I Do Not Own InuYasha


Aienkien

合縁奇縁

A couple strangely but happily united;

Uncanny relationship formed by a quirk of Fate;

The mysteries of attraction and relationships or bonds between people


II: 2


Year 1308...

Setsuna Castle...

It was late morning when Izayoi walked the gardens with her fiancé. Takemaru was a good man, she could see that they were going to have a long and happy life together, they were near perfect match. Takemaru's support to her father's own lands would have only prosper, had the InuYōkai threat not destroyed everything which had belonged to her father and her people slaughtered. She was certain that this was a safe move. And yet, she could not shake this terrible feeling within her that this was not right.

"Are you unwell my lady?" Takemaru inquired, jostling her from her thoughts.

"I apologize my lord," she said softly. "I have not slept well in over a moon, I believe it is getting to me."

"Very well, you should rest," he decided.

Izayoi agreed and returned quietly to her chambers. Alone she sat on her futon and stared out at the gardens and the rain.

She could not escape the image of that giant dog, how it growled at her. But stranger yet, she did not know what to make of the dream. Izayoi wondered if this was merely a lapse of homesickness, she had had moments of longing where she desired nothing more than to be home with her father and amongst her friends; wishing she had perished with them when the battle had happened. But then she'd feel this tremendous wave of shame for wishing her death, though it would've been welcomed and even honorable, she just couldn't die, yet. Not until her Clan was avenged!

Her mother had passed at her birthing and she had been raised by her father and the tutors he hired for her. Izayoi was not a particularly skilled lady, she was aware that many of her accomplishments were not as impressive as they should be, but she had beauty and an affinity for healing which a miko had encouraged her to learn. Through this union, her father would've gain the necessary support, and Takemaru's people would gain a skilled healer. but since her father's death she had been graciously taken in by Takemaru, who had been merciful enough to keep their marriage arrangement in place and to give her an offical place with his hime before their union.

It was a good match.

Takemaru was a long-time childhood friend, and they were quite agreeable. He was also mildly attractive, dark hair, dark eyes, and a serious face with a narrow jawline. Yes, she saw what all the ladies swooned about. And yet, Izayoi could not find it in her to feel the passions or yearnings she seemed to inspire in him, within herself for him. She could not return his affections, nor did she find him attractive in that aspect. He was merely Takemaru.

She didn't know why she dwelt on it, but the dreams always sprung to the forefront of her mind whenever she tried to find traits in Takemaru attractive.

There was something dangerous about that InuYōkai, something she couldn't figure out, and she couldn't figure out why she was dreaming about the dangerous creature. She had never had these dreams when she was home, it had never been there on her mind. It was merely…

Dismissing the thought track from her mind she decided to follow Takemaru's suggestion and rest for a little bit. She would be down to aid the wounded from the coming battle, but for now she would rest. Perhaps she should take up calligraphy or the art of flower arranging, there might be a way to sooth her mind yet.


Year 1581...

Outside of Edo, Japan...

Sesshōmaru did not know when he had let his eyes close to rest, merely that when he had opened them the sun was setting, and Rin was asleep beside him. Her breathing was deep and steady, uninterrupted, and very soothing to listen to, he could feel his inner yōkai drawing comfort off her nearness and her trust in him. Sesshōmaru's ears twitched a little as he listened to the forest.

Scenting the air, he slowly detangled himself from Rin to see what was out there.

She woke with a pained groan the moment he removed himself from her side, clutching mokomoko a bit tighter curling against him. Sesshōmaru looked down at her, she glared balefully back up at him when he moved away from her.

"My lord," she grumbled rubbing her eye with a knuckle before yawning. "I would like to see the current state of damage."

He frowned a little.

"I would have asked when there was more light out," she sighed.

"Rin," he started.

"Don't, my lord, it's me, and there is no one around, you would know if there were, and I bet the bandages need changing," she yawned.

"I do not have the supplies," he admitted.

"Very well we can do this back at my hut," she offered. He frowned, true she only lived with the old miko, but he was aware of how keen his brother's nose was and he did not want to be in his current state of vulnerability around a rival alpha. InuYasha had, admittedly, reached near their father's level of power, which while impressive and no doubt going to continue to grow, was not a match for Sesshōmaru's own power. Still, InuYasha was an alpha and Sesshōmaru did not want to be vulnerable around another alpha. He did not like being exposed.

"That is not necessary," he said carefully. He did not wish to anger his mate, he was aware she was keen on depicting his own state, but he did not want to be vulnerable here of all place. He did not even like being in the shiro because he was uncomfortable with the amount of inuyōkai there. Sesshōmaru was an alpha, but he did not like being surrounded by his packmates as most inuyōkai did. He found comfort in Rin, he did not mind being vulnerable around Rin, but there were environmental factors he had to weigh with his desires to be with his mate.

"Sesshōmaru-sama, it would not do to lie to Rin," she warned lowly, her tone like his and dripping with superior authority.

"You may examine it tomorrow, away from Edo," he compromised.

"Fine, but it'll be at first light," she warned.

He offered her a hand, which she took, he lifted her up effortlessly, holding her so they were eye to eye. She was bewildered at the action, but that was alright, he liked when they were equal.

"I will be ready for you at first light," he assured her.

"Good!" she decided before he lowered her carefully. She was so small!

His ears twitched and he heard the distant rumblings of InuYasha's pack calling for Rin. He wanted to sigh at relinquishing his mate to his brother's pack but did not act on such unsavory behavior, he was better than that.

"Go, they are looking for you," he said.

"They are!?" Rin sputtered.

"InuYasha's pack," he explained.

"OH!" she nodded. "I will meet you at first light," she promised as she ran into the woods. Sesshōmaru watched her go with a resigned feeling that Rin would do what was necessary to conceal his presence here. Once he was certain she was safe, he could hear her talking with InuYasha and Shippō, he took to where he had found refuge. There was a building storm to the east, and he did not want to be caught in the rain.

Rushing through the forest he made it to the small cave, then looked around at the world around him. Sesshōmaru had left Jaken to correspond his messages, and his mother to run things with the pack, and other than the possibility of A-Un and Rin, he was alone, which was what had him removing his armor slowly and painfully. The mark had created wounds, which he had been tending to quietly for the past few years. Rin had been meticulously watching them, checking how they spread and how they were healing. There were periods when the wounds would be healing, when he would be focusing all his energy and life force on them, but then a war or a battle required him, and he could not focus on closing these wounds.

Moving aside his robes he looked at his heavily bandaged chest and shoulder, there was a spread down his bicep now on his left arm. He frowned seeing the sickly black wound winding its way over his pale skin, out from under the bandage.

Concealing the wound again as he lifted his robes back into place, he looked out the cave at the night which was roaring over the skies now. The scent of the coming rain had him closing his eyes as he inhaled it deeply, it felt good, to feel nature's power coming. The woman had loved her storms, just like Rin did now. He remembered that, when Rin was a pup, she never feared the storms, she laughed and squealed with delight at them and danced, she loved them. She didn't like snow or darkness, but a storm, give Rin a wild storm and she was in her element, he loved that.

Sesshōmaru watched the lightning start, and watched it dance across the night sky as the scent of his own blood filled the air around him.

He could feel the creeping darkness, the lurking evil of Magatsuhi's curse seeping into his bones, and he was exhausted. Eight years he had struggled to keep Magatsuhi at bay, and it had been taking up most his focus. Right now he didn't want to focus, but he did, he could not lose to Magatsuhi, he had too much to live for. He couldn't die yet.


Edo, Japan...

Rin met up with InuYasha, smiling as she came up to the hanyō.

"Where were you!?" InuYasha demanded.

"I fell asleep in the sun, it felt divine!" she chuckled.

"Come on, storm's coming in and dinner's ready," he sighed. Rin fell into step with InuYasha as he filled informed her of all that had been happening with Sango and Miroku's brood today, apparently three kids could get into a lot of trouble even with the supervision of the adults. Rin was only slightly impressed, Kanon, Kaori, Akira, and Ken were a handful, so she supposed it made sensed that they could create so much trouble in a small period of time.

It was when they were nearing the village that InuYasha slowed down, and she sensed his trepidation about something.

"I could smell him you know," he said in a harsh voice. "What's he up to Rin?"

"Nothing, he just returned from a journey and brought me a gift," she said and produced the kaiken as proof. InuYasha gingerly took it from her, pulling it from it's sheath and examining it. It was a good blade, it was weighted for her, she knew that. Tōtōsai seemed to know how to make blades for her, which was a little unnerving considering she had met the yōkai only a handful of times.

"Good craftsmanship, surprised it's a yōkai fang though."

"I like it," she said.

"Rin, you just need to be careful, one can never know where they stand with a bastard like Sesshōmaru.

"There is nothing to worry about, InuYasha," she promised. Unlike the rest of the world Rin had never had to wonder where she stood with her lord. Her lord was simply her lord and she was his Rin, she knew what that meant for him. Sesshōmaru would never harm her or let harm befall her, and though he wasn't always honest about what he thought of others he would always strive to be the best Inu no Taishō that he could be because it made them worthy of each other. "Promise," she giggled as she took the fang from him and slipped it back into her sleeve.

InuYasha gave her a skeptical look, but she smiled broadly as they continued walking for the village.

"I just don't want you to do something stupid and end up hurt," InuYasha warned her.

"Sesshōmaru-sama would never hurt me," she said calmly. She understood InuYasha's concern for her, she did, but she felt it unnecessary.

After Naraku's initial defeat, when her lord had left her in Edo, she had bonded closely with InuYasha, they were both miserable and so they worked at keeping the other busy. Rin had missed her lord, and InuYasha had missed his mate, they had banded their misery together to be productive about it. InuYasha had actually assumed the big brother role for her in many ways, unlike Sesshōmaru. Sesshōmaru was never remotely sibling like with her, InuYasha though suddenly unleashed a bunch of inuyōkai mannerisms on her that she had never known about because she simply was not a littermate to her lord. InuYasha was overbearing, intrusive, instructive, and playful with her, her lord had always been playful but more of an equal and best friend, he had also been her provider; provider of gifts, food, shelter; things that went well beyond caring for a mere packmate. InuYasha thought Sesshōmaru provided for her as a ward would be provided for, but it was not close to the truth.

Kimi-sama had been the one to teach Rin how she was being provided for and how the inuyōkai pack saw her and revered her position was as Sesshōmaru equal, in whatever capacity that was. Sesshōmaru had marked her his equal, so she was his equal in the eyes of the pack, InuYasha did not know this having never been around the inuyōkai clan.

"I know you believe that Rin," he started.

"I know it," she replied firmly. "Sesshōmaru-sama has been most kind to me, he has provided and looked out for me, been my companion and friend, my confidant, my hunting partner, and my mentor in battle, he has protected me and fought to keep me safe. My lord would never harm me," she said rapidly.

InuYasha blinked at her facts, and smiled a little, which had her relaxing. "Good. But still, be wary of accepting such gifts from him, Rin."

"Why?"

"You are human, and as a human you are not meant to be able to wield a yōkai blade, that is a dangerous weapon."

"It is a tool and how I use it defines it's purpose and how efficiently I use it," she shrugged. She was a master at close quarter's combat though, Sesshōmaru had been drilling it into her mercilessly since she was ten, and it was only because of that skill set that she had not been raped or worse by the daimyō who had thought to take her. Her lord had not been pleased, at all. InuYasha would know all about that one though, she remembered, because he had been chasing Sesshōmaru when Sesshōmaru had been chasing her.

Rin walked into Kaede's hut and saw Kagome preparing the evening meal, her form looked ready to burst any day now. Rin wondered how many Kagome would be having, single pup in an inuyōkai litters were rare, which was the oddity of her lord, but she didn't know about hanyō litters. Kagome though was much larger than Sango had been with her own twins. Or perhaps Rin's perspective on that matter had changed in the past years.

"Rin! Did you have a good day!?" Kagome asked.

"Peaceful," she smiled as she accepted her bowl and sat beside Kagome. Kaede had clearly gone to sleep already.

"That's good, oh, Kohaku was wondering how you would like to help him with a yōkai hunt tomorrow!?" Kagome chuckled.

"I will think about it," she replied sagely. She had her lord to attend to and hopefully they could also have a sparing session tomorrow. Rin had missed sparring with her lord.


Year 1308...

Somewhere in Kyoto, Japan...

Tōga was not having much rest. Sō'unga was demanding more an more of his energies and the unrest building in the east with the humans was spilling over into the lesser yōkai who had taken to testing the inu yōkai clan's defenses and strength looking for weaknesses.

He watched his heir move over the battle with practiced ease, tearing through the mass of yōkai with brutal efficiency.

Tōga sighed as he watched Sesshōmaru, Sesshōmaru was truly the strongest daiyōkai sired in the last thousand year, and he was aware that his son's majestic power was only growing and expanding beyond his ability to learn it. It was why he had had Myōga and Tōtōsai seal off parts of Sesshōmaru's natural ability. The boy was strong, powerful, dangerous.

The battle, if such an elegant slaughter could be called a battle; left Sesshōmaru standing in the middle of the bloody field of dead oni and looking at him, there was something hard and dangerous about his son's appearance. Tōga would like to claim he knew that his son would never stand against him, but he knew that wasn't so, even now the boy's power was a match for his own and he was not done growing, as a daiyōkai he still had a thousand more years to mature, and Sesshōmaru was doing it all with the same brutal, cold, excelling proficiency that he did everything else.

Everything accept being willing to truly learn what it meant to be Inu no Taishō, Tōga thought bitterly. There was some morbid fascination between his powerful son and a weak human female Tōga had seen neither hide nor tail of in the past few centuries.

He wondered what it was about that human which made Sesshōmaru truly able to be an Inu no Tashio of any merit.

It was so strange, someone so powerful as Sesshōmaru, truly a perfect daiyōkai, the most powerful sired in a millennium, and yet he relied on one of the weakest creatures known for his strength. Tōga despised such a weakness, he had seen humans be nothing more than a sickness on the earth with few redeemable qualities. They were petty, disloyal, selfish and cruel, they were also dishonest, shallow, and vain in their puny lives. Entire empires rose and fell in the centuries that humans didn't live to see, and they could only see their petty squabbles as important. He despised their weakness and their selfishness.

But Sesshōmaru only seemed to have true potential as an Inu no Tashio if he had that bloody human around, Tōga despised that.

Without that human his son was truly the perfect assassin but not a true leader. It was a paradoxical conundrum because Tōga had to figure out when that human returned again and how to dispose of her so his son could have a True Mate, a daiyōkai bitch would be a better mate for Sesshōmaru than a human wench.