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: 30


Year 1308...

Tsuzuki Castle...

Sesshōmaru reluctantly left his mate sleeping in his quarters, he had been furious about his father even daring to speak to her yesterday, and once he was certain she was alright, he couldn't bear the thought of having to share her with anyone. His mother had been delighted to have Rin back, and his grandfather had seemed pleased to meet Rin.

Now though, as another dawn was breaking the horizon he had to return to his duties. Kissing her mark, Rin grumbled as she shifted slightly and he smiled at her movement, she had submitted again, revealing her mark, exposing her trust in him, he loved that from her. His knuckles brushed her cheek before he got up and got dressed, before turning back to carefully lay out a robe for her. Rin groaned as she rolled a bit and he saw her peering at him from under her lashes.

"Sesshōmaru-sama?" she breathed.

"Rest," he murmured.

"It's dawn…" she yawned.

"Hai, rest," he said and left her behind. Walking through his mother's shiro he walked to where the meeting of generals would be taking place. The unrest of the dragons was disconcerting as it was draining resources. Ryūkotsuse was becoming more and more restless, testing boundaries, and even going to so far as to instigate a raid on the inuyōkai territories. Sesshōmaru wasn't pleased, even seeing his diplomatic meetings fail so spectacularly. Granted, Sesshōmaru had also been fending off his father's attempts at a union through mating. Sesshōmaru was not like his father, he would not have concubines, he would not have a harem, his mother was still sore about that matter; as was his grandfather.

"Sesshōmaru-sama!" Tsukuyomaru chuckled as he appeared.

He frowned at the bat as they walked.

"It's good to see that Rin has returned, perhaps she'll have a brilliant tactic to put Ryūkotsuse in his place," Tsukuyomaru said.

"Rin is returning to the humans after this meeting," Sesshōmaru stated firmly. He was not leaving his mate in this shiro while his father was here, he would sooner chop of his arm than permit her to be left in an unsafe environment. War was one thing but leaving her in the clutches of his father… he would rather not. Yesterday was the first time that his mate had defied him and willingly been in Tōga's presence alone; he had been terrified for her, his father had on numerous occasions attempted to skewer Rin with his claws, the last time they had crossed fangs was not pretty. Rin had narrowly escaped that, even with his interference! If his mother had not interfered it was safe to assume that Rin would not have survived, nor would he.

"Hiding your mate from the world," Tsukuyomaru groaned. "You should share her brilliance, Sesshōmaru-sama, I haven't had a decent sparing partner since she leapt down that well."

"Hn," he grunted. Tsukuyomaru and Rin had loved arguing, it was enough to give him a headache. "She's returning to the safety of the humans until I know what she's doing."

"That's awfully lofty of you," Tsukuyomaru snorted.

"No," he shook his head, it wasn't high handed of him, it was keeping her safe. That was all that mattered to him. He couldn't have Rin being killed; he wouldn't survive that.

"If I didn't know better, I'd think you being a fox and hiding your treasures," Tsukuyomaru teased.

Sesshōmaru refrained from rolling his eyes as they walked into the meeting of generals. The court shouted his arrival as everyone stopped their arguing and bowed at his entrance. Shikoku was lounging at the end of the meeting, behind his personal desk. Sesshōmaru walked through the court and bowed to his grandfather slightly.

"Sit with Tōga-sama," Shikoku dismissed. Sesshōmaru went to where he was assigned to see his father sipping his tea and reading over his reports already. Sesshōmaru was a bit surprised to see his father without Sō'unga lately, that had been a recent change since the Mongol Invasion. Sitting beside his father he accepted the tea and warily eyed Tōga before accepting the report.

"I need you to go north," Tōga said softly.

"Hn?" he grunted as the generals and officials discussed the on goings of the Shikoku InuYōkai Pack.

"Hai, Ryūkotsuse is starting to mount an invasion campaign, I want you to be in charge of our troops there," Tōga said softly.

"Very well," he murmured softly.

"There's also rising irritations in the human factions," Tōga said softly.

"Oh?"

"Hai, I just was informed that the Yōkai Taijiya Chief has arrived in Setsuna and are seeking an alliance with Takemaru and his people," Tōga said.

Sesshōmaru froze at that. He had been inclined to return Rin to Setsuna as that was where she was familiar and comfortable with the territory, but he did not know if he wanted to leave her there if the Taijiya were there.

"It is of no concern," he replied softly.

"Agreed, but we should still employ caution, pull in the weaker members of the packs, keep them in the yōkai realm," Tōga said.

"Hai," he nodded. He would have to think of another place to put Rin, so she was safe. He didn't want her in danger with the taijiya because she was tied to yōkai and their community, he couldn't stand the thought of someone hurting her because of him. Sesshōmaru wouldn't permit it, and after having met the taijiya he knew that they would have to be wary. A well trained taijiya could take down a powerful yōkai when motivated, not a daiyōkai, but a strong yōkai. Rin was capable of defending herself, but he didn't think she'd be safe having to fend off a taijiya; they weren't the Mongols or the Hyōnekozoku; he would have to think about what to do with Rin in the meantime.

He could not leave her where his father could get at her, he liked Rin very much alive and breathing. Eyeing Tōga warily he started planning for what he should do.


Tōga was a bit hurt at the wary way his son was eyeing him, but he knew that Sesshōmaru would never trust him fully. Not with his past actions against Rin. Thinking of Rin, he would have to know where Sesshōmaru decided to stash her, for that would be the only way he'd be able to speak with the human. Sesshōmaru didn't take chances with Rin, Tōga was a bit proud of his son for that behavior, it was the mark of a strong mate. But he was finding himself equally impressed with Sesshōmaru's little human.

Tōga knew he would not have long with Rin before she would have to go through Honekui no Ido, so he would have to get her separated from Sesshōmaru to implement the training she would need. He had thought carefully about his encounters with Rin in the past and this Rin and could wager that this was her first time down the well.

She was just too… too inexperienced. That was about the best he could describe it, this Rin seemed inexperienced. She didn't know what she was after or what she was doing, nor did she seem confident in what she was capable of, but he knew that that would all fade away. He would have to train her, the first frost was coming quickly and if she wanted to go anywhere, she would have to go sooner rather than later, he couldn't keep her here. To do this though, Sesshōmaru would have to be busy, which was why Tōga was sending Sesshōmaru off to battle Ryūkotsuse's rising forces.

"Return Rin to Setsuna," Tōga ordered Sesshōmaru.

His son let out a low growl and his eyes flashed red as they narrowed. Tōga let his son's sign of temper flare, as it was unsettling, but reassuring to know his son's indifference was merely a façade.

"No harm will come to your mate," he promised. "You have my word on the life of your mother, and I have a matter in the West to attend to. But she is here on a mission from her lord and it would be best to put her back near the well," Tōga pointed out levelly.

Sesshōmaru growled even louder.

"No harm will come to her, but return her to Setsuna," Tōga ordered, using his alpha voice. The moment he gave a command as alpha no one could refute that order. Sesshōmaru winced as he bowed slightly but bared his fangs in displeasure. Tōga hated doing that to Sesshōmaru but he had to ensure Rin would be returned to Setsuna. There wasn't a lot of time, and there was much that needed to be done.

"If you…" Sesshōmaru started.

"No harm will come to the onna, Sesshōmaru," he snapped. "I have matters in the West to attend to, return her to Setsuna, she does not belong here!" he growled.

Sesshōmaru bowed his head slightly and Tōga watched his son get up and stalk off. He hated commanding his pup, but in this matter, he needed Rin where he could find her.


Rin woke alone as she pushed herself up, noting the tea kettle to warm, and the robe ready for her. She also noted that Bakusaiga was beside her, which had her smiling as she sat up to pull on her robe. It was strange to think that this was her new normal, but she liked it as she got off the futon and pulled on her robe. She started warming her tea kettle and started prepping for her day as she worked on combing her hair free of it's tangles.

There was a light rapping on the door which startled her.

"Rin," Kimi-sama's voice called out.

"Coming," Rin called as she went and opened the fusuma which had Kimi waving off the attendants that followed her and walking in. Rin hesitated a moment but let Kimi in then. "Good morning," she greeted.

"Good morning indeed," Kimi-sama chuckled, her nose twitching a bit which had Rin turning firerat red.

"Um…"

"I'm pleased, little one, but that is not why I am here," Kimi said. "Though I would not say no to a grandpup or two!"

"Kimi-sama!" she gaped at the older woman who smiled broadly.

"I'm not here for that! Though I would not complain," Kimi chuckled. "I'm here for this," Kimi produced a different weapon then, it was smaller than Rin's kaiken or any of the numerous knives and weapons that had been given to her by Sesshōmaru-sama in her time. Her lord loved showering her with useful gifts like weapons, the kaiken was the first yōkai weapon he had given her. This was like the kaiken, it was steeped in yōkai energy.

"What…?"

"A more practical gift for your travels to come," Kimi announced as they sat down and Rin nodded as she prepped her tea. "I see Sesshōmaru already prepped the teas."

"Hai," Rin nodded.

"That's good," Kimi nodded.

"But what is this?" Rin asked looking at the slim, long, sharp rod.

It was smaller, delicate, about as long as big as her lord's hand, from tip of the long finger to the end of his palm. It was ivory white, with traces of gold and magenta in it, there was a delicate red and white flowers with flakes of amber in them at the end of it, with a few dangling black and white pearls threaded on a fine platinum chain, weighted with an emerald and sapphire, it was elegant. There was a circle piece made of white shell or something too and curved ever so slightly. The pin was long and sharp, it glimmered brightly.

"That is a weapon," Kimi said softly. "It's called a kanzashi, and you will wear it."

"It's so small," Rin sputtered.

"You are a human onna, you are fragile, delicate, and you will be underestimated, but in that you will be put in dangerous positions," Kimi said. "I would prefer my favorite little one be safe and able to protect herself than dead at the claws of some yōkai."

"And I'm…"

"You will wear that, you will keep it on your person no matter what, and it's enchanted to remain on your person," Kimi said.

"What if I take it off…?" Rin said. She had never been a fan of her hair being pulled into elaborate styles, she didn't mind braids or having her hair swept up a little, but she had never liked having it up. It always fell to her waist, and she preferred it to remain down.

"It will return to your person even if you leave it behind," Kimi explained. "And you do not need to have your hair fully up. Sit, I will show you," Kimi ordered as Rin's tea was ready, which had Rin pouring it and taking a seat for Kimi who walked behind her. Kimi picked up a comb and started carefully detangling Rin's hair.

"You will have to learn to use this as the weapon it is designed," Kimi said softly. "And you do not need to have your hair done up elaborately, we can do something simple, like this." Kimi carefully did a small braid and pulled Rin's hair back, twisted it into a small bun, before stabbing the hair, the pin was a bit lopsided, like the way she liked it, and Rin bit her lip as she finished her tea.

"If you are cornered, you grab this and you stab them, in the throat or eye, if that is a problem, aim for the ear." Rin nodded. "The pin is infused with my venom, and a small cut will fell even the most powerful of daiyōkai."

"Rin," Sesshōmaru appeared in his quarters.

"Ah, just in time, your lovely mate has been armed," Kimi said.

"I'm returning her to Setsuna," Sesshōmaru said and his mother nodded before disappearing. Sesshōmaru walked over to her, his claws trailed over the mark as he moved her hair back a bit and he examined the hairpin.

"Good," he nodded firmly as he touched a few of her dangling pearls and the emerald.

"I'm glad you approve," she chuckled.

"I have to return you to Setsuna," he said softly. "I'm going north."

"Very well, when do I have to go back?" she asked.

"Today," he answered as he sat beside her, and his mokomoko fell in her lap.

"Alright," she nodded. He brought his brow to rest against hers as his nose once again nudged hers. She smiled as she leaned against him. "I'll be fine, Sesshōmaru," she promised.

"Hn," he grunted, and she giggled as she reached up to trace his marks.

"My lord personally oversaw my training, and I will be fine," she promised.

He didn't reply as he took a deep breath as his eyes closed. She could feel the tension in his frame but she couldn't ease his mind, even with the reassurance of her abilities. He would worry, she knew that. Sesshōmaru had never been keen on leaving her to begin with, as a child he was always reluctant to leave her in the care of others.


Setsuna Castle...

Izayoi sighed at the dying heat of summer, she could feel the autumn chill in the air this late afternoon which was unsettling. She stared at her garden, she resigned herself to this life now; Takemaru's wife, and breeder. Izayoi despised the thought that she had been reduced to this. Suddenly there was a flash of light and Rin was standing there before the light streaked away, disappearing, leaving Rin standing there in the dying afternoon.

"Rin!" Izayoi got up running to her friend to greet her, Rin smiled as she approached.

"I'm back, Izayoi-sama!" Rin chuckled. "Did you miss me!?"

"It's terribly lonely here without you," Izayoi admitted as they started for the shiro again.

"Of course!" Rin giggled.

"You're so full of yourself," Izayoi snorted.

"Naturally I'm full of myself, I'm adorable," Rin chuckled. "Small, defenseless adorable human onna," she mused.

"You're in deep trouble here!" Izayoi hissed.

"I am?" Rin blinked.

"Hai, the Yōkai Taijiya Chief is here to marry you," Izayoi whispered.

"Well that's not happening, my lord doesn't share," Rin snorted.

"That doesn't matter, Takemaru is aware of Muhai's interests, and he's looking for an alliance in the yōkai war, the taijiya would be a great ally. Muhai is interested in you and you are an attendant of mine, so he believes that there's an alliance to be made. Takemaru is thinking to forge it with you."

"I serve a daiyōkai lord, I will sooner become a slave than a wife of a taijiya, and I am mated, I am not able to be married!" Rin sputtered.

"That does not mean anything to humans Rin, you are residing in a human compound by human rule, and I'm sorry but Takemaru is going to do whatever it will take to make an alliance."

"Then I will have to do this the yōkai way, if he wants me, he will have to beat me," Rin snarled lowly.

"In what!?"

"Combat," Rin stated firmly.

"He's a taijiya Rin…" Izayoi started.

"So was my oba-san," Rin stated. "My lord's half brother's pack was composed of a miko, a monk and a taijiya, I learned to fight taijiya from her, I can take the Yōkai Taijiya Chief. I'm trained by my lord, his mother, a taijiya, a hanyō, a kappa, and a kitsune, I am not hapless, Izayoi-sama."

"Rin, he will win," Izayoi whispered. She knew Muhai's exploits, she knew how strong and capable of a fighter he was. Her friend had been thrown around by a daiyōkai like a ragdoll, she didn't think Rin had the strength to win against Muhai.

"Have a little faith in me," Rin mused.

"Rin…" she started.

"Izayoi, I know what I am capable of, and I'm here, so I will beat him, and continue on my way."

"Why did you come back?"

"I need a little extra training. And the Inu no Tashio has decided that he wants to help me save my lord," Rin shrugged.

"The… you mean…"

"Hai, I'm only here until the first frost, then I'm going to be on my way."

"Rin…" Izayoi sighed. "You should leave, now before they notice you."

"I can't," Rin sighed.