InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sedition of Will ❯ Pieces in Place ( Chapter 9 )

Sedition of Will

“Pieces in Place”

 

When Rin finally became aware of herself again she found her surroundings had quite changed. She was no longer soaked to the bone shivering in darkness, in fact quite the opposite. Rin was enveloped in warmth and softness. Somewhere a wind chime was clinking amiably and the air smelled fresh and salty like the sea. Her eyes fluttered open and slowly adjusted to the clean light filtering through a single window. She was in the middle of a large bed in an unfamiliar, but pleasant looking room. For all the loveliness around her, Rin's body felt quite the reverse. She felt stiff and worn as she slowly sat herself up. A dull pain ached in her leg and she reached under the covers, brushing her fingertips against fresh bandages on her thigh. Rin slowly recalled the last thing she could remember. There was the rain…then the wolf youkai…and Lord Sesshoumaru. He had saved her from a certain death. He'd killed the wolf and rescued her even after…

 

Rin raised a hand to her face and covered her eyes, lowering herself back into the pillows.

 

“I'm a fool..” Rin murmured to herself.

 

“You've finally decided to wake.” A low voice resonated in the room. Rin blinked and sat up on her elbow. Lord Sesshoumaru was sitting in a shaded corner adjacent to her bed in a heavy mahogany chair. He leaned against the high back with his sharp claws curved around the knobby armrests. Rin couldn't see his face but his gold eyes gleamed in the available light, gazing at her. He had been watching her?

 

“Lord Sesshoumaru…I…where are we?” Rin finally asked, looking confused and a bit uneasy.

 

“Lord Ishimaru's castle on the eastern shore.” He replied smoothly.

 

“Already? How long was I asleep?” She asked, rubbing her temples.

 

“Four days.”

 

“Four days? How can that be?” She cried, bolting upright. True, her body felt depleted; her injuries must have been far worse than she imagined. She heard the whisper of fabric shifting as Sesshoumaru stood and moved across the room. Rin felt the bed depress as he settled on the edge. His long white mane fanned around him and he turned his upper body towards her. The expression on his face was, as usual, completely unreadable, but he seemed to be scrutinizing her. Slowly he raised his hand to her forehead. After a moment he seemed satisfied with what he felt and withdrew. Rin watched his clawed hand disappear into the folds of his white and red sleeve. She flicked her eyes upward to meet his. Sesshoumaru was studying her in such she felt like a bug might feel right before a foot squashed it. `Say something. Anything!' her mind screamed.

 

“How…how are Jakken and Ah-Un?” She finally squeaked.

“I would imagine they can take care of themselves.”

 

“My Lord must be angry with Rin for..”

 

“You should not have left the cave alone.” He cut her off curtly. Sesshoumaru's elegant brows were drawn in such a way that Rin recognized as agitation. She cast her eyes downward as her cheeks began to flush redness. `I've disgraced myself again' Rin moaned inwardly. She could feel Sesshoumaru's piercing eyes burning into her but she was unable meet them. Rin couldn't think of anything to say that wouldn't just anger him more. Silence reigned throughout the room. Finally she heard him exhale deeply.

 

“It was not my intention to alarm you, Rin. Certain habits of mine…are difficult to address at times.” He finished slowly.

 

Rin blinked in confusion. Keeping her chin pointed downward she stole a peek at his face. Sesshoumaru was no longer looking at her, but instead gazing out the window. His expression was calm and beautiful as ever. Rin felt like she wanted to say something but the right words wouldn't come. The uncomfortable silence continued until Rin thought her bones would jump out of her skin and skulk away to escape the discomfort. Finally he spoke.

 

“It displeases this Sesshoumaru when you are careless with your life. I would ask you do not do it again.” He said neutrally, turning back to her slowly. If it were possible, he almost seemed a bit worn. When he said nothing further she realized he was waiting for her response. A smile tugged at the corner of Rin's lips.

 

“Never again Lord Sesshoumaru. I promise.” She replied, barely hiding her relief and delight. As if she could deny him anything. Especially something like that! Sesshoumaru rarely asked anything of her, and if he did it was always something trivial. He commanded. If there was something he desired, which was not often, he simply took it. He did not make practice of asking. This was a rare and special luxury, and Rin savored it. Her smile broadened and he passed her a bemused look.

 

“Thank you Lord Sesshoumaru. For rescuing me..again.” She said in a small voice. An inexplicable blush dusted Rin's cheeks. Sesshoumaru studied her quietly. Rin glowed when in his good graces as if nothing in the world pleased her more. A truly uncanny human, he thought. Sesshoumaru nodded slightly and her smile widened.

 

“I have to go on a short journey. I would have you mind your recovery in my absence.” He said with sincerity. Rin's joyous smile faded.

 

“You're leaving? Now?” She asked in a diminutive voice.

 

“Yes. There is something I must do.”

 

“Will my Lord return soon?” Her eyes pleaded. She knew it was none of her business to question him but for some reason the thought of him going away pained her more strongly than she expected it to.

 

“In a few days.” Sesshoumaru replied. He placed a hand on her shoulder and gently pushed her back on the pillows. The urge to take his hand and beg him not to go struck Rin, but it seemed too childish. Sesshoumaru watched her distress with furtive amusement.

 

“When I return Rin, there is something important I will discuss with you.” His tone was calm yet hinted imperativeness. Rin's heart fluttered with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. The expression on his face reminded Rin of a faint smile. After a quiet pause he stood up and gazed down at her.

 

“Lord Ishimaru and his household will look after you. Follow their orders on your recovery. I will require you be healthy when I return.” He instructed somberly. Rin smile and nodded eagerly. With that he turned his back started to leave.

 

“Safe journey Lord Sesshoumaru!” She called out to him. As Sesshoumaru rolled open the door he inclined his head slightly and stepped out. The door slipped close and Rin watched the place where he departed for a few quiet moments.

 

Rin stretched her arms above her, a faraway grin spreading on her lips. She could manage a few days, right? She wondered what he wanted to talk to her about. Lord Sesshoumaru wouldn't have mentioned it unless it was something important. He wasn't the type to speak unless it was something that needed saying. Often times Rin had tried to emulate his nature but with her outward personality that never lasted long. Eventually the urge to run rather than walk always won. In any case, her way was much more fun she thought with an inward grin. Rin took a deep breath and set those thoughts aside for now.

 

Rin observed her surroundings more closely, taking it in piece by piece. It really was a lovely room. Her bed was large and rose off the ground by four wooden posts that reached halfway to the high ceiling. Cream colored drapes formed a charming canopy that gave Rin the impression she was in a small room within the room. The walls were lined with silken panels painted with scenes of a palace overlooking a river. Tiny fisherman cast there nets and women in kimono carried baskets up winding roads. A small window on opposite wall bathed the room in warm light. Hanging from its sill was a quaint ceramic wind chime that jingled a soft note from time to time. The last object in the room was the chair Sesshoumaru had been sitting in. Rin imagined it was still warm from his touch. How long had he been sitting there she wondered. Slowly her mind wandered back to their encounter at the cave. Rin brushed a hand against her arm. His hands had been there. She touched her fingertips to her lips as if some secret from his previous caress would be revealed. Her lips tingled at memory. Sesshoumaru's firm beautiful skin touching…

 

Before she could think too long about it there was a faint knock on the door. She looked up just as it rolled open and in walked a very haughty looking Jakken. Her hands dropped to her lap and Rin couldn't hide her delight at seeing him as he strolled up to her bedside clutching the Staff of Heads. In behind him shuffled a pleasant looking female youkai she'd never seen before.

 

“Bout' time you woke up girl!” Jakken quipped. “You rival a bear for hibernation!” Rin gave a wide grin.

 

“Good to see you too Jakken.” Jakken scoffed and waved his Staff of Heads at her that gave Rin the impression of an old woman shaking a finger at one of her grandchildren.

 

“You had Ah-Un all worried!” He said with a snort.

 

“Oh really? Well you can tell Ah-Un that I'm doing much better now.” Rin gave a mock look of exasperation. Rin gazed up at the ceiling thoughtfully.

 

“Jakken?”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“Did Lord Sesshoumaru bring me here?”

 

“He most certainly did. And a good thing too. Don't know what was going on in that thick head of yours but you were attacked by a rogue youkai. Without Lord Sesshoumaru's quick thinking you'd be wolf food.” Jakken announced puckishly.

 

“Oh…I'm thankful alright…do you know where Lord Sesshoumaru went? He said he had to go on a short trip away from the castle.”

 

“That's none of your business girl! The lord goes when and where he pleases.” Jakken huffed.

 

“So you don't know either.”

 

“Hmph!”

 

Rin giggled and pulled Jakken into a hug. He yelped and gave a half hearted struggle. After a vigorous squeeze she released him and he straightened his tall black hat, trying to look flustered. Rin leaned back in her pillows and the female youkai that had followed Jakken in spoke up for the first time.

 

“Excuse me Lady Rin, I'm Michiyo, the castle healer. I'd like to look at your leg if you would be so kind as to allow me.” She said in a soft tone, sinking down into a deep bow. Rin smiled.

 

“Just call me `Rin'. And of course you can. I'd like to see it for myself.” Rin replied.

 

Michiyo wore a simple plum colored kimono with a silver obi. She had kind green eyes and wavy golden hair that fell nearly to the floor. Poking out from behind her bangs were two white ears that might have looked like Inuyasha's except they were perfectly round. Rin guessed she was a mouse youkai. Michiyo fixed Jakken with a pointed look. He coughed and gathered up his staff and strolled out of the room, calling out over his shoulder:

 

“Get better soon. Lord Sesshoumaru's orders!”

 

Michiyo smiled softly and knelt next to Rin's bed, peeling back the thick covers. The mouse youkai had a gentle touch and she carefully unwrapped the linens around Rin's leg. Rin observed with interest as the bandages fell away. Running down the length of her thigh was a long thin gash. It had scabbed over and looked well on its way to healing.

 

“Well that's not as bad as I thought it would be. When the wolf grabbed me I thought he was going to yank my whole leg off.” Rin remarked. Michiyo smiled up at her with evident humor.

 

“Well my lady, it's much healed since when you first arrived.” Michiko reached into a small bag at her hip and pulled out a mortar and pestle. She procured a few dry leaves from her sleeve and began mashing them into a fine powder. Rin had seen this done once before by the village miko when she was a child. She watched with great curiosity as the mouse youkai sprinkled the green powder over her cut. Where the powder touched her skin it tingled as though someone were tickling her with a cattail reed. Rin squirmed.

 

“This speeds healing quite a bit.” Michiyo explained. “When Lord Sesshoumaru first brought you here you were quite close to death. But you'll be dancing again in no time.”

Michiyo began retying Rin's leg with a fresh length of unbleached linen. “In the mean time, I brought you these.” Rin groaned as Michiyo leaned a pair of crutches against her bed. The healer chuckled lightly.

 

“Not to worry, it's just for a few days. Ah, I also was told to give you this.” Michiyo reached under the bed and pulled something out, setting it on the edge of the mattress. It was Rin's traveling satchel. Rin clapped her hands together and pulled the pack to her, giving it a welcome hug. It was a little worn around the edges but still intact. Michiyo smiled at the girl's delight.

 

“Your leg looks healed enough to try those crutches later. Lord Ishimaru invites you to dinner if you are feeling well enough.” Michiyo said as she gathered up her things.

 

“After four days in this bed I think I'd find just about any excuse to get up.” Rin replied, stretching her legs gratefully.

 

“Marvelous, I'll have someone bring up a tub of warm water. I'm sure you'll be wanting a bath.”

 

Rin nearly tackled Michiko with a bear hug at those magic words.

 

 

 

The old turtle lord sat on a stool in the pavilion of his garden with a deep frown hidden between his folded hands. His bushy white eyebrows were furrowed together with creases of concentration, causing his old face to appear even more wrinkled. The only sound was the beat of his quickened pulse and the nearly audible thrum of tension in the air. A bead of sweat trickled down his temple as he slowly reached forward and picked up a bishop and tapped it down gently to the other side of the checkered board. Across from the table sat a perfectly calm Sesshoumaru who regarded him with mild interest. Ishimaru watched with hawklike eyes as Sesshoumaru leaned forward and moved his rook a few paces.

 

“Check mate, old man.” He said coolly.

 

“Whaaaaat?! Not again!” Ishimaru howled, rubbing a hand over his wrinkled scalp. The aged turtle youkai chuckled heartily, observing his defeat with good humor. “Impressive young Lord Sesshoumaru. You certainly have more of an eye for shogi than your father did.”

 

Sesshoumaru smirked.

 

“So how's the young lady doing?” Ishimaru asked as he began plucking up the Japanese chess pieces and putting them in starting order.

 

“Rin is awake.”

 

“Ahhhh, that's good to hear. Michiyo is a most talented healer. Depended on that girl for my aching bones for centuries.” The turtle lord cackled. “So how about another game eh? I got a surefire plan of attack this time. I've been tak'in it easy on you!”

 

“I am leaving now.” Sesshoumaru replied. He picked up his swords he'd set aside and secured them in his sash.

 

“Ahhh, that mysterious quest of yours. Where is it you're going exactly?”

 

“I do not believe that is any of your concern.” Sesshoumaru replied smoothly and turned to leave. Ishimaru sat back with a wide toothless grin.

 

“You may beat your father in shogi but he certainly had better manners than you!” He cackled. “You're going to the land of fire aren't you?”

 

“And if I am?”

 

“Ahhh, well that's to be expected I suppose. She's a pretty girl. Well don't you worry we'll watch after her. You be careful young lord.” He instructed with a wave of his hand. Sesshoumaru brushed his long swath of white hair over his shoulder smugly and stepped out of the pavilion. Guards stepped respectfully out of his path as he approached the castle gates. Without a glance back Sesshoumaru leapt into the air and soared off on his errand.