Chapter Eleven: The Painting
After a few minutes to myself, I made it to the room where I would be having tea with Lord Sesshomaru, and his mother, who's name I was unsure of. Before I walked in, I wiped any tears that I had away, took a few quiet breaths, and walked into the large room, trying to smile through the pain. They were both seated, talking with one another, something I miss doing with my adopted parents. They both looked up when they saw me standing in the open doorway. Lord Sesshomaru's mother gave off a fake smile as she waved her hand for me to come over. "Rin, please come sit. We have the cooks preparing us a meal." I wasn't hungry, but I'll deal with it.
Lord Sesshomaru sat at the head of the table, his mother to his right, and I took my own seat to his left. The same type of seating my adopted family sat in. We always ate our meals together, except when mom, and I went to Paris for a vacation getaway. Dad had to stay behind because of work. He would eventually fly out later to join us.
Tea was served, but the food wasn't ready yet, "so Rin," his mother, took a sip of her tea with such grace, and placed it down gently. "Tell us, is it just the same there as it is here?"
I really didn't want to answer any questions, but right now I didn't want to come off rude. Before I answered, I took a sip of my own tea. So good. Though it was summer, it was actually cold out to me from the rainstorm we had. With my teacup back on the table, "the other era is way more different than it is here."
"How so? Are demons still roaming about?" She demanded quickly. "Have our kind grown stronger?"
"Umm… everything is more advanced and updated. For your second question, unfortunately there are no demons roaming about. It's just humans," I wasn't looking at either of them when I answered. I just looked at my hands wrapped around the cup. I don't know if she was updated that I had memory loss for the past five years and I still don't remember much either, including her. I still deep-down feel like she has caused harm to me in the past. And as of now, I don't want to know.
"I see," she said with a nasty tone and nails tapping one at a time against the oak table. "What is more advanced and updated than what we have now?"
"The way humans travel," I brushed a few strands behind my ear. "I even learned new ways to get to one place faster than from walking. But people still do walk to get to their destinations," does me talking about this alter history? But I continued, "humans have even found ways to travel across the sea and visit other lands."
"What sort of travel would that be, Rin?" Lord Sesshomaru was the one to ask this time. His voice was smoother, than harsh.
"By plane in the air and ship by sea. I've traveled on both," I smiled, but inside I was hurt. The memories of those vacations with mom and dad are something I'll always cherish. "On the road we can travel by car and bus." I got my license a year after mom and adopted me. It was scary at first, but I eventually got the hang of being behind the wheel of a vehicle. I'm grateful that I didn't have any accidents.
"Humans, flying? Haha," she must think I'm lying.
"Mother?" I could tell he wasn't pleased with how she reacted to my response.
"Yes, my son?" She changed her attitude from rude to nice within seconds.
"Respect Rin for what she has said." I know he's getting tired of her being disrespectful. He turned his attention back to me, "Rin, were you in the same era that Kagome once lived in?"
Who? "Kagome, My Lord?" I have no idea of who he speaks of. "Was she a time traveler too?" My memories are still fuzzy. I wonder if I will meet her again that I will recognize her.
"She was a human from another world that traveled through a well in another village. There was a point when the well closed up for three years that she couldn't return after the battle with Naraku." Naraku? "But Kagome managed to return and is now married to my half-brother, Inuyasha." Inuyasha? "They both now travel to the other world periodically using that well." So, there is a way for me to go back to the other world! I can go home and be with my family and plan my wedding! "Rin?"
I must have spaced out because I felt a gentle hand overlap mine. "Yes? Sorry, just a small headache." He would buy it, though I already knew his mother wouldn't. But I wanted to keep this conversation going. "My Lord, when I have recovered more, could we visit that village Inuyasha and Kagome live in? I feel that if I re-meet them, more of my memories could return." On that journey is when I would tell him that I want to return to the other world and my soon marriage to my fiancé.
"If that is what you wish, I will escort you in one week's time to Kaede's Village," hearing him say one week, made my heart feel happy, though one hundred and sixty-eight hours seems like forever, but I know I can handle the wait. "Do you remember the village elder, Lady Kaede?"
"No, is she someone important to me?" The only way for me to remember this person is possibly seeing her in person, then maybe a memory of her will come back.
"Yes. She raised you from when you were eight years old till you turned sixteen," he explained. "She was a grandmother figure to you after the defeat of Naraku." This Naraku person he speaks of; he must have been a villain of my past. I'll ask about that another time. But to re-meet this person who raised me up until I was sixteen might help bring more comfort to remember one person a little at a time. "Everyone you met, but one, will be in that village." That makes it a lot easier, since I will be leaving to go back to the other world. I wonder who this one person is that's not living in the village?
"How long do you plan on staying in the village, Rin?" I heard his mother ask in a snarky fake tone.
I'll have to lie my way through, "um… I'm not sure. A few days, a week at most. I will decide on the journey there." Lord Sesshomaru will know only the true answer.
I watched her smirk at my response just as our meal was brought in, "well I hope you have a wonderful time," I knew she was lying through her teeth. I have a keen sense and I knew deep down she's hoping that I stay in the village. But my real plan didn't need to be explained right now.
"I will," I lied in return.
Evening came, and I was back outside, under the same tree, to finish my drawing. The moon was out, and the temps were perfect, even after the rain. I had waited till Lord Sesshomaru's mother left since she still had to speak with me even after we ate. I didn't care for the questions she asked me and I lied on almost all of them. Even with my ring again. I'm glad that will be the last time we'll see and speak with each other.
I was putting the finishing touches of little white specks amongst the flower petals when I heard his gentle voice, "Rin?"
I looked up and he was standing a few feet in front of me. "Yes?" I placed my white pencil down, closed my pad up, and stood before him. "Is there something you wish to speak about, My Lord?"
"You are not tired?" He gently placed a hand to the side of my face and rubbed a thumb under my eye.
"No, I'm a bit of a night owl," I usually stay up till almost two in the morning, drawing. "I'm usually stay up late drawing."
"You're still creating art?" So I did create art before I disappeared! It makes me wonder what I've created in the past.
"Yes!" I will not show him because there are drawings of him within these pages. "I drew what was before me here in this garden."
"May I see?" Maybe just the garden drawing.
"Sure," he let my face go and I held my pad close to me and opened to the page I was on. I turned my pad around for him to see. I will not let it go, just in case he were to skim through the pages. I watched his eyes look at me first and then to my drawing. "It's almost done. I was in the midst of putting the finishing touches on it before your arrival." Is this the first time he is seeing my art?
"Follow," he turned around and walked back towards the castle. I wonder why he wants me to follow? I closed my pad up and left it with my color pencils. I then proceeded to follow Lord Sesshomaru down the long hallway, to some open doors, and we both walked inside. The room he brought me to was quite large, but smaller than the room we ate in. Walls were covered in art of sculptures, scrolls, and more.
He led me to a piece of art of a smaller scroll hanging by a desk. On the scroll was a painting of a crescent moon at night and a black silhouette of a dog howling at the moon, along an edge of a cliff. As I looked at this painting a vision flashed before my eyes. I saw myself again at sixteen. I was sitting in a different room that was much smaller than any room here in the castle. I had the brightest smile on my lips as I was painting upon a scroll that looked almost complete. "Rin, how is your painting coming along for Lord Sesshomaru?" an elderly voice asked.
"It's coming along great, granny. I'm almost done. I'm just adding the stars and it will be complete!"
"That's wonderful my dear. What type of gift will this be?" Gift? "A housewarming gift, granny." Housewarming gift… a… forgotten memory. I raised my hand to the painting that I was starting to remember. "I painted this… for you, Lord Sesshomaru." A gift I wanted to present to him, but never… got the… chance.
"Rin?" I knew he could hear the sadness in my voice.
"I was going to present you with my gift that day I disappeared, My Lord. It was to be a housewarming gift," there is so much I don't remember, but I'm happy this one came through. I don't remember where I placed it, "but I'm glad you had found it."
"The servants found it after that storm we had come through that day, along the deck, with a tag with my name upon it, and gave it to me. I knew it was from you because of your scent that lingered upon the paper," his fingers traced my art. "It shows a story and I can read it perfectly."
I wanted to cry at his response, but held back. "Thank you. It's strange that I don't remember why I painted the silhouette, but I do see the connection." I have a deep feeling that Lord Sesshomaru can transform with a slight nod from him.
I smiled his way, brushed my hair behind my ear with my left hand, and I noticed my ring caught his eyes. I had a feeling he knew what was up. "You have found true love?" His finger traced the diamond upon the silver band.
I will not lie to him about this, "I have and I am set to marry this special someone next year." I was finally relieved to tell him the news.
When I looked into his eyes I already knew what he was thinking and what he might ask. "You plan to return to the other world once I bring you to the village."
"Yes, My Lord." I lowered my head, but it was brought back up for me to look at him. "I hope you understand how I feel about wanting to return back to the other world."
"I'm baffled, Rin," he huffed and I knew he was upset that I am leaving so soon again, "but you have found life with a family that took you in, true love, and if your wish is to return, I'll see to that you return."
I… I… "Thank you." I will miss him dearly, but I know where my heart truly belongs.
I'm sorry for not posting for some time. I have been trying to write, but had one of those days that I just didn't feel like writing. Then on the night of Monday the 21st of March, I got the call that my grandmother had passed away. I had to step away from writing to take time for myself. I hope you all understand. I'm doing alright now. Some days are hard and I do find myself crying on and off. My grandmother knew I had been writing and she was proud that I had found a hobby that I deeply enjoyed doing. My grandmother reminds me of Lady Kaede in a way; very caring, kind, doesn't put up with disrespect, and someone that everyone looked up to.
GoddnessInMeka: It is tough for Rin to choose where her heart truly belongs. Yes, she does believe Kiyoshi is a good guy. Do you think she'll see the truth soon? What about seeing her parents again? Were you shocked that Sesshomaru is letting her go so soon by a different well? What do you think caused the white light?
Taraah66: Did it make you feel at ease knowing she's going back so soon? What of the lies? Do you think she'll find out early? Or before it's too late? You'll have to wait and see what unfolds and how everything will go down.
Guys, please review and let me hear your thoughts.