CLAIMING KIN by Salome and Talon

The Visit, Part I

"Onii?"

"Yes, little monster?" He listens to Jaken picking up the toys Kin has spread all over the room while he was gone. Kin has been helping but now has come to tug on his hakama and ask for his attention. Meanwhile, Jaken is so very useful, muttering as he cleans. How he loves and hates such work. He'll be sure to kick the little green masochist soon.

He hesitates slightly. "Kin belongs to Onii. Kin's harness says so, and Onii's fuck too. Right?"

Sesshoumaru turns to look down. What is this about? "Yes, that is correct. Now finish cleaning."

"Yes Oniisama." He obeys for a few more minutes, picking up chewed and crumpled papers and soggy toys. "Onii?"

"Yes, pup," he says, not turning.

He picks up a few more toys. "Kin...would like to visit his Mother please. In…in the concubine quarters. If Onii will allow it."

Sesshoumaru's brush stops midstroke. He forces himself not to bark "No." His lips tighten and he says nothing at all. He has no answer to give other than no. So he says nothing.

Kin puts his ears down and continues to pick up his toys and mess and put things where they belong. After a few minutes, he says, "Kin also wants to show...his brothers and sisters that Kin belongs to Oniisama. They can't hurt Kin anymore."

He hears Jaken stop cleaning, then begin again. He allows himself to breathe. He need not allow Kin to visit his worthless mother or his foul siblings. He has taken Kin away from that life. And yet he has allowed Kin to be terrorized and injured. How much of the child's sudden desire to see his mother is because of the Incident, and Sesshoumaru's inability to protect him adequately. His eyes burn. He remembers his beating at his father's hands over this issue of blame and responsibility. And he reminds himself swiftly that Kin has been asking to see his mother for some time now. "No one may hurt my Kin," he breathes, tasting the truth of his words.

He drops his armful and goes over to Onii with little pattering steps and throws his arms around Onii's knees. "Kin belongs to Oniisama. No one may hurt Onii's Kin," he says, his voice muffled, his face pressed into the billowing silks. "Onii takes good care of Kin."

Sesshoumaru drops his brush at last and reaches down to soothe his boy. No one may hurt Onii's boy…except Onii. "You belong to me, now and always," he says, far more to himself than to Kin, and foolishly altogether because they both already know the truth of this statement. He shakes off this absurdity and pulls Kin into his lap. "I understand that you wish to show off your harness and your…stature, little one. But I do not relish the thought of sending you back to your mother, even for a short time. Mortal women are such…emotional creatures. And she did not raise you properly, even for a bastard child in the concubine quarters. She does not deserve to see you again."

Kin sits quietly and snuggles up to Onii. Nothing of what Onii says is not true. "Kin misses her," he confesses. "Kin does not want to go back forever. Not ever. But...Kin misses Hana too, and Kin would like to see Nokimi's new baby...he got borned after Kin belonged to Oniisama." He trails off. "Onii protects Kin," he says quietly. "Maybe Mother is not as good at loving Kin as Onii is. Is it bad for Kin to still love his mother?" He turns his face up to his Onii’s, trusting completely that Onii will tell him what is good and what is bad.

Sesshoumaru is more honest than he need be with Kin, more direct, but since the Incident it seems somehow more necessary. And it is less easy to avoid his questions, too. "I dislike that you miss her. That you wish to see any of them. They are not your world now, this is—I am." His fur wraps his boy tightly. The truth is that he does not know what Kin can mean by love if he can love her. Or perhaps he just does not want to know.

"Kin is sorry," he says softly, pressing his nose against Onii's chest. "Kin does not like to do things that Onii dislikes. Onii IS Kin's world. Kin's everything-all-things. But Kin also has Kini and Yumi and Jaken-sama...and Onii does not get angry when Kin says he loves them." He looks up. "Living there...was bad. Kin does not want to live there anymore. Ever. Kin made Mother sad, and his brothers and sisters were dominant and mean mostly. They hurt my ears and made me scared and Ken fought lots." He is quiet again for a moment.
"Kin had a bad thing happen to him," he whispers. "Worser than anything they ever did. Kin is strong, because of Ken and Kin belongs to Onii. Onii came. Onii…Kin belongs to Onii.” He barely stumbles over his words, not finding them rightly. “Kin wishes to see his mother...but he also wishes to see those that hurt him. Kin will NOT be hurt again. Kin belongs to Onii."

Sesshoumaru thinks about the words that pour from Kin's mouth. It is true. He faced worse danger and pain and injury in his care than he ever faced in his mother's. And he did consider returning Kin to the concubine quarters where his life would be smaller but safer, in its way. This was not, however, what he ultimately decided, and he is proud of the decision he has made. His father, he knows, is proud, too. It should not matter to him, but it does. As does Kin's need. He can smell the longing and loathes that the tang of his need is not aimed in his direction. "Kini and Yumi and Jaken-sama also belong to me, child. Your mother…does not." He knows how ridiculous it is that he responds with these words to all that Kin has said. Then, "Kin is very brave, and I am very proud to have you belong to me." And, most quietly, "You may visit them for a day, if you wish."

His ears creep lower as Onii speaks. He does not wish to make Onii feel bad...ever. But then Onii says it...and he looks up, his eyes wide, his ears still halfway down. "Kin may? Truly?"

Sesshoumaru tips his little face up and licks his cheek. Damn that excruciatingly endearing scent. "Truly," he says, trying to keep traces of trepidation, possessive jealousy, and characteristic impatience out of his aura and his voice. At the pup's wiggly excitement, he holds up a finger. "But not until you smell right," he adds.

He cocks his head and thinks about that. "Kin will have a bath before he goes?"
"Kin will have Onii's fuck before he goes," he replies.

~ ~ ~

Kin clings to Jaken's hand as the kappa walks him down the hallways to the concubine quarters. He is excited and bounces on his toes, his favorite ball tucked under his other arm. Jaken is to take him to Mother, and Onii will pick him up in the evening. And Jaken will make certain that Kin gets his lunch too when it is the proper time for such.

He doesn't remember the guards being quite so big, but they bow to Jaken-sama as he takes Kin past them. Another pair of fierce looking female bear youkai open the doors to the concubine quarters, and he smells all at once the rice powder, the perfumes, the hair oils, diapers, sweat, plum wine and the smell everywhere of puppies who smell like he does; hanyou or not. And as soon as someone notices him...everyone there in the main chamber that connects all the halls and rooms do too. And it is silent. He tugs Jaken-sama. "This way, Jaken-sama." He ignores the stares. He belongs to Oniisama. He is here to see Mother. And Mother will be over here...in her chamber, connected to Nokimi and Hana's chamber.

Jaken does not grumble, for a change. He watches and listens instead, so that he may report back to his Lord at how Kin-san was received. Stares from everyone, even maid servants and guards. Hmmm. Well, so long as they look but do not touch or threaten his charge Lord Sesshoumaru will have little complaint. He follows the tugging little hand clasped in his own, green, rough one and when Kin-san pushes aside a door covering he does not hesitate to follow him there as well. He has his orders. Besides, the thought of he, himself having more than official interest in Lord Tai’s concubines was laughable at best.

Izayoi sits quietly, in her bright, beautiful kimonos, her shining hair done up perfectly, rice powder and lip paint on her face, her eyes lined with black kohl. Nokimi sits close to her, murmuring conversation as she nurses her babe, now nearly a year old and beginning to toddle. As the door covering sounds, Nokimi turns and looks, and Izayoi does not. She does not wish to see anyone...today is another day without her treasure. Some days are better than others...but today the sun is bright in the puppy garden, and this morning Hana had asked if Kin was dead. She had heard some of the other children talking about him. About how he had been killed by a bull. She knows he is alive, but little more. No, today is not a good day.

Kin drops Jaken-sama's hand and his ball which rolls to a stop against a floor pillow. He pads softly over to the cushions where Mother sits, looking out into the garden. As usual, Mother does not hear him or smell him, and Nokimi does not give him away. When he is standing directly behind her, he hesitates slightly before saying..."Mother?"

Izayoi's heart stops, she is certain of it. She turns so quickly and grabs up her child...grown so big...that she does not notice his dress, his scars, or his harness. She cannot hold him fast enough lest he be taken from her again.

Being human, she does not scent the strong smell of Lord Sesshoumaru on her child, invading and pervading his hanyou puppy smell. "Oh my precious Kin...oh...oh..." She holds his face and kisses him all over and hugs him tightly.

Jaken clears his throat. "I will have your attention, Lady Izayoi...Lady Nokimi." He waits, patiently.

Nokimi takes in the situation at once; assessing with a mind some say is too keen to be "just" a concubine. But it suits her, and her Lord knows it well. This visit will be a short one, she is certain of it, and it will hurt her dear friend from beginning to end. Very well. She will protect Izayoi as best she can, comfort her, and observe. Certainly, the pup is glad to see his mother, as he should be. Izayoi is such a loving, gentle creature. And that strange garment of leather and buckles that glint in the sun. What does it denote? She has heard of what is now called the "Incident," but seeing Kin in that harness with her own eyes makes it strangely both far more real and yet fantastical. What a strange life the little hanyou lives, stranger than Izayoi will ever wish to know, she suspects.

Izayoi is wrapped up in holding and hugging her child when she realizes that Jaken-sama is there...and is speaking. She glances at Nokimi, then turns her attention to Lord Sesshoumaru's retainer, in part because Kin wriggles around to face Jaken-sama when the kappa speaks. "Yes, Jaken-sama. Please forgive my inattendance."

Kin buries his nose in Mother's neck, smelling her beneath the soaps and perfumes and holding her tightly until Jaken-sama speaks, and then he wriggles around. He always needs to pay attention when Jaken-sama speaks, because Jaken-sama often speaks directly for Oniisama. Jaken-sama is Onii’s retainer and his highest-up servant. Also he killed the bull that hurt him. His ears are pricked forward and he slips his thumb in his mouth.

Jaken is in his element. Of course, he is cautious as Lord Sesshoumaru did not truly wish this...visit, but the puppy is so happy, he can see already. "My Lord Sesshoumaru sends his greetings," he says, speaking clearly, and around him all whispering and rustling ceases. Good. They will all hear. "My Lord wishes all to know that the Inuyasha known as Kin is his child, his ward, and under his protection. Any action taken that harms the child will be punishable by death. Kin-san, as you see, wears my Lord's mark and seal. This harness denotes Kin-san's status and protection within these walls, and outside them. My Lord Sesshoumaru has given permission for Kin-san to visit with his mother and siblings from this time until sundown. Kin-san is not to leave these quarters with anyone who is not Lord Tai, Lord Sesshoumaru, or myself. Any injury or damage to my Lord's child will be dealt with most severely. This visit is on My Lord's sufferance. If Kin-san suffers any undue distress or trauma due to this visit, any future visits will be forbidden. Do you understand, Lady Izayoi? Lady Nokimi? My Lord Tai has given the Inuyasha known as Kin to my Lord Sesshoumaru to do with as he wishes. Any future contact with your former son depends heavily on how this visit is conducted."

Nokimi's lip twitches. She respects her Lord and obeys him and all of his commands, from his own lips or any who serve him directly—as does Jaken. But she does not like the threat here. It is not Lord Tai's style to command thusly. No, that is Lord Sesshoumaru…all the young Lord. His arrogance. Yes, it is clear Kin belongs to him—the boy reeks of his scent. The pale imitator of his father's rich musk, but the message is clear. Jaken's speech—performed in inimitable Jaken style—is unnecessary, especially the inclusion of her name. Nokimi and her Hana would never treat Kin with any less than respect. That Nokimi is forbidden to involve herself in the fighting of other concubine's offspring Jaken knows well. She labors to keep her frustration in check, that her scent might not betray her reaction and cause Izayoi any grief thereby. She would rather Kin not know her opinions either. If what she has heard is true—and she suspects it is—than it is not the concubine quarters that hold danger for the pup but life with his prideful brother.

Izayoi trembles slightly, and it shows as she strokes Kin's hair. So soft and silky...very obviously well cared for. Her...former child? Kin is her SON. But...she does not wish to anger Jaken-sama and by proxy Lord Sesshoumaru and Lord Tai. She glances at Nokimi, holding her babe. She seems...tense. Kin, by contrast is entirely relaxed. "I understand, Jaken-sama." Is that her voice? "I am...truly grateful to see my...to see Kin." She doesn't want to anger her son's...keeper in any way. "I...he...I will take care of him. I promise."

Kin already knows this speech. He heard Onii telling Jaken the same things, though lots were repeated over and over again, and Jaken-sama's speech is not so angry sounding as Onii's. But he removes his thumb to remark, "I don't want anyone to get in trouble 'f I get hurt by accident Jaken-sama...'f I trip or somethin'..." He glances around to look for Hana and flicks his ears. If any of their brothers or sisters wanted to challenge his status...that was different, and Ken stirs within him. No, he will not hesitate to bring Ken out if necessary.

Jaken watches, and notes well Nokimi's...tension. He wants to be sure that nothing is misunderstood. But Kin-san's query..."I am certain your Lord Brother will take such input into consideration, Kin-san," he says, not unkindly at all. He never wishes to make Kin unhappy in any way. He continues with the last bit of his speech, "The midday meal will be delivered by my Lord's personal guard, instead of the usual servants. My Lord will take no...undue risks with his child's safety."

Nokimi places her dozing infant in the furs beside her as she takes in the message that Lord Sesshoumaru does not consider Kin safe, even now. She bows and lowers her eyes to Jaken as is fitting, though she chooses not to bother with speech. What is, is. She tries, daily, to help Izayoi understand this lesson, but her friend is young and less resilient than Nokimi would have her be. As Kin speaks and attends to Jaken's need for validation, she rises and wraps an arm warmly around Izayoi's shoulder. She squeezes gently. I am here, Izayoi. All is as it must be.

Hana scurries over from the garden when she sees Jaken and Kin arrive. She wants to run right up but it's clear that they're having official talk and she's not welcome, so she goes slowly and carefully to the door and peeks, eyes wide and pointy ears perked. Her heart thumps and she smells her mother's concern and Izayoi's sadness and Kin's excitement. She's excited too. It is so good to smell Kin again, even if he is all covered in a smell not unlike her mother after Lord Tai comes to her but not exactly. And anyhow, her nose is mixed so she can't always trust it. But oh! It's Kin! And he is here, but not to stay, just for the day Jaken says, and if Izayoi allows then maybe he will come play and she can tell him how much she misses him and how the others pull her tail but she is learning how to kick and defend herself. Maybe she'll get to show Kin. Maybe he has learned to fight too and that's why he's wearing that fancy leather thing! It's all so exciting! Her fluffy white poof of a tail wags and she reaches behind to swat it down. Darn tail. It gets her all jumpy and she's already jumpy enough and trying to stay calm enough to stay hidden so Mama won't scold and suddenly—whump!—she falls face first into the room where everyone can see. "Oh!" is all she can muster as she looks up from the floor.

Kin is busy watching Jaken-sama, and then Nokimi and he nuzzles Mother's hand when Hana comes in. "Hana!!" He claps his hands together. "Oh I missed you SO MUCH!!" His bottom wriggles all over Mother's lap because he is so excited, but he stays put because Jaken-sama hasn't said he is done speaking yet. Still, he holds his hand out to his sister eagerly. Her tail is so PRETTY!!! He'd forgotten how floofy it was. Maybe it's like Onii's fur...she must get it from Papa.

Izayoi gasps slightly as Hana trips and falls. "Oh dear...are you all right Hana?" Her hand goes to her mouth...she can't ignore Jaken-sama while he's still there!! "My apologies Jaken-sama...but...Hana..."

So this is Hana. Kin's favorite sibling. He can see why. He smiles a little with his beak. "It is fine, I assure you." He watches the interaction between Izayoi and Nokimi. Interesting. And Kin. And Hana. Kin will be...safe. Right? It is his responsibility to make sure Kin is in a safe environment. And...he doesn't particularly care for Nokimi's...tension. But it is less because he feels Kin is unsafe and more because of the implied disrespect that he thinks he sees. But it may be his overzealous nature to protect Kin-san and his devotion to his Lord.

Nokimi shakes her head at Hana's display. "Child," she scolds, calmly, world-wearily, indulgently. She turns to Jaken and bows again, more deeply this time. She can smell impatience despite his words, and she chastises herself silently for betraying her own unease. "Please forgive the disruption," she says, meaning both Hana and her own lack of control over her scent. She has known Jaken a long while, though she has seen him rarely since he was given to the One True Son and Heir of her Lord. And now that he is partially responsible for Kin's care? She is certain he knows how children are only too well. But she cannot predict his reaction, so she keeps her bow as Hana dusts herself off and rises and her baby sleeps on, unaware.

Jaken tchs slightly. "Forgiven, of course, Lady Nokimi. Child, please, be at ease. Kin-san has spoken extensively and highly of his sister Hana." He watches Kin wriggle in his mother's lap, recognizing his self imposed discipline he sees when Kin is with his Lord Sesshoumaru. "So long as everything is in hand here, I can take my leave. Kin-san?"

Izayoi can hardly contain Kin's enthusiasm. Was he always this wriggly? She didn't remember him being quite this squirmy. "I...we will be certain to follow my Lord Sesshoumaru's instructions for Kin's care. Hana, are you all right?"

Hana springs up, blushing and nodding, and dusts herself off. Suddenly, she screws up her face and clamps a hand over her mouth. "My tooth!" she shouts in a muffled voice, then releases her hand and smiles broadly, showing two missing bottom teeth.

Nokimi rolls her eyes and rises. She points a finger at the offending offspring. "Now is not the time for jokes, Hana. Kin-san will come admire your missing teeth—that fell out last week—later. Right now, you will apologize for this intrusion and go back out to play. Jaken-sama is busy and has no time for your foolishness." Her voice leaves no room for disagreement, though the love behind it is obvious as well.

Kin's eyes widen at the HUGE SPACE where Hana's teeth had been, but before he can say anything Nokimi scolds Hana. His ears flat for just a moment before going back up and he points at Hana's mouth. He wuffs, with a big grin on his face. "Good one, Hana!! You fooled me!!"

Jaken cannot entirely hide his mirth, though he does his best. "Indeed, Kin-san." It is clear the puppy is comfortable, and he waits for his apology from the female Inuyasha. A tail. Did he know that? He wonders if Lord Sesshoumaru would be interested.

Izayoi smiles and hugs Kin, not too tightly. She is happier right now than she has been in a year or more. Kin and Hana in the same room again, and Nokimi's babe as well. Even if it is temporary...she can pretend all is as it was. Except for the harness. Soft though it is, it intrudes on her make-believe. She cannot pretend it is not there.

Hana smiles even more broadly at Kin's encouragement, then the grin flickers and is gone. She smells the seriousness of the adults and does as she must. She gets on her knees and bows before Jaken-sama. "I'm sorry," she mumbles.

Jaken reacts before he realizes what he is doing, leaning down and patting the puppy's head as though she is Kin-san. "That is quite all right, young mistress. Run along now, obey your mother." He collects his composure as he straightens, looking around. "Kin-san, my Lord Sesshoumaru says he will come and collect you at day's end. You will be ready when he arrives."

"Yes Jaken-sama," he says obediently and at once. "Kin will be ready." He tips his head back to look up at Mother. He hopes this doesn't make her sad...

Izayoi bows her head and smiles when her forehead touches Kin's. They at least have the day. "My treasure," she murmurs.

Nokimi has a moment of utter shock as Jaken approaches Hana and…touches her. It is a shockingly gentle gesture, and makes no sense to her. But it makes Hana pop up her gap-toothed face and grin again. She's off in an instant; though Nokimi is sure she'll be back the moment Jaken is gone. How she adores her brash, bold child. She tries not to have her hopes too high for the little one's future, such a wild combination of inu, neko, and kitsune she is. Who knows what may come her way, should Lord Tai permit it. And then her thoughts return to Izayoi, holding her little golden one. She is glad she does not have to envision life without Hana near. She notes the way his ears have healed, how his hair shines. How hard it must be for her friend to know her son is where he needs to be.

Jaken nods. "Then if you have nothing else you need, and your Lady Mother has no questions for me, I will take my leave, Kin-san." Lord Sesshoumaru is going to be...most...unhappy all day, he knows. Well, he is happy to provide a target for his displeasure.

Kin licks Mother's cheek then gets up from her lap to hug Jaken-sama. "Thank you for bringing me, Jaken-sama," he says quietly. And even more quietly he says, "Please take care of Onii for Kin." He hears his mother say she has no questions, thank you Jaken-sama as he hugs the little kappa again. "Kin will be good," he assures Jaken-sama as he steps back.

Izayoi's eyes widen, and she glances at Nokimi as her boy hugs the high ranking servant so...familiarly. She can't hear what he is saying, so very quietly, but Jaken-sama does not seem at all displeased by Kin's show of affection. She bows her head properly and responds properly, but as soon as her head comes back up, her eyes question Nokimi's in a bewildered sort of way. Who is this child who stands and speaks and moves with such...confidence? Of course it is her Kin...but...she has never seen her boy in such a way before.

Nokimi bows once more, wanting Jaken gone so Izayoi may have her time with her pup, and Hana too. And when her eyes meet Izayoi's she gives a tiny shrug. Such a marvel is it to see the formerly shy, anxious little creature so at peace with himself and the world. Beneath the strong scent of Lord Sesshoumaru, Nokimi clearly smells this new Kin. It is a good scent, an aroma of promise. But she knows her friend will not, cannot recognize it as such.

"I know you will be, puppy." He looks things over, nods his head and takes his leave, heading back to Lord Sesshoumaru's office so that his Lord may kick him at his leisure once he smells the stink of the concubine quarters on him.

Kin watches Jaken-sama go and the doors close behind him with a finality that makes him hesitate for a moment. Yes, he wants to visit Mother and Hana and Nokimi and...and everything...but Jaken-sama was his link to everything Onii. Visiting means he is away from Oniisama. He didn't realize it would feel quite so...hard in his chest.

Izayoi relaxes when the doors close behind the kappa. Such a high-powered and high- class servant in her quarters made her understandably nervous. And Kin...oh Kin. "That was...an adventure," she says softly, mostly to Nokimi, but in part to get Kin's attention.

Nokimi forces a little laugh and picks up her babe, who is whimpering a bit into wakefulness, and will no doubt be hungry when he opens those little eyes. Like his sire, the kit is both ravenous and demanding. And Nokimi adores his rough little ways. "Your little brother needs his lunch," she says with a wink, rising. "I'll come see you later, when he's down for a real nap." Oh, Izayoi, she thinks, live in the moment.

Kin turns, a little startled at the baby's whimper. Oh...he's so BIG!! He didn't even get to be here for when he was borned. Then Nokimi is gone, and the puppy too and there is no one and nothing but Kin and Mother. And he pivots gracefully on the ball of one foot and trots back over to where Mother is still sitting and climbs into her lap. "I missed you," he whispers, holding tightly to his mother and breathing her in at last.

Izayoi blinks and bows her head as Nokimi leaves with the baby, and then...oh Kin..."My treasure, you are so grown up...so big...I missed you too. I missed you so much." Her eyes are more than damp, little tears spill over them and splash onto Kin's softly furred ears as she holds and cuddles her boy, her treasure. Hers again...at least for this moment.