Good day, all out there!
I had a really hard time getting this chapter written, which is weird for me, but MEH! Let me know what you think, all comments are welcome. I'll be a big girl one day with all of this help. :P
Anyway, enjoy. I'm certainly still snickering.
RxR
Title: No Such Thing as Fate
Genres: Adventure, Action, Drama
Pairings Represented: Sesshomaru/Kagome, Sango/Miroku, Inuyasha/undecided
Rating R/Mature
Disclaimer: Hi
Chapter 36: Life Changes: Bits and Pieces
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She moved slowly.
She breathed slowly.
But then the intensity would break through, and she was panting again. She knew she needed to calm down. Then again, she knew all of the things that could go wrong too.
The thought sent shocks of fear through her. She snatched her hands back, trembling as she looked at the bloody mess she'd made.
Sesshomaru sat before her, taking similarly short breaths. There was blood, a lot of blood, but it had been necessary to reach the goal.
Sesshomaru reached over finally and held his upper arm tight to his side.
"At least seal the wound" he growled.
Kagome inhaled sharply. Her power flickered and the quick breaths got worse for a moment.
"Kagome!"
She jumped and everything stilled for a second.
"You did nothing wrong and I will survive a bit of blood loss."
"I'm not finished" she croaked.
He glared at her then. She choked on a hard swallow and got herself on track to seal his wound.
A little bit later, Kagome sat beside him, against the wall. He panted a bit, his face pale, but he wasn't bleeding or suddenly having a heart attack.
This she could deal with for a second.
"Sorry" she whispered, watching the servants clean up the blood and mess.
"Do not be. We agreed on this."
She sighed and leaned her head into his shoulder.
He grunted and she peeked up when she felt her hair flutter a bit. He looked at her a moment then closed his eyes.
"We can continue tomorrow."
"I think you should rest" she protested weakly.
Sesshomaru made a dismissive sound and she wondered why.
He answered without prompting, "this is not something to sit on. A normal person would cower away if they have that much time to think on it. This is painful and I'm not foolish enough to think I cannot react that way."
She blinked up at him in amazement.
"And you cannot cower away either." He lifted his arm and showed her the stump and curled skin. The stump that had been close to swallowing his shoulder, had been worked on enough to now reveal a long arm, cut off at the forearm, close to his elbow.
Kagome exhaled, the sound one of relief.
He examined a bit more and nodded. "Yes. This is very good work."
She hummed, wanting to smile but not having the energy for it.
"Sesshomaru" she muttered tiredly, touching the arm that had caused them both to struggle for a few days. "I am so sorry."
He sighed immediately. "You do not listen."
Her lips did curl a bit. "I did" she called defensively.
"Then do not apologize. You are dismissing my own agreement to this procedure."
She blinked, thought a moment, then nodded.
The servants finished up quickly. A bed was put out on the floor.
Kagome frowned finding it was a large bed like her own.
"Bring a meal." He ordered a servant. She bowed and rushed from the room.
"I need a bath" he muttered, looking to the still wet blood on his side, and even more had stained his pants.
Kagome grinned slowly. "That, I can help with"
He hummed and did not refuse when she offered a hand to help him up.
XXXX
He woke to messy fumbling and scratching. Kagome shifted at his side. He rolled over and draped his arm across her waist.
"Your boys have too much energy" he muttered into her hair.
"I noticed," she rasped.
Shippou finally was able to push the door wide open – fully open for some reason.
There was a happy chirping and the sound of something being dragged.
"Kaa-san!"
Kagome opened her eyes finally and blinked at Shippou who made a mad dash for her.
Sesshomaru lifted a hand and snatched the boy by his collar mid-air.
Shippou blinked. A moment and Sesshomaru lowered him to the ground.
"No jumping on her." He grumbled.
"Sorry" Shippou muttered, pouting.
"She is with pup."
Shippou straightened up excitedly then leaned forward to sniff at Kagome. She giggled when Shippou made a small happy sound.
"I hear you boys have been running wild?"
She looked to Kuro who was sitting on horse.
It tickled her to no end that Shippou dragged the other boy around on his beloved blanket. The dirty beast had been named horse. Shippou had loved it and Kuro gave less than a damn, as long as he could have his blanket and follow Shippou.
And Shippou kept him close. Anywhere Shippou went, Kuro was right with him, riding on horse that Shippou pulled everywhere.
The blanket was disgusting. Kagome wondered if she could sneak Kuro another 'horse.'
But she sat up a bit and pulled Shippou in. He giggled as she kissed his hair and cheeks playfully.
"Kuro, come to mommy" Kagome cooed.
Shippou glanced back as Kuro leaned forward with a soft sound.
"Come on Kuro" Shippou called, waving.
Kuro leaned forward and made an awkward crawl across the floor, his legs trying to work every other second.
Kagome frowned, but Kuro made it to her. He stuck his face into her chest and grunted a few times as he sniffed at her.
He made a happy sound and tugged at her clothes, pulling himself up, squeaking and chirping. Kagome caught the back of his head, laughing, and pecked kisses across his face.
He gurgled something and squealed happily.
"That's a good boy" she cooed. Then she leaned forward a bit more. "Kuro, have you been working with your legs. Mommy said to try hard" she said softly.
Kuro ignored her, sniffing about.
Shippou shrugged with an awkward smile.
"I think the servants don't know why you do it, so they don't practice with him."
"I want to keep his legs moving so that maybe he can use them better when he's older."
"Ah!" Shippou gasped and looked at the other boy.
Then Kagome jumped and laughed. She pulled Kuro away. He had found a nipple, but clamped down on her clothes trying to get to it.
She pulled her top aside and Kuro stretched out with her to suckle.
"Kuro is weird" Shippou complained.
"He's a baby" Kagome cooed softly.
Shippou grunted, then stepped forward and tugged at her. He peeked over her to her partner.
"Sess-"
Kagome quickly hushed him.
"He's asleep" She muttered softly.
Shippou blinked and stepped back.
"He's had a rough few days, and he's tired. Let him sleep."
Shippou hummed and plopped down beside her.
"Are you gonna stay home more?"
"Yes. I am not much help in a fight with a baby in my stomach."
Shippou nodded firmly. "I'll help Kaa-san. I'm a good big brother. Kuro doesn't get scared at stuff anymore."
Kagome chuckled and relaxed slowly.
"What time is it?"
Shippou blinked and looked at the ceiling, "it's just past midday" he said with a nod.
Kagome hummed, "We will have to get up in a bit. I have to work a little more"
Shippou panicked for a moment when he saw anxiety cross her face.
"Kaa-san?"
"I'm ok" she quickly assured.
He scowled immediately.
She smiled nervously but didn't say anything.
"You got scared for a moment."
"Life is scary."
He rolled his eyes and Kagome smiled.
"Kuro's asleep."
Kagome peeked down and nodded in agreement.
Shippou turned and fetched Kuro's blanket. He brought it over and tossed it over the toddler.
"Did you have your nap?"
He scowled, "I'm not a baby."
Kagome shrugged, "I love naps and I'm an adult."
Shippou scowled, not falling for it.
"I'm not a baby."
Kagome smiled. I'm gonna sleep a little longer. He'll be up in a bit."
Kagome pulled Kuro closer, pulling horse away and sitting it on the floor. Kuro grunted and latched on to suckle in his sleep. She rolled over, tucking the boy between her and Sesshomaru.
Kuro only suckled a few seconds longer and fell asleep with milk dripping down his cheek.
Sesshomaru shifted with a frown.
"I've got the baby" she said quietly.
"Baby?" he muttered and drifted off again.
Shippou crawled over Kagome and tumbled awkwardly between them, nearly stepping on Kuro. "Wait, Kaa-san. Don't go to sleep. I wanna play. I miss you."
Kagome hummed and stroked his hair slowly, already drifting off.
Shippou whimpered miserably.
Hours later, Kagome immediately felt bad before she was even fully aware.
Her eyes opened when a little person wiggled.
Sesshomaru was up, putting his clothes on.
Kagome inhaled slowly and glanced around as her vision cleared up. A glance down and immediately smiled finding Shippou draped over her hip, very asleep, and very much drooling.
Kuro was starting to kick and wiggle, complaining with whimpers about the temperature change behind him. She pet both of her boys on their backsides, to sooth, and looked to Sesshomaru.
"You ready for a session?"
"No," he admitted with a sigh. "I must take care of something first."
She hummed and nodded, settling.
"I will only be gone about an hour. You need to calm your mind."
She frowned at him, and he continued, "what happened yesterday was dangerous. You can't panic like that when someone is bleeding heavily."
She agreed immediately.
"Rest more" he ordered, sweeping from the room.
Kagome lay there and closed her eyes. She didn't sleep though. There was that anxiety burning in her chest.
Shippou moaned, his face twisting with a frown.
Kagome inhaled quickly and exhaled slowly. She took breaths to calm herself, nice and steady.
She felt a bit better when she did come around to stopping. An exhale, and she looked down.
Kuro had a vicious odor going for him. Her own scent was supposed to ward off a lot of attacks. She strongly believed his current fumes could do the job too.
The second her breast left his lips, he started moaning and crying.
Shippou jerked awake and blinked blurrily at Kuro.
"He stinks!" Shippou complained loudly.
Kagome chuckled.
When her boys didn't smell like turned Manure, she sent them off on a mission. She wanted something from each of them. Something small, created by them, that she could keep close on hard days.
Shippou grinned wildly. Kuro was only babbling at the servant holding him. When they took off on their journey, Kagome rolled from bed, cleaned herself up a bit, and started ordering supplies for another rough healing session.
Sesshomaru returned to find everything neatly setup. He'd glared at her. She'd smiled sympathetically, knowing that glare wasn't in anger toward her.
She settled down when he'd pulled his top off. There were two healers called. She'd asked for them in case she panicked or froze at a bad time.
Sesshomaru inhaled deeply and closed his eyes.
Kagome took the knife and split the skin at the very end of his arm open. Blood fell to a pan as Sesshomaru tensed.
She tried to work carefully, a little faster than times before, feeling bad about his pain.
Then the bone was exposed. She reached quickly, touched the bone's very tip and started the dreaded process again.
The bone was very important. That was something she hadn't thought about when traveling. She also hadn't healed missing or broken bone extensively.
The bone grew slowly. This part wasn't hurting him as much as she thought it would. Once the bone was past his skin, he didn't have nerves, or anything attached, to make things worse just yet.
She was determined to focus. She was determined to not make this whole process only suffering.
Then she paused, stunned, when she found the bone stretched all the way down to his wrist. She stopped though, not sure how to make the complex pieces in a hand.
She quickly went back up his arm and started putting muscles, tendons, nerves, back together. This part was easy. She didn't need extensive knowledge of the body for this part. His body knew what it needed and created what was necessary with her energy.
Sesshomaru exhaled harshly and Kagome stopped, ready to seal the wound up before he passed out.
"Finish!" he commanded sharply.
Kagome hesitated a moment, then gave a firm nod and dove right in. Kagome exhaled harshly when bits and pieces began to grow where necessary. It took a horribly long time though, just for his hand.
She peeked up anxiously and nearly cried when she saw his face blue and his breath short. Her panic worked for her this time. She pressed out every bit of energy she had, trying to finish.
The power lit the room like a shot of sunlight in darkness.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" she begged frantically, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Please don't pass out!" she begged.
The healers were trying to talk to her, calm her, but she only heard drowned out mutters.
Then a hand rushed at her face. She blinked when Sesshomaru caught her cheek. He smiled for her and she inhaled in shock.
"You can stop healing," he said gently.
Kagome blinked and obeyed.
He held up his hand and more tears started to flow. His hand was there. It looked comparably small but only in a way that spoke of lacking muscles. The very tips of every finger were cracked and peeled, just short of bleeding. It was already healing on its own before her eyes. One side of his hand was also a hot and painful pink, but it was there. His hand was there.
He flexed his hand for her. She immediately launched herself forward, wrapping her arms around him.
"I'm so happy. I'm so happy!" she gasped into his shoulder, tears messy.
"You did an outstanding job" he assured her. "An amazing job."
Kagome giggled and kissed his cheek twice.
He grumbled, as she expected, and she squeezed him a bit tighter.
"Why are you trying to strangle me, woman!?"
Kagome laughed, appreciating that he was prepared to start an argument and fall back into a normal routine.
She let him go though, and sat back to scrub her messy face.
He exhaled harshly again.
Kagome lunged forward with a gasp and caught his shoulder. He held up a hand to calm her, but she wasn't having it.
The healers came and moved away supplies. The bed was laid out sloppily and she helped him make it there. She convinced him to lay down and the three of them cleaned him up, still working after he'd passed out.
Kagome sniffled and hid her face behind a long sleeve.
"Kagome-sama, you have done amazing work" came praise and laughter.
Kagome still sniffled and whimpered for a bit longer.
Sesshomaru's own onsite healer pulled her close with a sympathetic chuckle. "The master is not weak," she assured.
Kagome nodded timidly.
He slept the rest of the day. Kagome only left his side to eat dinner with the boys. Then to put Kuro to bed a little later when he'd thrown a tantrum and refused.
The servants had asked her to sleep in her own room, for a mental break.
She'd refused and slept by his side that night.
Sesshomaru woke very early that morning. He'd shifted about a bit. Kagome felt him flex his hand, his muscles. He'd made a sound and she opened her eyes.
They paused and looked at one another for a moment.
A grunt and he closed his eyes.
Kagome smiled, curling closer to his chest.
He woke again just past dawn, the room still cold from a chilly night.
Kagome's hand shot out the second he moved. She blinked blurrily, "you okay?"
"I am fine," he assured calmly.
"I'm glad" she whispered.
"You are too sensitive. Are you not a warrior?"
"I am me."
He closed his eyes again, his expression somehow looking amused and baffled at the same time.
"You are annoying."
She giggled, then tapped his shoulder. "Your arm, are you in any pain?"
"No" he said with a big breath, "there are strange sensations I don't remember, but no pain."
She gave a glowing smile and a hum.
"Your arm looks like an old man's"
"It will get better." He sat up and surprised Kagome with a rumbling yawn. It was still so strange to see him do things that the average person did. He'd always seemed so above it all.
He flexed his hand again and looked at her. This time, she wore a dry stare, knowing.
"Need I say it?" he asked, a slow smile twitching on his lips.
"You should rest some more."
"I do not have time. This process took a few days."
"It can take a few days more. If you go and kill over, we have a huge problem."
He hummed and dropped his arms across his legs.
"One day," he agreed.
"I'll take it."
He shook his head.
"Can I go get Rin-chan. I'm sure she's lonely."
He blinked a moment, "That is fine."
Kagome hummed happily.
"She cannot stay here permanently."
"Why?"
He glanced at her and raised an eyebrow.
They had their stare down.
Then it dawned on her.
"That's a little annoying." she sighed, "But I understand at the same time."
He grunted and looked away.
"Wouldn't it be safer for us all to be in one place, though."
"No."
"Fine."
He shook his head.
He flexed his hand again, and they sat quietly for a while.
The boys made sure that didn't last.
Shippou pulled the door open without prompting. "Kaa-san!"
Both Sesshomaru and Kagome frowned at him.
He paused, closed his mouth, and closed the door.
Sesshomaru shook his head with a soft growl.
"It is inappropriate" he said to her.
"I know" she exhaled, rubbing the bridge of her nose.
A long moment later, there was a timid knock at the door.
Kagome's eyes fluttered closed, "Yes."
"My lady, can I enter."
Kagome blinked hard and shook her head, trying not to laugh.
Sesshomaru frowned at her in disapproval.
"No, you can wait a little while."
Shippou made a quiet sound of protest.
He inhaled to reply.
Sesshomaru shut him up.
"Boy!"
"Yes?" Shippou squeaked.
"Return to your own chambers. You can wait there until both of us are ready for you to come out."
Shippou let out a wail of protest.
"Shippou!" Kagome scolded, frowning at the door.
Shippou shuffled off with a miserable whine.
Kagome could hear the sound of Kuro being dragged past on 'horse.'
"Both of us?" she whispered.
"So that you do not coddle him" Sesshomaru replied sharply.
She hummed and lay down.
"Is it bad?"
"It is." He sighed, "You are a Lady ruling peoples and lands. You also have two sons. They should not be snatching the door open, whether I am here or not."
And she agreed.
"I'll talk to them – him."
Sesshomaru grunted, "I don't plan to give permission early today."
"Yikes" she said with a wince.
He shrugged a shoulder.
"You are mine and so I must deal with them also."
Kagome blushed a bit and blinked up at him.
"Well, thanks, I guess."
He grunted, "If you prefer to be angry and have your privacy violated every thirty minutes, I said once that I am prepared to go back to my soldiers."
Kagome waved a hand with a grunt, "I've got you." She sighed.
He shook his head and stood. "Your advisors have been very detailed with documents."
"Yes?"
"They purposely put foolish things in their reports. If a flower is not appearing unnaturally or attacking someone, they should not be giving details on the colors they pass."
Kagome cringed but giggled. "I've been ignoring it. It's Takahito. The others have grown a bit of sense."
"You let too much pass" he said, eyes glowing angrily.
Kagome paused a moment then sat up. She straightened her clothes, then met his gaze. "What should I do?"
"Y-"
"Outside of killing him?"
Sesshomaru's lip twitched. Kagome shook her head in amusement and disbelief.
"Punish him." Sesshomaru reached across and rubbed his own shoulder. "You cannot tolerate it. Not now or even beyond now. It is deadly."
And she fully agreed with that.
"I had to work on that trust with the other advisors. He deserves a chance too, before we start commanding seppuku for people."
Sesshomaru looked away. "Do as you will."
He looked back to her sharply, "If our pup is lost because of idiots, you will be the one punished."
Kagome paused, trying to figure out what he would do. His anger scared her for a quick second.
"I am not a god and my body is human, Sesshomaru."
"If it is by unnatural means" he conceded, "Like poison."
"I shouldn't be punished for that either."
"Then control your people and lands, I won't consider that foolishness might be the cause."
She sighed, "I deserve that scolding."
He grunted.
"Send for Rin."
Kagome blinked hard, startled by the change in subject.
"She may stay for 5 days, then return home."
"Okay" she said quietly.
He turned and started toward the door.
"Where are you going?" she asked with a frown.
"To set your study on fire."
Kagome blinked hard again, paused, then shrieked in laughter.
Apparently, there could only be coddling when he was onboard with it.
Rin turned out to be a lot of energy. Not ten-year-old energy, one year old energy with the only perk being that she could walk, talk, and toilet herself.
The servants had thought her funny for all of three hours before they were worn out and grumpy.
Kagome wondered what the girl had been fed. Sesshomaru had scolded Kagome for her over tolerance. She wondered how he'd react should she throw the words back in his face.
But, truly, Rin was a bright and polite girl. She did indeed have excessive energy. Shippou loved it. The other kids in the castle loved it too. They also appreciated breathing breaks and snacks to keep themselves sit still for a legitimate reason.
Kagome had completely and totally turned a blind eye, when Rin had been following Shippou and Kuro around one morning. There was the start of a scrape at her door. Kagome sat up, ready to scold the little Kit who was famous for it.
Then she'd been shocked when, through the screen, she could see the shadow of Rin snatch Shippou like one would try and snatch a too-fast fly. Kagome paused to gap, surprised by the speed.
Shippou hadn't recovered from the impressive move. His head was probably still spinning because of how fast she'd caught hold of him. Rin set him down in front of the door, stuck a finger out, put a hand on her hip, and scolded him quietly.
Shippou sat silent the whole while, probably stunned.
Kagome swallowed hard and sat up, making herself presentable for when they did knock.
They never did though.
They left quietly at Rin's command.
Kagome quietly tried to work out whether to still scold Sesshomaru for Rin's crazy energy, which was probably not his fault; or to praise him for his work with Rin.
She opted to just shut up and move on.
The crap started up again. Kagome wondered if it was Takahito, or if it was all four advisors.
Otsuki and MInawo were out in the field, managing things. Koji was here with her and Takahito, trying to stop people from wearing down Kagome's already frayed nerves.
Kagome closed her eyes hard and rubbed the bridge of her nose.
The bowing humans before her went silent, as if they were stunned by her reaction.
"Get out" she moaned miserably.
There was no protest. The guards put them out. Kagome hummed angrily and shook her head.
The fighting was stupid, yes, but she would have to talk to that group again no matter her issue with it all.
She was Lady over humans of the western lands.
People she hadn't even known existed, had come out of the abyss for their chance.
Sesshomaru had not so politely told her that she was a pushover. She truly believed him at that moment.
"-the horse was originally with the Haiyori Merchant group. The horse will be returned to them."
There was a howl of dismay and a wail to follow it up.
"Be silent!" she snapped and quiet rushed the room.
"The Haiyori merchant group will pay back two thirds the worth of the horse."
"What?" came a squawk.
"You should be thankful I even heard this nonsense" she sneered at the two sides. "I'm trying to be kind. Don't test me."
A moment of quiet and the Manager of the Haiyori group nodded, "So, that would be-" he paused a moment, "five copper and a silver?"
"That does not sound like it is enough. We'll figure it out."
He tensed in anger. "B-But milady I only-"
"Two copper and a silver?"
The merchant's mouth snapped shut.
"What, is the horse dead and you are selling it's whole carcass as one item?"
There was quiet.
"You will bring the horse to the castle grounds. One of my own will evaluate and put a worth on the creature. Money and property will be exchanged here. Beyond that, if you two want to sell and exchange, that is on you." Her teeth snapped together, "there will be no retaliation of any sort. If I hear a hint that there might be, I'm dragging you both back here and straight to the prison. You can sit until my anger dies down. Am I understood."
There were blinks and mute nods.
"Get to it. I want this settled within the next few days."
She waved and two guards came to sandwich both of them separately. They led their charges from the room, silent and awkward.
Kagome stopped and breathed for a moment.
The merchants were making a lot of money because of this war, and its scale. With that, there were the same merchants rolling over people who didn't know better, couldn't count reasonably, or wouldn't stand up to someone in a more powerful position.
The map had flipped. Who could do what, had flipped. Whole interactions across Japan had decided to try out doing zoomies. Kagome was silently begging for the emperor to find a replacement for her counterpart, and to do it soon.
He'd sent a message, read to her by a man that had traveled in full armor and glory, to stand before her and read a scroll.
Kagome was scared of him – the emperor. He hadn't done anything. He hadn't threatened her. She was Japanese though. The power of the imperial family still had some extra 'umph' for her, despite herself being from the future.
He had ordered her to do the same as what Sesshomaru had ordered, control things until a replacement was decided.
Kagome mentally flashed an inappropriate sign at the sky.
Whelp, here she was, trying to fix leaking holes in a house that was sitting underwater.
The soldiers slid into place under her without protest. It had taken her a week to work out protection and stationing for the new mass of people under her.
They liked living too, so she sent batches of them to the war effort. Sesshomaru's men kicked any anarchy-bull out of them only within hours.
Her home had turned into a daycare center for children of single parent soldiers who were trying to be decent people and fight for their home.
She'd tolerated that for a little while, but Shippou-sized little people who were much younger than him, could get into serious trouble.
She'd already commissioned another building to be built just outside the walls of her castle. There were entrances and exits, it just was a little harder for little kids to end up in the kitchen, or way too close to her bedroom.
Then she learned something horrible.
Shippou needed his ass beat.
His pranks had gotten out of hand a while ago. Kagome had laughed off Kazi's anger as overreaction.
No, this child of hers was setting screen doors on fire. He'd scared the crap out of horses, and the whole lot of them had run wildly across the grounds, trying to get away from blue flames.
He'd wiped boogers on servant's clothes.
That part had made Kagome uncomfortable, a bit more than the laundry list of other things, for some reason.
He was doing things bad-ass little boys did. She was done, though. She wasn't having it.
She realized it was in protest, in a child's way, of being ignored or neglected -maybe.
There was little of an excuse now. She needed to get this out of him before he hurt someone.
Kuro was along for the ride, giggling but not knowing what was truly going on, or she personally thought.
Rin had grown. Kagome hadn't realized that she looked at the slow aging of youkai children as normal. Just because Shippou had another twenty years before he stood taller than her belly button, didn't mean it was normal for the rest of the world.
Rin was taller and starting to get a woman's shape, just in tiny bits and places. She had become the big sister for the boys, more the voice of reason for Shippou.
Shippou didn't react to the snatching anymore. It was pranks now. He wanted to be stupid, she had a clever prank of some sort setup to punish him.
Kagome had personally liked the ball of wet cloth attached to a string. She swung it around and flung it at Shippou, snickering when she caught him in the back and left a nice wet stain. If she caught him enough, she could make him look like he'd fallen into water somewhere. One time, he'd come out of the battle looking like he'd peed on himself. Kagome had cringed, but Shippou had assured her that he had not been wacked below the belt in the front. His backside had looked like a beaten wet cat, though.
Sesshomaru had grunted in amusement and left the children to their growing.
Kuro had learned to walk.
The little brat was in everything. He had a crutch that he used on the days when his legs were just protesting life. On the good days when he could stand and take a few awkward steps, that crutch was no longer support, it was a weapon.
Kuro would swing it at you if he was in a mood. He would swing it at you when he felt good that day too. Kagome had snatched the boy up with a snarl after the second time of having her shin nearly taken out.
Sesshomaru made a point to keep Kuro away from her when he was not supervising. Kuro was the only one that left her with wounds. Shippou was a different type of beast. He gave heart attacks. She knew his twitches and wiggles a little better, so she barely blinked at his antics. She'd been seen swatting away fox fires and floating heads like they were gnats.
Everyone else was fair game in his opinion.
He was learning though. Mommy was home. There was no more terrorizing the neighborhood.
In the meantime…
Kagome slapped both hands over her mouth to stop a shriek of laughter. Sesshomaru had casually appeared in her home, walked into the room, picked Kuro up by his collar, and thrown him out into the hall. Kuro had wailed for her as Sesshomaru had closed the hall door, then turned and left through the porch door.
Both boys had been punished for entering her room, and other off-limits rooms, unannounced. Kuro knew if he touched that door, his behind was fair game for a swat, and Sesshomaru had no sympathy for either of her wild creatures. Kagome was learning to ignore that creeping feeling too.
But still, "He is such an asshole sometimes" Kagome laughed quietly, holding her large belly.
She stood and pulled on another layer. When everything nice and tied up, she stepped out onto the porch, not wanting to deal with Kuro either.
Her son was a crybaby sometimes. She suspected that was her fault and she would have a hell of a time undoing her own work.
But on the porch, the snow covered everything and it was ethereal. Her gaze swept the property. The snow was still untouched and there weren't people outside to disturb it all. She only saw Sesshomaru and his stark white hair.
She came and stood at his side.
"Thank you" she whispered as if she were conspiring something.
He shook his head and she giggled.
"The pup is well?" his gaze swung about to her stomach.
Kagome pat her belly with a firm nod. "As much as this kid makes me hungry, it had better be okay in there."
He frowned at her, seeming amused.
She caught his arm and stepped closer. He raised an eyebrow, finding Kagome grinning up at him. "So, to what do I owe this surprising honor?"
He grunted and looked away.
"I need to rest."
She nodded, "well, welcome."
"It is Sagisoto who has vanished this time." He sighed.
Kagome hummed, her mood taking a dip as she took a step back.
"Sagisoto is too useful. He'll reappear" she assured.
"Yes, but in the meantime, there is no physical target to send soldiers to handle. Naraku is not easy to find at any time. Sagisoto is gone for the moment, and so his army has spread out."
"Spread out?"
"Yes. It is strange. There is still the main force. But large groups have split off from the main body, and gone off in different directions."
Kagome frowned and they stood there in silence a moment.
"Do you think we are coming to the end of this?"
"No." he admitted immediately. "Unless a sudden surprise is thrown in to disturb things, this play will keep shifting and changing, but not stopping."
Kagome tilted her head back and watched her breath fog the air.
"I'm ready to be done with this. I've made it through my pregnancy"
"Perhaps it is that curse"
Kagome's lip twisted in annoyance and amusement. "Whatever, Sesshomaru."
"Your speech is frustrating sometimes."
She looked at him but he had a tiny smile on his lips.
Then that smile passed and he looked back over the grounds. "Have any of the practitioners sent been able to remove the curse?"
Kagome exhaled harshly, "no. I've let them douse me with blood, all the way up to massage my feet. Nobody has gotten it yet."
"Blood?"
"Don't ask" she moaned with awkward laughter.
He raised an eyebrow but turned away.
"What of that wolf?"
"What wolf?"
"The annoying one."
Kagome didn't keep picking at him.
"Jiji left a while ago. He said he has an idea and I'm going to let him work on it."
"That is wise" he sighed. "But it is strange that so many people cannot figure it out, be they human or demon."
"I've decided I just have bad luck." She muttered, waving a hand.
"Or you just have a curse."
"No, bad luck. Bad luck put me in Inuyasha's forest at 15 years old, wearing a school uniform from home."
He blinked and looked upward, "that green thing?"
Kagome immediately giggled and he shook his head again.
"Don't wear that again" he protested quietly.
"I will not promise that. I have no desire too, but if the right situation needs me to run around in it for some reason…"
He looked away, shaking his head again.
"Kagura tried to escape."
"I heard about that."
"From who?" Kagome gasped, truly wanting to know.
"Your friend."
Kagome paused, blinked, then gasped, "Kazi?"
He nodded and Kagome stared at him in bewilderment for a moment. "Where the hell did she go? I have been looking for her. I was worried."
"Worried but you did not send out a search?"
"I sent out several, thank you very much." She huffed, "But there was such an extreme lack of information to follow that I figured it was on purpose."
He hummed and Kagome grinned, "She should not remain a foot soldier."
"I agree."
"She is a very good spy, and she hunts for information like that was her primary training."
"I have noticed" she sighed.
Kagome nodded, "Have her train a unit."
He frowned at her quickly.
"A unit specifically for collecting information. Not killing, not fighting, information collection and movement."
He frowned but was obviously turning the idea in his head.
"There are clans for that."
"And sometimes, there are things you don't want outside people knowing."
He sighed and she chirped.
"This curse first. Other things can wait."
She hummed happily and they were quiet again for a moment.
"Who poured blood on you?" he asked suddenly, looking truly bewildered.
"I think that 'healer' was just crazy. But everyone had been trying to help and we were short on hints."
He still was frowning at her. Kagome smiled nervously.
"Blood is usually how a curse is cast." He told her, expression blank.
"Too late now!" she said with a shrug that made her bounce.
He shook his head in frustration.
"We were short on ideas"
"So, something stupid came to you, and you jumped for it."
"I want my baby safe."
He paused and quietly retracted his insult.
"What other methods have been used?"
And he truly wanted to know.
Kagome growled to herself but opened up obediently. "I let a demoness make an herb and finger nail tea."
Sesshomaru's body locked up immediately. He looked at her in disbelief.
She continued, very aware of the look on his face even as she looked up toward the sky.
"Another healer gave me an herb bath, that was nice. Some monks came and prayed." She paused, "I didn't like that."
"Really?"
She shrugged again.
"I gave up a bit of hair and some eyelashes."
"That is the makings of a curse no matter how you turn it." He said sternly.
"I want my baby to be safe."
And he shut up again, but had to struggle with it all.
"So, why were all of these things done to you?"
Kagome looked at him strangely, "I want-"
"No, why are these things being done to you specifically."
She frowned, realizing that she was missing something.
He looked irritated with her after a moment. So carefully, she said, "I don't know."
"The healer told you."
"Told me what?" she whined miserably.
"The curse is on the rulership, not on you."
Kagome stopped, all emotion falling from her face.
"I so want to cry right now."
He sighed and walked away. Kagome whined to the sky for a moment then marched after him.
"That's settled!" she huffed when they both entered a comfortable room to sit and relax. Servants appeared quickly and brought things for their comfort.
"The next person to come work on the curse, I'm going to tell them to purify the whole damn castle, because I can't for some reason!"
"When the pup is born, you will regain your powers, correct?"
"That was never part of a research study or anything" she said sarcastically.
If looks could peel glass.
"But there is no guarantee. I could have just been lucky last time." She said quickly, suddenly feeling uncertain. She smiled at him still.
He looked away slowly.
Kagome assured herself that it was his version of an eyeroll when he didn't want to be caught doing it.
"But," she sighed heavily, "seriously, that has been thought of. When I first was hearing about the curse, I do remember trying to take care of it myself."
"But you also didn't really think it was real."
Kagome winced and he waited for her to comment, "Well, I was really just in denial."
"About a curse that kills people around you?"
"I was in denial" she said again, firmer. "But I did try to dispel it. My powers probably weren't where they needed to be. I was having flickering bits here and there, all of different strengths."
"So then, we need to move on."
Kagome shrugged tiredly, "in summary."
They sat quiet again and drank a bit of their tea.
"Where's Inuyasha" Kagome muttered aloud.
"I do not care" he replied instantly.
Kagome pouted. "We're around each other too much."
He hummed dismissively, enjoying his tea.
Then he suddenly straightened up.
Kagome blinked then looked to the door. "Kaa-san!"
Shippou actually stopped and knocked on the frame.
"kaa-san!" he called, pulling the door open.
Both adults blinked at him dryly. Kagome was sure he'd just done that to prove himself clever and dodge a punishment.
Both adults decided that it wouldn't happen again.
"What's happening Shippou?"
He bounced into her arms. He gave a miserable moan and Kagome kissed his head, realizing that something was wrong.
He also hadn't dragged Kuro around with him this time.
"The far side of the castle is smoking."
Kagome paled.
Sesshomaru stood and left the room.
"Where's Kuro?"
"I put him in my room."
Kagome nodded firmly, "Grab your brother and head out toward the front gates."
Shippou nodded and rushed off as Kagome stood to follow Sesshomaru.
The castle was on fire.
She stood holding her head in frustration as a line of helpers passed buckets along quickly to the kitchen.
Sesshomaru stood back watching with a dry expression. They both actually stood back and watched.
Nobody was hurt. Things smelled of smoke and badly burnt everything,
Sesshomaru turned and looked at her very slowly.
She pressed her lips together grimly, then turned and caught a servant.
"Send for the people who were helping with the curse."
"Milady?"
"Go." She hushed.
The servant turned then paused.
Kagome looked up and sagged.
One old wolf stood wearing a baffled expression. Her mother stood behind Jiji, looking highly alarmed. Souta stood looking at his sister with bulging eyes, like he expected Kagome to say something.
Jiji lifted a hand and slowly closed his fist. The flames settled down as he moved, then were completely gone.
He shifted the sac on his back and frowned, "What is happening here?"
"Your child is killing people with the curse cast on her."
Kagome swatted Sesshomaru's arm and glared up at him.
"Am I lying?" he asked dryly.
"No, but I'm sure your parents taught you the art of not opening your mouth."
"This certainly isn't worth the thought."
"Sesshomaru-"
"Stop" Funaho sighed, crossing her arms. She tapped her finger on her arm and eyed the both of them a moment.
"Kagome."
"Yes, Okaa-san."
"We haven't seen you for three months. When we do see you, you're standing infront of a raging house fire, so big that you couldn't run if you needed too."
Kagome sagged, "Kaa-san, I can't do it all. Stuff will show up on fire if I look away too long." She jerked a thumb over her shoulder.
"You did get really fat" Souta laughed.
Kagome had enough balance to snatch off a shoe and fling it. Souta ducked, grinning, as she rolled her eyes.
"Kagome, stop!" her mother scolded again.
Kagome muttered but settled down.
"Little one, every time we see you, there is another absurd issue" Jiji sighed, frowning.
"It's not my fault" she complained, "It's the curse, I swear."
"The curse?" he muttered, frowning deeply.
Kagome pouted and scowled.
"Is there somewhere else we can talk?"
Kagome led them back to where she and Sesshomaru had relaxed. The room already smelled of smoke and it would probably cling.
"I brought the materials I need for the dispelling." Jiji informed her, sitting his bag on the table.
"Thanks, Jiji"
He grunted. "Don't be upset. Tell us what happened." He pet her head and Kagome smiled a bit. She obeyed and gave the story.
"How?" Souta called with a doubletake.
"Shut up" she muttered to him.
"It just occurred to us that the curse is on the rulership, not Kagome in particular."
Jiji's expression relaxed. "I wondered how so many people came to help, but not one succeeded. That explains it."
"So how do we do this?"
Jiji hummed, "It's still the same supplies and process. The source is in the castle."
"That makes sense" Kagome muttered slowly. "But I didn't sense anything out of place, even when my powers were working well."
"Well, there is something here."
"Well, I know most of the castle now. I haven't seen anything"
"There isn't one place in the castle holding negative energy?"
She blinked at him.
"Not one place? No the roof, not the toileting area, not the trees? Nothing?"
Kagome blinked, then slowly sagged.
"I know" she sighed.
A little while later found them all in the dungeons, staring at Kagura.
The demoness raised an eyebrow at her, "I have not destroyed anything. That was our deal. Why must you harass me now?"
Kagome ignored her. "The prison." She said in the driest tone.
Jiji snickered a bit. Her mother and Sesshomaru shook their heads.
Kagura blinked a few times. Seeing that they weren't there for her, she went back to her own business. She had a quaint little bed Kagome had allowed. She'd been allowed limited reading and access to toilet supplies when she asked. Best of all, she got to sit and look out her window, mostly undisturbed.
She had no complaints about being ignored.
Well, she had tried to escape once, but then the options of peace and quiet v.s. Naraku, had been offered to her. She'd sat on her bed and refused to move.
Jiji wandered the prison quietly for a moment.
"What was happening in here?"
"The guy before me was capturing and holding any youkai that passed by."
Jiji paused hard then sighed.
"This would make sense then."
"Does anyone sense anything. There is so much anger and hatred in this place."
Kagome decided she would contact Satsohi-sensei and get him to purify it, with handsome payment of course.
Then she closed her eyes and walked, fingers brushing against the bars. She found herself back at Kagura's little spot. She couldn't use powers or sense too much of anything. But she did have powers, be they suppressed or not.
"Kagura" Kagome sighed. A soldier came and unlocked her door. "Step out for a second."
The wind demoness came out without protest, and blinked owlishly at the group.
Souta was the only one staring at her strangely. Kagura ignored him, knowing he was staring at the seal drawn on her forehead.
Kagome went inside and started moving things around. Kagura still stood there, feeling no need to defend herself when strange things were found in the overly used cell.
Kagome finally went over to an old dingy corner, got down, and smeered away some dirt. She stared a moment then stood with a sigh.
Prepared, another soldier came in and started digging. She pulled out a suddenly loose brick and showed it to Kagome. Kagome nodded in approval and she got back down.
Shoved into a space much deeper than the rock was supposed to reach, she found a little glowing ball, rings and swirls around it as it pulsed.
Kagome sighed tiredly.
"I will remove it, milady."
And again, her soldier was prepared with some gloves, probably of youkai hide. She got down, pulled it out, then stood to let everyone oogle for a moment.
Jiji held out a hand and the little ball was passed over.
"Little one, this is ridiculous. You realize that, right?"
"Yes" she sighed, rubbing her forehead.
He shook his head, "it should not take me long to tear it apart. Go rest."
Her mother caught Kagome by the shoulder before she could open her mouth, and turned her about.
Sesshomaru decided he liked Ms. Higurashi.
Souta followed quickly, humming a song to match their pace.
"Okaa-san," Kagome burst out the second they rearrived in their spontaneous meeting room of the day, "What happened with you and Jiji?"
Her mother blinked in confusion.
"You said that you were pregnant" Kagome muttered, voice lowering as she spoke.
Funaho smiled and put a hand to her cheek. "It was a misunderstanding."
Sesshomaru stared at the family with blank eyes.
"That's a dangerous misunderstanding."
She hummed happily.
"A-Are you and Jiji a couple?"
She shrugged, "seems like it. No baby though. I thought it was strange, but I also kept vomiting."
And that is where the misunderstanding had come in. There were no legitimate pregnancy tests. The closest thing that might exist at this time, was sticking sliced onions in a woman's baby tunnel, then sniffing their breath for a matching odor.
In summary, the only legit tests were non-legit tests.
Kagome had complicated feelings about the whole situation.
She sat up straight and took a deep inhale. Again, and she felt very refreshed.
"Okaa-san, you do realize the eyan is not something humans usually eat. That's probably what made you sick."
"I realize now" she said with a nod. "I apologized to him. He had stipulations though."
Kagome blinked, wanting to smile but very afraid at the same time.
"Those are?"
"I have to cook everyday for the rest of the year."
Kagome thought a moment. "That isn't as bad as I thought it would be."
She hummed then turned on Sesshomaru.
"Lord Sesshomaru-"
"Don't" he said immediately.
She did stop but she smiled mischievously at the same time.
He watched her a moment and decided to retract his opinion of her. The Higurashi women were a different breed and very much crazy.
The door to the room opened and everyone blinked at Jiji as he came in with his supplies.
"That was fast."
"Hm, it is taken care of now."
"Hakui" Funaho called, suddenly stern, "what happened?"
He stopped, blinked once, and shrugged. "It broke."
There was silence for a long moment.
"How did it break, Hakui?"
"Do not speak to me like I am a child, woman. It just broke."
Kagome and her mother pressed their lips closed as a unit.
Sesshomaru watched it all, silent as stupid unfolded.
"Did you throw it, did you shock it with youki, did you bite it…"
"No, I set my supplies up. Youki is needed to activate some of the items. The youki jumped over and shattered it."
There was another silence.
"What of the curse?"
He hummed, rubbing his chin. "I'm sure it's gone."
"I'm not a researcher on curses, but I'm sure that's not how it works, Jiji."
"We would know if things had gone wrong."
"I didn't even know I had the curse on me until a few months ago." She said dryly.
"And now you are safe." He came over and dropped his things by the group.
Kagome took a deep breath and looked to him, lacing her fingers together on the table. "How can I be sure. This baby's life is on the line with this curse floating around."
He hummed. "I am sure it's fine"
Everybody had attitude and personalities jumping around wildly in this room. He and her mom kept going back and forth. It was funny but scary at the same time.
The power of old couples.
"Wolf, you want to die."
"She's not cursed any longer."
"How do you know?" Sesshomaru asked, his voice eerily quiet.
He leaned in, sniffed Kagome, and smiled. "You do not stink, that is how I know."
Kagome blinked at him dumbly, the manual of Working with Jiji, opening up in the back of her head once more.
"I want to be sure" she asked with less emotion than Sesshomaru could manage on a good day.
Jiji paused and laughed at the change.
Her mother put her face in her hand, somehow still humming in amusement.
"This is dangerous" she scolded him.
"Yes. And the curse is gone."
"How do you know?"
"The source broke."
"Break down and break, mean two different things.'
"I will protect you of course."
"Jiji, you have a whole family now" Kagome sighed.
He opened his mouth, paused, then sat still and quiet for a long moment.
"His brain shut down" Kagome muttered, amazed.
"Well, let him sit and think on all of that. It was a lot" Funaho hummed.
Kagome nodded slowly, sensing something.
"So, Lord Sesshomaru-"
"Don't"
She frowned, "I only have one question."
He sighed, "Fine. Go ahead."
"When are you marrying Kagome?"
Kagome's arm hit the table hard, and she spat up warm tea.
Sesshomaru didn't blink, "When this curse is gone."
"Oh" Funaho hummed, seeming very happy.
Kagome tossed her arms up angrily,
"Kaa-san!"
Funaho giggled.
Jiji had come out of his daze to turn and raise an eyebrow at poor Sesshomaru.
Sesshomaru stared at him, daring a snide or smart-ass comment.
"She is my little one. You can't have her."
Kagome slowed down a bit and looked at Jiji in disbelief.
"Jiji!"
A slow shit eating grin curled on his lips.
Funaho swatted his leg, "behave"
His expression crumbled to grumpy old man.
Kagome groaned and let her face slide up and down her palms.
"This is messy sis." Souta called, "good luck."
Kagome only huffed and scowled, dropping her forehead on the table.
XXXXXX
Holy crap this chapter was long.
Hope you all enjoyed. Of course, review please.
