Chapter notes:

"Blood is thicker than water. It's drawing them closer without them noticing."

By: Taraah36

The Lily of the Valley signifies "The Return of Happiness"

Disclaimer: The depictions of the characters in this story are completely fictitious. In no way does this represent the views or the story arcs as envisaged by the original copyright owners of this franchise and its characters. The ownership if the characters and the original concept are sole properties of Rumiko Takahashi.

Chapter 9 – Departure and revelation.

The clear blue skies of the afternoon are replaced by the intense red and orange hues of the sunset. Soon the moon will emerge and shine in the darkness of nightfall. Rin has completed her work and is about to prepare for leaving. She does not wait for Akemi or Tsuyu because she wishes to have some time alone to think. Wrapping her dinner bento neatly, she moves out from the kitchen and heads home. She walks with a decent pace with her thoughts focused on her lord. This is it; I owe Lord Sesshoumaru lots of explanations. Since he has found me and he deserves to know the real story. Rin contemplates but is interrupted by someone who calls out her name.

"Rin wait up!" Tsuyu calls out as she runs to the girl's side.

"Why are you rushing my dear, still not feeling good about what happened this afternoon?" Tsuyu inquires as she wraps her right hand around Rin's waist. Both of them resume their tracks.

"No I just want to go home and rest. A bit tired with the workload today." The girl replies with a light smile.

"Rin, you know, I hope you are not mad at Ryuuki. That man really tries hard to win your heart. He has an eye on you since the night he saved you in the forest. He really loves you." Tsuyu is trying to help the leopard demon but Rin doesn't show much interest.

"I have given him my answer but he does not seem to understand my point. That is why I was frustrated. I know he has saved both mine and Aito's life and I could never pay his debt." Rin sighs in disappointment. Tsuyu watches the girl's reaction, somehow she understands what the girl has on her mind. She is too gives a low sigh. Young love. She whispers.

"Rin, what's holding you back?" Tsuyu stares at the girl. Rin bites her lower lips and remains silent. The lady continues. "You still waiting for Aito's father to return?" Rin doesn't reply. Tsuyu sighs heavily. She moves her hands to stroke the girl's hair and pulls a small strand of hair to tuck it behind her left ear.

"You are still young and pretty Rin, you should give yourself more options than to wait for someone who doesn't seem to even care to return. 4 years have passed girl, if he cares for his son and you, he would have come for you by now. Your loyalty will be wasted. Don't you have pity for Aito? That poor kid needs a father and you Rin, you need a man to look after you. I don't want you to work at the Geisha house forever. Please don't waste your time over someone who is not even worth waiting for." Tsuyu tries hard to explain, she really feels pity for the kid. In her view, Ryuuki is the best candidate and has the ability to look after Rin and Aito's well being. Rin stops in her tracks and stares at her own sandals. Her eyes redden and glass over with tears. She has really grown tired of everyone who is trying to help Ryuuki. Their intentions are good, but how could she ever forget the man that she loves with all her heart?

"He cares for me with all his life. I trust no one above him." Tears stream down the girl's cheeks for the second time today as she continues. "He does not know that he has a son and I ran away from him for some reason." Tsuyu's eyes widen with Rin's remarks as she watches the girl weep in pain.

Meanwhile in the forest:

Sesshoumaru allows Aito to sleep on his lap after the kid gets tired of crying. The boy has been in deep slumber for the past few hours. The demon lord strokes the kid's head often and it feels like he is watching his own son sleeping. That faint scent of his self still remains as the only link between Aito and the taiyoukai. He could have just asked Rin about the kid but the boy's appearance has trashed his hope to find out the truth. If the kid isn't his son then Rin will have difficulty in explaining the whole thing up. He does not wish to torture the girl mentally and since Aito has gone through quite a lot of hardships already; he has no intention to force the kid to watch his mother weep again and again.

It's been 4 years Rin. I have been searching you high and low, crossing the 4 continents and here you are with a kid. Is it worth to even find out the real reason behind your disappearance? Do I still care to find out? Yes I do care but I don't think I dare to seek out the truth. If Aito isn't my son, that just shows Rin has betrayed me. Why do I need to prove that the girl I trusted the most has betrayed me? Besides this kid certainly needs more affection than suffering. My departure will be the best option for these two.

The taiyoukai is determined to leave before the girl returns. Things will be out of control if Rin shows up and Sesshoumaru does not wish to say goodbye to the girl. Never. While the demon lord attempts to wake the kid, Aito murmurs some strange words and he starts to sweat heavily. Sesshoumaru watches the kid struggle. He seems to be having a nightmare. When he tries to listen carefully, the kid is actually calling out for help.

"Don't come closer to me, get away from me!. HELP! HELP!" The taiyoukai watches the kid in panic, he pulls Aito closer to his arm as he tries to wake him up.

"Aito, wake up! It was just a dream. Wake up!" The demon lord voice was ineffective as the kid continues to struggle. His arms are waving as if to push something off while his legs are kicking strongly. Sesshoumaru can do nothing but to keep holding the kid in his arms hoping the boy feels his presence.

~ Start of Aito's dream. ~

"Get away from me, don't come closer!. HELP! Mother! Where are you?" Aito runs as fast as he can but the moth demons catch up with the boy with ease. The group flies past the kid and lands in front of Aito.

"Now where do you think you are going kid? Don't waste our time; you can never escape with such small strength. Give up and be our most tasty meal tonight." The moth leader gloats with his tongue wetting his lips showing his impatience to devour the boy's flesh. Aito's legs are shaking with fear. He turns to another direction in the hopes of finding a clear path to escape but his attempts prove futile as one of the moths flies over and pins the kid down on the soiled grass.

"Now now boy you can't escape, it is futile, PREPARE TO DIE!." The moth wields his sharp claw fingers towards Aito and immediately pushes it in the direction of the kid's heart. The boy shuts his eyes tightly and all of a sudden he feels a heavy object fall on top of his chest. Slowly he parts his eyes open and sees a breathless moth demon with his eyes wide open in shock. Aito quickly pushes the dead body away, trying to spot the surroundings but all he can sight is the frame of a huge white creature standing in front of him. He is amazed, that creature looks like a dog, a huge dog with very fluffy fur and a strong tail. He rises on his feet and is about to walk further to check on the creature but he pauses hearing a voice speaking to him.

"Stand there kid. Do not move." The white creature warns and Aito obeys. In an instant the kid sees the large dog fly up to the sky and attack a moth. Aito has his eyes closed as the confrontation has generated strong gush of wind. When he feels the situation has calmed down, Aito parts his left eye at first to scan the area, followed by the right eye. When he has the place fully in view, the large white dog has landed. Aito runs to the side of the creature.

"Thank you so much for saving my life." Aito stares at the large white dog with a grateful gaze. When the white creature turns and inches his face towards Aito's face, the kid's sunset eyes widen in amazement at the white dog's beautiful appearance. Magenta strips on both cheeks, over the body and legs. But what really catches the kid's attention is the shining blue crescent moon at the top of the dog's temple. Aito is amused at the sight of the white dog, he can swear he has never seen such a beautiful creature in his life. Reaching out with his right hand, Aito gently strokes the magenta strip on the left cheek of the white dog. It is at this moment he feels his body is being shaken by someone and his name is being called out loud again and again.

~end of Aito's dream~

"Aito look at me, can you hear me?" Sesshoumaru shakes the boy's shoulder desperately. The kid slowly parts his eyes open and he sees the same blue crescent in his dream. He does not move, instead he reaches out with his right hand and touches the demon lord's left cheek with his small hand. A small drop of tear forms at the end of the kid's eye. It is real. The large white dog that always shows up in my dreams and helps me is real! Lord Sesshoumaru looks exactly like that dog. The taiyoukai stares at the kid, worried. He thought the boy has lost his soul.

"Ai –t..." The boy lunges up and wraps his arms around the demon lord's neck before Sesshoumaru manages to complete his sentence. The taiyoukai has reacted with the same strange gesture again. He is stroking the back of the kid as if he is trying to soothe the boy who is now trembling in fear.

"It is just a dream. No harm came in your way." The demon lord speaks softly into the boy's ear as he tries to make the boy feel better. Aito nods in agreement, recalling the same dream he often had. He used to haunted by this nightmare whenever he was lonely. In his dreams, there were always a group of demons who looked to attack and all the time he was saved by this blue crescent moon large white dog with magenta strips. When Aito told his mom about the strange creature, he was told that large white beautiful dog is their guardian angel and will only exist in his dream. Mother was lying, Lord Sesshoumaru resembles that guardian angel. I am sure about that. The kid whispers. The taiyoukai sighs in relief as he senses Aito's heart beat has returned back to normal. If the kid has calmed down then it is the time to leave before Rin reaches home.

"Come, we need to head back now." Sesshoumaru lightly pats on Aito's shoulder as he rises and walks away. The kid follows but stops in his tracks at the side of the green kappa. He bends a little as he moves his face closer to the toad's right ear and shouts out loud.

"Jaken! You will be left behind! " The green toad's eyes pops wide open and he checks the surroundings. His lord is nowhere to be seen but he catches the shadow of the kid speeding into the bushes.

"Damn you kid I will teach you a lesson!" The little kappa grabs his staff as he too flees towards the bushes to catch up with his lord.

Sesshoumaru stops at the river nearby the hut, the place where he and Rin spent time together last night. He observes the surroundings, and is relived that the girl has not returned yet. When the demon lord hears the footsteps of the kid running towards him, he turns and faces the boy. Jaken in his usual clumsy fashion falls and rolls up to his lord's boot when the kid pause in a sudden.

"Aito, you should continue to the hut." The taiyoukai instructs coolly. The startled kid frowns confused. He walks closer to the demon lord's side.

"We will walk together right?" Aito asks with doubt.

"Jaken, we are leaving." That's the only answer from the demon lord as he turns and walks away from the boy. Aito's eyes widen with his mouth gapping. He then runs to the lord's side as he wishes to know the reason for Sesshoumaru's sudden departure. Did I upset Lord Sesshoumaru? The kid bits his inner lips as he thinks to himself.

"My lord why are you leaving? You don't want to wait for mother? She will return very soon." Aito's voice is slightly shaky as he tries to control his tears. Sesshoumaru pauses his steps, he does not turn but the kid stops on the lord's left hand side. Jaken is befuddled with his lord's decision. They have been searching for the human girl for this long and yet his lord is leaving this soon. Weird Jaken thinks.

"Please my lord, you have to at least say goodbye to mother, else she will be very upset. Please..." Aito pleads in distress. The demon lord drops to one knee and looks upon the upset boy. Poor kid, his sunset eyes are glassed over with unshed tears. He reaches out his right hand to wrap around Aito's waist and he pulls the kid closer.

"You will promise to obey your mother, and never ever make her angry. You must grow up to be a strong man to protect your mother. Deal?" Sesshoumaru speaks softly as he strokes Aito's head with his left hand.

"No, why do you need to go now? Did I anger you? Or did I say something bad while I was sleeping?" His tears fall uncontrollably and wets his kimono.

"No, it has nothing to do with you. It wa-" Aito steps on Sesshoumaru's lap as he throws his arms around the taiyoukai's neck disallowing the lord to complete his sentence. Aito then buries his face into Sesshoumaru's fluffy and crying overtakes the boy. The demon lord's chest tightens, he can feel the heaviness over his heart. It is awkward as the western lord has never felt this way before in his life. He hardly knows the kid and yet he has an unexplainable connection with the boy. This has to be by far the most difficult departure he has ever faced in his life. If Rin is here the situation will be worse. Tightening his hold around the boy's waist, Sesshoumaru close his eyes and inhales Aito scent for the last time.

"Soon your desired life will be fulfilled and you will have a better life with your mother. Take care" Sesshoumaru reaches up to remove the kid's hands, pulling him away as he catches the kid's aching gaze. The decision has been made and I have to leave. The taiyoukai is determined as he rises and turns to leave. Aito watches the shadow of the demon lord and the little toad slowly disappear from his sights.

Back at the kitchen:

Rin bids farewell to Tsuyu as she walks rapidly in the direction of the hut. She is so eager to meet the demon lord again. After being separated for this long, she feels so fortunate to be able to chat with her lord again. When she reaches the hut, it is dark and Rin frowns, confused. They have still not returned? She thinks as she pushes the door apart. The girl manages to light up a candle on the table and that's when she spots her son at the side of the wooden cabinet. He has his legs drawn up to his chest and his head buried in between his knees.

"Aito? What are you doing here in the darkness?" Rin asks, concerned, as she settles by the side of her son with her right hand touching his shoulder. Her poor son is trembling.

"What's the matter son? Tell me what has happened, do not scare mother. Please look at me my dear Aito." a worried Rin inquires. Aito raises his head up and faces his mother. His eyes are sore red, his cheeks are wet so is his kimono. Rin wonders for how long her son has cried, for she can't seem to spot Sesshoumaru, not even the green kappa.

"Oh my dear, why are you crying so much? Tell me what happened, are the village kids bullying you? Did they insult you?" Rin continues to guess hoping to catch her son's attention.

"Mo-mother, Lord Sesshoumaru... He has left with Jaken." Aito wraps his arms around his mother's waist as he continues to weep. Rin's eyes widen in shock.

"Leaving? Did he tell you why?" She hugs her son tightly with her hand stroking his back to comfort the poor kid.

"Aito don't know, my lord didn't say anything, he just said that I will have the life I desired very soon. I really tried my best to stop Lord Sesshoumaru but I failed to. Mother, I am so sorry. Please forgive me." The kid explains in disappointment while holding his mother as tightly as he can.

"It is fine my son, you are not to blame for Lord Sesshoumaru's departure. I am sure he has things he needs to handle, that is why he needs to leave so soon. Now my dear son, stop crying please." Rin tries to stay calm as Aito only nods. She shifts Aito away slightly and wipes the tears off of his face with her kimono sleeve.

"Good boy. Remember that mother will never be mad at Aito ok? Now come, I bet you must be hungry." Rin forces a light smile as she is about to rise but Aito pulls her hands.

"Mother, I don't feel hungry, can I eat later?" Aito's sorrowful voice has made Rin's heart despondent. She nods as a yes and pulls her son to her arms. He closes his swollen eyes and rests his head beneath her chin. Shortly after, Aito cries himself to sleep. Stroking his head, Rin allows her welled up tears to fall down her cheeks. Her heart feels disappointed, depressed and slightly angry. She has been waiting the whole day, and was so eager to come back home. There are so many things she wishes to tell to Sesshoumaru.

Lord Sesshoumaru, why are you refusing to give me a chance? I thought we had a promise to talk it over tonight. How could you do this to me my lord? Rin fists her left hand on the floor hard enough that it makes her knuckle bleed a little. How can you be so cruel to me my lord? All I was asking for was just to wait for tonight, why are you doing this to me?. You are so heartless my lord. Rin pauses at this moment, she thinks of the word 'heartless'. Tears stream down uncontrollably, as she tightens her right hand around Aito.

"Who am I to yell 'heartless'? I was the one who left Lord Sesshoumaru without a word." She blames herself softly and thinks this must be some sort of karma due to her own actions in the past. Tightly she shuts her eyes off, with tears still streaming like a brook and wetting her face and kimono, Rin curses herself again for causing so much of pain to her son. She is not surprised with Aito's reaction over Sesshoumaru's sudden departure. In fact, she feels greatly guilty for being such a bad mother. It is the lord's blood flowing in Aito's body that causes him to feel the pain in his heart. It is the bond between them that makes the departure ever more difficult. What kind of a mother am I, trying to separating a father and son. She curses herself with her hand continuing to hit the floor.

"Son, please forgive me, you deserve to be around your father, but I –I have no choice." Tears flow like a stream as she continues to blame herself. Rin buries her face on top of Aito's head as she cries herself to sleep, embracing her precious son in her warm arms.

Chapter end notes:

Ta da! I did this as fast as I could. *phew* I hope you all love this chapter because I really enjoyed writing it. I have completed chapter 10 though, but hardly have time to proof read it yet. I shall try to sort this as soon as I can ^_^

Meanwhile these are the title for my next chapters.

Chapter 10 – Disaster

Chapter 11 – Call for help

Chapter 12- The bond between them

Stay tune guys. And thanks for those who has reviewed my story from the beginning. You guys are awesome! *hugs* and *kisses* for you all. Cheer!