InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ An Innocent Affair ❯ Pay the Piper ( Chapter 3 )

Disclaimers: I do not own InuYasha or any of the manga/anime characters. They belong to the wonderful genius Rumiko Takahashi.

 

 

This was written for the iy_themes community at LiveJournal. The prompt was “Silk” and the limit was 750 words.

 

 

 

Pay the Piper

 

Sesshoumaru would be the last to ever admit it, but he was almost as nervous as the young woman gently clinging to his arm. For all outward appearances, he had not a care in the world as he and Rin floated along. It wasn't just the destination, but the youkai that resided there, that made him nervous.

 

Though he remained facing forward, he glanced sideways at Rin. She was dressed in a kimono of the finest silk he could commission, looking every bit a proper lady of the court. She had not raised one word of complaint as she was clothed in the many layers. While she had worn kimono that he had brought her previously, none had been as complicated as this. None certainly had been as heavy as this ensemble draped over her petite frame.

 

He looked forward again as the corners of his lips barely turned upwards. She may not have been born a princess and had not lived the life of one, but Rin carried herself in a proud and gentle manner that made her one, at least in his eyes. Perhaps too much was assumed based on birthright. Sesshomaru considered his half-brother, if but briefly. Even though the hanyou was also his father's son, he had despised him for so many years because of his human mother. And yet in the end, InuYasha had won, if begrudgingly, his respect.

 

The girl by his side had started as nothing more than an experiment attempted out of curiosity. And yet, it was because of her that he'd reached a level that he would have never even attempted otherwise, would not known was possible. She caused him to learn the secrets of Tenseiga. She made him go to hell and back to save her, and she made him understand what compassion was as well as the feeling of overwhelming loss. It was only because of her and the path she set him on that he found his true strength and emerged a true Daiyoukai, surpassing even his father in strength.

 

And yet, he was still uneasy as they neared their destination.

 

He heard Rin draw in her breath as the castle in the clouds appeared before them. “Sesshomaru?”

 

They heard a surprised voice from behind the inuyoukai's knee, “Your mother's castle?”

 

Rin looked down and appraised her appearance. Now everything made sense - the elaborate kimono, the secrecy, and her husband's nervousness that he would never admit to. He was taking her to present her to his mother.

 

They found her sitting on her throne, looking bored with her cheek propped in her hand. “So, have you come to pay your mother a visit?” She perked up and sat forward. “And you brought Little Youkai with you!”

 

“Mother, you know that is not why I have come,” Sesshomaru stated.

 

She leaned back again and lazily waved her hand. “Get on with it.”

 

“Mother, I have come to present to you my wife,” Sesshomaru said as Rin bowed.

 

“Are you that same little girl he was keeping as a pet? The same one he passed through the Meidou to rescue?” she questioned.

 

Sesshomaru stopped himself from sighing in frustration. “Yes, Mother.”

 

“I knew it! You are just like your father. Well, come along, then.” She stood and left without another word. Puzzled, Sesshomaru, Rin and Jaken followed her.

 

They found themselves in the air again, still following Sesshomaru's mother until she arrived at a castle, built high atop a mountain.

 

“What is this?” Jaken asked.

 

She responded, “Your father's final test for you was to present me with your wife. He honestly thought you would never admit that you needed someone else, and for that matter, I did not think you ever would, either. And yet, here you are. This is for you. We've been letting the human clan run it, but with the understanding that they were to turn it over immediately when asked. They've been running it rather well, so if I were you, I would keep the ones around here that take care of it and guard the grounds. They'll be loyal to whoever feeds and clothes them. That Chikayoushi character probably will have to go, though.”

 

“You mean…” Rin said softly.

 

“Inuyama Castle is yours, Sesshomaru, a gift from your father,” Sesshomaru's mother responded, “he had faith in you.”

 

“Father,” Sesshomaru whispered.

 

“Come along, little youkai.”

 

Jaken groaned. “I have a name.”

 

“Come and tell me about my son, Jaken.”

 

The little youkai perked up. “Okay.”

 

 

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Author's note: Inuyama Castle is said to be the oldest in Japan, built before the Edo period. It is built on a steep hill overlooking the Kiso River and the name translates as “Dog Mountain.” There are several large statues of dogs at the entrance.