InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A new beginning, a new hope ❯ To Have the Cake or Eat it (Part 2) ( Chapter 39 )

Updated AN for Ladyrinremix

***********************************************

 

For the first time in his extended youkai life, Sesshoumaru found that he could not prevent his hands from shaking beyond his control. He huddled the trembling girl closer to his heart, hunching his shoulders in hope to offer her some protection against the strong winds generated by the sheer magnitude of the speed he had chosen as they made their flight back home.

 

His brows furrowed in helpless agitation on the discovery that Rin was shifting seemingly in discomfort. Her breath was labored and erratic as her tensed tight fingers held on and tugged occasionally at random edges of his sleeves.

 

“Anata (sweetheart)…. Are you alright?” His voice quivered, barely possessing the courage to ask. Truly, he should take sole responsibility for this. Hell what was he thinking? That the girl was able to last this long while continuing to exert herself in her strenuous routines without a professional opinion? Who was he kidding?

 

There was nothing, no reply but Rin's eyelids were fluttering spasmodically as if in a semi-conscious dream state. The demon did not even have to feel her to know that there was presently an acute leap in her temperature. A long sheen of fine sweat was lining her brows and she periodically swallowed in heavy lumps, coughing out as she choked.

 

His troubled amber eyes met with Inuyasha's below him for a brief passing second. Both his hanyou brother and the miko too were examining the girl in his arms with expressions just as apprehensive as his.

 

“Rin-chan, how is she?” Kagome tilted her head upward, shouting at the top of her lungs from her hubby's back to the demon whilst fighting to press down her over tussled hair. “Is she cold? She looked like she's shivering.”

 

Before Sesshoumaru could make an attempt to respond, Inuyasha's voice boomed from beneath him, intercepting her.

 

“Kah, Kagome. Will you just quit bugging him? He's already worried sick.” Instantly, Kagome blinked hard at Inuyasha and he blinked back, equally shocked by his own words. His clawed hands would have rushed to cover his mouth if they weren't already full, supporting his wife and kid. Even the hanyou could not fathom why he had jumped to minister his brother aid so spontaneously. Perhaps, he was merely empathizing with his present situation. If it were himself, he probably would have preferred to silently give his full focus to attending to his ailing mate instead of entertaining inane queries he hadn't the answers to.

 

Mistaken as an offensive jibe, the miko yanked Inuyasha with her elbows HARD on his spiral cord, causing him to yell out in an animalistic growl as he flinched, almost unable to dodge a low hanging bough in his way. A splintered end of one of the branches scrapped across his shoulder, ripping a few threads off the fire rat cloak.

 

Ignoring the little hushed squabble now in progress on the ground, Sesshoumaru shifted, returning his gaze to Rin as he heard her mutter his name. She struggled with all her might to peel open her eyes, squinting as though she couldn't make out what was in front.

 

“Sesshou…maru?” She breathed, picking up a faint forestry scent unique to the demon lord though her sense of smell was greatly deficient.

 

“Anata, how are you feeling? Are you in pain?” He whispered in haste as he saw her shake her head. Still he was unconvinced. The girl wasn't telling the complete truth. She probably didn't wish him to be overly anxious about her. That was the Rin he had come to know.

 

The brightly colored banner of the family emblem fell into sight as the assorted members of the Inu-family raced toward the grand armored gates of the compound. It was the first for the hanyou to visit the western lands and his ancestral home grounds. Even in the midst of their journey here, Inuyasha found some time to admire the rich varieties of foliage overlapping to fight for the dominance climbing heavenward, the eminent beauty of the stony ridges surrounding the south to the majestic towering waterfall which outlined the northern perimeters.

 

Now why hadn't he come this far all these long years? Of course, the hanyou had toyed with the idea, more than several occasions actually way before, during Kikyo's times. It was just that… ah who was he kidding… it was just the issue of…pride. He was the one, stubbornly forbidding himself to travel westward since he had grown enough as a child to realize that hanyous in general were outcasts, neither welcomed in the demon realm nor the human world. Moreover, it was pretty damn apparent when no one from the Inu-family had ever attempted to offer any form of assistance to his mother, a young widow with a new born. It was that much they had cared.

 

Nonetheless, there wasn't a point dwelling in such painful memories, like Kagome had half counseled him patiently the night before. She was right, yet again, wise and ever pardoning. He is now here with his wife and daughter, accompanying his brother now in the jeopardy of losing his mate. Somehow, no one was interested in raking up the past and he swore he wouldn't become the first.

 

Sesshoumaru kicked with full zest on the metallic gate, causing its two panels to unceremoniously fling open and crashed noisily against the stone bricked walls, paying no attention to the bits and pieces of dusty crumbling rocks plummeting down upon the impact. Rin had been out cold for several minutes now and the demon lord's mind was a complete blank, a strange emotion overwhelming his whole form.

 

“JAKEN! WHERE'S THE PHYSICIAN? GET HIM TO THE CHAMBER THIS INSTANT!” He exploded out aloud, directing not at any particular direction. The sheer decibel of his command would have echoed throughout the entire house, no matter where the toad was hiding his sorry little ass.

 

True enough, as Sesshoumaru stormed through the corridors leading to his chamber, the stumpy demon half rolled and tripped as he emerged from an alcove, with a huge looming shadow trailing closely behind him. It was Jinenji with his mammoth medicinal box making a myriad of clinks and clanks as he shot valiantly like an arrow toward the direction of the crowd, overtaking Jaken, stepping on him accidentally in his hurry. A quirky squawk sounded from the toad's jagged lips but it went unnoticed by all.

 

Sesshoumaru lowered the girl with utmost caution onto the bed as he turned to search for the hanyou physician, now appearing at the door, awaiting his permission to enter. With a swift hand signal, he beckoned Jinenji to hurry in.

 

“My lord.” The hanyou physician greeted with a courteous bow before proceeding to take his position beside the bed. “This must be the lady, Rin.”

 

“Yes. As you have been informed by my servant, she is with child and she hasn't been all that well since.” The demon lord blurted everything in a quickened pace, retreating to one side and lifting up the silken screen allowing the physician an unobstructed view. “She was fine this morning…but after… she fainted…”

 

“It's alright, my lord. I'll take over from here.” Jinenji consoled, picking up his unvoiced agony. He did an initial check on the girl's form, placing his palm gently on her temple, then against her neck then picking up her wrist to feel her pulse. “Has she been on the desert honey regularly?”

 

“Yes… almost.” Sesshoumaru paused, recalling the night they quarreled. He wanted to be as accurate as he could. “Is it serious if she was late once or two times?”

 

The hanyou physician breathed a smile, noting the rare nervousness in the western lord's tone. “No. It'll not be one that's life threatening. Do not worry.” Jinenji flipped opened his wooden box, rummaging through only to single out a tiny mirky bottle. He uncorked it, waving it casually below Rin's nostrils, letting a sharp minty scent float up.

 

The girl stirred slightly, a soft moan escaped her discolored lips and Sesshoumaru almost wanted to blindly charge forward to her, yanking on one of the pillars of the bed as he had forgotten that he was clasping on to. The unexpected jerk nearly caused the bottle in Jinenji's hands to tip over.

 

“My lord, why don't you wait outside?” The hanyou physician coaxed politely, his eyes narrowed with a queer mixture of amusing curiosity and unease. “I need some time with the lady, to do a thorough check. Do not worry. She'll be fine in a while. I'll inform you when she wakes.”

 

A long pause followed as if Sesshoumaru was considering his proposal before he heaved an unsettling sigh, supplied a clipped nod before uprooting himself from his position in the room. Jinenji was right. His presence only added an aura of stress and tension. It wouldn't do Rin any good if the physician was unable to work in peace.

 

Jinenji channeled his glance back to the beautiful recumbent figure beside him the moment the demon lord made his exit. For once, gossips did contain some elements of truth in them. In every demonic household in the west, it had been rumored that Sesshoumaru, the acclaimed high strung lord of the west had taken a human mate. Jinenji himself had laughed it off at first, just at the mere ludicrous prospects of it. Sesshoumaru? The dignified Taiyoukai prince, who had trampled mercilessly on numerous lives of both demons and humans, the one who had decreed his downright disgust for the human species making it known far and wide, had in fact fallen for one of the kinds which he had despised and spat on in the past? If he hadn't seen it with his very eyes this day, he wouldn't have believed it even if offered a thousand pieces of gold. But the grim expressions of the demon lord, his undivided concentration on the girl said it all, his golden eyes spilling out the unspoken emotion buried within him. Throughout the years of his relations with the demon himself, he had never once found him so… so flustered and lost.

 

No doubt the girl herself possessed a rare porcelain beauty. But Sesshoumaru? For a plain human of little or no status?

 

Wait a minute. Doesn't she look familiar? Jinenji took a moment and pondered, rolling his eyes up and down the girl's form.

 

He gasped. It is her, that bright eyed little girl who had journeyed undaunted by herself to his garden seeking the remedies to Naraku's vicious bee sting for her youkai friend, the sunny spirited child whom he had thought resembled his first crush…Kagome. The mention of that sweet name reminded him of one who possessed a soul wide and bright as heaven, a heart pure, gracious and magnanimous, a mother of a young hanyou girl he had briefly said hello to a moment back.

 

He heaved a smirk at himself. It was time to get back on task.

 

As his hand slid shut the screened door, Sesshoumaru began to have second thoughts, regretting his previous decision to leave Rin alone with the physician. What if she called for him? What if she wanted something? What if she awoke finding him not by her side? What if something happen to her and he couldn't rush in time to see her…. The demon lord felt like slapping himself out of this plague of outlandish questions. Any by standers would tell him that he was clearly over-reacting, in a state of paranoia. In fact, there were three presently standing a few feet away from him right now.

 

“Sess…Sesshoumaru, is Rin-chan… any better?” Kagome implored, disregarding the bold and adamant stares from Inuyasha. To the demon lord's utter surprise, the kid, for once, was behaving herself, crouching at one corner, her little golden eyes still twinkling with the reminiscence of tears. She was gazing at him expectantly, as though also as eager and anxious for his reply.

 

Sesshoumaru stretched out his hands as an invitation and Keiko dashed into his arms. This time, it was the miko who had to elbow her hubby an unsympathetic shove, silencing whatever jealousy-driven quip he could be capable of.

 

“Uncle Sessho…” Keiko sobbed, her little face smeared with the unbridled moisture. The incident apparently had left an injurious after effect on the hanyou kid. She seemed greatly disturbed and frantic. “Is Rin going to be alright? I want to see Rin. I don't care. Now. Please?”

 

“Shhh… hush… No, you can't see her now. The physician's with her.” The demon lord stroked her back, guiding her to lean over his shoulder as he wheedled, half extending it to himself at the same time. “She'll be fine soon but it'll take a while before we can all go in and see her.”

 

Sesshoumaru's nose wiggled at a familiar muddied stench as he turned to study in revulsion the cowering form of his toady servant.

 

“Jaken! Show the guests to their room.” He bellowed, flicking his sleeves in distaste.

 

“H…Hai, my lord.” The toad demon bowed respectfully as he gestured the miko's team to follow him down a pebbled pathway across the garden.

 

“My Lord has been gracious enough to allow you in his household, hanyou, though I do not understand why.” Jaken snorted, being his irritating self as usual, swinging one arrogant webbed finger in the air. “Inuyasha, know your place and if you dare to try anything funny…ahhhh…”

 

Kagome's head lowered as she heard the sounds of three brawny blows. Keiko was already clenching her waist giggling at the tri-symmetrical bumps, allocated and exercised with precision, on the toad's head.

 

“On behalf of my master, I… welcome you to stay as long as you wish… Inuyasha-sama…” The hanyou was seemingly rather pleased with the correction made, though, in an extremely disgruntled undertone.

 

“Wow, this room's cool!” The little hanyou did a little somersault onto a sunken bed carved into the floor, then skipped a dance with an enervated zeal to a miniature one at the other edge of the brightly lit chamber.

 

“This looks like one of those onsen (Hot springs) resorts mama used to bring Sota and I when we were younger.” Kagome exclaimed, surprised at the generous hospitality provided, tugged on her hubby's cloak, urging him to lighten his mood as she inspected the view of exquisite landscaping from the window. She knew immediately that this wasn't just a normal guest room. It was hiding away in one isolated corner of the huge compound as if in a world of its own coupled with private gardens with paved ponds swamping with multi-colored kois and lavishly ornamented pavilions.

 

“Mama, papa, look!” Keiko was hopping and pointing ecstatically at something on her bed, causing both adults to pace toward her with immense curiosity.

 

Kagome peered and gasped at three tiny characters carved into one of the pillars --- Inuyasha.

 

This was a room specially meant for Izayoi and her new born pup! It must have been prepared all those long years ago by the Inu-no-Taisho while awaiting the arrival of his second son.

 

Inuyasha traced one clawed finger down the curved grooves spelling his name, a strange bewildering warmth welling up from his chest as he envisioned a vague image of his father, one which he had the honor of beholding for only a couple of seconds. That was all he remembered of his Oto-san. The hanyou's eyes flew tightly shut, a line of heated moisture beneath his lashes shimmered in the late afternoon glare.

 

“Darling, come with mama. We'll take a bath together.” Seeing that her husband was agitated and confused, Kagome led Keiko aside to grant him some space.

 

******************************

Sesshoumaru's long impatient strides brought him from one end of the corridor to another faster than he had hoped it to be. Intermittently for the past ten rounds or so, he would stop outside his chamber door, staring with such a degree as if willing it into smithereens. And how long ago was it that he last caught a glimpse of Rin just before he left her in the hands of Jinenji, two perhaps three hours?

 

Hot, frenzied and exasperated, he sank his claws grabbing both ends of the door, attempting to peer into one of the translucent squares. Nothing! He could make out nothing but smudges of a shadowy form, undoubtedly Jinenji, moving to and fro from within. He pressed his youkai ears closer, picking up faint cadences of motion as well as… wait… was that talking, laughter? Did he just hear the physician speak? To whom? Instantly, he jeered at such a ridiculous query. There were only two persons in the chamber.

 

Sesshoumaru sucked in a breath, elated, hopeful. Does this mean that Rin has awakened? Then, why isn't he called in to see her, like what the hanyou physician had promised…

 

Before he could further indulge in that aspect, the door swung open, with slight difficulty at first due to the fact that he was currently clinging on to it on his side.

 

“My lord, you may go in and see the lady now. She has awakened.” Jinenji began while dapping away some accumulated sweat clung to his brows. “But she is still dazed and very weak. It would be good if you could keep the conversation to a minimal. She needs rest. I've already given her some sleeping herbs. It won't take long before it takes effect.”

 

On hearing that, Sesshoumaru couldn't keep his feet from flying forward, screeching briefly to a halt only upon reaching her side. Rin stifled a giggle, muted and hushed, her eyes opened but regarding him with a half-groggy smile.

 

“Rin, how are you feeling?” The demon spoke in a throaty whisper, his fingers drawing back her bangs in a gentle caress. Her fever had gone down, he noted with a pant of relief.

 

The girl did not speak but merely maintaining her smile, though weakened and significantly drowsier. Sesshoumaru frowned, slightly out of sorts.

 

“Do you want something to drink?” He implored as coolly as he could.

 

Rin shook her head, still, not a word spoken.

 

Sesshoumaru couldn't bring himself to stay so composed any further. “Why is she like this? Is she alright?” He asked, turning to the hanyou behind him.

 

A cold palm touched his, alerting the demon to direct his attention back to his mate.

 

“Sessho…” And the demon got his answer, though not making him feel any better. Rin's voice was extremely frail and scattered, barely heard even when it was obvious that she had mastered all the remaining strength she had to put voice to that two simple syllables. Still, she struggled hard to continue. “I'm fine. Don't worry.”

 

Sesshoumaru shook his head in aching disagreement, his knuckles tightened round a bunched up edge of the quilt.

 

“My lord, not to worry. It is her medication taking effects on her.” Jinenji found the need to clarify.

 

“Sessho…hugs?” Rin's eyes glowed a yearning plea, her hands waving only slightly over the sheets.

 

The demon was about to extend his arms to embrace her when he felt a light pat on his shoulder.

 

“Careful, my lord, gently.” The hanyou was clearly concerned about something and Sesshoumaru hadn't the slightest idea what it could be. Still, he took up that bit of professional advice conscientiously.

 

As Rin finally snuggled and rested her head against the demon lord's lean muscled chest, he placed a soft kiss on her temple. She tilted her head, seemingly desiring more where that came from. Not affected the least by the presence of an onlooker now turning away sheepishly, the demon parted his lips matching Rin's in a kiss, tender, lasting and comforting.

 

Rin broke off from the contact suddenly and he was sure he felt her cringe.

 

“What's wrong?” Sesshoumaru asked, somewhat intuited that it wasn't anything favorable. “Anata…”

 

At first, the girl feigned a smile, denying that she was unwell. But as the pain augmented, becoming harder and harder to ignore, she grimaced, heaving deepened pants, her deep set eyes shut tighter than ever.

 

“My lady, is the pup fighting again?” The hanyou physician seemed to have a rather good clue what was going on.

 

The demon saw Rin managed only a small nod in accord.

 

What is going on here? Their pup was what? Fighting? For what?

 

Jinenji's firm voice brought him back in an instant. “My lord, place the lady down flat on the bed.” The hanyou then delved into his case, hurriedly mixing a small portion of dark fluid, then adding two drops of honey into it before he stirred it briefly.

 

After taking the concoction, Rin's shoulders lowered, relaxed significantly, her hands releasing the wrap round her slightly bulged abdomen. Swiftly, she fell into deep sleep as Sesshoumaru carefully placed her hands under the blankets.

 

*************************************

 

In the ancestral library, Sesshoumaru sat and rested his back against one of the chairs at the table, gesturing the hanyou physician to join him. There was too much to ask, too much he was not in the know of. It was about time he had a go with all the queries that had been haunting him for too long, answers which he was entitled to receive.

 

Jinenji took his place opposite the demon lord, at the same time spreading out an ancient scroll which he had retrieved from one of the shelves.

 

“My lord,” the hanyou did not wait to be questioned. There was no need. “I have examined the lady, did a few tests on her. When she woke, I also had a brief conversation with her regarding… err… some details which I needed. But still, I wish to confirm all these with you personally before giving my opinion on her condition.”

 

“What is it that you wish to know?” Sesshoumaru was simply too exhausted to guess. Moreover, he trusted the renown hanyou and his ability to pinpoint the problem with absolute accuracy.

 

“What I'm about to ask is rather private but I assure you, my lord, it is necessary.” Jinenji cleared his throat coupled with a quick intake of fresh air. “I understand that there exists an ancient practice only unique to certain breeds of Taiyoukais that they mate in their demon forms to produce a distinguished heir of the highest powers.”

 

Instantly, Sesshoumaru looked up as he froze, correctly deducing what the `private' question could be touching on.

 

“I too understand that it was only restricted to youkais of similar breeds.” Scanning the demon lord, Jinenji picked up the telling signs of compunction. “But, my lord… was ...such a ritual performed between you and the lady?”

 

With his brows furrowed, Sesshoumaru supplied a fretful nod of admittance.

 

“Was it about one and a half months back?” Jinenji had apparently done his calculations of dates.

 

After a second nod by the demon lord, Jinenji decided to conclude his findings without withholdings of any sort. Also he did not wish to let too much of his personal opinions marred his professionalism. But if anyone were to seek his humble view, he would say Sesshoumaru must be a damn crazy whacko to try something that dangerous on the woman he claimed to love so dearly.

 

“You see, my lord Sesshoumaru, I don't know if you would consider it a blessing… but your child, I predict, was conceived through that ancient practice. And by no means is it an ordinary hanyou. Though it would undeniably bear the blood of your human mate, being carried in her womb, it is still very much a pure breed youkai pup.”

 

“I… don't understand. How is that possible?” Though baffled and bemused, the demon lord did not like the sound of that at all.

 

“Perhaps my lord is unfamiliar with the medical aspects of such a practice but I have the honor of studying under a once great Taiyoukai sensei and he had vast knowledge and practical experiences on such cases.” The hanyou's fingers traced along a few blotched lines on the singed scroll. “During such a practice, what actually happens is that the two generated youki from the male and female would fight against each other contending for the right of survival within the mother's womb. The stronger would reign as the new born, absorbing the weaker to increase its powers. Thus, you get a fresh pup with an added advantage. If the mother were a human, she would be killed, naturally as the immense youki of the baby would have consumed her soul without much effort.”

 

“But Rin, she…” Sesshoumaru was clouded but the fear intensifying in him was no less than before.

 

“If I have not misjudged, my lord, the lady Rin is not an ordinary human. She possesses an extended life much like a youkai through the powers of the Shikon-no-tama.”

 

“Is that the reason why she is still alive?” The demon's thoughts drifted back to that moment where Rin had miraculously recovered after a critical seizure. He needed to confirm, he needed to know that she would be safe.

 

“I'm afraid not for long, my lord.”

 

 

 

*****************************

 

Hiya…

 

Sorry for that previous evil note, heh heh.. gotcha worried didn't I?

 

Still… it shall be done…. HaHaHa

 

Leila-chan: Well, over where I'm staying, lots of people believe it works, this touching the ear lobe thingy. I think perhaps it could be that it is generally rather cooling.

 

Christal: Guess what… I have been practising… haha. Actually it was because I received a phone call a week back from someone who care, someone who still believes in me… my teacher. I promised him I'll put in more hours this December holidays.

 

 

And as I was finishing up the last few lines, someone messaged me wanting to buy my viola… Yeh… I'm soooo happy. I wanted to get rid of it for the longest time. Got it at a spur of the moment but it's really too heavy for me and my teachers hates me playing it. He nags about it all day long and since my viola teacher-cum-friend has gone to New York to study his masters in Music, it's just growing roots in the music studio.

 

Perhaps I should play on it this week, just for momento sake…

 

Ladyrinremix: About your question in the review, it's not gonna be a long haul. You can count down four more chapters from now till the end of the story…