5

Sesshomaru had come to take Rin so Satomi could get some much-needed rest as the full recovery began with Maori remaining to help. It was known that Rin and Satomi were to be treated as guests of the estate, but Sesshomaru knew that was easier said than done. The servants would obey, but the company that followed into the next day would be less inclined as they were their own rulers. However, in his lands, the penalty for disobedience was death. As he showed Rin the room next door to Satomi's and then the kitchens and gardens, she was so entranced that she could barely think about anything else.

The gardens were not in the natural sunlight, but in the mountain with moon lilies and other night blossoms illuminated by reflections from lightning bugs and other demon sources of faint light around the area. Like lanterns almost, they glowed along the path that seemed to go on forever. Small ponds with frogs and crickets sounded lightly for a calm atmosphere. The bath house was beyond that as natural pods of water made for private bathing in many sections of the area provided. In here it was much brighter, Rin presumed it was another demon ability. There was a female attendant with golden hair that bowed when they arrived. Dark brown eyes and a flushed complexion with a small line of freckles on her nose adorned her face. Her stature was short, but she had her hair tied back and a light blue yukata because it was so warm here.

"Lord Sesshomaru," she said as she bowed to the floor. "Mistress Rin, welcome to the bathhouse."

"Wow, in a mountain?" Rin said with wonder.

"Yes, little one. It is the safest place to bathe and next to the Moonlit Gardens, it is truly a rejuvenating experience. Are you here for a bath, my lord?" Still bowing to her lord, he simply nodded as she looked up to see his response.

"There will be another later," he said simply. "The caretaker of Rin, a woman named Satomi."

"She has been sick, so I hope she can come down later, she looked awfully tired," Rin commented with a worried look on her face.

"I am the lady of the bathhouse, I will give her my best rejuvenating and healing blend for you, Mistress Rin. I will close off the bathhouse, so you may be in peace," she said leaving the two of them alone.

Sesshomaru went to one side where the bath water would be much hotter than a few spots over where he sent Rin to be. It was the safest place to be in this fortress as far as where most could go. There were others, but he rather enjoyed this one. The faint falling of the water running into the small pools was enough to melt the stress, and yet he never really could enjoy this place. Just enough to bathe and get out to do his next duty for the most part. Rin seemed to enjoy herself as he heard her humming and singing songs the human woman would sing.

He undressed, his body flawless and strong. Scars didn't tend to form on him and the fact his arm was regenerated was much easier to deal with now. He sunk into the water so only his chest showed and leaned back against the warm, smooth rocks that lined the small pool. The heat would damage a human, but the intense heat of the water melted a small amount of his stress.

"Lord Sesshomaru, what do you think of her?" Rin asked after some time later as he almost forgot he had company.

"She is here for a purpose, to protect you. That is all I think," he said as final words. He did not wish to think of it, and the fact he did this much surprised even him.

"I'm glad. Something about her is familiar, and yet I don't remember. She is very nice, beautiful, and brave. I hope she meets a good husband one day," Rin said more to herself than to the demon a short distance away. "Or even if she doesn't, I just want her around. Jaken may not like her much, he doesn't really like humans, but I like her. Ah-Un doesn't seem to mind either…" She went on as Sesshomaru listened halfheartedly. He would leave it to themselves to figure out the whole sister business, in the meantime, she was useful. A damage to his pride, but a necessary one for now until he could break the barrier himself. Or until the demoness died.

Satomi laid in the bed, but she couldn't find sleep. Maori was by her side silently and it didn't seem to bother her. The fact she slept off and on for two days was bothersome enough. The dreams bothered her, but the fact that Rin was her own sister and she didn't see it was even worse. She could feel the connection but chose to ignore it for two weeks. That alone was enough to rile up her blood.

"I think I've slept enough," she finally said after a good long while after Sesshomaru came for Rin. He had been rather abrupt, asking Rin to follow him so that Satomi could sleep. His wording was 'Come, Rin. It is safe now' so Satomi could have been putting words in the meaning, but she was both annoyed and thankful. However, without the able to rest part, it was rather pointless.

"Do you need something Miss Satomi?" Maori asked with a small smile.

"A bath would be nice. I know I was wiped down, but I still feel like death and sweat," she said wrinkling her nose with annoyance. "Perhaps even a drink…" she said as an afterthought.

"What kind of drink, Miss?"

"Sake, warm sake," she answered blissfully as she laid back down on the bed thinking about it. It had been almost a month since a patron had offered her a drink and she never bought it with her own hard-earned money. Something about the blissful reaction made Maori laugh quietly.

"Is there a preferred order?" Maori asked playfully.

"Are you making fun of me?" She was surprised a demon could make jokes, but they both giggled at the thought. "But preferably both at the same time."

"I'm sorry, I just find your reaction rather entertaining somehow. Forgive me," Maori said as she wiped a small tear from the laughter.

"No need to be sorry, I'm just surprised." Waving her hand as she sat back up, she pushed the blankets back to stand up on her own. The blood rushed, and she wobbled before gathering her bearings. "Well, now that the legs are cooperating, shall we go?" she asked stepping side to side.

"No need to be in a hurry, Miss. I can take you to the bathhouse, but you'll be surprised that it is actually inside the mountain. Truly magnificent as I have only worked here once or twice before. Do not tell the Lord Sesshomaru, but Hana took me as she said that it is the best kept secret here. Many who meet the Lord of the West were pleased to come here simply for these baths," Maori said bashfully as they made their way out of the room and down the hall.

"I will take it to my grave," she said as they continued to small talk as servants bowed respectfully to them as they passed. Her light Yukata was rather strange to wear publicly as she thought it was embarrassing without her usual attire of leggings underneath. Easier to run or fight when you didn't have to worry about being a lady and such. They talked about Maori's family as she came from a small part of a branch from Toga's, Sesshomaru's father, side and has been on the outside of the circle of the greater dog demons. The politics were weird to Satomi, but she supposed it was much the same with human nobility. If you weren't in the direct family, you were looked as less than equal.

A couple of servants opened large wooden doors with the crescent moon symbol that revealed the way to the Moonlit Gardens. She felt very at home as she stopped to soak in the elaborate design. The stone path ahead of them was weaved throughout many sections that could lead to many parties enjoying the gardens while remaining separate. Ponds with small streams connecting each other and small bridges over those, koi fish swam to greet any by passers willing to see their beauty. She had to admit her night vision was better than most, she didn't know if it was a consequence of being trapped for years by Naraku's curse or simply something she always had and didn't realize. The lanterns illuminated the path and floated near them as they walked, she presumed it was like that with everyone who came through as the lightning bugs remained either near the water or a good distance above their heads.

"This is amazing," Satomi whispered as a Koi fish with beautiful iridescent white with spots of black and orange greeted her below the water. Another with black and white swirled patterns joined as well before they both swam off and jumped in unison as if showing off to her. "I could stay here forever." Musing at the thought, she realized this stay would be short lived. Sesshomaru didn't seem the type to give charity. There was a purpose to her being there and she could safely guess what that was.

"Wait until you see the baths," Maori said breaking Satomi's day dreaming as they both continued to walk to another set of doors where the bathhouse maiden bowed politely.

"I apologize, but the lord is bathing and may not be disturbed," she said with a polite yet apologetic face. She didn't seem to mind Satomi's human self, and yet Satomi wondered how many accepted her because they could or because they were ordered to. Demons weren't usually so polite, but then she had met very limited noble working demons.

"I suppose we can wait for him to finish, he had a time bringing me back and probably had a lot on his mind," Satomi said before Maori looked more cross.

"This woman has been ill, the demon lord himself has instructed me to care for this girl and she is in need of a bath with warm sake. I will handle his wrath, but I will not allow her to be in this state so long as I can do something about it. If he wishes to kill me, then it is his will," Maori said as Satomi tried to calm her down by walking in front of her.

"I'm so sorry," Satomi said to the lady of the bathhouse as she snapped her head back to Maori. Before she could chastise further, the golden haired woman widened her eyes with amusement and put her hand on Satomi's shoulder. Satomi looked back confused as the woman smiled expectantly.

"You must be Satomi, for the demon lord himself to speak a human girl's name, you are expected. My apologies, I will escort you to the baths as I send the sake with Maori here for you," she said opening the door slightly enough for the two women to come in. "The temperature suitable for a human is to this side," using her right hand to sweep displaying what would be tolerable. "Please use any you deem the most relaxing."

From the distance, Rin's voice rang out. "Satomi! Join me!" Satomi had to squint through the fog of the room. There was Rin in a bath alone, looking around, she glanced to the left to find none other than Sesshomaru himself as he angled his head for a moment before looking off in the distance as he was. Satomi looked to the lady and Maori as they smiled and went off their own way. Following the path to Rin's location, she glanced at Sesshomaru to make sure he wasn't looking before stripping down and stepping into the water.

Taking in a deep breath, she relaxed immediately as she felt the last two days of sweat, grime, and blood fade away. As if the event never took place. Rin looked so content to see her that she was smiling ear to ear. "I'm so glad you could make it before we left! I love this place! Did you see the gardens? I mean you must have before you came in, but it's beautiful! Too bad I can't see a whole lot because it's so dark, but maybe if we stay in there for a bit my night vision will get better?"

"Well, yes, I did see the gardens. I would love to spend time with you there and who knows maybe you'll see a fish or two in the streams," Satomi answered with a smile as Rin and her talked about all the things they could do together and see.

Their companion a few pools off couldn't help but smirk. He was never one to indulge in idle chat, but for some reason he was enjoying their conversation although he'd never admit it. He could bring up the situation later, probably after the meeting with the other Demon Lords tomorrow. After that he would know more of where he stood. He was willing to let Rin occupy Satomi's time as Rin was so willing to do and Satomi was a willing recipient. Amazingly enough, her presence didn't bother him as much as most other beings did.

His father made this as a strong hold for demons to wage war from a vantage point. It was Sesshomaru's most favored locations out of the estates he could chose from. Mostly because of the lack of human interactions here. The mountain was considered cursed, so he was unbothered when he remained here for any length of time. He could only wonder what would possess him to bring two humans willingly, although one was practically his own daughter. How fast the world was changing around him.

Looking up when he heard steps walking towards them, it was Maori with a bottle of sake and saucer, glazed clay cups to drink from. She also had another yukata and towels. "Would you care for a drink, my lord?" He nodded as she set the cup down beside him and poured. Setting a towel down beside the cup, she took her leave and to his surprised walked over to Satomi. He didn't see many women drink, but she seemed all too happy to have a cup.

"Thank you so much Maori," she called out with joy as he looked back to her, as she was obviously distracted. He could see her collar bone and part of her cleavage. Although she was far from a curvy woman, she was still a woman. Looking away again, he could tell she was beautiful on human terms and she had a very well-kept complexion. Honor told him that he shouldn't have looked. The demon side said otherwise, it was his right as lord of this house and of the west. He took the cup and swallowed the whole cup in one drink. Maori returned and refilled without question as the liquid sent a tingle down his throat. Honor won out that round, after all she was… well mostly human if nothing else. The lack of knowing the other scent bothered him. Centuries of living exposed him to nearly every scent of demon, human and everything in between and yet there was something unknown. The demons of the South had the seeress that would more than likely attend. Perhaps she would have insight, he thought as he slowly sipped the next cup.

As the lady of the bath came by to enchant the water with healing properties for Satomi's bath, he could smell the different scents distracting him from the thought of Satomi's mystery. The lavender in particular filled his senses and he could better concentrate on what he would say to the other demon lords. It was a full-time job to be the Lord of the West, and he could only hope he could do the job as well as his father did and hope to even surpass him.

"Satomi," Rin said after she could feel her head spinning from the heat of the room. "Do you think we can go? The heat is making my head funny."

"Of course, I could go for the gardens once more," she said as she noticed Sesshomaru was still not looking. Quickly getting out, she only had one cup of sake but no food with it. Her head swirled as she dried herself off before dropping the towel, concentrating too hard on her balance to notice a certain dog demon getting a full view. She didn't remember being such a light weight. Bending her knees to go down to reach for her clean, red and white yukata, she looked over to find him looking at her before turning away with no emotion what so ever, fully clothed… unlike her. Rin was oblivious as Satomi froze and her face flushed a crimson red. Rin carried on putting on her clean yellow yukata with green flower embroidery.

Quickly throwing on her yukata and tying it securely, she swore she could have died from embarrassment. Not only did he see her, but there was zero reaction. Talk about a mind of steel. Or maybe he just didn't care about human women… or whatever she was. That only bothered her slightly as she had no proof to say either way. What happened when she saved Rin was unusual, but it was the only occurrence she could remember of absorbing a demon energy. It was all too much.

As they left the bath, Maori looked to Satomi with a sympathetic smile. She saw the whole thing… Satomi could have cried then and there. However, Rin pulling Satomi faster out of the doors as the lady bowed and waved them good bye.

Rin looked at every corner as Satomi was pulled with as Sesshomaru walked ahead and waited by the door. He wasn't impatient, but Satomi was more than willing to prolong walking near him again. Her face flushed every time she looked at him. This would be a very long time here no matter how short. He must have been used to the woman body, and she couldn't help but wonder just how many demonesses and such he had… nope, she refused to think about it any further.

"Rin let us go to our room. I'm sure Lord Sesshomaru has much to prepare for tomorrow," she offered with a small smile. She tried to let confidence shine through, but she could tell her voice was shaky yet.

"Oh, I suppose we could. We can always come back later," she said as she held Satomi's hand and led her to Sesshomaru.

"Lead them to their rooms. I will be in my study if I am needed," he said to Maori as she bowed and obeyed his command leading the ladies up as he walked the main floor beyond them.

As soon as he was out of ear shot, Maori looked to Satomi with a devilish smile. "How brazen," she said looking innocently up as Satomi snapped her head back and blushed profusely.

"It's not like I realized he was looking… shut it," she said not used to being riled up. Maori giggled as she opened the doors for them.

"What did I miss?" Rin asked and they both replied, Satomi panicked and Maori still giggling "Nothing."

Satomi laid back down on the bed and quickly went to sleep as the center door between the bedrooms were opened. Maori entertained Rin as she was still energized a while longer before she too fell into a deep sleep next to Satomi even though she had her own bed. Maori watched them intently with content to make sure they were undisturbed.

She could sense Sesshomaru's approach and opened the door to the hall. "My Lord," she said moving aside. "They fell asleep soon after we arrived. I believe Satomi will make a full recovery."

"Very well. Be sure they stay here tomorrow. I do not need complications with the Demon Lords although they will not mean to cause any. If I need them I will call," he said as she nodded and bowed deeply as he left. Maori noticed his gaze linger a moment too long before she bowed, and he walked away. Closing the door again, she smiled with contentment. How much he had changed since she last saw him. Still cold, but hardly as icy in his demeanor. Truly becoming more like Toga little by little.