Part 4: Kanbe (13 Years old - June) Chapter 2
A few days passed since Sesshomaru returned and while Tarn tried to treat both of them the same, it was clear there was a favourite between the two students and it wasn't the demon.
Regularly, Tarn would assign the two of them the same task, getting them to brew, create or do something and then judge the two. While both were done to a high standard, Rin was often better.
It was clear that his jealousy towards the girl was growing but he kept it under control.
One afternoon, while Rin was manning the store, the bell rang out and a human with brown hair in a neat green messenger's uniform came in, nodding to her. "Is Master Tarnanok available?" He asked softly.
"He is sir."
"Please give him this at once." He said, passing over a blue envelope. "It is of vital importance."
"At once sir."
Task complete, the man turned and left the shop while Rin headed to the back where Kusu was cooking and Sesshomaru was brewing something. Tarn was also in the room, working hard as he made notes in a book. "Master Tarn? A letter just arrived for you." She said softly.
"Just put it on the side." The master told her, not looking up from his work.
"He said it was urgent." Rin confirmed, stepping over and holding it towards him.
Finally he looked up and once he saw the envelope, he stood up completely. "Oh." He said, taking it and reading the letter inside and once he had he turned to Kusu. "I need to leave at once. Can you get Reaver for me?"
"Is everything alright sir?" Rin asked as both he and Kusu hurried around, preparing a bag.
Tarn paused and turned to her. "That letter is an order for me to take out a demon that has been causing trouble in the area." He explained with a sigh. "I'm to join three others at the town square at once."
"Is it dangerous?" The young teen asked, worried.
"Yes but I'll be careful, don't worry." He smiled at her as Kusu passed him a long thin object wrapped in a cloth.
Sesshomaru nodded as the master pulled on a long coat. "How long do you think it will take?"
"A few days, maybe longer." He glanced between the two students then nodded. "I'm leaving Kusu in charge. While I am gone, I want the two of you to keep the shop going but no more. If you run out of something, take an order and we will deliver once I return." His eyes hardened a bit on them. "No magic without my supervision. Understood?"
"Yes master." The two chorused.
He pointed at them both in turn. "I mean it! There will be trouble if I return and find out either of you have disobeyed me."
"We understand Master." Rin promised, stepping aside as he packed the last bits he needed. "Just be careful."
"I'll return in a few days Rin, don't worry and behave yourself." He patted her gently on the head and walked out to the front of the shop.
Once he was gone, a silence fell the room that was only broken by Kusu's laughter. "Well, it's been a while since Tarn received a call to arms. And I know I always worry about him when he's gone." She sighed then smiled. "So, how about we close the shop early and go out for some supper?"
Rin smiled at the idea. "That does sound like a good idea."
"I will do the restock, you two clean up." The green haired demoness said as she got to work. Sesshomaru and Rin took a little longer to return to the tasks assigned to them but eventually began to clean and tidy up.
The human watched the demon, noticing how his eyes were narrow in thought. "Will he be alright?" She finally asked to break the silence.
"Dealing with rogue demons is part of his job as a Master." Sesshomaru grumbled. "As it is for all students of magic." His gaze turned to her. "If you ever went against one, you would be dead in a few minutes."
Rin just glared at him then returned to her work. "You demons aren't that tough."
"What did you say?" He growled from across the room.
"I said I'm not scared of demons like you."
"Well you should be."
She turned back to face him, ready to return the argument but she suddenly found herself face to face with the golden eyed demon as he pushed her back against the wall and gripped her around the neck.
She gasped at his grip and the pain against her back but Sesshomaru showed no sign of letting go or caring about her discomfort. "We demons are faster, stronger and better in every way compared to you humans. You may outnumber us but you will always be less."
Rin struggled a bit under his grasp and groaned at the pain before glaring up at him. "Humans are just as strong as demons."
His grip increased around her neck, starting to cut off her air. "Really? Then prove it."
"That is enough!" Kusu shouted as she came back into the back room and saw the scene.
Sesshomaru turned away at once, releasing Rin. "I didn't hurt her." He huffed.
Kusu stepped over to the girl and checked her over. "Are you alright Rin?"
"I'm fine." She mumbled, rubbing where he had grabbed her.
"What has gotten into you Sesshomaru?" The housekeeper snapped.
"I don't agree with a human being taught our skills."
"And as Tarn keeps telling you, you will have to get used to her. And you will learn to control your temper."
The student glared at her. "I'll be in my room."
"Oh no you don't." The other said, walking over to block his path up to the stairs. "You are coming to dinner with us."
"I'm not hungry."
"You are coming with us and that is an order." She huffed. "Now, you will go to your room but only to change and make yourself presentable." She then side stepped and pointed to the stairs, watching as the demon stalked off. Once alone, Kusu looked over Rin who was in her normal clothes which were a little dirty and unsuitable for anywhere but the shop. "Rin, you should go change too."
"Alright Kusu." After a moment, Rin headed up to her room.
It was a lot more personalised now; Tarn had fitted a couple of shelves so she could keep crystals and other mementos, there was a bookshelf on one side, filled with her own personal collections that she had brought over the years. Beside the bed, the main feature of the room was a large wardrobe that held her clothes. Kusu and Tarn still had a habit of buying her long fancy dresses with ribbons and lace that were very impractical for her work.
Now, since they were going out, she changed into a light blue dress with short sleeves and a loose design, since it was soon going to be summer in the demon world and the air often became clammy and hot. Once changed, she let her hair down and fitted a false flower into it before heading to join Kusu.
Kusu had removed her apron and freshened up her own clothing, and there was a flora smell around her now but she hadn't changed her clothes, not that she needed to; Kusu always had an air of formality and grace about her no matter what she was doing or wearing.
She smiled at Rin then went over to the stairs. "We are waiting for you Sesshomaru. Don't make me come up there."
It was a few minutes later but finally they heard someone coming down the stairs and Sesshomaru returned, his hair now brushed smooth back, his shirt a black one against the dark green suit jacket that he pulled over it.
Kusu rolled her eyes at him. "You still can't help dressing up."
"I have a pride in my appearance." The demon said with a huff, looking at Rin. "Something I see you do not."
"Why you…"
"You have dirt on your nose."
Rubbing her nose quickly, Rin tried to remove it but Kusu put a hand on her shoulder. "You look lovely Rin, never mind what Sesshomaru says. Now, both of you, let's go."
The trio walked slowly out of the shop and into the street, heading down the road into the main part of town and found a restaurant for them to enjoy a meal at. After they sat and had ordered their drinks, Rin looked over at Kusu and sighed. "So… Master Tarn has been called to fight a rogue demon?"
"It happens every now and then." Kusu explained as she sipped her drink and browsed the menu. "Not all demons are civilised like us."
"And they have to be disposed of."
"Some demons spend all their time training in ways especially designed to prepare them for dealing with them."
Sesshomaru nodded. "Like myself. I spent the last 5 years learning sword work and fighting."
"Ah so that's where you went." Kusu hummed. "You never said where you were going."
"If I intend to protect those who can't protect themselves, I needed to learn and Master Tarn was never going to teach me."
"He doesn't have the time to teach sword and potions." Kusu explained.
The demon huffed into his drink. "So he kept telling me."
"But will he be alright?"
"Tarn is a good fighter but he mainly goes to protect the others of the team and to help find the prey."
"I see." Rin pondered.
Kusu looked at the girl then patted her on the shoulder. "Don't worry Rin, he will be fine. Just try and enjoy the dinner."
The meal itself was quite enjoyable even if Sesshomaru did take every chance to insult the human at the table, saying she had horrific manners and no grace, but overall they had a good meal before heading home.
A few days later, Tarn did return and told them all about his mission, about the demon he'd had to track down and kill, about how he'd accidently given one of the team a scent enhancer instead of masker, which led to another story of madness and confusion that had the whole table laughing but Rin was just glad to have him home.
