"Hikaru! Wait up!"
"Bark bark!"
Hoshiko smiled softly at the small wolf demon bounding away batting at a butterfly as Rin gave chase. It was like game of tag between the two was endless. All about fun and games, but it made her smile happily. She loved to see her pup and her pet so happy. The breeze sent her hair whipping around her but her attention was diverted by a silver gleam beside her. She glanced at her companion. To see Rin running ahead of them so innocent and happy but helpless brought back a thought to her.
"Sesshomaru," she quietly asked.
"Hn?"
"I've been thinking about some things concerning Rin."
Before he could respond, a sudden shriek of laughter made Hoshiko glance at the source quickly. Hikaru had jumped onto her pup's head playfully nipping at her nose affectionately. Rin reached up to seize the little wolf demon before crushing him to her chest in a hug. A smile overtook her face. Sesshomaru gently tilted his head so she would return her attention to him. She did. Now what did she want to say concerning Rin?
"What is it," he questioned.
"Rin is almost 11 years old. She is young but she will soon be a young woman. She cannot always be helpless."
Silence.
"I cannot help but think how weak she is. When she is in our company she will always be in danger. Rin is unable of defending herself. You and I always have to leap to her defense. She needs to be able to protect herself; we won't always be able to save her."
"And what do you suggest?"
"We should train her for battle."
He stared at her for a moment.
"I want to teach Rin how to battle. She may be young but she is of age."
"She is female," he stated.
"She is female, as am I. She is completely capable of battle, despite her innocence. I mean, look at me. I am a warrior, a demoness warrior. Women are capable of battle. She has the inner fire it takes to battle."
"Inner fire," he asked softly.
"The passion to protect those they love."
Sesshomaru lowered his head a bit to gaze into her eyes. She spoke the truth. She returned his gaze with a fire gleaming in her eyes. He could see it. The gleam of fire. Dark blue fire lingering in her eyes.
"She is young," he finally said. "But capable of battle."
"Sesshomaru, I learned to fight when I was no more than 7 in human years. I was younger. She has the fire it takes to be a warrior, I've seen it. She is fully capable."
"Fine," he agreed curtly. "Let her learn."
She smiled happily before gently grabbing his hand, squeezing his hand in affection. He immediately returned the gesture. They gently intertwined their fingers together before continuing on their hands clinging to each other between them. Rin glanced back and smiled. They were holding hands! Hoshiko smiled at her sweetly and she ran to her mother, hugging her. The demoness stroked the top of her head softly.
"Momma?"
"Hai, Rin?"
"I want you to have this," she said as she presented a gold flower.
Hoshiko smiled as she took the flower from her pup's hands. She smelled it softly.
"It is beautiful, pup. Thank you."
Rin opened her mouth to say something when another voice spoke out.
"LORD SESSHOMARU! LADY HOSHIKO!"
The two turned around to see Sakura heading toward them waving a scroll. Hoshiko stepped forward just as the demon lord dropped her hand. He didn't like to do so in public or anyone outside his little family. The demoness stepped up to them.
"You got a letter, milady."
"I got a letter," Hoshi asked in disbelief.
"Hai. From a miko from a small remote village."
'Kagome.'
Hoshiko held out a hand for the letter. Her attendant dropped the scroll into her hand and watched as the demoness opened it. All was silent for a moment. Hoshiko looked up after a moment.
"What did it say," Rin asked.
"It appears Sango will be having her baby soon and Kagome was sending us a letter to inform us so. She is wondering if we are coming to be there for the birth."
"Sango is having her baby!"
"Indeed so, pup."
"Can we go see her? Please?"
Everyone turned toward Sesshomaru for permission. The demon lord gazed at his pup for a moment to see the eagerness there. She really wanted to go. He glanced at his demoness to find she also seemed excited to go. He sighed mentally.
"We will go. We will leave tomorrow."
Hoshiko and Rin grinned happily.
"Sakura," the demon lord continued. "Go to the castle and inform Jaken. He will prepare for our departure by dawn. I also request you come also to attend to Hoshiko. Prepare yourself. Also, see if another demon will accompany us. I will need them for later matters."
"Milord."
Sakura hurried away. For a moment there was a silence before Rin began to jump up in down in excitement.
"Do you think it will be a boy or girl?"
"We shall go see," Hoshiko laughed.
Sesshomaru was a bit amused by his pup's eagerness. It was only a pup to be born. But suddenly as he gazed into Hoshiko's eyes he felt his thoughts wander. He tried to resist those thoughts but he couldn't.
He could see Hoshiko standing in his quarters in front of the window holding a bundle in her arms close to her chest. She was singing softly as she rocked the bundle. As he approached her eyes met his. His mate smiled at him. His eyes trailed down to look at the pup in her arms and he felt like he could have a sense of pride. That was his pup. His child. His heir. The child they had created together. Looking into her sky blue eyes filled with so much love the glow of motherhood surrounded her like the sun shining down. His lips gently met hers in a loving kiss.
"Sesshomaru?"
He jolted back to reality to find himself gazing into her eyes again. Rin was looking at him with a smile.
"Papa?"
"Are you okay?"
"Hai," he said lowly.
Hoshiko tilted her head as he began to walk away. She and her pup automatically began to follow him. Rin happily chattered about the upcoming journey and Sango's baby. As she watched his hair swing in the breeze she began to wonder. What had been in his thoughts?
Sango is going to have her baby! Aww! And Sesshomaru imagining himself and Hoshiko having a pup… Cute! But could it be reality? ;)
Enjoy and Review!