I Do Not Own InuYasha
Ichariba Chode
行逢りば兄弟
"Though we meet but once, even by chance, we are friends for life"
IV: 8
Year 839...
Zhēnzhū Gǎng Palace, Spirit World, China...
Rin found herself encased in a ridiculous amount of silks, and flowing garments with her hair rebelliously down and decorated by one hairpin only. She had fought the women when they had dared to come near her with oshiroi she had just about broken a few hands; Kagome had informed her that the stuff was poison. Also, in Kimi's court it was not common for a yōkai to wear anything to obscure their marks; and though she wasn't yōkai she held true to the traditions. When they were done, and she had won her hair being simple and down she was left by the attendants and looked at Sesshōmaru who was glaring rebelliously at anyone who neared him to change him.
"Rin," he looked up at her with large gold eyes and she smiled.
"How do I look?" she asked the pup.
"Ridiculous," he stated immediately which had her bursting into laughter.
"Oh kami!" she gasped as she stood and offered him her hand with a smile. "Let's go," she said.
Sesshōmaru hesitated a moment.
"You won't hurt me, my lord," she promised and then his tiny clawed hand slipped into hers, and she smiled as she clasped it tightly.
"Rin?"
"Hm?"
"What are we doing?" he asked.
"Well, I have no idea where we are, or what they want, so we will gather information and while we do that I will devise a way for us to escape, but in the meantime, we are here to learn," she explain.
"Learn what?"
"What do you wish to know?"
The pup pondered this seriously as they walked through the palace with an escort. Rin was surprised how many pelted spirits she saw flitting about. True at Tsuzuki Castle had many different types of yōkai, but there was something different about these colorful spirits. In Tsuzuki Castle everyone had purpose and there seemed to be so many extra servants here. Rin didn't like it.
She had just had eight attendants dress her for this meeting tonight, back home she only had her four, and even then she only had one or two with her at a given moment. But her attendants also had other duties, being her attendant put them under her command at the end though. Shiori was her personal ninja, intelligence gathering, and keeper of spies. Sōten was her commander and general in the inuyōkai armies, as well as one of Rin's sparring partners. Jiu was a cultural attaché and body double at times, while also being Rin's tutor in languages, and the arts. Ai was Rin's personal chef and guard at times, and frequently her bathing attendant; managing how Rin's formal appearance should look. But Rin did not have use for eight attendants, the four she had were already more than enough.
And other than Jaken and Bokusenō, Rin didn't know if her lord had any other attendants. Rin was the one to serve her lord tea, to do court readings, and to do what few other meager tasks her lord would ask of her. But she had never seen him permit anyone so much as aid him in dressing or bathing; as far as she knew he had never had an attendant and it wasn't like he would accept them. Sesshōmaru didn't trust people, he wouldn't be vulnerable to anyone, and having attendants to aid him was probably a way to invite trouble in his mind.
"Rin?"
"Hai, my lord?" she looked over at him.
"I want to learn everything," he said softly.
"We'll begin tonight then," she smiled. "There was much to be learnt here." And she would attempt to gather all the information she could from these people. She didn't even know them, not really, her lord had never been inclined to inform her as to who they were.
"Rin?"
"Lesson one, Sesshōmaru," she whispered. "Learn to listen to what is not said, for no one at court of any kind is ever what they appear."
"You're…" he blinked. "You will teach me?" she could feel his uncertainty and his shock, and worse, his trepidation about his age status through their bond. Rin had never thought of Sesshōmaru as a pup, he was her lord, but she supposed that his size and age had actually been a factor about how he was taught and treated, but even now Rin knew he was no pup. Sesshōmaru was far too intelligent to be a mere pup and she would not underestimate that intelligence; pup or not. If he got confounded on a problem she would do her best to aid him, but she would not treat him like a stupid pup.
"You are the heir to the Shikoku InuYōkai Clan, son of the Inu no Taishō, I will not treat you like an ordinary pup," she promised with a wink.
Sesshōmaru preened at this before they were walked into a massive room, Rin blinked as she looked around at the open room, the garden grew around them, and she supposed it would've been breathtaking but she found herself comparing it to Tsuzuki Castle and finding it underwhelming. Kimi-sama's garden was one that even the gods envied, this was mediocre in comparison.
"Welcome!" the older woman from earlier greeted as she hurried over to them. Rin noted immediately that her lord had the onna's nose, in shape. Sesshōmaru kept a death grip on her hand.
"Sesshōmaru-sama," she smiled down at him as she patted their linked hands. The pup blinked up at her with large gold eyes. "The human is fragile," she whispered. "You can loosen your grip, I'm not letting go or going anywhere," she promised.
Sesshōmaru slowly released his death grip though he didn't release her hand as she looked back over at the woman.
"I am Imperial Empress Chang'e," the woman said regally as she looked at Sesshōmaru. "I'm your grandmother."
Sesshōmaru said nothing this time as he looked to her for a cue, Rin shrugged.
"I see that he's shy," Chang'e chuckled. "I would expect nothing less of Jūn Ān," she chuckled.
"Who's Jūn Ān?" Sesshōmaru asked, his head cocked in the manner he normally had it when he didn't understand what someone was saying.
"You are, Imperial Prince Jūn Ān!" she smiled.
"My name is Sesshōmaru-sama," he stated.
"It will take time to get used to, but you are Prince Jūn Ān and I am so glad you are here," she smiled. "And your human companion," she chuckled.
"This is Rin, she's mine," Sesshōmaru growled as his fur rose a bit.
"Rin?" Chang'e looked at her then, testing her name out on her name carefully like it was foreign, which made Rin smile as she bowed her head slightly. "Oh, the human," she sighed.
"Hai, the human, but you can call me Rin," Rin informed her bluntly.
"Listen mortal," Chang'e started.
"The only ones permitted to remark on my race, species, or gender are my lord and his mother, and as you are clearly neither you will call me Rin or you will discover the full tenacity of a pissed off, mortal, human woman," Rin warned sharply.
Chang'e's jaw twitched.
"Come, Sesshōmaru-sama, dinner will no doubt be starting soon, I would hate for us to appear as nothing more than Eastern Heathens," Rin chuckled as she walked. There was a mischievous attendant who chuckled.
"I've never heard anyone speak to her Imperial Highness like that," the attendant whispered.
"She's my Rin," Sesshōmaru stated, Rin chuckled at how he preened with pride so openly.
"Hai, but we will be polite tonight and learn much," she said softly.
Year 1581...
Tsuzuki Castle...
Kagome had been surprised when Sesshōmaru's mother had appeared where the Edo villagers were. The island kingdom was impressive, more impressive than anything she had ever witnessed before. She was in awe of it, and great trepidation. The casual way the yōkai flitted about was disturbing to her. Though she supposed that they would congregate like this at points because Sesshōmaru had a title, a rank, and obvious formal followers; she had seen a few come to Rin over the last couple of years, though Kagome disapproved of that. Rin was human, Sesshōmaru wasn't likely to keep her in a formal capacity to his court and to deceive her into believing she possessed rank and sway in his court seemed unnecessarily cruel to her.
Sango was inconsolable, having gathered her children and had exhausted herself beneath a tree after Miroku had left with InuYasha and Kirara. Kagome was trying not to dwell on how her friend must be feeling, because she couldn't comprehend what was happening, it seemed surreal. It had been a surreal week in her mind, since Rin fell down the well.
Kaede was working with the injured and soothing the uneasy people as the yōkai seemed to move about freely without fear or care of how unsettling they appeared. The area they had been directed to for refuge was actually impressive, more impressive than Edo itself, it was simple, but elegant, beautifully organized, and somehow it was even made more impressive by the scenery, it was unlike Edo and yet so similar.
Rin's attendant, Jiu was seeing to the placement of families, though Kagome had been directed here with her pups to wait for placement. Sango was also waiting for placement.
Suddenly the yōkai reacted, swiftly bowing and moving out of the way in a silent manner which would've been unsettling until Kagome saw who they were moving for. It was Kimi, she was different now, her hair done up fully, and her kimono was simpler, though her heavy furs were no longer wrapped around her, but rather fell down her back.
"See to it that the humans are given a safe perimeter so they do not tumble to their deaths," Kagome hear Kimi inform the young female beside her.
"Hai my lady," the white hair female said and then Kagome noticed the violet eyes of the woman.
"Shiori?"
The hanyō turned to her and smiled.
"Kagome-sama, it is good to see you," the hanyō bowed.
"I was looking for you miko, you and the taijiya, your families will be welcomed to stay in Tsuzuki's walls," Kimi said walking over to her, before Kagome could respond Kimi had picked up Nobuyuki then. "You would like to stay with obaa-sama! Hai, you would!" she said to the new born.
"We're… Tsuzuki Castle?" Kagome gaped, Sango was staring dumbly at Kimi too.
"Hai, you are InuYasha's pack, which in turn makes you mine, you are welcomed to my home, if you should wish to visit Edo's people you will be free to do so, I will arrange an escort to bring you back and forth, but I must insist upon you staying with me," Kimi said.
"So this is really more of an order?" Sango said standing.
"No, merely a very pointed suggestion," Kimi smiled as her red nails traced over Nobuyuki's nose. Kagome couldn't help the fear that slithered down her spine at the sight of those red claws tracing her child's nose. The claws were lethal, she would bet her life on it, especially with how casually Sesshōmaru and InuYasha would bare their claws to their enemies.
"Um… hai, we'll be honored to stay at Tsuzuki Castle with you," Kagome said.
"Excellent, Shiori, get Ai and see to the arrangements, and inform Moegi that there are guests in the Southern Rooms, also, have Zen and Riki come to me, they will need to be informed of their assignments," Kimi said.
"Is it safe for the children?" Sango asked as she held her brood behind her now.
"Perfectly, we raised Rin and didn't have her diving off a the islands, Zen and Riki are also wonderful with pups of any breed," Kimi chuckled.
"Hai my lady," Shiori disappeared then in an elegant leap.
"You speak like raising Rin was a big accomplishment," Kagome muttered sourly.
"Was it not? The human pup has an affinity for trouble? I was most impressed she didn't accidentally get herself eaten by Ryūkotsuse's daughters!"
Year 839...
Zhēnzhū Gǎng Palace, Spirit World, China...
Tiāngǒu walked out to dinner and was stunned to see his grandson seated at his right, but the human woman was between them. The sight warmed his heart slightly, he had always foreseen that mortals would come into his family and he was so pleased to see that it was coming to fruition now.
Somewhere and someway Tiāngǒu had lost his son, Zhìháo with the mere notion of bonding with a weak mortal, and he knew that Zhìháo had been disgusted at the notion. But Tiāngǒu was certain that the only way to strengthen their house would be compassion and humanity which would require accumulating human blood to better understand the mortals they ruled over. Jūn Ān was already impressing Tiāngǒu by accepting a mortal woman; even if Tiāngǒu wasn't fond of the woman herself.
Granted he didn't know the woman, but she was clearly a reminder of Jūn Ān's Eastern heritage, which was something Tiāngǒu would have to purge from his blood line. There would be other mortals for his grandson, of this Tiāngǒu was certain; proper mortals too, not ones that were like walking ghosts such as this woman.
The retainor announced his arrival and he watched as everyone but Jūn Ān and the mortal stood for him before they were seated again. The mortal smiled prettily as she spoke softly to Jūn Ān in a language he didn't understand. The pup nodded as he scooted closer to the woman and peered curiously at him.
"It is a pleasure to meet you properly young Prince Jūn Ān," he smiled at his grandson.
"My name is Sesshōmaru-sama," the pup said defiantly.
"That was the name the heathens bestowed upon you," Tiāngǒu said. He would not let his grandson cling to a heathen name.
"My mother is not a heathen," Jūn Ān snapped.
Tiāngǒu raised a brow then. "From my understanding your mother is a wild bitch, of no particular pedigree and unpredictable and unstable in nature," he stated and watched the pup's hackles rise before the woman intervened.
"I believe that insulting Kimi-sama is rude, as she is not here to defend herself against your slights," the human said with a dangerously sweet tone which had him frowning as he glared at her.
"Human," he started.
"The only people permitted to remark on my race, species, or gender are my lord and his mother, as you are neither you may address me as Rin, and if you should have nothing else to address me by you may not address me at all, my name if Rin," the woman stated firmly as she cut him off with a steely glare. There was a dragoness in that soul, he could see it, and he could see the dangers of angering this particular walking ghost of a mortal.
"Princess Kimi," he started.
"Kimi-sama is not a princess," Rin cut off. "She is a general and lady of the Shikoku InuYōkai Clan, she serves the Inu no Tashio and is heir to Shikoku-sama, she is also alpha bitch of the Pack, do not refer to her as Princess as if she is a mere accessory to your son and her pack, it's a grave insult."
Tiāngǒu glared at this audacious mortal for interrupting him twice.
Tsuzuki Castle...
Kimi was tending to her gardens, not letting worry fill her mind as she worked. She couldn't worry about her only living pup. Birthing Sesshōmaru's litter had been hard on her, to only have one viable pup from her three, that had been crushing, and she didn't want to think herself a weak mother who coddled her pup. Sesshōmaru was son of Tōga, he was the first and only heir to the Shikoku InuYōkai Pack, he was a born alpha, he was destined for greatness, she accepted that, but she still worried that she coddled him, permitted him to be soft. Tōga could protect their son, she was certain of it, he had to, he couldn't fail their son, not if he wanted to keep the rank as Inu no Taishō and alpha of their pack.
She looked up when Tōga and Sesshōmaru's returned was signal, she walked to the entry of her garden expecting to see her pup and her mate there, instead she was greeted by the bloody sight of Tōga.
"Kami!" she gasped as she rushed forward looking for her pup then, she caught her mate's bulk though before he collapsed entirely.
"Where's Sesshōmaru?" she demanded, the pup wasn't here, he wasn't beside his father or shadowing his sire like he always did.
"The Hyōneko ambushed us," he grunted as she helped her bloodied mate down, the attendants and guards were coming now. "Gomen'nasasi, I've lost our son," he whispered as he slipped into unconsciousness. Kimi stood then, and looked around at the guards and attendants here.
"Get him a healer, hurry, I will take a guard and scour the area, send conscription notices to every village and corner of our territory, draw up the guard, seal the territories," she ordered sharply. "Send notices to every part of our territory that I want my pup found!" she barked.
"And your father?"
"Summon him," she ordered. "Also get me a meeting with Jimmu of the Hyōnekozoku," she stated. "If the Hyōnekozoku would like war by stealing my pup I want to look him in the eye," she warned sharply.
"Hai my lady," the attendants bowed and Kimi watched as her mate was carried off to be treated for his wounds. She looked balefully at the discarded sword, Sō'unga and wanted to tear it apart for it was no doubt partially responsible for what had happened because it required so much of Tōga's energy so as to not unleash hell.
She hoped to Kami her pup was safe and sound, she wouldn't tolerate if Sesshōmaru was harmed in any way shape or form. And whoever had her pup had better pray to Kami Tōga found them before she did because she would obliterate their very existence!
Zhēnzhū Gǎng Palace, Spirit World, China...
Sesshōmaru assessed his 'grandfather' carefully as they ate the dinner. He didn't know what to make of this situation, and he refused to have a new name.
