Chapter Four – Breaking the News
Kagome groaned loudly as she once again threw up in a bush. Ugh, her head hurt so much. It had been nearly 3 weeks since she had been impregnated and had began throwing up during her second week. It just wasn't logical. Humans were never sick at just three weeks, why would a hanyou child cause her this much distress? She was sure it was just because the child she carried was Sesshoumaru's, he always managed to get to her one way or another.
She bent over the bush and threw up another load when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She wiped her mouth with her sleeve and looked back only to be surprised to find Sesshoumaru "Are you sure you haven't fallen ill miko?" Yes, she remembered now. Sesshoumaru didn't believe she was being sick because of the baby but because her human body could not withstand trivial illnesses
"For the last time Sesshoumaru, it's because I'm carrying your kid" She huffed as she regained her composure and wiped her bangs of sweat. She looked up at the sky and sighed. Was it her or was the days getting hotter "Do you scent Sounga at all?"
"No" He replied bluntly as he withdrew his hand "He has likely gone into hiding. He can't destroy neither of us as long as you hold your spiritual energy. If he finds out of your condition then we shall be in trouble" He then turned and began to lead them off
"What do you mean?" She asked as she ran up to his side "I thought you would be glad, he might be able to rip your child from me and kill it"
"Do not be so crude, miko" He frowned as he met her gaze "Do you honestly want to get rid of the pup that badly?"
"What? No, I thought that was what you wanted" She pulled a bottle of water from her pack and drank from it
"I may not desire to have a pup but that does not mean that I wish to destroy it. Since you're with pup your spiritual energy will weaken as it is working to care for the pup" He then scented the air causing his frown to deepen "Stay close, we're in dangerous territory. Your scent tells others that you're carrying my pup, youkai here would want nothing more than to kill you and it to get to me" Kagome nodded and took a step closer to Sesshoumaru. She looked back to make sure Rin was safe but found that Jaken was keeping watch on her. She turned back to the front only to feel millions of eyes watching her from the trees and bushes
"Is it really necessary to travel through here?" She whispered. He nodded as he kept his gaze on the road. His body was tense and his hand was on the hilt on Tokijen, this told Kagome that he was ready for anything "You realize that if they sense that I have jewels shards with me they'll attack us regardless of the child in my womb?"
"I am aware of the situation. If they are in their right minds they'll back off" As he said this three panther youkai jumped from the trees and landed in front of them
"Lord Sesshoumaru" One bowed mockingly "What business do you have here?"
"None of your concern" He then unsheathed his sword "Step aside"
"Oh, I don't think so" His eyes then fell upon Kagome "I thought you would have known better than to bring a human into these parts, especially when she's carrying your brat"
"She looks delicious" Another smirked as he stepped forward "I'd love to have her screaming beneath me. Too bad she's already been taken"
"Scent the air again fool" A female panther snorted "She's a virgin, she's been impregnated through sorcery. You can still have your way with her" She then flexed her claws
"I was going to have her regardless"
"You won't be able to touch her" Sesshoumaru stood in front of Kagome "If you are smart then you'll leave now"
"If you were smart then you wouldn't have brought her here, idiotic mutt" The male and female panthers then jumped Sesshoumaru leaving the lustful one to harass Kagome
"Come here miko. I'll be gentle with you"
"Got to hell" She then threw some of her spiritual energy at him that was supposed to kill him, it only resulted in stinging him "Dammit" The child had already weakened her. Sesshoumaru wouldn't be able to help her, he was too caught up with the other two and she couldn't stay by Rin otherwise the panther would get her too. Thinking of the only thing she could, Kagome dived through the trees and ran as fast as she could
"Oh, how I do love a chase" The panther was then right behind her
"Idiot" Kagome cursed under her breath as she continued to sprint "I can't outrun a panther, never mind a panther youkai" Picking up the pace even more Kagome continued to run and she found herself in a clearing by a river. The water was far too rough for her to swim so now there was no where else to run
"No where to run now" A dark voice chuckled from behind her. Kagome turned to meet the panther's lustful gaze "For that little stunt I'm going to be far from gentle, you should have submitted when you had the chance" He then ran and pounced on top of her causing Kagome to let out a frightened shrill "Don't fight me!" He growled as he pinned her arms above her head
"Get off!" She screamed as she writhed and squirmed beneath him. When she heard him groan and felt something press against her thigh she froze
"I was enjoying that" He smirked as he leaned down "I'll have you screaming in no time" His lips were about to meet hers when he found himself flying backwards and into the nearest tree. Kagome looked up and was relieved to find Sesshoumaru
"Damn dog" The panther growled as he ran for Sesshoumaru. The taiyoukai didn't even bother to unsheathe his sword, instead he just released his whip and beheaded him. Once that was done he turned to Kagome and yanked her to her feet. He inspected her for any injuries only to find none
"Thank goodness you came when you did" Kagome sighed relieved as she dusted herself off "I thought he would have succeeded then. My spiritual energy isn't strong enough to kill him"
"I told you, it is because of the pup" AhUn then came through the trees with Rin and Jaken, before Kagome even opened her mouth he answered her "She is uninjured" His gaze moved to the miko's to find them full of relief and gratitude
"I believe I owe you my life now" She smirked
"It was my duty to protect you" He snorted "You're carrying my pup, my inner youkai would not allow any harm to befall you"
"So? You still have my gratitude" She then placed her hands upon his stub and they began to glow a bright pink
"Miko?" He knew she wasn't purifying him but he still had not clue as to what she was doing. The light engulfed them both only to disappear in a flash and to be replaced with an arm instead of a stub "Miko..." He lifted his arm and inspected it. It was completely identical to his severed one, right down to the markings "Why have you gifted this to me now if you have known all along?"
"I didn't know all along, I just had a theory of it working" Her eyes then closed for a second as she lost her balance. Sesshoumaru caught her before she hit the ground with his new arm and pulled her against him
"That was foolish, you have strained your powers that are already weak"
"You're welcome" She rolled her eyes as she steadied herself against him. She opened her mouth to say something when a voice was heard from the sky
"HIRAKOTSU" A giant boomerang then flew straight towards them. Sesshoumaru lifted Kagome into his arms and jumped out of the way of the attack. He landed gracefully and glared up to the sky to find Inuyasha's companions riding on the back of that damned neko, he'd had enough of seeing cats for the day "Let Kagome go, Sesshoumaru" Sango snapped as her weapon flew back to her
"Put your companions in their place before I behead them" Sesshoumaru warned as he kept Kagome in his arms "After fighting those cats I'm hardly in the mood to be merciful" Kagome nodded and looked up to her friends
"I'm okay, please come down" She waved to them "Sesshoumaru won't hurt me"
"Kagome? Are you feeling alright?" Shippo called from Miroku's shoulder
"I'm fine, just come down here so I can explain everything to you all" Hesitantly and reluctantly they landed by the lake where they all then climbed off Kirara. Sesshoumaru then set Kagome on her feet who then ran and hugged Sango "I've missed you so much"
"K-Kagome" Sango gasped as she caught her friend "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine" She laughed as she released her
"We've been so worried about you" She sighed
"When Totosai told us that Lord Sesshoumaru had you we couldn't help but panic" Miroku added
"Sorry for worrying ya" Kagome smiled softly "But honestly I'm fine, I'm not injured at all, though..." She trailed off
"What is it?" Kagome then looked at Sesshoumaru and then back to her friends
"Well, you see..."
"The miko's pregnant" Sesshoumaru stated. All of her friends' faces dropped in utter shock
"Sesshoumaru!" Kagome snapped but he just looked bored. She turned back to her friends and huffed "Look I didn't get a say in it, neither of us did"
"So it's Sesshoumaru's?" Sango asked. Kagome just nodded "Then what do you mean that neither of you had a say in it?"
"A dark miko who was actually a hanyou took Sesshoumaru's blood and used her sorcery to impregnate me with it"
"But why would she do that?" Miroku too asked
"Something to do with Sesshoumaru's father and wanting him to have an heir in case he died"
"But why you?" Shippo perked up
"I was the only woman around at the time and apparently I can birth strong children since I'm a miko"
"No offence Kagome but you seem to be taking this too lightly" Sango frowned
"I'm not, I've just accepted it. This all happened around 3 weeks ago. The second day Sesshoumaru took me, in fact. I can't get rid of it either, the miko placed a barrier around it so even if I die the child will still grow and live"
"That is some very powerful sorcery" Miroku stated as he pondered "Must have taken a lot of years of practise and experience"
"Don't remind me" Kagome sighed "Now I have to blow up like a balloon and have a child that I'm too young for" She saw Sango was about to protest "Yes, I know women here have children even younger than me but it's just not done like that in my time"
"Didn't you tell me about a way to get rid of children in your time? When you were telling me about your studies. Human biology or something" Sango asked
"Oh abortion" Kagome corrected "Abortion..." She then pondered "No, I doubt it'd work. And if it didn't could you imagine the look on the doctor's face if he was knocked back by the barrier? People in my time just aren't used to that"
"Abortion?" Sesshoumaru asked unemotionally as he took a step forward. Kagome turned to face him and nodded
"Yes, it is a form of termination in my time. The doctor injects a woman with something and it destroys the child, though it can only happen at early stages. I'm not sure if it'll work now, even if it has gone 3 weeks. A hanyou and youkai child grow faster than a human" She then shrugged "I don't think I could go through with such a thing anyway, I could have at the beginning but the child in my womb has grown now. I couldn't help but think it would suffer during the termination"
"Wench, if this helps Lord Sesshoumaru get rid of the child then that is what you shall do!" Jaken snapped as he waved his staff
"Back off Jaken" Kagome warned "This child is mine just as it is Sesshoumaru's, I am the mother so I make the decision whether to keep it or not. I'm the one carrying it, not him"
"Why you insufferable wench! Who do you think you are? If the Lord does not wish for the child then you are to comply and get rid of it. Perhaps you would rather be someone's whore so you shouldn't really have a problem with it. Lord..."
"Silence" Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed on the imp "You shall let her be. She is the mother of my heir, you shall not disrespect her so"
"A-a thousand apologies L-Lord Sesshoumaru" Jaken fell to his knees and bowed. The young Lord then moved his gaze back to Kagome and the rest
"I am assuming that you won't leave her side" He inquired to Sango and Miroku
"No" Sango stated "No disrespect Sesshoumaru but Kagome is like a sister to me and you two have never actually seen eye to eye. I worry for her safety"
"You say no disrespect yet you do not address him formally" Jaken squawked as he pulled himself back to his feet
"Fine" She then turned to Sesshoumaru "No disrespect, Lord Sesshoumaru"
"You don't have to listen to the imp" Kagome mused "He's just there for Rin's and AhUn's amusement"
"Why you..." He was cut off by Sesshoumaru's glare
"Kagome is like a little sister to us, Lord Sesshoumaru. And like a little sister we cannot help but feel very protective of her" Miroku explained
"That is understandable" Sesshoumaru nodded "I do not feel the need for any unnecessary fighting though I will not allow the miko to leave my side, we are bound together for the pup's sake"
"Very well" Miroku nodded "Then how about an alliance? We could travel together. Sango and I can protect ourselves so we won't be a burden to you"
"You would do that for me?" Kagome gasped
"Of course Kagome" Sango smiled
"We love you" Shippo added with his own grin
"Then we have a truce" Sesshoumaru answered Miroku "I am also not responsible for your kit"
"You don't have to worry about that, Shippo is quite capable of taking care of himself"
"I just mother him too much" Kagome giggled as she lifted Shippo into her arms and cuddled him. She then set him upon Kirara's back and moved over to Sesshoumaru "Thanks for this Sesshoumaru, it means a lot" Sesshoumaru nodded and scented the air
"We shall continue heading East, I have sources there who can aid us" He then turned, signalling them to follow. Everyone did so obediently and followed behind him
"Hmm, Inuyasha's reaction to this shall be...interesting" Miroku commented with a smirk
"It's none of his business anyway" Sango snorted "He's always running off with Kikyo. He can't have both she and Kagome"
"Where is he anyway? Have you seen him since I left?" Kagome asked as Shippo jumped onto her shoulder
"No, not at all" Sango replied "We haven't seen him since Sounga possessed him, Totosai told us that you saved him"
"I just sat him causing Sounga to detach himself from him. He's now possessed by an un-dead man called Takemaru, he was the one who killed Inuyasha's mother"
"Walking dead? I bet he and Kikyo are the best of friends"
"Stop it Sango" Kagome laughed as she nudged her friend playfully
"Kagome, have you told your mother yet?" Miroku asked, completely changing the subject
"No, I haven't seen her yet" She sighed "I bet she's gonna flip"
"If you like, when we make camp you and I could fly to the well and you could go and see her" Sango offered "I could come with you"
"Hmm maybe" She then cast her eyes downward "My Gramps will be disgusted"
"I'm sure if you explain the situation they'll understand" She reassured as she gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze
"Hopefully" The rest of the journey was carried out in silence...
Within a few hours the sun had set and everyone had set up camp. Kagome had offered to go and get firewood, she also made it clear she would do it alone. This would give her time to think over things. Sesshoumaru hadn't liked that so he followed her shortly after. He found her sitting upon an overturned log, the scent of salt hit his nose indicating she was crying. He let an inaudible sigh out and entered the clearing "Miko" Hearing him startled her, she jumped slightly as she met his gaze
"Sesshoumaru" She then pulled the three logs to herself that she'd gathered "I was just about to come back"
"With three logs?" He mused as he sat beside her
"Sorry" She sighed "I guess I just got caught up in my thoughts"
"What is troubling you to the extent that it would cause you to shed tears?"
"No offence Sesshoumaru but why do you care?" She looked up at him, surprisingly he held her gaze
"You are the mother of my heir, should I not care for you?" She then smiled sadly
"But otherwise you wouldn't bother"
"Oh I don't know" He smirked causing her to almost lose her composure "I've had to endure your presence for so long that I believe you're beginning to grow on me"
"I guess I'd have to eventually" She laughed "We'll be in and out of each other's life from now onwards. As soon as the baby's born" She then pressed her hand to her stomach and sighed "I'm afraid"
"Of childbirth?"
"Of everything" She admitted "Everything about me is going to change, I'm gonna get fat and hormonal. No one will want to be around me, you'll most probably want to kill me if I start screaming at you"
"I already get tempted when you snap at me now" Then for some unknown reason he brushed the bangs from her eyes "And yes, things will change about you but they shall only last for a few months. I am sure that is the natural process of pregnancy"
"Still scary" She shrugged
"Life would be rather boring if there wasn't things to frighten you"
"So you are admitting that some things frighten you?"
"Having a pup in my youth is rather frightening" He stated as he looked up at the moon
"Your age is three digits, how can you call that young?"
"It is for youkai. For you humans I am roughly 17 years old"
"You know what Sesshoumaru, this is the most I have ever heard you talk and comfort someone"
"The moon has that effect" He smirked and then stood "Come, we should return before your companions come looking for you" Kagome nodded and went to grab the logs "Leave them, I shall send Jaken to retrieve them" He then extended his hand to her which she gladly took and pulled her to her feet
"Could ask something of you?" She asked as he led her back to camp. He nodded "When I give birth...will...will...you be at my side?"
"Yes" He then released her hand "Are you and the youkai slayer returning to your home tonight?"
"Yeah, I can't keep putting this off"
"Very well, I shall accompany you both"
"You don't need to"
"Sounga may attack at any moment, you cannot go anywhere unprotected. He may follow you to your time" Kagome's eyes then widened
"W-what if h-he's already there?" She gasped as images of her family being slaughtered came into her head "I need to get home" She was about to dash back to the camp site when Sesshoumaru caught her wrist and pulled her back
"Be calm miko, if he has returned to your time then I doubt that he has killed your family. He would gain nothing from doing so. The most he will likely do is to hold them hostage until you arrive there"
"Then let's leave now, I couldn't live with myself if something happened to them"
"Very well" The two then returned to camp where they told Sango of the situation
"We should leave as soon as possible" Sango stated as she climbed onto Kirara "Miroku, Shippo. You two stay here until we return, if everything is well then we shan't be long" Kagome then climbed on Kirara behind Sango and wrapped her arms around her friend's waist
"If any harm comes to Rin you shall die" Sesshoumaru warned Jaken. The imp just bowed continuously as the young Lord took to the sky with Kirara following
"It's a good thing we didn't travel too far from Inuyasha's forest" Sango commented as she kept her gaze ahead "Try not to worry Kagome, I'm sure your family are safe"
"Either way tonight isn't going to be joyous" She replied with a sigh
"What do you mean?"
"If Sounga isn't there tonight then I'm gonna do it, I'm gonna close the well for good..."
Cliffhanger hehe
Reviews Please :)
Inuyashasesshy4eva xXx