We Meet Again

Rin trekked twenty miles to Lord Sesshomaru's castle. The trip didn't seem long to her when she finally arrived. The outside of his home didn't surprise her at all. She knew a man of his status would have a castle like this, fit for a lord. Tall and dark brick walls surrounded the outside. Torches lit up every ten blocks. Guards dressed in dark imperial armor stood outside the gates. Near the guards was a line of not just humans, but also demons. "They must be here to be of service for the party?" She thought. "What kind of party was he hosting?" Was the big question on her mind.

Rin was really happy for her lord. She knew he had gained his empire. It didn't bother her that he had visited other villages. He has people to look after and make sure they have what they need. She knew if any danger were to come, he would be there in a flash to take care of the problem.

Rin got in line and waited like everyone else until they were allowed to go inside. The group that was there was mostly young women and a few men around her age. She stood there thinking, "I wonder what position they're looking for? Server or seamstress?"

Once the gates opened out came a much older female coyote demon. Her hair was blacker than the night sky. Silver specks slithered in different parts of her hair, almost like stars. Her eyes were the darkest brown and pale skin. She wore the traditional light blue serving kimono, with a white obi wrapped in place. She walked with grace and faced the group to say, "good afternoon. My name is Kei. I am the head caretaker of Lord Sesshomaru. You'll be serving him and his guest tonight. This castle you see here," her clawed hand pointed towards the dark brick wall. "Was recently finished a year ago and just finally furnished. This party is to celebrate the lord's gaining his empire.

"One of you will be given the position of sewing a haroi together by tonight for Lord Sesshomaru. So you better have fast moving hands. The rest of you will serve sake, tea and food. Now how many of you have a good hand at sewing?"

Not only did Rin raise her hand, several other girls did at the same time. She hoped she was chosen. This would give her a chance to possibly speak to her lord after two years. Kei stood in front of her eyeing her up and down. She then asked, "let me see your hands." Rin did as she was told and held out her hands. "Flip them palm side up." With her small hands flipped up, you could see needle prick holes within her fingers. Kei took Rin's hands into hers and examined for a better view. "How long have you been sewing?"

"Two or three years," she answered and hoped it was a good amount of sewing experience to get the position.

Kei still looked at Rin's hands for a few more seconds and said, "I need someone with five years or more experience." She let go of Rin's hands, "who has more experience?"

A female silver haired hanyo rose her clawed hand into the air and said, "I have three hundred year Kei." Rin looked at the girl. She was a dog demon like her lord, but half-demon and very beautiful. She didn't have fluffy dog ears like Inuyasha, but regular human ears like herself. Her eyes were in a shade of shell-pink.

Kei examined the half-demons hands and said, "you'll do. Everyone else you must wait here." The two demon women soon left.

Another person came out and they were an otter demon. They were dressed in the same traditional kimono, but with a smock around her waist. Her whole body was covered in light brown fur and her eyes were the lightest brown. "Hello ladies and gentleman. I am Kenya and I'll be needing your assistance tonight. We are under staff for this evening's event and are looking for more help. The ladies will be serving drinks of tea and sake. The men will be serving food. Each of you will be given a table to serve that will coexist with a colored cloth." She held out two sacks in front of her and said, "here in these two bags are cut up pieces of cloth. You'll each choose one and that will be your table to serve. Lord Sesshomaru's cloth is a very special pattern with the Azai symbol. It is the same pattern he wears on his haroi. Ladies will draw first."

Rin placed a hand behind her back, crossed her fingers and hoped to get the exact pattern of her lords. She watched each girl stick their hands within the sack and pull out yellow, gold, and blue colors. Kenya now came to stand in front of her. With the bag held out towards her, she stuck her right hand into the bag and moved the fabric around a little till she picked the one she wanted. Rin pulled out her hand to see that she indeed pulled out her lord's pattern. A smile broke upon her lips. Kenya said, "congratulations, you'll be serving Lord Sesshomaru this evening."

All Rin said was, "thank you." Her fingers traced the flower like pattern along the material she held. She thought, "will you be surprised to see me?"

After everyone had their set cloth, they were all led to separate rooms inside the castle to change. The girls changed into the proper blue kimono and white smock and the boys dressed in emerald green.

As they waited, Rin could hear loud commotions going on a few doors down. She knew it was Lord Sesshomaru and his guests talking amongst themselves. She had hoped to say hello when she served him, but she was given a rule that she was not allowed to speak to him at all. But she had her own way to say hello.

They were serving sake first. They were given each a round tray, a green bottle of sake and little cups. With Rin's tray in her hand she and the group of girls were led to the dining hall. She was third in line when she entered the room. She looked around and saw her lord towards the back, in the middle of the room. She saw that he was talking to his mother who she met once before and another male youkai that looked to be several centuries older than her lord.

With a deep breath she walked over to his table. Rin saw that he was sitting on the end. She already made the decision to serve him first since he was the closest to her. When she knelt down beside him, she could feel his golden eyes on her and she knew he was shocked to see her here. Remembering that she wasn't allowed to talk to him, she did the only thing she could think of and that was to slide the side of her hand against his right hand. Though it lasted just a second, for her she was grateful to be serving him that night.

As Rin served everyone else at the same table, she knew her lord was watching her very closely. Upon occasion she would glance up and look to the side for just a quick second to give him a reassuring smile. He never said a word to her. She knew he would later. Possibly hours after she left. He would follow her scent down the path she would travel. It was just a matter of time till they spoke.

Indeed time did pass and the party Rin's lord was hosting still remained on going. After she was paid for her services, she left to head back to the sea and be with her friend. She knew before too long Sesshomaru would be with her soon. He would have to make an excuse to step away for a bit so they could talk.

It was well past midnight, with the moon in the middle of the sky and stars scattered all over. The nights she enjoyed the most. It was quiet, with the occasional sounds from bugs flying around and the gentle wind blowing around her. The sounds were calming and relaxing that it would help her sleep. "I am actually feeling tired. I'll make camp for the night and continue back to the ocean in the morning."

Rin found a secluded area within the forest near a huge lake. She got a fire going and went over to a huge rock to look at the view around her. The river ran gently and smoothly. Different bugs danced along the water as they all got a drink. Some fish would jump out and get a midnight snack of flies.

Remaining where she stood, a gentle breeze blew from behind her and she knew who it was. Placing a few strands of hair behind her ear, Rin turned around and softly said, "it's been sometime hasn't, My Lord?"

The clear sky and the light from the moon glistened down on both of them. Hair blowing within the gentle breeze. Sesshomaru stepped up a few feet and said, "Rin, why are you out on this side of the country?"

She knew it was to be expected to hear the question. So she answered, "a dear friend of mine moved out here and I wanted to visit her. She had recently given birth. To answer the next question I know you're going to ask me, yes I did come out here on my own."

"Where are you heading now?" He turned to see she had already had camp set up.

Before Rin answered she took a seat near the fire. She patted the ground for him to join her as she said, "I'm resting for the night and I'll be heading back to the ocean for another few days. Then I'll be heading home to Edo." She let out a big yawn and placed her head against the bark of the tree. "I had a feeling you would follow me."

"Were you seeking work?" He quickly asked, taking his mokomoko and wrapping it around her frame. "Is serving a lord what you seek, Rin?"

With another big yawn, she quietly said, "no. I want to create and sell kimonos for people. I was hoping that I could be your seamstress tonight. But it was given to a young half-demon, just like Inuyasha."

"Hmm, get your sleep. Tomorrow I'll escort you back to the village. In a few days, I'll be walking you back to the village," he announced.

She was close to falling asleep as she whispered, "what about your party?"

"They'll be fine without me. My mother will keep them entertained. For now you sleep and I'll keep watch." For a full demon like himself, he didn't need sleep. The only time he ever needs rest is after a long battle that takes a toll on him.

Rin was still now asleep when she asked, "how have you been these past two years?" She didn't realize that she curled up against him.

"Fairing. Rest Rin, tomorrow after you wake up we'll head to the ocean."

With the last words before she passed out, "goodnight, My Lord."

Been wanting to get this up for the past few weeks. I'm literally falling asleep trying to write this, haha. But it's done. I know their encounter was short as she fell asleep, but I promise they'll have more to talk about.

Mechine: As you see, Rin isn't jealous of him visiting other villages. The purpose was once again for him to gain his own empire. Just like how he wants to in the series. Was this chapter to your liking?

Elohiniar: Yes! A lot has changed in a year. My description is getting better. I still need to work on a few things, but I love how far I've come thanks to you. I know I didn't go into full description with Sesshomaru and Rin this time. I promise there will be in the next chapter. I loved how I described the two girls together. :)

Silvia S.K: Was this chapter to your liking? I'm glad you liked the first part.