A/N chapter bomb part one! I didn't think I was going to get the opportunity to do chapter bombs again, so I'm at least as excited about this as you guys! =^^=
Given the history of Rin going to the InuYōkai palace, Sesshomaru was honestly shocked at how excited she was for the festival. She had helped him pack and get everything organized in record time, almost bouncing with eagerness.
Jaken pattered into the room with a couple of scrolls and set them down to find his master and mistress packing. "Oh, where are you going?" He asked, a bit sad that since all this started happening he had been more and more cut out of the inner circle.
"To the whelping festival, Jaken," Rin told him with a happy grin. "You're welcome to come along with us, if you like. I can't wait to see all the new little ones!"
"O-oh, well," He said, suddenly rather shy. "I don't think I'm very welcome at the palace, you know. Perhaps it's best if you go without me, as you have before."
"Now, that's not fair, Jaken," Rin corrected him with a soft frown. "Of course you're welcome! We're going to be running there, though…" She scratched her chin for a moment, then smiled. "I know! You can hop in this bag I packed, and I'll just carry you!" She patted the layers of cloth in the soft bundle with a happy grin.
"Well…if you're sure…" He said, hopping quickly into the bundle and letting her tie it shut around his middle. He blushed as Rin giggled and patted his head a little before picking up the bundle and following Sesshomaru outside to the garden.
Sesshomaru raised one eyebrow slightly at the imp sticking out of the top of Rin's bag like a doll, but felt it best not to comment. He transformed quickly and smoothly, enjoying the feeling of the delicate brand-new spring grass under his massive paws. Rin let out an enormous sneeze beside him and he turned to her in time to see her sneeze violently again, several sakura petals flying out of one nostril. The cherry trees were just starting to bloom and were both beautiful in sight and in scent. Though, he had to admit it wasn't wise to try sniffing them with such a large nose. He made a soft noise of amusement and gently nuzzled her from shoulder to flank, pausing at her belly, which now bulged pleasantly to either side, as it should have in January. He got a fluffy tail to the face as she swatted him for finding a ticklish spot, and he stopped himself from giving her a gentle nip in return. Now was not the time to be playing. They needed to be on their way.
They were able to simply walk up to the palace that evening, a thing which rin was very grateful for. Gobodō-sama was waiting to greet them, as always, and as Rin and Sesshomaru returned to their humanoid forms, 3 guards also surrounded them for protection. Rin sighed at the sight, wishing it wasn't necessary. Remembering the imp in her bag, she quickly untied it and let him down, and jaken rubbed his numb legs and bowed in gratitude.
The next morning a servant arrived, not with food, but to escort them to a small side room off the main dining hall where a private feast had been set up for them. Azumi was already there and said that every food had been tested and was perfectly safe before hurrying out, having other duties she also needed to perform. Rin grabbed a small plate and started to grab a little of everything that wasn't already portioned in bowls, setting it on another nearby low table. She grabbed the pot of tea and poured a cup for herself as well as Sesshomaru, who was also picking through the selection with an approving eye.
Rin turned curiously at a light tap on the door before Gobodō-sama entered with her usual flourish. "The first of the mothers have gone back to the birthing rooms, and the festival has officially begun," She told them warmly, stepping to the feast herself. Rin let out a happy hum and offered some tea, but the older woman waved it away and produced a small bottle, fetching a dish for herself. "Would you like some, Sesshomaru? Many of the new fathers are already celebrating."
He nodded and she passed him the dish, getting another. "None for rin," He told her quickly, and she scoffed.
"As if I would give my pregnant daughter-in-law alcohol!" She took a sip and looked down her nose at him. "Honestly, you're as bad as your father sometimes. I think he would have offered me a drink if I hadn't already been in labor with you." She took another sip. "Then again, I might have taken it—it's hardly a painless thing—"
He had turned away from her, blushing faintly and not wanting to hear any of this. She chuckled at his discomfort and sat down, nodding to the cushion beside rin.
They ate and enjoyed themselves, listening to the feasting in the main hall and discussing the happenings as they understood them in the clans. Shortly before noon, the outer room suddenly fell silent and all three of them looked up at the sound of running feet. A midwife threw open the door and nearly yelled "Gobodō-sama! You are needed!" The white-haired woman got quickly but gracefully to her feet and hurried out.
"What was that about?" Sesshomaru asked in confusion. Rin shrugged. "Something must be happening that shouldn't be. Did you see her apron?" The midwife's apron had been nearly covered in blood—far more than should be normal for a birth. Rin hoped it was from more than one woman, but her nose told her otherwise. That was an awful lot of blood to lose…
It wasn't long before the Lady Mother returned with a small bundle in her arms. She stepped right up to Rin and thrust the bundle into her arms. "Feed him. I cannot."
Rin looked down in bewilderment as the yellow bundle of blankets squirmed and a tiny baby's face was visible. His eyes and ears were shut tight just like a newborn dog, and he had no markings, which surprised her. Most surprising was the fuzz on his head, though. Most of it was a pleasant medium gray, but the whole front part was a brilliant orange, just like the Ka. It was a lucky thing that Rin's milk had started to come in a few days ago, though she was confused why they hadn't taken the pup to his father to find a wet-nurse. That was surely the more normal thing to do. Still, she didn't argue, just settled down and shifted her layers, using the large blanket to keep herself modest while the little one fed.
Sesshomaru looked from his mate to his mother, who was pouring herself another drink. "What is going on here?"
His mother merely glared at him and downed the dish in one gulp. Rin looked up after taking another peek at the peacefully nursing newborn under his blanket. "Whose was he?" She asked softly.
"Chieko's." the answer was short and sharp, devoid of emotion. Rin's eyes filled with tears and she held the little one closer.
"What is going on?" Sesshomaru repeated, not liking being ignored. His mother shot him a glare and walked briskly from the room, taking the half-empty sake bottle with her. He turned to Rin, still expecting an explanation, and found her crying over the baby. "Rin…?"
"The only time you ever take a baby away from his mother," She explained to him, "is if she is dying…or already dead." His eyes widened as he finally understood, and he sat down beside her as she held the newborn up and fixed her clothing, laying his tiny head on her shoulder and patting his little back gently until the bubbles were out of his stomach.
"Then, Chieko…" He sighed. He had quite liked the kindly midwife. And that also explained the pup's bangs, as they had met her mate back at the new year, and he was a Ka. "Why didn't they take him to his father?"
"I don't know," Rin admitted, still cuddling the tiny bundle as she sniffled, the tears rolling down her cheeks. "That's normally what you do…maybe he's not here, but I don't know why he wouldn't be…"
"Good news," Gobodō-sama announced as she suddenly returned. "They think they can save her. If she pulls through tonight, she should be fine." She was speaking a bit louder than she had before for no apparent reason, and Rin might have said that her dainty pink tildes were growing as her cheeks flushed from the sake. "His father died a little over a month ago. If she does die, it will be your responsibility to find someone to raise him, both as the heir and the only currently mated male of Nami blood." They both nodded in understanding and Sesshomaru frowned as his mother turned the bottle up to drain it only to find it already empty.
"Mother," He said in a low tone, "You're drunk." He rose and took the bottle away from her. "It has been a trying day, but you've had enough to drink. Have some tea."
"Just who is the parent here, my son?" She sniffed angrily, narrowing her eyes at him.
"Mother…"
"Who is it, Sesshomaru? Me or you?"
"Mother, just sit down—"
"Enough, both of you!" Rin hissed in frustration, still cradling the newborn as he snoozed softly. "If either of you wake the baby I'll send you both out of here."
Gobodō-sama scoffed. "Look at his ears, girl. He's deaf. They won't open for at least two weeks. We're not going to disturb him."
"Well then, you're bothering me. And I'll still send you out." Rin let out a soft growl as the white-haired lady suddenly started to laugh loudly at her, obviously not taking the threat seriously. She sat down beside her daughter-in-law, tugging her son down beside her and pulling them both close. "You know, I really do care about the both of you. And I can't wait to become a grandmother. Yours will be even cuter than this little one." Both of them tried to get away from her, disliking the strong scent of alcohol she gave off.
"Mother…" Sesshomaru growled, "You reek. Get off."
"Oh, Shut up, Boy. You won't outrank me until the little ones get their stripes."
Growing impatient, Sesshomaru got back to his feet and picked up his mother by one arm. "Mother, please just go and sleep it off. You are embarrassing yourself." He marched her to the door and sent her out, watching until she made it into the hallway, then returning to his mate, who was gently bouncing the snoozing infant, completely unsure what to do with him. She looked down at the tiny peaceful face with a worried frown.
"Poor little thing…Poor Chieko…I hope she makes it…" A few more tears fell as she gently petted the fuzzy head. "It's terrible to be an orphan." Sesshomaru helped Rin to her feet and decided to retire to their room, letting Rin nap.
She handed him the newborn so she could settle into bed and curl up comfortably. He gazed down at the tiny face, offering a tiny smile at the shock of bright orange on his head, and carefully stroked his tiny nose with the pad of one finger. He was startled as a tiny but strong grip grabbed the finger, the tiny hand lacking claws. The pup tested his grip a few times, then let go, making an O with his little mouth as he yawned and went back to sleep. He carefully tucked the blanket around the little one and set him in the Futon beside Rin to rest, staying up to watch over them.
It was just after sunset when a midwife came calling. "I have been sent to inform you that the male pup born to Chieko of the Nami is now in your custody. We could not save her." Rin started to weep and cuddled the orphan close. "I will find a permanent nurse for him, so milady can rest. Surely she will not have enough milk for him." She bowed. "Do you need anything?"
"I wish to know," Sesshomaru said slowly, looking from the newborn Rin held so close to the midwife in front of him, "Is it possible to take the orphan in as our own, should we not find a suitable family?"