Kagome was jerked awake by Hanna jumping onto the bed.
"Mama! Papa told me I can go to school like me today." She said happily. Not running on all cylinders yet Kagome blew out a breath of air before cracking open an eyelid.
"Hmmmm?" She asked sleepily.
"I don't have to hide my hair or my moon!" Reiterating what she meant. "And moko-mokos coming to school with me."
"Oh." Sitting up and rubbing her eyes Kagome felt her mouth dry.
"Can you do my hair in one big braid?" Hanna tilted her head to one side. "Mama, you okay?"
"Yeah. Yeah honey, I can do your hair. Just do me a favor and start getting ready for school." Kagome said swallowing down the lump in her throat.
Getting up quickly she darted across the floor to her bathroom and shut the door. Turning on the faucet water to dull the sound she fell to her knees and heaved into the toilet bowl.
Breathing heavily between spasms as she vomited she heard a soft knock on the door.
"You okay mama?"
"Yea…yeah. I'm fine." She breathed out heavily before releasing another torrent of fluid from her mouth. Not hearing anything else from Hanna she flushed the bowl and spit wiping at her mouth with the back of her hand. "So gross."
Sitting in his office he watched as Hanna ran so fast past his door that when she tried to stop she toppled over.
Looking on curiously as she composed herself she seemed worried.
"Papa, Mamas sick." She said breathlessly. "She's puking."
"It's alright pup." He said standing. Placing a hand to the top of her head he walked past her to Kagomes room. Curiously following behind Hanna watched as he knocked on the washroom door.
"It's open." Kagome said as she stood at the sink rinsing her mouth. Glancing at him she gave a small smirk. "Yay, morning sickness."
"Hm." Sesshomaru leaned against the door jam and crossed his arms. "I had hoped that maybe it wouldn't affect you this time."
"Oh no, it's right on time." She replied sarcastically. "That's how I found out about Hanna, I started throwing up. Ah memories." Shutting off the water she wiped her face on the towel she hung next to the sink.
"How long did you know before I was made aware of your condition?"
"A day. Just one day." Kagome said thinking back on it. "When you showed up, well…"
"I know." He said rubbing at her shoulders and placing a kiss to her forehead. "It was my fault for putting you in that position. I never had any intention of developing a relationship with you but I am so glad that we did."
"Same." Suddenly feeling Hanna self inserting herself between them she looked up at her parents almost expectantly. "I know, you want me to do your hair."
Giving a slow nod as if she were thinking Hanna stared up at them. "Come on. Lets get going."
Opting to dress for the day in a blue kimono with white flower blossoms on the sleeves and a large yellow obi Kagome swept her daughters braid over her shoulder.
Draping her moko-moko over her opposite shoulder she looked down at her daughter and gushed. "You look like so much like a little princess."
"This is how I'm supposed to be." She said near haughty and walked out the door.
"Oh well, excuse me. No mistaking who your father is." Moving into her own room Kagome took out her school uniform to get dressed.
Opting to drive Hanna to school with her tray of cupcakes for her class Kagome went for the ride not feeling up to walking.
"There's nothing wrong with taking a day off Kagome." Sesshomaru said. "If the school requires a note I can excuse you."
"While I love your abuse of power mate, I'm okay." She said. "I'll live."
"I want you to rest this time around. I want to spoil you in ways that you should have been with Hanna." He said.
"Then spoil me when I get home." She replied with a small smile. Stopping at Hannas school Kagome got out balancing the tray in her hands.
Hanna let herself out of the car and they both looked at her other classmates dressed as fairy tale princesses, movie monsters, and a few pirates.
"I will park and pull back around." Sesshomaru said.
"Okay." Kagome gave a nod. Walking to get into line Kagome drew in a breath of air. Why did she always get stuck in front of or behind the Tanaka woman?
"Ishida san." The other greeted.
"Tanaka san." Kagome said back. Standing with her son Daisuke the little boy stared at Hanna.
"What are you Hanna-chan?" He asked curiously.
"Myself." Hanna replied.
"What a pretty costume kimono Hanna." Tanaka said. "You've been practicing your face painting again, hm? And did you strip her hair color?"
"No. No. It's hair powder." Kagome said. "Face painting again?"
"Oh. Ishida sensei came with her one day with a moon just like that on his forehead and stripes on his face."
"Oh! Right! Yes I remember my husband saying that." Kagome laughed it off.
"Is it just me or are the school uniforms getting snugger?" She asked pointing to her skirt. Smoothing down her blazer Kagome gave a small shrug.
Hearing the school bell chime she breathed a sigh of relief. Handing off both the dessert to the teacher and Hanna she gave her a quick hug and went back to the car.
Arriving at her university Kagome leaned over to Sesshomaru and made a kissing face.
"And here I was worried you were embarrassed to be seen with me at school." He teased leaning in and placing a light kiss against her lips.
"Are you kidding me?" Kagome commented back. "I am totally going to show off my super hot, doctor husband in our expensive car."
Giggling she stepped out and leaned down. "Can you come get me later? I don't feel well at all today. This morning wiped me out."
"Of course." Sesshomaru said. "You only need but to ask."
"Kagome." Hojos voice sounded from behind her. Spinning around Kagome smiled companionably.
"Hey. Hojo I'd like you to meet…"
"Ishida sensei?" Hojo asked glancing into the car.
"Hojo Akio. It has been some time." Sesshomaru said.
"Wait, you two know each other?" Kagome felt dumb founded.
"Yeah. Practically my whole life. My father was a doctor that worked under Ishida sensei at one point in his career." Hojo replied. "That was when I was a kid. How do you two know one another?"
"This is my husband." Kagome answered with a smile. Hojos eyes nearly bugged out of his head.
"Oh! Wow. I didn't know. I apologize to both of you for being so upfront I didn't realize…" Hojo said bowing slightly.
"It is alright Akio-kun." Sesshomaru replied. "I will see you later my little one."
"See you later lovey." Kagome said shutting the car door. "Come on Hojo."
"I knew you were married but I thought it was to someone younger." Hojo stated. "Ishida sensei is older, by a lot."
"That's never mattered to me." Kagome replied wondering what he would think if he knew Sesshomarus real age.
"Kagome, I've heard of older guys paying off families a lot of money for an arranged marriage." Hojo said. "That isn't what happened to you, right?"
"Oh my god, no!" She shook her head in disbelief. "At least I don't think he ever did when he met with my family for the first time." Shrugging it off she continued to walk to class.
"As long as you say that you're okay."
"I'm great. I couldn't be better." Feeling her stomach twist suddenly she took a deep breath. It was going to be a long day.
Hanna sat at her table with her table mates as they all worked on their assigned letters for the day. The children were comparing their costumes and declaring what they were dressed as.
"'Cept Hanna. She isn't in a costume." Daisuke said in a mocking tone. Looking up from her task she frowned and furrowed her brow.
"My papa said I could go to class today like this." She replied.
"It's not a real costume Hanna, is just a kimono." One of her other classmates stated. Turning her attention to the other she looked at the other children as they began to snicker to themselves.
"What's that?" The girl sitting next to her asked reaching out to touch her moko-moko.
"Don't touch moko-moko." Hanna said inching away down her. "It's special. Papa gave it to me when I was a pup."
"What?" Daisuke asked. "Like a puppy? Humans aren't puppies. You're dumb. Your costume is dumb and that stupid thing is dumb."
"Moko-mokos not!" Hanna cried out. "And I'm not all human, I'm not!"
"That must be why your face is stupid." He retorted meanly. Growling Hanna lunged across the table at him and raked sharp claws down the side of his face.
Instantly recoiling as he let out a shriek and began to cry she stared at her hands. Her usually blunt nails had grown into sharp claws.
"Oh no." She said quickly. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
"Kato sensei!" The other children shouted as Hanna swallowed down the dryness in her throat. Rushing over with a napkin their teacher pressed it to his face.
"Hanna cut Daisukes face!" One of her classmates pointed at her shouting.
"Can I get some help in here!" Their teacher shouted to the open classroom across the hall.
"It was an accident." Hanna said weakly.
"Hanna, in the corner, now!" Kato sensei ordered. Hanging her head down she wrapped herself in her moko-moko and watched as another teacher rushed Daisuke out of the room as he continued to cry.
Kneeling in front of her her teacher sighed out. "Hanna, what did you cut him with?"
"My claws." She whispered.
"There's no way Hanna your nails could have done that. I need the truth." Holding up her hand to her teacher her claws had already retracted showing only her regular nails.
"I had them. They grew fast and now they disappeared." She explained.
"We're going to the principals office and we're going to have to call home." Her teacher said firmly.
"Am I in trouble?" Sinking into her fur further she held her breath.
"I don't know." Kato sensei replied. "Come on." Holding out her hand to her Hanna took it and was led out of her classroom.
To say that Sesshomaru wasn't pleased to be called into her school was an understatement. Sitting in the office being lectured by a human took every ounce of will power he had not to reply with a snarky remark.
"You have to understand our position here at the school. The boy has been sent to the urgent care to be seen. His mother is meeting him there." The principal said. "As of right now the school board will be working with local law enforcement to investigate this incident."
"I understand that kids fight. The Tanaka boy is in my office at least once a day for picking on his classmates or insubordination towards his teacher. Your daughter got upset after being picked on, however violence is not tolerated in this school. I'm sorry to say that Hanna is expelled from this school."
"Very well." Sesshomaru said standing. "I will collect my daughter now and leave."
"I wish there was another alternative Ishida sensei. Hanna is a very bright little girl and we had looked forward to having her attend our facility for many years to come."
Walking out into the office to see Hanna sitting with her jacket on and holding onto her backpack Sesshomaru held out his hand to her which she readily accepted.
Exiting the building with her he brought her to his car and helped her into her booster seat. Remaining silent he drove out of the school lot and drove home.
Opening the door for her she got out quietly and walked up the front steps. Once inside she put down her bag and kicked off her getta.
"Hanna, meet me in the garden." He said making his way up the stairs. Watching as he went up the stairs she shuffled towards the kitchen that led to out into the garden.
Moving slowly she stared up at the tree in the center taking in the leaves as some fell and were lifted up by the breeze while other flittered to the ground.
Catching one in her hand she turned it up to the sun admiring its pretty orange shade.
"Hanna." Turning at her fathers voice she felt her breath catch in her throat. Furrowing her brow she had never seen him dressed in such a way since before her soul and body were one.
Her eyes fastened on the chest plate he wore along with sharp metal shoulder and chest guards. His hair was longer than usual and his clothing was even more pristine white than his hair, save for the red flowers that adorned his top in their hexagonal pattern.
Slung over his right shoulder lay his own moko-moko and Hanna stared at it intently readjusting her own that was haphazardly thrown over her like a scarf.
With his swords fastened to his side tucked into the yellow and blue sash that was tied taught around his waist. White pants and black boots finished his ensemble.
"As far as I am concerned, you are not in trouble. You were defending your honor." Sesshomaru said. "What I said to you last night, that you are untrained, this Sesshomaru takes full responsibility for that folly. From now on I will teach you to control not only your energy but also your baser instincts as well."
"Yes papa." She gave a slight nod.
"Now, explain to me what happened?"
Shaking her head and lowering it she seemed to slink back. Applying her glamour he watched as her hair turned black and her crescent mark vanished.
"This is better." Wringing her hands she bit at her lower lip. "Hiding is better."
With Sesshomaru kneeling down in front of her he lifted her chin up with two of his fingers.
"Stand tall daughter. It is not always easy in this world but fitting in and hiding are two different things." He said. "The first step is to learn who you are, mastering yourself and your abilities. Once that is achieved then you can accomplish anything."
"Papa, where do I belong?" She mumbled looking into his eyes. "I'm different from everyone."
"For now your place is with your mother and I." Closing his eyes tightly he let out a sigh. "Your mother. We have to pick her up."
"Will mama be mad at me?"
"No pup. She won't be."
"The kids in class said I was dumb for saying that. They said that I'm not a puppy, I'm a human but I'm not."
"Hanna, I don't understand what you're going through. There was never any question in my mind what I was, I am a demon by birth. Your mother is a human." He said standing and leading her back into to the house. "We assumed that you would be born a half-breed but you're not."
Removing his armor and swords he placed them on the table taking Hannas hand. "You are unique. Possibly unlike any other being to exist. Your mother and I will do our best to help you find your place wherever that may be."
Making their way to the front of the house Hanna put her footwear back on and her jacket. Snuggling against her moko-moko she fell asleep once the car began to move.
Kagome sighed relief once Sesshomaru pulled up to where she stood on the sidewalk.
"Hey, I was getting worried I…" Stopping when she took in his appearance a blush stained her cheeks. Glancing to the back and seeing Hanna sleeping she smiled and shut the car door. "I haven't seen this get up in a long time. Maybe I should put on my vintage feudal era garb and we can play demon lord and priestess later."
"Feeling better?" Sesshomaru glanced at her as he pulled away from the school.
"Yeah this morning was rough but I got through it."
"Good. Hanna has been expelled."
"From…nursery school?" Kagome turned her attention quickly to him.
"She attacked the Tanaka boy."
"Ugh. Fucking fantastic."
"It gets better." He said. "The school and the police are investigating it. We may need a lawyer depending on if the family wants to press charges."
"What the hell did she do? Maim him?"
"Essentially. She was being taunted and teased by her classmates. He was the instigator. She became angry and her claws came out, she attacked him and cut his face." He explained.
"Oh my god. Is he alright?"
"More than likely scarred but not life threatening."
"This is my fault. I've been treating her like a human and she's not. I should have been teaching her better control over everything." Kagome said staring out her window.
"We are both to blame mate. From now on we will both work with her to begin training her to harness her powers and abilities so in the future she will have better control over herself." Sesshomaru replied.
"Yeah." Bringing a hand to her head and sighing she felt her heart break. "My poor baby. They were teasing her. They hurt her feelings which is why she lashed out. I'll talk to her later about it."
"Very well." Sesshomaru nodded in agreement as he pulled into their driveway.