Disclaimer: Don't own InuYasha but want to!
Days came and went, Jaken never leaving Rin's side for long except to inform Lord Sesshomaru of her progress. By the third day Rin had begun to ask why her lord did not come and see her for himself. Jaken had been told not to breathe a word to the girl of what had happened between Juri and Lord Sesshomaru. Whether it was pure luck on her part or because of Jaken's care, Rin was soon on the mend. Her arm was placed in a makeshift sling to keep her from using it and re-opening the wound to her shoulder. Her strength slowly returned and she was permitted to sit in the gardens then eventually she was free to wander the fields, always with Ah-Un.
"She's gone, isn't she, Ah-Un?" Rin murmured, sitting on a fallen tree in the field just beyond the castle, "No one has even spoken Juri's name since I was attacked. Lord Sesshomaru has been avoiding me. Even the other demons go out of their way to steer clear of me."
The twoheaded dragon watched her as she slowly rose to her feet. Ah-Un knew well not to let Rin wander any further. Lord Sesshomaru's instructions had been very precise. Rin's eyes looked longingly to the thick woods so far away. She wanted to leave this place. Her, Lord Sesshomaru, Jaken and Ah-Un. At least during their travels their enemies were easy to identify. Here in the Western Lands your ally could so swiftly become your enemy. When they travelled Rin was free to wander, much more free than she was here.
"They avoid you, Rin, because I have told them to do so."
Rin turned quickly, her eyes flaring. She had never even heard her lord approach! Ah-Un moved off a short distance away, able to relax its guard knowing its master was near to watch over the girl. Lord Sesshomaru had told them to stay away? But why? Juri was gone. None of the others had even made a threat towards her. Why would her lord do such a thing?
"There is still a threat against you, Rin. Juri's cowardly little helper is still in hiding. Until I am able to descipher who it is, I will not permit demons within reach of you. If this creature could so accurately mimic me then no one is above suspicion," Sesshomaru explained, approaching and then standing a short distance before her, "This enemy is clever."
"But not so clever that they can remain undetected, my lord. Surely they will do something to give themselves away. Perhaps with Juri gone, they have already fled?"
"No. Juri's parting words lead me to believe otherwise. She gave away much with what she said to me. Come. Night will soon fall and some of our "guests" will be departing. Before they leave, they are going to see that the childish attempt on your life failed."
"You mean to use me as bait, my lord," Rin said softly, her mind sharp from years of following her lord and knowing how to read his motives behind his actions, "You hope that seeing me up and about will get one of them to show something so you will discover who the guilty party is."
Sesshomaru's eyes barely flickered. Rin was, indeed, a clever girl. He did have a dual motive in bringing Rin before the others once again. Yes, one was to show them that the attack had failed and that Rin still stood at her lord's side. The other reason was in hopes that just one of the demon lords might reveal themselves as the attacker. It was a huge risk. If nothing came of this then Sesshomaru knew he would have to look to one of his own. That thought did not sit well with him. He had thought by now those in his service would know better than to try something so foolhardy.
"I do not like being toyed with. Whoever aided Juri in her plan failed to kill you because they had no cause to want you dead. To kill you would have somehow made you a martyr. Wounding you, bringing you to the treshhold of death, was more to their liking. A game of chance. The chance you would live, the chance you might die."
Rin listened to Lord Sesshomaru's voice, hearing the anger starting to color his words. Others might cautiously back away from him at such a time but not Rin. She approached him and gently grasped his sleeve. Sesshomaru did not respond. His rage was almost palpable. For the first time, Rin found herself wishing she had the courage to simply take hold of her lord's hand. It was so rare that Lord Sesshomaru had ever touched her. Her first memory, one not hazed over with pain and dispair, was of Lord Sesshomaru holding her after resurrecting her with Tenseiga. That simple embrace was burned into her memory. She remembered how safe and protected she felt, as if she had somehow come home. And when their fingers had entwined when they first approached the great hall, it was the same. She desperately wanted to give Lord Sesshomaru that same feeling in return.
Her grip on his sleeve failed as Lord Sesshomaru started towards the great hall. He knew Rin would follow without fail and behind her would be Ah-Un. An enemy who was able to shape shift would not make his task easy. He had to discover his enemy's scent. The thought hit him like a thunderbolt. The kimono! Damn! His only hope was that Jaken had not burned the ruined garment or it could be weeks even months before another attack came and gave him the chance to know the scent!
"Ah-Un, bring Rin to the hall." he ordered before moving so quickly Rin had no chance to even speak his name.
Rin and the two headed dragon could only stand in the grass, both blinking slowly before looking to one another. As always, their lord had given no reason for his sudden leave...not that they expected he would ever give one. With a heavy sigh, Rin picked up Ah-Un's reigns and began the slow walk back to the great hall.
"Jaken!"
The squat green vassil nearly jumped from his skin when his lord's irate voice came from behind him. He had seen Lord Sesshomaru walk out into the fields only moments ago and believed he would be gone for some time. Immediately the gates to the great hall had been sealed, allowing no one else to leave or enter. Only Lord Sesshomaru could overcome the walls.
"Y-yes, me lord?"
"The kimono. Where is it?"
"The kimono?"
"Yes. The one Rin wore the night she was attacked. Where is it?" Sesshomaru demanded impatiently, already striding towards Rin's rooms.
Jaken raced after his lord, clutching the staff and wondering what on earth had possessed the inuyoukai lord to want the bloodied rags, "It is locked away, me lord. Rin, for some reason, still wished to keep it despite its destruction. What use can it be to you?"
Sesshomaru didn't answer but rather shoved open the door to Rin's room. The first scent to hit him was hers and for a split second his body relaxed before he recalled his purpose in being here. Jaken scurried in behind him, hurrying to the secured wooden box and unlocking it, careful not to touch the still bloodied material. Sesshomaru had to grit his teeth and take several measured breaths. Her scent soothed him but the smell of her blood drove the demon in him to want to kill. He would have no choice but to touch the kimono. An idea that did not sit well with him. Before he could shy away from it again, Sesshomaru reached into the plain wooden box and snatched up the material. The red of the satin was now stained a deep crimson from Rin's blood and Sesshomaru was careful not to seek the scent of his enemy on those parts of the kimono.
Jaken watched his lord, his brow wrinkled in confusion. Soon after the attack Jaken had prepared to take the kimono away and have it burned. The beauty of it having been lost with the horror of Rin's near death. It seemed better to have it destroyed than to keep it around to haunt the girl. But Rin had cried so desperately when Jaken tried to take it away. She pleaded with him to let her have it. That despite its condition the kimono still held a great deal of happy memories for her. Knowing how Lord Sesshomaru would have his head for making Rin cry, Jaken had locked it away in the simple wooden box instead.
Wildflowers, blood, a scent that was exclusive to Rin's skin...where was it? Surely this shapeshifter had to leave a scent of some sort! No matter how faint it might be. Then, just as Sesshomaru was about to give up, he caught something. A scent that was very distinctly different. It was heavier, thicker, not light and sweet like Rin's. No...this scent was indeed masculine. And unfamiliar to Sesshomaru. He knew the scent of all those within the great hall. Tearing off a small piece of the material, Sesshomaru let the kimono fall back into the box. He would have the garment repaired if Rin trully wished to keep it. For now, this bit of cloth was staying with him.
"Jaken, have any drifters come to the great hall?" he asked, tucking the cloth away.
"N-no, me lord. None dare approach. Everyone knows a great number of demon lords are here and none wish to be in such close quarters as them." Jaken answered, locking the box once more.
Sesshomaru nodded. Of course. This enemy would no better than to use an unfamiliar face. Such a thing would draw attention to them and that was the last thing they would want. The trick was to blend in and be able to move about freely without suspicion. Now that he knew their scent, they would not be able to hide so easily. Jaken flinched as he saw the slow wicked smile that came to his lord's face.
'Oh not that smile again! What can Lord Sesshomaru be thinking!' the imp pondered to himself.
'We now have the upperhand. They had not counted on the garment remaining long enough for me to find the scent. Take any form you like. You cannot escape me now.' Sesshomaru mused, turning and leaving the room, Jaken on his heels.