You and Me After All
Chapter 38: Reunion
The genbu army pulled back, and the antidote was given away. In a whirl of black and silver, their adversary — including their poisoned lord — retreated, leaving the inuyōkai army behind.
Rinnosuke and Seirin rushed to their cousin and his human bride. The raven-haired woman was conscious, just barely, but she was extremely pale. She was swaying on her feet, beads of cold sweat dotted her skin. Seconds later, her eyes rolled into the back of her head and she buckled.
Sesshōmaru caught her just in time and laid her upon the fallen leaves on the ground.
"Your entrance is as dramatic as always," Rinnosuke said as he knelt beside her and hurried to take her wrist and check her pulse. His forehead creased in consternation.
"It is not meant to be this way," Sesshōmaru replied, trying to stay within an arm's reach but without hovering or crowding his cousin's assessment. "We had planned to slip through the woods quietly and undetected."
"The question is why cross the woods in the first place. Why not fly over it, or — especially considering your bride's delicate condition, spend the night at the inn. You could have sent us another message and we would have sent a convoy to Harbour Town to escort you home."
Sesshōmaru stared helplessly at his cousin. "Yes."
"Also, you smell strongly of vomit."
Sesshōmaru sighed. "Yes."
His examination concluded, Rinnosuke gently placed her hand on the ground and shook his head. "I do not understand how you have allowed her to reach this point. She is starving. The child has taken too much life force from her, and it needs to be replenished urgently."
When Sesshōmaru did not move, Rinnosuke frowned. "What are you waiting for? Come here and hold her."
"No," Sesshōmaru said, shaking his head grimly. "It cannot be me."
His cousin's eyes flickered with confusion. "Why not? You are the child's father. Your yōki is the most ideal—"
"I took her by force," Sesshōmaru told his cousins.