InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sedition of Will ❯ Music from Another Place ( Chapter 4 )

“Music from Another Place”

 

 

Rin sat in her room at the small vanity in her room examining her reflection in a hand held mirror. Hair in place? Check. Obi tied securely? Check. No really bad haiku ink stains on face? Double-check. Rin set the mirror on vanity and stood up, surveying her comfortable living space. It was modestly furnished but when Rin had first moved in years ago she could scarcely believe this was going to be her room. Before joining Lord Sesshoumaru, Rin often made her bed on the hard ground of the village teahouse cellar. If she was lucky. On more than one occasion Rin had slept among discarded bits of rubbish in dirty alleyways. That was all long behind her now. This entire room was her private place and she revered it as a holy place. To the left was a beautifully carved oak desk near a little window that overlooked the gardens. On her right was a modest dresser and even a small walk in closet. In the center of her room, where she stood now, was her fluffy patterned futon and the delicate ebony vanity.

 

Over the years other odds and ends had collected in her room. Dried flowers and small scrolls of her novice calligraphy decorated the walls. A carefully manicured bonsai tree that Lord Sesshoumaru had given Rin for her tenth birthday sat in the place of honor at her windowsill. In her closet hung several durable kimonos Sesshoumaru had ordered made for her when she'd outgrown her others.

 

Well, she assumed Sesshoumaru had ordered them. Rin was visibly outgrowing her child-sized robes around age fifteen. She'd always been a slender girl and they fit her far longer than a typical child. But Rin would wear a sack cloth before dare complain. Before one of their expeditions on boarder patrol she appeared outside the stables in her ill fitting kimono where Sesshoumaru regarded her with a look of repugnance, but said nothing. When they returned from the week long journey her closet was filled with rows of new adult sized kimonos.

 

Rin's room was probably no more than a storage space at some point. Compared to the other unoccupied rooms of the west wing of the castle it was humble, but it pleased Rin because it was right across the hall from Lord Sesshoumaru's master chambers. Even Jakken, who considered himself Sesshoumaru's head subject, didn't live in the west wing, but rather down in the other servant's quarters on the opposite side of the castle. In fact, until Rin came along, it was absolutely forbidden to enter the west wing except for cleaning once a week. Subdued maids entered quietly, cleaned swiftly, and left as soon as possible. Lord Sesshoumaru still guarded his privacy like a dragon on a mountaintop, and for the most part, his private wing was still off limits to visitors. He'd originally delegated this be her room because of the early threat of a disgruntled staff member taking foolhardy action against Rin. That particular danger had long since passed, but he'd never ordered her take up residence elsewhere so she stayed put without objection.

 

Rin often had to wonder at this. As little girls are inclined, if she had a frightening dream she would become desperate for comfort, and turn to the most powerful figure in her life. Rin would kneel outside his door weeping softly until his door slid open, which she'd take as an invite. Sometimes the sheets of his huge four poster bed would be disarrayed, but Rin never actually saw her lord in his bed. He'd often just be sitting in a large throne like chair in the corner of his chambers as she entered. With great patience he'd allow her into his bed and remain looming nearby. Just being near the grand Inutaisho seemed to chase her terrible dreams of wolf-like figures away, as though if they dared show themselves in his presence he'd reach into her mind and distinguish them. When morning came she'd always be back in her room in her own futon as if nothing ever happened.

 

Rin moved to her desk where Kumiko's gifts were neatly stacked. She picked up her shamisen by its long neck and retrieved her plectrum from a small drawer, tucking it snuggly in her obi. Taking one last look at the mirror on her wall for phantom ink, Rin stepped into the hallway, instrument in hand. She could not believe she was actually going to heed Kumiko's whimsical proposal. But somehow this idea seemed better than running into Sesshoumaru on accident. Rin took a deep breath for courage and strode down the hall. Guards in heavy plate armor tipped the brims of their helms to Rin as she passed through the great hall and she bowed politely to each. Normally at this hour Lord Sesshoumaru would either be in his study or in the training yard. Rin wondered which to try first. Just as she was about to decide Rin was distracted by something knocking at her shin. Rin looked down as Jakken gave her knee another prod with the tip of his Staff of Heads.

 

“Ouch. Stop that.” Rin said with a good-natured sneer.

 

“What are you doing just standing here like a halfwit? Shouldn't you be out killing Ah-Un's ears with your prattling?” Jakken retorted, motioning to her shamisen with his staff. Rin stuck her tongue out at the impish toad.

 

“Have you seen Lord Sesshoumaru this morning?” Rin asked.

 

“The great Lord Sesshoumaru is in his study going over important documents. Don't you even think about both-HEY!” He cried as Rin strode past him.

 

“Thanks Jakken.” She replied with a wave over her shoulder. Jakken snorted and turned his back to her. He glowered at the guards who were snickering audibly at the retainer's expense.

 

Rin followed the turret steps to Lord Sesshoumaru's study. Different smells lingered in these old walls and Rin inertly wondered just how many youkai diplomats had passed through here on their way to the study. Most matters of politics were handled in this region of the castle, as they had been during Inutaisho Toga's reign. Rin reached the top of the stairwell and ventured down the corridor. She could see the door to the Lord's study that adjoined the huge library at the end of the hallway. Rin swept down the wooden passage and knelt outside the study. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath, holding it as she raised a slender hand and rapped her knuckles lightly on the wood barrier. Her heart was fluttering so fast she felt dizzy.

 

“Enter.” A low voice carried through the door. Rin chanted a silent prayer and slide the door open, and stepped inside. She placed her shamisen between herself and the wall as she knelt and shut the door. Slowly Rin raised her eyes to her lord who was sitting across the room behind his desk, looking slightly surprised to see her. Rin offered a bashful smile. Lord Sesshoumaru let go of the parchment he'd been holding and it drifted to join the sizable pile of other papers on his desk.

 

“Good afternoon Lord Sesshoumaru.” Rin said in a small voice and sank into a deep bow, touching her forehead to the tatami mats.

 

He nodded quietly to her. Rin sat up slowly and folded her hands in her lap. She couldn't quite bring herself to meet his piercing gold eyes.

 

“I just wanted to…apologize for interrupting you last night. I didn't mean to make you angry. I…I shouldn't have been so careless. I was just a bit overly eager for a bath I suppose.” Rin admitted truthfully. The room fell silent and she flicked her eyes up. Sesshoumaru was regarding her with mild curiosity.

 

“I am not angry.” He stated simply.

 

A small smile crept to Rin's face.

 

“Well, that is a relief to Rin.” She replied. Sesshoumaru nodded in ascent and seemed to be waiting if she was finished.

 

“I…was wondering…” She started, “I was wondering if perhaps…” Rin stumbled over the words she had practiced so carefully in her hand mirror and she felt her cheeks warming. She cursed her traitorous complexion.

 

“What is it Rin?” His tone was low and indifferent.

 

“Er, well.. Would my lord like to hear me play on my shamisen?” She forced out hastily, reaching behind her grabbing her instrument by the neck. It caught on her foot and she gave it a yank, generating an awful series of twangs. Rin cleared her throat and placed the shamisen on her lap. His eyebrow shot up. I'm going to strangle that meddling teacher of mine! Rin's mind screamed.

 

“If…it would please you.” Came his guarded reply. Rin bowed again and wrestled her plectrum from its resting spot in her obi. She situated herself and pressed the pick to the long strings. Rin decided on “Autumn Leaves”, a gentle hymn she'd been practicing. She plucked out the first few notes. Everything sounded wrong. The pitch was horribly off and she couldn't seem to time the notes correctly. Rin furrowed her eyebrows and tried even harder. This only resulted in her playing getting poorer. It sounded like the room itself was making some sort of choked objection. Sesshoumaru put a stop to the awkward recital.

 

“Rin.” She set down her plectrum and looked miserable. “This Sesshoumaru has to wonder why Rin offers to play when it appears as though that is the farthest from her desires.”

 

“No that's not it at all! Its not that I don't want to play for you, because I really do!” Rin asserted truthfully, leaning forward. “I just…I find it hard. I've never played for my lord before. Even though I know this song quite well my fingers feel like they're made of jelly.” She frowned.

 

“Rin's fingers look fine. Take up the plectrum.” He commanded in a low tone. Rin obeyed and grasped the pick again. “Try again.”

 

A look of solid determination passed over Rin's features and she took in a deep breath. She closed her eyes and gently raked the point of the plectrum over the strings. A ripple of clean sound cascaded from the shamisen and reverberated around the room. Rin saw a tall maple tree in her mind, swaying to and fro in a gentle breeze. All around her red, orange and yellow leaves fluttered through the air. Slowly, the true and perfect melody surrounded her as she plucked out the song. She strummed the instrument without difficulty and it answered her skillful touch eagerly. It felt like Rin was standing in the middle of a swirling whirlwind and her heart raced, feeling quite overwhelmed by something pleasant, yet all together indescribable. The musical poetry came to a gentle conclusion and Rin's vision slowly faded. She opened her eyes and met Sesshoumaru's approving gaze.

 

“Your teacher has taught you well.” He commented smoothly. Rin glowed. She couldn't have been more pleased if a god sailed down from the sky and complimented her.

 

“Thank you Lord Sesshoumaru. Kumiko-san is an excellent teacher.” Rin replied brightly. Sesshoumaru nodded noncommittally. The room grew quiet again, but Rin didn't seem to mind this time. Sesshoumaru leaned back and considered her thoughtfully. He finally picked up the paper he'd let fall earlier and scanned it.

 

“I am going to journey to the east.” He remarked, glancing down at the signature. “Lord Ishimaru has extended an invitation to visit his lands.”

 

“Oh?” Rin asked. “When do you suppose you'll go?” She couldn't hide the disappointment in her tone. Sesshoumaru lifted a brow at her.

 

“You do not wish to accompany your Lord?” He inquired smoothly. Rin blinked.

 

“What? Oh, no! I just thought-…never mind.” She shook her head, mentally cursing. “I would love to go!”

 

“I thought we might leave in the morning.” He stated coolly, finalizing the matter. He folded the letter and tucked it inside his white haori and stood up. Rin thought he meant to leave and she rolled the door open for him. Instead of stepping out as she expected him to he stopped an arm's length from her kneeling form and peered down.

 

“I would not have you wait on me Rin. You are not a palace maid.” He admonished. Rin's cheeks flushed with color. She was about to apologize but he spoke again.

 

“It would please this Sesshoumaru if you joined him in the garden.” And with that he stepped into the hallway. Rin blinked, and then scrambled to her feet, almost forgetting her shamisen. Sesshoumaru was standing outside casually, looking as though it just suited him to be there, though it was obvious he was waiting for her. She bent her head in a respectful bow indicating her readiness. Sesshoumaru said nothing but started down the corridor. He always had a way of looking neither like he rebuffed her presence or particularly welcomed it, but somewhere in between in a mystifying grey area. Rin followed his footsteps as she had many times with an inexplicable smile spreading on her lips.

 

When they entered the great hall Jakken was passing by, “patrolling” the castle grounds with his Staff of Heads firmly in hand. He spotted the pair and trotted up.

 

“Great Lord Sesshoumaru! Is there anything this humble servant can get for you?” Jakken beseeched shrilly. Normally Sesshoumaru would pass right by with nothing to say. Jakken would be pleased anyway, as if being in the very same room as Sesshoumaru fed him. This time the demon lord slowed his step and glanced down at the resolute imp.

 

“Tomorrow morning see that Ah-Un is saddled. We are leaving at dawn.” He commanded efficiently.

 

“Of course my lord!” The toad conceded with a deep bow. “May I ask-...Lord Sesshoumaru?” But the Inutaisho had already left the room with Rin in his wake. The guards snickered and Jakken huffed crossly.

 

 

Rin knelt adjacent to Lord Sesshoumaru in his extravagant gardens idly practicing her shamisen. The demon lord seemed content to gaze into the distance and listen to his young ward work at her skills. He found it somewhat endearing the way she nibbled her lower lip when she was plucking at a particularly difficult note. After awhile Rin's fingers grew tired and she set the instrument aside. She lay back on the soft grass and watched a few fluffy clouds pass. Rin enjoyed these quiet afternoons together more than anything, and it seemed to please her lord as well. A long slender puff of white wrapped around a roundish cloud and it reminded Rin of Sesshoumaru sitting as he was now, wrapped in his fur mantle. Rin glanced at her lord and stifled a giggle. Sesshoumaru raised a questioning eyebrow.

 

Rin grinned impishly.

 

“It's nothing.” She claimed.

Sesshoumaru gave her a stern look that told her he didn't believe her. She grinned under his light scrutiny.

 

“I was just wondering where your fur thing came from.” She offered, pointing her index finger at the sweep of white fur at his shoulder. That was at least partially true. She had always wondered.

 

“I received it when I passed my test of manhood.” Sesshoumaru stated with mild apathy, placing his hands in the wide sleeves of his haori. Rin rolled onto her side, expressing her curiosity.

 

“You're what?”

 

“It is tradition for the sons of the Inutaisho clan to prove themselves when they reach a certain age.” Sesshoumaru replied airily.

 

“To get a furry scarf?” Sesshoumaru shot her an impatient glance.

 

“This is not a scarf. It's the tail of snow beast.” He snorted.

 

Rin was unperturbed.

 

“In order to prove himself, a male must go into the mountains unaccompanied and kill one of the feline beasts that reside there. If he returns with the tail he is then considered worthy to call himself a man of Inu no Taisho.” He explained. Rin plucked a blade of grass and rolled it between her fingers lazily.

 

“And if he doesn't? Rin asked after a pause.

 

“Then it is best he doesn't return.” Sesshoumaru shrugged.

 

Rin found she wasn't very fond of this Inuyoukai tradition. Not that she knew many. Still, she wondered.

 

“Why doesn't Inuyasha have one?” She asked quietly.

 

Sesshoumaru set his jaw. The subject of his brother had always been a touchy one, but in recent years it seemed less offensive as it once had. Since the defeat of Naraku, Lord Sesshoumaru didn't feel the unrestrained rage he once had for his hanyou brother, but he still chose his words carefully.

 

“My father died when Inuyasha was still very young. I do not believe he had the opportunity to pose him the challenge.” Sesshoumaru answered in a low tone, running a hand through the pelt at his shoulder. Rin gave a slight nod.

 

“I haven't seen Inuyasha or his friends since you killed Naraku.” Rin thought aloud. Sesshoumaru did not offer a reply.

 

“So your father wore a snow beast tail too?” Rin asked, cocking her head to the side.

 

Sesshoumaru's eye twitched. How could one human female have so many ceaseless questions? When Rin first came to him she was mute. It was months before she finally regained her voice, and ever since then he sometimes wondered if it was against his best interests.

 

“My father killed a snow beast larger than any recalled in the family scrolls.” He finally replied. His tone was rich with veneration. Rin admired how much respect Sesshoumaru always exhibited towards his father. It was the only time her lord openly, and quite willingly, acknowledged a superior being.

 

“What was he like? If you don't mind me asking.” She implored softly.

 

Sesshoumaru closed his eyes and smirked inwardly.

 

“This Sesshoumaru suspects you would have liked him very much.”

 

His voice was deep and soothing to Rin, and she decided not to press her luck any further. Experience had taught her if she pressed him with too many questions all at once he would grow impatient and leave, and she was enjoying their time together. Rin rolled onto her back again was quiet; she had much food for thought.

 

They stayed in the garden together as the sun inched across the sky, approaching its resting place beyond the horizon, casting soft orange and salmon hues. Rin sneaked a peak at her lord's profile. He was sitting against a cherry tree with his legs stretched in front of him. His eyes were closed and he seemed to be engaging in a private reverie. Rin couldn't help but admire how beautiful he looked, so much like the day she first set eyes on him. Had life not been so cruel to her in those first years of her young life she might have feared him, but in hindsight it was probably those very hardships that joined her with her lord. So strange how things unravel, Rin mused. She snapped out of her daze when she realized Sesshoumaru had opened his eyes and was now looking at her skeptically. Rin averted her eyes and blushed at being caught staring so impolitely. She felt Sesshoumaru still peering at her. After a moment he looked away and stood up.

 

“Its time to go.” Sesshoumaru stated neutrally.

 

Rin nodded agreeably and gathered up her shamisen. She was feeling quite fatigued; it had been a long day. Sesshoumaru was gazing into the distance with his hands still thrust in his sleeves while she collected herself. Any other person might have missed Lord Sesshoumaru's subtle body language, but Rin knew the way his chin lowered a fraction that he was waiting for her. She smiled softly and took her place at his side to which he strode forward. Together they crossed the gravel path of the garden and under the high Shinto gates into the courtyard. He halted when they reached the great hall and he bid her good night with a slight inclination of his head. Rin answered with a deep bow and they parted ways, Rin going to the kitchen for a quick dinner and Sesshoumaru retiring to the west wing. Rin felt a pang of incomprehensible yearning he disappeared into the shadowy passage. If she had the choice they would never say good-byes, however silly and illogical that sounded. The last she saw was his long coils of snowy silvered hair, swaying to and fro with each elegant stride before he was gone entirely.