InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Surprise my mind ❯ Part II ( Chapter 2 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Chapter Two, Part II

Jaken was unsure what to make of his lord's kindness towards the human girl. It wasn't that he didn't like her, it just surprised him that Lord Sesshomaru would take in the girl. He didn't like humans and keeping her around him wouldn't be wise, especially because of the business he worked in. Lord Sesshomaru must have seen the defiant glint in Jarnec's eyes when he had rebuked him. Jarnec was one of those demons that had it in for a specific type of human...And unfortunately, he seemed to think that young children were the tastier types. It was because of such things that Jaken wondered if Sesshomaru actually intended on allowing Rin to stay. She would be in danger every second, minute, and hour of the day! Surely his lord understood this? Jaken sighed, glancing at Rin, who was staring out the window of the carriage, absorbed in her thoughts. Humans could be so hard to read at times.

Rin, however thoughtful she was, could feel Jaken's gaze on her face and was careful to not expose what she was thinking. She was having a difficult time accepting that she was going to stay in the comfort of her new lord's home. He wasn't like the others, who abused her and raped her. A shiver went up her spine and she bit her lip, before her eyes passed over a family that was outside, laughing. Poor though they were, they were much more lively and cheerful than rich family's were. It almost made Rin wonder who her family was. She couldn't remember them, unfortunately, which made depression fall on her heavily like a rock. When the carriage stopped, she snapped out of her dismal thoughts and turned to Jaken and Sesshomaru, her face lit up like a torch. Letting them know her true feelings at that moment might not be wise. She had only known them since that morning, so she would be prudent (careful, cautious) about showing her emotions.

“Come on, Rin,” Jaken told her, opening the door and hopping out as Sesshomaru closed the door. “Our lord won't wait for us like your previous one's would.” She opened her mouth to tell him that her other lord's didn't even let her leave the house, but refrained from doing so. If she admitted the truth about her previous life as a servant, she might get thrown out onto the street again. It's happened and Rin was almost positive that it could repeat itself. But Lord Sesshomaru and Master Jaken are different, she told herself. Would they be so cruel? Not able to answer her own question, Rin hurried after Lord Sesshomaru, leaving Jaken crying out behind her, trying to get through the thick snow. She had tripped twice and fell in the snow, but kept going.

“Master Jaken, hurry up!” She called, scrambling over the snow bank and rolling onto the stone pathway. Jaken rolled down after her, slamming into her, making her fall back down. Both hastily brushed away the snow and went after Sesshomaru, who had been listening to them all the while. Their loyalty amused him, but also made him sure that Rin was going to be like Jaken and if he asked it of either of them, they would probably sacrifice their life for him.

John and Oliver were two sentries that guarded the doors in the daytime. When they spotted the demon, both exchanged glances. Last time he had been visiting, they had had an unfortunate incident with him. John had spoken against him and said something rather insulting, so Sesshomaru nearly decapitated him. Fortunately for Sesshomaru, he was a highly respected demon in London. Without him, London would be flooded with demons. Wincing at that thought, both males stiffened.

“My lord,” Oliver greeted. “You have a new servant?” His eyes moved over to the young girl, Rin. He knew her from her other lords. Both he and John were impressed by how nicely kept she was compared to her other outfits (which mostly consisted of rags and if she was lucky, worn slippers.)

“Yes...” Sesshomaru glanced at Rin, who was behind Jaken. She apparently knew better than to stand right beside her master. “Rin, come up here beside me.” Ignoring Jaken's dirty remarks that were muttered under his breath, Sesshomaru pointed beside the toad-like demon. Rin almost seemed to go pale as she bowed her head and shuffled up next to him. Satisfied, the demon turned back to the stunned guards. “Is he in?”

“His Majesty?” John spoke up with an arrogant lilt to his voice. “Of course, you have an appointment with him, don't you?” Without answering, Sesshomaru went ahead into the palace as Oliver opened the doors. Rin and Jaken followed him, the girl giving a glance towards John, almost curious.

“You're going to get yourself killed that way,” Oliver told him with a scowl. “I'd advise you, my friend, to be careful with that conceited attitude of yours. Lord Sesshomaru isn't one to be patient with another's anger.”

“Humph,” he snorted, then paused, contemplative. “You know, it's not like him to bring in a young lass like that.”

“I was thinking of that as well. A human, too!” The two glanced at each other. “You don't suppose...?”

“Ha! I doubt it. He's much too high and superior to waste himself on a young one like that.”

“True. I hope that he treats Rin all right, though. The others she's served for were blunt bastards towards her.” The latter nodded in agreement and they fell silent, praying that Rin would do all right with the demon.

When the three entered the conference chambers, Rin couldn't help but notice the familiar faces. A few of the men that she had once served shuffled around, attempting to get a better look at her. She almost drew back to run out of the room, but she was certain that would get her out of her lord's favor. The king, James I, was sitting on the throne, a heavy cloak about him, protecting him from the cold that seeped in through the cracks. The large fireplace in the circular room only gave so much heat. Rin glanced at Jaken, hesitantly wondering if they should bow. Seeing that neither Sesshomaru, nor Jaken did so, she kept her head and spine straight.

“My lord, Sesshomaru,” James spoke, his eyes cool. “How do you?”

“Fine.”

“And you have another servant?”

“Yes.” The short responses would have been hostile to anyone else, but the king understood Sesshomaru well enough that it meant the complete opposite. He smiled tightly, then waved a hand, dismissing everyone else out of the conference chambers. They reluctantly left, many shooting curious looks towards Rin. When they were all gone, James' eyes moved towards Rin and his smiled eased just a bit.

“Rin, you have yet a new master,” he acknowledged. “I am, I admit, surprised that you've taken her in, my lord.” Sesshomaru didn't reply. He kept his steady gaze on the king, his eyes narrowing slightly. Despite his cocky, confident attitude, he knew better than to challenge the king with so much as a bold look. James was no fool and he knew Sesshomaru's insolent looks, especially when they were shot at someone in his presence. The demon had once shot a similar look to him and he had warned him, `If you are so accustomed to being superior over others, Lord Sesshomaru, perhaps you should return to Japan. It might do you and your demon companions good!' The bluff was risky and he was thankful that Sesshomaru remained in his service.

James' eyes moved over Rin, who looked better taken care of than she had the last time he had glimpsed her. He had heard the rumors from his men that Rin had been through many masters and had been beaten and raped countless times. It was a miracle the young girl hadn't broken down and killed herself. However, the king that felt that if she was in the company of the eccentric (odd) and enigmatic (mysterious) demon, she would be protected against such sinful things. He couldn't help but want to smile at the thought that the lord Sesshomaru was becoming soft hearted because of the gentle lass.

“I have a matter to discuss with you,” he told the king with an indifferent glance to the curious audience in the room. James also looked towards them, almost ruefully. His court was normally always near him during discussions and he didn't feel completely comfortable having a private discussion with the powerful demon lord, Sesshomaru. Sighing, he waved a hand, dismissing the court. They shuffled out of the room, muttering spitefully under their breath. Rin watched as many of her previous masters and mistresses shot looks at her. Timidly, she pressed herself closer to Jaken and Sesshomaru. Her master turned slightly, his eyes moving towards the people that lingered in the doorway to stare/glare at Rin. Noticing, Sesshomaru frowned. They felt the demon's gaze on them and looked up, almost all at the same time. They winced at his mutinous glare and they hastily left, the doors closing behind them. Turning back to the king, Sesshomaru's eyes moved down to Rin, who had her head bowed, almost in embarrassment.

“What is it that you wish to speak of then, my lord?” The king asked him politely, carefully concealing the irritation and fear that was present. If Sesshomaru knew just how frightened he was at that moment, the demon would no doubt feed on him right then and there. Swallowing at that thought, James stood up and strolled to the fireplace, shivering slightly. “My lord?” He repeated, glancing in the corner of his eye as Sesshomaru took his time joining the King of England.

“Jarnec has informed me there has been some nasty rumors of demons going around,” he mentioned casually. James scowled, realizing that Sesshomaru expected him to quiet them down. Alas, the chitchat of the ton was not, in anyway, something that James could take care of instantly. The noble gentlemen and gentlewomen of the ton would do as they saw fit - and talk as they saw fit for that matter. However, the king did know that what his mortal gentlepeople were speaking of was more than harsh - it was completely inaccurate. Absolutely inaccurate, and yet, he had no desire to stop the rumors. It would serve Sesshomaru and his race right. The demon lord should have kept better track of his kin. If he did, these matters wouldn't pop up like a man's - “Well?”

The king James snapped out of his thoughts and he glanced at Sesshomaru warily, “Well what?”

“Do you know what it is that I speak of?” Sesshomaru had little more patience for the king. Hell, he had never had patience for the man in the first place. He just about rubbed his temples, feeling oddly sick and weary. This task was proving to be more difficult than it should be. All that he could think of was when he got back home, he could sleep his life away if he wished it. That, or get Jaken or Rin to stab him in the heart. Either way, both ways were tempting.

“Yes, yes,” James waved a hand in annoyance. “I can't stop what goes around in Society, Sesshomaru, you know that better than I.” The king's eyes reflected the flames that were dancing in the fireplace and Sesshomaru had a suspicious feeling of uneasiness. Eyes often reflected emotions and the demon was feeling that the king was getting fed up with his continuous duties. Sesshomaru didn't blame him. He hated his own duties, and surely they were lesser than his.

He glanced behind him and saw that Rin had sat down on the marble floor, her legs up to her chest. When he had brought her in his responsibility, he had apparently not been thinking of the consequences. The demon knew merely by the many looks of the people of the king's court had given her that Rin would, no doubt, be hunted by her previous masters and mistresses. He wasn't sure what they had done to her or how they used her, but Sesshomaru vowed they wouldn't put a finger on her and he'd make sure of that. Before, however, he did that, he intended on discovering her past. With grim satisfaction, he knew that it would not be a difficult task to obtain the information he wished for.

The silence that had stretched during the time of Sesshomaru's thoughts was broken by Rin's sneeze. He glanced behind him and saw that both Jaken and Rin were becoming cold and restless. He needed to bring the meeting with the king to a close - and soon. In fact, he advised himself, it would be wise if he ended it right then. “Very well,” he murmured, gesturing to the two behind him. Both came forward, brief relief passing over their faces. “You had, however, better try and bring it down a notch. My people will not tolerate it for long, you realize. And if they riot...” he let his voice trail off evocatively (meaningfully.)

“Of course,” the king hastily said, his face masking what his thoughts were. Sesshomaru's eyes moved over James' face, his eyes narrowing, before he focused his gaze on the king's eyes. He was pleased to find fear mixed with anxiety in his clear eyes. James was often good with concealing his emotions - but they always appeared in his eyes, which made Sesshomaru more than thankful.

“We'll be taking our leave, then,” the demon told him.

“We? Oh! Yes, yes, of course.” Sesshomaru nodded and moved out of the room with Rin and Jaken following loyally. As they moved down the hall towards the exit, Sesshomaru had a robust (strong) feeling that the King of England was hiding something. He believed it was that very something that was making James so anxious and tense.

“Good day to you, my lord!” Oliver called out to the distracted demon. Sesshomaru hardly heard him at all. Rin did turn around and wave at them, before scrambling after her lord.

Well, James, Sesshomaru thought to himself, whatever it is that you're hiding, I guarantee that I'll find out. I assure you of that.