DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters in this story expect Tristis, Astoria, Maaya, Masako, & Ikue. They all belong to Rumiko Takahashi, I just borrowed them.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I'm sorry!!! I know it's been a long time since I've updated but I've been so busy! I know it's not an excuse but prom is on the 2nd and graduation is coming closer and closer. Why I agreed to go to prom is beyond me. Sorry, you guys aren't interested in that. Ok this chapter is kind of short but I'd rather put up a shorter chapter than wait another week to update. Anyway thank you to all those who reviewed! I'm glad you liked my version of Fluffy as a little boy, I was worried no one would like to see such a happy Sessy. Please read the note at the end of the chapter because I have a few questions for all you guys that actually take the time to read my little story.
Chapter Ten- Hello Again
"I talked to my mother about it and we both agree that you should have your baby in my time. Only problem is, how do we get you there?"
Inuyasha rolled his eyes and muttered under his breath about stupid human women. After a rather hard smack to the back of his head Kagome continued. "I know right now it seems helpless but everything will be fine in the end. You'll have your baby and we'll help you get rid of that woman after Sesshoumaru!"
Once again the male half demon had to comment. "It won't be that easier. The pup is one thing but female demons are hell on earth, especially dog ones. Once they chose the male they want they battle for him to prove they're worthy to mate with him. Rin, do you know if she's put a claim on him?"
"I've heard rumors concerning potential mates for Sesshoumaru since I was a child but never of someone putting a claim on him. I don't think he'd ever allow it."
Sango patted her large stomach before adding to the conversation. "Not surprising. Inuyasha's brother is of royal blood and with his personality I don't think he'd like having a female claim him. Usually the males are the ones who do all the pursuing but it is up to the females to prove their worth."
The young woman blushed suddenly but tried to concentrate on the small fire cat that sat next to the other pregnant exterminator. To her dismay Inuyasha noticed and narrowed his eyes. "He marked you didn't he?"
"Sesshoumaru and Jaken weren't kidding when they said you were born with no tact."
Before her mate started his usual barrage of insults Kagome spoke up. "Did he mark you Rin? I thought that would have been too dangerous since you're human and he's a demon lord."
The woman in question studied the older woman for a moment. While there was respect, Sesshoumaru's mistress didn't fully trust the other woman. Truthfully Rin didn't trust anyone in the room, well Tristis excluded. Clearing her throat she spoke softly, "After I was kidnaped by Naraku... Sesshoumaru, he... After we returned to our resting place he sent Jaken off to do something. He sat against a tree and had me crawl into his lap. He appeared to be unconcerned about my welfare but after being with him for that long I knew how to read his emotions.
"He explained his status to me once again and why I was constantly in danger. At the time I didn't really understand all of it but I didn't tell him that. Though I suspect now he knew that. Anyway after his little talk he did mark me. It wasn't until much later in my formal education that I discovered that the mark he gave me on my right shoulder was more like one gives to their intended mate."
"Feh, so that's the reason why he kept you around."
Another glare was given to Inuyasha. "I've had enough of this. If any of you think of something useful or even remotely interesting then I'll listen."
With that Rin stood, with the help of Shippo and Tristis, and walked into her room. The others looked at each other, not knowing what to say. A silence filled the normally happy home until Kagome stood as well. They all turned to look at her and then each raised an eyebrow in confusion as a bright smile overwhelmed her youthful face.
"Well I think she's starting to turn around, don't you?"
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'Lady Astoria? Is this a good time to report to you?'
Despite knowing it was coming Maaya felt her tiny frame shake violently as her mistress growled at her. 'What do you want? Did you find out anything useful?'
At the moment the fairy wished that Lady Astoria didn't know that she was telepathic. If her little talent had remained a secret then she wouldn't have to send daily reports to the spoiled dog demon. 'Well it seems that Lord Sesshoumaru is getting closer to his mate. He's knocked that small green toad into several trees in the last couple of minutes.'
'I don't care what he does that annoying pest! Who is his mate?! Is it that lowly demon Navaira? I don't care what Mother says, if it's her I'll rip her apart. I claimed him long ago.'
'No my lady. Umm.....'
The small amount of patience that Astoria possessed quickly left her. "Dammit Maaya who is it? Don't make me regret sending you by having release some snake demons. I know a few that would love to taste fairy meat.'
A tiny cry left the blue fairy before she remembered herself and covered her trembling mouth. 'I believe the human who lives with him is his mate.' After a moment of silence Maaya foolish continued to voice her discovery. 'He's heading towards his brother's home and from what I've gathered from other fairies she's with child. There's a rumor going around the forest that they're searching for...'
Astoria's servant's message was cut short when a clawed hand grasped her silky wings. Struggling to free herself without tearing her wings, Maaya swore in her native tongue. It wasn't until a low growl reached her ears did her spirit to fight slip from her. Frightened pale blue eyes widened greatly when expressionless amber eyes met hers.
"Why have you been following me?"
"Um well.... you see... my Lord.... I..."
Jaken peered up at the vermin in his master's hand. With a look that Rin used to know all too well he remarked, "It's only a fairy, Lord Sesshoumaru. They're quite annoying and useless. They can only pay tricks on humans."
Despite her position the female glared at the toad. "I have enough strength to put a hex on you, you slimy little runt."
"Who you calling a runt?! Pipsqueak!"
"Old man, what do you know of these creatures?"
Myouga hopped onto the hand that held Maaya and studied her before answering. "Fairies usually stay with their own kind but as Jaken said they love to play tricks on humans. It's odd seeing one near demons like ourselves. They have no real strength, other than the magic that everyone claims they have."
Sesshoumaru let this play in his mind before slightly loosening his grip. "I don't know why you're following this Sesshoumaru, but at the moment the reason for your presence doesn't concern me. However, you're to stay by my side. Perhaps your life will have some value when I collect my mate."
The flea and the toad's eyes bugged out at the dog demons strange decree. However nothing was said about it. The three demons and the terrified fairy continued on their way. From what Myouga said they were only a few short hours from Kaede's village. With that information the tall demon picked up the pace and barked orders to his companions to hurry up.
Maaya slumped in Sesshoumaru's grip and looked at the ground in despair. 'Lady Astoria's going to have my wings for this.'
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After the all too personal conversation with her hostess Rin sat in her room with her arms wrapped protectively around her stomach. Subconsciously she was displaying a demon trait by covering herself, something females did when they were away from their mates and caring for their unborn offspring. Had her own mate saw at the moment he would have actually allowed a smile to grace his face.
Really the young woman stayed in her room because minutes after entering it she heard Sango let out a bloody awful shriek. To her utter horror the older exterminator was about to bare her child. All the men had been ordered outside, something they didn't protest. While Kagome waited for Shippo to return with Kaede she tried to coax Rin to help her. However, the younger woman refused to leave her room once she realized what was happening. Surprisingly Miroku agreed, saying that the youngest female's body might react badly to the sight of the birth.
So Rin sat in her room, trying to block out the horrible screams coming from Sango. This proved harder than it sounded. Briefly, she wondered if a half breed child would hurt more than giving birth to a human child. The thought and another wailing cry set the woman into tremors.
However, it didn't last long. Her snapped up, pushing long black locks past her determined face. Years of living with Sesshoumaru had taught her to be aware of everything and at the moment she sensed numerous demons coming much too close to Inuyasha's home. With disgust and worry for the unborn child she grabbed her sword and willed herself out of her room.
"Rin! Are you going to help me and Kaede when she gets here?"
She shook her head, "No. Several demons are coming this way, I'm sure the guys outside have already caught wind of it. What about you? You're a half breed, why haven't you picked up on it?"
Kagome blushed. "I was busy with Sango so... I feel it now. But Rin you shouldn't go out there! Think of your baby! I'm sure Sesshoumaru wouldn't allow you to go fight if he knew of your condition."
"Have you lost your mind?! That monk will fight poorly because he'll be too preoccupied with thoughts of his mate and child. Then you expect your son to fight that demon that's coming? It'll go after Tristis and Inuyasha won't be able to fight properly because you're in here and the boy will try to help. I need to go out there and protect Tristis. So if I were you, stay here and tend to her while I do what I was born to do."
After giving a slight glare Rin walked out and as she predicated Inuyasha was barking orders to his son to stay back. However, being the son of Inuyasha and Kagome, the boy didn't listen in the slightest. She unsheathed her sword and stood directly in front of Tristis.
It was then that the male half demon noticed her. "Bitch get back inside where you belong. I don't have time to protect you."
"I'm not out here for you. Sango's trying to give birth and Tristis is still too young to make an impact in any type of fight. Since Shippo's still getting the old priestess, I thought I'd lend a hand. So don't even think I actually care about a worthless tramp like you!"
"Can we stop the fighting for once?! The demons I'm sensing has a terrible aura within it. It's being driven by unimaginable hate."
The two stopped at Miroku's words and serious face. They glanced at each other and a slight nod was given to one another before the first wave a scum attacked.
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'Oh no... low level demons! I heard they love to eat female fairies and were headed straight towards them!'
Maaya struggled uselessly in the demon lord's hand and was rewarded with a rather annoyed glance. "If you don't want to be ripped to shreds, I suggest you stop that squirming."
She looked up at the emotionless Sesshoumaru and shivered. "Forgive me Lord Sesshoumaru but...." She lost her resolved and cried out wretchedly, "Demons are gathering at your brother's home! Please don't take me there! I promise I won't run away, just let me sit up in a tree! I'll return to you! You have my word, on my honor as a fairy of the Twilight clan!"
"What did you say?"
"Huh? I won't run away...?"
He growled low but the mere sound of it frightened her even more. Lucky for the blue fairy she was forgotten as he sniffed the air. Eyes narrowed as he silently cursed himself for not noticing the foul scents. It was as he feared.
Years ago when his stepmother was with child he remembered several demons attacking his childhood home. He would have joined them then and even still a couple of years ago but... Yet another growl work its way up his throat. This time those bastards were after his child and mate.
Not bothering to say a word, he increased his speed and sent a silent pray to Rin.
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"Dammit! I'm your opponent! Get the hell back here!"
Rin threw Tristis behind her protectively as she swung her sword at the claws reaching for her face. For some reason the demons completely ignored the two males and went directly to her. She muttered some curses as both the monk and half dog demon ran to her aid.
The little boy managed to escape his Aunt Rin and jumped on the nearest demon. His baby fangs had barely sunk into the demon's head before he was thrown off. Miroku dove to catch him as Inuyasha sliced through the toad with Tetsusaiga.
As her precious sword slide through the stomach of another disgusting low level with ease, the exterminator felt herself lifted up high in the air. It growled at her in some odd language that she didn't understand. She wasn't given any time to think about it for she was lifted higher up and thrown across the field.
Rin braced herself for the impact and prayed for the pup inside her. Her eyes opened to see a tall figure holding her but not looking at her in the slightest. Carefully her feet were set down on the ground but the arm around her waist stayed in its place. Without thinking about it she buried her face in his tail and inhaled the scent that comforted her throughout her childhood.
Sesshoumaru glared at the now still demons. They all stood in fighting stances, waiting for someone to attack first. His cold amber eyes eased into the more terrifying red before raising his free hand. Seeing the look on his older brother's face Inuyasha grabbed the monk and his son out of the way.
"Dokkasou."
After the poison had cleared only Sango's screams of pain were heard.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Ok first question, should Sango & Miroku's baby be a boy or a girl? Also I'd love to hear name suggestions. Second, I have left out some characters such as Kouga and Kikyo. I'm not too sure of having the latter in the story again because I am not a fan of hers but I'm thinking of putting my favorite wolf demon in here somehow. Third, I have been considering raising the rating of "Family Obligations" because after Fluffy & Rin are back together I've been toying with the idea of either a lime or lemon. Please review and let me know what you think about these three questions. Hopefully I'll have chapter eleven out much sooner if I know what you guys think. Thanks for reading!!