***I do not own InuYasha or any affiliated character***
~*Part Two*~
"Jaken-Sama Jaken-Sama!" the servant yelled pulling him from his sleep. With a start Jaken jumped up"What? Who?" He said throwing on his small robe.
The house was in an uproar! Jaken, fully shaken from his sleep and rudely pulled into awareness by one of the servants standing at his door with a lantern in hand, loudly saying his name."Jaken-sama! Sesshomaru-sama has returned and brought a human with him!"
"What Human?" Jaken demanded
"No one knows but it is a female." Worry and panic in the voice of the servant caused him to move faster and soon he was running down the hall.
"Jaken-sama, his lordship is in one of the guest rooms." The servant called after him, causing Jaken to turn mid-step and head in the oposite direction.
"Why didn't you say so? Has he asked for anything?"
"Only you Jaken-sama. He went in and closed the door, I came as fast as I could"
The servant showed him the door and stepped back; Jaken took a quavering breath and taped on the door.
"Enter." Sesshomaru said from the other side and Jaken slid the door to the side and entered, falling to his face noting only that Sesshomaru had his back to the door and that someone was lying on the mat before him.
"Lord Sesshomaru I came as soon as…"
"Jaken, how do humans care for their wounds?" Sesshomaru interrupted him.
Jaken was taken by surprise and ventured to look and could see that the form in front of his lord was indeed a human woman, several bruises and a long scratch marring her features. Yet through the imperfection he could vaguely recognize her face, though he couldn't think why. Sesshomaru turned just enough to cast a glare at Jaken, who was immediately reminded of the question.
"Uh… Well first you would clean any wound and then bandage them, but sometimes this is not enough if the injuries are too grievous, my lord."
Sesshomaru didn't answer and Jaken couldn't help himself. "My Lord, who is she?"
"Rin." It was the only reply given but it was enough, of all the reasons to bring an injured human to his home Rin was the only one Jaken could see being given the privileged.
He had always wondered how his lord had been able to leave Rin with humans, every year thinking that he would go and take her back. It had clearly been longer than he had supposed, as Rin looked far beyond a child now.
"Jaken see to it that she is made well." Sesshomaru stood and turned to leave the room "Before I return her to the human village" he added before leaving the room.
"Yes my lord… bbbbut how did she come to be in…." But he was already past him heading down the hall.
Well he didn't really need to know the reason behind his lord's motives, he simply needed to follow his commands. And so Jaken called for more servants and sent for anyone of then that knew about healing determined to do his best to heal Rin.
..0..
It was late in the day when Jaken stood outside his study door, he had yet to knock but Sesshomaru knew that he was there. He could smell him and could tell that he was nervous and since he had yet to hear anything of Rin, he knew that must be why Jaken was there.
While this annoyed him, he was also feeling worry as well and that bothered him more. He cursed in the silence of his mind at the apparent curse on his family to care for humans, well human woman to be exact.
"Jaken I know you are there." He finally said to the door and then a very nervous Jaken slid the door aside and entered, immediately falling on his face.
"Sesshomaru-sama. Rin's injuries have been cleaned and cared for and now she is resting!"
Inwardly he smiled at the good news but Jaken still seemed upset. "What is it Jaken?"
"Well…eh um she is just so hot my lord. Not I, nor any of the servants know enough about humans to understand why she would burn!"
Damn. Sesshomaru thought to himself. What can be done about that? I don't even know what that means!
He sat and tried to think, shuffling through his mind, looking for any information he might have on what would cause her to burn but nothing came to mind. He wondered if his annoying half-brother would know anything about this, and then groaned inwardly at the thought of asking his brother for anything, let alone help.
He decided to go and see her for himself before rushing into such an action. Standing he left the room ignoring Jaken to the point of stepping on him.
Even before he reached her door he could smell the difference, and when he opened the door he could see it. She was pale with a slightly green cast to her lovely features, her thin body looking very frail beneath the light blanket. But it was her scent that made his chest feel tight and his feet take him to her side. She smelled of death. Not strong yet but taking over her own sweet smell.
Behind him he knew Jaken stood and watched. Swallowing his pride for her sake he said without turning "Jaken go and get my half breed brother and that priestess he mated with. Bring them here to help Rin, as it seems you cannot."
..0..
Kagome stood outside her, home hand on her slightly swollen belly, looked to the sky and worried about Rin. She had been missing for three days now. Kagome still was kicking herself over not realizing that she was even gone at first, it was so common for her to wander alone. She was such a odd loner girl that none noticed her real absence until the sun had begun to set.
That girl! Really Kagome wondered if she planned the entire thing, leaving on the day of the new moon. InuYasha had still tried to find her of course but soon had to give up to wait for the dawn. And the next day when he was finally able to track her a rather heavy rainstorm had made him loose her scent.
Now Kagome was beside herself with worry.
"Mommy." said her little girl tugging at her sleeve. "Daddy said to come in." Kagome smiled at her third child, of the three she was the only one that looked almost completely human only her golden eyes betrayed her heritage.
"Ok sweetie." she said and had turned to enter when a shrill voice called over the twilight evening.
"Kagome, Kagome!" it yelled.
Taking her child in her arms she looked for the owner of this annoying shrill voice and was more than a little surprised to see Jaken running at her.
Within moments InuYasha was at her side, hand on his sword hilt and lightly growling. "What do you want here?" he said to the little imp.
To their surprise he stopped before them and bowed himself, though only slightly."Sesshomaru-sama requires your presence at his home."
"Well he can REQUIRE all he likes! I never followed any of his orders and I won't start now!" InuYasha scoffed at the trembling servant.
"InuYasha!" Kagome said under her breath, turning to Jaken she asked; "Why does Sesshomaru require us?"
Jaken was very upset! How could he ask for their help without making his lord look even the slightest bit weak?
It was a real problem and he was verbally abusing himself inside his mind over what to do next since a direct order had had no effect, when InuYasha spared him. "You smell like Rin."
..0..
Sesshomaru smelled them coming, and it bothered him greatly that he had to call upon his half breed brother and his Miko. But every moment Rin became worse the annoyance was overcome by a fear of her dying.
He stood at the front door as they entered the gate, Kagome riding on InuYasha's back followed closely by Jaken.
"Hey Sesshomaru, where's Rin? Jaken refused to give us details." InuYasha demanded and he found that he wanted to use his claws on that half breed to teach him respect… again.
He decided to ignore the half breed and instead turned to Kagome. She stood patiently, holding a small basket covered with a light cloth, the smell of herbs coming from inside. "Rin is unwell." He said before turning into the mansion "I require only the Miko" he said giving InuYasha a pointed glare.
InuYasha bristled at him but Kagome quickly held out a hand "InuYasha, now is not the time. Really you two! could you possibly let THAT go for once!" Inuyasha folded his arms and glared. To that she smiled benevolently and added "Wait here dear" she said to a now pouting half breed. Sesshomaru's smugness at her words cut short as she turned a glare to him "Why did you not come sooner? Has she been here this entire time? She has been missing for days and we couldn't find her."
"I located her only this morning" he said turning down the long hall leading to the guest wing of the mansion.
"Sesshomaru, what is wrong with her?" asked Kagome as she tried to follow after him. Sesshomaru glancing her way noted her slightly waddling gait and sniffed the air a little closer.
So Inuyasha would be adding to his pack again? Slowing his pace for her sake he covered his actions by pausing to speak. Without turning he said; "She has several minor injuries. I found her in the forest, she was injured and so brought her here."
Kagome sighed "That girl…" She clucked like the mother she was.
"Is she still prone to wandering?"
Kagome laughed a small out of breath laugh and nodded "Since the day she met you I imagine"
"Hn.." was all he said to the unvoiced accusation while sliding the screen open.
When they entered Kagome went to her side immediately checking over her injuries. Behind him Jaken stood and watched.
"I did all I knew to do Kagome." Jaken stammered worry straining his already annoying voice. "But it is her heat and that she would not wake that remained a mystery to me."
From her place next to Rin Kagome looked at Sesshomaru and offered him a small smile of reassurance. "It's a fever, I will give her some medicine and she should be ok in about a day. You were wise to send for me though, a fever can be dangerous to a human. Luckily I don't think you waited too long." she grinned
The Miko began pulling at Rin's Kimono, no doubt to administer healing as humans might need. Sesshomaru fled in as dignified a manor as he could.
"Wait here Jaken, show her the way out when she is done"
As they waited in the courtyard for Kagome to return, InuYasha was blissfully quiet for once in his life. Seeming to have picked up on his older brother's bad mood, he only lounged on the bottom step. His arms crossed and a crooked grin on his face. Sesshomaru refused to acknowledge his presence by pretending to read a scroll as they waited.
"So...you just found her... in the woods?" InuYasha asked
"Hn.." he nodded slightly.
InuYasha chuckled "She is one head strong girl"
Sesshomaru looked down his nose at the Hanyo, one eye brow raised in question.
"That girl... Always doing just what she wants no matter what anyone says"
Kagome coming out of the mansion interrupting their moment. She stopped in front of Sesshomaru. "Rin will be just fine now but I don't think it would be wise to move her till she is over this fever."
Sesshomaru didn't answer her, merely nodded. He decided not to mention that he had no intention of letting her leave… at least until she was well.
"When she is feeling better have her take short walks, fresh air will be good for her, keep her well fed and well rested and she will be as good as ever." She smiled toothily up at him and returned to InuYasha.
As Kagome climbed onto his back, his annoying half-breed brother shot him a smirk that spoke volumes more than words ever could. "Keep her happy!" he yelled as he turned and ran out of the gate. Sesshomaru cringed at his words, resisting the urge to run down and kill that upstart!
As he walked back into the mansion he made a point of not going to Rin, instead he turned to his study determined to attend to his many obligations, to prove to himself that he was merely worried for her health as a past companion and nothing more.
..0..
The pale stars glittered above the trees casting long shadows across the gardens while the cool night breeze stirred the many flowers. Looking out through the open screen at the sight Sesshomaru stared at nothing in particular.
He had managed to keep himself from going to Rin for the remainder of that day but when the night came and he had no valid reason for keeping busy in his study, he had retreated to his room only to sit and stare out into the night for hours.
He knew that Rin was in the mansion, he knew that she had settled into a peaceful sleep and that she no longer burned. He could sense her as the only spark of life in the house that wasn't demon.
He found himself thinking again about how he had found her in the woods, how she had felt in his arms so frail and hurt.
If she awoke now she would be alone and confused about where she was, with this in mind he stood and walked out onto the lawn and turned towards her room. It was just a courtesy, just a simple courtesy that he would extend to any other guest under these circumstances. Though he did admit to himself that for another he would have simply sent Jaken.
Silently he slid open the screen of her darkened room. With only one pale strip of starlight creating a path along the floor making the rest of the room darker for its light he entered.
He could clearly see her lying on the mat, her hair loose and fanning out around her face like a halo. She looked pale but not sickly like she had before. With a level of silence only a demon lord could summon he crossed the room and knelt at her side.
Her blanket had slipped below her shoulders along with her kimono, to reveal a slender shoulder and a beautiful neck curving gently down… He closed his eyes, breathing deep to centre his mind away from where it seemed determined to wander.
He could smell her very clearly at this close proximity and was pleased to note that the smell of disease was nearly gone, leaving behind her own scent clear in the darkness. He opened his eyes again and looked at her peaceful face, following the line of her cheek down to her lovely neck. His mind wondered what her neck would taste like? If he were allow himself to lean over her to kiss her softly, to breathe her in, to surround himself with her every scent?
He wanted… How long had it been since he had wanted like this? He did not know. Surely he deserved such a minuscule pleasure? He leaned down, running a finger along her jaw line noting the scratch already healing; it was not as bad as he first thought. He moved her hair from her neck and pushed it behind her small lovely round ear. For a moment he allowed himself the indulgence of touching her, of smelling her aroma…
With a start he sat up straight pulling his hand and rebellious mind back he reached out and pulled the errant blanket up over her shoulder, letting his finger trail along her skin before he let it go.
A small sound escaped her slightly parted lips and she turned towards him, her lips looked so soft and inviting. Could it hurt to simply taste her one time? A small movement and he could feel her lips on his…
In disgust he stood quickly. Offended at his own thoughts he turned to leave the room wishing only to be free of her bewitching powers when another quiet sound came from her still form.
"Sess… Sesshomaru, am I dead?"
Such a piercing few words to come from one that he had already saved from death so many times. He froze thinking perhaps she was simply speaking in her sleep, her breathing changed and he heard her move.
Turning his head he glanced behind him and saw her beautiful eyes looking at him, fear and sadness in them.
"You have been unwell, you will remain here until you are well again." He said without turning and then he was gone wishing only to be away from her temptation before she could speak again. Before she could ask him to comfort her, before he lost his resolve not to follow the path of his father. With a sudden desire to kill something, he flew in search of some unlucky demon to slay.
..0..
Rin watched his silent figure disappear into the shadows and wondered if she was dreaming, he sounded so angry she wanted to know what had happened. She tried to recall how she had ended up here. But then she didn't know where here was, the last thing she recalled was a cave.
No she seeking shelter from the rain but it was unclear and foggy laced through with his face as well as Jaken's and even Kagome's.
Rin remembered the pain from her fall and her hands sought out the injury that she knew was on her leg and found it cleaned and bandaged.
She felt drained and so very tired but happy for the first time in a long while. She had found him and she would stay here until she was well again. He looked as handsome as she remembered and she hoped that at the very least she would have time to tell him how she felt. Sleep slowly crept up on her and soon she lay back down.
When Rin woke from her sleep she was first aware of the sounds around her, someone was moving about the room she was in. Opening her tired eyes she saw a lizard Demon moving near a large tub of water, steaming with warmth not far from her. It was a female, thought her shape only loosely "human". She still had a tail, her skin a leathery green/ blue shade.
"Good morning My lady." said the demon bowing before her. "I am Yakio. I am to be your servant."
Rin looked in surprise at her. What was she doing? Should Rin thank her? "Where am I?" She finally managed to say as she sat up and noted with amazement the beautiful richness of the room. The dark wood floors, exquisitely painted panels, even the blanket over her was rich in color and design.
"Lord Sesshomaru's palace home." said Yakio with a look of amusement.
Sesshomaru? He took her to his home? She suddenly felt shy at the thought and realized that she had never heard him speak of it before. When she had travelled with him he had always camped or when he left would simply leave her with Jaken or Ah-un.
"I have prepared a bath for you my lady." Rin smiled at the title, she didn't feel it fit her. She had never been called a lady before, she was just Girl, or sometimes Rin, but never a Lady. "I am not a lady, Just Rin is fine"
"Lord Sesshomaru said you are, therefor you are" Yakio scoffed holding out an arm for her.
"He said that?"
"You will care for Lady Rin. Is what he said to me and I will not contradict him. Neither should you"
Rin blushed but nodded "Thank you." she said standing and decided that she did feel like a nice long soak, after her trek through the forest and on top of that she felt weak and tired still.
A slight wave of dizziness hit her and she nearly fell, but Yakio was fast at her side helping her walk before it became a problem.
"How long have I been here?" Rin wondered as she was helped out of her clothes and then into the tub.
"Sesshomaru-Sama brought you four days ago my lady, and you were in quite a state too. You were wounded and dirty and even after Jaken-sama told us how to heal you it did not help much.
"I'm sorry to have been a bother"
"Oh no such thing" Tutted Yakio "As I was saying even after all of Jaken-sama's help your body began to burn."
Yakio took a pitcher and began to pour water over her while still talking. "But then Sesshomaru-Sama wisely sent for the assistance of a Miko to come and heal you. It was his Lordships half brother who brought the Miko too. Odd that is, if you ask me, seeing as they do not get along and all"
"Kagome?" Rin asked smiling at the chatting female.
Yakio beamed "Yes that was her name! After she only spent a few hours with you she deemed you well on your way to good health. She did a wonderful job too, you stopped burning and then you simply slept for ages. Would you like water on your head as well my Lady?"
Nodding Rin repressed the urge to correct her again.
Yakio poured the warm water over her head and continued on. "The entire house was in an uproar too. We all wondered who you could be and why he would care to bring you here at all being a well…" She paused and laughed nervously "But then Jaken-sama told us that you were once the young human girl that Lord Sesshomaru took in all those years ago. You have grown up quite a bit now; you are quite lovely for a human."
"Thank you." Rin said smiling at the very talkative demon.
"Well I will leave you to your bath my lady." And with that, she left the room leaving Rin to ponder her words in private.
Rin looked beyond her bath to the room. It was lovely, she was unaccustomed to such richness. It was indeed a palace. She noted the many doors of the room and wondered where they all led to. The screen that shielded her from most of the room was painted with a scene of several ladies stood on a hill watching as the sun set below an orchard of fruit trees. They all appeared to be demons with markings and ears that pointed. Beyond she noted the low tabled, the many cushions for sitting, all well made too.
Rin closed her eyes and leaned back into the water and simply reveled in the warmth of it. She wondered how she had ever thought that her quiet pool in the forest could be considered a bath when she had never tried this method.
After what felt like not nearly long enough in the hot water, Yakio was back. "My Lady I have prepared your kimono." Rim smiled to herself and wondered how it must look after her abuse of it during her journey, still she couldn't very well walk about naked.
What she saw laid out on the mat was not her old Kimono at all, before her was the most beautiful kimono she had ever seen. It was a deep blue at the base lightening to a pale almost white blue at the neck. Delicate flowers of pink and white cascading from the left shoulder down to the hemline where they spread out as though cast loose in the wind. The under layer was a blush pink and looked like gossamer. Rin was stunned by its rich beauty and could barely bring herself to touch it.
"Is something wrong My Lady?" asked Yakio, concern on her face.
"Its not my Kimono." She finally managed to say as her fingers moved of their own free will to run over the beautiful needle work of the flowers.
"The one that you had on when the Lord brought you in was beyond repair. He had this ordered for you instead, there are more if you would rather use another." Yakio said turning to indicate a large armoire that stood against the wall.
There are more? Rin thought, but didn't want to ask for fear she would seem ungrateful so she smiled. "No this is beautiful, thank you."
It was a real formal Kimono. One a Hime would ware not a no one like her. The Obi was at least six feet long and a bright red with delicate needlework of coy fish.
"Is there something wrong lady?"
"I do not think I could put this on myself" Rin said feeling ashamed.
Yakio beamed at her, looking like she was trying not to laugh outright "My Lady I would not expect you too"
Rin laughed too. "I am sorry but I am not used to such finery"
Yakio tutted again shaking her head "You worry far to much little human, even a woman of noble birth would require assistance."
When Yakio finished getting her dressed Rin looked into the mirror and was amazed at what she saw. Could that really be the girl she knew? Instead of the simply peasant girl she saw a princess.
"Sesshomaru-sama would like you to spend as much time as you are able regaining your strength, and suggested that the gardens would be to your liking." Yakio said as she slid open the door reviling a beautiful garden.
Rin couldn't help the small squeal of happiness that escaped her when she saw such a beautiful garden and right outside her door too!
..0..
Watching Rin gather flowers was something that Sesshomaru had done before, as a child she was constantly gathering flowers but this was much different from the child that he once knew. The new kimono was stunning on her, as he knew it would be, he was still unprepared for the effect that she had on him.
It was easy to observe her from his study window without her knowing it. Spying was something that he was not proud of, but could not bring himself to be near her yet. The wild and purely wicked thoughts that had come to him when he was last near her made him unsure of himself. And for Sesshomaru being unsure was NOT acceptable.
So first he tested himself with simply observing her, noting her beauty and elegance, admiring her lovely hair as it fell loosely around her slender waist. Watching as she delicately lifts the hem of her Kimono to step over a row of well groomed flowers, noting her small and delicate ankles and tiny bare feet up to the slight curve of her calf.
Damn!
Looking away from her entrancing form he looked at the paper in his hand with feined interest. It was bad enough to have her in his home and therefore at his mercy but for her to be so enticing was almost unbearable. But he was a demon lord, one that had always prided himself on self-control and had sworn that he would not follow his father. He turned angrily aside from the window.
"Jaken!" he yelled, waiting impatiently for his servant to come running.
"Y…Yes Sesshomaru-sama!" Jaken stuttered upon entering the study.
"How is Rin doing?"
"She still feels weak but is otherwise well my lord." Jaken didn't raise, his head simply continued to stare at the floor, his Lord's bad mood had increased with Rin's arrival. Jaken had not discovered why because he had been cursed at, LOUDLY in fact, when he asked if she was the reason for his anger.
Jaken had to conclude that it must be his fault in some way.
"Let the servants and the guards know that she is free to go where she will. She is my guest."
"Yes milord!"
"Tell Yakio I want all of her needs met swiftly"
Jaken nodded. "Would my Lord care to go over the requests that have been sent to you?"
Sesshomaru sighed inwardly, no he did not. He was however the lord of these lands and it was his duty. "Continue" he said.
"Yes Lord Sesshomaru!" Jaken nodded "The InuYokai of the northern provence have sent another proposed alliance."
"I have no interest in an alliance"
"Yes lord." Jaken scraped his quill against the parchment. "There is a rumor of a wandering band of Kitsune is your lands"
Sesshomaru pinched the bridge of his nose. He hated this part of his duty, the mundane. He wanted to walk with Rin in the gardens. "Are they causing any problems?"
Jaken shuffled through some leaves of parchment. "Um, no lord they seem to be tricking the human villages"
"Hn.." Sesshomaru only half heard the words as he watched her again.
Jaken waited, his lord was clearly distracted "I will inform milord if they start to cause problems" Jaken said glancing out to the garden. Ah, Rin… "She has asked after you several times now my Lord." Not really true. He had yet to talk to the girl but Jaken had said it in a hope to amend whatever it was he had done to make Sesshomaru angry.
After several minutes of silence Jaken dared to look up and saw that Sesshomaru was again looking out the window. "Tell Rin that I will join her for an evening walk." With a slight glare at him Jaken knew that he was dismissed and nearly ran from the room. Happy at the outcome, Jaken hurried toward her room, the mention of an evening walk seemed to cheer his Lord.
..0..
In no time at all she had an armful of flowers and was feeling more tired than she cared to admit. The simple task of collecting the blossoms was very tiring and soon she was sitting down by the small pond that had an abundance of lilies.
Rin watched as the fish darted this way and that under the water and wondered where Sesshomaru was and if he would see her before she was told she was well enough to leave. She worried that perhaps she had angered him. No one had said so but his appearance in her room, with his short words, had her upset. Perhaps she in some way angered him greatly? She suddenly wanted to cry and soon found that a single tear had fallen down her cheek. With a sigh she stood and turned to her room.
Yakio, who had been following her this entire time, came to her side.
"Are you quite well Lady?"
"I am simply tired. I did not know how weak the sickness had left me"
Offering an arm the kind lizard helped her back to her room.
"I will get lunch for you" she said as she left the room.
When Jaken was admitted into her room later Rin gave him a large smile and ran to hug him.
Some things never change.
"Jaken-sama! It has been so long since I have seen you"
"Rin!" He yelled at her, causing her to back up.
"I'm sorry but I did miss you. Where is Ah-Un?"
"He is in the stable. But Rin I didn't come here to talk about Ah-Un."
Rin felt a flash of panic, was he going to tell her to leave because she was better now?
"Lord Sesshomaru will join you for a walk this evening so make sure you are ready and presentable!"
Rin smiled. A walk would be wonderful. She would have to dress in the most beautiful kimono she could find.
"You still smile too much stupid girl!" Jaken said
"And you are still small. While I am now much taller than you"
Jaken hrumfed and turned to leave. "Just make sure you are ready Rin." He dodged around Yakio and pattered down the long hall.
After bowing to him Yakio looked at Rin confused "What did Lord Jaken require?"
"He came to tell me that Lord Sesshomaru will come for an evening walk with me!"
"That IS exsiting and so odd too!"
"Odd, Why?"
"Lord Sesshomaru does not walk in the garden often"
Rin felt a sudden wave of panic. Why was he doing this for her then? Perhaps he did care for her? She grinned widely "I will need to make sure I look presentable!"
Yakio only smiled as she set the tray down. "You look fine"
"Shouldn't I at least do up my hair?"
"Do you usually wear it up?"
Rin blinked for several moments "Well, no I really never have"
"Then why start now?"
Rin laughed lightly and shrugged "To make a good impression?"
To this the lizard laughed loudly "Kami above child! He brought you here passed out and wearing dirty and ripped cloths, your hair a mess and wounded"
Rins heart sank "But I…"
Yakio tutted around her making her sit and pulling the table that held her lunch closer. "He knew you before as a child too! Making an "Impression" was done long ago. Do not worry so much, now eat!" She commanded.
Rin nodded and obeyed.
As evening drew near Rin felt her heart speed up with the thought of her upcoming walk. She had hurried through her dinner and then regretted it as her stomach threatened her with nerves. But she managed to calm herself with thinking about ANY thing else she could as she knelt by the door to the garden and awaited Sesshomaru.
She had changed into another Kimono; this one was just as beautiful as the last with a dark purple color overlaid with a flock of cranes. For some reason she felt in many ways more worthy of him in such elegant cloths rather than as a peasant girl in rags.
As the sun began to sink lower she began to worry that perhaps he had changed his mind. But then she saw his pale figure coming towards her across the lawn. He still wore the white kimono with the red crest though he lacked his armor, his long white fur still sat on his shoulder.
As he drew near she felt suddenly shy seeing him again and in his own home too. Putting her hands in front of her, she bowed to him in the most elegant manner she could. "Sesshomaru-sama, thank you for your care and for allowing me to stay in your home."
***End***