Disclaimer: Not mine.
Warnings: A lecherous monk and pregnant hormone-frenzied newlyweds.
A/N: A nod to d-dandrews, although I think that you've picked the wrong brother for the Pon Farr concept (wink). A grudging nod to Margaret Atwood, whose book inspired the title of this chapter. For those of you who have never read her Surfacing, don't bother. Life is depressing enough. But if you're one of the few who has slogged through it (cough Can Lit cough), you might appreciate the analogy.
X. Surfacing
Inuyasha had been busy in the two months since their brief visit to Kagome's world. They had decided before their wedding that they would stay on with Kaede, opting not to build a hut of their own. But with Shippou and the baby on the way, along with their increased incentive for a little privacy, Inuyasha had busied himself with the construction of an addition to Kaede's small dwelling. The bathhouse had been an afterthought, an almost ridiculous luxury in such a humble village, but with the weather growing colder through the changing of the seasons and Kagome's decreased mobility with her rapidly expanding figure (or, more precisely, Inuyasha's decreased ability to carry her safely), it had proven to be a wise choice after all. He would do anything to keep her happy, and Kagome was happiest when she was clean.
The hanyou had worried at first after they returned from speaking with Kagome's mother. Fearing that the visions of her father's death would drive her deeper into depression, he had been surprised to see her mood turn for the better. The hormone swings were wilder than ever, the threat of sit shadowing his every move, but in balance she seemed much more focused on her studies with Kaede and on preparing for the birth of their child. He asked her about it one night, as he lay curled around her sated form waiting for sleep to claim them both.
"It's just like Mama said," she replied. "You're my family now. You and the baby, Shippou-chan and Kaede. My life is here."
Inuyasha's heart had skipped at the certainty in her voice. He well understood the pain of indecision, of being torn in different directions. He had made his choice before the battle with Naraku, had found relief in the decision once and for all that Kagome was his future. But she had faced a difficult choice as well, and the fear had lingered in his mind that fate had robbed her of the choosing. Yet she seemed to have reconciled with the hand that fate had dealt, had finally accepted this world as hers.
It was thus that Inuyasha had thrown himself into his little construction project, invigorated by his fierce determination to provide what comforts he could offer to his growing family. But between the tasks of building and the demands of Kagome's raging hormones, he was beginning to appreciate the supremely human condition of exhaustion. Kagome had never been demure or shy, but with her pregnancy advancing she was becoming a wanton little vixen. He had to admit that he was no longer sure whether he would be able to keep up to her demands. At least the construction was finished. In the last few weeks, Inuyasha had come to appreciate that nothing eased tired and knotted muscles like a good, hot soak. Becoming irritated with the cooling water, he raised his head and hollered.
"Oi, brat, throw another couple of logs on the fire."
A little more warning would be good. He had already been close when her weakened senses first detected his rapidly approaching presence. Immediately recognizing the immense youki that materialized behind her, she stiffened. The small kitsune cried out.
"Kagome!!!"
"Stay back, Shippou-chan."
Running or shouting would do no good. In fact there was little they could do if he intended harm, but she was determined at all costs to protect the life growing within her. Steeling her resolve, she turned to face him.
Several moments passed as the youkai lord considered the hanyou's mate. His abrupt words cut the still silence that shrouded the clearing.
"You would have made a strong miko."
Kagome blinked. It was the first time Sesshoumaru had ever deigned to address her directly. She wondered briefly at the change.
"I had no choice. The power left me after the battle with Naraku."
"The power has not left you, it will be with you always."
His elegant hand extended towards her, the slim fingers sliding over her protruding belly. She shivered but did not flinch. For the briefest of moments, she could almost have sworn that his left eyebrow twitched. Surely not.
"Impressive." His voice was soft? Kagome looked up at him curiously.
"What do you mean?"
"Your power is dormant."
The stillness of the moment was broken by the noisy arrival of the shirtless hanyou, his silver locks not quite dry. He skidded to a halt several feet away from them.
"Leave her alone, you bastard! I'm your opponent!!"
Inuyasha's heart thudded furiously in his chest. He had never been so terrified. Sesshoumaru literally held the life of his wife and his unborn child in the poisonous palm of his merciless hand.
But the youkai lord did not respond to the challenge, would not acknowledge the lesser son.
"Father's power is great indeed. But you would not have chosen differently."
Kagome blinked again. Does he mean?
Inuyasha looked as though he was ready to erupt into a tantrum worthy of a two-year-old. Only sheer terror for his family held his anger in check. His next words were cold.
"Take your filthy hand off of her."
At that moment, he sounded an awful lot like Sesshoumaru. The tone of voice must have finally caught the elder brother's attention, for he turned to address Inuyasha.
"Do not lose site of your mate again. I will not have the blood of father's line spilled for your carelessness." With that, he was gone.
"This is very good news, Kagome-sama." That syrupy voice was beginning to grate on him.
"What do you think it means, Miroku-sama?"
Sensing the hanyou's agitation, Kaede interceded. "It means, child, that Sesshoumaru believes your powers will return after you deliver."
"But I'm married. I can't be a miko now."
"That is true, Kagome-sama. You have duties to a family of your own and cannot be expected to fulfill the duties of a priestess as well." Damn right, bouzu. "But Sesshoumaru is correct that marriage should not interfere with your natural talents."
"But my powers disappeared before I got pregnant."
"Precisely, child. It required a very strong youki to subdue them. Otherwise, your spirit and body would likely have resisted the conception." Inuyasha's ears perked up.
"That's why Sesshoumaru was impressed," Kagome giggled.
Miroku-sama chimed in again. "Perhaps that also explains, Kagome-sama, why he has acknowledged the lineage of your child."
"Keh." Inuyasha tried to suppress the note of smug male pride in his voice. "I still can't believe you let him touch you."
Kagome wrapped her arms around him, snuggling against her beloved.
"You aren't still mad at me for that, are you? I promise it will never happen again."
The monk watched the bickering couple retreat to their room. Kagome-sama nuzzled against the gruff hanyou as she waved goodnight. Their behaviour had truly become rather unseemly of late.
Miroku bade Kaede a pleasant evening, privately wishing her and the small kitsune a peaceful night. From the looks of things, they would need the blessing of Buddha to be able to sleep while Kagome cajoled Inuyasha.
A pregnant woman is indeed a most beautiful creature.
As he walked the small path through the village, Miroku vowed to redouble his efforts to start a family.
youki – ki is inner power, spirit or life energy. Strong warriors are believed to have a strong ki. Youki is the demon energy associated with youkai. Given the effectiveness of Kagome's purifying arrows, it's probably safe to assume that her spiritual power wouldn't mix well with Inuyasha's youki. Any child born of such a union is bound to be interesting!