Chapter Two

Two demons, a male and a female, were standing downwind on the rocks behind Rin. The female had long bluish white hair, and wore a sky blue robe. Rin had never seen a female youkai of such obviously high status before. She was confident, she was beautiful, and she was smiling. A sword was fastened at her side.

"Sesshoumaru! I recognized your scent." The woman's voice was clear and ringing, and in no way deferential to the high youkai lord she was addressing. Rin scanned the bushes for a place to hide in case there was trouble coming.

But the female did not seem hostile. She turned to her male companion. "Please continue on, my lord. I shall rejoin you shortly."

The demon beside her was tall and menacing. Obviously a warrior – carrying a long curved sword and armor on his chest and shoulders. Rin could also tell that he was distinctly unhappy with the situation. He glowered at Sesshoumaru.

He's nervous thought Rin, somewhat proudly. Of course, even a very powerful youkai would be foolish not to proceed with caution around Sesshoumaru.

The male demon turned to the female.

"Oh, it's quite safe," she said without looking at him. "Sesshoumaru and I are no longer enemies. Are we Sesshoumaru?"

Sesshoumaru remained silent.

The woman laughed merrily. "Go on, my lord," she placed one hand against her companion's arm. "I merely wish to greet an old acquaintance." Her companion finally nodded, and disappeared in a ball of golden light.

Rin cautiously crawled towards Jaken.

"Jaken," she whispered. "Do you know her?"

"Hush," Jaken answered. But he was frightened, not annoyed. "She is one of the panther youkai, from the Western Lands."

"She's a cat demon?"

"Touran." Sesshoumaru had finally responded. "Why are you in these parts?"

Rin stared at him, not for what he had said, but the way in which he had said it. His voice was not what could be called respectful, but unusual for Sesshoumaru, it was not openly disrespectful either.

"No need to be concerned. I have kept my word. My siblings and I have no plans to make claims in these lands. Nor do we have plans to provoke mischief with the sons of the great Dog Demon. Besides," she said slyly. "I have found a new way to acquire new territory. I am now the Lady of the panther youkai clans of the North, as well as the West."

"The one beside you?"

"My husband."

Sesshoumaru smiled slightly.

"It is unfortunate that our fathers were enemies," she continued.

"Touran. Shouldn't you rejoin your husband?"

The cat youkai frowned, almost imperceptibly. She sniffed the air, and turned in Rin's direction.

"You still keep the little girl with you? Ah, but she's not so little anymore. Humans grow so quickly." The youkai stared at her intently, making Rin uncomfortable. "She's a homely creature, isn't she?"

Rin's hand flew up to cover the embarrassing spots that had recently appeared on her nose. Her cheeks were burning. She wondered if Sesshoumaru would defend her.

"You leave her alone!" Jaken sputtered. He shook his staff at the cat demon. "Beauty isn't everything!"

Now Rin wondered if she could feel any more miserable.

The cat youkai laughed once more, and brushed her long shining hair from one shoulder. "Such strange companions, Sesshoumaru."

Sesshoumaru waited with Rin and Jaken for a little while, until all scent of cat youkai had disappeared. "Stay here," he finally said. "I will return before nightfall." He lifted into the air, and flew off in the direction of the east.

For once, Rin was happy to see him leave. She was feeling a little better, and in the mood for conversation.

"Jaken-sama?"

"What do you want?" Jaken was gruff, still probably upset about yesterday. But Rin knew that it he secretly enjoyed it when she called him Jaken-sama, and he had been protective towards her with the cat youkai.

"She was very beautiful, wasn't she?"

"I suppose."

"Is she a very powerful youkai?"

"Not as powerful as Lord Sesshoumaru."

"I think Lord Sesshoumaru admired her." Rin waited to see how Jaken would react.

"Hmpf. Even so, Lord Sesshoumaru would never choose a cat demon as a mate."

"But even if he admired her? Even if he was in love with her?"

"Of course not! Marriages aren't just about love, they're carefully planned alliances."

"Will Lord Sesshoumaru ever get married?"

"Probably. Why are you asking me these questions?" Jaken looked around nervously. "I don't think that Lord Sesshoumaru would like us discussing this."

Rin settled down in the grass, ignoring the concerned glances Jaken threw her whenever he thought she wasn't looking.

Several miles away, Sesshoumaru floated above a human village. He sniffed the air and frowned slightly. Yes, Inuyasha lived here.