Chapter 8

Hazardous ceremony

Evening fell on the village. The dark blue sky was tainted with a pink hue at the edge of the purple mountains. The first stars shone in the east. The summer wind carried the smell of flowers and foliage. The sound of bamboos rustling was particularly noticeable because people were strangely silent. They were told that a ceremony would take place between Rin, Kagome, Inuyasha and their children. Kaede-sama was also present, as well as some of the miko's closest friends. They gathered near the sacred tree. Nobody in the village knew the exact nature of the ceremony, but magic was feared, and each was isolated with his family in their home.

The strange assembly under the huge branches of the sacred tree waited in silence. In the center, there was Kaede, Kagome and Rin. Just behind them stood Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru. Miroku, Sango, the children and Shippo were watching. Near them, in cradles, there was a small white-haired hanyou-girl and a hanyou-boy with cute dog ears.

The ceremony was to begin when a white youkai flashed in the sky. Sesshoumaru held his breath, guessing what was happening. His mother landed in the center of the group.

- And to think that you forgot to invite me, Sesshoumaru.

Jaken came towards her.

- But Madam, the old priestess can handle the ceremony...

He paused when he saw the sharp look that Sesshoumaru's mother gave him. No doubt, his master was born from this youkai! He was paralyzed.

The lady lost interest in the green demon and she went to the cradle where the girl lay. Sesshoumaru watched his mother. She leaned over and smelled the baby. She closed her eyes and turned to his son admiringly.

- This child is powerful, Sesshoumaru. Her aura seems particularly intense for a hanyou. How strange...

His son did not answer her. She asked him:

- How is she called?
- Muko, he only said.
- Oh...? "Mu-ko"? "The child's dream"? A strange name for an equally strange child.

The lady continued her march towards the other cradle and cast a glance at the baby with black and white hair. She turned back, scornfully asking:

- And this one? He is called "Akumu", I guess?

Inuyasha reacted furiously shouting at her:

- How dare you call my child "nightmare", you ugly youkai? His name is Sota!

The youkai seemed not to have heard anything. She put her finger forward to touch the baby, but a force field repelled her. She stepped back and her face expressed great surprise. Kagome ran to the cradle and took Sota in her arms:

- But what have you done to him?
- Me? But nothing! It is the child who attacked me.

The youkai looked at her right hand. One of her claws had been shortened by the small hanyou's barrier. She quickly abandoned her surprised look and approached Kagome and Sota.

- How is it possible that this child has purifying powers? Have you transferred him your powers, miko?

Kagome protected the child against her.

- Of course not!
- So… Is it truly the child of Inuyasha?

She turned to Miroku, dressed as a Buddhist priest.

- Is it yours?

Except for Sesshomaru and Rin, everyone present was shocked. Since Naraku had disappeared and the curse was lifted on Miroku's family, the priest was remarkably faithful to his wife. But all remembered his strong attraction to beautiful women. Miroku got up quickly, he seemed angry and he spoke to all:

- How dare you think such a thing?
- You're crazy!, said Kagome, for the benefit of Sesshoumaru's mother.

A sigh of relief was heard from everyone. The lady seemed lost in thought. She added:

- Anyway, this power was more powerful than yours, priest.

Again, her words surprised everyone. Jaken asked:

- But what do you mean, my lady? Jaken does not understand.

She sighed and looked at the little demon.

- If this is the child of Inuyasha, and it is true that he has his smell, it is impossible for him to have purifying powers. Mikos and priests appeared on earth to counter youkai's powers. These are humans who have no drop of youkai blood, of course. This child is a contradiction.

She approached Kagome and this time, Inuyasha stood before them.

- However, this child's purification power is so powerful that it seems to me that this thing uses his youkai blood to increase its sacred force. Which is impossible.

She turned to Sesshoumaru.

- Did he attack you?
- Never.
- Me neither, ma'am, added Jaken.
- So he can choose, this Akumu.
- I forbid you to call Sota by this name!, shouted Inuyasha.
- But for all youkai enemies, this child is a nightmare, I assure you.

The youkai looked at Kagome and Inuyasha's older twin children standing behind their parents. She didn't perceive any sacred aura around them. She faced Kagome and looked carefully. She did the same with Inuyasha, who growled. She spoke to herself, loud enough so that everyone could hear:

- It is true that Kagome was powerful enough to defeat Naraku. And Inuyasha's father was still a daiyoukai. The woman who gave birth to that hanyou was nothing special but...

The blood rushed to Inuyasha's head when he heard the lack of respect she showed against his mother.

- Oh yeah, bitch face? My father let you down when you gave birth to Sesshoumaru. He did not need you!

The Inu youkai looked icily at him. She asked Sesshoumaru:

- Is your brother suicidal or just unconscious?

The response was scathing:

- He just is stupid.

This time, everyone agreed, which made Inuyasha plainly furious. They all thought that attacking this youkai was not a good idea, that it was completely unnecessary. Inuyasha clenched his fists and was going to reply something else when Kagome's arm rested on his. She waved her head negatively.

- So, let's begin the ceremony, said the youkai taking the lead, which made everybody feel uneasy.

Sesshoumaru did not understand what her mother was doing. She stood close to Kaede. When the moon appeared, Kaede-sama walked with a bowl in her hands. She leaned over the boiling water and led the steam to Kagome who breathed deeply. She gave her a fine needle and Kagome pricked her finger. A drop slipped into the bowl. Kaede-sama was walking towards Rin, when the mother youkai took the needle. She went to her son and stung him slightly. She beckoned to Kaede, who understood her request and approached with the bowl. A drop of youkai blood added in the water. Sesshoumaru's mother did the same with Inuyasha. Then, before Kaede joined Rin, she spoke directly to Kagome, saying quite seriously:

- Concentrate in the same way that when you shoot an arrow, miko.

Kagome closed her eyes and took Rin's hand. A cloud appeared as the light of the moon faded away. Kaede-sama seemed worried, but the mother youkai prompted her to continue. Kaede obeyed and plunged Kagome's hand in the bowl, then guided it up to the miko's forehead. She went along escorting Kagome until that same hand touched Rin's forehead. Then, she stepped back.

The air became colder. Suddendly, a blue wave of energy surrounded Kagome, intertwined with green and red flashes of light generating an electrical current that everyone present could see. A trickle of sweat ran down Kagome's head. She kept her eyes closed as if she was fighting something. The twins came closer to their father, who kept Sota in his arms, and began to tremble. Inuyasha was worried. It was not what had been described by Kaede-baba.

The wind began to blow. Kagome's breathing became difficult, as the energy around her grew more intense. The green and red flashes were less frequent and the blue aura brightened. Then the power sphere englobed both Kagome and Rin, who closed her eyes in shock. Sesshoumaru felt some doubts arising in his mind. Had her mother corrupted the ceremony? What was happening? Everyone was paralyzed by anxiety, except Sesshoumaru's mother who seemed more curious than worried. The wind dropped and the blue energy divided herself between Kagome and Rin. Then the circle of light disappeared.

Kagome opened her eyes and fixed her gaze on Sesshoumaru's mother. Kagome seemed to blame her for something. Sesshoumaru knew that his fears were justified; his mother had altered the ceremony. Sesshoumaru's mother advanced towards Rin and took the jitte hanging from her belt. The lady turned to Kagome, grabbed her hand and thrusted the poisoned tip into her skin. Kagome cried out in pain. Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha rushed to her. Rin was horrified and screamed:

- But what did you do? Kagome! Kagome!

Inuyasha took his wife in his arms. But his concern increased when Rin said:

- My jitte are made from Sesshoumaru's clutches, Inuyasha! They are poisonous!

He blinked and looked pale. But his wife did not seem hurt. Sesshoumaru understood what his mother had done when he saw Kagome's wound close on its own. He said to her:

- You transferred our youkai powers.
- Oh! Only a little bit of it! I used the powerful ability of this ancient priestess to purify the youkai blood. I see now that it was effective. These two humans can now withstand poisons like yours, Sesshoumaru. But I did not expect that your ability to regenerate could be transferred to them as well. It is quite fascinating!
- How dare you take such a risk? Kagome could have failed!
- Yes, I know. But the life of this human does not matter to me, Sesshoumaru. And she succeeded. When I saw this Akumu, I suspected she might.

Inuyasha stood up and drew his sword. Sesshoumaru stood between him and his mother.

- Let me teach her a lesson, Sesshoumaru. Let me tell her what I think of her experiences!
- This is how you thank me for my valuable idea? Wel ... The atmosphere is too warm now. Goodbye, Sesshoumaru. I wish you many years with your human woman.

And she left. Inuyasha watched her and then turned his gaze on his family. He sheathed his sword. Kagome seemed to be all right. She had taken Sota in her arms and Rin did the same with Muko. The two women laughed together.

Sesshoumaru sighed and looked at Inuyasha. He did not apologize for the behavior of his mother, but his brother got the message. With such allies, they did not need enemies. They saw the other women gathering and praising. They joined the group.

-xxxxx-

Kagome stretched her arm before removing her red trousers and white kimono. She cast a glance at Inuyasha, who was watching from the futon. She pointed her clothes:

- This Miko costume is not very relevant anymore…
- The may be true... But you will remain the midwife here, despite the loss of your priestess' powers.
- I hope so. Still, I'll talk with Sango tomorrow to borrow her some kimonos.
- Mmm. Anyway, who cares for now! Come and join me, I'm waiting.

Inuyasha did not need to ask longer for soon, she snuggled in the warmth of his arms. She pressed her back against his chest and he asked her:

- Are you tired?
- I'm surprised, but no, I feel fine. Maybe it is thanks to the regenerative power? I have always been amazed by the speed at which you can recover.
- Grrr, this crazy youkai almost ruined everything with her foul idea.

He squeezed Kagome in his arms. She continued:

- If I had failed, I cannot imagine what would have happened. Anyway... I succeeded. Not only will I be able to stay longer by your side, but I may also be stronger, even without my priestess powers.
- It annoys me that we have to thank Sesshoumaru for his powers.
- Oh? But you also have transferred your powers to Rin.
- I hate to admit it, but my brother's natural powers are more powerful than mine.
- Maybe. But I am convinced that your blood was not added for nothing, Inuyasha. Maybe for the control that you exercise on your youkai blood, your endurance, your determination...
- Determination? Can you imagine Rin even more stubborn?
- Hi hi hi! No, I admit that it is not necessary. But, all that binds us all together. This is good, right?
- I do not know.

They remained silent for a moment. Kagome added:

- I'm sure that's what your father would have wanted.
- Maybe, yes.

Silence fell in the room.

- Inuyasha?
- Mmm?
- Have you paid attention to Muko's aura?
- Yes. She has an aura closer to a youkai's, a powerful hanyou's jaki.
- Do you think it is dangerous for Sota?
- From what I understand, Sota is perfectly able to defend himself. You knew he had sacred powers?
- No. I did not know.

They were lost in their thoughts for a few minutes. Kagome asked:

- Do you remember the birth in the village beyond the east mountains?
- The one where we had to stop because of bastards on the bridge that had delayed our trip?
- Yes... I think this is the night that Sota was conceived.
- When I was in my human form?
- Think about it, Inuyasha... It's rare, but you've never felt my fertile period, did you? Maybe it had started on New Moon's night? That would explain that my pregnancy was a surprise.
- Even if this were the case, how can Sota combine sacred powers and youkai blood?
- It's strange. But maybe this child is destined for Muko, Inuyasha.
- I like Rin, but I do not want our child to serve hers!
- No, it's not what I mean... Think of it more as a complement. Her powers are powerful, you said it yourself. Maybe Sota was born to harmonize her, thanks to his dual nature.
- Oh... Like you who were born to meet me, Kagome?, he asked, leaning on his elbow to look at her.
- You mean to reason you!
- Rather to annoy me, he said, smiling.
- Oh! Watch out you, ungrateful hanyou!
- By shouting in my ears and dropping "osuwari" all the time?, he teased her.
- Exactly, said Kagome, sliding her hands behind his neck while he kissed her shoulder. I did all this for your own good, Inuyasha.
- Mmm... I do not doubt it, Kagome...

He kissed her on the mouth. When he left her lips, Kagome added:

- I can do so many things for your well being, Inuyasha...
- Really?

She raised her head a little and blew out the candle near the futon.

- Come, I'll show you.
- What wouldn't I accept to become a better person?
- Idiot, she laughed.

-xxxxx-

Rin took one last look at the sleeping children. She saw Muko turn and snuggle against Sota. These two were inseparable. The older children slept next door, sharing a futon. The light at Kagome and Inuyasha's home had been long extinct, since it was the middle of the night. Rin and Kagome took turn caring for the babies. That night, it was Rin who was to feed Sota and Muko. Anyway, she would not have wanted it to be otherwise, since Kagome had done so much for her tonight. Kagome deserved a night in Inuyasha's company, who still must be worried by the initiative of Sesshoumaru's mother. Rin understood very well his sentiments. She had been shocked by her actions.

She pushed open the sliding door and entered her own room. When she looked down at Sesshoumaru, she could not help but smile, remembering that she still had not slept since the ceremony. Sesshoumaru had kept her awake until it was time to go feed the children.

He looked at her, lying on his stomach, completely naked. She admired her lover. The curve of his back, the muscles of his body, well-shaped buttocks, his hair behind his ear, so sexy... Sesshoumaru was absolutely beautiful. And he was in love with her. She blushed from happiness.

- It was long, he said.
- Ah... miss me already?, she said with a smile, sitting down beside him.

He turned to the side and reached for her face.

- I like being with you, Rin.

She leaned over to kiss him. He took the opportunity to lift her on him. Rin caressed his belly and thighs. He gave a sigh and smiled. Sesshoumaru was a demanding lover, but he loved her so well! His loyalty to those whom he had chosen was boundless. Tonight, she realized he would have protected Inuyasha, Kagome and their children if he had to. She was happy to see that time and love had created a family around him. Rin knew that Sesshoumaru had felt abandoned when his father died to save his hanyou brother. For a long time, he had wandered alone. And his attitude was based on a protection that he had built over time to shield himself. She was happy to be allowed to see him differently. She liked to see his eyes soften, the desire to abandon himself and the joy when he saw his daughter. For some time, she felt a different aura around him, as if his fears were calmed and he was feeling peace. Rin closed her eyes when Sesshoumaru's hand slipped into her back and gave her a thrilling shiver.

And even if she did not approve of the risk that Sesshoumaru's mother had taken, she inwardly thanked her and Kagome, for giving her the opportunity to stay a long, a very long time, with this extraordinary man. Because she had so much love to give.

THE END

-xxxxx-

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