Chapter 2

Rika, the cat-demon seamstress, sat quite contentedly at a quiet corner of her kimono store, sewing a new design for a new kimono that had been specially specified by one of her customers.

The design was that of a landscape with a towering mountain, partially hidden by clouds, at the foot of the mountain was a forest and a river teeming with life – that was all under the influence of the setting sun, giving the silk fabric a warm, reddish color that was simply astounding to look at.

She was proud to be known for what she did.

The demon world adored her handiwork as if the very objects that she sowed on the fabric would come to life at any moment, at the human species, however, only those in the very first-class positions could afford her creations.

Sewing and tailoring was what she was born to do. It gave her strange peace and comfort every time she worked.

Soon, but expectedly, her dreamy trance of sowing was broken, she twitched her furry cat-like ears (she IS a cat-demon after all), the hairs on her neck stood and she could feel the prickling of cold sweat all over her humanoid form.

She knew this reaction, although she had no control over it, that he was coming.

His overpowering youki made her sick to the stomach, she sensed that he was circling somewhere overhead – the great dog demon lord – Sesshoumaru.

She always disliked the dog demons' species – which was understandable – but this particular one, the most powerful and feared of them all, had a strange habit of stopping at her place once every month, for the last five years, to buy the finest, not to mention costliest, kimono that she sold.

At his first visits, she thought it was a mere chance of oddness that such a deadly – save handsome, – demon lord was involved in a trifling task such as purchasing a small kimono, obviously, for a young girl.

But as his visits increased, so did the gossips and the rumors of the customers, mostly from other envious demonesses, that the gifts were for a human…

The size of the kimonos he bought increased each month, confirming the rumors, soon, the size that he most recently purchased, was that of a young woman's. No longer that of a child's.

With each kimono that he bought, the gossips also notched up to the levels.

It all started with, 'Maybe it's for a darling relative of his' to 'The young human girl that he had fallen madly in love with' to 'It won't be long before she'll be fat with his hanyou pups – just give it a few more years' followed by a trail of malicious laughter.

Rika hastily put aside her current activity and stood up to collect a small pile of flat boxes – three to be exact – and set them on the table where she did her business transactions.

She uncovered each one carefully, revealing first-rate kimonos that she correctly assumed would be the size that he would be looking for.

He circled above the seamstresses' abode from the sky for a few minutes, extending his keen senses to the area.

He could see that she didn't have the usual amount of crowds,

He could sense that there wasn't much activity inside – although he could smell her presence.

Good. He thought. I will be able to deal with her quickly.

He brought his feet to a gentle touch-down on the mossy ground, the smell of earth hit his sensitive senses full force, he couldn't help but frown slightly.

"Jakken, we have arrived." he referred to his vassal, who had fallen asleep on his pelt hanging from his right shoulder,

He appreciated the peace and quiet that was provided in place of Jakken's scratchy voice that always hurt his sensitive ears….

"Hai Milord! We have –" he was cut short as he tumbled to the ground, his Staff of Two Heads landing squarely on top of his green, bald head.

" – arrived." He finished with a groan.

Sesshoumaru started walking briskly towards the seamstresses' hut leaving Jakken to admire the new large bump on his own head.

"Ah! Lord Sesshoumaru! Wait for me!" Jakken ran toward his master with his tiny legs – unable to catch up.

He slid the shoji open and entered.

The cat demoness bowed face-flat to the rug, although she knew that she was of more benefit to him alive than dead, she still feared the very mention of his name.

"Greetings, Lord Sesshoumaru, may I present to you my finest and newest kimonos."

The dog demon lord carefully examined the contents of each box – they were the very finest indeed, he agreed as he slid his finger on the material at the first one he examined.

It was light brown, almost beige in color, very pleasant to the eyes and was adorned with the sight of sakura flower petals being blown and caressed by the wind.

It was welcoming to look at, but it simply would not suite her. He thought.

The second one was even more striking to look at, as he scanned over it and relaxed his eyes on the cooling green pigment that it possessed. Its' design was that of green lily pads and pink water lilies, random fishes swimming through them with their shiny golden, scales.

He stared at it for a bit….

Something told him it wasn't the pick either.

This is ridiculous. Why should it concern me so much? She practically thanks me for anything I give her…

Why do I even care? Am I not a cruel and fearsome Lord? And a demon no less…

The question haunted him for as long as ever since he revived the girl with his Tenseiga. What gave him pure frustration was that no matter how hard he scoured his mind for a decent answer. He simply could not come up with one.

She is simply my ward…he concluded.

The final kimono caught his eye the most.

It was in the deep, pleasant hue of orange, patterned with golden butterflies. The hue reminded him of the sun – the very element she emanated with her nature.

And somehow, it was perfect.

He could imagine her in it.

The jade-colored obi was patterned with the same butterflies. The kimono itself was long and flowing.

"That kimono, Milord, is the finest of them all – "

The cat demoness interrupted his thoughts.

"It is made out of mulberry silk – the top of the line"

"Hn."

"This will be the one then." The demon lord spoke. His voice as cold as ever.

"You have an excellent taste, Milord." Rika stated bluntly.

Jakken, who was staring at Sesshoumaru in some strange awe this whole time, was unusually quiet, – again.

"Pay up, Jakken." Sesshoumaru commanded.

"Ah – yes, Milord."

Rika carefully ribboned the box and handed it to the toad demon.

She saw his magnificent back as he turned to leave.

She carefully leaned over to the impling.

"Toad demon," she quietly started.

Jakken looked up.

"Are you referring to me?" asked the surprised imp.

"Of course, who else? – I would like to ask you a question."

"Make it quick woman."

"Is your master trying to woo a human?"

Jakken couldn't believe his ears,

"Why – wha – How dare you to ask such a degrading question about Milord!" he stuttered.

"Why, had he heard that, your worthless head would be rolling on the ground by now! He would never fall for such shameful creatures that are even way down below his feet!"

"Then why does he seem to take special care and attention on the human girl? She is growing quite beautiful, last I heard. Her beauty has spread far and wide."

At this point Jakken was quite shocked with Rika's persistency.

"I – ah – His affairs are not to be of any of your concern!"

But deep inside, he too, had questioned it for some time.

The great Lord Sesshoumaru had heard every bit of tittle-tattle Rika had with his demon ears.

It was hard to miss it since what they called 'whispering' was practically normal 'talking' to him.

"Jakken!"

"Yes – Milord!"

"Let's go."

As soon as Jakken had hold of his master's pelt, Sesshoumaru leaped for the skies.

The package was tucked safely in Jakken's small arms, as it his life depended on it.

In a few days they would be there.

Jakken noticed a light expression on his master's face, which was rare.

Could it be possible that the thought of our next destination – enlightens him?

Surely the girl is just his ward – right?

Thoughts in turmoil, he was once more unusually quiet, which for some reason, Sesshoumaru found it discomforting – not that he needed to hear Jakken's irritating voice, but it was out of character for him…..

He glanced at his vassal, which he could so easily read, like pages of a book.

His thoughts were obviously up to something – something about the conversation he had with the seamstress.

He frowned slightly.

He better not be fantasizing about the idea...

An unwelcomed growl escaped his throat. He knew all about the rumors ever since it was born.

He could tolerate it for now, but not for long…..

So, what do you people think? Pls. review! I would like to make the story reader-friendly, and easy to understand.

Forgive me for any grammar/punctuation mistakes. As you can probably tell by now, my story is a compilation of several other SessxRin fanfics – that is, molded into MY style of writing….

Again, all criticism is accepted, (please don't make me cry either )…..

I know that this is story off to a monotonous start, since I have to do a good background. But I promise. Intrigue, drama and the story's main plot will be springing to life within the next chapter or so… (remember when 'green eyes watched her in a distance?)

and oh, did I put too much 'scene' into Lord Fluffy buying Rin a kimono?

I don't mean to depict Sesshoumaru like a big softie, (he is a demon after all)

But his character IS, by far, the hardest to write about…..

Happy reading!