Changing Seas

A/N: Hey guys I was really happy with the amount of reviews combined from the two sites I post on. I hope that you continue to review. Unfortunately this fic is drawing to a close. A few more chapters and it will draw to a finale. Hope that you continue to R&R. EK!

Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha.

Previously

Rin spotted one of Sesshomaru's long shirts and though not proper, Rin changed into it, the only thing on under it being her chemise. She took comfort in the musk of the shirt and crawled into the tangle of bed sheets, hoping for a peaceful sleep, instead of nightmares, per usual.

Chapter Fifteen

Rin awoke the next morning and found a package of clothing on the end of the tangled bed. She sighed and drew in a breath with a resigned mindset. Drawing the package to her; Rin plucked at the strings and drew it open. Inside the tightly bound wrappings sat a midnight blue top that had flaring sleeves, and a tie off at the midriff. The bottoms that came with it was the same color, but the pantaloons looked like a full skirt and barely covered the soles of her white slip shoes.

After pulling on the training garb, Rin smoothed her hands over the material, almost like that of fine silk. She pulled out a decorative blue chopstick with white flowers on it and wound her hair up in a side bun. She gazed in the full length mirror of the cabin and a miniscule smile touched her lips.

KNOCK! KNOCK! Rin turned her head to the door and walked over to it; pulling it open she was greeted by a chilly looking demon sent to escort her to the training field. She tucked a stray lock behind her ear and then went forward to follow behind him. As she climbed onto the deck she caught a look of Sesshomaru. He acknowledged her with a bow of his head and then glanced away. Rin nodded her head in his direction.

Rin followed the crew member off the dock, down the nearby lane, through several alleys and finally arrived in a field full of daisies and white lilies. Kagome sat in the center of the field her back to them and she was glowing a pleasant pink hue. Sensing the pair presence she turned to face them with a smile. The man left and Rin went to Kagome's side as she was waved over.

"Sleep well?" Kagome smiled and sat quietly with a serene look. Rin was about to question her if it was acceptable for her to be out of bed so soon, but was cut off. "Miko's have the power to heal themselves and others. I'm in perfect condition. Thank you for your concern." Rin stilled as she positioned herself in front of Kagome on the ground. "You will learn to utilize your powers first, then we will step up to weapons through out the following week. Right now I want you to center yourself and then reach out to me."

Rin was nervous and fidgeted in place as she tried to calm down and bring everything into focus. Kagome sighed and put her hands on Rin's, which were folded in her lap, she closed her eyes as well and Kagome's aura soothed Rin's. "Breathe." It was a simple command and Rin amended herself to comply. Soon she felt as if she were at a beach, a lull of waves lapping at her toes. She tried to extend her senses and was shocked to find she felt everything around her. Kagome, the flowers, the air, the earth, her clothing brushing her extra sensitive skin, all seemed to jump vivaciously before her like nothing she'd ever seen before.

"Kagome I-" Kagome shushed her and commanded her to focus. Suddenly she felt it, found it, gave into it. Her power swelled with in her and rose from a dormant place in her soul she didn't know existed.

Kagome felt Rin's power reach out and shushed her when she tried to speak, then she knew the girl had found it. The overpowering waves of energy almost made her recoil in awe. She had heard the legend of the asceleco's power, but to feel it travel over her was beyond words. She forced her own power to rise and helped Rin reestablish control over herself.

They opened their eyes at the same time and Rin giggled at her own accomplishment. "That was...amazing." Kagome smiled and nodded in agreement.

"There is much more to learn than that; you still must learn to control it and call upon it at will." Rin nodded readily. Kagome smiled and then for the next four hours spent meditating, pulling up control, and trying hard to manipulate the elements. Finally Kagome thought she was ready for barriers and controlling the elements. "Try to form a barrier around you and I will attack." Rin agreed and sat a good twenty feet from Kagome and began chanting and calling her powers.

Kagome focused her miko energy, shimmering pink light surrounded her and she attacked Rin with all she had, the barrier lasted a good ten minutes under attack before falling and Rin defensively forming a water ball, the size of a tennis ball and launched it at Kagome. Kagome had hardly a moments notice before she pushed it up with her own counter energy beam.

"Good. That will do for today. We have made way more headway then I could have hoped for. Your immense powers are preparing themselves. Tomorrow we'll continue with the element of water and barriers." The sun was setting on the field and Kagome was wiping sweat from her brow, Rin was moping at her neck, both woman smiled at one another. They headed back toward the end of the field and was greeted by InuYasha.

The mates went with Rin to the Deadly Sea and said their goodbyes. Rin was exhausted and upon arriving at her cabin she nearly collapsed. She focused her energy to make it the short distance between the door and the large bed. The moment she was snuggled under the covers, Rin drifted off. She didn't hear the thunk of the lock, or the slight swish of the curtains as someone crawled in through the open window.

A curvy outline could be seen, silhouetted in the twilight. Lengthy locks fluttered noiselessly around the figure and the glimmer of a silver blade flickered in the light. The person slinked around various fallen objects, things littering the assailants path, and made a mental photograph of the room. Then, as the person reached the bed, raising a knife to strike down Rin, a barrier flew up and sent the person flying to thud against the opposing walls bookcase. Rin merely rolled over still asleep, but the blue barrier that she had erected stood ominously powerful and glowing.

The person began a soundless chant; the barrier began to weaken and the solid glass look started to waver and shimmer instead of shine. The assailant moved closer to the bed again and steadily raised the dagger, continuing to chant the silent mantra. Just as the blade pierced the barrier Rin rolled over. The knife pierced the mattress instead and effectively shattered the entire barrier, which, of course, sent off an energy field the area of the ship.

Rin awoke with a start as she felt her own power raise, her hackles surfacing. She twisted like lightening around and saw the person yanking forcefully at the dagger, which had hit the wooden boards of the bed frame. Letting out a shriek that could burst every eardrum in 2 mile radius, pulled back and lurched to the side, past the pursuer. Rin quivered with power and winds began to whip around the room, tearing all books, papers, and lightweight objects into a whirling gale.

The figure finally freed the dagger as Rin flicked on a light. Kikyo's surprised and flustered face became clear and she threw the dagger at Rin's head to distract herself from the shock of the moment. Rin didn't duck, but put her hand up in a way, as if to make it devoid of danger; it went straight through her hand, which healed instantaneously and Rin threw her hands outward, propelling the strong wind toward Kikyo, who had her back to the cabin window.

Rin heard footfalls and with a final shove of her hands in outward opposition, the wind forced Kikyo out the open window, the curtains wrapping around her ankles and ripping from there pole tearing out with her. The next moment the door was unlocked and Sesshomaru exploded through it. Rin was too busy removing the dagger from the wall behind her and hefting it in her hand, to notice Sesshomaru's dramatic entrance.

Sesshomaru shot off questions like bullets at an enemy. Rin paid him little mind as she fingered the tip of the blade. It pricked her index finger, and she watched with fascination as a bead of blood welled on it. She glanced back at the bejeweled handle that had an engraved L on it. Sesshomaru had come up behind her to touch her shoulder and turn her around. He gazed intently into her eyes and on pure instinct drew her bleeding digit into his mouth, sucking the blood off and laving the wound with his tongue.

Rin shuddered, but didn't pull away. She gazed into his eyes just as intently and when he put her hand back at her side could think of nothing to say. She watched him try to take the dagger from her hand, but an electric shock shot from the tip at his hand and he yelped pulling back.

"Are you alright?" Rin clenched the knife hard in her palm. It didn't cut into her at all it simply lay in her hand with an obedient air, as if it was supposed to remain there. Rin didn't puzzle over it, but instead approached Sesshomaru, who had backed onto the gutted mattress, holding his hand with a look of wonder. "Sesshomaru?" His eyes flickered upward momentarily, but returned to his hand, which on further inspection had a deep gash, to the bone. "Here, let me help." Rin grabbed his hand and softened her touch as she felt him tense.

"I'm fine, Rin. There is no need for you to worry." She shushed him with a look of stern reproach. She received a sudden thought; taking the dagger she lay the it flat at the base of the gash on Sesshomaru's hand and with slow precision dragged it flat across the cut, which miraculously healed. A drop of blood glistened on the blade and methodically, Rin brought it to her pink tongue, and licked it off.

Something powerful cracked the air and then everything went content. Rin stared, not at the dagger, but at Sesshomaru, who remembering himself, got up off the bed. He started lecturing her about windows and security and the reason he locked the door in the first place. Rin listened patiently, but nothing he said mattered. Once he had finished his tirade, she stood and started to speak as she paced the floor gracefully.

"Let us not fool ourselves to the real motives of your locking the cabin door. We both know the real reason. Just because you are angered by what just transpired and shattered your false illusionment of my safety, does not give you a right to berate me for wishing a cool breeze, and having so little energy after training, which you set up for me. I am still alive and from what just happened with this dagger I'd say that this was a good thing. I'm not sure how yet, but it is; so get over your self-ineptitude when it comes to dealing with me and focus on what's important. If I learned one thing today, it was to focus." Sesshomaru said nothing, but the next hour they spent in a civil aware atmosphere, planning their next move.

*******Elsewhere*******

Kikyo sloshed her way up to the shore about forty feet away from the dock; a man awaited her arrival with a patched blanket. She shivered dreadfully and snatched ferally at the man holding the blanket. The moment it was wrapped around her shoulders the pair took off. They arrived a half hours walk later at a broken down bar, it's dilapidated appearance didn't make it look very welcoming.

The second they crossed the threshold an abhorrent smell twined it's way up their noses. Kikyo, being use to the stench, merely continued on, whereas the man decided to station himself outside the shabby establishment. Kikyo sauntered her way into a fire lit room. A black frayed rug was placed upon the hearth and two armchairs were set in front of the dancing fire; a window to the left of the fireplace was cracked and a soft wind played it's way through the air.

Kikyo took the vacant armchair to the right of the fire and curled up tightly into a self-protective ball. "Did you succeed?" Naraku sat impatiently, his red eyes blazing. "Did you?"

"Unfortunately I was caught unawares that the small-"she paused with a look of abashment. "-girl. I broke her barrier, but she rolled, awoke, and then when I attempted to use the dagger against her, she...deflected it. I was thrown through the window and by this time, Sesshomaru entered the cabin." Kikyo sat head down with the look of a thoroughly chastised child.

"Where's the dagger?" Naraku held out his hand in expectation. Kikyo avoided his eyes and whispered her reply. Naraku looked livid. His unearthly eyes sparked with a feral gleam. "That dagger was a pivotal point, Kikyo. In her hands...DO YOU REALIZE WHAT YOU HAVE DONE!" Kikyo's head sank lower in her lap. "Get out." Naraku whispered in a dangerous softness that had the miko's hairs standing on end. The woman slinked from the room; she didn't even stop as she felt a dart pierce her upper arm.

********Back with Rin********

Rin awoke the next morning. She had been transferred to a smaller, windowless, cabin. Her only source of light was a gas lantern, which was quickly depleting its supply. The bed was a standard bunkered, but the beddings appeared to be pure silks and fluffed by encased feathers. The decorum of the cabin was a large vanity, with an intricately carved mirror, and a dresser taller than herself sat to the right of the vanity. It seemed as though Sesshomaru was trying to make up for his blunder in an unconscious way.

Yawning and stretching her tiny body, Rin prepared for another days worth of lessons. When she had dressed and opened her door she came face to face with Sesshomaru, himself. He said nothing, but formally held out his arm and escorted off the ship. He side-stepped Jaken as they left the ship and made their way to the same meadow. Rin had the dagger belted to her side and planned to show it to Kagome. Sesshomaru stopped at the edge of the meadow and took a guarding stance. Rin leaned up and placed a warming kiss on his cheek, quite a feat for such a small woman.

Kagome greeted her with a heartfelt smile, but the air around her sizzled with concern. She hugged Rin and then scanned the dagger, thoroughly. She was stunned into silence by something and Rin was alerted by it immediately. She snatched the dagger away, thinking it might have done something.

"Kagome. What's wrong?" Rin's brow furrowed and she shook Kagome's wrist as she glanced between the older woman and the dagger.

"This the fabled dagger of Life. It amasses great power, and the only one who can control it is the one with the power to create life. This person is said to be the key of existence, the mother of earth, and can either end the world, or save it. I should've know...Of course it would be you. I felt you yesterday and it was like swimming in the Nile Styx, but with life consuming me. The scrolls my grandmother left me said that this soul will have lived thousands of times before, but never, never, control the dagger, unless the soul is born without fault, pure in the baser sense of the word. I-" She couldn't finish because Sesshomaru had glanced over, making gesture for her to begin training.

That day they studied barriers, and soon Rin produced one that was impenetrable and mastered the element of water, then began wind. She had some experience from the night before, working incredibly hard to conjure it. Once they had finished that Kagome suggested a break. After four long hours, Rin could do barriers, summon winds stronger than a hurricane, and create water balls and waves. She still had four days to learn fire and earth, but that would have to wait, because as Kagome said, they needed time.

They drank some water Sesshomaru brought for them and Rin swept a strand of sweaty hair from her face. As the sun began to set Kagome was ushered away by InuYasha, who had come when Kagome was a half hour late. Rin sat in the field manipulating her energy and felt Sesshomaru as she began to moved the distance to her from the end of the field. She felt his youkai press against her power and unconsciously allowed her power to swell, threatening his own power, so as not to feel insignificant in contrast.

"Rin." Sesshomaru didn't seem fazed by her show of impressive power. He held out a hand, but she shook her head in refusal to his request. She need to prepare more, though she was exhausted and need sleep, she refused. "Rin, you need rest. No one, not even youkai push themselves this far. It is dangerous." When she remained adamant he attempted to pick her up, she erected a shield, not hurting him, but keeping him at a distance.

"You hold me at arms length, all the time, but now it's my turn to protect myself." Her voice quivered. This was no longer about him. After the night before, Rin felt lost and scared. She knew that Sesshomaru could only protect her to an extent, and with him constantly putting space between them he was leaving her on her own, even if it was just mentally. She had made the decision to acquire the abilities to protect herself, because like her father she only had herself to keep death at bay, but he had even been to weak to protect himself, she could not, no would not, let herself be that venerable. "If you care so much sit and wait till I'm ready." It was a challenge and he dutifully obliged by taking a seat opposite her.

Rin didn't lower her defenses. She sat quietly in tranquility, meditating, calling her powers, trying to find something deeper than herself, when she hit something. An untapped nerve, a riling energy. The power overtook her and she opened her eyes and mouth in a silent scream, they glowed white and she gazed at Sesshomaru unseeingly. Images flew across her mind, one after another in rapid succession. She saw herself young and fragile, then old and haggard. She witnessed passed events, saw what looked like another person in a different era, but knew it was herself. Then the last and most frightening thing, happened, she could see nothing, but felt a pain, a death, and a birth, all come together and explode through her senses, before everything came into view and she fell forward on her hands spitting out blood that coated the inside of her mouth.

Sesshomaru remained silent, feeling her probe herself and push her limits, then he felt nothing, but numbness as Rin's face gleamed pearly and her mouth and eyes shown a white color. She began to shake, her face broke into sweat, her hair flew around her as the field of flowers became torrent with twists, all of which ripped the earth of it's blooms and the waves of the far off shore could be seen over the buildings rising and falling ominously. Then as quickly as it happened all was gone, and Rin fell forward on all her hands and knees sputtering blood and panting uncontrollably.

At once he pushed against the barer and was not met with resistance, but readily accepted in. Rin clung to him the moment he pulled her into his arms. Her frail fingers clenched in his clothes and she nuzzled his chest. Sesshomaru lifted her effortlessly into his embrace and took off to his ship. The waves that had been seen earlier had washed the streets and tons of dying fish flapped about, poor people scooping up as much as possible and running to their homes, or havens.

The ships at dock were drenched and battered, but Sesshomaru cared not as he sped to his cabin, which had been fixed in their absence. Laying Rin on the new bed, Sesshomaru gathered rags and water, immediately cleaning her mouth and face. He ordered Jaken to get her new clothes and bring in the hip bath right away, the moment he was gone men started milling in and out of the room giving Sesshomaru towels, and soaps, and the requested clothing. No more than ten minutes after the order for a bath, did four men come in carrying the heavy parcel, filled to the brim with steaming water.

Rin was meekly attempting to seat up, but Sesshomaru pushed her forcefully on her breastbone, holding her easily in place. He, unabashedly, stripped her of her clothing and lifted her into the hot water. She hissed at the contact, but other than that made no protest. Sesshomaru bathed her with the most expensive soaps at their disposal and tenderly attended her hair and face, scrubbing lightly. Once she was completely clean he effortlessly lifted her out of the tub and wrapped warm towels around her, transporting her to his bed. She again tried to sit up, even if just to dress, but was pushed down repeatedly.

Sesshomaru took lotions and lathered her body in the feminine product, taking care not to miss anywhere. When she was completely relaxed and lazy, he pulled out a robe, it was one he had had Jaken himself deliver. Fitting the material around her and tying it off at the waist, he gazed down at Rin. Her hair was combed through and a lily shaped comb held the drying hair in a soft bun on the top of her head. Both the robe and the comb were blue and Sesshomaru was the only one who knew how valuable both were, for they had once been his mothers.

"Sesshomaru I-" he shushed her with a finger on her lips and then, for the first time allowed his eyes to soften. He massaged her cheek and let it fall the her neck to rest.

"Rin, I am sorry." He saw her look at him in surprise and was going to ask for what when he continued. "I am sorry that I can't always protect you, but with every breath I take I will try. Because Rin, though I'm not suppose to, and it shouldn't be for your protection.....I love you. My whole life I have never felt it, not for my father, or my mother, or my brother, but for you, who insults me, reprimands me, cares for me, loves me, and knows me, I love you. I shouldn't because that makes you a target, I shouldn't because you deserve better, I shouldn't because I can't protect you always, but I do because you are my breath, my life, my heart, and nothing I do can change that." Sesshomaru took in the tears the glistened in her eyes and the way her mouth convulsed as she tried not to sop, then leaned forward and kissed her.

Rin's heart had stopped, time had stood still, and the world ceased to exist as his lips met hers. She felt the bed shift as he sat by her side and his hands pulled her up to him in a needy kiss that surprised her. She shifted to wrap her arms around him. She felt much better from earlier and her energy had already healed her mouth. Rin opened her lips and felt his tongue delve into her mouth, sweeping passionately against her own. She slowly, so he knew what she was doing pealed away his shirt and he leaned back to allow her more freedom with her hands. She pulled off his button top and tossed it uncaringly to the floor. Acknowledging her hunger for him she leaned to take care of his trousers, but his hands stopped her.

With gentle demand Sesshomaru placed her hands at her sides as he undressed himself and then climbed in bed with her. He allowed her the liberty to touch his chest and soothe her hands delicately across his muscles. Leaning forward though he kissed her again, this time with a soft, caress, a slip of his silken lips across her own and then lowered his head to her exposed neck. He sucked gently on her flesh and his right hand pulled free the comb he had taken so much care to put in place, then with deliberation, slid his left hand down into the robe. His hand played lightly against her breast and he felt her nipples bead into hard pearly nubs under his attentions.

Rin grasped tightly onto Sesshomaru's shoulders as his touch skimmed across her chest. She felt need, hot and strong, pool in her lower abdomen and wetness begin to gather at her core. She felt Sesshomaru's hand leave her hair as he untied the knotted strap that held her robe in place. She released her own hold on his to he could peel the garment from her. When he had done this she lay back and felt as he positioned himself over her and then his hands, which had returned to her chest, fell away, his moist pink tongue flicked over her right nipple in their place.

Sesshomaru grabbed her hips as he covered her breast with his mouth, suckling like a newborn, and then switched to give the other his attention. The woman below him was moaning softly and her hands had dug into his hair, pulling at it giving off a pleasurable pain. He moved his mouth lower and licked a path to her belly button, where he dipped his tongue inside and then lifted his head to blow on it, which seemed to excite her as she moaned again. He continued on after this discovery and once he reached her center stuck his nose into her nether lips. She moaned as his mouth began to pleasure her, excite and entice her.

Rin's head was tossing wildly from side to side as her body withered under her love's ministrations. She felt a building coil twining in familiarity inside her stomach. She moaned his name and then he licked her nub and all burst into wild orgasmic glow. Rin called his name softly and felt him make his slow progression up her body. With skilled hands he soothed her fevered flesh and that's when she felt his massive erection bump her inner thigh. He kissed her as he positioned himself at her entrance and pushed inside with a slow easy glide.

Sesshomaru felt her inner muscles clench him sensually as he was accepted in. His senses were going wild, rampart with his rapture. He started a slow agonizing pace, but as the female beneath him began to moan he slid in and out faster and more powerfully. She was clenching him tighter and he was gritting his teeth with the anticipation. When he was on the verge of release he pulled out and nudged her gentle to roll over. She took the hint instantly and with a frustrated sound turned over on her hands and knees.

No sooner had she found her balance did he push forcefully into her opening. He slid deeper than she had felt before and organismed again, just from the sheer intensity of the act. Sesshomaru was gaining speed, he started to lick a tender spot on her shoulder and with a final thrust of his strong hips he bent his head and sank his fangs into her at the same time as his seed shot forward into her awaiting womb. After several seconds he removed his teeth and laved over the wound.

Once he went limp he pulled out and Rin moaned, falling forward exhausted and yet again sweaty from the pairs activity. Sesshomaru leaned forward and pulled her back up against his chest. He fell to the side with her in his arms and neither noticed the dagger by the tub glowing blue, as an unknown ceremony was completed. Rin turned exhaustedly into her lovers chest and kissed his neck, then his chin and finally his mouth. He returned her affection and when he pulled back simultaneously they said, "I love you,". With a content sigh Rin tucked her head under Sesshomaru's chin and he grabbed the covers, pulling the blanket up to hid their nudity.

'She's finally mine." That was his last thought before sleep claimed him.

A/N: He he. I love it. I had planned to make the whole Sesshomaru proclaiming his love thing in the midst of war, but then it didn't fit with what I have planned so I thought his would be great. I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. It took a lot out of me and a lot of my time. I expect five reviews at the least before I update next. Until next time.....Egyptian Kiss!