FrostBite

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Inu Yasha or the Yu Yu Hakusho the Anime/Manga or their characters.

Meanings:

`Thought'

"Speech"

Beast

When you see something like this "Oh come on… " (Its a word drawn out: Like soooooo)

Chapter 14

'Motherhood, Learning the Ropes'

Its been hours sense Kagome last rested; sensing a familiar spot she had camped with Toran and Kariudo; she made a beeline for it. The alcove was a perfect place for a break; placing her barriers around the small area in order to relieve herself then fed the young and now it was time for diaper duty as her mother called it. Nostalgia caught Kagome off guard remembering a time when her mother used to change Sota's diaper and boy had they stunk. She couldn't understand how her mother could bare the smell when her little nose made her run. Now she understands, when she gets home she will let her mother know why she now understands the reasoning behind diaper changing it made perfect sense.

Motherhood.

It's the best word to describe the feeling that no bad odor would keep a mother from changing her baby's diaper when needed. Even now her teenage mind wanted to cringe just thinking about it however, knew in her heart it didn't bother her nor did the smell. When all things were tended too Kagome curled up around the babes humming a tune her mother used to sing in the kitchen soon sleep took over allowing her the much needed nap. A few hours later Kagome rose to a keening whine. The sun up high singled around noon it made sense the babes would be hungry and needing a diaper change after, even her tummy growled for food. Once done she made sure the young were secure and everything was where it was supposed to be Kagome wrapped the furs making sure the babes were snuggled in place.

Reaching into the side of the handmade backpack she dug into a side compartment it looking for her little wooden box carrying her scrunchies and hair ties finding the perfect one she closed the box and stuffed it back before tying it closed. Kagome pulled her long raven hair into a ponytail then looped it though the underside of her scrunchie for easy management. Pulling the backpack on her shoulders Kagome then pulled her cloak on and tied it. She pulled the hood of the cloak over her head she then pulled the thin sheer veil to cover her face, Wearing the cloak made her think she was sporting the image of the grim reaper. She smiled at the thought.

Thanks to Toran this cloak is handy especially when she needs to be silent, scent and senses free. Yes whoever made this really out did themselves and she would be sure to tell Toran the next time she would see her. Checking over the area ensuring she hadn't dropped or not done something she patted herself double checking everything is in place and her hood secured Kagome smiled as she jumped into the air summoning the snowado to cover her tracks. Late in the day she made a pit stop to tend to the babes while relieving a full bladder ensuring the hole was covered having never been disturbed. Everything in place Kagome was ready to continue.

Kagome knew she would have to go hunting soon. Her dried meat supply was running low and with little to no other food source available, left her no choice but scavenge for edible fruit, vegetables until she found prey. Kagome knew where to look all she had to do was keep following the unseen trail, there were many places that hid small patches of carrots, turnips, and even Brussels sprouts; but if she was lucky sometimes cabbage could be found. All perfect for stews. Soon the unseen trail will widen when she reaches the lower mountain back to Tenbun Oka.

Oh, just a thought of the tiny village made Kagome antsy. She wanted to be there now however, she was no magician with that kind of power. Looking over the small rest stop she nodded to herself everything looks undisturbed now she was ready to get moving. Kagome suddenly had goose bumps rise on the flesh of her arms and legs. She could feel the invisible fur within her bristle. It was like Yuki sensed something drawing her instincts to the surface, something was out there. Over there to the far left that was what drew her instincts to attention?

"A black bear, wow look how big it is? Well it looks pretty occupied eating so lets not disturb it if we don't have to. All we need is a pissed off bear attacking thinking we want its food. I'm done here, lets get going." Kagome commented to herself boy how she missed having traveling companions. Her instincts constantly urging her forward, she had to give yokai credit; when needed they could travel far and fast and had cool powers if used for the greater good.

So taking a page from what she's learned she increased her speed, faster than she ever traveled while riding Kirara or on Inu Yasha's back. That brought a pang of guilt to her mind. Knowing it did nothing for her Kagome let the thought go. She'd think on it another day. Kagome began looking for a place to camp for the night she was bone tired and needed rest. She was already on the third lower mountain soon she'd be on the mountain pass that would lead to Tenbun Oka. It was when she faltered did Kagome know it was time to find a place to rest for the night; the sun already dropped from the horizon.

Spotting an outcropping of rocks she made her way there looking it over. Kagome smiled a tired grin it was enough space for her to lay low for the night. Looking it over and using her heat from her powers melted the snow where she wanted it. The thick rotating winds wrapped around her forearms and hands with the force of a wind devil twisting about her arms and hands, summoning her heat to it she began to shape the snowbank into a small walled half circle enclosing the rocks behind her.

Pulling the powers back she shook her hands from the odd feeling it left behind. Looking over the tiny space smiling at a job well done. Kagome removed her cloak and backpack she placed her barrier over the tiny area. Kagome felt a shiver run through her. A feeling like she forgot something but she couldn't name it. She's been having all day what could it mean she wondered. Then her thoughts turned to how much she's learned in the past three months than she had in one year traveling with her friends. At least now she could help protect and fight if needed.

She learned hands on and was taught with different weapons even ropes she learned that flint was much better to build fires. Kariudo used a diamond edged axe that could cut through trees, rock and bone with one swing it took her more than ten tries to fell a tree, she could only cut into rock but not slice it in half however bone took two swings depending on the size. Then she was taught to use her reiryoku and how to make things with it. She came up with some pretty handy ways to use her reiki from reiryoku bombs to creating a reiryoku nets.

They taught her how to form both sound and sense proof barriers even individual or holding barriers. Kariudo taught and showed her many survival skills a person needed in order to survive and live while traveling. They told her time and time again to "Never let your guard down, especially if the enemy is someone you once trusted." Yeah, Kagome is really thankful for all they've taught her she wouldn't have been able to get by with just her reiryoku arrows. One day she may be able to pay them back for all they're help. Right now, all Kagome could hope for is that they are safe and well.

The one thing she loved the most of all were saying her prayers. Most of the time, she just said quick prayers from her mind hoping the Kami understood and would forgive her for making them short and to the point. Nevertheless she meant them. Tonight she would give the Kami a proper prayer after the young were settled within the furs tucked away from the wind. Kagome sat on her knees bowing low three times then remained bowed as she said a prayer to the Kami. Thanking the Kami for all they've done, their help and wisdom.

Kagome wished them a good night and if it were no trouble to watch over her friends, little Shippo, Sesshomaru his great grandmother Yanagi and his ward Rin. In different locations a sneeze could be heard from each member. Everyone had eyes that shined in recognition 'Kagome.' Even further away at the western citadel, the sneeze came from two very different people in the same room. Sesshomaru's eyebrow rose in question as Rin's own sneeze happened at the same time his did. This single thought led him to believe someone was thinking about them. Rin smiled bright at her lord saying.

"Someone is thinking good thoughts of us? Right, Sesshomaru-Sama." She giggled taking in the odd look Sesshomaru had as he tucked her in wishing each other a good night as he left her room. It's not that he never sneezes however, its been a very long time since he sneezed once, the meaning clear. Someone was thinking good thoughts about him. With a pep in his step, Sesshomaru made his way to his study he had work to finish.

After her prayer Kagome comfortably laid back against the rocks at least the snow packed around her protected them from the windchill. Now to feed her crying babes and tend to their diapers before doing some stretch workouts on their tiny limbs no need for their bodies to lock due to lack of use. Securing them back in their sling covering them and herself she swayed side to side best she could rocking the babes back to sleep. Eventually she yawned a few times as her eyes blinked then again looking up off to the trees where she could see a touch of moonlight she wished everyone a goodnight as she drifted to sleep.

She woke to daylight stretching and rubbing the sleep from her eyes she stretched once more before getting up to take care of business. Making a deep hole she relieved her body's waste covering part of the hole knowing she had to dispose of the babes waste as well; set to washing her hands in the snow then warming them up to handle her children. After the morning ritual was done and the hole covered Kagome used the snowado affect as she jumped onto a branch of a tree taking a deep whiff of the crisp morning air. She had that feeling again, something or someone was coming but what Kagome couldn't tell if they were friend or foe.

Pine was such a soothing scent. Kagome thought back to the night she left Koorime Island. Kagome is happy learning how to decipher each instinctual meaning in terms she can understand as they come along. Kagome's thoughts fell back to when Toran told her to leave the Empresses chambers with the babe. Was Toran okay, was Hana? What about Rui? What did the guards do when they found the Empress with only a female child? Are they looking for the missing child? Would the guards harm the female babe? What will happen to the Empress and her daughter? Is Toran safe? Kami 'What If's' ran through her mind not knowing if they were safe. Deciding to put the miko's worry to rest; Yuki decided to speak.

Worry not, you will learn of our instincts and know them for what they are. As for the panther, Empress or her guard they are strong. No harm will come to the female newborn. The Ice Maidens will not harm the future Empress. It is the son who they wished to kill. Now, you have questions speak them as I shall answer what I can.

Kagome had so many questions pertaining to yokai that even Yuki faltered due to the nature of some of those hmm, hmm, questions. Yuki thought it would be best to discuss those at a much later date. However, she gave Kagome insight on how to care for all types of new born babes of the yokai variety. Kagome passed the time running or sliding as they spoke about newborns and what to expect when they begin walking or what they need to eat and if their powers will manifest as a toddler or when they are older.

They continued throughout the day playing Twenty Questions that turned into a million. It was mid afternoon Kagome stopped to take a break she somehow got a rock in her shoe. Besides that Kagome was happy in a way she's never known. One thing she could say was that it was easy to care about how quiet her son Hiei's been? Was it normal for the babe only to cry when wet or hungry? She had to admit Hiei is an adorable babe, so far he hadn't given much fuss. What took her by surprise was how she became more accustomed to feeding Hiei as time passed.

Don't get her wrong, breastfeeding is still uncomfortable and her nipples felt like they were chaffed she thought about putting some lip balm on them but then would the medicine make Hiei and the cub sick? Deciding not to do that there had to be something women used to help with the pain. At least she is learning how to properly care for her son and the cub. If only her friends could see her now, she wondered what they would think of her? Not willing to go down that road just yet Kagome asked Yuki another question about why is Hiei so quiet.

He is only eight days old. The cub is closer to two weeks. Most infants have vocals that may pierce ones hearing for hours. Not a pleasant feeling. Be happy these two are quiet as they are. They will continue to grow, their vocals will grow as well. You are a good mother Kagome have no worries.

Kagome could understand, she never had this kind of experience before, sure babysitting her little brother, then there is Shippo and little Rin but they were not babes that fed from her bosom. Which was the reason why she was heading back to Tenbun Oka. There were items she needed to purchase for the young, restock her provisions and ask for advice on where the best place was to live. Kagome thought on how she was going to find and bring Shippo to her so she prayed that she'd come up with a way to find him.

She was so close she could feel it in her bones she just hoped Yanagi was still at her booth. Kagome knew she could purchase some of the items the rest would have to buy from another stall after she spoke with Yanagi. Kagome hoped that she would understand and be willing to help her.

End Chapter 14…

Hello everyone yes it took a long time to get this chapter out had major life changes one of them is losing the ability of my left hand which is was my dominant hand. I've been reading a lot along with working on my stories slow going. I am into detail to much this I noticed, and I am attempting to correct it. However, I wanted something where Kagome is bonding with Hiei and the cub. Then it came to me Motherhood, and learning the ropes. A perfect title. I hope you enjoyed it, please be kind review, review, review.

Peace.

Japanese Word Translations:

Hiei: Flying Shadow AKA Jaganshi Hiei (Jaganshi. is an epithet meaning "Master of the Evil Eye")

Yuki (Depending how it is written in Japanese): Snow, Happiness, reason or cause.

Kariudo: Hunter

Toran: Chief

Shishi: Lion,

Lady Yanagi: Willow

Baka: Idiot, stupid fool etc.

Tenbun Oka: Destiny Hill

Reiryoku – Spiritual powers