Somber Twilight
Princess of Ikana
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the works of InuYasha. It belongs to Rumiko Takahashi.
Prompt: Suspicion
It was the day before the ball, and Rin had just finished dinner with Lord Itsuki who bid her farewell with a spontaneous light kiss to her lips and that she had his favour.
Surprisingly as Rin had only kissed Keisuke before, felt something in that small instant.
Tomorrow she would choose her intended at the midpoint at the ball, and her future would start.
She was so sure at the beginning that she was probably going to pick Keisuke but she had noticed that throughout the last three weeks, he kept his distance from her. Even earlier in the week when he had his two days with her, he felt distant, not entirely on her. She also noticed him glancing at Reiko often…
Comparetly, Lord Itsuki held all of his attention on her, not even overwhelmingly but enough to show her that she was important but also that he would cater to her needs over his own…
Reiko was disappearing at weird times too on certain days, and Rin was certain something was up, and she needed to confront her about it before she could make her final choice.
Reiko arrived that evening with Rin's night tea before bed and Rin asked her to stay.
"Reiko, you are one of my dearest friends and I need you to be honest with me" Rin started.
Reiko looked confused.
"Honest? With what Rin?" she replied confused.
"Do you know why Keisuke has been staring at you lately or why he pays you so much attention?" Rin continued.
She froze at that accusation, before sighing.
"Milady, I'm sorry Keisuke isn't loyal. He's never been loyal, we have had a fling ongoing for months now" she admitted ashamed.
Rin didn't know what to say… they both had been unloyal, for Reiko was partnered to another raccoon demon.
"I thought it was impossible to stray from a mating bond?" she decided to ask instead.
"My husband and I are not mated. He mated another in the past and she passed away before I met him. So there is nothing stopping me physically… and well as you know, my husband is getting on in age and cannot provide me with everything I need anymore. He is aware of my misgivings and is okay with it for he cannot give me it anymore." she explained.
Rin could understand that after a certain age, relations… would be difficult if not impossible for some people. Even demons grew old after a long time, Reiko's husband must be ancient then…
"Why would you carry on your arrangement if he wanted to court me?" she then demanded, offended.
"I didn't Milady but Keisuke was persistent, and well it was only once since then I have been avoiding him…" she continued.
Rin sighed, trying to calm down, this admission made everything easier, she had made her choice, she would marry Lord Itsuki.
"Thank you for helping me make the right choice Reiko, might be awhile till I can forgive your misgivings but I made my final choice… please leave and tomorrow send only Jaken and the maids, I will not need your help" Rin told her dismissal.
Reiko bowed and left.
A/N: I don't know who you were rooting for in Rin's "race" to find a husband, but I was always rooting for Itsuki :) Keisuke was always the fun and spontaneous type but willing to commit to a serious relationship? Hmm well foxes mate for life so maybe one day he'll be willing, and Reiko how could you betray your friend like that :( Also sorry its posted a day late, my region is going thru a horrendous heatwave and I had no internet for like 4 days straight and only got it back today.