Chapter 2
"Master Jaken? I'm hungry." Rin complained. Her stomach began to growl loudly as to prove she was truly hungry. "Well go and get something then. There's a river over there." He answered with announce. Rin smiled and she jumped up and ran to the edge of the river. She waded in till the water came up to her thighs. She stood still and waited till a little fish swam by her feet. She reached down and caught it. "I caught one!" She squealed with delight. She ran back to Jaken and he started a fire and cooked it for her. She ate it happily. Rin lay back against the tree and watched a string of ants marching towards the fish bones and picked at it. She quickly became bored with this. "Jaken I'm bored!" She complained again. "Go play in the river!" He said annoyed.
She smiled and ran back to the river. Three hours passed when Jaken noticed Rin was nowhere in sight and the sun was starting to set. "Rin, where are you?" He shouted as he walked towards the river. "Rin" He shouted again.
"Jaken!" Sesshomaru announced when he landed behind him. "Oh Sesshomaru-sama!" Jaken shrieked in fear, and began trembling in fear. "Where is Rin?" Sesshomaru asked with a cold glare. His eyes promised death if Rin was not found soon. "Oh Sama it seems she had wandered off." He answered trembling in fear. One second Jaken was standing then the next he was on the ground with wilts and bruises on his face.
Sesshomaru followed her scent and stepped on the imp as he went to follow the scent. He found her in a field of white tiger lilies. Rin was singing as she picked the flowers and held them in her little arms. "Rin come!" Sesshomaru demanded with a deep voice with a hint of relief hidden in his tone. "Oh Sesshomaru-sama you're back." She squealed happily and ran up to him with lilies still in her hands. "Rin why did you wander off on your own?" He asked with disapproval. "I'm sorry, I was playing in the river and I saw a rabbit so I followed it. And then I found these beautiful flowers." She answered with innocent frown. "Where was Jaken?" He asked. "He fell asleep as I was playing." She answered innocently.
"Come we are leaving." He turned and led the way back to where he left a beaten up Jaken. He placed Rin on Uh-Un and led the two headed dragon. "Come Jaken we are leaving" He ordered as he stepped on the imp as he walked away. "Yes mi lord." He answered with a frog like sound to his voice.
"Where are we going Sesshomaru-sama?" Jaken asked once he recovered from his punishment. "We are looking for a sensei for Rin." He answered. "Is Rin staying with the sensei?" Rin asked in a small voice as she was frightened he was going to leave her. "No, Rin is to stay with me." He answered. He heard her little sigh of relief. "The sensei will be sent to my palace in the west where we are going." He added. "Is Rin to live with Sesshomaru-sama?" Jaken asked. "Yes she will be living there till she is of age to marry." Sesshomaru answered.
"Why does Rin need a sensei?" She asked in a third person. "You need education." He answered. Rin nodded but she still couldn't understand. They continued walking for hours and Rin fell asleep as she rode Au-Un. Sesshomaru continued throughout the night. By morning they were near a village. Sesshomaru sent Jaken out to retrieve breakfast for Rin, before she awoken.
Rin woke up with a yawn and stretching her small arms. "I will be back later with a sensei." Sesshomaru announced and started towards the village. "Rin do not wonder off. Jaken will be back shortly with food for you." He added. Rin frowned at his demand. She knew he was still mad at her for wondering off earlier. Jaken came back three minutes after Sesshomaru left.
Sesshomaru walked through the village till he came across a scholar studying some scrolls. "You scholar, I am in need of a sensei for my soon to be musume." Sesshomaru announced in deferent. "You are a youkai-sama are you not?" the old man asked in a voice full of wisdom and interest. "Yes I am Sesshomaru-sama of the west and Ouji of the Inu-youkai." He answered his face held his normal cold expression. "Why would a great youkai-sama like yourself would want a human scholar like myself to be sensei to an inu-youkai child?" He asked curiously. "She is no youkai, she is a human child." Sesshomaru answered. "Ah, how old is the child in questioned?" The scholar asked without concern for why a demon lord is doing with a human girl. "She is a little over six." Sesshomaru answered.
The scholar thought for a minute studying the great demon lord. Sesshomaru looked cold and emotionless as he stood there waiting for his answer.
"I will pay you and provide you a place to live while you tutor her." Sesshomaru added.
"What is her name?" He asked.
"Rin."
"Has she had any education?"
"No. Her family was killed by bandits, and the village she lived in treated her unkindly. I resurrected her after a wolf attack on the said village. She has followed me since. She has mistrust in her own kind. That is why she needs a human scholar. Will you take up my offer?" Sesshomaru explained.
"Yes I will take up your offer. Give me a few days to gather the things I will need." He answered.
"Very well. I will send for you to come to my palace. What is your name scholar?
"Yokou." He answered.
"Very well. I will take my leave."
Sesshomaru turned and walked out the door. "Sesshomaru-sama!" Rin squealed with delight when she saw him walk towards them. "We are done here." He announced and led them the opposite direction of the village. Rin followed closely behind Sesshomaru. Jaken led the two headed dragon behind them. "Now where are we going?" Rin asked. "To find a seamstress for you." He answered. "Why?" She asked innocently. "To create new clothes for you since you are growing fast. You have already grown out of the one you wear now." He answered. "Oh!" She answered and smiled at the thought of having new clothes.
They walked for a few miles when Sesshomaru noticed Rin dragging her feet and falling behind. He stopped and turned to her. He picked her up and placed her on the dragon. Rin yawned and laid her head down against the saddle and drifted asleep. They traveled for miles. The sun began to rise when Rin opened her eyes. She sat up and yawned with a little stretch. Sesshomaru stopped his walking when he heard her stomach growl. "Jaken fetch Rin some food." He ordered the imp. "Yes o'sama" He jumped up and ran the opposite direction.
Sesshomaru let Rin down from Ah-Un. He placed her down on the ground. "Sesshomaru-sama? Why did I need new clothes? Why can't I just get one from a market?" She asked turning her head to the right as she looked up at him. "Rin how would you like to be my musume?" He asked. "Really? You want me as a musume?" She asked with bright eyes. "Yes, I have already prepared the arrangements to announce you as my musume and o'hime of the west. You can call me outosan or continue to call me Sesshomaru-sama Icare either way." He answered. "Sesshomaru-outosan-sama thank you!" She jumped with joy and ran up to him and hugged his leg. 'Rin I love you!' He thought but he didn't know how to say the words yet. He adored her. He loved to watch her play and pick flowers. He would catch himself watching her sleep, studying her features, and wonder what her child mind would dream about. The way she always smiled when he saw her. He hated to admit that her smile always made him feel warm inside his cold heart. He could never admit how he thought she was adorable when she played and laughed or sing to herself as they traveled. He had actually caught himself smile when she sang.
"Rin, I am searching for a human nurse maid so you can learn human manners and learn to trust your own kind. There is nothing to fear as long as I protect you." He explained. Rin looked up at him fear written on her face. "It's okay Rin. You have nothing to fear." He assured her. She smiled and nodded. Jaken returned with a few fish. He set up a fire and cooked them. Rin ate happily. After Rin's breakfast they continued till they came across a village.
Sesshomaru found an elderly woman to be Rin's nurse maid and explained Rin to her. He told her he will send for her in a week's time. Then they traveled west towards his home. Sesshomaru decided they could rest for a night so that Jaken could rest. Rin fell asleep next to Sesshomaru's fur. "Jaken I have decided to return home for awhile just till Rin is old enough to be married off. I have made preparations to adopt Rin. She will become my musume and o'hime of the west. I would like for you to deliver invites to my palace for the announcement. Once we return to the palace I will give you the invites. Is that clear?" Sesshomaru explained. "Yes o'sama." Jaken answered.
The next day they continued towards the palace. By midday they arrived to the palace. Sesshomaru was greeted by Mai at the entrance into the palace. Rin hid behind Sesshomaru's leg shyly "It is alright Rin. No one will dare to harm you in fear of instant death." He assured her. "This is Mai; she is head of the servants and my personal servant." He said as he put his new left hand on her shoulder. Rin fisted her hand in his pant leg. "Hello O'hime. Welcome home." Mai greeted with a bow in a sweet voice. "Uhh, hi." Rin said in a small voice. Sesshomaru walked by Mai, with Rin still attached to his pant leg as they entered the palace.
Rin looked up and around the great hall. She made a little gasp at the size of the room. He paused so she could study the large space. He walked up the stairs and led her up the northern staircase. He stopped at a screen door. Mai slid the doors apart and moved to the side to let them in. "Rin this is your chambers." He said as he lightly pulled her hand free from his pant leg. Rin let go and let him pull her from behind his leg. Her eyes grew wide and surprised by all the toys and cushions all over the sitting room. There was a table on the right with a black silk cushion on the floor up against the wall it had many pillows on the back of it. She gasped in amazement at the sight of the walls. There in the left corner was another floor cushion that held a few china dolls. She let go of his hand and walked over to the dolls. She picked one up and studied it. The face held a beautiful small smile, with soft brown eyes, and a soft pointed chin. It had long black hair mad from horse hair. The doll wore a beautiful pink kimono. The kimono was decorated with butterflies, and made of silk. "Is all this for me?" She asked as she turned to look at the great dog demon prince. "Yes." He answered hiding a smile that threatened to cross his face.
She turned back to the dolls. She hugged the doll she held and held it tight in her arms and carried it around to see the other toys. She pulled up a small stuffed cat. It was made of a soft fabric. She carried it in her other arm. She found another china doll that looked to resemble a baby, and another one that looked to be a young child. Sesshomaru watched with contentment. Mai glanced up at the great dog demon prince who was known for his cold heart and kills without a second thought or glance. She noticed a peaceful look on his beautiful features, and a small hint of a smile as he watched the little girl look at her toys. She smiled ear to ear as she studied each doll or stuffed animal while carrying the two toys in her arms.
Sesshomaru came closer to her "Does Rin approve?" He asked in his normal cold voice. "Yes, Rin loves it. Thank you Sesshomaru-outosan-sama." She answered. Then she hugged his leg while she held the toys. "I am pleased." He replied. "Come there is more." He said as he walked to the screen double doors that led to the sleeping chamber. The door had a Sekure tree painted on each screen when closed it is one tree.
Mai pulled the doors apart and revealed a large bed that was close to the floor but sill up off the floor. Rin's eyes grew wide as she took the sight in. The bed spread was a light pink silk. There were flowers and flower petals embroidered along the whole bed. At the top had many deferent colored silk pillows. There were three dolls and four stuffed animals. She ran up to the bed and tried to climb but the toys in her arms wouldn't let her. She looked down at each of them. She sighed and placed them gently on the floor. She climbed up on the bed and crawled up to the top. She sat on her knees and picked up a doll. The doll held a chubby face of a young child. The arms were movable as well the legs. It had short black hair and painted face. It wore a soft fabric simple kimono. She sat it down and picked up another one. This one was made of a soft fabric just the same as the stuffed animals. It wore the same kimono as she. The hair made of black horse hair, face was embroidered and Rin loved it. She squeezed it tightly against her chest.
"Rin come there is more to show you." Sesshomaru commanded. Rin looked at him her smile faded. She placed the toys down gently and crawled off the bed so to follow him. Sesshomaru led her out of the nursery and turned to the right. He led her towards the master's chambers. Mai opened the doors and bowed her head as he led Rin in. "This is my chambers. If you need me you may enter at anytime." He explained.
Mai instantly looked up at her lord and stared at the back of him with wide eyes full of shock. She couldn't believe what he had just said. Mai cast her head down when she saw him turn her way. "Yes, Sesshomaru-sama" Rin answered as she smiled. He turned and walked out of his chambers with Rin at his heels and Mai not far behind them. She closed the door and followed them. Rin grew closer to his leg and grabbed to his pant leg in a death grip. Sesshomaru stepped down the stairs and down the main stair case. He turned to the left towards the study. Mai stepped around them so to open the door. Sesshomaru led Rin in, which he really didn't lead her in since she was clinging to his right leg.
Zokai stood in the left hand corner. 'This must be the ningen Sesshomaru is talking about.' He thought as he stared at the small human girl child cling to his cousin's right leg. 'She's much attached to him literally! My itouko the ruthless daiyokai of the west, who kills without a second thought, has a child clinging to the leg of the most feared inu daiyokai in all the land. A human child at that!' He amused as he watched his cousin walk in the room and stop in front of him. Mai stood in the doorway waiting for her master to dismiss her.
Rin clung tighter to Sesshomaru's leg as she saw the inu-youkai the stood watching her. "Rin this is my itouko and advisor, Zokai. Zokai this is my ward, Rin." Sesshomaru introduced. Zokai stepped closer and knelt down to Rin's level. Rin hid her face behind Sesshomaru's pant leg shyly. "Hello Rin. It is nice to meet you. I have a daughter around your age. If you like, I can bring her with me so you two can play together?" He said in a soft but masculine voice. She turned to face him slowly to look at him. He gave her a warm smile and she smiled back. Rin gave him a nod. "Good, I will bring her over next week. Is that alright with you itouko-Ouji-Sama?" Zokai asked as he looked up away from the child and looked up at his cousin. "Yes that will be acceptable." Sesshomaru answered. Zokai looked back at Rin and smiled. She smiled back shyly. Zokai rose from the floor and stood up straight.
Sesshomaru nodded at his cousin in approval and turned away so to leave the study and enter the hall. He showed Rin the rest of the palace and ended the tour at the door way to the gardens. "Rin you may go in any room in the palace except for the war room, servants quarters nor the kitchen. You are O'hime of the palace and have no need to be in those areas. If you disobey you will be punished by me." He explained with a stern voice. "Yes Sesshomaru-otosama I will be a good girl." Rin answered with a determined look in her eye. "Mai are all the servants assembled?" He asked. "Yes Ouji-Sama they are assembled in the great hall." She answered with a half bow. "Very well." He answered and turned to go back in the great hall. There in the hall were hundreds of dog demons all on their knees on the floor. Each and single one had the same silver hair, gold eyes, pointed ears, fangs, and claws. They didn't have the purple stripes on their cheeks like Sesshomaru and Zokai, since they are low ranking dog demons and are servants to the dog demon lord of the west and their prince.
"Rin these are the servants of the palace. They have orders to cater to your every need on the pain of death if they disobey. If any of you harm her in anyway, you will suffer the consequences." He explained. Rin nodded and gripped his pant leg tighter in her fist. He could swear she would rip a hole in them. "Mai bring forth the human servants I have summoned." He ordered. Mai bowed and called forth five humans.
Mai returned back to the main hall with four humans following her. They stopped when Mai stopped and bowed down in front of her master. The four humans fell to their knees at the dog demon lord's feet. "Rin these four will be taking care of your needs. Cinei will be your nurse maid. She will show you human manners and human ways. Cinei will take you out on outings to the human village that resides at the base of the mountain. You need to learn to trust your own kind" He explained. Cinei was an old woman with gray hair that piled up on the top of her head and pinned into a bun. She was short and frail looking.
Rin looked up at Sesshomaru with wide eyes and a serious look to her face. She nodded. "Yuri will be your seamstress. She will custom make each of your kimonos. She also will wash and mend your clothing. She has three children your age that you may play with and interact with children your own kind. Rin you need to interact more with humans so you may regain trust in them. They will not harm you." Sesshomaru added. Rin swallowed a gulp down her throat as she nodded. Yuri was a middle aged woman. Her dark hair showing some gray, but her face still had a youthful look in them. Yuri is a war widow. She felt this was a miracle that someone is offering her and her three children shelter, food, work, and pay. Yuri thanked Sesshomaru over and over again when he came to her and offered her the job. He added that her and her children will be under the protection of the Inu Youkai Royal Guard.
"This is your sensei. Sensei Yokou will start your lessons in a week's time." Sesshomaru introduced Yoko and the last person was a young woman who will assist the nurse maid in Rin's food preparations. The young woman and the elderly nurse maid were related. The young woman was her granddaughter.
"Zara." Sesshomaru called forth a young female dog demon. "Yes Ouji-Sama?" She answered and she fell to the floor to bow down at the feet of her master. "Zara will be your hand maid. She will dress you, bathe you, and bring you your meals." He stated. Rin looked at the beautiful dog demon that was on her knees on the floor at the feet of Sesshomaru.
"Yokou, Zara, Cinei, and Mai. The rest of you are dismissed." He ordered. The demon servants all raised and went back to their post. The two human servants went to their post as well. "Yoko I would like to speak to you in my study. I will be there shortly." He demanded. Yoko bowed and went to the study.
Sesshomaru turned and led them towards the gardens. Rin of course still attached to his pant leg. It was almost nearly dusk when they walked out to the porch to where one of many gardens was laid out. This was the quart yard. The quart yard was two yards wide in a perfect square which rested closest to the nursery. Rin noticed a few screen doors that led in and out of the palace. She let go of his pant leg and went running down the stairs and onto the graveled pathway. There were four pathways all leading down to the bridge and a koi pond was the center of the quart yard. Rin ran up the bridge and squatted down so she could look down at the koi pond. There were five koi fish swimming around. Two were orange and black spotted. One had black and white spots. The last two were a mixture of all three colors. "Ooh pretty!" Rin clapped with joy at the sight of the fish as they swam in her view. She sat fully down on the bridge and dangled her legs over the bridge's edge, swinging them back and forth over the water.
"Cinei I would like for you to take her down to the human village every week so to show her not all humans are violent. She has been through a lot and she has lost trust in her own kind. Her family was murdered by bandits and the village she resided after the death of her family treated her cruelly and she has gain trust in demons since then. She had an opportunity to live among her own but she refused and continued to follow." He explained. "If I may, how was it she started following you in the first place?" Cinei asked. "She found me in the forest near her village, I was injured and she tried to aid me. When I fully recovered I left but the scent of her blood caught my senses and found her lying dead after a wolf attack. I revived her and she has followed me since." He answered. "I ask you not to be cross with her and do not force her into doing something she does not want to do. She is very afraid of humans and I fear if you become cross with her it will aid to that fear. If she has done something wrong, come to me and I will deal with her punishment. If I hear any complaint from Rin, if I hear if any of you are cruel to her, you will be replaced and will be severely punished. Is that clear?" He stated. "Yes Ouji-Sama." They replied and bowed their heads. "I will do my best to help the young girl gain trust in humans." Cinei answered. "I plan on finding her a suitable outosan when she is of age. She will marry a human noble." He stated as he watched Rin swing her feet over the koi pond. 'So he does not plan on marrying her. That is a relief.' The old nurse maid thought.
Sesshomaru watched Rin explore the rest of the quart yard and he noticed how dirty the child was. Her face had a layer of dirt smudges on her cheeks and neck. Her sun kissed skin had dirt smeared all over her small chubby limbs. He noticed her hands were very dirty with dirt caked under her nails. He watched as she sat and dangled her lanky but still chubby legs swing them over the water. Each one swinging the opposite direction from each other. Her feet were near black at the bottoms of her feet. "Zara, bathe her before dinner is served. Let her play for a few more minutes before hand." He ordered.
"Rin" Sesshomaru called when the sun was just starting to set in the west. Rin looked up from where she was watching a caterpillar crawl along the pathway. "Come." He ordered. Rin frowned at his command and walked back to him slowly and reluctantly. "You will play out here in the morning." He replied after he noticed her disappointed face. Rin smiled largely and picked up her pace. "Zara is going to take to get cleaned up before the evening meal." He said Rin nodded as her smile faded. They followed Sesshomaru back inside.
"Come o'hime" Zara bowed and turned to lead her to the right and up the grand staircase. She led her to the nursery and into the bed chambers. On the left side of the bed chambers was a screen door that led to the bath house. Rin followed the minuteman servant into the room. Inside set a small pool. The room smelt of cherry blossoms and jasmine. Zara began undressing the human girl child. Rin stepped into the warm water. The water came up to her knees. Rin sat down in the water and let Zara bathe her. Zara poured some scented soap onto Rin's hair and lathered it up. Once she thoroughly cleaned her hair she rinsed the hair with a pal that she deeper it into the water and rinsed thoroughly. Rin watched Zara get a rag and lathered it with soap and began scrubbing Rin down.
Rin shivered in fear when she saw Zara grab a sponge like object. "It won't hurt o'hime I promise. You want to touch it before I use it?" Zara said when she noticed Rin cowering away. Rin nodded. Zara handed her the yellow sponge. Rin squeezed it and giggled. She handed it back to Zara with a small smile. Zara smiled back and began soaping it up and began scrubbing Rin's hands. After both hands were clean she pulled Rin's ankle up and began scrubbing from her shin down to her ankles. Rin laughed and giggled when Zara began scrubbing the bottom of her foot. Zara giggled too at Rin's delightful laugh.
Zara finished scrubbing the child clean and motioned for her to stand up. Rin stood up and Zara wrapped a cotton towel around her and helped her step out of the tub. Zara rubbed her down to dry her off. She towel dried her hair and dressed her into her youkata and stockings. Zara turned Rin around and sat her down on a stool so she could do her hair. Zara combed the dark hair with her slender fingers first so to get some of the snarls out before she combed it. She ran the comb gently as possible through the thick black hair. Rin cringed every so often when Zara brushed tender areas of her head. Zara finally finished combing and braided part of it on her right side and placed a hair pin to hold in place. The pin had a small blue and green dragonfly.
Her kimono was a bluish green with dragonflies on it, matching the jeweled dragonfly hair comb. "Very beautiful young o'hime" Zara smiled up, at the child "Would you like to see?" She asked. Rin nodded with excitement. Zara handed her a hand mirror. Rin stared back and was amazed at the image of the young lady looking back. She looked as if of royalty and sophistication. She no longer resembled the dirt smudged face orphan she once was.
Rin looked up at Zara and smiled with appreciation. "Come, Ouji-Sama is waiting in the dining hall." She explained as she led her out of the nursery. Zara led Rin down the grand staircase and turned to the left towards the dining hall. Mai greeted them and gave Rin a polite smile as she opened the doors for her. Zara led Rin all the way to sit on Sesshomaru's left. Rin saw him sitting at the end of the table with Zokai sitting next to him on his right. "Sesshomaru-outosan" Rin ran towards him with a smiling face. "Rin do not run." He scolded.
Rin pause and began walking. Mai and Zara followed close behind her. Zara pulled the straight back chair so that Rin could sit. A servant placed a plate of rice, vegetables, and pork meat lay across the rice. Rin picked up her chopsticks and began to eat. Zara poured tea in a cup for her.
"Opps" Rin whispered when she dropped a few pieces of rice on the table and in her lap. She looked up at Sesshomaru a bit embarrassed and upset that she kept making a mess after she spilt some of her tea on the table when she banged it on the edge so to bring it down to her mouth. "It is alright Rin. Zara will take care of it." He said with patience in her developing manners. He knew it would take awhile for her to develop her proper manners and how to be a proper young lady. He understood she was still a very young child and her motor skills where still undeveloped.
Zara cleaned Rin's mess up and gave her a reassuring smile. Rin smiled shyly. She was new to the ways of a proper young lady. Sesshomaru continued with their meal and watching her from the corner of his eye, and he noticed how determined she looked as she did her best not to drop her food and make anymore messes. She looked smaller sitting at the large table. She could barely reach her plate or cup. "Mai find something to help sit Rin up higher so she can reach better." He ordered as Rin looked up at him in surprise. "Yes Ouji-Sama." Mai bowed and went to find something. Zokai looked at his cousin and then back at the little girl who was staring up at the dog demon prince.
Mai returned with a wooden box. Zara pulled Rin's chair so she could stand up. Rin stood up and watched Mai set a box on the chair. Zara lifted her up and placed her on the chair, and pushed it back in place. Rin felt taller and more confident now that she could reach and see over her plate. She looked up at Sesshomaru who looked satisfied. "Thank you!" She said with a shy smile. She finished her dinner without incident.
Zara led Rin back to the nursery so to let Rin play with her new toys. Once back in the nursery Rin picked up a baby doll and pretended to be its mother and began to sing to it. Zara went into the bed chambers and prepared the bed for Rin. She walked out of the bed chambers and found Rin rocking the doll in her arms as she sang to it. "O'hime your bed is ready." Zara announced as she bowed her head. Rin stopped what she was doing to look up at her hand maid. "But I don't want to sleep yet." Rin whined a bit. "It's fine ouji-sama told me to put you to bed in an hour. I was just preparing your bed." Zara answered. Rin looked relieved and turned back to her playing. A few minutes passed when Rin looked up at the beautiful young dog demon. "How old are you?" Rin asked innocently. "I am three hundred years of age" she answered. "Wow, but you look so beautiful and young?" Rin said in amazement. "Youkai age differently than humans." Zara explain. "Oh like what master Jaken said." Rin smiled in understanding. Rin returned back to playing. She paused again "Will you play with me?" Rin asked. Zara nodded and sat down next to her and played with her.
"O'hime I'm sorry but it is time to prepare for bed." Zara announced twenty minutes later. Rin nodded with a disappointed look on her face. Zara untied Rin's kimono and unbraided her hair. After her hair was combed through Zara went in the bed chamber and rolled down the covers to prepare Rin for bed. She helped Rin into bed and tucked her in for the night. "Goodnight Rin O'hime." Zara bowed. She pulled the sojo screen open and was surprised to see Sesshomaru standing there. "Ouji-Sama" She gasped and fell to her knees to bow to his feet.
"Rin I fair you good night." Sesshomaru stated as he walked further in growing closer to Rin. "Good night Sesshomaru-outosan-sama." Rin replied with a smile as she squeezed the cloth doll. Sesshomaru turned on his heel and left just as silently as he came.
Zara shut the door behind him and went to turn down the lamps. "If you need me I'll be in the next room." Zara said as she left the bed chamber. Rin turned to her side and cradled the doll in her arms. Soon she fell asleep. Zara checked on her after a few minutes so to report to Sesshomaru.
Sesshomaru waited patiently while his man servant removed his armor and help change for the night. "Ouji-sama?" Mai spoke from outside the sojo. "What is it Mai?" he answered. "Zara, Cinei, and Yokou are here as you requested." She answered. "Very well." He replied. Once fully changed he motioned for the sojo to be opened. The four servants outside the door fell to their knees at his presents. Sesshomaru walked over to a table where he had a piece of paper sitting there. "This is her schedule. If she gives you any issues with these demands report it to me and I will take care of it. Is that understood?" He demanded as he handed the paper to Mai so to hand it over to Cinei. "Yes Ouji-sama." They answered. "You are dismissed." He said as he went to his bed chambers.
"Sesshomaru-outosan!" Rin moaned in her fitful sleep. "Sesshomaru-sama!" she cried out with tears in her eyes as she sat straight up. She looked around for him but was confused on where she was and became scared. "Sesshomaru-sama!" Rin cried out loudly. Zara came running in turning up the lamp. "O'hime , what is it?" she asked shocked at her outburst. Rin climbed down off the bed and ran past her into the nursery and straight out to the hall. Rin looked around and then ran towards the two large doors that led to the master suite. She tried pulling the heavy doors open put failed. "Sesshomaru-sama!" She cried out his name again. Sesshomaru opened the doors to find a very frightened Rin standing there in front of him with tears running down her face and her cloth doll clutched tightly under her arm. "Rin!" Sesshomaru called out in a calming voice as he stared down at the very frightened girl. "O'hime?" Zara called out as she came closer. "I'm sorry Ouji-sama. She woke with hysteria and ran out of the nursery." She explained as she went down to her knees and bow down at his feet. Sesshomaru bent down on one knee to be at Rin's eye level. He placed both hands on her shoulders. Rin sniffled and hiccupped in her effort to calm down. "Rin what is the matter?
He asked in his usual tone. "I-I- w-was dreaming that the wolves were chasing me…a-and…I-I…couldn't find you." She answered around her hiccupping. "Rin you are safe. The wolves won't hurt you. I will not let any harm come to you. Know this when you are with me no one would dare to hurt you in fear of death." He assured her. She sniffled and nodded. She wiped her face clean with her sleeve, "Come let's put you back to bed." He said once the child was calm again. "Can I sleep here with you?" She asked with pleading wide eyes. Her childish face had him give into her. "If you feel safe here then yes." He answered Rin smiled happily.
Sesshomaru nodded for Zara to be dismissed as he led Rin into his chambers. The doors were shut by the guard. Sesshomaru lifted Rin onto the bed and climbed in after her. He rested up against the head board while Rin cuddled up with his fur and fell fast asleep. He brushed her soft brown hair back off her face and gently ran his fingers through it combing her hair as she slept. He noticed the goose bumps that were forming on her chubby legs and he covered her with a blanket. She let out a little snore, and her nose moved like a rabbits nose would twitch.
Once he knew she was in a deep sleep he pulled her right hand into his to play with while she slept. He studied the hand which held little dimples along each knuckle. Her fingers still held the chubbiness of a toddlers, but yet thinning out as she slowly matures. He knew they would grow out into beautiful elegant fingers of a lady. He knew when she becomes a woman she will grow into a beautiful woman, but for now she will be his cute little girl. The thought of her growing worried him. He wanted to keep her this age forever, but she will grow up to marry and have a family and then grow old and die. The thought of her dying made a growl grow in his throat 'No I will find away to extend her life and slow her growth.' He thought as the sun started to rise and daylight started to shine into the room.
Sesshomaru got out of bed and gently lifted the still sleeping girl in his arms. He carried her back to her room. He placed her gently in her bed and covered hr up before he left. He kissed the top of her head before leaving her. Rin rolled to her side and made a little cooing sound as she snuggled the doll.
Rin woke hours later when the room became brighter. "Good morning O'hime. How do you fair this morning?" Cinei asked with her head bowed. "How did I get back here?" Rin asked confused. "What do you mean?" Cinei asked. "I was with Sesshomaru-outosan asleep in his bed." Rin answered confused and upset. "O'hime that is improper to sleep with your guardian who is not your outosan." She explained in disgust. 'What does this inu youkai want with a human child.' She thought to herself. "He is too my outosan!" Rin yelled. "You are human and he is a youkai so there for he cannot be your outosan." The old woman said crossly. Zara came in when she heard Rin fighting with the old human woman. "What is the matter?" Zara asked calmly. "She said Sesshomaru-outosan-sama can't be my outosan, when he said I will became his musume." Rin explained angrily and stormed out of the nursery. "Sesshomaru-outosan-sama!" Rin called out crying. He came instantly "What is the matter Rin?" he asked. She looked up at him with watery eyes. "Cinei said I can't be your musume because I'm human and your youkai." She answered tearfully. Sesshomaru growled and walked into the nursery to where the human nurse maid was. "You are dismissed from your duties here. Leave this palace at once." He growled at her. "It is wrong for a youkai to adopt a human child when she belongs with her own kind." She spoke up bravely. Sesshomaru's eyes promised death at her words. The old woman stared at the great dog demon lord prince. "She has seen more horror from your "kind" then from my "kind". Her family was killed by your "kind" not mine. If you value your life, leave now." He growled at the old woman. The old woman ducked her head in fear and ran out frightened. "Zara you will be my musume's new nurse maid." He ordered. "Yes Ouji-sama it would be my honor since I have grown a fondness of your musume." She answered honestly . He nodded in approval and stepped out of the nursery into the hall where Rin stood with tears in her eyes. "Rin she will no longer be your nurse maid. Zara will be your nurse maid now on." He said calmly. She sniffled and nodded. "Is it true that I can't be your musume?" She asked in a small voice. "No it is not. You will be officially my musume in two weeks and you will have a coming out ball too announce that you are my musume. You will become o'hime of the western lands. And you will always be my little musume forever." He answered proudly. She smiled with relief. "Now stop your tears little one. All is well." He said. She nodded with a smile on her face. "Zara?" He called. "Hai ouji-sama?" She answered. "Dress her, Mai will bring her morning meal in the nursery." He ordered. "Hai ouji-sama." She answered.
Rin followed her into the nursery and into her bed chambers. Once there Zara went to the wardrobe and pulled out a simple pink kimono that was covered with flowers. "Zara, ummm…I need to…umm." Rin tried to say but felt embarrassed. Zara noticed that the child began to tighten her legs closer. "Oh of course o'hime. This way." Zara said and led her to the chamber pot. Rin rushed over and squatted over it and relieved herself. Once down Zara wiped her clean with a cloth. "Better?" She asked. "Yes thank you!" Rin answered. Zara dressed her into the simple pink flowered kimono and pulled her hair on the right and held in place with a pink jeweled hairpin and did the same to the left side as well.
While Rin did her morning routine, Sesshomaru called forth all of the human servants to his study. "I have called you here is to ask what any of you think of me having a human child as my ward and adopting her as my own musume?" he stated. "Sensei what do you think?" He asked first. "I believe it to be a noble thing since the child has clearly been through much trauma in her young life. I believe that your attentions are honorable and that you care for the child as your own. He answered as he sat in front of the demon lord. "Yuri?" Sesshomaru moved over to the young widow. "I do not see anything wrong here. The child obviously needs you." She answered. He nodded in approval "Very well. Just know this if any of you tell her she cannot be my musume will be dismissed from their duties and forced to leave. Zara is her new nurse maid now and is in charge of her schedule since Cinei showed to be a wrong fit. She clearly believed this was wrong and so I relieved her from her duties." he informed. "Hai ouji-sama." They bowed and he waved for them to leave.
Mai entered the study "Ouji-sama, Zokai-sama has just arrived with his musume." She announced. "Show them in." He answered. Mai bowed and showed them in. She shut the doors behind her as she exited the study. "Ahh Itouko-Ouji-Sama, I see you scaring the staff again." Zokai chuckled as he walked in. "Itouko, I hear that you have brought Kiara with you." Sesshomaru stated while ignoring his cousin's joking. "Hai." He answered as he looked behind him to where the young dog demon child stood behind her father. "Don't be shy Kiara. This is Sesshomaru-ouji-sama. He is my Itouko and is Ouji of the Inu Youkai." He said to his shy daughter. Kiara peeked around her father's leg and looked at the young lord prince. He amber eyes wide with curiosity.
"Hi Ouji-Sama" She said in a bell like tone. "Hello young mina-sama." Sesshomaru greeted. "Mai go and retrieve Rin for me." He ordered. "Hai!" She bowed and did as demanded. They all went out into the hall and waited. "You sent for me?" Rin asked when she came into view. "Rin this is your Itouko, Kiara." He introduced her to the dog demon child. Rin looked at the girl and saw the resemblance in what all dog demons had. She had small pointed ears, golden eyes, and silver hair. Purple stripes and a beautiful white fur rested over her right shoulder on each of her cheeks showing her status as a higher up noble dog demon. She looked to be the same age as Rin.
Kiara wore a white spring kimono that was decorated with Sakura blossoms and had dark pink edges that faded into white of the kimono. Her silver white hair was pulled back on the left side and held with two pink jeweled hairpins. "Hi mina-Kiara." Rin greeted as she bowed her head a bit to be polite. "Hi O'hime" Kiara bowed back. "I have many dolls if you would like to play with me?" Rin asked politely. Kirara looked over Rin's appearance and at her spring kimono which had dark red flowers along the entire silk fabric.
Kiara smiled a wide smile showing two small white fangs. She walked over to Rin and grabbed her hand. Zara led the children back to the nursery where they can play. Zokai watched happily that his daughter took it will making friends with a human child.
Sesshomaru showed no emotion to the whole introduction. He turned and returned back in the study. Zokai followed soon after. "Mai send Jaken in forth." He ordered. "Hai ouji-sama." She answered and left. "What do you need the imp for?" Zokai asked as he sat down. "I am sending out invites to all the human lords in the western lands to come to the introduction of Rin as my musume. And you will send invites out to all the youkai-samas royals in all of Japan." He answered. "Ahh I see. So you inviting your okaasan, otouto, and your ojiisan?" he asked. "Yes." Sesshomaru answered. "Sesshomaru-sama you called for me?" Jaken asked. "Yes and I am no longer just sama I am Ouji of the Inu Youkai and sama of the western lands so you must call me Sesshomaru-Ouji-Sama." He corrected. "Yes o'sama. I mean Sesshomaru-Ouji-Sama." Jaken said. "I want you to deliver these invites to all the human samas of the western lands." He instructed. "Hai Ouji-sama." Jaken bowed and took the sake that was full of the invites and exited the study quickly so show his loyalty.
"When will this ball take place?" Zokai asked. "In four weeks to give everyone time to prepare. Itouko bring Kiara and your mate with you to the party." He insisted. "Kiara and I will be there but my wife is heavy with child and will not be able to attend. It is why Kiara is with me today. My musume has been worrying about her okaasan." Zokai explained. "I congratulate you on your second heir." Sesshomaru stated.
Rin and Kiara dressed and played with the dolls till midday meal was presented to them in the nursery. Rin's plate had bread and cheese while Kiara's was meat and bread since she is dog demon she eats meat more than anything else. When Sesshomaru returned to the palace he informed the cooks that a human is to live there and her diet was different than theirs. Rin happily ate her food while the two girls ate and chattered away. Zara readied the bed for their afternoon nap while they ate.
Zara set them in Rin's bed and left them to clean up the play area. "You should see my nursery." Kiara whispered. "What is it like?" Rin asked. "The play area has a far away palace painted on the wall with a mountain in the background. I have many dolls and other toys." She answered. "It sounds wonderful." Rin answered yawning. Soon both of them fell asleep. An hour later Zara heard movement and little giggles from the sleeping chambers. She slid the sojo open. Both girls sat up on the bed talking. "O'hime, mina-Kiara I fair you had a good rest?" Zara asked. "Yes." They answered together. Zara helped them both with the chamber pot and led them out to the garden so they could play. Rin and Kiara explored the garden and played hide-and-seek. Their giggles and squeals filled the air.
The sun started to set when Sesshomaru Zara to send the girls back inside. Zara followed them in and into the great hall where Sesshomaru and Zokai were waiting. "We must be returning home Kiara." Zokai announced. "Awe" Both girls whined. "Kiara now." Zokai demanded. "Yes outosan." Kiara answered turning her head down with a pout on her face. "Will she come back?" Rin asked sweetly as she cocked her head to the side at the great dog demon lord prince. "Yes." He answered "When?" She asked. "Next week when she has a day off of her lessons." Zokai answered. "That is if that is alright with you, Itouko-ouji-sama?" He asked. Sesshomaru nodded in agreement. Rin and Kiara smiled with excitement.
Rin ate her evening meal in the nursery since Sesshomaru doesn't need to eat as much as her. After her evening meal, Zara bathed Rin and readied her for bed. Sesshomaru walked in and stopped to stand be the side of Rin's bed. "I fair you good night. Rin you must try to stay in your bed tonight. Zara will be here all night if you have another nightmare. In the morning after your morning meal, you will start your lessons with your sensei. You will continue your lessons every day after. You will get one day off from your lessons every six days. Is that understood?" He instructed. Rin nodded in agreement. "Hai Sesshomaru-outosan-sama." She said with a smile. "Now go to sleep. I fair you good night." He added a bit coldly as he true to hide his true emotions he felt for the little girl. Rin nodded and laid back down and watched him leave. Zara closed the doors and turned down the lamps. Zara sat down in the chair next to the bed. She started mending some things to keep her occupied. Rin woke up with a scream around the same time she did the night before. Zara instantly was at her side "O'hime what is the matter?" She asked. "Sesshomaru-sama!" Rin cried out in horror and panic deep in her voice. "It's alright O'hime. You're safe." Zara soothed as she tried to calm the child down. "No I want Sesshomaru-sama." Rin yelled as she climbed out of bed and ran out of the nursery towards Sesshomaru's chambers.
Sesshomaru opened the doors and found Rin standing in front of him sobbing and looking up at him red faced and tears streaming down her chubby cheeks. "Rin what is the matter? Why are you out of bed?" he asked in his emotionless tone. "Sesshomaru-outosan-sama" Rin cried and clung to his right leg. Sesshomaru bent down and lifted the child in his arms. "Rin you are safe no one will dare harm you as long as you are in my protection." He assured her. Rin looked into his amber eyes and nodded as she hiccupped. "Come you can sleep with me." He said as he turned to walk back in his chambers and to the bed. He sat her down on the bed and she crawled up to the pillows. She borrowed under the blankets. Sesshomaru sat back in his bed and cradled his little girl in his arms. Rin cuddled up against him and fell fast asleep.
Sesshomaru looked down at his little girl as she slept 'I thought theses dreams stopped. Why have they come back? Does she fear that I will leave her?' he thought to himself. He watched her sleep through the night when the sun rose he lifted her up in his arms and carried her back to her nursery. Zara opened the doors for him and followed him. He placed the sleeping child in her bed and pulled the blankets over her. He turned and left the nursery.
Sesshomaru walked back to his chambers and allowed the servants to dress him. After he was dressed he went to the study, Mai followed very closely behind him. "Send in Jaken I need to speak with him." He ordered. Mai bowed and did as he said. Ten minutes later Jaken was standing before his desk. "Yes ouji-sama you have sent for me?" Jaken spoke. "Yes, I want to know has Rin had nightmares when I was away from you?" He asked. "Why yes Ouji-sama she had nightmares many countless nights." Jaken answered confused. "What helped her?" He asked. "I don't know ouji-sama?" He answered. Sesshomaru glared at the imp for a minute before moving on to other business. "I have a task for you Jaken." He stated. "Yes Ouji-sama?" He asked wearily. "I would like for you to send this to the human Sama that resides at the base of the mountain and request a visitation from me. I would like to arrange a proposal of marriage between his musuko and Rin." He explained. "Yes ouji-sama." Jaken said as he took the paper from Sesshomaru's hand. Sesshomaru dismissed him.
Rin woke up hours later "Good morning O'hime" Zara greeted when she saw Rin sitting up in bed looking at her surroundings. Rin sighed in disappointment when she realized she was back in her room. "Ouji-sama has informed me you will start your lessons today after your morning meal." Zara informed. Rin looked at her in surprise "Today?" Rin asked startled by this. "Hai" Zara answered with a smile. "But I never learned anything before?" Rin said. "Hai that is the purpose of the sensei. You are at the proper age to begin lessons. Sensei knows this." Zara answered. "You will do fine O'hime. You are a quick learner. You will not have any problems." Zara assured her. Rin nodded and let Zara help her with her morning routine.
Rin sat in the sensei's room since her nursery was too distracting with all the toys and he felt it would help her focus if they were in his room. He had a small two room apartment in the eastern end of the grand palace. His chambers consist of a sitting room, and a bed chambers. He quickly filled the sitting room with many scrolls and a stationary desk. Rin was seated at the desk while he sat on the other side of her. Youko gave her a reassuring smile. He started with the basics of writing, reading, and arithmetic since she is barely six years of age. Zara sat in the corner while she waited patiently for Rin's lessons to end.
Rin began with the basic vocabulary in her writing symbols and reading hose symbols. Youko was amazed how quickly she was learning. Her writing was nearly perfect as if she already knew how t right. He started with writing her name. "Are you sure you never had any type of education?" He asked. "No. My parents and brothers were killed a year before I found Sesshomaru-outosan-sama." She answered. They continued with her lessons till midday meal was arrived to her in the sensei's chambers. She was allowed to end her lessons an hour after her midday meal. She went straight to the koi pond garden. She explored the entire garden till she became bored. "Zara, Can I ask you a question?" Rin asked when they sat on a bench underneath a Sekure tree. It was spring so it was in full bloom. "Yes O'hime." She answered. "What was it like here before Sesshomaru-outosan left?" She asked. "I really don't know I was very young when his outosan still resided here. He was married to a human hime and she was with child. My oneechan was her servant. Our okaasan was also Ouji-sama's okaasan's hand maid before she left the palace. She left shortly after Ouji-sama was old enough to leave her side. I don't believe InuNoTaishio and his first okasan loved each other. Their marriage was an arranged marriage. After she bore him an heir, she only stayed till Ouji-sama was old enough to be in court and follow in his Outosan's footsteps as the next Taishio. But his outosan fell in love with a human hime. She was very beautiful so what Mai had told me. Her name was Izayoi. She is InuYasha-sama's okaasan. They lived her for a while when she became with child they were forced out of the palace by the Koutei, Ouji-sama's ojiisan. He wouldn't allow a hanyou to be born into the inu-youkai nobility. He refused to allow it in his court. He viewed Ouji-sama's Outosan as a traitor for marrying a human and fathering a hanyou. He even to the extent in banishing ouji-sama from court so to punish his outosan. It was the O'hime of the Inu-youkai who persuaded her outosan to revoke the ruling and allow Ouji-sama back into the Koutei's court once again. But Ouji-sama was ashamed of his outosan and refused to return till now. He has reclaimed what has been given to him at his birth. He will become Koutei of the Inu-Youkai when the Koutei passes into the next world." She explained Sesshomaru's history. Rin listened intently.
"I've met the Inu-Youkai Hime once before." Rin said with a small voice. Zara stared back at her in shock. "You have?" She asked. "Yes she brought me back to life." Rin answered. Zara stared back at her in amazement. "She did?" She asked. "Yes" Rin answered. They sat under the Sekure tree till Rin became bored and asked Zara to play with her.
Youko walked into the study where Sesshomaru was waiting for him. "How did Rin's lessons go today?" He asked. "Very well. She is a quick learner and is very bright." He answered. "I am pleased to hear this." He said. "You are dismissed." He said. Youko bowed and walked out of the study and went back to his chambers.
A/N: I will post as soon as I can. Its a bit hard to do when you don't have internet at home. I only post stories when I'm at my Uncle's house. And I won't be posting much for this story anytime soon. I'm busy writing my second story. I truly love writing.