Sleeping Beauty
Chapter 2: Fear and Acceptance
By Daughter of Twilight
"Mom . . ." Kagome called. "I have something I need to tell you . . ."
Her mother gave her a quizzical look as Kagome emerged at the bottom of the stairs with a guarded look on her face. "What is it, my daughter?"
Kagome looked away, not able to face her mother. She really didn't know how to start. "Um, I . . . uh . . . you know what you told me about how a woman's body works?"
Her mother raised an eyebrow and answered, "Yes, what about it?"
"Well . . . uh . . . "She turned away again quickly. "I think . . . I did something irresponsible. And . . . well . . . I"
Her mother thought for a moment, and postured a guess. "Are you . . . pregnant?"
Kagome cried and leapt into her mother's arms sobbing. "Yes, Mom, I am. It's for sure, I did several tests and I've been having morning sickness."
Her mother sighed and held her daughter close. She said, "I assume this happened in the Warring States era."
"Yes, Mom, it did."
"And who is the father?"
"I . . . It's Inuyasha, Mom."
Her mother looked distantly out the window. "I thought as much." How did . . . wait, I don't want to know. At least I know they found each other finally. They have been avoiding each other's feelings for far too long. Yet I wonder, how will my daughter carry a hanyou child?
"Are you alright, Kagome? Pregnancy can be hard on a woman, and I don't know how a hanyou child would affect you."
"I don't know, Mom, I've never been pregnant before."
"Oh right, you have nothing to compare it to. Well do you feel very sick, or is it something that is just a major annoyance?"
"Well, Mom, it can be quite debilitating in the morning sometimes, but I'm strong and I've been able to function."
"Well, my dear, that may change as your child develops. Say, have you told Inuyasha yet?"
"No, Mom, I haven't. I'm not sure how to break it to him. I don't know what to say!"
"Have you thought about the truth, Kagome? That's what I told your father. Worked pretty well with him. Of course, I knew he wanted children. Does Inuyasha?"
"Uh, I don't know. He's commented before that he doesn't think anyone should have to go through what he did. He thinks that there shoudn't be any more hanyous on this earth."
Her mother sighed yet again. "That may be a problem, my daughter. You still have to tell him, though. You'll just have to find the right moment. Maybe sit him down in front of Goshinboku. That's what I did with your father. A little romance doesn't hurt, either." She winked at her daughter, setting her slightly aback. Romantic advice was still a little weird coming from her mother, Kagome thought.
"Alright, Mom, I'll tell him when the time is right, and I'll make certain that he is far away from anything breakable."
"I think that would be wise, my dear." Mrs. Higurashi gave her a hug. "I know you will be able to handle it, my daughter. You are strong."
Kagome blushed and replied, "Thanks Mom. I love you so much. You'll make a wonderful grandmother."
At this, her mother flinched slightly and replied, "I suppose that would make me a grandmother wouldn't it. A frightening thought, I must say. I'll do my best, though. Try not to spoil your children too much." She winked once again at her daughter and they shared a hearty laugh.
Kagome hugged her mother again, gathered her things, and headed back to the well, kissing her mother goodbye. I know she'll be an amazing grandmother someday. I only hope I can be the kind of mother she is.
She came up to the well, took a deep breath, and jumped in, hoping for her sake that Inuyasha wasn't waiting for her at the well this time. She didn't want to face her right away. Her first stop she wanted to make was to see Kaede. Then she wanted to tell Sango and get her support. She would avoid telling Miroku until after she told Inuyasha, because she wanted her beloved hanyou to find out from herself.
Kagome climbed out of the well, and sure enough, there was Inuyasha, sitting against it. He smiled, something that she still wasn't used to seeing him do. "Oi, Kagome! I have been waiting for you.'
Kagome gulped, took a step back, and with a slightly spooked look managed a reply. "I . . . uh . . . I needed to run some errands. Sorry for keeping you waiting, Inuyasha."
"Well, no problem now, you're back. Let's go see the others so we can go off shard-hunting again! It's been really boring since you left, I gotta say."
"Uh, okay, let's go to the village."
They walked together to the village, and were eventually greeted by Shippou running out and jumping into Kagome's arms. "I'm so happy to see you Kagome!"
Kagome chuckled and smiled, replying, "I'm glad to see you too, Shippou." She turned to Miroku, who was walking up with Sango. "Do you know where Kaede is right now?"
Miroku said, "She is in her hut. You want to go see her?"
"Yes, I need some advice on my spiritual powers."
The others looked at her somewhat strangely, but let her go. "I wonder what that's about," quipped Miroku to Inuyasha.
"Probably a girl thing," replied Inuyasha.
Kagome walked up to the hut and knocked. "Are you busy, Kaede?"
"I am never to busy for ye, Kagome. Please come in."
It suddenly felt like déjà vu, walking in to tell yet another elder about her recently developing problem. She took a deep breath and began to tell Kaede what she knew.