3) Chapter three: The rescue plan.
Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha or any of its characters.
"Well then, shoot." After her tea meeting with Sesshoumaru's mother, Rin was called to the castle's fighting room. It wasn't a room at all but an enormous garden that led to the forest where the soldiers would practice against each other without bringing harm to the castle walls. There were dummies set in a line, which right now were waiting for Rin to shoot them with her arrows. Only Hosshimaru and Rin were in the room. The demon, sitting in a bench, while Rin took her stance to demonstrate her use of the bow. She took an arrow and aimed toward the far left dummy. Took a deep breath, felt the wind's direction and speed, and shot. And shot, and shot, and shot, until all of the dummies had an arrow sticking out their chests. Within seconds all of her "enemies" were injured or maybe dead, depending on how strong the demon could have been. "Hmm. Erase your smile, girl. That was an easy target as they weren't moving. Now," Hosshimaru stood up, "shoot at me."
"What?!"
"You can't possibly hit me girl and even if you do it'll only leave a scratch that will heal faster than you can shoot another arrow. Your technique and speed is good, but let's see what you can do against a demon."
"I had shot demons, Hosshimaru-sama."
"Weaklings only. Do not defy me, I'm your trainer and you will do as I said." Still Rin didn't move. "I won't be hurt. Do not preoccupy yourself with foolish thinking." The demon told her in a reassuring manner. Rin prepared herself and tried to steady her heart, after some seconds she shot. And missed. "Far too slow, Rin." She shot again and missed. After four arrows, the human girl was starting to feel tired, but she wanted to prove herself. She ran into the forest, surprising Hosshimaru who, after some seconds, went after her. What… where is she? Swish. Dodge. Hmm. That one almost hit. Swish. Dodge. Scratch. She hit me! Where is she? Although she was not a full dog demon, her nose could peak the human's scent. She climbed a tree. How clever, a leverage to increase her chance at hitting and distracting her enemy. Swish. Grab. Throw. "Ahh!" Rin almost didn't dodge the arrow sent toward her and her move made her loose her footing and fall down the tree, at the last moment she grabbed unto the branch.
"And now you are in a very vulnerable position, easy for your enemy to kill you. Drop-" Swish. Cut. Drop. Rin stood in front of Hosshimaru with her sword pointing at the demon. She cut my kimono! The demon made a movement with her hand and in an instant Rin was held captive by…roots! Hosshimaru grabbed her face. "You see, little Rin, I'm not any kind of demon. My mother was an inu and my father a sorcerer demon, which made me half and half." She dropped Rin's chin and stepped back. "There are many, many types of demons in this world, from weak ones to very strong ones. I will teach all about them, their strong and weak points. You will learn how to fight correctly and until you are not able to at least make me fall, you will not leave this castle, nor to travel with Sesshomaru or do any other deed. Your lessons will start at sunrise with a recess at midday for lunch and will end at sundown. "
"Yes, Hosshimaru-sama." Rin replied. "Thank you," she said sweetly, for the girl was sure that the demon understood her will to become a stronger fighter.
"Now, sword fighting…"
And the life at the castle began. For two weeks Rin's days turned around fighting, learning and more fighting. In that time, she saw her lord only three times. The first one, when she was walking toward Hosshimaru's study. The second one when she was in the library looking at some scrolls the other woman asked her to read. And the third one was while she was dinning. At the sound of the doors opening, Rin turned her head and immediately stood up, for now she knew that when the lord of the castle or any important demon were to enter a room, she should stand and bow. The smile she showed was her own way of saying hello to her lord.
"Sesshoumaru-sama, would you accompany me at dinner?"
"I do not eat."
"I know, my lord, but I haven't seen you much this past days. I would appreciate your company, if you are not very busy, that is." Sesshoumaru sat down as way of answering and Rin's smile grew.
At the sound of voices, Moriko entered the room and offered tea to her lord. His response was as cold as always.
"Leave." The fox demon caught Rin's flushed cheeks, smiled mischievously, and left. The human had become some sort of friend of hers and two nights ago told her of how she met the lord of the west. A very interesting story, that was.
The silence in the room prolonged and Rin was about to comment on the nice weather when her lord, surprisingly, spoke first.
"How have your lessons been?"
"Fantastic, my lord. I've learnt so much in so little time. Hosshimaru is an excellent teacher."
"Hnn."
"Have any other battles happened in these days?"
"Four."
"Any near the village?"
"No."
"Thank the gods. Well, it's not that I'm not concerned about other battle happening away from the village I used to live in, but I worry about my friends. I know they can protect themselves and they are strong. Well, they taught me all I know and it has helped a lot with my lessons. I know I still have lots to learn. Just the other day…" And Rin started her unstoppable chitchat. She talked about her lessons in the village, her lessons here, and, even though Sesshoumaru wasn't listening correctly, he was sure he heard something about how she helped in the kitchens because Hosshimaru was complaining that 'her tea tasted too simple' and how she taught the demons there how to do an excellent tea. "It's not that my tea is perfect or anything, but Kaede-san always complimented my tea and it seem Hosshimaru-sama liked it as well. The key is…"
How is it that she went from speaking about sword fighting techniques to speaking about tea? Sesshoumaru saw her rosy lips moved almost without drawing breath. Somehow she is the same talkative girl, but now she speaks of fighting and history instead of flowers and clouds.
"Sesshoumaru-sama! Sesshoumaru-sama! I've got a letter for you, my lord." Jaken came into the room without knocking and stumbling on his staff.
"The seal of the east!" Rin exclaimed.
"And how do you know that, girl?"
"Hosshimaru-sama showed it to me this very afternoon."
Sesshoumaru grabbed the envelope from Jaken's hands and ripped it open. His eyes widened and looked in Rin's direction. It was for only a second, but Rin saw it nonetheless.
"Sesshoumaru-sama?"
"Give it here!" The letter flew from Sesshoumaru's hand to Hosshimaru's, which was standing by the door. "Those vermin!"
"Please, Sesshoumaru-sama, Hosshimaru-sama, what happened?"
"How insolent! That is nothing of your concern, you-"
"Jaken."
"Little imp, go prepare my horse." Hosshimaru ordered Jaken. "Listen well Rin, you are to stay in this castle. Remember what I told in your first lesson. Do not defy me."
"But-"
"No buts, now go finish your dinner."
"I know something happened that concerns my friends. I have a right to know. Please. Sesshoumaru-sama! What happened?" The unshed tears in Rin's eyes made him feel something strange. He never liked it when people cry. He found it annoying. But when Rin cried all he wanted to do is put a smile back in her face.
Hosshimaru looked at the pair. She knew she ought to be preparing for battle but the sight before her was too interesting. Sesshoumaru looked distressed. What for, I wonder? Her crying? Why is she crying? Why this letter affects her so? The forest isn't even near that village and she doesn't know the contents of the letter.
"The forest of Aokigahara was burnt."
"Kohaku! I must send a letter to Sango and prepare my herbal remedies for burns and-"
STOP! Rin knew Hosshimaru, as part demon sorceress, was able to 'talk' in people's mind, she had told her but never done it. Ugh, it hurts.
"I do not care who this people are. You. Are. Not. To. Leave. The. Castle!"
Rin pouted and went to her room, forgetting her dinner.
"We depart in one hour."
"Half," replied Sesshoumaru while walking away. He came to Rin's door. He could hear her moving around quickly. She wasn't crying. She's preparing to depart. Hnn. Sesshomaru smiled a little, knocked on the door and was sure to erase any emotion from his face. He knocked again. "Rin." The door opened. "Leaving?"
"You know the demon slayers village is near Aokigahara. Kohaku-kun trains there, he would be in need of a healer and Hosshimaru-sama told me you have no such person, as demons heal by themselves. Please–"
"Rin." The girl stopped her babbling. "Write a letter and make a messenger take it." With that Sesshoumaru turned to leave but stopped a few steps after. "Do not leave the castle."
"Are you sure I'll have an answer by midnight?" Rin asked Moriko.
"The distance within the castle and that village is not nothing for a raven demon. I know Hayato. Your letter will be here before midnight."
"Ok, that gives me some hours to prepare."
"Are you really leaving to help this Kohaku person if they answer you that he was in the forest?"
"He's my friend."
"Really? Just a friend? Is he handsome?"
"I suppose his betrothal find him attractive."
"Wouldn't say woman, find it weird for his friend to come aid him?"
"She knows we are friends and nothing more. As a matter of fact, it was me who matched them. Midori-chan is a friend of mine from the village and since young age she had a liking for Kohaku-kun. I decided to play matchmaker and made them meet." Rin smiled proudly, like she had done the most amazing thing ever. Miroku couldn't help her own lips going up as well.
"So, what's your plan of action?"
"If he was training, I'll ask Sesshomaru-sama to let me go and help him."
"Rin, the lord already left hours ago."
"Wha…What?"
"What do you expect, the forest of Aokigahara is a large west territory. We can't just let the east claim it that easy."
"Claim it?"
"Oh, you don't know. The leader of the east is a dragon demon; his way of claiming enemy's territory is burning it down. Aokigahara is very large and probably the fire is still on. There's the matter, also, that Hosshimaru detests when nature is damaged. Something to do with her sorcery." Moriko shrugged. Rin, in the other hand, hadn't thought about that particular matter and her smile soon vanished; she didn't like the idea of all the tress and flowers burning down either. Sesshoumaru-sama left with Hosshimaru-sama, must probably. And it's not like she could let me go. I really do not want to go against his wishes, but if that fire is still going, then even them may need my healing. "I must go." Rin whispered.
"Do you plan to go against Sesshomaru-sama for just one boy?"
"No, is not just that. Dragon fire can burn the hardest of skins and is not easy to put out, they might need my help."
"You know how to heal demons?" Rin nodded. She made sure to learn how to heal humans and demons, after all she always planned to go back travelling with her lord and she didn't want to be a burden, she wanted to be helpful. But if she was to leave the castle, she needed help. The human smiled, with a tinkling in her eyes, at the fox demon. "What?"
"I need your help."
Three hours later Rin had a good enough plan. Moriko showed her where the food supplies came in and give her some of her clothes, everyone could know there was something odd going on, if a girl with a colorful silk kimono was wandering in the kitchens. There still was the matter of her scent, but for that Rin had a small vial that would hide her scent for some time. All was left was wait for the letter; she didn't want to leave without knowing what happened to Kohaku. She was sure to make the letter as if she was only saying her hello. She wrote about her lessons and asked about everyone's well being, and of course, if Kohaku had visited his soon to be wife in this past weeks. That way she would know if he was indeed training or not without alarming the others. As for the late hour, Moriko told the raven demon to say, if the humans were to ask, 'I had far more important letters to deliver, that some human message.' He didn't like it much, for he is one of those demons that don't dislike humans, but he would do anything for Moriko.
Some time before midnight, Hayato was back in the castle. What a circus. He couldn't believe the amount of kids he heard sleeping when he set foot in the village and when a girl exclaimed 'letter from Rin,' all the little ones started screaming or crying. Really it must have been about seven in only one home. He was glad he would get out of there fairly quickly, as it took only some time for the woman to write an answer. It seems everything went as planned. The raven demon went straight for Rin's room and delivered the letter. The girl smiled and thank him many times, but what he appreciated the must was Moriko's smile. She's beautiful. He was enchanted by Moriko's looks and personality seen he first put eyes on her. He liked everything about her, from her curly brown hair, to her blue eyes and cute tail.
Meanwhile, in Rin's room say fox demon was trying to read above her friend's shoulder, but given her short stature and Rin's rather large one, it was impossible.
Dear Rin-chan,
Thank you for your concern! Your writing has improved so much! We are glad to hear you are happy with your life in the castle and that you enjoy your lessons so much. Everything is good here, nothing out of the ordinary has happened. Although little Aiko said her first word just yesterday; she said sit to InuYasha, it was very funny.
Sadly, Kohaku hasn't been around. He still doesn't know that you went to live in the castle and, of course, Midori-chan misses him terribly. We all miss him and you. Any chance you visit soon?
Love from all of us,
Kagome.
"He hasn't retuned. I'm leaving." Rin grabbed her healing kit, put a bit of potion on her neck, feet, and under her arms, and set out toward the kitchens with Moriko right behind her. The demon made sure that her scent was gone and that her hair handkerchief concealed her face a bit. "The door is at the far left. To open it you need to bring it up a little, everyone knows this so if it get's stock they'll know you aren't one of the servants. Ah-Un will be in the clearing just some paces from the door."
"Ok, got it."
"Rin-san be careful please."
"Thank you, Moriko-chan. Thank you for helping me."
"Helping you? Girl, if you're caught I just say you took the clothes from my room. I would like to keep my job, you know." Rin giggled and hugged her friend hard, surprising the demon.
"Ok, got to go." Moriko nodded and saw Rin's retreating form going into the kitchens, she only hope nothing would happen to the girl. She'll feel very guilty and end up killed by Sesshomaru. Or worse lose my job.
A/N: First of all, thank you for reading. In this chapter I wanted to show how I imagined Rin to be. I've read many fanfics where Rin is a complete damsel in distress and well I think that is not her. After all, in the manga, Rin is as much of a fighter as Kagome and Sango. She survived the attack to her village, kept herself alive while living in that other horrible village, tried to help Sesshomaru when she find him in the forest even though any other eight year old could have run away screaming, went looking for the remedy for Jaken (from that scene and because Kaede, Kagome, and Jinengi would have taught her, is that I imagined Rin becoming an excellent healer), and other scenes that made me imagine an adult Rin as a fighter. Also, I believe she has an enormous motive to become a useful lady and that is because she did not wish to be a burden to her lord. Believe me, there will chapters where Rin will need Sesshomaru to save her, after all she is only human and is in the middle of a demon war. But you will see some more of Rin's bravery as well as her kind nature and will to help people.
Thank you all and best wishes,
Pritxka.