Changing Seas

A/N: Okay well I've read the reviews and I have received a pleasing amount. It is clear that people wish me to continue, so I shall. I hope that those who did review will continue to do so from now on. Thank you for all your reviews. I have enjoyed them. I hope you enjoy my newest update. EK!

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.

Previously

Her first kiss. God only knows what drove her to do it, but it was the single most amazing moment in her life. She gave her first kiss to the most feared man in all existence and she was absolutely brimming with happiness. She didn't know what tomorrow would be like, or the rest of her life for that matter, but she would carry that moment with her for eternity.

Sighing in a bubbly manner she fell backward onto her bed and dozed off into an imaginative sleep.

Chapter Seven

Early morning rays of sunshine beamed through Rin's cabin. She'd slept with the utmost tranquility. Flashes from the previous day appeared before her sleep mind. A whimsical smile playing at the corners of her lips, as she tossed back the silky thick comforter. Rin glanced out her window and saw that the crystal blue waves of the sea were calm and reflecting brilliantly.

Sounds of the crew members scurrying about in preparation for coming into harbor caused a faint sigh to pass her lips. Today Sesshomaru would bargain away her freedom and then she would never see him again. Despite that gloomy thought she dressed in a gown that had appeared on the end of her bed. Sesshomaru had done that a lot lately, leaving her new gowns to try on. This one was most magnificent yet. The bodice was cut low in the front, not indecently, but enough to show the tops of her breast. The taut top cut into a V at her hips, where it fanned out into full skirts of muslin and shimmering silver. Her arms laden in puffy sleeves, which had silver as well. The bodice had lace over it that matched the ruffles at the end of the sleeves.

Looking herself over in the mirror Rin smiled. She had never liked dressing up like some doll, to be stared at, but for some reason the gowns she received from Sesshomaru made her feel like a princess.

A light tapping at her door acknowledged Sesshomaru's presence. He opened the door with his usual chilly demeanor in place. Trying to look indifferent to the girl before him he swept a swift gaze over her. She looked beautiful in the gown he'd given her. He hadn't rested much last night, thinking of the slip of a female that was now in his sight. She looked even more radiant than he'd first remembered. Her hair was back in a jeweled comb and her smile ever dazzling.

"Rin. We make port in half hour and Jaken will be taking you to top deck. You're to wait there until I summon you. Do you understand?" She looked into his golden eyes and sadness flickered in them. She felt it too. That overwhelming weight that seemed to be pressing on her spirits. She didn't want to go. She didn't want to leave him. Putting on a brave front she nodded, though her smile slipped she quickly replaced it with a false one. He nodded and in a blink he'd gone.

*********Half Hour later*********

Sesshomaru watched from his seat on the boat taking him to shore. His gaze never drifting from Rin's form. Her false bravado touched him. He didn't want to let her go, not now. His instincts were roaring that he keep her, the land he wanted wasn't that important. He could easily take Rin and leave, Tsumiji would not be able to find him, let alone defeat him. He could whisk her away to one of his many lands and put her up in his castle.

'What then? Make her his mate? How ridiculous. I barely know her. No. I will follow through with this, get the land and then hand over the girl and be done with this.' Even with his resolve set, something inside him knew better.

The second the boat hit land and he made his way to town, he could smell the signs of life. Putrid stench of humans, youkai, and half breeds alike. He singled out Tsumiji's scent and followed it to the local tavern. Sweat and ale immediately assaulted his nose and it took great will not to cover it. In the far back corner of the dingy little establishment sat the feared captain. His crew was easily distinguishable to Sesshomaru for they were all wearing the same pistol, planted on their right hips in the holder.

Pushing his way through the crowd, Sesshomaru took the chair directly across from his enemy. The fury was blazing in Tsumiji's eyes, like looking into the pits of hell. Sesshomaru's were the same artic unreadable ones.

"Where is my daughter?" Though spoken a whisper, it came out as fierce as if he'd bellowed it.

"In due time, Captain. I came to make a deal." Tsumiji snarled like a wild animal and didn't say anything. "I want your lands. In return you get the girl." The glare Kizu received would have sent any other enemy fleeing.

"You will give me my daughter back and that IS the end of it!" Sesshomaru just stared at him with penetrating eyes.

"I will slit her throat. Unless you give me her lands. You're hardly in a position to argue." Tsumiji seemed to become rigid at the mention of harm befalling his little girl.

"Half. I will give you have my lands, in exchange for my daughter." Tsumiji waited for a reply. Sesshomaru sat pensive for several moments before shaking his head.

"All of it, or I will sail from this harbor with her." Tsumiji nervously ran his fingers through his hair. He couldn't, no, wouldn't give up all his lands!

"Three quarters, final offer." Sesshomaru stood up and turned for an abrupt departure. "Wait! Where are you going?" Sesshomaru turned and as he did so Tsumiji gave a pointed look to his crew. They sprang to action. Some drawing pistols, others swords. Sesshomaru, faster than anyone could see, whipped out his sword and with quick well made swipes took out half the men. He turned back to Tsumiji, who had his own sword drawn. They squared off for several seconds before Sesshomaru disarmed him and held his sword to his opponent’s throat.

"Tell your men to back down, or I shall be forced to kill the lot." Tsumiji who had a defiant glare did not comply. Without a seconds thought, Sesshomaru turned pulled a pistol from his side in a tenth of a second and shot three men. Turning back to his hostage he gave the same command. This time Tsumiji complied and with haste. "You have decided your daughter’s fate, sir. Now live with it." The only thing that showed proof Sesshomaru had once been in the bar, were the men lying dead around the pub and his sword stuck in the wooden wall, a fraction of an inch from cutting Captain Tsumiji's throat.

*********With Rin*********

Rin stood, the wind whipping at her hair, gazing out at the shore. Her nerves were in a flutter. She knew that the right thing was for her to go back to her father, but her gut was shouting in opposition. They'd been waiting for the captain to return for almost ten minutes. Jaken, the snid little imp, had nearly damaged her hearing when he shouted out at the sight of Sesshomaru, who was quickly rowing to the ship. Rin's father no where to be seen.

When Sesshomaru boarded the ship, he made a beeline for her and without a word, took her below deck to her quarters. She didn't protest, just followed in bewilderment. Once she was placed on the bed, the door was shut with a tight and irritating thump. Sesshomaru turned slowly, composing himself as quickly as he could.

"What has happened? Where is my father? Did the meeting go well? Was there-" Her sentence was cut short by a quick, impulsive kiss. It was short and chaste, almost. He pulled away before she could respond and it seemed he took her power of speech with it.

"Your father is back on shore. He refused my terms, so I am afraid that you will just have to accustom yourself to my ship." Though Sesshomaru knew very well he had purposefully declined the very generous proposal, he didn't care. Some part of him knew he'd find reason not to hand over Rin, whether or not Rin's father agreed to his terms. He stared at her. He hadn't meant to kiss her again, it kind of just happened. Best solution to keep her from rambling on and on, or at least that's how he justified it.

Rin's face was like a theatrical production. Emotions skirting across her face in rapid succession. Relief, sadness, anger, and then finally contentment. She looked peaceful and angelic, almost fragile. Rin eventually met his eyes and instantaneously she broke out into a smile. Her cheeks becoming round and her lips spread wide allowing view to her gleaming white teeth. Her eyes lit with a dancing joy that warmed his heart. Pushing those thoughts aside, Sesshomaru nodded and turned to leave. But a tiny whisper made it to his ears upon his leave.

"I'm glad." That was all she said before the door once again closed and a strange feeling, he was unwilling to examine, spread through him.

A/N: Okay It was a little longer than most chapters. I'm sorry that my chapters aren't very long, but I don't have enough time in my life to contemplate how to draw them out, and I'm not willing to reveal more of the plot at a time than I originally planned. I hoped that you all enjoyed it. Please review. Until next time.....Egyptian Kiss!