Ch. 4

The odd little group slowly made their way through the small mortal village. As they walked the overpowering scent of fear that hung on the village like a fog began to fade. The mortals who inhabited the place slowly began to exit their homes and go about their day. Mortal children exited many of the huts to bunch into groups and began to play. Inu no Taishou and Lady Izayoi could not believe what they were seeing.

After a few minutes of pondering the mortals strange behavior Inu no Taishou could bare to wonder no longer. Looking to his youngest son he spoke "InuYasha what makes these mortals feel so at ease? Do mortals no longer fear youkai?" InuYasha laughed looking around; the villagers in this area were quite unique indeed. "Villagers all around here are use to youkai passing through. Most mortals aren't like that though. It has been a while since any youkai attacked these villages. If an offensive youkai gets too close it dies." The great inuyoukai said nothing but smiled inwardly knowing that he had finally found the place he had so long sought.

Kagome felt an odd tension from the middle of the small group. She had no doubt that it was Sesshoumaru. Sesshoumaru was always uncomfortable in human villages since he detested them so. The walked to the largest hut in sight and the four in front: InuYasha, his mate, the slayer, and the monk went inside. The remaining beings, which consisted mostly of youkai, stood looking at it.

Sesshoumaru reluctantly began to enter knowing that Rin would need to lie down. He went inside just long enough to lay Rin on the large mat and walked back outside. "Jaken" He growled ignoring his father's wondering gaze "Take Ah Un and go to the palace. Bring Rin's servant and one of her kimonos, do not choose it yourself. If you leave even one of these things behind you will sorely regret it, providing I let you live long enough." Knowing he was in danger of death the little toad like youkai sped off as fast as he could.

Inu no Taishou turned to face Izayoi who stood with a bewildered look on her face. He knew what she was thinking; she had seen his eldest son's mother and was now insecure about her place in his life. Vowing to calm his love later he simply moved a lock of her hair behind her ear before leading her inside. Sensing Rin's wish for his presence Sesshoumaru headed inside as well. As the resurrected couple sat on two large cushions Sesshoumaru leaned against a pole within four feet of Rin.

Her kimono changed and wound redressed Rin was laid on a soft large cushion that was in the middle of the room. Rin had been loosing her battle with consciousness and was nearly asleep when Kagome again spoke to her. "You should be able to sleep now Rin, if you like you can eat when you wake up." Rin, remembering her lord's command, looked to Sesshoumaru for her orders. When he slowly nodded she laid her head down and let sleep take her away.

Now Inu no Taisho was clearly impressed, the girl had actually waited to receive his son's order before seeking sleep. "The girl is strange Sesshoumaru. Tell me, does she ever defy you?" Sesshoumaru looked from Rin's sleeping form to his father and spoke clearly but softly. "No father she has never once disobeyed my order. She is loyal to a fault and would never intentionally do anything to incite my anger." With that said Sesshoumaru sat back and his gaze returned to Rin.

The cold youkai lord sat wondering if his Rin would be alright. It had been years since she had been so badly injured. Inu no Taishou could smell the faint smell of fear leaking from his son, yes he defiantly loved this girl even if he did not admit it. Just then Ah Un and Jaken landed with both of Rin's servants and a very nice blue kimono. A young mortal boy, undoubtedly Rin's servant, began to approach his mistress until a loud angry growl stopped him.

Lord Inu no Taishou's eyes left the mortal boy and turned to his son, there was no doubt that his pup was annoyed. Sesshoumaru had never liked the boy but Rin seemed to enjoy his company, luckily for him. An elder youkai female followed the boy in and moved to kneel by her mistress. Hearing the slow breaths she knew her mistress was deep in sleep. She looked from Sesshoumaru Inu no Taisho and stood only to bow respectfully to each.

Inu no Taishou was amazed now, never had he thought such a mortal as that girl would come to be. This strange girl could calm his son and forced even Sesshoumaru's icy heart to bend to her. He laughed as he spoke to his eldest pup. "Tell me son, where does this girl reside?" With a mental sigh his son answered knowing that it would start an investigation. "She lives in the palace of the Western Lords. Her room is not far from the one you had, the one I now have." Inu no Taishou sat in disbelief at his son's answer.

The great inuyoukai sat still for a moment before continuing his questioning. "Tell me, do the youkai servants not mind having a mortal in such a high position?" Sesshoumaru looked at his father again, his lips twisted into a deadly smile. "They did not care for it at first, but she managed to charm many of them. There were a few that sought to harm her, they were quickly sent to the afterlife." It was then that the youkai realized how little his son had changed, at least in one way, death still thrilled him.

The great lord then went on to discuss with his son the state of the western lands. He was impressed that his son had kept up with the news so well. This time it was Sesshoumaru's turn to ask a question. "Do you plan on retaking control of the western lands father?" The elder youkai shook his head and looked to Izayoi. "I was planning on giving it to you anyway but fate had other plans. I am going to rest this time and stay where I can properly protect what needs protection." He placed a soft hand on Izayoi's shoulder and felt hers atop his own.

During their conversation the young mortal boy had managed to go nearly three feet closer to Sesshoumaru's young ward. His son's displeasure quickly made itself known when he had the boy hanging limply in his ever tightening grasp. "Mortal I warn you to keep your distance Rin has no need of you now." Sesshoumaru growled angrily before tossing the boy across the large room. Landing with a thud the boy quickly got to his feet and bowed a silent apology. It was clear to Inu no Taishou that this boy was not well liked by his son.

Everyone in the room was silent until a small familiar voice broke in. "Lord Inu no Taisho how good it is to see you again. I did my best to watch over master InuYasha but he does not make such things easy." With that a tiny flea jumped and began to take blood from the Lords' nose. Catching it between his thumb and finger he lifted off the over eager flea. "Myoga it has been a long time, you remember Izayoi I trust." Nodding the flea bowed lowly to her.

Having not seen Izayoi's ravishing beauty for so long the flea could not help but stair at her. "My Lady, I am glad to see you again as well. Your beauty may never stop amazing me." Izayoi laughed lightly and spoke softly to the flea, her voice a song in itself. "Myoga, it is good to see you again. Thank you for watching over my son." The flea bowed again and hopped over to InuYasha.

With a very distressed look in his eyes he spoke swiftly. "Master InuYasha, the wolf youkai Koga is on his way. He apparently just heard about your mating and wishes to…" InuYasha and Kagome were already half way out the door before Myoga was finished. Sensing something was about to occur Inu no Taishou bade the flea tell him of the whole situation.

Nervously the flea began to tell what he knew of the situation. It appeared that this wolf youkai had fallen in love with his son's mate some time ago and that he would continually caused problems for the young mated couple. Sesshoumaru sat wondering why that name sounded so familiar, then he remembered. "Flea" he said coldly "tell me where I may find this wolf." Myoga pondered what possible interest the eldest brother could have until a harsh growl brought him around.

The flea thought for another moment about why Sesshoumaru was so interested before answering. "He was heading this way from the East; he can be no more than a mile off." Sesshoumaru, not wishing to leave Rin there alone in her present state, lifted the sleeping girl and was out the door before all but his father knew he had gone. An odd look in his eyes Inu no Taishou turned to Izayoi, picked her up gently, and rushed off after his sons. There was going to be some kind of battle, well no not really a battle, more like a massacre.

When Sesshoumaru arrived, followed seconds later by his father, he found an almost amusing scene. A small wolf youkai stood in front of InuYasha and demanded the miko. InuYasha simply laughed and looked directly at him. "Look you stupid wolf, I told you years ago you would never take Kagome from me. If I were you I'd get smart and leave now." The wolf youkai did not heed the warning, but he should have.

The cocky wolf youkai made a series of insulting comments to the half inuyoukai and got more in reply. Normally Inu no Taishou would not have interfered, but this was his son. Placing Izayoi down he took a few menacing steps forward before his youngest pup stopped him. "This wolf has been trying this for years and it has never worked. He'll be gone soon; he's no threat to anyone here." When he said that a small squeak of fright could be heard from Rin, she remembered this wolf all too well.

Sesshoumaru knew what that squeak met, he remembered this wolf from when Rin was younger. This is the filthy youkai who had let his underlings kill her. A growl escaped him at his realization and he laid Rin down against a tree. Koga's mouth got the better of him again. "She smells like a human brat we killed a long time ago. Difference is that back then she looked all beat up like someone couldn't stand her, now she at least looks taken care of. Damn what a change." Rin's second squeak was Sesshoumaru needed; he no longer considered this battle unnecessary.

Within seconds he held the wolf youkai tightly in his grasp, acid leaking from his fingers. This wolf would learn not to speak so of Rin, she disserved respect. The other thing that angered Sesshoumaru was that Rin was afraid of the wolf, that his presence was not enough to make her feel safe. It felt to him like she did not think him able to protect her so she had become frightened. He never enjoyed the scent of Rin's fear, it met that he was not doing his duty correctly.

Soon the acid had worn its way through the wolf's skin and into his blood. A chilling cry of pain escaped the creature before it finally died in his grasp. Tossing Koga's lifeless body aside he turned to see that his father's mortal's face was pressed against his father's armor, eyes shut. Kagome stood shaking her head sadly, she knew this day would come but she figured it would be InuYasha that killed Koga. InuYasha stood wondering what had possessed his brother to kill the weak wolf since he was no threat to anyone, then again this was Sesshoumaru.

Inu no Taisho understood his son's rage however, he knew it was justifiable. The girl he had with him had been afraid despite Sesshoumaru's protective presence, that was something his son did not like. If Izayoi was frightened in his presence he felt somehow inadequate, he knew it must have been the same for his son. No doubt his pup would tell the girl something about it later. For now however he just smiled and lifted Izayoi to leave.

Sesshoumaru lifted Rin again and started back to the damned mortal village. He wondered why she had been afraid, there was no reason since he was there. Surely Rin understood by now that no harm will befall her with him around, how could she not know that? He looked back at his actions with her over the years, counted how many times he had saved her from offending youkai much stronger than the wolf. Never did he remember smelling her fear as he had; it simply made no scene… unless Rin no longer believed he could take care of her! The realization hit him so hard that it showed on his face, his father did not miss it and turned to speak to Rin instead of his distressed son.

His tone was soft and his eyes were calm as he spoke, he did not wish to startle her. "Rin" he said uncertainly hoping he had remembered her name correctly "did you fear the wolf because you felt my son could not protect you?" Rin's face held a look of disbelief that he had asked such an offensive question. "No my lord, Rin knew she was in no danger but Rin could not help but be scared. Wolves have always scared Rin even though Rin knows that there is no reason for it." The youkai nodded and his son Sesshoumaru understood now, Rin just did not care to be around wolves and well she should not since they did kill her. So it was not his inadequacy that caused her fear.

Rin looked up at Sesshoumaru with nothing but trust in her bright eyes, it was obvious she felt a good deal better than she had. When they arrived at the hut Rin's youkai servant met them holding Rin's favorite kimono. It was one of light purple velvet and it reminded Rin of the markings on her lord's arms and face. Jaken had chosen the blue one and Rin liked it but this was one of her favorites. Inu no Taishou took in its color as well and her joy at seeing that specific one. It was clear that she was in love with his son but he doubted she realized it yet. As they approached a young male, this one dressed as a youkai slayer came out and smiled.

He approached Sesshoumaru and Rin and bowed respectfully before turning to the great Inu no Taishou and his mate. "Welcome lord Inu no Taishou and Lady Izayoi I am glad to finally meet the two of you." With that he bowed to them, a low and respectful gesture of praise for their positions. With that he turned his attention to Rin. "I heard you were injured Rin, are you well?" Rin smiled lightly at him and nodded "Rin feels a good deal better now." Smiling he nodded, bowed to her, and turned to lead them into the building.

That was it for Inu no Taishou he had to have an explanation regarding this girl's place in his son's life. Sesshoumaru protected her from things, was sometimes overly possessive, sometimes was not, and seemed to hold little caring for anyone or anything beyond her. This girl did indeed hold some large amount of strange importance to his son, and he just had to know how and what kind. Once the two had placed the mortals they carried down Inu no Taishou addressed his son, he wanted to know. "Sesshoumaru come speak with me son, there are some things I wish to ask you." With that looked to his youngest son for an empty room.

Inuyasha pointed to a door near the back "The meeting room, it should do for a conversation." Nodding Inu no Taishou, followed by Sesshoumaru, walked into the large room. Once the door was shut he sat on one side of the table, his son on the other. "That girl has a strange position in your life. You treat her better than anyone I've ever seen you deal with, she is dressed in youkai velvet, and you go out of your way to banish her fears. Tell me my son what makes this moral so different from the rest, from even your own kind?" Sesshoumaru sat quietly for a long moment trying to find an answer, in truth he did not know.

He decided to tell his father a little about his shared background with Rin in hopes that it would somehow shed a little light on things. "Some years ago your youngest son cut off my left arm. I had been sitting under a tree in a forest recuperating from my injury when a small mortal child, a female, walked up to me. Instead of being frightened as she should have she attempted lend me assistance in ways I did not need it. I found it so odd that she never once spoke, not even to answer me that I asked why, my question was met with silence. The morning after she found me she returned beaten, her eye almost swollen shut but still as silent as the dead." He paused to be sure his father understood so far; of course he had so he nodded.

Sesshoumaru got up, looked out the door to see to Rin's well being and closed it to resume his earlier position. "Since she did not seem to want to speak about her injuries I did not press the subject. When I was leaving the area I caught the scent of mortal blood, mixed in with that of the other mortals I caught the scent of her blood. For some reason I had to go back and see to her fate. I found her lying face down in the dirt, mauled by wolves." He paused for a moment reliving he situation with a hint of anger and disgust.

After again seeing that she was well he returned to his story. "As I was about to leave my sward began to pulse, it wanted to be drawn. Seeing that its intension was to resurrect the lifeless girl I did as it asked, unable to leave her on the ground I lifted her and held her to me. Her breath returned with the marks from her beating a thing of the past. When I turned to walk away from her she followed, it was not until later that I learned her name was Rin. She has been following me from that time to this and over the years I have rescued her from numerous situations. " Finishing that part of the story he heard a small sound, Rin's servant.

Rin was trying to get up and would not take no for an answer. Intent on telling her to be still he opened the door and saw a bowl of food had been placed before her. With a mental sigh he walked into the room, lifted her and the bowl and carried them both into rhe meeting room with him. He sat her down and the youkai used their native tongue while she ate. "That explains how she came to be with you but not who she is to you my son. Finish your story." Sesshoumaru nodded and made sure Rin was eating before facing his father.

His icy voice held a small twinge of pride when he began again. "The first time she spoke was when I gave her a new kimono; she told me her name then. She was more grateful than the small selfish act called for. Her old one smelled of fish and blood, it kept attracting youkai. Rather than rid myself of her I simply got rid of the kimono. Over time I spent with her a certain thing you once said to me rang in my ears, but no time louder than when I was attempting to strengthen your first gift to me." His father raised an eyebrow and left the room to see to Izayoi.

When the powerful youkai returned Izayoi followed and sat near Rin though nether of them spoke. "Go on my son" the great inuyoukai general said sternly. "When I had first begun to strengthen my sward my mother said that the easiest way to do it was to do so in hell. The portal to the place opened and a black hell dog appeared, when I fought it away it dragged Rin back in with it. When it was vanquished I sought to revive Rin with the blade you had left me, but it would not work." He stopped to again look over at the girl who by this time guessed that she was the topic of this conversation.

Knowing she was a bright being Sesshoumaru let their eyes meet, a gesture showing she was correct. "Slowly I walked her lifeless form out of hell nearly leaving the blade behind, it was useless. It was then that my mother told me the rule I had not known about the sword, it can only revive a human once. I had needed to learn the value of life to farther wield the weapon you had left me, at that time however I did not care. All I knew was that I was never going to see her smile again and I gad grown accustomed to it." He again looked at her and saw her eyes bright with that ever present smile.

His father looked too understanding immediately how easy it would be to become attached, the girl reminded him of his beloved Izayoi sitting not a few feet away form him. "It was then that mother managed to call her soul back from the depths of hell and I realized I had a new answer to your question. I Sesshoumaru finally had someone to protect, and I have been doing it for some time now. You asked me who Rin was father; she is someone I will always protect." Satisfied his father nodded and laughed softly, the mortal had stolen his son's heart and the pup did not even know it.

Turning to Izayoi he reached for her hand, it was time to explain, yet again, his eldest son's mother. Slowly he led her out of the building and began to walk around it. "Love do you feel threatened by Sesshoumaru's mother?" Izayoi shook her head as she tried to sort out her feelings, she spoke softly. "No, I just wonder how you manage to dislike something so beautiful, I have never seen anything like her." He sighed loudly attempting to find a suitable reason for his distain that she would understand.

He decided to say it bluntly and straightforward. "My love, she may be beautiful but her heart is made of ice. She would kill anyone as soon as look at them and can barely claim to care for her own son. Even Sesshoumaru does not like his mother; I promise you there is nothing but her beauty to like about her. As I told you before I could kill her and think nothing of it." He stopped and looked Izayoi in the eyes captivated by her beauty.

He could tell she felt better about the situation when she hugged him. "If nothing else believe me when I tell you that I love you Izayoi. There is no one and nothing that could change my mind about you. Now that Sesshoumaru has taken over the western lands I can stay and be with you if you like." She smiled brightly and squeezed him to herself with all the strength she possessed. She could not believe that he was finally able to be with her, she had never been happier.

Inu no Taishou hugged his love and relished in once again feeling her close to him. When he died his last thought was a regret at leaving her and their defenseless infant alone in the world. He would have a home built somewhere in or around this village so they could forever be together. He knew that a half youkai was not looked down on here that they could reside here in peace. He would go speak to Tsuzumi soon and obtain a life extending band for Izayoi's use; he was in no hurry to loose her again so soon.

His eyes fell to her beautiful face; it had been so long since he had seen it and he loved her so. Gently he guided her mouth to his in a soft kiss; her mouth was as sweet as he remembered. He reluctantly pulled away when Rin's servant boy exited the building carrying a large empty jar. The boy knew better than to stair so he quietly walked hoping to avoid any contact with his master's father. He would have gotten away with not speaking to the lord had the lord not called to him.

Inu no Taishou, wishing to learn more of the life his son had the girl live, stopped the servant in his tracks. "Boy come here, I have some questions for you." Bowing low the frightened mortal heeded the powerful youkai's demand. "Since you are the girl's servant you undoubtedly live at the castle, tell me what you witness of how my son treats her." The servant stood deep in thought for a moment contemplating the answer.

No one in the palace witnessed too many of Rin's exchanges with the lord, well no one but Jaken. "I do not know very much about that sir. In truth they do not speak much around the servants. I do know that Rin is treated better than anyone else in the castle and receives training fit for a youkai of court status. If you wish to know how Lord Sesshoumaru treats my mistress you may learn more form his personal servant than from me. Master Jaken would be the best one for you to ask." The lord nodded and waived the boy away allowed to go the boy quickly returned to his task.

Inu no Taishou's attention quickly returned to Izayoi who asked a question that had been plaguing her mind since she had entered the meeting room. "I remember you telling me that your son detested mortals as his mother does; why then do you suppose he keeps that mortal girl so close?" The question drew a laugh from the powerful youkai which shook both of them. "I have been trying to discover the answer to that all day my love, as yet I can find only one. I think he is in love with her but has yet to figure that out for himself. It is clear it would seem to all but the two of them, I think they are trying to deny it." Izayoi laughed lightly knowing that they would soon enough come to terms with their feelings.

Inu no Taishou released his beloved mortal and took her hand; there was something he wished to do. "I will return to you shortly, I need to go interview a small youkai, I should know if I am correct in my assumptions soon enough. Do not wander too far from this place Izayoi; I have yet to grasp the full amount of safety to be found here." When she nodded he placed a soft kiss on her forehead and walked away feeling her eyes on him as he did. She looked at his slow movements for a moment before returning to the building, she wanted to be with her son.

Inu no Taishou found the small youkai sitting under a large tree seemingly upset. "Youkai, tell me what you know of my son and his mortal ward. I wish to lean what she means to him." The servant stood and bowed to his lord's powerful father knowing it was best not to anger him. "Rin has been with my lord for some time, he has always treated her better than any of his servants." The youkai, though he liked Rin in his own way, had always been jealous of the attention and favoritism their lord showed the girl. It was little shock to him that the powerful youkai wished to know.

Thinking of what to say the thing was quiet for a long moment before speaking again. "Rin began following us when she was little and was instantly granted my lord's favor. She gets herself into trouble almost daily when we are not at the castle and he is always saving her from some youkai that would seek to take her away. This injury she obtained just today and he has already seen to its treatment, in his own way my lord cares a lot about her." The powerful youkai had already gathered that information, he wanted to hear something he did not already know.

Sensing that he had not appeased the powerful youkai Jaken continued. "Rin began training for youkai court some time ago and has taken to it quickly for a mortal. She has always done anything lord Sesshoumaru bade her without question and he wanted her to know the ways in which a youkai in her position would behave. Lord Sesshoumaru seems to enjoy having the girl around, he seems somehow calmer when she is near." Stopping to look around for any sign of his lord the small youkai did not find any.

Growing inpatient the great inuyoukai growled, he wished to be done with this conversation. Taking the hint quickly Jaken continued his story. "I doubt anyone knows the full extent of Lord Sesshoumaru's emotions for the girl, even he seems to wonder about it from time to time. He dislikes all other mortals and most youkai; I know not what is so different about Rin but he does favor her greatly. That child is given anything she desires without question most times, any other human would take full advantage of her position but she seems to desire little and is given much." Inu no Taishou nodded softly, he understood now his son's treatment of the girl.

Turning to go he decided to leave the smaller youkai with a bit of something to think about. "I wonder" he said aloud "it the emotion Sesshoumaru feels for the girl is love. It would most certainly explain her treatment." As he walked away he could hear a loud yelp of disbelief from the small youkai. It was clear that he did not wish to contemplate such a thing. Laughing to himself Inu no Taishou went off to find Izayoi, he now knew what his oldest son was going through. The youkai who had clamed to hate the mere existence of mortals had fallen in love with one.

Inu no Taishou found his beloved Izayoi sitting around the building's large fire pit speaking to their son and his mate. He decided to drop the subject of his eldest son's love for the mortal girl for the time being. He wished to get to know his youngest son, he had never gotten to spend time with the pup the last time he was alive. Smiling he took a seat beside Izayoi only to notice that his eldest son had placed Rin on a mat not far away and was back to waiting for her to heal. His smile grew bigger knowing that it was just a matter of time before yet another half youkai was born to their family, now he had to wonder if it would be his third child or his first grandchild that would make it to this life first.

10

Inu Iza Ch 4