Second movement: Sore ga Ai, Desho?
(That's Love, Isn't It?)
"Ohaiyou gozaimashita! Jaken-sama!" cried out Rin happily in her most childish voice as she approached Jaken from behind. The little imp had been standing on a tall stool and cleaning off Ah-Un's saddle in the stables. Upon being surprised, Jaken had a misstep, and he teetered precariously on the stool as it threatened to tip over. Rin went over and steadied the stool.
"Rin!" shouted Jaken. "How many times do I have to tell you not to sneak up on me!" demanded the little imp.
"More times than I can remember," laughed Rin. "Come now, Jaken, it's all in good fun."
"Good fun for whom?" muttered Jaken as he continued to polish the saddle. "I'm not sure why he asks me to do this. I mean as his servant, it's my duty to ensure that all of Sesshomaru-sama's gear is in top shape. But seriously! You're the only one who really rides Ah-Un. I have no intention of polishing this blasted saddle for your sake!" lamented Jaken.
Rin had known Jaken from the beginning of her travels with Sesshomaru-sama. Jaken was the ever-faithful servant of Lord Sesshomaru. Initially she didn't know what to make of the little imp-frog demon who was shorter than she was, even at five. He talked an awful lot, mostly about how he served Sesshomaru-sama and how important this was. But he may as well have been a stepping stool or a rock on the side of the road, as Lord Sesshomaru barely seemed to acknowledge him. It was then that Rin concluded that Sesshomaru-sama had very strange tastes in traveling companions. But Rin and Jaken had had close encounters with death in their journeys with him, and surprisingly, they were sometimes useful to Lord Sesshomaru. Rin and Jaken had become friends, eventually, and had saved one another from certain death on more than one occasion.
Rin pulled out a roasted newt from under her robes and held it out to Jaken. The little imp continued to polish the saddle until he caught wind of something very delicious to demons. Sniffing the air, he began to drool unabashedly.
"What's this?" He sniffed until he turned around and faced Rin. His eyes went wide as winter melons as he licked his lips.
"Rin," he said in a small voice. "Have I ever told you how much I like you?" Rin dangled it up over him, just beyond his reach as he tried to jump up and attain the tasty snack.
"You really have mastered the levitation stone quite quickly," he gushed. Jaken jumped and missed.
Darn!
Rin lowered it just a bit.
"Your tutors have reported excellent marks to Sesshomaru-sama." Missed again. The newt was dangling closer now.
"Your pipe playing has really improved to where the melody really calms the spirit!" Just a little bit closer!
"I noticed that you really have grown into quite a beauty!" All at once, Jaken took the newt into his mouth and crunched away, heedless of the wooden roasting pick that was stuck through it.
"I take back everything I just said," said Jaken, contentedly munching at the remaining bits of tail in his mouth.
"You're so awful, Jaken-sama," laughed Rin. She really did enjoy Jaken's company. He was an demon but they were friends, after all.
"Here, make yourself useful," grunted Jaken, tossing her the polishing brush. Rin contentedly began to polish the other side of the saddle.
"I wonder if we're going to leave the palace and patrol the borders anytime soon?" asked Rin, sighing and looking around her present surroundings.
"Not likely. Sesshomaru-sama is interviewing some prospective candidates this whole week," said Jaken carelessly, as he licked his fingers. But as soon as he said it, his green face went a little lighter. "Ooops."
"What does that mean, Jaken?" asked Rin, truly curious. "What sort of candidates?"
"Well, er…Rin. You really should NOT go poking in Lord Sesshomaru's business," said Jaken in a haughty tone. Rin reached over and pinched one of his ears really tightly.
"Itai-tai-tai!" cried Jaken. "That hurts!"
"Jaken-sama, won't you please tell me?" asked Rin politely. There was a dangerous edge in her voice. Jaken yanked his ear out from her grip.
"Fine!" he growled, rubbing the injury. "Sesshomaru-sama is meeting with the daughters of respected noble demons for a mate."
"Mate?Is that like …a wife?" asked Rin, rather shocked. Every time she thought of Sesshomaru-sama, she always pictured him being single, like a lone white wolf in the moonlight.
"Yes, if you want to put it in 'human' terms you can understand," grumbled Jaken. "But demons do not 'marry' like humans do."
"Ah…Is that so?" said Rin quietly, continuing to polish the saddle. Jaken look over to his companion and noticed the look in her eyes became a bit dazed and muddled.
"Rin?" he asked quietly. She blinked, suddenly remembering where she was. A small tear rolled down one cheek.
"Huh?" whispered Rin, puzzled. She wiped her cheek with one of her long kimono sleeves. "That's really strange." In a moment, she snapped back to her usual cheery self, polishing the saddle with great vigor.
"Rin," said Jaken.
"Hm?" she asked.
"Are feeling all right?" he asked.
"Yes! I think some of the polish got in my eye or something. I just think it's a little strange. But other than that, I have no feelings one way or the other," she smiled.
"Rin," said Jaken, wanting to say more but being unable to find the words.
"I'm fine, Jaken!" she grinned. "I don't know what you're babbling about! But it seems like we've finished the saddle. Shall we move on to his weapons and such?" she asked. Rin ignored the worried look in her friend's face. Whenever Jaken spoke to her so seriously, Rin knew something was up. There was definitely something the matter with her, but she couldn't understand what it was.
"Let's go then, Rin," sighed Jaken, picking up the rest of his polishing gear and heading towards the center of the palace. Rin followed noiselessly behind him.
When they entered the training hall it never ceased to amaze Rin how many weapons were in there. Many of them were treasures collected by the Inu clan over eons. Some were trophies from brave, dead samurai the Inu clan had fought and defeated. Rin sometimes felt sorry for the swords' masters.
The two settled down in one corner of the dojo hall, amid a semi-circle of neatly laid out weaponry. They spent some time like this in one another's company.
"That's right, that's the way. Make sure you don't spill any of the polish on the floor. It will stain the mats!" said Jaken as he observed Rin polishing Tensseiga after he had sharpened it. The pair were sitting near the ante-chamber adjacent to Sesshomaru-sama's private chambers. Jaken and Rin both sat cross-legged in the middle of the room, atop a white cloth placed over the tatami mats, with polishing and sharpening tools laid out around them.
"The blade never wears down, no matter how often you sharpen it," marvelled Rin as she ran the cloth along the sharp side of the katana called Tensseiga. Rin resisted the impulse to test the edge of the sword with her finger tip.
"That's a compliment to the wielder, Rin. Though it is true that Tensseiga is an heirloom of our late leader Inu-Taishio, Sesshomaru-sama's father, but if handled properly, such a finely crafted blade will not appear the worse for wear. Sesshomaru-sama is a great swordsman," said Jaken, eyes glittering.
"Yes, I'm well aware of that," said Rin. She immediately thought of Sesshomaru-sama during one of their training sessions when he expertly threw her small knife directly into the center of the trunk of a tree. Then, with the short sword he dashed towards it and made a swift stroke. The tree was cut in half. Sesshomaru-sama was an impressive warrior. Afterwards, he stood closely behind her as he taught her how to wield her short dagger properly. Rin remembered that she caught the scent of him. He smelled sweet, musky, like the night air right before the dew forms. His long elegant fingers were warm when they touched hers.
"Rin, are you well? You look feverish," commented Jaken. Rin touched her cheek and knew she was blushing furiously. She laughed a bit uncomfortably.
"Make sure to ask Yoko to fix you an herbal elixir if you're not feeling well," grunted Jaken.
"I'm fine," insisted Rin. There was a double meaning in his words which disturbed her. Rin was still confused at her own behavior. But the pair continued to work in silence and her flush faded. Again, she was content to sit there polishing away without a care.
As they were about to finish and pack up the rest of their tools, Rin heard the doors to the lord's main chambers slid open, and several servants hurried in to open up the room to the air. Rin scooted over to the ante-chamber door and slid it open just a crack. Jaken muttered something about minding her own business as he gathered up the white cloth to take it outside and shake out the metal dust. Rin saw that several low tables were placed inside the chamber, with ample cushions. Sake and tea were brought in on several lacquered trays.
"Guests?" whispered Rin. She was suddenly taken aback by a familiar form that strode into the doorway. Tall, elegantly dressed, with beautiful flowing silver white hair behind him, Sesshomaru-sama walked to the far end of the room where the servants had placed a larger carved table atop a small dais. The way that he carried himself was something that made other lesser demons shrink in fear, and it declared Lord Sesshomaru as the lord of this place. Rin was in awe of him, as she had ever been. Of this, she was certain. She wanted to slide the door back in place, but she paused as the guests came in. There was an older gentleman, a noble demon in human form, and he wore rich robes. Following behind him were several of his own servants and followers. They were flanked by a very beautifully dressed demoness in a pale blue kimono and robe that trailed behind her. Though her head was covered in a light veil, Rin could tell that she was beautiful. Her hair was done up in several fancy pins that Rin knew could buy a whole store house of rice for a poor village if sold. She was flanked by several of her own servants, minding the hem of her robe so it did not get soiled. They all took their seats at their tables with the servants seated quietly behind them.
"Thank you, Lord Sesshomaru, for entertaining our presence here," said the noble demon.
"Let us skip the formalities and get to the point, shall we?" asked Sesshomaru, ever the epitome of sensitivity.
"Yes of course," fumbled the older demon. "I understand from the rumors in your court that you are looking for a partner and mate to share in the maintenance and ruling of your domain?"
"These rumors are unfounded," replied Sesshomaru coolly.
"Then, my lord, if you were ever serious about entertaining such a possibility, might I suggest my daughter, Akiko," smiled the nobleman, bowing from his waist as he was seated. "My daughter's lineage is pure. As you know, my own lineage goes back hundreds of years among those in my clan. I am proud to say we are closely related to the Inu clan. Her mother's stock comes of the west and goes back for a thousand years. Such a bloodline would surely bring your father's line much honor. We have always been in awe of your late father, former leader Inu-Taishio," he said in very elegant tones and words. Rin had to painstakingly translate the formal speech in her head as the demon spoke. Her classical language tutorials were her least favorite.
"Akiko-san, will you not meet my gaze?" asked Sesshomaru. Rin's breath almost stopped as she saw the demoness gently pull back her veil to reveal a pale and perfectly elegant face. She looked up to reveal her deep green eyes.
"I am honored to be in you presence, my lord," she said gracefully. Out of hours with her speech tutor, Rin could tell that Akiko-san's intonation was perfect. More perfect than her own. Lord Sesshomaru's face was still emotionless.
"You are, by far, one of the more promising choices," said Sesshomaru. Rin supposed that this was as close to a compliment as Akiko-san was going to get.
Akiko bowed from her waist.
"This Sesshomaru will seriously consider your offer of allegiance. As you have no sons of your own and but one daughter, your lands are vast and her dowry is impressive." Sesshomaru responded.
Suddenly Rin found it very difficult to breathe. Every muscle in her body was straining to reach out and close the door again. She decided it was the right thing to do as the servants came in again to refill the sake. No one would notice if she closed the door now. Ever so quietly, she managed to get up, trying hard to ignore the conversation taking place in the next chamber. Lord Sesshomaru would be angry if he knew she was listening without permission. She wanted to leave, but her feet seemed unwilling to move.
"Lord Sesshomaru," said the nobleman, audibly getting louder with every sip of sake. "I see that you are a demon of great stature, and I would willing give over my daughter to you for I know that she will be treated like a queen, as she deserves. I have always given the finest to my daughter and I see that she will not want for anything if she weds into your house. But there is something that puzzles me exceedingly."
"Which is?" asked Sesshomaru, the timber in his voice growing impatient.
"I have heard rumors that you keep a human girl with you. This is most peculiar. By no means do I wish to offend, but this girl…she is a…servant?" Rin noticed she was clenching her teeth and her fists, but she made no sound. The nobleman was fishing for something else, but was trying to put it delicately. She wondered if there were rumors in the demon realm about the late Inu Clan's leader who fell in love with a human princess. Rin had heard that story from Kagome-san.
It wasn't like that between her and Sesshomaru-sama.
She was suddenly angry but she didn't know why. There was a pause. Rin almost dreaded Lord Sesshomaru's response.
"She is my ward," responded Sesshomaru without flinching.
"Ah, I see," smiled the nobleman nodding in understanding, without completely understanding. "So there is some blood pact between you and the girl's father?"
"No, there is not," responded Sesshomaru, growing exceedingly and visibly impatient with the questions.
"Oh," said the noble, quite confused. Despite the wine, the man's attitude became more serious. "Sesshomaru-sama. My daughter and my family's reputation hang in the balance if there should be a union of our houses. Those in my court may not be as understanding as those in this room. Surely you must admit how uncommon it is for a demon lord with such a great reputation as you possess to keep a human…pet." He strained a little before finding the right word to describe her.
Rin started to fume and she could feel her face getting very hot.
"She is not a pet," said Sesshomaru evenly. The nobleman shifted uneasily under his golden gaze. Several of the nobleman's higher servants started to whisper among themselves.
"Of course not, father, don't be silly," responded the lady, gracefully intervening to break the uncomfortable silence. "Forgive our inquiry, my Lord. Our curiosity has gotten the better of us. Naturally, there will be other arrangements made for the girl when you take a mate, whomever you should choose."
There was a pause. Rin realized that she was holding her breath.
"Naturally," responded Sesshomaru. Rin found strength in her feet again, and quietly exited the ante-chamber without a sound.