Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha or any of its characters:
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chapter Seven
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Sesshoumaru watched the strange brightness as it faded to a low glow. The glow pulsed several times before forming a solid oval sphere of soft light. As he stood staring at this...oval 'sphere' he could not see Rin's form but he could feel her presence within it. Cautiously, he stepped toward the faint, glowing mass, stopped, then studied it. The oval shaped mass came to his waist, glowing faintly of its own light, pulsing in rhythm to a heart's beat, Rin's heart's beat. The rippled surface was composed of a meshy wrap of golden silk thread. Carefully, he reached out to the pulsing surface. The moment his claws nearly touched the silky mesh, a small crackling blast knocked his hand back.
Sesshoumaru stared at the golden cocoon. A growl began low in his chest, ascending in pitch as scarlet bled into his vision. Rin was in there. Rin was in this....thing. He could feel her there. Her heart beat in pulse with the glow, he was sure of it. But...why?
His eyes narrowed in thought. The Hakuchou. The demon swan. He had something to do with this. This sorcery was his doing.
Calming himself, he sat down, crossing his legs and waited next to the warmth of the golden cocoon. Dawn was coming and so was the swan.
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Morning sunlight brightened the room, easing along the floor, delicately kissing the silky strands wrapped around his Rin. A moment later, there came a small knock at Rin's door followed by Jaken's voice. "Rin? Rin? Lord Sunoo is waiting for you in the garden. Rin?"
Sesshoumaru stood, walked over to the door and opened it. He stared down at his green servant. "Jaken."
The toad raised a two fingered hand to his pointy beak. "Me Lord? Uh.."
"Jaken. Inform Lord Sunoo that I will see him shortly."
Jaken bowed once before scurrying off. "Yes, Me Lord."
When his servant left, Sesshoumaru turned to look at Rin's cocooned form. Several moments passed. Quietly, he walked out the room and left the door open.
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He found Lord Sunoo standing by the garden fountain. The swan youkai spotted him as he approached and bowed. "Lord Sesshoumaru, how are you faring this beautiful morning?"
Sesshoumaru stopped a few paces from the swan. "Lord Sunoo."
The swan youkai frowned slightly. "How is Rin? May I see her?"
He raised a brow before turning and heading back to his estate. "Come with me."
Sesshoumaru caught the puzzlement in Sunoo's features as he turned. The swan youkai followed him into his castle. He could hear the rustle of feathered wings as they climbed the stairs leading up to the second floor.
Down the hall he walked, the swan close behind until they reached Rin's room. Sesshoumaru stepped into the room and up to the golden cocoon. The Swan Lord followed, walking up behind before stopping at his side.
Lord Sunoo's strained voice quivered, an uncharacteristic tone to one in such a high position. "Rin???" The Swan Lord stepped closer, reaching out. His ivory hand whispered over the meshy surface, not actually touching the golden weave as if fearful to cause harm. Again, the Hakuchou repeated his ward's name, his tone a pitch weaker, imploring. "Rin? Rin?"
Sunoo kneeled by the cocoon, lowered his hands to his sides, staring blankly. Sesshoumaru caught the faintest of whisper from the Swan Lord, a whisper only an inu-youkai could possibly hear.
"This...should not have...happened....now."
The muscles in his right hand and arm tightened. He glared at the swan-youkai kneeling by his Rin. In the blink of an eye, Sesshoumaru had The Great Swan Lord up against the wall, solidly gripping the Hakuchou's throat, growling. "What....has....happened....to....Rin!?"
In vain, Lord Sunoo struggled under the grip, grasping at the claws that were cutting off precious air, unable to defend against such strength and power.
The swan demon gurgled, rasping out words. "It....it...is...hard to....explain."
Sesshoumaru glowered at the twisted, pained features of the swan-youkai before letting go and lowering his hand. "Enlighten me."
Lord Sunoo fell to one knee, choking, coughing and clasping his throat. Finally, after several moments, he straightened and stood, breathing heavily. Eyes of ice blue gained enough courage to shift their attention from the floor to meet his hard glare. Sunoo let out a reserved sigh. "Rin...is becoming...a Hakuchou."
Never in all his immortal life had he ever heard of such an impossibility. Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes in irritation at this absurdity. "Explain."
The swan switched his gaze to the cocoon, his ice blue eyes darkening in dazed retrospect. "Long ago, before even my father was born, our race... was...dying out. No females were being born. My ancestors' numbers dwindled to a mere flock of twenty, all male and even these were being hunted day and night for their feathers. They fled to the marsh lands, the place of beginning, to the land of their fathers. There, they settled on the Great Islands of the Marsh and surrendered to their fate. But a light shone on them: a water goddess of pure beauty, an immortal angel and friend to the Hakuchou from before time began. This...angel of the Marsh...took pity on my ancestors. She knew of the Hakuchou's peaceful nature. She did not want our noble race to vanish from this world."
Lord Sunoo took in a deep breath and continued. "The water goddess blessed my ancestors, the flock of twenty Hakachou. This blessing is carved in stone on the island of my estate. The words of the blessing read as such:
~~~~~From this day forward, I bless the Hakachou.
Never will your beauty fade.
Your honor and noble nature will not die.
You have ascended above, therefore you have earned the right to exist.
I give you, Hakuchou, this:
Whatever female you court, be it human, youkai or hanyou,
if she gives her heart and agrees to be your lifemate,
she will become Hakuchou at your consummation.
Choose wisely, oh Swans. Love your mate. Keep her safe.
I will watch over you. ~~~~~~~
The Swan Lord fell silent, his gaze still locked on Rin's cocooned form.
Sesshoumaru drew in a long calming breath. "Why did you not inform my Ward of this...blessing?"
Sunoo shook his head. "It was to be her choice after she agreed to be my lifemate. This...should not have happened. I do not understand. Only when we share: touch souls, heart and body in consummation should this happen. And.. ...not like this."
"Not like this?" Sesshoumaru questioned quietly.
The swan-youkai gave a nod in puzzled wonderment. "The golden silk...the cocoon...Rin should not be in....this... My father...He said there would be a bright light and then...she would change, become...Hakuchou."
Sesshoumaru turned to look upon Rin's silken prison. His Rin was in that golden cocoon. His Rin was changing.
"Lord Sesshoumaru."
He glanced at the Swan Lord who was now watching him intently with concern.
Sunoo bowed his head, his tone apologetic and soft. "I ask your forgiveness in this matter. I know you are Rin's guardian, her protector. This...situation...has brought dishonor on me and my family. The courtship agreement has been broken. I have no right to openly court Rin from this moment on but..."
"But?"
The swans words softened even more. "Rin is changing. She is becoming Hakuchou. I...want to be Rin's lifemate. I humbly ask that you allow the continuance of our courtship."
Sesshoumaru stared at the Great Lord of the Marsh Lands. He had this Hakuchou at his mercy. He could end this farce right now. But... Rin. She felt...emotions...human emotions...for this youkai. Would it break her heart if he ended their courtship?
A lump formed in his throat, one he discretely swallowed. The vision of Rin's tears marring his decision. No. He could not, did not want to see her tears.
He blinked once, his decision made. "Lord Sunoo of the Great Marsh Lands. I, Sesshoumaru, Lord of the Westernlands, will allow this courtship to continue. You may visit Rin once a day when the sun is at its highest point. Only once a day until...Rin is free. Then, she will decide how long you may remain during each day's visit."
The Great Lord of the Marshlands lifted his head and straightened, his regal stance returning. "You are quite generous, Lord Sesshoumaru. I sincerely appreciate your sincerity and forgiveness. I will take my leave now. Will you send me word when Rin has recovered, if perchance she recovers, before I return on the morrow?"
"You will be notified, Lord Sunoo." Sesshoumaru replied flatly.
Sunoo gave one last curt bow of respect, glanced at Rin's cocooned form, then walked out of the room.
Sesshoumaru waited until Sunoo's footfalls and rustle of feathers faded completely. His acute senses informed him that the Swan had flown off, away from his estate.
When he was sure The Swan Lord had gone, Sesshoumaru kneeled by the gold cocoon and sat down. Today, he would wait...by her side.
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