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2024-03-24
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Reflections in the Night

Summary:

Sesshomaru reflects on Rin’s status in his life and a question he has secretly been longing to hear is finally spoken.

Notes:

For the 96hr SessRin Relay event.

Anything in italics is a flashback.

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Work Text:

Reflections in the Night

 

 

With a clawed hand resting on his knee and the other hand palming his chin, Sesshomaru watches as Rin sleeps. She lays flat on her back with her kimono loosened. The flaps reveal her bare sternum, her petite chest barely concealed. His amber eyes wander down to her hands, that are clasped on her waist. His enhanced hearing hears her breathing slow and steady. The flap to her shared hut softly whistles, with the hot air passing through her small home.

 

The great daiyokai tilts his head to a rustle outside her home. Twigs snap and then nothing. Keen ears know that it’s nothing but a small fawn moving with its mother, looking for food. If Rin was awake, she would most likely leave fresh vegetables and fruit for the small family. His eyes move back to his anata.

 

His anata.

 

A small sigh catches his ears. He looks to see her twisting her head to the opposite side now. Her movements gentle that her opened kimono barely moves.

 

Anata….

 

Anata…..

 

Anata….

 

Even he had to admit that he never perceived taking a woman as a anata.

 

As daiyokai and ruler of the western lands, he knew he had to carry on the inu bloodline. Marriage was the only option for his heir to assume power. Marriage would happen eventually. A consummation between an inuyokai was inevitable.

 

However, that is all it would be. A consummation to produce an heir. Marriage in name only. He had no desire for love. He would ensure any heir produced would be well cared for until their training could begin. Any love the pup needed would come from their mother.

 

After all, he was still on his conquest for absolute power. There would be no love lost between him and whoever the mother of his pup would be.

 

He did not see love being part of the equation for an heir.

 

He would have no anata.

 

“Mhmm….” Rin mumbled as she turns over to face him. Her kimono brunches close as she draws her arms to her chest.

 

He tenderly smiles in the hut's darkness that is illuminated by a single candle in the corner. He fondly thinks back to early in the evening as the sun disappeared for the night.

 

 

 

“Sesshomaru-sama, how do I look?”

 

Sesshomaru turns to see Rin wrapping moko-moko around her. He had detached it early when Rin inquired on how it always stayed to one shoulder. Her eyes widened in shock when he stood and draped it on her shoulders.

 

“Sesshomaru-sama?” Rin asked again.

 

Her dark hair was a stark contrast against the gray fur. The thick fur pelt lay on her shoulders, her long thick mane tucked under. Some long strands peeked over the pelt, gently caressing the fur. Her small hands gently squeezed the fur between her fingers, drawing it around her shoulders. Her eyes glowed as she stared at him, waiting for his response. A serene smile stretched across her face.

 

Although he detached his pelt, he still felt every touch and caress. A master of disguising his feelings, he hides the small shiver that runs down his spine to his toes. He steps forward as Rin’s gaze pierces him. He runs his hands through her long locks. In a deep timber, he finally answers. “Like my anata.”

 

Her eyes widen and she blushes. Her small fingers nervously clutch onto moko-moko. “H-h-hai.” She whispers, looking at her feet. He tilts her chin up to his eyes with clawed fingers. “This Sesshomaru cannot call you my anata?”

 

She smiles, stepping forward and unfurls moko-moko from her shoulders. She places it back on his shoulder and it automatically falls back into place. Cupping his cheek, her melodic voice speaks. “Sesshomaru-sama shall call me whatever he pleases. Your anata only needs time to…..adjust to my new title.”

 

He startles her by swiftly sitting down and pulling her into his embrace. He gently cups the back of her head, pressing his cheek against hers. She seems shock at first but quickly recovers, snuggling into his arms with a happy sigh. Her small arms wrap around his neck, squeezing him tight. His embraces tightens as he inhales her scent. Time stops for the couple as they revel in their new found feelings. Their relationship kept hidden for now.

 

 

 

Sesshomaru turns his attention back to Rin. Her youthful face carries no worries. She leads a simple life here in the village. He will see that it remains so. Their relationship is new, and he dares not ask if she will leave the village. Through small, the quaint village has been her home for over 10 years now. The aged miko, his half-brother, and the other humans have watched over her. They have done well in providing for her.

 

Although he would like to think if he asks her, she would want to travel with him again.

 

Anata…..

 

Now he had someone he wanted to protect. A anata to carry his offspring.

 

“How things change….” He whispers, facing Rin. Any offspring produced from their union would well care for by his anata and himself. He had no other place to be other than by her side. She was his anata for life.

 

Feeling peace deep within, the great daiyokai leans back against the hut wall, sliding one of his knees into a bent position. His long silver locks gently touch the hard planks beneath him. He dissolves his armor so his body can relax. There is no danger nearby, hence his comfort in his anata’s home. His head tilts back, closing his eyes.

 

Only a few moments go by before he hears shuffling. A petite body presses into his side and he chuckles. “Were you not asleep?” He asks and wraps his arm around her warm waist.

 

Rin snuggles into his side, tucking her legs against his. Moko-moko drapes across her shoulders, pulling her close. She hums, laying her head on his chest. “I was, but I woke up.” She whispers.

 

“Hm.”

 

The summer cicadas sing in the distance. Sesshomaru hears the two small deer outside trailing back into the woods. All is well with the world tonight.

 

“Sesshomaru-sama….” She whispers.

 

He can sense her apprehension. Why is she hesitant?

 

He squeezes her waist and turns his head so his mouth presses into her forehead. “Speak.” He whispers so as not to startle her.

 

She gulps and finally, after a long moment. “When can I travel with you again?”

 

The hut falls into silence as he says nothing.

 

What would his hanyou brother call this? Hm…oh yes….ironic.

 

Had she been pondering on her request for some time? Or had she only thought this recently because of their new relationship? He can feel her tense under his grip. Perhaps nervous he would decline. He dares not leave her in suspense any longer.

 

“Is this your desire?” He asks, pulling her chin to look at him.

 

Her dark eyes glimmer in the dark, full of hope. The flicker of the candle cast shadows in the small, intimate hut. Amber eyes stare into dark chocolate pools as her rosy lips purse and then she licks her lips. “Hai, Sesshomaru-sama. Your anata longs for the day to be by your side again.” She whispers so softly that his yokai hearing barely heard. He slowly nods, cupping her cheek.

 

“Then this Sesshomaru will not deny your request.” He brings her mouth to his and gently lays a chaste kiss to her waiting lips. After a moment, he pulls away and tucks her head against his chest. “Sleep. The night is young.”

 

She says nothing, only snuggling into his side.

 

…………….

 

Sesshomaru watches from next to A-Un as his half brother straps the last of Rin’s items to the dragon’s back. The brothers lock eyes and Inuyasha only nods before walking away. Nothing needs to be spoken between the two. His eyes shift back to Rin as she hugs the old miko.

 

“Kaede-sama, thank you for everything.”

 

“Ah child. Ye was no trouble at all. Listen to Sesshomaru-sama on ye travels.” The old woman says. The old woman moves to pull away, but Rin is quick. Rin’s tiny arms pull the old miko into a fierce embrace. Kaede returns the embrace and only Sesshomaru notices the quick wipe to the single eye when she thought no one was looking. The two women pull away and Rin steps back with a wide smile. With a deep bow, “Thank you everyone!”

 

Rin walks to the two-headed dragon, who is just as eager to see the petite human. She gives one last wave as everyone returns to the daily lives. Now it’s the small party comprising a daiyokai, an imp, a two-headed dragon and a human woman.

 

Sesshomaru notes the look of fondness on her face as she continues staring at her former home. He allows a moment before finally speaking as he steps next to her.

 

“Are you ready, anata?”

 

She faces him with a beaming smile. With a shake of her head, she answers. “Hai, Sesshomaru-sama!”

 

She runs ahead to hug Jaken, who squawks at her in irritation. No sooner are they on the road when Rin starts to tease him. The tiny imp fumes and stomps his feet. His beak flies open but snaps shut with one look from his master.

 

Rin only giggles. “Come now, Master Jaken!” She runs ahead with her arms behind her. Jaken takes off after her and a deep grumble is heard from the two-headed dragon. Sesshomaru looks at the dragon. “Go on.” He says and the dragon gallops after them.

 

Sesshomaru only smiles as he lifts the ground, flying after them.

 

All is well in the world.

 

His anata was finally by his side

 

 

~oOo~

Notes:

Thanks for reading!