[Authors Note:]
There's been a lot of questions already, but don't worry. They'll all be answered in time. But while your waiting, please keep sending in your reviews! I love hearing from you guys!!! ^_^ And, no, Miroku does not know. No one does. Kagome had been hiding it for quite some time. But I'll explain that later.
Miroku blinked. "Daughter? You mean… you're Kaia's father?" He leaned his weight on his staff to keep from falling over from amazement.
"Kaia…" Sesshoumaru tried it for the first time. He let the name fall out of his mouth, long, slow, and rich. Kaia had wrapped her arms tightly around her father's neck. He held her close to his chest. He could feel her warmth and her tiny heart beating against his.
He spoke, to no one in particular, "When I first learned of her existence, I could not accept the thought of having a daughter, but now that I see how beautiful she is…" he smiled warmly down at Kaia, who had fallen asleep. "I never would have known I could care for a hanyou* so dearly."
"Wait, wait, wait. Kaia is only half demon?" Miroku frowned in confusion. He scratched his head. "Then… who is her mother?"
Sesshoumaru chuckled dryly again. "Why, haven't you guessed?" He glanced toward Kagome, who had been silent up until this point, her gaze planted firmly on the ground, a sick look on her face. "Kagome," the youkai spoke. "Kaia has your eyes."
[AN: Ok, flashback time. Confused yet? ^_^]
The small creature smirked, his face and body covered by shadows. Only his wicked teeth shone in the dull, restricted light. His eyes were fixed in a glare. A cackle was emitted from his beak-like mouth, a cackle which echoed loudly through the underground cavern. He stood, staring at the girl, his hands gripping his crude walking stick. A bandage was carefully wrapped round his side, and he took a moment to rub it gingerly.
"Not so tough without your bow and arrows, now are ye?" His high pitched voice pierced the silence.
Not soon after, the sound of footsteps could be heard coming closer. Then a demon entered the room, his silver hair swaying as he walked. His fists were clenched and he snarled, showing his long fang-like teeth.
"Lord Sesshoumaru, back so soon?" the small creature spoke, turning his head away from the girl to look upon his master. "Has Inuyasha come yet?"
Sesshoumaru walked up to the tiny creature and smacked him violently in the face with the back of his hand. "No Jaken, you idiot." he said, irritated. "If he hasn't come to retrieve the girl yet, he probably doesn't care. I'm beginning to think we have no use for her anymore."
He put a hand to his chin, deep in thought. He bent down and checked the kneeling girl's ropes to make sure they still bound her hands and ankles tightly. He touched the ropes which tied her wrists, and his skin grazed hers as he did so. He had to pause and catch his breath when he noticed how soft and warm her hand was. His face was also dangerously close to hers and her sweet scent was strongly overpowering his nostrils. His instincts began to kick in and he felt akward near her.
"My Lord, are you ok?" Jaken noticed Sesshoumaru having trouble.
"Shut up, Jaken." He tried to sound nonchalant. His breaths quickened and his heart raced as he inhaled her. He deliberately stood and walked away from her until he could smell her no more. This had been happening to him for the past few days since they kidnapped her, each day her scent became sharper, and he was loosing control. This annoyed him greatly and he tried his best to ignore it.
"Jaken," he said as his heart pace returned to normal. "Go out to the mouth of the cave and watch for my brother. We're not giving up just yet."
Jaken hobbled up to the cave opening, leaving Sesshoumaru to pace the cavern floor. Each footstep left an empty echo, traveling far off into the stone walls around them.
"Don't worry, he will come for me," The girl spoke defiantly, her voice was horse from screaming.
"Kagome, do not speak unless spoken to." The pacing demon warned her harshly.
She rose her voice a bit louder, "I know he will. Inuyasha always comes for me."
"Kagome -" He said more strictly.
She ignored him, her voice now almost yelling. "Not only that, but he always kicks your sorry ass."
Sesshoumaru deliberately ambled up to the sitting girl and grabbed her by the shoulder lifting her up to her feet. He brought his face only inches away from her own. Her aroma was nearly overwhelming him. "If you dare speak one more time, so help me…" There was a moment of silence, and then:
"You bastard."
"DAMNIT!" The demon grabbed her roughly by a chunk of her long black hair and threw her forcefully to the ground. He stared at her lying there on the ground and he couldn't take it anymore. His instincts were taking over him. Finally, he totally lost control. He wanted Kagome. He wanted to make her his right that moment.
Up above ground, Jaken could hear the faint sound of Kagome's agonizing screams. He turned and stared at the mouth of the cave. He sighed to himself and shook his head.
[Chapter 2 Vocabulary Guide]
* hanyou - a half demon, like Inuyasha.
