Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.
Chapter Fourteen
"Where are THEY!" Rina griminced at the harsh words of her 'master.' "I specifically TOLD you to bring them to me! NO matter what!" The hand print across her face turned a bright red. Kagura and Kanna watch in astonishment. Never before had they seen Naraku so angry.
He paced along the fire's edge. "We will get the rest of those jewel shards."
"Lilth why must we always leave when the conversations are getting good?"
"Because the adults don't want us bugging around." Akumo answered sarcastically.
Blue eyes held sympathy as Lilth put them to bed. "They need time and quiet. It may get difficult."
The room was silent again. Inuyasha was finally coaxed to sitting down. "What did Amato mean by 'not this time.'?" Miroku questioned, looking around the room. Many of the Ryusaki members were gazing down, or off in some other direction.
Moria sighed. "Nothing really. Just a small incident."
"I guess you know something about that huh?" Inuyasha shot in Sesshomaru's direction, off sidingly.
He glared at him, saying nothing.
"Akumo seems so sweet. Alittle confused." Sango observed. "It had to be more then just a incident to get him that upset."
"Perhaps Amato was just exaggerating." Kagome glanced around hopeful.
"If only he was." Ayano's soft voice starlted some of them. She had been so quiet since the arrival of everyone.
Moria eyed her. "It's nothing. Honestly."
"Naraku is a dangerous demon, Moria." Inuyasha commented. "If Akumo is capable of what is said..."
Dark lavender eyes met with purple eyes. Sighing, she gave in. "Tell them Kantari. You know it best."
He nodded, taking the floor with an intent listening audience. "Rina had a cottage a couple miles south of here. Father's health was poor during a winter four years ago. Being who she was, Rina traveled back and forth, kept on her feet all season."
-flashback-
"Daughter I wish you'd rest some."
Rina giggled. "I'm fine mother. Besides father's making progress. If I keep up he'll be fine before the season's over."
Moria rose her brows. "What about you, hm? That child will be born in the beginning of the next season. With you traveling all this distance and using all your strength..."
"We'll be fine." She interupted. "Honestly mother."
-end of flashback-
"My sister had always been strong. She got very sick, though, toward the ending of the winter season." Kantari continued. "The baby was small when she was born, but she was healthy. After a week with her, Rina insisted that she was fine and for mother come back to help around here again." He paused momontarily. Everyone was still listening.
"It was three weeks after, Amato and Akumo were fixing the gardens and fields for the summer harvest. Rina was still sick so she stayed in the house and tended to Mara."
"Mara?" Inuyasha rose his brows, glancing at his half brother. He noticed the quick expressions and realized suddenly that Sesshomaru was never told this story.
Ignoring him, Kantari went on. "It was a beautiful day, so Rina opened the door to let fresh air in. She wrapped Mara up snuggly and fixed her around her back. Because of her frailness, Rina hadn't regained much of her demon strength back." He stopped. This time to get his voice controlled. "Amato was running frantically and above the tree tops I could see smoke." He took in a shaky breath, letting it out in the same manner. "When we reached the cottage, most of it was in flames."
-flashback-
"Amato go find your mother, brother, and sister. I'm going to try and put this out."
The young demon boy ran in the direction of the forest.
After an hour or so, Kantari managed to get the fire to a smothering smoke. The cottage remains were charcoaled. He looked around, wondering where the others could be. Amato had run toward the woods, so he followed.
Blood appeared near an enterance way, and from the way the ground was situated, someone had been dragged. He picked up his pace, searching fiercely.
-end of flashback-
"I found them at the edge of a shallow pool. Akumo was holding Rina, begging her to wake. Amato was rocking Mara slowly."
"Is that why the boys are so protective of Hanae?" Kagome asked sadly. "Something happened to Mara?"
"There was nothing I could do." Moria added regretfully. Her eyes were full of unshed tears. "Rina held her little girl until the end. By morning, Rina had went under also. Akumo was so angry, no one knew where he had disappeared to for two days. When he got back and saw Rina's state, he confessed to her that he had killed several of the attackers."
"How, he doesn't know." Kantari picked up. "Even to this day he claims that he saw them and when he came to, five of them were dead."
Sango's gaze was down. She knew what was like to loose those she loved dearly.
Sesshomaru stood. He muttered something and walked out. Inuyasha sneered at him until he was close. Behind the cold, unforgiving eyes, he saw feelings he never thought Sesshomaru held, let alone show; fear, distress, sadness, even anger.