Some say that a youkai cannot love, can only use; that human dalliances of demonic forces are destined for tragedy. Some tell of the wispy souls of women who faded away after they were discarded, forever walking the earth in search of their cold-hearted lovers; others whisper of the women or their halfling babes who became the meals of the creatures that wooed them. Cautionary tales, indeed, meant to frighten young girls out of falling prey to attractive strangers in the wild, of allowing themselves to love that which should be feared.What if a child is raised by a youkai? What of her?
She is neither human nor youkai; feared by the creatures of her birth for her connection with the latter, she relies on the reflexes of her protector to keep her safe from his kind as well as her own. And protect her he does, without question, again and again. She quickly learns to read his moods in the shifts of colour in his eyes, to know when to speak and when to stay silent, to accept without question her place as he permits her to stay at his side season after season, year after year.
This child becomes his mirror, the yin to his yang, bright and shining and loving, the delicate flower that he could crush with a swift movement of his claws…but does not.
When the child becomes a woman of soft curves and softer looks, her desire only to please him, does he callously take her maidenhood in payment for his protection, and then cast her out or devour her? Undoubtedly there are youkai who would do this; however, not this youkai, not this Sesshomaru.
His use of the Tenseiga to resurrect Rin, and then his repeated combat for her safety’s sake speak louder than his dismissive words. There are those who whisper that she is only a possession, valued no more highly than a good pair of boots…but would he risk death for a mere trifle? His words so often were at odds with his actions while she remained a child, but when she became a woman…. His pride warred with his heart, growling that he would not repeat his father’s mistake. His heart calmly answered that the mistake would not be repeated, because the maiden would be wed. His pride snarled no hanyou filth; his heart mused on the names of heirs.
His pride didn’t stand a chance. At least, we would like to think so.
Why this pairing, which seems at the first glance so very unlikely? The fundamental belief in romance, in opposites attracting, of the timeless nature of the fairytale is what drives our fascination with the possible relationship between the taiyoukai and his ward. The arrogant, posturing princeling forced to grow up and become not only worthy of his father’s inheritance, but also worthy of a woman’s love. The woman, of no remarkable birth or breeding, who becomes the consort of a king due to her fierce loyalty. The beggar lass catching the eye of the prince. The spoiled youth who puts aside his selfish impulses to become the unlikely saviour of his people.
Any of these sound familiar? The infinite variations on these stories may be found in all cultures around the world, and fuel our belief that inside that reserved exterior beats a passionate heart…and a young girl with wide, dark eyes and a sunny smile holds the key to his ultimate salvation. As in all good fairy tales, her unwavering devotion is rewarded with his love…and they live happily ever after.
This is our version of this feudal fairytale; others may have differing opinions, to which they are most certainly entitled. However, we prefer the vision of a young woman securely nestled in the arms of her taiyoukai as a storm of cherry blossoms swirl about them, their twining black and silver hair dappled with soft pink petals. Hopelessly romantic? We like to think that love makes anything possible.
In anime:
Episode 35: Meitō ga erabu Shin no tukaite
Episode 44: Kaijinbō no Jaakuna ken
Episode 45: Sesshōmaru Tōkijin wo furuu
Episode 51: Kokoro wo kuwareta Inuyasha
Episode 52: Tomerarenai ! Yōkai no honshō
Episode 66: Naraku no kekkai Kagura no kesshin
Episode 67: Fukiareru uragiri no kaze
Episode 75: Hyōneko Shitennō no inbō
Episode 76: Tāgetto wa Sesshōmaru to Inuyasha !
Episode 77: Hyōnekozoku to futatu no Kiba no turugi
Episode 79: Jaken no Tessaiga bundori sakusen
Episode 80: Sesshōmaru to sarawareta Rin
Episode 81: Tatikireru Naraku no yukue
Episode 96: Byōki ni natta ano Jaken
Episode 99: Kōga to Sesshōmaru kiken na sōgū
Episode 104: Shinobiyoru dokutukai Mukotu
Episode 107: Hajimete miseru Inuyasha no namida
Episode 111: Getitotu! Banryū vs Kaze no kizu
Episode 113: Seinaru Dokko to Sokushinbutu no nazo
Episode 114: Kōga no kokō naru tatakai
Episode 115: Suikomareru kuroi hikari
Episode 116: Sarakedasareta shinjitu no kao
Episode 120: Sayonara Jakotu no tinkonka
Episode 121: Kessen! saikyōsaigo no shitinintai
Episode 122: Kyōretu Banryū Hakureizan no shito
Episode 123: Kurayami no saki ni Shinsei-Naraku
Episode 124: Saraba itoshiki Kikyō yo
Episode 133: Sesshōmaru wo aishita onna (Zenpen)
Episode 134: Sesshōmaru wo aishita onna (Kōhen)
Episode 155: Shikon no kakera wo mamoru oni
Episode 156: Bozen kessen! Sesshōmaru vs Inuyasha
Episode 157: Naraku wo turanuke Kongōsōha
Episode 162: Sesshōmaru to eien ni issho
Episode 166: Futari no kizuna Shikon no kakera wo tukae!(Zenpen)
Episode 167: Futari no kizuna Shikon no kakera wo tukae!(Kōhen)
In manga:
Volume 14
Volume 17
Volume 19
Volume 23
Volume 24
Volume 27
Volume 30
Volume 32
Volume 33
Volume 36
Volume 38
Volume 40
Volume 41
Volume 42
Volume 47
Volume 48
Volume 49
Volume 50
Volume 51
