Later 11 A Young Lady
Those years passed by quickly and the pups grew and flourished under the watchful gaze of those who loved them. During that time Rin too changed; growing through her lanky and awkward stage to show the true promise of the woman. She was not too tall but good food and a safe life had helped her blossom and she had a trim and attractive curvy figure. But more important was the fact that she remained essentially the same in her personality.
She was always willing to help and learn. Kaede was training a new girl to be a village Miko as although Kagome was by now skilled in the same crafts as her mentor, she was obviously no longer a maid and the villagers were not quite ready to accept the idea of a married Miko. This was despite the fact that Kagome had retained her spiritual powers.
Sesshoumaru always thought it strange and hypocritical of humans to equate purity of heart and soul only with that of the body; he himself had known that despite being taken by a youkai, Izayoi had been one of the best humans around and she too had kept her spiritual power. Inuyasha had never seen it until it was revealed with the unmother, but Sesshoumaru had known that Izayoi had used it to erect barriers to protect her child when he was most vulnerable.
Izayoi was mostly untrained and had only known of her power for about a year before she was pregnant with Inuyasha and then her teacher had refused to instruct her anymore and the young girl was left mainly to her own devices. But now he was on the other side of his hatred, Sesshoumaru could see that Izayoi had been a kind and generous soul and only a child when she was left bereft and hated with her hanyou pup. It caused his heart to give a jolt when he also realised that the girl had only been a year or so older than Rin when Inuyasha had been born.
When Rin had turned approximately fourteen it was obvious that she needed new kimono and not those of a child anymore; therefore Sesshoumaru supplied the deficiency with a beautiful one for everyday use and a stunning silk creation for special occasions. Rin knew that Sesshoumaru would wish to see her in the new gown to make sure it fit and changed into the silk for their family dinner at the little house that evening.
The effect was immediate, and Rin felt subtly different as she walked more slowly towards the house following Sesshoumaru. He said nothing much to her except that 'it suits its purpose' when she was dressed, but he did keep glancing at her when she was not looking and was pleased with the result. It was only fitting that his ward was dressed appropriately to show to who she belonged, the girl was special and it was not so good that she was indistinguishable sometimes to any other village maid.
Kagome had laughed and joked with Rin about growing up fast and how pretty she looked; and she had even dragged out what was left of her own meagre supply of makeup to tint Rin's face. Once again the change was noticeable and Rin was left with a pretty but natural blush at the compliments from Inuyasha and Kagome. Sesshoumaru of course said nothing but he didn't tell her to clean her face either, so it was assumed he didn't mind the small transformation.
After the meal Inuyasha had helped Kagome with the pups and put them to bed, whispering words of love to her. He told her how he wished he could supply her with such finery and she had replied he gave her all she wanted and she had no need of such a fine gown. Inuyasha had denied that saying that he had seen how much she liked Rin's new silk, but Kagome's answer was that with four small pups it would be ruined in no time. Inuyasha promised her that one day she would also have a beautiful kimono; he was sure that whatever his inheritance was, it would be able to provide for one at least.
Sesshoumaru had smiled on overhearing that, his superior sense easily listening, he had not yet shown the boy his inheritance or told him of it in any depth; now was not the time, Inuyasha was still far too young and uneducated for assuming responsibility for his property. But he promised them in his head that one day Kagome would get her fine silks and so would their pups; it was just not yet time.
As he escorted Rin back to Kaede's hut Sesshoumaru once again glanced at the girl, this time noting her shape and demeanour with a slightly more objective view. It would surely not be long before some village boy started to show interest in the girl with a view to marriage, but it could not be allowed unless Rin too was interested; she was far above any villager he had come across. He felt a strange sense of loss for the little girl who had followed him everywhere and may now choose to become someone's mate.
Sesshoumaru's thought naturally turned to Rin more and more as he thought about her future and what would become of her. As he did so, he seemed to come across more things that would suit her more as an adult than a child; over the next year there would be combs and hair ornaments as well as a new kimono of silk in a new shade he thought might compliment her complexion. Rin of course was always properly grateful and indeed she thought the gowns exquisite, but she was a bit bemused by where she could keep them.
That meant that the next gift was a trunk, carefully lined and padded with silk that would take her treasures and that would store them for when perhaps she took them to her husband's home. Sesshoumaru would of course add to them when the time came, he had already started to notice jewellery that he thought would suit her and act as dowry.
As there was not really enough room at Kaede's hut for the trunk, a new room was added to the little house where Rin could keep her things. A new bed was also provided as often Rin would stay overnight with Kagome and Inuyasha if Kaede was called away. The young couple were also bemused by the ever increasing contents of Rin's trunk; she after all showed them every new acquisition, usually by modelling and after Kagome had helped her 'do' her hair and makeup.
Of course this was not an everyday occurrence, Sesshoumaru's visits were only once or twice a month; or at least they were at the start, latterly he had come more often, stealing away from his duties in the West. He wouldn't admit it to the rest of them, or even fully to himself, but he enjoyed the simple family life they shared, especially as he was also included. The feeling surprised him but it called to the deepest parts of his memory, when he had been a part of a happy family and before the tragedy struck. Inuyasha was concerned however and spoke to Sesshoumaru;
"These presents are very nice brother but when will the girl wear them all?"
"She will be able to save them for the appropriate times, Inuyasha; they will also go to form her dowry."
"Her dowry; you gonna marry her off already?"
"No but it is well to be prepared, she is already older than many humans to wed."
"Feh! Kagome hasn't encouraged any suitors; she says that kids marry far too young in this day and age."
"In this I believe your Miko is correct; in my own observations they are barely out of childhood; Rin is not underprivileged and can afford to wait until she is used to being a woman."
"Who are you planning to give her too though Sesshoumaru, you are setting her sights higher than a village boy with all that dowry, yet she is not as refined as a lord would want."
"You know little of court politics Inuyasha; men will overlook her humble beginnings and lack of formal education in regards to her guardian."
"You wouldn't sell her to just anyone?" Inuyasha was horrified but it was the wrong thing to say and Inuyasha should have kept his mouth shut, as his brother grabbed him by the throat and his eyes glowed with an eerie red light.
"This Sesshoumaru would never 'sell' Rin; she will be mated to a worthy creature who will know she remains under my protection at all times." He dropped Inuyasha to the ground as he calmed down and this time Inuyasha wisely said nothing at all. Sesshoumaru wasn't sure where his anger had come from; he knew that Inuyasha didn't really believe that his brother would sell Rin to the highest bidder.
As the following summer arrived Rin turned sixteen and she had finally grown through her awkward early adolescence to become a lovely young woman. She had not gone unnoticed either and quite a few of the young men in the village vied to get her attention, so far to no avail. She might have been a bit older than usual but it seemed that the Lord Sesshoumaru had no particular plans for his ward; he had not married her off nor betrothed her to any dignitary as yet and so they felt they were in with a chance.
But Rin showed no favours to anyone in particular; she helped Kaede, played with and taught the children and all in all reminded Inuyasha more and more of a more carefree version of his mother. He felt a strong draw to her which Kagome understood; Inuyasha had lost his mother so very young that Rin was filling that gap. As she played with the pups the hanyou remembered his own early childhood; whereas Kagome was always his mate and he never mixed her up with his mother when they were together.
Sesshoumaru saw all this with a rueful amusement; the hanyou was more open faced and less guarded in himself when Rin was around and she was unfailingly kind and diplomatic when she encouraged Inuyasha to join in with the games. Inuyasha had got over his jealousy of Rin some time since; welcome attention from his brother, his mate and Rin had all contributed to his far more settled and happier state of mind.
However one day when Rin was speaking with Kaede and the others were all occupied too, she heard a suspicious giggling sound and looked around for the cause recognising Inuyasha's boys' voices. They were not immediately obvious but Rin's hearing was excellent and pinpointed them to a place they should not be. All three were sitting watching her and Kaede from the vantage point of the tall red gate to the shrine.
From up there was a complete view of the village and beyond; they could see their Mama and Papa alongside their Uncle, who had their little sister perched on his shoulder. It was very exciting for Souta who was now four and a half; he had just learned he could leap quite high and he had wanted to share the view with his brothers, so he had jumped each of them up there as well. It had not occurred to him that both of the smaller pups were too high and if they couldn't get up yet on their own, neither could they get down.
Of course both Kaede and Rin saw the immediate danger especially for the youngest who wasn't even three, and both got up slowly to get under the crossbeams. They debated quickly as to whether to call for help and on Kaede's nod, Rin called in her clear voice for Lord Sesshoumaru. By now all three youngsters were standing and chatting noisily about all they could see. Kaede and Rin held out their aprons below the unsuspecting pups.
Everything happened so quickly, Sesshoumaru heard Rin and easily saw the problem; he handed his niece to her mother and turned into his ball of light just as the youngest pup jumped up and down on the beam. His squeal of laughter became a scream of terror as he lost his footing and fell, plummeting towards the ground that seemed a long way away. His brothers' screams echoed his as Sesshoumaru reached them; the Daiyoukai grabbed both older boys in one arm as he stretched for the youngest.
At the same time as Sesshoumaru snagged the toddler, Rin held her arms out to catch the child and a great flash of pink light coalesced into a barrier that slowed the youkai's descent. Had Sesshoumaru not already caught the pup, he would have had a safe landing because of the cushioning barrier that announced that Rin too was a Miko. Meanwhile Inuyasha had reached them all and was beside himself with relief. He thanked both Rin and Sesshoumaru before turning his attention to his pups.
"What an idiotic thing to do Souta; what have I told you about looking after your little brothers? They could have been killed; is that what you want?" Inuyasha's anger and relief combined and he pulled Souta across his lap and swatted him a few times, disregarding the wails from Souta and his brothers who were frightened by the whole episode. What had started as a bit of good fun had ended with tears and an irate father. But Souta was even more upset by his father's words than by the spanking, which was not heavy despite the hanyou's anger. It was Sesshoumaru who alerted Inuyasha;
"Souta is not this Sesshoumaru Inuyasha; the pup has always cared for his siblings, this is merely an error of judgement." The gently spoken words reached Inuyasha who was instantly aware that Souta was suffering in his heart. Inuyasha took his son in his arms and rubbed the slightly sore backside and spoke to the pup.
"What I said was too harsh Souta, I am sorry, I didn't mean it; I know you love your brothers and sister. I was frightened for you all and it made me speak in worry and anger when I should have waited to consider my words more carefully. Just don't ever do anything like it again; never put your siblings in places they cannot get themselves naturally, O.K?"
"Yes Papa; I am sorry."
"I know son, and you did deserve the swatting; now go and thank your Uncle and Rin, they saved Kinsa from certain injury at the least." He finished looking sternly but with love at the contrite pup. Souta did as he was bid and he shuddered, Uncle Sesshoumaru was even stricter than Papa, but the Lord merely put his hand on the boy's head and said 'as long as the lesson is learned'. Rin knelt and gave him a hug and kiss and then he went to say sorry to his brothers.
Peace was restored as the pups grizzled, commiserating with each other; the scare and shock was now hitting them. Rin and Kagome who had now arrived from across the village, took the pups back to Kaede's hut to give them some food and reassurance before taking them back to the little house and putting them to bed early. None of them complained as they were all tired, even Souta who was normally most vociferous if told he had to sleep at the same time as the babies.
Later that same evening, the small house was full with Inuyasha, Kagome, Sesshoumaru and Rin, along with Miroku and Kaede who were all discussing the new Miko. They were very interested in Sesshoumaru's thoughts that the strong Miko's sprang from the same geographical area. Even Kagome who was born so many years after their present time was still local, and due to the nature of the shrine probably her ancestors hadn't travelled abroad very far in all that time.
They were also very interested that Rin was discovered not too far away and fairly close to where Izayoi had been a Princess. This was of course news to most of them, that Inuyasha's mother had also shown spiritual power indicating that she too was a latent Miko. But that was all really beside the point, now Rin had to decide if she wanted training in becoming a Miko or not and was Kaede willing to take her on with all of her other duties.
Sesshoumaru stayed in the area that night, he too wanted to speak with Rin privately and would take her for a walk the following afternoon. She would know by then if she wanted to cultivate this new aspect of her life or not. So the next day, Rin took a small picnic consisting of food for herself and sweet treats that Sesshoumaru had found he quite enjoyed after being exposed to them at the insistence of his nephews. They walked to their favourite spot and sat down languorously in the hot afternoon sun.
"So my Rin; you have found a gift, like Kagome it manifested itself from a need for your help. I am most impressed."
"It certainly was a surprise My Lord."
"So do you know what you wish to do, will the old one train you or will you forego your spiritual power?"
"I think I shall cultivate it, Kaede could use the help of another Miko; Kagome cannot always be on hand anymore."
"You think to remain with Kaede as a Miko permanently? You will forego the normal aspects of human life with pups of your own? This seems strange to This Sesshoumaru, you are always so fond of pups."
"I would need a husband to have my own children My Lord and I do not see that in my future. Being a Miko would give my life meaning and is honourable."
"Perhaps it is too soon to give up on the idea of marriage and family, Rin, and as with Kagome being a married woman does not preclude you from being a Miko. But I have noticed that you have shown no consideration for any of the villager boys, even some who have come from further away to meet you."
"No My Lord, there will be no one for me; my heart is already given to someone who is unable to return my affection."
"Rin, you speak of a man who is already married? How has he engaged your heart; has he made inappropriate overtures to you?"
"No My Lord; how could anyone have done such a thing when I am under your watchful eyes, or indeed those of Lord Inuyasha? No the man I have fallen in love with has done nothing reproachful and my desires stay my own and are not apparent to him."
"Well, I still say it is too early to give up hope and I for one will rejoice that no one threatens to remove you from here yet my Rin. Perhaps one day you will come to the Palace to take care of my pups as well as Inuyasha's."
"You already think to have a mate and an heir My Lord?"
"I shall have to do so one day, but no one has presented themselves yet, or at least no one I could seriously consider."
"I shall probably be too old then by the time you would need a nursemaid for your pups." Rin said carefully and Sesshoumaru was once again forcefully reminded of the fragility of Rin's life.
TBC