Rin was up and about after her leg had healed nicely thanks to the tireless nurse that tended to her. Rin thanked her by folding her some origami cranes, she heard they were good luck. The nurse accepted this as her payment even though she was paid in money too. Now Rin could go back to doing what she did best, play around. She knew she was allowed back into the forest anytime she wished but she would be exceedingly careful this time and stay close to the edge. She was able to call out for Lady Akino who appeared out of nowhere with her litter. Rin was yet again chasing them about. She learned from the lady how to catch fish with your bare hands, all Rin knew was how to spear them or use a net. She had never tried this before and she had to take off her kimono for it, only in a thin under dress like it was nothing to be so nude in front of a true noble.
Lady Akino didn't seem to mind, she just sat there on the banks watching over the young woman with her tail swishing back and forth. She gave pointers on what to do and laughed when Rin claimed to have caught one only to have caught a slippery toad. Eventually she did catch a fish and gave it to them so they could eat it if they so wished. Rin was proud of herself and would have loved to catch herself something to eat too but then the cooks would have made her a scrumptious meal for nothing. Rin left before the sun even set and stayed outside of the forest so she wouldn't get caught by a wild something or other again. The cherry blossoms were in full bloom and the trees were beckoning her to climb them. So that's what she did, wishing she didn't have to deal with such long lavish dresses but it was one thing to be in her under clothes in front of another female and another around the entirety of the kingdom.
She would just have to be mindful not to tear any of the clothing she was wearing. She climbed from branch to branch higher and higher until she got to the very top of the tree, peeking out from the mountains of pink petals. She could see everything from up here. Far off into the distance she could see hills and mountains, lakes and even further off she could view an ocean. She looked at it with wonderment. She had never been to the sea before, never felt the hot sands on her toes, and thought if she asked perhaps her lord would take her there because she was desperate to go. She watched the world go by from her tree top paradise then sat upon the thickest sturdiest branch she could find. There she picked some cherries and began to eat her fill. She loved strawberries and melon much more but this was her third favorite. Rin was startled by hearing Sesshomaru's voice from the base of the tree but not so startled that she fell down.
"What are you doing up there?"
"Cherry picking and just enjoying the view from up here. I can see for miles and miles."
"Come down, I need to talk to you."
"Yes, Lord Sesshomaru!" She obliged, shimmying down each branch until her feet landed on the ground. Her reflexes were very animal like as was the way she landed. Her mouth was stained red thanks to the cherries, a color he had not seen on her lips since the hand maids always painted them so pale. He lost his train of thought just looking at them then looked back up at her.
"What do you want to talk about, my lord?"
"There's going to be a council meeting here and I need you to stay in your room and on your best behavior."
"Anything you say. When will it be?"
"In the eve of tomorrow, the four corners are all coming...including my mother."
"Her ladyship will be here too?" Rin questioned, remembering the woman fondly for she had saved her for the second time. "And what are...the four corners?"
"Each hemisphere has their own kingdom and their own rulers, I rule the west. Just stay out of the way until they leave. I'm certain they will smell you but I don't want them to see you and make any remarks. It's my home and I won't tolerate it."
"Oh my lord...," she gushed without realizing she was doing it. She had a far off dreamy stare for a moment, then much like he did, she shook it off but he saw it alright and didn't know what to make of it all. She straightened herself up and popped another cherry into her mouth, acting innocently unaware of how she was earlier. "I'll do as you say, I promise."
He was satisfied with that but just stood there as Rin absentmindedly brought her thumb to her mouth and sucked off the remaining juice then licked her lips. He raised both of his eyebrows at the motion she did then she looked at him and stopped entirely, perhaps realizing how she looked. She smiled at him shyly, swaying side to side. She stopped and turned her head having heard an unusual sound. Sesshomaru heard it too, it almost sounded like a baby crying. Rin could see it, caught in the fence around the garden was a rabbit and it was crying for help. Rin rushed to it immediately, soothingly petting over its face and trying to calm it down. She looked around for some way to free it but could find nothing.
She grabbed the boards with her hands and grunting she tried to break them apart. She succeeded and the rabbit popped out unharmed. It hopped away rapidly, not staying around to get stuck anywhere else again. Rin wished she could have cuddled it but it wasn't a tame bunny so there was no chance of that. She was just glad to see it was okay. She noticed a large shadow casting over hers and turned up towards it. Sesshomaru was looking down at her, pondering something. Rin was always trying to save someone, just as she had tried to save him or when she risked her life for senensil berries for Jaken. It was one of the things that made her who she was, that she was compassionate and empathetic. She got up and nearly bumped her face into his so she backed up some.
"Forgive me for breaking the fence."
"It's alright, Rin."
She tilted her head to the side. "Are you certain?"
"Yes. I'll have someone fix it."
"Okay if you say so. So my lord what are you up to today? Need anything?"
"Nothing important. As for needed anything no not from you. If you'd like to accompany me, though, that would be fine."
She brushed herself off and went to his side. "Where are we off to?"
"There is a place called the sakura no komichi, it's a demon village where the cherry blossom trees are unseasonably in bloom year round. The village is full of half breeds and quarter demons as well as humans. You'll be safe to go there with me."
"Blooming all year? How strange and yet how lovely it must look. You only have one near your home."
"It was donated by the village to show their thanks. That was over a century ago, before we met. I've never had much use for it but you seem to enjoy it."
Rin giggled. "It's fun to climb things and I've always loved being high up. Most are scared of heights but not me. I love flying on A-Un...which where does he go? I scarcely see him."
"He's in the stables or on the field. If you call to him he will come. I know of no other mortal that can call upon a dragon but he answers to you."
"Stables? I thought I saw everything but I guess this place is so huge that there are some things I have not seen yet. Do we have livestock then? Horses and cows? We must because I get meat and milk."
"Yes, of which we have picked from the village. The best that there was to offer. Given the land it sits upon and the grasses it produces the animals that feed there are the healthiest in the land. I have no use of horses but if you should like one..."
"Oh I'd like one to take care of but it won't get much use because I prefer to ride on A-Un," She clarified, remembering when she first met the dragon and how she was the one who named him. He was nameless before then. She wondered why Sesshomaru kept a dragon around when he could fly but perhaps like her, like Jaken, he was a weary traveler who wanted to stick with Sesshomaru. Rin always felt a little satisfied that Sesshomaru would call it the name she gave it.
"It's enough for me to have him around. In fact I'd like to ride him today. I won't go far."
"If that is what you want. You may go as far as the sea but not any further, that's past my border."
"As you say, my lord! I will stay within the border. So you own the sea too?"
It amused him her comment but it never showed on his face other than a light in his eyes. "No one can own the sea, it is like harnessing the breeze or capturing a ray of sunlight. It is on my land so it is called mine but it is not. If anyone was to own it, it would be a water demon."
"How poetic..." She swooned then put herself together quickly. "My lord is versed in all fields it seems."
The arrogance that still resided in himself fluctuated to full capacity whenever he was around her. The pride he felt in himself as a man and a demon swelled, though he tried to hush it. He shouldn't let his pride get the better of him, it was going to be his undoing, at least his mother thought so. "One can be too proud, my dear son," She would say. "be wary not to let it swallow you whole." He thought there were times when it did, when he got just as cocky as his brother sometimes and he hated doing that. After losing his arm he swore never to let it get to him like it did. Having Rin around both hindered and helped the issue, praising him like she did didn't do anything but make matters worse. Still she could humble him at times.
They made their way to the village where Rin was awe-stricken by the sleepy village with the various trees surrounding it, making pink rain drops on everything. She wanted to go dance around in the falling petals but she stood by her lord's side, looking as stately and lady like as she could. Back straight, head high, but a friendly look on her. Poised but not stuck-up. Everyone in the village all but stopped what they were doing to take a moment to bow to him but they weren't sure what to do for this strange new woman so they just bowed too, just in case. Rin scoped out the place, her lord was right it was full of non full demons, perhaps a few here and there but not too many. The leader of this village was a full demon, obviously elected to be the official possibly because of that. His wife had passed some time ago leaving him with three children to take care of, of which were with him when Sesshomaru met up with him.
They were lined up oldest to youngest with the oldest being a ten year old girl, a six year old boy, and a two year old girl. Rin waved at them in a gesture of good will and they waved back a bit hesitantly, never having someone really do that to them. As higher ups they were used to people saying hello of course but not used to a common wave. It made them feel normal, as if they weren't some well off children of a chieftain. The village leader, named Daichi, told his children to go off and play somewhere but before they left Rin requested that she too go with them, so that she had something to do and they had someone else to play with. Daichi looked at her skeptically, not because she was human of course, but because she was an adult. However she looked as if she really wanted to and he saw no reason why not. He shrugged and told her it was fine with him. She introduced herself to the children and they went off together, his six year old already comfortable enough to boldly hold her hand. He watched them go then turned his attentions to Sesshomaru who kept his same stone wall face that lacked any reading of what was going on inside his head.
"So tell me, old friend, when is it you decided to be in the company of humans?"
"That's none of your concern," he answered back, with coldness in his voice.
"No need to get testy I was just wondering. I've never seen her with you before. We aren't here for that though so I'll drop it."
As the two men went inside to talk Rin was getting to know each of the children she was with. As someone who had a childlike personality, but still very womanly in other aspects, she felt a connection with them. There was the oldest Erity, the middle child Osamu, and the smallest one Mei. Erity was the brightest and the mature one, keeping her siblings in line and tried to be rational with everything. Osamu preferred to be rambunctious and act out while his little sister was wide-eyed and suspiciously quiet for a girl that age. Rin showed them how to play hide and seek, even though Erity didn't know the purpose of this game at all and kept questioning it. Eventually after two rounds she got into it, forgetting her strict persona in favor of letting loose for once and having a good time. After a few times she did another game with them which included throwing stones to a square and hopping to it while saying some type of rhyme.
"This is so ridiculous," Erity proclaimed, jumping from square to square. "But...it's kind of fun."
"I've never seen you smile so much," Osamu admitted, trying to juggle some rocks. "You're so much better this way."
After that Rin just decided to sit cross legged with them because they wanted to know all about her and how she came to know Lord Sesshomaru. She sat down and told them all about her story from then to now, about everything that happened to her on her journeys. She talked about Naraku, about the jewel shards, about the swords forged from Inutaisho's fang, about Jaken, and anything else she could think about. They were all sitting there with opened mouths in shock and awe at her heroing tale. It was such a long story that she hadn't even finished it by the time Sesshomaru and the children's father came to gather them.
"Time to go home, children."
"But dad we were getting to the good part! Can't we just stay a little longer?" Osamu pleaded.
"Yes can we?" Erity added in.
"Well it's not up to me," He concluded looking over at Sesshomaru.
"Do you wish to stay Rin?"
"I would like to finish my story...can I stay until dinner?"
He nodded his head at her then departed without a single word only barely reacting when she said goodbye to him. He didn't like leaving her so far away from his own home and even more from his sight but it was near impossible for him to say no. The only reason he would is to be selfish because he didn't want her amongst other people that weren't himself but that would mean telling himself he wanted her. All of her, to himself. That wasn't right or at least he was attempting to tell himself it wasn't right. Rin stayed in the village all evening with Daichi and his family, entertaining the children with the remainder of her story. She even told them about Lady Akino and all the people she met in the castle.
Time flew fast for them and it was night by the time Sesshomaru came back for her. They were all sad to see her go but knew she wasn't far away at least. She made a deal with them, she would come see them once every week, that way she'd have time to do other things too. Now she had two sets of children to play with, the half breeds and the fox ones. Rin loved kids, she had helped with them while in the village, she was even present after birthings. Kids also loved her, she was always seen with a few of them trailing after her. Sesshomaru knew this, he could see it, she was no doubt womanly and feminine but she had something inside of her that connected with the youth. The moon was rising over the castle creating a glow around it, in that lighting it made everything seem like it was made out of silver.
"It's too late now to take A-Un for a ride...I wanted to see the ocean. Another day then."
"You may go if I accompany you."
"Really?! Thank you thank you!" She exclaimed with glee, jumping up and down. "I will go find the stables!"
She was off and there was no stopping her. She was such a bright person in every sense, the sun could not compare to her. Rin was already on the two-headed dragon by the time Sesshomaru got to her, bouncing about, excited to go out at night with her lord by her side. To the skies they went, far above the castle, the grounds, the forest, the village. Everything seemed so tiny up there. It wasn't far at all to get to the sea, given Ah-Un could go so fast. They reached it within ten minutes. Rin looked at it all, the moon hitting every bit of it making it look breath taking. She took it all in, the sounds of the waves hitting the shoreline and the smell of the salt in the air.
"I'd like to go down there one day. In the afternoon it wouldn't be so hot and I could have a picnic. What do you think? It could be nice."
"If you want to."
"You always say that but what about what you want?"
Sesshomaru blinked at her, processing the words she spoke. What he wanted? Why did that matter? He didn't even want much, he had everything anyways...didn't he? He looked at her face, her charming smile, her gentle brown eyes. She too looked...something special when the moon hit her just right. She was exceedingly pretty...for a human anyhow. It was as much of a compliment as he could muster for her because she was of some beauty he supposed but he daren't call her anything more than that. His inner self that he always attempted to quiet was telling him otherwise. Pretty to that part of himself was an insult to her and he was being demeaning in using such words. If he let that part speak its mind he'd be admitting that a human was attractive in his eyes and calling her pretty was bad enough. He shouldn't have even said that much but it would be heartless of him to think the opposite. He allowed no one to say ill of her, including himself. No unlike what he used to think as humans she wasn't at all hideous...pretty was as far as he'd go.
'You know that's wrong,' his inner mind reprimanded.
"Lord Sesshomaru...? Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. There's no need to trouble yourself with what I want."
"I...don't think of it as troubling myself when it comes to you. I want more than anything else in this whole world...to make you happy."
"Don't say such things..."
"But it's the truth! That's all I've ever wanted in life was to see a smile or to please you in some way. I have no powers of my own, no big swords or staffs, I'm just a human. A normal boring human with nothing to offer you...but you make me so happy so I just want to return the favor. Please...if you call it troubling then trouble me, my lord. Whatever you want...if I can I would give it to you...you know I would..."
He stayed entirely silent the whole time, unsure of how to continue this conversation and if it was one that should be continued at all. It was deadly territory and something he wasn't at all used to. He knew what she said was true, she'd do anything for him and he'd do anything for her. She was, she is, everything to him, and he knew it even if it made him feel strange to say it. She was. This is why he gave her so many things, catered to her every whim, forced everyone to practically bow to her. She was not just an ordinary average boring human to him and it insulted him that she even thought that. Yet how could she feel any other way?
No one has told her otherwise. The way he disdained mortals must have made her feel like there was something in her he might hate too and perhaps she was thinking one day he'd get tired of her and leave her alone again. He couldn't fathom the thought and he certainly didn't hate her in the slightest. He cared deeply for her, deeper than anyone or anything, but what she was saying to him...it was moving him and he didn't like it but he also did like it. The fact that she wanted nothing more than for him to feel cheerful made his soul feel light. Only around her did it ever feel that way. He felt almost that sensation of when he was young and before Inuyasha was born, when life seemed full of promise instead of failure and shame. He had always thought his sword a burden but now he valued it, not because of the new abilities it had but because it had brought her to life.
Even then, even before he knew her name, she was already intended to cling herself onto him. He fell into those deep brown eyes that were looking at him and only him now. What was he to say to that? What was he to do? He already knew it but for her to say it so sincerely, so tenderly...it made his interior feel bizarrely like liquid. What would make him happy? It was obvious and he already had it. She didn't need to do anything for him, though the sentiment was appreciated, she already held the key to making him smile. All he needed was for her to be herself forever and to stay with him. He couldn't speak such things, make it sound like he needed her, like he wanted her. He could never tell her that even though he knew she wanted to hear it. She had those big puppy dog eyes pleading him to say it and it was taking all his willpower and arrogance to not say it.
"I require nothing of the sort, Rin," he affirmed, moving away from her and those eyes. "Let's go home."
"Lord Sesshomaru..." she sighed pitifully, lying her head down on A-Un and turning it away from him. She felt dejected and rejected by him. He wouldn't tell her what it is that he wanted, she knew it must be something but what? He also didn't seemed phased at all by what she said but what did she honestly expect of someone like him? He was taking it in his own way and more than likely he was somewhat affected but showed it differently. She wouldn't call him emotionless, she had learned to read his silence, his looks, his straight line of a mouth. Every subtle movement to her was a new shift in emotion. So she knew just from looking at him he was hiding something, even perhaps lying. That mood wasn't as obvious but something about the way he seemed to want to go home and avoid all conversation and eye contact. Yes he was lying about something. He did want something of her but she couldn't fathom what.
She could only wait and guess what it might be and continue serving her lord until she figured it out. When they landed at home Rin put A-Un away, petting him and giving him a hug. He nipped at her hair in an attempt to make her laugh because she seemed so unlike herself right now. Rin did laugh but it didn't stop her from thinking about things. Still she was thankful that he did that. Sesshomaru went inside, trusting Rin would come in soon enough. It didn't take long for her to assure him of his thoughts. She had her dinner with him in complete and total silence, neither saying a word to the other. Rin still didn't even know why he wanted to just watch her eat, it was awkward to her. He was still trying to assimilate what she had said and it kept whirling around in his mind as he watched her. She did a lot of things so daintily, like eating. It was as if she truly was a proper princess. She had a small piece of rice stuck to her cheek and he plucked it off and placed it in his mouth. Once more she began to turn a shade of pink, like the cherry blossoms.
"I think...I'm done for tonight."
"Full?"
She nodded her head to him. "Could you see to it that the rest goes to Jaken?"
"I'll make sure of it."
"Thank you. I'm going to go to bed now...goodnight my lord."
"Rin...would you..." he paused and looked to her a bit uncertain of himself and he usually never looked that way. It was strange and new. "Would you try to remember what I said about tomorrow?"
"Stay in my room. I understand. Was there anything else you needed to tell me?" she inquired with a high voice like she was expecting him to say something else.
His mind was battling himself yet again and it was a fight he was determined to win. It never looked like that was happening on his face, he stayed unreadable as usual. He relented a solemn head shake no and she left him, leaving him feeling colder than normal. Something in his chest was wrenching, was it...his heart? Why was it doing that? The feeling was almost painful and it seemed there was no way to stop it. He didn't want her to go like that, just leave him. He was going to truly ask her if she wanted to stay with him a little longer, just for tonight he would say, trying to assure them both this meant nothing. He was strangely craving her presence near him, her voice, her scent, her smile, her gaze, her blush. He didn't sleep usually and it made the nights longer. He felt a tugging in his system to be near her and every time he felt it he wanted to slap himself out of his odd stupor.
'I know exactly what you want,' his inner mind goaded. 'even you know it but you'd hate to admit it.'
'Be still,' he commanded to the inner demon inside of him, giving him these ideas and thoughts he should not be having.
'Never," it denied with some slight antagonism, 'She asked us if we desired anything from her and we do, don't we? We do want something.'
'Don't say it. It's not true anyhow.'
'What would you know of the truth? You lie to yourself every day. Keep on denying yourself what you want, it will end up causing you to burn out quickly and then you'll end up succumbing to it, to your true self.'
'Silence your talks of madness.'
'Madness?' it mocked with questioning, 'You shall know true madness soon enough with the way you act. Face it, you're going to live with your self-loathing all your life because you refuse to acknowledge what you feel. You may keep on denying it but I know the truth, the truth you dare not speak for it would shame you.'
'This Sesshomaru feels no shame,' he tried to declare as confidently as he could.
'Yet another bold lie you speak. If that was true, you'd just up and say it. I know what I want and it's the same as what you want. You can hate yourself all night and day or you can just confess it already. It's all too easy to tell, I can feel it, you can feel. What we want...is her.'
