InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ In a Different Light ❯ Acceptance ( Chapter 15 )

In a Different Light

Chapter 14: Acceptance

As day drifted into evening, Rin found herself feeling more restless than usual. The sun had set, and the festival was now in full swing. The music vibrated its way through her body, making her toes twitch and her hands jerk. And the aromas from the food stands made her mouth water and her stomach clench. She'd been too preoccupied with the day's events to give much thought to eating or drinking, and now her appetite had announced itself with a vicious growl. It would be a simple matter to walk down to the river, catch a few fish, clean them and cook them over the fire, as she'd done on many previous occasions. But, to be honest, she was too . . . afraid to leave the clearing without Sesshomaru.

Yes, she could defend herself if the need arose, and if her imagined attackers, or not so imaginary attackers-like Takeda-were too much for her, she had Jakken and Ah-Un for back-up... even though both of them were currently unconscious. But her lord had a tendency to get cross with her when she wandered off without permission. He had commanded her to return to camp, which implied that she had to stay here until he told her otherwise.

But she was so bored!

No matter how much she tried to push everything down and keep herself balanced, focused and centered . . . Just sitting there watching them sleep, listening as they tossed and turned, the deep timbre of their snores battling with the light buzzing of the festival . . . It was driving her crazy!

Just how long was he planning on staying away? How long till he regained his composure? How long did she have to starve herself? How long did she have to listen to them slumbering? How far away had Sesshomaru gone and was he ever planning on coming back!

She cursed under her breath.

Years ago, she found it no problem to simply sit still and wait for Sesshomaru's return from . . . whatever adventure he and Jakken had gone off on. In fact, she'd made up a song to sing, hoping that he'd hear it and come back to her, perhaps sooner than he expected. But, she knew how silly that was, now. Yes, her lord had an excellent sense of hearing, but she now knew it was more effective within yards than within miles.

She chuckled lightly to herself. So many silly things that she used to do that proved pointless, now. Singing, skipping, jumping, picking flowers . . . Her lord didn't really care for any of those things. He simply put up with them for her sake . . . How many flower wreaths had she made for him, and what did he do with them all?

She was roused from her musings by the rumbling of her stomach.

She cursed again and pushed herself to her feet. Sesshomaru would simply have to get over himself. She didn't want to disobey him in this instance, and she certainly didn't want to worry him . . . But the baser needs of her body could no longer be denied, and she intended to fulfill them.

He'd been gone so long anyway that she could probably go and be back before he'd even miss her. It was too late and too risky to go fishing at this time of night. There would be too many wild animals, and, perhaps, some undesirable humans feeding, drinking or bathing themselves. She'd go to one of the food booths, get something quick to eat, and be back before he even knew she was gone.

"Jakken," she walked over to the toad, crouched down and shook him awake.

He grumbled and opened his eyes halfway.

"Jakken, I'm going to get something to eat."

He swatted her away and tried to turn over in his sleep.

"Listen to me, Jakken," she grabbed the cuff of his shirt and gave him a light shake. "If Sesshomaru comes back, tell him I'm in the village getting something to eat, and I'll be right back."

"Right back," he repeated gruffly then fell back asleep.

She straightened herself and dusted off the bottom of her kimono. "Make sure you tell him."

He answered her with a snore.

"Oh well,"she sighed, "I'll be back before he is, anyway."

* * *

Sesshomaru returned to the campsite just before moon rise. The night was still and calm except for the sounds and odors from the village festival. He hadn't intended to stay gone so long, but his brother's territory was unusually quiet, and he had to travel quite a distance before he found an adversary worthy of his malice. After the browbeating he was forced to endure from the human and the joking, yet undeniably chiding comments he received from his hanyou half-brother, the thought of kicking Jakken around simply wasn't enough to abate his growing anger. He, the great demon lord of the Western Lands, dressed down by a lowly, mortal male. A creature whose undue arrogance was only matched by his cowardice. A creature who would not only curse him and his intended, but he would also threaten and spit and . . . release his waste inches from this Sesshomaru's feet.

It was unseemly. No demon of any stature would allow such a weak, unworthy, maligning creature to live. And, under normal circumstances, if the human had even looked at him the wrong way that would have been sufficient reason to vaporize the creature where he stood. But... he had promised.

He had promised Rin that if the human apologized, he would allow him to live. And Sesshomaru always kept his word . . . no matter what the cost.

He sighed inwardly, then let a small smirk grace his face. That bull youkai didn't even know what hit him. The demon was roughly the size of a large mountain, but Sesshomaru had dispatched him within a matter of minutes . . . It would have been seconds, but the demon lord did want a workout and not just a quick kill. It gave his predatory side great pleasure to smell the fear of the beast and see its pain reflected in its eyes. He'd killed it slowly, purposefully, listening to its howls of terror and torment, while imagining a different prey entirely.

Instead of large, black and powerful, he imagined a creature more diminutive, more man-like, more . . . obnoxious.

Yes, he smiled inwardly, that was an image he could fall asleep to every night.

"Jakken," he kicked the toad awake, giving no hint of his much improved mood. "Where is Rin?"

The toad jumped to attention and glanced around the campsite. "Rin is . . . Rin is . . . Not here?" he finally answered.

Sesshomaru glared at his retainer. He could already see that his intended was "not here," as the imp had said. He wanted information, not a statement of the obvious.

Jakken swallowed hard, wringing his hands around the Staff of Heads. He'd already received one beating from the master today. Though, admittedly it had been much earlier in the day, or perhaps closer to late last night, but still his ragged and worn body felt in no condition to take another. "I . . . I . . ."

His lord continued to stare down at him, his glare cold and pointed, one eyebrow raised, signifying his growing impatience.

"My lord, she . . ." Miraculously, he received a brief flash of the girl, shaking him by the collar of his shirt. But, what was it that she'd said to him?

"Jakken." He took a menacing step towards the toad. Why he had kept someone so lax in his duties in his service for so long, Sesshomaru was quickly beginning to forget.

"The village!" he blurted out. "I-I was . . . resting my eyes, and she told me she was going to the village to get something to eat."

"And you did not accompany her?"

"I . . . I . . ." Which would result in the lesser punishment? He quickly wondered. Admitting that he'd fallen asleep at his post or admitting that he'd inadvertently disobeyed one of the master's recent commands?

"This Sesshomaru expects an answer, Jakken."

"W-well . . ." He'd already caught him asleep, Jakken realized. So . . . "She slipped away while I was sleeping, lord." He threw himself at Sesshomaru's feet, keeping his eyes glued to the ground. "This Jakken humbly begs your forgiveness, Lord Sesshomaru. He is not worthy to lay on the ground you walk on."

He jerked the Staff of Heads from his hands and knocked him on the head. "Did we not discuss this, Jakken?"

"Y-yes, lord. I was wrong, lord. I apologize, lord."

He hit him again. "Did we not agree that as of last night, you were to watch Rin at all times in the event of my absence?"

"Yes, lord. I'm sorry, lord. I have no excuse for such incompetence. Please forgive this foolish, old toad." Normally, he'd try to place some of the blame on Rin, calling her clever and wily and willful, a spiteful and thoughtless child. No matter how closely he'd watched her in the past, she'd always managed to sneak away from him, slip past him and get into the direst of situations . . . But since his lord had laid claim on her, he'd made it abundantly clear that he'd hear none of his excuses or any of his insults where Rin was concerned.

He hit him one final time, then planted the Staff in the ground by Jakken's head.

When Jakken finally mustered the nerve to look up, his master was gone.

To deliberately and willfully disobey him . . . Sesshomaru took to the treetops, scanning the crowd below in search of his wayward woman. If not for the noxious fumes given off from the . . . food these humans insisted on ingesting, he could've easily sniffed her out and returned her to her proper place, waiting for him at the campsite.

He'd had no such problems with her in her youth. She obeyed his every command, indulged his slightest whim. If he said "hide," she hid. If he said "be silent," she fell silent. And if he said "stay," she stayed.

If she thought simply because he desired her as a mate that she owed him any less allegiance, any less obedience, she was sadly mistaken. Yes, technically, upon completion of the mating ritual they would be considered equals, but he would still be a lord, and she would still be one of his subjects. And he wouldn't stand for any such impertinence.

He'd merely been toying with her during their duel, wanting to test her abilities and give her an outlet for her outward rage. It amused him that she could get so upset over something so simple-he and his brother hashing over a few things. He was more than a few centuries old and was perfectly capable of looking after himself.

A slight smirk formed on his face. He'd always known that Rin had . . . cared for him in one aspect or another. But to see the proof of that passion burning in her defiance, blazing in her determination was quite . . . stimulating.

But, he mentally countered, this was another matter entirely. It wasn't simply a matter of obeying or disobeying-his word versus her will. This was a matter of safety.

Yes, she was clearly capable of defending herself against certain threats, but why tempt fate? There were wild animals and rogue demons and that headman.

He glanced down as the villagers passed him unnoticed below.

Not to mention the various males he spotted milling around the crowd, desire burning in their eyes, saki thick on their breaths, trying to find a warm body to fill their beds for the night. And the females were no better.

He scoffed lightly to himself. To think, he once thought they were all alike, and he simply would have counted Rin among their numbers. The way they walked, the way they talked, the way they looked and smelled. The slumped posture and heavy, plodding footsteps. Their loud, coarse voices and unrefined ways of speech. Their sunburned skin and tangled hair. The earth, sweat and smoke imbedded into most of their scents . . .

But not his Rin. She was something else entirely. She did not plod; she glided. She was not loud, coarse or unrefined; she was eloquent and soft-spoken, but strong-willed. Yes, she'd had the occasional sunburn while they were traveling the Western Lands, securing its borders, but overall, her skin was pale and smooth, flawless. And her scent . . . that single rose blossoming in the noonday sun-delicate, but potent, calming and exciting at the same time.

A low growl worked its way up from the back of his throat. Where was she? It should be easy to find a rose in a field of weeds . . . But these humans with their food and their fragrances. He could smell everything except her.

Another growl forced its way out. She knows how much I hate these villages and their smells. She knows that I hate them, and yet this is where she comes.

He leapt to another treetop, scanning a different area of the crowd. Yes, he would have to have a word with her about . . . unexpected departures and her duties to him as his mate.

It was a simple command. One that she'd followed hundreds of times before.

True, he had taken longer than he'd anticipated, but when he gave an order, he expected it to be obeyed. If she was hungry, she should have gone fishing at the river, or sent Jakken out hunting for some small animal or gathering vegetables of some type. Why did she insist on making everything so difficult? She said she wouldn't go to the festival without him, but she had, hadn't she?

He smiled inwardly, his face remaining passive and serene. He didn't want a timid mate, one that cowered and backed down from adversity. He'd known from the beginning that Rin would enjoy this sort of thing-this gathering, this festival. That boy, Taro, had invited her to one in his own village several days ago, and despite the fact Rin had declined his repeated offers, he could tell that she wanted to go . . . just not with that boy, perhaps.

No. Of course, she didn't want to go with the boy; she wanted to go with him. And he'd rejected her.

But if she wanted to go, why shouldn't she be able to? Should she let the thoughts and actions of a few, paltry humans bar her way to having a good time?

No. Who were they to command her, to intimidate her, to coerce her?

After her appearance last night and the confrontation this morning, they all had to know who she was, what she was. It was a small village, after all, and things like that simply weren't kept secret. And Rin, for her part, knew what they'd be thinking, what they would whisper, what they'd likely do to her . . . and still she came. Alone and unprotected, refusing to be run off or scared away, courageously facing their vicious whispers, their malicious glares, and undue threats of physical assault.

That, in Sesshomaru's opinion, proved that she had more pride and character than everyone in this village combined. And he inwardly applauded her for it. She was soon to be the Lady of the Western Lands, and the Lady of the Western Lands could go anywhere she wanted and do anything she pleased . . . with his consent, of course.

Which brought him back to his current position. He hopped to yet another treetop and proceeded to scan the crowd. He was now quite close to the outskirts of the village. If he couldn't spot her from here, he would have to take to the ground and continue his search that way, milling . . . among the crowd.

He set his jaw and narrowed his gaze, repressing a low growl of frustration and contempt.

He realized it would be much simpler to simply return to camp and wait for her return, but that wasn't the point. She needed to learn that as long as she ran off without his consent, he would always seek her out and bring her back. It wasn't about control; it was about consideration. It was . . .

There.

He spotted her profile a few yards ahead of him, resting at the base of an oak tree. Her back was against the trunk, her knees slightly bent, a small bundle cradled against her chest, and not a soul around her.

He jumped down a few branches, so he take a closer look without gaining her immediate attention. The silver-haired child obviously belonged to InuYasha and his woman, though he couldn't see either of his two parents in sight. He had to be Tomi, as he believed both Rin and his half-brother had told him. Tomi was the infant, Kin was the toddler, and his wench was expecting yet another one . . . Not that he particularly cared for InuYasha's growing brood, but they did have some of the blood of their great father flowing through their veins. Had he lived, their father would now be a grandfather.

"Plus, he has a family now," he continued. "It's wrong to deprive a child of its father."

Rin nodded. "I just realized something . . .We're both orphans," she said somewhat sadly.

He nodded his agreement. "I suppose that's true," he said. "Though I've never . . . thought of things that way."

Sesshomaru scoffed. To think of such things at a time like this. He wasn't given to bouts of sentimentality. He was here to reclaim Rin and . . .

She gently raised her bent arm and bowed her head to brush a brief kiss on the infant's forehead. She then returned the child to his previous position and smiled down at him, running her fingertips through his fine tresses, her lips parted in words Sesshomaru couldn't quite pick up.

But she looked so . . . so . . .

He cursed to himself and growled in disgust. When had words ever failed him?

He jumped down to ground level, his feet making no sound as they made contact with the forest floor. He landed a few feet ahead of his intended, so that he could approach slowly, unnoticed from the side, his progress hidden by the trees.

He watched in silence as she continued to cradle and comfort the child. Her voice low, her gaze soft, her hand gently cupping the side of his face.

When had he ever seen her look so peaceful, so calm, so tranquil and serene? She looked so . . . perfect, he supposed the appropriate word was. Previously, he'd only seen her in such a state when she was sleeping in her younger years. She'd crawl to his side in the middle of the night, seeking comfort in his fur from the torments of her dreams. She'd cling to him and cuddle up to him, breathing frantically and erratically till her night terrors had passed and she could at last slip into a peaceful slumber. And just as she'd found his presence comforting, this child, his brother's child, seemed to have the same affect on her. She looked as if she didn't have a single care in the world.

And he . . . he found himself . . . captivated by the sight. A sudden warmth filled his body, flooding his being. A deep desire to . . . he didn't know what gripped his chest and refused to let go.

"What a good boy you are, Tomi. You must make your parents very proud."

The muscles in his chest seized and clenched.

"We're both orphans," she said somewhat sadly.

"I suppose that's true," he said. "Though I've never . . . thought of things that way."

Rin opened her mouth and began to sing. It was a familiar song. Her song. His song. Her song for him.

"Plus, he has a family now," he continued. "It's wrong to deprive a child of its father."

"Where are you, Sesshomaru?

With an ally like Jakken,

I will wait alone until you come

Sesshomaru, please return."

He . . . wanted her.

Not in the way he'd lusted for her as he watched her bend and stretch as she assumed the various positions in her yoga training. Not in the way he'd desired her when she'd exposed her thigh or fondled his scalp or caressed his face. And not in the way he wanted to dominate her when he'd knocked her to the ground, sword to her throat, forcing her to face him and recant her previous assertions . . . Those times were driven primarily by instinct. She'd assumed a submissive position or shown him weakness or trepidation, and the predator in him delighted in her nervousness, her apprehension, and her arousal.

But this was different.

Yes, there was still an underlying desire to possess her and make her his. But there was also the desire to complete her, to fulfill her, to . . . give her that one thing she seemed to be sorely missing.

A family.

"Did you like my singing, angel?"

"Very much so."

She jerked her head up as Sesshomaru stepped out of the forest and into her line of sight. "Sesshomaru."

He inclined his head slightly, acknowledging her greeting.

She brought her index finger up to her lips in a gesture requesting silence. "He's sleeping," she whispered.

He again nodded.

She glanced down at the infant, then back up at him. "I'm sorry for running off," she said. "I didn't plan on staying this long. I was just gonna grab something to eat and run right back, but then I ran into your brother in his mate, and they asked me if I could watch Tomi for a little bit while they helped set up the main stage, and I . . . I just couldn't say no." She again turned attention to the slumbering child, then glanced back up at him. "I suppose you wanna go, now."

He nodded slightly, keeping his eyes on her and the infant cradled in her arms.

She unwrapped one arm from around the child and extended it towards him. "Can you help me up, then? I'm in a rather awkward position."

He allowed a slight smile to show as he gripped her hand and pulled her to her feet.

"We just have to find his parents, now, and then we can go."

He nodded, yet again, then followed her as she walked back towards the center of the village.

"I think they're still at the stage," she said. "Though, honestly, I don't know where they are right now. It's been awhile since they left him with me"

He nodded for the fifth time that evening.

"I know you hate being here. All the people and the smells. I'm really sorry for making you come after me."

So, he thought, she already knows. She already knows that I'll always come after her.

"I assume you're feeling better, now?"

"Yes," he finally said, sick of nodding.

"Good."

If he kept close enough to her, he could block out the more unpleasant scents of the village and focus in on her divine aroma . . . Even the child didn't smell so bad. And the humans, oddly enough, didn't seem to have much of a reaction to his presence. True, he assumed this form to avoid drawing unnecessary attention, but he was InuYasha's brother, after all.

"Oh," Rin said, "InuYasha warned the villagers that you might be coming, so he told them to be on their best behavior or you'd rip their still-beating hearts out of their chests. So, no whispering and pointing allowed."

"I see."

She again turned her attention to the child, her smile bright, her face glowing.

"You've grown quite attached to him, haven't you?"

This time it was she who nodded. "I really hate to give him back," she sighed. If I'd led a "normal" life, I'd have two or three of them by now.

He continued to admire his soon-to-be mate and his brother's child as they made their way to the village square. But instead of InuYasha's child, he envisioned his own child-a fine blend of both his and Rin's best traits. "It displeases me to tell you that we can't keep this one, but I can give you one of our own if you'd like."

Her reaction was immediate. She stared up at him with a bright smile and shimmering eyes, inclining her head slightly forward. "I would like."

He nodded in reply. Though he had to admit, he was slightly disappointed that she didn't don her usual shade of red when discussing such matters with him. But the smile suited her, just the same.

"I don't see them," Rin said.

They stood on the outskirts of the village square, scanning the crowd as the villagers danced by, and the musicians played. The stage was up and assembled, but they didn't see hide nor hair of Kagome or InuYasha.

"I think we should check out the booth area," Rin suggested. "Even if we don't find them there, I can drop Tomi off with Miroku, and we can be on our way. He has a fortune-telling booth there."

He raised an eyebrow at her. "Isn't he a monk?"

"An unconventional monk," Rin nodded. "He's married and has a child."

"I see." A de-frocked monk, no doubt. He wasn't sure about abandoning his nephew to such an unscrupulous character.

"The booths are this way," she motioned her head to the left, so they turned and set off in that direction.

It was one of the few occasions they walked side-by-side instead of one in front of the other. Sesshomaru was used to leading the way, and Rin was used to following. But seeing as how she had a better idea of where they were going, it would've been impractical for her to bring up the rear. By his side, she could guide them both in the proper direction.

As soon as they entered the bazaar, Sesshomaru was nearly overwhelmed by the intense smells and odors by the food dishes and incense stands. He wanted nothing more than to cover his nose and block out the offensive aromas, but, of course, he didn't. That would've been unseemly. He commanded his nose not to twitch and buried his disgust and growing nausea beneath his usual stoic mask.

"They should be here unless they returned to their hut," Rin said.

He nodded as they made their way through the rows of booths and stands, the food vendors, craftsmen, and merchants.

"There," Rin said. "They are at Miroku's booth."

He maintained his distance as his intended ran up to the crowd gathered around the corrupt monk and handed the child off to InuYasha's mate.

"I hope he wasn't any problem," Kagome said. "I'm sorry we didn't come and get him, but after we finished setting up the stage, InuYasha insisted on coming here and getting something to eat."

"He was no problem," Rin said. "He was a perfect, little angel."

Kagome hoisted the sleeping child up to her shoulder. "I see Sesshomaru decided to come this time."

Rin shook her head. "Not really. He just came looking for me. He doesn't like these sorts of things. All the smells, you know."

Kagome nodded. "InuYasha's finally gotten to the point where he's used to it. But this sort of thing would usually knock him out for a couple of hours."

InuYasha scoffed and walked over to his brother. "Slumming it, are we, oh noble Lord of the Western Lands?"

He ignored his brother and kept his attention focused on Rin. She was practically surrounded-Kagome and that demon slayer on opposite sides of her and two children clamoring around her legs. One of the children, the shorter of the two, clearly belonged to InuYasha and his wench; the other, he assumed, belonged to the slayer and the monk.

"I thought I'd tell ya that Takeda disappeared."

"Oh?"

The hanyou nodded. "It seems that he took the money and ran, so to speak. His younger brothers have no clue where he went."

"This is of little importance to me, little brother."

"Just thought I'd warn ya," he said. "Ya know, after everything he said."

"Idle prattle," he said simply.

"Whatever," InuYasha shrugged.

"Rin."

She glanced over her shoulder at him and nodded. "I've gotta go, now. It was really nice talking to you all, and when you see Shippo, tell him he didn't really say anything wrong. I just get a little emotional from time to time."

He raised an eyebrow at her parting comments to the group.

"Tomorrow's your last day here, right?" InuYasha asked.

"Yes. We'll be leaving the following morning."

"Well then," he slapped his brother's shoulder simply to piss him off, "I guess we'll see you tomorrow."

He glared at the half-breed, then turned to leave. "Come along, Rin."

She nodded again, bowing her goodbyes, then joined him at his side.

As they headed back towards camp, one particular booth caught the demon lord's eye. "Rin."

"Hmm?"

He directed her attention to the stand full of swords, daggers and assorted other blades. She gave him an odd look, not quite catching his meaning. "You are in need of a new sword," he reminded her. "Pick one out, and you may have it."

She nodded her understanding, then approached the weapon's merchant. He was a middle-aged man, probably in his late thirties. He had various burns and scars on his face and hands, from forging the weapons, Rin assumed.

"Looking for a nice sword for your master?" the man asked.

"No," she said. "For me."

"You?" he laughed.

Rin nodded. "I need something lightweight, but durable. And nothing too long, either." She picked up a short-bladed sword and held it up for Sesshomaru's inspection.

He shook his head "no."

"And what would you be needing a sword for?" the smithy asked.

"Protection," Rin responded. She grabbed another sword and held it up.

Again, Sesshomaru rejected it.

"You need protection? What's that big fella back there for, then?"

"He's my companion," she said simply. "This one," she gasped, grasping the handle. It was short, lightweight, perfectly balanced and deathly sharp. The handle was wrapped in tanned leather, and the blade was a pure, gleaming silver, etched with images of peacocks and various scroll designs. "This one?" she turned to face Sesshomaru, holding the sword out for inspection.

He nodded his approval, then reached into his haori for his money pouch.

"We'll take this one," Rin said.

They paid for their purchase, the smithy wrapped it up, then they headed back to their campsite, side-by-side, a comfortable silence shared between them.

"Thank you for the sword," Rin finally said.

He nodded in acknowledgment. "Tell me," he said, "what did the fox cub say to you?"

"Oh, Shippo?" Her suddenly sullen tone belied her pleasant smile.

"Yes."

"Well, it wasn't anything, really. He was with Kagome and InuYasha when I bumped into them, and we started talking about our different travels and adventures because we were both still pretty young during the whole Naraku business."

"Continue."

"Well, we just stood on the outskirts of the square catching up with each other when Shippo brought up the duel from this morning."

"I see."

"And he thought what you did was really great," she continued. "Apparently, Takeda has been harassing him for awhile, because a couple of the village girls had taken a liking to him, and well, you know how he is. . . "

"Indeed."

"And he would've done something himself, but it would've gotten him into trouble with Kagome."

"Is he confined by a subduing spell as well?"

"No," Rin laughed. "She's his mother."

He raised an eyebrow at her.

"Adoptive mother," Rin corrected herself. "And she didn't want him doing anything that would get them tossed out of the village. See, there was sort of an implicit agreement between them and the villagers. As long as he and InuYasha protected the village and didn't cause any problems, they could stay. But if they made any 'mischief,' as Shippo called it, the villagers reserved the right to run them out of town and burn down their house."

"Typical," he scoffed.

"So, he wanted me to thank you. Without Takeda around, their lives will be much more pleasant."

As if that was any consequence to him. "What else did he say to you?"

"What else?" she asked.

"Clearly, him offering me thanks wouldn't upset you. I heard your conversation with the two women. What else did he say to you?"

Rin sighed. "Well, he said he couldn't believe that you kept me around as long as you did, or let me travel with you in the first place." She dragged her fingers through her hair, smoothing any stray strands into place. "But that didn't bother me," she said. "I used to think the same things myself."

"Used to?" he questioned.

Rin nodded. "I used to think that, but now I know that you kept me around because you needed me." A tight grin formed across her face. "I 'plague' you, remember?"

"Indeed," he nodded.

"But it was so funny to see the look on his face when I told him you were courting me."

His face remained passive, but inwardly he cringed. Even the fox cub was making jokes at his expense. "I do hope he kept the proper distance from you, during your discussion."

She turned to face him, a warm smile lighting her face. "I have no interest in Shippo or any other male. I have who I want, and I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize that."

"Good," he said simply. "Now, what did the cub say that upset you?"

"Well," she paused and wet her lower lip, "when I mentioned you were courting me, the subject of finding a mate came up. He started talking about all the different girls he liked in the village, and I asked him if he didn't think it was time to start narrowing down his options."

"Oh?"

Rin nodded. "And he said, 'Why should I do that? I'm young, swinging and single.'"

He quirked an eyebrow at her.

"I didn't know exactly what that meant, either, but, apparently, he's not interested in finding a mate any time soon."

"He is still young," Sesshomaru said.

"I know," she said, "but we're practically the same age."

He gave a thoughtful nod. He had a feeling he knew where this was going.

"And I told him that, and he laughed at me and called me a dolt, I think it was."

"Dolt?"

"I think it means 'stupid.'"

A low growl worked its way up from the back of his throat.

"He was only joking, Sesshomaru. He wasn't saying it to be mean."

He scoffed as they continued on their way to the campsite.

"You take everything so seriously sometimes."

"Continue with your tale."

"Well, I told him I thought it was important to find the right person to settle down with. And he agreed with me. So, I asked him if he was gonna stop chasing all the village girls and focus on just one, and he said he's far too young to consider doing anything like that. And, like I said, I told him we were practically the same age, and if I'm old enough to start a family then ..." Her voice trailed off.

"Humans and demons age differently."

"I know," Rin said. "I mean, I did know, but I guess I just forgot. And . . . he told me I'd be dead and buried long before he even considered taking a mate, and . . ." She fell silent, and soon afterward Sesshomaru's nose was assaulted by the scent of tears.

"The thought of your own death troubles you."

She shook her head, sniffing back her tears. "No. I mean, I am mortal, human, after all. And I've always known that I'm gonna get old and die one day, but . . ." The tears began anew.

Sesshomaru stopped in his tracks and turned to face her. "You know it displeases me to see you cry."

"I'm sorry, but . . . I don't like the thought of leaving you alone."

"Rin."

"Who'll take care of you when I'm gone? Who'll keep you company? Who'll make you smile? Who'll . . ."

"Rin," he said softly.

She took a deep breath and pushed it out. "I'm sorry," she sniffed. "I worry too much. You're perfectly capable of looking after yourself."

"Yes," he agreed, "I am quite capable of looking after myself."

She wiped the tears from her face with the back of her hand. "I knew I was being silly."

"Yes, you are being silly."

She laughed dryly. "I figured as much. To think the great demon Lord of the Western Lands couldn't live without his pathetic mortal."

"Rin."

She looked up at him, her brown eyes brimming over with unshed tears.

"You are not 'pathetic,' and I will not hear you speak of yourself as such."

"I'm sorry." She looked away from him and directed her attention to the ground beneath them. The scent of salt still hung heavily in the air.

"Look at me, Rin."

She sniffed a few times then did as he asked.

"May I touch you?"

She sniffed again, then nodded. "If you like."

He cupped the left side of her face with his right hand and brushed back her tears with his thumb. "Yes, Rin, I can live without you. The question is: do I want to?"

She stood transfixed in his golden gaze, unable to move, unable to think, unable to feel anything but the gentle caress of his thumb as it swept across her face.

"The answer is no. No, I do not wish to live without you."

"But I'm human," she said. "I'll die. I'll leave. I'll leave you all alone."

"No." A slight smile tugged at the corners of mouth. "I will not let you go anywhere without my permission. Have I not told you this before?"

"Yes, but--"

"No." He slid his hand from the side of her face to the back of her neck. "There are no buts."

"But--"

He shook his head from side to side. "There are no buts."

"How, then? If there are no buts, tell me how."

His smile grew. "You are tense. Relax." He gave her neck a gentle squeeze, attempting to relieve the tightness he sensed in the muscle. "Leave everything up to me, Rin."

She continued to stare up at him, confusion evident in her dark eyes.

"Trust me," he said softly. "We will be together for a very long time."

"Long for who?"

He repressed a low chuckle, easing his face closer to hers, pushing her hair back with the tip of his nose. "Do not worry about such things right now."

"But, what are you . . .?"

He brushed his lips lightly against the exposed skin of her neck just below her jaw, as his hand slid down to the middle of her upper back.

She gasped as a tremor shot down her spine.

"Relax, my Rin." He trailed kisses from the middle of her neck to the lobe of her ear. "Let me ease your mind. Let me soothe your fears."

She drew in a quick, sharp breath as he sucked her earlobe into the moist cavern of his mouth. "What about . . . the stages?" she asked.

"This is Stage Three." He ran his hand from her upper back to her lower back, stopping there to rub slow circles into her silk-covered flesh.

"So, all I got for Stage Two is . . ." A low moan escaped her lips as he grazed one of his fangs down the side of her neck. "All I got was . . . a lousy cup of tea and a new sword?"

"The tea was not 'lousy,' and I will not allow you to pretend it was otherwise."

She giggled playfully as he pulled her body flush against his and ran the tip of his tongue along her outer ear.

"Are we ticklish, Lady Rin?"

"Yes . . ." She dropped the newly purchased sword to the ground and wrapped both arms around his waist.

"You're ready for me even now, aren't you?"

"By the gods, yes . . ."

He continued to nip and suck at the flesh of her neck. "I can smell your arousal," he breathed hotly into her ear.

"It's your fault," she replied.

He smirked against the side of her neck. "Yes, it is. And this," he brushed his growing erection against her upper thigh, "is your fault."

She gasped at the hot hardness she felt emanating beneath the fabric of his pants and tightened the hold she had about his body.

"Are you ready to accept responsibility for what you've done?"

She gave a low, throaty chuckle. "Here?" she asked. "Now?"

"No," he said softly. "I will not claim you completely until we've returned to the castle. I don't wish to be . . . interrupted."

"Then what . . .?"

He again drew her earlobe into the hot cavern of his mouth, dragging his fang over the small piece of flesh, licking away any resulting wound. "Simply because I cannot claim you doesn't mean I cannot think of other ways to amuse you until we return to our estate."

"Amuse me?"

A low growl rose up from the center of his chest, a wide, but concealed grin pressed against her neck. "Amuse. Entertain. Please. Pleasure."

"Ohhh," she sighed breathlessly.

"Is this agreeable?" he continued to caress her lower back as his warm breath blew sweetly across her right cheek.

Rin nodded.

He gradually released her, then took a few steps back, admiring her flushed face and glistening eyes. "Pick up your sword and come along, Rin."

She nodded again, then did as she was told. Her lord had already begun to lead the way; she ran to catch up. "May I ask where we're going?"

"You may ask, but I may not answer."

"Sesshomaru!"

He repressed a cat-like grin, choosing to respond in his usual smooth and casual manner. "Be content that we'll be together away from prying eyes."

A bright blush rose in her cheeks, a shy smile curling her lips.

"And I assure you, my Rin, you will enjoy yourself."

Her blush deepened and her smile grew.

And I'll make sure you leave all thoughts of your mortality far behind.