For Love and War

Chapter Four

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or its characters.

"Look Kikyou, there's the dojo!" the young miko said enthusiastically, pointing at the large dojo. Kaede had been right, the dojo was exactly where she'd said it was. Now, she'd said to turn around when you were facing it and Rin's home would be right across from it. Kagome repeated Kaede's directions in her mind carefully.

Kagome turned and met her sister's eyes, and her excitement fell a notch. Kikyou's eyes reflected nothing but boredom. Sighing and rolling her eyes, Kagome turned around and brightened when she spotted a row of huts. One of them stood out the most by its size. It was wooden, but it was large.

"Look, Kikyou! There's the house!" Kagome said, turning and pointing at the hut, a smug look on her face. She faced her sister, smiling wider. "And you thought I wouldn't find it."

Kikyo's brow rose a fraction and she nodded. She looked back at the dojo and read the title of the one who owned it. The Taiji Brothers. Demons. Why would demons be living amongst the humans? Kikyo turned her attention back to her grinning sister and resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Such a child.

"Should we go ahead or will you stand here grinning like a fool?" Kikyou asked, suppressing a smile at her sister's glare.

She turned to follow her younger sister when she felt eyes on them. Turning her head slightly, she scanned the villagers. Furrowing her brows, her eyes met those of amber. For a brief second, she held his eyes until one of the villagers passed in front of her. Once her sight was clear, though, he was gone.

"Kikyou are you alright?"

Kagome's worried voice snapped Kikyou out of her thoughts. Nodding her head, she followed the younger woman. "I can't wait to see my friend again!" Kagome said excitedly.

OoO

Sesshomaru continued his assessment of the younger miko until the eldest turned his way. Her eyes caught his expectantly, though it shouldn't have surprised him. She'd sensed his demonic aura, as was expected. Her dark brown eyes revealed nothing to him, which surprised him. Humans were very much emotional. He'd seen recognition within their gloomy depths, though, and that made him wonder what exactly they wanted with his family.

Mikos were a demon's natural enemy and the fact that two of them were obviously searching for his home did not please him. Masking his aura, the Taiyoukai continued his path towards his home, avoiding encountering the females.

Upon entering his home, he noticed Rin missing. He wondered where she could of gone off to but decided not to be bothered by it. She was a wandering young soul after all. He remembered her wandering off much the same way as a babe.

Walking though rooms until he made it into the kitchen, he noticed Inuyasha gone as well. The overwhelming feeling of solitude washed over him. He knew that his younger siblings feared being alone. That was why they'd agreed to always be connected. After their parents death, they'd vowed they would always be together.

He'd often wondered what really had happened so many years back. Had their house really burnt down in an accident? They were still pups at the time, though he was the eldest.

Sesshomaru walked to the back door and slid it open. He sat down gracefully and leaned against the frame, reminiscent.

Their father had returned home after being away for so long. He'd left when Rin was still in the womb and returned when she was three full moons. Both Sesshomaru and Inuyasha had been overwhelmed with happiness at finally having their father back.

Inuyasha's mother, Izayoi, had been overjoyed at his return. Sesshomaru had been waiting for his father patiently; though inside he wanted his father to hurry and teach him everything possible about swordsmanship.

Sesshomaru's lips quivered at the memory; of how young and foolish he'd been. He'd desired to grow up and learn everything possible about fighting, war, and glory. He'd believed that was his destiny. Now he knew better. There was no such thing as destiny. The only destiny is the one a person makes for themselves.

He leaned his head on the frame, looking at the outside. He couldn't remember much about how their house looked like back then. Nor could he remember where they used to live. When he tried to think too hard on it or tried to remember much more, an overwhelming pulse throbbed throughout his head.

The soft knock at the door pulled him out of his thoughts at once. Slowly rising, knowing exactly who it was, he walked towards the door.

He paused at the door, contemplating if he should open it or not. He really didn't want to deal with any one right now, let alone two human mikos. With a sigh, he opened the door, glad that there was no one else in the house. He couldn't risk his family in case the two mikos had come with dangerous motives.

OoO

Kagome walked next to her sister, unnerved by her sudden withdraw. She's sensed something back at the dojo, or more exactly around it. She knew her sister had felt it too and then suddenly she'd fallen quiet. She didn't know what had caused her subtle change and, if she hadn't know her as well as she did, she wouldn't have noticed it. But she did and she didn't like how she felt.

Fist her father and now her sister. Who else? Was she and her mother the only normal ones any more? Sighing, she stopped and turned towards her sister, causing Kikyou to nearly stumble upon her. "Kagome, why have you stopped?" Kikyou asked in her cool voice.

Kagome's brows shot up, she'd actually caught her sister unguarded. "We've arrived, Kikyou," Kagome answered, narrowing her eyes. She saw the embarrassment in her sister when she looked up at the house and nodded. Kagome sighed worriedly and turned to knock on the door.

Both mikos waited a few feet away from the door until they felt it. It started as a small tickling at the side of their brains until it grew and pulsed through their heads. Kagome reached up and massaged her temple, wondering what caused it. When the door was opened, she had her answer.

Azure clashed with gold in an explosive collision. Her breath caught in her throat at the sight before her. Twin dark magenta stripes highlighted high cheekbones and a strong jaw, illuminating golden eyes. A mane of soft moonlight silver floated about a tall frame. Kagome stared and stared and still she couldn't have enough.

Noticing her sister's dilemma, Kikyou was the one to speak, "Good evening. My name is Kikyou and this is Kagome. We are here to visit Lady Rin," Kikyou spoke softly, knowing she could hurt the sensitive ears of the youkai.

At the mention of her name, Kagome snapped out of her stupor. Her ivory cheeks instantly dusted crimson as she averted her eyes to the side and nodded in acknowledgment.

New suspicions rose hard and fierce within Sesshomaru at the mention of their sister. Why would they be searching for his sister? Narrowing his eyes, his icy voice washed through the mikos, "Why are you looking for her?"

Kagome's eyes snapped up at the youkai and instantly regretted it. The moment their eyes met once again all coherent thoughts left her once more. She saw the suspicion in them and that allowed her to snap out of it. "I need to speak with her. We've spoken other times in the past and she said, that if ever I needed her aid, to come to her."

Kagome stopped her ranting and blushed again. She didn't know why she was reacting this way. She'd never cared much for men before. Especially not a demon male. It wasn't that she didn't like demons. It was just that she knew full well how violent, dominating, and possessive they were.

She remembered all too clearly how often Gatenmaru had reacted violently whenever a young man would want to court her. He was not the only one who had the right to court her and yet he'd acted as if he already owned her. The thought of being Gatenmaru's wife had shivers running down her spine and arms, her body revolting against the idea instantly.

Sesshomaru was aware of every fleeting emotion running through the young miko's face and decided she was speaking the truth. Where as the eldest's eyes hid everything, the youngest's hid nothing. Nodding, he said, "Very well, you may come in," he stepped aside and allowed both mikos to step by him.

Removing her slippers, Kagome looked around. It was not an elegant or luxurious home like her castle, but it was a very welcoming dwelling. She felt warm and peaceful in the inside at the homey feeling. Turning to the demon that was currently staring at her, she asked curiously, "Where is Lady Rin?"

Sesshomaru's eyes latched on to her lips, moving slowly with each word. His attention was fully on the girl now. He repeated the question in his mind and then answered, "She's not here right now."

OoO

The sky was painted a dark hue of crimson as the sun drifted south, seeming to colliding with the earth. The waterfall fell and crashed violently with the water below. The wind picked up and no longer hummed sweetly, but with the force of its brutality. A lone figure sat amongst the rocks, waiting. Waiting for her sweet lover. She dipped her bare feet into the frigid water, enjoying the numbing sting.

"Rin," a hard, masculine voice called from behind the maiden. At once, the girl turned and met the eyes of her beloved.

"You came," Rin said happily. Today she would tell him. Today she would tell her brothers. And today, she would be the happiest woman alive.

Today would be a day to remember.

Naraku walked to his young Rin, waiting for him like so many other days. He stopped before her and took her hands in his, kissing her fingertips. He closed his eyes, savoring the soft texture of her skin. He couldn't bare to see her eyes; knowing he'd find nothing but love there and knowing what he had to do. Regret filled his voice as he spoke next, "Yes, love, I came. But I cannot stay, I cannot meet your brothers...and I cannot stay with you."

Rin's breath caught in her throat. I cannot stay. His words replayed in her mind and her heart clenched. I cannot meet your brothers. Tears stung her eyes as she continued to stare at him, the man she'd thoughtlessly handed her heart to.

I cannot stay with you...I cannot stay with you. ...I cannot stay with you. ...I cannot stay with you. The words echoed in her mind, over and over. Every dream, every thought, and every fantasy flashed before her eyes, but only with a horrifying ending. Her body felt empty all of a sudden, as her heart clenched painfully again.

Rin's wide eyes finally blinked, trying to vanquish the tears. She pulled her shaking hands out of Naraku's and slapped him hard across the face, leaving her hand print on his flesh.

Her lips flopped open and closed, until she could finally speak once more. "How could you? I gave you everything." Finally the restrained tears broke the dam and spilled uncontrollably, leaving warm trails down her cheeks.

Naraku simply stared at her, not knowing what to do or say. Hadn't she'd known? Was she really that innocent, that she would believe everything he'd said? Surely she knew he was a Lord and therefore could never be with her? Why else would she have accepted their relationship so easily? Hadn't she known she could only be his mistress? Anger slowly built inside of him, engulfing his being in darkness.

She had to of known. Yes, he'd admit it. He had lied to her, but he'd thought she'd simply accepted the lies, knowing them for what they were. As much as he loved her, he couldn't be with her. Not without losing everything he'd so carefully built around him.

Naraku's hands shot out and grabbed both her thrashing wrists. "Calm down, Rin, and let me explain," he said forcefully, shaking her.

Rin collapsed to the ground, crying. Her small form shaking forcefully from the cold and her anger, pain, and hate. She'd never hated any one-- not even those that had taken everything from her-- but the overwhelming feelings developing within her, born out of Naraku's betrayal, were too much. She never thought she'd be able to hate the one person she'd grown to love so much—so much that it hurt. "Why, Naraku, why? Why now, now that you'd given me the greatest of joy? Why!" Rin broke down into another heart-wrenching sob. Her cries of pain and anguish intensified by the howling winds.

Naraku's dark eyes narrowed at her small form and then widened. He moved towards her and the wind hit him full blast carrying with it her scent.

Her scent.

It was not the same. Something was altered. Naraku dropped to his knees and gripped Rin by the shoulders, forcing her to face him. "Rin? Rin!" He shook her forcefully, making her head flop back and forth.

Rin looked at him through pain dazed eyes, tears making her vision blurry.

Naraku had to find out if he was right. He needed to know if Rin carried his son. If so, he was ruined. She would ruin him. "Rin, sweetheart," Naraku softened his voice, wanting her to tell him. "Rin, what joy did I give you?"

He held her breath for her answer and lifted his hands to frame her heart-shaped face.

"Naraku," Rin whispered. Perhaps the knowledge of her carrying his child would make him reconsider? Of course, now that she knew that he truly didn't want to stay with her, she didn't want to tell him. She'd hate herself if he was forced to stay with her simply for the sake of her babe. "Naraku, I'm pregnant."

The moment she whispered her confession, Naraku's eyes shut close. He couldn't allow that to happen. He couldn't allow that child—their child--to be born. He breathed deeply and loudly through his nose, forcing his tense body to relax.

He opened his eyes and Rin gasped at the regret and pain within their dark depths. She tried to pull free of his painful grip, tried to push him and get up, but she couldn't. He simply kept staring at her through sad, regretful eyes. "I'm sorry, my love, but that cannot be," Naraku whispered, rising to his feet, Rin in tow. He didn't want to believe her, didn't want it to be true.

But it was.

He easily caught her scent and the scent of his babe with his hanyou sense of smell. A little boy. He would have had a little boy. He looked up at Rin and thought of another option. "Rin, you cannot have it," he said, knowing the term he'd used would hurt her.

Rin's eyes widened. It? Her child was not an it'! She shook her head vigorously in denial, yanking her wrists away from him desperately. "No!" Rin yelled at him, spiting on his face.

Naraku wiped her spit off his cheek and backhanded her. Rin's body fell to the ground, small drops of water falling on her. She lifted one hand to her swollen cheek and stared at Naraku's face incredulously. He'd hit her. Her mind still could not, would not, register it.

Naraku's face contorted into an evil mask of hatred. Never had anyone raised a hand to him, let alone spit on him. He'd vowed no one would ever humiliate him or spit at him. "Then, I'm sorry, my love," he spat the words out at her, "I guess we have no choice. I cannot let that thing be born because I'd lose everything. My title, my lands, my family."

Rin's eyes widened impossibly large at the mention of his family. He'd lied to her all along! He did have a family. New tears overflowed her eyes, as she shut them tightly. How could she be so stupid!

Naraku closed his eyes then and gave her one more chance. "Please Rin, if you will not get rid of that thing growing inside you, then let me take you some place far away." His voice came out a strained mess. He was having trouble controlling his anger, his hatred, and most of all, the undying love he felt for her.

Rin shook her head, "No, I could never leave my family," she said, then added, poison dripping from her lips, "My Lord." She narrowed her eyes and stood up slowly. She glanced towards the sky and noticed that somewhere in time it had started raining.

Deciding to make a dash for it, she gathered her kimono into her hands, hiking it to her thighs, and ran. She ran as fast as she could, her long legs carrying her and her unborn babe. She hadn't made it very far before two callused hands grabbed her by the arms and yanked her back.

Foul breath tickled her cheek, "Sorry ,love, but I can't let you go them." With one quick thrust, a silver blade was in her womb. Naraku pulled the blade out in one smooth move and brought it up to his lips, savoring the taste of her sweet blood.

Rin screamed as loud as she could, holding her hands to her womb tightly. Naraku knelt beside her, placing her on his lap. Rin tried to push him away, but her strength was slowly leaving her, as was her voice. Tears streamed down her cheeks, her heart clenching with hatred and betrayal.

"Hush, hush, little love," Naraku whispered as he rocked their bodies back and forth. "Hush. Everything will be okay, love. Hush," he continued to whisper, all the while burying his face in her hair. He lifted her hair when he felt her breaths coming out in labored puffs.

Rin looked up at Naraku, the man she once believed she loved with all her heart. How cruel fate was. She'd once been sure she would be able to die for this man. Now she wanted to kill him herself. She narrowed her glazing eyes at him, until darkness consumed her and stiffened her once soft body.

Naraku howled into the storm, letting the howling wind carry his agony with it. He bent down and kissed the bloody lips of the woman he'd truly loved; the woman who could save him and damn him.

The woman he'd killed.

A/N: Again, I hoped you enjoyed it. Big huge thanks to my Beta LC Rose!