:Chapter 20:

:Plotted:

Rin frowned into the full-sized mirror, hands running curiously across her rounding abdomen. She was definitely showing now, she was sure. It seemed that with each passing day, she got bigger, rounder, and increasingly uncomfortable with herself. Being pregnant was a Kami-sent; that much she knew. And she had to admit that she was proud of her baby, who seemed so strong of a fetus inside of her. She could feel it pulsing softly with demonic strength and welcomed the sensation, smiling when it reminded her of her stubborn Sesshoumaru. It made her feel safe when he wasn't around and sometimes it even tickled.

But then there was morning sickness. She'd found out about that the hard way. She giggled when she remembered a particularly gruesome incident during her first month of pregnancy when she'd barely made it to the toilet bowl in an effort to keep Sesshoumaru's immaculate floors as they were.

And the cravings…ugh. Things such as chocolate-covered ham, under-ripe fruit, and fried cookies were just a small variety of…what could be considered as foods that were on Rin's menu.

As of late, her hormones were quickly running insane. She cried over the smallest things, which, she thought with a whimper, annoyed the youki out of Sesshoumaru. He never said anything but…

And right now, her head was on the verge of exploding on her shoulders. It pounded and throbbed and spun, things that she endured, but with great difficulty. Was this part of the pregnancy? Was this really what she had waited all her life to experience?

"Rin."

Startled at the abrupt and commanding intonation of Sesshoumaru's voice, she spun around…and wished she hadn't moved so quickly. Dizzy, she shook her head, trying to clear it of the sudden fog that had descended upon her judgment.

Even when she felt she would topple over at any second, she wasn't surprised when a strong arm snaked out of thin air and hauled her into a warm, steel wall. Blinking rapidly, Rin giggled lightly at the concerned, yet unconcerned, look Sesshoumaru was giving her.

"Yes, Sesshy?" she answered.

Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed. "Why were you staring so intently into that mirror?"

"I—I was just looking at myself," she said simply. "Just to be sure."

"Sure?"

"Yes. I—I just wanted to see if the rumor that 'a baby brings beauty to its mother' was true."

Sesshoumaru frowned slightly, confused. "Your beauty is constant, Rin. You need not worry about trivial affairs such as this."

Rin smiled warmly. "Really? Thank you, Sesshy."

"That ridiculous name—"

"Stays," she interrupted. "It stays. I like it."

"You dare to order me, human?"

Rin grinned mischievously. "Of course, Sesshy. Is that wrong?"

"It is if you wish to be near me. You will—"

Sesshoumaru sniffed lightly. A new scent wafted into the room, through the open window of his bedroom, three stories off of the ground. Inhaling again, he noted that the scent matched and belonged to a demonic aura—a dangerous one. No threat to him, of course, but to his pregnant mate and unborn pup…

Stifling a low growl and releasing a confused Rin, he stalked over to the open window Scanning the vast grounds of his estate, he let the growl roll. There was nothing on the ground, as far as location went. He didn't see anything in the surrounding trees, which was a good sign due to the fact that the trees would be an excellent hiding place for a killer to lurk.

So he scanned the skies, expecting a flying demon to come at him from nowhere. When he saw nothing, he scowled, irritated.

"Sesshy," sounded Rin's soft voice. "What's wrong? Is someone outside?"

"No," was his stiff reply. He'd get to the bottom of this later. But for now, there was no use in alarming Rin.

"Rin. Go lie down. In one of the other rooms."

"But why?"

"You are sick."

Rin seemed offended. "I am not! I'm fine! It's just a headache, Sesshy!"

Sesshoumaru shot her a steely-eyed glare. "Do as I say."

Rin, unaffected, shrugged. "Okay, Sesshy. But I'm hungry. I want…meat."

Sesshoumaru grinned slightly, fully aware that his pup would indeed be taking after him. Its nature was already leaning towards the bossy side, demanding that its mother nourish it with meat. "Very well. Tenkin, head of the cooks, will see to that. For now, you will lie down and sleep."

Rin giggled. "Okay." She rose on her toes and kissed Sesshoumaru's chin. "Thank you, Sesshy."

"Hmm," he replied distractedly.

:0:0:0:0:0:

From the thick shrubbery, a pair of dangerous green cat eyes leered at the previously occupied and elevated terrace. Long claws viciously shredded the trunk of a nearby tree, marking its donor's frustration. Damn that stupid excuse for a Tai-Youkai. Damn him and his nose. He'd nearly sniffed out his undoing.

Shimo swore as he rose from the thick grass-covered dirt, picking grass and specks of dirt off of his clothes. Slinking deeper into the forest-like surroundings, he grunted as he leapt into the trees and took off at a blinding speed, become no more than a blur to the naked eye.

"Damn Sesshoumaru, anyway," he growled to himself, quickly sweeping a low branch out of his path. "If it were up to me, he'd be dead already."

Exiting the forest, he streaked onto the top of a building and made his way into downtown Tokyo. Coming to a tall, corporate tower, he leapt through an open window, his demonic cougar reflexes absorbing the shock as he silently touched the ground.

Bowing towards a figure situated in a large chair located at the head of a long conference table, he muttered, "I've found him."

"Excellent," the figure chuckled.

"In addition, his human mate was present," eyes glinting, he glanced up. "And she's pregnant with his heir."

The figure chuckled darkly. "Were you discovered?"

Swallowing, Shimo decided to leave out the fact that Sesshoumaru had nearly sniffed him completely out. "No, sir."

"Even better."

"Sir?"

"What is it?"

"May I ask why you wish for the death of Sesshoumaru and his mate?"

Dark eyes glared down the table at Shimo, making him regret even thinking the question. In the short time he'd known this human Moutomaru he'd never really feared him. Until now.

"As I've told you before, demon," came Moutomaru's steely voice. "I do not answer to the likes of you. You do what I want, when I want, and how I want it done. I then pay you, and you leave, happy to have lived another day serving me. Is that clear, Shimo?"

Shimo resisted the urge to gulp at the hard eyes that were drilling holes into his soul. To think that this human, with the darkly hued eyes and distant demeanor could frighten Shimo, the best assassin of the panther demon race. It was uncanny.

And completely irritating as well.

But, he knew that what Moutomaru lacked in physical or brute strength, he made up for it with his mind and cruel ambitions to crush all who opposed him. Shimo also knew that as brilliant of an assassin as he was, he was easily replaceable.

"Yes, Moutomaru-sama," he said, clipping the words off of his tongue.

Flicking his wrist, Moutomaru dismissed Shimo. "Good. In the meantime, I want you to do something else for me."

"Of course."

Moutomaru gave a cold grin. After plucking and lighting a cigar from his breast pocket, he blew a ring of smoke into the air, creating a sort of suspense for Shimo. "Why don't you go check on my old friend Sango?"

Shimo looked surprised. "Sango? The Demon Slayer?"

"That would be her."

Shimo gulped. "Uh…okay."

As he turned to leap back out of the window in which he entered, Moutomaru stopped him. "Oh, and Shimo?"

Shimo glanced over his shoulder. "Yes?"

"You wanted to know why I want the death of Sesshoumaru and his mate, did you not?"

"I did."

"Let's just say that he has certain…connections with Sango."

Shimo shrugged. "Okay."

Leaping out the window, Shimo shook his head. 'Stupid humans and their emotions.'

:0:0:0:0:0:

"You do know I'm going to kill you, right?"

Miroku grinned at Sango through the dark. Of course he knew. He'd invaded her little bubble of defenses and had shaken her senses.

"You are? But why?" he asked, completely innocent.

Sango closed her eyes at the smile she knew was forming. "I didn't give you permission to—to—"

"Love you? You didn't have to. Your body did all the work."

Sango rolled her eyes at his lewdly sweet comment. She had to admit, with a grudge, that he was right. She really didn't have any control over her body when his tongue had hit her.

"I think I should go to sleep. I do have to work tomorrow."

Miroku ran a hand down her leg, challenging her. "Oh, really? Are you sure Sango?"

Refusing to shiver, she settled on nodding her head; forgetting that he couldn't see her in the darkness of her bedroom, save for the sliver of moonlight filtering in through the window. Judging by the moon's position, she guessed that it was probably four in the morning.

"Yes, I'm sure."

Heaving a long, pained sigh, Miroku conceded. "Very well."

As Sango turned over into her pillow, she heard him in her mind. 'Very well, for now Sango. But keep this in mind: I'm not finished with you yet.'

'Was that a threat, you animal?'

'Perhaps. You can never be too sure with animals.'

She heard the grin in his message. Again, he was right. There was no sure way of telling what an animal was thinking.

Even if you could read its mind.

A/N: Moutomaru is back! Though you got rid of him, huh? Sorry it took so long for an update. I haven't forgotten about this story.

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Final Deliberation: Rin:

'Mini-Sesshy wants meat…'

All characters from InuYasha are copyrighted to Rumiko Takahashi. This applies to any and all chapters of My Life, My Love.