A Sister's Gift

Chapter 48 – Rin’s Gift

People began to meander back into the courtyard once the threat was put asunder. Tooru and Tokie appeared with a smiling Rin, who waited for Sesshomaru to release Kagome from his crushing embrace. Tokie could only smile warmly at her new friends who were currently oblivious to their surroundings. The taiyoukai slave and his miko mistress were sharing a passion filled kiss that left everyone blushing.

Inuyasha pulled away from Kikyo and immediately noticed the large gathering crowd around the platform. All eyes were focused behind him, and he turned to see his brother and Kagome in the middle of a very public display of affection. After blinking a couple of times, and a blushing giggle from Kikyo, he figured he had better break this up before the Imperial Guard arrested them for public indecency.

Inuyasha pushed through the crowd, towing Kikyo behind him. After finally getting close enough, he announced himself with a loud grunt, then said, “Hey, you two need to get a room!”

Kagome just couldn’t help it. Through her haze of bliss, there came the most annoying, but lovably rude voice, causing her to break out in a fit of hysterical giggling against her lover’s lips.

Sesshomaru growled his annoyance, but finally gave up, since his mate could not control her amusement at the hanyou’s interference. He raised his head, reluctantly parting from the soft sweet lips of his mate, and sent a sharp glare, promising later retribution, at Inuyasha. Then he noticed the gathered crowd. It seemed that everyone, ningen and youkai, had returned to offer their thanks to the one’s who had destroyed the enemy Naraku. Sesshomaru nodded his thanks to Tooru, and Tokie, before taking a very happy Rin into his arms.

The crowd was suddenly being pushed back by numerous Imperial Guardsmen. “Make way for the Emperor! Make way for Prince Hasun!”

Kagome turned around at the shouts of the guards, which soon parted to reveal Emperor Tokugawa and his son, Prince Hasun. She bowed in respect, as did all those around her.

“Rise, my children, rise! It is I who should be bowing to you! You and your wonderful companions have saved us all from a wretched fate! The monster, Naraku, who stole the body of my dear nephew, and was the source of my beloved sister’s death, has been slain, and it is you four who deserve the gratitude of Japan,” stated Emperor Tokugawa.

Kagome was the first to speak, “We were only doing what we have been trained to do, your majesty.”

Tokugawa scoffed at her modesty, “Nonsense child. What you, and the lovely Kikyo, as well as your honorable youkai protector’s have done today went far beyond what you have been trained to do. I, as well as all of Japan, owe you a debt of gratitude.”

Prince Hasun stepped up next to his father. He had been silent until now. Hasun had been captured in shock and grief over the loss of his closest cousin. Naraku had used him, and deceived him terribly before showing his true identity. It had taken some time to let this all sink in. Now he knew what he had to do. “Father, I implore you to grant the request of these two miko’s. Grant their Protector’s their freedom,” he urged.

The Emperor smiled proudly at his son. The boy had a good head on his shoulders and would one day make a fine Emperor. Tokugawa returned his attention to his audience. “I hereby decree, that these two youkai Protector’s, Lord Inuyasha and Lord Sesshomaru, will be granted their full freedom from enslavement during a ceremony this very night! The homelands of these respected youkai will be returned to their hands, and tonight we will celebrate the victory of our new allies against our mutual enemy!”

“HOORAY!!!” The crowd cheered and clapped!!

Sesshomaru was not sure that he heard correctly. Did he not only just receive his freedom, but also his lands? He staggered a bit, just before his mate crashed into him.

“Sesshomaru! Sesshomaru my love, did you hear? Did you hear? You will be free! You can return to your homelands with pride!” Kagome squealed in delight. She was so happy that tears poured from her eyes. She no longer had to feel ashamed of keeping the one she loved as a slave. She could set him free!

Kikyo fainted.

Inuyasha barely had time to register the fact that his mate was making a fast decent to the ground before he was able to reach out and snatch her up just in time. He held her tightly against him, burying his face in her beautiful hair, as he inhaled her soothing scent. Oh Kami, he had never dreamed of this day! He lived for the here and now. He never hoped and dreamed on the future, because it was just a waste of time. Why wish for the impossible? Only the impossible had happened just a moment ago. He was going to be freed, and his homelands would once again belong to his family! A huge smile fixed itself across the face of a very happy hanyou.

~~~***~~~~

Later that afternoon.....

“Kikyo! I think this is it!” Kagome yelled to her friend.

Kikyo ran to Kagome and knelt down to inspect the little plant. “I believe you are correct, Kagome. That is just as Senshi-sama described it. Hurry and pick it! That is the final ingredient!”

Kagome snatched the vegetation from its rocky home and dropped it into the basket along with the other plants. She then turned to Sesshomaru, “That is the final one. Let’s go!”

Kagome and Kikyo ran down to their mates, who bent down. The happy females jumped up onto their backs, and held on tight. The taiyoukai and his hanyou half-brother took off at inhuman speed toward the city. In mere moments they both burst through the forest, and onto the well traveled road.

They had to slow a bit, in order to dodge the many humans traveling to and from the city. One thing became suddenly clear to Sesshomaru. These people were no longer avoiding him like a disease. Those who recognized him and his companions were smiling and bowing in respect. Those who did not, were asking others and were soon bowing as well. It was very different from before, and he felt a spark of his old pride creeping back into his soul.

Once they arrived back at their hut, Kagome and Kikyo began the preparations for the brew that their beloved daisaiin had taught them. The spell was a little complicated, but between the two of them they managed quite well. In no time at all it was finished, and awaiting the final ingredient... a drop of the emperor’s blood. Emperor Tokugawa promised to deliver that cherished drop tonight at the celebration, and Kagome and Kikyo were giddy with excitement.

“So, you think that it is finished?” Tokie asked.

“It is,” Kikyo replied with a smile.

Rin also seemed to understand the full implications of the spell. She was unusually talkative, and kept Inuyasha busy playing chase around the courtyard, while Sesshomaru lounged against a tree talking to Tooru.

“Tooru, I wish for you and Tokie to return to The House of the Moon, with Kagome and I. My house has been empty of my bloodline for many years, and it will be a great task to bring it, once more, to its full glory. I would be honored if you and your mistress would join us. You have proven yourself a friend and ally,” Sesshomaru said.

“I am greatly honored, Lord Sesshomaru, for your invitation. I would ask that you grant me the opportunity to discuss this with Tokie, before I give you my answer,” Tooru answered.

“Of course. Take as long as you wish. The invitation shall always stand,” Sesshomaru replied.

“Uncle Inuyasha! You are too slow!” Rin yelled through a fit of giggles as she darted around a tree.

Inuyasha stopped dead in his tracks. ‘UNCLE Inuyasha?’ Rin had called him ‘uncle’? Well, he decided he liked that, and grinned happily at Rin, before shouting over to Sesshomaru, “Hey Sesshomaru! Did you hear that? I’m an ‘Uncle’, I guess that makes you ‘Daddy’, right?!”

Sesshomaru glared at the hanyou. Inuyasha was teasing him, once again. Something the unruly youth seemed to highly enjoy doing, but this time his teasing held a serious note. ‘So Rin wishes for a father?’ Sesshomaru let a slight grin adorn his face as he looked across the way to Rin. The child seemed to be waiting full of hope for his answer. He decided that he would give this gift to his Rin. He nodded and said to Inuyasha, “I suppose so.”

The smile that adorned the face of little Rin would forever be engraved in his heart.