"Rin! Do you have any idea who that was? You can't just go waving at a demon like Prince Sesshōmaru like he's me or Mizaki!" Kohauku hadn't been able to recover from the shock of what his friend had done until after the dust had settled from the party's passing. "Even you must have heard things about the Prince out in the woods with Kaede."
Rin leveled her friend with an unamused stare. "If you believed everything you heard about me from the villagers, we wouldn't be having this conversation right now."
Kohaku looked deadly serious and shook his head. "This is not the same thing, Rin. The Prince is dangerous. The last thing you want to do is put yourself or Kaede on his radar."
She had to agree that he had a point. She hadn't even considered how her actions might affect the woman she thought of as a grandmother. Rin's head dipped in shame. Sometimes it was difficult not to get caught up in a moment and follow her impulses, but she had to keep working on it. If not for her own sake then for the sake of Kaede.
Kohaku opened his mouth to try to cheer his friend, but just then a customer approached, followed by another, and two more. Maybe it was something about the Prince's presence that compelled humans and demons to the small medicine bundles and charms of protection. Either way, Rin was grateful her friend had volunteered to assist her today. Kaede had been called off on urgent business this morning and gave Rin specific instructions not to return home until every piece was sold.
When the rush had finished almost two hours had passed in the blink of an eye. Rin and Kohaku sat on the two small stools behind the single countertop. The roar of a cheering crowd was heard and Kohaku stared wishfully in the direction of the lists.
"You want to watch the jousting, don't you?" Rin asked, seeing his expression.
"It's okay, Rin, I told you I'd help you today," Kohaku responded quickly.
She threw him a skeptical look. "I can manage on my own for an hour or two. Go, watch those knights brutalize one another," Rin grinned at her friend.
"Are you sure?" Kohaku asked hesitatingly but he rose to his feet.
"I'm sure. But it will cost you one of those kebobs I've been smelling all day," Rin pointed to the stall across the way from theirs. Kohaku flashed her a smile that had melted more than a few female hearts in Rivergard.
"You got it, Rin," Kohaku left and walked casually up the thoroughfare until he thought he was out of her sight, then tore off at a run.
The sun heated the suddenly stuffy canvas tent as it rose overhead. The afternoon dragged on with little custom as everyone was gathered near the pavilion. It was an effort to keep her eyes from drooping.
At some point, she must have dozed off because the next thing she knew Kohaku was shaking her shoulder. "Rin? Hey, there you are," she awoke to sizzling meat under her nose and jumped up, nervously scanning the inventory for missing items. She held her breath until she verified everything was accounted for. "It's okay, it's all here," Kohaku rubbed his hand on her upper arm and Rin shook involuntarily. He immediately ripped his hand away like she'd burned him, his cheeks turning a light pink.
"S-Sorry about that Kohaku," Rin tried to give him her best smile. "Thank you for the kebob, I was starving!" she exclaimed suddenly.
"Oh, yeah, of course. Here you go," he handed it over to the girl and watched her chomp it down in a few bites. Hungrier than I realized, she thought to herself, somewhat embarrassed to eat like that in front of her friend.
After she finished eating Kohaku insisted that she take a break. "I heard the acrobats were performing while I was waiting for your food. You might still be able to catch them if you hurry," he gave her a dazzling smile that she returned.
"Thanks so much, Kohaku. I won't be long!" Rin had to stand on tip toe to wrap her arm around her friend in a big hug.
She snuck her way through the back of the tent and followed the main path towards the pavilion. A crowd of people had gathered, and Rin could see the King and Queen standing on top of a raised platform under the roofed structure. Around her in the crowd demons and humans alike were biting into oversized strawberries, monstrous oranges, and blueberries the size of her fist.
Too short to see much of anything, the King's voice carried well enough as he explained the New Harvest arrangement with their new allies from across the sea. While most seemed delighted with the fruits of the trade agreement, she overheard whispering among the crowd.
"I hear the King's made a pact with some shady Kotarok wizards. Seems to me we shouldn't be celebrating anything from such a cursed land." A few people dropped their portions to the ground as if they were carrying a plague. The discontented murmurings continued and uneasiness came over the girl. Rin turned the other way and moved on to the Merchant's Square.
Rin wound her way past the brightly colored rugs and tapestries, gawking at the size of the gems set in some of the most intricate jewelry she'd ever seen in her life. Truly the yōkai were far better skilled than humans in almost every way. Rin mused if such justifications were sufficient to excuse the tension between the races that she felt whenever she came to this town. Humans were still second-class citizens in Rivergard, no matter what Royal decrees came from the Capitol. Perhaps things will change around here after Lord Taketoki's son takes the human Princess to bride? The demons in their stalls were beginning to give her a suspicious look so Rin turned back towards her own tent, her mind wandering to her encounter with Prince Sesshōmaru.
After all the sinister rumors she'd heard she was expecting some sort of hideous, skeletal bogeyman. Instead he was, well, so overwhelmingly handsome all she could do was stare. More than that, something stirred in herself when he stared back. Her "gifts", as Kaede referred to them, had come to the surface and her palms had itched with the urge to touch his pale skin. It wasn't until Kohaku reminded her of those rumors that she thought about why that might not be such a good idea and shuddered. Although there had not been any evil aura around the Prince which was also partly why she hadn't recognized him.
When she turned the corner, Kohaku had finished loading the empty storage boxes into her cart and was working on breaking down the stall.
"Did you really sell out already? I didn't think I was gone that long," Rin said by way of greeting.
"What can I say? I'm told I can be very persuasive when I want to be," Kohaku smiled at the look of amazement on her face. Truthfully he had gotten so sick of staring at the last 5 lavender-scented bundles looking him in the face that he'd bought them all up himself. A hooded figure hanging near the kebob stand behind Rin caught his attention; specifically the way he kept stealing glances at Rin while dallying near the counter. Kohaku caught his eye and his grin faded in an instant. The man spit on the ground before turning and slowly walking away. Kohaku put a protective arm around Rin's shoulders. "Come on, Rin. Let's pack up and get you home."
-xx-
Lord Sanjo Taketoki threw an extravagent feast for his Royal guests that night, spending most of his time heaping praises on Tōga's ingenuity and making promises to start sowing his fields on the morrow. Dessert was not served until after dark and it was late by the time the great hall cleared out, leaving the King and Queen standing alone with their hosts.
"I must say, your Majesty, I was skeptical of your claims until I saw for myself. Those Kotarok are capable of miracles!" Sanjo exclaimed.
"No miracles, my Lord, they credit their success to what they call selective breeding. We're lucky they are so eager to expand their trading routes," Tōga replied genially.
"They are not the only ones who are eager, King Tōga. Now that the stores shall be replenished I would say we have a wedding to start planning!" Sanjo beamed and gripped Tōga on the shoulder.
"My Lord, your excitement is contagious, but Kagome is only sixteen. Besides, it would be bad form to wed our ward before the Heir," the smile plastered on Taketoki's face faltered at Queen Izayoi's words.
"I had hoped you would agree with having this marriage take place as soon as possible, what with what's been going on between your son and-" the Lord had leaned in and dropped his voice to a conspiratorial whisper when he was interrupted by the large front entrace opening wide.
"Father, Mother, Lord Taketoki. It was an excellent presentation this afternoon," Sesshōmaru strode in, his black leather boots clacking loudly on the marble floor.
"Prince Sesshōmaru," Sanjo bowed respectfully. "Already the smallfolk sing the praises of the sweetest fruit in the world. If all goes according to plan, I'll be building many new storehouses before next winter. And all thanks to the work of your wise Father," the plastered grin was back in place.
"I am sure your appreciation is unending. I wish I could say the same for your son," Sesshōmaru's eyes were cold and hard as they leveled the wolf-demon.
Taketoki's face dropped, "What are you referring to?"
"You should look into the relationship between Kōga and his chambermaid. Their affections are so casual that Kagome accidentally saw her fiancé kissing the servant last night. She was so upset she spent the night sobbing in our brother's arms, unable to be consoled," Sesshōmaru's accusation hung in the air between them.
"I..I'm sorry she had to be subjected to that, the poor girl. She must be heartbroken," there was not much sincerity or any surprise in Lord Sanjo's tone. He must have been well aware of his son's misbehavior.
Tōga's eyes flared with power, "I would not think Kōga would need to be reminded of his commitments the very first night his betrothed sleeps under his roof." Taketoki trembled before him.
"Please, Sire, do not allow this to effect the engagment. I will speak with my boy and I swear to you this will not be an issue moving forward," Sanjo prostrated himself before them.
Sesshōmaru sneered in disgust, "The girl is sensitive. It will take a lot of work to get back into her good graces."
"I will get to the bottom of this situation, and I can promise you that Kōga will be making things right. I must speak with him immediately, if your Highnesses would excuse me," Lord Taketoki exited quickly, his anger rising with every step.
"Sesshōmaru, please tell me she didn't actually witness such a thing," Izayoi was visibly upset.
Sesshōmaru placed a comforting hand on her back, his voice softening in a way that it only did for his stepmother, to the confusion of the rest of their family. "I am sorry, Mother. Kagome did not actually witness the act but I did," Tōga gave his son a pointed look but said nothing.
Putting her hand to her mouth in dismay Izayoi swallowed hard. "Kagome hates this boy enough as it is. Perhaps it would be best to keep it from her for the time being."
Tōga growled angrily but nodded his agreement and stormed off to find Lord Taketoki and inform him it would be prudent not to bring up the incident directly to his daughter.
-xx-
A log popped loudly in the crackling fire and shadows danced along the walls. The daiyōkai Prince sat in the wing-backed chair facing the hearth, a curled bit of parchment clutched in his fingers. So it is done he thought to himself, staring off into the flames and considering when would be the best time to slip off back to that isolated dwelling. He toed off his boots and stretched his stiff legs in front of him, relishing the heat on his sore muscles.
Sesshōmaru's eyelids drooped closed and the image of the human girl smiling at him appeared, unbidden. He attempted to turn his mind to his sword, his first magical weapon since his Tōkijin had been unceremoniously stripped from him...the memory started to surface and he clamped it back down. He never repeated a mistake; this blade would not suffer the same fate.
A pair of wide, chocolate eyes floated before his own and he sighed at his lack of focus. It took no more than an hour to learn that the girl, Rin, had been taken in by the woods witch as a toddler after her parents died. His local informants explained she worked as her apprentice, helping with midwife duties and tending to the sick and wounded. Many in the area believed the girl able to talk to animals and the dead, or even take the form of any animal she wanted. Some thought her blessed with prophecy and could see the future. Most everyone around agreed the girl was half-insane, though completely harmless, and quite the adept at the work she did with Kaede. Combining the wild tales with that enigmatic smell would have had Sesshōmaru intrigued if the female wasn't human. That fact did nothing to quell the peculiar tightness in his chest at the thought of seeing her when he picked up his sword. He had to have been far more exhausted than he realized, and he forced himself to lay out and actually used the oversized bed that took up the majority of the room.
Sleep, and think no more of the little wench, he commanded himself, and succeeded with effort. But when sleep took over and his control slipped, she was there, waving and giggling and inexplicably knocking the breath from his lungs.