Long Chapter...full of Japanese cultural references...
"Konpira?! Nee-sama you want me to play KONPIRA with Sesshomaru-sama?" Rin's eyes were bugging out at this point for one reason. Konpira was drinking game played by Maiko, Geiko and Oiran with their clients at tea houses. She was anything BUT a Geiko, and definitely not a Oiran, she was the Lady of the West, below one and above thousands. On top of that, Rin held her body at a great price despite her "common" origins and will never entertain any other man with it, besides her mate. He was the only one she wanted to physically please. So she had never bothered to learn anything from Oirans or Geikos despite their more attractive social status and considerable payment. Rin will admit a chance to improve her life had always been on her mind, she had grown up a poor abused orphan, but it had never been his wealth that kept made her want to stay with Lord Sesshomaru. That Kagome was suggesting this idea like it was the easiest thing to do in the world was insanity. Rin knew Kagome had likely been from a very well to do family, she knew Kanji after all, but to think that the girl who had a sister to her, would assume she would learn, or have learnt the ways an Oiran who sold their bodies to possibly the highest bidders, had never crossed her mind. In that instant Rin wished she had not pestered Sesshomaru to allow her to travel back to Edo alone, she should have stayed in Kyoto…where she belonged… "Or you can try Tora Tora Tora, it's a more modest game played through shoji doors"
"Kagome-sama, Rin does not know any games or dances done by Geiko or Oiran. Rin asks Kagome-sama to remember who you are speaking to, Rin is not a common entertainer…"
"Nonsense you must have danced for those fancy parties your precious Lord hosts right? To entertain your guests?"
"Yes Rin has, but Rin has not and never will do any of the dances a Goiran or Geiko does. Rin isn't a courtesan of the West you would do well in remembering that" Her tone every bit as condescending and imperialistic as her Lords.
"So what you're going to order me to stand down as Lady of the West. You aren't in Kyoto anymore Rin, or the West, You're in the East."
"Kagome-sama I'm still the Lady, if I wanted to I can very well raise hell for you and you know it" Rin's smirk showed Kagome that if she pressed the issue any further Rin won't hesitate to make her threat a reality. The Eastern Lord had no knowledge of her visit, but sending one of her guards to him along with her sword pendant could change that instantly. Kagome paled for a moment, before smiling confidently "You won't dare Rin, you've never been one to use you're status to bully others"
"Oh, am I bullying? Gomen I didn't realize I thought I was only putting a subordinate in her place" If there was one thing Kagome hated about living in the past it was some the hierarchy. The system made sure illegitimate children can have no claim to their father's assets, not unless the family recognized him as on their own first. However nobody in the West did, only Sesshomaru barely acknowledged his brother and that was out of respect for Rin. Kagome wished that Inuyasha could gain the approval of the rest of his family for their children's sake. Life in the village was hard, especially compared to what she had growing up, and while she knew what to expect coming, she wanted better for her children. Mothers had a right to be selfish after all. But beneath all that mother's wishing, Kagome had to admit she was jealous of the girl before her. Kagome absolutely hated how Rin had things so easy; silk robes, jade pendants all the way from China, exquisite tea, and numerous servants offering immediate help whenever she needed. She didn't have to labour every day to make ends meet, she didn't have to listen to people talk trash because she believed in something different. All Rin had to do, was be the perfect Lady; pretty and accomplished in the arts, and she commands great respect. All because she had the fortune to marry a Lord that is recognized as such, because that very Lord ruled over a big prosperous region of Japan. But she did watch Rin grow up from a 9 year old child to the 19 year old Lady of the West, so she did love the girl who became her little sister.
That's why she was graciously helping her Sister in Law, only for the latter to slam her high and noble hand on the ideas offered. What was wrong with playing a drinking game? Geishas weren't the only ones to drink with men. Wives did all the time! As a noble Lady, Rin was also hostess she must have done more than play instruments and sing to entertain visiting dignitaries right? She must have gotten drunk with her mate a few times to unwind right? Why in her time, it was hard to find a woman who has never been drunk before!
"Rin, have you ever gotten drunk before? Or had a night of just relaxing with a drink and your mate?" She asked gently keen eyes watching Rin as she thought for a minute before turning red and nodded.
"But it was back when we first mated…we were both nervous so the sake really helped…ever since we've been really careful about how much alcohol we take in. It's not appropriate for a Lord and Lady to get drunk, we always have our duties pressing on us, so we must have a clear mind at all times." Kagome completely dismissed what the younger had said after confessing the young rulers only got drunk once. 'Judging from her tomato face…whatever happened must have been good,' thought Kagome 'but it also confirms that I have to explain how Geisha differ from Oiran, and then how playing drinking games is ok' Kagome sighed, she keeps forgetting Rin was common born, and married into high society, where there were more Goiran than Geisha, and the difference between the two blurred. It was easier in lower classes, prostitutes were just that, and Geisha were Geisha. In high society though, she imaged that both were entertainers, and it was hard to tell if a performer was just an entertainer or a courtesan looking to get into some young Lord's pants. Poor Rin, she must have worried for a long time about losing her beloved Lord to a courtesan…after all he was young and very handsome, probably attracted a lot of unwanted attention from any who were willing to brave the cold. Suddenly, all the silk and jade that Rin possessed didn't matter anymore, not if she had to live in constant fear of losing her mate. Kagome now felt slightly sorry for Rin.
Shaking her head clear of those unpleasant thoughts, she returned to the task she had at hand. First to clear up the difference. Then to explain how drinking games work and why they can be good for couples hoping to relax.
"Well, Rin it's a known fact that sake loosens the tongue, if you can get him drunk, you might be able to get more answers from him than before" Kagome explained "Plus even decades old couples need to spend some quality time together otherwise the affection slowly dwindles out"
Rin blinked, as all of a sudden Kagome went from a person who casually suggest her being a Oiran only concerned about getting wealth and stature, to an elder sister who was patiently teaching her how she can get her mate to loosen up through one thing the palace was never short on, sake.
As the hours dragged by, Rin started wondering if perhaps taking a few lessons from the Geiko would not be a bad idea? She could tempt Sesshomaru into paying more attention to her that his never-ending pile of bills, treaties, reports, and stuff like that, with a dance. She could get him to talk by drinking rounds with him…On top of all that, he will never need to go see a Oiran or Geiko, she can do it all. Privately of course, she still refuses to use her body as entertainment for any man that wasn't her mate. But she won't have to worry about a visiting Lord bringing his favourite Geiko to tempt Sesshomaru with a seductive dance anymore. She won't have to go to bed alone at night wondering if her mate really was in his study slaving away at his mountain of paper work, or being assaulted by an Oiran Tsukimaru insisted on bringing back with him. If she can learn all those tricks, especially how to drink gallons, or even fake drinking gallons with the art of discreetly pouring her sake out, she can help in Court as well. She'll get the officials and advisors drunk and fish information for her Lord. Scenario after scenario played out in Rin's mind as Kagome described how a Geiko was different from a Oiran, and how she could Benefit as Lady of the West by learning a few tricks. Once she was done in Edo, Rin knew her next stop, the Castle in the Sky, to see Hahaue, she needed the former Lady's help and advise if she wanted to thoroughly impress her Lord. This might be the best prank she ever pulled! She'll invite her Lord to drink with her, and after a few cups to get herself tipsy, she'll start discreetly disposing her sake, while still playing Konpira to get him nice and drunk!
Nodding in agreement to Kagome, despite not hearing all of her explanation, Rin politely asked the older woman to teach her how to play both games so that she may play one with her mate.
A day later…
Rin bustled around their private living quarters, her silk robes rustling as she went around arranging tables and cushions so that they had a comfortable nest by the three-pronged furnace they recently got from China. Rin debated starting a fire herself or having her mate do it, and ultimately decided on the latter. Rin swore there was something about fires Sesshomaru started that made them warmer and brighter than any fire she could strike up with a match or drill out with bark. Maybe the green mist his hand released contained something that made combustion easy? But his burned longer too…and according to Kagome "Si-N-Te-Fi-Ki-Li" (scientifically) That made no sense. She had sent word to her Lord that she expected him to clear his evening and spend it with her, and ordered the Kitchen to make his favourite dishes, while she took care of the alcohol. Today was what people in Kagome's time called "Thanksgiving" to Rin it was just a very large Harvest Festival. The last crops were coming in and the hunters had gone on one last major hunt. Sesshomaru and Tsuki-san had both gone. Rin had been married to Sesshomaru for a few years now, but had never been allowed to witness the hunt. He said it was too dangerous, as it was all the male Inu-youkai and they would all be in their true forms. Sesshomaru had said they'd be feral, and he didn't want her to see him like that…Rin didn't quite see the problem, she'd seen him in his true form before, she was very well acquainted with the GIANT dog form. As a matter of fact she saw it whenever he had a particularly bad day…grooming him helps him relax and puts the whole palace at ease. But she respected his wish nonetheless, actually today it gave her the time needed to prepare everything.
Lady Mother had returned to the palace with her, and was happily blending sake into Sesshomaru's favourite dishes. Apparently she had not seen her son get drunk since centuries before the Inu no Taisho died, and was eager to help her daughter in law cause mischief. "Life at Court can be so dull, it needs to be spiced up occasionally." She had said, but the Lady Mother had a condition, that Rin wasn't sure she liked "This one wishes to join your dinner party, it has been long since she has seen her son act like a child" Rin had originally planned to have this be private…but she really needed help from Lady Mother in her dance, and in the art of drinking/disposing elegantly…
In the Forests…
Sesshomaru loved stalking through the woods in his true form, the thrill of a hunt humming through his veins. However, pack members noted that their Lord wasn't completely into the hunt this year, catching much less then he normally would. They wisely kept their mouths…er sorry muzzles…shut on this point, knowing that the reason was likely their "lovely" Lady of the West. While, nobody was in a hurry to lose a limb if they were so lucky, or publicly humiliated if no, that didn't stop them from being irritated of her. In their minds Rin had the guts of a mountain cat, and the slyness of the craftiest Kitsune. The "lovely" "benevolent" Lady after had only caused the entire Court to look bad on many occassions. By now everybody knew that the Lady of the West has been sentenced to taking over one of the Lord's duties, and they knew the feisty Lady would not be happy about it. They were willing to bank their mansions, that she must have something planned to get back at her Lord for adding to her duties. The men of the pack didn't understand what the issue was. Being a full time hostess, and attending to the duties of the house, was much easier than what they had to do. Many approved of Lady Rin getting a taste of it, thinking this will give the Lady something else to worry about, and not prank the whole court. The Lady of the West had put "whoopee cushions" that the Time Priestess had made under the mat of everyone in Court, when they all sat down at the Lord's command, the entire hall echoed with a horrid noise that had all of them looking ashamed. Servants laughed for days, it was a total disgrace! The men of court hoped that by doing some of the duties Lord Sesshomaru did daily, Lady Rin would learn that court was no place for pranks, and it was beneath her station to even do it. The Ladies of Court however applauded Rin for her carefully administered prank, what else was there to do in the dull life that being upper class is. Shamisen, Ikebana, and calligraphy could only curb so much boredom, and they spent long days without their mates. If they had children that would be another thing, but most children were raised by their nurses, so the Ladies could concentrate on their duties. Leaving plenty of time for boredom. So they really didn't fault her when last New Years, Lady Rin deliberately replaced sugar with salt when making some the mochi, and replaced matcha tea flavouring with wasabi for others. Of course this had caused the entire court, including the Lord to enter a fit of hacking and choking that lasted for several minutes, but it was fun to watch. Yes, this under the amused eyes of the Lady Mother, and the Lord Uncle, and it might have been shameful to the men, but to the women there wasn't much else to alleviate that dreadful boredom. Elderly Inuyoukai, sided with the women, ever since Rin had married into Western high society, there had been no shortage of laughs. True sometimes her antics enraged the young Lord,for instance she has served white vinegar instead of sake, during a banquet to welcome Koga, Chief of the Eastern Wolves. During this banquet a treaty was supposed to be discussed that will grant the West passage through the wolves territory so they can trade with the East, however instead it resulted in everyone (aside from the important two) rushing to get water and later many lost control of their bodies and transformed into their true forms. The young Lord was so angry at this he didn't acknowledge his mate for a month…however the elderly who have also been spared for their age, found the chaos amusing…Many remembered the first time the current Lord of the West changed forms, and his expressed when he lost control of his own body was much like that.
The hunting crew however contained no elders, and they for the most part agreed that Lady Rin deserved her punishment, she needed to learn she's not a commoner anymore and she has a duty to fulfill, one that includes being a poise elegant Lady who DIDN'T play pranks.
Sesshomaru meanwhile didn't really care that Rin wasn't the stereotypical Lady. He could do without the monthly humiliations, but he wasn't about to stop Rin from, just being Rin. As the hunt continued, the Lord of the West found himself immensely curious about what Rin had planned "whatever plan she had, it would have something to do with figuring out what Mokomoko was, and of course this one will play along, he'd like to sleep in and avoid Morning Court for a change" Unfortunately for him he got hammered by a bear-paw while he was thinking of his mischievous mate. Doubly unfortunate was Tsukimaru who not only heard this comment but was further distracted by the mental image of Rin dressed up formally and holding court…That image sent him laughing fit, and the bear got a chance to enact revenge on him by treating the Youkai as a punching bag. Under normal circumstances the bear will never have laid a paw on them, instead he'd be dating two pairs of deadly claws, like any other animal. If only said bear was not destined to be food for the winter, then he could have gone into hibernation knowing he had pounded not one but two of his kind's worst nightmare, worse than humans, Youkai…specifically Inu Youkai, a race that was rare, and known for being fast not many bears can brag about having done that.
…Hours Later at the Palace…
Rin was on pins and needles, the hunt had just ended and someone had sent forward a mountain of fur…but it wasn't the beautiful white fur her mate wore on his shoulder so she was not interested at all. She was expecting Sesshomaru any moment now, and the drinking marathon would begin, she hopped that she didn't end up drunk before her mate. She'd practiced the art of discreetly dumping her drink a million times last night at Hahaue's castle, and this morning! Sesshomaru was due back at sunset, giving her two hours to prepare. Hahaue had said the Kitchen was prepared, and everyone's mouths were sealed. Servants had been warned to stay away from the private chambers as the family wanted to spend time alone. She'd gotten many knowing looks from the few noble ladies she befriended. Rin had asked them about drinking games, and many admitted to having done it numerous times before. So she figured played Konpira can't be that bad right? It was a very simply game. The two players face each other and alternate touching a box or the table between them according to the beat of the song. If the box is on the table when it is their turn, they must touch the box with a flat hand. If the box is not on the table when it is their turn, they must touch the table with a fist. 'Failure to do either means you lose the game, which means you have a drink, and repeat! Simple, you can do it right Rin? Just make sure you don't lose a game and you won't have to worry about having to much to drink!' Rin thought to her self as she put a large bottle of sake on the table followed by a very pretty wooden box. Rin wondered briefly if she would be the one singing, or if Hahaue would do the honours. She supposed the first round would be played Sesshomaru against herself, then against Hahaue…or maybe it should be Hahaue first…surely he would lose and have to drink against Hahaue right? Rin shook her head viciously to clear her doubts they will take turns of course! They had a common goal. Get the Lord of the West drunk. So why was did she feel like something could go majorly wrong?
Lady Mother had heard of her daughter's latest prank, dousing her son in honey, and feeling mischievous herself, she had plans to sabotage her daughter in law's plans with a prank of her own. She wanted grandkids to spoil after all, and the only way to do so was to get both drunk and stuck together with honey. Her plan wasn't as elaborate as Rin's and didn't involve a distraction. But she figured she didn't need one. Her daughter in law with her big brown eyes full of expression was all the distraction needed. If her plan worked her daughter in law should be a whale, and out of the "entertainment" business for nine months. Hopefully that was enough time for the West to secure favourable trade agreements, and alliance treaties. Kami knows the last official meeting ended in a hilariously inappropriate way, and there was zero productivity. The Former Lady of the West liked her daughter in law a lot, especially for her ability to brighten court life up and make it fun. But work still needed to be done, and she was obligated to step in if it wasn't being done. Rin was in for a surprise this night.
An hour later…
Sesshomaru entered the private tea room, to see his mate dressed in a bright red kimono patterned in white, with symbol of his clan. Her cream obi was embroidered with blue and yellow, tied high to make her chest stand out. The entire outfit, screamed that his mother had been the one to put it together. Rin also wore a jade pendant on her neck, one that had come from a visiting dignitary whose been to China. Her hair was done in an elaborate knot at the top of her head, and adorned with golden ornaments. Rin was sitting on her heels at one end his mother beside her, hiding her face behind her fan like a proper lady. That set of an alarm in Sesshomaru, Rin was never one for decorum, she only hid her face when she had to appear in court, greet visitors, attend official events, or when she went outside of the palace. When she was at home, or visiting family, she never covered her face, nor did she wear her hair in an elaborate knot adorn it and with ornaments. As he settled himself across from Rin, he noticed a beautifully carved box that he'd ordered be made for her, and an impressive collection of sake. That was another alarm…were they going to be drinking the night away?
A separate table was set with a roast rabbit from the hunt, a large platter of sushi, several bottles of sake and his favourite type of broth. It all looked like his mother's handiwork. He wasn't surprised whenever she came she insisted that she be in charge of what he eats. Most likely the meat would be cooked according to Inu-youkai standards. He sniffed around for anything else amiss, but found nothing…he did notice a string by the windows going to the rafters…but there had always been one there, it was connected to a bell outside that summoned the servants. Nobody would touch that.
"MiLord would you like to eat first, or play a game with Rin first?" Rin asked still hiding her face behind her fan. That made him curious, what game?
"This one wishes to play a game with his mate." He answered, behind her fan Rin smiled. "Allow this one to see your face, Rin" the fan was bothering him, according to the West's code, a Lady of Court was required to hide her face behind her fan in a public setting until otherwise stated, especially if they were mated, however Rin never abided and he never forced her wanting her to feel comfortable in the West. It was unlike her to hide her face behind one at home and wait until he requested her lower it. She must be planning something bad if she was suddenly following rules.
"Rin wishes to play Konpira with Sesshomaru-sama" She said that really sweetly…
"This old lady will be referee" volunteered his mother, eager brown eyes, plus his mother' s support made it hard for Sesshomaru to refuse…especially eager brown eyes.
"Asobou" Rin happily moved the box into the middle and set up the Sake. 'Remember Rin. If the box is on the table when it is their turn, they must touch the box with a flat hand. If the box is not on the table when it is their turn, they must touch the table with a fist.' "Sesshomaru sama do you know how to play?" he nodded of course he did, but he only ever played with Geisha before…he didn't even know Rin knew of the game!
"Shall we begin then?" Asked the Lady mother as she readied the Shamisen.
"Hai" Rin and Sesshomaru sat face to face. Rin with her left hand in front of her held exactly in the middle of her wide Obi, palm up, being very careful with her sleeve. Sesshomaru with his almost casually, his sleeve falling back comfortably. "Remember when the box is on the table, touch it with an open hand, when it's off the table touch the table with knuckles. You can take the box whenever but each party can only take it three times." The Lady Mother started playing her instrument, singing "Konpira-fune-fune oikaze ni ho kakete Shurashushushu mawareba Shikoku wa Sanshū naka nogōri Zōzusan konpira daigongen…" The first verse, Rin felt was ok…but then after the first repeat Rin felt that Sesshomaru very obviously didn't want to lose to her and have a drink so he sped up while still keeping to the beat of the song. The entire song was about four verses long, and the game continues until one of the touches the table before restarting. She had every intention of NOT getting drunk and having her mate get drunk, but with the pace of the song, she was having doubts
'How much Sake can I pour becomes obvious that I'm pouring my drinks into its pot? Maybe I should drink some of it' She thought as she touched the table without the wooden box on it. Sesshomaru smirked at his mate as he poured her a cup of sake. Rin held her sleeve, and smiled sweetly at him before downing the cup. Immediately after he fed her a piece of the roast meat his mother had prepared. "Drinking on an empty stomach isn't good."
"Well, that was a great round, Rin you held on much longer than this one thought you would. Now this one proposes we finish our meal before playing the next round." The Lady Mother had plans of making this a long night, where BOTH children were drunk. She would like to be a grandmother soon. It was frustrating having to explain to her friends why she still didn't have a little koinu to spoil, when her son was mated. Things were much easier to explain when her twenty year old son was still more a child with a burden, traveling around to avoid it, than an actual Lord having full control, and a mate to boot! The Lady Mother often wondered if her son had grown stupid the older he gets. There was no other explanation for his behaviour; he was mated so he should be thinking about getting an heir. But he was still just fooling around with her, and both wallowing in paperwork, leaving what in her mind was the most important duty of a Lady and her Lord to some other day.
About 2hours later…
"Konpirafunefune oikaze ni ho kakete Shurashushushu mawareba Shikoku wa Sanshū naka nogōri Zōzusan konpiradaigongen" Rin sang as she played the Shamisen. This was her second time playing the instrument tonight, and she absolutely delighted in it, because it meant Sesshomaru was playing his mother, who handily made him down a cup of Sake. So far she had scored 0 victories over her mate, and so had to drink 3 cups of Sake, not counting the one before eating. It was frustrating at one point she even cried "Sesshomaru-sama stop using your youkai-speed against Rin! Rin is human" He only smirked and answered he hadn't been using his natural speed against her…The nerve of that guy! Thank kami immediately after the Lady Mother had offered to switch and righted the score. Now Sesshomaru had 4 cups in total too, but he wasn't even tipsy, and she was feeling a little!
"konpira ishidan sakura no massakari kirararara~…" The song picked up the pace and Rin's fingers flew over the instrument as her eyes watched mother and son alternate between knocking the table and touching the box. "Konpira mi yama no ao ba no-kage kara kirararara~" The Lord of the West was seconds to slow, missing the box and touching the table instead. Rin laughed at the frustrated face on his face…he looked almost like a child who had lost his favourite toy as his mother poured him another shot of sake.
….3 more rounds later….
Rin really wanted to cry as she drank her 5th cup of sake that night, she has already dumped approximately 7 shots into the pot behind her! At this rate she was going to be drunk long before her mate, who only now was showing signs of being slightly intoxicated. The poor plant she wasn't sure how much more it could take!
"konpira mi yama no aoba no-kage kara kirararara-kin no gohei no hikari ga choi sasha miyama Kumogiri harewataru omiya wa konpira funagamisamada yo kirararara" Rin could barely make out the words the Lady Mother was singing, instead she was relaying mostly on her ears to pick up the rhythm, and her eyes to try to keep track of her mate's hand. But it was failing miserable as pretty soon she was elegantly pouring out her eighth shot. A heavy sigh escaped the being across from her as he purposefully missed knocked the table before him. Earning himself his…what was it…8th cup of sake? Rin had lost count a long time ago.
3 more rounds later.
'Note to self never play a drinking game against Sesshomaru-sama…You can't win'
Sesshomaru by now was pretty sure the whole point of this was to get himself drunk, wondering briefly if he should pretend to be drunk now, or a few more rounds later. He had to do it before Rin passed out from drinking or worse decided to wake up the whole palace with her horrible drunk-singing. Luckily his mother offered to switch with Rin again. "Konpira fu-N-hick, fu-N-hick oikaze Nihick Ho-ick kakete Shurashushushu~!" The amount of hiccups in that one phrase of the song sent both mother and son into a laughing fit. "mawarebaShikokuwaSanshoonakanooguuriZoozuushan konpiradaigongen" Poor Rin was very close to being 100% drunk, her words were slurring together when they weren't interrupted by a hiccup. Luckily her Shamisen tutor had started her out with this simple song and her fingers didn't flounder much despite her current state.
"Are you at least tipsy my son, Rin won't last much longer. A few more shots and she's liable to dancing around the palace singing at the top of her lungs. This old lady would like to avoid that catastrophe"
"This one was planning to take Rin to bed soon, and pretend to be drunk. He is curious about whatever she has in mind"
The Lady Mother smiled, everything was going according to plan. Rin was a very active girl, when she wants something she made sure to get it. The Lady Mother was certain tonight, her grandchild could finally be conceived and she won't have to awkwardly explain why her grown-up koinu wasn't doing his duty as a Lord. It was supposed to happen the day after the Haunted palace...instead, her son had made a comment about his mate being unisex! The nerve of the boy, the Lady mother was glad that RIn had taken matters into her own hands and punished her mate, because if the Lady Mother had done it, she was certain her son won't be walking normally for a while. Perhaps now with a drunk Rin taking control, he can go about making a little koinu to continue their proud race. Inuyoukai were rare, so even Hanyou could be considered a suitable heir, if born by the Mate, not a mere mistress. The Lady Mother knew of Inuyasha's existence of course, but as son of a mistress, he really should count his blessings that the West was letting him live. Other Lords and their family would not be so nice to a disgrace. Rin's singing snapped the Lady Mother out of her thoughts.
"Kon…BUURP-ira…s-suumima-sen. konpira ishidan sakura no massaURRRP karikirararara~" Another peal of laughter happened this time it resulted in Sesshomaru staring at Rin and blindly touching the table, and the Lady Mother placing the box on her son's hand…Both parties looked at the current Lady of the West who…just….belched…loudly…while…singing…!?
"Mother, how many shots has she had?" Big amber eyes the size of saucers looked at his mother, who was slack jawed and gapping at her daughter in law. How many shots indeed, for her to completely forget about manners…
A/N: Geiko and Geisha are used interchangeably to show the difference between East and West.
Another term I used is Oiran: they were high class courtesans who doubled as entertainers. Their profession doesn't exist anymore, but in Japan you can still find the legacy they left behind.
For those interested in the song Rin sung please see this link: watch?v=LZVhhSZFHlY
The Lady Mother as is probably obvious by now is anxious to be a grandmother. I'm assuming the hierarchy of the West states whoever is the "Lady of the West" her sons no matter what they are has the right to succeed. I'm sorry to any Izayoi-lovers out there, but in my eyes she is just a mistress, so Inuyasha for all his strength and greatness, is not recognized as a "prince" and has no right to succeed his father, or even challenge his brother's claim.