InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Finding My Heart ❯ A Ball Worth Chasing ( Chapter 15 )

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Chapter 15- A Ball Worth Chasing

 

“Sesshoumaru! Sesshoumaru!” Rin hollered as she ran down the hallway towards Sesshoumaru's room. The sun was up and Rin was fully awake, and wanting some answers. “Sesshoumaru, no one...” She stopped talking when she opened the door and saw that Sesshoumaru wasn't there. She blinked in slight confusion and then shut the door.

 

“Kagome! Kagome!” The young girl ran towards Kagome's bedroom. Yelling her name once more, she barged through the door to find what she hadn't at all expected. Sesshoumaru looked sound asleep, which was unusual for him, and he had his arms wrapped around Kagome tightly, with the blankets barely covering them. Rin stood at the bottom of the bed wide-eyed.

 

“Rin, what's wrong?” Kagome said, still half asleep.

 

“Kagome, no one came to tuck Rin in last night.” She said, pouting. Her loud, childish voice pierced Kagome's ears. She looked at Kagome questioningly while trying to ignore the fact that Sesshoumaru was half-naked in Kagome's bed.

 

“I'm really sorry Rin, but Sesshoumaru and I were busy last night.” She said, lifting herself up as much as was possible in the youkai's hold.

 

“Busy doing what?” Rin asked, moving to the side of the bed closer to Kagome.

 

“I think that's something we'll have to talk about later.” Kagome replied while rubbing her neck.

 

“What's wrong with your neck?” The girl asked.

 

“Rin why don't you go downstairs and get washed up...if our sink is still there. We need to talk to you later.” Sesshoumaru's voice said from behind Kagome.

 

Rin looked past Kagome and saw Sesshoumaru's golden eyes glaring at her. “Okay.” She obeyed and ran out of the room.

 

Kagome let herself fall back on the bed and smiled when Sesshoumaru pulled her even closer, if that was possible.

 

“How are you feeling?” The Lord of the Western Lands asked. He lifted one hand up and moved his fingers over two lumps on his mate's neck.

 

“For the millionth time, I'm fine.” She replied, turning in his hold so that she was facing him. The question was starting to annoy her. Most of the night he had been licking the wound that he inflicted, asking her if she was feeling okay. She didn't even think he gave the wound enough time to bleed with all his licking.

 

“I just didn't like hurting you.” He said, kissing her gently on the tender spot of her neck.

 

“Sesshoumaru, it's okay. I wanted to be yours, and in this world a demon's mark shows others that I am yours, and can't be taken by any one else. Besides, it didn't hurt that much, especially when you licked it so much that it went numb.” Kagome giggled, caressing his arm with her fingernails.

 

Sesshoumaru smiled as goosebumps ran up and down his arm from the feel of her fingernails. He had never been so happy in his entire life. Everything she said came out to be exactly what he wanted to hear. “Now, you are mine Koi. And if anyone ever tries to take you from me, I'll kill them.”

 

“Whoa whoa! Let's get one thing straight, there will be no killing of anyone over me.” Kagome enforced.

 

“But you just said that it's okay because that's the way things are in this world. If you'd allow the marking, then you should allow the `demon way.'” Sesshoumaru said, trying to change her mind.

 

“I don't want you killing people just because they like me, or look at me the wrong way. Can't you just simply tell them to go away? I mean, you are the mighty Lord of the Western Lands.” Kagome said.

 

“Mighty?” Sesshoumaru grinned at her comment. “It depends on who it is.” He answered.

 

“What's that suppose to mean?” Kagome asked.

 

“Well if it was Naraku that touched you, I would kill him.” Sesshoumaru said, trying to make an example.

 

“It wouldn't be that much of a bad thing if you killed Naraku. He's the one that everyone I care about has been after. He hurt all of our lives in some sort of way, except mine. Naraku never really had anything to do with me, except that he hurt my friends.” Kagome said.

 

“Or if InuYasha hurt you or tried to take you away, I'd kill him too.”

 

“No you wouldn't!” Kagome said angrily. “InuYasha is your brother, and was a good friend of mine at one time. You know, you're lucky you don't have those beads around your neck. I think sometimes they'd come in handy for me.” Kagome said, grinning smartly.

 

“Those beads could never pull me down. And I wouldn't let you control me like he let you.” Sesshoumaru leaned over and gave Kagome a kiss and then sat up to get out of bed.

 

“We should get down to Rin. She's probably waiting for us. We're gonna have to tell her.” Kagome said seriously. She got out of the bed and walked towards the dresser.

 

“I don't think the news will be that hard for her to hear.” Sesshoumaru said as he got up to go to his room and get dressed.

 

“Somehow, I don't think so either.” She said, remembering the family she had drawn in the sand. She had said that she wanted a mother just like her. Sesshoumaru left and sat down on her bed, she had noticed that her inner thighs were quite sore. Putting that thought aside, she got dressed in another tanktop and some jeans. After brushing her hair and running downstairs to wash up, she met Sesshoumaru in the dining area.

 

“Looks like we won't be able to have much of breakfast.” He said.

 

The dining room was a mess. The Raiders left them a disaster area. There were smashed plates in some places and wood and dirt all over the floor. Luckily the table and chairs were okay, but there were no more plates left in the china cabinet.

 

“I can make some pancakes. They still left us with our pots and pans, but you will have to eat the pancakes off of the pan.” Mioka said, her pretty head peering around the corner of the kitchen.

 

“That would be great Mioka. So, they never took our flour?” He asked.

 

“Nope.” She said happily and then disappeared around the corner to start cooking the pancakes under a hot fire.

 

“Mioka, only cook enough for Kagome and Rin.” Sesshoumaru said loud enough for Mioka to hear in the kitchen.

 

“Okay!” She replied.

 

“But Sesshoumaru, you need to eat too.” Kagome said.

 

“I can go a long time without food, but you and Rin can't. As you can see I have a lot of work to do today.” He said indicating the mess in the room.

 

“You plan on trying to fix everything yourself?” Kagome asked.

 

“It's my duty as the ruler of these lands, to make sure that all the houses in the villages are repaired, along with my own home.” Sesshoumaru said. He walked over to the table and took a seat. “My first priority is to fix the villages.”

 

“But that's a lot of work. I hope you don't plan on trying to do all this in one day.” Kagome said.

 

“No, it's way too much damage to get repaired in one day.”

 

“The villagers will help you right?” Kagome asked, slightly worried that Sesshoumaru might work himself to death.

 

“Of course they will.”

 

“A large pancake is ready!” Mioka hollered from in the kitchen.

 

“Rin, you can eat the first one.” Kagome said, as Mioka laid the pan down on the wooden table before Rin.

 

“Rin, Kagome and I have to talk to you about something.” Sesshoumaru said, looking at Rin intently.

 

“Is it about this morning?” Rin said as she gulped down a piece of the warm pancake.

 

“Yes. See, when a male and female get together, and fall in love...”

 

“Sesshoumaru Rin knows what happens when two people love each other.” Rin interrupted, giggling. “They make babies. Am I going to be getting a baby brother or sister!” Rin gasped in excitement. She had always imagined having a brother or sister to play with.

 

“That's not exactly what we were going to say, but close to that point. Rin, I have made Kagome my mate. Which means...”

 

Rin interrupted enthusiastically again, “Kagome you're gonna be my mommy!?” She sort asked, forgetting her pancake and jumping out of her chair to jump on Kagome.

 

“Well, yes, if you'd like that Rin.” Kagome smiled down at the cute little girl.

 

“I love you Kagome!” Rin said, bouncing up and down in pure joy. “Of course I would like that! I always dreamed of having a mommy, and a happy family! I always hoped that Sesshoumaru would someday find a woman just like you!” Rin said, actually using the word `I' instead of her own name.

 

Kagome giggled and lifted her head to look at Sesshoumaru. He was actually smiling too, and a big smile at that. “Rin, today we will have a good time getting to know each other even better.” Kagome said, picking up the girl and sitting her on her lap. But, aside from all the happiness, one thing Rin said did hit her. She might be pregnant! They hadn't used any condoms or any form of protection.

 

“I'm glad you took the news well.” Sesshoumaru said as he watched the two happy loves of his life.

 

“Kagome's pancake is served.” Mioka said, setting down another frying pan in front of the two.

 

“Thank you, Mioka!” Kagome said happily. “Rin, you should finish your breakfast up so you don't get too hungry before lunch.” Kagome said.

 

“I will.” Rin said and jumped off her adopted mother's lap. “When will we get to know each other more?” Rin asked as she jumped on her chair and picked up another piece of pancake.

 

“After breakfast.” Kagome replied, eating her pancake as well. “Wow, these are really good.” She said, pointing down at the pancake.

 

“Hai, Mioka is a good cook.” Sesshoumaru said. “Sadly though, I don't think I'll be here most of the day. I have to work all day, getting the villages repaired.” Sesshoumaru said, rising from his chair.

 

“That's okay, me and Kagome are going to have a good time getting to know each other.” Rin said, smiling as she took another bite.

 

“That's good. And be careful where you step, I don't want to come home and have a mate and daughter asking me to pry splinters out of there feet.” Sesshoumaru said half sardonically. “I will be back tonight.” Sesshoumaru said. He gave Kagome a small kiss and rubbed Rin on the head playfully before turning to go out the dining room.

 

“Are you finished Rin?” Kagome asked. She looked over and saw that Rin's pan still had some pieces of pancake on it, but knew that Rin never finished the last few pieces of her meal.

 

“Yes, I'm done.” Rin said. She wiped her mouth with the sleeve of her kimono, as kids usually did.

 

“Me too.” Kagome said, taking the last bite. “Here's the plan Rin.”

 

“A plan?! Yay!” Rin said. She moved close to Kagome, excited to be secretly planning something.

 

“You and me will get to know each other, and at the same time can try and get this place cleaned up for Sesshoumaru.” Kagome said, trying to make it seem fun to Rin.

 

“Cleaning...I don't like cleaning.” Rin said, rolling her eyes like she was thinking.

 

“Oh but, we can make cleaning fun. But first you have to run up to your room and get some old clothes on that you wouldn't mind getting dirty.” Kagome said, getting up from her chair and walking towards the door. “Come on, I'll race ya up!” She said and turned to run towards the staircase.

 

“I'm gonna beat you!” Rin said playfully and ran past Kagome. “Yay! I beat you!” She said, sticking her tongue out at Kagome and then turning to run to her room.

 

Kagome laughed and went to her room. She put some of her older worn out jeans on and an older tank top, then tied up her hair. She looked at herself in the mirror and then once again the thought came back to her that she might be pregnant now. And not only with a baby, with a hanyou baby. Not that she cared that it was a hanyou, but she didn't have any plans of having her own child. Rin was one thing, she loved Rin like she was her own, but giving birth to a baby was another.

 

The feudal age doesn't have extremely high technology and hospitals like the modern era does. If she was going to have a baby, she wanted to make sure the birthing would be safe. She knew she couldn't have the baby in the modern era; what would they think if they seen a silver haired baby with two dog-ears come out of a young woman?

 

`Okay maybe I'm just over-reacting. I mean, it's not like I am pregnant. I might not be, but I'll have to find out.' Kagome thought.

 

“Come on Kagome, let's get started!” Rin said at the doorway. She had also put her hair up, and now they really looked like mother and daughter. They both had the exact same black hair and the same happy smile.

 

“Alright, let's go!”

 

* * * *

 

Sesshoumaru pounded on a hinge on a newly built door with a hammer. He had gotten quite a few houses repaired. The damage mainly seemed to be doors, table, and chairs, which the Raiders would've busted through or thrown aside when walking through the house. Some items such as jewelry and valuables that the Raiders stole, he couldn't help with, but whatever he could do to help, he did it.

 

Building was one of his specialties, seeing as he could cut down trees and make them into logs and boards quite efficiently. Along with that talent, he could also work for long amounts of time without a break. His strength was always a help to everyone when they couldn't lift or nail something.

 

His poison claws even came in handy at the times when he had to make a piece of wood smaller or make a corner bigger so a board could fit in. All the while he worked, his eyes were concentrating on what he was doing, but his mind was no where near the village.

 

Thoughts of everything that had happened within the last twenty-four hours and of his father swam through his head. Thoughts of pure joy with Kagome, and thoughts of his father making Izayoi his mate. He had just made a human his mate. Something that he always swore he'd never do, he just did. He always said he despised humans, and that his father was weak for mating with a human. He used to believe his own words, until Rin came into his life. He realized after having the girl around for awhile, that he didn't despise humans in general, just certain ones.

 

 

He still continued to tell others that he despised humans, although he wasn't sure why. Maybe it was because he didn't want to be thought as weak. Or maybe he thought demons would look down on him and not see him as a mighty demon. Sometimes he even thought it was because he was afraid that the same thing would happen to him that happened to his father, if he loved a human.

 

Although humans and demons could see that he obviously didn't hate humans, because of Rin always being by his side, he would still defend himself and say he hated them. Now all those feelings were gone. Suddenly he didn't feel like he had to defend himself and tell others that he hated humans. He was still a strong, mighty demon, even if he has a human as his mate.

 

Someday he hopes to overcome his father's strength and be an even mightier demon. Those thoughts were almost exaggerated for him, knowing the great demon that his father was. It would take many years and a great show of strength and power before he could ever be even close to being as great of a demon as his father. One thing he is sure of...he will never make the mistake of getting killed by humans and leaving Kagome to bring up a child all on her own. And he wouldn't allow a child of his to be as ignorant as InuYasha turned out to be.

 

“It's perfect! Thank you so much!” A chubby man said from beside Sesshoumaru.

 

Sesshoumaru looked at the door and noticed that while he was day dreaming, the door turned out to be finished. He swung it back and then opened it again to make sure that the hinges worked and the door fit in the doorway. He looked to the short man beside him and nodded as if to say; `no problem.'

 

“Them Raiders really gave us a mess to clean up eh Lord Sesshoumaru.”

 

Sesshoumaru turned around to find Ryouichi behind him. The guy looked happy as usual and he had dust all over his clothes. “They sure did.” Sesshoumaru replied. He continued walking to the next house that would need repairing.

 

“Did you find out why those Raiders were after your little Rin yet?” Ryouichi said, following behind Sesshoumaru.

 

`Oh great, I was so caught up in `other' things last night that I forgot to ask Rin.' “No, I-I forgot to ask her.” He said half shamefully. He usually never forgets anything.

 

“Forgot! Well both you and I knows that Raiders don't chase after people unless they carry something of value that they want.” Ryouichi said in his usual folksy accent.

 

“I know, but I can't see what they would've wanted from Rin. The only thing she usually has on her is her clothes.” Sesshoumaru pondered.

 

“I don't know, but if it was me, I'd be finding out just in case they might come back again for it.” The inu-youkai said, leaving his word of advice. “Well, I must go and help the poor souls with their fixing of the houses.” He said and turned off to help someone else.

 

`Could Rin actually have something that would make them come back again for it?' He wondered, suddenly worrying that they might attack the palace while he was gone. He could see the palace from where he stood, but it was almost a mile away from the village. He wouldn't be able to see a few Raiders go into the place.

 

Gathering wood for the next house, he tried setting the thought aside and hoped that Rin didn't have anything they wanted. For the rest of the day though, the thought would haunt him and he wouldn't be able to keep his mind on his work as good. He monotonously kept looking every minute to see if the palace was fine.

 

* * * *

 

“So, what's your favourite colour?” Kagome asked, as she swept around the dining table.

 

“Umm...I'd have to say silver.” Rin said, stopping her mopping for a moment to think. “What's your favourite animal?” Rin asked.

 

“Well... I think it would have to be cats. I've grown up with Buyo all my life.” Kagome replied.

 

“I like dogs!” Rin said cheerfully.

 

“Yes, I can see a pattern in your interests.” Kagome laughed, knowing the colour silver, and the favourite animal being a dog, all tied in to being Sesshoumaru.

 

Rin giggled. “Sesshoumaru means the world to me. He is the only one who has ever shown such care for me, and he protects me with his life. He may seem very mean and rough around the edges, but inside he is very soft. He used to always say he hated humans, but I know he really doesn't, I knew after he showed such kindness to me.”

 

`Wow, I've never heard Rin talk so maturely before. She hasn't even used her own name when she talks since we told her about Sesshoumaru and me being together.' Kagome thought, glad that Rin was so happy. “You're right. Sesshoumaru doesn't hate humans. I knew that even when I thought he was a vicious killing demon. I used to be scared of him when he would make his occasional visit to our group, but I always knew he didn't hate humans, otherwise he wouldn't have kept you by his side.” Kagome said, sweeping dirt and wood into the dustpan.

 

“I never thought in my wildest dreams, that I would end up in Sesshoumaru's palace, and in love with him.” Kagome said as she threw the dirt into a wooden garbage bin near the kitchen.

 

“Well, I think everything happens for a reason. I know I was meant to find Sesshoumaru that day in the woods. And I think that now, I am meant to have a beautiful mother.” Rin said, smiling.

 

Kagome looked over at Rin; she was leaning on her mop smiling. She felt tears coming to her eyes and ran over to Rin to give her a big hug. “Thank you so much, Rin.” She said as she cried. `It felt so good to hear that. She had felt that Rin really liked her and Rin had also implied that she would like Kagome as a mother. But, it felt really good to hear something as nice as that come from Rin.

 

“Kagome, you're the mother I've always wanted. Someone who talks and plays with me.” Rin said.

 

Kagome let her go and wiped the tears off her cheeks. “Well, I will always make time to play with you Rin.” She assured the little girl.

 

“Okay!”

 

“We best get back to work if we want to have most of the palace shining for when Sesshoumaru gets home.” Kagome said and went back to where she left her broom.

 

Kagome continued to sweep up all the dirt and wood pieces, while Rin mopped the floor behind her. It was a lot of work for two girls, but they were determined to fix everything up. Mioka joined in on the act and said she would clean up the kitchen, which made Kagome really happy.

 

A couple of hours passed and Kagome and Rin stood leaning on their brooms, wiping the sweat of their brows. “Looks great! We did a good job!” Kagome said, prideful of their shining dining room.

 

“Hey you two, I thought you would like a little snack before you started your next big assignment.” Mioka said cheerfully as she walked out of the kitchen with a pan full of muffins.

 

“Wow, thank you so much Mioka. They look delicious.” Kagome said and plucked one from the pan. She handed one down to Rin and then took a bite out of her own.

 

“No problem. A girl can't work if she has no food in her stomach.” Mioka said and then took a muffin out for herself.

 

“How's the kitchen coming?” Kagome asked.

 

“Oh great! I'm almost done. Luckily they didn't do too much damage in there.” Mioka replied.

 

“I guess it's soon time to start the biggest room.” Kagome said, looking down at Rin.

 

“You mean the main hallway by the staircase?” Rin asked.

 

“Hai, that's the one.”

 

“Alright, let's go. Sesshoumaru is going to be so surprised!” Rin said. She stuffed the last piece of her muffin into her mouth and then ran out of the dining room with her mop in hand.

 

“Once again, thank you Mioka.” Kagome said and turned to follow Rin.

 

“Umm...Kagome, this is going to be hard.” Rin said, suddenly discouraged. She stood in the middle of the hallway staring at the mess.

 

“We can do it Rin. We'll make it fun again.” Kagome said. She walked over to the gate and started sweeping up all the wood and dust.

 

“Where are you going to put the dirt?” Rin asked.

 

“Oh right, wait here while I run and get a garbage bin.” Kagome said and then ran off.

 

After a few moments Kagome came running back with a garbage bin and started sweeping again. This time though, there was something different. It felt like her body was telling her something; like she was sensing something. It felt oddly familiar and she didn't get a good feeling about it.

 

“Kagome, what's wrong?” Rin asked. She watched as Kagome stopped sweeping and stood staring at the ground.

 

“Oh, it's nothing Rin.” Kagome said, ignoring the feeling and continuing to sweep.

 

“I spy something that has many colours.” Rin said, starting a game she liked.

 

“Could it be the tapestry up there?” Kagome played along.

 

“Hai, how'd you know?”

 

“It just happens to be the only colourful thing in this room.” Kagome said.

 

Rin giggled and started thinking of another object to play eyespy with.

 

* * * *

 

Sesshoumaru crawled through the large opening in the gate and was very surprised at what he first saw. He almost didn't want to put his foot down on the floor. It looked cleaner than he had ever seen it. Instead of walking in with his shoes on like he usually does, he took off his black shoes and walked on the floor in his bare feet.

 

He went towards the dining room and found that it was just as clean, along with the kitchen. He had expected to come home to the palace being just as dirty as it had been when he left. `Kagome.' He smiled inwardly, knowing that only she would think of doing something this nice. `Where is she anyway?' He wondered and left the dining room.

 

As he headed up the stairs he could hear the sounds of Rin giggling coming from Kagome's room. He turned to his left and found Kagome and Rin sitting on the bed with Buyo between them.

 

“You're late getting home.” Kagome said, pointing out that it was dark outside.

 

“I know, but now there won't be as much work left to do tomorrow.” He explained. “Thanks for cleaning up the place. That must have took quite a while.” He said.

 

“It's okay, me and Rin wanted to help you out. And you look like you've been working hard all day.” Kagome said. She looked him up and down. His clothes were covered in dirt spots here and there, and his hair was ruffled up.

 

“Yes, I'm going to wash before I come to bed.” He said, looking down at his dirty self.

 

“Sorry we couldn't fix the gate. We would've, but it's way to big for us to even attempt doing anything with.” Kagome said.

 

“I wouldn't expect you to.” He replied. “That gate is almost five times bigger than the doors I was building today.”

 

“Lord Sesshoumaru, isn't this cat pretty.” Rin said as she petted Buyo. The cat purred of enjoyment.

 

“Hmph, cats aren't pretty.” He said, eyeing Buyo like he was guilty of something.

 

“Oops, sorry. I forgot that you don't like cats.” Rin replied.

 

“I'll be back right after my bath, you two don't go anywhere.” The youkai ordered. “Rin, I have to have a talk with you after.” He said and then walked out of the room.

 

“Oh no, I think I'm in trouble for something.” Rin pouted and looked up at Kagome with her bottom lip sticking out.

 

Kagome looked back at Rin. She didn't know why he wanted to talk to her. `What would he want to talk to her about.' She wondered, and then it came to her. “Oh wait, I bet it's about those Raiders and why they were after her.'

 

After waiting for a while, Sesshoumaru appeared in the doorway wearing a clean bathrobe. He walked in and sat down on the bed beside Kagome, looking at Rin. “Rin, I want to know why those Raiders were chasing you.” He asked.

 

“I don't know.” Rin answered innocently.

 

Sesshoumaru knew that her answer was the truth because he couldn't smell any `lie' coming from her. If she were lying, he would've been able to pick up the scent of fear. He knew that Rin probably didn't understand that Raiders only steal valuables, and tried forming the question in a better way so that she'd understand.

 

Meanwhile, Rin twiddled her thumbs and hung her head like she was in trouble for something, while Sesshoumaru was thinking.

 

Kagome just sat beside her mate quietly, but was once again getting that familiar feeling that almost tugged at her senses.

 

“I'll try putting it this way; Raiders like shiny things, such as jewelry. Did you have anything on you at that time that Raiders might have wanted?” He asked calmly.

 

“The only thing I had was my clothes and my shiny pink ball.” Rin replied truthfully.

 

“A ball? Why would the Raiders want a ball?” He said to himself.

 

`Shiny pink ball? Oh no, it couldn't be!' Kagome thought. She felt a bad feeling start to develop in her gut. “Rin, where is the ball?” Kagome asked as if she was in a big hurry.

 

“Kagome?” Sesshoumaru suddenly caught the scent of fear and anxiety coming from her.

 

“It's still in the pocket of my clothes that I wore yesterday.” Rin replied.

 

Kagome turned and ran out of the room towards Rin's room. She could hear Sesshoumaru call after her and then his footsteps running down the hall. She found Rin's clothes still lying on the floor and the familiar feeling was getting ten times stronger as she neared them.

 

“Kagome!” Sesshoumaru stopped at the room's doorway and watched as Kagome bent down to pick up the clothes.

 

She slid her hand into a pocket and closed her palm around what she dreaded to pull out. She now knew exactly what those feelings were. They were what she was hoping she was wrong about.

 

“Kagome.”

 

Kagome pulled her hand out of the pocket and opened her palm to find the small `shiny pink ball.' “Oh my god.” She turned around to face Sesshoumaru and Rin. “Where did you find this?” She asked, holding the Sacred Shikon Jewel out towards Rin.

 

AN: Yay finished! And a very fast update at that! Hee hee, I'm proud. Anyway I hope you all enjoyed this chapter!