Author's Note: Thank you again for the reviews, they are absolutely great.

Jasmine-.-Momo-chan: He and his sister are both technically nine, but there was a priestess who placed a type of charm on them before birth, so they appear seventeen. The marks on his face are hidden for now. All of this comes together later.

Whispers of Love and War

Disclaimer: I do own Satoru, Itachirou, Naiera, Ichirou, Noboru, Atoru, Matasumi, and Sayuri. I do not own Rin, Sesshomaru, or Jaken. They are the brilliant workings of Rumiko Takahashi.

Together we sat upon the mattress in a staring contest. His demon eyes poured into mine, begging to win. With slow movements to avoid detection, I used my foot to tap his leg, and as his eyelids closed I felt success.

"I win again." I laughed as he fell back in defeat. "I would ask if we could have another go, but something tells me you're a sore loser."

"You cheated! As you have the last thirty times we've done it." He complained.

"Oh no, the first ten was completely luck." I flaunted with success.

"Then you admit that you cheated?" He said hopefully, though some part of him knew that I was not good at submission.

"Umm. No."

He jumped over me and began tickling my sides.

"I demand surrender." He teased.

"You…" I laughed far too much to even get a word in. After what seemed like an eternity of endless torture, I finally surrendered.

"I knew you would." He said smugly.

"Just remember Satoru, I was not held in a trap for eight hours, constructed by my son."

"That... You will pay for."

"How?" I asked knowing that the worst he could do was tickle me. "You would do no harm to me."

I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer. His lips brushed against mine for the briefest moment, sending sparks coursing through my body. Our light kiss, turned into a passionate fire, the heat of his hands could be felt as they moved beneath my back, holding me to him as if I was to disappear were he to let go. The quickening beat of his heart could be felt as his body pressed further against mine, with no desire for separation. The two souls that divided us were now one as I died within the warmth of his arms.

"My punishment?" I asked coyly.

"Later." He mumbled against my lips.

Sesshomaru's POV

The trees danced to the wind that howled in the empty night. No stars in the sky, tonight the moon stood alone, as did the demon who watched it. His long white hair flowed in the wind that circulated through the room from the open window at which he stood. He did not move, his chest did not rise and fall as conspicuously as others, you would not think him alive if not for the occasional shift of his eyes. He was a demonic statue, a monument dedicated to himself as he sat in the darkness of his study, pondering the rumors that had occupied his thoughts for the week past.

There were rumors spread that an attack was planned on one of the borders between the four lands. It was obvious that it was to start some war between the two lands, for which cause; he would have to call upon the Lords to debate these rumors. Of course, he also had to remember that his time was precious, and he could not waste it chasing after some silly rumors regarding an attack that was far too stupid. The penalty for conspiracy of war was death. Who would risk such a fate from an event in which nothing could be gained? His fists tightened as his anger grew. He did not favor a state of unknowing. He needed answers. Where was that imp when on the rare occasions he was needed?

Just as his impatience reached its peak, he heard the little patter of feet hurrying down the hall. And the slight scent of salt. A tapping shortly after came at the door.

"Enter."

The doors slid open to reveal a small green demon bowing, not that he was acknowledged.

"Milord. I have just received confirmation. The attack is meant to be the first step in a war to be waged. I am happy to say however, my Lord. The attack is intended for the border of only one land. The war is to be waged by the palace and the attackers."

So they were wise enough to continue to be concealed, yet they don't know enough, not to deal with one of the four lands. But the group behind the attack must reside in a village or section of one of the four lands. The question of whether they would wage war against their own land, was due to a need for a change in leadership? Was it a civil war? It would certainly vary with the land, for he knew all rulers of the lands, and they seemed competent enough demons, one of whom, he had taught himself. What possible cause could there be for an uprising?

"What land?"

"I do not know the attacker, but it is clear that the attack is on the Northern Lands."

"Do you know the cause?" Sesshomaru asked indifferently, though secretly he held some curiosity.

"Not yet, milord. But I will discover it."

"And what of the other matter?"

The imp seemed hesitant, for once to give his master what he wanted, he feared what the answer may do to him. It was a semi foolish worry, though he spoke indifferently, his head stirred with questions that even the mighty Sesshomaru could not answer.

Rin's POV

His arm tightened around me as the winds begin to shift. Something was coming, and only he could know what it was. As if ordered by the circulating wind itself, he tightened his hold on me. He pulled the covers above me, fearing the touch of winter's hands upon my naked skin. I listened to the echoes of his rapid heart, beating silently through the room. I traced a pattern across his arm with my finger, sending small bumps across his skin. His gentle voice of comfort broke the silence that seemed to have lasted an eternity.

"Have I told you that I love you?" He asked humorously.

"Do you mean to ask whether you have told me that you love me within the past twenty-four hour period?"

"Precisely." He chuckled.

"Yes, but you have only said it once unusually."

"Forgive me; I make it a point to say it every day." He squeezed me, and brought his lips to my ears, his breath dancing across my skin. With his most gentle and kindest, heartfelt voice, he whispered, "I love you, my dearest Rin."

"I love you, my craziest Satoru."

His breath shifted as he laughed into the empty air. He shifted; as silence once again filled the room. This attitude was not common for him. He was always excited and happy, silent, only to calculate how he was to retaliate against the kids for the cookie-net accident or one of the many other incidents he seemed to start. I pushed myself from the bed to get my silk robe, tying it as I returned to Satoru's waiting arms. In the warmth of his embrace, I felt safe, and loved.

On nights where the God of dreams did not hold me in high favor, I dreamt they were the arms of a white haired demon. Though these dreams were very rare occasions, they were frightening reminders of what I could never have had. He did not believe in such a relationship, he was not a place for warmth and security.

My thoughts were interrupted by the break in silence, to which I was thankful for, I was thinking of another man at this current moment in time. And it was not exactly the most opportune nor the most appropriate time for such thoughts.

"He still haunts you… And it's okay. I understand.''

"What do you mean?" I stammered in my speech, both from the slight chill, the other for the fear that shivered down my back.

His chest jumped slightly as he laughed and pulled the blankets and furs above us. He squeezed me tightly.

"I know that you do think of him. As rarely as it may be the case, it is still a case." He said quietly. "But I understand, after all that has occurred between you both. You were his ward; he was somewhat of a protector. He was your guardian, and the separation between you both when you returned to the village was hard, I can guarantee, on both of you. You were reunited the time passed and did things to you both. You still love him."

I looked to him, but he would not return my gaze. He stared blankly to the rafters above us. His lips curled slowly into a smile.

"It's okay." He said dazed. "I can understand. I cannot remove those feelings, the first of their kind."

"I would sooner love the snow. Like him, it melts within your hands, it freezes you. He is ice inside. Part of me is shamed that he is the father of children who seem quite the opposite. Even Itachirou."

"Itachirou shares the same countenance as his father."

"But not the same soul. Are you equal in body, mind, and spirit to all of those demons similar to both you and Sesshomaru? I am fully aware of the answer, as are you. No."

He sat himself up to look at me.

"How is it that you find what I say offensive?" His smiled faded.

"Because you seek to compare Itachirou to his father."

"I am aware of his soul, Rin. But perhaps he is not. You have not told him, or Naiera the truth, and as a result, they may feel as if something is missing."

"We are here. What more can they need?"

"A sense of self knowledge, they only know half of who they are. I know that you only wish the best for them, but we, the most important things in their life, love them as they are. We have never given them cause to worry about who they are. InuYasha has come to play an important part of their lives as well. But still…"

My eyes narrowed, "Somehow I don't think that is a beneficial relationship."

He laughed; soon my dislike towards the idea was overrun by the humor in it.

"No," He said. "But it is the best they have. They need him."

"Yep. And just think, at least we know where the snappy remarks are coming from."

Sesshomaru's POV

"It is true milord. She has born two children, a boy by the name of Itachirou and a girl, Naiera."

She had two, twins. She bore two half-breeds. She remained in the village of InuYasha and that woman, Kagome. With such disgraceful children, there can be no way that she is married, or have mortal children. She disgraced herself, as I did in mating with her, and condemned herself, forever ruining her life.

"So she remains in the village."

"No milord. Rin is now married to Lord Satoru Fujian."

I turned to him, overwhelmed by an emotion.

"What?"

"Rin now lives in the Northern Palace, Lord Sesshomaru, as Lady of the Northern Lands."

Satoru, the very pupil that he had trained before he began his journey for power. The very tiger demon who declared openly his hatred for humans and half-breeds alike, dared marry a mortal woman who had born two half-breeds not even of his own blood.

"Jaken… Send a message."

"What shall this message contain, my Lord?" He stammered.

"A request for an overdue meeting."