Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha and the gang...but I do own the 3rd movie now!
You guys asked for it. So here it is. More heartbreak, strife, emotional upheaval and most importantly, Jaken!
Rin could only hug herself as she sat all alone in the middle of the flowering garden. A light rain had begun to fall but she didn't feel its chill on her skin. Her mind was thousands of miles away, in the middle of a dirt path in the woods not far from her village where she had grown up. Why hadn't he just let her die? If she was something so shameful, why had Lord Sesshomaru ever restored her life? All those times he saved her life? He wasn't saving her! He was saving face! He couldn't allow another demon to finish her off and make him look like a coward, too scared to do it himself!
Hot tears mingled with the cold rain on Rin's cheeks. How could she have been so foolish? So niave? Of course he hadn't regretted what they had done! He was a demon afterall. They prided themselves on ruining and destroying humans such as herself. A lancing pain ripped through Rin's heart, like the poisoned claws of her lord slicing into her chest and tearing it to shreds. This was why she never spoke, never got close to others. They would turn on you. They always did! If she couldn't trust humans what had ever made her think she could trust a demon? Angrily her fists wiped at her eyes.
"Its not true, Rin." a voice spoke from behind her.
"Of course its true, Jaken! Don't be a fool! After all, I'm just a filthy human, right? A stupid, useless filthy human who is of no good to the great lord of the Western Lands." she replied with a bitter laugh, lifting the sopping wet sleeve of her kimono in a feeble attempt to dry her cheeks.
"Once, yes. That was how Lord Sesshomaru and I felt. But...you changed all of that, Rin. You could have led the villagers to find Lord Sesshomaru too wounded to fight but you didn't. You stole for him, putting your own safety into jeopardy. When I was poisoned by Naraku's insects you went in search of the antidote without any thought to your wellbeing. Why did you do those things, Rin? Why put yourself out like that for us?" the imp asked, his sombre face emerging from the shadow of a flowering tree.
"Why! Because you are my friends, my family. It wouldn't have been a fair fight for Lord Sesshomaru had the villagers found him. They would have enjoyed tearing him to pieces and I could see no reason why they should do such a thing. He wasn't harming anyone. And...and I know I am a bother to you, pestering you constantly, talking incessantly but..." Rin bowed her head, twisting her fingers and mumbling softly, "You are my best friend."
Jaken was startled. No one had ever called him their friend before, much less their best friend. He watched the young girl, saw the misery so clearly written on her face and a part of him actually hurt for her. She may be a weak human but she had always been such an obediant child, never question his or Lord Sesshomaru's orders. Maybe...just this once, he would help Rin. But only this once!
"Follow me, Rin."
He turned on his heel and started for the great hall. Behind him he heard Rin slowly rise to her feet. Still the obediant one. In his mind, Jaken was forming a plan. Once and for all he was going to have Juri put in her place, literally and figuratively. Rin picked up the pace til she was walking alongside the vassil. The look of determination on his face was almost comical.
"Where are we going, Jaken? And what can you tell me about that Juri girl? How does she know Lord Sesshomaru? You seem to loathe her rather deeply."
"She is a former...interest of Lord Sesshomaru's. Not long after his father died, Lord Sesshomaru and Juri met. From the moment they laid eyes on one another, there was tension. She lusted for his power and his lands and made no secret about it. For a time, they mated and then one day Lord Sesshomaru lost interest in her. She had begun to use her position as his mistress to take advantage of other demons, snatching lands for herself. He soon cast her aside but Juri refused to be shunned. Day and night she followed after our lord, seeking to regain his favor. Once you have displeased Lord Sesshomaru, really displeased him, there is nothing you can do to be back in his good graces. To this day, she still tries to reclaim him but our lord is too clever for the likes of her." Jaken smiled, puffing up with pride at his lord.
Rin nodded quietly, absorbing all the vassil had to tell her. So for all the confidence the woman exuded...she was actually seeking approval! Suddenly Jaken stopped, raising his staff and knocking on a massive wooden door. Rin's kimono dripped a cold wet puddle of rainwater around her feet and she realized she must look like a drowned rat. Without thinking she lifted the hem of the material and rang it out...onto Jaken's shoulder.
"Foolish girl, that is cold!" he shrieked, scampering out of the way and scowling up at her.
For the first time in hours a laugh and a smile came from Rin. Trying to regain his dignity Jaken shook off the water and lifted his chin as the door slowly swung open. Inside the room, candles and lamps cast a warm glow. Bolts and reams of fabric leaned against the walls and were cast over the floor. The room was like a sea of colors. Reds, golds, vibrant greens and subtle shades of blue. Rin stepped inside, her eyes widening. From somewhere behind a small mound of material a voice spoke up.
"Come in, come in! Is that you, Master Jaken? You can tell Lord Sesshomaru that I shall have his new ensamble completed within the week! This time it is a certainty!" a short, portly, elderly gentleman chortled as he made his way into view.
"I am not here about Lord Sesshomaru, Tan. Today we need you to create a masterpiece for Rin. Only your best work will do. Use the finest material you have and spare no expense. Lord Sesshomaru's orders."
Rin's eyes flared as she looked down at Jaken, whispering loudly, "That's a lie, Jaken! Lord Sesshomaru would be furious!"
Jaken shushed her with a shake of his head before approaching the master clothesman. The two were quickly engaged in a whispered conversation that Rin wasn't privvy to. As they talked she noticed a fine bolt of vibrant red material in the corner. When she got closer she noticed a fine pattern stitched into the material and her fingers itched to touch it. In her mind's eye she could picture the beautiful kimono it would make.
"Ahh, the young lady has fine taste! That is my latest acquisition! The purest silk to be found in the lands." Tan nodded with great approval, "If that is your choice I would be only to glad to fill Lord Sesshomaru's order for you with that."
Rin looked at Jaken, thinking his expression would tell her if the expense of the material would be worth the price of his head when Lord Sesshomaru found out this fabulous lie. The vassil nodded and slowly Rin lifted the bolt of material, running her hands over it. The only thing it could compare to was the softness of her lord's fur. They both would already be in trouble for the lie of this being on Lord Sesshomaru's orders. Might as well make the punishment worth it!
"Yes. I think this will be most fitting, Master Tan," Rin giggled, placing the bolt in the gentleman's hands. "When will the work begin?"
"Right now!" Tan chirped, shooing Rin towards a stepping stool.
The man was trully an artist when it came to material. Within hours he had clad Rin in a kimono befitting a lady of the lands. The material caressed and hugged every curve like a lover's hands, the wide sleeves were lined with a fine spun gold material and a delicate sash belt of the same material was secured around Rin's small waist. The hem of the kimono fell to her toes and a small train of the rich red material followed behind her. Just a few more touches and she would be ready. Jaken smirked. Juri would be seething when she saw the beauty Rin was being transformed into.
"Come along, Rin. We have more to do before the gathering tonight."
A silent look paced between Jaken and Tan. It hadn't taken long for the clothesmaker to figure out the kimono was not an order of the inuyoukai lord's. Jaken had been far too strict on every detail. The expense of the kimono would never be recorded. Rin loved the sound and feel of the material as she moved. So caught up in the beauty of the kimono, she never noticed where she and Jaken were going next. A chipper young woman bowed in greeting, smiling brightly at Rin and bidding her to sit. Rin glanced at Jaken, an eyebrow raised. What was he up to? First the kimono and now, if she wasn't mistaken, a hairdresser? Hesitantly, Rin knelt on the padded floor, careful of the new kimono as she did so.
Once again, Jaken and the woman moved off a short distance and talked in hushed tones but this time Rin strained to hear them. It soon became clear to her that Jaken had a plan to irk a certain fire demoness. She was only able to visibly relax when Jaken instructed the woman to "keep it simple". Anything more elaborate than the kimono she was wearing and Rin didn't know if she could possibly show herself.
The woman was as fast as she was talented. When she finished Rin's black hair shone and flowed down her back in soft waves, two carefully constructed curls framed her face which was softly made up in simple tones. Jaken smiled once again, bigger this time. Juri stood no chance now. Lord Sesshomaru would never be able to take his eyes from his young lady. The imp could hardly wait to see the look on Juri's face when he escourted Rin to the gathering. He was going to show her as well as all the demon lords that Lord Sesshomaru wasn't a frightened creature who would hide away a human out of shame. Oh no. If the lord's actions wouldn't proclaim Rin as his mate and his lady than her appearance would. Finally Rin looked to Jaken with a soft smile.
"What is the meaning of all of this, Jaken? You've never cared much for how I looked or dressed. Why the sudden interest?"
"Because you are my best friend." the imp answered simply.