It was about noon in the high lands of the Akitsune clan. The only son of the family, Renjiro was sitting amongst the countless courtiers, his silks a deep navy blue that almost matched his eyes. His second sister, Kiyomi, sat next to him pointing out noble men she was interested in. One of which was a man Renjiro knew to be married.
"You have horrible taste in men." Renjiro covers his grin with his sleeve, teasing his sister.
Kiyomi pushed his shoulder playfully, then the air shifted. Renjiro's attention moved to the change. His breath caught, a great dog dāiyokāi entered. Renjiro hadn't been awestruck in a long time. The great dog dāiyokāi with silver hair that seemed to flow like ice, he seemed ethereal. His amber eyes flicked across the room like he was above all there, then the announcement came.
"Lord Sesshomaru, Prince of the Western lands, son of the Great Dog General and Emperor Toga." The announcer spoke.
'Sesshomaru' ghosted Renjiro's mouth like he needed to remember it. Hirotaka noticed his son's look, the gaze that takes over the prince, his eyes narrowed, his son's habits still not corrected.
Renjiro and the others stood before starting to bow as he passed, then suddenly a young male shot up from his position. Renjiro's eyes followed Sesshomaru's shadow then landed on his back, he almost blushed his eyes still trailing Sesshomaru's retreating form, barely noticing the man that shot forward.
"Lord Sesshomaru!!! You have dishonored my family by denying my sister!!! I will duel you for her honor." The young male fox yelled at him the sound of a sword being unsheathed.
Sesshomaru paused and didn't even turn to him. The young male charged him, Sesshomaru's claws glowed then a light whip cracked through the air. The fox landed on the floor hard, unconscious the next moment. Sesshomaru moved on, not even looking at his opponent once. Renjiro's eyes were locked on the entire display but they lingered on Sesshomaru, he felt warmth on his cheek and looked away. His graceful form was something to behold, how he flicked his wrist without looking and managing to strike only his intended target took skills that far outweighed the noble who approached, Renjiro knew he would be a better suited sparring partner missing the context entirely.
Sesshomaru noted eyes that followed him, but many nobles were staring at him with fear, disbelief and a few with curiosity. He didn't flatter, just continued unbothered before sitting quietly. Renjiro found himself looking at Sesshomaru often as the courtly events dragged on , his heart thundered in his chest every glance, Sesshomaru noticed, when Renjiro next looked, their eyes locked and Sesshomaru almost smirked, making note of the black haired fox with blue eyes whispering to Jaken to get the man's name. Jaken hurrying off to do so, Sesshomaru's eyes returned to him interested in getting to know him more. Renjiro blushed, looking at Sesshomaru returning to his gaze. He was noticed and it made his heart flutter.
Kiyomi noticed and held her brother's secret, she noticed their father stares and cleared her throat. Hirotaka had grown tired of the lingering eyes of his son, and moved towards them. Renjiro composed himself as their father approached with his sister's subtle warning. Hirotaka looked at his son then his eyes flicked to Sesshomaru.
"That's a prince… not a play thing." Hirotaka scolded, his hand tight, wanting to strike Renjiro.
Renjiro didn't speak, only nodded, shrinking down his shoulders tensely. Hirotaka made a clicking noise with his tongue before walking away. Renjiro had no intention of playing with Sesshomaru's emotions, far from it.
Sesshomaru got the male he was watching, Renjiro Akitsune, and he smiled; he would add him to the list of potential suitors, though he would frame it as a challenge for an assistant role.
A few weeks pass, Renjiro is standing outside of the palace, after being summoned by scroll to Sesshomaru's palace. Renjiro, walking through the entrance, was led to Sesshomaru's wings then given direction. He noticed the lack of paintings as he got closer to Sesshomaru's wing, compared to paintings of battles and glory in the main halls.
"Plain walls…" Renjiro said softly, continuing to walk down the hallway. " Not what I expected."
He arrived in the courtyard alone and five other men arriving just after himself stood waiting, Renjiro was early it seemed, after an hour the others arrived, Hajime Ryukuro, a dragon demon that was mostly brawn and boasting.
Sesshomaru standing in a courtyard for sparring. He was donned in armor, face cold and even. Jaken waddled in holding a scroll.
"Today, Lord Sesshomaru will pick an assistant, the choice will be made through a duel. The rule is that if you best Lord Sesshomaru once in combat, no tricks, no dishonorable moves, whoever wins will become his newest assistant." Jaken wheezed and coughed before walking off.
Lord Hajime approached first with a bright arrogant smile on his face. Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed, and he could see the arrogance in Hajime's posture. Sesshomaru shifted his stance just slightly. Hajime moved first, his wooden sword in hand. Sesshomaru blocked his first blow; it moved him only an inch before he pushed back. Hajime moved back as Sesshomaru went for a strike just barely missing it but the next blow he was fast enough for. Sesshomaru struck again from the side. Hajime winced and stumbled back. Sesshomaru's next strike was to his wrist, striking the force making him drop his sword. Sesshomaru went back to his resting position, his gaze looking to the court for his next opponent.
"Next!" Jaken called out.
Hajime rubbed his wrist and walked away embarrassed by his failure. Renjiro watched the whole thing and it made his heart race. He was eager but he waited. As each of them failed Renjiro's eagerness grew, Sesshomaru fought with grace like him. Their fighting style was similar in grace but different in stride and steps. Renjiro watched Sesshomaru closely watching his movements.
"Divine." Renjiro said under his breath, watching closely as Sesshomaru disarmed the man with graceful ease
Hajime was nearby and heard. His eyes flickered to Renjiro. Renjiro was watching Sesshomaru's every move when Sesshomaru was about to land the final blow, he bit his lip before releasing it just as quickly. Hajime's eyes narrowed and he slipped into the shadows watching as Renjiro stepped forward.
Renjiro picked up the wooden sword and stood in front of Sesshomaru before taking a fox sword fighting stance. Sesshomaru adjusted his stance then they began. Every blow that Renjiro made was to Sesshomaru's sword but Sesshomaru wasn't landing any strikes either. Renjiro continued his eyes watching Sesshomaru's stance and grip, then he saw an opening. Sesshomaru thrust his sword and Renjiro side stepped then knocked Sesshomaru's sword from his hand only slightly before he corrected his grip. Renjiro jumped back to allow him space before bowing gracefully before rising again. Sesshomaru didn't speak, just looked at Renjiro for a moment. He notices his deep blue eyes first then how his long black hair was tied up with a ribbon that matches his eyes perfectly. Sesshomaru's heart beat picked up, not only was this man able to outthink him in a duel, but he was pleasant on the eyes. Sesshomaru then put down his sword, signaling to Jaken he was down. Jaken had the nobles line up, Hajime and Renjiro stood next to each other. A long silence as Sesshomaru scanned them but his eyes landed on Renjiro.
"Lord Renjiro Akitsune." Sesshomaru spoke. "You will be my new assistant."
Renjiro bowed, "Of course, My Lord."
Sesshomaru turned without a word. Renjiro lifted his head and followed without a command needed. Sesshomaru dismissed the court with a hand gesture then softly only where Renjiro could hear.
"Do not fail me." Sesshomaru commanded.
Renjiro bowed, as the ghost of a smile appeared.
"Of course, my lord." Renjiro composed his face as he rose.
Sesshomaru watched Renjiro's face as he rose from the corner of his eye. Sesshomaru could feel himself blushing almost but composed himself. Hajime watched as they walked away. His jealousy swelled in his chest and his lip twitched, he started plotting the downfall of Akitsune. His shoulder tensed as he exhaled, not able to release the tension in his body still coiled tight.