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: 29
Year 1308...
Tsuzuki Castle...
"What did you learn?" she asked as she took a seat, she winced a bit at moving, she was still sore, and she didn't like sitting down or moving a lot right now.
"This particular kuroshinju is what will collect the souls you seek, but you will have to be present for each task as it is completed to collect the essence of said soul. My source believes it to be my mother's pearl," he said.
"Your mother?" Rin asked as she reached for the offered pearl.
"Hai, my mother," Tōga said.
"Who is she?"
"Imperial Empress Chang'e, she is mated to Imperial Emperor Tiāngǒu," he said.
"Imperial Emperor?" Rin sputtered.
"Hai, as you know I'm from the West. What is now called the Yuan Empite," he said levelly. "When I left it was a different name," he explained.
"You're royal?" she sputtered dumbly. Rin knew Kimi-sama was royal, the crescent moon on her brow, but she hadn't thought Tōga was royal. He was known as Lord of the West in her time, and she had known he was Inu no Taishō, and a revered general, but she hadn't known he was also royal! And from the Yuan Empire, which if she remembered correctly from Kagome was the Ming Empire in her time. She stared dumbly at Tōga, she had never thought he was royal, he had no royal air about him, unlike Sesshōmaru-sama and Kimi-sama.
"Hai, but that is of no consequence," he dismissed. "I renounced that life long ago," he assured her. "You will have to be present for particular challenges set before Sesshōmaru to gather his four souls," Tōga explained.
"And how do I know what those challenges are?"
"That's where the kitsune was cagey, but apparently this will lead you to when you need to be," he said.
"The kitsune?" Rin blinked.
"Bloody fox is cagey about information, serves a Mikadzuki-sama," Tōga said.
"Kimi-sama?" Rin asked. Mikadzuki, meaning crescent moon, and there was only one creature Rin knew who had a crescent moon on their brow, the only one who would command loyalty like the one this fox was displaying was Kimi-sama.
"Apparently not," Tōga sighed. "The fox claims no allegiance to the Shikoku InuYōkai Pack, claims that he is here for a grander purpose. However, he assures me, this kuroshinju will take you to when you need to be to save Sesshōmaru."
"I see," Rin hummed as she moved the pearl in her fingers and pulled it back around her neck. "Very well, so how do I know when I've collected all four and what do I do with them then?"
"My mother made this particular pearl so you would be wise to ask her."
"I've never met her…" Rin started.
"No," Tōga sighed. "You have yet to be in that time," he admitted. "But you have already been there."
"Nani?" she sputtered.
"I've met you before, Rin," he admitted softly. "Several times before, I will admit that this time has been different, but we have met."
"Different how?"
"We're having a conversation," he replied. She paled at that thought. Tōga, if this was where Sesshōmaru and InuYasha got their mysterious grudge streaks, then he probably had hated her long before her arrival to this time.
"What changed?" she asked softly.
"I don't know," he admitted. "In the last few decades things have changed for me, until you showed I had not noticed, it was shortly after the Mongol invasion though that I had started to note the changes. This is the first time though that we met and spoke," he said softly. "I am sorry for all the times I miss judged you, Rin."
"What did you think…?"
"Humans have proven vain and fickle creatures to me, Rin, time and time again, they seek power and change alliances and sides in conflicts to better serve their own self interests. They are not inclined to do the right thing, nor is their love very deep. I have learned humans to be fickle creatures, and in your short lives you will destroy empires all for the sake of glory and power, and without care of those that oppose or are different from you. Humans are also vain creatures fearing things which are different from them, and in their fear they seek to destroy all that is beautiful about differences," he explained. "Where I am from I was destined to rule over the mortal realm, to return to human lives and guide them, lead them, protect them, I did not find the use in that so I left. Shikoku-sama is a powerful daiyōkai, probably some ancient forgotten kami to be honest, he did not rule humans, he was revered by them, and I wished to be like him."
"To be feared?" she asked.
"To strike awe," Tōga said softly. "I do not expect you to understand, you are only human."
"To have power and to wield that power are two vastly different things, Tōga, and to strike awe into a people one must possess compassion, a trait you do not lack but do not desire to use. It is a trait my lord has hidden very well behind his indifference. And to be revered in fear is not to strike awe, it is to inflict fury and suffering upon those weaker than you and it only makes you the monster they believe you are already."
"When you are from, is Sesshōmaru a good Inu no Taishō?" Tōga asked her.
"Hai, he is learning to be a great one," she smiled. "He is not very good at court, nor speaking, but he is brilliant at leading and inspiring people to follow him."
"Even the humans?"
"Human, hanyō, yōkai and daiyōkai alike," she admitted. "I will admit he does not have the best reputation, but in the time I have known him he has become a great Inu no Taishō, even appointing human an hanyō representatives to his court to help with their issues. He is a great Inu no Taishō, with much to learn and much to make amends for."
"That is very good," Tōga smiled. "I am glad I will live to see the day my son becomes a great leader. And you?"
"I am my lord's Rin, in whatever capacity he needs," Rin admitted. "When I am with him I am usually the human and hanyō ambassador, when I am not, I am learning to be a healer."
"That is good," he nodded. "You should prepare for long journeys whenever you go, we will start sparring, Sesshōmaru will be sent to the North, the dragons are acting up and expressing unrest."
"Hai," she nodded.
"Good, go to him," Tōga dismissed. Rin bowed her head slightly as she got up and walked out of the study. She was barely to the gates when her lord snatched her up and she found herself rushed off to his room.
"Sesshōmaru!" Rin gasped, he was pulling her kimono apart, checking her over for wounds, and his nose was dragging over her skin.
"Rin," he breathed once he was sure she was alright, and she was practically naked on the futon.
"I'm fine, I promise," she chuckled as she put a hand over his heart. His claws caught her hand and he stared her over.
He didn't reply to her promise, though she felt his emotions thrumming powerfully between them before he shoved her against the futon again, his mouth on hers. The kiss was all consuming, all devouring, and there was something powerfully desperate about it as he caught her thighs and pulled them apart as he settled between her legs.
"Sesshōmaru!" she squeaked.
"Rin," he replied icily as his claws traced over her curves and to her breasts.
"You're being a devious bastard!" she groaned as his claws circled her nipples.
"Hai," he smiled as he loomed over her. "Scared?"
"Of you, never!" she promised as she brought her hands up to trace his marks. His eyes shut as he released a low pleased growl, she was stunned. The marks felt softer, smoother, and more delicate than his skin, which had her smiling as she brought him closer and kissed him gently. He was still releasing the low growl which turned into a startled sound when she used her hips to roll them over, and she pinned him.
"HA!" she smiled as she held his wrists.
"You think I'll submit bitch?"
"Hai," she promised as she finally gave into her desires and kissed him hard, rolling her hips and body over his. "You'll submit," she promised.
He smiled a smile that was all threatening fangs and she yelped as he turned them over and she found herself flat on her stomach spread out on the futon.
"I think not," he chuckled against her ear, his hands pinning hers over her head before he kissed her mark. "Not yet," he clarified as she felt that fire in her blood start again. Good Kami… she didn't know what to make of this!
Year 1581...
Tsuzuki Castle...
Jaken was checking over Rin's private quarters for some medical text she had written him about forgetting here. This was not a set of quarters he normally visited, Rin was like his daughter though and he would look through these to find what she was looking for.
In the last eight years of looking out for his lord and master's Rin, Jaken had finally found a tolerable human! The young onna was a true friend of his, and more akin to a daughter than a mere friend. After all, it was he who had taught her to gamble, read, write, cook, swim, the ways of yōkai, and surviving in the wilds. It was he who had been instructed to teach her the basics of using yōkai energy, for kami knew the girl had more connection to yōkai energy than InuYasha or any other hanyō he had ever met; she was bound to Sesshōmaru-sama after all. Rin was truly the only tolerable human he had ever met, she was also the only smart one.
Rin had picked things up quickly, as if she were more yōkai than human, even taking to the art of yōkai healing like a fish took to water.
Jaken admittedly missed her cooking.
Walking through Rin's private quarters though felt like an intrusion and not one that he liked. Her fine things were carefully cared for and meticulously put away, her futon was always made and neat, the hairpins and jewelry she was gifted with was neatly tucked away and all the scrolls and books she had were carefully arranged. The decorations were delicate, nothing tacky or tasteless, Rin was not a flashy creature by nature. Unlike many of the ostentatious females of the court, Rin had always been simple, and when she refused to be as ostentatious as the other females it was because she was a humble farmers daughter. Jaken admire the girl for that even more, which was why he had taken a greater liking to her once he had stopped seeing her as a burden or pet to be indulged.
Admittedly Rin was not a good 'pet' and referring to her as such had lead to their lord slaughtering a few dozen yōkai.
Jaken loved that little human as much as he might any daughter or son he could've been bestowed. Which was why he was looking for the scroll she had asked for and not nosily rummaging through her things.
"Jaken-dono?" a musical voice jolted him from his hunt as he turned to glare at the intruder; it was Rin's female assistant Shiori. Kimi-sama had insisted upon Rin having palace attendants under her command, Sesshōmaru-sama and he had personally selected these females; for neither Jaken nor Sesshōmaru-sama would ever entrust their Rin to anyone unable to keep up with. Which had lead to them hiring Shiori, Tsukuyomaru-sama's hanyō daughter of the Hyakkikoumori Clan, Sōten, the orphan Raijū Ichizoku leader, Jiu, a wild fox Rin saved in the West, and Ai, a hanyō refugee whom Rin had befriended. "What are you doing?"
"Rin has written requesting a yōkai healing script," he snapped. "What do you want you impertinent wench?" he demanded.
"I was curious, these quarters are normally closed, perhaps I can assist you to find them?" Shiori offered.
"Go away," he ordered.
"Hai, Jaken-dono," she bowed as she left.
"Wait, I am seeking the scroll on the curse marks of yōkai!" he snapped.
"Hai," Shiori said as she walked to tower over him at Rin's higher shelves. "Do you know what my lady would need this for?"
"No, she just said she forgot it, silly human always forgets things!" he huffed.
"Rin's a bit scattered when she leaves, I think it's so she has reasons to write us," Shiori giggled as she found the scroll.
"The silly onna needs no excuses!" he snapped.
"Kaede is very strict with Rin-sama, Rin-sama is not as free in Edo as she is here," Shiori said. "And Kaede frowns upon her writing you or Sesshōmaru-sama, she does not wish to upset Kaede," Shiori explained.
"Silly onna," he scoffed. He was aware his ward did not like upsetting her other, human, miko caretaker, and he had never forgiven Kaede for allowing Rin to be put in danger with that daimyō. His Rin had recovered, but if they had not been there… Jaken knew that Sesshōmaru would've razed the mortal plane, and probably stormed the Gates of Hell again to obliterate the daimyō's spirit.
"Rin-sama will be pleased, give her my love," Shiori said pulling a scroll down and Jaken squawked receiving it.
"Summon Sōten and her servant, Kōryū, for this errand," Jaken ordered.
"Hai, Jaken-dono," she bowed again before hurrying off with her task. Jaken could not await the day that Rin was free of those pesky humans forever and she could reside here where she belonged! The silly onna did not belong with her kind, humans could not appreciate the wildness of his lord's Rin. Rin belonged with the yōkai, and she belonged here.
Jaken could not wait for this trial to be over.
He was annoyed with missing the little wildling and her antics, the most unladylike decorum he had ever encountered, and he missed her lively antics. And their lord missed her, Jaken had noticed that Sesshōmaru-sama was better when Rin was around. But then, as way the way of mates. He was aware his lord had marked the girl with mate status, though why was beyond Jaken. There were plenty of other more suitable females for the role, but their lord had marked Rin, and Jaken had been determined she know how to at least act the part of her role.
"You summoned me?" He looked up at Rin's second attendant, Sōten appeared.
"Take this to Edo to Rin," he ordered. "Silly baka forgot it," he scoffed.
"Hai, Jaken-dono," she replied as she accepted the scroll from him.
"Take that hebi, Kōryū, with you!"
"He's a dragon, not a hebi," she corrected.
"Don't talk back to me! Just do it!"
"I was instructed by Rin-sama to correct you as frequently as needed!" Sōten sang as she disappeared. Jaken let out a shriek; leave it to Rin to make his life a challenge even if she wasn't here!
Year 1308...
Setsuna Castle...
Izayoi walked with Takemaru through the garden for a midday meal, she was relieved that his passions had not consumed her days. She was quietly looking around for Rin. She had desired to have her attendant to speak to about what had transpired between her and Takemaru, but she had not seen Rin even near here. In fact, there seemed to be no trace of Rin at all, which irked Izayoi. But she knew that Rin wasn't inclined to stay here, even if she had wanted her friend to remain. Soon autumn would be upon them, and it was hard to believe that just a few moons ago Rin had arrived here.
"Izayoi," Takemaru called for her which had her looking at her husband.
"Hai?"
"I am bringing you to meet the Yōkai Taijiya Chief," he said. "He is a good ally of ours against the yōkai, his name is Muhai," he said.
"I see," she nodded.
"Takemaru!" a large man appeared with a massive boomerang on his back, he smiled as he waved at them.
"Muhai," Takemaru greeted. "This is my wife, Izayoi-sama."
"It is a pleasure to meet you," she said to Muhai as the man bowed towards her a little.
"You are as lovely as Takemaru claimed," Muhai chuckled.
"I see," she mused. "He has told me nothing about you," she chuckled.
"Not surprising, he was never one to reveal anything," Muhai chuckled.
"True," she mused.
"What do you want to discuss Muhai?" Takemaru asked.
"I'm here about Rin," Muhai said as they took seat to enjoy a midday meal.
"Rin?" Izayoi blinked.
"Hai, she was the purest onna we have ever encountered, and I would be a fool not to pursue such a beauty, yōkai consort or not!" Muhai chuckled.
"Rin is human," Izayoi warned lowly. "And she is not mine."
"So Takemaru informed me," Muhai chuckled.
"I am not against you attempted to marry her or woo her," Takemaru said. "Ties to yōkai must be eliminated at any costs."
"Rin is very loyal to her lord," Izayoi said softly. "She is on a special quest for that 1ord right now, she is merely here because I found in unconscious by the riverbed."
"A lord that sends an onna to do his dirty work is not worthy of that onna's loyalty."
"Agreed, but she has sworn no oath to me, nor is she in my employment," Izayoi admitted reluctantly. And if Rin was her attendant there was no way; even with pain of death, that Izayoi would permit Rin to be claimed by a man as brutish as the Yōkai Taijiya Chief. Rin was too wild for that man to tame.
"Well then I will just have to woo her."
"You are free to try, but Rin is a rather feral creature with no culture," Takemaru chuckled.
"Even the most spirited of horses will break with the right hand," Muhai smiled dangerously and in a manner that made Izayoi shift uneasily as they were served.
