Please note the title says Tsukimaru reflects, but this chapter is actually more of an objective analysis for every girl who Sesshomaru could have picked.
Tsukimaru wandered the halls of the Western palace completely lost in thought. The night before he had snuck in to visit his aunt, and had heard something he was convinced he'd never hear again for the rest of his life…The sound of Sesshomaru playing his Koto and singing. He grew up with the current Lord of the West, was his best friend, and his study-buddy. Tsukimaru had only heard Sesshomaru sing twice in all their centuries together, the first didn't count as he was ordered to play and sing by their music instructor. It was the last time she'd get to teach them, as she was retiring and the last thing she did, was have her "star pupils" perform in front of the entire court, dignitaries and officials. Tsukimaru remembered Uncle Toga had been so proud that night, that his son lived up to the Bushido image of a perfect man, he could write beautiful kanji, was good at music, and excelled in the way of the sword. Aunt Kiyomi had would not shut up about it to his own mother for weeks, Tsukimaru was actually afraid to go home for a time, because of it. Sesshomaru himself of course had not been pleased about being ordered to do anything by anyone who were not his parents.
The second time he sang was when he found out about his father's death. Many thought that Aunt Kiyomi and Sesshomaru should not be so sad, because Uncle Toga had been unfaithful, but Tsukimaru can't find it in himself to blame them for their grief. Uncle Toga had been a significant part of their lives. Tsukimaru remembers his mother had come home saying his aunt cried for days when Uncle confessed his infidelity. He had seen Sesshomaru destroy trees in a rage that day, before eventually "sacrificing" himself as a sparring partner to his cousin. So a few human years later when word came of his Uncle's death, Tsukimaru ran to the palace expecting to find Sesshomaru destroying innocent trees again. Instead, he found the young man on a cliff overlooking the ocean playing his koto and singing a song of grief. It was the first time Tsukimaru saw his cousin express emotions since they grew up.
Rin was the third time, and Tsukimaru was certain if his cousin ever sang again, it would have something to do with the girl. She was an odd one, and he never really understood how his cousin fell for her, but he had to admit she was possibly the best choice. There wasn't much actually it was either an arrogant noble lady who thinks she owned the world, or Rin…there were others he believed one was called Kagura the other Sara Asano. Continuing his trek through the corridors of the palace Tsukimaru thought of each girl.
Sara had probably the best credentials, she was a princess. This meant she was likely skilled at diplomacy and very well educated. But she was obsessed with his cousin, allowing a horde of demons to take over her body in hopes of him reciprocating her feelings. Planning to steal the Tessaiga from Inuyasha in order to win the Sesshomaru's affections, attempting to kill both when that failed. To Tsukimaru this showed a lack of mental clarity, an important prerequisite for anyone wishing to fill his aunt's shoes.
Tsukimaru will admit the princess's love for his cousin was sweet and the lengths she's willing to go is certainly impressive, but he cringed at the thought of an entity who came into existence in a manner similar to Naraku wandering through the palace as Lady of the West.
Next was Kagura, Sesshomaru only showed concern for the Wind Sorceress after smelling her blood in while he was battle with Mōryōmaru. This triggered the Tenseiga to become ready to be forged into a weapon. But it won't have happened if Rin hadn't activated it first. After she was injured by Goryomaru, Sesshomaru refused to save her. In the end he only saved Kagura because he needed to save Rin, who was determined to save the sorceress. Kagura believed that Sesshomaru might free her from Naraku's grasp due to his great power. Therefore, she would search for Sesshomaru try to him to help her kill Naraku. She didn't really show any care for him beyond his looks and his power. Kagura's only love was freedom and her loyalty was to herself. She tells Sesshomaru Naraku's whereabouts and his plans as best she could all in the hope of gaining her freedom.
The fact she so readily became a double agent was enough for Tsukimaru to raise an eyebrow. After all the West needed stability, having a flaky girl whose alliance wasn't guaranteed was not in the interest of the country. The danger of being double crossed was always present in court life, adding to it is the fear of an ally twisting the terms of a treaty so that they have the advantage. There was no real loyalty even love can be questioned when politics and money are involved. If the Lord and the People aren't even able to trust the Lady, the West would be finished. The only one beside the Lord able to access and judge sensitive cases was her. Anyone in nobility whether one is Youkai, Human or even Kami can say loyalty matters a lot more than power looks and race. Nobody wants the contents of certain cases given away. Kagura's actions had demonstrated that if it's to her advantage she will not hesitate to give away information. Her only loyalty is herself. Sesshomaru inherited the West therefore he is the ruler, he can not afford to have someone next to him whose alliance isn't guaranteed. Besides that Kagura obviously valued her freedom, it's as impossible to contain her as it is to contain the wind. She wasn't someone who can be chained by etiquette and the rules of court life. She always wanted to be like the wind. Court life would have stifled her. The rules would slowly destroy her. The wind simply doesn't exist in a closed environment and like the wind Kagura would have sputtered out.
The last issue is she's evil incarnate. Kagura is a part of Naraku someone whose obsession with power had gone way too far, and Kagura also had this issue. If Sesshomaru had been in a weakened state when they met, she likely would have no interest in him. Her love for Sesshomaru was more love for his power. The only person Kagura truly showed any concern towards was Kohaku, and even that might have been worry for the Shikon Shard he carries. She was also someone who killed a lot. Now, both Sesshomaru and Inuyasha have killed more than her, but the issue isn't the amount of blood on her hands. The issue is the people she killed were technically her siblings. Kagura doesn't hesitate to use others for her own gain and dispose of them when done. She lusted after power as badly has her "father" and maybe even worse. Neither of the Inu brothers used others and killed them after. It's probably something unique to Naraku's "family." Besides having a portion of Naraku wandering the halls was scary and not something Tsukimaru wanted to experience ever. This brought Tsukimaru's thoughts back too Rin.
Rin had attempted to care for Sesshomaru as he lay near a tree, bringing him water and food. She saw him at his lowest and stayed with him. The big smile was apparently the culprit of all things, and her death was the reason why Tenseiga worked. Rin was the first one he ever resurrected, and the reason while Meido was unlocked by Kagura, without Rin's death, Kagura would have never been able to unlock the move. Futhermore, it was Rin's second death, that strengthened the attack bringing it to its full potential. Immediately afterwards, Sesshomaru said, "Nothing is worth the cost of Rin's life." leading to Sesshomaru's Mother concerned about her son's sadness, resurrecting Rin with the Meidō Stone saying he's "like his father in many ways." He constantly rescues her and looks out for her, willingly. She shows a lot of concern for him whenever he battles near her. Rin never tried to kill Sesshomaru, or try to use him in any way. Her loyalty was perfect, and her kindness to all was remarkable.
Rin's obedience to Sesshomaru was also perfect, she didn't have any of that roughness to her. Girls are instructed to keep their mouths shut they are to be seen but not heard. Boys are encouraged to roughhouse and be naughty. Girls are instructed to be docile and obedient from a very early age. Boys who are not "playful" but sweet and demure are considered a shame to the family. Girls are told from a very early age that their job is to respect/ take care of elders, and be supportive of the boys. Boys on the other hand are told to focus on providing for the family and having a glorious career. Tsuki-chan knows from Kagome's futuristic knowledge that some are comparing Rin and Shippo. But that comparison is flawed from the very beginning. Boys and girls just aren't equal, how can they be? They're taught completely different things. A girl's place is always behind the boy's. It just the way it is. So expecting Rin to be Sesshomaru's equal is flawed. She never will be and neither will Kagura. Lady Sango is an exception to the rules of the time not the model of it: She's one of the last of a clan of demon hunters a warrior in her own right. How can she compare to normal girls of Japan or those of nobility?
Sesshomaru and Rin is not "bride-breeding" as some villagers would accuse their relationship as being. He never raised Rin. The elderly Kaede was the one who assumed the role of a parent, she actively raised and took care of Rin. Kaede was present in her life from the end of Naraku "reign of terror" into adulthood and beyond. She saw Rin through illness and health, she was there to help Rin through her first monthly pain. While Sesshomaru was only present in Rin's life for a year, during which he often left her by herself and had her provide herself with provisions. The rest of the time Sesshomaru was not a big presence in her life despite his wagonloads of gifts, by comparison Inuyasha had a bigger presence. However some villagers refuse to acknowledge what happened because it doesn't suit the mental image they have. In their own twisted dirty minds, they think that Sesshomaru raised Rin himself to make sure she's a perfect mate.
But the reality was totally different, 'ya don't "breed" a bride by allowing a random village Miko to adopt her' Tsukimaru thought. Kaede was a parent in every sense. To actually raise a child give one must give them that safe, warm caring environment, which Sesshomaru never provided. One must be there for the child at all times, which is another thing Sesshomaru never did. Rin and Sesshomaru were best friends, travel companions. The relationship was pure and simple. Rin was found and rescued by Sesshomaru, she was raised in a Shrine by a Priestess, Kaede. To Tsukimaru and other relatives, these villagers were simply jealous that Rin an unknown orphan,was the one who "won" the Western Lord, not a strong demoness like Kagura who they might have though more worthy...
Tsukimaru being totally honest with himself, had fully expected Rin to wish to stay with Priestess Kaede, and marry for a nice village boy, that Kohaku most likely. But he was glad to be proven wrong. It had been a very slow process, (in which he was certain Rin wooed his cousin, not the other way around.) He trusted Rin to keep his cousin calm, and trusted his cousin to keep both the West and Rin safe. Rin had proven to be a decent Lady of the West...at least her loyalty to Sesshomaru never wavered, she made it clear she wasn't with him because of his power. Tsuki-chan could do with without the daily bath as he walks though the palace gates thank you. However that wasn't is the problem now, he had a far more pressing issue. And that was why he was dripping wet in front of Rin's door contemplating how things could have gone. Rin had been insisting on wearing the Mokomoko…Tsukimaru wants to know EXACTLY when he can expect to see his nephew…or better yet when he can officially start being a living up to his royal lineage...by being a ROYAL Pain in The Ass to his cousin by hackling him on fatherhood. Hopefully that won't end up with him dating that poisonous light whip of His Royal Coldness again.
"Gotta butter up to Rin, most definitely" He thought as he slid open the door, glad that his cousin chose Rin over a snobby arrogant noble lady. Rin felt more real, she is smart but she has her insecurities. She is sweet and trusting, but she can be vicious. The only leverage he had over others was they are legally family! She won't beat him up for wanting to "join the fun" of getting under his cousin's skin right?...RIGHT?!
Aaand Cut, so hopefully you better understand why I ship Rin and Sesshomaru now.
Sara Asano really did give me the creeps, but I have nothing against Kagura, I liked her and envy her inner strength; fighting for her freedom knowing it might cost her life. But I feel like Kagura really "is the wind, the free wind" and not someone to be chained to one person, nor bound by rules and expectations. If we bind her in any way we'd be doing her wrong.
I know what is said about SessRin, and why some feel put off by them. But in my mind Rin was found and rescued by Sesshomaru, who as a Lord he has a certain set of morals he's honour-bound to uphold. However she was raised in a Shrine by a Priestess so Rin also has a certain set of morals. I don't think ANYTHING will happen until both parties are legal. Also please bare in mind that "legal" in Feudal Japan is 14.