J: Before all of you 'Friends to Family' readers get mad let me assure you that this will not take priority over that one. The next chapter is well on its way to completion. This was started out of a plot bunny I had last year and just recently remembered. Having the spare time I decided to give it a go for the sake of fun :)
Disclaimer: I do not own any Inuyasha characters. I own Mayonaka.
P.S. Google translate tells me that mayonaka means 'midnight.' You are welcome to correct me.
The day shone bright with promise as a young girl with long black hair and a small upper pony tail danced among the field of flowers she'd been given permission to play in. Rin smiled ear to ear happy to be able to see such lovely pink and purple flowers, she didn't know their names but that didn't matter. They were pretty with stems that were easy to intertwine into a crown and necklace.
The field was large with trees on almost every side making it feel like this was her own special garden that Lord Sesshomaru had made just for her. Looking to her protector she found him resting with his back against a tree his eyes staring off in the other direction. Rin knew that far away gaze, Lord Sesshomaru was thinking and making plans for something. Which would mean he would leave her in Jaken's care sometime soon. Knowing he was going to leave never made it easier for Rin to watch him go bringing up the small fear of him never returning each time. But time after time he had returned putting her heart at ease.
Finished with her flower crown which she proudly wore on her head Rin cast her gaze around the field to see if there were any other colors. She wanted to make a wish necklace next and wanted only the best flowers for it. Each flower that she would twine together to make ring would be her wish repeated over and over; it was a special way to pray to the Kamis that she had heard about from the other girls from her old village back before the wolves came.
Hey eye caught site of a tall red flower perched on the furthest side of the field. Looking back to Lord Sesshomaru Rin wondered if she would be allowed to move so far from him, last time she had been too far from Lord Sesshomaru she had been captured by the evil lady on the feather. That had been scary. 'But not as scary as Lord Sesshomaru not coming back if my wish doesn't come true.' Deciding it was worth the risk of her Lord's displeasure Rin took off at a run; she would pick the flower and immediately run back to a safe distance of Lord Sesshomaru.
Getting closer to the flower Rin noticed something was odd about it. The flower petals were pressed down as if they had been bent by a heavy rain. Her run slowed to a cautious walk as confusion took over, her foot stepped down into something warm that squished. Up close to the flower Rin knew what she had stepped in and didn't want to look down to confirm it.
The flower that she had thought to be naturally red was in fact one of the pink flowers, it was red from the blood that had dripped onto it. Her heart fluttering in growing fear Rin found the trail of blood splats from the flower going further into the woods.
She was a curious girl; it was what lead to her discovering Lord Sesshomaru injured and alone those many moons ago. That same curiosity itched at her but she would not dare leave Lord Sesshomaru's sight by entering the woods. Stepping back to return and tell her Lord she was stopped by an odd sound. It was low and rumbly almost like thunder but more quiet and peaceful. It made her think of the village cats would purr. The more she listened the more she was sure it was a cat's purring she could hear.
Rin thought cats were just as cute as dogs; except cats and dogs don't get along together and Lord Sesshomaru was a great and powerful dog demon. If she went near a cat Lord Sesshomaru would not be happy at all. Troubled by wanting to see the cat Rin didn't hear Jaken come running over to her with a scowl, "Rin you troublesome child what are you doing over here?! You know you're not supposed to be far from Lord Sesshomaru."
"I wanted to pick this flower for my necklace but there's blood and I can hear a cat purring Jaken-sama. I think the cat is hurt. I don't want to leave it if its dying what if I can help it so it doesn't die." Rin's brow furrowed thinking more about the possibly injured cat.
"The cat is of no concern to Sesshomaru-sama, let it die for all I care. Now get back over there this instant Rin!" Jaken waved the staff of two heads in a threatening manner as he put himself between Rin and the woods and the tempting cat noise.
Still concerned Rin did as Jaken wanted with a small frown. Getting back to their camp site Rin took off her crown of flowers and slowly started taking it apart her eyes focused on the woods where she knew the cat was.
Sesshomaru was not oblivious to all that transpired in a short matter of minutes. He was aware of Rin moving further away, he'd jostled Jaken out of his nap to go after her when she did not immediately return with the red flower that he knew she had gone after. When she returned to a safe distance his nose picked up the scent of blood. His eyes flicked to Rin scanning her over for a source of injury. As she sat on the ground staring off into the woods he found the source to be on the bottom of her right foot. Scenting with deliberation Sesshomaru realized it was not human blood on her but demon; feline demon to be more exact.
Letting out a minute amount of youkai Sesshomaru let it be known that this field and all within it were his territory. A mere minute passed when there came a response from the trees that held his ward's attention. Rising to his feet Sesshomaru watched in silence as Rin gasped at the sight of a large long haired black cat staggering out into the field. There were red rings as markers of lesser nobility around its front paws, its eyes were a reverse of his own blue with red pupils.
Feline youkai were just as mysterious in nature as their smaller domesticated counter parts. This was made clear when the feline faced him and gave a nod of acknowledgement, those unfocused eyes then moved to look at Rin. Even from the distance between them Rin could clearly see the feline smile before turning and staggering off to leave the marked territory.
Rin was enthralled by the beautiful cat and sad to see it go so soon, the smile she had been given was one of kindness and Rin would have liked to know more about the kind cat. Her heart lurched when the cat stopped and fell to its side half way out of the field. "Jaken stay with Rin." Sesshomaru's voice made the air she didn't know she needed return to her lungs. With hopeful eyes she watched Lord Sesshomaru walk over towards the cat.
Sesshomaru's beast growled in displeasure within his mind as he approached the feline, until he could fully confirm that the cat was not a threat he would be wary. Stopping ten steps back from the cat the cause of its pain was apparent. A long gash that started at its stomach and curved back to its left back leg bled sluggishly as its body attempted to heal. The feline had been dying in peace before he had warned it off making it move and further stimulate the wound to lose more blood.
It had died upon hitting the ground or shortly after. Sesshomaru knew this by the sight of the netherworld imps that surrounded it getting ready to take its soul to hell. Tenseiga pulsed at his hip wishing to be used. It was only because of Tenseiga that he had approached the dead cat in the first place. He could no longer ignore the prompts his father's blade gave him for it seemed to have a mind of its own. At least by reviving the thing he could put his ward at ease and get rid of the smell of sadness that clung to her. In a single movement of drawing and swinging Tenseiga the imps were gone and life returned to the cat.
The fluctuation of youkai was the first sign of life he received before the black cat began to glow with a dark purple light. Sesshomaru watched as the large feline shrank in size drawing in its fur and shaping into a human form. When the light faded a young female, close in age to the human ones that travelled with his half-brother, lay before him.
Her hair hung down her back in a single long braid that nearly touched her lower back. A furry black tail curled around her waist twitching at the tip in a sign that its owner was conscious. Her skin was a fresh peach color with red rings that circled her wrists. Two red four pointed stars adorned each bare shoulder. Her outfit consisted of red and black sleeveless shirt and red pants fashioned much like his own to match. Her feet were bare allowing any to see the diminutive claws on each toe. Eyes with green pupils blinked open as she stretched arching her back. Sitting on her knees once done she bowed her head in respect, "This lowly one thanks you for her life and knows to repay the debt if at all possible."
"You have nothing of worth to give except your life which rightfully belongs to this Sesshomaru." Sesshomaru had not been mistaken in identifying her as lesser nobility, she spoke in the proper etiquette used when one of lesser nobility addressed a higher nobility.
Her black head of hair bobbed in understanding, "This lowly one will provide any service asked of her."
"What is your name cat?"
"This lowly one is known as Mayonaka."
"Hn. When called upon you shall do as told."
"This lowly one understands. When you have need of this lowly one please use this, it is connected to my youkai. When played this lowly one will be brought to you." Mayonaka reached into a pouch at her side and withdrew a wooden flute, the two four pointed stars were carved into the side. She placed it at his feet then stood with a bow, her tail swishing behind her the female feline bounded off away from her new master.
Only when the woman left did Rin dare to run over to Sesshomaru with Jaken right behind her, "You were told to remain here Rin!"
"Lord Sesshomaru who was that pretty cat lady?" Rin had to ask despite already knowing she wouldn't get an answer.
Sesshomaru saw no reason to answer the question since Rin would learn about the female in the near distant future. His senses told him that the female had travelled just as far as his youkai had marked. It did not surprise him that she intended to remain close by in case of a summoning. Walking back towards their resting place Sesshomaru told Jaken, "Retrieve the flute Jaken."
"Ah yes of course my Lord." Jaken was just as curious as Rin about the strange female cat demon, but unlike the pesky girl he would not bother his Lord with trivial inquiries. Picking up the smooth crafted flute Jaken felt it pulse with power, of what kind he was not sure. He merely did as was told and tucked it into his robes until given further instruction.
?
Mayonaka deemed herself both lucky and cursed. Sitting up at the top of a tree she grumbled in her chest letting it fill her while her claws burrowed into the bark of the tree trunk. At last she couldn't contain it anymore, " WHY ME?! WHY DID I GET STUCK WITH THE SNOOTY DOG?! First the swarm of giant wasps out of nowhere, then the stupid boar demons that got in their lucky sword swing, and now this?! My family would be rolling in their graves if they knew I was the server girl for a dog. Why couldn't he just let me die in peace?"
She ranted and raved her claws scratching into the tree trunk with each additional source of misery that added to the end result of her servitude. Panting to catch her breath Mayonaka relaxed enough to stop torturing the poor tree. She sighed in resignation, what was done was done. She'd given him her summoning flute making it impossible to go back on her word now, and her family and ancestors would have haunted her from the grave if she hadn't . Draping herself along the tree limb she closed her eyes thinking about the little girl, "Maybe my luck will hold out and all he will want is someone to babysit every once in a while. That wouldn't be too bad. She seemed like a good kid." Thoughts of playing chase and cuddling with someone again eased Mayonaka into an easy cat nap she didn't think she would ever get to experience again.
