InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Inutaisho Legacy ❯ Visitations ( Chapter 4 )

For all who have been supportive and understanding, after my week of pain and healing. This story is for you.

 

I'm doing better! My head still isn't in the best of conditions (no head-banging yet) but my body is over all doing fine. I have taken too much of a break from this story and I thank you all for your patience. I have been way too lax and may have been using recovery as an excuse.

But the muse has bitten and bitten hard! All thanks to Inuyoukiskye for her ideas that helped shape this story. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't know what the heck I'd be doing with this. If you haven't seen her Yash music videos, go to the link at the end of chapter two and take a peek.

 

Many thanks to LedeFey. I'd say something twinny and snarky, but I'm not writing the FY fic so I'll keep the Boshi link out as much as I can and just hope she enjoys this chapter :P

 

Much gratitude is extended to KittyLynne. Without her continued support and kind words, my muse would have stayed sleeping after the crash. One gentle word inspires a world of possibilities. I hope you enjoy the stories in this verse, Miss Lynne.

 

I know they don't know Inuyasha that well, but Chris and Doreen, much grateful thanks for the roses you sent me today! They rest near my desk as a reminder to the sappy strength of friendship as I type this up. (laugh) Seriously, I heart you guys.

 

Honored place for reviewers:

 

FF.net: Inuyasha's only miko, Chibi Magik, thanks for cheering me up.

Silvery Magick Butterfly, same goes to you! I've enjoyed our emails. They helped stimulate my resting mind.

Room for Improvement and Sess' Sakura, I enjoy seeing your names up there ^_^ Thanks for the emails/kind words.

AngelDreamer21, I hope you like the steam I've included in this one! ^_^ I tried for SOME plot, in this chapter.

 

Adult FF.net: a lost soul and hanyou swimmer, once again I am astounded as to your consistent words. Thanks for tuning in!

Syko: noooo, car accidents not good! What a bad thing to share between us (laugh) I'm doing better, thanks for reviewing!

Inugrrl: oh come on, I love your crazy insane reviews! Pleeease enlighten me with your thoughts please (wink) Lemons, always good. Good for healing, better than Chicken Soup for the Soul. Write a lemon, or have sex today.

Urgazhi: …thank you so VERY much for your kind review. I was deeply flattered and touched. I'm glad you like my stories so far, and people like you inspire this inu that these stories need to be told. I hope you enjoy this chapter.

 

Disclaimer: Penpaninu does not claim to own Inuyasha in any way shape or form, but does claim to be Inu.

 

“The Inutaisho Legacy” chapter four

Visitations

 

Rin rested on her side and watched her Lord's pale chest move up and down. Her lord was eager to have her again and again after he mated her and while it was flattering, the upgrade in their relationship moved quickly. Within a fortnight, Rin became a woman knowledgeable in the art of pleasing Sesshomaru-sama.

 

While she still felt shy around his amorous advances, her actions far from told both of them she was still the girl who sang and skipped behind him on their journeys. She was grown in his eyes and his heart and she loved how he seemed to need her far more than ever after he marked her.

 

Her lord was a proud youkai and while he rarely uttered the words most humans seemed to crave on a daily basis, Rin was content how deeply his eyes communicated his feelings and how his body revealed his wants of her. His face while remaining a polished mask for his court and the world to see, was merely a slip for all but her, she knew. So Rin was content to bow at his side in public, and know while his lips did not curl into a smile, his eyes were far warmer for her. Even in the presence of others.

 

She was the only one to see his mask slip, and this was only when they were alone. Each growl or groan warmed her insides and after his beautiful face contorted in the familiar grimace during orgasm, his lips would move into the smallest of smiles. Contentment. That is the sensation her lord received in their bed and satisfaction in knowing this made Rin content also.

 

Rin giggled and ran her small fingers down his heaving chest and kissed his shoulder. Sesshomaru made a small sound between a whuff and a sigh. Rin thought of a dog yipping and smiled widely, running her hand down his flat belly. Sesshomaru's stomach concaved under her touch and he smiled, opening his golden eyes.

 

Rin watched transfixed as he smiled once again at her and leaned up to kiss her. They both had become rather professional at this gesture of human affection and used it as a precursor and follow-up to sex. Rin nibbled on his lower lip, making her lord growl in low amusement. His arm cradled her close, their warm bodies pressing together.

 

“Are you well, Rin?” he murmured deeply, cupping her cheek with his palm. Rin nodded and closed her eyes, smiling. She kissed his hand and laid her head on his chest.

 

“Always when I'm with you,” she whispered and she could hear her lord's small snort of appreciation. His large hand ran down her back, fingers trailing over the curve of her spine and through her dark hair lazily.

 

Sesshomaru inhaled the favored scent of his mate, her utter female smell going straight to his lust-ridden brain. The smells of her mixed with him never failed to stroke his ego and her own natural personal scent attracted his body to hers on a regular basis. While he knew each hint of her arousal by nose, he could not help sniffing the air carefully every other time they had mated in the weeks after their marking.

 

She was definitely in heat for him. But thus far while she was filled with his seed, none had taken root yet. Sesshomaru was content in the time they had with each other. Should he choose to prolong his Rin's life to match a youkai's, or even a hanyou's, they would have several more years together than a normal human's lifespan. And they had countless years then to make an heir.

 

It didn't mean Sesshomaru wouldn't like to see his mate carrying the fruit of his passions now. Rin squealed when he pressed her down on the bed at this thought, growing hard with want of her to be pupped by him.

 

Sesshomaru pressed Rin carefully on her hands and knees and rose behind her to grasp her hips. Rin shook in his hand, tingling with deep arousal at this submissive position that allowed her to take him deeply inside of her.

 

“My lord,” she moaned, canting her hips up as Sesshomaru's erection pressed against her and stretched her firmly. She throbbed while he burned. Several long thrusts and Rin clasped him tightly, urging her lord to come to his end. Sesshomaru held Rin's belly with his large hand and came sharply. His seed dripped down Rin's thigh as he separated gently from her squeezing warmth. Sesshomaru groaned, pressing his brow against her shoulder, bringing her to lay down.

 

Rin enjoyed the feeling of him pressed against her back as they rested on their sides. She turned to see her lord's eyes fluttering closed burned with the knowledge that she had tired him.

 

He had far done the same for her. Rin allowed sleep to take her away to where her lord was.

 

* * * *

 

Inuyasha swept the shrine courtyard, humming to entertain Inutaro as he hung in the sling on his back. His son was far more amused babbling to the elderly women who came just to see him, and reaching up to grasp at butterflies that evaded his grasp.

 

“Whoa, hey hold on there, pup,” Inuyasha murmured as he knelt to sweep up the pile of leaves he had made. His son burped and wriggled against his father's back, feet tapping against him and otherwise ignoring him.

 

“Jii-chan! Can you hold the pup for a second?” Inuyasha groused as he rose up to take the sling off carefully. His son tilted his head to the side and regarded him seriously, then grinned as the shrine's owner came around the corner.

 

Grandpa put a hand on his ample hip and raised a fine eyebrow. It didn't matter how well Inuyasha kept up to his demands or how he lavished attention on his child, he almost always would be that grandson-in-law he considered a delinquent for putting his granddaughter in an uncompromising position of early motherhood.

 

“What do you want, Inuyasha?” he returned the hanyou's frown and the two locked gazes, neither compromising to blink. Inutaro cried out, jarring the two men and Inuyasha grimaced in embarrassment as his son giggled at him.

 

“Ah, sorry, pup….. here, you wanna see yer big Jii-chan?” he asked, flashing Jii-chan a bright grin. Jii-chan regarded him with his raised brow, but sighed and took the child in his arm.

 

Instantly the old man's face, which was usually pre-set in a frown, relaxed as Kagome's son wriggled happily against him. “Aren't you getting big, child! Oh yes, you're the spitting image of my Kagome…”

 

Here Inuyasha snuffed in indignation, as he pushed his white ponytail over his shoulder self-consciously. His golden eyes gleamed in partial hurt as he gazed away at the crowd of shrine visitors.

 

“Inuyasha, you shouldn't call Inutaro a puppy while the people are here to see the shrine,” Jii-chan commented, tickling his granddaughter's offspring. Inutaro shrieked happily and latched onto Jii-chan's other hand to chew on his gnarled fingers. Jii-chan laughed despite himself.

 

“And why not??” Inuyasha asked, crossing his arms. “He IS part inu…. So he's my pup.” It made perfect sense to him, and even Kagome. Why couldn't her grandfather just get it?

 

“I doubt anyone else will understand it!” Jii-chan howled in protestation. Inutaro wriggled in his arms and voiced a small cry of concern. Jii-chan's wrinkled face split into another smile and cradled him close.

 

“You can at least let him not wear a hat outside,” Inuyasha grumbled, as Jii-chan adjusted Inutaro's fuzzy cap. “It's too hot for him!” He himself was resigned to a bandana, but his son always reached up to try and tug the warm hat off of his head as his hand motions grew more controlled.

 

Jii-chan grunted and readjusted Inutaro's cap. “I'm sorry, baby, but you need to wear this outside.” Inutaro kicked his feet and whined, his eyes wide and terrified. Jii-chan's grin couldn't cheer him now.

 

Inuyasha grinned, glad that Inutaro was of the same opinion. “See, you'll make him sad. My pup likes his ears out….”

 

“Call him the baby!” Jii-chan interrupted.

 

“He's my pup! So he's the pup already!” Inuyasha growled. Jii-chan patted Inutaro's back.

 

“Baby!”

 

“Pup!”

 

“Baby!”

 

“Pup!”

 

“WHAT is going on here?” Mama Higurashi asked, walking up carrying a grocery bag. Inuyasha and Jii-chan turned from each other and managed to look abashed.

 

“I was telling your honorable father that my son's ears are too hot in this weather,” Inuyasha said carefully. Mama giggled and patted Inuyasha's shoulder.

 

“Can't Inutaro take his hat off? Just this once?” Mama asked, kissing Inutaro's cheek. Her grandson burped a spit bubble and laughed. Inuyasha beamed, waiting for Jii-chan to wilt.

 

But his boss had no ideas to submit to the hanyou's will, nor his daughter's wiles. “No! Absolutely not! I am putting my foot down!” Jii-chan stomped one sandal on the tiles for emphasis.

 

Inutaro squealed in response, and Inuyasha sighed, taking his son in one arm.

 

“FINE,” he groused. “Don't blame me if the kid winds up hating you…” Inutaro burbled up at his father in questioning as they went to greet Souta and Kagome at the steps.

 

“Hey, Inutaro! Uncle Souta's home,” Souta beamed, standing on his tiptoes to peer into the baby's face. Inutaro hiccupped in response. Inuyasha grumbled to the boy who looked up to him.

 

“Uhm…” Kagome looked curiously at her husband as he looked far lost in thought. “Souta, can you take Inutaro inside for his nap?”

 

Inutaro crowed in retaliation but Souta grinned. “Course, Sis! I got him, Nii-chan.” The thin boy carefully took the baby in his arms and Kagome wound the sling around his neck. She bent to kiss Inutaro's pursed lips and stroke his fine white hair. Inutaro giggled as Souta jogged lightly carrying him with him. Kagome touched Inuyasha's face when they were alone.

 

“I can feel it. Something's troubling you,” his mate said wisely. Inuyasha barked a weak laugh.

 

“I don't know what the heck's wrong with me, Kagome! We don't have any more battles, I've got you and the pup…”

 

“BABY!” Jii-chan hollered across the courtyard and Inuyasha groaned, head falling to his chest.

 

“But I feel like something's going to happen.” Kagome took Inuyasha's hands in hers and soothed her thumbs over the backs of them.

 

“I only feel a slight apprehension for the future.” She started. Inuyasha looked like he was ready to howl out at whatever was irking his mate, or go off running to fight it with claw and Tetsusaiga. “BUT….. I think anyone would feel this in a normal life. My love, we have won. We are together and our son has a safe future. What part of that wouldn't feel a little bit scary, especially to people like us?”

 

Kagome's smile lit the world. Inuyasha stared at her in amazement. “Do you have any idea how much I love you, Kagome?” he asked huskily, sounding almost in pain.

 

Kagome cupped his face and stood high on her toes to press a kiss against his lips. “Maybe just a little bit of an idea,” she teased. Inuyasha's arms went around her back and held her close as he deepened the kiss.

 

Souta peeked out of the kitchen window and groaned. “See, that, Inutaro?” he asked his nephew who sat in his baby carrier on the kitchen table. “You have to make Sis and Nii-chan just stop doing that. That's how you got here in the first place.”

 

Inutaro kicked his feet, rocking his carrier back and forth as he waited for his uncle to hand him a toy to chew on.

 

* * * *

 

Inuyasha and his family visited their friends in the past once more. Passing by Kaede's village, the small family was grieved to see their old friend in bed with a severe fever.

 

“I'll be all right, you two,” Kaede smiled weakly. “It's just a bad cold that's been passed through the village. I'll be up and about in one day's time.”

 

Kagome and Inuyasha insisted on staying with her and when one day turned to three before Kaede could sit up without help, the two took serious counsel together.

 

“Kaede-baa-chan, it took you this long to eat on your own,” Kagome said, hugging the aged miko's shoulders. Inuyasha nodded sagely, patting Inutaro's back for a burp after his feeding.

 

“Inuyasha and I discussed it and we'd like you to stay with my family until you're well.” Or passed, her words seemed to indicate. Inuyasha, having lived over two hundred years and surpassing his mother's lifespan quite largely, felt a severe grief that the little sister he remembered tagging after Kikyou would one day soon be part of the earth.

 

Kaede beamed, the craggy lines in her face drawn taut with pain. “I would very much enjoy that, my dear children. Would the well permit this old soul to pass through the barrier?” she inquired. Inuyasha and Kagome met each other's eyes, questioning anxiety exchanged silently.

 

“We'll come to that when the time comes,” Inuyasha murmured, as his son burped loudly. Inutaro wriggled against his father's chest and pushed against his shoulder.

 

“I would very much like to see the world you live in, my dear child Kagome,” Kaede said beatifically and Kagome's eyes filled with tears.

 

“You'll love it, Kaede-baa-chan! It's noisy, but you'll be comfortable in your visit… Souta and Mama will make you feel welcome.” Kaede patted Kagome's shoulders as she sniffled.

 

“Hey, don't forget your Jii-chan,” Inuyasha rolled his eyes. Inutaro wriggled his legs until Inuyasha sat him on his diapered bottom. “I'm sure he'll think she's a monster come to visit, like me…”

 

“Those scrolls are harmless and you know it, Inuyasha!”

 

“Thine own grandfather, you said, Kagome-chan?” Kaede asked. Kagome was surprised to see a look of interest in the old woman's eye.

 

“Ur, yes. I'm sure you two can exchange many words of legend or…” Kagome started. Her eyes brightened and she smiled. “I'm sure you'll enjoy meeting him.”

 

“I can't stay long, I must secure a priestess to succeed this village in due time. But, I would enjoy your family's company,” Kaede mused.

 

* * * *

 

Sesshomaru strolled with his most loyal of followers as they made their way through the forests of the Western Lands. Jaken jogged carefully by Rin's side, keeping pace with her more sedately stride. Their Rin had certainly mellowed out due to Sesshomaru-sama's attention, and maybe for the better. She still smiled as they kept going in their small journey, but her skipping and singing were dulled to a light humming and a gentle modest walk.

 

Jaken reflected Rin had certainly grown after Sesshomaru-sama had broken her in, but he missed her insane songs oddly enough. However demure Rin had grown, she still held a warm smile and word for him. It pleased the old goblin retainer that she would still regard him as a friend even as repulsive as he could be around her.

 

`His Lordship is a lucky youkai,' Jaken thought, trotting with the Head of Staffs clutched with both hands. `Any one who has Rin for his own must cherish her for the rest of her life.' Rin smiled down at him as if hearing his thoughts and Jaken blushed.

 

“Rin. Jaken. Keep up,” Sesshomaru-sama ordered calmly from in front of the group and Jaken's jaw dropped.

 

“Yes, Sesshomaru-sama! I will follow you to the ends of the islands,” Jaken exclaimed. Sesshomaru looked over one wide shoulder to see Rin's smile deepen in affection and she nodded, meeting his eyes.

 

How refreshing his mate and their servant got along so well as always. Now that Rin was his rightful Lady of the Western Lands, there would be no more rough and tumble campsite on their small treks. Sesshomaru, as the reigning youkai lord of the region, ordered room and board each night at whatever village they passed. It pleased his more lordly side to take his mate in someone else's house as tribute for not damaging their livelihood while Jaken kept watch outside, but he was resolute. He would not have his Lady camping in the dirt.

 

She was his partner and deserved only the best. Sesshomaru slowed and let Rin stroll up to stand at his side instead of two steps behind and to the left.

 

“Sesshomaru, where are we going?” she asked calmly and Sesshomaru looked down to her.

 

“We are going to see my half brother and his family,” he said smoothly and his chest seized at the memory of that other woman. She had been so warm under him…

 

Rin smiled prettily and clasped her hands before her kimono demurely. “Kagome-sama? I haven't seen her for years, my lord. Is she well?”

 

Sesshomaru's mask stayed in place but his heart seized in warmth. It didn't throb happily as it did with Rin, but seared painfully within his breast. He realized, that it hurt. The memory of Kagome Woman hurt. Funny how his mate could make his emotions appear so categorized. Or noticeably, for that matter.

 

“She is, if I imagine. Myoga has informed this Sesshomaru of the birth of my half brother's son.”

 

Jaken snorted behind Sesshomaru but Sesshomaru ignored him as Rin gasped happily. “A baby! Oh my lord….” Sesshomaru knew she was thinking when she would have their own pup, and it touched him. His eyes warmed and the reaches of his mouth pulled forward.

 

“We shall try again tonight, my Lady,” he suggested smoothly. Rin flushed scarlet and nodded, her eyes riveted upon his golden orbs.

 

“Shall we continue on, Sesshomaru-sama?” Jaken squawked behind the pair. Sesshomaru turned sharply, making his retainer fall to his knees in supplication. His eyes flashed fire at his servant and Rin's hand upon his sleeve made him stop a beating.

 

Jaken rose to his feet and bowed sharply to his Lady and she smiled kindly. The goblin flushed to himself and followed quickly. Why were his kind cursed with such short legs?

 

* * * *

 

“Youkai! Youkai!” Daisuke and Shun hollered, ringing the high tower's bell. Hikaru grasped her bokken and watched her parents fly into action, grabbing weapons and prayer scrolls as they charged from the house. Kagome gathered a sniffling Souta as Inuyasha dumped Inutaro and Nozomi on her lap

 

“You stay here!” he snarled to his mate, notching Tetsusaiga an inch loose with his thumb as he turned to dart from the house after his friends. Inutaro wailed unhappily and Kagome grasped Inuyasha's sleeve before he could run. She leaned up and pulled him down for a quick kiss.

 

“Be careful!” she insisted, worry warring in her heart. Inuyasha's heart ached in return and he nodded, rubbing his child's head with one hand.

 

“It's okay, kids….” He flashed a grin to his pup. “We've got this under control!” Kagome watched her hanyou husband charge outside and hugged the two babies to her chest.

 

Nozomi boxed Inutaro's ear lightly, engaging his attention, and the two squirmed in Kagome's arms. Kagome sang lightly, listening for sounds of combat.

Souta leaned against Kagome's side and whimpered. Kagome sat the babies down before her and hugged the boy.

 

“It will be fine, Souta-chan. Your parents and Inuyasha-san are taking care of it,” she beamed. Souta smiled faintly and sucked his thumb.

 

Daisuke and Shun swung down from the high tower and grabbed yaris and pikes respectively. Ataru and Tatsumaru stood at the gate, peering through slits in the wood as their employers joined them.

 

“What wanders out there?” Miroku intoned, his brows narrowed. For once he was wearing a hunter's standard outfit of hakama and haori. He still grasped his priest's staff and held a handful of scrolls while his wife was more at ease in her own loose village clothing. She hadn't time to don her exterminator's armor, but she was also ready in standard hakama and haori, the sleeves still tied back for washing vegetables. Her bare arms were thin but still corded with elegant muscles as she stood at the ready.

 

She held Hiraikotsu in one hand and her katana tightly with the other. Husband and wife smiled at each other, blood yearning for another battle. They knew family life hadn't softened them in the least.

 

“It's a tall pale youkai, Miroku-san! He has a human girl with him!” Ataru called. Tatsumaru unsheathed his no-dachi and turned to the exterminators.

 

“Shall we meet them?” he asked slowly. Miroku nodded and the gate slowly opened.

 

Sesshomaru strode right up to the barrier seeing the gate open and the young men quailed silently, holding defensive stances. Miroku and Sango watched him, seemingly at ease as they stood side by side. Rin slowly followed her lord and Jaken, seeing the weapons brandished to his lord, jumped to guard his Lady.

 

“Stay back, Rin!” he squalled, brandishing the Staff of Heads menacingly. Rin stopped and nodded, her eyes wide and open with concern.

 

“I have come for Inuyasha,” Sesshomaru commanded, his youki undisturbed by Miroku's barrier. The priest slowly began to sweat realizing that and grasped the scrolls in his haori lapel. They may not be able to stop Inuyasha's brother if he chose to walk on in.

 

“We can't…”

 

“Sesshomaru!” Inuyasha growled, strolling up behind Miroku and Sango. Daisuke put a hand on Hikaru's head and looked down at her, shaking his head silently. She had followed Inuyasha out, and if anything happened to her, Daisuke wouldn't know how to apologize for not seeing her join them until the last moment.

Hikaru nodded and backed up, darting to run back to the house. Daisuke watched her over his shoulder then diverted his full attention to the massive youkai stepping up to the open front gate.

 

“Inuyasha,” Sesshomaru greeted smoothly, his impassioned eyes taking in his half brother from head to toe. He still favored his fire rat robe and hakama, feet bare to the earth like a village whelpling. He looked older though, with small lines of exhaustion around his golden eyes. All in all, his father's son looked slightly worn in his role of fatherhood, but a far more experienced player in his life's role.

 

“What do you want?” Inuyasha growled evenly. He still held Father's Fang, Sesshomaru noticed, right hand reaching for the warped wrapped handle expertly.

 

“I came to see your family,” Sesshomaru commanded evenly and his half brother's face darkened further.

 

“If you mean Kagome, she doesn't want to look at your face again,” Inuyasha snarled and Sango frowned, tensing her stance at his side. They all knew what this tall pale Inu lord had done to their friend and even if it would be a futile battle, they would retaliate upon an intrusion to their home.

 

“I am referring to your son. Myoga informed me of your heir's birth,” Sesshomaru murmured. Inuyasha tensed further and Miroku watched with concern out of the corner of his eye. To think one had peace, then to be forced to keep that peace with a ready blade to keep your family from capture!….

 

“You stay away from my son!” Inuyasha growled lowly, male pride sweeping through his words and being. Sesshomaru nodded, paying the bare minimum of homage to his powerful vow.

 

“As Father's heir, I would look on your son,” he urged firmly. Inuyasha would have forbidden him again, but Rin glided forward and bowed at the waist before the gate.

 

“Hey, aren't you?…” Miroku started. He and Sango locked eyes and nodded. A small girl running barefoot into the courtyard and flinging herself upon Sesshomaru's ravaged form…

 

`Leave Sesshomaru-sama alone!'…. the powerful childish scream resounded in their memories.

 

The teenager nodded and gave the smallest of beatific smiles. “My lord has traveled all this way, at his sole express wish to visit the Lord Inuyasha and his family. Will you please permit him this, even for a moment?”

 

Sesshomaru stood stock still, looking down at his mate. No one but her would sense the slight change in his demeanor, but she felt a wave of admiration wash over her from his eyes. She shivered with delight, but focused her attention on her diplomatic plea.

Jaken stomped a webbed foot at her side, and all but ruined her statement with a demand that they drop the spiritual barrier for his lord and master.

 

Shun and Ataru groaned, readying their weapons yet again. It may come down to a battle after all. But Inuyasha walked before his comrades and stopped them.

 

“Let them in,” he commanded and the young human men jumped, and stood back. Miroku held two long fingers an inch apart then pinched them together noticeably. The loud hum of static vanished and Inuyasha's ears twitched noticeably at the lack of background noise.

 

Sesshomaru strode elegantly through the gate, Rin at his side instead of behind him. Inuyasha noticed this right away, and he could smell his brother all over her. Her kimono collar pulled slightly, revealing his mark. So the young follower grew to be his half brother's mate! That would make her Lady of the Western Lands.

 

Inuyasha almost sat down on his rear in the grass, wanting to laugh hysterically to the heavens. If he so much as uttered a giggle of mirth, he would start sobbing and he wouldn't be able to stop. He saw his human mother in his mind's eye, once more, beautiful but colorless in memory. Rin all but resembled her in his flash of memory as she stood by her tall Inu lord, dark against his paleness.

 

Inuyasha looked Sesshomaru in the eye and gave a fierce smile. “Our father would be pleased.”

 

Sesshomaru looked at his half-brother evenly but did not answer. Rin did not know how to respond to that, one bit.

 

Gradually, the group of hunters edged around Sesshomaru and his small entourage, letting them walk to the main house kept by Miroku and Sango's family.

 

Kagome felt rather than heard her mate's call to come out, and Sango met her at the door to take Nozomi and Souta. Hikaru dashed up to Inuyasha's side, chubby hand clasped over her bokken's handle. The hanyou smiled down at her, but shooed her gently to the side. Miroku let her clutch his hakama pant leg instead as they all but held their breaths as to what would happen next.

 

Kagome took Inuyasha's hand outside, one arm clutching Inutaro close to her shoulder. Her boy squealed happily as he was taken outside once more, sniffing then sneezing at the cold breeze. Rin beamed, seeing this baby, but waited for her lord to make the first move.

 

Kagome met Sesshomaru's eyes and almost froze. Naked fear warred in her gaze and her fingers gripped Inuyasha's arm strong enough to leave an imprint. He did not grimace, but let her hold onto him, his heart assuring her through their link that he would not leave her, ever.

 

`I love you. I'm here. I love you. He won't touch you.' Inuyasha's heart conveyed. Kagome took strength from him and adjusted Inutaro to her shoulder. He turned his head as best he could to view the new people, darkened eyes tinged with gold blinking widely.

 

“You will forgive me if I don't refer to you as my lord,” Kagome chose as way of greeting. Sesshomaru watched her, silent. What bite his brother's mate had. Their encounter had hurt her as much as it wounded him to have her taken away.

 

“I do not wish to claim you, woman,” he whispered and Sango made a face as if smelling something bad. Nozomi clung to her neck and giggled, not seeing the look of open hate on her mother's face. Miroku touched her arm and murmured lowly to her.

 

“Well, you see him, don't you?” Inuyasha growled, reaching with one hand to cover his son's head. Inutaro's ears wiggled against his father's claws and he laughed as they were tickled involuntarily.

 

“Yes, I do.” Sesshomaru gestured and Kagome turned Inutaro slightly for him to see. Dark eyes surrounded by gold met the Inu lord's gleaming orbs. Tufts of white hair highlighted with gray covered the child's scalp, around the small puppy ears on the top of his head. He squirmed with happy energy, still a pup, but strong nevertheless.

 

Sesshomaru was not sure what he thought of the quarter inu. But it intrigued him secretly. “His name?” he asked.

 

“Inutaro,” Kagome spoke quietly but fiercely, pride surrounding her words. Inuyasha clasped her shoulder with his hand, regarding Sesshomaru with a wary warning.

 

“It is a fine name,” Sesshomaru commented. Rin smiled happily at his side and the couple looked to each other.

 

“And you…are well?” Kagome asked, but it wasn't to Sesshomaru. Rin nodded, and bobbed a bow to the miko.

 

“I am. My gratitude for your asking,” Rin answered politely.

 

The tense visit was about over. Sesshomaru turned grandly, his empty sleeve draping wide with the movement. “Come, Rin.” He left Jaken scrambling after them.

 

The group of humans and partial inu watched the full-blooded youkai stroll out of the gate, Rin and Jaken in tow. Once Jaken's feet carried him beyond the gate, Shun and Tatsumaru leaped to run and crash the gate shut.

 

Miroku wiped his brow with his sleeve and gave a mighty sigh. Hikaru eased from his leg and looked up at him curiously. “Why didn't you slay him, Papa?” she asked innocently.

 

Daisuke shivered and shouldered his yari. Even the child should have felt that demon's immense youki signature. He would have swallowed them whole before they got one swing out against him.

 

Inuyasha wrapped his arms around Kagome's shoulders, holding her and his pup close. Inutaro babbled against his chest, trapped between his parents as they leaned against each other.

 

“Kagome…it's going to be okay….” He whispered. Kagome buried her face in his neck, eyes closed.

 

“Kagome-chan…we can watch Inutaro tonight once more,” Sango lightly suggested, sensing her friends needed some `alone' time. Miroku nodded, picking up Souta with one arm.

 

“Thank you,” Kagome whispered. Her shoulders slightly shook and Inuyasha watched her with naked concern.

 

* * * *

 

Two bodies entwined on the grassy banks of the washing pond near the exterminator village. Inuyasha's body was pale in the moonlight and Kagome's legs around him were a shade more tanned beneath him. They had dropped towels and articles of clothing near the pond, and fell into each other's arms rather quickly once they had left the village walls. No words needed to be spoken, no questions needed to be asked.

 

They both needed each other in the worst way and their movements sought to expel their stress and worries. Inuyasha pushed firmly into his beloved wife, seeking to thrust his anguish and anger away into the night's cool breeze. Kagome held onto him, arched wide beneath his wild strokes. Gradually, she pushed on his chest and moved to straddle him from above. Inuyasha's hands stroked her belly and hips, helping her move on top of him. He watched, fascinated, and transfixed as he helped his mate work against him in fierce short pumps that left the both of them gasping needlessly.

 

Their eyes met through the lust-filled joining, and open love poured between the two of them through their link. Inuyasha's eyes held the stars and Kagome's the heavens. Inuyasha groaned, arching up high to fill his mate with his seed as his lips nibbled her shoulder. Kagome held his shoulders, hips flush against his, as she cried out sharply. Their liquids drenched her thighs as she rested against him gladly.

 

Inuyasha lay on his back, and let Kagome use him for a bed as they rested quietly. The forest's cicadas chirped around them and sang lightly, all but easing the tension in their memories. Their love sang quietly in their blood and soft caresses and both were content for the moment.

 

* * * *

 

Across the forests, Sesshomaru was dissatisfied to watching his Lady help their servant prepare a measly campsite out in the open. It was so like their earlier travels, but the nearest village was a full days walk from the exterminator's home.

 

Rin sat by his side as Jaken cooked forest mushrooms for him and for her. “My lord Sesshomaru-sama, why was the Lady Kagome sad to see us?” she asked wisely.

 

Sesshomaru titled his head back to look up at the celestial constellations in the night skies. “Rin. You may love your lord. But your lord has hurt and been hurt….”he dared say. Rin sat very still as Sesshomaru-sama cleared his throat to speak calmly of what had transpired.

 

And her heart bled for him and for Kagome-sama when he had finished. She turned from her lord that night, and while he could have taken her if he wished, he did not. It hurt Sesshomaru and while he would never voice that to Rin, she felt it in their link.

 

In the morning, Rin took her pleasure with her lord in a clearing far from Jaken, resolute to ease his pain. Sesshomaru's heart hurt so much, she feared, she had damaged it further by refusing him before.

They came together, fitting closely as before, but deeper yet as Rin had learned something new about her lord and husband.

 

Afterward, Sesshomaru buried his face in his mate's neck, and allowed her to caress his shoulders and back and cradle him close. It frightened him how much he had needed her, to come to grips with the memory and meeting again of Kagome Woman, and with his own heart.

 

Rin, feeling his heart, merely held him closer and sang lightly. “Rin…you understand why…” he began, murmuring against her breast but she stopped him.

 

“Sesshomaru-sama… I know you hurt from…what you did.” Rin did not fear her lord doing the same to her what had happened to Kagome-sama, but she worked past the inevitable crime committed. “But I love you. I will always love Sesshomaru-sama. And I want him to always love me.”

 

Sesshomaru's heart clenched and the knot around the organ finally burst. Warmth flooded their link and he grasped his human mate tightly. “I do. Always. “ I do love you.

 

The words were unspoken, but Rin knew them to be in the warm heart she felt.

 

End for now

 

`~~~~~~

Ha HAH! This end chapter turned out to be a bit better than I thought it would go. I decided to go for the serious instead of the silly, so a certain joke will have to wait, Inuyoukiskye. But, full kudos to this fabulous inu friend of mine for urging the plot to come out in this story. She got the idea, I'm but telling it.

Once again, if you're looking for a Yash or anime music video, take a look at Inuyoukiskye's page!

http://inuyoukiskye.zippyvideos.com/

And as for my tale, like it, hate it? Please review and share a word!

 

Most sincerely yours in headaches, penpaninu 11/08/05