Author's Notes:
Thank you guys for being patient for the next chapter. I know I left you guys on a big cliffhanger.
When you start reading this, don't freak out. It starts in a way that may make you say "Hey..wait a minute!" Just be patient and keep reading.
By the way, our favorite youkai will finally make his first appearance 😉
Also the rating will be going up to M starting at the next chapter.
Heads up, I will be working the next 3 days with only Monday and Tuesday off so the next update will probably be late next week or next weekend.
Chapter Text
Chapter Six
In The Shadow Of Truth
Rin awake to fog surrounding her. She was back.
"Hello?"
Silence.
Rin started walking forward and once doing so, the fog started to clear up. She saw the large God tree and ran towards it. Pressing her palm to the tree, she felt the low hum again.
"Please speak to me, I know you're trying to…." Rin whispered, her voice trailing off.
Rin looked up towards the tree branch to see if the mysterious amber eye man was there.
"Are you able to hear what the tree is trying to tell you?" A deep voice called out.
"No, it won't speak," Rin answered.
Rin realized that the voice was much closer than last time. Rin started walking around the tree and stopped in her tracks when she saw the back of tall figure with long silver hair and something furry along his shoulder. The figure quickly walked away from her.
"Wait!" Rin called out running at this point, trying to catch up to the figure. The figure would only move away each time she got close.
This went on for another moment before Rin finally stopped, growing tired of the little game.
"Why can't I see you?" Rin softly asked.
Silence.
Sighing, Rin decided to sit with her back against the tree. She looked up at the night sky and took in all the stars.
Rin leaned her head back against the cool bark, "My coming-of-age presentation is tomorrow night."
Rin jumped when she heard a growl.
"Does that bother you?" Rin asked turning in the direction of where the growl came from.
It was another moment of silence before Rin heard the amber eye man call out, "What will happen during your presentation?"
Knowing that the amber eye man was not going to answer her question, Rin sat back again, stretching out her legs in front of her, "My father will walk me out, say something eloquent, and that I'm now able to receive any marriage proposals. Then a big feast, any suitor may request a small amount of time to talk to me. I'll be offered gifts and whatnot. It's all sham though, we both know that I've already been promised to another."
Rin waited to see if amber eyes would say anything but only heard crickets.
"It's only for one night for a few hours, I can bear it. "
While sitting there, Rin could have sworn she felt a slight pinch on her head. It was so slight she questioned if she imagined it.
'He couldn't have possibly moved over without me hearing him…' Rin thought to herself.
Rin checked both sides of herself but found nothing.
"It's time for you to go."
"Please…..wait" Rin whispered out.
Rin tucked her legs to her chest, resting her chin on them.
"Please let me stay a little while longer. It's been…difficult these past few weeks…I have no one…even my most loyal servant is terrified of me now." Rin choked out, fighting back the tears stinging her eyes.
"I'm just…..tired... and I don't know who to trust anymore….." Rin said pressing her forehead against her kimono-covered legs, hiding her face from the forest.
"Then you may stay as long as you like."
Rin smiled into her kimono, "Thank you."
Rin stayed as she was until she felt her eyes grow heavy, deciding to make herself comfortable, she laid down using her arm as a pillow. Her breathing grew even as sleep overtook her tired exhausted mind.
If Rin had stay conscious for a few more moments, she would have heard the footsteps of the figure reach her and felt the ghost of a touch upon her cheek before her mind was sent back.
"Sesshomaru, it's time to go."
~oOo~
Sesshomaru opened his eyes upon his mother's command.
Once he felt his mother release his shoulder, he stood from his position, he turned to face his father and stepmother.
"Well?" Toga asked.
"It appears they still have not told her," Inukimi stated.
"Damnit to hell," Toga growled out.
All three youkai and the human female stood in Sesshomaru's room. Night had fallen and with Toga's urging, Sesshomaru with his mother's help reached out to Rin through the fog. They were able to draw Rin's mind to the great God tree. They had only planned to see if Rin was able to communicate with the tree but both youkai were dismayed at the condition Rin appeared to be in. Neither had any plans to let the princess stay for no more than half an hour but with her pleading they allowed her to stay until she had fallen asleep.
Once someone falls asleep in the fog, their mind is set back to their body.
Or their mind is set back when pushed out by the other party.
Sesshomaru merely observed his parents, head tilted to the side, fists closed behind his back.
Izayoi winced, "They still have two more days to tell her, they may still do so."
"At this point, I highly doubt it," Inukimi said coming to stand beside her.
"I told King Ishida he needed to tell her. That this was better to come from them than us. I can't believe he is putting this on us." Toga stated angrily pacing the room.
"Then we will tell her once she gets here," Kimi stated coming forward to still her mate.
"Toga, you didn't see her. She is terrified. She is scared and alone at this point. Maybe it is better we tell her. We know how to help her. Her parents do not." Kimi said while cupping his cheek.
Toga leaned into his mate's touch and sighed, "Maybe you're right."
"Sesshomaru?" Toga asked turning to look at his son.
Toga had noticed that Sesshomaru had not spoken a word since their return from the fog.
"Mother is correct, her human parents lack the ability to uphold their promise. She will be better off with us. Under mother and Kaede's guidance, her darkness will remain dormant."
Toga nodded at his son and looked back to both of his wives.
"Come, the hour is late." Toga stated leading both ladies out of their son's room.
Sesshomaru had just turned away when he heard his mother call out from the hallway, "Sesshomaru, I know what you did."
Sesshomaru turned back to his mother with his usual stoic mask in place.
"I do know what you are referring to, mother."
Kimi eyed her son, "Don't do anything foolish." Kimi stated and slid the shoji screen shut.
Once the shoji screen closed, Sesshomaru opened his palm to see the single strand of hair he plucked off Rin's head.
Red eyes stared at the single strand and in a deep voice, whispered, "No one will be touching what is mine."
~oOo~
Rin stood silently in the middle of her chambers while Maiko and her other servants attended to her. Today was her presentation and the event called for her finest garments. The artisan that created the furisode had taken six months in preparing the garment. There had been many fittings during that time.
Her furisode was the color of red and was made of rinzu, a soft, lustrous silk. The red fabric was woven in a pattern that combines geometric and floral forms. A blossoming plum tree embroidered with gold and white silk thread spreads its branches from hem to shoulder. The furisode was carefully embroidered with a blooming tree. The needlework was exquisitely done on the contours of the tree trunk. First, the edges of the trunk were padded with a heavy thread; then, over this padding, gold-wrapped thread was couched with red silk thread.
Rin stood admiring the lovely furisode and smiled at the artisan, she knew how hard the old woman had worked on her furisode and every detail shown.
Queen Kaori sat nearby watching everything, giving out commands as servants came rushing in and out Rin's chambers. The queen was on edge today and everyone was at their most tip-top shape in order not to displease the queen.
The furisode artisan stepped back to admire her work, turning to the queen for approval.
"It's beautiful, you did a splendid job Akari." The queen stated, walking a full circle around the young princess.
The old artisan merely nodded and bowed low to the queen.
The queen looked upon Rin's face and said, "Even though your presentation is merely for show, you do look beautiful tonight my dear daughter. I'm so proud of you and only wish your brother Akashi was here for this."
Rin felt that entire weight of the furisode and what also felt like the world on top of her at her mother's statement.
The princess simply nodded at her mother.
Rin looked towards Maiko but the servant kept her head down, refusing to make eye contact with her. Rin internally sighed.
'Gods, can this just be over with already?' Rin thought to herself.
King Ishida then walked into the room.
"My Arina, you look stunning." The king stated standing next to the queen.
"Thank you, father," Rin stated with a bow.
Rin had trouble moving with the length of the furisode and her father stepped forward to help her down from the perch she was on.
"My queen, your presence is requested in the kitchen," The king stated.
Queen Kaori nodded and walked out commanding all but Maiko to follow.
Rin's chambers now only housed herself, Maiko and King Ishida.
"Arina, did you have any questions on how this night will go? Any concerns?" Her father asked.
"No father. I know this celebration is only a formality. I need to only play along for the night." Rin said in a monotone voice.
King Ishida could tell Rin closed herself off again. Placing his large hands upon her shoulders, he took in her blank expression.
"Arina, I cannot imagine what must be going through your mind right now. You only need to smile and be polite tonight and tomorrow you set sail to your new home. The Inu family will treat you with care and their son will be a good husband to you. They will take care of you; they gave me their word on this."
"Yes, father," Rin answered back in a flat tone.
Ishida cupped his daughter's face and placed a kiss upon her brow.
"Stay here, once the ceremony starts, I will have Honda escort you down. Maiko, you are to stay here and come down with the princess once called upon."
"Yes, my king." Maiko quietly answered.
The king then walked to the Rin's door, once more looking at her, and then left.
Rin sighed and turned towards her trusted servant. The servant that had been serving her since her childhood. Rin knew that she needed to make this right.
"Maiko, please come here."
Rin watched as Maiko hesitated and then started walking towards her.
The shaking servant stepped just within arm's reach of the princess; her head still downcast.
"Maiko…..I'm sorry for what happened the other day." Rin said in a shaky voice.
Rin then reached forward, taking Maiko's trembling hand in her's.
"But you have to understand…..I don't know what going on anymore. My parents said they are not hiding anything from me, but I know they are. My father is hiding that book from me, and I don't understand why. Maiko…. everything I've come to believe in the past few years has been nothing but lies."
While Rin was speaking, Maiko had cautiously raised her head and was now staring into the hazel eyes of her princess.
Maiko realized that her mistress was right. Everything had been a lie, even herself, lying to the princess and reporting everything back to her parents.
As Maiko stared into the eyes of the princess, she felt her fear slowly fade away. The Rin that stood before her now, this Rin was the Rin she had seen grow up. This Rin was the Rin she could laugh with and tease. This Rin was the princess everyone in the kingdom knew and loved.
"Maiko, please…..forgive me for what happened the other day…you are to travel with me to the western lands and serve me there. I want you to come with me, I need someone loyal to me to be by my side in my new home. If you no longer feel safe with me, then I would understand if wish to stay. I'll talk to my father; I'll find some excuse to keep you here." Rin said, her voice breaking in the end, trying to hold back the sob that wanted to escape.
Maiko watched as the princess's head hung in shame and heard the quiet sniffling.
Taking a deep breath, Maiko stepped forward and envelope the young princess in a tight hug.
"All is forgiven, princess. Of course, I shall stay by your side."
As Maiko hugged the shaking princess, Maiko understood that Rin still did not fully grasp the situation. She could not fault the princess when the problem laid with the king and queen. They had been the ones to keep secrets from the princess. They were still holding onto the truth of what was going on and refused to tell her.
Maiko was beginning to have suspicious of what or who Rin exactly was. Thinking back to the day when Rin had appeared in her chambers demanding answers, Maiko understood that the princess was merely tired of the lies and only wanted the truth. However…
"Now you're going to tell me everything you know," Rin said in a voice that was not hers.
Maiko stood, shaking in fear. She was trying to breathe but couldn't. Gasping the servant was able to utter out," I do not know any more than you. I swear it."
"You're still lying to me Maiko…." Rin said in a dark voice, her pupils an intense red.
"I swear, princess…." Maiko felt an overwhelming pressure on her entire body now, the force so strong, it knocked her to her knees.
Pressing her hands to the floor, trying to keep herself upright, Maiko wheezed out, "Once I was brought to the castle, I was told to always report everything you ever said or did to your parents. Everything, it didn't matter how small it was. Your parents wanted to know everything you did, who you talked to, everything. I was only doing as I was told. All I was told was that you are important, that you're special…I had to…..please…..you have to believe me…that is all I know…I had to…..for my parents….if I didn't…your father threatened to throw us all out….."
"Princess please…..I'm so sorry….please…..I can't breathe…" Maiko begged, her vision started to darken, her head feeling light. Maiko was laying on her side at this point, no longer able to support herself.
"Please…." Maiko sobbed out, feeling as though her body was on fire.
With her last ounce of strength, Maiko looked up at the princess to see Rin suddenly pull back. Rin shook her head and her eyes returned to their normal hazel hue.
"Maiko?..."Rin asked in a confused voice.
Maiko felt everything in the room become light again, oxygen filling her lungs. The pressure was gone. The shaking servant sucked in much-needed air, forcing herself to sit up. When the princess reached forward with a hand extended towards her, Maiko recoiled in fear.
Maiko watched as Rin pull back, shock written all over her face.
'She doesn't even know….' Maiko thought to herself, her body still shaking.
"Maiko….I….I…..I'm so sorry…" Rin choked out before running from the room, the door slamming shut behind her.
Maiko felt Rin tightly hug her and let a choked cry.
"Shhh…do not cry princess…your mother will have my head if you ruin your make-up," Maiko said pulling back and running to Rin's vanity to retrieve a cloth and start dabbing at Rin's eyes.
"Thank you, Maiko…" Rin said sniffling.
Once Maiko deemed the princess's face was tear-free, she pulled back, "Princess there is one more thing I kept from you but I'm telling you this now, so you will know my loyalty lays with you now. Please forgive me for not telling you sooner."
"Yes, Maiko. What is it?" Rin answered.
"Your father has the second volume of the book you were reading, and I know where it is. I'll see if I can sneak it out before we leave tomorrow for the western lands." Maiko said smiling at the princess.
'Maiko!" Rin asked in shock and hugging her servant again.
Rin pulled back and clasped Maiko's hands, "Is there anything I can do to help?"
Maiko shook her head no, "Only I can do this, I've been nothing but a loyal servant to your family for the past 10 years now. I can go through these halls unnoticed. Actually... tonight would be a perfect night to grab the book. Almost everyone will be in attendance for your presentation. Your father and mother will be nowhere near his office. I can sneak out, get the book and hide it in my trunks that are already packed. Your parents will never suspect you because you will be in attendance and they wouldn't suspect me because I've been telling them everything about you."
Rin nodded and looked back towards her trunks that were packed as well. The past week, the young princess had had nothing but a parade of servants coming and going from her room preparing her things for the long journey ahead of her. The journey to the ship would take half a day and then one week by ship to reach the western lands. Her father had also informed her yesterday that the army would be reaching their lands with a personal escort to see her to the ship. The ship taking her to her new home was going to be commanded by Inu No Tashio's top general and best men.
"Alright, just please be careful and promise me the minute you sense any danger or anything, please leave. Your life isn't worth some silly book. For all I know, the Inu family may have a similar book in their library." Rin stated.
"Of course, princess," Maiko answered but Maiko knew that no matter what, she was going to get that book. She needed to prove her loyalty to Princess Rin.
Both women turned towards the door when a loud knock was heard.
Maiko answered and found Honda.
"The ceremony is to begin, it's time for the princess to come."
Maiko rushed back to Rin, straightening out her furisode and both women smiled at each other.
"Ok, let's get this over with," Rin said walking from the room with Maiko trailing behind her.
~oOo~
Kagome fixed Sesshomaru with a pointed look, regarding him. She was trying to determine if what he asked for was appropriate considering that she knew the princess's coming of age presentation was tonight.
"Tell me again, why you want me to do this?" The miko in training asked.
Kagome had just finished tidying up the herbal room when Sesshomaru walked in, wanting a favor. Before telling her what he needed he made her vow that she would not tell anyone what he asked for or tell his mother what he wanted. Kagome intrigued at what Sesshomaru would want, happily agreed but was now second-guessing her decision to offer him aid.
"I've already explained, I'm not explaining again." Sesshomaru said with annoyance in his voice.
Kagome sighed, "And you promise you aren't going to be mean to her or anything?"
It was now Sesshomaru who fixed Kagome with a pointed look.
"Look I have to ask, you're not exactly the warmest person to be around."
Sesshomaru growled, "If you wish not to help me then I shall leave."
Sesshomaru turned and was just about his way out the room when he heard Kagome call out in a frustrated voice, "Wait…..give it to me."
Sesshomaru smirked and turned back around with a blank expression on his face. He walked up to Kagome and handed over the single strand of hair that came from Rin.
"It's going to take me about an hour to get it ready, but I can do it," Kagome said inspecting the strand.
"How much time will I have?" Sesshomaru inquired.
"Hm…the most I can do is an hour. Once the hour ends, you'll be back."
"It's more than enough time." Sesshomaru answered.
Kagome turned towards the various jars lined up on the upper shelf and started pulling down the ones she needed for the spell. She turned back around to find Sesshomaru still standing there.
"I said it's going to take me an hour or so, you don't have to stay," Kagome said while mixing the various herbs together and putting on a large cauldron to boil.
"I have nowhere to be, I'll stay until it is complete."
"Do what you want…" Kagome muttered, going back to the task at hand.
Sesshomaru stay still as a statue while Kagome worked away. He listened as she chanted over the herbs, watched as she dropped the strand of hair into the boiling pot of water, and added the herbs. She then withdrew the herbs she boiled and started making them into a paste. Once she had the paste into the shape she needed, she took washi paper and laid it upon it. She then folded the washi paper in half and said another chant.
Sesshomaru continue watching the miko as she finished the preparations and turned back to him with a smile on her face.
"Ha! It didn't take me the full hour as I thought. I'm getting faster. Here drink this." Kagome stated handing him the tea she had made.
Sesshomaru did as asked and handed the cup back to the miko.
"Now when you're ready to go into the fog, make sure you place this somewhere on you. As long as you have this on you, you will have a physical form while there but remember you only have an hour." Kagome stated while handing over a small round sphere dangling off a medium size clothe that could go around his neck.
Sesshomaru took the dangling sphere from Kagome and nodded.
He then stood and was just about to leave when stopped by Kagome's voice.
"Don't get carried away Sesshomaru, she's young…oh and you're welcome," Kagome said with a smile.
Sesshomaru turned back and nodded.
Kagome watched as Sesshomaru disappeared from her view and quietly said, "Just like his brother….doesn't like anyone touching his things…"
~oOo~
Notes:
Ooooooohhhhh, what is Sesshomaru up to?
Thanks for reading and please please please leave a review. It lets me know that you guys like it and when I know you guys like it, it pushes me to write each day.