InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ In a Different Light ❯ Ritual pt 2 ( Chapter 5 )

Author's Note: I'd like to thank everybody who posted a review for Chapter 4. I apologize if some of you thought it was kind of "dull." But I needed that chapter and this chapter to set up some things that will happen later on in the story. Last chapter was essentially about Rin's struggle for balance, and her desire to be a "mountain." I'm a big fan of metaphors and symbolism, so I like to use them when I can and when I feel they're appropriate. For Rin, the mountain symbolizes four things: Master Sumida, Lord Sesshomaru, inner strength and inner calm. These are her sources of internal and external conflict, and she'll be dealing with them throughout the rest of the story . . . As for this chapter, it's about Sesshomaru and my made up history of demon courtship. After this chapter, Rin and Sesshomaru won't be spending much time apart hehe ;) And I hope you like this chapter better than the last one :D

In a Different Light

Chapter 5: Ritual pt 2

From the upper branches of a nearby oak, the Lord of the Western Lands kept close watch over his intended. His eyes focused, his ears alert, and his nose constantly checking the changing winds for the rise of an unfamiliar scent. He was serious, as always, and he kept his mind focused on the task at hand. But after a few moments of quiet observation, he found himself feeling somewhat . . . uncomfortable watching Rin as she worked her way through her morning routine. He realized that these poses were just that-poses, exercises, postures. Part of her yoga training that he, himself, had insisted she take as an outlet for some of her more destructive outbursts. Yet . . . some of these "poses" were quite stimulating. Especially the ones where she was on all fours, or she was arching her back, pressing her pelvis to the ground, glancing upwards at the sky.

What he wouldn't have given to be a patch of grass in that clearing . . .

He growled to himself and cleared all such thoughts from his mind. He wasn't there to ogle his intended. He was there to watch over her, as part of the courtship ritual-a ritual he once swore to never take part in.

It was an archaic tradition from a dark period in demon history when females were few and far in between, and males were little better than savage beasts . . . That was, in fact, why there were so few females. It used to be that when a male desired a female, he simply took her, whether she wanted him or not. If the female was willing, all progressed as it should have. If she was unwilling, there was a fight for dominance. The two would battle each other until either a) the female gave in and submitted to the male or b) the female was dead. And more often than not, the female would die before submitting herself to an "unworthy" male.

Sesshomaru once again turned his attention to the young woman, battling phantom opponents in the field below. Previously, he'd paid little attention to her training in the internal arts. He left her instruction in the capable hands of Master Sumida, only requesting the occasional progress report. But after Rin had shown such an aptitude in her yoga studies, Master Sumida suggested hiring Master Li to train her in the ways of Tai Chi Chuan-yet another internal art. But this one was a martial art characterized by soft, slow, flowing movements that emphasized force, rather than brute strength. "The girl should learn to defend herself," Master Sumida had said. "These are dangerous times we live in. Especially for women."

And at first, he'd refused her outright. Rin never left the castle gates unless he was with her. And as long as she had him, she was always protected . . . But as she grew, so did her desire for independence. She wanted to venture out and explore without him, without his constant supervision and ever-watchful eyes.

So, in her fifteenth year, not wanting to keep her "caged in," as she claimed, he hired Master Li to train her in self-defense. If Rin was to travel away from him, he wanted to know that she was capable of protecting herself . . . Protection was a pressing issue for females of all species.

As demon history goes, after witnessing countless numbers of unwilling females brutalized and slaughtered by "overzealous" males, the remaining unclaimed females decided that there would be "safety in numbers." The females from every order of demon began to organize themselves into packs and colonies, establishing the first demon civilizations of note. Each female had her own rank, duties and responsibilities within the colony. The older females assumed leadership positions, and the younger ones took to more tedious tasks-hunting and building, providing for the colony.

The males at this time were still very much loners. Their only goals in life were survival, assuring the continuation of their line on the face of the earth, and domination, procuring as much territory as they could for themselves and their future offspring. These two things being their primary objectives, mating was of great importance. If they were to survive, and if they were to maintain their territories, they needed the females, if only to continue their bloodlines.

The first male to encounter one of these female demon colonies took heed of neither their numbers nor their level of organization. He saw a suitable female and attempted to take her-against her will. When the battle for dominance began, her fellow colony members intervened and made quick work of the male, slicing him to ribbons and dining off his entrails. Some colonies even went so far as to post their heads on a stake as warning to other males . . . And, thus, many males met their end this way.

It seemed a hopeless situation. The males, instinctively, could not give up on the females, and the females refused to willingly give themselves to an "unworthy" male. But as time passed, a century or two, if the history scrolls were correct, males began to realize that they could no longer threaten or coerce a female into mating with them. The end result would always be his death or her death, thus steadily decreasing the demon population, paving the way to extinction for the entire species.

So the males finally grouped together and decided upon a different plan of "attack." Instead of forcibly taking the females from their colonies, they would lure them away. Males were allowed within the female colonies, as long as they behaved according to the females' rules. In addition, the males also developed their own unique code of conduct regarding females and the procurement of mates.

Once a male discovered a desirable female, he must profess his intentions towards her. From that point on, all other males were to steer clear of her, till she decided whether to accept him or reject him. To make sure the other males stuck to this agreement, the solicitous male followed his intended everywhere, fending off other potential suitors and protecting her from unwanted advances. This became Stage One of the courtship ritual.

If the female allowed you to keep company with her, you could advance to Stage Two. In Stage Two, the male must demonstrate his dependability and his ability to provide for his intended mate and any future offspring. He did this by hunting every morning and bringing the female his fresh kill. If she accepted the food and his continued companionship, the male would initiate Stage Three of the ritual-grooming.

Grooming was designed to foster intimacy between the intended mates. True, it also served hygienic purposes-picking off parasites, smoothing the hair, sharpening the claws, cleansing the flesh. But it was also done to build trust and a sense of familiarity between the two. And, as it was the final stage before actual mating, it was something that couldn't be rushed. If the female ever felt ill at ease, she could call upon the other females, or even her other potential suitors to do away with the overzealous male, usually resulting in his death and dismemberment.

So everything started off slowly . . . It began with a simple touch-brushing against the female's upper arm, outer thigh or lower back-to indicate his interest in forming a more physical relationship with her. He would stroke her gently, but intentionally, and then attempt to gauge her response to him.

If she seemed receptive to his advances-smiling, laughing, sly/shy glances in his direction-he was to acknowledge her acceptance with a smile of his own. If she refused at any moment, vocally or physically, the male was to immediately withdraw and try again at a later date, while continuing with actions set forth in Stage Two.

When she accepted the more casual contact with him, the male was to attempt more intimate encounters-combing his fingers through her hair, picking her free of parasites, sharpening her claws. If the female was agreeable to this treatment, that was good. If she wished to reciprocate, that was even better.

Sesshomaru found himself smiling inwardly at that thought. To have Rin's hands in his hair again . . . Not making those annoying little braids, but tending to it properly-massaging his scalp, running her fingers through the silvery strands, then brushing it properly into place . . . She took such good care of her own hair, now, he was certain she'd do the same for his.

And once they were comfortable grooming each other's hair and nails, they could move on to the flesh. The face and neck, the shoulders and back, the arms and legs. Then the stomach and chest, the posterior, and the so-called "private parts." First they used only claws and hands, to become accustomed to each other's touch, and then they graduated to teeth and tongues to become familiar with each other's unique taste.

Having successfully completed the grooming stage, and pleasing the female with his performance, the male could now lure her away from her female companions and convince her to become his mate. Once she accepted his proposal, he would take her to live with him in his lands, and he would be responsible for her care and well-being for the rest of his life . . . An awesome [A/N meaning overwhelming], but welcome responsibility, considering the alternatives... A life lived alone or a quick, but painful death at the hands of your intended's friends and potential suitors . . .

Of course, as time passed and demon society evolved, certain aspects of the ritual were altered. Female-only packs and colonies disappeared and made way for more "traditional" families. As it was the male's responsibility to protect and provide for his family, he kept close watch over his daughters, guarding them from unwanted suitors and other overzealous males. When a male desired one of his daughters, he approached the head of the household and expressed his intentions to court his daughter. Instead of luring the female away from her colony, he now had to lure her away from her family.

Stage One remained the same, but Stage Two changed somewhat. Instead of only providing food for his intended, proving his worth as a provider, he also had to show proof of his holdings and status in demon society. He wooed her not only with fresh meat, but with fine jewelry and silks, spices and pottery, and, if she liked, weaponry and armament. The more gifts he could bestow, the less his chance for rejection.

And Stage Three became more of a formality than the last tentative step to joining with your intended. Procuring a mate was no longer a matter of life or death, after all. It was done to acquire wealth, power and position. Males often went as far as they could as soon as they could, as long as the female was agreeable to it. And if she refused him one time too many, he usually lost interest and moved on to "easier" prospects . . . Some couples skipped Stage Three, altogether, and moved right on to mating.

Sesshomaru, for his part, had thought courtship was one of the most worthless and pointless traditions carried over from the ancient times. It was completely outdated. It had its use in the past when the sexes were clearly on unequal footing and their species was on the brink of extinction, but now, it was just plain insulting.

Why should he, the Lord of the Western Lands, be forced to grovel and fawn at the feet of any female?

He shouldn't be.

And why should he, one of the most well-respected demons in Japan, be forced to prove his worth to some lawless lady or prima donna princess?

Again, he shouldn't be. And he hadn't.

His lands were the most beautiful and most expansive property in all of Japan. His castle rivaled that of the emperor. His battle skills easily surpassed those of generals and daimyos and the entire Imperial Army. His name was known far and wide, as it inspired lust in the hearts of women and fear in the hearts of man. And . . . why was he comparing himself to lowly humans?

Because . . .

He noticed a faint white glow beginning to form around Rin's lithe frame. Apparently, Master Li had taught her to tap into her chi, her life force energy, and she was currently manipulating that energy and channeling it into a right punch. Sesshomaru had heard it said that a master of Tai Chi Chuan was capable of moving a mountain with a mere gesture of his hands... Which wasn't very impressive by demon standards, but if a mortal could do it, it might be worthy of some note.

Rin's Master Li was a human monk, well past his prime in Sesshomaru's opinion. But Master Sumida had insisted that this Master Li was the only one who could properly instruct Rin in the internal martial art. "And you do want what's best for her, don't you?" Master Sumida had asked.

He didn't answer; he simply had the monk sent for and made arrangements for him outside the castle gates . . . A human monk staying at the estate of the Lord of the Western Lands would be scandalous to say the least. An ordinary human, could be tolerated for Rin's sake, but a monk . . . with his binding scrolls and his sutras and his exorcisms . . . Not that he feared the monk, no matter how great his proclaimed powers . . . it simply wasn't done. Demons consorting with monks.

Yet, he had done it. And he could clearly see the results as he watched his intended pantomime blow after blow, striking pose after pose-lunging, punching, blocking. She was . . . impressive.

He never thought her capable of such things. She was always so gentle and good-natured and kind. Not a warrior at all . . . But she was courageous, straight-forward, hard-working and loyal. He could sense the strength, power and confidence rolling off of her. And seeing her display her skills as she was now, he had no doubt she could protect herself should the need arise. Any man fool enough to force his attentions on her would be severely crippled.

That being the case, he was forced to wonder why she had been so . . . uncertain of herself yesterday. Why was she so wary and weepy? Did she really doubt herself, or did her doubt truly lie in him?

He thought on it for a few moments, a slight frown working its way between his brows, then decided the answer was irrelevant. He had decided to court her, after all. Not so much to prove his worth to her-which she was already well aware of-but to ease her into the idea of mating with him. She clearly had the desire, as demonstrated by last night. But he didn't want her for just one night. He wanted it so that the thought of leaving him never crossed her mind. He wanted her to stay with him for the rest of her life and never have a day where she regretted the decision. He wanted her to be happy.

He'd always assumed that she was happy staying with him. But last night had obliterated that assumption . . . She was lonely and fearful and awkward. She was tired and confused and hopeless. And she was ashamed of her body's natural reaction to him. She'd said that he made her feel "dirty."

His mouth drew into a thin line, the edges pulling, almost unnoticeably, downward. He had to do better than that. He couldn't have his mate running around feeling anything less than happy, anything less than wanted, anything less than . . . loved.

Yes, he would have to get used to using that word.

He was almost certain she'd want to hear it at one point or another. And as certain as he was that he felt it, he wasn't as sure he'd ever be able to say it . . . Admitting weakness simply wasn't one of his strong points.

He clenched and relaxed his right hand.

But that didn't have to come now. He didn't have to say it now. That could come sometime during Stage Three. And he was still, quite firmly, in Stage One right now.

The weights on the edges of his mouth lifted, and he smiled inwardly.

Yes. Stage One. It would be nice spending time with Rin again.