Chapter 5
After a restful night of him primarily caring for their son he was content to ignore the paperwork piling up in his office for an extra hour and ended up eating breakfast with Kagome. His day had started out bright and not all that happy to have other things to do other than be with them as he went off to the office and got straight to work. Around noon his brother came in, "Hey Temari already replied, she wants you to meet up with her along the way to make the trip shorter and she is bringing Shikadai. Shikamaru is away on some mission." From the look on Gaara's face Kankuro could tell he isn't fond of the idea but seemed to be considering it.
'If I want to stand a chance at gaining Kagome's affections against other admirers then I need her here sooner and Shikadai is still quite young,' he reasoned.
"She wrote they would be leaving at dawn so they have already left," he added in there and handed him the letter.
"I will leave shortly," he wasn't fond of being gone so long but he wants his sister here and not leave her trekking with a young child. Gaara checked on his son and Kagome finding them resting as usual. Turning back around he prepared to head on out seeing it is already past noon. With a full day of travel ahead of him he left his brother in charge. The trip was quiet with him well occupied in thought on his way to find them likely at the border area of the Land of River and the Land of Fire. He spent around 16 hours traveling before he found them. Greeting his sister and nephew he was thanked repeatedly by Shikadai due to his dislike of the constant walking. After he summed up his life since they last spoke, Shikadai was content to lie on the sand watching them zoom over the landscape with the clouds overhead. Temari held off on the talk of what she is all coming for. Kankuro wouldn't elaborate on the relationship so she was left trying to guess what is going on that he was tight lipped.
'Leave it to my brothers; I can only imagine what occurred since I have a sudden birth announcement and no knowledge of Gaara even holding interest in another. This better be repairable,' she took a studious look at her youngest brother. 'He is going to be worn out by the time he can rest.'
Gaara was wiped out by the time they reached Suna, showed them the room Kagome and the baby are in, ate, and then parted ways for the night. He finally fell asleep just before 8 P.M. on the fourth day. Gaara was found sound asleep on the couch to the point even visitors and his son couldn't wake him. Kagome hadn't known about the long trip so was surprised to see him in such a state. Not until over 12 hours after he lay down did she manage to be awake and greet his siblings a little after 8:30 A.M., just finding out he has a sister that came from out of town. They didn't stay all that long due to Gaara and the baby sleeping but she wasn't alone for long.
Filing into the room was three older men that didn't realize the Kazekage returned or has been out like a light for so long. She recognized them from the other visit they gave her while Gaara was apparently away from the village. If felt like they were fishing for information and backing her into a corner and she really wished Gaara would wake or another would stop in. These kinds of situations made her feel very uncomfortable, she isn't good at dancing around words, she is only good about being honest and speaking from the heart.
'Does Gaara know or is he part of this… maybe I should have said something to his siblings,' she tried to pretend they don't make her nervous but veiling her feelings has never been her forte. "Hello," she greeted them and watched one fetch a nurse for a wheelchair.
"Lovely morning Kagome," Tojuro quietly replied. "I see Lord Gaara returned. We thought you could use some fresh air and company."
A nurse came in there and after they stepped out, helped her get presentable and into the wheelchair after unhooking her from the machine. 'If Gaara had anything to do with this they wouldn't have visited while he was away and now be holding the conversation elsewhere. What are they after,' she needed to figure it out. With the power they hold in the village they were able to walk right out of the hospital with her. Instead of staying outside they wheeled her just outside the entrance and suddenly they had her transported to the top of the Kazekage Office building and then inside a room after a few hand signs. Seeing a couple windows opened up for this 'fresh air' she could have rolled her eyes.
"There, now that we won't disturb the Kazekage's rest we can talk. Now we have a few questions since you have little background in the files and are the mother to a child whose father is part of a powerful family and also the Kazekage. Even his siblings have held powerful positions if not still holding them. Just tell us a little about you like family, education, and special abilities," Tojuro instructed of her, keeping it seemingly simple.
"Well I lived with both of my parents until I was five. I don't remember what my father did for work but he and my grandmother died around the same time while my mom was pregnant with my little brother, Souta. We moved to my grandfather's shrine and on my fifteenth birthday, 10 years later, we discovered I hold the powers of a priestess so I was trained when possible by the priestess Kaede from Edo." She learned this from Miroku, telling the truth but leaving things out without it looking that way. Hopefully they won't catch on to this tactic. "During that time an evil man with dark powers was causing trouble for many and it eventually came down to me and his various enemies to hunt him down. He tended to go into hiding while making devious plots until he gained the knowledge of my pregnancy. The day I gave birth was the same day I defeated him so he wouldn't be able to bring about more destruction. As for my education I know science, ancient history, math, a few languages, and other more general skills. I use a bow for a weapon; I can use sutras, and other various priestess skills including healing."
Once it was all written down they were still given an unclear picture on who she is and Tojuro wasn't fond of this possible diluting of the blood. "So I take it you are not a user of chakra or from a ninja clan?"
"That is correct," she answered.
"Kagome," he started out and she knew this is where things will get interesting, "I am unsure what you know about the ninja system and clans like Lord Gaara's. With one that holds such strong power and abilities it is in the best interest of the clan and the village to keep it going. Since you and Lord Gaara are not together nor do you appear to be going that route he will likely accept an arranged marriage with another clan. These situations can get sticky with other factors included and if the truth got out about you and the child it could have serious consequences that could affect the whole village. It wouldn't take much for you to be targeted and used against the Kazekage. Should you stay here then it would be best to marry the two of you and establish constant protection which will leave you confined to the village for the rest of your life…" he paused to let that sink in, "but if you choose to go then Lord Gaara can find a suitable wife from a respected clan that will be able to provide for anything the child needs and no one will ever learn about the real biological mother and other problems will be avoided. It is difficult for Lord Gaara to bring these matters to light when he never wishes to cause anyone upset, rather shoulder the burden alone but being we are members of the council and need to look out for the welfare of the village and help the Kazekage, we thought it best to explain all of this so you don't make a blind decision." Adding one last thing to tip the scale he said, "I know he wanted to be honorable and marry you to not tarnish your reputation and basically do what is right but it was a short sighted solution. He was unable to see the whole picture of how hard it would be on him in the long run. On a day to day basis he is responsible for many tough decisions. The one his father had to make for the sake of the village caused Lord Gaara to be born premature, more so than his son, and lose his wife, Karura. The life of a ninja cannot be based on love. Our children are raised at young to learn jutsu that will kill a person someday. He wouldn't want you to be sullied with grief over these kinds of things. Our Kazekage works hard to make up for his own bloodstained past and murderous tendencies. In a way caring for you is like atoning for the death of his mother, maybe even uncle. I just worry about how much more he can handle," he slipped to a sympathetic tone.
She already knew she shouldn't trust them but even as stretched as this could be, a sliver of truth can be found. They have now fed her three options; marry Gaara, leave without her son, or leave with her son. They made staying the most unappealing meaning they want her gone. Naraku and Miroku prepared her for all of these minds games and clever tactics. Somehow she doubts leaving the village with her son is an option and it sounded like a trap to permanently get rid of her and maybe their son. These are traditional thinking men and if Gaara was such a person his actions would have been different. She hates mind games but she can figure this out. "You really are right. Ninja endure more than others will ever give credit. It might be best I consult with the head of the Higurashi Line, I'm not sure if they would be happy if I didn't. My own powers run strong enough through his veins that they might name him the successor and arrange a marriage to keep our line going strong. Thank you for pointing this out, would that be all then," she asked innocently enough that they couldn't figure out if she is bluffing or not.
"That should be all for now miss Kagome, thank you for taking our words into consideration." It didn't take long and they had her back in the hospital where she successfully got into bed without help. The whole thing exhausted her and not too surprisingly Gaara was still fast asleep in the same position. By the time Kankro and Temari got in the room after searching for her everywhere she was already in dreamland. They were tempted to wake her but saved it for later instead. Something is going on, how else would she just vanish and appear again.
At noon for lunch they missed her again but this time she had an appointment with the doctor but didn't return until after two then rested beyond supper. With Gaara finally awake for the day Temari finally asked, "Now what is going on? The first I hear of this is after she already gave birth and she is not sporting a ring. You two better spit it out so I can do damage control."
"Man Temari," Kankuro rubbed his neck, "let me start things out. I met Kagome when she first came to the village. I approved her temporary citizenship and even helped her find work. After a couple months of always seeing her working, playing with kids, or doing something nice for someone I thought she looked lonely and sad but she wouldn't open up about her problems. With her being like that it made me think of Gaara and I managed to get them both out to a bar on the same night then after I had seen them both have a couple drinks I introduced them. Nothing seemingly happened after that I thought."
She turned to Gaara with a demanding look to just what did happen since it is obvious something had to have happened at some point. "I began watching her after she was on the paper for new citizens but knew already she was only staying temporarily. You could say I grew an interest in her. I already knew a lot about her by the time we met and she picked up on Kankuro's motives. She didn't want a relationship because she had no plans on staying. All night while I was there I found no attraction or interest in anyone but Kagome and-," he stopped with red cheeks. It was bad enough that night to take a shot in the dark and ask her but now he is telling his siblings.
"And-," she wasn't letting this go.
"Seeing her that night aroused me, it was the first time it happened rather than it just being hormones. I asked her for a strictly sexual relationship and after much hesitating and sipping our drinks she finally agreed after I began to leave. We both shed our virginities that night. We never kissed, chatted, or stayed the night. After work I would see if she is interested then use body flicker to go straight to my bedroom from her apartment. Once done she would gather her clothes and I would take her back without a word. By day I would watch her whether it was with my own eyes or with the third eye technique and I longed for more but did nothing, deciding to be content I occupied her nights instead of letting another man. Someday she would be gone and there wouldn't be time for a goodbye so I didn't want to feel pain or loss when she did but I had anyways. Months of spending nearly every night… I will leave off there. I regret not trying to be more with her but she disappeared so I focused my energy into training instead." His sister was not happy but then he included what he knows about her now and the meeting with the council.
"You two really messed up," she sighed.
"Temari she is a beautiful person to me, the only one I have been interested in. How do I gain her affections? If I don't do something soon I won't stand a chance." He looked at his sister hoping she knows how he can build something more from here.
"Why wouldn't you stand a chance," his siblings were both confused even though it was Temari that voiced it.
"How often have I ever interacted with a woman in such a way? What am I supposed to say or do," he was being honest; he really isn't all that sure. "Most of her admirers before could easily walk right up to her and even get her to laugh."
"You feel inept because of your social skills I take it," she thought it over and though he has gotten much better compared to way back when they were instructors at the academy, he still isn't quite where others are at since he is always locked up in that office building. "She is pretty and sounds like a good person if not very caring. Tonight we begin so I hope you're ready. By the time she is out of the hospital we will get her to agree to have dinner with you and I will even help you set up a nice night where you two can talk privately. No sex Gaara. If you two even start getting carried away just say you want to focus on getting to truly know her. Just speak honestly about your soft feelings for her and tell her why. Tell her what you like about her, what made her stand out from all the rest. Make sure you let her know there has always been more than physical attraction."
He nodded seriously and was set to learn what he can so he can hopefully make the right impression on Kagome. Late into the night he gained etiquette lessons from his sister along with tips on what most girls like and what a couple might do on a date in different stages. Temari drilled in all sorts of knowledge into his brain and he started feeling his nervousness increase at trying to remember all of this. Before he left his brother's place he turned around with his cheeks growing pink and took his hand off the door. "I or she needs help with something else."
Furrowing her brow she wasn't sure what this could be now. "This should be interesting, what is it?"
"She needs clothes, I bought her a standard Suna dress but she doesn't have the other things. She destroyed her clothes to swaddle up our son," he really hoped she will do this.
"You have no problem having sex with her but you're too embarrassed to buy her a bra and underwear," she looked at him seriously but inside she was laughing, 'I can't think of a man that wouldn't be embarrassed.'
"Temari lighten up will ya. It will be the front of the papers if Gaara is found shopping for a woman's bra and underwear. Besides we have no clue what size she is, the whole thing is foreign to us… we already tried figuring it out," now they were both blushing.
Finally cracking a smile she did relent, "This is so funny… you two trying to shop for a woman… at least it was a nice thought but leave it to me. I will take her out after she is released from the hospital. Get some rest Gaara; you will have a long day ahead of you tomorrow."
"Thank you Temari and Kankuro, I will see you in the morning," he turned the knob and headed out the door.
Early the next morning Kagome felt her breasts being really tender. "Kagome, you look like you're in pain," Miu her current nurse said.
"Yeah my breasts hurt," she felt her cheeks heat up from mentioning that part of her anatomy.
"Let me just have a glance," she came right over and undid the top tie to her gown then pulled it just enough to see how swollen they are. "It is the milk since you haven't been breast feeding as much. How about a warm shower, it well help ease it up a bit and maybe your little guy will be hungry by the time you are done."
"Could I take one then," she would like a shower anyways.
"Yes let me see if you have stuff to wash up with then we will get you set. Have you had breakfast yet today, the doctor will be wanting you to weigh in before you eat anything so we have an accurate weight for you," she bustled around and headed into the bathroom to check the cabinets and pull things out for her.
"No I haven't yet, I was too tired earlier. Why have I been so fatigued," she had never been so worn out in her life as she has been in the last week.
Miu came back out of the room already having the shower at a nice temp for her. "Well you came in with heavy blood loss, were malnourished, post birth, and dehydrated. From what they could tell you had used a lot of power too in your weakened state, which had caused additional stress. You were also giving your son your life energy so until we are certain you are back on the mend you will have to be at the hospital where we can keep good tabs on you. Each day though you have been doing better, we will have to start going for walks to keep you progressing. Any longer out there with your son and you would have been in a coma or worse."
"Oh so I will probably be here for a while then," she really didn't think about all of that.
"Yes at least a week. I imagine Lord Gaara will be in here or his siblings, they will likely wish to spend time with you both today. They were looking for you yesterday morning and then missed you when you were at the appointment and you were sleeping when they came in around supper time. Where had you been yesterday morning, I started my shift at 8:30 but didn't make it to your room until a little after 9?" She was one of the first they approached and were near ready to wake Lord Gaara up and had checked nearly every room in the hospital for her.
"Oh the council wanted to speak with me," she frowned in remembrance. "They had me in a room at the Kazekage building next door."
'The council… shouldn't they just be leaving her for Lord Gaara to speak with?' Not willing to pry she did make a note of it and checked to see who was on the floor tending to her but didn't see a name. "What nurse did you have?"
"I don't recall her name but I had never seen her before. They just grabbed someone off the floor to get me setup so they can wheel me out in a wheelchair," she explained for her.
"You shouldn't be out of the hospital or getting off the machine. I can't really do much since this is the council but still they shouldn't just be taking our patients as they please. For your health I will speak with them should they stop by again," she could at least explain why she shouldn't be removed and the tizzy they sent everyone in when she went missing. "Next time they should just speak to you right here."
Thinking over the conversation they had she fiddled with the fabric of her hospital gown. "I think the whole purpose was to…" she trailed off and shook her head. "Never mind, I shouldn't just come up with rash assumptions."
Looking down at her patient she could see something is bothering her and it is due to the council but she really isn't sure what. "Should you ever feel like speaking just let me know or at least speak with Lord Gaara or his siblings, I'm certain they will hear out anything troubling you."
"Yes I plan to we just, as you pointed out, missed each other multiple times. Maybe today I can stay awake longer. Am I able to have any caffeine like coffee," she hoped that will help her stay with it today.
"Sorry dear but the doctor wants you resting as much as your body needs so you have a strong recovery. Now let me see your arm and I will get you off these things for the time being," she soon had her unattached to everything and with a few slow steps Kagome was able to gain her strength to walk right into the bathroom. "While you shower I will get the bedding changed," she walked out of the bathroom leaving the door mostly shut. "Oh before you get in we should get you weighed quickly," she followed her in and after a few seconds on the scale she jotted it down. "Enjoy," she left the bathroom once again.
"Thank you Miu," her voice slightly echoed in the bathroom as she shed her hospital gown, getting it into the hamper before stepping into the shower.
"You're welcome," she chirped back.
The shower was soothing, she felt so much nicer and the ache in her breasts diminished. Turning the temp up just a little she was thankful for all the products she was supplied with to wash up, shave, and then apply lotion when she toweled off. With a fan going she stood at the sink brushing her teeth and using the mouth wash before tending to her hair and applying deodorant. It was nice to feel so fresh and clean even if she is getting tired again. Not having a fresh hospital gown yet she wore a thick white one, tying it snug before making steps to get out of the bathroom. A soft murmuring of voices was on the other side and she felt dread at opening the door to seeing the council there and Miu not looking all that happy.
"You're looking better every day Kagome, nice to see you starting to get back on your feet," he could see she was starting to lean into the doorway of the bathroom looking tired already. They were over by the baby; more like Tojuro is holding her son at this moment. "He is little but not as small as his father was," he handed the child over to some man she had never seen before. "Kagome, this is Hoichi, a priest and ninja of Suna. As it turns out your son does have strong abilities. We thought it might be nice to get you two acquainted with each other."
'Wait so now what are they up to.' She felt on guard and soon a buzzing sounded. Her main comfort was having Miu there but it looks like she is being called away.
"Kagome I would like you to sit down and get comfortable, you're looking pale again." She gently coaxed her over to the fresh bedding then got her set back up with the machine. It beeped a few times then began processing what her current vitals are. "Try to stay awake long enough for breakfast to come, I will be back soon," she hoped to be of some comfort and not leave her when she sensed a discomfort with these old council members visiting yet again.
Seeing her leave she knew their lips will loosen now most likely. "Have you thought any further over what we discussed yesterday morning?"
"No I was unable to yesterday," she answered not feeling prepared enough to be taking this on.
"Have you given thought about the future for your son then since I am sure he is on your mind," he began preparing to back her into a corner. 'Right now she is weak and tired; yesterday she was alert and nimble of mind. Before she gets any better it would be best to push her in any direction I prefer but is she going to be of use to us? According to Hoichi she is even stronger than him in terms of power. Building up his clan's power may be more beneficial to us than pushing a marriage with Gaara and at this point it would be a waste to let her leave the village after seeing her medical records. She can sustain life, she strengthened her son's life force and she could be what I need to keep my life force strong.' Seeing her on edge he figured it might be best to ease her up by giving her the child. "We thought it would be a good idea to present another option that might be of more comfort to you. Hoichi is the only priest we now have in this village and is well versed in things. With you hospitalized at this time we have kindly asked him to help you build up your strength after you are released from the hospital and he has agreed. I don't see anyone declining you becoming a member of this village but we also want your strength in a more special area rather than on the frontlines. Hoichi I'm sure the mother would like to hold her son, she likely hasn't had much chance to," he sent the man over to her.
He looked so serious, most people of the village are like that she noticed. "Thank you," she said quietly and was glad to hold her son while she tried to figure out what the council wants from her this time. "I will have to give that some thought, I have a lot on my mind that I haven't been able to make any conclusive decisions but thank you for the thought." It did sound quite nice but she is guessing they have an agenda; no she is sure they do but what is it this time?
Just as Hoichi stepped back the door opened to her room with Gaara, his nephew, and his siblings standing there with a few bags, none of them were pleased. Even more Gaara felt on edge seeing the ninja that tried to assassinate him so close to his son and love interest. "I had not been aware you were having a meeting with Kagome," he moved to go over by the couch where he set down what they brought with, the smell of food along with it going to the table.
"Yes since she is a priestess we thought it a good idea to introduce Hoichi to her and see how strong your son is in that area," he tried to make light of things while cursing internally that the Kazekage is on to them at this point.
"I never mentioned she is a priestess to you," he faced them as he stood next to the two and took over the conversation for her benefit as she is being targeted by them for something, they have an agenda.
"We had looked at her files, it is all in there," he figured that should buy him some time.
His siblings could see Gaara must have caught them in a lie by his deep frown and he does not care for liars. "How would you have seen her file if I have kept it in my possession this entire time updating it personally myself?"
He had them there but they were still not beat. "We must have duplicates because I have been looking over one and getting her set to become a member of the village."
"I already have the paperwork in the most accurate file, the one my brother created back when she had temporary citizenship and I have continued to update it. Any business you have with Kagome should be spoken with me present and not while she is recovering in the hospital with our son." Kagome felt so thankful they showed up this time so he can see for himself that she is being bothered by them. Looking down at their son she has wanted to speak about naming him, doing it together. "If you have business speak with me when I return to the office, at this time I am sitting to have breakfast with my family."
"Yes Lord Gaara, please excuse us," they began to shuffle out of the room with a nervous Hoichi who hasn't had much contact with the Kazekage since he attempted to assassinate him for the council. Not until today did he know the young Lord of the village has a woman and child.
"They are still up to something, I thought you informing them you already have a child had put the brakes on whatever they have in mind," Kankuro looked over at Gaara.
"Apparently not but Ebizu has yet to take their side. Kagome how many time have they spoken to you," he felt concerned that they might be ruining his chances of being with her.
"This is the third time," she could see Gaara and his siblings look upset at that.
"When and where have they been holding these talks," he wasn't about to let them push her around or anything. They need to just leave his personal life alone.
"The first time was when you were away from the village and they stayed here, the second time was yesterday morning, they took me to a room in your office building because you were sleeping on the couch, and now today," she finished with that portion and could see he is going to want all the details of those talks.
Leaving it alone for now he looked over at his sister seeing her get the table ready with the food. "We will speak later about this. Would you like me to adjust the bed or have you eaten already?"
"Miu said she would be back with breakfast in a little bit, that was about ten minutes ago now. Would you mind adjusting it to how it was the last time we spoke?" Having company sounded nice even though her energy is dwindling away. Looking down at their son she felt Gaara rest a hand on her shoulder as he was able to watch her spend time with the infant. Giving him a soft smile she looked up at Gaara. "We haven't named him yet."
"You called him a miracle child. Ebizu had mentioned that Kei and Kichiro are names of similar meaning," he relayed back the meanings of those two names.
"Do you like, Kichiro? He is our lucky son," they were watched by his siblings. The moment they all walked into the room she had looked so relieved but it was obvious having Gaara right there had quelled her nerves even more as he easily took the attention off of her. The level of protectiveness they could read that Gaara holds should make it clear to the council he sees her as more than just some woman he once had sex with.
"Kichiro is a good name, I like it," he agreed even though he likes Kei as well. "Kagome, would you prefer the food of the hospital or what we brought along? We tried to keep it mostly healthy for your benefit."
"If Miu doesn't mind I will have whatever you brought," she could smell it from here.
Walking over to Kagome, Temari already had a plate filled with a variety of food. "Thought you might say that," she rolled the tray over the bed and Gaara received their son to lie down in the rolling crib he pushed back over by her. "We have some other things as well for you but we can get to that later."
"Thank you Temari," she watched as Kankuro came in the room with Miu. She came over to see what she is eating and pretended to try and walk off with the plate making Kagome grin.
"I see you are looking better. Do Lord Gaara and the rest of them know about your visit?" She asked just to be sure.
"Yes, they walked in shortly after you had to leave. Oh Miu, we decided on a name," she looked up at Gaara so he could tell her.
Perking up as she looked his way she heard, "Kichiro, it means 'lucky son," he felt better having this done together, it made him feel like they are together. At least they get along well and he hopes it lasts.
"He is a lucky boy indeed. I will get his paperwork filled out with it on there. Oh and Kagome, here is your vitamins, I will be in again later with the results of the tests from yesterday. Kichiro can also go home at any time but if you would prefer he can remain here. This just goes to show how lucky he really is," she looked over at the adorable little infant.
"Okay, thank you Miu," she took the vitamins and set them aside. Shortly after Miu left the room and everyone sat down to eat.
"Kagome do you have any hobbies or interests," Temari asked her. She has every intention of getting her together with Gaara.
"Well-," she tried to think of anything. 'What did I used to do and enjoy?' You would think it is a simple question but she found it difficult to answer. "I- uh…" she could have called sex a hobby or sex with Gaara but she doubted that would be a suitable answer.
"Kagome this really shouldn't be that hard of a question," Kankuro looked up at her from his plate and gave her a grin in encouragement.
"I used to learn about herbs. Lady Kaede, the priestess of Edo tried to help me with my powers and between her and my friend Jinenji I have a lot of knowledge on medicinal herbs but I really don't know if they still exist, not the ones I know. I studied a lot; in my era education was a huge thing so I focused on finishing my general schooling as much as I could. In the past it was more about survival and doing your duties. Demons roamed the earth at that time and the humans were always at war. Coming from an era of technology and education it was different needing to run for your life on a near daily basis and learn things as quickly as you can. I also did a lot of campfire cooking and if I couldn't return home for a hot bath then I was craving a trip to a hot spring." Taking a few bites of her food she thought things over carefully as she understood they wanted to get to know her.
"Was your technology more advanced than ours," Temari asked trying to picture what her era looked like.
"Yes although I would say you are maybe only a decade behind… possibly more since our era also focused on transportation, material goods, and celebrities… things that would likely make you guys laugh or feel disappointed… I don't know but everywhere you went was basically some form of technology. People talked on a phone… which I haven't seen here, used computers, fancy watches, and were very focused on money and entertainment. My friends were always focused on boys, something I didn't really share and demons, powers… those kinds of things were either things of the past or make believe." Being exposed to so much more and learning how to survive through hard times had made her feel more like an outcast of society even if she didn't look the part.
"Wait did anyone know about you having this quest, being a priestess and all that," she felt like that era was more along the lines of naïve than anything.
Her hidden life… "Just my family, anyone else would have considered me crazy and if I proved them wrong then I'm sure I would have been at the mercy of some crazy doctor or scientists wanting to experiment on me and use me for research… at least that is what I pictured so I decided to keep my second life a secret and be dubbed 'sick girl.' That was what people thought that I was just constantly sick, not fighting demons 500 years into the past."
This was a clear insight to the life she had led before coming here… a double life. They may not speak about their missions all the time but they don't have to lead a double life. 'This is her chance to learn to enjoy life, get back to the simple things. Kagome and Gaara both could learn to take it easy as they raise Kichiro but I have to get her to live with him instead of alone. The council wouldn't dare tread upon Gaara's home, of that I am sure.' Finishing up her thoughts and swallowing her food she knew it would be good to bond with her as well. "You know, Gaara enjoys cultivating cacti for a hobby and the hospital has a greenhouse he could show you sometime."
He already knows what she is up to and he figured this is his chance to try and make more of a connection. "I keep the cacti in the windowsills of my kitchen and dining room. I know the basics to the most common of herbs in these parts in case they are needed. The greenhouse is reserved for hospital use only but it wouldn't be a problem to take you there if you would like to see it. It is located in the remaining portion of the oasis."
Everyone enjoyed the meal and light conversation that was often instigated by Temari. His siblings and nephew left ahead of him as he wished to spend more time with her and their son. With a cry Kichiro woke feeling hungry. Lifting him from the crib Gaara handed him over to Kagome and then shut the door for privacy before taking a seat on the couch trying to not stare at the exposed portion of her breasts as she was able to get him to suckle from it after a little difficulty. Glancing away from them with warm cheeks he felt aroused at the sight, it pleased him to see her caring for their child. Over the months she was gone he did his best to train but some nights it just wasn't enough and his mind would think back to all the nights he had this beautiful woman gracing his bed. Memories and thoughts like that have begun to hit him harder but were quelled with seeing her still in the hospital. It cannot be helped that he is undeniably attracted to her.
"Later on today after you have had more rest I would like to hear what the council is approaching you about. I'm sorry you are getting mixed up in other affairs," he rested with his elbows on his knees and hands folded, trying to keep his mind from thinking about anything inappropriate.
Relief came to her as Kichiro fed, decreasing the swelling and tenderness to her left breast at least. If she can manage to wake more for feedings it would help immensely. Gaara she noted was respectfully not staring at her, instead his cheeks looked a little pink but she wasn't sure why unless it involves her breastfeeding their son, something she just realized that he has never seen her do before. It wasn't the easiest to keep sleeping and sitting here day after day but it is better than running for her life or hearing cutting remarks. Hearing Gaara speak had pulled her from the various thoughts floating through her mind. She began to notice he has a comforting presence, at least to her he does. Hearing him bring up the council she thought maybe they will leave her be at this point. "I suppose it was bound to happen at some point. I'm not real sure what they are after now but I'm hoping this was the end of it. Are they always like this?"
"Not like this as in delving into my personal affairs. After you were brought into this room I had a meeting with the council. They were not happy that Temari is the only one who had a child and is now affiliated with another ninja village since that is where her husband and his clan reside, the Nara clan. They feel Konoha could use Shikadai to seize control of Suna but I don't see that ever happening, I personally have close ties with that village. After bringing up that I do in fact have a son and that you two are now in the hospital I figured that would have been the end of it but instead they kept to their old thinking. They had ideas of sending you from the village, arranging a marriage to you, and arranging a marriage to someone from Suna. I guess they have a list but I could care less, since when is my personal life any of their business? The council is there to help advise me when it comes to matters of the village but unfortunately much of it consists of old-fashioned thinkers. They can have great advice and do have a lot of experience but sometimes it becomes quite troubling." Thinking of the times they have schemed against him and made some very damaging calls he wished they could be more open minded.
'So they were already after Gaara before they were even aware of me. Gaara doesn't appear to be supportive of their lines of thinking or sudden intrusion.' Nothing could prepare her for all of this extra stuff but she knows Gaara is doing his best. 'What am I even going to do am I staying or leaving…' she still felt troubled by everything going on. "Maybe they just need reminding on what their position in the village is?"
"That is very likely. Kagome I have been thinking over things," he looked up at her. "I want a description of this Kikyo. If that threat is the main reason for the aversion you have in staying then I am taking care of it, personally if I have to." The surprise on her face faded after a couple minutes, she could hardly believe it bothers him this much.
Trying her best to formulate words in a description she couldn't believe what came out of her mouth. "Well she sort of looks like me," she informed him and remembered a couple times where she was mistaken for her and not just by InuYasha. "Her hair is straight and cut straight as well and she holds it with a white piece of fabric into a long pony tail. She carries a long bow and wears a white top and red pants, it is the outfit of a priestess in her time and mine. She actually has brown eyes, they are narrower than mine, no make-up, and her skin is paler. We are also the same height right now with her having a slender figure."
Taking in the description he said, "Sounds nothing like you," he looked at the light tan on her skin, her blue eyes, and wavy raven hair. In his mind's eye he can still picture her curves. His honest opinion is that Kagome is gorgeous and no one can compare. "I will take care of the rest for now," he could see Kagome wasn't expecting his previous words to come from his mouth, she must have had a lot of comparisons to this Kikyo person but he has drawn few similarities.
"Oh and she doesn't smile, her face is always neutral if not bitter or angry," she supplied, the words 'Die InuYasha,' echoing in her head as the scene played out from memory. It would be nice if Gaara stayed of the same opinion, for her to have someone who doesn't see her as anything like her or a copy of her feels really nice.
Sitting there thinking about the description he doubted that she will look all that similar to Kagome, not the way it sounded she meant. 'It must be the whole reincarnation thing,' he was certain Kagome didn't really like the thought of them being similar in looks. "After a sketch is drawn up I will have it brought here for you to give your say on its likeness to her."
"Okay," she felt Kichiro pull away and give a cry, her signal she learned while on the border is his way of saying, 'Mama your empty, switch boobs,' she smiled and got him happily feeding on the other side instead. "Isn't he something," she looked down at her little son. "He is so small and sweet," her soft voice caught his ears and drew his gaze to them.
'Is this how my mom looked at me – the affection of a mother,' he could almost imagine his mom being like this right here. "A son should always have the love of their mother," he kept his eyes trained on the little bit of red hair he could see. "The only thing a parent needs to do is trust in their children. That's all… And that in itself has true value," he quoted words that his father had said before he sealed him.
Kagome stared at him, listening to his words and having a feeling that there is something more to his thoughts than thinking of them as parents. Looking back down at their son she knew he will be great, he will be Kichiro and she will always love him just as a parent should. He didn't expand on what he said and she didn't ask. Life will just continue on as it will but for Kagome she felt torn and the longer she stayed the more she was torn between leaving to protect her son and staying because she never wants to leave him. 'It is also the duty of a parent to love their son – but,' she looked over at the young Kazekage she had created this child with, 'should I also trust in his father? It is my burden to carry and he has so much already on his plate, would it be right to let him take this on as well? Gaara, I know what you want me to do but what is the right thing to do?'
Slowly Kagome grew sleepy and Gaara decided to hold him for a while until his diaper needs changing and he falls asleep. "Get some rest Kagome, I will be back at lunch," he pulled the covers up. Feeling the slight weight of Kichiro in his arms it was comforting having a baby, that little being relying and trusting in you is an indescribable feeling. Relaxing back down on the couch he got comfortable while trying to think about the future.