Here is an extra long chapter, I try to keep my chapter with in a certain rang for length but this one had more to say so I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 17 Death in the Family

When Sesshomaru and Rin returned to the Western Castle Jaken came with them. They had spent almost a week together at the fort whale Jaken finish getting things in order for his replacement, and in that time he had slowly started to except that Rin was who she said she was. However there was a distinct deference in how he acted around, and spoke, to Rin, she was no longer the small girl that trailed after his lord, she was the woman, human or not, that Lord Sesshomaru intended to take as his mate.

As soon as the group landed in front of the western castle one of the bald demons that normally trained with Yusuke came running out to meet them, "Lord Sesshomaru!"

Sesshomaru acknowledged him with a glance.

The demon bowed, "Lord Sesshomaru…" the demon trailed off.

Sesshomaru's eye narrowed, "Speak."

"Lord Raizen… is dead and Lord Yusuke has gone to speak to Lord Yomi."

Rin looked up and searched Sesshomaru's face for a reaction but wasn't surprised when she found nothing there, so she tightened her grip on his arm and holding back her own pain and tears turned to the still bowing demon before them. "Is there anything else?"

"Yes… it would seem that when Lord Yusuke left he took all of the Ruamari stones. We fear he is going to try to pacify Lord Yomi."

Immediately rejecting the idea of Yusuke trying to pacify anyone she moved on to more important questions. "When did Raizen die? And where is he?"

"Last evening. We have already buried him and a marker is being prepared. It will not take long."

"Inform us when everything is complete." Rin started to pull on Sesshomaru and head towards to the castle. Remembering Jaken she turned to see him with the staff of two heads leaning against one shoulder and his eyes down cast. "Jaken take some time off," she said, then turning to the demon, "take care of him." Rin then proceeded to half drag Sesshomaru to her room.

By the time they arrived tears were running down Rin's cheeks and there was a tightness in her chest. She closed the door behind them and leaned against it closing her eyes for a moment before looking up into Sesshomaru's face. Rin had seen parents lose their children before, in the distant past that she had grown up in, disease and battle took many lives. It was always the most heart breaking to see the parents and hear their pain filled cries, so Rin set aside her own pain for the moment to take care of Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru didn't cry his face remained completely blank, he simply guided Rin over to the window seat and sitting down, pulled her against his chest, wrapped his arms around her waist and tucked his face in to the crook of her neck and nuzzled up under her chin, while Rin stroked his hair.

Rin didn't know how long they stayed like this, the only marker of passing time was the brightness of the sky she could see out of the window. As mid-afternoon came around Sesshomaru still held her fast but she could see that Yusuke had returned and was speaking to the castle guards outside.

"Yusuke has returned, do you think we should go see what happened with Lord Yomi?" Rin asked gently as she rested her cheek against the top of Sesshomaru's head.

"A foolish death."

"Maybe but he is with the one he loves again." Rin continued to run her fingers through his hair as she spoke. "I miss him too." she whispered in his ear.

"Hn." Sesshomaru pulled away from her enough to look up into her face, with a sad smile to match her own. "Thank you, Dear one."

"Of course, Love." Rin said and placed a soft kiss on the crescent moon on his forehead. "Now," Rin tucked some loose hair behind Sesshomaru's right ear, "shall we go see what the commotion outside is all about?"

Sesshomaru turned enough to look down to where Yusuke and the guard where confronting two new comers, but with a irritated 'Hn' turned back to rest his cheek against Rin shoulder. "Raizen's friends, the woman was exceptionally annoying in trying to gain favor and become his mate. She even went so far as to appeal to me to talk him into taking her."

Rin giggled, "I can imagine how well that went over."

"She has not approached me since."

"So it when well, I'm glad." Rin tried to lighten the mood. "Would you like some tea?"

"Hn." Sesshomaru hummed in agreement.

Rin reached over to pull the rope that hung between the window and the bed to call one of the servants, who, within a few minutes was tapping on the door and gently pushed it open.

"Bring us some tea… and food." she added as an after thought.

The young demoness bowed and left.

Rin pulled out of Sesshomaru's arms and settled herself across from him on the window seat. She fiddled with her locket and glanced out the window watching the group walk away from the castle, around an out groping of rock and out of sight.

Rin sighed, looking down at her locket she opened it, smiled at the scent of wild flowers, and held it closer to her nose, looking up to see Sesshomaru watching her. With a big smile she said, "The best perfume in the world."

"Hn."

Before to long there was another tap at the door.

"Enter." Sesshomaru called.

The demoness walked in with a tea tray and was followed by another demon carrying a tray laden with food. The two placed the trays on the table and where dismissed by a wave of Sesshomaru's hand. Rin stood, poured a cup of tea and brought it to Sesshomaru, before pouring her own.

When Rin had finished her first cup of tea she turned to the food and filled two plates with rice, meat and a few side dishes. Setting the plates before the chairs at the table, Rin motioned for Sesshomaru to join her, as he did she refilled their tea cups.

As Sesshomaru and Rin where finishing their meal there was another knock at the door and at Rin's call Hokushin entered. "Lord Sesshomaru, Lady Rin." He greeted and bowed.

"What happened with Yomi?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Lord Yusuke has offered a challenge, a tournament to decide the ruler of all of demon world… Lord Yomi and Lord Makuro have accepted but I do not trust them. I don't think they will let go of their power so easily."

"A tournament… hmm… what do you think Sesshomaru? Dose Yusuke have a chance?" Rin looked over to see a smile growing on Sesshomaru's face.

"No, I don't think he does." Sesshomaru said with a slit chuckle. "Yusuke is strong even for an atavism and he might be able to defeat one of the other lords but not both and not after fights with others as well."

"They will be fighting other challengers as well, if not Yusuke then who's your favorite Yomi or Makuro?" Rin smiled seeing the amusement is Sesshomaru's eyes.

"Neither. Yomi and Makuro have held their power for this long only because most of the demons at their level have been in solitude or living quietly out of the way." Sesshomaru stood and walked over to the window. "But a challenge like this will tempt many of them back into the open."

Rin's smile grew wider, "Like you living off in human world. Does that mean that you are going to fight for your family's land and spread your territory farther then even Inu no Taisho could reach?" She joined him at the window and looked out.

"No. I ruled in the past not because I demanded it but because no one ruled over me, and they will not rule over me now; no matter whom the demons acknowledge as their king." Turning Sesshomaru addressed Hokushin, "Has Raizen's stone been placed?"

"Yes, my lord."

"Come, Rin."

Rin was tucked under Sesshomaru's left arm as they walked toward Raizen's grave. Without warning Sesshomaru stopped and tightened his hold around Rin's shoulders and formed his golden light orb around them just before Rin sensed the massive power spike from the other side of a group of rocks. Sesshomaru lifted them into the air so as to see what was happening. Rin looked out with widening eyes as a huge column of light and demon energy shout into the air.

"Who is that coming from?" Rin asked.

"More of Raizen's friends have arrived."

As Rin focused she could tell that there were at least six or eight different powers combining for this incredible spectacle. "Wow," was all she could say.

They waited for a good ten minutes for the column of energy to dissipate, and as its intensity lessened Sesshomaru brought his orb down next to the grave stone.

Rin had insisted on stopping by the gardens for flowers and had weaved a quick crown with them for Raizen. A tear rolled down her cheek as she laid it on top of the stone. Rin had held in her pain for so long so that Sesshomaru could have his time to greave but now the dam broke and she couldn't hold in the sobs that racked her body.

Sesshomaru pulled Rin into a tight hug and let her cry nuzzling the top of her head and running his fingers through her hair just as she had done for him.

Seeing movement out of the corner of his eye, Sesshomaru look to see Yusuke fingering the flower crown Rin had made.

"You know he didn't take that silly flower crown she made him off for the rest of the day, even when we fought he managed to keep it on." Yusuke looked over to see Sesshomaru watching him. "It was the most irritating thing, that even after all the training he was still so far ahead of me that he could keep those flowers on his head."

"Hnn." Sesshomaru hummed a slight smile touching his lips.

"So when are you going to make it official." Yusuke said gesturing to Rin.

"I'm going to take her to human world and let her visit her family one more time before taking her as mate. Then she will not leave my side." Sesshomaru nuzzled Rin's hear.

As Rin cried she could hear people talking but couldn't make out the words, nor did she care. All she wanted was to get away from everything for a little while and as her sobs eased she let herself drift into the blackness of sleep.

Sesshomaru felt Rin go limp and lifted her into his arms. "When will the tournament take place?"

"They were saying it will probably take a month to get everything organized, but I don't think I day has been chosen yet." Yusuke answered, and looking down at Rin continued, "Is she ok?"

"She needs sleep. We will leave in the morning but will return in time for the tournament." Sesshomaru, with a last glance at Raizen's grave stone, turned and started making his way back to the castle.

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