First place winner in the "Acceptance" Competition on Inuyasha Issekiwa, a Live Journal community for the writing and posting of Inuyasha drabbles (link to the community available on my own Live Journal -- look under my profile). November 2006. 209 words, Drama, Rating: PG.
The Calm that Follows
The storms were wild the summer Rin conceived.
Winds buffeted her as she stumbled beside her demon husband. They howled outside the cave where she awaited his return.
On a night he was away, she crept out alone--the dragon and Jaken asleep, their shadows flickering against the stone walls.
Rain was driven into her eyes as soon as she left the safety of their shelter. Sea-loud roars assaulted her ears as she scrambled up the rocky promontory; her bare feet slipping on sharp stones, her fingers clutching at the black and rain-soaked brambles.
She climbed as high as she dared, inching out on the ledge, wary of the sudden gust that might come from behind. She struggled against the fear and jealousy, and wiped her rain-soaked hair from her face.
She had his love, his body, his child growing within her. What would the admission cost her?
He'd saved her, and learned to protect. He'd failed the other, and learned compassion.
What did it matter if compassion wasn't love? Without that second lesson, would he have learned the others that followed?
"I was there before you—" she yelled into the gale, "—But you were first."The wind caressed her skull, threaded harmless, joyful fingers through her hair.