Chapter 9: Yuudai

Inuyasha stood on the roof of one of the palace towers staring up at the early morning sky. The sun was just starting to rise over the large expanse of green forest in the horizon, painting the sky a pale blue color. Gentle cool winds blew sending his silver tendrils flowing behind him in the breeze. He enjoyed these moments. When he could just be alone and enjoy the world around him when it was at peace. He would be leaving soon, most likely tomorrow night. He most likely would not tell anyone he was leaving until right before he went. He was sure that there would be protests, mostly from his mother.

She could not understand why he chose to roam throughout the kingdom, living in the wilderness, hunting and catching his meals, sleeping in trees, and bathing in the cold streams and ponds he crosses. Of course she would not understand, she was human. His inuyokai blood gave him the natural urge to go off and be free, to live, to hunt. His father was a little more understanding but lately had been even more insistent on him staying home.

It's not that Inuyasha did not enjoy being at home or around his family, but he just could not stay cooped up inside the stone walls of the palace. There were too many rules. Etiquette and propriety were two things that he could not keep up for long periods of time. The longest he had ever stayed was two weeks, but that was when Izayoi was getting ready to birth Misho. Once the pup was born, Inuyasha left again, returning several months later only to find that Kagura was ready to birth a pup herself.

Inuyasha's ears twitched and swiveled to the sides as he heard someone approaching from behind. The wind was blowing toward him so he could not catch the scent of them. However and powerful yoki was radiating and he knew who it was.

"Hello, Father."

Inu no Taisho came and stood beside his son, standing a head taller than him. His hands were clasped behind his back and he looked out into the horizon, watching the slowly rising sun.

"I had a feeling I would find you up here. Or hiding in some tree somewhere," he added in an amused tone.

It grew quiet and Inuyasha turned to his father. "You wanted to talk about something?"

Inu no Taisho shrugged. "Can't I just spend some time with my son? I hardly see you anymore."

"Apologies. I do not like staying in one place for too long."

"Understandable. I remember when I was your age. I never stayed in the same place for longer than a week or two, only returning home once or twice a year, and leaving after only three days. Of course that all changed once I mated Sesshomaru's mother." There was a short pause. "Inuyasha, have you thought about what it was you were going to do? When Sesshomaru was your age he was away at the conservatory, continuing his education. Misho has already decided to focus on his studies and philosophies. What is it that you want to do?"

Inuyasha stifled the annoyed sigh and crossed his arms over his chest. "I have not."

"I know you like the idea of running around freely, traveling where ever and doing whatever, but that must come to an end soon. You are reaching your two hundredth birthday soon, you need to start getting settled down."

"I do not want to settle down. I like being free."

Inu no Taisho sighed heavily looking at his son with concerned eyes. "Finding a path and sticking to it will not imprison you, my son. It will guide you toward a greater purpose."

"And greater purpose is that?"

"Only opportunity can tell you that?"

Inuyasha scoffed, no longer able to hold back his frustration. "And what opportunity will be given a bastard hanyo pup like me?"

Inu no Taisho's eyes narrowed and his voice came out in a low warning growl. "Do not call yourself that. Not only does it degrade yourself, but it degrades your mother. You are no bastard. Never say that again."

Inuyasha stood in silence, feeling awkward about his scolding. Times like this is one of the reasons he preferred to stay away. He did not like having these kinds of conversations with his fasther. He did not like these type of conversation period.

The Inu no Taisho spoke again. "When I was your age, I joined the Royal guard, worked my way through the ranks until I became a general, eventually the king favored me so much, he allowed me to mate his daughter, and only heir. I'm not saying you have to do what I did, I just want you to have something of your own."

There was more silence. Inuyasha swallowed uncomfortably. "I have to go, father." He bowed respectfully before jumping off the roof and landing on the ground more than twenty feet below with effortless grace. Without missing a beat he ran, bounding for the never ending expanse of trees and wilderness just outside inner palace walls. He leapt over them and ran into the forest. The one place he could find his solace.

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Sesshomaru was not happy, and everyone knew it. The rest of the Southerners had left the previous morning, leaving behind his new wife and her elderly caretaker. Now he waited in front of the palace, along with the rest of the royal family. Today Rin would be presented to the public as the new princess. Followed by a trip to the market place where the women would shop and all would bond with the common people. The only one's missing from there group were the Lady Izayoi, Inuyasha, and Rin herself. Sesshomaru did not like waiting.

He glanced over at Kagura leaning against a pillar in the archway to the door. She was rubbing her belly looking distraught. Byakuya stood behind her with a hand on her arm, frowning deeply at her. Concerned he walked over to her.

"Kagura, are you all right?"

She looked up at him, and the look she gave him was just short of pitiful. She shook her head and then leaned into him. Wrapping his arms around her torso and takin on her weight he looked into her face. She was pale and clammy.

"I don't feel well. I feel like I'm going to be sick."

"Why did you not say something? You should be in bed."

"I wanted to be with you. I know how important today is." She spoke barely above a whisper.

Sesshomaru's face darkened at her words. "Today is not more important than your health, or our pups. You must be more careful, especially right now when you will need all of your strength. I will take you to bed."

Effortlessly he picked her up cradling her back with one arms with the other placed at the crease of her knees. He began walking toward the door when his father's voice stopped him.

"What are you doing?"

Without so much as a backwards glance Sesshomaru replied. "Kagura is not feeling well. I am taking her to her room, and then I am going to get a doctor."

"But the appearance –"

"Is not more important than my mate," Sesshomaru ground out, turning towards his father, holding in his anger as best he could.

"Mother!" Ai called out running up the steps to stand beside her father and looking at her with worry. "What's wrong? Are you in pain?"

"Ai, it is fine. Do not worry."

"She says she's fine," Inu no Taisho repeated, but he knew everyone had heard. He looked at his son and heir waiting for his rebuttal. It never came.

Instead the crisp, melodic hum of Inukimi's voice sprang up. "Clearly she is not fine, Touga." Inukimi went to stand directly beside the King and gave him a level stare. "I would think with your future grandchild's life at stake you would be more understanding." She turned to face Sesshomaru and nodded dismissively.

With a curt nod he entered the palace, servants opening doors as he went. Behind him Ai and Byakuya followed. "Why are you undermining me?" Inu no Taisho demanded in a voice so low only Inukimi would hear him.

"I will not have my future grandchild or the mate of my only son die because you want to save face for the public."

"Sesshomaru will not leave her side for the rest of the day."

"As he shouldn't." She said in a harsh voice, staring at him in anger.

"We need a moment." He snarled.

"Do we?" She asked impertinently.

His nostrils flared and a low growl leaked out. He swiftly turned on his heel and marched towards the cloistered walk way some distance away from the group. "Gives us a moment," he said to the others in a menacing voice.

Inukim followed haughtily after him, leaving a very concerned Izayoi, confused Misho, and uncaring Inuyasha behind. Once they disappeared around the corner Inu no Taisho faced Inukimi standing very tensely with indignation in his eyes.

"Why are you testing me right now, Inukimi?"

"I am not Touga. I think you have simply misplaced your better judgment in this situation." Her voice was calm, and her eyes were steady.

"Today is an important day. We need this to go well. We need the people to accept Rin."

"They will. They have to. They have no choice." Inukimi retorted crossing her arms in a very unladylike manner.

"They have a choice and they can choose to rise up and go against us! We have to appear like a united front to them."

Inukimi pursed her lips at him. As she always did right before she said something she knew would set him off. "Let's not pretend like that's what this is about! If you wanted us to look like a united front you should not have married the Northern Princess. You should not have taken your mate mark off of your queen, who mothered your heir to place it on some ningen woman who would only bare you infertile hanyos. And you should not have forced your son into marrying a ningen woman when he was already happy with what he had!"

"Don't make this about you!"

"No, how could I, when it was never about me! It's never about anyone but you!" She hissed taking her hand and shoving him hard in the chest as hard as he could. He only budged a little. Blinking away stray tears that were forming in her eyes.

Breathing heavily he stared down at her, changing to a more calm and dejected manner. "I told you I was sorry! I tried to make it better!"

There was a long pause and they just stared at each other. Inukimifelt her chest tighten. She hated this. She hated him. Even now in this momentg, after all of the things he did to her, she wanted nothing more than to fall into his arms. But she would not, she had her pride to consider. She took a deep breath and spoke in a gentle tone, changing the subject backto what it was originally about.

"I know you do not like Kagura," she began, "but what I need to remind is that regardless of how you feel about Kagura she is Sesshomaru's mate, and she is the Crown Princess. Her needs will always take precedence over Princess Rin's. It is my belief that you wish for Sesshomaru to do the same thing to Kagura that you did with me. You want to switch his affections, but it will not work. He chose Kagura, he will not deceive her."

"Are you sure, Inukimi? I am his father." He added dryly.

Inukimi smirked and looked at him with a challenging stare. "True. But he takes most after his mother." She walked away, without an ending word.

"So what will we do today?" Izayoi asked when they returned.

"Instead of going to the market place, why don't you take her around yourself. She may feel most comfortable with you. You both have a lot more in common," Inukimi stated.

Izayoi nodded smiling. "That is a wonderful idea. I had planned on going to the orphanage today sometime after the appearance, but I guess I can do that now." She turned to face Inuyasha. "Do you mind escorting us, Inuyasha?"

The older hanyo prince gave a small smile and nodded. "Of course, Mother."

Inukimi nodded. "That sounds great." She turned to face the Inu no Taisho who stood a few feet away. "Do you have any protests to that, your majesty?" She asked smiling politely, as if the little argument they had never happened.

"Very well," he answered calmly coming forward. "I have business to attend to, and Misho has his studies. I want you back before the sunset, understood?"

Izayoi smiled sweetly at him and nodded. "Yes, my love."

Inukimi walked off without dismissal. Inu no Taisho ignored her and smiled at his mate and then to his middle son. "Keep them safe."

"Naturally, father."

"Come, Misho." With that the youngest prince and the Kin left the courtyard.

Izayoi looked at Inuyasha. "Why you go and get Princess Rin. I will wait here for the both of you, but hurry along. I wish to leave soon."

Inuyasha nodded and walked away leaving his mother alone with her servants and a few guards. He wanted to enjoy this time he spent with his mother. He was leaving that night and he did not know when he would return. If he would return. He was afraid to say anything but he had grown tired of life in the West, he was ready to explore the rest of the world. He wished to leave his princely duties behind completely and just roam the world. Learn new fighting styles and discover new ways of life, bed exotic women.

As he entered the part of the palace he had not attended since his mother's rooms were still separate from his fathers. He stopped outside of the bedroom door where the guards announced his arrival. The screen was slowly opened and a young girl opened it and bowed respectfully to him, allowin him to enter. When he did, a seond girl identical to the first was bowing at the aist as well. They straightened at the same time, and the first one spoke.

"The princess is praying. She will be out soon, if you do not mind waiting, your highness."

Inuyasha nodded and looked at the comfortable couch in the room. He instead walked over to the wall and sat, crossing his legs and arms in front of him. His nose twitched from the strong smell of incense that was burning in the other room. His ears swiveled as he heard the low melodic whispers of the human princess in the other room.

"I thank you for your protection and love. Please continue to lead me in the right direction as I begin this perilous journey. I will be pulled into darkness, so give me the strength to sustain my life, so that I may fight for yours. All glory goes onto you, Great Mother Goddess."

Inuyasha could hear some shuffling and watched as one of the servants went to the door and slid it open just a bit so she could go inside. He heard her make his presence known. A short while later, Princess Rin stepped from the room. Inuyasha was surprised at what he saw.

Sure he had seen her several times before, but never this close, and never in such an intimate place. The creamy skin of her arms was exposed, and her upper chest area. The lavender dress she wore fit her loosely, with a thick silver chain belt at her midsection bringing some shape to the dress. Her hair was curly all over her head, not pulled back in any way. When her large brown eyes met his she smiled politely and curtsied before him.

Inuyasha did not understand it. How did men in the South allow their women to walk around so… exposed? They must have a lot of self-control. If the women in the west dressed nearly as revealing as the princess did there would be no virgins left. Luckily they had not come a month ago during mating season. Everyone one of those southern women would have been impregnated. He hoped for Rin's sake that she would not dress like this very often. It would just take one careless move from her guards and the girl could end up impregnated with some hanyo that was not fathered by his brother.

Inuyasha rose from his seat. "I have come to escort you to meet with my Mother. She wishes to take you out today."

"I thought I would be making a public appearance today?" She asked frowning.

"There have been a change of plans. The Crown Princess was not feeling well."

Rin nodded, not needing further explanation. "Very well. Lead the way."

Inuyasha nodded and walked towards the door. Kocho and Asuka followed behind Rin.

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Naraku stared into the glass mirror being held by the young demoness standing before him. Kanna, is second daughter, birthed by his mistress Tsubaki. The girl was devoid of almost all emotion, and was unquestionably loyal to Naraku, thus, she was his favorite. He pampered the girl with whatever is was that she desired most. She never asked for much, but when she did he made sure she had it.

In her magic mirror gifted to her by her mother, Naraku watched his oldest daughter struggle with her pregnancy pains. A cold malicious smile slowly appeared on his face.

"Kanna, send a message to the Thunder Brothers. Tell them to set out today, we will strike in three days' time."

Kanna bowed. "Yes, father," she said in her childish voice. She stood up straight and then walked out of Naraku's room leaving him alone to his thoughts.

The southerners had returned, Kagura would be giving birth at any moment now, the human princess was virtually alone and unprotected. This was Naraku's time to strike. The way everything was falling into place made him giddy with excitement. Takng the throne would be easier than he thought. Far easier. He would have to set the second part of his plans in motion sooner than he thought.

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Kagura was frightened. The pains she was experiencing she had never experienced with her pregnancy before. The doctor had told her she was in labor but that was impossible. It was too soon. She still had an entire month left to go. How had this happened? She had done everything right. She drank her medicinal tea, she kept off her feet, and she and Sesshomaru had not been together intimately in two months. It made no sense to her.

All she knew was her contractions were getting even more frequent. Sesshomaru had been sent out of the room, as well as Byakuya. Only Yura, Ai, the midwife, an a few other servants remained. Kagura was covered in sweat, breathing heavily. She was on her knees, leaning her weight on Yura, holding her shoulders.

"Your highness, its time. You need to push."

A sharp pain stabbed Kagura in her lower abdominal area and she cried out in pain. "This isn't right," she ground out. "Something's wrong!" She cried.

"Shh! Your highness, just push!"

Kagura pushed, as hard as she could, yet she could not feel the baby move, an inch. She kept trying to push and push, yet she did not feel it crowning. She let out a sob of despair. She had been at this for the past hour and still she had not made any progress. She feared the worst at this moment. With her water already broken she was afraid the baby would die within her. All because she was not strong enough.

She tried to push again only this time a sharp pain hit her in her core. It felt as if something was trying to slice her in half. She wailed in agony. "No! There's something wrong!"

"Just push, Kagura." Yura insisted.

Kagura continued until she felt a popping inside of her, and immediately pressure was relieved from her, but not very much. She clenched her jaw and pushed again harder, suddenly she felt the baby coming out of her. With a cry of both excitement and relief, she released Yura's shoulders and reached down, gntly grabbing the baby by its head. She pushed again as more of the small infant came out of her. Catching it by the shoulders she pulled the rest of the child body from her and lifted it up to bear before her eyes.

"A boy," she cried happily, falling back onto the futon she held the infant to her chest, relieved when she heard the piercing cries coming from him. She felt another uncomfortable cramp hit her in the lower abdominal region, signaling the afterbirth. More relaxed now, she held onto her son and finished the labor. She held him to her chest covered in blood and grime, beat red with squirming limbs. A thick main of short silver hair coated his head entirely.

She looked over at Ai who sat petrified in the corner for the entire endeavor. Kagura smiled at the wide eyed expression on her teenage daughters face. "You have a brother. Go tell your father."

Ai nodded and vacated the room quickly, no doubt horrified as to what she had just witnessed. "A boy," Kagura mused as her eyelids fluttered shut. Her exhaustion over powered her and she easily fell into the clutches of sleep.

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Sesshomaru was anxious, though his indifferent expressiongave nothing away. He could hear Kagura's struggle from outside where waited in the hallway. The stench of blood filled the entire wing of the palace. He frew even more worried when he heard silence in the other room. There was some shuffling and soon Ai burst through the slidin door, running to the open window in the wall. Breathing in several gulps of fresh air, she turned to her father an smiled shakily.

"I'm never having children."

"That's fair. How is your mother?"

Ai nodded standing up straight before him. "Well. Congratulations, we have a little prince." She smiled warmly at her father.

Sesshomaru merely entered where Ai was so desperate to escape from. When he slid open the door to Kagura's private chamber his eyes immediately fell to her. She was passed out on the futon, covered in her own mess. The smell was horrid, but he did not care. Not wen the small wails of his newborn pup distracted him. He turned and faced Yura who was already walking over to him with a wrapped bundle in his arms.

Sesshomaru took the child without hesitation, an unfolded the blanket, examining his naked son. He had five fingers, ten toes, two ears, one fluffy silver tail, and two ruby red eyes, staring back at him. He was perfect. Sesshomaru cracked what was a smile to him, but to others it looked like grimace.

"His name is Yuudai." With that he returned the pup to Yura and exited the room, eager to tell everyone about his grand news.

A/N: A thoudand apologies I know this took so long and I know this was not very long but never fear I will be posting the nxt chappter in just a few days. I just had to get this little piece put up so we could get into the good stuff. Thanks for all of your comments and suggestions they really do help so keep at it. I will have the next chapter up ASAP!

Also thanks for bein so patient. I know what its like to wait on posts so I will try to do a better job at it. Promise! ;P