Chapter 3 - Silence

Time seemed to freeze.

"Rin, show some gratitude! Lord Sesshomaru took time out of his busy life to find you a suitable partner. A mate to take care of you and protect you and provide for you. Thank him!" Jaken frowned.

All Rin could do was stare blankly at the young man in front of her. Closer up she could see that he had long hair that was pulled back into a high ponytail. He was pale with flawless, almost transparent skin. He was probably the most beautiful human Rin had ever seen. And yet. Rin looked towards Lord Sesshomaru with questioning eyes but his face gave away nothing.

Her mind rejected the information. She smiled at Sesshomaru, "So when are we leaving, my Lord?" The three males just looked at her. "I should go pack my things and say my farewells."

"I'm surprised at you, Rin. You are taking this news rather well. I guess all my worrying that you would protest was for nothing." Jaken said.

"Why would I protest, Master Jaken? I've been waiting to rejoin you and Lord Sesshomaru for almost 6 years. I'm happy to be joining you. Even if we have a new person in the group." Rin tilted her chin up in indignation.

Rin turned to go back up the hill when Jaken panickingly squawked. "Rin, you will only be with Lord Sesshomaru til we reach your new home with Lord Kyo. Do you understand this?"

"Don't be silly, Master Jaken. I'm going to stay with you and Lord Sesshomaru like you promised I would be."

Jaken just looked up at Sesshomaru for help. The mighty dog demon lord just stared at the small human woman. "Rin. You will live with Kyo. You are to marry him. Soon. " He stated and looked as if he was challenging her to object. Rin just stared up at his cold face. She wanted an explanation behind his thoughts. 'Why would he abandon me? Why would he break his promise to me...?'

His lack of expression caused Rin's face to start to feel hot. Her eyes began to sting as her skin tightened over her jaw. 'I will not cry. I am not a child anymore. I will not cry.'

"Hey Sesshomaru!" He didn't move his body, just his eyes to his left. InuYasha and the others had gathered and were standing on top of the hill looking down at the tense scene. "You just gonna stand there and make the birthday girl cry or are you going to come join the rest of us up here?" Sesshomaru's eyes opened a fraction wider and he quickly turned to look back down at Rin. But the girl was already making her way back up the hill slowly and steadily as not to trip.

Jaken blistered. "Don't address my lord in such a brash fashion, you - "

"Jaken? Is that you?" InuYasha interrupted with a mock look of shock on his face as he squinted down at the little imp. He scoffed, "Keh, I would have thought Sesshomaru would have killed you by now."

The imps mouth dropped in horror, "My-my lord would never! I am his most valuable advisor. Right, milord?" He looked up at his master with little hope of an answer from the proud dog demon. "Lord Sesshomaru?" His eyes began to tear up at his masters' silence, but Sesshomaru had not heard the exchange between the two. All of his focus was on Rin.

The younger children were all hiding behind Sango and Kagome, having never seen this demon before, they reacted with caution. The older kids, however had some memory of the silver haired demon. They gathered and were eager to join Rin as she reached the top. Miu, Mizuki and Satoru all started talking at once, all wanting to be heard first and all wanting to know what was happening. Rin couldn't come up with the strength to tell them. 'I'm being taken away from you all, and going to be left with a stranger. I will be made his wife.' Rin shook her head. 'No. I can't tell them that.' She didn't notice the worried looks that Kagome and Sango exchanged. Kagome looked back down at the unmoving trio near the river. She seemed to make up her mind as she moved Kenichi and Mitsuo to join their younger sisters behind their mother and began to walk down the mountain of a hill.

InuYasha's laughter at the imps tears was cut short as he noticed his very pregnant wife head for the sloped edge. "Woah Kagome! You can't go down there! You'll fall forward and break your neck!"

Kagome stopped for half a second to stare him down. "Did you just call me fat InuYasha?"

There was a spark of an evil aura in Kagome's eyes that sent a shiver of terror down InuYasha's spine. He gulped and tried to decide fast which was a better fight: Trying to explain what he meant or just accept the punishment and to stop her from descending.

Kagome took the terror infused moment from her husband as his surrender and started walking again. However, in a flash of silver and red he moved to stand behind her and wrapped his arms around her upper waist, and tugged her a little so that she fell backwards against his chest, successfully securing her to himself. Kagome let out a small gasp as she thought her feet went out from under her, but upon realizing her current position of capture she began to struggle. "InuYasha! I want to talk to Sesshomaru! I need to know what is going on with -" she cut herself off as she realized Rin could hear her yell. She looked over InuYasha's shoulder to see that the young girl's posture had stiffened. Kagome wanted to go to her but her thoughts were interrupted as InuYasha spoke.

"Hey Sesshomaru! Could you move your little party up here? Before my wife decides to try to kill herself again." InuYasha shouted down. This woman was causing him so much stress he feared he wouldn't survive the rest of the pregnancy.

Without speaking, Sesshomaru took a step forward towards the humans up the hill. The soft sound of the grass moving below his feet, the slick swish of his silk pants against his sword stirred something in Rin. They were familiar noises. Noises that, as a child and traveling with him and Jaken, she used to stay up late at night listening for. They symbolized the moment of his return to them. To her side. Even now, her ears yearned for that sound and it caused the familiar feeling of joy and the desire to run towards him. Rin reached out and grabbed a hold of something to ground herself. Miu's hand. The young girl looked up at Rin and was about to speak but something in Rin's face stopped her.

Another step closer, Master Jaken began to babble about how Lord Sesshomaru shouldn't be forced to move for the benefit of a human. The sound of his solid step towards Rin caused a terror of mixed emotions in her. Rin crouched down as she held Miu's hand, keeping her balance on the balls of her feet. The young girl looked shocked as Rin ducked her face against her knees. Miu looked to her sister, who was looking to her mother which caused her to look to her mother as well. Sango gave a quick jerk with her head to the side. At her mother's signal Mizuki grabbed Rin's other hand and pulled her forward. Rin instinctively stood up to avoid falling forward and on to herself. She looked to see the twin faces smiling at her. "Can we go back to playing now, Rin?" They asked together. Without even looking back, Rin pulled the girls forward and she took steps away from the hill and the man she wanted to run to.

The movement caught the attention of both InuYasha and Sesshomaru, but neither commented on the action until the other children began to cry out to the fleeing trio and went to pursue them.

"What the hell, Sesshomaru?! Did you bring her a dead puppy as a birthday present?"

Sesshomaru closed his eyes and merely exhaled silently. When he opened his eyes he glared up at his younger half brother for a split second before jumping forward and landing behind Sango on the path leading to the bridge over the river. InuYasha released Kagome and they all turned to face the dog demon lord.

"Sesshomaru, why did Rin look so sad? Are you not taking her with you?" Kagome asked softly. When the demon lord did not answer she felt her emotions slip a little. "Well?" When he still didn't answer Kagome took a step towards him. "Why was Rin so sad!? What did you say to her!? And who is this human you have with you?!" She pointed her finger at the young man in question as he and Jaken finally made it up the hill.

"Kagome." InuYasha's voice held a soft warning tone.

"I have a right to know these things, InuYasha. We have been Rin's family for 6 years. Sesshomaru picked us to see to her safe being and now he is threatening that and I demand to know why. "

"I see you still have no control over your woman InuYasha," Sesshomaru finally spoke.

InuYasha bared his fangs at his older brother's remark but Kagome just turned to face Sesshomaru in answer. They stared each other down for a moment.

"Aham. If I could- that is," A soft low voice spoke. They all turned to see the young man bowing. "I am Kyo Natusara. Eldest son of lord Tokima Natusara of the north." He raise from his bow and set his eyes on Kagome. "My father's kingdom has recently been plagued by demon attacks. Lord Sesshomaru has brought it to our attention that there has been a change in demon leaders in the northern territory. It is because of this that weaker demons are trying to become more powerful by taking over human villages and our people have no defense against these attacks. As our land extends to the mountains we have some natural defenses but those in the valley are nothing but sitting ducks. My father and lord Sesshomaru have come to form a pact."

"Pact?" Sango spoke softly.

"Yes," quacked in Jacken. "Lord Sesshomaru has most graciously agreed to extend his territory to the northern mountains to offer protection to these humans from lesser demons and invading warlords as well."

InuYasha looked shocked. "You mean Sesshomaru is going to protect humans from not only demons but other humans?"

Kyo nodded. "In exchange for this protection, it will be my honor to take Lord Sesshomaru's only daughter Rin as my wife."

"WHAT?!" Kagome shouted. Inuyasha's ears flattened against his head at the sound of his wife's protest. Kyo looked as though the woman had slapped him but she paid no mind to him and only glared at Sesshomaru.

"Silence woman! Your questions have been answered," the small imp broke Kagome's line of sight by waving his staff of the two heads in front of Kagome. She looked down at him. "And now it is time that Rin comes with us. We have come to introduce the two betrothed and then to deliver them back to the human castle safely before the days end," Jaken announced.

Kagome looked shocked, "You're taking her now?"

"Of course." Jaken looked proudly smug as he crossed his arms.

Kagome shared a look with Sango as InuYasha continued to stare at his brother. He couldn't figure out why Sesshomaru would offer to protect humans. Even if it got Rin a husband. That was some weak payment for being saddled with all those lives. Not to mention the demons he would have to battle to win the territory. Sesshomaru met Inuyasha's eyes and he 'kehed' as he looked away. Like he really cared.

Sesshomaru took a step forward towards where Rin and the children had fled. Kagome thought fast and stepped in front of him. "You can't take Rin!" Kagome announced. Lord Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow at the very pregnant human in front of him. He turned to walk around her as she said, "She's my emergency midwife. You can't take her until I've given birth!"

Sesshomaru turned his full attention to Kagome now, "Emergency midwife?"

Kagome nodded and gulped, "If Kaeda cannot help me, for whatever reason, then Rin has to help me give birth."

Jaken ran to his master's side, "Aren't their other females in this village that could do this revolting work?" he squawked.

"No. None of them are trained like Kaeda, and Rin was trained by Kaeda so she is the obvious second choice."

"What of that female demon slayer?" Jaken pointed his staff at Sango who still had one baby strapped to her back, "She certainly has enough offspring, surely she could help."

Kagome shook her head, "Sango is an expert at having babies, not delivering them. and Rin helped deliver all of those 'offspring' as you put it. There is no better midwife."

"Kagome," InuYasha whispered at her.

"InuYasha, talk some sense into your mate." Sesshomaru snapped at his brother.

"Hey, I just try to keep her happy until she pops," InuYasha shrugged as he went to stand beside Kagome in front of Sesshomaru, "and for once I agree with Kagome. This is the sensible choice and if it comes to the lives of Kagome and the baby or your pact. I can tell you where to shove your pact if you really want me too." InuYasha folded his arms over his chest and stared down his older brother.

The dog demon lord glared at his half brother and positioned himself as if he was readying to attack. "Move."

InuYasha grabbed the Tessaiga sword with one hand and pushed Kagome behind him with the other, "Like to see you try."

There was silence as the two dog demons stared each other down and no one moved.

"Lord Sesshomaru," Kyo stepped forward and waited until the demon lord turned his eyes in his direction. "I can send word to my father of the situation. There's no need for a fight. I'm certain he will understand once I explain it will only be for a short while."

Everyone looked to Sesshomaru. He made no move as he considered his options. Finally, he closed his eyes and exhaled softly.

Kagome clapped her hands together. Instantly breaking the tension, "Then its settled! Rin will stay until I give birth, which should only be a few weeks." She smiled sweetly at the young lord.

He smiled back and nodded.

Sango stepped forward. "You're staying for Rin's birthday dinner this evening right lord Sesshomaru? She would be even more upset if you just left without saying anything."

The demon looked to the young man who seemed unsure of what to say so only nodded. Lord Sesshomaru looked back at the three who had fought him so far and simply sighed. "We shall leave in the morning."

Kagome nodded as Sango smiled in relief. "We should go start preparing for the feast. We have two more Lords than usual tonight."

Kagome laughed at Sango's joke which left Kyo confused. InuYasha just shook his head as he turned to follow the two women into the village. "You know where to find us." He yelled over his shoulder to his brother.

The three remaining just stood there for a second. Kyo looked down at Jaken and then up to lord Sesshomaru, "Should we follow them my lord?"

"At our own risk," Jaken said under his breath as he thought of the human food.

Sesshomaru turned to Kyo, "Your gift."

The boys eyes lit up, "Of course. One shouldn't come to a party empty handed." He smiled to the demon lord and Jaken as he turned to retrieve the wrapped package from A-un's saddle.

Lord Sesshomaru sighed again. His servant looked up at him in shocked concern. "Milord?" But of course Sesshomaru didn't answer. He merely looked up.

When Kyo turned around he saw only the small imp up on the hill. "Where did Lord Sesshomaru go?" He yelled up.

Jaken looked up before sighing, "One guess." He crossed his arms and whined loudly, "Why do you always leave me behind!"

There was no answer.

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