Chapter 13: Finally Here…Baby Kagura

"I hate you," Kagome turned her back on Naraku and made her way to Kagura's room. She laid down on Kagura's mat, wrapping herself in the red blanket. Tears began to stream down Kagome's face. She was all alone now. Kanna entered the room. Kagome looked up at the young girl, "What do you want Kanna?"

The child simply stared at Kagome. After a long while, a single tear spilled from Kanna's eye, "I miss her already."

Kagome was surprised at the emotion Kanna was showing, even if It was small, Kanna had never shown any kind of emotion before. To see a single tear fall from Kanna's eye cause a river to fall from Kagome's. She pulled the child close to her, "I miss her too. But it'll be alright. We're not alone, we have each other now, don't worry," Kagome spoke softly to the young girl. Naraku had been watching the bond forming between Kagome and Kanna. He decided against going into the room, instead he made his was to his own room, he would wait for Kagome to cool down.

A few days had past since Kagura's death. Kagome and Kanna had slept in her room every night. Kagome hadn't spoken a word to Naraku in those few days; if he entered a room she would leave. After what seemed like an eternity to Naraku, Kagome finally welcomed herself back into the room she shared with him. He smiled at her, she glared, "Don't think that I've forgiven you. If not for Kanna, you would have caused me to be all alone. I am still angry with you."

"Kagome, please. You understand don't you?" Naraku had been pleading with her everyday since the incident. And every time she would simply turn her back and walk away.

"Kagura, I will avenge you. I promise, once I have this child, I will kill Naraku," Kagome was lost in thought again. She would space out a lot more now that Kagura wasn't around to talk to. Kanna was there, but it was different. Kagome couldn't trust her completely yet.

-MEANWHILE-

"Sesshoumaru, what are you doing?" Sango placed herself beside Sesshoumaru. He was staring up at the sky. The wind was blowing softly, his hair swaying. "You miss her, don't you?" Sango felt deeply sympathetic toward him.

"Rin is more upset than anyone. She was speaking with your brother last night. She told him even though Kagura did all that she did. She said Kagura didn't do those things for herself, and so she saw Kagura as a potential mother figure. She saw Kagura and myself as her new family. And now she doesn't have her complete family," Sesshoumaru sighed.

Sango looked up at him, as though she was peering into his soul, "Don't lie to yourself Sesshoumaru. You loved her. And now you're in pain because she's gone. You don't have to act like you're fine, we all know you're not."

Sesshoumaru was shocked at Sango's forwardness. He glared down at her and went on his way off into the woods. "Take care of Rin, I'll be back later!" he called over his shoulder.

-BACK TO KAGOME-

Kagome had finally begun speaking cordially to Naraku again. She was nearing the end of her pregnancy. She knew she had to get close to him again.

Kanna had grown quite fond of Kagome. She saw Kagome as a motherly figure, whereas with Kagura, she'd seen her like a big sister. But there was just something different about Kagome that made her seem so maternal. Although this is how Kanna truly felt, she kept it all hidden away.

It was a brisk winter morning, snow fell from the sky and the wind blew softly. It had been a year and a half since Kagome traded herself in place of Rin. She and Kanna were sitting under the tree in the courtyard. Kagome felt a sharp pain. Even though she was in pain, she could only manage a smile, "Kanna, it's time. Go and get Tsai-BaaBaa." Kanna ran into the castle, Kagome followed slowly, clutching at her belly. Kagome finally reached a small room at the end of a long narrow hallway. This was where she would give birth to her baby. Lady Tsai-BaaBaa was preparing everything, Kanna was bringing in a warm towel.

It was many hours later before there was the soft cry of a baby making its way through the castle. Tsai-BaaBaa took the baby away to clean it, she returned to Kagome with a large smile. She held up a chubby little baby, "It's a healthy baby girl. What shall you call her Lady Kagome?"

Kagome smiled at the infant which was now placed gently in her arms. She looked the baby over, she had deep crimson eyes, "Kagura, her name will be Kagura." Kanna looked up at Kagome surprise apparent in her eyes. Naraku finally entered the room. He peered past Kanna and saw Kagome cradling the infant.

He walked over and knelt down to kiss Kagome. He looked at the baby and immediately noticed her crimson eyes, "What is her name?"

Kagome smiled and looked up at Naraku. She loathed and despised him and couldn't wait for his death. She hid her true feelings quite well, "She has crimson eyes. So it only seems fit that her name be Kagura."

Naraku looked away from the infant. "Kagura huh? As you wish," with that he left the room with haste.

"May I please be left alone for a bit?" Kagome looked at Tsai-BaaBaa and Kanna. The two nodded and exited the room, leaving Kagome and baby Kagura alone in peace. Kagome looked out the window. The sun was gone and the snow had stopped. The night sky was filled with stars. She gazed at the beautiful site and looked back down at the infant.

"It won't be long now. Kagura, it's so close, I can feel it. Naraku will be no more and I will be able to return to my friends. Kagura, I wish you were here," Kagome's voice was but a whisper. She continued to gaze out the window until she found herself in a deep peaceful slumber.