Chapter 29

Twins 6th Birthday, death in the family

Rin woke up, it was a beautiful Sunday morning. The birds were singing, and the sun was shining. It was the twins 6th birthday. It was also the start of Rin's second trimester of her second pregnancy. She threw on a loose kimono and put on some sandals and went to wake up the twins, but their room was empty. She figured they were already awake. So she trotted down the stairs to find Sesshomaru sitting with Resashy and Inutashi at the table. He was feeding them breakfast, as they were half human and needed human food.

"Come on father, I don't want to eat it."

Inutashi complained, pushing away his eggs. Sesshomaru frowned and pushed it back and replied.

"Unlike me, you have to. As long as there is human blood flowing through your veins you will do as I say and eat them."

Rin smiled and kissed Resashy's forehead and patted her son Inutashi's head. She sat at the table and was served by Miss Bamki. The maid smiled and poured Rin her herbal tea.

"Well, good morning Miss Rin. How are you feeling?"

Rin smiled and replied while sipping her tea.

"I am in my second month now pregnant, and I feel great."

Miss Bamki bowed and replied while slapping some eggs on her plate.

"That is good Miss Rin, I am glad you are healthy."

Rin nodded and sipped more of her tea. Miss Bamki then went on with her daily chores. Sesshomaru pulled his chair beside Rin and put his arm around her, licking her neck.

"Ah! Sesshomaru!"

Rin belted, blushing.

"Eww, Papa!"

Resashy said, giggling. Sesshomaru rolled his eyes and replied to his daughter, still necking at Rin.

"Eat your egg."

Inutashi crossed his arms, refusing to eat his egg. He hated eggs, more than he hated vegetables. Resashy was an instigator, so she tattled on her brother.

"I won't eat my eggs if he won't."

Sesshomaru was tired of his children's attitudes. For weeks, the children were not listen to their mother or Miss Bamki. So Sesshomaru glared at them both. Oh yes, the Sesshomaru glare. The glare that would make any one shit themselves. The twins gulped in fear of their father and ate their eggs quietly. Rin smiled and hate her breakfast as well, patting her slightly showing belly. Rin was happy. Two beautiful children, and another on the way. A good husband, and a good home. Rin could never be any happier. She was going to throw the biggest birthday party and invite all of her friends and family.

Later….

"Rin, you could easily send invitations in the mail, why must you travel personally?"

Rin rolled her eyes from her husband's comment and replied.

"Well do you have a better idea?"

Sesshomaru nodded and put Rin on his back with a reply.

"Yes, I will carry you to the old women's village myself. It takes a day to get there with me."

Rin giggled and played with his hair and teased him.

"Oh yeah, I forgot your dog like abilities."

Sesshomaru glared at his wife from that comment, but ignored it and started to run, leaving the twins in Miss Bamki's care. When the returned, they would have the close friends with them, ready to party.

A day later…

Sesshomaru and Rin arrived at Kaede's village. Rin loved visiting the village. She missed Sango, Miroku, Kagome, and Inuyasha. The twins never met their cousins before, Rin wanted it to happen before the twins got any older. When the time was right, Rin was going to ask Sesshomaru if they could move closer to the village.

"Hi everyone."

Rin said, entering the village. All the villagers waved with great welcome. Just then, Sango emerged from Kaede's hut.

"Rin, I am so glad you're here. I need to speak to you about Lady Kaede."

Rin looked up at Sesshomaru, he nodded, signaling that he was fine with it and that he would see her later on. Rin smiled and went over to Sango. Both women entered the hut.

"So what is this about Sango?"

Sango sighed and replaced the cloth on Kaede's forehead with new cold water. She tried to figure out a way to break the news gently, but she couldn't.

"Let me be blunt with you Rin. Lady Kaede is truly dying."

Rin gasped, as she couldn't believe what Sango was saying.

"Are you sure of this?"

Sango nodded and sighed while putting another blanket on Miss Kaede.

"Yes, the doctor said she will pass on into the afterlife in the next—24 hours."

Sango said, sliding next to Rin. Rin sighed and looked at her former guardian in sadness while replying.

"I see, very well then. I will stay by her side at all times. No birthday celebration until Kaede is free."

Sango frowned, as she was confused.

"Birthday celebrations?"

Sango questioned, as she brought her knees to her face. Rin nodded and put her hand on her stomach.

"Yes, the twins have turned 6 today."

Sango sighed and kept speaking.

"Well I guess it cannot be helped, where is Sesshomaru?"

Rin shrugged and leaned on the hut walls while replying.

"Oh, somewhere. He said he would keep his distance until tonight, where he will join me here."

Sango smiled and put a blanket and Futon out for Rin. She laid the futon down next to Kaede, so Rin could be by her side at all times. She then helped Rin get on the futon, and tucked her in.

"Well good night you two, or should I say three?"

Sango said, smiling down at Rin's stomach. Rin laughed quietly and laid her head down on the pillow.

"Yes, I am one month along now…"

Rin replied, as she dozed off. Sango smiled and left the hut.

Later that night….

Rin heard her former caregiver wheezing and coughing. She then opened her eyes, meeting them with two old ones.

"Kaede, it's me, Rin."

Kaede smiled and took Rins hand. She then replied as much as she could.

"Yes, I know your face. It is very familiar, my dear, ye are pregnant again."

Kaede replied, as she started to shake. Rin nodded and took Kaede's head carefully into her lap. The baby thumping against her face made the old woman smile, as she put her hand on Rins stomach and started talking to it.

"My, what strong feet ye have dear one. I can tell, ye are a boy. A boy who will grow up to be a very strong man. Strong enough to take care of your mother."

Rin smiled and replied.

"How do you know it is a boy?"

Kaede smiled and replied.

"I can feel it in my fading bones dear one. I know that ye are carrying a son. Take care of him, and he will take care of ye. Farewell dear one, for ye are no longer alone."

With her last breath of reply, Kaede's spirit left her body, ash her eyes closed forever. It was as if the old woman was waiting for Rin to be by her side once again for the last time.

Rin frowned and tried to shake her adopted grandmother awake, but she was gone. Rin caressed Kaede in her arms and cried. She cried all night. Soon, Sesshomaru came inside the hut. He saw Rin lie there with what was once the old woman, who was now but corpse. He lied next to Rin and held her, trying to give her some comfort.

"Even in death, she is still warm, just how I remembered it."

Rin said, crying into her husband's arms. Sesshomaru did not understand the mortality of human life, but held Rin in his arms none the less, until she fell asleep. He then moved Kaede's body in the corner of the hut, wrapping her in cloth. He then tied her up with string, exposing only her head peeking out from the wrappings. The dog demon then went back with his wife and passed out. For tomorrow, was the funeral of the great priestess Kaede.