Chapter 8

A new friend

Mai watched the girl called Rin. She was a sweet child, but there was something wrong about her. Mai scanned her with her eyes. The kid had bare feet, a few bruises. Then Mai realized it. The kid had too expensive clothes to be a common village thief. Or maybe she stole the kimono as well?

“Rin,” said Mai to the girl. “It was a pleasure to meet you, but it’s getting late. I think it’s time to return you to your parents. You don’t want to worry them, do you?”

Rin looked up at Mai with sadness in her eyes and hung her head.

“I don’t have parents.” She said quietly. Mai opened her eyes wider. She knew how it was to be alone in the world. The girl felt compassion for the child. She reached out and embraced Rin. The little girl seemed to be surprised with the sudden show of affection.

“Poor thing.” said Mai quietly. Rin smiled and hugged Mai as well.

“I’m not sad.” said Rin. “My mother, my father and my brothers are dead, but Sesshomaru-sama is taking care of Rin.”

Mai released the kid from the embrace and looked at girl. She must be a strong one; she lost all her family at such a young age... and yet she put on a brave face.

“Sesshomaru-sama?” asked Mai, wondering if he was the girl’s relative or a neighbor perhaps. Rin’s eyes lit up at the mention of this name.

“Yes, he’s strong and kind. He will always protect Rin.” she exclaimed enthusiastically.

“Wow, seems like an amazing person. Where is he now?” Mai asked.

“He’s gone for a while and he told Rin to stay here,” answered Rin.

“He left you alone?” asked Mai. What idiot would leave an eight-year old without care and take off somewhere?

“He will come back for sure.” said Rin smiling to herself.

“Do you live somewhere in the village?” asked curious Mai.

“No.” Rin shook her head. “We travel all the time.”

“Travel? That’s interesting,” said Mai. She thought that travelling with such a small child was a bit irresponsible. “So, tell me, Rin, what is exactly Sesshomaru-sama’s occupation? What does he do?”

Rin didn’t respond right away. She looked at the nearby trees, thinking of an answer.

“He’s a warrior, I think.” she answered finally. Mai got even more interested.

“A wandering samurai? Does he have a sword?” the girl kept asking. Rin clapped her hands.

“Even two!” she exclaimed with joy and relaxed even more.

Soon, Mai learned that Rin was travelling with a samurai called Sesshomaru, his servant, Jaken, and horse, Ah-Un. The boss – that Sesshomaru – was pursuing some evil guy and fighting him from time to time. The kid adored the Sesshomaru guy. Whenever she mentioned him, her eyes would brighten up and she would blabber how awesome he was. From Rin’s story, Mai figured out that the samurai saved Rin’s life and now the child is following him.

“Rin, where do you sleep?” Mai asked the kid.

“In the forest,” the little girl answered, shrugging her shoulders as if it was the most usual thing in the world. Mai, on the other hand, was shocked by the thought of a child spending a night alone in the forest.

“That’s too dangerous.” stated Mai. “You should come with me. I can find you a nice room with a soft bed.”

Rin, to Mai’s surprise, opposed to the idea strongly. She shook her head stubbornly.

“Sesshomaru-sama told Rin to stay within the forest with Ah-Un and wait for him and Jaken-sama.” she told Mai.

“The forest is dangerous in the night!” Mai argued. “Stay at the temple then.”

“Rin will stay in the forest.” the girl repeated patiently.

Mai opened her mouth to argue more but closed it. She supposed there was no point in arguing with a child. Rin seemed to be a very stubborn little person who was going to do everything her caretaker said. However, Mai couldn’t just leave the girl alone. In the night, she would be cold and starving.

“Rin, wait for me here. I will be right back.” said Mai and climber the stairs leading to the temple.

She looked around for a piece of paper and something to write with. Then she made a list of everything a little girl could need while camping in the forest. She read it once again and added two more things.

“Shinji!” she called. “SHINJI!”

The scared samurai rushed through the door, nearly breaking it down. His face and hands were dirty; he was out of breath.

“I want you to get me things from this list as quickly as possible.” she said, shoving the piece of paper into his hand. Baffled, the samurai looked at the list, then at Mai.

“Amayami-hime,” he started, “My duty is to protect you.”

“I’ll be fine.” Mai interrupted him and narrowed her eyes. She gave him her best scary look. “I will be very, very displeased if you fail me.”

Shinji bowed quickly and ran out of the temple, nearly breaking his neck as he tripped on the stairs. Rin looked at him with wide eyes. Mai waved to her.

“Rin, I think he’ll be running errands for some time, so what do you want to do?” asked Mai.

Rin flashed a cute smile at her.

“Mai-sama has very pretty hair. Can I braid it?” the little girl pleaded.

Mai sighed and reached out for her bag. She fished a comb out of it and handed it over to Rin, who squeaked gleefully. After a while, Mai fought to not fall asleep as the kid was combing her hair. It felt so good….

“Rin?” Mai said sleepily as she was getting more and more relaxed.

“Yes, Mai-sama?”

“Don’t call me Mai-sama. It makes me feel old. It’s Mai, just Mai.”

“All right, Mai!” said Rin cheerfully, almost singing.

The girl took a red ribbon out of her sleeve and started decorating Mai’s head with it. She and Mai chatted a little. Mai found the company of Rin very pleasant. Perhaps it was because the kid was cheerful and talkative. In fact, the child’s mouth seemed to not close, but Mai didn’t mind. Kid’s blabbering was quite relaxing. Moreover, Rin was the first person in the feudal era to call Mai by her real name. She lazily studied the surroundings. The older girl narrowed her eyes. No doubt – Shinji was returning with a large bag on his back. He ran to the place, where both girls were sitting, fighting to catch breath. Rin hid herself behind Mai’s back. The young samurai took the bag off his back and put it at Mai’s feet.

“Amayami-hime, there’s everything you wanted.” He managed to say. “We must return to the castle before the sun sets.”

Mai opened the bag and examined the contents. She nodded her head with approval.

“Good job, Shinji. Rin, no need to be afraid. You can stop hiding behind me.”

At her words, Rin hesitantly stepped away from Mai, not taking her eyes off the young samurai, as though she was expecting him to attack her.

“Rin, that’s for you.” said the older girl, pushing the bag towards the child. “Inside are things you will need if you want to sleep in the forest. I will be going now.”

“Will you come tomorrow?” the little girl asked quickly, hope in her voice.

“Sure I will.” answered Mai, ruffling her hair. “I’ll be here every day. See you tomorrow, kid!”

Rin watched as Mai walked away towards the castle accompanied by a young man, who looked like a samurai. She smiled to herself and dragged the heavy bag to her camp through the bushes. The dragon-like creature with two heads stopped eating grass and lifted its heads. It walked to her and sniffed her curiously. Rin laughed and petted each of his two heads.

“Hello, Ah-Un.” Rin said to the dragon-youkai. “I’m sorry I left you. Do you know that I found a new friend today? Her name is Mai and she’s really nice and brave. You would like her! Tomorrow I’ll see her again!”

Ah-Un made a peculiar sound.

“No, Ah-Un,” said the girl. “You can’t come with me. Mai mustn’t know that I’m with youkai.”