The dappled shade of the woodland trees had seemed so inviting only moments earlier, but as they drew closer, the old yellow and brown leaves hustled in the breeze, as the sounds of dead, weak trees, creak at every push the wind gave. Odd. It's only the end of summer and yet the air is colder than it should be, leaving chills as it climbed through the opening of his sleeves down across spine. The singing of the birds had long ceased to a stop for reasons he can never explain.
Looming red gates of the once magnificent entryway stood before them, locked and bolted from the inside. Now faded and tarnished, the thick wood once bore the red-and-white cherry blossom crest of the Inu Youkai's bloodlines signifying their noble birth. Carved into the thick blocks were intricate designs once filled in with pure gold, but the earth had long reclaimed it and human looters had certainly helped. At the sight of their approach, the heavy gates opened with a loud screech; the very bolts that held them shut was closed for far too long it had aged and molded stuck together, screaming at every little attempt to pry them apart.
A white haired demon with an even whiter yukata greeted them at the door, her skin almost as pale as ice and her eyes as blue as the clear sky. For a second, he noticed the wind sorceress stiffen, staring wide-eyed at his long-time servant but she quickly relaxed the moment she spoke.
Kanna, huh?
"Welcome back, my lord. Master Jaken announced your arrival today."
He gave her a small nod as she bowed low, waiting for him to fully pass on ahead before pulling her head back and facing his following companions with a soft, gentle smile on her face.
"Hello, my name is Yuuta and I will be serving you both in your stay. If there is anything at all that you need, do not hesitate to ask."
He watched the exchange from the corner of his eyes, pausing mid-step to let the ceremonious greeting take place. It had been long since he had brought with him any formal guests; Kagura's initial arrival was handled by Jaken and therefore no such formalities were conducted. It seems, though, that the fuuji caught on to this change as well, as she turned to him with a questioning stare in those cold, blood red eyes.
"Thank you. We will be keeping you in mind if we come across anything we need."
He turned his gaze from Kagura towards Rin when she spoke, watching her poise and grace as she voiced her response with an air of nobility. He knew for fact that the old human priestess was of no royal blood and the girl's attitude could therefore not have been something learned from simply watching. She was taught it purposely and for a reason he has yet to fully understand, though part of him feels as if Kaede had been grooming Rin like an aristocrat for the purpose of marrying her to one. She didn't strike him as the materialistic kind but he never did understand anyone who was and so he admitted to himself he could never really be for sure.
I knew I shouldn't have the trusted the old witch.
The theory seemed awfully likely and it would explain her more-than-usual formality, so unlike the child he remembered from years ago. Deep inside, he wondered if that would be a good or a bad thing.
The wind youkai only scoffed, muttering under her breath.
"If I need anything, I'll get it. I'm fully capable of taking care of myself, thanks."
Yuuta blinked in mild confusion; both her and the silver-haired demon lord knew that the comment wasn't directed at her but for the human healer, but it was dropped so subtly any less attuned person could have missed it. Rin's shoulder stiffened but she said nothing, evident that she caught it too. With another gracious bow, Yuuta gathered her skirt and wordlessly excused herself, the cue for the daiyoukai to keep on walking.
Massive was an understatement to describe the courtyard of his estate. It was once used by his father as a training facility; meant to accommodate his full-demonic transformation. It was one, gigantic, barren space that had been overgrown by weeds and thorn bushes over the last century. Towards the far end of both corners, one could see the court houses that framed the empty training yard, and up ahead lay the metal gates that led into the hedge maze of old herbs and rare flowers. They walked briskly; the demon lord observing the reactions of his new companions.
Rin gawked at the size of the place, her imaginations having failed to do it justice. The hard packed dirt beneath her feet were cracked and dry and the cold air that was odd for a summer morning draped over the manor. The place reeked of old age and wisdom and while Kagura hadn't exaggerated about her portrayal of its abandonment, she found fascination in it's crumbling walls and rusting gates. The chateau was hundreds of years old - perhaps even older - any man-made building would have long collapsed after such a great amount of time, and yet her lord's childhood home still stood hauntingly mesmerizing through the wilderness, standing tall even when the decay licked its feet and the earth attempted to reclaim what had once belonged to it. She could only wonder how majestic it might have been like when the young Sesshomaru ran across the court to his father's side, back in the days when the castle was at it's prime as one of the strongest demon strongholds that existed.
Kagura, on the other hand, watched indolently, her deep red eyes showing little to no interest in the same court she's seen numerous times before. Her stage of fascination had long passed since after the first few times she's seen it, and the daiyoukai found himself wishing he had been there to see her initial reactions the first time - he had, after all, never seen the prideful woman show particular interest in anything material. Did she have the same wide-eyed curiosity? Did she walk around gawking at every little structure, picturing the past long gone? He cursed himself at the realization that he would never know.
After a lengthy walk, they reached the end of the lot, the tall green grass of the hedges greeting them with the strong scent of wild roses. The maze was glorious in the summer sunshine despite the eerie lack of warmth under it's penetrating rays; only weeks ago a person could have stepped over the walls but now it towered over even the great dog demon. That area was maintained better than the court, the grass beneath their feet was freshly mowed and the wall of crawling vines were damp from having just been watered. Every hedge was a uniform green despite the variety of plants that composed them, cut with a square top and center pieced by a centuries-old pond that was home to the oldest, rarest type of koi in the country. It was all beautiful in an unconventional way; the green sunlight through the thick leaves that blocked the sky from view, the crooked fences and rusty metal doorways, the lush greenery that creeped upon the thick walls of manor. Even the smell mild smell of stagnant mud and the tinge of decay had place in the natural scenery of it all, the very circle of life surrounding them so closely they could almost feel the earth breathe.
Jaken stumbled out the wide entrance, immediately planting his forehead on the dusty floor effectively dragging the demon lord out of his deep thoughts.
"Welcome back my lord!", seeing the slender figure behind him, the green imp added, "And you too, Rin!"
"It's good to see you, Master Jaken!"
"Indeed! You look well! You got taller than the last time I remember!"
It was a nostalgic sight, seeing them together in such a manner that it felt like it was only yesterday when they walked around the country with the imp on his right and the little human girl on the other, chasing power and adventures he would have never had found at home. Through the naked boughs, over the frigid grass, and ghostly echoes, he could almost hear the hopscotch rhymes she once played through the hard-packed dirt path long gone. He could picture every detail of it all, from the stones that tumbled in their chaotic way, always at the mercy of chance down to the way she could never pick up large pebbles without seemingly toppling over. The sound of their conversations and the way their voices rang together was like a time machine - granting Sesshomaru a fleeting visit back to their old camps when the fire still burned bright and she still slept by his feet.
"Jaken."
The imp visible tensed at the mention of his name.
"Yes my lord?"
"We will be staying the night. Have Ah-Uhn ready by sunrise."
"Yes, Lord Sesshomaru!"
With another forehead-to-the-ground bow, he made his exit, dragging the Staff of Two Heads on his right hand.
Gold eyes wandered to the red-eyed demon before he kept moving forward, leading his thrilled human ward and the edgy fuuji through the labyrinth of hedges that led to the entrance of the main hall. She seemed more and more uncomfortable the longer the day went, her brooding mood apparent in the way she walked with her head bent through the pathways, averting her eyes to the floor, but yet seemingly not wanting to look distressed. Her aim felt as it was invisibility, to simply blend in the background. The way her shoulders stiffened at every social interaction told him the exchanges only fueled her annoyance and she was uncharacteristically quiet in the most ominous way - the only time he's heard her speak all morning, poison was practically dripping out of the corners of her mouth. His intuition guessed there might have been an argument between her and Rin, but he couldn't picture the human healer being anything but soft-spoken and surely, he'd have heard them quarrel if they actually did, seeing as neither of them ever left his earshot since Rin rejoined them the previous evening. But he didn't. And he admittedly knew so little of the workings of the female mind to even attempt at comprehending what the wind demon is even thinking.
The looming doors of the hall towered way above their heads, ajar just enough for their group to enter with ease. The manor was red brick and much, much older than what visitors would have assumed. It was overly large and ostentatious to the point of intimidation yet it laid so perfectly into the earthly background it was fluidly camouflaged into the countryside. In reality, it was all a perfect depiction of the legend of the daiyoukai's very own father, the great Inu no Taishou - old and tattered, the windows broken and the bricks crumbling, but, despite it's faults and failings it was still a thing of beauty.
From the inside, it was nothing short of majestic despite the thick layer of undisturbed dust that adorned majority of the items that decorated the long corridor. The walls were plastered in an antique wallpaper found nowhere else in the world, with intricate designs and markings that told the stories of their family's lineage, from the very first of their line to ever achieve their legendary rank. The quality of it held up so greatly against the strides of time that the hundreds - maybe even thousands - of years old lining had no dirt and no flaking or dents despite the very little care it hard received in the last few decades. The wide stairs ahead were twisted in a perfect spiral, like a child's slinky toy pulled from each end. Each stair was a deep walnut and he silently watched as Rin ran past him in an excited hurry, running her hand against the the black iron rail, admiring its rough rustic charm as she gingerly placed a foot on it's very first step. There was no creak or sign of rot as they were as solid as the day they were first made. She was beyond mesmerized; he could see the way she held her breath as she looked up at the looming ceilings above her, trying to see every detail to the engravings that were carved in every inch of the elaborate roof.
Kagura stepped up beside him, arms crossed across her chest as was what seemed to be her new signature standing position. The look on her face was a blank and unreadable as the stoic mask he wears but he could see the glimmer of fire in her eyes as she watched their human companion breathe in the wonders of the rustic architecture - one she perceived to be so bleak and gloomy.
Sesshomaru had found a new habit in comparing the two women unconsciously: they were just so... different. In his simple-minded, classic male mindset, he had always thought all women are the same (albeit he really didn't know that many women to begin with) - simply materialistic who cared a little too much about their titles and appearance and the way the rest of the world saw them. Wooing one was easy if a man was beautiful, rich, and powerful and needless to say, his younger years were filled with new partners every other day in an effort to understand why his father had decided to settle with one when he could have had them all. He didn't particularly found enjoyment in bedding with so many demon women; he had no interest in them at all until they offered their bodies to him in a desperate attempt to catch his attention and he had simply obliged. He had known Kagura and Rin would be nowhere near alike but only after seeing them so close to one another did he realize just how different they actually were.
Rin was like a bright light - the kind he needed to pull him out of the shroud of darkness that long froze his heart. Her innocent smiles, her sweet laughter, and the little things that made her genuinely happy was something he never understood but deeply appreciated. She uncovered a side of him he didn't even see and the way she looked at him like he was some sort of hero in the story of her life made him want to be the kind of person she believed him to be. Whether he was willing to admit it in his heart or not, the reality was that she changed him. And he needed it - he needed her. But there was more to her than just her pure soul and her utmost kindness; there lies a fierce spirit in her heart and an unrivaled sense of loyalty he once thought was exclusive to demon kind. She was fearless and she saw everything in the best possible perspective, her optimism something that inspired him more than he even realize. If he was the sky, then she was the sun - and he needed her to illuminate his life like the earth needed the bright rays of sunshine to have life. She was the one thing he didn't know he craved until he found her - he was so desperately swimming in the dark watching his half-brother bask in the light of his own sun, the cold grip of jealousy freezing over his lonely heart. But she came and changed it all, planting seeds in his soul that are now growing to be a field of beautiful daisies, just like ones she used to tuck in his long, silver hair as a child.
But Kagura was different. She was dark and cold - deceptive and manipulative. Her sleeves are stained with the blood of murder and her soul was just as tainted as his. Even the smiles that lit up her features was the wrong sort; it was as if her heart ran on cold malice instead of any form of genuine affection. She challenged his every word and unlike everyone else in his court, she didn't respect his absolute authority. She spoke when she wanted and said exactly what she meant with no pretenses or worry and perhaps that was part of her unlikely charm. She didn't regard him with fear and she didn't care for his power and fancy title. She did what she wanted with the same freedom as the wind and part of him admired that. Though he despised the way she scoffed at his orders and how she wasn't scared to criticize his actions, he loved the way she treated him as an equal - unapologetic and honest - something no one else had the audacity to even dare think of. She was the kind of woman he would go war beside, and he was comfortable around her in ways different from everyone else; she was much like the moon - she was the person that knew all his darkest 3am secrets, the subtle light that illuminated the moments he wanted to keep hidden in the darkness. And just like the moon, part of her was always hidden away - and in those rare moments when he could see her in full view, the scars that carved her body and the imperfections that plagued her being, it was hard to look away for she was beautiful.
"Is she always this needlessly excited about everything? It's just an old staircase."
The half-whispered mutter under her breath broke him out of his deep thoughts, bringing him back to the reality that was unfolding before him.
There was a bite in her tone that was also present just moments before when they first entered the complex. Perhaps the reminder of her sister Kanna was bringing out some inner turmoil?, he though.
He didn't get the chance to respond (not that he wanted to in the first place), as Yuuta came around the corner from a servant's corridor, bowing lightly in respect before calling over the two female guests.
"Lady Kagura, Lady Rin. Your quarters have been prepared. If you're ready, I shall escort you to your rooms."
The human healer almost immediately rushed to the yuki onna's [*snow woman; demon that controls ice according to Japanese legends] side with a leap in her steps, her obvious excitement written all over her face. He made a mental note to offer her a tour of the place before they leave; perhaps she could even give him an insight as to how he should renovate the estate.
"Lady Kagura, will you be joining us?", Yuuta added as the youkai had showed no intent of moving from her standing position.
"I'll find it later myself. I have no intention in sitting in an empty room for the rest of the day."
With a small nod of understanding, the demon servant bowed, leading the delighted Rin up towards the picturesque stairway.
The hallway on the second floor was grand. The wallpapers were just like the ones below: hand-painted and high quality, each panel uniquely painted to draw upon the history of the manor's previous lords and their lifelong accomplishments. They walked in a slow pace, allowing the fascinated Rin to watch in amazement at all the antique arts the old place presented.
Alone with the human ward, Yuuta walked silently, observing the infamous girl in secrecy. She had heard much about her - from Master Jaken's ramblings to the murmurs around the estate. There weren't many servants left around but the soldiers were as plentiful as ever, perhaps even more so now than there were during the time of the previous lord and they brought about whispers about the silver-haired daiyoukai's personal whereabouts. Rumor has it that he had shown quite a great deal of interest in a stunning human maiden from a village somewhere near the north and that many anticipates the new lord would follow the odd footsteps of his fallen father, pursuing a ningen* [Japanese for "human"] as a mate. True, Rin was alluring and beautiful and watching her sweet smiles and gentle disposition, she could understand the appeal the Lord of the West may see in her, but there were demons that were more beautiful and far more grand: what was so special about this girl?
"Lady Rin?"
"Yes?"
Their pace slowed and the yuki onna's bright blue eyes that shone almost white watched her companion's body language, her observant behavior reading Rin's every little move.
"May I take the liberty to ask a few questions? I'm curious about many things having heard so much about you."
"Of course! Ask ahead."
"Will you be staying at the Western estate as the new Lady of the West?"
The question had obviously caught the human healer off-guard. She was mortified, frozen to the spot. Her face was almost beet red and her face radiated heat like a hot pan.
"I-...No, Lord Sesshomaru and I-! ...I mean, our relationship is not like that-!", she faltered, tripping on her own word.
She regarded her curiously, the confused response only fueling her interest more.
"So you are not his primary mate?"
"Well-no, it's-...we're not like that-"
"Are you going to be one of his mistresses then?"
"What-?! N-no! Of course not!"
At this point, they had stopped walking entirely, paused in the middle of a long corridor that ended right by the lord's own personal quarters. Rin's room, after all, was the one chosen closest to that of the prince's. Predictable.
"I see."
Yuuta stood quietly for a moment, adding up the new information she had just gathered. She rested her hand on her chin in contemplation, piecing out every detail to her theory. Sesshomaru had little to no interest in any women in all his years up until very recently, and even then, there were only ever two women they knew of outside his very own mother that he so much as acknowledged in more than just a matter of servitude. With little understanding of human sentimentality and their need for monogamy, she raised her eyes - looking straight at Rin's deep, brown ones - as she tactless asked, "If you're not the lord's chosen mate, I suppose that meant Lady Kagura would be the new Lady then?"
...Eh?
Rin's flustered expression quickly died out, replaced by a look of utter confusion, a mix of mild anger and annoyance, and something else Yuuta couldn't quite place a finger on entirely. Her mouth hung slightly open and her eyes were wide open - her brain seemingly formulated no thoughts other than to register that she was shocked.
"What makes you assume that?"
As the sentence flew out of her mouth, she quickly wished she could take it back - somehow, she knew she was going to regret ever asking; there were some things she just wished she never knew.
"Because Lady Kagura and Lord Sesshomaru had shared a room here before. At first, I assumed she would have been just a mistress given the elevated status Master Jaken had painted you in, but considering your platonic relationship with the lord, his intimate relationships with the fuuji must mean she would likely be his new mate."
Rin could feel her heart drop, the impact of it as it shattered on her feet felt like it had knocked every wisp of air from her lungs, and she stood there struggling to inhale, to exhale, to do anything. With watery eyes, she just stood there, dumbfounded, trying to remember how to breathe, unable to speak, totally stunned as his name bounced around inside her skull.
Her lord Sesshomaru, after all, picked Kagura.
A/N: Sorry for the late update. Next updates will be a little behind schedule too (work stuff had just been busy and I'm behind some deadlines I need to work on early next week so next chapter wouldn't likely be out till mid-week, but I'll try and start it ASAP so I can have it up relatively timely. Thanks for all the support and the reviews so far!
