Author's Note: I cannot deny that I am behind on updates. After my little sister thought it would be funny to snap my computer in half I finally decided to get all my notes and continue with my story. It deviates slightly from the original plan but the end result is the same. I'll post a new chapter everyday with the exception of Christmas. I get my new computer then and I will work hard to get it all done. (Fighting)

Confrontation

I watched her. Clinging on to her son as if her very life depended on him just being there. Itachirou watched her, gauged every movement that she made, as if she would disappear should he remove his eyes from her. In the light of the rising sun I could see both of their faces. His, stoic as ever, her eyes were tear-filled, her face pale from the chill of the air despite being engulfed by light. He removed his fur from his left shoulder, a style choice I found somewhat amusing, and draped it over her shoulders, shaking from the frosty air. He showed her more than sympathy, even for someone with such strong demonic blood in his veins, his human blood allowed him to show her love. It was that human blood which flowed within him and gave him human tendencies, though not often displayed. He was also half demon, the side he drew on to be the strength and support that she needed. The hours that ticked by, I found myself unable to tear my eyes from the scene before me. He did not hate who he was, to any who did not know him, his silence told all that he was a demon, the manner in which he carried himself. It gave them reason to fear, not for his sake but for the sake of a family that needed protection in a world where they could not be accepted. He valued his ability to be support because he could give it and required his demon half to backup that humanity. To him, she was his friend, she saw through his mask, as she saw through mine. He was her shelter, so much of me, perfectly mixed with her. I watched him hold her, his guard was up and aware of all around them. Why? His eyes, his actions, they watched me every moment that we crossed paths. If his blood was pure, he would make a fine demon, a Lord greater than Satoru or any other. Was that why, above his own blood children, he would name Itachirou his heir?

Itachirou did not see Satoru as a father, he respected him as a Lord. Satoru seemed to try despite what lack of assistance Itachirou gave him. Satoru told him as much as he was certain he needed to know. Despite the trust that Satoru put in him, there was more to this scheme than Itachirou knew. At this ti8me, would I see the truth of our relationship, did my blood truly run in his veins? Even as he spoke those words to her, his voice told of questions. He was in some ways, a demon. He needed the whole story, willing to defend as long as he had truth. The differences in our case, could only be seen when it came to women he held. For her sake he would not pry, he would not push the confidence that Satoru has placed in him by entrusting to him some small piece of truth. Was it his intention for Rin to know all of this? Did Satoru predict that Itachirou would tell her? Not that it truly mattered. Rin had power of him, but not enough that he would allow her to sacrifice herself for where still ultimately his lands. Satoru married her because over those months that he followed her, he began to fall in love with all that she was. He was drawn to the strength and the hope that Rin harbored even as a little girl. The things that even time could not take from her, in return it was bent on taking everything else. Find power Rin. You will suffer, and you will feel pain, those things are inevitable. Things that not even Satoru can protect you from.

My head turned to the North of the gates at the pull of a familiar scent. The sky was clear, clouds came from the east making it hard to believe that today could not be a promising day. It was the type of day that Rin loved. As I rose to return to my study, I found I left a small part of me behind. Itachirou would look after her, he was the only one who could save her from all of this. I glanced back at her and something within me broke. Had I caused all of this? Whether I had or not, what concern was it of mine? I would not, if I could, take back all that had happened in the past ten years. I will not live with regret. In the back of my mind, that question remained, echoing with pain. Had I caused this?

I slid the door open to the study, aware of the fact that I was not alone. I moved to stand behind my desk, watching as Satoru closed the cloor before meeting my eyes with a glare that would send a human to their graves. My eyes burned with anger, what right did he have to be upset, he married Rin, he saw those children at birth. A thought which pierced me with an unknown feeling. He should have known, used that strategic mind of his to put it all together. Se left me for the sake of those children, he knew Rin, she would not have created such children with no emotional attachment. He knew her feelings towards me, after seeing them, seeing her, how could it not be obvious that her feelings for me still remained. Was that the reason for his anger? Was it something else? I questioned his purpose here, the thoughts that ran through his mind, as he did mine. We were watching, waiting for an expression that might give a hint of weakness away. An eternity could pass without such a reaction coming forth, I trained him and he learned on his own over the years, as had I. Now we shared a common thread, no matter how hard I may try to deny it, we shared her. The only difference being that his feelings were genuine, whereas hers saw him as nothing more than a mere substitute. My replacement.

As I believed that it was I who would have to start this, his voice rang through the empty room.

"Are you pleased with yourself?" There was a darkness as he spoke. An undertone that would not be easily deterred.

"Quite brave of you."

"You are really something." He laughed lightly as he did a small turn. When he looked to me, I was met with solid black eyes.

It was not shock rather than a question that arose the moment I saw his eyes. This was still Satoru, possessed by nothing other than the unknown cause of his anger. Could this all have arisen from that morning?

"This could not be from her."

"You will take no blame for it?" He sneered. "You can not tell me that you have not thought for even a second," He used his fingers to demonstrate a gesture for small. " what your life would be like had she never left."

"You were not ignorant."

"That is exactly what I was! I owed you a favor for saving them. I followed her as you ordered! I did not ask questions. I did not ask why, or for how long or what it entailed, who she was to you."

"It was not intended that you be with her."

"Protect her during pregnancy, but leave so as not see your mistake, then return but as a shadow. Not protect her when she would truly need it, carrying two half breed children born from a shameful relationship between her and the Great Lord Sesshomaru!" He stepped near my desk.

His claws were extending while his face remained the same. The demonic marks that I could see were moving, being pulled from his skin yet still unable to be moved. The demonic aura around him grew thick. This was not a transformation, but magic. A spell had been cast here, the kind that was drawing his demonic energy from him, pulling it out to the surface. For what reason?

"The spell you are under..."

"Is none of your damn business!" He voice roared.

He may have been right. He would leave tonight, whatever spell was cast would have no effect on me. The need to know what magic he was involved in was not that great. I leveled my voice."What more must you do? You will blame me for your disobedience?"

"She loved you!" He snapped.

"You came here to plead for me to take her back. Are you not truly angry about that morning?" There was slight humor in my voice, which I could not disguise, nor could I recover from the impact those words had on me as I spoke them.

A slight smile curled on his face. "No. I would never ask her to lower herself."

My fists clenched tightly at the apparent humor in his voice at having turned his mockery into mine.

"Then what is the true purpose behind your intrusion?"

"I came to ask a question."

"Then ask it." I snarled wishing for this meeting to end.

"I did." He stood inches from me, prepared for a fight. "Are you pleased with yourself?! Rin will end up miserable just as you wished, her whole life though she was miles from your reach was never her choice. Her choice to marry me may be the only one she ever made."

"Even still, were you not a mere shadow of the demon you claim so strongly that she loved?"

"That's bold Sesshomaru. You claim that she is nothing to you! Why did you send me to her?! Because you knew she was in danger! Because you knew he was coming for her! Why were you angered by the news that we were married? Because you, in deepest part of your dark soul wanted her! As you still want her! Why even more so at meeting all of our children? Because the children you fathered bear my name! Your daughter grew, calling me her father, where in that deep space you longed for that sound. You see a shadow of yourself in your son! The woman you forced from your life, being in a position in the North? It had nothing to do with her humanity! It was the fact that she bore the North in her title, not the West!. Have those thoughts not bothered you while you slept?"

With every word that he spoke, tremors started in my chest, threatening to pull me from this human form. His words were not true, yet they drew out my utmost anger. His voice did not match the words he spoke, he did not have the courage to speak them, to me of all people and yet he said them. His voice was voice was not even one of conversation, he was teasing, taunting, searching for a way that I might break. As I stood watching him, his eyes returned to their ice blue shade, the marks on his body settled, his claws retreated to their average length. He slowly settled. His eyes closed as he took a deep breath, in them I found a calmness that was not present before.

"I am not angry about you kissing her. I am angry that you kissed my wife. The girl that you loved still loves you. I accepted that when I married her, before I even knew. Seeing those children only told me what I thought I did not need to know. Still, I stayed with her, knowing this whole time that they would have to come here, knowing that her heart still longed for you. I love my wife, and she loves me. I love our children, and they love me. It is my family, I will not thank you for sending me to them. But as a demon I will apologize. I am sorry that you are to stupid to realize what love means. I am also sorry that I took yours from you."

I spoke before his words entered more than just my mind. "Love is weakness. You will choose them over all of your lands?"

He turned toward the door.

"No Sesshomaru. For something that will anger you more. For your family. For the woman you love, and your children. I will give up my lands, give them the strength that their father cannot."

With those final words, he was gone. Leaving me in the silence of the morning to ponder more than just his actions. Itachirou did not know that this battle was waged for the three people that Satoru considered, my family. His children had nothing to do with this, he did it for Rin, Itachirou and Naiera. How could that be? Itachirou would make a great Lord, even without full demonic heritage, yet he seemed intent on naming him his heir. He had rallied the Eastern and Southern lands against him, but the Lords were not fools. They knew of Itachirou and his abilities, but he was still a half demon. A full demon heir would be the only thing to pacify them and keep the North safe, and Satoru would sooner die than mate even once with a full demon. Could the spell be involved with this plan? A plan that clearly went beyond the one I had started. Not that he truly mattered, his task became easier after he fell in love with her. He was a pawn that moved of his own accord while still following my own guides and giving me my end result. Satoru followed my orders in a way quite different to what I expected, time changed his view of his assignment from strategical to emotional. With that change, the suffereing of the North was inevitable. Especially considering that they would not resurface while he and Satoru remained above, all three of them will sit and wait. Sit and watch him give up his land for them. How could he do nothing else when he loves her as much as he claims. What of Rin?

I was with a young girl of fourteen for no more than a few months. Two children resulted from that affair, children that I never knew until a few days ago. I was nothing more than... I was nothing. He married her, and in their nine years together they formed a history and a bond that could never be replaced. They had five children together, teaching them, watching them grow, they created memories. A young girl fell in love with me, a woman fell in love with him, changed with him, they had time together. Was her kiss nothing more than a final resolve, a way of saying goodbye? Why did that bother me? I would not be used by a mere human for a pure emotional resolve. She needed it. It is better she use me to help her understand what will never be. Whatever it takes.

Rin's POV...

I lost the ability to stand. This small piece of information had shaken my entire world. How could I have broken Satoru and he would still go to war rather than to have me removed? There had to be more than this. He wasn't doing it for just me, it had to be for all of us.

"Let's go to breakfast."

"No. I'm fine."

"You need to eat." It was a considerate demand.

"Alright. As if there was much point in arguing." The three quick attempts I made to stand were futile, with Itachirou's help I was finally up.

As I rose I noticed his head turn towards the door, a silent force calling him out. He looked at me an answered my unspoken question with some frustration in his voice.

"Satoru."

"You should go." I assured him that I would be fine, still he was hesitant to go.

"I will take her."

Our eyes snapped to the door. That was why he was tense.

"Sesshomaru."

"Your father needs you."

"Her needs are my priority."

"For the moment they are not. He leaves tonight, your father will need you prepared."

There was something more to Satoru's leaving. A staring match ensued between Itachirou and Sesshomaru, a dare between each other to see who would move first. The look on Itahcirou's face told Sesshomaru that he was right.

"What does he mean?"

"I am leaving."

"WHAT?!" My eye were almost certainly popping out of my skull. Fear pushed itself from the deepest corners of my soul to the forefront of my mind. I had no doubt that Itachirou would be fine, but he and Satoru leaving, I needed them both. Itachirou needed to be safe and the best place was with me, I could not take the risk of loosing him too. I could not play the role of a concerned mother while remain myself and acknowledge that he carried Sesshomaru's blood, and he had his own strength, meaning that he would be fine. "I..."

He pierced me with eyes that melted my heart.

"I must go."

I nodded. "I will not stop you."

Sesshomaru watched us intently, studying us would be the more accurate word.

"I will leave her in your hands." No one could miss the threat that hid in what would appear to be an indifferent tone. I knew Sesshomaru, and I knew Itachirou, even when it seemed like they had no emotion, they had the potential to have more than any human could.

Itachirou walked me toward the door, somewhat hesitant to let me go. I pushed his hand gently to his sword.

"Go on. I will be fine." I gave him a bright smile, in return I got a stare that told me that he knew that. His eyes shimmered, full of concern.

He bowed to Sesshomaru before disappearing down the hall.

"Your children are waiting."

"Thank you. I can get there myself."

He turned to leave as I tripped. I fell and threw my hands out to brace for the impact that never came, instead I felt an iron grip encircle my waist. I looked up to meet eyes that I initially believed to be Itachirou's. At the instant touch I felt my heart beat out of my chest at the touch as I realized who it was.

"Sesshomaru?"

"Do you need a doctor?"

His question shocked me. As much as the tone in which it was spoken.

"No. I think I am just tired."

"I will take you to your-"

"No." I snapped. Our eyes met as we were both surprised by the thunderous tone in which it came out. "I'm sorry. I'll be fine." I pushed his hands from me and headed toward the dining hall, Sesshomaru close on my heels.

I was tired, and in need of much rest. I had used most of my energy in beating myself up over something I thought broke him, but it couldn't have because he chose to go to war for my sake. Satoru was leaving tonight so none of the feelings I had mattered, I had to be able to wish him goodbye. For now I would have to make it through to breakfast, then I would go talk to him. I could not let Satoru go because of me, if he did have to go I would say that love him. I would do all that I could to try and make this right. I don't know why I thought that telling him that would making better. Right now all I had to do was not show Sesshomaru the weakness he was certain I had. My son and my husband were going into battle tonight, I had to be strong not only for myself but the other children left behind.

"Are you alright?" His silence broke the echoing silence as we continued through the lengthy hall.

"I am fine." I was lying through my teeth. If our kiss had to impact anyone, it would impact me. My heart was still beating fast.

"Why won't you tell me the truth?"

I regretfully spun on my heels in a fit of fury to face him. I took a breath in an attempt to steady myself from the odd feeling that threatened to send me to the floor. Even despite all of this... whatever it could be called. I should not be this weak. Was it just Sesshomaru being this close to me? No... I was somewhat sick when Itachirou was with me. The look that Sesshomaru gave me told he was aware of that much.

"Why do you want to know? More importantly why do you even care? What is it that you want to know?"

"How much you know." He said flatly.

"I cannot be sure."

"Despite all I am certain that Itachirou has told you, you claim to know nothing."

"How about what you know? Were you aware of Satoru's intentions?"

"Not fully."

"Then why am I here?"

"You are here because Satoru wanted your children and you to be safe. There is no place safer than here."

"Yes. A demon who despises humans, a relationship between demons humans and would eliminate all half-breeds from existence if he could. Me, a human married to a demon, and my six half-breed children are safe here." I said sarcastically. "He was your student, could you have refused."

I turned my back on him to continue down the hall. A pain that pulsed with each beat of my heart came seconds after his voice, in the most gentle tone I had ever heard rang through the hall.

"I could."

I could not help but asking, dreading the answer that he gave. "What?"

He came to stand beside me, not daring to look at me. Then I saw his lips move, and his words echoed through my heart, forcing my hand to my chest to stop it from beating out of it's chest.

"I could have refused."