Thirteen
Rin held the knife up and trained her eyes on the tree. Keiko had carved a rough target into the trunk for Rin to practice with. She recalled her advice to keep both eyes open, lined up the goal and then threw the blade with more force than she thought might be needed. Her wrist was loose, and the metal flew from her hand effortlessly.
It landed in the trunk with a thunk, but missed the target completely.
"Well," she heard Keiko-san say behind her, "At least you hit the tree, this time."
"An improvement for sure!" Rin said, turning around. Keiko sat on a blanket behind her, unfolded along the courtyard pavement. Kaede-san had voiced her disapproval of damaging property with the knife, but hadn't gone as far to stop them.
"Honestly though," Keiko said with a sigh, as Rin retrieved the knife and then went to sit with her. "Sesshoumaru-sama should be the one to teach you this."
At the mention of him, Rin's cheeks turned bright red. Ever since Keiko had gone to deliver something to his Royal Highness several weeks back and returned, her entire demeanor had been a little different. There was less teasing of her nephew, replaced with wistful sighs and wishes for the two of them. It wasn't odd per se, but different, and it made Rin very suspicious.
"I would think that I would be too distracted to learn from him," Rin said quietly, and Keiko flashed a sly smile back at her.
"By his face, you mean. Really, that boy is too pretty for his own good."
"Keiko-san!" Rin squeaked, "I only meant that the rest of the court would likely bother us over such a thing. It would be hard to focus on learning, with so many eyes on us." Well, it wasn't a lie, but it was clear that Rin was trying to dodge the line of question.
Keiko gave her a level stare for a moment. "Nothing is stopping him from coming here," she finally said, a sigh escaping her. "My nephew aside, it's time for your next lesson."
Immediately, Rin perked up. Keiko had proven herself to be a wealth of information, and gradually the girl learned more about what exactly it was she had done in her youth. Keiko had serviced the Empire in a far more important capacity, than Rin had initially realized, and she found herself waiting to learn more.
So far, Keiko had imparted her the wisdom of lessons four and five.
"Don't take no for an answer. Even if they refute what you have to say, be persistent until they listen."
"Remember that being a woman doesn't make you weak. If it did, why would men care if we speak out, in the first place?"
Even beyond Keiko-san had taught her, she had come to realize that the role of women when it came to youkai, was far different than what humans expected. Rin wasn't sure that extended to her, as she wasn't youkai, but she had no doubt that Sesshoumaru-sama would expect for it too.
It was thrilling, but terrifying. The weight expectation was heavy, and Rin hoped that she could do her role proud.
"I feel as though I'm throwing myself into an unknown place," she had told Keiko-san a few weeks back.
"Had Izayoi-san lived, perhaps it would be different," Keiko had said to her. "Perhaps you wouldn't be so out of your depth. Perhaps they would be more accepting. Instead, this will be a learning experience for both sides- don't forget that. The best part is that it's you that will get to impart that change, and I couldn't think of anyone better."
"Lesson number six," Keiko said, pulling Rin from her thoughts, "Is a simple one, and it might not seem like it's important." She pulled over a basket, removing the cloth atop it to reveal a splendid lunch of tarts and breads. Rin hadn't noticed exactly how hungry she was, until she saw the mouthwatering display. "Never start the day without a decent meal."
At that, Rin cocked her head to the side. "Eh?" she managed to spit out, but she accepted the roll that Keiko handed her.
"Never start the day without a decent meal," Keiko repeated. "You'll find yourself sucked into work," she explained. "You'll find yourself working for hours on end, trying to find solutions to things that seem hopeless. You'll want company to keep you sane, but there won't be time. And then, eventually, you'll forget to take care of yourself. As a human, you cannot do that." She held up a muffin as if to illustrate her point. "However, no matter how tired you are in the morning, if you remember to eat a decent meal, despite everything- it won't seem so bad." Keiko took a bit of it and sighed wistfully. "Especially if you share it with pleasant company."
"Oh, so this is more about Sesshoumaru-sama," Rin blurted.
Keiko then smiled mischievously and laughed. "Everything is about him, Little Sparrow. And you as well."
"What is the point in bringing him his tea, if he won't accept it?" Rin suddenly sighed. Even if he had explained it, even if she did understand, there had been a small pang in her heart every time that he reached past her for a clean tea cup.
"I suppose there is none," Keiko said, shrugging nonchalantly. "But you still brewed it everyday, didn't you?"
Rin's mouth snapped shut. Well, she had just about answered her own question with her actions.
"If it's of convenience, then why stop? If not for him, do it for yourself."
"For myself," Rin repeated, causing Keiko to look at her seriously.
"You need to stop thinking that you aren't allowed to," she said softly. "And you need to remember that he's not the only one who can make decisions about the two of you."
At that, Rin realized that Keiko-san was trying to give her advice.
"Which brings me to my next lesson, Little Sparrow. Never wait for a man to come around. If you're unhappy with the direction of things, take the reins and change it."
"Since when were my lessons about love, Keiko-san?"
"My lessons are about dealing with men, and believe it or not, Sesshoumaru-sama happens to be one, underneath that prissy exterior." With that, Keiko took another bite of her muffin and washed it down with tea, while Rin fell to the blanket, overcome with laughter.
The first month had passed with difficulty, but the second seemed to fly by. It wasn't until one morning that she tried to make his oolong tea, that Rin realized that she was out of leaves. Baffled, she looked at the empty tin.
"Has it been that long?" she mused. She still felt that telltale ache in her heart, but it had dulled the slightest bit. Instead, she was thrumming with anticipation.
"Has what been long?" Keiko-san asked, whirling into the kitchen. She took the tin from Rin, only to tut when she found it empty. "I suppose we'll have a different blend today, hm?"
"How long we've been here. It's been over two months and I hadn't realized. I wonder, is this what it is like for you? Things passing by, in the blink of an eye?"
Keiko blinked at her. "Well, I would suppose that it is hard to explain," the woman finally said, setting about to fix the kitchen fire and kettle. "My concept of time is so much different than yours. And yes, I would say that it passes in the blink of an eye, but not in the way you think, perhaps. It's not so much having gone by fast, as forgetting that it's all already happened."
Rin regarded her with confusion and the inuyoukai sighed. "But like I said, it's hard to describe."
"You once said that you couldn't remember what your mother looked like," Rin asked.
"And I really don't. I remember things about her, but there's so much that I don't."
"Then that's something that I do understand."
Her words caused Keiko-san to look at her and then smile sadly. "I don't want to say that it's comforting, Little Sparrow, but it is."
Rin turned red and looked away, resting her chin in her hand as she looked out the window. "I didn't care if people remembered me or not. But now that I have what I consider a family, I suppose that I fear it now. I don't want you and Sesshoumaru-sama to forget me."
Keiko didn't look at her, as she removed the kettle from the fire and set about fixing their tea. "I'm insulted, Rin-san," she said quietly. There wasn't any bite to her tone, but rather sadness as such an idea. "To think that I would ever forget you. Please. And that boy? Sesshoumaru would sooner chop his own arm off, than forget you. I would venture to say that he never will."
She paused, bringing over two cups. Handing one to Rin, she sat down next to her, stirring at the leaves gently. "It'll seem weird, what I'm about to tell you, but bear with me. While we see time differently, it's important that we also regard our relationships differently as well. Because we live so long and know so many people, we tend to seek out those truly precious individuals. I wasn't close to my mother, because that's now how inuyoukai are- so while it seems callous to say that I don't really remember her, it's more so that I didn't make an effort to do so.
"But once in a long while, we come across someone who is truly precious. These are the people that we don't forget. I will never forget the way Hiro-san used to lean his arm on my shoulder, or the soft voice of Izayoi-san, when she read aloud. I'll never forget the affection in my brother's voice, when he called me Little Sparrow." She reached out, brushing back Rin's short bangs. "I'll never forget your voice, or how you dance, Rin. While there is much we forget, we do so to remember the important things, the things that shape and mold us.
"People think that youkai are too old and stubborn to learn, but the truth is that we learn every day. A year ago, Sesshoumaru-sama would never have labeled a human girl as the Lady of the South, and look at where we are now?"
"A year ago, there are a lot of things that Sesshoumaru-sama wouldn't have been caught dead doing."
Keiko had been mid-sip into her tea, and almost spat it out in her laughter. "That is incredibly true." Then she sighed, placing her mug down and looking at Rin affectionately. "You don't need to worry about him forgetting you, Rin. I have a really good feeling that it might be impossible."
Rin regarded her through narrow eyes, knowing that tone very well. "Keiko-san, is there something that you know?"
"It's only the intuition of an aunt," Keiko said flippantly, and Rin knew that she was lying. She couldn't sniff out a fib, but she was certain that Keiko was hiding something. She'd figure it out, but until then, she'd drop it.
"Keiko-san, what lesson are we learning today?" she asked instead, sipping at her tea. It was a green tea, lightly sweetened. She liked it, but it was an odd switch after the oolong- she had gotten used to the bitter tones of Sesshoumaru-sama's favorite.
Keiko hummed as she thought, her fingers tapping along the rim of her cup. Finally, she said, "You know, Little Sparrow, I think that's all that I have to teach you for now. Once we arrive back at the palace, I'm sure there will be more to touch on, but for now… you have all the basics down. The rest will come with practice."
Rin frowned, because she felt like they had only touched the tip of the iceberg, and that there was so much to still go over. But, she knew that if she questioned the woman, Keiko would just wave it off. So instead, Rin asked, "So, we'll be heading back to the palace soon?"
"I would think so," Keiko said, "but that boy hasn't given me the okay quite yet."
"You never struck me as the type to do what he says, Keiko-san," Rin said with a sly grin.
"While that is true, he is the Emperor now. Teasing him is now a punishable offense."
"As if he would," Rin snorted, sipping at her tea.
"As if, indeed." Keiko reached out and squeezed her shoulder. "I will write him a letter, I suppose, and tell him how bored we are here."
At that, Rin laughed, leaning into the older woman, as they finished their tea in the kitchen.
Several days later, Sesshoumaru would receive a letter from Keiko-san. Like any other, he would have turned it away, but he had been in a fowl mood, and hadn't bothered to check who it was from. Ripping open the parcel, he unrolled the parchment, his lips twisting into a frown the moment that he saw his aunt's familiar scrawl.
"By the Gods, Keiko-san, you have the worst timing-"
And then he read her words. And then read then again. And again, his fingers tightening around the paper, crinkling it.
Come and get her, you damn fool.
She hadn't even bothered to sign it.
Truth be told, he could have called them back at any moment, but he had only been denying the inevitable. Once Rin journeyed back to the palace, she would remain, and he would be ruined.
Keiko-san hadn't helped with this, clearly determined to push them together as much as possible.
And now… the idea didn't seem so bad.
You damn fool.
She wasn't wrong.
Come and get her.
His heart shouldn't have raced to so quickly at the thought.
And yet, it did.
Rin was annoyed at Keiko-san.
Since their lessons had been halted, she had taken to sleeping in every day. Her bed was warm, and with the months slowly becoming cooler, the mornings were now crisp and bitter. The last thing she had wanted to do was drag herself out of bed and get dressed.
And to the nines, apparently. Keiko-san had tried to wrestle her into something more formal, but Rin had put a stop to that almost immediately. Instead, she had opted for a comfortable cotton yukata, something that was appropriate for wearing around the house. Orange and yellow squares, with a green obi, and probably too bright for a woman her age- but she enjoyed the color and youthfulness of it.
Keiko snarled her disapproval, but didn't push it farther, instead sighing when she also forwent make-up.
"You'll regret it," Keiko-san had told her. "In any case, I have a surprise for you."
"A surprise that requires me up at dawn?"
"If I had my way, you would have been up and prepared before the sun rose."
Rin narrowed her eyes shrewdly at the woman and Keiko gave her a conspiratorial grin. Nope, Rin didn't like that look upon the dog's face one bit, and knowing the woman, it could have been anything.
And so, they rounded the hall and down the steps into the courtyard- only for Rin to be greeted by a large two-headed dragon. Rin shrieked, drawing back towards Keiko, who only laughed. She went to it, reaching out and to Rin's astonishment, the creature nuzzled right into her hand!
"This is Ah-Un," Keiko-san told her. "He's a dragon youkai, and utterly harmless." She paused and thought about her statement. "Well, mostly. He certainly won't hurt you. He belonged to my brother."
Inutaisho-sama. "He left you a dragon?" Rin asked, venturing a few steps closer.
"He actually left Izayoi-sama the dragon. Until this year, I didn't know he was still alive." She motioned for Rin to come closer. "Hold your hand out, just like that. Let him sniff you. I swear that he wouldn't bite."
Rin wasn't so sure, but did as she was told. Ah-Un carefully sniffed at her, his breath warm. Finally, he licked her hand. Rin pulled back and made a face, wiping her hand across her kimono. "Yuck!"
Keiko-san laughed at her, reaching up to pet the dragon. "Good boy," she cooed affectionately. "Truth be told, I was surprised that he brought Ah-Un here. While he doesn't get testy, it's better for him to meet people in a familiar place. Then again, it would raise attention if he retrieved you personally, I suppose."
Rin listened and then perked up slightly at one word. "He?"
Keiko-san opened her mouth to answer, but someone else beat her to it.
"Lady Rin," a man said from behind them, and Rin's heart soared.
Rin turned to find Sesshoumaru-sama standing there, wearing the most brilliant silk haori she had ever seen. The red honeycomb pattern crawled across his shoulders and down the sleeves, and the stark white complimented his skin. His hair fell down his back, blowing slightly in the early morning breeze.
"Sesshoumaru-sama," she breathed, and it was like seeing him for the first time again.
Except that this time, she loved him.
And for the first time in almost three months, he was close enough to touch. She reached out, her fingers catching hold of his sleeve gently. She didn't pull, only held and immediately he took a step towards her.
They stood there, awkwardly, not really sure what to do. And then Keiko laughed and said, "It's not as though there's anyone spying on you here." At that, Sesshoumaru snapped his head towards her, but Keiko had already turned on her heel, walking away.
Rin dropped her head, laughing lightly, pressing her forehead against his chest, incredibly aware of his armor. "It's hard to believe that you're here," she said softly.
"Keiko-san made it apparent that I should come and get you."
"Ah, her devious letters," Rin said with a chuckle. "I thought you weren't receiving them?"
"Admittedly, I was distracted, so this one slipped through." He paused. "I…" Words failed him again, and Rin cocked her head to the side, an amused smile falling across her face. "I missed you," he finally said, his voice quiet.
"I missed you too," Rin replied. "But are you… What I mean to say is, haven't you decided to-"
"None of that has changed," he said quickly. Rin couldn't help the way that her heart fell slightly. "But that doesn't mean that I cannot wish for your presence."
She reached forward and pulled him into a hug, and while he didn't stiffen, he did hesitate. Finally, he raised his hand and pressed it against the back of her head, pulling her closer. Rin fell into the embrace, her eyes closing and she took a deep breath. Her fingers tightened in his haori and he smelled like the forest and rain.
None of that has changed, he had said.
But it had, and Rin could tell. Because they stood there in the courtyard and it wasn't that he let her hold him. It wasn't like that time they shared tea, and she pulled him to her in the heat of the moment.
No, this time, he held her back.
And Rin smiled.
"That isn't the hug of a man who is half invested," Kaede-san said with a frown. Keiko had found her spying from around the corner, and joined the old crone after leaving the two lovebirds. She couldn't help the smug smirk that crossed her face.
And then they watched as his claws ran through Rin's short hair delicately. Kaede-san's mouth dropped at the display, and Keiko pumped her fist in pride.
"Rin-san had warned me," Kaede-san said with a groan. "I didn't think she was actually right."
"Amazing, isn't it?"
"Amazing? It's a disaster!" Kaede sighed. "And the next thing you'll tell me, is that he deserves this."
"I was going to say, that our Little Sparrow deserves it," Keiko replied coolly. "My nephew doesn't deserve her one bit."
"That's for certain."
Keiko sighed wistfully. "She's good for him. Think of the changes that could be made."
"Do you think that he would listen to her?" The crone sounded actually interested.
The old dog smiled. "He already has, and then some. With her by his side, no one will be able to stand against him."
"She has to be by his side though." Kaede-san pointed to them. "Even though it's clear how he feels, the boy treats her like she's made of glass, and might break any moment."
"Yes, well, I'm working on that."
"You? Keiko-san-"
"Just trust me, okay?"
Kaede-san frowned again, but waved her off. "You, I trust. It's him that I don't."
At that, Keiko barked out a laugh.
The journey back to the palace was long, boring and incredibly uncomfortable. Even with Ah-Un and his saddle, it still took almost two days of travel. It was wet, muddy and Rin's behind hurt more than she would have every admitted allowed.
And worst of all, Keiko-san didn't come with them. She had brought Rin a change of clothing, hugged her tightly and let her go with a wink. Before Rin could call her back, she was gone, promising that she would soon follow, with her luggage.
But she hadn't, and Rin had traveled with Sesshoumaru alone.
And Gods above, it had been awkward.
Despite Sesshoumaru-sama's vehement denial that things hadn't changed, they had. And Rin hated it. There was a hesitation, a strange awkwardness about him. He seemed hyper aware, and any time she tried to broach it, he would conveniently wander off.
When the palace crested the horizon, Rin felt relieved. The palace was somewhere familiar, somewhere that she would feel welcome. Sesshoumaru took leave of her, heading to the palace first to inform them of their arrival.
Ah-Un landed with a grace that she didn't know such a large creature could possess. And instead of Sesshoumaru-sama meeting her at the gate, there was another man, one she hadn't seen since the celebration of the solstice.
"Kouga-san!" she exclaimed, moving to climb from the dragon's saddle.
"Hey there, Little Lady," he said, reaching up to grasp her hand. "I know that we haven't properly introduced, so here we are." He helped Rin down with ease. "I am Kouga-san of the North, and let it be known Rin-san, that I am a friend."
"A friend?" she asked carefully.
"The best of friends." Rin remembered his banter with Keiko-san at court, and how he had defended Sesshoumaru to his mother, when she called their friendship into question. "Sesshoumaru-sama asked me to keep an eye on you. If you need anything, don't hesitate to let me know."
And then Rin remembered something else she had discussed, once before. "It's no secret who I am now," she told him. "My father has tried to frame the North for years, proclaiming that I was kidnapped. Why would you help me?"
"Why would I blame you?" he asked instead, holding his arm out for her to take. She did so and he began to lead her to the palace gate. "From what I now know, he was a terrible man, who did terrible things. Especially to you. And besides, I trust Keiko-san's judgment."
"Which is why you defended me at the solstice."
Kouga-san shrugged nonchalantly, but she knew what it mean to show such a thing. He had cast his bet long ago, despite what it might do to him. Patting her arm gently, he said, "Come on now, let's get you inside. I would bet all the tea on the Mainland, that you want a bath."
At that, Rin laughed, and he led her inside.
"I can see it," Kouga said to him. "Why you like her." At that, Sesshoumaru grunted and the wolf smiled in amusement. It wasn't often that Kouga saw the boy flustered, and it was a constant source of entertainment as of late. And flustered, he was, trying to pay attention to whatever paperwork he had laying before him.
"I told you to bring her here first," Sesshoumaru said to him, his voice level.
"And I was going to- until I saw her state when she arrived. Covered in mud and who knows what else. Where there no streams along the way?"
Sesshoumaru paused in his work, like he hadn't quite considered such a thing. At that, Kouga tutted.
"In any case, Inara-san will bring her right here once she's done bathing."
"Bathing."
"Oh? Did that catch your attention?"
"Kouga-san, you are on thin ice."
Kouga leaned against his desk, arms crossed across his chest. "Relaxing in the water, covered in delicate soaps, her skin soft and supple-"
The pen in Sesshoumaru's hand snapped right in half. "You would be wise to get out."
Kouga only laughed. "Someone has to tease you, while Keiko-san is gone."
"Leave."
Kouga had already pulled himself from his desk though, and was halfway to the door. "I would venture to say that the Little Lady is just as anxious to see you. I'll do what I can to bide you some time." And with the wave of his hand, he was gone, leaving behind an incredibly frustrated Emperor.
He didn't miss the crash of something being thrown in the room.
She had known Sesshoumaru-sama for almost two years now, but she had never seen his private quarters. It was only part of them, really, and his office at that- but she stood there awkwardly, unsure what to do with her hands.
"I apologize, for not meeting you at the gate. I had expected Kouga-san to bring you directly to me, however." He didn't sound angry, but rather disappointed in the wolf.
"What's another hour, when I've been away for months?" Rin asked, and Sesshoumaru offered her the tiniest bit of a smile. "I really have missed it here. I shouldn't have ever left."
Sesshoumaru, who had been reading over a letter at his desk, paused. Rin currently sat before his fireplace, holding her palms against the warm flames, much like Keiko-san had weeks before.
"Leaving was the best thing to do, I think. The court has had time to adjust to me taking the throne."
"And to forget about the two of us," Rin finished. "Did they?"
"No, much to my aggravation." He sighed and she turned to look at him. He rubbed at his eyes tiredly. "As long as we are careful, then they shouldn't ask too many questions."
"Careful. Easier said than done," she said quietly, turning back to the fireplace. "You warned me, that it wouldn't be easy, and I had thought that I would do anything, if it meant I didn't have to leave your side. I left for only several months, and it felt like a lifetime."
Sesshoumaru was quiet, prompting her to look towards him again. Setting down the parchment he held, he stood and went to her side, sitting beside her on the rug. "I'll admit, that this won't be as easy as I originally thought."
Surprising words coming from the man. Sesshoumaru never admitted that he might have been wrong. She reached out, threading her fingers into the silk of his haori, leaning her head forward against his chest. He allowed it.
"Even though we're so close, I feel so far away. I can feel the distance that separates us."
"Rin-" he started quietly.
"I'm not blaming you," she interrupted. "But it hurts, and leaving only made it worse."
"Leaving was necessary," he said quietly, pressing a hand into her hair. It was a motion that he was allowing himself more and more, and Rin relished it with everything that she had. "You had to leave, in order to come home."
"And is that where I am?" she asked hesitantly. She almost feared the answer. "Is this my home?" She had assumed that she would work in the palace, but live at her manor. Staying in the palace hadn't ever crossed her thoughts, and never had she given the idea consideration.
"For as long as you like, Rin, yes." His lips pressed against her hair, and she closed her eyes, clinging onto him.
"It's not the palace, you know," she said against his chest. "My home is wherever you are. Be it my manor, be it this palace, or even The Rainsmarch." Bold words, but she felt compelled to say them, to say something.
"Rin," he started, his words strained. "I-" He paused, gathering his thoughts, and Rin waited patiently. "What I mean to say is-"
So much for nothing changing. It seemed that the Emperor had lied straight to her face.
"Don't say it." The words surprised her, bubbling from her lips before she could stop them. "If you say it, it'll only make it worse, so don't. Just… just let me stay here, for a little while. Let me enjoy this. And then tomorrow will be a new day."
Sesshoumaru sighed, but she felt him nod against her head. "As the lady wishes." He was quiet, running his claws through her short hair. And Rin let out a heavy breath and relished the touch.
And they allowed themselves that moment, as short-lived as it was.
Sesshoumaru-sama had gifted her the room directly next to his. Judging by the door that both sides shared, it was meant to be the room of the Consort. She turned pink at the idea, and knew that the moment Keiko-san arrived, she would never let her hear the end of it.
But, the room felt like home already, and she had settled in rather quickly.
Rin enjoyed her dinner by the fire that Inara-san had lit. She had familiarized herself with the books in the shelves, planning which one she would pick first. And the bed! Big enough to fit what seemed like four people, it was wrapped in the softest sheets that she had ever felt in her life. After changing into a nightshirt, she slid under the covers, wrapping the blanket tightly around her.
It was the best sleep she had had in years, it seemed. She felt safe. Warm, comfortable, and safe. And Sesshoumaru-sama was right next door.
Inara-san threw open the curtains the next morning, and Rin groaned, complaining it was too early.
"His Majesty told me to let you sleep in," the cat replied in a huff. "It's near afternoon."
At that, Rin sprang awake. "His tea!" she squeaked, causing the woman to raise an eyebrow at her. Inara-san was pretty enough, her green eyes almond shaped and slanted. But she wasn't Keiko, and Rin didn't pay her much mind.
She dressed in record time, and despite the maid's protests, found the kitchen with effort.
And like always, he refused the tea that she brought him. This time though, he smiled, the barest quirk of his lips, telling her to leave it on his desk. It was the same the next day, and then the next.
The fourth day, he had time to share it with her, but still refused to take the cup that she poured. Rin pretended to not care, drinking it instead.
And after a week, she woke alone, after telling Inara-san to leave her be. The curtains were closed, the room dark, despite the sunlight that shone through the cracks. She stretched, humming softly. Despite Sesshoumaru-sama claiming that there was work to be done, he hadn't called upon her once since she arrived.
She rose from the bed, throwing on a robe, before going into the sitting room of her chambers. And there breakfast sat, which was unusual, as Inara-san usually brought the meal to her, midday. It was a platter of tarts and fresh fruit.
But that wasn't what caught her attention. Next to the tray, there was a box, the leather old and weathered. The corners crunched and bent. The thing looked utterly pitiful. She lifted the letter set atop it, unfolding the paper.
It might not look like much, but this is priceless. I'm tired of the responsibility of caring for it, so instead, I give it to you.
Consider it a gift well deserved.
He didn't need to sign it. Rin hugged the letter to her chest before carefully folding it back up and tucking it into her obi. She opened the box with care, only to be met with the most beautiful tea set that she had ever seen.
She carefully lifted one of the cups, taking into the painstakingly painted seafoam and ships. Rin was almost afraid to touch it- she knew dragon glass when she saw it, and he was right, this was priceless. And despite his offhanded, disinterested tone in the letter, she knew that he wasn't unloading an unwanted prize to her.
Setting the cup back into the box, she smiled. Even if she had told him to not say it, now she knew. He loved her, against all odds, and despite everything he had denied, he wanted her to know.
And her heart soared.
A/N: Despite the love for this chapter, I think it's weak overall. Things will kick up next time around, I promise.