Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

~oOo~

Once, Twice Torn

~oOo~

Chapter Two

Everyone else attending this opening feast was already seated. The last of the four lords, their sons, and personal servants had arrived the day before, sweeping down into the courtyard from the sky and landing carefully in one of the narrow pathways, adjusting their leathery bat wings to keep from getting entangled. They greeted their host warmly.

His eyes swept over the empty chair beside him, where his son would sit if he had had one. Instead, tonight it would be occupied by Rin.

Sesshoumaru felt a gentle nudge on the edge of his conscious, and he looked up from his place at the head of the table, down the line of guests, until finally he was caught by the eyes of Satoru.

The Shika daiyoukai brushed his mind again. Reluctantly, Sesshoumaru dropped the barriers that kept his thoughts secret from him and pressed back, mentally flickering acknowledgment.

Lord Satoru possessed psionic abilities. Often, he would place a thought or an idea into one's head, mostly for means of silent communication. On occasions he could even seize the control of one's body through the mind. He seldom used such techniques. It was out of respect he had asked Sesshoumaru's permission for entrance.

Sesshoumaru remembered when he had first introduced Rin to Satoru and his two sons. He and the girl were alone together in his library, as they were every evening, when he felt that familiar brush on his mind again. Rising quickly, he motioned for Rin to follow him before sweeping out the room. Rin had to maintain a steady jog to keep at his heels.

"Is there something wrong, my Lord?" she asked the back of his head, beginning to pant slightly.

"No." He slid the wooden doors opened and walked out onto the front steps of the shiro, down them, through the gardens. With a wave of his hand he ordered the guards to lift the barrier on the front gate. Then he paused just outside it. Rin came to a halt beside him, grasping his shoulder. She knew he did not mind her touch.

"My Lord-?"

"Quiet," he commanded, looking out into the distance. Rin followed the gaze of his amber eyes with puzzlement. They were almost there, he knew.

The sound of thundering hooves came to their ears, and then a dozen Japanese deer charged over the grassy hilltops, leaping in giant bounds and bucking the air with their powerful legs. Each deer had a rusty reddish brown coat, and three were mighty stags with antlers that sat on their heads like crowns. They caught scent of Sesshoumaru and began to slow their pace as the largest of them all charged forth with his head lowered, heading directly toward the daiyoukai and his human at a frightening speed. Rin jumped behind Sesshoumaru instinctively for protection, and was astounded when her master did not make a move to ward off the oncoming attacker. She dug her fingers into his kimono.

The great stag pulled backward at the last second to avoid colliding with them. Rearing up on his hind legs, the stag violently shook his giant head, and Rin cringed back into Sesshoumaru, whom continued watching the deer with the upmost amount of ease.

And then they were gone – and standing in each of their places were demons with big brown eyes and auburn hair. The Shika daiyoukai smiled grandly at the two of them.

Unlike the Sakana, Sesshoumaru had not minded Rin's curiosity with Satoru. He and his sons were equally astounded to find that a human was living under the wing of the vengeful Lord of the West, but were more accepting of the idea than Katashi had been. They did not press on the subject, instead choosing to discuss their hard journey from the mountainous Northern Lands.

That had been four days ago. The week of waiting was finally finished when Lord Manabu and his bat demons arrived. The following evenings would be nights of festivities: Once every century it was tradition, for all the daiyoukai to met under the roof of the current strongest family dynasty of the time, to rejoice the peace maintained between the four lords in Japan. These friendly gatherings were to be used for constructive planning among them. Common problems would be discussed while solutions to those problems would be proposed.

The Inu Dynasty had housed the Gathering for the past thirty centuries straight, but this would be the first in which Sesshoumaru would be the host. His father had instructed his heir thoroughly on the appropriate style and manner he should use to uphold their duty as the most powerful daiyoukai family, though his father probably did not take into account that a human girl would force herself into his son's life and demand his undivided attention every day and protection throughout the night. And now Sesshoumaru found himself refusing to start the celebrations without her by his side. Maybe he was acting childishly. He didn't care.

He sensed a mental chuckle from Satoru. The Shika sent him a thought: A woman loves to pamper herself to perfection, she could take hours. Are you sure you want to wait?

Sesshoumaru sent him a flicker of annoyance, and proceeded to shove him out his consciousness, without meeting any resistance. He felt too exposed whenever he was near the Shika, and unused to having to guard his thoughts. He turned his attention to the other side of the table where Katashi and Akihiko were with their heads close together.

Akihiko sat with his feet propped up on the table, hands behind his head, and eyes lidded. He sighed impatiently, and then said loudly:

"I don't understand the way things work around here. Remind me again why we are waiting for the human?"

His father rolled his eyes.

"Get your feet off the table. You are soon to be lord of my lands; you will NOT embarrass me in front of the others."

The young Sakana looked down the table of lords and vassals to smile at Sesshoumaru, who was graciously accepting the sake offered to him, though he did not drink from the goblet. He lowered his voice.

"In order for our plan to work, we only need the support of two of the three others, correct Father?"

"Yes."

"And how exactly are we going to do that?"

"Do not worry, my Boy," he replied, patting his cheek in such a manner that made his son scowl, "You just sit there with a smile on that youthful face of yours, and let me do all the talking."

The sight of Akihiko and Katashi deep in conversation made Sesshoumaru slightly uneasy. It had been obvious since the day they arrived that they were planning to exert their dominance over him, or attempt to make him look inexperienced, hence unfit for his position as a lord. They also didn't know him very well.

Sesshoumaru had actually dressed up for the occasion, though he despised it. He pulled back his silvery hair with a golden clasp, and the long locks swam down his back like the gentle flow of water. He wore an emerald kimono, one that would match Rin's, with scarlet and gold stitched seams that flashed brightly whenever the light caught them. A scarlet sash tied around the waist of his white harem pants, and he had even exchanged his boots for a comfortable pair of sandals.

He sighed again. If Rin didn't turn up within the next minute, he was going to excuse himself to go slay the maid he'd sent for her, and then drag her downstairs himself by the scruff of her neck, ancient customs of respect for a Japanese lady be damned! Starting without her wasn't an option for him. He would embarrass her if he must.

Slowly, he began counting backward from ten, and before reaching four, the sliding doors at the end of the dining hall opened, revealing two young women, one human, the other a female dog demon, one of his maidservants. The demon bowed lowly and called out, "Lady Rin" and stepped to the side.

The hall fell silent and directed their attention to the latest member of their party. The majority simply raised their eyebrows and gave Sesshoumaru a look of incredibility, but a few took the opportunity to take in Rin's petite frame. She matched her master in every aspect of clothing, though her long brown curls were instead pile high on top her head, held tightly together by the golden clasp. Her skin appeared porcelain; lips a ruby red from all the makeup. It was very easy for Sesshoumaru to tell she despised every bit of it. The usual charming smile that always occupied her face was nowhere to be distinguished. Every forced, stiff movement she made walking down the table to the spot beside him spoke volumes. He admired the fact she could transform her face into a stoic mask very similar to his own, utterly indifferent. This pleased him, as he knew she was suffering from all this on the inside. Punishment, he decided, for making him wait for her. He would make it up to her later.

Sesshoumaru stood, and walked to meet her halfway down the long table. The only sounds to be heard were the thuds of their sandals on the wooden floor and the thumping of Rin's heart, which everyone could hear. He stopped, extending his arm to offer it to her. She took it, and the lord almost, almost laughed aloud at the red that shone through the layers of white powder on her cheeks. He steered the two of them back down the table, motioning to the soft cushion for her to sit. He returned to his own spot at the head and then raised his eyes to the entirety of the hall. They were waiting for him to make the opening speech.

This would possibly be the worst part for him. However, he cleared his throat. "Now that we are all accounted for," he glared pointedly at Rin, "We can carry on the procedure. I welcome all of my guests: Lord Satoru of the Northern Lands, and your sons, Lord Manabu of the Eastern Lands, and your son, Lord Katashi of the Southern Lands… and your son. I humbly offer temporary residence to all of your accompanied service peoples and vassals during your stay under the roof of the House of Inu."

Words of gratitude swept through out the crowd. Rin sat stiffly on her cushion with her hands folded within her lap, watching her lord make his speech, and ignored the obvious emerald eyes that bore into the back of her head. She refused to even so much as glance in the direction of the Sakana Family.

"We shall carry on with the feast," Sesshoumaru said, who felt not at all compelled to keep talking. Servants catering large wooden trays flooded the hall. There were shouts of satisfaction from the hungry demons as bounties of food were unveiled to them.

"I will give you the opportunity now to explain your prolonged absence, Lady Rin," he murmured just loud enough for her to hear him over the bustling noise that now filled the room, "Because later I will not allow you to speak at all."

"Forgive me, Master," she whispered, barely moving her lips, and found herself staring at his square jaw, "I hope I haven't disgraced you in any way."

"You very nearly did," he growled lowly, not paying an mind to the food offered to him by a servant. "Rin, what is the meaning of your behavior?"

She picked at her own meal with her chopsticks. She couldn't eat demon-prepared food like the rest of them, so the servants always provided her with fish from the nearby river or wild game from the woods. The dishes they made for her had always been satisfactory, but tonight she had no appetite. "My Lord," Rin said, "I was debating whether to even show up for dinner."

"And why on earth would you do that?" He sounded displeased.

"Because…" she sighed, looking away, "I'm scared."

"What for?"

Exasperation flinted across her face. "You are not making this any easier on me, my Lord."

"I know that. Hearing your issues from your own mouth will help me understand, though." Sesshoumaru finally brought his goblet to his lips.

"At this moment I am being watched, by the demon that has been tormenting me even in my dreams for a week now." Rin continued to avoid eye contact.

She heard his fangs gnash together menacingly.

"Why must that imbecile dominate your every thought all the time?" His anger made her half smile.

"Not for the same reason that you might think. Why, my Lord, are you jealous?" she teased, unable to resist. Sesshoumaru reached out and gently turned her chin to face him. His amber eyes narrowed.

"Do not flatter the Sakana. If I desired any such an object it is because its value exceeds that of which Akihiko could ever hope to obtain, hence deeming the woman appropriately qualified to become the central focus of my affections."

Rin was uncertain how to interpret this when he added: "I am your lord, and that makes you forbidden to any man without my blessing."

You are positively boiling with envy, Lord Sesshoumaru. It's actually rather endearing.

KEEP OUT OF MY HEAD! He turned and shot a death glare at Satoru, who innocently looked away and started to engage his eldest son, Kenshin, in conversation.

Mind your own business.

He heard him sigh. I would, if you would only refrain yourself from screaming your every thought like a conch in my ear! I hadn't been aware of your dislike for the Southerners. It is very prominent. May I ask why?

No, you may not.

"My Lord?" Rin stared at her lord in puzzlement, completely oblivious to the silent communication between him and the deer demon he was openly snarling at.

He ignored her. Your power is immensely annoying, you know that? How my father put up with you so many years continues to elude me.

Your father never denied or questioned any feelings or thoughts he had, meanwhile your mind is a scrabbled bank of emotions that is quite confusing to the common mind reading outsider such as me. I can feel a headache coming on.

Suddenly blank surprise colored Satoru's end of line, and he seemed to be lost for words.

What's wrong, Elderly Lord?

Katashi, he replied, He's about to speak. This will be interesting. Oh! Another shake of astonishment shook their mental link as he read the contents of the Sakana's mind, and then quickly he severed himself from Sesshoumaru.

Within a second later Katashi chimed his eating utensils on his goblet. The hall immediately fell silent. Sesshoumaru released his hold on Rin and tried to grab Satoru back into his consciousness, but failed as he was repeatedly mentally flogged backward.

The Lord of the Southern Lands stood, emerald eyes bright, and grinned triumphantly at Sesshoumaru.

~oOo~

"May I have a moment of everybody's attention?" Katashi's voice bounced off the walls in echoes, drenched in confidence, "I promise it shall not take much of your time."

"What are you doing?" Satoru asked, stricken-faced.

"Ah," Katashi grinned, "My dear friend, I see you are confused. Allow me to clarify some matters." He took a sip from his goblet.

"I," he began, "Have been Lord of the Southern Lands for nearly 500 years, since the day that my father had perished in the war with the Continent, fighting alongside many of your own predecessors – Toga Inu no Taisho, for one." He turned to face Sesshoumaru, "I feel it is only right to say something in honor of the memory of our recently deceased ally. This has been the first Gathering in nearly a millennium that he has not graced with his presence. The Great Dog Demon was a hell of a monster on the battlefield, and the sincerest of gentlemen on the throne. He ruled with a firm hand." He pounded his own on the table top, rattling nearby dishes and silverware. "And he was proud! He kept the best interests for these lands above his own personal desires! He is everything that I have modeled my own territory after, in hopes he knows from the depths of his grave that his memory lives on. Toga should be remembered as the great lord that he was.

"I can recount the very first time I was honored to be brought before him. It was just weeks before the start of the war with the Continent. My father had wished I accompany him to the last Gathering before the start of the war. I had never been more terrified or excited in my life than I was among the mighty lords of the time," He laughed, "Satoru, you were very young then, and quite handsome if I recall correctly. You had just recently received your inheritance, the start of a nasty war.

"Everyone I spoke with outside the Southern territories had promised me that the great Lord Satoru would steal the title back from the Inu Family, and a new power would arise in Japan. As everyone can see now, it's been five hundred years, and you've still have yet to do so."

"The Dog General was very great," the Shika replied quietly, "I had no desire to take the power my friend had every right to possess."

"Hai," Katashi said, "We all know you worshipped him." He pointed at Satoru with one finger, "But you can't deny it was within your abilities to switch your positions?"

"…No."

This satisfied Katashi, and he turned then to Manabu.

"You were there as well, Friend from the East."

"Hm?" was his answer. The bat demon and his son seemed to be in another world within their heads, not paying much attention to what was going on.

"The last Gathering before the war," he reminded him impatiently.

"Oh, yes. What about it?"

"That was the first time you were brought before Toga as well, wasn't it?"

"Hai," he replied, rearranging his wings to a more comfortable position. The koumori was surely a magnificent sight to behold. He and his people were very different than the bat demon tribe Rin had seen in the mountains. Both he and his son had skin of a dark brown shade, almost black, with silver daiyoukai stripes. Manabu's large black eyes were glimmering onyx.

"You were more interested in the planning and mapping out of the war than actually fighting in it. You must have admired Toga, for both his strength and his skill as a general."

"Indeed."

Katashi finally looked back up at Sesshoumaru, who was watching him with careful amber eyes. He smiled. "The first time I came to the West, was also the first time I met you."

Sesshoumaru didn't reply.

"You don't remember," he continued, "The age you were was even younger than my own son." He rested a hand on Akihiko's shoulder, "You were barely a pup."

"This has all been very nice," Satoru quickly cut in, "But I do believe we should continue on with the feast, don't you agree, Lord Sesshoumaru?"

"Let him finish," he said. Rin nodded her agreement, suddenly interest in the history that was being unveiled before her.

Satoru flashed his hazel eyes dangerously at him. Despite the remarks on his age, he appeared rather young to Rin, but that could possibly be because her human eyes could not distinguish the age of a daiyoukai. He had gold that striped his tan cheeks. Auburn hair flowed freely to his waist in long locks similar to her master's. Could he really be that powerful? She wondered to herself. What does he possess that my Sesshoumaru does not?

"Well, then," he cut off Katashi for the second time, earning him a look of deep disdain, "Since we're all giving our own accounts and views on Toga, here is mine."

"Now wait just a second, Lord Satoru!" Katashi snapped, still standing, "You are being quite rude, interrupting me as you do! What I wish to share with the company among us is of the upmost importance. I might not know the culture and customs of your people in the North, but I do know of a manner called respect which is widely practiced throughout the world."

The Shika stood, glaring at him. Then, astonishingly, he grinned at his fellow lord.

Unknown to everyone else in the room, Satoru sent a mental threat across the table to him, something so horrible that Katashi snapped his mouth shut and stared at him with wide eyes. Sesshoumaru could only guess what speech was being passed between the two raging lords, and didn't like the fact Satoru wouldn't let him in on the matter. His gaze drifted between them.

"Are the two of you finished?"

An invisible force pushed Katashi backward onto his empty cushion. He eyed Satoru warily.

"I seem to have underestimated you."

"Obviously." A little smugness colored his voice.

"Then by all means," he said curtly, "Carry on with the feast. I am finished… for now."

"You are quite wise," Satoru complimented, and then turned to Sesshoumaru, smiling. No, I am not going to tell you anything… just yet.

Why?

The human, I don't believe, should care to witness any murders that may be committed tonight if I were foolish enough to tell you. It isn't going to heal her of any of her insecurities of us. I can smell it on her. He sat back on his cushion, smoothing the creases of his kimono flat.

Is that so? Or are you just using my ward as an excuse?

I can't imagine that she would much enjoy the sight of blood directly after her meal. And nor would I, very much.

Sesshoumaru mentally snorted. Forgive me. I wouldn't want to inconvenience the either of you. Tell me though; was it really quite so serious?

He fought back a growl as he was cut off once again.

"My Lord?" came a voice from beside him. Noise refilled the hall.

"Yes, Rin?" He'd forgotten her in all the tension.

She looked at him with lidded eyes.

"May I leave?"

"No. You have only just arrived. No one is released until my say so. You cannot possibly be tired already."

"I am," she yawned for good measure. He frowned, contemplating the situation.

No one has ever left the Opening Feast prematurely, and then again, we've never had a human among us on the Opening Feast, either. If you must, I suppose, you may rest your head on my shoulder, but you cannot fall asleep. Do you hear me, Rin?"

She had already moved herself swiftly beside him, abandoning her uneaten food, and buried her face into his sleeve, sighing in contentment.

He had half the mind to tell her not to smear her makeup on him, but the sight of her blissful smile chased the thought from his mind. The whispers about them came from down the table and fell deaf on his ears. She was barely a woman, he reminded himself. Rin was childish enough still to need someone to lean on, and for a decade of her life that person had always been him. There was no shame in how he cared for her.

Rin looked upward at her master. He was so kind to her, much more than she thought she deserved. How was it that the sight of him was all she needed to feel… loved? Because he did love her, right? She'd never asked him, only assumed. He had taken her in as little girl, tolerated with patience her foolish giggling and squeals that had driven Jaken insane. The thought of how immature she must have been with her lord came back to haunt her. Offering him flowers (really, what would he do with those?), composing idly poetry (her voice was horrible), and calling him puppy, the horror was too much for her. She hid her face back in his kimono.

Despite herself, Rin found she still wished to be wandering the countryside. It had been many years since she and her lord, accompanied by Jaken and the deceased Ah-Un, had turned their backs to civilization, and took with them only the clothes they wore on their backs, and no one but the stars to watch over them. The troubles that had found them were nearly endless and almost always concluded with her lord cutting short some unfortunate life. So she feared nothing, and knew she'd be able to sleep curled up against his side, feeling the warmth radiating from his torso and the arm he wrapped protectively around her small body. She wondered if he'd hold her the same way now that she was older.

Ever since Akihiko had mistaken her for Sesshoumaru's concubine, these kinds of thoughts frequently went through her mind. Did everyone else really see her in such a light? Was it not just the Sakana, but even their own servants? She had forgotten to ask Rai if that were true. And if it was, did Sesshoumaru know about any of it? What did he think of such rumors? Was he disgusted, humiliated, indifferent? Or was he…?

The muscles in his arm rippled beneath her as he moved carefully in order to finish his meal. He had been with an arm only for a short period of time, so he was accustomed to doing everything single handedly. She would shift her weight occasionally to assure him she was still awake.

Without Rin realizing it, music began drifting through the hall. She lifted her head and looked around for the source.

The koumori youkai stood on a raised platform at one end of the room, each baring curious instruments of wind, string, and percussion. Experimenting, they had started out with a simple melody, and now were ready to begin a more complex piece for entertainment. Rin sat upward all the way, very interested in the performance they were putting on. The sounds were exotic, completely unique and original to the Lands of the East. One could not be sure they had heard anything else quite so beautiful.

Almost all of the other youkai stood, taking another as their partner, and the dining hall became a ballroom of many gracefully turning bodies that moved in perfect time with the music.

Rin had been so preoccupied watching them that she hadn't heard her lord the first time he spoke.

"Sorry?" she blinked.

"Do you wish to dance?" He seemed slightly annoyed at having lost her attention.

"But I don't know any of the motions," she pointed out, "I would appear foolish."

To her astonishment, that statement made Sesshoumaru grin in the slightest amount, the corners of his mouth arching upward in a playful manner.

"No one looks foolish with me as their partner." And with that he stood, grasping her elbow firmly, and proceeded to drag her to the dance floor, barely seeming to notice that Rin was trying her best to pull free from him. She began to drag her feet like a stubborn mule.

"I – I can't! I'll look so out of place among the rest of you!"

"Stop fretting," he commanded, and then the current piece the koumori played ended, and everyone stopped to praise their partners. Quiet murmurs passed between the musicians, and finally they decided on a swift paced song that required fast footwork. As it started, Sesshoumaru took one of Rin's hands in his own. She looked up at him fearfully.

He glared. "Stop shaking."

"But I can't dance!"

Sincere shock crossed his face. "Truly?"

"No! Whatever made you think I could?" She was close to tears now.

"When you were little," he whispered. "You always wanted me to dance with you." Other couples weaved around the two of them as they were standing at a still in the center of the floor, "I never would. I watched you with Jaken… I assumed… it was his fault he ended up with sore feet."

Rin let out a snort."Hardly. I broke his littlest toe, remember? I don't think he ever quite forgave me for it."

He could smell the terror that clung to the back of her neck in sheens of sweat. Without giving it much thought, he ran his hand slowly up her back to wipe it away. She shivered at his touch.

Sesshoumaru was feeling something, and it made his senses hyperactive towards the girl he held in his arms. The room was illuminated in dim light; however, he could count every glorious lock that sat on her head. The beat of her heart was so irregular that he pulled her closer, pressing it against his chest, and mused at the rapid pace his own heart picked up to match hers. And her smell was different. He buried his nose in her hair.

Then he mentally slapped himself back to reality, and jerked away from her slightly. The curve of his body cried out protests from the missing warmth.

"Rin," his voice was unnaturally husky, making her blush.

"Hai, my Lord?"

"You are going to do this dance with me. That is an order."

"But-!"

He grabbed both her shoulders, squeezing them tightly, but not enough to hurt her, and then moved down her arms to capture her tiny fingers.

"Please?" he whispered, flinching.

What Rin would've given to have had another witness to this miraculous happening. Her Lord Sesshoumaru, yes, the exact same Lord everyone feared, loved, and hated, had asked her if she would please dance with him. The word sounded so foreign coming from his mouth, and just to add to the effect, she thought she heard the trace of a whine mingled with it, as if he would be in pain if she refused.

Rin found herself agreeing subconsciously, still in shock at his new manner, and he lifted her palms up to kiss them, as he had always done since she was little when he was grateful that she did something that pleased him. And she was now a lady; it was the polite and expected action for him to do.

Any onlooker would think if he kept going, taking one of her fingers in his mouth, for instance, she probably wouldn't protest. Then he could move steadily up an arm, nuzzle her neck, and perhaps even nibble her earlobe, before finally finding her lips. He would part them with his own so as to at last taste that delectable essence of hers he had not known that he'd been craving for so many years.

But he didn't, of course.

Instead, he took Rin's right hand in his, and his face morphed back into its usual mask of icy blankness.

"Ease yourself," he reassured her, "I am a very good dancer."

"Okay," she said nervously, not at all certain how he would know. Being of noble birth, it was probably a requirement for him to learn. He might hate it as much as she did, but it would be more bearable this way.

A new number was about to start, and he was showing her how to position her feet when a thought suddenly occurred to him.

Rin looked up from the floor to see his amber eyes staring at her. "What's wrong?"

"Your hair." His voice had dropped another octave. Sesshoumaru reached out and carefully pulled the golden clasp, watching as her long hair unraveled itself before spilling down past her shoulders to caress the curves of her body.

"Much better," he purred.

~oOo~