The Eternal Knot 13
It was getting close now, Sesshomaru could tell. Tian had told her about the symptoms, since she didn't dare talk to Inukimi about such things. Apparently the closer it came to dropping the pups, the more often those fake pains would happen.
They were easy enough to ignore though. Kagome seemed worse off than Sesshomaru anyway: while the Daiyokai's symptoms were all but gone(despite the ever-growing belly of course) Kagome seemed to be losing her strength bit by bit. She was a miko after all… And Sesshomaru had muted her powers, but it was possible that perhaps the pup was somehow leeching them further.
Sesshomaru doubted that she would be able to deliver the pup without losing her life. But she said nothing to Inuyasha. After all the hanyou had almost as good of a nose as she did.
The Daiyokai movd hair out of her eyes as she walked, then settled on the edge of the porch that connected the two buildings. It was getting a bit hard to sit down and stand up now but she ignored it the best she could. After all it would only be for a little while longer… It was unusually warm today and the breeze that blew off the mountains kept lifting her hair away from her face, tossing it to the wind.
She missed Diaozuan.
She felt connected to Inuyasha too, but the hanyou was near nearing his hair out from Kagome's illness and so Sesshomaru didn't go anywhere near them unless the hanyou came to her first. Still though. It was hard to be alone, waiting for the pain that was not the fake pain. Waiting for the moment when the kits demanded to come into the world and the dragon's spell went away and the fathers of her children were clear to everyone.
At least she'd gotten used to them moving around though. Sometimes she would sit for quite some time on the edge of her porch with her legs hanging down and feel them moving and think about the lives they would lead. She would be sure that the fox kit went to the Fox kingdom. It would be safe there and would be a strong yokai, maybe even a pure blood like its papa. Though of course, until she straightened out the Fox Kingdom as being one of the twelve, they wouldn't be recognized as pureblood. But that could be arranged.
The other would grow up here… but perhaps with time, maybe it too would branch out from the palace and lead its own life. Sesshomaru would make sure that it did not grow up among demons for too long. And be sure to shower it with the affection that Sesshomaru had craved but received only from her father.
"Ah!" She was jerked out of her thoughts as one of the pups kicked hard, almost making her wince. You are so strong. She then smiled just slightly and rubbed the spot with her thumb earning another slightly softer kick. She then paused as she smelled something familiar.
"Tch." Came an irritated voice next to her. Sesshomaru startled and growled, her tail bushing out as her hand went to her sword- though when she saw who it was she relaxed slightly.
"Looks like yer nose is going. If you can't even smell me from that close." Inuyasha said with a slight smirk. He had jumped out of the bushes and landed on one of the foundation supports for the porch, his two bare feet tight together on the rounded wood top. The claws on his feet were blunt and looked slightly dirtied.
" I didn't register you as a threat. There's a difference." Sesshomaru snarled, pulling up her own feet and curling her tail over them as best she could.
"Mm hm. Whatever." Inuyasha looked her over for a moment, to the point where she snarled, "What."
"You really aren't going to let me see the pup at all are you."
Sesshomaru looked over and raised a brow. "You're the one who said you wouldn't interfere if I took care of Kagome. Which I am doing.
That was the arrangement."
Inuyasha shifted around a bit. "I… " and huffed, seeming irritated at his own choice. I regret it already. It's my pup, damn it. I don't care what the stupid royals think. I don't care what anyone thinks.
A low growl started in his throat and stayed there, the whites of his eyes growing slowly red. He'd fucked up. And now to keep his word he wasn't going to ever see his pup, not ever. Would Sesshomaru even love his pup? Or would she be as bad as that damn Inukimi, the one who had warped Sesshomaru so much?
The thought of it killed him.
" Don't… Don't be like that damn Inukimi with him. Or her. Just… Please." He finally muttered, his eyes now not meeting hers at all.
His arms were crossed and his hair hung on a fluffy silver swath down his back, swaying a bit in the wind.
Sesshomaru looked over at him for a moment in surprise and then out at the view of the mountains, saying quietly, " I will do my best to be the opposite of her, in every way. For fear of producing another Daiyokai like myself." She would never want to create another Daiyokai so out of sync with her emotions and needs. So stunted from lack of warmth and caring. Sesshomaru would not wish that on anyone.
Kagome's voice suddenly spilled through the warm air, calling for Inuyasha. It was as sharp and clear as a bell.
He leaped and was gone, even the patter of his feet soon disappearing as he ran to her. Sesshomaru tilted his head a bit and listened. He could hear her labored breathing and narrowed her eyes slightly in concern. That didn't sound good.
Sure enough a few minutes later, she heard one of the guards approaching.
"Yes."
Lihai said quietly, "My Lady, its Kagome. Inuyasha sent for you."
She held a hand out to Lihai, and he helped her to her feet. " Thank you. Stay here. He doesn't appreciate guards." She said quietly, and crossed over the porch, knocking before going through the main door. Inuyasha was sitting at the foot of one of the doors, but got to his feet the moment he could smell Sesshomaru.
" Hurry up." Was all he said as she appeared and followed him into the room. Inukezi was tucked in the folds of his robe and poked his head out every once in a while, but otherwise remained silent. Kagome was in bed looking very pale and strained, though she still managed a kind of smile as Sesshomaru approached. Tian was in there too, looking equally frazzled.
The snake demon went to Sesshomaru's side the moment she entered. The stripes down the nape of his neck almost glowed in their intensity, a bright purple against black scales. "My Lady." Since he was so frazzled his speech was a bit slurred by his fangs.
" She hasssss been experiencing great pain but is not showing any signs of labor. I'm not sure what elsssse to do for her. I-"
Sesshomaru nodded and said quietly, "Tian. I know you have done your best." And the snake went silent with relief, watching Sesshomaru look her over. The Miko suddenly took her hand and Sesshomaru startled a bit, her eyes wide.
"Sesshomaru. I-I don't know anything about demon pregnancies, but I'm pretty sure that they shouldn't hurt this much-" She said, her voice ending in a pant as she drew her legs up a bit, gritting her teeth.
"No. They shouldn't." She said quietly, looking down at their entwined hands and wincing slightly. A faint hissing sound could be heard between the flesh and Sesshomaru withdrew her hand, looking at the raw red along her palm and fingertips in surprise. Tian and Inuyasha looked equally surprised, and Kagome quickly apologized, "S-I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to-"
"Shh." Sesshomaru closed her hand into a fist. When she opened it again, she showed Kagome the palm of her hand, now completely healed from the effects of Kagome's purification powers.
" I see. Your Miko powers are resurfacing. Of course that would be painful." Sesshomaru said quietly, and Tian looked surprised and irritated at the same time.
"Tian. I believe you know what to do." Sesshomaru said quietly. The snake demon nodded and took Inuyasha's hand, who yelped like a pup. "Oi! I didn't say you could- leggo-"
Kagome's flat angry stare caused the hanyou to go quiet, getting dragged up to her side by the snake demon.
"So, this is probably going to seem a bit gross to a human. But basically you're going to have to swallow a little of the han-" He corrected himself, "Inuyasha's blood. It'll help keep your Miko powers down a little while longer."
Kagome made a face and sighed, while the hanyou looked outraged. "What kind of a solution is that? You ain't cutting me, I can tell you that alre-"
"Inuyasha. Hand Inukezi to me." He blinked and nodded, and she put their son by her side. As soon as he was settled she looked back at him and snarled, "Sit." Tian watched in surprise as the hanyou was dragged to the ground by the beads, landing on the hard wood floors with a pained grunt. Tian and Sesshomaru waited for a moment until the hanyou popped back up, "Kagome-!" giving her an irritated huff before handing his clawed hand back to Tian, looking off to one side.
"Just do whatever yer gonna do before I change my mind."
The snake demon nodded and pricked the pad of Inuyasha's pointer finger with one of his claws, then held it out for Kagome who wrinkled her nose just a bit.
"Just a little. Hurry, before it's cold." Tian said quietly.
Inuyasha's gaze went back to his wife as she gently licked the bead of blood from his finger. She immediately drew back, waving her hand in front of her mouth a bit with a disgusted look on her face. "It's spicy! Ack!"
A mix of amusement and exasperation crossed Inuyasha's face at her words. " Keh! Excuse me for having a bit more bite than human blood. What's that gonna do anyway?"
Tian explained to the both of them, " It'll hopefully stamp down your miko powers a little while longer. I would have done my blood or Sesshomaru's, but that might have acted as poison. It's safer with yours."
Kagome touched her belly curiously, "Well.. it does seem to be helping a little…" She definitely looked more relaxed than she had moments ago, and her breathing was slowly returning to normal. "I've had just about enough of all this blood stuff. Ugh. Seshomaru, is this all you can eat?" She asked, turning to the Daiyokai curiously.
Sesshomaru colored just slightly and said, " Daiyokai can only eat the blood and flesh of other demons. Human food usually makes us sick."
She seemed genuinely saddened by the news, "What? No bread or desserts or… or anything?" and Sesshomaru gave a shrug. She couldn't really miss what she had never had access to.
"Huh. Well that explains the cravings." She said and put an arm down, shifting a little higher in the bed. Inuyasha moved to her side and helped her up, leaving an arm around her shoulders. "Hey. He'll still nurse after he's born though right?" She asked, turning this time to the snake who twirled a finger around the hair at the nape of his neck. " Of course. Human and Daiyokai pups are pretty similar for those first few years in other respects."
She sighed with relief and rested her head on Inuyasha's shoulder. "Good."
Tian and Sesshomaru looked at each other and the snake said, " I'll be outside if you need me." Though Sesshomaru was socially awkward, even she knew when to take her leave. As the two demons left the room she glanced back at the scene one more time.
Inuyasha and Kagome together, her hands under her belly and the human pup Inukimi at her side. Her black hair and blue outfit a contrast in every way to the swatch of red from the fire rat robes of her husband. Somehow, there was something about it that made Sesshomaru's chest tighten a bit.
The door snapped shut and Tian gave Sesshomaru a strained look. " There is only so much I can do for her. You ask the impossible of me." He whispered, the scales around his temples shining slightly in the light. Sesshomaru noted the circles under his eyes. Inuyasha had probably kept Tian up at all hours of the day and night caring for Kagome.
" I ask you only to do what you are capable of. That is all." Sesshomaru said just as quietly and placed a hand on the doctor's shoulder for just a moment. " Just make her as comfortable as you can. We will see if she can do this or not."
Tian nodded, sitting on one of the many benches outside of the main hall of the house. His shoulders were slumped and Sesshomaru couldn't help but feel a twinge of apprehension. Sesshomaru returned to her own rooms, poured herself a glass of blood broth, and was getting ready to answer the ridiculous mail that had stacked on her desk when she thought she heard something.
Sesshomaru.
She whipped around, fangs bared. But after giving the once-over to her rooms and having the guards look at her with raised brows she knew that for once she was very much alone.
Sesshomaru.
She suddenly realized whose voice it was and growled, sitting back down in her chair.
Diaozuan. I told you not to communicate with me through our bond.
Though to be honest, she was the tiniest bit grateful. She had wanted to be the one who didn't need anyone, ever. That was who her mother had raised her to be. But the farther along she got with these pups the more she realized she needed both Diaozuan and Inuyasha's help to keep them safe.
I know, but I miss you. Are you okay? Is my kit keeping you awake at all hours of the night?
She could feel amusement in his voice through their bond and snarled, Yes! It's not funny.
Sesshomaru closed her eyes and the maroon markings on her eyelids glowed faintly in the dull light . Now that she thought of it, it was pretty impressive that they were able to talk to each other through such long distances like this. The Fox Palace was not close. Even Inu No Taisho had a limit to how well he could communicate with Inukimi over long distances. Their bond must be stronger than Sesshomaru estimated.
She crossed her arms on the desk and rested her chin atop them.
How's the border dispute coming? I'm assuming well, since you aren't dead yet.
She felt more amusement coming from Diaozuan. My orchid, if you could see how well I fight, you'd be at the Fox Palace right now begging for my ring on your finger.
It took Diaozuan well over twenty minutes to calm Sesshomaru down after that remark. But eventually, he managed to get her into a talking mood again.
What about the hanyou? The other father? Diaozuan asked cautiously, hoping to change the subject.
Sesshomaru flopped back down onto what was the equivalent of a fainting couch. His stupid Miko is carrying a Daiyokai. Somehow the Foo-Dog demon blood resurfaced in her. They're staying with me for now after I calmed Inukimi. You can imagine how she feels about hanyous in the Palace, considering how she feels about Fox Demons.
Irritation. That's what she felt on his end, now. I hope you plan on changing the recognition rules for the Fox Demon Tribe. We were originally a part of the thirteen Royal Families. And I will not tolerate anyone calling our kit a bastard. He or she will be just as royal as any other Daiyokai.
Of course. It's one of the first things I plan to do, after Inukimi steps down.
His end went quiet for a moment and then he muttered, She's dangerous. Get out of that Palace the moment you start feeling any pains. I'll teleport there myself if need be.
Sesshomaru's brows went up. I didn't know fox demons could do that. Isn't it straining to go so far?
Extremely. But for your safety it is nothing.
They talked for almost two hours. Sometimes about important things, sometimes about nothing in particular. As they did so she could almost feel his presence around her, something large and dense. But warm.
The army was moving and he was on the back of his black antelope, safe from harm, which was why he had so much time to talk to the Daiyokai whose mark he bore.
He told her all about his soldier's reactions to seeing the mark on his chest, everything from the teasing to the rubs on his hair to the jealousy. Demons from all corners knew how powerful Sesshomaru was and how lucky Diaozuan was to be bonded to her.
He told her about considering leaving his shirt open at all times just to show it off. She reddened, and she could feel his amusement at her embarrassment. I'm proud to show off our Mark. I hope that someday you will accept mine as well.
You're asking to get shot, you know that right? She said with exasperation, and he chuckled.
Fine fine, I'll keep it buttoned. For now.
She was still frazzled at the idea of accepting a mark from him. Of course both marks happened at around the same time for normal couples but their circumstances were a little unusual. Still though. Once she pinned down exactly what her feelings were for the annoying fox she would probably at least have to consider it.
It was really the first time she could think of where she wanted to be around someone, other than Rin. She wanted him here, next to her. His stupid jokes and annoying voice and … And though she wanted to pin it all on hormones or instinct she knew that wasn't quite right either.
After some time they said their goodbyes and she was alone again.
She climbed to the roof and sat atop it, looking out to the Palace instead of towards the mountains. It would be a long time before she could return to the roaming lifestyle she loved, so now was as good of a time as any to start looking inward. Inukimi would step down soon. Sesshomaru wondered how the Twelve (soon to be thirteen) Royal families would treat her. She didn't know what kind of a ruler she would be.
But she did know that she would make the Royal Families accept Diaozuan as the Daiyokai that he was. Maybe if that happened she would be able to keep the kit here rather than hiding it off at the Fox Palace as if she were ashamed of it.
And what would become of Inuyasha? It wouldn't be right to send him back to the human village and keep his little Daiyokai kit here.. though he was sure Inukimi would see no problem with that plan. Sesshomaru would have to come up with some way to keep them here and safe without having the other demons sniffing around and causing trouble.
He wasn't sure they would even believe a hanyou could produce a pureblood. They might start accusing Inuyasha of all sorts of things.
Sesshomaru looked down at her bare feet. She'd forgotten to wrap them and put on her shoes, and they seemed even more warped now than they had before thanks to the weight of the kits.
At least they're still cleaner than Inyasha's feet.
She thought to herself, laying her hands on them.
Another token from mother. She felt sick when she thought of Inukimi looming over her sweet little kit or pup. It'd probably take a miracle for her not to go after her own mother. Hopefully my protective instincts won't be quite as strong as Inuyasha's, but we'll have to see.
She thought, remembering the way Inuyasha had kept so close to Kagome this whole time, always on the lookout for her and Inukezi. He was always guarding, never resting, always keeping track of who was around their babies.
She looked at the Palace with a mix of apprehension and dim hope. Maybe things would improve after Sesshomaru took the throne. Lately, many representatives of the other Royal families had requested to speak with Sesshomaru over Inukimi lately. They seemed to trust her judgment more, and appreciate the lack of threats or coercion.
Though Sesshomaru had never considered the matter, she was in many ways a much better ruler than Inukimi could ever hope to be.
It was time for change. Whatever it may bring.
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Inuyasha16451:Thanks! Here you go ! J
Wolf'sVine: Yeahhh… Well let's just say that it will all work out in the end?(sweats nervously) And he definitely cares, but he's pretty torn between the pup and Kagome at the moment and you know how great he is about making decisions lol ~ And I suppose not, but at the same time I think it would be more satisfying that way right? xD Any ways, on the the next chapter~