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: 9


Year 839...

Zhēnzhū Gǎng Palace, Spirit World, China...

Rin walked Sesshōmaru back to their rooms after dinner. After her shut down on being addressed as human or mortal or woman things had been silent. But from what she had learnt:

1. Tiāngǒu was a canine yōkai of some sort, he had the same gate and eyes and nose twitches as many of the other inuyōkai she had met had.

2. Chang'e was a spirit, not a yōkai, there was something pure about the woman which wasn't like a miko or a yōkai really.

3. Sesshōmaru was the heir they wanted and needed.

4. And there was an obscene number of concubines and wives here, which was startling because Tiāngǒu so clearly favor Chang'e as his mate or wife or whatever they did here.

Finally, though they were free and she was changing to a simpler layer of silks even if she couldn't have a proper yukata. Sesshōmaru, the poor pup, looked utterly exhausted, and was now hugging Bakusaiga as he struggled to keep his eyes open. Rin fingered the kuroshinju at her neck as she thought about everything her lord had told her about his father's family, which admittedly wasn't much. Rin knew the basics, Kimi-sama had drilled them into her head, but Rin didn't actually know anything about the empire Tōga had abandoned.

She knew about Zhēnzhū Gǎng Palace because she had asked about Amanagawa and if it was as beautiful where he was from as it was where she could see it. She remembered that he said his grandfather had built a harbor of pearls for his grandmother because she loved them so much, which was when she looked down at the pearl in her fingers. Perhaps… perhaps she was here to learn about this, she could do that. Walking out from be hind the partition she smiled at Sesshōmaru rubbing his eye as he furiously tried to stay awake.

"Rin," he looked up at her with large, tired gold eyes.

"Sesshōmaru," she smiled as she walked over and sat on the bed, picking up a comb to work over his hair.

"Why does everyone always call you human?" he yawned.

"Well, I am human," she said. "But mostly, they remark on it because I am different from them, just as humans will call you yōkai or daiyōkai, it's just a difference that they have focused on to tear me down a bit."

"But… you're… you're not less?" the pup said uncertainly.

"I'm not less," she agreed. "It's just an obvious difference people can notice and remark on, it's like remarking on my sex or your eyes, it's just a trait they notice and use to label."

"They shouldn't," he said.

She snorted at the irony hearing it from him and smiled as she traced his stripes. "No, they shouldn't, but they do, so forgive them, they are ignorant and what's different is feared by the ignorant." She started combing his shoulder length hair and could feel him thinking this over very seriously. Rin finished combing his hair and he all but slumped against her sound asleep. She caught Bakusaiga before it could fall from his hands as she set it aside to her side of the bed. Gathering up Sesshōmaru she maneuvered the pup on the inside side of the bed and stretched out between him and the door. The pup shifted forms and she found a puppy, about the size of a regular, full grown shikoku inu; with his head resting on the curve of her waist.

The pup was adorable, pure white downy fur, the violet crescent moon was on his brow, with his magenta markings around his jaws and on his eyes, the tail wrapped it's way under her shoulder, and around her back as he slept and she smiled at the pup's antics. Her lord, in her time, was the size of a mountain, he rarely slept in his true form or let her snuggle up against it, not because this form was terrifying to her, but rather because he couldn't fit anywhere. It took a great amount of energy for him to shrink his true form into the size of a regular inu, and even then his markings were a giveaway. Still, she thought him precious like this, a giant fluff ball, she liked it, which had her reaching carefully to trace his snout and smiling when the puppy nudged his head then chuckling when he stuck his nose almost entirely into her armpit.

Tomorrow would be something she wouldn't know how to handle, but she had a bad feeling about it.

Rin was startled when there felt to be a small weight pressed against the small of her back, which had her twisting to look at Bakusaiga, but nothing there. Sighing she pulled the blankets around them and pressed her face into the side of Sesshōmaru's flank. It felt like there was a puppy curled up behind her knees though.

She really wished she could go home and return to her lord, but she had to save him, and for now that meant she was here with him, when he needed her. Admittedly the pup was far too cute for his own good. Scratching his ears absently she felt sleep take over them.


Chang'e was surprised when she found her mate in the gardens, she was surprised that he was looking intently at the view of the mortal realm they had, the Silver River was flowing calmly around them, illuminating her harbor of pearls. Tiāngǒu was quietly staring at the mortal realm, as she had seen him do many times since their son had run off to the East.

"What are you thinking?" she asked him as she walked towards him, Tiāngǒu lifted his head.

"I'm thinking he's nothing like I was expecting," he admitted softly taking her hand. "I was expecting someone like Zhìháo had been, loud, and boisterous, full of life, but this pup…"

"He's quiet, aloof, calm," she admitted.

"I just was thinking about the best ways to educate Jūn Ān," he admitted.

"Using the mortal might be an advantage, the pup seems to adore her," Chang'e pointed out. Children were easily swayed and manipulated because they were curious, and they had a drive to learn, which was something one could exploit.

"Threaten him to submit to lessons and have the mortal pay a price if he doesn't?" Tiāngǒu asked dubiously.

"Shì," she said. "The girl is someone he sees as under his protection then he should learn what giving protection is. If he's to be a good alpha he will know to never protect anyone, but rather learn that the only way to give protection is annihilating threats to what is his. If the mortal should perish, here life is but a heartbeat in eternity, he will find another mortal to replace her, in time."

"Did you see her soul?" Tiāngǒu asked.

"The dragon there?" she asked.

"Shì," he nodded.

"What about it?"

"It just reminded me of troubling news we received the day of Sesshōmaru's birth, of the priestess and the dragon she was battling, and their deaths," he said.

"Eastern superstitions," she dismissed. "The dragon, there or not, is merely a mortal girl now, and as fiery as she is, she is nothing in the grand scheme of Prince Jūn Ān's life," Chang'e murmured. The mortal was mortal, Jūn Ān was immortal, and he would soon learn that though a mortal life should be cherished, they were fragile, vain, and short lived creatures who would cause their own end before their times ran out. Death loved mortals, for mortals always returned to Death after their momentary lives. And perhaps, when Jūn Ān was old enough, he would undergo a trial and learn the truth of what human life was, and what it meant to be mortal. "The mortal is a gift, he should learn to cherish her fragile life, but he will have to learn his mortal is merely a heartbeat in his lifetime."

"Perhaps pushing him so hard will have him running like Zhìháo," Tiāngǒu said softly.

Chang'e couldn't argue that fear. She feared they had been too hard on Zhìháo, that pushing him to the brink to be the Imperial Prince, their heir had destroyed their son and he had ran off to the East for a folly of freedom. But then again, she had heard he was a powerful general in the East, and she didn't know what to make of that information.

"We should start slow, with Jūn Ān, start with language and culture, with combat lessons, pups love to play rough," Tiāngǒu decided.

"I will see to the mortal's tutoring, perhaps if Jūn Ān sees her doing it he will follow her lead," she mused.

"The human is obviously not an idiot," he mused, which had her chuckling as she walked to stand at his side. They both looked at the blue and green pearl of the world, and the flow of the Silver River, it was a beautiful night.


Tsuzuki Castle, Shikoku InuYōkai Territory, Japan...

Kimi walked to where her partner was resting, which had her concerned. Tōga was almost invincible, she had fought him and knew that it took a lot of power to damage him. When he had come for the title of alpha, as the nameless, unknown wild mutt he had challenged for the right to make her his bitch. That fight had gone on for a few mortal years, but by the end he had knotted her, and they were a mated pair which ran the Shikoku InuYōkai Pack and the Clan. Her father had named Tōga, meaning 'fighting fang' because Tōga had done what no other alpha male had been able to do and beat her.

Now she looked at her mate, laying there, torn apart, bloody, and his pain obvious, Sō'unga was put away, as was his armor. The armor would have to be repaired, she noted, noticing the ragged tears in the heavy black metal his people had preferred their armor to be made out of. Tōga was resting against his mokomoko which was stained with his blood. Kimi waved off the attendants, who hurried out of the room to leave them there.

"Kimi," he grunted.

"Don't get up," she whispered walking to his side.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

"Did… did they take him?" she asked as she clasped her hands together, feeling the pain of her claws tearing into her flesh.

"Hai, I believe so," Tōga admitted as he closed his eyes.

"I see, well, the war council will be here, Hata Uwahara, Honkawa, and Ehime-ken with her brother, Shuso-gun, will be here soon, I've sent the issues out," she admitted.

"Arigato," he nodded.

"I've sent for Tokushima as well," she admitted. "He's the best tracker, I'm certain he will be able to find Sesshōmaru if those cats have him," she murmured. "He just asks we watch his daughter, Iya while he hunts."

"It was Jimmu who attacked me," he promised.

"I know, I smell his scent," she replied. "I just want Sesshōmaru back."

"He'll be back," he promised. "You have my word he'll be back, safe and sound."

"He's barely a century old and you wanted to take him to see the executions!" she spat out furiously. "You promised to keep him safe! Tōga! You promised me that our pup would be safe with you! And now he's missing! I should've never let him leave with you!"

"You were suffocating the pup Kimi!" Tōga roared. "He's a leader, he will have to learn how to lead and be a good shikoku alpha!"

"He's a pup!"

"He's an alpha! I will not be questioned by you as to what we should and should not do with the pup!"

"You lost him, Tōga, and if anything, anything at all happens to my pup, it'll be on your head," she spat out.

"I'm your alpha," he started.

"You are the father of my pup, and I am your bitch, but do not think you own me because of that, we are equals, Tōga, equals! And as Sesshōmaru's mother I'm far more dangerous than you could ever be right now, so heal and get to the war council and find our pup because if I find who has our pup before you do, there will be no mercy from me," she warned icily. She didn't have Tōga's proclivity for mercy, ever.


Zhēnzhū Gǎng Palace, Spirit World, China...

Sesshōmaru woke when there was a maid outside the door, which had him growling lowly as he snuggled into the warmth beside him, he didn't want to wake up yet. He heard Rin's heartbeat, slow and steady start to pick up speed, which had him whining a bit as he hid against her stomach to block out the morning. Maybe if he pretended there was no light out there'd be no morning.

The doors opening disproved that much to his chagrin, which had him growling loudly when they were approaching.

"Sesshōmaru, noisy," Rin muttered as she started to roll a bit which had him lifting his head to rest on her hip and glare at the offenders walking into the room. He didn't want to wake up, he wanted to go back to sleep. Sleep was good.

"There will be lessons to attend to today," a retainer announced loudly. "Young Prince, come on, we must get you ready!"

"Ready?" Rin yawned as she rolled entirely which had his head falling onto her stomach. "Sesshōmaru!"

He moved his snout to look at her with pleading eyes as he tried to entice her to go back to sleep. He liked sleep! Sleep felt very good.

"Uh-uh," Rin yawned as she sat up, stretching her arms over her head.

Sesshōmaru pouted as his head rested on her lap. He didn't want to do lessons, not now or ever! He shifted forms.

"Rin!" he whined.

"This behavior is unbecoming, milord," she groaned as she continued stretching. He glared at her and she fell back on the bed. "Five more minutes," she surrendered. He smirked in triumph as he clambered over her and snuggled against her side, gripping her arm tightly as he watched the attendants move about the room.

"Minasan ohayōgozaimasu," the fox shouted walking into the room followed by the monk.

"Ah, Rin, it is good to see you radiant as ever this morning," the monk smiled. Rin moaned as if in pain as she rolled away, dragging him with her, he yelped when he found himself squished in her arms securely.

"Kami curse the inventor of mornings," she grumbled.

"Rin, you're strangling Sesshōmaru-sama," the fox said peering over them, he blinked balefully up at the kitsune. The kitsune was unusual, bright green eyes, auburn hair, sharp features, and a happy smile, with a green ribbon holding his hair up, there were black tips though on his elven ears.

"Go away," Rin grumbled sleepily.

"I come bearing Black Tea of the finest quality, guaranteed to wake you," the monk said. Rin jolted up, there was a resounding smack and Sesshōmaru blinked seeing her drinking the tea with the monk sporting a bright red handprint on his cheek. "Try to give a woman a kind gesture and she smacks me in the face," the monk sighed woefully.

"I wonder why," the kitsune remarked dryly.

"Sesshōmaru, let this be a lesson," Rin said as she let him clamber onto her lap. "Don't ever behave as a leacher, females do not appreciate it."

He nodded as he smelled what she was drinking, it smelt disgusting, but not harmful.

"Lessons begin after breakfast for his Young Imperial Highness," the retainer bellowed at Rin.

"Arigato, I do not think I could be deaf and miss that announcement!" she shouted at the retainer who neared her. He bit the inside of his cheek as he peered up at Rin, who's arm he had secured around him.

"Do I have to go?" he asked her.

"Hai, you have to go," the kitsune whispered back.

Sesshōmaru glared at the fox, for the fox wasn't the boss of him!

"Hai Sesshōmaru-sama, you have to go," Rin said. "But don't worry, I will be in lessons too, no doubt," she teased.

"For what?"

"Well, my littermate and I are going to research a way to save our lord, and to do that, we'll be in lessons," the fox said.

"We? Since when was this a we endevor?" Rin yawned.

"Since I met up with you," he smiled.

"Mmm," she hummed as she sipped her tea. Sesshōmaru learned today that Rin was not a morning person, and he found it funny. "Fǔ Yáng you had better have more tea than this," she warned.

"I have a whole pot for just you, Wu Min and I will be drinking herbal teas," Fǔ Yáng said. Rin grunted and continued sipping her tea. Sesshōmaru squirmed to get more comfortable and rested his head on her chest as he listened to her heart, her fingers slipped through his haid and he hummed contently as he looked at Bakusaiga.

"Rin?"

"Hai my lord?"

"Can we spar today?"

"Hai my lord, after lessons," she promised.

He smiled then; he might actually have a playmate!

"On a day f no lessons we're going to play hide and hunt," she promised.

"That sounds dangerous!" the monk protested.

"We're playing hide and hunt," Rin repeated firmly.

The fox laughed. "No cheating."

"You can't use your mate," Rin countered.

"Fine, so long as yours doesn't kill us!" the fox laughed.

"Can I use Bakusaiga!?" he asked eagerly.

"We'll start small, but I'm certain we'll get to Bakusaiga," Rin chuckled leaning over which had her hair falling like a veil around him.

"Promise?" he demanded.

"Hai, I promise," she chuckled.

Sesshōmaru was almost quivering with excitement at the promise.

"Now, food, then lessons, and what is this? It's good, Fǔ Yáng," Rin asked.

"Black tea, Rin," Fǔ Yáng answered. "With my mate's secret ingredient."

"Ah, no wonder it's good if she made it," Rin yawned.

Sesshōmaru thought it was the most disgusting thing he had ever smelled, humans were weird!