On a lovely windy day is when Sesshomaru and Rin decided to finally become untired formally in marriage. Because of his royal standing it was going to be a luxurious and large wedding with people invited from all over the world, even if he didn't want that it was expected of him. Rin had asked if she could invite friends of her own, people outside of the court, and Sesshomaru saw no problem with this so of course Kagome, Sango, Miroku, Shippo, Kaede, Kohaku, all the children, and yes even Inuyasha came. He didn't at all want to come because there was still some tense feelings between he and Sesshomaru even after all this time but Kagome forced him to with threats and many "sit" commands. He sat outside cross legged and cross armed, mumbling in a heated and upset way. It was aggravating to get all of his children here and even more so to get them to sit down and be quiet.
Sango and Miroku had less children than Inuyasha, stopping after three, but their son was still rather young and boisterous. Yet it seemed they were much better at keeping him silent which made Inuyasha jealous of their many different skills in parenting. Kagome was a little jealous too but she could expect nothing less of her best friend who was so good at balancing multiple things at once. Those weren't the only familiar faces at their wedding, Daichi and his family had come as well as Lady Akino and her now more grown-up kits. She had since become the Lady of the frozen north but remained in the forest to live out the rest of her days. Rin had her lady servants attending to her, helping her get dressed and look her best. Kagome was also in there too, peeking outside every now and then to check up on her children and husband. She smiled at Rin who was close to being ready.
"You look beautiful," She complimented, helping to put on Rin's makeup while her servants brushed through her hair trying to style it. "You're going to knock 'em dead."
"Do I look that good?"
"Absolutely. Tilt your head up some and there. Perfect. Just look at you, you're glowing."
Rin looked at herself in the small mirror provided for her and couldn't help but smile. She thought for the first time she really did look beautiful and she felt it too. She was now ready to greet her soon to be husband who had been waiting for her this whole time. Sesshomaru stood there not feeling an ounce of nervousness but enthralled and excited about the whole prospect of being married to Rin, though as per usual it never showed on his face. Only those that knew him well could tell he was over joyed, his mother knew it well. She could tell by the look in his eyes. When Rin came down the aisle that feeling maximized until he was radiating all over with love and bliss, overflowing with it in fact. She looked stunning with her hair done up in a traditional way full of golden trinkets that jingled in the wind. Her kimono was long and white full of red chrysanthemums, yellow sunflowers, and peachy pink plum blossoms. It trailed to the floor concealing her dainty feet, following behind her in a long train. Her makeup was simplistic with red lips and pink eyeshadow, her blush all natural. When she got to his side her blush intensified and she shyly looked downward before meeting his eyes which was gazing inter her penetratingly, so full of longing to kiss her and to love her forever more.
Once their vows of eternal love were exchanged so were the rings and after that they kissed gingerly, not wanting to be too passionate in front of so many people. Kagome was blubbering, trying to wipe off her tears with the many tissues she brought. It was like she was the mother seeing her daughter get her prince charming and live happily ever after. In some respect Kagome did feel like Rin's mother in a way, she had helped raise her since she was a child and now she was seeing her grow up so beautifully and would be having children of her own soon. It was a lot for her to take in. Once the ceremony was over they all celebrated after words with drinks and food and Rin flittered from person to person exchanging greetings with her now husband and hugging everyone she could. Everyone gave their blessings to the happy couple, wishing them good fortune and a long life. When they got to Miroku and Sango, Miroku just had to overstep some boundaries.
"May she be blessed with fruitful loins."
"Miroku!" Sango seethed, nearly slapping him across the head. "I apologize for his brazenness. We only wish you true happiness in this life and whatever awaits you after."
"What did I say wrong? I only want to bestow my blessings onto her."
"It's alright Sango," Rin pacified. "I'm sure he means well. Thank you."
Sesshomaru did not like the comment but said nothing as he did not want to ruin this special day for Rin. Rin escaped her lover's arm to see Kohaku and talk to him next, beaming at him and his new girlfriend, Hayai, who was also a demon slayer from another village. They talked for a while leaving Sesshomaru alone with Jaken by his side who had enjoyed the festivities for the most part but like his master did not enjoy talking to so many people. They both preferred to be in solitude or at least in Sesshomaru's case, with the one he loved most. It was then that he realized that he was somehow now next to Inuyasha who was trying to enjoy the food but was still sore and sour about having to be here at all. He would have much rather been at home, snoozing the day away, but instead here he was surrounded by all types of nobility who were judging him for being what he was, at least he assumed that's why they kept staring at him. When he bumped into Sesshomaru at first he yelled out, "Hey watch it!" Not caring who it was because he was not in the mood but when he noticed who he was speaking to he only responded with,
"Oh, it's you. I guess I should say congratulations or something…"
"Hm."
"You know to be honest I never thought this was going to happen, you and Rin I mean. You were so stubborn and hated humans and half breeds. I'm still shocked by it."
"I never thought it would happen either but I regret nothing."
"Damn…she really has changed you."
"Yes…she has…"
Inuyasha stared on in wonder at his half brother and that wonderment only continued when Sesshomaru finally explained something to Inuyasha. He told him all about the ningyo and what their scales could do. He explained where he had found her and that you must trade something special and valuable to you to get one. Inuyasha's eyes widened. He had, like Sesshomaru, heard of these creatures but thought that they were myths or legends to be told to kids to scare them to do the right thing or to avoid something. He had no clue they were real and that their powers were real too!
"But why are you telling me this?"
"So that you don't have to suffer with her mortality," Sesshomaru clarified, looking right at Kagome who was still heavily pregnant. She kept saying that she and Rin's new children would grow up together and be the best of friends.
"Why do you care about that? About me? Don't you hate me?"
"No…not anymore," he admitted with a soft voice, no longer did he carry a tone of superiority or belligerence. Inuyasha was gawking at him, cleaning out his ears briefly because he couldn't believe what he just heard.
"Excuse me? Are you serious?! After all this time you just decided to get up one day and not hate me? Why?"
"Rin. After she became my mate and was revealed to be with child, I thought of you. If I could come to love my son or any other future children then why do I still hate you? If you were born a true demon such as myself I would have not hated you as much, I would have taught you and battled by your side. All because of our father's decisions I came to loathe you just for being what you were and the sword you were given."
Inuyasha was speechless for once. His mouth hung open at what was just said. He really couldn't believe it. All his life people had hated him and avoided him because of what he was and when he was little he didn't understand. His mother had to comfort him and explained everything, that he was basically an abomination to both the human world and the demon world, living on the fringes of both but accepted by neither. He was looked down upon by demons and seen as a hideous creature by humans, there was no winning so all his life he lived alone and when his mother passed he was even more lonesome than before, assuring himself that no one besides her would ever come to accept him. Then he met Kagome, Sango, Miroku, and Shippo and they all became friends despite their species differences. He saw through them and the many others he met along the way that he could be accepted and without them he didn't know what he'd do or where he'd be. He certainly didn't imagine this life he was leading now with all his friends by his side and Kagome as his wife with what was going to be six children. He was the happiest he had ever been and it was all thanks to them, more specifically it was thanks to her, to Kagome. If Kagome could change him this much, could take him away from the path of evil, could love him and change him….was it so impossible for Rin to do the same to Sesshomaru?
Now as he looked up at the man he did see a softness in his eyes and he heard it in his voice. He was no longer the stubborn prideful bastard he had been who put up a wall of ice around himself and his heart. No he was something more…something different and even Inuyasha could say that it was the best thing that happened to the man, that Rin was the best thing that happened to him. Rin rejoined his side, grinning up at Sesshomaru with a blush on her cheeks. They both looked so in love with each other that even Inuyasha, dense as he could be, saw it instantly. He had never seen Sesshomaru so at peace, so content, so loving. It was strange but welcomed in comparison to what once was there. He had given up his sword for Rin…what would Inuyasha give up for Kagome? He touched his sword hilt briefly. If asked for it…would he? He then decided he would for he too could not imagine a life without Kagome, the thought alone destroyed him and made a tight ball appear in his throat that was hard to swallow without crying. He was thankful to Sesshomaru, for the first time in his life he was utterly thankful and indebted to him for giving him the information that could make Kagome live a longer life. Without using any words, he thanked Sesshomaru and without using any words Sesshomaru told him "You're welcome…my brother."
After all the celebrating had been done it was time for the honeymoon, one of the few things Jaken was not allowed to come to so he was left to attend to the castle. Once they came back Sesshomaru look well rested as did Rin. For months on end Jaken waited on Rin hand and foot and Sesshomaru was no better, following behind her, watching her every move, even helping her bathe. The handmaids were also helping where they could as they did not want to appear lazy. Then one day Rin exclaimed as something wet was coming down her legs, her water had broken. Everyone be they staff member or not rushed to her aid and swiftly try to get this baby delivered safely. A while ago Rin had been assigned a midwife who would help take care of her during the pregnancy and the birth and once it was time for the baby to come out she shut everyone else out of the room she was in, including Sesshomaru. He couldn't believe they did that to him but he had never seen a birthing before and had no idea what the procedures for this were. It must be normal for husbands to wait, he thought, and so he waited, pacing and back and forth with Jaken pacing with him, chewing on a stalk of wheat so hard it broke in half. He was just as worried about this as his master was and he prayed that the baby be born healthy. He had given Rin many talismans of good health and done all he could in making sure she was taken care of. All they could do now was wait. It seemed to take hours and Sesshomaru could barely stand sitting outside of that door hearing his beloved crying out in pain and smelling her blood permeating the atmosphere.
It was enough to drive him to enter the room even though he was strictly told he was not allowed. He was the lord of this domain, he would do as he pleased and he could no longer stand it, the thought of her in agony and he not with her to help her through it, to be with her. He burst into the room, fully intent on aiding his wife in any way he could but just as he did it appeared he need not to for being cleaned up and crying, all swaddled up in a blanket was the writhing form of his child. They had already cut the umbilical cord and washed up Rin, some of the nursemaids were carrying bloody towels away and excusing themselves as they went past Sesshomaru. One person tried to tell him it was still not time yet and push him back but he knocked them over in order to get to his much-loved mate and pup. He went to her side and grasped her hand, asking if she was alright. She told him she was fine, just a bit sore in her lower area and stomach. It had been agonizing but finally after all her hard work of pushing the baby was finally here and he was strong and healthy.
The midwife delivered the baby into Rin's arms, allowing her to at last hold her son. She cradled him closely and cuddled him, cooing to him softly. He was beautiful. He had white hair just like his father but no crescent moon marking, he had small pointed ears and a skin tone that matched his father's as well but there was light freckling on his cheeks. She kissed his little nose and stared at him lovingly. They had created this, they two together out of love. Sesshomaru looked on at his son, utterly enchanted and fascinated by the small thing. He was so pink and so tiny, he felt this strong urge inside of him to protect him at all costs and to love the boy with all his heart. The child opened his eyes, they were brown like hers with a spot of gold in the very center making it look like he had sunbeams in his eyes. Sesshomaru reached out and with his hand that had slain so many and poison claws that could easily harm someone he gingerly caressed through the white hair of his son and stroked his cheek with the upmost gentleness, as if the child was a very fragile thing. The boy took his small hand and grasped onto one of Sesshomaru's fingers tightly. Sesshomaru's heart all but stopped and melted at that action. Looking at his newborn son he could not help what came next, he let out a solitary tear of pure raw joy and emotion. Rin's heart then melted too at seeing that and a watery smile graced her face. She too began to cry happily.
"He's perfect," Sesshomaru stated. "What will you call him?"
"Taiyokosen, for his eyes and because he shines brightly in our lives."
"Taiyokosen," Sesshomaru repeated to himself then repeated once more as he looked with a different kind of pride upon his son, a soft glow in his eyes. "My son…"
"I love you Sesshomaru."
He kneeled down on one knee and whispered sweetly into her ear so that no one else could hear this precious private moment between them, "I love you, Rin."
10 years later.
Rin awoke from her long nap to be greeted with a now familiar sound. The sound of two blades clanging together into the afternoon air and the huffs and cries of a young boy as he struck something over and over again. Words of encouragement by an older male voice were heard along with it. Rin peeked outside from her window and saw her son and Sesshomaru sparring together. She smiled at decided she would go watch them. As she got dressed she thought of how much her life had changed over the years, she was now a wife to a successful demon royal and a mother of a burgeoning, powerful prince in the making. She could not be any happier. Over the years as he grew he became close to those he cared most about, his family and friends. He was the closest friends with Kagome's youngest, Mayumi, and the two became best of friends traveling everywhere together when he was not busy training. Rin passed by many memorabilia of all her journeys together with Sesshomaru and things given to her by her friends, good luck charms, talismans, scrolls, paintings, and books. She picked one up, it was a painting of all of her friends with her in the middle, given to her as a birthday gift and done by a well-known artist who was paid handsomely for his craft. She placed it down and went outside finding her husband and son at their daily routine, striking swords together in practice for whenever they had to do battle. Sesshomaru wanted his son to be prepared for war should it ever happen.
"Once more," Sesshomaru commanded.
His son nodded with a firm concentration on his face then struck again with his own sword. The sword had been given to him when he was of age enough to receive it, made from Sesshomaru's own fang called the Kowarenai kizuna. He used his sword well in fights and always won them even when dealing with beings much greater or bigger than he was. He charged again, fangs gritted, and struck out at Sesshomaru's sword making them noisily clang once more.
"Good form," He complimented causing his son to smirk and reply back with a thank you. "I think that's enough for today. Let's take a break and continue tonight."
"You will do this again tonight? Hasn't he trained enough?" Rin asked sincerely worried about her child.
"I love doing this mother. I love the rush of energy that flows through me as I strike out and the encouragement I get only pushes me to go harder, to be better! It's good for my muscles, for my body, and for the mind. It keeps me active."
"If you enjoy it then I won't stop you, Taiyoko," Rin obliged using the shortened version of his name that everyone called him.
He beamed showing full white teeth and fangs then turned his head hearing a voice say his name. It was his best friend Mayumi who had come to play with him. They were still young enough to wrestle and tussle about through the fields without worry. Mayumi, despite her cute name, was a regular tom boy who even wore male clothing instead of female. She greeted Sesshomaru with proper titles and a bow before bounding across the field and leaping onto Taiyoko and starting to play around with him. He caught her in his grasp and using his teeth tugged on her little black dog ears in a friendly way. Sesshomaru didn't mind at all his son being close with Kagome's daughter or any of their children, after all he had patched up things with he and Inuyasha and had heard that they were able to procure a scale from the ningyo though they never told what they offered her. It wasn't the sword for Inuyasha still carried that around but one had to wonder what it was. As they rolled on together through the grass, playing roughly and rowdily, Sesshomaru went towards Rin. As usual she looked stunning to him, with her hair out and shiny eyes looking at him with adoration. When he at last got to her and touched her his hand drew back at what he felt. He looked down at her stomach then up at her sweet face.
"You're…"
"Mhm," She hummed blissfully, placing his hand on her stomach. "Can you feel it?"
Sesshomaru closed his eyes and searched for the heartbeat that wasn't her own and found not one but two and once he felt that he looked up at her and did something rare, he smiled a genuinely affectionate smile. He kept his hand on her stomach for a while before inviting his son to feel as well. Both he and Mayumi, with t heir permission, touched there, marveling at what they felt and sensed within Rin.
"I'm going to be a big brother."
"And I'll have more cousins to play with!" Mayumi excitedly proclaimed, grinning ear to ear much like her father might. She favored him in the eyes only everywhere else she looked exactly like her mother.
"Do you know what they will be?" Sesshomaru questioned.
"It's too early for me to tell but your mother seems to think they will both be girls and she hasn't been wrong yet. Two little princesses."
"What will you name them mother?"
"I haven't thought of any names yet… but I do like the name Setsuna."
"Setsuna…little sister Setsuna. I will protect you!"
Sesshomaru looked up into the heavens remembering his father's question of did he have someone to protect. He would now fully admit that he did have someone, more than one, he had an entire family to protect. His son, his wife, his little girls, and he was even somewhat responsible for Inuyasha's children too if he was around them he would protect them too. He placed his unoccupied hand on the top of his son's noble head causing him to look up and smile proudly at his father, respecting him and loving him deeply. He adored his son just as much as he adored Rin and he swore he would protect them both and any future children that they created. Rin and Sesshomaru kissed under the setting sun, promising to love each other and protect each other until the very end Sesshomaru was thankful for the blood moon now, whereas before he thought it a wretched thing that cursed him, for without it he would have never gotten with Rin. Their life, their love, their children all started because of that moon and Sesshomaru and Rin were forever grateful of that.
[AN: I hope you enjoyed the short but sweet ending of this story. Love you all and thank you for reading!]
