Rin's Ballad 2

It's me again. If you're wondering, everything is just peachy on Paradise Island. I'm still getting used to the fact that I'm carrying triplets and I'm just glowing. NOT. I'm miserable and that witch of housekeeper…

She sat in the hammock nursing a plate of tangerines, apples and papayas. She was tired and miserable. She was hardly keeping anything down. The maid was a terror and Rin seriously thought she was homicidal.

"How are you feeling today?" Sesshomaru said, breaking into her depressing thoughts.

"How do you think?" She said not bothering to look at him.

"Would a back rub help?" he asked.

"I'll tell you what would help – a time a machine." She said. He scowled at her.

"I'm trying to be nice." He said.

"Well don't." She said miserably.

"I'll choose to ignore your harsh words." He said moving to carefully sit behind her in the hammock. Since she was too tired, she hardly put up a fight when he maneuvered her so they both sat comfortably in the swaying seat. She moaned as his fingers expertly worked out the knots in her shoulders, her upper and lower back. "Better?"

"Yes." She said grudgingly.

"Good." He encircled her and made her to lie back against him while he inhaled her heady scent.

"Stop sniffing me, you dog." She said.

"I can't help it." He said lowly and kissed her dark head.

She felt her eyes drifting shut. "Help me finish this plate. I don't wanna waste it." She said sleepily. He obliged by feeding her the slices of fruit slowly and very soon, the plate was cleaned and she was snuggling for a nap.

"Maybe you should take your nap upstairs."

"Why?" she yawned.

"Just in case you decide to roll out of the hammock."

"Fine." She swung herself out of the hammock and walked to the house.

She was almost at the top of the stairs when Mira decided to block her path. "Look who it is." She said cheerily. "It's madam." She added in a terrible British accent and curtsied.

"Not today, Mira. I'm too tired. Tomorrow is a better day for-"

"Tsk tsk tsk. Poor pregnant whore." She folded her arms across her chest and smiled.

"Whore?" Rin shook her head and chuckled then attempted to go around the offending individual. She was stopped by a can of bug spray in her face. Her eyes wide, she looked squarely at the maid's weapon of choice. "What are you doing?" Rin said a slight tremor in her voice.

"No one would question you having a…sudden asthma attack and falling down the stairs." Mira said smiling.

"If you-" her words were cut off as she inhaled the poisonous aerosol. Immediately her chest seized up and her airways closed, cutting off the much needed air. She wheezed harshly and held on to the banister for support.

Mira grunted since her rival merely slumped to her knees. Mira took hold of her shoulder and shoved the now blue girl backwards.

Rin watched as if in haze as Mira disappeared from the top of the stairs then everything went black.

She woke to beeping machinery and low, distorted voices.

"I think she's coming out of it." She heard a woman say. By the way her heart galloped, she guessed it was the reason for her grief.

"Rin?" she recognized it to be the doctor and she turned her head slightly to the sound of the voice. Her vision was still a little blurry. Her fingers instinctively curled into the warm grasp of hands she was intimately familiar. "Rin? Can you understand me?" the doctor asked. She nodded slowly. "Good. Do you know where you are?" she nodded again. "Hmmm. Do you remember what happened?" her eyes shifted to Mira and she glared. Both Sesshomaru and the doctor turned to look at Mira who shrugged, her face the epitome of innocent. "Get some rest, child. You and the babies will need it."

Rin watched as they moved toward the door behind the homicidal witch. Sesshomaru closed the door after her and spoke to the doctor while glancing worriedly at her.

"How is she really?" he asked. The doctor looked at her and, to her credit, she pretended to be asleep.

"It doesn't look good. The asthma attack really weakened her. The babies are stable but that could change. She hit the back of her head with such force that her brain bounced on the front and back of her skull. I'll know more once she's lucid."

"Thank you." The doctor left and Sesshomaru turned to see Rin glaring at him. "I don't think you should be thinking of killing me in your condition." He said.

"I warned you." She breathed weakly. She shook her head when he would've responded. "I-told-you-she would-" she inhaled deeply. "Try to-kill me."

"Rin-"

"My asthma is under-control. She sprayed-poison-in my face." She inhaled, closing her eyes to help ease the pressure. "Then she-shoved me down the-" she took another big breath. "Down the stairs."

"Why would Mira-" the look she gave him as she tried to catch her breath silenced him.

"I want to go home." She said slowly.

"I don't think the doctor will allow you to leave the hospital today."

"Now."

"When it's safe." He said with finality. She scowled but said nothing. "Get some rest." He leaned down and kissed her cheek.

"Sesshomaru." She said. He pulled back to look at her. "If I die-or my babies-I blame you."

He cornered Mira at the cooler once he was sure Rin was resting comfortably. "I'm inclined to believe her." He said and Mira blinked.

"Excuse me?"

"Did you try to harm my wife and my unborn children?"

"What? No!" Mira said. "I say she's using me as an excuse to get out of this marriage." She said logically.

"Hmmm." Was his only response.

"Look, I may want you but I wouldn't kill to get you. There are plenty of men out there." She said flippantly.

"I agree. Yet she's convinced you did it. Either way, as soon as she's better I'm leaving the island. For her safety and that of our children, I must keep her away from you."

"What?" she said sputtering.

"Go home and pack our bags. Phone the pilot and tell him to standby."

"Sess-"

"That's it for now." He said and turned around, heading back to Rin's room.

Mira frowned deeply at his back and fumed silently. Knowing not to cross the big dog, she left immediately to follow his orders. "I'll get you yet, Rin." She said to herself.

Sesshomaru ran his hand against her soft hair as he watched her still labored breathing. He could hear the high pitched wheeze as air struggled to pass through the swollen pipes.

"My sweet Rin." He breathed.

"You make me nervous when you stare at me." She said her eyes still closed.

"You're awake." He said a smile teasing his stoic features.

"When-can-I-go home?"

"When you're a bit stronger."

"When-will that be?"

"Too soon to tell." He said cradling her hand.

"This sucks." She said and pouted as best she could.

"Come now, just concentrate on getting your strength back." He said.

"Can't you do something?" she said impatiently.

"Nothing you'd find appealing." He said after a pause.

"Forget it. I don't wanna know." She smiled. "My breathing's improving."

"How about a back rub?" he said.

"Sounds wonderful." He levered her up and climbed into the bed with her. He rubbed gently and she moaned.

"You remember anything else about today?"

"I told you everything that happened. Mira pushed me."

"She denies it." Sesshomaru said simply.

"Would a thief admit he stole something? This would be classified as attempted murder. She'd go to prison." Rin said and moaned as his hands worked their magic.

"Enough of this matter. Relax. Mira has been given her walking papers."

"She should be in prison." Rin said as she fought the arms of sleep. "When can I go home?"

"When the doctor says."

"And when is that? I miss my family."

"When you say home-"

"Tokyo."

"You're home is with me." He said still working the muscles in her back.

"You forget I hate you."

"You never fail to remind me." Sesshomaru said.

It was three months before I was allowed out of the hospital and then two more before I was cleared to leave the island. Sesshomaru was my faithful nurse. Though I wish he had just left me alone. Anyway, the scoundrel didn't take me home. He took me to his villa in Sicily…

The ringing of the phone was like a hammer to her head and she wondered where the hell Sesshomaru was. "Hello?"

"Rin!" came Kagome's excited voice.

"Hey." She croaked.

"Did I wake you? I'm sorry."

"No. It's fine. I'm due for some excitement anyway." Rin said settling in for the conversation.

"So, how are things?"

"Well, I found out I'm carrying triplets."

"That is so exciting. You must be pleased."

"If they were Renji's I'd be over the moon." Rin said.

"Rin, you're married to Sesshomaru now. And no matter what you feel now, you had a choice in marrying him." Rin knew she was right so she didn't argue the point.

"Anyway, after that amazing discovery, Sesshomaru's psycho house keeper tried to murder me."

"You're joking right?"

"No. I am not. And he doesn't believe me. Instead of calling the police he fired her and- she has free range to try again." Rin said. "And I am truly scared. That witch is out to get me but that damn dog is too full of crap to believe me or even listen."

"Try talking to him again."

"No. I'll just take out a restraining order and show him that I'm serious. I'll try to keep my babies safe. I'll try to survive this damnable marriage."

"When you're feeling better, I wanna visit."

"Please do. I've had enough of Sesshomaru." Rin said.

"I hope things will look up for you and him soon. He's not so bad." Kagome said knowing how stubborn her friend could be.

"I know. I know but he's not for me. I miss Renji." Rin said.

"Then give him a call. You two were friends before anything. Maybe he's calmed some and is willing to talk."

"Sesshomaru would flip."

"So what? This is about you and your happy life. The health of your babies. You may never be able to be with Renji again in that sense, but you two could still be friends."

"Okay. You're right." Rin said. "I'm-I'm really glad you called."

"Me too. I'll visit soon. Okay?"

"Bye."

"Bye."

Sesshomaru returned from the office in time to hear Rin end a conversation. "Who was that?"

"Not really your business, is it?" she said. She didn't bother looking at him.

"Actually it is." He said sitting beside her on the bed. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired. Bored. Alone."

"The first two I can understand. The last-offends me." He said.

"Why should it?" she shifted her head to look at him, managing to focus enough to make out the colour of his hair. "We're not friends, Sesshomaru. We got married because you thought I was pregnant. And we're still married because I am."

"You-"

"Yes, I had a choice." She interrupted. "But not much flexibility in my options. So, if I'm lonely it shouldn't offend you. You should make arrangements for me to see my friends and family. I haven't seen them in months."

"If that is your wish-"

"It is. And maybe you could throw in some divorce papers."

"Rin-"

"Forget it." She said and closed her eyes. "I need water." Once he left, she picked up the phone and dialed Renji. There was not answer so she left a message. "Hey, its Rin. I wanna talk. I'll call back soon." She hung up and bit her lips just as Sesshomaru returned with the water.

"Here you go." He said. She looked up at his face and managed to make out his expression before her head hurt with the effort.

"What's wrong with you?" she said.

"Why? Do you suddenly care?"

She shrugged. "By all means keep it to yourself. I'm gonna sleep now."

"No. You need fresh air. I'll get the chair."

"I can walk."

"No. The doctor said bed rest for now."

"I'll need physical therapy by the time I get off bed rest. Now I'm walking." She swung her legs out of the bed and put her feet on the floor. Sesshomaru watched as she levered herself up. At six months, she looked ready to deliver. He bit the inside of his cheek to keep from helping her, knowing she would resent the offer. Once she was standing, she used the front of his shirt to balance herself then she sighed. "Good, let's go."

They walked for ten minutes before Sesshomaru demanded she return to the villa. She didn't protest since her back was beginning to ache. In fact, she had to ask his help to get back. This resulted in her being lifted and carried back. She didn't complain. She was near sleep when they got back.

"You shouldn't have pushed yourself so hard."

"I'm fine." She said. And except for the back pain, she was fine. She felt when he lowered her to the bed then climbed in beside her. He wrapped an arm around her extended abdomen and stroked it gently. "I know how to sleep by myself." She said on a yawn.

"You know how to do almost everything by yourself." He responded then placed a kiss behind her ear. She sighed and leaned into the soft caress. He kissed her ear and murmured something in his native language. She didn't understand him but she nodded. He turned her towards him and he kissed her lips. "Rin-"

"Hmmmm?" she said in her sleepy daze.

"I want you." He said.

"You can't have me." She whispered back before letting sleep consume her.

Sesshomaru looked at her face. He couldn't begin describe what he was feeling at that point. Her words stung. Awake, they were a mere resistance to the inevitable. In the clutches of sleep, they were a revelation. He pulled away from her and left the room. He needed a drink. He walked towards the den and poured a finger of scotch. It burned the back of his throat but he continued until it was finished. Then he drank until he was numb.

He would've remained numb if he hadn't heard the most horrible scream from up the stairs. He dropped the glass, barely registering that it shattered. He flew up the stairs and into the room where he saw the most horrible thing.

"Sesshomaru-help me. Please." Rin was holding her abdomen and she was bleeding. He scooped her, by passed technology and ran to the hospital. The nurses and doctors took over after a few commands and threats from him. He paced the hall outside her door, yelling at whoever tried to offer comfort. Three hours later, the doctor came out with a grim look.

"Are you the husband?"

"How is she? Is she okay?"

"Considering what happened, yes. She's sleeping off the anesthesia. The C-section was successful." Sesshomaru sighed in relief.

"Can I see her?"

"Not yet." The doctor said. "I said she's sleeping off the anesthesia but I don't know if she'll wake up yet."

"What?"

"Did she have a fall recently?"

"She fell off the stairs during an asthma attack a few months ago. Why?"

"Her skull fractured during the fall-"

"The doctor didn't-" Sesshomaru exploded.

"Sir, it was easily missed. We didn't see it until after the surgery. We may need to do another surgery once she wakes up from this one." He said. "Do you know what caused the asthma attack?"

"Uh-I wasn't there when it happened. She said the maid had sprayed something in her face. But I don't know for sure. They didn't get along."

"Hmmmm. Well, we'll probably never really know. But the fracture needs to be repaired or she'll go blind."

"Do whatever is necessary."

The doctor nodded. "Would you like to see the babies?"

"Of course." He followed the doctor into the nursery where he was shown three baby girls. "Are they identical?"

"We won't know for a few more weeks." The doctor said. "Since they are only six months, they'll need to stay for a while."

"Okay. Sure." He watched the sleeping babies, each in an incubator.

"We'll let you know when we're doing the surgery." The doctor left.

Sesshomaru got out his phone and called his mother. "Izayoi?"

"Sesshomaru? Is everything okay?"

"Uh-Rin's in the hospital. She had the babies early."

"We'll be there in a few minutes."

"Thanks. Could you call Inuyasha too?"

"Of course, honey. We'll see you soon."

True to her word, they were all there in a few minutes. "How is she?" Kagome asked.

"She's fine for now. She'll need another surgery to fix a fractured skull."

"What? Why? Did she fall?"

"On the island." He conceded, finally sitting to run a weary hand over his face.

"She mentioned that." Kagome said, her expression suddenly stormy. "She also said the helper pushed her and you didn't believe her." Sesshomaru didn't respond. "I see you still don't. Know this Sesshomaru-stop Inuyasha." She said when Inuyasha tried to pull her away. "Anything happens to her again, I will make sure she leaves you. And you're not getting the babies either."

"Stay out of this, Kagome." Sesshomaru warned.

"That girl is one of my best friends. She had her own life before you and now, within a year, she's had to lose a guy she loves, get pregnant, been pushed down a stair and almost losing her babies. I thought I could trust you to take care of her but maybe I was wrong."

"I will not warn you again-"

"I don't give a damn about your warnings and threats. Anything else happens to her and you lose everything." She turned to Inuyasha who was glaring at her. "I get that he's your brother, but Rin is my sister. Maybe not by blood but she is my family." She cupped his cheek. "I love you but if I have to choose between saving my family and saving my marriage, I'll always choose Rin. And Sango and whoever else I consider to be that family." Izayoi and Toga stood in shock.

"Don't you consider us family?" Izayoi ventured.

"Yes I do. But you have to understand. Your loyalty is to your children. And I get that. You look out for them. And by extension me. And as a mother, you understand that I have to look out for my family. The part that has no one looking out for them. Your son refused to believe his wife. So I have to believe. If Rin calls and tells me she needs to leave, I'm going to help her. I'll stand by her. If any of you stand in the way, you'll no longer be considered my family." She looked at them then went inside the nursery.

Sesshomaru was already numb from his earlier consumption of alcohol. Rin's condition made it worse. Inuyasha was furious. "You are an idiot."

"So are you for marrying that siren." Sesshomaru said.

"What's this about Rin falling?"

"I was outside when it happened. I just found her at the bottom of the stairs."

"What did this Mira person have to say about it?"

"She denied it. Accusing someone of murder isn't to be taken lightly."

"Rin doesn't seem the kind to blame this on a woman to get rid of her. Once you did fire her, she should have just let it slide if it was a lie."

"We can't prove it anyway."

"Then you better take precautions to make sure Mira comes nowhere near her especially since the kids are born. Congrats by the way." Inuyasha said.

"Thanks. Now if I could get my wife to be as happy as Kagome."

"Now that you mentioned, you better make sure you make her happy or I'm killing you myself for costing me my wife." Inuyasha said then smiled.

"I'm sure Izayoi would beat you to it." Sesshomaru muttered.

"Darn right." Inuyasha said.

Ten minutes later, the surgeon returned and announced he'd be doing the surgery. Sesshomaru signed and waited. The family paced nervously. Subdued words were spoken and stale soda's consumed. Five hours passed before nurses were wheeling Rin into a recovery room.