InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Cursed ❯ Cravings ( Chapter 34 )

Chapter Thirty Four - Cravings

 

Takana happily and hungrily swallowed the last of her meal. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to savor the last of her tasty treat. It had really hit the spot. When she opened them again, she turned to thank the cook once more only to find the little inu looking a bit pale.

 

“Oh, it's not as bad as it sounds. It was actually very good.” She reassured the peaked looking youkai.

 

Sura just raised both of her eyebrows while taking a deep breath. “Never in all my years have I ever heard of youkai or humans eating rice, liver and sticky plums all mixed together.” She shook her head. “And I don't think I'll be too upset if I never do again.”

 

“If you had just tried it...”

 

“Never. You'd have a better chance of convincing me I'm a neko than ever getting me to eat any of that mess.” Sura said forcefully as she took Takana's bowl away to be washed.

 

“Humph, a neko would probably appreciate it.” Takana laughed.

 

“And that my little friend is exactly why I am thankful to have been born an inu.”

 

Takana just laughed. “Well, even if you are silly for not even trying it, you are still too kind for calling me `little' because I feel absolutely monstrous lately.” At six months pregnant, her stomach no longer looked like she was just putting on a little weight. It officially stuck out farther that her breasts did. Even though she knew it was just her imagination, she felt as though her kimono made fewer wraps around her when she was dressed. In fact, she was starting to detest the garments. They had been fine when she first arrived here with Sesshoumaru but it was cold then and she had been smaller. At the time extra fabric was actually welcome but now it was getting too hot and she felt stifled by it. All she wanted to wear were her old cloths or even something along the lines of what Yuti wore. The female general's was actually along the lines of Sess's clothing but tailored more for the female figure. Maybe if she gave him her pathetic eyes, he'd acquiesce. Though he hadn't been too receptive to her wearing her old cloths, maybe he'd go for something else. Gods, she'd be happy with anything else besides these damn kimono. They were beautiful but beauty be damned, she wanted comfort in her current state and that was it.

 

“You look absolutely adorable Takana. You make me want to have one of my own, you're so cute.” Sura chirped excitedly now that the evidence of the human's strange desire for disgusting food had been cleared away.

 

Takana laughed. “You're a very good liar Sura.”

 

“Me? I'll admit that I can be when I want to but that is not what I'm doing now.”

 

“I knew there was a reason I liked you.” She always felt so at ease around Sura. The happy little cook never missed an opportunity to chat with her. It was something that couldn't be said for most of the servants in the shiro. It's not that they were rude or dismissive but they all seemed to be unsettled when around her. When she'd asked Yuti about it, she'd explained that it was not her that made them nervous but Sesshoumaru. Most guests of their lord did not try to be friendly with the servants. Most didn't even acknowledge them, let alone try and converse with them. Sura was the exception. She was just overly friendly. Her profession before coming here had lent her to being talkative with all manner and status of creature. It had been her job to make people feel at home and that training had apparently become apart of Sura's nature.

 

“I thought it was my cooking that you liked?”

 

“Oh, gods yes, that too but so much more. I've come to think of us as friends. I hope you feel the same way.” Takana didn't care why Sura was so friendly. All that she cared about was that she was. It was hard living here even if Sess and Yuti were as good to her as they were.

 

Sura's eyes absolutely glowed. She practically squealed out her response. “Of course I do. You are far more interesting than anyone else here. I'm so glad that Yuti first brought you here even if your choice in cuisine has taken a turn for the worse lately.”

 

The smile on Takana's face never left until her look of mock hurt replaced it. She couldn't hold the expression for long however and quickly began laughing. “You'll have to blame that on the little one I'm afraid. I'm sure it will all get back to normal after the birth.”

 

“I can't wait to see your pup. I've never seen a human baby before. Do you think it will look like you or the father?”

 

The question gave Takana a reason for pause. She thought about that a lot. She still didn't and probably never would understand just what had happened to Sess to make him human but she wondered if it would have an effect on their child. Though it wasn't huge, there were definite differences between the way he looked now and the way he had looked when she first found him. Would the child look like the human him or the youkai him?

 

“I don't know.” Takana said more to herself than in answering Sura's question. She didn't notice Sura's drastic change in expression or manner until she heard her speak again.

 

“I'm so sorry.”

 

Confused, Takana tried to focus back on their conversation. “Sorry...what do you mean?” She asked before thinking everything through.

 

“I just thought that...never mind, it's none of my business. Sometimes I just let my mouth run away with me.”

 

Not wanting to worry her friend, Takana immediately set to soothing her fears. “You didn't say anything wrong so you have nothing to apologize for, in fact, I still don't know just exactly what it is that you're apologizing for.”

 

Sura paused a moment, considering if she should explain herself. When she finally decided to take the chance, she spoke. “I just thought that since you said you didn't know that you...” She paused a moment.

 

“It's alright, go ahead.” Takana said for encouragement.

 

“That you...didn'tknowwhothefatherwas.” She said the last words so fast that they all seemed to run into one another.

 

It took a few seconds for Takana to sort through the jumbled mess in her mind before coming to the realization of what she'd said. The moments she came to that understanding, it must have shown on her face because Sura immediately launched into another bout of apologies.

 

“Oh, I'm so sorry; I knew I shouldn't have...”

 

Takana quickly pulled herself together, able to forget her own shock at the almost frightened fretting of her friend. “It's alright.” She couldn't fully keep the emotion out of her voice. “I'm the one that insisted you ask.”

 

Silence fell over the pair. Sura was fidgeting with her hands as Takana stared at her own as they sat folded on the table. Just as the cook was going to excuse herself to clean up the kitchen, Takana kept her there with her words.

 

“I do know the father.” She started. “He...” She paused, trying to find the right words. Sess had told her to not reveal his role in the pregnancy until his go ahead. He'd said that it was for her and the baby's safety. She wanted to tell Sura but dared not to. She knew that Sesshoumaru didn't say things like that on a whim. If he said it, then it was important and if the baby's safety was involved, there was no way she would do anything to endanger it.

 

“He left one day suddenly and...I never saw him again. But Lord Sesshoumaru...he decided to take care of me in Shin's place.”

 

Sura only nodded. She had no intention of asking any more questions tonight. She'd learned enough for one night but as she began cleaning up after the meal, she couldn't help but recall the name Shin. Hadn't Takana mentioned having had a brother by the same name and that he had died a long time ago. Even though the two undoubtedly had nothing to do with one another, it refused to leave her mind.

 

AN: Let me address a few comments I've had concerning the last couple of chapters that will undoubtedly encompass this one as well. Having only one of the original Inuyasha characters in the story, I try to do a bit of character development with my creations. This explains why my plot may move a bit more slowly that others you might have read. Also, though it may not always seem like it, nearly everything that goes on in a chapter has some significance to plot though it may not be immediately apparent. I hope that clears up some concerns, if not...sorry, I just don't know what else to say.

 

Cochrann: Afraid so, but don't worry...seems everyone was a bit thrown by that one. I hope it was the good kind of surprise. :)

angelsfalltearfully: *claps* I'm glad you liked it and I'm also happy you don't like him...kinda the point. Seems I'm getting my ideas across well enough at the moment. And yup, you're right, they are siblings.

Nikkie23534: Thank you, thank you. We'll do!

SnowFlakeAlchemist: He actually had three full blood brothers but so sadly, no more. I wonder what you're wondering....hmmmm. Ah, regrets...don't you have to think you did something wrong in order to have them...hmmmm.

Lamb: Mmmm brownies. I could die that way. Plot? Oh, there's always plot, you just don't know it yet but there was definitely a bit of char devel going on in that one. I haven't mentioned the hanyou but I might...no promises but you never know. You're question about status will be answered in the next chapter or two, so you don't have to wait long. Tata.