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“Lower the gates!”
A large troupe of men waited until large wood hit the ground before the proceeded into the large city, all led by a proud demon with his head held high. Several civilians had come to the streets to celebrate their soldiers returning from a long and tedious war. Horses marched, people cheered, and the dragon the demon rode made it’s way up the long street.
Men trailed behind him, both human and demons, all exhausted but victorious. A few marched on horseback, others on foot, but only he rode upon the back of a dignified and dangerous beast. At first those who followed his orders were nervous and uncertain of him, but after their first win, almost all fell in line.
After the second, no one stood against him.
Now their many fights were over, and they were the ones returning home.
They arrived to an emperor who practically glowed with pride. He greeted the knights, announcing their success to the world, and encouraged them to drink and feast and celebrate with the people of his empire. His arms were wide open, and he declared the day a national day of celebration and that the alliance between demons and humans was now firmly cemented thanks to the great work of the son of the Demon Lord of the West, Sesshomaru.
Uninterested in the long-winded speeches and fawning, the demon kept his head high as he stood by his men. All were exhausted, and all were looking forward to returning home or to celebrate or to sleep in a bed that didn’t need to be taken down in the morning.
When the emperor finally finished his speech and dismissed all his people, Sesshomaru walked his beast to the back with all the other men. The horses had long since grown accustomed to sharing a stable with a two-headed dragon, but he still kept Ah-Un away, lest a fight break out and ruin the mood.
“Welcome back, Lord Sesshomaru.”
Sesshomaru turned to the sound of the voice, his expression softening as one of the stable hands made her way towards him.
“Rin.”
The young woman curtseyed low to him, her fingers holding the brown skirts out.
She was much different than the silk-clad women and men that clamored for his attention. There were no jewels on her neck and ears, and her hair wasn’t tied up in intricate braids with pins and pearls. Instead, she wore simple cottons, with comfortable shoes, and had her long dark hair free down her back. There were no heels to make her small stature any taller, and her hands were covered in callouses from working with rough ropes and rougher beasts.
“It is wonderful to see you returned,” she said, “we hear that most of the men returned with you.”
“They did,” Sesshomaru said, “and here? It’s been a time since we’ve returned.”
“Everyone here is well,” Rin said, “news of your victory spread even to us; we are honored to host you and your men for a celebratory feast.”
Sesshomaru nodded to her, glancing back to the various men milling around, all seemingly distracted by their various conversations, but all able to hear theirs.
“Come on Ah-un,” Rin smiled up to the large beast, “time for some warm oats and a thick blanket!”
The dragon growled happily, practically prancing behind the young woman as he followed her. His big beast, who fearlessly charged towards men with swords brandished towards the two of them, was following behind the young woman like a newborn foal.
And his owner was no different.
Sesshomaru walked behind her, letting her take over Ah-Un’s care and whisper sweet things to a beast that dominated the battlefield.
“The servants say you are being honored tonight,” Rin said, turning her attention to Sesshomaru, “the emperor is incredibly pleased with your work.”
“My father says the same,” Sesshomaru said, watching Ah-Un slip inside a stall prepared just for him, “this will likely cement the alliance my father so desperately seeks.”
“And it’s all thanks to you.”
“My father did all the work; I was just at the right place at the right time.”
Rin smiled gently. Humility was not something Sesshomaru was known for, but he was honest first, at least when it came to her.
“Are you coming tonight?”
She couldn’t help but laugh at this.
“To the feast meant for royals and Lords and Ladies?” Rin teased, “I’m afraid I can’t. My gold and jewels are out being cleaned.”
“Shame,” Sesshomaru said, “they go so well with dirt.”
“Part of the job,” Rin smiled, holding up her fingers, dirt against the white of her nails, “we can’t all be gallant hearos that ride in and save the emperor’s lands.”
“I suppose not,” the demon shrugged, “some of us are the beautiful stable hands waiting for them to come home.”
To this she smiled at him. A sort of sad, defeated smile.
“I hope you have a good night,” Rin said, reaching to pat his arm, “maybe find a woman who won’t dirty your coat.”
Sesshomaru remained where he was as Rin walked around him, moving to complete her duties while the demon looked up to his battlefield companion. His eyes lingered on her longer than they should have, before he gave a farewell pat to Ah-Un and the demon reluctantly pulled himself away from the young woman.
The festivities of the night started with splendor and excitement, from all walks of life. It wasn’t until the sun had set did the events take a rather nasty turn. The clouds rolled in too quickly, and just as soon as they appeared, they unleashed a horrendous downpour that brought with it flashes of lightning and rumbles of thunder.
Fortunately, Rin was not among those party-goers. She had been doing her duties in the stable when the storm hit, and resigned herself to a rather sleepless night.
Rin shivered as she bundled up tighter, pulling the sliding door shut before she turned to the beast she was tending, given how she was the only one Sesshomaru trusted to care for her.
She took it as the honor it was. Rin became his personal stable hand entirely by accident. She’d gotten the names mixed up one day and wound up caring for Sesshomaru’s rather than the horse of some other knight’s. It was only when the demon walked in, clearly shocked to see Ah-Un be so gentle and patient with her, was her mistake identified.
Sesshomaru all but ordered her to be in charge of Ah-Un’s care from then on.
Over the next three years, as the war pressed on, whenever he had a moment to spare, he’d come find her, under the guise of discussing Ah-Un’s care. At first Rin believed that pretense to be true, but then came to find herself believing that he simply wanted to talk to her. Perhaps it relieved the stress from the war meetings or perhaps it was because she looked up to him so much, but she didn’t mind his presence. Was cold and aloof, but never told her to be somewhere else or that she was talking too much or that she was annoying him. If anything, the opposite was true; he’d stand up for her when other knights berated her or when the head stable hand yelled at her for missing something.
And then came the flirting.
He started standing close to her, saying nothing as she would chat on and on about some mundane task. Eventually, Sesshomaru would say sweet little things, like how he enjoyed her company or how seeing her made his days better. Every now and then, he’d run his fingers along the back of her arm or brush his hand over hers.
And Rin never pulled away or told him to stop. She certainly didn’t hate flirting. He was an incredibly handsome demon, who only grew even more attractive when kindness flickered in his eyes.
But he was also a war hero now, one that deserved respect and honor. Thanks to his lineage, he had already had the respect of those he commanded, but his bravery on the battlefield more than earned it. Because of this, Rin knew that only a woman of equally high status should be his wife. She wasn’t that.
Everyday she walked away from work with dirt under her fingernails and smelling like a horse or worse depending on the animal’s health. She wouldn’t even want to touch silverware let alone know which fork to use when.
Rin was better suited to the mud than his side.
No matter how much she wanted to be.
He was so dashing, and it was clear he was loyal and a valiant protector. The demon was confident and clever, single-minded at times sure, but never one to be taken for a fool. He might occasionally flirt with her, but Rin knew that meant nothing.
Whoever married him would be a lucky woman indeed.
Ah-Un’s pawing brought her out of her thoughts.
“Easy,” Rin whispered, slipping her hands over oe of the animals’ muzzle, “hush…”
The dragon pushed back, nostrils flaring against her hand and the second head swirling around to meet her other hand.
He was just such a sweet beast.
When Rin first encountered him, she was just as frightened as everyone else. When Sesshomaru ordered her to be in charge of his care, she worried she might not be able to live up to his expectations.
But then the first thunderstorm hit, not unlike tonight’s, and Rin saw a whole new side to the dragon.
She’d been in the stable to make sure other horses were settled in for the night when movement in Ah-Un’s stall made her venture over. His tail was thrashing this way and that, and his head was snorting and grumbling. Rin stayed with him that night, rubbing his nose, shushing him, and encouraging him down for a restful sleep.
The beast was more like his master than the latter knew.
Both silent, both stoic, and both able to be vulnerable around her. A gift Rin swore she wasn’t going to waste.
A sound at the other end of the stable made her jump.
She was supposed to be alone. All the other stable hands had gone to find a bar or tavern to celebrate the victory. While she was invited, Rin was grateful for the time alone. She hated the looks they’d sometimes give her or the mutterings about how odd she was.
“He-Hello?”
Nothing but the battering of wind and splatters of rain came to meet her ears. She stood close to the dragon, him craning his neck around to investigate the sound.
“Hello? Is anyone there?”
“It’s just me Rin, relax.”
She felt her shoulders sag as she sighed.
“Lord Sesshomaru?” Rin asked, coming from around the dragon to look at the demon.
Sesshomaru was dressed in velvet and finery. Gone was his armor, and in it’s place was a rich and royal red velvet with silver buttons holding the coat closed. Over his right shoulder was a swath of white fur that ran down his back; an heirloom of his family’s that he proudly sported.
“Apologies; I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“You don’t need to apologize to me,” Rin said, bowing low as Sesshomaru approached the two of them.
Ah-Un calmed at the sight of his master. Turning his head, the dragon reached out towards him, Sesshomaru showing his palm to the beast.
“What are you doing here, my lord?” Rin asked, “shouldn’t you be at the party? The feast is in your honor.”
“The party was incredibly dull,” Sesshomaru said, “I was wondering how you were in this storm.”
“I’m fine,” Rin tried to assure him, “I have my coat and the horses have their’s—”
“Perhaps you should go inside,” the demon said, “there’s a fire going in the kitchens for the servants.”
“Ah-Un gets upset when the winds howl—”
“He’s a dragon who spent the last three years at war,” Sesshomaru said, “you’re coddling him.”
“He carried you in and out,” Rin said, watching as Sesshomaru approached the stocky beast, “he deserves a little pampering.”
Sesshomaru looked from the petite woman to the large dragon. Ah-Un looked from one to the other, flinching slightly when thunder rumbled above him.
“I know,” Sesshomaru motioned to the animal, scratching it behind the flickering ear.
Rin smiled at the sight. Sesshomaru was a seasoned warrior, one who had earned every ounce of respect from the men he commanded. To see him soften, even just a little, was a rare treat not everyone was privileged to see.
“He’s fine for the night,” Sesshomaru said, returning to the present, “you need to go to bed.”
“But—”
“Don’t make me order you, Rin.”
She sighed at this. True, she was going above and beyond for Sesshomaru and Ah-Un, but she’d always done this. Ah-Un tended to get anxious with thunderstorms rolling overhead, and an anxious dragon surrounded by equally anxious horses didn’t bode well, in Rin’s opinion, and she found that if she stayed with him he would calm down.
“I will go to bed when Ah-Un settles,” Rin said, reaching up to rub his mane.
Ah-Un stood still as she flicked his ears. She giggled for a moment before her fingers ran through his finely combed mane.
“You’re such a good boy,” Rin whispered, letting the nostrils flare against the palm of her hand, “yeah…”
“He’s not like that with anyone else you know.”
Rin looked back to the demon, smiling as she patted the strong neck once more.
“No?”
“All the stable hands at my home have been bitten by him multiple times,” Sesshomaru said, “he’s always on guard with them,” he turned to her, “but he’s not like that with you.”
“Neither are you,” she pointed out.
“You bring it out in me.”
“Lucky me.”
She smiled at this, a small part of her knowing that this flirting between them was never going to lead anywhere, and only leave the part of her hoping it would in pain.
Fortunately for her, Ah-Un stuck his nose in her face before Sesshomaru could say what he wanted too.
“Ah-Un!”
The dragon huffed, flicking his tongue over her cheek and nudging her.
“What is it?”
Rin went into the stall, the demon slipping into the stall behind Rin to investigate.
“Everything alright?”
“He usually only does that when he wants me to look at something,” Rin said, touching his sides, “he seems fine,” her hand ran along her back, “are you being silly?”
Ah-Un growled, tail swishing to and fro as he danced in his spot.
“It’s just a nasty storm,” Rin scratched his mane, “it’ll be over soon.”
“Are you sure he’s not putting on an act to get attention from you?”
Rin looked back to Sesshomaru, the demon leaning against the stall wall with his arms crossed over his chest.
“Are you jealous?” she teased, patting the dragon on his neck.
“Yes.”
Rin stilled. Sesshomaru was not a man to make jokes, and he would not joke with her.
He approached her quietly, making sure not to startle either the stable hand or the dragon. When she turned to face him, she found herself looking up at him.
“Come here.”
Rin squeaked as she was lifted into the air, her feet fluttering and kicking as she gently landed on Ah-Un bareback sidesaddle.
“Easy now,” Rin whispered, her fingers scratching the animal’s withers, “it’s just us.”
The dragon shuffled, Rin’s hands keeping a firm grip on the demon’s forearms.
“I don’t think this is the smartest idea,” she whispered, looking at the demon.
“Probably not,” Sesshomaru said, stepping closer to her, “but you fit Ah-Un.”
She simply smiled up at him, her thumb running over his velvet suit.
“Not as much as you do,” Rin told him earnestly, her feet swinging high above the ground, “you looked so handsome riding back, leading your men home.”
“For the last time.”
The smile Rin had dissipated quickly.
“The… last time?”
“The emperor has declared the war is now over,” Sesshomaru said, “since I am no politician, I no longer have a need to return here.”
“But… I thought, since you were representing your father in this alliance—”
“He is comfortable doing it himself,” Sesshomaru said, “I’ll be present, but only for a moment and as a figurehead.”
“Oh…”
She didn’t even bother to hide the disappointment in her voice.
Rin wasn’t so naive as to think that the demon would be here forever. Sesshomaru had always talked about going home for good once it was, and she would eventually have to say goodbye to him. A part of her was dreading that day, but she assumed she’d have time to process it.
Evidently not.
“So… I won’t see you again then?”
Amber eyes studied her, taking in her forlorn expression and hung head.
“I’m afraid not, no.”
Rin nodded, swallowing thickly.
“When… are you—”
“I am returning home tomorrow morning.”
Rin swallowed, nodding. Tonight. She only had tonight with him.
“The offer I gave you last time I was here still stands,” Sesshomaru said, “there is always work for you in my household.”
Her lips folded.
It wasn’t the first time he offered her work.
He’d asked her twice before now. At first she assumed it was because he’d had too much to drink, but when he persisted, she felt a twisting in her gut become tighter and tighter.
It was an opportunity of a lifetime. Sesshomaru’s family was known to be very wealthy and very prominent. Ah-Un was the only beast Sesshomaru rode, but there were rumors of stranger and even more wondrous beasts, like ancient tanuki, twin tailed cats, and even a mythical fox. Anyone would be blessed to work with such creatures, Rin no different.
But she just couldn’t.
Working for him would mean she’d get to see him every day. Get to see him mount up and ride gallantly into battle. Get to see him as he came down to inspect his animals.
Get to see him be wed to some beautiful and powerful demon. Get to see them go on rides together and watch them walk the gardens.
And get to see the beautiful children they’d have.
She just couldn’t live like that.
“As I told you last time, I am flattered that you trust me so much,” she swallowed thickly, “but I can’t accept your offer.”
Again.
“This is the third time you’ve turned me down,” Sesshomaru said, “and the third time you won’t give me a reason.”
“Do… do you need one?”
“I’d like one, yes.”
Rin swallowed thickly. How could she tell him the admiration she had for him had developed into feelings that could only be called love? Just another adoring fan in the sea of many. He’d often scoff about the women who sought him out for a marriage proposal, just to cement their own status and wealth.
He’d see her as no different.
Given how she felt, and given how different their lives were, it was no wonder she couldn’t stand by and be reminded of the distance they had. To be hurt over and over again as she stayed tucked away in the stables while he moved onwards and upwards with a woman of his stature.
She’d rather never see him again than see him everyday but never be with him.
“Because I can’t work for a man I love.”
Her voice came out as barely a whisper, but Sesshomaru, with his sharp hearing, didn’t mistake a single word.
“Rin—”
“I am not so good and kind to watch you court and marry another woman while I stay in your stables, covered in dirt and hay, pining from afar,” she shook her head, “I couldn’t live like that.”
The answer surprised the demon. He pulled back, studying her hanging head and mournful expression. In it, Sesshomaru saw nothing but the truth.
“I wouldn’t ask you too.”
Now it was Rin’s turn to be surprised.
“But—"
“I asked you because of how you’re able to work with Ah-Un,” Sesshomaru said, “that is the truth,” he paused, “but… another is that I wanted to keep you close, so I could see you every day. Because how you feel for me is how I feel for you.”
“My Lord?”
Now he straightened up, making sure to meet her in the eye.
“Whenever you said no, my heart always sank,” the demon confessed, “thinking that I’d leave and never see you again… it was a thought I didn’t even want to entertain,” he shook his head, “so, let me ask you again,” his hand slid under hers, lips pressing to the back of her hand, “when I leave tomorrow, will you come back with me?”
“Lord Sesshomaru—”
“As my wife.”
The whole world seemed to fall away at his words. Rin wasn’t sure what to say.
“My lord,” Rin swallowed, cheeks turning red, “I-I can’t—”
“Why not?”
“I… I have no linage or title or—”
“I don’t care for those things,” he murmured, “only you.”
“I’ve never been to a ball or a dinner, and people will laugh at you—”
“Let them,” Sesshomaru said, “so long as I have you, that’s all I ever need.”
Rin could feel her cheeks turn red and found swallowing difficult. He was saying all the pretty words she’d been dying to hear, but couldn’t believe he was saying.
“Can you promise… that you’ll still love me? After I come back with you?”
“Of course—”
“In ten years from now? Five? One?” she swallowed thickly, “what about tomorrow?”
Sesshomaru took his time. He moved slowly, bringing his fingers around her cheeks, cradling them softly. Slowly, the demon moved towards her, watching her face all the while. When Rin didn’t pull away, his eyes closed and his lips met hers. Though she was surprised, she was accepting, and leaned into the kiss.
Their first kiss was slow and gentle. Sesshomaru cupped the corner of her jaw, bring her closer while her fingers slipped around the back of his neck.
“I promise I will love you,” Sesshomaru said, his breath ghosting her parted lips, “tomorrow, a year from now, five years from now, an eternity,” his forehead touched hers, “I will love you.”
Rin hated how happy his words made her. She’d wanted to hear them for years, but that small, nagging voice in the back of her head wouldn’t leave her be.
“Whatever you want me to do to prove it to you will be done,” the demon said, as if he read her mind, “but I do love you. And this is not fleeting.”
“How can you know that?”
“Because whenever I returned home, the only thought I had was of you.”
She let him speak, knowing this was something entirely now to him as well.
“I missed seeing you come to meet me and Ah-Un. Missed seeing your smile or hearing your song when you brushed him down. I wanted nothing more than to go into the stables to find you, and was met with only disappointment when I couldn’t,” his eyes met hers, sincerity in his amber orbs, “and then I started thinking of things I didn’t know about you,” his thumb ran over her cheek, “and once those thoughts were there, they wouldn’t leave.”
Tentatively, Rin lifted her fingers to cover his.
“That’s why I know these feelings for you aren’t fleeting. If they were, they’d have left long ago.”
His nose was against hers, the demon moving slowly with her.
“Whatever you want me to do to prove to you, it will be done.”
Rin wished her heart wasn’t quivering with every word. Sesshomaru was not a man who said things so flippantly, and he was not someone who made promises without an intention to keep them. He was a man of integrity, and he’d never once given her any doubt.
“You don’t need to prove yourself to me,” Rin whispered after a moment, then bringing him back in for a deep kiss.
The rain pattered outside, the two of them oblivious to the storm that was rolling away. Rin rather enjoyed being lost in the moment, and Sesshomaru was a very talented kisser.
“Um…” Rin swallowed thickly, “won’t… won’t they miss you?” she asked, looking around at the empty halls, “at the dinner?”
“I doubt that.”
“But you’re the guest of honor—”
“And I excused myself before coming here,” Sesshomaru said, lifting his head to meet her eyes, “and there’s no other place I’d rather be right now.”
She felt her heart quiver at this.
“My lord…”
“I want to be here, with you,” his fingers ran up her arm, “at the celebration, the only thing on my mind was you.”
His fingers slowly picked at the buttons on the front of her dress, lips kissing and sucking down her neck and over her collarbone. Rin unconsciously tilted her head back, releasing a deep sigh as she held onto him.
Sesshomaru couldn’t stop himself; his hand slipped up her calf to her thigh, pushing her skirt further and further up.
“OH!”
The dragon beneath her suddenly bounced up, nearly throwing poor Rin off. Fortunately, Sesshomaru managed to hold onto her. They stayed still for a moment, both looking at the dragon before Rin burst into a fit of giggles.
“I think Ah-Un says no,” Rin blushed.
The demon followed her gaze to the dragon, aware of just how right she was.
“Then where?” Sesshomaru asked, his fingers running through her hair, “I’m not all that keen on waiting."
Rin bit her lip, looking around the stables. As tempting as it would be to roll around in a stall, she could spend an eternity counting the ways it could go wrong. Scampering off to his bedroom would certainly get them caught, and she was sure he was far and away from the stables and the servant’s quarters where she lived.
Besides; she wasn’t keen on waiting either.
"Come on.”
She hopped off Ah-Un, patting the dragon once more before she headed towards the ladder that led up to the rafters. Sesshomaru followed her beckoning hand, looking around once more before he trailed after her.
“It’s quieter up here,” Rin said, “and there’s a place to sleep if you have to spend the night here.”
“Clever…”
He moved close to her, Rin guiding him towards the small mattress and blanket some of the stable hands used when they had to spend the night. Fortunately, it was already cleaned and a fresh blanket changed out given how Rin was already planning on spending the night.
Illuminated by nothing but the small lantern hung above them, Sesshomaru’s lips pressed against hers. The wood that hit her back was hard, but Rin paid it no mind as the demon returned to her collarbone. Sesshomaru was careful, pulling her slowly out of her simple dress, revealing her pale skin to him, inch by inch. He wasted no time, lowering his lips to press against it, humming against her flesh and listening to Rin moan softly under his touch.
If she was cold from the chill in the air it wasn’t for long as he was overtop of her, his lips kissing and sucking at her flesh, his fingers running down her arms while hers slid over his velvet jacket.
“ Ah… L-Lord Se-sshomaru… ha… ”
Rin’s feet kicked and slid over the floor, her toes starting to curl as her dress and undergarments slid off her legs, neither one paying any mind to it. Sesshomaru hummed as he ran his fingers down her bare thigh, enjoying the feeling of her skin under his fingertips.
Her own hands grew bolder, slipping from around his back to pull at the silver that held his coat closed, slowly helping him out of his own clothes. Sesshomaru understood quickly, slipping his arms out of the jacket and letting everything, from his crimson velvet to his white fur, hit the ground, his form now shirtless returning over her.
“Oh!”
The sudden thump made Rin sit up, and it was clear she was concerned for the condition of his wardrobe.
“Leave it.”
His voice was husky as he leaned over her, his arms on either side of her now as he came closer.
“But… it’ll get all dirty…”
“I don’t care.”
He drew closer, his lips ghosting over hers.
“But…”
Sesshomaru kissed her again, deeper this time, his tongue running along the inside of her mouth and making her quietly moan.
“But what?” he whispered, his voice deep and husky.
The kiss surprised her. She was flushed now, and panting slightly. Her brown eyes searched him and his body, catching sight of his own excitement.
“Nothing.”
In an instant, she pulled him back to her, quietly begging him for more.
Rin’s hand slipped up his bicep and over his shoulder. She brought her own lips to his neck, kissing right below his jaw, letting his hand wrap around her waist, holding their naked chests closer together. Her fingers splayed on his pectorals, the young woman taking the chance to feel every inch of his well-crafted body.
He did the same with hers. The demon continued to kiss her, his tongue exploring every inch of her before returning to her mouth, making her moan in the back of her throat. Her pale skin was soon covered in dark marks, and red scratch marks littered his back.
With her help, he managed to slip out of his black trousers, the demon now entirely exposed to her. Sesshomaru’s hand nestled in the crook of Rin’s knee, pushing it up as he pressed himself against her. Rin inhaled sharply, but didn’t stop. If anything she encouraged him, bringing his lips against hers for more kisses.
His fingers followed the line of her legs, pausing before he slipped them inside her, eliciting a strangled gasp from her. Rin clutched onto his arms tightly, digging her nails into his taunt muscles as he pressed and massaged her inner walls. Her legs kicked as she moaned and called out to him, clearly trying to keep as quiet as she could lest she scare one of the beasts below her. Rin’s chest heaved and swelled with each gasp, and her back began to arch as he pressed and rubbed her.
“ Sesshomaru-ah-Se-Sesshomaru! ”
The demon had never heard his name sound so sweet.
Rin started squeaking and mewling once he found the spot he was looking for. At once she became more open with him. Sesshomaru’s lips were to her neck, drinking in her scent and panting in time with her, growing more and more excited with the beautiful woman beneath him.
“ Sesshomaru… ” her fingers returned to his back, nails digging in tightly, “ p-p-please—”
Patience was never something Sesshomaru excelled at. Even less so when the woman he dearly loved was begging for him. He was careful regardless, sliding in her and watching her face for any hint of pain or discomfort.
The young woman was rendered mute when he shoved into her. Her whole body tensed underneath him, and the demon stilled with her. His fingers were on his back, nose to her hair, shushing her and easing any worry she might have.
“Hush…” he whispered, drinking in her scent, “take all the time you need…”
“ Ah… un… hah… ”
“I’ll wait for you,” the demon kissed the crook of her neck again and again, “for as long as it takes.”
Rin tightened her grip on him, burying her head into his shoulder.
“ F… Forever ?”
Sesshomaru could feel her worry and trepidation in her. He held her tightly, wondering what she would think if she learned that this was all he’d come to want in his life.
“For you?” he pulled back, amber eyes meeting her flushed face, “if that’s what it takes…”
Rin studied him, her face pulling into a slow but genuine smile at the sight of his sincerity. She couldn’t help but bleat out a soft laugh, one that reached her eyes, and pulled into a tighter hug.
“I won’t make you wait that long,” Rin whispered, “now… now is fine..”
Sesshomaru took the chance to kiss her again, encouraging her back onto the makeshift bed. Making sure she was comfortable first, the demon pushed her leg up and started moving.
He was slow at first, the demon’s grip on reality weakening as he heard her moan and beg for more.
“Rin…”
His fingers tightly gripped her legs, pulling her close as he continually thrust into her, over and over. Rin’s nails dug into the wood, dragging splinters up as she let herself be overtaken by the pleasure he gave her.
Rin’s head tilted up as Sesshomaru continued, over and over again, his own breath coming in ragged panting, and sweat starting to bead off his forehead. Rin was no different; her skin turning a light pink as she tried, and failed, to catch her breath.
Her neck was covered in dark hickeys and marks, the demon wasted no time in attacking what she left exposed. Rin’s nails dug into his scalp, making the demon hiss in pleasure and pain. He let her hold him as she liked, making sure to give her everything she wanted, knowing that neither one was going to last long tonight.
She tightened as she came with him, both left a sweaty and panting mess, and both incredibly disheveled.
“Se… Sesshomaru…”
The demon ran his hand over her cheek, looking down at her with a small, but tired smile. Without another word to her, he lowered his lips to give her another kiss, full of adoration and love.
“Rin…” his forehead touched hers, “my Rin…”
She stayed with him as the two caught their breath. With it, fatigue began to settle in, much to Rin’s frustration. Sesshomaru didn’t seem too perturbed by it, choosing to wrap his arms around her and pull her close, letting her fall asleep against his chest and him with his lips to her hair.
Rin woke slowly, shivering slightly in the morning. She pulled the blankets tighter around her, feeling the warm fur tickle her nose. With it crinkling, the young woman sat up, looking down at the velvet coat carefully laid over her sleeping form.
Pulling it off her, the young woman held it in her hands, smiling softly down as her fingers ran over the smooth velvet. Lifting it to her nose, she found some of his scent still lingered. Turning, it surprised her that the bed was bare and empty, the demon nowhere to be found. Rin turned her head, looking this way and that.
A clinking of buckles and clicking of shoes told her where he was.
Curious, the young woman dressed carefully, wincing a little from the stiffness, and then grabbed his coat and made her way quietly down the ladder.
Sesshomaru was standing next to Ah-Un, the beast tacked up with his bridle wrapped around his muzzles and the saddle on his back.
“Lord Sesshomaru?”
The demon turned to look at her, stilling with Ah-Un’s girth strap in his hands.
“I didn’t mean to wake you,” he said, letting her come to the ground floor, “did you rest well?”
“I… yes,” she looked from one to the other, clearly confused, “are… are you leaving? Right now?”
To this, Sesshomaru looked away.
“My father left a message that I need to return as soon as I am able,” Sesshomaru said, returning to his mount, “normally I would spend more time, but the urgency has me concerned.”
“I see…” Rin came to stand in front of Ah-Un, letting the dragon’s head lower to kiss her palms, “is everything alright?”
“I think so,” Sesshomaru said, “he’s just becoming more impatient in his old age,” his eyes glanced at what Rin was holding in her hands.
“Oh! Right,” she handed it out to him, “here.”
“Thank you.”
He took back his garb from her, tucking it under his arm and pulling his dragon along towards the entrance.
“My things are being sent behind us,” Sesshomaru said, “do you need to pack anything?”
His question surprised her.
“My lord?”
Sesshomaru’s head tilted.
“Aren’t you coming?”
Sesshomaru had stopped the dragon by the entrance, turning to face her with the reins in his hand.
“I… me?”
“I was serious, when I asked for you to come home with me,” he said, “as my wife.”
Rin was speechless. Yes, she believed him last night, but a small part of her wondered if that was truly him or in the heat of the moment.
“Do… Do you want me too?”
Sesshomaru stood straighter, studying her for a moment.
“I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with you,” he held his hand out to her, “for as long as you’ll have me.”
Without another word, Rin threw herself around Sesshomaru’s neck, ignoring the need to be cautious around horses.
“Forever,” Rin whispered, squeezing him tightly.
She knew Sesshomaru was not a man prone to laughing, but she swore he chuckled as he hugged her back.
“I… have to grab one of two things,” she said, “will you—”
“As long as you need.”
Rin refused to waste time.
Fortunately, the young woman didn’t have too many things, given her status. Gathering the meager belongings left to her from her parents, she threw them into a satchel and ran out to meet the demon standing by the entrance, putting away some food and a bedroll for their journey.
“Thank you for waiting.”
Sesshomaru looked just as handsome in the morning as he did in the night.
“Are you ready?” he asked, watching her come to stand beside him.
“Yes…”
“Here.”
“My lord!?”
Rin’s feet kicked as she was lifted up and slipped into Ah-Un’s saddle. Taking a moment to adjust, she held on to his forearms tightly.
“It’s a long walk home,” Sesshomaru said, “Ah-Un will be happy to carry you.”
“But… he’s your—”
“Not anymore,” Sesshomaru said, patting the sleek neck, “he belongs to you.”
To this, the dragon turned his head to face her, clearly just as happy with the news as she was.
“Lord Sesshomaru…”
“Think of him as my wedding gift to you,” Sesshomaru lifted his head to meet her eyes, “every noble lady must have a gallant beast to ride.”
The tongue running over her cheek made her giggle.
“But—”
“He will much prefer being with you than with me,” Sesshomaru said, starting to walk towards his home.
“As would you?”
Amber eyes practically melted into honey as he looked up at her.
“As would I,” he brought her hand to his lips.
Rin smiled at his kiss, settling in comfortably atop her magnificent beast while Sesshomaru walked alongside her, hand-in-hand, ready to start his greatest journey with his love at his side, and she with hers.