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Hello, everyone. Lily here. It's getting interesting, isn't it? Guess what. It's not over yet. Trust me on this.

*Mirai sweatdrops* Why do I even bother anymore?

Ingore him. I do. Moving on.

*Mirai sweatdrops* What'd I do this time, Lils?

*Smirking at her mate* You'll find out. Anyway, on to the disclaimer part. As always the ONLY things I own are my mate, my Mystic clone, my Neil clone, my Gambit clone, my Kou clone, and my new pet, my Demi-Demon Doggie clone, or my Inuyasha clone.

Nothing more. And no, you can't have any of them!

Enjoy the story!

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Keiki de Niyati : Children of Fate

Chapter 11- " Doubts "

by Lily
"You've got to be kidding me!" Sango cried as Miroku sighed deeply as he shook his head.

"Afraid not, Lady Sango. Apparently, Sesshoumaru seeked her out late last night, and she has decided to join with us. For the time being, I take it." Miroku said, quickening his pace until he walked even alongside Sango towards the nearby spring for the water they had decided to fetch for Kagome.

"Why though? Didn't she *attack* us last night? How do we know this isn't just a ploy for her to get close enough to Kagome and the pups?" Sango asked, frowning as she shifted the empty wooden bucket to her opposide hand.

"I do not know my lady. What I do know, however, is that it would seem that Sesshoumaru is taking all responsibilty for her." Miroku said as Sango nodded her head.

"Yeah, of course. After all *he's* so trustworthy, isn't he?" Sango asked sarcastically.

"My lady-" Miroku began as Sango sighed deeply.

"Sorry. I can't help it, Miroku. Kagome is like family to me, she means a lot to me. I missed her very much these last three years, and I just don't want anything to happen to her, or her children either. They're the only family I have left." Sango said.

"I understand, and rest assured my lady, that no harm shall come to the three of them. Especially with both Sesshoumaru and myself around to start with, as you well know by now. And of course, there's Inuyasha." Miroku said.

"May the Gods pity any demon foolhardy enough to try and stand between Inuyasha and his mate and pups." Sango said softly.

"Most agreed. Come, we'd better get this water back to them before she awakens. I fear what will happen when Lady Kagome awakes to learn that Lady Kikyo has joined us." Miroku said, dipping his bucket into the cool spring water.

"Can you blame her? That witch tried to kill her yesterday *and* would have probably turned her children over to Naraku without a second thought." Sango said.

"Now my lady, I understand that you...hold a grudge against the Miko as well, being in that you're so close with Lady Kagome-" Miroku began as Sango frowned at him.

"Miroku, she could have killed me too yesterday." Sango said.

"I.......Yes, I know that, love.....but-" Miroku began hestitantly, not sure if he should be defending Kikyo any longer.

He of course had been furious when he learned that Sango had been injured, but this was different. The Miko was an.....ally......of theirs, at least until Naraku was defeated. After which, they could send her back to hell.

"Miroku, I understand how you feel. But as Inuyasha has finally realized, she is not the same Kikyo that she was fifty years ago. This.....creature......is different. She has no feelings, no emotions, nothing. She feels no regret, no remorse, or sorrow even. All she knows is vengence and the thirst for blood. Can you blame me for not wanting to trust her?" Sango asked.

"Yes, I see what you mean, Lady Sango, but you must also remember, she wished to only join us until Naraku is defeated." Miroku said.

"Is that supposed to make me feel better, Miroku?" Sango asked.

"I only mean that she is valuable to us at this time. If she should want to help us defeat Naraku, all the better. You forget that this demon is an incredibly powerful one, of which we had tried the past three years to defeat, with no such luck. And help now is greatly appreciated, even if it is by Kikyo. Besides, you remember how it was when Sesshoumaru joined us." Miroku said.

"That was different. Sesshoumaru was looking out for Rin." Sango said.

"Precisely. He wanted to defeat Naraku so Rin would be safe. Sesshoumaru cares for the child, even if she is a human. And over the past three years, he has become one of us. I will admit he may not be our closest companion, but he is no longer a threat to us, even after Naraku is out of the way." Miroku said.

"How can you be sure? What makes you think he won't try to go after Inuyasha once Naraku is finally destroyed?" Sango asked curiously.

"I can't be sure, but something just tells me, he's changed. He's still the powerful and spiteful Sesshoumaru we've always come to know, but he holds a bit more respect for humans. He seems to show more tolerance of you and Kagome in the very least. I understand it's merely because she is his brother's mate, and mother of his niece and nephew, but he shows something akin to that to you as well." Miroku said.

"I hardly noticed." Sango said frowning in confusion.

"He used to grow so irrated with us so readily, and seemed only a trigger away from killing us that moment, but now, he's over come that as well. And you must at least recall that battle with Naraku's daughters last year?" Miroku asked as Sango nodded slowly.

"Yes, I suppose you're right. He didn't have to stop that attack, but he did. Fair enough. It's enough reason for me to trust Sesshoumaru, a *demon* even, but not enough for me to trust Kikyo." Sango said.

"Then don't. Just trust that Sesshoumaru will handle her." Miroku said, as they headed back towards the village.

"Very well. I only hope you aren't mistaken Miroku." Sango said.

"As do I my lady." Miroku said.



Inuyasha growled softly to himself as he watched Kikyo intently from his place against the side of the entrance of Kaede's hut. She sat alone on the grass as she leaned against the back of a nearby tree, her hands folded in her lap as she watched Rin and the twins chase each other around, playing tag.

Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow as Rin ran behind him, giggling as she tried to hide behind his robes as Kaori can racing up after her, only to plow into Sesshoumaru's leg. Kaori stumbled backwards onto his haunch as he rubbed his head, and bit his lip to keep from crying, barely noticing that his lip was already trembling.

"Are you alright, boy?" Sesshoumaru asked, looking down at the little black haired hanyou pup as he tried to climb to his feet.

"I'm.....fine, Uncle Sessamu." Kaori said as Kaiya slowly crept up to join her twin and the little girl still peeking out from behind Sesshoumaru.

"I see. Then go on with your game then, pup. And Rin, it is not fair of you to hide behind me." Sesshoumaru said as the little girl nodded up at him.

"You're not mad at Rin are you, Sesshoumaru-papa?" Rin asked as Sesshoumaru frowned down at the little girl.

"What did you call me child?" Sesshoumaru asked.

Rin stepped back and bit her lip as she looked up at Sesshoumaru, her eyes beginning to rim over with tears.

"Rin is sorry......" Rin began as Sesshoumaru sighed.

"I'm not your father, Rin." Sesshoumaru said as the little girl nodded.

"Rin knows."

"Then why would you call me that?" Sesshoumaru asked.

"Rin...Rin is sorry....." Rin started.

"Perhaps the young child thinks of you as a parental kind of person to her since you care for her so, my Lord." Kikyo said softly.

Inuyasha raised an eyebrow as he watched the scene before him with curiosity.

"Indeed. Is this true, child?" Sesshoumaru asked as the little girl hesitated before slowly nodded her head.

"I see. Then you think of me as a father do you?" Sesshoumaru asked, frowning slightly to himself.

"Give her a break, Sesshoumaru. You act like her father as it is." Inuyasha called in an almost amused tone as the older demon snorted.

"I hardly-" Sesshoumaru began.

"Sesshoumaru, get over it. You know it's true." Inuyasha said, closing his eyes as he smirked to himself.

"You stay out of this, half-breed." Sesshoumaru said.

"Rin is sorry." Rin murmered as Sesshoumaru looked down at her.

"For what child? I did not yell at you. What reason do you have to be sorry?" Sesshoumaru asked.

"Rin won't call Sesshoumaru-sama papa anymore." Rin murmered.

"Forget it child. If that is what you wish to call me, so be it." Sesshoumaru said as Rin looked up at him, her eyes shining, and completely failed to see Kaori sneak up on her and tap her lightly on her shoulder.

"You're it!" Kaori cried, and raced away, laughing happily to himself as Kaiya joined in, giggling as she too raced away from Rin. After getting over her shock at being it, the little girl completely forgot her previous sadness, and raced off after her cousins, giggling happily as well.

Inuyasha looked over at his older brother, an almost understanding look in his golden eyes, before Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes at the younger brother, and Inuyasha instead started to rise to his feet, just as Miroku and Sango were walking up towards the hut with the buckets of water in their hands.

"About time, Monk. I thought I was going to have to go and fetch some water myself. Kagome will be waking up soon-" Inuyasha began, but stopped as he heard a faint rustling behind him as the cloth door to the hut was pushed aside, and a weary Kagome stepped outside.

"It's alright, Inuyasha. I am already awake." Kagome said, smiling softly at her mate.

"Are you alright? You've been asleep for some time now......the twins were worried over you." Inuyasha said as she smiled at him.

"Yes, I'm fine. A little sore, but I'll heal." Kagome said, before her eyes came to rest on the older Miko sitting beside the tree further away from the hut. She narrowed her dark eyes as she spoke coldly to her mate.

"So what Kaede said was true then?" Kagome asked as Inuyasha followed her gaze and sighed before he nodded.

"Yes. For the time being." Inuyasha said.

"Where are my children?" Kagome asked, still glaring at Kikyo.

"They're playing with Rin." Inuyasha said.

"She hasn't-?" Kagome began.

"No. She doesn't dare. She's been warned by both Sesshoumaru and myself." Inuyasha said as Kagome nodded.

"I very much doubt that would mean anything to her. Very well, you can rest assured that *I* will be keeping my eyes on her. She makes any move to harm my pups and I'll rip her throat out." Kagome growled as Inuyasha nodded.

"She is well aware of what will happen to her, Kagome. Trust me. But enough about her. You must come eat something." Inuyasha said as Kagome shook her head.

"I'm fine for the time being. But I will see my pups. Kaori? Kaiya?" Kagome called, and smiled to herself at the twins came racing over to tackle their mother, gripping tightly to her legs as they looked up at her.

"Mama! You're alright!" Kaiya cried as Kagome nodded down at the silver haired child.

"Yes, sweetie. Mommy's fine. What about you two? You haven't been too much trouble for Daddy while Mommy was sleeping have you?" Kagome asked as Inuyasha smirked.

"They were fine." Inuyasha said.

"I'm pleased to hear that. Listen, you two go ahead and go back to your game with Rin. Mommy needs to talk to Aunt Sango. Go on now." Kagome said as the twins nodded, and raced off after the little girl.

Kagome smiled to herself, before walking over to Sango.

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