The Forbidden Ward

Chapter 2

They have finally arrived on their final destination. The Land of the Lord of the West, and right now they're standing at the doors of the palace. Without even knocking, the door opened revealing a middle age female demon raccoon. She greeted them with a short bow.

"Your arrival was unexpected, Lord Sesshoumaru." Then she looks down at Jaken and regard him with scrutiny. "How fare you, little demon?" she asked, trying to surpass the grin that was starting to split on her face. Angry nerves were forming on Jakens' forehead.

"Ryoko, there's something you need to do." Sesshoumaru finally spoke in his icy tone. Ryoko tore her gaze from the irritated Jaken and look at her lord.

"What is it, Lord Sesshoumaru?"

Sesshoumaru pointedly glance down at his right feet. Ryoko look down and to her surprise she saw a human girl peeking at her from behind Sesshoumarus' large white pelt. Ryoko can't help but smile at the small cute head that was poking out then hide again.

"Come out child and let this old woman have a look at you." she said as she slightly extended her hand and gestured for her to come out. The girl looked at Sesshoumaru then to the smiling demoness before she decided to let go of the white pelt and step to the front.

"My, my." Ryoko said with a clicking of her tongue as she circled around the girl before stopping in front of her and kneeled to level with the girl's height before proceeding with the examination.

"You're a bit scrawny and you don't have much meat on you. How old are you child?" she asked as she peered at the girl's umber eyes. Ryoko could hear Jaken scoff.

"Can't you see? The human child's a mute!" he said.

Ryoko glared at the toad-like demon. "Being a mute does not mean she can't tell me her age, you imp!" Jaken gasped at her insult and then look away angrily while mumbling something about ungrateful wenches. Ryoko look back at the girl and smile.

"Now, tell me child." She said. The girl raised her hands and showed her, her age. Ryoko was a bit surprise to know it.

"Seven? You're so skinny for your age, you look like you haven't eaten for days!" she then looked at Sesshoumaru, as if asking where he got the human. But then Jaken intervened.

"She's a slave! She should be grateful it was Lord Sesshoumaru who bought her and—"

"Jaken." The cold and stoic call cut Jaken.

"Ryoko, you are responsible for the child's need. Make sure she knows the regulation and rules that goes around here and that she doesn't go across the borders of the palace." With that quick and abrupt order, Sesshomaru went ahead.

The three, namely, Jaken, Ryoko and the girl was left looking at his retreating back. When he was out of sight, Ryoko stood up and look down at the girl.

"Now, let's clean you up and put meat on those bones. Just looking at you makes me think that just a gust of wind could send you flying out here." She said with a slight chuckle, then she turn to Jaken.

"What are you still standing here for you little imp?" she asked as she rose one brow.

"Stop calling me that, you over-obsessed cleaning wench." He just sigh and then look seriously at the human child. Ryoko saw this and tried to question him about it.

"What is it now, Jaken?"

"Lord Sesshoumaru despise human. Yet, he went out and bought a human child. This action baffled me. You, yourself must be surprise, considering that you were the one who was with Lord Sesshoumaru since he was just an infant."

Ryoko sigh as she looks at the human girl who was quizzically looking from her to Jaken. "True, I may have been one of the few who witness Lord Sesshoumarus' physical development. But that doesn't mean that I know what is inside his mind. He's the only one who has to say for his action, and whatever it is he must have a perfectly good reason for doing it."

Suddenly the girl let out a soft sneeze. Ryoko took out a thin blanket and wrap it around her. "It's getting late, and judging from the cold wind it looks like it's going to rain soon. Well then, let's put you in a hot bath before you catch a cold." She smiled down at the child and guided her to the bathhouse.

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After bathing the child Ryoko showed her, her room before helping her in a much more comfortable kimono. She was drying her hair when the girl starts tugging at her kimono.

"What is it?" she asked. Still looking down the girl pointed outside then to herself, then back again from outside back to herself. Ryoko examined her action and realize that the child was trying to tell her, her name.

She was pointing outside, but there was nothing outside aside from the cold rain. Then it hit her.

"Your name is Rain?" she guessed. The girl nod her head then shook it. Ryoko thought for a minute.

"Ran?" the girl shook her head this time strongly. Ryoko was deep in thought, What could be close to rain?

"Ah! Rin?" the girl pause for a moment before she shyly nod her head.

"So, it's Rin is it? That has a kind ring to it and it suits you well. Now, enough of this chat, you better get your sleep and by tomorrow we'll start filling those skinny part of yours." She did a last dry on Rins' hair before she started to head out of the room.

"Good night, Rin." She then slides the door close.

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Rin tried to close her eyes, but if she does that those memories would hunt her again. No matter how she tried to forget them, they'd still come back. She closed her eyes, now thinking of a certain white hair and golden eyes, her savior. It was a bit strange but she experienced a sudden jolt of familiarity as she remembers those eyes. Sighing, she slowly closed her eyes, hoping that those dreaded nightmares won't come and hunt her this night.

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"Well then. Now that you've finished your morning meal, will you start and help me? I forgot to check and count the stack of goods in the stockroom. I would need another helping hand."

Rin smile and nodded.

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The two of them was walking towards the stockroom when Rin smelt a wonderful fragrance. She turned at the open area and saw a wide field of flowers, vast of different kinds. She stops for a moment to gaze at the field and inhale the wonderful smell.

"I see, so you've notice them. It's a bit of a surprise that it's still alive and growing, since nobody in the palace ever tend for them. Come on, the stockroom is just a little bit far. You could just check back on them." Ryoko said as she patted Rin on the back. Rin smiled at her and nod.

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The stockroom was a little bit crowded but nevertheless everything was in place in a neat arrangement.

"Let see, where did I put it? Ah, here it is." The old woman pulled out a small parchment. It was the list and of the amount of things that was in the room. She looked at it before handing it to Rin.

Rin looks at it then to Ryoko. The old woman noticed her confused look. "That's a list of the things that are stock around here. Whenever I say something check the list if they are there. Do you understand?"

Rin shook her head. "Don't you know how to read?" the question was answered with another shook.

"Write?" again, Rin shook her head. Ryoko let out a silent sigh.

"Well, I guess it can't be help." She said as she took the list from Rin. This made Rin frown. Seeing her downcast look, Ryoko smile and pat the child's shoulder.

"How about you tend and pick some of those flowers you saw earlier? It would be nice if we could have some of those around, inside the palace."

Rin's down face raise up with a smile. She nod her head vigorously and hug the old woman before proceeding to head out of the room. Ryoko watch as Rin went running out of the room.

"She must love flowers, very much."

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Rin was happily walking around the hall of the palace. She was carrying the last bundle of flowers that she's going to put in the remaining vase she saw down the hallway. When she was about to turn right, she caught a glimpse of silver white hair. She paused for a moment and saw the lord Sesshoumaru went inside a certain room. She looks at the flowers in her arms then to the door. Slowly she took one step towards it.

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Sesshoumaru was sitting quietly at his study room deep in his thoughts. Something was bugging him that he could not clearly comprehend and for some reasons he could not sleep well last night. Whenever he closed his eyes the image of the human child would come out. His thoughts were suddenly disrupted by the small presence that was slowly coming its way towards his room. His nose caught a swift scent of mixed fragrance coming from the door. Among them was a familiar sweet scent.

Wasn't Ryoko supposed to keep her occupied? He stood up and slowly, with graceful strides, he went and reached for the door. Upon sliding it open, the only thing that greeted him was the remaining trail of scent from the owner and a flower that was left on the floor in front of his door. Sesshoumaru look at it before he pick it up and examine it more closely. He looks around to see if he could still caught a glimpse of the one behind it, even though he knew who it was. Looking back at the flower in his hand, he slowly closed back the door.

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Rin was happily walking back towards the flower when she came across Ryoko who just came out from the stockroom.

"Rin, you seem to be lively. Did you have a wonderful time?" she asked the girl who nod her head in response.

"That's good. Ah! Jaken." Rin turned around and sure enough the little frog-like demon was standing behind with his weird looking staff.

"What are you doing, idly hanging around here? Aren't you supposed to work? Ryoko, are you sure you're teaching that human properly?" Jaken said as he looks at the human girl then to the old woman.

"Shut up, you little imp! We weren't idling about, and what about you? What are you doing around this part of the palace?" she asked as she looks at Jaken with her trademark look—one brow rose up.

"Well, I was just about to head to Lord Sesshoumarus' room to discuss about today's agenda."

"I see." Ryoko watch as Rin approach Jaken. Once in front of him, Jaken cringe slowly away.

"What do you want human?" he asked. Rin took out something from her set of flowers and then hand it to Jaken who just stared at it. Ryoko rolled her eyes.

"What are you so afraid of, Jaken?" she asks.

"I-I'm not afraid of a human. This human should be the one to—what?" he looks at Rin who pushed something on his hand.

He stared at the weird looking flower in his hand. "What is this?" there was a scoff sound that came from Ryoko.

"What? You don't know what a flower is?" Jaken glared at her.

"Off course I know what it is! Leave it to a human to give something as useless as this." He mumbled.

"It's a four leaf clover if you must know you little imp."

"So?"

"It says to bring good luck."

Jaken was quiet for a moment. "Hmmp! As if I need something like this." He then turn and walk out of their sight.

Ryoko grinned. "Rin, why don't you go first in the kitchen? There's something I need to do."

Rin look at the elder woman and nod her head before she run along to the kitchen.

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"Lord Sesshoumaru, what are you planning on doing with the human child? She's only been here for almost a day and she's been running around leaving signs of her human stench. Almost all the corners of the palace reek with it." Jaken said as he remembers those flower he keeps seeing on his way.

"Lord Sesshoumaru. About that human child—"

"Rin."

"Yes, Rin—what?" Jaken turn to look at the now open door where Ryoko stood.

"I'm sorry to barge in like that Lord Sesshoumaru." She bowed and then turns to glare at Jaken.

"I'm here to talk about Rin." She said emphasizing the name.

"Rin." Sesshoumaru secretly glance outside where he put the flowers he picked up.

"Yes. The human child's name is Rin." Ryoko confirmed again. Jaken stared at her with a questioned look on his face.

"How could you know that? The girl's a mute!"

"She showed me, you stupid imp!" Ryoko growled at him. Then she breathes in deeply to calm herself before she turned to Sesshoumaru with a serious look.

"That is why I'm here. Lord Sesshoumaru, you've given me the task of being responsible for the needs of the child. I believe she needs to learn how to read and write." Jaken gasped, he doesn't like where this conversation was heading to.

"Lately, I've found out she doesn't know how to write and even read. I think it would be better if she's taught on these things."

Jaken again gasped, this time a bit louder. "Why does she have to learn those things? She's a human, put her in the kitchen or other things." Ryoko glared at him for how many times.

"Aside from being a human, she's a child. And besides, I need an assistant before winter comes."

Jaken raised one brow. "Why do you need the human? There are many servants in the palace that could read and write."

"Because their hands will be full of tasks by winter comes." Ryoko snarled at him. "Last winter, I was the only one who finished mountains of paper works after weeks of shouting and ordering about." Suddenly something came in Ryoko's mind, she grinned at Jaken. "Besides, Jaken." Jaken suddenly felt chills down his spine. "You've asked me if I've been teaching the child properly. Well, it seems like it's time for me to pass the honor of being a teacher to you. I hope to see good results from you."

Jaken look like he was about to explode. "Why don't you teach that human yourself."

"Do you think it's that simple to run a household? I can't teach her while running around ordering servants and doing tasks."

"Well, that human is your responsibility."

"That human's name is Rin. And you're just a big—"

"Enough!" the two shut up at the angry sound that boomed across the room.

"Jaken."

Jaken directly straighten. "Yes, Lord Sesshoumaru."

"Starting tomorrow, teach the child what she needs to know before winter comes. Ryoko, resume to your tasks."

"Thank you Lord Sesshoumaru." Ryoko bowed before exiting the room, but not before throwing a victory smile at Jaken's way.

That was how Jaken's weary days started and Rin's teaching begun.

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A/N: Alright, You might be wondering. WHAT'S WITH THE HOLDUP? Don't worry, it will come soon. I'm kind of new at this, so please forgive me and please do read and review and tell me what you think about it. I'll be putting up a short preview for the next chapt. to see if you'll like it.

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Rin look up to see a pair of golden eyes looking back at her.

Oooo

There was a shuffling sound and weird noises coming from behind the bushes. She holds her breath for a moment and then saw a pair of red eyes looking at her.

"Sesshoumaru-sama!" she closed her eyes and prayed.

Oooo

Sesshoumaru smell something in the air. Something has intruded the borders of his domain. Then he caught a whiff of a familiar scent and of fear.

"Rin!"

Oooo

A/N: Until next time! R&R! ^-^