Surrealism Of A Bitter Fate

Sixteen

"YOUCH!" Kagome squealed suddenly, making Izayoi jump. The once-priestess scowled angrily at the embroidery she'd been attempting, sucking her now bleeding finger into her mouth, the needle responsible for pricking her finger mocking her with the thin trail of blood glistening on the point. "Son-of-a-"

"-It's alright, Kagome," Izayoi said soothingly and patting her knee. Wiping the blood clean off the needle before it had chance to stain the material, the woman smiled warmly at her son's mate. "You're getting better, it's just because you're tired, that is all." Kagome frowned, her finger still in her mouth sulkily.

"How can I still be tired? Its not even lunch time yet? Am I doing something wrong, Izayoi?" The said woman shook her head lightly.

"Of course not, every pregnant woman is more exhausted than usual – part-demon baby or no. You may be resting but your body is at work all the time trying to prepare this little life for the time it chooses to come out." Kagome rolled her eyes, sighing softly as she ran her hand over her largely swollen stomach.

"Hopefully that time is sooner rather than later, geez I'm so fat I can hardly walk anymore." The obsidian-haired-girl tipped her head back with an exhausted sigh. "I can't even find a comfortable position to sleep in anymore, and when I do the little demon decides it doesn't like that position, and starts kicking – and not just, hey there get some food down here kicking, it's full on – turn your ass over or I'll bounce on your bladder so you pee yourself kicking."

A little confused frown reached Kagome's features as Izayoi burst into sympathetic laughter, rubbing the girl's back affectionately.

"I apologise, Kagome, you just reminded me so much of Inuyasha at that moment it was untrue." The girl's frown ebbed away into a small smirk.

"I guess he's starting to rub off on me, huh?" The lady of the west offered her that usual, warming smile, dark eyes gazing thoughtfully at nothing in particular.

"Truly," she said at last, breaking the stagnant silence between the two women, "I think it will be soon, I'm not sure why but…I can sense these things… Perhaps it would not seem as long if you turned your attention towards other things." Kagome scoffed at the notion, setting her sewing down to the side, giving up on it for now.

"Yeah, like finding ways of keeping our 'welcome guests' the hell away from me," Izayoi turned her worldly gaze to her daughter, understanding overthrowing her features.

"It was the same as when I carried Inuyasha," she divulged quietly, "Inu-no-Taishou believed it was merely overblown suspicion because of the instincts aroused by my pregnancy, and indeed, he believes this so in your case as well, however…"

"That's not it," Kagome finished for her. "I just…I don't like them. Eisuke with his insincere smiles and false chivalry…he and Satoru, they come near me and I can feel…I can…it's stupid…"A supportive hand rested on her shoulder, urging her to continue. "It feels like…I can feel the baby – pup, trying to warn me… And they keep touching my stomach, and it feels wrong. I can't explain it."

"You do not have to," Izayoi assured her.

"Inuyasha doesn't like it either, he doesn't trust them – I don't trust them. Lord Inu-no-Taishou, he's a kind and honourable ruler, and I know he keeps giving surety that Eisuke is our ally but…that's not it…he's just…not a good man, that's all."

"You are wary of him," Izayoi answered, her words more of a statement than a question. The girl nodded.

"It's not a crime, Kagome, to be afraid, or to mistrust someone… It's difficult, being a mortal woman in a demon society – no one accepts us, they believe us to be the downfall of our demon mates, their mistakes. Because they believe us inferior to them, when in reality…we're all equal, demons, half-demons, humans, we're all the same…we breathe, we bleed, we cry…we love… The only thing that separates us is those who have the misconception that anyone is better than anyone else. And they are the ones that are tainted…not the half-demons or humans who cant help what they're born as, demons are born into this world with certain advantages to everybody else, but it doesn't make them better than everybody else, the only weaklings are the ones that allow that ridiculous notion to cloud their judgement… In humans, even the frailest child can become the fiercest warrior within moments if something they treasure is threatened. Every species has their downfalls and redeeming qualities, just like people… All different and yet at the same time, so very similar… Kagome?" The woman turned, sighing with a smile at the girl that had fallen asleep at her side. "You weren't even listening," she laughed softly, affectionately. I guess the pregnancy has her more exhausted than she thought…

"If it's any constellation, I was listening," Izayoi looked up to see her son approaching, smirking cheerily at her.

"It's alright," his mother responded with a slight laugh. "It might seem tiring, but becoming a parent is the most wonderful thing in the world. Just wait until you hold it for the first time, all that anxiety and stressfulness will just fall away." Inuyasha rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, until the little squit opens its mouth and screams blue-murder…"

"Eloquently put, as always, Little brother." The half-demon spun on his heel so quick he nearly stumbled in the process, golden eyes widening in a mix of horror and joy at the figure standing beneath the arbour. "Haven't you even a tender embrace for your older brother?"

Inuyasha was stunned, rooted to the spot by the sheer shock of it. Perhaps it was because a larger part of him believed his brother gone for good – one way or another, but his mind, it just couldn't register the fact, it just seemed so…surreal

"Se-Sesshomaru?"

TBC

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A/N: Okay, yeah, not long at all, in fact it was a pitiful excuse for a chapter, but sowwy, I didnt have time *sobs* I will promise the next chapter will be longer, and we'll have some more action in, but hey, at least Sesshy's back! Yay! Hope you liked, even through the shortness 0_0

Love

Shigure-san

X chuu X