Discalimer: I own none of the Inuyasha characters. Please R&R!
"Did Sesshomaru bring you something again?" Kaede asked as Rin inspected her recent gift. They both had just returned from the herb fields, and the moment Rin walked in she spotted a pretty pink kimono on the floor. She smiled for she knew who it was from.
"Yeah a new kimono," she answered back smiling at the beautiful design and material. It always made her day...no...actually it made her whole few months when she would find small gifts within their hut. Small gifts that Rin knew her Lord sent to her. It had been over two years since he left her in the village, and she became fully adjusted to her new life..
She knew he wasn't exactly her Lord anymore, but even though they hadn't made contact in so long she still liked to think that the small gifts he left were ways to remind her that he would always be her Lord Sesshomaru. She giggled for she slightly doubted that was the reason behind his gifts.
She knew what she would gain out of it, she just didn't know what he got out of it. She didn't see herself worth his money even if he did. After everything he had already done for her he still does this, and Rin could never stop loving him for that.
Her love for him still went on and she would of gladely talked about it to Kaede, though Rin had a feeling her caretaker would tell her that her love for Sesshomaru was simply confused for admiration. Rin thought she was right as times, she was still so young and she really didn't understand love. Yet even after so long she still saw her Lord as the most important person in her heart.
That was why even though she always loved the gifts he gave her, she still felt bad that she never gave anything ever in return. She knew that she did not have the money to buy him anything at the expensive price, and to be honest she really didn't know what to get him that he would have any need for. After seeing his castle she had a feeling that he had everything he could ever want or need.
Rin almost let out a sad sigh. "I can't give up," she thought. She would think of something to give him. She knew she didn't have to, but if growing up taught her anything it was that there is a difference between want and need.
And Rin wanted so badly to give Sesshomaru a gift, to show him just how much she still thought about him. His gifts always made her feel so wonderful inside, she only hoped she could find something that could make him feel the same. Something simple yet unique, that was as good as she knew her gift would come. Rin let her thoughts wander as she smoothed her hand down the fabric of her new kimono.
"That's it!" she thought.
"Lady Kaede," Rin asked suddenly. "Do I still have my orange kimono?" she asked while searching inside a small box chest holding her and Kaede's personal belongings.
"We should child," she replied, and at that moment Rin uncovered her previous orange creme kimono.
She smiled and clutched the fabric tightly for she had an idea
~ 1 month later ~
"Do as you please," Sesshomaru concluded to Royokan as he left the forest guardian's den.
"Thank you my Lord, you won't regret this," Royokan shouted out in excitment. He and Sesshomaru just made a deal that Royokan and a few demon allies of his will go and join Sesshomaru in his journey to the North.
Like Sesshomaru, war sparked a certain excitment in the demons, and since they knew the Dog Prince's father it was only natural to serve the new Western Lord when it came to battle. Royokan eyes burned with a passion to fight, and he returned to his den to being the preperations for the trip.
"This is wonderful Master, this adds more demon to the list of those that wish to assist you," Jaken said happily as him and Sesshomaru left the forest.
It has been near one month since he was asked to aid a Norther Lord and join in the war up there. It would seem a rumor of his departure has spreading throughout his lands, for not long after he accpted the request many of his father's allies wished to join and assist him in the war.
They were all his father's allies, so Sesshomaru knew it was more of a duty then a want to serve him. It honestly didn't matter to him what they did, yet over the years of being the new Lord of the West he did have to learn the importants of troops.
During the panther demon war such a thing as "men" didn't mean anything to him. If they died they died, if they ran they ran.
Although, he didn't necessarily win that war, but he didn't lose either. Yet he had a feeling that if he had actaully given a second glance at his comprades then perhpas full victory would of been on his side.
He didn't want to protect a bunch of weaklings, if they weren't strong enough to defend themselves then there should be no reason in coming along with him. If they ran during battle then fine, but they better not expect to be on the next ship home. He made sure to explain that part to them very firmly.
So far it would seem he had a decent amount of troops that were with him. And even if he considered them weak, he would find a purpose for every single one of them. Sesshomaru had bigger plans then to be a general, he wanted to be sat on the highest pedestal and he had come to learn that troops and loyal men were essential to that.
This was no measily battle, this was a full on war, and it would consist of alot of demon. The more troops to add to General Chinatsu's army the better.
So, even though he really despised the idea...he would protect the demons that decided to join him in the war. Coming home with all his men dead would certainly leave a bad reputation for being a bad leader. He may not seem to care, but his pride would say otherwise. So if push came to shove then he would protect his men, he may even save their lifes with his tenseiga if needed.
Speaking of the tenseiga, Sesshomaru decided it was time to visit a certain demon to discuss his departure. Chinatsu should be back to retrieve Sesshomaru and his troops by tomorrow.
Sesshomaru walked from the forest to an all to familiar village far off in another directon, and once he reached the outskirts of the village he caught the scent of his brother and his priestess somewhere off in the fields.
He knew of their relationship now, so he had to make sure his nose told him exactly what they were doing case he should ever accidentaly walk into something he shouldn't have.
That certain scent of intimacy, he hasn't yet found it on his brother. Unlike a certain monk's hut where the scent of intimate contact is bascially plastered around there home. It would explain there new arrival, and Sesshomaru was almost sure there was a fresh new scent in the slayer's womb.
His nose lets him know all is clear, and he soon started walking torward the fields where he met the eyes almost similar to his own.
"Sesshomaru?" Inuyasha said as him and Kagome look over to his brother. Sesshomaru stopped only a few feet from the pair, and once he looked at Kagome he could already hear the words she was about to speak.
"Hey bro.." he cut her off with an annoyed hard stare, and Kagome laughed nervously as she waved her hand in dismissing her statement.
"I need to speak with Inuyasha," he said blankly, and after his brother gave a small nod to the girl it was just them two.
"Jaken," Sesshomaru spoke out, almost forgetting about the imp. "Go and accompany her for now," he stated.
Jaken gave a look of dissaproval, but did as he was told anyway. A strange feeling of being babysitter again washed over him.
Once Jaken and Kagome were a good distance away Inuyasha looked into the eyes of his brother. Both of them held a serious look in each others eyes, it was as though they knew what the other had to say.
"I suppose you have heard already," Sesshomaru said, and Inuyasha gave a small nod.
"Yeah," he answerd shortly. He had heard that his brother would be leaving off to war, rumors were spread all around the country side so it was hard not to hear.
Inuyasha wasn't exactly happy that he wouldn't be able to keep an eye on the bastard. He didn't understand where this new feeling came from, but all he knew is that if his jackass of a brother fell at the hands of anyone Inuyasha would kill them. Yet the image of Sesshomaru falling at the hands of someone just didn't play right in Inuyasha's mind.
"Then I suppose you know why I have come here," Sesshomaru said, his hard stare never leaving Inuyasha's.
Inuyasha gave out a sigh and looked down, "Look...I have no desire to be apart of any war. I can't just abandon the village all of a sudden, besides you can handle things without me".
Kagome had just returned not long ago, Inuyasha wanted to be no where else then by her side. There was also the village itself, Miroku and Sango can only take care of certain limit of problems. Inuyasah felt the need to stay, he had to or else who knows what would happen to the village...and to Kagome.
Inuyasha lookd to Sesshomaru again and surprisingly found a confused stare on his face. "Fortunantly for you that is not the reason why I have come here," he said. Now it was Inuyasha who was confused. "Then what is it?"
"Someone will need to take charge of my land while I am away," he stated simply. Inuyasha gave him yet again another confused stare, he already had the village to take care of...now thier father's territory. "Huh?" Inuyasha replied making sure that what he heard was correct.
"Do I need to repeat myself," Sesshomaru replied arrogantly. "It is nothing permanent, once I return I will take control of what is rightfully mine again,' he said reassuringly.
"Besides it's nothing more then weak demons that try to take control. Even a half breed such as yourself can handle them". Sesshomaru had no doubt that Inuyasha could take care of the demons that were trying to take control of his lands. They were no threat at all and if Inuyasha can't handle them then Sesshomaru misjudged his strength.
"Hmmm," Inuyasha had to think about it, but it would seem an answer was needed to be given now. He was satisfied enough with his old man's sword so he really didn' care about his lands. Although, Inuyasha also knew that if he turned down the offer then Sesshomaru would see him a cowardly weakling and he refused to let the jerk see him that way.
"Fine," Inuyasha said, and at that simple word Sesshomaru somehow knew that his lands would be welll protected till he got back.
"Hmm, just keep your senes sharp, if any inturders take contol by the time I get back," Sesshomaru started out, "I will have to kill you". Inuyasha almost laughed at his brother's hallow words, onyl he could make that harsh sentence seem like an everyday thing to say.
Sesshomaru turned around about to take his leave until his brother spoke out again.
"Hey," said Inuyasha, "I will watch over the lands...but don't think that I will be doing it forever," he stated as he stood up and walked over to Sesshomaru. He wasn't that much shorter then him, so when he looked him in the face they were almsot eye to eye.
"So I suggest you make it back soon," Inuyasha concluded, his eyes softening just a tad. He didn't want his only brother to die, a long time ago he would of gladely killed him himself. Though that was then, and this is now.
Sesshomaru stared at his brother, unlike Inuyasah his eyes weren't holding any touch of softness to his gaze. That was something only Rin could bring out.
Yet, he didn't give Inuyasha any hard or cold glare back. He simply looked at him, understanding the meaning behind his sentence. If it had been any other time Sesshomaru would of insulted his brother's weak feelings, but this was probably going to be their last meeting before he headed off.
"I seek nothing more then to battle the most formidable of beings," Sesshomaru turned around from Inuyasha.
"So I suggest you too stay alive,".
Inuyasha's face went into shock. Did he just hear what he thought he heard? Did Sesshomaru just basically tell him that he was strong, and to stay safe? It was in his own arrogant jerkish way of course, but translated, that is what it could of sounded like.
"Right," Inuyasha said sofly as Sesshomaru started walking away form him. "Wait for me Lord Sesshomaru," Jaken shouted from behind as he hurried to catch up to his Lord.
"Hey Sesshomaru," Inuyasha spoke out, and Sesshomaru haulted his steps. "Have you told Rin yet?"
Sesshomaru held a few moment of silence. With so many demons pestering him about wanting to aid him in the war he hadn't the time to even see Rin since he left her the pink kimono. He had only tomorrow left to tell he, and he swore to himself he would and he planned to keep it that way. He only needed his chance, and now Inuyasha might just give him one.
"My deparure will take place at the sea North of here," he said turning his head to face Inuyasha. "Bring Rin there to me before the sunets, I will explain everything to her then".
Inuyasha thought it was kind of late to tell the girl then. Yet he also knew that if Sesshomaru had told her any time before now then these past few weeks Rin might not of been as happy as she usually is.
"Alright," Inuyasha said and both brothers finally turned from each other. Sesshomaru heading to who knows where, and Inuyasha heading back to Kagome.
"Hey wait," Kagome suddenly called out just as Sesshomaru was about to take flight. "Sesshomaru," she shouted, Sesshomaru gave an annoyed look for being stopped once again.
Still though edleast she didn't call him "big brother".
"Sesshomaru here," she said as she handed him a large blue silk wrapped package.
"It just... fell from the sky, I don't know where it came from. Look though," she said pointing to a peice of paper that was tied to the knot on top. His name was written on the paper. Someone sent him someting, he thought. Sesshomaru gave Kagome a suspicious glare.
"No, no!," she said nervously, "it wasn't me even Jaken saw it".
Once she pointed to the green imp Sesshomaru looked to his servant. "Yes, it's true my Lord it just fell from the sky and down to us. I tied to sniff out the pest, but before I could even sniff them out the scent dissapeared".
He took the package from her and then took his leave into the air, leaving both Inuyasha and Kagome slightly dissapointed that he didn't open it to their curious eyes.
Sesshomaru made sure he was a good distance from anyone before he decided to do anything . Once they reached a certain distance into the forest he stopped and inspected the rather large silk package.
"Who do you think it is from Master," Jaken asked as he looked curiously to the package wrapped in fine blue silk. There was no name on the outside so it could of been from anyone.
Sesshomaru bent to one knee and started undoing the knot that held the silk wrap in place. From what he could feel just by holding it, there was definintly something to the feel of cloths in there. He could also make a out a strange feeling object, so like everyone else Sesshomaru's curiosity sparked.
Once the package was untied the gift was revealed to Sesshomaru and Jaken's gaze.
It was a fine white silk kimono with purple designs on it. It looked almost similar to the one he had on now, althought the designs were different and instead of the red color it held purple instead. He lifted up the long wardrobe, the end of the long kimono spilling out past his feet.
Usually men would wear material that only went down to their knees or so, then wear hakama's over.
Though becasue of Sesshomaru's nobility his kimono was longer then any peasants, and the white color represented his royal stature. Not to many demon, or humans wore white. And not only did it show his rank it also didn't look half bad on him either.
He looked to the shoulders of the kimono and saw how the designs differ from his red honeycomb flower designs. He looked closely to the purple designs that were embedded on the shoulders, sleeves, and even some that trailed throughout the middle section leading to the ottow section. The designs looked alot like that of bakuseiga's design.
It was like having bakuseigs's design on his warbrobe, each angled line colored a rish shade of purple, and along with the overall white look it was very pleasing to his eyes.
"What a magnifesent kimono sire," Jaken said addoring the feel and look of his master's new wardrobe. "Look Lord Sesshomaru," he spoke out holding up yet something else that came with his gift.
It was a white glove, it looked just like the style his father used to wear yet instead of black and wite this was all white. He looked around but realized the package only came with one, the other one was no where to be found. He thought of it as a mistake at first until he examined the sleeves of his new kimono.
The left side sleeve was shorter then the right side, he looked to the glove and found it to be meant for only his left hand. He supposed this is how the outfit was supposed to look.
His right arm covered up with the long sleeve look he was used to, while his left sleeve would not be so long and his left arm would be covered in its own white gloved atire with his foream and hand fully covered with the exception of his exposed clawed fingers.
He was overall greatly satisfied with his gift, a new kimono would definintly go well with the new chapter coming up in his life. It would surely be worn for his upcoming journey to the North, once they all see his atire they will then know who has the highest ranking in nobility and strength.
The only question now was who sent it? He noticed the young priestess looked far too confused to of been the one to of secretly given it to him. And Inuyasha wold never of done something so loving as to give his dear brother a gift.
"Rin?" he thought. It was a possibiity, for he had a feeling she probably knew the kind of things that he found pleasing to the eye. Yet this kimono was beyond expensive, no simple village shop would have this style. Not even the shop where he gets Rin's kimonos would hold this kind of material. No shop would have a kimono with designs that looked to much like that of bakuseiga's.
No doubt, someone must of requested this specific design and have it made only to meet his own satisfaction. Someone who has seen his sword before, and who knows him all to well.
And for some reason he think he had an idea who.
"Lord Sesshomaru, look," Jaken spoke out as he handed his Lord a small piece of paper found in the silk package.
Sesshomaru opened the small note and what he read didn't surprise him in the least.
"Learn not to go off to a new journey in old rags, do you honestly intend to embarress your poor mother".
Sesshomaru's poison hand burned the paper to dust.
Sesshomaru picked up his gift and started walked along the rest of the forest path with Jaken strolling along behind him.
That mother of his, Sesshomaru thought.
Thats it for this chapter. I had terrible writers block in the beggining, but im happy with the way it came out.
AN: As far as Sesshomaru's new wardrobe goes I didn't really want to give him new cloths, but for the rest of the stories sake I did. I wanted it to be as simple as the kimono he already has and just imagining the designs to look like bakuseiga's designs seem to be simply enough. As far as the glove goes, just picture the one his father wore in the third movies simple enough.
Another thing I want to point out is the length of the kimono. I described it to be long, idk if that is really how it is suppose to be, but I researched that back in feudal japan nobles of high rank and stature would wear kimonos at a long length. Sadly Sesshomaru never really reveals to much of what is underneath all that armour and cloths lol
Yet having a long kimono would only make sence since Sesshomaru is a high rank Lord even if he is a demon. Plus I doubt it is simply air that makes his hakamas give off that balloon type effect XD
Anyway thanks for reading and I'm hoping the next chapter will be the last for this story. Please leave a comment if you can thanks!