Authors note: Not a very long one today. It was a crazy weekend.
Chapter 34 - Trinkets
The rain had lessened by the time Sesshomaru and Rin arrived back at the shack. The moon was just beginning to peek from behind the thick layer of clouds, which had hovered for days now. Jaken was waiting, and ran outside to scold Rin for leaving. Though, the imp's tirade died on his lips with one particularly withering look from Sesshomaru. Mumbling under his breath, but not voicing his complaints aloud, Jaken backed up with a bow.
Seeming not to notice, Rin hugged the imp, squeezing him until his big eyes almost popped from his head.
"Oh master Jaken! I'm so happy to see you! I'm sorry I didn't bring you any flowers… I only gathered enough for Lord Sesshomaru. But maybe we can share some of the dried nuts and fruit from my bag, for dinner?"
She continued her happy chatter as she walked into the hut, Jaken cast Sesshomaru an assessing look, before quickly turning and hurrying after her. Within moments he could hear the sounds of Rin opening her bag of saved dried foods and passing them to Jaken. The imp was quickly mollified by her positivity and sharing nature, and munched eagerly on the treats. She continued her cheerful one sided conversation, from without the shack, Sesshomaru could hear the sound of rustling fabric. Indicating she was changing out of her soaked clothing.
Sesshomaru remained standing outside for long moments, thoroughly disturbed by the entirety of the day. Lifting his hand, he examined the small bouquet of flowers that Rin had gifted him with. He wasn't certain what variety they were, but they were quite fragrant. The blossoms were colored of snow, violet and crimson.
Placing the bunch of flowers on the damp leaves of a nearby bush, Sesshomaru reached into his hakimono and withdrew his kinchaku — a small drawstring pouch. Previously, he had used it to store a whetstone, but since he could no longer sharpen his own sword with one hand, it seemed unnecessary. Loosening the pouch revealed the jade moon shaped stone that Rin has given him, and the sprig of lilac. He added the bouquet to the pouch, and tightened the draws again, then replaced it within his hakimono.
Small things, with great value.
Things by all rights that held no material value in this world. Trinkets, dead plants, stones. Things he should have been able to discard long past. But, he still held onto.
Later that night, Sesshomaru flew back to the village nearby, to verify again that InuYasha had not pressed his quest for Naraku. It seemed that Kagome had not yet returned, and according to the dim conversation from within the hut, she may not for some days. InuYasha clearly had no intention of continuing their search without the girl. Satisfied that InuYasha would not leave soon, Sesshomaru took to the skies.
He flew straight up into the sky, passing the low lingering clouds in moments, to the cold clear expanse above. The sun was beginning to tease the horizon. It was the moment before the moon set, and the sun fully rose. It was quiet here. Without any of the noisy distractions of the world, nature or other living beings. Being above the clouds reminded him of Unoshiro - his mother's castle. At night or in the very early morning, when he was not required to be training or studying, as a child he would look out across the clouds and enjoy the silence. Moments like this, reminded him of that peace. It helped him clear his mind.
Though this moment was peaceful, Sesshomaru had a terrible ominous feeling that something dark was coming. With a deep breath, that could have been a sigh, he turned and returned to the earth below.
The trio began traveling again later that morning, with Sesshomaru certain that InuYasha's hunt for Naraku was currently grounded, there was no reason to linger. The sun had returned to the land, dewdrops hung from blades of grass, birds sang, green growing things everywhere had burst with growth and bloom.
Days passed. The trio fell back into their regular routine. Generally, they didn't see other living souls, as Sesshomaru steered them away from human villages, and demons usually scattered to get out of his path. Though the dark forboding lingered on the edge of Sesshomaru's senses, everything around them seemed calm.