InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Becoming a Lady ❯ Faces Old and New ( Chapter 1 )

Becoming a Lady

By: TuxedoUranus89/InitialA

LiveJournal Community: http://community.livejournal.com/tu89_ia_fanfics/profile

Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha, just all the staff running around Sesshou-maru's mansion/palace/really big friggin' house.

Author's Note: K, just so people aren't like “EEEEEEW KIDDIE PR0NZ0RZ”, we're setting this straight: Rin is about sixteen here. It's also the 1500s. Plenty of girls were married and having babies by the age of thirteen, (usually after they completed their first moon cycle), but due to Rin being Sesshy's ward, she gets to have a bit of a reprieve with that. And… this is my first Sessh/Rin story. Yes, I like the couple and generally imply towards it, but in all honesty, I've had to read a LOT of Sessh/Rin stuff just so I have some idea of how to go about this. XD This should be an interesting journey…

 

She winced slightly as the obi was tightened, cinched in to place with all its cords and fasteners. It was pointless to ask if she was supposed to breathe, as she already knew the answer. She stared at her reflection in the looking glass, wondering if this elegant lady was really the small peasant girl her lord had saved all those years ago. Her long, flyaway hair had been tamed, in the usual low style worn by court ladies; though some pieces, such as the short locks framing her face, still stuck out in odd places. Though hidden by the layers of kimono and the position of the obi, her figure had also filled out, giving her a natural, slim curve that attracted village boys and the palace guards. Her face had lost some of its childish chub, and her honey-colored eyes still held their child-like twinkle. “My lady, forgive my brashness, but might you be knowing your suitor today?” The maid, putting ornate hair accessories in her carefully tamed locks, asked. “My lord does not tell me such things…” The younger woman replied softly.

The tall youkai behind her bowed as he finished the complex process of tying the obi. She bowed her head slightly in thanks, lowering her eyes in respect. He left as the toad bustled in. “Rin, you are keeping Sesshou-maru-sama and the ookami-dono waiting!” Jaken snapped in his shrill voice. The young woman sighed, and the maid placed the last accessory. “You're done my lady.” She said, and bowed respectfully. Rin bowed her head in reply, and the maid left. She turned her attention on the toad. She fought the urge to prop her hands on her hips and berate him just as she'd done when she was eight, but she was a lady now, and ladies didn't do such things. At least while the door was still open. “An ookami today? Did none of the inu-youkai lords accept?” Rin asked, shuffling her feet in the way as to not trip on the long hem of her elaborate kimono. “Not without trying did Sesshou-maru-sama let those offers go, but there were several ookami lords interested. Odd things, the hanyou mentioned one of the younger lords vying for his wench's affections; apparently human women are—” Jaken stopped at Rin's look, and was grateful for her education; she was less prone to pick on him now, and she had that gleam in her eyes that said she dearly wanted to. “I suppose it could be worse…” She murmured, following the toad down the hall, her kimono making a satisfying swishing noise against the elegantly polished wood floors.

She knelt in front of the door to the greater reception room, and positioned herself into an elegant bow as Jaken opened the sliding door, revealing her lord and an unfamiliar youkai lord positioned on the tatami around a low table. “Sesshou-maru-sama… My lord ookami-dono.” She said quietly, and sat up slowly. She flicked her honey-colored eyes up at her lord momentarily, and entered at his nod. The ookami lord looked her over as she knelt at the table, and poured tea as well as any of the ladies in her lord's court; those who did not have maids to do so for them, anyway. The lords sipped at their tea, and Rin only did so after their cups were sitting on the table again. She glanced at the youkai who held her heart in his palm, and did her best to hide her hurt at him wanting to send her off to another lord. “Kishin-dono, I present the lady Rin.” Her lord's cool, calm voice said, and she bowed again to the strange lord. “This unworthy one is honored and humbled by your interest in her, Kishin-dono.” She said, the carefully memorized words falling calmly from her lips; she dared not show any of her nerves in front of this stranger, knowing it would shame her beloved lord, but she quelled her new fear that they would sense it. She hoped it would be taken for nerves of excitement, though Sesshou-maru-sama would know better.

The moment the ookami lord spoke, she knew she didn't like him. “Ah, Rin-san. Tales have been told of the young beauty in the care of the great Sesshou-maru-dono, but I must admit, the tales pale when one meets such a lovely lady in person.” He sounded arrogant; it was no wonder InuYasha-sama hadn't liked the young lord he'd spoken of. It wasn't the same, self-assured arrogance her lord carried, more of an arrogance put on due to the lack of self-assurance. It was a dishonest first impression, and one that Rin didn't approve of. Her lips pursed as she bowed and thanked him, the very picture of maidenly embarrassment, but from the look Sesshou-maru-sama was giving her, she knew he could tell her dislike. Hope bloomed in her chest; the last four suitors he had presented her to, three human lords and a kitsune general, hadn't made much of an impression on her either, and she hadn't met with them since. Rin dared to believe that meant her lord took her opinion into consideration when choosing a mate, a husband, for her, and that thought made it easier to think she would be separated from him one day.

The meeting went just as the others had: she subtly showed her education in the various entertainment arts with tea-serving, light conversation when she was spoken to, and even a brief period of musical entertainment with a shamisen. During her vast education in such things, along with some book learning, she'd often commented to herself, (and Jaken if he was nearby enough to annoy), that she felt more like an apprentice geisha than a lady-to-be. She'd seen the lovely entertaining women during a brief trip to the human capital in Kyoto, and had sighed over their seemingly effortless grace and beauty. Jaken, after hearing such comments, would retort that the lord was not keeping after a brothel-destined wench, which had shocked the girl to hear such a vulgar term spoken under her lord's roof. At the end of their meeting, she bowed the guest out, and then bowed to her lord, preparing to leave after their guest, but his words stopped her. “Rin. Remain where you are.”

It had been ages since he'd spoken more than a few words with her, and she froze in place, waiting to hear his cool, calming voice again. Slowly she turned and lowered her eyes in respect. “Yes, Sesshou-maru-sama.” She waited, knowing he would speak when he was ready again, and let him regard her. Finally, he spoke. “It is not the common practice for the woman presented to be conferred with upon such matters. However, this Sesshou-maru feels differently.” He paused, and she waited again, keeping her eyes on the smooth, mahogany table between them. “Five suitors have shown an interest. Yet you feel uneasy for all. Explain.” She swallowed, fearing she had displeased him, and dared to look at him. He met her gaze, and she didn't flinch; she gained the strength to speak. “My lord… My unease for the human men you chose is clear. The human men of my childhood were never kind to me. My own oniisan beat me when I was small.” She flinched suddenly, the mood in the room changing, and she regretted mentioning this detail of her old life. She was silent, and kept her eyes down again. “Rin.” At his call, she looked up again. The look he gave her warmed her slightly, though it was barely different than his usual neutral stare; it was the message in his eyes that she had learned to read, the one that said she was safe and free to speak. “I have no love for men of my own kind. It is rare to find a youkai lord who would wish to take a human for a mate, however, and I regret causing my lord difficulty in this matter.”

He was silent when she finished. She waited for his dismissal. Finally, “There are youkai who are foolish, as my father was. Return to your rooms, Rin.” She bowed again, and left. She knew better than to think that he was insulting her, it was just what he believed. Her time spent with InuYasha-sama had reinforced that belief, when she had discussed the brothers' different outlooks on life with him. She found herself missing the hanyou; she hadn't seen him in several moons, though she didn't expect him until autumn. He was easier to talk to than her lord, though it took him a while to snap him out of his brooding, and she took it upon herself to continue easing his broken heart. Rin didn't fully understand why Kagome-sama had disappeared, but did her best to help him through his pain. Jaken caught up with her before she made it the full way back to her room. “You rejected another.” He accused, and she allowed herself the chance to roll her eyes. “I did not. He didn't seem right is all, and my lord sensed my unease. There will be a new one in a few weeks, I have faith in my lord.”

The toad huffed. “Impudent girl, you don't realize your position. Sesshou-maru-sama has given you his protection, and now is obligated to find you a mate, or whatever you humans call it. By rejecting the humans, you have significantly reduced your chances of being married. Not all youkai are as gracious as my lord in allowing humans in their presence!” Rin's jaw was set stubbornly. “Don't treat me like a child, Jaken-sama. I'm fully aware of the problem, yet a human would not suit me after a life I've spent with Sesshou-maru-sama.” Jaken muttered under his breath, and she caught things like `pushy wench' and `in my day' and `never disobey their elders'. She rolled her eyes again, and just to get him away from her, sent him to fetch the dresser, so she could get out of this uncomfortable robe and into one of her lighter yukata. Spring was unusually warm this year, and while the tradition was to wear the heavier kimono until summer, she had always disregarded this, preferring her own comfort first. Her lord had merely raised an eyebrow the first few times she'd done it, but after two years, he'd stopped giving her the look, and let her do as she pleased.

Once she was changed, she sat on the edge of her small, courtyard garden. Her trained eyes swept over the small mess it had become. Her love of flowers had caused her lord to grant her this area of land to use for her own flower garden, and through trial and error, she'd cared for it almost daily since their permanent return to the palace after the defeat of Naraku, almost six years past. Nodding to herself, she got to work, pulling the early weeds, and turning over the earth onto the plants that had died, or were withering. She hummed to herself, losing track of the time as she worked, letting the unease and tension from the earlier meeting flow through her and leave. She didn't notice when one of the shouji slid open, and someone sat on the polished walkway to watch her. She was too busy fighting with a particularly deep-rooted weed, and had to stand up to put all her weight against it. Rin yelped in surprise as the weed snapped free of the its earthy prison, and she fell backwards from the force. A chuckle brought her attention to the visitor, and she looked back. Her face lit up. “InuYasha-sama!” She exclaimed.

“Quit with the title, I've told you enough.” He replied. She looked down, apologizing quietly. He frowned. “What's with that? Don't tell me they've broken you to bridle.” Surprised, she looked up at him. “I've been learning to be a lady. That's how ladies are supposed to act.” He raised an eyebrow at her, and she smiled at his resemblance to her lord; it wasn't always there, but the two were unmistakably brothers. He changed the subject, waving his hand at her garden. “Looks better, you'll be out here every day come summer.” She raised her own eyebrow, and used his own tactic against him. “I thought you'd be near your village this time of year. It's springtime.” He looked away, and she moved to sit near him. “I… I couldn't this year… Too much…” Rin saw the glimmer of a tear as he hid his eyes, and didn't speak; five years since his mate had vanished, and he was still tender about it. She didn't know why he came to her, but he always left in a better spirit than when he'd arrived, so she did what she could. It still surprised her that her lord permitted his once-hated brother to stay in his home, but something had passed between them all those years ago, and the hanyou was now grudgingly give houseroom when he came.

“My lord has begun a search for a husband for me.” She told him, staring up at the puffy clouds; it was better to pretend she didn't know of his hurt, and he appreciated it. “You remember all the trouble I had learning the koto when you last visited? I got it all figured out, and I've gotten pretty good at it.” She knew InuYasha didn't care if she used her educated vocabulary or not, and felt much freer around him. “If my lord agrees, maybe I can show you after dinner?” He nodded vaguely. They talked back and forth, Rin carefully avoiding the subject of Kagome, until it started to grow dark. InuYasha helped her take all of the ripped-up weeds to the compost heap, and waited while she scrubbed the dirt from her hands, face, and knees.

“My brother's a bigger idiot than I thought.” He told her as they walked to the dining room. She looked questioningly at him. He shook his head. Jaken screeched when InuYasha appeared, but Sesshou-maru silenced him with a look. The brothers stared each other down, until Sesshou-maru tilted his head slightly and suddenly, and they sat. Dinner was tense and silent, until Rin asked to entertain them with her koto. While she played, she noted the accusing looks that InuYasha was shooting her lord, but merely made a mental note to ask him later. Which she promptly did as soon as they were out of her lord's extensive earshot: “Don't think I didn't see those glares you were giving my lord.”

“Keh.” She fumed, but something made her smile inside at the annoyed, gruff hanyou next to her. “Don't you `keh' me, InuYasha, you made a remark about my lord being a fool, and then spent the meal glaring at him like he'd killed your firstborn!” She slapped her hand over her mouth the second the words left her mouth. They stopped, and his face was hidden by his hair. When he spoke again, his voice was dangerously quiet. “All I know is, if I had a chance, I'd grab on to the person I loved most and hang on for all my life is worth, not try and send her away.” He started walking, and Rin's eyes were glassing over with tears. “InuYasha…” He didn't stop. “Good night, Rin.”

She sank to the floor, crying silently, until Jaken found her some time later and cajoled her into her room. She spent the night hating herself, knowing she wasn't the only one awake with their thoughts that night.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

She woke suddenly to her lord standing in the doorway, and sat up abruptly. “Sesshou-maru-sama!” She exclaimed, folding her sleeping yukata around her chest more firmly, blushing slightly. He said nothing until she was covered, his eyes averted. She frowned, was that color on his pale cheeks? Surely not… She scolded herself. “Does my lord need me for something?” She asked aloud. “Why is InuYasha here?” He asked without preamble.

She shook her head. “I don't know, my lord. He would usually be in his village at this time of year, but he made no mention of his reasons.” His face was cool, calculating. “You quarreled.” He stated, obviously scenting her tears from the previous night. She looked away in shame. “I… I mentioned something I shouldn't have… We didn't so much quarrel as I hurt him deeply.” Sesshou-maru regarded her. “He is foolish to be harmed by simple words. He has not mentioned how long he will be staying.” Rin looked at her hands. “No, my lord, he has not. No longer than his usual time here, I would guess.” Her lord turned. “Dress, Rin.” He stated, and left. She watched him go. Is it truly… Truly foolish to feel sorrow for love lost? Sesshou-maru-sama…

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A dignified lord such as himself did not lean against a wall to support themselves in the wake of such a sight. No, they calmly walked back to their chambers, and busied themselves with the daily affairs and business of their lands. They did not recall the earlier meeting with their half-brothers, exchanging verbal blows over the young woman in his care. They didn't rest their heads in their hands, furiously exasperated with the entire situation, and wonder for the umpteenth time what they had been thinking to bring such a young woman into their lives, knowing the things that would one day come.

And yet he had. He knelt at his carved table, uncaring about his undignified position at the moment, wondering yet again why he'd taken Rin under his care, what he'd been thinking. His original plan had been to drop her off at the next nearest human dwelling and leave without sparing another thought. Something had stopped him though and he wasn't sure what it was. Maybe the unwavering way she followed after him, chin set stubbornly as she worked to keep up with his long strides. The adoration she held in her smile when she watched him battle, without fear that he would lose and she would be the oni's next victim. Maybe it was a combination of all those and more, but something had clicked during their ordeal in Hell. The ability to widen the Meidou Zangetshuha should have brought the thrill of pride and battle won, yet the realization that Rin would never give him her sweet smile, and tell him she'd believed in him the whole time, had broken something. His mother's kind, yet harsh, words brought him back to reality, that as many times as he'd walked that brink, he was not a god; one mistake, which had a slight possibility of happening, would cost his mortal companion her life. After that one experience, he wasn't sure if he was ready for that yet.

Her first woman's time had been a shock. He knew of such things, of course, but knowing of and experiencing were two different things entirely. She hadn't been quite as frightened as he'd thought she would be, but hearing her shrieks of alarm in the early hours of the morning had certainly stirred up the castle tremendously. Rin had thrown her pillow at him and shrieked to get out, obviously forgetting her place as the maids had hid smiles or glances of fright as they'd scurried in. She'd apologized later, blushing furiously as she explained her earlier actions.

Her growing up also caused problems; the male servants, for one matter. Aside from Jaken, none of them seemed to have much of a problem with making their inappropriate jokes with one another about her maturing appearance. He also seemed to be having a problem, which was puzzling in itself; he'd practically been her father, yet he had a growing attraction towards the young human woman that was unexplainable. And, if his brother's rant earlier had any indication, he wasn't the only one whose feelings were changing. His furious words echoed clearly in his mind: “You're a damn fool for breaking a young girl's heart, and a bigger fool if you don't think she's doing it because she loves you enough to follow your stupid ideas!”

In other, less brash, words, Rin cared for him in more than a guardian-ward way. A part of him was relieved, elated even. The other part did not want to follow the same path his father had. It wasn't entirely because he was unsure of how he would feel at siring hanyou children, but more of how he recalled his father's fury at the humans' treatment of his human lover, and how that had continued until her death. He recalled his own brother's treatment, especially from himself, and was not certain he would want to wish that on his own; his reputation was equally as fearsome as his father's, but even a reputation did not cause the foolishness of humans to overlook what they thought was purely evil and despicable.

Sesshou-maru permitted himself a noise that in a lesser person would have been called an exasperated sigh. At least he had his answers to the puzzling changes in her scent when she was near him, and her dislike of prospective mates. He was secretly embarrassed by his inability to place the scents, but as he'd had little experience with mating-scents, it was understandable, if unsatisfying. It was a complicated mess he was going to step into if he went through with the idea forming in his mind, yet on some levels it was necessary. It would quell his more rebellious subjects with the promise of heirs. A lady's touch was needed for his courtly affairs. It might bring a sense of security towards the human villages on his lands. And perhaps it would also stop the annoying couriers with messages of a similar request he himself had recently been sending. A human as the Lady of the West would not satisfy many of his subjects and fellow lords, but if fists came to blows, they would see that his lands would be ruled his way, and anyone who objected would be punished as fit.

If he had a weakness, it would be for Rin's happiness and well-being. A foreboding feeling stirred within him, as if such a decision would be his downfall, yet he brushed it off. Taking his writing brush, he began to make note of the necessary preparations. The full moon—the preferred day of mating for inu-youkai—was less than two weeks away. There was much to be done.

 

((Ummm… I feel like this was a confusing chapter, and that too much was presented at once. Which would lead to confusion. I have a metaphorical brush to get rid of the plot snarls, but getting from point A to point B will prove challenging, if slightly unsatisfying in the long run. I have a foreboding feeling that this chapter will be edited at a later date.

Sesshy's character is my only problem. He's very complex. To pull a page from Shrek's book… “LAYERS! {Dog demons} have layers. Onions have layers, {dog demons} have layers. We both have layers.” So digging through them past the cold exterior will be interesting, if not a learning experience. XD I'll try to get started on the second chapter soon, I need to figure out a few points first. As always, reviews are appreciated, as is constructive criticism (as I'm fully aware this chapter really needs ^^;;; ) Thanks for reading!!))