IKIGAI

"The reason to be."

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Page XIII

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You remain seated on the small landing before the entrance to our cabin, enveloped in a pleasant afternoon that, however, has been turning colder and colder as the winter approaches, now only a moon away. I place a blanket over your shoulder, so that it protects you… and the baby we are expecting.

You smile at me, then your gaze returns to your labor.

"What are you doing?" I ask.

"It's quite clear, I'm writing." Your joyful teasing plays in the tone of your voice.

I let out a sigh, which ends up being a low growl.

"I already know that. I meant, what are you writing about." I elaborate, then sit by your side.

"Something." You dodge the question.

"Let me see." I pick up the pages you keep by you; you feign resistance, yet the laugh brightening your mouth tells me it's not real.

I start reading.

"After the fight we had with the hair demon, Yura, I was resolute in tending to InuYasha's injuries, even if I had to follow him around half the village." I smile before the ever-present decisiveness in your actions. "To my surprise…"

"Don't read it, it's embarrassing… "The sweet and childish tone of your voice makes me stop to look at you. You've been days behaving differently, and I can only conclude that it's one of the many changes you are currently going through.

"Why?" I let a smile slip among my words.

"Because… "You hesitate.

I wait.

"That's no argument." I resume reading. "To my surprise, I found him resting on top of a tree branch. In that moment, I thought it was logical, he had suffered some grave injuries after all. However, and despite my asking, he refused to come down for me to tend to them, so I conjured the kotodama no nenju to make him come down. I don't feel proud of it."

I look at you, you do so too, with those beautiful chestnut brown eyes, half-hidden beneath your locks.

"You don't do that anymore." I try to cheer you up, understanding now where your shame is coming from.

"I know, but back then I did, and despite believing you were wounded; that wasn't right." You reprimand yourself.

"Many of the things we've done, as we met the trials of time, weren't right; but remembering them should be to learn, not to be hurt." I try to console that part of you I know demands too much of you.

You look at me, slightly less coy. I smile, for shyness has become strange between us.

"There is something else you did back then, that you still do." I comment, trying to lighten the burden you seem to carry.

Your eyes show me the pristine shine of curiosity. I lean towards you, as to make it easier for you to read in my gaze the depth of an emotion.

"That day you were asking me to take my clothes off." I clarify, and an instant later I hear your mischievous laugh.

Your hand settles on your belly, and I intertwine mine with yours instinctively.

"And well… in the end you did." You voice.

Many times. I'd want to add, but I hold back and play along.

"Because you wanted me to." I sentence.

Your smile widens, and I feel in my chest that your world has done so too.

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A/N

This drabble was born inspired from the short comic my friend Len drew, titled "Some Time Later… ". It's not the same, but they intertwine with each other, and I believe the emotion and the moment are there.

Thank you for reading, and leaving your comments.

Anyara.