A young woman with flowing raven hair danced through a meadow of flowers in front of the Western Castle, she turned up and smiled at the summer sun. The sun's rays kissed her cream cheeks, which flushed with life. Her very smile was enough to stop a crowd, her skin as soft as the spring clouds. Nearly 10 years have passed since Naraku's death; since then the young woman named Rin had been living under the supervision of Sesshomaru the Lord of the West. Rin remembered the day that Sesshomaru had brought her back to the castle; they had just arrived on Ah-Un. A female dog demon servant, named Shin had greeted them at the gates; she had light brown hair and purple eyes. She wore simple clothing, suited for a servant, she didn't make eye contact with Rin, but helped take Ah-Un back to the stables. Sesshomaru had called after her, "Shin." His cold voice stopped the servant, who turned and bowed respectfully. "Yes My Lord?" Rin looked up at Sesshomaru, she couldn't read the expression on his face. "This is Rin, she is to be my advisor like Tadao, understood?" Shin showed no disgust or disagreement, she smiled and bowed "Of course My Lord." She turned and led Ah-Un back to the stables. Jaken gawked, "What? Your advisor? She can barely even think for herself!" Sesshomaru ignored his comment and turned away and walked towards the Castle gates. "Rin, come in." Was all she got from him, she smiled, "Yes My Lord!" Jaken kept nagging Sesshomaru about it for awhile, once they got inside the castle, the news of Rin had already spread. She was greeted by many of the castle servants, maids, and cooks. Takumi was the head cook, she was a cat demon who had long silky yellow hair which she always put in a bun, Yori was the seamstress and the dresser, she was a dog demon but lesser power. She resembled Shin, except that she had yellow eyes. Aimi, Kagami, Io, and Cho were main servants along with Shin. They were all sisters, Kagami being the oldest had short silver hair and pointed ears like Inuyasha's , except she was full demon. Aimi was the tall skinny and beautiful one, she had red eyes and long hair. Io and Cho were twins, soft spoken and identical except Io's hair was always put in a ponytail while Cho's were in pigtails. Cho also has a scar across her left eye, which made them much easier to identify. Finally there was Taro who was in charge of supplying everything that the castle needed. He was a dog demon with long brown hair and silver eyes. He had a purple birthmark on his neck which resembled a wing. Rin didn't meet the lesser servants who worked below the main floor, and too this day she doesn't know all of the servants well. Rin had her own room, next to Jaken's and across from Sesshomaru's. He stayed on the top floor, with his advisor Tadao, Rin, and Jaken. The servants had their own rooms the floor below them, and the main floor contained the bathing room, kitchens, dining room, great hall, and the main room. Rin loved the garden the most, her balcony in her room had a clear view of the garden below and the view of which the castle sat on the top of the Western Mountain in the land of Musashi. Rin's room faced the east, so she was able to see the sunrise every morning. Aimi, was the one who showed her to Rin's room that day. Rin admired Aimi's silver hair and her ruby red eyes, she wore a simple white yukata which complimented her slender figure. "This will be your quarters Lady Rin, if you need anything just call." Aimi smiled at the little girl at the time, Rin turned around swiftly as Aimi was leaving. "Aimi-sama!" Rin called, Aimi turned around and smiled and bent down so she was at eye level with Rin. "What is it my dear?" Aimi asked the girl. "Please be my friend!" Rin childishly asked, Aimi giggled a bit and pushed a strand of hair aside from Rin's face. "Of course," Aimi said with a gentle smile and left the room. Aimi was the first friend that Rin made, and eventually she made friends with the rest of the servants, who all fell in love with the girl. The years went by together as they all grew closer, as Rin aged they began to notice things about her that they never did before. Her headstrong personality, and her quiet side that made her mysterious at times. Rin herself was getting stronger everyday, she began to take defense and sword lessons from Tadao to be able to defend herself. Lord Sesshomaru himself had instructed so, though it was hard at first; Rin began to prove that even though she was human, her reflexes were impressive and her strength, was beyond compare.
"Rin! Dinner!" Kagami yelled from the kitchen window, it startled the woman of 19, she turned and waved, "Kay, coming in now!"
"I hope you mean it this time, Takumi ain't gonna wait for you this time!" Kagami yelled and she closed the window. "Got it!" Rin yelled back as she stood up and stretched. Summer days, were long, even though the sun was still out it was dinner time.
Dinner time had always been Rin's favorite, it was a time when everyone sat around the table and ate together, even Sesshomaru. She bounded into the castle, not bothering to clean her feet which had dust and dirt from the outside. Io stopped her, "Rin, your feet again." She simple stated as she walked by taping her nose.
"Yes, I wouldn't want to clean it up, again." Cho appeared smiling at her as they passed by into the dining room.
"Whoops," Rin laughed, "Caught by you two again."
"Hurry up girl! You will make the dinner run cold," Jaken spat as she walked slowly to the dining room. Rin rolled her eyes, "Be patient Master Jaken,".
As the two entered the room, everyone but Sesshomaru and Tadao were at the table.
"Finally, take some rice you're getting thin again!" Takumi said as she began a bowl for Rin, everyone else was serving themselves.
Rin took her seat to the right of the head of the table, where she always sat; and Jaken sat across of her. The empty seat next to her belonged to Tadao, and at the head Sesshomaru; who were both missing.
"Kagami, guess what?" Aimi asked her sister.
"What?"
"I hear that you and Taro have been kind of close hmmm?" Her sister devilishly smiled at Kagami who nudged closer.
Taro choked on his fish, and Kagami rolled her eyes.
"Please, sister, don't flatter him."
Everyone erupted in laughter, until they were interrupted. "Well well isn't this a lovely atmosphere?" Tadao's voice came in. He had a gentle voice, smooth, and never harsh. He looked like Sesshomaru, excepted had one earring made of jade, and wore armor and fine silk robes. He had a single yellow mark on his face, he came in with Sesshomaru behind him.
"Master Tadao, Lord Sesshomaru dinner is already set." Takumi announced as she prepared their meals. Tadao bowed and took his seat, while Sesshomaru followed suit. His face was blank as usual, and he greeted Rin with a single nod. She smiled back at him, "So My Lord, did you hear that Master Jaken forgot to feed Ah-Un again?"
Jaken gasped, "Stupid girl! That was Shin's fault!"
"How was that my fault? You had ordered me to organize your robes all day I didn't have time too. I asked you to finish that one duty of mine just for today!" Shin shot back.
"Pathetic, why would I take on such a low task?" Jaken shot back.
"Because you should be nice and return the favor!" Rin said, Tadao nodded and smiled. He was amused at their petty argument.
"I had simply asked Io to do it." Jaken said crossing his arms, he was denying it.
"No you haven't stupid toad," Io softly replied, glaring at Jaken.
"Enough." Sesshomaru said, "Jaken, I heard it myself from my room. Go outside and apologize to Ah-Un and feed him."
"Already taken care of My Lord," Rin said, "I did it after I heard it from my own room, knowing he wouldn't do it."
Sesshomaru simple nodded, Tadao spoke up, "Is that why you were late to lessons, again?" Rin shuddered, and smiled, "I told you it was a good reason."
Everyone laughed, this was how life pretty much was everyday, though Rin hadn't really began her actual duties as an advisor, she was still in training.
After dinner, everyone began to retire to their rooms; tonight it was Aimi's turn to help Rin dress for bed. Though it was more time for the 2 to gossip and chit chat. Aimi was Rin's best friend in the castle, she was closest to Aimi and spent most of her time with her or Tadao because of training.
"So," Aimi began as she helped Rin dress into her night yukata, "What do you think of Taro and Kagami, cute right?"
Rin laughed, "Yes, though I don't think Kagami likes it so much."
"Aw, but Taro is so cute, she should go for it." Aimi muttered, "I wish I could fall in love someday."
"I think you'll have a chance, those guards outside seem very.. attractive." Rin replied.
"Yech." Aimi retorted, "No thanks."
"Why not, Toru is so nice to you," Rin objected.
"He's a wolf demon, my parents would never approve of something like that!" Aimi protested, "Even though they're dead, I will respect their will and find me a good dog demon to marry."
"You have the time too, demons are immortal right?" Rin asked.
"Yup, we chose to age when we want; meaning I could look my actual age right now if I wished to." Aimi replied fastening the sash and sitting down to put away Rin's day kimono.
"So how is your secret crush going Rin?" Aimi whispered. Rin nearly slapped Aimi's mouth, "THE WALLS HAVE EARS." Rin mouthed. Aimi laughed, "Such a reaction from you."
Rin burned red, she knew that Aimi was right. Since around the age of 15 she confessed to herself that maybe she thought of Sesshomaru as more than a guardian that she respected and loved. He was so much more, but she had given it thought and knew that he wouldn't want her. She was human, who could age, and die easily. He wouldn't want him wasting his time on her.
"How old are you Aimi?" Rin asked, lying down on her bed. Curious, about the way demons aged.
"About 208 years old, I was born around the same time Sesshomaru was claimed to be the Western Lord." Aimi explained, "I can't believe we never talked about this before."
Rin laughed, "I know right. I wish I could be immortal, it'd be very nice to live long and see how things change."
"Believe me nothing has changed much anyways." Aimi said scratching her head, "When I first came here I was a little girl."
"I know," Rin giggled, "When you actually looked like one too."
"Believe me my sisters are not pleasant people to be around for 200 years," Aimi said and bowed, "Good night Rin, I'll wake up you tomorrow morning; don't forget you have training with Master Tadao."
Rin smiled, "How could I ever?" Though the moment that Aimi left, Rin's thoughts were a million miles away from training tomorrow.
The next morning came much to quick for Rin, her eyes refused to open up has Aimi came to wake her up. Io and Cho were already in the room cleaning up; and Rin could smell Takumi preparing breakfast.
"Get up, Lord Sesshomaru is expecting you in his study, NOW!" Aimi half screamed, she always panicked around Sesshomaru, partially because she feared him along with everyone else. But another reason was because she had a deep respect for the Lord, he had defended her parents the best he could, but they could not be saved when they had perished.
"Alright, I'm up." Rin groaned, "I'll get dressed and be in his study soon."
Aimi bowed and ran out of the room to fetch Rin's toiletries.
As soon as Rin was finished, she entered Sesshomaru's study, he was sitting at his desk reading some scrolls.
"My Lord, you called for me?" Rin asked, her heart beating fast. She had to admit, since she had grown a bit, her child love for him may have grown to something more. But every time she seemed to make him uncomfortable he'd walk away or change the subject. Eventually she had given up and tried to act normal, but sometimes it was hard to control her feelings.
"Yes, from this day forward you will train with me. Tadao tells me that you advance quickly and are much more prepared." Sesshomaru said blankly, his eyes not wavering from his scrolls.
Rin couldn't help but smile, he'll be training me now. She bowed, "Y-yes my lord." She turned and exited the room with a quick swift from her foot.
Once Rin was gone, Sesshomaru put down his scroll.
How does she do it all the time, she never reacts the way that I expect her too. He rubbed his temples, remember don't take things too far.
Rin ran into Tadao on her way down to breakfast, "Oh Master Tadao good morning."
Tadao smiled, "Morning, excited for today?"
"Yes Master," Rin said, "Did you already eat?"
Tadao nodded, "Yes Takumi's cooking gets better everyday." He explained, "Anyways eat up, training with Lord Sesshomaru isn't easy."
"Of course," Rin laughed and bounded off to the dining room.
"THERE YOU ARE!" Kagami yelled, "I found you!" She said dashing after a mouse that happened to get into the great hall. She was equipped with a net, she had been trying to track the mouse for months on end. She couldn't get it because it nested in the walls and she didn't want to destroy it just over a mouse.
"Did you finally catch it?" Aimi asked from one of the top beams of the great hall as she it off. (Yes the beams in the great hall expand sideways on the roof for support.)
Rin who was reading through some scrolls in the hall was staring at Kagami chase around the poor mouse yelling curses at it. She couldn't help but feel amused about it.
"Kagami, scare it towards the door, that way you won't have to kill the poor thing." Rin said.
"Always so compassionate." Aimi commented, though Kagami didn't seem to hear as she led it back to it's nest in the wall.
Kagami yelled curses, and Aimi and Rin fell into laughter.
"I'll get the damned thing next time," Kagami huffed, Aimi rolled her eyes at her sister. "Sure you say that all the time."
"This time I will get it!" Kagami screamed as she stomped off into the dining room to tidy things up.
"Aimi," Sesshomaru's voice rang through the hall. Aimi froze, and then quickly jumped from the beam to bow in front of the Lord. Rin's heart jumped as she looked up to see him standing in the doorway calm and composed. He had a 3rd sword at his hip. She felt curious about what it was.
"Yes My Lord?"
"It's time for Rin's lessons, be sure to have Takumi prepare lunch soon."
Aimi bowed, "Of course." And left the room, closing the door behind her.
"Rin, come here."
Rin stood up and ran over to him, "Yes Lord Sesshomaru?"
"This is for you," He said handing over the 3rd sword, the sheath was pure white, and the hilt was as well. "For me?" Rin whispered tearing up, it was a gorgeous sword.
"It's made from my fang, its called the Chiame," Sesshomaru explained, "It will only respond to you, and only you. It's a powerful demon sword, but you will figure out how to use it." Sesshomaru explained.
Chiame, was a pure white sword, it glimmered in Rin's hands; she bowed,
"Thank you My Lord!" Rin smiled.
Sesshomaru nodded, "Are you ready now?"
"Of course!" Rin replied instantly.
Sesshomaru inwardly smiled.
