Feudal Affair

I don't own Inuyasha

Chapter XI

The thunder cracked the skies even as the rain slowed its assault. Rin shifted nervously. It was a parallel to the pain that she felt as she allowed her gaze to drift around the room. The first face was a comfort as Kagome laid a cool cloth along her forehead. Her touch was reassuring. The second face was Kohaku's. He'd left her frustrated with his return and nearly cursing his name if she hadn't thought better of it thanks to Sesshoumaru. A simple squeeze of her hand had done enough to keep her calm when she'd recognized Kagome's presence behind the dreaded third face in this room. Sango's presence loomed like the unforgiving shadow of death. It haunted her to her core and left her feeling heavy with dread. It didn't help that her presence also caused the exit of the only person she trusted to be able to protect her. Sango had aimed to make a scene of Sesshoumaru's presence. He wasn't her husband, he had no purpose with Kagome, Kohaku and herself present. Rin wasn't sure what Kagome's expression really meant when she'd turned to her. It was a mix of sadness, concern, maybe there was some warning behind it. She'd been ready to defend Sesshoumaru's presence but he hadn't given her the chance to do so. Whatever Kagome had communicated he'd understood it completely. Rin could feel the tears welling up even as Sesshouomaru whispered that she'd be safe and not to worry. She knew he'd be right outside with Sango so close but his warmth kept her calm, his touch was what kept her steady, and his arms protected her.

Even as he'd stepped outside of the home, Sesshoumaru wasn't surprised to see Inuyasha and the greeting with his younger brother came easier than the glare the monk was shooting in his direction. Everything about his posture yelled anger. Sesshoumaru kept himself from sneering as not to draw attention. There was no need for conversation in the moment. Miroku would only become more heated in any war of words leading Inuyasha to address the truth and rehash the dilemma aloud. It was already apparent that Miroku knew all the details of his and Rin's affair but Inuyasha on the other hand seemed either oblivious or uncaring. Kagome's awareness seemed to make him think of it as the latter. But right now what mattered was continuing to focus on Rin. There was still no demonic aura present but if he was wrong he would know it the moment the baby entered the world and he would have to act quickly.

The night crept forward as Rin continued to labor. She started to wonder if the baby was unsure whether or not he wanted to come out. She was grateful to Kagome as her friend stayed attentive to her needs. Kohaku seemed weathered by the labor despite his lack of involvement. She wondered where his thoughts were between his focus on her and in the moments he became distant. It was easier to believe now that Kohaku knew what had happened between she and Sesshoumaru. It wasn't hard to see it in his eyes when he'd found them together. When he'd returned with Sango she'd been angered by it, even initially finding it strange but she knew better. Kohaku knew his sister would always be there for him but what she wasn't sure of is if Kohaku knew how far she was willing to go for him. Every moment she pushed she was waiting for Sango to move even as she sat across the room at the far wall, her head down, eyes closed. She was sure the demon slayer was contemplating exactly how to get her hands on the baby should it be half-demon. Rin was positive she knew exactly how she would do it. No, Sango wouldn't hurt Kagome. She'd wait until Kagome laid the baby on her chest. She would be too weak to protect her own child and then Sango would drive her sword through the baby and her. It would be too quick for Kagome to react. It would be too late for Sesshoumaru to stop her. And when they questioned Sango's motives, she would point to both their dead bodies. Sango wouldn't survive Sesshoumaru's fury and not even Inuyasha or Kagome would be able to stop him. Rin cried out even as she found solace in the latter as she felt the urge to push again.

"I can see the baby's head. You're doing good. Keep going."

Rin was sure that to any woman birthing a child those words would have sparked encouragement. They should have been the precursor to life and yet all that Rin could imagine was death. She'd seen Kohaku focus back on her. She'd noticed Sango lift her head slowly and open her eyes. Kagome's concerned smile suddenly made her heart race faster. What did she know? What did she see or was Kagome reacting to her pain? Maybe she was sympathetic to this whole ordeal of birth knowing that she'd already had her own children. Rin shut her eyes feeling the tears as they ran down her cheeks. It didn't matter whether the baby was human or half-demon, she knew her moments with Sesshoumaru were at their end. A human would sever their ties no matter how much they wanted to be together. A half-demon would bring death. It was easier to make peace with it. Rin pushed again leaving her body to do its work. Kagome need not encourage her further as she let her memory take her to the safe places, every moment that she'd spent with Sesshoumaru. Even their last moment behind the waterfall after they'd been interrupted, she remembered every kiss, every touch at the bareness of her skin that made her lose her breath in the most satisfying way. Every movement of his body that made her long for him each moment of the day. Their connection was so much greater than the simple touch or saying the words I love you. There was nothing superficial about what they were to each other and Kohaku would never be able to match those feelings.

The moments felt like hours as the clouds shifted across the night sky. Sesshoumaru lifted his gaze upward taking in a nearly full moon peaking through the clouds before becoming obscured again. He wasn't sure what to make of the quiet. Rin's silence unnerved him but Kagome's occasional words kept him aware of how far along the baby was from being born. The doubts that filled him could not be helped. Even as all the signs pointed to a human child there was a part of him that wanted to admit that he could be wrong. He let his attention shift to Inuyasha who seemed to be resting against a tree. Even in his half-demon brother's face he could see the resemblance of a child that he already missed. In a vision he could place himself in his father's footprints. There was nothing hard to imagine about his father risking his life for his lover and his child. It was much easier to see why he'd want to protect them, give his life for them to see that they were safe. The battles won, the lands conquered weren't where his father left his heart. He fought with the people that he loved at the forefront of his thoughts. Rin had done the same for him as Izaiyoi had done for his father.

The quiet of the night returned to Sesshoumaru only to be interrupted by Rin's scream. He'd heard the monk shout something to stop him but he'd entered the room without hesitation. Sango was closer to Rin than he'd liked but she was still in waiting as Kagome held the baby in her arms. It was obvious that Sango was trying to get a better view of the child.

"Rin..."

Kagome held the baby to her as she wrapped the child in a blanket.

"What is it? Is he okay?"

Kagome smiled and nodded, "You have a beautiful little girl."

She placed the baby in Rin's arms as Kohaku looked on. Rin gave a faint smile to Kagome attempting to mask the worry as she looked the baby over. She'd attempted not to draw attention to her actions. Even as she pulled the blanket down to get a better view of her face Rin could tell there were no markings, no ears that would draw the attention. The baby's cries were strong, the nails of her fingers and toes were squared, and even in the dim light she could tell that eyes like hers and Kohaku's stared back at her. The child was what Sesshoumaru had suspected her to be all along. Human.

"Sango, would you mind giving Kohaku and I some privacy with the baby?"

Sango eyed the child again before Kagome spoke, "I think that's a wonderful idea. Let's give them some space."

Rin met Sesshoumaru's eyes. Maybe no one else would notice the disappointment but she knew him too well. He would have rather fought to the bitter end to defend her and their half-demon child rather than see the child be human. His gentle nod was not a simple congratulations it was a concession. It was his attempt to accept what he'd known all along. For once he hadn't wanted to trust his senses but he'd told her not to get her hopes up. He was telling himself that too.

A/N: Many thanks for reviews! Attempting to stay consistent and will update again soon :)