InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Price of Freedom ❯ A softer side ( Chapter 4 )

I just wanted to thank everyone for reading and especially for reviewing!!!! All your reviews make me smile to know that you are enjoying it so much. I have a total of 9 chapters written so far, so while I work on 10, I'll be posting a chapter a day.

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I don't own InuYasha or the characters within… le sigh

 

Chapter Four a soft side

 

Sesshomaru lay awake in his bed. Being a full demon he doesn't need much sleep, but it would be nice if he could get more than five minutes tonight. Numerous times he thought he heard something, and went to check on the girls. Every time he checked, they were asleep. They had fallen asleep on the floor. He imagined that they had lain down to talk and hadn't realized how tired they actually were. He had thought about carrying them to their beds, but didn't want to risk waking them.

 

As much as he didn't want to admit it, he was also having a hard time getting the picture of Rin smiling at him out of his mind. She looked so alive sitting in that garden. He imagined she had never known that much happiness in her life. How she had survived all those years on her own, he would never know. But what he did know was that she was stronger than she gave herself credit for. She was a fighter, whether she knew it or not, and she was bound for a wonderful life. One that he hoped, he would give to her.

 

He shot out of the bed like a bullet when he heard her cry out. Racing into the girls' room, he saw Rin thrashing in her sleep. The other girls had made it into their bed at some point and had not heard Rin's cries. Sitting beside her, he gently shook her to wake her from her dream. “Rin, Rin wake up, you're having a dream.” He whispered softly in her ear.

 

Waking from the dream, she sat up and looked at Sesshomaru. He was wearing a pair of ivory silk sleep pants, his golden eyes shining in the stream of moonlight. Silent tears fell from her eyes.

 

“It was just a dream Rin. You're safe. No one can hurt you here.” He brushed her hair out of her face and wiped the tears from her cheek.

 

She put her arms around him and laid her cheek against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and picking her up, carried her out onto the balcony. Sitting down, he set her in his lap. Cradling her, he let her cry.

 

They stayed that way until no more tears would come. With her face still buried against his chest she finally spoke. “They're coming for us.” She felt him stiffen and looked up into his eyes. She saw rage. “I dreamt it. That's why I was so frightened. He's sending someone to bring us back no matter what.” She lifted a hand to his cheek. “Please, don't let them take me back.”

 

Touching his hand over hers he answered her. “They would have to kill me in order to take you from me. That will never happen Rin. Your place is here now, for as long as you choose to stay.” He looked into her eyes, which moved to his lips. Slowly he lowered his mouth to hers. The kiss was soft and gentle, yet filled with passion. He had never felt anything like this before. Her lips where as soft as silk, and sweeter than anything he had ever tasted. Her arms came around his neck and he deepened the kiss slightly.

 

This was something she had had taken from her before, but never anything she had given. It was unlike anything she had ever imagined possible. He was so gentle with her. He treated her as though she were fragile, ready to break at any moment. She had never experienced this feeling deep in her stomach. It felt like butterflies were dancing inside of her. When he deepened the kiss, she didn't want it to end.

 

He slowly pulled his lips away from hers and looked into her eyes. She smiled and rested her head on his shoulder. He laid his chin on top of her head as they sat in silence. He realized that she was wearing his sweatshirt as a nightgown and smiled at the thought. He tried not to think about what she was wearing underneath it. He liked the thought of her wearing nothing but his shirt a little too much for comfort.

 

Eventually, he heard her breathing even out as she fell asleep. He slowly lifted her and carried her into her room. He laid her gently on the bed as not to wake her. Pulling the blankets up over her, he leaned down and kissed her forehead. “Goodnight Rin.”

 

When Kagome and Sango heard the door close, they poked their heads up. They looked at Rin, and then at each other. Smiling they laid down to sleep.

 

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Sesshomaru was halfway to his parents' room as it hit him like a ton of bricks. He was falling in love with Rin. He had been from the moment she had asked him for help before she collapsed in his arms. He staggered for a moment as he realized the impact this would have in her life. She had just received her freedom, and if he loved her, he would be taking a part of her life, that she had yet to discover, away from her.

 

He would have to deal with that later, but right now, he needed to tell his father about Rin's dream.

 

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The moon was setting, making way for the sun to rise. The men were sitting in Sesshomaru's office. Sesshomaru paced as his father sat. Miroku stood as InuYasha squatted.

 

Sesshomaru looked at the rising sun as his father finished with his phone call. Sesshomaru never liked that fact that royal blood flowed through his veins. He felt as though too much pressure was put on his family for being demons, but adding royalty to the mix had made it worse. However, right now, he would use that royalty to gain whatever information he could about this Naraku, along with as much protection for Rin and the girls as possible. The only problem he could think of was that the girls were not royalty. They had no royal blood flowing through them, nor were they married into royalty. That might be the only problem they would encounter.

 

Hearing his father hang up the phone he turned. “Well? What did you find out?”

 

“Nothing good about this Naraku fellow, I'll tell you that much. He was born about a hundred years ago. When he was in his twenties, he was very badly burned. He was on the brink of death when miraculously, he recovered fully. Apparently, he made a pact with demons, and allowed them to consume his body. In return, he would become a half demon. About forty years ago, he was involved in a battle with a monk. Shortly after that battle, the monk died, and Naraku fled.” He turned and looked at Miroku.

 

“My grandfather,” Miroku said softly. “My grandfather was the monk.”

 

“That's right.” Inutaisho said softly. “This is the first they have heard of Naraku in many years. It was assumed that he had died a short time after the battle as well. This is a very dangerous half-demon we're going up against. We must prepare for anything. We don't know how or when he'll strike, however I don't think this man will take too kindly to the idea of the girls not being his anymore.”

 

Sesshomaru stood looking out the window. The sun had since rose, and Rin was standing out on her balcony. The breeze was blowing her hair around her face as she stood in her bare feet. She was still wearing his sweatshirt. “What about the girls, father. What steps are they going to take to protect them?” Turning from the window he sat on the edge of his desk.

 

Inutaisho looked his son in the eye. “That's a little harder son. There is really no record of these girls. We'll need to find last names and do some type of search. They may have been kidnapped, but it is more likely that they were orphaned at some point in their lives, and were just lost. They do not belong to us. I think that we can protect them from him for a while. However, I don't know how long we can do that. We can't be with them 24hrs a day. We need to teach them how to defend themselves.”

 

Inutaisho saw the fury brewing in Sesshomaru's eyes. He needed to have a talk with his son. “InuYasha, why don't you and Miroku make sure the girls are awake. After breakfast I want everyone in the dojo to discuss the situation.”

 

InuYasha nodded and started walking towards the door. “You're not gonna let Naraku take them back, are you dad?” His father shook his head. InuYasha let a smirk escape as he said. “That bastard better get ready for the fight of his life. I would rather die fighting him, than give those three back to him.”

 

The door shut behind InuYasha and Inutaisho released his breath. “My son, the impulsive one. At least I can count on you to be level headed about this Sesshomaru.” He turned and saw full blown rage in Sesshomaru's eyes.

 

“I told Rin that I would die before I let Naraku take her. I plan on keeping my word father, at all costs.” Sesshomaru glanced out the window, but Rin had gone back inside her room. Turning back to his father he looked into his eyes. “What would you do if it was mother's life that was at stake here father? I know that I just met Rin, and I know that you may think I'm crazy, but I love her, and I will make her my wife.”

 

A smile crossed his father's face. “I know you will son. It's your destiny. She will not be taken from you. You will have to fight hard for her. It will feel as though you have lost, but you won't, and neither will InuYasha and Miroku. Those girls belong here. You all belong to one another, you and Rin, InuYasha and Kagome, and Miroku and Sango. You are destined to be together, and you will. That, I promise you my son.”

 

Standing, he walked around the desk towards Sesshomaru. “Let's get some breakfast and try to figure out a way to keep these girls safe.”

 

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Izayoi was too excited about the girls being in her home to realize that something ominous hung in the air. She had been talking since sitting at the table while awaiting breakfast. “Now, today, we are going shopping and getting you girls some new clothes. Anything you want, you will have. Oh! This is gonna be so much fun! We'll go as soon as we are finished with breakfast.” Izayoi took a sip of her orange juice and smiled at her husband.

 

“Now dear, don't overwhelm them. Before you go, there are some things we need to talk about, all of us.” Inutaisho looked up to see their housekeeper rushing into the room.

 

“I'm sorry to interrupt sir, however the courier said that this message was urgent and to give it to Lord Sesshomaru as soon as possible.” She handed the envelope to Sesshomaru and left the room quickly.

 

Sesshomaru turned the envelope over in his hand and saw a crest with the letter “N” stamped into it with wax. He opened the envelope and read the letter to himself before handing it over to his father. Sesshomaru rose from the table and walked over to Rin. He put his hands on her shoulders and asked his father to read it out loud.

 

Lord Sesshomaru,

It has come to my attention that you have recently acquired some property of mine. I regret to inform you that my associate with whom you purchased my property from did not have the authority to sell said property to you. Kauga, which you may not know, is my fiancé. She will soon become my wife. I would ask you to return her and her ladies in waiting to me, or else I will be forced to resort to a tact that will be disastrous to you and your family. I will be sending my associates to your home today at 5pm to retrieve the girls. I look forward to your cooperation in returning my fiancé to me.

Master Naraku

 

Inutaisho set the letter aside and looked at the girls. Tears were falling down their faces in fear and sadness. Izayoi was sobbing with a napkin to her face. His boys looked as though they could kill a man with their bare hands. Looking at Sesshomaru, he lowered his eyes to Rin. They were void of emotion. What must the poor girl be thinking?

 

Slowly Rin rose to her feet, and that's when the first tear fell. She turned and started to run away. Sesshomaru caught her by the arm and pulled her tight against him. Wrapping his arms around her he whispered into her ear. “Remember what I said Rin, the only way he can take you from here is by killing me.” He lifted her chin until they were looking into each others eyes. “I don't intend on dying anytime soon.” He said with smirk.

 

Her chin trembled from tears that threatened to overflow. Lowering his head, he kissed her softly on the lips, just the briefest of a touch, yet that touch held more passion than a thousand kisses. When he pulled away from her, her eyes were closed, and a single tear fell from her eye.

 

I love this man, Rin thought to herself. He meant more to her than her own life. She held his face with her hands. A whisper came out of her mouth that only Sesshomaru heard. “I would rather take my own life, than have you die for me.”

 

He couldn't believe that she would sacrifice her life for his. Then he realized that he was willing to do the same for her. “We don't have to worry about any of that Rin.” Taking her hand in his, he turned to his father. “What must we do to keep them here?”

 

Inutaisho stood and walked towards his wife. “Honestly Sesshomaru, I don't know.”

 

InuYasha stood from his chair almost simultaneously as Miroku. “There's no way in hell I'm letting that bastard get his hands on my Kagome.” Wait a minute, InuYasha thought to himself. Did I just say my Kagome? He felt the heat rise in his face as his cheeks grew red.

 

“He took my grandfather from my family. I will not allow him to take Sango as well.”

 

Miroku looked across the table at Sango with the most intense look in his eyes, that Sango was shocked. She knew he was a lecher, but she didn't think he honestly had any feelings for her. She looked over at Kagome whose eyes were locked with InuYasha's. She saw Rin wrapped in the arms of Sesshomaru, and couldn't believe this was the same girl she met only a week ago. She wasn't going to sit back and allow Naraku to take her and her friends away from these people who cared more about them than anyone had in their whole lives.

 

She would not stand by and let these people protect her, she would help. “Before my grandmother died, she had told me that I was the last surviving member of The Demon Exterminators. I was told how they had destroyed many powerful demons using swords and other weapons, as well as hiraikotsu. I'm sorry sir, but last night I saw one hanging on the wall in the dojo. I am asking you sir, will you please train me on how to use it so I can help win my freedom alongside you?”

 

Inutaisho was amazed with the courage and honor he heard in her voice. There was no way he could refuse her. As he was getting ready to answer, Kagome spoke up.

 

“I was told that I am descendant of priestesses. I have been told that with the proper training, my powers will be extraordinary. I have already started to feel a change within me. I was worried that if I said anything, I would be asked to leave. I think that if I can grasp just a small portion of those powers, I will be able to help as well.” She looked across the table to InuYasha expecting to see anger in his eyes, but all she saw was encouragement. With a smile on her face, she looked towards Inutaisho. She saw pride in his eyes.

 

“Well, now that that's all said, I think I should go make a few phone calls. I'll expect to see all of you in the dojo in two hours. Hopefully by then, things will be resolved, but if not, I shall show you some tricks on how to defend yourselves.” He bent and kissed his wife, whose tears had stopped falling, and walked out of the dining room.

 

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Izayoi had decided that she would go shopping for the girls herself and let them stay at the house so they would feel safer. Inutaisho made some phone calls in his office, while the boys went into InuYasha's room to discuss the situation. The girls returned to their room to talk about some of the things that had happened in the last 48 hours.

 

As soon as Rin walked into the room, she shed her kimono for Sesshomaru's sweatshirt. It fell past her knees, so she wasn't worried about the lack of pants. Walking out of the bathroom, she saw her two friends smiling at her. “What?” She asked as she sat down on one of the lush pillows Izayoi had laid on the floor for them. She reached for a bottle of water and started to drink.

 

“You're in love with him aren't you Rin?” Kagome giggled as water shot out of Rin's mouth and landed all over Sango. “I'll take that as a yes.”

 

Sango wiped the water from her face and laughed when she noticed Rin's face had turned a deep shade of red. “When did you realize it Rin?”

 

Rin crossed her legs and wrapped her arms around herself. “Well, I started liking him the moment I awoke and looked into his eyes that night on the mountain. At first I was afraid because he was a demon, but I realized that he had saved us. When the two of you told me how he had handled the guard, I thought that he was very brave and noble.” She inhaled his scent from the sweatshirt and exhaled slowly. She loved the smell of it. It was rich with his scent, along with warmth and spice. “I realized that I was falling in love with him last night in the garden. I didn't tell you everything that happened, but the sweetest thing, was him giving me his sweatshirt. Then last night, he woke me from a nightmare. I looked up into his eyes and I knew. He carried me out onto the balcony and held me while I cried. When I had no tears left, he kissed me. He told me that he would die before he let Naraku take me back. I fell asleep while he held me in his arms.” She saw that Kagome and Sango were overcome with emotions. To lighten the mood she said, “Did I mention he was wearing nothing but silk sleep pants? The man's body is absolutely amazing!”

 

The girls started giggling as a smirk formed on Rin's face. They were lying on their backs laughing as Izayoi walked into the room with bags in her arms. “I'm glad to see you girls smiling again. I don't think you need to worry about you know what. You're staying right here with us.” Setting the bags down, she called them over. “Now, I took a guess at what sizes you wear, so I hope everything fits you.” Handing the girls different outfits, she made them try the clothes on.

 

An hour later the girls were in new workout clothes on their way to the dojo. Kagome had chosen a white tank top to go with the green work out pants, Sango had chosen a mauve top to go with black pants, and Rin chose a golden yellow top with black pants. They were whispering to each other as they walked into the room and saw their men.

 

Sesshomaru was wearing a white gi with no shirt, InuYasha a red gi with no shirt, and Miroku wore a deep purple gi with no shirt. Rin whispered to the girls, “I told you he had a great body. It must run in the family.” And walked away leaving them standing there with their mouths hanging open.

 

Kagome couldn't believe her eyes. Her body was tingling from just looking at InuYasha. She saw the beads of sweat rolling over the muscles in his chest and down his body. She felt her body temperature rising and had the overwhelming urge to touch every inch of his body.

 

InuYasha saw the way she was looking at him and smirked. He walked towards her and whispered in her ear, “Later.” It was all he said as he kissed her neck and walked away.

 

A shiver ran down her body as she realized that he knew exactly what she had been thinking. She realized what he had said in that one word. Tonight would be an exciting and intense night one way or the other. Shaking the thought from her mind, she walked over to stand near Rin.

 

Miroku walked over and stood in front of Sango. He heard the intake of her breath and was pleased with her response. In a soft voice, he spoke. “I was wondering if you would be interested in joining me tonight by the pond for a moonlit picnic.” He brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and felt her body tremble at his touch. It was exactly the reaction he was hoping for. “Tonight Sango, I will meet you tonight.”

 

As he walked away she closed her eyes. Opening them, she walked over with the girls and sat on the floor to wait for Inutaisho.

 

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Inutaisho was on the phone when Izayoi walked into his office. She got a bottle of water out of the mini fridge and sat on the couch while he finished his call.

 

“So there is only really one way to prevent him from taking the girls back with him. So we do the first thing, but that will only last for a week or two. Uh huh. Yeah. Yeah I understand. Ok. Thanks again. Yep. Bye.” Hanging up the phone, he rubbed his eyes, then looked at his wife. “You're gonna love this, but I don't know how everyone else will feel about it.” He walked over and sat down beside his wife.

 

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After waiting about fifteen minutes trying not to drool over the boys, the girls saw Inutaisho walk in. Izayoi was behind him grinning from ear to ear. The guys saw him walk in and sat down on their knees behind the girls. Inutaisho sat on his knees facing the girls with Izayoi by his side.

 

Sesshomaru was the first to speak as he put a hand on Rin's shoulder. “What did you find out father?”

 

“Well, there is one thing we can do to prevent the immediate return to him. Since we hold a high rank in our country, we can prevent them leaving by having papers drawn up saying that these girls are being considered as wives for InuYasha and yourself, however since Miroku isn't technically considered a son, nothing can be done…”

 

“That's absurd. I've never…”

 

“Miroku, I am not finished.” Inutaisho gave Miroku a look that silenced him immediately.

 

“Forgive me sir. I spoke in anger.”

 

Nodding to Miroku he continued, “As I was saying. I am having official papers drawn up saying that my sons will be choosing wives, two of whom will be of the three. The downside of this is that it will only be legal for two weeks. After that there is no way to protect them, unless they are chosen to become wives.” He never saw anyone go white as fast as the six of them did. “You all will have some thinking to do over the next two weeks. I suggest you get to know each other better and decide what it is you want. If you choose not to marry, we will send you somewhere where Naraku won't find you. I have many friends in many different places, so you will be safe. Unfortunately, you won't be able to stay here as long as we were hoping you would.” Rising he looked at his wife. “There are some things I must see to. I'll be in my office.” Kissing her on the head he left the room.

 

The girls looked at one another and then at Izayoi. “You all have a lot to think about.” Izayoi stood and motioned for the group to stand. “We will not worry ourselves with lessons today. I have some things to take care of as well. If you need anything I will see you get it. If you need me for anything, I will be close by.” Winking at her sons, she left the room.

 

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Fluffysgirl 802005