Chapter 9
Rin smiled as she sipped at her drink, sighing to herself. Last night had been a rough one; some kind of small toad creature had been found in the city and while it wasn't much of a danger but certainly a trouble maker. It had taken the two of them almost all night to track it down and kill it.
The hunter yawned as she headed for the front door, planning on getting some fresh air to hopefully wake her up.
She opened the door and was greeted by a wave of chatter and at least 20 young faces, all looking excitingly around while four adults stood watching over them. She soon closed the door. "Sesshomaru! There are a load of small children in the front garden!"
"I did tell you they were coming." The prince said as he came over to her, messing with his top button.
Rin couldn't help but smile. "Never going to get used to you wearing those clothes Sess." She looked over his 'royal regalia' that he was wearing. Cape included.
The prince shot her a look. "Rin, these children are here to speak to me about leadership, reasonability and to learn about my role in the city. I know I don't ask much of you and you don't show much respect to me but for one day… just while they are here, can you please address me like I am a prince?"
"You are a prince."
His eyes turned away from her. "You don't treat me like one. And I'm fine with that. But not today. Please."
She looked at him then smiled. "Alright. Just for one day. I'll behave myself."
"And that includes swearing."
"Bastard. That's no fucking fun."
"Rin."
"Just getting my shots out while I can." She chuckled then patted him on the arm. "You know what they say, don't work with kids or animals. So good luck." She smiled at him. "You're going to need it."
The prince watched as she walked away and back upstairs. "Aren't you going to meet them?"
"Sure. I just need to do something first."
He frowned at her, wondering what she was up to and hoping it wouldn't embarrass him but then steadied himself and opened the door to his home. The children clapped as he came outside and nodded to them before inviting them in, allowing them into his private home and the dining room where there was enough room for them all.
For half an hour, the Prince sat and spoke with them, explaining what tasks he had to do for the city and how he had helped the city over the years and answered any questions they had for him.
They were listening in silence, enthralled by the tale when someone knocked on the door and it opened. Sesshomaru frowned as the door opened without hesitation, knowing the only other person in the house was Rin and she would…
His eyes went wide in amazement as she walked in.
Women in Cinderhallow were a formal type and always attempted to remain in fashion, wearing long framed dresses and tight corsets but Rin never wore such restrictive clothing, preferring trousers and high collared shirts that allowed her to move.
But right now, she looked as elegant as any of the finest of ladies he'd ever met. Her outfit was a soft amber colour, slightly low cut but not to an undignified amount while her shoulders were covered with a wrap of some kind. Her hands were in long white gloves up to her elbows and from a golden belt was a long flowing skirt, a subtle slit down the front and a panel at the front. Her hair was styled around her face and at her neck was a black choker.
She nodded gently to the collection of people. "Sorry to disturb you. I just need to speak to the prince urgently." She said walking over to the prince and leaning on his shoulder to whisper. "Careful Sess, you're almost turning red."
He gulped and looked away. "Yes, alright. You can sit and join me now."
Rin nodded and stepped away from him, looking at the children. "Pleasure to meet you all. My name is Rin Scarlet. I've been visiting the prince and helping him with his duties in protecting the city."
"Protecting?"
The hunter sat on a chair near the wall and nodded. "The two of us are hunters. Haven't you told them yet your highness?"
"I was getting to it."
"I'd be happy to help." Her eyes looked over the children. "It would be a good idea to tell them the dangers of what we have do."
He looked at her before nodding. "Very well."
The conversation then moved onto the monsters, the dangers of the creatures and how the two dealt with them. A few of the stories had the children chuckling, especially when Rin popped in with comments on how either of them messed it up.
Then one child turned to her and asked. "Could we see you fight?"
The excitement ran over them quickly and Rin glanced to the prince. "What do you say, your highness? Shall we spar?"
His eyes glanced over at her then the children. "Only if you wish, Rin."
"Give me a minute to change. I don't really want to spar dressed like this." She stood and looked at the children. "You might want to put your jackets on, we tend to spar outside and it's quite cold today."
The children hurried to put their things on and Rin stepped out of the room. By the time the prince had managed to arrange them outside on some wooden logs and explained the rules, Rin had changed into her normal black and red outfit, carrying two sparing swords, metal but blunted. She nodded to the prince and handed one to him. "Explained the rules I hope?"
"Just finished." He said while removing his cape, placing it on a bench nearby.
"Then, shall we?" She twisted the sword slowly around herself and backed off, taking a suitable stance.
The prince took a moment but then charged at her, weapon swinging high above her but she blocked and chuckled. "Don't think about going go easy on me." She said as he pushed her away.
They backed off then Rin charged, crossing the sparing ring and slipping in and out of his grip and her every attack blocked by the prince. The children could be heard gasping with enthusiasm, watching the pair fight. Sesshomaru was quite impressed; she hadn't thrown any of her dirty tricks at him. And when he left himself open, she went for a less effective attack.
He frowned then looked at her stand, her eyes and her smile. He suddenly understood; she was throwing the fight. He glanced at the children behind her and then at her as she nodded softly, bracing herself for the attack. Sesshomaru came towards her, sword high and they collided before he swept his leg out and caught the back of hers.
She could have easily recovered but instead she fell backwards landing on the ground, the prince stepping over with his blade held to her neck. She didn't say anything to him, just smiled as the children cheered behind them. After a moment, he turned it away and held out his hand to her, helping her up.
"You didn't have to do that." He said softly as they walked towards the children.
"It's more important they respect you than me." She explained, then sighed. "But if you breathe a word about me throwing the fight, I'll kill you in your sleep."
He was sure she was serious so said nothing on the matter, walking over the children for another round of questions. After a short snack in the garden, the children went home and Sesshomaru changed out of his formal clothing, returning to find Rin with a slice of toast and a book on the table, writing in it.
"Rin?"
She smiled and looked up at him. "That's much better. You look like yourself now."
"I feel like myself too. What are you writing?"
"My diary."
"Diary?" He huffed and smiled when she gave him a dirty look. "You don't look the type."
Looking back at the pages, she shrugged. "It's more of a journal than a diary. I write down information on creature's I've fought and the people I've met." She turned the pages. "Like, 'no face children' have a venomous bite, they like to attack in packs and attack by ambushes, are susceptible to electricity and…" She smirked, closing the page. "Are highly flammable."
He nodded slightly. "So that's how you knew what to do?"
"I'm always adding to it." She picked the pen again and began to write.
"What you writing about now?"
She smiled as she added to the pages. "Oh, these pages are yours."
"Mine?" He stepped closer and smiled. "Can I see?"
Quickly she snapped it closed before his fingers got anywhere near. "Ah, ah, ah!" She huffed. "Not for you."
"But…"
"You might not like what your read." She pulled it closer to her chest and walked away, pausing when he reached out to touch her shoulder. "Yes?"
Sesshomaru smiled at her. "Thank you for today."
She stared at him as he stood beside her then smiled and leant up to him, kissing his cheek softly. "You're a good leader, Sesshomaru. Don't ever forget it." She smirked at him before winking and walking away. "And you look cute when you blush."
