Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the story or characters of InuYasha, they belong to Rumiko Takahashi. I make no profit from writing this fanfiction.
A/N: 6*Not sorry. To make up for it, another super long chapter.
I try to avoid clichés when it come to my stories. I will try my best to not have anyone walk in on anyone else in the bath. Just to clear that up now. Hahaha
Okay, so there's shades of Revelations in this chapter. Hey, I'm allowed to plagiarize myself.
Family Relations
Kagome wasn't sure what she'd been expecting but she was unprepared for what she saw. Rin was laying half-dressed on the floor surrounded by maids – all demons – and was in the midst of giving birth!
Kagome immediately dropped her things and ran to the younger woman. She quickly assessed the situation. Rin was in too much pain to talk but she saw the recognition of her presence briefly pass in the younger woman's eyes.
The priestess looked up to the females around and she noticed a familiar face in the cat-demon nurse. "When did labor begin?" she asked quickly.
"Yesterday was when the heavy contractions started, right after she expelled fluids."
Kagome nodded. "Her water broke," she clarified. "What have you given her? What has she had?" she asked as she rolled up her sleeves and secured them. The demonesses looked at one another in confusion. The priestess frowned deeply. "Have you given her anything to ease the pain?" she snapped.
The nurse bowed her head. "No, my lady."
Kagome huffed out an exasperated breath. "Bring me my basket and I'll show you which herb to make into a tea," she pointed to her things. "I'll also need some clean towels and some boiling water. They hesitated and she glared at them. "Go!" They all jumped into action.
After giving instructions Kagome then fully focused on Rin, first checking to see how dilated she was. She mopped the other woman's brow and soothed her a little with her words and touch. She knew she had a ways to go so she rolled her onto her side and massaged her lower back, adding just a touch of her powers. It was dangerous to use too much reiki on someone giving birth, there were potentially too many complications.
The nurse brought the tea, and the two of them sat Rin up slightly and got her to drink it. They laid her back down and Kagome moved to between her legs to check her again.
It was only a half hour later and Rin's pain was eased enough she could focus on Kagome's instructions. The next hour seemed to crawl by, it was exhausting for the humans involved. After almost a full day and a half of labor Rin was already tired so pushing was a chore. Finally the child came out and after Rin expelled the afterbirth she was able to rest.
Kagome smiled down at the squalling bundle in her arms. It was a boy. "He's beautiful, Rin."
The younger woman smiled tiredly, unable to speak. Kagome placed the boy by his mother's shoulder and the child quickly fell asleep. Rin looked at him with overwhelming love then smiled up at Kagome. "Thank you," she said softly, there were tears welling in her eyes.
Kagome nodded through her own tears. "Shh now, rest. We'll talk later."
Rin was asleep almost immediately.
Kagome was physically and emotionally drained. The cat nurse approached her and bowed. "Thank you, Lady Kagome. We were unfamiliar with human birthing."
Kagome nodded. "I'm glad I could help." She rubbed her eyes, which were burning for sleep.
"Please, go now and rest yourself. We will tend to young lady Rin." The demoness all but shoved Kagome to the door.
Kagome wanted to argue but she knew she wouldn't last long. She nodded and headed out into the hallway, closing the door behind her. She sighed and looked up and down the empty and dark corridor. She took the few steps across the expanse and into her own room. She was happy to see that her futon was readied and her night yukata was laid out.
She changed as fast as her tired bones would allow and slipped under the covers. Much like Rin she was asleep and soon as she laid down.
~8~
When she woke the next morning it was later than she usually got up. She noticed the rest of her things had been brought into her room. She groaned as she sat up and rubbed her face.
Someone knocked at her door. "My lady, are you awake?"
Kagome recognized the voice and aura of her maid so smiled as she stretched. "Come in, Kimiko."
The young demoness came in with a smile of her own and carrying a tray of food. "It is good to see you again, Mistress." She set out Kagome's clothes, as the priestess ate a bite.
"Is Rin awake?"
Kimiko shook her head. "She woke early to feed the babe and so has just fallen back asleep." Kagome nodded with how right that was. "My lady, our lord requests your presence as soon as you are able."
Kagome stood and stretched, groaning at her aches and pains. Kimiko helped her dress and do her hair. She wore a kimono but of a simple design and fewer layers for greater ease of movement, than accented the ensemble with a decorative comb in her locks.
A guard led the priestess to Sesshomaru's study. Kagome bowed as she entered but noticed a young man – human in appearance – standing next to the proud lord. "Lord Sesshomaru," she dipped her head. He nodded back.
She could feel the other man blatantly staring at her but not wanting to be rude she attempted to ignore it, instead she tried to focus on what she wanted to say. "Thank you for sending help to my village so that I could come more quickly."
"Your help was necessary," he said brushing off the thanks. She wasn't sure but it almost sounded like he was chastening her for not coming when he first called.
She eyed him with a sly smile. "Now, if I had known you were calling me to Rin in the first place I would've tried to make due."
"Thank you so much, Miko! I am forever in your debt!" the young man blurted, interrupting any possible response Sesshomaru may have had.
Kagome turned to him, now more curious about his identity. "And you are?"
"Oh! Pardon me for my lack of manners." He bowed low. "I am Rin's husband, Heto."
Kagome eased and gave him a kind smile. "Pleased to meet you, Master Heto. Your wife is very dear to me. I hope you know how precious she is."
The young man flushed red. "Oh, yes, yes! I love her greatly. She is the light of my life," he babbled. "Thank you again for what you have done for my family." He bowed to her again.
"Rin did all the hard work, besides it was my pleasure. Congratulations on the healthy birth of your son."
Heto beamed a proud smile and bobbed his head.
Silence descended on them and Kagome glanced at Sesshomaru because Heto was staring at her again. Finally she couldn't take the awkward any longer. "Is there something wrong with my hair?" She reached up to lightly touch her locks.
Heto's eyes bulged. "No, surely, my lady."
She hummed. "Than why do you stare at me?"
Heto knelt before her. "Forgive me, Great Miko."
She rolled her eyes and hauled him to his feet again. "I'm not mad, I just want to know why."
He blushed beet red again. "It... it is just that you look so young. I," he dipped his head, "thought when I heard of your great deeds the image in my mind was of a much older and wiser woman." His eyes snapped back to hers. "Not that you are not wise! You are the great Shikon Miko–"
She cut him off with a hand on his arm and her peals of laughter. "Oh, you are precious." She wiped the tears from her eyes. "If it relieves your mind I was just fifteen when I started my duties as the guardian of the Shikon. I was nowhere near wise." Sesshomaru snorted and she shot him a sharp look. "Anyway, I have progressed but still have much to learn."
Heto nodded though in his mind she still looked no older than his wife. He was sure Rin had talked about her as a mother or an older sister at the least.
The conversation flowed after that and about an hour later an attendant came saying that Rin was requesting her husband. The other two bid him go and watched him leave in a flurry of bows and shaky smiles.
Kagome chuckled as the door closed. "Well, I like him."
Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow and gave her a sideways glance. "He is well respected and due to inherit a large estate."
She smiled, yes, the marriage had practical benefits but she could also see what a good match they were in other ways. "How did they meet?"
Sesshomaru was silent for a moment gathering his thoughts. "This Sesshomaru was out patrolling and Rin desired to stop at a village known for its textiles."
Kagome turned towards the lord, she wasn't expecting him to tell a story, she was nearly giddy. She could also see how uncomfortable this was making him.
"This Sesshomaru is not familiar with the particulars but Master Heto is the headman's son and they became... smitten with each other."
She clasped her fingers to her lips to stifle the giggle that threatened. He looked positively green to talk about this so she decided to rescue him. "I will ask Rin about it, don't strain yourself." She laughed outright at his sour expression mixed with relief.
They were silent once more but with him she noticed it was comfortable again. She was glad, she had hated it when things had been awkward between them. She sighed a contented little breath but then a thought came to her and she frowned. "I have to apologize, Lord Sesshomaru."
He looked at her more fully, she hadn't been back in his home a whole day, what could she possibly have done this time?
"When I was here last I was reading a scroll from your library." She glanced up from her hands to see him incline his head. "Well, the scroll I chose was a journal, as it turned out. I was enjoying it, though I couldn't make out what the names were."
He was stumped as to why she was telling him this, or what in this she could be sorry for. Did it get destroyed while in her possession?
"Well, I discovered after I got home that when the servants packed my things they evidently thought it was mine."
He sat back a little, so this was why she was full of trepidation. She was worried that he would be angry with her for taking the epistle. "Concern yourself not, priestess. I was not even aware such a thing was missing. Though your honesty is commendable."
She blinked and blushed. "Um, well... that wasn't really– "
Kagome was interrupted when a servant entered and bowed. "Excuse me, lord, lady. Mistress Rin is asking for you both." The two of them rose and Sesshomaru led the way back to the rooms. When they entered Rin was sitting holding her baby, with her husband (looking extremely proud) standing right behind her.
"Lady Kagome!" the younger woman's whole being lit up with joy.
Kagome was hit a wave of nostalgia looking at her glowing face. She did away with propriety as she knelt down in front of the younger woman. "Rin, I'm so happy for you! He's so beautiful, you did a great job," speaking of the birth. She hugged her close, mindful of the child between them.
"I could not have gotten through this without you here." Both women had tears on their cheeks as they embraced again.
"What are you going to name him?" Kagome asked as she brushed the last of the tears away and stood.
Rin glanced up at Heto with a smile. His chest puffed out and his grin about split his face. "We wish to name him Yozora*. If it pleases his lordship." He bowed to Sesshomaru.
Kagome's eyes widened in surprise and she looked at Sesshomaru to see his reaction. There was a warmth in his eyes that was unmistakable, though there was very little show of it on the rest of his face.
"It is acceptable." His voice was slightly quiet but easily heard in silence of the room.
Kagome smiled and flushed with a warmth that made her want to hug the stoic demon lord.
Rin and Heto looked positively ecstatic. "Thank you, Lord Sesshomaru!" he said in rush with another short bow.
Sesshomaru nodded in return.
Kagome couldn't resist any longer. "May I hold him?" she reached for Yozora. Rin nodded and passed the bundle up to her. Kagome watched as he murmured in his sleep and yawned. She nuzzled him softly and savored that sweet baby smell. Every time she assisted with bringing a new life into this world she was filled with hope, but at the same time that familiar twang of want ran through her at what she'd given up.
Sesshomaru watched the interaction between the miko and his ward's child, he could see how happy Kagome was, but there was a touch of sadness there. He wondered again what had transpired between his younger sibling and this woman. Their dissension couldn't have been due to her inability to produce an heir. She looked adequately built for birthing children and would've undoubtedly had several by now. She was strong, and her power would certainly carry to her offspring. Her maternal instincts were unparalleled, as evidenced on many occasions.
He stopped himself cold. He couldn't believe where his thoughts had just been. A shiver went down his spine as he looked at her again. There wasn't a doubt in his mind that she would make an excellent mother.
Kagome returned the baby and moved back next to Sesshomaru again. Rin beamed up at the two, she had never told Kagome but she'd looked up to her as what her mother should have been, she was the mother of her heart. With the demon and the priestess standing there together it almost seemed like she had a real family. She smiled up at her husband, she did have a family now and it was all thanks to the people who raised her. Her heart swelled further when Heto nodded to her.
She looked up to the demon she saw as a father with expectant eyes."Lord Sesshomaru, Heto and I have talked about it and we desire you to be Yozora's godfather."
To say Sesshomaru was surprised by the request would've beeen an understatement. He was not fit to raise a human baby if (kami forbid) anything should happen to them, it would be better if the child stayed with his own kind, with Heto's family. He looked at Rin with her large, soft, brown eyes and he knew once again he could deny her nothing. He dipped his head and the woman squealed with glee.
Kagome knew Rin would be jumping around the room if she hadn't just given birth. The priestess had been downright shocked by Sesshomaru's acceptance but one look at Rin and she knew why.
"Lady Kagome, likewise, we can think of no better to be godmother," Heto added.
Kagome put a hand to her chest. "I would be honored." She didn't know what to say, it was unexpected for her. Sesshomaru she could understand, but Rin hadn't known her well, at least she didn't think so. Maybe it was because she'd helped deliver him.
"Thank you. Thanks to both of you," Heto said with a huge grin.
Just then the little one woke up hungry so Kagome ushered the men out of the room so Rin could feed him. She stayed to help her get started but Rin was a natural so didn't need much help. Once Yozora was contentedly latched on to his mother Kagome took the time to study the young woman. "How are you feeling?"
Rin smiled. "A little sore still but better." Yozora made a little contented noise and both women smiled down at him. Thoughts of family filled Rin again and she wanted to so badly to tell Kagome how much she admired her but wasn't sure how to go about it or how the priestess would feel about it.
Kagome noticed the younger woman's emergent nervousness but attributed it to the sudden realization of motherhood. "You are going to be a great mother, Rin. I am sure of that."
Rin gave her a shaky smile. "Thank you, I had a great roll model growing up."
Kagome had never heard her speak of her mother before, she wondered what had happened to the human parents of this girl. Kagome was looking at her but Rin was staring back with a look that pleaded for understanding. Suddenly the realization struck her. "Me?!" she hissed.
Rin nodded with a blush. "Please do not be mad. You were the only female that was truly kind to me."
Tears filled Kagome's eyes. "Oh, Rin. I had no idea. I'm honored." Rin smiled and dipped her head. Kagome would've hugged her if she hadn't been feeding Yozora. Kagome chuckled as she wiped the tears away. "Makes me sorry I didn't make it to your wedding."
Both women laughed and began to talk about what they'd missed in each other's lives, the mood lifted between them.
Yozora was finishing eating when the priestess felt the need to ask something that had been plaguing her. "Tell me Rin, why did you come here to give birth? Wouldn't it have been more logical to do it in yours and Heto's village?"
Rin blushed and looked down with an embarrassed smile. "I had not planned on this happening. Heto did not want me to travel but I begged him and he relented. It was truly meant for a short trip to ask Lord Sesshomaru the request of guardianship. I was sure I was not due for several more weeks so I thought it would be fine."
Kagome chuckled, babies have their own timing for sure. "You do have Heto as wrapped around your little finger as you have Lord Sesshomaru."
Rin's eyes went wide. "Rin has no say over Lord Sesshomaru!" she was so stunned that she'd slipped back into her old way of speaking.
Kagome's smile widened. "Of course you do," she pointed out kindly. "He cares for you very much and would do anything you ask."
Rin shook her head in disbelief.
Kagome put a hand on her arm. "He misses you, you know. Besides, he consented to being Yozora's godfather didn't he? He would take care of a human boy because you asked him to. I think that's love if you ask me."
Rin was shocked. "He was always good to me but I never thought..."
Kagome took her hand and squeezed it. She noticed Yozora was fidgeting so she bundled him up and took to burping him while she let his mother process what had been said.
Rin recovered from the shock a minute later and watched Kagome with her son. "Lady Kagome, have you never wanted children of your own?"
The priestess smiled with a sigh. "Of course, but I guess that's not in my future. Besides, I had Shippo, and to some extent you," she touched the young woman's cheek softly, "so I'm content."
Rin blushed at the touch. "Why would children not be in your future? I see how much love you have to share, Lady Kagome. Is there no one you wish to spend your life with?"
For a brief moment the image of Sesshomaru flashed through her head, but she brushed it away without considering it. She wondered why him, and why hadn't it been Ichtio? She didn't want to think of that right now. She smoothed Rin's hair then let her hand drop. "Like I said, I'm content."
"What of Master InuYasha?" she asked softly.
Kagome's smile faded, she handed the baby back to his mother. "True, I did loved him once but that ship has sailed. He and I will never be what we once were."
Rin's eyes turned sad. She was about to ask about Lord Sesshomaru but decided that now wasn't the time. Instead she asked something else that had surprised her when she first saw the priestess again. "I hope you do not find me impertinent, Lady Kagome, but how is it that you have not aged?"
Kagome was taken aback by the question, her hands came up to her cheeks. "Of course I've aged. Why would you say that?"
Rin shook her head. "I used to sit on your lap and study your face." She looked down with a blush. "I wanted to be just like you so I memorized every line and freckle." She looked up again. "You are exactly the same as you were when we fought Naraku."
"No. I can't be. It's been more than ten years, I've had to have aged some." She was torn between thinking she was joking or just being overly nice. That or the girl was having some kind of delusion concerning someone she admired, wishing she would never age.
'She did not know?' Rin was puzzled. "There is a mirror behind that screen," she pointed to the corner, "Look for yourself."
Kagome got up stiffly and walked over to the other side of the room. True, it had been a while since she'd taken the time to look at herself. Mirrors weren't common in the Feudal Era and she usually bathed in moving bodies of water to avoid pathogens. She pulled the screen away and there was a highly polished looking glass on a stand.
She was shocked by what she saw, her reflection was in sharp focus in the glass. She touched her cheek again in surprise, brushing her hand up to her forehead. She indeed didn't look a day over maybe eighteen. 'How can this be?' she wondered. Why had no one mentioned this to her? Then she remembered a couple of conversations with Sango about how young she looked, at the time she'd laughed it off. Now she wished she hadn't.
She turned away from her reflection and came to sit in front of Rin again. "I didn't know," she said softly.
Rin nodded once. "Even I had not thought about it until Heto mentioned to me how young you looked. I admit when I first saw you again I thought maybe I had wished you there hard enough that you came in the exact form I remembered you. I know that is not true but something is clearly at work. How is this possible?"
Kagome shook her head. "I'm not sure." She had an idea but that wasn't something she readily spoke of. She'd have to think on it.
Yozora started crying, needing a rest, effectively ending their conversation. As much as Kagome would've like to stay and visit more she could see that Rin also needed a rest. She kissed Yozora's forehead, even though he protested, and promised to stay for a few more days until the small family could travel again, which made Rin exceedingly happy.
Kagome left them and decided to head to a late lunch. Heto joined Kagome for the meal and it was pleasant getting to know more about the young man. He was just what she would envision for Rin.
~0~
"Jaken," Sesshomaru caught the attention of his retainer near evening.
"Yes, m' lord?" the imp said eagerly.
"Retrieve the miko and take her to the side gate and await This Sesshomaru there."
Jaken nodded and hurried as best he could. After inquiring around amongst the staff he located her in the ceremonial weapons room.
Kagome had gone exploring again after lunch, followed by an ever-present guard, and had found a few rooms she'd not been in before. She had been pondering over an empty stand which had room for three swords. It hit her suddenly when she realized that it was for Inu no Taishō's swords. The swords of Heaven, Men, and Hell.
InuYasha had Tessaiga, the Guardian of Men (can can fell a hundred enemies). Tenseiga; the Sword of Heaven, (can save a hundred lives) had been shattered before the battle that had garnered Sesshomaru his arm and Bakusaiga. So'unga, the Sword of Hell (can open the gateway to the netherworld and can summon a hundred dead souls, also called the Sword of Calamity) had been sent to hell in an attempt to seal its power.
She thought it rather sentimental that Sesshomaru kept the rack for his father's swords when the swords would never rest on it again. Her thoughts were interrupted when Jaken cleared his throat at the door. She turned to look at him.
"Master needs you to follow me, so hurry along." He had dismissed her guard on arrival and wished to carry out his duties with this woman quickly. It's not that he disliked her, in fact he tolerated her better than most humans, it was just the way his lord looked at the woman made him uncomfortable. He could feel something coming and he wasn't sure he liked it.
A slight smile quirked her mouth but she complied. They had just started to head down the hall when Jaken broke the silence.
"Master InuYasha is so abrasive, it is no wonder you'd want some time away from him. Not to demean your choice, or anything. Who wouldn't want to be aligned with a son of Lord Inu no Taishō? When you return are there mating plans, or what do you call them, wedding plans?"
Kagome stiffened noticeably. "Master Jaken..." she began hesitantly, "InuYasha isn't a part of my life anymore."
His eyes got huge. "Why? You are InuYasha's woman, are you not?" he demanded.
She was struggling to come up with a suitable answer, or a way to dispose of Jaken's body, when they came around a corner and were face to face with Sesshomaru. "Lord Sesshomaru," Kagome said with a short bow. "You asked to see me?" She was thankful for the conversation interruption.
He nodded once and noted his retainer's frustration. "You are relieved, Jaken."
The imp demon opened and closed his mouth before walking off in a huff.
Sesshomaru had overheard their topic of conversation as they had approached and was interested in Kagome's response to Jaken's last question. He hesitated, not because he was scared but because this was uncharted territory for him. He didn't want to say the wrong thing and make her cry, he hated crying females. He motioned the woman out the gate and to the outer door, as soon as it was opened he heard Kagome gasp.
"Oh, it's beautiful!" she gushed. The gardens stretched out before them lit with lanterns and fireflies. They walked out among the night-blooming plants and fragrant trees. He led her down the path and they went deeper into the walled garden. Kagome commented on several of the plants she knew but there were many she didn't recognize.
"So," Kagome started, "I've been meaning to ask since I was here the last time. Why are you being so nice to me all of a sudden?" She glanced at the male next to her as they walked along the path.
Sesshomaru honestly didn't have an answer for that himself. Something about her fascinated him and he was willing to do what ever it took to solve the mystery that was her. If nothing else than to purge her from his further thoughts.
Kagome scrunched up her face when he continued to not respond to her question. Was he being stubborn or just pompous? She couldn't tell. Well, if he wasn't going to talk she was going to fill the silence, and have some fun at his expense in the process. A win-win for her.
"Is it because I'm gorgeous and you can't bear to be away from me? That's it, isn't it?" She grinned like a Cheshire cat.
He almost took a misstep at her words. He was going to correct her but he realized she was trying to tease him. Well, he wasn't going to rise to the bait. He would let her have her jest, see if he cared. He tried to remember the last time he was teased. It must have been when he was a pup. The child that had teased him had met with an unfortunate "accident" the next week which left him scarred for life. A shame really.
Kagome couldn't believe it when she saw the slight upturn to Sesshomaru's lips. She had no way of knowing it was his own thoughts that had put it there, but she crowed a victory in her head all the same. Another voice in her head managed to point out how extraordinarily handsome that small expression made the demon lord. She shook herself, there were no point to thoughts of that nature.
"I don't hear you denying it so I will take that as the truth."
"This Sesshomaru can not account for your delusions."
She shot him a glance and saw his neutral expression. He was teasing her back! She threw her head back and laughed.
Sesshomaru delighted in hearing her laugh again. Once was a treat but twice was heaven. This had been a most rewarding day all around.
The conversation lagged between them but it was comfortable. They crossed a small bridge over a man-made – or in this case demon-made – stream to a circular grassy area with a bench in the center. He motioned her to sit.
She wavered for a moment then sat to one side. She was shocked when he rested on the seat beside her. They watched the fireflies for several minutes and Kagome suspected there was something on the great lord's mind. She was about to ask when his voice interrupted her.
"Miko, if I inquired of my half-brother would you answer me directly?"
She huffed out a breath. What could she say? She glanced at him, then reluctantly nodded for him to continue.
"Why is InuYasha not a part of your life? He seemed... drawn to you, and likewise you seemed to be infatuated by him."
She shut her eyes and sighed, she supposed the question was inevitable. There was a time when the two of them had been inseparable, and more than most Sesshomaru deserved an answer. He was family, albeit strained, but still blood. InuYasha wouldn't be pleased but she supposed if anyone would keep this a secret Sesshomaru would, at least for the sake of the family. She stared at her hands in her lap, unable to meet his eyes.
"Right after Naraku's defeat I thought InuYasha and I were going to draw closer, that we would be together forever." She looked up at the starry sky. "For a time it seemed as if that was going to be true. Kikyou was gone, for good this time, and InuYasha seemed much more attentive."
She hugged her arms to herself, this wasn't an easy story to relate but it didn't seem as gut wrenching as it once had been. "The well had closed and the jewel was..." she glanced at him warily, "lost. We both decided that since we knew where the relationship was going we'd go ahead and live together. It wasn't long after Shippo left to learn from his people that our relationship began to get more physical."
This was an embarrassing story to begin with, but to be telling it to InuYasha's older half-brother... well, it was bad.
She swallowed hard, trying to will back the tears. "We hadn't done much more than kiss and touch but one night we went a little further. As we – we were removing each other's clothes," she blushed heavily, "he leaned in to kiss my neck, that was when it all went wrong."
She curled in on herself as she sat, as if it would protect her some. Sesshomaru didn't want to admit it but seeing the anguish on her almost made him want to stop her from telling the rest, but he had to know what his brother had done. "What happened," he growled.
She shut her eyes as the memories started to flood her vision. "He kissed my neck then moaned out her name."
Sesshomaru's grip on the stone bench threatened to break the structure. He knew his brother to be loudmouthed and uncouth but not overtly dishonorable. He had half a mind to leave right then and find his wayward sibling and pound a lesson into him. He almost smiled at the thought, but was swayed from it when Kagome continued talking.
"As you could imagine that threw a damper on the mood. We both instantly stiffened and he withdrew, mumbled an apology, and left. I didn't see him again for many days. In hindsight that may have been for the best because when I recovered the next morning from the humiliation I was in a rage. If InuYasha had been around I would've tried to kill him."
Sesshomaru would've liked to have seen that but he wisely kept his opinion to himself.
"When InuYasha came back I had calmed down and we'd both had a chance to think. I want to say that we discussed it like rational adults but there was a bit more swearing and throwing things. When we were done we came to the conclusion that we could no longer be together and that no relationship would be possible between us. I broke his subjugation beads, the last link between us."
Sesshomaru regarded her as she said this. Though she'd said it in a cold and detached tone he could see the pain in her face even from her profile. He was sure that at one time she would not have even been able tell it, much less this calmly. He almost didn't catch her next softly spoken words.
"I stayed in the past for him and now we won't be together." After she'd composed herself mentally she glanced at the lord next to her. "It was over a year before InuYasha and I were able to be in the same room for more than a minute. Time has eased things and I can say we are friends again, but we'll never be as close, even as friends, as we once were. I moved to a hut outside his forest, close enough to help Kaede when I could until she passed, but far enough he and I do not see each other."
She stood abruptly, startling Sesshomaru out of his thoughts. "There, now you know. I'd thank you to have Jaken stop asking me about it. Oh, and if he calls me 'InuYasha's woman' one more time I'm warning you, he will be purified. Thank you for the lovely walk, your garden is exquisite."
With that she turned and walked back into the fortress leaving a dumbfounded monarch in her wake.
A/N: *Yozora is a real name that means 'night sky', they named him in honor of Sesshomaru who bears the moon on his forehead. A shortened version of his name is Yoru (night).
Heto is another one of my made up names, but it's because it is Rin and He Too. Get it? I slay myself.
I don't want anyone to freak out so I will state this now; Rin and Heto DO NOT DIE. I won't kill them off just so Sesshomaru and Kagome are forced to raise the child together. As previously stated, I don't like clichés. This is a different sort of story. That is the same reason I have broken the Tenseiga – so it can't be used for "convenient resurrections".
I wanted to get this chapter out faster due to the torture I put on my readers with the cliffhanger. I usually write two or more chapters ahead but in this case I pushed through this one. Because of that the next couple of chapters will take a little longer, I doubt there will be another one this month.