Chapter 3 – Maru
It had been five years since Maru was born and Naraku never tried to break through the barrier, Kagome was slightly surprised at this but who was she to complain? She was lying in bed next to Sesshoumaru when she was awoken by knocking on her bedroom door "Who is it?" She knew who it was but just in case
"Mommy" Sesshoumaru awoke from the noises and sat up with half lidded eyes
"Maru" Sesshoumaru groaned "Come in then" The door was pushed open and a hanyou boy of five with long silver black hair, amber eyes and carrying a stuffed puppy dog tiptoed in with tears streaming down his face "What's wrong pup?" Sesshoumaru lightly pushed Kagome to lie back down as Maru climbed up the sheets and sat on his father's lap
"I had a bad dream" He murmured "A bad man in a monkey outfit came along and snatched me and mommy" The pup cried 'Monkey outfit? Does he mean baboon pelt? Naraku? Is it a coincidence?' Sesshoumaru thought "He hurt you daddy, you were lying on the floor covered in blood" He cried harder which caused Kagome to sit up and take him in his arms
"It's ok Maru" Kagome hushed "It was only a dream" Kagome looked worriedly towards her mate "Just a dream" She then placed him down, got up and slid her dressing gown on "Sesshoumaru, I'm going to take him downstairs for some warm milk"
"Kagome, its 2am" Sesshoumaru sighed "It won't rest well in his stomach" He then noticed he was fiddling with his pup's stuffed dog and put it beside him
"Warm milk helps take the fears away from a nightmare" She leaned on the bed and kissed her mate "I'll see you in a minute; come on Maru" She lifted her little boy and went downstairs. When she entered the living room she saw Inutaisho and Inuyasha sitting awake watching a film she brought from her time on her portable DVD player "How can you two still be up?"
"We're discussing how unrealistic these stupid horror movies…ah" Inutaisho jumped when something jumped out of the dark on the film "Gosh I swear my heart just leaped into my throat"
"Oh come on Inutaisho, how could you have jumped then? That film is called 'The Eye' it isn't scary at all, Maru even watched it and it didn't scare him to that content" Maru jumped from him mother's arms and hugged his grandfather
"Hey little one, why are you awake?" Inutaisho asked
"I had a bad dream so mommy is going to get me some milk to help me sleep" Kagome then left to get the milk as Maru told his grandfather and uncle his dream
"Well that does sound nasty" Inutaisho said
"And familiar" Inuyasha added "Hey do you think it was…" He trailed off; he didn't want his nephew to have any knowledge of Naraku
"Possibly"
"Who, who is it?" Maru questioned "Tell me tell me" He pleaded
"Maru, stop asking things you are too young to know" Kagome said as she re-entered the room and handed her pup a warm mug of milk "Drink that up and we'll go back to bed"
"But I want to stay up and watch TV with grampy" Maru moaned "I don't want to go back in my room and sleep, I know I'll have another nasty dream" He finished his milk and gave it to Inuyasha to put down
"Now Maru, you need your sleep" Kagome protested "All good Prince's need their sleep"
"Not all of the time and you always make me sleep" He huffed as he folded his arms "Daddy doesn't sleep all of the time"
"Don't forget Maru, daddy is older than you and is a lot stronger" Kagome said as she lifted her son from her father in-law "If you want you can sleep with daddy and I"
"Ok" Kagome then said her goodnights and went back into the bedroom
"I'm back" She put Maru down and removed her dressing gown
"Why aren't you in bed pup?" Sesshoumaru asked as he turned on his back to meet his son's gaze whom was sitting on his stomach
"Daddy, mommy said I could sleep in here tonight can I?" He gave his father his puppy dog eyes. Sesshoumaru gave a tired nod and closed his eyes as his mate crawled into bed "Thank you daddy" He then felt his father wrap his arms around him as his mother pulled the quilt over them "Goodnight mommy goodnight daddy"
"Goodnight my little Prince" Kagome whispered as she drifted off. Sesshoumaru almost followed suit when Maru jumped up looking worried
"What is it?" He asked whilst keeping his eyes closed
"Where's Inu" He cried
"Who is Inu?" He asked whilst opening his eyes "Are you talking about your uncle" The pup shook his head "Then who?"
"My doggy daddy, where's my doggy?" He started squirming when Sesshoumaru's hand slid off the side of the bed and reappeared with the stuffed dog in his hand
"This" Maru beamed and nodded "Here, have it and go to sleep" Maru took the dog from his father, lay back on his father's stomach, cuddled up, stuck his thumb in his mouth and drifted off as Sesshoumaru wrapped his arms around the pup once again; soon sleep also took over him and he drifted off into dreamland. The next morning Sesshoumaru awoke to two large amber eyes looking straight into his
"Good morning daddy" He smiled. 'He still has that damned dog with him?' Sesshoumaru thought
"Good morning Maru" He then looked to see his mate still asleep, he quietly sat up and took Maru into his arms "Come, let's leave your mother to sleep" He then stood, got dressed, took Maru and went downstairs to the dining room. When they arrived they found Sango and Miroku bickering
"No Miroku, I don't find it amusing when you grope every woman in the palace including me" Sango snapped
"Oh come on Sango, I'm only having a little fun" Miroku sighed "Lighten up" Inuyasha then walked in obviously annoyed
"Guys, what's going on? You woke me up"
"Miroku is constantly groping all of the women in the palace and it is getting out of hand" Sango explained
"She is right Miroku" Inuyasha said "Maru is 5 years old and if he sees you doing that he might imitate your actions, I doubt Sesshoumaru would approve of a perverted son and could you imagine what Kagome would do to you?"
"I guess you're right" Miroku sighed again, he then looked up and saw Sesshoumaru entering with Maru "Oh good morning Prince Sesshoumaru" Sesshoumaru nodded his head as Maru left his father's arms and jumped into Inuyasha's
"Uncle Inuyasha, what is uncle Miroku doing that he shouldn't? And what does perverted mean?" Maru questioned
"Umm…" Inuyasha trailed off as he looked to his brother
"Maru, don't ask questions you are too young to know?" Sesshoumaru ordered "And I will speak with you later monk" Miroku then shrank behind Sango's back which made Maru giggle
"Uncle, will you play with me after breakfast? Daddy got a meeting so he'll play with me after"
"Yea sure" Inuyasha smiled as he cuddled his little nephew "He may look like you Sesshoumaru but he has Kagome's attitude"
"That's what scares me"
"Excuse me" Sesshoumaru turned to see Kagome arms crossed and not looking amused
"In temper wise love" He said
"Nice save" She walked over to him and kissed him on the lips "Why didn't you wake me?"
"Because you were up with Maru last night" He kissed her forehead and sat her down at the dining table, everybody followed suit and began to eat; Inutaisho and Rin soon entered and joined them. Soon after breakfast everybody went and did their thing whilst Inuyasha took Maru (with Sesshoumaru's permission) to Inuyasha's forest and played, Inuyasha knew why Sesshoumaru let them take Maru only to this place was that the Band of Six took guard there so he guessed they would be safe enough.
"Uncle Inuyasha, what's that" He pointed to the Goshinboku tree "There's something shiny in that crack" He climbed up the tree and pulled out a shard or something "Looks like it has broken off something"
"Pass it here Maru, we don't want you cutting yourself" Maru did as Inuyasha ordered and passed the shard over, Inuyasha looked over the shard and gasped
"One of the shards of the Shikon no Tama" He went eye wide
"Mommy said that it was a jewel she broke and has been trying to find all the pieces"
"Is your mommy a miko little boy?" Naraku came out in his baboon pelt and neared Maru "Is your mother's name Kagome?"
"Uncle Inuyasha" Maru stumbled back in the direction of his uncle "He's the bad man I dreamt about last night" Inuyasha jumped in front of his nephew and pulled Tetsusaiga out from its sheath
"Naraku" He growled "What are you doing here?"
"That child you are protecting is Sesshoumaru's and Kagome's son is it not?" Naraku smirked "Until Sesshoumaru is dead I will not be able to have Kagome for myself, he is standing in the way"
"My father will not allow you to come near his son, daughter and grandson" Inuyasha argued "Maru, get away from here now"
"But…"
"NOW" Maru was about to run went he felt wind throw him into the air and found himself in a woman's arms whom was on a giant feather "Kagura, release him"
"No half breed I don't think I will" She grinned as she held Maru firm "Stop squirming brat, you're lucky you resemble your father or you would be dead right now"
"Inuyasha, take one swing at me and the child dies the same way as the Band of Six did – slowly and painfully" Naraku grinned
"You killed them?" He then found himself being thrown back against a tree and fell into darkness
"Well he's out of the way for a little while; Kagura bring the kid here" Kagura landed by her master and brought Maru closer to him "What's your name young Prince?" Maru frowned and tried to act brave
"M-my d-daddy will k-kill you for taking m-me" He stuttered
"That dream you had last night, I gave you that dream as a vision of what will happen today; you might experience some déjà vu" He then caught Maru's chin and smirked
"Let me go" Maru shouted. Suddenly a flash of blue light erupted from his hands causing Naraku to go flying backwards "Whoops" Naraku got back up, walked over to Maru and slashed three claw marks across his face "Ah" The poor pup yelped with tears streaming down his face causing his wounded cheek to burn
"Your mother did that to me last time and do you know what I did to her?" Maru shook his head "I beat her and threw her into a coma" Maru went eye wide and struggled in Kagura's grasp
"Let me go, I don't want to go in a coma" He cried "DADDY" Naraku knocked Maru unconscious and took him from his servant
"Tell Sesshoumaru that I have his son and that he will only be out of harm's way if I have Kagome for myself and Sesshoumaru dead" Kagura nodded and flew off towards
the West, she wondered why the barrier never affected her and why hadn't Naraku sent her there to fight before? She landed outside the doors and looked at Monomaru
"Yo, I need to see Sesshoumaru and Kagome…"
"That is Prince Sesshoumaru and Princess Kagome to you woman" Monomaru snapped "Have respect for you royals and you will not see either today as they are in an important meeting"
"Is a meeting more important than their son's life?"
"What has happened to Prince Maru? What knowledge do you have? And where is Master Inuyasha?" Monomaru questioned
"I will only speak with their highnesses" Monomaru grabbed her arm and dragged her into the palace
"Wait here" He then went upstairs and entered the study "Prince Sesshoumaru Princess Kagome, something has happened to Prince Maru and Master Inuyasha is missing" Sesshoumaru and Kagome stood and the Prince growled
"How do you know of this knowledge Monomaru?"
"There is a woman to see you downstairs" Sesshoumaru and Kagome let Monomaru lead them to the room he had left Kagura, when they arrived Sesshoumaru dismissed Monomaru
"Kagura, where is my son?" Sesshoumaru growled as he grabbed her wrist and pulled her to him
"Too bad this can't be romantic" She smiled but he just growled and shook her more "Fine already" She pulled from him "Naraku has your son he will be in Inuyasha's forest awaiting you, he said the only way you will have the kid back is that he gets to keep Kagome and to have you dead" She was about to leave when she remembered something "Naraku has killed the Band of Six and Inuyasha has been rendered unconscious" She then ran from the palace and flew back to her master
"Sesshoumaru…" Kagome cried as she latched onto his chest in tears "What if Naraku has hurt our baby boy?"
"Then I will make sure he suffers when I kill him" He then tied Tensaiga to his belt "Stay here Kagome, I will return shortly"
"No Sesshoumaru, I'm going with you"
"It's too dangerous"
"I don't care, I'm not going to sit by whilst my son and husband are with the man I detest the most" She snapped "And how are you to defend yourself with Tensaiga?"
"Father upgraded it" He said "And Kagome please I don't want you to get caught up in that battle"
"Why because I'm a weak human"
"No"
"Then why Sesshoumaru" She screamed "You want Naraku for yourself?"
"No" He snapped and pushed her against the wall and grabbed her wrists "You're pregnant Kagome, I don't want you getting into another battle with him. Last time he put you in a coma" Kagome gasped and put a hand over her mouth
"I'm pregnant?" He nodded "It doesn't change anything Sessh, what if I bring Sango and Miroku with us, and I could go on Kirara and stay back?"
"Fine" He growled "Get them quickly, I am not going to wait any longer" Kagome then returned with Sango, Miroku and Kirara; they then took to the sky and went in the direction of Inuyasha's forest.
Meanwhile Inuyasha awoke to Maru's cries; he opened his eyes drowsily and looked up "Maru…" He whispered. He tried to move but found he was pinned to a tree by thick green blood sucking thorns
"I see you're awake Inuyasha" Naraku neared Inuyasha with a very weak Maru in his arms "If you move those thorns will drain your body of its blood so move as much as you please" He laughed "Kagura tells me that this kid is called Maru; he has been very good. When I want him to scream or cry he does it, especially when my dagger comes into contact with his body
"You bastard" Inuyasha growled "What has he ever done to you? He is just a pup"
"He was born" He then brought the dagger to Maru's hip and smirked "Cry for Inuyasha, Maru" He slit the pup and he cried out in agony
"I-I want my d-daddy" He sobbed "I want m-my mommy"
"Shh" Naraku soothed "They will be here to see you die soon" Just as he said this Sesshoumaru landed right behind him and put his sword to Naraku's throat
"Release my pup Naraku" He growled
"That is not smart my Prince" He smirked "I have a dagger to your son's throat, I will slit it"
"Da…Daddy…" Maru gagged. Sesshoumaru released Naraku who turned for him to see the damage on his pup's body
"W-what did you do you my son?" Sesshoumaru went eye wide
"This is the pain you will endure for taking the miko from me" Naraku smiled "But you have returned her to me so I will be nice and will give your son a quick death"
"NO" Kagome screamed as she jumped from Kirara and stood beside Sesshoumaru "Please Naraku, don't" She pleaded "Not my pup"
"Hmm, then what about your mate" He mused "One or the other Kagome, either way I win"
"Kill me" Kagome whispered "Not my family"
"I want you for another purpose miko and it doesn't involve your death"
"Then I will come quietly in exchange for my family's life"
"No Kagome" Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha shouted
"Deal" Kagome pulled out of Sesshoumaru's grasp and walked up to Naraku, he handed her Maru and she kissed her pup's forehead
"My little boy, what has happened to you?" She held him close as she walked over to Sesshoumaru, she handed him their pup "I love you"
"Kagome…"
"Just" She interrupted "Just kiss me one last time" He cupped her cheek with his free hand and leaned into her lips; she kissed back and placed her hands on his cheeks. She then left his lips with fresh tears "Look after him Sessh" She released his face and walked over to Naraku, when she stood a few CMs from him he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her to him
"Kiss me miko"
"Release Inuyasha first" He clicked his fingers and Inuyasha was released, he then pulled her in to what Kagome called the kiss of death. As he assaulted her lips she let her hand slide up his chest where she used her miko powers to create a purifying dagger "Goodbye Naraku" She whispered against his lips. She then ran him through where the nearly complete Shikon no Tama was, this caused the jewel to purify too and also purified Naraku's body until it blew up and beyond repair. Inuyasha handed her the shard Maru had found earlier and she joined the shard to the jewel and it completed. It began to glow pink as she released it and walked back to stand just in front of Sesshoumaru, as she did so the Great Miko Midoriko appeared behind the jewel holding it in her hands
"Princess Kagome, you have saved Japan from being tainted by Naraku's evil plans. In reward I grant you one wish but heed me child this wish must be unselfish and pure" Kagome bowed low to Midoriko, as she did this a blue pure dress slithered onto her body
"One wish milady, I have one and only one wish" Kagome began "I wish that Japan and the rest of the world was free of all of the pain Naraku has caused which includes reviving the lost and deserving lives Naraku stole" Midoriko bowed and the jewel shone brighter and disappeared
"Your wish has been granted" She disappeared along with the jewel and Kagome turned to Sesshoumaru
"You honestly believe that I would have gone with that creep?" She ran to him and her pup and embraced them tightly
"Kagome" Sesshoumaru wrapped his arm around her and kissed her passionately. The Band of Six appeared and bowed to Kagome
"Kagome, I am guessing you are the one who revived us" Bankotsu said "Thank you"
"I couldn't let the people I love die now could I" She hugged them and then Inuyasha "Thank you too Inuyasha"
"For what"
"You did what you could to protect my pup" She kissed his cheek and took Maru into her arms "As soon as we get home you're going to have your wounds seen to and then you
are going to get spoilt rotten" They all then returned to the palace. When they entered the palace Inutaisho had all of his guards around the place
"Father, what's this?"
"Where have you been? I almost sent all of my men out to find you"
"Naraku attacked but Kagome destroyed him" Sesshoumaru kissed her cheek "I'll tell you everything after but I am going to see to Maru first" They then took him to their bedroom where Kagome healed his wounds whilst Sesshoumaru got him a new kimono to wear, he then took Maru from Kagome and began dressing him
"Awe Maru, that kimono looks identical to the one daddy's wearing" Kagome smiled "You look just like him" Sesshoumaru put Maru on his lap and hugged him
"I am so proud of you" He kissed Maru's forehead "You were very brave today" Maru then broke down crying "It's ok Maru, you can cry" He continued to cry and Sesshoumaru started to rock him back and forth
"He tortured me daddy, he said he was going to kill me when you came. Slowly and painfully. I thought I was going to die" He sobs began to calm when Sesshoumaru handed him Inu "Thanks" He gave a sad and tired smile
"I think my brave boy needs to sleep" Sesshoumaru said
"I don't want to sleep on my own tonight daddy, what if he comes back?"
"Mommy made sure he would never return pup" Kagome sat beside him and Sesshoumaru pulled her into his embrace
"No one will ever break up our family again" Kagome whispered into her pup's ear "Guess what Maru, you're going to be a big brother too…"
A year later…
"Come on Jade" Maru said as he held his little sister's hand "You can help me get the cookie jar" He took his sister into the kitchen and put her on his shoulder's "Get that one"
"K big bwother" Jade tried to say. She almost had the jar off the counter when Kagome grabbed it and Sesshoumaru picked up both of his pups
"You two can be so troublesome" He shook his head
"What do you expect their 'your' pups" Inutaisho said as he walked in beside them "Awe they're trying to sneak sweets, do you ever treat them Sesshoumaru?" Inutaisho said as he slapped the back of his son's head "Next they'll be fighting over a loaf of bread"
"No we won't" Maru said as he hugged his sister "I'll never fight with little Jade"
"Well I guess that's something" Kagome laughed
THE END
Well that's it guys I hope you enjoyed it; please review