A/N: Saturday teaser chapter! WOOHOO! I haven't been able to find many details about an Inu no Hi (dog's day) ceremony. Basically, women go on the day of the dog, with the days going in 12 day cycles just like the Chinese zodiac years. They go closest to their halfway point of their pregnancy. It's a blessing on both the woman and her unborn child that they both will have health and strength, and that the baby will be born with no complications.
As requested by a reviewer, a glossary of the clans with markings, territories and colors can be found at the end of this chapter.
Aki had a bad habit of letting herself in whenever she wished to. They had only barely gotten her to start knocking rather than just barging in, as Sesshomaru had explained to the midwife that her intrusions frightened his young mate immensely. Today, though, Rin just let out a groan and rolled over into his chest to hide from the morning sun.
"Come on, love. Breakfast time."
"No…~" She whined, burrowing as far under the covers as she could as the midwife rapped impatiently on the door again. "Go 'way Aki."
At the muffled mumble of her name, the midwife got sick of waiting and barged in anyway, a tray of breakfast in hand, which she left on the table. "Come now, milady. If you're making the trip to a shrine today, I need to make sure you're in a fit state to be going."
Rin let out a soft groan and peeked open her brown eyes rather groggily, sitting up with a sigh of complaint and untying her sleeping robe. "Well? Hurry up," She grouched at the orange-haired midwife, eyeing the plates of breakfast she had brought in on the nearby table. Aki shot a look at Sesshomaru, who had also sat up when his mate did. She looked a bit shocked at the young woman's sudden change of attitude toward her, and set to work, nodding in satisfaction and helping her get dressed for the day. "You're all set, milady." She motioned to the food and Rin settled on her cushion eagerly and started on the meat. "Milord, a word."
Wondering what the midwife would want with him after giving Rin a clean bill of health, he rose and followed her outside the room, where she turned on him the instant the door was shut. "I think we just had a talk about this," She hissed sharply. "Keep yourself to yourself! She is far enough through her pregnancy that you could injure her without thinking!"
Sesshomaru leaned back sharply from the fiery-haired woman's sudden wrath, his face in his carefully neutral mask. He certainly didn't know he could injure her (or, presumably, the pup also!) with such amorous activity. "I would never hurt her."
"You could, very easily," She said in a very firm tone. "Your leavings could cause false labor pangs, and the farther along she is, those could easily become real. Do you really want that?"
"But, she wanted that, Aki. It wasn't just me. She was second-guessing herself as my mate after she was attacked. I had no idea that my desire to not hurt her further was having the opposite effect. I was aloof and she feared I had stopped loving her…" Some of his concern and affection for his mate showed through his careful mask and softened his face, and, in turn, the midwife's also.
"I understand. But please, don't do such things anymore. We simply cannot risk the heir, nor your mate, no matter what the flesh desires. As I said, consider taking a concubine if you find yourself in need of relief." He shot her another glare, as he was beginning to hate that word. The midwife stepped back, bowed, and left him to return to Rin, who was enjoying breakfast.
"Why were you talking about me? I know you were, or you would have talked in front of me," She said as he sat beside her to begin eating.
"It is nothing. The midwife worries too much about things that don't concern her."
"I should think I do concern you all, quite a bit. But at least we can go to the shrine today." She finished her last bit of food and stood, offering a peck on the cheek as she moved to put on layers so they could leave the manor soon. She was getting quite used to the layers and ties and could dress herself, despite her belly, faster than she had a few months ago.
It was a beautiful spring day as they neared the shrine they had chosen for the Inu no Hi blessing. Rin beamed at the bright red Torii gates that led up the small hill to the main building of the shrine and admired the stone statues that sat round about the grounds. She stepped forward confidently to walk under the gate—and bounced off an invisible wall. "Ow!" She reached out for it, bouncing her palm off the barrier. "What's this?"
"Weapons aren't allowed on the grounds," A voice sounded from a nearby statue of a fox. Sesshomaru looked to Rin, confused at the statement, but she blushed faintly and produced her dagger that she had hidden under her large jacket, in case of bandits on the road.
"Rin…" He sighed in slightly amused exasperation, "Don't you trust me?"
"Of course I do," She sighed, reluctantly handing it over. "It's just a little extra protection, in case…"
He took it gently from her hand and nodded that she should go ahead while he found a suitable place to leave the weapon during their time in the shrine. Rin stepped under the first gate and waited for him to return. She offered her hand to bring him beside her, but he, too, was blocked from entering the shrine. "What is this? I am unarmed."
"You are stained with the blood of innocents," The voice from the statue stated firmly. "The Kami demand purity on their grounds." Sesshomaru looked toward the voice as a small 3 tailed white kitsune appeared, seemingly out of the statue that had been speaking.
"Innocents?"
"It needn't be recent, simply uncleansed," The kitsune informed him, leading him aside to a spring of pure water which was set up for purification. "Wash your hands, rinse your mouth and spit, and then wash a second time. You may choose to wash your feet as well, and I would recommend it." Giving a slight sigh, the InuYōkai sat on a nearby rock to remove his boots, leaving them with the dagger so he could wash.
When he was finished with the cleansing, the kitsune nodded in approval and returned with a pair of sandals for him to wear on the shrine grounds. "Your woman is waiting for you in front of the shrine proper. Remind the Miko not to use the bells on you, she forgets sometimes." Sesshomaru bowed and moved to pass under the torii, glad to find himself unimpeded, and was soon once more beside his mate as a silver-haired Miko with an impressively long ponytail came out to greet them.
"Welcome. I take it you have come for an Inu no Hi blessing?" The Miko asked with a deep bow. She held her hands out to one side, indicating the donation box, into which Sesshomaru put a sum of money, twice the traditional amount as he could certainly afford it. "I shall need your names," She told them, "Pack included."
"I am Sesshomaru, of the Tsuki clan," He stated clearly with another small respectful bow. Rin followed suit rather nervously. "Rin, of the Yume…I guess." This seemed to surprise the Miko and her ankle-length silver hair swayed a little in the breeze. "I see," Was all she said as she took them inside after clapping at the entrance and announcing them.
Another attendant, this one a younger single-tailed white kitsune, was prepared to strike the drum as needed while the old Miko performed the blessing. She wafted a blessed branch around them to complete their purification, then set it aside, almost picking up another instrument covered in ribbons and bells.
"Wait—not that, please." Sesshomaru spoke up politely, but quickly, and the Miko let out a soft gasp of remembrance and placed the blessed tool—which was made to drive away unwanted spirits and Yōkai alike—back down before any of the bells could sound. She turned and bowed very deeply, apologizing for her mistake before continuing the blessing, announcing their names for the kami of the shrine and chanting their requests for health and strength and an easy labor for Rin. When the bulk of the blessing was over, the Miko stepped forward with a long bit of cloth and a pair of charms and asked Rin to stand so that she could wrap the cloth and its charms around her swollen stomach. Rin did so, smiling softly and holding still as the Miko did her work. Since the grounds of this Inari shrine were full of the scent of the Kitsune who lived and served there, Rin didn't think much of the woman's odd dog scent, but Sesshomaru had already noticed it and was a bit on edge. By default, he did not want to distrust a servant of the Kami, but…appearances had been deceiving of late. The Miko bowed low, then stepped aside, allowing them both to give personal prayers at the shrine before the ceremony concluded. Once they had done so, she smiled and stepped forward again.
"I never dreamed I would see the day the Yume would return," She told them, tiny tears seeming to form in her eyes with some deep emotion.
"Return?" Rin questioned, giggling slightly. "I see you are old, Miko, but surely not old enough to have been there before!" But the woman smiled and bowed deeply to Sesshomaru.
"Thank you," She said, "For allowing me to see my kin again before I die." The man's eyes widened with understanding, but Rin still looked a bit confused as the woman's ponytail swayed again…only, they were inside, and there was certainly no breeze…oh. It wasn't a pony's tail at all…it was a dog's.
Rin let out a gasp of shock and understanding. "You're a hanyō! A Yume hanyō!" She exclaimed, looking at the wizened woman much closer now. Her ears were not very pointed, and her hair and fur were well silvered with the age of centuries, but it seemed obvious now. The Miko nodded, that same small smile on her lips.
"Aye. The last, for nearly a millennia. I was ten when news of the massacre reached this shrine, naught but a tiny child. Only living with my mother here in the shrine saved me." She turned her shining brown gaze directly on Rin. "Tell me, princess, where have you been hiding all this time?"
Rin was taken aback by the abrupt question. "I…well, I was born as a human in a village…" She began to explain. "Sesshomaru found me as a young girl, an orphan…" This seemed to confuse the woman, and she turned to the man for confirmation. He nodded.
"And, where was this village?" She began to describe the location of a village she remembered meeting many people from as a child.
"Yes, that's it! That's my village exactly!" Rin said excitedly. The miko smiled indulgently.
"Dear princess, you have always had Yume blood. That village was founded by the Yume for those members who had less than hanyō blood, to protect them when the first laws against them began. Everyone thought it destroyed because they had to hide from those who sought to massacre them as well, but clearly some made it." Her eyes shone with excitement. "How is it you were changed to this form? Perhaps it could be done again!"
Rin looked down. "I'm sorry, but, the village is gone. Everyone was killed by wolves when I was a child." Sesshomaru took her hand gently. "If I had known, Rin, I—"
"No, it's all right. The villagers were not exactly kind to me. Perhaps they simply got what they deserved." Rin looked back up to the Miko. "At least I am here, right?"
The old woman smiled warmly. "Yes. At last the princess has returned. She stands before me with ivy on her cheeks and a belly full of new life…" She turned to Sesshomaru. "Do you know the prophecy, milord?"
"No, I was unaware of any prophecy existing after the Yume were gone."
The miko smiled. "I shall tell you, then, that it has been almost 1000 years since the princess of the Yume last stood on these grounds. Perhaps I am an optimist, but I think it no coincidence that Rin is nearly identical to that young woman." Rin's eyes widened and the miko nodded again. "It was foretold that the Yume would fall, though I don't recall if the reason was known. But it was also said that they would return. 'The princess shall once again take her place at the head of the Yume, and they shall become a nightmare and a curse upon those who caused their demise.'" She quoted. "And that is why they were so diligent in hunting down everyone with so much as a drop of Yume blood they could find."
Rin shivered at that, and Sesshomaru gently pulled her closer for comfort. "I wouldn't worry. After all these centuries, surely they've all gone…" But Rin shook her head urgently at the Miko.
"People have been trying to kill me since I was presented to the court months ago!" This seemed to surprise the wizened woman, but after a moment's thought, her gentle smile returned.
"You must be strong—the fate of this clan, our clan, rests in your hands, princess." She gently took Rin's hands in her own, squeezing gently before releasing them again and motioning toward the torii. "There is much work to be done, and a healthy pup to be born soon as well. Go now. I shall pray for you." She bowed deeply, dismissing the couple, and Sesshomaru took his mate's hand again to lead her away. Rin seemed troubled as they reached the bottom of the shrine grounds. The fate of the clan was in her hands, as the last pureblooded Yume. And if the clan was supposed to return…her only thought was to her growing belly. She would have her work cut out for her…
Clan Glossary
Yume (dream)—former ruling clan, thought extinct since the civil war and massacre a millennium ago. Black hair and brown or deep amber eyes. The markings are jade or forest green ivy, tendrils for the girls and sharply pointed leaves for the boys. Their ability was prediction through the medium of visions, usually in dreams or while sleeping or deeply entranced. Notable members: Rin
Tsuki (moon)—current ruling clan, beginning with Sesshomaru's grandparents after the conclusion of the civil war. White hair and gold or light amber eyes. The markings are a deep pink on the cheeks, tilde for the women and thin sharp stripes for the men, as well as a purple moon which gives the clan its name. their ability is poison in both the claws and saliva that, at least in the InuYōkai world, has no known antidote. Notable members: Sesshomaru's mother, Sesshomaru
Nami (wave)—a high ranking clan living mainly in the southernmost part of the main island (Honshuu if you're interested) and usually trained as samurai. Silver hair and gold to light amber eyes. The markings are a deep blue and jagged, with fat stripes on the cheeks of males and smaller jagged diamond-like markings for females. They often also have thick black brows. Their ability lies in impressive strength and sheer size, as even the smallest pure Nami female is usually almost 2 metres tall. Notable members: Sesshomaru's father (deceased), Chieko (deceased), chieko's pup
Umi (beach, seashore)—a clan long trusted by both the former and current ruling clans to be an ally. They live along the island's two coasts in two separate but closely related factions. Members of both clans are often trusted as advisors and guards for the palace. Blonde hair and light gold to grey eyes. The markings are pale or even sky blue very thin stripes for men and thin tilde for women. They do not have any notable abilities but are known for their fierce loyalty. Notable members: Taro, captain of the palace guard
Ka (fire)—a clan known for having "a nose for herbs and a nasty bite". The women are often trained as midwives and the males are fierce warriors. Orange to red hair and blue eyes. The markings are often non-existent on the cheeks, only having a small black teardrop on the forehead, with the lowest point just above the eyebrows. Hybrid Ka often have the cheek stripes of their non-ka parent. Their ability is twofold: the "nasty bite" part of their creed refers to the massively long upper fangs all Ka possess after losing their baby fangs, which are venomous. The venom is excruciatingly painful, like fire, which is part of the origin of their name. adolescent ka often can't close their mouth over these overlong fangs, but most adults can. In addition, they don't have claws on their hands or feet, unlike every other clan, which makes them uniquely suited to the healer's art and especially midwifery. Notable members: Aki, the royal midwife
Dō (earth)—a clan in the northeast of the island, the Dō are battle strategists and impressive warriors. Light brown hair and dark blue eyes. The markings are faint and often impossible to see at a distance, consisting of very thin dark brown or black lines that could be mistaken for brushstrokes or birthmarks. Their ability is simply cunning—they are well known for outsmarting any opponent that comes their way, making them invaluable battle strategists. They often favour ambush and poisons to prevent their own losses in a battle. Notable members: Azumi, the maid, Akemi, Azumi's mother, Kyoko, Azumi's half-sister
Mori (forest)—a clan in the northwest, they border the northern wolf territories (where Ayame is from). Dark brown hair and blue eyes. Their cheek markings are thin red stripes for both males and females, most often two or 3 sets that can be short (not reaching the corner of the eye) to long (almost reaching the nose) as well as a forehead marking of a small red diamond just above the brows. The mori have no special abilities but are well known as the clan most closely related to wolf yōkai, and other clans often accuse them of inbreeding with the wolf tribes. They often use the evidence that many Mori, especially the Daimyō family, have tails alongside or in place of a moko-moko. Notable members: the Daimyō family
Kin-Yama (gold-mountain)—one of a pair of sister clans that dwell in the mountains undesirable to any other clan. They are well known for growing medicinal herbs. Golden-blonde hair and blue eyes. Their markings are jagged black stripes similar in shape to the Nami, with diamond-like marks for the women. Notable members: none yet
Shiro-Yama (white-mountain)—the other of a pair of sister clans that dwell high in the mountains where nearly nothing grows. They are known for growing magical herbs and poisons. White hair and gold eyes. Their markings are identical to those of the tsuki clan, with the obvious exception of the moon. Shiro-Yama are very small in stature, never growing beyond 1.6 meters at the tallest. Some believe the tsuki and Shiro-Yama were once related, but they were already two separate clans by the time detailed records began to be kept. Notable members: none yet
I hope this helped! Maybe you can visualize people a bit better now.