Chapter 18 Life is Not a Game
"Sesshoumaru-sama, may we have words with you? We'd like to discuss something important."
The voice was that of Shippou, the young kitsune hovering at the open door of his library, Rin standing just behind them. The cold weather had just begun and both youths were at his shiro for the winter months.
"You may enter," he replied, pushing aside the missive from his mother that had been occupying his attention. It could certainly be delayed for as much time as the children needed. "Do you have a new game to share with this one? Or a question concerning your studies?" His amber eyes narrowed as he noticed the solemn faces before him. "Are you feeling well?"
"Oh, we are quite healthy, Sesshou…., I mean, Papa. Both of our studies are going well, also. No need to worry about that," answered Rin, quickly, only stumbling a bit over the parental title.
That was a fairly new appellation. It was one his mother, surprisingly, had begun insisting upon. She had become quite fond of the human girl in the years since the Spider's destruction. True, it merely illustrated the truth that was evident. In every way that mattered, Rin was his daughter.
The comments about keeping a "snack" handy had been bad enough, but it had only taken one comment about "raising a concubine from childhood" to make both Sesshoumaru and Inukimi see red. At the very next public function, Sesshoumaru and Inukimi had jointly announced the adoption of Rin to the House of the Moon and her addition as Sesshoumaru's daughter to the noble family register.
Not all the rumors had ceased, but at least no more were made within their hearing. Soon after, there was report that the nasty gossip who had made the comment had met an unfortunate demise. Not by Sesshoumaru's claw, in this case. There was a suspicion that Jaken had taken matters into his own hands, but since there was no proof, there had been no escalation of the matter.
Shaking his head to clear it from the memory of that time, Sesshoumaru turned his attention fully on the pair in front of him. "What is it you wish to discuss?"
The pair looked at one another and seemed to come to an agreement. They stood before him, hand in hand. In unison, they bowed before him. Shippou spoke, "Lord Sesshoumaru, we have come before to petition for the honor of courting with the intention to mate." He paused for a breath.
Rin continued where Shippou had left off in the formulaic words. "We are both of an appropriate age and advanced in our studies. Therefore, do we ask your permission to begin to court each the other."
That was a bit of a change. The formal petition was usually from the head of one house to the head of another, usually asking permission for the male to court the female. Though on occasion it was known to be the other way around. In the kitsune's case, he was the sole representative of his family, though Sesshoumaru did think of him as part of the household. Rin, on the other hand, was his daughter, so their relative status was a bit ambiguous. Presumably, this wording was the compromise they had reached. No matter, the children were adorable, but far too young for this attempt at adulthood.
"Rin, Shippou," began the daiyoukai, amusement slightly evident in his usually impassive eyes. "Your petition is well delivered. But obviously, this can not be taken seriously. You are still children. Rin, you are far too young for such folly. You may run along and play now."
Rin's face flushed red, and Shippou's scent took a challenging note. "With respect, Sesshoumaru-same, we are not too young. I am at the beginning of my mature years, true, but I am no longer a child.
"Papa, I am the oldest unmarried woman in the village. Human women my age are often married and even have their own children by now. I am 16 Summers old, by my best guess. I am a year older than Kagome-sama when she first came to our time, and I know there were several marriage offers made to her."
Sesshoumaru brain stuttered to a halt with Rin's statement. A year older than when they first encountered Kagome? How could this be? By her own admission, Kagome was not the age of majority by her future standards, but he had not thought of it in regards to his own time. He had treated the miko as an adult, as had the rest of their combined group. He stared at Rin in consternation, comparing her to his memory of Kagome. In that moment he realized that Rin was almost grown up. The miko was also almost grown up. The key term in that thought was "almost". He looked at his daughter and her potential intended with new eyes and a troubled heart.
Formally, he began his answer. "Shippou, Rin. You have come before me with this request. This Sesshoumaru must consult with others in our pack and the elders of our clan. All due consideration shall be given to reflect the honor of your respective houses and the honor you do one another. Return to me in a week's time to resume our discussion."
The two bowed respectfully, again in tandem, and replied, "Thank you, Sesshoumaru-sama." He answered with a nod of his head, watching them thoughtfully as they retreated from the room.
After a few moments, Sesshoumaru dug into a chest next to his work table, removed a silk pouch from its depths and pulled out a bronze mirror. He placed his hand on its surface for a moment, then waited.
"My son, you have need to speak with this one?" came a voice, the mirror glowing slightly.
"Mother, this Sesshoumaru requires your counsel in matters that concern the House. When will you be available to receive this one?
"Really, my son, how unexpected. It has been far too long since I have visited my granddaughter and I am certain that your halls are warm enough in this season even for my old bones." Sesshoumaru snorted at that comment. His mother had never thought herself old, bones or otherwise. Ignoring the sound, Inukimi continued, "expect this one tomorrow midday for a prolonged visit. It will be lovely to see you, my son." With that, the mirror went dark.
Sesshoumaru stared at the mirror in his hand for a moment, then packed it back in it's wrappings and into the chest. If his mother was coming for an extended visit, the household must be appraised. He hoped he had not made an error in contacting her, but she was, after as all, a woman and a mother, as well as the head of the House of the Moon. Courtesy and prudence required at the very least a consultation. Even if it meant putting up with her meddling for a few weeks.