Changing Seas

A/N: Hey guys. I was pleased with the amount of reviews I've received, though some accidentally got deleted. I didn't mean to update so late, but life sometimes gets in the way of other things. Hope that you like this chapter. Please R&R. EK!

Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha.

Previously

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.

Chapter Sixteen

Rin felt the soft warmth of protection surrounding her as she blearily opened her eyes to the midmorning sun. Her heart was beating in rhythm with her soft breathing. A loving lazy smile spread across her face with a hint of fragile happiness. Feelings flowed freely through her body and she stretched like a lithe feline. She heard Sesshomaru's barely audible breathing and felt his arms come around her as she started to scoot closer. Her eyes filled with the exquisite sight of him. His hair was twisted around his shoulders and his broad chest, kissed with the honeyed tones of the sun, was fully exposed. Wanton thoughts floated across her mind and Rin carefully stratled his lean hips. She leaned forward and slowly began to lave his nipples and nip at them sensuously. He stirred slightly and buried his hands in the tumbles of her hair.

Making a trail of open mouthed kisses up his chest, Rin began to suckle his neck and felt his shaft start to rise to her blatant challenge. The hands in her hair side away and started to caress her sides and cup her breasts, which were quickly becoming sensitive and her nipples pearled up.

"Rin" her name was a whispered prayer on Sesshomaru's lips. He had been afraid he was having a dream, but upon waking more fully he almost groaned from the pleasure coursing through him, electrifying his senses. He was gazing down at her now. She had retreated down his body and was currently worshiping his lower regions.

He found it doubtful that she had caught a look at herself yet that morning, otherwise she wouldn't be so friendly. Sesshomaru thought she resembled a goddess. Her once brown hair fell in waves of gold and silver fusion to her waist. Her eyes though still green held a sharper look and her lashes were long swept up frames for her unnaturally attentive eyes. The curves that had once made all envious could now cause serious heart failure if take in with the full image, her breasts slightly fuller and perky. Her skin was still creamy and white, but held a plush rosy quality that a china doll would kill for. Rin also might notice upon her numerous discoveries that she had grown to an admirable height of 5' 10''.

When she lifted her salacious gaze to meet his depths he saw her hunger, which only aided in fueling his own. With strong arms he lifted the young woman up into his embrace and placed a passionate kiss to her lips. Her tongue came out to tangle with his own and to his surprise she pinned him down as she impaled herself on his member. The swift motion made her gasp at herself in surprise as she was stretched to the brink.

A groan left Sesshomaru's throat and he surged forward with a powerful movement of his hips. He caught one of her soft breasts in his mouth as his pace began to pick up with her mewling throaty cries. She arched her back and her mouth opened and closed like a gaping fish as he hit deeper and deeper.

Sesshomaru was growing frustrated with the slow speed and picked up the pace. Rin clawed at his chest in need and begged for more, pleading he go deeper; he did his best to comply and with a particularly intense motion he reached new heights within her. She screamed his name and her walls clenched repeatedly around him while shooting forth a gush of her own release.

Once she had reached completion the first time he flipped them so he was in a more dominate position. As he started to thrust more urgently she started to meet him with the same veracious passion. His lungs seemed to be sapped of all oxygen when he finally shot forth his milky seed. The vixen beneath him sighed in content as she too reached another blinding height of pleasure and pulled him down to her chest and closed her eyes.

They lay in content for a long while. Sesshomaru was contemplating on how best to broach the subject of Rin's transformation. It could be an excitement for her, or a horrifying revelation. Taking a deep breath he began.

"Rin?" She hummed in response. "When a demon mates with another they undergo a slight change. They has already taken effect in you, not to worry though," he continued on as she looked up at him in alarm, "...you've nothing to worry about. It is only for the better. Nothing bad will happen to you and you are still very much you, just minor features have changed." Rin's eyes seemed to have grown the size of watermelons as she jumped out of the bed and raced to the mirror.

She took in her overall appearance and was too shocked to say anything at the moment. She was gorgeous, but still the same. Rin knew the changes would effect her future self and possibly her own power. "But Kagome didn't mention having changed after her and InuYasha's mating." At this Sesshomaru shrugged.

"She mated with a half demon and each mating is different. Kagome most likely changed in her miko aspects, stronger defense, or attacks, or something of the like. Do you dislike the change?" Sesshomaru was giving her an assessing look.

"No, I'm just not adjusted to it. What else will it have effected?" Sesshomaru didn't have a readied answer. He knew she would be more powerful in some ways. He had thought about it himself will they were indulging in the afterglow. She was already an electrifyingly powerful being, the bounds of her change would have to be determined.

"You will have to determine this in your training today. I have to train myself so, you will have to discover this on your own. Don't be afraid. I would never have mated you if I feared for your well-being." He got up and hugged her from behind. The image the looking glass reflected was quite a sight. Rin in her new form and Sesshomaru in his usual god-like presence, the pair created quite a picture. He kissed the top of her head and she closed her eyes relishing the feel of total security.

"I love you." She watched through a haze of satisfaction as he said the same to her and then their mouths briefly met in a tender kiss before both separated to dress. They bathed each other at the water basin and then resumed putting on articles of clothing. Once both had finished Sesshomaru accompanied Rin to her training session and left four guards stationed strategically around the field.

Kagome was sitting at the usual spot and she looked up when Rin arrived. Taking in the younger girls new exterior, Kagome smiled. The knowing look caused Rin to giggle and take up her usual spot on the ground. "Time proved the key, ne? You are beautiful. The power radiating from you is also astounding. We may even conquer the elements in whole today. I'm happy for you." Rin smiled in appreciation and hugged the new mother.

"Thank you." Kagome nodded maternally and then linked hands with her. They centered and Rin felt exhilarated. Power exuded her and she opened her eyes to smile at Kagome when she noticed an odd shift in the air. Kagome was not right. She was infected. Something was underlying her power and it was unsettling. When Kagome noticed a shift in Rin's attention she opened her own eyes frowning. When she opened her mouth to speak though, Rin drove her right hand directly into her stomach. A silent scream formed on the miko's face. The pain was excruciating and her eyes blurred with tears.

Rin focused totally on the dark shadow pressing on Kagome's soul. She felt arms encircle her, knew the guards were trying to remove her, knew InuYasha was there and being held by an uncertain Sesshomaru. Then she felt she had finally grabbed hold of the tainted intruder and was in the process of pulling it from Kagome's body when she felt a searing cut on her cheek, then her other one, then her wrists and upon extraction a gash to her left hip.

InuYasha had gotten free of his brother's constricting hold and started to attack the woman who was hurting his mate. His first cut had landed, then the next, and the next, but once he had clipped her hip he was restrained and received an agonizing cut from his shoulder to his right armpit. His eyes closed in an attempt not to scream, but a pained whimper left him.

Sesshomaru continued to restrain his brother and a keep a watchful eye on his mate. She had released Kagome at last and something, some shadow twined around her hand and then with a wretched shriek the shadow disappeared in a blaze of brilliant red light. Rin huffed before leaning again over Kagome, but this time she placed her lips above the torn skin and blew. Her lips turned ice blue and a minute cloud appeared in glittery puffs, it flowed over the wound in Kagome's stomach and the when it dissipated the skin was healed and the blood gone.

Everyone was awed and even InuYasha who had watched wide eyed with pain, seemed to be shocked into stillness. Rin then became aware of InuYasha's wound and walked to him, she merely touched his shoulder and the shallow cut healed over.

"I never meant her harm. She had a virus contaminating her and her stomach was they only sure way to reach it, without puncturing the heart to catch it. I maybe wrong, but healing the dead is still out of my control as far as I know." Rin smiled benignly and then turned into her mates waiting embrace.

The guards moved to lift Kagome, but ended up backing away as InuYasha growled and lifted Kagome up. She was coming to consciousness, but said nothing as she cuddled into InuYasha's warm embrace. He held her in the protective cocoon of his arms, but looked at Sesshomaru.

"Your mate has done me a great favor, but I feel these sessions are too much for my mate, she will have to learn from you. I won't put Kagome in danger." The point was inarguable and InuYasha left with two of the guards. The other two were dismissed.

"I had to do it. She was in danger. I think I can master the elements on my own, as for the weaponry...I do not know." Rin was gazing into Sesshomaru's eyes. He looked as if he was contemplating something. He muttered an oath and then took Rin's hand.

"I know someone who can take over for Kagome. She lives in town, she is not someone I wanted to entrust you too, but your training is too important to overlook. You must not underestimate her. She is a known trickster and holds great power, nothing for you to worry over, but be on guard. " Rin nodded, not willing to argue.

They made a convoluted path to a small hut like house of dilapidated state. The windows were covered over with hand woven reed covers. The door was made of red oak and the roof was an elaborate design of wood supports and stone tiling. The trodden path to the door was dirt, and stones lined it.

The couple reached the door and it opened a moment before Sesshomaru's fist could hit the wood. "Enter" came a strong voice. They did and a dim firelight was all the illuminated the one room establishment. A mid-thirties woman was sitting on a straw cot in the left corner of the room. "Nice to see you Sesshomaru. I expected a visit sooner or later. And this is you mate presumably?" The woman had shorn shoulder length hair and an angular face, her silver eyes were set deep in her face. Her lips were ruby red and her nose was long and pointed. The expression on her face was somewhat friendly and for a woman her age her skin and figure were remarkably smooth and fit. She was assessing Rin with a rather rude obviousness.

"Tolorane. This is my mate, Rin. Rin, this is the great sorceress, Tolorane." The introductions were of regality and the woman exuded a venerability. Both woman nodded in respect, but Tolorane's was wary with interest.

"Come, tell me why you call upon me, Sesshomaru." There was a familiarity between the two that Rin disliked. They held themselves in an attentive regard, as if they had once been lovers. Rin snuggled more securely into Sesshomaru's hold, an unconscious effort at self-assurance. His arms came around her and he kissed her lightly, then met Tolorane's seemingly amused stare. She gave Rin a conceding bow of the head, a way of saying she had gotten the point.

"Hmmm. Certainly possessive for one so young and knew to love. I'll take a stab and guess you want me to train her for your battle against Naraku. Well, I suppose. I need a challenge. But first the question is, is she up to par. Allow me a test and I will willingly train her." Sesshomaru gave Rin a look, then stepped away in acquiescence.

Rin felt Tolorane's power rise and push her own, Rin didn't like it and thrust her own out at the supercilious woman. Her look of arrogance receded and she broke out into a sweat, trying to fend off Rin's power. Indulging in her own power, Rin pushed harder, barely using half her strength. Tolorane was a strong magical being, but nothing in comparison to Rin herself. The woman started to twitch and Rin backed off.

Sesshomaru watched the exchange and smiled when he saw Rin back off out of human decency. Tolorane turned to Sesshomaru and nodded in agreement to train her. "She has power beyond...most. I will help." Tolorane composed herself and then conjured a cup of tea. Rin sniffed in distaste at the woman's awful manners in the way of hostess. Obviously reading Rin's mind Tolorane smirked and conjured a tray of tea and floated it to both, who politely declined. It vanished and when she had finished her cup of tea, Tolorane arranged a schedule with Sesshomaru. Training would start the next day in the village square.

Rin felt exhausted from her impressive display of power. She yawned as she and Sesshomaru made their way back the long path to the Deadly Sea. Sesshomaru glanced down at the minx he loved and watched her sweet mouth stretch wide to release the drained sound. Sweeping her into his strong arms, he tucked her head beneath his chin and hugged her to him in a secure hold. No one had touched him the way she did. He remembered a particular time when he had been so ruthless that he had broken a man's arm in several places for talking out of turn.

He had been quite young and new to the art of leadership. His face had been less world-wary and his heart had been a stone in his chest. The young man who had suffered misfortune at his hand had been Remiki, an aspiring captain. There had been a grand banquet in Sesshomaru's honor and all who were worth their salt had attended in fine attire. A lovely young woman had adorned his arm in an emerald gown of high cut and low skirts. Her presence had been a mere ruse of romantic air to further popularize feminine fancy and manly envy. Sesshomaru had waltzed and quickstepped and even made light conversation, though his temper was on the ready.

Remiki had just entered the glittering ballroom when Sesshomaru stood to make a stoic speech. Every member in attendance had quieted in a split second, but in the background like a buzzing fly Remiki made flirtatious comments to several young ladies of common society. Sesshomaru had turned with lethal awareness and produced his whip. The warning sound of the whip's whistle before its actual striking didn't penetrate the young man's mind until it was a second before striking. Sesshomaru had repeatedly flicked the dangerous weapon before a collective gasp was heard and everyone saw the extent of the -then- first mate's condition. Sesshomaru watched with a cruel satisfaction as everyone shuttered in unison and then he banished the offending whip. Remiki fell to the ground and soon after awoke screaming in pain from the poison. It had been Tolorane who had come forth to undo the damage he had caused, there in starting a short lived liaison.

Rin had turned in Sesshomaru's arms with a light snort and pulled him from his thoughts. His gaze touched the features that had changed Rin's countenance in an appealing way. She had taken her new appearance well, but he supposed it was actually easier to assume a new image for her, he could also assume that she took it so well because it went well with the new turn in her life. Rin still suffered from her father's death, he felt her pain twist in his chest like a cold fist, turning and pushing hard against his heart. She was all to willing to embrace her new found power and features, it was her way of ending her own pain. He soothed her brow with a kiss and impulsively squeezed her tighter, which she unconsciously returned.

As they came upon the ship, Sesshomaru stopped and stared at the setting sun; it painted his life. The water, the ship, the land that he was still tied to far away which he continued to attempt escape from, and then his gaze shifted to Rin's face and his expression softened with his love. The night seemed to hold many epiphany’s. He moved on a few moments after his contemplation and agilely made his way on board his ship and into his lower cabin.

Jaken waited outside his door with a look of relief. "My lord, I was waiting all day for your return; I was going to say that InuYasha had come by, but you were no where to be found. He said that Kagome asked that he give you this," the imp pulled out a small poultice, "...it is for your...woman." Jaken seemed to grimace at the word. Sesshomaru put out his palm and clutched the mini-bag like necklace and then turned his eyes down to the servant; he silently kicked Jaken out of the way, not liking the way he was looking at Rin.

When the door was closed behind him, Sesshomaru deposited Rin on the bed and placed the makeshift necklace around her neck. He didn't quite know what it was, but he had come to trust Kagome. He remembered descriptions he had heard of her before he had originally met her. Some called her a short wench with too much attitude and self-placed venerability. Others spoke of her with admiration and kindness. Then there were those who described her as a filthy miko woman with a too uppity air. Those who had insulted his brother's mate had received his same reply, "Don't speak of my relatives in such a way for yours are formed from the lowest of putrid humanity. To place yourself above them would be arrogant and wrong-minded of you. If you're not careful I'll carve you a proper place into society." The men, or women in hearing range sidled away with nervous jerky movement. No one dared insult Sesshomaru, his power secured his own self-importance.

A squeak resounded in the cabin as Rin rolled onto her side and sighed in peacefulness. She smiled coquettishly and laid her hand on her lower abdomen. Sesshomaru pulled off his overcoat, doublet, shirt, trousers, shoes, and the leather thong that held his hair out of his face and made his way to the bed. Curling up next to Rin, Sesshomaru pulled her close and kissed her passionately; the moment she started to wake fully he ended it and then did something quite remarkable; he sang to her. A song that was sweet and soft, the words didn’t matter and the melody was that of the heart. He finished quietly not long after he began.

His soft baritone drifted across the air and filled the room. It was a sort of lullaby that had filled him. He closed his eyes as the last note died on his lips. Rin who had awoken rather than slipped off at the lullaby silently wept. It had been a soft short song sung by her own private angel. No one had professed to her such a love, for which the words pronounced, and no one had taken care of her the way he did, not even her father. She let the tears drain from her eyes and didn't bother to wipe them away. She closed her eyes and just felt his heart beat against her chest, a lullaby far more soothing. Her emotions slowed and the power of her love receded into her heart as she attempted sleep.

The next morning Rin found herself very much alone; she dressed expediently and climbed her way to the main deck. Sesshomaru stood like a figure head as he shouted out orders. He caught Rin's scent and turned to her. She remained where she was, waiting for him to join her. He joined her quickly after depositing a few more orders and reigning in a long anchor.
“Come, we will go.” Rin smiled broadly up at him and took his arm. They walked quickly to the meeting. Sesshomaru spotted Tolorane first and ushered Rin to her direction. Rin nodded respectfully when they got to her and was greeted with an assessing look. Sesshomaru wasted no words on the sorceress, preferring to peck Rin and leave, after all he had much to do.

“We are much hurried for time. You will do as I say, when I say it, without deference. Tis’ not a request.” Rin held up a hand right away, ready to argue. Tolorane plowed over any possible response. “I need to know you, that tis’ the only way to train you. I have total confidence ye would not bid me so much as a minuet fact, such as your delighted in flower color, but you need not speak.” Rin looked at the woman for a moment, confused, angry, and oblivious.

“So you need to know me. What is it you plan to do to find out?” Rin gave her a haughty gaze, daring her to start interrogating her about her past or her life in anyway.

“Ye know not much about sorceresses do ye not child. I have the ability to see the past, present, and near future. Just take a seat.” She conjured two chairs in a shadowy area away from prying eyes.

Rin begrudgingly took a seat and jumped when Tolorane took her hand, but did not pull back. The woman’s eyes glazed over, her body relaxed and energy and power sizzled the air surrounding them. Rin began to recall things: her mother, her father, the day Hiten arrived, the day she left the ship, the pub and the pirates who took her to Sesshomaru, finding out her father was dead, the funeral, the mating, helping Kagome birth her children, all the pain, and then in rapid sucession all her broken emotions.

Rin pulled back her heart pounding, her mental wounds open and her power was shooting out sparks of wild energy. Tolorane was watching her with a sympathetic look, though oddly her body was twitching.

“I am sorry; life was not created to be fair.” Rin looked at her tears glistening in her eyes and her nostrils flaring.

“I never asked for it. I had no choice in being born, no choice in being what I am. All the power in the universe could be mine, and I don’t care. I just wanted to be normal. I did not ask for special, if this is a gift-” She cut off for a moment trying to pull in her voice, which was escaping her. “-I don’t want it. I want to send it back, I want it taken away. You are a meager blip on the scale of things, so how could you know what I think is fair?” Rin took in the sight of the woman facing her and trivialized her existence with a look.

“Don’t try to understand me, because it is useless and demeaning to my character. Teach me what you know, show me how to win, then leave me alone. If you dare come near me, or Sesshomaru once this is over, if you dare look at him the way you did when we first met, if you dare defy me, I will make you feel the agony of my pain 100X over and amplified by my existence. You are a tool, and I will use you and destroy you if you abuse me, or my memories ever again. Tis’ not a request.” The last bit she mimicked Tolorane with.

Tolorane sat for a moment appearing as if she might run away in fright, but then set her resolve and nodded. The rest of the lesson was spent reviewing weapons and mastering the sword, one of Rin’s personal picks. She took easily to the art of it and quickly wished to move on to the bow, something Tolorane -courageously- vetoed. Rin waited patiently enough for Sesshomaru to arrive after the lesson on sword play was over.

Sesshomaru appeared late, but with a well placed apology, he headed off Rin’s anger. They walked in silence back to the ship. Rin went over what happened at the lesson once they got to their cabin. Sesshomaru was amused when Rin spontaneously challenged him to a sword fight, but the faded when he realized she was serious.

“Rin, I am a pirate. I have fought more men in my life then you could possibly comprehend and have more skill then you could possibly have learned in a day’s lesson with Tolorane. This is a foolish request and I urge you to withdraw.” Rin frowned.

“ Would you not honor a lady’s request?” Sesshomaru in turn pulled his sword from the scabbard.

“If you insist on this, then I insist it take place on deck.” Rin nodded, sheathed her sword, which she had drawn, and headed out of the cabin. Sesshomaru was close on her heels pleading she withdraw, but her stubborn nature persisted.

Rin stopped when she reached mid-deck and turned to face her opponent. She knew the request was stupid, but once he had mocked her for suggesting it she refused to let it pass.

Sesshomaru faced her and they bowed, as was proper. Rin waited for him to come at her. He obliged and she parried quick as lightening. They did the dance well. He thrust forward, breaking her guard where she was weak, but again she thwarted him by pulling up in a fast motion, pushing his attack back at him.

Sesshomaru watched surprised by her skill and allowed her to make a few agile, but predictable attacks. She swept at his feet and jabbed upward at his lower back, but neglected to swing her foot around in time to keep balance; Sesshomaru saw his chance to make her submit and thought it best, seeing as a crowd had gathered to admire the fighting pair. With a final slam to the deck, Sesshomaru pushed the sword through her right pant leg and trapped her efficiently to the deck, without hurting her.

Rin huffed and puffed, attempting to catch her breath, and pull herself free at the same time. Sesshomaru grasped the hilt of his sword and tugged it out lightly, then replaced it in it’s sheath. Rin took his proffered hand and smiled when the crew clapped and shouted her compliments. Sesshomaru took her below to their cabin again and praised her slightly.

“You made great progress today. You carried yourself better than half the men I’ve seen, but some of your moves were predictable. Tell Tolorane to coach you further in artistry and grace. Not that your graceless, but you need work.” He bent and kissed the top of her head before stripping down and curling up in bed, where Rin joined him. They both drifted off allowing themselves a break in the hectic way of things, unknowing of tomorrow.

A/N: Sorry it took me so long to update. I got good reviews and appreciated the amount, though some were accidentally erased. I had pneumonia, broke a toe, got a puppy, who is teething, and had a friend come over from half way around the world. Things have been a bit busy. Hope to get lots of reviews and that this chapter was sufficient enough to satisfy everyone. Until next time…..Egyptian Kiss!