InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Inutaisho Legacy ❯ Endless Peace ( Chapter 20 )

Dedicated to Inuskye for her massive help and ideas for plot, and to Inugrrrl for constantly prepping this inu's ego. Wouldn't have a semblance of any without either woman.

 

Disclaimer: Penpaninu does not claim to own Inuyasha nor is getting paid to write this. Only the reader comments are payment enough.

 

“The Inutaisho Legacy” chapter twenty

Endless Peace

 

“How do you think Jii-chan's getting along without Kaede?” Kagome wondered aloud. Inuyasha looked up and grunted, a broom clenched in his hands. Inutaro sat playing on the ground, his tiny hands clutching building blocks and other children's toys. He squealed and tossed his toys a few feet away. Inuyasha sighed and fetched his toys for him.

“I don't know, Kagome…. He's kinda in the clouds. Then again, he's always like that…” Inuyasha stooped to deliver the toys to his son's lap.

“Here you go, pup,” Inuyasha murmured, rubbing his son's scalp gently in his palm. Inutaro's white hair stood straight up. He grinned happily, displaying his two teeth. Inuyasha's wrists ached from the sight and he stayed on one knee to look up at his wife.

 

Kagome smoothed her hands over her short school skirt. Her eyes watched Jii-chan hobble around the courtyard, bamboo broom in hand. He seemed to be muttering to himself and rubbing his eyes. Kagome sighed and shook her head.

“He does seem to be absent-minded, doesn't he?” she murmured. “I wonder if Kaede will come back to visit him.”

“Yeah, cause the well only allows us to go back and forth,” Inuyasha said. He picked Inutaro up and kissed his cheek. His pup hugged his shoulder and closed his eyes.

 

“Our friend may not have much time left…and she's really been drilling Tamori-chan hard,” Kagome noted. Inuyasha didn't want to think about that natural possibility.

“Inuyasha, how long do you think…” Kagome started before Inuyasha stood to embrace her tightly.

 

“Don't worry about that, Kagome. It's natural, and life goes on its own way or whatever Miroku used to say…” Inuyasha murmured. Kagome hugged his waist tightly, burying her face in his plain white t-shirt. Inuyasha looked down when she sniffled.

“Hey… Kagome. She'll be at peace, don't cry,” he went on. Kagome smiled through wet eyes as he rubbed her back.

“I know, it's just that I'll miss her,” she said. Inuyasha kissed her brow.

“She's not dead yet, love.” He wisely observed. Inutaro crawled on the tiles and tugged at his mother's bare leg.

“MAH!” he cried out loudly. Kagome giggled down and reached down to pick up the quarter Inu. Inutaro grinned, showing off his small white teeth.

“You're trying to cheer me up too, aren't you, baby?” she asked, kissing his little puppy ears. Inuyasha seemed to take several liberties with Jii-chan being preoccupied.

 

“Looks like. Can you say papa yet? Paaaapaaaa,” Inuyasha's eyes crossed. Inutaro looked up questioningly at his father, and grinned.

“Peep!” he crowed. Inuyasha groaned as Kagome laughed.

“I think he means you!” she added helpfully. Inutaro wiggled his ears.

 

“Hey, is that baby's hat off? Put it back on!” Jii-chan called across the courtyard. Inuyasha face-faulted and shook his head.

“He just never lets up!” he groused. Inutaro waved his hands around and fought Inuyasha as he tried to slide his cap back over his scalp. Inuyasha growled under his breathe, and his pup matched him snarl for snarl.

“Be kind, he's without his sweetheart,” Kagome suggested. Inuyasha sighed as Inutaro got his hat on with a few bites to his wrists.

“Pup's still teething. You're gonna have to stop doing that to your old man,” Inuyasha said seriously. Inutaro looked up at Inuyasha and held his arms up.

“Up, peep!” he insisted. Inuyasha's face warmed and he held his son in his arms. Inutaro kissed his cheek sloppily. Kagome's laughter ran to the heavens.

 

* * * *

 

Shippou looked out of the doorway of his hut and surveyed his personal fields. They belonged to him and Kyoko specifically, and were their responsibility for their livelihood. Oft times Satsuki, Akane and Kyoko's other sisters would come to help out when Hida didn't need them underfoot in his own fields, and the two families helped each other out.

Shippou looked back inside as his wife made the morning meal. She wore a loose robe, her long hair bound back in a simple tail. The kitsune's eyes glazed in warmth when he caught her holding her sensitive middle with one hand while she stirred the rice with the other. Sango, with a nose for childbearing, had been first and right to guess of her impending pregnancy. Luckily they had been married within a fortnight of Sango's hints and advice, and Hida had no way of knowing they had been together far longer than their wedding night. Shippou had a feeling the large burly farmer would have pulled his tail out and hanged him with it if he had.

“Do you need any help, Kyoko?” Shippou asked. His hair hung unbound over his slim shoulders as he poked back into the hut. Kyoko looked up and smiled tenderly. His normally robust wife had grown quiet and soft as she grew wider and more sensitive to the hanyou growing inside her.

“I'm well, Shippou. Do you want any vegetables with breakfast?” she asked sweetly. Shippou held her shoulders in his hands and kissed her cheek,

“Don't overwork yourself, love. This will be fine,” he suggested. Kyoko handed him a bowl and chopsticks and Shippou sat cross-legged across from her.

 

Shippou didn't dig in until he saw his wife take the first bite. He had to wonder if their kit would have a tail and paws as he did.

“Shippou-kun! Heeeey are you home?” a voice called out from the fields. Kyoko raised an eyebrow as Shippou set his bowl down and made his way to the doorway.

“Hiko! Ginta! What are you doing here?” Shippou waved, making his way out into the grass. His paws didn't make a sound as he made his way to the sprinting wolf youkai.

 

“We come…ahead… of Koga…for a change!” Hiko panted. He and Ginta stood with their hands braced on their knees as they tried to catch their breath. Koga came up suddenly and hit him in the back of the head.

“You're not that much faster! I have a pup!” The wolf leader griped. Ginta held his head as Hiko leaned over. Shippou smiled and bowed at the waist.

“It's good to see you again, Koga-san. I can't express my gratitude to your attendance at my wedding,” he greeted. Koga broke decorum to clap his hand against his shoulder.

“It was a grand event, kid! I can't believe the high and mighty Sesshomaru decided to drink sake with all of us lowly youkai!” Koga put his hands on his slim hips.

Shippou laughed with him. “How is your son? He was so small last I saw him.”

 

Hiko laughed, “Young master Taki is a real fireball of energy! He's just a little bundle of youkai, but still strong.”

“You'd better believe it!” Koga growled.

“How fares your wife? Is she with child yet?” Ginta asked wisely. Shippou blushed but stood straight.

“She's coming along nicely. The kit must be taking her energy away, but she doesn't complain,” Shippou noticed. Koga nodded.

“Hey, did you hear the word put out? Speaking of Sesshomaru, the Lord of the Western Lands has asked us to appear at the Inu palace this evening. He has a proclamation to give personally to the youkai lords of this realm,” Koga said importantly. Hiko and Ginta stood strong and tall at his sides.

“And we're going as Koga's right hand men!” Hiko exclaimed. Ginta groaned.

“We have been for many years, you know.”

 

“Let me tell my wife,” Shippou said and made his way inside. Koga and his friends visited with Kyoko until it was time to report in on the mountain. Kyoko pulled a happi coat around her husband and tried to put a scarf round his neck.

“You forget I have fur!” Shippou laughed. Kyoko hugged his neck.

“Be careful, please. When shall I expect you back?” she asked softly. Shippou hugged her waist.

“Late this eve. As soon as Sesshomaru-san is finished with whatever he has to say,” Shippou promised. They kissed goodbye.

 

The three wolves and the kitsune without the company of humans decided to go all out and prowl their way up the mountainside. They ran and darted through the pristine green forests of the land and chased lesser animals in the wake of their demonic speed.

The four stopped before the youkai guards at the Inu palace gates. There seemed to be a consternation of activity for it took quite a while for the friends to be let in. Once they walked into the grand courtyard, they noticed legions of youkai lords of the realm were all gathered. They congregated and mingled uneasily as they awaited the arrival of the Lord of the Western Lands.

“Boy, talk about stuck-up,” Hiko muttered. The youkai gathered were dressed in their best kimonos. Koga and his men in their fur loincloths and bits of armor, and Shippou in his farmer's clothing complete with the old fur vest and Kyoko's happi coat made them look more ragtag than the youkai soldiers and yojimbo. The green silk sash he wore seemed far too rich to belong on his plain garments.

Shippou crossed his arms inside the billowy coat and nodded. His topknot swayed with his movements. “Well, we're entitled to come when the Western Lord calls.” How odd for him to refer to Inuyasha's once hated brother in his full title. It still seemed foreign to speak the words giving him the deferred respect.

Koga nodded and kept his strong arms crossed over his chest. His eyes seemed to be lined with dark circles these days, but his image of strength never receded. He would keep up the image of his clan's greatness. Hiko and Ginta took up positions at his elbows so he knew the effort was not in vain.

“Why has the Lord of the Western Lands called us here?”

“One says it is an important announcement.”

“One wonders what he has to say.”

“It is important or he wouldn't have called us all.”

“Including the riffraff of the region.”

 

Shippou's eye twitched and he tried to ignore them. His own father had been a strong and able warrior, so they did not know his bloodline was lacking of anything. They did not know him.

Finally Jaken shuffled onto the balcony high over the courtyard. A small dot hopped beside him and settled on the sleeve of his robe. Two burly guards flanked the goblin as he tapped the end of the Staff of Heads onto the hard plank wood floor.

“His reserved highness, the Lord of the Western Lands and of the royal Inu of the islands, Sesshomaru-sama!” Jaken exclaimed in his shrill annoying voice.

 

Shippou and Koga paid attention as Hiko and Ginta watched with them. Sesshomaru cut an imposing figure clad all in white to match the paleness of his skin. His white hair cascaded past his shins almost to the floor, unbound and resplendent against his fine bone-colored kimono. Stark polished black boots peeked out from the robes elaborate length and carried the tall stern lord behind Jaken.

Jaken backed to the side, showing full decorum in his bowing and scraping. The two guards merely crossed their massive arms over their chests and stood at attention.

Sesshomaru did not even have to clear his throat. His deep voice tolled like a bell across the vicinity of his courtyard as he explained his proclamation.

 

“This Sesshomaru of the Western Lands invites all of the youkai of noted name of the realm to hear his words. Many of you have been…concerned to our conventions to securing our Father's legacy,” Sesshomaru intoned. His emotionless golden eyes gazed at those in attendance. Friends neither, except for perhaps the wolf and kitsune. The Lord of the Western Lands had allies, not friends. He had explained it to Inuyasha already.

“This Sesshomaru exclaims your concern has fallen on deaf ears. The Lady Rin of the Western Lands carries the heir apparent.”

There was a stunned silence as Jaken finished up for his lord as Sesshomaru turned, his audience at an end. Once the edges of the Inu Lord's hair vanished around the corner, the courtyard was a buzz of consternation and or gossip.

 

“The human carries his child?? Took long enough!”

“One thought we'd have to supply an angle.”

“And one would think Sesshomaru-sama wouldn't know if you got involved.”

“Remember what happened to Takaharu.”

“That bleeding fool. His lordship is not one to be trifled with.”

 

Koga and Shippou gaped at each other, then laughed. “Come, let's see if we can extend our sincere congratulations!” Koga laughed. They slipped through a side passageway, Hiko and Ginta taking up the rear of their mismatched party.

All too soon, Myoga had hopped up to greet their errant allies. They were ushered into an intimate study where the resplendent white Lord waited.

“This Sesshomaru was wondering if you were coming in to speak to us,” Sesshomaru murmured lowly. Koga nodded and bowed at the waist, Hiko and Ginta taking his example.

 

“Consider this an invitation of friendship from the wolf clan,” Koga grinned.

“I come on behalf of my family, and the exterminator's village, to renew ties,” Shippou tried to sound adult but his bow wasn't as polished as Koga's.

 

Sesshomaru regarded them with his expressionless gaze and briefly lowered his eyes, his bare inclination to bowing his head. He was the higher youkai of rank here after all.

“This Sesshomaru hopes our children will continue this fealty of friendship,” he said smoothly. Koga grinned, imagining his Taki running through fields with Shippuo's kit and Inuyasha's nephew. Or niece. It was merely male pride that assumed it would be a son. Sesshomaru had called it the heir `apparent.'

 

“Sounds good! Shall we drink to that?” Koga grinned. Sesshomaru paled if that was possible.

“This Sesshomaru does not find that to be such a good idea, Koga-san.” He demurred. Shippou laughed, folding his arms inside his wide coat sleeves.

“Only because the sake effects your lordship,” Koga teased. Hiko and Ginta smiled behind him. Sesshomaru sighed.

 

In the royal bedchambers, Rin sat with her legs tucked beneath her. Her slim arms were cradled around her flat middle, and she murmured to the tiny life inside of her.

“You will be loved and cherished. My lord has waited for you for so long,” she whispered. Her belly throbbed as if the fetus within understood her.

 

* * * *

 

“The Lady Rin is finally pregnant,” Miroku observed to his wife. Sango, holding Hikaru's hand and carrying Nozomi in her sling nodded, her eyes shining. Souta walked beside his father, his small hands tangled in the hem of his hakama. Miroku tapped the end of his priest's staff into the dirt, jangling the metal at the top. Souta giggled, looking up with trusting eyes at his father's smile.

“I can't believe how everything is wrapping up,” Sango said. Hikaru clutched her hand tightly and sang as they walked along. Nozomi dozed against her back. Sango liked the warmth her bundle of daughter made against her and adjusted her gently. Nozomi worked a tiny fist against her mouth and yawned.

 

The young family was making their way to Kaede's village without the presence of their young hunters. Shun and Daisuke were visiting the exterminator's village for a change, and were on a long hunt in the woods with their brothers. Miroku had left the barrier up over the village, so he had no fear of not keeping one of them on watch. He leaned down to pick up his son in one arm. Souta clung to his neck with quiet gentleness that Miroku knew that Kohaku had once held. The priest kissed his son's round cheek and walked beside his wife and daughters.

“Everything is wrapping up. We can just live now,” Miroku agreed. His right hand, bare and open to the world, grasped his son's hip steadily. Kirara rode on Miroku's other shoulder in the same manner Shippou used to. Well before he had shot up into the heights he claimed his own father had.

“You know, Miroku…. If you asked me while we were looking for Naraku, if this would happen for us one day…”

“This, my darling wife?” Miroku smoothly intoned. Sango chuckled and squeezed Hikaru's hand.

“Marriage and children, confidential marriage and children,” her eyes sparked with a dangerous fire and Miroku tried not to sweat-drop.

“So what if I had asked you for it?”

“You did, you also asked every woman you met for children,” Sango dryly remembered. Miroku shook his head.

“You know I was just scared you wouldn't have me. It's only been you, Sango,” he assured his wife. Sango nodded and grinned.

“As it's only been you, Miroku,” Sango said shyly.

“Is that why you wouldn't marry that one lord's son?” Miroku asked. Sango nodded.

“And why you let me try to touch you?”

“Watch it, Miroku,” Sango warned.

“And why….”

“Enough! You're stuck with me for life,” she swore. Miroku grinned.

“That's what I wanted to hear, my wife,” he promised. The sounds of children laughing filtered through the forest as the family walked on. The priest and the exterminator watched their offspring, seeing bright futures for each.

Nozomi woke and cried out against Sango's back. The tall mother sighed and juggled her under one arm.

“I think someone misses someone,” Miroku smiled.

“Do you think Kagome-chan and Inuyasha will keep visiting us with their boy?” Sango asked. Miroku made a face at his baby to try and cheer her.

“We can only hope the Bone Eater's Well will keep that much of a link open to the past,” Miroku said sagely.” However, Inuyasha lives in Kagome's world to be with her and Inutaro. Can a bond of friendship be strong enough to keep the well open so they can come back in to us?”

 

Sango nodded sadly. “I would love to keep seeing them. Our children can grow up with their son.”

“And Koga's, and Shippou's,” Miroku noted. “I swear we could all sire a new band of warriors from our breeches. Oh and Sesshomaru's….”

“Miroku! The children are listening!” Sango warned. Hikaru giggled.

“Yes, wife…”

“Thank you, darling husband.”

 

Kaede and Tamori stood dressed in red and white against the browns and greens of the earth waiting for them. Sango and Miroku waved, and walked into the priestess' hut with their children.

 

* * * *

 

Sesshomaru swept into the room and watched his Lady wife. A few mere weeks later and the telltale signs of her pregnancy were becoming more obvious in their signs. Her cheeks were always flushed, her smile was brighter, and her stomach started to bud outward.

“Rin. Are you well?” he rumbled lowly and he was pleased when Rin looked up, her face tinged red. She made to kneel but Sesshomaru shook his head softly. So she remained standing and allowed her lord to grasp her elbows in his two strong hands.

 

“I am! And you, my lord? How did the announcements go?” she asked softly. Sesshomaru's eyes warmed and he dared plant a kiss upon her brow before the presence of his guards.

“They went well as expected…. For there is nothing anyone can do about what this Sesshomaru has announced,” Sesshomaru's golden eyes were as hot as the fire in the brazier and Rin's heart skipped a beat as she watched his stern face.

“Could there…not be?” she asked softly, transfixed by his beauty.

 

“Perhaps if you had a girl. Then we would try for our heir again,” Sesshomaru suggested. Rin found herself laughing from that statement.

“Oh, Sesshomaru-sama. I'll have as many children as you require,” Rin said idyllically. Sesshomaru laid a large hand against her middle. The Inu spirits of the mountain were as calm as he felt now.

 

End for now

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Most sincerely penpaninu 3/26/06