Disclaimer: Sadly, I STILL do not own any of the Inuyasha characters, though I stood outside of Sesshoumaru's window for hours reciting original poetry dedicated to his awesomeness. It's all right, your honor, I was back 50 yards.
~Chapter Two~
Sesshoumaru stood frozen as he stared at the enchanting woman Rin had become. Her black hair cascaded down her back like shimmering silk, though her bangs still defied any effort to tame them. She wore a deep blue kimono, the soft fabric showing the lovely curves of her body. Gone were the gangly arms and legs, replaced by smooth, long, elegant limbs. She had far surpassed the promise of beauty held in her youth and carried herself with a noble, almost regal bearing.
He wondered briefly why she was hiding on a roof.
She was pressed tightly to the thatch of the hut, slowly working her way towards the peak. She glanced to the side, and only then did Sesshoumaru notice the little figure struggling next to her. The boy looked to be about seven, with black hair and a bright red robe, and with a start Sesshoumaru realized it was Inuyasha's oldest son, Kichirou. The boy was dragging a bucket as he clambered up the steep roof, doing his best not to spill the contents. As Sesshoumaru watched, the child lost his footing and began to slip down the incline. Without hesitation, Rin allowed herself to slide just enough for her to calmly reach out and grab the back of the boy's clothing. As she stopped her downward movement, her kimono caught a bit on one side, riding high and giving Sesshoumaru a brief and very interesting glimpse of her smooth, creamy thigh. How delightful…
How inappropriate. Sesshoumaru scowled, suddenly angry. Didn't she have any modesty at all? His rational brain attempted to reason that it had been unintentional, and a direct result of her rescuing the child, but he still felt the urge to growl. While he watched with narrowed eyes, Rin reached for the bucket, which the child promptly held away from her. His anger slowly slipped away as the duo on the roof engaged in a very animated, though soundless battle of wills with Rin as the inevitable victor. She grasped the bucket in one hand and gracefully began to climb, the sulking boy following much more easily now without the burden to hinder him. Now at the top, Rin peered stealthily over, though Kichirou was not nearly as subtle and popped his head right over the peak. Rolling her eyes, Rin reached up and placed her head on top of the child's head, gently pushing down until it was level with hers. Sesshoumaru felt his chest constrict as he recalled a very similar lesson nearly ten years ago. One side of his mouth quirked slightly upward. So, the student had become the master. He melted back into the trees before launching himself back into the air, wanting a good view of the imminent chaos. From his vantage point high above, he could see the two masterminds lying in wait as another boy strolled down the street toward the cottage. As he passed by the cottage, Rin signaled to Kichirou and the boy tipped the bucket, sending the water running down the opposite slope of the roof to splash down on unsuspecting target. As soon as the victim yelped, Rin grabbed Kichirou in one hand and her skirt in the other and flipped over onto her back, sliding down off the roof and into a large pile of hay directly behind it. Rolling out of the pile, the culprits sprinted into the woods before any of the gathering village people caught sight of them.
Sesshoumaru landed and followed them to where they had stopped in a clearing, doubled over with laughter.
"That was perfect!" cried Kichirou, dancing around excitedly. Rin agreed wholeheartedly.
"An excellent plan well executed," Rin laughed, "and not a single witness!"
From behind her, Sesshoumaru snorted. As he stepped into the clearing Rin spun around, eyes wide, and for a moment time seemed to stop. Her heart stuttered, then began to pound in her chest, and she couldn't seem to catch her breath.
"Sesshoumaru...sama..."
Suddenly, she raced towards him and threw herself into his arms, burying her face in his neck as she felt him reach out to catch her.
"Sesshoumaru-sama, you're here," she whispered brokenly, "You're really here."
Sesshoumaru held Rin tightly. He was stunned by the softness of her body as it pressed against him. She fit perfectly, as if she were some piece of him that he hadn't realized he was missing. He closed his eyes and breathed deep of her scent, taking it into him and reveling in it.
"Did you doubt me?" he asked seriously. She drew back from the hug far enough to look up at him, her soft chocolate eyes glistening with tears as they met his gold ones. She smiled at him.
"Never," she whispered.
A small sound broke the spell, and Sesshoumaru carefully lowered her back to her feet, the pair turning to see Kichirou staring at them in amazement. Rin, slightly embarrassed, slowly pulled away, though Sesshoumaru was reluctant to let her go. He immediately missed her warmth, and had to fight not to pull her back into his arms.
"Kichirou, you remember your uncle, Sesshoumaru-sama, right?" Rin asked the boy.
Sesshoumaru looked into eyes as gold as his own and saw the small boy sniff slightly, taking in his scent. He might only be quasi-youkai, but apparently the inu sense of smell had bred true. The boy smiled shyly.
"Welcome back, Oji-san!" he said with a respectful bow.
Sesshoumaru nodded before turning back to Rin, carefully reaching up and tugging a stray piece of straw from the hair behind her ear. It was a tiny piece, and likely would have fallen out easily on its own, but Sesshoumaru could not resist the chance to touch her again. He held it up in front of her and quirked an eyebrow.
"It was Kichirou's idea," Rin said, straight-faced while the boy sputtered in a panic behind her.
"Somehow I find that difficult to believe, Rin," Sesshoumaru rumbled in amusement. She grinned.
"He may have received a few pointers, likely from a highly reputable source." She winked at the boy as the trio began making their way back toward the village. As they walked, Rin chattered about their escapade, explaining that they may or may not have been retaliating against Sango and Miroku's oldest son because he had allegedly put a frog in Kichirou's bed. Sesshoumaru looked at Rin and shook his head, wondering to himself who had helped the fiend catch the frog in the first place.
"You aren't going to tell papa, are you Oji-san?" Kichirou looked up at him, worry written all over his face. Reluctantly, Sesshoumaru tore his gaze away from Rin and glanced down at the child that looked so much like his hanyou brother. The boy was clearly a little intimidated by the daiyoukai, and more than a little scared of being outted to his parents, but maintained eye contact and navigated the path by instinct alone as he waited breathlessly for Sesshoumaru's answer.
"As Rin said, there was not a single witness," Sesshoumaru stated simply. Kichirou lit up and looked up at the daiyoukai with the beginnings of hero worship. With a grin, he skipped ahead of the adults down the path.
"You seem to have impressed Kichirou," Rin smiled, watching the as the boy disappeared.
"Children are easily impressed," Sesshoumaru replied, not really paying much attention. He was much more interested in Rin than the already nearly forgotten child.
"Not all of them." she murmured quietly to herself as they continued walking. She had imagined this meeting over and over in her mind for the last three years, had planned what she might say and how she would act so that he would see her as the self-sufficient, mature adult that she was now. Now that he was here, walking silently next to her and watching her with those deep, beautiful golden eyes, she couldn't remember a single witty comment or mature observation that she had filed away. Of course he would happen to show up when she was involved with some childish prank. She opened her mouth, not sure what she was going to say, when the trees stopped and they stepped into the sunlight.
The village was bustling, people and animals milling about everywhere. There seemed to be an abnormal amount of activity, and Sesshoumaru cocked his head in inquiry.
"That's right! Sesshoumaru-sama, you are just in time for the matsuri! We are celebrating this year's harvest, which was wonderful. There will be food, and competitions, and music!" Rin was bursting with excitement as she told him the news. A voice called out from the crowd, and they turned to see Kagome running toward them.
"Rin-chan, there you are!" Kagome skidded to a halt, her eyes widening and a smile spreading across her face when she saw Sesshoumaru standing next to Rin.
"Oniisan! When did you get back?" Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes, but did not respond. He had long since come to terms with the fact that Kagome would always refer to him in that ridiculously familiar way. She had decided he was family, and nothing was going to change that.
Kagome didn't wait for him to answer, correctly assuming that he would not. She turned back to Rin, "I know I said we had everything under control and told you to relax for once, but I'm worried about Sango-chan working so hard so close to delivering and I can't keep up with everything on my own. Would you mind terribly coming and helping me with the food?" Kagome clasped her hands in front of her and blinked at Rin with large doe eyes, begging good-naturedly for help.
"Of course, Kagome-chan," Rin laughed. She turned to face Sesshoumaru, "Sesshoumaru-sama, please come too. You can relax while we make the final preparations for tonight's festival!"
Kagome looked back and forth between the young woman and the daiyoukai, noticing with interest how Sesshoumaru's hard eyes softened in his otherwise expressionless face as he looked at the hopeful face of the girl next to him. The two were standing close enough that he had to tilt his head down significantly to meet her eyes, and Rin tilted her head back to look up at him. They made a striking pair, Sesshoumaru's cold good looks complimenting Rin's warm beauty perfectly. Kagome bit back a smile, her mind whirling as she considered the possibilities.
"What a wonderful idea," Kagome gushed, "thank you Rin-chan!" She turned to Sesshoumaru, "She is such a wonderful cook, I don't know what I would have done if she wasn't always so willing to help!" She beamed at the confused girl. "Well, I'll run over and let Sango-chan know that we've got the food preparations all taken care of. She'll have her hands full with all of her children as it is! I'll meet you at home in a little while." She called over her shoulder as she raced away. Rin looked at Sesshoumaru and shrugged.
"Shall we?" The two began making their way towards the hut where Inuyasha and Kagome lived with their children, by unspoken agreement keeping to the outskirts of the village away from the crowd. As they walked, Rin talked, filling Sesshoumaru in on some of the events from the past three years. Kagome had finally realized her dream of building a school in the village and now the miko took time every day to meet with the children of the village and teach them their letters. Among her pupils were Sango and Miroku's five children and Kagome's own son and daughter, seven year old Kichirou and Ruka, who had just turned four. Inuyasha and Kagome had also recently welcomed a second daughter, Sayuri, who had just turned a year old and was the most beautiful thing Rin had ever seen.
Sesshoumaru thought he might have to disagree with that last statement as he watched her out of the corner of his eye. She moved with unconscious ease, her lithe limbs carrying her smoothly across the ruts and bumps in the path. Her hands fluttered in graceful movements as she talked animatedly, not realizing that he was only half listening. Her voice had deepened from it's high, childish tones into a deeper feminine purr, and Sesshoumaru found himself actively participating in the conversation just so keep her talking.
More quickly than he would have liked, Rin turned and lead him up the porch of a pretty little hut on the far side of the village. Sesshoumaru's sensitive nose picked up the scents of three individuals inside, and as they stepped onto the porch Kaede slid open the door and peered out.
"Rin," the old priestest croaked, "there ye are!" She slowly shuffled out, looking Sesshoumaru over. "I see ye have returned as well. We had begun to wonder if ever ye would."
Sesshoumaru did not answer, instead his eyes focusing just behind the old woman. Peeking around the woman's legs was a little girl. He took a breath through his nose and the scent told him that this was the second child, Ruka. The little girl met his eyes and did not look away. From her outward appearance, she appeared completely human, almost an exact replica of Kagome. Looking at the child, Sesshoumaru felt the tiniest brush of power against his senses, so fleeting that for a moment he wondered if he had imagined it.
"Since ye have come, I'll be off then," Kaede said, not noticing the exchange between the daiyoukai and his niece. "There is much to do before tonight. Ruka, come along, ye can give this old woman a hand." Taking Ruka's hand, the old priestess turned and began to shuffle away, calling over her shoulder, "Sayuri just went down for a nap, don't wake her." As she made her way down the path, tugging Ruka along beside her, the little girl continued to watch Sesshoumaru over her shoulder and he stared at her until she disappeared into the crowd.
"This way, Sesshoumaru-sama," Rin said, having stepped towards the door. She paused when he did not move. "Sesshoumaru-sama? Is everything alright?"
With some effort, Sesshoumaru tore his gaze away from where he had last seen Ruka and turned back to Rin. With a short nod, he followed Rin into the hut and settled himself cross legged against a wall while she built up the fire in the middle of the room and began to gather the ingredients she would need for stew. As she worked, Sesshoumaru mused over the strange encounter he had just had. That little girl had power, but what kind he could not identify. It was not something he had encountered before. Sometimes the demonic powers of children manifested differently from the powers of their parents. He looked down at his claws, Inu no Taisho had not had any affiliation with poisons, nor had his mother, and yet Sesshoumaru had been born with a natural toxin that could melt through armor and bone alike. There was no way to tell what powers a child might develop. He looked up to see Rin watching him curiously while she cooked.
"Rin, what have you observed of Ruka's demonic powers?" he asked quietly. Rin paused in stirring the stew and cocked her head.
"As far as I have seen, Ruka doesn't have any powers. At least, she has none that any of us have seen. Why do you ask?"
He was saved from having to answer by a cry from one of the adjacent rooms. Rin immediately set the ladle down and ducked through the door, returning a moment later bouncing a baby on her hip. Sesshoumaru had to admit that the child was stunning, she had beautiful silver hair that was slightly mussed from her nap, and her porcelain skin was flushed from sleep. She rubbed sleepily at her eyes before blinking and peering around, golden irises flashing as she took in their visitor.
"Sayuri-chan," Rin cooed, and the baby turned to her. "Did you have good dreams?" The little girl giggled and babbled as if actually answering. Rin listened attentively to the nonsensical consonants, smiling as if the baby were telling her the most interesting story in the world. Sesshoumaru carefully maintained his expressionless mask as he watched Rin with the baby. The love on her face as she smoothed the child's silky hair was affecting him on a very primal level, triggering protective instincts for the woman and child that he had never experienced so intensely. Sayuri wiggled, and Rin knelt and set her on her feet, allowing the child to clutch her fingers in each hand as Rin stood behind her. Hanging on to the fingers for balance, Sayuri toddled precariously towards Sesshoumaru as Rin praised her efforts. She stopped directly in front of the demon.
"Sayuri-chan, this is your Oji-san. Can you say 'hi'?" Rin murmured. The baby was watching Sesshoumaru, confused because he looked like her papa, but was not her papa. The demon gazed at her solemnly.
"Little lily," he greeted, thinking that her name suited her perfectly. Up close, her fine silver hair was nearly white, and she was as delicate as the flower she was named for. Without warning Sayuri released Rin, and with the confidence that only babies have that everyone and everything is theirs, abruptly turned and sat down on Sesshoumaru's crossed legs.
He immediately stiffened, not sure how to react, and his eyes darted to Rin. She blushed, "I'm sorry, she's still young enough that everyone wants to hold her, she wouldn't realize you were any different." She reached for the child, but Sayuri's sweet disposition vanished in an instant and with a thunderous scowl she sank back against Sesshoumaru. Rin reached out again, and once more the baby flinched back, burying her chubby hands in Sesshoumaru's kimono and roaring her displeasure. With a sigh, Rin leaned back.
"Looks like you've been claimed," she said with a wry grin. Sesshoumaru glanced down at the fluffy white head, then back at Rin.
"She may stay," he said finally. She was only sitting there after all, he could ignore her. Rin blinked at him, then shrugged and went back to her neglected stew. Stirring it, she watched Sesshoumaru surreptitiously from beneath her lashes. He was staring at the baby, and had she not been so familiar with the subtle changes in his expressions she would have thought he wore none at all. Rin, however, had memorized every line of his beloved face and saw that he was puzzled as he studied the wriggling child. Sayuri wobbled, and Sesshoumaru tentatively placed a hand on her side to steady her. He frowned when the rebellious girl shoved his hand away, reaching instead for the hilt of Bakusaiga. He intercepted her hand more firmly this time. She responded by yanking her hand free and grabbing his fingers instead, studying them intently. He allowed her to manipulate his hand, flipping it over, bending his fingers, though he was careful not to let her near his claws even though they were blunted and free of toxins. Rin casually tended to the food, praying the daiyoukai would not realize how he was affecting her. He was being so gentle, it was a side of him that only Rin had seen, and even then only sparingly. The baby sitting in his lap, with her long silver hair and bright gold eyes looked so very like him, it was almost as if…
Though he did not know it, Sesshoumaru's thoughts as he played gently with the baby mirrored those of the woman by the fire. Was this what it was like to have a mate? A family? Carefully, he slid a finger under the baby's chin and couldn't stop the corners of his mouth from quirking slightly when she cackled and tried to push his hand away. Contrarily, when he removed his hand she lifted her chin and babbled excitedly, seeming to beg him to do it again. When he obliged, he felt a deep contentment settle in his chest as once again the baby's belly laugh filled the air. He glanced up at Rin and saw her smiling softly at him, her beautiful eyes glowing in the firelight.
Rin felt almost as if she was in a dream, and for a moment she allowed her imagination to run wild. This was her home, and Sesshoumaru, her beautiful, powerful husband was sitting there playing with their child. When he lifted his eyes to hers, a tiny smile still teasing at his lips she thought her heart might shatter with longing. She opened her mouth, unable to contain her feelings any longer.
Sesshoumaru stiffened, eyes narrowing in the direction of the door. Rin followed his gaze, and a moment later the door slid open.
"Looks like my home's been infested." A familiar voice growled.
"Inuyasha." Sesshoumaru's reply was more than half a growl as well. Slowly Inuyasha stepped into the light and smirked at his older brother.
"Hello, Sesshoumaru."
A/N~ Whew, another chapter in the books. Please let me know what you think! Comments welcome, constructive criticism as well, flames will be laughed at hysterically. Hope you enjoyed it!