THE TAIYOUKAI, THE MIKO AND THE GIRL
Rin sat behind her father in the meeting hall trying not to cover her ears at the loud voices competing with each other. Since youkai hearing is sensitive she wonders why they need to do a shouting match. Well, youkai are also excitable by nature and when they get into a heated debate it isn't unusual to get into blows with furs, fangs and claws flying here and there and the inevitable thud of a body or two…or three slamming down the tatami mats.
It came to her that the next time they have these meetings it would be held in the dojo…. Nah! That would be catastrophic with all the weaponry on the walls…scratch that idea.
Unfortunately, such event has not happened; an amazing feat since the debate has begun more than an hour ago. The topic being the miko. The assembled nobles had barely sat down for the customary sake when one of their numbers began the discussion which then escalated into this shouting match between the two neighboring town elders who have been at each other's throats for a long time due to some border dispute or something, and then the others didn't help the situation at all by fueling the fire.
Still, Rin wished that they would turn to blows instead so her poor abused ears would get a rest.
"The miko is dangerous and uncontrollable…!"
"Perhaps training could help her…"
"She is an aberration of nature…!"
"Such harsh words coming from you. I do not think…"
"What can we do?"
"…and her appearance has disrupted people's lives, why in my village they are thinking of…"
"Then you should try to restore order!"
"Let me finish my sentence for once, will you?"
"Mi'lord, she should not be allowed to go out, think of the harm…"
"Lord Sesshoumaru will not let anything happen to his people!"
"I am still speaking here! Of all the…!"
"Why did Mi'lord let the miko stay in the castle? Aren't you concerned…"
"I don't think that is a good idea…she might get angry…"
"Did I ask for your opinion, mutt?"
"Hah! Perhaps you are the one afraid! Go and crawl back to your den! Mangy…"
Oh, Kosen-sama has begun with the insults and name-calling! He's always pompous and loud mouthed. More often the debate would turn into a full-blown fight due to his insufferable taunts and comments.
Rin hopes her prayer would come true. She can already feel her ears ringing. She tried to tune out some of the noise. It's a wonder that she still has her sense of hearing after sitting through these meetings.
Her glance fell on Jiro at the other end of the hall and saw the lieutenant's eyes glazing with merriment.
She looked at her father and saw him holding his sake cup not even once did he speak since the deliberation/insult trade began, his eyes seemingly engrossed on its crane and bamboo detail. He looked bored and sleepy. But Rin wasn't deceived by the taiyoukai's apparent somnolence. He is listening for the subtle undertones of the discussion; what is said without being said. The message within the message.
She looked at the twelve assembled board members that comprise the lower ruling body of the Western Lands. They are often loudmouthed like Kosen-sama but that is just for bluster. Youkai doesn't like to be seen weak. Only her father doesn't resort to that kind of stance; he doesn't need to, his name, power and reputation alone is all that's needed.
The fights allow some letting off steam. Governing land and people is taxing. The Western Lord is akin to a moderator and referee ensuring that no fight will progress into deathblows. He would rather have them fight in his presence than make it public.
Ah, some action at last! Daigon-sama has grabbed Kosen-sama and the two are now growling at each other; fists on each other's clothes. The board members are now divided into two differing factions: the pro-miko and anti-miko. The two groups had unerringly gravitated to each other and is now threatening and beginning to get into a push and shove contest…that would escalate into Rin's favorite activity: brawl!
The insults continue to fly and now it's veering into slurs pertaining to ones masculinity and prowess or the inability of one.
Sesshoumaru stood but only to provide a barrier between Rin and the scuffling youkais. Not long after the hall erupted to a chaotic fight. As one of them began to transform Sesshoumaru pointed Jiro to open the doors wide so the fight would spill outside and into the vast courtyard.
"Rin, it's time for you to go and visit the miko." Her father blocked the scene as he turned to her.
She sighed, she won't be seeing the brawl after all. "Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama!" She bowed and left the hall but not before she saw her father with a small smirk on his face. He knows how it amuses her to see the noblemen make a fool of themselves but he can't risk her safety when they have transformed. Who would have known that his sweet little Rin has developed a bloodthirsty nature? Sesshoumaru sighed, he just hoped he didn't create a little monster.
~O~O~O~
"Oh, hello Rin! Come in!" Kagome stepped aside to let the young woman in.
"Are you comfortable here, Kagome-sama?"
"Rin, can we drop the '-sama', please? What happened to 'Kagome-neechan?'"
"Gomen, Kagome-neechan!" The two girls giggled.
Kagome reached for the younger girl for a hug. "I missed you, Rin!"
"Oh, me too, Kagome-neechan!" Rin hugged back.
"I can't believe it! Imagine, you're now Sesshoumaru's captain!" Kagome felt pride for the teen.
The teen shrugged. "I am glad and honored that my father has entrusted his army in my care. But I wouldn't be this confident if it wasn't for the training I received from Sango-sama."
"I never thought that you'd be interested in learning combat skills, Rin. You were more interested in making flower wreaths!" Kagome teased and that launched another giggling episode for the girls.
"You remembered!" Rin laughed. "I guess being in danger all the time has made more aware that I can't always be a burden to chichiue."
Kagome caught Rin's reference to Sesshoumaru as 'father' and felt happy inside. Rin used to call the silver haired youkai as 'Sesshoumaru-sama' but now she was glad that both have truly acknowledged their relationship as such.
"Do you think you could teach me how to fight? I am such a klutz!" Kagome sighed loudly.
"'Klutz?'" The girl tilted her head. The movement looked very much like her silver haired parent.
"Oh, it means clumsy in my time."
The younger woman mouthed an 'Oh' in understanding. "No problem, Kagome. But I am not sure if I can train you as often." The older woman's face fell in disappointment. "These days I often lead the patrols. Why not let father train you?"
"Oh yeah, right, he would train me. Train me to death, more like it!" Kagome said in a huff. "Didn't you see that we almost killed each other a few days ago?"
It was truly a sight to see her father lose his temper when training someone. Rin enjoyed the tutelage from the taiyoukai. He was patient and detailed in his instructions never once losing his patience. I wonder why they came back with clothes all torn up….
"A-herm." The girl cleared her throat to catch Kagome's attention. "Father was always patient…"
"Patient? He just dived at me!" Kagome stood up. "He said, 'Miko, prepare yourself!'" Kagome's decent impersonation of the taiyoukai's speech made Rin giggle. "And he was swiping at me with his claws! The jerk! He destroyed my favorite shirt with his whip! The nerve! What kind of…" Kagome launched into her tirade while walking to and fro in the room swinging her arms for punctuation.
Rin scratched her head in confusion. She couldn't understand why Kagome couldn't get along with her father. Every time they get within a few meters of each other they start to argue and taunt each other over this and that. The miko has a short temper and would dish her own retort. Rin was surprised because the miko has always been so sweet to her and Shippo. At the way they are arguing they looked like an old married human couple…
A thought suddenly lit up in her head. Oh! This is good! A devilish plan has begun to hatch in the wily girl's head. I think I found my answer to this dilemma! Hmm, she needs someone to help her in this but she's sure that she can pull it off…who can she ask? Details..details….
Kagome stopped her invectives in mortification. Rin was looking spaced out. Here she was ranting against Sesshoumaru and not taking into consideration about his daughter's feelings. Rin was bound to be hurt at her words against her father.
"Rin?" She took the girl's hand. "Oh, sweetie I am so sorry!"
"Huh?" Rin focused her eyes on Kagome. "Oh, don't worry oneesan. Since you lost your shirt the first thing we must do tomorrow is to get you some clothes and proper armor before you start your training, ne?"
"Clothes?" Kagome's cobalt silver eyes lit up. "Yeah, that will be great, Rin! Let's go shopping!"
"Shopping? Uh…okay, Kagome-neechan!" Rin stood up and bowed. "I will be here tomorrow morning so we can go to the seamstress!"
"Oh! I'm so excited!" Kagome gave the teenager another big hug. Goodness knows that Sesshoumaru isn't big on hugging. The girl might also be yearning for some female bonding. Poor kid!
"Good night, Kagome-neechan! Sleep well!" Rin was just itching to launch her plan into action.
"Good night, Rin! See you tomorrow and thank you!" Both girls shared a parting hug.
When Kagome closed the shoji doors Rin ran the corridor her head still making finishing touches in her grand scheme. I hope the brawl has ended I need to talk to Jiro…then talk to father… Details…details….
~O~O~O~
"Come." The cold voice bade enter.
"Do you have time, father?" The young woman stood on the threshold of her parent's door. An elegant finger beckoned the ward further inside the portal.
"Rin, " the demon lord looked at his child.
"How was the brawl, father?" Rin approached her father's desk and began to tidy the overflowing jumble of scrolls and sheaf of papers upon it. Sesshoumaru has tried to stop his daughter from messing with his desk to no avail. A flaring of youki signified the taiyoukai's annoyance but the young woman pretended not to notice.
"They're all old fools." her father stood and went to the window and looked up at the moon.
"I just don't understand."
"What?" Sesshoumaru turned to his daughter unsure of what made her express that line.
Rin joined the elegant youkai where he sat on the veranda, both lifted their eyes to the moon.
"Aren't you lonely?" Rin looked at her father inquiringly.
Sesshoumaru looked at his ward warily. "Why do you ask this again, Rin?"
The woman shrugged. "That's what they want to know."
Sesshoumaru growled. "Let me guess Daigon and Mati again."
"I am just the messenger. I know your reasons but they don't."
"Then they do not need to know." He raked his claws in his hair to calm himself. "I should just kill the lot of them."
"Then it would be my task to find new ones to be broken in. I do have other duties to attend to." She turned her serious eyes on him.
"Then we don't find new ones to be broken in. End of discussion." His hand chopped the air in dismissal.
"I guess so…or…" She raised her brows.
"What?" He raised his brows.
"Nothing." She sighed.
"Rin." The soft tone demanded an answer. He wasn't deceived by her answer. As a parent, he had discovered that when children are quiet or when they answer 'nothing' then they are getting themselves into trouble and his Rin isn't the exception.
"Well…Kagome-neechan is beautiful, no?"
"I am confused." The usually stoic taiyoukai knotted his brows in abject confusion. "What topic were we discussing here?"
"Why, your love life, father." She smiled innocently and grinned when she felt a low growl come from her father.
"I thought the discussion was about…" He sighed again. "Never mind." Females, he thought.
"Actually, that topic also came up and people were wondering if you're going to pick a mate for the New Year moon, I know…." The woman placated her father when he shot her a glare. "I know you hate being pushed and you don't want any of those bitc…" She amended when her father shot her another sharp look. "…err..demonesses. But you have got to choose soon."
"I do not need a mate. Mates are for having heirs and they also bring trouble. You are my daughter, that is enough."
"And I am happy that you feel so but the reality is that I am not youkai and your kingdom needs heirs. Would your people accept me as your heir?"
"No," was the curt reply.
"There you go." Rin shrugged.
"But I can force them." The pale claws clenched as if relishing a fight.
"Father, you can't do that." Rin sighed in exasperation.
"This discussion is moot because I do not need a mate. Those courtiers just wanted their daughter married and attached to me. I do not want any of them."
Companionable silence reigned between the two on the veranda. But Sesshoumaru had a feeling that the silence will be broken in five…four…three…two…
…one. "What are you looking for in a mate?"
"Rin, I believe your inordinate interest in my "personal life" has got to stop." The taiyoukai wished that his child was still eight years old and docile not a headstrong young woman bent on becoming a matchmaker for him and another unsuspecting female. The Western Lord felt a headache forming at the back of his head.
"Just answer the question, father." The girl prodded despite the warning growl. All bark and no bite, for her, but to others they would have been a lump of sizzling goo by now.
Silence.
Rin sighed….and waited.
Sesshoumaru sighed…and pondered.
~}O{~