September 1
I'm alone at the house for the next few days. Inuyasha and Miroku have gone off to another village for a demon extermination again. I'd been so used to going with them before, but with me this far into my pregnancy, it's for the best that I stay home. And then I guess for the foreseeable future I won't be going with them because someone has to stay home to take care of the baby.
Instead, I've kept myself busy by thinking about what we still need to get and how we'll set up the nursery when Inuyasha gets back.
Things always seem to get weird whenever Inuyasha leaves.
While I was in the village today, I overheard a few of the men, one of whom was part of the guard, saying that there have been bandits in the area.
"They've been pillaging in villages nearby," the man in the guard said.
"You don't think they'll come here, do you?" another man asked.
"It's entirely possible. We're advising everyone to stay vigilant and lock their doors until they pass."
From there I continued on my way to Kaede's house with a million thoughts running through my mind. Would the bandits really come here? And if they did, how much damage would they cause? Should I be worried?
"Hi, Kaede," I said when she let me in.
"Hello, dear. Come sit with me. We have much to go over."
We sat down and got into the main reason why I was here; for my checkup.
"How have you been feeling? Any pain at all?"
"My back is sore. My feet are too," I replied as she felt for my temperature.
"That's to be expected. Nothing too painful I hope."
"No, just uncomfortable."
"Have your husband give you a massage."
"Usually I do, but he'll be gone for the next few days."
"That's right. He and Miroku have left town again. Oh well, you'll manage while he's gone. You won't see anything too drastic as you conclude your second trimester."
"That's a relief."
"Although you may start to feel some contractions in the coming weeks."
"Already?"
"These are small contractions really. Think of it as your body practicing for giving birth. They'll come and go very quickly. It's only when the contractions get longer and closer together when you have to panic."
"I guess that would mean it's time?"
"Exactly, but you've still got a few months before that happens."
I was relieved. As much as I want the baby, I don't think I'm mentally ready for birth yet.
"Your vitals seem fine and there doesn't seem to be anything out of the ordinary going on with you. You've had a very healthy pregnancy so far. Now how about I make us some tea?"
"I'd love that," I replied. She went to go get the tea started. "Where did Rin go today?"
"She went out with Sesshomaru."
"That's so nice!"
"Yes, she's been much happier lately," Kaede said as she started to heat the water. "I understand that Sesshomaru said some nice things to her a few days ago and said he would come to see her more often."
"I'm really glad that they're spending time together again."
"I agree, Rin was very sad over these five months. She'd be looking out the window waiting for him, crying when she thought I wasn't looking. It's nice to see her in better spirits."
"Kaede, I heard some people in the village talking about how there are bandits in the area."
"Yes, I've heard talk of that as well lately. I heard they did quite a bit of damage to a village a few miles from here."
"Do you think they'll really come here?"
Kaede started to pour our tea. "I sincerely hope not. But it wouldn't be the first time."
"Really?"
"These are troublesome times in the world, after all. Demons against demons, humans against demons, humans fighting each other. You and your friends experienced plenty of it on your travels looking for the jewel shards."
I nodded remembering well some of the sufferings we had encountered. "I haven't forgotten."
She handed me a cup of tea and sat across from me again. "We are fortunate enough to live in a place where most of the strife passes by us but every now and then things start to stir. Sometime before you came back there was a conflict with some bandits and we had to drive them off. Miroku was quite injured in the conflict."
"Really?" I said in shock. None of them had mentioned this to me before.
"I understand that where you come from things are much safer."
"For the most part," I replied. "The place I lived in was very safe. But I'm not sure if there has been any part of the world in human history where there haven't been wars of some kind somewhere in the world."
"I often wonder if it's human nature to be this way or if the behavior is learned," Kaede said thoughtfully.
"I like to think it's not but I'm not sure."
"No matter. Whether the bandits come or not, just remember to be extra careful over the next few days. Lock your doors, don't go out at night, all of those things."
I assured her I would and we talked about other things for a bit longer until I started to make my way home.
I've been here resting since then. Nico has been staying close to me to keep me company. I have the doors locked but I'm a little jumpy after hearing about the bandits today. Every small sound makes me think something is coming. I'd feel much safer with Inuyasha here but I guess I'll just have to stick it out until then.
