Ch42
Keski gave him a small smile and said, "I did, didn't I?"
Sesshoumaru nodded, giving him a reassuring smile and said, "Yes, you did. Now why don't you sit back down? You must be tired by now."
Keski nodded and took his seat again. "Alright, we need to come up with a counter attack, to start," Sesshoumaru said.
"How are we supposed to do that we don't know any evil priests, Naraku probably got demons you screwed over too Sesshoumaru!" Karas said to him.
"That's true your dad did say when you went looking for priest to train the boys you just ordered them to come." Caren said.
"Yeah I did and I do it again I am a demon Lord I come from noble blood Naraku sold his soul to become what I am." Sesshoumaru tells them. "
Keski nodded his head. "Well if Naraku isn't going to bother me till I go into labor let's leave the castle and go and try to find allies."Keski tells them.
"While that is a good idea, we could be out there and if he sees you're without a barrier while we travel, he could try and attack to get you back," Sesshoumaru said.
"You heard him yourself, Sesshoumaru. He said he'll give me three months to think over going back with him. He knows that by then I'll be having the baby. We should take advantage of his 'deal', don't you think?" Keski said.
"Naraku and deal don't go together." Sesshoumaru says to him.
"We could leave Shippo, Souta and Rin at your father's castle that way they be safe and I can put a barrier around me very quickly I'll make a spell like I made when Kagome was pregnant with Rin, that will keep me and the baby safe."Keski says with a smile.
"I'll start brewing it." Caren says and get ups to go into the kitchen.
"Alright but you two brothers have to listen and no matter how Naraku tries to sweet talk you Keski you go and sit him if you have too." Sesshoumaru tells him
Keski nodded and said, "Okay. But then I'd like to make extra of the formula to put on all of you, because since you are all close to me, he could try to use you against me, as he did with Karas and Kira."
"I am not putting that on me I couldn't even touch Kagome for those months." Sesshoumaru tells him.
"Fine Fluffy everyone gets it but Fluffy." Keski says to him and places his hands on his stomach feeling the baby move. "When I found out I was pregnant I was hoping Naraku be so happy he want to share in this and forget about the shards."Keski says to him.
Sesshoumaru sighed and said, "I know, Keski. But we're excited about the baby, even if it is his, because we know that it's yours, too, and I know you'll raise it right."
Keski yawned and started dozing off, Sesshoumaru scrunched his nose up when he smelled that putrid smell.
"Here we go." Caren says as he brings the potion over. Karas lifted Keski's shirt up and saw the baby moving. "Wow look at it." he says. Caren took the potion and began rubbing it on Keski's stomach. "I bet it looks like a mixture of them both." Dante says.
"That will be fun, seeing Naraku every time I look at it," Dante said. Caren smacked the back of his head and said, "It wont' be anything like it's father. Keski will be raising it." Dante just rolled his eyes, rubbing the back of his head where it was hit.
"The baby will be fine as long as we don't let Inuyasha teach him or her anything." Karas says. "That goes for you too." Sesshoumaru says to Karas.
"I'll be a good Uncle, but I am not going in there when he delivers." Karas tells them.
"Why not?" Kira asks.
"I wanna live I heard what Kagome did to Sesshoumaru when she had Rin." Karas says
"She didn't kill me, did she? Not like she could if she tried, anyway," Sesshoumaru said, watching Caren rub the potion on Keski's stomach as the baby moved. Karas cleared his throat as he saw Kagome coming down the stairs, glaring at Sesshoumaru's back
"I am The Lord she is the Lady but I am Alpha, Kagome is like any other woman , Sara was the same Sara was more willing to do things without me having to ask, Sara was curvy with her blue eyes and dark hair if you guys saw her you would never look at a man again." Sesshoumaru tells them.
"Oh really?" Kagome growled with her hands on her hips. "How dare you talk about that tramp of a princess!" Kagome yells at Sesshoumaru.
"Kagome calm down I picked you didn't I?" Sesshoumaru says to her
Kagome growled and said, "Yes, after your father caught us having sex before you even officially started courting me!" Karas and Kira gasped, looking at Sesshoumaru, who was now turned around and looking at Kagome. "Did you really have to yell that at the top of your lungs!? What if Rin heard!?" he hissed.
Kagome growled low in her throat and said, "If Rin heard, then great. She should know the real reason why we were married." She sighed, staring at the ground, and when she looked back up at Sesshoumaru, her eyes were filled with tears.
"Oh, Kagome, you know that wasn't the reason why we were married," Sesshoumaru sighed, pulling her into his arms and holding her close. Sesshoumaru leaned down and whispered to her, "Do you remember when we first met? I was still with Sara then, but when I saw you at that ball, you took my breath away. At that moment I knew that you were my mate. Not just any mate, but my soul mate."
Kagome wiped the tears from her face and smiled at Sesshoumaru and kissed him on his lips. Kagome twitched her nose "Do we have to use this?" she asks.
"Yes we're going out tomorrow sending Rin and Shippo to my fathers for now while we go and try to find allies, Naraku has a dark priest on his side now and they're planning to make a spell so Naraku can control Keski while he is pregnant." Sesshoumaru tells her.
"I see well I better pack Rin's things then, and I'll pack Shippos's since Keski is knocked out." Kagome tells him and stands up she bent down to Keski's stomach. "Hi baby we can't wait to meet you." she coos. Sesshoumaru shook his head at her
She gently kissed Keski's stomach, ignoring the smell of the poultice and turned around, going back up the stairs and silently going into their child's room. Sesshoumaru sighed and stared after her before turning to the others. "What?" he said, seeing all of them staring besides Keski, who was passed out in the chair. "You are so whipped," Dante said. Sesshoumaru just rolled his eyes before gently picking up Keski. "Make sure your traveling things are packed by tomorrow. Karas, pack Keski's for me as well. I'm putting him in bed where he belongs," Sesshoumaru said, looking down at the unconscious man in his arms.
Kohaku nodded and said, "Okay. Why do you want that spell?" "Because then Keski won't be such a pain to come to me," Naraku said.
"Do you love him Naraku, if you do just tell me and I'll go, I'll hand over the shards and go to Hiten." Kohaku tells him.
"Kohaku I want you, I love you after the baby there is no Keski and I." Naraku says to him. "Why don't I believe you, that baby is going to be beautiful because of you and Keski." Kohaku says to him
Naraku tilted Kohaku's chin so he was looking at him. "The children we will have will be even better," he said. Kohaku looked at him sadly and said, "It won't be the same."
"Kohaku you have nothing to worry about I want you, sleeping with Keski it just happened before you decided you wanted to really be with me, I had needs and Keski was there and it happened." Naraku tells him.
"Oh so that's your excuse sleep in your office oh and sit, sit SIT!" Kohaku yelled and stormed off to their bedroom slamming the door shut and putting up a barrier.
Kanna saw this and the quite child giggled at Naraku on the floor
Naraku half growled/half groaned as he stood, dusting off the front of his kimono. Kanna was still giggling and Naraku glared at her. "Don't you have something to do?" he said.
"Yes master," Kanna said, still giggling, as she walked down the hallway. Naraku walked to the door of their bedroom and said, "Kohaku, put down the barrier."
"I don't think so!, go sleep somewhere else, go find Keski to keep you warm!" Kohaku yelled as he sat in the bed under the warm covers.
"Kohaku I am warning you." Naraku growled
"I said no go cool off and I'll see you in the morning." Kohaku says to him.
"You and Keski are more alike than you care to admit!" Naraku yelled at him and walked down to his office. "Kanna get in here!" Naraku yelled at her .
"Yes Master." she said.
"Show me Keski now" he growled.
Kanna did as he asked showing him Keski sleeping in the bed. "Master wants him." she says.
Naraku growled and said, "I want the child, not him. Kohaku is more loyal to me."
"But master knows that Keski truly loves him, even if he does not agree with master's choices," Kanna said, her eyes glazed over as if she were looking far off somewhere else
Naraku glared at Kanna before looking back at Keski. "Keski is my toy and will die by my hands." Naraku tells her and turns his back to her closing his eyes to get some sleep.
"You can't kill him." Kanna says before walking out the room.
The next morning the castle was a buzz as Souta, Rin and Shippo were crying since they had to go to Inutashio's castle. "We wanna go with you daddy!" Rin cried as her face turned red. "Keski please let me come I'll be good." Shippo whined
Keski knelt down in front of the kit and said, "I would bring you with me, Shippo, but this is better this way I'll know you're safe. I don't want you in danger. Any of you. I want you to listen to Inutaisho and Izayoi, okay? Make sure you are respectful." He pulled Shippo into his arms and hugged him close.
"But what about the baby?" Shippo asks.
"I'll be back in plenty of time before the baby is born I promise you won't miss the birth of your baby brother or sister." Keski says to him.
"Rin I am not putting you or Souta in danger now behave at your grandfathers." Sesshoumaru tells her.
Kikyo walked over to Souta. "I'll be back,Souta I have to talk some sense into your brother's head." she tells him. "O..okay." Souta hiccuped. Suikotsu hugged Souta.
"It's okay be a big boy and protect Rin and Shippo." he tells him. "Okay!" Souta tells him and leaves with Inutashio's guards.
Keski kissed Shippo's forehead and watched as the kit ran to catch up with Souta and jumped onto his shoulder, both boys sniffling. Ah Un was going with them as extra protection and to ride on when they were tired, Rin already settled onto his back as Kagome and Sesshoumaru both kissed her goodbye. Rin clung to her mother and said, "I don't want to leave, mommy!"
"I know, baby. We'll come get you as soon as we can, okay?" Kagome said.
Rin nodded after a moment and reluctantly let go of her, waving sadly as Ah Un caught up with the others.
Once the kids were out the way the adults began walking. "So who will we ask, or should I ask who haven't you pissed off?" Inuyasha says to him.
"Inuyasha go walk with Shiori before I take your head off." Sesshoumaru threatened.
"As if you could Father would be here in an instant." Inuyasha says to him.
Keski was busy eating as he listened to the others. "Where did you get that?" Caren asked him seeing him chew on cookies
"I brought a bunch. Kagome's been baking them like crazy," Keski said, taking another bite. Caren nodded and said, "May I?"
"Of course, here," Keski said, handing him a cookie. Caren took a bite and said, "She's an excellent cook." Keski just nodded, taking another bite.
Sesshoumaru sniffed the air then looked at Kagome. "Why are you feeding him cookies when I put him on a diet?" he asked Kagome.
"Leave Keski alone he's eating your nasty vegetables!"Kagome hissed. Inuyasha walked over to Shiori and took her hand in his. "Maybe we should go and see your dad." he says to her. "Inuyasha father and mother decided to go on a vacation since they knew I'd be staying with your brother." she tells him
Oh," Inuyasha said, blushing slightly from embarrassment. Shiori giggled and kissed his cheek, saying, "When they get back I promise we'll go visit."
Karas held on tight to Kira. "You're never leaving my side again, we'll fight Naraku together along with Miroku and whoever else he gets to join him." Karas says.
"Yeah it's too bad we can't talk any sense into Kohaku." Kira says.
"Kira what else did Naraku say how is he planning for taking care of the baby without Keski?" Sesshoumaru asks
"Kohaku's going to be a substitute," Kira said. Sesshoumaru nodded and said, "Figures. But he won't be able to take care of it, he isn't producing milk like Keski is." "I know, but they would most likely of found a way," Kira said. Sesshoumaru just nodded as they continued walking.
Keski cleared his throat, "Kohaku isn't touching my child, Naraku can get him pregnant if he wants to instead of pestering me, he should just have sex with Kohaku like he kept telling me he was going to do." he tells them.
Sesshoumaru walked over to Keski and snatched the bag of cookies from Keski. "No more." he tells him.
"You big bully, you overgrown fur ball!" Keski yelled at him
Sesshoumaru ignored him and stored the cookies in his own bag before catching up to Kagome, leaving Keski pouting. Kira smirked and pulled out an extra cookie he had gotten before Sesshoumaru took them. He handed it to Keski, making him smile.
Naraku was up and early and was sitting in his office drinking a nice cup of hot tea when Kohaku walked into the room dressed. "Hoped you slept good." Naraku says to him.
"Yeah like a baby, I am sorry about what I did last night I was just stressed out so I was thinking we go out today I have a surprise for you." Kohaku says to him.
Naraku thought for a moment and said, "Alright. We can spare a day."
Kohaku smiled and said, "Good!"
"What did you have in mind?" Naraku asked.
"You'll see," Kohaku said.
Naraku finished the tea and stood up, Kohaku took his hand and lead him out the study where Kanna was waiting, Kanna was standing there with her mirror by her side.
"I asked Kanna to come along part of the surprise." Kohaku says to him as Kanna quietly walked out behind them much different from the girl that laughed at him last night.
Naraku followed him out of the castle and said, "Where on earth are we going, Kohaku?"
"I told you, it's a surprise!" Kohaku said, smiling.
Keski was now resting on a fallen log, Sesshoumaru had Bankotsu and the other guards began to set up camp to cook some food. "I guess Koga would be a good allies." Caren says as he puts some vegetables in a pot to cook with meat.
Kikyo walked over to Keski. "I am sorry my son is causing you so much grief in your condition." she says. "It's my fault too I made him mad a lot before I got pregnant." Keski tells her
Kikyo nodded and said, "Even so, he shouldn't be treating you this way." She sat down beside him and watched as the others helped put the camp together.
"Thank you for not hating me, I just should have left Naraku alone but I didn't he said he wanted to be with Kohaku but I couldn't accept it." Keski tells her. "Keski a lot of things were said and done that we all wish we could take back but now you have a little life growing inside of you and you have to worry about that not Kohaku and not Naraku, let Sesshoumaru deal with it." Kikyo tells him
Keski sighed and said, "You're right. I just can't help but worry though. Kohaku is, in a way, part of me." Kikyo smiled kindly and said, "I know what you mean, dear."
Naraku growled as he followed Kohaku and Kanna. "Kohaku are we lost?" Naraku asks him. "No now follow!" he yells at Naraku and keeps walking to them come to a clearing where there was a crisp clean river. "Take a bath, while Kanna and I go see about that surprise.
"Kohaku tells him and walks away with Kanna making sure their scents are hidden as they hide in the bushes spying on Keski. "Kanna when I give the word you're to bring Naraku here." he tells her.
Kanna nodded and waited for the command. After a few moments Kohaku said, "Alright, go get him." Kanna quickly went back to the clearing and said, "This way, Master." Naraku re-dressed and followed her over to where Kohaku was hiding.
Naraku looked into the clearing seeing Keski glaring at Sesshoumaru as he ate his stew."I don't like this Sesshoumaru." Keski tells him.
"Just eat it, it's good for the baby." Sesshoumaru tells him.
Keski ate more of the stew ."Only for you baby." he says as he rubs his stomach.
"Hey Keski we decided to let Sesshoumaru be in the room when you give birth." Karas tells him
Keski blushed and said, "Why? There's going to be enough people already..."
"No just you, the healer, and Sesshoumaru we'll be waiting downstairs ."Karas tells him.
"And why is that?" Keski asked.
"Because I want to live I want my hand to stay intact and besides we have to keep the barrier up." Caren says quickly.
Keski chuckled," Cowards." he says and stands up and puts his bowl down, "I'm wash my hands and face, I'll be back." he says to Sesshoumaru
Sesshoumaru nodded and said, "Don't go too far."
"I won't. I'll be back in a few minutes," Keski said, heading towards a river that was a few minutes away from their camp
Naraku stood up slowly making sure not to make a noise he followed Keski to the river along with Kohaku, Kanna was made to stay behind to stop the others from interfering.
Keski dipped his hands in the water cleaning them off and then washing his face. Keski sat back on his knees. "Keski stand up slowly." Naraku says to him.
Keski's eyes glazed over and he did as he was told, slowly standing. "Now turn around and face me," Naraku said. Keski again followed Naraku's command, facing him.
"Wow it worked." Kohaku says. Naraku placed his hand on Keski's stomach and felt the baby moving around.
"Lively little thing." he says and then looks at Keski, his nose scrunched up when he smelled the scent coming off of Keski. "A spell." Naraku said
."Keski come with me it's time to go." Naraku tells him. Keski started to move but his feet wouldn't listen to the command.
Naraku narrowed his eyes and said, "Keski, it's time to go home. Come with me." Again, Keski's feet didn't budge.
Naraku growled low in his throat and Kohaku said, "It might be the spell, Naraku."
Kohaku walked over to Keski. "I remember this smell it was on Kagome when she was pregnant with Rin." Kohaku says to him.
Naraku walked over to Keski and dug his claws in his arms. "Move your damn body now!" he growled out. Keski winced feeling the claws in his skin. "Stop hurting me." he said to Naraku.
Naraku narrowed his eyes again and said, "Do what you're told, Keski, and come with me!"
"I'm not going anywhere with you!" Keski said, blinking his eyes furiously, the connection broken. "Let me go or I'll scream for Sesshoumaru," Keski hissed, glaring at Naraku.
"Sesshoumaru is busy right now thanks to Kanna."Naraku tells him.
"You said I have 3months!, let go!" Keski yelled at him.
"That was before you left the safety of the palace." Naraku tells him.
Keski pulled away from Naraku and slapped him on his face. "You teamed up with Miroku that's why I left I need to do things before my child is born."he tells him
Naraku growled and turned back towards Keski. "Do things? Like what? Get your life back? Have a better connection to those who care about you? You're going to die anyway Keski, obviously you know this. Now just come with me and live your last three months with the man you mated," he said, holding out his hand.
"No," Keski said, staring at him defiantly" I am not going to die!, I am not the same man I was back then I know how you're , I am not leaving my baby to be raised by you, I'll find another mate and I'll make allies, all I wanted was to be mated with you, but just used me Kohaku is more for you, you twisted him to your evil ways you will not get my shards or baby Naraku!" Keski said as he backed away from him he looked at the river.
"Keski don't do anything stupid." Kohaku says to him.
Keski jumped into the river and began swimming back toward the camp to get to Sesshoumaru.
Naraku growled and grabbed Kohaku and made it back toward the camp. Sesshoumaru heard his name called and ran in that direction. "You cannot pass." Kanna said as she stepped out from behind the bush holding her mirror up.
"Get out of my way girl." he ordered her.
"Naraku is nearby" Kira says to him
Caren loaded his arrow and shot at Kanna. "Go!" he tells Sesshoumaru. Sesshoumaru nodded and ran toward the river seeing Keski swimming he jumped in the river and swam toward Keski.
Keski felt himself tiring and started to panic about the baby. He used the last of his strength and gave one last powerful stroke before collapsing, Sesshoumaru getting to him just in time. He found a foot hold in the river and jumped out, holding Keski in his arms, who was now breathing heavily. "I need the baby to be checked," he said breathlessly as Sesshoumaru landed. "Kagome, Dante, protect him and check the baby!" he said before turning around to see Naraku and Kohaku coming out of the trees.
Kagome and Caren bent down beside Keski and lifted his shirt up. Caren placed his hand over the stomach the baby stayed still for a few minutes before beginning to move around again. "The baby is fine Keski, but we need to get you in some dry clothes." Caren tells him. Kagome stood up. "How can you treat him this way Naraku, you put your own baby in danger!, you could have killed them both!" Kagome yells at him.
"He did that to him self I told him to come he jumped in the river" Naraku tells her. "Get out of the way Sesshoumaru." Naraku says to him.
"No. You've hurt him enough already. Leave us," Sesshoumaru growled, drawing Tokijin.
"You think you can beat me with that sword alone?" Naraku said
. "No, but with this one as well, you bastard," Inuyasha said, standing next to his brother with Tetsusaiga in his hand.
Shiori had joined Dante and Kagome, kneeling down next to Keski and holding him while Kagome got him dry clothing.
Naraku looked at Keski. "He would have been mine if it wasn't for that spell, I will have him Sesshoumaru now or in three months, if you make me wait many will die you want that on your hands?' Naraku asked him.
Kikyo walked up on them "Kohaku what are you doing how could you?!" Kikyo asked him and walked up to her son and pulled him away from Naraku as she glared at him.
"I've made my choice, mother. I love him," Kohaku said, looking over his shoulder at Naraku, who was still glaring at Sesshoumaru. "Kohaku, what you're feeling is not love. You haven't even been out there yet, Naraku is the first one you've met!" Kikyo said, turning her son's face back to look at her, sadness in her eyes. "You're breaking my heart, Kohaku. Mine, your father's, even Souta's. You've become something else," she said, tears welling up in her eyes
"Mother please don't cry when the war comes you father and Souta will be spared." Kohaku tells her.
Karas looked at Kohaku. "So that's how it is after we protected you when you couldn't feed yourself all that you want to save is your parents and brother!, I should have killed you earlier." Karas tells him.
"But you didn't Karas this doesn't have to end bad just hand Keski over and you'll all live." Kohaku says to him.
"Kohaku you're not a killer!" Kikyo tries to reason with him
Kohaku looked at her and hissed, "You don't know what I am, mother. You left my raising to Kagome and Sesshoumaru."
Kikyo gasped, her hand over her mouth. "Kohaku, we both did a good deal of raising you. Everyone did," Suikotsu said, walking up to stand next to his wife.
"How can you stand by him when he took me from you Kohaku and beat me and made a slave of me?" Suikotsu asks him. "You didn't die Father you're alive he gave you back!" Kohaku spat.
"What have you done to him Naraku?!" Suikotsu asks him.
"Your son has a mind of his own."Naraku says not taking his eyes off of Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru.
Kagome came back with some clothes Karas stood in front of her hiding Keski's body from Naraku's view as he changed clothes. Naraku was tired of them ."Fine so be it." Naraku tells them as he calls forth his demon bees and Juuroumaru.
Keski saw the three coming and quickly put up a barrier, though weaker than the one around the castle, it was still strong. "Keski, we'll take over. You rest," Caren said.
Keski just nodded and watched as Caren and Dante made the signals, Kagome pulling Kohaku's parents over the barrier line just as it came down. Kikyo buried her face in Suikotsu's chest and her shoulders shook with sobs, while Suikotsu stared at his son, disappointment evident in his features.
Juuroumaru landed next to Naraku and bowed. "Yes master." he says.
"Kill Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha ."Naraku tells him and then looks at Keski. "Drop the barrier Keski no one will harm you." he says to him.
"Shut up I'm sick of you, why can't you keep our deal, you kill me, you won't find the jewels." Keski tells him.
"I'll find them you underestimate Kohaku." Naraku says to him.
"He doesn't know half of what I know, Naraku, and you know that!" Keski said, glaring at him. "That may be, but he'll learn. He's a quick learner, unlike you," Naraku said.
Keski looked at Naraku. "I don't know what I ever saw in you!, I thought that maybe with the baby we could try again, but you're evil!" Keski tells him and grabs Caren's arrow and bow and steps out the barrier and loads it and shoots Juuroumaru in his arm.
Juuroumaru hissed in pain, twirling towards him and holding onto his injured arm. Keski quickly reloaded the bow and shot another arrow at him, only missing by inches when Juuroumaru moved out of the way.
"Next one is for you Naraku if you don't leave now!" Keski warned him as he loaded another arrow and pointed it at his mate.
"You won't do it." Naraku says to him.
"Try me this baby comes first and I will protect it with all of my spiritual powers!" Keski says to him.
"Naraku you can't control him right now." Kohaku tells him and looks at his parents in the barrier.
"I've already attempted to. Obviously it didn't work," Naraku said, not taking his eyes off of Keski.
"We agreed to three months, If you bother us again, I will kill you. And this time I'll make sure it's finished," Keski said, continuing to glare at him.
Naraku called his demon bees off as well as Juuroumaru. "When I see you next time you'll regret what happened here today." Naraku says to Keski.
"Leave!" Keski tells him as the baby kicks. "I'm sorry little one." he says as he looks at Naraku. "I loved you Naraku." Keski tells him.
Naraku smirked and said, "And I suppose you thought I loved you, too, correct? Well, as you can see, you were wrong."
"Obviously. I should have figured it out when you had killed me the first time, but I just wouldn't. I loved you too much. Now I don't love you at all," Keski said