Title: Mother
Author: Nikki Kiraga
Rating: G
Genre: Drama, Tragedy
Warnings: May make one cry, and possible inaccuracy.
AU/Canon: Canon
Pairing: Shippo/Rin Romantic, Shippo/Kagome Maternal
Words: 649
Summary: Kagome is on her death bed. How will the man she considered her son deal with the pain?
Note: Week 135, Shippou oneshots.

He sat beside her bed. She looked so peaceful, but he knew it was her final hour. Soon, Death would come to claim her. The kind, loving human girl that had adopted him as her son figure when he was a newly-orphaned kit.

Softly, he brushed hair from her old face. She aged well over the long years, somehow always seeming amazed when she realized he just would not look any older than sixteen. He'd always tell her it was his demon blood, and playfully scolded her for forgetting.

As he sat there, watching her sleep, he felt his heart grow heavier. She was well over sixty, but she never knew true love or had a family of her own. The half-breed Inuyasha, the only man she ever loved, long ago admitted that he couldn't get over his first love. She accepted it graciously, but turned to him for comfort. The wolf demon, Koga, had found love in the demoness Ayame. As for the man from her time, Hojo, she had softly told him she was moving, and he'd never see her again. Yes, she had given up her life in the future to be with him, and it plagued his conscience ever since she did it.

Tears brimmed in his eyes as he began to think about their adventures together in the small group that was only held together by a common enemy. When he met her, she was so young and beautiful. She and Inuyasha helped him kill the demons Hiten and Manten, though he insisted he could do it alone. Then she allowed him to come with them.

Over the years in that group through the battles, and that knucklehead Inuyasha repeatedly chasing her to her home in the future, the raven-haired woman had become like his mother.

It infuriated him when the ungrateful hanyou, not worthy of her love, broke her fragile heart. She was so hurt that despite his pleas, she thrust a sharp arrow point through her chest. He didn't want her to die. She was only twenty! She deserved to live, to love! He bolted off, finding the scent of the cold demon lord Sesshomaru. He finally begged enough to get the older man to give his so-called mother life again. When she awoke, he embraced her, tears running down his face. He begged her not to do it again, and she complied for over forty years.

Hearing her breathing change, he looked at her. "I know you're awake. Don't think you'll catch any emotional heartfelt sentiments by pretending to be asleep," he said, a forced smile on his lips.

The gray-haired woman opened her eyes and smiled at him. "Just thought I'd try," she joked, her voice weary and quiet. She reached up, rubbing his cheek. "You've grown so much. I would've loved watching your kits grow, too."

He sighed, holding her other hand while rubbing into the one on his cheek. "I know, Mama, I know," he whimpered.

She blinked, then made him look at her. "No tears, got it? I won't have you crying over me. I lived a good life. Now it's time you live yours with Rin and the kits. Understand?" She had sincerity in her eyes. She never thought of herself, even on her death bed.

He nodded slowly. "I-I will, Mama," he whispered, choking on his own tears. He couldn't take this. It was like his heart was exploding.

She smiled brightly. Slowly, her hand fell and he felt his heart stop with hers. He kissed her forehead, and walked out of the room. Waiting there was his mate, Rin. She, too, was human, but his mark gave her his lifespan. Yes, she was his, and not even time would tear them apart.

Slowly, he fell to his knees, clutching her waist and resting his head on her swollen belly as he cried. Soon, he took in a deep breath, and looked at her. "It's... a girl."

Rin blinked, then smiled. "Kagome?"

He smiled. "Kagome."