Chapter 14- Insult to Innocent Blood
DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters in this story expect Tristis, Astoria, Maaya, Masako, Ikue, Mitsuki, and Tamiko. They all belong to Rumiko Takahashi, I just borrowed them.
"Queen Tamiko, the fairies are becoming quite frightened. They sense a demon approaching and wonder why you are not doing anything."
The queen's dark blue eyes glanced at her tiny servant, before holding out her hand for the fairy to land on. When the fairy did, Tamiko gently ran her fingers over the delicate wings. "Tell them that they need not fear the demon. While he is not a kind being, he will cause us no harm and is to be welcomed in Andromeda."
The male bowed and prepared to fly away, however, a glance at his queen's lake stalled his wings. "They also wish to know of the female's future."
A tiny smirk played on her face. "And which female would they mean? The female that is Lord Sesshoumaru's mate, or the one that feels she is being wronged by not being his mate?"
A pale blush came over him, "Both I suppose."
"The lake does not show me a clear picture of what will happen to his mate. I see several possible outcomes for her. She will either die giving birth to her unborn pups, the pups will die, or what she seeks will come true for her. Lady Astoria's future is crystal clear. We shall never see her spirit as it is now. Her death will be ugly and her next life will serve as an appropriate punishment for this one. All her suffering will lead her to a better life eventually."
He bowed once again and left her. Tamiko sighed before throwing a rock into the lake. Sesshoumaru would arrive the next day and demand a solution to his mate's condition. The queen knew of only one way and unless another force, one that she could not control, stepped in, innocent blood would need to be shed.
Since her childhood, Rin was used to hearing Jaken grumble or Ah-Un making the noises he made while they traveled. Before she came along she was sure that Jaken complained in his head, never wanting or daring to disturb his lord. When she joined the group, his complaints were more vocal and always about her. At the moment the toad focused on the little fairy that sat on top of Rin's head.
"Filthy beast, it shouldn't be allowed near the Lady of the Western Lands, let alone on top of her head."
Maaya glared at the imp and opened her mouth to curse him, but Rin's soft voice stopped her. "Try to ignore his insults Maaya, he is jealous that you are allowed so close to me. He has been my servant for years and does not like the idea that he could possibly be replaced."
Jaken glared at his lady but did not comment. The female half breed stared at her sister in-law curiously. Something had bugged her ever since Inuyasha told her that Rin and Sesshoumaru were mates, but Kagome's tact made it nearly impossible for her to ask the one question she wanted to voice.
However, it seemed the Lady of the Western Lands could sense Kagome's stare. "If you wish to ask me something then do it Kagome."
She blushed, "I just wanted to know ... um well I mean I know things in this time are different and I know demon couples are different but..."
Rin gave the same look that her mate often gave to stuttering idiots, "Just say it!"
"Well, exactly how old were you when you became Sesshoumaru's mate? I mean you're still pretty young but judging from the ages you said your pups would have been... well..."
A low growl came from the demon lord, he smelled traces of sadness coming from his mate. His icy glare turned to the miko, and he probably would have insulted her, if it weren't for Rin's soft voice. "It's ok, Tristis has told me that in her time, mating is not done until a much later age." She let her hand pat her still small belly. "I became my lord's mate when I was 14."
"14! B-but... He raised you! I thought it would have denied his feelings for you for a couple of years..."
She glared but her mate spoke first, "This Sesshoumaru recognized his mate the first time he saw her, there was no point in denying my instincts."
Rin raised her nose in the air. "When I was ten Sesshoumaru explained to me about mating and courtship rituals that took place. It was then that he informed me that he intended to being courting me when I became an adult, which happened when I was 13."
"Why did you wait a year before actually mating her," Inuyasha asked with a raised eyebrow.
He did not bother to look at him, "She was getting used to the changes in her body, I did not want to confuse her anymore than she already was." His tone would have made anyone else feel like an insignificant child, and surprisingly Inuyasha just shrugged and said nothing. Actually it was a wise thing he said nothing because it appeared at his brother had stopped walking and appeared to be sniffing the area.
Jaken glanced at Inuyasha and Kagome, they too appeared to be doing the same as Sesshoumaru. His own nose wasn't as powerful as their but, when he turned his head upwards he caught the scent of jasmine. If it were possible, the toad's eyes grew. The scent belonged to the spoiled Lady Astoria and she seemed outraged.
Inuyasha gave a low growl, he sensed the anger and in his past experiences anger from a woman made them irrational. Their fury was like none other and knowing that this particular female had been scorned by his brother for a human woman, she would not limit her attack on Rin and Sesshoumaru alone.
"She's coming for me, I finally get to face the bitch that threatens what is mine."
Sesshoumaru did not glance at his mate, only gave a curt order. "Ah-Un, take your lady high in the sky."
The beast did as he was ordered, wincing at Rin's loud protests. "What? Females fight for what is their, just as males do! Will you deny my claim? She has wronged me by panting over you and you will wrong me more so by denying me my right to kill her! Sesshoumaru are you listening to me?"
Her toad servant glared up at her, clutching his staff tighter. "Stupid girl, you'll get yourself or our Lord Sesshoumaru's heirs killed in your condition!"
Her other heated protests died in her throat before she placed her right hand on her growing stomach. She had been so angry that Sesshoumaru refused to let her fight, that she had forgotten about her pups. In truth, she should have known that everything her mate did was for a reason and should never doubt him.
"Rin," his voice brought her out of her guilty feelings. "If it means that much to you, I will weaken her and let you give her her death. That is if you do not interfere in this battle."
He did not look at her and though his brother and sister in-law would not be able to see any change in his face, she alone knew that, despite the fact that she could not see his face from her position, his face played an array of emotions. He was deathly afraid of harm coming to her and his children, and now his little brother, but he was eager to fight with Astoria. She had made so many insults to his mate that it was all he could do from striking her down.
"I understand, please be careful."
This time he did look at her, "Do you doubt my ability to care for you, my mate, and my family?"
A small smile formed on her lips. "Never, try not to dirty yourself, I believe the fairy queen would be disappointed if her lord appeared before her covered in blood."
If Sesshoumaru would have allowed a smile in public, he would have smiled at Rin's confidence in him. Inuyasha glanced at the heartwarming scene between his big brother and his mate, he almost gagged at the dopey smile Kagome had on her face. True it was probably the closest he had seen Sesshoumaru act touching in many years but, it was still too mushy for the half-breed.
He pulled out his sword and stood next to his brother. For years the two brothers had been at odds with each other and their only desire had been to kill each other. Years of stupid hatred that had no logical reason for it but now, the two fought side by side. Though neither would admit it, they had longed for this day. The day that they would fight as allies instead of the bitter enemies they had become.
Inuyasha gave his cocky smile that always either pissed off or encouraged Sesshoumaru, "Are you ready brother?"
His scent filled her nostrils and she briefly wondered how she used to think his scent was intoxicating. Now Sesshoumaru's scent reminded her of rotting flesh, the scent of the dead ... the scent of a human. A growl left her before she urged her legs to run faster.
Rage consumed her. Her rage focused on herself, for allowing Sesshoumaru to humiliate her so, Tamiko for never warning her, the bastard human brat that held Sesshoumaru's heart, and of course her rage was for Sesshoumaru. Wasn't he the one who actually dropped his clam demeanor and snarled that he would not give into his father's weakness? A lover of humans, that was no need for a demon lord with a weakness for mortal flesh.
Astoria flexed her claws, hearing them, as well as her blood, sing for Sesshoumaru's blood. She would enjoy her kill, admittedly not as much as the expressions he would give when she killed his mate in front of him. He was known for never having an expression, she would tell her grandchildren how she had made the proud Lord Sesshoumaru weep for a disgusting human.
They were close, the damned couple seemed to have two half-breeds with them. How fitting, the weak fighting with the weak, she thought. She'd kill them all and her family would take over the Western Lands. It was only fair. Her family had to endure horrible insults, why should a noble demon family pay tributes to a filthy human.
"Ah-Un, take your lady high in the sky."
So Sesshoumaru was protecting his whore. She heard the girl cry out that it was her right to slay her. Hmmm, the whore knew their laws, too bad it only applied to demons, not the trash that she was.
More talk was done but it was just noise to her. She was ready for battle and nothing on in the world was going to stop her. Astoria jumped into the clearing that the dog brothers had chosen as their battlefield.
Astoria usually looked as regal and as elegant as Sesshoumaru was, but now her appearance screamed street urchin, rather than a noble demoness. The lord had to admit, her appearance shocked him. She never dared face him when she wasn't utterly perfect, this snarling creature in front of him, was quite a surprise.
"This is the woman you're jealous of Rin?" Inuyasha looked her over and 'fehed,' "What the hell were you jealous of? She looks like some mangy dog, almost as bad a a wolf."
Before Astoria could yell, Kagome growled at her mate. "It's been years Inuyasha, can't you leave Kouga-kun alone? We've made peace and he's happily mated with cubs of his own!"
The half-breed rolled his amber eyes. "Doesn't mean he's improved."
Sesshoumaru ignored the squabbling couple. He could smell Rin's anxiety and feel Astoria's rage. This was not going to be an easy battle, though he was fully confident in his ability to kill the bitch. "I do not like repeating myself. I will give you the choice to apologize to my mate and leave with your life, if you refuse your blood will stain the ground you stand on."
A crazed laugh was his first reply. She covered her small mouth with a blood stained hand, mostly likely the blood of an unlucky weak demon. Her eyes shined brightly and wildly, both dog demons were sure madness had taken over. "Apologize? You expect Lady Astoria to get on her knees and tell that human that I am sorry for going after what should be mine? The only thing I am sorry for is that I allowed myself to believe you were different from your father."
She raised her nose to the air and gave a haughty laugh. "It seems that your blood does produce drooling cowards." The demon glanced at the beast that held the Lady of the Western Lands. "She will only give disgusting half breeds that should and will be killed soon after they kill their mother as they claw their way out of her womb."
Inuyasha felt a rush of wind pass him but was not surprised to see that it was his brother making his first attack. The bitch fled to the air and covered her nose, blocking Sesshoumaru's poison.
Another laugh was given, "You think I do not know of the bastard children that she produced? I smelled them along with her tears at their graves. When I take over the Western Lands, I will remove the graves and display the skeletons, a tribute to an abomination."
An arrow flew past Sesshoumaru and hit Astoria in left shoulder. The bitch hissed and turned her eyes to Kagome, only to receive one hell of an angry look. Inuyasha flinched a bit, knowing that look from his mate was never a good one. He had seen her give that look only once, and that was when she had fired an arrow at Naraku for nearly killing Shippo in a battle.
Rin looked down at Kagome and almost smiled at the sight. She herself had wanted to jump down and fight Astoria because of the insults she had made toward her pups. Kagome must have had to face this with her own son. The two women were completely different but besides being related, they both knew what it felt like to have children that would always be persecuted. For that reason alone, the young woman decided she would forever protect the older woman. Women like them needed to stay together.
Astoria roared and snarled as Sesshourmaru and Inuyasha attacked her with their swords. For a woman who's sanity had left her, she moved quite fast. She was fast enough to miss their attack along with another arrow from Kagome and the fire from Jaken's staff. However, Jaken wasn't fast enough to miss the swipe of her claws. The little demon yelled in shock and pain, his stubby arms trying to cover the deep wound on his chest. Rin gasped and urged her dragon servant to fly back down.
Ah-Un at first refused, knowing its orders were to keep its mistress from the battle. However, Rin's legs kept squeezing its sides, demanding the dragon take her to her loyal toad servant. She didn't dare say her order because her mate would hear, and his commands would always take top priority over hers, as far as the servants were concerned.
Finally, she got her way and Ah-Un quickly made its way to the still bleeding Jaken. Maaya, who had hid in Rin's hair hoping to hide from her former mistress, cried in her ear. "Please Lady Rin! You do not know how horrible she can be, follow your mate's orders and stay away."
Rin ignored the fairy's warnings and allowed herself to hang on Ah-Un's side. She looked up and caught her mate's furious eyes, there would be hell to pay once this was over. Quickly she picked up the squawking toad and held him close to her. She was about order her dragon to fly back up but an angry growl filled her ears. For a moment she believed it was her angry mate, certainly he was angry at her and Ah-Un for defying him, but no, the growl was too out of control. Sesshoumaru was never out of control.
She looked up, only to see claws aimed for her womb.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Losing your computer really sucks. Back in January, a little after I posted chapter 13, my computer just crashed and I couldn't get into anything. It was so messed up that even in safe mode things were horrible. So I had to do a factory restore and for the past two weeks, I have been trying to get all my programs back up and running. During that time I wrote this chapter. I kind of wanted to start and end Astoria's demise in this chapter but ... it just wasn't coming out the way I had planned. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Loki TheGrimScreamer: Thank you so much for your kind words. I love to write, and would like to make a profession out of it so hearing (reading) your words are so appreciated.
Angel of Darkness Flame: Lol, how is school doing now? I just finished my first year at college and I'm so tired. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and the next.
Nikajendayiuadjit: Don't worry she will, and I'm glad people dislike her even though she serves a huge importance in the story.
Ryoko-onee: Lol, I didn't want to make him such a bastard but at the same time I need him to be the strong male he is. If not then I can't see my version of Rin accepting him as a mate. The version of Rin that I give would demand nothing more than a mate that was strong and dominate.
Dreaming One: Perhaps in my next Sess/Rin story (I am already planning two other ones) I will put in the summary that it is a Sess/Rin fic. I can't say I'm sorry for the surprise because when I first started the story, I wanted people to be shocked at my choice of the couple. There weren't very many Sess/Rin fics at the time so, I was going for shocking.
Fluffyscatdemon: Thank you and I am sorry for not updating soon enough. As for her baby.... well that's where the angst comes in. I have two different versions concerning her and Sesshoumaru's unborn pups, in fact Tamiko hints at a possible outcome in the beginning of the chapter. I hope you and my other reviewers stick around to see what happens.
Also thank you so much to my other reviewers, your reviews mean a lot to me too: Charmedone04, X-with stars, New Fan, Blurry, badgerwolf, Airen2, KawaiiLilMiko, and Bebopin' Dreamer