, chewing off the ear of anyone who happened to be near. However, now that she was older she longed for a response to her chatter, which was something that Sesshoumaru rarely did. She shook her head. What a foolish girl she was to be so selfish.

"Jaken."

The small vassal poked his head into the room. "Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama?"

"Is the bath ready?"

"Hai, my lord."

Sesshoumaru's eyes met hers briefly, a silent invitation to join him. She smiled and nodded in vigorous assent.

Fat drops of condensation ran down the walls of the small changing room adjoining the bathroom. Rin stripped off her heavy outer robes, folding them neatly on a small table set against the wall. She then began to undo the fastenings of her obi, and set it and the layers underneath on the pile of clothing. Her underclothes soon followed. She then turned to Sesshoumaru, who had already removed his boots and sash and was now depositing Tenseiga and Toukajin on a second table. His lips parted slightly as he let his eyes travel down her naked body. Catching his glance, she shot him a playful smile and began to work on the ties to his armor. Still staring at her, he lifted the heavy breastplate over his head and set it aside, the tiniest hint of a smile on his face as he waited for her to continue.

Rin placed her palms lightly on his chest and slowly slid her fingers beneath the folds of his kimono. His skin radiated a heat greater than what was emanating from the bath and she paused momentarily, trying to catch hold of herself before she ruined this delicious tension that was building by tackling him right then and there. She loosened the ties of his hakama and stepped behind him to pull the kimono from his body, using the moment to quell the furious blush that was rising in her face as she imagined the delightful pleasures in store for the night. His hakama slid easily off of his body, and she grabbed them up and folded them, her eyes lingering on the taut, leanly muscled flesh that they revealed.

She leaned over to set the clothing with the rest, only to jump as he drew a sinuous line down her back with one long finger. Giggling, she swatted at him only to have her hand connect with empty air. She craned her head in the other direction only to be hit in the face with a billowing cloud of hot steam. Sesshoumaru glanced back at her, then walked into the other room, naked body quickly melting into the mist. She followed after him eagerly, closing the door behind her. The air was oppressive, filled with steam. She felt like a thousand hot, wet hands were pressing against her body, fueling the growing ache between her legs.

She found him seated on a small stool, a bucket full of hot water and a sponge at his side. Taking a large breath and mentally commanding herself to stay under control, she knelt behind him and took the dripping sponge from the water. Pushing the thick silver bundle of his hair over one of his shoulders, she began scrubbing his back then moved to his shoulders, right arm, and the heavily scarred remainder of his left arm. He leaned into the sponge and she pressed harder, massaging away the painful remnants of battles past.

Stepping carefully on the floorboards that were slick with beaded drops of condensation, she moved so that she was in front of him. Her heart began to pound even faster as she unconsciously let her eyes travel down his body. She now knew for certain that she was not the only one with more than a simple bath on her mind, if she had had any doubts in the first place, that was. The mischievous look on his face confirmed her suspicions and she mirrored his expression as she scooted forward to scrub his front. The sponge traced slow, lazy circles over the hard planes of his chest and sides, her fingers creeping over its edges to brush lightly against his water-slick skin. A low growl of contentment rumbled in his throat as she scrubbed his belly. She moved as low as she possibly could, teasing him by not letting the sponge or her fingers brush what she knew he longed to have touched.

Suddenly she found herself sitting on his lap, her back pressing against his belly, his arm wrapped tightly around her waist. His teeth brushed against her earlobe, closing lightly over the delicate flesh before nibbling down the side of her neck. She shivered and shifted so that she lay more firmly against him, her fingers digging into his thighs for support. There was a sharp intake of breath from behind her, melting into a shuddering exhalation. His hand crept over hers, his fingers locking around her slender digits. He slowly brought her captive hand, still gripping the sponge, up to her belly, mimicking her strokes.

Mouth falling slack, Rin let her head fall back over his shoulder. Sesshoumaru leaned forward and drew his tongue slowly over her exposed throat while simultaneously rubbing the sponge over her body. She arched her back as he trailed upwards, moaning as he brushed over the undersides of her breasts and moved up between them to scrub her chest and neck. His lips moved along the shelf of her jaw, teeth gently nipping her chin. As his mouth moved upwards, his hand slid in the opposite direction, the sponge leaving a wet, soapy trail down her pale skin. She moaned again as he trailed kisses over her cheekbones, temples, and forehead. His fingers brushed the flesh high on her inner thigh and she cried out softly, hips eagerly arching into his touch.

Sesshoumaru grunted contentedly and she felt his lips turn up into a smile against her neck. He edged his fingers closer to the junction of her thighs. Rin thrust her hips against his hand and he paused. Her panting breaths and the distant crackle of the fire heating the tub in the room below, dampened by the moisture in the air, were the only sounds in the room. She repeated the motion and groaned in disappointment and frustration as he returned his hand to her waist. She squirmed unhappily in his grip, trying to push his hand back to where it was. A dry chuckle brushed against the hairs of her neck at her futile attempts and she paused. Growling, she impulsively grabbed the bucket of water sitting next to the stool and upended it over his head.

He stiffened immediately as the warm water splashed onto his head and soaked into his hair. She had a few moments to crane her head around and watch amusedly as he gaped in blind shock before, with one deft motion, he swung her over one shoulder and rose from the stool. She gave a cry of mock anger and pounded lightly on his back with her fists as he carried her potato-sack style to the tub.

She fell into the nearly scorching hot water with a loud splash. Her lungs felt compressed by the heat, her eyes submerged in liquid fire as she shot to the surface and gasped. The water stirred slightly as he sank delicately into the tub beside her. She shot him an impish smirk and splashed water in his direction. He turned his face to the side, but didn't try to dodge the spray. Rin took the opportunity to close the distance between them, straddling his thighs and leaving inches between their faces.

Sesshoumaru's breath hissed from between his lips as her fingers darted below the surface and wrapped around him, giving the firm flesh a tentative squeeze. She peeled her dark eyes on his face, gauging his reaction to her touch. His eyelids fluttered shut and he tilted his head back over the edge of the tub as she moved her fingers over him lightly from base to tip and back again. She leaned closer, one hand brushing over his cheek as the other caressed him beneath the surface of the water. He moaned quietly, his hips moving rhythmically against her hand.

She took his lower lip into her mouth and tugged lightly on it, nearly losing control as she felt a soft poke against one of her thighs. His mouth closed over hers, his fingers curling into the wet hair at the base of her skull and pulling her to him. Her movements slowed as he slid his tongue into her mouth and she eagerly returned the kiss, releasing her hold on him to wrap her arms around his neck. She moaned into his mouth as he entered her, thighs momentarily clamping down over his hips as the initial burst of pleasure washed over her. The heat of the water and the wet press of the steam as it condensed on their flushed skin above the surface of the tub only added to the fierce sensations and she ground her pelvis against his.

Sesshoumaru leaned back against the tub wall, allowing her to create their rhythm and pace. Her movements were torturously slow and he groaned quietly. The water swirled and churned around their bodies, sloshing over the sides of the tub to splash onto the floorboards. He ran his fingers lightly over one of her breasts then smoothed them down to grip her hip.

Rin gasped in mingled surprise and pleasure as he pulled her hips roughly against him. She stared blankly at a spot beyond his shoulder, in a state of shock from the sudden movement, jaw trembling slightly. His lips brushed against the side of her neck, teeth nipping lightly at her wet skin. With a raspy breath, she placed her palms on his chest and slowly pushed herself back. She resumed her movements, grinning at the look of pure bliss that replaced the devilish smile on his face. His eyelashes fluttered open and his golden eyes wavered over hers as she pressed her forehead against his. His eyes shuddered shut again as he closed the distance between them with a kiss. She returned it hungrily, her fingers creeping upwards to grip his shoulders. He squeezed her hip, steadying her increasingly frantic motions.

He threw his head back and cried out through gritted teeth as a massive wave of pleasure shot through his body. Rin's thighs suddenly locked around him, and her cries soon surpassed his to reverberate loudly in the small room. With one last tortured shudder she collapsed against him, face buried in the hollow of his neck. He stared up at the ceiling with glazed eyes, his entire body rendered completely immobile. Her small fingers buried themselves in his hair, cupping the back of his head and pulling it upright to face her. He complied weakly, a small moan escaping his lips as he gazed at her pleasure-flushed face. She kissed him gently, shivering despite the heat as he languorously drew his fingers up her spine and neck.

The fires below had died and the water begun to cool before they finally managed to disentangle themselves and rise from the tub. After they toweled off, Rin combed out his hair then her own. Clean, fed, and completely exhausted from lovemaking, they retired to his chambers. Rin fell asleep instantly, head pillowed on his chest, an arm and a leg casually thrown over his body. Sesshoumaru watched her intently for some time in the darkness, studying the peaceful expression on her face and the little squirming movements she made every now and then to settle herself more comfortably.

He found himself wondering yet again what it was about this small human woman that fascinated him so. As if in response to this thought, Rin mumbled his name and stirred against him. The press of her warm body against his sent a thrill up his spine, and he fought the urge to wake her and make love to her again.

The first tentative trills of birdsong were rising from the garden when he finally forced himself to leave her side. Armor in hand, he cast one last glance at her still form before exiting the room. The predawn air was cool and heavy with the scent of dew. His boots crunched loudly over the carpet of fallen leaves. He rose slowly into the air and began to head for the northern lands with rapid speed, hoping that he would be able to deal with whatever was rampaging through the area and return to the palace before nightfall.

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