The Courting of Rin
folder
InuYasha › General
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
9
Views:
6,739
Reviews:
212
Recommended:
1
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
InuYasha › General
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
9
Views:
6,739
Reviews:
212
Recommended:
1
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own InuYasha, nor make money from this story.
chapter 7
Untitled
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha or any of its characters:
_____________________________________________________
chapter Seven
======================================================
Sesshoumaru watched the strange brightness as it faded to a low glow.
The glow pulsed several times before forming a solid oval sphere of soft
light. As he stood staring at this...oval 'sphere' he could not see Rin's
form but he could feel her presence within it. Cautiously, he stepped toward
the faint, glowing mass, stopped, then studied it. The oval shaped mass came
to his waist, glowing faintly of its own light, pulsing in rhythm to a
heart's beat, Rin's heart's beat. The rippled surface was composed
of a meshy wrap of golden silk thread. Carefully, he reached
out to the pulsing surface. The moment his claws nearly touched the silky
mesh, a small crackling blast knocked his hand back.
Sesshoumaru stared at the golden cocoon. A growl began low in his chest,
ascending in pitch as scarlet bled into his vision. Rin was in there.
Rin was in this....thing. He could feel her there. Her heart beat in
pulse with the glow, he was sure of it. But...why?
His eyes narrowed in thought. The Hakuchou. The demon swan. He had something
to do with this. This sorcery was his doing.
Calming himself, he sat down, crossing his legs and waited next to the
warmth of the golden cocoon. Dawn was coming and so was the swan.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Morning sunlight brightened the room, easing along the floor, delicately
kissing the silky strands wrapped around his Rin. A moment later, there came
a small knock at Rin's door followed by Jaken's voice. "Rin? Rin? Lord
Sunoo is waiting for you in the garden. Rin?"
Sesshoumaru stood, walked over to the door and opened it. He stared down
at his green servant. "Jaken."
The toad raised a two fingered hand to his pointy beak. "Me Lord? Uh.."
"Jaken. Inform Lord Sunoo that I will see him shortly."
Jaken bowed once before scurrying off. "Yes, Me Lord."
When his servant left, Sesshoumaru turned to look at Rin's cocooned
form. Several moments passed. Quietly, he walked out the room and left the
door open.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
He found Lord Sunoo standing by the garden fountain. The swan youkai
spotted him as he approached and bowed. "Lord Sesshoumaru, how are
you faring this beautiful morning?"
Sesshoumaru stopped a few paces from the swan. "Lord Sunoo."
The swan youkai frowned slightly. "How is Rin? May I see her?"
He raised a brow before turning and heading
back to his estate. "Come with me."
Sesshoumaru caught the puzzlement in Sunoo's features as he turned.
The swan youkai followed him into his castle. He could hear the
rustle of feathered wings as they climbed the stairs leading up to
the second floor.
Down the hall he walked, the swan close behind until they reached
Rin's room. Sesshoumaru stepped into the room and up to the golden
cocoon. The Swan Lord followed, walking up behind before stopping at
his side.
Lord Sunoo's strained voice quivered, an uncharacteristic tone to one
in such a high position. "Rin???" The Swan Lord stepped closer, reaching
out. His ivory hand whispered over the meshy surface, not actually
touching the golden weave as if fearful to cause harm.
Again, the Hakuchou repeated his ward's name, his tone a pitch weaker, imploring.
"Rin? Rin?"
Sunoo kneeled by the cocoon, lowered his hands to his sides, staring blankly.
Sesshoumaru caught the faintest of whisper from the Swan Lord, a whisper
only an inu-youkai could possibly hear.
"This...should not have...happened....now."
The muscles in his right hand and arm tightened. He glared at the swan-youkai
kneeling by his Rin. In the blink of an eye, Sesshoumaru had The Great
Swan Lord up against the wall, solidly gripping the Hakuchou's throat, growling.
"What....has....happened....to....Rin!?"
In vain, Lord Sunoo struggled under the grip, grasping at the claws that
were cutting off precious air, unable to defend against such strength and power.
The swan demon gurgled, rasping out words. "It....it...is...hard to....explain."
Sesshoumaru glowered at the twisted, pained features of the swan-youkai before
letting go and lowering his hand. "Enlighten me."
Lord Sunoo fell to one knee, choking, coughing and clasping his throat.
Finally, after several moments, he straightened and stood, breathing
heavily. Eyes of ice blue gained enough courage to shift their
attention from the floor to meet his hard glare. Sunoo let out a reserved
sigh. "Rin...is becoming...a Hakuchou."
Never in all his immortal life had he ever heard of such an impossibility.
Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes in irritation at this absurdity. "Explain."
The swan switched his gaze to the cocoon, his ice blue eyes darkening in
dazed retrospect. "Long ago, before even my father was born, our race...
was...dying out. No females were being born. My ancestors' numbers dwindled to
a mere flock of twenty, all male and even these were being hunted day and
night for their feathers. They fled to the marsh lands, the place of beginning,
to the land of their fathers. There, they settled on the Great Islands of the
Marsh and surrendered to their fate. But a light shone on them: a water
goddess of pure beauty, an immortal angel and friend to the Hakuchou from
before time began. This...angel of the Marsh...took pity on my ancestors.
She knew of the Hakuchou's peaceful nature. She did not
want our noble race to vanish from this world."
Lord Sunoo took in a deep breath and continued. "The water goddess blessed
my ancestors, the flock of twenty Hakachou. This blessing is carved in stone
on the island of my estate. The words of the blessing read as such:
~~~~~From this day forward, I bless the Hakachou.
Never will your beauty fade.
Your honor and noble nature will not die.
You have ascended above, therefore you have earned the right to exist.
I give you, Hakuchou, this:
Whatever female you court, be it human, youkai or hanyou,
if she gives her heart and agrees to be your lifemate,
she will become Hakuchou at your consummation.
Choose wisely, oh Swans. Love your mate. Keep her safe.
I will watch over you. ~~~~~~~
The Swan Lord fell silent, his gaze still locked on Rin's cocooned form.
Sesshoumaru drew in a long calming breath. "Why did you not
inform my Ward of this...blessing?"
Sunoo shook his head. "It was to be her choice after she agreed to be
my lifemate. This...should not have happened. I do not understand. Only when
we share: touch souls, heart and body in consummation should this happen. And..
...not like this."
"Not like this?" Sesshoumaru questioned quietly.
The swan-youkai gave a nod in puzzled wonderment.
"The golden silk...the cocoon...Rin should
not be in....this... My father...He said there would be a bright
light and then...she would change, become...Hakuchou."
Sesshoumaru turned to look upon Rin's silken prison. His Rin was in that
golden cocoon. His Rin was changing.
"Lord Sesshoumaru."
He glanced at the Swan Lord who was now watching him intently with concern.
Sunoo bowed his head, his tone apologetic and soft. "I ask your forgiveness
in this matter. I know you are Rin's guardian, her protector.
This...situation...has brought dishonor on me and my family. The courtship
agreement has been broken. I have no right to openly court Rin from this
moment on but..."
"But?"
The swans words softened even more. "Rin is changing. She is becoming
Hakuchou. I...want to be Rin's lifemate. I humbly ask that you allow the
continuance of our courtship."
Sesshoumaru stared at the Great Lord of the Marsh Lands. He had this
Hakuchou at his mercy. He could end this farce right now. But...
Rin. She felt...emotions...human emotions...for this youkai. Would
it break her heart if he ended their courtship?
A lump formed in his throat, one he discretely swallowed. The vision of
Rin's tears marring his decision. No. He could not, did not want to
see her tears.
He blinked once, his decision made. "Lord Sunoo of the Great Marsh Lands. I,
Sesshoumaru, Lord of the Westernlands, will allow this courtship to continue.
You may visit Rin once a day when the sun is at its highest point. Only once
a day until...Rin is free. Then, she will decide how long you may remain during
each day's visit."
The Great Lord of the Marshlands lifted his head and straightened, his regal stance
returning. "You are quite generous, Lord Sesshoumaru. I sincerely appreciate your
sincerity and forgiveness. I will take my leave now. Will you send me word when
Rin has recovered, if perchance she recovers, before I return on the morrow?"
"You will be notified, Lord Sunoo." Sesshoumaru replied flatly.
Sunoo gave one last curt bow of respect, glanced at Rin's cocooned form, then
walked out of the room.
Sesshoumaru waited until Sunoo's footfalls and rustle of feathers faded
completely. His acute senses informed him that the Swan had flown off, away
from his estate.
When he was sure The Swan Lord had gone, Sesshoumaru kneeled by the
gold cocoon and sat down. Today, he would wait...by her side.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.________________________________________________________________________
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Sorry for the long wait folks, holidays and all.
Scarecrow bows and thanks you for the reviews. ^_^
adviennelamort
Meeeeee
Anne: *sigh* Forgive for the length of udates and shortness of chapters.
I write in my spare time and sometimes I don't have that m Hop Hop Hoi has
taken a great deal more time out of me than this story. It is a much
more involved dark tale which needs more brain time. This story is just
a cute fairy tale to me. I don't want to try too hard on it because sometimes
the sweetest fairy tales come out better when you don't worry about them
too much.
EmmoIsTheLastManStanding
Shewny
Ugly: I think this chapter answered your questions.
April
Red Angel
nightmareofcat
dragonflyelj
Blacka
FrostRiven
Taiki: hats off to you! you guessed it!
Nightfall2525
New Fan: don't fell to angry ord ord Sunoo, he is a good guy. There will only
be one bad guy in this tale and it won't be Naraku.
Amanda
Yelly
Hentai Jane: Sess is very...stagnant to confessing any such thing. this is not
an A/U. Something very tragic will have to happen for The Great Lord of the
Westernlands to open up.
Klep: Actually, in my mind, the swan boy is better looking and has a greater
heart.
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha or any of its characters:
_____________________________________________________
chapter Seven
======================================================
Sesshoumaru watched the strange brightness as it faded to a low glow.
The glow pulsed several times before forming a solid oval sphere of soft
light. As he stood staring at this...oval 'sphere' he could not see Rin's
form but he could feel her presence within it. Cautiously, he stepped toward
the faint, glowing mass, stopped, then studied it. The oval shaped mass came
to his waist, glowing faintly of its own light, pulsing in rhythm to a
heart's beat, Rin's heart's beat. The rippled surface was composed
of a meshy wrap of golden silk thread. Carefully, he reached
out to the pulsing surface. The moment his claws nearly touched the silky
mesh, a small crackling blast knocked his hand back.
Sesshoumaru stared at the golden cocoon. A growl began low in his chest,
ascending in pitch as scarlet bled into his vision. Rin was in there.
Rin was in this....thing. He could feel her there. Her heart beat in
pulse with the glow, he was sure of it. But...why?
His eyes narrowed in thought. The Hakuchou. The demon swan. He had something
to do with this. This sorcery was his doing.
Calming himself, he sat down, crossing his legs and waited next to the
warmth of the golden cocoon. Dawn was coming and so was the swan.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Morning sunlight brightened the room, easing along the floor, delicately
kissing the silky strands wrapped around his Rin. A moment later, there came
a small knock at Rin's door followed by Jaken's voice. "Rin? Rin? Lord
Sunoo is waiting for you in the garden. Rin?"
Sesshoumaru stood, walked over to the door and opened it. He stared down
at his green servant. "Jaken."
The toad raised a two fingered hand to his pointy beak. "Me Lord? Uh.."
"Jaken. Inform Lord Sunoo that I will see him shortly."
Jaken bowed once before scurrying off. "Yes, Me Lord."
When his servant left, Sesshoumaru turned to look at Rin's cocooned
form. Several moments passed. Quietly, he walked out the room and left the
door open.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
He found Lord Sunoo standing by the garden fountain. The swan youkai
spotted him as he approached and bowed. "Lord Sesshoumaru, how are
you faring this beautiful morning?"
Sesshoumaru stopped a few paces from the swan. "Lord Sunoo."
The swan youkai frowned slightly. "How is Rin? May I see her?"
He raised a brow before turning and heading
back to his estate. "Come with me."
Sesshoumaru caught the puzzlement in Sunoo's features as he turned.
The swan youkai followed him into his castle. He could hear the
rustle of feathered wings as they climbed the stairs leading up to
the second floor.
Down the hall he walked, the swan close behind until they reached
Rin's room. Sesshoumaru stepped into the room and up to the golden
cocoon. The Swan Lord followed, walking up behind before stopping at
his side.
Lord Sunoo's strained voice quivered, an uncharacteristic tone to one
in such a high position. "Rin???" The Swan Lord stepped closer, reaching
out. His ivory hand whispered over the meshy surface, not actually
touching the golden weave as if fearful to cause harm.
Again, the Hakuchou repeated his ward's name, his tone a pitch weaker, imploring.
"Rin? Rin?"
Sunoo kneeled by the cocoon, lowered his hands to his sides, staring blankly.
Sesshoumaru caught the faintest of whisper from the Swan Lord, a whisper
only an inu-youkai could possibly hear.
"This...should not have...happened....now."
The muscles in his right hand and arm tightened. He glared at the swan-youkai
kneeling by his Rin. In the blink of an eye, Sesshoumaru had The Great
Swan Lord up against the wall, solidly gripping the Hakuchou's throat, growling.
"What....has....happened....to....Rin!?"
In vain, Lord Sunoo struggled under the grip, grasping at the claws that
were cutting off precious air, unable to defend against such strength and power.
The swan demon gurgled, rasping out words. "It....it...is...hard to....explain."
Sesshoumaru glowered at the twisted, pained features of the swan-youkai before
letting go and lowering his hand. "Enlighten me."
Lord Sunoo fell to one knee, choking, coughing and clasping his throat.
Finally, after several moments, he straightened and stood, breathing
heavily. Eyes of ice blue gained enough courage to shift their
attention from the floor to meet his hard glare. Sunoo let out a reserved
sigh. "Rin...is becoming...a Hakuchou."
Never in all his immortal life had he ever heard of such an impossibility.
Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes in irritation at this absurdity. "Explain."
The swan switched his gaze to the cocoon, his ice blue eyes darkening in
dazed retrospect. "Long ago, before even my father was born, our race...
was...dying out. No females were being born. My ancestors' numbers dwindled to
a mere flock of twenty, all male and even these were being hunted day and
night for their feathers. They fled to the marsh lands, the place of beginning,
to the land of their fathers. There, they settled on the Great Islands of the
Marsh and surrendered to their fate. But a light shone on them: a water
goddess of pure beauty, an immortal angel and friend to the Hakuchou from
before time began. This...angel of the Marsh...took pity on my ancestors.
She knew of the Hakuchou's peaceful nature. She did not
want our noble race to vanish from this world."
Lord Sunoo took in a deep breath and continued. "The water goddess blessed
my ancestors, the flock of twenty Hakachou. This blessing is carved in stone
on the island of my estate. The words of the blessing read as such:
~~~~~From this day forward, I bless the Hakachou.
Never will your beauty fade.
Your honor and noble nature will not die.
You have ascended above, therefore you have earned the right to exist.
I give you, Hakuchou, this:
Whatever female you court, be it human, youkai or hanyou,
if she gives her heart and agrees to be your lifemate,
she will become Hakuchou at your consummation.
Choose wisely, oh Swans. Love your mate. Keep her safe.
I will watch over you. ~~~~~~~
The Swan Lord fell silent, his gaze still locked on Rin's cocooned form.
Sesshoumaru drew in a long calming breath. "Why did you not
inform my Ward of this...blessing?"
Sunoo shook his head. "It was to be her choice after she agreed to be
my lifemate. This...should not have happened. I do not understand. Only when
we share: touch souls, heart and body in consummation should this happen. And..
...not like this."
"Not like this?" Sesshoumaru questioned quietly.
The swan-youkai gave a nod in puzzled wonderment.
"The golden silk...the cocoon...Rin should
not be in....this... My father...He said there would be a bright
light and then...she would change, become...Hakuchou."
Sesshoumaru turned to look upon Rin's silken prison. His Rin was in that
golden cocoon. His Rin was changing.
"Lord Sesshoumaru."
He glanced at the Swan Lord who was now watching him intently with concern.
Sunoo bowed his head, his tone apologetic and soft. "I ask your forgiveness
in this matter. I know you are Rin's guardian, her protector.
This...situation...has brought dishonor on me and my family. The courtship
agreement has been broken. I have no right to openly court Rin from this
moment on but..."
"But?"
The swans words softened even more. "Rin is changing. She is becoming
Hakuchou. I...want to be Rin's lifemate. I humbly ask that you allow the
continuance of our courtship."
Sesshoumaru stared at the Great Lord of the Marsh Lands. He had this
Hakuchou at his mercy. He could end this farce right now. But...
Rin. She felt...emotions...human emotions...for this youkai. Would
it break her heart if he ended their courtship?
A lump formed in his throat, one he discretely swallowed. The vision of
Rin's tears marring his decision. No. He could not, did not want to
see her tears.
He blinked once, his decision made. "Lord Sunoo of the Great Marsh Lands. I,
Sesshoumaru, Lord of the Westernlands, will allow this courtship to continue.
You may visit Rin once a day when the sun is at its highest point. Only once
a day until...Rin is free. Then, she will decide how long you may remain during
each day's visit."
The Great Lord of the Marshlands lifted his head and straightened, his regal stance
returning. "You are quite generous, Lord Sesshoumaru. I sincerely appreciate your
sincerity and forgiveness. I will take my leave now. Will you send me word when
Rin has recovered, if perchance she recovers, before I return on the morrow?"
"You will be notified, Lord Sunoo." Sesshoumaru replied flatly.
Sunoo gave one last curt bow of respect, glanced at Rin's cocooned form, then
walked out of the room.
Sesshoumaru waited until Sunoo's footfalls and rustle of feathers faded
completely. His acute senses informed him that the Swan had flown off, away
from his estate.
When he was sure The Swan Lord had gone, Sesshoumaru kneeled by the
gold cocoon and sat down. Today, he would wait...by her side.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.________________________________________________________________________
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Sorry for the long wait folks, holidays and all.
Scarecrow bows and thanks you for the reviews. ^_^
adviennelamort
Meeeeee
Anne: *sigh* Forgive for the length of udates and shortness of chapters.
I write in my spare time and sometimes I don't have that m Hop Hop Hoi has
taken a great deal more time out of me than this story. It is a much
more involved dark tale which needs more brain time. This story is just
a cute fairy tale to me. I don't want to try too hard on it because sometimes
the sweetest fairy tales come out better when you don't worry about them
too much.
EmmoIsTheLastManStanding
Shewny
Ugly: I think this chapter answered your questions.
April
Red Angel
nightmareofcat
dragonflyelj
Blacka
FrostRiven
Taiki: hats off to you! you guessed it!
Nightfall2525
New Fan: don't fell to angry ord ord Sunoo, he is a good guy. There will only
be one bad guy in this tale and it won't be Naraku.
Amanda
Yelly
Hentai Jane: Sess is very...stagnant to confessing any such thing. this is not
an A/U. Something very tragic will have to happen for The Great Lord of the
Westernlands to open up.
Klep: Actually, in my mind, the swan boy is better looking and has a greater
heart.