Sweetest Sin
DaggersBloodPain
Chapter Thirteen
Lord Inuyasha
The palace was full of whispers. Rumors were spreading as far as they could as fast as the words could be said. Their land had a new Lord, one who ruled with his brother at his side.
A suite of rooms had been prepared for Inuyasha's use. Although both youkai knew they would not be used much at least not at night anyway. With uncharacteristic grace Inuyasha slid into his new role at the palace, surprising Sesshomaru with how quickly he adapted to the life of a Lord. The days passed and Inuyasha was beginning to worry for the rest of his pack.
The castle was just calming down from the introduction of a new Lord and alpha when they had yet another disturbance descend on them in the form of an odd party of Youkai and Ningens appearing at the gate to the palace. They requested the audience of the two Lords and the flustered guards could only watch on as a bright red blur swept past them and reached the odd party in the blink of an eye.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome nearly squealed as she was swept up into a tight hug, the first time Inuyasha had ever hugged her voluntarily.
"I was beginning to get worried," Inuyasha admitted, letting Kagome go only to check over every single member of their party.
When his gaze landed on the two rescued girls he could tell their capture had left a haunted air about them. "Come inside, we have ordered a meal prepared for your arrival. Rin I do believe you have your Lord very worried do you want to come with me to find him?" He asked the small girl very gently.
She hesitantly came forward, Ayame still glued to her side, and Rin let Inuyasha take her other hand and lead them into the main palace. He did not notice the shocked faces of the rest of the group, but the guards did.
"He has changed a lot," The nearest guard informed them, drawing their attention to him.
"Yes he has, but how did you know that?" Miroku was the first to recover and respond the guard's statement.
"I have been around the palace long enough to have heard the tales of his past. His temper alone is legendary among the youkai world. He has made a few mistakes and is keeping the old ones on the council on their toes, but altogether he is making the West proud to call him Lord." The guard admitted.
"Are you planning on standing there all day or coming with us?" Inuyasha shouted back to his friends, causing them to cut short their talk with guard and rush to catch up with them.
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The informal dining room that was set aside just for the ruling family and their honored guests was full to bursting with people. Inuyasha and Sesshomaru shared the head of the table with Rin and Ayame to one side across from Miroku and Kouga, rounding out with Sango and Kagome. Shippo was slipping into place next to Rin and Kirara was sitting slightly behind her mistress.
The meal progressed with simple conversation, no one quite ready to talk about anything more taxing. By the end of it though the couples had somehow drawn closer together. Rin sliding into Sesshomaru's lap finally leaving Ayame's side for the first time since their incarceration. Shippo started to get bored and in turn started to tease Kirara trying to get the Neko to play with him.
"Shippo, I know a few Kitsune in the palace guard, we should see if they can get you trained." Inuyasha took advantage of the situation presented to reveal one of the plans Sesshomaru and him had already agreed upon.
"Would that mean I have to leave Kagome?" The fox kit asked worried staring up at his surrogate mother.
"No, in return for your defeat of Naraku, the Western Palace is now home and sanctuary for all of you. You need the training, and the others could use the rest from constant travel and battles." Sesshomaru answered Shippo before Inuyasha got the chance.
"Thank you for your hospitality Lord Sesshomaru, we are thankful for your kindness." Sango answered formally.
"It was Inuyasha's idea. The Kitsune needs trained, and with all the time spent tracking and battling Naraku he believes you deserve the break. This is the safest place in the west for you to rest and for the pups to come. Best you stay here until you are strong again." Sesshomaru explained easily.
"Speaking of pups have you told him yet?" Inuyasha asked Kouga pointedly. I mean the wolf could not hide it much longer. Demon pregnancies were shorter, and thus he would be showing soon, plus Inuyasha just couldn't wait to see the look on Miroku's face.
"I was just about to, but you ruined it as usual," Kouga said grouchily.
"What are you talking about?" Miroku asked suspiciously looking back and forth between Inuyasha and his mate. The girls just got a knowing look in their eyes and their mouths twitched up into smiles.
"Ayame is not the only one who needs the safety to bare pups." Kouga told him quietly.
"You mean?" Miroku asked hopefully.
"You are going to be a father." Kouga came right out and told him.
Miroku got the oddest grin on his face and than reality caught up with him and he fainted.
"I had hoped he wouldn't do that," Kouga remarked as he looked at the body of his swooning mate.
"You enjoyed it, or you wouldn't have waited to surprise him." Ayame said shocking them with the sound of her weak voice. She had not spoken a great deal since the incident.
"I suppose you are right, but still there was some hope for him." Kouga answered treating the occasion as if it was normal, Ayame needed the comfort of normalcy to heal.
"He will come around," Ayame assured, breaking the rest of them from their momentary shock.
"How are you feeling Ayame?" Inuyasha asked, leaving the question fairly open ended so she could answer as she wished.
"Better than I was, I will be ok, Lord Inuyasha." She assured a tired smile on her face. All she knew was the feeling of safety and security that came with being in the presence of a powerful Alpha was helping to ease her fears. With the relaxation that provided she was able to release some tension, and maybe even get a little excited about the life to come. This was her pup and its father would never touch it, and with that thought she put her hand to her distended stomach and smiled again.