I wanted to expand a bit more on his territory and similar thing but JESUS I.. I just can't. I tried thinking of Japan being divided in West, East, smaller territory on North. But then again he met Inuyasha near today's Tokyo which would put him dead in the centre of, in my head, eastern territory which would be a huge no-no. Also Japan is smaller than I thought...
I'm rambling. Enjoy next chapter.
As promised, he visited next year. Arriving with Jaken and Ah-Uh. She skipped to them in a delight, crossing the distance between them and the village in record time.
She had grown again. "You silly child you will drain my Lords funds if you continue growing at this pace" The two vassals laughed as she happily brought them down the path to her hut.
Inuyasha was nowhere to be seen. Half breed obviously leaves his ward unsupervised. She had grown quite beautiful and he had noticed young human men staring at her as she passed by. He could smell lust on them. The stench was disgusting.
She spoke as cheerfully as last time, and he truly appreciated a chatter that, for a change, wasn't insufferable court riddles, where one had to mind each word that left their mouth. She also seemed to be more educated, since he noticed books Jaken piled on Ah-Un. Apparently, she was taught to read and write.
They came to a crossing in front of the village and she stopped, obviously thinking about something. She turned and asked him if he would perhaps prefer a small fire in the woods, instead of a human village. He had to admit he was slightly impressed she noticed, or cared to accommodate him so.
Once more they spent a comfortable evening in chatter. He listened to Rin and Jaken argue and speak of various nonsense, laugh and dance around the small fire. It was relaxing and reminded him of travel. He preferred the outside. The beige of his castle seemed dull, and eerily quiet compared to a flower field, and laugh of only beings, besides his father, he had ever considered close.
…...
It had barely been six months when she saw him again. She was besides herself with happiness.
She ran to him as soon as he landed. Her smile radiated like the sun. Cold as he was, there is no being on this world that isn't at least somewhat satisfied when another is this overjoyed to be in their presence. He had brought her a hairpin and she squealed in delight.
She stood still for a few moments, processing what was happening before thanking him profusely for the trinket as if he gifted her with most valuable thing in the world. She turned it around her hands and marvelled every inch of it, her eyes shining with happiness. She put it in her hair immediately delighted, and expressed regret she did not have a mirror at hand to marvel it further.
"Does it suit me?" She asked him, turning full circle, presumably so he could see the pin from all angles.
"It does." He answered honestly, indifferent as usual. She smiled wider and giggled.
She still had some errands to do, so he quietly accompanied her. She was curious as to what he had been up to for past several years. He told her of the conquer of the western Islands, expanding his territory.
She listened delighted, happy he was willing to share so much with her. She didn't understand most of the details but Lord Sesshomaru was a patient teacher and took time answering all her questions. She couldn't help it. It was impossible for her not to love the demon. After all, she was a woman now, and she imagined anyone would fall for someone like him. She had heard other women gossip of handsome men, subtly pointing or naming ones they considered fit the requirements, none even close to Lord Sesshomaru. From what she heard, he seemed to look like an ideal of a man- his tall build, obvious power, handsome face, beautiful golden eyes that many women found very attractive in Inuyasha... Not to mention, he was graceful, educated, wise, powerful, patient, just and kind. She was sure there exists no man more perfect than he.
He had noticed it once more, her heartbeat, her blushing cheeks and shy glances. She still fancied him. He will ignore it. Without a response, she will soon realise futility of such affection and find a human mate to carry on with her life. Her feelings, like any human emotion, would soon change. He was surprised this affection even lasted this long.
He knew his visits were probably encouraging her, but he wished to share his success with someone who would care. And she always did, for anything that he did. It was comforting.
They walked for some time quietly, enjoying the silence and each other's company. Finishing her errands, they returned to her hut, and she apologised for not going in the woods where it was quieter.
"It is fine. It will be evening soon and you should not be out during night anyway." He told her calmly as she prepared water for the tea.
"Don't worry my Lord, the village is quite safe." She smiled at him, happy he would worry for her. "You didn't finish the story."
He raised an eyebrow as she poured him a cup. "You have found a opposing tribe of ogres in the north?"
He was unsure what she meant. She was right that he had told her he found them, and disposed of them... Perhaps she wished more details? He expanded a bit on the topic and she smiled. She found it fascinating, though he supposed she regarded it more as a fairy tale than an actual event that took place. She asked many questions about it. What the area of battle looked like, how he traveled there, how long it took to finish the battle, was it during the day or the night- she drew all the details out of him, most of which he had not thought relevant. She convinced him it makes for a more impressive and interesting tale and he assured her he will attempt to be more detailed in his descriptions in the future.
...
His next visit was with Jaken again.
Contrary to his expectations, she did not greet them. Instead, there seemed to be a young man in her path. Even from that far away she seemed uncomfortable as the human moved even closer. He could hear them from the distance. The young man seemed weak even for a human, and pushy, trying to coax Rin into meeting him during night, not realising what impression he was leaving. Must inappropriate suggestion for a lady. Nor was he accepting any of her rejections as she tried to gently move past him.
What a disrespectful human trash.
He walked towards them and stopped right behind him. Young man still trying to talk her into meeting him, in his hut instead of dark forest. Rin looked up at him and smiled, looking relieved that he was there. The human turned annoyed at the disruption, but instantly paled as soon as he saw the demon. It didn't take him long to make a run for it.
Rin sighed and thanked him.
It seems she had suitors.
Jaken caught up to his Lord and obviously angry turned to her "What did he want again?" Sesshomaru frowned. Why did Jaken know about this man that Rin never mentioned to him? He was obviously wrong in assuming he knew everything about her.
"Do you have many suitors?" He asked before she had the time to answer.
She didn't know what to say, and was obviously uncomfortable. He couldn't have known she didn't want him to think she was interested in anyone but him. Oblivious to young woman's heart, he thought to find her appropriate suitors if he knew Rin wished to marry… or perhaps she didn't want him involved and is why she had nothing?
He pried no further until the end of his visit, instead just enjoying the company.
