Disclaimer: I do not own 'Inuyasha' or any of its characters.
A/N: Despite the chapter's title, nothing written here requires a warning.
Chapter Fifty-Two: Blood
"What then? What do you have to tell me about the new addition to the family?" the dog demon asked his guest. He was laying on his futon, arms folded behind his head and eyes closed; an opened book rested on his chest, rising and falling rhythmically.
It had already been some days since he had been confined in those damn rooms, and if he had to rely on the news he got from the outside, he would stay there for long. He already had enough, and not even his books gave him comfort anymore – not to mention then that they checked those too.
Apparently, Sesshomaru liked very much to appease his little brother.
"Everyone seems very protective of her. The priestess and the half-demon took part in the conversation vehemently."
"Figures! I bet everyone in the court hung on his lips now, didn't they? The one who rescued the valley." He gritted his teeth and finally stood up, turning towards the windows through which he could see the lands already back at their former glory. "How many efforts were thrown to the wind."
"We miscalculated, and we paid the consequences. Next time, it won't be like this, and we know their weak points. The girl is only human and very scrawny at that; it wouldn't be difficult to strike at her."
He dismissed her point. "Yeah, yeah, but do you think it would be easy to penetrate their defences? No, at the moment they are very cautious, and this is also the second time your pupils are sent to do the job. Sesshomaru will surely use sniffers for his mate's protection, along with the guards; not even your bugs would pass their noses. We have to be patient and wait for the moment they will lower their defences, try to create some distraction." He certainly didn't want to give up just now when he felt like he was one step away from victory. Someone would think the opposite, given his current arrangements.
"Not to mention that we have been lucky. The first time Sesshomaru couldn't do anything even if you were the only one in the valley who kept the species of insects responsible for the pup's attack." He laughed at her surly expression. "The one who killed the cat was notoriously one of your suitors. Next time you won't go away with it; too many coincidences."
"You know as they say…good things come in three." The devious smile seemed uninclined to leave her lips even if her position at court wasn't the best right now.
"Don't go crazy, Tsubasa; I wouldn't forgive you, and you know my wrath spares no one. Not even you, my plaything, are safe." His gaze fell again on her but held no affection.
Crystalline laughter was her response. "Is this all I am for you?" She came closer and started trailing her tapered fingers on his chest. "Am I just your plaything?"
He tutted at her, "As if you were any different, butterfly. We are both taking advantage of each other. It seems, to me, that it went well until now, didn't it? The important thing is not losing sight of the main goal."
Tsubasa dismissed him with a flick of her wrist. "Yeah, yeah, your notorious wrath." She laughed again, mockingly, "I saw what you can do. Enjoy your stay here a little more. The time is over; I'll take my leave."
Days went by after Rin's first introduction at court, and without even notice, it was time for Inuyasha and Kagome to go back to their life in the village.
They had been at the castle for almost two weeks, and they had helped Rin settle there. Now, she was starting to feel more at ease with the curious glances and whispers, and she didn't spend so much time in her rooms or the private gardens anymore.
Among the few ladies Kagome trusted most, Asuka and Fumie were the ones who spent more time with Rin, probably because they were unmated and had fewer responsibilities. They also assured Kagome more than once that they would take good care of young Rin and make sure she felt at home – as the West was truly Rin's home now.
Of course, they hadn't been a shortage of meetings inside the Lady's parlour. Everyone wanted to meet the new Lady of the West, and most of all, the woman who had been able of melting Sesshomaru's cold heart – many of their conversations run along those lines. Scepticism was never lacking, as were inquiring glances and attempts at jibing. But Rin didn't let anyone make her feel uncomfortable.
If there was one thing the girl was sure about was her place next to Sesshomaru. It didn't matter if at the palace, in the wilderness or at the village, she belonged to him as he to her, and they wouldn't succeed in claiming that they weren't meant to be, nor would she let them say something like that.
It was quite impressive to see her get all warm up when she stated those things and defended her union with the current Inu-no-Taisho. The demonesses who weren't opposed laughed with merriment at her display. She may have been human, but at least she had the guts to speak for herself, and she didn't let the other intimidate her.
It seemed that, just like Kagome had stated that first night, Sesshomaru's new mate had spent much time with the priestess because she acted in a very similar way. In those years Kagome had spent in the valley, many had learnt to despise her because of her ways, but at the same time, many others appreciated her strong character. These were relieved Sesshomaru hadn't chosen someone of weak spirit – not that even one in the valley thought that a weakling could last next to him, let alone manage to form a bond.
Very interesting had been the day Rin and Keiko had finally met face to face.
The dog demoness had had a sour expression from the beginning and had looked down on Rin without so many considerations; she hadn't wasted time on pleasantries or warm greetings either. Having been previously warned by both Kagome and Kimi, Rin had held her head up high, even going so far as to taunt Keiko. The latter hadn't appreciated much the fact she had been refused in favour of a mere ningen, nor had she liked the way she held herself and moved around as if she owned the place – which she did technically.
Obviously, Kagome had joined the fun, and thus, Keiko had not been spared; her comebacks have been weak and easily rebutted, and she had been forced to leave the scene soon. At least, she had offered the two human women free entertainment.
However, in reality, Keiko was also a concern for both Rin and Sesshomaru. Goro hadn't wasted so much time in calling a meeting to speak about the topic of a full-fledged heir despite Sesshomaru being truly bonded with a human. This time, much to their dismay, he had been supported by Kosuke.
They claimed that a half-demon as an heir couldn't be the normalcy and even if Inuyasha was a strong alley – these were Kosuke's words, obviously; Goro wouldn't ever utter them – he couldn't assure a strong line of descendants as his brother could if he agreed on taking a demon concubine and sire an heir on her. Thus, an eventual child of Sesshomaru and Rin couldn't be the official heir.
"Shall I remind you that the law says that a bonded pair's first child has the right to rule? Even if I agreed, which I do not, that pup would never rule as the Inu-no-Taisho."
"Yet, you were the first one to break the rule, Sesshomaru," Kosuke noted. "You kept your title even after your brother had become of age, and even now he is in the West, you are not willing to give more than the heir position. As you say, he should be per right the ruler." He wore a wicked grin; it was clear he was enjoying the way he was playing Sesshomaru.
Sesshomaru gritted his teeth before answering, "Inuyasha was a newborn when my father died; as such, he couldn't certainly rule, couldn't he? When he was big enough, he lacked the experience, and you certainly wouldn't have accepted a strayed demon as your ruler."
He wouldn't let them lead his life nor impose on him a concubine. They may have been the elders appointed to help him rule those lands, but that didn't mean ruling his life, too.
"Yet," Kosuke repeated, "Inuyasha seems quite experienced right now. Why don't you relinquish him his rightful place?" The dog demon kept taunting, and Sesshomaru could only offer him a glare.
"Who do you want to fool, Kosuke?" Inuyasha interrupted him with his usual manners. "You mean to tell us you want me to be your ruler? You just said that a half-demon as permanent heir and subsequent ruler is not acceptable. If we were to do as you suggest, the next ruling line would be mine. You want my son to be the next Inu-no-Taisho? Go on then; I'll enjoy seeing a quarter-demon with spiritual power bossing you all around."
Kosuke scowled at him. "I was merely pointing it out to Sesshomaru that reiterating what the law says won't be enough this time. He proved to us that bond or not bond, a full-fledged demon heir comes first. Had you been old enough when your father died, I am sure Sesshomaru would have imposed himself as successor anyway, and we would have backed him up. Saying, now, that the child he has sired on the human comes first is hypocritical. We, as the council conceived to help these lands prosper, think that a line of full-fledged demons is necessary. As Toga-sama before him, he must ensure there will be an heir that meets these characteristics, mate or not."
"Oh? Really?" Inuyasha raised his brow while Sesshomaru was too busy trying to keep his anger in check and avoid scaring every inhabitant of the valley with his menacing aura. "And say, Kosuke, who do you suggest will be perfect to pose as Sesshomaru's concubine? Is there a demoness willing to undergo such a shame? Because it'd be humiliating for sure. My brother would use her for a simply lay, sniff her to ascertain when her highest peak of fertility is and then proceed to unload his seed in her. After the nine months of pregnancy, he would discard her like a rag doll and never deign her of even a look, while her son would be under the West's care. Maybe Sesshomaru would be magnanimous enough to let her nurse the child for the first months, but that's it. I am sure it's a position everyone would love to compete for."
The proposal had been born from Shou's family's desire to still have some power over Sesshomaru, but they didn't know that even if they succeed to make Keiko the mother of Sesshomaru's eventual heir, they would never gain any favour. Keiko would be used one time, and his brother would make sure to cut the ties between their two families more just because they had forced him to go through such a thing. Would they still be eager if those were the pre-conditions?
Goro sneered at Inuyasha's crude speech and was about to open his mouth when Sesshomaru interrupted him. "Hn, indeed; my brother is very accurate. If I were to take a woman – mind you, a woman for a night, not even a concubine; I already have my mate to make me company at night, I don't need someone else to beg for my affection – I would use her as a container of my seed. You say I need a full-fledged heir, after all, nothing else. Moreover, the family of that woman would not gain any favour, of course, because the pup would solely be in my care and that of my family's due to his importance." He seemed to have regained some control, and a wicked smirk had graced his lips. He made sure to keep his gaze focused on Goro's figure with a significant look.
Shou and his brothers could concoct whatever plan they want, but they wouldn't succeed in gaining a better place in his court.
"Surely you jest, Sesshomaru! You cannot condemn a child like that. Everyone needs a motherly figure in the first years of life," Goro shouted, displeased by the way the two brothers had decided to oppose their suggestion.
"He or she wouldn't need it. After all, my mother is the most powerful demoness in the whole of the West, and she would suffice just fine. That, obviously, if I were to follow your wretched plan, which I am not," Sesshomaru answered nonchalantly.
"We all agree that you need to sire a full-fledged heir at least to assure the continuity of your line!" Goro bellowed again.
"It seems to me that both my brother and I are succeeding in just that, Goro-sama, aren't we? My brother has already two sons, and his mate is still very young, while I have one on my way. Besides, you speak as you expect me to relinquish my place as Inu-no-Taisho very soon. I still have many centuries of ruling ahead of me unless someone manages to attack my person. Should I add you to the list of suspects for the attack? After all, you did not help defend the castle; your actions are sure suspect. It would be appalling for a council elder." Sesshomaru's smirk widened as Goro turned paler. The dai-youkai would have his fun with the cat a little more, and then he would kick him out of the council. By now, he had all the prerequisites to do it.
"How dare you stain my name like that! By the time you were born, I had been occupying this seat for centuries!"
"And it seems to me that is arrived the time for you to relinquish your place to someone younger and not so biased," Inuyasha quietly remarked. "Your ideas are too old to effectively help these lands prosper. If you really care, then you'll leave this place without any problems. Although… your last actions certainly don't suggest to me you do. More like you care about your position, your power and your quiet life."
"Now, now. Goro's place in this council is not the topic of this meeting," Minato interrupted. "If you wish to discuss it, we will continue on another occasion."
"Oh, we certainly will do," Inuyasha smirked, glaring at the cat with twinkling eyes. He would love to kick his ass out of this council.
"Minato, surely you are not serious!" Goro promptly said with his loud tone.
"As I said, Goro, this is not the time. I would like to go back to our current issue. Sesshomaru was illustrating to us his conditions were he to agree to your suggestion. However, I must say that he does not seem very inclined to. Am I right, Sesshomaru?"
"Of course, Minato-sama. I think I made that clear by the beginning of this session," Sesshomaru offered in a gentler tone.
"And we made clear that is necessary for the prosperity of these lands!" Goro continued undaunted.
"We? My very keen ears were sure it was only you and Kosuke supporting Katashi's suggestion," Inuyasha remarked, his dog ears twitching on the top of his head for good measure.
"Apparently, we are the only ones with common sense in this room," Kosuke exclaimed.
"I found it very tactless to suggest Sesshomaru sharing his bed with another demoness when he has just mated," Hayato argued, talking for the first time.
"Maybe if he hadn't forgotten his duties before, we wouldn't have this problem. If he had given in to our requests decades ago, there would already be an heir today, and he could go mating with whichever human he wants. Is not what Toga-sama had done before him? It must be a family tradition." Kosuke wasn't about to give in without a proper fight. He wasn't a fool like Goro, but that didn't mean he liked the current situation.
"Unfortunately, our word in the Western's affair doesn't extend to one's personal life, Kosuke. I would have supported your suggestion if Sesshomaru had been a few centuries older and mateless. That's not the case, however. Thus, you cannot impose something like this on him," Toru added then.
The meeting had ended when it had been decided that there was no way for them to decide for Sesshomaru's personal life now that he had a mate, much to everyone's relief. However, it was clear that the topic was far from closed, especially if Sesshomaru failed in providing an heir. Inuyasha and Kagome knew very well that it was something that would indeed happen, and the first clue would be Rin's impellent miscarriage.
The girl was calm and happy despite everything so, thinking about the future event as if it was a ticking time bomb made Kagome feel even guiltier – no matter how many times Inuyasha repeated it wasn't her fault. They had been privy of those future events for Rin's sake, not because it had to get on their frail nerves.
In the days immediately following that meeting, Kagome lay awake at night, thinking about how many others there would be when it became clear that there wouldn't be even a half-demon child. It would be even more difficult to dodge the council's requests.
Inuyasha had assured her that, at that point, he would make sure that Goro was out of the council. He and Sesshomaru had talked about it, and since Minato had suggested they call a specific meeting to discuss the topic, it was even more likely they did it very soon. They had the reasons, and Goro didn't even seem to care enough to contain himself; he was just serving it them on a silver platter. Without the damn cat on the council, it would be easier for them to deal with problems; surely, Inuyasha's ears would appreciate a lot.
Overall, the time spent in the West offered them much entertainment. Their schedules were always full, and at the end of the day, Kagome was so tired she usually collapsed. Saying she was happy to go back to her quiet life in the village was an understatement.
Concerning Noboru, they didn't hear about him much. The traitors had been condemned even before they all arrived at West, and now his circle was keeping a low profile. They knew it wasn't the end, though. Inuyasha swore that the next time – because there would be a next time, Noboru wouldn't stop now – he would catch the fucker red-handed, and he would finally have his revenge. A wicked grin spread on the half-demon's lips every time thoughts about killing Noboru filled his mind.
Sesshomaru and Inuyasha kept receiving reports from the guards about his behaviour and his guests, but they couldn't deny him the visits. They knew what Tsubasa did with him in the privacy of his bed chambers, but at least their time was limited.
Moreover, Sesshomaru intended to keep him confined for a long time. It didn't matter if Inuyasha was leaving the West; the charges still stood. Thus, he needed to be surveilled until Sesshomaru deemed it safe for everyone – he was still suspected of being the mastermind behind the attack that had cost many innocent lives, after all – which could be tomorrow or even a year from now. He didn't think he could put off his uncle's release for so long, but he would certainly take advantage of all the time he could.
For now, things were secured, and they intended to keep like that.
"You're okay then?" Kagome asked Rin after one last hug.
"Everything is okay, Kagome-chan, don't worry," the girl promptly answered, returning the hug.
It was the day of their departure, and everything was ready for them to return to the village. Inuyasha and the children were already at the gates, waiting for her next to Ah-Uh who would be their means of transport – much to the pups' delight – but Kagome had stayed behind a little more to check on Rin one more time before the final goodbye; she had even asked Asuka to come to visit Rin that morning to ensure she wasn't alone the first day without her there. Inuyasha swore sometimes Kagome seemed more protective of Rin than her own children.
"Take care, Rin. Don't stress yourself; eat often but not too much. Be careful of where you go, and be sure the guards are always following you." Kagome peered at Naoki and Ryunosuke and sent them a stern gaze; they offered a nod.
"As if I could ever forget them behind," Rin chuckled. "I thought you were aware of how it works here better than me. Did you ever manage to lose Kichiro or Osamu?"
"You're right," Kagome complied, "but humour me and just tell me 'yes Kagome, of course, Kagome'. It will be the first time I'm going back to the village without finding you there."
"Oh, I'll miss you, Kagome-chan! What I will do without my mama bear?" She hugged the priestess once more time.
"Ah-ah-ah, don't make fun of me, young girl," she told her sternly but then cracked up anyway.
The trip back was relatively quiet, and they stopped just once when the children complained about being hungry. Now that they were old enough, they didn't need anymore to take so many breaks. This way, the journey always last less.
As soon as they reached the outskirts of the village and Ah-Un started its descent, they were tackled down by hyperactive children that wanted to know everything since they had been away more than usual.
They settled soon in their house, and while the children played under the parents' watchful eyes, Kagome and Inuyasha recounted Miroku and Sango every last bit of information. None of them was surprised to learn that Rin had fiercely defended her union with Sesshomaru – after all, it was Rin who they were talking about – but they didn't expect Inuyasha to tell them the elders had suggested Sesshomaru taking a concubine. Sure he wouldn't allow something like that.
They resumed life in the village without too many problems, and soon another two weeks had gone by.
"So, tell me, Rin," Kimi started while she was quietly drinking tea with her daughter-in-law, "are you satisfied with your life at the palace? You have been living here for a month now; you should have an opinion."
"I didn't expect anything less than what I saw, Kimi-sama." She still hadn't dropped off the honorific, and according to Sesshomaru, she wouldn't very soon. "I was not afraid of living among demons, not more than I was of living among humans when your son left me in Kaede's village. I admit I feared rumours; after all, being mated to Sesshomaru is a big deal. However, thanks to both you and Kagome, I overcame that fear, too. They can talk as much as they want, they cannot do anything against it, and it's not like villagers never talked behind my back. I was the demon girl."
"Very wise of your young age," Kimi replied, "but then I expect nothing less from my son's mate. I will admit that his choice has disoriented me at the beginning. I have nothing against you, dear, of course, but he has changed so much in these last years, and I did not expect him to mate very soon, not with a human. Nevertheless, I am happy I'll have another child to spoil soon. If have to wait for Inuyasha and Kagome to make another one, I'd get old." Crystalline laughter filled the room.
Rin placed a hand on her stomach, a smile gracing her lips. They still have to inform the court of her pregnancy; Kagome had made everyone promise not to share the news until the end of the third moon. Rin knew very well Kagome's beliefs about certain matters, and she was aware she came from another reality. But sometimes, she wondered if maybe the older woman wasn't exaggerating. She was careful not to say it, though, because she knew very well that she would only get a lecture out of it.
Even Kaede, who was surely more experienced and wise than Kagome, trusted the younger priestess when it came to modern medicine lessons. Kagome had made sure to learn as much as possible, and she had saved many lives in those last years; it sure meant something.
However, Rin would be lying if she said that covering her scent wasn't a bother. Every couple of hours, she had to make sure the perfume was still in place, and if Sesshomaru wasn't with her, the guards would assure Rin her natural one was still hidden. Sometimes her mate even openly complained about it – well, more like every time they were alone, actually – but as soon as he suggested stop using the offending fragrance, his mother scolded him. It was like Kagome had instructed Kimi very well; it sure was funny to think about it.
"I am sure she or he will be very loved," she finally said in response.
"I want to be sure you know your pup will be judged, as you will be when it comes out you're already pregnant," Kimi added suddenly very serious. "Kagome hadn't been spared sneers and disapproving glances when she was pregnant with little Toga, but she ignored them, and she could do it because she wasn't living here permanently,. You, on the other hand…"
"I am very well aware of it, Kimi-sama," Rin told her. "Kagome explained to me everything, and I remember her tales every time she came back to the village. I have no intentions to let them affect me. This child is the product of love, and as such, he or she will be treated. It doesn't matter if it won't be a full-fledged demon; if I have a pup strong and powerful as Inuyasha, I'll be the proudest mother."
"Very well, your child is lucky, indeed. We will be sure to fix the mistakes made with Inuyasha, and since he won't be the only hanyou around, it would be also easier for him to feel accepted. Inuyasha and his sons will never make the pup feel out of place."
Overall, Kimi and Rin's relationship was very curious. They spent a lot of time together, but one could see that Rin wasn't still very much at ease alone with her, that's why most of the time Asuka or Fumie – or Masako and one of Hayato's granddaughters – tried to join their meetings. Kimi didn't dislike the young human at all, but just as it had required time for Kagome to get used to her bearing, it was no different for Rin.
Nevertheless, Rin was glad of the demoness' company every time Sesshomaru had other things to deal with. She knew she was lucky not to be alone and if that meant spending so much time with her curious mother-in-law, so be it.
Much to Rin's dismay, time with Sesshomaru was never so much during the day, and more often than not, she met him only when she was already in bed or, other times, he joined her when she was sleeping. She had been very disappointed, in the beginning, but she realized that hers had been very immature behaviour. Sesshomaru was the Inu-no-Taisho, after all, and he had many responsibilities; he was a very busy demon. Nonetheless, the dai-youkai tried to find time for her as much as he could, and it had happened just twice that he arrived in their bed chambers when Rin was already asleep.
Their life together was a discovery, and Rin was learning to love every bit of it, even if it came with the weight of being the new Lady of the West. It was everything she had always dreamt for, and he was worth the wait. It didn't matter if sometimes he couldn't find time for her – at least, that's what she told herself the first time when his absence made her feel sad and alone – they were together, and it was the only thing that mattered.
It was deep in the night, and Inuyasha and Kagome had left West almost twenty days ago when it happened.
It had been a perfectly fine day for Sesshomaru: he had woken up very soon, kissed his mate on the lips, and then, he had started his busy routine.
He had a meeting with an old ally from the southern lands, who had wished to offer him his congratulations for his surprising mating, among the other things. He had taken a walk through the training halls to check how everyone was fairing after the many losses they had suffered. As soon as the valley had returned to its old glory, Katsuro had been forced to hold some emergency entry tests and start new training to reinforce the army, and now everyone was busier than usual. Sesshomaru and Inuyasha had even taken part when the half-demon was still in the West.
When the day had finally ended, he had retired in his rooms and had found his mate waiting for him. He would have liked to make love to her that night, find comfort in her embrace, but he had immediately noticed her discomfort. Morning sickness – or whatever it was that affected human women so much – was bothering her again.
They had fallen asleep without any problems, and when he woke up, he thought it was already sunrise.
However, when the metallic smell Sesshomaru always associated with blood filled his nostrils, and he opened his eyes, darkness still surrounded him.
Yet, the scent of blood was everywhere.
A/N: I end up laughing every time I think of Inuyasha saying words like "magnanimous". Anyway, he was taunting them – he wouldn't use such a word otherwise.
Well, this was a pretty bad cliffy, but if you think about it, you can easily understand what's in store for the next chapter. Meanwhile, have you watched Yashahime's new episode? I found it quite boring.
Thanks for reading so far, until next time!