Innocent Beginnings
The King Of My Heart
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Disclaimer:
mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> InuYasha and Co. © Rumiko Takahashi
Author Note:
mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Review! Reviews make me happy
Maggz
Innocent
Beginnings
EN-US'>Chapter 7: The King Of My Heart…
EN-US'>As long as I live, I’ll never forget that very first Christmas I spent
with Sesshomaru. It’ll be something I’ll tell our grandchildren over and over
on Christmas Eves spent by a roaring fire with stars still in my eyes over the
man that changed my life… a real Christmas fairytale. For on that night,
Sesshomaru truly became the King of my heart.
EN-US'>He’d sat on the edge of my bed as I’d stood before him, watching him
take each little gift I’d made for him from the Christmas bag, looking up at me
with a little smile as he enjoyed each one. The scarf, he’d taken out first…
pulling his own off to hand to me as he wound the one I’d made for him round
his neck with a chuckle and I‘d been right, the color of the scarf matched his
eyes EXACTLY. The apple pie, he’d carefully pulled out next as it was nestled
securely in the bottom of the bag. A big grin had lit his entire face as he’d
lifted the plastic lid that covered it and inhaled the spicy aroma. Apple pie
was his favorite, I’d remembered that when I’d been trying to decided just WHAT
to bake for him. The card came next. I’d worked for two solid weeks JUST
decorating his Christmas card! I pai painted a moon on the front frosting it
with brilliant dashes of glitter that made it sparkle when he turned it this
way and that. But when he opened it up, I blushed… wondering what he’d think of
the poem I’d written him. Even now I couldn’t remember exactly what I’d
written, it had just seemed to flow from me the night I’d sat down to write it.
I only knew I’d wanted to thank him, show him how much he’d come to mean to me
and let him know that I loved him.
EN-US'>He closed the card, laying it atop the pie and placed both back into the
gift bag before looking up at me. I stood there, twisting the silver bangle
bracelet that he’d given me for my sixteenth birthday, unsure what his reaction
really was. He hadn’t said a word since he’d opened the bag and went through
the gifts… he hadn’t said anything about the card… yet.
EN-US'>“Rin.”, he said softly, lifting a hand to beckon me forward. “Come
here.”
EN-US'>My heart pounding, I took his hand, always marveling at the softness of
it. The fingertips were rough and calloused, but the palms were soft and warm.
He tugged me forward, until I stood firmly between his legs, my own thighs
pressed to the edge of the bed. He was looking up at me, his eyes all soft and
warm, much like his hands, I thought and I smiled without realizing it.
EN-US'>“What are you smiling at, Rin?”, he asked, pulling me down onto his knee,
his hand smoothing my skirt as he smiled back at me.
e:
EN-US'>“Nothing really. Just happy.”, I said.
EN-US'>“You look so pretty, Rin. Just beaul. Il. I couldn’t believe it was you
when I stepped into the room. You looked just like a dream.”, he said, his
thumb stroking over my hand. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of you. You did
it!”, he chuckled, wrapping his arms around my waist to give me a hug.
EN-US'>“WE did it, Sesshomaru.”, I whispered, slowly reaching up to run my hand
through his hair. So many times I’d want to do that, just take my time, feeling
the softness of it as it drifted between my fingers. Sure, we’d played around,
ruffling or pulling each other’s hair many times but I’d never had the courage
or felt the time was right to touch him like I dreamt of. I’d never thought I
had the right.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Tonight…
somehow… I did.
EN-US'>If he found it odd, unusual, uncomfortable or strange, I never knew it
that night. He looked at me, his grin widening as I tucked a bit of hair behind
his ear. “Yeah, WE did.” he agreed, giving me another squeeze for good measure.
I let my hand rest on his shoulder, just enjoying the warm buzz that seemo
fo
float around both of us. Just looking into his eyes.
EN-US'>“The gifts, Rin. I don’t have words to say what I want to. I’ll cherish
them, forever. They’ll be my favorite Christmas gift this year. Thank you,
sweetheart.”, he said, holding my hand in his own.
EN-US'>“You’re welcome, Sesshomaru. Happy C-”, I said, interrupted by a sharp
rap on my door. We both looked up.
EN-US'>“Well hello there!”, Sango sang from the doorway, her smile as bright as
the Christmas lights on the tree outside. I hadn’t expected her back and was
happy to see her.
EN-US'>“Hi, Sango! ”, Sesshomaru grinned, tightening his arm around my waist.
“See how pretty my girl is?”
EN-US'>“Yes, she’s like a pretty picture, isn’t she?”, Sango smiled, leaning
against the door. She’d changed out of her uniform into a comfy pair of combat
trousers, heavy black boots, and a thick brown fisherman’s sweater. I smiled at
the change, liking it.
EN-US'>“Come in.”, I said, moving to stand but Sesshomaru pressed his hand
against my knee and frowning, shook his head.
EN-US'>“Rest”, he said softly. “Because I plan to keep you really busy for tremaremainder of the evening. You’re not bothering me one whit sitting with me like
this. Light as a feather, you are and I’ve missed you.”, he said, patting my
knee.
EN-US'>“Did you really?”, I asked, my eyes flooding with tears, forgetting
Sango was in the room.
EN-US'>“Rin, why would you ask me such?!”, he gently admonished, then smiled as
Sango walked up to us.
EN-US'>“She’s worked so hard, Sesaru.aru. I think I developed some rather nice
muscle in these skinny legs of mine because of her!”, she smiled, reaching over
to press her arm around my shoulders for a quick hug. “You two look so nice!
Where are you going?”, she asked.
EN-US'>“Going?”, I parroted. I’d just assumed we were going to spend the
evening in my room or the Rec Room after-hours. Sesshomaru had quite the ‘pull’
amongst the nurses so I’d figured on a small dinner that he would’ve managed to
sneak in and maybe… just maybe, a bit of Holiday music to allow us a Christmas
dance by the fireplace in the Rec Room. A girl could dream, couldn’t she?
EN-US'>“I can’t say, Sango. It’s a surprise! Rin will fill you in tomorrow!”,
he said, planting a sweet kiss on my cheek.
EN-US'>I was stunned. I hadn’t been OUT in over a year. My entire life since
the accident had been spent in the hospital or at Sacred Heart. I wasn’t quite
sure I WANTED to go out. I was comfortable here- comfortable and safe. My heart
beat rapidly against my ribs and I swallowed, nervous now.
EN-US'>“Oh Rin! How amazing! I’m so happy for you. A beautiful Christmas
Miracle isn’t she, Sesshomaru?”, she cried, kissing my other cheek. “I’ll come
by just special to visit you tomorrow, Rin , so that you can fill me in. Have
fun, sweetie! Bye, Sesshomaru!”, she sang and just like that, she was gone.
EN-US'>“You’re afraid.”, Sesshomaru said after a moment.
EN-US'>“Nooooo… just… unsure.”, I said. Dear God, I didn’t want to let him
down. More than anything, I felt I owed it to him to act like a lady, not a little
girl.
EN-US'>“I like it that you’re always honest with me, Rin. Never change that,
ok?”, he said, his hand smoothing up and down my back. “Don’t be unsure. I’m
with you all the way. I’d never take you somewhere that you’d feel
uncomfortable. I’d hope you know me better than that, by now.”, he said.
EN-US'>“I do but Sesshomaru, sometimes…”, I said, my voice trembling.
EN-US'>“Look at me, Rin. Look at me when you speak to me.”, he said firmly.
EN-US'>I did and sighed. How could anyone tell him no? I wanted to meet the
person that could and grab a few pointers for myself.
EN-US'>“Go ahead… you were saying?”, he prompted.
EN-US'>“Just that sometimes you like to challenge me for my own well being and
so far it’s turned out right but THIS… I mean, TONIGHT?”, I whispered,
squeezing his fingers with my own as I tried to fight the tears that threatened
to spill.
EN-US'>“I wouldn’t do that to you tonight, Rin and I know what you’re talking
about. I know at times I’ve pushed you hard and I know we’ve fought about it as
well as talked it over. But no, tonight isn’t about challenging you. It’s
simply about celebrating Christmas with a girl I’ve come to adore and who I’m
very, very proud of. Please trust me, Rin.”, he said, the question there in his
eyes.
EN-US'>“I trust you, Sesshomaru.”, I said and I did.
EN-US'>“Shall we go then?”, he grinned, helping me to my feet.
EN-US'>He walked to the closet and pulled out my nicest leather coat. It had
been the last gift my father had given to me before the accident and I counted
it among my most prized possessions. Sesshomaru helped me into it, taking the
time to lift my hair and allow it to spill down the back of the coat. Reaching
into the pockets, he smiled when he found the light blue cashmere gloves he’d
brought to me as promised on his very first visit. Holding my hands out like a
child, I allowed him to pull them on as well as wrap HIS own discarded scarf
around my neck. Smiling at him when he tugged on the ends of them, making a
silly face at me.
EN-US'>“Are you ready?”, he asked.
EN-US'>“Yes, I’m ready.”
EN-US'>“Then off we go!”, he said and linking an arm through mine, set off out
the door of my room and down the hallway. I couldn’t help thinking how quiet
the place was for a Christmas night but it seemed everyone was in their rooms
behind closed doors, enjoying the evening.
EN-US'>I looked about me as we walked out the main doors… something I’d never
done since I’d been in the place. It made me feel like a totally different
person, somehow. I could sense Sesshomaru’s eyes on me and turned to look at
him, catching his stare. We smiled at each other.
EN-US'>Approaching the steps leading down into the car park, I faltered for
only a moment. Steps in any shape or form hadn’t been easy for me and I still
hadn’t mastered them completely. But I had Sesshomaru by my side now and I knew
as long as he was there, I’d be OK.
EN-US'>He cupped my elbow with one hand as his other arm slid protectively
about my waist. We navigated thve sve steps slowly but perfectly and once we
reached the bottom, laughed. Walking to his car… I’m not sure if I even
remember that at all… it was as if I were floating on a cloud. I could hear the
crunch of soft snow underneath my heels, feel the cold air as it nipped at my
cheeks. Laughter and tears were at war inside me and I wasn’t sure which would
win if I allowed emotion to take over. So I just concentrated very hard on
staying upright, putting one foot in front of the other.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“Madam…”,
Sesshomaru said lowly as we approached his car. Sweeping into a bow right
before me, he interrupted my thoughts and I giggled, unable to help myself then
gasped when I got a good look at his car. A beautiful machine!! My dad would’ve
just LOVED it, I thought!
EN-US'>A silver Porsche Boxter, gleaming with a fresh wash and wax, I was
certain. Sesshomaru had talked about his car endlessly so I knew every single
detail, no matter how big or small, about it. More than any girl had a right to
know, I’d bet. I knew he rarely got to drive it as he wasn’t home very much to
do so but that he made sure he drove it plenty when he WAS home and now he was
taking me with him!
EN-US'>He fished in his coat pocket for his key fob to unlock his pride and
joy. Reaching around me, he opened my door and helped me inside, even strapping
my seatbelt firmly in place before he smiled at me, straightened and firmly
closed it.
EN-US'>I closed my eyes and tried to calm my rapid heartbeat. It was like a
dream come true for me and I figured any moment I’d awake, disappointed that it
wasn’t for real.
EN-US'>He stepped inside, sinking down into his seat and starting the car.
Music blasted from the speakers, causing me to yelp in surprise before he
turned it down quickly, taking my hand in his, even as he laughed.
EN-US'>“I’m sorry. I reckon I must’ve been rocking when I drove over.”, he
chuckled. “You ok?”
EN-US'>“I’m ok.”, I laughed.
EN-US'>“Good. Ready?”, he asked.
EN-US'>“Yes.”
EN-US'>He pulled out onto the road, following it as we talked. I knew this
town… it was where I’d been born and raised but tonight it seemed different…
surreal… just like Sesshomaru and I. Pulling into a parking slot in the middle
of the busiest section of town, he cut the engine and looked over at me.
EN-US'>“You trust me, right?”
EN-US'>“I do… but -” Where oh where was he TAKING me? Were there going to be
people there I didn’t know? People that would have to know my story from
beginning to end so that they could give me their sad eyes and shocked glances?
People that would pity me and watch how I stepped just to see if I limped?
EN-US'>“Look at you Rin.”, he said comfortingly, his hands framing my face. “I
can read it in your eyes. You’re terrified!”, he said softly. “Don’t be. You’re
going to be fine and I’m not going to leave your side. Tonight is all about you
and me and Christmas night.”, he assured me.
EN-US'>“I know, I’m sorry. Just a little nervous.”, I whispered.
EN-US'>“I understand that. But leave everything to me, ok? I just want you to
have a good time, that’s all I care about.”, he said.
EN-US'>“I AM having a good time, Sesshomaru.”, I said.
EN-US'>“Good. It only gets better from here. Now let’s go inside and get
started. We’ve got lots of evening to cover and I’ve got plans for us.”, he
said with a smile as he got out of the car and walked around to my door.
Opening it, he extended his hand and I grabbed it, letting him pull me easily
and effortlessly from his car.