InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Destined ❯ Rin's Arrival ( Chapter 4 )

Late May - 1554

 

Sango was surprised at how quickly their lives slid into an easy routine. After talking with the village elders, several of the men and Inuyasha were helping Miroku build their hut. It was to be of decent size, with a large main room and a smaller storage room. One of the villagers was proud to boast that there would be plenty of room for children. Sango couldn't help herself as she blushed at the idea of `their children'.

 

As she sat over the fire in Kaede's preparing breakfast, Sango had been giving a lot of thought to the changes that were coming for her and Miroku. They were going to actually be a family, and have kids, and everything. The joy that filled her was tempered by the fact that she still missed Kagome so much. She knew her friend from the future would have been so excited with the preparations. The villagers had been most welcoming when they discovered she and Miroku were going to stay, but she still missed Kagome's companionship.

 

At first, she, Miroku and Inuyasha found themselves busy. Once people in surrounding villages found out there was a monk and a demon slayer, along with a peaceful hanyou, living nearby, they were inundated with requests for exorcisms and exterminations. They took many of the requests, to help out the villagers, and to keep Kaede from stretching her meager supplies too thin. After all, she and Miroku were currently living with the old miko, along with Rin, Shippo, and, on occasion, Inuyasha. Exorcisms also helped them to purchase and barter for wedding supplies, such as fabrics, and materials for their home.

 

Sango had found herself moved to tears after returning from one such trip. They had been gone for five days, but to her shock and amazement, the work had continued in their absence. Apparently, the carpenters had come while they were away. She knew rice planting had just been completed, and the idea they would take time to assist them after several weeks of tolling fields touched her heart. Inuyasha humphed at her tears, but his expression was more tease than annoyance. As Miroku pulled her closer, Inuyasha smirked and went off to find Shippo.

 

Miroku and Sango stood there looking at the framing of their home. He wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close. Since Naraku's defeat, he was thrilled to see her finally relax. The sadness was gone from her eyes, and she finally allowed her feelings to show. She was more open to receiving affection and, to Miroku's delight, willing to return it. Watching her now, with the tears glittering in her eyes, made his heart swell with love.

 

“Are you ok, Sango?” he questioned as he gently wiped the tears away with the pads of his thumbs.

 

She gave a watery smile. “This is really happening, isn't it?”

 

“I'm afraid so, love,”Miroku responded with a hearty laugh.

 

Pulling her into a hug, he whispered in her ear, “I'm afraid you're stuck with me.”

 

Snaking her hands around his waist, Sango playfully replied, “Who told you that you were given a choice?”

 

They both laughed, and, releasing each other, they silently continued to stare at the bones of their new home.

 

ooOOoo

 

Returning to Kaede's hut near sunset, Miroku and Sango were surprised to find Inuyasha and Shippo in front of the hut, engaged in what looked like serious conversation. Both were surprised to hear Inuyasha being so fatherly to Shippo.

 

“Well, Runt, you do whatever you need to do. You know you'll always have a home here.”

 

Sango frowned. “What's going on?”

 

Inuyasha turned at the sound of her voice, his face solemn. Shippo's expression held a combination of fear and excitement.

 

“I've been invited to come back to Kitsune School,” he announced before pausing, his face filled with longing. “I really want to go.”

 

Sango kneeled and opened her arms. “Shippo, that's wonderful! We'll miss you, but it's time for you to learn kitsune ways.”

 

Shippo ran to Sango and wrapped his tiny arms around her. “I'll miss you guys so much!”

 

Miroku walked up and ruffled the kit's hair. “It's just as Inuyasha said, you'll always have a home with us.”

 

Inuyasha stood up, rolling his eyes. “If this love fest is over, can we go see what Kaede's cooking? I'm starved.”

 

Shippo bounded out of Sango's arms and followed Inuyasha inside. Sango and Miroku looked at each and smiled, trailing the pair into the hut.

 

ooOOoo

 

“Oww!”

 

Sango gasped and muttered a curse under her breath. She, Kaede, and Yei, a villager, were working on sewing. After realizing her lack of skill in the domestic arts, Sango had enlisted the young girl's help in making several articles of clothing. As a slayer, she always packed light, as there wasn't much use for many changes of clothes. She was discovering, however, that settled life in the village required many different kinds of clothes, for both her and Miroku.

 

After sucking her wounded finger, Sango held up the samue she had been working on. For the past few weeks, Kaede had her working on making clothes for Miroku, since they involved less detailed needlework. With all of the physical labor he did around the village, he really needed a set of everyday robes. His kesa and koromo could be stored for special use, such as traveling to another village for an exorcism.

 

Sango had started to stay behind from the slayer missions in order to learn domestic skills from Kaede. Sango was pleasantly surprised to discover she enjoyed gardening. It was hard work, but she found it peaceful and rewarding. She was also working on her cooking and preserving skills. She knew enough not to starve, but winter was coming, and she knew she would have to be prepared so she and her husband would have plenty to eat.

 

Sewing, on the other hand, irritated her. She could do the basic work, but the finer, more delicate embroidery frustrated her immensely. Watching the younger girl work made Sango feel slightly jealous, as Yei's work was so much neater that hers. Slayer training had left little time for anything else; she hadn't been trained to be a housewife, and yet here she was, learning the skills she should have learned long ago.

 

They had received several bundles of fabrics as payments for exorcisms. Most of it would go to make everyday clothes. There were, however, several bundles of finer material. Sango sat several of them aside to make nicer kimonos for herself and robes for Miroku. One day, after Miroku and Inuyasha returned for yet another exorcism, a mysterious wrapped bundle appeared. Before she had a chance to investigate, it vanished. Relentless questions to Inuyasha, Miroku and Kaede yielded no answers, leaving her annoyed.

 

Sango had also been working with Kaede to create Miroku's new haori for the wedding. It made from fine deep blue linen that she thought matched his eyes. She had already sewn a hadagi out of snow-white linen. Kaede assisted her with the hakama, but Sango was pleased that she had actually done most of the work herself. Between the three of them, several new kimonos and robes had been constructed, along with some everyday linen to be used for bedding.

 

“Look, Sango-sama. How did I do?” Rin held up a scrap of cloth, on which she had been practicing her stitches.

 

Sango had to smile. The stitches were crooked, but neat. Rin's shining face made it hard to critique her; plus, she could recall some of her own early work.

 

“I think you did great, Rin. We both will continue to practice until we're perfect.”

 

The answer pleased the beaming girl. Yei hid her smile behind the piece she was working on. She was only twelve, but she and Rin had become very close in a short amount of time. She loved helping Rin work on her sewing, and they would often play together in the evenings.

 

Kaede smiled at Rin. Deciding to let the younger girls have free time before lunch, she instructed them to put their things away. The girls straightened up and dashed outside before Kaede could change her mind. Sango folded and stored her own work, and began to help Kaede prepare the meal.

 

“I think you are coming along just fine, child.”

 

Sango smiled. “I didn't realize that taking care of a home would be so much work. I can't imagine how it will be with children.”

 

A comforting touch warmed on her shoulder. Looking into Kaede's wise eyes, Sango felt herself relax.

 

“You will be just fine. If you can slay demons, you can handle little ones.”

 

OoOOoo

 

 

Another major change of the last few months had been the very presence of Rin. She had been there for several weeks, ever since the fall of Naraku, while the Inu-Tachi continued to take care of several local yokai threats. Once things had begun to settle down, the question came up about Rin's future. Kaede felt it was dangerous for her to continue to travel with Sesshomaru. She knew it was time to bring it up with the taiyoukai, but worried how to do so without offending him.

 

Waiting until Rin and Shippo were sleeping, the matter was discussed among the adults. Inuyasha could see Kaede's point, on Rin's safety, but felt that Sesshomaru would never go for it, considering his views on humans. Miroku, on the other hand, thought it would be a smart decision.

 

“Kaede-sama, if I may suggest a solution: invite Sesshomaru to tea, and present your concerns. Rin, of course, would need to be present as well, but you could use that as an opportunity, to show what she has learned under your thus-far informal tutelage. She can serve tea well enough by now, and you know she'd be thrilled to discuss her lessons. That could be enough to sway him.”

 

Kaede nodded her agreement. “I see the logic in your solution, Miroku. If he could see the benefits of her staying here, maybe he'd allow it. I am concerned, however, how he regards my parenting skills, since I am without children.”

 

At that remark, Inuyasha snorted. “It's not as if Sesshomaru is father of the year!”

 

Miroku laughed at the comment; Kaede rolled her eyes at the antics but smiled too.

 

Sango beamed. “I think he'd look at us and realize that you'd do just fine with Rin. You seem to keep us under control pretty well.”

 

Inuyasha grunted at that, while Miroku chuckled. Kaede smiled. Sango was right; they had become her children without her realizing it. She could only hope that Sesshomaru would also see it that way.

 

ooOOoo

 

“Thank you, Sesshomaru-sama, for coming to my home, on such short notice.”

 

Sesshomaru nodded his acknowledgement, taking the time to closely examine the place his ward was currently residing. It was neat and clean, although rather small. He knew the quarters were close with so many people living there, but they seemed to make it work. Training his gaze upon Rin, he could see that she was healthy and seemingly happy living in the village.

 

Sesshomaru was well aware of what the older woman wanted. Unbeknownst to her, he had been considering the same thing. There was much to be done to get the Western Lands back in order, and it would be difficult to achieve with a small human child under foot. Even if that wasn't a concern, he felt it was long past time to consider what sort of education she required. Whether she wound up staying with him later in life or not, she still needed some sort of proper training - as a human, and as a woman

 

The adults arranged themselves silently watched as Rin prepared the tea. While she could not perform a complete ceremony, she was more than capable of preparing and serving. Passing around a small platter of wagashi, both Sesshomaru and Kaede accepted the sweets and bowed to Rin. She then presented Sesshomaru with the chawan and bowed. She then served Kaede tea and bowed to her also. She beamed as they partook of the tea.

 

Joining the adults on the tatami, Rin sat quietly, waiting to be addressed. Sesshomaru casually inquired about her activities, and she eagerly showed him her sewing samples, and her bits of handwriting practice. He allowed her to talk at length, and evaluated what she was saying.

 

Finally, he stopped her conversation.

 

“Rin,” he said, holding up his hand, “please leave us.”

 

Rin stood and bowed. “Yes, Sesshomaru-sama.” She quickly left the hut, the door covering fluttering in her wake

 

Kaede inclined her head to the taiyoukai. “Sesshomaru-sama, as you can see, Rin's stay in the village has been most beneficial.”

 

“I am inclined to agree with you, priestess.”

 

Taking a deep breath, Kaede continued. “I would like for you to consider allowing her to stay here, indefinitely, under my care. I think she would make a fine healer.”

 

A patch of silence spread out between them, long enough for her to begin to grow uncomfortable. Finally, after what seemed like an age, Sesshoumaru spoke once more.

 

“Are you the priestess who trained Inuyasha's miko?”

 

“Yes, my lord, I am.”

 

Sesshomaru nodded slowly, his gaze assessing as it swept over her form. After another moment, he called out to Rin. Kaede was faintly amused to see that, although he did not raise his voice, the little girl appeared instantly.

 

“Yes, Sesshomaru-sama?”

 

“You are to remain here in the village with the priestess.”

 

Rin's face began to crumple. “But, Sesshomaru-sama, I thought I was going to go with you? I don't want to stay here.”

 

Sesshomaru's expression remained impassive in the face of Rin's tears.

 

“Rin, are you not happy here?”

 

Trying to maintain her composure, Rin replied. “Yes, Sesshomaru-sama.”

 

“Is anyone mistreating you?”

 

“No, Sesshomaru-sama.”

 

“What, then, is the issue?”

 

Rin trembled with the effort it took to hold back her tears. She took several deep breaths before finally speaking.

 

“You will forget about me, Sesshomaru-sama. I am afraid you'll leave me here, and I'll never see you again.”

 

Both adults were momentarily taken aback at Rin's declaration. Kaede knew she had to make it clear to both Rin and Sesshomaru that he would be welcome in the village. Thinking quickly, she began to speak.

 

“Sesshomaru-sama, if I may assure Rin, you are welcome to visit her on a regular basis. After all, will you not continue to see to her welfare?”

 

Sesshomaru eyed the young girl in front of him. He realized that he had never given Rin any indication that he would abandon her, yet to hear her address was something of a surprise for him. His own concern was regarding the villagers' reaction to his visits, as he had every intention of keeping an eye on her, and making sure her lessons were progressing.

 

 

“The priestess is right. I am responsible for your welfare, and I will not be denied seeing my ward.”

 

Rin looked from Sesshomaru to Kaede, as the realization that she would still be able to see him began to cross her face. Through the filmy tears, her smile began to beam.

 

“For you, Sesshomaru-sama, I will stay with Kaede-sama.”

 

Sesshomaru nodded and dismissed her once more.

 

“Thank you, sire, for allowing her to stay,” Kaede said softly.

 

Sesshomaru stood. “I trust you will do well in with her care and education,” he replied, his tone cool. Kaede could feel the faint flare of his aura brush against hers, reminding her that, should any harm come to Rin, he would be a dangerous enemy to have.

 

Nodding again, he turned and left the hut.

 

She stood in the doorway as Sesshomaru stopped to talk with his ward. She could see the child nodding eagerly and calling good-bye to him, as he took his leave of her and the village. Kaede was pleased - and relieved - that everything had gone well with the visit. It would be tight in the small hut for a while, but she secretly enjoyed the company.

 

Humming to herself, she returned inside to start dinner for her `family'.