Changing Seas

A/N: Thanks for the reviews guys. I really appreciate them. Well I worked extremely hard on this chapter and think that it turned out pretty good. Please R&R. Enjoy. EK!

Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha.

Previously

'I'll get my Rin back. Then kill the insolent dog who stole her." With that thought he stood up to go topside and then with his first step, fell forward unconscious.

Chapter Nine

Rin stood at the helm with Sesshomaru. The hustle and bustle of the crew was all that could be heard on the chilled early morn. Land could be seen through the dissipating fog. It had been two weeks exactly and the crew was ready to collect their wages, which they'd receive in port. They'd spend the week here before taking leave. Rin was excited. She had Sesshomaru's promise that she could go shopping.

They made port and Rin's head nearly spun with the wondrous sights she beheld. Merchants were swarming all over the place and shops lined the streets. A bakery was placed at the far end of the shop and dress shops filled the rest of the road. A very fanciful shop sat directly in front of the dock and Rin couldn't help herself, overcome with excitement, raced to the window. A magnificent ice blue gown was in the shops window. It had a thin cloudy blue sheer shift, layers of muslin under, twelve petticoats, a French corset, white lace trimming and the finally satin layer of ice blue gown which had a sapphire clasp.

Placing a delicate hand to the window Rin remember something she'd seen. This gown was almost an exact replica of the one she'd seen her mother in, in the portrait above her father's desk. Rin had always admired the lovely dress, it seemed right for an artist to paint a gorgeous woman in a heavenly dress. Rin herself had been painted many a time in numerous gowns, but none could compare to her mothers, despite how much Rin resembled her.

Making a spur of the moment decision, she entered the grand shop and approached the counter. A tall very sharp looking spinster stood there, with little welcome. Her black gown looked as though she was headed to a funeral, rather than a homely seamstress. Her long nose and small mouth gave her the appearance of an overgrown mouse. Eyes as cold and gray as ever Rin had seen. Hair pulled into an annoyingly severe pointed bun; she smiled down at Rin, though it looked pained.

"May I help you miss?" Rin put up her best smile and tried not to notice the squeak to the woman's tone.

"Umm...well yes. I saw the loveliest gown in your shop window. Might I inquire as to the price?" Rin gave a cheerful smile and waited expectantly.

"Twelve pounds of gold. It was made and imported here from Italy." Rin paled slightly. Sesshomaru gave her four pounds, telling her if she needs anything she could ask him. The problem was she'd rushed off in such a flurry of excitement, she hadn't asked him along. As if by magic twelve pounds of gold was placed on the counter. Looking up Rin saw it was him.

"Do not hurry off like that again, Rin. You don't know this place and it is most definitely not safe for you to be gallivanting off unguarded." Rin nodded to pleased with the gown to truly grasp his words.

The woman opened a drawstring bag and plunked in the currency, before making her way over to the shop window and pulling away the right gown. She gave it to Rin who hugged it to her and went to try it on. Sesshomaru and his crew were going to spend a respectful six days in town before plundering and then making quick sail. They didn't need much, but what they wanted was a different story.

As Sesshomaru stared down the prudish woman, Rin erupted from behind the changing screen. She was absolutely breathtaking. None of Sesshomaru's gifts had been as dreamy as the creation that enveloped Rin. Her shoulders were bared, though the sleeves reached all the way down her arms. The cut of the neckline was to mid-breast, where a single sapphire clasp held the breast together and the corset gave her an even more slender, lithe figure. The skirts were perfect, not to full, but not lacking in volume. Rin's hair had been in a clip, but obviously during the changing process it had come slightly undone, for long thick strands of hair spilled over her shoulders, completing her angelic image.

Sesshomaru's voice was caught within his throat. The sudden overwhelming urge to kiss her surprised him. Being in control of his emotions, he curbed the action and simply stared. Rin was like an angel. Something so divine it didn't belong on earth, where it was exposed to hurt and reality. She was one to be sheltered, to be cherished and held in high esteem. She deserved only the best. Becoming aware of his thoughts and the fact that he was staring, he turned his gaze out to the docks and looked at his ship.

"Are you sure dear, it looks a bit tight on you?" The snippy and obviously envious tones of the shopkeeper snapped Rin back to life. The older woman was looking at her with contempt, as if beauty was a crime.

"Oh it's fine. Thank you for asking. What do you think Sesshomaru?" His gaze didn't deter as he spoke.

"On you anything is beautiful." The words melted her heart and Rin couldn't help, but give her most charming, dazzling, bright-eyed smile. She nodded and collected her things; she changed into her other dress and had the woman wrap up the new one. As they left a small 'humph' could be heard from the disapproving seamstress.

"Where are we to go now?" Rin had her arm looped in Sesshomaru's and was currently looking up at him with curious eyes.

"We have been invited to the mayor's for dinner. There will be a big ball and I am to escort you. So I am headed to check into places to stay for us and the crew. After which we will shop and then onto dinner." Sesshomaru was headed toward and old inn, which he had spotted upon leaving the dressmakers. Rin nodded, though Sesshomaru wasn't looking down at her to see.

The day progressed fine and Rin bought a couple more dresses and several trinkets at the market. They paused in the bakery shop to enjoy buns and rolls, fresh from the oven. The fun filled morning rapidly changed to late evening. Rin went to her room in the inn and was preparing to go to dinner, when a knock at the door reached her ears. She went to it and opened it to find Mary Lyn, the innkeeper’s wife. Her rosy cheeks and even rosier hair appeared and her twinkling eyes made you feel welcome. Smiling at Rin she pushed her way into the room.

"I came to help ye with yer dress. Cap'n Sesshomaru was sayin ye might like help with yer stays. Here turn 'round mistress and I'll do me best." Rin was actually really relieved. She'd been doing her best with her corset, but it does help to have someone to do it for you. Her arms were so small that with all the straining, she was sore afterward.

"It's very kind of you. I thank you greatly, Mistress Harper." Rin didn't feel comfortable calling her elders by their first names, especially if not asked.

"Call me Mary Lyn. I'll have no Mistress Harper. Makes me sound old. I'm alive as ever I've been." Rin nodded and conceded. She liked Mary Lyn. She was like a mother figure.

"Alright Mis- Mary Lyn. I thank you greatly. It's awful hard adjusting my stays without help. My arms just haven't the length, or strength for that matter." Rin stayed quiet until the gown was back on. She sat at a quaint little vanity and Mary Lyn tended her hair, pulling it into a top knot and putting kohl around her eyes and rouge on her lips. She glanced at herself in the mirror and felt a twinge. She looked like her mothers portrait. She remembered her company and turned back a forced smile in place.

"Thank you Mary Lyn. The gown was so beautiful in the shop window." Mary Lyn gave her an appraising look and then nodded.

"It looks even more beautiful on you. I've had my eye on it for years, but no one in these parts was able to afford it, let alone have a place to wear it too." Rin grinned and without thought hugged the woman, who after the shock of it, hugged back. "You best be goin now. The lord'll be lookin for ye. Have a lovely evenin miss." Then Mary Lyn departed.


They arrived at Mayor Forge’s house just before dinner. They socialized for a while and then were seated for dinner. An appetizer of deviled eggs and sliced tomatoes with basil, thyme, and dill, were laid upon the trays. Rin couldn't eat the eggs, she had a bad reaction to them since age eight, but she loved the tomatoes. That was followed by a large salad, which everyone ate. The main course was goose, duck, veil, ham, turkey, and pheasant, with different sauce toppings. Rin only ate a bit of ham and turkey. The rest, she considered to be a crime to eat. The meal passed in amicable chatter. Sesshomaru's gaze never wavering from Rin, much like the rest of the young men present.

Dessert was Rin's favorite. Strawberry and chocolate truffle. The most delectable dessert known to man. Layers of cream and chocolate and strawberries. Rin savored each spoonful, taking the time to indulge completely, while most girls daintily tasted theirs.

After dessert the ladies were led into the ballroom and the men to the parlor, for cigars and games of pool and cards. They met the ladies a short time later in the ballroom. A band set up and music wafted over the crowd of guests. Mayor Forge was the first to ask Rin to dance. He was a very short portly man. His face chubby and gruff. His nose short and wide, while is lips were small and plump. Green eyes sparkled with rakish delight, as Rin accepted his offer.

As Forge led her out onto the dance floor, Sesshomaru gave a displeased look her way. She shrugged her shoulders, letting him know she had no choice. The dance was long and slow, very boring as far as Rin was concerned. At the end she escaped another, by saying she was exhausted from her travels and needed rest. Finding her way to an empty settee, Rin gracefully sat down.

Many men came and asked for her hand at a dance, but she refused, not wanting to anger Sesshomaru, or encourage the suitors. Finally an hour into the dance Sesshomaru approached her, he extended his hand and she took it. A lively beat was playing and Rin giggled in pure giddiness, as Sesshomaru swept her across the dance floor. They were the center of attention. The most handsome couple at the ball and most sought after too. In Rin's opinion the dance ended all too quickly. Sesshomaru had to excuse himself, in order to speak to the mayor.

A tall man with dark hair came forward and took Rin by the waist. He began to dance with her, before she could tell she'd been wisked away.

"So. You're Miss.Owasi?" Rin nodded not sure what was going on. "It's nice to finally meet you. I've heard about you before. I'm a sea merchant, you see. I've heard of the beautiful angel, who is held captive on her father's ship. It's so nice to finally meet you. I just met you father today. He's a bit arrogant." A slow malicious smirk caused a warning chill to race up her spine, a cold air swept over them, and he continued in a dangerous whisper, with narrowing eyes. "Harder to kill than I thought, but I managed." Rin gasped. She then began to struggle and tried to shout out, but a muscular arm held her so hard against a strong chest, she could do nothing. "Yes Rin, you dear dear father is dead. So is his crew. Your an orphan, but don't worry, you'll join your parents very soon. How, you wonder, is it that Sesshomaru doesn't know what's going on?" He paused a few seconds, letting what he just said fully soak in and then continued. "I've temporarily blocked our scents. When I'm gone it will be as if I've never been here. Well it was lovely meeting you, Rin. A kiss farewell?" He leaned down and crushed his putrid mouth to hers, but before she could react, he was gone, and she was standing in the middle of the dance floor.


Rin frantically searched for Sesshomaru. Upon finding him, Rin raced across the ballroom. She shoved herself into his arms, in hysterics. He quieted her and excused himself from the ball. Gathering her up in his arms he carried her back to the inn. She had a secure lock around his neck and was crying into his shoulder. Once they were safely inside his room, he sat on the bed and did his best to soothe her. She calmed after an hour or two.

"Tell me, Rin. What happened?" Rin sniffled and hiccupped and finally spoke in a hoarse voice.

" Some..Some man...he danced with me and...and..and he told that he killed my father and that...and that he was going to kill me too. He said..that you wouldn't be able to find him because he blocked his scent. I..I" Rin broke out into uncontrollable sobs and again Sesshomaru held her. It ripped at his heart that he couldn't stop her hurt. He'd have to figure this out. Once she stopped crying, Sesshomaru got up to leave. "NO! Don't leave me....please." Her feeble plea brought him back to her. He'd let it settle until tomorrow. He crawled into bed and held her. Just held her.

**********Elsewhere*********

A dark haired man sat behind his sycamore desk laughing. He'd successfully gotten in and out of the ball unnoticed. Killing Owasi was difficult. The man deserved credit, he fought well. Rin had been more difficult to get near though. She was just as beautiful as he'd heard, even more so. Sesshomaru had been a fool to leave her to her own devices, even for just a short time. Everything was turning out as planned. Once InuYasha arrived things would take motion. Laughing again to himself he went to bed.

A/N: Well this is by far the longest chapter yet. I hope everyone enjoyed it. I'd really like a lot of reviews for this one. I worked super hard and think it turned out pretty okay. Thanks everyone. Let me know what you think. Until next time.....Egyptian Kiss!