Better Pray to Cod

"Talk?"

Rin watched Sesshomaru absentmindedly smooth a hand down his fur. Had she raised his hidden hackles? She wished she'd never asked. Why couldn't she just smile, prattle on about something silly, and then just go about business as usual?

Soft cerulean eyes and an easygoing smile to match came to mind. Kichiruka's voice, the way he made her laugh, and spoke freely with her, even when he didn't know what to say. She remembered how at the start of spring her days seemed vapid and boring – it was because they didn't have Kichiruka. A slightly somber image of the water demon flashed in her memory. "…I think freedom might be just having a place to come home to." She didn't need to go anywhere if it meant he would be around.

But that's not going to happen if I don't say anything.

Rin cleared her throat. "Yes, there is something I have in mind for…your consid-sideration." Crap, I didn't just stutter did I?

Sesshomaru inclined his head. She could continue.

Please, please, please take your hand from Bakusaiga. Rin cringed. "What would you say to a courtier?"

"Which clan? Oda or Toyotomi?" Sesshomaru looked expectantly at her. Finally a rational thought to her own security.

Although the dog-demon's expression never changed the atmosphere cooled much more and Rin found the confidence to contradict Sesshomaru. "Neither."

Perfectly in time with the amber gaze that slid her way the ambient tension returned. Rin was grateful they were in their usual open space and not near the village. Otherwise Kagome's nerves would all be on end. "Well, I'm just speaking hypothetically, m'lord." She hastily added, "And does it have to be a man of the court?"

"Rin," Sesshomaru said, advancing a step so he nearly towered over her. "The objective is the find the best possible character as well as the best possible situation."

"And what if it were a person with integrity of…unconventional status?"

Magenta eyelids fluttered. "Elaborate."

"Uh, well, I'd like you to meet him first." Damn that sounded lame.

Meet? Sesshomaru blinked. Didn't she just say hypothetically? "I will not waste my time."

Geez, do I mention that Kichiruka's a demon now or just wait? Rin bit her lip. Sesshomaru stared down his nose at her. Sometimes Rin wondered if the daiyokai liked making her feel small. Nah, that's just habit. She took a step backward to get a better scope of him and feel less like the disparity in their height was so perfectly reflective of their authorities. Mine being pretty small... "So when may I arrange for an…ah, appointment?"

"He is not here?" A silver brow arched high.

Well, I didn't want you to kill him on sight. "I thought it best to schedule a time when both parties would be comfortable."

Sesshomaru's mouth twisted, just this side of a snarl or a sneer. Looking off to his right, he considered the distant meadow. It was considerably easier to read Rin's scent without the distraction of her expressions. "You're concerned about something."

Does he have to make it sound like an accusation? "Yes." To Rin's own surprise the admission seemed to disarm the daiyokai. His jaw loosened and his hands unclenched. Except he frowned when he closed his eyes.

"Why?" Sesshomaru hated that though he could decipher Rin's emotions it wasn't the same as knowing the exact underpinnings.

"Isn't every girl anxious for the highest of approbations?" she chirped.

"Huh," Sesshomaru huffed. "We shall see."

Rin sighed. That was the best she was going to hear from him. It meant they were at least in the realm of consideration. Kichiruka would at least have a running start. Just hopefully not in the literal sense. Rin did her best to smile. "Thank you, Lord Sesshomaru."

For a second, golden eyes widened and saw a small child superimposed over the young lady before them. Sesshomaru snorted and whirled around.

"Don't mention it."

oOo

"In three days?" Kichiruka gaped. He took a staggering step backward. Rin had to make a grab for him before the stunned demon fell backward into the brook.

Sinking to his knees, Kichiruka laughed dementedly. "Three days…all at once, is it?"

"Are you okay?" Rin just noticed the dark circles under his eyes. She remembered that as a lesser demon he probably had to sleep once in a while too.

"Rin dear, I'd be thrilled to meet your guardian" – Kichiruka's voice came out strained – "but I have exams coming up."

"What?"

"Exams," he choked. "Please don't make me repeat that horrid word."

"You're kidding me, right? It's not like I can snap my fingers and ask Sesshomaru to pick another day. Can't you reschedule with Tensai?"

"I really, really wish I could." He groaned. "Believe me."

"Then?"

"Master Tensai would be completely unreasonable." A column of water shot up behind Kichiruka and the dolphin yokai felt a shiver zing up his spine.

Rin recognized the long, black robe and sharp, angular features of the thin man who approached them. Tensai strode up to Kichiruka, clamped a hand on his shoulder, and spun him around. There were some perks to this more human form. Without the extra fourteen inches of sharp bone between them, he could get up into Kichiruka's face. "I'm to assess you by the week's end and you're out here making cow eyes at a girl?"

Kichiruka's aura prickled finely along the hairs on his neck. He was exhausted and for once in as bad a mood as his teacher. "Hey, if you didn't act like a damn slave driver maybe I wouldn't have to run away once in a while."

Tensai shoved his impertinent student in the chest, easily knocking him off balance and into the tall grass. "You've got more important things to worry about – I'd hope your life takes some priority."

Kichiruka's eyes lost their bright defiance and he struggled to sit upright. "You mean there's a lethal element to the next test?"

"To the next three."

"I thought you liked me!"

Tensai shrugged. "After several rounds of hard liquor, sure."

Rin looked back and forth between the two yokai. Kichiruka looked like he was about to cry and Tensai scowled at the ground and turned in the other direction. These two... "Master Tensai, can Kichiruka please postpone his scheduled examinations?"

The swordfish looked down the abbreviated length of his nose at Rin. "Whatever for?"

"I was able to arrange a time for him to meet with Lord Sesshomaru and…"

"No."

Kichiruka staggered to stand. "See? Toldja he'd be unreasonable. Ow!" He fell face-flat on the ground again.

Tensai popped his knuckles, but tipped his head toward Rin. "My apologies, but I cannot conduct the evaluation at any faster rate. He'll be the better for it."

"That which does not kill you often makes you wish it had," Kichiruka muttered sullenly around a mouthful of soil.

Rin patted her friend's shoulder. "Will he be all right?"

Tensai barked a short laugh and jerked on the collar of Kichiruka's jacket, dragging him to his feet with an inhuman strength. "If he prepares." Yellow eyes suddenly glinted and fell to Rin's waist. "Young lady, may I observe a sample of your infusion blade?"

Rin's hand fell on the green hilt of the Shadow Teeth. A sample? She glanced back and forth between Kichiruka and Tensai. One looking completely innocent and the other with the expression of grim knowledge. "You mean you're preparing Kich' to…"

"One can't be too careful. Just so he gets an impression. Now, a demonstration if you please."

Rin nodded. And drew the blade. "I'm not sure if it'll react. It's not like I feel threatened by you, Master Ten—"

Tensai blurred into motion, ripping the conch staff from his student's hand and – whispering an incantation as he traced a pair of fingers down its length – he spun the staff once and clashed it against Rin's blade.

With the crack between shell and steel, it felt as if everything froze. No sparks flew. Only the hissing rush of yoki, a sound like spritzing water on to hot embers, as the extensions of Sesshomaru's aura curled along the blade's edge. A split second later, the eerie green blaze roared like a bonfire between them.

What did he do? Rin felt the hilt growing hot in her hands. When she looked up the sword's ghostly canine loomed protectively over her, fangs bared and wispy tendrils that mimicked the appearance of saliva flickered from its mouth. Kichiruka yelped when it lunged in place. The dog's head snapped out, its bark sounding more like a wildfire's snarl.

Tensai quaked where he stood, trembling with a mixture of envy, admiration, and dread. This was just a pittance of the raw, unmitigated power of a daiyokai. He was not about to throw his student out to face that without, at the very least, an escape plan.

"I hope you're taking notes, boy," Tensai barked over the phantom's beast's blazing roar. Careful not to get too close, he waved the conch staff and the venom dog's head swung in the same direction, tracking the motion. Tensai took one step backward and the canine eased to its haunches.

It's like he has it charmed, Rin observed. "Master Tensai, how're you doing that?"

"You have an infusion blade, meaning it will react with other demonic aura," he lectured. It was much easier to pretend he wasn't doing something reckless and stupid if he could feign competency. "This staff, however, functions primarily as a conduit for water – so there isn't necessarily any yoki attached to it beyond the bearer's. In short, the neutrality permits me to elicit the infusion blade's full potential and – so long as you don't panic, Miss Rin – charm it for a short time."

"Can you do this with all yokai powers?" Kichiruka asked eagerly.

Tensai flicked his eyes to the dolphin at his side then back to the beast when he felt it start to shift. "Lord Sesshomaru is a living, functioning, poison-breathing daiyokai. This is just a mindless shade."

Kichiruka gulped. Dandy.

"Miss Rin, would you please return your weapon to its scabbard?"

Rin nodded and sheathed the blade. "You don't know how to make the dog disappear otherwise?"

"Draw," Tensai ordered, then more politely added, "If you'd please."

The sword came out as it was. Simply a fine, shining arc of steel.

"It is the fastest way to quell the sword's yoki," Tensai finally answered. And that must have been some tree they found for the scabbard. "Tell me, is this only a portion of Lord Sesshomaru's power or is it aligned directly to his person?"

Rin tapped a hand to her chin and recalled the time Sesshomaru had lectured her about using the venom beast for mere practice, and what a distraction it could be. "It's directly linked to his poison claws."

Tensai's face paled and the gills on his neck flipped closed. He suddenly shoved the conch staff back into Kichiruka's hands and hustled him toward the brook again. Tensai forced a smile. "Thank you, Miss Rin, much obliged! See you in six days' time!" He whirled on Kichiruka. "Hurry up, idiot, or it'll be both our hides on the line."

"Wait, I wanna say goodbye!"

"Waste any more time and it'll be your final farewell. Move!"

With no small amount of their usual fussing, the pair of water yokai managed to disappear into the brook's current. It wasn't until she was positive that she was alone once more, Rin dropped to her knees, the sword still in a loose, one-handed grip.

And she didn't move until a heavy, iron plated boot crunched the grass beside her.

"Something wrong?" Sesshomaru's voice remained bland, but his claws were still tingling. He had tried to ignore the spasm this time, but it had been persistent so it must have been urgent. "Well?" he pressed.

"Testing and practicing. Familiarity is a strength, too," she answered, without meeting the daiyokai's gaze. Rin bunched her knees together so at least she could feel like she was sitting properly. She studied the blade once more before sheathing it. "It occurred to me that maybe more time should be allotted."

"For?"

"Preparations. Say six days as opposed to three?" She hoped that Sesshomaru understood to what she was eluding…and that he wouldn't ask any more questions.

"Agreed."

Just like that?

In one smooth motion, Sesshomaru drew Tenseiga from its scabbard. "I sensed that you have been practicing again. Show me."

Rin suppressed a groan. But Sesshomaru wasn't asking anymore questions.

But how come getting what you wanted wasn't as easy as wishing makes it sound?

.

A/N: Last post of the year! Thank you for joining Hooked and here's wishing everyone a safe and Happy New Year!

For fun: http:/feral-instinct .deviantart .com/#/d3622hm