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Chapter Twenty Six

Much to Rins dissatisfaction, Sesshomaru insisted on speaking privately with Inuyasha as soon as they'd arrived back at the castle. Rin decided to try and distract herself with a walk through her gardens, before she'd even reached her destination, she heard Izayoi coming up behind her quickly and quietly.

"Izayoi," she greeted her as they fell into step. "Exploring?," she asked and looked down at her.

"Mhm, uncle Sesshu said that you had your own flower gardens and pointed me this way! I love flowers!"

"Me too," Rin smiled.

"There are so many pretty plants everywhere...I just love it here so much."

"Well, it hasn't always been this asthetic," Rin laughed. "I remember the first time Sesshomaru brought me here...I was only eight at the time. And I'd only been following him for a month or so. I remember it being so...barren and militant. Not a single shred of green in sight. Seeing my displeasure and knowing how much I loved flowers, Sesshomaru had these gardens erected for my tenth birthday."

"That is so sweet. Uncle Sesshu has really liked you for a long time hasn't he?,"

"In a way, I suppose he has. But the way in which he loves me as shifted and changed over the years. As it's changed for me too."

"So you know how you said I can ask you anything?," Izayoi knelt to pick a flower, grumbling at her kimono that tangled around her when she did.

"Yes, I mean it for all of you kids. Any of you can come to me with anything at any time," she gave a warm smile and reached for Izayoi's hem. "Here, let me show you a trick. But for goodness sake don't let your father catch you hiking up your skirt."

"He'd have a heart attack," she giggled.

"He's very protective of you girls," she finished tying a little bow and smoothed the rest of the fabric down. "There, now you can actually move your legs," she winked and bent to tie her own skirt up.

"I've heard mom and dad fighting before...before you and uncle Sesshu got married or mated or whatever it is."

"Oh yeah? Bout what?," she ran her fingers over the lillies that were nearing the end of their lifecycle.

"Well...you know how you said that uncle Sesshu loved you different when you were a kid right? Well...if that's the case then why did dad tell mom he imprinted on you? Well I'm pretty sure that momma knew about it already but they were fighting really loud about it a little while before you guys came to visit and dropped the bomb."

"Fighting?"

"Well they both said they didn't like it...but dad told mom to keep her mouth shut because him and uncle Sesshu are finally getting along and he wants it to stay that way."

"Have they argued recently?," Rin asked innocently. "About your uncle and I?"

"No, not really. I hear dad growl at mom sometimes though it's kinda funny," she giggled. "But how come they don't like it? And what's imprinting anyways? Why is it so bad?"

"Well...under normal circumstances a male demon would imprint on a human they intended to marry. But on occasion, they will imprint on humans that fall under their protection. It is no different than your own father imprinting on your mother, Sango, and Miroku around the same time. Humans who have been imprinted on by demons share the demon's scent. So the reason your uncle had to do so in the first place was because, at the time, I was your age and he was leaving me almost defenseless in the forest while he went off and fought Naraku. So had he not imprinted on me I surely would have been killed by another demon."

"So...what is my moms problem anyways?,"

"I suppose it bothers her that Sesshomaru took me in and protected me, only to make me his mate in the end. I'm sure she thinks our relationship started long before it actually did, but in reality it hasn't been going on that long."

"So one day you just decided to get married?," Izayoi raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"No not really...it's hard to explain with you being so young but...Sesshomaru made his affections somewhat clear more and more the older I got until I came to him on my own. Flirted with me if you will. It was all very innocent. I think it started probably three maybe four years ago?"

"Wow...that's a long time."

"Not really in the grand scheme of things."

"Well still...thats a long time for a boy to flirt with you and not do anything."

"Lesson for the day, Izayoi. Pick the patient man, not the rash one."

"Patient?," she tested the word.

"Yes. Patient. As ruthless and powerful as Sesshomaru is, he is patient in all things. I'm not talking about battle either...I mean every day little things. It amazes me how he is always so calm and collected..." she trailed off. "I'll explain it more when you're a bit older."

"Alright," she sighed, content for the time being. "Hey so do we call you aunt Rin now?," Izayoi halfway teased.

"I would prefer you call me what you always have, but if you wish to call me your aunt I would be honored," she smiled down at her and stuck a flower in her hair.

"Well...I like telling my friends your my aunt. As soon as you were gone I told everybody that you're my aunt now. It's soo cool...but it's just weird saying that to you...is that weird?," she raised an eyebrow.

"Not at all," Rin laughed. "I understand completely. You know...we should really be getting back. It's starting to get dark."

"Yeah...wonder what uncle Sesshu had to talk to dad about?"

"Can you keep a secret?," Rin raised an eyebrow as she led Izayoi out of the maze.

"Mhmm."

"Inuyasha got to speak to their father today. Your grandfather. Sesshomaru just wants to make sure he's alright. I'm sure it wasn't easy for him..."

"Oh...yeah...dad said he only saw his dad once..."

"Mhm...when they sealed away the Great Lords Sounga. He appeared after the sword fell into the underworld."

"You were there?," she gasped and Rin nodded. "But...how? I thought you never went into battle?,"

"Well this particular situation was quite literally a shit storm, one I do not have time to give you every detail of but pretty much, Sesshomaru ran off. Inuyasha ran off. And I was left with Jaken, your mom, Sango, and Miroku. They had to go in and fight and Jaken couldn't have protected me on his own. So really...there wasn't a choice. Oh but your uncle was pisssssssssssed when he found me at that castle," she laughed and Amari looked upon her with confusion but didn't question her.

"So...what are you going to do now?," Izayoi asked once they were back within the castle.

"I need to visit my friend Akiru. If your uncle asks...," she said.

"Alright...I'll tell him if he asks me."

"Good. Goodnight sweetheart," she kissed the young girl on the forehead and smoothed her hair. "Kiss your brother and sister for me."

"I will," she hugged her and ran off with her basket. Rin finished her walk to the dining hall that the humans congregated in, pausing in the door to search for Akiru. Once she spotted him, she took a breath and stilled herself, nervous about the whole ordeal.

"Akiru," she smiled when she reached him. "How are you liking your new job?,"

...

"So," Sesshomaru slid the door to his study closed silently behind him. "What did you talk to father about?," he asked and leaned against the door.

"A bunch of stuff," inuyasha shifted uncomfortably and sat on the table in the middle of the room. "Hey what is this thing anyways?,"

"It's a desk, Inuyasha. Unbeknownst to you, I actually do have to write letters and things on occasion."

"Really? To who?,"

"Stop deflecting," Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes.

"Fine. It's just...it's weird. You know how you told me not to blame Diaroku? Well...I thought that he had to be to blame for what happened but..."

"Father told you everything?,"

"Yeah...or at least I think so.," he scratched his head. "I guess he thought he still had a few weeks you know...so when Diaroku told him what he had done; he went to fight Ryūkotsusei. And after the fact found out she was in labor. He said he blamed himself most of all...for being so-"

"Rash?," Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow and gave Inuyasha the tiniest of smiles.

"Yeah..."Inuyasha looked down and picked at the knee of his pants.

"Sounds like someone I know..." Sesshomaru trailed off."

"Yeah...everyone has always told me I got that from him...but hearing it from him...I don't know..."

"Hearing it makes him real?,"

"No...seeing him makes him real." Inuyasha blinked and swallowed the lump in his throat.

"Father was never real to you...was he?"

"N-not completely, no."

"It makes sense that he wouldn't be. So, what will you do now that you've spoken to him?,"

"I will give Diaroku a chance. Like he said, I want my kids to have a family unlike I had, I can't go around pushing every family member away over stuff that happed centuries ago..."

"Good...I'm glad you were able to make peace."

"Hey Sesshomaru? Thanks."

"You're welcome."

"So uh...you said you had a job for me to do...what is it?"

"We can talk about all that in the morning...tonight I must be getting back to Rin, and you to Kagome. Rin doesn't like for me to be away from her when it's dark."

"Kagome's the same way," inuyasha gave a short laugh.

"Goodnight, Inuyasha."

"Yeah...night," he said as they went off in different directions.

Sesshomaru moved with a purpose down the corridors, following her scent. He was eager to have Rin in his arms after two long days spent, what he could only describe as, babysitting the large posse.

...

Rin led Akiru out onto the back lawn that branches off from the dining halls, not exactly keen on doing this in front of a crowd. She could already sense that Sesshomaru was growing close, so it's not like she'd have to play this game for long at least.

"I've seen you watching me, Akiru," she put her hands on his chest and smiled up at him. "Thought you didn't like demons?," she smirked.

"I-I don't. But you..."

"What about me?,"

"You're just so beautiful. You always have been. Always will be. Even if you are with the demon Lord," he scowled.

"Stop it, I won't hear another word against my mate. If our friendship is to continue, you must stop your protests."

"But-" he started and she places a finger to his lips, hearing Sesshomaru's foot steps approaching them.

"Shh, no more," she drew closer to his face and was suddenly jerked out of his arms. Akiru made a sharp choking sound when she was pulled away.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing, Rin?," he growled down at her as his claws pierced her sleeve and dig into her skin.

"M-m-my lord I-I'm so sorry...I-I-it was me. Not Rin," Akiru stammered.

"Oh don't act all valiant, mortal. Come, Rin. I'll deal with you," he narrowed his eyes and she feigned fear. Sesshomaru knew better though. His nose knew better. Akiru took this as his chance to scurry away from Sesshomaru, who called after him.

"That's right, boy, run away with your tail between your legs," he called and turned back to Rin.

"Come,"

"Yes, my lord," she smirked.

"Not for a long while, Rin," he looked at her menacingly and her heart flipped.

...

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