A/N: The weather in this chapter couldn't be any more different from what we're experiencing in LA. Ah well. I assume full responsibility for the shameless dig for the amusement of Sess/Kag fans everywhere.

Something Fishy

When Rin found Kohaku his first response was a smile and a question she couldn't answer.

"So what does he think of Kichiruka?"

She looked at the dirt under her feet.

The greater kusarigama dropped from numb fingers. "You still haven't said anything?"

Rin huffed, growing frustrated with all the hype. "Well, it's not exactly an easy subject to broach…Do you want to help me out?" Maybe she shouldn't have said anything. Just send Kohaku on his way and let Sesshomaru draw up his own picture-perfect schematic for what her man should be.

Kohaku tugged at the whiskers on his chin. "Help how so? Kichiruka isn't my guy."

"Oh, c'mon! It's not that hard." Miyoko came up behind him and gave her fiancé's ear a jerk. "Drop hints! Obviously!"

Rin smiled feebly. "Something like that."

"Like say how nice it would be to have yokai in-laws. More specifically Rin with one, blah-dee-dah…" The rappa made a continuing gesture with her hand.

Kohaku rubbed a hand at the back of his neck. "I guess…"

Both women looked at him. "Just do it!"

Miyoko turned on Rin. "That goes for you too, sister."

oOo

"That was close." Kohaku dodged the first strike and narrowly avoided the second. "Could you imagine if I hadn't been human? I mean, how much faster I would be?"

Sesshomaru paused. "You're adequate."

As the daiyokai resumed his onslaught, Kohaku grunted. "Yes, but demons are much harder to kill."

"And yet you make your living from it," he countered.

Kohaku stifled a groan. Sesshomaru wasn't making this easy. Big surprise.

"I'm just noting," the taijiya said, parrying another swing from Tenseiga, "that I think unions with sturdier creatures – say, yo—"

"You're talking too much. Pay attention." A band of energy snaked around Kohaku's heels, knocking him off his feet in the next second.

Kichiruka…watch your step with him.

oOo

Kichiruka woke to the sound of soft mewing on his chest. Kilala? No, he was in the ocean. Sapphire eyes fluttered open.

"Hi, Gari," he greeted.

The snail on his chest meowed in return. Gently setting his odd pet back on a vine of kelp, Kichiruka rolled out of bed. He took all of yesterday along with the remainder of the day previous to rest and now, undoing his bandages, the majority of the gashes had turned to small, shiny scars and the worst of the damage was a simple welt. There wouldn't be a trace of any of them by tomorrow. Kichiruka flexed his arm. A little sore, but all in working order. Being a demon meant you could take a beating and still make it out in one piece.

Going to miss immortality if all goes well. Kichiruka half-smiled at the irony.

There was a light rapping on the hull. "Delivery for Kichiruka of Lord Ichikawa's court!" a low voice hollered.

It must be the new uniform! Excitedly, Kichiruka tugged on his usual clothes, then poked his head outside. " 'Morning!"

"More like afternoon!" the shark-demon circling outside said, coupled with a chuckle. Like most of the underwater population he had a shape-twisted form and carried the order in one arm. Swimming up to Kichiruka he turned it over. A dark blue robe with triangular patterns wrapped around sea-green garments. "Congrats," the delivery yokai said with a smile. "Your teacher doesn't seem much into giving them himself."

Kichiruka laughed. "Yeah, but Master Tensai would point out that the celebration is in receiving the honor itself."

The shark nodded amiably. Then sidled close and whispered low, "So is it true?"

Blue eyes blinked owlishly. "Is what?"

"That Ichikawa worked you up to pairing off with Sesshomaru's human?"

"Huh? Worked me up to? No! Not in the least!" Kichiruka nearly dropped his order.

The demon paled. "So then who blackmailed you into the short-life? I mean, we all like you, Kichiruka. You're cool. And I know you're a gutsy guy, but a human? Who'd do that even on a dare? Much less an order."

"No one's blackmailing anyone here," Kichiruka huffed. "I chose Rin because I love her."

All coloring drained from the shark's sharp face. "You mean…? You willingly…?" He had to pause to breathe. "Damn, I thought Ichikawa was weird. That's sick, man." He shook his head. "And Tensai still promoted you?"

"Yes, but what's that got to do with…?"

"I guess he had no choice if it came from Ichikawa's say so."

"I worked hard for that exam!"

"Whoa, whoa, chill the yoki there."

Seeing the shark tread water backwards, Kichiruka recalled himself. "Please excuse me," he managed politely through gritted teeth. "I'm certain you have other stops to make and I will detain you no further. Thank you for dropping this off." Bowing curtly, the dolphin pardoned himself and returned inside without another word.

Alone again, Kichiruka set aside the new clothes and drifted to one extremity of the hull. Turning, his yoki propelled him to the other side. And back again. He paced restlessly, mulling over the situation.

Of course the concerns of the other yokai were valid. It made sense that there would still be suspicion that Ichikawa 'worked him up' as it were. And if one subject could be moved like a game piece it was reasonable that other, more influential, court members may wonder if they would be next, forced into compromises they found distasteful. Or taboo.

Then again, the situation is unique. Not too many yokai lords had marriageable, human wards either. And everyone already accepted that Kichiruka was an outlier, there weren't any other dolphin yokai in Ichikawa's domain. Or much anywhere else. With all of Ichikawa's other eccentricities, what did they have to worry about? Whatever the outcome Kichiruka still had someone of influence on his side. And that was good enough, wasn't it?

But what if that favor was lost with Sesshomaru's rejection? Then what happened when you had no advocate? When you were alone?

Tensai came to mind and Kichiruka fidgeted. He got up. He needed something to do. Right now. He needed to step out. But his introduction to Sesshomaru was tomorrow, so was that such a good idea?

Rin.

Kichiruka took one moment to change clothes. Then closed his eyes and pictured the brook.

oOo

"Hi, Kohaku!" Kagome greeted brightly as she "ran into" the taijiya on her way out to gather some herbal supplies. She spotted his coach. "Brother-in-law!"

Sesshomaru suppressed a shudder. He frowned in the general direction of Inuyasha's wench.

Kagome continued as if he had offered her the sunniest hello of the day. "It's nice to see you around once in a while."

It's all too frequent. Sesshomaru snorted. "I was just leaving. Jaken," he called for his retainer.

Ignoring Kohaku's wide-eyed warning, Kagome stepped up to take her shot at giving Rin's guardian a clue before the opportunity was lost. "You know, yokai – especially silver-maned gentlemen – have such otherworldly charm."

Sesshomaru blinked slowly. "I don't think Inuyasha would share."

Kagome gaped at him a minute. Well, she hadn't expected Sesshomaru to come from that angle.

Seizing his chance from the flabbergast miko, Sesshomaru quickly sidestepped her and hurried on his way.

That's one way to shut her up.

He would have to be back here in a few days for Rin and…whomever. The daiyokai could only handle so many humans in a week and it seemed just a little unfair to arrive with patience eroded by the time he met with Rin and her selection.

oOo

There was a slight creak and splintering of wood and Inuyasha swiveled an ear toward the commotion, but he didn't open his eyes. At least not until he heard a string of shingles go clattering off the roof. He sighed and got up.

"Need a hand, vapor brain?"

Kichiruka grunted and managed to find a foothold. "Nah. I – ngh – got it." Water demons were not meant for scaling rooftops. "Oof!" He flopped aboard. "'Kay. I'm good."

Golden eyes rolled toward the overcast sky. "So what brings you here?"

"Rin wasn't at our usual meeting place," he said simply.

Inuyasha snorted. "I meant, why today? Don't'cha hafta see Sesshomaru t'morrow?"

"Exactly." Kichiruka laughed a little. "I want to see Rin just once more in an informal setting." He chuckled and raked a hand through his unbound hair.

"Tryin' t' be a copycat?" Inuyasha smirked the straight and stiff mane of his visitor.

Kichiruka tossed the length of his hair down his back. "I noticed Rin likes it down."

"Huh."

"What's the matter? You don't feel special anymore?" Kichiruka teased.

Inuyasha snorted. "Get in line, pal. You're not the only one with a 'do like that around here."

Kichiruka chuckled, but this time his laughter held a note of unease.

At length Inuyasha spoke again. His eyes still closed. "You really like her, huh?"

"I think she's my…One."

"One?"

"Yes, you know, the one person you love. I've been told you can only fall in love once."

Inuyasha snorted. "I don't believe that."

"Really? I wonder…"

"I think you can love more than one person." Inuyasha shifted his weight. "Like say if the first person you love dies."

Kichiruka nodded. "I thought about that. On one hand, if you really loved them, then that's that. Anyone else you seek out afterward is for companionship, but you never love them the way you did the first person."

"That's stupid." Inuyasha knew he loved Kagome.

"Well, the person who told me so said his species isn't inclined to company away. Then he hit me." Kichiruka automatically rubbed the usually sore spot on his head. "I also asked, how do you know you loved them? Say if it was merely an infatuation and you didn't fall in love until after the fact."

Inuyasha harrumphed. As if the clouds beamed harsh sunlight, the half-demon kept his eyes closed and a tight frown on his face. He stood quiet long enough to make Kichiruka wonder if he had forgotten their conversation altogether. "…I thought she had betrayed me."

"You didn't trust her enough?"

"Well, no, it's not that. Hey, are you saying I didn't love Kikyo?"

Kichiruka tilted his head to one side. "Kikyo, huh?...No, but I don't think love and trust are mutually exclusive either. If anything it seems that you are more mature in your relationship with Kagome."

"Inuyasha, what really kept you returning to the first woman?"

Guilt. Regret. Loyalty. "Vapor brain, why don't you take your philosophic-psycho shit elsewhere?"

"Sorry. Just trying to consider a few things myself."

"Okay, not to put any bad mojo on your meeting with Sesshomaru, but for a bit of reality here, what if it doesn't go all hunky-dory like you expect?"

"I don't expect." Kichiruka watched as the dryness of his response raised white dog ears. "I would give anything to receive the Western Lord's approbation, but if he refuses it, if it comes to jeopardize Rin's happiness and someone she recognizes as family…" He intently studied the roof shingles. "I will go."

Inuyasha blinked. "No shit?"

"Love might not be something you think about, but everything else around it sure is." Kichiruka looked Inuyasha square in the eye. "You understand that even though you may deeply cherish someone you aren't the only one who does, right?"

"Yeah." The sight of Kagome's family flashed through his mind. Sometimes he wondered if they still missed her. She always assured it was okay.

But for those three uncertain years, time had kept him and Kagome apart. Although he was no stranger to rejection he couldn't fathom the blow it would've been to have been turned away by Kagome's family. Even before he gave up trying to even like Sesshomaru, Inuyasha came to terms that there wouldn't be anyone else on his father's side who would welcome him. There wasn't anyone there. To be kept apart from someone who was…Frickin' screwed up. "Maybe you'll get lucky and my heartless-assed brother will disown her."

Kichiruka gave Inuyasha a mortified look. "Don't even joke like that!"

Inuyasha stared straight ahead.

"You're serious?"

"I dunno. He's pretty protective of her, so on second thought…no." Inuyasha sat up. And in awkward, jerky motions patted Kichiruka's shoulder. "From what I've been hearing everyone's tryin' to do their part to warm Sesshomaru up to the idea."

"Really?"

The hanyo shifted uncomfortably. "Well, it's what I've been hearing." There was no report on Sesshomaru's reaction other than a weak smile or nod among Kagome and the others.

Kichiruka nodded. "Is Rin around?"

"Yeah, I think I just heard Kagome tell 'er to get some water. She's prob'ly around the corner by the storage—" Inuyasha stared at where Kichiruka had sat just a second ago. "…Barrel," he completed.

Well, it was at least his vanishing act is impressive.

oOo

Rin stepped outside, opening the lid to a water barrel. And Kichiruka surged out to kiss her hello. He laughed when she squeaked in surprise.

Rin stopped herself in mid-swing from clobbering him with the bucket she brought. "What are you doing here?"

"Saying hi," he said, eyes shining bright and hands dangling lazily over the rim of the barrel.

Rin recovered. Though a little more tersely than she intended. "You're contaminating our water supply."

Kichiruka rolled his eyes and hopped out of the barrel. He tapped the conch staff to its rim. Rin gawked at the water inside. The surface practically sparkled, looking as clear as fresh spring water.

"Something new?"

"Nah, I've been able to do that for a while. But look…" He spread his arms and postured with his new uniform. Then realized he was still dripping water all over the veranda. Clapping his hands together, Kichiruka quickly dried himself, cleared his throat, and resumed the stance. "Ta-da!"

Rin giggled, tugging at the dark blue background around one triangle. "Nicely done. Promotional exams?"

"Graduate," Kichiruka preened.

"Congratulations!" She hugged him tightly, squeezing a fountain of happy laughter out of him. "So now what does this mean?"

"Not sure yet, but it gives me something of a respectable title."

Rin giggled. "With that look?" She pointed at Kichiruka's head. "Your hair's getting frizzy."

Kichiruka pouted. "I thought you liked it unbound."

"Depending on the weather." She reached for the comb in her hair. And couldn't feel it.

Kichiruka saw Rin's eyes widen. He knew exactly what was missing. Rin wore three accessories at all times: the sword, her earrings, and the ivory comb. "Did you drop it somewhere?"

"I was at the brook yesterday, but…" She couldn't remember taking it out. The brush Rin used for her hair and the ornamental comb were two different things. How could she have forgotten it?

"I can go get it." Kichiruka remembered it was a gift from Sesshomaru. It must have meant a lot to Rin. "I didn't notice anything the first time, but may it's there."

Concern furrowed Rin's brow for a moment. "Don't worry about it. I think it's probably in my room."

"You sure?"

She nodded.

Kichiruka shrugged and reached for the tie he kept under his shirt collar. Rin watched with quite fascination as the sections of silver hair and fanned out behind him like a dorsal fin, each separating as though of its own volition.

"How do you do that? Demon power?"

"Do what?"

Rin shook her head. "Never mind." Crossing her arms, she leaned against the porch's wooden posts and looked off toward the rice fields.

Kichiruka joined her, but he was just a little less relaxed, fingers drumming eagerly. The wind whipped up, pushing heavy, gray thunderheads closer. "It's going to rain soon," he announced with a grin.

Rin looked his way. For a moment the pupils in his eyes disappeared and he looked blind. The energy that radiated off of him raised the hairs at the nape of Rin's neck. She knew most yokai had direct ties to nature – Inuyasha's own strength waning with the vanishing moon every month was one example. She hadn't quite considered Kichiruka's being bolstered with the weather. She inched near him and felt a little shock when she covered his hand with hers. He smiled and Rin doubted the following tingle had as much to do with Kichiruka being yokai as it did with being male.

Feeling Rin shiver next to him, Kichiruka laughed. "Sorry there. It's just kind of exciting for my kind."

Rin laughed. "Don't worry. I get it."

Doesn't she always? Kichiruka smiled. "Anyway, weren't you out here for something first? Um, water?"

"Right," Rin agreed vaguely, looking at the still empty bucket in her hands.

Neither of them moved.

Oh, whatever. Rin dropped the bucket and rushed Kichiruka for a kiss.

He gasped. Between Rin and the sweet scent of rain he could feel his senses going into overdrive and mental faculties shutting down. She molded so perfectly against him.

Kagome poked her head outside to see what had happened to her young friend. There wasn't going to be any tea without any water to boil. And the priestess quickly stepped back inside.

From where he lay sprawled, Inuyasha snorted. He'd come in through the window earlier. "From what I can smell, he's practically raping her except she's enjoying it."

"Inuyasha!" Kagome waved a hand at him.

Kichiruka tried slowing himself. He just got his clothes yesterday, he couldn't soil them now. And the discussion with the messenger flickered in his mind again.

"That's sick…"

Rin felt the moment Kichiruka stopped moving altogether, then gently withdraw. "Something wrong?"

Kichiruka smiled, but Rin knew better than to look there. His eyes had faded to cornflower like they used to whenever she tripped up on a subject he couldn't cope.

"You're worried?"

"No…yes…" He sighed hopelessly. "I'm nervous."

Rin laughed. "Strange coming from someone who sure acted like he knew what he was doing a second ago." Kichiruka kept quiet. He smirked mirthlessly. Rin tugged on a silver bang and guided him to look at her. "Why don't you come on inside for tea?"

He slipped into her arms and simply, sweetly kissed her.

oOo

"Why are we here, m'lord?" Jaken waited for answer, despondently aware that no reply would come.

It was afternoon when Sesshomaru walked past his usual training grounds for Rin, but he was still a whole day too early. He wasn't scheduled to be here until tomorrow, but smell of rain made him tighten his perimeters closer to Rin's village. Today he was passing through the outskirts, tracing along the little river that bordered the town's fringes. He took another step, and immediately retraced it when the toe of his boot tapped something too flat and fine to be a stone.

Rin's comb.

Sesshomaru stooped and picked it up. There was slight wear around the ivory edges, one of the teeth was missing and the tip of a carved petal was chipped. Rin used it often. He could easily hand it over to Jaken, have him ferry it back, but there was something more personal to this one item.

"Tch, careless girl," the imp glowered in his master's stead. "How dare she treat your gifts with such disregard. It just goes to show—"

"Jaken."

"Y-yes?"

"Go ahead and find Rin. Tell her I'm on my way." He stated it in a manner that growled for no additional questions.

"Can't we just tell her to come here?" Jaken clapped his tiny claws over his beak a second too late.

"It may rain," Sesshomaru observed. Without waiting for further objection or inquiry, the dog-demon's boot gave Jaken no less than half a mile's head start.

Resuming his own leisurely pace, Sesshomaru continued on his own way toward the village, free of nuisance. Or at least it was until he reached the hillock.

With the clatter of ill gained wears and whisper of questionably acquired rice bales, a large cart pulled by two stocky stallions clamored in front of the daiyokai. Sesshomaru restrained himself from tossing the contraption aside like a small stone in his path. Pity that he knew the driver well enough.

"What is it, monk?"

Miroku flashed a winsome smile, turning on his charm. Some would say the efforts were wasted on one such as Sesshomaru – but they didn't know Miroku either. "It's not the most agreeable of weather today, but how fortuitous to find a familiar face to warm the coming winter months."

Sesshomaru glanced at the overloaded vehicle. The monk must have charged extra for the "disagreeable weather." Then he stared at the road ahead that Miroku's cart was so conveniently blocking.

Unperturbed by the demon's characteristic silence, the monk filled in the blanks for him as opposed to acting like Sesshomaru had already spoken. "I'm sure things are going well for yourself, if I may so assume? You're here to visit our young Rin, no?"

"The action of which is presently hindered," Sesshomaru tautly remarked.

"Care for a ride?" Miroku offered.

Sesshomaru circumvented the obstacle and continued walking. Clucking his tongue, Miroku got his horses to match the pace.

"Business has been good these days," he said cheerfully.

Sesshomaru made no comment. For shame he couldn't exactly punt the monk and his load back to their home as he had Jaken toward the village. The daiyokai huffed softly. With half an ear the dog-demon endured the white noise of chatter until he realized he was being directly addressed. He looked at the monk.

Miroku's eyes danced like they were in on some private joke, but when his voice came out it was steady, calm, and serious. "I'm sure a man of your stature understands the importance of consolidating his holdings."

"And what business is that of yours?"

"Certainly be best in civility is expected in an ally. Wouldn't you say it's the same as looking for a good suitor? After all, you do presently have a fine asset on your hands and she's been of marrying age for some time now."

Sesshomaru's yoki flared and the horses pulling Miroku's cart whinnied. When he had them calmed again he realized Sesshomaru had already gone.

Rin, m'love, you're on your own.

oOo

Sesshomaru knocked softly on the post of Rin's door. And was instead greeted by the small fox-child. He waited calmly for an explanation.

" 'Scuse me, Lord Sessho…maru?" Shippo stepped forward. Just tell him. Just make it sound nice and pleasant. It is good news…If you're not Sesshomaru. "I…um…would…wanted…to say…"

The daiyokai tilted his head and advanced one step.

Shippo's nerve broke. The little fox took off screaming in the opposite direction.

Sesshomaru yawned.

oOo

Sifting through the heady smells of damp earth and dark skies, Sesshomaru tracked Rin's scent, trying push aside all other interference. Inuyasha's house? Suppressing his own reluctance, Sesshomaru strolled onward. Naturally, Rin wouldn't want to be alone on cold, dreary days like these; humans, he had learned, were very much pack creatures.

His little brother's motley group came to mind. They had been acting quite strangely during the past few encounters. He'd never heard Shippo try to speak so many words to him before. Normally, he wouldn't give their idle chatter a second thought, but reviewing all the conversations in his mind they all seemed to drift toward different subjects, and yet their underlying motivations remained similar. There was almost a uniformity to the way they were attempting to approach the dog-demon. As if they were all afraid to touch a boil. He snorted.

There's something that I'm missing. It did nothing for Sesshomaru's whittling patience that they had him going through a guessing game now. Damn, he just wished someone would tell him flat out what the hell was going on.

"Lord Sesshomaru! Lord Sesshomaru!" Jaken skidded to a stop before the daiyokai. "Rin is sporting with a demon!"

.

A/N: Thank you for reading. Reviews are most appreciated. I'm off to midterms now.