Chapter 42: That Bastard, Naraku
Kaori was carried to the hospital and Sesshomaru only put her down when he got a wheelchair. He carefully got her to the emergency and checked her in. She didn't seem very nervous or panicy, but Sesshomaru sure had butterflies in his stomach. One moment he was ready to take her there and then he had to carry her to the smelling hospital. One way to ruin a moment!
Kaori was laid on a bed in a room to wait until she was ready to go into labour. She had her breathing calm and even, but Sesshomaru was pacing the end of the bed.
"Sit down," Kaori ordered, her eyes closed. "Or I'll get out of this bed and tie you to this bed."
Sesshomaru's pacing ceased and he looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "Is that a promise?" Sesshomaru asked and then shook his head. This was not the time. He continued to pace.
"Sesshomaru please. You can even lay next to me if you really want to," Kaori said, her soothing voice convicing Sesshomaru. He laid next to her, her head on his chest and he could hear her calm breaths that calmed him down.
"I thought you said she was coming," Sesshomaru said, looking around the room.
"My water just broke, that's all. It might be a while before the child actually decides to come," Kaori said, rubbing her head on his chest a little bit. "Just calm down your breathing and relax. I should be the one freaking out."
"You're right," Sesshomaru said. Sesshomaru's arm snaked behind Kaori and pulled her closer to him. "I'll relax, for you."
"Thank you," Kaori said.
A nurse came in and scribbled a little bit down without asking them a single question. Dr. Jun walked in, thrilled beyond belief.
"Kaori, the big day," Dr. Jun said. "I'll be doing the delievery, since we really don't want the secret getting out or surprising an intern into a heart attack. Hope that is all right."
Kaori nodded with Sesshomaru and Dr. Jun left. Kaori closed her eyes again, relaxing. Suddenly her eyes clenched and she groaned, her hands instictly going to her stomach.
"Contraction?" Sesshomaru asked. Kaori nodded and he smiled soothing and placed his hand over hers. "Relax and just breathe."
Kaori did as she was and her eyes unclenched. They clenched again and before Sesshomaru knew it, his ears rang from Kaori's voice.
"Damn IT!" Kaori yelled. Two nurses and Dr. Jun came running and Sesshomaru was pulled off the bed. A nurse wheeled Kaori away, but Dr. Jun stayed behind to lead Sesshomaru to the delievery.
"Sesshomaru, just come. I think you will want to be there," Dr. Jun said. Sesshomaru was already running down the hallways after Kaori's screams. He bursted through the doors and found Kaori in an odd position.
"Are you the husband?" One nurse asked, a mask and overcoat on. Sesshomaru nodded. "Get these on."
Sesshomaru sighed and just flung them quickly on. Kaori was screaming her lungs out and breathing oddly, and Sesshomaru had no clue what to do. He wished to take Kaori out of her pain, but he didn't know how.
"SESSHOMARU!" Kaori screamed. Sesshomaru came over her, and subconsciously, took her hand. Her breathing calmed, but her eyes still remained closed. "Brace me, Sesshomaru, please."
Sesshomaru stood behind her and closed his eyes, smiling a little. Holding her up slightly, he heard a grunt and a lot of orders for Kaori and then another scream from Kaori.
"I can't!" Kaori screamed and Sesshomaru felt her once rigid body go limp.
"For Joo-yun, Kaori. Remember, don't give up on her," Sesshomaru whispered.
"SHUT UP!" Kaori screamed and Sesshomaru whinced slightly, but she went back to pushing. Sesshomaru was there just for support, or so Sesshomaru thought. He opened his eyes and he started hearing Kaori cry. "I can't."
"Come on. We'll work together, ok? Use my strength," Sesshomaru said, looking down at Kaori. She shook her head no. "Come on, you really want all that work wasted?" His voice was harsh and she stopped shaking her head. "Just try. Try your best."
Kaori nodded and pushed again. The smell of blood was then smelt.
"This is good Kaori. Now just relax," Dr. Jun said. Sesshomaru looked up and then back at Kaori. Her preferred her face at this moment. She was breathing calmly as much as possible, but her eyes remained closed. He used one hand to touch her cheek.
"We're almost there, dear," Sesshomaru said and then used both hands to hold Kaori up as the doctor ordered Kaori to push again. Some crying was heard and Sesshomaru looked up again. Kaori collapsed in Sesshomaru's arms and Sesshomaru laid her down carefully. "Great work dear. I'll reward you later, ok?"
Kaori nodded weakly and her eyes opened for the first time in a while. "Where is she?"
Dr. Jun took her gloves off with a smile. "Just getting cleaned up. She'll be with you in a sec."
Kaori was cleaned up fairly quickly and, before both of them knew it, they were in the hospital room again with a small, crying daughter in Kaori's hands. She was so innocent and beautiful. The small girl almost looked like Kaori. Brown hair, button nose, luchious red lips. She even had fingernails, not claws. But Sesshomaru was holding her delicately when they saw her eyes. Beautiful amber eyes that were wide with curiosity when Sesshomaru held her. He smiled at her and she even smiled at him. Kaori saw them and tears came to her eyes. She was so beautiful.
"Hey, no need to cry," Sesshomaru said, using one hand to wipe a tear away from Kaori's cheek.
"Take your own advice," Kaori said, wiping the other tears herself. Yes, Sesshomaru, Lord of the Western Lands, once known as the coldest man alive, had watery eyes.
"What can I say? She's beautiful. She takes after her mother," Sesshomaru said, He reached a finger to his daughter and she pulled at it and looked at it curiously and then entered it into her mouth. Sesshomaru even chuckled at that and then felt her developing fangs. They were little pricks; not yet able to do damage. "But she had some of her father in her."
"Sesshomaru, I love you. This is ours. Our masterpiece. Thank you," Kaori said and leaned into Sesshomaru's arm.
"I must thank you. You were the one that went through it," Sesshomaru said, averting his eyes to Kaori and smiling. "I couldn't have done this without you."
"Yeah, well, wait until we have guests," Kaori sighed, looking and smiling at her daughter. Joo-yun seemed more interested in Sesshomaru's finger to notice any looks from her mother. "But I think she'll be your little girl. You'll spoil her, I know that."
"Really? What makes you think that?" Sesshomaru said. Joo-yun inspected his finger again and then returned it into her mouth.
"Well, just look at how attached you are to her?" Kaori pointed out. "She'll be spoilt rotten."
"Yeah, most likely. But she won't be spoiled much. We'll have to have some rules for her," Sesshomaru said. He now realized what Kaori was saying. He was so fascinated by her adorable eyes that were so curious and innocent.
The sound of almost a million footsteps were heard and Sesshomaru knew all of those scents. They were going to be having visitors.
The echoing and loud sounds upset Joo-yun and she started crying again. Sesshomaru rocked her, but she wouldn't quiet. He carefully passed her over to Kaori, but she wouldn't calm at all.
"Sesshomaru, close the door," Kaori instructed. Sesshomaru had the door closed in seconds and then the crying stopped. He turned to Kaori to find the little child's head covered in Kaori's shirt.
"What are you doing?" Sesshomaru asked, slightly confused.
"Breast feeding. It's something mothers do after a few weeks after birth," Kaori explained.
Sesshomaru smiled as he said, "I'm jealous."
"You always got your way. She needs this to get strong. Relax, ok?" Kaori said. She closed her shirt up again and found little Joo-yun fast asleep. Kaori set her in the little crib next to her bed and tucked her in. "You can let the visitors in, if they'll be quiet."
Kaori's mother, Yori, Jake, and Kagome were awing quietly over Joo-yun as she slept. Her small thumb in her mouth and blanket in her small hand, she was adorable.
"Aw, she's adorable, Kaori," Kagome whispered. "She takes so much after you."
Sesshomaru glared, but Kaori just patted his arm to calm him down. He laid next to her in the bed, his arm around her, but no one seemed disturbed by it except Inuyasha.
"Why don't you just sit in a chair like a normal person?" Inuyasha snapped in a whisper.
"Because I want to be with my wife. Deal with it," Sesshomaru snapped, whispering as well.
"Both of you shut up or you'll wake Joo-yun," Kaori snapped in a whisper. The men looked away from each other.
A small whine came from the crib and Sesshomaru got up to get his daughter. She rubbed her eyes and yawned and all the women went, "aw..." Sesshomaru rolled his eyes and picked his daughter up. He craddled her and Kagome's eyes went wide. When did Sesshomaru craddle anything?
She cried a little until Kaori held her and smiled, rocking the child slowly and softly. Sesshomaru didn't want to watch. The women were crowding around him and he hated being cornered.
"Go. I want some alone time with my wife," Sesshomaru ordered. Joo-yun's eyes went from her mother's soft face to her father's. He didn't seem as happy as before.
"Sesshomaru, smile," Kaori said sternly.
Inuyasha burst out laughing and fell to the floor. "That'll break his face!"
"Take the child as I beat the... As I beat Inuyasha up," Sesshomaru said, watching his words around his daughter. He grabbed Inuyasha by the shirt. "Outside, now!"
Inuyasha was dragged and something impacting with something was heard outside the room.
Joo-yun started crying and Kaori tried to calm her down.
"Daddy's all right, Joo-yun. No need to worry," Kaori said to the daughter. Joo-yun looked at Kaori and then to the door again, her arms outstretched and fists clenching and unclenching. "He better return soon."
Sesshomaru returned with no sign of Inuyasha. "He went back to the past. I would hurry if you want to catch up with him."
Kagome bolted out of that room giving Sesshomaru a dirty look. Sesshomaru just shrugged at Kagome and joined Kaori again, taking his daughter back with a soft smile.
Sesshomaru gave her his finger again and she sucked on it like a candy. He didn't mind, but the awing that was happening was the thing that was bothering him. He just knew, one of these days, he would have to be keeping a force-field around her to avoid the boys going after her. Kaori looked at him and saw his emotion and laughed. She could almost tell what he was thinking. Sesshomaru smiled at her as well and shared a kiss with her and then kissed Joo-yun's forehead.
"Joo-yun, my daughter," Sesshomaru sighed so quiet that no humans heard. But outside the hospital, Inuyasha heard and sighed. Something was probably going to happen to that child soon, if Sesshomaru took after their father. Most likely, something soon would happen.
A few months later...
"Are you sure?"
Kaori was standing at the edge of the well with Sesshomaru next to her.
"We need a break. Joo-yun will be fine with Yori. Just relax and let's go," Sesshomaru said, nudging Kaori.
Kaori sighed and jumped down and landed next to Sesshomaru. He carried her up and over the well and landed elegantly.
"Stay here while I get Ah-Un. Don't go anywhere," Sesshomaru ordered and started walking towards the village. He stopped, dropped the backpack where he stood and continued. Kaori sighed and rested most of her weight on one leg.
A chill suddenly went through her and she shivered. Yes, it was getting close to winter, but it was warm just a minute ago.
"Kaori, how have you've been doing?" A dark voice asked. Kaori saw a violet reflection of eyes in the shadows.
"Naraku," Kaori hissed, taking a step backwards.
"No need to be afraid," Naraku said, stepping from the shadows. His hair was tied back and he was wearing an actual robe. "I will not hurt you."
"Like I believe you," Kaori said with detest. Naraku walked towards Kaori and Kaori stepped back. Next thing she knew, she was being slammed again a tree, Naraku holding her shoulder and his face only inches away from hers.
"Now that wasn't nice," Naraku teased, his breath hitting Kaori in the face. She turned it away. "Now, where is Sesshomaru? He wouldn't leave his love unprotected, would he?"
Kaori let a hiss loose and Naraku raised an eyebrow. "Do that everytime someone turns you on?" Naraku asked. A claw ran down her cheek and she hissed with disgust. "I see you do."
"It's not pleasure. It's disgust," Kaori spat.
"For me, no wonder. Perhaps I can change your mind," Naraku said and stepped away a bit. He held out his hand an a sphere was in his palm. Well, almost. There was a small gash on one side. "Most of the Sacred Jewel. You can have it."
Kaori had no idea what this thing was. She looked at Naraku with anger, but a bit of confusion.
"This will raise your powers to the highest level," Naraku said. Kaori almost said ok, but she didn't know what Naraku had in mind still. "But you need to do something for me in return."
Kaori knew it! She glared at Naraku.
"Ah, don't do that. I only ask for two favours that will be simple with this jewel in your possession," Naraku said.
"What are they?" Kaori asked. If it was simple, then she'll do it. She could ask Sesshomaru about this jewel later.
"Kill Inuyasha," Naraku said and Kaori shook her head no, "and Sesshomaru."
"No way!" Kaori exclaimed. She placed her hands in front of her and focused her priestess powers to blast this bastard away, but nothing happened. She looked down at her hands and then at Naraku.
"Nice try. This barrier protects me. Nothing can hurt me here," Naraku said. "Try to scream to Sesshomaru. This barrier is also sound-proof and invisible to all. We're all alone, Kaori."
Naraku stepped forward to Kaori and Kaori turned her head away again, her hands trying to keep distance. But Naraku used some simple tentacles and tied her hands to the tree.
"Naughty girl. If you wanted it like that, all you need to do was ask," Naraku asked, a shine in his eyes scaring Kaori. He licked the side of her face and Kaori made a disgusted sound. His hands put a lot of force on her hips, causing her to groan in pain. "I see I've hit your spot."
"You're a bastard, Naraku. Get lost before I hurt you!" Kaori spat, trying her best to ignore the wet strike on her face.
Naraku just smiled and took her chin with a tentacle to face him. "Now, you don't listen. You will be punished," Naraku said with some pleasure and Kaori clenched her eyes as Naraku's body pressed against her. This was her worst nightmare. His lips crashed into hers and forced her lips open with his rough tongue. She felt worthless and dirty as this man touched every inch of her body, but went no farther. He even stuck his tongue down her throat!
"I hope you enjoyed that as much as I did," Naraku said in a husky voice into her ear. Kaori spit at his face and turned away. She saw him smile. "I'm really sorry. I'd love to explore you further, but business awaits me. Until next time, Lady Kaori, I'll be thinking of you."
His lips crashed hers again and stuck his tongue down her throat again. His hands pushed on her hips, causing her to have to bend her knees or get damage to her hips. He left her to fall to the ground with a bleeding mouth and feeling completely violated.
Just as Naraku vanished, Sesshomaru showed up. He saw Kaori on the ground in a different area then where he left her and then noticed the blood running down her chin and dripping to her kimono.
"Kaori!" Sesshomaru exclaimed, kneeling in front of her. She snapped out of her daze and looked at Sesshomaru. He went to touch her lip, but she turned her head. She didn't want to be touched, especially by Sesshomaru, with this bastard's presence all over her. "What happened to you?"
"I was thinking and must have bit my lip hard enough to make it bleed. It's nothing," Kaori said calmly, forcing a smile.
"Let's get you cleaned up," Sesshomaru said and reached to help Kaori up, but she avoided his hand.
"I'm just fine. I can get up by myself," Kaori said in an annoyed tone. "I'll go by myself."
Sesshomaru was puzzled, and even more puzzled when she collapsed while walking. He ran to her side, but she snapped at him and continuously told him she was just fine. He stood alone as Kaori walked off, or so he thought. Ah-Un grunted next to him and nudged his head and Sesshomaru smirked and pat the dragon. But also, hinding in the bushes, Naraku kneeled, watching the pain etched across Kaori's face. He had accomplished his goal. He materialized to his castle to watch with more safety. This was one event he wasn't going to miss!
Kaori sat in a hot spring, her lip still bleeding. That bastard Naraku! He had to take her, didn't he? Kaori splashed the water with anger, but took a deep breath and lowered herself lower into the water to that only her nose and eyes were above water. She had been avoiding Sesshomaru all day, though she had already taken three bathes. She just could still feel those hands going all over her without her consent. She shivered in the steaming hot water and closed her eyes. She had never felt this down before. Naraku had not taken her feelings into effect. He just wanted to touch her and have his way, while she was still bleeding and her hips were bruising. She was now all right to interact with Sesshomaru, but if he saw the bruises, she would have to explain to him. And she really didn't want to have to replay the events. She sighed and opened her eyes. Why did her life have to be so complicated?
"Kaori, you all right?" Sesshomaru asked, sitting at the bank. Kaori raised herself slightly out of the water and nodded. "This is your fourth bath. What is going on? You aren't dirty because you didn't fall much today, and you can't be sweaty because we didn't fight, so why so many bathes?"
"Do I always have to have a reason for my actions?" Kaori snapped. "I just want to relax, ok?"
"Chill. I'm worried about you," Sesshomaru said.
"Well, I've told you I'm all right, so just listen," Kaori snapped. Then she remembered Naraku telling her she didn't listen and closed her eyes, trying to forget the memory.
"May I join you?" Sesshomaru asked, standing up.
"Not really. I'm leaving now," Kaori said, she grabbed for a towel and carefully covered herself as she raised out of the spring. Sesshomaru was suspicious. She never covered herself when around him.
"Why are you covering yourself?" Sesshomaru asked. She casted him a dirty look and he was blown back. Why was she so angry?
"I'm cold, ok!" Kaori snapped. She roughly picked up her bag and stomped away. She cursed at herself and Sesshomaru under her breath as she made her way back to camp. Sesshomaru followed after he got over his daze.
"It's really not hat cold tonight. If you're that cold, I could give you-" Sesshomaru started, but Kaori snapped at him.
"I don't want you to give me anything!" Kaori yelled. "And don't I get privacy around here anymore!"
Sesshomaru turned his back and looked over at the evidence while staring into the woods. He hadn't gotten her mad before he went to get Ah-Un, and this had started right afterwards, but why was she in such a bod mood? Was it just one of her days she got pissed? He hoped so. If this was to keep up, he wouldn't be able to stand it. He realized then that he never touched her at all that day. And everytime he asked to help her, or join her, she would snap at him. It's like she suddenly went independant. He glaced at the corner of his eyes and saw Kaori dressed. He turned back around and sat at the fire.
"Kaori, what is going on with you? What happened when I left?" Sesshomaru asked, reaching for her hand, but she quickly took it away from his grasp and into her lap. She wore a winter coat and some warm pants, but it wasn't that cold. It was probably just normal fall weather.
"Why do you mean?" Kaori asked quietly, throwing a stick into the fire.
"That is what I mean," Sesshomaru said, taking his hand back. "You won't let me touch you, help you, or do anything with you. And this all started after I got Ah-Un. What is going on?"
"It's nothing. I just don't want to be touched. You've had those days, too, you know," Kaori pointed out.
"When?" Sesshomaru asked harshly.
"Many times. When you get in such bad moods, I can't even talk to you!" Kaori yelled.
"Well, I at least have a reason! You just started acting strange all of a sudden," Sesshomaru said, crossing his arms.
"Well, I don't need a reason, you know. I can get angry just because, can't I? Can't I express my feelings once in a while, or do I need to be the happy girl that needs you to save me everytime I get into trouble?" Kaori stood, her fists shaking with anger. This had something to do with the incident with Naraku as well. "Just because I'm a girl, you think you men and demons can just take advantage of me, huh? Well guess what? I'm sick of it. I'll be touched when I want to be touched. I don't really care anymore what you want. I want some say now and I'm going to get it!" Kaori turned to start walking away, but looked back at him with a nasty glare. "Don't even think about following me!"
Sesshomaru looked away from her and heard the bushes rustle as Kaori left. She took her backpack with her, so he knew she was probably going to be camping alone. He hissed out of anger and glared at Ah-Un, who was fast asleep.
"At least someone is going to be getting sleep. Maybe Kaori will as well," Sesshomaru said to himself in a whisper. "I won't be able to..."
He heard sobbing and recognized it instantly as Kaori's. He's eyes went wide as he looked in that direction. He first was going to go comfort her, but thought against it. She had told him to not follow, and he didn't want her any madder than she already was. He sighed and threw a stick into the fire. Perhaps the next day Kaori would be in a better mood. He could only hope.