CLAIMING KIN by Salome and Talon

Safeguarding

By Talon and Salome

Author's Note: We've commissioned the incomparable Jojo-kun to render two moments/relationships from this fic and will soon be able to share the pictures with readers. (Needless to say, we will shamelessly whore for art or other tributes as well as reviews.)

Warning: Shouta. Smut. Kinks of many varieties. Don’t read it if you don’t want to.

Sesshoumaru wakes from an alarming dream of chasing Kin. The sky was dark though it was day, the field was enormous and empty but for dead grass all around. There seemed no end to it as Kin ran and ran, making terrible strangled sounds of panic and fear. His legs were moving so fast they were a blur, while the grotesque shape of a bleeding, flaming bull youkai gained on him with massive, hulking steps that shook the earth at every landing. Sesshoumaru trailed behind both, unable to fly or go any faster. He cursed and sweated as his limbs were stung by the dead grass which caught on fire wherever the bull-thing touched it. It tore and whipped through his clothes. As the bull-thing reached out his massive arms to seize Kin, Sesshoumaru woke, lifting his head from his desk with a start and sitting bolt upright in his chair. He blinks a few times and growls into the empty room.

The sun is setting, long shadows falling across his desk and over the plethora of hastily scribbled drawings of the object he has in his mind to finally make Kin safe and let them both move forward. He feels his heart rate return to normal quickly as he looks at the various sketches with pride and dips his brush to add details to what he feels is the best design. He is proud to find that though the dream, like all of his dreams since the Incident, has shaken him, its effect wears off quickly. There is no question that his father's "treatment" is just what he needed. True, he is still catching up on too many sleepless nights and troubling dreams await him still; yet he does not fear them anymore. A few more flourishes of ink and he has what he needs.

He summons Jaken, who has been dutifully waiting for his Lord's call in order to present him with the list of the best leather workers the kingdom has to offer. Not surprisingly, all but one are currently employed in the castle itself, and by examining their handiwork himself, Jaken is able to rank the list of four without hesitation. One name stands out among the rest as the loyal little retainer presents the list. Jaken waxes poetic about the worker's dedication, skill, and ability to produce quality under pressure. The youkai knows well that his Lord will be a difficult taskmaster, now more than usually, so his criteria include not only artistic talent and excellence in manufacturing strong and durable products, but also an ability to remain unflustered. No pretentious diva will suit Lord Sesshoumaru. Such a clash of personalities will only result in bloodshed. Jaken takes pride in his wisdom in this, and yet there is more: he is contributing actively to making little Kin-san safer and in easing his Lord's mind.

Sesshoumaru's eyebrow raises a barely perceptible fraction as he notes that the name of Jaken's preferred candidate is young…and female. She is Akemi, a leopard youkai whose family has worked for Lord Tai's for generations. Jaken's notes explain that she works alongside her father, handling smaller, detailed pieces, and is skilled in metalworking too. This certainly fits Sesshoumaru's needs. "Let us go to her now," he says calmly. He will observe her at work, and, if contented, he will give over his commission immediately and demands its perfect completion with speed but not haste. It must be perfect: strong and resilient, comfortable and secure, detailed and beautiful. No one should be able to look upon it without knowing it is of the finest materials, ornately wrought, and clearly the property of Lord Sesshoumaru of the Western Lands.

~

Jaken strides alongside his Lord as they make their way to the chambers that house the palace artisans. Many of them have small, individual homes within the castle walls, or else rooms, connected so that they look upon or have access to the outside. Considering the wide range of artisans, the spaces for them are equally large. Huge rooms that house silkworms and demon spiders, prized for their silk, bubbling vats of dye, tanners working their various leathers, metal workers, weapon makers...there are enough workers here to outfit an entire army...and in the past they have been required to. But now, it is a time of peace and those who consider themselves artists are given leave and permission to practice their art in ways they would not be able to in a time of war. He sees the large, leather-working leopard, the male...the father actually, painstakingly fitting together armor for what Jaken knows from his research, to be presented to Lady Karesonomaru, for her favorite horse. The girl is nowhere to be seen, at first glance.

Sesshoumaru takes in the diverse sights and smells around him with practiced casualness; though in truth he is pleased and impressed with the wonder of the kingdom's artisans. Thoughts of a new, ostentatious shoulder guard come to him, but he brushes the whim easily away. He comes with purpose today, and nothing may sway him from it. He watches the strong, sleek leopard at work. "Jaken, have the female summoned."

"Yes, my Lord Sesshoumaru." He trots over to the leopard and makes his impressive speech, asking, though it is not a request that the leopard's daughter be summoned for Lord Sesshoumaru at once.

Hiro looks down at the green kappa, his eyes flickering once to the tall, beautiful inu lordling. He bows, putting his work down and going into the dwelling.

Akemi is surprised at her father's words, but she obeys at once, putting her meal down and hurrying outside. There, as Papa had said. Lord Sesshoumaru. She bows, and correctly addresses his retainer, Jaken-sama. "My presence was desired, Jaken-sama?"

Sesshoumaru enjoys the proper deference and the haste. When his orders are obeyed properly, is reinforces his inner strength and resolve even further. Kin will be made as safe as he can make him, and soon.

"Indeed. You are Akemi? Daughter of Hiro, the master leather worker? My Lord Sesshoumaru has a commission for you. Will you accept?"

The question, will she accept, is not a true question...it is ritual and she answers, "Of course," respectfully, as tradition demands. "I am at my Lord's command," she says softly and curiously, for she wishes to know at once what has brought Lord Sesshoumaru to her and not to her father nor any or the other leather or metal workers.

Sesshoumaru hands the small unfurled piece of scroll to Jaken to give to the leatherworker. "I require this object to be made to the exact specifications of this illustration. You are not to indulge yourself in approximations or whims. The harness will be worn by my brother and ward. Hence, it must fit exactly, never chafe, enhance his appearance, and indicate my power and protection. Do you understand?"

She bows as she takes the paper and examines it. A harness. There are notes in the margins, all the metal is to be the most pure gold, the leather must be soft and dark...she will have to find some that does not retain the reek of the tanning process. She is reasonably certain she can find what she needs without difficulity. So involved is she with the design and the challenges provided she does not answer her Lord's question, and instead has one of her own. "You have his measurements?"

Jaken bows and takes a small scroll out of his coat and hands it to the leather worker. On it is Kin's body, broken down into numbers.

Sesshoumaru is pleased that Jaken has this information handy. He himself has it committed to memory, having found various means of measuring and then checking again while the pup was sleeping, healing, mending. And it is no less than he expected that Jaken have it, but it is also reassuring. The little masochist has never failed him. He must remember to kick him extra hard and publicly soon. He will also make sure Kin is present.

Akemi examines the numbers, forming a perfect model of the pup in her brain and comparing it with the orders, she frowns as she thinks. Deer hide leather...perhaps. Gold buckles...those will be difficult to come by so small...she may have to make them herself. And it would have to be small, light and soft. She cocks her head at the papers, turning the one with the drawings on its side. She is not being a prima donna...she is seriously putting her skill and experience up against the difficulty of the task presented to her.

Jaken is patient. He recognizes her calm consideration, her posture does not denote any excess pride or arrogance...she is as he had told his Lord, patient, skilled, and level-headed. And intrigued, he can see by the challenges presented by the commission.

Sesshoumaru smells the leopard's complex response. It rouses him. She is not taking the task lightly; she is not asking questions before she has answered as much in her mind as she can. Jaken seems to have chosen well. He watches her carefully.

She retreats and lays the papers down carefully. The sun is setting, though some of the workers don't need very much light, and they may carry on into the night. Others are nocturnal and are beginning to rouse. She lights a lamp and studies the design and the numbers again. Deftly, she jots a few notes, then a rough sketch on a piece of parchment. "What other specifications do you desire, my Lord? Certainly this will be small and complex, but there is no reason I cannot make the leather say what you wish." The charcoal scratches on the rice paper as she doodles a few examples. "In the chest piece here...your seal could go here, either openly or hidden in the design. Also, how old is the pup? I can only allow for so much growth, before sacrificing something in the design. Having an idea of his age and general growth patterns will be helpful in the plan."

Jaken keeps silent, but he is delighted. His first choice, without question.

Sesshoumaru welcomes the invitation to discuss details. This must be done perfectly, every nuance correct, every comfort allotted for, every indicator of significance clear, every flourish unique. Kin must be proud to wear it and he must be proud to see it upon Kin. And there must be no question in any facet of its meaning as protection for his boy. He stands before the leopard in the glow of the lamp, his eyes ablaze with power and pride.

She looks over the numbers and her own rough estimates. Depending on the leather she finds, she may or may not have to line the inside. The buckles must fit just so, so they do not catch or rub or chafe. She produces her finest leather working tools for her Lord to examine. She knows without a doubt there is no one else in the castle who can wield them so deftly as she does. Even her Master Father calls on her to do his most detailed work now.

He has done well: he can barely keep his glee to himself. Oh, this will go very well, he knows. Lord Sesshoumaru likes his choice, and his choice likes the commission!! Now, hopefully Kin-san will like the result.

As he holds up a few of the small, delicate tools, Sesshoumaru contemplates setting up a workplace for her closer to his chambers, more isolated, where she can work in silence, entirely dedicated to her task until it is done. Food can be brought to her, a bed can be brought in. He may even remain at her side every moment until its completion… But no, he must attend to Kin as well. He needs time with the pup as much as the pup needs him. The leopard, however, should be devoted entirely to her task, night and day. And he will oversee it, every step of the way. Already he can sense her excitement. And excitement may lead her to whims…away from the harness he already can see so perfectly in his mind. He will keep her under tight control, even as she gives her all. He nods his appreciation of her efforts. "How quickly can you move your work area into my wing of the castle?"

She blinks up at him, green eyes puzzled. "I cannot, my Lord." She shakes her head. "No..." she looks around her. "There is much to be done, and I cannot move and do what is needed at the same time, and work inside, in a strange place? My Lord wants my best work, I am certain. I must, respectfully remain where I am...close to my materials. I can assure my Lord that my attention will be fully upon this harness...more so if I do not need worry about where my leather is coming from, or if I have all I need to fashion the tiny buckles this design will call for. I wish only to give you my very best, my Lord." She speaks very respectfully, but firmly. She is surprised, but not shocked at the suggestion that she uproot everything so the Lord may hang over her shoulder. She has grown up, after all in the company of great artisans, and knows well stories of temperamental Lords and Ladies.

Jaken is quick to intervene, on Akemi's behalf. "It is as I have said, my Lord...she has not one failed commission, if you recall? No one who has taken her work has been displeased. And she works well under pressure. Very well under pressure."

He turns to Jaken, bending and lifting him by his collar. "You overstep, Jaken. I am aware of her qualifications or I would not be standing here listening to the woman challenge my orders. However respectful her verbiage, the decision of how she will work is not hers to make. Only whether or not to accept the commission as given." He puts the quivering kappa down and turns to the leopard. "You understand this, yes? That there is a choice to be made here: accept the commission or reject it."

She sighs sadly. "I am sorry then, my Lord. I cannot in good conscience accept the commission if you are going to place those restrictions on me. She speaks regretfully, and dejectedly as well as honestly. "I never accept a commission that I do not think I can give my full self to. To do otherwise would be...wrong. And this project needs careful, precise hands." She gathers up the papers, along with her notes and bows, holding them out to her Lord. "My Lord Sesshoumaru must do as he sees fit, of course...but...I cannot promise my best work if you insist on moving me. I cannot, under these circumstances, accept your most honored commission." Her voice is soft and sincere and sad. She knows there are plenty of leather and metal workers capable of doing such work...just not as good as she can.

Jaken is rendered speechless. His jaw drops open, even as he still trembles from his Lord's anger.

Sesshoumaru firmly pushes the papers back into her hand. "The commission is yours, artisan. Jaken will pay you half the commission now and, of course, the costs of all materials and tools you may require. If there is anything else you require, ask Jaken. And expect my visits…regularly." He turns to go, then turns back. "You have my respect, and you will have my sincere gratitude when the harness is completed to my specifications…and satisfaction." He strides from the room, knowing Jaken will come stumbling after once he picks his jaw up from the floor.

She watches, nearly as slack-jawed as Jaken-sama, while the kappa rouses himself, bows, hands her a purse, garbles something akin to an apology and trots after Lord Sesshoumaru. It is true...nobles DO live in a world of their own making. Still...she strokes the papers with careful fingers...this honor is hers. And...and...and...Lord Sesshoumaru's...respect and gratitude? She blushes in the shadows thrown by the lamp and smiles.