InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Western lands tale ❯ Chapter 8

Disclaimer: Unfortunately I do not own Inuyasha and Co. They belong to the brilliant Takahashi-sama.

 

 

 

Chapter 8

 

 

 

The sun was very high in the sky when Rin woke up again. At first she didn't move, she didn't really want to have to feel every ache. When she was completely aware of her surroundings the scent of flowers hit her nose. By the very potent scent, she deduced that there were a lot of them. Giving into the curiosity, that was eating at her; she opened her beautiful cinnamon eyes to take in the room. Since her queen size bed was in the middle of the room she could see everywhere and yes the room was filled with flowers. All sorts of flowers, some that she didn't even recognise!

 

She had to smile at the romantic gesture. There was only one person that she knew that could do all this without anyone but a select few from knowing. As she cautiously stretched out she was happily surprised that she really didn't hurt as much as she thought she would. Instead of feeling like a giant walking sore spot, she only felt a few twinges here and there. As she got up she surveyed her childhood room with a sad smile.

 

She was going to miss this room with its light pink walls with white sakura blossoms painted everywhere. She could remember all her imaginary adventures she had in that room. Her pirating, seeking lost treasures, being a princess in an enchanted castle where all the animals and inanimate objects could talk, and of course there were also the days were she would sit at her desk and write her songs about Sesshomaru. Now a day, when she read them she couldn't help but laugh at how infatuated and worshipping she was towards the stoic taiyoukai and of course the silliness of the lyrics.

 

As she walked around the room, she touched her mahogany claw foot dresser where she held all her kimonos in, her mahogany work table where all her herb and plant based formulas were. Mental note, make sure to get Sesshomaru to transfer this table with its contents to our chambers…wait our chambers! As she thought about it she became giddy. She was to be, from now on, sharing the same living space as Sesshomaru, a dream she thought would never come true.

 

As she continued her path around the room she landed in front of her standing looking glace where she eyed herself critically, taking off her yukata so she could make sure that she didn't have any bruises or cuts anywhere and was relieved that she didn't. She found it extremely odd though that she healed miraculously over night. As she finished her round she sat back down on her comfy white bed making sure that she didn't forget any piece of memory when this room wouldn't be hers anymore.

 

She cried a little at the loss but she was very happy because she was to be with her Sesshomaru. Maybe I can turn this room into the baby room where the new pups will go after its safe for us to put them in another room. And since the master bedchambers are only down the hall Sesshomaru will be able to hear if anything goes wrong. The nursery where all the kids were right now was the public nursery, Sesshomaru put it in for Kagome when she came to be Rin's nanny and now Rin wanted a nursery of her own.

 

Satisfied with her decisions, she got up and went to her dresser to take out her kimono of the day. Today she decided to wear a pale grass green one layered kimono that went all the way to the top like a shocker and went down right to the floor with a slit that went up to the knee. The kimono was snug from the bodice down to the hips and it flared out a little around the legs so it didn't look like she was confined.

 

Passing a brush through her hair to make it smoothen it out, Rin decided to just leave it down. On an after thought she took off the charm that she put on the room and left. The floors in the castle were of a deep rich coloured wood and the walls were warm beige. She fell in love with the place the minute she walked in. To her, walking down the halls had been a treat when she was younger. At the time she could image all the treasures and mysteries every one of the closed doors could hold.

 

Rin was startled out of her musing when her stomach gave a loud growl. I guess we're hungry, she thought grinning as she patted her still flat belly. She still couldn't believe that she was pregnant and the Sesshomaru wanted hanyou children. It was a lot to take in but Rin was happy to digest it all piece by piece. She loved the feeling of being mated. Of course mating season was…something. Rin couldn't help but blush at the two weeks she and Sesshomaru passed in seclusion with noting but a mating frenzied taiyoukai. She giggled as she remembered some of the funniest facial expressions that he made.

 

In those two weeks Sesshomaru let his guard down; he let her see the youkai behind the mask. Rin was shocked the first time he laughed with her because of one of her jokes. But she cherished those moments greatly and she hoped that it hadn't had been the last time she was graced with his smiles and laughter. She even loved when they would hear Jaken at the doors asking for an audience because he couldn't find Rin anywhere.

 

Of course Sesshomaru didn't answer but he made such a comical sneer that it took everything for Rin not but burst out laughing and giving herself away! Oh yes, she really didn't want his emotions to be kept from her anymore. She didn't mind when they were in public but when they were behind closed doors she wanted her Sesshomaru, the one that he introduced her to two weeks prier.

 

For some reason some part of her couldn't wait for the next mating season but another part of her remembered the excruciating pain that she was in when she left their bedchambers.

 

As she made her way to the kitchens she realised that every one of the servants that she passed bowed and smiled at her. They were happy that she was the official lady of the castle.

 

Before she was mated a lot of the servants would talk to her and tell her that they were scared of the time when their Lord would take a youkai mate. A lot of the female high standing and powerful youkai would be arrogant and malignant and since almost half the staff where human they didn't want to be mistreated. A lot of them hoped that she would be their Lord's mate so that they would be able to keep their way of living.

 

“My Lady?” One of the servants inquired softly, when she saw her lady walk aimlessly down the hall. She was a swan youkai with short feather-like white hair and dove grey eyes. She was one of the females that kept the guestrooms and all of the public arias clean and inviting. She was also Rin's handmaiden once, when Rin was too young to take care of herself on her own and when Sesshomaru and Inuyasha were still at each other's necks. She was also Rin's confidante when she needed a friend.

 

Rin was startled when she heard her name and was a little weary because the last person that was able to catch her completely of guard didn't have her well being in mind. But when she saw it was her favourite servant Hina she sighed in relief.

 

“Hina, you scared me! I guess I wasn't exactly paying attention either,” Rin said sheepishly. “I've been so distracted lately that it's not even funny anymore.” And then her stomach made its demands loudly known.

 

“You were on your way to the kitchens my lady?” Hina asked smirking, her eyes twinkling in mirth at the young blushing woman that used to sit on her lap practically every night so she could tell her a story.

 

“Yes that I am Hina that I am. Now that I'm feeding for two…maybe more,” added Rin on an after thought. “But I keep getting distracted by all my thoughts, usually I'm able to do two things at the same time like thinking and walking to a designated place but I guess I have so many thoughts that I forget that I'm even walking,” said Rin exasperated with herself making the maid laugh.

 

“Not to worry Milady, I will accompany you to the kitchen so that you can have a late snack so not to ruin your appetite for the wonderful super that Cook has planned for you,” said Hina looping her arm with Rin's and lead her to the kitchen.

 

Rin perked up when Hina told her that Haruka, the head cook that everyone just called Cook, was preparing something special for supper. “And what is you brilliant mate making for us this fine evening Hina?”

 

Hina looked at her mistress and gave her a Cheshire smile. “That my lady Rin is a surprise. Not even I know what my mate is storming up is his part of the castle. He won't let anyone entrance unless they were part of the kitchen crew, his lordship or Jaken,” said Hina making a face when she mentioned Jaken at the end, which made Rin laugh.

 

“I must agree with you there Hina, Jaken has certainly been a nuisance over the years but he is one of the most loyal youkai that I have ever known. Lord Sesshomaru gave him countless of opportunities to leave his side during our traveling years. He never left, even when lord Sesshomaru gave him babysitting duty over me so that I could have protection, but we both know that Ah-Un could have done an excellent job of it. No, even if he is a pest he is still a good person inside. I think the reason why he's so high and mighty is because he's insecure about his position at our master's side.”

 

Tilting her head to the side Hina thought about what Rin said for a moment while the two women continued walking. “Well said my lady, I think you have really captured some of the most fundamental anxieties in the vassal's way of thinking. Me thinks...”

 

“RIN!” Said the shrill voice as the toad youkai ran towards them making them stop so he could catch up. “You stupid girl! Where have you been? I have been searching everywhere for you! Do you want my death you inconsiderate human? If lord Sesshomaru found out that you've disappeared he would kill me!”

 

“Master Jaken,” said Hina in a placating tone meant to shut him up so she could get a word in. When she had his scornful but full attention she continued. “I think that you should have more respect for the new lady of the Western land,” finished Hina seeing the surprise momentarily flash in his eyes but then disbelief fallowed and then anger.

 

“The Western land LADY, you servant should know your place and make sure not to speak any nonsense in front of the lord's vassal! Lord Sesshomaru would never even consider mating with a human, much less a...a hanyou,” he spit out the last word as if it was a vile putrid thing. “Lord Sesshomaru already has a disgrace in the blood line because of his hanyou half brother; he will most certainly not muddy it more by impregnating another one.” He said the last part with so much contempt and sincerity that it made Rin sob and clutch at Hina arm.

 

Even though she was just a few weeks pregnant her hormones were everywhere and her emotional sensitivity was greatly touched because she was carrying a three quarter youkai or maybe two… or three. She couldn't help but be affected by his words, when they travelled. He would always call her stupid and such but then she thought that it was because he didn't want to lose face in front of his lord and master. But now she understood. He was scared; he was scared of her, of what she could do if she was chosen to take his place next to Sesshomaru. He feared her so much that he developed a great hatred for her. Poor Jaken, Rin sighed mentally as her sobs became to escalate.

 

Now that she thought about it, it made sense. The minute that they arrived in the castle he would avoid her. The only times that they met would have been if Sesshomaru ordered him to get her.

 

Rin was so deep in her thoughts that she only half listened to what Hina was telling Jaken.

 

“Why you insufferable TOAD, have you any idea what you have done?! Have you no sense of smell?! She is heavily coated with his lordships scent! What will you do when He gets a whiff of her tears?” At that Jaken went stark white under his green complexion. “Now do you realise after spewing all that nonsense what you've done?! I know toad youkai don't have that much in a way of scenting but give me a break! His lord's chambers were saturated with the scent of his and Rin's mating! You could smell it from the corridor entrance!”

 

“She is tricking us into believing that her scent is from our lord! She has been learning charms and spells with the old scroll keeper,” Jaken said his voice shacking as his arguments faltered and he started to realise that Rin's sobbing wasn't stopping. “You girl, stop wailing and put yourself together! The lord has guests in his home and you are the one responsible for their comfort, I suggest that you tell me now where you have been these last two weeks so that I may report your ware bouts to Lord Sesshomaru.”

 

And then there was a loud banging at the end of the corridor that lead to the great hall that signified that someone was coming and that that someone wasn't happy. “What in the bloody hell is going on here?!” Ragged Inuyasha as he stomped over to them seeing a violently sobbing Rin that was being consoled by a swan youkai who was death glaring a nose in the air Jaken. “Why is she crying?”

 

“Lord Inuyasha, good to see you,” said Hina bowing her head since she couldn't bow correctly because Rin was in her arms. “Master Jaken does not believe me when I tell him that his lordship has taken Rin as his mate. He also made his opinion quite clear on the subject that his lordship would never mate a human and even less a hanyou. Since she is with pup, Rin is highly emotional as you can see and did not like master Jaken's words.”

 

“Are you blind and unable to smell you toad?! Rin IS mated to Sesshomaru, she is also having HIS three quarter youkai pup! How can you be as stupid as not even realize THAT! Everyone in the castle and probably in the closest village knows that Sesshomaru has taken Rin as a mate by now,” said Inuyasha taking Rin into his arms bridal style moving past Jaken to get to the master chambers. “Wait until he hears of this, you do know what happens when Inuyoukai males find their mate very upset right? If not, Inuyasha shrugged, I suggest you run you idiot because if you don't you won't live long enough to see the sun rise,” said Inuyasha ominously. “That is if Rin here doesn't stop him from killing you of course. With what you called her just now do you think she's going to stop him? I wouldn't,” was the last thing he said before opening the door to the master chambers.

 

“Halt! You cannot go in there, a filthy hanyou has no right to enter the bedchambers of the great lord Sesshomaru,” said Jaken alarmed. It seemed as if he didn't even listen to what Inuyasha said. But Inuyasha didn't listen to him as he put Rin in the large bed and snuggled her up in Sesshomaru's fur boa to help calm her violent crying that ended with her unconscious. He didn't want to leave her alone just in case something happened, but he knew that the minute that Sesshomaru was back from where ever he went that he was going to be raving mad the minute he entered his bedchambers, so he left, leaving a satisfied Jaken in his wake. But then he started to hear the toad screech to an unconscious Rin. Poor girl, he sighed as he went back to his mate and pups; she's been through a lot since last month. I hope Sesshomaru rips his vocal cords clean off before his finishes him. “On second thought,” he said coming back to the bedchambers with a still screaming Jaken and the servant that defended Rin earlier who was now sitting on the bed stroking Rin's hair. She was acting as a barrier against Jaken's malicious words. So without a word he took the insufferable toad youkai by the collar and booted him outside the double doors and closed them, making sure that he couldn't get it.

 

“Thank you lord Inuyasha, since I cannot physically abuse someone that is higher classed then me I couldn't do what you just did. Even if I wanted to do it so badly,” said Hina her voice a tear clogged whispered, but no tears were coming. “I cannot believe that someone can harbour any hatred toward lady Rin. How could anyone do this,” she said in disgust. “The things that he believes are simply...self-centered. I know that his lordship has harboured an indifference towards humans since your father mated with your mother but saving Rin was his first step towards happiness. Saving her life twice from certain death is what solidified our beliefs that he had truly changed his mind about humans and hanyou worth. Has he not taken in your mate, lady Kagome, in as Rin's resident nanny? He is really blind; his hatred for humans and anything that runs interference with his and his lordships relationship makes him go mad.”

 

“Keh,” was the only thing he could respond at the moment because he knew that the servant was right. He could sense the deep hatred in the toad youkai ever since he met him. Of course back then he didn't give a damn but now that Rin was suffering because of it he felt his blood boil.

 

So caught up in their thinking, the two didn't sense Sesshomaru's arrival until his vassal spoke his name.

 

“Lord Sesshomaru! Thank kami you're here, I told that filthy hanyou half brother of yours that he was not allowed in your bedchambers but he would not listen and to make matters worse that stupid girl is in there sullying your bed with her disgusting human self and that servant Hina is also on your bed my lord, it is truly...”

 

“Jaken,” said Sesshomaru with his most lethal gaze but Jaken was too far gone in his self imposed righteousness that he didn't really see it.

 

“Yes my lord?” He asked stepping aside as Sesshomaru entered his rooms. He was happy that he would be able to be witnessed to the downfall of the little brat that had been a thorn in his side since she was nine.

 

Sesshomaru stepped over to the bed as Inuyasha and Hina stepped aside, both knowing that it would only shorten their life span if they stayed in his direct path. “Why is Rin crying?”

 

“I simply told her the truth my lord, that servant their said that you had taken the human turned hanyou as your mate. I could not just stand there and let such nonsense be spread out to the others; your reputation would be at stake. I told her that you, my lord, were completely opposed to the simple thought of muddying your superior bloodline with that one,” he said taking his air of snobbishness. Oh crap, thought Inuyasha smirking, if he didn't sign his death wish by not running then he just did it now. So long sucker.

 

“Hina”

 

“Yes my lord?” She asked staying in her place but bowing at him when he reached the bed and sat down while gathering his unconscious mate in the protection of his arms lifting the bellowing sleeve of her left arm to reveal a dark blue crescent moon on her hand. It covered her whole hand and at the tail, if you wish, of the moon is the kanji that said mate. That mark usually appeared the day after the mating ritual. Since he kept her occupied Rin hadn't realised yet that it was there.

 

That kanji acted as the human version of a wedding ring. For youkai the mating mark is enough but for human youkai, that took only one mate, developed a, sort of, mechanism in their blood that enabled the second mark to form so it could be the equivalent of the ring. The reason for that was because the family crest and the word mate is on the bottom of the left hand which for humans relates to the hand that has the wedded finger, so everything balanced out.

 

Ah hell, why didn't I think of doing that before he hurt Rin so badly? Hina thought. In her head you could see a mini two mini Hina, one crouching down with her hands on her head and the other one with a club hitting the other one on the head.

 

Next to her Inuyasha was smirking evilly because he knew what was coming next and he couldn't wait when the show was to start. Unfortunately for the toad, Rin was unconscious at the moment so she wouldn't be able to save his worthless tiny ass. If he even has an ass to kick that is, snorted Inuyasha.

 

“Jaken,” said Sesshomaru finally looking up at him with eyes blazing red. The only thing that kept him from ripping the insufferable idiot apart was that he had his mate in his arms and he was not going to relinquish his hold.

 

“Ye....yes my lord,” said Jaken cowering in fear from Sesshomaru's glare. In the next second he was on his belly at his master's feet pleading silently for his life to be spared. He still didn't know what he did wrong.

 

“Hina and my brother have been telling you the truth. I did take Rin as my mate, she is carrying my pup,” he said as one of his dry warm clawed hands rested unconsciously on Rin's belly where he could feel the second presence emanating. “I will tolerate no disrespect towards the new lady of the Western land; do I make myself clear Jaken?” Sesshomaru asked his eyes going back to their normal solid gold colour but he still kept them trained on his vassal.

 

“Yes my lord,” said Jaken getting up relieved that he was going to be executed on the spot, which made no sense to Hina and Inuyasha who stood on the side stunned that that was it.

 

“Leave, I will call upon you once my mate has regained consciousness,” said Sesshomaru already losing interest in the toad youkai.

 

Once Jaken left, Inuyasha, as always, exploded because his brother's decision didn't make sense. “Why the hell did you do that for? If it was my mate I would have killed him on the spot.”

 

Before he answered he manoeuvred himself, with his mate still in his arms, to the center of the bed so he could recline and let Rin gradually ascend the stages of consciousness. “I have no obligations to tell you little brother, but I shall. This Sesshomaru thought it best to ask my mate's opinion on the mate before acting. Do you think your miko would appreciate it if you killed the first person that wanted her ill?” Sesshomaru asked but continued before Inuyasha had the time to respond. “Hina, make arrangements with the kitchen so that our evening meal be delivered here this evening.”

 

“Yes my lord, if I may?” Hina asked continuing after Sesshomaru nodded. “Lady Rin was on her way to the kitchen to fetch herself a snack since her tummy was rumbling quite loudly. Would you like for me to bring up a small platter for when she wakes?”

 

“Yes, that will be acceptable,” he said and the maid rushed out to run her new errands. “Inuyasha, this Sesshomaru would like for your miko to examine my mate.”

 

“Not if she's taking a nap. I don't want her tiring her out. She's heavily pupped already,” Inuyasha said while heading out, himself, since the show was postponed to another day.

 

“That is acceptable,” said Sesshomaru before the double doors closed.

 

When he was sure that his brother was out of hearing reach he sighed, slid down the bed and cuddled up around his mate. He had missed her presence that morning in their bed. Just the fact that Rin was able to escape the bedchamber without him waking was astounding. He had never slept as deeply as he did since he claimed her.

 

On a whim he took her left hand and liked the marking making his mate give a half giggle half moan in her sleep. Yes she had come out of her unconsciousness some time after he took her in his arms. Her breathing was deep and her heart beat was strong and regular so he was happy with that for now. He still wanted Kagome to check for to see if her outburst caused any damages to the pup.

 

As he looked around his bedchamber, Sesshomaru decided that it was plain. The walls were white. Except for an exquisite tapestry of his father in his youkai form nothing adorned the walls. As you entered the room you were confronted with a seating aria that held a circle of club chairs with low coffee table in the middle. The floor and floor railing were the same as in the hall. To access the bed you had to enter the room and turn right after the half partition wall. The huge bed was mounted on a dais and it was also white. On the other side of the bed you had the double glass doors the lead to his balcony.

 

He concluded after his perusal that after Rin's stuff will be moved into the room and that she will arrange her belonging that she will want to add her own touches here and there. He shuttered, though, at the fact that she might bring in multiple vases filled with flowers.

 

When his gaze returned to his sleeping Rin, he realised that his hand was still on her belly. He and Rin had talked, at some point during the two weeks of seclusion, about which one they would like for their first born, a male or a female. At first Sesshomaru was hesitant to give his opinion but then he shook himself mentally and he confessed that he wanted a male as his first born to establish an heir to his lands. Rin agreed to that and said that she had also want a boy so that she could have another one just like him. And if she was lucky that he would have ears like his brother. She always thought they were cute.

 

Sesshomaru had winced slightly at what his brother was going to say to him if his pups had his ears. But he came to accept his brother as an equal and wouldn't mind that his pups have some of his brother's traits. That is, as long as they were strictly only physical traits. No one, especially Sesshomaru wanted another Inuyasha in his life.

 

After an hour Sesshomaru drifted off into a light dose with his mate's calming scent everywhere around him.

 

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AN: Well this is it. This is chapter 8, the hardest chapter up to date. I REALLY need your opinion on this one. I want to know if I'm still rushing through or if I'm doing better or if I'm way to slow. I also want your thoughts on what should happen next. Well, see you all soon.

 

Sneak peek at chapter 9: To kill or not to kill? That depends on which mood Rin will be in when she finally wakes up. hehehe