InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sedition of Will ❯ Secret Place ( Chapter 6 )

Sedition of Will

“Secret Place”

 

The fire had died down hours ago leaving only the glowing coals. The moon was a small sliver in the sky, and provided very little light. His traveling companions had fallen asleep in a heap, looking like some misfit litter of den dwelling creatures. Occasionally Ah-Un made a rumble in his sleep, but other than the occasional snap from the still live coals, the forest was silent. Jakken was sprawled at the base of the dragon's tail, a string of saliva hanging from his gaping mouth. Rin was curled between Ah-Un's twin heads, wrapped in the warm blanket of his mane. Only the two golden orbs of Sesshoumaru's eyes shone out of the darkness. From here he could see the delicate profile of Rin's face as she slept. Her skin looked as creamy and fragile as porcelain doll's in the dim moonlight. Sesshoumaru was vaguely aware of movement on Tensaiga's hilt.

 

“She is a pretty young thing isn't she? I can see why you keep her around.” Myoga noted aloud. Sesshoumaru pointedly ignored the flea youkai. “Though I must say I was a bit surprised she remains untouched.” He added thoughtfully.

 

“That is none of your concern.” Sesshoumaru replied sharply.

 

“Nonsense boy! I promised your father I'd look after his boys.” The flea snapped, crossing his tiny arms airily. “Though I suppose it's wise to keep pretty human girls at arms length. Such beautiful flowers seem to wither overnight.” He reasoned.

 

Sesshoumaru snorted.

 

“Though I don't know where on earth you'll find another female willing to put up with your antics.” Myoga observed unequivocally.

 

Sesshoumaru let that comment pass unrequited.

 

“If you are not going to claim her, do you think it is wise to keep her from those who might? She appears a happy healthy girl now, but she might want a family one day.” Myoga stated, taking a serious tone. “Have you ever thought about returning her to her people?” Sesshoumaru gazed levelly at his father's servant.

 

“That matter…plagues this Sesshoumaru every day.” He admitted truthfully.

 

Myoga seemed to consider this.

 

“You know I think you two would make a happy couple. I never saw your father so happy as when he was courting Princess Izayoi.” Myoga chuckled.

 

“That's enough, Myoga.” Sesshoumaru growled, casting daggers of annoyance at the flea. Myoga sniggered with unbridled mirth.

 

“But in all seriousness, how bad would it be to take the girl who awoke Tessaiga?” Myoga asked, giving the hilt he was seated on a commendable pat.

 

Sesshoumaru remained silent..

 

“When your father had it commissioned he dictated specifically that its powers could only be released with `a loving heart.” Myoga recalled. “Surely you've thought of that.”

 

“Good intentions do not a match make.” Sesshoumaru said dryly. “Rin's admirable qualities are greatly numbered, but even I cannot alter her humanity.” His golden eyes almost seemed forlorn to Myoga. The flea scoffed.

 

“Rin's humanity isn't an affliction young Inutaisho. Could you imagine her a demon? Pfft!”

 

Sesshoumaru silently admitted he could not.

 

“That would make her something different. Something not Rin.” Myoga piped.

 

“That may be.” Sesshoumaru conceded. “But Rin…is not for this Sesshoumaru.”

 

“Hmph. You sons of my lord sure are a stubborn lot.” Myoga huffed. “In any case, its time for me to get going. You should think about visiting that brother of yours. Imagine the surprise on his face!” Myoga chuckled, stretching his little limbs. Sesshoumaru remained silent. Myoga hopped down from Tensaiga's hilt.

 

“Farwell young Lord Sesshoumaru. Take good care of the girl and that simpering imp!” He said over his shoulder with a wave.

 

“Myoga.”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“Don't.”

 

“Eh? Oh. Heh heh heh…” Myoga rubbed his scalp sheepishly and climbed down from Rin's cheek, leaving her unbitten. The flea waved good-bye again and jumped off into the forest, disappearing for good. Sesshoumaru watched him go and tilted his head back against the tree trunk making a sound akin to a sigh. He closed his eyes, willing himself not to indulge in observing the girl as she slept.

 

 

Something tickled Rin's nose. She swatted it away with her hand. The gentle prickle came back.

 

“Ahh-CHOO!” She sneezed right into Ah-Un's mane.

 

Rubbing her eyes groggily Rin sat up. Dawn was approaching already. She stretched her arms high above her head, yawning expansively. She pushed herself up from her bed between the dragon's necks and wiped the sleep from her lashes. Ah-Un twitched an ear, barely taking notice of the early rising girl. Jakken was still snoring loudly at the dragon's flank. Rin automatically looked for Sesshoumaru, but he didn't seem to be anywhere in sight. The morning mist was thick and clung to the forest like a blanket, adding to the overall quiet. Grey clouds were brewing low in the sky trying to obscure the sunrise. Rin hoped it wouldn't rain.

 

Rin walked to the charred remains of last nights fire and took up a stick, stirring the ashes. The morning air was a bit chilly and she hoped a few live coals remained. They were not. Rin looked up at Jakken, who was still out cold, and thought about rousing him to rekindle the fire but then thought better of it. Let him sleep, they'd be leaving soon anyway. Rin rubbed her hands against her arms for warmth and stepped out of clearing in hopes of foraging up some breakfast. She thought she might have seen some wild carrots growing around here, but if not she could always eat some more of those scrumptious mushrooms. Much to her delight she found a blackberry bush thickly laden with the first fat berries of spring. She reached into the sleeve of her kimono and procured a handkerchief. She plucked the berries from the bush, mindful of its catching thorns, and filled the square of silk with as she could. Rin marched exuberantly back to the campfire occasionally popping a blackberry in her mouth.

 

At the fire Ah-Un and Jakken had finally risen and were lumbering about, though there was still no sign of Lord Sesshoumaru. She helped Jakken saddle Ah-Un while the dragon bent his two heads to the grass noisily chomping. The morning fog wasn't lifting even as the sun tried to peak its way through the stubborn grey clouds.

 

“It looks like it might rain today.” Rin said more or less to herself. “Not exactly good flying weather.” Jakken only grunted his reply.

 

“That is why we shall walk.” Sesshoumaru spoke up.

 

He was sitting at the edge of the clearing propped against a tree, looking as though he'd always been there. Rin smiled and bid him good morning. Jakken unleashed a typical string of praise, of which nobody really paid any mind. Sesshoumaru pushed himself off the tree and approached his small clan of followers, hands hidden in the long sleeves of his haori. Rin held up her handkerchief of blackberries with a comical smile. Sesshoumaru gave her a look as if to say `not likely'. Rin grinned sheepishly and gave the rest to Ah-Un who finished the treat off in a few gulps. Sesshoumaru had never taken any of her edible offerings from the very beginning, but she had never stopped trying. Somehow it felt like an ongoing private joke.

 

Sesshoumaru turned his back to them and started making his way easily through the forest, following a path he'd scouted earlier. Though he'd issued no commands, Ah-Un lumbered after him. Rin and Jakken, not wanting to be left behind, trotted behind. For awhile they walked in silence with only the quiet whispers of the green forest around them. Droplets of moisture fell from leaves and plinked to the forest floor and the occasional bird twittered to each other. The foliage was thick but Rin picked up her pace and joined Sesshoumaru at his side.

 

“How far do you suppose we are from Lord Ishimaru's province?” Rin asked.

 

“Possibly a few days.” He replied watching the path ahead casually.

 

“If you don't mind me asking, who is Ishimaru? I've never heard you speak of him.” Rin asked.

 

“He's the Lord of Turtles. He had strong ties with the Dog Clan during my father's rule.”

 

“Oh. You must have lots to talk about with him if it's been that long.” Rin concluded.

 

“Not especially.” Sesshoumaru replied loftily. He glanced down and saw the slightly puzzled look on Rin's face.

 

“This isn't an excessively political call.” He explained at length.

 

“Oh…well it's still nice to be outside in the open again.” Rin mused, stretching her arms above her head.

 

“I had that in mind.” Sesshoumaru replied. Rin blinked.

 

“Lord Sesshoumaru, you didn't make this trip on my behalf did you?” Rin asked, suddenly feeling self conscious. Sesshoumaru lifted a brow.

 

“That would alarm you?”

 

“Well, no…it's just that…I don't want to trouble you is all. You've always been so kind to me.” Rin murmured. Color was rushing to her cheeks and her hands fidgeted at her sash.

 

“It was time to get out of the castle.” Sesshoumaru stated simply.

 

Rin walked by her lord in silence for a few minutes trying to control the spreading grin on her face. She really did owe all her happiness to him. He had given her everything she ever needed and never asked for anything in return. And on top of that Lord Sesshoumaru still surprised her with such small acts of consideration. Rin had never adored anything more in her life than she did the Prince of Dogs. Suddenly she took his sleeve and stopped.

 

“Look at that!” She cried, gesturing at something to her right.

 

Sesshoumaru halted at the tug on his haori and glanced down. Rin was pointing at something in the trees and he traced the length of her slender arm with his gaze. Rin let go of him and dashed into the forest. Sesshoumaru hesitated, and then slowly moved after her. When he came upon her he saw what she'd been pointing at with such excitement. Rin stood in front of a truly magnificent forest grove surrounding a small pond. The glassy circlet of the pool was enclosed by thick iridescent moss that seemed to creep slowly from the water's edge. Small glowing insects danced above the still water, flitting this way and that, their luminescence reflected on the smooth surface. Rin was absolutely mesmerized by the magical copse and couldn't seem take her eyes of it, as though if she blinked just once she might forget its splendor.

 

“Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?” She said barely above a whisper. The pool was truly a rare and marvelous sight, but Sesshoumaru found his eyes were drawn not to the water, but instead fell on the awestruck girl beside him. Her eyes had the same look of fascination that he had seen many years before when she first found him wounded in the forest. Sesshoumaru had seen many sights in his long life that were pleasing to the eye, including this place, but they all seemed oddly bland. He preferred this quiet moment with the intriguing young human than to any that came to mind. `Yes,' he thought to himself, `I have.' He placed a gentle claw on Rin's shoulder snapping her out of her daze. She smiled up at him with those bright innocent eyes and a thrum of serenity passed between them. There was no one quite like Rin. Her soft pink lips pursed and she looked at him as if waiting for him to speak. If only…

 

“We should go.” He said finally, removing his hand from her small shoulder. Rin nodded and followed after him back to the path, casting one last lingering glance over her shoulder at the quiet pool. She was certain as soon as they left it would be swallowed up by the forest once again. They rejoined Ah-Un and Jakken at the narrow trail and continued on their way eastward. Rin swung her arms freely as she nearly skipped behind her lord, feeling quite full of unmistakable happiness.