{ • Damned Deed •}
.•°.Chapter 10: Shamed or Tamed?. °•.

{…}

At the don of the seventh month, week twenty-nine, she felt like she had been pregnant forever, all the discomforts were getting at her. Itchy skin, leg cramps, and achy muscles were taking their toll while fatigue was her constant companion but she was told over and over again by the doctor to remember that the annoyances were only temporary and for the greater good.

At least, that's what all the doctors told her but she liked what her nighttime visitor said each time she complained, "it's temporary, when we meet our son you'll know it's worth it."

That always won a smile from her as she nestled her head into his chest, "I know… Inuyasha?"

"Yes?" He questioned as he stroked her ebony waves.

"I'm worried that people know," she murmured as she started to fiddle with his shirt, "if people know then we'll get—"

"They don't," he assured, "you need to stop being so paranoid or else people will start to wonder what's up."

"It's called hormones," she sighed as she shut her eyes, "I can't help myself."

"I know," he softly stated as he leaned his head upon hers, "you must be tired, go ahead and sleep."

"I can't," she muttered even though sleep begged to take her, "Inuyasha… I was wondering… if we could talk."

"Say whatever you want," he replied with shut eyes.

"A while ago… a long while ago, I saw you coming… coming out of the well," she wearily began before pausing to press her lips together, "why were you doing that?"

"The well in the courtyard?" He asked, he waited for her to nod against his chest, "I probably just dropped something."

I knew he was lying but my heart told me to ignore it, to pretend like it was just some sort of delusion from the fatigue… I was certain I loved him. At least, I wanted to love him. We were having a child together. I should love him, with time I could… back then I didn't really know him, though.

"On Monday you have a meeting with Wanatabe, right?" asked Inuyasha.

"That's right."

"I can't say anything to him about keeping the kid, he'd wonder if I have seen you when I shouldn't," he explained, "but if you, the mother, mentioned it then he'd probably be more sympathetic."

"You mean, us staying with him here?" She questioned as she pulled away to look up to his golden gaze, "do you think he'll really agree to it?"

"Right, that," he nodded, "I think he would. Why not, right?"

Why not indeed…

...•¤°•.•°¤•...

"A bit over two months until the due date, am I right?" Watanabe questioned as he patted her bulging belly.

She smiled simply uncomfortably at that, "yes."

"You are doing a great service to our world," he grinned as he waved for her to sit down and gradually she did. "I just wanted to check up on you, make sure everything was going alright, see if there was anything the council and I could do for you to make your remaining time her more comfortable."

"That's very nice of you, Wanatabe-sama," she replied with her sweet smile, "I was… wondering, I mean… it's only natural that I feel this way, I'm certain… but why can't I stay here after the child is born and be a part of his or hers life? What harm could really come from that?"

"Of course," he nodded, "yes, of course, that's only natural you feel that way now but… the council and I strongly believe that it's better for everything that you return to the way things were and put this all behind you."

"And why is that?"

"Your little brother, for example," he started as he leaned back in his seat, "you are his only family, am I correct? You've been taking care of him ever since your parents died, what would happen to him if you never returned?"

"He… he could come here, too," she supposed.

Once more he nodded, "but how do you think he would feel? Finding out that his older sister, a blessed miko, has a child? Or Kaede-sama for that matter? Of course, I think you are doing the world good, but others… others may think it's strange, considering you don't even know the father. I don't know how well your little brother would adjust to his new environment, either. I imagine he has a great deal of friends back in the village you are from."

I tried to ignore another feeling throughout my time there but Wanatabe knew just where to strike a blow… he reminded me of the shame I felt about everything. I knew I was doing something for the great good—at least I thought so—but I also knew… it was strange, weird, perhaps even wrong. I was having a child with a stranger… more importantly, I was unmarried and a miko both of which meant I should be having a child.

I don't know how my otouto would feel about it but pride wouldn't be one of them, same went for obaasan.

"I…" she murmured as her eyes fell to the floor, "I understand…"

"I thought you would," he nodded, "now your friend will take you on your walk or you could simply return to your room, whichever you prefer."

Her friend, perhaps her only friend there, was waiting outside for her with a forced smile on her face. One that was always fake, but always for Kagome's benefit. Not once since the news of her village's disappearance did she ever show a real one, no matter how hard Kagome may have tried to wiggle one out.

"Are you feeling alright today?" Sango would always ask.

"Yes, fine, thank you," she'd always answer, "I think I just want to go back now, take a nap if possible."

"Of course," Sango chimed as she started their stroll through the castle walls, "are you sure you are alright? You look a little pale; did Watanabe-sama say something?"

"No…" she whispered, "no, just tired. I guess I always am lately."

"The burden of being pregnant, I'm told."

"Do you ever want children, Sango-chan?"

That seemed to stump her friend for a moment before she admitted, "I suppose, if I ever meet the right man. Now that is the hard part, sometimes I think there isn't a good man left in our whole world. Most of them are just pigs and perverts."

"I'm sure you would make a splendid mother," Kagome assured.

"You would, too," Sango replied, "if you were ever given the chance… this whole thing must be difficult for you, isn't it?"

"I'll manage," she sighed as Sango opened her door for her, "have a nice day."

...•¤°•.•°¤•...

Eagerly she waited for gloom to take the sky so that he could finally show up at her balcony, she didn't even bother to lock the door anymore—there were so many guards around, what was the worst thing that could happen after all?

"Do you want to hear what Watanabe-sama said?" She quickly questioned as soon as he got in through the door, it seemed to take him by surprise since it took a few moments for him to say, "sure."

"It's awful," she assured as he walked over to sit on the edge of her bed, "really, awful!"

"Sh," he whispered as he pressed his finger to his lips, "don't shout like that."

"Sorry," she murmured, "he… he said…"

"Kagome," he dragged out, "tell me."

"He said," she started again as she took in a deep breath, "that I… that I have to have the child in front of people. Isn't that awful? So embarrassing… how is that supposed to keep my purity?"

"I heard about that, I'm allowed to come," he nodded, "I thought you might have a problem with that… I don't think I can change the council's mind."

"But why do they need to be there?" she asked, "it's so... awful; they want me to spread my legs and have a child in front of a bunch of people? And they said that the whole process was supposed to keep my purity? But they didn't want me to have sex?"

A grin crossed his lips as he asked, "does it bother you that we never…?"

Her cheeks grew rosy as she looked away and stuttered out a, "no."

"It's so strange how innocent you really are," he smiled as he brushed her hair out of her face.

"Shut up," she grumbled, "its strange how untraditional things are going."

"I'm not insulting you," he promised, "I like it, it reminds me of… well, anyway, did you mention staying to him?"

"He said no," she murmured, "he made an almost compelling case."

One that at least made her hesitate…

"I have an idea," he assured her as he draped an arm over her shoulder, "a plan to fix things."

"And what's that?"

"Just trust me," he requested.

Her eyes met with his for a moment before she lied and said, "I do."

Though, in my heart I knew I didn't.

A/N: Reviews will prompt me to update sooner... sorry if this chapter was a bit boring, too.