I Do Not Own InuYasha
Aienkien
合縁奇縁
A couple strangely but happily united;
Uncanny relationship formed by a quirk of Fate;
The mysteries of attraction and relationships or bonds between people
II: 13
Year 1308...
Somewhere in Kyoto, Japan...
"You need practice," he stated seeing the blooming bruises on her throat again. He also scented his father all over her, which annoyed him. Sesshōmaru knew that Rin would never betray him, or defile herself with another, she was however an unmated human and that was a rarity. But he savored this sweet scent, fertile, woman, but clean, pure, she was innocent.
"Practice?"
"We will spar, tomorrow," he decided. He would have his mate prepared to fight again, she seemed younger this time. It was a bit strange, but he marveled at her beauty.
"I do not believe I can…" she started.
"I will retrieve you," he warned.
Rin sighed, he could sense her exasperation but didn't mind as he touched his nose to her temple. She was always a formidable warrior, the fact his father had gotten his claws on her twice in such a short time unsettled Sesshōmaru, but then again she was surprisingly young. He had never seen her so young or scented her innocence. It was nice. He wondered though, he wondered why she was so unnervingly young.
"Why are you here?" she asked him.
"You," he replied. He had come for his mate because he had missed her. The last time they had been together had been in that tent, and the Mongol invasion was in full swing. He remembered every minute of it, and he had missed her. She had dove down Honekui no Ido after the success of stemming off the invasion, but he hadn't seen her to celebrate their victory. Rin had been crucial to their success, and her knowledge of coming events had saved them.
"Me!?" she sputtered.
"I will see you tomorrow," he promised and took her back to the humans, he chuckled as he left her bewildered and confused and as close to the human party she had been tracking as he dared to go. Sesshōmaru was not uncomfortable amongst humans, but he was aware they were not comfortable around him, and his mate needed their protection. Unlike the last time he had been with her she could not seek the protection of the pack with his father as alpha and not fighting a war. He was aware that his alpha and father hadn't known about Rin's involvement in the invasion.
Setting her down he gave her a swift peck on the lips and darted off to go seek out his mother and inform her of Rin's return. His mother was very fond of his human, and no doubt would want an audience with Rin. He paused though seeing his father returning the Tsuzuki Castle, there was blood on his father's shoulder and mokomoko, Sō'unga was sheathed on his father's back, but Sesshōmaru sensed his father's battle weariness.
"Sesshōmaru," his father turned on him, and he frowned as he hid his hands in his sleeves. The temptation to tear his father apart was a bit overwhelming.
"Father," he managed with the utmost neutrality he could muster because he was tempted to skewer his father for putting hands on Rin. However, not yet. Something in him always refrained from giving into his ultimate desire; now wasn't the time to strike, now wasn't the time to take the title Inu no Taishō, there was still much he had to learn; he knew that. Besides, he didn't think he was ready to take Sō'unga either, he had the power and the strength but he knew it took immense power to seal Sō'unga's voice away and he remembered Rin saying that to do it that would require two other fangs his father did not yet have. Until his father forged them Sesshōmaru was content to wait for his chance to strike. When he did strike he would kill his father. And he wasn't inclined to steal his mate's fang to do that, the fan was clearly something that wanted her, and when her fang was in his grasp it always pulsed with a familiarity he didn't know, which was unsettling.
"You will be travelling to Ryūkotsuse's lands, we are need of negotiating new trade contracts," he stated.
Sesshōmaru said nothing.
"By any means necessary, you are to accept his proposals if needed," Tōga warned him sharply.
"Proposals?" he arched a brow and frown.
"Ryūkotsuse has several eligible daughters, you will find it necessary to negotiate to have one as your mate," Tōga stated.
"I will not dishonor myself that way," Sesshōmaru snapped. "I will go and negotiate the trade but I will not defile myself with a low class dragon!" he seethed as he stalked into the shiro gardens. It didn't take long for him to find his mother, she was quietly playing biwa. His mother was a magnificent musician, his mate could not do anything beyond singing for the sake of his ears.
"Sesshōmaru, no warm greeting for your beloved mother?" she teased as she stopped playing and gingerly set the biwa aside.
"Mother," he inclined his head slightly.
"What is it?" she asked rearranging her silks and furs as she smiled at him.
"Rin has returned."
"Oh the little human is back!" her smile was one of genuine delight and with a predatory gleam to her as she clasped her claws together. His mother's magenta claws were a natural yōkai mark showing her poisonous and venomous nature, and it was the only warning she gave many. "I was aware of this, your father informed me the other day, but I am please you have confirmed this."
"Rin is with the humans at the Setsuna home," he stated.
"Very well, I will see to her safety, your father has informed me of his desire for you to go to Ryūkotsuse's lands," his mother said.
Sesshōmaru frowned.
"If you should bring any of those tarts to my shiro Sesshōmaru I will sic Rin upon them," she stated.
"Very well," he bowed slightly and smirked at his mother's boldness at such a declaration. It was one thing if a female was sent to them without the promise of a safe home, but another for if he brought one to their home voluntarily.
Year 1581...
Edo, Japan...
Kagome moaned as she lay back against her futon, her back was killing her, and her body ached, now though she had her best friend and practically her sister between her legs coaxing the child from her. It hurt! It hurt so badly, and there were claws slipping through her hair comforting.
"That's it Kagome! You're doing very well!" Sango praised her as Kaede prepared for the child. Kagome whimpered, she tasted blood on her lip as she squeezed her eyes shut.
"When I say you're going to push," Sango said.
"I can't!" Kagome admitted.
"You will, little one, you will," Kimi said in a low soothing tone. Briefly Kagome wondered why the inuyōkai was here but she didn't dwell on it as the pain started building up again.
"Alright," Sango said, and Kagome screamed, she couldn't contain this pain! It was tearing her apart, she screamed as something started pushing down and through her, she felt like she was being split in half! She wanted it over! She wanted the kid out of her!"
"Very good, I have the head, on the next one I'm going to want you to push again," Sango said. Kagome gasped for breath as the clawed hands slid encouragingly through her hair, she whimpered as the pain started building again with the pain another scream came as she bore down and felt the huge body slip from her and another cry join them.
"Very good Kagome!" Sango praised as Kaede took the child to clean it off. Kagome was gasping for breath as she lay there trying to catch her breath.
"And here you are, a healthy boy," Kaede said as she held the pup towards her, wrapped in the furs that InuYasha had collected for the child's blanket. Kagome reached for the pup and took him from Kaed smiling as she traced his face.
"He looks like Tōga," Kimi declared, which had Kagome looking at the woman who was perched rather motherly behind her. Kagome looked back at her baby and smiled, he had silver hair which seemed to be downy in texture, his father's ears, and brilliant amber eyes, she smiled at the pup. Slowly, not as intensely as before Kagome felt another pain starting with blinding ferocity, which had her whimpering.
"Hold steady child, the second pup is coming," Kimi said taking her pup from her. Kagome gasped as the pain rolled over her and she bit her lip again as she writhed at the agony taking over.
"Second one!?" Sango gasped.
"Pups are born in litters, this pup is coming swiftly, it's heart is steady," Kimi stated. Kagome just wanted this over! She whimpered at the agony as it continued building in intensity.
Her pup was crying now, and she screamed as Sango started ordering her to push. Kagome couldn't contain this pain, she couldn't bear it to herself, she wanted her mom!
Shippō was a bit startled as he was out hunting a few demons when Kirara landed with Kohaku on her back. He hadn't told anyone where he was going, and Kagome's impending due date drawing near he felt the need to leave his adoptive skulk had been good for everything, but he knew that he should leave them some time to acclimate to having new kits to care for. InuYasha would never kick Shippō out, he knew that, InuYasha was far too much like a big brother or surrogate father for him to do so, but Shippō knew the inu hanyō would want time with his new pack alone. Kitsune hid their families away until the young were old enough to venture about safely, he didn't know about inuyōkai.
Shippō's skulk had originally only consisted of himself, his mother and his father, and he didn't get adopted by another kitsune skulk because there were none around, the fact he was raised by a human miko and inu hanyō was very odd indeed. Still, he was comfortable enough with his own kitsune tendencies and humans around that he just followed his instincts which was to give his surrogate parents space. He had done this after their official mating too, it was good for him for he had found adventures with Rin and Kohaku.
It also took his mind off the dreams he had of the young raijū yōkai which had lately taken to plaguing him. They had as a kit but he had been able to ignore them, now though he found them impossible to ignore and very vexing. The vixen was always at the forefront of his mind, whether he wanted her there or not.
Now though he could not drag Rin off with him on wild adventures, Rin was a proper lady, or going to be, and he couldn't invite her on dangerous yōkai quests when; despite how she behaved, she was very fragile and human. Sesshōmaru-sama would have his head if anything happened to Rin! Or worse, Jaken would. Shippō had left a few moons back so he couldn't be tempted to invite her. He had invited Kohaku, in vain hopes that his human friend would cease pining after Rin, Sesshōmaru-sama was never going to let Rin mate or marry anyone else, not with already having laid a powerful claim on her. And Kohaku didn't understand that, which lead to his human friend pining after Rin.
So Shippō was surprised when he was exploring a new territory that Kohaku and Kirara landed by him.
"Shippō! You need to come quick!" Kohaku said.
"What!? Why!? What's happened!?" he demanded, his friend reeked of distress and worry.
"It's Rin! She fell in the Honekui no Ido!" Kohaku explained which had Shippō leaping onto Kirara quickly before they took to the air.
Rin, unlike Kagome, wasn't supposed to be able to go through the well! He was panicked for his dearest human friend, the only other child he knew who understood what it was like to be taken in by the opposite species and to love them! He needed his friendship with Rin!
Year 1308...
Setsuna Castle...
"Rin! You are alright!" Izayoi breathed coming forward, Rin found herself embraced in the woman's arms before the woman pulled away grasping her hands.
"I am fine," she promised her friend with a smile and a reassuring squeeze before she looked at Daisuke who was passed out. The wound had been crudely cauterized, but it was effective.
"Who was that!?" Izayoi whispered as Rin examined her work.
"Who?"
"The yōkai who attacked us," she clarified.
"That was Tōga, he is the Inu no Taishō of the Shikoku InuYōkai Clan," she said. "He is a great general, and a powerful warrior, he is said to be the greatest inu daiyōkai ever sired, second only to my lord."
"Are you alright!?" Izayoi whispered.
"I am fine," Rin promised. She was actually surprised that she had a meeting with Tōga in the morning, she was also surprised the hatred with which he possessed for humans and her. Rin had heard from many that her lord's father was a great defender of humanity, but the inu daiyōkai she had just met hated her with a fiery passion, though why she didn't know. It seemed that he also hated her specifically. Which was odd because Rin could never recall having met him before; Tōga was dead in her era. Rin had seen the grave, seen the inu daiyōkai's skeleton. She was aware he was dead and the manner in which he died. Which was what had her turning to look at Izayoi, her cheeks were rosy and her eyes were looking anywhere but at Rin or Daisuke. Daisuke was out for the time being, pain having overwhelmed his consciousness and Rin decided she needed to deal with Izayoi.
"Was that him?" Rin asked as she finished bandaging the damaged stump of Daisuke's arm.
"Was who him?" Izayoi asked.
"Was Tōga the man you've been dreaming of?" Rin asked with a teasing smile. The woman paled drastically, looking like her face was painted with oshiroi.
"How…?"
"Relax," she chuckled, standing and cleaning her hands on the edge of her kimono. The woman however didn't look relaxed. "I am aware because I dreamt of my lord, no other reason," Rin promised.
"He was so terrifying," Izayoi whispered. "But…"
"But?" Rin prompted as they started walking through Setsuna's halls for the healer's wing to put the herbs they had collected away or to cure them.
"But I wanted… I felt compelled to… trust… him, which is a terrible thing because he had you by the throat and cut Daisuke's arm off," she shuddered at the mention of the terrible acts she had witnessed. Rin did not. She remembered with glee the time her lord had massacred the human daimyō who had stolen her from her home and her pack, her lord's retrieval of her had been most bloody and violent. She had been so happy to see her lord, even when he was covered in blood and there'd been a finger tangled in his bangs, he had looked so livid. Especially considering the situation he had found her in, the foolish daimyō had not lived the night out when her lord had finally gotten to her.
"There is not shame in trusting him," Rin assured the woman.
"And how would you know?" Izayoi hissed. "He threatens my people daily with his mere existence!" she snarled. "I despise him and his kind."
"Do not despise someone you do not know," she informed the older woman. "And there is no shame in feeling like you can trust him, he is a powerful inu daiyōkai, wild, he is not like an inugami. And I am certain that you will find your life is far more entangled in his than you could ever expect or deny."
"I do not care," Izayoi dismissed.
Rin chuckled humorlessly at that. Izayoi seemed to be where a lot of InuYasha's views came from. The stubbornness was definitely from his mother.
"Rin?"
"Yes my lady," she looked at the older woman who looked lost in thought for a bit.
"Where you scared of him?" she asked quietly. "When he had you by the throat."
Rin frowned as she thought about this. She could lie, say she wasn't scared, she could admit that it wasn't the best plan of hers, but she also didn't know if she had been scared. She had definitely been startled, for daiyōkai speed and strength were startling when they were used to the fullest. Her lord had rarely ever let his true power or abilities be seen or felt, she had only known that he was so powerful because no one could purify him and he was the perfect daiyōkai in power and energy.
"I do not think I was scared," she admitted. "I was startled, I hadn't seen him coming at me, nor did I sense him, and I was furious he dare to attack me. But I do not believe I was scared."
"Were you not afraid he would kill you?"
"No," Rin admitted. "Death is an inevitable part of life, but I will not die yet, I will not die until my lord asks for my life, and even then I do not believe he would let me die in peace. My life is my lord's, it is his to take or to give, it is not mine to surrender."
"That's not right Rin, you are no better than a slave."
"No, my lord brought me back from death's clutches, I was dead, and he returned by soul to me, I will forever give him everything I have and if he should ever ask for my life it is his to take," she shrugged. Should Sesshōmaru ever ask for her life she would gladly give it to him, he was her everything and could have whatever he asked for from her, she had no qualms returning her life to him. But her lord had no intentions of doing that, or asking for that, just yet, she knew this. She didn't know what her lord was after from her now, but it wasn't her life.
