A New Beginning

It was a warm, balmy night. Not too warm, not too cool. A soft breeze whispered in the garden where Sesshomaru stood, bathed in the light from the full moon that shone through in a cloudless sky.

His castle looked over this garden. His garden. Where every imaginable flower grew. Rin's doing, of course. He ruefully remembered how all of this had started.

As he'd prepared himself to leave for one of his many voyages, Rin, ill with a cold and unable to accompany him, had begged him to bring her back a souvenir, which he had agreed to, albeit grudgingly, and thus it had begun. The first of many. A small sakura tree, that had grown tall as the years had passed, and which now graced the entry-way to his court-yard, where anyone that requested his presence had to pass by.

Now, flowers grew everywhere. Jasmine, poppies, tulips, violets, and a plethoria of others whose names were unfamiliar to him, growing alongside each other. Never encroaching, never encompassing, each flowering to compliment it's rival, taking it's turn, each in it's own time. And all because of one spindly cherry tree brought back to please a sick, orphaned child.

And in the middle of this garden, overrun by flowers, a pool had been constructed. It had been done so, following very specific orders from Lord Sesshomaru himself.

On one side, tall reeds intermingled with floating water-lilies. Underneath, fish of striking colors were swimming around their roots. Koi of rich golds, deep reds, dark blacks, and bright whites, called this side of the pond 'home'.

On the other side of the 'fish pond', as he called it, was where his charge liked to bathe. Slightly higher, separated by a rock wall, with a small, freeflowing waterfall, and surrounded by bushy trees, was where he would often find Rin leaning against that said wall, playing with her fish. Her 'pets' as she called them.

And he'd be DAMNED if she hadn't tamed them. She had named each and every one of them. All she had to do was softly call out one of those names and it would come, begging to be caressed by her soft hand. And they were mere FISH, for Kami's sake. Sesshomaru shook his head, bemused.

Graceful Japanese maple, or better known as lantern trees, had been strategically planted here and there, with bright flowers of orange and deep red, blooming, but Sesshomaru barely glanced at them. He was deeply lost in thought, thinking about this past day's events.

He had signed every paper and scroll that had needed to be signed; had seen every human regent (at least 5, he surmised), that had questions concerning his lands and on how to make them even more prosperous, for himself and for his caretakers; had made his necessary rounds and had spoken with everyone that had sought his council.

And as was the custom of every Lord of The Western Lands before him, he had entertained other Youkai Lords, as well, for the evening meal as proscribed, once every full moon, making sure to keep the surrounding lands at peace, debating whom needed what, and making sure that every demand was met, within reason, of course. No more wars were needed. Not since that bastard, Naraku, had finally been defeated nearly eleven years past (it had nearly cost that idiot half-brother of his dearly, but, in the end, everything had gone well).

Hell, he'd even been gracious enough to make sure that all of his human subjects that resided within his lands would not want for anything during the coming winter months, making sure that every village had plenty of firewood, food, and medicinal herbs to last them through any storm or whatever else that should befall them before help could make their way towards them.

He grimaced at that last thought. How he had changed these past ten years. As if he could have cared less before. Humans! How disgusting!
But, wherever he went, seeing as his young charge insisted on following, all of the villagers within his lands came to acknowledge her, and, not only that, they eventually respected her.

Many would ask her questions about her travels. And she would respectfully answer, bowing her head, while explaining this or that tidbit of a story, never giving away anymore information that was needed, but always proclaiming him as her 'HERO'. Because of that, and her graciousness and kindness, not only did her reputation as 'The Lord's Adopted Heir' take hold, but his own reputation as being one of 'The Best Tai Youkai'(following his father), was proclaimed throughout his lands.

He remembered his father's words, spoken as they battled just before his death:

"Do you have someone to protect, Sesshomaru?"

If he could answer him today he would.

"Yes, Father, I do, as of now."

Sesshomaru breathed a heavy sigh. It was getting late. Tomorrow he would have to leave early, to make his rounds, following the outskirts of his lands. Alone. Before SHE awoke. She had grown so much these past years. Now she had become a woman. A beautiful, long raven haired, fiesty, intelligent, teasingly beautiful young woman. So much like that stupid, idiotic, brass, loud-mouthed baka half-brother's mate had Rin become.

In a way, he was glad. How that miko, Kagome, could put up with Inuyasha's petulance, was beyond him. But she HAD helped him when Rin's questions had started to come forth. Questions that only a woman could answer.

And thankfully, she had done it in a very short time, taking Rin with her for a walk one evening such as this, several years ago, just before Rin's first bleeding, after he'd beseeched her to do so, somewhat ruefully, even though, with his stoic face, nothing could be seen. That is, nothing that a trained EYE couldn't see, which, thankfully, Kagome had understood quite clearly. He still remembered the 'OSUWARI!' that his brother had brought upon himself because of his stupidity. He chuckled inwardly. Now THAT had been entertaining, although he hadn't let it show.

And now, his beautiful, ADULT, charge was going into heat. He could smell it, hell he could even TASTE it, every time that she came near him. And it was grating on his nerves.

Sesshomaru had made all of the necessary arrangements. He'd had his best guards posted near her, protecting her without her knowing it. And if ANYTHING, ANYTHING happened to Rin while he was on his rounds, MAY KAMI protect them, for they would need it. He growled at that thought.

Sesshomaru looked up at the night sky, finally feeling the need for sleep stirring within him. He hadn't felt this tired for weeks; always pushing himself to do as much as he possibly could. Stretching, he made his way towards his private apartments, heading directly for his bed. If he was lucky, he would get at least a good six hours of rest. He would need it, for he knew what would be coming in these next few days. Sighing once again, he went to bed.

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Rin awoke, shuddering, her body felt as if it were on fire. She'd been dreaming of HIM, again. When had her child-like affection changed into this heart-wrenching, full-fledged desire? It seemed that whenever she came near him, within his reach, her body would jump/flinch out of her control. She always tried to place herself downwind from him, so that he wouldn't smell her arousal, but it was becoming increasingly difficult. She was in love with him, and there was no denying it.

Rin slowly sat up on her bed, sighing. There would be no more sleeping, for now at least. Rising, she paced around her bedroom, wondering what her beloved Sesshomaru-Sama was doing.

'I can't take this, anymore. I think I'll go for a swim. That should cool me off. Maybe I'll be able to get some more sleep, afterwards.' Rin thought to herself as she reached for her sheath. Tying it around her slim body like a robe, she quickly left her room and headed towards her private pool.

In less than three minutes, Rin had crossed the small path of deeply inlaid rocks that led her directly from her bedroom towards her beloved garden. She breathed in the rich aromas that her flowers were giving off in the night air. She had spent a great deal of time here over the years, placing each and every plant, bush and small tree that her beloved Lord had deemed be hers strategically in places that would complement it's setting. This was her special place, given to her by the Tai Youkai himself, and not only did she take good care of it, she was very proud of the results.

Rin shrugged off her sheath, letting it fall onto the rocky path, leaving only the thin, short silk nightshirt that she wore. She'd decided to keep it on, even if she knew that she was alone. It would keep her cooler once her late night swim was over. Two quick strides, and she then dived into the deepest end of her pool.

"Aaahhh!! This is pure bliss." Rin whispered as she broke the surface, snapping her neck, throwing her hair backwards. Deciding to turn onto her back, she started kicking, letting herself glide from one end of the pool to the other, the moonlight shimmering upon the rippling water's surface and over her glisteneing body.

Unbeknownst to her, a pair of hungry eyes followed her every move.