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[ He starts when he hears that she's barren.

His mouth actually opens as a harsh breath forces its way out. Sesshomaru presses his lips together in a line line to listen to the rest of what she has to say. He pauses to glance towards the baby clothes that she has started. When did she start them? It doesn't matter. She couldn't throw them out.

He lifts his chin. To see her so downtrodden, he cannot allow it.

Certainly, there are worse things that she could be. But it does not matter; it doesn't matter how worse off that she could be because she is hurting from what is her reality, what is the reality of all Moonblessed.

He breathes in before he speaks. His voice is clear and surprisingly careful: ]

There is a point. One day, you will return until then ... that hope should be carried on. [ It would be good to make many clothes and bring them back. It would be good for her to think of the children she will have when she returns. She can be happy with all the clothes that she's made, and know she can gift them to her little ones. She can tell them all about the worlds she has been to, and show them the fruits of her labor.

Yes, Konoha ... wouldn't she like that? To show her children that she hoped and hoped to see them and able to show them all the love she had for them until they met? ]

[She really wants to believe that.

More than anything, she does, but doubts nag at her, insidious and dark beneath the cheery smiles and positive attitude she works hard to present. She’d come here from another world that wasn’t her own, so it’s hard to trust that leaving this place would mean definitively returning to her own home. The Lunar Scientia people had told her that they didn’t know how the moonblessed had been rendered sterile, and in her limited understanding of science and magic she cannot begin to think that such a serious thing once done could be so simply undone.

But Sesshomaru says that... so what can she do?]

You’re right.

[She pulls a hand from the fabric to wipe at her eyes and stop the watering there from spilling into tears, a little hiccup of sound disguised with speech.]

It might just... work out.

[And like every world before this... She has no control over it at all. Just hope.]

You know, I actually have something for you... I was going to wait until that Firalia holiday, but since you’ve come all this way-

[Since if she doesn’t change the subject she won’t be able to keep smiling, Konoha lumbers to her feet again with a soft “one moment” before she disappears into the other room... and comes back with dryer eyes, two cups of tea... and a small, festive package that contained a crimson cord, thick and tasseled at the ends. Fit for the elegant, decorative knots used to belt a sword’s sheathe.]

This is for you... or, for Tenseiga?

There is no "might." It will work out.

[ He decides to be firm on that answer. ]

Hm?

[ Sesshomaru can't say that he is surprised that she has something for him. It is just like her to give thoughtful gifts. He watches her go with some worry. His chin drops as he thinks about the idea that they are all sterile. Did they mention something at the time? He cannot say that he remembers much of what was said to him when he came to this new world.

The daiyoukai listened to the bare minimum and left the room as soon as he was able without asking any questions. However, it is not about him and his understanding. Konoha has had to struggle with this for some time. He wants to support her just as he is certain that Gonta and others are. How to support her? How to ensure that she doesn't feel alone?

His head lifts when she returns. He, again, offers a half-smile when he sees all that she is bringing. The sword at his side resonates loudly -- enough that the vibrations of the blade can be felt in the air. He offers a brief glance to it. You also want to give your thanks? Yes, you want to let her know that you appreciate and will be there for her, too, huh? ]

Tensaiga is thankful. [ He reaches to take the cup of tea and present. Setting the cup down carefully, he opens the present so that the sword can "see" what has been gifted to them. It resonates a second time. Enough. You're being troublesome. Being too noisy over presents is something for children. ]

Tensaiga will wear it proudly, or I will break the blade myself. [ It is already happy about the gift and so would not mind it anyway. Yet Sesshomaru says his peace on it, because, well, she should know that he's willing to do all that he can to ensure her happiness. ]

[Even now, Konoha isn't quite sure how sentient Tenseiga was. She got the sense that it... felt things, somehow. That it had some sort of will... that had become clear to her when Gonta had disappeared, when he and many other Moonblessed had become as spirits. It had seemed then like... Tenseiga itself wanted to help, not that it was just a tool in Sesshomaru's hands.

So when she senses the sort of... movement? Vibrations? Konoha smiles through the momentary reminder of sadness, of the denial of something she's wanted so wholeheartedly and the fear that it might never come to be. Was the sword happy?]

D- Don't say that...

[She knows it's just how he speaks, but she also can't stop herself from waving him down, hands moving as if to placate... Sesshomaru? The sword?]

I thought it would look nice, but I've never really been able to give gifts like this before, so it's fine no matter what...

[After all, this was chroma money, and... she was quite well off when it came to chroma, far more financially secure here than she'd ever been or could have imagined being back in her world. Silks, gifts for no reason, nice food... she tried not to let herself get too spoiled, but... it was hard to resist the urge to spoil others.

And swords?]

Hn. Tensaiga has heard worse from me.

[ Which means that it is fine.

Yes, he did once think that the sword was worthless and would be better off being left to gather rust -- so on and so forth. Yet Tensaiga has always protected him and others despite his nature. He lets out a single sigh and turns his head away, like he's embarrassed about his past exploits.

His eyebrows lift a little at her comment that she has never been able to give gifts of this nature before. However, that makes sense. He supposes that the humans that cared for her would treat her well, but others would not and refuse to give her what she was due. He frowns just for a brief second before saying: ]

Then, you should give as much as you can to make up for what you could not. Live in excess and offer no apologies for it. [ In short, live happily without having to worry about what others think and don't feel guilty about her actions. ]

[Poor Tensaiga... Konoha thinks for a moment, but only a moment. The sword seemed to have something of a mind of its own, and yet it still responded to Sesshomaru, so... it must like him.

Even if he threatened it sometimes.

Her expression breaks into a somewhat helpless smile, soft yet wry. The idea of living so richly seemed so unfair, thinking of the people she wanted to spoil back home but couldn’t. Her parents had a modest farm, they made enough to get by, but there had been years when food was scarce. Times when they’d gone without so she could eat. And now that she’s here with all this money...]

I can try... It’s not like we could take chroma back to our worlds and use it, so...

[So maybe it was alright. Still... thinking of worlds reminds her of something else, and as Konoha’s voice trails off her expression grows slightly pensive again, hot tea cupped and warming her hands.]

Are there... demon slayers, in Lord Sesshomaru’s world? Human ones?

Yes, you cannot take it with you.

[ He gives another sharp nod as he lifts the cup of tea to drink it. It is his misunderstanding about why she is hesitating, but he will not let her hesitate in things that will make her happy. Even if it is selfish, even if it will harm others, he will support the happiness of those that he cares about before everyone else. That is just how a daiyoukai is. ]

Demon slayers? [ He repeats the phrase before nodding. ] Yes, there is. That boy is one. [ Sesshomaru pauses before explaining: ] Kohaku. He came to follow me for a time. He has decided to carry on his family's legacy at hunting demons.

[ He pauses to take another small sip of tea. Breathing in deep, he would have let that be but he decides to once more press on. ] I check on him from time to time to ensure what he is challenging is not beyond him. He is steadily gaining strength and soon I will not have to look after him at all.

[When she'd asked the question, she hadn't expected to hear that the boy Kohaku, who's name she has only heard in passing when speaking to the demon, alongside Rin and someone named Jaken, was a demon slayer. Or that he was... basically looking after him? Because if there's one thing she can guess... it's that if a boy was seeking to carry out a family legacy of demon slaying, he would learn it from his family.

Unless he didn't have one.

But if Sesshomaru had taken him under his wing... well, she didn't have to worry for the poor thing at all, did she?]

One of Rin's friends?

[She moves the cup of tea around in her hands but still hasn't taken a drink, a little unsure of how she wants to word what she thinks she ought to tell him. He was a proud man (demon), but... She can't help but be a little concerned. Humans from different worlds had all sorts of strange powers...]

Demon hunters in Lord Sesshomaru's world probably know better, but. I just thought you should know that there are demon slayers here now... really, um. Passionate ones.

["Passionate" was one way to say that, considering one of them had gotten into a fight with a demon in the public streets practically the moment he arrived and the other... well. She seemed nice, and spoke very politely, but.

There was something about her smile that just seemed... a little off, when they'd been talking about demons. When she told them there were demons in this place that didn't need slaying.]

They are friends. [ His eyes close. ] Rin felt bad for him. He was brainwashed and almost killed her. Yet she forgave him ... and asked me to forgive him, too.

[ His eyes opened. ] It's the same as someone else I know. [ He gives Konoha a pointed look before taking another sip of tea -- like to add emphasis. ] That boy is not only Rin's friend, but one of mine.

[ And that is all there is to it, really.

Sesshomaru pauses as he listens that there are other demon slayers present in this world. He comprehends almost immediately what she means by saying that they're "passionate." Konoha worries that they would attempt to kill him -- and die terribly for their efforts.

And humans have the problem of taking the death as one as an attack on others. He has no reason to attack anyone else if they leave him be. But if they want to make a stand, he will cut them down, too. It does occur to him that he might lose; it does occur to him that he might be the one to die. His powers are weakened and he is not himself. Yet he cannot think that way. He cannot think that way because it means he will lose.

However, as he thinks all of these things, he sees the strain her smile. ]

... you want me to forgive whatever foolishness that they may say or do?

[Konoha has never met Rin, only heard about her from Sesshomaru... But she sounds like such an amazing young woman. Well, girl. She hopes she doesn't meet her, in a way, because she couldn't wish this world, being kidnapped from one's home, on anyone, but...

She just gives a sheepish sort of smile at that pointed look, shoulders rounding in a little hunch. She's glad... that when they part he will return to Rin. And also this Kohaku.

But he has to live to return first, and while she's more worried about the death of the demon slayer's than his, knowing his strength better and still fully impressed by it...]

Oh, no, you don't... Not exactly. I mean-

[He didn't have to forgive them if they tried to kill him just for what he was, but... She struggles a bit more to come up with the right words, staring down at her tea. Giyuu seemed like a good man, as recalcitrant as he sometimes seemed with his lack of speech, and Miss Kocho seemed... dedicated. In their world, she had no doubt that demons were as terrifying as they claimed them to be, and it was noble of them to protect humans from them. She thinks?]

I told them already that there are demons here who aren't like the ones in their world. Demons who don't eat people or really bother with humans much, like Lord Sesshomaru.

[And she might feel a little bad, thinking that putting his name out there intent on defending him might instead draw negative attention to him.]

But. I just wanted to tell you first. Just in case.

[Even if he was a demon, even if he was strong... she still worried about those she cared for.]

I see.

[ He breathes out slow before he sets his cup of tea down. His name has been given to these demon hunters -- depending on how they are, they may think that Konoha is being manipulated by him. That is how humans think sometimes.

Sesshomaru abruptly remembers once a group of monks had attempted to take Rin from him. He nearly let them do so because he felt she would be happier with them. She would no longer be in danger or be in the world of youkai. Yet Rin did not think so and cried for him. And yet, again after their major fight had ended, he sends her to a human village to see if she will want to be part of the human world due to someone else saying that it would be best.

He thinks of these things as he looks at Konoha that may end up caught up in another fight between people that she is fond of. His lips curl down into a frown. The issue with Matthias and himself was one born on a misunderstanding that he perpetuated. The issue with the demon hunters and him will not be the same situation. Even so, Konoha may still suffer.

He stands up slowly and crosses the short distance to where she is. Sesshomaru does not smile in a reassuring way but instead reaches out to give her a hug. For those that he cares for, he is willing to suffer. Will he say that aloud? Not in so many words, of course. Because if he admits it, it will bring more suffering to those he wishes to protect.

Sesshomaru was unable to ask her this the last time she was caught in the middle, because the situation was too close to Inuyasha. He let himself be selfish and wish to ask her to stay true to him. That was, perhaps, the wrong decision. So instead, he says as he holds her in a loose embrace: ]

Yes, I understand. Then, if it comes to it, choose the side of those demon slayers. I do not need anyone to protect me, and I reject any wish you have to watch over me.

[ Even if you have known me longer... I do not want you to be in danger. Those people... I don't know them... and so I will not give them reason to hate you.

Tensaiga trembles slightly at his side before going silent. ]

Ah- ?

[She hadn’t expected it. Sesshomaru had embraced her once before, but that... that had been a far different day, afraid and grief stricken by the sudden ghostly disappearance of her husband. Then, she had clutched at him like a lifeline, desperate for someone wiser and stronger to assure her that somehow, everything would be alright.

But now... ? A little confused, but not at all against the idea, Konoha returns the hug, dark hands a stark contrast to the pure whites of his clothing and fur where she wraps her arms around him. He smells... well, okay, not good, canine probably couldn’t smell good to anyone with equine sensibilities, but. It’s a scent she’s come to associate with safety and comfort, and she starts to smile-

Until he opens his mouth.

Shocked, Konoha pulls back a little, brow furrowing and searching his face for the reason he would say such a thing. Had she made it sound like she’d ratted him out? Or- Had it seems like she preferred them to him?]

No way-

[How could she ever side against him, or pretend as if she didn’t know him after everything?]

I just wanted to warn you in case they didn’t listen to me... I’m not choosing their side!

[One of them had given her hope in a moment she’d had little, and she enjoyed his company... but it wasn’t comparable at all. Even if they were strong, even if it came to conflict... She can only shake her head in physical rejection of the idea that she ought to side against him, fingers tightening a bit in his clothing.]

You should.

[ He decides to be firm on this point even though she holds onto his clothes. Sesshomaru does not know how demon hunters are in other worlds, but what if it is as they both fear? What if they do not listen to Konoha? What if they do not listen to his own sharp words? Would a conflict break out? Would Konoha be in danger? Would the happy life she has be in trouble? ]

I am telling you that you should and you will choose their side if it comes to it. [ Because that would be safer. It's safer to do things that way than worry what those demon hunters might do to her. If she is already on their side, they have no reason to target her. Humans are troublesome creatures. ]

You are mine to protect and I am telling you how I am to protect you.

No, I won't.

[Konoha might be laying down, but she digs her proverbial hooves in, shaking her head again to deny that she'd do such a thing. That she'd be able to do such a thing.]

This isn't like our worlds... people can't just start huge fights and expect nothing to happen.... There's the Moon Knights-

[And apparently, these demon slayers were already on the Moon Knights' radar for starting fights with demons in the streets, one of their blades already confiscated.]

Besides, I already told them you don't eat humans, and that they shouldn't bother you... so I'm already on your side. Aren't I going to wear your colors?

[Hadn't he just given her silks all too similar to the sorts he wore? Hadn't she already made it clear who she was protecting? The idea that she was always the one to be protected, always the one everyone worried about makes her expression crumble slightly before she tenses back up, shaking her head one more time.]

I'm strong, Lord Sesshomaru. Not as strong as a demon, maybe, but- Jinba are strong, too!

[ He slightly flinches.

Yes, he gave her his colors. It is his way he wants to protect her, to say that they are together. Yet the slight look of guilt fades to something like anger. ]

Certainly, the Moon Knights will get involved. But what about you? [ What about the house that she has? What about her husband and her wish for children? What about these things that may get swallowed up in conflict? ]

You may be strong, but I have been fighting longer. [ He will play the age card, hn. ] Humans can be difficult and if they get it in their mind that I am an enemy even after what has been said... [ He frowns even deeper. She may be strong, but he cannot let her see danger. ]

... merely say that you were tricked and mislead. If you wear my colors, you will do that for yourself. [ He breathes heavy out his nose as a means to put a period to what he's saying. Tensaiga shudders slightly at his side, like the sword wants to involve itself in the argument, but soon grows quiet. ]

[Sesshomaru angry, even just a little, is a slightly terrifying sight. He was a daiyoukai, he could become a beastly canine apparently so large he'd dwarf a forest clearing...

But though jinba had certain instincts that were even now making her coat hairs stand on end, sending a shiver down the line of tufty mane connecting the blend of upper and lower spine... they also had human brains to regulate things like fight or flight, and Konoha doesn't budge, shaking her head stubbornly.]

I'm already involved. I told them about you as a demon who doesn't eat humans... and I told you about them as demon slayers now... so if they don't listen to me and it comes to fighting, that's my responsibility.

[She... thinks? But that's what she's going with, spine ramrod straight as she tightens her shoulders and stiffens her upper lip.]

I'm not smart about a lot of things... but you haven't tricked me.

[Had he?]

I don't want to lie and say you did. I have Gonta... and I have myself, and that's if it comes to that. If.

[And Konoha might be naive, she might be too trusting... but she doesn't see Sesshomaru's current conclusions and hypotheticals as realistically as she does. Not now.]

[ He wonders if Rin too would argue with him on this point. Of course, the answer would be "yes," which is why he usually would leave and tell others to let her know what he has decided.

It's because he can't stay firm and argue with someone that he cares about. Eventually, he would do what would make them happy. However, he attempts to make it seem like the decision to do so was completely his own. The pride of a daiyoukai is difficult in that manner.

So, seeing Konoha upset, it troubles him. The anger radiating from him fades -- the narrowing of his eyes softens a little. He thinks that he could stand to leave and announce his decision. Yet his body does not feel strong enough to do so. Sesshomaru clicks his tongue in annoyance. I should have done so in the beginning rather than wait to hear what she would have to say.

Through grit teeth, he growls back: ]

There is no reason for you to do more than what you've already done.

[Konoha has heard similar things before. Heard that she didn't have a reason to do this, or that, usually when it came to helping someone. And whether it was Lord Sesshomaru or someone else-]

I want to do it.

[Wasn't that reason enough? Her hands twist in her "lap" between forelegs, but she stands (sits) strong, watching his face carefully, her own expression a soft plea for understanding. For seeing that she was capable of protecting herself in this sort of situation, for seeing why she'd want to claim him, even if it meant she might lose her good standing with someone else.]

[ His frown deepens and he lets his eyes fall to watch how her hands twist. He tries to gather up the strength to continue to tell her "no" yet he can only let out a single sigh at first.

His teeth set together before he bites out a single word: ]

And --

[ Sesshomaru breathes in. He wants to say something cold and hurtful. Yet as he lifts his eyes up to look up on her face, he can't. She has a home in his heart and even if he feels the hurt he causes her now will be for the best -- he cannot finish what he wants to say. ]

Your foolishness may cause you harm. [ He presses one last time. ] This mistake is the only one I will allow you to make. If you make anymore...

[ He trails off, because he has no punishment that he can think of. He has no punishment that he would actually give. So he lets her think up what her punishment might be. ]

I know.

[The first time they'd met... Konoha had been a little bit afraid of Sesshomaru. Sure, she'd had the bravado and the naive guts to say what she had to him then, but... he had said he was a demon lord. Anyone with sense would be a little afraid.

But now... he frowns, he bites, he growls, his sharp teeth click... but she has sharp teeth, too, bared when her serious expression finally melts back to one far more natural on her face.

A smile.]

Rice ball?

[Suddenly, the box of rice balls is held up between them, and she pops the lid open to offer him one, ready to take one after him. She'd told him what she wanted to, made sure that just in case, he knew about the demon slayers' presence. Made sure he knew she was on his side.

And that was enough.]

Hn, very well.

[ Sesshomaru breathes out hard through his nose, like accepting the food is something that Konoha should consider to be a great honor. He takes a bite out of one of the offered rice balls shortly after. His eyes shut as he chews in a quiet, dignified manner.

The inside of his wolf ears are tainted a pink shade off-setting the usual pale color. It denotes the slight embarrassment that he feels to be so easily won over by her words. Of course, so long as it is not said aloud, it is fine. So long as it is not said aloud, it means that his pride remains intact.

So, he takes another small bite. She is on my side. Even though there are demon hunters present, he feels content in knowing she will be with him. I wonder how foolish these people are... He feels he will come to know that soon enough, but for now, he settles his nerves and upset to eat with someone that he cares about. ]

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