Title: Tides Against Time
Rating: M (Language, Violence, and Adult Content)
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or the Little Mermaid. All rights should go to Inuyasha Inc., Disney and Hans Christian Anderson.
Music: The songs I have selected for this chapter are: "Inuyasha OST 2 - Trap" "Inuyasha OST 2 - Fun Group of Friends" "Inuyasha OST 2 - The Confused and The Carefree." I love to listen to music on YouTube while I read to add to the atmosphere. You are welcome to listen along with my music selection if you want. It is not required. When you see these marks (***) that means to begin to play the selected song. When you see (xxx) this means to stop playing the music. It is important to pay attention to these marking as there is more than one song for this chapter. I do not have credit for these recordings or channels but I think it adds to the story.
Tides Against Time: A Mother's Love
(*** Inuyasha OST 2 - Trap ***)
Sara was going insane. It had been two weeks since she'd been locked up at St. Martha's clinic for abused and mentally ill women. When she arrived she immediately knew something was up. The entire property felt evil and all of the women she saw appeared to be walking in a dazed state. Their eyes were dull and empty as if no life reflected in their depths. After getting into her room and meeting her roommate Lila she knew she needed to escape… immediately. This was no monastery, it was a prison. Her roommates face was frozen into a permanent smile and she kept calling her Sister Sara. Everyone here was a mental nutcase and brainwashed by the Baron's twisted religion.
Every single person there was like the living dead and she knew if she didn't escape she'd be turned into one of them. She had tried to escape twice already and failed miserably. Each time they knocked her out with a sleeping tonic and forced her to spend two days in a padded holding cell wearing a straight jacket. It seemed every time she thought of escaping some staff worker would show up to block her path or she'd be summoned to attend a worship service. The services were fucked up too. They forced everyone to drink a weird wine that was a dark red color and burned strong candles that made her head spin. She hated this pagan religion. It was heavily sourced around magic and worshiped three golden idols.
In the center of the sanctuary was a statue of them holding a spinning sphere. At their feet was a circle of red candles that went lit making their bodies shimmer and dance in the candlelight. During the service they sang and recited verse after verse from their holy book. At the end of each service they'd recite verses to praise the idols as the temple leaders made the sphere spin faster and faster. Inside the sphere was a burning light that flashed quickly causing rapid strobes to flash around the sanctuary. After every service she felt light headed and sickly. She didn't know how it was possible but they were slowly brainwashing her.
She was literally loosing her mind the longer she stayed there and was beginning to believe what they believed. She was already doing what they did. Soon the repetitive ceremonial recitation, bowing and praying became second nature to her. She would walk and even talk like them without thinking about it. It was becoming difficult to separate their wacko reality from the real world. She wanted to escape but had no way to stop this hell from consuming her. She had a feeling the workers were putting herbs in the food and water too that slowly poisoned the mind. On top of that she began hearing and seeing things that weren't there.
Just the other day she could have sworn she saw her mother walking down the hallway. She had chased after her only to end up at the end of the hallway with no one there. Plus she started hearing voices in her head. Most of those voice being of her son and ex-husband. She knew it was impossible for them to be there speaking to her but her mind only continued to play tricks on her. The other women and clinic workers got under her skin too. They would constantly be asking her questions or wouldn't leave her alone when she asked. Constantly having people watching her made her feel claustrophobic and cramped.
She knew if she didn't get some fresh air soon her control would snap and she'd loose all her marbles. As time went on however and she continued to fail in her attempts to escape she lost the fighting battle. After her tenth attempt ending in failure she was thrown into the holding cell for six days. Knowing there was no longer an escape she gave up her cause. As she opened her heart and mind to being taken over to their idols and power a cold chill ran down her spine. Then she felt absolutely… nothing. After that happened the chaos in her body simply ceased to exist. She felt lighter than air and for the first time in her life at peace. Now she walked and talked like the other women did.
She even dressed in their dark red holy garbs and black temple robes. She showed up on time to their ceremonies and recited their prayers and holy verses by memory. She became a part of their cult and was happier than she could have ever remembered feeling. No longer was she Princess Sara of Naples but Sister Sara of St. Martha's. She at last found somewhere she belonged and no longer had to worry about her royal responsibilities. Everything about her past life had been forgotten and she was content. That is until a thunderstorm reeked through the mountain pass one night knocking her subconsciousness out of orbit. When she awoke from her nightmare she felt as if her entire body was on fire.
Having regained her memories and the horrors of what was going on she instantly went into shock. As she tried to stabilize her body the dark magic raging inside her tried to take back control. The burning feeling was excruciating and screamed from the pain. It felt like her skin was slowly freezing from the inside out. Wanting it to stop she scratched and itched until she was covered in bloody cuts. Her roommate Lila having woken up from her screaming tried to calm her back down. Had she not been trying to fight off the magic she would have stopped Lila from calling the clinic workers from racing into her room an stabbing her with a needle laced with sleeping toxins.
As she fell back into a comatose state the images of her little boy flashed in her mind. Not wanting to loose him again she held onto Lorenzo's memories for all she was worth. There was no way in hell they were going to force her into forgetting her son again. She was nobodies slave and she was sure as hell going to take her life back. The following morning she awoke once again in the holding cell cloaked in a straight coat. Her body hurt all over from the cuts and toxins. As the days passed at the chilling ache in her bones didn't fade she had a feeling her body would hurt forever. The pain was tolerable but lingered on the edge of numbing. Wanting to get out of the cell she peaked through the little window on the padded door.
When the female worker noticed she was at last awake Kikyo pretended to be hypnotized again. She answered every question correctly to maintain her plan of escape. When she was released from her cell she went about her duties like normal. She couldn't risk being caught now; not while she still had a chance. She had no clue how long she had been hidden away in the mountains. Weeks became hard to keep track of and when she had been hypnotized she had lost track of time completely. Looking at the sky and feeling the heat of the day she could tell it was well into the summer months and closely leading up to fall. She needed to escape or risk being trapped here all winter.
She didn't want to think what would happen to her once the Bishop found her worthy of release. She'd probably end up as someone's submissive wife, concubine or personal slave. She'd rather die than have to suffer being someone's play thing. Seeing a wagon making its way towards the main building an idea popped into her head. Merchants came three times a week to deliver food and other materials required at the clinic. If she could somehow sneak aboard one of the wagons she could be carried out. When the wagon reached the nearest town she could make her escape. She knew she couldn't go back home or risk the Bishop's sick punishment.
No… she needed to head to Spain were she could get Lorenzo and then disappear... forever. She knew of a sanctuary city in Sweden. If she could get them there then they would be safe. Plan set she went about the next two days like normal. When a wagon arrived through the gates covered in merchandise Sara hid under a bushel of hay and prayed to every god she could think of to help her escape. To her relief the wagon went through the gates without issue. It wasn't until it stopped in a small mountain village later that night that she knew she was safe. When she felt the driver park the wagon into a storage barn for the night she waited until late in the night to move.
It was under the cover of darkness that she crawled out from under the straw. Seeing a brown cloak hanging on the wall she wrapped it around herself and looked around the barn for travel supplies. Seeing some rope, an oil lamp, an axe and a burlap sack she took them off the work bench. Going back to the carriage she loaded some lose vegetables into the sack. Noticing a bag of rice and other travel goods on the wagon she figured she could trade what she didn't use to make some travel money. Satisfied with her supplies she tacked it onto one of the horses and road out into the night. She had no clue where she was or how to get to Spain but knew that the sun set in the west.
Using that as her guide she drove her horse down the mountain pass. The next day she arrived in a small village. Here she discovered she was in Ulm, Germany. Trading some of her supplies she changed out of her monastery clothes so not to be recognized and purchased some dry meat. Now pointed in the right direction she made her way towards the French boarder. She didn't know what she would encounter without having any travel papers but she prayed to the gods that she could see her baby boy one last time. Not giving up hope she raced across the countryside. No one would stop her now. She was a woman on a mission and was going to get her son back.
When she reached the French boarder she trotted her horse up and down to look for a gap in the wall to sneak through. Although she was in a rush she knew better than to make any risky mistakes. Hiding a ways down the line she watched as travelers went in and out of the gate. It wasn't until the third day of observing that she noticed a pattern. There was a two-minute gap between the last shift in the guards that she might be able to sneak across. She watched the guards change shifts two more days just to make sure before she made her move. Just as expected come 4:05 in the morning the guards made their shift and two minutes later two new guards took their place.
Satisfied with her findings she slept the remainder of the day to regain her strength. When 4:05 took place the following morning she and her horse raced across the boarder before the guards knew what was happening. She heard the guards shouting and yelling behind her but did not turn around to look. She couldn't risk slowing her horse down for a second. She heard two guards chasing after her but having a head start and being lighter in weight allowed her to slip past them. Not wanting to stop too close to the boarder and risk the guards catching up with her she kept riding until she reached the village of Vesoul, France. Here she found shelter in a horse barn and slept in the hayloft.
While she was there she restocked her supplies and cared for her horse. When she heard voices calling outside the following morning she slipped onto her horse and once again raced across the countryside. This process went on for many days until she reached Perpignan, France near the Spanish border. Here at a local pup she overheard a group of merchants talking about the Tashio family. Hearing the familiar name made her heart flutter in her chest and her eyes water at the memory. She missed her baby boy so dearly. Not wishing to blow her cover she remained in her seat hidden in the shadows with her cloak covering her face.
Carefully tilting her head in their direction so not to alert them of her eavesdropping she tuned her ear to listen. What she heard next made a chill run down her spine and her face burn red with anger. Not only had that bitch stolen her ex-husband and mated him but the bastard's child that grew in her womb had survived and turned into sextuplets! Her heart was pounding in her chest as she grit her teeth and clenched her fists around her cutlery. She no longer had an appetite and she pushed away her food. She was about to storm out of the pub when she heard the merchants begin to talk about the war. What they said next made her pause and stay to listen.
"I hear the Italians are gettin desperate." the red bearded merchant said. He had a strong Irish accent and was eating fried fish with mash. "Tashio's got their nickers in a snag and the bastards can't figure out how to undo um."
"Aye… let's hope the o'l dog gets um." said the merchant sitting across the table. He had an equally strong Irish accent with black hair and wild green eyes. "We be long over due for a change."
"Aye…" said the last merchant at the table before taking a sip of his ale. He had dirty blonde hair and blue eyes. "Them Italians be holding back the goods from us little folk. They make all the profit while we struggle to make ends meet. I say be gone with'em and free up the competition."
"Cheers to that!" the black haired man laughed as he lift his mug into the air before taking a sip.
"What do ya think of the new Lady being in France?" the blonde haired merchant said causing Sara's eyes to widen. "Ya think the O'l dog is worried he'll lose her again?"
"Nah… I over heard some guards at the boarder say'in the bastard's kid is spending the summer break with the Princess at their summer home. I say they be arranging to marry soon." the red head said.
"Wouldn't be surprising with how close the La Fleches' are to the Tashio's." the black haired merchant agreed. "Just imagine the power of uniting England, France and Spain together will be!"
"Hm." hummed the blonde as he took a sip of his drink. "And the goods we could barter!"
"What about the Lady's pups and Lord La Fleshe's chicks?" asked the red head. "Would that make a difference?"
"Well seeing how the older La Fleche brother only has boys it might work out. Should one of his chicks mate with one of the new pups the union would be substantial. Plus there is little Arthur to take into consideration. He too could mate with one of the new Tashio pups making England and France have marital ties to Spain." the blonde shrugged.
"Aye… but do ye think with full-blooded pups that he would denounce Lorenzo from the thrown?" the black haired merchant asked making Sara frown. "He is tied to Italy and with them at war Lord Sesshomaru could use that as their consequence for going behind his back."
"I don't think he'd do that to the lad." the red head disagreed. "Dogs are very protective of their pack and his instincts would tell him to keep his boy happy. Taking his rights away as future Lord would be quite a low blow. Besides, it aint the lad's fault his mother's an Italian."
"Aye." the black haired merchant agreed. "If I were in his place I'd let the lad choose."
"If you were in his place we'd all be dead!" Joked the red haired merchant making his friends laugh.
Hearing them turn their conversation steer away from the Tashio family Sara sat back in her seat to digest what she had just heard. Lorenzo and Kagome were close by and Italy wasn't doing well in their fight for once. Needing to figure out her next move she took out her map she'd bought at a neighboring village and set it out on the table. A wicked grin slipped across her face when she discovered that the La Fleche's summer home was only a two days ride away. Then it would only be another days ride west to the port were she and Lorenzo could catch a boat. Tucking her map back into her cloak she paid for her meal, untied her horse and set her direction towards her next target.
As the sun began to set in the sky it stained an angry purple with a red tint. She could feel the charge of lightning in the air and heard the distant roll of thundering crawling across the countryside. The trees blew as the winds began to pick up and birds flocked towards their nests in fear. A summer's storm was well on its way but it only charged her forward faster. She knew Kagome at the La Fleche's home was well out of protection from Sesshomaru. With brown eyes burning with the sky on fire a new plan raced through her mind. She would sneak into the castle, kill Kagome and smuggle her son to Sweden. There they would change their names and identities.
Then they would move from city to city to avoid suspicion and once they found the right place they would settled down and live happily together until the end of her days. She would give Lorenzo the choice to follow her in death when her time came. If he did not he was welcome to take over for his father as Lord of Spain. It was his birthright after all but she would have him first. Kagome would be long dead so Lorenzo won't be seeking comfort from anyone else but her. She was his mother damn it! She'd need to make Kagome's death look as if Italy did it so those who were looking for her wouldn't suspect it. Plus the Bishop would suffer from Sesshomaru's wrath and lose everything he held dear.
She secretly hoped he'd loose his life through all of this. The death of the Baron, Kagome and possibly even Sesshomaru in battle would be perfect! Karma was a bitch and Sara was all about striking out her revenge on those who made her suffer. No more would she be forced into doing what others asked of her. She was her own boss now and damn it she was going to do what she wished! Kagome stole Sesshomaru's love from her and he'd tossed her aside like trash. Sara didn't deserve this life! She deserved to be loved; not to be sold for profit or for sexual pleasure. Her ex-husband deserved to suffer because of his cold heart towards her. He should loose everything he held dear!
So did the Bishop. He was a hateful, selfish bastard who killed, robed and brainwashed all under the façade of a holy man. It was his fault he forced her to live this hell of a life in the first place. He deserved to suffer more than anyone. She laughed a wicked laugh at her cunning plan as she raced across the countryside. No one but her would be laughing in the end.
[Castle Roquetaillade France – La Fleche Summer Home]
(*** Inuyasha OST 2 - Fun Group of Friends ***)
"Crap! I lost a stich." Lizy groaned as she began to unravel her blue string.
"I hate it when that happens." Kagura sighed as she knitted another loop before setting her needles down in her lap. "How many do we have done now?"
"Twenty." Kagome smiled as she knitted a little ruffle on the baby bootie she was working on. It was white with a pink frill on the end. "Only four left and each pup will have two pairs of socks."
"You're going to need more than that." Lizy chuckled. "I seemed to constantly be loosing socks when Odette was little."
"Well… they do say a mother's work is never finished." Kagome teased as she tied off the pink string so it wouldn't unravel.
"Tsk… ain't that the truth!" Kagura grumbled. "If my mate weren't so stubborn and hotheaded he might understand that about our kids."
"Well… he is a ram demon dear cousin." Lizy chuckled as she tried to fix her mistake. "Don't try to make him something he's not. Max knows you work hard and that your kids are trouble makers."
"I know..." Kagura sighed as she continued working on her yellow sock. "It seems like I'm constantly sewing holes in their clothes or feeding them so they don't empty the pantry. What drives me crazy is when they jump on everything! It's exhausting!"
"I have a feeling in a year or two when these little guys will be just as naughty." Kagome said as she patted her belly.
"Oh… it will be before that." Kagura chuckled darkly. "You'll be pulling your hair out after a few months of constant crying, feeding, changing, and sleepless nights. Not to mention loss of personal space and alone time with your mate. Lord Sesshomaru has sentenced you both to an endless parenthood. Don't think this will be the first time his beast will whelp you as such. Especially now that he knows you can carry so many."
"It's not that I'm worried about the stress of it all. It's that I'm afraid I won't be able to care for all six of them in the ways they need it." Kagome groaned.
"Worry not my friend." Lizy said as she pat Kagome's shoulder comfortingly. "One of the perks of being royal is the privilege of servants. I'm sure you've got a core group of ladies back home who'd be more than willing to help."
"Yes but… I don't know... it's just that I'm their mother. A servant shouldn't be responsible for raising them. My pups should know I'm there mother and coming to me for everything… not someone else." Kagome sighed as she began to knit another sock on her needles. "I guess I can understand Sara's upset regarding my relationship with Lorenzo."
"I wouldn't worry about that too much." Kagura said as she continued to knit. "When your pups are first born they will ingrain your scent into their memory and instinctually know you are their mother. Even if you can't hold all of them or nurse them at the time they will know you are theirs."
"Really?" Kagome asked uncertain. "I mean I experienced a pack bond with Lorenzo but didn't realize my pups mother bond would be stronger."
"With dog demon pups it is." Lizy said as she finally worked out her mistake on her needle. "They will recognize your aura and scent and seek for you first in everything. With Lorenzo being born from a human he knows who his birth mother is but didn't bond with her in the way demons do. She isn't the alpha bitch in your mate's pack and she didn't accept him as you have done through demon pack bonding. Now that you have this bond with him he is connected stronger to you than Sara. Your pups will do the same. Since you will be both their birth and pack mother it will be even stronger."
"That's reassuring…" Kagome sighed as she relaxed into the couch pillows. Looking out the window she could see the rain still pouring outside. "I wonder what our mates are doing."
"Have you spoken through your shell today?" Lizy asked as she began the ruffled collar on her sock.
"No…" Kagome sighed as she absently rubbed over her belly. "Yesterday he sounded pretty busy. They were making their way through the Alps last we spoke and some of their guards had gotten separated from them during a random snow flurry. I'm not sure if it's safe for him to speak where they are so I figured I'd let him call me when he could."
"Hm." Kagura hummed as she continued her knitting. "Probably for the best. Who knows where they are or who could be listening in on your conversation. Were you to speak through the shell it could blow their cover."
"Exactly." Kagome sighed as she rest the back of her head on the couch and closed her eyes. She could feel the sting of tears threatening to fall. "I know he's doing this for all of us but I miss him so much. We just got together less than a month and a half ago and with everything happening with Sara and now this? Gods... I feel like I'll never see him again!"
"You'll be together again soon." Lizy comforted as she cupped Kagome's cheek. "From what their last report said they are making great progress. We are winning Kagome! It won't be long now until our mate's return to us."
"I just hope it's all over soon so he can be here for the pups." Kagome sniffled on a quivering chin. "When he found out how many I was carrying he promised to be here… I'm so scared that something will go wrong with the delivery. I keep having nightmares that one of them won't make it or I'll bleed out and never have the chance to tell him goodbye."
"Shhhh…." Lizy soothed as she and Kagura set down their needles and hugged her. They could feel her trembling in their arms as her anxiety, exhaustion and depression rattled through her hormonal system. "Everything will work out. The doctor said the pups were doing well and that you're progressing nicely."
"If you do go into labor before he arrives we'll be here to help you." Kagura agreed as she pet Kagome's hair. "Who knew that fifteen years later I'd be comforting the woman who mated my ex-fiancé!"
"Indeed." Kagome chuckled weakly at the irony of it all. "I'm glad it worked out the way it did though. You're one of my closest friends Kagura and I'm happy you're here to help me through this."
"No kidding. I think I'd kill Sesshomaru if he pupped me with six." Kagura teased making Lizy and Kagome laugh. "Finishing with three kids is much more my style."
"Is Max alright with that?" Lizy asked. "I thought Ram's liked big families?"
"Normally they do but Max and I agree with how rowdy our kids are that three is plenty." Kagura said as she picked up her tea cup before taking a sip. "What about you? Does Louie want more?"
"He's happy with two but I want a couple more." Lizy said as she passed Kagome a tissue so she could dry her eyes.
"I don't blame you." Kagome smiled. "Odette and Arthur are precious. I hope mine come out as sweet as yours."
"Having known Sesshomaru and Inuyasha when they were younger I doubt that's ever going to happen." Lizy teased as Kagura nodded in agreement.
"Like I said earlier. Your mate has doomed you to chaos. Just look at Lorenzo! He's only half demon like his uncle Inuyasha was and is quite the little trickster." Kagura smirked as Kagome shook her head in defeat.
"Indeed." Lizy chuckled. "You'd think he was half fox not dog."
"Speaking of foxes… who is the beautiful white fox in the back lounge?" Kagome asked.
"That was Louie's great aunt. It appears his lineage tends to like dangerous women." Lizy smirked making Kagura laugh.
"I'd say! Chickens are one of foxes favorite snacks!" Kagura chuckled as she finally finished off her baby bootie. "His great uncle had to be quite suave for him to capture that beautiful vixen's attention."
"Oh, believe me... that debonair runs in the family." Lizy smirked. "Louie can be quite suave if he wants to be."
"Cheers to that!" Kagome laughed.
"Why do you ask?" Lizy questioned as she poured more tea.
"That painting is stunning. I was wondering if the artist was still around?" Kagome asked as she picked up her knitting needles once more.
"I can ask the house keeper. What painting do you have in mind?" Lizy asked curiously.
"Sesshomaru made a joke a few months ago about having a portrait of me done while I was pregnant. I thought it would be fun to surprise him with one... or two." Kagome shrugged.
"Two?" Kagura asked with a raised brow. "What's the other one?"
"Well... the other part of Sesshomaru's tease was that it would be while I was naked a thoroughly pleasured. I think it's time I teach him a lesson by commissioning a painting that will knock his socks off." Kagome winked making Lizy's eyebrows disappear into her bangs and Kagura spit out her drink.
"Why you little vixen you!" Kagura laughed as tears threatened to escape her ruby eyes. "Now we have to find this painter! Oh! To see that dog's face!"
"Oh Kagome…" Lizy smirked wickedly. "This is soooooooo happening."
"So you'll find this painter?" Kagome giggled.
"Absolutly and if we can't we'll find one who can replicate what you want." Lizy said just as they heard their children running down the hallway.
(*** Inuyasha OST 2 - The Confused and The Carefree ***)
"Mama vhen's it gunna stop vaining?!" whined a blond haired red eyed kid demon. He was roughly around five demon years old and had little horns beginning to sprout on the top of his head.
"It's supposed to rain the next couple of days Stephan." Kagura said as she watched his lower lip turn into a frown. "You'll just have to play indoors until it passes."
"Can ve go pway in the puddles den?" asked his younger brother who completely ignored what she had just said.
"What did I just say Gunther?" Kagura scolded.
"That is vas gunna to wain the next few days?" Gunther repeated. His brown eyes were wild with mischief while his black hair was messy from hours of running and jumping.
"So can ve go pway in the puddles?" said a younger girl kid demon with equally wild red eyes and curly black hair. She was sucking on her thumb and holding a pink blanket. Its ends were tattered and worn from her chewing on it and dragging on the ground when she walked.
"I said no Agnes. It's raining outside and if you go play in the puddles you will get dirty." Kagura sighed in annoyance as she ignored Kagome and Lizy's knowing smirks. These kids were ignoring her on purpose to get what they wanted.
"But Mama!" whined Stephan as he stomped his little foot. "Ve're bored and ve vant to go outside!"
"Yeah!" whined Gunther as Agnes began to cry. "Pwease Mama?!"
"Pwease, pwease, pwease?" repeated Stephan, Gunther and Agnes together. "PWEEEEEEEEEEESE!"
"Alright!" Kagura snapped making them silence their begging. "As long as you wear your rain coats and boots!"
"Yay!" shouted Gunther as he threw his hand up into their air as he jumped.
"Come on Agnes! I'll help you vith your coat" Stephan said as he pulled his little sister behind him. Soon the little kids were out the door leaving an exhausted air demoness behind.
(xxx stop music xxx)
"See what I mean?" Kagura grumbled as Kagome giggled behind her hand. "They gang up on me until they get what they want! They're too smart for their own good."
"Well… goats do tend to bully." Lizy smirked as Kagura ran her hands down her face and groaned. "We best go and check on the rest of our young to make sure they are still napping."
"Do you mind checking on Lorenzo for me?" Kagome asked as she continued to knit. "My lower back is killing me and this chair is quite comfy."
"Sure." Lizy nodded as she and Kagura got up from their seats and set their knitted booties on the table.
"When did your lower back start to hurt?" Kagura asked.
"Just yesterday. I asked the healer this morning during my checkup and he said it was probably due to sleeping in an unfamiliar bed. He checked to see if I was dilating and I'm not." Kagome said.
"That's good." Lizy said. "We'll catch up with you later. If you need anything just holler through our bond alright?"
"K." Kagome smiled.
When they were gone she watched the rain patter against the window. She could see Kagura's kids playing out in the puddles with their brightly colored coats and she couldn't help but smile. Returning to her task she finished off the last of the booties. As she ran her finger along the stocking a tender gleam shown in her eye. Soon her little one's foot would be filling it. The thought made a gentle purr roll up from her chest. Feeling a hard kick she placed her hand over the spot and giggled when a tiny foot pressed against her palm.
"Soon little one…" Kagome cooed as she rubbed over her belly. "Soon you'll have all the room in the world to stretch and kick those little legs."
Feeling them getting restless she began to hum a light tune. When she felt her little ones settled back down for a nap she purred in delight. Already her little ones recognized her as their mother and it made her heart swoon with love for them. Hearing a voice calling through her shell a wide smile lit across her face and she quickly held it up to her ear.
"Sesshomaru?" Kagome called into the shell.
"Hello mate." Sesshomaru purred. "How are you? How are Lorenzo and the pups?"
"We're good! Lorenzo's upstairs taking a nap at the moment and I just felt our little ones settle down for one as well." Kagome said as she smiled from ear to ear. It was so nice to hear his voice. "How are you?! Where are you? What's going on at the front?"
"We made it through the gap. Our journey was delayed a few hours by a mountain storm but we have made it to our destination. Tomorrow we march towards the boarder and in two days time we will invade Rome." Sesshomaru said. "If all goes well I shall see you in a few days."
"Just be careful. If something doesn't feel right pull back ok?" Kagome said as she nibbled on her lower lip nervously. Feeling her anxiety in their bond Sesshomaru send her his support and love. "I mean it Sesshomaru. You better come back to me."
"I will." Sesshomaru promised making her smile weakly. "I miss you."
"I miss you too." Kagome sniffled with a wobbly smile.
"Have you been checked up by the healer? What are their results? Do they think you will deliver early?" Sesshomaru asked.
He was currently in his tent overlooking maps. The wind outside was blowing wildly making the tarp flap and a cold chill to run down his spine. Despite the cold his heart was warm with his love and he shrugged off the mountain's chill. Nothing, not even hell freezing over would stop his happiness at hearing his mate's voice.
"Surprisingly my womb still has some room to grow and our little ones are in no mood to come out!" Kagome chuckled making Sesshomaru's eyebrows rise in surprise. "The healer thinks they might make it to full term making my due date not for another month."
"Truly? They do not think you will deliver early?" Sesshomaru asked in disbelief.
"Yup!" Kagome giggled with happy tears in her eyes. "So you better finish up what you're doing and come get me. These little guys aren't going to come out by themselves."
"I promise to do my best to return to your side. Until then be strong and take it easy." Sesshomaru said.
"K." Kagome giggled making Sesshomaru's heart flutter. "What's it like where you are at? It's been raining here the past few days."
"Cold and snowy. I'd much rather be snuggled up in our bed." Sesshomaru said just as Louie and Earl Max pulled the flap back on his tent. He could tell by the goat and rooster's serious expressions that something came up and he needed to go. "Listen… I need to go. I will call you as soon as everything is done."
"Alright." Kagome said as she curled his moco moco closer around her shoulders. "Be safe!"
"You too." Sesshomaru said before cutting the line. "What is it?"
"Another storm is on the wind. If we stay here we will be stuck for another day or two. If we hurry down the mountain pass over night however we will remain on schedule." Louie said as he pointed on the map. "We do risk running into enemy territory or blowing our cover if we do leave."
"What if we take another path? One less traveled?" Sesshomaru suggested as they examined the map. Seeing a tiny path down the side of the mountain he pointed to it. "If we take this path it will lead us to a small village. Here we could restock supplies and make our way to the boarder as we planned."
"I agree. Ve'll need to be carevul. Who knows vhat state zee path vill be. Ve could get stuck or zee hillside could collapse." Max cautioned as they looked over the mountain terrain.
"Have the generals instruct the soldiers on the risks. We will proceed with caution." Sesshomaru said as he rolled up the map and tucked it back into his satchel. "We must leave immediately."
"Agreed." Louie said as he and Max left the tent to relay their plan to their men.
Within an twenty minutes everything was torn down and were making their way down the mountain. It was a risky path, one where they nearly lost a dozen horses when a hillside collapsed. Thankfully no one was hurt and they continued on their way. Now safe and sound on the other side of the mountain they made camp and readied for their next move. Little did they know that while they slept Italy was making their own move at the same time as Sara was closing in on her prey.
[End of Chapter 84]
(Aren't Kagura's kids naughty?! Haha I just loved coming up with their little characters. What did you think of them? Anyone happy to see Kagura and Max's relationship returned? What about the return of Sara? Anyone worried about her plans to kill Kagome and kidnap Lorenzo? There's also the development of the war. So much is happening! Of course only time will tell what happens in the end! More chapters to come my friends!)