THIRTY
Kurenai giggled through tickling wet kisses and bouncing fur, "I really hate not being able to bring you guys." she rubbed the fur babies, "Mama will bring you treats okay? Make sure to behave, I'll call you."
Sesshoumaru has grown fond of this scenario; she adores the dogs as if they're her own pups and they adore her just the same. He can't help but imagine her with THEIR own pups. Okay, that's it, he's doomed. It seems he likes her more than he thought!
(Great demon.) Zodiac's voice echoed in Sesshoumaru's mind, and he looked at the dog but didn't respond, (Please, make sure she's away from danger.) the dog asked.
He turned his back on the dog as if to ignore him, /Hn./ he replied and the dog barked in gratitude.
Kurenai thought the dog is calling out to her, "Yes, handsome. I'll miss you too, you and your siblings stay out of trouble 'kay?" she got a lick in reply and she giggled, "Take care of them as always, Hannah." she told the short-haired brunette standing by the door.
Hannah's their adoptive cousin and one of the few people they fully trust to watch the dogs.
Hannah smiled, "Yep, I'll keep them entertained." her wide brown eyes wandered to the guy her cousin called Sesshoumaru. His handsome features are as exotic as his name and he caught her attention the moment she stepped foot in the house making her instantly regret not wearing something a little bit more enticing to highlight her best assets for those cool golden eyes to see. She'll have to keep that in mind once they get back.
"We're good to go guys!" Ren called out when he and Miguel shut the rear door of one of the two rental SUVs parked in front of the house.
Split in two groups, the men hopped on one car and the women and the kids got on the other, the dogs barked their goodbyes as the cars drove off.
A handful of paparazzi greeted them when they arrived at the airport and after shuffling through that, the siblings stopped for a few autographs and photos with fans they ran into.
Those from the Feudal era are in awe of how patient the siblings are with having people hovering around their personal space whenever they're outside especially knowing Kurenai's condition. But the siblings adore their fans and are grateful to them for the success they have now.
Finding some privacy at the airport lounge, they got comfortable while waiting for their flight. Inuyasha is busy snacking, Ren sipped on a cocktail, Miguel has his head down on his smartphone, Sango, Miroku, and Sesshoumaru relaxed on the couches while watching Kurenai and the kids.
Kurenai and Shippo are teaching Rin the alphabet. She taught Shippo to read, write and count whenever they have time at the Feudal era and thinks Rin should learn as well.
It's not just the kids, there's a lot she needs to teach the rest of her friends so they can navigate through her era on their own if needed. They're gonna be here a while, she tried researching for leads on restoring the well but didn't find anything.
"Papa!" Rin called out to Sesshoumaru and everyone tensed. The daiyoukai's new moniker will need some getting used to.
During dinner last night, the siblings encouraged Rin to address her admired Lord Sesshoumaru in a more casual way, it was the logical thing to do in this era. Rin excitedly asked the daiyoukai if she can call him 'papa' shocking everyone. Although for Sesshoumaru, it had been a shock in terms of how right it felt for the young girl to address him as such with Kurenai as her mama. Of course it didn't show on his face and he gave the most indifferent approval he can.
Kurenai however felt a little uncomfortable because she's concerned that it may not be sitting well with the proud Lord of the Western Lands to be called papa by Rin and then address a human as her mama. But as long as he's not voicing his disapproval, she'll indulge the child.
The siblings are also thankful that Miguel understood the 'playing house' situation. He understood that Rin, who's an orphan like the siblings, desire a family environment and found it in Kurenai and Sesshoumaru.
Rin stood in front of the daiyoukai in high spirits, "Mama taught me how to sing the alphabet! Listen!" The young girl took a deep breath and sang the popular nursery rhyme, "A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O... O... Mama, I forgot the rest." she looked over at her defeated.
"That's okay sweetheart, you did great for your first try. Not many kids can remember as much as you did." Kurenai encouraged then threw a look at the daiyoukai silently urging him to do the same.
{Now's your chance.} his beast automatically jumped in.
/Let this Sesshoumaru move on his own, you are only allowed to interfere when this Sesshoumaru has erred/ he declared.
{It will be too late if I let you make a mistake, arrogant dog.} the beast snarled, {Fine, let's see what you can do.} the beast stepped back.
Sesshoumaru looked at the young girl who's waiting for his opinion, "You fared well Rin." with that, Rin clasped her hands together happily before jogging back to Kurenai.
"She's a really smart girl, she'll learn quickly." Kurenai told Sesshoumaru.
"I shall leave her education to you. As you know, from where we're from, people don't see the need for women to be educated like men." he replied.
Her eyebrows shot up and she scoffed, "Which is clearly a mistake because women are totally capable of doing what men can and much more."
"Indeed." the one word has such weight because as he said it, he looked at Kurenai intently, relaying the thought that she is a fitting example of a capable woman. The corners of his mouth also turned up into a small smile of amusement.
Kurenai looked away, she knows she's blushing and who wouldn't? Sesshoumaru smiled! The smile was against the rules! Sesshoumaru doesn't smile! Especially not to a human! And yet he did and he looked sinfully handsome.
On the other hand, the daiyoukai is quite pleased with himself as he watched the blush tint her cheeks. For the first time, he was able to make her feel flustered and he was enthralled at the sight.
{Not bad.} the beast complimented which he responded with a proud mental smirk.
His eyes remained on Kurenai with the kids as they went back to their study session. Looks like it's not as impossible as he thought it would be.
"Inuyasha! Calm the hell down!" Kurenai hissed through gritted teeth as she dragged the hanyou by the arm as they headed to the boarding gate. Inuyasha's been freaking out ever since finding out about the mode of transportation they'll be travelling in. He's not exactly thrilled to be dangling in the air inside a tin can.
"No! I'm not getting in there! How can something that big fly without mag-" Kurenai's hand covered his mouth.
"It's his first time getting on a plane so his nervous." she told the ground attendant who smiled in return before whispering to Inuyasha, "If you don't calm down, I swear I'll sit you so hard the others will need to throw you a rope to get you out." When Inuyasha mellowed down she moved her hand and continued to walk with him, "We've been flying like this for years Inuyasha and we're still here. Besides, you faced death right in the eye countless of times, this is nothing." she squeezed his arm as assurance.
"Besides Inuyasha, you freaking out is also not helping sis. She hates flying as well, she's actually freaking out inside." Ren said over his shoulder as he walked ahead with Shippo.
Kurenai glared at him like daggers, "You're not helping either." she chided to which her brother chuckled, "It's normal okay Inuyasha? We'll sit together so we can distract each other." she looked behind her as they walked to the jet bridge, "Rin, I know I promised we'll sit together sweetie but can I sit with Inuyasha instead? He's really scared of flying."
Even if the hanyou wants to refute the statement, his earlier freak out doesn't help his case.
"Yes mama! Rin will be okay because she's with papa." Rin replied happily.
Kurenai's heart pounded at hearing her and Sesshoumaru's parental moniker in one sentence but managed to casually respond, "That's great, thanks Rin."
Sesshoumaru didn't like the situation. He felt something twinge inside him as he watched how close the woman he's interested in and his half-brother are. Though they both declared that there will never be a romantic connection between the two of them, their interaction still irritates him and he knows it's because he longed to be as close as his brother is to her.