A Bitter Dessert

In hindsight, Rin knew it couldn't have been kept a secret.

Moonlight streamed through the window of her study, strips of silver dancing upon the shaded areas of scrolls where her candles' amber glow couldn't reach. She brushed her fingers to her lips and recoiled at the bitter taste of honey between her fingers. A disdainful look, almost sheepish and resigned, cast toward the emptied bowl of candies. Sticky honeysuckle coated the bottom of its wooden surface glinting in the candlelight. Perhaps she had spent too long eating, she thought, as she set the bowl atop of six others piled at the other end of the low table.

Guardsmen and attendants walked quietly about the halls as Rin turned over scroll after scroll. Numerous laid half-rolled and tied in a pile at her side while others were splayed out across the table's surface, only given sideways glances before being covered with another. Between readings, her tongue pressed to the roof of her mouth and the sweetness of honeysuckle gave way to the wanting of something meatier and if possible. A bit bloodier. She groaned into the palm of her hand, the sound almost drowning out the gentle hiss as the door opened.

"Spinning the night away by pouring over scrolls, little bird?" An aristocratic silvery voice called out to her, making Rin twitch upright when she heard.

The doorway was empty save for Inukimi and a plate of steaming cooked venison running just a bit with a pinkish-hue. Rin swallowed thickly, feeling herself salivating but refusing to let it show. Holding her head higher as the demoness slid the door shut and strode over, her robes barely touching the ground with each pace. Yet, she took up a place at Rin's side, casting the scrolls aside with a slight wave of her hand.

Rin stared in awe as the scrolls curled up at their mistress' behest and tethered themselves, stacking at the furthest end of the table. The sheer display in power might have been enough to astonish but the dish's tantalizing spicy scent left all pretense cast aside. Still, she noticed the lack of utensils and glanced aside at Inukimi. Moonlight reflected off her silver-white hair just as she smiled and raised a brow. Expectant and awaiting.

"Only attempting to fill a curiosity, mother," Rin said, not minding the juice coating her fingers as she squeezed one slice of meat and dangled it before her nose, slipping it into her mouth with a self-assured smile.

Inukimi scoffed, producing a pair of chopsticks from her sleeve. "Sating your curiosities is impossible," she said, tucking her hands into her sleeves once Rin plucked the utensils from her hand with a beatific smile around the mouthful of meat. "Like picking weeds from a garden. One rises, but others come in it's place."

After a few chews and a heavenly sigh, Rin cut a sidelong glance at the bemused demoness. "Are you implying my curiosity is a nuisance?"

"Merely insatiable, my dear," Inukimi said, waving a hand dismissively. "And easily remedied. After all, who would know better of a union between a inudaiyōkai and human than I?"

With the mistake of setting another piece between her teeth, Rin nearly choked on the the first bite and covered her mouth as she set it down with a clatter. She scooped up a nearby cup and took a long gulp, gasping for breath once she beat her fist against her chest. All the while, Inukimi watched her with careful consideration and concern. Only offering a light pat to the back before her touch receded to the dip of her lap.

Rin cleared her throat, feeling her embarrassment ebb away in return for trepidation. "I'm —"

"— With child," Inukimi finished.

A deafening silence echoed between them and Rin pressed her tongue to the inside of her cheek. She had a wealth of questions concerning Inukimi's knowledge of inu yōkai and suspicions of her own pregnancy. Though, she knew nothing short of answers and transparency would motivate the demoness to speak candidly. Or at least as candid as she could. Rin clenched her jaw, ruminating over the potential avenues as the candlelight simmered and only made Inukimi's eyes seem to glow.

With a sigh, Rin conceded and started to pick at her food once again. "How did you know…" She asked, taking another bite although mindful to chew slowly lest she be caught unawares and into another fit.

Inukimi seemed pleased by the question and there was a look in her eyes as she regarded Rin — respect, perhaps. "You've done well to hide your scent, the sick," Her gaze flitted to the plate of meat which was almost half-way depleted with how quickly Rin was eating. "And the differences in your appetite — but my son is no fool."

Any shred of calm Rin retained melted away and battered on her tongue as she thought, with no less love and concern, of her beloved husband. Sesshomaru was no fool but this was not a matter that could be broached easily. Her hand rest at her stomach. It hadn't been long enough that there was a definite change in her physique but she'd been careful. Perhaps too careful.

"He will know before long," Inukimi continued, glancing at her coolly. "With or without my involvement."

Rin bit back a scowl, chewing slowly. The dull humming of the summer heat filling the silence between them. If there was one similarity between Inukimi and Sesshomaru, it was their uncanny way of peeling back the layers of Rin's decorum with naught a word. It was their eyes. Of that, she was sure. Would their children have the same eyes as their father?

Hand settled over her stomach, Rin felt the energy mingle with the uncertainty. "Hanyō, mother," she said softly, resting her chopsticks against her plate, her fingers slipping against the wood's grain.

Inukimi's sharpened gaze softened with recognition then cooled with acceptance. "Yes," she said quietly. "Despite all that you've become, your children will still be hanyō."

Although there was a lack of distaste or even a snap in those words, they were a biting chill sending shivers down Rin's spine. Resignation. Or perhaps, acceptance. She looked at all of the scrolls strewn about. Beautiful script made by the hand of a daiyōkai long past who'd bridged the gap and brought the world two sons who were as different as they were alike, one hanyō and the other not. Her eyes shuttered, lashes brushing against her cheek as she turned her head toward the window where the view of the crescent moon shining down upon the palace twisted her stomach into knots.

Inukimi sighed. "Is your love any lesser?"

"No," Rin snapped, unable to control her voice in its pitch, almost growling at the thought. Inukimi raised a brow but Rin refused to back down, although her voice softened at the thought of someone with eyes much like hers. "But will his be…?"

"That I cannot say. Is that why you hide from him?"

Rin clamped her mouth shut then shook her head slowly. "No."

"You wished to be prepared," Inukimi suggested, tipping her head to one side.

Rin nodded. To doubt her husband was impossible. She trusted him with her entire self but it was the implication — the dangers to which carrying a hanyō posed — that worried her. Could he continue to live happily should she die?

Inukimi's expression smoothed in relief, a motherly touch brushed against the swell of Rin's cheek and curving to the underside of her jaw, tipping her head up. "I'm afraid where children are concerned, plans never are as they seem," she said, the look in her eyes almost sympathetic. "I only worry for you, little bird. I pass no judgment. They are my grandchildren after all."

Then, it dawned upon her. "You speak as if there are…"

Inukimi chuckled softly, covering her mouth with her sleeve. "Multiple?" She offered, a mischievous glint to her eyes. "Oh, yes. Two, in fact."

Rin leant away from her touch, nearly inching back from the softened pillow she sat on. Her hand pressing to her stomach as if she could feel not one but both children. "Twins…?"

"Twin girls," Inukimi corrected, joyous in the upturned curve of her lips.

Author's Note

I will never grow tired of Inukimi and Rin's bantering in ATAT. I touched on it some in It Takes A Village, but these two are rather close, and Inukimi may have rubbed off on Rin in many ways. With her and Kaede as motherly-figures, Rin becoming a sassy soul is pretty understandable. Anyhow, you guessed it, this is before the birth of Towa and Setsuna. I'm not sure how far along Rin is but she's been hiding it for some time and mulling things over with the help of the late Inu no Taishō.

I could ramble on and on about my ideas and what was going through my mind writing this but honestly, I believe it speaks for itself.

Thank you so much for reading and see you in the next update.