[A/N] Edited 2017
Ningen Impossibilities
Chapter Three
"I'm not sure this is such a good idea, Kagome." Rin fretted as the Miko wrapped her in a fine kimono of black silk with flowered patterns the same hazel color as her eyes. Sango had just secured a number of hidden weapons on Rin, and piled her hair high on her head in an elaborate fix. Kazekari Sashine's son was having a birthday and all nobility had been invited. Surprisingly, with an invitation showing up on Inuyasha's door, that had included Rin. "I suppose everyone knows of my exile now."
"Don't worry about what they know, or think they know." Sango's sure voice always helped to calm Rin's disposition. "You will be just as beautiful, if not more, than you have ever been."
Kagome put the finishing touches to Rin's obi. "There, now we'll get dressed and it won't be long. Rin practice looking at ease, if youkai think you are weak, they will prey on you. Remember that." The two women rushed off a flurry of following maids. Rin sat in reflection. It had been two long months since she had seen the Western Palace. Funny how that seemed like an eternity. Living with Kagome and Inuyasha was not hard, but it was not home. Her dreams of Sesshoumaru had not dwindled and her wish to see him again had only intensified. Inuyasha had told her about the promise he made to his brother; about how Sesshoumaru had never wanted to see her at the Western Palace again. For some reason, with all that she knew of him, Rin could not imagine her Lord killing her. And if she was given the chance, she was sure she would run right back to the palace, right back to him despite his promise to eradicate her. Such was not to be, not if Kagome had any say in it.
The journey to Sashine's Palace was not too long. They took typical nobility carriages, even with Inuyasha huffing all the way. The procession was intricate and grand and just as the females had feared, Rin became something of a freak attraction. But Rin kept her head held high and smiled with polite modesty. Kagome's words circling closely in her head; she would do nothing to shame her Lord, even if he wanted nothing to do with her. When Lady Sashine approached her, Rin was prepared to fend off unkind remarks and uncomfortable conversation topics. The demoness looked exquisite with long white hair and eyes just as vacant as a sheet of blank parchment. Her voice seemed to glide over Rin.
"Lady Rin, I am glad you could join us." Rin simply nodded not sure if the Lady had been genuine, or not. "I understand there have been some mishaps with your Lord," Rin bristled visibly. "Do not get offended young one, talk is everywhere. My son has grown interests for you, though, I cannot say if it is purely curiosity fueling him or something else. He would like to meet you. Also, I think a friend of yours is here as well, Princess Kia and her father have come."
A small smile lit Rin's face. She had not seen her long-time friend in years. Princess Kia was heiress to the Underwater Province, she was the one who had taught her to swim back when her father, Kian, was a regular fixture in the West. "I have not seen her face in many years." Rin's voice was soft and subdued.
The Lady of the province looked her over. "You do not even seem the same woman that stunned me the day of the festival. As curious as I am to know what has taken place, I know it has nothing to do with me. Perhaps one day you will feel comfortable enough to relay the story, but until then come this way; the banquet in my son's honor is about to begin."
Rin simply nodded, hoping the woman would find some other youkai to occupy her. Rin followed the natural stream of youkai to a large outside terrace with large tables piled high with food. She sat next to Kagome and Inuyasha at one of the smaller tables. Unconsciously, she searched every face and felt every aura for her Lord. But she knew better, Sesshoumaru did not attend frivolous parties such as these. Rin saw her then, with her pale, slightly blue tinted skin and dark black hair. Standing, Rin rushed over to the girl just as she turned around. There they stood facing each other for a moment.
"Rin?" Kia asked with slight awe in her voice.
She nodded. "It's been so long Kia. How have you been?"
Kia threw her arms around her in a tight embrace. "Oh Rin, I have heard so many things about you! Youkai back home speak as if you are eight feet tall, ugly and deformed with enormous power. I was expecting to see you hobble about." The young water-youkai laughed. "But you are more beautiful than I could have ever imagined! How is life in the West?"
Rin, expecting this question all night was better prepared to explain than she thought. "I have been expelled from the West. Permanently." She held up a hand when Kia, shocked, went to ask. "For what reasons," Rin sighed. "I am still uncertain. My Lor- Lord Sesshoumaru had declared that if he ever sees me in the West, he will kill me immediately."
Kia was quiet for a moment. "I do not know how this could be. Will you try to find the reason? Meet him outside the Western Lands?"
Rin shook her head. "He hardly ever travels outside the West unless he is following Totosai to one of his many dens or fighting mortal enemies."
"Does he not attend the annual winter solstice festival?"
Rin held still. Sesshoumaru attended those festivals at a whim. If he felt he would benefit in any way he would go, but many times he didn't. "Sometimes, if he desires to. That festival is not for another half a year, though."
Kia nodded enthusiastically, "And in that time, perhaps he will have reconsidered or cooled down enough to at least explain your exile."
Rin sighed as the two walked. She had no hunger, and had no desire to stay and look interested while they all fawned over Ishan, the honoree, turning another bloody year. She turned to her long-time friend. "Have you sparred recently?"
"No, no time to. Father has been traveling, trying to petition for some new order he wants passed for all youkai around Nippon. I've been with him all this time, you?"
"Me either. Inuyasha refuses to spar with me and well, everyone else is too weak. I usually fight full blooded youkai or powerful hanyou, but humans I cannot. I forget how fragile they are."
Kia laughed. "You speak as if you are not ningen yourself."
Rin chuckled as well, but inside she burned. She could not help it. That specific desire would always sear her. "I wish I were not." She glanced around; they looked to be alone. "Care to spar for a bit? I promise we won't get ourselves dirty."
Kia looked around as well. "Well I suppose if it is very quick."
"Very." Rin echoed. She swept her hand out in a gesture. "After you princess."
Inuyasha was sure he was the first to feel it. His ears flickered and caught the soft boom of some sort of attack hitting the forest nearby. For reasons unknown, he knew it was Rin. Her presence was not being missed right now but it was rude of her to disappear and she knew such. Discretely, Inuyasha slipped away and ran toward the commotion, but just as he was nearing, a large water wave that was anything but natural rose to almost blot out the sun. Knowing there was no way that no one else saw that, the hanyou picked up the pace and was in time to dodge water blasts with pressure that could have put a hole in his chest.
Rin giggled feeling carefree for the first time since she was kicked from her home. Kia raced by borrowing water from a large lake near them. She threw blasts at Rin as the other girl dodged in her underclothes and always managed to just miss Kia with a dagger or short sword. Both girls' hair had fallen from their elaborate fixes and were hanging free and wild from their fight. Rin's long wavy and dark brown; Kia's long straight and black. They laughed like children, like nothing was amiss and before Inuyasha could call the two to heel, he felt the presence of some other demons rushing to see what had caused such a commotion.
Rin leapt high using trees to cover from the force of Kia's blasts she hacked at small branches with her daggers and threw them like spears to knock the youkai off balance. Rin saw an opening and leapt at her, twisting in the air to avoid a long stream of water aimed for her head. Kia moved to the left in time to miss a dagger and Rin used her shoulder as a rebound to pushed off in another direction. Kia fell off balance and splashed into the water while Rin hit the earth in a tumble. Kia resurfaced laughing. "When did you become so sneaky?" He laughing died abruptly as she and Rin looked at the full court attendance in nothing but their thin white robe, sticking to them now with water and sweat. Inuyasha was there in a moment, practically yanking Kia from the water, thrusting her with Rin and wrapping his hoari around the both of them.
"Hurry and dress." Was all he said as he pushed them toward the piles of fine silk near a tree. The girls hurried, huddled under Inuyasha's large hoari, took their clothes and quite literally ran away. Inuyasha stuck his hands inside the sleeves of his kosode and with a sigh trekked back to the court terrace. He arrived to see Kagome, Sango, and Miroku along with a few other youkai, had not moved. "Great, now more gossip." The hanyou sighed.
Kagome gave a wry smile. "I take it that had something to do with Rin?"
The hanyou shrugged. "She was sparring with Kian's daughter. The two of them could have been smart enough to not make such a big racket."
Kia was dressed first and she hurried around in a flurry. "Oh this is really not good. Father will be so mad at me for embarrassing him. Hurry Rin, we must go!"
The human woman struggled with her obi and outer robes. "Just go Kia, hopefully you're allowed to see me again before you return to you lands." Kia nodded and rushed off as Rin tried to re-pin her hair in a replica of what it once was. If she could just get to Kagome or Sango they could re-do it for her. She was just sticking a long thin pin into her hair when she felt a demon near. Not wanting to act too quickly she waited and continued fixing her hair but the demon seemed content to watch her. Rin began to get a nervous feeling. If this demon meant her some harm, but was nobility, it would be a sticky situation now that she was not under the protection of Sesshoumaru. She would have to stand regular trial and could be executed for killing or even maiming any noble youkai. Rin stood and began to walk back toward the inner courtyard. She acted startled when the brown face of Ishan appeared next to her.
"Hello there, Lady Rin." He said with an amicable tone. "Your spar was most amusing with Princess Kia. I suppose one could not expect less from one trained in the house of the West." Ishan had his hair pulled into a top knot making its bright pigment more prominent. Rin could see how blue it was in his roots, and the transition it made until it was a startling white on the ends.
"I thank you." She replied with a polite nod. "Congratulations on another happy birthday. I trust you are enjoying your party?"
"Yes, I was most looking forward to seeing you."
Rin paused, seeming stunned and pleased. "Why Lord Ishan, would you look forward to seeing me, an exile from the West?"
Ishan continued walking. "It is no secret Sesshoumaru safeguarded you there so no other demon could contest your attention from his. Your exile should be treated like your freedom."
It was all Rin could do to not stab him in his neck for his lack of respect in forgetting her Lord's title. Still she smiled. "I have never thought of it that way. Youkai do not comingle with ningen unless to use them as consorts, and I am no consort." She let a threatening edge seep into her voice in case Ishan had other ideas.
Ishan nodded complacently. "I would agree with you, Lady Rin. However modern times have an easier life for hanyous and ningen-youkai relationships. Especially if the ningen is royal or special in some way." He looked down into her eyes.
Rin nodded and looked away, beginning their walk again. "I have been raised to believe all ningen-youkai relationships were disgusting and impossible. I do see, however, that that is not really the case. My host Inuyasha, hanyou though he is, is very strong and brave with a family of his own. And he is the product of the most infamous case of a youkai loving a human. I think modern times, do shed an easier light on hanyous and interspecies relations."
"Ahh yes. Sesshoumaru in known for his radical views in keeping tradition alive. However, he, himself has raised a ningen to be more powerful than many youkai. What a contradiction, don't you agree?" Rin was saved from answering as they had broken into the clearing and Kagome, the first to see them, had rushed over.
"Rin your hair looks terrible! Come with me, hurry!" She whispered in a huff.
Ishan captured Rin's hand before she could be dragged off. "I hope to continue our conversation later?" His white gaze looked her deep into her own and kissed her hand. She nodded politely and allowed herself to be tugged away by Kagome.
Inuyasha looked uneasy at her request. This whole thing was just so sudden and didn't seem like a good idea. "Rin, just promise me you won't run off to the West? I don't want Sesshoumaru to kill you."
Rin nodded, feeling the familiar sting in her chest whenever anyone said anything like that. "I give you my word, Inuyasha. I will not enter the West."
The hanyou nodded. "Fine then." He looked to Lady and Lord Sashine. "I will leave her with you. Please protect her." His voice was polite but the gold in his eyes flashed dangerously before he turned and left. Kagome bowed politely and waved goodbye to Rin before walking to catch up with Inuyasha. The girls had had they're private moment earlier.
Lady Sashine turned to Rin, who was still watching her companions exit. "Do not worry little one, you will be safe here. Lord Sesshoumaru has not issued a bounty on your head. There should be no attempts on your life if that is what he was worried about."
Rin nodded. "Yes, Madam."
Lady Sashine waved a hand and maids came at her beckon. "Now please escort Lady Rin to her chambers. Prepare a bath and fresh robes."
Rin was slightly excited. Kia had come to tell Rin that she and her father were staying in the Middle Provinces for a while and begged Rin to do the same. Rin was sure some time around her friend would do her some good. She loved Inuyasha and Kagome, and the two always stressed that she should 'move on' and find her own passions. Rin was resolved to at least try. And if that didn't work out …
There was always the quick fix or a blade to the jugular.
Sesshoumaru stared at the angry blades on his wall. They wailed and protested the seals that kept them from flying off in search of Rin. He could see the chains of energy wrapping and twining themselves over the blades again and again like restless cats. They would continue this way until they were either put in Rin's hands, they were destroyed, or she was killed. Sesshoumaru was not sure which option he was interested in at the moment. He could hear the footfalls of his imp coming to disrupt him; as much as Jaken had complained about the human girl he was still unsure of Rin's effect on him.
Jaken knocked only twice. Lately Sesshoumaru had been much more withdrawn and ruthless, killing almost everyone that showed any sort of remorse for Lady Rin's exile. "Enter." He was rewarded with. Jaken stepped within the large dark room. His master sat on his large bed staring at the eerie blades that would keep neither still nor quiet.
"Lady and Lord Sashine send their regrets that you could not make it to Lord Ishan's celebration." Sesshoumaru did not respond. He did not care. Jaken fidgeted and continued. "Lord Nanjo wishes to know if you will host the Winter Solstice festival on your lands?" The Lord seemed to twitch but still did not offer a remark. "King Kian says he will be visiting soon and is bringing Princess Kia as well. Also, Lord Zenno wishes for the trade meeting to be moved up to the beginning of fall." Sesshoumaru lowered his gaze in thought. He would not host the Winter Solstice although it was his turn. He had already hosted the youkai festival and although it was tradition to host both when they fell within the such a close period, he felt he had done enough. He was considering turning down Kian simply because he wanted no youkai in his house when he was unsure where loyalties were lying.
"You may inform Nanjo that he will have to host the Winter Solstice again this year. Also, inform a messenger to intercept Kian, there are no visitors permitted in the West at this time. As far as Zenno is concerned I will meet him personally as agreed, sooner than the fall. Inform him that I may need a favor," Sesshoumaru raised his gaze to the struggling twin blades Ijo and Yijo. "to shut this infernal noise once and for all."
Rin breathed in the fresh air. It was high summer and the surrounding tree blossoms were alive; they floated in the air, spiraling down to land on Rin like soft fragrant rain. She giggled to herself as one landed on her nose. She had been a guest in the Middle Province palace for almost two weeks now. Every time Rin suggested going back to Inuyasha's home the couple refused, saying it was refreshing to have her there. Ishan had to travel to the Northern Lands to trade and was just coming back. Preparations for his return had been given to Rin so she did not feel so useless. Kia and her father had left only two days before. It seemed some plans had changed so they were off to the Isles provinces before heading back home. Rin was glad she had spent some time with her friend. Already she could feel herself healing. She knew what it was she had to do to recover. The question was; did she want to do it? She knew she had to build a life outside of Sesshoumaru. In a way, Ishan had been right. Her Lord had kept her sheltered, she hardly knew anyone, outside of Inuyasha's pack, on a personal level. But it was hard trying to force herself to not think of Sesshoumaru.
She found that the more she searched within herself, the more she realized how very long she had loved him for, and how impossible her love for him was. It hurt far too much.
"You look beautiful covered in blossoms."
Rin jumped at the unknown voice and reacted on instinct. She flipped from her sitting position, backward on one hand, to level a blade to the throat of Ishan Sashine. Ishan slid his eyes to his left, wide with the speed of her reaction. Hurriedly, she tucked the blade away and bowed. "My apologies Lord Ishan, you startled me very much. I hope I did not hurt you in anyway." Rin mentally hit herself over the head. Such carelessness could result in disaster if she had harmed him.
"No, no!" Ishan placed a hand on Rin's shoulder. "I apologize for startling you, I didn't mean to." He hooked his finger under her chin to raise her from her bow. "I did mean what I said though, you look beautiful covered in blossoms."
Rin was taken aback. What was she to do? What was she to say to this? She'd never been approached in such a manner before, certainly Sesshoumaru would not have allowed it. Rin found herself floundering. Was there some polite rebuttal she had been taught or etiquette that she had forgotten? She smiled shakily "Thank you, Lord Ishan."
He smiled an easy smile and Rin found the corners of her mouth turning upward, slightly. "Please, call me Ishan. I want us to be good friends. May I simply call you Rin?" He began to walk and gestured for her to join him. Rin thought for a moment. If she were in the West, Sesshoumaru would have been irate if she were to accept such a gesture of familiarity.
"Yes, and thank you. I want us to be good friends too." There was silence but Rin hardly noticed. She was captured in the wonder of the palace courtyard garden in its full bloom. Many trees with different colored blossoms, intermingling and creating lavished, saturated arrays of color. As they exited the other side Rin came back to reality; she could feel Ishan's eyes on her. Innocently, she turned to see what it was he wanted and he kissed her. Rin froze, unaccustomed to this kind of contact. Ishan moved his lips slightly and Rin felt a tingle go up her spine before he backed away enough to look in her eyes. "You must be the most beautiful ningen that has ever existed, because you are certainly, the most beautiful female I have ever seen, youkai and all." Ishan backed away, taking Rin's gaping expression and silence as awe. "Good day, Lady Rin."
Rin stood still for long afterward. For some reason, she felt as if she had betrayed someone, as if she had given something away, which was stupid. That was her first kiss and yet she didn't feel as if she had wanted to give it to Ishan. Rin berated herself. Her love for Sesshoumaru was so stubbornly, thoroughly and inconveniently true that it filled every part of her. There was no room for anyone else. And Sesshoumaru couldn't want her, not some weak, human female. She had no one to betray by giving away her kisses.
And yet, something told her it was betrayal yet.
