Disclaimer: Inuyasha is Copyright of Takahashi Rumiko
Nothing Without The Other
Chapter 29
Warning: Chapter may contain spoiler in regards to an episode with the fire cat clan.
Sesshoumaru glanced around the large table, noting any expressions that might trouble him. Everyone, however, seemed to be more or less enjoying themselves. He noticed that Lord Shunsuke and his party were sullen and quiet, probably because they were disappointed to learn that their plan had fallen to pieces before it had even began. Perhaps, after all, he did not have to worry about any objections to his having taken a hanyou as a mate and granting Inuyasha a place in the court.
In the two hundred years that past, he had very nearly forgotten about Iida and the close relationship between their fathers which had led to their close friendship. He certainly had not expected Iida to have taken his father's place. From what he learned, Lord Goro was, as far from being not being as active as he used to be, was in excellent health. Perhaps the old crane thought it better for his son to be better acquainted with the court as early as possible.
Having a friend to support him would definitely give him an edge over the other two Lords.
Lord Tsutomu had not been particularly pleased with Rin because she was a hanyou. He thought it best for a youkai lord to have at least one full blooded heir before mixing and dwindling the bloodline. However, he had commented on the similarity between he and Rin's appearance and decided that their bond must have been extremely powerful. In cases like that, a demoness often took on the appearance like her mate as, he assumed, Rin had done because she looked more full youkai than hanyou. Since Tsutomu knew it was impossible to deny such a bond even if one wanted to, he told Sesshoumaru it was pointless to be upset.
Sesshoumaru did not bother to point out the specifics that really caused Rin's appearance to mimic his.
Tsutomu was rather pleased, however, that Sesshoumaru had brought Inuyasha into the fold, stating that it was the honorable thing to do for a man who had never had the pleasure of knowing his father. And much to both he and Inuyasha's surprise, Tsutomu informed them that he had heard whispers of Inuyasha's involvement in defeating Naraku, which gave him more points of approval and a great addition to the court. So it seemed that Lord Tsutomu had no objections to any of Sesshoumaru's decisions.
Lord Shunsuke, then, was the last left, but had failed to speak up on the matter as of yet. It put Sesshoumaru at ill ease.
Jaken slipped into the room and scuttled hurriedly over to Sesshoumaru. He stood on toes and whispered something anxiously to him. Sesshoumaru leaned over and delivered the message to Rin who immediately flushed with anger and indignation. Knowing that the fire would continue to linger in her eyes until the matter was settled, he rose to his feet and cleared his throat.
"It seems we have some unexpected guests," he said when the room finally hushed.
Iida stood up, glad for the distraction. "Shall we join you Lord Sesshoumaru?"
He glanced down at Rin, then back at his guest. "I believe that is a good idea."
"What now, Sesshoumaru?" Inuyasha asked as he followed after his brother.
"Do you remember the fire cat clan from China?" He asked loud enough so that everyone could hear.
"Of course, those bastards kidnapped Kagome," Inuyasha reminded him, placing his hand on Tetsusaiga's hilt. "Did they come back for another beating?"
"I doubt it, but they have returned none the less. And with Eiji."
There were fifteen of them, five from the fire cat clan, five from Yasuo's clan, and four from Eiji's clan. They came bearing gifts in the form of silks of every color, fine necklaces and earrings, armory, bedding, and other things Rin did not have the patience to notice. She quickly forgot the composure and etiquette she was supposed to maintain as the Lady of the estate. Her feet were already moving steadily toward Eiji, her hand was already curling into a tight fist, and youki was already traveling down her arm.
Before he could even open his mouth, she punched him square in the face with enough force to break his nose.
Iida applauded and laughed, even as Lord Tsutomu and Shunsuke shook their heads in disapproval. Kagome and Inuyasha could only grin. Sesshoumaru crossed his arms over his chest, tucking his hands into his sleeves, and watched in quiet amusement as Rin berated Eiji in front of everyone.
Yoko turned her nose up in disgust. "Well, Lord Sesshoumaru. It would seem that Lady Rin is not quite a lady after all."
"Keh, Rin is both a lady and a fighter. Trust me, this guy deserves it," Inuyasha added.
"I am quite confused. Why would she strike someone coming to bring her so many gifts?" Lady Cheiko asked.
Sesshoumaru did not bother to turn to them as he spoke. "Eiji was trying to escape Yasuo, the cat from that mysterious clan. He befriended Rin and when he realized who I was to her, he opted to use her to make me fight Yasuo for him. But Yasuo was ruthless and began fighting both of them both before I arrived. Rin was nearly killed."
"I'd say he deserves more than one good punch and a lecture," Iida put in. "And they need to bring more than pretty fabrics if they really want forgiveness."
"Rin will decide if they shall be forgiven or not because it is her who has been wronged. She will decide their fate," Sesshoumaru said cooly.
Lord Shunsuke looked over at Sesshoumaru. "Their fate?"
"Hai. No one hurts what is mine without paying a price. Normally it would be with their lives, but as I said, it is Rin's decision."
Lord Tsutomu nodded in agreement. "Excellent decision, Lord Sesshoumaru. But tell me, what brings the fire cat clan? Are they not the ones who tried to take over Japan all those years ago?"
"They are. But they tried twice and the second time they targeted Inuyasha and I specifically, kidnapping Kagome in the process."
"Lord Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha," Koura, the leader of the fire cat clan bowed before them. "Had I known you would be here Miko-sama, we would have brought something for you as well. I apologize-"
"It is not necessary," Kagome interrupted. "Rin-chan will be more than willing to share, I am sure. Thank you very much, these gifts are lovely."
"You are very welcome, Miko-sama." She bowed politely before turing to Sesshoumaru. "Lord Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha, I hope you consider these gifts our offerings of peace."
"They are accepted Koura," Sesshoumaru told her. "You did not have to come so far out, your clan is not responsible for harming Rin."
"It is no inconvenience, Lord Sesshoumaru. We owe you and your family a thousand apologies for the trouble we have caused in the past."
"Consider your clan absolved."
"Arigatou, Lord Sesshoumaru. We will depart right away." She bowed and returned to her clan.
Sesshoumaru watched Rin for a few moments. "Excuse me."
Tsutomu watched him walk away. "I must applaud Lord Sesshoumaru. It seems during his travels he has managed to instill an eternal fear in the hearts of his enemies without killing them. There are many advantages to such a strategy."
"It seems he has," Shunsuke agreed. "Lady Kagome, that woman, why did she have you kidnapped, and why did she call you a miko?"
"Koura and her clan wanted to revive their previous leader using the shikon shards I was carrying. I was the guardian of the Shikon no Tama at the time."
"I have heard many rumors regarding the Shikon no Tama and the amount of power one shard could grant a youkai," Tsutomu said. "Naraku had collected many of the shards before he and the jewel were destroyed. You were the miko responsible for that and Inuyasha helped. You two are truly a pair."
Inuyasha grinned, casting an amused look over at Shunsuke.
"What is Lord Sesshoumaru doing?" Lady Cheiko asked.
"Taming his mate, I hope," Yoko said, barely hiding her disgust.
"Careful," Inuyasha warned. "Rin could always aim her anger at you."
Yoko quickly bit her tongue and moved closer to her father.
Rin crossed her arms over her chest and tried to contain her anger as Sesshoumaru requested of her. So she stood back and took a deep breath, glancing at the others with such a fiery look that they bowed down in fear.
Sesshoumaru seized Eiji by the throat and lifted him from his feet. "Rin, have you made your decision."
She rested her hand on his arm, her eyes softening almost immediately. "Let him go, Sesshoumaru, let him live. I believe he has learned his lesson."
He tightened his fist on Eiji's throat. "She has forgiven you, but I have not. You should be dead and if I ever see you again, you will be."
Eiji felt Sesshoumaru release him before he collided against the ground. "I am truly sorry Lord Sesshoumaru, and I assure you, I will never cause you trouble ever again."
He bowed out quickly and disappeared with the youkai that had accompanied him.
"Jaken."
"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama!" He bowed swiftly to his master.
"Take these things to our quarters."
"Right away!"
Sesshoumaru returned to the great hall, closely followed by everyone else. "That was truly an excellent hit," he said to Rin.
She smiled. "You have taught me well."
"Play for us."
"Of course."
They opened all the doors on the side of the great hall, letting in hues of orange, yellow and purple as the the sun set. Rin and Fumiko sat with their backs to it and played their shakuhachis. Kimiko and Yumiko danced to the light melodies, completing the night of entertainment. Warm sake and mochi were passed through the room along with friendly conversations.
Lord Shunsuke, Lady Cheiko, and Yoko were the only ones not enjoying themselves.
--/-- Mochi: Sweet, sticky rice --/--
Bus Buddie: Rin isn't technically a real hanyou. The way I explained her transformation is much like IY's when he turns into his rabid/crazy/lets kill everything mode. If you remember the episode where Sess went to see IY and beat him up and stuff, I think he commented that IY wasn't really being full youkai, even though he SMELLED like a full youkai. Its just in the moment of fear or whatever, his youkai blood/youki takes over and he smells like a full youkai. Thats the case for Rin, on its kind of a more permanent change. She SMELLS like a hanyou because of the youki she got when Sess healed her and thats what makes her "hanyou". They smell her human blood, they sense her youki and assume she's hanyou. Because she has no youkai blood, she is still completely human so she wouldn't have a transformation like IY.
I'm getting close to 400 reviews! I wonder if I'll reach it by the end of this story! I'm so excited, but sad that everything is coming to an end. I hope you all enjoyed these chapters!
Rabid Anime Gurl
