Of Gold and Adamant

A Little Surprise

Something unexpected
Yet a blessing in disguise
I see you my little one
As you open your tiny eyes

I wasn’t expecting to
Find such a gift like this
Given from the one I love
Sealed with a kiss

My little shining wonder
How do you do
In this world of wonder
So much learning for you

My life is now all about
Taking care of you
My child you are my legacy
The legends must be true

So I will sit and wonder
Holding my special surprise
My tiny little miracle
Now you close your eyes

I will sing you melodies
As I rock you in my chair
My precious little bundle
May your dreams be fair

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Shippo sat with four little bundles around him. Three pups from Fuu and a surprise from Sven. He had his first born heir. Sven graced him with a beautiful silver haired boy with bright green eyes just like his Papa. Shippo couldn’t be a happier Father although he dreaded the mating ball where Lord Ken would be announcing his claim to little Adonis.

All the other pups were red headed girls with golden eyes like their mother. Shippo knew he would spoil them all and of course Uncle Lin was not helping with that. Nor was Sesshoumaru who insisted on coming by to check upon the pups lifting them all and walking off with them not allowing Shippo to follow like he had some big secret he was holding out on telling anyone other than his brood.

Inuyasha hadn’t come to see the pups yet which was unusual, but Thoren explained that Inuyasha had been rather ill as of late so perhaps when he was better he would come by the Southern castle.

Shippo had named the girls Sango, Rin, and Kagome after those who had mattered so much in his life. Sesshoumaru thought it odd since he named his children after these women also, but was not going to argue with the pup. In fact he had three more of his own at home he wasn’t telling anyone except his family about.

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Lord Ken paced in his room. He was impatient for the ball to commence. It was not that he really wanted to ally himself with the South. It was that boy, Shippo. He had grown into a powerful, attractive young man and like Sesshoumaru with Inuyasha he was being selfish.

“It should be me mated to Inuyasha and Shippo. Not some noble servant or that snob Sesshoumaru.”

Ken growled to himself. He wanted what he could not have. It was always like this, but this time if he pursued it would cause war.

Sitting down upon a cushion in his room he hung his head in defeat. He was mated to a woman who he did not love and found to be rather bland in appearance. There was no spark to her, but she had been both wealthy and from good family.

Shaking his long thick black hair out from the top knot he dreaded sleeping with the wench every night. The only reason he stayed mated was to appease her Father. Eventually though the money would run out and he would be forced to be alone once again, a prospect he was not looking forward to.

Ken had been with both genders and found men to be much less frustrating. However, every time he got involved he would end up killing his mate for fear of their possible indiscretions. They were too attractive and he was a jealous man.

Looking in the mirror he attempted to see what was wrong with him. Was he not handsome enough? Was this why Inuyasha rejected him?

His fiery red eyes allured so many to his bed. If any should be killed for affairs he knew it should have been himself, but the thought was always there that it was his mate who failed him. Just like his wife who was indeed with others. He could smell it on her although he did not mind it one bit. It was one less thing he had to do and allowing her to be with servants was better than sharing his bed although she still insisted on doing so always trying to get him to indulge in her. Eventually his excuses of being too tired due to his many castle duties would not last. Tonight was the once a month event where he had to give in or face possible consequences. One day if he was not careful he may slip out the name he fantasized over as he forced himself to become aroused for Maria.

“Inuyasha…….why must you continue tormenting me so?”

Ken ground out as he placed his robe on awaiting Maria’s appearance.

Maria as always came in looking more and more like a gaunt ghost rather than a healthy Labrador demon should. She always feared she was too fat when it was nonsense. Perhaps if she had eaten a bit more she would be more attractive as her limp black hair flowed about her in long dry waves and her brown eyes showed the lack of sleep she was getting due to being miserable to herself all the time.

“Hello my Lord. Are you fairing well this evening?”

Maria always asked this.

“As well as can be my dove. Come, it is time for bed.”

Ken stated softly as he took his bride into his arms kissing her like it meant something. It was like kissing a paper doll with dry lips.

“Here you must drink some of this. It is cherry brandy. Your Father sent it.”

Knowing Maria well he knew that she would not refuse anything her Father sent. She loved him deeply and would do anything to please her Father as well as her handsome Lord husband.

Ken tried to ignore the dark circles under Maria’s eyes that made her look so old.

Maria drank the liquid down coughing a bit only to try again feeling rather embarrassed. She should be able to at least drink without vomiting it back up. She knew she was dying, but refused to change anything. Maria had always had an illness, but was afraid to tell her Lord husband in fear that the beautiful man would have rejected her. She never loved anyone like she did Lord Benjiro Ken.

Lord Ken had always accused her of having affairs telling her that it was understood and normal in their relationship for her to go to others if she so desired since he was lacking as a husband in his husbandly duties to her. Not once had she gone to another although she had offers from servants he sent to her room. She only allowed them to talk with her and sometimes hold her when she cried for her husband. Would he ever love her as she did him?

Maria always felt such love in her heart when she was with her husband and wanted to be with him always. So tonight would be their last night together since in the morning she had a feeling she would not awaken. Her body had enough and it was time. She had seen her Lord Father and Lady Mother one last time. They wept for her, but understood this was what their daughter wanted although her Father did not trust Lord Ken to throw the bastard. He knew all the moneys he sent to Ken for his daughter’s care had to be going to someplace else.

“Husband, tell me you love me.”

Ken lied through his teeth as he laid his wraith like bride upon their bed.

“I love you.”

It was the only time he would say it while imagining he was saying it to Inuyasha. He pretended while he ravished his wife’s mouth that it was Inuyasha he was about to make love to.

Maria gasped for air as Benjiro proceeded to ravish her body. She was racked with sobs of pleasure as he entered her in one swift thrust and as he made love to her she finally died thankfully not hearing the word that left Benjiro’s lips as he released.

“Inuyasha………”