A/N: chapter collection part 3 of 3. At last, the true drama shall begin!
The morning of new year's day was a busy one in the kitchens of the InuYōkai palace. As each of the seven Daimyō lords and ladies arrived, they brought their lesser nobles and a handful of kitchen and cleaning staff, as well as maid or manservants for themselves. Thus, the kitchens were bustling with well over twice the usual amount of servants, and more than 3 times the usual amount of food, preparing for the banquet that would begin as soon as the ceremony concluded just after noon. In the corner by a large pot of boiling water stood a Dō servant, looking about 14 years old, with several handfuls of various herbs. She was in charge of making tea for the Tsuki Lord, Sesshomaru, and his new mate, whoever she was. She brushed the mouse-brown hair away from her sweaty forehead with trembling fingers, her ears echoing with the speech Lady Dō had given to her servants the night before, shortly before the palace came into view. "I am certain, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the Heir, that Sesshomaru, is lying about the woman he has claimed as his mate. It is clear to me, as it is to the rest of the Daimyō, that he has taken a human to his side, intending to sully his bloodline just as the Yume Princess of old!" she had paused, meeting eyes with each of her servants in turn. "it would be a far simpler thing if he were to admit this, but he refuses! So, it will be the job of you, one and all, to see that this human woman meets with some sort of an accident…" she had given each of the kitchen servants—four of them in total—sprigs of a deadly and almost untraceable herb.
The servant girl wiped the sweat from her brow, clutching the tiny packet with the herb concealed within it. It was usually referred to simply as the assassination herb, as it was most favored for just that purpose. Merely being in possession of it was punishable with immediate execution. She should be happy to drop the rice paper packet into the waiting cauldron and simply walk away, her job finished. But she could not bring herself to do it. Her leader was so sure of what amounted to little more than a few whispered rumors. It did not feel right to her at all, but she must do her duty…
She dropped the tiny packet into the fire, watching it be consumed, and added instead an herb she knew would only harm humans, while doing nothing to any yōkai, not even a tiny unborn babe. She added the remaining herbs, such as stinging nettle and a tiny slice of ginseng, to the teapot on top of the sprig, then took two ladles of the boiling water and poured it into the pot, seeing the brew turn a pleasant greenish color. She used her apron to carry the hot teapot over onto a tray and then walked away, busying herself with another task, her shoulders relaxing. She had done her duty. There was nothing now but to wait.
Rin let out a soft grumble, snuggling farther into her mate's arms as a soft but insistent knock sounded at their door just at dawn. She tried to ignore the sound, but after a few seconds Sesshomaru stood to answer the door, taking the warmth of their futon with him. She sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes as he set the tray on their low table, taking the opportunity to admire him in just his white juban, all he had worn to bed. "come and eat, my love. You must be off to the bath house soon to be prepared for the ceremony." Rin groaned softly at his words, not looking forward to more layers and ties and too many hairpins to count. She settled herself on the cushion across from him and poured herself a cup of tea, pausing to enjoy the aroma before she took a sip. She paused in confusion, sniffing closer and catching his attention. "is something wrong, Rin?"
"this tea…it has something in it I don't recognize," she murmured, offering him the cup. "do you know what it is?" he took the cup from her small hands and took a deep whiff of the tea, noting it was a nearly identical blend to the tea she had at dinner the night before. But, under the other herbs was a faint note of sharp bitterness that should not have been there. While he didn't recognize it, he certainly didn't trust it either. He set the cup sharply on the table and stood abruptly, tossing on a single kosode and tying it to make himself decent before storming out abruptly, ordering Rin not to eat or drink anything until he returned.
It did not take long for the lord of the Tsuki clan to find the servant woman who had brought their morning meal. She was a servant who was always in the palace, so was now busy scrubbing floors. "Sesshomaru-sama? Is something the matter?" the servant asked, sitting up.
"Rin's tea has been tampered with. Who prepared it?"
"oh, the tea? It was one of the newcomers, I think. At least I didn't recognize her. Young woman, hair the color of a mouse and thin brown lines on her cheeks." The woman didn't have to say the clan of the new servant, as the description of light brown hair and thin brown markings made her none other than a member of the Dō. Sesshomaru grunted angrily and turned on his heel after giving a stiff nod of thanks to the woman, stalking off to the kitchens. He was going to have a word with this Dō servant girl…
All movement in the kitchen abruptly froze as the Heir of All Lands appeared suddenly in the main doorway, madder than a kicked hornets' nest. As there were only five Dō in the kitchen, two men and 3 women, only one of whom could be called a 'girl', his target was immediately obvious. The girl saw him lock eyes with her across the room and tried to get away before a strong, angry grip seized her left forearm, sharp claws digging into the soft flesh mercilessly. "you," he snarled, "it was you who made the tea."
The girl nodded, swallowing thickly and trying to hide her terror in bravado. "I did. What's wrong? Not to your mate's satisfaction?" she spat the word 'mate' like a curse at him.
He growled in warning, tightening his grip even more. Everyone in the kitchen remained still, no one daring to move and draw the man's ire upon them instead. "we had an identical brew last night, and it is obvious something more has been added to this. What are your intentions toward Rin?"
She shrugged, her bravado failing her. "it was worth a try," she said flippantly, swallowing again. "I suppose you scented the poison?"
Almost everyone in the massive room flinched at the near roar of anger the white-haired man produced at the girl's words. She cowered and tried to escape, terrified for her life. "WHY are you trying to harm my mate and child!?" he demanded of her, not loosening his grip in the slightest.
"I-I-I have my reasons," the girl stammered, her free arm up to protect her face in the very likely event he chose to attack her. "no one wishes another war, and it would be simpler if she met with an accident—" the girl suddenly let out a terrible shriek of pain as Sesshomaru saw red at her words and loosed the poison in his claws, burning and melting the soft flesh of her forearm. Several of the other servants sprung into action at last, and three of them sprang forward, two restraining him and one pulling her away, begging. "please, Sesshomaru-sama, now is not the time for such drastic acts!"
He quickly released the girl as she fainted into the older woman's arms, snarling quietly as his eyes slowly returned to normal. "I require fresh tea for my mate, and new food. It will be made in front of me, and I shall deliver it myself." No one moved for a second too long. "NOW!" he barked, making everyone scramble to obey. A pair of guards quickly came with a healer and carried off the servant girl while he waited for his new meal, made by the palace servants he had grown up with and therefore trusted above any others.
When he returned to his chambers with a tray of tea and onigiri, he was surprised to see a young man in armor standing right outside his door. "Gobodō-sama sent me," he said shortly with a crisp salute in lieu of a bow. He clearly had more to say, so Sesshomaru ordered him to say it, not in the mood for niceties and games today. "I am to guard the Lady Rin every moment she is out of your sight, Sesshomaru-sama. The only other in whose company I may leave her is Gobodō-sama herself. No other is trustworthy, not even my own men." He gave another brief salute. "I am the captain of the palace guard, Taro. You may ask me anything regarding security."
Sesshomaru eyed the man closely, taking in every detail. What he saw put him slightly at ease. The man was clearly very honor-bound, well-kept and highly disciplined. His armor was functional and polished and he held himself with authority and power while still showing obvious deference and obedience to his Lord. Though, again, it was obvious just by looking, he asked, "where do you originate, captain?"
"here in the west, Sesshomaru-sama. The Umi clan." Yes, Sesshomaru expected as much from the platinum blonde hair and pale ocean- or sky-blue striping on his proud cheekbones. Coupled with the pale gold to silvery-grey irises, this man was as pure-blooded an Umi as they came. They had always been close allies of the other western clans, the Tsuki and Nami. "where will you be when I am not here with Rin? Inside or outside the room?"
"outside, of course, to respect Rin-sama's privacy. This is the only door into your chambers, as you know." He hummed, asking several more questions, which the captain was able to answer to his complete satisfaction. He gave a very small bow.
"Rin," he called into the room, making her open the door she'd been listening at, waiting for him. "here, drink quickly and take the food with you. Mother will not be happy you are already behind schedule." Rin grumbled sullenly and downed her tea, taking the bundle of food off the tray and turning to the Captain. He bowed and led her off, one hand all the while wrapped around his short spear, alert for anything out of the ordinary.
After getting rid of the potentially tainted food, despite his hunger, he settled down to start straightening and putting on his clothing, wanting enough time once he was dressed to center himself for the ordeal to come. He had never been one to speak in formal settings and he positively loathed the court and its stuffy rules and ridiculous clothing. He would be very glad when this was all over and he could return to the manor. Truth be told, he was looking forward to being left alone just as much as his mate was. He tied on the heavy black coat and settled onto his cushion after fixing his mokomoko, closing his eyes and breathing deeply. In. and out again. In—
There was a short knock at the door and he let out his breath in an angry puff. "Enter or speak."
"Milord, it is nearly noon. Are you prepared?" it was the voice of the captain. Sesshomaru stiffened in surprise. There were no exterior windows in this room, both for privacy and protection, and without a timekeeping method he had no idea so much time had already passed. He also noticed there was only one person there, that being the captain. He instantly wound up on edge once more.
"I am. Where is Rin?"
"Rin-sama is with Gobodō-sama. They will meet you when the ceremony commences, as is tradition." Sesshomaru felt his shoulders relax slightly at the reassurance. He should have remembered they would meet at the ceremony; it was what they had rehearsed last night. His mother, both as the current holder of the rank he would soon ascend to, and in place of his father, would act as presenter and bodyguard for his darling Rin as he announced her and their soon-to-be heir to the waiting Daimyō.
Sesshomaru stood and slid his sword into his sash, taking one last steeling breath before striding out, heading for the throne room as a gong echoed through the halls of the palace, signaling the presentation ceremony was about to begin.
A/N: okay, I'll be honest, I thought I was going to get through a lot more here than I actually did, but I didn't want to rush anything. I promise I'm not deliberately dragging it out!
also, what happened to my awesome notification squad? I love reading all the reviews I get, but it seems like I barely get any now. I want to hear from my readers! even if you don't have an account you can review as a guest, I read every one of those too! many thanks to mystlight, Kagomelove2, and the guest contributor Happytello98 for reviewing on the last few chapters! it really makes my day and inspires me to write to see I have people eager to read and give feedback!