Tender Love

A/N-The song is 'Lullabye (Good Night, My Angel) by Billy Joel and all rights and whatnots belongs solely to him.




Chapter 17

On the night of the dinner party everyone sat around the table talking about different things and enjoying the company of friends. Sesshomaru sat at the head of the table with his father and Miroku on his left and Akemi and Koga on his right. At the other end Inuyasha sat with Sango and Sya on her left and Ayame and Li-hua on her right. Inuyasha made sure her two friends were sitting next to her. If it was the other two women, she might have ripped their throats out if they said one word to her. The small gathering was a happy light-hearted event. Even Li-hua and Sya seemed to be in good spirit which was unusual. Inuyasha often thought that those two were born looking mean and stuck-up. But she really did not care one inch since she and her father had talked and all the misunderstandings were cleared up.

Inuyasha felt as though nothing could spoil her happiness. Not Sya or her wicked aunt could dampen her mood. Inuyasha was so caught up in her good mood that she did not notice the tension at the other end of the table in the men's speech.

Inuyasha's attention was drawn from her daydreaming when she heard Inutaisho say in a voice he was trying to control, "Dammit Sess, we must do something about these rogues or else no shipping coming to or from Japan will be safe.”

Mina, who was bringing in the dessert, was shocked that the older demon would use such language in front of the females and she started to protest. "Lord Inutaisho, please, can this not wait until after dinner when you men can retire to the study?"

"Hell no!" growled the old dog with a slight slur to his voice and looking directly at his son.

Inuyasha's brows disappeared in her hair as she listened with amusement to the elder dog rant on about something she had no idea what he was talking about. But by the sound of her father-in-law's voice, the demon was definitely drinking too much sake.

Sesshomaru stared into his father’s eyes and then finally spoke. "Do as you please, father. We have talked about this matter before and I have told you the reasons why I cannot at this time take off and go chasing the seas. You will have to do whatever you think best." Sesshomaru's voice was soft but firm. Inutaisho could tell there was no changing his son's mind or getting around him. Then he turned to his friend. "Akemi, you know what I'm saying. You believe that this scum should be dealt with swiftly and completely."

"Of course you're right." Akemi slammed the palm of his hand against the table glaring at Sesshomaru. “By god, if it were your grandfather sitting there instead of you, he would be out this minute with me, Taishy and several others chasing down that bastard Naraku and his band of cutthroats," Akemi shouted across the table. "That swine dared to kidnap my precious daughter. Your mate. Don’t you want to make Naraku suffer for that?"

At the mention of Naraku's name, Inuyasha dropped her chopsticks to the table. Her face turned as white as porcelain. Her thoughts left the table and those around her. The world faded to black as all she could see were piercing crimson eyes coming toward her and the words screamed over and over again in her head: 'You shall be mine one day.' Inuyasha whimpered in distress as she bit her bottom lip trying to stop it from trembling.

The conversation at the dinner table stopped abruptly as all eyes turned toward a shaken, white-faced Inuyasha.

Sesshomaru and Akemi quickly got up and rushed to her side. Sesshomaru knelt beside her in an instant as her father knelt beside his son-in-law. "Inuyasha!" Sesshomaru said sternly, "what is wrong?" Inuyasha turned her glazed eyes upon her mate and fainted as he caught her in his arms.

Mina quickly sent one of the young girls to get some smelling salt and a glass of water. Then she turned her fierce glare upon the two elder demons. "Do you see how you have upset the poor child, with your vile talk at the dinner table? You two should be ashamed of yourselves."

Both dog demons hung their heads low, afraid that their outbursts were indeed the cause of whatever was ailing the poor child. Akemi became worried as he looked at his daughter. He held one of her hands and it was cold as ice. His Yasha had looked as though she had seen a ghost and was shaking as though she were packed in ice.

The servant returned with the smelling salt and the water. Sesshomaru passed the small vile beneath her nose and Inuyasha immediately awakened. She turned her head away from the overwhelming ordor of the smelling salt that Sesshomaru had passed under her nose. She dazedly tried to sit up straight but Sesshomaru was not having it. He turned her head to face him and pressed the glass of water up to her lips.

“Drink,” he commanded, and she did what he said. Taking a few sips of the cool liquid, she pushed the glass away. “Are you all right?” He placed the glass on the table.

She nodded her head and continued to lean her head tiredly against his chest.

Sesshomaru picked her up from her cushion and held her tightly in his arms. He excused himself from the table and carried his mate upstairs to their bedroom.

xxxxx

Upon hearing the name of her beloved being raked through the mud, Sya could feel her blood boil. She lowered her head and her hands clenched into fists as she bit back the urge to yell at the old fools. How dare they speak so about her love? They know nothing about him. She was just about to excuse herself when she heard Inuyasha distressing whimper. Turning her gaze to the end of the table, she arched a dark brow as she watched the half breed turn white with fear. She could smell it. She was sure everyone else could smell it also. Except for the humans but Sya was quite sure they could see it in her eyes, no one could miss the look of utter terror in those wide golden eyes.

Sya watched in fascination as the half breed seemed to slip into a world where none of them existed. She began to wonder which was whiter ivory or porcelain. Whichever was whiter, Inuyasha was now the same color. She watched as Sesshomaru and Akemi surround her and tried to rouse her, but she was not there. Sya felt a vindictive satisfaction as she secretly enjoyed seeing the half breed trembling in fear. She was glad Naraku had told her to come back. She would not want to miss this for anything in the world. Seeing the bitch reeking of terror almost made up for her having to beg Sesshomaru to let her stay there with them. Almost.

She felt like pouting when Sesshomaru took the object of her joyous scrutiny away. She was about to ask for dessert when she saw her aunt watching her carefully.

The elder demoness arching a questioning brow at her but Sya only shrugged her shoulders and stared at the retreating form of the demon lord.

xxxxx

Sesshomaru gently laid Inuyasha on the bed and then without saying a word began to undress her.

Inuyasha placed a hand on top of his stopping him. "I can do that, Sess. I really do not know what came over me. It must be my pregnancy. I have never acted like this in my whole life." She spoke weakly, trying to rise so he would not have to burden himself with undressing her. She refuse to tell him the cause of her distress because she did not want him to worry any more than he had to.

Sesshomaru lightly pushed her back down upon the bed. "I’ll undress you tonight, my sweet. You need to rest. I fear this visit has been too much for you." He got up and walked over to the closet. Opening it, he pulled out a soft blue gown for her and a white yukata for himself. Then he walked back over to the bed and rested his hand on the pink obi that held her kimono securely around her.

"No, it hasn't," she said placing a hand on top of his. "I’m so glad to see my father. We had a talk and . . . well, I feel as though a heavy burden has been lifted from my shoulders."

"What do you mean?" he asked as he untied her obi and began to remove her kimono.

"Well, for so long, I thought that my father hated me and blamed me for my mother's death." Large crystal tears fell from her eyes as she smiled up at her mate. "But today, he told me that he never blamed me and that he did not hate me. All this time, I thought he hated me but in fact, he loved me."

"I'm glad." He kissed her on the forehead and wiped her tears away. "You really have been through a lot today, huh." He kissed her cheek and continued to undress her. Once he removed her kimono, he slipped her gown over her head and smoothed it out on her.

Inuyasha was relieved Sesshomaru was not going to question her or try to find out what had caused her to collapse. She only wanted to erase from her mind that dark, swarthy face and the words that Naraku had told her on his pirate ship. For the life of her, she could not figure out why Naraku's name would cause such a fearsome feeling in her, after all of this time.

As he began to undress himself, Sesshomaru could not understand why Inuyasha would be so upset by the mentioning of Naraku's name. He knew what had upset her. The minute Akemi had spoken that hateful name, he had glanced at his mate and seen the turmoil she was experiencing. He did not wish to upset her more; so he decided against asking any questions. Perhaps her upset was due only to her pregnancy.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. After closing the folds of his yukata and tying the sash around his waist, Sesshomaru went to see who was knocking on their bedroom door. Opening the door, he found Akemi on the other side. He let the elder demon come in.

Akemi rushed inside and went straight to his daughter. He took his child in his arms. "Are you all right, little one?" he pulled her away to look into her beautiful eyes.

"Of course I am," Inuyasha said smiling. "I think it was my pregnancy and the fact that I am so glad to see you."

"You’re such a dear, sweet angel to forgive your blustering old father."

"I don't think you're old."

"Hey," he said pouting. "What about being blustering?"

Inuyasha snickered as she pulled him into her embrace. "I am fine, father. You have nothing to worry about."

"If you say so." He kissed her forehead. "Well, I should let you get some sleep. You needn't worry about everyone. Mina had the servants take everyone to their rooms once dinner was over." He kissed her cheek and hugged her gently. "Good night, Yasha.”

“Good night father,” she said smiling. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Good night Sesshomaru.” Akemi got up and walked toward the door.

“Good night Lord Akemi,” said Sesshomaru as the demon lord left the two alone.

xxxxx

Sya was in her room about to go to bed when there was a knock on her door. Opening it, she scowled when she saw her aunt on the other side. Walking in without being invited, Li-hua took a seat and watched her niece as she closed the door and took a seat at her vanity table.

"Something I can help you with, aunt?"

"You can't lie to me girl," said Li-hua narrowing her eyes shrewdly at her niece. "What are you planning?"

"Whatever do you mean?" Sya asked innocently.

"You know damn well what I mean. I saw you tonight when Akemi was talking about that filthy half breed pirate." Li-hua arched a brow when she saw an angry dark expression cross Sya's face. And as quickly as the dark expression appeared, it disappeared just as fast. Then she realized something. "Sya, please tell me you are not running around with that filthy pirate."

"Shut your mouth! You know nothing about him."

"I know he's a cutthroat pirate that won't hesitate in raping and killing you," she said rubbing her swollen belly. "Sya, when I sent you here, it was to find yourself a wealthy demon lord so you could live in comfort. I did not mean for you to get involve with the same dirty half breed pirate that kidnapped you." Li-hua scowled in disgust at Sya. "I had expected better of you but I can see my brother didn't bother to ingrain an ounce of common sense into your head. A pirate! Of all the ill conceived, idiotic things you could do."

"I said be quiet, you bitch!" Sya leaped to her feet glaring in rage at her aunt. "What’s it matter to you whom I am with? You never gave a rat’s ass as to my own well-being. All you cared about was yourself."

"Don't be stupid. Of course I care about you. You are my niece."

"You don't have to lie anymore, aunt. I know you considered me to be a nuisance and wanted me out of the way. But you needn't worry. When my beloved comes for me, we will leave Japan and settle somewhere far away from, Inuyasha, Sesshomaru, and you." But not before she make Inuyasha pay for all the humiliation she was put through. "Now if you will excuse me, I have had a very tiring day." She stood up and turned her back to her aunt.

Li-hua sighed and stood up. "Very well, it seems you have made up your mind on this. So be it. I am washing my hands of you. If you want to be the woman of a pirate that is your choice but do not come crying to me when he let his men have you as though you are a common whore."

Sya turned to glare at the pompus demoness and growled.

The elder demoness walked to the door and opened it. "Good bye, Sya. I hope you don't end up regretting your decision." And closed the door behind her.

'You’ll see. You’ll all see. Naraku loves me and we will live together in happiness.'

xxxxx

It was late in the night as Inuyasha slept with her head resting against Sesshomaru's chest. The demon lord could not sleep as his thoughts were consumed with the obvious fear his mate had showed when Naraku's name was spoken. Even now he senses something is wrong as she tosses restlessly in her sleep.

Inuyasha's dreams had been filled with the crimson, piercing eyes of a man who must have been the devil himself, chasing her; and she would run and run but find no escape until finally she awake to Sesshomaru holding her closely and whispering over and over, "It is all right, my sweet. I am here and no one will harm you."

Upon hearing his soothing voice and feeling his strong arms around her, she fell into a dreamless sleep.

But just before dawn, Sesshomaru had been awakened by Inuyasha calling his name and crying out loud, "Do not let him catch me." He held no doubt as to whom the 'he' in her dreams was and Sesshomaru swore over and over that the first chance he got he would rid the world of Naraku for what he had done to his mate.

But her reaction to the mentioning of the hanyou pirate's name still had him puzzled. As far as Sesshomaru knew, the only thing Naraku had done was hold his mate as a prisoner for a few days and then release her. 'The rogue didn’t even touch her as I thought he would have but she was still a virgin.' So, he just could not figure out what could have happened; and all through the remainder of the night he turned these thoughts over in his mind.

xxxxx


Suddenly the whole castle was awakened when a piercing scream tore through the air. Everyone got up and went to see what was wrong. Akemi rushed out of his room yelling for help.

"SOMEONE HELP! I NEED A HEALER!"


"What is it?" asked Inutaisho. As soon as he finished his question, Li-hua scream tore through the air. "Oh shit! She’s having the pup now? Sess, send for the healer."

As another painful scream was torn from Li-hua's throat, Inuyasha felt the blood drain from her face as she rested her hand on her own plump belly. Fear serged through her as she began to tremble.

"I'll go," said Koga. "Stay here and calm your mate down." He took off to the healer’s chamber.

Sesshomaru turned to see Inuyasha shivering in fear as Li-hua's painful cries had her terrified. He walked up to her and held her tightly in his arms. "Inuyasha, calm down."

She rested her head against his chest closing her eyes. Her ears clamped down to her skull trying to keep out the painful screams. Inuyasha knew something was definitely wrong. Her stepmother’s screams were different from Ayame's screams. Although Ayame's screams were painful but Li-hua's screams were like that of a creature being killed mercilessly. Inuyasha buried her face deep within the folds of Sesshomaru’s yukata and held him tightly.

Suddenly the healer along with her two assistants rushed pass them going into the room. She quickly pushed Akemi out of the room. Akemi was about to protest when the door was slammed in his face.

"Don't worry, my friend. Mizuka is the best healer in the west," said Inutaisho trying to comfort his friend.

"Father," said Inuyasha frighten as she ran to him and held him in her arms.

Just then, Sya walked into the hall to join them. "What's going on? What’s with all the noise?" To answer her question, Li-hua howled in pain making Sya cringe.

"Your aunt is having her baby," answered Ayame.

Two hours had passed before they heard Li-hua release a spine chilling scream that sent ice up everyone's spine. Suddenly there was silence. Not a sound came from the room; no screams from Li-hua or the cry of an infant. Inuyasha had a very bad feeling. They should have heard the baby crying by now.

Just then the healer walked out of the room wearing a grim expression. She raised her sad grey eyes up to the crowd shaking her head. "I’m sorry Lord Akemi . . . I could do nothing to save your mate or your son."

Akemi began to shake his head in denial as Inuyasha wept in his arms.

"Sesshomaru," said Inutaisho.

Without having to say anything to his son, Sesshomaru rushed to the weapon's room and grabbed an exquisite sword that was crafted by Totosai. He rushed into Akemi's room and nearly gagged as the scent of death was heavy in the room. Going to the infant, he felt the sword vibrate inside its sheath. As he grasped the hilt, he could see the tiny green underworld imps chaining down the infant. With one sweep of his sword, he destroyed the creatures. A second later, the infant took its first breath and released a frightened wail.

Then Sesshomaru turned his attention to Li-hua but there was no reaction from the sword. He tightened his grip more on the hilt but still nothing happened. "Father!"

xxxxx

Inuyasha watched as her mate disappeared and returned with a beautifully crafted sword. She was perplexed. What in hell was Sesshomaru going to do with a sword? Suddenly a grim vision of her mate chopping the bodies up for some obscure ritual popped into her head. Shaking the image from her mind, she held her father tightly.

A few seconds after he disappeared into the room, they heard the wail of a child. Inuyasha felt her father's grip tighten around her shoulders.

Akemi knew immediately what sword that was. Tenseiga. The legendary sword that could break the chains of death. He held his breath and waited. When he heard the cry of his son, he released his breath in one long gust. But he felt his heart stop when Sesshomaru called for his father.

Inutaisho ran into the room closing the door behind him. Everyone waited. A few minutes after going in, the door opened. Inutaisho stood in the doorway holding Akemi's son wrapped in a sheet wearing a very sad expression.

"Akemi, my friend, I am so sorry," said inutaisho sadly. "We could not save your mate but . . ." He placed the infant into Akemi's arms. "Sesshomaru was able to save your son."

Tears fell from the demon lord's eyes as he stared down at the tiny child in his arms. He had a small patch of white hair on top of his tiny head. On his chubby cheeks were a single faded red stripe. His eyes were still closed but he had his fist in his mouth sucking it. "My son." He kissed the top of the infant's head and sobbed uncontrollably.

"Father," whispered Inuyasha as she tightened her embrace around him and cried for his lost. Sensing the sadness around it, the infant began to cry as well. Inuyasha stared down at her little brother wiping away her tears. "He will need a wet nurse."

"I'll send Mina to find one," said Sesshomaru disappearing down the hall.

"You have a fine son, my friend," said Inutaisho smiling. "What are going to call him?"

"W-we couldn't decide. So we were going to write down all the names we liked and decide from that but . . ." Akemi stared down at the crying infant. "There was a name I had always wanted to call my child if I had a son. Shion.”

“Shion, meaning graceful scholar,” said Miroku holding his weeping wife in his arms. "I'm sure with such an admirable name he will make you proud, my lord."

"That is a wonderful name," said Inuyasha smiling down at her little brother as she stroked his soft hair. "Shh, little one, your big sister and father will make sure you are safe from harm." But the infant continued to cry. "May I father?" She held out her arms and Akemi placed the crying child in Inuyasha's arms. “Shh. Don’t cry. Do you want to hear a song?” She kissed his soft chubby little cheeks. “My mother and our father used to sing this to me when I was a young girl.” Then she began to sing.

“Good night, my angel
time to close your eyes.
And save these questions for another day.
I think you know what you've been asking me.
I think I know what you've been trying to say.
I promised I would never leave you
and you should always know.
Wherever you may go
no matter where you are
I never will be far away.”

As Inuyasha began to start on the next verse of the song, Akemi began to sing also. After all, it was the lullaby Izayoi had taught him whenever Inuyasha could not sleep. Everyone listened in silence as father and daughter sang.

“Good night, my angel
now it's time to sleep
and still so many things I want to say.
Remember all the songs you sang for me
when we went sailing on an emerald bay.
And like a boat out on the ocean
I’m rocking you to sleep.
The water's dark
and deep inside this ancient heart.
You’ll always be a part of me.

“Goodnight, my angel
now it's time to dream
and dream how wonderful your life will be.
Someday your child may cry
and if you sing this lullaby
then in your heart
there will always be a part of me.
Someday we’ll all be gone
but lullabies go on and on . . .
They never die.
That's how you
and I
will be.”

They watched the pup yawn wide flashing his little fangs and falling to sleep nestle in the arms of his big sister. Sesshomaru had returned some time ago but when he heard his mate and father-in-law singing, he did not want to interrupt the song.


"You should go rest Akemi," said Inutaisho. "Sesshomaru and I shall take care of your mate's body."

“Thank you, Taishy,” he said sadly.

Inuyasha felt her heart break as the powerful form of her father seem to rapidly age before her very eyes.

Sesshomaru walked over to them. "Mina has left to get a wet nurse for your son."

Akemi smiled sadly. "Thank you."

"Inutaisho is right father," said Inuyasha. "You should lay down."

"Very well," he said sadly.

Inuyasha placed her infant brother in the arms of her father and lead him to another room. It pained Inuyasha immensely to see her father looking so . . . so haggard.

After Inuyasha lead her fathr away,everyone went back to their rooms to change. It was now pass noon and they were still wearing their night clothes.