[ All InuYasha characters belong to Takahashi-san. ]
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Oranges, pinks and reds streaked acrossed the Heavens above, intertwining to create various shades of their former selves as if they were in some kind of mating ritual; or perhaps they were just mimicking the actions of the creatures that loved and lived freely thanks to the protection they offered?
Against the Heavens, the tall and alabaster palace, known only as Genkoutsu, the Western Stronghold, stood proudly. Its foundation found comfort in the mountainside to which protected the Eastern borders. The vast and beautiful, yet moody waters of the ocean laid to the South, offering more protection. And from the front, to the West and North, the foreboding forest scattered and expanded. Within its depths were creatures of unimaginable size and appearance.
At the bottom of Genkoutsu, snuggled against it, laid the human and demon village. Once it was only a demon village, where humans were made slaves against their will. Only humans with holy powers, gifts from the Gods themselves, were able to stand their ground against the terrible wrath of the villagers. The Lord of the West, once a hateful and proud Noble, found that humans were not as inferior as most youkai believed. The western lands soon found that their new ruler was in fact a human miko; no, even then she had been more.
She was Higurashi Kagome, the Shikon Miko of Time.
And it was this very woman that now had the inhabitants - servants, guards and one certain Imp - in an uproar. Humans and demons alike were scrambling around to try and find this woman. She was missing, yet again.
Jaken, the Western Lord's Retainer, thought his head was going to explode. And as he thought about it more, perhaps it wouldn't have been such a horrific possibility. Surely any death was better than facing the wrath of his Master. The Daiyoukai was going to rip his little stomach open whilst he still lived and then tear out those innards to give to his Panthers, the Guardians of the Royal Family.
Shuddering at all of the thoughts, Jaken finally fainted.
The servant that assisted Master Jaken couldn't help but sneer. How he hated that bothersome woman whom now caused all of their preparations to be late!
The evening preparations still had to be made as their Lord was returning once the moon was to rise above the horizon.
That woman was a nuisance; just like the human ward who now was engaged to Kohaku, the 'younger brother' of Kagome, who had found a sister in Sango. The miko was always trying to get away from the guards and servants of Goshinboku! The Lord had specifically ordered that his mate was to remain indoors due to the fact she was in her final trimester of her pregnancy. Her condition was serious and the child could end up causing harm to the Shikon miko. Did she carry a hanyou? No. Kagome had ensured that her beloved would be given his full-blooded heir. Her skin was paper-thin and frail, unlike a demoness whose skin was made for little claws to rub up against their womb.
The servant sighed and ordered a guard to take the imp back to his bed chambers, so that he would not be stepped on. The last thing they needed was for Lord Sesshomaru to be even angrier is if he were to find that his most loyal servant was dead.
"Come on people. We need to get everything done for Lord Sesshomaru's return!"
***
Beyond the village and castle walls, Kagome Higurashi, former Time-traveler, found herself irrevecobably lost. Had she known that she would easily take a wrong-turn down a path, she would NOT have left the stronghold. However, she couldn't help herself.
Sighing, the miko glanced up towards the Heavens, noting that twilight would soon be upon her. She thought back onto the past month, remembering that it had been just that long since the Lord of the West had gone onto patrol.
***
The great Daiyoukai Sesshomaru stood at the gateway, which lead down the path to the village, which had become more of a town. The inhabitants were flourishing and all was peaceful. However, a patrol of the borders was still required on his part. And his stubborn little mate was hurrying towards him.
The Dog Lord couldn't help but smile inside, seeing her swollen and heavy abdomen protrude against the silk dress she now wore. It was from the west and it suited Kagome more, besides it also made her more comfortable. The kimonos she normally would wear were too heavy and she felt fat enough, so Sesshomaru had dresses made.
Her long, raven-blue hair fell down to her knees, the ends secured together with a crimson ribbon, which matched her dress; a thin-strapped garment that fell to her knees, in which she was barefoot. The dress was pure white and the end was adorned in crimson-red sakura blossoms, noting her belonging to the Taishou clan. Her cerulean-blue eyes watered, as the scent of salt hit the Dai's nose.
In an instant, he stepped forward and swept her into his powerful arms. Careful of his armor and swords, the miko wrapped her arms around Sesshomaru's middle, fingers clinging to the silk material of his haori.
"Sesshoumaru. . . please, don't leave me! A month is too long!" She wailed. Kagome had just found out from that stupid Imp on just how long her mate was to be gone. And in the previous months, it had been fine, but she would always go with him on patrol, but now that she was so close in giving birth, she was not in any condition to travel.
"Koi, listen to this Sesshomaru?" The Lord had leaned down, holding the five-four woman close to his own six-six form. Noting the quieting of her sobs as a means to continue, Sesshomaru spoke again in his soothing voice, "I am not going to be far. And our mark keeps us forever connected, so I will know if you are in distress. If something happens, I will be back by your side by Orb. The month will go by fast and we will be preparing for the arrival of our pup."
"Inori."
Sesshomaru barely heard the whisper from his mate's lips, but he had. And he was confused. "Inori?"
Kagome had glanced up by this point, her eyes puffy and pink from crying. Biting her lip, she explained herself. "I want the pup to be called Inori; it is a strong name! Inori means 'prayer' or 'invocation'. It is because of the Gods that I am able to give you a pure-blooded heir. Our son is going to be more than a normal Taiyoukai for his mother being a human miko."
"Indeed. And I shall ponder this. When I return, I will have my answer on the name of my Heir." He leaned down and nuzzled his mating mark, brushing his fangs over the scarred flesh. The spike of arousal had caused his eyes to slightly become red and he could not resist her scent, even after two years of being mated. "Kagome. . . " He growled, flaring out his aura.
The miko melted in his arms and she couldn't help but blush of embarressment. "Sessho. . . maru?" She squeaked, feeling the youki spread around. And before she realized it, she was in his arms and they were in the air.
Sesshomaru had leapt up to the balcony of their bedchambers, going straight to their room. He knew this would serve as a way to get her to sleep, as she was fighting it. And the Dai knew that if she kept being so persistent, then she was going to convince him to either 1) accompany him or 2) he would not be going at all. And neither option was acceptable, so he had thought of a plan once he felt the rise in his lover's scent. Her body sought for his touch; such is a side-effect of youkai pregnancy.
Letting his love on the ground again, he let Bakusaiga and Tenseiga fall to the ground, along with his armor. His skull had lowered, where lips met lips and refused to separate. Kagome's hands went to the folds of her mate's haori and forced it to part, touching the heated, pale flesh beneath. Toned, yet not overly chiseled, her beloved had a lithe frame. She found him to be the definition of perfection. But, of course, he was the 'Killing Perfection'.
Kagome gasped when she felt the tickle of her hair hitting the bare skin of her thighs. "Ah. . . Sesshomaru!" Her head fell backwards as her mate's skillful tongue started lapping away at her neck. Shuddering already, she managed to slip her arms around Sesshomaru's neck.
Sensing she was ready, the Daiyoukai lowered his lover to their pallet of furs and silk, immedieately covering her body with his own. However, for a moment, he sat back on his knees, studying her. She laid on the bed, chest heaving with lost breathe; her hair fanned out around them, her olive and flushed skin shined deliciously in the little streak of sunlight that managed to penetrate their bedchamber. Her swollen belly made the former time traveler even sexier to the Dai's eyes. Finally, parting her legs, again, he slipped two claws into her, testing to see just how wet she was. The heat was enough to make him swoon.
And Kagome had arched at the intrusion, enjoying it fully.
Purring at the response of his little lover, Sesshomaru removed his fingers and licked the essence away, savoring the taste as always. Settling in between her slightly-trembling legs, he shifted his hips forward, becoming one in the most physical way possible. The air around them crackled and surged with their power, as the barrier surrounding their room reacted and made attempts to dissuage the surge of powers.
The servants and guards all felt it, just as they did two months before, when the heir was fully convieved. That night had been very dangerous for all, as a couple youkai had gotten too close and were disintegrated by Kagome's reiki, as well as the poisonous effect of Sesshomaru's youki. Most looked forward to when the child would be born and to how strong he would be when he reached adulthood.
And it was after the power surges had halted, did the guards approach the Western wing. However, they were somewhat surprised to see their Lord walking towards them. He had a slight flush to his skin, but that was to be expected, considering what he had just done.
"We are leaving." Sesshomaru ordered, glancing around for Jaken. And when the imp arrived, he growled. "Jaken!"
The little imp scrambled to his lord's feet. "Y-Yes Lord Sesshomaru?" He squeaked, wondering why his master was always so cruel in baritone towards him. It made no sense. But, he didn't linger on these thoughts for long for Sesshomaru's voice brought him back out of it.
"You will ensure that the Lady is to behave, as well as to stay within the castle walls. This Sesshomaru wants the Captain of the Royal Guard with her at all times when she's going into the village. And this Sesshomaru wants a Lady-in-waiting at her side, as well. She is in her final stage and this is where the pup is going to be most active. I will know if something happens. Do not bother to send for me should such happen." Finished with his orders, Sesshomaru had left with his guards in tow.
They had gone outside and left the gates and the village behind, and not once did Sesshomaru look back. It was already eating at his soul that he was leaving his beloved in her greatest time of need and he desperately hoped that he was not making a mistake in doing so.
***
The miko had made attempts to behave and stay within the castle walls, just as he had requested of her. At first, she had been appalled and thought that the Ice Prince was just trying to order her around, but that's when the pup had kicked, as if scolding her to listen to his father. And at that point, Kagome had understood, but she ended up break her promise. . . again. She knew that once her mate returned she was in deep trouble, as it had been one full moon cycle since his depature.
She had fallen asleep and loved that her mate bedded with her one more time before leaving. And he even ensured that she would be remotely satisfied until he returned to her. But, as her mind lingered, again, she thought back to her present predicament. She was lost. And she was only putting herself into more danger. The pup made its annoyance known. Smiling faintly, she settled a gentle hand on her swollen stomach, humming a tune that sounded like purring. Sesshomaru had pointed this out to her, as she had hummed to him. He said that since she did sound like she was purring, it would bring comfort to their unborn child.
Kagome sighed, finally giving up. "I guess I'll just have to wait until Sesshomaru comes looking for me. And when that happens, he's not going to be very happy with me. Perhaps I am as obstinate as a pup." Lingering on that thought, she glanced down at her belly again, continuing with a soft smile on her lips. "I wonder if you will inherit my misheviousness. Your father already says you are a boy, so I know you will be strong like him. You will be powerful and will have the power of healing. I just hope that I can help you to learn that displaying emotions is not a sign of weakness, but it makes us stronger. We fight harder when those we love and care for are in danger."
"So Miko, this means that you will actually fight to protect your unborn child?"
The air stilled and the hairs on Kagome's neck rose; her body stiffened and hands flexed with purification energy at the voice. Turning, she came face-to-face with the voice's owner. Blue eyes widened the size of saucers, before the shock melted into one of annoyance. "Naraku. . ." She muttered, glaring at him.
Said being grinned, crossing his arms. "Why Kagome, you look wonderful! You are to bare the child of InuYasha's older brother? How whorish of you." He took notice of the crackling of the energy and he continued to speak. "And you've gotten much stronger. Oh, how long has it been since our last meeting?"
"Five years since I destroyed you. Or, so I thought." Kagome spat, taking a few steps back. "And it seems I'm not the only one changed, Naraku. You're different."
"Because of that stupid woman Kikyo, you had figured out how to kill me! Or rather, you nearly did. I had just enough time to pull away a part of my soul and body to save myself. So I spent the last five years regenerating and collecting souls of other demons to make my soul powerful again. But this time, I am a full demon. I have no human soul. That is what you sent to Hell, Kagome. So now there is no one powerful enough to stop me once I reclaim the Sacred Jewel of Four Souls! You are in no shape to fight so taking said jewel will be easy." Naraku taunted, stepping towards her.
Kagome took a step back and notched her arrow to the bow, pulling it back. "Do not think that I am going to let you get the jewel. It will not happen--!!" In an instant, the weapons left her fingers, and the wind felt like it had been forcebly removed from her lungs. Her eyes widened and teared up, as she felt tiny claws stratching at her insides again. Blood had spouted out of her mouth and now dribbled on the side of her chin.
Her little boy decided it was time to be free.
"Nnng..." She grimaced again, threatening to wobble over as the contractions began again. Her entire lower region was pulsing with agony. And whether it was thankful or not, Naraku had caught her before she fell over from a wave of agony that suddenly overtook her body. Clear liquid soaked her dress and it pooled onto the ground, soaking the dirt and grass. "Kukuku.." The disgusting breathe tickled her ear as she felt Naraku's hand slither into her kimono to grab the Sacred Jewel. Tearing it from the necklace, he dropped her gracefully, knowing what was happening. He smelled blood and saw no point in ending the miko's life.
"It seems the pup you so desperately have loved is going to kill you. How about that? Your own child is going to be your murderer." With the glowing jewel in hand, Naraku fled the meadow, his laughter catching on the gentle breeze.
Kagome felt her body shudder with pain again; trying to count the seconds between the contractions. Even if she knew the way back to Genkoutsu, they were getting too close together for her to attempt to walk back. Running through options through her mind, she found that her only hope was that Sesshomaru would sense her distress through their mating mark and to make it to her side in time.
"Sesshomaru..." she whispered fearfully, before that turned into a painful wail.
***
The faint glow of the blood moon had settled onto the woods, through which the Lord of the West and his guards now traveled. The guard - comprised of humans and youkai - glanced around on high alert. There was something eerie about the feel of the forest and it was making their skin crawl.
A rookie appeared to be on the verge of an axienty attack. His mentor, a horse demon named Mukuro, put a comforting hand on the lad's shoulder. "My boy, there is nothing to fear. The demons inhabiting this forest will not attack due to Lord Sesshomaru's aura. He is the most powerful in the world and all know it."
The rookied nodded faintly. "I know Mukuro-san, but I can't help but feel uneasy. The red moon is overhead in the sky and that is never a good sign. There is an old story that my grandfather told me. He said that on the night of the Red Moon, a great tragedy will occur, yet from this tragedy, the most powerful being will be born who will bring about the most amazing of changes." He cocked a smile at the end, "But I think it was just a story. My grandfather was a monk, but something had changed him and compelled him to turn away from his servitude to the Gods. He hadn't been right in the head after that and was always spouting out tales of the future. It was wierd."
Mukuro had stopped walking, seeing as Sesshomaru had halted. There was a tense-ness in his muscles and then he had whirled around and advanced on the rookie. And said rookie did not watch where he was going and ran into the Lord's hard form.
"What is your name?" Sesshomaru asked coldly. His amber eyes glared down into the doe-brown ones of the human.
"R-Ringo, Sir." He stammered, trying not to show fear in front of his Lord.
"And your grandfather's name?"
"Mushin."
He narrowed his eyes a little more. "You are in relation to Miroku?"
"Y-yes. I am his younger brother, sir. But, he does not know it and I would rather like to keep it that way."
"Very well. Ringo and Mukuro are in charge. This Sesshomaru has to tend to his mate." As he said the last sentence, his eyes became tinted red and he immediately shifted and ran towards the forest.
Ringo was confused. "Isn't Lady Kagome at Genkoutsu?"
"It seems she's given Jaken the slip again." Mukuro chuckled. "That woman's always causing trouble, but it's just in her nature to rebel. She's a pure and kind-hearted miko who has tamed our Lord's heart, and the hearts of Lord InuYasha and Lord Koga. I'm sure she will be able to get out of trouble, if she uses her female gifts."
Ringo blushed, fully understanding the underlying meaning of Mukuro's words. "Hentai. . ." He muttered, as the youkai turned and gave orders to continue onward towards their home. And as they continued onwards, the feeling came back full-force and Ringo glanced towards the direction where Sesshomaru had gone.
***
Under the safety of another Goshinboku, a panting miko was giving birth, finally. With each push, she was getting tired and weaker.
Beads of perspiration dotted her skin, as raven-black and blue strands clung to neck and face. Once more, she tried to push and to no avail. The child was too large for her to get out on her own. The tingling of the mating mark and the loud roar of a familiar beast indicated her mate's presence. The predators that had surrounded her fled, thinking that the dog lord was going to devour them instead.
A white blur appeared through the trees, eyes red and a-glow with worry and anger. The large dog glanced around, poisonous sylvia dripping from his maw.
"Kagome!" The demon lord growled out. His eyes widened at the sight of his lover sprawled on her back with the edges of her silk dress soaked and destroyed with blood and other bodily fluids. The foul stench of Naraku had caught his attention and anger had been evident.. as he had smelled blood as well. His inner beast was trembling with restraint and it took the sight of Kagome to keep him from losing control.
Sesshomaru had expected to face Naraku, once again, but it was not to be so.
However, this was the last thing the great Dog Demon's oldest son expected: his mate to be in labor. His beloved's strangled whines of pain brought him out of his momentary shock as he rushed to the pregnant miko's side. Assessing her condition, he confirmed his suspicions. There was no time to take her back to Genkoutsu.
However, he couldn't help her. He didn't know how. Instincts be damned. All inuyoukai males only knew how to rut, protect their mates and packs and be strong. That was it. The females always helped each other with birthing and most child-rearing.
"We will get through this, Kagome. Be strong!" Crouching down, Sesshomaru made a pillow out of his haori and put it under her head. Pressing his lips to her forehead, he lingered for a moment. "This Sesshomaru will seek help."
Taking on the form of his light, he did not notice that as soon as he left Kagome, she had reached for him. She knew that she was not going to be alive much longer. Her baby's claws were ripping through her innards and vital organs. She felt it clawing through the skin of her womb. It was trying to escape as it was suffocating. Instinct is what now drove the pup.
And then as the clouds blocked out the moon's precious and borrowed light, a bloodcurdling scream tore from Kagome Higurashi's throat as the pain finally ended.
The clouds allowed the light to shine again. The meadow was dotted with blood splatter. A pool of the crimson and thick liquid began to create a bed for the Shikon Miko. With the pain having ended, she weakly sat up. The wound of her pup forcing his way out of her was gushing out blood. She would not live. Vital organs had been damaged and they were irreplacable in this time. The well had closed long ago so it was not like she could make it back home for surgery.
The Tenseiga could also not be used, as it no longer existed.
Her life was to end this night. But, despite herself, she could not hate the child. It sought only to survive and she had ensured that he was to have all that he ever wanted. Severing their connection, she took the kimono that Sesshomaru had left for her to use for a pillow and cleaned up the pup a little and then wrapped him up in it. Scooting to sit more comfortably against another, smaller version of Goshinboku, she smiled weakly at him. Her long hair created a curtain to shield the outside world from them. It was these only moments that Kagome would ever have with him.
Studying him, she saw that he had silver-white hair with a black crescent moon and three dots of pinkish-red outlining each eye. Above each eyelid was red and there were no slashes of colour on his cheeks. And what made her curious was the fact he had a tuft of black on the left side of his head. Smiling, she saw that a little bit of her image had been left in him. . . even if her bloodline had not continued on. With her powers, she had ensured that the child would be full-blooded youkai and not a hanyou. It proved her love for Sesshomaru and that she wanted him to be happy in all ways.
And it was this expression that stayed on her face as her breathing faded; body stilled. The pup sensed something was wrong. And it was not a few moments later did Sesshomaru return.
Their link had been severed and he felt truly alone in his mind. Finding Kagome against the tree with their son in her arms, the evidence of how terribly wrong the birth had gone clear in view. The youkai healer he had brought with him gasped in shock. "My Lady...."
The pup wailed his discontentment.
Sesshomaru strode over to his mate's body and plucked the child from her arms. He glanced down at him and studied him just as Kagome had before her last breathe. Satisfied, he was proud of the gift that Kagome had given him.
"Inori." Kagome had loved that name. Sesshomaru felt it was only right for her son to bare the name that she so desperately loved.
By the fading moon's light, a youkai lord mourned for his lost mate.
A miko's expression of love had been given in two ways: a child, a heir to be proud of, had been given. And a mother died for her child so that he may have a chance at life.
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And finished.
God, I'm crying. ;o;
This was inspired by 'A new Day has come'
by Celine Dion. *sniffles*
R&R please?