A/N: I offer my gratitude to everyone who voted for Kichiruka as one of the best OCs for the InuYasha Fan Guild for the third 2010 quarter! Thank you!

Neither Fish, Flesh, nor Fowl

"Why aren't you more complicated?" Rin complained, a smile tugging on one corner of her mouth.

Kichiruka lowered his chopsticks and blinked over the rim of his bowl. "Mm?"

Without a cloud in the sky, the unobstructed sunshine offered its warmth on the breezy summer day. Birdsong lilted on the back of the wind. And Rin had brought lunch for them to enjoy by the brook. Really this wasn't the sort of day you were supposed to feel complicated.

"Ah, never mind." Rin resumed her meal.

"What? You want me to be some tortured soul?" Kichiruka chuckled softly into his bowl and continued eating. "Only need one moody person between us."

"Hey!" Rin nibbled on a pickled cucumber. "Well, I mean…" She let her voice trail. What she really wanted to do was to ask Kichiruka more about himself, his family precisely. Like where the hell does he get all this optimism? For all he knew, his family thought he was dead. Randomly, she remembered the single lantern he'd lit on Obon. Was that for himself? she wondered. Doesn't it depress him? If it did, Rin wanted to hear about. Wanted him to share with her. She wanted to feel needed. Like, in her own way, she had someone to protect.

"Those…matters aren't something I care to focus too much on," Kichiruka said abruptly. "Maybe I'll find them someday, but for now" – he looked at Rin and offered a faint smile – "there are better things to consider. It's not worth chasing after a phantom to lose what I have in my sights."

She only had a moment to see Kichiruka's smile broaden before his ears quivered and he turned to the brook. Rin saw concern tighten his jaw as she set the rest of her lunch aside. The tranquil brook's waters sloshed violently. In a matter of seconds the wide stream became a rapid; then, as the torrent kicked up, it roared into a whirlpool.

Rin reached for the green hilt at her side. "A demonic aura?"

"See what happens when you wish for things to get more complicated?" Kichiruka picked up the conch staff and stood in front of her.

Suddenly the whirlpool inverted, a column of water shooting up in its place. Then the powerful blast broke to rain back down. Spinning the staff, Kichiruka absorbed the shower, successfully keeping his vision clear. He squinted through the parting mist and picked out a thin figure sitting on the brook's central rock.

A man dressed in unsplit hakama lounged on the small boulder, one arm supported his weight while the other was propped casually on his knee. He had pointed ears and there was a familiar pattern of white squares on the flowing, black robe that draped over his shoulders, but it was his particularly long nose that Kichiruka instantly recognized.

"Master Tensai?"

A tight smile stretched across the man's gaunt face.

Rin cocked her head. This is Kichiruka's teacher? She studied the black hair, flecked with silver and receding, and the wrinkles that cut into his face. She'd seen old demons – practically living fossils, like Totosai and Myoga – and young ones, as well as more animal ones who didn't look like any distinguishable age, but never had Rin seen middle-aged yokai. It didn't seem like something that happened. To have an in-between phase, it seemed too…human.

The middle section of the stranger's hair that sprang out in odd waves could have resembled something like fins if Rin squinted just right. But he still appeared…normal. Hadn't Kichiruka said Tensai looked considerably less human?

That's a pretty good front. He might blend in better than Kich'.

"Say, I thought you forgot how to put on a mortal's likeness." Kichiruka looked askance at his teacher.

Tensai crossed his arms, only dark blue lines marked his forearms where sails would have normally spiked. "My memory comes and goes," he said wryly. A slight blush tinged the old demon's cheeks. Momentarily, the clear of his eyes flickered from white to their typical jaundiced color.

"Master, have you been drinking?"

Tensai shrugged. "Make up your mind. Do you want me sociable or snappy?"

Rin saw blue eyes roll skyward, but her friend didn't relinquish his protective stance before her. "Was it necessary?"

"Sociable or snappy, boy? And you'll need someone who can speak well of you should this" – he waved from Rin to Kichiruka – "raise questions at home." Whisking a hand through the brook, Tensai drew up a water sphere as his student did.

Except this one's airy on the inside, Rin noticed. It looks almost like glass.

"As it is," the older demon continued. "I don't need another unhappy woman on my conscience."

The bubble balanced on Tensai's fingertips wavered and for a split-second Rin thought she caught the image of smiling lady. Young, pretty, and human. But a bony hand ripped through the sphere before Rin could really be sure.

Wonder if he always uses visuals when he talks.

"So I'm here to evaluate the case for myself." Tensai gestured to the whole of his form and, incidentally, the completion of his disguise. "It's pleasing to see that my efforts were for such a pretty dame."

Automatically, Kichiruka slipped his arm possessively around Rin's shoulder.

Tensai laughed and it sounded hard and sharp like broken glass. "Oh, don't worry. A draught may whet desire, but it hampers performance. Huh." His eyes flicked up and down Kichiruka. "Youth always is wasted on young idiots." His feet dipped into the water as the demon slid into a slightly more upright position as if the motion alone would straighten out his speech pattern. "Enough about me, though. I came to see about the girl who now consumes so much of your attention, Kichiruka." Tensai took in the bright colors of Rin's clothes, if he had to guess at fabric he would've said silk. "Young lady, what is your house?"

"You mean my family?" Rin crossed her arms and stood her ground. She didn't like cowering behind Kichiruka. "I live in the next village over."

Tensai's eyes widened. "Is that so? Then how is it you are so well kept?"

"You're prying, master." Kichiruka resumed his stance.

The swordfish glared at his student. Even tipsy he wouldn't apologize, but he nodded and held his silence.

Rin cleared her throat. "My provider is a noble."

"An orphan charged to a yokai," he said, touching a hand to his chin. "That is interesting."

Something must have shown in Rin's expression because Tensai elaborated, "I noticed that's an infusion blade you wear."

"Master Tensai," Kichiruka warned.

"She volunteered first," the older demon muttered. But where had he heard of this situation before? Tensai wracked his muddled brain, wishing he could will himself to sobriety. The fuzzy feeling that the liquor had afforded him distilled to a spiked annoyance; the brunt of his irritability directed at the inability to fully piece together such an opportunity. A girl-child belonging to an elite yokai…? Lord Ichikawa had mentioned this once. Damn, which dirt-prowling demon was it?

"Say, Master Tensai?" called the girl. "Are you a tengu?"

"I'm a swordfish!" Tensai snapped, jerked out of his musings.

Kichiruka laughed. "Good point. With the nose and all, he does look like a crow goblin."

"Huh." The swordfish in question leered at the two, fighting back his own smile. "I don't see how anyone could make that mistake."

"It's difficult to get a good look at you from here. Why don't you cross over to the bank?" Rin invited. Kichiruka's here. I don't think his teacher would pose a real threat. And he seemed so lonely sitting by himself in the brook.

"Huh," Tensai huffed again, but decided to comply. Pushing off from the rock, he flowed over the water and on to the bank in a smooth, rippling motion. His skirted hakama still swirled over the grass after he came to a stop. Rin noticed he pointedly avoided completely facing her; instead, Tensai turned his head in her direction and gave her his flank, most of which was covered by the light robe. He kept his arms crossed and frowned.

Guess the "sociable" effects of his drink are already wearing off. Considering the fast metabolism of yokai, it wasn't a bad guess.

Rin studied the demon while she could. On his feet, Tensai stood slightly shorter than his student, but with a noticeably leaner frame. Up-close, his piscine traits were clear. The gills on his neck flexed open and shut in time with his rising chest. Where Kichiruka had a human nose complete with nostrils this demon's features were far more fish-like. Although his skin had a tawny, human complexion, the long, thin lance on his face that pointed out where a nose should have been seemed to be little more than a means to "blend-in." Like his "hair" – at this proximity, Rin saw the cropped strands were scales.

"Master Tensai?" she asked when she realized the second water yokai was scrutinizing her just as intensely.

"Eyes such as yours are rare," he murmured.

"Brown?" Kichiruka said. "It's a common color for human eyes."

"No, no – I know that, you moron. It's…" He heaved a flustered sigh and re-crossed his arms under his robe. Tensai looked at Rin again. "It's been three hundred years since last I saw eyes just like yours, girl." He turned around to Kichiruka. "Don't screw up a good thing."

The yoki that thickened the air quickly dissipated with Rin's unexpected question. "So, Master Tensai, do you live off of Mikan Coast as well?"

"Hm? Yes. Kichiruka has shown it to you?" The demon's forehead furrowed. He would've remembered such a thing.

"Actually, I haven't," Kichiruka said.

"But you have mentioned it." Rin smiled and looked between the two yokai. "I'd like to see it if that's all right."

Tensai shrugged. "If you keep to the coast, I don't see why he couldn't give you a ride around there."

"A ride?" Rin blinked at Kichiruka. "You mean his true form is big enough for that?"

"You don't know his subspecies?" Tensai's brow arched and he practically smiled.

"He's not just a plain water demon?"

"Didn't he tell you this was his temporary form?"

"I know that," Rin said. "I just thought his other form was a sea creature…like a fish or something."

Tensai laughed, a short series of half-breathed barks. "All right, boy," he tugged on Kichiruka's topknot, "I take it back, if you can make this work, you're not a fool but a far better diplomat than I dreamt possible."

"She never asked." Kichiruka grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.

Rin's eyes followed his hand, she reached over to each of the water demon's shoulders. "Hey, sit down a minute." Inquisitively, she pushed Kichiruka's head to one side, wondering if she would find gills similar to Tensai's. As Rin inspected his neck, Kichiruka's eyes fluttered shut and he entertained a fantasy or three.

"No gills." Her mild surprise unconcealed, Tensai watched with quiet amusement as the girl knelt to study his pupil closer as she had him.

"And you don't have scales," she observed.

"Is that a problem?" Kichiruka examined his own spotted arm with Rin still running two fingers across it, checking for scales, he assumed. "Rin…" he said when more than the hairs on his arm started to rise in response to her touch.

Well, even Lord Sesshomaru has fur that puffs over his shoulder. She pressed closer. "Well, aren't you a fish?"

A smile quirked the corners of Kichiruka's lips. "I beg your pardon?"

"Aren't you a fish demon?"

The water yokai laughed outright. "No, not really." Rin stared at him, perplexed. "I'm what you'd call 'fake-fish,' I guess."

Fake? He looked real enough to Rin. "Well, what are you then? An eel?"

Kichiruka's grin grew. "No gills, remember? Guess again."

"A seahorse?"

"Nope." He snickered.

"An…octopus?"

Kichiruka laughed.

"Tell me!"

"Oh, this is rich!"

Rin looked at Tensai for help, but he just gave a closed-lip smile and drifted off to examine a nearby tree. Turning back to Kichiruka, Rin playfully pounded the puffy shoulders of his short-jacket. "Tell me! Tell me! Tell me!" She paused. "A squid?"

"Come, Rin dear. What do you know about me?"

Her brow furrowed, comparing what she knew about fish with her odd friend. From the shallow experience she had with the timid water creatures, staring at them in ponds and rivers, they swam away at the slightest motion in their direction. Kichiruka was friendly. And he loved to laugh, pull faces, and tease. And talk. "A seal?"

Kichiruka barked and clapped his hands. Then turned to Rin. "Wrong."

Seriously? "Will you at least show me?"

"Maybe."

"Can I go to Mikan with you?"

"Well…"

Tensai smiled to himself. The drink's buzz was wearing off, but his irritation subsided as he watched the pair. He observed the way Kichiruka laughed and relaxed around the girl. It wasn't the lollygag attitude he had in the ocean. Kichiruka talked animatedly with Rin, a lively glow all about him. Alas, he's dead to me. But did it have to be a human? Teachers, "the ones who come before," were supposed to warn their students of their own past mistakes. Perhaps I've been refusing to study mine for too long. Tensai groaned. He needed another drink.

"Kichiruka," he called, making his way back to the brook. "Come. Ichikawa expects us on time this evening."

"Okay, I'll be along after you."

Tensai massaged his temples. "No, you're taking both of us. I…need a hand."

"You mean twin teleportation?" Kichiruka spluttered, his fingers wrapping tightly around the conch staff.

"My head hurts right now. Consider this an exam." He reached into his sleeve and withdrew a slip. "Here's the incantation. Hurry up and review."

Kichiruka grumbled and snatched up the slip as he wandered off to mumble it over to himself in private.

Rin giggled. "It looks like you're always springing stuff on him. I noticed that he studies very hard with you."

"Tch, he wastes half his talent on simpleton tricks. And the rest on dangerous ones."

Rin's gut churned. "Hazardous spells? Which are those?"

Turning his gaze back to Kichiruka off in the distance, Tensai tilted his head toward Rin. "Child, what are you?"

"Pardon me?" Rin regarded the question with a puzzled look of her own. "What am I what?"

Tensai finally turned to face her. "What are you that you can make him laugh so?"

"Kichiruka's always laughing. That's nothing unusual."

The older demon shook his head, his nose wicking through the air. "No, no, no. I mean, he's laughing in true joy. Not that he's ever told me, but I strongly get the impression that most times he laughs away sorrows."

Rin's eyes widened and she remembered Kichiruka's old mantra: laugh or cry. And his reluctance to admit his more "troubling" emotions. But in twenty-some-odd years he hasn't talked to even his teacher about it?

"Does he say anything to you about his family?"

"Nope." Tensai paused thoughtfully. "He's a drifter, I'm sure of that. Our lord provides a living quarters for him, but he refuses to take up residence there. Kichiruka likes to learn. That's probably what kept him tethered for so long." He laughed. "And why he puts up with me. Though I didn't expect him to stay much longer after I'd presented him with the conch staff. Everything else he practices is additional." And I don't always condone it. Tensai considered the young lady standing beside him. "It was about that time that my student took an interest in terrestrial…eh, studies. I think he's at last found something resembling a family, what say you?"

Does he need me? Rin smiled. "That's up to Kichiruka."

"Well, I've never seen him this…healthy before." Tensai stared off into space, lapsing into brief silence. "Miss Rin," he said lightly, his voice managing a weary gentleness. "I will remember to use less alcohol the next time we meet. I realize it is unnecessary." Then, like flicking a switching, the swordfish's tone returned to its gruffness. "Kichiruka! Do I have to hunt down a new apprentice? Let's go!"

Mumbling softly to himself with his eyes closed, Kichiruka approached them again. Finally, his eyes snapped open. "Okay, I think I got it."

"Took long enough. It's only a bridge spell," Tensai snorted as he stepped into the water.

"I better get going." Kichiruka looked at Rin, gazing at her lips before he could help it. Then self-consciously he glanced back at his teacher. And just tipped his head politely. "See you in a couple of days, Rin dear." Without further ado, Kichiruka turned to catch up with his mentor.

As his student joined him, Tensai harrumphed. "Damn, boy, if you wanted to kiss her just do it."

"I was being considerate of you, master," Kichiruka grumbled under his breath as he readied his conch staff and strapped it over Tensai's chest. "Please remember to think of our destination. Your study?" the water demon droned with plain annoyance. He hoped Rin had missed Tensai's commentary.

"Heh, 'Rin dear' – hoo boy. You're had," Tensai snickered.

Kichiruka groaned. I liked him better as a bitter old cynic. Before the old man could embarrass him further he recited the incantation and splashed his conch through the brook. Student and teacher were gone before the water settled.

Rin watched the slipping current of the brook for a few minutes more. She had the warm feeling that she had outdone Tensai's expectations. He was familiar with people, she was sure of that. And like most demons who encountered humans, he didn't expect to find anything he would've liked. But he had made an effort to be "sociable."

Even if he was half-inebriated out of his mind.

After collecting the bowls and utensils, Rin smiled fondly at the brook one last time before leaving.

I'm glad I got to meet him.

Now if only she could guarantee the same introduction of Kichiruka to Sesshomaru.

oOo

In the comfortable solitude of her own home that evening, Rin dug through the small chest. And took out an old book. Since she used to bounce back and forth between eras, Kagome was always forgetting stuff and when she vanished for three years she left behind a school text.

She'd been a kid back then, but Rin still remembered it was the same book the miko had forgotten before: a heavy, cumbersome tome filled with pictures of plants and animals and other illustrations she couldn't identify. She used to think it was a spell book. And maybe Kagome had really hated this subject in particular since she was always forgetting it. The first time the young priestess had forgotten the book, Sesshomaru had picked it up. He'd taken a keen interest in the text and spent a few days making charts and taking samples. Rin never did get what all that was about, but then again the daiyokai had a strange taste for diversion.

On that second round, when Kagome didn't come back for, Rin remembered Inuyasha hanging on to the book for the longest time. And his fury when other people touched it. In spite of the hanyo's best efforts, the heavy book had lost most of Kagome's scent after only a year had gone.

Since Rin had shown the most interest Inuyasha let her borrow it. He didn't know she pretty much just wanted to imitate Sesshomaru and try to read the same stuff he did.

"What's it say?" she had asked the daiyokai on his following visit.

"Biology," Sesshomaru droned automatically as he reached into the space between his armor and clothes to pull out a new kimono. Then paused. "Do you want to read it?"

Silver brows had risen fractionally and Rin didn't think her guardian could have been happier at her enthusiastic response. He came back the next day with a writing kit.

The text in the book had offered a standardized format of writing rather than having to adjust for every person's different script. Often the subjects were confusing to the point where even Sesshomaru admitted he wasn't entirely sure what it was saying. He encouraged Rin to read it anyway, keeping her in stock of paper to note any further questions.

Come to think of it, he pushed me even before I learned basic combat.

The impressed expression on Kagome's face when she returned was worth it. Although there still were whole sections that went over Rin's head no matter how thoroughly Kagome explained it, she continued to use the textbook as her primary source for reading. Even if only to prove she could.

Cracking open the heavy volume for the first time in a while, Rin inhaled the treasured musky scent. This is what knowledge must have smelled like. Although the book never made any mention of yokai, it had vast sections on common plants and animals, some of which she'd never heard. At the very least, the textbook could help her form a hypothesis about Kichiruka.

Rin smiled. "Hypothesis" was a word she'd learned from here.

Leafing through the pages she went to the marine life section of the tome. Her eyes rolled over the pictures. She was always fascinated at how some of the illustrations looked so real. They made her half-believe Kagome's ramblings about lights and ka-ma-ras. Rin studied the strange pug face of one photographed creature. Fat and torpedo-shaped, the "man-uh-tee" looked friendly enough. But Kichiruka was of slighter frame than that. And none of these creatures were native to the area.

Then again, didn't Kichiruka say he'd wandered pretty far before coming here?

Rin dog-earred the page and skimmed the other pictures. Seahorses, whales, dolphins, seals, and other marine animals that looked like something in between. Maybe Kichiruka was teasing and really was one of the very animals she stared at right now. I can see why his teacher probably gets annoyed with him so often. Rin yawned. She'd take another look in the morning. Snuffing the candle, she rolled into bed with a small scowl.

"Kichiruka, why can't you be simple?"

.

A/N: I always kind of liked the running gag in the InuYasha series of "Hey, you're a tanuki!" followed by "No! I'm a fox/otter/whatever-demon!" Tengu are my personal favorite tricksters. Advertisement: For more adventures with Kagome's biology book check out my other story "Scientific Clairvoyance." Secondary Advertisement: An old teacher introduced me to a humorous little picture book. Ask your local bookseller about "It's a Book" by Lane Smith.