Chapter 10

After eating her fish, Rin stared vacantly at the fire. She was thinking how intense it was with Sesshomaru alone and instantly missed Jaken's company. He provided the much needed comedic relief...

A crisp voice cut through the air.

"Rin, it would be wise to retire now. We have a long day tomorrow. Come, my mate. Come by me." soothed Sesshomaru.

Rin sighed. She was tired and fighting with Sesshomaru did drain a lot of energy out of her these past days. She wondered if this was how their relationship would be like in the future...

But then again, she enjoyed putting Sesshomaru in uncomfortable situations, seeing him embarrass himself, ruffle his feathers a bit - it was all part of his allure. She smirked, a gleam in her eyes.

Sesshomaru noticed and inwardly shook. He knew that look. It meant that she was concocting a scheme that nobody around her would be immune to. Sesshomaru would have preferred fighting his enemies to whatever Rin was planning...

When she was younger, she was adorable - yes, he would admit. But even then, she was older than her years and understood a lot more than a mere child of eight. This understanding grew into mischief, which then fused into her adorable personality. Even with the light-hearted aspects of her, she had a very developed brain that was ruthlessly honest at times. She would do very well as a diplomat, if she wasn't going to be his mate.

A movement to his right disturbed him of his thoughts.

Rin was inching closer to his mokomoko. Instantly, Sesshomaru felt a wave of jealousy - jealousy over his mokomoko. It seemed like Rin only cared for that part of him and no other. Even now, it was his mokomoko that she reached for and not him!

"Do you like my mokomoko so much?" bit Sesshomaru.

Rin cuddling beside it, nodded tiredly.

"Hn. It deserves no praise as it is of no use." said Sesshomaru.

Rin looked up at Sesshomaru's outline - his statuesque outline was most visible against the slight darkness. His long hair was like second skin, since never was there a hair out of place. His face was perfectly sculpted and his torso strong and powerful. His armour was as always ever a barrier.

"It keeps me warm and is soft and snugly to the touch. I also think it likes me. See how it wraps around my waist? I hope it grows! Didn't your father have a bigger mokomoko? How comfortable that must have been! It must have been like a blanket!" said Rin, her eyes wide shining with excitement.

"You fail to notice that it is I who has command over the mokomoko. When it wraps around you, it is I who is wrapping around you! Are you not content with the size it is now? Are you deeming it to be inadequate?" Sesshomaru asked, a little forcefully.

In truth, he was insecure. His father was a sore spot - not only because he married Izayoi but also because he was a legend. Sesshomaru, as his mother readily said countless times, lacked the charm. Even that panther demon called him a bore. He may be more powerful than his father but he still felt inadequate emotionally. Of course he did not "do" emotion...

Rin on the other hand could not help but flush in warmth. It was him that wanted to keep her warm and close - that was so...sweet. Her eyes glistened.

Sesshomaru on seeing her glistening eyes was alarmed - was Rin crying?

"Rin, this Sesshomaru apologizes if he has unconsciously hurt his Rin -" he began.

"Huh? What are you talking about? I was only thinking of how sweet you were to direct your mokomoko to me!" said Rin.

Sesshomaru's eyes slightly widened in understanding and relief.

"Oh - in that case, please disregard my apology." he said, looking up at the stars.

Rin giggled. She clutched at Sesshomaru's long sleeves, her hand against her mouth and her eyes playful.

"Sesshomaru, I think you got your mother's mokomoko! If I remember right, hers was wrapped all around her body. Your dad's mokomoko on the other hand was like a blanket. I wonder if that is what Izayoi fell for..." Rin sighed, leaning her head on Sesshomaru's arm.

If hot air could come out of Sesshomaru's nostrils, it would for he was beyond shocked - what made Rin bring Izayoi's romantic interest with his father? She knew not to speak of Izayoi.

Rin noticing Sesshomaru had stiffened, looked up at him trying to figure out why.

"Sesshomaru?" she asked.

"Izayoi. Why bring her up? You know better." he said, curtly.

Rin covered her mouth.

"Oh! I forgot - I didn't realize...I'm sorry, it wasn't intentional." she fumbled.

Sesshomaru sighed.

"You would do well to remember Rin." he said.

Rin nodded, silently snuggling up to him again.

"Tell me, Sesshomaru. It cannot be because she was human that you hate her for I am human as well. So why do you hate her? Is it because she brought Inuyasha into the world?" Rin slowly asked.

Sesshomaru did not answer.

"Is it because you were the only son for so long that you might have been hurt that you father's attentions were divided with Inuyasha in Izayoi's womb? Perhaps you thought he did wrong by you..." Rin rambled.

"You should be a mind reader, Rin." said Sesshomaru, sarcastically.

"I am your mate, dearest. I would like to know before we tie the knot. Such things should not be kept secret." Rin said, fidgeting with his sleeve.

"Hn. Good answer as always. Yes you are right. Is there anything else?" he asked.

Rin gave Sesshomaru a heart warming smile - a special smile only for him. She touched his chin gently and turned his head towards her. She looked up into his eyes and smiled again. She knelt forward and on instinct, Sesshomaru knelt back not knowing what was going on with her. But Rin stopped his head from moving away from her and gave him a soft kiss on the nose. Sesshomaru looked all too bewildered. What was going on with his little mate?

"My darling, congratulations - I am so proud of you for admitting that. You have no idea how much you've grown, my handsome prince! I will make it my business to baby you as much as possible in our matehood. I will pamper you, love you, cuddle you, and never let you go." Rin said, with love in her eyes.

Sesshomaru's stone heart became nonexistent. His eyes were liquid gold. His breath hitched at his mate's open declaration of love. He was instantly reassured that she would stay with him.

He slowly smiled a half smile. Rin gasped with shock.

"Hn. Do not be so surprised, beloved," said Sesshomaru, leaning in and giving Rin a little kiss on her forehead.

Rin smiled.

Sesshomaru gently lifted Rin on to his lap and in his arms. He cradled her protectively against his chest. His chin rested on the top of her fragrant hair and he gave a barely audible contented sigh.

Tonight after a long week, there was understanding and peace between them. But Sesshomaru knew he would not want this peace to last much longer because as much as Rin, he was having "fun" fighting with her - riling her up, seeing her full cheeks puff, and her nostrils flare. Peace should be earned, not expected after all...

Sesshomaru smiled a deadly smile.

THE END

Dear readers,

I want to thank you for sticking with this story. I know I deviated from the first two chapters greatly but my mood changes constantly and with it, changes the story. I hope each chapter at least brought Sesshomaru and Rin closer together!

Before I close this story officially, I want you to please check out a most promising Sesshomaru/Rin fanfiction writer - AmeliaBlake. Her trilogy series is amazing following Sesshomaru and Rin's relationship right up to their pups! Please check it out and give her all the support you can because her writing deserves it!

I would also like to thank 00Zero for looking forward to my updates :)