Miracle
Chapter Six
Shippo and Inuyasha's hut.
The sun was warm and it slowly woke Kagome from her sleep. When she opened her eyes she smiled, she was met with two young hearts intertwined; Shippo had pulled Kasumi onto his lap, his arms encircled her with his warmth, warming her to her very core, Kasumi's head was lying on his broad chest and snuggled close to him. Both were asleep and were quiet expect for Shippo's light snore and Kagome's smile widened.
She stood quietly and quickly not wanting to wake the two and tip toed out the doorway. Her skin was graced with a cool breeze and the warm sun as goose bumps rose on her skin Kagome rubbed her arms and walked down the steps. The grass swayed with the breeze she could feel it through her kimono and it tickled her skin. She looked at the tops of the trees and she did half a circle and there before her was the top of the God tree, she smiled and started walking, she past the hut hoping she didn't wake the other two, and walked through the tree line and a minute later she was on the familiar path and smiled, the well wouldn't be far it would only take a minute to walk, but she wanted to see their graves first.
Before long she was gazing up at the magnificent tree and it brought back some lost memories… she remembered the face of Kikyo she remembered the face who struck and put Inuyasha on the tree. She swallowed hard and her eyes traveled the forest floor until she saw three headstones with their names carved into the stone. Tears formed and slowly strolled down her cheeks. She walked over and sat down in front of them; Sango was in the middle her brother on her right and Miroku on her left, they were facing the God tree. The stone was cracked and had scratches everywhere, but the names were clear and untouched.
She touched Sango's and whispered, "I'm sorry, I wish I was there… for everything, to help you, to do anything for you… I'm sorry… I wasn't there." She touched Miroku's and mumbled, "You better had been good to her you pervert." She half sobbed and half laughed, but it was mostly a sob. She turned to Kohaku's and whispered, "Thank you, for letting them complete the Jewel, thank you very much." She moved away, but sat in front of them and just imagined what their lives were like and wished she was there to see it all happen. She imagined Sango holding a baby nursing her; she imagined Miroku right beside her as she fed the babe and smiled at the tender moment that could have happened.
A twig snapped and her upper body moved half a second after it snapped, Shippo stood there in the shadows with a sleepy Kasumi under his arm, she wiped the tears and smiled at them she was reward a small smile from Shippo and a sleepy grin from Kasumi. She turned back to the headstones and bowed her head and stood and faced the two and walked slowly over to them. Shippo murmured, "Are you alright?" Kagome didn't answer at first, but she replied, "Yes, I'm fine." Her voice, stance, and eyes told that she really was, but she was worried for the coming day unfolding before them and asked the gods to keep it in their favor.
Kohana's hut.
The fire was smoldering, dieing from the lack of attention until someone put another two logs on silencing its hunger. It was quiet expect for the grateful crackling fire. No one made a sound afraid if they did it might unbalance something, but they didn't know what.
Kohana was wrapping a bandage around Kagome's right thigh, after being gashed from a surprise attack by lower class demon, Shippo had fret over her and had carried her all the way back to Kohana's hut. Kohana and Kagome reassured him that it was nothing to worry about, but he still didn't buy it. After that, Kohana sat sewing a piece of cloth that was dim of color, but bright in other areas; sat in the corner by her oldest daughter. Aiko sat eyes closed tired from the long day, though she was in deep thought; she leaned on the wall supporting her weight and signed, it was nothing of comfort, but confusion which was still a mystery to another miko. Satoru was gone hopefully working in the fields if not fooling around with his companions. The others sat across the fire all leaning on the wall from the long, cool day. Shippo sat eyes closed, but alert. Still trying to figure out why so many demons were attacking the village they hadn't had five attacks in three days since after the battle with Naraku. Something was wrong and he couldn't put his finger on it and it was probably right under his nose, it still unnerved him that so many lower demons were appearing he was baffled and he couldn't explain it. He was soothed by a small fingers intertwining with his larger ones and a head leaned on his fore arm He heard a soft sign escape Kasumi's lips and smiled. Kagome had her nose in a book; going over what had been forgotten which wasn't much thank kami, but she busied herself with reading her school books, she had finished one and now was in the middle her biology book.
They were all waiting. It had been three long days for them wanting to see what would happen, questions definitely, but a fight? Silence? Runaways? Their thoughts were consumed with what Inuyasha would do when he saw Kagome. Kasumi was overjoyed that Inuyasha would get Kagome back and she was happy for Kagome, too. Kohana wanted the tension to cease and be over with. Shippo was worried everything would go wrong; Inuyasha would try to attack her or do something stupid. Aiko was dreading the thought of his coming and only one person knew why. And so they waited unsure of what will happen.
As Kagome turned the page she shifted her sleeping foot so the blood would circulate in and out of her foot again. She yawned and returned to reading about Mitosis and Meiosis which she remembered she hated and skipped to the next section. She almost didn't hear Kohana's worried voice, almost, "What is it Shippo?" Kagome raised her head to look at Shippo, her eyes still on the books' words, but then all her attention went to Shippo.
"He's here."
Kagome never thought that those two simple words could make her heart jump into her throat and nearly choke. His green gaze was on her it burned all the way to her bones and she felt like mush when he said it again, "He'll be here in about 10 minutes, he's running and there's someone with him." Kasumi was the first one to stand and the only one to smile. Then Aiko was out the door not saying a word to anyone as she ran out. Kohana signed and murmured, "Thank Kami." Kagome didn't move she didn't think she could. Kasumi was next out the doorway and yelling and laughing, Kohana rose slowly and walked out too to join the girls. Shippo stood, but did not move, his green gaze still on Kagome until her voice broke the silence, "I don't… think I can… Shippo." "Yes you can." He whispered as he walked over and pulled her up. He gave her a hug and said as he pulled away, "He'll be here in six minutes." And then his nose scrunched up like he smelled the foulest substance that ever went to his sensitive nose. "What is it?" Kagome asked concerned. "Who ever he's got with him is not in good health." That only made her concern grow and she gulped before they stepped out of the hut.
The sun was low in the sky, turning it orange and women and children were running out of the homes since Kasumi went to each one and shouted, "Inuyasha is back!" Kagome looked towards the fields and saw that the men were standing around wondering what was wrong and others were running to the village. Then Shippo was in the crowd of women and children searching for Kasumi most likely, Kagome's eyes skimmed over the crowd searching for Aiko and Kohana, she spotted Kohana with a group of older women close to her age, but she couldn't find Aiko.
She if wasn't paying attention to her surroundings she would have missed it. She turned toward the setting sun and saw a running form, her stomach suddenly had butterflies and there was a knot in her throat like she couldn't breath.
Her hand went up to rub the scar and tried to breathe properly, it was just a form, then a shape of a person, and then she couldn't breath, the air escaped from her lungs nothing in them, long hair was swirling behind the figure, the feet were running… and inhumanly fast, the figure turned to a color the shade of red that made her suck in a ragged breath, she saw the hair color it shimmered a soft gold in the low sun, but around the dark face it was silver. The figure, as it got closer she saw his features; his face was smoother, older like Shippo said, it was and still so beautiful. Her heart swelled and nearly exploded when his voice reached her ears, deeper and rough it made her belly pool.
Then their was movement in the crowd, but Kagome couldn't take her eyes off Inuyasha thinking if she did it would just be the trick of light. As the person jogged into Kagome's view Inuyasha was leaping over the fields and landing gracefully by the outskirts of the village. The person was Noriko, the miko of the village, and she saw Inuyasha had a bundle in his arms it was a woman her skin was deathly pale even though they were a football field length away she could see a bump… a large bump in the woman's stomach, she was pregnant, but why did Inuyasha have to go all the way to get a pregnant woman? Then they met and they suddenly stopped and Inuyasha put the woman down as Noriko examined her, and then Inuyasha had the woman in his arms again and he ran into the village, the crowd of the village grew, but they parted for him and him disappeared into a hut three of the older ladies went inside. Two minutes later Noriko jogged into the hut.
Five minutes past and they crowd almost disappeared only leaving Kohana, Satoru, Kasumi, and Shippo. Shippo looked sick and dizzy as Kasumi led him to the steps of the hut. Kasumi had a worried expression as he sat on the steps. Kasumi then looked up and saw Kagome; tears filled her eyes, but they didn't fall, she looked absolutely lost, but had the look of knowing exactly where she was.
Kasumi's attention returned to Shippo as he choked and asked, "What's wrong?" Kagome listened halfheartedly, and replied, "She's pregnant.", but got a different answer from Shippo.
"She's in labor. And the smell is… indescribable."
Kasumi's eyes shot up to Kagome and said, "You should be in there! You are more advanced than us; you should know how it would be healthier to deliver the baby." Kagome shook her head and whispered, "I don't know how to deliver a baby." "I doesn't matter you should be in there helping her, you probably know more about it than Aunt Noriko!" Kasumi argued. Kagome shook her head and whispered, "I won't go in there." "Why not?" Kasumi pushed, "Because Inuyasha is in there." Kagome looked at Kasumi and said, "Because I'm not welcomed by your aunt, Kasumi." Kasumi was silenced and her eyes widened, head hung low.
A scream pierced the air and it made Kagome and Kasumi jump, then there was a red flash running out of the hut and it ran into the forest a second later. Kagome knew it was Inuyasha, but was confused why he rushed away so quickly, the smell she figured, and it probably made him sick to the stomach as well. She saw I the corner of her eye Shippo moved and slowly stood and as he swayed a little, Kasumi appeared at his side and helped him walk away from the smell. She watched them go and saw when Shippo could walk without swaying; he darted off in the direction Inuyasha disappeared.
Both Kasumi and Kagome watched him until he was gone from their sight; Kasumi held her breath for 5 long seconds and Kagome rubbed her scar harder until it hurt. Kasumi turner and saw Kagome standing on the little porch, her kimono swaying in the light breeze here and there, but her expression caught her off guard; her eyebrows pulled tight, her full lips in a thin line, her eyes dark and cloudy with worry and uncertainty. She looked down at her feet and slowly made her way to the young priestess.
As she sat down on the rough wooden step, Kasumi glanced at Kagome; her expression still the same until Kagome looked over at her, Kasumi looked away quickly and signed and whispered, "I'm sorry Kagome- chan. I didn't mean to be rude." Kagome gave a small smile to her and said, "It's alright. I'm sorry I was rude, too, I'm just… nervous." Kasumi gave her a knowing smile and said, "I would be." Kagome gave a small laugh and sat down next to her on the step, both silent for the moment until another scream pierced through the air and Kagome grabbed her kimono while Kasumi held her breath until it passed a few seconds later.
"It sounds terrible." Kasumi murmured. Kagome nodded and said, "Yes, but back in my time, the women are given medicine to numb the pain." Kagome knew a lot about pregnancies, but not in delivering one. She shuddered at the thought of the pain the mother was going through. Kasumi looked over to see Kagome shudder and asked, "So you do know a lot about pregnant women?" Kagome slowly nodded and said, "But not about delivering one… I only know the basics which are not very much." Kasumi opened her mouth to reply, but was stopped.
They were interrupted as an older woman came up to them and huff, "Lady Kagome, Noriko-sama asked for your help." Kagome was shock enough that the older woman was able to pull her up and pull her limping form across the village until they came to the hut where the mother was. As she stepped inside she felt the heat and the humidity from the women crowded about the mother. And saw the mother with her legs spread apart and up, her kimono pulled open exposing her swollen abdomen and her long silky legs. Her beautiful face covered in a sheet of sweat and scrunched up in the bewildering pain. She was leaning against another older lady. Noriko was between her legs and she turned around and saw Kagome she shouted, "Hurry and help, Lady, you should know more about this." Kagome gulped and shook her head and Noriko shouted, "If you don't help the mother and child will die." That got her moving. Noriko moved away and Kagome sat between the mother's legs and an ounce of throw up entered Kagome's mouth and she swallowed reluctantly.
Fluids were everywhere and Kagome held back another ounce of vomit in her throat, swallowed and then looked up at the mother, her light brown eyes were red and puffy, her cheeks covered in her tears, she was shaking, her skin was pale, even though her eyes were dim… almost lifeless. Kagome swallowed and thought Okay, Kagome we here and need to help don't chicken out!
She looked at the mother again her face, for the moment, was relaxed, "When you feel the pain, you need to push, you need to push hard. Do understand, nod if you do." The mother nodded twice then her face was scrunched up again and she pushed like Kagome told her to do and she let out another scream. It rang through Kagome's ears and she encouraged, "Good, come keep pushing, keep pushing. Good. Alright rest." The mother rushed out, "Chi-yo." Kagome gave a reassuring smile and murmured, "Chiyo, what a pretty name, mines Kagome." She nodded and closed her eyes for a moment until she whimpered again and started to push, "Good, keep pushing," she looked down , waiting to see a patch of hair or at least something, but nothing. She had a gut feeling that it was going to be a long night. But some woman just push a few times and then there was a baby, but then there were times where it would go on for hours some more than 24 hours, which she hoped wasn't the case of this mother.
Inuyasha would have to wait even though she wanted him right beside her, Chiyo had all her attention and she needed all of it.
The night was filled with screams and contractions. Somewhere around 3o' clock in the morning; the tired Kagome saw a patch black of hair. She grew excited and shared the news with the mother and she smiled as she heard about her little baby. Nearly two hours later, a head appeared, Kagome shouted, "Good! Keep pushing, Chiyo! KEEP PUSHING!" With one final push the baby was out and screaming its little lungs out, its eyes squeezed shut. It was covered with a sheet of wax and smeared with blood. Kagome smiled and looked if it was a boy or girl; it was a healthy baby boy! She looked at its face and her smiled disappeared.
Two, little, black, dog, ears were attached to the top of his head and it made sense now why Inuyasha left to get a pregnant woman, she was pregnant with a hanyou baby.
She smiled down at the little bundle that was quiet now with only little whimpers, she beamed up at Chiyo saying, "You did -" Kagome's smile was once again wiped away from her lips as she stared down at the still, pale, mother. This mother just gave birth to a beautiful boy and her life… ended. Tragically, yet she brought another life into this world, which is so magical, but it ended tragically.
The baby's whimper grew and Kagome looked around at the women and they were all saddened. Eyes watery, but the tears did not fall. Noriko walked and knelt by Kagome and said, "It is alright, it happens sometimes, Lady." Her words weren't comforting they were cold and indifferent and she held the baby closer to her chest. Another lady knelt beside her and handed Kagome a thick blanket and she gratefully took it in her hands and wrapped the baby in it until you could only see his head and ears. The lady who gave her the blanket gently said, "You may go and rest Lady Kagome." She held out her hands to take the baby, but Kagome only held him closer and said, "May I look after him, I need to take care of him. Please." The older lady nodded and lowered her hands.
Kagome stood, turned and slowly walked to the doorway, but glanced back and saw Chiyo and the tears pooled over her eyes, but quickly wiped them away, the baby was fussing and she rocked him and slowly limped out the door way.
The rising sun was peeking over the hill turning the due on the green grass made it white when the sun touched it. No one was anywhere to be seen everything was still and everyone was probably tired from Chiyo's screams of pain. She flinched at the thought of the woman's painfully long labor. She looked at the bundle in her arms and saw that his skin looked like it was sun kissed a very beautiful shade. His eyelashes were thick, his little full lips popped open and Kagome smiled and thought, What a stubborn baby, you are. He yawned and her smile widened at his big yawn. She brushed her finger down his nose and whispered, "Beautiful baby." She looked up to find Kohana's hut… she was too tired to walk to Shippo's hut and had a hunch that Inuyasha might be there so Kohana's hut was probably the safest for now.
The cool morning was nice, but Kagome didn't pay attention to the weather her mind was full of the baby and Inuyasha… she was clueless and didn't know how to talk to the love of your life when you were dead in there arms, buried you himself, knew you were dead for the last 75 years and now your was back for the dead, flesh and bone… yep she was clueless on that topic. She didn't even reach the steps when Kohana, Kasumi, and Satoru were running out the hut. Shocked to see the little bundle in Kagome's arms they asked her what had happened. Kagome told them that that the mother had died giving birth. As she finished Kasumi gasped, "It has dog ears?!" Kagome smiled at that part and said, "He is a hanyou." Kasumi smiled and stroke the baby's cheek softly. Kohana simply said, "He's beautiful." Kagome was shocked though she didn't show it. Most villagers would have turned and ran or abuse the hanyou, times changed or the people of the village had and she didn't care which one was the one, but that they all changed.
"Where's Shippo?" Kagome asked adjusting the moving bundle in her arms. Kasumi looked at her mother, and then back at the little bundle, and then to Kagome, "He's talking to Inuyasha." Kagome swallowed hard and looked down at the baby, his eyes were closed and his mouth popped open like the last time she looked at him. "I'm so nervous." Kohana laid a gentle hand on Kagome's shoulder and said, "Come inside and rest you need it." A warm bed sounded nice, but the futon was comfortable, too. Satoru entered the hut first and then Kasumi, Kagome and then Kohana.
Aiko was asleep in her futon, Satoru leaned against the wall and Kasumi guided Kagome over to her futon, Kagome placed the baby on the futon and followed him she was soon soundly asleep, Kasumi laid in her brothers futon, but sleep wouldn't brace her. She was worried about Inuyasha and Kagome uncertain what was going to happen now. She just prayed. That it was going to be alright.
Kohana looked down at Satoru and said, "Shouldn't you be going out to the fields now?" He nodded and stood quickly saying a quick goodbye and shuffling out the doorway. She looked toward the girls and sign, it was tired and soft, she was ready to sleep, and she had been worried about Kagome and the young mother. She was mainly worried for Inuyasha, he had no idea that Kagome was alive and well, no idea for three long days. She knew he had gotten used to her death… he had gotten used to living without her and she knew it would turn his world around when he would see her again, it had Shippo he was smiling more, laughing, too more than she had seen most of her life. She didn't know what would happen, but prayed that it would be a good outcome for both of them.
Before she entered her room she looked at the sleeping Kagome and baby. She was here for a reason, and to comeback alive it had to be a miracle only Kagome could do.
*****
The baby's cries woke her and each time Kohana said she would take care of him which she succeeded for awhile. By the fifth time though, Kagome couldn't take his helpless cries, she sat up and rubbed her eyes as she stifled a yawn she saw that the other two futons were empty then saw Kohana holding the little bundle with a frustrated look in her eyes, but every other feature was calm and her smile and coos were sweet and alluring.
Her eyes traveled to the little, squirming bundle and she could see the tips of his little ears, that resembled Inuyasha's, her heart thump ecstatically as his name entered her head remembering that he was back in the village and just a mile away from her. The baby's whimpers grew louder and she breathed deeply and closed her eyes hoping it would calm her heart and before the words came to her mind the words formed on her lips, "Give him to me." Kohana handed the baby over to her without a word and as he was securely in Kagome's arms no noise came from the little bundle. Kohana and Kagome blinked and Kohana mumbled, "Stubborn child." Kagome giggled.
Her eyes skimmed over his beautiful face. He had narrow, but thick eyebrows his eyes were closed still so his eye color was still unknown and a mystery; his eyelashes were thick and full. His little nose round as any baby, his lips full and his skin unnaturally golden, but very beautiful. Somehow his little fists had escaped the thick blanket and made their way up to his face. His breathing was health and she signed in relief.
Kohana stood and walked to other side of the hut and dug through a bottom cabinet and brought out some type of bottle for the baby. "Since the mother died in childbirth, he won't have the proper milk he needs from his mother. So we'll get milk from one of the goats, it will be healthy for him." Kagome frowned, but didn't disagree. She wanted the baby formula from her time and she wished she could go… she was afraid that she wouldn't get through and she didn't want to be disappointed.
She shook her head of those thoughts and asked, "Where is everyone?"
Kohana handed her the bottle and sat down before she answered slowly, "Aiko is out with my sister, Satoru is out with some of the men in the fields, no one is actually working today since they had a terrible night and because of the mother's death this early morning," she paused and took a breath, "And Kasumi went to Shippo's and Inuyasha's hut just awhile ago." Kagome tried to remain calm and she almost succeeded, her mouth went dry and her breath went rigged, but controlled her breathing when the baby started to fuss.
She looked down to the baby and gasped, his eyes were large and staring, and they were the exact same color of gold as Inuyasha's though around the pupils the color was darker, richer, and deeper. She smiled and the baby did an awkward smile and Kagome laughed. The baby's fist rose and went back down to its little nose and went up to cover a golden eye, Kagome giggled more and the baby did its awkward smile again. Kagome's smiled widened and pressed her lips on the baby's forehead. When she looked up Kohana was smiling and looking at the baby as well and when she felt Kagome's gaze she looked up and smiled at her and murmured, "The baby enjoys your company very much, Kagome-sama." Kagome shook her head and said, "It's only because he's been around me ever since his birth and he is confusing me for his… mother." She whispered the last word and felt her eyebrows pull together. Kohana nodded her head, but added, "Yes, but you would make a wonderful mother." Kagome blushed and didn't say anything in response.
Kagome continued to stare at the baby's eyes until a question came to mind, "Does Inuyasha still have the beaded necklace?" Kagome asked without moving her eyes from the baby's gold gaze. A second past and then the hut was filled with Kohana's laughter, Kagome looked up shocked, "Yes, but I don't know if the subdue spell still works." She said between giggles and Kagome smiled and went back to the gazing baby and murmured, "I wouldn't think it would work either, but if Inuyasha… didn't believe it was me, I could possibly S him, but who knows?" Kohana felt terrible for laughing at her, now seeing her point. She shook her head and asked, "Why would you think that Kagome-sama?" Kagome didn't look up, not trusting her eyes, afraid they might show they uncertainty or despair. "Everyone has said that there have been demons that have taken attempts to 'copy' me or used a fake body to fool Inuyasha, so maybe I'm reassuring myself a little." Kohana almost pitied her, but murmured, "Yes there have been attempts, but Inuyasha had seen right through them. So do not worry, child, he'll know you are real, he'll know. SO do not let those doubtful thoughts enter your mind any longer." Kagome looked up at the woman and smiled then out her attention on the baby, again.
There was a visible smile gracing her lips as she stood up and said, "Hand me that bottle and I'll be right back with the goats milk and we will feed the stubborn one." Kagome giggled at Kohana's name for the little one. Kohana stood and walked over to Kagome and reached out her hand to take the bottle back from Kagome, she handed it over and Kohana walked over to the doorway humming to an unknown tune. Kagome noticed how quiet it was in the hut, it was almost the same on the outside; she could hear some women discussing over anything and everything, but she heard Inuyasha's name a least 16 times.
She shook her head, trying to get him out of her mind, for some reason she didn't want to think about him maybe it was because she was afraid their meeting would go down hill, maybe he moved on or it would be the greatest and the most precious moment, and the happiest moment she would ever have. Imagining being in his arms made her tummy pool with warmth and she rather liked that feeling, but her yummy tummy feeling vanished when the little one wanted her attention.
She looked down and made sure that he was comfortable and not messy… she wanted diapers… but he was a clean as a whistle, thank Kami! She was mesmerized by his eye color it was the exact color as Inuyasha's and tears started to well up and like the baby knew who she felt he started to fuss and Kagome's attention was all on him cooing him and smiling at him and a moment later he was smiling his mile making her giggle. She scooted over to a futon and sat and entertained a one day baby, even though he was big enough to be a month old, but he had the newborn look. She wondered what type of demon he was, due to his eyes Kagome thought about some dog demon traits, but she never saw a dog demon with black hair, so maybe some wolf, but she never recalled a wolf demon with golden eyes. So she might have to ask Shippo what demon traits he has.
Minutes past and the bundle was fast asleep as Kagome leaned back on the wall and watched him, his eyes dancing underneath eyelids dreaming so peacefully. His mouth popped open and Kagome smiled, one tiny little fist jutted forward and landed over his eyes and Kagome chuckled quietly. He squirmed only for a moment and he stilled instantly after, odd baby, she thought. Her eyebrows scrunched together as she thought, I can't keep calling him baby, "You need a name, little man." Kagome whispered quietly. Her finger traced over his cheek and across his small forehead and her mind raced with names, but she couldn't think of one that would fit so she decided to wait and call him 'little one' for awhile or until she could think of a name for him.
She knew it was going to be different if she adopted him, she would be a mother and she didn't know if she could be able to take care of him and she remembered Kohana saying that she would make a good mother, but she still had doubt. Being a mother was a big job and she had to take care of this little one and love him, and she could, she could and she would love him he already had her wrapped around his little finger even though he was barely a day old. She smiled at that and closed her eyes and listened to the noises from outside; people very few people were out, not very few. No one had gotten a good night sleep… Then she heard foot steps on the porch and her heart quickened just a fraction and her breathing stilled until Kohana walked in with the milk in her hand.
She looked up at her and smiled, "He fell asleep again." Kagome whispered and Kohana shook her head and smiled and sat down beside her looking at the baby and handing her the bottle. Kagome took it and whispered, "Wake up little one. You must be hungry." A second past and he started to move and then his gold eyes were gazing up at her and his crooked grin made her smile. She gently pressed the tip to his lips and his mouth popped open ready, his suckling was gentle and slow. His eyes half closed as he sucked and it was the cutest thing, Kagome smiled at him and once the bottle was empty, his tummy was full, and he was fast asleep.
Kohana looked over at Kagome and watched her seeing the joy in her eyes as she looked at the little babe, and tilted her head, "Have you thought of a name?" Kohana knew that she would take care of this child, knew in her bones that Kagome would love this child as her own, because she was that brand of person. Kagome shook her head and said, "I haven't thought of one that would fit him." Kohana nodded and stood, "Well, don't worry you will find a name for this one." Kagome nodded and looked after at Kohana and then back at the little one. She traced his collar bone and her eyes widened she looked up and asked, "Does Inuyasha still of the necklace?" Kohana stopped and turned to look at her and then laughed, Kagome was shocked she didn't know what she said was so funny, but gave a shy smile, Kohana looked up and said, "Yes, he does. I have no idea if the subdue spell works, but he still wears though." Kagome caught on to what was funny and smiled, "I wasn't thinking of s'ing him, but it might prove that I'm real and not fake." Kohana smile disappeared and said, "Why would you think that he might not think you're real?" Kagome looked away and said, "The others said that there were attempts that some demons took on my shape and tried to fool everyone and I'm scared… that he might think that I am… fake." Kohana shook her head and said, "Yes there have been attempts, but he could see right through them, if he sees you he'll know. He'll know that you are flesh and bone Kagome; he'll know it's you."
Kagome nodded and rubbed the scar on her chest, it had become a habit now Kohana saw and it was painful for her somehow. Kohana looked at the babe and saw that he was covered in a stained blanket and murmured, "I'll get another blanket for the little one and I'll clean the other." Kagome looked up and said, "Please can I clean it, I need to do something." Kohana smiled and shook her head, "What you need to do is take care of that boy and find a name for him." Kagome signed and looked down at the little one and set him down on the futon while Kohana went into the other room to gather a blanket. She unraveled him from the thick blanket and once he was bare to the room little tiny goose bumps rose on his tanned skin, she pull him up close to her body and held him laying his head on his shoulder and wrapping him in her arms for warmth until Kohana came back with a blanket. She took the grey blanket and cocooned him in its warmth and pulled him up to her chest.
Kohana looked at Kagome and said, "You can rest, the little one will be asleep for awhile." Kagome didn't need to be told twice, she laid back on the futon with him on her chest sleeping soundly and before anything else excited happened she was fast sleep. Kohana smiled and nodded, yes you will be a good mother. She took up the bottle and the blanket and turned toward the door she stopped and turned back into her room and walked out with a spare kimono. Her gaze went to Kagome and the baby just as she walked through the doorway as the sun hit her eyes she shielded them and once she could use them again she stood still and stared at him. She hadn't seen him in quite sometime, maybe a year.
She blinked and saw his features, expressionless expect for his eyes, doubtful, hopeful, suspicious, but fearless. His ears twitched as he listened for her, any sign for her. His eyes locked with Kohana's and they held amazement. She bowed and said, "She's asleep." His golden eyes dimmed, but he stood his ground and waited. She nodded and said, "Do not wake her, she is tired." He gave no response until she walked away from the hut. He sucked in a sharp breath and he was overwhelmed with her scent, it was stronger here than at his hut, on his futon, and in the air surrounding the village. He stood there for a long time, no one was around no one was working; everyone was depressed about a death of a woman who they have never met. So no one was around looking and wondering what he was doing.
Slowly, but surely he put one foot in front of the other until he stood in front of the reed door, he took a deep breath and his lungs were filled with her scent and he couldn't get enough of it, he pushed the reed away gently and stepped inside and let the reed door fall back in place. He couldn't breathe at first and when his lungs and chest tightened more than he couldn't bear, he gulped in the scented air. He swallowed, she was lying on her back, with the baby on her chest, her arms were loose around the bundle, her chest rose and fell with each breath, and her hair was tied in a loose braid, her skin creamy pale, her thick eyelashes laid on her rosy cheeks, her lips plump and pink. It was like 75 years hadn't happened. She wore a kimono instead of her school uniform which was a sight to behold, but he wasn't looking at the kimono, he was gazing at the sleeping woman's face.
He took a step and the baby moved he stilled not wanting to wake her or the sleeping child. He took another and the baby lay motionless and he took light and slow steps toward her, but the baby started moving, he dared not to go any further. He sat behind the low table and watched her sleeping form.
Still trying to comprehend what Shippo had told him. She was brought back because she had something else to take care of something that she never got to finish or even started. She was found in the clearing where she was killed, and the clearing was all in bloom. Her attitude was more calm and preserved, unlike her teenage self, but he and the others haven't seen if her angry, her legendary anger.
White ears twitched and his eyes moved as she slowly adjusted and she lay still again. Her movement her scent stirred in the air and up to his nostrils and he breathed in greedily, closing his eyes as he was surrounded by her sweet scent. Her scent as sweet and pure as it was so long ago made a lump grow in his throat, but he swallowed at it until it was gone.
He knew something was different when Shippo caught up with him, knew it in his gut that something was out of place. Once he stood just a few meters away, he could smell it on him, her scent all over him. He thought he had lost his mind at first, but he started to explain and he just didn't want to hear it. As her name flowed through Shippo's lips, he punched him flat in the jaw and the hit sent him back a few feet, but the rising bruise healed faster than he could walk up to him and punch him again. Shippo didn't see it coming, but he knew he would get hit sometime explaining it to him. He started from the very beginning when Aiko and she came along, right after he left for the village and pregnant woman and until he came back.
Shippo wasn't telling him something and he knew it and he almost bashed his head in if he didn't tell him, but Kasumi had entered the picture and backed everything up Shippo had said, but they weren't telling him something and it unnerved him. The little squirt was a confident as Shippo, and when he yelled at her she didn't even flinch, she had a straight face through the whole conversation, and it was so unlike her. He swallowed hard and thought of what Shippo said, "She doesn't remember everything, she does remember 95%, it's just here and there little things." It unnerved him just her being alive. He had no idea that she was alive while he was gone he didn't even think that this was real, that it was just a dream; he looked up at her sleeping form and sucked in a breath.
Hazel eyes were looking at him, tears were forming at the corners, he couldn't breathe and he swallowed the hard lump in his throat. She slowly sat up setting the baby on the futon, and he moved, he was almost out the door, but he heard her, her heard her whisper, her plead and he stopped, and he closed his eyes, he couldn't look at her now, he couldn't take his eyes off her while she was sleep, but now that she was awake he couldn't get the confidents to look at her now.
He heard her slowly walk toward him and she stopped in behind of him, her scent washing over him like a waterfall. He closed his hand into a tight fist, his nails almost breaking his skin. He didn't know what to do, so he just stood there his breath hitched when he felt her hand on his shoulder, her fingers glided over and through his long, thick hair all the way to his other shoulder. She pulled on his shoulder turning him around slowly, and once he was all the way around, she touch and stroked his chest, tracing the lines stitched in the kimono. Her touch was light and soft like he remember and he swallowed hard. Her fingers glided over the Fire Rat's, very slowly. Her hand gently eased up and traced the beaded necklace and he tensed.
She couldn't possibly believe that this man was Inuyasha, his cheek bones were sharper and higher, his eyes deep set, but his eyes were closed tightly, hiding his golden, topaz eyes from her, his full lips in a tight line, he looked nothing and everything like Inuyasha, she reached out and touched his chest making sure she wasn't dreaming and her hand slowly traveled up his chest to the necklace, he tensed and she pulled her hand back. She looked him over, the Fire Rat kimono was the same bright red like she remembered, the Tetsusaiga protected in its sheath on his hip like always. She looked up at him and swallowed and licked her lips, she raised her hand and lightly touched his cheek, he was a head taller than her now, it was strange not being able to look him in the face without looking up at him. He leaned into her touch just a fraction and she gave a small smile she traced up his cheek bone and stopped at a moon shaped scar under his left eye, which was strange he never had scars after a battle, it was in his demon blood that he healed fast, but maybe not fast enough. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath and opened her eyes, licked her lips again and whispered, "Open your eyes."
She could see that he was hesitant, but he opened his eyes very slowly, she gave him a shy smile and looked into his golden eyes, they were bright, but unsure. They didn't do anything they just stood there for a long time, looking in each others eyes, they both were unsure of what to say, it was like a maze and they were lost, trapped and didn't know where to go, so they stayed where the were until one of them decided that they were not going to waste anymore time.
Kagome swallowed and murmured, "I missed you." His breath hitched as the words came through her living lips, he blinked and opened his eyes thinking she was just a dream like every other dream filled night torturing him to no end, but instead of waking up and walking away, he pulled her to him; one arm around her waist, the other holding the back of her head, bring her closer to him, her body was warm and soft like he remembered, her hair felt soft through his fingers, he could feel her small arms around his waist and squeezed him as tightly as she could. He thought of so many things to say to her, tender phrases, love words, but only two word reached his lips, "You idiot." He buried his nose in her hair and breathed deeply, and he smelled salt.
Kagome half sobbed and half laughed and she could feel him pulling back, but she held on to him, and a clawed hand raised her chin, her eyes locked with Inuyasha's and he was frowning, "Kagome?" She smiled and whispered, "I'm so happy to see that you're alright." He shook his head and wiped away her tears. He wrapped her in his arms again and said, "Feh." She smiled in his chest and grabbed two fists full of his kimono and buried her face in his chest never wanting to let go. They stayed encircled in one another's arms for a long, enjoying each others company, wanting to say so many things, but they both couldn't find their voices, Kagome couldn't just do that. She pulled away much to his disagreement, but he only let an inch apart within their bodies. She looked up at him nervously and she slowly laid both hands on is face, cupping both cheeks, and brought his face so close to hers that their noses were touching. Her cheeks were pink and Inuyasha's were bright red as they looked at each other and Kagome's eyes fluttered closed and Inuyasha's half closed not willing to take his eyes off her, not wanting to lose this picture of her.
Their lips barely brushed each others and it tingled all the way to their toes and Kagome shudder and Inuyasha secured his arms around her, they went for another light brush, but something interrupted them, they froze and their eyes were wide looking at each other, thinking that someone was trying to get in and accidentally saw them in an imitate moment. Then it came again and Kagome signed as Inuyasha frowned, they slowly let the other go and Inuyasha watched Kagome walk over to the whimpering baby.
She bent over smiling at the moving bundle, she reached down to the babe and gently picked it up, settling it in her arms swaying for a moment and the baby was silent Kagome's smile widened at it and looked up to look at Inuyasha, he hadn't moved from where he stood in the doorway, until she started walking toward him then he was meeting her in the middle of the hut. When they were close they couldn't, wouldn't look away from each other. Inuyasha saw her eyes were bright with happiness it made his heart swell and his soul swollen with the unsaid adoration and love he held, he wanted to say everything, but he didn't. She looked down at the bundle and he followed her line of sight and his eyes widened, golden eyes were looking up at him very curiously, and gave him a goofy grin and Inuyasha tilted his head curiously, Kagome smiled and looked up to see Inuyasha tilt his head and her grin widened even more.
He felt her gaze and glanced at her, his breath hitched in his throat at her smile, so loving and bright he looked into her eyes and he lost all air in his lungs. Her eyes darkened just a bit and he could feel the want pull at him, his hands went up to her forearms and pulled her closer to him just a little more, he lowered his head and he saw her tilt her head upward to meet him; she closed her eyes slowly this time and he half closed his still unable to take his eyes of her. Their lips brushed gently again, but with just an ounce of force to it and they rubbed each others lips so slowly it sent an electric current through their bodies, but it was short lived when the little one wanted attention.
Kagome giggled nervously as she looked down at the little one and ran her finger down his narrow, little nose. Inuyasha groaned inwardly and looked down at the bundle and then back at Kagome, and he whispered, "Come on, let's go." Kagome looked up confused and Inuyasha said, "Let's go back to my hut, the little brat, Kirara, and Kasumi are up there." Kagome nodded, but said, "I think Kohana is getting more goat milk for the little one. So we need to wait until she gets back." He frowned just a bit and twitched his ears around to hear if Kohana was nearby, she was 10 huts away. Inuyasha shook his head saying, "We'll meet her outside." Kagome signed and smiled, still so impatient, she thought, but he hid it well and it was so unlike Inuyasha, everyone knew what he was thinking with his untamed expressions and irritated attitude.
He took a step back, but he still had a hand on her arm, which slid down and rested at her hand he pulled her gently forward and she followed. He held the reed door aside and let her out first, Kagome shielded her eyes from the bright sun for a moment until her eyes adjusted. And settled on the little bundle in her arms, his eyes were shut tightly and Kagome adjusted him where his little face was in the crook of her neck, she could feel his ears tickling her skin. Then she felt his hand on hers and she shyly looked up at him, he was staring at her, his golden stare was smoldering and her knees felt weak, but he looked away before she could hit the wooden floor, she followed his line of sight and seeing Kohana walking toward them with a smile on her lips.
They met in the middle and Kohana simply gave Kagome the bottle without a word, but her eyes said it all. Kagome smiled and Inuyasha frowned and Kagome's smile grew wider. Kohana waved them both off and they started off on there short journey to the hut, which held two demons and one human girl awaiting anxiously for their arrival.
Once Inuyasha, Kagome and the bundle were in the forest all were quiet, but their minds were filling and poring out words that, for now, remained unspoken. Kagome glanced up at Inuyasha his gaze straight ahead of him, but his eyes were soft, but he looked like he knew all the pain in the world and she was the main cause. She was saddened by that and she hoped she could make up for it.
He felt her gaze and glanced at her in the corner of his eye, and his breath seemed to catch each time he looked at her. She smiled at him and a light blush crept onto her cheeks and she looked away slowly. He could feel a special emotion around her and he was comforted by it, like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders, but there was still a weight that haunted him. He pushed it back though, she was here now, he didn't know for how long; just to say, "I missed you," "I'm sorry," until tomorrow, next year, the rest her life, he didn't know, but she was here now, and he was going to make the most of it.
He squeezed her hand, she turned her head toward him, her eyes questioning and he leaned in close to her face, and slowly pressed his lips to her forehead, and they stopped walking in that moment, and stayed silent as he pulled back and looked at her, to see a light blush gracing her cheeks, and her smile, making his heart swell once again.
She was here and all he wanted to do was love her, and that's what he planned to do in the time that was given. Yeah, he was going to love her as much as he could for now.