Chapter 4: You're in Love?

I glided over the remains of a village. I frowned behind my fan. I descended. I landed on the ground with a rustle of ashes around my feet. My black fighting kimono with pale sakura flowers and petals repealed the ashes and dirt to stay clean. I frowned further when the swipe of my fan, the large gust of wind revealed to me the remains of bones and skeletons of burned down huts.

I closed my eyes to concentrate on the essence of the ruined village. A tear slipped past my guard when I followed the feeling to Inuyasha's remains. With a glow, Tessaiga appeared in front of me. Great sorrow swallowed me as I hugged close the old rusted sword. I was surprised it didn't burn me with its barrier. I thought of the distant memories of Inuyasha. I have technically lived for about 2 766 years. With respect, I tied the scabbard to my belt. With sadness and regret, I floated up into the cold clouds to search for Tomoe.

His essence was fainter that the one who burned the village, but if I can find him, then I will be able to get some answers. The sun turned down for the moon as I flew through the air to a large estate. I landed in front of the door. I wanted to knock, but I just flared my aura to see if he would react. The door flew open, and I was bear hugged.

"Mother"

I hugged him just as tightly. I hadn't realized just how much I had missed him. When we let go, I reached for his ear and tugged on it painfully. He yelped and whined. He stared at me confusedly.

"You have some explaining to do as to what happened in the centuries I was gone."

He looked uncomfortable at my irritable, disappointed, and angry look. Instead, he led me inside to talk and introduce me to someone. That someone is a human woman with bandaged eyes. She has paused in eating her meal to face us in our general direction. I phased over to kneel next to her. I lightly gripped her chin to make her face me. She flinched and tried to pull back. I gripped tighter.

"My, to be hurt in your eyes, it must be painful. I have knowledge of healing. If you will allow me, I shall see what I can do for your eyes if they are not too far gone."

"Who are you? Where's Tomoe?"

"I am Tomoe's mother, Kagome. Tomoe is right here."

She seemed to have relaxed and stiffen even further. I let her go. Tomoe was by her side once I stood and strode off to the side.

"Are you ok?"

"I am fine. I am Yukiji. It is a pleasure to meet you Kagome. Please take care of me"

I flicked open my fan and stared at Yukiji as she bowed in my general direction. I could tell she only meant some of what she said. I could tell Tomoe was displeased with me when he showed me to a room for the nights I will be remaining here.

Later that evening with Tomoe behind the closed shoji door, I took a look at Yukiji's eyes. I frowned and peered closer. I sat back as I applied a salve I made from the herbs I carried, around her eyes, careful not to get in her eyes. I watched her flinched when my claw glazed over her skin. I sighed as I wrapped the bandage around her head.

"I am sorry to say that there is not much hope to regain your eyesight."

She just tilted her head forward in acceptance. I had listened to Tomoe's story. He was love with a human woman. He had shown me the hair stick that held their promise of marriage and mating. It was faint, but I did smell a human woman on it, just not this one. I also smelt that this Yukiji is pregnant, but if her currant grief and stress is going to continue, it would restrict her child from growing. I wondered why Tomoe hadn't noticed yet. Their scents should be obvious.

I felt Tomoe leave. I sighed again. I looked at Yukiji.

"You are not the Yukiji that Tomoe fell for," I stated. She stiffened as well as flinch.

"I can smell that you are not the 'Yukiji' I smell from Tomoe's hair stick, but I can understand why you want Tomoe's protection. You are pregnant. If it had been any man other than Tomoe, you would probably not be safe for as long as you will be with Tomoe."

"Will you throw me out for lying?"

I took a good look at her. She is strong, but it too weak to sustain for long in this world.

"No, I won't. You are in need, but do not worry for Tomoe over hearing this for he has left for the moment before I started this talk. I will heal you to the best of my abilities in the meanwhile you will remain with us."

"Why? Why would you do such for a human?"

"Because, I can. That and I care for the unborn child. I am a mother. I want you to know the joys of having a child. Now, you need some rest. If your grief and stress continues, the baby will not grow."

The following months have been peaceful, but Yukiji's baby did not grow. Her health declined as well in spite of my skills. She is dying and only has until next summer. When the end of autumn came around, Tomoe raided the Sea King's palace for his eye. It was the only medicine that could save her now. That evening when Tomoe rushed in yelling the young woman's name, it startled me. I left to give them time alone. When I came back with some water, I found a younger girl and divine snake in the room.

The snake stood between me and the girl next to Yukiji. Before I could demand their business, I could smell the girl. I remembered her scent on Tomoe's hair stick. I relaxed slightly. The snake seemed confused but didn't let up his guard. The girl looked at me in recognition, but I do not know her. At closer inspection, she looked a lot like Yukiji.

"Girl, who are you? What is your purpose? Did you come back for Tomoe?"

The girls nodded and proceed to give the medicine to Yukiji. Both woman and girl relaxed, but the snake was angry for some reason. I suddenly remembered why the girl's clothes seemed to be so strange. The distant memory of the 20th century clothing style surfaced. She must have time traveled. They disappeared before I could ask them anymore questions.

I put my curiosity aside for now to tend to the unconscious Yukiji. When Yukiji woke, she didn't seem to realize I was in the room when she murmured something curious. So the girl's name was Nanami? I will have to remember it. I also felt a tainted presence outside with Tomoe, but it had long gone by now with Tomoe coming back in.

It is the beginning of spring now and Yukiji was brought over to the village that Tomoe had the women make Yukiji's meals, since I refused to make any. The women needed whatever's left food. Over the weeks, Yukiji's child bloomed within her, giving the soon to be mother a healthy big belly. I went along to give support. My illusion had me as an older woman to look the part of Tomoe's human mother, silvery gray hair, wrinkles, and all. It would be as I would have looked if I were to have been still human in old age.

I observed Yukiji as she interacted with the other women. She looked happier and more at peace. Tomoe noticed this as well. I helped with the preparations and acted as the old croon as I was supposed to. I smelled smoke and heard the conversation beyond the wall. I was a bit sad and pitying, but before I could dwell on it, Yukiji went into labor.

I went over to the reentered Tomoe to calm his fears and to move him outside. I patted his back and rubbed soothing circles. It was morning and Yukiji's cries have not ceased. Tomoe worried over the time.

"Oh, calm down Tomoe! The birthing process is a varied time for each woman. When I was in labor with you, I took a full day-"

I had to sputter a laugh at his uncomfortable and doomed expression. I smiled and ruffed the crown of his head between his ears. He relaxed. We entered when the women gave the alright. Tomoe worried over Yukiji's sleeping form. I was given the baby after she was shown to Tomoe. It was a girl. I cooed over the cute baby. I partly listened to their explanation about how humans and some youkai all grow up. I looked at him and smiled.

"Would you like to hold her?"

When he took the babe from me, I instructed him how to hold her properly. He looked at the baby softly and came to the realization that babies were fragile, especially human babes in youkai hands

Later that day, he left. He was probably going in search of that fallen god.

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Kagome's age: 2,767