Chapter Thirty

Sesshomaru set down easily on top of the mountain his castle was built in to. Rin slid down from his back first, holding out her arms and catching both girls as they jumped.

"Hey, Rin, since it won't be dark for a while can we go and play with the other kids in the courtyard?," Amari peered up at her.

"I suppose," she winked and they ran off as Sesshomaru transformed back into his human state.

"Be back by dark," he called after them.

"Okay!,"

"So, Rin," he slung an arm around her shoulder as they trailed behind the girls. "Did you enjoy your time at French court?,"

"Of course," she grinned up at him. "I always do."

"Good...I cant wait to get my revenge for that little stunt you pulled," he narrowed his eyes.

"Whatever do you mean?," she batted her own.

"Oh you know damn good and well what I mean," he chuckled. "Don't worry though, you'll pay," he winked at her and she balked.

"When should I expect to...pay?," she nudged him.

"Hmm...you'll see. Now, come. I have to see what a mess my other cousin, Takeharu's sister, has made of our home."

"Was this the first time you've entrusted the castle to her?,"

"Yes, Tamari is fairly young, and still pretty reckless."

"How old is she?"

"One hundred and forty I believe," he stated.

"Wow...and that's young?"

"Oh yes...especially by a demons standard."

"So do demons grow slower than humans?,"

"No, not necessarily. Our bodies and cognitive abilities advance at about the same pace. However, especially for InuYoukai, impulse control comes a little later..."

"So were you like Inuyasha used to be?,"

"Not to that degree but yes, we all have our own phase like that. Don't worry, you'll experience it to. And at the end of this "wild phase" your powers mature too."

"How so? I don't even have any powers yet!," she protested.

"Calm yourself, Rin. Don't worry. You will obtain your own abilities. You just have to be patient and wait for them to come to you.," he craned his neck and kissed the top of her head. "However, I do hope you don't get very much taller," he gave her a sheepish grin.

"What does that mean? Let them come to me?,"

"You'll see."

"When can I have my own demon sword?," she inquired as casually as she would if she were asking what the plans for tomorrow were.

"When you've mastered your own strength," he pulled her gently into the back entrance of her flower maze.

"When will that be?,"

"Do not ask questions that you know I don't have the answer to," he narrowed his eyes at her and she giggled.

"Okay fine." She held up her hands in defeat. "So...what did you learn at court?"

"Well, Catherine is definitely trying to kill Mary. No doubt about that. However, I don't think it'll be poison. Henry would immediately suspect her."

"So what have you done?"

"We've set up a rotating schedule of Inuyasha, Takeharu, and Diaroku duding the day. At night the two apprentices of Takeharu will earn their strips. I guess he wants to sample the court dishes. And let's face it, Inuyasha and Diaroku lay around and sleep like well, dogs." He cocked an eyebrow and she devolved into a fit of laughter, doubling over and wiping her eyes.

"Oh you did *not* just say that," she screeched.

"What? Is it not true?!"

"Yes it is," she wiped the final tear from her cheek and took a deep breath. "Oh that was good. Sesshomaru, you are the funniest person I've ever known."

"Wow," he chuckled. "That's a first."

"Of many," she winked.

...