Bound by Privilege
This story is not for profit. It is purely fanfiction. I don't claim any ownership of the manga or anime Inuyasha, Yashahime, the original stories, or the characters created by Rumiko Takahashi or Takashi Shiina.
Chapter 26
The hustle around the Tiger Lily was business as usual but Sesshoumaru couldn't deny the head nods, happy greetings, or prolonged looks that he'd gotten from some of the employees as well. He'd found the excessive attention and acknowledgment hardly necessary without Rin at his side. Sesshoumaru looked up from his cell phone, catching Rin's phone as Jaken tossed it to him, "Where are you going?"
"My lady has requested that I go ahead to prepare for the appearance today. Remind her to be ready to leave in one hour. But, whatever you do, tread lightly. Her creative process is at work and she is not to be thrown off. I tried it once and almost didn't come out with my head still attached."
Jaken shuddered, recalling the moment as he hurried out of the Tiger Lily. Their appearance today would still be limited and only a few cameras would be allowed at the community center.
Rin's cell phone screen lit up and Sesshoumaru could see the name on the screen but thought better of answering. It wasn't the first time this call would be ignored. He'd noticed Rin silence these calls without thinking twice about it but they'd become more frequent since the fight and her being out of the public eye for the last few weeks. Rin's ability to ignore her mother was a commonplace occurrence. The one person she rarely spoke about but whose calls she always answered was her father. Still, his constant travel and directing opportunities kept him away from home for long stints. Rin seemed unbothered by it, just accepting it as the norm and the sporadic communication seemed relaxed but quick, almost avoidant of acknowledging that this shouldn't be the way that they interacted. Sesshoumaru sighed as the phone buzzed again alerting him to a text message.
Sesshoumaru glanced into the room that Rin always used to concentrate and write lyrics. It was as spa-like as it was vibrant. The water feature on the far wall mimicked a waterfall. The ombre yellow and orange on the walls was warm enough to be a sunrise. The lush greenery around the room helped to create the Zen space. He'd followed the sound of her humming to the hammock swing that seemed to be her cocoon as she nodded with the headphones in place and wrote the lyrics down.
The gentle swing of the hammock alerted Rin to the fact that she was not in the room alone. Moving the headphones, Rin grasped Sesshoumaru's hand. She hadn't had to say a word as he'd kissed her forehead. He'd resisted joining her in the tight space, settling for leaning into it until she'd insisted. She was both amused and her curiosity satisfied that the hammock could accommodate both of them by Sesshoumaru's ability to scooch into the space he'd somehow created behind her, allowing her to rest back against him.
"I see why you like to concentrate in here."
"It's cozy and quiet. I could lose myself for hours if I wanted."
"I know this isn't what you want to hear right now but your mother called again. She even left a text."
Rin's exasperated sigh was what he'd expected.
"You didn't answer them did you?"
"No."
Sesshoumaru played at her arm attempting to keep her mood from diving even as he contemplated how to let the next words exit.
"I couldn't help but see that part of the text was an apology. You should probably call her back."
"No."
"Rin..."
"No! She's just doing it to get my attention. She saw the fight, and she'll see me on TV today. It'll be fine."
"You're being stubborn."
"I am not being stubborn. I am being realistic and persistent in my contempt."
Sesshoumaru paused attempting to understand how that was any different than stubborn, but thought better of taking that road of questioning.
"You're sure that's the way you want your relationship with her?"
"..."
"Alright."
"You heard what she said about you, what she feels about demons. This is what she wants, for us to be at odds with each other and any opportunity to blame you for the life she already hates that I have."
"We're not at odds. I haven't forgotten what your mother said. You know better than anyone that people can change. And, if you've given your mother the opportunity and nothing does, then she has no one to fault but herself."
Rin chewed at the inside of her jaw. As much as she wanted Tsunade to approve of Sesshoumaru, her mother's lack of doing so would never stop her from following her heart. Rin studied her hand against Sesshoumaru's and she wondered if his willingness to encourage her relationship with her mother was because of the one he cherished with his, yet missed deeply.
"I don't know..."
"...?"
"It's really hard to disagree with you when you're doing that."
"...", Sesshoumaru smirked nuzzling her neck and cheek. The beginnings of Rin's smile revealed that her defenses were down again.
"Fine. I'll call her back. This is her only chance."
"Good. But, just not right now. We're going to be late."
...
The older woman's smile widened and the wrinkles around her eyes became more pronounced. She used a cane to make her way up the stairs. Rin provided the helping hand necessary as the older woman took her time and she felt her hand patted sweetly in thanks. She'd gotten to know the older woman over the years and fondly referred to her as Nana. She'd been coming to this same community center for some time and it was almost as old as she was. The yearly donations kept it out of disrepair, but it was a forever work in progress that Rin continued to oversee. The center's frequent older visitors knew of Rin's celebrity status and made little fuss over it, unlike the younger counterparts. The older population smiled and spoke kindly but had no need to alert the masses, booting the photographers out of their way with canes or walkers, even rolling over toes with wheelchairs wasn't off limits to get to their beloved Bingo and card games.
Rin inquired about her Nana's health. The old woman hadn't missed a beat responding as she always did. Rin could just about recite the words by heart that always covered her Nana's age, the old state of her bones, and the fact that the rain was forever coming. She was about as right as the weatherman. Rin felt a rather pointed elbow nudge her hip.
"Enough about me. Are you still unmarried, child?"
"Yes." Rin blushed, knowing where this conversation would take them again. It never failed that Nana would turn to speaking kindly of her grandson who was about her age, hoping to get her taken.
"My grandson is still looking..."
"Nana, I have a boyfriend."
"Oh?! Well, where is this boyfriend?"
"He's playing Rummy with Mr. Yamato."
Rin was sure she saw the old woman do a double take and lean forward to get a closer look at Sesshoumaru.
"A demon? So, he's the one everyone's been talking about. Hmm, how does he treat my Luna?"
"Like a queen Nana."
"Well, I suppose he can stay if he keeps making you blush like that. I won't deny he's quite handsome and that doesn't hurt. Does he dance?"
"...?!"
"Don't worry dear. I'll find out for you."
Miroku cleared his throat as he joined Rin.
"How are you and Sesshoumaru doing?"
Rin nodded as Nana shuffled over to Sesshoumaru. He'd taken his attention off the game as Mr. Yamato celebrated his win and Nana pulled him from his seat.
"So far, it's been low stress, not too many cameras and at least they're respecting the elders which means they're not overdoing it trying to get to us. I'm glad we chose this as a first appearance since the fight. It's helping to bring attention to the center and donating will help give it a much-needed face-lift."
Rin quieted herself but quirked a brow watching Sesshoumaru stand in the middle of the floor holding Nana's hand as someone turned up the oldies top 40 and she threw her cane to the side and danced around him like she was fifty years younger. Rin knew the look in Sesshoumaru's eyes was requesting a rescue but she couldn't help but let the cameras have their opportunity to capture this moment.
Miroku shoved his hands into his pockets and sighed.
"You already had so much of the world at your feet but now with Sesshoumaru, the two of you have nearly all of it. Among the sports industry, Sesshoumaru is now on everyone's radar. The two of you are ranked among the top 10 after Takemaru and Kirinmaru's defeat. I know that that wasn't your intention but there's no changing that. The Ring Committee is already asking when the two of you are going to schedule another fight."
Rin's shoulders dropped. Had the entire committee missed the point of the reason that she and Sesshoumaru had gotten into the fights in the first place? Did they assume that now that Takemaru was gone all was well and she and Sesshoumaru would want to willingly step back into that world?
"You're joking, right? Sesshoumaru's not going to go for that and I can't say that I want to either."
"I'm not going to go for what?"
Sesshoumaru joined them, glad he'd escaped Nana's clutches.
"The committee is already asking us when we're going to schedule another fight."
"..." Sesshoumaru shook his head. It was far too soon to be asking. He hadn't ruled the sanctioned sport out completely but this was about the ratings and the money rather than showing any awareness that there was still a problem with some of the handlers and their fighters.
"I know what you're thinking. I told them that the two of you would need time to think about it, but there's something else. There's a reason I didn't want to turn it down immediately without speaking with the two of you. I got in touch with Kirinmaru to do a little more digging into Takemaru's practices. The two of you already knew Kirinmaru was traded from Suikotsu's team. As it turns out, there's more to it. Kirinmaru wanted to be traded to Takemaru's team because he wanted to be back with his sister Zero and his daughter Rion. He'd been apart from them for nearly five years. Sesshoumaru, your mother, Satomi, was traded to Suikotsu's team in place of Zero and Rion. According to Kirinmaru, he'd kept it quiet out of fear of what Takemaru might do to his family. He'd planned to tell you during the fight but didn't think it fair to create that kind of distraction. Kirinmaru thinks that Satomi is still with Suikotsu but he's known to be unpredictable."
Sesshoumaru felt the truth digging in, although he'd still held out hope. "Once I knew my mother was still alive and she'd taken the risk to see Rin, her trade was the only other thing that made sense."
"But, I don't understand something. Wouldn't you have spotted her at some point in the unsanctioned fights?"
"Takemaru had to have done it on purpose. Suikotsu's team is based across the country. I never took fights far from home. We were traveling when you met my mother at the fight with Inuyasha."
"That's right."
Rin placed her hand against Sesshoumaru's arm as Miroku interjected.
"Might I suggest something?"
"..."
"Inuyasha and Kagome are already scheduled to fight in Hakurei. It's the same city Suikotsu's team is based in and there's no way he's going to pass up a sanctioned fight that close to home. I can pass it off as the two of you going to show your support for a friendly rivalry, but otherwise, keep it quiet at least until you're there. It will also keep the committee on its toes since you haven't given them an answer yet. Either way, take some time to think about it and let me know your decision."
Rin followed Sesshoumaru outside. The back of the center boasted a small park where a few children played as she noticed Jaken attempting to monitor the building crowd.
"I know that you want to see your mother again. If I had a better relationship with mine, I would want the same. I think we should go."
"I wouldn't be able to go to Hakurei with the thought of seeing my mother and then leaving her behind with Suikotsu. I can't fail her like that."
"We'll think of something, just like we did before."
"Suikotsu most likely saw what happened to Takemaru. He's going to be on his guard for everything."
"Hey, you!" "Kanta, come back!" Jaken's scream and a mother's voice alerted Sesshoumaru and Rin to the little boy who was running up to them.
Rin turned Jaken away. The little boy was an otter demon. He'd removed the hat and was holding it up to Sesshoumaru.
"Uh, excuse me. But could I have your autograph?"
Rin nudged Sesshoumaru, smiling to break his state of confusion by the request.
"Oh...sure."
"You're a great fighter and my Papa says you showed the world what demons are really made of!"
"Oh yeah?"
"Uh, huh!"
"You know, you're the first to get Sesshoumaru's autograph."
"Really?!"
Rin nodded as Kanta's eyes widened in amazement. Sesshoumaru watched the little boy beam with excitement and turn back, waving the hat to his mother. "I was the first one and I got it!" Sesshoumaru returned the nod to Kanta's mother as she did so in thanks.
Rin looped her arm through Sesshoumaru's as they moved toward the crowd.
"I have a feeling you wouldn't be failing your mother at all. No matter what happens."
"We're going to Hakurei."
A/N: Thanks for continuing to read and review. Just a heads up to stay tuned. My schedule is shifting.
