InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sedition of Will ❯ Lord of all the Land ( Chapter 2 )

Sedition of Will

“Lord of all the Land”

 

Rin rolled over in her sleep. Normally she would turn onto the other side of the comfortable pillow on her futon but for some reason her face felt very sore. And flat. Groggily she opened her eyes and rubbed her cheek.

 

“Hnm?” Rin sat up. She'd been bent over her small desk face first. Her eyes slowly adjusted to the diffused light. Rubbing her eyes, Rin looked out the window and saw the pale moon rising in the eastern sky. “Night already?” She murmured. Papers were scattered around her desk. Ahh, that's right. She must have fallen asleep sometime while practicing her haiku. Kumiko had been teaching her how to write them. Five syllables, seven syllables, five syllables. She picked up the closest parchment and reviewed it. Apparently this had served as her pillow; it was smudged with moisture and barely legible.

 

Golden dog demon

An unlikely white hero

Lord of all the land

 

Rin groaned and wadded up the paper, tossing it over her shoulder. Bleary eyed she stood up and stretched her cramped muscles. She supposed that type of poetry would put anyone to sleep. Rin staggered tiredly to her closet to pull out a sleeping robe. She just happened to glance up at the small mirror on her wall and froze. Instantly she was at the looking glass lifting her bangs out of the way and examining her face at all angles, turning this way and that. Rin let out an alarmed yelp. Her face was covered in ink. She could make out warped lettering that in the reverse mirror read: “Golden dog demon…an unlikely white hero…” Rin smacked her forehead and stamped her feet up and down. This was so embarrassing. Rin darted around the room looking for something to clean her face with. She snatched a dusting cloth and began to scrub her face frantically. It was no use, the ink wouldn't budge. Rin pulled at her hair moaning in aggravation. Soap and water was her only hope.

 

Rin slid her door open a crack and peeked across the hall. The corridor was dark and Sesshoumaru's door was closed. She listened closely. Hearing no sign of activity she slipped out the door and crept quietly down the hall. Stealthily she scampered from dark place to dark place avoiding the light of the paper lanterns. At length she made it to the courtyard through a discrete side door. Across the cobblestone open area was her target: the bath house. She could see steam rising from the natural hot spring fenced behind the ornate building. Rin cast one last wary glance around then shot across the courtyard, covering most of her face with the towel, hoping she didn't crash into anything. Her bare feet made little smacking sounds against the ancient stonework.

 

Rin let loose a gasp of relief when she crossed the tiled threshold into the bath house. She straightened up and strolled behind the screen to the women's side on the left and stripped off her wrinkled kimono. Finally safe! Suddenly she caught movement out of the corner of her eye and let out a small yip, holding her robe up like a towel. Staring back at her was an inky faced young woman. Rin groaned. It was only her reflection in the large mirror imbedded in the mural painted wall. Her face looked a fright with the incriminating lettering. Rin clapped her hands to her cheeks and sighed. Lately it seemed she'd been doing a lot of things to embarrass herself. Yesterday Sesshoumaru catching her opening closing the door like a simpleton and now this. Her shoulders slumped as she folded her kimono and stuffed it in a cubby. Rin hadn't even bothered to slip on shoes as she scrambled across the courtyard. She drew herself a bucket of water from the indoor fountain and sat down on a low stool with the wooden pail between her legs. She lathered up a bar of fresh smelling soap in a rag and began to scrub her face.

 

As she scoured Rin's mind wandered. What would Sesshoumaru had thought if he saw her awkward haiku on the especially awkward canvas. He probably would have told her to desist being so foolish and dismissed her from his sight. Rin still felt like a girl of seven in front of him at times. She was eighteen but still felt so immature compared to her Lord. Rin didn't even know how old he was, though she knew he'd lived long enough to outlive many human terms. His appearance was deceiving. If he were a human he might have looked in his mid twenties, but Lord Sesshoumaru was definitely not human. And definitely not twenty something. His glossy white hair wasn't like the chalky shade of an old person, but rather an elegant snow that gleamed silver. In all their years together she could count on one hand the times she had seen more of his body than just his neck and face, but she knew that under the thick clothing and armor he wore, he had a lean powerful build. Strong sinew and muscle in perfectly sculpted proportion. His skin was the soft hue of antique china making him look all the more refined. For all his stunning features, Lord Sesshoumaru's most striking trait was his eyes. A heap of gold coins didn't match the swirling luster of his amber gaze. Sesshoumaru was the most beautiful creature Rin had ever seen and she still couldn't help but sigh in awe to see him all his splendor.

 

The rag in Rin's hand was now stained a muted grey from the loosed ink. She stood in front of the mirror and wiped the remaining streaks of stubborn black from her cheeks and forehead. Dropping the rag to her side Rin studied her reflection. How her likeness had changed over the years. Rin used to be a narrow pole of a girl that looked the same at all angles. Her waist was still trim and when she placed her hands on her sides she imagined if she had larger hands like Sesshoumaru's she could connect them. But her little hips had broadened to the width of her shoulders making Rin feel ungainly. Her legs were still slender stems and didn't quite touch when she placed her feet together. Rin turned and studied her profile. She lifted a hand to her chest observing the silhouette it cast. Her breasts were still by no means large, but just enough to fill her hand. Set high on her chest two light pink nipples peaked from the modest summits. Rin's eyes lowered slowly, coming to rest at the small triangular puff of black hair below her navel where her legs joined her body. Seven years ago the soft patch began to grow, and three years she had her first real encounter with growing up.

 

That day she had risen early to feed the eager koi of the garden ponds before breakfast, as she always had. Her stomach had ached all that night and she was a little sluggish. Then her eyes widened in shock. She screamed in terror when she discovered her futon dotted in red. She reached into her sleeping robe and pulled out a hand coated with her own blood. Rin didn't know what to do. Was she dying? Had she cut herself? Were her insides going to fall out? An instant later her door was thrust open and a worried looking Sesshoumaru burst in. His eyes darted around for her attacker, finding none he looked at her slightly puzzled.

 

“Rin?”

 

Rin couldn't even choke out a reply. She held up her bloodied hand, tears streaming down her face. Sesshoumaru's brow furrowed first with concern, then understanding, settling finally on discomfort. He straightened and seemed to wrestle with what to do next. At length he reached into the sleeve of his haori and pulled out a silken handkerchief, pressing it into her hand. She bawled in confusion he turned and retreated from her room, sliding the door behind him. It pained him to leave her like that but this was clearly beyond his capacity.

 

Sesshoumaru stalked down the corridor swiftly. He called out for Jakken, sending guards scrambling to find his retainer. Finally Jakken appeared in the throne room looking tousled.

 

“Y-y-yes my lord?” He stuttered, jostling the sleep from his amphibian eyes. His lord did not typically start his day with a clamor unless it was really important.

 

“Find Lady Kumiko and send her to Rin's room immediately.” Sesshoumaru instructed in a low tone. Jakken blinked and Sesshoumaru gave him a look that told him to be discreet. Jakken bowed low and scuttled away to find the peacock youkai. Sesshoumaru ordered everyone, who had gathered around curious about the commotion, to leave him. When the room was emptied he settled down on his large throne with a troubled look.

 

Rin heard a soft knock on her door and she looked up as it slid open. Kumiko knelt and gently closed the door, casting Rin a soothing smile. Rin, still too afraid to move, held up her hand and burst into a fresh onslaught of tears.

 

“Hush hush little monkey, no more tears. This is nothing to fear.” Kumiko cooed and joined Rin, taking her into her arms. Rin wiped her eyes; failing to see the light in her certain demise. “This is all part of growing up Rin. You are experiencing your first blood.” Rin reeled in confusion, looking from her teacher to her hand, then back again.

 

“Rin.” Kumiko asserted gently. “Almost all females bleed like this on occasion when they reach a certain age.” She placed a comforting hand on Rin's tiny shoulder and wiped her tears away with the sleeve of her kimono. “Human girls like yourself answer the call of the moon. You are growing up Rin. Just as there are twelve full moons of the year, you will bleed twelve times in the four seasons.”

 

Rin sniffed.

 

“Its just part of growing up. The sacrifice of blood is necessary for women to bear the gift of producing new life.”

 

“But why is blood coming from...there?” Rin wailed. Kumiko smiled.

 

“That is the gods' ultimate gift to womankind. It is nothing to be afraid of. The heart of her blessings. She will bleed. It is the portal from which all children first enter the world. She can receive a male there to plant the seed of new life.” Kumiko continued, wrapping her motherly arms around the adolescent young woman. Rin wiped her hand in the silk square Sesshoumaru had given her. Her breathing was still a little choked but she had calmed down considerably.

 

“Receive a male?” Rin finally asked. Kumiko gave her a reassuring pat. The woman-to-be's curiosity always won over any sorrow.

 

Rin laughed lightly at the memory. Life certainly had its tricks to play. Rin wondered if Sesshoumaru had any similar experiences growing up. She giggled at the very notion. That was impossible. Rin could not imagine Lord Sesshoumaru any different than he was now. Absolutely flawless. Rin grasped the bucket beside her and dumped it over here head, thoroughly rinsing any soap or ink still clinging to her skin.

 

“Brrr!” She piped as the cold water puddled around her. Her teeth chattered and she gathered up her towel quickly. Appearing from behind the screens of the bath house building Rin stood before the steaming hot spring. A miniature Shinto style garden decorated the area around the pool, fed by a bamboo pipe that drew the naturally heated water from deep below the earth's surface. Rin tossed her towel aside and leaped into the air, landing in the water with a loud splash. Water sprayed in all directions and she surfaced a moment later. It wasn't very ladylike but Rin indulged in her private reprieve. Rin positively purred in satisfaction. Lounging in the hot water had grown to be one of Rin's favorite parts of the day. Hot springs were like the taste of green tea, bitter and unpleasant to the novice. Children often found the hot springs uncomfortable and too scorching to bear but as Rin matured she came to appreciate the relaxing comfort of the steaming mineral rich water.

 

Rin floated weightlessly in the water looking up at the sky. It reminded her of soaring through air on Ah-Un's back, clinging to Lord Sesshoumaru's armor. No clouds dotted the sky and a near full moon hung in deep blackish blue, scattered with grainy points of light. Rin had once told her lord she thought the sky was the giant black futon of a sky god worn with millions of holes from lack of mending. Something tickled Rin's ear and she brushed it away. It came back. She pinched whatever it was between her fingers and brought it up to her face. White thread? No…white hair. Rin froze. Slowly she followed the trail of hair with her eyes to its source. A very serene looking Sesshoumaru was staring back at her through narrow gold eyes.

 

“Lord Sesshoumaru! I'm-I'm sorry!” Rin stuttered and ducked below the water to her neck. Her cheeked burned red and she quickly turned her back to him. “I didn't see you here! I…I…”

 

She couldn't even finish. Should she leave? Somehow she couldn't bear the thought of standing up in the water and further baring her nudity. Had he been there the entire time? Was…he naked too? How could she have been so preoccupied with her own thoughts that she hadn't even noticed him? The floating wisp of Sesshoumaru's silvered hair brushed her back sending an indescribable shiver down her spine. Rin's face felt like it was on fire.

 

“I see Rin hasn't lost her playful nature.” Sesshoumaru's deep voice drifted through the mist. Rin moved her hands to cover her blistering blush. She was certain smoke must be coming from her ears. Before Rin could form an explanation there was a flurry of motion behind her. Energetic ripples swept past her and unsteadied her feet on the smooth rocks. There was sound of water dripping on tiles. The splashing was moving away and Rin peeked behind her through parted fingers. She only caught the faint outline of her lord as he disappeared into the bath house; a flash of white mane vanishing into the errant shadows.

 

Rin exhaled a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. She felt as though she'd put her hand on a hot tea kettle but was paralyzed to remove it. When she was certain the bath house was vacant she crept out of the water and quickly dressed. She went to her room quietly as she could. The light in her lord's room was out and there was no sign of him. She tip-toed past his door cautiously, never taking her eyes from it as thought the moment she did it would burst open. She could not bear the thought of facing him. She entered her room and hastily closed the door behind her, leaning against it. Rin placed a hand to her face and just stood for a quiet moment making no sound. At length Rin slipped into her sleeping robe and climbed into her futon, not bothering to comb her damp hair. She hid in her blankets for the remainder of the night curled up like a possum, and after awhile sleep mercifully came to claim her.

 

The next day Lord Sesshoumaru sat in his study reviewing the messages that had been delivered that day. Most of them were just invitations or formal praise from other provinces, complimenting the Western Lord on his well kept kingdom. Few wanted to make an enemy of the powerful Inutaisho and keeping good relations was important. Sesshoumaru rarely replied any of these letters and accepted even fewer of the invitations. Even as a minor at his great father's side, Sesshoumaru was reluctant to be among the clamor of the often rambunctious parties. Courtesans eyed him hungrily, eager to share both his bed and birthright. Sesshoumaru for the most part kept to himself and did not actively indulge or seek out affections from the opposite sex. On the occasions Sesshoumaru had felt inclined to allow a female to follow him to his sleeping chamber it was almost always a one night encounter, and he was well on his way before the sun rose.

 

Sesshoumaru did not grant any of the frivolous courtesans place at his castle. He found their behavior to be greedy and unpleasant and generally intolerable for any length of time. This was not to be desired in the sanctuary of his own fortress. Sesshoumaru knew he was measured handsome to many. He took after his father who was himself a very striking demon. He often felt the admiring gaze of eyes when they felt he was not paying attention, even of his own female staff. In the past he had even permitted their sultry advances on occasion. After deigning to rut with any of his subordinates, however, he had immediately sent them away to work in other provinces who would gladly accept them. Sesshoumaru did not crave any lingering affections. But he had not done that for many years. For the last century since his father had passed Sesshoumaru found no comfort in the arms of covetous demonesses. As that buxom Kagura had experienced just the night before, Sesshoumaru had made habit of spurning the thinly veiled lust of overly assured females.

 

Yes, last night had been an interesting night indeed, he mused. He returned to the castle well after dark and had not announced his arrival. The clinging scent of the wind demoness still hung in his clothing. Only wise old Ah-Un, who rarely missed anything, had seen him pass into the bath house.

 

Sesshoumaru was tempted to leap into the water fully clothed to rid the feeling where Kagura had clasped his haori and leaned against him. He slipped out of his robes and dipped under the water, resurfacing a few minutes later. He whipped his hair through the air and gave it a thorough shake, sending droplets of water in all directions. Sesshoumaru settled back on a smooth rock and toyed with his thoughts.

 

He could not deny that he was aroused on some level when Kagura rubbed her sensuous form against him, but it was nothing unusual. He was male and he did have desires. Strong desires. But whatever it was he longed for, it was certainly not Kagura. Sesshoumaru could have easily spread her wide on the forest floor and ravaged her. He probably would have enjoyed it at the time too. He wrinkled his nose with repugnance at the thought. Why? He wondered. Kagura contained all the assets required to satisfy a carnal desire and she displayed them quite proudly. Yet, somehow Sesshoumaru still did not find the concept appealing and he was glad he snubbed her arrogant trespass. The idea of Kagura's triumphant eyes probing him after the coupling was over with her made his stomach lurch with loathing.

 

That woman was very foolish indeed. In her fury she has even accused him of relieving himself with Rin. She was no child but Kagura hadn't seen her for years. She couldn't have known anything about Rin. Besides, she was well aware of his distaste for humankind. She was there during those first quarrelsome years with Inuyasha when Rin joined his odd little band of followers. He did have to admit Rin threw a wrench in his obvious moral regarding humans. Rin was an exception to the rule he reasoned. She hadn't lived with other humans for many years.

 

Still Sesshoumaru had to wonder if that was a mistake. Perhaps he should have returned her to her own kind years ago. She could be married by now and raising children of her own. Inexplicably that idea made him clench his fist in irritation. Rin was his charge, and he could do what he pleased with her. And it was certainly none of Kagura's business one way or the other. He sighed and idly watched the bubbling stream of water that fed the hot spring. What to do with Rin?

 

Suddenly somewhere behind him, Sesshoumaru heard a commotion. It sounded like water sloshing and bare feet on the tiled floor. A small blur leaped past him, whipping his damp hair into his face. There was a loud splash and a wave pushed against him. He peeled back the white curtain covering his field of vision and his eyebrows shot up in incredulously. There in the middle of the pool drifted a very nude Rin. And she didn't seem to notice him at all.

 

At first Sesshoumaru opened his mouth to declare himself but no sound came. This was most irksome. Sesshoumaru was a demon of few words, but never because he didn't know what to say. Instead he just found himself watching the young woman float aimlessly in the steaming water as though she hadn't a care in the world. Dusky pink nipples broke the surface of the water offering him her profile. Rin was certainly no girl. A familiar urge tugged Sesshoumaru and he felt himself stiffen. He should leave now before Rin realized he was there. Just as that thought occurred to him a treacherous strand of his long hair seemed to swim out of its own accord and tickled her ear. She flicked it away. He watched murderously as the lock again touched her. This time she grabbed it for examination. Sesshoumaru only had a moment to pacify his face before she locked eyes with him.

 

Rin cried out in surprise and whipped around, showing him her back. She apologized profusely but Sesshoumaru only found himself admiring how her raven hair fell in a neat line down her spine, a beautiful contrast against her flushed skin. He couldn't help but chuckle inwardly at the noisily repentant girl who had only moments before flung herself into the water with brazen glee. He finally spoke.

 

“I see Rin hasn't lost her playful nature”. He watched as the bold wisp of hair caressed her back begetting a visible shudder. She had probably never felt any sort of sensuous touch on her bare skin before. He clenched his hands under the water. He was growing rigid as ought not to, though he still felt the urge to reach out to her. This was Rin, and not for touching in such a manner. Rin sounded as though she were about to say something but Sesshoumaru could take no more. He stood abruptly before he allowed himself to engage in something irreparable. Stepping from the water Sesshoumaru grabbed linen from a nearby table and wrapped it around his waist, making a hasty exit, not even bothering to collect his clothing.

 

The retreating Lord did not return to his room that night. Instead he donned a simple white yukata from one of the dozens of storage rooms and made his way to family shrine. There were never any guards here stationed here. Widespread fear of the lord's anger protected this part of the castle better than any youkai army. Desecration of the sacred tomb of his family would be a most unforgivable offense. The names of his ancestors were carved into the stone walls and statues of great beasts, mostly dogs stood in frozen mid combat, were scattered around the spacious room. The temple was huge, and since his father's reign this was his quiet hideaway. He leapt onto the back of a stone sculpture, a great inu youkai snarling at some unseen foe. It was nearly the size of Sesshoumaru himself when transformed. He spread out on his back and was quite hidden from anyone who might wander in, unlikely as that was. He had not come here for many years. Since before Rin had come to live in his castle. But right now Sesshoumaru needed the solace of this secret, quiet place. He needed to escape the traitorous thoughts that plagued his mind.

 

He had lusted for Rin.

 

Even now in the clandestine darkness the alluring image of Rin splayed in the water played before him. Steam rose off her creamy skin and breasts and her ebony hair fanned around her like a blossoming poppy. She looked like a whimsical water creature. Surely it was just the urge to relieve himself, further encouraged by Kagura's earlier flirtation…right? I couldn't possibly be that he desired Rin specifically. That would be unforgivable. An abomination. Sesshoumaru closed his gold eyes, refusing to entertain these lethal thoughts any further.

 

Sesshoumaru now sat at his desk trying to concentrate on his work. He had gotten little sleep last night and was in a foul mood. Jakken's ceaseless fussing only incensed his irritation further and he'd sent him his sight with a harsh curse. Sesshoumaru unsealed a letter from a small province on the eastern shore with a clawed finger.

 

“A most humble greeting to the Great Inutaisho. We would like to extend an invitation to our modest lands...” Sesshoumaru's gaze drifted to the window. Two yellow butterflies chased each other in an intricate mating dance. There was a small rap on his door.

 

“Enter.” He replied, still gazing out the window. The door slid open and the mild scent of wild magnolias drifted in. Sesshoumaru looked up just as Rin knelt on the tatami mats beside the door, rolling it shut. She greeted him with a shy smile and he let the letter he'd been holding drift to the floor, studying her with golden eyes.