Rin is forced to stay behind when her Lord is summoned to war oversea. How long would she have to wait for her Lord's return to be happy again?
Rin's Waiting : 1 The Summoning
The great demon lord of Nishinihon looked over his shoulder to his two short followers some way up the road, waiting for him. His face remained expressionless, though concerns and thoughts were stirring within his mind. He turned back to the black inuyoukai before him.
The inuyoukai, an warrior was an friend and a soldier under the great Inutaisho, now under Lord SesshoMaru's lordship. Hiarkri is of the Inunokuro Clan and is a very loyal warrior, strong and intelligent. He had searched for SesshoMaru and had found him, informing him of the news from across the sea. The Red Dragons were coming closer and the land across the sea is calling other lands for help.
The Red Dragons, or rather Akairyujin in Lord SesshoMaru's tongue, also called the Honglongs in their own language came from far, far west across the sea, the land of Chin. They were vicious and powerful dragon youkai. They thirst for power and taking the lands in their wake. They were pushing eastward toward the isle of Nippon, trying to devour the lands and take the power for themselves.
It was the Era of Warlords, the Sengoku Jidai, war was everywhere, with the humans or youkai alike. With the Akairyujins rising up battles over sea, coming for the land of Nippon, it was Nishinihon that was in danger and Lord SesshoMaru does not like this one bit. He had to go and help the others across the sea before they attempt to invade Nippon.
"Give me few days. I will join you afterward. I have to do something first." SesshoMaru told Hiarkri. His amber eyes glanced back to his followers, standing at the end of the road, waiting patiently and loyally for him.
The black haired inuyoukai bowed, "Thank you, mi'lord. I shall inform the others. Your army will be waiting for you at the port. One way or another, it is unavoidable."
SesshoMaru gave a single nod and turned his back to the warrior. He heard the other inuyoukai retreat, leaping into the forest, disappearing. He met with his two followers, stopping and glancing down. "Jaken," He said to the old toad youkai, "We are to return to Nishinihon. Come Rin." He softly said to the young human ward.
"Awk! SesshoMaru-sama! Is that what he said was true?" The old toad youkai asked his rather ugly face contorted in horror as he scrambled to follow the tall inuyoukai.
"Yes." SesshoMaru said coolly, "The Akairyujin is heading our way now." He glanced back to see his young human girl keeping pace, skipping on her feet, holding bunch of wild flower, oblivious to everything he and Jaken was discussing.
"For now, we are going to the village where Lady Izayoi was from."
The poor old toad stumbled in his steps and he gave an indignant squawk. He knew of Lady Izayoi, who was InuYasha's mother in the past, SesshoMaru's human step-mother. He wondered why his lord wishes to go to the human village after all.
The young human girl, Rin, giggled as she paused to pluck some flowers on the side of the road, oblivious of everything going on around her. She stood back up and held up the flowers, "Look SesshoMaru!" she smiled as she held them high. The inuyoukai didn't turn his head but his eyes moved to see. She saw this and delighted, "It smells pretty! Rin likes!"
"Rin, remember your proper words." SesshoMaru lightly admonished as he kept walking on, his head straight ahead.
Rin cocked her head sideway, almost pouting. "Gomen! The flower smells pretty and I like it."
"Good, that's better." He said softly.
Jaken rolled his eyes and bopped Rin's head with his staff as he passed her by. Rin scowled at him and ran to keep up. As she caught up with them and kept with the taiyoukai's pace, she started to weave the flowers into a crown. She then placed it upon her wild ebony locks. The scents of the flowers were forever woven in her hair and skin as she always was gathering them to amuse herself.
SesshoMaru glanced down to his side, seeing the young girl walking beside him. She was a fresh change in his life since he had saved her from death. She had grown since she started to travel with him. He had expected for her to fall behind, unable to keep up with his patrol of the land. He had planned leaving her in the next village, yet she surprised him, keeping up with his pace, never wavering, never complaining. Her bright cheerful face never cease to amaze him, even though he did not show it, she had grown on him and despite to his raging emotions within, he had become attached to her.
The trip to the village was for Rin. With the upcoming war with the Akairyujin, he could not allow Rin to follow him to death. She was of the age where she would leave childhood and enter womanhood and he could not teach her to help her with her transition, neither could Jaken. He needed for her to stay behind, safely and away from danger.
There would be things she needed to learn that was required for every young lady to learn. Things she needed to hear from women, not from him or Jaken. Rather things of humans, not of youkai. Even if Jaken was his choice of being Rin's mentor during their travel, it was time to change. It was time that he must leave her behind with someone who was more appropriate to care for her.
Rin needed to be among her kinds, after all she is human. He knew of someone in the village who would be willing to take her in, to teach and raise her. It saddens him a bit to do this but he knew, one way or another, if the Akairyujin were not the danger, he would had done so nonetheless.
They've reached the outskirt of the village and he stopped. He turned to his companions. "Jaken, go to the West Hold and prepare. We are to depart once I arrive."
"Yes, SesshoMaru-sama!" Jaken squawked and took off after he bowed, knowing better than to defy his lord.
Rin tilted her head in confusion as she watched Jaken disappear down the road. She then looked up to SesshoMaru with her big sweet brown eyes. The crown toppled on her head, falling sideway.
"Come here, Rin." SesshoMaru commanded softly and reached to fix her flower crown, setting it right. She may have grown several inches taller since she started to travel with him, but it did not stop him from picking her up. She was lithe and light, sitting on his hip as he held her. She rested her head upon his Mokomoko-sama, holding onto him. She did not ask, knowing he would tell her when he was ready.
He took another path through the forest instead of the road they were traveling upon, going around the village. He did not want to travel through the village, bringing attention or troubles among the frightful humans. His destination was on the other side of the village, a large mansion that lay on the other end.
Through the forest, the wall of the mansion loomed ahead. It was once home of Lady Izayoi. Now her family descendants lived there, as he knew of, Izayoi's great niece was the lady of the house now.
Still holding Rin, he went around and entered the front gate. As he treaded down the garden courtyard, a servant spotted him and gasped, frozen in surprise. He commanded the servant coolly, "I shall see Lady Karei now." He knew the lady's name since the village was on his land and she was one of the wealthy families of the village and her name often appear on his missives for inventory. The village was the largest on his land, governing the others under his rule.
The servant hastily bowed and ran in the mansion to inform his mistress of the unexpected, perhaps an unwelcome guest.
Rin fiddled with her crown of flowers as she sat comfortably in SesshoMaru's arm. A flower came loose and floated down to the floor. She glanced down and saw a hand picking it up. She looked up to find a handsome woman in deep green kimono with long graying black hair.
"SesshoMaru-sama." The woman greeted them, bowing formally. "I've never thought you would grace this house, let alone the village." She handed the flower to Rin, smiling at her.
Rin smiled back as she took the flower and quickly fixed it back in her crown. SesshoMaru followed the woman into the mansion and into a room. The woman went around the room and seated herself upon the pillow before the tsukue, the low desk. Brushes and parchment were laid out on the tabletop and the inks were still wet, indicating she was working on something while they interrupted her.
She laced her fingers together as SesshoMaru seated himself across the desk from her. She spoke with even tone, "I sense that you needed something from me."
SesshoMaru glared at her icily, not liking how she placed herself as his equal. He never liked when humans try to be equal to him. He is Lord SesshoMaru, the powerful taiyoukai and the ruler of the land that she lives upon. She should bow and treat him as such. But it was not time to put her in place. He replied coolly as he held onto Rin who was fiddling with the fur of his Mokomoko-sama, "I need you to care for Rin."
Lady Karei shifted her gaze to the girl, "And this is Rin?" She asked.
Rin's delicate brows furrowed slightly. She didn't like the tones SesshoMaru had in his voice. She could barely understand what was happening. Had this have to do something with that youkai her Lord was talking to earlier? What did it have to do with her?
SesshoMaru sensed confusion in Rin and his arm held her tighter, he patted her leg, silently assuring that everything was all right. "Yes."
Lady Karei frowned, "Why? From what I have heard, you were doing all right with raising her yourself."
SesshoMaru kept a cool face, "Something came up. I do not wish for Rin to be involved and she is of age that she needs human tutelage."
Lady Karei nodded her head and standing up. "I will take her in. You are right, she does need human guidance, after all, she is of age, I suppose."
SesshoMaru stood up, tilting his head higher. "I will return shortly with Rin." He tilted his head in an almost bow and pivoted and left.
Lady Karei shook her head, "That arrogant lord puzzles me." She muttered, mocking SesshoMaru's cool voice. She clapped her hands and a servant appeared. "Prepare a room for a young girl. I will need her to be fitted for new kimonos."
"Hai, my lady." The servant said as she bowed.
Rin remained silent the entire time she was in SesshoMaru's arm. She knew something was up and waited for her lord to tell her. She knew he was biding his time. She nuzzled into his furry Mokomoko-sama, enjoying the warmth and the scent of SesshoMaru. He was taking her deep into the forest some distance from the mansion.
He found a quiet grove where a creek was nearby. He set her down and settled himself on the grass under the large oak tree. He gestured to the creek, "Go and drink." He told her softly. He watched her go over to the creek, taking drink of the cold fresh water and washing her face. She wiped her face dry with the sleeve of her kimono. He noticed the kimono was getting rather short for her, showing her ankles and her wrists. He knew Lady Karei will make sure she was properly attired and dressed only in the best.
"Come here." He said as she finished drinking the water at the creek. She returned to him, standing before him and he drew her down to sit on his lap. The crown of flowers still sat upon her head, giving soft sweet scent. He only allowed her close contact in private, often in the hidden grove during the night as they traveled.
He had never seen her as his daughter as many would think. He saw her as companion, a source of amusement through difficult time and the contentment to his inner inuyoukai beast's desire to protect something other than his land. He knew one day, he would view her differently once she get older and it scared him a bit, knowing he was well on his way following his father's footstep.
It was not forbidden for youkai to take in human as a mate, but it was the mortality and immortality that made the possibility of mating difficult. He was immortal, a taiyoukai, a figure being that was almost considered as a god among his kind and the human kinds. His status demands him to mate of an equal being, rather an Inunogin demoness to produce a strong heir.
But in the past two hundred of years, he had no desire or found a suitable mate. He watched his father take a human mate despite his mother being alive. He watched his half-brother take a human mate, a Miko. He noticed, in both women he knew, Izayoi and Kagome were the strongest of human females, headstrong and beautiful as well. Rin was also one of the rarities, a beautiful and strong female, he knew she would become. Rin had proven herself over and over daily during their travel, never wavering, never complaining or showing any fears. She also proved herself intelligent, being able to read him while many others, even Jaken couldn't.
She curled up in his lap, resting her back against his arm while the Mokomoko-sama draped over her lap, keeping her warm from the chill of the approaching night. She directed her attention to him, waiting and listening to whatever he had to say, even if he almost never says much.
He turned her head with his finger on her chin, tilting to have her eyes meet his. He could see the honey hue in her brown eyes. "Do you understand what is happening?" He asked quietly.
She stared into his amber eyes, never flinching or fearing him. Her trust was strong and steadfast. She nodded slightly as she felt his finger left her chin to rest his hand upon her hip. "SesshoMaru wants Rin to stay with the lady?" She asked and saw his slight withering glare and repeated, "You want me to stay with the lady?" She smiled slightly as she saw approving look on his face.
"Hai, Rin, I want you to stay with Lady Karei. She will care for you." He said.
Her face fell, "Why?"
"I need to leave, to war." He started. "I do not want you to follow me where I go. It is dangerous." He explained as he saw her eyes diverting away from his face, wet tears welling up. He noticed she was fighting back the tears. He reached up and touched her cheek and suddenly, the wet tears fell and he wiped them away.
She looked back at him, crying. "I don't want to stay with the lady!" She protested. "I want to stay with you!"
"No, you must stay. It is no place for you where I am going. It is far away." He said with finality in his voice.
Usually, she obeyed her lord, did the unexpected. She defied him and shouted, "No! I want to stay with you! I can fight! I go with you! SesshoMaru!" She finally broke down and sobbed into his kimono as he held her.
His silver brow creased together as he held her close to him, rubbing his hand up and down her back. A strange pain clutched his chest, was it truly that he was attached to her? Then almost against his own wish, he murmured into her hair, "I do wish it wasn't so."
Rin looked up, wiping her face of her tears with her kimono sleeve. "Promise to come back for me?" She asked, hopeful look in her eyes.
He saw the wistfulness in her eyes and found he could not deny her. He nodded, "Yes. I promise to come back for you." She then smiled weakly, which made his heart heavy. She rested her head on his shoulder, letting the fur cover her up more as he held her close. Her eyes closed and she lulled away into dreams. He silently cursed his heritage of falling for human women.
They remained together for couple of hours, the night growing darker as time passed and the forest lulled into the silent of the night. He was softly stroking her black hair with his claw and stopped as he looked down to her. Her face radiated peacefulness; pale skin glowed in the faint light of the moonlight. His claw moved to caress her porcelain like cheek. He brushed her black strands away from her face, exposing her white neck.
He leaned in, nuzzling his nose in the crook of her neck, taking in her delicate sweet scent, committing to his memory. He drew back, staring into her young face, for a moment there; he saw her face morph into more mature face of a woman. He knew she would become a beautiful woman, desirable too. It was then that he made his decision.
He leaned back down, his tongue darting out to taste her skin on her neck. She was sweet as she smelled. His teeth grazed the delicate skin and she flinched in her sleep, wincing slightly and settling back down as his lips kissed the wound, catching every red drops, not allowing it to mar her pale skin. He then curled his arms tighter around her, holding her close, he has marked her as his, forever.
It wasn't until near dawn that he rose from his position, never stirring Rin from her sleep. He returned to the mansion and silently slipped in the house. Lady Karei greeted him in the hallway, motioning silently toward Rin's new room. He went and saw with his approval that the room was well provided for Rin and settled her on the futon. He then drew the cover over her body to her chin and stroked her ebony locks away from her face. He rose from the futon and turned, leaving the room, never glancing back.
Lady Karei had seen the entire scene from the hall way, glimpsing into the unknown face of the taiyoukai. It had surprised her deeply to witness true compassion from the stoic youkai. She knew forever she would keep to herself, never telling another soul what she had seen that night.
She told him as he passed her, "Rin will be safe in my care." He paused, only turning slightly. He gave a single nod and continued down the hall. She sighed softly, "Not that I need your thanks." She murmured and closed the door to Rin's room.
He stopped before turning corner to the front gate. His head turned to meet her eyes, "I care deeply for Rin. If anything happens…" His knuckles cracked loudly in the silence of the hall and Lady Karei saw his nails glowing bright green, giving green glows in the darkness.
She bowed respectfully, "As much you don't trust me. I give you my words you may have my life and this village if anything were to happen to Rin."
"Good."
She stood up and saw he was gone. She was surprised that the taiyoukai had confessed something that was endearment. It was a rare event and not another soul would ever know but herself. That moment alone had proved to her that he did indeed have a warm beating heart within his chest, a compassionate soul that lay under all the layers of a hardened warrior.
She sighed, realizing she had signed her life and the village away to the demon for a mere girl's safety.
Japanese Dictionary:
Nishinihon – Western Japan
Inuyoukai – Dog demons
Inunokuro – Black Dog
Akairyujin – Red Dragons (Japanese version)
Honglongs – Red Dragons (Chinese version)
Sengoku Jidai – Warring Era, 400-500 years ago
Nippon – old name for Japan
Chin – old name for China
- sama –suffix to name for addressing a Lord or Lady
Youkai – demon
Gomen – informal for 'sorry'
Taiyoukai – greater demon
Mokomoko-sama – fur pelt that SesshoMaru wears
Tsukue – low Japanese desk, often for writing
Kimono – Japanese clothing, robe like with large sleeves
Inunogin – Silver Dog
Hai - yes
AN:
Four and half year later, a total rewrite. I decided to rewrite the entire story. I might add a few things, I don't know, but it's a start. As you may noticed, I remove the entire story so I'd start all over again, giving you a better version. I love this story so much that I wanted to improve it, like Lady Hikariko became Lady Izayoi, scenes were explained in details and talking in third person forever removed and more insight to the character's thoughts and feelings. Though, I will try my best to check over my grammar here. I'm still a bit unsure about how to use my tenses. I hope I did all right here.
This story kept getting reviews long after it was finished and the number kept rising and rising. I just felt the need to please my readers with their favorite story by making it better. The old version got 174 reviews. Let's see how this version does. Hugs!
I still haven't decided the plot-line for the sequel yet. I do need your help to give me ideas.
I look forward to hear your opinion on how the story is. If you want to read the original writing I've done for Rin's Waiting, it's up at www . yashodoa . com / fanfictions / rinswaiting (remove the spaces to be able to reach the website). The website has few other fun things for this story. Once again as I ask you, if you have any fan arts for this story, I'd love it and I will post it upon the website.
If you sign in your review, I might reply you back (mostly to your questions).
Thank you and love you all. Hugs.
