The Courting of Rin

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Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha or any of its characters.

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Chapter Three

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Bright sky blue eyes smiled warmly, "Good morning, Rin."


Rin blinked out of her daze, quickly regaining her composure.
She offered a shy smile in return, "Good morning, Sunoo."


Sunoo stood from his seat at the fountain and walked over to her.

Rin watched in wonder how Sunoo's white wings rustled before settling against
his back as he approached.


The swan youkai lowered to one knee at her feet and bowed his head, his long
golden hair falling to frame his ruggedly boyish features, "Beautiful, Rin.
This is our first day of courtship. I am honored to be your favored one."


Moved by his simple statement, Rin held out her hand.
Sunoo gently grasped it then lightly touched the back of her hand to his forehead.


The handsome youkai lowered her hand but did not release it. Instead, he
held her hand in his warm one while he stood.


Suddenly, the little butterflies returned as she looked up to the softened features of
the wondrously beautiful male youkai gazing down at her, "Uh...hi."


He gave a slight nod, "Hi."


Rin smiled and tugged his hand.


The youkai tilted his head in curiosity.

Her smile widened as she turned and began pulling him toward
the middle of the garden, heading for the most ancient of trees.

Small pink blossoms fell like fresh snow as she pulled Sunoo under
the overhanging branches. Stopping at the base of the old tree, Rin
turned to the swan youkai as the fragrant petals fluttered all around them,
alighting gently on his honeyed locks. Bravely, Rin reached up and
tenderly touched one silver braid, studying it in wonder, marveling
at the silky softness of the glistening strands. She smiled and looked
up to his features, for the first time noticing the royal markings on his
ivory skin. They were not as bold as her protector's but became more
defined with closer observation. A pale blue star rested on his forehead
and two faded pink tear streaks ran from the corners of his eyes to his
jawline. The pastel markings subtly enhanced his innocently warm and
inviting expression.


Rin sat down on a large root, pulling Sunoo with her. He gracefully
sat down facing her on another protruding root. She gave him a smile.
"Tell me Sunoo, tell me everything."

"Everything?"


She nodded, "Yes, I want to know everything about you and the Hakuchou,
what you like, where you live, what the other Hakuchou are like."


Sunoo smiled wistfully as his eyes followed a few falling blossoms as they
fluttered to his open palm. "The Hakuchou are..... different from all other
youkai. We are not aggressive creatures for we live in harmony with other
youkai and human alike. Most of us live in the Great Marshlands on small
islands. The marshlands are far to the south, past the small mountains
and close to the sea. I live on the largest island in the marsh in an estate
much like this one, though not as lavish."


He turned and leaned back against the tree, peering upward, watching the
sway of branches in the light morning breeze. Splotches of sunlight danced
over his form, sparkling in the reflective emotion of his darkening eyes, "I
was born two hundred years ago and I have only recently become Lord of
the Marshlands after my father stepped down from his position as Lord.
For the past two hundred years, I have lived on the estate with my mother
and father along with my sister and younger brother. As for what I like,
I would have to say that I am favorable to sunsets,
snowy mountain peaks, the sea and the calming wind of evening."

Rin sighed. "Those are lovely things to like." She looked down to
the mossy roots near her feet, "Do you like.... flowers?"


A warm fingertip brushed her cheek. Rin glanced up to see Sunoo reaching out,
lightly touching one of the pink flowers in her hair, pondering it with a warm smile.
His darkened cobalt gaze slowly moved and locked with hers.
"Yes, I have always loved them."

Heat flashed in her face, "I.... love flowers too."


Sunoo's expression softened as his warm palm cupped her cheek, "You are more
beautiful than any female I have ever encountered. What you are inside, I can
see. I am also able to see the beauty of your spirit, sweet Rin."


The swan youkai grinned and looked down while shaking his head. The warmth of his
hand left her cheek, "Forgive me, Rin. I am being too forward. I am not following
proper custom regarding our courtship. You have three full moons to decide if I
am a suitable mate for you, if I am worthy enough to share a lifetime with.
It was brash of me to be so..intimate...... but there is a reason for my boldness."


Eyes of deepest cobalt rose in adoration. "I have thought of no one else but you
since the first time I saw your face. You were younger then but I could see
the starlight in your eyes and the sun on your skin. Your beauty left me speechless

Rin did not know what to say. She was overwhelmed by the deep honesty in his heart.


For several seconds, Rin blinked at this enchanting male before she found
her voice just above a whisper, "Your words are from your heart. I... I can..... feel it."


He smiled, "Yes, Rin. I know. I can... feel yours as well."


Rin tilted her head and giggled. "I like you, Lord Sunoo."

The swan youkai reached for her hand, grasping it lightly, "I like you too, sweet Rin."


She giggled again with a new joy.

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A warm, faint midday breeze fluttered through the drapery hanging over the
window in his study. It was sweetened by jasmine and filled with merriment.

Sesshoumaru looked calmly over to the sun-lit window. He set aside the scroll he
was holding and rose from his seat. With quiet steps, he walked to the window
and looked down to the garden below.


His ward was laughing and running down one of the garden pathways. Her smile
glowed in the midmorning sun as she glanced behind her. A large glowing set of
wings then blocked his view of Rin. The young girl squealed in delight as the
Hakuchou snatched her up in mid air. They floated for several moments as Sunoo
held Rin in his arms and spun her around, his outstretched wings flapping only
a little for balance.

Somewhere deep inside, irritation ground its way into existence and began a
climbing ascent into his consciousness.

The dog demon narrowed his eyes as he watched Rin's long brown hair fall from
its pinned up curls. Her delicate chestnut locks bounced, setting the once pinned
flowers free. The pink roses fell to the garden pathway only to be captured by
the wind, sending them on a journey to the small stream flowing away from
the castle grounds.

A dark, dangerous heat burned its way into his muscles. For a mere second, red
flashed before his vision. He growled, a low ominous sound that provoked the irritation
even further. Rin was his....... ward..... and that.... youkai had the audacity to... touch
her... hold her..... make her.... laugh. With that last word in his thoughts, the savage
desire to kill the swan youkai faded and vanished.

He blinked once while frowning at his beautiful Rin and her obvious happiness while
in the arms of the graceful Hakuchou.

It was the first day of their courting and they were already playing, teasing,
and laughing together.

This time, Sesshoumaru sighed outwardly for his loss.


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scarecrow at your service. And how was the third chap? I know, kinda short.
but can't be helped. Hope ya liked this chappie. ^_^


review responses: I want to thank all those that reviewed. Thank you. Hugs! ^_^

Taiki
golden
animegurl
jasmineblossom: Yea it would be nice for Rin to have both. But *sigh* life
never works out that way. ^_^
VampirePrincessMiyu
Nekiochan
nightmareofcat
stayingput29
Avatar0507
animechick262003