Chapter 6 – Marcela and The village of harmony
Every day that week consisted of intense sword training and close combat sequences. Rin didn't understand why they were training so hard seeing that Lord Sesshoumaru had no plans for her to continue working with the human chiefs.
But those moments of contact had driven both of them so wild with need afterwards that she had to insist on training alone or in the presence of Miria. Still… there were nights when he'd slip into her room and leave a trail of kisses at the most sensuous spots - a fight, she could not win.
Which was why when Miria suggested that they take the horses for a short ride, Rin eagerly jumped at the chance, racing to the stables to retrieve Tea Leaves.
"Where are we going today?" Rin chirped as she handed Miria a black and white spotted horse.
"Aren't we so cheerful today?" replied the Dog Demoness, as she led her own steed out of the gates. "There is a human village not far from here. Not a town we have any business in anyway but I'd thought it'd cheer you up."
Rin arched an eyebrow at the Daiyoukai who broke out into giggles –something she had never seen Miria doing.
"Did I miss something?" asked Rin.
"Oh, I hope for your sake you didn't!" Her giggles grew into full blown laughter. "Although, I wouldn't be surprised if you fainted the first time."
Just what in the world was Miria talking about? Rin was about to ask her when Miria hoisted herself up her horse and galloped off shouting, "If you beat me, I'll tell you!"
Rin looked pathetically at Tea Leaves and knew she'd never know the answer. As the horse broke into a trot, she wondered if the beast could be bribed with an apple treat.
"I'll give you another if you can catch up with Miria," she promised.
Tea Leaves huffed, blowing the parts of her mane off her eyes. Rin took that as a yes.
With the promise of an apple a gallop away, Tea Leaves covered an impressive distance that would usually take her an hour, within half the time. By the time they caught up with Miria, she was leaning against a tree, whistling away.
"At least I made it faster than you expected," said Rin, offering an apple to Tea Leaves, and then to Miria's horse.
"Still lost." She shrugged. "Maybe we can race again on the way back."
"You take Tea Leaves then."
Miria paused to think about it before breaking out into a smile. "Deal. But now we walk. By the look on her face, I'd say she's reached her daily limit."
Rin didn't mind. She was used to walking back when she and Jaken travelled with Lord Sesshoumaru. But walking with Miria was different.
For one, she was female.
"Miria, can I ask you something?"
"Yes?"
"How old are you?"
The Daiyoukai angled her head slightly, both eyebrows arched. "Why the sudden interest?"
Before she could reply, Miria shrugged. "I am about 427 years old. And Lord Sesshoumaru… well, I'm not sure myself but he could be close to 700 years old. Long life as a bachelor I must say."
"Have you ever –"
"No and don't you dare ever ask me this again."
Rin nodded quickly, embarrassed that she had blurted out the question without thinking.
"Are we almost there?"
Looking past the canopy of trees – a gift only a Youkai with long legs had- Miria squinted and then nodded. "We should be able to see the main townhall of Cove Viridian in a bit."
They had been walking for a few more kilometres when she noticed the shimmering hue of blue and green washed walls of little houses lining the seafront in the shape of a crescent. A busy port operated just at the tip of its furthest point with a pearly beach bordering the shores.
Rin thought it was a perfect name for the place.
"It's beautiful. You said it's a human village?"
"Sort of. Come." Miria grabbed her by the wrist and they started to jog towards the start of the village. The scent of smoked fish and pie filled the air, making her stomach rumble in agreement.
As they stepped into the centre of the village traffic, Rin couldn't believe it – humans, and Youkais were intermingling so effortlessly; some even holding hands and laughing as they went about their daily business.
Further ahead, pushing a cart of pies was an old couple –one was definitely human while the other was a Youkai… or at least it looked like it. Long silver-white hair tied in three braids rested on his back and yet, his face looked worn and weathered by the sun –and time.
"How is that possible Miria?" Rin had to know. Demons do not age.
But Miria simply shrugged. "It is very common in this village. In fact, it's the only place that I've been to that has aging Youkais. Lady Elisa called this place cursed – which is the only reason why this village has survived the test of time."
"You mean it's sovereign?"
Laughing, Miria wrapped a hand around her shoulder. "You can say that. But I think it was more because it was Lord Inu no Taisho's favourite village."
It made sense. He was a big proponent of inter-race peace. Perhaps this was where he had lived with his human wife?
"Come on. Nahia told me to get some salt and fresh fish. I don't have a clue what to do, so…"
"I'll help you don't worry," laughed Rin. Whatever it was, this place made her happy. She was about to ask what type of Youkai lived in Cove Viridian when a flock of seagulls stopped just in front of her and shifted into human form; their nakedness such a common occurrence that no one but Rin paid much attention.
One of the Youkai male winked at her as he slipped into a pair of breeches.
"Hi! I am guessing you're not from around here?" He put out his hand, a massive smile on his face. "I'm Drake."
Rin only took his hand because Miria was pushing her from behind.
"Hi… I'm Rin and this is Miria."
Drake waved at Miria then started to pull at Rin's hand. "Looks like it's my job to show you around then!" Turning to Miria he hollered, "See you later Miria! Smoking hot as always!"
Torn from her comfort zone, Rin didn't know what to do. "You know Miria?"
"Everyone knows Miria. She was born here!"
Rin found herself jumping along with Drake; his movement echoing his animal form as they bounced from one place to another. Even his speech was like a chirping bird – incessant and punchy.
"So what are you looking to buy today? We've had a massive haul of shrimp and earlier this morning we even had tuna but that's all gone now. No wait, let me guess – you're a seabream kind of girl! Oh or maybe a mackerel!"
She allowed him to rattle off all her favourite fish. It had to be a skill only seagull Youkais could sense.
"So here, you have the fishing boats. The humans – hey Mark how's it going?" Drake raised his hand in salute to the boatman. "So yeah, the humans they take us to the ocean and do the heavy lifting. We just tell them where the fishes are gathering."
"That's very impressive," said Rin. "You help too I suppose?"
Blowing out air through his lips, Drake pointed to his body. "I didn't earn this bronze from standing in the shade sweetheart."
Rin blushed at the endearment. She had never met a seagull Youkai before but she was starting to like them very much.
"So have you decided what you want?"
"Some mussels?"
Drake halted in the middle of the road; a hand to his heart as he sucked in a deep breath. "Rin! Oh Rin! You break my heart sweetheart. Mussels? These muscles here didn't work so hard to haul in mud-shit for you. No, that won't do. I'm getting Anzer to get you a fucking lobster."
Anzer turned out to be the local fishmonger –long black hair tied in a long ponytail and a butcher's knife in one hand. From the silver glint of his eyes, Rin could tell he was just as amused by Drake's antics as she was.
"These lobsters are much better missy. Drake here got them in himself. I trust that boy," he said, winking at both of them.
Rin knew defeat so putting up both her hands in the air, she laughed. "Well, then lobster it is. Do you also have –"
"She absolutely l-o-v-e-s monkfish!" Drake dashed in front of her and grabbed at the biggest one he could see.
"For goodness sake boy! You're going to scare her shitless." Turning to Rin, Anzer smiled sweetly. "Please excuse him. I didn't manage to teach him manners. He jumped out of the nest after hatching and knocked his brains out."
The monkfish hit the fisherman's head as punishment.
Rin was in hysterics by the time she had everything she needed. Walking along the port, she felt more happier than she had been the past week. Something about being in the open made her warm and fuzzy inside.
Perhaps it was the memory of roaming freely with Lord Sesshoumaru and Jaken. No drama, no responsibilities. They had each other and that was enough.
"So is Anzer like your –"
"Dad? Totally. He found me and my brothers abandoned by the beach and brought us home. He always said he wanted to make an omelette but we looked so disgusting that he boiled us instead."
Drake looked extremely happy about his tale. "And what do you know! An hour later, we hatched and he was so upset that he couldn't have any eggs for breakfast."
Rin thought that was so adorable. "I'm glad he didn't! It was such a pleasure to meet you Drake."
"Well," he grinned, leaning against one of the quayside pillar. "I take payment in kis –"
"That's enough flirting, squab."
Spotting Miria, Drake pouted. "Aww come on Miria. My first date and you're stealing her away already?"
"You wish. Now say goodbye to Lady Rin. We'll come by and see you again if you behave." Miria rubbed her hands playfully over Drake's blonde hair.
Slapping her hands away, Drake rushed towards Rin. 'Wait… a Lady like… Lady and Lords of the house and shit?"
"Yes and shit, Drake," echoed Miria. "Say goodbye to your family for me."
Rin kept looking back even after the village was but a speck in the horizon. A part of her didn't want to go home – it was the first place she had felt so alive.
"I told you, you'd like the place," said Miria when they finally arrived at the clearing where they left the horses.
Rin hoisted herself on Tea Leaves. "You didn't tell me that was your hometown."
"Now you know."
Smiling at the Youkai, Rin decided then that this gift that Miria had given her was much more precious than anything she had ever received.
"Thank you Miria."
Miria simply whistled into the wind; eyes cast forward as they trotted back home
/
Dinner that night was a feast. Nahia had been so pleased by the fresh finds that she had exhausted herself preparing an elaborate dish for Rin.
However, the meal was served only for her, while everyone around the table ate leftovers –it wasn't like they needed nutrition, she assured her.
"I heard you were smitten by Cove Viridian." It wasn't a question, she knew. Rin wouldn't be surprised if Lord Sesshoumaru had scented Drake's scent and was trying to be sarcastic. Perhaps he was.
"It is hard not to. But, I believe it shows how possible it is for all of us to live in peace and interdependence."
A few of the lesser Youkais and Hanyous around the table nodded in agreement, making Rin smile at them. Being of Hanyou birth meant that one of their parents were human. While most Youkais insist that it was merely for reproduction and proliferation of their kind, Rin was always convinced it had to be more.
Surely they had fallen in love at a certain point?
Sneaking a peak at Lord Sesshoumaru, Rin knew it had to be true. She had loved him from the first day she met him; an innocent love that grew over the years to be one that gnawed at her with a longing that could only be satiated by touch.
And yet, Rin felt empty, knowing that their stolen kisses and heated explorations were just that – stolen.
Lord Sesshoumaru was not hers to claim, now or ever. Whatever this was between them was on borrowed time and would end someday.
"Rin, we will talk later… after you eat." A gentle reminder by the Daiyoukai sitting at the head of the table. He had a dish similar to hers but his interest was more on watching her eat rather than the meal on his plate.
It had always fascinated him – a human's need to eat so much and so often. He would always hold her up by the ankles as a child and wondered where all the food went to. It had made her giggle so hard she'd vomit out everything she ate – much to Jaken's annoyance.
As she slowly polished down her meal, Rin thought about Cape Viridian and wondered if the village would welcome her if she chose to move there. In slightly less than two months, Lord Sesshoumaru would have to choose a bride – regardless of her feelings –and she refused to be the sideline action feeding off the scraps of his attention.
Biting on her last morsel of fish, Rin wiped her lips carefully and pushed the plate away.
"That was extremely delicious Nahia. Your best dish!" The plump Noble simply blew a kiss at her from across the table.
"Take a walk with me," said Lord Sesshoumaru when she started to stand up.
Rin wanted to deny him, intending to give an excuse of feeling tired but she nodded, unable to take her eyes off the beautifully sculpted face of his.
Tonight, he had worn a kimono of pure black silk; the contrast bringing out the silvery shine of his hair as they swayed in the soft breeze of the night. Rin reached out to catch a handful of his strands and watched as they slipped past her fingers.
"We will have another visitor in the morning," he said, stopping to allow Rin better access to his hair. She knew this was the one privilege she had – the right to touch and play with a Daiyoukai's status symbol as she wished.
"What is her name?"
"I do not care for that," he admitted, looking down at her face. "What would you like me to do with her?"
Another concession. What was wrong with him? Didn't he realise that this was not a choice she had to make?
"As you please my Lord," she replied, biting back the rising anger in her voice.
Lord Sesshoumaru remained silent, continuing to walk in the darkness with her at his side. It was only when they reached his bonsai garden did he stop to look at her again.
"This cherry tree is very special to me." He pointed to a tall blossoming tree surrounded by various shapes of bonsai. "My father and I planted the seed of this tree when I was four. It bloomed every year until the day he left this castle."
His hands held her face gently, rubbing at her cheeks with his fingers. "I haven't seen it bloom since, but yesterday I found this." He took a small pink flower from his pocket and tucked it behind her ear.
Rin turned her face into his hand, leaning into the warmth of his body. How many more stolen moments like these did she have left?
"Look at me Rin," he ordered; a finger tilting her chin to face him. "I will ask you one more time. What would you like me to do with her?"
"What I say shouldn't matter my Lord… after all, I am only human and I have no right to counsel you."
Bringing his lips to an inch away from hers, his throat growled low, almost into a purr. "What do you think you are to me then? A pet?"
Clenching her fist tight, she thumped them against his chest in anger. "It doesn't matter! You know this won't go anywhere. It cannot! You are a Daiyoukai Lord and I am a peasant girl. Even if you love me, mate me, raise a child with me, we both know that it is temporary. I will age and die and then you will mar–"
Her words died against the brutal onslaught of his kiss. His hands cradled her face tight, angling it to give his tongue more access to her mouth to draw hers out in a furious dance. Rin gave a hard shove, nails scratching him as she fought against his strong hold; but Lord Sesshoumaru was too strong.
When her body grew limp against his, he simply grabbed her by her thighs and lifted her up, wrapping her legs around his body.
The sudden move caught her by surprise and Rin pulled away from the kiss; instinctively holding on to his neck for dear life, falling perfectly into his trap. Without warning, he pushed off from the ground, leaping up to the nearest branch above them and then higher and higher until they were under the stars.
"Why are we here?" she demanded, looking all the way down.
"I didn't want to be disturbed." His silvery eyes twinkled in the dark. "Here under the stars, is more suitable for you than the mundane sheets."
Rin found herself smiling despite being angry at him. That was as romantic as Lord Sesshoumaru could get.
"And what does my Lord have in mind?"
His lips pressed gently against her collar bone. "Say my name." A soft command as he continued kissing towards the valley between her breasts.
"Sesshoumaru…" she whispered into the night. Why was he torturing her so?
Her protest was kissed away; his tongue dipping into her mouth to bring her to a complete surrender. Here, alone at the top of the world he was, for this moment, hers.
/
He had showered her with kisses and Rin had purred in contentment after, when he curled her onto his lap, lying quietly under the stars.
Any more torturous nights like this and Sesshoumaru feared that he might die in agony. He had planned to take her there, but Rin had not been ready. Her body might have been rife with arousal but her mind and her heart were not at peace – they were not his.
He knew it was selfish of him to claim skin privileges from a woman who was saving them for her mate –if he survived having his head chewed off that is. And yet, he couldn't keep away; her innocence and kindness a drug to his needs. Tonight, like so many previous nights, he had crept into her bed and she simply tossed her blankets aside to welcome him.
Holding her like this was just –right. There was no deceit in her actions; a lust for power or money that so many other women – human, or Youkai – demanded of him. Of course, Sesshoumaru had not taken a lover since Rin came into his life. She was the only person who gave everything unconditionally. Her laughter, her conversations, her life, her love…
Even his own mother demanded a seat of power in exchange for her motherly duties.
Pressing a soft kiss on Rin's head of black silk, he pulled himself quietly from bed and returned to his room. There would be no sleep for him tonight.
Following Miria's attack and the abduction of the children at Eilean, Sesshoumaru had requested that Titus visit the other two human towns with expired treaties to see if a similar hyena infestation had taken place.
Having no official protection from the Lord of the West, those villages had gone into disarray with pillages and senseless killings. Sesshoumaru didn't care if they were humans or otherwise - on the contrary, he detested the humans – but the blood of the innocents should never be spilled.
A falcon delivering a parchment earlier had given him the grave news. One of the villages at the extreme South-West of his territory had been completely razed to the ground. No signs of life. The few Youkai soldiers he had sent to accompany Titus reported that the scent of hyenas were still fresh on scene.
That far south, the hyenas had to be very organised as they were far from the predatory Youkais who often than not shared their prized killings.
And now with Fillip dead, someone else had to be taking the reins – but who?
Head down towards the Southern Lord's castle and follow their tracks. If the hyenas are heading that way, he needs to be warned. Keep me posted.
Tying the message on the feet of another falcon, he released the bird and prepared for the six days journey.
Marcela was going to have to be disappointed by his absence then. The thought made him smirk.
/
His side of the bed was cold when she woke up and he wasn't at his seat during breakfast as well.
"Nahia, do you know where Jaken and Lord Sesshoumaru are?" asked Rin.
"I am not sure my Lady. Perhaps Master Keane might know," said Nahia, pausing to scoop some eggs onto her plate.
The majordormo looked up from his meal across the table. "I believe they left early this morning my Lady."
Rin wanted to know where but it wasn't her position to demand. Keane would tell her if he wished to.
"But, as the Lady of the house, you will receive our guest when she arrives."
Her palms slammed the table much louder than she intended, snapping everyone's head up in surprise. "What? She is still coming? But Lord Sesshoumaru is not here!" She could stay for ages until he returned.
"He has left no further instructions my Lady. But he wishes for you to do as you please."
Rin snarled – as best as a human could. That was very convenient of him to do that seeing that she had refused to give him an answer last night.
"Well then, we shall receive her and host her until he returns," she said instead, smiling at Keane. "What do I need to know about her?"
This time, it was Miria who spoke. "Marcela comes from the warrior Dog Demon class; similar to me I would say. But much younger. Her family works for the service of Lady Elisa; her elite guards."
Rin felt her stomach twist. Warrior class? Marcela would no doubt chop her to pieces if she wanted to, unlike Beatrice. Had Lady Elisa perhaps decided a stronger candidate was more suitable for her son – and in the process, eliminate her, the main obstacle?
"I'll stay by your side if it makes you feel better," offered Miria.
"As will I. The Master always leaves the castle to my care in his absence," said Keane.
Rin nodded in gratitude. She had barely finished the last bit of her drink when he guards announced Marcela's arrival.
"Eat first my Lady. She can wait," said Nahia sternly. But Rin was too squeamish to eat. All she wanted was to greet their guest and maybe work out an arrangement to avoid her at all cost.
She had already decided then that a warrior-wife was not the kind of mate for Lord Sesshoumaru. After all, he did give her the liberty to decide that for him.
"No, it's fine. Let's go. I'd rather have her tucked in her room as quickly as possible."
"Good choice my Lady," said Keane. Rin had been too nervous or she would have picked up the humour in his eyes.
Marcela, it turned out looked more like an exotic dancer than a warrior. In place of her long white hair, she had interwoven flaming red streaks to match the blood red bustier ramping up her lush curves intended for an audience with the Lord of the West.
Rin almost felt bad that she had to be disappointed. But the guilt was erased from her conscience the moment Marcela bared her fangs at her.
"A treat? Oh, how kind of the Lord."
"You will not touch her," said Keane, stepping in front of Rin to cut off Marcela's approach.
"Then what is she then?" she tried to walk behind Keane only to have Miria's sword blocking her path.
"Marcela."
"Miria." The other demoness stepped back. "I see this place had made you soft. Our kind was sworn to protect the rulers of the castles – not their human pets."
"You will watch your tongue young lady," said Keane sternly, pushing aside Miria's sword. "This is Lady Rin of the Western Castle. Every person in this household does her bidding as they have been sworn to by Lord Sesshoumaru."
Marcela's jaw dropped; her eyes snaking towards Rin with pure disgust. "Pathetic! I shall have a word with Lord Sesshoumaru about this right now. If only his mother knew! What a disgrace."
"I'm afraid Lord Sesshoumaru is not home at the moment," replied Keane. "You may wish to stay until he returns."
"And I suppose you don't know when?"
"I do not question my Lord's plans. His time is his own," said Keane.
Rolling her eyes, Marcela then pushed him aside to stare down at Rin. "And what does my Lady say?"
Rin kept her gaze firm and calm against the silvery glow of the Daiyoukai before her. "As per the agreement, you are welcomed to stay for the two weeks or leave any time before that, should the arrangement not be suitable anymore."
"And why would I? I came here to court the most eligible bachelor of all."
Mimicking one of Lord Sesshoumaru's signature blank stare, she turned her head haughtily away from Marcela. "No, you are here to court – me. I will decide if you are worthy of his Lord and only I will decide if you deserve to stay past the night."
"Why you dirty little human…" Marcela had her hand up, ready to strike her across the face but the prick of Miria's sword by her neck stopped her mid-air.
"I promise you Marcela that it is not just my sword that skins your hide. Even if you hurt one strand of her hair, Lord Sesshoumaru will know and he will bleed you."
Their guest back down at the severity of the threat. "Is this true?" she demanded, looking at Rin.
"You may ask Beatrice, our first guest. She will tell you the same," said Keane, sparing Rin the trouble of speaking.
Marcela didn't look too happy about it but she stopped her provocations. "Very well, I shall stay the night, at Lady Rin's acceptance, in hopes that Lord Sesshoumaru finds me a suitable mate."
Marcela pushed past the trio; her bags abandoned at the entrance.
"You're too nice Rin," Miria complained. "You should have just sent her away."
"In time. But for appearance's sake, I will grant her the night."
"As you wish my Lady," finished Keane as he picked up Marcela's bags.
/
"The Lord of the West, Lord Sesshoumaru, has arrived, requesting your audience my Lord," announced the royal guard of the South.
From behind the golden gate, Sesshoumaru could sense the old human leader sitting up straight at the sound of his name. Lord Adam Tsara's age was barely a blip on his own existence but this was the man whom his father became close friends with over the past decades. He was a man of reason.
When the doors opened, Sesshoumaru tried not to look too shocked at the withering human before him. Old age had left him crinkled but those blue eyes still looked at him with kindness and laughter as it once had fifty years ago. Would Rin someday become like that?
"Sesshoumaru, my dear!" Adam hobbled close to give him a hug. "I am so sorry to hear about your father. I did so wish to come to the service but as you can see... these legs are too crummy." He patted his legs and laughed.
"Adam, we must talk."
The human Lord laughed. "Ah, Sesshoumaru, always the serious one. Yes, this way."
Entering a separate room behind the main hall, Sesshoumaru closed the door behind him and stared hard at Adam.
"Are you aware that hyena are encroaching your lands? Just at the border is a small town of Hwen. They've completely razed it to the ground. My soldiers tracked the scent to the caves northwest from here."
By the wide 'o' of his mouth, Sesshoumaru gathered that Adam was completely in the dark. As the human sat to recover from his shock, Sesshoumaru moved closer, going on his knees to look Adam in the eye.
"How could I have missed this…" muttered the aged ruler. Sesshoumaru didn't need to remind him of the obvious lack of scent abilities.
"I can spare a soldier to warn you should they approach Seurri but you must send troops and warn the bordering villages or plan an evacuation."
It was unlikely that they would attack the capital city itself, but one always had to be cautious.
"But… I don't understand. Hyenas do not usually attack humans nor do they pillage. That is a very…"
"Human activity," finished Sesshoumaru. Someone was behind these coordinated attacks and he had every intention of finding out who and why. "I have come to warn you and to bring aid."
Adam stood up and put both hands on Sesshoumaru's shoulder. "Inu no Taisho raised you well Sesshoumaru. He would be proud to see you here, helping the humans. It was always his worry that your hatred for Izayoi would cripple your judgement as Lord of the West.
He wasn't – yet. And the reality of the situation annoyed him tremendously. Inu no Taisho did his duty of producing an heir, raised him and retained his throne even when he chose to live a mortal life with his human mate.
Sesshoumaru was facing the possibility of losing everything.
"My men are already stationed at the border. Should you require their assistance, command them at will."
Adam nodded, slowly bowing his head. "Thank you Sesshoumaru. I will send word should there be any need. My men and I will handle the situation from here on."
Sesshoumaru gave a nod of respect to the old human Lord and headed towards the door.
"Wait! I have something for you."
Sesshoumaru watched as Adam hobbled to a small leather chest resting on top of the fireplace.
Digging his hand in, Adam rummaged through the contents, before finding a small scroll. "Here, keep it for memory sake."
"What is it?" Sesshoumaru could smell the faint traces of a Daiyoukai's scent on it. "It belonged to my father?"
"Yes. Take it with you. Till we meet again Lord of the West."
/
NB: This is one of my favourite chapters! I hope you liked the new characters I've introduced and boy does the story get more complicated and intense! Thank you to all who have reviewed. You guys really made my day!