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Chapter 10

Oshun gasped as she sat up in a rush. Her locks brushed against her and chimed as she moved around frantically. Her shaking hands gripped her chest where the cold sword that belonged to Sesshomaru attempted to lodge into her chest. She could still see it coming down to slice through her. A heavy sigh fell from her lips as she checked where the remnants of steel once carved through what felt like the skin of her flesh. A soft sigh fell from her lips from relief at feeling and seeing nothing but skin. The sweat that beaded down the sides of her face soothed her mind of the near-death experience she just had at the hands of the Inu's cruel blade.

Anguish enraptured her that he would be so cruel and quick to attack her when she was sent to heal him. She made to stand when her eyes took in her new environment. She found herself in a dimly lit room, the air heavy with the scent of old parchment and ink. She stood slowly and walked towards one of the shelves. Scrolls, books, and the like, lined the delicately and orderly along the casings. Everything is meticulously placed with great importance. She picked up a few and saw the personal artifacts and a language so ancient she could barely understand it. Sounds coming from the other room captured her attention. She placed the scroll back on the shelf and walked forward into the light.

Her eyes danced and marveled at the room all around her. The room was filled with scrolls and ancient tomes, their covers worn, and pages yellowed with age. A single lamp cast a soft glow over a large wooden desk where Sesshomaru, was engrossed in his work. He sat with a furrowed brow, his silver hair cascading over his shoulders as he carefully studied a scroll. His golden eyes were sharp, their intensity focused on the text before him. The weight of his responsibilities was evident in the tension of his shoulders, and his usual regal composure seemed to falter in the quiet of the night.

Oshun's anger grew inside of her as she remembered what he had just done to her. She moved to give him a piece of her mind before she stilled. Oshun's gaze wandered to a corner of the room, where Rin, was practicing with a wooden sword. Despite her young age, her movements were determined and precise. She struck at an imaginary foe with a level of concentration that belied her years. Her soft laughter and the occasional grunt of effort were the only sounds breaking the silence.

Oshun approached quietly, not wanting to disturb the scene of a memory of his past. The echoes of his mother's advice rattled in her mind. She had a purpose. She needed to learn and listen. There had to be a reason why she was taken into his past specifically where Rin was involved. She watched as Rin paused, wiping sweat from her brow before returning to her training with renewed vigor. She had just started her journey of that of a warrior or maybe she was simply practicing for the sake of self-defense. Oshun watched crouched in the shadows as Rin moved her weapon and carved through the air about her in the privacy of her protector's study.

Sesshomaru's gaze flickered up from his scroll, and for a moment, his eyes softened as he observed Rin. His bangs hung in his face a bit as he continued reading the last few words before him. He sighed, closing the scroll with a gentle rustle before rising from his seated position on his dai. He moved with a grace that spoke of both strength and weariness. The late night of the hour somehow reflected in the tension of his bones. Something was weighing on him. Oshun could tell the way he shifted his gaze momentarily from the scroll to Rin.

Oshun watched as he approached Rin, who was now panting from her exertion. He placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch surprisingly gentle. "You've been training hard," he said, his voice a mix of approval and fatigue. "Remember, practice is important, but rest is equally so."

Rin looked up at him, her eyes shining with admiration and a hint of mischief. "But I want to get stronger, Lord Sesshomaru! I want to be able to help you."

Sesshomaru's expression seemingly softened further, though he tried to maintain his usual aloof demeanor. "Strength is not only about the sword. And the battle ahead will not concern you. You need not worry."

Rin nodded, clearly absorbing his words. She gave a determined smile before it faltered for a moment. "Do you think this war will take a long time? You will come back soon? Those people from the East will go home quickly, yes?" She asked watching as he turned away from her. Her voice rang small amongst the stark history of the scrolls and the urgency of the letters that he wrote underneath the midnight hour.

Oshun watched him intently. She prayed and said a silent call of protection over them both. Her eyes flickered to his desk piled with letters and writings. To his side sheets of battle drawings and marks of something or another. His armor sat on the ceremonial rack in the center of his office. The blades resting on the banisters for quick ease of reach and use. The times had changed. This version of Sesshomaru carried more weight. She could see that now. The previous version of him was arrogant and quick to anger. This one was still confident yet authoritative. He was a commander. He had the presence of a leader like that of her father. It was a quality that all great leaders had.

"They will be dealt with." That was the only response given. As Sesshomaru returned to his covered desk, Oshun felt a pang of empathy. She could sense the weight of his responsibilities, the burden of his duty that often overshadowed his personal moments. He was a figure of immense power, but here, in this memory, dare she say… he was like that of a father, trying to balance his leadership of his lands with the care he had for Rin.

The girl sat cross-legged on the floor, her wooden sword beside her. She seemed to be reflecting on Sesshomaru's words, her small face a mix of contemplation and resolve. Oshun felt a sense of profound connection—a glimpse into the delicate balance of their lives. The precariousness of it was hard to capture. Rin was very young and very human in this space. Oshun looked to Sesshomaru whose figure seemed to dwarf the back wall. He was a demon king.

Oshun stepped out of the shadows and walked forward capturing both of their attentions. A soft growl came from Sesshomaru's lips as she gripped his desk. She for once did not agitate him or speak quickly. Instead, she took a note out of her his mother's book and played nice. She bowed her head politely and moved to sit in front of Rin.

"Rin. You are doing a great job." She encouraged motioning to the blade as Rin scrambled to her feet to hug her. "I, Oshun…am proud of you."

Rin's face was bright. "It's been forever!" She practically yelled and hugged her. Oshun smiled feeling the warmth of her little arms wrapped around her body. "Or by the looks of it, just a few months." She chuckled keeping her eyes on the demon lord that looked as if he could rip her head off. And rightfully so she mentally acquiesced.

"Are you really a spirit?" She asked in a whisper. "Lady Mother says that you are." Her grin was wide on her face.

Oshun smiled and rubbed her nose against hers playfully. In her thick island accent, she responded. "She is a very smart demoness. So it must be tru." Rin giggled and hugged her closely. She reached out and rubbed her hair thoughtfully. "Listen to Sesshomaru. He is wise. You keep practicing but you do as he says so he doesn't have to worry while he is away fighting for you." She looked to the side to see the young lord still as he watched them. "You don't want him to get distracted on the battlefield, do you?"

Rin shook her head no. "I want him to fight and come back home."

Oshun nodded her head in agreement. "Me too. So we both must listen to him, ok." Rin nodded her head in agreement. "Ok." The flicker of the candlelight danced across the warmth of her smile.

"Rin?"

The little girl pulled back and looked to her Lord. The stoic demon motioned with his chin towards the door. "It is time for you to find rest."

Rin bowed and rushed over to his desk. She placed the sword on the dai next to his and bowed respectfully to her weapon before taking a step back and bowing to her Lord. He placed his hand on the top of her head and brushed her hair back affectionately. She smiled brightly and rushed off towards the heavy closed doors. "I will see you again, yes Oshun?" Rin asked as she stopped at the entrance.

A pang of guilt entered her chest at the reality of the scene. "Goodnight, Rin." Oshun turned to see Sesshomaru looking at her and speaking on her behalf. Rin bowed again and rushed out of the door.

When the doors closed, it was just the two of them sitting silently in the midnight hour. Oshun got up and walked to his desk and sat down across from him. She took note of his oils and his tobacco case where a pipe sat on top. His clothes had changed to darker colors. The blacks and purples in his uniform speak of the shift in his demeanor and duties. This Sesshomaru was battle-tested and hardened. Something had happened in the last few months that shifted things.

Hibiscus and honey filled him as he sat and focused on the debriefings in front of him. He did not have time to fight with a mischievous spirit. One that he admittedly thought he had rid himself of ages ago. The annoying woman seemed hellbent on being a thorn in his side.

Oshun saw the teapot on his desk and reached out to touch it. The pot had long ago turned cold. She concentrated her magic and began to heat it up. In no time, Sesshomaru's tea was steaming again and ready to be enjoyed. She poured him a cup gently. The fragrant scent of camellia leaves steeped inside the porcelain chinaware. She grabbed what she assumed was supposed to be Rin's and poured herself a cup. She sat the pot down and looked at Sesshomaru as he continued to ignore her.

"You need to follow your own advice and get some rest." She said before taking a sip of the tea. Her eyebrows went up and she smiled having enjoyed the first sip more than she thought. The herbal strength of it was robust yet surprisingly light and flavorful without any sugar or honey.

"Why are you here?" He asked cutting to the chase. He didn't look up. He continued to look through the scroll, scanning the words on the page.

Oshun sat back and sighed. She held the cup in her hand tightly to her chest. Just a few hours ago she would have had something smart to say. But now, as she looked at him…she found her voice muted. She did not want to pick a fight with him, having witnessed such a soft moment in his future. And the ambiance of the room suggested he had challenges ahead that would need his head to be free of as many unknowns as possible. But she didn't have answers herself. She only knew that she was here to learn and in hopes to save him from what he was suffering from in the future. So, she led with the truth.

Oshun got up and moved to sit near the window. The night was cloudy and there were very few stars out. But the sound of nature was a delightful balm to her spirit. The ache in her chest from his sword had passed. She would brush it off and treat it like a warning to leave childish things at the door including her temperament. There was no place for that, especially in the balance of life and death. Specifically, with the Inu King and Rin. Like the spirit, they thought she was to be. She leaned against the frame and looked out the window before answering. "To understand and care for you. Then to give you peace."

Sesshomaru's hand stilled as he looked to the window and watched the woman casually drink the tea. Her relaxed frame leaned against the frame of the window. Her bare feet crossed over the other leg. The white slip of her dress had risen slightly revealing the side of her thigh. She looked to the skies and took another sip. Unbothered and calm. She was strange yet mythical. The wash of the moonlight against her skin made her soft. Sesshomaru pondered on her words for a moment before looking at his scrolls again. War was upon their doorsteps from the people who called themselves Portuguese. He had clashed in battle once and he had proven to be an overpowering foe, but these men held tricks and metal weapons that were crude yet impactful. His brother and his mate had provided much insight, and his generals were strong. However, if these foreigners keep making deals with the local Daimyos and bartering land... they will be a problem for a long time to come.

Inhaling the warm aroma of the hot tea, he reached for his respite. He picked up his cup and took a sip. The hot liquid soothed his spirit and warmed his chest. His shoulders sank as he sat his cup down. He looked to the woman as she lay relaxed with her own cup. His thoughts wondered for a moment before returning to the task at hand. He wrote furiously and commanded his men with letters and the lesser nobles with decrees. The battle in him slightly softened by the scent of green tea, hibiscus, and honey.

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