A Strange Conversation

Shippo shook his head lightly in a strange mixture of confusion and laughter. Kagome was going to give him a sound scolding when he returned and told her of his (Shippo sought for a word that would ease his wounded pride but gave up after some time) capture by the little imp sitting before him. That was of course not to mention how she would absolutely obliterate him when she found out about their little tumble in the bed. Shippo shook his head again, pausing to brush a lock of hair out of his eyes again. It really was becoming a nuisance, especially now that such a beautifully lush creature sat in front of him, directly in his view.

Rin had truly blossomed since he had last seen her in the early days of his youth. The small skinny little thing had transformed almost as much as he had. Shippo tried not to allow his stare to become too obvious but her heart shaped face and slightly mussed midnight black hair did oh so much in drawing ones attention. Her pale, creamy complexion likewise emphasized her deep brown almond shaped eyes and straight little nose that she always seemed to have in the air in a stubborn manner. But what he couldn't seem to drag his eyes away from where her slightly swollen, lusciously full, pink lips. He had tasted her once, a slight peppermint flavor told him she had a bit of a sweet tooth but the almost angry, passionate sweep of her tongue had told him much more about her then he cared to dwell on. Things he wasn't happy to admit intrigued and aroused…

She coughed a little to get his attention, not seeming to notice that she had it anyway, and looked at him expectantly. She wanted him to start this insane conversation? Not only wanted him to but seemed to expect it from him?! Here they were sitting in her bedroom, attempting to have a civilized conversation of dark and secretive propositions in the middle of the night and she wanted him to start? The idea was absolutely ludicrous! Shippo liked to think he was an agreeable man but he stubbornly refused to give into this lunacy.

Besides that he was diligently trying to hold his position across the room. As soon as she had let him up from underneath her warm, soft body (an involuntary shiver went up his spine at the thought) he had attempted to put some distance between them by crossing the room to one of the chairs she had among her things. Usually it would have been a rather comfortable chair but Shippo was finding absolutely nothing very comfortable at the time so he just folded his arms and let his mouth slip into a stubborn line.

He simply refused to start a conversation like this.

Rin seemed to get the picture and let a small sigh escape her pretty pink lips. He could smell her breath and it teased his senses even from this distance. Her chest rose and fell and he felt the fire in his groin flare brilliantly. She was dressed provocatively in a short silken night gown of a soft blue shade. It did very little to hide her long, smooth legs or her supple arms. It hinted at her curvaceous form and the secrets of her womanly body. He had also had a taste of those delightfully sinful breasts. He could just barely see the imprint of where his mouth had been, a slight wet spot was his indication. Another shiver, he really had to stop looking at her. It was doing terrible things to his concentration.

"I suppose I should start since you seem so unwilling." Her soft voice held a tone of annoyance. He liked that too, her spirit. She had held him clasped to her chest without a second thought to the fact that he had just snuck into her chambers looking for the sacred jewel shards, that oh so plump, soft mound of warm flesh…Shippo shook his head and let a grin slip onto his lips. He was in big trouble and he knew it. He felt delighted when he noticed her color heighten and registered that she just might be as well.

"Yes I suppose you should." He tried to keep the laughter out of his voice but she noticed it anyway. Her lips curved down into a slight frown and he fought the urge to kiss her senseless, until she couldn't even remember why she had frowned or that she had frowned at all. He liked that idea. He liked it far too much. He was going to have a difficult time with this whole 'civilized conversation' when all he wanted to do at the moment was ravish her.

"Um…w-well" As she stammered over her words he couldn't help but smell her nervousness. Not fear per-say but nervousness. One hand came up to twist a lock of her silken hair around her finger and another played with the hem of her nightgown which was pulled tight against her firm thighs. Shippo was only mildly surprised that he was jealous of her hands. "I guess I should start from the beginning. How about we introduce ourselves?" Her voice had ceased to tremble but she still wasn't totally at ease with him. She was gaining more control but still…Wait a minute, had she said introductions?

Shippo's mind scampered about for a moment. Could it be possible she didn't recognize him at all? It was true he had changed much in the time they had not seen each other but to have completely forgotten him…It stung. His chest tightened for a moment against the pain and he felt a grim line of dissatisfaction cross his brow. "Perhaps given the circumstances and the fact that I have already been in your bed we can dispense with such pleasantries." He said in a cool tone and was satisfied when her cheeks tinged a glorious shade of pink. Good, she was embarrassed. "Why don't we move onto this proposition you so kindly mentioned while laying on top of me until names are actually necessary."

Rin's frown deepened to a dainty scowl and he smiled at her attempts to look angry. It only made her more attractive causing quite the opposite reaction her glare was meant to. "Very well but I feel greatly disadvantaged. You know who I am where as I have no idea who you are. You even have the gall to wear a mask in my presence." So she wasn't used to not getting her way, he could fix that. In fact the idea was really very interesting but if he wanted more information from her he was going to have to concede…just a little bit. Shippo sighed and reached a hand up to the back of his head to un-tigh the mask. She wasn't willing to lose; this might make things more complicated. Even more so then they already were.

The dark fabric fell away from his face and he felt rather then heard the quickening of her breathing. It was nice to know he had an effect on her as well, it gave him confidence. His signature grin spread across his face and he said, "May we begin now? Or are you going to prolong this conversation further? I do have things to do you know."

She looked away from him for a moment, seeming to catch her breath and collect her thoughts. When her face turned back to him her warm brown eyes had turned hard and she wore a look of disinterest. "As you may well know, My Lord, Sesshomaru has been attempting to find me a suitor of late." She waved her hand in a gesture of annoyance, as if these 'suitors' were nothing but a nuisance to her. "I simply wish for your help in exchange for my silence."

"What kind of help?" Of course Shippo realized he was getting himself in trouble, then again he was beginning to enjoy being in trouble and he was probably going to hell already merely for the things he was thinking about doing to her. So why not go all the way? The phrase made him groan inwardly. Bad choice of words on his part.

"I need something to be rid of these demons Sesshomaru seems to be forcing upon me. What I need is a suitor to settle my fancy on so the others will leave until I can find a more permanent solution." She closed her eyes for a moment taking a deep breath before making the plunge. "I would like you to play that part."

"Your insane right?" His answer came too quickly and her eyes flashed open. There was a spark of anger in the rich brown color he didn't fail to miss. Oh how he loved to tease her.

"You tell me? I am sitting in my room with a complete stranger who has already attempted to take something from my lord. I am also proposing something that would give me further interaction with this person when I should rightly call for a guard and watch as Sesshomaru tears you to shreds and hangs your head on a mantle. Am I insane?" Her cheeks were tinged pink again but this time her rage had been the one to leave the mark, not embarrassment. He was startled at the insight to her personality. So she had a temper…excellent.

"I suppose your right." He said with a relaxed tone. "But you didn't call for help. What's to stop me from agreeing and then walking out of your life for good?"

The anger in her eyes was quickly replaced by a wicked gleam. "Because I have something you want." His mind immediately returned to their little romp in her soft, inviting bed. His eyes wandered over to the mass of tangled sheets and pillows. When she followed his direction she scowled. "Not that, the sacred jewels." Shippo should have been relieved. Should have being the word of importance. Instead he felt incredibly let down. He was not happy with this turn of events. He had rather liked his line of thinking.

"Oh, those." He could hear the disappointment in his own voice and quickly moved to cover it up. "I could retrieve those whenever I want." He hoped she would take the bait and offer something else, something he could really enjoy.

"Oh I highly doubt that. You don't seem to be very good at your job." It was his turn to scowl but she simply shrugged, seeming to take little pleasure in her stinging insult. However the slight upturn of the corner of her lips told a different story. She continued. "I do however need someone with your particular skills. I need someone who can play the hero, who can convince Lord Sesshomaru that we are madly in love with each other."

"And what makes you so sure I possess these skills?"

"You are obviously skilled in deception. This is what I need in this case. It's only long enough for me to find a more permanent solution to the problem." She had used that phrase before, ' problem'. As though hordes of demon seeking her hand was just that, a problem. Well he gave her credit for not being a vain person, even if she was a foolish little creature. All that aside however Shippo was surprised to notice that he was actually considering the insane idea.

"Sesshomaru would be a difficult man to fool. You realize I would have to work very hard, take a few liberties…" His eyes scanned over her body hungrily and he realized just how closely he was coming to the edge of his control. His body had slowly positioned itself on the edge of the chair he now occupied. Even though he remained in a relaxed position he was placed in such a way that it would be all too easy to spring up and pounce on his unsuspecting victim. Shippo struggled to compose his mind and think clearly. "What is it you offer me in return for my services?"

She blinked as if it was obvious and she spoke slowly as though he were stupid. "I told you, I don't get you killed."

"But my dear, " She stiffened at the endearment and the slightly mocking tone he used. "I have already told you that I could simply walk out of here and never return."

She made a slight growling noise at the back of her throat and he smiled slightly. The noise was rather erotic and seemed far too much like an invitation to his ears. "Very well, I will give you the location of the shards. That is why you originally came here." She said hotly. She was starting to flush with anger again and he was extremely enjoying that.

"I'm afraid you're going to have to do better than that. I could find those on my own. You seem to forget, I have already managed to sneak into this palace once before. I would have no trouble doing it again."

"But you would have quite a lot of trouble finding the shards. I can promise you that." She sounded so sure, his confidence faltered a touch. Perhaps she was right. Sesshomaru no doubt had hidden them well, maybe even given them into the hands of one of his strongest minions. 'She may have a point…'

But something in Shippo simply wouldn't let it go. The delicate little imp with the sharp tongue and hot temper intrigued him. She was so soft and warm despite the hard countenance she wore at the moment. He had felt her, tasted her if only for a moment but that moment had been enough to capture more than just his body. He wanted more from her, for heaven's sake he wanted Her.

A wide grin spread across his lip as a thought blossomed in his mind. And one way or another he was going to have her.

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Rin watched the demon across the room with weary eyes. He was dangerous. Oh not that she thought he would actually hurt her but there was a look in his eyes that said he wanted to devour her. To her horror the idea was rather appealing. Rin was appalled by her earlier behavior but had dismissed it as a necessity. However these feelings, the desire to have his firm body pressed against her, his silken tongue once again demanding entrance to her mouth…she would have shuddered but her pride wouldn't let her. She tightened her grip on her mind and banished the thoughts that crowded for her attention.

She focused her attention back on the young demon and soon realized her mistakes and numbered them with the many others on her list of stupid things. He was sitting loosely in the chair, his knees bent and his legs spread open. His arms were crossed over his broad chest and he stared at her from hooded green eyes. He looked like a cunning predator, one she should not like to meet alone at night. She almost burst into a fit of giggles. Wasn't that exactly what she was doing?

She swallowed her laughter when a sudden grin spread across his face. The flash of brilliant white teeth and sharp fangs made her knees weak and she was glad she was sitting on her bed. Hadn't anyone ever told him not to do that? It was going to drive her insane. The things that grin promised were far too sinful a temptation to ignore.

"You realize that if I accept your proposal, for that is what this is…" Rin spluttered angrily at his comment.

"I am not proposing to you!"

"Oh but you are. If I agree we will of course become exclusive if you hope to drive away your suitors. It will do no good to say you favor one for that leaves hope for the others. There can be no hope. A fiancé is your only option." His words made sense and it irked her. She hated that he was right. He must have seen the concession in her eyes for he continued. "Put your mind at ease. This is a good escape for you. If I leave you during the engagement, say for another woman, you will have a beautiful excuse to keep your problems at bay for quite some time. That should give you ample opportunity to find the solution to your predicament."

Rin contemplated his words and had to agree. A period of mourning would be necessary and a long period of mourning would be acceptable. Followed by a time of refusal and distrust would be more than enough to sort out her problems with Sesshomaru, probably even enough time to get things back to the way they were.

Rin was distracted from formulating a plan by the continuation of his voice. His tone turned thoughtful as he said "Of course it will be difficult to prove true attraction…" Rin's anger flared at his words. Was it that difficult to pretend he liked her? "I suppose I shall have to take certain liberties…" His words dwindled into the air between them as his words sunk in. A fiery blush spread across her face. She glanced down at her bed and winced. Her stupid list just kept getting longer.

"I don't think that's an-n o-option." She stumbled on the last words and cringed at her own cowardly speech.

"Then how is it you plan to fool 'Your Lord'?"His words held a challenge as if he already knew Sesshomaru would need more than mere words. He had always been a man of action and this demon seemed to know it. Strange that he knew Sesshomaru so well. Of course many recognized the name and feared it but this demon spoke as if he knew him on some sort of personal level…How strange…

"I suppose you could kiss me every now and then." She had regained control of her tongue but that didn't stop him from giving a short burst of laughter.

"Every now and then?" He looked at her quizzically, the laughter still in his eyes. He did however seem to realize that he wouldn't be getting anything more out of her. Wise man. She may be nervous but she wasn't going to give in completely. "Very well, I won't do anything but kiss you but kiss you I will my dear."

"Is that a threat?"

"That's a promise." His iron tone sent a shiver up her spine and she sought to find another line of conversation that wouldn't cause this budding warmth in the pit of her stomach to expand any farther than it already had.

"I wish you wouldn't call me that."

"Call you what?"

"'My dear'. I believe you have done so twice now. It's…"She tried to search out the correct word. "It isn't proper."

"You're going to have to get used to it you know. We're supposed to be madly in love, remember?" A teasing light came into his eyes. "Why don't you try?"

"What?!" She exclaimed the nervous tilt to her voice returning. He always seemed to say just the right thing to make her lose control. Not that she seemed to have much of it tonight…she thought regrettably.

"I think you probably need the practice. I bet you're new to all of this anyway so go ahead and call me something."

"Bastard." The word had slipped out before she even thought about how unladylike it was. He chuckled softly.

"See? That's not what you call someone you are passionately in love with. Call me sweetheart or something."

Rin sighed, noticing the stubborn tilt of his jaw and seeing that this was going nowhere she gave into his demand. Even so she was feeling awfully shy, an unusual feeling for her. She hadn't meant to but the name came out more like a shuddering question then a love filled endearment. "Sweetheart?"

"Yes darling?" The whole exchange would have been comical if not for the change in the young demon. He sat up and leaned toward her. Even though they were across the room for each other she felt as though the space between them had slipped away. He was looking at her with a gentle expression that had her stammering again.

"Now that-t's not fair…" She looked down at her folded hands and almost let a pout slip onto her lips. "You're far better at this then I." She heard a soft noise and suddenly his legs were within view. She looked up with a startled expression to find his face inches from hers.

"I wouldn't say that. I think you're doing quite well. If you flash one more pout like that at me I won't be responsible for what happens to you." His warm breath fell upon her face like a summer wind. He smelled like fresh pine and there was a slightly smoky undertone to his scent. He was far too masculine for her taste and his broad shoulders seemed to close off the space around her. She suddenly became very aware of everything. Of the fact that she was positioned on the edge of her bed with his rather large frame bearing down on her, Of the fact that the warmth in the pit of her stomach had spread to just about every square inch of skin on her body, that her lips had parted slightly almost in invitation. She was in big trouble…

"But it's true." She whispered and cursed the breathy tone.

"Then perhaps you need more practice. " He inched closer to her and her eyes went wide. "I am more than happy to be of assistance to you sweetling." The endearments rolled off his lips with ease and she knew that for sure seeing as how close they were to her own. Things were getting dangerous again. Oh who was she kidding they had been dangerous from the moment he stepped off her balcony. They were alone, completely alone.

As his lips descended on hers she couldn't escape the thought, 'what have I gotten myself into?"

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