Chapter 10
Confessions

Rin cast a worried glance over to her lover, who was gently rocking Kyougaku in his arms as the child fussed softly, "You need to burp him Sessh. That will get him to stop crying." Sesshomaru looked up at Rin, who rolled her eyes upon seeing his confused look, "Give him to me." she motioned for him to go to her. He walked his son over to his mother, who gladly took her child into her arms. She placed him on her shoulder and began to gently pat on his back. Golden brown orbs met gold, "When do you think she'll attack?" Sesshomaru looked out the window.

"I do not know. But you are to remain here in Koga's village until this is settled." Rin slowly nodded, looking at her baby as she continued patting his back. Nina and Yasui were sleeping on their mats next to each other. The only way to really tell those two apart were the markings. Nina looked a little like both of her brothers, whereas the two boys looked nothing alike, except all three had golden eyes. During the night, Sesshomaru had woken Rin from her slumber, and ordered her to get the children. Kagome and Sango were there to help. All three took the infants into their arms and headed out of the large house. No matter how many times Rin asked Sesshomaru, he would not tell her where they were going. She stayed close to his side as they walked through the night, and an hour or two later they arrived at Koga and Ayame's village. Ayame was waiting outside, arms crossed with a smile on her face. She led the four inside and down to a room with three small pallets and a medium sized one, dressed and ready for visitors. The children were placed on their mats, covered with the blankets to keep them warm as they slept.

Rin smiled tenderly when Kyougaku gave a tiny burp, his cries calming until he was once again in a light slumber. She returned him to his mat beside his siblings and placed his blanket over him. Sesshomaru knelt down beside her, watching his little ones sleeping. He felt the gentle lean of Rin against his body, "I'm scared." she whispered to the ground, hiding the tears growing in her eyes. Sesshomaru's eyes softened.

"I know." he quietly replied, pressing a kiss to her crown of black locks. She took a shaky breath.

"Sesshomaru…" came her whimper.

"What is it love?" Rin sniffled, keeping her head bowed.

"Do you remember, when I was sixteen, and the thunderstorm came that night, the one that was really bad?" of course Sesshomaru remembered it. That was when the tree fell outside her window. The man nodded.

"I do." he felt Rin's small trembles.

"Do you remember, coming into my room, when you heard me crying?"

The thunder crashed, lightening illuminating the sky as the night dragged on. Rin tossed and turned violently on her bed-mat, the covers long forgotten as they were strewn to the side from her movements. Tears streaked her face as she flailed about, screaming as her nightmare continued to torture her. So many wolves… so many surrounding her… snarling… teeth barred… claws sharp and covered in blood… her blood…

Feet softly padded along the halls, a tall, silver haired man rushing to the source of the screaming. It sounded like Rin. He slid open the human's door to her room, his frown deepening. He watched her spastic movements. No, this would not do.

Another clap of thunder, another streak of lightning shot through the sky. Then there was a moan outside, cracking until a large crash. A tree had fallen outside. Rin snapped up in a murderous scream of agonizing fear. Her hands were formed into fists at her chest as it heaved, not noticing the man behind her. It was dark in her room, until the bright flash of yellow lightning lit up the room, outlining Sesshomaru's form. Her eyes widened as she screamed a blood curdling scream. Sesshomaru went to her side, "Rin, it is only me." he reached out and cupped a tear stained cheek with his hand. Without another breath, Rin launched herself into his arms. She buried her face into his chest and her sobs rang free. Rain pounded against the roof as the storm raged. Her hands grasped the fabric of his night cloak tightly to where her knuckles turned white.

"The wolves! There are so many wolves! Sesshomaru!" she cried out into his chest, more hot tears falling past her cheeks to soak into his cloak. Sesshomaru's eyes widened slightly. His arms wrapped around the teenager's trembling body.

"No more tears Rin. It was only a nightmare." he spoke calmly in his smooth, deep voice.

"The wolves Sesshomaru… The wolves-"

"Can no longer reach you." he cut her off in a gentle manner, "You are safe Rin. Nothing can harm you when you are around me. No harm shall come to you." he shifted upon the bed-mat, placing Rin in his lap. He draped his mokomoko over her, "Sleep Rin. I shall stay for tonight." with a sniffle, Rin looked up at him, a soft smile appearing.

"Thank you… Sesshomaru." they he stayed, watching over her as she slept peacefully, even though the storm raged on. The wolves bothered her no more that night.

Crying? Wailing was more like it. She sounded like she had been stabbed, "You held me… and let me cry until I fell asleep…" he seemed to know where this was going, "Will you hold me like you did that night?" Sesshomaru silently sighed, a small smile appearing on his features. Slowly did he gather her in his arms, carrying her to their bed-mat. He sat back down, setting Rin in his lap while holding her close to him. She buried her face in his chest, arms wrapping around to his back, "I'm so scared Sesshomaru. Why must we fight? Why does she hate me?" he ran a clawed hand through her locks, the silky hairs tickling his fingers, "Why would she kill her own grandchildren? They did nothing to her!" he shushed her, resting a cheek on her crown of coal black tresses.

"I will find out. My mother can be a very jealous woman. It could be over anything. I will find that out whenever she decides to attack. She thinks you are still at home with me, she has no idea that you are in Koga's village. You and the children are safe, no harm shall come to any of you. I can promise you that." he closed his eyes, taking in the sweet scent of her hair, "You are one of the most beautiful demons I have ever laid eyes on Rin." Rin's eyes widened, a blush settling over her cheeks, "Never before have I seen a demon with a dog form as magnificent as yours, nor have I seen one lavender in color, or any other color besides white. You are unique Rin, you have always been unique. You are an unique, beautiful, courageous woman, a lover and the mother of my children. It is my duty to protect my family, our family. And I will not let you down. Rest assured Rin," he cupped her cheek and tilted her head up, "I will keep our family safe." with that he lowered his lips to hers in a gentle, tender kiss.

Sesshomaru's mother gazed over the demons that had gathered around her. All were either sparring, sharpening their weapons, or resting for the coming fight. Her eyes were narrowed as she walked up the stairs to her rather large chair. She delicately sat, her arms crossed and her nose held high. The night stars twinkled overhead. They had been working well into the night, perfecting everything for the attack that would be taking place the nest day. Her lips curled into a cruel smile. Tomorrow, while my idiot son is busy fighting these pathetic demons, I can make my way into his home. Rin will be defenseless, as will those half-breed mongrels of hers. Sesshomaru won't be able to save his precious 'mate' in time, nor those pups. He will see what happens when he tests his mother's patience. A low, growling chuckle came from her lips.

Inutaisho, I refuse to let my son become you.

Even though Rin was a demon, she still slept due to her pregnancy, and she still slept for a few hours in the night to regain her strength from giving birth to triplets. Sesshomaru closed his eyes for half an hour or so every so often. Hey, even demons needed to sleep sometimes to keep up their strength. Rin was now curled to Sesshomaru while he held her in his lap. The triplets were fast asleep too, each one next to each other on the little mats. Sesshomaru basked in the silence, embraced it. This would be the last time he would experience such tranquility before the battle with his mother. Until after the battle, it would be chaos. He let his mind wander for a brief bit, soon coming to a thought… if he failed… If he failed… and was somehow defeated… he couldn't imagine what wicked things his mother would do to torture Rin and the children before ending their lives. Sesshomaru closed his eyes, his hold around his lover unknowingly tightening about her shoulders. Sesshomaru… didn't think he would be able to bear it if Rin or the children were killed. They had become his life, his everything… Nothing really mattered to the one deemed 'Killing Perfection' by his name, except his lover and his children. Those three had quickly swept into his heart after Rin had wiped away the insecurities that blurred the concept of love to him. He thought back to the first time he and Rin made love. Pure passion was swapped between the two, sealing their bonds not only as friends, but by lovers and each other's mates, the parents of each other's children. Now that he had learned to love, it was cruel to have it ripped from him. What did his mother have against Rin anyway? She did nothing wrong to cause his mother's spiraling hate. But why would she go to such lengths to kill children… infants… newborns who had not been alive for barely even a week and a half? It made his blood boil, a snarl coming from deep within his chest. Rin slightly moaned at the snarl, shifting in his lap until resting her head on his chest. As gently as he could, he moved her from his lap and back onto her bed-mat, tucking her under the warm covers. He leaned down, pressing a hand to her crown of black locks and pressing his lips to her forehead in a feather light kiss, "I promise you Rin, I will keep our family safe from my mother. I will protect you and my family even if it brings death to my door. I promise you I will return, and we will continue our lives. We will make love every night, and you will be my only love." he whispered to her. With a small sigh, he stood, only to keel again at his babies' own bed-mats. He picked up Yasui, kissing his forehead as well, "My son… If anything happens to me, I must trust you to take care of your mother and siblings when you are older." the baby only gurgled in a reply, making the man chuckle as he lowered the baby back down, then picked up Nina, "Help your mother around the house darling. Remember that you are the daughter of Sesshomaru, wear your name proudly." he kissed her tiny forehead, then placed her back to her spot. He then picked up Kyougaku, "And my little surprise. Remember, that even though your mother and I didn't know of your existence until your birth, we love you just as much as your older siblings. Nothing should ever scare you, and if something does, you will have your mother and siblings to help comfort you." Kyougaku stirred, making a whimpering sound, "Shhh, you mustn't wake your mother. She needs to be asleep when I leave so I will not change my mind about going to face my mother." he whispered softly, rocking his small child in his arms. Once Kyougaku was safely back in the clutches of sleep, he kissed his tiny forehead, laid him down beside his siblings, cast one last look at Rin, then silently departed from the room.

Koga was outside, looking up at the stars as they graced the night sky. Sesshomaru stood beside him, "Are you ready?" Sesshomaru nodded. Koga put his hands to his mouth and let out a small howl. After a few seconds had passed, there were rustling noises in the bushes. Sesshomaru crouched down, hand on his sword, "Easy now." Koga said, putting a hand on the father's shoulder, "They are allies." after he said that, demons of every from imaginable emerged from the bushes, wolf demons included, "I gathered some extra help for you. We're all here to help if it insures the safety of Rin and those children." Sesshomaru nodded, turning away from the wolf demon leader.

"Let's go then." with that he sped off, the demons running not far behind him.

The vial was held within the demoness's hand as she stood before her army, "Today, my loyal soldiers, will be the day my son gets a lesson in why not to test my patience. We shall kill that girl Rin, along with those half-breed mongrels my son dares to call his. We shall show him, who truly owns the Western Lands!" a cheer erupted from the crowd of soldiers, "In one hour, we shall strike. When the sun peeks over the horizon, we charge!" she pumped a fist into the air, the others joining her in chants and cheers.

About an hour later, the sun peeked its rays over the horizon, daybreak approaching. Sesshomaru's mother, her eyes still narrowed, simply snarled with a wicked smile. Leading her troops, the sped off towards Sesshomaru's home.

Sesshomaru stood guard outside his home, his senses on high alert. His nose picked up on a scent, making him growl, "Stand guard." he said, loud enough for the men to nod and put their hands on their weapons, "Mother approaches."

Rin's eyes slowly parted, fluttering a few times before opening fully. The sun was still low in the sky, signaling that morning had come. She softly gasped, sitting up abruptly, looking frantically around the room. Sesshomaru, and his scent, was found nowhere in the room. Rin tore off the covers and ran to the window. Her hands fell to the window pane as tears came to her eyes, running down her cheeks, "Sesshomaru…." she whispered, her hands tightening into fists, "Be safe… my lover… my mate…" a small gurgle brought her to look at the children. Nina was cooing as she wiggled on her back. Rin gave a small smile as she went to her children, gathering Nina in her arms, "Hey there Nina." her voice cracked. She didn't get to say goodbye to him… was that his plan? He knew she was always bad at goodbyes… But surely he would have let her this time… considering… she shook her head. No, she would not think that way… And yet… Rin closed her eyes. If Sesshomaru did end up dying, Rin would just go crazy. His mother would then come after her… after the babies. Rin held Nina closer to her, another tear dripping to the wooden floor.

"…..Da….." Nina gurgled, making Rin's head snap up. Though it was just a sound, it sounded like Nina was trying to say….. Dada….

Rin sniffled, kissing her baby girl on the forehead, "It's alright Nina. Dada will come back…. He always comes back…" he voice gave way to silent weeps as she cradled Nina close to her breast, "Dada always comes back….." she shook her head, "Sesshomaru… you have to come back…"

Sesshomaru stood in front of his troops, only a mere fifty yards away from his glaring mother, who held her wicked smirk as she crossed her arms, "So Sesshomaru, I shall give you one last chance. Who is it that you choose? Rin, or those half-breed brats?" Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed, his hands tightening on Bakusaiga's hilt.

"Wouldn't you like to know." he simply replied.

"You ungrateful pup. I'm giving you a chance." she gave a light chuckle, "Not that I care. I just need to know who to kill." she snarled. Sesshomaru bared his teeth, a low growl released form his chest.

"Well, if you really need to know…" then he vanished. Her eyes widened, "NONE!" she gasped and turned, holding up her own sword as his came crashing down, clashing with her blade to create sparks, "You will not lay a finger on them! I'll die first!" his mother jumped back, sword out in front of her as she shook her head.

"Sesshomaru Sesshomaru. I really didn't want to have to kill my own son, but you leave me no choice!" she leaped back at him, swinging her weapon at him with great force. Metal crashed upon metal as they crossed blades, "Seriously Sesshomaru, I haven't got all day. Just tell me. It's easy to pick." Sesshomaru thrust her back.

"It isn't their lives you should be concerned about. It's yours!" he swung Bakusaiga in a flash of anger at her, knocking her off balance and to stumble backwards. The other swords of the men following each leader clashed with the enemies' around them, "You are spilling blood Sesshomaru, blood that could have been spared. How does that make you feel?" he growled, lunging at her.

"You are doing the same! Don't patronize me you hypocrite! You are doing the exact same thing! Though my men volunteered. They did it to protect Rin and the children." she scoffed, blocking another attack from her son.

"Oh really? Mine volunteered because they can't stand the thought of having a demoness wannabe as the Lady of the Western Lands, and the fact that there are half breed childr-"

"Enough!" he shouted, clashing his blade with hers once more, "I shall tell you this one last time mother." he snarled, "Those children, are not half breeds. Rin was a full demon when we mated. Those children are full blooded demons, whether you decide to accept it or not. To even think about murdering your own grandchildren. Do you have no honor about your name mother? Or was that taken from you when father left you for Inuyasha's mother?" that set his mother's blood to boil. She screamed, pushing Sesshomaru away from her using her blade. She reached into her pocket and pulled out the vial.

"Do you know what this is, Sesshomaru?" he narrowed his eyes, making her chuckle, "Most likely not. This, my son, is a vial containing Naraku's powers." Sesshomaru's eyes widened, "That's right. One sip of this, and I will gain his powers. So I will not only have mine, but his as well. I can drink this little by little, and slowly gain more and more power." to prove her point, she popped the little cork from the top, and brought the vial to her lips. She took a small swig. A reddish black glow began to outline her body, "Do you still want to continue?" Sesshomaru held his blade up, the sun reflecting off the perfect metal.

"Such a petty question!" Sesshomaru's mom felt the evil powers flowing through her. Her senses became sharper, she felt as if she hadn't been fighting at all. It felt good.

"This power is amazing! I feel as if we just started!" she charged, hitting Sesshomaru with her blade. His eyes widened again in shock as she successfully cut him, tearing his armor from his chest and shoulder to crash to the grassy battle ground, cutting up his chest diagonally in the process. He let out a grunt, falling to one of his knees. A hand went to his wound, blood seeping from it. He blocked her next move with difficulty.

Surely just one wound cannot tire me like this. He jumped up just in time to doge her next attack. But she suddenly disappeared, and he felt an immense pain in his back, her blade slicing from his left shoulder down to his hip. He gave a small cry of pain, blood coming from that wound as well to stain his clothes and cake in his hair. A soft wind blew, and Sesshomaru's mother caught a whiff of the air.

"She isn't here." she said in a low voice. She is a great distance from her. I can smell her scent coming from beyond your home Sesshomaru. Where are you hiding her?" she smiled at him, "We shall see." she then sped off towards Rin's scent. Sesshomaru's eyes widened as he leapt up. He cried out in pain, but he followed her, ignoring it after it was tolerable. He just couldn't… let his mother find Rin and the children. Blood dripped behind him, leaving a trail. He wasn't very far behind his mother, but she was slowly getting further away.

"Rin!" Ayame shouted as she ran into Rin's room, "You have a visitor!" Rin raised an eyebrow and nodded. She stood up and dusted off her kimono, making her way down the hallway. She smiled brightly upon seeing a familiar face.

"Totosai!" she hugged him, "What are you doing here?" he held out something that was covered in a tarp.

"This began to pulsate. It led me here, to you." she took the object from him, unwrapping it. She gasped when she saw the shiny silver blade.

"It's beautiful." Totosai nodded.

"That's why it is called Shanseiga. Shan means beautiful." Rin held it up. She could see her reflection perfectly in the blade, "Use it well. I must be going." with that he left. She shrugged.

"He never did enjoy long visits. Always on the go, that man." she slowly walked back into her bedroom. Her three babies were wide awake, gurgling and giggling as Ayame made faces at them. Her children were so beautiful. She gazed at them for a few seconds, smiling at the fact that she knew they were her children… Sesshomaru's children. She gasped upon feeling a presence, slowly getting closer… a presence that made her growl and her clawed hands to grip her sword., "Ayame." Ayame looked at Rin, "She's here." Ayame's eyes widened, "Keep the children in here." she ran down the hallway, looking back down at Shanseiga. Please… I'm counting on you Shanseiga. The sword pulsed in her hand. She flung open the door and rushed out.

His wounds burned… but he still ignored them as he chased after his mother. Rin's scent grew stronger, making him try to stride faster. I won't let you hurt them… His mother was grinning, holding her sword out in her hands. Suddenly, a large demon jumped from the trees, colliding into Sesshomaru's mother and pinning her to the ground. Sesshomaru skidded into a halt, his eyes wide as he watched a lavender colored dog demon pinning his mother into the grass, her jet black paws on his mother's shoulders, "Rin…" he said almost inaudibly, but Rin still heard him, her black ears perking up to the sound of his voice. She turned her head, her teeth bared, but her teeth were soon hidden when her red eyes reached his. Sesshomaru then collapsed to his knees, unable to bear the pain of his wounds to stand. Rin's eyes widened and she jumped off her lover's mother, bounding towards him. She changed back into her human form and knelt by his side.

"Sesshomaru!" she caught him before he could fully fall to the ground, gently lowering him to rest his head on her shoulder, "You're terribly hurt." she whispered as she saw the blood from his wounds.

"Come for your execution? How nice. I thought I would have to go get you myself." she heard behind her. Rin growled, looking to see Sesshomaru's mother walking up to them. Her grip around Sesshomaru gently tightened as she held him closer to her.

"You monster. How could you hurt your own son? Your only child?" his mother rolled her eyes.

"He needs to learn to mind his mother, no matter what age he is nor if he's my only son or not. He disobeyed me and must be punished." Rin narrowed her eyes.

"You are punishing him for loving me? For being the father of my children?" Sesshomaru cringed at his wound continued to sting, letting out a quiet grunt. Rin looked at him, worry across her features, "Why did you even revive me in the first place? When I was a little girl? Why did you do that? Jakken said it was because you didn't like seeing Sesshomaru so unhappy. Was that it?" his mother was silent, "Why is it you hate me so much? What is so wrong with Sesshomaru and I being together?" her eyes widened as she looked down at Sesshomaru, "Is it because of his father? Are you afraid that I would leave him like his father left you?" bingo. Rin knew that had something to do with it by the way his mother was looking at her, "You just can't stand seeing him in love! You hate the fact that Sesshomaru fell in love with a human like Inutaisho fell in love with Izayoi! Except Sesshomaru went the extra mile and changed me into a demon." his mother's hands tightened around her sword, "You can't accept the fact that it isn't all about you. You should be happy that Sesshomaru found love! And those children, those babies are ours, whether you like it or not. Those beautiful children are your grandchildren. You haven't even seen them and you sentenced them to die for no reason at all! I would never leave my children, nor would I leave Sesshomaru! I love them with all my heart and would give my life to protect them! And I'm sure you would give your life for Sesshomaru if you had to!" Sesshomaru's mother just stood there.

"And what makes you think I would? It would be his mistake that got him into trouble, and he should have to deal with the consequences."

"Motherly instinct. If my children were in trouble, no matter what age, I would help them to the best of my ability. That's what mothers do! We protect our children! I have only been a mother for a week, and I love those children more than anything in the world. I love Sesshomaru more than anything in the world. They're my family, and you are too, whether you like it or not. I will always love Sesshomaru. I always have, ever since I was a teenager. Do you know how often I wished I could be on his mat and wake up next to him in the mornings when he did decide to rest? Do you know how many times my heart did flip flops when he came into my sight? It wasn't just a simple infatuation. I fell in love with him, whether he returned the love to me or not. And now that I have his love, and have given birth to our children, I have no intention of giving them up. And if we must fight, then I have no problem beating the truth up your ass with Shanseiga." Sesshomaru's mother was at a loss for words. Wait, did she say Shanseiga? Did that mean she had a sword? Her question was confirmed when she saw a sword on Rin's back, held to her by a sash that wrapped over her shoulder to around her side, "Oh, right. Shanseiga was given to me just a few minutes before our encounter. Totosai said I was powerful enough to have my own now. I found what I wanted to protect." she looked down at her lover, who was breathing harshly because of his wounds. But being a demon, she saw that they had already begun healing. Rin brushed her fingers through his bangs, "I love him with all my heart and soul. My heart, mind, soul, and body belong to him, and everything in between. I'm his, and he is mine." the mothers were silent, for what seemed like hours, until finally Sesshomaru's mother turned on her heels.

"Show them to me." Rin tilted her head. The demoness turned her head, "Show me my grandchildren." Rin's frown slowly turned into a smile. She helped Sesshomaru sit up, and when she was sure he could sit up on his own, she jumped up and suddenly hugged her mother-in-law, "What- what are you doing?"

"You may not think this is true, but Sesshomaru loves you dearly. He didn't want to fight you from the start. You will always be his mother, and he will love you, no matter what you do." she went back over to Sesshomaru and helped him up. She draped his arm around her shoulder and they began to walk towards Ayame and Koga's home.

Ayame was looking out the window when she saw them walking towards her home. Rin helped Sesshomaru inside, leading him into the guestroom that Rin was staying in, his mother waiting outside. He propped himself up on the pillows, Ayame tending to his wounds. Rin walked back to the door, leading Sesshomaru's mother inside. Rin was still a bit hesitant in letting his mother in, but her aura had changed. It was calm. She and Rin knelt down in front of the tiny bed-mats, where sleeping infants laid. Sesshomaru's mother reached out slowly, running a finger through Kyougaku's little bangs. She softly smiled, "So these are my son's children, your children?" Rin nodded. She gave a single chuckle, "His father always did say he would have cute babies." Rin giggled softly, lifting up Nina.

"Do you want to hold her?" her mother-in-law nodded, receiving the small bundle.

"Hello there." she softly crooned, "You are beautiful." Rin beamed.

"Her name is Nina. This is Yasui-" he ruffled his head of hair, "And this is Kyougaku, our little surprise we didn't know about." her mother-in-law shook her head

"I'm so sorry Rin…" she whispered quietly, "I was wrong all along. I was angry… I guess… angry that my son was mating with a human. I felt like it was Inutaisho all over again. It hurt when he left me for Izayoi. Left Sesshomaru. I was scared, that, you would do the same." Rin smiled, looking back at her lover, who was now bandaged and resting.

"I would never. Sesshomaru is too important to me to ever let go. I promise I will make him happy."

"You swear?"

"I swear."

I hate typing fight scenes. I'm sorry this took so long to update! ^^' With school starting back it's hard to get any writing time in. _ I hope you enjoyed this chapter! It's one of the longest in this story I think. *giggles* OMG! Next is the epilogue and it's finished! *pouts* Ah well. There might be another fic about these two soon. :) PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE review! I'm going through some tough stuff right now, and I would really like some reviews to brighten my day! :) *hugs readers* Thank you all for reading this and the epilogue should be coming up soon! :D