Chapter 3: Putting plans in motion
By the time we had finished burying Rin, the painter had already finished her portrait and I had been correct. She would have looked perfect in life wearing my colors. I decided instead of switching it with the old one in my study that I would place that one within my own quarters. I hung it on the wall at the foot of my bed so I might view it whenever I could not sleep.Already I could hear the whispers within my castle walls about her death and what I had planned on doing about it. As if there was any doubt to what I would do. I would have my revenge just as soon as I discovered who it was behind it and any that had participated. I knew it had to be a member of the court as they were the only ones that knew she had been named my heir.
I have no doubt that this was the cause of her murder, Rin was incapable of making enemies, so it had to be mine. And soon enough their blood would flow freely from the wounds inflicted by my claws, their blood infected with my deadly poison. But now was not the time, as I did not know who was behind it, and I had another plan to set in motion.
And now 'was' the time for that plan. Already I was heading away from my castle with Jaken trailing behind as I headed toward my destination. A storm was coming. I could feel, smell, see and even taste it on the air. The season's first snow would fall by night fall. A perfect time for my plan. As much as Rin loved the spring and being able to pick flowers, she loved the snow.
It was not long after dawn that I reached my destination and already I could hear my half-brother's voice from within the small hut. He was truly getting weak if he did not feel my presence before now. Had I been here to kill, his group would be in dire trouble. Shaking my head at his inability to pay attention, I waited for him to emerge from the hut.
It didn't take long to hear the sounds of the group jumping to their feet and the half-breed cursing me for being here. Paying his words no mind, I waited until the group exited the hut, all battle ready. Glancing over the group I spotted a new addition, by the smell of things, a wolf hanyou. I allowed my eyes to linger on the young priestess for a moment before Inuyasha began yelling at me.
"What do you want you bastard?" he demanded hotly already unsheathing his sword and aiming it at my chest. Truly the boy had no manners and possibly a death wish. Had I not thought my request would be denied if I harmed him, I would have helped him to meet his death early. However, I could not chance getting turned down because of him.
"This Sesshoumaru is not here for you half-breed, I wish to speak to the priestess." I replied in my normal 'I am bored of you' tone turning my gaze back to the priestess. I almost smirked hearing her intake of breath and could see the questions written on her face clearly. Inuyasha moved to stand in front of the girl, but she placed her hand on his shoulder to stop him.
"What did you want to talk to me about Sesshoumaru?" she questioned holding my gaze with her own. I glanced around at the other's before turning my eyes back to her in silent request for them to not be present. She tilted her head slightly in question before looking at the others as well and realization appeared on her features.
"Oh no we're not leaving you alone with him! He'll kill you!" Inuyasha insisted when he seemed to catch our silent conversation and shook his head at the priestess. I fought the urge to roll my eyes, she did not. She seemed to think for a moment before turning back to me with a smile and I was unsure whether to be thankful or worried.
"Sesshoumaru do you swear as lord of the west that you will not harm me or anyone of the village in any way today?" she questioned proving herself to be smarter once again than most humans. I would have to be honor less to break an oath like that, and I am anything but honor less. Giving a nod of my head I replied my oath.
"Why only today?" the slayer, Sango or Santo something like that, wondered turning toward the priestess with a confused expression. I found myself slightly confused as well seeing as I would have agreed to all eternity if it would help my cause. She, however, seemed to not realize this and she just shrugged at the question.
"Okay now you guys just go back to the village and finish readying it for the storm. I will be fine and the quicker Sesshoumaru gets to speak to me, the sooner he can be on his way. Shippo please go gather some more fire wood. Sesshoumaru please come inside." she instructed as she turned to each as she spoke with a smile before turning and heading back into the hut.
As I moved to follow her in, Inuyasha stepped in front of me, blocking my path. "Hurt her and I will kill you." he swore barely above a whisper before turning and stomping off in the direction of the village with the others. Rolling my eyes, I entered the hut to speak with the priestess. Soon my plan would be put in motion.
"Please have a seat." I offered gesturing to the cushion at the head of the table before taking my place at the other end. "Tea?" I inquired glancing up at him as he took his seat. A slight nod was his only answer and I began filling to cups before setting on in front of him and taking a sip from my own. Glancing up at him, I found his staring at the cup.
"Shippo made them." I explained to his silent question and set my cup down on the table in front of me. "So what did you want to talk about Sesshoumaru?" I questioned again turning my full attention to the demon lord it my hut. Had anyone ever told me I would be sitting here having tea with the 'killing perfection' I would have thought they were crazy.
"This...I need your help Kagome." he began after a few moments and I had to fight not to fall over in shock. Three things had just happened that I didn't even know were possible. He spoke in first person, asked for my help and even called me by name. Whatever this was it was serious, that much was obvious to me.
"What do you require my help with?" I questioned him once the shock had mostly worn off. For once, in the entire time I have known him, he seemed to be struggling with what he wanted to say and I decided to be nice and help. "Sesshoumaru I find normally just coming out and saying it makes things easier. I will not judge if you are worried about that."
"I need you to sire a pup with me." he replied just as I had taken a sip of my tea and of course I spit it out all over the table, thankfully missing him. Had he been one for jokes I would have sworn he waited for just that moment. This is of course when I realized what had caused me to spit out my tea in the first place. Sire a pup with him?
Ah yep there it is. Oh sorry was looking for the flying pigs. I do a lovely impression of a fish, which I am currently showing off to Sesshoumaru right now. Complete with opening and closing of the mouth. Shaking my head I clear the image of me as a fish and turn my attention back to him. "Sorry what was that?" I questioned deciding that I had heard wrong.
There was just no way he had just asked me to have his pup. "I need you to sire a pup with me." he repeated, okay so there was a way that he said that. How exactly does he manage to sit there looking perfectly calm after saying something like that? Heck I can't figure out if I should look for hidden cameras, faint or start crying.
"Okay why do you want me to sire a pup for you? The pup would be a half-breed and you don't like half-breeds." I reminded him as if he would have forgotten that little point. Judging by his expression, he thought I was crazy for reminding him as well. Again he seemed to think over what to say before turning back to me with a slight sigh.
"Rin was killed." he began and as I went to speak he raised his hand to stop me. "I need a body for her soul." he explained as he pulled a small chest out of his haori and set it on the table before opening the lid. Inside was a small pink crystal and I was hit with a wave of emotion that just felt so, well, Rin. The gem housed Rin's soul.
"Why me though? How was Rin killed? Why is her soul trapped with in that gem?" I questioned softly, not taking my eyes off of the gem in front of me until he closed the lid and placed it back inside his haori. Without the gem to hold my attention, I glanced back up at him to find him staring at me as well.
"You are the only human I can think of that doesn't make me sick with just the thought of touching them. I named Rin my heir and someone within my court either had her killed or poisoned her themselves. Her soul is within the Soul Crystal because I refuse to lose my daughter after such a short time of having her by my side."
"Sesshoumaru you realize that if we do have a pup together that it wouldn't be Rin, even if they shared the same soul. I speak from experience. While me and Kikyou had the same soul we were nothing alike, even when she was still alive." I insisted not wanting 'our pup' to go through the same thing that I had for years because people were always comparing us.
"I understand this. While I would rather have Rin back, I know this is not an option and the only one I do have is to start over from scratch. They will be different, but I have ever intention of raising the pup to be like Rin. Not because I would want her to be Rin but because my daughter was a good person and a good example." he replied, his eyes never leaving my own.
"If I was to say yes, once the pup was born, would you keep it from me? Would I have any say in its life or would I just be a surrogate mother? Do I even have the option of saying no?" I questioned after thinking for a moment and realizing Sesshoumaru really wasn't the kind of demon to take no for an answer.
"She would stay with you until she was able to care for herself as my home is not safe. At least not until I find and deal with the ones responsible. After that she would be free to visit whenever you or she wished, however, you would not be able to come to my home to see her. It would only be asking for your death." he paused to take a sip of his tea before looking back over at me.
"You would have the same rights as most mothers of heirs do, providing they are not mated to the fathers. And yes you do have a choice. This is entirely up to you, I will not force your hand in this either way. I will not take any chances of something going wrong because I forced you as you are my only hope in this."
"Why does it have to be half-human though? Why not have a pup with a full demon? Why do you keep calling it a she? Do you know of some way to make sure it is a girl? And, um, would we have to do this the old fashion way or do you have some kind of demon power to impregnate me without touching me?" I wondered, completely denying the fact that I was blushing.
"The crystal only works with humans and so the body her soul is placed in must be at least partly human. And I am unsure if the crystal will work more than once so full human is out as I would just be back where I am now too soon. I know of a potion to ensure the pup will be a female, it is mainly used for population problems." Again he paused and seemed to think about my last question.
"We would have to do it the old fashion way, as you put it. I will give you a week to think things over but in case you are not pupped on the first try, I can not give you any more time than that. I will return in one week for your answer." he told me with the slightest declines of his head and he was gone. I sat staring at his cup, seeking proof that he was really there.