Later 16 A Mother's Wisdom

Before the Lady could say another word, Sesshoumaru forestalled her by kissing her hand and saying;

"My dear Mother, This Sesshoumaru believes you are in error and I can prove this to you."

"Really my Son, I am most interested to learn how you can have fooled yourself for all this time." The Lady hid her smirk behind her fan as Sesshoumaru looked like he was pouting at being treated as if he were still a pup. It didn't matter that he was not yet fully mature, he was no child and he wouldn't rise to the bait.

"It makes no sense; if This Sesshoumaru considered Rin as his mate, why would I attack an innocent villager when I know that the girl is enamoured by the human boy Kohaku? Surely he would be the one to warn away from her."

"Rin has told you of her desire for the youth?"

"She has not named the boy as yet; merely described him. She even wishes to become the village Miko since he is not willing to be mated. I have cautioned the elderly woman not to let her make a rash decision; it is the opinion of this Sesshoumaru that Rin would be better suited to raising pups within a family rather than wasting her life in celibacy."

"That is obvious, but does not detract from the fact that your youkai has chosen the girl. As for the boy Kohaku, he is no threat; he is not around, nor is he showing interest in Rin and your youkai has dismissed him. However, your appalling but instinctive behaviour to your brother who was seen as a rival is far more telling."

"That is ridiculous Mother."

"Oh My Son, take time to go over the matter in your mind and be honest with yourself. Your youkai is only telling you what it knows you want deep inside. I knew right back when the girl was revived at my Palace; you are so like your father at times."

"I do not see…"

"Sesshoumaru, I have my own fair share of pride, I am well known to be haughty, but I am honest with myself and do know when to stop my pride from hurting me; it is a lesson you would do well to learn. You have given the girl wealthy gifts far beyond her needs ever since she was a child left in the village; other's besides your mother have seen them as courting gifts."

"I would not see Rin dressed as a common village maid and she needed to be provided for, the elderly Miko could not support the girl alone, nor should she have been put in want for This Sesshoumaru's responsibility. Besides Rin required gowns befitting the ward of a youkai lord to serve her as a dowry."

"Some gold would have easily kept the girl well, and provided for more than her necessities and any extras. She could have bought silk and made kimono herself, the child is moderately accomplished and your protection of the village more than repays any kindnesses to her. As for her dowry, who were you thinking of mating her too and have you truly imagined her as the mate of anyone else, perhaps even seeing her with child, and away from you? "

Sesshoumaru's mother patted him on the arm and left him to his thoughts which were rapidly becoming turbulent as he was forced to consider his mother's words and his own actions. He recognised the truth in the fact that, as of yet he had never had to seriously consider someone wanting to take Rin away from him. He also didn't need a vivid imagination to conjure a pregnant Rin on someone else's arm walking away from her Lord.

In a rapidly short space of time and as he finally listened to his youkai growling angrily at his mental pictures, Sesshoumaru realised the truth for himself; Rin was his and his alone, and she always had been, just as his mother had said. That he did think of her as his potential mate now was a shock for his conscious mind, but once he had admitted it, it was surprisingly easy to accept; however that just led to a heart lurching moment when he remembered that Rin loved Kohaku.

Sesshoumaru found his mother sipping a fragrant cup of tea and as he entered she poured another cup for him. The Lady could tell her son had come to the correct conclusion, although he once again needed help to understand where he stood in the young woman's heart. To any but his mother's eyes, Sesshoumaru looked his normal calm self; but she had known all of his moods since he was a tiny whelp and could tell that the Daiyoukai was uneasy.

"Whatever anyone thinks Mother, I shall have to look elsewhere for a mate; I would not force any woman to go against her own desires, and Rin wants Kohaku."

"Sesshoumaru, who told you that Rin was desirous of Kohaku?"

"She did so herself when I asked her if she would give up a family of her own to become the village Miko."

"Rin told you she loved Kohaku."

"No, as I've already said, she merely told me she would never mate because the man she loved couldn't love her back. Kohaku was the only unattached male she knows that fits her description; he is still recovering from the trauma he was subjected too and not ready to settle down yet, indeed if he ever will be."

"I suggest you tell me all that you and she have said on the subject my pup, I might be able to help." She was patient, her countenance open as she listened and once again was awed by her late husband's foresight. The girl Rin was perfect for her son; she was not mercenary and didn't try to trap him however obvious it was to the mother that she was in love with Sesshoumaru.

As he came to the end of his narration, his mother smiled lovingly at him and told him that Kohaku hardly fit the description of Rin's secret love if he was not around much and had never given her gifts. Sesshoumaru must look closer to home. The penny dropped and Sesshoumaru felt ridiculous at not having seen it before; going over Rin's words all at once told him in no uncertain terms that her feelings were directed as they always had been, at him.

"She thought me a fool at times." He whispered, remembering her words before she declared so openly that her heart belonged to him alone.

"That proves she knows you well." His mother laughed and the sound made Sesshoumaru relax slightly although he was far from relieved of pressure.

"It would seem so; but it does not negate the problems she would face, nor the disturbance to the West should I take a human mate and beget hanyou heirs."

"You are Daiyoukai, Sesshoumaru; the most powerful being after your father and your strength will one day surpass his as you also have my blood in your veins. Has not Inuyasha proved the worth of hanyou offspring? Had your father lived none would have doubted the boy's place in court as a younger prince, at least not outside the privacy of their own thoughts. Like your brother, your pups would be the amalgam of Youkai and Miko which is proven to be a powerful combination."

Would you excuse me Mother, I wish to meditate further? Then I must make my peace with Inuyasha before speaking with Rin."

"You would be wiser speaking with Rin first or Inuyasha will doubt your motives and sincerity; he will only think you seek to secure your future mate by appeasing him." Sesshoumaru bowed low to his mother and contemplated her wisdom and logic before taking the rest of the day to consider his feelings for Rin in their newly perceived light.

Sesshoumaru found throughout his thoughts and musings, that he was becoming enticed by the prospect of taking Rin as a mate. He had always been able to talk with the child and then the young woman, she had always seemed to understand him and when he wished her to be silent she was so and yet she could sing and dance and had always been happy in his presence. He too was content with her and although he was new to the idea he could see that they were suited.

It also occurred to him that he should have realised by now that he was the object of Rin's love; she had all but told him herself. The very fact that she had not mentioned any name to him, when normally the girl was very open and would have had no fear about confiding in him about her discovery. Especially in the light of Rin's belief that Sesshoumaru would never tolerate one of her species as a mate; she would think that he would be relieved to know she was considering a human husband and be eager to tell him the man's name.

Sesshoumaru realised that by the time he had finished his meditations it was far too late to go and visit Rin, therefore he put off the interview until the following day. The Daiyoukai slept well that night and in the morning he took his farewell of his mother, ignoring her knowing smirk and understanding that she loved him and wished him well, even if she didn't say so.

When he reached the village, he noticed that Inuyasha was the first to be around followed by the pups who all came rushing to greet their uncle. Sesshoumaru welcomed them all as he usually did and handed out presents of paper and inks, knowing how much the pups loved to draw and how scarce paper was now that Kagome couldn't get back home to the future. Inuyasha added a soft 'thank you' along with his pups to his brother for the gift.

The Lord also had gifts for Inuyasha and Kagome, two new silk kimono which he presented to them as they walked towards Kaede's hut. Inuyasha didn't want to accept them at first, not because of their argument, but because they were expensive gifts. However Sesshoumaru insisted kindly and Kagome gave him a brilliant smile, she recognised far easier than her often insecure mate, her brother-in-law's overtures of apology.

Sesshoumaru was rather surprised at how painless that had seemed to be and after making request to visit the couple later and receiving a nod in reply he turned to see Rin standing outside the hut. He was unaware of the reddened darkening of his eyes as his youkai started to prepare for a mating hunt. Of course his youkai was fully aware of Rin's humanity and therefore he would conduct his hunt differently than if she were youkai, but Rin would be his mate by the end of it.

However he wouldn't alarm the girl by acting any differently than his normal calm self, at least not at first; she could not understand all his subliminal signals in the way that a youkai female would. But here he was mistaken, Rin was no longer a child and she was a Miko, easily picking up his increased youkai aura which manifested itself in the silver hair beginning to swirl around Sesshoumaru's hips. She had also seen the stained red before in the amber of Inuyasha's eyes sometimes, when he had looked at Kagome and before they disappeared into their hut.

But Rin was unaware that she had recognised the look, only her body reacted; her own eyes dilated in response and her heart rate jumped as she watched him approach, neither of them lost eye contact from the other until he reached her and called her name softly. Kaede too saw the meeting and rejoiced for her young charge having also recognised that Sesshoumaru had come for Rin, although she did not know it yet. She only knew that Sesshoumaru put much emphasis on the distinctions between human and youkai instead of the universal similarities between any male and female in love, no matter what the superficial differences.

Kaede smiled to herself, the proud youkai would soon learn and it was obvious that his mother had helped put him straight, she was a remarkable woman and she and the elderly Miko had got on well and shared quite a few secrets. As she noticed the pair start towards the hut, Kaede wiped the smile from her face and schooled it into her more usual friendly openness, which didn't fool Sesshoumaru for a single second as he could tell she was humoured.

Nevertheless, Sesshoumaru asked both Rin and Kaede if he could take the girl for a small walk but not too far away as he wished to talk with her privately, and this of course was agreed. Side by side they walked along the path towards the flower field that they both thought of as special; it was some way distant but could be seen from the village and they sat down in the warm sunshine. There was so much to say and yet it was difficult to start.

"You are well Rin? This Sesshoumaru has missed your conversation for a while."

"I am well My Lord and I too have missed your companionship. Jaken has also been sorely missed by the children."

"Are you still angry with me Rin?" Sesshoumaru asked suddenly and she looked at him seriously.

"No, I cannot stay angry with you; I was very disappointed and hurt but it was the pain you caused Inuyasha that made me angry."

"This Sesshoumaru understands, I was confused at the time Rin but my Lady Mother has helped me see what caused my loss of control. I will see Inuyasha this evening and try to explain; I do not like this rift between us."

"That pleases me Lord Sesshoumaru; the discord between you only causes everyone who loves you both to suffer as well and I feel so helpless when Inuyasha is despondent. I feel a certain responsibility towards him for all the time we were together before Kagome returned."

"I cannot promise that things will be very different once I have spoken to my brother Rin, he may not believe me."

"I think he will; Kaede had a serious word with him a few nights ago."

"About what did the Miko speak with Inuyasha?"

"I don't know what was said, but I can guess what it was about and his aura has calmed since then, even though he did cry a bit."

"What caused all of this?" Sesshoumaru sounded angry; he found ironically that he did not like the idea that anyone would say something to hurt Inuyasha, his brother was his alone to chastise.

"Inuyasha came to collect his older pups from us; they had been helping us do the weeding as punishment for ruining one of the flower beds at their home in their play and had spent the afternoon working. When Inuyasha came to fetch them, they were curled up together asleep, the younger boy wrapped in the arms of his brother. Inuyasha just looked at them and turned to run out but Kaede grabbed his sleeve and took him into my room and they were there for an hour together."

"Yet Inuyasha was upset by her words?"

"I don't think so, he hasn't spoken, at least not to me about what they said, but I recognised the signs of tears. She turned to gaze on the beloved face of the now thoughtful Sesshoumaru, who was deciding that he would find out from his brother what the old Miko had said that had caused him distress. He shook himself mentally, now wasn't the time to be thinking of Inuyasha, it was time to talk to Rin.

She was beautiful as a woman; the sunny child had grown elegantly into a good humoured and happy, witty and loving creature that Sesshoumaru now knew he wanted by his side forever. He knew it was not a speedy decision he had made either, his mother had merely shown him that his youkai had claimed the child as his and the woman as his mate for longer than he had consciously known. Now he felt light hearted and wanted to tease;

"Now Rin, This Sesshoumaru wishes to learn more about the one who holds your heart in secret, the one who you feel is unwilling to take you as mate." He looked askance at the girl who had blushed to the roots of her hair and he smiled although she did not see him.

"There is nothing to tell about him My Lord except that for me there can be no other."

"Nothing at all? He is insipid then and you are well rid of him…"

"No, far from it; there is none like him…and never will be."

"You think him handsome, does he have good manners and is he kind to you?"

"Most definitely, yes to all those questions My Lord." She whispered now unable to look him in the face.

"Do you still love him Rin?" He asked of her gently.

"More so than ever."

"But I seem to remember you agreed with me when I called him a fool for letting you go?" He smiled again at her embarrassment and silence. "My Rin, you were right; he was a fool but no longer, Rin will you become This Sesshoumaru's life mate and Lady of the West?" Sesshoumaru would tease no longer, he needed her answer for his own peace of mind and he had known this girl for most of her life and knew she needed no long courtship.

Rin stared up into his beautiful golden eyes and saw the fire that had lit them from inside; she had never feared her Lord and had loved him with the changing love from child to woman that had happened so naturally but had become an almost intolerable hunger. There was no doubt to her answer and she had no hesitation or reserves about it either and flung her arms round his neck as he leaned down to kiss her lips for the first time.

The new couple walked slowly down to the village and into the Miko's hut where one look at Rin's face told Kaede all she needed to know. She congratulated the pair and Rin stayed with her while Sesshoumaru sought his brother. Inuyasha was found resting against Goshinboku while Kagome was with Miroku and Sango practicing her meditation while the children all played together.

"May I join you Little Brother?"

"Feh!"

"I have several things I wish to say Inuyasha, but first I will tell you that Rin has agreed to become my Life Mate." He waited for the hanyou's reply to this statement but he was only stared at. Sesshoumaru held his temper; he knew that the news could have stirred feelings of old animosity which is why he made certain that Inuyasha was alone. Eventually the boy spoke, his voice shaken;

"You cannot mate her; you can't be such a hypocrite."

"Inuyasha, I understand your censure but…"

"No, no, what about pups Sesshoumaru, hanyou pups; you hate…they would be in danger."

"Inuyasha do you doubt This Sesshoumaru's ability and desire to care, protect and defend to the death any that belong to me?" He watched his subdued brother for a long while before Inuyasha answered.

"No, I don't doubt you Sesshoumaru; Rin has always been safe with you hasn't she? No one could question that you will care for your own. Well I wish you all the best then, say congratulations to Rin; I'm just going for a run." With that Sesshoumaru was left to ponder his brother's strange way of speech and the fact he had been effectively dismissed by the departure of the hanyou to the trees.

TBC