The Servant of the Demon Lord

~Chapter 8~

Mayu watched as Rin, Himari, Yua, and another little boy that showed up named Shippō run around and play with a ball making her smile. She still stood beside Sesshomaru who only stood silently while others mingled and had fun. Mayu glanced up seeing him watching the children as well, his gaze calm and at peace. She closed her eyes with a gentle smile, she'd never seen him this calm and it was, well, calming to see.

"Mayu, was it?" Mayu looked up at Kagome.

"Yes." She answered in a soft tone. Kagome then eagerly patted the spot next to her and her husband. Mayu glanced up at Sesshomaru, who glanced down at her as well, for an ok. When he nodded she walked over and sat down.

"So, how long have you known Sesshomaru?" Kagome asked once Mayu got comfy.

"Umm, for a bit now. I lost track of time if I'm honest." Mayu replied truthfully.

"Sorry to hear." Inuyasha mumbled making Kagome elbow him.

"Sorry?" Mayu asked curiously.

"He's a grade A asshole."

"Osuwari." Kagome said calmly, then Inuyasha was slammed harshly to the ground below making Mayu jump out of her skin.

"Ignore him please." Kagome said with a sigh.

"D-Did you kill him?" Mayu asked worriedly.

"He's fine." She said with a smile.

"Easy for you to say." He growled as he got up again.

"Plus, you know I'm right!" He snapped.

"N-Not being rude, but he's not?" Mayu said more like a question than a statement.

"Eh?" Inuyasha asked with a surprised look.

"Yeah, he treats me and Rin very well." Mayu said with a gentle smile. Inuyasha blinked a couple of times before leaning over to Miroku.

"She's out of her mind dude." He whispered making Kagome smack him.

"Enough!" She snapped making him jump back. Miroku put his hands on Inuyasha's back reminding him to not crush him.

"Is it that much of a surprise?" Mayu asked.

"Well, no-"

"Yeah-"

"OSUWARI!!!" Kagome snapped slamming Inuyasha down to the ground a lot harsher than last time making Mayu, yet again, jump out of her skin.

"What I was trying to say was, no, it's just he's usually... detached?" She said trying to choose her words very carefully thanks to the fact Sesshomaru was right there.

"I suppose he can be. Though, once he warms up to you, he opens up a tad bit more." Mayu said with a gentle smile.

"Really?" Kagome asked a little surprised.

"I mean, he must. He trusts me with Rin after all." Mayu said with a gentle laugh. On cue, Rin ran over wrapping her arms around Mayu making her look over.

"U-Umm, Mayu." Rin stuttered with a reddened face.

"What is it, love?" Mayu asked. Rin glanced to the side before pointing cautiously. Mayu looked to see a little boy with another boy, the one Rin pointed at had short black hair with deep brown eyes and had a blank look on his face while his friend laughed and playfully hit his shoulder.

"What about him, Rin?" She asked.

"H-His name is Aka, and uh." She let Mayu go and fiddled with her kimono, her face bright red now.

"I really like him." She whispered.

"Aww, does someone have a little crush?~" Mayu asked making Rin hide her face, but giggle.

"How about we go say hi?" Mayu asked.

"U-Umm." Rin muttered softly as she uncovered her face and glancing to the side.

"Are you scared to?" Rin nodded.

"Here, I'll go with you." Mayu said sweetly before standing up and taking Rin's hand.

"O-Ok!" Mayu smiled as she walked Rin over to the boys, a little girl looking a lot like the brown-haired boy ran up and hugged the brown-haired boy before dragging him off leaving Aka alone. Sesshomaru watched the two carefully. He wasn't sure what this crush thing was, but he didn't like the sound of it.

"Hello, are you Aka?" Mayu asked kindly making the boy look up at her. He only nodded, staying silent yet calm.

"My friend here wanted to say hello, but she was a little shy to come alone." Mayu said putting her hands on Rin's shoulders gently as she looked down at her. Rin was bright red and acted bashfully as she waved gently. The boy tilted his head, then smiled waving back.

"Go on then, ask if he wants to play with you." Mayu said giving her a gentle nudge. Rin nodded walking a little closer to the boy.

"U-Umm, do you wanna p-play with me and my friends?" She asked. The boy smiled a little brighter and nodded making Rin's face light up brightly.

"See, was that so hard?" She asked teasingly.

"Nu-uh!" Rin chirped before holding her hand out. Aka took it so they both ran off making Mayu laugh, then her face dropped.

'If only Aito was here to play with you, Rin.' She shook her head gently before walking back over to the others.

"Mayu." Sesshomaru spoke up making her stop in her tracks and look over. He motioned her over so she walked over beside him once again.

"You mentioned rin had a 'crush' on that boy?" He asked looking Mayu in the eye. Mayu could only nod, her voice was caught in her throat thanks to those golden eyes of his.

"What is that supposed to mean?" He asked in a serious tone. Mayu hesitated for a moment, then smiled letting out a soft breath.

'He doesn't know human sayings, right.'

"It means she's interested in him as a love interest. Though they both are young so it obviously isn't too serious." Mayu explained and reassured with a gentle smile. Inuyasha watched the two closely gaining Kagome's attention.

"Is something wrong?" She asked him softly making him glance at his wife letting her know he heard her.

"Yeah, it's just... weird." He muttered making Kagome look over.

"I see." Sesshomaru muttered as he looked back at Rin and Aka.

"Were you worried?" Mayu asked making Sesshomaru glance down at her once more, but he only stayed silent. Mayu let out a gentle breath before moving to stand beside him instead of in front of him.

"You know, she worries about you." Mayu spoke up making Sesshomaru, yet again, glance down at her.

"She knows you well, she's noticed a change in your behavior." Mayu looked up at him, his focus was on her.

"I know it is not in my right to say, but, I think you should talk to her more." Mayu glanced to the side.

"My brother was like her, he knew more than most would have thought. It helps children like them when you actually explain things, trust them with your wisdom." Mayu said before closing her eyes as gentle winds blew by.

"Possibly." Mayu looked up at him, he had his eyes on Rin once more but he looked to be deep in thought making Mayu smile gently.

'You're an odd one, aren't you?'