A New Beginning

It was a beautiful morning. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and a light breeze played with the trees, rustling leaves in a hushed whisper. Yes, it was truly a beautiful day. Perfect for a wedding.

Sesshomaru paced his living quarters impatiently. He had not been allowed to see Rin for the past 24 hours now, as per human tradition. A 'human superstition' that he thought completely stupid, and, for that matter, a huge waste of time. He worried about her and their pup, although he could sense that everything was alright and that she was happily getting herself ready, in her old bedroom.

A knock on his door brought him out of his reverie.

"ENTER!" He called out, already knowing who it was.

"So, Lord Sesshomaru. This is truly a very special day for you. I wanted to thank you for asking me to be the one to unite Rin with you." Miroku said, as he entered the room, followed by his half brother, Inuyasha.

"Yeah. Who would have thought that the great, stuffy Lord Sesshomaru, had it in him to decide to go and get married. And not just to anybody, but a mere human, at that." Inuyasha smirked.

"Otouto, do you not have anywhere else to be or anything else to to do other than to test my patience, today of all days?" Sesshomaru growled out towards his brother as he rubbed his right shoulder, flexing it at the same time. He made several circles with his arm, before letting it come to rest against his body. Even after three days, it was still a bit sore. Rin had unknowingly bitten down hard upon a nerve, effectively pinching it with her teeth.

"What's wrong, brother? Strain a muscle?" Inuyasha snickered.

"Let it be, Inuyasha. It is no concern of yours." Sesshomaru replied.

"Awww! Come on. Give! What did you do? Was it from sparring with someone? Or did you sleep too long on the same side?" Inuyasha teased, grinning.

"No, it was not from sparring, nor did I 'sleep' too long, as you say." Sesshomaru sighed, knowing that this idiot would not let up until he had a satisfactory answer.

"So...what happened? You heal faster than I do. For it to still bug you like that, I mean, what, for the past two days now, at least? It's gotta be something. Spill it already." Inuyasha replied.

Sesshomaru sighed once again. Inuyasha truly did take after their Inu heritage. He really did act like a dog worrying a bone when he wanted something, damn him.

Taking a deep breath, he finally answered his brother.

"She bit me." He said in a low voice.

Inuyasha did a double-take.

"Come again? You didn't say what I just thought I heard you say, did you?"

"Inuyasha! You heard me! I said...she BIT me!" Sesshomaru growled out, knowing what would happen next.

It only took Inuyasha about four seconds to register what his older brother had said, then he started to laugh. Harder and harder, until his knees touched the floor. Finally wiping the tears from his eyes, and managing to pull himself up, he looked directly into Sesshomaru's face.

"I've got a secret to tell you, and so help me, only Miroku knows about this. What I say now must never leave this room." Inuyasha told Sesshomaru, staring directly into his gaze, amber meeting amber.

"Well...?" Sesshomaru prompted, his curiosity having been peaked.

"You and me both, brother. You and me both. Kagome did the same thing to me on our wedding night. Hurt like hell for almost a week. Only it was my LEFT shoulder, instead. What is it with our women that they gotta bite so DAMNED hard, anyways?"

Sesshomaru's brows shot up. Of all the things that he could have expected his brother to say, that was DEFINATELY not one of them.

"Surely you are jesting, Inuyasha. Trying to 'best' me, as humans would say."

At this, Miroku, who had quietly been standing alone several feet away from the two brothers, cleared his throat.

"If I may, Lord Sesshomaru. I assure you that what Inuyasha says is true. I remember him complaining about his stiff shoulder for several days. Besides my self and his wife, Kagome, who inflicted his wound in the frenzied heat of passion, the only other person who knows is Sango."

"Miroku! You bastard! You said you wouldn't tell anybody, not even Sango!"

"And I didn't. It seems that Lady Kagome and my Sango were comparing...'notes' I think was the word that they used, and the subject came up. Sango was the one that told me about their discussion. I never said anything to her. Ummm...if it would make the two of you feel any better, truth be told, it happened to me as well. On our wedding night, also."

The brothers shared a knowing look, then turned towards Miroku. But before either of them couuld say a word, a knock was heard at the door.

As Sesshomaru opened it, he immediately recognised Meiko, Rin's favorite hand-maiden, bowing lowly before him.

"Yes Meiko, what is it?" He asked.

"Lady Rin has sent me to tell you that she is ready, my Lord. And that the ceremony may begin as soon as you order it." Meiko replied in a hushed voice, her head remaining bowed.

"Thank you, Meiko. You may return by Rin's side. Advise her that everything shall begin very shortly."

"Yes, my Lord." She replied as she slowly backed away from him, her eyes glued to the floor.

"Well, Sess, looks like we've got a wedding to attend to." Inuyasha said as he headed for the door.

"Indeed. Miroku?"

"I am right behind you, Lord Sesshomaru." The monk answered as he followed Sesshomaru out the door.


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Rin could hardly believe it. This was her wedding day. Finally. She let out another round of giggles as Sango tried once again to hold her still long enough to pin up her hair.

"Rin! Would you stop moving around? Sit still for a few minutes....please. I'm having enough truoble as it is trying to do your hair up the way you wanted it without you squirming around all over the place." Sango chided her, making Kagome laugh.

"And you! You're no better." Sango ground out between the hair pins that she'd placed between her teeth, as she looked up towards her best friend and sister. For a woman that had been married for almost five years, now, she still could really act like a giddy teenager at times.

Kagome laughed again, winking at her adopted sister, knowing that it was all in good fun. Soon, Rin would become their sister-in law. She remembered everything that they'd been through over the years, and sighed. By all rights, Rin shouldn't even be alive, hell, NONE of them should still be alive for that matter, and yet here they were, primping Rin up for the biggest day of her life.

"There. Your hair is finally done to my liking. Go! Start putting on the ceremonial robes. It's Kagome's turn to help out, now."

Rin litterally flew into Kagome's arm. As Kagome wrapped her arms around her, hugging her, she felt something. It was faint, very faint, but definately there. A presence, not mean, or bad, but...Kagome couldn't quite put her finger on it. Then, it hit her.

"Rin!!" Kagome gasped, hugging her soon to be sister-in-law as hard as she dared.

Rin looked at her, wondering what was wrong.

"Listen to me, Rin. I've got a couple of questions that I'm going to ask you, and I want you to answer me as truthfully as you can, okay?"

"Yes, of coarse."

"Have you been nauseous lately? You know, like in the morning, as soon as you get up?"

"well, now that you mention it, these past two mornings have been very difficult, yes. I've had the urge to throw up on both days, but by noon, everything is normal, once again."

How does your belly feel? Tight and hard?" Kagome asked, remembering Sango's first pregnancy and all of her symptoms.

"Ummm, yes, since the day before yesterday, as a matter of fact." Rin replied. Then it dawned on her, about the same time as it did on Sango.

Rin gasped...Sango gasped. Then they both cried out in unison while all three girls shared a hug.

"I'M PREGNANT!"

"YOU'RE PREGNANT!"

Crying, Rin asked Kagome; "How did you know? I mean what told you? I mean..."

"I felt a presence, deep within you when you jumped into my arms. The last time I felt something like that was when Sango was expecting HER first, so that's how I knew."

"That would explain why my breasts are so sensitive, and why my nipples hurt a bit."

Yes, that would." Sango replied.

"Do you think Sesshy knows?" Rin asked the both of them.

"Sessy?" Kagome and Sango blurted out, looking at each other, before bursting out in laughter.

"Hey, that's not nice. That's my pet name for him. Just don't go telling anyone else about it, okay?"

"Our lips are sealed." Sango giggled out.

"And...to answer your question, probably. Because of his overly sensitive nose. Only he's more than likely waiting until you spring the news on him so that he doesn't spoil your surprise." Kagome quipped up.

"Hey! Would you look at the time?! We gotta get a move on, girls! There's a wedding out there, in case you two have forgotten." Sango cried out, pushing Rin towards her outfit, noticing Kagome's eyes as they pushed passed her.

Sango Yelled out towards the hallway, knowing that Rin's hand-maiden wasn't too far away.

"Meiko! Come and help Rin, would you?"

In a flash, the young girl about Rin's age was by her mistress's side, helping her to get dressed.

"Are you okay with this, Kaggie?" Sango asked, using her private pet name.

"Yeah. It's just that...well, Inuyasha and I have been trying for almost two years now. Look at you and Miroku. You've already got your son, Kentarou, and I know that you guys are trying for a second one, which shouldn't be long in coming. Now Rin and Sesshomaru..." Kagome sighed, not wanting to continue.

"It's alright, Kagome. I understand, more than you know. If you ever wanna talk, just let me know, okay?"

"Thank you, Sango. Now let's get her ready to go get married. Today is HER day. I don't want to spoil it."

Two hours later, a very beautifully dressed and made up Rin was ready to be presented to her mate. As soon as Rin was ready, Sango sent Meiko to tell Sesshomaru.

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The wedding procedure went off just as it should have, albeit being somewhat later than had been expected. As Sesshomaru had surmised, several of the elders that lived close by had imbibed a bit freely with the saké, making themselves be heard for everyone around them, saying how proud of Rin they were, and how only she could be the true woman worthy of their Lord Sesshomaru.

After the elders finally calmed down, everything went as had been planned. Miroku told everyone of how they had come to be, how their lives had come to pass, the way they had met and how their futures would now be entwined together. As Rin had said her vows, tears could be seen on many a woman's face, clearly letting her know that they were completely enraptured with what she was saying.

When it came to be Sesshomaru's turn to speak, not a sound could be heard. It was...as if even the birds and insects were holding their breaths, along with everyone else at the wedding, waiting for the Great Tai-Youkai's speech, listening as he took Rin for his wife.

Now, the reception was in full swing. Musicians performed their best for the Tai-Youkai and his Lady and family members. People were dancing, eating and drinking, and many toasts were made to honor the newly-wed couple.

Inuyasha finally managed to get his brother alone for a few moments. Something had been weighing on his mind ever since Rin had come towards them for the ceremony.

"Does Rin know?" He asked Sesshomaru.

"Know what?" Sesshomaru replied, trying to buy himself some time.

"Don't play dumb with me. I caught her scent. I smelled her! If I can, then I KNOW you can too, damn it! She's pregnant! And don't tell me that you didn't know, because if you do, then you're more of a dumb-ass than I give you credit for!"

Sesshomaru sighed. He knew that his brother had scented the change in Rin. It had been to much to hope for, his not speaking about it.

"To my knowledge, she does not know. And I shall not be the one to tell her, and neither shall you, for that matter. When she finally figures it out for herself, and is ready to tell me, then that will be when the announcement shall be made. Not before. It is her surprise, after all. I do not wish to spoil it for her. As she is the one who carries my pup, she shall be the one to speak of it. No one else can claim that right." He haughtily replied, looking Inuyasha straight in between the eyes.

Inuyasha grinned at his older brother, and held out his hand in a gesture of friendship, and understanding. After hearing his otouto speak out, placing Rin's feelings before his own, he had finally decided to stop judging him. Their roads together had been rocky, to say the least, and their paths strewn with boulders, not stones, but now, at least, they were starting to talk to each other.


Sesshomaru looked down at it, Inuyasha's outstretched arm, then back up into his younger otouto's eyes. Squaring his shoulders, he grabbed Inuyasha by his forearm instead, grasping firmly, making Inuyasha do the same.

"We are brothers. Bred by the same sire, even if not carried by the same mother. We have one thing in common, though...the same compassion our father had for human females. We both have come a long way, Inuyasha. Although I shall never truly comprehend you and your rashness, I DO understand what you feel towards your Miko, Kagome. I truly hold a very deep respect for her. Protect her, as her love holds no bounds towards you. As your feelings are the same towards her, as are mine towards Rin. Let there be no more warring between us." Sesshomaru stated, tightening his hold upon his brother's arm.

For the very first time in his life, besides what he'd shared with Kagome, Inuyasha stiffened, then lowered his eyes in submission, tears blinding his sight. If anyone had told him that this would eventually come to pass, he would have laughed outright, then beaten the S O B to a pulp, if he didn't kill him outright.

"Inuyasha...look at me." Sesshomaru said, making his brother raise his head, although the eyes were still tightly closed.

"Inuyasha...I said...look at me. Open your eyes."

Inuyasha did as he was told, staring into his brother's eyes, those, that so long ago had been enemy's eyes, glaring, bearing down upon him.

Sesshomaru pulled Inuyasha into a warm embrace, hugging his forehead against his shoulder. It lasted a mere second or two, but it was enough for the both of them. Separating, Inuyasha coughed, then said;

"You'd better go. Rin'll be looking for you. It IS your special day, after all."

As he said this, he knew he was giving Sesshomaru the excuse that he needed to compose himself. As he'd expected, his older brother bowed slightly, then turned back towards his reception party.