Before the Oncoming Storm

By Zaru

Summary: The great Inutaisho has returned full force from the world of spirits. He follows the scent of his youngest son only to become mesmerized by the sweet scent of Sesshomaru's ward left behind in the village.

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. It was created by Rumiko Takahashi.

A/n: The first real chapter of the story is finally out! I hope you guys enjoy!

~~~~~~Chapter 1~~~~~~

Rin stood there, not understanding who this stranger could possibly be. Same hair color. Same eye color. But the armor was different and so were his markings. Was there a chance he was related to her Lord Sesshomaru or Inuyasha? Or was he someone Sesshomaru had sent to come get her. She needed to know.

"Um, hello there." She finally said with a small wave of her hand. "Might you be acquainted with Lord Sesshomaru?"

Inutaisho leaned up from his bow and smiled. "Yes, my dear girl. I am, as a matter of fact, acquainted with your Lord Sesshomaru in more ways than one." He took a step forward. "I am Inutaisho. And who you might be, lovely human?"

Rin blushed when he said she was lovely. "Um, I am Rin. It is nice to meet you, Lord Inutaisho." She bowed respectively.

The taiyoukai was pleased with Rin. She had learned well about her manners toward nobility. He walked the rest of the way toward her, leaning down on one knee and took her smaller hand in his large clawed one.

"I am pleased to meet you as well, Rin." He lowered his face to her hand and brushed his lips against the back of it. "I never believed such beauty was this close to me as I see before me."

She could feel crimson riding up her cheeks and pulled her hand away slowly, bringing it close to her chest.

"Thank you, my lord, for your generous compliment." Rin turned suddenly hoping Inutaisho did not catch sight of her flushed face. It was already embarrassing that he held her hand and kissed it. "Um, my lord, did Lord Sesshomaru send you to me?"

The dog demon's mind flew with many thoughts. His reason for being there was to retrieve Izayoi and Inuyasha. Yet this powerful scent pulled him away from his human lover and child. "Well, I was not sent by Sesshomaru at all, Rin. I am but on a short journey in search of my son and human mate."

Rin blinked. He has a human mate? "Is your mate close by, Lord Inutaisho? Perhaps I might know of her." The small human moved back a little to kneel back down in the center of the flowery field, continuing to pick some flowers.

Inutaisho was still bent on his knee and watched as she picked them. "My mate goes by the name of Izayoi. The scent of her is faint, but I believe she is nearby."

"Hmm." Rin stopped and looked into the sky, deep in thought. "I know most of the people in the village, but I do not remember one that has that name." Her lips fell into a frown. "I am sorry that I cannot be of help to you."

The demon lord just smiled. "That is all right." He licked his lips. "Perhaps you know of my son."

"Well, if you have a human mate, he would be a half-demon, correct?" She asked. When she saw him nod, she continued. "I do know of a couple demons that live in the village with us and a half-demon. He goes by the name of Inuyasha."

Inutaisho's amber eyes widened. "Inuyasha, you say?"

"Yes."

"Could you… take me to him?"

Rin just smiled warmly and stood up, a bundle of flowers in her arms. "Why of course I can. He and his wife live in the village with us. Lord Inuyasha and Lady Kagome will be happy to have new company I'm sure."

The demon gestured with his hand for her to take the lead and the two of them walked through the flowers and toward the human village.

Kagome and Inuyasha finally made it back to the village, the half-demon still holding Kagome in his arms. She was concerned for her mate. Nothing like that had ever happened before and the priestess hoped they would be able to find some answers soon.

"Inuyasha, are you sure you're all right?" His mate wondered. "Are you in any pain?"

Inuyasha set her down and planked his butt on the ground. It was still a bewildering situation he got himself pulled into. What could be so important in his right eye that the poor demon deserved the intensifying pain?

"Inuyasha?" Kagome asked again, setting a small, comforting hand on top of his head. "Please answer me."

The half-demon began to mumble some incoherent words that the young woman was unable to identify. A sigh escaped her knowing there would be no answer right away. So, she decided to leave him there until he was up to speaking with her again.

Walking away, the old priestess Kaede walked out of her hut and stopped Kagome in her path.

"Oh, hello there, Kagome." The old woman smiled.

"Hello, Kaede. Are you all right today?" The raven-haired priestess was overly worried for the old woman's health. It was declining these days and taking care of Rin on top of herself was enough to exhaust her.

Kaede just smiled, the many wrinkles around her mouth curving like smiles, too. "Oh, I am fine today, Kagome. Let ye not worry about this old woman for ye has your own burden to worry about." She motioned over to Inuyasha who now sat with his arms in the fire-rat haori, still mumbling to himself.

The young woman shook her head. "I know, Kaede." She sighed. "The weirdest thing happened on our walk back to the village."

"Oh?" The older woman was very interested. "What did happen to ye, Kagome?"

"Well, something came out of Inuyasha's eye."

Kaede's eyebrows narrowed. "His eye? Which eye?"

"The right."

Kaede grabbed a hold of Kagome's arm and headed toward the half-demon. "Perhaps whatever came out of Inuyasha's eye is the pearl that his father had hid his grave."

Inuyasha's dog ears perked up after hearing what Kaede said. "What'd ya say?" He stood abruptly and speeded toward her, gripping her upper arms. "The pearl? Is that what you think was taken from my eye, Kaede?" At her nod, his shoulders slumped and he let go of her. If it was the pearl that escaped from his right eye, who could have done such a thing? Why would they want the place where his father laid to rest? The questions just kept coming, with no answer to follow.

Inutaisho and Rin were near the human village finally. The two were in deep conversation about Inuyasha. She'd smile when the demon would let out a hearty laugh as she told of funny things dealing with his son. It felt warm for some reason. She felt completely safe around him. But Rin couldn't help but wonder why as those kind of feelings lasted when Sesshomaru was around. Possibly the fact that he somehow reminded her of her lord made her at ease. And the little human couldn't help but have many thoughts plunder her mind as well. Who really was this demon associated with Lord Sesshomaru? And if Inuyasha was his son and Sesshomaru was Inuyasha's elder brother, was there a chance that this chivalrous demon before her was also the father of her Lord Sesshomaru?

She stopped in her tracks, not wanting to move on until she received an answer. "Lord Inutaisho?"

The silver-haired taiyoukai stopped and turned to face her. "Yes, dear Rin?"

"Are you…the father of Lord Sesshomaru as well?"

Inutaisho let out a heavy sigh. "You are very smart, although it did take you a bit to figure that out." He let out a chuckle.

But if it was true with what she was hearing, then why did Sesshomaru tell her before that he had died from battle wounds? How could he be here now? Could her lord, whom she loved very much, lie to her? But why would he?

TBC…

A/n: Okay. The official first chapter. Although short, I hope you enjoyed either way. More chapters soon to come.

Zaru-san