The Reel Deal
Dawn was still stretching pale fingers when, aura billowing around him, Sesshomaru flew closer to the fields on the fringes of a small human village. He took a quick survey of the rolling meadow: swaying grass, early blooms, and not a human in sight during these early twilit hours. Satisfied, the dog-demon landed in a graceful swirl of power.
"Jaken. Off." He shook the lengthy mane over his shoulder when his retainer didn't move straightaway.
"Lord Sesshomaru!" Jaken cried, getting lost in overgrown grass that was nearly as tall as he. "Don't leave me behind!"
The imp's pleas fell on deaf ears. Whenever they came here, Sesshomaru had a one-track mind. He lingered on the outskirts of the same human village every time, prepared to tolerate the indignity for Rin.
Sniffing the cool air, Sesshomaru realized he wasn't the one to be kept waiting this morning. For the first time since the primary year he had left her here, it was Rin who waited for him. Is something wrong? He knew he'd find out soon enough, but it still took some effort to keep his pace steady.
"Good morning, Lord Sesshomaru!" Rin greeted. There was no need to fake a smile around him; Rin bubbled happily to see someone who would always hear her out. No one ever listened like Sesshomaru, not even Kagome or Sango. He didn't interrupt or ask questions or accidently slip and give away a secret. And, even if he always had a bit of a bored expression, she knew Sesshomaru gave her his full attention. Rin need only ask that he offer input.
The daiyokai put up with her fawning. Sometimes he feared that he was spoiling her, staying too close, not letting her grow entirely accustomed to her human neighbors. But…this was one selfishness Sesshomaru wasn't sure he could overcome. If ever Rin needed him, if there was something that required solely his guidance, he wanted to be there. Neither scheme nor skirmish could take precedence over his time with her.
"Say, Lord Sesshomaru?" Rin asked in the tone she used whenever she craved his undivided attention.
Turning toward the forest, meandering for a longer walk – and away from Jaken – Sesshomaru regally inclined his head. She had his ear.
Taking the cue, Rin continued. "I got a question."
Sesshomaru smirked. That isn't so unusual. "Ask."
Rin thought about it for a second, trying to phrase her inquiry in terms the militant daiyokai might understand. Something devoid of what he called "emotional involvement." Like that's so easy with this issue. "How would you," she started, "how do you know when it's time to back out of a war you know you can't win and just cut your losses?"
Sesshomaru arched a brow. "You mean accept defeat?" Claws raked through silver bangs, trying to process such a foreign concept. "Rin, have you been trying to spar with Kohaku again? This Sesshomaru advised you otherwise."
"No-o," Rin grumbled. It was uncanny how eerily close Sesshomaru got to the topic at hand, though. "All right scratch that."
Sesshomaru watched the girl as she empathically waved her hands in the air in front of them as if to clear a slate.
"Let's just say that you and another great lord are battling for the same province." Rin demonstrated the opposing sides with parallel arms. "And the other lord really seems to be winning and under his guidance the province thrives. Do you give up the fight and just leave well enough alone?"
"Rin." Sesshomaru paused long enough in their walk to hold her gaze.
"Yes?"
"You know my answer to such a situation." He turned and kept walking.
"Free will of the people?" Rin offered, trotting after to keep up.
"No." Amber eyes slanted Rin's way in mild reproach. "That object of contention, the province as it were, you destroy it."
Rin stumbled. This was not the lucid, rational, civil advice she needed.
"Your rival," Sesshomaru continued, heedless to his lagging company, "should have nothing that would increase his holdings over yours. Burn that province to the ground. Does that answer your question?"
"Somewhat, m'lord." Rin toyed with a loose strand on her sleeve. That was nowhere near the answer she had hoped to hear. Well, what did you expect him to say? Agree that the best man had won?
Sesshomaru's nose didn't miss the tension that failed to leave Rin's scent as they walked back to regroup with Jaken. Before his garrulous vassal would demolish their privacy, the daiyokai trusted his instinct to finally ask. "What troubles you?"
Rin fidgeted. The question was so direct. "Nothing, Lord Sesshomaru."
She's lying, Sesshomaru dully observed. But she's also requesting that I not pry. A shrug rolling off his shoulders, Sesshomaru decided to move on to a lighter subject. "So how's Kohaku?"