InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Bitter Blood ❯ Chapter 5

Bitter Blood

Chapter 5

Later that evening, her lord returned to check up on her, and he brought more than a fair share of gifts, his arms overburdened with parcels and boxes. Dokumi had moved his chair to the back corner of the room, and replaced it with a smaller one of her own. She rose and stepped aside when he entered.

"What's all this, my lord?" Rin asked.

"Presents for my lady and presents for my son." He placed the packages at the foot of the bed, then came to her side. He acted as if he didn't notice Dokumi standing directly behind him.

"You spoil us, my lord."

He took Dokumi's seat. "It is my right," he said, holding his hands out for the child.

She obliged him and passed the infant to his father. "He's sleeping," she said. "And Jakken said you were patrolling our borders."

He smiled down at the child. "I am free to do both. Am I not, my son? Am I not the Lord of the Western Lands?"

Rin laughed to herself. "My lord, you haven't bid a proper hello to Dokumi."

He glanced over his shoulder at her. "Dokumi," he said, simply.

"Lord Sesshomaru," she bowed, rigidly.

"Have you been attending my mate and child properly?"

"I know not how to do my duty any other way."

He turned his attention back to Daichi. "And how is my son today? Is he not well? Is he not happy?"

"He is well, my lord," Rin replied. "Dokumi is an excellent nursemaid."

He seemed to shrug off her final words. "And how is my lady?" he asked.

"I am well," she said. "I feel better and better with each passing hour."

"Have you eaten?" he asked.

She shook her head. "I believe Jakken is preparing my meal as we speak. I'm afraid I've been running him quite ragged today."

"Nonsense," he said. "What else is he here for?"

She smiled gently. "Still . . . this will be my sixth meal today."

"It's good that you should eat," he said. "A healthy child needs a healthy mother."

"If you'll excuse me," Dokumi said. "I should leave you two alone, and I should get settled in my own chambers."

"Of course," Rin said. "You're excused."

She bowed again and left the room.

"How do you find her?" Sesshomaru asked.

"My lord?"

"Is she pleasant company for you? Does she wait on you as she should?"

"Of course," she said. "I was a little surprised to see her here this morning, but we seem to be getting along well enough."

"Good," he said. "I won't have her upsetting you."

She raised an eyebrow. "Why should she upset me?"

"She has a rather dubious reputation," he said easily.

"Really?"

"She's an excellent healer, but she has a bit of a temper, I'm told."

She feigned indifference. "Well, certainly, she wouldn't try anything while under your roof," she said.

"I wouldn't put it past her," he said.

"If you don't trust her, why is she here?"

"She is one of the best, and she was available," he said. "But make no mistake, if she makes one wrong move, it will be her last."

Rin yawned. She was immune to the countless threats he made to his underlings and anyone he perceived as an opponent . . . It was mostly talk, but when tested, he had put word to action.

"Are you tired?" he asked. "Should I leave you?"

"'Leave me?'" she repeated. "This is our chamber, and I've been without your company all day."

"I do not wish to impose," he said. "Till you are well enough, I think it's best I spend my nights elsewhere."

"And where would that be?" she asked.

"This castle has dozens of rooms," he said. "Surely, I can find one to my liking." He lifted Daichi above his head and smiled up at him. "Isn't that right?" he asked him.

"I shouldn't wish my lord to stray too far from my side," she said.

He focused in on her. "'Stray?'" he repeated. "Is this not my castle? May I not go where I please?"

"Of course, my lord. I'm simply saying . . ."

"I will not leave your side tonight."

She dropped the subject and smiled to herself, confident in such an easy victory.

"Besides, I wish to visit with my son. There is much I have to teach him."

She laughed. "My lord, he's still an infant. Barely a day old."

"Do not underestimate him," he said. "He has infinite potential, and may accomplish many great things in his time."

"I do not doubt that, my lord. But he's still a child; go easy on him."

He cradled Daichi in his lap. "I will let no harm come to him."

"Of course not," she said. "I'm simply saying children need time to be children. Time to laugh and play and . . ." She let her sentence trail off when she saw the look in his eye. The don't-question-me look. The my-word-is-law look. The harshness of his expression, the severity of his glare. "I mean no disrespect, my lord. I simply want the best for our son. I wish him to be happy. And well-balanced."

"And you think I desire otherwise?"

She lowered her gaze. "I am not sure what you desire," she finally said.

"Only the best," he said. "I desire only the best for one of my blood."

She nodded her understanding. She knew when not to pursue a subject any further.

"I shall furnish a nursery for him. He shall have the best of everything. The best cradle, the best linens, the best clothing and toys . . . He shall lack for nothing."

She nodded again. But, what about love? She wondered. Would she allow Daichi to become another Sesshomaru?

The door slid open. "Your dinner, Lady Rin." Jakken tottered over to her bedside. "Pardon me, my lord." He replaced the dishes from her previous meal with the current entree.

"Thank you, Jakken," she smiled politely. "But I think I've lost my appetite."