A/N: Life would be easier if I had reliable internet access. Thank you all for reading and being tolerant of my shaky updates. I hope you enjoy the little character cameo featured in this chapter. See Episode 78: Only You Sango. ;)

Trout Smarted

Rin grimaced, rubbing the dark, bitter substance over her teeth. Who invented these stupid customs anyway? She saw nothing wrong with what nobles called "the tombstones of the mouth." Blackening her teeth just seemed to suck the sparkle out of her smile. But, according to Jaken, this lord was a strong traditionalist. That is to say, someone who probably has a lot in common with Lord Sesshomaru.

Buffing the looking-glass with her sleeve, Rin glared at the toothless girl. "I hope you're happy," she grumbled at the reflection. "If I get married, we'll – er, I mean, I might have to do this idiocy every day."

Looking around, Rin suddenly appreciated her little living space, wishing she could stay there forever and not go out into the golden dawn to greet some lord who would only appraise her as chattel.

Sitting in her one-room hut, she analyzed her small collection of worldly possessions, many of them gifts from Lord Sesshomaru: several sets of clothes – more than most of her neighbors – a writing kit, an ivory comb, and her "shadow teeth" – Rin fondly tapped the ornate handguard of her blade. There was also a charm bracelet to ward off evil – but not small, sticky children – from Miroku, a hand-me-down kettle from Kagome, and some sketches from Shippo of birdies and butterflies. Guess those days are over. With a long drawn sigh, Rin tightened her undergarments and reached for up a bright yukata when something heavy and solid clunked out.

A rock? Rin shifted under the silk until a flash of sapphire winked back at her.

A gemstone! She turned the sapphire over in her hand and remembered it was an odd gift from Kichiruka. One he claimed "wouldn't break," Rin thought with a roll of her eyes as she held the fractured half. Tucking it away into her obi, it made her feel a little more confident like just after the water demon had listened to her story the other day.

"Hopefully I didn't just hex myself with Kichiruka's clumsiness," she joked to herself. Then smiled. How odd someone could lighten your mood even when they weren't around.

Rin tugged on the platformed geta sandals, and staggering realization proved that it wasn't the sapphire throwing her off balance. Clinging to the wall's crevices, she regretted not practicing more ladylike disciplines – walking in geta one of them. Wonder if this is how Kichiruka felt on Day One.

Peeking around the tatami mat that covered the open threshold, Rin checked to see how much of the dawning hour was left. She groaned. Very little.

When she set out to meet Sesshomaru at their usual site Inuyasha had been kind enough to curb his commentary and Kagome offered her gentle support as well as company on the short walk over. Gratitude swelled in Rin's breast when her friend set a pair of comfortably flat zori before her, saying, "We'll switch back to your real footwear once we catch up with Lord Sesshomaru."

"It's a look-and-see event," Kagome soothed as they continued on their way. "So it's not like you'll get married today."

Okay, sure. I'll just probably get hitched tomorrow. Rin felt herself pale under the makeup and tried to put on a brave face. "I will see you again, Miss Kagome," she promised.

"That's the spirit!"

As they passed the brook, Rin found herself wishing Kichiruka would show up, make a distraction, find an escape, or at least give her a smile. For whatever reason, Rin was missing his big, goofy grin and its accompanying cascade of laughter.

"Hurry up and get on," Jaken gruffly ordered, leading Ah-Un by its reins. Sesshomaru stood wordlessly nearby, giving only the barest of nods in Kagome's direction. There, he had acknowledged her, now hopefully she didn't feel pressed to greet him as…

"Good morning, brother-in-law!"

Suppressing the urge to rake his claws through the miko, Sesshomaru settled for the fur on his shoulder. There were two girlish giggles at his bristled mane; he tolerated one better than the other.

"I'm sure this is an exciting occasion for, Rin," Kagome said, smiling up at the dog-demon.

"She's nervous," Sesshomaru sniffed, refusing to sugarcoat what his nose already knew. He looked at Jaken and Rin. "Let's go."

The daiyokai cast one final pointedly glare in Kagome's direction after her call for "Best of luck!" once they were in the skies.

The flight didn't last as long as Rin had hoped. It felt like after only a handful of minutes the fortress walls came into view and Ah-Un was tugged into a slow descent. But as she prepared to hop off, Sesshomaru held up a hand to signal that Rin remain seated as she was.

"Saito is a cautious man." Sesshomaru's arms were crossed into his sleeves and he glared into a corner of space. "Katana are prohibited indoors." Drawing his hands from their sleeves, he retrieved a slender case and delicately removed the lid to reveal a fan. "But the strong are always prepared."

Rin reached for the fan, its outermost structure of such finely lacquered wood it looked almost like ebony, and it appeared ordinary enough; until she lifted it and felt the weight of steel in its frame. It is a tessen.

She looked at Sesshomaru who gave what Rin referred to as his "lightening smile" – it completely skipped his mouth, but went straight to his eyes, making them flash and the brows arch.

Zipping the fan open with a flick of her wrist, Rin saw that there wasn't much to the design; a simple red boarder with a second scarlet stripe that matched the tassel were all that graced the white background.

Rin smiled at the familiarity. "Where did you find it?"

"It was from an old friend." Sesshomaru shrugged as the wind kicked up. "Modifications were made accordingly."

"Thought so." She smiled. It had been a long time ago, but Rin remembered well enough. She snapped it closed and there was a light clink of metal. You were strong, too.

As they made their way into the entrance, Sesshomaru leading the way and Rin astride Ah-Un with Jaken bringing up the rear, Rin noticed the fixed gazes of the castle guards. They dutifully stared straight ahead as if one wrong look toward either her or Sesshomaru would strike them dead on the spot. Maybe there's an ounce of sense in that.

In the main pavilion the grand central hall sprawled before them, its scrolled rafters fluting from double rooftops of the two story structure left Rin feeling small The finished columns and . On the veranda, at the top of a small set of steps, stood whom Rin presumed to be the lord of the grounds. Dressed in dark, conservative colors, he wore pleated, unsplit hakama His sleeveless short-jacket with its looped fasteners was similar in style to the gray one Kichiruka always wore. Somehow the angular shoulders looked sharper on this man. As they drew nearer, Rin got a better look of the daimyo's face and started estimating ages. Each guess placed him at old enough to be her father. Saito's face, tan and leathery, had a well-lived-in quality. It was also looked lean and hungry, the tufts of a carefully groomed moustache outlined his thin mouth.

Please be the lord's father.

"Lord Sesshomaru," the man with the moustache greeted. "I, Saito Tsutomu, cordially welcome you" – he tilted his head to look around the daiyokai and peer at Rin – "and your company to my humble grounds."

Rin ducked behind Ah-Un's twin heads like she did as a child, trying to keep both unseen and unheard. So much for that. Courtesans murmured behind their fans and passing servant exchanged speedy remarks. A daiyokai and a two-headed beast-of-burden were too much to ignore. Jaken seemed to be the only one trying to make his presence known.

Clearing his throat, Saito continued, "Come, you must be exhausted after your journey out here." He motioned toward the main structure. "Would you join me for tea?"

At Sesshomaru's cue Rin dismounted, took a moment to steady herself against Ah-Un, and followed after. Even though his gait never faltered, Rin could have sworn she heard the demon's feet drag. If she didn't know better, she might have been inclined to think he despised these rituals as much as she did. Maybe there's more than one reason why Lord Sesshomaru travels around on "patrols" rather than staying at home.

Just as the daiyokai had warned, Saito politely requested that "those who were not the Western Lord himself" leave their utensils of self-defense at the entrance, assuring that they would not be tampered with otherwise. Jaken insisted that his Staff of Skulls was a tracking device, no more.

"Master Jaken," Rin whispered. "No one was even looking your way."

The imp harrumphed. "Well…just so they know."

In the hall's foray, Rin gratefully stepped out of her geta. And noticed that as Sesshomaru remove his own footwear the demon schooled his features into a dispassionate expression, but his displeasure was plain enough in his stiff, jerky motions. A neat pair of magenta stripes marked the outsides of his ankles and his toenails clicked on the tatami mat like diminutive claws. Rin smiled at him, wriggling her own toes inside her set of white tabi. Sesshomaru huffed; only she could turn his irritation into amusement.

I'll need it.

Once they were sealed inside, the full scale tea ceremony commenced. As much as Rin liked the aesthetics of the ritual – she had only attended two formal ones in her life – there were too many concerns cluttering her mind to actually focus on the scene. Am I really supposed to marry that old man? She winced quietly at the thought of consummation. And what about the other people living here? From her peripheral vision, she caught glimpses of whispering ladies and snorting men. Rin got the sinking feeling they wouldn't be very favorable to the charge of a demon, no matter how powerful. They probably doubt the status of my birth. I mean, what highborn family would give their daughter to a demon?...A cursed one. She focused on her posture to keep from slumping.

Although he ignored it well, Sesshomaru was not blind to the abacus in the room. Anything we say will be weighed for Rin's dowry. When Saito finally shut up from listing his own suitable qualities and stopped asking Sesshomaru about Rin's, the daiyokai interjected, "Would you not like to speak to her?"

Saito considered this a moment. It hadn't crossed his mind that an interview from Sesshomaru with the girl's – what was her name? – presence didn't guarantee him a marriage, and thus a slot, into the Western Lord's retinue.

"I suppose, but a woman's a woman, is it not?" he said loud enough for the surrounding courtesans to hear.

A flicker of scarlet over previously clear golden eyes kept anyone from laughing.

"I cannot pronounce you fit" – Sesshomaru tossed protocol aside and directly addressed Saito – "unless she claims you are." A breeze of yoki seeped into the air, lifting the long, silver mane from his armored back. An uneasy murmur rumbled through the guards and, reaching for hilts and halberds, they moved in.

Saito held up a hand. "Of course. That is a sapient observation." "The air in here is stifling, isn't it? Let us step outside and walk the gardens," Saito invited.

As their conversation meandered along – with more prattle on Saito's part than Sesshomaru's – Rin studied the garden. There was an austerity to it that, although was no doubt tasteful, made her feel just as dry and empty. She had seen Zen stylized terrain before, but it was different when the gardeners cared for their work. You could feel their souls in it. It's almost like Saito has it just to have it.

"Like what you see, little one?"

A surprised eep! escaped Rin even as she clapped a hand over her mouth. Her eyes darted around for Sesshomaru, who was ringed by set of the most courageous of Saito's bootlickers trying to rub elbows. Golden eyes flashed in Rin's direction. Go on. Look-and-see, they seemed to urge. It was her idea.

"The garden is…appropriate for one of your station, Lord Saito," she managed pleasantly enough.

The remark seemed to placate the lord and his moustache quirked accordingly. He stepped in a little closer.

Trying not to fidget, Rin shuffled toward the greener half of the garden. Separated by a manmade mote and conjoined by a small, cherrywood bridge, the other half of the garden didn't have any trees or cultivated flowers. Just a stretch of grass and some brush here and there. But it was better on the side they were currently on. With mincing steps, Rin hurried on to the bridge.

"So, your Lord Sesshomaru said it is you who chooses the fitting man?" Saito followed closely behind.

Rin cringed at his unctuous tone and equally oily grin. It wasn't until after she was on the bridge that she realized what a mistake that was. Great. First rule of combat: don't limit your space. The narrow timber railing barring her escape didn't help. Now it's not like I can throw him over and say he slipped. Focusing on getting to open territory, Rin managed to trit-trot a little past the arching center of the bridge, a few more steps and she'd be across. In these sandals, those steps might as well be a mile.

Suddenly, she felt a heavy, calloused hand wrap come down on her own. Crows' feet popped up like arrow markers at the lecherous glint in his eyes. Rin tried not to glare at the lord. "Do you try to seduce every girl upon first sight?"

Saito leaned in. "Who me? Young lady, I'm a gentleman," he breathed. "I don't seduce…I woo."

Eeew! Too close, you dirty, old…! Clumsily, Rin backpedaled, but her platformed geta slowed the effort. She went for the tessen, but Saito already had her wrist locked in his grip. He stepped forward…and suddenly the planks beneath him gave. The befuddled lord might have had a chance at covert recovery if he had just dropped into the pond. But in his panic he had stuck out his arms at the last second and now found himself caught on the bridge's frame. The misfortune compounded when his hakama didn't quite make it all the way out of the gap with him and billowed around up and around him.

He cried out and there wasn't one courtesan or servant who didn't see – or wouldn't claim that they hadn't – the bare legs of Lord Saito kicking frantically under the little pond bridge.

Kneeling daintily, Rin collected her fan.

"Little orphan wench," Saito snarled. "Show some class and help free me."

"Of course." Rin smiled sweetly and whacked the sharp-edged tessen against the lord's knuckles. He gave a girlish yelp as he dropped into the river with a loud ker-plunk!

When Saito tore a lily pad from his head his pride was already in shreds – the girl's laughter, his people's chuckles, and Sesshomaru's little lackey clucking his tongue.

"I suppose we'll have to look elsewhere." As Jaken ushered her from the scene, Rin glanced down the little stream. From the cattails on one side of the pond, Rin glimpsed a familiar spotted face. Kichiruka spared just enough time to wink, then flopped to his side and disappeared into the water.

How'd he find…? Thanks, Kich'.

oOo

Word that Sesshomaru's ward had requested four contending lords got around quick and every envoy was chomping at the bit to gain his master's favor by securing a spot in the coveted three remaining positions. For his part, the daiyokai wasn't sure if he was to be apathetic to or privately mortified by the fact that he had encountered so many irritating people in such a short span and not eviscerated one of them. A mere decade ago, Sesshomaru wouldn't have given the action a second thought. Rin really was putting him to the test. He half hoped that for all this trouble she would at least take to one of them.

But the next suitor didn't fare very well either. Nor the one after him. There was always some fault that came up. Some of the men were much easier to deter with their short tempers and inflated egos, requiring only menial setbacks to addle their focus: a fall from their mud-stuck horse, a water-rotted beam collapsing in their meeting halls…

"I liked the one where the paint started running from his wallscrolls," Rin said, finally enjoying a free morning to sit by her favorite brook.

"Yeah, pretty cheap junk there." Kichiruka laughed. "And what was up with that last lord, anyway?"

Rin slapped a hand over her eyes, fending off a fit of giggles. "I wasn't sure if I was supposed to be his bride or his babysitter!" When she moved her hand to peek at her yokai friend, Rin noticed a slight dampness. "Say, what happens when laughter leads to tears?"

"Well, that's easy," Kichiruka began. "You…uh, that is…" He tapped his conch staff to his chin, humming thoughtfully.

Rin filled in the gap for him. "You don't know."

The water demon grinned. "Never laughed that hard, I guess."

"Then thanks for giving me the opportunity." Rin beamed.

She was always sure to thank Kichiruka for his efforts. He didn't quite mind. The exercises kept him busy and his mind quick. Actually, it was fun helping Rin take out these guys one at a time. It wasn't like she ever fancied any of them.

And, in a little dark piece of himself, Kichiruka privately hoped Rin wouldn't.

oOo

Okay, bring on number four.

"Lord Sesshomaru, do we know this man?" Rin idly scratched behind one of Ah-Un's four ears.

The dog-demon passed a hand through his shoulder's mane – a dead giveaway to his uncertainty. "Kohaku's family does," he said smoothly enough.

"So then even Kohaku doesn't know him."

"Not necessarily. His sister is simply the most familiar." Sesshomaru glued his eyes to the horizon.

Hoo boy. "Who is this daimyo?"

"Takeda no Kuranosuke."

It didn't ring any bells for Rin. And far be it from wedding ones. A short while later when they arrived at the grounds, she had to remind herself not to conspicuously look around for Kichiruka. If I accidentally give away his position…Well, she didn't exactly envision Sesshomaru going up to thank the water demon for his help. Or "unnecessary assistance" as Lord Sesshomaru would say. It sounded fancier than "meddling."

So instead, Rin considered the young lord before her. He looked a couple years older than Kichiruka. So about mid- to maybe late twenties, she estimated, relieved he wasn't nearly as old as the first suitor. Takeda, she reminded herself. His little smile even had a certain sparkle to it. Takeda was amicable without being pushy and, maybe it was something in his scent that mortal noses missed, Sesshomaru seemed relaxed enough to let him and Rin stroll into Takeda's gardens unaccompanied.

Rin smiled appreciatively at the scenery: a small stream that emptied into a green pond with living carp and carefully pruned flora accenting the perimeter with their colors. It was well kept without being overdone.

"So how is good Sango faring?" he asked eagerly.

"Quite well," Rin answered, relieved to discuss a simple subject that didn't involve figures and dowries. And someone of whom I can speak highly. "Since last summer she's given me lessons on basic defense. Though she's long retired from demonslaying to take care of her family."

"Family?"

"Yes, she's married to a monk, Lord Miroku, and they have" – Rin chewed her lip trying to recall – "four children right now, expecting their fifth….Something wrong, Lord Takeda?"

"Oh, no. Nothing." Takeda distractedly gazed to a far off cloud. "That's wonderful news."

Oh, I see. Her heart went out to the poor man. He's been waiting around for a while now. False hope for something that was never to exist…Rin knew what that was like.

Tapping his staff to the side of the bank, Kichiruka brewed a waist-deep mudhole a ways closer to Takeda and his advancing steps. Of all the suitors this pretty boy deserved her the least. The doofus was still staring forlornly out at the skyline. He wasn't even looking at Rin!

What an idiot.

There was a satisfying squelch when Takeda found himself up to his chest in muck. Kichiruka quietly snickered, until Rin shot him a glare over her shoulder. What? Instead of sidestepping the unfortunate lord she stopped to help drag him out of the mess!

Hey, what gives? Don't you want out? The sea-demon slipped dejectedly under the garden's tiny bridge. Well, what do I care?

But he stuck around to see what would happen next. The tall yokai, the one Kichiruka assumed to be Rin' guardian, showed up. His back was to the bridge, so Kichiruka couldn't see his face, but he got the impression the demon was analyzing the situation.

Good. If he knows what's best for her, he'll dismiss this Takeda guy and maybe just go for a fifth round.

Then, Kichiruka felt his hopes plummet. What the hell? Still not turning in his unseen spectator's direction, the silver-haired demon nodded to the smiling pair and strolled along his way back out of the garden and toward the central hall, his retainer following close.

Slipping dejectedly under the bridge, Kichiruka growled and the water around him grew agitated even in the enclosed structure. This isn't the time or place… But before he teleported back to the ocean, Kichiruka couldn't help smacking a fist into the water with all his might.

What do I care?

.

A/N: Oh, and a thank you to the anonymous reviewer who marked the 200th review to "Hooked"! My gratitude to everyone who's enjoying the story!