Chapter notes:
"Love is knowing all about someone, and still wanting to be with them more than any other person, love is about trusting them enough to tell them everything about yourself, including the things you might be ashamed of, love is feeling comfortable and safe with someone, but still getting weak knees when they walk into a room and smile at you."
The Lily of the Valley signifies "The Return of Happiness"
Disclaimer: The depictions of the characters in this story are completely fictitious. In no way does this represent the views or the story arcs as envisaged by the original copyright owners of this franchise and its characters. The ownership if the characters and the original concept are sole properties of Rumiko Takahashi.
Chapter 7 – Unpleasant discovery
Rin wakes up with a warm sensation over her body. She turns to face the windows and catches the sunlight shining brilliantly all over her small hut. She smiles at the beautiful scene. All of a sudden she feels something is wrong.
"Sunshine? Since when do I get the opportunity to watch it from bed?" Rin then turns to her back and spots Aito still in deep sleep.
"OH NO! I am terribly late for work!" Covering her wide gapping mouth with both hands Rin tries to calm herself down. She is going to be late for work and she has no time to even prepare food for her son. Rubbing her blurry eyes the girl rises from the bed as she approaches the nearest wooden wardrobe to pick up a new kimono. She has to wash herself before leaving for work. Quickly the girl runs to the door and pushes it apart.
The sun shines brightly as she finds it difficult to open her eyes fully. After a few blinks she manages to see the surrounding. Sesshoumaru is nowhere to be seen, so is the green toad. Lord Sesshoumaru might have walked away for awhile, I think I better not think too much. Rin thinks as she assures herself that the demon lord did not leave. She then makes her way further down to the river. Once she has undress and set her dirty kimono aside, Rin walks into the stream and she starts to clean herself. She is washing as fast as she can since there isn't much time left. Once she is satisfied in getting rid the burnt fish odor away, Rin walks back to the shore as she dry her hair and body. She has her favorite pink kimono, on which it has some beautiful sakura flowers painted on it. This kimono was a present to the girl by the demon lord. After securely fastening the red obi around her waist she picks up the dirty kimono and turns to leave. It is at this time she sees Sesshoumaru standing not far away from the place she was dressing herself. Her face flushes in red. Sesshoumaru watches the girl approach as he notices her reddened face. The taiyoukai smirks at this view of the girl face.
"My lord how long you have been here?" Rin asks curiously as she deliberately shuns away to avoid looking into the demon lord's eyes. Sesshoumaru almost laughs at the girl's expression but he remains impassive.
"Since you where walking into the stream." Sesshoumaru answers coolly. He notices the girl's hazelnut eyes widen with her hand covering her mouth in shock. Since I walked into the stream? Did he... see everything? Rin was so drowned in her own thoughts that she did not notice that the demon lord was observing her from head to toes.
"You look pretty in this kimono." Sesshoumaru's compliment snaps the girl's attention back. She tilts her head up to face the demon lord who is staring at her with his warm golden eyes full of affection.
"Thank you my lord" Rin responds with a cheerful smile. "I love the flowers painted on this kimono, it looks so beautiful." The girl lowers her head to look around her kimono as she swirls merrily. The demon lord feels pleasant to see the girl in joyful mood.
"You seem to be rushing." Sesshoumaru interrupts the rejoicing girl. Rin stops swirling and she turns to face the demon lord in a panicky expression.
"Oh I almost forget I am late for work my lord, I used to wake up before dawn but I over slept today. I need to be hurry, I am sorry my lord I have to excuse myself for now. See you later." Rin hurries herself back to the hut leaving the demon lord in doubt.
Hmm work at this time? Sesshoumaru thoughts are disturb as he watches the girl pacing back to the hut.
Rin sets down her dirty kimono beside the wardrobe, she will deal with that later tonight. She then moves and sits by the edge of the bed to wake her son.
"Aito my dear son, please wake up." Rin whispers softly into her son's ears. The boy is struggling to part his eyes as he keeps blinking a couple of times; gently rubbing his eyes his mother's frame is finally clearly visible. He then yawns with both of his hand stretched wide above.
"Good morning Mo-mother." Aito greets his mother in a grabbled voice. Rin smiles as she places a kiss on his forehead.
"God morning my dear son, how was your sleep? I see you have slept quite long today. How do you feel now?" Rin asks as Aito rises to a sitting position and faces his mother.
"Aito feels much better with the long sleep and I think I feel hungry now. What's for breakfast mother?" Aito inquires in excitement. Rin feels sorry for not being able to make food for her son. She scoops Aito into her arms and gathers him into her lap.
"Sorry Aito, mother woke up late today, I was not able to prepare breakfast for you. Can you do hunting by yourself?" Rin asks in guilt. Aito's snaps up to look at his mother with joy.
"Hunting? Yay! Aito loves to do hunting, don't worry mother, I can fix my own meal." The boy answers enthusiastically as he throws his arms around his mother neck. He pulls away from his mother a bit before he continues.
"Mother can I bring Lord Sesshoumaru along?" Aito asks eagerly. Rin's eyes narrow slightly in confusion.
"Aito, you cannot say 'bring Lord Sesshouamru along', you can only ask his permission to join you, understand? He is a lord and you are going to speak with etiquette" Rin explains carefully.
"Then I shall bring Jaken with me and ask Lord Sesshoumaru to come along." Aito answers gleefully. He drops off from his mother's lap to the ground and jumps merrily. Rin chuckles at her son's words. She feels pity for the green toad.
"Yes you definitely can bring master Jaken along but you have to address him with title, promise?" Rin instructs as she leaves the bed and walks over to her son. Bringing Aito closer to her arms, she adjusts the scarf around his head to make sure it is tighten.
"Remember to never ever remove the scarf." Rin warns her son seriously. Aito sends a puzzled look to his mother but nods in acknowledgement.
"I shall get going now son, be careful while hunting. Mother loves you." Rin kisses her son's forehead before releasing Aito from her arms and walks out the door. As the girl walks down the path to the direction of the Geisha house, Rin paces as fast as she could. She hopes Akemi would not have revealed anything about Sesshoumaru to Tsuyu. Dear Akemi please wait till I come, I promise to offer you a detailed explanation. Rin's thoughts roll worriedly. Just as the girl is about to speed up her pace she feels her arms are being pulled by a strong hand. She turns to find that it is Sesshoumaru.
"Where do you think you are going girl?" Sesshoumaru questions seriously. Rin frowns annoyed. She remembers about mentioning about her being late for work earlier to the taiyoukai.
"I told you just now that I am late for work my lord. I need to hurry. Please release me my lord." Rin sounds rather disturbed but the demon lord's face is irate too.
"You are not going to work at that hellish place, it is not meant for someone like you." The demon lord states firmly. Rin stares in confusion. Although working at kitchen might be a bit dangerous to some extend but it can hardly be classified as hell.
"That isn't a bad place my lord, although I did get a few injuries in the beginning, but it has reduced much in the recent years. Things are getting handy now." Rin smiles at the end of her explanation. Sessoumaru bares his fangs and growls in anger. The girl is shocked by the taiyoukai reaction.
"Those BASTARDS! For what they have got from you, they end up hurting you? Tell me who are they and I shall exact revenge!" The taiyoukai's golden eyes are almost turned to red. His blood is boiling in his veins thinking of those lowlifes who have hurt his Rin. The girl is completely lost with the conversation. She does not get the idea as to who her lord is referring to.
"Who are you talking about my lord, nobody has hurt me, and in fact this is an unavoidable injury. It is not easy to handle those kitchen utensils; I had got minor cuts and burns in the early stages but now no more. Being a kitchen helper does expose you to those dangers so no one is to be blame." Sesshoumaru's eyes widen with the girl's explanation. He feels so silly with his remarks earlier. He is pissed at himself as to how he could come to a conclusion of Rin being a geisha. Although he did catch her scent in the entire Geisha house but that can also be due to the fact the kitchen is nearby. The demon lord closes his eyes and sighs in relief. When he reopens his eyes, Rin is staring at him in confusion. The girl bends a little to capture the taiyukai's face.
"What's wrong my lord? You seem to have spoken something that I don't understand. On whom you want to exact revenge?" Rin's head is rolling with question marks as she tries to read her lord. Sesshoumaru somehow keeps his face impassive and never lets his aloof expression alter.
"I said nothing." The taiyoukai answers coolly. Rin straightens her back but still remains in her puzzled expression. Her reaction somehow pleases the demon lord. He walks up to the girl, wrapping his right arm around her waist as he bends a little lower to scoops up her legs with his left arm; carrying the human girl in bridal fashion. Rin is astounded by Sesshoumaru's action.
"What are you doing my lord?" Rin asks in astonishment.
"I believe you are in a hurry." Before Rin manages to respond, the demon lord lifts her into the air and flies in the direction of the Geisha house.
Sesshoumaru lands right in front of the Geisha house's main entrance where he had encountered those 2 geisha the previous night. The place is quiet at this time of the day.
"My lord put me down here I shall walk to the kitchen." Rin requests as Sesshoumaru release her from his arms.
"Thank you my lord, you have saved lots of my time." The girl bows a little before she turns and takes the small path at the side of the Geisha house connecting to the kitchen. Sesshoumaru watches Rin's shadow disappear. He stays for a while to inspect the surroundings. No scent of demon and danger free. Once satisfied with his checking the demon lord sniffs the air and then flies up into the air and heads back to the hut.
When Rin approaches the kitchen entrance she pauses and checks the surroundings. Everyone has started with their work. She feels so sorry for being late; they are all very focused as if they have plenty of dishes to prepare. Rin sighs in guilt. Just as she is about to join the ladies, she feels a hand lightly tapping on her right shoulder. She turns to see Tsuyu san smiling at her. Rin returns the gesture with a light smile.
"Sorry Tsuyu san, I slept a bit too long today, I was so exhausted last night." Rin apologizes with a small bow.
"Its ok Rin, does Aito feel better now?" Tsuyu asks in concern.
"Yes he has fully recovered, and will do his own hunting today since I did not have the time to make him breakfast." Rin states as Tsuyu guides her to the worker's cabin.
"That's great, now you don't have to worry much about him. No wonder you have slept for long. Now put your kappōgia on, I need you to help Akemi to wash some vegetables." Tsuyu instructs and the girl nods. Rin quickly grabs the kappōgia and has it on before heading out to the kitchen. Tsuyu is already there with Akemi with lots of vegetables in the bucket. Rin joins the duo, Akemi glances seriously at the girl with her eyes lashes battling, hinting about her promise. Rin grins lightly as she inclines her head to acknowledge Akemi that she remembers. Once Tsuyu has instructed the work, she leaves the duo alone. A moment of silence follows.
"So you were late, I thought the demon had kidnapped you last night." Akemi is first to speak. Rin turns to face Akemi.
"Its just one of those days I feel a longer sleep is needed. Nothing connected with my lord." The girl states with a light smile.
"Ya right, that fierce demon looks like he is going to eat you alive. I couldn't sleep well last night because of his stare. Deadly gaze." Akemi slightly shakes her shoulder to indicate she is trembling in fear. Rin chuckles at Akemi's reaction.
"He might look fierce but he has a kind heart." Rin smiles sweetly with her cheeks slightly flushed in red. Akemi narrows her eyes, looking at the blushing girl, mystified. She raises her left hand to pinch on Rin's left cheek.
"Ouch! What are you doing Akemi? It hurts." Rin gently rubs her cheek.
"To pull you out of that dream so you can start telling me who's this so call Lord is." Akemi voices seriously as she continues with her work. Rin sends a big smile to the girl as she begins her story.
Meanwhile at the hut...
When Sesshoumaru reaches the hut, he spots Aito teasing the green kappa. He pulls the toad hands and legs with a big laugh. While Jaken seems to be annoyed with the kid's bullying, the demon lord seems pleased with the sight of the toad's expression. As the taitoukai walks closer to the duo, Aito releases the green toad and runs to the demon lord's side.
"Lord Sesshoumaru did you just send mother off to work? I saw you fly up into the sky and it is awesome! I have never flown in the sky before and I always thought only birds can do it." The excited kid asks. Jaken who has just managed to regain his balance shoots a stern look at the kid.
"Hey kid you have no right to question the lord. Be silent!" The green toad crosses his arms around his chest in annoyance. Aito turns to face the toad with an angry look.
"Then who are you to speak here Jaken? The lord holds the right to speak and certainly not a lowly demon like you. You don't have the power to voice a single comment toad!" Aito angles his head a bit to face the little kappa. His sunset eyes pierce through the round eyes of the toad. Jaken thought he has saw the kid's eyes flashing in red but he instantly rubs his eyes and finds only a pair of orange eyes staring fiercely. Both Sesshoumaru and Jaken are astounded by the kid's comments. Rin is definitely not going to be pleased with her son's behavior.
"She was late and I offer the favor." The demon lord's simple answer seems to make the kid so happy. He jumps merrily and twirls around the taiyouki.
"What a pathetic kid." Jaken whispers but the demon lord catches the words clearly. Sending the green toad a deathly look, Jaken goes on his knee and starts apologizing. Aito laughs his heart out.
"Lord Sesshoumaru may you come with me? I need to hunt for food." Aito turns his pleading face to the taiyokai. The demon lord is unable to bring himself to reject the invitation. He then turns and walks away from the duo. Aito seems to understand the demon lord's action as he quickly runs to Sesshoumaru's side. He barely reaches Sesshouamru's knee. Jaken watches the kid without blinking his eyes. The kid sure has a fierce gaze, he resembles Lord Sesshoumaru. The green toad shakes his head heavily to erase his silly idea as he too follows at the back of the duo.
Back to the kitchen...
Both Rin and Akemi are now draining the vegetables from the water preparing to send it back to the kitchen.
"So that is how you know the demon lord. I am not surprised that you have such a strong trust in him. I am sorry about my harsh comments yesterday." Akemi apologizes as she has now fully understood the whole story. Rin shakes her head lightly to indicate that she takes no offence about yesterday.
"I would have done the same if I was in your position so I can't entirely blame you too." Rin replies with a light smile. Akemi returns the same smile as they both carry the vegetables to cooking area.
While Akemi chopped several ingredients to be used for the vegetable dish, Rin has started the fire to heat some oil in the wok.
"I heard Ryuuki met up with you on your way back home yesterday. So what was the outcome? Still going merry-go-round with the poor guy huh?" Akemi inquires as she concentrates on her cutting. Rin chuckles a little.
"Nothing going on, in fact we won't be going anywhere. We are who we are; we won't be going to next level. He is my savior; both Aito and I will be never able repay that debt. I will remember that in my heart." Rin replies seriously. Akemi stares at the girl in a gloomy gaze.
"Poor Ryuuki." Akemi sighs heavily. Rin chooses to not further press on with this matter. There is nothing she can do with Ryuuki and Akemi should understand love has to come naturally; it is not something you could use to repay off the debt. They both continue with their tasks and hope to finish it before lunch time.
On the other side in the forest Aito has led Sesshoumaru and the green toad further down the river from the hut. He ensures to not approach too closely to the river near the village. Rin never wants the villagers to insult Aito's appearance and speak something bad about his father. That is why they chose to live a bit far from the Tsuyu's village.
"Wow look here my lord, there are plenty of fish. Yum yum!" Aito turns to the back and exclaims at the demon lord. Jaken sends an unpleased gaze to the kid but the boy did not seem to care. Instead he rolls up his sleeves and his hakama higher before plunging into the water. The taiyoukai finds a comfortable spot. He rests under the tree not far away from Aito. Jaken follows but sits a bit farther from the demon lord. Both their gazes are fixed on the kid who is fully focused on catching a fish. A strong wind blows in the vincinty. The demon lord's nose catches a familiar scent approaching. After rolling his golden eyes around, he finally spots the direction from where of the scent is coming from. A tall white figure slowly appears from the bushes as the figure heads in the direction of the kid. The same scent was caught on Rin last night. Who is this demon? Sesshoumaru questions himself in his thoughts as he observes the demon carefully.
"My dear Aito, how are you doing?" Ryuuki shouts at the shore as the boy turns.
"Master Ryuuki!" Aito runs happily to the shore and he speeds to the leopard demon's open arms. Ryuki bends to pick the boy up, slinging him up a bit higher before setting the kid close to his arms.
"Let me see you properly." Ryuuki observes the kid face before he continues. "Looks like your fever was gone son, you look much healthier. I was worried since your mom mentioned you have been sick for the past few days."
"Aito feels much better! When did you see mother?" the kid asks, confused.
"Yesterday when she was off from kitchen and your mother looks lovely as always. Don't you think so son?" the demon replies playfully and it makes Aito chuckle.
"Of course! My mother is the prettiest women in this entire universe!" Aito shouts out loud with both of his arms stretched high in the sky. Ryuuki is pleased with the remarks as he laughs out loud. Sesshoumaru looks on annoyingly at the pair; he doesn't seem too pleased with what he is seeing. This demon seems to be close to Aito. The taiyoukai's gaze somehow has affected Ryuuki. Ryuuki turns to search that annoying gaze and spots a demon sat at the nearby tree. Ryuuki frowns in doubt.
"Hey Aito who is that ego demon sitting there? Do you know him?" The bewildered leopard demon inquires.
"My lord is mother's trusted friend. He is so beautiful especially the blue crescent moon on his forehead! Aito love it!" The kid declares delightfully. Ryuuki shoot his eyes to Sesshoumaru, both their glares clash in the mid air.
"Trusted?" Ryuuki murmurs.
"Yes master Ryuuki, mother told Aito to respect him as she trusts no one above Lord Sesshoumaru." The boy explains. Ryuuki is not pleased to hear the comment. He sets Aito down on the sand and kneels down before the kid.
"My dear Aito, I will be off again and this time it will be slight longer. There are things that need my attention. But this time I will be off for good, when I return I hope your mother will allow me to take you and her to my place. I will build my own house and there you don't have to worry about food, your mother won't have to work anymore. Do you like that?" The leopard asks proudly. Aito is amused with what he has heard.
"Mother doesn't have to work anymore? She can play with Aito whole day? Hooray! Aito loves anything if mother doesn't have to work anymore." The kid exclaims and claps happily! Poor kid he doesn't know what Ryuuki is talking about. Aito's reaction pleases the leopard demon, he smiles victoriously to the kid. He lands his right hand on top of the boy's head and strokes him several times.
"Good boy. See you!" Ryuuki place a kiss on Aito's temple as he turns to leave. The boy waves his hands for a goodbye. The leopard demon catches the most precious expression on the kid's face. Nothing is worth more than to see that kid's reaction. As he turns to the direction of Sesshoumaru, Ryuuki utters some words on his own.
"No one will stand in my way to build this family." Whispering to himself the leopard demon deliberately walks in the direction where the taiyoukai sits. When Ryuuki almost passes at the side of the dog demon, Sesshoumaru rises on his feet.
"Mind your own business leopard." Sesshoumaru cautions fiercely.
"Same to you dog." Ryuuki shoots back coolly. The taiyoukai's right hand touches the grip of Bakusaiga as he prepares to draw it while the leopard demon does the same. Both demons send deadly glares at each other. Ryuuki is first to release his grip off his sword. He smiles sarcastically at the demon dog.
"I have no mood to engage in unnecessary confrontation. I don't have the interest to know who you are and I certainly do not care what your relationship with Rin was." The leopard demon turns his back to the taiyoukai as he continues." She is mine and I allow no one to stand in my way. Keep that in your mind dog."
Sesshoumaru hissed as he sends a stern look towards Ryuuki. Who is this low class demon that dares to claim what is mine? The demon lord bares his fangs in anger and roars.
"Mind your actions leopard, claiming something that belongs to others will send you to your death path." The taiyoukai asserts calmly. He remains impassive even though his anger does not turn away. Ryuuki laughs out loud. It hurts the demon lord's ears.
"Do I look like I care? I watched her give birth to Aito, I witnessed the girl raising the kid ALONE! Don't talk to me about she belonging to anyone. If the man couldn't care less about if she was alive or dead, I will look after her with my life!" The leopard demon hisses in anger and roars.
"You know nothing about her life. There's a reason why she was left behind." Sesshoumaru replies and strangely calm. In fact he agrees with this demon's remarks. Rin might have left for unknown reasons but she has the right to choose her mate since she was not marked by anyone yet. I should have marked Rin that night! The demon lord cusses as he clenches his fist tightly.
"No one except me knows what Rin has gone through these past few years. She deserves a better life. Anyway everything is over now; the girl has agreed to surrender her life under my care. I will am going to disappoint her." Ryuuki lies to the taiyoukai. He couldn't care less who this demon is to Rin, all he knows is he has put so much effort in winning the girl's heart and he just couldn't afford to let any man step in his way. Since Aito reveals that Rin trusts no one other than this demon dog, he feels his position is threatened. Sorry Rin I promised to look after you forever.
Sesshoumaru's golden eyes pop out wide. He is speechless for the first time in his entire life. His mind goes insane, and he is lost in his thoughts. Rin has agreed to be this leopard's wife? So that's the explanation as to why she was so secretive last night? And that's why she acted so strange in front of me? Treating me like a stranger? Sesshoumaru's heart shatters like a breaking glass. He allows no emotions, he recognizes no pain and he bears no feelings to anything in this world in his entire life but now he suffers the most painful feeling in his heart. The feeling of betrayal. Ryuuki does not care to spot the changes in emotion on the demon dog face, for what he knows is that, he has sent out a clear message and he is satisfied now. No regrets with what he has spoken.
"I have embraced her before and I allow no one to take her away from me. Farewell dog." Ryuuki leaves the absentminded taiyoukai behind with a victorious smile. Embrace?... so that's how Rin has got the scent from this demon. Sesshoumaru whispers in despair. He scrunches his fist tightly till it bleeds and the blood drips from his fingers. Strangely the demon lord feels the pain from the wound which he has never felt before. When Ryuuki's shadow disappears from the demon lord golden's sights, Sesshoumaru turns to face the river. He does not care whether the green toad is watching him. All he wishes now is for some peace of mind. He wishes badly to have his usual self to return. The cold heart demon who bears no such weakness, or perhaps he should have not even fallen for this human in the beginning. Lord Sesshoumaru, the great dog demon of the west defeated by a human girl.
The demon lord locks his golden gaze over the kid on the river, trying to find the similarity between the kid and him. He knows that's the only thing could heal his heart. A mild scent was caught, but he insists to find solid proof. When a strong wind suddenly blows, the cry of the green toad shouting after losing his balance and falling on the grass is heard. That's when Aito's scarf flies off of his head.
Sesshoumaru golden eyes pop wide open as his jaw drops in disbelief.
Chapter end notes:
I am sorry for 3 weeks delay. There's lots of things happen, I was being attacked and was quite injured 2 weeks ago. Thank god now i am fully recover. But one thing I can assure is, I have written this till chapter 10. I just need some time to proof read it and post which I think it won't take much of time to do so. I know is hard to keep tracks on a delay update story. For those who still stay with me, thank you for your support and it mean lots to me. For those who has stop follow this tale, I apologize for the cliff and the delay.
As usual I welcome any types of reviews. By reviewing then I will know whether I am still in the right track. Your comments will empower me to write more. Take care and cheer!