InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Angel ❯ Birth ( Chapter 84 )

Chapter Eighty-Four:

Birth

Rikimaru glanced down at the huge cat lying against his leg.

He reached down, stroking the playful tiger beneath its soft chin. Mishka purred back at him, her big blue eyes glinting up at him. A soft pink tongue caressed his hand. Lucas bumped his arm, standing on his hind legs to press big soft paws on his arm. Rikimaru smirked.

The big lug was always fishing for attention. Preening and prancing, pushing his sisters out of the way.

Lina shuffled over, tackling her attention craving brother to the ground.

Rikimaru sat up, swinging his legs to the edge of the bed. Leaving the tigers to tumble amongst their selves, he walked over to the bathroom to get ready for the day.

Servants awaited him in the steamy room.

“Highness,” the group greeted him.

Rikimaru inclined his head silently. The servants disrobed him and ushered him to large clawed tub, full of steaming water. He relaxed as gentle hands scrubbed his skin and washed his hair. Once clean, they dried and dressed him.

The servants bowed as he left the room.

Rikimaru moved to the den in the living room of his quarters and walked over to the padded podiums holding several different crowns. He picked up a gold headpiece, studded with shinny sapphires and placed it onto his head. Lina, Lucas and Mishka followed him out the front door.

The group made their way down to the dinning room, the delicious aroma of fried eggs, and raw steak made its way to his nose.

He opened the door, taking in his parents already seated, speaking quietly.

The conversation ended upon his arrival. Mother smiled at him, father inclined his head.

“Good morning sweetheart,” she greeted.

“Mother,” he greeted, taking his seat.

The cats wander over to their bowls lined along the wall opposite the door. They ate as normal, discussing the state of the kingdom, the growing pups and the agenda for the day. Rikimaru was happy mother had lost the panicked, saddened air that had surrounded her for most of her pregnancy.

Now, she happily anticipated his sibling, often caressing a belly so large he half expected it to pop.

His brothers and sisters would be here any day now father suspected.

After breakfast, he headed to the training facility to train, going over the routine he and father practiced together whenever they got the chance. As her matured, father intensified the exercise and training, leaving him out of breath and sore after. It was hard, hard work but he'd be damned if he quit.

Over the last few days, he'd had some new developments occur.

When angered, the glands beneath his tongue swelled, claws tingling. His father had explained to him that his body was producing poison now and he would need to start honing his inherited trait.

He looked down at his clawed hand, pushing poison to their tips. A small amount for green liquid bubbled, the scent sharp.

“Prince!!! Prince!!!”

The poison retreated. The doors of the training facility flew open and a servant woman performed a quick, sloppy curtsy, hair esque.

“The queen!” she began, “the queen has gone into labor!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Do you see it,” Jikininki whispered, immobilized.

Shiro swallowed, unable to answer. Hakudoshi took a step back, face pale, feeling light headed. Their sire, this was his work, no doubt about it.

“Who in the fuck would release that abomination?” Jikininki questioned.

The sky was wide open, a slithering creature weaving in and out of the clouds. A loud roar shook the ground. Shiro felt his jaw clench, terrified.

“Let's go,” Haku urged, frantic, “Let's get the fuck out of here!”

“He knows we're here,” Shiro snarled, “You think he'll let us go that easy?”

Haku took another step back, limbs trembling. No….

Not again!!!

Screams, horrifying sounds blasted through their ears. The trio covered their ears, eyes bleeding. The slithering beast had stopped, it's soulless red eyes staring down at them through the dark clouds.

Haku shook, stepping back even further.

The creature reached out for them, bony appendage dripping dark miasma. Haku screamed, terrified as the smog curled towards them, the ground beneath their feet shaking and splitting. Skeletal arms broke through the dirt's surface. Jikininki grabbed Haku, taking off in the direction of the Western castle. Shiro followed, throwing the bony grips from his ankle.

~~~~~~~~~~

Shusui stopped, looking out the windows at the dark sky.

Worry coiled in her breast. Lord InuTaisho had declared a state of emergency, as had the other lords. That portal had been analyzed from a distance, witches, priests and holy men researching the split sky. Just a week ago, a solid conclusion had been drawn.

A portal to hell.

She'd been shocked and horrified at the announcement. The entirety of Japan was in a frightened uproar, barricading themselves behind holy establishments and churches. Some screamed of the coming apocalypse, others wailed the portal was divine punishment from the Gods above.

Shusui was uncertain what to believe.

The darkness, the swirling vortex, it was…familiar. The cries beckoning soothing in a way she didn't understand. She wasn't sure what to make of the disturbing feelings.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mira sat quietly, head down, fingers twisting.

They'd been living in the safety of the Western castle for months in an attempt to avoid the evil festering in the sky.

Her brown eyes stared out at the portal, skin crawling. Even now, months later, she was still scared, terrified of shifting shadows and loud sounds. The possession had been horrific, a never ending nightmare that had torn her apart, stitched her back together before rending her into nothingness again.

Hell.

She'd gotten a little taste of hell.

The creature, the king of it all had whispered to her. Told her horrible things her young mind couldn't comprehend.

She'd told the adults everything she knew from her awful experience. Lord InuTaisho had grilled her for hours on end, apologizing all the way through. She understood his tenacity. The things that creature had in store for Japan….

Someone had to stop him.

The door behind her squeaked softly. Mira jerked, scared. She whipped around, calming when she saw Miro peeking in. Her little brother had been tip toeing around her, terrified of her despite the fact that the creature inhabiting her body was long gone.

It hurt her feelings, but could she blame him?

She scared herself when she looked in the mirror sometimes, worried the eyes looking back at her wouldn't be hers.

She moved towards her little brother.

“Miro-”

The door slammed shut.

Silence ticked by.

Mira stared down at her hands, eyes filling with tears. They slid silently down her cheeks, splashing onto her hands. Even father was hesitant around her. He watched her, clearly unnerved by the previous events. He tried to hide it behind stiff smiles and distant conversation but it was there.

It hurt.

Her family, even the people around her treated her differently, as though she were moments from turning rabid and attacking. All except for mother.

Mom refused to give into fear.

She took extra care with her, ensuring she felt safe and loved. It was some comfort in this mess. Not much but some was better than none. Turning back to the window she brought her knees to her chest, chin on knees. She felt alone and lonely. At times, she felt she'd be better off dead, would have tried if she weren't so afraid of being trapped in that hell for eternity.

She'd rather suffer the painful isolation.

Screams and shouts jolted her from her dark thoughts. She stood, watching the clouds in horror. The slithering creature had descended from the portal, its roar shattering, shaking the stone structure around her. Her heart pounded in her chest

“Mira…” a voice hissed.

“Mira,” another wheezed.

The candles extinguished with a loud whoosh, plunging the room in darkness. Mira backed up against the wall, breath sawing in and out. Her eyes were wide and scared, moving over the room, straining to see.

“Mira!”

The voice was at her ear, blowing the hair near her ear, breath hot and smelling of the crypt. Mira screamed, crawling frantically to the door. Sweaty palms gripped the knob, pulling hard. The door opened, light blazing.

The door was pulled shut, an invisible force grabbing her ankle, dragging her screaming back into the darkness.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Sesshomaru cradled his daughter Rin. She mewled softly, nose buried in his neck. His heart swelled, sensitive nose taking in the scent of the new baby. A combination of his and Kagome's scent. His hand was gentle, stroking the soft, curly dark hair atop her head. He nuzzled the crescent moon on her forehead, smiling when her clawed hand curled against his cheek. Her big brown eyes stared unfocused up at him. His youkai heart was full, and to his surprise, he was on the edge of tears. He remembered this day, years ago, holding another daughter, promising her the world.

His teeth clenched, forcing the lump to ease from his throat.

He'd not go there.

Would not mar this important day with the pain of loss.

He sat on the bed next to his tired mate. Kagome was barely awake, their son Daisuke sleeping against her bosom. He pushed her wet bangs from her forehead. She looked up at him with dull brown eyes. He caressed her cheek before leaning down and touching his lips with hers.

“Rest,” he urged.

She snuggled into the fur as he reached over and picked up their son, holding both pups against his chest. The dark haired boy whined, nosing his father's chin. Sesshomaru shifted the wiggling bundle. Once comfortable, his son huffed, amber eyes opening then closing before drifting back to sleep.

He stood and moved to the door, closing the bedroom door to take a seat in the den next his son. Rikimaru sat on the cushioned couch, arms full of his little brother Takashi.

Takashi's brown eyes were wide, staring up at his big brother. Rikimaru's eyes were soft, nuzzling the silver haired baby.

Tiny clawed hands reached out for the young teen's face.

“Was I this tiny,” he asked his father, nosing is little brothers uncoordinated reach.

Sesshomaru leaned back, thinking back to that day years back. A dull ache wrapped around his heart.

“Aye,” he said, “Small and fragile, a bit of a pig at feeding,”

Rikimaru looked over at his father, amusement coating his golden eyes. He chuckled.

“They're so soft,” Rikimaru commented, placing his brother on his knees.

Takashi's arms spread wide, eyes big with surprise. Rikimaru laughed, the sound startling the pups. Rin turned her little head at the sound, bumping her father's chin as she moved. Mishka wandered over, nosing the pup lying on Rikimaru's knees. She growled lowly, sniffing at the cooing bundle.

Lina and Lucas wander over, curiously sniffing the pups. Rikimaru pet the tigers, lifting his baby brother and turning him. The tigers wander closer, wet noses twitching. Mishka nuzzled the younglings little legs.

Sesshomaru allowed the cats further contact with his two, watching with careful regard as they nosed his daughter and son.

Daisuke was oblivious in his sleep, while his daughter was curious, arms stretched, little head leaning forwards in an attempt to get closer. Sesshomaru smiled, contentment coursing through his veins.

~~~~~

Short but hopefully enjoyable. I've been a little busy with my new fanfiction Cold. I'm really enjoying writing it! Hope you guys go check it out, I think it's turning out good. Please be sure to review and let me know your thoughts!

Laters

~Sessakag