Chapter Fourteen

"So, what did you learn?," he questioned as they touched down on the proper continent and he pulled his robes back on, transforming from his yokai form.

"There are other threats inside the castle besides the English. Threats that she did not disclose to you. From her soon to be mother in law, the Queen."

"Easy enough to deal with," he shrugged and slid Tokijin into its rightful place, reaching for Tensaiga in Rin's hands. "I spent a little while with Catherine. The king also spoke of her the last time I was in France. Spiteful woman but easy enough to fend off from what I've been told. What have you heard of her?"

"Her weapon of choice is poison. As she is the queen, she is able to get by most tasters. I asked Mary why she didn't mention that when briefing you. She said that she wasn't sure you could help her with the queen."

"I'll see to it that Diaroku is the last person to see her food before it is given to her. He'll detect any poison. I want you to befriend either the queen or one of her ladies. So they may write to you."

"Alright. I'd love to be of help."

"I appreciate your assistance. Don't worry, we won't stay more than a week when we return. Just to get a team settled in."

"Alright good."

"Then I must pay a visit to my mother," he grimaced.

"For?"

"I was originally going to see if she had a way to extend your lifespan. Then when I received information otherwise I was so relieved...I want to give a gift to my half brother."

"You want to see if there really is a way to give a human the lifespan of a demon?"

"Yes. And if there is, pass that knowledge on to Inuyasha. So he and Kagome can make that decision betwixt the two of them."

"That's a really kindhearted thing to do, Sesshomaru. I'm proud of you." She shot up on her toes and kissed him quickly.

"Don't get too used to it. My sister in law does grind on my last nerve."

"When has she not?," Rin laughed.

"You don't know," he scowled. "It was before we met but not by much. The first few times I encountered her I wanted to run away from her but didn't want to give Inuyasha the satisfaction," he groaned.

"Oh cmon, I know she was a lot younger but she couldn't have been that bad," she chided.

"Rin. She pulled the tetsaiga from its resting place! That was between Inuyasha and I and the spiteful little shrew just yanked it out of the rock like it was nothing!," he flung his arms dramatically and she giggled at his display.

"I thought you'd given up on tetsaiga. Decided that it's better for Inuyasha to have it as the sword protects him?..." she offered in attempt to calm what was working up to be real rage.

"Well, yes, but still. It's the principle. You don't get in between our skirmishes..."

"Yes I do, dummy. I'm always defending you!"

"Okay well...that's what you're supposed to do. And I supposed that's what Kagome should do for my brother. But still, my fathers sword? Really?" He pouted and she kissed his forehead, tangling her fingers with them and pulling him along to walk. They traveled in silence for a long while and the closer they got home, the faster Rin's heart beat. She was nervous and scared and excited all at the same time. She was riding on Sesshomaru's back as he zipped through the land and finally he broke the silence.

"Rin, are you sure you want to do this? We can wait. It doesn't have to be now. I'm perfectly content with waiting as long as you want."

"No I want to, just nerves is all."

"You're sure?"

"Yes, of course."

"Good...if it helps I'm nervous too. Tonight is another first for us both."

"I love firsts," she murmured and snuggled closer into his back, curling her fingers in his shirt and burying her face in his fur.

"As do I..." he squeezed her leg and trailed off into his own thoughts and her to her own. Rin closed her eyes, contemplating her nearing fate.

"So exactly what preparations had to be made for tonight?"

"Medicine, for you. To comfort you as your body changes. It will hurt, Rin."

"I know," she whispered.

"And you'll become sick,"

"I know that too, you already told me...that's not what scares me..."

"Then what is it?"

"Will you stay? I don't want you to leave me. I know you have work to attend to but surely someone else could handle it for a few days. They do it when you're gone afterall why can't you lie in with me. I mean, you don't have to if you don't want to I know how you hate being couped up but it's just that you make me feel better, and I can't imagine any better medicine than your closeness," she stammered out and squeezed where her arms were already wrapped loosely around him.

"Yes, I will stay with you. Don't ask such silly questions, I could never leave your side in your time of need. I'll personally attend to you and we will have Jaken relay messages to servants for food and such. As you'll want to be in isolation. I've given him the spare bedroom in our chambers will that be a comfortable distance for me to travel to speak with him?"

"Yes, that's fine. Thank you for thinking of me."

"That's my job, always has been." He squeezed her leg and she smiled to herself.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Yes, ask away."

"Are you sure you want this? I know you want me but do you want kids? I can wait until you do."

"It's not like we're having multiple children in tandem. More will follow later, I'm sure."

"But will you even like the baby?," she asked and stilled herself for his response.

"Of course I will, afterall our baby will be an extension of us. I like you, so I'm sure I will like our baby. Rin, what is your reasoning behind your inquiry? Are you having second thoughts?"

"No, I just want to be sure of one more thing."

"Which is?"

"I know it's not common for men to attend births but...you have to. I need to know now that you'll be with me."

"Yes I promise. I'll be with you."

"Then I have no more apprehensions."

"Good," he let out a breath and she sighed, settling back against him as they continued their trip in silence. It was late when they arrived home but Diaroku was always present to receive his nephew from a trip.

"Uncle. How've you faired?"

"Well, and you? How was France?"

"Ostentatious as always. You will accompany me back along with Inuyasha, Takeharu, and two assassins of your choosing."

"May I ask what for?," the elder sighed, exasperated with the mere thought of traveling.

"Calm yourself. This assignment will require little effort, I assure you. You'll merely lie in the lap of luxury and keep the Queen of Scotland from harms way. Reporting back to me of course."

"So all I must do is lie around and drink whilst ordering around assassins and writing letters? Alright. I'll do it."

"You will not be ordering around assassins. They will be under Inuyasha's command. You will be an advisor."

"I see..."

"It will give your an opportunity to forge a bond with your nephew. The bond I share with you is of great treasure to me. I'd like to give him a chance at that bond as well."

"Sesshomaru, I fear I can never have that same bond with Inuyasha. I sealed my fate the night he was born," the old man clenched his fists and jaws. "I'll come and find you tomorrow...goodnight. Lady Rin," he gave a curt nod which she returned with a warm smile as he turned on his heel and stalked off.

"Do you really think you can repair what Inuyasha doesn't even know is broken?"

"I don't know. Maybe. I'm hoping so at least. Let's talk about it tomorrow okay? Tonight is for us. Just for us. I don't want any of that weighing on your mind."

"As much as it ales you, I do have a fondness for Inuyasha. Like a big brother. You did leave me in his care afterall," she elbowed him as they walked and he cracked the smallest of smiles.

"Only for two years. The most miserable two years of my life," he admitted.

"You're the one who left me in the village," she countered.

"You had to at least have a chance to be a regular human girl. And you had to learn to live among them. The time we spent looking for Naraku I fear had a negative impacted and it was my intention to remedy that. A young girl needs more interaction than an old dog and a spiteful toad."

"Yes, I know it was for the best, but I still didn't like it."

"Oh I know. The whole village knew of your discontent before we had even arrived," he laughed and she stuck out her tongue.

"But I came back for you," he stopped outside their door and gazed down at her.

"Yes, you came back for me. You always have."

"I always will."

"I know, now come, what are you waiting for? Take me to bed," she grinned seductively.

...

Sorry for the cliffhanger I'll try to update soon!