InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Western lands tale ❯ Chapter 4

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha and Co. Takahashi-sama does.

 

 

Chapter 4

 

After lunch was served the men in power with Rin went to Sesshomaru's study to start the second day of the meeting. Every man in the room could start to feel the tell-tale itch of mating season and it was starting to get to them. But they pushed it away, in two days time they will be going to town with it so it was better to start exercising restraint now than at the last minute.

 

“Now that everyone is here I propose that we start this meeting with settling the problem of the future heir of the Western Lands,” said Ketsu smugly.

 

“If I may be so bold my lords it would probably be best if today's discussion be centered on the market exchange between our lands,” said Rin looking at Sesshomaru who gave her a nod for her to continue. “As I was saying, our market exchanges are poor at best between the Eastern and the Western Lands; this is probably caused by the distance between our villages. If we could devise a plan to increase the amount of exchange between the lands on both sides a union between the Eastern and Western Lands would be very profitable.”

 

“What do you propose Rin?” Inuyasha asked. To see if she could continue she looked at her lord to see if she hadn't miss stepped anywhere and was able to continue. When he nodded she did.

 

“Well, what I propose we do is build a fortress, or castle between the two lands. Of course it will be close to a village and merchants won't have to go to great lengths to sell or exchange goods. If we look at the map here,” said Rin passing her finger on the map that was already laid out on the conference table. “Right here would be the center between the two lands,” finished Rin pointing at a forested area.

 

“But, that's my forest,” Inuyasha sputtered thinking of all the possibilities that would come with having a fortress in their village or really close to it.

 

“Lady Rin you astound me with your reasoning,” said Lord Ketsu looking at the map with a pensive look.

 

“This would be great, if it would happen. My pack could also benefit from this new place. We wouldn't have to go to either extremity to sell the fur that we collect during the warm season,” said Koga assessing the map and nodding.

 

“Of course it will take a few years to build a castle in a village,” said Rin not really knowing where to go from there without stepping on some toes.

 

“We will need to appoint someone of high blood to look over that territory,” volunteered Koga.

 

“This Sesshomaru appoints Inuyasha to be Lord of the New Eastern-Western Land. What are your thoughts on the subject Lord Ketsu?”

 

“I agree with you Lord Sesshomaru, Lord Inuyasha will be a good choice. But so that it is even, I would like for one of my council to be the new Lord's retainer and advisor.”

 

“Very well, so it is decided, Inuyasha will be Lord in the new Eastern-Western Land.”

 

“But...but my hut doesn't even look anything like it should be the house of a Lord, the village headman's hut is bigger and nicer. I've been planning on building an addition to the hut because of the new pup. Sesshomaru damnit you know they won't take me seriously to them I'm just a filthy hanyou,” Inuyasha said miserably head bent.

 

“A hanyou you may be Lord Inuyasha, said Lord Ketsu, but from what I've heard everyone in your village praise you and your work. Even the headman would be terribly worried if you left.”

 

“Yeah Yash and don't worry if anything happens you just have to send someone to get me and I'll back you up,” said Koga grinning.

 

“What is your decision little brother?”

 

“Rin?” Inuyasha asked looking at the girl who had more wisdom for her age then she should have. A lot of people relied on her when it came to questions for the shifting of political power and the Inu brothers were not different.

 

“Hmm,” she said tapping her finger to her lower lip mulling over the subject. “With what I've seen and heard over the years I think one that placing a trading post and naming it as a new territory is brilliant but at the same time risky. Risky in a sense that power hungry youkai will come on to your territory and will want to take the power for themselves. Don't doubt me in this. As soon as the word is out and merchants have established themselves into the village it will become a very important piece of land that will be the center of a good chunk of both lands incomes. If that piece of land falls in the wrong hands then there will be war. We need to install a powerful pack there. Inuyasha you've been travelling with the pack that killed Naraku. Now that Sango got the chance to rebuild the Taijiya clan and put Kohaku in charge then you also have them as reinforcement. So you see you aren't alone. The way I see it you're the most protected hanyou on this side of the world. So yes you have my vote.”

 

“Well then I guess I don't have much choice. I'm a Lord,” said Inuyasha sitting cross-legged with a dazed look.

 

“This Sesshomaru will send a messenger to the village to tell them of the changes that are going to be done. This Sesshomaru will also send builders to rebuild your hut so it can accommodate your new station until the castle is built,” said Sesshomaru getting up and the others imitated him.

 

“Darnit! It's almost supper time and I have to make sure that the kitchen servants are doing alright,” said Rin racing out of the study without a backwards glance at the chuckling males, even Sesshomaru couldn't help himself.

 

“She will make a man a fine mate one day,” said Lord Ketsu chuckling.

 

“Yeah but the girl has a temper when you cross her though, or if you insult Sesshomaru behind his back,” said Inuyasha.

 

“Now that this meeting is finished you may return to your mates and pups,” said Sesshomaru, his voice making it clear that he wanted them out of there now.

 

As Inuyasha and Koga were throwing barbs at each other and talking about what their pups did since the last time that they talked. Lord Ketsu just tagged along laughing at them and sometimes adding a story of his own about his kittens.

 

“Hey, by the way Yash, where's the kitsune?” Koga asked referring to Shippo.

 

“Mating season is coming and he didn't want to go stir crazing with Sesshomaru's servants, so he left to go to the place where he always goes this time of year.”

 

“Poor kid, I hope he finds his mate soon, he just might be the first one that dies from matting withdrawal.” At that all three men laughed. When they reached the main common room all three of their mates were there with Sango. The pups were nowhere in sight at the moment and neither was Miroku, which was odd.

 

“Oh goody our mates are here,” said Lady Samira happily jumping into her mate's arms receiving a passionate kiss that left her breathless. “Mating season darling?”

 

“You have no idea,” he growled as he carried his giggling wife off as she waves to the others over her mate's shoulder.

 

“Do you think he overheard our plan for Sesshomaru?” Sango asked shifting a little in her comfy stuffed chair.

 

“Nah, he was primed during the whole meeting. It surprised me that Sesshomaru didn't point it out,” said Inuyasha lifting his mate from the chair to sit down and then place her in his lap rubbing her lower back making her moan in relief.

 

“Oh that feels heavenly; my back was hurting me all day,” said Kagome relaxing.

 

“So what did you women do today?” Koga asked taking a page out of Inuyasha's book by placing Ayame in his lap and nuzzled her mating mark making her giggle and making him grin.

 

“Not much, we played some with the kids before with put them down for a nap, Miroku went to the nearby village because someone died and they asked if he would perform a ceremony,” said Sango stretching from her place on the floor. “After playing with the kids we went to Rin's garden to soak up some sun and then we went to eat a light lunch. Well I ate light; Kagome practically devoured the whole pantry.”

 

“Hey, it's not my fault,” Kagome pouted crossing her armed between her breasts and belly. “I am eating for two you know!”

 

“Don't we know it? Inuyasha it might be a good thing of you started to distance Kagome's pregnancies,” Ayame joked kissing Koga on the nose.

 

“Keh” said Inuyasha burying his nose in his mate's hair taking a huge gulp of air.

 

“Inuyasha stop that it tickles,” said Kagome squirming.

 

“If you don't stop that it's not only going to be my breath that's you're going to have to look out for,” said Inuyasha low in her ear making her shiver but she stopped squirming.

 

 

 

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In the gardens, after overseeing what the meal plans were for the evening and making sure that everything was going to off without a hitch Rin went to weed her massive garden. Rin was the only one that got the chance to take care of it. Since she was flower hanyou she was very picky on the way her sanctuary was treated. So, on her hands and knees she gleefully started weeding her garden talking with her plants along the way. Of course the flowers didn't talk back to her but she liked that she had a silent audience for her to vent her frustration too or cry her woes and even tell them of the happy things that happened during her day. Most of the time she talked about the fact that she didn't think that Sesshomaru didn't want her as his mate.

 

So caught up in her gardening Rin didn't notice the presence in the sanctuary before the person was right next to her. For Rin that was a sign that something was wrong because when she was around nature she could sense everything from the bugs and roots under the earth to the tempo of the wind. The fact that she didn't sense the newcomer meant that he didn't want to be discovered.

 

“Lady Rin,” said General Lee. A tall dragon demon, he was very handsome but Rin always felt uneasy alone around him. But he was her Sesshomaru's most trusted security adviser. But Rin just plain didn't like him.

 

“Is anything wrong general?” Rin asked formally as she got up from the ground. She still couldn't sense anything from him and he was right in front of her. I really don't like this.

 

“Please my lady, call me Lee. But no I'm not here because of a problem,” he said warmly which just made Rin's skin crawl. “I'm here because mating season is in two days,” he said making the last of his sentence stand between them. Oh no, no, no, no this can't be happening. Not now. I don't want him I want Sesshomaru! I thought everyone knew that! Rin thought keeping her mask of indifference and making sure that her scent wasn't giving her away.

 

Since she didn't say anything to contradict him he continued, taking one of her hands in his, “Rin what I'm trying to ask is, would you be my life mate?” Rin tried to take her hand away but he held on tighter. She was sure that was going to have bruises. “Since the first time I've met you I wanted you as my mate but since you were too you I waited. But now my fair lady I cannot wait any longer,” he said taking her chin, roughly enough to bruise, in his other hand and crashed his mouth her.

 

Seeing stars from the force to the kiss Rin give a pained gasped the he took advantage of and plunged his tongue into her mouth nearly chocking her. Fighting back with only one hand against a powerful dragon demon with a one track mind wasn't easy. But when she got her feet under her she brought up her knee as fast and a forceful as she could.

 

Letting go of Rin, general Lee bent down forward which gave Rin the opportunity to knee him in the face hard enough that he went down. Not unconscious mind you but he was down enough that Rin could escape her aggressor by climbing up her huge sakura tree that had a sturdy that ended on balcony.

 

When she entered her room she made sure to look her balcony doors and making to put up the ofudas that Miroku and Kagome put together in case something like this happen while Sesshomaru wasn't there to protect her.

 

After she sealed her balcony doors and she also sealed off her chamber doors too so that only a select few could enter. At this moment the only ones that were allowed to enter were no one. She just wanted to be left alone so with a spell that she learned from one of the scrolled that Sesshomaru had in his study she made sure that no one could sense or scent her and her emotions while from outsider her room. So if someone passed by the room they would sense it empty. Especially not Sesshomaru, she didn't want to turn bloodthirsty during the meetings.

 

Too much is ridding on these meetings to add my problems to the mix, thought Rin looking at herself in the mirror seeing bruising that was starting to show around her lip and a deep cut on her lower lip that she hadn't realised that was bleeding until now. It was from when she kneed him the first time and one of his canines got caught on her lip.

 

Dabbing her lip with a damp cloth until the bleeding stopped; she then put on a plant based ointment that she made herself. Not like Inuyasha that could heal faster on his own Rin had to rely on plants and their properties to heal her cuts. She didn't have anything to make bruises go away.

 

Sighing Rin decided that she would just stay in her room for the duration of mating season so she wouldn't get caught again like that. As soon as the meetings were over then she would tell Sesshomaru about the attack but not before.

 

Thank God I always stash food here in case I get locked in my room for any reason. She thought as she changed from into her sleeping yukata and then went to bed wanting to forget everything that happened.

 

 

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At supper that night everyone noticed that Rin wasn't there and worried that something might have happened to her. Sesshomaru was seeing red though because when his general walking in confidently sporting his usually smug look. He waited until his nose was healed and the bruises were gone before he confronted his Lord.

 

Taking his seat beside his lord he started to eat, at least he tried. The minute he was within reaching distance from Sesshomaru's newly grown arm he was caught around the throat. When he look at Sesshomaru, his lord's eyes had gone red and that was never good.

 

Sensing that something bad was going to happen everyone cleared out the room. Everyone except Lord Ketsu, Inuyasha, Koga and Miroku, the four woman wanted to stay but Lord Ketsu told them that it was better that they went to the nursery in case this turned ugly and well Inuyasha pointed out that Kagome was pregnant.

 

Not noticing that the room had cleared out Sesshomaru only stared at his general and most trusted person with rage.

 

“Where is she?” Sesshomaru practically roared his fluffy tail swishing menacingly behind him and not passive over his shoulder.

 

“Who my Lord?” Lee chocked out scared out of his wits.

 

“Rin, where is Rin?”

 

“I don't know my Lord I haven't seen her all day,” he said feeling Sesshomaru's hand tighten strangling him.

 

“Her scent is all over you, and I also smell her blood. This Sesshomaru will ask one more time,” he said dangerously low loosening his grip only marginally so the bastard could speak. “Where is my Rin?”

 

“I don't know….” He said before his windpipe was squished closed. “Ok, so I asked her to be my mate and she became violent. She punched me in the mouth and cut herself on my fangs and then she climbed a tree that lead to her room. I haven't seen her since.”

 

“Koga! Drag him down to the dungeons and lock him up until I know which punishment to sanction,” said Sesshomaru leaving the room with Inuyasha and Miroku. Lord Ketsu stayed behind to join Koga take a gasping Lee by the collar and literally dragging him towards the dungeons.

 

 

When they arrived at Rin's doors it seemed as if no one was there and when Sesshomaru went to open it Miroku stopped him.

 

“I would not do that Lord Sesshomaru. She put up the ofudas that Kagome and I made. They are very powerful and could injure you greatly.

 

“Why?” Growled Sesshomaru, he was definitely not a happy camper. Rin never put up the wards unless she was terrified and just the thought of Rin being terrified made Sesshomaru's blood pump faster. Just the fact that he couldn't scent or sense her anywhere was making him crazy, he wanted to kill someone, preferably the person that got his Rin terrified.

 

“Do you think you can do something to let us in Miroku?” Inuyasha asked becoming antsy because his brother's youki is getting angrier by the minute and he didn't want to be in the crossfire when he unleashed it.

 

“Yes, with a little time I can break the hold the ofudas have. It would go faster though if Kagome was here.”

 

“There is n…”

 

“Get her,” said Sesshomaru and Inuyasha practically whimpered but he nodded and sprinted to the nursery.

 

“Kagome,” Inuyasha said spotting his mate at the far side of the room with the other three women who were comforting the pups. “Miroku needs your help,” he said without any explanation picking his mate up and dashing back to Rin's room.

 

“What's going on?” Kagome asked as Inuyasha put her down and she moved towards Miroku.

 

“Rin locked herself in with the ofudas,” Miroku stated starting the chant.

 

“What happened, the only reason why she would use them without any notice of a battle would be because… Oh no,” she said but then though better then starting to ask questions and fallowed Miroku in the chant adding her powers to his. The wards were destroyed seconds later by Miroku and Kagome who were panting.

 

Not waiting for the ok, Sesshomaru barged in. Kagome was right behind him until Inuyasha stopped her by taking her by the waist.

 

“Let me go Inuyasha, I need to see her.”

 

“No, let him go alone on this one Koi, I think he needs to see that something happened tonight because he didn't take what was his before now,” said Inuyasha soothingly until his mate relaxed against him and Miroku nodded.

 

“Yes it would be most dangerous at the moment if someone tried to take control of a situation,” said Miroku as Inuyasha picked up Kagome bridal style and both men started walking.

 

“Inuyasha? I want to see the pups,” said Kagome in a low hurt voice that only he could hear.

 

“Me too koi me too,” he said kissing her forehead.

 

 

 

 

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When he burst in the room it was dark but he could still see the huddled figure in the middle of the big bed. By the scent of it Rin was asleep; the other scent that was very dominant in the room was her fear.

 

The scent of fear practically brought him to his knees as the rage that was coursing through him moments ago vanished and was replace with emotions that he was nowhere near familiar with. Compassion, worry, tenderness and love, yes he loved his little bouncy Rin.

 

Taking her sleeping form in his arms he gently cradled her and walked out of her bedchamber and took her to his own bedchambers. When he arrived Jaken was there apparently waiting for me.

 

“Master Sesshomaru I have news from…”

 

“Leave us,” said Sesshomaru without stopping until he reached his platform bed to deposit his charge.

 

“Of course my Lord,” said Jaken scurrying out of the room.

 

When Sesshomaru finally looked at Rin what he saw got his blood raging again. What in the seven hells happened. His youkai wanted him to go to the general and kill him. But Sesshomaru knew that he wasn't thinking clearly and he didn't want to leave Rin before he was sure that she was ok.

 

The bruising around her and on her mouth was a dark blue but the cut was gone. As Sesshomaru continued his evaluation he saw that her jaw and chin were also blue. He was relieved when he didn't see damage to her throat or her chest aerie. When he went lower he saw one of her hands black and blue.

 

Continuing his inspection he saw that he knees were a little red but nothing to be worried about.

 

Knowing what he had to do Sesshomaru took Rin into his arms then sat down on the bed and made her straddle him. Using one arm to keep her up strait her head leaning back, what amused him was that Rin could sleep through anything. She wouldn't even budge if someone picked her up and turned her on her head and shock her.

 

Now though, Sesshomaru was grateful for that trait. Starting with her wrist Sesshomaru took it lightly with his other hand and started licking the bruised flesh laving it with his saliva. Like all Inu youkai and hanyou, Sesshomaru's saliva had a great healing property that cured up to almost anything that was on the surface of the skin like bruises.

 

When he was satisfied with her wrist he put it down gently and looked at her face. Slowly and as softly as he could he started working on the bruises around her mouth. When he got close to her earlobe Rin giggled in her sleep and mumbled something like “silly puppy”. Sesshomaru stopped his work and looked at Rin with a raised eyebrow but decided to ignore that comment since the woman didn't even though that he was the one that was licking her face.

 

When he was completely satisfied he laid Rin back on the bed reluctantly because he didn't want to let her go. Tomorrow, he couldn't take it any longer. What if someone else tried something like that to his Rin or even worse kidnapped her. No he was going to ask her tomorrow if she wanted to be his mate. If she said yes and her bruises were gone then he would take her. He didn't want her to hurt more then she was supposed to.

 

Meanwhile until he got tired he will think of ways to torture his ex-general. Grinning evilly, Sesshomaru tucked his soon-to-be mate under the covers and lounged on the bed beside her while passing his fingers through her silky hair.

 

That is how Inuyasha found his brother once he didn't feel his powerful youki permit the bedchambers and the corridor.

 

“How is she?” Inuyasha whispered.

 

“She has not woken up yet but I have seen to her and she will be fine,” Sesshomaru not letting up his place on the bed or Rin's hair.

 

“That's good, was it bad?” Inuyasha asked not seeing Rin over his brother's form but not wanting to impose by walking strait to the bed like his mate would have done.

 

“Come and see brother,” said Sesshomaru still not moving but at least Inuyasha got to see the damage that was done so he could report something to his stressed pregnant mate.

 

What he saw made his blood boil he wanted to kill the sun of a bitch.

 

“Can I kill `im? Or at lease beat the shit out of `im?” Inuyasha asked clenching his fists.

 

“Yes you may as you say `beat the shit out of' him, just make sure that he is conscious and able to stand tomorrow.”

 

“I'll bring Miroku along, I'm sure he know a few tricks with purifying objects,” said Inuyasha grinning sadistically before leaving the bedchambers and Sesshomaru to his own thoughts.