Chapter Thirty Five

Rin rolled over in the bed with some difficulty, how long was pregnancy supposed to last? It had not been even close to nine months. More like three. On cue, Sesshomaru nudged his way through the door with her breakfast. Every morning she woke up to breakfast in bed. Even on the mornings he'd been gone when she awoke, there would sit the small tray with a note propped up on it and Tensaiga laid neatly beside her in Sesshomaru's place. She sat up curiously, noticing a change in the dishes on the tray. As he got closer, she realized.

"Strawberrys? Does that mean?"

"France? Yes," he grinned at her. Sesshomaru could deal with France, so long as Rin's eyes continued to sparkle as they did now. She missed the Queen and her Ladies as they'd become somewhat close through their correspondence.

"You don't...plan on telling Inuyasha yet...do you?," she peered at him through thick lashes.

"No. At least not straight away. I need to assess the situation in France first. And depending on what I find I'll pull Inuyasha, Takeharu, and Diaroku from France and replace them with Demitri, Gakaru, and Sakura- Takemaru's sister. I'd feel more comfortable with my brother uncle and cousin here to hold things down...as close as you are I don't want to leave you anymore until the baby is here."

"Close? What do you mean close?"

"Rin you're pregnancy will not be nearly as long as that of a human."

"Well how long will it be then?," she raised an eyebrow.

"Hmm. I give it another month or so, maybe two. I'm really not...sure yet. I've seen pregnant InuYoukai in my lifetime obviously...I've just never paid them much mind. There's not much literature on the subject...but I plan to ask Diaroku when we see him. Are you nervous? I promise your body is not nearly as fragile as a human woman. Most demons experience little to no complications at all."

"That makes me feel a bit better...you promise you won't leave?"

"Promise. I'll even do you one better. No matter the situation in France I'll being Inuyasha and Kagome back with us. If there's any need for me to address a situation away from the castle, I'm sure my brother could go in my stead. That way I won't have to leave you anymore until the baby gets here. I'm sure you'll want Kagome present for the birth anyways. Which reminds me, I should really be sending for Kaede. I'll have Inuyasha collect her when we return. How's that?"

"You've thought of everything."

"I've tried to at least..."

"Don't be worried."

"I'm not worried about the birth it's just-"

"You're worried how you'll keep the child safe?"

"Well yes that. And...even if it is safe...how can I assure the child's health?"

"We can't...we just have to do our best."

"But what if my best isn't good enough?,"

"It always is. Always has been."

"Not always...as history would show I'm not always the best at keeping children alive..."

"You kept me alive."

"Except for when I didn't," he snapped.

"That was different. Besides, our child will be much more durable than I ever was."

"I suppose."

"Don't beat yourself up...everything will be fine," she kissed his nose and he smiled, ducking his head and kissing her swelling belly.

"I hope so," he whispered.

"I know so," she assured.

"I love you...more than anything."

"I love you too."

"Now eat...I'm going to collect the girls. We leave in an hour."

"Really?," she beamed. "So soon?"

"Yes. I wanted to keep it a surprise," he gave her the sly smile she loved so much and slinked from the room.