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: 25


Year 1581...

Tsuzuki Castle...

Kimi stood on the steps of Tsuzuki Castle as she watched the bitches arrive, she kept her hands hidden in her sleeves as the wind ruffled her mokomoko. Iya stood beside her, the young bitch looked apprehensive about this, but Kimi had not even let a thought stray over her face. The cub clinging to Iya's hand stood on surer legs than previously, little Yuki was doing her father and mother proud. Though Kimi hoped the Eastern and Northern Yōrō Tribes would improve so that Ayami and Kōga would reclaim their cub, Yuki from her Clan, she didn't want an ookami running about her home again.

"My lady," greeted the first bitch as she walked forward, Ashizuri. The bitch's seseame hair was drawn up in in an elegant style, piling it all up, her eyes were dark amber, almost brown as she walked forwards and bowed deeply. Ashizuri had a vibrant almost red mokomoko, while Iya's had been a deep brown almost black.

"Ashizuri," she greeted icily.

"My father thanks his Alpha for permitting his daughter entry to Tsuzuki Castle and to the Inu no Taishō's harem," Ashizuri whispered. "I will strive to be worthy of such an honor."

"I will be pleased to have you in my home," she said. "Stand beside Tsuguri no Iya," Kimi ordered. The bitch rose but kept her head down, rather submissive and meek as she moved to stand tall beside Iya. Kimi looked at the other bitches and nodded as the next one stepped forward.

"Shichi," she greeted the young bitch, the girl was only a few hundred years old, perhaps around the age of InuYasha. So young, and so terrified, her scent of fear was almost suffocating. The pup walked forward, her pale brown-red hair was done up in a hime style, her parents had always indulged their only child, Kimi thought, her blue eyes were uncertain as she bowed lowly, her grey mokomoko ruffled a bit.

"My mother and father thank their Alpha for permitting their only daughter to the Inu no Taishō's harem in Tsuzuki Castle," she whispered timidly.

"Goodness child, you will have to learn to speak up," Kimi drawled out as she walked down to the bowing pup. The girl tensed as Kimi gripped her chin and tilted it up slightly. "You must speak with authority if you should ever desire to become an bitch worthy of my son. He will not tolerate meek ones."

"Hai my lady," she agreed with a tremble in her voice.

"Very good, go stand with Shimato no Ashizuri," Kimi said softly and watched the young pup shuffle towards the others. Now Kimi turned her gaze upon the final bitch. Like any Spritz InuYōkai, Zuzu had a sharp look about her, but Kimi noted that the bitch was also trouble. Zuzu's parents were a union between lesser packs from within the Shikoku InuYōkai Clan and the Shiba InuYōkai Clan, and though Zuzu took mainly after her father, there was enough of a Shiba look about her to show her mixed heritage. The vibrant sesame hair was drawn up elegantly, her molted grey and white mokomoko was wrapped around her securely around her.

"You know who I am," she stated to the uppity bitch.

"Hai, my lady," Zuzu said as she bowed lowly. "And my father pleads for you to accept me, despite the Inu no Taishō's rivalry with my brother. I swear my fidelity to the Shikoku InuYōkai Pack Alpha as well as my Clan Alpha, Sesshōmaru-sama, may he have mercy on me for my brother's activities."

"You come knowing your place," Kimi stated.

"Hai my lady, I am here at your mercy," she murmured.

"Should you displease my son or I, I will return you to my uncle," Kimi warned her niece. She didn't trust the Honkawa any more than she trusted Zuzu, but it was best to keep Zuzu out of the reach of Kimi's cousin, Kochi. At least, for now, until Kimi disposed of the little upstart.

Or Sesshōmaru did, Sesshōmaru likely would take great joy in a fight when he returned from the West.

"Go stand beside Naoshima no Shichi," Kimi ordered.

"My lady, is it true that Sesshōmaru-sama has a human bitch?" Zuzu asked looking at Kimi as she passed by. Kimi growled lowly as warning to the younger bitch who flinched and bowed her head a bit.

"Understand this," Kimi turned to the five girls there. "The human bitch is my son's True Mate, she will outrank you all, move against Rin-sama and I will cut you down where you breathe."

The group seemed to submit to this as Kimi passed them and motioned for Zen and Riki to escort the group to the appropriate quarters. Kimi made a mental not to have Ai infiltrate their quarters to keep an eye on the girls. Ai was completely loyal to Rin, and Kimi had no problem exploiting that trait to keep Rin and Sesshōmaru safe from usurpers and upstarts, she feared that one of those bitches could be. The four heiresses to the packs within the Shikoku InuYōkai Clan being kept safe was key though until Kochi was dealt with. This would seal Sesshōmaru's hold on their Clan again, and it would keep at least four of the packs within her Clan under the Shikoku Pack control.

Kimi walked into her private quarters of Tsuzuki Castle and was greeted by the sight of InuYasha's pack.

One day, Kimi thought, she would not have to worry about her pup and his harem because Rin and Sesshōmaru's families would reside her and there would be no question of who her son favored. It was a day that Kimi looked forward to, also, grandpups would be adorable.

She made a mental note to message her father about this development, but she didn't know where Shikoku had actually gone. She would have to handle this until her father or sons returned. The thought had her smiling, because she longed for her cousin to come and challenge her.


Year 839...

Akai Taiyō Castle, Akita InuYōkai Clan Territory, Japan...

As they road up the ridge of the yōkai-mortal border, she tightened her grip on Sesshōmaru as they moved through the magic barrier, she could feel it rippling around her. The snow didn't lessen as they rode through the barrier, but her jaw dropped at the sight of the red stained wood with the big gate, and the golden sun there. She was amazed at the red, white and yellow banners, the Akita InuYōkai Clan, she was stunned seeing the beauty of this Castle. Growing up in the care of her lord's mother she had grown accustomed to Tsuzuki Castle, but it was so different from her lord's home. The colors were not as soft, the brilliant vibrancy of the red stained wood did bring this castle to life. Looking down at Sesshōmaru she smiled as A-Un leapt after their escort.

Like Tsuzuki Castle, Akai Taiyō Castle was surrounded by floating islands, everything was massive, but also disconnected. Rin tightened her hold on Sesshōmaru while looking down at the yōkai villages. Like the shikoku inuyōkai, the akita inuyōkai had an almost human like village set up that she had noticed around the castles from her era. She wondered if humans had been influenced by yōkai culture or if yōkai culture was influenced by humans, it was something she wondered when she saw how similar they were.

Landing at the stables of the castle she was stunned as she dismounted A-Un and pulled Sesshōmaru in her arms as they walked behind the escorts. Sesshōmaru peered around, curiosity was his damning trait which she found amusing. A stable hand directed her to where to bring A-Un, which had her setting down Sesshōmaru as she started bedding down A-Un, Sesshōmaru helped as she directed him.

"I have stable hands to do that," a voice said, and she looked up to see Odate standing outside the stall.

"Hai, you do," she agreed. "But this is my lord and I's dragon and therefore A-Un is our responsibility, it is important Sesshōmaru-sama learn this now," she said as she continued bedding down A-Un.

"Why?" Odate asked.

"Because how can anyone trust an alpha who doesn't look after their own? And Sesshōmaru-sama is to be the next alpha of the Shikoku InuYōkai Clan," she pointed out. Sesshōmaru nodded his head firmly as she handed him a brush.

"Wise lesson to learn, but where did a human learn it?" Odate asked her.

"My lord's mother stressed it in my education."

"I see, finish this, wash up, then I want to know how a human rescued the Inu no Taishō's missing son," Odate ordered.

"Hai, Odate-sama," she bowed slightly as the other alpha left her.

"He's not my alpha," Sesshōmaru snarled.

"No, he's not, but he is our host, and he is graciously taking us in for the moment," she reminded Sesshōmaru. "Show him respect, you're not required to submit, just be respectful."

"Why?"

"Because one day you might need him, and it's better to make friends than enemies."

"I would rather have enemies, I have you for a friend," he dismissed.

A-Un snorted as Un rounded on the pup.

"And A-Un," he amended swiftly.

She chuckled as they continued working. Once the task was complete, they were escorted to the bathhouse, Rin carefully peeled off all the layers of silk and finery and furs. Sesshōmaru tore them off swiftly, she knew he'd have melted them if she hadn't stopped him and directed him to scrubbing off for a bath.

Once they were both clean Rin rearranged her hair up in a twist, stabbed it with Kimi's hairpin before they went to find Odate.

Odate was a rather large man, not as tall as her lord would be, but he was about the same size as Tōga was. More muscular, thicker build too, broader shoulders and wider chest. Like the Akita inu, she supposed, a heavier breed of inuyōkai. Shikoku inu were rather sleek, lithe too.

"Odate-sama, it is an honor to be welcomed to your home and given shelter," Rin said as she bowed formally, but not enough to submit. For yōkai bowing was different than for humans, to bow was to submit, it wasn't just polite but rather a welcome for challenge. Standing up straight she looked at Odate as she clasped Sesshōmaru's hand and kept him close to her side. The pup's mokomoko wrapped around her legs as she stood there.

"So, human, how does one come into custody of the Inu no Taishō's heir?" Odate drawled as he leaned back and an attendant of his poured him another cup of sake.

"I was sent to collect the pup," she answered smoothly.

"By whom though is the question?"

"By my lord and his mother," she answered.

"And who would they be?"

"A party interested in the safe return of Sesshōmaru-sama to his mother."

"His mother? Don't you mean the Inu no Taishō?"

"No, I mean his mother," she replied firmly. "Sesshōmaru-sama is to be returned to Kimi-sama, if the Inu no Taishō should desire a different outcome he is free to challenge me," she promised him.

"I like you human, you have gumption," he chuckled. "I just don't believe you."

"Rin doesn't lie," Sesshōmaru snapped.

"Sesshōmaru-sama, this is not the place," she reprimanded swiftly as she looked at the alpha. Sesshōmaru accepted that as he growled lowly. "To be honest, my lord and his mother do not care if you do or do not believe me, for your opinion means little in their affairs. I am merely here to request your assistance," she said.

"Oh-ho?" he raised a brow as he sat up straighter.

"I do not ask for much, and I am certain you will gain compensation from Kimi-sama when the task at hand is complete," Rin said as she held her lord's hand tighter.

"And why would I not receive compensation now?" he inquired.

"Because my task is not yet complete, so there is no compensation to be had, yet," she pointed out. "Sesshōmaru-sama and I do not require much, we just ask for a night of rest and supplies before we journey to the east and then to Shikoku InuYōkai Clan territories."

"And what lays in the east?"

"A magnolia tree, an advisor to the Inu no Taishō who will inform Kimi-sama of our impending return and our success," she answered. Bokusenō would serve her lord, this she knew, but she didn't know to what extent Bokusenō's loyalties lay with Tōga, so it was best to just let Odate assume she meant Tōga.

"I was unaware that the Inu no Taishō would have an advisor this far north," Odate stated.

"In the mortal realm," she clarified.

"I see," he nodded and seemed to think over her words for a little bit. "I see no problem in aiding you and Sesshōmaru-sama, we will be happy to send a missive to Kimi-sama for a price of compensation but you should wait until sprint for any travelling, the winter will be perilous."

"I think I can handle it," Rin said.

"Aonyōbō, kawauso, baku, tengu, hibagon, ookami, and even a few yuki-onna are out this time of year, it is not safe for a lone onna with a pup to travel."

"I would be more worried for them than us," she replied honestly. "I was trained by my lord, nothing they can ever do will be as dangerous or powerful as what he can do."

"Then let some of my men escort you," he offered.

"No. we just need rest and some supplies before we're on our way," she stated.

"I'm afraid I cannot permit that."

"Why not?"

"Because the Inu no Taishō wants his son back, whatever the cost," he answered.

"Who truly seeks Sesshōmaru-sama?" she asked levelly.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean the Inu no Taishō was fully aware of whom took his pup from him and where that pup was held and yet it was not he who freed us," she replied. Rin wasn't so foolish as to think that Tōga wouldn't have known who had taken Sesshōmaru. True she did not doubt that the Hyōnekozoku had probably hidden their connections to Chang'e and Tiāngǒu but with a bitch like Kimi-sama leading the Shikoku she didn't doubt that they had figured out where Sesshōmaru had been taken.

"Is that so?" Odate leaned back where he was sitting and assessed her warily.

"How could he not know?" she asked with amusement, she worked on keeping her tone light and unaccusatory. "He is the Inu no Taishō after all."

"And you believe Kimi-sama will compensate me for sheltering you?" he drawled out.

"She is a mother, and she was the one who sent me," she replied.

"Kimi-sama sent a human after her son?" he drawled out.

"I am my lord's Rin, I serve at his pleasure, I was loaned to Kimi-sama to find Sesshōmaru-sama," Rin explained. "I serve at the Shikoku InuYōkai Clan."

"Then you served Shikoku-sama."

"In a manner of speaking," she replied.


Sesshōmaru looked up at Rin and tried to figure her out, her hand was tightly grasping his own. In the past three cycles he had never heard her mention for whom she worked for or why she was with him, merely that she served her lord whom she had never named. Part of him wanted to inquire as to whom her lord was, but he also didn't. Her loyalty to her lord was… admirable, especially for a human.

He looked at Odate-sama as he wrapped his mokomoko around her a bit tighter. The akita inuyōkai was more like his father, he didn't like it, part of him wanted to bare his fangs and puff up his fur, but he wouldn't, he trusted Rin's judgement. Odate had not moved how his father did, he hadn't made Sesshōmaru wary or feel defensive, so he would trust Rin.

"Then speak plainly, I do not like games," Odate ordered.

Rin's lips tip upwards in a manner that felt familiar as she tilted her head a bit. "Then I will. I am only here for a moment, I will be travelling east in the mortal realm when the weather clears with both A-Un and Sesshōmaru-sama before we go south to Shikoku InuYōkai Clan Territories, I will be returning Sesshōmaru-sama to his mother, Kimi-sama, not to the Inu no Taishō, and if anyone should impede my quest I will cut them down with Bakusaiga. Is that plain enough for you?" she asked with a sweet, playful, but indifferent tone.

"You sound like Kimi-sama," Odate chuckled. "But very well, I will be curious to see what a human onna can do," he growled lowly.

"Underestimate me, Odate-sama, it will be more fun that way," she smiled rather sunnily then. "I so enjoy defying expectations."

"Very well, we will house you until the end of the blizzard. I want to see what a human onna can do," Odate mused.

"I look forward to it," she decided.

"I will house you in my personal wing," he announced. "Come," he gestured.

Rin picked him then and he hugged her a bit tighter as they walked through the castle.

"Rin?"

"Hai?"

"Why are we here?"

"Because I'm not killing us with exposure to a blizzard," Rin mused as she bounced him on her hip.

"Humans are weak," he repeated.

"We're resilient where we're fragile," she promised. He accepted that because it was Rin and Rin was the only human he knew and she was rather sturdy, he'd have thought her hanyō or yōkai with all the markings she had. She needed training with her yōki, but he did not know how to train her for that.

"You bear the pup's mark," Odate finally turned and observed Rin, he puffed up a little bit. "I am surprised, I thought it was just because of his proximity to you, but now that we are here away from other yōkai," he drawled.

"I do bear Sesshōmaru-sama's mark," she replied.

"You bear a lot of yōki with such a mark," he said.

"Nani?"

"Yōki, some of your mate's energy," he explained. "It's what binds yōkai when they mark partners, littermates, mates, or companions, it's what protects those we claim, our power is theirs and our lives, theirs."