*Disclaimer - Only in my dreams do I own Inuyasha and it's characters. In reality, they belong to Takahashi Rumiko*
A/N: *gladly eats the cookies from Silver* Trust me, I am as confused as you because for a very long time I refused to believe that the infamous fluffy was Sesshoumaru's tail. Because yes, there are shots that show that is it NOT connected to his body. For instance the second ending of Inuyasha which is my favorite because of course it features Sesshoumaru ^_^, but it is important to notice that in many of those scenes, the fluffy appears as though it is not connected. But still I cannot deny what episode 116 revealed to me. Again sorry for the spoiler, but the tail was cut. And if it was indeed just something Sesshoumaru through on to look good, I don't think it would have bleed ^.^. Therefore, it is his tail! But anyways *wipes the cookie crumbs from my face and clothing*, on with the story!!
Sequel to "Theft Through Seduction"
"You may deny your fate, but you cannot escape your destiny."
For Rin: Chapter 5 - Overcoming
Rin bowed respectfully to the young coyote youkai who was to be her trainer. Uruki's dark brown fur and unusual height caused him to stand out amongst everything in the village. His eyes were a sharp green and a stark contrast to his friendly face. He bowed in return and smiled, something Rin had not seen many demons do. But his polite manner helped her feel more comfortable with her surroundings. She soon learned that along with his other brothers, Uruki was responsible for helping his father train human forces from the villages that bordered Sesshoumaru's lands. Until her training was through, she was to spend five days in the village and five days at Sesshoumaru's castle for a time of rest. Of course she had no intention of resting because as Nagasi had informed her, practice makes perfect.
When they reached the headmaster's house Uruki turned to her. "Would you like to see your room first or begin the training?"
"I would like to begin if it is alright with you."
"Anxious are we?" He smiled and walked away from the house. "That is fine. Let me first outline what we shall be doing. I will personally teach you the techniques first and once you have learned them, a second trainer will help you refine your new skills. We will first begin with agility and speed, then we will teach you to use a bow and arrow, and lastly, if Lord Sesshoumaru wishes, we will teach you to use a sword of some sort."
Rin followed Uruki to a large field behind the village where many men were already practicing their skills. She suddenly felt uncomfortable with the idea of training with men as it was uncommon for a lady to be learning such things. But as if he sensed her anxiety, Uruki continued to walk until they reached a clearing within the forest. He stopped in front of a row of twelve narrow logs stuck vertically in the ground. Each one was of different height and spaced out erratically. Uruki leapt up on the shortest log at the end, easily balancing on his toes.
"This is the test you have to pass in order to move on to bow and arrow. It will test your balance, agility, and speed since there is a time limit. This is of course a test for us coyotes as we don't think human males are agile enough to do it. But because you are female, both Lord Sesshoumaru and myself have reason to believe you will have no trouble passing it. And the training for this test is not as long as the usual speed and agility test that the males take. Lord Sesshoumaru told me you were a fast learner. Is that correct?"
"Nagasi would disagree."
"Well, I don't believe that counts. Of course it would take a long time to break habits formed over nearly fourteen years. This is different. Let me show you first and then I will ask again. You are not obligated to perform the test the exact way I do nor are you required to have the same speed since I am faster. But watch carefully, at least one foot must touch the pole before you move on to the next."
Uruki leapt backwards from the pole and gave himself enough running space. And then he was off like a bullet, ricocheting from one pole to the next. She saw him do flips and summersaults, watched how he pushed himself off with one foot to the next pole. In her mind she noted that the extra momentum would be key. And then he landed, the test complete, and walked to her, showing no signs of being tired.
"Now, will you be able to learn that quickly?"
Rin stared at the poles, doubt creeping in. Sesshoumaru-sama would do anything for me...and in return... Rin turned to Uruki and looked up at him with a smile.
"Hai. Let's begin."
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"Now turn and shoot!"
Rin did as she was ordered. In one swift movement she flipped into the air and quickly removed a bow from her case. Just as her feet were about to reach the ground, she was extending the bow with an arrow carefully balanced between her fingers. But she concentrated to hard on holding the arrow steady and as she landed, she tripped and fell, sending the arrow flying into the sky. She heard the laugh before she could register the pain from the fall. She forced herself to fight the wave of anger as she rose to her feet and dusted the dirt from her body.
"You almost had it that time Rin-chan, but you are still having the same problem. You're body knows what to do so you don't need to concentrate so hard on landing or on shooting the bow. Agility, speed, shooting your bow and arrow. They all have become involuntary acts that your body is more than used to performing. And as I said before-"
"Relax and let your body do most of the work. I know, I know, Naname-chan. I just want to learn this faster so I can move on to the next test."
"Rushing is part of the reason you can't pass this test."
Rin sent a frown to the human female, knowing she was absolutely correct. Naname was twenty-two, five years older than Rin. She wore a short pink yukata with thick black lines, reminding Rin of her old checkered kimono. She kept half of her short black hair in a ponytail and left the rest to brush the base of her neck. Her eyes were brown like Rin's, but had a small orange tint, making them look like a bright hazel when the light hit them at a certain angle.
Rin had been very surprised that her second trainer was a human female, but she was very grateful. Naname knew the limitations of her own body and always told Rin where her own limitations might lie. Who better to help her refine her skills? Because Naname was an older female and had trained for most of her life, Rin saw her as a mentor and close friend.
"Rin-chan, lets head back, Lord Sesshoumaru will be coming for you soon."
Naname rushed off into the forest, Rin close on her heels. They raced to the clearing, leaping over fallen branches and dodging trees. Rin always enjoyed racing through the forest, remembering a time when she had to rely on Ah-Un to see a blur of trees. That was no longer the case and knowing that, she felt nothing like the weakness many claimed her to be. So she pushed herself faster, wanting to be stronger than before, and managed to beat Naname to the clearing. She leapt in the air, using the same move she had failed earlier. But without using the bow and arrow, she landed gracefully on her feet and waved to her friend as she rushed by.
"Ja ne, Rin-chan!"
"Arigatou, for today Naname-chan!"
"Rin."
Rin turned, spotted Sesshoumaru atop one of the poles. She smiled at him and bowed respectfully, happy to see him again.
"You are getting faster but this Sesshoumaru will see just how fast you have become."
Rin wasted no time in following after Sesshoumaru. He would often test her skills like this, making sure her constant training was producing results that were pleasing to him. And so Rin chased after him, ignoring everything but him in her anxiousness to please him. She watched him carefully, moving just as gracefully as he easily maneuvered around trees. At that moment, Rin was reminded of the first time she saw him. A beautiful God with flowing silver hair and a beautiful white kimono. Only this time instead of looking alone and hurt, he was running in his full glory, exercising his powers. And in that moment, as she was also exercising her powers, she felt closer to him than ever before.
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Rin entered Sesshoumaru's quarters with a breathless laugh, feeling better than she had in a long time. She felt she kept up with Sesshoumaru better than usual today and knew sore muscles the next day would prove her assumption.
"You will show this Sesshoumaru more of your progress tomorrow."
"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama. Naname-chan believes that I will be able to pass the next test very soon."
Sesshoumaru said nothing as he led Rin to her room. He stopped and stepped aside, opening her door for her. She bowed and crossed the threshold only to stop in surprise at the beautiful garments that lay on her bed.
The frabic was pure white like the moon, shone just as brightly as the moon would against the blue and orange bedding. *A train of red and purple flowers decorated the hakama skirt. On the kimono, the same pattern seemed to spill onto the long sleeves and disappear over the shoulders.* Beside it a *heko obi* sat, decorated with yellow and dark green colors that twisted into each other in a beautiful design.
Rin stepped forward slowly, as if the garments would vanish before her eyes. She picked up a sleeve, enjoyed the feeling of the silk like fabric. She sat weakly on the futon, stared up at Sesshoumaru, unable to even speak.
Sesshoumaru knew he need not ask whether she liked it or not, so he stepped into the room and stood by the armor that was hanging from her wall. It would fit each curve of her body perfectly without lacking protection. When her eyes followed him, widened when she finally saw the armo, he merely held up the sheathed katana. But he smiled slightly at her reaction and walked over to her to lift the kimono and hakama from the bed.
"They are made of silk and fire-cat fur, a very strong substance. The fabric and the armor will provide adequate protection, so you will wear it at all times. Someone will show you how to put it on correctly in the morning should you need the assistance. Once you master the bow and arrow, you may began to learn to master this katana."
Sesshoumaru hung the new clothing over the armor and turned back to Rin. And as he did so, collided into her. Her arms wrapped tightly around his waist as if to prevent herself from falling backwards. It was not unitl she pressed her head against his tail did he realize that he hadn't collided into. She was hugging him...never in his life had anyone hugged him, not even Rin. He felt as though he should do something but he stood there instead, his arms at his side, and stared down at Rin's head.
"Arigatou....arigatou Sesshoumaru-sama. It is very beautiful, the most beautiful thing I have ever owned. I will cherish it forever. Arigatou..." Rin pulled away and looked down, wiping tears from her eyes. "Gomen."
Sesshoumaru stepped back and walked from the room. "Wash up before dinner."
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**In case no one knew, the hakama is worn over a kimono so it looks neater. Think of how Kikyo's wardrobe looked. And the heko obi is basically the same style as Sesshoumaru's. I did my research. ^_^**
Hope I have satisfied my readers with this chapter. I've been on a weird writing spree and I thank everyone that posted reviews because I beleive you're causing it! I already have chapter six is under way but it is going to be a busy week so I might be a while before I get it posted. A fair warning, until the next chapter, ja ne!
-~Rabid Anime Gurl