A/N: I have had tons of scene ideas for this series and the world of Songbird, but not all of them really fit into the chapters. So I thought, huh, wouldn't it be cool to just have a collection of oneshots and drabbles, that accompany the Series as a whole? Here, you'll see happy and sad stories. Mindless fluff, silly situations and observations. All and every character will be featured at some point, I'm sure.

That being said, I'm sure that it's obvious by now that if you haven't read my other Story SONGBIRD, none of these will make sense to you. So... maybe go read that first.


The Importance of a Proper Brew

In which Sesshoumaru brews tea for Rin, prompting some philosophical conversation.


Tea time was precious to him. It was his time to think and he preferred above all, to do it alone.

Keiko thought it was the perfect opportunity to bother him, but she did brew the best pots, so he allowed it. But as of late he shared tea time with Keiko less and less, and more and more with Rin. The girl had been quiet since she sat down, and he turned to look at her-

Only to find her pouring a cup far too soon. He reached out, grabbing her hand and said, "At least another minute."

Rin blinked at him. "What's only a moment before?"

"Only?" he hissed. "You would ruin such a meticulous blend, by drinking it early?"

"It's only tea," she said, clueless.

Oh bless this child and her young heart, for apparently she knew absolutely nothing. He pulled his hand away. "Tea is only as good, as the person brewing it."

"Well no wonder Keiko-san brews the most amazing tea," was her reply, as she set the ceramic pot back down.

"My father did, as well," he said, the words slipping out before he could stop them. He wasn't sure why, but it was hard to not share things about his father with her.

There was an awkward pause, and then Rin said quietly, "He seems like he was a wonderful man. I hear only the best things of him."

"He lived by his morals, first and foremost. He was a complicated man."

Rin hummed at that. "Well, it's no wonder I don't brew good tea. I'm a good performer, but I've always been a terrible slave."

He wasn't quite sure what she meant by that. Rin wasn't terrible standard. Perhaps a bit mouthy, but… that was her charm. It wasn't his job to encourage her though- he would leave that for Keiko. He leaned forward and took the kettle into his hand, pouring out a cup for Rin and then one for himself.

As Rin reached for the sugar cubes, he said, "There's no need for that. Jasmine is meant to be sipped as itself."

Rin looked unsure, her little mouth twisting into a slight frown, but she chose to trust him in the end anyhow. Pulling back her cup, she smiled and said, "You were right, this is absolutely wonderful."

"It was my father's favorite."

"Is it yours?"

"No, but I thought that you might like it."

It wasn't the first time that he had gone out of his way, to do something for the girl. It was an odd feeling for a solitary creature such as himself, but it wasn't unnatural.

"Say, Sesshoumaru-sama," Rin started with, "if this brew is so fantastic, and a good brew is indicative of the person who prepared it, then I wonder what this says about you?" Her words were innocent and serene, and the smile that she gave him matched them.

"I cannot judge myself, Rin."

"Hmmm." She paused and sipped at her tea again, savoring it. "I would think that it says you are quite a decent person, otherwise why would you brew tea for me to begin with?"

Normally, such a thing would make him cringe, but instead his feelings lurched.

"Decent, hmm?"

"Quite," Rin reaffirmed. "Thank you, Sesshoumaru-sama."

His heart flip-flop just a little bit again, a strange and foreign feeling.

He didn't hate it.