Rin's Choice (Sesshomaru x Rin)

In Love (Part 2)

Sesshomaru

I look around the clearing, breathing hard not from exertion but from pure, raw rage. How dare they seek to take what is mine? Have they forgotten who I am? I will make them all remember. I will-

"Lord Sesshomaru, it's okay now."

Rin's voice pulls me from my blinding rage. She approaches me carefully, eyes wide, hands outstretched as if worried I might turn on her. Silly girl.

I immediately reclaim the form more similar to hers, blinking the red from my eyes as I do so, "Do not fear, Rin. I am not a half-yokai like my rabid little brother. I can control my blood."

She smiles at me, her eyes lighting up for some inexplicable reason. At my confused stare, she tells me, "You called him your brother."

I look away, annoyed with myself, but I look back up when she takes my hand again, her smile still bright. "I like that you're starting to accept him as your brother. He didn't have any say in what happened between his mom and your dad any more than you did."

I search her face, trying to glean more information from her as she seems to easily do from me. Eventually I find it necessary to ask, "Why does that make you happy?"

"Because if you can accept your brother, someday you might be able to accept..." her cheeks flush, and then she is the one looking away.

Something warm shifts in my chest, causing a gentle feeling to sweep through my body. Instead of fighting it, I lean into it; with Rin, I will bend to my emotions—but only for her.

Reaching out, I cup her face, tilt her head up, and lean down to whisper against her mouth, "May I kiss you, Rin?"

Her eyes widen, her breaths puffing excitedly against my mouth—a mouth poised to answer but not speaking.

I pull a fraction away, "What is it?" Was my aggression too much? I took care to make sure the blood was cleared from me after the last kill, lest I accidentally soil her clothing with such low value filth.

"I—do you still hate hanyou?"

I consider then shake my head, "No."

I lean in to kiss her, but I pause when her hands lightly push me back.

Standing, I instead rub my thumb over her cheek, trying in vain to read what is going on inside her head. Human females are so much more complex than yokai females. But this Sesshomaru has never been dissuaded by challenge.

"Do you still hate yokai-human pairings?"

"Most of them."

Her mouth twists down. I think she's disappointed.

She looks down, "Oh."

"Milord!" Jaken hops down from A-Un, jogging over to us. "Milord! Don't just leave it at that! Explain to her why you dislike them."

I glance at him, annoyed, "Surely she understands."

"No, milord, I don't think she does. She thinks it's because they're human."

I look back at Rin, surprised, "Why would that bother me now? Have I not asked you to be my mate?"

"Yes, but you don't like—"

"I was ignorant, Rin, though I hate to admit it. I did not understand the strength of the human heart, stronger in contrast to your weak bodies and short lifespans."

Jaken clears his throat, "Onto the point, milord."

"Many yokai find human women intriguing because they are so different than yokai females. They burn brighter because they have less time, they embrace those others have scorned, they are impressed with even weak displays of power. For a yokai male, I am told it is tempting."