As more traitorous individuals were discovered on the incoming ships to port, the clean-up of the threat was underway in Fyuoshu.
Sesshomaru easily dealt with it on his own, his vastly increased repressed energy from a different source funneling in to his swift and ruthless execution of those who dared step foot on his land with the intention of endangering it.
So quickly had he dealt with the majority of the undercover Chinese imperial soldiers, that there was a day of rest on Wednesday in which the Emperor's custom was to listen to the desires and queries of the locals in the city hall.
He had to do anything to get his mind away from her.
The moans and her scent, the way she moved against him had plagued him since Monday. He had only caught glimpses of Rin since then; she had not even looked his way. For certain, her dream had not been about him.
The pleasure and intimate secret of her body had been given to him under completely false pretenses – and no woman had ever unwillingly offered themselves to him.
In fact, they begged for it.
The one woman he wanted had seduced him, yet Rin had been so bewitched by her dream that to her he was merely the imagined vessel of a different male.
This angered him.
He had just given an elderly couple rights to an orphaned grandchild, when a familiar figure from the court room incident showed up before him as next in line to inquire of the Emperor.
Sesshomaru's expression did not change, he merely waited for the large burly man to speak. The sailor shuffled on his feet, feeling even more awfully clumsy in front of the throne lounging beauty of a demon – not despising his Emperor for his exquisite appearance, for he knew that man could destroy their entire city with one lift of a finger if he wished to.
Kaito remembered his manners suddenly, as he'd been mesmerized by Lord Sesshomaru since first seeing him, and quickly removed his sailor's cap, crumpling it between his meaty hands. He bowed low.
'My Lord Emperor Takahashi' Kaito began, his voice trembling; he cleared his throat.
'I don't wish to ask for anything more of you than what you've done for me and my crew. Instead, if you would need it – I wish to offer my services. Now, I know you have enemies, sir, – please don't take that as meant to dishonour you, I don't.'
He ruffled his hair, realising he was rambling.
'But I want to let you know that you have as many strong followers as foes, and I and my men are some of them. I don't wish to speak so openly in this public hearing, but my men and I – well, we know an inkling of your purpose here as we ourselves see what happens on the seas and what goes in the ships. The Captain you carried out justice on was one of those traitors, your Grace. My men and I would be happy to be of service and lend our new ship and expertise to way lay any similar ships, or perform any task you deem fit, my Lord Emperor Sesshomaru, for we are very grateful for your help at our trial.'
Kaito finished his somewhat stumbling monologue with an awkward bow, and with great trepidation awaited the powerful demon's response.
Sesshomaru's eyes seemed to glitter a moment as he watched the sailor fumble through his words, and he was silent for a space, allowing the words of Kaito to hang in the air. There was a long line of people reaching far out of the hall doors, and Sesshomaru could feel the intention of every one of them; many of them disgruntled.
'People of Fyuoshu' Sesshomaru spoke out, and everyone in the hall looked up to him. 'Hear the spirit in the words of this man. You'd do well to have the same loyalty'
Kaito blushed deeply as Sesshomaru's eyes swung back down to him. There seemed to be even the slightest smile behind them.
'I appreciate your sentiments' he responded 'I've weighed your heart and you will receive in turn what you've intentions have sown. As to your assistance – all I ask is you continue to do the good work you are doing. This matter you know of is too dangerous even for a brave man. Next'
Kaito bowed low, still red, feeling immense pride at being bestowed such an honour by the Emperor himself.
As a demon, Kaito knew the creature could easily control the destiny of many men even without being present. He had not expected recompense for loyalty, for Kaito was the sort of man to believe faithfulness to his country and its leader was a duty – so to hear his life would be heaved up from the pit it was currently in due to the Emperor's blessing blew him away. Still, he wished now even more to do something for Lord Sesshomaru, for once Kaito's fierce allegiance was bestowed, he was determined to make good on it.
Meanwhile, Rin had been helping Lady Machiko re-arrange the hair style of the wig she had purchased for her.
The demoness had worn it all day yesterday and found it somewhat uncomfortable, so they'd decided to take it down from the up-do and create a more half-way done-up arrangement. Lady Machiko had watched Rin from under her lashes and smelt Sesshomaru on her – yet not in her.
Her jealousy was simmering, but it had not reached boiling point – which it would have if indeed she had smelt anything further.
They'd finally tugged out the last pin in the wig and let the tresses fall down freely when Machiko said between mundane sentences;
'There's some excellent rice balls in the high street, if you could go and get me and some as well as cold jasmine tea when we are finished here, Rin. By the way, don't you think Lord Sesshomaru handsome?'
Rin almost choked on the pins she held in between her teeth, but she only swallowed a little hard before meeting her lady's gaze steadily.
What the sly demoness could be playing at now left Rin at a loss, but she couldn't deny a fact that was obvious to the entire population.
'Everyone knows he is' she responded simply.
Machiko exhaled. If the wench had said no, she'd obviously have been lying - trying to cover something up. At least the maid had told the truth.
'I am so fortunate to be his courtesan' Machiko continued, in an almost purr, 'There are only three of us – the other two are back at the castle'
Rin looked in surprise at Machiko.
'Oh yes' the demoness assented, seeing well the maid's shock. 'Only three of us. Most Emperors have hundreds – some thousands. It shows just how special we are'
Inexplicably, Rin's heart felt stretched out. Her surprise was in no way directed at the lack of courtesans.
'That is an honour I'm sure' Rin conceded 'but it's no surprise, as you're very beautiful'
'Oh, stop it' Machiko laughed, waving a hand. But she kept her eyes glued to the girl's face. 'Yet so are you, my dear' she added, the mirth gone from her voice. Rin looked at her again, strangely.
'T- thank you, my lady' Rin answered, unsure of what else to say, and to where Machiko's incessant questions now tended.
'He is a man after all, I am sure your looks and figure have not gone unnoticed by him'
Rin couldn't stop the blush that fanned across her nose and cheeks. Hitori, and now Machiko were directing the same remark at her? It was uncannily strange.
Lady Machiko raised an eyebrow at Rin.
'I realise I am blushing, Lady Machiko' Rin responded swiftly 'but don't mistake it for shyness. I am blushing because I – I don't quite agree with some of the Emperor's sentiments, and if he does notice me at all which I think highly unlikely, that I wish he would not. I've never looked to be noticed in that way'
'Oh, come now' Machiko walked around the wig and took Rin by the hand, twirling her.
'You can't tell me that even if your deepest subconscious you haven't desired such a powerful, beautiful male? Forget politics – it does not belong in the bedroom' she winked.
'If he wants you as a courtesan there'll be no stopping him, no matter how unwilling you are. You'd better drop your ideas about governmental discourse – for Emperors come to the room of the concubine to forget such things for a little while'
It took all of Rin's patience to not yank her hand from the demoness. Instead, she returned that cat-like green gaze with calm dignity.
'I will never be in a union where the heart and mind do not meet the body and soul. I think you're playing with me, my Lady' Rin smiled at her, hoping to lighten the situation.
'Oh ho, she thinks she has a choice in the matter!' Lady Machiko chortled 'well, my pretty, busty little maid. You keep daydreaming and go and get me that food. I'm starving'
Machiko's smile faded instantly as Rin left with some money to buy her lady some lunch, and she yanked at the wig harshly.
'If he does indeed make her a courtesan, I'll not be so kind to her'
Fortunately, the sea breeze was stronger today than it had been yet, and Rin felt refreshed at the taste of salt on the air with the tinge of coolness. Machiko had ended up giving her another kimono last night, which was predominantly orange, and it felt nice to wear fresh clothing. Still, Rin felt constant guilt at her comparative fortune to the prisoners within the carriage - especially Sato.
The demoness was crazy if she actually imagined Rin was going to be made a prostitute of Sesshomaru's. The idea was madness itself. He hated her as much as she did him; despite her dreams about the demon, she knew it was merely a matter of sexual attraction - the same desire no doubt half the population of Japan had toward him. Such a thing passed – but the knowledge that the man she lusted for was such a twisted shell of a creature caused any other feelings to flee.
As Rin walked further into the city, she noticed a large gathering of people outside of the main hall. Wondering what it could be, Rin decided she would check it out once she returned with Lady Machiko's food.
With the change Rin received from purchasing Machiko's lunch, Rin sneakily bought some extra food items from a cheaper stall to give to her imprisoned friends. She had been stewing greatly over how to begin saving the victims of Sesshomaru's wrath from harm for the past twenty four hours, but nothing served to answer. Inutaisho was all well and good – but how was one to even contact such an illustrious personage?
It was on her way back to the camp, winding through various back ways to avoid the glare of the sun and capture some more of the tunneled sea breeze, that something crashed into her.
Being too taken aback to scream, Rin let out a small gasp as she fell on to her backside, the food going everywhere. On top of her was none other than the wiry little man from Monday! He was trembling heavily with a hot fever, and Rin looked in his bloodshot eyes. The fellow grabbed her by the shoulders.
A mask of sorts seemed to slip from his visage, and Rin beheld some sort of goblin-like creature. She let out a silent scream – he was a demon? He reminded her of Jaken!
The creature writhed in pain on top of her, and Rin pushed up on her elbows.
'Maid of the Emperor' the demon rasped, struggling to get his words out 'I know you overheard me with the merchant' he took a deep shattering breath; 'I sense your sympathies lie with the Chinese, more than the Japanese ruler. You are – in a perfect position – to carry out – the task that I – cannot – complete – ' the poor thing was in such agony that he was using all his remaining energy to speak. Suddenly he grasped Rin's head between his webbed hands, and she felt knowledge rushing into her mind; - names, places, dates!
'These are the ones – you need to warn – to hide from him – release the prisoners in the castle – carry out the plan – '
At this, he convulsed a few more times, froth coming from his beak of a mouth, before collapsing on top of her. Rin lay there for some moments in utter disbelief at what had just transpired.
Yet now, she had something to work with! She had all the information she needed to help those who Sesshomaru hunted.
Heaving the poor soul off her, she remembered the death curse – and imagined he must have suffered greatly since he had gone against the word of the Emperor. How dare Sesshomaru use such barbaric means on such an innocent soul! She remembered also the papers she had heard rustling when he had spoken with the wig merchant, and she bent to look through his clothing. Sure enough, there was a scroll tucked away in his coat.
Rin unfurled it, and after skimming for a few moments dropped it in disgust and horror. Why, this was nothing but a hit list, recording death dates and names! Surely this had been the thing Sesshomaru had meant the small demon to convey.
Her throat constricting, looking at the hopeless contorted form of the little creature and the black mark that had spread all the way up his arm, Rin stood, two big tear drops falling on his form.
'Rest well, my friend' she whispered, tucking the scroll in to her kimono, before turning and running in the opposite direction.
Sato and the prisoners would have to wait. Lady Machiko's jasmine tea be damned! She had people to find, right now – lest they become cinders like the skeleton in the prisoner's cart.
It was night-time by the time a dejected, exhausted Rin came back to the camp. Her heart was in her shoes – two thirds of the names given to her by that little demon had already been apprehended and either arrested or killed. She had, however, not yet managed to reach the last third. Surely Sesshomaru had not found all of them yet? She had discovered from the dock master that more ships would be arriving early tomorrow morning, and Rin suspected that more immigrants might be on board those. She had to sleep now in order to wake early enough to catch them all and warn them away!
Rin was determined Sesshomaru's killing spree would be thwarted – and if not by any-one else in power, then as Hitori had said – it needed to be done by the servants who knew even more than the most trusted advisors.
To her surprise, Lady Machiko did not look for Rin when she returned to her maid's tent – Rin barely cared that she would be in trouble for abandoning her duties for the day. All she wanted was to lie down in the darkness and sleep – but that luxury seemed to not be afforded to her.
Her mind was whirring, racing a million miles an hour – anticipating her meeting of the early cargo with eager anxiety. A part of her told herself that she was crazy – that she was far out of her depth – to just forget about it all and go back to getting rice balls for demonesses.
But it would not do; Rin's passionate nature and desire to see innocent people treated fairly overrode her qualms quickly, and she obsessed over how she would sneak out in the dawn, avoid being seen, and slip away to the docks.
That dog of a demon would not be allowed to murder any more people if Rin had anything to do with it.
Feeling strangely calm and elated by the time the very first rays broke through the velvet sky, Rin rose quickly and wrapped her kimono around her body – not bothering to pin back her hair, opting to let it spill around her form. It was warmer that way and she'd take anything for a bit of extra heat at the moment.
Peeking out of her tent, she saw some servants rousing as well, and decided she would walk slowly and normally as though preparing for her normal maid duties. As she began walking in the opposite direction to the other serfs, however, a familiar shrill voice called to her from behind, a bit too loud in the thin atmosphere of the early morning.
'Apron thief! Where are you going, we gotta go to the pavilion'
Rin winced, turning to face the tiny old woman of the soy apron.
'Ah – yeah!' Rin smiled sweetly 'about that thief thing, I realised that was your apron. I found mine in my tent yesterday. Sorry, I forgot to tell you'
The old woman's prune like face seemed to shrivel as she gave Rin a toothless humourless smile.
'I knew you was lyin' the hag jeered 'and you're about to sneak somewhere again aren't you, like ye did yesterday!'
Rin could have slapped the woman across the face had she not a healthy respect for the elderly.
'Sh! Please, there's no need to yell'
'Oh, I'm sure you wish no one else could hear me speak truth about you' the woman continued, pointing a bony finger at Rin.
'Look' Rin briskly walked up to the woman after retrieving the damned apron and pushed it against her chest. 'There's your apron. That's what you wanted, wasn't it? Now, please let me go'
'What's going on here?' Rin and the old woman turned to see Jiro behind them.
'Sorry sir, miss was just giving back my apron that she stole. Ye might want to keep an eye on this one'
Rin watched as Jiro seemed to regard Rin with a strange intensity.
'Be off, old woman. Stop causing drama.'
The apron woman scoffed openly before sending a look of distilled dislike at Rin, then turned slowly to continue her way to attend to her duties.
'Thank you, sir' Rin bowed to the Captain of the Guard.
'Don't thank me' he replied 'merely continue with your business, and let me know if she bothers you again'
Rin bowed a second time, meeting his frowning gaze again for some moments before continuing on toward the entrance of the camp. Behind her, and in front of Jiro, Sesshomaru came into view, and the two exchanged glances silently before the latter transferred his gaze to the retreating Rin. The great Demon made to follow in the little traitor's footsteps, and as he passed by Jiro his appearance became that of a man again – black hair, long cloak and boots to his knees.
Surely it couldn't have been that easy? Rin rubbed her hands together to try and invite warmth into her limbs, but nothing would stop the trembling which her nerves caused.
The dog guards, apart from the one who had pulled her from the prisoner carriage a few days ago, had been curiously merciful towards her, and there was no accounting for it. But she would take what the kami gave her, and so she did with both hands.
It took her a good twenty-minute walk to make it down to the docks, and it was even more freezing as the paths took their steady incline toward the sea.
There were a handful of people milling about, mainly stall holders putting up new goods, and workers preparing for the incoming supplies.
What Rin did not expect to see was a tall slim figure leaning against the wall of an inn on the corner of a street she was walking down, smoking something as the grey wisps of tobacco scented smoke rose from his mouth. A hood covered his head. Rin's heart skipped a beat, and with doubled up nervousness, she did not know whether to make herself known to him or try and avoid him at all costs.
He had not seemed either for or against the Emperor – indeed she had not spoken to him long enough to gauge such a thing. What if he stopped her? But a little voice also asked – what if he helped her?
The temptation was too great – as Rin had been hoping against hope to see the tall handsome stranger again. She was curious as to what he could be doing out here at such a time; but he would of course ask her the same question. She was now five metres from him; and inexorably her feet curved a path towards him.
'Hitori-kun' she said in a happy tone, conveying surprise and joy at once.
The man immediately removed the smoking implement from his mouth, and through the grey curtain of smoke his dark hazel eyes appraised her as he looked down.
'Rin-san?' he responded, bowing, his voice similarly inflected with gladness, yet said as more of a question than a greeting.
'I know you must think it's strange that I'm out at this time' Rin's lovely hair spilled over her shoulders, and Sesshomaru remembered how it felt when she had pulled at his and passionately kissed his neck. He cursed himself for recalling it; - it wouldn't do – she was being very disobedient, and she had angered him.
'But I am about to do something that needs to be done'
'Cryptic' remarked Hitori dryly 'You are a mysterious woman. Likewise, you must be wondering why I am here at such a time' his eyes glimmered with humour at her, and Rin couldn't help but give a small chuckle at his light heartedness.
'Now you can't say a word to that petty Emperor of yours' he bent his head slightly, and Rin looked up at him with slightly widened eyes 'but there is a shipment coming in around four am, ten minutes from now. One of the vessels contains cargo that is not entirely – inanimate'
Rin couldn't believe her ears! Hitori was in on this too?
'I am going to be helping this – er, cargo, to safety, away from those who wish them harm. This, of course, is not an action endorsed by his Highness'
Rin was so excited by his words that she couldn't help but grasp his forearm in happiness.
'I can't believe it!' She answered 'I was doing the same. Would you allow me to help you? I can't stand the thought of these poor people stepping foot on a land where they hope to be safe only to be slaughtered within it'
She was looking down toward the dock as she spoke, but the man's eyes were trained on her face.
'Of course, you may help me' he conceded, and Rin looped her arm through his offered elbow.
'Thank you, sir' she said. 'I can't tell you how much this means to me'
'You seem to have a lot of trouble with that' he re-joined with a wry smile.
Rin laughed 'well, you are always doing things that render me speechless' she replied, and Sesshomaru wished she only knew how speechless she rendered him.
Feeling her little hand nestled so trustingly within his elbow caused his gut to twist at how ridiculously naïve this little thorn in his side was. The same hand that had stroked his face last night, clung to him as though to life support. He grimaced.
Any blackguard could have done what he did to appear the hero to a pretty young woman, just to get her to go with him for darker purposes – but no, Rin truly gave her credulity over to total strangers. How had she survived so long without his protection, for kami's sake?
Her happiness at seeing him as someone else threw into stark contrast the coldness with which she treated him when she knew who he was.
He wished she was as quick to trust him in his real form as she was in a false one. The irony was not lost on Sesshomaru.
What he did not know was Rin's perceptions of character were quite spot on. Just as she really did trust Sesshomaru as a being – acknowledging his integrity, so she had felt that same veracity within Hitori – though she did not know the connection between the two men.
Watching her sweet, eager little face from his periphery, the demon was almost tempted to actually help her achieve her true end just to see her reaction, but that was a mere passing thought.
They made it to the docks just in time to see the ships start to come in.
Rin clung to Hitori as he was nice and warm, and she felt stronger with him next to her – as she'd never done anything like this before.
Calls went up from the workers on the platform, guiding the vessels into the correct positions to holster the great bulks to the jetties.
'Do you think the refugees are all on the same one?' Rin asked her companion, looking out to the headlands between which more ships came.
'No. They are most likely separated. We'll meet the first lot coming off this one once they've let down the ramps' he replied, finding it difficult to concentrate with her soft form pressed against his side.
'Come' he pulled Rin along with him as they made it down to the sea-soaked platform below the fence line separating the operations of the docks from civilians.
The salt mist that rolled in from the night kissed oceans swirled around them and Rin tasted the tang on her lips, feeling a sense of abandon as the inky colour of the sea swirled below them. The loud slap of water against the ships side greeted her ears and a midshipman warned them to stand back as the ramps were released.
Bells rang as warning of their approach; as the mist caused perception to become distorted, and the second ship came into port as the first gangway hit the platform; Rin clung to Hitori more, peering inside the darkness of the ships' bowels.
'Are we safe?' A voice called out from the depths and the midshipman motioned to an unseen presence inside the vessel. Some sailors came out of the lower levels, bringing with them wrapped packages and great carved chests inlaid with gold.
There seemed to be a plethora of sailors streaming from the boat and Rin realised the refugees must be dressed in the uniform as a type of cover.
'Where do we go?' The apparent leader inquired of the midshipman, who shrugged at him in between hauling a load off the bulk.
Here, Hitori released Rin from his arm and stepped forward.
'Gentlemen' he spoke in Chinese, and a few of them whirled around to face the tall stranger. Transferring to Japanese, as most knew the language, he continued; 'You indeed are not safe here. The Emperor is in the city as we speak, looking for you. Already over fifty others are dead'
At this news Rin watched as the faces of the foreigners grew paler than they already were from their long water borne travels.
'Who are you?' demanded a man to the side of the taller one who had appeared to be their leader of sorts.
'I am Hitori' he answered, bowing 'and I am at your service. I know of a place in which you will be safe for now, if you care to follow myself and my companion Rin here'
The men peered around to appraise the attractive girl with the hooded man and some smiled.
'If it means we get to see sight more of this lady after our hardship then we will trust you know where to take us' spoke the leader.
Rin went up to the bedraggled looking men and took the taller one by the hand.
'You will be safe' she assured him, looking into his weary eyes. 'I am a friend of Riku and Sato, the merchants who have helped your people before'
'Aye I've heard of Sato' spoke the immigrant 'but his face ain't as pretty as yours' and some of the men laughed.
'That's enough' Hitori cut in coldly 'we can't waste any more time. Follow me'
With a swish of his cloak the tall stranger turned around and Rin beckoned for the men to follow her.
Hitori led the twenty odd men through many winding pathways, not looking back to see if even Rin followed. His sense of smell told him all he needed to know; he had to force himself to not remove Rin bodily from the beady eyes of the undercover soldiers as he could feel their lust overwhelming the atmosphere.
After a long voyage, battle hardened men wanted nothing more than a woman to fuck, and rarely did it matter what she looked like.
Rin, on the other hand, was a rare combination of innocence oozing a sex appeal that caused the cretins to positively fall over themselves with lust – the same emotion Sesshomaru was combating at every second, the struggle now increased from her unconscious seducing of him last night.
It made him angry to realise his own aura of desire intermingled with the same scent from such foul spies as the ones behind him. He was better than those vermin!
His stride increased in speed as his jaw clenched.
Turning every which way, the sailors were stumbling with exhaustion by the time Sesshomaru had led them to the destination – Rin wondered how Hitori could seem as though he wasn't even out of breath after the trek.
'Here' Hitori stopped and turned in front of them, his eyes glittering at the heavy sounds of breathing – after all Sesshomaru had practically led them on a maximum level army march exercise.
But his gaze hardened again as he saw Rin was on the back of one of them. He'd succeeded in taking the levity out of the soldier's sails via fatigue – but in his anger he'd forgotten Rin naturally would not have kept up with his pace. The foreigner let Rin down off his back and with an enigmatic expression Hitori watched as his old ward came up to his side again.
Sesshomaru swung open a door in a hovel of a room, and he motioned for them to file inside. Rin watched as they went within, but one of them stopped, eyeing her companion with some misgiving.
'How do we know to trust you, sir?' he spoke and Hitori met the man's gaze with ease.
'Because you have no one else to turn to in this situation' the cloaked stranger replied 'besides, if you do not hide immediately do you really think a Daiyokai will not track you down in less than a second?'
The man pressed his lips together in silence, nodded once, and went inside. As the last man disappeared within the room, Sesshomaru felt Rin grasp at his arm.
'What do we do now? Should we bring them food, they must be starving'
Her dark gaze was filled with worry and he recalled the very same expression she had given him when he first met her so many years ago.
Compassion, love, concern, selflessness. All the things that were a total stranger to him, compressed into Rin's enticing little body.
He took her hand, pressing it lightly before letting it drop.
'Go and get them some food and water' he said. 'The inn three streets away will already be open'
Rin nodded, her eyes remaining on him for some moments before she turned and went away. His dark hazel gaze looked after her with pain in them for a little while before he made himself turn and enter the room behind the soldiers.
His cloak still over his head and half his face, he stood before the men who were collapsed on the ground, drained from their travel and march.
Standing at the front of the drab space, Sesshomaru pulled back his hood to reveal his true face.
It only took a few seconds for the majority of the group to realise what had just happened.
'We're dead!'
'It's the Emperor!'
'Demon!'
'We've been trapped, deceived!'
They didn't even try to escape, for they knew the doors were already fixed shut by their captor's power.
'Silence' Sesshomaru's voice whipped out. 'Your leader is a foolish man, continuing to send you to your graves by coming here'
'H-he sent us on pain of death!' One of them stammered, 'I swear to you, we had no choice'
'We don't want to be here!' Another cried out.
'Spare us, we have our families with us'
'Everyone knows it's a death sentence to occupy Japan with you as Emperor!'
Sesshomaru raised his hand to quiet the sudden outburst of desperation from the Chinese soldiers.
'I've heard enough' he snarled.
'Do you think I care for your sob stories? Only on account of the lady will I spare your lives today.'
The terrified soldiers watched as the tall demon cast his gaze over them, his eyes strangely glowing neon yellow for a few moments.
'The death mark on your arms will only activate if you dare reveal the truth to her, or anyone else. Very few know of your little plot and I wish to keep it that way. She will come in here in no more than eight minutes bringing you food that you less than deserve. Behave and you will avoid a slow, painful death. For now'
Each man turned over their arms to see with horror that their skin had a strange rune like tattoo engraved in it.
'We will not tell a soul' one replied.
'Thank you for your mercy, your Grace'
'Our lives are spared!'
Sesshomaru sneered, his eyes withdrawn, and he swept from the room bringing the hood over his face again.
Rin approached him presently carrying two buckets over her arm, and a stacked pile of bread in the other. She was evidently struggling – so he approached her with his glamour in place once more and took the items from her laden arms.
'Oh no it's ok I can carry them!' she assured him, but he saw how her chest rose up and down with exertion.
'Don't be silly' he remarked, easily taking the load from her grasp.
'Well – thank you' Rin sighed, trailing him as he returned to the room.
Rin took pieces of bread one by one from Hitori's arms as they entered, passing them around to each soldier. She found it strange that they all seemed furtive and avoided her eye contact.
Perhaps the tiresome journey had finally got to them all at once?
There was a small murmur of thanks for the supplies, but as soon as she finished her work Rin found her arm in the grasp of her cloaked companion's hand, pulling her away.
'We can't stay here' his voice said lowly above her, as he closed the door behind them. 'There'll be more of them at the docks and we need to take those to safety as well'
'O- of course' Rin stammered, looking up at Hitori's handsome face, wondering why it was so strained, and why his voice sounded so cold. But her wondering was cut short as Hitori pulled her figure close against his side and she couldn't study him any longer.
As he took her along down the pathway back towards the ships, he turned his head ever so slightly to catch a glimpse of his own dog demon soldiers noiselessly closing in on the Chinese militias within the hovel to arrest them.
He could not stand Rin's confused, wide gaze looking into his face with open question.
It burned.