InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Cry of the Heart ❯ Harsh Words ( Chapter 11 )

Disclaimer: Rumiko Takahashi owns InuYasha and Co.; I'm just borrowing them for this story. The story is completely my idea.

 

Teaser: InuYasha unleashes his anger on Shippo and Myoga. While Rin takes some hurtful blows from Lady Akako. How long will Sesshomaru put up with such disrespect? Will Rin even be able to last through the next few months, or will she and Sesshomaru gain an early surprise?

 

 

(A/N: Ok next up is a big Thank You, to everyone who has read this story and has come to enjoy it. As well as a Thank you very much, to everyone that are a part of the InuYasha Fanfiction Guild and nominated this story for Best Romance: Alternate Pairing Sess/Rin, for the 3rd Quarter 2005. Even though the voting is over and the nomination is all I received; it is still a high honor that I never expected to ever get. Nor did I ever think about it so thank you all. That nomination brought a ray of sun shine to me on a rather cloudy day.)

 

The nomination happen before ff.net decided I had improper content after being posted for a year and a half.

 

Last time in Cry of the Heart:

 

The fox hurriedly dug its paws into the snow as it dug deeper, Myoga's little eyes widened in horror at who they had uncovered.

“Lady Sera, what are you doing out in all this weather?”

Without being told the fox did it's best to put Sera on its back.

“I must find somewhere warm to put her. Sango and Miroku are a little ways from here that must be where little Sera came from. Once I'm sure she's safe, should I go and tell Lord InuYasha what has happened?”

He wasn't keen on the idea, yet at the same time he knew it was his duty to his lord.

 

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Chapter 11: Harsh Words

 

By TaintedDarkInuShemeeko

 

 

Mina slowly made her way to her Master's guest's rooms. She then very tentatively knocked on the large wooden door.

 

“Lady Akako, Lady Yei, Lord Sesshomaru has sent me to see to your needs. Is there anything I can do for you?”

The door then gently came open to reveal Lord Ringo's fourth wife Yei. Her long chestnut hair was braided for the night as her sapphire eyes seemed to smile at Mina.

 

“Oh no I'm fine, I'm not sure if Lady Akako needs anything or not. I shall go ask her, I'll only be a second.”

 

Mina stood still in the hallway her long pink locks hiding her face from view. Hearing Yei coming toward the door, Mina lifted her head and held out her hand. A steaming cup of chamomile tea was in her hand, while a warm fleece blanket was now draped over her arm.

 

“Lady Akako says she needs another blanket as well as some…”

 

Her words trailed away when she noticed the tea and blanket in Mina's hands.

 

“Will there be anything else for the Lady?”

 

“How did you do that?”

 

Mina's silver eyes seemed to twinkle as she looked at Yei and answered.

 

“My Lord asked me see to Lady Akako's needs I would not be doing my job if I did not know of her growing needs.”

 

Yei seemed to except this explanation and therefore gave Mina leave from their room, as she had taken the blanket and tea from her. Yei then stated that even though she was Lord Ringo's wife as well; she was at the bottom and was to see to the wife with higher standing. Due to her current condition was now Lady Akako much to Yei's dismay.

 

Bowing low to Lady Yei as was expected of her Mina then made her way to the room that had been given to the visiting Lord Ringo. However, he was not there so she then made her way to Lady Takai and Lady Sumo's room.

 

The temperature in the castle was getting colder in places due to the chilling temperature outside. This only made Mina want to get to her Lady faster, she had a mind to teleport to Rin and then back to the very door she was standing in front of. Raising a hand up to the door Mina knocked and waited for someone to answer.

 

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Lord Ringo was steadily making his way to his guest chambers. When he caught the wondrous scent of the Lady Rin, however something seemed to be wrong there was something off about her scent. Walking several more steps the light of the fire soon cast its warm glow upon Rin.

 

“Why Lady Rin, you should be asleep at an hour like this. Are you waiting for Sesshomaru to come to bed?”

 

At first the sound of Lord Ringo's voice had startled her. However after a while it was very welcome.

 

“Oh Lord Ringo, I did not realize that you had not retired for the night.”

 

In a need to show respect Rin slowly stood and bowed to the Lord of the South. Her growing belly was slowly starting to become more cumbersome for her. Ringo's bright blue eyes glanced over Rin's petit form. The young Lady of the Western Lands did not look well; beads of sweat were drawing up on her forehead.

 

“Are you alright my Lady?”

 

Rin then decided to give him a small smile of reassurance.

 

“I'm all right really.”

 

Her words were proven false when a sharp pain suddenly shot up her spine. The pain was so intense that it nearly caused Rin's legs to collapse on her. Had Lord Ringo not been there Rin was sure that she would have fallen very ungracefully to the stone floor of the castle.

 

“Lady Rin!”

 

Lord Ringo's voice now had a tint of panic laced through it, for it was evident that Rin was anything but all right. Rin pulled in a panicked breath of air as she struggled to remain on her feet. She then felt the baby kick and struggle inside of her womb.

 

“This can not be it is too early.”

 

Rin gasped as another strange pain struck her, she was not prepared for any of this so why was this happening. Lord Ringo did his best to make sure that Rin kept breathing, however there was something about all this that had Akako's rotten stink to it. However there was nothing that Ringo could do about it at the moment.

 

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Jaken hummed as he continued on his way down the hallway. However his humming was cut short by a stifled cry from Rin. Quickening his pace Jaken rounded the corridor to see Lord Ringo holding on to his Master's Lady.

 

“See here you brut, I demand to release the Lady Rin at once do you hear me.”

 

Ringo however, narrowed his cold blue orbs at the green toad imp.

 

“You foolish imp your Lady is ill, it would do you well to go and get your Lord.”

 

Jaken's wide yellow orbs seemed to widen more at hearing Ringo's words, which were then followed by a cry of pain.

 

“Jaken…please go…and get Sesshomaru.”

 

Seeing the pain that Rin was currently in Jaken quickly complied too her wishes.

 

“Yes right away.”

 

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Sesshomaru was headed toward his own sleeping chambers, when the sound of InuYasha's voice stopped him.

 

“Is that cocky Lord Ringo here already? Feh, I could smell him before he even came inside. The smell of lust hovers over him like a bad smell.”

 

His brother's words caused a slight smile to play on the corners of Sesshomaru's lip; for it was something that he just couldn't disagree with.

 

“For once little brother, I will have to agree with you on that.”

 

Sesshomaru was about to continue on his way, when Jaken came paddling down the hallway yelling for him. Panic Sesshomaru noticed seemed to be the imp's motivation.

 

“Lord Sesshomaru, Lord Sesshomaru oh thank goodness I found you. You must come quickly my Lord, Rin has become strangely ill.”

 

The imp's words caused the Western Lord to rush down the hallway in a blur of silver and white. While InuYasha hurried inside their room to wake Kagome.

 

“Kagome, wake up its Rin she's fallen ill.”

 

Out of breath not to mention tired, Jaken then slowly slid down the stonewall.

 

“I'm getting to old for all of this.

 

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Yei smiled as she handed Akako the tea Mina had brought her, “the ruby witch” as Sumo's son Shusui called Akako. Though she could not blame the little hanyou for calling her that she was very cold and uncaring, yet she felt a hint of understanding for Akako as well. Lord Ringo had not come to her for comfort yet he had sought out a human wench to find his pleasure.

 

`I do hope this tea clams her sooner rather then later. Though why she seems so set on Lord Sesshomaru's mate I will never understand.'

 

Though she did not understand, why Akako even cared about who Sesshomaru was mated too? Yei did know dark magic when she saw it; Lord Ringo would not be pleased if he found out that Akako was doing something that Ringo had forbidden her to do. When she had questioned Akako about it she had just played it off as something else.

 

“Oh Yei sweetheart, you've got it all wrong it's just a simple best wishes charm.”

 

All that Akako's words managed to do was make Yei scoff at Akako.

 

“Something bad is going to happen and it's going to be that witch's fault. Why can't she just stay out of other people's lives?”

 

Once she was sure that Akako wasn't looking Yei quietly slipped out the door and down to Sumo's and Takai's room. On her way there she bumped into Mina, once realizing who the pink haired demon was Yei took in a quick breath.

 

“You should hurry to your Lady's side; I believe there might be trouble.”

 

Without waiting for the visiting third wife of Lord Ringo, Mina quickly disappeared; a faint cloud of smoke was all that was left where Mina had been standing at one point.

 

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Sesshomaru's first reaction to seeing Lord Ringo leaning near his Rin was that he would die where he stood. However, once he looked closer he could see that it was Lord Ringo who was holding up Rin as she took slow caution filled steps into the main hallway leading to their bed chambers. On the Western Lord's arrival Ringo looked up at Sesshomaru, his eyes Sesshomaru saw gave off a great sense of worry.

 

“Ah, Lord Sesshomaru as you can see the Lady Rin is not feeling well. I was merely helping her to stand.”

 

At first the only thing Sesshomaru did was nod.

 

“So you are Lord Ringo, as you can also see I am here now. I thank you but your assistant is no longer needed, you must be tired after your long journey today.”

 

Within a few seconds Mina appeared at Rin's side helping her to stand. The demoness showed no sign of pain as her lady gripped her hand tightly. Noticing now that Rin's handmaid was now there Lord Ringo bowed low and took several steps away from Rin. Which then allowed Sesshomaru to take his place beside his mate, the only thing that told Ringo that Sesshomaru had seen him was simple.

 

“Good night to you then.”

 

His attention was then turned back onto Rin and her ill condition. After a while Sesshomaru could no longer stand the pain that Rin seemed to be in as she walked. Scooping her up into his arms Sesshomaru then took quick yet graceful strides to their bedchambers. It was then that Sesshomaru's nose picked up two different senses. The first was all too familiar it was the scent of blood; the other was the scent of something dark and evil hanging over his Rin.

 

Once Sesshomaru, Rin and Mina were out of earshot as well as eye sight, the young Southern Lord then decided to move. Turning on his heel, Ringo hurried toward one room in particular, his winter blue and gold haori robes trailed behind him as he hurried down the hallway. Ringo had been on his way to Akako's guestroom, when Yei's scent came to him from Sumi and Takai's room instead, only served to change his direction slightly; stopping him a few steps away from Akako's door.

 

Without even saying a word, Ringo placed one of the three large brass keys into the lock. He then proceeded toward Akako's door and locked it as well. His anger toward his first wife was starting to reach a boiling point. Storming into his guest chambers, he quickly closing the heavy mahogany door behind him, Ringo's golden slippers clicked softly on the stone floor; as he walked to the door that led to Akako's room.

 

Swinging it open Lord Ringo stormed into the other side, catching Akako's off guard. She was so startled that one of the clay bottles she had been holding shattered to the floor.

 

“Lord Ringo, I did not expect you to come calling on me tonight.”

 

Her voice seemed nervous as she continued to speak to him. However her voice froze in her throat as her ruby orbs fell upon Ringo's sapphire ones. They were moldering with anger, and disbelief at what he saw before him.

 

“What kind of fool do you take me for?”

 

His voice was growing louder by the minute as he stared down at Akako. The longer he stared at her with his eyes of blue fire the smaller Akako seemed to feel. Lord Ringo's right hand then sweep over the alter that Akako now sat in front of.

 

“You had sworn that you would never again dabble in this dark magic.”

 

His hand then quickly over turned the table shattering all of the bowls and bottles Akako had, had on it.

 

“From this day until the day I renounce you as my wife, you shall remain in confinement alone until the pup is born.”

 

“No, you can't do that to me, Ringo please.”

 

Lady Akako lifted the hem of her dark violet kimono, as she quickly went to Ringo's side. Her hands grabbed tightly onto Ringo's haori top. Ringo simply shrugged off Akako's touch as he headed back to the door that connected the two rooms.

 

“Know this Akako, if something is to happen to Lady Rin or the pup that she is carrying. I can tell you that Lord Sesshomaru will do far worse to you then what I am about too.”

 

Turning swiftly on his heel, Lord Ringo slammed the smaller door that separated the two rooms. Trying her best to get to the door Akako fell to her knees upon reaching the door.

 

“Ringo please don't do this to me, I didn't mean the young Lady harm I was merely playing with her a little.”

 

On the other side of the door Ringo's eyes shined with sadness and what his wife was saying. He knew her all to well, to know that she was merely lying to him in order to save herself from the embarrassment that was about to be thrown on her. Looking at the cherry door with its detailed sun and moon cravings, the Southern Lord slid the key into the lock and turned it. He knew the second the loud click reached Akako's ears he knew that the world she had once known had been shattered completely.

 

 

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Kagome hurried down the hallway, as InuYasha got ready to follow behind her. He stopped in his tracks as he felt something pinch the back of his neck. Positioning Takeshi in his left arm, InuYasha used his right one to slap the back on his neck. Kagome, InuYasha had noticed had long since disappeared down the great hallway.

 

“Ow, what the hell was that?”

 

Bring his hand out and away from his neck; the hanyou frowned as he stared at the palm of his hand.

 

“Myoga, what the hell are you doing here?”

 

“It's a pleasure to bite you again Lord InuYasha, it has been awhile.”

 

InuYasha however just continued to frown at Myoga, as he waited to hear an answer to his question. Remembering that his infant son was asleep in his left arm; InuYasha walked into the room and laid Takeshi in his cradle, before walking out and closing the door behind him as he walked farther down the hallway corridor.

 

“I'll ask you one more time, old timer. Why are you here, you know this is Sesshomaru's home right?”

 

Myoga continued to look at InuYasha, only this time it was the flea that was frowning at InuYasha.

 

“Let me assure you that if I had my way I would not have chosen to come. However it was not, I have come to bring you dire news my Lord.”

 

This however seemed to get InuYasha attention more.

 

“What kind of dire news, are Miroku and Sango ok? It's not their unborn child is it?”

 

Myoga just shook his head.

 

“Let me assure you Master InuYasha that Miroku and Sango's child is fine. Though after all this is over with I am unsure of what state Sango will be in. Kazuo, Miran and Inuhiko are fine as well. Sadly it is the young Lady Sera, she ran off earlier looking for you and Kagome.”

 

Myoga saw that InuYasha's temper was starting to burn. So he did his best to curb the fire.

 

“Now Master InuYasha, do not be so quick to judge Sango and Miroku. It was Sera who waited for Sango and Miroku to fall asleep before sneaking out into the storm.”

 

InuYasha clinched and unclenched his fist as he looked away from Myoga.

 

“I know that Myoga, we should have never left them there. Especially with Sango in the delicate condition she's in. Damn it all! How is Sera now?”

 

“She was very cold when I first found her, but I'm sure she's awake by now.”

 

Without saying another word InuYasha started to hurry down the hallway, before turning back and heading toward their room.

 

“Myoga, I want you to stay here with Takeshi. When Kagome returns tell her I had something important that I had to do and couldn't wait for her, but I'll be back soon you got that.”

 

InuYasha then plucked Myoga off of his shoulder and sat him on the bed stand next to the cradle that Takeshi was now sleeping in.

 

“Yes of course Master InuYasha but…”

 

The poor flea however didn't get a change to speak before his Lord disappeared in a blur of silver and red.

 

`Well this is a fine mess I'm in. How is it that things like this happen to me?”

 

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Tears wept from Akako's eyes as she stared at the door, her body stiffened as a loud click reached her ears.

 

“What have I done, no please Lord Ringo, please don't do this to me.”

 

The first wife of the Southern Lord remained on the floor as she wept. It was well known that Lord Ringo was just as kind as his father. Yet when his sense of trust for the ones he loved was broken, Akako knew that her husband could be as cold as Lord Sesshomaru of the West. Akako slowly and gingerly placed a hand to the large bulge of her stomach.

 

It was now that Akako knew that if Ringo truly wished it he could have their child taken from her. Especially, if her Lord feared that the child was not safe with her.

 

Tears continued to slide down Lady Akako's cheek as she sat and waited for her and her unborn pup's fate to be decided. She could only hope that her lord would not be as cold as to take their child from her. However, as angry as she had just made him Akako now had her doubts.

 

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Kagome slowed her steps as Sesshomaru and Rin's bed chamber came into view. Her heavy green and red trimmed kimono, now gracefully flowed over her feet. White roses danced over the green fabric as she walked toward the door. She then reached up and gave the golden knocker on the door a slight tap.

 

Five seconds later she heard Sesshomaru's voice telling her to enter. Not wanting to anger him by not entering Kagome gingerly pushed the heavy mahogany doors to their bed chambers open. Doing her best to keep her voice steady Kagome gently spoke as she made her way into the room.

 

“InuYasha told me that Rin was ill. If you don't mind I'd like to take a look at her and see how she is doing.”

 

Her only response at first was silence; however she knew not to make another move toward Rin until she received a response from Sesshomaru.

 

“You may, however I shall be staying to watch.”

 

Kagome was then taken back by the evil aura that was faintly around the young Lady of the West. It was almost as if some one had been trying to place a curse on her. She then smiled at the cool compress that had been laid across Rin's forehead to calm her strange fever. Upon touching her skin, Kagome was relieved to see that she no longer had a fever. Reaching into her bag for her stethoscope, she smiled at the memory of how InuYasha had reacted at her becoming a doctor. It had been a sheer miracle that she had been able to make it though all of the schooling that had been required.

 

Out of the corner of her caramel orbs she saw the curious looked that Sesshomaru giving her now.

 

“It's a medical instrument; I use to listen to a person's heart beat and breathing. Of course if I were a demon like you I wouldn't need to use it.”

 

Placing a hand on Rin's arm, the evil aura slowly started to disappear until it was no more. Being pleased with Rin's vitals, Kagome's attention turned to the growing swell of Rin's womb. She was relieved to find the beat of a very strong heartbeat. Kagome moved on with the rest of Rin's physical. Mina, Kagome had noticed had placed a cloth on the bed to catch the spots of blood Rin's body had been releasing several minutes ago.

 

“Everything looks as if it has calmed down for now. However, I really think Rin should stay in bed for the last three months of this pregnancy. If something like this were to happen again nothing good would come of it.”

 

Not wanting to upset Sesshomaru anymore, Kagome bowed to Sesshomaru in respect before heading toward the chamber door. Sesshomaru's unexpected words caused Kagome to freeze in her tracks.

 

“This Sesshomaru thanks you for seeing to Rin's wellbeing. I wish for you to stay here in the castle until the said day has arrived. I would be lying if I said that your medicines weren't strange to me. However you seem to be able to help and bring comfort to Rin when I can not.”

 

Being completely caught off guard Kagome at first stumbled over her words.

 

“Y- y-you want me to remain…here in the Castle? I'm honored but…I.”

 

Before she could finish her sentence, Sesshomaru silence her with his cold voice.

 

“You are indeed correct; however I would not force you to remain away from your family.”

 

However, his words did nothing to help Kagome in her confusion.

 

“I don't understand, how could I be here as well as be at the village, Kaede's village is a ways from here.”

Standing up from his chair Sesshomaru walked toward the window as he spoke.

 

“There is a small castle, about one day's journey from here. It was the castle that father build for InuYasha's human mother, Izayoi. Considering how much my little brother has grown, I believe it is time that it was given to him.”

 

Kagome couldn't believe what she was hearing; InuYasha had inherited his own castle from his father. There was no way that he would let them live there.

 

“I'll have to talk with InuYasha first. Now if you'll excuse me I'm sure it's almost Takeshi's feeding time.”

 

Bowing to Sesshomaru in a show of respect, Kagome then excused herself to go see to her son.

 

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With her head still reeling from what Sesshomaru had asked of her; Kagome headed to their bedchamber to see how InuYasha and Takeshi were getting along. Over the last ten years or so, InuYasha had luckily gotten better when it came to caring for their children, or pups as InuYasha would hastily remind her.

 

She then giggled at the memory of InuYasha's panic at changing Sera for the very first time. First he had been grossed out and then once he had gotten her clean, after first trying to dip her bottom in the stream. InuYasha had then gone on to powder her bottom like he had seen Kagome do. Only to have the powder bottle explode all over everything including him and the baby.

 

“It just goes to show you that with age, maturity really comes with it. Though I'm pretty sure that the last three being boys had to have helped him out a little bit.”

 

Kagome's thoughts soon wandered back to what Sesshomaru had spoken to her about. She understood his concern over Rin's health, and wanting her to be there. To be truthful she was still being blown away by the fact that by his birth right InuYasha owned a castle.

 

`I really don't know why I'm getting excited. There'd be no way that InuYasha would let us live there. Especially since InuYasha wants nothing to do with his father. I mean if it hadn't been for Rin we wouldn't even be here now.'

 

Kagome then sighed to herself, she was sure that the castle had to be enormous. She had her suspicions that it had almost as many rooms the Western Castle here had.

 

“I'm just kidding myself; Takeshi is the last one that we planned on having. What would we need with a home as big as a castle?”

 

`I think InuYasha thinks he has bruised Miroku's ego enough already. Though I'm pretty sure that if it were Sesshomaru's he was trying to bruise I'd be carrying another pup already.'

 

She then smiled as their bedchambers came into view. Reaching out with her right hand to open the door, she spoke as she walked through the door.

 

“So how are two of my favorite boys doing?”

 

Kagome however was baffled to find out that InuYasha was not there.

 

“InuYasha, InuYasha are you in here?”

 

The only answer that she was given was a soft cooing sound coming from Takeshi. Walking over to the cradle, Kagome picked up her two month old son. His bright golden orbs seemed to be smiling at her as if they knew a secret that she did not.

 

“I bet you know where he ran off to don't you.”

 

Takeshi giggled and cooed as Kagome gently rubbed her nose against his. Feeling something prick her cheek Kagome reached up and slapped the side of her face. Which earned a loud squeal of enjoyment from her infant son; removing her hand Kagome watched as Myoga floated down onto her palm.

 

“Myoga, what are you doing here? Where's InuYasha?”

 

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InuYasha ignored the slight chilliness of the snow on his feet; it wasn't really like it bothered him. Right now he had one thing on his mind and that was getting to the village and checking on Sera. He would worry about whose fault it was later.

 

All that he was worried about right now was if Sera was sick.

 

`Damn it Sera, why the hell would you do something so stupid?'

 

InuYasha's red haori looked out of place out in the white snow. His slivery-white hair looked like curtains of snow blowing in the wind. Not once had he stopped to rest after leaving Sesshomaru's Castle.

 

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A bead of sweat ran down Sango's forehead as she placed a cool compress to Sera's forehead. She hoped that a slight fever was all that Sera, would suffer from once today was over with. Miroku, Shippo and Kirara had yet to give up on their search for Sera. Which meant that they didn't know that Sera was now safe and warm with her. Compared to what she had been when Myoga had first returned her home. Seeing the worry in his Aunt Sango's eyes Miran placed a small hand gently against hers.

 

“Don't worry Unt San-go, Sera will be ah right you'll see.”

 

Miran's twin had something else on his mind as he watched his Aunt and brother before letting his molten orbs fall on his sleeping sister.

 

“You should go to bed, Aunt Sango. You too you wittle wimp.”

 

Miran just glared at is brother before sticking his tongue out at him.

 

“Inu-h-hikyko you're not the boss of me.”

 

Inuhiko just glared at his brother.

 

“I am too, because I'm older.”

 

By now Sango was doing her best to hold in her laughter. She then noticed that Miran had started to slowly count on his fingers.

 

“You're only older then Miran by…one…two…free…four…fiteen minutes. So nay.”

 

At seeing Miran blowing a raspberry at his brother, a small giggle escaped from inside Sango. Just before Inuhiko was about to jump on his brother Sango caught him by his collar.

 

“Ok you two I've got a better idea. It's time that both of you went to bed now.”

 

Taking Miran's hand and now dragging a small fuming form that look like a miniature InuYasha. Sango headed off to put the two boys to bed. Before leaving the room Sango gave Inuhiko a firm look as she spoke to him.

 

“Now, Inuhiko I want you to behave yourself alright. You know what that means right? No attacking your brother while he's asleep.”

 

A small feh was all Sango heard right before Inuhiko small golden orbs looked up at her.

 

“Yes, Unt Sago,” was all he could manage as a yawn snuck up on him.

 

A smile appeared on her lips as she quietly closed the door on the three sleeping boys. She then made her way back to the main room of the house where the large fire was. Bending over Sango just managed to throw a few more small logs on the fire. Her dark orbs then came to rest on Sera. Moving herself over toward her niece, Sango noticed that the cold compress that she had on earlier had slid off. Placing a hand on Sera's forehead she gave off a sigh of relief when she found out that the fever was gone.

 

“Thank goodness that your fever is gone.”

 

It was a little while before Sango slowly felt herself nodding off to sleep. She had been so worried about Sera that she had almost forgotten about the rest that she and her unborn child needed.

 

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InuYasha had turned a six-day journey into one. Seeing Miroku and Sango's hut coming into view InuYasha at last slowed his steps. Walking up to the front door he slowly started to open it. After walking inside InuYasha saw that Sera was wrapped up in warm blankets beside the fire; and that Sango had fallen asleep beside of her. Her head drooped forward as she slept dutifully at Sera's side.

 

`Miroku and Kirara must be still out looking for Sera.'

 

His bare feet barely made any sound as he walked over and knelt beside Sango. InuYasha then gently lifted her into his arms and carried her to her and Miroku's sleeping mats. Covering her with a warm blanket InuYasha then took his turn at watching his daughter. A brief smile appeared on his lips as he watched the two black ears on top of her head twitch at every sound.

 

Twenty minutes later InuYasha opened an eye as a very tired looking Miroku walked through the door. Kirara paddled in after him and quickly curled up next to the fire. She mewed softly at Inuyasha before tucking her face behind her tails.

 

Miroku gasped slightly when his tired eyes spotted his hanyou friend. However, his voice was never above a whisper in respect for his sleeping wife.

 

“InuYasha, what are you doing here? With all of the snow that has fallen we didn't expect you home for the next couple of days.”

 

InuYasha just shrugged his shoulders as he stood up and put some more wood on the fire.

 

“We won't be, right now I'm the only one here.”

 

Looking up at his friend's stiff form, a sigh escaped from within InuYasha.

 

“Would you breathe already Miroku? If you don't you're just going to pass out.

 

How was he going to tell InuYasha that he had lost his daughter in a snow storm?

 

“InuYasha…I.”

 

“Relax already Miroku. Sera is going to be fine, Myoga found her out in the snow and brought her home. And if you and Sango are thinking that it's you're fault that she ran off you're wrong; because it's mine.”

 

Realizing that he was covering his daughter from Miroku view, InuYasha stepped off to the side, to give Miroku a perfect view, of Sera sleeping peacefully beside the firelight. Miroku inwardly breathed a sigh of relief as his shoulder then started to relax. After seeing that Miroku was now more relaxed in his presence; InuYasha then noticed the large bundle that Miroku was carrying in his arms.

 

The odd sight caused him to raise an eyebrow at the monk. Right before he questioned him rather harshly.

 

“Miroku what the hell are you doing carrying him around. He ain't a kid any more, and you shouldn't be carrying him like that he's too damned heavy.”

 

Without out saying another word InuYasha stomped over and took the sixteen year-old fox demon from him. Miroku smiled in InuYasha direction as he carried Shippo into the side bedroom where Sera usually slept. He then noticed that a couple of minutes had gone by before InuYasha emerged from the room.

 

`I bet you that InuYasha is adding wood to the bedroom fires.'

 

Several minutes later InuYasha walked into the room that held Sango and Miroku's son as well as his two. Neither one of the boys had moved as he had added wood to their small pit fire. Noticing that Kazuo's right leg was hanging out of the covers, InuYasha gently lifted his leg and placed it back on the futon as he covered him up. He then walked over to Inuhiko and held his head up as he carefully slid the boy's pillow back under his head.

 

InuYasha's eyes widen in panic as he turned toward Miran's futon, he wasn't there. Searching the room InuYasha still couldn't find him. Just when he was about to rush out of the room; InuYasha noticed a large bump at the very end of his son's futon. Upon pulling the blanket all the way off, InuYasha discovered his missing three year-old son curled up in a ball at the bottom of his bed.

 

Clucking softly to himself InuYasha whispered softly to his son as he picked him up in his arms.

 

“Oh Miran what are we going to do about you?”

 

After laying the youngest of the twins back in his bed correctly; InuYasha then quietly crept out of the room. Upon entering the room, InuYasha noticed that Miroku was sitting with his back against the wall watching him.

 

“Were they all asleep?”

 

InuYasha nodded as he spoke,

 

“Yeah, they were.”

 

Miroku sighed as he glanced at the floor and then back at his hanyou friend.

 

“I apologize to you my friend with my whole heart. I shouldn't have allowed this to happen. It was Sango and myself that you trusted with the care of your children; and in the end we failed you.”

 

InuYasha folded his arms as he glared over at Miroku.

 

“Look here monk, I've already told you that it wasn't your fault. So would you let it go already and get some sleep, you're not as young as you use to be and you look beat so you better get some shut eye.”

 

Miroku gave InuYasha a small smile as he continued to talk to him in a soft teasing tone at first.

 

“Why InuYasha, I'm touched that you worry about me. However, you're wrong. Sango and I are to blame for Sera running off. Sango believed that Sera over heard us talking about the three of you being caught out in the recent storm we just had. Though we knew it was very unlikely that you were. We're pretty sure that Sera thought otherwise, and went to go look for you.”

 

With a stern look set upon his face InuYasha continued to stare into the flames, as he spoke to his friend.

 

“It doesn't matter Miroku, I told her to look after her brothers and help Sango out. Instead she runs off and endangers her own life. She didn't listen and when her mother and I both return home, she's going to be grounded.”

 

“Don't you think you're being a little hard on her InuYasha? She only a child after all”

 

“No Miroku, I don't. She upset Sango, which isn't good for her or the baby. Not to mention putting you and Shippo in danger as well as Kirara. The three of you could have frozen to death out in all that cold.”

 

Feeling the mark from his mate start to heat up, InuYasha knew that Kagome was worrying about him. His ears twitched toward the small hallway as Shippo yawned as he walked out of the back room and came to sit beside InuYasha.

 

“Hey, what are you guys talking about so late at night?”

Then without any warning a loud Whap was heard. Shippo was bent forward holding on to his head were a large knot was forming.

 

“Owww, what the heck was that for InuYasha? What did I do?”

 

“I just felt like it all right runt.”

 

“I'm not a kid any more you know.”

 

InuYasha just smirked at him.

 

“You'll always be a runt in my book Shippo; I don't care how old you get. Now shut up and go back to sleep.”

 

Taking off his haori, InuYasha stood up and walked over to where Sera was sleeping. He then draped it over his daughter's sleeping form.

 

“As for you young lady your mother and I will deal with you later.”

 

InuYasha then looked back over to Shippo.

 

“Hey, Shippo I want you to keep your eye on her until I return with Kagome and Takeshi. Use your fox magic on her if you have too, maybe you can teach her a lesson before I get back.”

 

InuYasha then headed toward the door. Miroku's surprised voiced caused him to stop.

 

“You're going already, but didn't you just get here?”

 

“I came home Miroku to make sure you guys were alright. You're fine, so yeah I'm leaving. Kagome will start to worry if I don't return soon. We'll be back in two days, so it's up to you Shippo to keep her out of trouble. Think you can handle it?”

 

Shippo just smiled at him, “You bet I can.”

 

&&&&&&&&&&&&&a mp;&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&a mp;&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&a mp;

 

At last I finally found time to finish this chapter. I didn't think I would ever get it done but here it is. Hope you guys enjoyed.

 

Until Next Time,

 

TaintedDarkInuShemeeko

 

 

 

 

 

 

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