Chapter 12
Morning Conversations
"I just don't understand."
Sesshomaru lowered the financial section of the paper to meet his mate's eyes. Her deep brown eyes full of confusion. Carefully folding the paper he laid it beside his plate. "What do you not understand, Rin?" When with an exasperated sigh she indicated the three playing further in the yard, he shifted his amber gaze. The once Inu Taiyoukai of the West saw what had his wife perplexed. There was his brother, his forgotten mate and their child playing happily. "I see. What specifically do you not understand?"
"Why doesn't he smell that Kenmaru is his son? Why can't we tell him the truth? Why do we have to continue pretending that she is merely our friend and his doctor? The list is endless." She complained.
With a very uncharacteristic sigh, he gathered his thought. His eyes tracing the black butterflies at the bottom of the v neck of her dress. Five centuries they had been together, still she was as curious as the child she had been then. At her subtle cough, he spoke trying to answer her questions. "As for why we can not inform him of everything, Kagome has asked that we allow his memories to return on their own. She feels forcing him to remember will cause him greater distress. After all, my dear, we know that the last time he was seen he was going to meet Kikyou. You do remember what she had planned for him?" Sesshomaru watched her nod then continued. "For my part, I rather enjoy the teasing friendship we have now to what was before. As his mate, which she is for all purposes, we honor her request."
"As for why Inu Yasha can not smell his scent on Kenmaru. The boy is old enough for his personal scent to begin to over power that of his sire. Additionally, while an infant is born with a combination of his sire and mother's scents, they require reinforcing. Do you not remember how I made certain to spend time with each of our pups each day?" Again she nodded. "I was unaware of this until I saw Inu Yasha and his Okufuro about a year after Chichiue's death. Chichiue's scent was almost gone from him. If Inu Yasha's scent remains on the boy, in any way, it is so faint even I can not detect it. Though it may be so, for I have never known my otouto to be patient with small children. Yet he has infinite patience with Kenmaru."
Rin nodded. She was silent for a moment, pondering all that her mate had said. He was reaching for his paper when her soft voice again interrupted. "Why does the scent fade?"
Straightening the lapels of his black linen suit coat he answered. "It is a survival instinct. In the past, before the establishment of the four cardinal lords, when a female's mate was killed she would take a new mate. If there were pups the new mate would slaughter any that held the scent of the previous mate. So female's learned to hide themselves and young until the sire's scent lessened. Did you have any further questions, Rin?"
"Only one, my mate." She said softly. "Why did you tell him Kenmaru's father was baka for leaving Kagome? You know when he does remember he is going to come after you for that."
For a moment he didn't answer. Rising he made his way to her chair and pulled her gently to her feet. Wrapping his arms around her he chuckled, "Oh, I do hope so."
"Animal." She teased.
"Hai, Rin." He bent kissing her gently. "Now, we must leave if we are to arrive at this function of yours on time."
Kagome watched as Sesshomaru kissed Rin, a sad soft smile on her face. Turning her attention back to the two most important men in her life, she watched Inu Yasha play with his son. It was her dream come true, and yet was so bittersweet. The Inu Yasha who had awakened from this magical sleep was completely different from the Inu Yasha she had known in the past. This Inu Yasha was calmer, gentler, more willing to show his emotions. All the things in the past he had been either afraid or embarrassed to show. In a way loosing his memories had been good for him. After many lunches with the psychology resident she knew that what she was seeing was Inu Yasha's truest self. The one who hadn't seen his mother die, that hadn't been persecuted for being a hanyou. The Inu Yasha she had always know was behind the gruff, angry shell he showed the world. The Inu Yasha she had spent three days with.
She laughed as Inu Yasha lost his footing in the dew moist grass, crashing to the ground. His amber eyes met hers and her breath caught in her throat at his wink. Leaping quickly to his feet, he took of after the laughing Kenmaru with a yell of "Oi, runt come back here." How many times had she watched Inu Yasha chase Shippo the same way.
With a "Feh" Inu Yasha let Kenmaru win the chase. Moving to Kagome's side he spoke, "About last night, I'm sorry if I did anything that might have offended you. I just find you very attractive Doc."
"No, I'm sorry I was a bit forward." Kagome blushed. "Arigato."
Changing the subject he continued, "I think I had a memory flash last night. I remember a Buddhist Monk, named Miroku and a Taijiya named Sango. There was also a fire cat youkai and someone else. I remembered we were searching for this person, and it was very important to me that we find them." He shrugged, "I can't remember who that person was though."
"That's great Inu Yasha!" She told him, silently adding 'But, why can't you remember us? You promised you wouldn't.' at his smile, 'But you did find your way back to me.'
"I guess. So Doc, how am I doing?"
"Fine, but I'm not your doctor anymore Inu Yasha."
"Oh." She heard the sadness in his voice, "So what shift are you working today?"
"Twelve to twelve." she told him. "But, I'm off all day tomorrow." Glancing down at her watch she continued, "Guess I better go get ready. Kenmaru you be good for Inu Yasha." She turned to head back to the house but was stopped by his voice.
"I could have dinner ready for you when you get home. If you'd like." His smile brightened as she nodded.
Rising on tiptoes she kissed his cheek gently, "You are going to spoil me." she told him before walking to the house.