AN: I am a mean person. I should be stoned. (Kelly: STONINGS! (sorry. Shout-out to Kelly in Ireland)) All Fluffy/Rin fans will hate me, unless you go for the angst-ridden side of the relationship. I apologize. It hurts me to write this chapter. *sniff*

Chapter 16: Fury

"Lord Sesshomaru." The fox youkai bowed as I opened the door. I looked down at him and recognized him as Kitsune's son.

"Kitsune." I greeted him and led the way to my office. Once we were there, I motioned for him to sit and I took a seat in my chair by my desk. "Why are you here?"

"I came because my parents are dead; I need you to recognize me as the leader of my people. And I need to apologize." Shippo continued and I waited. Silence was usually the best policy in situations like this. Note: 'situations like this' covers 99% of all circumstances I encounter. "I was… rude to you at the hospital. It was not my place."

"It is understandable." I nodded before opening a file and removing a piece of official paper. I had printed it up when Shippo's parents had been pronounced dead and all it needed was the boy's signature. I didn't think he would need it, since there were no other heirs or anyone else who might challenge his power, but one could never be sure and it was a good thing to have official papers. I handed Shippo a pen and he quickly signed.

"On another matter, I would like to continue my father's work."

"You do realize it is dangerous, correct?"

"How could I not know? But I have met your brother and I myself know many humans. There is no reason that a child between a demon and a human should be scorned. A child is a child, no matter who its parents are."

"Yes." I nodded. "I do…"

"Sessh?" Rin called as she walked into my office. "Oh, sorry. I didn't know you were busy. Good morning, Mr…"

"Kitsune, but call me Shippo, Lady Kotaishi."

"Actually, it's still Ms. Yomigaeru."

"Oh. I apologize, Ms. Yomigaeru. Uh, I was finished and will leave if you two…"

"Just wait in the hall for a moment, if you would, and I will be with you in a minute." I replied and Shippo nodded. Bowing on his way out, Shippo muttered a farewell and closed the door. I smiled at Rin, and admitted to myself that she was the main reason I gave a damn about Hanyous. It wasn't that I didn't care about Inuyasha, but the main problem that preyed on my mind was the 'what if'. What if I got Rin pregnant, by accident or on purpose? I wanted our children to be safe. I knew it was extremely selfish, but I couldn't help it.

"Hey." Rin grinned and I smiled at her.

"How was class?"

"Good. I had a bit of a panic attack during a fire drill, but it was all right."

"Are you okay now?"

"I'm fine. It only lasted a few minutes."

"Good. I'm glad." I smiled as I pulled her onto my lap. "There's some mail for you, if you want to open it."

I pointed to my desk there a package sat, and she reached for it. She pulled off the paper wrapping and opened the box. Blackish-blue smoke immediately rose from it and Rin began to cough violently.

"Rin? Rin?!" I cried as she slumped over and I had to catch her before she slammed into the floor. "RIN!"

I fell to my knees, holding her body as Shippo came into the room. He coughed once or twice as he searched the room.

"What's wrong?" Shippo asked, as he waved away the smoke.

"Call an ambulance. NOW!" I demanded and Shippo ran off to do so. Pulling Rin out of the smoky room, I closed the door and plug the gap at the bottom of the door with the rug. Lying Rin on her back, I listened for her breathing and couldn't hear any. "No."

Opening her mouth, I quickly breathed into her lungs and pushed the air out. I tried every CPR move I knew from television and tried to stop my eyes from blurring. I heard Shippo running around the house and I was pretty sure Jaken was calling for the paramedics to hurry as they entered my house, but I wasn't paying attention. I was too busy trying not to imagine life without Rin, but as I felt the seconds fly by, I knew that I just might be facing that.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Are you trying to tell me that she's dying?" I asked, my voice strangled.

"No." The doctor sighed. "I'm just saying that her chances aren't looking too good. If she had been exposed for much longer, I'd been telling you to say goodbye to her. If she had been exposed to any less, I'd be telling you to go home and pack her some clothes so she would have something to change into. To be honest, I'd say her chances are fifty-fifty. You can sit up with her, if you'd like, but I doubt it would do any good."

"I'll do that." I nodded to her, and the woman shrugged. She left and Shippo came in.

"She's going to be okay, right?" Shippo asked, but I didn't respond.

"Lord Sesshomaru!" A girl called out and the door flew open to allow entrance to a red haired wolf demon. "I'm so glad I found you!"

"What is it?" I asked, as I sat down next to Rin's bed.

"Oh, is Lady Rin hurt?"

"Get to the point." I snapped. I knew it was silly, but I almost believed that if I ignored the fact the Rin might die, it would disappear.

"Sorry. I just received word that the purist factions are gathering."

"Can they do that?" Shippo asked, his child-like naivete showing his face.

"Of course they can! Just who are you anyway?"

"My name is Shippo Kitsune. Who are you?"

"I am Ayame Ookami. You wouldn't be the son of Kitsune, leader of the fox demons, would you?"

"Ex-leader. I am his son and I've taken over for him."

"Yes. His death is a tragedy."

"Who is leading the factions?" I asked, interrupting the moment.

"Oh. A hanyou named Naraku is. Strange isn't it?"

"Naraku." I growled and I tightened my hands into fists. "This changes things."

"What does?" Shippo asked.

"If the factions combine, they'll gain more power. One of your greatest boons was that they could not agree. Hn. Ayame, go inform Kouga about what is going on. Ask him if he'll lend support."

"But I'm leader of the wolf demons now!"

"On paper only. The people will follow you on most things, but war is a different matter entirely. We'll need him to lead your people."

"Fine." Ayame sighed with a hint of annoyance, though I could tell she knew I was right. The clans would not follow her to war, even if she was their 'leader'. I nodded to her and, while I blinked, she was gone.

"Shippo. Go to your people. We'll need them as well."

"I'm on it!" Shippo grinned and he ran down the hall. I wasn't sure if his excitement was enthusiasm for the cause, excitement over a first mission, or something else. I did pity him. Yes, I did. Way, way, way, deep down at the bottom of my heart. It's hell to gain power in a turbulent time—I know from experience; I spent my first month of power scared stiff that I would turn around and find a knife between my eyebrows.—But I don't think anyone can appreciate power who hasn't gained it during a time of upheaval.

I hadn't been lying to Shippo and Ayame. The factions' merger was a huge problem, bigger than I had expressed, and the union of the purist could, inevitably, mean only one thing. They were planning something big. Bigger than anything they had planned since my fathers death. I looked at Rin and winced at how small and fragile she looked lying still and pale on a hospital bed, barely breathing on her own. Maybe it had already begun. Maybe Rin was just the first victim in the first wave of attacks.

Of course if that was the case, the only thing I had to say to Naraku and his group of alleyway punks was to watch their backs forever because I will never forgive them.