I want to preface this chapter by letting my readers know that if you've read chapters 1-4 before 4/7/24 there may be some slight changes you may have missed. Namely, in chapter 2, the village leader Kenkō has undergone both a weapon and personality change. Other chapters experienced small correctness and clarity changes. If you've made it this far because you can read a story without needing instant gratification as soon as chapter 1, congratulations, you are a dying breed. As always, constructive critique is encouraged as well as a simple 'atta girl' for encouragement if you are enjoying this content.
Tenseiga, forged from the fang of Sesshōmaru's father, Tōga, was passed down to his son after his tragic demise. It contained powers that transcended the natural laws of life and death, a feat only recently discovered by its new young owner. The blade had only throbbed one other time before now when it compelled its master to use it on a young girl who had been mauled by wolves.
Rin…
But what was it compelling him to do now?
The strange woman smiled at them. It was gentle, yet enigmatic, as if it held the wisdom of ages past and the warmth of a comforting embrace. The glow of her face seemed to illuminate the darkness around her; a brilliant display of calm confidence. In the flickering glow of the stone lanterns, she greeted her guests, "Ah, visitors. Welcome."
She rose from the floor then, handling the unfinished blade with care as she placed it on an iron-capped stump, her anvil. She grabbed a wet cloth from one of the nearby buckets and began to wipe away a clay sludge from the sword.
Jaken took stock of her ethereal appearance, but having grown impatient, he was galled at her behavior. "Visitors?! You are in the presence of the great Lord of the Western Lands! You will show respect!" He hopped back and forth on each foot, waving his staff.
Sesshōmaru reached down to grab Goshinki's head by the horn and tossed it out in front of him. "I need a sword forged of this demon's fangs. I was told you were the person for the job."
The cloth was pinched around the blade and pulled taunt to its tip, collecting any leftover sludge before being plunged back into the bucket. The red-haired woman didn't meet his eyes and instead seemed to be more focused on the task at hand. "A recommendation?" she questioned softly, dipping the sword into the elongated tub of water beside the firepot. "Hm, I don't get those. Surely it didn't come from Kenkō."
The dog demon noted the smile still on her face. It was like a parasite. He took a step closer, but couldn't ignore her skillful hands as she handled the blade. Its edge had recently been whetted as it seemed to glisten brightly in the light of the stone torches. Knowing how to not mishandle a sword that was still without its *tsuka would require extensive dedication to the craft. This woman was, without a doubt, who he had been looking for.
"My master was informed by-" the imp started.
"Jaken, wait outside for me."
Jaken stumbled, gawking loudly, "Wha-?! But my lord…!"
"I won't tell you again."
Sesshōmaru's voice cut through the air with a sharpness that brooked no disobedience. With a reluctant nod, Jaken backed away, casting one last bewildered glance at his master before begrudgingly stepping out of the forge. He grumbled to himself the entire way out, finally reaching the door of water with the invisible bridge that led to the outside. "Oooooh I'm too afraid to try to go across without that rock Lord Sesshōmaru has! I guess I'll just have to wait here…"
Jaken plopped down at the mouth of the cave, only able to shield himself from the fall's spray with his sleeve.
Alone now with the enigmatic blacksmith, Sesshomaru's gaze softened ever so slightly as he regarded her with a newfound intensity. "Who told me to come here isn't important. The sword, can you make it?"
"Of course," she replied without hesitation. She rested the now-dried blade back down on the slab of bark and put both on top of her anvil. "I can forge a sword for you, however, there is the matter of if I am willing. For what means is this sword you desire?" Her soft and melodic voice traveled lightly around the rock dome. She appeared to be finishing up for the day as she turned to walk over to one of her tables where a smooth-stone mortar and pestle sat.
A low growl escaped the great demon's throat, his hand clenching into a fist. "Why do you ask such gratuitous questions? Swordsmiths forge swords, not interrogate."
Ishimaru paused, her movements slowing as she turned back to face Sesshōmaru. Her expression remained calm, but there was a subtle intensity in her eyes as she met his gaze. "Forgive me if my inquiries offend you," she said softly, her voice unwavering despite his growl. "But the intent behind a sword is a crucial part of its crafting process, as well as a determining factor for me." She started grinding at a stack of dried leaves that were already in the mortar.
"The intent is mine to determine," Sesshōmaru snarled. "And my patience is wearing thin." He raised his hand to show his glowing green fingertips, his sharpened gaze boring into her. Enough time had been wasted between Kaijinbō to now, and he didn't want to go on another search.
"Oh," Ishimaru's brow raised when she noticed the tension exuding from the demon's form. "That won't work here, and if you break anything it will only take longer for you to get your sword." She said this while waving a hand up and down in dismissal.
"It seems to me that you are implying you are not willing to forge it anyway," he said, his fingers stretching and popping at the joints.
"If you're willing to raise a violent hand to its maker, then it's safe to assume that the intent is for malice," she replied matter-of-factly, her shoulders dropping as if in disappointment.
Sesshōmaru's amber eyes narrowed at her words, a faint glimmer of frustration flashing across his features. "I have no intention of harming you," he stated firmly, his voice cutting through the tension in the air. "But I will not tolerate further delay. Forge the sword as I have requested, and I will leave you to your solitude."
"Hmm…" Ishimaru gazed around her forge thoughtfully before her beryl eyes landed on his. She was smiling with her whole face again. "No."
"Hyaa..!" Another swing and the kabanō came crashing down onto the wolf demon's head, crushing it into the snow. The lettering etched between the spikes began to glow, and shortly after the wolf demon's body illuminated brightly before it began to dissolve, its form breaking apart into countless shimmering particles that danced in the air like liberated spirits. Kenkō's breathing was labored and his body twitched as he held onto the pole club with both hands. He heaved it back up and rested it up against his shoulder.
More demons have been popping up recently. And they all seem to be targeting me…
He put his free hand on his chest as his eyes closed briefly. Messy bangs fell in front of his face. If he didn't live in such a cold region beads of sweat would have been dripping down from them. Perhaps it's this thing in my chest. It gave me strength, so it's only natural for demons to be drawn to it to obtain it for themselves. But…
He leaned forward to allow the polearm to slide away from his shoulder and stab into the snow, holding onto it to keep it upright. If I just get rid of the thing, there's no way I'll be able to even lift the weapon Ishimaru made me… It's heavy enough already.
"Are you a demon hunter?"
Kenkō's eyes widened slightly and he turned around to see little Rin standing there, gazing up at him with a scrutinizing look. He frowned. "What are you doing out here without a coat?"
It was true, she was still in just her kimono. She left the hut she had been resting in to see what was going on outside only to overhear Kenkō just outside the village gates.
"Ehh…" Kenkō was starting to get a bit weirded out by her persistent stare, but once his eyes landed on her feet, he exploded. "And no shoes either?!" He stepped towards her and reached out to pick her up out of the snow, but she moved just out of his reach.
"You're not gonna try to attack Lord Sesshōmaru are you?" she asked then, a small frown on her face.
The man reeled back, though his hand was still feebly out in reach of her. "Lord Sesshōmaru? Is that the demon you came here with?"
She nodded her head wordlessly, her eyes now in a glare but her lower lip was sucked in.
Kenkō stared at her for a moment before releasing a deep sigh. "No, so long as he doesn't try to hurt anyone here…"
"Lord Sesshōmaru doesn't just attack people for no reason!" she shouted, both fists coming up to her chest. "And he wouldn't just leave me here forever, either…" She said this last bit with a hint of sadness and uncertainty in her voice, her big doe eyes averting his gaze.
The warrior's stare was wide and hesitant, but then he shook his head and approached her again. He scooped her up before she even realized it and had her in the crook of his arm, his other arm supporting the kabanō on his opposite shoulder. "C'mon, let's get you back inside where it's warm before your fingers and toes freeze off. Your demon friend didn't abandon you, he just went up the mountain to see someone."
I hope Lady Ishi is okay… His thoughts trailed as he walked back into the village gates with Rin in tow. A-Un was sleeping in a hay-padded stable, and as the day was drawing to an end most of the people who lived there had already tucked themselves away for the night.
Rin was staring quietly at the side of Kenkō's face. She couldn't help but blush; he was a handsome man and his eyes were striking. They reminded her of Sesshōmaru's, but a brilliant blue instead. She started pushing him to be put down as he made his way into the hut.
"Hey, old lady Yasu, where are you?" Kenkō called out, effortlessly maintaining the flailing child in his arm.
The short elderly stepped out of another room, drying her hands with a cloth. The *irori where she cooked Rin's meal from earlier had been extinguished, only the smoldering coals left to provide heat. The smoke was absorbed and expelled through the thatch roof, keeping it dry and prolonging its stability. There were also two little windows on each end of the roof's peak to help expel the excess. "Oh-ho, you brought her back Kenkō, thank you," she gushed.
"Yeah, sure," the tall man responded as he released Rin. She slid down his frame until her bare feet hit the floor where she immediately started to try to squeeze by him to exit once again.
"Move, I want to find Lord Sesshōmaru..!"
Again, Kenkō sighed as he adjusted the massive weapon on his shoulders. "You really don't listen, do you?"
"Oh, give her a break Kenkō, that little girl has been through a lot." Yasu padded her hand with the rag before reaching for the kettle that was dangling above the sunken hearth by an iron hook. "But he's right by keeping you inside, Rin. Going outside at night without the proper clothing will land you sick or worse my dear."
Rin sucked in her lower lip and pouted, giving up trying to move the man blocking her way. She leaned up against the wall nearer to Yasu and sunk down to the floor, arms crossed over her chest.
"Cheer up kid, he'll be back for you in no time. Say, why do you hang out with a demon anyway? You know they're just monsters." Kenkō was staring at little Rin, and for a split second, an image of Ishimaru flashed before his eyes.
"Lord Sesshōmaru's not a monster," she quipped, moving her arms to hold herself tightly. A memory played behind her eyes of the cruel treatment bestowed upon her by the humans of her old village. It wasn't a demon she was afraid of back then.
"Leave her alone," Yasu cautioned as she poured three cups of uji-cha green tea. She handed one to the man, set another in front of Rin, and kept one for herself as she replaced the kettle on the hook.
"Hmph." Kenkō seemed to sulk as he, too, slid to the floor to rest. He laid his weapon down in front of him as he reached for his cup of tea. "Demons are bad news, just because they look human doesn't mean anything…" His voice trailed until it disappeared, his eyes staring forward as if into a void.
"Ooh, I don't know about that," Yasu chortled, holding her cup close to her lips and inhaling the leafy smell. "Lady Ishimaru has been every bit of hospitable to us these past two years."
Cobalt blue eyes stared into the smoldering fire under the kettle. He took a sip of his tea. "She's still a demon, one who's also offering us her services. We keep our mouths shut about her and she makes our weapons. Though, you didn't really hold up our end of the deal earlier today old woman." Kenkō's voice was uncharacteristically venomous in that moment.
"I sensed something different about that demon, just as you have about Ishimaru," the elder related, a teasing little smile had graced her lips.
Rin's attention was captured by Yasu's words, causing her to look over at her with her glossy brown eyes. No one ever said anything kind about her master, was that what she was implying?
"What are you saying old lady," flared Kenkō as he poked his elbow out, his palm on his knee while his other hand held his cup. His brow was quirked.
"Why, you think I haven't noticed your little nightly runs to her forge?"
The man choked on his tea but quickly forced it down. "I don't know what you're talking about," he huffed, his back ramrod straight as he elegantly held his teacup to his lips.
Yasu was giggling, and Rin had finally grown the smallest of smiles. "You go up there and serenade her, don't you? That's why you're always secretly packing your *kokyu with you."
"You've been spying on me?!"
"Oh, quiet yourself unless you want the whole village to find out. Don't worry, your secret little crush is safe with me," Yasu soothed, her hand waving up and down.
"CRUSH?!"
Rin and Yasu were side by side, chortling at Kenkō's beet-red face as they held their tea to their lips.
*irori: a traditional Japanese sunken hearth fired with charcoal. Used for heating the home and for cooking food, it is essentially a square, stone-lined pit in the floor, equipped with an adjustable pothook.
*tsuka: a katana's handle