For Love and War

Chapter Two

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or it's characters.

Kagome knew something was bothering her beloved father. He'd been happy these last past weeks, but now his eyes were sunken with worry. They seemed to darken whenever he was deep in thought. Something that never happened before. He always had a composed expression, never letting any one know what was really rushing through his mind.

He cold deceive everyone, except her.

Something was not right and she wanted to know. If for nothing else, to help him. It crushed her to see her father this way. So...resigned. Now, he looked onto the vast expanse of land regretfully? What ever was bothering him, she had the distinct feeling it had something to do with her mother. It was always her. She always went out of her way in order to make things more difficult for her father.

Their relationship was so stressed she often wondered why on earth did her father put up with it all. Did he really care for land and power that much as to suffer the wrath of an unloved greedy woman? Immediately revolting against the thought, she knew it wasn't that.

He loved them.

Both her and her older sister, Kikyo.

She knew her parents' marriage was not one forged out of love but out of duty. So was the fate of those who were Lords and Ladies. Such would be her fate.

Try and try as Kagome did, she could not fathom why her father stayed with her mother any longer. He was unhappy with her mother. The way they looked at each other, spoke to each other, it was if they were complete strangers instead of husband and wife.

Glancing behind her, she noted Kikyo's eyes closed. Her eyelids fluttered like butterfly wings as her hands stroked her flowers idly. What was she doing? Knowing she wasn't listening, she returned her attention to her father.

"Father, please, you can trust me. If anything is bothering you, I'm here for you," she stated clearly, wanting desperately to convey the worry she felt within.

Sighing, her father patted her hands, now resting on his belly, "All is well, daughter. All is well..."

All was not well and she could feel it. Call it a woman's intuition, but all was not well and she had the distinct feeling all was going to get worse.

OoO

"Alright, we're listening," Inuyasha's cocky voice rang through the room. He laid half sprawled on the wooden floor, resting his back against the wall. Oblivious to his sister's worried expression, he allowed his lids to cover his tired eyes.

Sesshomaru stood near the opened back door, leaning against the frame, his eyes trained to the trees. Smelling the fresh air calmed his inner beast, still excited with the fight he'd had with Inuyasha. The wind suddenly shifted, throwing clouds in front of the sun. The land danced with shadows. The trees swayed to an unheard tune. He could feel something was going to happen; could feel it deep in his marrow.

"Sesshomaru, Inuyasha, the other day when I went for a walk in search of herbs, I met someone," Rin started.

Inuyasha straightened from where he laid, his back straight on the wall. All tiredness fled his body in that one instance as he leaned his lands on his knees.

Sesshomaru's brow creased once again.

"What happened? Did they hurt you? Rin if someone is—" Inuyasha started.

"No, no, Inuyasha. Nothing bad came out of this chanced meeting. On the contrary..." she trailed off, unconsciously placing one hand on her womb.

Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed at his sister's hand—while Inuyasha's brow raised, oblivious to what his sister was giving away unintentionally.

"Then?" Inuyasha persisted.

Rin took a deep breath and raked her dark hair with her fingers. "We talked. For a long time, we simply talked. After that, whenever I went back to search for herbs, we'd meet again. Unplanned of course."

Sesshomaru stayed silent, observing the swaying tree leaves outside. Taking in every word she spoke, he closed his eyes, concealing the sudden flash of red within their depth. Why would she keep this person a secret? She never kept secrets. She was an open book to them. Sometimes they even wished she'd keep some things to herself. So why now? Why this person? Unless he was not one like them... Perhaps he was not a villager at all like he'd previously thought.

The rumors of high Lords taking poor naïve women from their homes or villages was not unheard of. When a male of higher rank desired a woman, he did not care for her or how her future would be ruined. They simply cared for their pleasure and he would not allow that fate to befall his sister. Of course, if that was the case, Lord or no Lord, this male would pay with his life for raising their sister's hopes.

Inuyasha's brow raised even more, if possible. He wasn't happy with the knowledge of their sister keeping something like this a secret. Why wouldn't she tell them before? Was this person threatening her? That thought had the hairs in the back of his neck raise—his eyes flashing red for a second. Her answer was like a bucket of cold water though.

"We fell in love," Rin stated carefully. "And today, he's coming to our home. He wishes to speak with both of you." She decided to simply get to the point. She knew from past experiences that beating behind the bush never worked well with her brothers. Especially with Sesshomaru.

As expected, Inuyasha's jaw dropped and flapped like a fish's out of water. "WHAT?! You—when—how? Who's that bastard? Where can I find 'em? Where can I—"

Inuyasha's babbling was halted by Sesshomaru rising. He peered into her caramel eyes and calmly asked his question. "What is his name?"

One single question. Yet that question could give him all the answers to Inuyasha's inquiries. Where to find him. Where he comes from. Who he is. Where he'd be traveling from. A question Rin feared to answer all of a sudden. Nonetheless, she relented.

Her voice came out a breathless whisper, It amazed her how much saying his name affected her. "Naraku...Lord Naraku..."

OoO

Sitting in his leather chair, he surveyed his large study. He'd worked hard and sacrificed much to be where he was. His marriage, his status, his rule, and his life, they were business. Solely business. Naraku clearly remembered the day he'd met his wife, Yuri, heir to the South. She was human though, but that didn't matter to him then. He'd been an arrogant, ambitious young man, willing to do anything to get ahead in life. Half breed as he was, he'd been sick of never getting what others did, never being the first at anything.

Until Yuri had seen him and become unwaveringly infatuated with him. For once, he'd been grateful for the well developed body he'd been given—the face he was graced with. Yuri had been—and still was-- vain in all aspects. She cared not that he was a hanyou; poor and ruthless. She only saw his physic and that was enough for her. Foolish woman.

He, on the other hand, saw the vile, narcissist, arrogant woman she truly was. He hadn't cared back then. All he'd cared about was what he'd gain; a tittle, land, prosperity, and a chance to leave his pathetic life behind. He'd always been proud and he'd never once regretted anything. Until now.

His mind was immediately consumed by images of a young woman sitting calmly by the river, awaiting his return. Of warm, melted caramel eyes flaring with passion under him. Smooth hands framing his face tenderly. Try as he did, she never left his mind. Every thought, every breath, revolved around her. Rin. Her name alone brought a fresh wave of desire coursing through his body, scorching his veins.

Their last encounter, he'd made a promise to her. A promise he couldn't keep.

Marriage.

He'd lied to her and that knowledge made his stomach churn. She thought he was human, too. Another lie.

Sweeping the elegant furnishings, the heavy draperies, his elegant study—he decided he couldn't give everything up. As a young naïve boy, he'd dreamed of someone accepting him, loving him—for him. Now, he looked upon those days as nothing but a child's foolish dreams.

He had foolishly—and in the heat of the moment—given her his heart. She had the power to tear him to shreds from the inside out. All it would take was one word from her and he would do her bidding. And he could not allow that. He loved her, but he loved his comfortable life even more. She would not—could not-- give him land nor a tittle. The only tittle he'd have next to her would be that of a common villager. He'd been there and had vowed never to be there again.

The image of his eldest daughter, Kikyo, came to mind. She knew too, or did she? She'd said nothing. Lost in his own thoughts when he'd been back at the meadow, he'd been unaware of her soothing, exploring aura engulfing him. She'd sought to soothe him—yet found his burden.

Contemplating his next move, he leaned his chin down on his entwined hands. Rin. As much as his heart yearned for her, his thoughts fled to her, his body ached for hers, he could not risk everything he'd worked so hard for. She was a problem. His promise was a problem. Kikyo was not his problem. She'd remain silent, trusting him. Yet Rin...she was a problem

And like many other times, as much as it pained him, he would have to eliminate the problem.

OoO

"Kagome, where are you going?" the young woman who'd asked was steadily walking down the stairs, her warm chocolate orbs trained on the younger woman below.

"I'm heading towards the village. I just noticed we are missing many herbs. Would you like to accompany me, Kikyo?" Kagome's answer was too innocent to be completely truth. Even to her own ears it sounded like a lie.

The older female stared into Kagome's wide eyes, any thoughts concealed within the depth of her stoic gaze. Her dear little sister was brewing something—and she had the distinct feeling it wasn't a potion.

Nodding, Kikyo stepped off the final step and headed towards the castle's entrance. Watching her little sister through her peripheral vision, she wondered if this had anything to do with their father. She'd sensed the uneasiness within him—had seen his aura clashing with himself. While at the meadow, she'd let her tightly coiled senses stretch, much like a rubber band, towards her father. Enveloping him in her warmth, trying to soothe him, pouring more of herself within his aura, she had a glimpse of what bothered him. It confused her at first and then she grasped the full reality. At that moment, she'd felt when he'd hidden and recoiled from her soothing touch. He'd said nothing, neither had she, but in that moment, she'd known.

Kikyo was fully aware of her parents' issues. Although she did not appreciate her mother, she did not believe infidelity was the solution to their problems. Yes, they both had their affairs, but they never lingered. Her mother herself had confided in her the many lovers she'd had in the past—and still keeps. It was not a secret Kikyo was her mother's favorite. Just as it was no secret their father favored Kagome.

She'd heard many times how their parents had come to be—all part of business. One day, both herself and Kagome would fulfill their own duty as well; uniting great powers through the strongest and most sacred bond—marriage.

"Thanks for coming with me, Kikyo. I know you don't appreciate walking to the village below, but I needed the time to walk." Kagome noticed she'd startled her sister, and was secretly pleased. Many times in the past she'd tried in vain to disgruntle her older sister, even if for a split of a second. She'd succeeded.

Kikyo looked down towards her sister, noting the mischievous glint in her blue orbs. Sighing softly, she turned her gaze back to the front. "It is fine. I, too, needed to walk," her voice was soft and thoughtful, yet revealed nothing. Turning back to her sister, she wondered out loud. "Who are we visiting, Kagome? There is not many who would posses the herbs we seek."

Kagome turned to see Kikyo's eyes and for once saw something within them. She was genuinely puzzled. Yes, it was true. Not many would have the herbs they seeked, but she knew who would. A young woman about her age, one she'd met not long ago near a waterfall.

Rin.

A/N: I hope you're all liking it so far. I did get a review though that had me wondering. The beginning of my story was very similar to a soap operah she'd seen before. So I researched it--and believe me--it's completely different. It did surprise me how similar the beginning was, I'd have to say it's very different. So, I hope you continue to read, I can't wait to get more chapters out...lol!

A HUGE thanks to LC Rose for betaing this story for me!