Chapter Twenty: Akira's Rescue

You wake to find that, surprisingly, Sesshoumaru is still lying beside you.
His arm is around you, holding you protectively against him. You sigh happily and snuggle closer to him.
Mmmm...I'm so happy... don't want to get up..
You feel a soft kiss on your neck, and turn over to meet sleepy amber-gold eyes. With a teasing smile, you murmur.

"I thought we were going to wait awhile to make Akira a big brother.."

"Only if you want to wait..."

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Your sit up and look out the window. It's night, just starting to turn dawn by the flecks of light starting to come through the curtains.

"But really Sesshomaru... We should be trying to find Akira." Some tears roll down your cheek. "Who knows what that... monster could be doing to him.. Or if he's even still alive..." A clawed finger brushes the tears away and arms embrace you tightly.

"Don't cry, -chan. We'll find him. He's strong... Just as that... hanyou of a brother of mine is."

"Yes. We'll have plenty of time for another child after this ordeal is taken care of."

Later…

After sniffing out the horrible stink of Naraku and name calling back and fourth between the three of you, you are at a stand still...

"Where is my child!?!?" You scream.

"Don't worry he is... 'Safe'..." Naraku hisses. "Although it is you, that I want..."

"Over my dead and rotting corpse!" Sesshomaru shoots back, rage in his eyes and hatred in his voice, while he unsheathes Tokijin ready to attack at the drop of a dime.

"Calm yourself, Sesshomaru. You will give her to me... And willingly, no less..." He grins evilly as his eyes start to glow...
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You suddenly felt a strange sensation, almost like the air around you was contracting. You struggle to breathe, when you heard a popping noise. Imari turned and looked at you.

"Hiya! Long time me no see you!" Naraku stared at the newest intruder, while Sesshomaru seemed to be debating with himself over whether or not she was actually trying to kill them. You looked a question at the young demon.

"Oh, that! I'll explain when we get your recently younger son out of here." She pulled a wrapped bundle from somewhere in her cloak, and placed it in your arms. Awestruck, you looked down at the sleeping face of your infant son.

"That form is only temporary." Imari warned. "You have thirty minutes before he turns teenage again. As for purple cloud over here," points to Naraku, "Me and your mate can handle him, but I think I'll let m'lord handle this one." She gave a mock bow at Sesshomaru, then ran towards the woods behind you, grabbing and dragging you with her. once in the safety of the woods, she sat you down on a log and waited.

Soon after, Akira changed back.

"So, what happened? All I remember is a cute demon coming in, smiling at me, then knocking me out..." He turned around when Imari said.

"And what cute demon was this? If I remember correctly, I was the only one in your cell..."

Realization dawned on her face, and she stammered. "I, I, I am not cute! I've got at least seven family tribes breathing down my neck, trying to take me out and, and..."

You look from your son's pale sheepish features to Imari's furiously red face.

"Imari, how old are you?" She responded without looking,.

"About 17, I turn 18 on the summer solstice." She turned to you. "Why do you ask?"

You just smile. "Oh, no reason... Akira, would you say you would be around 18 right now?" He also turned to you.

"I suppose so mother, why are you asking?" You smile again. "Oh, no reason..." Imari and Akira looked at each other, then suddenly both of their faces went white then red...
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Sesshomaru came back later that night, looking exhausted as you rushed up to him, wrapping your arms around him in a tight embrace.

"He got away...Again.." Sesshomaru said tightly, as if he was still beating himself up over his failure to kill Naraku.

"Mm." You reply, just glad to see him again, glad to feel him in your arms as he was also glad to hold you. He pushed away from you when Akira ran up to you both.

"Father?" His asked the question that his father need not answer, Akira could read it in his facial expression. Akira looked down at the ground before lifting his eyes up to you and Sesshomaru again.

"I'm sorry.."

"Why, What ever for?" You ask pushing some of the hair out of his face, and watching as he shied away, Just like a regular teenager.. You think with a small sigh, your little boy had indeed grown up to fast.

"For all the trouble I caused.."

"Oh, Akira!" You embrace your son, feeling tears stinging at the back of your eyes. "Your back, That's all that matters."

This time Akira didn't shy away but let you embrace him, as if he needed to feel the comfort you provided him as much as you needed his. Sesshomaru stood awkwardly off to the side as you release Akira. Sesshomaru glanced at the dying fire in the camp background and gave you a quick kiss before going off mumbling something that sounded like "firewood". You watch his back for a moment, before leading Akira back to the camp to await his return.
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Sitting on a log beside Akira, you stare into the fire and think back over all that's happened in less than a year.

All I was trying to do was return something Kagome-chan dropped.. who knew I'd end up being able to use pyrokinesis, getting together with a really hot demon, having his child, and finally becoming a demon myself!!! Ha, Mom would have heart failure if she could see me now!!! The thought makes you laugh. Hearing this, Akira looks at you.
"What is it, Mother?"

"Nothing, hon'. I was just remembering something, that's all."

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Akira soon falls asleep against your shoulder, but you don't take notice of it as you stare into the dying flame. After another moment you lift him up into your arms and lay him down in front of the faintly glowing embers and smile down at him with a parental pride. You hear a faint rustling of leaves, and watch as Sesshomaru, his arms full of firewood, comes back into the camp. You smile and watch him silently for a moment as he unloads the burden from his arms. Then you stand up and sneak up behind him before putting your arms around his neck. His head lifts a little, just a little though so it doesn't come up and bang you in the face.

"You shouldn't be angry at yourself, it's not your fault." You whisper into his silver hair.

"Yeah it is." He said, he was still holding of piece of wood in his tight hands.

You just shake your head.

"Well you have my permission to stop beating yourself up over it."

"Mm." He said, then he grinned sheepishly. "My love, I feel I should warn you I'm feeling rather strong and alert tonight. And that, if you chose to sleep by my side, it won't be sleep that you'll be getting."

You giggle as you feel the arm not holding the wood slip around your waist.

"So you would go back on that vow not to touch me again? Very well then, I look forward to no sleep whatsoever."

Sesshomaru laughed, managing to drop the piece of wood he had been holding as he leaned back to kiss you.
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The next morning, you and Sesshomaru woke up entangled in each other's arms.

"Mmm... morning dear." You murmur.

"Same to you." replied Sesshomaru, nibbling at your ear.

You smile and get up slowly, stretching your arms.

"Huh?! Where's Akira?!" You look around alarmed. Then, you spy a note that was dug into the ground.
Firewood. Be back later. Didn't want to wake you up. You looked happy.


When you two read this, especially the last line, both of you blushed.

"So, uh, I guess he saw us, huh?" Sesshomaru muttered. You were red in the face and didn't say anything. The bushes rustled nearby. You're head shot up and both of you sniffed around. Akira walked out of the bushes, holding a bunch of wood.

"Huh?" He said, looking at your fighting stance. "Mom?"

You relaxed and said. "I just thought you were an intruder."

Akira laughed. "You were going to kill me?"

You nod your head, embarrassed.

"Anyway," Sesshomaru said, breaking up the tension, "we're heading back home today, so it was pointless of you to bring wood."

Akira shrugged. "Oh well, it was a good exercise. Anyway, if I stayed, I would have to watch you guys sleeping."

You blushed furiously.

Sesshomaru looked embarrassed too. "Uh, well," He coughed. "Okay."

When the first rays of dawn stretched across the sky, all three of you set off for home.

"Ku ku ku..." Naraku laughed as he watched the three retreating figures.
"Soon, they will fall into my trap!"

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You only walk for several minutes in a still awkward silence. You never realized how hard it would be to talk to a son of yours who was only an infant but who looked and acted your age. A snapping can be heard some several feet ahead, too far into the trees for you to see but loud enough to make your new ears lie flat against your head. Beside you, Sesshomaru's hand strays to Tokijin and Akira looks rather lost. Your motherly instincts kick in as you shove him behind you. Does he even know how to fight? You wonder absentmindedly as your attention shifts back to the figure emerging from the trees.
You blink several times, not really believing what you're seeing. How could it be...
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"Naraku?"

The dark figure stepped out of the trees' shade. He was smiling evilly.

"Ku ku ku, you have come." Sesshomaru stepped protectively in front of you. You shoved Akira as far back as you could.

"Run!" You whisper fiercely.

Akira stood there, immobilized. "But, but, I want to help!"

"NO! You don't know how to fight!"

Akira was taken aback. You took this opportunity to push him hard. He stepped back several times. By now, Naraku and Sesshomaru were engaged in full combat. Hundreds of swarming Saimyoushi were around them.

You scream.

"AKIRA! GET OUT OF HERE!" Akira ran. You join the two demons fighting.

"Sesshomaru!" You yell desperately. The insects had taken an opportunity to sting Sesshomaru as much as they could. Because he himself was a poison demon, it didn't affect too much. However, you could already see Naraku taking an advantage. In his anger and desperation, Sesshomaru swiped at several bugs, killing them. However, the minute he did, they regenerated.

"KAMI DAMMIT!" Sesshomaru cursed out loud.

He turned his attention to fighting Naraku. However, the second he turned to face him, he was met with an onslaught of miasma. You scream and suddenly, your eyes turn red again. Flames appeared everywhere. Mixed with the poison, they produced a deadly screen around the two demons. By now, you couldn't even see them. You struggle to control yourself from becoming as destructive as last time, and finally, you calm down. The miasma had spread everywhere, covering the forest like a blanket. You fought your way through the smog, desperately calling out Sesshomaru's name. However, you received no answer.

"ARGH! Naraku! I'm going to kill you!"

Suddenly, an evil laugh fills the forest. "Ku ku ku!"

You scream as loud as you could. "SESSH!!!!!!!!!!"
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Damn it, I can't even see where they are!! I hope Akira can find his way out alright.. this smoke is awful...
Coughing, you run back into the burning haze. The acrid smell of miasma and smoke stings your nose, and nearly obliterates your mate's scent.

Nearly.. but not totally... Stay still, damn it, I can't track you down!!!

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You tried to smell Sesshomaru out but the miasma made you gag and cough.

"Sesshomaru!!!!!!" You cried, listening intently for him. All you could hear was the clang of metal against something else equally as hard. "Answer me, damn it!!"

Your eyes grew a deep red color, your markings started to spread on your face and just as you were about to transform, a blinding light emitted from the center of the smog. Your transformation halted as you shielded you eyes and when you opened them, the miasma was gone and a bloody, dazed Sesshomaru stood in a clearing made by the ferocious battle. Naraku was no where in sight.

"GRAUGHHHHH!!!!!" Sesshoumaru roared, angry with himself once again for letting the despicable hanyou escape.

"Ahh..." You breathed a slight sigh of relief. He sat down out of exhaustion and you ran to him, looking over his wounds as you sat with him.

Akira peeked out from behind a nearby tree and jogged over to inspect the damage.

"Are you alright, Father?" He asked, looking almost as worried as you were.

"I'm fine.." He growled, pulling away from you.

You stood up in a huff. "Fine then," you shot back at him, "I guess I won't worry about you anymore."

He looked at you quickly saying. "It's not you... And you know it."

You fell to you knees next to him again and looked at him.

"I'm sorry but I can't help but care for you. I know you're angry about letting him get away-"

"Again.." He added.

"Yes, again, but you... Uh... But-" You couldn't think of anything to say.

"But I'm here now and that's what you hunted him down for, right?" Akira finished, saving you. You smiled and secretly thanked him.

"Yes, that's right.." Sesshomaru got up and stalked off towards the West.
You and your son trotted after him and slowed to a walk after catching up to him.
Akira and you talked on your way back home.

"Oh.." You patted his hand in yours, "I didn't get to watch you grow into this. " You said, looking up and down him.

"Don't worry, Mom, this is just a temporary spell. It'll wear off eventually, I think."

"It's just weird having a son the same age as you."

"Well it's kind of freaky having a mom the same age as you too." You both smiled at each other and ran up to either side of Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru stopped suddenly and you both stopped a few steps after.
I'm being surrounded... Sesshoumaru thought.

"What?" You said.

"Uh.." He shook his head. "Nothing.." And he started walking again..

-------

You laugh aloud at Sesshomaru's obvious unease.

"What's the matter, Sessh? You're not scared of us, are you?"
He looks at you indignantly.

"Of course not!!! I..."

"Hmm.. Riiiiiight..."

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Sesshomaru protested loudly. "Am not!"

"Are too!" You giggle.

Sesshomaru decided to cut it right then and stalked off in silence, leaving you and Akira racing towards him.

"Sessh?" You ask. "I didn't really mean it, really, I was teasing..."

The demon turned to you, grinning,

"That's okay, I was kidding too. You know I can't stay mad at you." Suddenly, he pokes your side. You laugh and poke back.

Akira rolled his eyes and said in a loud voice. "Can we cut the flirting?"

Sesshomaru and you instantly calmed down, blushing again. Both of you walk quickly, so fast that Akira couldn't keep up. When he was out of sight, despite Akira's protests to wait, you and Sesshomaru start poking each other again...

At the Castle...

After a relaxing hot bath, you get out of the tub. You smile as the steam envelopes you and you wrap a towel around yourself. When you walk outside dried and dressed, Sesshomaru was waiting.

"Dinner." He said softly as he hugs you tightly.

"Mmm..." You reply, snuggling. "Okay, dear." Then, arm in arm, you two walk slowly down the hall.

"Love struck freaks." Akira muttered as he passed the both of you. You look at him smiling and aimed a little kick, which he easily dodged.

"Be quiet! Soon you'll enter this stage with Imari!"

Akira reddened furiously and ducked into the next room he came too. Sesshomaru chuckled and said, nibbling your ear.

"Wow, how cruel."

You look at him. "Ha! You think that's mean?"

"No, but still, Imari?"

"Yeah. You can tell by the way he looks at her and all."

Sesshomaru was intrigued. "Really? How come I can't tell?"

You teased. "Because the only emotions you sense are hate and anger where you're not with me."

Sesshomaru looked hurt. "Really?"

"Duh!" you say, "you're a demon!"

"Well, so are you."

You smile.

"I was a human first." You remind him. "I didn't lose any skill I already had. As a teenage human girl it's kind of easy to tell who likes who, especially if you live in my time!"

Sesshomaru smiled coyly.

"Is it because you spent half your time flirting?"

You redden. "No!" You protest.

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As you continue heading down the hall to dinner. Sesshomaru's hand is guiding you on the small of your back.

"So you were a little whore then? You seem to be well informed of feelings and such for demons, even though you haven't been one for that long." Sesshoumaru replied rather coldly.

"What? Nah seriously, I'm only joking. It's just this human thing, called instinct..." You say, taken aback, trying to joke lightly.

"So it's just this human thing you say? Some things that certain demons like I won't understand?" Sesshoumaru asked, raising his eyebrows in suspicion.

"Um, its a very complicated thing..." You begin, rather embarrassed. Sesshoumaru instead changes route and starts to guide you along a different route in the castle.

You wonder silently why Sesshoumaru has suddenly become so agitated and annoyed. Pondering, you don't realize that Sesshoumaru and yourself have come to a halt outside a wooden door. The wooden door mysteriously opens by itself and closes with a loud creak. You marvel soundlessly at the dining hall, it is exquisitely designed to the perfect taste. You knew your Lord always had such impeccable taste, but the dining room was really something. Until your eyes fell upon the dining table. It was about 30 meters long, and 1.5 meters wide, almost groaning with dishes and dishes of mouth watering exquisite foods. There's one chair and one end, and another at the other end.

Sesshoumaru leaves your side and takes his seat at the other end of the table. You take your seat way down the other end. Dinner is a silent affair. The servants scurry around bringing back and forth more dishes, but you have lost your appetite. As you unknowingly play around your food, you wonder why suddenly Sesshoumaru has given you this cold treatment. You only vaguely make out his shape, but he doesn't seem to be looking your way. You restrain the urge to shout, that certainly didn't seem very lady-like. Tears begin to well up, as you ponder. You dab at your eyes with the napkin.

"May I help you?" One of the servants ask.

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You jump and look up at her as you fail to realize that she's staring at the tears threatening to run down your cheeks.

"Oh... y-yes... I'm fine..." Turning back to your food, you set your utensil down on the plate and simply stare at it. I... I just wanted to be demon so that we could be together...I didn't want this to happen...I really love you Sesshoumaru and I'm afraid that you're only doing what demon couples do..
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After dinner, Sesshomaru gets up quickly from the table. He walks over to you and bows.

"Good night then." He lowers himself to kiss you. However, all he does is give you a quick brush in the cheek.

You look sadly at his retreating back. Then, you suddenly get up and wrap your arms around his waist. The demon lord says nothing, instead, pushes you away and stalks off.

You stare at him. He... he's... he's rejecting me... You think sadly. You run to your room, lock the door, and burst into tears as you fling yourself on the bed. How... how... could this have happened?!