Elfy lolita: Rihan! Yup, he's coming! Gah!
Radiant Celestial Aura: Thank you! I hope you enjoy it!
animelover822: Well… see for yourself the outcome!
*grin*
kakashixangela: Hmmm… Indeed… Perhaps he knew who had attacked the beautiful young woman?
Possibilities? Did I hear someone say, 'Possibilities'?!
OMG I DID!
Yes, the possibilities! So many!
*laughs evilly*
Don't worry, dear reader, all your questions should be answer by the middle of the sequel!
Kimori Takahashi: I know! An adorable Rihan-chan!
The answer to those questions should be at the end of this chapter. Enjoy!
CrystalVixen93: Currently my dad, my younger brother and I are heading to a state located in the Deep South to pick up something we left behind on our last move. We should be there about 2-3 days at a hotel with internet. So, two days before we leave, I'll be doing my best to write.
Also, since right now I received a flash of inspiration for 'Two Worlds' I most likely will be writing that first.
But don't worry!
I'll do my best!
Killercandycane: Ah! I'm so glad you got to read the manga! Although most of it is about Yohime/Nurarihyon's grandchild, there are some parts about the younger Nurarihyon and Rihan. I had about two, maybe three or four episodes to base this fic off of.
And then I went back to read the manga.
*swipes hand over forehead*
I'm impressed with myself, to be honest.
Also, rest assured, I'm not planning to kill off Rihan.
Hah! No… I thought about adding something in there, but I think the blackmail worked just fine.
I agree, having an angry, scary and insane Kagome usually make the whole story better!
Oh? I remember writing that. Thankfully, I already have a solution. And I prefer it much better than giving the boot to Kagome's children.
*laughs awkwardly*
Yeah... You came to that chapter, huh? Such moving emotions for the reader… I, as the author was basically trying to convince myself it was fiction.
To Guest Reviewer, alice: So glad you enjoyed this chapter! I'm sorry for the long update though… Glad to hear form you!
To Guest Reviewer: I'm glad I updated too! All these reviews make me want to write more.
*starry eyes*
You will?!
Aww, thanks!
She was floating in darkness.
If it was anything she hated more in her life, besides spiders, goo and unknown gunk in her hair and aggravating men who were idiots, it was this.
It just had to be darkness and she just had to be floating.
Why couldn't it be water?
On second thought, she realized she should probably try to remember by she was floating…in the darkness…in the first place. Taking a deep breath, she tried to think what the last thing she did was. Unfortunately, a searing pain stole her breath and her concentration.
What was that?
Soon, it died and she relaxed.
Ah, that's right. I got stabbed. In the stomach.
A surge of panic had her frowning. It didn't seem that important. After all, the energy she had gotten after the defeat of Naraku, not to mention shifting into Yohime would easily heal what a sword could damage. So why was it worry, panic and fear coursed through her veins?
Another searing pain brought back the reminder that would answer her question.
Ah, that's right… I'm pregnant.
She gasped. The images of the world before her eyes closed last flashed into her mind. That ghost of an ayakashi, the awful pale hair, pale eyes, pale skin with the sword drenched in black. He had stabbed her stomach, perhaps hurt the life within her.
My baby! My child!
Attempting to push back the darkness, she scream and failed her arms, doing anything to banish away the darkness that she so feared would take her child. It felt as though lead weights were tying her down, but still she struggled. Her breath came in short gasps, then stopped all together as pain ripped through her abdomen.
Kami-sama! This hurts! Someone help me!
She was in the darkness. There was no light, there was no warmth, there was no cold, there was just… nothing. Except the pain. The pain was always with the darkness. The empty blackness that devoured everything. She was afraid. Her child could be hurt and her reiki might not be able to heal. She should have known something was wrong. Reiki rivaling a daiyoukai? Sure, she held that much energy, but there was no way she could use it as a daiyoukai would! Her energy was not that strong, but it was the strongest of it's kind. Surely, surely it must heal her child if he was injured.
She choked as the pain intensified, her muscles contracted and burned and she screamed. Why did it hurt so much? Was something wrong? The child, was he stuck? Was he hurt? Did that ayakashi hurt her child?
Again, she screamed, this time out of fear.
Please, someone! Someone…anyone! Please, save me…
In the distances of her mind she could feel the familiar sensation of her reiki and it momentarily calmed her. Until she realized she couldn't feel the warmth that usually accompanied the use of her power. The heat that flooded her veins and made her feel safe and secure. Again, pain coursed through her being as she gasped for breath.
It hurts, kami, it hurts! Make it stop, please make it stop!
Into the cold, silent dark that she drifted, she sobbed, she screamed and pleaded. Begging for the life of her unborn child, begging for someone to help. She tried to curl into herself, but again, it was as if she was bound by steel. As another pain came and went, her mind tried to grasp at anything to comfort herself. Immediately the image of a handsome ayakashi with a laid-back attitude and a charming smile came to the forefront.
She quieted.
Nurarihyon.
Her heart stopped it's wild beat and she calmed herself forcefully. Carefully, she concentrated, to see if she could feel anything.
There. Warmth.
On her left hand, a warmth spread from her fingers upwards into her body, growing strong the more she concentrated. Slowly, a small smile spread.
That rotten old geezer. I'll have to go and thank him the next time I see him.
Even as the pain still came and went, each one closer than the last, she grasped onto the small amount of warmth. That feeling that crept into her heart that so reminded her of her absent husband. Yet still a tear slipped down her cheek.
He will suffer. Because I'm his wife. Because the kami still have a work to be done and I am the only one left who they can trust to fulfill this. I should leave… So I can't cause him hurt.
These thoughts were abruptly cut off as a ray of light rose down, touching her face. Opening her eyes to look, straining her ears to hear, she caught one word. It was just one word, but that one word was enough for her to fight towards that light.
Yohime.
On second thought…that was a really bad idea.
Yohime couldn't help but think as her whole body ached. Exhaustion made her muscles feel like jelly, she totally doubted she could move her fingers. A small, pained whimper escaped her dry throat.
"Yohime?"
Ah… so she was dreaming. That was really odd considering she hadn't felt this much pain while she was sleeping since she used to dream about Inuyasha and Kikyo. And that was a good century. Also, that was a different kind of pain.
"Yohime, open your eyes."
Why? I'm perfectly comfortable like I am, there's no reason for me to open my eyes.
A warm hand cupped her cheek and someone's thumb stroked her skin. Tears immediately begin to gather as Yohime finally registered that there really was actually someone next to her. Slowly her lids lifted, but her vision was blurry.
Blinking several times, wetness slid down into her hair and she could clearly make out the face above her own. Her mouth stretched, her dry lips protesting the movement. Licking them quickly, Yohime managed to speak.
"Welcome back, Nura."
It was like the weight of the world had just been lifted form said ayakashi's shoulders the way his body folding in on itself. An answering smile crossed his face and he chuckled lightly.
"I've return, Yohime."
Furrowing her brow in confusion, she noticed the strange human man and child sitting quietly by her side. As soon as they noticed her glance, the man sent the girl out of the room.
"Hello," she whispered.
In response, the man silently handed her a cup of water. Sending him a grateful look, as Nurarihyon propped her up, she sipped at the cool liquid. Ignoring the probing stares from both her husband and the man, whom she figured was a doctor, she carefully held out the now empty cup to him. As he took it, her cleared her throat.
"Is there a good reason?" Yohime asked in a calm voice.
Exchanging a quick glance with Nurarihyon, the man spoke soothingly, obviously thinking something was wrong with her.
"Is there a good reason for what, Yohime-sama?"
Blatantly ignoring him in an effort to control her anger, she turned to Nura.
"Is there a good reason?" she repeated.
Although his eyes didn't stray from her own, she could feel his tension rise, ever so slightly.
"A good reason?"
Taking a deep breath, she smiled gently as she nodded benevolently at both men.
"Yes," she said as her reiki rose to the surface and her nails dug into Nurarihyon's skin, "a good reason why you haven't brought my child to me yet."
Zeroing in a Sesshōmaru-worthy glare at the doctor, she was pleased to see him flinch. However, he apparently did not know what kind of woman she was as he raised his hand in a placating gesture.
"Yohime-sama, if you remember, you were injured and you are very weak at the moment. One of your maids can take care of your child while you recover. And I also understand that your family has been sent for," he said smiling softly at her.
She was happy that Shippo was coming soon, but this was very maddening. Retracting her nails from Nurarihyon's skin, which they unfortunately didn't penetrate, she turned to stare at said ayakashi. While she knew he didn't have any knowledge of human health so he would go along with what the healer said.
"Nurarihyon."
"Now, now, Yohime-sama, you need to-"
Despite her wounds, the absolute denial of her muscles to work, coupled with the sheer amount of covers that was piled on her, she managed to lunge across the short space to ball her fist in the isha's haori.
"What I need to is see my child. I am not a simpleton, nor am I ignorant of the wounds I received. I am aware of the poison that was coating the blade, I am aware of exactly who attacked me, but none of this matters at this moment. I want my child, do you understand?"
The isha was completely taken aback as Yohime released him, leveling him with a fierce glare. Ignoring the pain that her movements brought, instead she focused on sensing her child. Almost immediately, her eyes went to the shoji screens.
"Setsura."
Soundlessly sliding opening the doors which allowed the morning sunlight to come in, the yuki-onna walked gracefully, going to her knees to present Yohime with a small bundle. Her face totally softened as she laid eyes on her first born, her child for the first time. Tears began to drop swiftly down her cheeks as the yuki-onna carefully placed the baby in her arms. Smiling at the woman, Yohime quietly whispered her thanks. Both Nurarihyon and the healer were watching her, but she ignored the latter, leaning against her ayakashi, sniffing lightly.
"He looks like you," she breathed.
Nura took this as evidence that his woman was perfectly all right as he jerked his head at the ayakashi still waiting patiently in the room. Setsura bowed her head, going to her feet silently, laying a hand on the isha's shoulder motioning him to follow her. Yohime missed Nura's wordless order for the yuki-onna to keep the healer in sights, too absorbed in her newborn child.
"What shall we call him?"
She didn't look up at Nurarihyon's question, only smiled softly to herself.
"Rihan. Nura Rihan."
Reaching his hands under her body, Nurarihyon picked his wife up, settling her on his lap as she cradled his son. Grabbing a blanket, he wrapped it around the three of them.
"Nura Rihan, future Lord of Pandemonium, nice to meet you," he murmured in a hushed voice.
~Fin.~
A/N MUST READ!
Anyways! It's the end! Hah! I never thought I'd make it! So let me recap!
Mysterious, ghostly ayakashi that the unknown healer seems to know, who, on the orders of Katsuo, attempted to kill Nurarihyon's precious woman and unborn child.
Nurarihyon took care of the problem with that evil fox, but what happened with the huge explosion? Is Katsuo even still alive?
The necklace that Fate gave her, is it just her sorrow or does it perhaps serve a greater purpose?
Vengeance and blood, this is what Kagome/Yohime claim for herself when the 'man who waits in hell' is defeated. Who is this mysterious man?
UUUMMM IF I HAVE FORGOTTEN ANNYTHING PLEASE PM ME, WILL YA? Swank you!
So! Hope you have enjoyed this fiction! For those of you who have followed me you will know when the sequel is updated, but for those of you who haven't, I'll post another chapter.
Anyways! If anyone and any problem, please message me! Or flame me… AH! Also, I will be updating the Page of Acknowledgement!
Again, thank you all so very much for sticking with me! You all have been an inspiration and I sincerely hope I'll see all of you again on the sequel:
'Of Past, Future and Demon Blood'.