RIN'S PLACE
Chapter 1
I had not visited Rin in Edo for some time but I had sent her a package through Jaken and Ah-Un, letting her know that I had not forgotten her. The reason for my absence from her life was due to some small conflicts in the Western Lands. After I had resumed my father's title as the Ruler of the Western Lands, some demons rebelled and it took some time to get rid of their threat.
When Jaken and Ah-Un came back from visiting Rin at the village, Jaken had reported that Rin was in prime health and happiness. I was pleased, of course, but a part of me hoped that Rin would not get too comfortable living in the village. The gifts I bestowed her with, were those of a suitor. I had not told her that, but I had hoped she would gather as much using her own reasoning.
I had set out to finally visit Rin at Edo one fire spring morning. When I was in the Northern Lands, I had acquired a very rare fabric and I had the best seamstress in my lands make Rin a fine kimono. The kimonos I gifted Rin were nothing short of the best but that was not all, they hid secret messages from me to her. Human suitors may write love letters to the ones they are courting, but I have a more sophisticated method of communication. The colours in these kimonos were my personal messages to her - I dearly hoped she would realize that by now.
As I neared the village, my keen nose alerted me to the scents of battle practice. I would ordinarily assume that the demon slayer Sango was training with her children or that Inuyasha was training with his rag tag group of friends but somewhere in the mix of scents, I had recognized Rin's scent. Rin's scent, which was normally of the sweet flowery kind, was now drenched with a little bit of blood and perspiration. My eyes narrowed dangerously - if my half brother and his friends used Rin as a pretend target or even invited her to join in their training, they would pay.
My feet touch the ground where the training was going on and I immediately sight Rin. To my utter surprise, she is clothed in a demon slayer's uniform, much like that Sango woman. Her hair is tied up and a scar can be seen, on her otherwise immaculate face. Her arms are also a little bloody with small cuts here and there and she has the perspiration of one who has been training long. My fists clench, eyes narrow, and I instantly frown. This is not how I imagined I would see her at all.
Inuyasha was the first to become aware of my presence. It took him long enough. That half breeds' sense of smell is steadily growing worse.
"Sesshomaru!" Inuyasha cried.
I fight to roll my eyes. Every time I visit Rin, Inuyasha always assumes I am here for a fight or to hurt his human mate. He flatters himself, I am not in the least interested in him.
Rin, in the meantime, hearing Inuyasha's cry, turns to see me. Her eyes widen and her breath hitches - I see that she has the grace to feel guilty and a little worried. The others - the lecherous monk, the demon slayer Sango, the useless fox demon, Inuyasha, and his human mate - have not moved an inch and instead have their eyes trained on Rin and me. Indeed - how fitting, because there is tension in the air between Rin and myself.
"Sesshomaru-sama, what a surprise..." Rin giggles nervously.
My eyes narrow even more, if that's possible.
Rin looks appologetic.
"There is an explanation for what you see. I neglected to tell you that I have begun training with Sango in the art of demon slaying. You have not visited me in so long that it simply slipped my mind..." She explained.
The nerve of Rin to go behind my back, to not only train with Inuyasha's motley group but to aspire to be a demon slayer! That is laughable - the Rin I thought I knew, would hesitate to even a kill a fly. That was the Rin I fell in love with.
"You did not think to mention this very important piece of information to Jaken, when I sent him to you on my behalf?" I asked, my voice cold and crisp.
She knotted her hands, clearly a sign of agitation. I hated to see her in this state. I wished to keep her free of worry but I myself am too angry.
"Ah you see, I did not think it was something you should be alerted about. I thought I should give it time and tell you when you came to visit me..." She answered, hesitantly.
Hah, would she have indeed told me, had I not caught her red-handed? I wonder...
"Rin, come with me." I ordered, not wanting to provide further entertainment to Inuyasha and crew.
I turned my back and headed towards the forest, expecting Rin to follow.
"Sesshomaru, it is best if Rin learns to defend herself. You yourself should know this!" commented Inuyasha, hoping to decrease the tension between Rin and myself.
I turned to him abruptly, anger in my eyes. How dare he interfere? This does not concern him.
"Stay out of this, little brother, before you regret it." I warned.
Inuyasha clearly flustered by my response, came back with a retort.
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean? Is that a threat?" He railed, his hands on his sword.
"Inuyasha, sit boy!" yells his mate just in time.
He flies face down to the ground. It was about time he shut up. I look to Rin sternly and turn my back, walking to the forest. I can feel her following hesitantly.