CLAIMING KIN by Salome and Talon

Note: The Summer From Hell kept your devoted authors from the pleasure of finishing this little slave-shopping spree and getting the trio back to the castle where the real naughty fun can really begin. The next chapters will be up soon, sharing Rin's glorious adventures and other goodies. Sincere thanks to all who are continuing to read.

Kin and Onii Go Shopping, Part II

By Talon and Salome

"Oooo Onii, that stall has dumplings!! And that one...I don't know what that is, but it smells good! I'm hungry now and I wasn't so very hungry before. What about there? Or there? But she's very hungry and skinny I think. Hungry like I used to be sometimes only lots worse. Aren't you hungry," he turns to ask his slave though it's less of a question and more of a statement.

Sesshoumaru turns to see the slave's response. It makes perfect sense that she has not been properly fed. And of course it is now his responsibility to keep her alive and well, or well enough at least for Kin not to annoy him with concerns about her well-being that can better be managed by servants and the pup himself. The mention of food, however, brings his awareness to the grotesque smells of roasting fat, burned rice, and overripe and inferior quality fruit. He keeps the snarl of distaste to himself. "We will be at the castle soon enough. I am certain neither of you will perish before then. And I am uncertain your slave would not be sicker for the eating of what is available from these vendors." He turns to walk on, knowing Kin will follow and the slave will follow Kin.

Kin's belly growls loudly as he pauses and pouts. "But you said...Oniisama...you said we could get food here." He keeps pouting even though he obediently follows Onii. "My belly is very empty Onii," he says mournfully.

Sesshoumaru's shoulders rise and fall but the sigh does not come out of his mouth. He glances quickly left and right. Well. Kin can fight off illness better than even he can, and he doubts the slave has ever eaten better. He pulls a coin from within a hidden pocket in his hakama. "Get your dumplings, then, and be quick about it." He swallows. Even saying the word in reference to what he can see and smell from that stall turns his stomach. The slave smells pleased by his words…and filthy. He will keep at a discreet distance but is certain he will experience no complications here. He is well known by sight, and he has no doubt there is none in the vicinity who is or could be a threat to him.

He holds the coin tightly in one clawed fist and throws his arms around Onii's legs. "Thank you, Onii!! Come on, Onii said we could have dumplings!" He pads over to the stall and studies the sign carefully. With the coin Onii gave him, he could buy a lot of dumplings, but they don't need that many. He makes sure to let the leash out enough so that it won't yank on his new slave's neck and hops up to kneel on the rough table so he can see better. "I'd like six dumplings please." Six would be enough for him alone. He doesn't need that many, and he'll get more food when they get home, but he's not sure how many the slave will eat, but she is human, and he has noticed that humans eat less than he does.

Rin has been holding her breath, she realizes, and lets it go, just as Kin tugs and she's pulled allow at a distance. He's so full of energy it makes her smile a little, despite how strange everything is. His "Onii"—she wonders how he can be called this without protest. He is so obviously god-like, so powerful, and obviously dangerous. But he gives over the coin and they're off to the dumpling stall. They smell heavenly, and her stomach growls in eagerness. Just one will be more and better than she's eaten in so long she can't remember. She got used to looking after herself with nuts and berries and fish and occasional stolen bits from neglected campsites. But dumplings? Even the smell is a treat. She brings her hands together and presses them to her face in thanks, though Kin has not got them purchased yet and who knows if he plans to give her dumplings or buy her some plain rice or something less costly even for her meal. She bites her lip. He'll give her a dumpling, surely he will.

The old woman cooking the dumplings looks at the little hanyou kneeling on her clean table, and then behind him. Lord Sesshoumaru. She dares not refuse service, nor cheat the little...whatever-it-is to the young Lord, and so she takes the coin, and gives the six freshest, just-out-of-the-oil dumplings she has.

When the dumpling woman put the coins on the table, Kin counted them, mouthing silently. Money was harder than just counting, but he figures it out, grins happily and picks up every coin but one. "Thank you!!" He takes his dumplings and hops down, harness jingling and hands one dumpling to his slave before shoving one in his mouth. Oh hot but GOOD. He stays close to the stall while they eat, Onii won't want to smell it or see it as much as he can avoid.

Sesshoumaru could intervene. He doesn't trust the woman, who reeks of the desire to cheat his child but would not dare, but he takes in Kin's pride, desire to manage matters, and that is worth more than a miscounted coin. He scratches his chin and grimaces inwardly as the pup devours the greasy "food." The slave has been expressing thanks while he has been turned away, but he gives her the dumpling so quickly he does not see it. He appreciates the little sign of gratitude. It seems Kin may have chosen well.

Rin takes the dumpling her new little master puts into her hands and wishes she could thank him properly. She can't do what other slaves do and kneel but she can bow, which she does, despite the hunger, before taking a bite of the fried delight. She is careful not because it is so hot—which it is—but because if it is all she will eat for the day, she must make it last…at least a few bites. The lord spoke of food at the castle, but would they feed her or foist her off on servants who wouldn't care if she ate or not. The bond between the lord and his brother is obviously close, so close she can't help but wonder how quickly they will tire of her. But there are no answers right now, so she takes another nibble and chews gratefully. So delicious!

Kin eats another dumpling as quickly as the first, then stops and waits and watches his slave. He wants to make sure she eats before he eats more dumplings. After all, for him this is just a little snack. He could eat as many or as few as needed. His belly is empty enough to rumble, but it has two dumplings in it and is quieted enough for the moment. He frowns a little bit and cocks his head to the side as she nibbles. "There's more," he says. "You ken eat it all and have another one. I won't eat 'em all. I'm not like..." he stops. She wouldn't know anything about his brothers and sisters. "I got 'em to share" is what he says finally to try and reassure her.

She pops the last bite in her mouth and presses her hands together and bows when he can watch now. There's so much tastiness in her mouth and her heart is full as Kin offers her more. She is his slave and he uses words like "share." Oh, she is lucky at last. She chews and swallows and gives him a smile. Even if he didn't give her another one, he wants to. He wants to share. Even her neck stops hurting from the heavy collar she is so happy. She waits for him to offer another.

"Finish that…food and let's be on our way," Sesshoumaru calls, tone impassive as ever but the desire to leave seeps from every pore. Though returning to the castle will mean concerning himself with the slave's basic needs—for Kin will not settle for turning this all over to Jaken or Kini or some lower servant, of that he is certain—he would still always rather be in his comfortable quarters than among commoners who smell of filth and do not even seem to notice.

Kin smiles and offers her another dumpling, then turns to yell back at Onii. "Yes Oniisama," he hollers, but not too loud. He turns back to his new slave and grins. "Poor Onii. All this smells bad to him, so eat quick, but not too quick, okay? No getting sick."

Rin nods vigorously. Her tummy is rumbling as it fills. She might get sick. This little new master is wise. She eats her dumpling in small bites but chews quickly. Maybe that will be a compromise to fill her without getting a sore stomach. How could this smell bad to anyone, she wonders.

Sesshoumaru sighs at the exuberant pup, happily feeding the girlchild as if she were one of the castle dogs. Well, that is perhaps as it should be. She will need care, and she is no doubt of typical mortal ignorance. She will no doubt vomit up what she has eaten, if he is any judge. She will be in servant's quarters by then, he hopes. Or Kin will learn quickly and clean it himself. He shudders at the thought of her filth on his boy.

Kin shoves another dumpling in his mouth, thinks a moment and gauges how far to the castle. He knows they'll feed Rin when they get to the castle...bathe her and get a better collar and stuff. He eats the last dumpling. The kitchen makes better dumplings, but it's nice to eat outside in the air with his slave and so many interesting smells, even if he knows most of them don't like hanyou. "There'll be more food when we get home," he assures her. "Kin won't let you go hungry." He lowers his voice. "Kin understands what it is to be hungry a lot." He licks his hands as his slave finishes her dumpling. He had meant to split them three each, but he'll ask for dumplings soon to make up for it. "It's okay," he assures her. "Onii isn't real impatient yet."

Rin swallows and licks her fingers as does her little master. Her hands are dirty, especially when she compares them to Kin's. His nails shine and are neatly trimmed, his skin is pale and beautiful and soft-looking. She looks rough and dirty, she knows. She drops her head, ashamed of herself when reflected back to her in such comparison. Maybe they truly will keep her. Clean her and feed her and keep her. While once all she sought was freedom, now she most wants to be kept. If not cherished, then at least not neglected…or worse. And oh, she has seen worse. She waits for the dog-eared child-master to lead her back to his "Oniisama," her true master and the one who even now watches her every move.

Kin takes her hands and licks them just incase she missed any juice, then holding the leash and her hand he tugs gently with his hand. "C'mon." He's smiling, but he's almost always smiling anyway, and he bounces just a little. "You'll like it with me, I hope, I hope." For a moment, he wonders about Teru. Teru, he thinks, should be his. But he dares not say that out loud, even to himself. This girl isn't Teru, or like him, not really. She's her own self and that's why he picked her. He tries to walk slower, so she can keep up easier, but it's hard. His pull to Onii is near magnetic.

Rin is too shocked to giggle as the little master licks her fingers! But he wants her to like him, to want to belong to him, and how can she not? No one has ever been this nice to her, not ever. Even in this little time. She blushes at the thought, and is pulled along, back to the tall and daunting master who will determine her fate. When they reach him, she bows. She would kneel in the dirt even, but Kin is holding her leash so she puts her hands together and drops her head low. Please let him let Kin keep her. Let them truly go to the castle together, and she will be good and obedient forever.

Sesshoumaru is not displeased with the little scene. Kin is obviously happy, and the slavegirl is obedient and meek. She might even clean up well and serve as decent company to his energetic boy. Who knows, he might even get some work done with her keeping Kin busy…though never too busy for his Onii's needs.

"Oniisama," Kin sings out. "We are finished eating now." He reaches up for Onii's hand. "We can go back home now," he says, as though he's the benevolent lordling.

Rin holds her bow. She could probably look up, but it is better to stay as she is, to wait and go when she is told. Excitement stirs. She is actually owned. Actually owned by someone very important…and the boy who belongs to him. It may not last, but it is happening now.

"Come, then," Sesshoumaru says, holding Kin's hand fast, feeling best when the boy is either literally in his grasp, as now, or at least close by. He must be kept safe. "Come," he says again, as the slave is tugged along behind Kin, peering over his shoulder to ensure she follows easily, which she does. He frowns a bit at the collar. Soon enough she will be cleaned, better collared, and…put somewhere.

Kin bounces now and then as they walk through the people and stalls back to the castle walls. He flats his ears at one point at a bad feeling smell he isn't sure how, but he knows is directed at him. But it is gone and he doesn't look around to find where it came from. In a few more steps his ears are back up. "Onii, Jaken will pop his eyes out," he giggles. "He will, won't he, Onii!"

"One can hope." Ah, Jaken. It was always such a pleasure to make him "pop his eyes out," as Kin put it. So easily upset and such a happy masochist. Life in the castle would be dull indeed without his protective, excessively emotional presence.

"Yes, yes, yes," Kin chants happily. "Jaken will pop his eyes out at Kin's new slave, but he will be good and help take care of her and then Onii will kick him and he will be happy!"

Rin wondered what horrors they were speaking of. Were their monstrous demons whose eyes exploded from their bodies in this castle? She shuddered as she trotted along behind Kin, in turmoil as to whether life was about to become wonderful, terrible, or some strange blend of the two.