Confessions

(A birthday tale for icegirljenni)

It had to be the single most bitter winter that Rin could remember. The snow was deep, the winds were fierce, and it seemed as if all that Lord Sesshomaru seemed to be doing, was stopping because of her.

First, she was being blown about by the wind. Poor Ah-Un did all he could to shield her. Then she was hungry. Fruit and berries were both nearly nonexistent, so Sesshomaru had to leave the group to find a few frozen pieces of fruit that had been left by some wayside.

Now, Rin's feet were cold - almost frozen actually. Her normally pale feet were practically alabaster now, and her toes were about to turn color. Sesshomaru had had enough. He soon found a small cave that would keep everyone out of the elements for a day or two if necessary. The palace was less than a day's travel away and any delay in arriving would be small.

Ah-Un's body blocked most of the entranceway leaving a small opening for anyone to enter. The dragon strangely liked snow, and this was a bit of a treat for him. Jaken on the other hand, was not so grateful. The little toad complained in spite of the shelter that had been provided.

Sesshomaru left him to build a fire while he went hunting for Rin's evening meal. Jaken begrudgingly obeyed, but wasted no time complaining once he was certain that only Rin could hear him. He turned an unusually cold eye to the girl, and began his tirade.

"Honestly! I still don't see what it is that Sesshomaru sees in you child! You are proving yourself to be more trouble than you are worth this day! All you've been able to do thus far, is hold us back!"

Rin remained silent as she sat by the slowly growing fire warming her feet. She was accustomed to Jaken's complaints, but this time, his words rang true. She didn't have to accompany her lord on this patrol. She could have stayed at the palace this time.

After all, this was but a short adventure. Sesshomaru would not even be gone for a week. But sitting around in the palace was nothing to be happy for if Sesshomaru was not there no matter the length of time. So, she tagged along.

Human though she may be, Rin was of a hearty stock. At sixteen, she stood tall and beautiful. The surrounding snow seemed to only highlight her raven locks which now hung well past her hips. And while her Kimono may have been fur lined, her full bust line was still unmistakable. It was just the navigation of the high snow drifts along with that biting wind that seemed to be her downfall. A downfall that Jaken was reveling in right at this moment.

The cave was now a comfortable temperature, and Rin began to relax slightly. She sat so that she could bury her head in the folds of her kimono as she silently wished that Jaken would simply be silent.

As if in answer to her unspoken prayer, a sudden gust of wind filled the cave. Sesshomaru appeared suddenly with a rabbit killed, skinned, ready for the spit. Jaken sputtered and fell to his knees as usual, only to be greeted with a clawed hand taking hold of his collar and unceremoniously tossing him into the cold.

"You may sleep with Ah-Un this night, but only if he allows it."

Rin could not help but giggle at the sound of Jaken's pitiful wailing as he struggled to remove himself from a near by snow drift. She knew that the dragon would not let him freeze, but could not help but feel just a bit sorry for him.

After all this time, Jaken had yet to learn that Sesshomaru's ears were especially keen when it came to her, and he would allow the little toad only so many insults before he would intervene.

Sesshomaru put the rabbit near the fire to cook before finding a comfortable corner of the cave to take a seat. Rin smiled to herself before giving Sesshomaru a smiling side glance. It was just the two of them now. She could not help but offer a contented soft sigh. A ghost of a smile made it's way across Sesshomaru's lips.

"You are still cold. Come sit with me and warm yourself."

Rin could not help but smile. She was still cold, that much was very true. But she also knew that Sesshomaru was looking to stir up more than just a little heat between the two of them. She rose and went to sit beside him, when Sesshomaru shifted his hips and she plopped into his lap. Rin blushed as he quirked an eye before shifting her weight so that she found herself seated with both of her legs on either side of his thighs. Sesshomaru gave a gentle 'nudge' leaving Rin no doubt as to his state of arousal that moment.

Sesshomaru purred soft and possessively as he ran his hands up and down the length of Rin's legs and thighs delighting in her almost undetectable moans of pleasure. Sesshomaru was about to reach for Rin's obi, when Rin bowed her head slightly. He could not help but notice the small gleam of sadness in her eyes when he gently pulled her face up to his. He stopped suddenly.

"What is troubling you Rin?" he inquired in his normal even tone.

Rin blushed a bit and tried unsuccessfully to look away. A firm grip of her chin, and a low warning growl were all that were necessary for her to return her gaze to her master.

"May I ask you something my lord?" she inquired a bit more timidly than Sesshomaru was accustomed to hearing from her.

He gave a slight nod, as Rin continued.

"Why am I still with you? Master Jaken is always telling of how much of a burden I am to you. How much I slow you down… and can't take care of myself, and.."

A clawed finger placed over her lips, silenced any further words Rin may have had ready to say. Sesshomaru sighed audibly before shifting himself so that he could hold both of Rin's hands. Smiling golden eyes looked into Rin's dark brown ones.

"You Rin, are no burden. You are no trouble, and you present no problem."

Rin's breathing started to hitch a bit as she began to fight back tears.

"But my lord I know…"

Sesshomaru's eyes rimmed red for a moment.

"You know nothing Rin." he snapped a bit harsher than he intended. Rin was truly sad now. Not only did she insult her lord, she angered him as well."

"Forgive me for my human foolishness." she whispered.

Rin tried to get up from her seat so that she may cry quietly and crawl into her embarrassment on the other side of the cave, but Sesshomaru held her tight. Another warning growl signaled her to stay put.

"You know nothing, because I have not told you anything." Sesshomaru began.

"Do you really wish to know why you are with me? Why it is that you are always welcome by my side?"

Rin sniffled a bit, but nodded her head in confirmation. Sesshomaru released one of her hands, and cupped her face so that she could look directly into his.

"You are with me because your place is by my side. You are with me, because only you are worthy of standing next to me."

Sesshomaru paused a moment for dramatic effect.

"And you are with me, because without you, there is no point. No point to anything I do."

Rin looked up with a teary but blinding smile. Sesshomaru quirked an eyebrow in response.

"Has your question been answered in an satisfactory manner my lady?"

Rin could not help but giggle both at the question, and the term of endearment. She then lunged forward, and hugged Sesshomaru fiercely. Sesshomaru gave a satisfied purr before pulling Rin back enough to look at her clearly once more. His actions were rewarded by an almost predatory smile from the little human seated before him.

Rin slowly took Sesshomaru's hand, and guided it once more to her obi.

"I am cold my lord." she purred.

Sesshomaru gave a toothy half smile as he pulled the bit of material. Rin's kimono opened enough to tease Sesshomaru with only the barest hint of her breasts. Rin rocked in Sesshomaru's lap until she had his full attention. The taiyoukai growled his approval outright as he gently pulled Rin's kimono open to reveal her pale globes with nipples erect from the chill of the weather.

"Then it is my duty as your lord to keep you warm." He said with a small smile.

Rin purred softly as she slowly snaked her arms around Sesshomaru's neck. Sesshomaru was mere inches away from taking one of Rin's breasts into his mouth, when she pulled back suddenly. Sesshomaru gave a slightly flustered sigh and raised an eyebrow at Rin's sudden expression of concern.

"What of Master Jaken? It is rather cold outside!"

Sesshomaru gave an uncharacteristically loud 'keh'.

"If he is fortunate, Ah-Un will let him sleep under his belly!"

Before Rin could offer any further protest, Sesshomaru had his mouth firmly latched to the nipple of one breast. Rin melted into his embrace as he suckled heartily.

Any further concerns about Jaken would be quickly forgotten.