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AN: Just a reminder, this chapter is the culmination of all the other chapters. The story began as Kagome sat in a market trying to sell her wares, and recalled the journey of her life from the time that she came back to the past after three years to be with Inuyasha. The past has caught up with the present, and this chapter explains why she was in the market in the first place.
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The driving force of the hammer as it connected with the round heads of two inch nails, sealing rectangular shaped sheets of plywood over the windows was a harsh reminder that nature and its elements could be cruel at times.
Kagome sighed unhappily as the ache in her head intensified and the babies cried. It was hard to imagine now that the sun had shone so brightly that morning and now there was no sign of it; instead everything looked misty as smog moved into the open spaces and painted the atmosphere a dull grey.
The rolling waves of clouds that rippled overhead was swollen and dressed in night, though it was only noon time. A stark contrast compared to just minutes before.
The wind picked up and smashed into fledgling trees, twisting and bending them at odd angles. Kagome watched from the doorway the inauspicious day and felt a bit loss and scared.
The babies continued to fuss in spite of hers and Sayoka's best efforts to keep them calm, because they too could sense nature's darkness. Her little dog that was not so little anymore barked constantly at the heavens and the ominous sounds it made, even though she tried to quiet him down with gentle pats on the head.
Slow drips of rain accompanied the shrill wind that kept on rising, whistling through the trees and warning of impending destruction. Sayoka's son Sora ran back and forth gathering the remainder of the harvest. The many baskets of food, fruits and vegetables were collected and placed into the house as well as the barn.
A gust of wind rattled the roof of the barn, Kagome sighed deeply knowing that when the storm ends, the barn, roof and all would be no more. Another gust had Sora doubling his efforts in transferring the provisions from the shed to the living room, where they would be more adequately secured.
The hammering stopped and it couldn't have come at a better time, her temples had started to throb after the loud banging started, and now she suffered from a full blown headache. Kagome huffed, feeling deeply frustrated. Why did this have to happen now? She wondered.
Doctor Tanaka emerged through the back door, the part of the house that he'd secured last. Kagome turned around and met him with a squirming infant in hand. He was damp, ruffled and his hair unbound framed his face which gave his features a more boyish appearance.
The subtle gaze she laid upon his person went unnoticed by him, and she wondered again why he was so nice and accommodating, assisting her every day when she had Sayoka and Sora and could manage. She didn't want to believe that it could be anything more than mutual friendship, but she wasn't naïve. She could spot longing, concern and love in the doctor's eyes.
Perhaps given a different set of circumstances and time she could have returned his feelings, but for now, all that she could offer him was the platonic. Her life was much too complicated and to pull the good doctor in it would be selfishness on her part. She smiled at him and him at her, no words were spoken, yet they understood each other's perspectives clearly.
"Lady Kagome I will be back later, there are a few elderly persons that I must assist before the weather worsens," he said and smiled, then looked away quickly before she could see the deception in his eyes; that he longed for her still.
She nodded and he walked away, but she did not miss a thing. She had seen the hurt into the man's eyes; she swallowed hard hoping that the doctor would not let his feelings for her get in the way of their friendship; because she really loved having him around.
By the time that the doctor came back who had been gone for maybe an hour, though the dying daytime and the impending storm made it seemed deceptively longer, Kagome had no other choice than to use her reiki to induce an unnatural sleep on her babies. They were too afraid of the storm and the violent noises that it carried.
Rain up until now drizzled lightly, barely sprinkling the earth with dew as the tiny droplets were blown away by the heavy wind, had grown in mass and swiftness until finally the heavens burst, as the dark clouds above let go of their loads.
Nothing in her long life could prepare her for what was to come next as the doctor stepped inside and shut the front door. He then used two long, narrow but thick pieces of lumber to secure the door more closely as he placed them into the door hangers, one a foot and a half above the lock and the other the same distance below.
A clap of thunder and streams of lightning opened up the darkness in the room. Kagome shuddered and closed her eyes. The belting sound and the sizzling light that accompanied it had always turned her limbs to goo, and the good sense in her head overshadowed by fear.
It couldn't be helped, and after all these years the panic hadn't lessened at all. Although only five years old when it had happened, it was a day that would forever be burned into her consciousness. It was as vivid as the haunting storm outside.
She and her father had been caught up in a lightning storm, however, they had successfully made it home and had alighted from the car and rushed inside the well house for shelter, when she realized that her doll had fallen from her hand in the rain.
She sighed deeply as the memories flooded her mind and the pain that always followed.
"Daddy," she had cried, "please go back for Cindy," as he was about to close the well house door.
He had looked at her then and had smiled before he gave her a warning, only it would be the last thing that he would ever say or do.
"Kagome, no matter what happens while I am outside, do not come out after me."
"Yes father," was the words her little voice and timid heart had spoken to him back then.
He'd crouched low and had hugged her small body to his and had kissed her cold cheeks before he'd stepped out into the rain.
Another clap of thunder sent the memories spiraling out of control, she gasped loudly with the coldness and the pain. Doctor Tanaka who had been watching her curiously the entire time came to her side. He took her arm and led her to the sofa to sit.
As the tears fell she related the tragic story of her father's death when he was struck by lightning and was killed, because he had wanted to make her happy, to make her stop from crying.
She had never told anyone before now what had caused the anxieties behind the lightning and thunder, not even her mate. He only knew that she was afraid and had always comforted her through them.
Doctor Tanaka listened through the quivering voice and the tears, everything that she had to say and even what she did not express. He understood perfectly that even as a child she had blamed herself for her father's demise. The grief had grown and so did the unnatural fear of the storm.
"Kagome you must let go of the fear and guilt," he advised, "you were only a child and not responsible for your father's death. He knew that by going back out in the storm he might not have survived it, which was why he had asked you to remain."
"But if I hadn't asked him to go back he wouldn't have died," she interjected solemnly.
He listened to the childish reasoning her heart and soul still clung to; fully aware that the event and her development surrounding the incident had stopped the moment that she'd blamed herself at five years old.
He shook his head sadly by her predisposition; such a strong beautiful woman and yet she was flawed by the unmerited attack on her conscience.
"Your father loved you and only wanted your happiness, he did what he had to do to make that happen, keep that in mind whenever you think of him."
She exhaled on a sigh feeling less burdened down by the memory now that she had shared it with someone that understood her concerns.
The wind had become so strong now that the barn roof rattled violently. Kagome walked briskly across the room and peered above the partially boarded window and saw as one of the metal sheets lifted by a strong gust, and then suddenly it was blown clear, whisked away high into the air and was gone.
She was shocked but still very pleased that Sora had removed her horse and had placed him into one of the unused rooms in the back of the house. Their ears soaked up the sounds of the intensifying storm until that was all they could hear.
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The palace was quiet except for the raging storm outside. The lord's children stayed close together, missing their mother and remembering that it was days like these when it was wet, and the atmosphere threatening that she would read to them. Her warmth had always drawn them close, and none had wanted to leave her presence.
Even now when most of them were on the cusp of maturity they stilled ached to have her near. Aiko had left moments ago to go in search of their father. Her scent was similar to their mother's own at certain times during the course of the month Taizo noted, and she had never taken a liking to this kind of weather either.
Sesshomaru lay down quietly on the bed as thoughts of Kagome and the babies were constant on his mind. The memories washed it with regret and longing, fear and responsibility. Now more than ever because he knew how afraid she was of the storm, more so of the thunder and lightning that kept on illuminating his form sporadically in the semi darkness.
He wondered how she fared and considered that he may have failed her and the little ones again somehow, this was all wrong, he should've been there with her. He had sensed the change in the weather hours ago, and if he had tried he could have gotten there before it broke loose.
On the other hand being prudent, he had felt it wise to stay and mind over his other children and his errant wife who had turned against him. Something in the pit of his gut told him that the less time he spent with Kagome, the safer she and the babies would remain.
He had laid a trap by using Hotaru and Jaken to spread false information that his wife had overheard. He had to test his theory; up until now her brother the emperor had not assisted her, and the contents of the letter still a mystery.
He would wait to see what she would do with the information that she had acquired, because he was positive that it had some felonious plans to do with his former mate. Obviously, he had sent his wife in the wrong direction; he had to see how she would play their hand before he acted any at all.
Wanting to save demon kind and facilitating the treaty and his wife was important, but if his wife made the foolhardy mistake and went after Kagome and his pups. She would feel the wrath of his hand come down on her like a sledgehammer, slamming into her with so much force that she would be stupefied.
The thought had him hissing in anger and he turned on his side just before he heard a soft knock on the door, it was his daughter Aiko.
"Come," he said and sat up in bed.
The door opened quietly and the child entered with a frown and shifty eyes like she had done some wrong which was unknown to him. He watched the glint in her eyes and the apprehension that darkened them a bit. He knew that her behavior had much to do with the lightning storm.
As a small child she was quite afraid of these kinds of weather, and many nights she would sleep between him and Kagome. At first he had objected, but because his mate had refused to sleep in their bed and had given him sound advice he had relinquished his objections.
However, she was much too old for those kinds of attentions and she had her siblings to comfort her, regardless, he knew her to be a little fussy and spoiled by her mother. Nevertheless, he continued to watch her silently as she refused to speak and tell him what her concern was.
"Aiko," he called, and she looked away from the other end of the room, "tell me what concerns you?"
She fidgeted and would not meet his eyes, so uncharacteristic of her and for a moment he was assaulted with the illogical notion that the child was bewitched. He scented the air with his nose pointing to the ceiling, searching for insight into the strange malady that affected his pup.
Suddenly he found it and his eyes popped. His head came down quickly and his eyes fused with his daughter's terrified ones. She gasped but did not look away as gold clashed with gold.
"Father," she cried, and shook head with her eyes tightly closed, "I bleed from between my legs and I cannot get it to stop no matter how many times I cleanse myself.
Sesshomaru was at a loss for words, his daughter was still pure yet she bled, the only explanation would be that she was having her first monthly course. But how could that be; up until now the child had not shown any of her human traits even with the mixed blood flowing through her veins?
Could it be that with all the stresses that her body was forcing her to mature, or was it the opposite and it was failing her, or perhaps it was just time for nature to take its course like the storm raging outside?
His eyes softened and he took a step into his daughter's direction. She stiffened and lowered her head, and to his dismay she looked a little afraid of him as well, which wasn't his intent so he halted his steps and spoke softly to her instead.
"Take a walk with me."
Hesitantly she nodded as he waited by the door, when she was outside and stood in the passageway he locked the door and took her hand. He felt as she relaxed and closed her fingers firmly around his.
"Where are we going father? She asked a little uneasily.
He stopped and looked down at her with a pleasant façade. "We are going to see Hotaru, she will be able to assist you where I cannot."
She smiled and shook her head. "Okay father."
Sesshomaru and his daughter must have walked half the length of the passage when his wife rounded the corner on them. Her gaze swept over them with unease, but they did not stop, neither did she.
They spent half an hour talking to Hotaru who analyzed the situation as best as she could, given the fact that even though Aiko looked full demon she was still a hanyou and had some human tendencies.
Her mother would have been the best person to explain it all to her daughter, but because she was not here her father thought it best to seek her out. The child was still very young and seemed afraid of the new development, but by the time they were done she looked less jittery.
After he'd left his daughter in the care of the nanny, he returned to his bedroom and saw his wife lying in bed waiting for him. He undressed in silence and left only his hakamas on before he slipped in beside her. Immediately princess Maemi's hand made contact with his flesh. She stroked his chest tenderly; he snorted in disgust and grabbed the hand on his person tight, held the limb firmly away from his body and then let it go.
"No," he said assuredly. "I do not want you now!"
He turned his back and heard the sharp intake of breath that she took and closed his eyes. His mind was on his daughter, his mate and babies. His wife would just have to deal with being rejected tonight.
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The elements let loose showing just who was in charge now; the gusting wind, the torrential rain that was so dense that Kagome couldn't see the barn or anything else on the outside, stood like an opaque curtain of water everywhere.
The thunder roared, the lightning flashed across the sky as deadly ripples of might, it fell to the earth with showers of light and white fire. Electrifying it walked through the land and staked its claim on all that it touched, and left in its wake terrible devastation.
Heavy raindrops beat down angrily on the rooftops like stampeding hoofs, the screeching wind, the regular clap of thunder and the wash of light just kept on coming. All they could do was to sit still and watch, while they wait anxiously for it to come to an end.
The storm raged on throughout the night and into the next day, but by the following morning it had started to ease. Already the deadly showers had breached the banks of the river as flood waters infringed its depths, and the overflow rushed dangerously towards them.
The half water demon among them, Doctor Tanaka sensed the menacing calamity and sprung to his feet swiftly, heading for the door. With his hands on the bolts Kagome grabbed his arm. He looked down as her hand came in contact with his flesh, and then shifted his head up and stared at her face grimly.
She shook her head dumbly. "Where are you…What are you doing? She asked in incomprehension as his actions did not make any sense to her. She couldn't fathom where he could possibly want to go in the middle of a hurricane.
"Don't be alarmed," he said easily, though his eyes wavered in anxiety, "the river has overflowed its bank and the rushing water is on a collision course with this town."
She let go of his arms suddenly and in fear, while the other two occupants of the room looked on silently. They were bird youkais and if the worse happened they could alter their shapes and take flight until the storm passed.
But the villagers would perish, and although Sayoka sensed that the lady was quite powerful and she needn't worry too much for her, regardless of that they would make sure that she and her babies would be fine, because she was the lord's mate.
Doctor Tanaka finished opening the door and stepped outside, he tried to secure it behind him but Kagome wouldn't let him as she held his hand again and moved to stand beside him. He stared at her with imploring eyes, asking her to trust him.
While the two of them gazed at each other suspended in time, the others came to stand beside them as well.
They could see the rolling river coming at them steadily out in the distance through the dying rain and wind. Kagome let go of the doctor's arm and watched as he walked away and stopped about six feet ahead. He became wetter as the rain and breeze lashed against his form.
It was not only instincts on her part but she felt deep down in her soul that she could trust him.
He braced himself against the elements as he continued forward; they watched his back as it disappeared with the mist. As they looked on in silence, fascination and dread they saw as the flood waters swallowed him up. The disturbing image almost made Kagome tear her eyes away but she didn't.
His head came up and so did his hands as he rode the waves like foam, then suddenly his body shattered and became one with the murky waters. Her eyes widened and she gasped and placed her palm over her heart as it sped up, quickening with worry, fear and disbelief.
The doctor's translucent form glistened like diamonds through the grey morning and the muddy waters, as his will transported the river down an alternate path and away from the village.
Kagome ran out in the rain when the course of the river diverted with the doctor. She screamed out his name in fear over and over. The rain beat down on her, she cried harder. Had the doctor really sacrificed his life to save her and the town? She didn't know, but if he had she would never forgive him.
Early the next day the doctor returned, the storm had passed completely. She was so glad to see him that she rushed at him and hugged him close to his shock; however, in delight he hugged her back. When the moment passed she let him go, both of them felt a little embarrassed.
It was with regret that he related the news on the town, many people were washed away and had died, entire crops, animals, and homes were destroyed leaving hundreds homeless.
She decided there and then that she would help. Sayoka and her son went in search of the desolate and brought them to the community center for shelter and a meal. In the ensuing days after the storm, Kagome used the monies that she'd earned from the factories to transform the center into a homeless shelter.
If it wasn't for her many more would have perished from hunger and disease. Six months came and went and Sesshomaru never came. Financially he must have thought that she was well provided for she knew. There were the factories and other amenities at her disposal, and the fact that she had sent Sora to the West to inform him that she was fine made him less worried.
It was bad business when she did it but she did it anyways. She could not stand by and watch suffering and do nothing. All the earnings that she'd saved were used up for charity, and when it was done, she took to the market selling the little provisions that she'd cultivated. And for those citizens that could still afford it, she offered her services as a priestess for a small fee to help feed the homeless and needy.
Sora - Sky