I hope this chapter ties the title with the story for those of you who have been wondering. I worked really hard on this and it took some real thinking to try and make everything tie in together smoothly. I am starting to doubt myself as a writer the farther the story progresses. It seems that fewer people are reviewing. Every story I read I try and submit a review, it's just common curtesy to the author. This story has had a lot of hits almost into the five digits and yet so few reviews. For those of you who do review I really appreciate your feedback. As you can tell I'm in a rather dismal mood today, and you can see it reflected in the end of the story. I hope everyone enjoys this chapter.
Kaida
Kanori stood at the main gate's entrance as he watched the sky fill with the subtle hints of the approaching dawn. He had been out all night roaming the grounds unable to sleep after his encounter with Rin. He thought that he was going to be ok when he walked out of the dojo. He thought he could handle it. That was until later when he had been walking with a group of elites back towards the dojo when a very flustered Rin and an impatient Lord Sesshomaru came walking out. He had noted that their armor and weapons hung limply in their hands when it should have been on their bodies. He could tell what they had been doing by their disheveled appearance and it wasn't sparring. He quietly watched as they practically ran to the castle both parties seemingly in a hurry. Dawn was now lighting up the horizon and Kanori's mood had yet to improve. The black-haired lieutenant kicked a rock with his boot and watched as it bounced down the embankment and into the stream below. He then sensed a familiar presence just as the western lord orbed down right in front of him. 'Of all the people to seek my company, why did it have to be him?' He asked himself as he heard the cold voice speak out.
"Lieutenant."
"Yes my lord?" Kanori asked as he rose to his feet and looked into the set of golden eyes boring into him.
Sesshomaru had struggled the night before trying to hear the conversation between the lieutenant and his mate. His attempts proved futile, as he was unable to decipher the hushed tones without getting within sensing distance of the other inu youkai. He was only able to tell one thing and that was whatever the lieutenant had said to Rin obviously made her angry enough that he could feel her aura from such a distance. That's when he decided to let his presence be known and walked a little bit faster towards the dojo.
"Gather the elites and meet me here in half an hour. We are heading out after Ruidane and his platoon." The western lord ordered as he turned away from the lieutenant and disappeared in a blinding flash.
Kanori acknowledged his lord's command and began the trek to the soldier's barracks. He had sensed the underlying anger coursing throughout Lord Sesshomaru although the Taiyoukai's voice was as void of emotion as always. He began to wonder if the western lord had heard his conversation with Rin the night before. Kami help him if he did.
A pair of piercing green eyes scanned the darkness as they rested upon the sleeping figures nestled snuggly in their bunks. Kanori grinned with satisfaction at what he was about to do. The young lieutenant plucked a small bag out of his pocket and grasped some of the grey powder between his fingers. He then threw it to the ground producing a cloud of smoke and a resonating boom that echoed throughout the barracks. He stood in the corner obscured by the grey cloud watching as the elites scurried out of their bunks grabbing at their weapons. Kanori finally got a grasp on himself and started barking out commands. He had every intention of having the elites ready and in front of the main gate way before Lord Sesshomaru arrived.
Rin awoke to a pair of silky lips capturing her own. She reached up and grabbed on to his silver locks entwining her fingers around them. When Sesshomaru finally pulled away Rin opened her eyes to see that he was already dressed and standing beside the bed.
"Where are you off to in such a hurry?" She asked as she sat up rubbing her eyes her hair covering her naked chest.
"I have summoned the elites and will be heading to rendezvous with Captain Ruidane at the site where the spy was captured. The soldiers will be scouring the ground for the stone he spoke of." Sesshomaru said simply as he stretched his hands above his head.
"Good. I will see to it that the stone is found." Rin said as she moved to get out of bed and get dressed.
"Your not going." Sesshomaru said firmly his voice holding a hidden emotion.
"What do you mean not going? Have you forgotten that this is my family's killers we are trying to find?" Rin questioned as she tried once again to get out of bed only to be stopped once more by his powerful hand.
"This Sesshomaru forgets nothing. It is you who has forgotten your place. Your duty as my mate is to be Lady of this castle and supervise its happenings. You are not to be frolicking with the soldiers in the heat of battle." He said his golden eyes holding the fierceness she had almost forgot existed.
"I am going whether you like it or not." She said as she began to get up and was pushed back down again.
"Do as I say Rin. You are staying here!" He ground out as his eyes swam with the slightest hint of pink signaling his anger.
"And If I don't?" She asked challenging him.
"Then you will suffer my wrath just the same as all the others before you who have defied me." He spat as he turned and left his chambers.
Rin sat on the bed stunned at what he had just said. She knew full well what happened to any demon or human that defied the powerful Taiyoukai. He killed them, and without a second thought. Could he really just kill her like that? Did she mean so little to him compared to his stubborn pride? Rin got up from the bed and went over to his armoire and pulled out one of his sleeping kimonos. She quickly put it on tying it in front and stepped out of his chambers. She had only walked a few steps when a soft voice spoke from behind her.
"Do you really think it wise to question his authority like that Lady Rin? Said Dysuki as she walked up from behind her watching her every emotion.
"Wise or not he should have let me go." Rin said as she tamped down the anger in her voice.
"Lord Sesshomaru doesn't do things without a reason. Whatever his reason may be it has to justify his order for you to remain at the castle. He is your mate and within him lies the need to protect and keep you from harm. You have undoubtedly seen a side of him the majority of us will never see. Although this is true you must remember who he is and who he must be. I think you realized that when he threatened your life if you disobeyed him. Lord Sesshomaru is a demon that strives for complete power and dominance. If this goal is interrupted he will clear whatever obstacle standing in his way regardless of the consequences. Consider yourself lucky he has let you get away with what you have so far. I heard you even took his own sword out of his hand. He has to love you for not killing you with it once it was back within his possession."
Rin looked at her mentor and bowed her head in shame. Everything Dysuki just said was true and Rin felt bad for the way she had spoken to Sesshomaru.
"Will he forgive me?" The dragon demoness asked as she furrowed her brows looking worried.
"I think you know the answer to that question more than I do my lady. It's seems as of late I have lost the ability to predict his actions." Dysuki said as she looked at the stubborn demon in front of her "You have truly done a number on him. I was beginning to think that our western lord had slightly changed his demeanor. Forgive me for saying this but I was glad to see his old self shine through this morning. I don't know why but he isn't himself unless he is giving someone a death threat or actually acting upon one. He has been cold and intolerant ever since he was a young pup. A trait he undoubtedly picked up from his father. The great general Inutaisho was very powerful but not really one for the complexities of emotion. That is until he met lady Izayoi. She had the power to warm his cold heart much like you have done to Lord Sesshomaru."
Rin thought about what Dysuki had said for a moment and realized that she had fallen in love with Sesshomaru along with his arrogance and sadistic glory. The dragon demoness smiled when she remembered just how truly powerful her mate actually was.
"So Sesshomaru is a lot like his father?" Rin asked as she looked at her mentor.
"Yes in personality and looks." Dysuki replied.
"Is that why you fainted when you saw that I had put Sesshomaru's hair up in a pony tail?" Rin asked raising her eyebrows waiting for the blue-eyed demon to respond.
"Yes. Seeing your black hair flowing across your back and his silver locks pulled up high upon his head, I was brought back to the past when Lady Izayoi and Lord Inutaisho had walked like that through that very same corridor. It was a very unnerving experience. When I awoke yesterday afternoon with the healer at my side not only was I confused but embarrassed. Have you ever seen a picture of Lady Izayoi?"
"Yes when Sesshomaru and I went into his father's office a couple of days ago. She was very beautiful." Rin said as she watched Dysuki blink in surprise.
"He took you in his father's office? That's the first time I know of that he has been in there since his father's death decades ago."
"Sesshomaru was hesitant at first, I could feel the sadness radiating off of him as we stood at the screen." Rin said as she recalled the look on his face that day.
"He always loved his father. After his death Lord Sesshomaru made sure that no one was to enter his office. I had a feeling that he wanted that room left the way it was in an attempt to forever preserve his father's presence within the castle. I think that that was the first time I had ever sensed any emotion from him, and it had went just as quickly as it had come."
"Dysuki?" A female voice called from the end of the corridor.
"That's Aikio I must go now and tend to my duties. Remember my lady your mate is one of the most powerful and revered youkai to ever walk this earth, and it is your love that he holds dear to him." Dysuki said as she smiled and left the western lady in the empty corridor pondering her departing words.
Rin turned back around and walked past Sesshomaru's chambers. She wanted to know more about his family and the legacy that was left behind. She slowly and quietly made her way back to the magnificent screen that separated Sesshomaru's father's office from the corridor. A faint green glow caught her eye as she rested her hand upon the wooden carvings. 'Where is that coming from?' She asked herself as she realized that the stone of resonance around her neck was glowing. Rin reached down and plucked the tiny dragon out from underneath her mate's kimono as she watched the light pulse in her hand. 'What are you trying to tell me? Is there something else that once belonged to my family in Lord Inutaisho's office? Thought Rin as she slowly pushed the screen open unsure if she should actually go in or not. The dragon demoness pushed her hesitation aside and quietly slid inside closing the screen behind her. A very prominent scent made its presence known as she walked into the center of the room. 'That scent it's familiar yet different. It must belong to Sesshomaru's father. I can't believe I didn't notice it before.' Rin thought as a cold chill ran down her spine. The raven-haired beauty scanned the room and her jaded gaze rested on the rather large chest in the corner. She detected the faint glow of yellow light that radiated around it immediately. The stone poised above her heart began to pulse erratically as she made her way over to the corner. Rin stopped just short of running into the massive oak chest as she took in a deep breath and lowered her hands down on top of the lid. She felt the pulse of something inside call out to her so she got down on her knees positioning her hands ready to open the chest. Rin used all of her strength as she slowly pushed up the extremely heavy lid. The dragon demoness fell backward onto her backside as she caught a glimpse of what was inside. It was a beautifully crafted scabbard and it was not alone.
"I'm sorry my lady, I didn't mean to frighten you." Said the green apparition that drifted in the air just above the scabbard. "Let me explain. My name is Sanjitsu and I am the guardian of this sword. This blade was forged with the fang of the great dog general himself. Its purpose is to aid the dragon heir to victory against the demon ninjas from the realm of darkness. Am I correct in assuming that you are the last of your kind?"
Rin was leaning back on her hands in shock as she listened to the words spoken by Sanjitsu. " Yes I'm all that's left. Lord Inutaisho had this sword forged for me?" She asked as she eyed the green ghost suspiciously.
"In theory yes. Not even his son knows of this swords existence." He said as he watched the beautiful demoness return to a normal sitting position.
"Sesshomaru doesn't know about this?" She asked more to herself than to Sanjitsu. Finally something he doesn't know.'
"No my lady lord Sesshomaru doesn't know, he was just a pup when his father brought me home. If you don't mind me asking what has brought you to the castle of the western family?"
"This is my home." Rin said as she remembered the fight with Sesshomaru earlier this morning.
"Your home?" Sanjitsu asked as he looked at her questionably.
"Yes. I am Lady Rin Sesshomaru's mate." She said simply as she watched the old man's mouth drop open.
"So the northern and western lands finally united." He said as he reached up and rubbed his chin slowly sinking into deep thought.
"Why did Sesshomaru's father have this sword forged and then kept in secret for all of these years?" Rin asked as she tried to fathom his reasons for such an action.
"The great dog general bestowed upon me the guardianship of this sword. It was my duty to direct the wearer of the stone of resonance to its place of hiding. I'm not sure exactly how he knew that the stone would make its way here to the castle. If I had to guess I would say that he put his trust in Lord Sesshomaru. He always loved that pup although he didn't really show it. The reason for this sword to remain in secret was because the only one capable of wielding it is a descendant of Lord Ryuko."
"Let's see if what you say is true Sanjitsu." Rin said as she rose onto her knees once more and reached into the chest pulling out the scabbard.
"If you are the rightful owner of this sword than it will remove itself from the scabbard when you grab a hold of the hilt." Sanjitsu said as he floated out of the chest and stopped in front of the dragon demoness.
Rin stood up then remembering that she was still wearing Sesshomaru's sleeping kimono. 'This will have to do.' She let out a heavy sigh and then slid the scabbard in between the belt and her thigh. Rin gazed at the hilt of the sword. It was magnificently crafted in silver, black and jade. 'The colors of the northern castle.' Rin thought as she realized its design was eerily similar to that of Sesshomaru's Tenseiga. The dragon demoness reached down and clutched the hilt of the sword firmly in her hand and gasped as the blade easily slid out of the scabbard. Rin lifted the sword in front of her face and examined its eternal beauty. This had to be the most magnificent sword she had ever seen. The blade was long and lustrous, while the tip pointed into a deadly gleam. The best thing though was the power that seemed to radiate all around it in gentle hues of golden yellow.
"This is the most beautiful sword I have ever seen." Rin whispered as she continued to inspect it.
"That blade my lady is called Tetsukia. It is the sword of light. This weapon has the ability to purify all those who have darkness in their soul or that were born within the dark realm. Basically this sword can purify any darkness of any origin. Lord Inutaisho put a great deal of effort into it, almost as much as the planning of Tetsusaiga and Tenseiga."
"Why did he go to such trouble for the northern castle? I know that we have always had an alliance but I wouldn't have imagined it to be this strong. I mean this sword is truly remarkable."
"He did it to avenge the death of Lord Ryuko. Lord Inutaisho felt as though he had failed his friend when he didn't arrive in time to save the northern castle." Sanjitsu said as he frowned at the memory of his lord. "Lady Rin that sword is extremely powerful and you will need to train with it daily until you are strong enough to release its true potential. Are you up to training today? I'm sorry but I am the only one who will be able to teach you to wield it. I hope you won't mind my presence."
"I do not mind the presence of my teacher. After all you will be the one helping me to wield Lord Inutaisho's sword so that I can avenge my family and reclaim the Northern Lands. I expect that you know your way around the castle. I will meet you in half an hour out on the veranda." Rin said as she stood up sheathing the sword and shutting the lid to the chest.
"I will be there my lady." Replied Sanjitsu as he floated over to the screen door and waited for her to open it.
The dragon demoness walked over to the screen opened it and stepped out into the emptiness of the corridor. She closed the screen then left Sanjitsu as she began to walk back towards Sesshomaru's chambers. Once in Sesshomaru's room Rin walked over next to the bed and picked up her armor and weapons that lay carelessly tossed on the floor. She smiled as the scent of her mate caressed her nose and left for her chambers happily humming an old tune. If she couldn't go with Sesshomaru this morning to get a lead on the murderers of her family, then she would just train here and destroy them once he found their lair.
Sesshomaru was growing weary of the monotonous task of watching the soldiers scour every inch of the surrounding fields. Not to mention Jaken was starting to annoy him with his petty questions and sighs of boredom. They had been out here for hours already and had yet to find any clue linking them to the stone the ninja had spoken of. The western lord's patience was wearing thin and decided that it would be best if he left Ruidane in charge and headed back to the castle. He didn't want to chance leaving Rin alone too long since he found out that the ninjas were after her. Dusk would be approaching soon and nighttime was always the best time for the enemy to strike.
"Captain." Sesshomaru said impassively
"Yes my lord?" Ruidane said as he ran across the field stopping a few feet from the powerful Taiyoukai.
"I'm returning back to the castle and I am leaving you in charge of the lieutenant and his platoon as well as your own. If anything is found contact me at once." The western lord said as he awaited the response of the neko.
"I will see to it that everything is done in accordance to your will my lord. If anything of importance is found I will report back to you personally." The blue-eyed captain replied as he saluted his lord and watched him disappear in the all to familiar burst of light.
Rin stood at the edge of the forest with sweat dripping down her beautiful face as she once again tried to control the small surge of yellow energy that spiraled out of the blade. Lowering the sword in exhaustion she watched as the wave of power leveled what had remained of the small area of dense greenery. "Damn!" She yelled as she had failed yet again to manipulate its path. Rin looked up at the sky the sun barely visible as darkness had begun to take the land. She would just have to continue the training tomorrow and hope to master the sword then.
"My lady you can't expect to master this sword in the first day or the first week for that matter." Sanjitsu said as Rin's green eyes narrowed at him and a scowl crossed her exhausted face.
"Thanks for reminding me that I have failed Sanjitsu." Rin spat as she sensed the fore coming aura of her mate. "Sesshomaru will be here any second." She said cooling down a little. "Prepare yourself."
Sanjitsu didn't even have time to form a reply as the Taiyoukai landed right in front of the dragon demoness.
"Who were you just speaking to Rin?" He asked as he let his senses scan the area. Sesshomaru found it odd that he couldn't depict anyone's presence. He heard Rin's hand shuffle beside her and looked down to see what she was doing. The western lord stood in confusion as he looked down at a magnificently crafted sword. 'This blade looks oddly familiar…and its aura seems to only differ slightly from that of Tenseiga.' He thought as he looked back up into Rin's eyes questioning her without even speaking a word.
Rin knew that her mate was confused and he had that right. For once this was something that he knew absolutely nothing about.
"Sesshomaru this sword Tetsukia, was forged by your father only days after the fall of the northern castle. He created it with his very own fang in order to give Lord Ryuko's descendant the power to defeat the demons from the realm of darkness." Rin explained as she watched her mate stare at her trying to sort everything out in his mind. "I'll start from the beginning so you will be able to understand. This morning after you left, I walked past your chambers and into the forbidden corridor. I needed someplace quiet to try and clear my head. I soon found my self being pulled toward the office of your father. I stopped in front of the screen and that is when I noticed that the stone of resonance was pulsing around my neck. I didn't know exactly why it was behaving this way but it seemed to be responding to something past the screen. I then entered your father's office and was immediately drawn to the chest in the corner. I could see a yellow light being emitted from just under the lid. I then crouched in front of the chest and opened it. That is when I discovered the sword and Sanjitsu who was its protector. He was the one who explained everything to me and the one I was talking to when you arrived." Rin said all in a hurried breath, she knew that her mate wasn't one to be patient.
Sesshomaru took every little detail to mind as he listened to his mate recount the finding of the sword that now rested in her hand. 'Sanjitsu…that name sounds familiar. I can't believe that my father forged this sword and told no one. Not even me.' He thought as he realized that Sanjitsu had yet to make his presence known.
"Where is this Sanjitsu?" He asked as he turned around to scan the area and noticed that the small cluster of greenery was now missing. "And what happened to the trees?"
Rin couldn't help but blush as Sesshomaru's golden gaze found hers. "I uh was trying to master the sword and well I think it mastered me." She said as she looked sheepishly at him.
"I see. We will have to work on that. Sanjitsu make your presence known or I will kill you." Sesshomaru ordered as he saw what looked like a green cloud float out of Rin's scabbard.
"I am here my lord." Sanjitsu said as he floated beside of Rin.
'I remember now. This spirit was at Toutousai's that day my father forged Tenseiga and Tetsusaiga.' The western lord thought as he rested his gaze on the spirit.
"Sanjitsu you were the one at Toutousai's that day my father and I came to forge the Tenseiga and the Tetsusaiga were you not?
"Yes my lord I was summoned there by your father. He wanted me to guard this sword the moment it was forged and that was just after you left with the other two." Sanjitsu replied as he noticed just how much Lord Sesshomaru grew to look like Lord Inutaisho.
"Rin let me see the sword." Sesshomaru said as he held out his hand waiting for her to give it to him.
"My lord the sword rejects anyone who is not a descendant of Lord Ryuko. Only they can wield and master the blade. The others who try are burned at the mere touch." Sanjitsu said as he looked at the powerful Taiyoukai.
Sesshomaru grimaced at the thought that his father had forged yet a second sword that he couldn't touch.
"Rin I do not repeat myself." He said his voice full of annoyance.
Rin lifted the sword and placed it in her mate's grasp. She watched intently as he wrapped his hand around the hilt and brought it up to his face to examine it more closely.
"I can't believe this…the sword does not reject him how can that be? Sanjitsu asked himself out loud when he noticed that Lord Sesshomaru stood holding the sword unscathed.
"This sword has a will of its own just like father's other two swords. It recognizes me as Rin's mate and therefore does not reject my touch." Sesshomaru said as he stepped away from them. "Rin watch as I show you the true power of this sword." Sesshomaru said as he sliced the blade through the night air. A very powerful surge of yellow energy darted out with all the intensity of the sun.
Sanjitsu floated in awe. ' Lord Sesshomaru is just if not more powerful than his father was. It takes a very strong youkai to fully release the power of that sword. Lady Rin has her work cut out for her. '
Rin watched as the power of the sword shot out like daggers into the night. It was not the insignificant spiraling power she had released earlier but something much much greater. She stood amazed as the energy cut down everything in its path much like that of Tetsusaiga. That's when Rin noticed that everything the attack hit she could see perfectly, it was as if the darkness of night had disappeared and day had replaced it. Soon it was all over and the darkness had once again reclaimed the area. Rin walked towards her mate and placed a hand on his shoulder turning him around to face her. She felt the tears well up in her eyes as she locked onto his golden gaze. She knew that she couldn't fight this battle alone and that if the sword trusted him enough to release its true power, then from now on she would listen to whatever he said.
"Sesshomaru I am sorry for the way I acted this morning. It will never question you again.' Rin said as she wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face in the crook of his neck. "Please find it in your heart to forgive me." She whispered into his ear.
Sesshomaru stood still and let her clutch onto him, doing nothing to encourage or discourage her behavior. When she finally let go and stepped back from him he held out her sword. He watched as she took it from his hand and then sheathed it once more at her waist. Sesshomaru was still angry with her for defying and doubting him. He was not ready to accept her apologies. In fact he didn't even want to talk to her. He met her gaze and struggled to keep the indifferent mask in place. He was not going to bend. Not this time. No matter how much it hurt him to leave her standing there alone he was going to do it. 'You have hurt me Rin and you will suffer as I have.' He thought as he turned away from her and vanished in a flash of light.
Rin knew when he didn't hug her back that he was still mad at her. She wasn't even surprised when he left her standing there alone without a single word. 'I must have really hurt you Sesshomaru. I do not blame you for harboring these feelings of resentment. I understand why you don't wish to speak or touch me.' Rin thought as a tear slid down her face. 'I will respect your wishes and leave you alone. I will be here when you are no longer angry with me.'
Sanjitsu had sensed the tension between the lord and lady when the Taiyoukai had first arrived. Now he knew what had happened to create it. Lady Rin was definitely a dragon descendant, the stubborn and somewhat arrogant attitude proved it. He saw the demoness start to leave and floated along beside her in silence.