Wow, such a great response for the first chapter you guys have me so totally amped to write this bad boy! A lot of you all had questions and a few speculations but I'm sorry, for right now I am choosing to keep tight lipped only because I have a big mouth and I don't want to spoil my own story.
I will say that this is going to be a Sess/ Rin fic, but that's more towards the middle and end. Right now it will mostly be Sess/Kagura.
I will also say that at first there will be a few odd pairings but rest assured everything happens for a reason and all will work itself out in due time.
ALSO some characters may come off as a little OOC, I do apologize for that in advance but as I stated before, everything happens for a reason and like people do in real life, characters must grow and learn from their experiences.
There. Now I think that covers just about everything for now.
Once again I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters, just the plot of this particular story.
Chapter One: The Princess Rin
The sun was at the center of the sky, making the day near unbearable with heat. Still, in the capitol city built along the coast of the Southern islands, the people were celebrating. Unlike most days this was a special day. It was the anniversary of the birth of their young princess, the beloved Rin. Everyone was excited for it, but none more excited than the princess herself.
"Hold still child! Every time ye move the darn thing slips right off ye!" Kaede her old nursemaid hissed. The elderly woman was squat with long peppered hair pulled into a long plait down her back. She wore the simple robes of a servant in the royal house. A yellow dress made of a light fabric with long bell like sleeves and orange sash tied around her waist.
She stood behind the petite princess pulling the aqua chiffon cloth through the small hoops along the back of the dress, then tightening it and the bottom before tying it into a secure knot. She stepped back and assessed her through her reflection in the mirror. She looked so pretty.
The princess Rin stood at sixty inches flat, give or take none, small shapely hips, and small breasts. Her heart shaped face was overrun by her out-sized chestnut brown eyes. She had a small button nose, rosy cheeks that formed deep dimples right in the center whenever she smiled, and full heart shaped lips. Her skin was smooth and creamy with a rosy tint to it. The dress nearly swallowed her up. The top of it was shaped to cup and push up her small breasts, thickly embroidered with gold beading and from the high empire waist, flared out to the ground. It was made of light chiffon in a pretty aqua color that made her black hair look radiant as it cascaded down her pale arms. Had been up in rollers from the previous night up until this point, her hair was long and curly, stopping at her elbows.
"Ye look beautiful, Rin." Rin scoffed. "Ye do! Are ye making me to be a liar?"
"No, Kaede. I just know that I am not beautiful."
She cupped her smooth face gently in her aged hands. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, child. And I think ye are perfect."
"You always say that though."
"I say it because it's true! Look at yourself!" Rin looked at herself in the mirror and couldn't help but smile. She did look good in the dress. It even made her look like she had breast! Not to mention the way her hair was styled you could barely see her protruding ears. "See! Prettiest girl in the entire South and everyone knows it!"
Kaede went over to the small assortment of four handmade slippers made for the princess by hand just that morning and picked a pair of flat sandals with painted golden straps to wrap around the foot.
"Perhaps." Rin sighed stepping down from the small dressing pedestal and walked over to the edge of her fluffy bed and plopped down rather clumsily.
"Perhaps!" Kaede snapped dramatically. "The child has finally turned seventeen and is being thrown the grandest of coming out balls and she behaves as if she doesn't even care!" Kaede tsked as she made her way over to Rin.
Rin rolled her eyes. "I care. I just… I feel weird." Kaede lifted her skirt and put each sandal on. Rin fell silent for a moment. "He will be here soon," she whispered.
"Who, Dear?"
The man who's going to take me away."
Kaede was tying her last sandal when her hands suddenly froze. A deep sighed was followed by the statement, "Aye, it is that time isn't it?" She finished tying the sandal then pulled her skirt down. Using support from her knee she stood to her full height, what little it was. "Is that what has you so down?" Rin nodded.
There was a knock on the door. "Ye may enter," Kaede said loudly.
The heavy wood door opened and one of the guards clad in armor entered. He bowed at the waist respectively. "Your highness, his majesty the king has requested your presence in the courtyard."
Rin rose immediately to her feet, straightening her gown. Without a further word she exited her bedchamber. The walk out to the courtyard was one that made her anxious. She knew of course what was about to happen. Behind her Kaede followed closely, and behind her were three members of her royal guard. Once they reached the courtyard, many members of court were standing around enjoying the air, drinking cool beverages. Everyone was dressed in light fabrics to keep the skin cool.
As she passed people they all bowed to her and she gave them all kind smiles and eyes. Her father stood beneath and archway made of white roses. He was dressed in bright red robes with a gold belt tied loosely around his hips. King Ryukatsu was a large man standing at near six and a half feet, he was thick with muscle. Dark brown eyes, his long square shaped was covered in a beard of black. The hair on his head was cut short. He was a fierce man with hard eyes. Beside him was the Crown Prince Takemaru. He looked a great deal like his father, only thinner and his long black hair was pulled back into a thick braid. He was dressed similarly to the King, only he wore a sword attached to his belt.
When both men saw Rin approach they smiled. Rin stopped before them and curtsied, to which they bowed. All rose to their full height at the same time. Before Rin had time to even speak, King Ryukatsu hugged her firmly then held her shoulders at arm's length. "Congratulations daughter," he said in a rough voice. "Today you are a woman."
"Thank you father," she said quietly. She cast a quick glance at Takemaru who looked sad. "Everything will be perfect tonight," Ryukatsu went on. "I have the best of the best in charge of tonight! I want this to be the happiest day of your life."
"I'm sure it will." She replied laughing lightly at his enthusiasm.
Content with that he released her and walked off. Rin turned to Takemaru who had a serious look. Immediately her smile vanished. "We should go talk," he said.
She nodded and looked back at Kaede who understood at once. She excused herself and walked away, taking the royal guards with her.
Rin looked back at her brother. "Yes?"
"The ambassador from the West arrived just a few hours ago."
Rin blanched. "He's early! He's not supposed to have come until tomorrow night!" She whispered.
Takemaru looked around before taking her elbow and they began walking through the gardens. Smiling at all of the people who passed by, he spoke in a calm whisper so that only she could hear, "Do not be alarmed, you are not leaving any sooner than planned. I made sure of that."
Rin nodded. "What do I do?"
"For now, nothing. This is the time where father must negotiate. All you have to do is what you always do, smile and look pretty."
"Will he want to talk to me in private?"
Takemaru shook his head. "I doubt it, you are just a pawn. You are their leverage over us. You are the promise that we shall always keep peace with them. He won't care what you think or what you have to say. Demons do not care for humans. They think we are simple creatures with no real purpose. Talking to us the men will probably be tedious enough, so they definitely won't waste time with a woman."
His words were harsh but she knew he told her the truth. "But I am not simple." Rin said.
Takemaru stopped and faced her. "Exactly. You are not, but they think you are. Do not speak unless addressed, do not make any unnecessary enemies because you will have plenty right out of the gate. " Rin swallowed uncomfortably. She had never heard Takemaru talk like this before. Even though he did have a serious demeanor, he was always lighthearted and sweet when it came to her. His tone relayed the real weight of the situation. Just what has her father gotten her into?
"Brother, will I die?" It was a genuine question. She didn't even know where it came from, but it was important that she heard his answer. Takemaru was smart and often knew the outcomes of many things just from his objective way of thinking.
He sighed heavily, looking away from her, only briefly. "There may be several attempts to take your life." Rin's eyes widened in fear. "But I will make sure you are safe. I promise. I have been putting together a special team to protect you while you are there. They may not make themselves known to you, but they are there."
Rin nodded. He took her hands in his. "Look at me, Rin." She did. His eyes were unhappy. He almost looked like he wanted to cry. "Not every demon looks like a monster like we are all led to believe. Some will have beautiful faces, and almost god-like in appearance, but they are not gods, Rin. Beneath that exterior they are hard and coldblooded killers. Remember Mother always said, 'The Devil is a gentleman.' Never forget that, even in some of the most innocent of moments. They cannot be trusted." Rin sucked agitatedly on her bottom lip and nodded.
With that he walked away leaving her. She didn't know how long she had been standing there going over his words in her head, staring at the stone path beneath her feet, but when warm hands touched her shoulders she jumped.
"I'm sorry. I did not mean to scare you!" The chirpy voice giggled in her ear. She turned to face her favorite cousin and smiled.
"Kagome!" The two girls hugged. When they stepped back Rin got a good look at her.
She was dressed in a lavender dress with a halter strap and a white, silver, and purple beaded belt tied above her waist. It looked great against her fair, blemish free skin. Kagome stood several inches over Rin. They had the same black hair, but Kagome's was straight and stopped just passed her shoulders. He had a circular face, with small pink lips and bright blue eyes encircled by thick black lashes.
"I was wondering when you would get here." Rin laughed.
Kagome grimaced. "I'm sorry we're so late. Hojo kept insisting that we stop at every inn on the way for food, or to eat, or to rest… He was really becoming annoying."
Rin giggled. "And how is the married life treating you?"
Kagome sighed, "It's pretty… It's pretty boring I must say. I don't really do anything so I mostly just end up sitting home alone reading until he comes home, then I talk to him and then we go to bed…"
"And what's that like?" Rin asked slyly.
Kagome smiled mischievously. "Well… it's not really worth commenting on." Rin just shook her head and laughed. "So… are you excited?"
The two girls started walking together, "Well I am, sort of." Kagome frowned at her. "Well, I am happy that it's my birthday and I get to have this huge party, but I am not happy that the ambassador from the Western Kingdom decided to show a full two days early."
"Really?" Kagome asked and looked around at all the people. "Which one is he?" She whispered.
"I don't know I haven't met him yet."
"Oh. Well, how long is he staying?"
"Until it's time for me to leave."
"Oh. Kagome took Rin's left hand in both of hers as they walked and sighed. I am so sorry that this is happening to you. I can't believe your father is actually going through with this. You're not going to be alone are you?"
Rin shook her head. "No. I'll have Kaede and… my guards and…" Rin trailed off when she realized that those would be the only company that she would have. "I'll be fine," she said cheerfully. "It could be worse." Kagome didn't say anything, she only frowned more. "Let's not dwell on such things now. It's my birthday. You're here and I want to have fun."
Kagome smiled down at her. "You're right. Let's go find some of the other girls."
/
Irritated. That was the only word to describe Koga at that moment. The heat was unbearable— especially with all of his heavy clothing, the room was stuffy, and he was getting a maddening migraine that threatened to split his skull in half. There were too many smells. The air in the room was polluted with the heavy aroma of the different flower arrangements all over, the fowl stench that humans all seemed to just naturally have, on top of all of the different foods clashing in the air, creating the ungodly funk that made him want to vomit. No. He was not a happy yokai.
But being who he was and what he was here to do, he just sat at the table in his seat next to the King and watched with lidded eyes the celebrating around him. At the beginning of the ball he was introduced to the tiny princess. She seemed… fine enough. She wasn't ugly and did not appear to have any abnormalities about her. She was very young, only seventeen. She lacked any womanly appeal, but that was not necessary he guessed. The Prince would not care about that.
Though the whole event seemed like a waste of time and dismal to him, he could tell that the princess—he had forgotten her name – was enjoying herself, along with who was probably the only attractive being in the room, a human girl with sparkling blue eyes, like his. He wished that he could go over and talk to her but he was stuck at the King's table where Prince Takimaki—or whatever the prince's name was— had been watching him like a hawk demon all night. He didn't' even eat or drink until Koga had. Creepy. Furthermore he had not said a word to him all night besides the standard formalities. He just watched him. Even more creepy.
One thing was for certain, he could not wait to go back home and be amongst his own kind. Where he was comfortable. Where things made sense. Where princes did not stare at him from hours on in.
"So, Ambassador," Ryukatsu started, "How different are the cultures between our countries?"
"There pretty big differences. They only thing we share is good taste in alcohol." And that was honest. Koga took a long sip from the Southern drink that was a lot like sake only way sweeter and easier to swallow.
"So my poor Rin will be totally secluded." It was not a statement.
Quickly Koga went to reassure him. "No, your majesty, she will have plenty of company. Actually the King's second wife is a human princess from the north. She will be there to keep the princess company."
"Really?"
"Yes. He even mated her, so she's been living for about… three hundred years now. Still as beautiful as the day we first saw her."
"And you think that could happen to Rin?"
Koga didn't speak at first, taking in the dark look that Takimaki gave him. He narrowed his eyes, never to shy away from a threat. Without looking at the king he answered. "That depends on whether they like each other. If the prince wants to mate her highness, but she doesn't, then he won't."
There, is that better? He thought bitterly as the prince seemed to tense less. He took another drink from his cup. Trying his best to succumb to the liquor for he knew this would be a long night.
Across the banquet hall, Rin and Kagome, along several other girls were in a circle, in the center of a much larger circle of spectators, dancing barefoot to the fast paced tune the musicians were playing. The drums beat faster and the bells and whistles sounded louder as their feet moved faster and faster along the floor. In a circle they all jumped at the same time bouncing on the balls of their feet, alternating each foot with each step. There was clapping and there were cheers of encouragement as the girls danced faster and faster. That was the challenge of the Circle Dance. It's the same simple steps over and over, faster and faster, until each person one by one had to stop.
Another girl bowed out of the circle. Falling into a bystanders arms tiredly, followed by another, and another. Soon all that remained was Rin, Kagome, and their good friend Ayumi, who had short brown hair that stopped at her shoulders and light brown eyes. She matched Kagome in height but she was just as skinny as Rin. She was known to be the circle dance "champion". She always was the last one standing.
Faster and faster the three girls went around until finally, Rin bowed out quickly stumbling back, being caught by her other cousin, Eri. Eri looked a lot like Kagome, only a lot shorter and she had brown eyes, not blue, and her black hair was a bit thicker, and kept it cut low around her face, but it flowed down her back in a long braid. Both girls laughed as they watched Kagome and Ayumi go around and around and around until finally Kagome released Ayumi's arms and ran over to dramatically fall into Rin and Eri. All three girls laughed as Ayumi threw her arms up in the air, chest heaving, and a light coat of sweat over her face, neck, arms, and exposed back.
"Whoo!" She bellowed.
The crowd cheered as she bowed very informally and rose to her full height. When after a very short break, a new song starter, this one a lot slower paced, but still upbeat. Ayumi skipped over to the girls as they made their way over to a servant who was holding several short metal cups on a tray. They all took one and sipped on it appreciatively.
"That was so much fun," Ayumi gushed.
Rin nodded swallowing her drink. "I know. I haven't danced that hard in… a very long time."
All four girls giggled. That's when Yuka, their other friend walked up. Yuka was a few inches taller than Rin, and she had a full bust, and wide hips. She wore a sea green dress that flowed down to her feet. It had capped sleeves with and exposed back, and a silver belt around the hips. Her skin was apricot colored and her light brown hair was up in a loose bun on top of her head. Her eyes were a dark blue, and she had a wide nose and plump lips.
Every time the girls saw her they were all floored by how attractive she was. She was desired and courted by nearly every available man in court. Ultimately she had e engaged to Takemaru himself less than two months ago. "Enjoying ourselves?"
"Absolutely!" Rin cheered.
"Where were you," Kagome asked.
Yuka shrugged and sighed, "Well I was trying to get the attention of my husband-to-be, but he seems to be preoccupied by our guest."
Rin cast her gaze in the direction of the long table upon the dais where the King sat along with their special guest and the prince. She studied the tree men for a moment. The King seemed relaxed, casually chatting, eating and drinking. Takemaru on the other hand was focused, concentrating all of his attention on the handsome foreigner, who looked very bored. His eyes scanned the crowed until they landed on in Rin's direction. It took her a moment but she realized he was looking pat her. She turned and found Kagome laughing happily at something Eri had just said. Rin looked back at him and his gaze had shifted to elsewhere.
Rin grabbed Kagome by her wrist. "Excuse us for one moment, girls." She said quickly before pulling her cousin to a secluded corner behind a pillar away from everyone else.
"What's wrong?" Kagome asked frowning with concern.
"Be careful," Rin said in a low voice. "That Ambassador from the West has been watching you. Make sure he does not catch you alone."
Kagome's eyes grew wide, and then looked around frantically. "Do you… You don't think… he wants to eat me… do you?"
Rin shrugged. "I don't know. Just be careful."
Kagome swallowed but nodded in affirmation. "We better get back before people notice that we are gone."
Both girls reentered the party as if that moment never happened. Yuka, Ayumi, and Eri quickly emerged from nowhere and latched onto them. They continued the night dancing and singing. When King Ryukatsu finally rose from the table, it was only to announce that Rin should be receiving gifts. A large cushioned seat was brought out for the princess to sit in on top of a small platform. She sat down and everyone gathered around her. The first to present her with gifts were the lesser lords, and up the rank of succession. After Kagome and her husband Hojo presented their gift, all that was left was the royal family.
Takemaru stepped forward, face calm and pleasant. He bowed before her. Rin smiled sweetly at her brother and waited for him to speak.
"It took me a very long time to find the right present for you this year," he spoke loud enough for everyone to hear. "I didn't know what to do. When you were a child I gave you dolls and puzzles. When you grew too old for that I gave you trinkets and fine gems. I figured I could give you the same this year but… a part of me thought it would be too inappropriate. Something told me that you deserved something finer, so I thought what is the perfect present for a princess? I thought about it and came up with several answers, but none of them I liked for you. You are not a child; you are a woman, who will be married soon." There was a short pause and everyone shifted uncomfortably, including Rin. Takemaru went on with a firmer voice. "So I thought, 'what is a good present to give to a woman who would soon be marrying?' Again, several great ideas, but none of them seemed to fit right with you…" His voice became lighter. "And then I thought, that this was not some gift to some stranger, this was a gift to someone I love more than myself. So I thought, what should I – not as a prince, but the man Takemaru, give to my only little sister?"
He reached into the waist of his belt and pulled out a small sheathed blade no longer than twelve inches. The scabbard was old and worn. He knelt in front of Rin and placed it gently on her lap. "This was given to me by our father, my first weapon. I think you remember how I would walk around with it at my waist at all times. Keep it with you, and it will protect you when I cannot."
Rin nodded and reached forward to hug him before sitting back quickly. When Takemaru stepped back Ryukatsu stepped forward, followed by one of his young manservants who held a light square shaped box.
"My beautiful daughter, I cannot tell you how proud I am to see you grow into such a beautiful young lady. I only with the late queen was here to see you." There was a brief moment of silence. "I also wish she was here to see you take the ultimate step into womanhood. Marriage." He beckoned the young man forth. Everyone looked with interest as he faced the crowd. "With the upcoming date of your wedding I could not think of a more appropriate gift."
The servant opened the box and held it out. Since he would not move closer Rin stood and slowly made her way over to him. Inside was a dazzling gown of white, lying against the red velvet lining of the box. She touched it, very lightly feeling the cool silken fabric against her warm fingers sent chills up her arm. The bust of the gown took on to cups, outlined by silver beading. She lifted the top from the box to look at the rest of it.
Ryukatsu went on. "A beautiful dress for a beautiful bride. The very dress your mother wore when she married me…"
Those words. Those words right there had cut Rin in half. Her heart stopped completely, and then beat faster than it should have been. With shaking hands she dropped it and stumbled back a few steps. Her breathing was bare and near nonexistent. She stumbled and fell. She heard the gasps and cries of surprise around her. She waited to hit the ground but she only felt warm heat and two strong arms grabbing her. She lifted her head to see who had caught her but the weight proved to be too much. With blurred vision her head fell back and her eyes rolled to the back of her skull before fluttering shut.
/
Rin stood alone on a deserted island, no bigger than her bedchamber. She was barefoot and her only clothing was the sheer white dress that flowed to her ankles, held up by to thin straps of fabric. She looked up and only saw white light. She could not make out the sun, or the sky for that matter. And though she heard the sound of waves crashing against the shore, it too was engulfed by white light. She looked around desperately trying to figure out where she was and why she was there.
A soft whisper brushed by her ear. "Rin."
She spun around. Standing before her was a woman so tall she could not be human, almost double her father's height. Rin came to her waist. She was beautiful as well. Her skin was creamy white and seemed to glow like the moon in the night sky which contrasted with the ebony tresses that framed her face. Her eyes were large and the color of lavender. With a small nose and plump pink colored lips. Her dark brows were perfectly arched and her lashes were thick and long. She dressed in a sleeveless gown made of sparkling gold fabric that hung off up two straps on her shoulders and gathered just below her bust and flowed to the ground covering her feet.
She smiled warmly at Rin. "You have to breathe, little one." Her voice was melodic, and seemed to echo in the nothingness around them.
Rin frowned in confusion. "I don't understand… Who are you?"
She just smiled even more. "Just remember to breathe."
"What does that mean?"
The woman's expression changed to one more somber. She knelt so that Rin could look her in the eye. She whispered gently, "There are those who will want to cause harm to you, but I will keep you safe. You are my vassal. Through you I shall have glory."
Rin narrowed her eyes then stepped back from the woman. "Who are you?" She demanded.
The woman's smile returned. "I have many names as I have many forms. You may call me Midoriko."
Rin's frown deepened before pure shock came over her. "M- M-Mid…"
The goddess chuckled lightly and grazed Rin's cheek with her rather large hand. "Remember what I said little one. You must breathe…"
Rin stared at her with wonder. "Why have you come to me? Have done something wrong?"
"No. As I said, you are my vassal, through you, my work will be done. Great evil plagues the world that once was mine. I seek to destroy it, but I am weak. I only have power when I receive prayers and when I am being worshipped, but man's love for me has been replaced by another…"
"Who?"
"Magatsuhi…" The name was lightly whispered, almost as if she had not even spoken it.
"Magatsuhi? He is the Father god, as you are Mother Goddess, how can he be—?"
"He is evil. His power is that born of the most sinister of darkness's. From the beginning of time, he and I have been at a constant power struggle, but recently, within the last hundred years or so his darkness has branched out so far that he is threatening to overtake me. If I lose my grasp on the world, all will be lost to his evil will. In the world he has placed his carriers of evil and hatred and they move to slowly take over, that's why I need you."
"Me?" Rin asked dumbfounded. "But, what can I do?"
Midoriko reached out and her large gentle hand cupped Rin's cheek. "You are a child of mine. Your heart is pure. You will be married to a child of his, whose heart is dark. If you can sway him, and make him see the light, I can have a chance, and he can be stopped." Rin frowned, taking in all her words. It was all so much and out of nowhere. She opened her mouth to speak but was cut off by the goddess. "Do not fret now. Now you need not be concerned. Just know that the tide is rising. And never forget to breathe."
Suddenly harsh winds thrashed and encircled Rin like a vortex. She looked around, not able to see anything just that burning white light. She let out a panicked scream as she felt the ground beneath her disappear and dropped into a pit of unending darkness.
OOOOHHHHHHH…. Bum-Bum-BUM!
Cliffhanger….
Sorry guys but it felt like a good place to stop. Please don't hate me.
Don't forget to review!