Castle of Glass

by Cristaline

During a period of grief, Rin returns temporarily to Sesshomaru's side to soothe her sorrow and catch a glimpse of what a life among demons would be like. She discovers that her lord's existence is not endless patrols anymore. Prosperous leader, she soon finds herself entangled in tales of conquests and mysteries, intrigue and seduction. S/R

21. Rulers of the Shadow

A/N: Thank you all for the feedback for those who did, as always…but it is most cruel to stop only 5 away from 300!

Already Easter can you believe that?! Whatever…Holidays and chocolates have always been a nice combination…

…Enough small talk. Enjoy!

Note: since last update, I did some minor fixes; because some parts of the plot seemed so unclear it was getting close to plot holes. If you are a pointy reader and read it shortly after it came out, you might want to read it again, but if you are not that type of reader, don't even bother, you probably won't even see the differences.

Chapter 21: Rulers of the Shadow

The sun was bright and high in the sky. A little green and yellow bird was flying under the highest leaves of the forest, trying to draw the attention of the people below, but none paid attention. The lush and wild ceiling of green covering the azure horizon gave no clear cue of the sun reaching its zenith, as the human adventurer and her companion chitchatted pleasantly.

"I must say, I am quite impressed Lady Rin…", commented Kireru with a slight smile.

She grinned. "Oh come on! Just got two elks…There's nothing remarkable in that!"

"You have such severe standards. Many noble demonesses would have had worst struggles…"

"Well…I am not a demoness…"

"All the more reason to take the compliment", he replied with amusement. "We should get back now. Nozomi must be waiting for us up front…I think it is getting late."

Rin glanced up, trying to see the sky through the thick leaves, only then noticing Tomen making a fuss around the treetops. "Oh really? Time sure flies…Just…how late you think?"

"Close to noon, probably"

"Oh…o-okay", she mumbled.

She gulped, they had to get back, or else she will be late! She couldn't afford to be on this very important day…

They took the quickest route leading back to the castle, Rin suddenly walking very quickly around the pines, dry leaves and roots coming out of the path. The way she was holding firmly Shinsei revealed her nervousness.

"You shouldn't worry. You will do just fine", commented Kireru.

"Y-you think so?", she murmured.

He smiled reassuringly. "Of course. Lord Sesshomaru will be the one doing the talk anyway…Your role is minor."

"…the Lady Mother was not very happy when he told her…"

The fox demon frowned mysteriously. "… She just dislikes not being in control…"

Rin's eyes narrowed at that. What Kireru said made sense. She had many occasions to notice by now that the Lady Mother liked everything to be in place and spotless, any trace of imperfection unacceptable for her high standards…

She couldn't help but wonder if this could be one of the reasons why Lady Sasori and Sesshomaru were most often than not at each other's throat. Was it because she failed to control him like she would see fit?

Rin thought back at what Sesshomaru had told her three days past…about the reason why he lived a part of his youth mostly outside the castle, how he pretended he deserved every reproach, yet he did not explain the motivations that had lead him to rashness and violence…Also, Rin couldn't help but find curious that the Lady Mother had not talked about it, at least…it didn't look like it was the source of her reproach when they talked just before the same day…

Rin repressed a groan of frustration. She couldn't help but have the feeling there were many things she didn't know yet…

She glanced at her companion pensively, with a scheme crossing her mind.

"Kireru…", she whispered hesitantly, and then attacked him with her sweetest smile. "You are older than Sesshomaru, is that correct? Old enough to have seen him grow up at court?"

"Yes. Why?"

"How was he as a child?"

He blinked. "Why do you ask?"

"I'm…just curious. You see, from the moment I've seen his young portrait in the book of the lords of the western lands, I couldn't help but think he didn't look very happy…for a child", Rin answered with wisps of concern as she inspected the intricate markings on her blade.

He darted a suspicious sideways glance. "Well, you must know by now Lord Sesshomaru has never been the most expressive character. Even as a child, it was hard to guess his feelings and thoughts." He smiled nostalgically. "It changed nothing to the fact that he was…brilliant over his years. Also very quiet, he didn't seek a lot of companionship of the children of his age. He was fond of competitions though: he especially liked to win…anything to impress his father."

"Did Inu Taisho appreciate his efforts?"

Kireru frowned. "…The lord wasn't at the castle very often, but I think he would have preferred to have quality time and play with his young son when he could, instead of having a child prodigy… but Sesshomaru just wanted to learn more, and become stronger all the time…"

"You think that unnerved him?"

He shrugged. "Lord Taisho sure would have preferred that Sesshomaru lived his childhood to the fullest, instead of trying to rush things…"

Rin raised one eyebrow, very slowly. "Would you say he could have…loathed his son?"

Kireru chuckled. "Oh stop using so many detours. I know where you are going with this...". He glanced at her. "Are you curious about your blade's past life, Lady Rin?"

She blinked, and then eyes widened as realization struck her viciously. She looked at Shinsei, and back at her companion.

"You mean that…it's with this blade that he…"

"… I can only assume that Lord Sesshomaru entrusted it to you to give a silent warning to whoever might disapprove of your presence in this castle. This blade is so sharp even the most inoffensive being can do dreadful things with it…", the fox admitted with seriousness. He shook his head in silent regret. "Inu Taisho had just given this blade to his son when this happened…Taigi the sword was called back then…meaning justice…"

Rin frowned at the irony of it. She gulped and sheathed her blade. So that's why Sesshomaru had seemed so melancholic when he had given her the blade…He had to depart from it because of that…incident…

"Well…now that we are at it…Do you know why he it?"

Kireru remained quiet, while the rustling of leaves tried to whisper unspoken secrets. "Do you even ask the right question, Lady Rin? Shouldn't you ask if he has even done it?"

Rin gasped. "So you say that…"

"I am not saying much. In fact, only his mother and him know the truth. No one else was present when this happened." He paused for a moment. "All I know is that he was the one holding the crimson sword, and that he confessed doing it, but never accepted to give a full tale. His mother asked that he be judged mercifully, because of his young age and impressionable mind. And that is the official version of the story everyone remembers."

"Is there an officious one?"

"There are many officious versions. We know that Lady Sasori despised the sensei: Kachigo. He got suspected of being a traitor to the Western Lands before the events occurred. In the end, he wasn't, but his innocence has only been proved after his death…"

"Oh…kami…", whispered Rin, troubled.

Kireru continued. "The rest…I'm afraid, is only speculations. Some say young Sesshomaru was sent away in an attempt to discipline him, but other pretends it was because Inu Taisho did not trust his consort around their son. In fact, there are many version of the tales that blames her for what happened…some even say she's the one who dirtied her hands and let her son take the blame for her own sins."

A swift breeze made Rin shiver. "That would be terrible! That can't be true!"

"…I personally think the truth must be somewhere in between. Sesshomaru had his little temper, but he was not insane. If he truly did it, he must have been influenced…"

"By his mother?"

"…We'll never know for sure. Neither Lady Sasori nor Lord Sesshomaru have ever spoken of what happened in that room."

"At this point, I suppose people might not want to know…", continued Rin darkly.

"Exactly…You see, because Sesshomaru was only a child, most people believed he could be tamed with appropriate training, especially since he was the sole heir of a honourable legacy." His traits darkened. "However, rulers are expected to be just. If Lady Sasori would have killed an innocent sensei and his child based on rumours…her image would have been forever tarnished…"

Rin just blinked, feeling her head spin, all of a sudden. Could that be it? No …why would Sesshomaru blame himself for sins he wouldn't have committed? That didn't make sense…

"If curiosity consumes you too much, you are free to consult the archives…", Kireru added, with a discreet glance. "We hold archives of the court's important and miscellaneous events through history. Of course, you will not find more information about that incident that what I already told you. But I was told there were interesting things that happened the days before and after…", he replied mysteriously.

Rin eyed him suspiciously. "Will I be in trouble if I get in there?"

He darted her with knowing eyes "…I think neither Lord Sesshomaru, nor Lady Sasori would like to see you in there…"

She sighed in exasperation. "At least one thing they would agree on…"

Kireru chuckled. "You know how they both are... If you want my truthful opinion, their constant fights must be the only way they know to express that they care for each other."

…

Lemony eyes observed a pair of darker ones, with glints of suspicion. Amber eyes eyed back, unblinking, still, emotionless, in what seemed to be a fierce staring contest…

The Lady of the Western Lands tried to decrypt what was going through her son's mind, but as usual he was so…indecipherable… icy shield getting even thicker when he knew he was under watch…

Sesshomaru thought this was a silly game, but he was not willing to drop his gaze.

The Lady Mother darted her son of her icy smile, about to strike.

He remained stoic: ready to get this over with.

"Seriously, son. Why do you want to host the audiences by yourself? You usually leave me the honour of the task…"

"…Can't a lord care for his people once in a while?", he replied, while getting distracted by the crowd quickly filling the room up, and Jaken trying to discipline it with his irritating voice, or else there wasn't going to be enough place for everyone…

The Lord of the Western Lands decided to retreat a little, towards the corridors. He wasn't very fond of the typical noise and stench coming from the turbulent crowds. To his great displeasure, the official Lady followed him, like a predator tracking its prey…

However, there came a welcome distraction: Rin's maid, holding a bouquet of offending orange flowers passing by.

"Ami…", he called.

The servant kept walking hurriedly.

"Ami", he repeated more loudly.

She flinched, and turned back towards him, glancing at the floor, auburn hair hiding her face and part of her petite frame, as if she was guilty of something.

"Yes…my lord?"

"Where are you heading with these flowers?", he inquired casually, oblivious to his mother smirking.

"Rin's chambers…my lord…", she replied feebly.

He frowned all in seriousness. "It's the third day in a row she receives those. Tell me…who gives them to her?"

The maid glanced up and blinked in confusion. "I do."

He raised an eyebrow. "You do?"

"I know Lady Rin likes their scent…", she replied with shy defensiveness. "Is there something wrong with it?"

His features softened. "…Of course not."

She stared at him awkwardly in response.

"You may resume your work", he said, as he got away. He leaned against the wall nonchalantly, looking out the window in front of him.

He noticed the ichiro bird perched on a branch, seemingly watching what was happening inside with its big black eyes…or rather…inspecting him?

…If Sesshomaru wouldn't know better, he would think that little bird was constantly searching either Rin, or him when Rin wasn't around…

Sasori spotted it too and looked at the bird spitefully before glancing back at him.

"Now that we are away…will you tell me the truth? Why the sudden dedication for your lordly responsibilities?" She frowned suspiciously. "Is it at your beloved mate's request?", she tried innocently. "You are trying to impress her?"

He repressed an urge to just...walk away, but that wouldn't work today…he knew…

"You are already informed of every truth you need to know…", he replied evasively.

She scoffed. "No I'm not. You always do things for a reason, and you haven't told me what it is this time!"

He blinked placidly, not caring to answer anymore…passive resistance his newfound strategy.

She narrowed her eyes. "Silence is the weapon of the guilty. This time, you are the one who is up to something…"

He massaged his temples. "…Why don't you go be suspicious…elsewhere?"

And then, he heard quick footsteps of okobos clicking in their direction, meaning that his deliverance was near…In the blink of an eye, Rin stood in front of them, panting heavily. Her mane was slightly wavy, crowned with white sazankas. For once she wasn't smothered by powder, showing off her exotic sun kissed skin…a nice complement to the bright green of her clothes…She looked like a woodland fairy.

"You are late", observed Lady Sasori.

Rin bowed in apology. "…I know…We didn't see time pass!", she exclaimed as she was catching her breath.

The Lady Mother frowned with concern. "…What happened to your hair?"

The human blushed in embarrassment. "N-nothing! What's wrong with it?"

"Let us go", interrupted Sesshomaru with his usual impassiveness.

Rin held to upper arm as they walked towards the audience room. Sesshomaru could feel that her grip was firmer than usual.

"Is there something wrong with my look?", inquired Rin in a sheepish whisper.

…It has been a while since her last inquiry about her looks…

He almost smirked but instead made her blush briefly with a warm whisper to her ear. "Don't be silly. You are enchanting."

She grinned in glee. "I'm so sorry…I never meant to be late I…"

"Your timing is perfect. In fact, I appreciate that you make the sharks wait."

Rin giggled. "Sesshomaru-sama! I think you aren't supposed to call your subjects like that!", she whispered jokingly.

He smirked and brushed a strand of hair away of her cheek. "How was your hunting? Did you enjoy yourself?"

She grinned. "Yes!"

He nodded in silent satisfaction.

Worry invaded her features again. "Still…Are…you sure I should enter with you like…this?"

He darted a sideways glance at her. "Why not?"

"Well I am not the…", then she looked around. "the you-know-what!", she murmured with round eyes.

"Councillors are often asked to attend. I do not see why we should give you a different treatment", he replied innocently.

She smiled mischievously. "Do councillors come in the throne room…holding your arm like me?"

He closed his eyes. "Well no…", he admitted. "But I do not recall having other mates …"

She giggled and the ghost of a smile spread on his lips.

The tall oaken doors were opened for them. They entered the throne room, as the loud sounds of drum called for attention, making Rin startle.

"Here comes Lord Sesshomaru, son of Inu Taisho and his mate Rin of the Western Lands.", announced a herald solemnly.

Rin stopped breathing at that appellation. Everyone stared with awe, as the bright sun coming out of the windows illuminated them. They stepped forward. Now Rin's grip on Sesshomaru's arm was as strong as a cat demon clinging to a branch, in hopes to avoid a fall in an ice-cold river.

Seriously…her grip was so strong she made his arm go numb.

"Where should I sit?", Rin inquired in a whisper, silently praying not to trip. Her kimono was a bit long, and her okobos way too high…

"Next to me", he replied in a clipped tone, discreetly caressing her hand on his upper arm.

"But that's…the chair of the Lady of the West!"

"Today it's all yours", he replied with a sideways glance and hints of playfulness.

Rin frowned. Now he looked amused and it wasn't okay. She was scared to death!

"Wh-what am I supposed to do again?"

"You advise me at need and you chit chat pleasantly with the petitioners if you feel like it."

"Am I even competent to do this?"

"You have all the charm and kindness required for this task", he reassured all in smoothness. "Come now. Sit where you rightfully belong", he finished almost sounding teasing.

He enjoyed himself too much for his own good! Rin just gulped and sat on the black armchair with the golden ornaments next to his. And as simple as that, as she stared at the crowd…she suddenly felt like a queen. A scared one, though…

She did spot a few people…Nozomi and Lady Miyah smiling reassuringly, Tenmaru waving like an idiot (Sesshomaru's vocabulary was contagious) and the Lady Mother not very far, standing at the back of the room with her dreadful…icy smile…watching her…staring at her…either disapproving her choice of hairstyle…

…or silently growling for her seat…

Sesshomaru nodded as a cue to begin.

"May the first applicant step forward!", called the herald.

"May the fun begin…", Sesshomaru mumbled with sinister features.

Rin had to repress a nervous laugh.

The first petitioners were a group of young men, looking slightly arrogant, all muscular with tattoos on their forearms. Rin thought it was not appropriate for the court at all…but she tried not to be distracted by any shallow perceptions.

The tallest of them bowed and cleared his throat. "Greetings my lord…and the new lady of the West", he said, pretending nobility.

Sesshomaru remained expressionless and Rin smiled wildly in response, trying very very hard not to look at the Lady Mother's reaction!

"My associates and I have launched a new weaponry company. The Bloody Axe Brothers they call us…"

Sesshomaru didn't answer and just stared at him straight in the eyes, unblinking. That seemed to catch the talker off guard: he wiped his brow, already losing his confidence…Rin felt sorry for the poor man.

"We…ahem…we've been working on this new prototype, a poisonous axe, and we thought this could interest you, my lord…"

The Lord of the Western Lands rested his chin on his fist. "How so?"

"With all the snakes around, your army could certainly use…"

"So you've come here to sell your weapons?", Sesshomaru cut him off.

"No. We hum…need funds to keep working on our project", continued the petitioner, while scratching the back of his head.

"You have no weapon yet?", Sesshomaru interrupted with slight impatience.

The man looked at his feet awkwardly. "Ahem…no my lord…"

"I see…", and then he paused and raised his chin in a haughty way that made the petitioner even more uneasy. "Are you at least aware that we have weapons to slay the snakes already?"

"Huh…"

"And these creatures are immune to many types of poison. If you want to use that against them, you have to master the art of venom very well…", Sesshomaru continued, matter-of-factly.

Panic crossed the petitioner's eyes. "W-well of course we know m-my lord…we know that…"

No they had no idea. It was obvious. Rin felt definitely sorry for them.

Sesshomaru looked away in frustration. "…I have no interest for half thought prototypes… Now get out of my sight if you wish to keep your heads."

They all gulped and left swiftly… almost running for their lives…

"Next applicant!", shouted the herald.

Rin noticed in her peripheral vision how Sesshomaru's shoulders tensed slightly, for no apparent reason, and then he seemed to relax when they saw a group of slim warriors, all masked and dressed in black got in, walking in perfect coordination. There was only one man, with four women following.

Rin thought their suits looked a bit like Sango's. She wondered if they could actually be humans.

The man, who had the mask of a cat stepped forward.

"My lord…", he said with a muffled voice as he bowed, and then glanced up, showing pale brown eyes. "…and new mate of the West…"

Rin smiled…liking that appellation.

"…Lady Rin, I am curious to know your opinion about the wildlings of the Central Lands…", he started.

She blinked with surprise and glanced at Sesshomaru, not sure if she should even answer, but he just nodded.

"I suppose it's safe to say no one around here likes them very much", she replied, with a guarded expression. "Why do you ask?"

"What did they do to human villages I wonder?", he replied, holding his chin in fake curiosity.

She gulped. She saw Kohaku: his pale face and blood, felt his cold kiss and saw his body fall in the grass. Kaede's arrow in her chest. Her coughing. Her inhumation. Rin felt uneasy, she shook her head in hopes to chase the bad memories away.

"They break lives and families. They've raided entire villages…"

"Yes… sad tales…"

"Get to the point, ninja", intervened Sesshomaru in a rush of impatience.

"Barbarians have destroyed human and demon lives, but we saved many, my lord, and so, we thought relevant to offer you our services", straightforwardly said the dark dressed man. "We succeeded finding snake nests before they could eat human children. We have special informers from the Heartlands, so we can prevent attacks before they actually occur…"

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow. "What are you? Spies?"

"Informers and bounty hunters…at your service", he replied, and they all kneeled.

Sesshomaru looked out of one of the faraway window to stare at cotton clouds. "You are not exactly discreet for spies", he observed boringly. "Promoting your services as such in front of my entire court? If I didn't pay attention, I could have mistaken you for troubadours…"

A few people snickered. The ninjas stood up.

"They say daylight is the best cover, my lord…", replied the masked man.

Sesshomaru smirked. "You of all people shouldn't take that saying literally…"

"You don't understand our strategy my lord…"

Amber eyes closed. "I am afraid I don't have that time to spare. Thank you…ninjas…", he retorted icily.

Then the masked men just threw something on the floor. POOF! Light, smoke, a few screams…and they were gone…

Rin blinked. "Well…they have a good sense of show".

"Hmph…court jesters", Sesshomaru muttered.

"Next applicant!", called the herald.

And then stepped forward an old demon with an arched back, long white whiskers and a yellow cape, bowing low. Rin thought he looked slightly like Totosai.

She heard Sesshomaru sigh. He was a little impatient today…Well it was true there were a lot of charlatans until now…

"My lady, you are ravishing…", the old man started with a weak voice. "…like a flower bud newly bloomed…"

"Thank you", she voiced with a sweet smile.

"My lord…it is such an honour to come forward and petition in front of you…", continued the old man with a sugary tone.

"Lie…", mumbled Sesshomaru, lower part of his face resting on his hand, while the man kept talking.

"What?", whispered Rin.

"He is not happy to see me…he knows he is wasting his time…", he replied in a low voice only Rin could hear.

"…Audiences hosted by the Lord are a rarity everyone seeks…", the old geezer continued.

"…Hmph."

"How do you know he's not sincere?", wondered Rin as discreetly as she could.

"He comes here all the time, pestering us with his endless request about some…temples needing reparations for his faithful followers and…", Sesshomaru paused, displaying such a high level of boredom and exasperation it was almost laughable. "…needs our sympathy and money… blah blah blah…and he finishes with some religious nonsense…It is as if he is too senile to remember the answer we give him every time…"

"Why do you always refuse him?", she inquired innocently.

"I despise pious requests", he replied in a growl.

There was a twitch at the corner of her lips. "Well maybe giving the money would be worth the time saved hearing his speech learned by heart…"

He darted a sceptical gaze. "Now that would be waste of coins. And this doesn't guarantee he won't come back for more…"

Rin shrugged. "Well give him only once, and chastises him if he ever shows up again …"

Sesshomaru frowned and held his chin thoughtfully.

"…and for this my lord, we beg you to grant us your sympathy and generosity, so our faithful followers may pray again…"

Sesshomaru rested his chin on his fist. "Thank you for this…", he paused, looking to his right. "… for this…usual speech, priest. I am very curious as to what gives you the determination to come here for…at least the hundredth time with the same request…", he finished, tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Faith, my lord…", the old man replied instantly.

Fanaticism, rather… Sesshomaru cleared his throat. "…I shall give you the coins you ask."

The old man fell to his knees. "Thank you, thank you my lord! Thank you a hundred times! May the goddess of gratitude bless you for the century to come!"

"I have no need for your devout nonsense. My mate merely suggested rewarding your perseverance. Now leave my sight and don't come back", Sesshomaru retorted icily.

"May the mate be blessed as well, then!", shouted the old man as he got away, stepping back with a series of quick bows.

Rin tried to hide her surprise. Why did he mention her…and embellished the tale so much? She noticed that most people looked amused…except maybe for the Lady Mother. From the tightness of her lips, Rin could guess that she disagreed very much with this choice. Maybe she wasn't pious either…

"Next applicant!", called the herald.

Rin gasped in glee. A group of young children stepped forward with an austere looking lady with a tight bun, walking towards them.

Sesshomaru nodded first, this time. "Lady Shizumi. It has been a while…", he observed stoically.

Rin noticed he sounded warmer than with the other petitioners.

The lady nodded and bowed. "Yes my lord…We did find other means of funding, but I am afraid we need your generosity one more time…"

"What is it this time?"

"We need to enlarge our orphanage, we have many newcomers, as you can see…", Lady Shizumi replied with a small smile.

"I made a dwawing!", exclaimed one of the little boy as he waved a piece of paper over him. Then he ran towards the thrones.

"Kizu! No!", exclaimed the matron with embarrassment, with guards running after the little boy.

"Don't bother. Leave him be", replied Sesshomaru peacefully, as he stood up and walked towards the child.

The little one hopped excitedly as he caught up with the Lord of the Western Lands, who kneeled to be at the child's level.

"Look what I made misterr lord! Dis fow Madam Flower!"

Sesshomaru's lip corner twitched, as he took a moment to look at the drawing. Rin used every once of self-control to stay on her seat. She had been warned that she was never supposed to move from there.

"Interesting…I think you should show it to Madam Flower yourself", the Lord of the Western Lands suggested, as he stood up.

The little boy didn't wait a second more to run towards Rin who stretched out her arms to catch the little invader, but he never jumped like she expected. Instead, he looked a bit shy as he approached her, as if remembering all of a sudden that he should be self-conscious at court.

"Hello Kizu! So, will you show see the drawing?", she asked with a sweet smile, deciding to stretch out a bit more to take him and make him sit on her lap.

Then the boy gave the piece of paper to her shyly, while avoiding her gaze.

Rin gasped. "It's so pretty!", she exclaimed with a melodic tone, as she stared at a representation of herself with ridiculously long legs, small body and hands with four fingers. "I even have daisies in my hair! It is perfect!", she added cheerfully.

"Th-thank you…", he stammered.

Rin grinned and gave a peck on the boy's blushing cheek, which provoked an exuberant «Aaaaaawww!» from the crowd.

Then Rin noticed Sesshomaru was just next to her, staring with a curiosity that made her blush, but she didn't know why. He took the little boy in his arms, and brought him back to his matron.

"Hum thank you my lord…", said Lady Shizumi apologetically. "What I was saying is that we will need funds for renovations…"

"And play-swords…this one is too small for him", Sesshomaru added as he spotted the one hanging on the boy's back. "Yes, Lady Shizumi. 10 000 coins for your renovations"

Rin heard a few exclamations from the audience.

The lady bowed. "You are most generous, my lord…"

Sesshomaru nodded and went back to his seat, with Rin smiling sweetly at him.

"…That's a big sum", she observed in a whisper.

He shrugged. "It is hard to refuse her. She always bring her army of little ones to woo the court…", he rationalized.

"Oh shush…you have a soft spot for kids. Don't deny it", she replied with a wink.

He darted a sideways glance and spoke no more.

"Next applicant!", called the herald.

Rin noticed that Sesshomaru almost instantly tensed up as a cloaked silhouette with an uneven walk limped forward. There was no way to know how old was the person, Rin could only guess that he was a man and quite lean, by his height and the shape of the shoulders.

"…My lord…", started a raspy voice. "I shall be brief…"

"Go ahead", prompted Sesshomaru with a frown.

"I saw earlier that you could be generous with the pious ones…Hear my plea. The monks of the East need your aid for sacred weaponry and incense…"

Sesshomaru leaned his head on the side. "For the monks of the East, you say?"

The cloaked man nodded. "Y-yes…"

Sesshomaru smirked sinisterly. "So you dared showing up here?"

The cloaked men tensed. "P-pardon?"

"I know who you are. I know what you do…", Sesshomaru spat back. He raised his hand. "Seize him", he ordered icily.

"N-no my lord! Please!", exclaimed the cloaked figure.

"You monks of the East are charlatans and thieves. My mate hates bandits, and so do I. Be certain that I will take care of you personally", retorted Sesshomaru with a sadist smile.

The cloaked figure looked down in defeat and let himself be escorted by the guards, under the stares of the whispering crowd.

Rin blinked in confusion, trying to process what had just happened, and glanced back at Sesshomaru with uneasiness.

"Wh-what was that?!", she couldn't help but ask with round eyes.

He looked at her with suspect quietness. "With a bit of luck, that will stop the pious requests for today", he explained, almost innocently.

Rin's eyes widened.

"I told you I hate those", he added with a sideways glance.

She took note not to pray in front of him...

Ever again.

"Ahem…huh…next applicant!", called the herald.

Then two people stepped forward. The first one a sturdy looking young man, with short greyish brown hair with black tips, and piercing jade eyes. Though Rin had no idea, he pretty much looked like a lynx demon. Next to him was a tall and beautiful woman –human–, wearing wide garbs. Both bowed even before anything else, with the crowds gasping in bewilderment again.

"…This can't be…", whispered Sesshomaru.

Rin glanced at him and noticed his eyes with slightly widened.

"My lord…my lady…", called the man.

Sesshomaru stood up, with tense features. "What do you want?"

"We come in peace…", continued the man. "We only wish to talk…You must have expected we would come eventually", added the man, with a mischievous smile.

The Lord of the Western Lands massaged his temples in frustration. "Audiences are over", he announced dryly.

Nobody moved.

"You heard the lord! Now get out!", croaked Jaken. "Get out! GET OUT!"

All the subjects stood up and started moving around hurriedly, with the guards showing them the exit and Jaken chasing them away with his screeching voice. Rin stared at everyone leaving, not understanding at all what was going on.

After only a brief moment, the crowds had all gotten out, leaving only the two anonymous guests, the Lady Mother and Lady Miyah.

Sesshomaru finally stood up, with Rin following…finding his steps slow as if he silently dreaded the people in front of him.

"Lord Sesshomaru…", bowed the man again.

"General Yuudai…am I correct?", replied Sesshomaru. He raised an eyebrow. "Or is it Lord Yuudai now?"

The man passed a hand in his hair with overconfidence. "Depends who I talk to…but I guess general can do…"

"Hmph."

"General seems just. The Northern Lands are far from yours yet…", observed the Lady Mother impassively.

Rin's eyes widened. "So you are rebels from the North?", she inquired.

"You can call us that", replied Yuudai with a sly smile. He glanced at Sesshomaru. "It was quite a show you gave for our friend earlier…"

The Lord of the Western Lands narrowed his eyes.

"What? What is the meaning of this, son?", wondered the Lady Mother icily.

"Don't trouble yourself my lord…the general had planned all of this. We were meant to all meet at the same time under your roof", the lynx replied with a smirk. "But I think the best would be to do it with a full stomach. I think Kazuo would agree if he can hear us from the dungeons", Yuudai added with a sneer.

Sesshomaru remained perfectly expressionless…but Rin could feel his aura boil.

…

She inspected her reflection in the mirror as the maids and seamstresses worked hard to prepare her for the night.

Rin didn't get away from the powder this time, but they respected her wish to keep it light and put more emphasis on her eyes and lips. She was dressed with a deep red furisode with golden and white sunbird patterns; some of them perched on flowers on her sleeves and the lower part of her skirts. The fabric was thicker than what she was used to. It was a bit hard to wear, but it was worth it. It was as if it was made to fit with her ruby pendant…

Her hair was tied in an intricate shaped bun with red and yellow flowers in it. She smiled at the work of art; they succeeded doing something very noble, but that still respected her style. She felt at ease looking like this.

She got out of her apartments with a content smile on her face and noticed everyone were already there. The Lord and Lady of the Western Lands, talking as if they were discreetly fighting again. Rin noticed that both were dressed in black: Sesshomaru's garbs had golden on his collar and on the flame-shaped decorations on his shoulder. She admired him silently: it had been a while since the last time he had graced her with a pleasant sight of him in dark colours.

The Lady Mother had a matching black kurotomesode making her look royal, but austere as well. Rin thought it must be one of the first times she saw her wear something without any trace of purple.

And then Rin spotted Tenmaru talking to Lady Miyah. He was dressed also quite elegantly in dark blue, while Lady Miyah…looked the same as usual, not caring the least about the noble superficialities. Her turquoise eye spotted her.

"Speaking of the devil…", she commented with a slight smile.

"Wh-what? What about me?", Rin replied self-cautiously.

"We were talking about your little show earlier", explained Tenmaru with a sly smile.

"What are you talking about?", wondered Rin, while raising an eyebrow.

"The crowds swooned over you, sweet Rin! Your setups with the crazy monk and the kids…it was brilliant", Tenmaru commented mischievously.

Rin blinked and shook her head. "There was no setup…"

Sesshomaru's cousin scoffed.

"I told you they were not faking", commented Lady Miyah with knowing eyes.

"Faking what?", intruded the baritone voice of Sesshomaru.

"Charisma", replied the she-wolf.

He raised slightly his upper arm, until Rin held it, and they moved forward in the corridor. "Of course Rin doesn't fake. As charming as the legendary Lady Reika…"

"Please…", sighed Rin.

Not that again.

"Lady Reika who's that?", wondered Tenmaru.

"15th Lady of the Western Lands…"

"He has this weird theory that I am this Lady Reika's reincarnation", replied Rin with annoyance, she glanced at Sesshomaru. "Seriously I don't look like her!"

"Yes you do", he argued with a sideways glance.

"Son, you must know demons do not reincarnate in humans", Sasori commented with slight annoyance.

The Lady of Kun'Ketsu smiled. "Though your theory is interesting my lord, I was talking about you both. You were charismatic yourself with the little orphan", she added with a wink of her single eye.

"He always is very generous with the children in need. I wonder why…", replied the Lady Mother with a mysterious smile as she glanced at Rin.

"That's sweet!", exclaimed Rin, oblivious.

"Sweeter than the little boy's drawing, Lady Rin?", wondered the she-wolf teasingly.

Rin giggled. "Oh the drawing wasn't that proportionate, but he put his heart into it!"

Lady Miyah smiled slyly. "You both seemed to like the kid. Maybe you should have adopted him for some practice before doing one of your own..."

Rin forced herself to laugh and unconsciously squeezed Sesshomaru's upper arm, while the Lady Mother watched them all suspiciously.

"There we are", announced the Lord of the Western Lands, eager to get this over with.

The doors leading them to the dining room were opened, with all three guests standing up. Now it was Rin's turn to feel Sesshomaru's arm tense up… It was true that this meeting was very mysterious…Two opponents in a civil war north of the Western Lands secretly wanting to meet Sesshomaru…at the same time!

General Yuudai bowed. "Official introduction at last. This is Lady Nao…my commander in chief"

The human woman bowed at Sesshomaru and smiled at Rin. "Your presence is comforting Rin-sama", she commented.

"Likewise", Rin replied with a short bow.

"And general Kazuo", added Sesshomaru stoically. "I hope your brief passage in the dungeons was not too disagreeable."

The general smiled uneasily. "I can only applause your performance…I truly felt like a crooked monk…"

Sesshomaru nodded nonchalantly. "I think you have not met my mate yet…"

Rin's breath caught in her throat as she had a good look at this man, now free of his cane and cloak. Very lean with tied white hair and wide blue eyes, a bit juvenile looking. The peculiar colour of his irises gave out that he was related to Lady Amane, yet, it was not what disturbed her the most.

"My Lady…", he whispered a bit shyly. "It is a pleasure to meet you."

"Of course, same here, general Kazuo…", she replied with a polite smile.

Her jaw tightened. The gentleness in his eyes, the reserved, yet, sincere smile…the bone structure of face…she thought she even saw a few freckles on his cheekbones.

Kohaku. This was Kohaku all over!

She looked away suddenly. It must be because of the ninja who reminded her of the massacre in her human village a few months ago. That must be why this demon general reminded her of…him…That had to be it. Fruits of her imagination. That's all.

They all moved toward the table, with the two eldest women sitting at both ends, Sesshomaru went for the middle, in front of general Yuudai, Rin didn't need to be told that she had to go in front of Lady Nao. She was the best-placed person to make a human woman trustful and maybe spill a few beans.

Which left Rin to be at one of the corners, between Sesshomaru and Lady Miyah. That reassured her a bit. It meant she was at the furthest place of general Kazuo…

"So…", started Sesshomaru. "Will I finally be enlightened? I suppose you want me to get involved in conflicts that are none of my concern?"

"Please my lord, you must know it is most unpleasant to talk with an empty stomach. Why wouldn't we get to know each other more before?", suggested Yuudai with a sly smile.

"Of course Yuudai-kun. We are all eager to hear your plea, but this travel must have hungered you. We can understand that", replied Sasori with a polite smile.

"You demons can beat around the bush all you want. You'll have to loosen your tongues sooner or later anyway", commented Lady Miyah, watching them with her piercing gaze.

"Yes we are aware of that. Let's hope we won't be unpleasant company until then" replied Yuudai, flashing his teeth.

Sesshomaru drank a sip of sake without saying a word. Rin unconsciously did the same, bringing the cup slowly to her lips. However, a pair of blue eyes glancing at her almost made her flinch and so, she drank it all and looked away to inspect Lady Nao. She had jet-black hair, a narrow face but full lips, her only flaw a small scar on her forehead. She was a beautiful woman, probably in the late twenties. Rin was very curious to know how a human had ended up with such an important position in an army of rebels on demon territory, but she wasn't sure it was the best question to ask, with Amane's little brother around…

"How long have you been at general Yuudai's service, Lady Nao?", inquired Rin politely.

Appetizers were served; Rin noticed her interlocutor looked at her dish strangely before speaking up.

"I've lead his armies for only a few months, but I've been one of his top fighter for seven years now", she replied with a smile. "The Northwest has always been unsatisfied under Lord Hikaru's regime, but it has become even worse since Lady Amane's empire took over. We've been through famines, and peasants are beheaded for ridiculous reasons based on their blood and so on…"

Rin eyed the other corner of the table and noticed that Kazuo was not looking in her direction anymore. He was seemingly assaulted and overwhelmed by a lively conversation involving Tenmaru and the Lady Mother fooling around.

Kohaku was always ill at ease when Inu-Yasha and Kagome were messing around at the table…

Rin took a big gulp of sake."…You mean…that they behead humans and hanyous?"

"Yes, many innocents killed", she whispered, under Miyah and Sesshomaru's suddenly attentive gaze.

"Have you tried this food, Nao, it's the best", told Yuudai to his female companion, apparently wanting to avoid that topic.

Rin blinked briefly, thinking both of them very much looked like a couple, all of a sudden. Then she looked at her own dish for the first time, her own features turning into a scowl as she darted a sideways glance at her neighbour.

"What is this?"

"Basashi", Sesshomaru replied calmly, while glancing at her with curiosity.

"…It's…raw…", she commented with dejection.

The temptation was too great. Sesshomaru cleared his throat soundlessly.

"What is it Rin? Have you become a…picky eater?", he wondered innocently.

She glanced again at him, and caught the ghost of a smile that he tried to hide while drinking sake. "Oh now you think you're funny?!", she exclaimed in a vexed whisper.

Oh of course he would seek revenge for all the moments she had called him picky eater herself!

Sesshomaru approached her ear. "I promise you, dearest, this is not heart meat this time…"

She huffed, took a piece with her chopstick and shoved it into her mouth without further complaint.

The general smiled playfully as he inspected them with his jade eyes. "How long have you been together?"

Rin blinked. It was the first time that question was ever asked to them. She didn't even know which date they should use to start counting…

"Our engagement as mates is more recent than your battlefield companionship with Lady Nao, that is certain", Sesshomaru retorted matter-of-factly.

Rin repressed giggles. And so Sesshomaru had noticed something as well…

The human guest laughed. "Yes, well we do look like an old couple because we have been around each other for so long…"

Sesshomaru took the time to contemplate how this mortal woman, apparently a seasoned soldier who has been living with demons for years, looked even more disgusted than his mate at the sight of crude meat. He glanced back at Rin and noticed this one had apparently forgotten her aversion for the plate and had devoured it…

"So you both chose celibacy?", continued Rin.

"It comes with duty", replied Lady Nao.

"It doesn't mean we don't have fun once in a while!", joked Yuudai.

"There speaks a man from the North!", exclaimed Tenmaru.

"In the cold…the warmth we seek!", exclaimed both man in unison while clinking their cups.

Rin assumed it was some sort of saying she had never heard about…

"Seriously, general Yuudai, you have quite a beauty to lead your armies…How unusual!", Sesshomaru's cousin commented in an easy-going manner, than almost flinched when he saw Lady Miyah's glare. "Not that leading women aren't meant to be pretty, but the finest specimen tend to stay at court, like our sweet Rin…"

"The fine specimen you talk about is the one feeding us tonight", spat back Sesshomaru with a smirk.

"No way!", exclaimed the cousin.

"So you can fight and seduce the crowds?", continued Yuudai with a smirk. "This Lord has chosen his lady wisely."

Sasori shifted in her seat, while Miyah smirked and drank.

Sesshomaru inspected his half empty glass, looking pensive. "I chose not to resist her and I have been the most fortunate man ever since."

Rin blushed gleefully. Sesshomaru remained stoic while he discreetly rested a hand on her thigh. She brushed her hand over his, thinking he just earned himself some late-night attention…

The main course arrived…cooked this time. Rin took a first bite…oblivious to what was to come…

"You were both so lovely with the kids this morning", commented Nao, looking moved. "When do you plan to have some of your own?"

Rin fought hard not to choke on her food and kept staring at her dish.

"I believe this is not something that we necessarily get to choose", replied Sesshomaru placidly.

Rin silently thanked him. She would have stuttered on this question to no end! They had never talked about this. And certainly didn't intend to do so during a diplomatic exercise attended by the Lady Mother and Lady Amane's little brother…

"Oh come on I am sure you found out how to make them by now!", insisted Yuudai, with the entire table laughing.

Except for Sesshomaru and Rin, that is.

He glanced at the general with wisps of annoyance. "I will protect and cherish every offspring Rin ever honours me with, but the private details of the life I share with my mate are none of your business."

"Your mate, you say, but her first born will be heir, right?", rushed Yuudai with burning curiosity.

"The heir is the firstborn of the consort", Sesshomaru replied evasively.

"Ah I see…", the general replied, sounding almost…disappointed. "But you must be itching for a heir, my lord…I think you are of an age a demon starts to be ripe for children…"

"His father was a very late bloomer", Sasori felt compelled to remind.

"I suppose that the need for heirs is urgent to a general risking his life every day on the battlefield", Sesshomaru retorted, while raising a mocking eyebrow.

"I am not the only general here!", exclaimed Yuudai, pointing at his neighbour.

General Kazuo flinched. "Children are the least of my worries."

The lynx showed his hand palm to his neighbour. "Ah he's like missy Rin. He's too young and cringes when he hears of it…"

Rin frowned.

"Why all this child-questioning, general Yuudai? You seem to be such a lady-killer, I'm sure you have plenty of little surprise-heirs scattered around!", exclaimed Tenmaru.

Yuudai tensed for a second and burst out laughing. "You have quite a reputation yourself Tenmaru, you can't talk!"

"I plead guilty", replied the cousin with an exuberant shrug.

He clinked his cup against Yuudai's.

"I say we make a toast", started the lynx general. "To future generations!"

Kanpais were heard and they all clinked their cups. Rin noticed Lady Nao didn't drink. Maybe her cup was empty…

"Can I bring a toast too?", wondered Rin with a sweet smile.

"Of course, dearest. What shall it be about?", replied Sesshomaru.

She waited for the servant to fill the cups and raised her own, with a serious smile. "To peace."

Sesshomaru took a second to admire her.

"What a brilliant idea", commented Lady Miyah.

"I second that", added general Kazuo with a sympathetic smile to Rin. "To peace."

And they all clinked their cups and drank again.

"Yuudai. I think it is time to get serious now", announced general Kazuo.

"Already? We were just starting to have fun!", he protested. "Okay okay…let's move on…"

"As you all know…my troops, and general Yuudai's troops have been in confrontation for a while now…"

"More than a month", added Sesshomaru.

"More than that. Since Hikaru's defeat, to be more precise. Though it is now considered a part of the empire, the northern rebels have never officially acknowledged capitulation", informed Kazuo.

"But your troops are everywhere, general Kazuo", insisted Sasori with slight surprise.

The white haired man frowned. "Not everywhere, Sasori-sama. Lady Amane has insisted for a stronger presence close to your borders to deter you to help the rebels from the North, like you helped the humans from the South. That must be why you have been mistaken."

"Hmph… So this is why you got us rid of the wildlings before they could cross our borders a month ago", added Sesshomaru, raising an eyebrow. "You wanted to make sure we wouldn't take the chance of chasing them further than necessary and meet Yuudai's warriors on the way."

Kazuo nodded. "Lady Amane personally thought that fear would be a good enough deterrent. She never asked me to intervene on the wildings crossing your borders. I chose to, in hopes it would convince you to stay away from the North in good faith…I always preferred the rule of give-and-take to the threat of terror… "

Sesshomaru glanced at him with curiosity. "Was your sister pleased with your choice of strategy?"

Kazuo looked away with uneasiness. "I never told her…"

"Why not?", prompted the Lady Mother.

He smiled shyly. "Oh you must know, my lady…"

"We don't. Please enlighten us", insisted Sesshomaru, narrowing his eyes.

The young general dropped his cup on the table. "Lady Amane personally does not recognize the Western Lands as a sovereign territory."

A few people did gasp, but not Sesshomaru. "But you do."

"Pardon?"

"You, general Kazuo, do acknowledge our sovereignty. And this is why you are here…"

Kazuo nodded. "Not only do I recognize your sovereignty…but I also think that it would be more logical if it was you who lead the Northwest, instead of the Central Empire…"

Rin felt her blood freeze, and heard Sesshomaru scoff, while he took his cup. "…I knew it…", he muttered. "And why should I bother with a nest of vipers?"

The lynx clenched his fists. "Kazuo and I both are tired of endless fights. He loses soldiers. We lose people as well…"

"And mothers, and children", continued Lady Nao with melancholy.

"The Central Lands will only support Lady Amane's imperialism for so long…", added Kazuo. "Our empire is running out of resources. The Northwest is costly and impossible to keep. The entire council is against it."

"The Heartland's leading council?", inquired Sesshomaru.

Kazuo glanced at him with a determination not seen until now. "Exactly. You see, some of our conquests are not too controversial, but when it comes to Northwest, we all know we erred. Lady Amane forced it on us. And you must know we abide by the same laws as yours, my lord…"

He raised a sceptical eyebrow. "And I suppose you talk of the part saying a council has only limited power when no war with a foreign territory is declared…"

Kazuo's eyes widened. "Exactly. That makes you invincible if you ever agree to our plan… Come to Yuudai's aid, I will make sure to lose the battle pathetically to reduce the casualties…Take over the Northwest. Everything passed the Fun'jin mountains…It's all yours."

"Fun'jin mountains you say?", inquired Tenmaru with a low voice.

"Yes. This is a logical frontier, Tenmaru-san, The wisest one", replied Kazuo, then he looked back at Sesshomaru. "We would be separated by high and icy mountains. We wouldn't even have to see each other after the fight…"

"This is…huge…", Tenmaru muttered, he glanced at the Lord with a smug smile. "With such a big expansion…we could actually call you emperor…"

Rin knew Sesshomaru couldn't be indifferent to that.

"You are a greedy fool, Tenmaru", retorted Lady Sasori with a dark gaze.

Sesshomaru looked away sceptically. "You don't have the power to impose this on the Heartlands. This is a reckless plan."

General Kazuo smirked. "I do have this power, my lord. The council supports me. If Amane ever fights you back, you only need to send a declaration of war. She will lose absolute power on her subjects and we will all vote for a withdrawal of any troops she may send on your lands…", he added with a sinister smile. "because…trust me when I say…the Heartlands is not a foe to the Western Lands", Kazuo said with burning eyes. "Amane is."

Sesshomaru blinked. The prospect of being protected by a declaration of war did sound insane to his ears.

He turned towards the rebels. "And why should I trust you to yield power?"

Yuudai scoffed. "My lord, we can't stand on our own! If you ever helped us without taking over, Amane would send troops the second you remove yours, and that's assuming she has the decency to wait for yours to withdraw…"

"So you would willing to pass from a foreign domination to another one, without any desire to earn back the lands you've lost?", inquired Sesshomaru, while raising a sceptical eyebrow.

Yuudai looked down at his dish with a frown. "We have our pride, but we could bear it with appropriate terms…"

"Such as?"

"Two seats on your council."

"Be glad if you even have one. I have many vassals who've been fighting for decades for such privilege", Sesshomaru retorted.

"One then."

Sesshomaru frowned. "You truly are desperate…"

Yuudai looked down again. "We…we are, my lord. You must know we are very proud people up North, if we come here today knocking at your door, proposing a fake fight and a conquest on a silver platter…it is because we are in trouble. We need warriors, supplies and safety. We know you graced Kun'Ketsu with protection, so we though…why not us too?"

"This is not the same. The Kun'Ketsu Islands never belonged to the Heartlands. And this is an alliance we have. We never took over", commented Sasori with narrowed eyes.

Rin glanced at Lady Miyah and noticed how the she-wolf was suddenly staring down at her feet.

"As long as the catch remain undisclosed, I will consider this a poisonous gift…", commented Sesshomaru sceptically.

Yuudai didn't answer.

"Very poisonous indeed", added the Lady Mother. "You are asking us to increase even more the odds of a war with the Heartlands!"

Kazuo glanced at her with a sorry look. "My lady…there is no if. The only question you may ask yourself is when."

"And you can't grant us with the answer to this question?", she asked back suddenly.

"I am not certain, but it has been the subject of discussions for months, now", answered Kazuo.

At that many people gulped.

Sesshomaru sighed. "I think we have enough for one night."

Kazuo frowned in alarm. "We don't have your answer, my lord…"

Sesshomaru frowned back. "Do you really think I can take such a decision in the blink of an eye?"

"We guarantee you the risks are limited…"

"What is a guarantee's worth, if it's spoken with a forked tongue?", retorted Sesshomaru dryly.

Kazuo looked away uneasily. "So you don't trust us…"

"General… do not take this personally, but we have a long history of your bloodline fooling around with us", Sesshomaru spat back. "And even if I trusted blindly every word coming out of your mouth, I refuse to take such a decision without proper consultations of my own advisors."

"Not to pressure you, my lord, but…this plan is time-sensitive. The quicker we get the answer, the easier it will be for us to execute this plan", insisted Yuudai.

"You will not have this decision today. You may stay for the night, I don't care, but count yourself lucky if you have a decision tomorrow…", the lord retorted coldly.

Yuudai nodded and bowed with Lady Nao. "We understand, my lord."

"I understand your need of reflection, but for obvious reason, I cannot accept proper accommodations. You will have to bring me back to your dungeons away from prying eyes", Kazuo replied.

Sesshomaru smirked. "You are wise, general, I will at least give you that. Too bad you have the blue mages' blood, or else I think we could have gotten along."

Kazuo smiled slightly and bowed. "I…ah…will take that for a compliment my lord…"

Sesshomaru nodded. "You are all free the enjoy the rest of your meal without pressure and retire for rest thereafter."

General Yuudai smiled. "So that means we can resume our partying, is that it?"

The Lord of the Western Lands frowned sceptically. "Do as you please…"

…

Cling…cling…cling …

The coin bounced on the side a few more times on the table…and landed in the lone empty cup in the center of the table, in a victorious cli-cling-clingg!

"Shit", muttered the dog demon.

General Yuudai laughed loudly. "Got it! Your turn Tenmaru! Drink!"

"Fiiine", slurred Sesshomaru's cousin, taking his own cup and emptying it so clumsily part of the sake fell down his chin that he wiped very unceremoniously.

"Okay, here I go again", announced Yuudai.

The coin bounced on the table a few times to land in the in empty cup. Again.

"Urgh!", whined Tenmaru, emptying his cup again without even waiting the general to say his name.

"Good boy!", replied Yuudai with a victorious grin.

"You know…you could name me once in a while too", suggested Lady Miyah with a smirk. "The inuyoukai boy looks like he could pass out at any time …"

"Or throw up", added Kazuo with concern on his features.

"Oh you…until you man up and play, you don't have a word to say!", exclaimed Yuudai, with Lady Nao shaking her head in exasperation behind him and the Lady Mother narrowing her eyes at the juvenile guests' behaviour.

Sesshomaru and Rin watched from a distance. He frowned at his mate's revelations.

"Are you sure about this?"

"Yes!", Rin whispered, while eyeing Lady Nao. "You were unsure about Yuudai's motivation, well there it is! She's pregnant!"

"We do not even have the confirmation they are involved", replied Sesshomaru.

"Please! It is obvious!", insisted Rin.

He frowned. She was not wrong. Even him had noticed, and he was not the type to be attentive to these things.

"She has barely eaten and she has not drunk a drop. She must have an upset stomach... Besides they did question us about…", she fidgeted nervously "you know… kids and their possible birthright. It all makes sense! General Yuudai and Lady Nao are involved, that's why they want to stop the fight now: they're expecting a hanyou child. They fear the treatment they would receive if this child come into the world under the Heartland's domination…"

"Their personal motivation cannot be the only reason why they bother with this deal…"

"I do not know for sure, but I think it certainly helped", replied Rin with certitude.

Sesshomaru glanced at her. Rarely Rin has seemed surer of something. And she did have a good intuition for these things. She had found out about his vassal's love affairs without even knowing them in her first days on the Western Lands. He could certainly trust her about this…and that theory did make sense, Yuudai had been very persistent with his questions about heirs…

Though it may seem like a superficial detail, it wasn't at all. His deal with the hanyous of Kun'Ketsu was only a security and commercial pact, not giving him power over Lady Miyah's people (at least, for now). However, if he did conquer the Northwest in a false battle, he would have to take Yuudai as a vassal. Yuudai with a hanyou heir. And Sesshomaru knew the Western coast of the North was influenced by the geographical closeness of Kun'Ketsu, and so, it would mean a lot of new hanyou subjects. Not that he minded, but it would truly mean the death knell of an aura of purebloods for the Western Lands…Was it the right time for this?

He frowned. The truth was, he knew nothing of the North's situation at the moment. Because of the unknown number of hanyous living there, Lady Amane could very well have given extermination orders. That would be consistent with what Lady Nao had said to Rin during diner. And that certainly wouldn't be inconsistent with Lady Amane's positions in regards to hanyou proliferation…and that could explain why the Northwest had never kneeled officially to Amane, even though the empress didn't see it this way. The impure part of its people having to fight for their lives until the last one stands…

He glanced at general Kazuo, the one who had organized this meeting in the first place.

"Rin…", he started with a low voice.

"Hum…yes?"

"General Kazuo looks bored. Maybe you could talk to him…"

She blinked and hoped not to blush. "Wh-why for?"

He didn't answer right away. He darted a sideways glance.

"I would like you to evaluate if he can truly be trusted. I need to hear more about his motivations…"

"How do I do that?"

He shrugged slightly. "If you make him like you, he's more likely to talk."

Rin felt her ankles quiver at that. "And h-how am I supposed to do that?"

Sesshomaru looked slightly surprised. "I don't even understand why you ask me this question. You know better than I…"

Rin frowned. "Why don't you come with me?"

"I am under the impression there are things he left out…the attempt to make him talk should be made by someone he can feel at ease with…he needs to drop his guard…"

Rin stared back at Kazuo, wondering why he scared her so, and glanced back at Sesshomaru. "You will owe me for this", she warned.

He smirked. "Fair enough."

She took one last gulp of her sake, and put down her cup on a nearby table.

"O-okay here I go!"

She walked away, towards the foreign general, flashing a smile as soon as she approached him. He looked pleased to have a pretext to get away from the drunkards. They walked towards the closest balcony.

Sesshomaru heard suspicious discreet walking behind him. He frowned.

"…You are aware the young general has been eyeing her all night?", warned the Lady Mother, stepping out of the shadow, as she watched Rin get out of her sight.

No. He had not noticed.

He remained expressionless. "All the more reason for her to make him talk…"

"…So that's what she's doing…" Lady Sasori smirked. "…Interesting…"

…

The crickets sang melodiously into the night, as Rin got out of the dining room with general Kazuo, now wearing his cloak again.

"Are you sure this is safe, Lady Rin?", he inquired with a low voice.

"Yes of course! The only ones around here are my personal guards, general".

He looked around nervously. "Personal guards?"

She smiled. "Don't worry. They won't talk. They've already seen you during dinner anyway, but you will never see them..."

He blinked. "Why do you need to be so heavily guarded?"

Rin smiled sadly. "I was targeted by wildings from the Heartlands, when they attacked the castle…"

Kazuo looked uneasy. "I am so sorry to hear it." He glanced at the starry sky. "This attack was wrong. Lady Amane took the decision to send the order only after consulting with her inner circle… Many vassals feared the West would declare war after this…"

"The vassals from the Central Lands fear the West?"

"Very much so…You haven't been at war with other lands for the past year and a half and your troops have always been much stronger than those of the East and North. You could probably crush us…"

"…Really?", replied Rin, then she raised an eyebrow. "General Kazuo, why are you telling me this?"

He smiled. "We are to be partners".

Rin's eyes widened.

He blushed and laughed shyly. "Battle-speaking I mean…"

Rin giggled and nodded. "Yes, yes, of course…"

"What I meant is that it is my way of befriending someone I will do business with...I give first and trust to receive back…"

Rin frowned as she leaned on the balcony. "How can you be so sure we will accept your plan? I think the West's defensive approach has worked well until now…"

"We are giving away all the resources from the Northwest: its people, the coasts… precious gems… Lord Sesshomaru has much more to earn than to lose."

"…Why are you willing to give away all of this again?", she inquired, while raising a sceptical eyebrow.

He smiled sadly. "The people of the Northwest refuse us. Our policies are not the best for the mixed races either…It forces us to do gruesome things daily. Many of my men are getting mad because of it…"

Rin stared at the ground uneasily. "General Kazuo…certainly you must know what I am…"

He smiled mysteriously. "I did notice your ears during diner", he admitted. "Tell me…is it…you who danced with Sesshomaru at master Tenmaru's wedding?"

"Yes. Why?"

He half smiled. "I heard of you, then…but I believe I was poorly informed…"

Rin darted him knowing eyes. "Lady Amane must not like me very much…"

"No she doesn't. But I think she disliked Lord Sesshomaru even more."

Rin smiled playfully. "Oh really? What did she say?"

He smirked. "Many things, but the worst thing for her being that he has caught his father's disease!"

Rin giggled and facepalmed in fake embarrassment. "Oh yes my filthy human blood, I had almost forgotten!"

Kazuo chuckled and leaned on the balcony too, his elbow a bit close. Rin felt her heartbeat quicken…He truly didn't seem to have the same aversion of his sister for mortals, she observed…

"I am aware Lord Sesshomaru is not as he was told to be, a century past", he glanced at her. "He went further than his father: he has a human mate that he clearly is attached to living in his castle. You even host audiences with him…"

Rin blushed. "I am truly blessed…"

He darted a glance. "I think he is too. You are a…very special young woman… "

Rin glanced at his blue eyes, blushed and looked away.

"What is it? I-I…", he blushed too and moved away. "I have no wrong intentions…I swear!"

She giggled. "I…know …it's just that…you remind me of someone I knew…"

"So it's not what I say that…"

"No-no…don't worry…it is nothing like it", she smiled earnestly.

He frowned. "Who was this person to you?", he inquired innocently.

She looked at the stars and felt her vision blur. "…You are curious", she observed with a enigmatic smile. "He is dead now, but he was someone that I loved very much…", she let out in a barely audible whisper.

His eyes widened. "Oh…I am so sorry to hear that…" He remained quiet, seemingly not knowing what to say.

She smiled jokingly. "I apologize…I am actually comparing you to a filthy mortal!", she commented with fake shame, wanting to lighten the mood.

"D-don't worry about it…", he replied with an uneasy smile.

She smiled back at him. "I think I can trust you, Kazuo. I sense you have a good heart…"

He looked at her with an indecipherable look. "I think I understand why my sister despises you."

Rin frowned in confusion.

"To wear your heart in your sleeve like that… the empress of the Heartlands actually lacks that body part", he explained with a slight smirk.

Rin laughed and glanced at the moon. "You do not like your sister very much, don't you?"

"I wouldn't be here if we had any sort of attachment to her. It is also very hard to defend her policies in public…it is getting harder for many people of the Heartlands", Kazuo commented. "I only wish Lord Sesshomaru would understand that I share nothing with her…"

A door was opened…there it was, the opportunity!

"I like to believe in people, but I am afraid the Lord of the West cannot allow himself that luxury…", Rin replied elusively.

Kazuo looked at her with concern on his features. "I understand his view…that…he has to rely on me. I am afraid I am asking him the impossible…"

Rin rested a hand on his shoulder. He flinched. "Not the impossible, general Kazuo. I would like to help you, but my mate likes facts…"

He nodded and looked away, briefly at the moon, before looking down. "I would have loved to have material evidence with me…but the imperial army scrutinize every warrior, from recruit soldier to commander in chief as if we are all traitors. We have no privacy or mean to hide anything from the blue empress…"

"…There must be something", insisted Rin. "Don't you have knowledge that you could share…anything?"

He bowed his neck, now all his features concealed under his cloak. "…I could put myself in trouble…"

Rin frowned. "Well… I thought you said you didn't mind giving to earn trust…"

"Isn't my sole visiting a good enough evidence of my seriousness?"

"I am sure Sesshomaru knows by now that you have no vile intention, but we need proof that your plan will work…"

He seemed to think about that for a while.

He slid slightly towards her, to whisper not very far from her ear. "You said your lord likes to play defensive. Well from my point of view, right now the best defensive strategy is to play offense…"

"Why do you say that?"

"The Heartlands are crumbling. We've expanded too much, too quickly and now not only the North, but also the East is working on an uprising…"

Rin gasped. "Really?"

He frowned "Lady Rin I…I am only one player in that game. The vassals are ignored by Amane all the time and now they are using the people they can trust to organise the rebellions…in hopes to get rid of what is too troublesome to keep, so we can have enough resources to sustain the main lands…"

"I…I trust everything you say Kazuo…but…for Kami's sake, you are Lady Amane's brother. Sesshomaru will not move if you only give him words without any other evidences!"

He licked his lips, seemingly deep in thoughts. "In about two days from now…You will have your proof. I suppose you have informers in the East or close to it?"

She frowned. "I am not sure…why?"

He glanced at her, sparkling malice in the blue. "If you don't, send scouts right away to see it with your own eyes. The fight is about to begin in the East. We planned it. Amane's attention will be there for at least a week. That's why you must strike now. The attack will be so ferocious she will have to take back most of her troops, even those to the North. There…is your free conquest…and the beginning of end for the blue empress…"

Rin felt her mouth open, astounded. "Two days you say? Rebellion in the East?"

He looked uneasy, looking down again. "You may repeat to him, but no one else… Even general Yuudai think it's just about the North and it must stay this way if you want to keep him on your side…If you ever ask me about it after the present conversation…I will never have never heard of it."

Rin nodded nervously. "O-okay I understand…"

He looked at her hopefully. "You will do your utmost now…to convince him?"

She smiled reassuringly. "Yes…", then she paused. "Should I keep that from the Lady of the West?"

He looked doubtful. "You know what is best…but from what I know of Lady Sasori, she may not be inclined to intervene. She is long passed the passion of conquests…"

Rin nodded with understanding.

"However…if you need arguments for her…you may want to remind her where she comes from. She may care for her former home too…"

Rin frowned. "What are you talking about?"

Kazuo blinked in slight confusion. "Lady Sasori is from the Moon Tribe, located in the Heart Mountains of the main lands…the last great dog demon house of our empire…"

Rin's eyes widened, unbelieving. "No way!"

"You didn't know?"

"W-well…", she stammered, looking at the moon.

It might explain Sasori's natural dislike of hanyous…But still…

"I thought the Central and Western Lands always had tense relations…Why would Inu Taisho chose a wife from there, then?", she inquired with a frown.

Kazuo smiled slightly. "It is said Lord Inu Taisho did not intend to find a consort based on the purity of her blood, but my father Lord Sakuza had very persuasive arguments for the former Lord of the West…In the end, Inu Taisho accepted a highborn demoness of the Heartlands as consort, in exchange for a peace treaty with my late father…about contested territories they were fighting about. Lady Sasori was the one Inu Taisho picked among a few…To him, it wasn't unreasonable at all, if it meant his people would be safe…They did have at least a century of quietness after…"

Rin blinked. "An arranged marriage in exchange for peace…indeed, Inu Taisho was the winner of that deal…"

Kazuo frowned. "For demon purity, my father was ready to go that far…but he was also hoping that the heir of the West…with blood from the Heartlands…could be a match for his own newborn daughter. This way, he hoped he could earn the West in due time…"

"So…he had planned to match Lady Amane with the future heir of the West, in hopes for both lands to merge?", inquired Rin, unbelieving.

"Lord Sakuza knew Lord Inu Taisho would never accept that, but he was hoping his heir would… but…we all know how this story ended…", Kazuo sighed. "And now, all of this is part of the past…Lord Sakuza is dead, and so is Inu Taisho… Lady Amane and Lord Sesshomaru despise each other, and we are back to square one…caught in endless fights…"

Rin looked down, feeling queasy and goosebumps on her skin. She wished she had never heard any of this. The idea that Sesshomaru's existence wouldn't have been without the Central Lands interference sickened her…Was there a single thing about Sesshomaru's past that wasn't a sad irony?

"Hmm It is getting late…I think should go…", she whispered, while rubbing her arms.

He nodded. "Of course, let me follow you…"

They both walked back inside, away from the coolness and crickets.

They approached the door. He opened it for her. She smiled. "It was an interesting talk, general Kazuo."

He smiled back. "Indeed. You are an intriguing lady, Rin-sama. It was most enlightening to have a talk with another ruler of the shadow…"

Rin cocked her head inquisitively. "That's how you see me?"

He smirked. "Of course…we are of the same kind…in a way."

She glanced at the loud men inside, with her eyes widening as she spotted Sesshomaru watching with exasperation the two drunkards: Tenmaru and general Yuudai, that is.

She did see him flash an amber glance at her, but it was not supposed to be noticed.

"I wish you all the best with Lord Sesshomaru", Kazuo said with a low voice.

She giggled. "I wish you happiness general Kazuo", she smiled pleasantly. "With any lucky lady you see fit."

He chuckled at that. "I have no time for that."

"You will find the time when you will find the right person", she replied with certitude.

She walked away, towards Sesshomaru.

…

As soon as the chambers' doors closed, the Lord of the Western Lands discarded his immaculate pelt on the closest armchair, slowly untied and freed himself of his metal armour and thereafter, indulged himself with a sigh of lassitude. There weren't many things he hated more than audiences of petitioners and diplomatic meetings…and the issue at the center of it was so thorny he doubted he would close the eyes, even for the briefest moment. Not that he had to sleep every night, but he wouldn't have said no to a brief episode of rest after such tiresome tasks, especially since he knew the following day was not going to be any better…

He had thought this was only going to be about general Kazuo asking for help in Lady Amane's back or something of the sort. Never would he have thought that northern rebels waiting for a hanyou child would beg for an indexation of the Northwest to the Western Lands, that a rebellion was about to erupt inside the Central Lands and that Amane's brother actually wanted him to be a part of it. Now he could already hear his vassals yell in the next meeting…

Taking his mind off things…even for the briefest moment…certainly wouldn't hurt…

He glanced briefly at the book on his desk… the Tales of the Heike. Seeing this novel around Rin's things had convinced him to read it again. It had been more than a century since he had opened any sort of leisure reading…He found himself wondering why he had stopped in the first place.

Before he could decide whether or not he should indulge himself with a few pages, he noticed that his mate had opened the doors leading to the balcony and was now leaning against its ramp to watch the moon, seemingly deep in thoughts. Probably worried. She always watched the moon when something was bothering her.

He walked slowly towards her, oblivious to the burgundy draperies being blown by the nightly breeze.

Rin smiled as she heard his discreet footsteps approaching…He rarely surprised her, as of late. She supposed it was either because her hearing had become more acute, or maybe that he tried to be louder around her? He did mention once or twice his concerns about her startling too often when he got close…

Two strong arms wrapped themselves around her slim waist. She closed her eyes and leaned against him, enjoying his warmth in the chilly night and the soothing feel of his chest rising and falling in a slow rhythm against her back.

She bowed her head to the side, as he dropped light kisses on her neck.

"How do you do this?", she inquired suddenly.

"Do what?"

"Act like you have nothing to worry about…"

"Worry wouldn't exactly improve my capacity of reflection…", he replied with composure. He leaned to her ear. "And I think you should stop thinking about my ruler's dilemmas…You have already done too much for one day…"

"Yes…you do owe me", she reminded teasingly.

"Indeed…", he confirmed in a low voice.

He felt her tense up in his arms. "Kazuo…he said something else that I didn't tell you about…it's just a detail but…"

"What is it?"

She glanced at him over her shoulder. "He called me…ruler of the shadow…"

Then she noticed the night getting lighter… the clouds now leaving the moon. She glanced back at it to contemplate how full and bright it was.

"Hmph…" The ghost of a smile spread on Sesshomaru's lips as he tightened his hold on her. "So…how did it feel…to be called as such?"

She tried to stay focused on his question, but his hands sliding on her ribs were so…distracting…

"I don't know", she whispered. "I don't think I...rule at all."

"Would you like to?"

She turned towards him, and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I don't need it… I have my hands full being the ruler's mate and councillor!"

His traits softened. "Is that so?"

She smiled teasingly and approached her face from his, now just one breath away. "We only need one ruler around here anyway…" Then she dodged his kiss and leaned to his ear. "One…grand…ruler…"

He raised an eyebrow. "Rin…what do you imply?"

She grinned. "Oh come on! You are so awesome that a bunch of foreign generals came here begging you to defeat them! That is crazy!"

The corner of his lips twitched. "It is not because of how…awesome I am…You know as much as I what are their motives…"

Rin shook her head. "Tsk-tsk… I say… they admire you so much that they want to make you the one true demon emperor", she purred, while caressing the side of his face with the back of her hand.

He caught it and entangled his fingers with hers, yet he displayed slight annoyance. "Did you really need to remind me of Tenmaru's idiocies?"

She pouted briefly. "I like the ring of it…the great Sesshomaru, taiyoukai of the Western Empire…", she whispered playfully, while her fingers roamed gently on his chest.

His hands slid on the side of her waist, the spot where it tickled. She gasped.

"I think…that you gave that a lot of thought to this, for a lady who pretends not to be interested by power", he replied, entrancing richness in his voice. "Lady Rin…or should it be…Empress Rin…Of the West?"

She giggled. "Oh now you love it when it's about me?"

He assaulted her sensitive spot under her ear as only answer, making her sigh with bliss, while his body pressed against hers and his hands started to roam over her back.

"…My lord…You can't just…take me like that tonight", she warned teasingly, eyes closed while he kept kissing.

"Why not?", he inquired in a hot whisper against her neck.

"Tonight…I want you to conquer me", she murmured enticingly.

And then she caught him off guard by pushing him roughly, forcing to take a few step back. Just as she was about to jump from the balcony in a fit of giggles…

"AH!"

He caught her wrist and pulled her towards the chamber with a speed he had never used on her, and closed the door in a loud SLAM!

Hazel eyes widened in fear. Before she even knew what was happening, he slammed her against the wall. She gasped in surprise and tried to get away, like a little devil squirming against his hold…to no avail…

He nipped her neck roughly in punishment; moan instinctively escaping her mouth before she could take it back.

With some agility she didn't quite comprehend, he successfully held both of her wrists against the wall with only one hand, and the more she fought, the firmer his grasp became. She was trapped…

His other hand tug roughly at her obi, giving up with barely any resistance…

"That's not fair", she protested, still writhing against him. "You didn't even let me run!"

"You shouldn't announce your intentions…if you want a chance", he let out in a husky whisper to her ear.

Her dress opened up; revealing herself like a gift to him, thin hadajuban leaving not much place to imagination. He started caressing one of her breast through the clothing with his thumb, filling her with undeniable delight. She parted her lips, closed her eyes and let the sighs break free and, much to his pleasure.

"With both hands", she commanded.

He obeyed, freeing her wrists and titillating her like she requested. She graced him with melodic whimpers as he kept toying with her divine curves.

She opened her eyes to reveal feral want. She untied his sash and threw it on the floor, hands opening the upper part of his garbs to roam from the hot skin of his torso up to his shoulders, distracting him with soft massages on his hard muscles, hungry amber eyes closing long enough for her to creep unexpectedly towards him and assault him of a brush of her lips and tender curves against his chest, making him emit something between a sigh and growl.

He pushed her back roughly against the wall, friction against the hard surface making her mane escape from her bun to touch her half bare shoulders. He grabbed the back of her thighs and lifted her from the ground, to feel her flesh against his. He nipped her neck again, already red from rough ministrations. She moaned in a mix of ache and delight and sank her nails in the fabric of his dark clothes.

She felt all of him against her…restless with need …

He slid her hadajuban completely up her thighs and without further warning, made her shriek as his manhood pushed its way inside of her, awakening both shock and achy relief. She whimpered and tightened the grasp of her legs wrapped around him to amplify the thrilling intrusion, loving the feel of him assaulting her as if she was a prey to be subdued. But she kept fighting, scratching his back until the upper part of his garbs slid down his shoulders, and then continued clawing at his skin, but he seized her wrists again, another mean in less to fight back each powerful and blissful thrust squeezing her against the wall. That left her voice as only weapon, but he shushed her with a hungry kiss, forcing her to savour the warmth of his mouth, still tasting of her own preys. She replied with a nip of his lower lip, which only aroused him more and made him lose track of his strength, pounding so violently into her that her back slammed against the wall, but she was oblivious to any pain and only yelped in ecstasy.

He stroked her most sensible parts with his finger while he kept going at his rough lovemaking. Forgetting her belligerent attitude for a minute, her hand went over his to guide him. She felt burning bliss from all the torturing massaging and sang her rapture in soprano.

He pulled her towards him, locked lips and tongued her ravenously, making her shudder even though she was boiling. Her body contorted as the violent pang of pleasure struck, burst of her own capitulation bringing him down with her. The kiss broke to leave erratic panting and whimpers of elation come out…all of the wild urges relieved as quick as they came.

They caught their breath quietly against the wall. As Rin opened her eyes, she discovered with silent amusement that both of them were only half bare: his pants down his thighs, her hadajuban up hers, her kimono at her feet, upper part of his clothes unceremoniously lying on an armchair further in the room (how did it get there?!) and she lost sight of one of her okobos…

He took her in his arms and brought her to the bed, freed her of her sweaty clothes, and set her down gently on the side to caress her lower back.

He frowned. "I think it'll bruise", he stated softly, unsatisfied as he observed redness on her skin.

She laughed and lied on her back, concealing his source of concern. "Don't worry, my love…I am tougher than I look", she reassured with a smile.

He let himself fall on the stomach next to her, and only then realized he still had his boots on, and got them out of the way nonchalantly before that got noticed.

"You know… I don't want you to hold back every time, just because I am human…" she whispered with a soft smile.

He turned lazily his head to her side and caressed her cheek, showing slight amusement on his relaxed feature. "I do not hold back at all when you behave like a full fledged demon…"

"I did that?", she wondered with a playful grin.

A ghost of a smile spread on his lips. "You do so many things like a little inudemoness…without even knowing…"

"Or maybe…I informed myself…", she retorted teasingly "…to make sure I could please my inu conqueror…"

He raised an eyebrow in surprise. "You don't need to do that. Your natural way of doing things suits me just fine, Rin."

She smiled smugly. "But you loved it …"

He closed his eyes. "…I can't deny…"

She smiled with satisfaction. "So I should play the fiery ruler again?"

He glanced at her with wisps of mischief in his burning amber eyes, budding smirk on his lips. "You're not acting. It's in you and it has started surfacing…"

"Oh stop it with your Lady Reika speech!", she exclaimed, putting her pillow dramatically on her face.

He repressed an amused smile, lay on his side, confiscated the fluffy object from her (she did resist a bit before giving up) and brushed the hair out of her face, to have a good look at her, his own gaze piercing. "I am serious. At first, you don't realize… don't believe it is happening. But one day, you will wake up, look at yourself in the mirror and realize that your soul have turned inside out. That you have become what you would never have thought possible…without even trying."

…End of chapter…

A/N: Yup…I read absolutely no complaint about the end of chapter smut, so there it is again! Lol…

Seriously, that chapter was a total pain to write. I was all proud of finishing it in less than a week, but certain parts were like…completely deleted and rewritten because I was unsatisfied with it…Is there other people like me around here…maniac about edition?

Whatever, now you know what to do! Yes you do! That's a super lengthy chapter just in time for Easter. I want feedback!