Brave Hearts (Sesshomaru Fanfiction)

19. We've Come A Long Way

Hana couldn’t help but smile, as she caught a glimpse of Rin stifling a small yawn next to her as they both sat in the soft grass under a tree. It was obvious that the little girl didn’t want her to be aware of her sleepiness.

“Rin,” she said. “You can go to sleep you know. I don’t think we’re going anywhere anytime soon.” Rin looked up at her.

“I know,” replied the little girl, “but I want to stay up with you.” She smiled at the wolf demon.

“I’m flattered.” Hana joked.

Rin then suddenly flopped backward, letting her head rest on Hana’s leg. She looked up at the open sky, and eventually so did Hana. The night was peaceful, the sky was full of stars and not a sound stirred. This made Hana wonder why Jaken seemed to be so miserable.

Looking down, she looked over at the little imp who was sitting next to Rin with his small arms crossed over his chest and his eyes closed.

“Why so down Master Jaken?” Rin questioned. At first, Jaken’s reply was a mere “hmph.”

Jaken then opened his eyes, and Hana noticed that they had a familiar melancholy look in them.

Jaken suddenly became teary-eyed once again.

“I don’t understand why Milord has left me alone once again.” He cried.

Hana giggled.

“I’m sure he just wanted to be alone for a while – you know how he is.”

“Besides, you have us, Master Jaken – and ah and un too.” Rin added. In response Ah-Un, who had been resting behind them gave a low grunt.

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It wasn't long before Jaken had fallen asleep in the same position which he'd been sitting - arms crossed with that look on his face. And Rin too seemed to be dozing off. Hana, however, was wide awake. And she soon began to think about the one thing that had been on her mind ever since leaving Atsuko's home
In a way, she was curious as to what childbearing and being a mother had in store for her. And she was also anxious as to what Sesshomaru's thoughts would be when she told him (when she managed to find the words and the courage to tell him).

She looked down at Rin, who was still partially awake, running a hand over the little girl's head. She supposed being a mother wouldn't be that difficult. After all she had been helping in taking care of Rin all this time. Though Rin was human, she was sure that it probably wouldn’t be that much of a difference. Hana looked down at her, and she wondered,

"Hey, Rin," she called softly. 

"Mhmm?" mumbled a half-asleep Rin. Hana paused. 

"Have you ever...wanted...a sibling?"
At Hana's question, Rin slowly opened her eyes. Rin then sat up, looking at Hana, her eyes suddenly bright. 

"Well, sometimes, yes..."   Suddenly, Rin gasped and her face lit up with a sudden glee. “Are you and Lord Sesshomaru having a baby!?"

"Um...well...I," Hana looked surprised. 
Rin's sudden boldness had caught the wolf demon off guard. She'd forgotten that Rin was rather mature and intelligent for her age. 

"Your cheeks are turning red. Is that a yes?" She questioned, laughing. Hana couldn't help but smile faintly at her. 

"Well, yes," Hana muttered, unconsciously wrapping an arm around her abdomen, "but Lord Sesshomaru doesn't know yet, so shhh."

Rin, who now appeared to be quite overjoyed, smiled brightly and nodded in understanding. 
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Never before in his life had Sesshomaru found himself thinking so often. What was it about Hana that did that to him?
He kept thinking back to his noticing the way she'd looked earlier, and the way she'd been holding onto her stomach in thought. However, he did not wish to jump to conclusions. 
If his suspicions were eventually proven to indeed be true, he supposed that he would simply have to accept it. It was something, he thought, that would have eventually become inevitable - even if it was still a bit unexpected. 

Sesshomaru remembered a dream he'd had of his mother on the first night which he'd encountered Hana. She'd been "scolding" him for his aloof and indifferent ways - for believing that he would never in his lifetime need something such a love.