InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Cursed ❯ Distressing Conversations ( Chapter 29 )

Chapter Twenty Nine - Distressing Conversation

 

If Yuti had left her alone, then it meant he would be coming to see her soon. She was nervous. She had been mulling over it all night last night and all day today but she still wasn't sure what to think of his silence over the matter of her pregnancy. If he'd known since he turned back to a youkai, then why hadn't he said anything? Should she say anything? It was all very distressing but soon she'd have her answer. Even if she shouldn't say anything, there was no way in hell that she wouldn't. She had to know.

 

She sat stiffly on a soft mat, in front of a low table. This is where she had eaten this afternoon. She'd been delighted when it was none other than Sura that brought her food to her. They had chatted about inconsequential things before she left and leaving her alone with Yuti once again. The female general had been eyeing the human all day. She'd been out of sorts, even for her, ever since she returned from her little rendezvous with Tomo. Sura had also been acting a little strange but said nothing. She might have asked the diminutive inu about her unusual behavior but had not yet had the chance. Whatever it was involved Sesshoumaru, of that she was nearly certain. The odd behavior of her charge had only deepened when Yuti mentioned that he would be returning today and that he wished to see her. Upon hearing the news, Takana became even more silent than she had already been that day and her whole person had become stiff and nervous. She would have to speak with Sura the moment she took her leave of her current duties.

 

Now Takana sat alone in the large rooms, waiting for his return. He didn't keep her waiting for long. She heard the tell tale signs of the door being slid open and of it being shut again, long before she saw him. She sat facing away from the doors and out toward the balcony. She didn't hear his approach but she knew he was there. She couldn't sense him, or smell him as he obviously could her but she still knew he was there. She didn't turn to look at him.

 

Sesshoumaru knew something was different the moment he stepped into his quarters. He'd walked quietly into the room to watch her already tense, seated form become even more so. He was aware that she knew he was there and he was sure that it was his presence that was now causing her tense distress. Every time he believed that they were moving forward in this tentative relationship of theirs, they seemed to take a step back instead. Each time, the reason behind the halt in progress eluded him at first. He hated always being on unknown ground with this woman. It unnerved him that he didn't know how to proceed and when he did act, it was often the wrong move. He sighed but not loud enough for her to hear. He would let her make the first move this time. Then maybe he'd have a better chance at judging how to proceed instead of jumping in blindly as he usually did with her.

 

He didn't have to wait very long. He was right, she most certainly did know that he was there.

 

“Why?” It was asked quietly, with a hint of worry.

 

The question was simply too vague for his comprehension. He would keep his question to the point, forcing her to continue and keep the lead.

 

“I don't understand the question.” He replied in a cool and careful tone.

 

“If you knew,” she began again, “then why did you say nothing?”

 

Realization hit him quickly. This was going to be a touchy subject, of that he was certain but at this point he could not tell if she were angry about his silence or not. The truth is what he'd promised silently to her and that is what he would give her.

 

“When I realized it, it did not seem like the best time to discuss such matters.”

 

“And when did you realize it?” She was still seated away from him facing the balcony while he continued to stand behind her. It was then that he realized just how much he depended on seeing her face in order to determine her exact moods. Proceeding this way was almost like being human again and it that was strangely comforting.

 

“When I went to retrieve you by the river after...I revealed myself to you.” He stated with a hint of quilt in his voice by the end of the explanation. It seemed that he still had difficulty controlling his emotions when it came to being around her. She had such a powerful effect on him and at times it made him uneasy.

 

“I though you said that I could trust you.” Her voice was still unreadable.

 

He closed his eyes. At the time, it had seemed like the best course and then after returning, it just never seemed to be the right time.

 

“This is not a matter of trust.” He finally stated.

 

She laughed. The sound was hollow and unpleasant.

 

“And just exactly how is it that you don't see it as a matter of trust?” She now turned her head to the side and spied the creature behind her through the corner of her eye.

 

“It was to be your choice when you told me.”

 

“What's that supposed to mean?” She didn't like it when he was cryptic and nothing served to feed her anger faster than that. She stood up as she asked the question and finally faced him head on.

 

Sesshoumaru stood his ground and began to elaborate on his answer even as she strode up to him.

 

“You have not been given many choices of late. I didn't see the need to remove that one from you as well. It was my hope that you would tell me on your own but it is clear that you discovered I knew before you had the chance. Did Yuti tell you?” It was his turn to be angry. He had given her specific instructions to say nothing of it.

 

Takana stopped in her tracks. It didn't take a genius to know that the sudden coldness in his voice was not directed at her but elsewhere. Perhaps she should not have asked after all. If he was truly trying to give her some control back over her life by saying nothing then in the end, she didn't really have the heart to be upset with his decision. It did seem that most everything he did for her these days was designed to make her new life here as comfortable as possible but in her quest for answers, she may have unwittingly gotten someone else in trouble. That was not what she wanted and it's not what was going to happen.

 

“It doesn't matter how I found out.” She tried but only succeeded in getting him to narrow his eyes at her. She needed a change in strategy or perhaps just a change in subject. “So now that I do know that you know, I need to know what you think about what I now know you know.” Even she frowned at the way that one came out but at least his eyes went from narrowed to one eyebrow disappearing into the fringe of his hair. “What I mean is, what will happen to the baby. I know that hanyous are not well liked among humans or youkai. If you want to do anything harmful...I swear to the gods I'll,” she was suddenly getting riled up at the thought of something terrible befalling her child. It may not be the most opportune pregnancy but that wasn't going to change the fact that she'd protect her unborn with her life. “I'll find a way to hurt anyone that...” She was cut off.

 

“You are right. Hanyous are not often well received by either race.” He actually looked amused at her sudden fury. Her emotions could change so fast. From weary, to angry, to worried, to concerned and back to angry again, all within a few minutes time. It was almost dizzying but seeing her suddenly become so defensive about their unborn child, made him feel proud of her. She would be a good mother. He continued.

 

“However, that will not be of concern.” He stated simply being purposely vague this time. He enjoyed seeing her so animated sometimes, especially when he believed it would not end in her ire.

 

Again, she had another sudden mood change. Now confusion reigned down on her attractive little face.

 

“What do you mean? I'm human and you're youkai and...” He cut her off.

 

“But I was human.” Takana's mouth dropped into a suddenly understanding, `OH'. Her eyes and hands dropped down to her stomach. After a moment of silence between the two, the cogs in Takana's head started to turn once more.

 

“So, if the child will be human...no one knows that it's actually yours, do they?” She asked.

 

“No.” He stated simply but now was definitely the time for elaborating on his own. “And it is important that it remain that way for now. Such information could prove dangerous. Only you and I know.”

 

“What about Yuti? Doesn't she know?”

 

“No, I only instructed her to not reveal that your pregnancy was well known. She did not know the reason behind the request.”

 

“Ah.” She responded. “So, I can keep the child?” Suddenly very serious again. “Because I won't stay if...” He cut her off once again. As much as her agitation was amusing today, he would not let her think even for a moment that he would remove a child from its mother.

 

“Our child will stay with us.” She looked back up at him and was rewarded with the warmest smile she'd given him in a very long time. It filled his with warmth and he momentarily forgot himself when he reached up to caress her face with his clawed hand.

 

She tensed for a moment but then forced herself to relax at the gentle gesture. She too was rewarded with something just as rare these days. His smile. It was small, only pulling at the corner of his lips but it was one none the less. He rarely had done more as a human anyway.

 

“Is there anything else I should know?” She finally asked when his hand left her face and returned to his side.

 

“Hn.” was his non committal reply. When she narrowed her eyes at him, he continued.

 

“Nothing that this Sesshoumaru can fathom at the moment.”

 

“This Sesshoumaru eh?”

 

“Hn”

 

AN: I'm not entirely happy with this chap. I just felt like it was...stilted. What do you think? Also, no complaints today, so no threats either. Just a bit of useless trivia, my most reviewed story to date was `Her Choice' with 168, (on MM anyway) I actually think I'm going to top that with this one. Funny thing is though, that story was only 38 pages long and this one is already pushing 80 with lots more to come. Chucklesome. Anyway, happy reading!

 

DYquem - I do like to throw those in there every once in a while. Like you said, to break up the tension but also to do a little more character development on some of the side ones as well as set up a little more of a solid feeling for the story itself. That way it doesn't feel like a cardboard set but more like shooting on location. Oh come on, I don't have a story ending style per se; I just don't like to do the expected is all. So we'll see if the ending for this one fits your definition of a happy ending. :)

Nikkie23534 - All kids think their mom is crazy! If they don't then you're doing something wrong. :P

White Luna - I like putting in the nice ones every once in a while. Gives me a chance to let you get to know the other characters too.

emeraldoni - Yeah, probably an overuse injury. They happen. Anyway, hope you liked the convo between the two mains of this fic. Yeah, I decided to make it full human just cause I've never seen that and wanted to do something different.