InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Persistence ❯ Chapter 22 ( Chapter 22 )

Good god, you're all hilarious. I've never gotten such a hilarious crash course on pregnancy and gestation. What I really meant was that I'm not going to stay 100% on facts. Thank you so much for all of the reviews!

 

I'm sorry about the time it took to update. I recently had a sleep test and found out I have moderate OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) so I've been learning to use my new CPAP machine. I gotta tell you... sleep was NEVER so good!!!! I also wanted to post chapters 22 and 23 close together.

 

Anyway, on with the show!! (I own nothing but the idea of Takeshi and Jirou)

 

 

Chapter 22

 

 

Clinics all had the same smell. Sterile. They were often so hygienic that they seemed to be the opposite of welcoming even though they tried with warm colored fabric on the furniture and carpet. After checking in at the front desk, she found a seat and quietly sat down to wait her turn. In order to make the announcement official, Kagome was required to see an OB/GYN approved by the court. Then, and only then, would any conception be recognized.

 

In the waiting room she couldn't help fidgeting with the hem of her shirt or bouncing her knees. A large, warm hand settled on one of her knees and squeezed gently. Kagome looked up and her eyes met Sesshomaru's. He had come with to support her and to assume the rightful role of the child's father. A young couple was sitting kiddy corner from them in the waiting room. Sitting beside the woman was a small car seat full of blankets. Peering just barely over the blanket was pale skin and two little brown eyes. Such a small, vulnerable being out in the world. A being that needed care, love, and protection from others. The blankets moved slightly and a gurgled cry was emitted from beneath them. Kagome watched with wonder as the woman bent over and gently fished a small wriggling bundle from the depths of the blanketed car seat. A small fist waved in the air as the baby began to flail about a little bit. A gentle smile spread across her lips as it dawned on her that she was going to be a mother and care for a small, beautiful child just like the woman sitting across from her.

 

“Higurashi Kagome?” a nurse called from the open doorway. Kagome and Sesshomaru stood and he placed his hand on the small of her back while following her through the doorway. The nurse took her weight, height, and temperature before they ended up in an exam room. Sesshomaru sat next to Kagome while the nurse took her blood pressure and heart rate while chatting casually with the nervous woman.

 

“Okay Kagome, I need you to undress, panties and all, and put on this,” she said while holding up a flimsy light blue hospital gown, “with the opening toward your back and then this large piece you can drape over your lap while you have a seat on the exam table. Dr. Otaku will be with you shortly,” she said after she stood up and gathered Kagome's file. She exited the room, pulling the privacy curtain closed and closing the door with a click behind her. Silence reined the room for a few moments while both occupants looked around at the various items. Kagome, having had pelvic exams in the past, was familiar with the idea of such an intimate exam but she had never had a male present in the room before. Sure, it was Sesshomaru but it was such an invasive and cold procedure. She began undressing, handing each article to Sesshomaru which he folded and sat neatly on the chair she had been sitting on. Feeling her nervousness, Sesshomaru politely kept his eyes obverted from her while she slipped the gown on then wrestled with the strange paper drapery. When he looked up he saw her seated on the exam table, the gown crushed against her by one arm as she tried her best to make the sheet of paper cover the rest of her.

 

The door to the room swung open and a gray haired male walked into the room and pushed back the partial privacy curtain. He wore a white lab coat and had a stethoscope around his neck. Kagome paled, immediately recognizing Todaku. She blushed wildly, emitting a quiet “eep!” She wished that she could melt into the wall. How embarrassing!

 

“My, my, what have we here? Come for a pregnancy test and possibly an ultra sound, I hear?” he purred as he looked back and forth between Kagome's shocked expression and Sesshomaru's annoyed one.

 

“Heh, um, yes. Just want to be sure! You know how some of those home tests can be, heh heh,” Kagome sputtered, embarrassed to be talking about something so personal with Todaku. She tried valiantly to keep herself covered, the paper rustling loudly as she tried to tuck it around her behind where the gown gaped open.

 

“Todaku-sama, I sincerely hope you are not harassing my patient,” a female voice drawled from the doorway. Kagome leaned slightly to the side to see another doctor standing behind Todaku. A female, tall and slender with dark hair and rectangular spectacles, stood wearing black slacks and a blue blouse under a white lab coat.

 

“Harassing? Goodness, no, I was merely visiting,” Todaku replied casually.

 

“Well, time for you to leave. It is extremely improper for you to be here anyway.” Kagome looked from the female doctor to Todaku who was still standing near the door.

 

“Todaku-sama, please,” Sesshomaru said in a tired and bored tone. Todaku grinned widely before he nodded and left, closing the curtain and the door quietly.

 

“Miss Higurashi, I would like to apologize for my Chief of Medicine's behaviour,” the woman stated as she extended her hand. “I am Dr. Sherry Otaku.” Kagome reached out and shook the woman's hand, relieved at the absence of Todaku's presence. The doctor then turned and bowed politely to Sesshomaru. “Now, we're going to do a few tests, draw some blood, and I'll also need a urine sample.” Kagome sighed as she accepted the sanitary cup from the doctor and listened to the rest of the instructions and plans.

 

After several tests, pokes, prods, and a trip to the bathroom, Kagome found herself dressed again and laying back on the exam table. A nurse had rolled in an ultrasound machine and Kagome now laid back, pants unbuttoned and shirt pulled up to just below her breasts while her abdomen was covered in sticky goop. Todaku had joined them again and watched at the side while Dr. Otaku ran the machine.

 

“Miss Higurashi, it looks as if you are almost 3 weeks along,” the doctor said while pointing to the black and white screen. All she could see was the blurred shades of black, white, and gray. The swishing noise was enough to convince her that something was there or that her guts were incredibly loud. Todaku grinned and chuckled deeply, slapping Sesshomaru on the back. Sesshomaru faltered slightly, scowling back at Todaku. There was a whirring of the printer and the doctor handed Kagome a printout of the ultrasound. She looked at it in wonder, reading over the stats.

 

“I'm not... I'm not having children, right? There's just one there, right? I'm not going to be pushing out a whole liter of puppies, am I?” Kagome asked, suddenly remembering a cocker spaniel from her childhood that had puppies in Sota's bedroom closet.

 

“No, dear, just one,” the doctor said with a genuine smile.

 

“Uh, Dr. Otaku?” she asked.

 

“Yes?”

 

“This says that the calculated delivery date is in 50 weeks. That's a 12 month pregnancy! Is that correct?” Kagome gasped. Todaku chuckled lightly. Sesshomaru jabbed him in the ribs with his elbow, effectively silencing the old Lynx demon.

 

“Yes, it is. A normal pregnancy is about 40 to 42 weeks. However, since your child will have some extra attributes due to Sesshomaru's genetics, your baby will need a few extra weeks to fine tune its different systems. It'll be just a few extra weeks,” her doctor said nonchalantly. Kagome gulped and looked at Sesshomaru. This is certainly going to be an adventure, she thought to herself with a sigh.

 

 

---000---

 

 

In the car on the way home Kagome couldn't stop thinking about the amount of time she would be pregnant. She had heard of women complaining that their pregnancy felt like it was taking forever but this was ridiculous. How big was the kid going to be when delivery came? Sesshomaru sensed her fidgeting and reached a hand over to clasp around her own.

 

“It will all happen over time; not immediately,” he assured her. Kagome took a deep breath in attempt to calm herself.

 

“It's a lot to digest in one doctor's visit,” she answered with a sheepish smile.

 

“Hn, yes,” Sesshomaru answered. “Did you want to stop at home and change before we went to the court to make the announcement?” She looked down at her black slacks and pink blouse.

 

“No, I think I'm okay. Todaku would probably wet himself if we didn't announce it right away,” she said as she crossed her arms. The nerve of that demon. Sesshomaru allowed a corner of his mouth to lift in a smirk. Flipping a switch, he activated the turn signal to head to the western side of Tokyo.

 

 

---Court---

 

 

Again the court was assembled as Sesshomaru and Kagome stood before them. The scent of coffee wafted through the room, making Kagome's stomach churn slightly. She had had to fast for her blood tests and was craving some cereal or a banana nut muffin with some juice. The early morning sun filtered through the windows, casting warm light against the walls. Shippo stood off to the side again, a big smile adorning his face. All fourteen of the court noblemen were present. Kagome noted the shit eating grin on Todaku's face and rolled her eyes. She could tell he was nearly bursting at the seams for the announcement. Really, what is WITH this guy? At the edge of the room near the back and to the side of the double doors sat Jirou and Takeshi. Neither male made any movement or noise, their faces blank except for the way that Jirou's eyes rolled about in annoyance.

 

“Thank you all for allowing a meeting at such short notice,” Sesshomaru stated.

 

“You are more than welcome, Sesshomaru-sama,” Masao said from his place along the front.

 

“I have asked for an audience to make the announcement that we have verification from a medical practitioner at St. Theodore's Hospital that we have conceived an heir.”

 

A loud cheer and applause burst forth from a few noblemen, including Todaku and a thin yellow-haired male. “The birth is expected within 50 weeks' time,” he announced further, smirking slightly at the irritated aura exuded from Jirou.

 

“No wonder she reeks,” Jirou muttered from the back of the room.

 

“You back there,” Masao called out while narrowing his gaze on Jirou. “Shut up.” Kagome glanced back and saw Jirou fold his arms in front of him and scowl. “As you were saying, Sesshomaru, I presume you have proof?” Sesshomaru nodded and turned slightly to Kagome who reached back and pulled two ultrasound pictures from her back pocket. She walked to the bench and held them out for Masao to take. He smiled gently down at the girl, suddenly flooded with memories.

 

He had been a new nobleman appointed to the court shortly before Sesshomaru's own father, Inu no Taisho, came to ask for an audience with the court to announce the conception of his first born. Inu had been proud, excited, and downright jovial that he and his mate had conceived the next heir to the throne. Masao inwardly smirked at the notable difference between sire and son. Sesshomaru stood before them looking as stoic and cold as ever while also looking scared shitless. Snapping from his thoughts, Masao glanced at the ultrasound pictures which he didn't need; he could scent the young woman's pregnancy from the bench. A sidelong glance to Todaku told him that they had indeed been to his hospital if the face splitting grin the demon wore was any kind of indication.

 

“It sounds like we have a celebration to plan,” he said, setting the picture down on the long table in front of him. He looked up to smile sincerely at Kagome. “Are you up for it, Kagome-san?” Kagome grinned, tears gathering near the corners of her eyes. Fearing that her voice would not hold, she simply nodded as Sesshomaru slipped an arm around her waist.

 

 

---Castle---

 

 

A month later plans had been arranged and invites had been sent out to celebrate the conception of an heir to the Western Lands. Instead of spending time at the shop, Kagome found herself deeply involved in overseeing the planning for the celebration. Todaku and then Chimitsu insisted that she spend her spare time at the castle, helping to pick out decorations. Suteki was happy to have her around because he loved the stories she would tell about his grandsire, Inuyasha.

 

When the date finally came Kagome found herself adorned in a royal blue kimono with silver cranes taking flight across the back. A bright red obi was slung slightly high about her waist. Sesshomaru was dressed in his usual outfit but Kagome noticed that there were slight silvery touches to the embroidery.

 

The garden was set up beautifully with the leaves beginning to change with the season. Sheets of linen were draped across several tables that spotted the lawn. Several of the noblemen from the courts meandered through the crowd, talking jovially with the different guests. Kagome watched their guests from the balcony that was above the outdoor patio. The water trickled merrily down the rock wall and Kagome sighed, her hands resting on the white marble banister. Strong arms wrapped around her and pulled her back against a warm yet strong chest. Her hands covered the strong ones that were settling over her abdomen. She tilted her head back, resting against Sesshomaru's strong chest.

 

“Entrance time?” she asked. He nodded silently to answer her question, his ocher tinted eyes surveying the crowd below. He untangled himself from her before walking over to the staircase. Kagome followed at his heels to his right as he approached the edge.

 

“Ladies and Gentlemen; Demon, Hanyou, and Human. I would like to personally thank you for your attendance on this important occasion. As you saw on your invites, we are here to celebrate the conception of the next heir to the Western Lands.” Sesshomaru reached his right arm back and motioned Kagome to step forward. “I would like to present to you the future Lady of the Western Lands, mother to my heir, and mate to this Sesshomaru.”

 

Kagome looked up at Sesshomaru, a smile growing on her face as her titles sank in. Lady, mother, mate.

 

“In fact,” Sesshomaru said while looking at Kagome, “I would like to take this moment to make it official.” Kagome's brows scrunched together slightly in confusion and she began to open her mouth to ask a question when Sesshomaru got down on one knee before her and pulled a small ring from his obi. The hand that wasn't clasped in his rose to shake lightly in front of her mouth. Gleeful murmurs rose from the crowd below with a few whoops coming from Inuyasha and Shippo. He presented a glimmering silver ring and paused before sliding it onto her finger. Slender fingers coaxed the ring onto her finger. The diamond sitting atop the twisted metal dazzled in the light of the patio along with the inset of diamonds that lined the sides extending away from the middle gem. Simple and clean, the smooth yet cool metal came to a rest at the base of her finger. Looking down at him, Kagome's hand left its place in front of her mouth to stroke Sesshomaru's cheek.

 

“Of course, you fool,” she whispered though she knew any demon or hanyou in the room could hear her answer. Smiling, he stood and clasped her hand in his.

 

“Let us celebrate!”

 

The rest of the day went smoothly. Kagome spent much of her time being introduced to different persons whether it was nobles, professionals, or relatives that she had never heard of. Most people talked about the joining of Kagome and Sesshomaru as mates and the heir business took somewhat of a backseat until Kagome was approached by Takeshi dressed in very fine silks. He wore deep purple haori over a white yukata and deep purple hakamas with a stunning yellow obi wrapped around his waist. His feet, much like Sesshomaru, were clad in black pointed boots. Kagome had to admit that, even though Takeshi was the anti-Sesshomaru, he was still a good looking demon. His dark blue eyes sparkled brightly, matching the twin markings that scored over his cheekbones. They had a deep sparkle that Kagome hadn't seen since she first met Miroku.

 

“Lady Kagome,” he said while bowing politely in front of her, “I offer my congratulations and best wishes for your babe and your relationship.” While talking he gently took her hands in his. They were warm and gentle, curling around her own. A deep, vicious growl ripped through the room and Kagome's hands were immediately dropped. A seething demonic aura washed over Kagome, causing her back to stiffen. Sesshomaru stood possessively close to her, glaring at Takeshi.

 

“You,” he growled, “do not touch her.” Takeshi masked his face with innocence, holding his hands up in defense before bowing deeply to Sesshomaru.

 

“Many apologies, Lord Sesshomaru. I intended no ill will toward your mate and the mother of the future heir to the Western lands,” he explained. “I only wished to congratulate her.” Sesshomaru pulled Kagome against his chest, a strong arm clasped firmly on her left shoulder. Jirou looked on from behind Takeshi and turned to walk away.

 

“Don't bother, son,” he said as he took a swill of the whiskey in his glass. “Let them have their day; I'm sure it'll be short lived.” Takeshi took a step back and bowed politely, a slight apologetic look to his face as he glanced toward Kagome. After he turned away, Sesshomaru calmed and Kagome leaned back against him. She would be glad when their baby was born and they were rid of those two.

 

“Get your hands off my woman!” Kagome knew that exasperated scream anywhere. She stiffened; an explosion of anxiety flooded her body as she clenched her eyes shut. Oh no, it can't be. Sesshomaru looked down at her in confusion. Kagome waited in pained silence with her eyes shut, afraid to open them because she was positive that she would see Sesshomaru with Kouga's severed head hanging from his blood-drenched fist.

 

“I'm just huggin' her, sheesh,” came a voice Kagome was incredibly familiar with. Turning around, she saw Kouga holding a small black haired girl on his left arm, her legs slung around his hips and Inuyasha hugging Ayame. Noticing her gawking at them, Kouga turned toward her.

 

“Hey Kagome! Long time!” Kouga began walking her way. His hair was up in a high top knot. His eyes were still the same blue as she remembered but, as he came closer, she saw the skin spots on his face and the crow's feet around his eyes as he smiled.

 

“Kouga! How nice it is to see you!” she responded, glancing at Sesshomaru from the corner of her eye. As he approached, Kouga reached his right arm out to very gently hug her. The possessiveness and chauvinistic attitude was nowhere to be found and instead she felt an overwhelming sense of platonic friendship.

 

“Once I heard from Ayame that there was a conception celebration for you two I knew I had to decline coverage of Shark week to be here. Lord Sesshomaru,” he bowed respectfully. Kagome had a bewildered look on her face. The last few times she had seen Kouga, he had clasped her hands in his and proclaimed his undying love for her. Not to mention threatening Inuyasha if he stole `his woman'. Was this indeed the same Kouga from 500 years ago?

 

“Kouga, I am honored that you could make it with your pack,” Sesshomaru said with a humorous lit in his voice. “Hello Vanessa,” he said as he leaned forward and offered his hand to the young girl in Kouga's arms. She smiled shyly and buried her face in her father's neck and shoulders.

 

They talked for a while. After Kagome left the feudal era, Kouga spent much of his time mulling over her absence and wrestling with himself about his future. He had naively thought that Kagome would willingly be with him after Naraku's demise. For 50 years he mulled over the future until, one day, he took off to the Northern Mountains. Once there, he begged Ayame for forgiveness. She made him suffer for two weeks before forgiving him for his past transgressions.

 

They spent most of their years between Northern Canada and Japan where they raised their extensive family. Kouga traveled the world, taking photos and video and was picked up by the Discovery Channel to be one of their main videographers.

 

The rest of the evening went rather well after the run in with Takeshi and Jirou. Inuyasha and Nyuka along with Shippo and Shiori shared their own stories about conception celebrations for each of their children. Chimitsu hugged Suteki in her lap while listening to the stories. She remembered fondly the celebration for the child presently nodding off in her lap.

 

 

Toward the end of the evening, Kagome found herself sitting on a padded bench in the grove. Her feet ached from standing most of the night.

 

“Kagome-san, may I sit with you?” Kagome glanced up and saw burgundy stripes on a thin, pale face.

 

“Of course, Masao-sama,” she said as she scooted over to allow him room. The dark wine colored sleeves of his kimono clashed against the royal blue of her own. They sat in companionable silence for a while as a soft breeze caressed the leaves among the trees, sending a wave of rustling through the grove.

 

“You know,” Masao started, “I remember when Inu no Taisho and his mate had their own conception celebration for Sesshomaru. Inu was much more excited than Sesshomaru seems to be.” Kagome smiled.

 

“He's more excited than he shows,” Kagome commented. While it was true that Sesshomaru seemed to be just as cool and composed as ever, she knew that inside he was as giddy as a teenage girl. She smiled to herself. He shared certain things with her in private that he wouldn't otherwise show while around others. How traditionally Japanese of him.

 

“What was he like; Sesshomaru, I mean, when he was a baby?”

 

Masao chuckled lightly at the question. “Oh, he was a very beautiful baby. The only thing that was peculiar was that his ears were a little large for such a small pup but he grew into them. It was a wild celebration when he was born, too.” He could remember holding the young lord at his naming ceremony, his bright eyes stared up at him. His facial markings were light and would not darken completely until he was around three years old. He had watched the young Sesshomaru grown to be the demon he is today.

 

Kagome smiled up at the old demon. She felt comfortable around the head Court Noble and knew that in the future she would be able to glean important blackmail about young Sesshomaru for later use.

 

“I have lived a long life, Kagome-san, and it brings me great joy that the Taisho line will carry on through the centuries.”

 

“Me too, Masao-sama. Me too.”

 

 

---000---

 

 

Kagome sighed as she propped her feet on a low stool while sitting in the study. A book was held in her left hand while her right rested lightly on her protruding belly. Her feet had started swelling as of late and Sesshomaru didn't agree with all of the walking she was doing between the apartment and the shop. He insisted that they stay the remaining months of her pregnancy at the castle so that she didn't have to run around so much and so that someone would be with her at all times should she need help or get bored.

 

“Nyah,” she grumbled as she rubbed her hand along the top right side of my belly where there was a dull ache. The baby was kicking at her ribs again. “Shush, you.”

 

Several days later Kagome was on the phone with Shiori, frantically speaking into the receiver. “No, more like 2 minutes apart. Just tell him to hurry. I don't care if he's with someone; they can reschedule!” She hung up the phone and sat back on the couch. The contractions were coming quicker and Sesshomaru had better arrive soon. She had felt a certain foreboding this morning, as if she knew something was going to happen. Last week she had noticed that the baby had dropped incredibly but she wasn't worried as her due date was about 3 weeks away.

 

Ten minutes after she hung up the phone the front door swung open and Sesshomaru stepped over the threshold.

 

“Oh thank the lord; I thought you'd never get here!” Sesshomaru put his arm around her as he helped her waddle to the car. Once situated, they sped off to the hospital.

 

Some six hours of pushing and screaming and cursing Sesshomaru later, their baby was born. After passing the after birth, the baby was cleaned up and wrapped in a soft, warm blanket, then was carefully handed to Kagome.

 

“Congratulations, it's a boy!”

 

Kagome felt exhausted. The bundle that was placed in her arms was so light and slightly squirmy. Taking a deep, cleansing breath, she tilted the baby toward her and ran her fingers over the feathery light wisps of dark hair that were slightly matted to his head. A slightly reddish face with chubby cheeks and puffy, closed eyes rested within the white and light green blanket. Soft gurgling murmurs rose from its gummy mouth. She reached out to stroke his cheek with the backs of her fingers and the blanket fell away from his head a little bit. Her fingers froze mid-stroke as floppy, pointed ears rustled out of the blanket. All of a sudden the baby's face began to change. Its skin began to look dry, pocked, and greenish. Strands of hair grew from the ears that seemed to also turn green, making the skin appear tough like leather. The ears grew slightly and grew even more floppy and elfin looking. Panicking, Kagome looked up at the nurse.

 

“What's happening?!”

 

“Mmmm, a beautiful heir he is,” the nurse said in a croaky voice.

 

Kagome jolted awake in bed and took deep gasps of breath. Her heart was pounding in her chest and she could feel the adrenaline pumping through her veins. She reached over and shook Sesshomaru awake.

 

“Sesshomaru,” she whispered loudly, “wake up. Sesshomaru… is ear shape hereditary?”

 

“Mphhh? What? Why?” he asked while cuddling her close to him. She sighed and resigned to resting her head on his chest.

 

“I dreamt that the baby was born and it had ears like Yoda.” He snorted with laughter and cuddled her closer.

 

“What in the world would give you that idea?” he asked before kissing the top of her head.

 

“It must've been something someone said the other day,” she answered with a yawn.

 

“Even if it is hereditary,” he said while pulling the comforter more snugly around them, “any child of yours will be splendidly beautiful.”

 

 

---Eight Months Later---

 

 

The front door opened and a heavily pregnant Kagome walked into the castle followed by Sesshomaru.

 

“You heard her, Kagome. She either wants you on bed rest or to take it extremely easy for the next month until the baby is born,” Sesshomaru explained with a sigh. She fought him the whole way home from the doctor's visit about staying home.

 

“But why can't I still come to the shop? I don't understand this! Shiori can keep me company while you're working.”

 

“No, I want you here. Besides, I'm sure Chimitsu and Suteki would appreciate your company since Setsuzoku is on a guys-only trip for the next two weeks,” Sesshomaru answered quietly. Kagome sighed and continued into the hallway and slowly up the stairs to their bedroom with Sesshomaru close behind her.

 

Eight months had passed since the celebration. Like any other normal pregnancy, Kagome had her ups and downs. For two weeks straight of her first trimester she had horrible nausea and headaches. Dr. Otaku had reassured her that it was all normal and that she should make sure to drink enough water and get enough rest. Once she was feeling better she resumed going to the shop with Sesshomaru and spending time with Chimitsu and Suteki.

 

By now Kagome's belly had grown to be rather large. She'd never admit it but her feet and back were killing her and the baby inside of her seemed to find joy in wrenching at her ribcage with its feet. At least by now most normal pregnancies would be coming to their end but Kagome had a good 10-12 weeks left to go. She figured that since they would be at the castle so much that they would temporarily move in until after the baby was born. It was easier to deal with everything if Kagome had more room to escape from Sesshomaru when she was feeling particularly surly.

 

On this specific afternoon, she was sitting in the garden with Suteki and Chimitsu when Sesshomaru arrived home from work. Upon seeing his uncle, Suteki jumped up and ran over to him.

 

“Uncle Sesshomaru! Guess what? We're going to have a sleep over!” he cheered, grabbing his clawed hand and leading him over to where his mother and Kagome were sitting.

 

“A sleep over?” he asked gently, admiring his beautiful and heavily pregnant wife. Kagome laughed and nodded, reaching out a hand for Sesshomaru to come sit next to her. He shed his sport coat and sat down on the padded patio swing next to her. Suteki jumped up onto his lap.

 

“Tell me about this `sleep over' you speak of,” Sesshomaru told Suteki who immediately began describing all sorts of activities they could do. After much debate and laughter, the small group decided to make some cookies, blow bubbles in the garden, and then watch `Spirited Away'.

 

By the end of the movie both Suteki and Kagome were fighting to stay awake. Chimitsu tucked Suteki into his Star Wars sleeping bag and then curled up comfortably in her own. Curled up on a generously laid out blanket and mat, Kagome drifted farther into the dream world with Sesshomaru not far behind, his hand draped over her belly.

 

The moon was midway across the night sky when Sesshomaru's eyes snapped open. Keeping extremely still, he listened and searched with his sense of smell. Somewhere in the distance there was a scratching noise coming from the outside wall of the patio. Gently slipping his hand away from Kagome as to not wake her, he quietly padded down the hall to his study where he grabbed his swords. For a moment he contemplated strapping on his armor. A robber in the middle of the night or a possum would be no match for him. Tying a sash around his waist, he skipped the armor then slid both Tokijin and Tenseiga into place.

 

Here I am, Lord of the Western Lands, sneaking around my own home like a scared woman. He straightened his back and made his way through the patio, past his sleeping wife, niece, and grand nephew. The scratching persisted and he followed his hearing toward his right and began walking along the east wall of the garden. Every once in a while a foolish rodent would fall into the drainage grate then cry and scratch until it either perished or was saved by a servant. Already awake and irritated, Sesshomaru made his way to the black wrought iron grate to see which stupid animal woke him. Maybe it was a squirrel; they had become increasingly irritating as of late - especially after he found several pinecones tucked away in the exhaust pipe of his car. A sinister smile lit his face as he hoped it was a squirrel.

 

Approaching the grate, he looked into the depths, expecting to see the glittering of eyes flashing back up at him. However, the blackness offered no answers. Sesshomaru frowned and focused his eyes. Perplexed by the absence of anything in the grate, Sesshomaru turned a half second too late to dodge the flying electrode spikes. They sank into his chest with a prickle of heat, the barbs digging into his flesh. The wires snaked crookedly to a taser gun that was gripped in Takeshi's right hand. Fire erupted through his veins as his legs gave out under him and his body careened backward. Falling to the ground on his side, his body twitched violently as the electric shocks coursed through him. Takeshi crouched down next to him and chuckled cruelly.

 

“Even turned up to `kill' you still persist,” he sneered. Standing, he drew his foot back and kicked Sesshomaru in the head. Sesshomaru groaned before his vision blacked out and he fell unconscious.

 

 

---000---

 

Well well well. It took a VERY slow day at work to coax the last few pages out of me. You have no idea how much I struggled with this chapter. I know it's been forever since I posted. This fic should be done before the year is over. Heck, before Christmas.