There was a temporary garrison set up just within the entrance to the town, and within the largest tent Rin found herself deposited unceremoniously. Dishevelled and terrified, she backed away from the once dear person who now stared her down like a golden-eyed hawk. She saw how the gaze was flashing red, and Rin knew this was a dangerous sign.
'Lying to the Emperor' he took a step forward, his voice low with quiet seething rage, and Rin stepped back again to match his advance.
'Obstructing an arrest' he swiftly took another two steps toward her, and Rin found herself backed against the wall of the tent.
She felt like screaming 'It's me! It's your Rin – don't you remember me?'
But one massive wall of pride stopped her from uttering the words her heart cried out.
Meeting his gaze, tipping her chin upward to challenge his power, she refused to allow him to intimidate her. She would not be the one to beg him, to remind him of something he should very well have known the moment he saw her this morning.
'And now you have such rebellion in your eyes not even my Captain of the guard would dare think of testing me with'
Rin's lip trembled ever so slightly; she felt a fool; she did not wish to challenge him! She loved him – or had done, very much so! Rin reined in all of her will and mind to not crumble against him in defeat and sob.
Such cold murder was in his expression that she wondered if he ever recalled telling his young ward many moons ago to never mention her own death again in his hearing.
'Don't say such things' he had spoken with reprimand, a tone behind the words belying deeper feeling.
She did not warrant that the ten years – mere seconds in the life span of a Daiyokai, would have altered him this much.
'In trying to defend that blackguard you have surrendered yourself' his face seemed to incline slightly lower toward her as he spoke. Rin wondered if he had any idea how his rich, deep voice affected her – after merely dreaming it for a decade, now smoothly flowing in her ears, even feeling his breath against her cheeks.
'You are fool for thinking you could deceive me'
A hot tear burst and ran angrily down her pale face as she crossed her arms over her chest, clutching her own shoulders protectively.
'I did not seek to deceive you' she dared to respond to him, her eyes dropping to a point on his chest armour, attempting to make her voice sound placating and calm though it shook.
'Wouldn't you try your best to defend someone you love, despite the odds being completely against you? At least you must try - or be a coward and never forgive yourself.'
Her breath hitched as she wondered what his reaction would be.
'If I were a pitiful human against a horde of demons, I'd certainly think it wise to be the coward' he hissed 'now look where you are – a prisoner, just like your dear criminal'
Prisoner?
Lord Sesshomaru, the one who was going to let her go with the group of monks so long ago if only she wished it, and yet at a single word from her mouth revealing her desire for him, he had displayed terrifying power just to get her back? And was now imprisoning the thing he had treated delicately back then as if she were a young bird – careful as a nurturer guarding her growing wings?
Her eyes flew to his in horror, suddenly searching the deep glowing amber orbs for any semblance of that same beloved regard – but her study only lasted a split second before she realised her constant attempts at finding the demon that she had known was vanity. Rage sparked within her like a tsunami, prickling her skin, burning her eyes with more tears she refused to let drop. She raised her flashing dark eyes to him again and spat:
'A fine Emperor you are, hunting down those only doing good as though they were animals – so insecure in your own power you must even arrest an insignificant woman who didn't even succeed in helping the prisoner escape arrest – why I recall when you – '
Here, she abruptly bit her tongue. She'd been about to tell him an example of his mercy within their past together, in order to contrast his current behaviour; but she could not allow it.
He had straightened at her change in stance and tone, his eyes ever so slightly widened at the poison in her voice and had Rin not been so angry she may have noticed the infinitesimal difference.
'You are mistaken' he replied coldly after a few moments of silence, where Rin cast her gaze angrily to the side, trying to calm her heaving breast.
She waited for him to elaborate, but that did not come. Instead he said something unexpected.
'You should know better' the words were said quietly, in a murmur, and Rin went still.
What? She dared a look at his handsome face. It was set in that damned habitual mask of inscrutability. Yet had he meant that last sentence personally, or as a Lord trying to reason with a civilian?
He watched her eyes and saw that they seemed to search him again as they had for the tenth time that day.
'Should I?' Rin asked, her voice questioning 'I thought as a Demon you were the one who read minds. I, unfortunately, do not have that power and can only read your mind insofar as your actions betray them. And what I have seen is shameful.'
He became still as a carved statue at her reprimand. No one alive would've been able to speak to him as she was doing and live to tell the tale. But Rin did not know even now he was being merciful – at least in relation to his own morals.
Daring and curious, her fury the oil lubricating her jaw in the face of her anxiety, Rin probed 'My Lord, why do you converse with a serving girl so long as though she mattered? Do you want me to congratulate you instead of telling you what you are doing is wrong, as though that alone would acquit you? I am sure you have plenty of lying courtesans for such a purpose; I have nothing to lose in telling you that your so-called justice is appalling.'
It seemed he had had enough of an earful of Rin's anger.
At this tirade Sesshomaru stepped back from her, his eyes hooded and withdrawn as he lifted a single finger ever so slightly without even moving his hand. Two guards seemed to appear from nowhere at his side, and she watched as his face seemed to betray a flicker of the same sly evil a cat or fox might make before a kill.
'Chain her and put her with the others' the Emperor ordered, and Rin locked her eyes on his with incredulous rage. But though he held her regard for some seconds, he just as soon swiftly turned on his heel and left Rin to the mercy of the ball and chain.
He had not exited that tent for two steps before flashing in a burst of light to where the traitor Sato was being held by some of his men.
'I'll take care of him' Sesshomaru caused his guards to jump as he materialised, immediately removing their hands from the tradesman who they were in the process of marching to their prison carriage.
'Go enjoy that sake' the Emperor further ordered over his shoulder to his men and took the felon from their hands, grasping at the guide chain between the mans shackled hands.
He yanked the fellow forwards and his eyes burned down into the petrified brown ones of Sato.
'Emperor Takahashi' Sato stammered, bowing his head low as he could.
'Don't offend me with false respect when you've already betrayed this country' the demon hissed in a quick succession of words, and Sato felt the bonds tightening on his wrists supernaturally. Wincing, he raised his head but could not meet the Emperor's gaze, his expression furtive and aggrieved.
'Your Grace – I can explain what I – '
'If you think you have the luxury of free speech with me you are sorely mistaken' Sesshomaru snarled, as he began marching the prisoner onwards, dragging him along with his own stride.
'You do not have your precious serving maid to save you, so now you are attempting to appeal your case? Your death has already been signed off'
Sato felt like vomiting at the news.
'What have you done with her?' was he all could manage. The hatred and vitriol he felt from the Emperor was so powerful Sato felt physically ill.
'Oh, don't worry' Sesshomaru flung 'lovers will re-unite, it's a universal law' his tone was embittered.
The merchant's eyes widened like saucers 'Please, you didn't arrest her too? Rin is innocent! She didn't even know my crimes before today and yet tried to save me! Sire, forgive me, but you can't punish loyalty'
The Demon turned so quickly Sato did not even see him; but found himself facing bleeding eyes and strong fingers around his throat like a death vice.
'When utterly misplaced loyalty in itself is a crime. I am her Lord, not you!'
Just as quickly, the Inu Daiyokai was pulling him along again.
Rasping for breath, Sato stared at the tall back of the white demon.
'So – you do remember her?' he whispered.
But he encountered a glare so freezing that he decided against speaking any more.
Yet within, Sato's mind raced. If the Emperor remembered his ward, why did he arrest her? Sato had known how deeply Rin regarded if not loved this beastly creature in front of him from the few stories she had told him.
Not knowing how such a gorgeous and kind woman could have ever loved such a brutish murderer, Sato did not know – but there was something very wrong about how the Ruler was acting if he did indeed know who Rin was.
Surely, Lord Sesshomaru should welcome her like a long-lost child, not put her in shackles at first sight after ten years?
Alas, Sato did not know how a demon's mind worked. Perhaps the haunting possessiveness that plagued their kind had turned dark over the years, and if Rin was his prisoner then she would be under his complete control forever.
Sato hoped that Sesshomaru did not know Rin herself had enough stores of anger to last her entire life-time, and with such fuel she was bound to upset his demonic intentions whatever they may be.
Jealousy seemed to have tinged the monarch's voice at referring to Sato and Rin as lovers, and though the merchant would not deny he had wished such, he would not think to get in the way of an Emperor Demon if such a creature desired her.
His thoughts moved quickly to devising a plan of escape for both himself and Rin, if his assumptions about the Monarch's passions were incorrect. Death was not his end yet and Sato certainly was not going to give up on the plans that had been years in the making.
Illegal immigration it might be; but there was no turning away people in need – even if they were from across the ocean.
The next Rin knew she was within the confines of a cage, surrounded by other shackled persons, all miserable and terrified, her lord being their imprisoner. Her rage had solidified now into something cold, and she would never forgive him for this, even if there ever came a time for him to realise what a dog he was and begged her for it.
She watched as Sesshomaru came within view, behind him – her merchant friend.
'Sato!' she cried out, and as the two men approached the Lord swung open the prison gate, throwing the tradesman within causing him to stumble. Rin dropped to his side, helping him as best she could to regain his footing.
Sending her old guardian a glare fit to wither a forest of trees, she did not respond as Sesshomaru said;
'Here's your prize for your bravery' before swiftly departing, making a mockery of her attempt to save Sato from arrest. Now both of them were behind bars.
They waited until they felt the Demon lord was not going to focus his hearing on them; and Sato turned to Rin in order to tell her of his escape plan. She blew a bit of errant hair out of her face staring at him with her dark brows raised.
'Are you insane?' she whispered.
The other prisoners were watching the newcomers heated discussion with blank cynicism, or even humour.
'What?' Sato hunched up his shoulders 'there's not even a guard here – we could get out of here in two seconds!'
'Apart from the fact that we are surrounded by an entire camp of the most powerful demons in the land – ' Rin took a breath but she was over-ridden by a stranger next to them.
'That demon emperor can kill you from half a country away' he interloped casually, his accent thick, from the country.
'Don't even try it. You might think because we aren't guarded that the systems lax, or we could roll out when we're on the road again tomorrow. But I'm telling you now, even before your body has matched the actions of your mind, you'll be toast. He has some freaky power.' The prisoners shuffled aside as the inmate spoke and Rin turned to look in the direction that they parted ways for; feeling a shot of bile rise to her throat as she did so.
At the back of the large cage was a wiry skeleton, slumped against the metal bars, still in chains.
'Burnt him to a crisp did that white-haired dog before the poor guy could even jump. Left the corpse there to rot as a warning. Black magic if you ask me'
'We've all thought it' added another darkly.
'Maybe death is better than whatever is in store for us' muttered a skinny woman.
'Easy to say that when your still alive' someone retorted.
'Ay true enough' agreed the original speaker. 'Death seems romantic until you're looking at it. We face it every time the emperor comes by with a new lot of meat like you two and we get to see that damned cold mask of a murderin' face. And if anyone ever felt romantic 'bout our dear old ruler then they themselves must have had a touch too much of the sun or have been bewitched.'
Old Rin's subconscious heart sank and her spirit mourned as it felt the final cords of communion snapping between what used to be Sesshomaru and her soul at hearing how far he had fallen in her eyes, and it seemed many others.
The tales she had heard of him in her town were true from the outside; he ruled with ultimate power and was not to be mocked – but from the inside, seeing how he had achieved his end, such glory was too gored in blood to be respected.
However, Rin's conscious mind in the moment felt little surprise at the revelations of the prisoners. She set her lips grimly and knew that Sesshomaru was worse than a stranger; he was the same as he ever was before he even met her.
Merciless.
Somehow, his heart, or whatever it was that beat blue blood through his veins, had become colder than a glacial winter once again.
'And why are you imprisoned, sir?' Sato inquired of the man who had mainly spoken to them.
'Me?' The old timer huffed 'I gave work to some refugees without papers.'
Rin scoffed at the paltry conditions upon which the man had been arrested.
'What's a pretty young thing like you doing here?' Asked the skinny woman of Rin.
She glanced at Sato, who's eyes were sorrowful. What would be their reaction if they found out she was the monarch's old ward?
'I tried to stop Sato's arrest' she inclined her head toward her merchant friend.
A young boy whistled. 'I'm surprised your still alive! No one gets in the way of them'
'All she did was knock a stall over' Sato rushed to her defence 'and they easily arrested me anyway. Maybe that's why she was spared'
'Maybe' spoke a demon with racoon markings. 'With such a slight offense she will probably be sent to work in the servants' quarters at the castle'
Rin turned her focus on the cute demon female.
'Really?'
'Yes. For some with lighter sentencing, we do a form of service to the state such as servitude in place of a prison sentence.'
'Interesting' Sato mused. He looked at Rin from under his lashes, wondering what was going on in her mind. She looked deep in thought, and he had no doubt that some plan was forming in her head.
Rin could not sleep that night, for the knowledge that a corpse sat not two metres from her was a shock to the system; let alone being surrounded by the stench of sweat, body odours and unwashed clothes added to the many other reasons that caused sleeplessness.
Was it karma, that such a powerful demon who had saved her life twice previously and raised her from a child, would now be the source of her torment?
Often, she had felt undeserving of such a creature's regard and care, but now it seemed almost grotesquely fitting that he treated her this way; almost in payment for causing him to have softness in his heart toward another living being.
She would not be at the mercy of his dark spirit, no matter how hard nostalgia and rose-coloured memories pulled at her heart strings. She forced herself to see him as he was now, not as he used to be – or had the potential to be.
She was dealing with a ruthless emperor who sought nothing but the downfall of innocent people.
These prisoners were no murderous vagrants, or psychopathic despots! They were people who had come across other people in need and attempted to help them. Rin dearly wished to know the reason for Sesshomaru's detestation of immigrants and refugees, and why even citizens who employed them were seen as criminals.
She had not paid attention much as a child to her guardian's political or social views – only knowing that he desired power. But perhaps if she dug deep enough, her having grown up around him could be her greatest chance at revenge.
Rin felt she had an upper hand in that way as she did know his base motivation – not to mention she could probably easily learn his unreadable facial expressions again. The things she used to love to study and know about the tall Lord were now things she would weaponize, if he wished to continue on his path of destruction.
Perhaps he really was a purist like his Mother – despising Inuyasha and his father, Rin quickly assumed that illegal immigrants could very well be detestable to one of such lofty blood line standards.
Maybe he thought they posed some sort of threat to Japan's rule – some kind of silent infiltration? But as she conversed more with the prisoners, she found out that most of the immigrants were fleeing war or poverty and came with weak children and women.
Try as she might, Rin could not think of a reason strong enough to warrant the most prevailing demon putting away any and all peoples ever so slightly involved with the refugees, with such thoroughness that spoke to her of paranoia.
If she was indeed going to be a servant within the emperor's castle, she would damn well try her best to get to the bottom of all of it. If he refused to remember or acknowledge her and be so stupid and stubborn as to revert to his old ways, then she sure as hell was going to get right under his skin and tear off his armour even if it killed her.
The passionate musings in the dark were well worn by the light of dawn which broke upon Rin's unrested face like a slap. Squinting she shifted her very sore backside, trying to find the least painful position, but apparently such a spot did not exist. One night in this animal cage already had her so shattered, and she tried to vaguely comprehend how all the others must be feeling after who knows how many nights they'd been locked in this thing.
It was debasing and inhumane.
During the course of the night, the skinny woman had ended up in Rin's lap snoring away loudly for her size, and Rin had tried her best to accommodate the poor scrap of a thing; then in the last hour Sato's head had drooped on to her shoulder.
By the position of the sun Rin guessed it to be around four or five am as during the summer months that burning yellow beacon rose quickly, eager to scald the landscape again.
A guard approached the carriage and pointed his sword at Rin.
'You!'
Her exhausted eyes snapped wide and Sato stirred awake.
'Get up' the soldier barked the order, causing everyone else to mumble in disorientation, rubbing their bleary eyes.
He had unlocked the door of the cage and grabbed Rin by the arm roughly. She was forced out and only achieved a very brief look back at her imprisoned friend, panic in her face, before she was escorted briskly to the large tent.
Her unrested brain felt as though it was on knife's edge, strangely keen and alert, yet her body felt as though it lagged far behind her. The guard pushed her within the shelter and stood at the entrance way as Rin put a hand to her arm where he had grasped it, giving it a rub before finding herself in front of her old guardian demon again.
His back had been turned, affording her a view of his silken hair wildly spilling like a silver waterfall down his back. It seemed he had not slept either as he wore the same clothing of the previous day. He was pouring some sort of drink when he addressed her, still facing away.
'Lady Machiko's maid is ill. You will fill the position while she recovers. I am sure you have enough sense to know what the task entails'
As he spoke, he turned, two vessels in his hands. His reptilian yellow eyes gave away no emotion, but he advanced toward her with graceful ease holding out the drink.
Rin refused to look at him or even at the hospitality he offered.
She felt like spitting in the cup, but she knew that would certainly be more unwise than the obvious slight she was still sending him.
'Drink. You are unwell'
Rin could've laughed in his face if she wasn't so hollowed out. Using the same uncanny sense of smell he'd always had to detect her physical state was not going to disarm her as it used to. He was caring about her health now? After keeping her in a cage all night?
'I'm not thirsty' she lied, studying the ground intently. 'Take me to Lady Machiko and I will begin my duties.'
Despite her defiance of Lord Sesshomaru, her heart still clamoured against her rib bones at speaking to such a powerful demon in this way – one who for all his evils now did at one point save her life twice over. She was not stupid and could not forget what he had done for her as a child, especially being in his physical presence. Rin remembered when she would've taken his outstretched hand gladly and kissed it. That seemed from another lifetime, or a parallel universe.
She did not see him motion to the guard, and before she knew it her request to be taken to her new assignment was being fulfilled. So, he was not going to even deign to rebuke her for her insolence? Very well, at least she did not have to bear his poisonous tongue. For once Rin was glad that he was so habitually silent, for when he wished it Sesshomaru's verbal barbs could be nearly as painful as his talons.
As Rin was led away, the Inu yokai's eyes watched her unblinking and still his ears were trained on her voice and movements once out of eyesight.
He called in his Captain of the Guard, Jiro, and moved around the table in the centre of the temporary housing.
'Well?' He asked brusquely of his strong demon soldier.
'The canal beneath the gallery in town was discovered, and there were thirty-two refugees present in caves beneath. All of them have been disposed of as per your order. The ships carrying illicit cargo arrive in Fyuoshu within the hour. Most of the camp is ready to leave, sire'
Sesshomaru nodded once and handed his captain guard a bag of gold.
The dog Captain stared at the Emperor, tentatively weighing the bag in his hand.
'I will handle the cartel alone. You take the garrison and escort the ladies around the city as they will need protection. They're bent on buying out the place. That's a tip for your service' Sesshomaru kicked a heavy chest nonchalantly across the room, the lid opening as he did so, revealing many other bags of the same size within. 'And those are for everyone else. Our time in Fyuoshu will serve as your week of leave.'
The guard stared in wonderment at his Lord.
'Sire' he bowed low 'I thank you for your great generosity, it's completely unexpected.' He stammered in his speech, taken aback by the sheer amount of gold before him. Yet a thought seemed to nag him, and Sesshomaru prompted the guard by raising his brows.
Taking the hint, the Captain cleared his throat.
'By the way' he said as he straightened 'was that the rebellious serving maid from the gallery just now who passed me by?'
The citrine eyes slanted toward his guard, but only for a moment as the great Demon began taking off his armour.
'It was. She is now a maid for Lady Machiko'
'I see. Did she have something to do with the underground refugee affair at her workplace?'
Sesshomaru was putting on clothing fit for a commoner as the Captain spoke.
'No' he turned, now flicking his elegant hand in front of his face in a fluid swirling motion; the loyal demon Chief watched as the Emperor's face turned human in appearance, his hair became short and black; the only thing slightly still resembling the Lord being the shape and set of his eyes.
Sesshomaru's dark gold eyes seemed to turn black.
'She – would not return willingly, so I made her my prisoner'
The guard's jaw went slack as he stared at his disguised ruler in amazement.
'That lovely woman is Rin? She is your ward from years ago? The one who rejected your offer?'
Sesshomaru merely rewarded his Captain with an upraised eyebrow and the ghost of a smile as he pulled a cloak over his civilian clothing, bringing the hood over his head.
'I can't believe it. You sly devil – punishing her like this!'
But the emperor merely brushed passed his soldier with graceful movements and left far ahead of the garrison at Lukuoka to the port city, leaving his Captain astounded, shaking his head in incredulity.