Innocent Beginnings

Innocent Begginings
By: Maggz
Disclaimer: I told you, I own nothing!!!
Author Note: Revie Mak Make me a happy author!!!

Chapter 22: A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes

I sat at the vanity, pulling a brush through my hair, my thoughts scattering as restlessly as the wind I could hear picking up outside my window. Sesshomaru had indeed called Reika as he'd promised, chattering away with her as if nothing in the world was amiss - as if he'd never behaved like such a tyrant with me earlier in the day. I was angry at him, more angry than I'd ever been. I wanted to say and do so many things to make him sorry for betraying me.


But hadn't I betrayed him as well?


My heart ached to think of the pain I'd seen in his eyes when he'd turned to look at me earlier as we'd argued. No matter that he'd made me so mad I could've spit nails - I loved him as I always had and always would. I just wanted to know he felt the same way! I WANTED him to say those three simple little words and mean them in the way I meant them. I wanted him to know I'd belong solely to him in a second if he'd only ask it of me. I wanted so many frea thi things…


I stood up to check myself out in the mirror bolted to my closet door. I'd gone shopping with Kikyo over the previous weekend and had bought some really cute clothes that normally, I'd not be caught dead in. I was tired of being sweet, innocent, little Rin Matsumoto. If a woman was what Sesshomaru wanted, then that was what he was going to get. I smirked to myself just thinking about his brunette friend sitting at home as he readied himself to take me out to dinner. I wondered if she was angry or jealous and hoped to hell she was!


"That's fine, brunette! Take what you can get from him while you still can because at the end of the day, he's mine and he always will be. I just have to drill some sense into his thick head!", I muttered as I chose a matching wrap out of my closet and slid it over my bare shoulders.


I gazed once more at my reflection in the mirror and satisfied, slid into my heels and made my way down the steps. Sesshomaru had arrived fifteen minutes earlier. Deliberately, I'd slowed down my preparations for the evening… what would it hurt him to wait a bit for me? I'd waited three long months for him, hadn't I?


Stepping lightly down the staircase, I could overhear Sesshomaru's voice as he chatted with Uncle Ichi about the latest football matches. Their laughter drifted up to me and I smiled to myself - I loved it when Sesshomaru laughed! It was a full bodied, rich sound that delighted my ears and made me feel happy.


Oh, how I adored every frustrating, gorgeous ounce of him!


"Wow!", Kikyo whistled from her perch on the arm of the sofa by Uncle Ichi. "You look like a supermodel, Rin!"


"You look fantastic!", Sesshomaru agreed, rising from where he'd been sitting in an adjoining chair to walk toward me. I smiled, wanting to tell him he looked like heaven on earth in his snug fitting black dress trousers and a dark blue button down shirt. I could already feel my body reacting to his nearness and cursed it. I didn't want to catapult to his charms so damned easily!


"Thank you.", I replied instead and gifted him with a tiny smile which seemed to leave him confused.


"You do lov lovely, sweetheart.", Uncle Ichi smiled. "Reika was gutted that she wouldn't be able to see you two off. She's taken quite a shining to you, Sesshomaru.", he chuckled.


"She's a very lovely person, herself. Please tell her that I'll be sure to call again sometime later in the week.", Sesshomaru smiled politely to my Uncle.


"I'll do that. Rin, have a good time.", he said, standing to shake Sesshomaru's hand as we started toward the door.


"Thanks, Uncle.", I replied, rising on tiptoe to place a kiss on his cheek.


"Do be careful, Sesshomaru. There are supposed to be storms this evening, I heard mention. Take your time and be safe.", he called as Sesshomaru took my hand and we descended the porch steps together.


Helping me into the car, he leaned over me, fastening my seatbelt as he'd always done. I caught the unmistakable scent of CK Crave as he looked into my eyes and saw that he was smiling at me. I returned the grin.


"You smell nice.", I said softly, letting my gaze slide boldly to his mouth.


"Thanks.", he replied and straightened, easing out and shutting the door.


I waved to Kikyo who was still standing in the doorway. Turning with a smile, he waved to her before opening his own door to sink down into the plush leather seat. The wind had played havoc with his carefully styled hair and I found myself soon leaned over the console, brushing the mussed strands this way and that until he closely resembled the beautiful boy that had stood up to greet me in my Aunt's home only moments before. Looking into eyeseyes, I felt the familiar jolt of electricity that passed between us from time to time and smiled before reaching over him to fasten the seatbelt snugly across his lap. As I settled myself back onto my side of the car, I caught his gaze and watched as he allowed it to slowly wander my body. Tingles slid from my belly downward as I followed the path his eyes took and I wanted more than anything I could think of in that moment to ask him if he could possibly love and desire me as much as I did him.


"You look smashing!", he said softly, his hand inching toward mine across the space between us. "Slow down won't you? You're growing up too fast on me.", he whispered, his voice sounding suddenly very husky. I shivered but quickly realized that everywhere his eyes had touched me, I suddenly felt a flood of warmth.


"That's the idea, Sesshomaru.", I said, giving his hand a brief squeeze before he moved to start the car. "Where are we going?"


"There's a new place a bit out in the country. It's a nice, quite Inn that my Dad told me about. Very private so that nobody will bother us. I don't want any interruptions tonight, you know.", he said meaningfully as he darted a glance my way before pulling out into the street.


"Of course not.", I said, letting my gaze go to the dark night surrounding us outside the car.


"The dress… is it new?", he asked.


"Yes. I bought it last weekend during a shopping marathon with Kikyo. I loved the color.", I said, glancing down as I traced my fingers over the hem of the beautiful but quite brief seafoam colored silk skirt that now rode up my legs.


"I must agree, the color is lovely on you.", he smiled, his gaze just brushing the tops of my bare thighs. "What's that?", he asked suddenly, his finger sliding over the thin leather band knotted around my wrist. I gave him a quick look before clearing my throat… not wanting to spoil the start of our evening. Yet I should've known that sooner or later, the time would come for us to argue once again.


"Don't tell me… Your tutor gave it to you.", he said, sarcasm dripping from his words.


"It's a friendship bracelet, Sesshomaru.", I said, not wanting to say more.


"From Kohaku?", he urged.


"If you must know, then yes. It was a gift from Kohaku.", I answered.


"Some gift…", he snorted, running his finger underneath the roughness of the band to tug at it.


"I thought so.", I murmured, pulling back a bit from his touch. I remembered vividly the afternoon Kohaku had taken me into the village for a real country fair. Crafts, food, and amusements of all kinds covered both sides of the street we had parked on and we'd ended up staying all afternoon and into the night, enjoying a street dance before we'd finally took off for home. Right before I'd gotten out of the car to go inside, he'd dug into his pocket and brought out a braided leather band threaded through three small golden beads, a shy smile sliding over his lips.


"For me?", I asked, touched beyond words, for many times I'd openly admired both his bracelet and necklace .


"Yeah. You like mine so mucht I t I was beginning to worry you might try to steal it from me one day when I'm not looking!", he chuckled, reaching for my hand. Laying my wrist atop his raised knee, he slid the leather underneath it and brought the band up to knot it, biting his lip as he did so. Once he had it fastened, he looked up into my eyes and smiled at me.


"Friends forever. You can't take this off for any reason, you know that, right? The only way we'd be closer is if you let me cut your finger and I let you cut mine and we became blood brothers but since you aren't a BOY and I'm terrified of seeing my own blood spill… that just won't work.", he pouted, shaking his head as if it broke his heart, before flashing his gorgeous smile my way once more.


I didn't know what to say… I wasn't really capable of speaking at that moment. There was so much I could've said but I didn't want him to see me cry - he'd already witnessed too many tears from me during our heart to heart talks over the time we'd gotten to know each other. Instead, I simply did what had begun to come naturally with Kohaku - I slid my hands up to cup his face and pulling his mouth to mine, I kissed him.


"Thank you.", I said, looking deeply into his eyes as I tried my hardest not to cry.


"If I get you a necklace to match, will you kiss me like that again?", he grinned before letting his tongue loll from his mouth like a puppy as he made pitiful little begging noises.


"You're nuts!", I laughed, hugging him briefly before getting out of car car.


"Aye! That I am! Thanks for going with me, Rin! It was a blast!", he called out the window before pulling away…


"You love him, don't you?", Sesshomaru broke through my thoughts, bringing me swiftly back into the present. I looked at him, wondering how I was supposed to answer that question in a way that he would understand. I didn't see how that was possible yet I sure as hell wasn't going to lie about my feelings for Kohaku.


"Not like you think.", I finally said , reaching over the console to link my fingers through his.


"But you do love him…", he insisted, the reflection from the dashboard lights illuminating his handsome face.


"And what would YOU say if I did love him, Sesshomaru? Would you care?", I asked, my heart thumping hard.


"I'd say he's much too old and experienced for the likes of you.", he mumbled.


"Is that all? If he were younger, you wouldn't mind?", I asked.


"Of course not. As long as he was good to you, Rin.", he said, clearing his throat and avoiding my eyes.


"So it's his age that has you bothered and that's it?", I asked.


"Mainly.", he coughed.


"Well, it's not at all what you're thinking but that's all I'll say right now. I just really want to have a nice evening with you tonight, Sesshomaru. I don't want us to waste our time arguing with each other. I want you to fill me in on how things went in the States - what places you visited, what your plans are going to be after this break… and if you really even missed me at all.", I said, slanting my eyes quickly toward him .


"Damn it, Rin. You know I missed you. Of course I missed you. I told you that every time I emailed you.", he said, his eyes burning into mine.


Well if you missed me so much, why did you take HER along? Did you miss me when you had her in your bed moaning underneath you? Did you miss me when you were kissing her senseless with those sweet lips of yours that belong only to ME? Did you say MY name aloud when you were dreamby hby her side in your bed? Did you???


I shook my head to clear it of the things that begged of me to pop from between my lips! I'd meant what I'd said to him - I wanted us to have as nice a time as was possible since we hadn't seen each other in three month's time. I wanted it to be fun and relaxing for him. But just how to get him to see it the same way I did was going to take some work. He seemed determined to push us into an intense, face to face, confrontational discussion and I didn't know how to sway him from his desired course.


"Did you hear me, Rin?", he asked, his voice a bit more impatient than it had been moments before. "ZONING, damn it?"


"No! I mean yes, probably." I said and smiled over at him. "You hate that don't you? My zoning? Why?", I asked him.


"Because you go away from me when you do that and I hate it. It's a place that I know is deep within you and no matter how hard I try, I can't get in there to see what you're thinking or feeling. I feel helpless and I don't like feeling helpless in any situation, Rin but especially where you're concerned.", he said.


Wow! That was more than I'd ever expected to come from him in the way of a revelation. Wonders never ceased with my Sesshomaru, apparently.


"But you already know everything there is to know about me, Sesshomaru.", I said.


"Yeah but so does HE"., he muttered,


"Kohaku?":, I asked.


"Who else, Peter Pan?", he smirked.


"Don't be a smart ass, Sesshomaru.", I frowned.


"And don't swear, Rin. What did I tell you about that? Hmm? Is it so damned hard for you to keep your manners about you when you're out?", he asked.


"Well, Sesshomaru. I do reckon that your own behavior and speech is so very exemplary that I'm just dead ashamed of MY horridly reckless tongue. Please forgive me?", I batted my lashes at him.


"See what I mean? That Kohaku is NO good for you. I'll bet my first million this year that HE'S behind this swearing you seem bent on carrying on with as well as your bitchy little attitude!", he snapped.


"Well, yeah… I mean, Sesshomaru, I DON'T have a mind of my own nor even a brain in my pretty little head! So I suppose it MUST be someone else's fault! Don't you?", I giggled.


"You used to be so sweet.", he muttered under his breath.


"And use used to be so truthful.", I countered softly. "What happened to you?"


A moment passed… then two…


"Nothing happened to me, Rin. I'm still here for you, just like always… no matter what anyone else thinks!", he said vehemently, making me wonder if that unnamed 'anybody' might have already voiced their disapproval of our relationship. Kagura maybe? Just thinking the name made me want to choke him!


We pulled up outside the restaurant and he cut the eng lea leaving us sitting there, hands linked, in darkness and silence.


"I wish so much that I could make you see…", he said, turning slightly in his seat to angle his body toward mine. "If you could just understand… Could just wait…", he murmured, reaching up to touch my face with his hand.


"Wait for what, Sesshomaru? Understand WHAT?", I begged. Why wouldn't he just SAY it???


He blew out a breath and closed his eyes tightly, running a thumb over my knuck


"Nothing. It's not important right now. Like you said, we need a quiet, peaceful place to have dinner together and catch up on all that's been going on with us. Hey…", he said softly running a finger from my earlobe down to my collar bone. And as I watched, a big smile eased across his face, like the sun suddenly peeking from behind a huge dark storm cloud.


"Yeah. I suppose you never noticed THESE when you were coming down on me about THIS!", I said, fingering the leather band at my wrist. His finger then caught in the delicate silver chain of the dolphin pendant he'd give bee before leaving and his grin widened. I'd worn it AND the beautiful butterfly earrings along with the gorgeous bangle bracelet he'd given me for my birthday.


"I feel a bit stupid.", he muttered, his eyes downcast even as he smiled. "I'm sorry, Rin. I just want what's best for you and sometimes I go about it all the wrong way, I know. Forgive me? Truce for tonight at least?", he asked, leaning forward in the seat to nip the end of my nose with his teeth.


"How about for longer than just tonight, Sesshomaru? I can't bear this between us.", I whispered.


"Me either. Wasted time, isn't it?", he asked, running a finger along my jaw line.


"Yes, wasted time. Let's just have fun.", I said.


"Sounds good to me. Ready to go inside?", he asked.


"Sure.", I answered as he unfastened his seatbelt and climbed out of the car. I waited for him to come around to my side - my gallant knight in shining armor, he was - come to rescue me from anything and everything that might darken my path. How was I NOT supposed to fall in love with this beautiful man?


I took his hand and stepped from the car, thoroughly enjoying the fact that his eyes seemed to be devouring what my short skirt amply revealed. Sliding an arm about my waist, he hugged me to him briefly and kissed my cheek, nuzzling against my neck for a moment as we walked slowly toward the Inn.


"Is this a Bed and Breakfast?", I asked him, teasing.


!",!", he burst out before realizing I was joking. Blushing, he covered his face for a moment re dre dazzling me with his brilliant smile once more. "Why do you ask, Rin?"


"Because I'd love for you to bring me here for our honeymoon, Sesshomaru!", I said, a grin sliding over my face at his shocked reaction. "I was only joking!!!", I laughed, pounding him on the back when he started to choke. "Jeez!!"


"Jeez my ass, Rin!", he frowned, stomping up the steps that would take us safely inside the little hideaway he'd found for the two of us. I thought it was rather sweet that he'd taken the time to find a place where nobody would bother us, where no one would interfere but I couldn't have resisted teasing him if I'd tried. He was so ripe for it!


"I'm sorry…", I crooned as I rubbed circles on his back.


"Rin!", he frowned even deeper. "You're so bad!!", he growled before a huge grin moved over his face.


"I'm not all that bad, Sesshomaru. I can't help it if it's just too much fun to take the mickey out of you sometimes. Admit it! You've done the very same and WORSE to me many times before!", I laughed.


"Maybe…", he said as the hostess walked toward us with a smile.


Throwing one of his 'looks' my way, he clasped my elbow with his fingers to lead me as he followed her along to our table. Apparently, he'd taken care of everything… much as he'd done before. We were taken to a very private corner booth, seated side by side away from the view of anyone else that came in to dine. Already, thick white candles glowed from the center of the little table and our wine sat chilling in a silver bucket filled to overflowing withllialliant chunks of ice.


Taking my wrap from my shoulders, I watched in amusement and pride as his eyes went wide. I'd found a dress that could display what little cleavage I had to perfection - Kohaku would've called it, 'making the most of what I had'. In turn, I'd been unable to wear a bra, as it was nearly impossible to find one that wouldn't show through the revealing neckline. As Sesshomaru stood there, my wrap crushed in his hands, his eyes feasting on me, I felt my nipples tighten into hard little buds and saw his face flush bright red before he hurriedly looked away from me.


"Rin…", he whispered, eyes darting everywhere at once. I smiled, slid myself into the booth and looked up to find him gawping at me still. I rzed zed from where he stood, he could very likely see straight down my bodice and I was glad. It was exactly what I'd wanted!


"Sir?", the waiter had appeared behind us now, the hostess apparently having tired of trying to capture Sesshomaru's attention long enough to take my wrap away from him and have him take a seat.


Sesshomaru swallowed, licked over his lower lip and finally turned to the waiter, pushing my wrap into his hands without a word before scooting quickly into the booth beside me. Taking my hand, he squeezed it hard, ignoring our waiter as he stood at the ready to have Sesshomaru sample the wine.


"Sesshomaru…", I smiled, looking up flirtatiously into his eyes. "You need to sample the wine, I think…", I said, flicking my gaze to the waiter.


"Yeah, I know. I know that, Rin.", he said, quickly turning to smile at our server. A bit was poured into a crystal goband and tipping it, Sesshomaru allowed it to run into his mouth and then swallowed. "Excellent", he proclaimed and nodding, thiteriter then poured two goblets for us and took lea leave.


"RIN!", he tried his best to sound stern with me… so big brotherish… but a huge smile of shy appreciation finally won out. I grinned back, pulling his hand to my mouth to press my lips against his palm.


"I missed you. Tell me everything about America - from the time you landed in LA until you pd upd up to come home and don't leave out one single thing!", I grinned.


Happy to oblige and always the perfect spokesman, he regaled me with tales of his time in the new world. I'd never been to America but hoped with all my heart that one day, I'd be able to visit, with Sesshomaru by my side. I'd want him to show me everything he'd talked of - the huge hotels, the busy city streets, the celebrities, the stores - all of it! He made it sound so exciting and fun! We were laughing long before the first course arrived and still laughing when our dessert was brought. I was thrilled to pieces that he was smiling and happy once again - it seemed my sexy dress had done much more than I'd ever dreamed possible. I could actually see Sesshomaru visibly relaxing right before my very eyes the longer our evening wore on. It was like old times with us… but better.


"So… strawberries and cream…", he sighed, arching his back to pull at his belt. "I'm so stuffed, Rin! I haven't eaten this much in God knows when!", he groaned.


"Me either but I'm not passing up the strawberries, Sesshomaru and neither are you.", I said.


"I couldn't possibly eat another crumb!!", he laughed as I dipped a fat, red strawberry into the clotted cream accompanying it and lifted it, hand underneath to catch the drips, to his mouth.


"For me, would you?", I asked softly.


"Anything for you!", he grinned, opening up to take the juicy fruit into his mouth. I'd just found out that thwas was something overtly sexual in feeding a strawberry to Sesshomaru Hara. He chewed and swallowed it so sensually, the expression on his face rapt as he licked over his lips to catch the overflow of juice. I realized almost too late that I was barely breathing as he stopped to finally offer me a grin.


"Oh… wow!", I laughed, shaking my head at his feigned innocent 'little boy lost' smile.


"Your turn, m'lady!", he said as he casually reached for a piece of fruit and swept iandlandly through the cream before bringing it to my lips. I smiled, opening my mouth and taking a bite as he watched my every move. I prayed he found it sexy, at least half as sexy as I'd found watching him! God knows I didn't have a clue what the hell I was doing!


"You are such a sweetheart, Rin. WILL you marry me when you get all grown up?", he grinned, making my heart stop for at least half a minute.


"I'd marry you right this minute, Sesshomaru Hara and don't you ever doubt that!", I replied, when my heart started to beat again.


"If only…", he said softly, a look crossing his face that I wasn't quite sure how to interpret. I pressed my fingers to his mouth, laughing when he tried to speak. Giving up, he finally reaching for my hand to clasp in his own and just sat there looking down at me for so long that I felt myself begin to blush.


"One day…", he said softly before leaning forward to cover my eager lips with his own…