I do not own Inuyasha!
Please read and review!
Here is another chapter, hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
Kagome looked out on the billowing waves that rocked the boat that would take them across the ocean and into the enchanted forest of the tree demon Bokusenõ. Sesshomau remained reticent thinking about the quest to save his people against such unending hindrances.
On one hand he knew that he had no choice but to forge ahead if he wanted not only his children but others to survive into the future. But at what price? Would his quest for absolution ultimately destroy Kagome's pure soul if she had to choose between the species?
Because as he thought on those things he could see that she was lost in thought and despairing. And as he gazed more intently on her face from the side the wind picked up and blew her hair around her face, she tried desperately to gather its thick length into her small hands without much success; he considered his options in silence.
He'd tried once before to set her free so as to spare her more grief and peril but she had refused vehemently, telling him in no uncertain terms that she had her own mind and would decide what was best for her.
The bullying approach had served its purposes in the beginning, but now she knew him too well and would never buy into something like that, they had a family with many children and sending her away now would be foolhardy.
What he needed to do was to affect the change in such a way that it would cause less grief on both sides. Hence his decision to see the wisest entity he knew.
The penguins dive made a big splash as they gathered a meal. Kagome smiled at nature and its beauty; never in a million years would she have thought that her fate would be founded at the bottom of a dried well on her family's shrine, sending her five hundred years in the past.
She'd seldom read science fiction. Nonfiction was more her style. History fascinated her, as did the fact of history repeating itself. It always amazed her that civilizations could make the same mistakes over and over again. She was determined not to do that in the long life that she was blessed with. She would help her mate to find the solutions that he needed to succeed.
"We should depart," Sesshomaru was saying; she barely heard him having been caught up in her own world.
"Okay," she said on a sigh. "I am ready."
They boarded the small sea craft and sat in silence while the bird youkai rowed the boat efficiently from shallow depths and into deep waters.
As they journeyed Kagome tried not to think too much on their huge and at times seemingly impossible venture, because Sesshomaru watched her continuously and she was aware that he worried for her, now more than ever because she was pregnant, and she did not want to be a burden to him. He had his plate overflowing with enough heartache that could last at least ten lifetimes.
The further into deep waters they got, the bigger the waves that licked the side of the boat. Sea spray wet her face and entered her eyes, blinking rapidly made the stinging from the saltiness of the sea disappear with the tears that had formed. Leaning forward Sesshomaru wiped her face and eyes with the flap of his sleeves.
Kagome was grateful when he decided to sit beside her instead of in front like before. The respite provided her with shade from the blistering sun and lessened the sea spray in her eyes.
The rest of the trip was done almost in silence except when Kagome got excited, seeing a big fish or dolphins and would laugh quietly and gesturing excitably for Sesshomaru to look.
He found that he liked her childlike innocence even more. Soon enough they reached the other side and disembarked, Sesshomaru instructed the owner of the small vessel to wait until they returned; quickly pushing the boat ashore he settled himself under a tree, watching as the couple disappeared into the dense forest.
It was cooler here as the trees were big and lush, the sound of a river gurgled close by and Kagome felt for a drink. The clean crisp waters flowed beyond the bushes, she knew because she could smell its closeness. The water drunken hurriedly and soon enough they were back on the path to see the tree demon.
They came across a myriad of trees with their long and willowy branches dancing in the gentle breeze. Kagome felt the awesomeness of nature as she gazed at the wondrous sight. Sesshomaru stopped, and there in front of him was a tree just as spectacular as the rest, only this one was aged by the roughness and ash like nature of its trunk and branches.
But then suddenly like an apparition a face materialized from the bark, and then beady eyes opened with a yawn. Kagome knew of this demon listening to stories from Totosai, but witnessing such a sight was magic in itself.
"Hello young lord," the mouth on the face of the tree said in greeting. "I have been expecting you," and directing its gaze in a semi rotation he addressed Kagome.
"And you my lady."
Kagome bowed lowly to the tree spirit and stuttered on her reply. "I…I am pleased to meet you as well."
And with a wink the demon acknowledged her salutation.
"I know why you are here Sesshomaru."
The demon lord gave him a speculative look with its share of suspicion and then replied.
"Then if you know of my reasons you should know what I desire," Sesshomaru responded in a drawl, causing Bokuseno to blink.
"The paths both of you have chosen sits on the edge of a knife, one wrong move and it will fail," the tree demon predicted. "However, regaining your kingdom and your title will allow you some leverage to the detriment of your mate."
Kagome lips twisted in fear, just hearing those words left her breathless, and Sesshomaru annoyed.
"I will never hurt her," he replied a little loudly losing some of his composure.
"I am afraid you won't have a choice," the tree responded calmly. "Nevertheless, all will not be lost if she can weather the storm; it will pass."
She appeared resigned but there was something that she needed to know and so she asked.
"I and my family have decided to traverse the country to foster better relationships between both our kinds, by teaching and showing by example the young ones and adults who would listen that we are not as different as they are, and we desire the same things. Will it be for naught?" The question rumbled from her lips as she felt like crying.
Looking at the beautiful human woman that Sesshomaru had chosen for a bride, he felt her sadness, but he also knew that she and the children were the catalyst in mending those fences that were broken.
"What you will accomplish is of greater significance in this war for survival, your sacrifices will be many, but the rewards will be even greater. Be strong both of you, and remember that anything worth fighting for will be difficult." He said very carefully before regressing to a plain old tree.
The journey back home was the opposite of how they went. Kagome was absolute in her silence, all her thoughts revolved around the cryptic message that was relayed to them, and even Sesshomaru had anxious thoughts on the matter.
Because he couldn't fathom what earthly situation could cause him to forsake Kagome and willingly hurt her, he loved her too much for that.
They spent the next couple of months taking care of the interspecies couples, their children, orphans and humans who had no one else and nowhere to go; their only desire was to belong.
They never spoke of that day in the forest; they knew that with time their entire lives would change before their very eyes. And until that day comes they would live in love, share their burdens and paving the way for better solutions amongst their kinds.
Three months passed in a blur, they left the sanctuary except Jaken and a few other demons that stayed behind to oversee the commune. The first stop the family would make would be a small human village forty miles north of their hideout. Months of preparation would be instrumented. Kagome's baby bump had just begun to show.
Seira had no ill effects from drinking the potion; she was contented because her pregnancy was normal. Lord Ryoma had made love to her three more times after the first. He was better tempered and showed more affections.
Although the change in his behaviour was due in part because he wanted her less stressed, so that her body would be more susceptible to his eggs. Anxiousness and stress could cause the eggs to wither and die.
She was not of kind, and hence the incompatibility of their joining, if she had been an elemental demon of the wind, fire or water variety, her body would have been neutral and would have been better able to carry his seeds. But in spite of that setback he had founded a way to ensure that his offspring's would survive.
Lady Harumi was visiting with Seira at that particular time and was conversing in the privacy of her daughter's bedroom.
"Your time of delivery is in three months?" she said rather than asked.
"Yes mother," Seira responded with a smile. "I believe I will carry for the full term this time. I usually go in labor around the end of the fourth month…and it was never enough time for the babies to survive," she said and sighed.
"You're looking healthy, I suppose luck will be on your side this time," lady Harumi answered knowingly.
"Thank you mother," Seira said softly.
The elder demoness got up to go but made an alarming discovery as Seira's robes shifted exposing the parts of her breasts closest to her nipples. Red welts and veins formed a pattern criss-crossing along her flesh like the roots of a tree and disappearing down her abdomen. The vision it made was quite astonishing.
"Seira," the demoness said her voice hard, "what tarnishes your skin so unbecomingly?" with her eyes still fixed on the hideous sight.
The startled female looked down and saw the image for the first time, and horror was the look upon her face. And shaking her head with sorrow because she knew deep down in her heart that something was terribly wrong, she responded.
"I do not know."
Lady Harumi felt something akin to regret as she stared at her daughter who was beside herself with fear. She knew only one other who would know, and she would make him tell her what she needed to know, she decided.
Storming through the front door lady Harumi left Seira lost in misery.
"Ryoma," the demoness screamed as she approached his door.
He didn't respond to her cries, but the instant he got up the door splintered on its hinges as the demoness punched it with a fist and sent it crashing on the inside walls.
"What did you do?" she shouted while the corners of her eyes bled.
"I only did what you requested," he said tilting his head. "If I remember clearly you were the one that said we needed children to cement our hold on this kingdom."
The dryness of his tone and light eyes that darkened to impossible degrees with malice for her no less, confirmed what she'd suspected, he had taken steps to ensure his line's survival, and Seira would pay dearly and the cost may very well be her life.
The demoness hesitated obviously uncertain about his statement and mannerism.
"Don't play games with me Ryoma; you know exactly what this is about. I told you to reproduce not kill her in the process."
Rage rose up inside him like bile. Did she really think that he could be so easily controlled and placated with such childish behavior? He ignored the rage and disgust he felt. Because safeguarding his offspring's survival was that important to him, so that when he answered he was calmer.
"Forgive me my lady," he said and inclined his head.
But when he looked up Seira's trembling form was blocking the doorway.
Tearing the silken robes away from her upper half and becoming almost naked except the robe hung limply around her ample hips, she asked angrily.
"What did you do to me?" The lines that had formed on her brow because of anger twisted and darkened her eyes.
Lady Harumi gazed at Seira's body still in shock, not only was her breast and chest consumed with the vile lines but the swell of her belly and bottom.
Ryoma stood frozen, eyes wide with recognition, the room silent. His unborn children were sucking the life out of its host. They did not perceive Seira as their mother, only as nourishment encased inside the eggs.
Tears slid from the corners of her eyes and down her cheeks where it fell on her swollen belly. He willed his breath to calm as he looked upon her pitiful form; he never knew he would feel anything but disdain for her. He took the couple of steps that he needed to reach her and replaced her clothes; while the lies had already formed on his tongue.
"Our children will be strong; they need more and are taking a bit more from you. I have done nothing ill towards you. In time you will see that."
His assurance was so kind and gentle that Seira believed every word, and in due time she uttered.
"Is there more than one baby?" Her mate nodded confirming the query, only lady Harumi knew better. But telling Seira now what she suspected would not accomplish anything good.
In two and a half months' time Seira would deliver her babies, the outcome of that was open for interpretation. Her gaze flicked to the left and met the ryu's eyes, he smirked. Lady Harumi left, the fate of her only remaining child was left in the hands of a merciless being.
The thought left her feeling empty, all her well laid plans would fail if she did not find a way very soon to rid of the thorn in her side, the very cunning dragon.