Rin

It had been a month since I discovered I had been pregnant, and since then Sesshomaru had been moved into a separate room. He was still in a comatose state and because of that I had to take on the responsibility of the head of the clan, a matter that had caused an uproar throughout the western dog-demon tribe. It is in this time, now, that I am especially thankful for the presence of Master Jaken.

I had expected him, more than anyone, to be in a complete state of hysteria because of Sesshomaru's coma, but instead he begun to aid me in my duties as head and given me time to raise Inume. When I asked him why, one day, he simply answered that it was because I needed to focus on "mothering Lord Sesshomaru's child". It appears as though over the years that I have grown, Master Jaken has matured as well.

It was about two weeks ago when I began to investigate my husband's case. All the demon-medics in our home had reported that there was nothing unusual about his body, which was strange. He was completely healthy; it was all in his mind. Hearing this I summoned a demon spirit-doctor from the far west and am still waiting for the doctor to arrive, hopeful that this was the cure.

With all this spare time I was able to play and spend time with Inume. I had decided to take her in the moment I had found her mother dead, and besides, my newly-found maternal insticts wouldn't let me do otherwise.

I would often take her out to our garden or to see Sesshomaru, telling her that he was her uncle and that he loved her (which I honestly believe he would). She would often giggle and play with his hair whenever I let her sit next to him. She would burrow her nose into it and lick the sides of his cheeks affectionately. I would often cry when this happened; scared that by the time I had our own child he would still be asleep. I missed my husband so much that it hurt.

By the time the spirit doctor had arrived my morning sickness had reduced from daily to maybe twice a week, meaning I was better suited to move around during the day. I greeted the doctor at the gate to our estate as soon as she arrived and led him directly to Sesshomaru's room. The doctor was a woman, I discovered, who had long black hair that went to the ground, pale blue skin, pointed ears, and small squinty eyes. She was very soft spoken and had mild wrinkles on her face.

She had brought a large assortment of medicines when she arrived and she had requested that I stay out of the room when she examined him as some of the incense she was using was too strong for humans. Me, especially, since I was pregnant.

I waited outside for about an hour before she exited the room. It was only for an instant, but I was able to smell the incense as the door was opened. I had to run outside to keep from puking on the floor. My assistants held my hair back for me.

I was brought water and was given a large pillow to sit on while I waited to talk to the doctor. She had been looking especially troubled when she sat down across from me in the separate room we had been given to converse.

"Has your husband, by any chance, encountered any sort of high spiritually powered being that would wish him any harm?" I stared at her.

"Are you familiar with my husband, Ms. Yumihiko?" I asked in a lowered voice. I looked down at my, now growing, stomach and began running a hand over it. She continued,

"Although he's a wonderful man in my eyes, not very many people like him, and it is very possible that he had multiple enemies like that." The doctor sighed and leaned back onto her arms. She brought a hand up and scratched her chin.

"Lady Rin, your husband is trapped." She said finally.

"What?" I whispered, eyes wide.

"There is an extreme turmoil going on inside your husband's soul. It seems that he's been cursed, but what the curse is I have no idea." Tears began streaming down my face as the hope that he would come back became smaller and smaller.

"I-is there any way we can bring him back?" I hiccupped. She was silent and I let out a pained sob.

"Yes, there is." She said lowly. I stared expectantly.

"It is very dangerous, though, because I am unaware of what the curse is exactly. It would be very potentially dangerous to bring him out as I have no idea what happened to him."

"P-please," I cried desperately, "just do it! It might be selfish of me, but I want, no, I need my husband back right now." She nodded silently in understanding. We talked a little while longer before we made our way back to Sesshomaru's room. She wasn't using her incense any longer so I was able to go in the room when she did the procedure.

She sat down next to his unconscious body and leaned over him. I almost shouted in protest when she leaned closer to his face, but stopped when I realized she had just been placing her forehead on his own. I watched in wonder and in anticipation, clenching the fabric of my yukata tightly.

It was like this for several moments before, for the first time in months, two pairs of golden eyes opened to the world. They were golden and bright, not dull as they had been for the last several weeks. I let out a sob as I ran over to him, tears streaming down my face. I hugged him and the doctor moved out of the way as I snuggled into his clothing.

"Rin?" he questioned lowly. I nodded into his chest.

"I missed you, Sesshomaru." I whispered into his garments.

"Rin," this time the tone of his voice slightly worried me. I looked up.

"What are you talking about," he looked confused, "I'm Inuyasha."