The Servant of the Demon Lord

~Chapter 21~

"See, it's been fun. Huh?" Mayu asked once the pups unpiled themselves off of him. He didn't say anything, but Mayu knew his answer, he looked a lot more relaxed now. He stood up dusting himself off as Rin stood up as well hugging Mayu. Mayu smiled and hugged her back.

"Now, we need to do one last thing before we go." Mayu said with a smile.

"Being?" Sesshomaru asked.

"You'll see." Mayu simply said before turning and walking. Rin smiled, took Sesshomaru's hand, and dragged him to follow Mayu with her. The pastry shop, the woman opened her doors seeing them approach.

"Good day my lord." She greeted with a smile. He seemed almost surprised for a moment.

"Good day." He muttered. They all went inside as Rin sniffed the air.

"Yummy.~" She said with sparkling eyes making Mayu smile.

"I've made your favorite." The woman said before placing a plate out on one of the tables.

"I remember you'd always ask your father for Daifukumochi, you two would sit and talk for hours here. It was always a wonderful sight to see." She said with a warm smile. Mayu perked up, another odd glimmer in his eyes. 

"And enough for everyone." She said before walking behind the counter to leave the three alone. Sesshomaru looked at the plate for a moment, then looked down at Rin. He picked her up putting her in the chair, then sat beside her.

"Try one." Rin nodded and took one taking a bite, then her eyes sparkled.

"So good.~" She said before nomming on it some more. Sesshomaru, to Mayu's surprise, reached over taking one bitting into it as well. Mayu's eyes sparkled, then she sighed with a smile.

'If I manage to keep this up, his nerves won't be shot so easy. I hope.'

"Mayu." Mayu perked up at Sesshomaru's voice.

"Yes?" She asked. He motioned her to sit as well making her hold up her hand with a smile.

"No no, it's you two's t-"

"Mayu." He said sternly. Mayu sighed softly then complied knowing he wouldn't take no for an answer. She sat down, then perked up when Sesshomaru held one out to her. She sighed with a smile, took it, and took a bite.

"Wow." She muttered before taking another.

"No wonder you came here often Sesshomaru-sama!" Rin chirped grabbing another.

"Mh-hm!" Mayu hummed making Rin giggle.

"Hmm." Sesshomaru simply hummed.

"Say, Sesshomaru-sama?" Rin asked making him look down at her.

"Yes?" He asked softly.

"What was your papa like?" He seemed to perk up a little.

"Why do you ask?" Mayu glanced up a little worried he'd get upset. Not as Rin, no, but just talking about his father.

"Oh, well, I was thinking a bit lately. I actually don't remember much of my parents. I remember they were very busy, they worked a lot. I don't think they were home often." She muttered in a thoughtful tone.

"Was your papa like that?" She asked. Sesshomaru thought for a moment.

"No, out of both my parents, I got the most attention from my father. He did work a lot, but he often brought me with him if I wished to go. He taught me the way to be a lord, but he also made it fun and noteworthy." He started surprising Mayu.

"He was a loyal father, always there when I needed him just as he was to his people. He was courageous, powerful, wise, just like any ruler and father should be." Mayu smiled softly.

"He fought many battles, leading his men with pride, leading them- all of us to greatness. He was selfless, often throwing his life on the line for others. I grew curious as to why, so I asked him. His response still lingers to this day." He muttered.

"I want nothing more than to watch my people be safe and happy, whether that be here or in the next realm, for it is the duty of a lord, a friend, and a father." He quoted.

"I and he were close, far closer than I was with my mother, even to this day. And yet, in the end, I pushed him away due to his choices." Rin tilted her head.

"I saw him with another woman other than my mother and I grew angry, even after my mother said she didn't care, it was inevitable. The last we spoke, he asked me a question that haunts me to this very day." He looked out the window for a moment.

"Tell me, Sesshomaru. Have you someone to protect?" He quoted again.

"Back then, I saw it as hypocritical of him to ask such a thing. I still remember the aura he had when I gave him my answer, voice laced in venom and hatred. 'No. I, Sesshomaru, have no need for such.' Yet, despite my words, he still smiled, considered me his son." Rin gently leaned against Sesshomaru making him glance down at her.

"I'm curious, Sesshomaru." Mayu finally spoke up making him glance up.

"Would you change your answer now?" She asked. He looked down at Rin once more, then out the window seeing the people walking by, children play or running around.

"Yes." Mayu smiled.

"He'd be proud of you, you know." He looked up at Mayu again, falling silent. He then sighed softly closing his eyes.

"Maybe." He muttered.

"There's no maybe about it, I know he would. You're doing great as a lord, as a father figure." Sesshomaru seemed to perk up when she said 'father figure.'

"Uhn!" Rin agreed with a bright smile as she took his hand. He looked down at her again, then gently held her hand in his own. Mayu smiled looking out the window.

'Funny, at first I didn't even want to be here. Yet, here I am, smiling.' Her smile faltered for a moment.

'If only you could see this, Aito. You'd play all you want, you'd sleep comfortably for once, you'd be happy. I couldn't provide that for you.' Sesshomaru glanced up sensing Mayu's mood dropping.

"Mayu." Mayu looked over.

"Thank you." Mayu perked up.

"F-For what?" He didn't speak a single word, he only reached over taking her hand, then gently kissing it making Mayu's heart skip a beat. He slowly let her hand go before standing.

"Come, it grows late." He spoke.

"Uhn." Rin said getting up as well. Mayu blinked a couple of times, then nodded getting up as well. She looked up at him while he took Rin's hand, his golden eyes on her.

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