Act Eighteen
Kagome closed her eyes and secretly prayed this was just simply another bad dream. But, the cool wind on he face only confirmed that this wasn't a dream. Peaking out of one eye, she saw the two wolves that ran on either side of her escort. She grimaced.
'Escort. That makes it sound like I want to be going with him.'
Peaking up, she caught the rough expression of Shitsuren. Quickly she recapped her eyes, balling her fists up. Another shock of pain washed through her stomach as she clutched the blanket she was wrapped in.
She had been sitting by the fire, silently praying that Inuyasha would be all right, that this was simply a small, weak demon. Feeling a cold draft, she looked up, expecting to see Inuyasha. But her happy expression quickly disappeared as Shitsuren kneeled beside her.
Scrambling away, Kagome threw various objects at him. Bowls, blankets, dirty clothes, all in an effort to get away.
"What do you want? Go away! Inuyasha!"
Shitsuren laughed as he approached the cowering miko. "I come here for the value you offer me. My pup."
Kagome shook her head, clutching her stomach. "I don't know what you're talking about. I'm not even in labor yet!"
"Ah, but you are." He sneered. "I know you have felt at least two or three pains through your abdomen. These are the first warnings of oncoming labor."
Kagome's eyes widened. She shook her head, covering her face in her hands.
"Now, why don't you come with me? Wrap up in that blanket so you don't become chilled."
He reached out to grab her hand, but she pushed him away, her aura growing strong with resistance. "NO!"
His expression turning angered, Shitsuren tried to manage his temper. "Now, don't be this way. You wouldn't want anything bad to happen to your mate, would you?"
Kagome froze, looking up to gawk at the youkai. His lips turned up into a cruel smile, canines bared in a ferocious display. "That's what I assumed." Taking the blanket, he offered it back to her.
Following orders, she grabbed the cover and followed the youkai out. Taking her in his arms, he let out a bay before starting into the thicket.
A jar in Shitsuren's movements sent a shock of pain through her stomach.
"Kibami, do you have everything ready?"
Kagome glanced up, looking straight into the mouth of a cave. She felt the warm sensation as Shitsuren passed through the protective barrier, her still in hand.
"Yes, Father. Everything is ready. The futon is over there."
Shitsuren nodded before placing Kagome onto an old futon. Gazing back at his daughter, Shitsuren nodded. "She's just begun labor. I don't believe her water is broken yet. Your brothers and I shall be guarding outside should that filthy hanyou come by." He sneaked a glance at Kagome, a scant smile tracing his features. "I leave her in your care. And when the pup comes, christen it 'Higami'."
Kibami nodded towards her father. Watching him exit the cave, she sighed when he was finally out of sight.
Taking a wet rag from the water bin, she rung it out and offered it to her father's newest prisoner. Studying her carefully, her jade eyes watched as she inched away, breathing heavier, clutching her large stomach. Her eyes were wide like a deer in headlights, full of fear, but also full of strength and determination. Indeed, this one was not like the other women.
Slowly Kibami withdrew the offering hand, dipping her hand back into the water and releasing the rag.
"You have nothing to fear from me, human. I do not wish to see you any physical nor mental harm, unlike my father. I am simply here to help you birth your pup, in place of your mate. Unorthodox, yes, but its the best here, as my father is an ignorant jackass."
Although she was still wary of the green-eyed youkai, Kagome visibly relaxed, a small smile crossing her features. "You aren't like him, are you?" she asked hesitantly.
Kibami shook her head. "No. I hate my father like my worst enemy. I watched him kill my mother and brother when I was very young. He made me drink their blood before casting me away, only to help whelp my other brothers and sisters. Then, he made me kill their mothers and later, most of them. My two brothers are all that remain. He has twisted their minds, so that they cannot even decipher what is wrong or right. As you said, I am not like him. Nor do I wish to even say we are connected by blood. I would leave, however he is much too powerful and dominate to let me escape. He does what he does just to spite me."
Kagome nodded, but winced as a pain tore through her stomach. A moment later, a warm sensation rushed down her legs. Glancing towards the source, she saw the water trickling down her legs, the scent was sickly sweet, and the feel was gooey warmth.
Kibami managed a small smile. "Your water has broken. Don't be afraid, the pup shall be here in a while. Just lay down and relax, allow the pain to just seep through to the bed."
Kagome nodded before lying down. For some reason, this youkai had a calming effect on her. She didn't feel the panicked rush that she had expected, just stillness.
"My name is Kibami. I don't believe I caught yours?"
Kagome sighed and winced as another pain rippled through her. "Kagome."
"Inuyasha, please eat something." Begged Sango as she offered him the rice ball.
The hanyou ignored her however, staring blankly at the door, wishing he could be out, looking for Kagome.
Sango sighed and placed the homemade rice ball aside. Miroku looked at the hanyou with empathetic eyes.
"Inuyasha, it'll be no good worrying yourself sick. Besides, just rest here tonight. By morning, your wounds will be healed more."
The hanyou slammed his fist against the wooden floor, his eyes sparking. "By morning, Kagome could be dead! That shit-face said that he's killed every woman that's borne him a pup. And by morning, Kagome could have birthed the pup and be dead! I have no time to lose!"
He stood, his damaged arm dangling from a makeshift sling Sango had crafted.
"Wait! Inuyasha, if you insist, let us come with you!" Cried Miroku as he grabbed his staff.
The inu-hanyou turned to glance at the monk, a look in his eyes that made both Sango and Miroku freeze.
"No, this is my job to do. I have to rescue my mate." He said quietly. Turning around, he stopped right before the hanging bamboo mat.
"There's only one person who can help me. And, even though I rather die than ask him, this is Kagome we're talking about. He's the only other person who loves her like I do."
Leaving behind the bewildered Sango and Miroku, he pushed aside the mat and started off into the dark woods.
A/N: Sorry, short chapter. Oh well, I wanted to leave you guys guessing, LoL! Yay! Washington got more snow! And some rain on top of it. (Boo! Hiss!) Really weird weather today. If you live in Portland, you guys got an idea. We got the tail end of what they got.
