A/N: Shout out and thank you to everyone who's reading! Hope you're all having a great summer! – Silent Scribe

Forgotten Mussels

As much as he hated to admit it – upper-crust yokai such as he should be imperious to petty whims of sentiment – Tensai was concerned for his lackadaisical pupil. Kichiruka had been "disappearing" of late and, although it was Tensai who had passed along to him the power of aquatic teleportation, it unnerved the older demon that he couldn't track where the lout wandered. When one teleported he vanished entirely from the premises without any trace of fin, fringe, or yoki. And he seems to be making a habit of it. Or at least, that's what Tensai thought until his student returned yesterday and shut himself in his home for the remainder of the day. Not to mention all through today, too. Given Kichiruka's jocular attitude Tensai wasn't sure if this was an improvement or an omen of worse symptoms to come.

Smoothing the sails that spiked out on his forearms and head, Tensai dutifully lurched to the old derelict on the kingdom's edge. Since the cruise boat had capsized, he found it mildly irritating that the deck should be above his head rather than below. The whole setup was topsy-turvy.

It suits the occupant.

After stumbling through the starboard only find the main entrance was on port – only a human could design these ridiculous crafts! – the swordfish demon poked his nose to Kichiruka's usual haunt. No sooner had he leered in, a soft greeting echoed, "Master Tensai? Is that you?"

"Who else comes within a mile of this wreckage?" he snapped. Upper-crust, upper-crust, upper-crust…

Kichiruka chuckled, setting down some inscribed tablets in his lap. "May we reconvene in an hour or so for martial training?"

The sails on the older demon's head quivered, spiking up and smoothing back down. It had been a while since Kichiruka had shown interest in this facet of his studies, he was so often consumed with the expectations of a new audience or picking his teacher's brain for a new spell (when he wasn't pushing it to wits' end).

When Tensai didn't answer at first, Kichiruka promptly explained, "It was, ah, recommended that I spend today studying." He shuffled the tiles in his hands. "But a bit of training wouldn't hurt either." The conch staff was hoisted high.

"Where would you like to practice?" Tensai kept his tone impatient and snippy. Mustn't seem too thrilled.

"On shore."

"What?" Tensai's composure was shot out of water. "Are you ill?"

Kichiruka blinked innocently. "No, but…"

"I thought you hated the terrestrial plane?"

"Well, I do, er, did…"

Tensai's yellow eyes narrowed and the beady, black pupils focused. He had grounds enough to inquire where academia was concerned. "Where have you been drifting off to these past few weeks?"

"Land," Kichiruka confessed. Lying to his master was pointless. And occasionally painful.

But Tensai didn't do anything. Instead, his face wrinkled in what Kichiruka might have ventured to call a smile. Ah, yes, I told Ichikawa he had potential, he inwardly preened. "Well, then, as you were. Give me a while and we'll go."

"I have a new coach, too."

Blue sails blanched. Why wasn't he informed? Tensai could read, write, and count his salary, he knew basically everything there was to teach Kichiruka. He'd been at Lord Ichikawa's side for nearly a century now and this little spiny-headed joker was going get a stand-in for him?

Kichiruka felt the trickle of yoki that raised a rash on his back. "Not a new coach that could replace you, Master!"

Tensai let up a bit. "Oh? And what could you possibly learn from someone else that I am not equipped to demonstrate?"

"Walking?"

"On land?" Kichiruka nodded and Tensai actually looked impressed. "You truly found a terrestrial demon who would put up with your stupidity?"

"Look, I said I would stop 'horsing around.'" Kichiruka imitated a whicker from one of carnivorous equine "gifts," and giggled.

"Not funny, boy." Tensai crossed his arms. "So, what kind of yokai is this coach?"

"Well, she's a human, for starters."

"A human?" Tensai made a face similar to the one Rin had when Kichiruka told her he was slimy.

"Is that bad?"

Tensai mulled over this a moment. "Yes and no. Humans are reputably very unstable creatures, mental and emotional crises often arising from self-realization of their short existences."

"Oh." Kichiruka weighed the information in his mind. Might explain why Rin was so crabby.

"But if you're learning something valuable…" Tensai tilted his head from one side to the other. A little mortal wouldn't be a threat to his position. Humans were ill-equipped to live in the water anyway. "Not too many of our people out here worry about humans. The short-lives that do venture into the water hunt the same food as we and are generally respectful of the ocean's might."

"So…can I keep her?"

"Oh, I suppose. Just don't go get emotionally in—"

"Thank you very much, Master Tensai!" Then, before his teacher could shirk back on anything, Kichiruka slid the door to his study closed, nearly taking the swordfish's nose with it.

Tensai reached for the door only to have a light spark jolt his fingers back. He couldn't remember teaching Kichiruka any sealing spells.

Brat. But Tensai felt a small smile crease his mouth. That's why I tolerate him.

oOo

While the sky was still pink and the stars still out, Rin didn't bother with her chores yet and focused on getting ready. She wanted enough time to leisurely stroll to where she usually met Sesshomaru. The last time she had rushed, the daiyokai curtly reminded her that poor organization and planning were not associated with independence.

And I shouldn't need a keeper.

He was standing alone when Rin arrived in the northern clearing close to Kichiruka's brook, her sword presented on upturned palms. With the way Sesshomaru kept perfectly still, she had to wonder if he was even breathing. He certainly appeared rigid enough.

Rin stopped the customary three paces before him. And couldn't help eyeing the weapon in a quick once-over.

"Some intrinsic modifications were made," Sesshomaru said as if in reply. "It's yours." He made no motions to proffer it further.

Bracing her hands against her thighs, Rin executed a deep bow, then moved to accept the gift. She noticed silver brows scrunch slightly, as if signaling some discomfort.

Seeing Rin's uncertain glance his way, Sesshomaru schooled his features, feeling his face smooth from wrinkles he hadn't been aware it made. "Are you prepared to test it?" he asked once the scabbard was tied securely in place.

Rin nodded. She expected such a request. "On what?"

"Me." If it worked, the blade wouldn't let him harm her. If it didn't Sesshomaru trusted himself not displace a hair on Rin's head. He crouched, Rin followed suit, both drew their blades and stood in time, only the tips crossed.

"Begin."

The pattern started out the same as always: wrist, head, follow through, block, wrist, head, waist, follow through. But there was a tremble of anticipation in Tenseiga's edge.

"Faster," Sesshomaru instructed as they moved on to the second routine.

Rin wasn't sure what would come out the sword now that her guardian had tailored it. It looked Rin had half hoped it would spring out with a lightening flash and flare into a giant blade like the Tetsusaiga.

Sesshomaru said he modified it, so that meant he made it stronger. But what did that mean? Steel was steel, and it looked exactly the same, maybe a little shinier, but nothing spectacular. Rin thought about the implications.

Stronger against…demons?

Although his face was carefully blank, amber eyes danced, flaring with the unnerving thrill the daiyokai found in the midst of battle. Something's up.

She slashed, but the stroke fell short. Sesshomaru frowned. He had impressed an aggressive attitude all their practices and Rin hadn't faltered since their first session. It didn't make sense that she would hold back now.

The next time Tenseiga crossed blades with Rin's, the dog-demon kept her from retreating and pressed close.

"This is a test," he reminded gravely. "I am a dispensable subject." A bit of amusement glinted in Sesshomaru's eyes at the absurdity that Rin, or anyone, might have a chance of injuring him.

Rin nodded, still groping for some gusto, but she didn't know what to expect either. What if something went wrong? What if Sesshomaru had underestimated – it'd happened before, she knew, remembering a time when he had gone without a left arm for a while.

She might not have thought her spirited KYA! was halfhearted, but Sesshomaru heard its tepid echo. With an inward sigh, he sheathed Tenseiga. Enough of this.

Rin lowered her blade. Is he calling it quits? She felt far more relieved than ashamed that she couldn't follow through with Sesshomaru's expectations. You can't just come at someone without knowing – what the hell is he doing?

The tips of Sesshomaru's claws glowed a light gold. He cracked each knuckle slowly. It was Rin's first and only warning. The unfurled end of his light whip snapped in front of her feet, sizzling where it struck. Rin backed up with a yelp.

"Lord Sesshomaru?"

He didn't answer. Instead, a second lightening crack resounded over her head. Fight.

Rin risked a glance behind her. Running was still an option. She refocused on Sesshomaru and the intensity in his eyes. Guess not.

Sesshomaru hardened himself, chin tucking in closer to his armor. Soft brown eyes were pleading that she didn't want to do this. Don't make me hurt you, they begged. The demon shook his head. My thoughts exactly.

He rushed her.

Rin sidestepped, but Sesshomaru abandoned the handicaps he had previously afforded her and whirled around with a twister's ferocity. Lengthening claws swiped at the blade, daring it to rebuff or, at the very least, react. Perhaps it recognizes me, Sesshomaru considered. And so it will not –

A sickly green swirl of yoki puffed out at the second strike. Rin wrinkled her nose at the familiar bitter smell of Sesshomaru's poison. It's envenomed! She looked back at the dog-demon and his stretching smile at her flash of insight was confirmation enough. So, if it's his own power, Rin thought as she skipped backwards out of range, then he should be immune to it, right?

Sesshomaru waited a span of heartbeats to see what would come next now that she was getting the idea. When the girl didn't move, he took the initiative.

Rin frowned. He was going to force her hand. Forgive me.

She sheathed the blade.

For a split second, Sesshomaru's eyes registered shock, and he torqued away just in time, claws leaving golden rifts in the air, just enough to ruffle Rin's hair.

He landed with a disgusted huff, and gave her his back.

I screwed up. Kneeling submissively, Rin turned to untie the scabbard. I don't deserve this.

"Keep it." Sesshomaru spoke without turning around. "It takes time to understand a reborn blade."

He's giving me an excuse?

Sesshomaru chewed the inside of his cheek. Turning around, he glared at one out of place raven lock. "Stand," he commanded and Rin obeyed. She didn't look up from her feet until two fingers slipped under chin. Another pair plucked the ivory comb from her hair. Rin didn't move. She felt a clump of strands turn one way as if Sesshomaru were making a small adjustment. But he didn't stop there. He kept combing, the fine teeth working in long, easy strokes.

He's grooming me like a puppy, she realized with only a small degree of annoyance.

A distracted growl softly reverberating through his chest, the dog-demon focused on parting tresses and fluffing bangs. It was a trivial task, but the routine motions calmed him and, much to Rin's relief, it didn't feel like standing next to an inferno anymore. Finally, he twisted the comb snuggly back into place, securing it with a single pat.

The daiyokai angled his head just enough for eye contact. "We will have a reevaluation next week."

Am I forgiven?

It wasn't much of a choice, but Rin agreed anyway. "Yes."

It would seem so, Sesshomaru thought.

.

A/N: For more Sesshomaru/Rin combat check out "Sparring."