Necessary Chapter
Chapter 48: Progression
"Lord Kouga," Sesshoumaru welcomed the new leader of the Eastern wolf demon tribe into the steel-textured hall adjacent to the fearsome prison, Akuhare.
The Akuhare prison and courthouse resides in Lord Sesshoumaru's respected province. A short walk from his castle's surrounding city, the prison was erected and dedicated by a young Lord Sesshoumaru, himself, three hundred years ago as a gift from his father. Known for the ruthlessness of its creator, the prison is one of the most feared in the West. The full casted steel walls, along with magic-proof barriers of toxic amethyst miasma taken from the fangs and claws of InuTaishou, prevent even the most skilled and deadly from the pleasure of hopeful escape. Connected to the huge structure is a traditional Japanese-style courthouse that operates under the efficiency of the hand-selected court officials. This municipal building is where the nations would meet in preparation for international trials.
"Lord Sesshoumaru," Kouga politely acknowledged the greeting, molding to the etiquettes of the elite, though he found such things to be too shallow for his own tastes.
Sesshoumaru closed the gap between them to further discuss necessities.
"I trust you are prevailing in the persuasion of your clan?" He inquired.
"...Yeah. Although without Shirokaen's thoughtless hand-drafted evidence it would have been near impossible to do so," Kouga replied, crossing his arms, "There's no way around it, that mother of yours won't stand a chance with the evidence that I have."
Sesshoumaru remained silent, beckoning a cocked eyebrow and a question from the wolf leader.
"You have no remorse? That your mother's life is to be taken this evening by our honorable nations?"
Sesshoumaru smirked before closing his eyes, "You are severely mistaken if you think I harbor even an ounce of sympathy. Familial blood may be strong, but Clan blood is indestructible…" He lifted his gaze once more, "…And on behalf of that loyalty, I will send her to hell myself for such traitorous acts."
Kouga gave a coy smile, "I completely understand. It seems you and I have a lot in common."
Expressionless, the dog lord just stared as Kouga's eyes indicated a change of subject.
"On a different note, how is that girl of yours doing?"
Sesshoumaru's face fell into slight suspicion at the strange question.
"Why do you ask?"
"I was doin' a lot of thinking. That girl did some pretty crazy shit back at the capital... enough to warrant death in any of the nations. I happened to help her because it seemed like the right thing to do... Repayment of my past sins, if you wanna call it that," Kouga started his thought, gathering Sesshoumaru's full attention, "But what she did wasn't just crazy, it was loyal. She only cried for you even as Shirokaen threatened to fuck her to death. She was loyal to humans she had just met even though they were too scared to go with her when she had escaped… she has a lot of qualities that remind me of why I ended up ruling against human feeding."
Sesshoumaru continued to stare at the wolf, trying to figure out his reasoning for the out-of-place recollection.
"I know that these parliaments and checks and balances of your nation are probably similar to ours. And with that assumption, I know that if I tried to convince my country to let me keep a human around, they would overrule me," Kouga continued, his bright blue eyes piercing fierce golden ones, "So… If you decide you want to keep that girl around, I can make sure that your council knows that my nation will only be an ally if she stays."
Sesshoumaru cocked his head threateningly, "Are you saying that you would be an enemy to my nation if I so choose to send Rin to a human village?"
"No. But only if it's your choice and no one else's," Kouga met his threatening gaze head on, "I know you were intending to marry the girl off to begin with… So I won't attempt to understand that. But there's emotional evidence that both Ayame and I witnessed that indicates a clash of your desires as a man, and your responsibilities as a king..."
Golden irises became half-blocked by a foul change in expression.
Kouga raised his hands to show that he meant no offense,"…All I'm saying is that if you ever need a political advantage to convince your nation to let her stay, you have one standing right here."
The two then stood in silence, each analyzing the other while contemplating their own playing fields in the political realm.
Sesshoumaru smirked and with sarcasm he poured, "How very considerate. Tell me, if I take advantage of your angle, to what extent would I owe you?"
Kouga simply held his gaze for a moment before replying, "All I would request is peace and protection from my nation and from yours. I'm not one for exploiting weaknesses for the sake of greed. I just want what's best for my people, ya know?"
Giving a slight nod, Sesshoumaru finally replied, "I can respect that."
Still awake from a long, sleepless night, Rin watched idly from her windowsill on the second floor as the sun rose over the trees from the East. Her foot tapped restlessly; a condition due simply to her mind refusing her any break from mulling over the past day's events and realizations.
In one respect Rin was almost too excited and content to breathe. In another, she was very much confused and lonely now that she was left to herself with such pertinent information to decipher. Though... this particular loneliness was unfamiliar to her. She had spent many nights of her life without her lord nearby. But for some reason, the lack of his presence was especially troubling for her now that their relationship had been defined at long last.
Solemnly, she looked down as her mind tripped over analyzations.
"I could provide him... Lord Sesshoumaru... with happiness," Rin thought as she dwelled on the words he had so generously gifted her the morning before.
But wasn't it he who told her that individual happiness didn't matter in the political world? In his world?
Wasn't it he who discounted all of these things that she fought for blindly, and relentlessly, just weeks ago?
It was.
And yet...
She had somehow moved an immovable resolve.
She had somehow conquered an unconquerable will.
Rin, single-handedly, somehow... had earned the consideration, the love, of the ruthless, indomitable, and insatiable creature of supreme power; the Dog Demon Lord of the West.
Throughout the mess she desperately tried to sort out within her mind, Rin never ceased questioning how she was able to change her lord's very foundations and philosophies just by...
...being her.
After all, she brought him nothing. If anything, she owed him more than she could ever hope to repay. And yet, it was as if those debts meant nothing to him. As if they weren't even debts but just the toils and reapings of the very love he had for her.
Had it been there this whole time?
After pushing past the awe that these unbelievable thoughts roused, Rin began to ponder the decision she had to make at the end of the next two weeks. However, no matter how many times she played devil's advocate in an effort to acknowledge equal weight between the advantages and disadvantages of agelessness with him… She could not see it.
She didn't care about anything or anyone else enough to even consider refusing him.
Wholeheartedly, all she wanted was him. Nothing else mattered.
Just as she finished rehashing this steadfast truth, a light knocking found its way to her ears.
"Rin?" The beautiful harem duchess called through the door, "It is I, Netami. I thought I would visit with you for a bit. If you don't mind, of course."
"Oh!" She heard the human exclaim excitedly from the other side, making her brow twitch ever so slightly, "Give me just a moment!"
Netami gritted her teeth, looking down regretfully into her palm at the tiny open vessel of Tamuri Salve. The girl was excited to have her as company, it would seem.
Why the sudden guilt, my dear girl? This is what you want isn't it?
'No...,' Netami thought against the voice pounding in her head; thinking of Lord Sesshoumaru's words to her two nights before, 'I should be on his side no matter how I feel. I should-'
You should heed your queen, my dear. The voice pierced through, threateningly.
Forget not that you took the salve into your own body the night that you swore yourself to me. Know that I can accomplish my will with, or without, your mental cooperation...
'Why? Why are you doing this?' Netami questioned desperately.
...Just like you, darling, I grow tired of living in chains.
The door suddenly swung open, revealing a smiling Rin that greeted Netami with overflowing sincerity.
"I've never really had a visitor other than Cesaria or Jaken before!" Rin breathlessly informed, obviously having spent the last half-minute tidying up her room, "So, I'm really glad you're here!"
Rin's face was nothing short of adorable as it radiated in pure bliss.
Netami's shimmering eyes grew less enamoured by her, however, as the reality of what she was about to do sunk its white hot fangs into the better half of her judgment.
DUN DUN DUNNN!
Omg the next chapters are going to be soooo hard to write.
But with supportive fans like you, I will persevere! :)
I'M BACK ON INSTAGRAM! Yay for a new work phone... :)
Please Review my loyal lovelies! You are the best fans ever!
