A1969: -sings- I hate this part right here…
Inuyasha: what're you going on about now?
A1969: I just can't take—
Sesshoumaru: hold your tongue, human, you are giving me a headache.
A1969:- glares-
Kagome: aww, don't be like that, you two. She's just all…sad.
A1969: yup –sigh- you'll find out soon enough. Oh, thank you all so much for reviewing!
SoSoSoSoSoSo
"What are you talking about?" Inuyasha demanded of his brother.
Sesshoumaru's eyes snapped to Inuyasha's and the hanyou did a double take. There was a wild frenzy in his brother's eyes—a look of anger, rage, disbelief and pain, all rolled into one. His elder brother had—for once, miraculously—lost all of his god-like self-control and had thrown his cold mask to the winds.
"Did you not hear me, half-breed?" Sesshoumaru snapped. "Mizuki is gone."
Inuyasha decided to ignore the insult. "What?" he asked. "How could she be missing? Don't you hound her day and night?"
Sesshoumaru glared at him and clenched his teeth. A slight tinge of red colored the whites of his eyes, but before he could decide to kill his brother, Kagome mercifully interrupted. "Sesshoumaru, please, calm down," she pled, bravely stepping in between the two brothers.
The Inu Daiyoukai turned his enraged eyes to her, then, by some miracle, the red in his eyes slowly receded. He turned his gaze away from her and growled.
"Why don't you tell us what happened?" Kagome asked, attempting to be soothing.
"I do not have time to talk," Sesshoumaru snapped, turning his back on them. "I must find Mizuki—"
Kagome held up her hands. "Wait," she said again, a little more forcefully. "We're going to help you find Mizuki, of course."
For a moment, Kagome thought she saw a flicker of gratitude cross his features, but thought it was just a trick of the moonlight.
"So, what happened?" Kagome asked. "You hound Mizuki day and night…how was she captured?"
Sesshoumaru let out a small sigh, one that human ears had missed. "She vanished," he said quietly, his eyes on the ground. "She was taking a walk with Rin. Rin informed me that Mizuki remained in the garden. I went after her; however, I could find no trace of her. The guards haven't seen her, nor has anyone else in the palace for that matter. You must know that the servants were also busy seeing Lord Hiroshin and Lady Yuhiko off."
"Is Lady Yuhiko that snobbish lady we met at your engagement feast?" Sango asked.
Sesshoumaru nodded curtly. What were they still doing there, talking? As though reading his thoughts, Miroku suddenly said, "You must be very worried, Sesshoumaru, but we have no idea where she is. Are you sure she isn't just somewhere in the palace?"
"Do you think I would be here if she were?"
Miroku sighed at the snappy edge to Sesshoumaru's voice. The demon lord was aggravated. The monk easily recognized the frustration Sesshoumaru must be feeling. His mate—his very pregnant mate—was gone, vanished to who-knows-where…
"Who took her, do you know?" Inuyasha asked.
Sesshoumaru clenched his teeth. "Inuyasha. Do. You. Think. I. Would. Still. Be. Here. If. I. Knew?" Each word dripped with cold venom and his golden eyes blazed.
"Who could have snatched her, though?" Miroku mused aloud.
Sango rolled her eyes. "No one but Naraku could have done it…unless," she turned to Sesshoumaru. "No one you knew had a grudge against her, right? I hear—from very reliable sources—that you were somewhat…sought-after, Sesshoumaru."
Inuyasha's eyes widened as he looked at his cold brother. "No way!" the hanyou roared. "There's a possibility that someone who took Mizuki was someone rejected by you?"
"No one would dare," Sesshoumaru snapped. "They know I will kill them without a second thought."
"True," Kagome agreed. "Only Naraku could be vile enough to—"
Kagome stopped mid-sentence when she realized that no one was listening to her—they were all busy staring at something behind her. The miko-hanyou quickly spun around and her eyes widened. There, emerging from between the shadow of the trees, emanating a soft white glow was none other than…
"Kanna!" Kagome gasped.
SoSoSoSoSoSo
-_-Mizuki-_-
What had happened?
I couldn't remember much. The last thing I remembered was talking to Lady Yuhiko and then…
I blacked out.
Where was I? I slowly opened my eyes and found that I was lying down on a comfy futon, silk sheets draped over me. The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was the bulge between my hips, protruding from the silk sheets.
Panic rushed through me as I quickly placed both my hands on the bulge. "It's okay," I murmured to my little kicker. "We're fine; we're going to be alright." I felt my baby kick furiously in response.
I glanced around me, tilting my head to the side so I could see better. It seemed to be night time. A single charcoal brazier was lit in one corner, giving the room a dim light. The room itself wasn't very large—probably six or seven tatami mats in area. The walls were of highly polished wood with paintings of birds and landscapes.
Where was I? I was sure I was no longer in the palace—this room was totally unfamiliar. Carefully, I propped myself onto my elbows, and glanced around. My eyes fell on a woman who was sitting in a corner, away from the light of the brazier…
"Kagura," I growled, feeling dread build within me. No. Kagura was here. This wasn't good. I couldn't possibly fight her while in my condition…
What should I do?
"Finally, you're awake," she said, her tone indicating that she would have preferred me otherwise.
I narrowed my eyes and let my youki rise. If I had to fight her…
She smirked, then stood up. "Lie back down, little girl," she said, her eyes straying to the bulge in my middle. "Fortunately for you, Naraku has other plans for you."
My eyes widened. No…Naraku was here…my baby…
I felt as though a lump had formed in my throat as a feeling welled up inside me. It was the feeling of knowing that there was something that you had to protect, no matter what, but was utterly powerless to do so. I felt like ice. The only parts of me that hadn't frozen over were my arms, which were still wrapped protectively around my womb.
Kagura's eyes darted to my womb again, and a look of disgust crossed her face. I knew that she…fancied Sesshoumaru (the hate and jealousy I suddenly felt was immeasurable) and seeing me lying there with his child must have been quite unnerving for her.
"What does Naraku plan to do with me?" I asked.
She raised her eyebrows. "He plans to kill you, of course," she answered frankly.
I felt more than anguish, dread, despair, pain and fear rise within me. I did not fear for my life—I feared for my child's.
Kagura saw my arms tighten around my womb and she laughed a mirthless, cold laugh. "He has other plans for the infant you carry," she said, amused. She glanced around, frowning, then she said to herself, "Where has that Kanna gone to now?"
I didn't listen to her. Instead, my mind could only register one thing: Naraku wanted my child—Sesshoumaru's and my child. Rage suddenly filled me, a rage I never I knew I was capable of. If I hadn't been lying down, I would have gone for Kagura.
"I'd rather die than see Sesshoumaru's child in Naraku's hands!" I snarled. A cloud of red suddenly blurred my vision. I had never been this angry before.
Kagura laughed. "Oh, you will," she answered. "You will."
With that, she left the room.
SoSoSoSoSoSo
Everything was suddenly a blur.
The moment Kanna's name had come from Kagome's lips, several reactions happened simultaneously. Inuyasha drew out his Tessaiga and charged towards Kanna; Sesshoumaru had already beat him to it, using his claws instead of his sword. Miroku was about to draw out several of his sutras and Sango's hand was already on her Hiraikotsu. Just as Sesshoumaru's claws could reach Kanna, a barrier stopped him, stinging his outstretched hand.
Everyone froze.
Inuyasha automatically glanced at Kagome, his eyebrows raised, and wondering whether or not she was the one who had created the barrier. Judging from Kagome's bewildered expression, she was not responsible for the barrier.
"You," Sesshoumaru suddenly said, turning his gaze to the woman who was emerging from the shadow of the forest behind Kanna.
Everyone's eyes widened in unison as the newcomer stepped into the moonlight and beside Kanna.
"Kikyou!"
SoSoSoSoSoSo
-_-Mizuki-_-
I was worried.
Who wouldn't be?
I was trapped here, in Naraku's palace presumably. I couldn't fight, not in my condition, and, on top of that, I had no idea what Naraku planned for me.
Scratch that.
I did.
He was going to kill me.
I wasn't worried about that, no; I was more worried about what he had planned for my baby…
At the thought of my little kicker, a lump formed in my throat. What could I do? How could I protect Sesshoumaru's child—our child? I was powerless. I could try to fight, but to fight now…would be dangerous.
How did I get into this mess in the first place?
I placed a hand on my womb and closed my eyes. What if…what if Naraku killed me, then took my baby…only to kill him in front of Sesshoumaru. I say him, because I always did envision a son—though, of course, he would be dog demon than moon demon, I certainly didn't care.
"I'll protect you," I whispered determinedly to him.
I felt a slight twinge of pain and I smiled. He was so energetic! But…I suddenly felt another twinge of pain. Perhaps he was kicking too much? But no, I felt another twinge of pain, greater than the twinge before it.
"No," I murmured, frantic now. "No, no, no, no! No, not now. Not here of all places—" But I couldn't finish my sentence as a great wave of pain coursed through me. I gasped, clutching my womb. "No! No, no, no! Please, not yet!"
SoSoSoSoSoSo
"Kikyou!" Inuyasha gasped, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Y…you?"
The undead priestess only stared him in the eye then she turned her attention to the others, who—aside form Sesshoumaru—had looks of disbelief on their faces.
Everyone was stunned into silence. Had Kikyou gone over to Naraku's side?
"Kikyou…" Kagome began, taking a step forward. "H-how could you?" It was obvious to everyone that Kikyou was responsible for conjuring the barrier—but why? How could Kikyou betray them that way? After all that Naraku had done to her…to everyone…
"Are you so quick to judge me, Kagome?" the undead priestess asked, her tone cold.
"What are we supposed to think?" Sango asked, taking a step beside Kagome. "You conjured a barrier to protect Kanna! Why?"
"I don't believe my question was meant for you," Kikyou said simply. Sango narrowed her eyes at the miko who turned her attention to Kagome again. "Well? Are you so quick to judge?"
Kagome only narrowed her eyes. "What are we supposed to think?" she asked, echoing Sango's answering question. "You protected Kanna…for what reason?"
Kikyou did not answer; instead she turned her attention to Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru. "What about you, Inuyasha? Do you believe that I am capable of treason?"—Inuyasha did not answer; instead, he remained silent –"What about you, Lord Sesshoumaru?"
Sesshoumaru glared at her, giving her a look that would have sent even his own father running for cover. Everyone knew that look—the look of pure bloodlust.
To everyone's surprise, Kikyou only chuckled. "You are all so faithless," the miko commented, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I have not turned on you all, as you so believe."
Everyone's apprehension was pronounced in their silence at her words. "I don't believe you," Hakudoshi—silent for so long—suddenly spoke up, sneering.
"Oh?" Kikyou asked, her eyebrows raised at him. "You don't, do you?"
"If you're saying that you are not betraying everyone present, then that means that Kanna is doing the betraying," Hakudoshi said, his eyes on his still-white sister. "And that's not possible."
"Isn't it?" Kikyou asked, her tone amused.
Sesshoumaru glared at Kikyou again. Kanna was…blank. Empty. Utterly without feeling, let alone thoughts of betrayal. But…was there the slightest chance that Kanna could, perhaps, have even the minutest feelings inside her? Could she, underneath all her blank whiteness, be hiding emotions just like the rest of them?
Could she?
The thought was in everyone's mind, but no one bothered voicing it out for no one was foolish enough to suggest that there was a chance that Kanna, of all people, was capable of betrayal.
"What are you planning?" Sesshoumaru asked, his hand on the hilt of his Bakusaiga.
Kikyou raised her eyebrows. "Still in doubt as to my allegiance?" she asked. "I can assure you it isn't to Naraku."
The demon lord growled at her and Inuyasha glared at Sesshoumaru who noticed and narrowed his eyes menacingly at his hanyou half-brother.
Kikyou noticed their little exchange and sighed. "Kanna," she said quietly. "Show them."
Everyone tensed as Kanna took a step in front of Kikyou and held out her mirror. There was a brief glimmer as moonlight reflected off her mirror. Kagome narrowed her eyes as a scene formed in the reflective surface.
A woman lying on a futon, her face contorted in pain, her breath coming out in gasps. Beads of sweat broke out on her face as her hands fluttered against her womb…
"Mizuki." There was no panic in Sesshoumaru's voice—only blankness, but to those who knew him well, namely Inuyasha and Kagome, they could hear the panic and the anxiety lying underneath the cold tone of Sesshoumaru's voice.
"Where is she?" Kagome asked the question that Sesshoumaru could not ask—he was too dazed as it were (though, of course, it didn't show on his face).
"In Naraku's castle," was the reply.
"What does Naraku want with her?" Sesshoumaru asked, his tone cold…deadly.
Kikyou let out a sigh. "I do not know," she admitted. "Naraku's intentions are vague—he has not killed her yet which leads me to believe that he intends to use her as bait—"
"Wait a minute," Sango interrupted. She took a step towards Kanna, stepping in front of Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru.
"Sango," Miroku said, "what are you—?"
Sango held up her hand to silence him as she peered into Kanna's mirror, her eyes narrowed. "Mizuki…she's in pain…" her voice trailed off as she felt Sesshoumaru's eyes on her. "But…oh no…"
"What is it, Sango?" Kagome asked, approaching her friend.
Sango's voice was almost lost in her throat. She looked up and looked not at Kagome nor at Miroku, but at Sesshoumaru. "Mizuki is in labor," she whispered, her words hardly audible.
"What?!" Sesshoumaru, who had been appearing calm and stoic since Kanna appeared, finally decided to show a little emotion. "Labor…?" He felt sick—no, more than sick, he felt hollow. His mate was in labor and there was nothing he could do—worse, she was in labor while in Naraku's clutches. The feelings that coursed through him were all so violent, it was all he could do to not transform.
Everyone was stunned into silence.
"Labor?" Inuyasha suddenly said, speaking up. "She's in labor?"
Kikyou nodded, her own eyes tight with worry. "Yes."
"Then, why are we still here?" Kagome said. "Let's go!"
"No," Kikyou said, her eyes on Kagome.
"Whaddya mean no?" Kagome snapped. "She's in labor! In Naraku's palace! And you're saying that we shouldn't go?!" Every letter was heavily emphasized with disbelief, worry, anger and anxiety.
"I said no such thing," Kikyou said calmly, not fazed by Kagome's outburst. "I said no…not yet."
"Miko," this time, it was Sesshoumaru who spoke up. "My wife and my child are in danger…and you are suggesting that we wait?" Sesshoumaru did not shout—he spoke softly, his silky voice deadly cold, a cold that made Inuyasha and the others inwardly shudder. Never before had they heard such menace, such danger in Sesshoumaru's voice; even Kikyou was silent, staring uneasily at him. Really, when he was like this, it was just…frightening.
Kikyou recovered herself, then looked down at Kanna. "You know what to do," she murmured. "Kochou and Asuka should be able to help you." Kanna nodded then she turned and walked back to the forest, which swallowed her in its shadows.
After Kanna left, Kikyou straightened up and stared at everyone, her brown eyes cold. "I said no, because if were to charge in their so recklessly, do you think Naraku will not just kill Mizuki and her child?"—Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes menacingly at the miko—"He will. I say no, not yet, because there is someone I want Kagome to meet…and something she must have before we leave."
Kagome gave her a quizzical look. "I don't need anything!" she cried out. "Let's just go save Mizuki! Do you think Naraku will really kill her the moment he hears us coming? No! He'd want to make sure that Sesshoumaru sees him do it!"
"That may be true," Kikyou said. "But still, Naraku is so powerful now. You are forgetting—he has the complete jewel. His power has grown and is still growing. To charge in there would be suicide. No, we need something that can even the odds."—she smiled enigmatically at Kagome—"Can you not think of what we might need…?"
Kagome's eyes widened as she immediately understood. "My bow!" she gasped.
SoSoSoSoSoSo
-_-Mizuki-_-
The waves of pain were great.
I gasped after each wave of pain. I knew childbirth would be painful—but this painful? I gasped again as another wave of pain rolled through me. Beads of sweat dotted my forehead. The pain was unbearable, almost indescribable.
And yet, I could think of nothing else but my baby's safety. I glanced around me, at the dark clouds of vaporous miasma hanging in the air. No, an infant wouldn't be able to survive in this miasma…
Weakly, I raised a hand and willed a gust of air to blow through the room, clearing it of the miasma. Urgh…even a little action such as that was enough to weaken me…
I sighed as I left my hand fall against my womb. I could feel movement within…
Though I was in labor in the worst place imaginable, I could think of nothing else but my child—Sesshoumaru's child…our child. I could think of nothing else but what he might look like…like his father, perhaps? At the thought of his father, my eyes strayed to the open veranda, towards the dark sky which was miraculously free of miasma, giving me a clear view of the moon. The moon was near full and its soft glow gave me a sort of comfort…
Feebly, I raised a hand towards the moon, my thoughts on only one person at the moment…
"Sesshoumaru," I whispered.
SoSoSoSoSoSo
Sesshoumaru stopped in his tracks, his gaze rising to the moon. What was this feeling? It was as though…as though he could hear her calling out to him…
"Mizuki," he murmured, letting her name fall out of his lips.
"Stop slackin' behind, Sesshoumaru!" Inuyasha called ahead of him. They were following Kikyou up through a hill, towards a shrine above where, Kikyou said, they would meet someone Kagome needed to see.
Sesshoumaru looked up at the moon once more then he followed the others to the shrine up ahead.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
The torii gate that led to a series of stairs to the temple was bathed in the moonlight. Kikyou stopped just before the gate and looked back at everyone.
"The shrine up ahead is the abode of a priestess very similar to Kagome," Kikyou said, her eyes slightly narrowed. "A very powerful priestess named Serezume. I will take only Kagome with me."
Kagome's eyes were wide with surprise. "Kikyou," she said.
Kikyou's eyes bore into her own and she stared determinedly back. A small smile played around the corners of Kikyou's mouth. Kikyou turned her back on them and passed through the torii gates and onto the shrine steps.
Kagome looked hesitantly at Inuyasha who nodded. "I'll be right here, Kagome," the hanyou murmured gently, placing a hand on the side of her cheek.
Kagome blushed and nodded. Her gaze strayed to Sesshoumaru for a second. The demon lord was standing apart from everyone else, his gaze fixed on the moon.
Now I know why he's always looking at the moon, Kagome thought. It reminds him of Mizuki…
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Kagome hesitated as she and Kikyou entered the courtyard of the shrine. It was a grand shrine. Two large wings protruded from the main part of the shrine, with eaves that dipped down gracefully in an almost showy manner. Majestic oak trees encircled the whole shrine, casting shadows on the ground. The stone lanterns in the courtyard were lit, their glowing light spilling onto the cobblestones. The silence in the courtyard, coupled with its grand design, gave the place a forbidding aura.
"Well?" Kikyou asked, stopping and staring back at her from over her shoulder. "Are you coming?"
Kagome nodded stiffly then followed her into the inner courtyard. The wide canopies of the oak trees spread their shadows over the two of them and Kagome could just envision a pair of red eyes gleaming at her from the darkness…
She shuddered. "Kikyou?"
"Hm?"
"Is Naraku really that powerful now?"
"He has unlimited power with him now."
"Unlimited…but…if he has unlimited power, then what chances will my bow have?" Kagome felt doubtful.
Kikyou continued walking on, making her way towards the main entrance of the shrine. For a moment, she did not—or maybe she chose not—to answer Kagome. Finally, she said, "Yes, his power is unlimited. However, Kagome, you are forgetting that his unlimited power comes from the Sacred Jewel. The Sacred Jewel has been tinted with his impurity, thereby his unlimited power is impure—"
"So…you think we can purify his power?"
"Yes. Your bow was created by the goddess of the moon…a goddess of purity. It should be able to purify the immense power of the Sacred Jewel where our bows cannot." Kikyou eventually stopped at the veranda. Kagome could just make out the interior of the shrine. It was quiet.
Kagome watched as Kikyou removed her lacquered zori and left them neatly near the entrance. She then stepped up onto the veranda and waited expectantly for Kagome who immediately followed suit. The young miko hanyou gazed around her and found that the shrine was quite empty. There were no servants who might wait upon them and the quiet was enough to make her nervous. Kagome followed Kikyou deeper into the shrine. Braziers hung on the walls and their dim light cast long shadows. Finally, Kikyou stopped in front of a pair of double oak doors, polished to a high shine and carved with a saying that Kagome could not read due to the inadequate light.
Kikyoy raised her fist and was about to knock on the door, when a voice spoke up from behind them.
"Lady Kikyou…I thought I would be going to you, not the other way around."
Kagome, due to her hanyou blood, was quicker than Kikyou in spinning around and gazing on the owner of the voice.
"Serezume," she said, her eyes wide. Serezume always seemed to her, Kagome admitted, somewhat reluctantly.
Serezume turned her gaze on her, a tiny smile on her face. Both of her hands were clasped behind her back.. "Hello, Kagome," she said simply.
"You know why we came here?" Kikyou asked sternly.
Serezume nodded then brought both her hands in front of her in which she clasped a curiously-wrapped silken package. She gave it to Kagome, her smile still on her face.
Kagome felt the blood rushing through her veins. Finally, her bow…
But why was it so curiously wrapped?
"Open it." Serezume's voice held a hint of command.
Kagome hesitated then gently loosened the knot that kept the package wrapped up together. There was a soft sighing of silk as the fabric fell to the floor in a gossamer heap.
"Is…what…what is this?" Kagome held up her bow…along with another one. In one hand, she held her original bow, its silver luster glistening softly in the dim light of the brazier. It looked brand new rather than newly repaired. And in her other hand, she held up a similar bow…
"What is this, Serezume?" Even Kikyou seemed somewhat bewildered.
Serezume's enigmatic smile only grew. "I used a bit of the old bow to fashion a new one," the miko hanyou explained, shrugging.
"Why?" Kikyou's voice was stern and it reminded Kagome strongly of Sesshoumaru. "I gave you explicit instructions to fix the bow…not forge a copy of it."
Serezume only smiled. "Lady Kikyou," she began. "This copy, as you put it, is meant for you."
Kikyou was silent. Though her face didn't show it, deep down she was surprised.
"Two heads is better than one," Serezume said, shrugging again. "Besides…somebody else gave me instructions."
Kagome was about to ask who, when she noticed that Serezume and Kikyou exchanged meaningful looks.
"Ah," Kikyou said. "Of course…her. I should have known that she would play a part in this."
Serezume smiled then looked at Kagome. "Really, I do hope you and Lady Kikyou will take care of those bows," she said wistfully. "I had to work really hard on those, and I don't think she will pleased if they get damaged."
"She?" Kagome finally asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"Someone of no importance," Kikyou said. She took the other bow that Kagome gave to her and held it in her hands. The bow was long, slender and it was to her liking, not that she wanted it in the first place, but it was her ideal bow—long, graceful, sturdy.
"Don't believe her," Serezume muttered under her breath. Serezume was about to go on, but Kikyou gave her a warning look.
"Come, Kagome," Kikyou said, walking passed Serezume. "The others are waiting."
SoSoSoSoSoSo
"They are approaching."
Kagura looked up from where she was kneeling. Naraku was wearing splendid black armor, a sword strapped to his waist, his back to her. The Sacred Jewel was embedded in the hilt of his sword—a dangerous place to put it, Kagura realized. The wind witch was somewhat bewildered by her master's remark. How did he know that they were coming when Kanna was conspicuously absent?
Naraku turned around to face her. He was holding a ball of light in his hands. In the center of the ball, the light was less intense so she saw several figures in the light.
Inuyasha and the others.
"So they are," Kagura said. "What am I to do?"
"Guard Mizuki," Naraku instructed. "She is in labor, and when she has delivered the infant she carries, take the infant…and kill her."
SoSoSoSoSoSo
-_-Mizuki-_-
I groaned as another wave of pain rolled over me. My breath was coming out faster now and the waves of pain came in rapid succession. They say that demon pregnancies were quicker than human ones. However, it seemed that demon labor was just as slow and painful as human ones.
I gasped again. I had never felt pain this great before. I could feel the warm blood spreading through the lower part of my robes, staining my clothes and the futon I lay upon. I clenched my fists and bit down on my lip, hoping to keep from crying out. Argh! The pain was just too great…
"Sesshoumaru…" His name was all I could think of and I clung to it as though it were a lifeline. Would he be looking for me or had he not yet noticed my absence?
"Mizuki." My eyes widened at the voice. It was blank, emotionless and yet totally familiar.
Amidst the pain, I managed to raise my self on my elbows to see a white figure standing at the foot of the futon, indifferent to the blood spreading across it.
"K-kanna," I gasped. Oh no…had Naraku sent her to take my baby away? The thought sent me into a bout of panic. My main reaction was to defend the baby, so I let my youki rise, though it wasn't easy, in fact, it was excruciating.
"Stop," Kanna said, as she sensed the rise in my youki.
I managed a weak growl at her. "Stay back," I warned through gritted teeth. A wave of pain coursed through me. "Argh!" My elbows gave way and I fell back to the futon, gasping for breath. I kept my eyes on Kanna, however. I managed to raise my head just a bit so I could glimpse her from just over my protruding womb. Kanna was still staring at me, her mirror clutched in her hands. Suddenly, beside her, two glowing figures appeared. The light from the glowing figures slowly receded to reveal two little girls standing on either side of Kanna. They looked no older than seven and they wore armored kimono.
They were shikigami, I realized.
Kikyou's shikigami—Kochou and Asuka.
But…what were they doing here? Did that mean that Kikyou was close by? Hope suddenly seemed to surge through me.
"K…k…kochou!" I gasped. "A…as…uka…"
"Lady Mizuki." Both shikigami made their way to the side of the futon and knelt there, their heads bowed. "Our mistress Kikyou sent us to help you."
I didn't answer. Instead, I cried out in pain as I felt the contractions growing in intensity. Kochou looked at Asuka who nodded. Asuka stood up and made her way to the foot of the futon, where she raised the bloody sheets to expose my bloodstained kimono.
"Lady Mizuki, if you please," she said. I groaned as I spread my legs and raised my knees. I was dimly aware of Asuka loosening the knot of my obi in order to move the lower half of my kimono out of the way. "My lady, you must force the infant out of you. Push."
I clenched my teeth together as I did as she instructed. I cried out as I struggled to push my little kicker out of me. I could think of nothing else except for the pain and the infant that would be the fruit of my suffering.
"Push, milady!" A strangled scream escaped my lips as I pushed. It felt as though I were pushing my insides out…
Suddenly, a low whimpering reached my ears…
And then, a high-pitched cry…
"My lady, you have a son," Asuka whispered as she knelt beside me and—my heart leaped, my pulse raced—held out a tiny crying infant…
"Shigeru," I whispered as Asuka gently deposited the tiny baby in my arms. The moment I held him, he stopped crying and looked up at me with wide eyes. He was beautiful. His hair was the exact same silver as his father's; his eyes were identical to the golden hue of Sesshoumaru's and on either side of his cheeks was a double jagged stripe, the same marking as his grandmother's. He was a tiny Sesshoumaru except for the markings and his skin. Whereas Sesshoumaru's was pale, his was slightly flushed just beneath…or maybe it was just because of the blood that still covered him?
How could I describe what I felt?
It was surely indescribable—no words would be enough to describe my feelings the moment I held my tiny Shigeru in my arms. The pain seemed to vanish. He cooed and attempted to reach for my face with his tiny fists, cooing all the while.
I felt my eyes misting over. "My Shigeru," I murmured, kissing his bloody forehead. "You look so much like your father—"
Before I could even finish my sentence, another sharp and violent contraction coursed through me, making me gasp and cry out in pain. Asuka immediately took my baby from my arms and I struggled violently to reach for him again, but the pain that rocked me was too unbearable.
Why?
I gasped out again. "Asuka!" I cried out.
Asuka handed Shigeru to Kochou. He immediately started crying and I felt my heart thud painfully—but not as painful as the violent contractions that swarmed me.
Why was I still in pain?
"Lady Mizuki, you must push." Asuka's voice was soothing.
Push?
As in…there was another baby?
At the thought of another baby, warmth filled me. Twins? I held my breath and used it to push, ignoring the pain that rocked me violently. I cried out several times, but it all seemed so…unreal. I had been hard-pressed trying to deliver Shigeru and now…
Another kicker.
I cried out again as I hopefully gave one more final push…
And then, I heard her cry for the first time.
"My lady has a daughter," Asuka announced as she hurried to my side.
I held out my arms for the crying little red bundle and Asuka gently placed her into arms. She was so beautiful. She had her father's silver hair and crescent moon marking; she also had his pale complexion, a complexion that seemed to give off a subtle faint glow, like the moon…
And she had my eyes.
She was a moon demoness, like me.
"My Tsumiko," I murmured, kissing her bloody forehead. She looked up at me, her blue eyes wide. She did not cry, but she did whimper…
I couldn't describe how perfect that moment felt. Me and my two little kickers…
Despite the fact that I was trapped in Naraku's palace, the moment was near perfect…
If only Sesshoumaru were here…
Asuka coaxed me into handing Tsumiko to her so that she could clean her along with her brother, Shigeru. While Asuka gently tended to the two, Kochou approached me, holding something in her hand. A plant, I realized. Not just any ordinary plant, however.
"Here, my lady," Kochou said, handing me the plant. It had small violet berries on it. "Senensu berries—they should heal you quickly." She gave me a knowing look and I immediately understood the danger me and the babies were in. We were still in Naraku's castle; he could so easily come in here…
At that thought, I immediately swallowed the berries. A moment later, I felt the pain leaving me completely. In fact, I could feel the blood stop flowing. I lay back down on the bloody futon and sighed. I lay down for a few moments, feeling my body heal itself after my ordeal. As much as I wanted to sleep, I didn't want to—I was too busy watching Asuka cleaning up my and Sesshoumaru's children…
I wish I could do what she was doing.
A faint glimmer of white suddenly caught my attention. Throughout the labor, Kanna had been silent, watching us, but now she made her way towards me, a bundle in her hands.
"Don't you come any closer," I warned through gritted teeth as she closed in on me, Asuka, Kochou and my children. I growled in warning as she advanced.
"She is not an enemy, Lady Mizuki," Kochou said. "She has been under orders from our mistress since your wedding day."
My eyes widened. "So that's why you warned me?" I asked the incarnate. Kanna nodded. It was so hard for me to believe such a thing—Kanna capable of betrayal?
She held out the bundle in her arms. Kimono. I looked up at her; she was staring blankly at me. I gingerly sat up and then carefully stood up, surprised to find the pain completely gone—the berries of Senensu had healed me so, even my old figure was back. I hesitantly took the kimono from Kanna and—with the help of Kochou—I washed myself of the blood and quickly changed (I had no qualms about changing in front of an incarnate who couldn't even feel anything about it). The kimono was a light powder blue in color with silver trimming. It was a simple thing with slits that ran all the way up to my thighs. The obi was a darker shade of blue. It was a kimono that easily allowed me to battle.
After I had changed, I hurried to my children's side. Asuka had finished cleaning and changing them. I gathered both of them into my arms, feeling their little fists clasp tendrils of my hair.
My eyes were misting over again…
I kissed each of them, feeling them coo in reply. "I'll get you two out of here," I murmured as Tsumiko gave an exceptionally hard tug at my hair. "Your father will be waiting."
"Mizuki." It was Kanna's blank voice, ruining my moment. It was with great difficulty that I pulled away my gaze from the faces of my two babies to look at her. I was still somewhat uneasy with Kanna and I was often tempted to growl at her despite the fact that she didn't mean any harm.
"Yes?"
She didn't answer, instead, she held up her mirror which glowed brightly. I peered into the mirror, clutching my two angels close to me. The glow of the mirror slowly receded and I gasped.
"Sesshoumaru," I whispered.
It was Sesshoumaru. He was standing in front of a barrier—Naraku's barrier, I realized. He wasn't alone. Inuyasha and the others were with him.
He had come for me.
"I have to get out of here," I said, determined, as I held Tsumiko and Shigeru closer to me. "I have to go to him—"
"I don't think that's possible," a haughty voice said.
Fear spread through me. Once again, it wasn't fear for myself—it was fear for the two precious angels in my arms…
I spun around, a growl erupting from my throat. The instinct and desire to protect overwhelmed me, flooding every cell in my body, invading every thought in my mind. I just had to protect.
Kagura was standing just outside of the door, which she had slid open with such silence that even I had not noticed. There was a malevolent smile playing around her glistening ruby lips and a sparkle in her scarlet eyes.
"Kagura," I growled. Asuka and Kochou immediately leapt in front of me, ready to defend me as Kikyou had no doubt instructed.
But I didn't need their protection.
At the thought of Kagura being allowed any where near my babies, a fearsome bloodlust coursed throughout me, taking hold of me…
I would never allow it!
Kagura didn't spare me another glance—her gaze strayed to Kanna. "So, turned traitor, have you?" she asked, tapping her chin intently with her fan. "I suppose Naraku will deal with you after he kills Sesshoumaru and the others."
By now, I felt myself shaking so badly that I feared for my precious ones. The low growling from my throat turned Kagura's attention back to me.
"Ah," she said, eyeing the infants in my arms. "I see. Well, Mizuki, you'll have to hand them over to me—I don't want to kill them when I kill you."
"Asuka, Kochou," I said through gritted teeth. "Take Shigeru and Tsumiko."
Kagura only raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Oh?" she said. "You intend to fight me?"
I didn't answer as I gently deposited Tusmiko into Asuka's arms and Shigeru into Kochou's. I turned around to face Kagura, my teeth slightly bared.
"I'm not going to allow you to come near," I snarled, the instinct to protect stronger than ever.
Her smile widened. "Bring it on."
SoSoSoSoSoSo
A1969: and that, people, was the second to the last chapter!
Kagome:
the authoress hopes that you all enjoyed it!
A1969: please,
please, please review!
Kagome: c'mon…won't you tell us what's in the last chapter?
A1969: no, it's a surprise.
Inuyasha: bah!
A1969: anyway, please, please, please review!
