A New Leaf
Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews. Oh and for those interested, please feel free to check out the poll on my profile. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this chapter.
Chapter 14
A week had passed since the final battle with Midori. The causalities had been depressingly high on both sides, Sasuke thinks to himself. He had gotten lucky though. Both he and Rin had survived.
"Do you like wild boar?" Rin smiles at him sweetly as they continue on their walks through the gardens.
It was a selfish thought, but Sasuke was extremely grateful for that fact. There were really only a dozen or so people in this new world that he really knew. Maybe, two dozen at most and that included Inuyasha's group.
Speaking of really know though, that was an odd question for his beloved to ask. "To eat?" He tilts his head to the side in confusion.
"No, silly." Rin laughs softly at him. "To keep as a pet. Of course, I meant do you like to eat it."
An adorable laugh. She had an adorable laugh. Though everything about the woman was adorable to him in one way or another. Sasuke knew that without a doubt.
Her question made more sense to him now. "What are you planning on serving that at the wedding?" Maybe, that sort of food was normal here for weddings.
Sasuke wouldn't know. This world was still a strange one to him. He'd get used to it in time, but the young ninja knew that he had a long way to go until he acted anything like a native.
"Mhm." She smiles at him. "It's considered a favorite amongst the nobility and I know that Lord Sesshomaru will want us to have the wedding here."
That was a fair point. Though Sasuke wasn't so sure about that. Almost everyone in this castle was a demon and they were humans. Some of the demons might think he was a demon, but at best they'd think a was a demon marrying a human (which might actually be worse than attending the wedding of two humans in their eyes).
"That's kind of him, but are you sure that's a good idea?" They had just finished fighting a war. "The others in the castle might not care for us hosting our wedding here." There was no need to go out of their way to provoke people, especially when they could just get married in Kaede's village.
Rin shakes her head and smiles at him. "Lord Sesshomaru wouldn't allow them to be cruel at our wedding." That was true. Her absolute faith in that man did make Sasuke jealous at times, but apparently it wasn't unfounded. So he let it slide.
He was actually getting married. Naruto would be laughing his ass off at him right now. Sasuke couldn't help, but smirk and sigh at that thought.
The Uchiha doubted that he was ever going home again. Did it matter? For all he knew, it was possible that enough time had passed in the other world, that Naruto and the others might be long since dead. Dead and buried from old age or other causes. Who was really to say that wasn't the case?
"Are you alright?" The beautiful woman looks at him with concern.
Sasuke nods and kisses her forehead. "Yes, I'm fine." He didn't want her to know what he was going through.
That he was homesick or something like it. Why should he return anyway? The only people that he cared about really were in Taka or Team Seven. Everyone else was dead.
He could stay here. Here where he had Rin and the chance to start over. The horrors of the past didn't need to carry over to this world. That would just be absurd.
"Good." Rin cuddles up to his chest and smiles. "So is wild boar alright then or would you prefer lamb maybe? Or perhaps another dish."
Soft and warm. She was so soft and warm in his arms. It was as if she truly did belong there. When he held her, there was a soothing effect to it, that he couldn't properly explain. Maybe, he didn't need to though.
All that mattered was that he had found her. He had found Rin and he was never letting her go. Sasuke loved her too much for that.
"Wild boar would probably be best." He smirks. "A more filling meal and lamb is tasty, but I would feel guilty for eating it. It reminds me too much of you."
Small and adorable. Innocent and trusty. That and soft. She really was a lot like a lamb.
Rin raises an eyebrow at that. "I'll take that as a compliment, but I hope you don't think that I'm defenseless." Not anymore, she wasn't. "I was the one who blinded Midori before the war started."
That was true and that was a fact that had very nearly gotten her killed. Rin was lucky to be alive and they were all lucky that Midori had died. Things could have all too easily gone in the other direction, but Sasuke didn't want to think about that. The thought of losing her was unbearable to him.
"Yes, you were and I know that you aren't defenseless." Sasuke smirks at the second part. "After all, I was the one who taught you how to use those Shadow Clones."
Rin shakes her head in amusement and kisses him. "Mmm. Yes, you were." He happily returns the kiss.
There really was nothing like being with her. She was the ship that had saved him in the middle of drifting in his ocean of regret. To Rin, he had never been Sasuke Uchiha the Criminal Ninja. He had always just been Sasuke and he liked it that way.
Kaede shakes her head back in the village. It was hard to believe that the war was finally over. So much had been lost before their victory though.
The human causalities had been low compared to the demonic ones, but some humans had suffered as a result. Wells had been poisoned. Villages had been burned to the ground. All because of Midori's plotting.
"There ain't no use in sulking about it." Inuyasha shrugs. "It's over. Midori is dead and she isn't going to start nothing with us ever again."
That was true, but it had come with a high price. Kaede couldn't help, but wonder if the grass would ever be green where that battle took place again. Would it forever be stained red with the blood of the slain? The thousands, if not tens thousands who had died there?
She honestly didn't know and that answer disturbed her. It was miracle that Sango's and Miroku's children hadn't been exposed to the carnage though and for that, she would forever be grateful. They were far too young to see such things (and so was she for that matter, despite her old age).
"On the bright side, it looks as though Rin and Sasuke are still getting along marvelously well." Miroku grins at that.
Sango shakes her head and swats her husband playfully. "I wouldn't go playing matchmaker just yet." That was true, Kaede thinks to herself. There was still Lord Sesshomaru to consider.
For whatever reason, the Inu Lord had taken Sasuke into his home and seen fit to fight alongside him. Still, that was a far cry from agreeing to hand the closest thing to a daughter the demon had ever had off to him.
"Ye best listen to ye wife." Kaede shakes her head. "Sango knows what she is talking about."
Kagome had stars in her eyes though. Kaede really didn't like where this was going. "They would look so cute together though." Oh boy. It was best that she nip this nonsense in the bud right now.
Kaede knew that they all meant well. Truly, she did. This was still Lord Sesshomaru that they were talking about though and the woman certainly wasn't eager to throw him to the wolves (well Inu) just yet.
"Child, let them come to each other on their own terms and in their own time." She nods firmly as she stirs the stew she was helping to make. "Things will work out much better that way."
Shippo nods at that as he practically salivates over the scent of the cooking stew. "Yeah. Plus Sesshomaru can be pretty scary." Pretty scary was putting it mildly, Kaede thinks to herself.
"He ain't that scary." Inuyasha rolls his eyes at that. "Quit being a wimp. He'll respect you more, if you don't act like you're gonna faint around him."
That might indeed be the case. Though the elderly woman thought that was a pretty tall order to give to a little fox kit like Shippo. Someone like Inuyasha could more than hold his own in almost any battle, but this kitsune usually won his battles due to other factors besides brute strength.
Kitsunes were highly intelligent and quick creatures. Shippo's fox magic was also a useful asset in his fights. The boy had yet to grow into his full powers yet. That was all.
"I guess you're right." Kagome smiles at the other woman. "I just go at bit excited. I've never really seen Rin look at a guy that wasn't Sesshomaru and obviously she isn't going to date him."
The child still spoke in such a strange tongue. Kaede didn't understand what she was saying half the time. Oh well. At least in this instance, she got the general point. Dating was what people in the future called courting. How strange.
"Don't worry." Sango smiles. "I think that they do have feelings for each other. I just wouldn't meddle and get Sesshomaru involved." To which they all sigh.
Getting Sesshomaru involved was likely a death sentence to any romantic relationship. Who could possibly handle the Demon Lord's Death Stares and not to mention his fearsome combat capabilities. Poor Rin.
"Our causalities were far too high." Inukimi crosses her arms in disgust.
How could they have allowed such a thing to happen? They shouldn't have lost that many? It had been nothing short of a bloodbath and they all knew it.
Now, came the aftermath. The rebuilding and the burying the dead. Though the latter had largely been done by this point. That or wild animals had made quick work of the corpses.
Jaken was quickly scribbling down numbers on a scroll. "On the bright side, our causalities were a third less than that of China." That was true, but China had a high population to begin with.
They had made their stand though. Inukimi doubted that another invasion would be risked for a very long time. Japan would not be taken lightly and had ensured that their 'Big Brother' knew it.
"That's something at least." It wasn't enough though.
They would recover though. They would because they must. Though this was a severe blow to both sides. The West needed to do something to boost morale and quickly, but what?
"Yes, My Lady." The imp nods eagerly.
He was always so eager to please. Granted, he was far from the most fearsome demon and he could be irritating at times, but Jaken's loyalty was never in doubt. That was why she had recommended to Sesshomaru that her son should keep him around.
"Where is that son of mine anyway?" She raises an eyebrow.
Inukimi had always thought that she would have more than one child. Unfortunately, life had gone along with that plan. So Sesshomaru was her everything. Whether he knew it or not.
Of course, they butted heads often. That was only natural. They were both two very dominant people. They were naturally going to clash. That didn't mean that she hadn't wanted to rip Midori's throat out on her son's behalf though.
Jaken sighs as he looks at his feet. "I'm afraid that he's probably with Kagura." Interesting. It seemed as though Inukimi knew exactly what needed to be done to boost the spirit of the Japanese Demon population.
"Perfect." Nothing would do the job better than a wedding.
That would lift people's spirits and hopefully encourage people to have their own weddings or matings. Which might lead to more demonic children being born.
That last part was something of a longshot. Though one never knew. It wasn't that Inukimi disagreed with Midori's philosophy. It was just that the bitch had gone about it in the wrong way.
"We really do need to increase our numbers." She shakes her head at the thought.
Humans were breeding too fast. Demons generally had children decades, if not centuries apart. Humans matured quicker and their reproductive capacity was disturbingly high.
"Of course, My Lady." Jaken shoots her a confused look. "Though I am afraid that I do not completely understand." That was fine. He didn't have to.
Inukimi had a wedding to plan, but first she would have to smack some sense into Sesshomaru. Clearly, there was a reason why he was keeping Kagura around. Whether it was conscious or subconscious, it mattered now. Eventually, nature would take its course.
"Your injury seems to have healed rather nicely." Kagura looks at Sesshomaru.
Of course, it had healed nicely. He was an Inu Lord. He possessed a superior pedigree and that extended to his regenerative abilities. There was very little t hat could actually kill him.
He nods at her though. "Yes, I'm aware." The two of them were bathing together. "Honestly, you do know that I can bathe myself quite fine? Do you not?"
He wasn't an invalid. His injury had been severe and he could have understood her being hesitant to leave him on his own immediately after. Things were different now though. Lord Sesshomaru had fully recovered. In the end, it was unlikely that he'd even have a permanent scar to show for the encounter.
"I'm aware of that." Kagura smiles at him slyly. "It was out of concern at first, of course." She meant bathing with him, he presumed. "Though I would be lying, if I said that I didn't like the view."
Unbelievable. The woman was using his former injuries as an excuse to bathe with him just so she could gaze upon him. He didn't know whether he should be flattered or irritated at that.
He settles on flattered after a moment. What did it matter, if she wanted to look at him? Kagura had assisted them in battle and it wasn't as though he was bashful about his naked form and he had seen hers more than once. There was nothing to be particularly upset about. Well other than her sneakiness.
"Speaking of bathing together and things of that nature, I will need your help to plan the wedding." Sesshomaru sighs heavily at that. "Rin will be more concerned about the flowers and the food than anything else and Sasuke is a man." That meant he was likely far more interested in what came after the wedding than before.
"Of course." She raises an eyebrow at that second part of his statement. "Though what do you mean by he's a man? Did you expect her to marry a woman?" This demoness was going to be the death of him.
How on Earth was he supposed to respond to that question? A question that had clearly been designed to tease him? If anyone else had done that, they would be in a lot of trouble now.
He didn't really understand why he tolerated her outrageousness. It likely had something to do with her breasts though. Sesshomaru was an honest enough demon to admit what his preferences were. Well at least inside the inner sanctum of his own mind, anyway.
"Of course, I didn't expect her to marry a woman." Wait. He should clarify. "Though I wouldn't have stopped her from doing so, if that's what she truly wanted." Gender was less important than Rin's happiness.
Kagura laughs as she waves her fan over her face teasingly. "Mmm. I see and what of the other part?" That witch.
She was actually going to make him say this, apparently. "He's likely far more interested in the Honeymoon than anything else." That much should be obvious.
"My, My." She laughs softly as she kisses him. "Who knew you were such a deviant?" Him? A deviant?!
Rin smiles as she walks through the garden with Sasuke. They were discussing their wedding. A wedding which likely wouldn't take terribly long to organize. Lord Sesshomaru had always been such an efficient demon.
Which was a very good thing. "Are you happy about the wedding?" They were on something of a deadline, even if Sasuke didn't realize it.
She'd have to tell him though. He had the right to know. Rin doubted he'd be upset by the new. He wouldn't have agreed to marry her, if this sort of news would upset him. Would he? That would be rather foolish of him to do.
Sasuke was many things, but foolish wasn't one of them. He was brave, strong, and smart. Perhaps, a little reckless and too proud at times. Though that was normal for most men in her observation. Perhaps, she shouldn't generalize so much though.
"I'm marrying the woman that I love." Sasuke smiles and kisses her cheek. "Why wouldn't I be happy about that? I never expected us to marry this suddenly, but I don't mind that. It's probably better this way."
She nods at that as she laces her fingers with his. "The war still troubles you. Doesn't it?" It had to. No one could witness that level of carnage and not be impacted by it.
"It still does." Sasuke nods as he looks at her. "The thought of losing you is what troubles me most though."
That was kind of him to say. He wasn't being forced into this. Well at least not mostly. Sesshomaru could be very, very demanding sometimes.
His words were enough to give her the courage to say what she needed to say. Rin just wanted to wait until the right moment. That and he probably should sit down. Yes, sitting down would be a good idea.
"Do you miss your old home?" She knew that he was from some village called Leaf.
What a strange name for a village. Why would anyone name their village after leaves? She loved flowers, but leaf seemed to be a rather generic name. It certainly didn't project an image of strength.
Maybe, it was a village filled with farmers and they thought leaves were precious or something. She didn't know. Though farmers didn't seem to be the type of people that Sasuke would have been interacting with a great deal either.
He was obviously some kind of warrior. "Sometimes." A warrior who was far from home and as Sasuke had just admitted, one who was at least somewhat homesick.
"I'm sorry." She sighs. "For taking your home away from you. Perhaps, we could go and visit it sometime."
She didn't want to be the one that kept him away from that. From his home. That wouldn't be right. Rin loved him and wanted him to be happy. Clearly, keeping him away from the Leaf wouldn't do that.
He sighs and shakes his head. "Don't worry about it." Sasuke pauses and adds. "I don't' think that I could go back, even if I wanted to." He smiles at her. "Doesn't matter anyway. I'm excited to start our lives together."
Good. That was good. Well this was as good a time as any. "I'm glad you feel that way." She smiles at Sasuke and wraps her arms around his neck, completely forgetting to warn him to sit down. "Because there is something very important that I have to tell you."
Sasuke tilts his head at her in confusion. "What is it?" Right. It was now or never.
So she might as well do it now. "I think that I'm pregnant. I just have to get it confirmed by one of the healers, but I have been getting sick lately and I missed my cycle."
THUD! That's when Rin hears a loud thud and feels Sasuke fall onto the ground, unintentionally dragging her right along down with him.
"Y-You're pregnant?" Sasuke stares at her in shock.
Rin nods slowly. Maybe, he wasn't happy, after all? "I t-think so." Damn it. What had she done?
That's' when Sasuke nudges her off of him and stands up, swinging her around happily. "That's wonderful news." He grins at her. Such a happy grin that it made Rin's stomach feel like a colony of butterflies had once again taken up residence inside her stomach. "Though it means we'll have to organized the wedding quickly." Yes, that was true. Rin would much rather fit into her wedding kimono, if at all possible. Thank you, very much.