InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Love, Interrupted ❯ Chapter 22 ( Chapter 22 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

The sun hung very low in the sky. Kagome finished her meager breakfast and packed up her few possessions and prepared to head out,
"Thank you, Ichigo. I appreciate all you've done." she said to the old man.
"Wait, child. Please take this."
Kagome looked at him. He held a basket of fruits and vegetables in one hand and a quiver full of arrows in the other. She accepted them gratefully,
"Thank you very much, Ichigo. I appreciate everything."
"I wish I could persuade you not to go, but I know it's not to be. Please take care on your journey. Oh, and please, take this also." he said, handing her a piece of paper.
"A sacred sutra." she remarked.
"Yes. It was given to me a long time ago by a monk. It always protected me on my journeys. I give it to you, now, child."
Kagome hugged the old man and kissed his cheek,
"Thank you so much." she whispered in his ear.
Kagome turned and exited the meager hut and started her journey.
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Sessho umaru was furious. He knew now that his aunt had given him false information. He had been hunting for far too long with no success. He turned and headed south once again, determined to extract the truth from someone in that tribe.
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For Kagome, the journey was far too slow and arduous. With her growing belly, she found herself stopping far too soon each day. She was nearly out of arrows from fighting off bandits and demons. She was running out of energy quickly. She found a nice, quiet lake and sat down to relax. From the roadside, she heard the sound of hooves along the dirt,
"Lady Kagome!" she heard.
Kagome turned around and was greeted by a young woman,
"Lady Tsukiko, what a surprise to see you here." Kagome exclaimed.
"Oh my, Lady Kagome, you ... you are with child. And quite a way along I see. Why are you so far out in Musashi with no companion? Where is the father of the child? Is he not with you?"
"I'm afraid the father is missing. I am trying to get myself to a temple belonging to the Buddhist monk Mushin."
"Mushin? I have heard of him. His temple is a long ways away. Lady Kagome, please, allow me to escort you to my castle. You can rest there and eat a hearty meal. I will then have my vassals escort you in a carriage to Mushin's temple."
Unaware of Tsukiko's brother's attempts to kill Inuyasha and claim her as his wife, Kagome readily agreed to go,
"Thank you, Lady Tsukiko. I am very grateful for your kindness." she said.
Tsukiko had her vassals assist Kagome onto a horse and they rode away. On their short journey, Tsukiko told Kagome that her brother was away at war, on their father's behalf. Kagome sighed a silent sigh of relief that she wouldn't run into Genichi.
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Sess houmaru returned to the southern lands and approached Mei again, this time with death in his eyes. Grabbing the woman by the throat, he squeezed the air out of her as she struggled to free herself,
"I will give you just one more chance, woman. What is Ryouya using to hide his scent?"
Another voice came from the forest,
"Please. Release her and I will tell you what you want to know."
Sesshoumaru turned and faced a petite dog-demon. Transforming herself, she became a petite, but beautiful, demoness woman. Sesshoumaru dropped his aunt to the ground. The woman cried out,
"NO! Anzu! You must not reveal Ryouya's secrets!"
"Mother. Ryouya must be stopped. He is intent on destroying himself all because he thinks our family is worth nothing. Meanwhile, Midori mourns for his return. Please, cousin, if I tell you, please promise to not kill Ryouya."
"I make no such promises. However, if you tell me how Ryouya hides his scent, I will spare your family a painful death."
"I am unable to tell you what he does. But, I can show you. May I accompany you, my cousin?"
"HMPH! Fine. Do as you wish. As long as you do not betray me. Otherwise, I will have to kill you."
"Don't go, Anzu. Family means nothing to him." cried Mei.
Sesshoumaru looked at his aunt,
"I come from a long line of strong demons. My father was revered by all whether they knew him or not."
"And your mother is my sister. My family is the same lineage. So why do you shun my family and attack me? My husband may not have been the powerful dog-general, but at least he did not stray and produce a worthless hanyou from a human bitch! The same hanyou you are trying to save ... and you try to erase that fact by saying you are rescuing him because you want to kill him yourself!"
"SILENCE! I have heard enough, woman. Do not pretend to know me or what I feel and think." Sesshoumaru turned to Anzu, "If you are coming, then follow me."
Anzu quickly followed after Sesshoumaru, thinking,
'He's not as cold-hearted as he would like us to believe. He's quite handsome too. I may enjoy this journey.'
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Kagome relaxed in the room Tsukiko had prepared for her. As the afternoon dragged on, she contemplated,
'I've spent nearly 3 weeks travelling and haven't even left the plains of Musashi. At least I will be able to travel in a carriage now with plenty of food and protection.'
Kagome began to stretch out when a sharp pain hit her abdomen,
"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." she cried out in pain.
Her door opened,
"Lady Kagome, what is it?"
"I just felt a sharp pain in my belly. They're coming in waves." she cried.
"I will get the nurse. Be patient, my lady." Tsukiko said, as she raced away.
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In another part of the castle, a young man appeared,
"Father. I have returned. The battle was successful." he said.
"Genichi, I'm happy to see you and to hear of a successful raid. We shall hold a feast in your honor." said his father.
Genichi bowed to his father, "Thank you. I will go and grab some food. Fighting makes one very hungry."
His father laughed, "Yes, I suppose it does, doesn't it. Go ahead, my son."
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The castle midwife placed a moist cloth on Kagome's head,
"How far along are you, my lady?" she asked.
"A ... bout ... seven months." said Kagome.
"It appears this baby is determined to come out now." said an older midwife, "You are still early enough in labor. I will return shortly." she said.
The younger midwife, who introduced herself as Ai, stayed with Kagome as the day grew dark. The moon began to rise,
"It's a full moon tonight, my lady. Birthing on the night of a full moon is supposed to be good luck."
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Genichi rounded the corner and peered out the castle window,
"A lunar eclipse tonight. How interesting."
His attention was disturbed by the older midwife coming down the hall,
"My lady, what are you doing in the castle. No one I know of is expecting a child in this castle."
"The young priestess that Lady Tsukiko befriended before has returned. And she is in labor, my lord."
"What?" he said, astonished.
Pushing past the midwife he headed towards the birthing area. Sure enough, there stood Tsukiko, pacing quietly,
"Tsukiko, what is this I hear that the fair Lady Kagome is with child and about to birth?"
"Genichi. I did not expect you home already."
"Forget that, Tsukiko. Where is she?"
"In the birthing room. But, men are not allowed in there ..." she said, as Genichi pushed passed her and entered the room,
The young midwife stood up, "My Lord. You must leave. You do not belong in here." she protested.
"Leave, Ai. Or I will have to kill you."
Ai nervously left the room, fearing for her life and the life of the young priestess,
"My dearest Kagome, why? I had claimed you for my own. Is this the child of that hanyou?"
"Genichi." Kagome spoke weakly, "Please leave me be."
"Answer me ... is this the child of that hanyou?"
"Yes. It is Inuyasha's child."
"Why, Lady Kagome? You told me you were just friends ... I ... I am in love with you. Why did you destroy yourself and lay with that animal?"
"I love Inuyasha. Not you Genichi. Now please, please leave and allow the midwife back in. I feel it will be very soon."
Genichi stood up and looked outside the window. The moon was high in the sky and now nearly invisable,
"I fear I cannot do that. I cannot allow the child of that animal to live. And you, you are no better that he ... the beast known as Inuyasha."
Kagome stared in fear at Genichi as he turned to face her, his sword unsheathed,
"I will send you to the netherworld with that animal child!"
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHH!"
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Sesshoumaru sniffed the air.
'Blood. Blood of Inuyasha's miko. Only ... it's not a mortal's blood any longer!'