Life Marches On

1560, late-Muromachi Period, Spring

Kintsuke had done her best to avoid Sesshoumaru these past few years.

She'd remained mostly in the bit of territory she'd staked out in the south, but found she couldn't resist coming to visit the little human girl that called to the tender part of herself she often denied. The child had grown like a weed, and before Kintsuke knew it, she was married and with child. She still remembered listening to the girl-now a young woman-sniffle through a summary of the conversation she'd had with Sesshoumaru some time ago, only able to nod in agreement. Rin had been upset, of course, but surprisingly understanding.

As the impending birth drew closer, Kintsuke found herself remaining nearby, confidant that her associates in the south had things handled well enough. She could spare a few days away for the young woman whose eyes still shone like stars, whose passion and gentle cheer reminded Kintsuke that she was as much human as she was demon; something she often forgot.

She was painfully aware of Sesshoumaru's presence here as well, both in his scent and the silhouette of a phantom canine bolting along above the clouds. It occurred to her one day as she perched atop one of the huts in Kaede's village, watching, that she had never actually seen his true form before…but neither had he seen her as a human.

'Don't be daft; they are hardly one in the same. That particular state…no one may ever see.'

She shrugged the thought away.

A strange almost watery scent met her nose suddenly, quickly followed by a soft outcry of both panic and joy. It seemed the birth would be only hours away now. Grinning madly, for she had some-what recently been through a similar experience, Kagome nearly skipped her way out to pluck fresh herbs from the garden just outside the village for the soon-to-be-mother. Curious, Kintsuke followed, listening as the miko bubbled on about the joys and agonies of birth and each of the supplies they would require now. Finding no other way to be of assistance, Kintsuke began tucking the herbs Kagome picked into the crook of her arm and sleeve.

Perhaps sensing the commotion from above, Sesshoumaru alighted silently down, startling the human, but not Kintsuke, who had felt his approach. He blinked between the two females, who had paused.

"It will be soon, I take it," He mused calmly, a relieving contrast to Kagome's near-sunshine bright demeanor.

"Very soon! Kaede and one of the other mothers are already with her and we gave her-"

Sesshoumaru fixed her with a cold expression, quieting the woman and refocusing her on the task at hand.

Kagome pursed her lips, almost indignant as she rose from her crouch in the greenery.

"Well, excuse me. I thought you might be interested to know what Rin is about to go through. This isn't like laying an egg, or whatever it is you full demons do. Here, Lady Kintsuke, I'll take those now. Thank you."

She gathered the herbs from Kintsuke's sleeve and made her way back to the village with her chin lifted.

"She talks too much," he muttered as soon as she was out of earshot, and Kintsuke merely hummed in half-hearted agreement.

She blinked up to find him already looking down at her, towering over her as she remained knelt next to the edge of the garden. She realized, quite suddenly, that they were alone. She glanced around quickly, hoping to find Inuyasha or even perhaps Sango, but they were already busied with their own appointed duties.

"Will you not be assisting?" he asked coolly.

She took the chance to rise smoothly to her feet and put a bit more space between them.

"I am not experienced in these things; I would only be in the way."

She did not miss the slight quirk of his brow as he seemed to take note.

"I am only here to ensure the locals don't decide to make a meal of anyone, however that is something I'm sure you have well in hand."

"Before you depart…"

He had not even given her the chance to turn away, though as she tilted her head in silent question, he looked away from her.

"What can you tell me of the instabilities in the south?"

"Instabilities?"

"I am told there is unrest around Mount Hachioka."

Kintsuke considered for a moment.

"That is one way to put it, I suppose."

"Then the rumors are true."

"They are; the conflict encompasses the lands to the east of the mountain along the tributary and north to Lake Sagami, but things will be settled again quickly enough, though there will be much bloodshed first."

"You seem well convinced of that."

The corner of his lips quirked slightly, and Kintsuke couldn't help the mischievous smirk that pulled at her features.

"It's easier to tell when and how a conflict is going to end when you're the one starting it."

She couldn't quite make out the glint in his eyes; excitement, perhaps? As she recalled, Sesshoumaru had quite the bloodlust, though she did not feel quite so much in him these days when they passed each other on the road.

"I see."

Feeling the conversation at an end and finding an opportunity to leave, she took it, giving him an appropriate nod before making for the road. She was sure Rin and the others would understand. She felt his gaze on her back as she went, her ears picking up his deep and silken tones, but unable to make out what he had said.

***

1563, late-Muromachi Period, Autumn

The powerful are given no reprieve.

Shortly after Kintsuke's departure and the arrival of Rin's pup, Sesshoumaru found himself quite inundated.

In the north, he, Rekkonji, and Hiken struggled against a band of determined lesser demons; the earth there quickly running crimson with their blood. They hunted down their surviving comrades, ensuring the insurrection would not repeat itself.

To the west, Sesshoumaru found himself needing to apply a more tactful hand, weeding out the rumormongers who were attempting to sully his reputation. Once found, they met a similar fate to those in the north.

To the east, he found disappointingly little resistance, needing only to chase out and slaughter the rabble that had attempted to settle there. He paused just short of the border to the peninsula that was the Panther Tribe's territory. Their frosty leader Toran had honored her word to keep her kind in check and out of his lands, so he would in turn honor his word to not pursue or impose on them.

Between each of these, there were countless smaller encounters he was forced to handle; demons still seeking prestige from defeating him, others already challenging his claim to the territories,

Finding a single moment of tentative peace, Sesshoumaru took the chance to release his human-like guise and nest comfortably in a great swath of clouds. From here, he examined his lands for anything that would require his immediate attention again before sparing a glance to the south. Smoke still rose from around Mount Hachioka.

'You said things would be settled 'soon enough', female; what is delaying you?'

He'd expected the conflicts that Kintsuke had admitted to causing to be settled by now. Certainly, three years was more than enough time, even against the most stubborn of foes; Naraku himself had taken only a year. He momentarily considered sprinting down to put eyes on the situation himself, for the rumors that reached him were devoid of any truly useful information, but hesitated. Would it be wise to step away from his newly acquired territories so soon, even for a moment? The answer was obvious. Aside from that, it was in his interest to respect the distance Kintsuke had silently demanded when last they'd met. He would take the south eventually, but for now, he left it to her. She required more time, it seemed, to settle her business.

'She is, after all, only hanyou.'

The words were hollow even as they passed. The truth was he still desired to have her nearby, to speak with him, perhaps even to fight alongside him, and he grew tired of waiting. The bundle of ice deep inside gave a shudder at that thought. Would she come if he asked? He knew he would need a second in the coming years, someone more competent than Jaken, and he did not have the time to seek out a new one.

Besides, what was the point when he already knew who he wanted?