Whoa thank you guys so much for your patience while waiting for this chapter! I've been experiencing really bad migraines and my insurance doesn't kick in until 11/1 so I've been doing ok. Some days are better than others. I now have an ER bill because the pain was so bad one night. So if you guys could do me a favor and send positive vibes my way, that would be cool. The night I went to the ER was very scary for me.

IMPORTANT!

Somehow in the last chapter a small part of the story was left out.

I've included it here for quick reference. It has been added to the chapter.

The sun goddess curious now, asked, "How did you create the seal?

"We each infused a small piece of ourselves into the child creating a seal," Ōtonobe answered.

"Will that cause repercussions in the future? Is that safe to infuse a small child with that much….godly power?" Amaterasu hesitantly asked.

"…..We are on unknown ground my dear Amaterasu…..even we do not know what her future holds."

FYI, I have gone back and re-edited all the previous chapters. I do not have a beta reader so all my pro-reading is done by me so I know I miss words here and there. I also changed some dialogue and wording. No major changes took place. Just in case anyone goes back and rereads the story and thinks some of the lines may be different.

One note from the previous chapter. I mentioned how Toga would have been alive for 500 years when Rin's family was alive. After some thinking, the math didn't seem right. I have changed that to read 1,000 years now.

Back to the story, thank you to all that left reviews on the last heavy chapter. It took a lot out of me and after that, I needed a mental break.

Moving forward please be sure to pay attention when reading. When Rin and Sesshomaru speak telepathically it will be bolded and italic in this ' '

When Sesshomaru is speaking to his mother telepathically it will only be italic and in this ' '

If you see this ' ' it's a character having an internal thought.

Onto the story!

Chapter 13

Revelations

The room fell silent as Toga ended the tale of Rin's origin.

Sesshomaru gently rocked Rin in his arms who was opening sobbing, whispering loving words into her ears.

No other words were spoken.

~oOo~

Kimi watched the scene unfolding before her eyes with unushered tears.

She could only imagine what pain the young princess must be feeling.

But unfortunately, none of the occupants of the room had time to linger about how the young princess was feeling when the room began to shake.

Toga, Kimi, and Izayoi all looked between themselves in apprehension.

This was what all four members of the family were worried about.

Once Rin found out the truth, they were concerned she would become unhinged. They caught a small glimpse of what a simple misunderstanding caused.

Kimi pushed into Toga and Sesshomaru's minds:

'Sesshomaru, you need to calm your mate. Her emotions are affecting her powers.'

'I'm trying…..she is resisting me.' Sesshomaru pushed back into his mother's mind.

Kimi looked towards Izayoi and beckoned the human woman to follow her lead. Both women stood and slowly made their way to Rin who was tucked against Sesshomaru's chest.

Kimi gently placed a hand upon Rin's arm, she felt the young Makami flinch at her touch.

"Shhhh…..young one…..we will not hurt you." Kimi gently said.

Rin only sobbed harder. She suddenly pushed away from Sesshomaru and gripped her head. Kimi witnessed Rin's eyes flashing from their normal brownish hue to red.

'Sesshomaru, do exactly as I say. Concentrate on sending warmth into your link. Think of the day you fell in love with you mate. This will calm her.'

Kimi watched as Sesshomaru closed his eyes, doing as she commanded. Kimi then turned to Izayoi, nodding.

Izayoi softly spoke, "I'm so sorry princess….we're all so sorry you had to hear this….your true mother Ame-No-Uzume loved you so much….We also love you…..shhhh…..we will not hurt you."

Rin was hyperventilating at this point, her hands that were holding her head suddenly snapped forward. A light start glowing from her palms, before it got any brighter, Sesshomaru quickly grabbed her hands and placed them against his chest. The Inu prince grimaced when she expelled the same light from before that threw Inuyasha across the room.

Kimi's eyes widen at seeing her son fully absorb the princess's attack. She quickly grabbed onto Rin's hand that was still braced against Sesshomaru's chest and pushed into the princess's young mind.

Feeling Sesshomaru's warmth pushing into Rin's mind, Kimi enhanced the feeling, amplifying it tenfold. She watched as Rin finally started to calm down. Kimi removed her hand, allowing Sesshomaru to continue to push waves of warmth into his mate's mind.

The occupants of the room breathed out a sigh of relief when the room stopped shaking.

Rin's small voice, "I'm…..a Makami?" She was now leaning against Sesshomaru, who wrapped her in moko-moko.

"Yes, half-goddess, half-demon." Toga answered stepping forward.

"And my mother….she's gone?" Rin said quietly.

"Yes….after your birth…it is said she went into hiding with the first gods. She has not been seen since."

Only silence lingered as the Inu family waited and watched the young Makami.

"Everything about my life is a lie….." Rin sobbed out, fresh tears falling.

Kimi gasped along with Sesshomaru. Kimi quietly cupped the young princess's face, "No, your life isn't a lie. Everything you have experienced is true. Everyone in your life is true and has loved you."

"But my parents aren't my parents! My true father….raped my mother! My poor mother….she didn't deserve that….and now she is hiding. My father took her innocence from her, he robbed her of her spirit!" Rin cried, looking into Kimi's face.

Sesshomaru gently turned Rin in his lap, so she was facing him.

"The king and queen that raised you may not be your true parents, but they do love you. They did the best they could even through there were things they needed to tell you but didn't." Sesshomaru said.

Toga then came forward and knelt in front of the young Makami, "Rin….Amaterasu said you are so much like your mother. You have her compassion. Even now in your grief…you think of others. Your mother was raped but she loved you so very much. All she wanted was to raise you, but you could not stay with her. I know this was hard to hear and I cannot imagine what you are feeling right now but please do not doubt how we feel for you or my son."

~oOo~

When Toga started the story Rin was confused at first….what did any of this have to do with who she was? As the beast king continued the story, Rin felt a deep unsettling start to form in her stomach when Ame had disappeared.

'Hopefully, she is only lost and comes home on time..' Rin remembered thinking.

Hot tears burned her eyes once Toga revealed Ame had been found but had been raped while missing for two weeks.

The minute the words fell from Toga's lips, she knew Ame was her mother.

Her mother was a goddess and….

Her father…. was a demon who raped her.

By the time Toga had finished the tale, she was sobbing in her husband's lap. Sesshomaru softly whispering in her ear that he loved her. That he would protect her. That he would never leave her side.

Not only did she cry for her mother, but she also cried for her parents, King Ishida and Queen Kaori. Their true daughter had died.

She was given to them.

She was only a…substitute.

Everything in her life had been orchestrated.

The family that raised her.

Her husband.

Everything…

Was anything true in her life?

To think she was a princess her whole life and find out she was a Makami…half demon/half goddess.

Her brothers weren't even her brothers.

Everything was a….lie.

And Sesshomaru…..

Would Sesshomaru still love her if she had not been promised to him at birth?

Rin suddenly felt guilty.

Maybe Sesshomaru didn't have a choice in this….

Sesshomaru… was manipulated into their marriage.

Rin barely heard the words Kimi and Toga were saying to her as her mind raced.

Sesshomaru... did he truly love her or –

"Stop." Sesshomaru's hardened voice said, causing Rin to jump in his lap.

Rin's tear-streaked face looked at her husband, her body shaking.

Sesshomaru gently cupped her face, "This Sesshomaru has never been manipulated. My love for you is genuine and true."

"But how do you know that?" Rin's small voice asked, searching Sesshomaru's face.

"I was promised to you before I was even born! How do I know that you would feel that same if I wasn't a princess or you a prince? This engagement was put together because of who I am! Because of what I am...You…..you were forced into this because of me….." Rin whimpered.

Sesshomaru shifted Rin so she was pressed tight against his chest. Taking her hand and squeezing gently, "My love for you….what I feel for you is more than some fixed engagement. How many others can say their mate was destined to be with them? You are mine and I am yours. Your conception may not be of love, but you are for me. I would not give you up for anything. I do not know what our future holds or what your abilities may be but none of that matters to me. I want you. Makami or not."

Rin looked at Sesshomaru uncertainly. She could see he meant it but…..

"Rin, when mated to an inuyoukai, you can tell if your mate is lying to you through our link. Sesshomaru, open your mind completely to Rin. Rin, push into the link and feel. You will not hurt him with your probing. Look into his mind." Kimi said next to her.

Rin focused on their mental link, closing her eyes. Pushing into her husband's mind, all she could feel was warmth. His mind was completely open to her.

With her eyes still closed, she called out to Kimi, "How do I tell if he's lying?"

"You would feel coldness and resistance," Kimi said.

Rin pushed harder into their link but there was no coldness.

Only warmth and…. love.

'Rin, look.' Sesshomaru's voice suddenly pushed into her mind.

Rin blinked and she was standing next to her husband in a field.

The Makami looked around and realized she was in a garden…..wait this was her family garden back home!

'Sesshomaru?' Rin pushed into their link.

'Watch.'

Almost as if she was watching a moving picture, Rin witness Sesshomaru move through the garden and come upon herself. She must have been at least 10 years old.

"Oh, it's you!" 10-year-old Rin exclaimed out.

Sesshomaru nodded and bent down to be at eye level with her.

"I was making crowns, here you can wear this one!" Rin happily said and then placed a flower crown upon his head. Sesshomaru merely tilted his head to the side.

"Will you stay longer this time?" Rin asked with a bright smile.

Sesshomaru looked over her shoulder and then behind himself. He seemed to be looking at someone and then turned back and nodded no.

"Oh….I like when you visit." Rin said in sadness.

"I will return." Sesshomaru said, lifting her chin up.

Rin smiled in happiness and suddenly kissed Sesshomaru on his cheek. Sesshomaru's face redden at her action.

"Ok!" Rin said.

Rin heard her father calling for her and looked behind her to see him walking towards her. She looked back to see the silver hair man was gone. Rin suddenly felt dizzy and then fell to the ground. Her father had reached her and helped her up.

"Rin, what were you doing out here by yourself?"

The young princess shook her head, "I don't know father."

The memory of the recent event was completely forgotten. King Ishida looked around but saw nothing. He led his daughter back inside the castle.

Rin's eyes snapped open, and she stared at Sesshomaru in shock.

"Why don't I remember this?!" Rin asked.

"I do not know. Sometimes when I visited you, you remembered me. Other times you did not." Sesshomaru said pressing his forehead to her.

"If I did not love you, would I have visited you while you were growing up?" Sesshomaru quietly asked Rin.

Rin could only look in awe at Sesshomaru, reaching back into their link, she could feel the openness in his mind.

He meant every word he spoke.

She slowly reached out a hand and gently touched his markings on his cheek. He leaned into her touch.

'I have loved you longer than you will ever know my mate. No one forced this Sesshomaru.'

'You would love me even if I was poor and barefoot in another life?' Rin pushed into their link with a small smile on her face.

'This Sesshomaru will love you in any life.'

Rin could feel that Sesshomaru was telling her the truth. His love for her was pure and true.

Rin sighed and pressed her head into his chest and pushed back, 'Sesshomaru…..I cannot say the words you wish to hear…..at least not right now. I…..just need time to process all of this.'

'My mate….I will wait until you are ready.' Sesshomaru gently pushed into her mind.

The couple sat together in silence for a few more moments, Rin finally pulling back and looked towards her in-laws.

Taking a deep breath, Rin asked, "Ok…so I am the daughter of a goddess and a demon. No one knows what kind of demon, and no one knows what kind of powers I have, correct?"

Toga nodded in confirmation.

Rin sat and thought about the king and queen. She suddenly remembered a comment Toga made to her which only seemed a day ago but was actually over two weeks ago.

"Lord Toga, you mentioned that you all thought my parents showed me a letter. What was in the letter?"

"Ah yes. The letter was a signal to your parents from us. It was letting them know we were the family you were promised to. That Sesshomaru was to be your protector and future mate. You see your family only knew one day in the future a youkai family would come forward but never knew who."

Toga then turned and waved Maiko over.

"My dear, if you would please."

Rin in all her grief completely forget that Maiko was still present. Rin could see Maiko wiping tears from her eyes as she stood. Maiko then produced a letter that was tucked inside her kimono.

Maiko reached her position and Rin quickly grabbed her loyal servant and hugged her. Maiko sniffled, "I'm so sorry princess."

Rin pulled back and shook her head, fighting back the tears that were threatening to fall, "Thank you Maiko, I'll be ok."

Maiko nodded and handed over the letter and went back to her seat.

With the letter in her hands, Rin looked towards Sesshomaru who nodded at her. Taking a deep breath, her shaking hands slowly open the parchment paper.

King Ishida

This letter will currently find you and your country at war with the nefarious spider demon Naraku. I am aware that he is after your daughter Rin who is half-goddess/half-demon. Your daughter has been promised to my son Sesshomaru. He is to be her protector and mate. They were destined to be together before time existed. To assist your country in your losing war, your daughter is be married to my son within three moons. Once the princess is secure in our lands, Naraku will leave your country. We have the forces to protect her.

You must also tell your daughter of her heritage; it would be best for her to hear this news from her adopted parents.

Please send back your response upon receipt of this letter. Time is of the essence and there are preparations we need to take before your daughter arrives at her new home.

King of the Western Lands

Inu No Tashio

Toga

Rin placed the letter in her lap and sadly shook her head.

"Why didn't my father simply show me this letter?" Rin quietly whispered, looking at Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru only rubbed her back, his eyes asking the same question.

Izayoi softly spoke, "I cannot speak for your parents' young princess but as a parent, I can understand not wanting to cause your child pain."

"But because of them not telling me, look at what happened. From what I've been told, I nearly hurt lord Inuyasha. Back at home, I even hurt my loyal servant Maiko."

Maiko quickly started speaking, "Princess, I forgive you for that. There is no need to-"

Rin's look stopped Maiko in her speech, "I understand you forgive me Maiko but the fact is my…..demon side could have….killed you."

Maiko's eyes looked down, knowing her mistress was correct.

Sitting in her husband's lap, Rin chewed on her lip. This letter…why couldn't her father show her this letter? Maybe not at first when he received it, but he could how shown this to her a few days before she left. So much could have been avoided.

Her own mixed feelings could have been halted if she had seen this.

The young princess felt rage start to grow in her stomach at her father.

'Rin, stop.' Sesshomaru thought to her.

'I can't help it….I'm just…..so angry at them.'

'I know but you need to learn how to calm yourself. Each time this happens, your powers feed off your energy.'

Rin nodded, taking a deep breath.

'Will you always be able to read my thoughts?'

'At times like this, yes. Each time you become angry; your thoughts are loud. I know you don't mean to but your distress calls to me. I am your mate, your protector. I will come to you each time you become upset.'

'How do I control this? I do not always wish for you to know my thoughts.'

'My mother will teach us. She had been doing this for a very long time. We need to have patience.'

Rin looked to Sesshomaru and nodded.

Looking back towards her father-in-law, "Lord Toga, this letter confirms my…..destiny with Sesshomaru but this letter never states anything about the alliance or that fact that you were going to be sending us an army. Also from what you've been told, the second gods placed a seal upon me to hide my eyes and my aura. They said that seal would hold until my 20th year but I'm still a few years from my 20th birthday."

"Yes, the alliance part. The alliance part was pushed from me. I was the one who convinced the other lands to join forces. I had to find some way to get you to our lands without it looking suspicious. It's not very common for us Inuyoukai to arrange a marriage between humans. Please do not misinterpret my words, Rin. I have no prejudice about youkai and humans marrying. I do have a human wife after all. It's just that normally kingdoms like ours do not need anything from…..humans."

Rin slowly absorbed all the information that was revealed, "So the alliance was a….cover. A ruse to get me here without raising any red flags?"

"Yes, a ruse. I'm sorry we could not reveal the truth right away to you, but we could not take any chances on anyone finding out who you truly were. Your true lineage was paramount to your security. As of right now, only the present, Inuyasha, Kagome, and Kaede know who you truly are."

Toga stopped and paced for a moment before speaking again, "Regarding your seal…"

Rin noticed that Sesshomaru and Toga both looked at each other in concern.

"What is it?" Rin asked, eying both youkai in wearily.

"Well from what Amaterasu explained the seal would hold until your 20th year. Amaterasu was there when the gods placed it upon you, and she said the seal was a mix of purple and iridescent. The time we have seen those colors surround is when you arrived here to the palace." Toga explained and then got an awkward look on his face.

At the moment, Toga and his wives stepped away from the couple to give them privacy.

'I have also seen those colors surround you as well.' Sesshomaru spoke into Rin's mind.

'When?'

'When you achieve sexual release.'

Rin felt her face heat up at her husband's words and quickly hid her face in his robes. Sesshomaru's large hand gently rubbed her back.

'There is no reason to feel shame or embarrassment.'

'Your parents know don'tthey…..'

Silence.

'Oh god…'

'It's very intense.' Sesshomaru pushed into her mind.

Rin pulled back to look into Sesshomaru's eyes, 'What do you mean?'

'The last time, our bonding night, your light passed through me….I achieved a release I've never experienced before.'

Rin's eyes widen at Sesshomaru's words. Thoroughly embarrassed beyond all reason know, Rin could only stare at Sesshomaru and look towards his parents. Toga avoided her eyes while Kimi and Izayoi merely smiled in kindness.

Rin sat dumbfounded and thickly swallowed. Thinking back to the past several weeks, Rin felt that her so called parents did nothing but hide things from her, and now…..

Now her in-laws stood a few feet away knowing full well that when she achieves sexual release, she lights up.

Of all the things for her new family to know….

But…..

This family knew who she truly was and did not hide anything from her. So far, they had answered every question she had. They were embracing who she was while her adopted parents did nothing but hide it.

Even though she had only known this family for a short while, Rin started to believe she could truly trust them. Even Maiko had said they were kind to her so far. Rin had always believed she could judge a person's true character by how they treated their servants. She remembered during her years at home, seeing guests come along with their servants. Some of the guests were kind to their servants and sometimes….

The guests were disgusting to their servants. She recalled one time when a royal dignitary had come to visit and witness how he used one of the female servants for his pleasure. He stated how his wife was not feeling well enough to travel but Rin saw how looked at her mother, the queen. Later that night, as Maiko was taking her to her room, she saw the dignitary looking at Maiko with nothing but lust on his face. Asano was also present and quickly escorted them back to her chambers and also made sure to escort Maiko to her room as well. Rin had found much later that all the female servants of the castle were ordered to lock their rooms that night.

Rin shuddered at the memory and was happy to know that Maiko was being treated well here. If Maiko was happy to be with their new family, then Rin knew there was hope for their future.

Rin then pinched the bridge of her nose and called out for everyone to hear, "So when I….light up…my seal is showing? What does that mean exactly?"

"From what we can gather with the information provided to us recently, we think your seal may be…breaking earlier than expected." Sesshomaru answered.

Rin gasped, "But….but they said if my seal breaks before my 20th year then…."

Kimi quickly stepped forward, "Yes we know what they said but you are with us now. Kaede and I can help you maintain control of your powers. Once you have rested enough, we will begin training you. So far, we only know that you can create a protective barrier for yourself and can emit a pulse of light from your hands. We will start there."

'So my seal is breaking…' Rin thought to herself.

Suddenly the words from Toga's tale flooded her mind:

Ōtonoji turned to leave but stopped at Amaterasu's next question, "What….. would happen if the seal breaks before then?"

Ōtonoji turned and evenly stared into Amaterasu's eyes, "If it breaks or if she is corrupted…..Nothing but devastation."

"…..Naraku is trying to break my seal isn't he.." Rin asked in shock looking towards her in-laws and husband.

"That's why he tried to…..rape me." Rin whimpered out.

Sesshomaru quickly wrapped his arms around her, pushing warmth into their link, "He will never touch you again."

"How does Naraku know….how does he know who I am?" Rin softly asked, grabbing onto moko-moko and hugging it her chest.

Toga sighed, "We do not know princess. As I mentioned before only us, a few members of the family, your adopted parents, and Amaterasu know who you truly are. The only other person would be your…father."

On hearing the words fall from her father-in-law's mouth, Rin pressed herself closer to Sesshomaru.

Her father….working with Naraku.

"They want me to lose control and….do what exactly?"

"They want to control you and your powers. Naraku wants power but your father…we do know what his plan is for you. Why he would be working with Naraku….we don't know. It doesn't make any sense." Toga said in defeat.

"Which is why my mother and Kaede will be training you. I will always protect you, but you also need to know how to protect yourself as well. You subconsciously know to create a barrier around yourself which is good. We will help you learn self-control. If you learn how to harness your powers, then Naraku and your father will stand no chance against you." Sesshomaru said, caressing her face.

Rin sat in silence. She closed her eyes, pushing away the anxiety and fear. She focused on the link she shared with her husband. She concentrated on the warmth, letting it surround her, comfort her.

'I am here, I will protect you. This Sesshomaru loves you and will never leave your side. You are not alone my mate.'

'I know…I know….thank you..'

Suddenly feeling exhausted, Rin turned to her in-laws, "If you don't mind, I wish to rest now. I find myself tired all of sudden."

Her in-laws gently smiled at her, "Of course" Toga answered. Each bowed and then left the room.

Maiko then stood and went to a nearby table and opened a drawer, pulling a book out. She crossed the room and held out the book towards Rin.

"I believe you have been wanting to read this, Rin," Maiko said with a warm smile.

Rin's small hands accepted the book and turn the cover and gasped.

"You got it! Oh Maiko, I completely forget." Rin exclaimed. She felt tears gather in her eyes.

Her presentation night seemed so long ago, how could have she have forgotten that Maiko was risking her life to obtain this book for her. A few tears escaped as the young Makami hugged the book to her chest.

"I don't know how I ever thank you Maiko.." Rin said, sniffling.

"It's nothing princess. If you need anything, please call me." Maiko then bowed and left.

With her husband beside her, Rin could only stare at the book. She wanted to open the book but now found herself…..afraid.

"Will you stay with me…please?" Rin asked in a small voice.

"I don't know…if I can do this by myself…I –"

'You need not explain yourself to me. I have nowhere to be but here with you.'

Rin blinked back the tears in her eyes and nodded. Taking a deep breath, she slowly opened the book.

'I would understand if you wish to take your time in looking. The page I believe you are looking for has been marked.'

Rin looked and saw a piece of parchment paper sticking out in the middle of the book. Her small fingers ran along the piece of paper. She allowed her fingers to run down the page of the book she had turned to.

Kannon: Goddess of Compassion and Mercy

The princess read the information on the page and looked at the illustration of the goddess. She then spent the next few minutes slowly going from page to page. She recognized half the gods from Toga's tale.

Her hand stopped when she reached the page with the parchment paper. She realized her hand was shaking. Calming herself, Rin turned the page to reveal her mother.

Rin sobbed at the illustration.

Ame-No-Uzume was beautiful. She had on a long purple gown; her head turned to the side with a crown upon her head. She had long flowing dark hair like her's. Her eyes were a deep amethyst and she had pale skin. She appeared to be dancing, one of her hands holding her dress up and a thin leg arched as if she was ready to leap forward. Her lips were painted a deep red. Her face had an expression of happiness and mischief.

Rin softly outlined the figure of her mother, "She looks so happy... she's so beautiful." Rin choked out between her crying.

Sesshomaru pressed himself closer to her body, his hand rubbing her back in small circles.

"You have her spirit and beauty." Sesshomaru softly said.

Rin slowly closed the book, her body shutting down due to all the emotions she was overwhelmed with. Her small hand came up to hide a yawn.

"Lay…with me?" Rin asked in a sleepy voice.

Sesshomaru took the book from her hands and replaced it in the drawer and help Rin get comfortable in their futon. He laid down and open his arms and Rin quickly crawled to him and leaned into his broad chest.

'Always my mate.'

Rin fell asleep to the soft motions of her husband gently rubbing her back. She barely felt the kiss upon her brow as tiredness won and she fell into a deep sleep.

~oOo~

Notes:

Ok, so not much action in this chapter. This was more exposition and context on what is happening and answering Rin's questions. I did leave a few questions unanswered for now and will circle back to it later.

The next chapter update will be within 2-3wks!

Please be sure to leave a review! Reviews definitely let me know you guys are still interested.