Chapter Three: The Night I Met Him
Disclaimer: Once again, I do not own the characters.
After Sango had stormed off, Miroku had decided to find his seat for the play, finding the other actors dull and uninspiring in comparison to his lady fair. His royal highness had finally arrived, accompanied by his young daughter, Rin, and his servants, Jaken and Jakotsu. Miroku had met up with them, exchanging pleasantries and complimenting the lord and his young daughter. He accompanied them briefly to their private seating area and then found his own special reserved seat.
Despite his complaining about the plot, Miroku was highly engaged in the play and was watching intently. Although, his interest had little to do with the events that transpired on-stage. In short, he was captivated by the French beauty who portrayed her role with such passion.
She's amazing. I must see her again!
Intermission came, and Miroku considered wandering backstage to compliment Sango on a magnificent first act but decided against it. It would probably only result in a slap anyway. Instead, he decided to step outside and get some fresh air.
Rin had also taken this chance to step outside. She was enjoying the play and proceeded to look up at the night stars and imagine herself in the role. She closed her eyes.
"Are you enjoying the play, miss?" A gentle voice from behind her asked.
Stirred from her reverie, Rin turned to find a young man with dark hair, perhaps a few years older than she, staring at her.
"Oh yes, very much. I'm Rin." She curtsied before him.
"Kohaku. I am very pleased to make the acquaintance of such a lovely young lady." He took her hand in his, kissed it, and gave a bow. Rin blushed slightly.
"My sister has the lead role, so I'm here supporting her. Isn't she magnificent?"
Rin's eyes lit up. "She is your sister? Oh yes, she is absolutely wonderful! And her beauty is beyond compare!"
"Well, my sister is very beautiful, I agree, but I'm not certain that no one can compare..." He met and held eye contact with Rin, who noticed the insinuation and blushed once again.
"According to my father, I am beautiful, but this is the first time I have heard such words from a man other than him."
"How could that be, miss?"
"Well, I'm rather plain, and besides, I am not able to meet many men."
"Forgive me for prying, my lady, but why ever not?"
"My father is very protective. He simply doesn't allow men near me. Heaven knows you are taking your life in your hands by talking to me now. I am greatly enjoying talking with you, Kohaku, but perhaps you should be on your way."
Kohaku was taken aback but smiled nevertheless. "My lady, if you wish me to leave, I shall obey without question. I would obey whatever you requested of me, but please do not send me away out of fear for my safety."
Rin smiled at the charming boy's courage, for she knew her father's temper all too well. She eased a bit and began talking with the boy once again. Unbeknownst to the two young persons, though, someone was watching. Jaken, Lord Sesshomaru's sniveling, weasel-like little toady, had caught glimpse of them talking and quickly rushed off to convey what had transpired to his beloved lord.
One minute Kohaku was having a nice conversation with Rin, and the next, he was being beaten by two odd-looking men, one short and thin, the other tall and somewhat feminine-looking.
As this was going on, Lord Sesshomaru approached Rin and took her by the arm. "Rin, let's go."
"Father, no! What are they doing! Please stop them; they'll hurt him!"
"I thought I told you not to speak with strangers, particularly not men."
"But Father!"
"Silence, young lady!" Rin had been struggling, but stopped when she heard her father's harsh tone. She knew that he was being serious. "My daughter...consorting with a little French vagabond!" He huffed, with a sneer.
"But Father..." Rin was near tears. "I promise not to speak to him anymore, but please tell them to stop!" She begged.
"They will stop soon enough." He simply stated, as he dragged Rin back inside. She looked over her shoulder one last time at Kohaku, who was now fighting back, and she noticed a man lingering in the shadows. Before she was escorted back inside, she saw the shadow leap out, to reveal a well-dressed man, wearing a cloak, mask, and hat, who proceeded to do battle with Kohaku's assaulters.
After the play, Sango rushed through a crowd of admirers to her dear brother, Kohaku.
"Kohaku! What happened to you?" She stared in horror at her brother's face. He had several cuts and a busted lip. "Kohaku, who did this to you!" She was so angry that she was prepared to track down the miscreants and give them a taste of their own medicine!
"I am fine, sister. I do not know who they were. They just jumped me, and it was dark." Sango thought, The cowards...
"But this man saved me. I would surely have suffered much worse injury if not for him." Kohaku motioned to the man standing next to him, who was well-dressed and wore a hat and mask.
Sango looked at the man with sincere gratitude. "Sir, I am deeply indebted to you for coming to my dear brother's aid." She gave a low curtsy.
"My lady, you owe me no such debt. It was my pleasure to help out such a brave young man. He fought them gallantly, though it was hardly fair, two against one, and jumping him from behind like that...I was simply evening the odds, you might say." The dashing man replied, with a smile. This man had immediately won her over. Not only had he come to her beloved brother's rescue, but he was also quite charming and heroic. She felt like a schoolgirl with a crush. Certainly it was silly, falling for some handsome masked rogue, but still, she couldn't deny that her heart was beginning to beat faster and her cheeks were becoming flushed.
"Well, I should say that most men would not have done so." She locked eyes with him. He had the most amazing blue eyes she'd ever seen.
He grinned. "Well, my lady...I am not most men." He took her hand and placed a kiss upon it. He then turned to take his leave.
"Wait, sir! Please, I must know your name." The masked man turned and faced her once again.
"My lady, my name is of no consequence, for I am but a simple servant of the people." He leaned in closer, which made her tingle all over. He then whispered in her ear. "But most know me as...The Scarlet Hand..." He then moved away, and with a "farewell, for now," he was gone. Sango stared after him for several moments, vowing to herself that she would discover the identity of this enigmatic charmer. She smiled and gave a soft sigh.
A/N: Thank you for reading, and please review! I hope it was enjoyable! Were Kohaku and The Scarlet Hand smooth enough? ;) Poor Kohaku, huh? Also, with the Scarlet Hand and Sango, I was kinda going for a Batman-type deal, with the girl falling for the mysterious hero but thinking she's just being silly.