Sesshomaru leaves sometime in the night, disappearing in the moments between Andromeda's wakefulness and the blissful moments that almost resemble sleep. She's aware that he's left, aware that he's removed himself from the camp they'd established for the night, but she can't bring herself to acknowledge him as he does so. Too busy drifting in that silent head space where her mind is full of infinite color and memories and joy. The demon Lord leaves Jaken, however, and the two headed dragon so Andromeda doubts he's leaving them all to fend for themselves. Still, he's gone for several hours. Only returning when the sun begins to turn the sky above their heads a lovely pink-lavender hue with a package tucked carefully under his arm. He places it at the foot of Rin's sleeping bag without a word before making his way to the spot he'd claimed the night before. Andromeda is willing to bet it's a new set of clothes. Sesshomaru doesn't seem the type to let someone in his pack look anything less than proper, and running around in an overly large t-shirt is definitely not that.
Two hours and thirty seven minutes pass before Jaken wakes, it's another fifteen before his constant noise forces Rin out of her own rest. The sun is only just barely risen into the sky. Andromeda's quick to guide the still half-asleep child off to change into the clothes Sesshomaru bought for her; an orange and cream checkered yukata with thin green circles peppered across the fabric and a matching green obi. She allows Rin to dress herself but when it comes time to tie the obi Andromda takes the length of fabric and does the tying for Rin. Once she's dressed, Andromeda takes her back to the campsite where she finds Jaken covering up the remnants of their fire with dirt. She ignores him in favor of gathering her own items and packing them back into her bag with practiced ease. As soon as she's done she shoulders her bag and moves closer to Rin, who takes her hand rather timidly when Andromeda offers it. Positive touch likely isn't something Rin's all that used to at the moment. Andromeda hates the villagers for that. Those sons of bitches deserved whatever they got for doing what they did to Rin. Treating her like she was nothing, treating her like she was something rotting in the street. Because why else would she be so desperate to go searching for her or Sesshomaru when the wolves attacked and not another villager? Because she and Sesshomaru were the only ones to show her any genuine kindness. But at the end of it all Rin coming to Andromeda and Sesshomaru had likely been the best option for her, at least now she's out of that fucking village and with people who actually care enough about her well being to keep her safe.
Unfortunately, her annoyance at the villagers' treatment of Rin isn't going to do any of them any good. It's not like she can take her frustrations out on any of them now... you know, seeing as they're all dead. Probably.
After Jaken finishes tearing down the camp their small group begins the near silent trip to wherever the hell Sesshomaru is taking them. He seems to be on a mission, but with him remaining mostly silent and Jaken's rambling giving her nothing to work with Andromeda begins teaching Rin fun little tidbits of information. Things that she'll find both interesting and engaging enough that it'll hopefully spark some sort of desire to learn. Andromeda's also hoping that she'll be curious enough to ask questions. Pull out of her shell a bit. So Andromeda tells her about how there are more trees on Earth than there are stars in Milky Way - which prompts a half-lecture on galaxies and the universe - and how trees are the longest living organism on Earth as they never die of old age. Rin seems fascinated enough, hanging onto Andromeda's every word as they continue down the path cutting through the forest. While she never says anything in response to these bits of information the living things around her whisper and chime in occasionally. It's fun. Entertaining Rin. And this goes on for the next several days; Andromeda will wake up in the morning, get Rin ready, then they'll all head out, and Andromeda will tell Rin interesting facts or try to teach her things like the alphabet and numbers and basic sciences.
As the days pass Rin grows more comfortable in their presence. She's begun asking questions now, and thanking Sesshomaru whenever he brings back food, or offering to help Jaken whenever he's told to do something by his silvery Lord. Andromeda is very pleased with her progress. So is Sesshomaru, it would appear, because he never fails to answer any questions Rin might ask him or gently correct her when she missteps. Good with kids, he is. Which is really fucking surprising seeing as all of Andromeda's previous interactions with the demon Lord have involved attempted murder and theft. Andromeda doesn't think about that much, though, because he hasn't tried to rip her head off thus far and he's so, so good with Rin that she's not going to risk ruining anything for the kid just for her to be petty.
So she travels and she talks and she educates Rin as best she can.
Then one day, as they're walking down a well beaten dirt road, Rin turns to Andromeda and asks, "Where did you grow up, Lady Andromda?"
"I spent a good portion of my life in Greece."
"Greece?"
"Yes, it's a country in Southeastern Europe... it's often referred to as the Cradle of Western Civilization due to the influence it had during ancient times."
"Oh... Did you enjoy it there? Did you have family?" Rin questions, eyes wide and full of wonderment.
"I did."
"What was it like?"
Andromeda smiles at the little girl and answers honestly, "Depended on the year. Some were quieter than others. I lived on an island far enough away from the mainland that I was never directly involved by the wars or political upheavals, but that didn't mean that they never interfered with my way of life either."
"Are you saying you never involved yourself in politics?" Jaken asks, sounding vaguely scandalized.
Andromeda isn't entirely sure why but she assumes it probably has to do with the constant power struggle and dynamics commonly seen among demons. To be the strongest one has to prove that they're the most dangerous, and once that's proved there will always be someone attempting to prove that they are even stronger than you. Due to her seclusion on the island with Iphigenia, any war or struggle they found themselves in was often something they chose to put themselves into rather than finding themselves forced to participate.
"I was to an extent," Andromeda brushes loose hair over her shoulder and continues, "but I had no true interest in being the most powerful or the most feared so my involvement in such matters was minuscule at the best of times."
Rin leans closer to her and nearly tips herself right off of the two-headed dragon's back. Andromeda thinks its name is A-Un. That's what Rin's been calling it anyway. A good name for the dragon, she supposes, it seems to like being called by the name in any case.
"What interested you then? If you didn't want to be powerful."
Andromeda laughs, "Arts and knowledge. I spent much of my time with philosophers, musicians, entertainers, and scholars."
"Did you have a favorite of these?"
"Do you mean did I have a favorite among the men and women I surrounded myself with at the time?" Rin nods quickly and Andromeda smiles as she says, "There were a few I suppose. A poet from Lesbos and a sculptor from Athens that my ward was fascinated by come to mind... I'd have to think up some of the others."
"Why did you leave Greece?" Rin asks, soft and sweet and hesitant.
"The world changed. There was more to see, more to do, more to learn. After a time Greece became too small and I became too restless to stay." Andromeda admits with a shrug.
Greece was wonderful and it still holds a particular fondness no other place will ever be ever to hold but as the world modernized there was just nothing truly keeping her stationary anymore. Iphigenia was old enough to have gone out on her own, all of Andromeda's dearest friends were dead and their memories lost to all but her, and it would have been suspicious for her to stay in the same place when she never aged and never changed. To live as a wraith is not something she has ever wanted for herself. To live detached from the rest of the world, stuck on her little island with not but her memories and Iphigenia to keep her company. So she left. Exploration and adventure keeping her from yearning for the quiet but brilliant life she lived before.
"Where did you go after you left Greece?" Sesshomaru asks, which is honestly surprising because he vary rarely involves himself in Andromeda's conversations with Rin unless he feels it absolutely necessary.
"I spent time in Italy before moving on to Libya where I spent several years, after that I traveled West to India, I then traveled to what would become Sweden."
Vague as the answer may be it's not untrue.
"Hn."
"And you? Have you ever left Japan, Lord Sesshomaru?" Andromeda asks, slyly moving closer to stand next to the demon Lord.
He glances at her, narrows pretty golden eyes, and says, "This Sesshomaru travels to the continent once every year for a meeting with the Demon Lords that rule those lands to negotiate peace and to quell any animosity that may arise between their lands and this one's own."
"But you don't travel for leisure." Andromeda says.
"My Lord Sesshomaru is far too dutiful for such frivolities!" Jaken rages, which makes Andromeda smile.
She turns to look at him as she walks backward, "Let me guess... defending the weak and innocent?"
The imp sputters and trembles, grip tightening on his staff, and Andromeda smiles sharply as he manages to spit out a rueful, "Yes! Not that you would know anything about such things!"
"I'm sure you're right, Jaken." She agreed benignly which only makes the imp sputter and rage more.
Done with her teasing, Andromeda turns back to Sesshomaru.
"It's a shame really. There's more to the world than this little corner you're bound to."
This time Sesshomaru looks at her, actually looks at her, and the sunlight catches his face in such a way that the shadows cast make the gold of his eyes all the more intense. He doesn't say anything but the heat of his glare is palpable. Looks like Andromeda struck a nerve.
"Alright, alright, sheesh." Andromeda pulls a scrunchie out of her pocket and begins scraping her hair into a ponytail. "Where are we going anyway? Somewhere specific or are we just wandering?"
"There is something this Sesshomaru must see to."
"Does it have to do with Inuyasha?"
He doesn't respond.
"What's your issue with him anyway? Like, ok, I get that he's your half-brother and I'm sure there's some personal family drama there that I definitely don't want to know, but do you hate him because of that alone or is there another reason? Because I would totally get it if you say it's his stunning personality."
Her joke falls a bit short obviously.
Sesshomaru just turns away from her.
"It is none of your concern."
"Fair enough."
She'll drop the subject for now because it's a personal matter and she doesn't want to piss Sesshomaru off right now. But it is something she'll need to at least know in the future. Siblings, from what she's observed, aren't always the kindest to each other but there's rarely ever true hatred as a driving force. So why is it with them? Obviously there's some family drama - it's pretty fucking clear what with the swords and Inuyasha's mom - but what else? Surely there has to be something else? Family dynamics and a sword doesn't truly justify wanting to slaughter your brother or mentally torture him. Inuyasha's part of her clan and now so is Rin. She's standing on a very fine knife edge. One misstep could ruin her relationship with Rin or Inuyasha, or both if she's extremely unlucky. So it would be good to know if she needs to sit some of the confrontations out for Rin's sake or if she can somehow curb Sesshomaru's rage enough that he doesn't try to outright slaughter her friend every time they cross paths.
Silence reigns over the two for a time.
Rin finds ways to entertain herself with Jaken being a reluctant participant in her simple amusements. They dart about and pick wild flowers and play a version of I Spy that Jaken somehow always seems to win - Andromeda thinks it's because Rin's too nice for her own good - and then the cycle repeats and repeats and repeats with breaks only when it's time for lunch or when Sesshomaru indicates for them to be still or silent.
Which only happens once.
It's getting dark, normally this would be about the time Sesshomaru would lead them off the main road and to a secluded area in the forest where Andromeda will be left to designate the building of the campsite. Only that never comes. Instead Sesshomaru tilts his chin slightly to catch a few good sniffs at the air and stills momentarily before pressing forward. When Andromeda goes to see if she can catch the same scent to figure out what's going on all she can smell is; burning flesh, the tang of blood, and something vaguely-Sesshomaru-esque.
"Should I be worried?" Andromeda asks, tone joking, and Sesshomaru merely continues looking ahead.
"The demon is long dead. There are no others around."
Somehow the words end up leading Jaken in Rin on some sort of impulsive sprint-race thing that makes Andromeda frown, because they're disappearing into the mist and what the hell? Why isn't Sesshomaru stopping that shit now while he has the ability to do so? Thankfully Andromeda can still hear them and the fact that Sesshomaru isn't worried seems like a good enough indicator that they're somewhat safe.
After a moment the sound of running fades and Rin shouts, "I win!"
"Fool!" Jaken screeches back, "this is not a race!"
"Look master Jaken! Just as Lord Sesshomaru said, there's a dead demon!"
About this time Sesshomaru and Andromeda come up behind them, giving them their first good look at the demon.
Purple skin and deep red muscle is scattered about the road, the only thing truly discernible among the remains being the chuck of spine left behind and the giant horned head.
"My goodness... who could have..."
"It was Inuyasha." Sesshomaru says as he makes his way over to the head, "Although... I don't think he got away unscathed either."
Andromeda watches - amused and disgusted and a bit horrified - as Sesshomaru picks up the demon's head by the horn. While she would have been able to pick the head up as well it's not like she actually wants to, so why would Sesshomaru? It's disgusting. Andromeda scrunches her nose up at the smell alone. She's just happy Sesshomaru has the good sense to handle it by the horns instead of the actual flesh, which seems likely to fall away at the slightest of touch. Half rotten as it is.
"Let's go." Sesshomaru commands, still grasping the demon's severed head.
"You're taking that?" Jaken asks, which is probably the first sentiment that's come out of the imp's mouth that Andromeda's agreed with.
Sesshomaru doesn't dignify Jaken's disgust with a response so Andromda figures he's not going to answer any questions she might have either. Still, she makes her way to the front to walk next to and slightly behind Sesshomaru. If it's to keep an eye on the creepy-ass head or just to give her an excuse to marvel at the way Sesshomaru never soils his clothes or his hair with blood or goo the world may never know.
Eventually it becomes clear that Sesshomaru has no intention of stopping for the evening and in response to this Andromeda scoops up an exhausted looking rin so that the little girl can use her as not only a pillow but a source of heat as well. Being able to control her body temperature and the temperature around her immediate vicinity is lovely sometimes - a little trick Andromeda's picked up during the long stretches of silence she's been afforded since becoming part of this pack. It seems that Rin likes it as well because she's soon dozing off in Andromeda's arms.
Hours are spent walking, and walking, and walking, until the repugnant stench of something acidic begins burning her nose.
The stench only grows stronger the closer they get to whatever destination Sesshomaru has in mind.
When they finally do stop Andromeda is instructed to stay with Rin while Sesshomaru and Jaken continue on. Apparently the place Sesshomaru is going is no place for a child. Andromeda thinks she'll just take his word on it because there's no way in hell she actually wants to find out whether or not that's true. So she tells him she's going to go set up camp before going off into the forest with A-Un lumbering behind her.
It doesn't take long to find a quiet place and soon Andromeda has the camp set to her preferences with Rin tucked into her sleeping bag next to the two-headed dragon, who rumbles imploringly when Andromeda pulls out her violin. There's no way she's going to bed anytime soon - not until Sesshomaru and Jaken return - and while she has no intention of playing right now in case she draws attention her violin does need to be cared fore. A tune up and general maintenance. If things go well she hopes to teach Rin to play the instrument... or at least teach her a basic understanding. It'd probably be better to teach her an instrument commonly found here but seeing as it's not likely Sesshomaru will by a Koto or a Sanshin she'll have to make due.
Rin continues to sleep, A-Un falling into light slumber with her, and Andromeda remains awake for a long while after tending to the physical care of her instrument in order to ensure Sesshomaru and Jaken return to the camp safely.
They do.
Sans a severed demon head and looking both disturbed - Jaken - and proud as punch - Sesshomaru.
"Did you find what you were looking for?" Andromeda asks as Sesshomaru takes a seat across the fire from her.
"Hn."
"Kaijinbo seems an awfully unpleasant fellow." Jaken begins to ramble, sounding nervous even in the safety of their camp, "It's no wonder Totosai got rid of him!"
Andromeda raises an eyebrow at Sesshomaru, "Another sword smith? Really?"
"This Sesshomaru will return to Kaijinbo in three days time." is all he says before closing his eyes.
Looks like that's the end of that.
Settling back, Andromeda closes her eyes in the hopes of catching a few winks of sleep. With Sesshomaru watching over the camp now is the best time to do so. But sleep doesn't come, instead Andromeda rests against the tree as her mind races from thought to thought. A litany of unwanted noise in her head that makes going to sleep an impossibility. She's worried about Kagome and the others. If Inuyasha did somehow get hurt by the demon then there's a chance the others are injured as well. Maybe not badly - because Andromeda doubts Inuyasha would ever willingly let anyone in their group get hurt but, well, clearly he might not have been in the right state to defend any of them. Which is ridiculous. Each of her friends are able to defend themselves to some degree. Andromeda should have more faith in them, she supposes. Leaning back against the tree and closing her eyes, Andromeda wonders where the others are and what they're doing right now and as her imagination runs the faint echo of thousands of voices in her head lead her into a place of darkness and peppered starlight.
Andromeda drifts in that dark place, the place she'd explored aimlessly for thousands of years before Earth even became hospitable for any sort of life. Floating, floating, drifting through nothingness. Here in her memories all she has is vast empty space and the sounds of masses forming around her. Andromeda settles into the tranquility of it, settles and breathes and allows herself peaceful rest... or allows it as much as she can when she's not even aware that she's resting.
Fingers curl around her talons, frigid compared to the heat she emits and too small to meet even around the thinnest point, and then the sensation of being pressed into a mold. Pushed and pocked and lumped down until she's small and contained within a body that feels equally as minuscule as the one belonging to whatever is holding her hand. When Andromeda looks into the darkness nothing is there to greet her but endless space and forming masses. Which is odd. Because something is definitely touching her. Something soft and warm and - Rin.
Awareness slams into her suddenly, causing Andromeda to jolt a bit as she pulls away from the tree.
There's a tiny body pressing against her side, the early morning sun only just beginning to lighten up the sky. Looking down, Andromeda finds Rin has grasped hold of her fingers sometime during the night. Andromeda pushes back the mess of hair dangling in her face and finds Sesshomaru staring at her from across the fire pit. Jaken and A-Un sleep peacefully off to the side, leaving nothing but the trees and the leaves and the sun as witness to whatever conversation might be had between the two of them.
"Good morning." Andromeda softly greets.
"This Sesshomaru is leaving. Guard the camp." is all he says, which is honestly better than nothing.
There have been times where Sesshomaru has just wondered off and left her to watch over their little group without so much as hinting that he'll be back at a specific time. At least now Andromeda can safely assume Sesshomaru is going off to either get them food - unlikely seeing as they still have provisions - or going to check on the creation of his sword - much more likely... considering. Andromeda sighs as she careful shifts out from under Rin so she can make her way over to where A-Un is dozing away in the early morning sunlight streaming through the leaves above their heads. The stillness only puts Andromeda more on edge. She doubts anything in the vicinity of Kaijinbo's home is going to be overly powerful but the fact that something could be lurking around in the shadows puts her more on edge. So she keeps herself busy by getting breakfast put together and waking Rin up so she can eat before Andromeda gets her started on personal hygiene.
Their morning routine is pretty cemented at this point and as soon as Rin is done with her breakfast she makes her way over to sit in front of Andromeda so she can brush her teeth while the older woman takes care of Rin's hair. While Rin's never been particularly negligent to her hair the fact that she was living in the conditions she was in prior to coming with Andromeda certainly had her prioritizing. So Andromeda works her hair oil into Rin's hair and combs it through to help with any tangling and dryness Rin has. Once Andromeda can run her comb through Rin's hair without snagging any knots she puts her comb down.
"What do you want done with your hair today, Rin? I can put it in braids, I can put it up for you..." She says, fingers gently making their way through the girl's hair.
"Oh, um, whatever you like Lady Andromeda." Rin tells her with a sunny smile, to which Andromeda returns.
"Braids then."
Rin's hair is easy to manage and soon enough Andromeda is tying off the ends of her braids with brightly colored scrunchies. Rin's delight is palpable as she pulls the tails over her shoulders to observe the pink and green bands Andromeda pulled from the recesses of her bag like magic. With her needs seen to Andromeda allows Rin some free time to run around the small clearing and do as she pleases - make believe games with Jaken become the main source of her entertainment as there are no flowers to make flower crowns with and the two headed dragon is hardly energetic enough to be coaxed into loping around after Rin. Andromeda keeps an eye on the two as she goes about taking care of her own business; schoolwork and general maintenance of her instruments. Nothing bothers the two, though, Jaken is more than enough of a general pest. Andromeda can't admit that she's overly fond of the little beast... but she's willing to acknowledge that her feelings in regards to him are hardly antagonistic. Still, they're not friends. Likely never will be.
After a while Jaken grows irritated with Rin, so much so that Andromeda takes the opportunity to pull Rin's attention away from the imp.
"Rin, sweetheart!" Andromeda calls, to which Rin rushes over without a second thought.
"Yes, Lady Andromeda?"
Smiling, Andromeda pats the ground beside her and says, "Time for lessons, sweet girl."
Rin - always so determined and bright - is quick to take a seat across from Andromeda, though her eyes straw to the instrument cases carefully set beside her school bag. Later. Andromeda has every intention of exposing Rin to the fine arts. Hopefully once Naraku is gone - and Rin is willing - Andromeda can find someone to dedicate more time to Rin's musical studies. If that's something she wishes to continue that is. Andromeda would never force her into anything beyond learning the bare bone basics of one of the two instruments with her as it'll give Rin something to do in her spare time when Jaken can't be bothered to act civilly enough to help entertain the young girl.
Lessons go smoothly. Rin gets through her letters while writing the ones Andromeda's taught her in the notebook that had once been used for homework, when that's over Rin and Andromeda switch over to numbers and basic mathematics. Rin understandably struggles with the newer material but doesn't let it frustrate her too badly. Andromeda makes sure to take lots of breaks with Rin and explain everything as many times as needed in as many different ways as Rin needs to be able to fully comprehend. They spend about two hours on the material altogether before Andromeda releases Rin for a longer break. Later tonight they'll review material and continue, but Rin deserves a break for the moment and so Andromeda packs up her writing materials and stuffs them back into her bag for safe keeping while Rin does whatever it is that strikes her fancy at the moment... only, she doesn't go anywhere. Instead the little girl stands in front of Andromeda carefully wringing her fingers and glancing between Andromeda's instruments and the woman herself.
"What's wrong, sweet girl?" Andromeda asks, because she'd rather Rin feel comfortable expressing questions than just assuming for the girl.
"What are those?" a thin fingers points at the instrument cases.
Andromeda smiles widely as she grabs both.
First to be revealed to those curious eyes is the Ocarina, all shiny and sleek and prettily colored. Andromeda takes it out of the case, passes it between her hands to show off the instrument to Rin, and then hands it over to the little girl - who looks startled that Andromeda would hand something so obviously fragile to her.
"That's an Ocarina. It's a wind instrument," Andromeda grabs her violin case and opens it up, "and this is my violin."
Rin's gaze flicks between the two instruments and she asks, "They're very pretty."
"Thank you, Rin." Andromeda takes the Ocarina and hands her violin over, careful to show Rin the proper way to hold it so as not to drop it.
Moments pass as Rin observes the glossy string instrument. Brown eyes wide with wonder. Andromeda puts the Ocarina away for the moment. If Rin's interest is in the smaller instrument then that's what she'll learn, but for the moment there's no point in holding both.
"You're very skilled, Lady Andromeda." Rin says.
"You haven't heard me play," Andromeda laughs, "I could sound like a screeching cat."
The look Rin gives her is so conficent as she asks, "Will you play for us, Lady Andromeda?"
Unable to refuse the request - for various reasons, one being Andromeda likes to show off - Andromeda takes the violin, settles it into position, and drags the bow across the strings to warm up. For Rin she plays something bright and upbeat, a dancing tune. One she'd heard played on a different instrument many, many, many years ago. Rin's smile is delightful, though she doesn't actually dance she does sway a bit to the sound Andromeda is pulling from her instrument. It's enough. Clearly Rin's happy simply hearing the music and so Andromeda plays on; easily switching from one song to another. At some point though Andromeda finishes her playing and lowers her instrument.
Rin claps.
Even Jaken gives her a grudging compliment.
Andromeda's honestly shocked by that because Jaken's hardly the type to compliment anyone.
The redhead thanks both of them with a soft smile before putting the violin back in its case.
"How long have you played Lady Andromeda?" Rin asks, pressing closer.
"Years and years." She winks and Rin laughs, "Would you like to learn?"
A line forms where Rin's mouth presses together. Andromeda recognizes it as a sign of hesitance with Rin so she keeps an encouraging, open smile on her face and waits for Rin to say something.
"What if something happens to it?"
"I can always get another if I absolutely have to Rin."
That's if Andromeda isn't able to fix it herself. With as long as he's been able to play the instrument she's gained some basic knowledge of how to do little repairs. Which is probably all Rin would do to it in terms of damaging actions. Minor damage isn't something Andromeda's worried about.
"But it must be so expensive!" Rin is fretting now.
Andromeda reaches out, takes both of Rin's hands in her own, and says, "Sweetheart, if I was honestly worried about damaging my violin or being unable to repair it I'd have left it back home. As I see it, having it here and being able to use it is better than leaving it behind to collect dust."
"But..."
"Besides, I'm more than financially stable enough to buy as many violins as I need."
Tentative fingers drift close to Andromeda's hands as Rin goes to take the offered violin. Once she's got a good hold of it Andromeda shows her where to put it against her collarbone and how to support it with her shoulder. It's a bit too large for her. Andromeda might have to invest in a child's violin for her. But as Andromeda's going to start her lessons off with learning notes and learning how to pluck that doesn't necessarily seem like a pressing matter at the moment. Besides, it's not too large for Rin to handle... though it may be a little uncomfortable for her.
"Here, sit down." Andromeda says, to which Rin immediately obeys.
Andromeda takes the violin and begins going through a crash course on notes and strings, plucking occasionally to show Rin what the open string sounds like. Rin's a quick learner. She recites notes back to Andromeda and points at the corresponding string and section when prompted, sure, there are some mistakes made, but Rin's a new learner and Andromeda's impressed with everything she's capable of retaining.
That's how Sesshomaru finds them, seated beneath the tree with the instrument passing between them as Andromeda instructs Rin on how to pluck strings. Andromeda almost doesn't realize he's there. Might never have even noticed... but Rin's excitement when she sees her savior is hardly containable and her exuberant cries are quick to alert Andromeda to the demon Lord's presence.
"Have fun exploring?" Andromeda asks, shifting one leg out from under her to stretch out the aching limb.
Sesshomaru stares.
"What? Kaijinbo slacking?" this earns an outraged cry from Jaken.
"How dare you speak to Lord Sesshomaru in such a way!" He shrieks as he shoot across the clearing to wave his staff at her head.
Andromeda laughs at the little imp's rage and gently pushes his weapon out of her face with a kind, "If Lord Sesshomaru can't handle a little gentle teasing he'll never make any friends."
"My Lord doesn't need friends!"
"I dunno Jaken, I'm an excellent friend to have." Andromeda pushes her hair over her shoulder and plays smiles at the sputtering demon.
"What could being friends with you possibly gain a demon as magnificent as Lord Sesshomaru?" He demands, only getting angrier the longer Andromeda plays with him.
And this is it.
None of them have really talked about Andromeda's current living situation. None of them know she's from the future. Sesshomaru knows she's a foreigner, they all do at the very least, but do they realize she's also from the future? Absolutely not. Andromeda needs to break that little tidbit of information to them to ensure she's able to return to the well when need be. Andromeda knows Sesshomaru would never allow her to lead the group back to the well without good reason as he probably doesn't trust her... but maybe sharing that information will get him to trust her enough to let her go home every once in a while when the need arises. Because Andromeda doesn't want to leave Rin behind so leaving the group is out of the question at the moment.
"Well, being from the future certinly offers an advantage, but I think it's my sunny personality that really does it."
Around her there's silence. She smiles benignly. The Jaken is leaning close as if she'll lash out at any second and asks, "The future?"
"Uh-huh."
Skepticism.
"Prove it!"
Andromeda goes to pull a book out of her bag and holds it out for Jaken, "Check the publication page."
Hopefully there won't be an issue with translation as the book was published in Japanese. Andromeda doesn't get much time to fret over it though before a slender, tattooed hand plucks the book out of her grasp and easily flips through the pages. She watches Sesshomaru as he reads over the book's pages. He seems calm but when doesn't he? Eventually he snaps the book shut and returns it to Andromeda, eyes narrowed but not murderous.
"Explain how this is possible."
A short version of how she and Kagome got sucked into the well and ripped through time is given. Rin pays rapt attention, Sesshomaru observes her carefully, and Jaken looks at her like she's trying to claim she's got a second set of teeth hidden between her toes. Andromeda ignores it as she explains that some of it might have been because of the Shikon Jewel but her continued ability to shift through the well might also be due to her own connection between times. Which is another conversation entirely and not one needing to be discussed at the moment. When she wraps up her story she makes sure to point out that going back through the well to her original time would be beneficial as Andromeda will be able to pick up supplies, entertainment for Rin, and anything else they might need for their coming battles. Jaken, ever the critic, demands to know why she'd bother.
"Because I'm part of this group now. Rin's perfectly safe with Lord Sesshomaru, I'll admit that, but I'm a social creature at the base of my being and I bond quickly... besides, it never hurts to have a second set of hands available." She makes sure to catch Sesshomaru's eye as she says this.
Because she's not talking to Jaken, she's not saying anything she doesn't already think or believe, she's trying to drive a point home with the Lord of the West.
And it's this;
She and Sesshomaru might not have had the best of beginnings, but that doesn't change the fact that he never attacked her in that clearing, or that he's so unendingly good with Rin, or that they all have a common goal at this point. Andromeda wasn't lying when she said she was a social creature. A collector of family some might call her. She'd been so quick to adopt everyone in Inuyasha's pack as her own people that it shouldn't come as any sort of surprise that she's already laid some sort of claim down on Sesshomaru's.
They've been traveling together for days now.
It was bound to happen at some point.
Sesshomaru seems to recognize this - might even feel the same way as Andromeda - because he says nothing but there's no maliciousness on his face when he offers a curt nod of the head before stalking off to his side of the clearing to sit beneath a tree.
Realizing the conversation is over Rin is quick to pull Jaken into some made up game of hers. Much to the imp's displeasure. Andromeda watches them for a moment before she begins putting her violin back in it's case so she can slip it back into her bag. She pretends not to feel Sesshomaru's eyes on her as she goes about the task. She'd be a little wary too. Nothing wrong with being cautious, especially when presented with new information such as what Andromeda dealt out today. Nothing to worry about. If Sesshomaru wanted her dead, Andromeda would probably be dead.
So Andromeda settles back into her typical evening routine with ease and the familiarity of everything seems to ease any tension among the group that might have lingered because soon everyone is settling into their own quiet tasks and it works.
Later that evening after everyone has gone to bed Andromeda threads her fingers through Rin's hair and wonders what Kagome and the others are doing at that exact moment. She falls into light rest hoping that none of them are stuck fighting Naraku while she relaxes in pissy-swordmaker territory.