It Was Just Sex: Version 2
Chapter 6
The lunch hour came and Kagome roused to the smell of lunch in the room. Gaara had a tray table that he setup at the couch and dished food out for them to enjoy eating. Kichiro had already woken her recently for another feeding so it didn't take much to reawake her this time. "Lunch already," she covered a yawn.
"Yes, I brought a variety for us to enjoy," he set the dishes for her on the rolling tray table before wheeling it to cover her lap. "I have water and green tea for drinking; I wasn't sure what you would prefer."
"You didn't have to go to all this trouble for me," she watched him put the rest away for the time being over on the table.
"I want to spend more time with you and Kichiro. Normally I eat in my office but I enjoy this more," he finally sat down and began to dig in. "Change can be a good thing," he let her think about that. No one could ever say he doesn't enjoy this change in his life; they would be lying if they did.
Another hint dropped by him, she has been catching all of them and she gets the picture. Gaara and his siblings are of the same mind, they want her around and likely living with him. From what she can tell the council is against a relationship between them and now that she thinks about it, they are likely trying to turn her into another pawn. Meeting Hoichi, the last priest they have and intending on having them near each other in the future makes her think they are going to try and push her into being with him due to their powers but what good are they in this era? Is she missing something? "Gaara," she watched him chew his food before swallowing as he gave her his attention, "do you still have demons in this era?"
"I'm not sure what constitutes a demon, do they have a different genetic makeup or is it a loose term used to describe what people consider a monster," he asked in return.
"Well they have youki, a demonic aura whereas I have miko-ki and a pure aura. It is like light and dark in a way. They have many races like dog demons, cat demons, oni, and so on. If I used my power on a demon it would either seriously injure it or purify it to ash completely." That was the best description she could give him.
"We have chakra beasts and animal summons but I do not think any of them are demons to my knowledge," the topic seemed to be closed with his answer and her inability to sense any demons. Her mind turned towards her thoughts as she ate, he decided to wait and see if she will share what is on her mind at this point.
Neither had much to talk about and the silence wasn't noticed by Kagome but bothered Gaara. He knows that he should be trying to strike up a conversation with her, learn more about her and growing a bond but he wasn't sure what to even ask about. She is starting to look healthier and more awake every day. It might only be a few days until they deem her able to be released. That also meant he has only those few days to make a good enough impression to try and convince her to live with him rather than alone. It took years for him to get this far with his reputation; he has more like hours to change things with them.
That day was a lot of falling asleep and waking up all the way into the early hours of the morning. At supper the night before Kagome gave her recount of the three visits from the council and felt confident that they will be leaving her alone for now. That is what she thought…
She slept in and missed having breakfast with the others and is just now finishing up. Miu has been helping her get on her feet more and after being shown the clothing that was picked out for her by the sand siblings she was happy to wash up and finally wear clothes, not just a hospital gown. A rocking chair was brought in where she could sit there unattached to the machines with Miu in the room to keep tabs on her and be of company. The two had begun to become friends even though Kagome was still keeping some distance from everyone. Today will be a test for her as she gained a surprise visitor knocking on the doorframe.
With a beautiful kimono, a get well basket, and hair all dolled up she had no clue who this person is or why they are here. "Are you Lady Kagome," their voice chimed, very lovely to hear just as they are lovely to see.
"Yes I am," she looked at Miu confused. "May I ask who you are," she tried and watched her walk in full of elegance and charm, sitting the basket on the table.
"Oh I thought you were aware of my visit," she looked so innocent, it was hard to believe they are the same age from appearance.
"I am Lady Cho from the Kaze clan," she introduced with a bow. "The heads of my clan and the elders of the village have begun the proceedings between Lord Gaara and me having an arranged marriage. I know this joining is unusual with his son involved but we are more than happy to accept him. Being you are the biological mother I wished for you to get to know me to quell any fears you might have with him being taken in to be raised by another."
Grip slightly tightening on her son, Miu stood next to Kagome as they both felt like a bucket of cold water has been doused on them. Neither knew about this turn in events and Kagome felt like her heart was being ripped out. She thought it was her choice. Kichiro may never know how his mother's heart began to break. Lowering her eyes she wasn't sure what to do, this is her son, not this woman's before her. "I guess they forgot to notify me," she said quietly.
Cho looked at her surprised, taking notice to the sad mother in front of her. "I'm sorry Lady Kagome; I hadn't known you were uninformed about all this. It was my understanding that all parties involved had agreed."
Miu stepped forward, "I think it is best she be left alone, stress isn't good for her condition."
"Condition," she studied her and wasn't sure if she is coming to the right conclusion. "I'm sorry I hadn't been aware of this either. I will take my leave, I'm sorry Lady Kagome, it wasn't in my intention to cause any harm." Leaving the basket behind she walked outside the door and after pausing out of sight she heard her begin to sob.
"Kagome this might not even be true, I'm not saying Lady Cho is a liar but I doubt Lord Gaara would be so cruel to push you out of the picture. He joined you for every meal yesterday and has been here plenty," she tried to reason with the upset mother. "All parties were not informed since you didn't know. You should speak with Lord Gaara, I'm sure this can all be easily explained away."
Tissue was handed to her and with a drink of water she tried to calm down. "What is wrong with me that I can't help raise my own son? Gaara was just here yesterday getting a description of the woman out for my life, he has only spoke about Kichiro having both parents. I'm a stranger here and have nothing to offer Kichiro outside of my love… I just thought after yesterday that I could really create a life in Suna. Miu what am I to do if this is true," she looked up at her with heartbreaking eyes.
A sad look passed on her face. 'Lord Gaara wouldn't do this would he? Maybe this is just some big misunderstanding?' Guiding her to get up and lay back down in bed, needing to keep tabs on her vitals now that she has become upset she began getting her hooked up. "Fight it I guess, I mean I still can't see this as being true, not with how much Lord Gaara and his family has been here but hasn't said a thing of it. For now just don't come to any certain conclusion at least until you speak with him. He might not have been aware any of this is going on."
"You are right; I should at least see what he has to say. This doesn't fit with anything he has said, I mean he had been requesting I live with him rather than alone." The energy she did have was beginning to be sucked back out of her. "I love Kichiro," she rested on her side with the small baby still in her hold.
"I know you do, you did all you could and sacrificed much to get him this far. Just get some rest, that is what is best for you right now," she watched Kagome's blood pressure begin to drop.
"Thank you Miu," she mumbled then kissed Kichiro on his little head.
An hour after noon Gaara walked down the hallway with lunch in hand as he hoped Kagome might not have eaten yet. Further down the hall was his siblings and nephew. Just before he entered the room his name was called. Looking down towards nurses' station he could see Miu making her way over to him. "Miu is something wrong," he could see she looks nervous.
"Before you go in can I speak with you a little away from the room?" Her request was small so he headed towards his siblings letting her speak whatever is on her mind when they reached them. "This morning Kagome had a visitor neither of us expected. Lady Cho of the Kaze clan came in speaking of an arranged marriage to you and essentially Kagome being ousted from the picture of raising Kichiro. It isn't my business what happens from here but as her nurse I cannot have my patient so upset, it could hurt the health she recovered and set her back."
Each of them gained a noticeable looking scowl at the news. "I had not been aware of this. From here on the only visitors allowed are us unless they receive permission from me directly. Thank you Miu," he headed on into the room seeing Kagome sleeping with their son still with her. Miu had followed him in and instead of upsetting Kagome further he turned to her. "Had you been there for the whole interaction?"
"Yes sir," she answered.
"I wish to know of all details," he requested shutting the door.
"Gaara it is obvious the council is just trying to keep you two separated. They don't care about your happiness or any of theirs; they are just looking at what good you three will be to the village. It isn't far-fetched that they might be trying to push her into being with Hoichi instead to strengthen the power the village has in priests and priestesses." Kankuro had the agreement of his two siblings supporting his idea of what is going on.
Miu got all of their eyes on her and she took that as her cue to get speaking. "Kagome had been in the chair rocking Kichiro having a nice morning when Lady Cho knocked on the door with this basket in hand. After confirming she is speaking with Kagome she gave a full introduction saying the heads of her clan and the council had begun the proceedings in an arranged marriage with you. She came by so Kagome could get to know her and quell any fears since her clan is happy to accept Kichiro and she would be the one raising Kichiro instead of Kagome. After realizing Kagome had no knowledge of this she apologized and left shortly after, she had been told all parties agreed to it. This as you can imagine had upset Kagome and I encouraged her to rest instead of just growing more upset thinking about it." They could all see her eyes are still slightly puffy from crying.
As upsetting as this is Gaara took it as a sign that Kagome might be planning to not fight him on staying here in Suna. Deciding lunch for him can wait he turned to his sister, "Temari will you stay here with her until I return, I wish for Kankuro to accompany me while I confront the council. Later I will have to apologize to the clan for this deception."
"No problem, I will dish out Shikadai's food and reassure Kagome should she wake," she accepted it. Looking over at who might someday be her sister-in-law she felt bad that all this is happening. "No one will get past me," she watched her youngest brother nod then head off with Kankuro, shutting the door behind them. "Just in case something does happen while we are not here, Gaara is trying to romance her… he just isn't good with romance so that is where I come in. I hope this at least proves to them that he should have contacted me months ago when he became interested in her, it could have prevented the turmoil. Do you have brothers Miu?"
"Yes, I have three," she smiled. "The older two are already shinobi of Suna and the youngest is still in the academy. The older two are not the best in the romance department but my youngest has some admirers… he is a bit of a lady's man," she giggled.
"Then you know my pain or might someday," she smirked and then set about getting Shikadai food.
Shikadai sat in a chair and asked, "Was dad a lady's man?"
"No way, it would have been too much energy even if he had the skill," Temari scoffed and knew her son is just as lazy as his father. "Thankfully he isn't nearly as lazy as he used to be but he really intrigued me at being a genius under that lazy exterior."
"You are speaking of Shikamaru from Konoha," Miu was surprised that the kunoichi would marry a man like that.
"Yes, I married that lug head. He sent word of being on his way to Suna and I felt tempted to ask Gaara to get him as well but I doubt he would want to with all of this going on so I am sure Gaara will include him in being able to visit at will." It would have been nice if he was already here but all of this needs to be taken care of right away. Over on the bed Kichiro stirred and gave a short cry. It must have been at the right pitch to gain his mother's attention because she stirred as well. Finishing up with dishing out his food she let him dig in and went with Miu to greet Kagome. "Kagome," she looked down into the drowsy expression of the woman. "Hey before you get upset, what was said earlier is not true. Gaara already left with Kankuro to chew the council out for doing this and will be apologizing to the Kaze clan for the false arrangement."
Focusing in on her words she reflected over Lady Cho's visit and started to feel relieved at hearing this from Temari. "Why does the council have a problem with me?"
"The council cares not about the happiness of others, just what will benefit the village the most. We are guessing they were going to push you into an arranged marriage with Hoichi and apparently Gaara with Lady Cho due to the individual abilities of everyone. No one is allowed to visit with you unless given permission from Gaara. He is quite mad they upset you." She could see Kagome looked quite worn out still. "Get some rest; we will wake you when he returns to have lunch with you."
She mumbled a quiet, "Okay," and drifted back to sleep.
Hastily a meeting with the council was called, his brother in attendance but it was instead held in Gaara's office where he has every intention of leaving an impression he had never wanted to make but if it means having the future he wants then he will do it. They shuffled in seeing the Kazekage looking like he is brooding with a dangerous edge to his eyes. Ebizu approached sensing the bad mood he is in. "Lord Gaara you called for all of us."
"Yes Honored Ebizu," he said, his brother standing behind him to the right with a scowl on his face as well. "I thought when I announced the birth of my son and revealed my secret lover it would have been enough to stop this nonsense but now I have learned members of the council have been arranging a marriage between me and Lady Cho of the Kaze clan while kicking Kagome out of the picture with our son. I will be personally apologizing to the clan but if anyone wishes to step forward and reveal their involvement in this deception then do so now or I will find out another way. Lady Cho showing up at the hospital with this news had greatly upset Kagome and now I have damage control to do. Your plans as well to push her into a marriage with Hoichi will not be happening; you will have to successfully assassinate me if you want to bully her around in anything. From here on out no member of the council is to approach her or my child without my permission or presence," he let his aqua eyes pierce them waiting for one to step forward.
"Lord Gaara I had dropped this arranged marriage suggestion at a previous meeting," Ebizu spoke up.
"Yes I am aware but Tojuro, Ikanago, and Joseki have approached her three times. Once while I was retrieving my sister and nephew, a second time a day after that, and a third the following morning where I caught them in there with Hoichi trying to course her into training with him and some 'special use' they found for her. I also caught them in a lie and have since confiscated a file they were creating on her in private," he held it up and knew some of the information she fed them wasn't entirely accurate and meant to mislead them. It proved to him she can be good at catching on to things and not handing out information. "No one wishes to fess up I see," he scanned each one of them as he let the sand swirl out of his gourd seeing a few grow nervous at the sign of it. "Very well, just remember, when I catch all those involved it will not take much for me to actually catch you being I control the sand at will. You are all dismissed," he narrowed his eyes on Tojuro in particular before noticing that of everyone leaving Ebizu stayed, not voicing anything until the door was shut with only the three remaining and the sand returning to the gourd.
"Lord Gaara you are aware I wish to retire soon," he watched him nod. "It might in fact be time for the new and younger generations to lead their way into the future instead of us old fools. With that being said I will support that those on the council behind all of this are punished and should no longer hold their positions. I recommend Sajo and Goza for my position, I am getting too old for all of this but I will always be there for Suna should you ever wish to speak."
"Are you planning on retirement sooner then," his face lost the angry edge, he does not feel Ebizu has anything to do with what is taking place.
"Yes, perhaps in a month or so. Once everything is cleared up I will likely step down. We are still short on members in the council so that has troubled me; I wouldn't know who to suggest to fill those seats at this point." He felt his age weighing down on him more ever since his sister left the living plane. His time could come soon but before he left he wanted to be of service to Suna in an honorable way one last time, going against their original decision.
"Kankuro, could you and Baki work on making a list of recommendations," he relaxed back.
"Yeah I could have it ready by the end of tomorrow," his mind buzzed with possible suggestions.
"Thank you Ebizu for having taken the mantle as head of the council. You and your sister, Lady Chiyo, have always done what you thought best for the village." He knows they are not always fond of what they have done but their intentions were always good.
"Thank you Lord Gaara for letting me return for a short time. It is time for this old man to take a rest, good day Lord Gaara and Kankuro," he took his leave as the room went silent.
Shifting Kankuro faced his brother, "Are you okay Gaara?"
"I will be, let's go eat. After that I would appreciate it if you joined me to see the Kaze clan," he requested of him.
"Yeah I will go," they both then headed on out going straight to the hospital.
Placing a pale hand on her bare arm Gaara gave her a small shake trying to rouse her awake. "Kagome it is time to eat lunch," he beckoned her to wake up. Miu was kind enough to warm the food up for them while Temari fed Kichiro a bottle so Kagome could rest longer.
"Five more minutes," she mumbled feeling like she hardly slept at all.
Seeing her nuzzle into the pillow trying to sleep further he felt a smidgeon bad but she needs to eat if she is to keep getting better. "No you already slept extra, you need to eat it is already two o'clock."
"Just eat for me," she gripped her pillow.
"Kagome," he lowered his tone and shook her again. "I guess I will eat the oden without you then," he watched her eyes snap open as he mentioned her favorite dish.
"Oden," she sat up quickly getting vertigo and dropping back to the mattress. "Uhhh woozy," she put a hand to her head.
Her antics tugged a smile to his lips. "I will bring it over."
"I guess we have seen what will get her into full gear," Kankuro laughed looking at Kagome trying to fight off the wave of dizziness.
"Not funny," she moaned and slowly sat back up, scooting further up the bed as Kankuro raised it while Gaara set a bowl of oden in front of her. "Thank you everyone," she felt better compared to this morning with that unexpected visitor.
Temari had informed them that she cleared the air with Kagome about the mess this morning but he still wishes to say something, make sure she hears it from his mouth as well. "Kagome about this morning," he stood next to her as she took careful sips of the hot soup.
She paused, freezing up at those words as she remembered that elegant woman with the bell like voice. "It is okay Gaara I just want to be around for our son," she felt it is her right to raise her own child not watch from afar as some other woman is called his mother, it would kill her. No she can't give up her child while living but she will die protecting him if it ever comes to that.
"After I speak with the Kaze clan and learn who was behind all of this on the council, they will be arrested and lose their positions. Just don't trust any information that involves them, they are old-fashioned and ridiculous, they are likely doing me a favor by losing these positions since they are closed minded in their thinking. I'm glad you plan on staying," he felt relieved that she must have decided to let him take care of Kikyo. "Could you look at that picture of Kikyo that was sketched?"
"Yes, I can do that," she swallowed back her anxiousness. He pulled out a picture from a folder and handed it over to her. The way she was drawn had actually been quite close but still off. "Does anyone have a pencil," she set it on her lap and moved her food aside. Gaara found one and handed it over so she can work on it. She added on to the bangs, corrected the eyes a little and drew in the white shirt and red cord necklace. Touching up the white fabric holding back her hair she handed it back over. "This is Kikyo, the woman I am the reincarnation from."
They stood around looking at the picture and a frown tugged on Gaara's lips. "I still don't see it," he mumbled.
"See what," she asked.
"You two have little in common based on appearance. Whoever said you two look alike," he asked her not realizing he is really making her day.
"A few people, mostly InuYasha and then her sister Kaede had seen a resemblance to her," she looked in his eyes as he looked back down studying the picture.
"I still don't see it," he continued studying it with his siblings. "You're prettier too," he made her choke on the spoonful of oden she just started to swallow.
Temari went over there to her and patted her back as she coughed and gagged, cheeks blushing at the compliment. "Gaara you should be careful about when you say certain things or she is going to end up choking," she sounded like she is reprimanding him but really she is proud of her little brother finding a way to slip in a compliment.
"Sorry," he turned away, "she just doesn't look approachable if this is what she looks like."
"You know Gaara the same could be said of you," Kankuro laughed with his sister as they both know how unapproachable their brother can look as well.
"Why would someone think Gaara looks unapproachable," she asked them as she has never felt that way. "I think he looks calm and collected, a deep thinker," she made his cheeks gain a tinge of pink as she paid back the compliment.
"Really now," Temari turned around looking at her like a fox about to pounce on its prey, "so what else do you think of my brother?"
"Eh," she grew embarrassed and pushed the noodles around while Gaara shifted on his feet.
Kankuro laughed enjoying this development but decided it would be best not to push them too much. "Come on Temari we should leave the two be. Besides I'm starving so let's dig in," he turned around to the table.
Shikadai grabbed the picture from his Uncle Gaara so he can see it. "Is this woman going to try and steal my soul too?"
"Shikadai," Temari turned around seeing her son looking seriously at the picture. "No she just takes the souls of women."
"Then she is going to take yours and Aunt Kagome's," he was so serious about this.
Gaara looked at his young nephew frowning at the thought. "No she won't be taking anyone's soul from this village. We had this picture drawn up so she can go into the bingo book of every shinobi here. By the time supper comes most of them will have her added into their book."
"What about Dad, shouldn't he know she might try and hurt them," he looked up at the adults around him.
"He will but he isn't here yet, not until tomorrow at some point," Gaara assured his nephew.
"Shikadai," Kagome thought it best to take his little mind off of adult matters, "What are your favorite things to do?"
"I like watching clouds, I sometimes do that with my old man," he made her giggle at that, "and I like sleeping."
"Do you ever try to figure out what the clouds look like, such as one might look like a bunny or something," she asked this kid who has already dubbed her his aunt.
"No, I never thought about that, I just wish I can lie on them and float around all the time," he sounded a bit like his father who has had cloud envy since he was his son's age.
"He takes after his dad a lot who also took after his dad," Temari gave a wry smile.
"Yeah I didn't peg you as the type to be interested in the clouds to such an extent," Kagome made light chatter and with her suggestion Shikadai ended up on the couch looking out the window at the sparse clouds in the blue sky. After he fell asleep there Kankuro gathered him up and headed out with Temari.
Like all babies do Kichiro slept now that he has been fed and changed. Deciding to take this chance Gaara felt the butterflies of nervousness grip him as he tried to bring up a topic he has been avoiding. Fidgeting slightly he tried to steel himself in preparation for what he wishes to ask of her and the answer he is hoping for and the rejection if not. "After you are out of the hospital," her blue eyes looked at him waiting for him to continue, "Will you join me for dinner, just the two of us?" It was out there and now he needs to wait for her to answer, to say something.
'He wants to have dinner alone,' she hadn't thought much about what she is going to do after leaving the hospital beyond wanting to be in Kichiro's life. "I don't see why not," the tension left his frame and he nodded; now he has to figure out the details. 'Wait is he blushing, is Gaara seriously blushing,' she studied him and the moment he realized she was doing so he flushed darker and turned away from her. 'He looks so nervous,' she never expected to see him like this. "Do I make you uncomfortable?"
He turned stunned eyes at her, his mouth opened to deny such until he could see she is teasing him, "No," he quietly said and turned away.
"Then why are you nervous and have red cheeks," she pointed out. Who would imagine something could fluster the Kazekage to such a degree. Pushing things further she asked, "Gaara will you sit with me again?"
With a glance her way he nodded and joined her on the bed. With an arm draped around her they relaxed with her head resting on the crook of his shoulder. "Kagome, I do care about you a lot. I have for a long time now," he quietly voiced almost hesitant to say something that might ruin this time together.
"I wouldn't be honest if I said I didn't miss you. Most days I would see you on the roof of your office looking out on the village but you looked sad. I wanted to take that look away but the pain of when I would leave kept me from trying. You're so well respected and admired, it always puzzled me," she snuggled in further. "Do people really feel you're unapproachable? You're so easy to be around at least to me." She never could have made a deal or commitment like the one they had if she wasn't comfortable around him. In some ways if not many he made her feel better and they built up trust in his bedroom and confidence.
He rubbed her shoulder not quite certain he wants to share his past yet. 'You will have to share your past at some point,' his sister's voice echoed in his head. "I wasn't always like this," he began, "it all started when the Wind Daimyo began cutting our funds and outsourcing to the Leaf Village rather than take on our pricier services," he launched in, telling her about the dark secrets of Suna like One's Own Life Reincarnation, a technique developed by Lady Chiyo and used to restore Gaara. Kagome listened to him not making any judgmental comments. It was a bit of a first for someone to go into such detail about their not so pleasant past. InuYasha rarely said a word about his nor did he like it when others talk about what they know of it. She didn't move away from him or tense up, it really helped for him to speak of what it is really like in this ninja era and even continued on past his days of terrifying the village and to his first student Matsuri as well as being trained by Shira. By the time he finished his retelling of life even going to the point of what has taken place since the war and his current struggles as the Kazekage. It was oddly comforting for both. He never really thought he had so much on his shoulders, that he has been this weighed down and him opening up to such an extent was more than Kagome ever expected from him. It really explained why she always caught him looking that way.
They had gone undisturbed until Kichiro woke. Kagome didn't waste time getting him going on feeding from her. Although uncomfortable as well she secretly enjoyed seeing Gaara so uncomfortable. He remained red through the whole feeding trying to not look at her exposed breast or get any more aroused than he already is. The lack of negativity from her had him asking what is still on his mind. "Would you consider living with me or giving it a try for a couple weeks?"
The question again… she vaguely remembers him saying he wants a second chance at getting to know her back when he found her up against that tree. Things keep trying to come between them but he remained steady like a sturdy tree not giving and always ready to shelter them. His presence hasn't been suffocating, she really welcomes it actually. "I will give it a try, it might be nice," she smelled the light musk on him finding it odd, he has rarely worn it and one of the few times was when they first met.
"I'm glad Kichiro was conceived, that I'm a part of his life." They rested together until he realized it was already 5 P.M. and he has yet to speak with the heads of the Kaze clan. "I meant to speak with the Kaze clan but I will see about doing so after dinner. At my place no one should disturb you; I hope you will be able to relax easier there." Stress was just floating off of his shoulders and he felt so much lighter, he felt eager to have them in his home now rather than in the hospital. This will be what he needs to hopefully have the family he has begun picturing.
He left a note with dinner as she slept right through it and headed out with his brother to speak with the heads for the last minute meeting he asked with them. Thankfully his brother is still accompanying him. Shortly after they reached their district he was shown to the home of the head and then led to where they are waiting for him. With sandals left at the front of the home his feet touched the cool floor before he sat seiza with his brother slightly behind him to the right.
"Lord Gaara, it is nice to speak with you in person," the head of the clan gave him the appropriate bow along with his wife, the lady head of the clan.
"As it is nice to speak with you on short notice," he could see the faint outline of a more petite body right behind a screen wearing a decorative head piece.
"What brings you here; I hadn't thought we would be meeting with you so soon due to the current situation?" The man is a stern sort, a veteran warrior that aims high and rarely quits. His wife a homemaker now after years serving as a shinobi as well and then being married, beginning her years as a mother, teaching her children properly according to the clan and village.
Kankuro spared his brother a glance knowing he has now stepped into a sticky situation. "This arranged marriage was being planned without my knowledge or consent. I had only heard word of it after the upset that happened this morning."
The slight change in facial features was enough for them to distinguish their reactions. "Lord Gaara I was not aware this was behind your back but you surely can see how beneficial it would be on both sides of the arrangement. My daughter is very lovely."
"I am sure she is," he felt uncomfortable, "but I am not looking for an arranged marriage or for another to raise my son. He will be raised by his mother just as he should be and they will both come to live with me just as I wish it so."
"Then you haven't chosen to marry the mother. I would prefer the child be taken in by the clan to raise in order to keep further complications from happening down the road and it is no question you are honorable in your intentions." He purposely ignored the possibility of Gaara trying to end the whole thing entirely.
"No disrespect but I believe what my brother is trying to tell you is he does not want to marry your daughter and is instead focusing on the family he has already started," Kankuro stepped in to be the more blunt one. "His eyes are only for the mother, they have just had complications because she had two duties to complete but now that they have been reunited…" he trailed off letting them finish that sentence in their own minds.
The truth was slightly stretched but it fit well enough that he gave a short nod as if to say that is the truth. "I wish to know the names of the council members who have been making this arrangement. I do apologize for this mess and will be handling it appropriately."
"I see," he wasn't pleased as he thought the strong blood Gaara's clan carries would have been a great addition to their bloodline. "It was Tojuro, Ikanago, and Joseki that have been speaking with us directly." Though not fond of Lord Gaara ending this arrangement he had not been aware one was being made so he held in his temper. Everything ended shortly thereafter and Gaara parted ways with his brother, intending to stay over at the hospital rather than at home while Kankuro headed home to unwind. They didn't get ten steps from each other when the emergency sirens at the hospital echoed across the village. With a sharp turn Kankuro was at this brother's side racing to get there.
Miu entered the room with the reheated dinner intending to wake Kagome to eat. Setting it down on the rolling tray she shook her awake gently. "Kagome I want to see you eat before I head home for the night, wake on up," she roused her.
The room was blurry and she could have sworn Gaara had been next to her but instead the spot was cold. A draft came through the room and something clattered making her jerk up trying to see what is going on. Distinguishing a tall figure holding the baby with the shape of a kunai at his neck brought her jerking forward to lunge at them, to try and get her baby but being connected to machines didn't help. "Don't hurt my baby!"
"If the child is to live then you will come with me," said the Suna shinobi, a dark look in his focused eyes.
"Anything just leave him be," her heart raced and body tensed while her brain stormed with anything of use to this situation like a barrier or something to put her child in, a way to separate them.
"Fine," he tossed the baby into the air, Kagome dived to catch him. The kunai cut right through what was restraining her and she was grabbed from behind being pulled away from her falling baby and out the window. Miu dove and caught Kichiro just before Kagome could see no further until they appeared in the window just as they landed on the ground. Seconds later she watched them disappear from it and a siren started while she was being carried lugged over his shoulder.
They reached the cleft and the arming of weapons was halted when they couldn't attack. A few shinobi dropped down around them and she reached out to them, her very soul could sense Kikyo is nearby. He did a quick spin with a katana making them back off and preventing her from being pulled from his grasp. They scaled the walls to go around them and reached the entrance with him sprinting. 'Kikyo,' the name was enough for her to realize she might have this man under her possession. Power sparked into her hands making them glow a pale lilac and she pressed them on to his shoulder blades and he stumbled after he gave a moaned gargle. Back hitting the sand she had a feeling that did the trick. Struggling to get out from under him she realized the other shinobi were about to attack so she threw up a quick barrier to hold them off. "Wait!" She called out to them, "he was possessed and likely doesn't recall anything."
The focus of their eyes behind her drew blue eyes to looking over her shoulder and into the cold chestnut ones. "Hello reincarnation, it is time you stop frolicking around with my soul."
"Kikyo…" she knew this would come but not when.
A man pulled out a book and flipped to the last page. "She is the new insertion we were just given today," he looked it over and closed the book. "Kill on sight is the orders," he crouched, preparing to strike.
"I wouldn't do that," she said and removed a blanket from behind her then fisted a hand into Kagome's hair beginning to drag her.
"Ah," she yelled out and grabbed the slender hand, "let me go," she shouted, kicking her feet and squirming around to get away.
Kikyo dropped her into a Star of David then with a blast of her dark purple powers she lit the wicks of the candles. "Her life is already in my possession," she warned them bringing to life a barrier trapping Kagome just as she scrambled to get out of it and then one around her stopping the kunai and shuriken from reaching her. The white snakelike creatures came down from the sky weaving around the two barriers.
"Kikyo don't do this! This is wrong," she no longer wished to die but the woman of her previous life is not about to let her just keep it.
"Quiet Kagome, you are nothing but a pale copy compared to me. I never should have died, I will have my life back and you will perish," she clapped her hands together and an unnatural wind blew up carrying their long locks of black hair with it. A choked scream came from Kagome's lips and from her chest came the light blue soul stretching towards the sky as it made its way out of her body.