DISCLAIMER- I don't own InuyashaChapter twenty- Discovery(Four months later)NOTE: I totally didn't notice this until after I posted the chapter but I put at the end Izayoi saying she and Takemaru were to be marriedin three months when her father said five. So I wanted to clear up it is Five months I am soooo sorry for that!Izayoi sat by the koi pond with Yumi next her, rubbing her stomach which was now much bigger than before. She was wearing a lighter pink kimono since she no longer hid the pregnancy since her mother had discovered it a week before.
/oo/ FLASHBACK /oo/
Izayoi sat in her room brushing her hair and thinking of her baby. Inunotaishou could not come that night because he had to go to the Eastern lands for a meeting with the rulers and would be there for a week. Yumi had gone to bed a short while ago after helping Izayoi change into her light sleep kimono since it was harder for her to change by herself. Izayoi thought of what her baby would look like and whether it would be a little boy or girl. Yumi had stuck with her boy theory however already thinking of names to tell Izayoi. She stood and rubbed her stomach as she felt movement. She was so lost in her thoughts she did not hear someone enter the room. "Izayoi?" her mother asked. Izayoi tensed, keeping her back to her mother but knew her mother could see her stomach due to the mirror of her vanity. "Yes mother?" Izayoi asked scared. "Turn around," she said putting her hand on Izayoi's shoulder and though Izayoi fought to keep her back turned but in the end she lost and her mother turned her around. "How did this happen?" her mother said shocked, her voice higher. Izayoi noticed Yumi in the doorway, her eyes wide in fear. She must've heard her mother. "Mother please-," Izayoi tried but her mother shook her head. "We must tell your father," her mother said taking Izayoi's hand and leading her out of the room.
Izayoi sighed as she thought of the memory, her father was not happy.
"What did you tell them?" Yumi asked. She had refused to talk to Izayoi about the matter for a while now but she needed to know.
"I told them that I was in the woods taking a walk and they assumed I was attacked by a thief so I just let them think that," Izayoi said, her voice monotone. She was planning on lying so her parents didn't know the father was a demon but her parents had already assumed something and she never answered them making them believe it true.
"What are they going to do?" Yumi asked.
"Well Takemaru is going to be informed obviously and then we see if he calls off the engagement which part of me highly doubts," Izayoi said looking at the koi.
"What about the baby?" she asked. Izayoi shrugged because she was too scared to answer. She didn't want anything to happen to her baby. Inunotaishou would be back tonight and she could talk to him, maybe he could take her away tonight.
"I have to talk to Inunotaishou," Izayoi whispered rubbing her stomach. Yumi knew her sister was scared and though she was only ten she knew much more than people thought as well as had more courage.
Yumi narrowed her eyes at their home where her family sat within then she leaned her head on Izayoi's stomach.
"Don't worry, your mommy and especially your daddy won't let anything happen to you," she whispered causing Izayoi to smile.
"Plus they would have to go through me to harm you," Yumi continued causing Izayoi to laugh. Yumi was going to be a great aunt and a very good mother one day.
"Yumi if I have leave tonight with Inunotaishou I'm going to have him come back after a little bit to see you and let you know I'm okay and take you to the castle," Izayoi said. Yumi smiled at the thought. She had been begging Izayoi to let her come with her to see Inunotaishou's castle one day.
Yumi looked back at the castle and her eyes widened.
"Ummm Izayoi, I think you should be ready to talk to Takemaru," she said. Izayoi looked over and saw Takemaru walking over to them.
"Princess Yumi may I have a moment with your sister alone?" he asked with a slight bow.
"No," Yumi said simply, moving so she sat in front of Izayoi's pregnant belly protectively.
"Yumi-," Izayoi started to say but was cut off.
"It's not like I'm in the dark about this if he has anything to say to you he can say it to me as well," Yumi said looking at her sister.
"Very well," Izayoi said.
"Izayoi how did this happen?" Takemaru asked concerned.
"I believe my parents informed you," Izayoi stated.
"I wish to hear your own words," he said.
"I wish not to speak of it," Izayoi said looking at her reflection. She had dark circles under her eyes for lack of sleep. She was also paler than usual.
"But I need to know who did this," Takemaru said firmly.
"I never saw his face," Izayoi said. That was true; she had never seen a thief's face. Takemaru sighed.
"Well either way I will not call off the engagement," though most women would be happy for that Izayoi just saw that as a bad thing. But she couldn't let him know that; she had to pretend to be in love with him.
"Thank you Takemaru," she said in a soft voice. Takemaru bent and gave her a hug, ignoring Yumi's murderous glare. He left and Izayoi felt defeated, she couldn't marry him.
"Don't worry Izayoi, Inunotaishou will be here tonight and he'll help you," Yumi said giving Izayoi a comforting hug.
/oo/
Izayoi twisted her white kimono in her hands as she waited for Inunotaishou to come. She did not have to wait long cause Inunotaishou entered the room as her candle went out, leaving only the moonlight as their only light. He immediately noticed Izayoi's discomfort.
"What is wrong Izayoi?" he asked. He noticed that she had dark circles under her eyes and her skin was much paler than usual. Something was wrong.
"Izayoi? What is wrong? Have you been sleeping?" he asked in a soft yet firm voice.
"My family knows of the babe," she said, fear was evident in her voice.
"My mother came into my room one night and saw my stomach and then she told my father and my sisters found out! Then Takemaru was informed and I had hoped he'd call of the engagement but he didn't! I'm terrified for the baby," Izayoi continued to ramble quickly until she felt Izayoi put his hands gently around her waist and pulled her into his lap.
"Slow down Izayoi," he said, "Now do they know that I am the father and that the child is half-demon?"
"No, when I said I was walking in the woods, they assume that a thief attacked me," Izayoi said and Inunotaishou nodded in thought.
"That is a good thing because then your family would want blood," he said causing Izayoi's eyes to widen in fear.
"But when the baby is born they'll know it is half-demon! What if they kill it?" She said terrified.
"Over my dead body," Inunotaishou said threateningly. Izayoi felt herself go at ease slightly at Inunotaishou's protectiveness.
"Can you take me tonight back to the castle?" she asked. She saw his eyes look down at her stomach as his hand gently rubbed it. She then noticed his armor was still on. Why hadn't he taken it off?
"I would Izayoi but I can't. I can't even stay tonight, I have to leave in a few minutes," he said.
"But why?" Izayoi asked, her fear coming back in full force.
"A demon is starting to encroach on my lands and I have to go to battle and I'll be gone for a few weeks," he said. He could smell the fear entering her scent and continued.
"I promise the moment I get back I will take you from here immediately," he said taking her hand and looked into her eyes.
Izayoi nodded and Inunotaishou gave her a loving kiss, sealing his promise. He lay her down on the futon and wrapped the blanket around her.
"Promise me you will get sleep beloved, you look so unwell and that is bad for our babe," he said brushing her bangs away from her face. She nodded and soon felt sleep take over her. Inunotaishou smiled and left the palace.
However unknown to either of them Izayoi's sister Mai was walking down the hall when they were talking and had heard the whole conversation.
Review! Cliffhanger! I don't know how long next chapter will be but we see what happens, will Mai keep her mouth shut or tell?
Until next time, read and review!