The End [8/12]

[Calla Lily]

~ * ~



?At the end of the rainbow,
You'll find a pot of gold
At the end of a story,
You'll find it's all been told?



?Sesshoumaru? Sesshoumaru?? The demon?s eyes were unfocused as he recalled those memories. ?FLUFFY!? The silence was broken. ?That must have been the longest time I?ve ever seen you daydream, and you don?t daydream much. Is something wrong?? He shook his head.

?Where do you want the nursery?? he asked, mentally shaking his head of thoughts of the past and tried to focus his mind. Rin stared at him curiously then brought a hand to her lips. ?I was thinking of putting it right here, changing my private quarters for good. There are plenty of windows to let the air in, and they?re easy enough to close if the weather should get too cold. The nursery, if put here, will be close enough to our own chambers and it sits on the same level, too.?

?Are you willing to change these rooms permanently?? a bit of concern in his voice. This place had belonged to her ever since she first arrived. She moved out when they had gotten married.

?Dear, I haven?t used these rooms in years. It has a wonderful view of the gardens and beyond. I think we should use it again, this time for a better use.?

?If you wish.? He stood up, ?should we empty this place of your belongings?? He pretended not to see the slightly condoning look on his wife?s face as he stared at her latest d?cor. Before he knew of her pregnancy, he merely thought that Rin had just gotten herself into a pack-rat fetish, gathering small knick-knacks from various caravans that visited the palace. He hadn?t thought that some of the objects she kept were of secret use to the baby. They needn?t worry about a cradle, blankets, or toys anymore. She had seen to that.



?But our love has a treasure,
Our hearts can't always spend
And it has a story without any end?



They spent the rest of the day wandering through the rooms, observing what needed to be changed and what could be kept. Rin insisted on moving her old bed to another part of the nursery rather than throwing it away, convinced that it will be needed in the future. An argument erupted.

?And just what use will a bed do? Our child can?t possibly sleep there!?

?It?s not for the baby, it?s for us.?

?I still think it should be removed.?

?Honestly, Sesshoumaru. Don?t you ever listen to what Inuyasha tells you??

?No.? She let out an exasperated sigh at her husband?s indignation.

?When he had his firstborn, they couldn?t sleep for weeks on end. Every night they had to tend to their baby?s crying. Do you understand what I?m saying??

?Not quite.? Sesshoumaru crossed his arms across his chest.

?In nine months time you will. When it?s your turn to baby-sit you?ll be so tired from running room to room that you?ll be dead on your feet and fall asleep.? She persisted.

?Rin, I?m youkai. I have more strength than Inuyasha.? How dare she compare his ability to be a good father to Inuyasha! His half-brother still wasn?t a pure demon like him.

?That?s what they all say??



~ * ~



The sun set in the West and evening fell upon the lands quicker than usual. Autumn was already here and with the shortening of the days, it was obvious that a change of seasons would soon be upon them. Sesshoumaru watched his wife fall exhausted onto a couch as they retired to their quarters. She put a hand to her brow.

?I?m exhausted.? She yawned.

?It?s another big day for us tomorrow.? And he sat down beside her.

?Why?s that??

?Because we have to make a formal announcement, that?s why. Not to mention a baby shower, preparations, and all those other things women do when they?re expecting.? His wife gave him a look.

?I thought you disapproved of such events. I recall you being bored out of your mind at the declaration of Ayame?s betrothal.? She gazed into his eyes as he took her small hands in his,

?It?s not that I disapprove, I just found it tedious at the time. Besides, I know you?ll be disappointed if we don?t follow the traditions.? Rin beamed like a sunflower and embraced him.

?Sesshoumaru, you?re so good to me.?

?Anything for the one you love.?



~ * ~