~Whee!! Another story! This one I'm writing with my friend, who shall be called Bulma88. Somewhat a self-insertion, written on my original character, and Rin! I love Rin…She's so cute! I'm ranting. Sorry! On with the story!~
Disclaimer: I hate this. I don't own Inu, or Fluffy, or Rin, or Sango, or anyone. But Yuki is mine and Yuni is Bulma88's.
Trials of Life
By Alpha-Parvani and Bulma88
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Rin's POV
Sesshoumaru-sama left me with Lady Sango and Lord Miroku after my ninth birthday. He had told me it was time for me to learn the skills required for me when I was a woman. I pleaded and begged, trying to make him cave and let me stay. It didn't work. He said I must grow up, like all other girls. I would get married, raise children, grow old working, and then die. He told me it was the way of life for human females. I didn't like it.
And so, here I am, seven years after Sesshou-sama left me. Yuki and I have grown up together under the watchful eye of Sango. We can do the womanly duties expected of us and also put up quite a fight. Today, Yuki and I are heading into the woods to start the Tirals. We will prove we are real woman, who can contribute to our village! Just you wait and see!
Yuki's POV
I skipped ahead of Rin, grinning in excitement. "I can't wait, Rin! Soon we be known as women, not girls, and…and…" I laughed happily. "And I don't know, but we'll be women!" I'll admit, I was acting very much unlike the way I usually acted. I was typically quiet and thoughtful, but I was truly excited! I wasn't going to be called a little girl any longer!
Suddenly, I paused, going quiet. "What do we have to do for the Trials?" 'And what is this odd feeling I'm getting?' I thought to myself, twisting a lock of my straight, red-tinted black hair around my finger. I looked up at the sky, my chestnut colored eyes flashing in the light.
Rin's POV
"Let's see here… I believe Sango said we would be tested in three areas. The first trial will be on our performance of womanly duties. You know: cooking, cleaning, and minding the children. The second trial will be assuming the men's jobs to see if we can keep things in order if the men go to war. And the third will be on defending your village," I said, thoughtfully. Suddenly, we were at the camp of the Trials.
"Ohayo," greeted a middle-aged woman with raven black hair , "What are your names and ages?" I smiled. "I'm Rin and I'm sixteen years old," I told her. "My name is Yuki and I am also sixteen," Yuki said, timidly. "I am the headmaster here at the Trials. My name is Yuni. However, you will address me as Lady Yuni. I would recommend you get the materials needed to pitch your tend before the rain starts. You'll find the supplies straight ahead in the supply tent," And with that she was off to speak with two more girls who had just arrived.
"Rin," Yuki inquired, "the skies are blue. How could there we rain today?" I smiled happily. "I wouldn't worry about it, Yuki. However, let's get our tent up," I answered as we headed off to get our materials.
Yuki's POV
I followed Rin, still deep in thought. 'Cleaning. I hate cleaning.' I sighed and bit my bottom lip. I know how to fight, cook, and take care of children. But cleaning… I got bored to easily. I looked up at Rin. "Rin-chan? Do you know how to fight?" I trotted the rest of the way to the tent, opening the flap so my friend could enter. "I've never really seen you fight before. Just the training with Lady Sango. You just came out of the blue one day. Where did you come from?" I leaned towards Rin, curious, as I lifted up a folded tent. "Lady Sango said she knew you, but…that was it." I blinked several times.
Rin's POV
"Well, I…I…I used to live in a village, with a mother and a father. Then I met hm and tried to help him… And then there were… It doesn't matter," I said hurriedly, "Let's hurry up and get the tent up before the rain comes."
Yuki's POV
"Him?" I blinked. "Who's him?" I walked out of the supply tent, still talking. "A relative? Or…" I whirled around, the intricately designed earring I wore --- my only earring--- flashing in the sun. "Or was it a stranger? Why did you need to help him? And where are your parents?" I had so many questions. Even though Rin and I had grown up together, we knew very little about one another's pasts. Curiosity killed the cat…but I am no cat.
"Oh, that would be such a scandal! Making company with an older man--- I'm assuming he is older than you--- would be…oh it could cause so much trouble when you start looking for a husband." I shook my head and moved to an empty area, starting to set up the tent.
Rin's POV
"Oh, I doubt it will cause any trouble when it comes to husbands. I was a little girl and he was a young man…or would that be an old man that looks like a young man? Oh well, anyway, he took me in when my family went away. I owe him my life and I… enough of past times. It's the present that matters now!" I exclaimed. We pitched the tent and set up our sleeping mats. As we arranged the rest of our belongings, I gazed at Yuki. "What about your past?"
Yuki's POV
I blinked and looked up at Rin. "I don't know." I looked away as I continued to speak. "The first thing I remember is meeting Lady Sango when I was five or six. Before that, I can't remember… I have vague flashes, but they're always of a male demon…" I frowned and folded up a yukata. "I don't really remember anything."
My earring jingled. I reached up and tugged on it. "Lady Sango gave me this. I asked where the other one was and she told me one was all I needed. Yet, I always feel like there's something missing…besides the other earring." I smiled.
Rin's POV
"You know Yuki, perhaps we have more in common than we thought!" I said casually. "Ladies! Please come to front of the camp!" came the voice of Lady Yuni. "We'll be starting your first task now. Each girl will have until sunset to clean and organize one household. We'll lead you there now." I saw Yuki scowl and gave her a pat on the back and smiled as we headed off.