A/N: Thank you for the feedback, of course, as usual ;) Forgive my laziness in regards to answers though, unless you had questions or something particular I found relevant to answer to, I probably didn't answer. Doesn't mean I didn't appreciate it, I probably just have nothing smarter to say than "thanks" :)
Aside from that, I was told it's actually spring now…
*Looks by the window*
Yeah…of course…SPRING…with tulips and all that stuff…
*Looks by the window again*
Well actually I think the snowbanks have become shorter than me…oh wait…*looks again, snow starts to fall AGAIN…* Nope…false alert. *sigh*
Anyways…
Enjoy!
Chapter 20 : Skeletons
The kitsune demon watched carefully her opponent: wearing immaculate clothing, long legs covered with black hakamas, dark hair tied in a ponytail, hazel eyes, staring at her with such a level of concentration she looked hypnotized. The red head was pretty sure she could snap her fingers in front of her face, and the human wouldn't even blink.
Nozomi half smiled…Rin's eyes must be so dry right now…She should do a competition with Lord Sesshomaru. It would be funny to see who could stand unblinking for the longest period of time. Probably Sesshomaru-sama, but it would still be interesting to test…
The fox demon regained her focus and raised her bamboo sword in front of her in a diagonal position, trying to think about the smartest way to strike, but she started to lack imagination.
As it turns out, Rin wasn't the beginner they all thought she was. She had already wielded a sword before. That was obvious. Maybe not as long as this one, but she sure knew quite a lot of tactics to slice, thrust and push back a bow... That explained how she successfully killed lizard demons and resisted to three snakes long enough for Lord Sesshomaru to arrive when she was abducted.
In fact, Rin's only major flaw was her response to rear attacks. Rin was totally helpless to defend against those! Nozomi supposed it was because of her weak sense of smell and hearing, but that could be helped with a bit of concentration.
Nozomi was happy that her human companion was already so knowledgeable. However, it also meant there wasn't much left that she could teach her. Her weapons of choice were two daggers, so she wasn't the best to show Rin how to fight with the scary blade Sesshomaru-sama had given to her.
"What are you doing Nozomi?", inquired Rin, out of her trance.
"Yeah well…I was thinking…"
"If you keep going, I will fall asleep on my feet", the human retorted.
Nozomi scoffed. "If you are so smart, why don't you strike me instead?", she asked mischievously.
Rin blinked. "We didn't train for offensive blows."
"Now you're the one wasting time. Bring it on, heart-eater! Attack me!", exclaimed Nozomi, pulling out her tongue.
Rin frowned with annoyance. She hated to be called that. With both hands, she raised her wooden sword horizontally over her shoulder, made a few careful steps before quickening her pace. At the perfect distance, swung her sword in a swift arc, easily blocked by the kitsune who then raised her own weapon and tried to strike Rin with a quick slice at her left shoulder, but the human slid on the right side of the tatami, met the kitsune's blade, and rose her own weapon upside down, making Nozomi's weapon slide down next to Rin's hip, who then with a simple movement of her wrist made her blade fall on the kitsune's shoulder.
"OWW!"
"Oops!"
"You aren't supposed to hit me for real!", exclaimed the kitsune, while rubbing her shoulder.
"I know I know…Sorry!", Rin replied sheepishly. "I hope I didn't hurt you!"
The fox pulled her tongue. "Nah…I won't have scary bruises like you, don't worry."
"Too bad…I wouldn't mind if I made you one… just this once", replied Rin smugly.
"Well, I didn't make you any recently…right?", Nozomi inquired worriedly.
Rin lowered her weapon and wiped her sweaty brow. "Not in the past week…no…"
"Good…I may survive then…"
"Oh please…Nozomi…He got used to it, he won't scold you again", she replied with a playful grin.
"I highly doubt that! Anyway, let's go. Enough for today!", replied Nozomi with a sigh of exhaustion.
"And you're the demon…", Rin replied mockingly.
"Hey! I'm bad with swords, I told you that!", the kitsune replied indignantly.
"Of course I know…"
"Don't forget to talk to Lord Sesshomaru about hunting! I could sure teach you a few tricks on the field!"
"Are you sure it's about teaching me, or quenching your thirst for killing things?", Rin inquired doubtfully.
"Pfff! With the way you've tried to slice my head off for the past three weeks, I'm sure you can understand bloodthirst just fine!"
"Bloodthirst? Ewww no! I'm not a demon. I like to chase animals, but I don't enjoy the mess coming with it...I gladly leave that to someone else, when I can…"
"Yes you prefer to leave the splatters to Sesshomaru-sama, I got that", Nozomi replied with a wink. "Anyway, I think this is where we part ways…"
The fox made a friendly pat on Rin's shoulder. "See you later…Rin."
Rin's lips became a thin line; her friend's goodbyes suddenly reminding her what was to come. She couldn't believe that…event…was actually going to happen…
She waved at Nozomi and walked towards her chambers to find suitable clothes and get prepared for the rest of the day.
Training with Nozomi was not the only novelty in her life. Her daily routine had changed quite a lot since she had become Sesshomaru's mate. The first few days, she had been harassed with the seamstresses who took all her measurements and made her choose a ridiculous quantity of silks. Apparently, her already wonderful wardrobe wasn't good enough for her anymore. Rin honestly thought it was a waste of coins, but she didn't complain. She suspected Sesshomaru liked when she looked more wealthy and important than everyone else. They also started to tie her obi knots in more imposing and intricate fashions…to expose her status of taken woman.
Sesshomaru also made her pick a personal servant. She was called Ami, a juvenile hanyou girl, who barely spoke. She oddly reminded Rin of herself at a younger age, and so, she felt confident and comfortable with her. At first, Rin wasn't sure was she would do of a personal servant, but Ami was more useful than she had anticipated. Ami listened and fulfilled Rin's every need, from helping her to choose clothes when she didn't know what to wear, to chase her around the entire castle with hot meals many times a day, to remind her it was late when she spent too much time reading books about court's etiquette or some others that she had to read. She still had a few chapters to go through in her history book about the past Lords of the Western Lands…
However, since the past weeks had been so quiet, it meant they had to take care of boring tasks…
Most of her days, Rin had to meet up with a few vassals for tiring researches involving tons of paperworks. They had to evaluate the castle's and fief's inventories and needs, wildling population, budget for occasional events going on, the next one being some sort of hunting festival, which occurred at the end of the month of leaves, and so on.
Most of the time, they were split in two teams: one working on military or defensive issues: composed of Sesshomaru, Tatsumaki, Kireru and Hatsuno (the last one rarely present because he was busy with arrangements involving the new fleet). The other team, composed of the Lady Mother, Tenmaru, Nozomi and Rin was to take care of the domestic affairs, but Lady Sasori didn't attend very often these days, so Jaken was often there to help out. He didn't like it too much, though, he pretended that was "wench chores"…and then Sesshomaru's cousin would throw him pointy objects in response.
At first, Rin wasn't sure what to think of the fact that she barely saw Sesshomaru during these tiring tasks (which always took the biggest part of the day), but she quickly understood it was for the best. In the first few days after they had become mates, it had been extremely hard to focus during the meetings. He would glance at her all the time, while she would brush innocently her leg against his…he even replied with a hand on her thigh once…After which he had insisted he wanted to keep safe distances during work hours. It wasn't really wasn't much of an issue anyway, since they would see each other most nights.
Besides, spending a lot of time with Tenmaru and Nozomi during the day had its perks: though they had different personalities and bickered once in a while, both were united by a deep fondness for gossips, which allowed Rin to be entertained with juicy information about the members of the strategic council…
Rin had heard before that Tatsumaki was a flirt, but she never thought the vassal had slept with most men on the council. Formerly Hatsuno's mistress before she was promoted, "poor" Tenmaru attested he "had been banged" a few times shortly after her nomination. The ferocious wind demoness had even lured Kireru to her bed once, after his most unfortunate night of losses at a cho-han tournament, involving too much sake. Thereafter the fox demon swore never to gamble again…
Tenmaru and Kireru despised each other, Sesshomaru's cousin calling the fox demon "Lord Bootlicks" (and Rin heard later that Kireru considered Tenmaru the "worst craven of the Western Lands"). Kireru also wasn't fond of the Lady Mother; neither did Nozomi, who confessed finding Lord Sesshomaru less scary and unpredictable.
Rin did try to ask questions about the relation between Sesshomaru and his mother. Sadly, neither Tenmaru, nor Nozomi had soothed her cravings for answers, both of them very careful with any information about the Lord and the Lady of the Western Lands. Rin found that a bit infuriating. Since she had interrogated Sesshomaru on his suspicions about his mother (and that she had failed to get any answers), her curiosity had become effervescent and there was no way to stop it. Something at the back of her mind told her it wasn't just pointless familial bickering…
Part of her wanted to forget about this. If Sesshomaru didn't want to talk to her about it, she should just respect his will. After all, there were some things better left untold. Rin had her things she didn't want tot talk about too…for instance: the fact that she had cried senseless when she had announced to Kagome that she had chosen to stay with Sesshomaru. Only then, she realized that she was going to miss her human friends and life a lot. However, Sesshomaru didn't need to know about that. So she didn't need to learn his secrets…right?
Sadly, it was not so simple. Rin could be very stubborn (and extremely curious), and nothing could stop her when she had something in mind. Someday…she will find out…
Rin chased these thoughts away, as she kept walking towards the sleeping quarters, intent to find proper clothes and get a bath…
She slid the door of her chambers open. She breathed in the pleasant flowery fragrance, and then hurried to her wardrobe to find her brand new, intricate sunset colored Iro-tomesode with silver dragons at the bottom of it. After a while of rummaging through the silky fabrics, it struck her: she had left it in Sesshomaru's chambers!
As she got out of the closet she noticed the pretty bouquet of orange lilies on her bedside table, the source of the pleasant scent!
For some reason she had a sense of déjà vu…
She grinned mischievously and slid one of them behind her ear and walked out excitedly towards his chambers, sliding his door open without knocking, and noticed his boots at the entrance.
"Good morning!", she called cheerfully.
She didn't wait for an answer to pursue her chirping, while she paced towards his wardrobe. "You must be wondering what I am doing here? Actually, I think I left my dragon kimono in your things. I leave so many of my clothes with yours these days…" she got in the wardrobe, searching through it. "…Ah there it is! I knew it!" She got out, closed the door behind her, and then realized Shinsei was still at her hip, and so she walked towards the entrance to drop the sword there, to avoid forgetting it. "The training was really nice today. I think I am the one who bruised Nozomi this time, so you won't have to blame her for…" Then she stopped talking as she spotted Sesshomaru.
He was in a corner of the room, in a bath, that had apparently got carried there, resting his chin on his fist, eyes closed, seemingly lost in thoughts…or maybe he had even dozed off?
Apparently noticing her sudden silence, he opened his eyes to look at her. Though he was never the type to be very expressive, Rin sure knew by now what he looked like when he wasn't in a good mood. Eyes narrowed, corners of his lips turned down, tense jaw: he was grim-faced, more than usual.
Rin's eyes widened. "I'm I'm sorry, w-were you…Do you want me to leave you alone?"
He glanced at nothing in particular, clearly brooding about something unpleasant. "…No…You can keep going", he answered evasively.
"But you…"
"Please keep going", he prompted. "Where did you hit her?"
Rin blinked, understanding between the lines…Please keep distracting me so I won't have to think about the unpleasant thoughts going through my mind...
"The shoulder", she replied, approaching him, noticing the steam coming out of the bath. He couldn't have been there for very long…
"And I suppose that you forgot that you aren't supposed to hit your partner while practicing?", he asked, with an eyebrow rising in suspicion.
"I was so excited to have a opening, I didn't think about that no…", Rin replied sheepishly, dipping a hand in the water.
"Hmph… Who would have thought two young women could be so violent towards each other?", he thought out loud with a tone half derisive, while examining her reaction.
Rin grinned playfully. "Passionate..."
"Passionate for bruises and high pitched screams, that is."
She punched him on the shoulder.
He raised an eyebrow. "What was that?", he inquired haughtily .
"A demonstration of my passion for bruises", she retorted smugly.
"It thought it was an affectionate caress on my arm."
Rin scoffed. "Oh it must be so fun to be so…invincible and perfect, right?" She started at the water longingly. "Can I join in?"
"Suit yourself", he replied placidly, trying not to stare too visibly while she untied her hair and stripped herself of her uniform. He liked to see her like this; she always looked so happy just after she finished training.
She was a sprightly warrior in the soul and she cherished her daily doses of violence. He found that very amusing.
She sighed as she got in, the hot water pleasant on her sore muscles. She closed her eyes.
"It's decided. I stay here all day", she stated with bliss.
"The water will get cold eventually."
"Not with you in it."
Her back was facing him but he was affirmative there was a mischievous smile on her lips.
"…Will you stay with me all day?", she asked innocently.
"I can't."
"Why?"
"Don't make me say it."
None spoke, both knowing what they were talking about. Not naming it made it feel less real.
"You don't have to go", she replied. "Stay with me instead. "
"I can't do that, and you can't either."
She pouted. "Am I even supposed to attend?"
"Why not? You will get to make little bets with your friends. You will enjoy yourself…"
"A bunch of hot demonesses parading in front of you is not my vision of enjoying myself…"
"It will not last for long…"
Rin frowned suspiciously and quickly glanced back at him with soft splashing noises. "Are you actually begging me to come?"
His traits tensed a little. She grinned playfully. "Yes you are!"
He briefly closed his eyes in defeat. "I was counting on your presence to rinse my eyes at need…"
She giggled. "Rinse your eyes? Please…I am sure all these beautiful women must be pleasant to look at…"
"No."
"Oh come on!"
"Loose women are an eyesore", he insisted dryly, frowning.
"They're nobles! How could they be…"
"Each time they see my face, their silky garbs mysteriously slide down their shoulders to exhibit unbearable indecency…", he retorted while narrowing his eyes.
His reaction was so amusing, but she dared not show it anymore, he looked quite pissed off. "You must be exaggerating…"
"Come. You will see…"
"Fine! I humbly accept to sacrifice myself for visual and moral support when you can't stand the hot women anymore…", she replied, crossing her arms with a fake pout.
"Thank you", he whispered, apparently relieved.
"You have strange tastes, Sesshomaru-sama…Most men would like the light clothes…"
"I am not "most men". And drop the sama …"
She smiled. "I'm sorry… It's gets confusing sometimes: honorifics during formal events, but none behind closed doors…"
"…A temporary bother …", he replied with a perfect mix of stoicism and smoothness as his arms encircled her waist and he dropped little kisses on one of her shoulder.
Butterflies flapped their wings happily in her belly, feeling reassured by his reminder. She leaned on him. "Thank you for the flowers, by the way", she whispered.
"…Hmph…". He paused for a while. A long while. "So you like them?", he inquired, stealing the one behind her ear to inspect it, eyes narrowing, his other arm tightening around her.
She grinned without glancing back. "Yes! You chose my favourite colour!"
"Did I?"
She nodded. "Of course. But I'm not surprised. You always have the best tastes!"
"Not this time. I didn't pick them."
She blinked. "Who did, then?"
"I have no idea."
…
Rin walked along the way, separating two packed crowds in what she assumed was the throne room.
It was wide, leaving loud echoes from all the member of the court, nobles and servants chit chatting. There was a lot of light emanating from the large windows, naked of all curtains, leaving nothing to conceal the guest from the daylight, but the weather being so foggy left the room with moderate lighting. A few stairs lead to two seats, tall and black with golden and silver linings, one slightly more intricate than the other.
In months in this place, Rin had never gotten in this place…not even during the wedding. It simply had never been used since she was there.
She assumed Sesshomaru must hate it. He was not the type who likes to sit on cushioned seats in front of a bunch of people all day…
"There she is! Quick, get out of the way!", whispered Nozomi excitedly.
Rin stopped in her tracks as she saw Tenmaru get out of his seat and pointed her a place. She narrowed her eyes as she inspected him. His hair was untied…why?
"There you go, flower girl!", he exclaimed flirtatiously.
Rin's eyes widened.
"We reserved you a seat!", exclaimed Nozomi. "Come, get in!"
"I need to stay close to the catwalk to watch the ladies", explained Tenmaru, raising his eyebrows suggestively.
"Don't you have a wife?", wondered Rin in one quick breath, as she sat in the middle.
He scoffed. "I have her benediction for fruitful recruiting of course!"
Rin eyed him questionably. "And what's the loose hair for?"
"A simple change in style."
"It's not to look like Sesshomaru, isn't it?", Rin prompted with mistrust.
Nozomi giggled. "He does that each time. He hopes the girls will mistake him for the Lord of the Western Lands during the break."
"I don't know what you are talking about", he replied smugly.
"You know…Sesshomaru did tie his hair today", Rin commented innocently.
"Oh the bastard…", Tenmaru muttered infuriatedly.
"Voila", observed the kitsune.
He huffed and glanced back in hope to spot fresh meat, while he tried to tie his hair distractedly.
"The first candidate is Lady Shika", announced Nozomi with a smirk. "I give her 5 minutes."
"Two", replied Tenmaru.
"Rin?", inquired the kitsune.
"I'd rather not bet for now…"
"Oh come on! Just drop a number already!", exclaimed Tenmaru indignantly.
Rin glanced at him and narrowed her eyes. Again.
He frowned and crossed his arms. "Okay what's with that face?"
She narrowed her eyes even more.
"What?!"
"Don't play innocent!", she whispered reproachfully.
"I'm never innocent, but you'll have to state the sin. I have no idea what you are talking about", he replied with slight annoyance.
She took a deep breath, and as she saw that neither Sesshomaru, nor Sasori were there yet…
"The flowers!", she whispered, squeezing her eyes shut.
"What flowers?"
She opened in eyes, all confused. "What? It's not you?"
"What did I not do?"
"I received an orange bouquet…", she explained.
Bewilderment crossed his features. "What? You thought it was me?!"
"It's not Sesshomaru! And then I realized it was just like the one you've given me at my first meeting for your wedding! Orange lilies!"
"Yeah I remember that!", added Nozomi.
Bewilderment switched to horror. "What do you think I am? Mad?!", retorted Tenmaru.
"Well…"
"Suicidal?!"
Rin sighed. "Okay okay I get it…I'm sorry…"
"Gods! Who could it be?!", he pursued, not any calmer.
Rin raised an eyebrow. "Why do you care?"
"I wonder who's the secret admirer…", wondered Nozomi with playfulness.
"Silly fox girl! Nobody would be crazy enough to give Rin flowers now! Someone wants me dead!", Tenmaru exclaimed dramatically.
"You're so self centered Tenmaru. It could also mean someone wants Rin dead, if we follow your logic…", she replied smugly.
"What? No…it makes no sense, Sesshomaru would never harm her…"
"But he would kill you?", wondered the kitsune.
"Of course he would! I know he secretly never stops searching for an excuse!"
"I think you are exaggerating Tenmaru", replied Rin with annoyance that quickly switched to bitterness. "It might just be someone who wants to seed doubt in Sesshomaru's mind before he meets with his pretty pretenders…"
"That's Lady Sasori's style", added Nozomi almost instantly. "That must be it."
"Oh shush…She has no time to waste with that. She has bigger problems these days…", replied Tenmaru.
"Ladies and gentlemen…welcome!", exclaimed the Lady Mother while she stood up from her throne, way too cheerfully for Rin's tastes. "Thank you all for coming. I shall not make you wait any further. Are you ready, son?"
Sesshomaru replied with a sideways glance and silent annoyance.
"Let's begin! Ladies, prove you are worthy of the West", she concluded with a wink.
Rin ground her teeth.
"I bet you're ripe for a good slap in her face", Tenmaru muttered.
Rin hid her giggles behind her hand, and didn't notice Sesshomaru staring at them…frostily…
…
A tall dark haired woman strolled elegantly towards them; with a kimono so long it licked the floor behind her. What was supposed to be a very intricate furisode hugged suggestively the shape of her bosom and hips, but Sesshomaru didn't notice.
The Lady Mother watched her son and his source of distraction, and repressed a scoff.
"What is it Sesshomaru…are you distracted by your mate's choice of company?"
He didn't answer. He saw no point. Rin's social life was none of his business…even if she befriended people with tasteless senses of humour.
Still, he couldn't help but wonder…Why did she enjoy his company so much these days? Tenmaru…the court jester…
The manwhore.
Sesshomaru miserably failed to repress a frown. He couldn't help it. That annoyed him…
"You know, these pretenders know a noblewoman cannot frolic with whoever she wants…", whispered the Lady Mother with wisps of self satisfaction. Then she hesitated. "Well…I suppose most of them would …"
Sesshomaru ignored Lady Shika's speech. "…I wouldn't denigrate Rin like this if I were you…Compared to all these women, she would be by far the most merciful in your regards."
Sasori hardly repressed a frown. "This again? I thought you had regained some of your senses lately…"
"No. As foolish as ever, dear mother…", he replied sarcastically.
"Do I need to remind you I did revive her in the past?"
"To you she was just a human appetizer back then."
"I can't believe it. Can't you see everything I ever did was to protect you?!"
"Protect me you say?", he inquired while raising an eyebrow. "So hiding correspondence from the lizard wildlings in your private quarters is your way to protect me?"
Her eyes widened for a brief moment. "Wh-what?!"
He turned his head towards the first woman who had stopped talking.
"Thank you Lady Shika. That was a endearing poem."
He wasn't even sure it was a poem she recited.
The woman dressed provocatively just smiled and bowed, so he supposed he had guessed right.
"You've searched my chambers?", whispered the Lady Mother with icy wrath, still looking in front of her. "How could you?!"
"I do what I must", he replied nonchalantly, while feigning interests toward the next pretender.
"It matters not. I have nothing to hide!"
"Nothing but many proofs that wildings were going to attack?"
"These papers don't mean anything."
"Then why did you judge necessary to hide them?"
"I didn't want the generals to panic and speculate!"
"Nonsense."
Lady Mother's lips became a thin line. "Why are so untrusting son? Why!?"
He gave her a sideways glance. "You know as much as I."
"Son…"
"I know you. More than anyone. And I know how far you would go to protect your own vision of what is right and wrong."
She turned her head and stared at him with perfect impassiveness.
"You are odious, Sesshomaru."
…
Rin stared boringly at Lady Arisu, a slight and delicate woman with yellow hair, looking quite snobbish dressed in magenta, yet her neck and shoulders were exposed. The Lady Mother tried to keep going with some small talk, but even her was unsmiling, while Sesshomaru stared into space, nodded at very strategic moments, giving off the impression he was not yet completely gone.
"It's really getting boring", sighed Nozomi.
"How long will it last?", wondered Rin wearily.
Then Sesshomaru glanced at her, apparently adamant "to rinse" his eyes. Rin smiled. It wasn't the first time he was doing this.
"Calm down ladies…the best material is always for the end…", warned Tenmaru.
"And when will that be?" asked Rin.
"Now", he replied, glancing back at the next pretender. "Gods!"
Rin stared in the same direction as him and her breath caught in her throat.
There stood a tall woman with jet-black hair and violet eyes, and purple lilacs in her bun, with a few cute freckles on her snow white skin and wavy curls on her brow giving her wisps of innocence. She wasn't the most voluptuous, but she still had a pleasant looking silhouette, the surprisingly long sleeves of her furisode giving her a queenly appeal.
There was no questioning. She was outstanding.
"Oh sheesh Tenmaru, control yourself!", whispered Nozomi reproachfully.
Only then Rin noticed he gawked at the woman so intensely with mouth half open it probably wouldn't take long before he starts to drool.
She walked so fluidly it was as if she was floating over the floor…a bit like the Lady Mother. Speaking of which, this one was smiling pleasantly, as her son did not stare at his mate anymore.
Rin's jaw tightened. She grinded her teeth and played nervously with her sleeves, green monster of jealousy emitting high pitched scream in the darkest part of her mind. It had been a while since she had to deal with her…jealous side…Last time it had shown up, she had almost bitten Lady Amane's hand under the impulse of it…
"Lady Takara, it is nice to see you", greeted the Lady Mother. "Purple is a beautiful colour on you."
Rin repressed a growl.
"The pleasure is all mine, Lady Sasori", she said with a soft voice, bowing slightly, curves of her tied hair bouncing pleasantly.
She sounded like a dove. Rin hated her.
The gorgeous pretender stared back at Sesshomaru and blushed innocently. "My lord, you are even more handsome than I could ever have imagined!"
Now Rin imagined herself in the training center. In front of the girl. Alone. With her beloved…sharp Shinsei.
"Takara, how is your father faring?", he inquired politely.
"Father?", wondered Rin.
"Yeah…She's Hatsuno's second child… more grown up than ever", Tenmaru replied, still ogling.
"She didn't look like that last time I saw her", whispered Nozomi, bewildered…and a bit hateful too.
Hatsuno's daughter. That was her?! Rin had imagined a simple childish girl when Nozomi had spoken of her. If Sesshomaru wasn't very interested while his vassal spoke of his daughter's limited hunting skills, she sure had all his attention now…
Rin looked away, feeling angry and sad. Why was he even looking at her? He wasn't supposed to…She was his dearest, not her!
She sighed, thinking that whatever was going to happen, she was certainly going to go sleep in her own room tonight.
"I am glad everything is going well with the fleet, and what was this instrument you could play again?", Sesshomaru wondered kindly.
"They're at 10 minutes now!", whispered Nozomi.
"Damn you Sesshomaru! Since when do you talk with the women? Let her go! Give her to me!", moaned Tenmaru.
Now Rin wanted to cry. She would rather fight a hundred snakes with the stony scales than bear this. She started to think about everything she wanted to tell him, but couldn't.
She's pretty and she can play harp, but she's helpless with a knife... Do you really think this girl would stand eating a crude heart for you?
They kept talking.
Rin frowned angrily. Come on Sesshomaru…what are you doing? I can't bear it anymore!
She swore she saw him dart a very brief sideways glance at her, but kept listening.
I'll start to think you're not just acting anymore…
Sesshomaru cleared his throat. "Takara. Talk to me about your fighting skills."
Rin gasped.
"It's not my line, my lord. I leave swordfight to the brave warriors…"
"A Lady of the West needs to be at ease on the battlefield, for you see, the Lord is sometimes away, as I was a month ago…My mother had to lead the armies. Must I take for granted you are unable to attend to such a task?", he inquired stoically.
Takara gulped. "I'm afraid so…"
He nodded. "I understand. Thank you, my lady."
She bowed and turned on her heel.
Rin sighed in relief as she watched her leave. As she looked back in front of her, she noticed Sesshomaru glancing at her with softened features, looking almost apologetic.
Green monster of jealousy hid back in its cave.
"Thank you", Rin mouthed soundlessly.
"SHIT"
Rin glanced back at Tenmaru. It was now Sesshomaru's turn to frown.
"What is it?"
"The next girl! "
Rin looked behind her, and saw another woman (already! She barely had the time to recover from the other one!). She had blue marine silky hair, and black hungry eyes, dressed in a silver and white dress, but she looked nothing innocent. She was lean and tall, malicious smile on her face, pouty lips taunting for a kiss. This one wasn't floating on the floor as she strutted confidently, her okobos clicking against the floor as she stared at Sesshomaru like a predator, as if she was going to climb on his seat and eat him all. Her entire being screamed of sins.
"I can't believe this!", exclaimed Tenmaru. "What is she doing here?!"
"Who is she?", asked Rin.
"…"
"Tenmaru…"
"I can't say! He'll kill me if I…"
"He slept with her before, is that it?", tried Rin suspiciously.
"…Oh crap…"
"I heard of her. She's one of Sesshomaru's former…ahem…lady-friend…", mumbled Nozomi.
Rin felt her blood freeze.
"You'll get killed fox-girl!", warned Tenmaru, while staring spitefully at the pretender walking past them.
"Why don't you stare at this one? She's pretty…", replied Rin, trying not to think about what she had just heard.
"I'll always remember our first encounter…I saw the chick first and bothered warming her up all evening, but she ended up straddling Sesshomaru instead, under the pretence I had everything she liked in a woman!", he whispered grudgingly.
Nozomi had to cover her mouth not to laugh out loud, while Rin's mind was imprisoned with an awful image of this wicked woman's legs around Sesshomaru's waist, sinful dark eyes winking at her arrogantly. And now Rin saw red again.
"Did he have many other lady-friends like that?", wondered Rin with unsettling quietness.
Tenmaru couldn't hold on anymore. "He always got the hottest girls, without even trying! Because mister likes to swing swords around… They were all over him and he always made his damn haughty face, like he was the one doing them a favour to have their curves right in front of his eyes!"
"Did you just say that?! Oh Tenmaru…you're the one who's dead now!", exclaimed Nozomi.
Then Tenmaru noticed Sesshomaru eyeing him with something close to bloodlust. He gulped.
"My lord", the pretender bowed curtly.
She winked. Rin shuddered.
"Sayuri…long time no see…", observed Sesshomaru indecipherably.
"The Lady Mother must really be desperate to invite Sesshomaru's former fuck buddies like that…", observed Tenmaru darkly.
"It's very surprising. She usually always goes for the most noble girls…", added Nozomi.
Rin frowned. Desperate…yes…Desperate to avoid a human on her seat, she supposed. Rin felt insulted.
"I've heard you are a model of social mobility", Sesshomaru commented, almost smugly.
"I have been promoted commander in chief of the southern peninsula. They call me Lady now", she replied, red lips turning up with a teasing smile.
"But you'll never really be one…you floozy", muttered Rin venomously, playing nervously with a strand of hair.
Tenmaru chuckled.
"Hey calm down Rin! They'll hear you!", warned Nozomi in a whisper.
"How many people do you command?", wondered Sesshomaru with genuine curiosity.
"Two hundred my lord…But really, I would give all that up to mount only one", the pretender replied flirtatiously.
Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow, clearly offended, while a few people snickered in the room. Rin supposed his…thing with this woman was no big secret.
"I respect ambition, but your way to express it is as sickening as in my memories", he retorted curtly with a disdainful smirk. "Thank you…Lady Sayuri"
She huffed and left, shooting a dirty look at Rin as she passed by. Rin glanced back at her condescendingly. Then as she glanced back in front of her, saw Sesshomaru examine her again, but she ignored him. She wasn't going to voice anything nice this time. To be truthful she was a little angry to learn that he, whom she heard criticize other people for indecent behaviour, wasn't pure as the driven snow either…
She was definitely going to sleep in her room tonight.
"Sooo who's gonna be the next one?", wondered Tenmaru excitedly, while glancing behind him.
Rin started to feel sick with all these women around. She just wanted to go hide in her apartments and pretend to be ill for a few days.
"What the hell? A dude?!"
"Oh shut up Tenmaru", retorted Kireru with annoyance, as he approached them. "Lady Rin, your assistance is required, would you please come with me…"
"Why don't you ask the Lady Mother?", wondered Tenmaru.
"She is busy, and Rin as Sesshomaru's mate is competent for the task anyway…"
"Let me pass Tenmaru", ordered Rin a bit dryly. "I have enough of this event anyway."
"O-okay!"
And so she left, not really caring what it was all about, and almost made the next contestant flinch with a glare as she walked out, under Sesshomaru and Sasori's curious frowns.
…
"What is it about Kireru?"
"We have an unexpected visitor who requires immediate attention", explained the fox demon.
"Why me?", asked Rin, echoing Tenmaru's question. "I know that the Lord is busy, but the Lady of the West might have been able to leave the room…"
"Sasori takes a lot of time to organise these shows and enjoys them…Besides, I trust you more for this task…"
Rin blinked. "Now you intrigue me…"
And then the reason stood before her. Rin's eyes widened.
"Lady…Miyah…"
The she-wolf leader of Kun'Ketsu curtly bowed. "Lady Rin. I am glad to see you safe and sound."
"Let me bring you to the study", suggested Kireru, leading the walk.
Then Rin smiled as she followed him. "O-of course, I am happy to see you too. This was…unexpected."
Lady Miyah smiled quietly. " I think I arrived at the worst possible moment now, did I?"
"No of course not. It's just that you haven't announced your visit. We would have prepared if we would have known…"
The hanyou darted a sideways glance. "I apologize for that. It wasn't possible for me to do so…"
"There we are", announced Kireru, opening the tall door.
Rin nodded nervously. "Please get in and have a seat Lady Miyah, I will be with you shortly. Would you like some tea after?"
The she-wolf nodded. "I wouldn't say no. Please take your time", she replied politely as she got in slowly.
Rin closed the door behind her and glanced at Kireru with fear.
"Now what?!", she asked.
He shrugged. "Well you know what to do…"
"No, not at all…I've never done this, greet guests on the behalf of the Western Lands!", Rin whispered with panic.
Kireru smiled heartedly. "It's not sorcery, Lady Rin. Both Lord Sesshomaru and Lady Sasori saw what happened earlier, it is only a matter of time before one of them find a way to excuse themselves and come see what is going on. Just keep her busy meanwhile, and let's hope it's not the Lady Mother who comes first…"
Rin gulped. "She is not fond of half breeds…"
Kireru gave her a knowing look. "I will stay here with the guards, I'll fetch the tea for you…"
She nodded, while a guard opened the door for her. "Thank you…"
Rin took a deep breath and got in, thinking back about Lady Miyah's unpredictable nature when they met, but now that they had a deal, she supposed the hanyou wasn't going to get into blunt interrogatories.
She saw the Lady of Kun'Ketsu at the table, one seat away from the Lady Mother's place, as if silently inviting Rin to take that forbidden place. It was silly, she couldn't possibly know how people were usually seated in this room. Rin smiled politely and sat in front of her instead.
"So You are Lord Sesshomaru's mate now, or so I heard…", started the she-wolf with great interest.
"Yes, since a few weeks…", added Rin with a nervous smile.
"I suppose these pure-bloods strutting around must be unpleasant to watch, then", she commented with sympathy.
Rin smiled. "Let's say your visit is a pleasant distraction!"
Lady Miyah smiled back. "You have changed a little since our last encounter…"
"How so?"
"Dragons on your dress. You look less like just a pretty girl and more like a ruler", she observed straightforwardly.
Rin briefly paused and decided to smile cheerfully. "So you like the dragons too? I thought the pattern was pleasant and different from the usual flowers we have around here."
"Yes, and it makes you look more imposing. Not that I hate lambs, but they usually get eaten when they are around fangs", Miyah retorted with a sly smile.
"I'm not worried. I heard eating humans was old fashioned now", replied Rin with a guarded expression.
"In these areas, yes…", replied Miyah with knowing eyes. "Say…this show with the demonesses…" She paused. "It is a show…right?"
Rin wasn't sure how to answer that. "It is quite a show to watch", she replied evasively.
The she-wolf smiled mysteriously, and inquired no further on the subject.
The maid entered with the teapot, cups and wagashis. Rin eyed the sweets realizing all these events teased her hunger. She thanked the servant and took the teapot and graciously served the hot brewage in the two cups. At least she knew how to do that. This tradition in human and demon territory was mostly same, except that doing it while sitting on chairs made it slightly trickier, but it didn't show.
"Though I appreciate the company, you must not be here only to speak of clothing and demon pretender Lady Miyah…"
"I need to see Lord Sesshomaru", she replied curtly.
"Why?"
The she-wolf sipped at her tea. "A message. But it is meant for his ears only…"
"Are you sure? ", asked Rin with a teasing smile.
Miyah smiled back heartedly. "Nice try, but I'll leave him the courtesy of making that choice for himself."
Rin nodded, back to seriousness. "I understand, I apologize."
"Don't. I would surely have done the same if I were you", she replied sympathetically.
Then the door opened, Rin glanced back and repressed a gulp when she saw the Lady Mother get in, her lemony eyes on the she-wolf.
Both Rin and Lady Miyah stood up and bowed…the last one without ever breaking eye contact with the dog demoness.
"Gypsy clothes, wolf ears, I suppose that makes you Lady Miyah of Kun'Ketsu", commented the Lady with an icy smile as she sat.
"Lady Sasori, you too have changed since our last encounter", the hanyou replied back with a smug smile.
"You've already met?", wondered Rin with surprise, while pouring a cup to the Lady Mother.
"I don't think so", Sasori replied a bit dryly.
"Only once. At your wedding my lady…Surely you must remember the few half breed guests!", Miyah replied jokingly.
Rin couldn't refrain a slight gasp.
The Lady Mother scoffed. "My wedding. It doesn't make you look young, Lady Miyah…"
"W-wait so you're the same age?", wondered Rin with surprise.
Miyah smiled. "Actually, I am more of Inu Taisho's age, so even Lady Sasori is a youngster compared to me."
"No way!", exclaimed Rin.
Sasori stared back at her with a sour look. "What, are you implying she looks younger than me?"
Rin blushed. "No not at all Sasori-sama! I have just…no way to know. You demons all look the same age to me."
Miyah smiled smugly. "That's because she's young."
"Very young indeed", added Sasori teasingly.
Rin grabbed a wagashi and took a sip of her cup, suddenly feeling insignificant.
"Enough chit-chat, I don't have all day. What are you here for, Lady Miyah?", said Sasori with quiet impassiveness.
Rin gulped, while the she-wolf smiled mysteriously. "Actually, I was passing by. I had a few spies to retrieve…"
The Lady Mother's lips became a thin line. "You are spying allies?"
"Of course not, my Lady. I've sent a team to the Central Lands more than a month back, but none of them came back on their own…"
Sasori frowned. "Well that's what happens with spies most of the time. We did catch and kill scouts from the Central Lands too after we've got attacked". She raised an eyebrow in sudden comprehension. "In fact they were talking about nonsense, such as the Western Lands becoming a nation of half breeds. I wonder if that may have been caused by your people…"
Miyah sipped her tea. "I don't see the link…", she replied evasively.
Sasori narrowed her eyes. "Of course you do. Your spies marched on our lands, is that correct?"
Then the door opened again, revealing the Lord of the Western Lands getting in, leaving Rin and Miyah standing up again.
Lady Miyah smiled. "Never two without three…"
Sesshomaru raised an inquisitive eyebrow.
"You look different too. With your hair tied, you are Lord Inu Taisho all over."
He didn't display much, not caring the least about such a shallow remark.
Sasori scoffed. "He becomes as handsome as his father as the years pass, but his temper never improved."
Miyah smiled mockingly "Oh he's still so young, Lady Sasori. Give him some time to get rid of his old juvenile habits!"
And then both ladies laughed out loud, leaving Rin bewildered by their jesting and Sesshomaru quite vexed as he walked towards them.
"You don't have to bow anymore", he whispered to Rin, while she served the tea.
She just nodded and avoided his gaze. He didn't like that very much.
"…What owes us the honour of your unannounced visit, Lady Miyah?", Sesshomaru wondered impassively.
"We were talking about spies getting killed", answered Sasori. "Did you know their spies from Kun'Ketsu walked on our lands?"
"I did give them the authorization", he replied elusively.
"Really?", Sasori scoffed. "And you thought the Central Land's attack was because you've refused to intervene on the human village down south?"
"It is very likely", he replied curtly.
"Oh please…finding spies is much more insulting than our negative response to Lady Amane's request, especially since she is aware of the Western Lands' positions on these issues…", retorted Sasori dryly, as she sipped her tea.
"Yes…I have to agree. Finding spies is quite a vector of hostility. They must have known you have helped to let us through, I am sorry for that…", admitted Miyah.
Rin sipped quietly her tea, watching them talk. All of this information about spies was interesting, but she did remember Miyah mentioning she had to talk with Sesshomaru in private. And she had been even more secret about her real intentions with Lady Sasori…
"You kept that from us, Sesshomaru. Easy to blame others, but you should look at yourself sometimes", added Sasori with mock.
He glared at her.
"Now now, that's a bit harsh with your beloved son, Lady Sasori", commented Miyah.
"Now if we could…", started Sesshomaru.
"Do you have children Lady Miyah?", Sasori interrupted.
The she-wolf smiled back and sipped her tea before answering. "I don't, my lady. I chose power instead."
The Lady Mother scoffed at that. "Then it means you don't know much about parenting."
"If you don't mind getting back to the main…", tried Sesshomaru again.
"If denigrating children in front of guests is an acceptable mean of communication…", interrupted Miyah. "…I'd rather not see what is going on in private", the she-wolf retorted quite bluntly.
Then as both women kept bickering on the issue, Rin took a huge bite of her pastry, watching for a while with bewilderment, then glanced at Sesshomaru, eyes narrowing dangerously at the two women, probably about the say or do something harsh. He was not one to be cut off just like that…especially not with trivial matters. She felt herself slowly start to panic, before hazel eyes landed on the teapot that had cooled down a bit. She took it in her hands, going against polite manners and served herself first, fine china innocently sliding from her fingers to land on her thighs upside down and crash on the floor in a million pieces.
"AAaAAAAAH!"
Everyone startled, Sesshomaru stood up and took Rin by the shoulders to make her stand up to examine her.
"Are you okay?", he asked with concern.
"What happened?", wondered Lady Miyah.
"Did you burn yourself?", added Sasori.
"No-no…I am okay. I am so sorry! I can be so clumsy!", Rin exclaimed, apologetic. Then she laughed. "But my kimono is ruined…I guess…I will need to get changed…"
"Go ahead, we're all here now, anyway", commented the Lady Mother.
Rin smiled sweetly and walked towards her. "I would like you to come, Sasori-sama."
The demoness raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"You have a flawless sense of style. If you don't come I will spend hours wondering what to wear!", exclaimed Rin with a bit of a ditzy tone.
"I certainly wouldn't mind a break while you solve your womanly issues. I need to stretch my legs", Lady Miyah commented with weariness.
"Yes…why not…", Sesshomaru replied a bit aloofly.
Rin pulled on the Lady Mother's arm with a grin and both went off.
…
"You did that on purpose, didn't you?", wondered the Lady Mother with wisps of suspicion.
Rin stiffened, as she slid in a green and golden kimono and let a maid tie her obi. She thanked the servant after she was done and got out from behind the folding screen, and looked at the Lady Mother in the eyes.
"What if I did?", she inquired boldly.
She scoffed. "Will they make other reckless decisions in my back while I stay here?", Sasori counter attacked as the door was opened for them, but Rin closed it back.
"Your argument with Lady Miyah was embarrassing", whispered Rin.
"The dirty blooded she-wolf started it", Sasori replied stubbornly.
"If you wouldn't have been rude to Sesshomaru in the first place…"
"If that ungrateful insolent wouldn't make my existence a living hell, maybe I would leave him alone! I am even amazed he let me get out of the room with you!"
Rin looked away uneasily, knowing what the Lady Mother hinted to and not sure how she should answer that. "He's…under a lot of stress lately. You shouldn't…take that personally…", she mumbled.
Sasori's lips became a thin line. "Then, tell me, how should I take being treated like a traitor by the sole being who got out of my womb?"
"Behaving with hostility will certainly not help. I'm sure we'll sort this out and…"
"I don't even understand how you can cope with him…and defend him as such", the Lady Mother cut her off, crossing her arms.
Rin shook her head in irritation. "…I-I can't take it anymore! You are mother and son! Why do you have to be against each other like this all the time? Just…what is going on?!"
"This fool is so full of himself he doesn't even realize how much of a rash and mediocre ruler he is! He does everything he wants like the spoiled child he has always been…", Sasori replied bitterly, and then narrowed her eyes. "He takes me for a nuisance, but he doesn't realize all that I have done for him…It's certainly not his father who was going to acknowledge his birthright…"
Rin blinked in silent confusion. "Wh…what did you say?"
Sasori smiled darkly, looking suddenly aloof, as she walked towards the window, deep in thoughts. "Inu Taisho was displeased with the heir I've given him…He thought Sesshomaru was not worthy of being the Lord of the Western Lands."
That was an icy squall freezing Rin off. Breath got caught in her throat and stayed stuck there for a long while…
"He loathed our son's behaviour… He thought Sesshomaru was abnormally cold and violent like a wild beast" She scoffed. "But he didn't know what he was talking about. In fact, my late husband and my son have always been strangers to each other…. Inu Taisho was constantly involved in pointless battles… purposely away from us, I presume. So often in humans' company he forgot how demons are supposed to be. By the time he noticed the weight of his faults, it was already too late…" , she finished with wisps of anguish Rin had never heard in the Lady Mother's voice before.
"Too late for what?", asked Rin worriedly.
Sasori suddenly went back to her usual icy smile, and shrugging the issue off with her hand, like a fly in the way. "It matters not… Nobody cares. Men collect conquests and victories, while women bow the neck, bear children and vile criticism. That's what this life is all about. And this is the life you chose, too…but I suppose that bowing the neck to a demon or a human makes no difference, is that it?" A sinister smile crept on her lips. "It's funny…I would have thought human boys couldn't be as unbearable as my son…Are you sure you made the right choice, Rin?"
Rin didn't answer. Then again, she supposed it was pointless to answer. Love was not a reason the Lady Mother was willing to hear.
She was befuddled, silenced and dizzy. All along, she had thought Lady Sasori was the one Sesshomaru had the biggest problem with. Now she didn't know what to think anymore… Inu Taisho despised his son…that couldn't be! Yet…as she thought back of all the trials Sesshomaru went through with Tenseiga, only to leave off the most powerful techniques to his little brother, she couldn't help but think it was a harsh treatment of his father. But then again, he left him Tenseiga, and that allowed her to live…so she was left with very ambivalent feelings.
Rin suddenly needed air. She turned on her heel and opened the door, quietly walking out, the Lady Mother following her, but a guard quickly intercepted them.
"My Lady", he bowed. "We have an emergency. Master Kireru found relevant information about Rin's abduction…"
Sasori's eyes narrowed. "How interesting", she glanced back at her. "Why don't you come, little Rin? He can't accuse me of lying if you are a witness…"
Rin felt her heartbeat accelerate as she nodded.
…
Sesshomaru read the entire letter and then…read it all over again…as if trying to grasp something hidden between the lines, but nothing came out…
This message didn't make any sense…
"And why is it you who had to deliver this letter?"
"General Kazuo caught two of my spies, the only two who survived… and it was the condition to let them live", Lady Miyah explained quietly. "You have to admit his little scheme is brilliant…asking the hanyou leader of enemy islands to deliver his mail, Lady Amane will never trace that back to him…"
"Brilliant all you want, he mentions that he wishes to meet me and is already on his way…It is perilous and reckless of him to come on his own", observed Sesshomaru.
"This part is not written…", started Miyah with a low voice. "But he told me he intends to show up the day you will hold your audiences with your people, which is in three days…I believe…"
"Correct."
"He will come hidden under a hood, cane in hand and with a shaky walk. He will request coins for the monks of the East. He says then that it is up to your imagination to decide after that how you protect his cover in front of your court..."
Sesshomaru stared thoughtfully at the letter, thinking this Kazuo boy sure trusted him a lot. He was definitely reckless. "…This could be a ploy, the Central Lands are unpredictable these days…"
"It is complete chaos up North…"
"I know. "
"More than you can imagine. I've seen it myself. He probably wants to ask you help to fight the revolts…"
"Then why does he hide for a request Amane could have done herself?", Sesshomaru thought out loud.
"I have no idea. This request of his intrigues me too", observed the she-wolf with a slight smile. "He said that if he strikes the deal he wants with you, my troops and merchant will be free to roam on the Northwest…so you'll understand that I would love if you at least bother to hear what he has to say…"
"I will. I have nothing to lose…", observed Sesshomaru with a pensive frown. "Would you like to join?"
"What is the point, if I have no say on the outcome?"
"You are free to counsel…"
She frowned. "Hmm…and I certainly wouldn't mind the few days break. Your lands are quite wide I must say…I did walk a lot lately…"
"It's settled then."
"Yes", she said with a nod. "Actually, I am very curious. This Kazuo gave me the impression that he is a reasonable boy. I think he could be surprising…"
Sesshomaru frowned. General Kazuo did have tads of his sister's daring nature, but he looked quieter and more prone to friendly relations. And the inuyoukai did not forget that Kazuo's troops repelled the wildings threatening to cross the frontiers between the Western Lands and the North in good faith. Sesshomaru sure would have preferred to be informed of Kazuo's move before moving his own troops, but he couldn't criticize the boy for giving a hand. Still…maybe that had been a ruse to force him to move his armies and leave the Western castle unguarded. In any ways, if Kazuo was too daring or arrogant, he could always use him as a hostage. He was literally delivering himself on a silver platter…
"Ahem. Not that I mean to intrude your musings…but the Lady of the West and your mate have been gone for a while now…", observed Lady Miyah, holding her chin pensively.
He nodded. "I'll let my servants find you appropriate quarters for you and your men to rest."
"Thank you, my lord."
He left without further formalities, to find his mother and Rin. He inquired to a few servants, and all of them pointed towards the dungeons. Now he was curious, what were they doing here? He hoped nothing wrong had happened, or that his mother was not up to anything...
He went down the stairs hurriedly, and saw only one room at the end of the dark corridor with lights coming out of the cracks of the door. He pushed it open to find his mother, troubled-looking mate, vassal Kireru standing there, and an unknown man on his knees.
Lady Sasori greeted him with a scowl. "Sesshomaru…at last. Listen to what this man has to say…",
Kireru was tense, plain anger on his features, blade held at the throat of the captive. "Repeat.", he ordered.
"It is…it is a-all my fault…", stammered the prisoner.
"What is your fault?", inquired Sesshomaru, frowning.
"Your mate's abduction. It was master Tokage's doing. He wanted to abduct your mate and deliver her to Empress Amane…"
Sesshomaru's eyes slightly widened. "She has something to do with this?"
"No, not her personally. But master Tokage is one of her nomad subject. He wanted to be in her good graces. Knowing she had planned an attack against your castle, he paid me in exchange of information about your ward's comings and goings …"
Kireru pressed his blade against the prisoner's throat. "What else?"
"They asked for more recently…so they must have planned other attempts…"
"I caught him sending a letter to the lizards about Rin's whereabouts …more precisely, about her habit of training with Nozomi in the morning", explained Kireru, taking out a letter of his pocket.
Sesshomaru took it and read it all, his features displaying cold anger.
"You see now…How wrong you were…", commented Lady Sasori, narrowing her eyes.
Sesshomaru didn't answer. How could he deny that? Kireru had found the culprit by the mean of a letter he had intercepted, and the man confessed his sins. His mother had nothing to do with Rin's abduction. He had been wrong all along…
"Truthful answers could make me act mercifully…", started Sesshomaru, with lethal quietness, glancing down at the traitor. "Tell me…are you affiliated with anyone else in this castle?"
"No, my lord…"
"Is anyone else affiliated with the lizards in this castle, any other wildlings or the Central Lands, for that matter?"
The prisoner gulped. "I know of no one else, my lord. Please…I know nothing else than what I already told you…I beg you…I…"
"Silence", he cut him off, and then glanced at Rin. "You may not want to see this…"
She didn't insist and got out hurriedly, while Kireru followed closely and shut the door behind them.
Sesshomaru walked slowly towards the culprit, cracking his knuckles, his own shadow creeping over the traitor at his feet, now quivering in fear.
"M-my lord, I told you the truth. You said that you would show mercy…"
Sasori scoffed, while her son's traits were at their sternest. He wasn't looking at the prisoner anymore, but staring at the wall.
"Your relatives will be financially compensated for their loss of purveyor... Your own punishment was never left to questioning."
Sesshomaru took out his whip and caught the prisoner around the neck; strangling him, leaving the victim coughing and squirming in an attempt to get away, until bones cracked, his face becoming grey and all life left his body, soon limp on the floor.
It was a quick death…at least…
Sesshomaru knew who this servant was…and there was absolutely nothing pleasant about killing a peasant with mouths to feed. It was rare he really felt dirty after a kill.
The Lady Mother watched impassively the corpse at her feet, and glanced up at her son to find a mirror of her own coldness. She walked towards him, stopping a bit too close for his likings.
He supposed now that she will call him a fool and try to make him feel regretful for his false accusations… It also occurred to him that it would be an appropriate time for an apology, but he never had the time to voice such an unpleasant acknowledgement before she spoke up.
"Your father was right about your flawed judgement", she stated aloofly. "Time did not help. I should have listened to him while it was still time…"
"Listen to what exactly?"
She didn't smile for once. She looked almost…disappointed. "You know as much as I."
And with that she left him and closed the door behind her, poisonous words sinking viciously into his mind.
…
Rin was in her room, writing a letter to Kagome.
He apartments were a soothing refuge, with only the quiet sound of rain on the window panes. She had seen and heard so many…things today…she just wanted to enjoy the silence for a while. At least…no skeletons could get out of any cupboards, if no one spoke.
Someone opened the door, soundless footsteps coming in.
She knew it was him. She felt terrible thinking so…but she would have preferred to be left alone until the morning. They had spent most nights together in his apartments, since they had become mates, but tonight was one she wanted to stay and rest in her own things.
She noticed a shadow on her working space, but she kept writting, the candlelight allowing her to do so.
He stood there for a while, in an awkward silence, watching her write on the rice paper. But she kept going as if he wasn't there. She knew he probably didn't like it, but she couldn't help it. She was brooding over so many things; she just couldn't find the strength to give him the attention he requested.
However, she saw his shadow crouch next to her, and felt one hand caress her hair. She almost flinched as he brushed her cheek. His hand was so cold…
She finally turned her head towards him, noticing he had discarded his pelt and armour, hair now untied, a bit wet, covering the sides of his face, while his clothes clung to his shoulders.
She knew that most often than not, he discards his pelt when he retires for the night. Which meant that the lord was gone…to leave only him…
He held out an orange rose to her, without saying a word.
She felt her heart melt, and her lips turn in a soft smile, as she took it from his hands, delicately avoiding touching his fingers and noticed all the thorns were already gone, so she slid it behind her ear.
"It's lovely…", she whispered, and thereafter frowned in concern. "Wait…have you gotten outside in the pouring rain… just to get this flower?"
He didn't answer; he stood up and looked out of the window.
"I suppose you feigned clumsiness so Lady Miyah could deliver her message more easily?"
Rin smiled. "Sorry I couldn't find any other more…graceful way…"
"It doesn't matter. It worked. Thank you."
Nothing was said for a while, as Rin got back to her letter…
"…I didn't have the choice to be polite with Lady Takara. She is the daughter of my wealthiest vassal…", he continued.
Rin stopped writing, and darted him a sideways glance. "Well she sure was pretty. Probably the prettiest girl from the whole bunch…"
"Was she?", he wondered out loud, apparently oblivious. "You must certainly be aware who was the most beautiful in the room", he added all in smoothness.
Rin tried to hide her blush as she turned her head. He sure knew what she liked to hear…
"…And this Sayuri-girl is an old story…", he added.
Rin blinked, curiosity tingling her lips. "When did you…hum…"
"In the old days, I enjoyed wasting my time, some of it in the company of women. But I've grown bored of these games after my father passed away…"
"…You didn't love her, right?"
"Rin…please…", he retorted, slightly offended.
"Okay okay, it was a silly question", she admitted with a shy smile. "Why are you telling me all of this anyway?"
He paused a moment. "Because you are mad at me".
Rin's trait softened. "I'm not mad…", she whispered and grinned. "Well…if I was, I'm not anymore…"
He walked slowly towards her, giving her a hand to help her stand up, but she only smiled sadly, not taking it.
"I would rather stay here tonight…if you don't mind…", she said, glancing up to meet his eyes.
He blinked, looked at the floor and nodded. As she inspected his expression in the dim light, she thought there was something off about him.
"Rin…is your mind really at peace?", he asked out of the blue.
She felt her jaw tighten. She supposed there was something wrong about her too…
But no way she could tell him it was his own problems that kept her awake that night.
"It…it has nothing to do with the women…I…I would prefer not talk about it…" She smiled reassuringly. "I am okay…"
He nodded and turned on his heel, ready to leave. Rin frowned with concern.
"What about you? Are you…okay?"
"No", got out of his mouth before he could hold it back.
Rin stood up in one leap and walked to him before he could get away. "What's wrong?"
"My judgement.", he stated with a clipped tone.
She darted him knowing eyes, and caressed his shoulder in a comforting manner. "Everyone makes mistakes..."
"I am not everyone."
"That's silly…you're not a god or anything of the sort…"
He turned his head away in silent denial. "My father wouldn't have erred like this…"
Rin narrowed her eyes... "Sesshomaru…Did you get in a fight with your mother again?"
He didn't answer but she felt his shoulder tense. Rin had no idea if he already knew about what Lady Sasori had told her earlier, but if his mother had the brilliant idea to talk about these things as a way to get back at him, Rin had no difficulty to understand that even Sesshomaru could be shaken up. She knew he had an immense respect for his father…
"Angry people often say things they don't mean…", she thought relevant to remind.
"Things they don't mean to voice…", he corrected, then listened to the sound of rain for a while. "…Never mind. I'll you be.", he replied curtly, walking away.
"I think your father would be proud of you if he could see you today…"
His hand was on the handle but he didn't slide it open. "You don't know that…"
"I am not as ignorant as you think…"
He glanced back at her, icy smile spreading on his lips. "So my mother has talked to you about my unworthiness, is that it?"
Rin's breath caught in her throat, suddenly feeling as if she was walking on eggs, so she chose her words carefully. "It must be hard to bear…all these…expectations …"
His silence was long. "To them I am a disappointment."
"They said that?"
"Everything they said…I deserved it", he replied curtly.
Her hands balled into fist. "Now that's just unfair! No one is perfect. Your mother…criticizes everything you do! And your father…was he there when you needed him?"
Sesshomaru stared back at her and didn't answer.
"What gave them the right to treat you like this? Why did they send you away from your home like…"
"I killed a comrade and my sensei during training…", he replied as if he was talking of the weather.
Rin gasped and stopped breathing for a moment, and then closed her eyes, trying to recover from that phrase. "But…" She shook her head. "Wh-what?"
"I was sent away because my first kills were on innocent people, while I was still a child, and I couldn't care less", he rephrased, quite bluntly.
She stared at him with round eyes, as her mind registered the information.
…All this time…weeks of speculations…she kept thinking…or rather…she wanted to believe, he was the victim…of something…
Not the other way around.
"Y-you must have done it for reason…", she stammered.
"Nothing worth mentioning", was his dry answer.
She blinked and glanced down, playing with her sleeve with uneasiness. She knew who he was, of course…but she tended to forget, once in a while… She knew she couldn't. Lethal perfection was the meaning of his name… It was her duty to remember.
"I thought that demons had a different way to perceive killing…", she whispered with a guarded expression.
"It is expected from someone of my rank to control primal instincts. Children are not even supposed to have such impulses. But I behaved like a…wildling…at a very young age…", he explained while features turned into a scowl, then looked in the opposite direction, concealing his expression. "My father expected me to be remorseful, but I didn't even understand the source of his indignation. Afterwards, I was sent at the Western fortress with the warriors, because I was judged unfit to live at court", the last words coming out with quiet bitterness.
He glanced at her, Rin grasping the hurt through the dim glow of his eyes, while her own vision became blurry. She wasn't sure what surprised her the most; between that story…or the regret she could feel lingering in his voice.
"They thought that learning with the most skilled fighters would help me differentiate what is a rightful kill from a wrong one, but it didn't. I merely learned to give warnings before taking a life... And my father kept seeing me as a being devoid of a soul…", he finished in a whisper.
Rin didn't talk. He took her tears for a demonstration of fear…or disappointment maybe?
She probably thought he was a monster.
"It…it must have been a terrible experience for you…", she mumbled, with a trembling voice.
He frowned in confusion. "I was a kid and I killed mercilessly. Shouldn't that upset you more than my feelings?"
She wiped a few tears "What I meant is that it must have been awful, for everyone... Including you. No parent should reject their child."
"…All of those who have heard this story before focused on the main issue", he insisted with a sideways glance full of scepticism.
She shook her head. "We've talked about that before..." She smiled sadly. "I know you killed gratuitously before, but it doesn't matter to me. The only way I've ever known you is with a good heart…"
"…Please…", he muttered, with slight exasperation. If love was blind…Rin was at her blindest.
"I would be dust and bones if it wouldn't be from you!", she retorted with indignation. "And I sure know that you did succeed where your father failed. Even Kagome talked to me about it in her last letter. She noticed that the prices of food and other supplies have dropped since the merchants of Kun'Ketsu started to use the highway. There are people, demons and humans alike, who won't die of starvation and others who will be able to afford expensive medicinal herbs, all because of you! Your deal protects the people of Kun'Ketsu and your own seas. And you did decide to spare the lives of humans crossing your borders, and gave them weapon to defend themselves while I am sure, many other demon lords would have killed them all…"
His traits softened, as he stared at the wooden grain of her door.
"You deserve some credits for Kun'Ketsu too…", he whispered.
"You are the one who asked me for help in the first place", she replied with a smile. "You should count the lives you saved, instead of those you have taken…that would give you a better idea of all the goodness there is in you."
He gave her a look, before glancing back at the door. "I…should not have bothered you with…that", he whispered, ill at ease. "I should go…"
He slid the door open, about to step out…
"You should stay", she whispered.
"I thought you wanted me to leave you be…"
"I just said I wanted to be in my things. I never said anything about you", she corrected with a slight smile. "So?"
He half opened his mouth, and closed it, apparently hesitant, but it could only be because his pride was in the way. Rin sure knew that all this regurgitation of old skeletons had strained him. He was wounded: it was all over his face. And she didn't want him to spend the night alone in this state...
Before he could make up his mind, she just closed the door and slowly removed the damp upper part of his garbs. He showed no resistance.
He closed his eyes as she wiped his skin damp from the cold rain with a towel full of her soothing sent.
"…I suppose I could stay a bit longer", was his barely audible whisper.
She slid her arms around his shoulder, and pressed her lips on his, wanting him to forget all the bad. He instantly confirmed how much he needed her, wrapping his arms around her back and locking lips, gladly accepting her suggestion of remedy.
"I shouldn't…", he whispered regretfully, as he broke the kiss.
"Shouldn't what?"
"Feed off of your kindness like this…"
"…You have every right to lean on me when you need it", she replied with a sincere smile.
Amber eyes inspected her from up close. "You've already given more than you are aware…"
"Same for you", she whispered back, as she brushed away silvery hair from his face. "There is nothing wrong with that…That's how it's meant to be…"
He let that pleasant thought reverberate in his mind for a while. He then took her hand in his, and led her to the bed, and pulled slowly on her obi to remove her first layer.
"What are you doing?", she asked playfully.
He pushed her shoulders delicately to make her lie down, as he lowered himself on her. He opened her hadajuban.
"My duty…"
She giggled softly. "Duty? You make it seem like…"
She never finished her sentence and took a deep breath instead, as his hands found their way on pleasurable parts.
"…I love you Rin", he let out in soft baritone notes to her ear.
She sighed in bliss, not even finding to strength to reply, all of his means of seduction making her mute with bewitchment.
For the first time, she gave herself to him in her own sheets, adamant to prove him no dark secrets could ever keep them apart, while he let himself sink in her pureness, forgetting all his sins.
…End of chapter…
A/N: My smart-ass self was unsatisfied with the fact this ends with bits of fluff/smut. It must be my second most frequent of way to end a chapter.
But then I thought…what da hell are they supposed to do in feudal times anyway?
Seriously?!
Besides, for those who may be curious, Shinsei (Rin's blade) means rebirth…according to online dictionaries anyway…
And for those who might think Sasori's and Sesshomaru's revelations about Inu Taisho and the killed sensei are mysterious and incomplete…yeah well, that's on purpose. But we'll get back more seriously to the main plot next chapter.
So now, why don't you leave a review? *puppy eyes *