InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Teaching Rin ❯ Chapter 14 ( Chapter 14 )

Disclaimer - It’s not mine. Never was. The only characters I own are the ones you do not recognize

A/N - Special thanks to the following for taking time to review:

Gunny - Well, I’m glad you like the story. It’s always good to have another perspective from a new person. And I don’t think you are weird, having to smell people’s hair. We had to do something like that when I’m was in school, as well.

InuObbsessed o.o - I hope I cleared up that slight confusion. And it is good to hear from you once again. Hope you enjoy the newest chapter.

hamgirl - Good to hear from you. And I hope you like chapter.

Inuyashas hun - Thanks for the confidence. I am glad to know you guys will be telling me the answers. I need all the help I can get. Although I hope you like the newest chapter. Dedicated just to you.

Dragon85 - Here you go. Order up!

Risika Tziporah - Here’s the update! Just keep the evil flying monkeys away! PLEASE!!!!

-

Teaching Rin

Chapter 14

Beginning to Work it Out…

-

“You are improving, Rin.” Kaida said, wiping her face off with a cloth around her neck. “Your shields are getting better as you progress further along.” The demoness watched as her pupil’s concentration slowly began to waiver, causing the mediocre shield to melt away.

They had been working on the protective shielding everyday since the Healers had proclaimed her well enough to resume her normal duties with the human girl.

The impromptu Council meeting that had happened two weeks before had ended practically in disaster. Her father was more than just a little angry with her, but it was nothing compared to how mad Sesshomaru was with Haruto.

The Northern family had been banished from the Western Lands until further notice, under penalty of death. And the other Lords, Ryu and Ronin, were not about to offer any form of assistance to the cat demon; Ryu because of what had happened to Kaida, and Ronin because of Kentaro’s attachment to Rin. And although she highly doubted that Haruto would be stupid enough to test Sesshomaru’s patience, she did not like the idea of a defenseless Rin running around the fortress should something happen to her.

This was the first time Japan’s ruling Lords had been at odds with one of their own over a single demoness, and her unwillingness to accept a mate. And it had thrown the elder Council members into a frenzy. Most of them were demanding that Kaida be forced into marrying Kiyoshi at the present time, almost as compensation for what she had done. Others were outraged to find that the rumored hostility between the two nobles was much worse than they had heard. And still others were petitioning for Kaida to be let off, since they believed she was acting in defense of not only herself, but Rin as well. Even a few of them were taking bets on how much longer it would be before one of them died at the hands of the other, or they killed each other.

“It does seem to be getting easier to hold them up for longer.” Rin said absently, fingering the yellow pendant at her neck that helped her somewhat control the vast amounts of demonic energy. “But they still shatter just as easily.”

“It takes time to perfect your work.” Kaida said. “You will learn.”

“Yeah, but you make it look so easy!”

“I’ve had a few extra centuries to practice, Rin.” Kaida chuckled. The human girl only frowned and mumbled incoherently. “How about we stop with this for the day? You’ve been at it for nearly three hours now.”

“But I’m not tired.” she protested.

“I know, but I believe Keisha needs your assistance.” Kaida said, nodding to where the headwoman was standing at the edge of the courtyard, nervously clutching a few sheets of parchment. There was a frown on the demoness’ face, which was grossly out of character. Rin quickly wiped the sweat and grim from her hands and walked over to the raccoon demon, engaging her in a conversation about what was on the parchments.

Kaida turned back to where she and Rin had been working and gathered up her scimitars, tying them to her waist. She had been sharpening the blades when Rin had come out of the fortress, asking for her daily lesson. And Kaida had put her sharpening stones to one side, and delved into the lesson with her student.

“She is improving.” came Sakaki’s voice. The dog demon had been assigned to watch over Kaida, and followed her practically everywhere since the council meeting. “There is still room for improvement, of course. But she’s doing well, to not have any demon blood in her.”

“She still can’t control the energy completely, though.” Kaida said. “And that is the most critical concept. Having the energy is good, but if you can‘t do anything with it, it is like having nothing.” She actually didn’t mind having the dog demon soldier around her all the time. He was a welcome respite when Rin was busy, or when she felt like sparring. And as Sesshomaru’s head guard, he was well trained. Of course, she had no doubt that Sesshomaru would spar with her, but she had not seen him in the dojo since the council meeting. And to be frankly honest, she was not sure she wanted to meet him alone anytime soon. He had not lashed out at her about her part in the ruckus that had happened at the Council meeting, but she could see his annoyance shining through when she had come into contact with him the scarce few times she’d had to speak with him.

“She will learn.” Sakaki said firmly. “You are a good teacher.“ Kaida was just about to reply when she caught a flash of white coming around the corner of one of the smaller buildings. The Lord’s eyes locked onto her own, and Kaida felt a chill pass down her spine.

He did not look very happy.

The demon at his side quickly ran off after a curt dismissal, and Kaida figured he wanted to talk to Sakaki about something. Or at least she hoped that was why he was coming towards her. She excused herself and walked over to where Rin was discussing food stores in the castles with Keisha. So, imagine her surprise when he walked over, and stood next to her, apparently watching and listening as Keisha and Rin discussed whatever the problem.

“…about the back stores within the castle?”

“Most of them have been depleted, Lady Rin. The tithes should hold us over, though.”

“So our biggest concerns are the fish stores and fresh vegetables?”

“Yes, Lady.” Keisha nodded. Rin’s eyebrows were furrowed in concentration as she thought about something. A few moments later, she took one of the parchments from Keisha and pointed to a small red line that had been drawn on the map.

“Send word to the headmen in the villages to cease their trading with the villages under Haruto’s domain.”

“But, my Lady…” Keisha started, looking up at her in shock.

“We can reroute their trading to one of the Eastern provinces within Lord Ronin’s lands. Kentaro told me that the villages along the borderlands have been wanting to start trading with us. It will help both of us out that way. And anything else we can get from our ships to the mainland.” Rin said firmly, handing the papers back.

“I shall make the alterations immediately, Lady Rin. However, there is something I need you to look at, if you re not otherwise occupied.” Keisha said, nodding slightly.

“Kaida, are we finished for the day?” Rin asked, turning to her instructor, and finally noticing that Sesshomaru had been listening in as well. But she ignored him, much like she had been doing for some weeks now, and Kaida could feel his aura spike in aggravation, despite the immobile position of his facial muscles.

“For now, yes.” Kaida answered, nodding. The demon Lord at her side seemed awfully perturbed at what he had just witnessed, but was apparently refraining from commenting.

“Lord Sesshomaru? Is there something I can do for you?” she asked, looking to her Lord, no smile on her face and her brown eyes as cold as ice.

“No.” he said. Rin simply nodded and motioned for Keisha to lead the way. Kaida watched as the human girl followed the headwoman out of sight, and tamped down a grin at the low growl coming from the Western Lord. It seemed that he was still a bit sore where Rin’s cold actions towards him were concerned.

“When did she start this?” he demanded, turning to Kaida.

“Start what?”

“Redirecting the trading routes?”

“She’s been working with Keisha few weeks on them, slowly taking on more of the duties the wife of a Lord is responsible for, but just started suggesting the changes in the past few days. In fact, that was the first one she has actually implemented.”

Sesshomaru seemed to contemplate that for a few minutes while Kaida picked her equipment from the cobblestones. She didn’t know what the impassive Lord wanted, but figured he’d spit it out sooner or later. She had learned that Sesshomaru was not much of a talker, but when he did speak, it was something important. However, the next phrase out of his mouth threw her for a loop, and had her gaping at him like a fish out of water.

“You should have killed him.” the white headed lord said, his voice utterly passive.

“Excuse me?” Kaida asked, not sure she had heard him correctly.

“The neko. You should have killed him while you had the chance.”

“And start a civil war? No, thank you.” she answered. “Father’s already mad enough about me losing control and changing right in front of the Council. I don’t want to make it worse than it already is.”

“It would have been easier had you simply killed him.”

“How so?”

“Less paperwork.” he answered. Kaida actually thought she saw a frown on his face, but it was gone just as quickly as it had come.

“Toss it out the window. No one actually reads that stuff anyways.” she said, shrugging.

“Tempted.”

Kaida smiled and shook her head. This was an odd conversation, but no worse than some of the previous ones she’d had with the demon. However, she could tell that there was something on his mind, despite his outward appearance, and so she waited for him to say something else. After five minutes of utter silence, she turned to him, hands on hips and eyes narrowed.

“Although I know you and I both could go on for hours about how I should have killed the bastard, I doubt that is what you are out here for.”

“You are correct.”

“So what is it?” she asked plainly. “My apologies? Or my head for causing such a mess?”

“An explanation.”

“Of what?”

“Your transformation.”

Kaida groaned and shook her head. She had know this little talk was coming. Sesshomaru’s interest had been piqued that day, or so her father had told her after she had reverted back to normal, and he warned her that the dog demon would want an explanation. She looked up at him once again, trying to gather the words to explain what had happened.

At least he did not seem too angry with her.

Yet.

“It’s the result of my demonic blood overtaking my more rational side.” she said. “It only happens when I get extremely angry, or scared. I sprout wings, a tail, and a bad attitude until someone snaps me out of it.”

“You have no control?”

“It’s a somewhat voluntary transformation, if that’s what you’re asking. I know when I am on the verge of going over, and I can usually stop it if I have to. Sometimes I too far gone, though. But if you are referring to after I change, then yes, I have some control. Unfortunately, my baser instincts often shine through. Hence my attempt to sever Kiyoshi’s empty head from his shoulders.”

“So you are a threat in that state?”

“Only if I don’t like you.” she said, shrugging. There was a few moments of silence, and Kaida thought that maybe she had answered all the questions he wanted, but it wasn’t so.

“Your aura increased.” he pointed out suddenly. “Almost as if you were a full demon. I detected no human scent on you.”

“Well, technically, I was a full demon then. As for the increase in my aura, it’s a side effect. A temporary power boost that comes along with the added speed and agility.” she said with a shrug. “Problem is, it’s only for a short time.”

“How long?”

“Ten minutes. Fifteen at the max. It is just long enough for me to get rid of whatever is threatening me, usually.” she said. “Of course I try to avoid changing at all if I can help it. Sprouting wings and a tail hurts like hell, let me tell you. And it is hell on my training clothes. Not to mention that it saps my energy for a few days afterwards. I don‘t doubt that your half brother Inuyasha‘s transformation into a full demon is much different, in fact.” Kaida threw the small whetstone she had been using to sharpen her daggers into a pouch, waiting until Sesshomaru’s game of twenty questions ended. Luckily, Rin and Keisha decided to return at that instant, coming our of the living quarters of the fortress, and unrepentantly derailing Sesshomaru’s next barrage question.

Kaida noticed the human girl frown at Sesshomaru. Apparently, she had been expecting him to be gone by now. So, she simply turned and walked towards the Eastern gardens once she had finished speaking with Keisha, and sent her on her way.

Sesshomaru showed no reaction to the apparent dismissal in Rin’s eyes, but she knew that the human girl’s behavior was beginning to test his patience.

“You really should talk to her, you know.” Kaida said softly, watching a leaf fall from a nearby tree. “It hurts when you can’t tell if she’s is talking to you because she wants to…or because tradition says that she has to, doesn’t it?”

“And you should have killed the cat.” he said stoically, ignoring her question. Kaida just shook her head and tied up the pouch she had brought out with her. It seemed that the demon Lord was contemplating her words carefully, because he continued to stare at the place Rin had disappeared from.

“Tell you what?” Kaida offered, a teasing lilt in her voice that caused the demon Lord to look over at her. “I’ll take Kiyoshi’s head off the next time I see him, and give it to you on a silver platter; but only if you will smooth things over with Rin.” Sesshomaru just glared at her, and walked out, his nose in the air.

“Well, it was worth a shot at any rate.” Sakaki mumbled as he walked back up to his charge, frowning. Kaida frowned and shook her head. The demon Lord was about to crack because of Rin’s odd behavior, and it was showing.

-

Kaida was never privy to how close her assessment of Sesshomaru’s character was earlier that day. Should the truth be told, Sesshomaru was more than just a little confused about Rin’s continued avoidance of him. She’d never done this before, and he realized that she had no intent of speaking to him on normal, un-hostile terms until something was done about her assumptions concerning what she’d heard those months ago.

Sesshomaru found Rin in the Eastern gardens later on that evening after she had eaten dinner, tending to some herbs that Keisha used in medicinal poultices. He watched as she pulled dirt around the base of the seedlings, and packed the dirt to make a small mound that would support the growing stalks. She was humming a strange tune that he vaguely recognize as the court waltz of the Eastern family, and frowned.

Her attachment to the kit that had traveled with Inuyasha was bad enough; he did not need Ronin’s brat on that list of acquaintances as well.

He saw her stand up and wipe her hands off on a small cloth, only to jump back when one of the overhanging vines sneaked its way down and took the cloth, dangling it out of Rin’s reach. He could sense her annoyance as she vainly tried to get it back.

“You are going to be in big trouble the next time I see you.” she scolded the vine, almost as if it could hear her. “It isn’t bad enough that I am watched like a hawk already, you just had to add this, didn’t you?” The vine simply wrapped itself around her shoulders, almost as if it were offering her a hug, then twined itself into her hair soothingly.

“Yes, I now what you told me. But I highly doubt anyone is going to come storming through this fortress looking for me, so calm down already.” Once again, the vine doubled up on itself and stroked Rin’s cheek, causing her to smile warmly and pet it. “You better get out of here before Lord Sesshomaru finds you. He’ll be angry, and probably cut you to shreds.” Sesshomaru had seen and heard enough by then, and was determined to put an end to what was going on between the girl and Eastern fox.

“Rin?” he said, catching her by surprise.

The response he got was somewhat expected. Rin’s smiling face turned to utter surprise, and the slight embarrassment before she got a hold of herself and turned to face him, her posture straight and formal. At her side, the vine quickly snapped back into the surrounding foliage, camouflaging itself among the greenery.

“My Lord?” Rin said, bowing deeply as Kaida had instructed her to do in his presence.

“What was that?” he asked, nodding towards the shrubs the vine had whipped itself into. He could immediately sense his ward’s discomfort, but was surprised when she looked him straight in the eye, no expression on her face.

“A vine?” she replied, almost as if she was not quite sure of her answer suddenly.

“Where did it come from?”

“It was a gift from Lord Kentaro.”

“Was it?” he asked, almost as if he didn’t believe her.

“Yes, it was.”

“What is it doing in my gardens?” Sesshomaru asked coldly.

“Keeping me company while Kaida is busy.” she said sternly.

“Indeed.”

“Did you need something?” she asked, her temper starting to show through. Sesshomaru felt a hint of a grin come to his face when he heard her anger coming through. It was one of the only other emotions he had been able to coax from her for a while; anger and indifference. He couldn’t even remember the last time she had smiled at him. And although he wanted to run a sword through his head for concerning himself about a teenage human’s emotions, he couldn’t help but be a bit jealous when he saw her laughing and smiling with Kaida or Sakaki, or even -Kami forbid- that blasted kitsune Kentaro.
“I wish to speak with you.”

“About?”

“A misunderstanding.”

“I know of no misunderstanding, my Lord.” she said simply, still facing him defiantly.

“Concerning your instructor.”

“Kaida? What has she done?” Rin asked.

“Nothing.”

“Well, what is this misunderstanding about, if she has done nothing?” the girl asked.

“Your behavior, concerning the things you have apparently assumed you heard.”

“This is about a few months ago, isn’t it?” Rin asked, apparently catching onto the thread of what he was talking about.

“Correct.”

“I know what I heard.” she said firmly, turning her back on him and kneeling back down to her work on the seedlings. Sesshomaru growled, and he seen Rin stop working for a split second, then continue on as if nothing happened.

“You misunderstood.”

“What is there to misunderstand?” she asked, looking up at him angrily. “You said, and I quote: 'She is nothing but a nuisance. She wouldn't have stayed here this long, had it not been for certain circumstances. As far as I am concerned, Haruto could have her.'“

“I was referring to Kaida’s presence.” he said coldly.

“I don’t believe you.” Rin challenged. “Why get rid of Kaida? She’s got more demon blood in her than I do! I figured you’d rather have her around anyway. She’d probably cause a lot less problems than I would. At least then you wouldn‘t be ridiculed for keeping a human in your home!”

“Hardly.” Sesshomaru said coldly. “You are wrong, Rin.”

“Think back to what you said.” Rin bit out. “How am I to know that you are really talking about Kaida, and not me?” Sesshomaru let out a grunt of annoyance as he searched his memory for the conversation he’d had with Ronin that day.

…

'She is causing problems, and should be taken where she belongs.'

'Humans are weak creatures. The sooner she finishes her instruction time, she will be sent away. She has disrupted my life enough as it is. As for who she is mated to, I could care less, as long as she is out of my way.'

'I could care less about the girl. She is of no use to me beyond keeping up appearances and appeasing certain individuals. Besides, there is no guarantee that she even has the abilities to act accordingly during court. You've seen first hand how she acts. The girl is a hopeless case, Ronin. Admit it already.'

'She never will be. And if sending her to Haruto and his brat will keep the trouble out of my lands, then I will do so.'

…

He realized that Rin was correct, and the conversation certainly sounded like he was talking about her, despite the fact that he wasn’t. He’d been annoyed with Kaida since her inception as Rin’s instructor. The woman was just….just…. He didn’t know what she was, but the word ‘domineering’ popped into the forefront of his mind. He was used to the scarce few females he came into contact with being demure, quiet, ladylike. And Kaida was none of that, exactly the opposite.

It had thrown him for a loop, seeing a woman that would rather fight and kill than stay in a home and care for the children and womanly matters.

“If I was that much of a nuisance, why didn’t you get rid of me before now? Or better yet, why’d you even bring me back to life all those years ago?” she asked quietly, pulling Sesshomaru from his self-induced memories. “I’d rather have stayed dead than be somewhere I’m not wanted. I had enough of that when I lost my family in the village.”

Sesshomaru was surprised to hear her speak of her life before he’d found and resurrected her with the Tenseiga. She never spoke of that life before, one of stealing and getting beaten everyday by the village men. He knew it was a painful memory for her, and had thought she would have been over it by now after spending nearly ten years with him.

He took a careful look at her and noticed that she had quit working with the plants, and had her hands on her bended knees, clenching them into fists. He could not see her face, but he could smell the saltiness of her coming tears.

“Which is why you seem to be in a hurry to take up with the Eastern kit, I take it?” he asked. “You think that it will be better with the Easter family?”

“He doesn’t care that I’m human.” Rin said coldly, completely convinced that she was in the right, and he was wrong. “Even his older brother Hoshi has a human mate.”

“Hanyou.” Sesshomaru corrected her.

“What?” Rin asked, glaring up at him.

“Lady Callilea is a hanyou.”

“Whatever. She’s still got some human in her.” Rin said, flushing slightly at her mistake. “And they don’t care!”

Sesshomaru finally cracked when he got a full whiff of the salt in her tears. He hated it when she cried. Call him a sentimental fool if you must, but Rin was precious to him. She was the only one who had stayed at his side, other than Jaken. He had watched her grow up into a beautiful young woman. She was as good as a daughter as far as he was concerned, although he would never admit it to anyone else.

Sesshomaru had blamed his attachment to Rin on the late InuTaisho many times. His father’s fondness for humans, especially human women, had ultimately been his down fall. But Sesshomaru could see now what had made the great InuTaisho attach himself to the human race, and more importantly, to Inuyasha’s mother Izayoi.

Demons were creatures that functioned on the most basic of intellects, at least at times. They were not always capable of showing their emotions, much like the animals from which they were induced. But humans could. They understood what it was like to be happy and sad, to be depressed, and to even feel happiness for someone they cared for.

Female demons rarely cared for anything or anyone other than themselves. Half the time, demoness’ who gave birth would wean the child early, then put him on his own to learn the survival skills of the world. But human women, they had the ability to care for their offspring, to keep them close to their hearts and show them emotions that they never would have experienced had they been born a full blooded.

He had seen this with his own eyes as he was growing up, before his father had been killed. Izayoi had given birth to Inuyasha, and kept him at her side as he grew. Sesshomaru remembered the nights when the hanyou would cry out, and Izayoi would come running down the hallway to comfort the half-breed child.

Sesshomaru could never remember his own mother Asacia comforting him all that much. Yes, she took care of him after fights or spars with his much stronger father, but he could never remember her being so…involved like Izayoi had been with every aspect of Inuyasha‘s life. InuTaisho had forbidden Asacia from coddling him, saying that it would make him soft, and so she had been restricted to what she could and could not do.

But Sesshomaru could still remember the few nights that he had climbed into his parent’s futon when his father had been gone on business or raids. He had been a little child, barely more than a toddler, and would snuggle up to his mother’s chest, feeling some sort of comfort knowing that she was there to watch over him.

He eventually grew to respect his father, but his attachment to his mother was unwavering. And that attachment that he’d had to her was almost identical to the attachment he had formed with Rin. Like Asacia, Rin never questioned his motives or actions, simply supported him. Of course, his mother had done it based on the knowledge that InuTaisho would be there to watch out for him; Rin just did it on blind faith, trusting him despite everything else.

It had hurt when his mother had died, but by that time, Sesshomaru had been taught to be tough, and not show his emotions, much like InuTaisho. And the realization that Rin turning her back on him and running to the Eastern family would be just like loosing that attachment he had once again. And he did not want to go through that again.

“What you heard did not pertain to you, nor your presence at court, or in the Western fortress.” Sesshomaru said hotly, pulling her up and embracing her in an uncharacteristic show of emotion towards her. Rin was honestly shocked that he was touching her, let alone hugging her…albeit a little awkwardly. The only other time she could honestly remember him embracing her was when he had resurrected her all those years ago. “And those who question my actions will answer directly to me.”

Apparently his words had finally overcome the pent up anger and frustration that she had with him, and Rin wrapped her arms around his waist, crying into his chest. He was still confused, not sure of what to do to get her to stop crying. But he seemed to remember seeing his father in the same situation with Izayoi more than once before Inuyasha had been born. He remembered that the human woman had been overly emotional during the pregnancy, nearly driving him and his father crazy with her mood swings. But instead of lashing out at her like he thought his father would do, InuTaisho had simply hugged her gently and let her cry.

‘Well, if it worked on Izayoi….’ he thought glumly, holding Rin a little tighter. The effect was immediate, and Rin slowly began to calm herself down. Sesshomaru knew that Izayoi would usually apologize for being difficult after she had finished her crying spell, but he sincerely doubted that Rin would do the same. After all, Izayoi had been pregnant at the time, but Rin was not.

So, imagine his surprise when the first words out of his ward’s mouth was an apology that was eerily similar to that his step-mother had always told his father.

“I’m sorry, my Lord.” Rin sniffled, wiping the tears from her eyes. “But…I thought…you said….I don’t belong here anymore! And I don‘t want to cause anymore problems for you than I already have!”

“As I said before, that was not about you, Rin.” he said soothingly, still holding the overly distraught girl to him. “You are forever welcome in my lands, no matter what others may believe or say.” That seemed to pacify her, and she pulled away from him, wiping away the drops of wetness that had accumulated in her eyes.

He sensed that the built up emotions within his young ward was more because she was worried about what others thought and said about him, as opposed to what they would actually say to her.

Sesshomaru honestly thought the worst of it was over, but when he felt Rin’s almost insignificant energy level spike sharply, he knew he was no where near finished with the teenager.

“And even if what was said did not concern me, why say that about someone else? Especially Kaida? She’s never done anything.” Rin asked angrily.

“It is more of a fact that she exists.”

“That’s not nice! Kaida is nice and strong and patient, and…and….” Rin began. It was apparent that she was angry with him again, only this time it was because of his slight of her instructor.

“…brash, uncouth, hardly controllable. And not to mention, opinionated.” he said stoically.

“You’re saying that like it is a bad thing.” Rin grumbled, a small grin forming on her face.

“It is hardly good.” Sesshomaru said pointedly.

“Then why keep her here?” Rin questioned. The demon Lord watched her carefully, trying to determine whether the teenager was trying to back him into a corner.

“Aside from instructing you…entertainment.”

“You do realize she would be mad to hear you say that, right?” Rin asked, her hands on her hips.

“I do.”

“And?”

“I care not.”

“I thought you would say that.” Rin said, happily wrapping her arms around the surprised Sesshomaru. It utterly amazed him how females, especially human females, could have such quick mood swings. The Western Lord awkwardly patted Rin on the head as she mumbled out her apologies for being so hard to get along with the past weeks, still not sure of what to do.

She was not crying again, though. So he could deal with that. He was about to say something to reassure Rin that she was in no trouble when the ‘gift’ Kentaro had left for Rin decided to pop out and wrap itself around a lock of her hair, tugging backwards.

“Hey! Let go of me!” the girl said, turning her attention to the green vine that was tugging her hair. “I said let go! Lord Sesshomaru isn’t going to hurt me!” The vine remained adamant, however, and Sesshomaru grew increasingly annoyed at its presence. He let a few drops of poison flow from his claws and swiped at the thing, not cutting it completely, but letting the acidic poison come into contact with it.

“Tell this creature that I will dispose of it if it does not make itself scarce.” he growled. Rin frowned and quickly wiped the poison from the leaves with the rapidly disintegrating cloth. Once the green acid was off, she pointed to the thick underbrush and cleared her throat. Surprisingly enough, the vine disappeared within the underbrush in the blink of an eye, causing Rin to smile. “It obeys commands at least.” he said calmly.

“It has not done anything yet, though. Let it stay, please?” she begged, turning back to him.

“Keep it out of my sight.” he said before thinking of anything else.

“Thank you!” she squealed, hugging him once again. “I’ll keep it out of the way, I promise. You won’t even see it again.“

“See that I don’t.“ he answered coldly. Rin just smiled and nodded.

“Was there something else you wanted, my Lord?” she asked, sitting down on a nearby bench as he continued to look at the underbrush, searching for the impertinent vine.

“Yes. Keisha has informed me that you’ve taken more of the responsibilities concurrent to a Lady. And I want to know why you are rerouting the villagers’ trading routes.” he said.

“Oh, well, there are new trading stations along the borderland between your lands and Lord Ronin’s, and considering what happened with Haruto, I figured it would be for the best to keep anyone associated with the Western Lands out of his territory.” she explained.

“I cannot break the trading pacts with Haruto’s villagers.” he said.

“Yes, you can. And you did.” she answered firmly. “He breached that contract when he attacked Kaida, who was under your protection.”

“Do tell.” Sesshomaru asked, eyeing his ward carefully for her explanation of her actions.

“Yes, according to the contract, if a ruling Lord attacks a member or guest of another Lord without viable reason, then the first can terminate any and all contracts and contacts with the guilty party.”

“That only applies to trading contracts along trade routes, and stationed soldiers.” he pointed out. He knew the laws well, as InuTaisho had made him memorize them in his youth.

“It also applies to emissaries and/or ambassadors under your protection from other lands.” Rin said with an evil grin. “And for all intents and purposes, Kaida is an ambassador from the Southern Lands, who is under your protection during her stay in the West. Therefore she’s covered under the contract.”

“How do you know this?” Sesshomaru asked suspiciously.

“Kaida made me look it up in the library one day while we were working on my lessons.” she said. “And I even brought it to Jaken to verify before I acted.”

“I don’t remember that part.” Sesshomaru admitted, somewhat dryly.

“It’s one of the clauses that was written by your father.” Rin said. “Haruto probably never even noticed it when he signed the contract because it is right in the middle of a bunch of other babble that means absolutely nothing. But it is there none the less.”

“She attacked him.” Sesshomaru pointed out quickly. “The breach of contract was on her part.”

“It was self defense.” Rin countered, shaking her head. “And there are enough witnesses to verify it. Kiyoshi was in the wrong for provoking her, not Kaida. And she had justifiable reason and cause to retaliate, considering the attack she had endured a few weeks before.”

Sesshomaru is silent, looking at Rin and realizing that Kaida’s lessons were starting to pay off.

“So, no matter what Haruto does, I was within my rights as your ward, and according to the contract that both your father and Haruto signed, to terminate the route.”

“Impressive.” the Western Lord said. He was not sure that the clause Rin spoke of even truly existed, but he would have her point it out to him as soon as possible. He did not want to have to fight Haruto about the human villager’s trading routes, but if the clause was there, like Rin said, then it was okay.

“Thank you.” the young woman said, smiling happily.

“However, there are still some matter which we need to discuss.” he said, back to his normal, indifferent attitude. “Finish what you are doing, change out of those soiled clothes, and come to the council room.”

“Yes, my Lord.” Rin said, nodding happily. The Western Lord watched as she began to gather up her small tools and put them in a small trough of water. He knew it would be at least a half hour before she got to the council rooms. So he headed out. He would find Jaken and verify that the clause Rin spoke of actually existed. And if it didn’t, then he could stop her orders to Keisha before any more problems with Haruto emerged.

As he walked towards the front of the gardens, he saw Kaida leaning up against one of the entrance arches. The demoness had changed into a clean training gi, and had the most smug look on her face.

Sesshomaru had no doubt that she had seen and heard the exchange between himself and Rin, and decided that he did not want to hear her comments on it. He simply nodded and walked past her without a word. In fact, he almost missed the slight chuckle she gave.

“Well, it looks like I’ve got to keep up my end of the deal and kill the bastard after all, now don’t I?” she said so quietly that he almost missed it. Sesshomaru whirled around and was about to ask for clarification, but she was out of sight. He was about to go after her and demand and explanation when remembered her suggestion that she would kill Kiyoshi the next time she saw him as long as he smoothed things over with Rin. The Western Lord only shook his head and continued on his way.

“So it would seem, Lady Kaida.” he said. “So it would seem.”

-

A/N - Hey everyone. I hope you have enjoyed the latest chapter in my little tale. I don’t think it went as well as I had hoped, but…..

Well, I had to make Sesshy and Rin reconcile. And anyone who reads this knows that a teenager girl can sometimes be a little overly emotional. So give me some lee-way, will ya? I tried not to make Sesshy seem too out of character, but…well…(shrugs). The next one should be coming soon, so hang in there.

Until next time,

A.A.

Oh, and remember to review. I want to know what you guys think.

J