-1Don't own this…….

Chapter 26

That evening Sesshomaru found himself lost in deep thought standing just outside of his own bed chamber. Rin was inside making some last minute adjustments to her kimono, he had taken note that she had never been this fidgety in the past where such things were concerned but opted to ignore almost at once. She was allowed after all some manner of mystery she was still human after all. With a sigh he stood alone, dressed rather elegantly himself. Donning a black kimono that suited him well, and bearing the mark that had become synonymous with his name, the chrysanthemum as a sign of his royal lineage.

Out of old habit he ran his fingers through his hair and again he sighed, it was most unlike him to worry as he was now. For tonight would be Rin's first night outside of the confines of their room. She would take her place tonight at his side, as his mate before his entire household. It was truly a night that had long since been looming on the horizon even in spite of his denials. It was time to let it be known, at least among those who severed him that Rin was even more worthy of respect for she was now their mistress. Only now his household had grown to include one other, the son he had barely known raised by a woman he'd hated. His fist curled in memory of her and he again could not understand the spell to which she had placed him under to made such a fool of him in the first place.

Never the less his son dwelt in his house now, and he would do what he could to bridge the gap of many years. Starting with tonight. He had reluctantly informed Rin that afternoon that his son was now living in the manor house. Her youthful features seemed to crease in worry ever so, but she simply shrugged it away and advised her lord that she would do what she could to ease his stay. And get to know him herself. Sesshomaru accepted her pledge, without much worry. Rin had that kind of power with demons. His son on the other hand he did not know well enough to gauge.

The door behind him came open slowly and the very nervous form of Rin slowly crept from behind it. Her bright eyes falling upon him at once and she smiled. "I am sorry for making you wait milord".

He cocked his head at the formality and quickly pushed it aside as his golden eyes traveled down the length of her. She had never been more exquisite. Wearing a white silken kimono that bore the hints of cherry blossoms and white plums, twisting their way from her bodice to the ankles of her feet. Her long brown hair was set free and danced at the middle of her backside. A hint red on her lips….and her scent. He was breathless for a moment as he recalled his last conversation with her before she shut herself away inside, she had been complaining of a hair comb that wouldn't take very well to her hair. He scoffed at the idea that she had even tried when he looked at her now. So truly beautiful in her natural unbound state.

Rin blushed. "You are making me very…..nervous milord….starring at me like that. It's like you have never seen me before a day in your life!"

Sesshomaru was snapped out of his daze and his golden eyes looked up at her imminently. He still couldn't bring himself to say very many endearing things to her so soon. It would take him time to find that right balance, between his natural cold hearted self and the part of him that was in love. He said nothing as he extended his hand toward her to which she aptly accepted.

"Are you ready?' he finally said after they had traveled the distance from their bedroom to the other end of the house. Now standing before the dinning room. Rin froze for a minute as she truly allowed it all to sink in. She had been kidding herself, for this would now be very different from before. She was no longer that wayward girl sitting awkwardly beside her lord, unsure of her place. No, she had long since past that point of no return and was now his. In every way shape and form. Sitting beside him tonight would again forever change things. And yet she knew deep down that she had been ready for as long as she could remember.

She took a deep breath and pushed her shoulders back with pride. "Yes milord I am, and I always have been".

He gave her a curious look before nodding understanding all that she was trying to say. With a wave of his energy the door came open and the light of the burning lanterns blinded them both momentarily. Awaiting them inside already seated sat Jaken, Kenishiro a trusted military vassal, and Shojumaru. To the left hand side of the room also stood Adori, the old hand maiden that had seen after Rin as a child. Rin's eyes lit up when she laid eyes on the old woman. She couldn't believe that in all the craziness of the past few hours she hadn't asked after her old friend. She would make amends with her later that evening.

Sesshomaru reached for her again and together the two of them made their way inside the room. It was then that Rin took full notice of her lords one and only son. Her breath caught as she took sight of him, she'd expected that he would look like his mother. It was the only bit of concern that arose within her when her lord told her he would be staying with them. But she had not expected him to look so very much like his father, it was uncanny. Save for his eyes, those cold blue eyes that stared at her in almost the same shock.

Sesshomaru came to a stop at the head of the table and assisted Rin in taking her seat before he seated himself. Shojumaru raised a brow in both amusement and something else before he looked away careful not to spark his fathers ire this night. There would be plenty of time later for such banter. For now he would play his part well.

Calling the attention of all those in attendance Sesshomaru began to speak. "I will waste no words getting to the heart of this affair. I have called you all here specifically so that you are aware and so that there is no confusion. I have taken Rin as my mate…"

Behind them Adori caught her breath rather loudly before placing the back of her hand over her mouth. She'd seen it coming as had many, but to hear it spoken aloud so…she never thought she would live to see the day. It made her warm inside, to know that Rin was now free to love her lord as she'd always wanted. Letting out a pained breath she collected herself and straightened up. Sesshomaru was not unaware of the action but continued on.

"She is now in my stead to look over this estate and all those who dwell within it. You are all of you to treat her with the same respect and devotion, loyalties and honor that are shown to me. Is this understood?"

At once the entire room responded with a resounding yes and a curt bow to emphasize the meaning further. Rin shifted slightly in her seat as she took in the sight of everyone seated. It made her feel even more welcomed in her lords home again, and now fully recognized and respected. She smiled to each of them in turn and sat back on her futon, her tiny hands folded in joy.

"Adori".

The old woman stood forth from the shadows and gave a bow, "Yes milord?" He turned to look at the old woman, "Please prepare the finest wine we have, there is much to celebrate this night".

Adori smiled and bowed in deep understanding, "yes of course milord, as you wish". The older woman gathered her skirts and was off out of the room in but the blink of an eye. A few servants arrived shortly there after bearing the nights meal. Rin took the moment to tug on her lords empty sleeve and he turned to face her silently in understanding and much reassurance.

The remainder of the dinner was a somewhat silent affair that was accompanied much more by the clinking of plates than the height of conversation. There was an ease in the room now as what little tension had been there seemed to have vanished like a plate of food. It was Jaken who eventually broke the air of stillness and the clanking of plates when he lifted up his newly filled sake cup and called a toast.

"I would like milord to call a toast to the young Rin- or rather our new mistress! The Lady Rin, may she reign forever at your side!" shouted the little toad demon. It was an action that had taken Sesshomaru by surprise and his Rin. He looked toward Jaken who was already so drunken that he could scarcely hold up his cup, and all the same he was grateful to his vassal. He had wanted to propose a toast himself for some time, but felt that it was a gesture best called by someone else. As a show of true loyalty. His golden gaze drifted about the room. Kenishiro, a trusted guard of many years on the far west of his bordered lands, gave a great smile and eagerly reached for his cup raising it up high. It was then that Sesshomaru's gaze drifted further down the table to set eyes upon his son who seemed most troubled. It was apparent now to everyone else that Shojomaru had not yet moved toward his sake cup.

There was an air of tension.

When it was clear to him that the whole of the room was indeed staring in his direction he leaned forward, and as he did so he allowed his blue eyes to fall upon Rin and he smiled, somewhat wickedly. He nodded in her direction and could instantly see that she was uncomfortable under the weight of his stare.

Jaken grew inpatient, "Well raise it high you fool!"

Shojumaru instantly shifted his eyes to Jaken allowing a deep seated breath to escape his lungs before he raised his cup high. "There is no need to be so foul little toad demon. I will indeed honor my fathers new mate," he said as he sat back and held his cup that much higher, "cheers to her".

It was Sesshomaru who was last to raise his cup as his eyes remained locked with that of his son. He had been slow to raise his cup, it would not go unnoticed or unmentioned when he had a moment alone with him. Raising his cup he concluded the toast and drank down the hot liquid quickly.

"You will respect her!" shouted an angry Sesshomaru as he paced the floor of his study. There was a fire in the hearth and the strong scent of tea and sake, just the right mixture of the two to both soothe and calm his nerves. He had all but demanded a private audience with his only son just shortly after diner. Shojumaru had followed silently and had not spoken a word. His blue ice like eyes instead seemed to be filled however with strong contempt and unbridled ire. The great demon lord had not expected his son to begin to show signs of contempt this early, so soon after having sought shelter under his roof.

"As you wish father, of course." came his sons quick flippant reply. Sesshomaru spun around his hair catching on the wind and framed his face most demonically. His golden eyes narrowed and he probed outward with his mind and his aura in disbelief.

"Your actions tonight were most dishonorable, did I not warn you not to upset the balance in my house? Did my words not get through to you?! It is by blood alone that I have allowed you to remain here, blood alone."

Shojumaru sat forward anger making its way into his very being, "Blood…father? Blood alone indeed! It is more than the sum of this that has allowed you to take me in as your son, your one true heir! I would call it many things father, but blood alone is not the truth of it. No…..I would call it guilt!"

"Guilt?"

"Yes father, guilt. I would humbly ask that you not take out your own misgivings upon me your only son. Do not see me as a mistake, something you would as soon be rid of out of shear embarrassment than anything else!"

"You presume too much my son".

"Oh? Do I father? You love this human girl. Do not presume to imply otherwise, or you would not be so protective of her feelings, her treatment by others. You would lavish her with naught but love and affection while I, I am to take your ire your unbridled wrath! Your shame. You are most unfair father….."

Sesshomaru turned to face his son his eyes hazing over in a rage he had yet to feel whilst in the presence of his son. He'd long to have a son of his own since he was old enough to rut. But this, this situation was beyond him. Having attained the son he'd always wanted only not under the foolish circumstances to which he was born. He had concluded that had his son been born to anyone else, a demoness of true power and high standard he would have felt differently towards him. But this was not to be, his only son was born to him from the womb of the only demoness he both loved and despised. No matter the circumstance his son was before him now. Grown well into adulthood. The truth was a blinding thing a painful reality. Much to his own pride.

He was struck suddenly silent as his mind tried to grasp the proper thing to say, the best way to bring him out of his poisonous thoughts that all managed to return to Yanori. The woman that had very nearly taken the only creature under the sun that he felt most dear.

"I will not tell you how to feel," replied Sesshomaru after a long moment had passed," your feelings of anger towards me are well founded. And I will not whole heartedly disagree with you. I understand more than you know the depths to that which you feel abandoned. And all the same you will learn in time to understand."

"Understand? Understand father, that you see in me the woman you hated? The mistake that was made when you laid with her? And now have moved on to take a human girl as your mate?"

"It is none of your affair whom I take as mate, let me make that clear to you now. Just as it is of no concern of mine whom you take as mate. But you will respect her, you will honor and respect her as the woman that I have taken as mate. Is this clear?"

Silence filled the room as father and son simply stared at one another. There was something being said in that stillness, a sort of understanding that needed no words. No obvious trappings. The air was stilled with understanding as Sesshomaru arose and stared down his son. Shojumaru released a dejected sigh before himself standing up firm and tall. His shoulders held back his breathing more relaxed. He would play this game with his sire.

"As you wish father….."

Sesshomaru could only grunt in response so deep was his distaste in that moment. He dismissed his heir with a wave of his hand as he would a servant. It was not an act lost on his son, as he turned and left his fathers study. As he shut the door behind himself a wicked smile spared across his face and he knew then exactly what he must do. If his father intended to play him in some sort of game he was more than ready to play along.

TBC……