Chapter 6

"How could you tell that I was with child…?" Rin asked, placing her water down.

"Your scent was different than before." Sesshomaru said.

"Umm…can you tell how far I am…?" Rin hesitantly asked.

Sesshomaru shook his head, "I can only smell the baby inside you. It's difficult to tell."

Wow, Rin thought. I'm pregnant, and Sesshomaru is going to be the father! I can't believe this! Sesshomaru wrapped his arm around Rin's shoulder and held her close. He placed a kiss on the top of her head and looked out into the woods.

"Sesshomaru…?"

"What?"

"Are you happy…?"

Sesshomaru couldn't lie to her; he wasn't exactly thrilled because he never dreamed of the day where he would become a father. But if Rin was happy, he could be happy to.

"Rin; I'm happy that your are carrying my pups...but,"

Rin caressed his cheek; she understood what he was saying. Sure, Rin and Jaken have been by his side for many years…but Sesshomaru never cared for someone like he did Rin. And it was hard for him. That she understood. Rin sat in Sesshomaru's lap and he wrapped his arms tight around her. Together they watched the fire slowly dim away into nothing, and before they knew it; they fell asleep in each other's arms.

Rin woke up before anyone else did the next morning. She carefully snuck her way out of Sesshomaru's grip and made her way to Kaede's village. Maybe Lady Kaede or Miss Kagome can help me determine how far I am. Rin thought as she disappeared into the forest. Seconds later, Sesshomaru woke up when he realized that his arms were flat against his sides and not holding anyone. He got up immediately and sniffed the air, and chased after Rin.

As Rin was walking through the woods, she heard branches and leave rustle behind her. She froze dead in her track and took a big gulp, was she being hunted? She took a couple more steps and froze, then looked over her shoulder. Leaves were rustling, branches were breaking; someone was following her. She grabbed a stick and hid behind a tree and waited for the ominous person to reveal itself.

"That's not a smart idea…" The figure whispered.

Rin close her eyes and swung hard, but was interrupted mid-swing.

"Where are you going, Rin?" Sesshomaru asked, after breaking the stick.

"Sesshomaru!" Rin exclaimed, "I was making my way to Lady Kaede and Miss Kagome…"

"Why?"

"I want to know how far I am."

Sesshomaru wrapped his arm around Rin and walked in the woods with her. Even though Sesshomaru destroyed Naraku, he still wasn't going to allow Rin to travel by herself. With her scent and everything, who knows what could come her way. They walked together, side by side through the Forest of Inuyasha until they arrived at Kaede's village.

"Kagome!" Rin shouted, when she saw Kagome in the river.

"Rin! Hi!" Kagome yelled back, waving her hand in the air.

Rin ran across the bridge and gave Kagome a big, welcoming hug.

"It's been too long, Rin." Kagome said.

"I know. Sesshomaru and I have been traveling. I just came by because I was wondering if you or Lady Kaede could help me."

"With what?"

Rin looked over her shoulder and saw Sesshomaru, leaning against a tree close to the Forest of Inuyasha.

"You're pregnant…?" Kagome said in shock, as Kaede got ready.

Rin nodded as she placed her hands over her stomach.

"Sesshomaru said that there was something different about my scent that disgusted him a bit, until he realized that I was with child. And I decided to come here, because I figured either you or Lady Kaede could help me find out how far I am."

Kagome nodded, as she helped Rin lay down on a mat. Kaede rolled up the sleeves of her kimono.

"Even though there's none of the technology that exists in my world here, Kaede is very good in determining pregnancies. She helped me through my second pregnancy with Inuyasha."

Rin relaxed on the mat and stared up into the ceiling, and waited. Her body shivered when she felt Kaede's cold hands trace along her stomach.

"Well, Rin…I'd say ye are about four and a half months." Kaede said, rolling down her sleeves.

"Four and a half months…?" Rin repeated.

"Aye," Kaede nodded, "Soon ye will be showing. It will be harder for ye to get around ye will be more exhausted than before."

Rin got up and adjusted her kimono, but before leaving Kaede stopped her.

"Ye should stay here with us…"

"What? Lady Kaede, that's crazy." Rin argued.

"It may seem crazy child, but traveling with Sesshomaru, ye will be in more danger. Demons will catch your scent, putting ye and the baby at risk."

"I can't…I love Sesshomaru…" Rin whispered, looking out the hut over to Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru stood up straight and looked back at Rin. Oh shit, he overheard! Rin thought, running out of the hut towards Sesshomaru.

"Sesshomaru!" Rin called out, chasing him.

"Rin, come back here!" Kagome shouted after Rin.

Rin caught up with Sesshomaru and grabbed his arm before he took off.

"I'm not staying with them. I want to be with you, Sesshomaru…" Rin whimpered, placing her forehead on his forearm.

Sesshomaru heaved a heavy sigh, and stood square in front of Rin.

"Though I hate to admit it, Rin…they are right; it's best if you stayed here…out of danger…"

"But…Sesshomaru…" Rin began to cry.

He pulled Rin into a tight hug, and then he placed his hand over her stomach.

"I want you two to be safe."

"Will…I ~hiccup~ see you soon…~hiccup~?" Rin asked.

Sesshomaru shrugged, "Maybe, maybe not. As long as you're safe…" He whispered.

Rin began to cry even more, her grip was firm on Sesshomaru's armor; she didn't want him to leave and she didn't want to be away from him. He placed his claw under Rin's chin, and lifted her head to where they were looking into each other's eyes.

"Be safe…" He started, resting his forehead on hers.

"No…" Rin argued.

Sesshomaru closed his eyes and kissed Rin on the lips. Rin's arms locked around Sesshomaru's neck, but he pulled her arms down and looked at her. Her eyes were red, her face was puffy, and she had a stuffed nose.

He kissed her forehead for a minute or two then pulled away.

"I love you, Rin."

With that, Sesshomaru was gone in a flash, leaving Rin alone. She fell to her knees and let out a scream of angst. She looked up to the sky and cried out Sesshomaru's name for as long as she could, until she was lost away in her tears.