A New Leaf
Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews. I hope that you all enjoy this chapter.
Chapter Notation: This might feel like a final chapter, but it is not. After all, Rin still has to have her baby. Happy reading.
Chapter 16
It didn't take them long to arrive back in at the Western Castle. Which was both a good thing and a bad thing. Good because Sasuke wanted Rin resting comfortably in a bed as soon as possible. Bad because he knew what was coming.
"Sasuke, you don't need to look so afraid." Rin giggles at him as she takes his hand. "You married me. Lord Sesshomaru will understand." Hopefully. "He'll be happy for us."
If they were lucky, he'd be happy for them. If they weren't lucky, the demon was smart enough that there was a good chance he would do the math. While it was possible Rin had gotten pregnant after their marriage, the odds that they would know were extremely low.
"I'm not afraid." That was a lie and they both knew it.
There were few things more terrifying than a father who was trying to 'protect' his daughter. While Rin might not be Lord Sesshomaru's daughter by blood, she was definitely for all intensive purposes his daughter by adoption. That was close enough.
Rin shakes her head as they walk hand in hand inside the castle. "Good." She smiles and places his other hand on her stomach. "So is the baby."
Sasuke couldn't help, but return her smile at that. Their baby was already growing. Rin didn't look pregnant yet, but the woman was and it wouldn't be very long before everyone else could tell.
"You're back." Jaken strides over to them. "Lord Sesshomaru is on his way down. He sensed your presence."
The imp was always sulking around them. It was highly annoying. Did it really bother him that Rin was human that much or was he just jealous that Sesshomaru favored the woman over him? Who knew?
"Of course, I sensed their presence." Sesshomaru gracefully descends the stairs. "I do hope that your journey was a safe one." Then again, this was Sesshomaru. Apparently, it was impossible for the demon to do anything in a clumsy fashion.
Sasuke was quite certain that the Inu could stub his toe and make even that look elegant. It was just part of who he was. That and an overly protective parental figure.
"It was." Rin smiles at her guardian. "There's something that we have to tell you." The woman was beaming from ear to ear.
Obviously, his beautiful wife didn't understand the sort of danger that they were both in. That was alright though. If Sesshomaru really lost his temper, he would just Flicker the two of them away from here as soon as possible.
Sesshomaru shakes his head in amusement. "What news have you brought me Rin?" That was when Sasuke realizes something.
He wasn't sure how the other man already knew, but he did. The demon was far too calm for there to be any other explanation. Could demons also tell when people were pregnant? After all, the Lord of the West had noticed when they became lovers. Was it really that far fetched for him to know when Rin was pregnant? That she was about to become a mother?
"I'm pregnant." Rin smiles. The picture of motherly pride and serenity. "Sasuke and I are going to have a baby."
Clearly, her happiness was overwhelming her common sense. Did his most precious person seriously not realize that Lord Sesshomaru might not share in their joy? That he might be furious about the timing of the conception?
Sesshomaru quirks an eyebrow at that. "Yes, I'm well aware of that fact. I detected the change in your scent almost immediately." He then turns his golden gaze towards Sasuke. "Should you upset Rin or the pup in any way, I will kill you."
That was marginally better than what the raven haired man had been expecting. "If I did so, I would deserve it." He nods dumbly.
It was best to just go along with it. There was no need to point out that Sasuke was an accomplished warrior in his own right. Sesshomaru was powerful, but he wasn't the only powerful man who loved Rin.
Their love for her was just expressed in very different ways. For Sasuke, it was a romantic love. For Sesshomaru, it was a parental love. Both bonds tied them to Rin deeply and that meant they were both willing to kill for her and the child that was growing in her womb.
"I'm glad that we are of a similar mind on this matter." Sesshomaru nods as the sound of feminine laughter is heard.
It was Kagura. "Don't mind him." She smiles as she pulls out one of her fans and fans her face. "He is happy for both of you, even if he is rather poor at expressing it."
Yeah. Sasuke got that. This was Sesshomaru. He hadn't exactly expected the man to throw them a festival, but it was good enough. They had all survived this day in one peace for now, that was all that mattered.
"You are sure that this is the best plot of land that hasn't been claimed in the village?" Inukimi tilts her head towards Kaede.
The elderly woman nods. It was strange. The woman was little more than a newborn pup in demon years, but she was elderly for a human while Inukimi was still the picture of youth.
"Aye." She gestures towards the lush green grass. "Since Lord Sesshomaru gave them such a tidy sum, they can easily buy it and have plenty left over." The miko was right about that much.
That did appear to be true enough. Thank goodness. Rin could finally fully settle into her life as a human and her son would know the girl was being well looked after.
Very well looked after, if the child already growing inside her was any indication. Inukimi could scent such things just as well as the next demoness. Sesshomaru likely already knew as well.
"Good." Inukimi nods at that. "Well I suppose that I should get started on building them a house." If they didn't like what she made for them, Sasuke could always build something later.
Of course, the Lady of the West had every confidence they would adore what she made. How could they not? Inukimi had always had excellent taste about such things, even Inutashio had said so and he was notoriously difficult to please when it came to his quarters.
Kaede blinks as she looks at the other woman in shock, "You're going to build them a house, M-My Lady?" It was rather gratifying to see her stutter so. Inukimi doubted there was very much that surprised a human of that age anymore.
"Yes." Inukimi nods as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "It shall be my late wedding present to them."
They did deserve some kind of gift. Rin and Sasuke had helped to defeat Midori. A story that Inukimi was sure they would pass down to their children and their children.
"That is very kind of you." Kaede smiles.
Well the Inu wasn't entirely certain she would use that word to describe her motivations. After all, this was more about honor and the principle of the thing. Still, if the crone wanted to believe that she was being kind, Inukimi would allow it. It mattered very little to her.
"I suppose that one could say that." With that being said, she immediately sets about getting to work on the house.
It would be a grand estate by the time she was done with it. Rin and Sasuke would probably be gone for a few days at least. That was more than enough time to erect something suitable for them.
"Do ye need any help?" Kaede watches her in awe.
Ha. She did not need any help. She was Lady Inukimi of the West. It was laughable that a human thought she could help her with something as simple as this.
"No." She shakes her head. "I do not. Now, behold. Watch what a true demoness can do." It would be a very cold day in Hell when Inukimi needed help from a human.
If it was offered without her asking, she didn't mind. That had been the case with Rin. Inukimi was a demoness who could stand on her own two feet. Thank you, very much.
Later that night, Rin smiles as Sasuke pulls out a seat for her. It was time for dinner and she was absolutely starving. One certainly worked up an appetite on their Honeymoon.
"Such a gentleman." Kagura chuckles at that as she pours herself some wine.
Sometimes. There were certainly times that her lover was a gentleman. That hadn't been the case on their Honeymoon though. Much to Rin's delight.
Sasuke smiles as he sits down next to her. "Only for her." Lightly placing his hand on one of Rin's as she uses her other to savor some of the delicious wild berries that had been brought in.
Sesshomaru was staring at her now. Calculating. His gaze was nothing short of calculating.
He was watching her. Probably to make sure she was okay. Lord Sesshomaru could be very overprotective sometimes.
"Good." Sesshomaru bites into his meal and swallows before continuing on. "Make sure that it stays that way." Rin wanted to groan at that, but she knew better.
Lord Sesshomaru was just showing that he cared. In his own unique way, that was what he was doing and Rin did appreciate it.
Kagura laughs softly as she kisses Sesshomaru's cheek. "Don't worry about him. His bite may be far worse than his growl, but he wouldn't actually attack you at this point." She smiles slyly. "Lord Fluffy can be very cuddly once he gets to know you."
To which, Sasuke and Sesshomaru both choke on their meals in disbelief. Hell, even Rin was having a hard time not choking on her own food at that. Lord Fluffy?
"D-Did you really just call him Lord Fluffy?" That was utterly unbelievable.
Sesshomaru growls warningly at Kagura. "I have told you to cease calling me by that absurd title." The fact that he hadn't tried to kill her though could only mean one thing.
She was right. It had been love. So that's why Kagura had always sought out Lord Sesshomaru and he kept her around, even after the final battle with Naraku.
"Do demons have weddings?" Rin smiles at them cheerfully. "We could have all gotten married at once."
Thud. Thud. Thud. As soon as the expectant mother asked that question, all three of them fell out of their cheers in rapid succession. Hmm. Maybe, she had gone a little too far with that one?
"Well I guess it's nice to have separate ceremonies." Rin smiles at Kagura. "I'm more than willing to be your flower girl. I know I'm a bit older than what is considered normal for that role, but I don't mind."
Kagura was staring at her as if she had grown another head. "Well Rin, if he wishes to go through with a ceremony of that nature, you could throw as many flowers as you like." Oh good. This would be fun.
Sesshomaru slowly gets up from the floor and helps Kagura do the same. "Rin, I am a demon. Kagura is a demoness." He shakes his head quickly as if the very idea of what she had just proposed was absolutely prosperous.
Sasuke raises an eyebrow at that. "Does that mean that demons don't have weddings?" That was a good question and exactly Rin's point.
"It does happen." Sesshomaru shrugs at that. "Though such things are normally more a political symbol or to join two houses than for love. My mother married my father." Ah. That made sense. "It is Mating that is sacred to our people."
Sacred enough that it causes Kagura to blush. Now, that was sacred. Rin never thought that she would see the day that woman blushed.
The rest of the meal proceeded normally. Which was really something of a miracle. "Sasuke, come with me." That was until Lord Sesshomaru wanted to speak with her husband in private. "There is much that I have to show you. Kagura, you are to watch over Rin."
Sasuke gives her a quick kiss on the cheek and with that, the two men depart. Rin wasn't sure if this was a good thing or not. She looks at Kagura in confusion.
"I think that he just wants to bond with him as men." Kagura shakes her head. "That or to give him things for your child. Probably the latter more than the former." Oh right.
Rin didn't think that she would ever understand men fully. Why couldn't the two of them just say that? What was the big mystery?
A few moments later, Sesshomaru leads Sasuke to one of the nurseries in the castle. After all, with as many people that lived in the Western Castle odds were that someone was going to have a small child. So there were always a few nurseries around.
"I know not how humans manage to care for their young." He shakes his head and rolls his eyes. "Though I suspect a few things are universal. Anything in this box should be of use to your new family."
Sasuke nods somberly at that and takes the box. Good. The human at least understood the significance of this moment.
"Thank you." He nods at him.
The man also did have some social etiquette which again was rare for a human. Rin had chosen well there was no doubt about that much.
Sesshomaru couldn't deny that this was a rather awkward moment though. "Are you hoping for a son or a daughter for your firstborn?" So he decides to break that awkwardness by discussing the obvious.
"As long as the baby is healthy, that's what matters most." Sasuke smiles at him. "Though I believe a daughter would be easier."
"You are absolutely insane if you believe that a daughter would be easier." Sesshomaru almost scoffs at the notion. "Do you have any idea how difficult it was to ensure that Rin made it to adulthood?"
Nearly impossible. Rin had had such a penchant for wandering off in search of beautiful flowers. It had gotten her into trouble more times than he could count.
"My family hasn't had the most luck with boys." Sasuke shrugs and smiles. "I would enjoy teaching my son how to use the Fireball Jutsu and I would enjoy teaching my daughter to do the same. In the end, it makes little difference." He pauses. "There are exceptions to every rule, but women seem less likely to succumb to the Curse of Hatred. Probably because they succumb to the Curse of Insanity more often."
Sesshomaru couldn't help, but chuckle at that last part. "That may be true, but never tell them that." Sasuke nods in agreement. "Kagura may not be as powerful as me, but she is a sneaky thing. Rin is not to be underestimated either." One only had to look at Lady Midori to see that much.
Kagura shakes her head. "Why don't we go for a walk in the gardens?" That did seem to be the young woman's favorite activity.
Rin smiles and nods. "Alright." The other woman quickly follows her friend to the gardens. "Did you and Lord Sesshomaru Mate?"
Thank goodness that Kagura hadn't been eating or drinking anything at that moment. She definitely would have choked. Rin did have a knack for nearly killing people unintentionally when it came to asking questions like that.
"No." She shakes her head quickly. "Not yet. Though I believe he does care for me."
Surely, he must have. The Demon Lord wouldn't have kept her around, if he didn't. Granted, her combat abilities were formidable and useful when it came to watching over the castle. He could have found someone else for that though.
Rin embraces her and then places a blossom in Kagura's hair. "I know that he cares for you." Her smile never wavers. "Lord Sesshomaru just isn't the sort to gush praise. I'm lucky that Sasuke is."
That surprised Kagura. The man was certainly physically affectionate in public and the way he looked at her said it all, but verbally was a bit more subtle.
"Well, I suppose that is only to be expected." She laughs softly as she touches the flower that the other woman had woven into her hair so artfully. "You did just get back from your Honeymoon."
Rin smiles at that. The woman was certainly glowing in the way that only expectant mothers could. The child had grown up and found her place in the world. Everyone should be so fortunate.
"I take it that the Honeymoon was a mutually enjoyable experience?" Kagura tries her best not to laugh at the question.
That was proving to be quite the difficult task though. The blush that followed it was most amusing. Well, one didn't have to wonder very much how Rin had gotten pregnant in the first place, it seemed.
"It was wonderful." She smiles at her shyly. "He's wonderful." The blush was only growing redder by the minute.
Kagura couldn't handle it anymore. She laughs. It was almost impossible not to with such a sweet blush adorning Rin's face and because the Wind Demoness knew exactly what had caused it.
"Good. I'm happy for you." The demoness glances down at Rin's stomach. "Does it feel any different? Being pregnant, I mean?" Kagura had never been pregnant before.
She had no idea what it felt like. Rin was glowing with happiness, but other than that the Wind Sorceress hadn't noticed any real difference. It was too early in the pregnancy for that.
Rin pauses as though unsure how to answer that. "I'm hungry more often and I do get sick sometimes." She shakes her head though. "Most of the time, I don't notice a difference yet. The baby is quiet for now, but I know that Sasuke is really happy about it and it just hasn't sunk in yet."
"Ah. I see." Kagura nods at that answer. "Well I suppose that's to be expected. This all happened rather quickly for you and I'm glad that Sasuke is happy about your pregnancy." If he wasn't, Kagura didn't want to think about what Lord Sesshomaru would have done to the man.
Rin giggles and smiles as she places her hand on her stomach. "That's true." A mother's love. There was no mistaking it. "Maybe, it will feel more real once my belly gets bigger." Yes, that might help.
Speaking of bigger, they should probably both go and check on Sasuke and Sesshomaru. Leaving those two alone for long periods of time just seemed like a rather unwise thing to do to Kagura.
"Shall we go and check on our men?" She smiles at Rin.
Rin nods in agreement as she takes one last look at the beautiful flowers that surrounded them. "Yes. I don't hear any sounds of fighting yet, but I would rather not press our luck." That was a good point.
Sasuke and Sesshomaru were far too similar in some ways. It wouldn't take much for some boasting to lead to a friendly competition. That friendly competition would likely morph into a not so friendly competition rather quickly and from there, well it would be a miracle if the Western Castle was still standing in one peace by the end of any of their contests.
"True enough." She walks alongside Rin. "You know how men can be." They were at the same time both such simple creatures and completely baffling. "We as women will never fully understand them."
"Mhm." The two of them walk side by side into the castle. "Though that's okay. I don't think that they understand us either."
It was moments like these, that Kagura was struck by how unintentionally profound Rin could be. The statement was simple, but felt so true that she couldn't help, but laugh again. "Yes, I believe you're most definitely right about that much." The sounds of her laughter echo through the hallways as the two women go in search of Lord Sesshomaru and Sasuke.
Perhaps, it was always destined to be this way. Rin with her Sasuke and Kagura with her Lord Fluffy.