InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Lost World ❯ Chapter Seventeen ( Chapter 17 )

Lost World

 

By: OtakuSailorV

 

Chapter Seventeen - Pet

 

Koto giggled, her hands pressed excitedly over Rin's eyes as she jittered about. “Are you sure you can't see,” she questioned, trying to peek at Rin's face from behind awkwardly.

 

Rin smiled broadly, excited and amused by the sound of her bubbly emotion mirrored in Koto's voice as well.

 

“No, not a thing,” she replied, aware of the scrutinizing gaze of Sesshoumaru, which made her mood falter somewhat. Did he think she was an airhead? She fidgeted, uncertain, but maintained her good humor despite her nervousness.

 

“Good!” Koto exclaimed, hopping up on her toes as she sucked in a deep breath. “Alright, Inutaishou-sama, all set!”

 

Up ahead, Rin heard the creak and slide of doors, followed closely by an explosion of noise that Rin immediately identified. Her heart pounded with joy as the smell of fodder wafted her way, carrying with it the various other odors of a zoo or paddock. She knew instantly what Koto had planned and couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt. What had she done to deserve such kindness anyway?

 

Koto drew her hands away with a dramatic flourish, throwing her arms up in the air and beaming from ear to ear. “Ta-dah!” she called out triumphantly, dancing around so that she stood at Rin's side, her kimono sleeves fluttering about wildly. Inutaishou beamed, making a sweeping gesture toward the area beyond the door, inviting her in.

 

Rin's mouth hung open, feeling a wave of different emotions welling up inside of her. On the one hand she was overwhelmed with thankfulness and was humbled by her friends' generosity and care. Still, she knew she should be concentrating on finding a way back home and though all the distractions were welcomed and quite fun, she didn't want to waste time that could be better spent doing something else. What was she supposed to say to them though, and why not enjoy herself a little bit more? Really, it wasn't like she had any strong leads as to how she was going to get back…Did she even want to go back?

 

Taken from her torn emotions swiftly from an eager shove by Koto, Rin stepped hesitantly forward, unsure as to whether or not she should run forward, as her heart desperately wanted her to. Her cheeks flushed with pleasure, excitement and embarrassment as she got to the door, turning to look at the three behind her with hesitant happiness.

 

“You really didn't have to go to so much trouble! I wouldn't have minded-” she began, but was cut off abruptly by Koto.

 

“Oh, don't give me that, Rin-chan. I've been dying to sneak you in here ever since you started going on and on about that mystery-pooch of yours, Jiro-san!” Koto beamed and poked Rin in the nose playfully.

 

Rin chuckled with embarrassment.

 

“Hm?” Inutaishou perked up, being the only one of the four present that had seen the minute shift in Sesshoumaru's expression upon mention of the dog. “Rin-chan has been visited by an unknown dog?”

 

 

Koto giggled, trapping Rin in a headlock-type hug, as amused by the circumstances as Rin was embarrassed. “Yepp, Rin-chan here's the only one that's ever seen her little Jiro-chan.”

 

“Really?” Inutaishou appeared honestly astonished. “What does he look like Rin-chan? He might not be safe if you're the only one that's seen him.”

 

Rin nearly jumped, her eyes widening as she frantically shook her head. “Well, he's really big and fluffy, pure white with a moon-shaped make on his head like yours, so I thought that he might be a royal pet or something. I'm not even sure what his name really is, so I call him jiro-chan…Really though, he's rather rude for a dog, but I'm sure he's perfectly fine, Inutaishou-dono! Really, he's never acted strangely, and he's really warm and soft, and...ah…”

 

She cut off when she noticed the amused looks that everyone was watching her with; everyone except Sesshoumaru, of course, who seemed as completely uninterested as usual.

 

“Really, a moon-shaped mark on his forehead, and he was rude, hm?” Inutaishou snickered, shooting a side-long, sneaky glance at Sesshoumaru who was intentionally avoiding his father's eyes.

 

“Rin-chan, you're so adorable,” Koto cooed, latching onto her human friend tighter than before. “Come on, though, enough talking, I want to show you something!”

 

Koto took Rin's hand and jerked her inside so suddenly and enthusiastically that Rin didn't know what had happened until she was already out of sight of Inutaishou and Sesshoumaru.

 

When the two had gone, Inutaishou turned to Sesshoumaru with a wide, toothy grin, looking quite pleased. A sneaky glint showed in his eyes and Sesshoumaru frowned earnestly as if in reply.

 

“So, you haven't seen this mysterious Jiro-san about, have you, Sesshoumaru?” he asked innocently.

 

Sesshoumaru frowned, narrowing his eyes as he followed after the two girls, his movements slick and silent. “No,” he almost growled, seeming miffed.

 

Inutaishou chuckled, amused. “Of course…”

 

* * *

 

“Oh, wow, dragon-san!” Rin exclaimed, hugging the huge muzzle of the silver-blue dragon that she had ridden once with Sesshoumaru and Inutaishou.

 

The dragon grumbled happily, snuffling her hands and face excitedly, making Rin giggle as it tickled her with it's warm breath. “I missed you too,” she agreed, patting its nose with a grin.

 

Koto smiled. “I knew you'd want to see Amaryu-san again too, so I asked Inutaishou-sama if it would be ok if I brought you in here.”

 

“Ah, so that's you're name, you're Amaryu-san,” Rin smiled as she continued to pat the dragon's large nose. After a moment she paused, continuing to stroke Amaryu's nose as she looked thoughtfully skyward, lips pursed.

 

“So…Jiro-chan and Amaryu-san are the only animals around here?” she looked skeptically around the stall, for it was rather large and at the moment, Amaryu was the only inhabitant other than Rin and Koto. Due to the heavy scent of fodder, she was sure that there had to be other animals of some sort hereabouts, but there wasn't one sign of life outside of the dragon's stall.

 

“Jiro-chan isn't even confirmed as being an actual inhabitant of the castle yet,” Koto corrected with a wave of her index finger. “And no, Amaryu-san isn't the only inhabitant. Dragons that inhabit the palace are given their own private stalls in this section of the stables, but Amaryu-san is currently the only one taking residence here.”

 

Rin nodded, pecking a light kiss on Amaryu's nose playfully. “The stable's must be very large, then,” she mused, feeling a twinge of joy fill her at the thought of all the cute, fluffy animals romping about. She knew it was childish, but she couldn't deny her greatest weakness. It made her miss Buyo - the family cat - back at home. She hoped Souta was treating him right…

 

“Yes, the stable's take up nearly a third of the royal grounds outside of the palace. There is truly so much to see,” Inutaishou popped in cheerily, grinning toothily.

 

“Ah! Really?” Rin checked herself, embarrassed by her excited outburst. “Uh, sorry, uhm…so, it's really that big? What…ah,” she faltered, trying to word her questions so that she wouldn't come off as too childish. “W-what kinds of animals are there? I mean, they're not all like Amaryu-san, are they? I-in my world…er, rather, where I came from, there aren't any real dragons like Amaryu-san…are things like that common here?”

 

Despite her attempt to control herself, there was no denying the excitement that edged in, the curious wonder, the child-like awe and wonder that was overflowing within her heart.

 

“Yeah, they don't have those where you live? There's all kinds of neat things in the stables, nothing dirty and boring like sheep or cows, all of our food provisions come from tithe's, so the stable's are filled with other beasts…or `creatures' as you called them.” Koto replied, seeming to like being able to explain things so much. Rin was sure that if given the chance, Koto would have been an excellent teacher someday.

 

Rin's eyes dazzled, alive with wonder, her heart yearning. “Could…ah, that is, if it's not too much trouble, would it be alright if,” Rin fidgeted, biting her bottom lip and she stumbled. She hated sounding so feeble like this, but she didn't want to be rude either.

 

“Go there? Of course,” Inutaishou beamed and Rin in return, but immediately his expression fell dramatically. “Alas, I am unable to escort you today. My advisor's will be worried for me and likely tearing the place to pieces in search of me. Forgive me Rin-chan, the duties I have of being a host are overridden by my duties are Lord of these lands.”

 

Rin felt her heart sink and she immediately recovered, earnestly reassuring a dramatically downcast Inutaishou that she was fine with visiting another time. So distraught was she that she did not notice that Inutaishou's behavior was a bit…odder than usual.

 

Koto, catching on to what her Lord was at, took up the dramatic attitude as well.

 

“I can't either, Rin-chan, I'm so sorry, but Mizu-san will be looking for me too, because I've been shirking my duties all morning so as to play with you again. I shouldn't keep her much longer though, or I'll catch the switch,” she moaned in such a dramatic attitude that Rin was beginning to suspect something. However, Koto hint at being beaten for her tardiness made her forget them all as she rushed to her friend's aid.

 

“Ah, is that true, Koto-chan?! You shouldn't go through such trouble for me! If she wants someone to berate for your absence, I'll take your place instead! Really, it's not fair that you should get in trouble for humoring me! I'm sorry I'm such a bother to you all, I'm sorry!!” Rin grasped Koto's hands so tightly and seemed so distraught that Koto began to feel guilty for lying in the first place.

 

“Rin-chan, you are too kind,” Inutaishou took one of her hands gently and played at mopping away false tears. “Oh, if only I were able to spend more time with you!”

 

Rin gave a small grin, embarrassed by the whole matter, her thoughts in a million different places at once. “Oh no, of course not, don't bother, I'll be fine. Besides, you're work is far more important, it'd be bad if I caused you some harm by needing so much attention.”

 

Inutaishou whipped about, his long silver ponytail nearly catching Rin in the face in his sudden jerking movement. “Sesshoumaru-!” he called in a plaintive tone.

 

The tall prince looked over sullenly from where he stood with his back against the wall by the door, his arms crossed over his chest. He looked disgruntled; even more so when his father called him out.

 

“No,” his icy tone froze Rin's every nerve and her gut hardened, startled by his hard, frozen attitude. Was he angry with her for being the center of all of this silliness? She had guessed a long time ago that he was the type to not tolerate frivolous and silly behavior; he was the type to assert seriousness at all times. So, did he think her a bother for always being the cause of his father's caring and playful outbursts? She flushed; she hoped not.

 

“I haven't even asked the question yet,” Inutaishou replied, looking hurt.

 

“I already know what you're going to ask, and the answer is `no,'” Sesshoumaru asserted dully, closing his eyes and moving toward the door.

 

“But Sesshoumaru, it's your duty to act in my place when I am unable to,” Inutaishou grabbed Rin's shoulders and pushed her forward when Sesshoumaru continued to ignore him, the giant demon Lord looking as if he were about to burst into tears at any moment. “Not even for poor, cute little Rin-chan, Sesshoumaru?” he whined.

 

Rin blushed, frozen, rigid, her entire body growing red as Sesshoumaru turned, one golden eye fixing on her face and holding her gaze for a few cold seconds. He sighed, frowning as his gaze flew up to meet his father's eyes. Rin felt herself breathe again, if only a little, for she knew he was still watching despite his attention being turned elsewhere for the time.

 

“You shouldn't use her like that,” Sesshoumaru seemed to almost grumble as he came forward slowly, taking his time.

 

“So you'll escort Rin-chan around in my stead then, Sesshoumaru?” Inutaishou grinned brightly, sounding relieved as he patted his son's shoulder emphatically. Rin blushed wildly, fidgeting with her fingers as she tried to worm her way out of this predicament which she couldn't deny was the fantasy of any high school girl, including herself. Still, she was nervous about being alone with the icy cold prince; she was sure he was aware of her crush on him.

 

Koto waved herself off immediately and disappeared before Rin could call after her. Rin swallowed hard.

 

“Ah, it's really fine, if Sesshoumaru-dono doesn't want to take me around, I'm just fine. Really, it's ok, I'll be fine, I don't want to be a bother or anything,” she mumbled, smiling as her cheeks lit up more and more.

 

Breaking off, she looked up and started as she saw that Inutaishou had long since departed, as had Sesshoumaru. Looking about frantically, she was surprised again when she found that the prince was standing at her side, one hand resting on the nose of Amaryu. The dragon made a chuckling sound at the look of shock on the young girl's face.

 

“Come, Higurashi-san,” he ordered before she could say anything, and immediately turned and strode off to her right.

 

“Ah, right!” Rin jumped to attention, bowing quickly to Amaryu and murmuring a respectful `goodbye' before jogging after the prince. She mumbled an apology as she caught up with him, but he didn't seem to hear her.

 

They walked along for what seemed like ages to Rin, but in actuality it was no more than a minute or so. Still, the excruciating silence petered out, drawing each second out dangerously thin, leaving Rin's nerves a wreck. Was she being rude by not talking to him? What would she talk about, though? It's not like she knew what he was interested in; then again, she'd never asked, either. Would he tell her if she asked? He probably wouldn't want to talk with her, he probably thought she was a nuisance…

 

“Uhm, well, how…are you?” Rin feebly pulled at her fingers, her eyes on her feet. It had taken every ounce of her courage to voice those words and now she felt drained, holding her breath as she waited for his reply.

 

His reply never came, though.

 

Disappointed and downtrodden, Rin sighed wearily, wondering what she was doing wrong. She knew that he probably wasn't the talkative type - then again, neither was she - but he could have at least answered her questions. Maybe she'd been impertinent by addressing him so freely…What was the code of the court here? What royal ethics was she missing that could be offending him?

 

“Don't be frightened of anything inside,” the calm, even-toned voice jolted her from her thoughts. She flinched mentally, her eyes focusing as she swung to face the owner, though she knew by his voice that it was Sesshoumaru who spoke.

 

“Oh, right, I'm sure I won't be,” Rin replied awkwardly.

 

She was excited now as her eyes followed the movement of his right hand, braced against a solid wooden western-style door. He forced it open, the door sliding back like a tradition shouji door would, something which caught Rin's interest. However, the flourish of greenery that peeked at her from the other side immediately cleared all other thoughts away. Rin faltered at the sight, her eyes wide in wonder as she looked around, taking it all in.

 

She was in...a tropical forest?

 

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Gah, I can't believe it's been so long since my last update already! Ugh, so sorry everyone, I really didn't mean for it to last this long, but school has just been bombarding me with work, leaving me tired and listless on the weekends.

 

Thanks for your patience and support, as always, though. And special thanks for a certain fan over on fictionised.net that has really been pushing me to update, which is just what I needed. Heehee, sankyu!!

 

I'm definitely on the ball now, and should be updating more at the end of the week. (Hey, October 6 is my birthday!!) So I know ASW will be updated for sure with a possible chapter for Servant as well as some new original stuff for my account on fictionpress/fictionised. At any rate, more coming soon, thanks for your support and see ya later!

 

Review Please.