InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sesshomarus Revenge ❯ An Uncertain Future for Children ( Chapter 8 )

A/N: I'm burning out on this fic, but here goes nothing! We still have to deal with poor Shippou, we can't leave him like this. Doesn't life suck sometimes? Here's hoping my muse makes an appearance soon…

 

Chapter 8

 

An Uncertain Future for Children

 

A group of children were playing tag. The game was getting harder to play, as it got dark. Shippou had dropped out first, and hung around disconsolately watching his friends. They tried to encourage him to return but he did not feel like it. Instead he found himself staring at the ground, kicking occasionally at the dirt and stones. He wanted to run back to Kagome as he usually would. She would make him clean up for dinner. Then they would eat and she would put him to bed. But now everything was changed, and he felt confused and sad. Now that Inu-Yasha was back, would she be sleeping with him? What if they were not telling him the truth, and they were making a baby? Where would that leave him?

 

When he tried to stop thinking these thoughts, Shippou found himself thinking about what Sesshomaru said to him that day. He still did not understand how come Sango was pregnant with Sesshoamru's baby if they did not love each other. The only time he remembered Sango being with him was when he had kidnapped and assaulted her and Kagome. It was all so confusing! He sighed, sitting down on a rock, and put his chin in his hands.

 

“Kagome, it's getting late,” said Kaede as they prepared the evening meal, “shouldn't Shippou be returning now?”

 

“You're right,” said Kagome, “he's usually back by now.”

 

“I'll go find him,” said Sango.

 

“Are you sure?” said Kagome, turning to look at her friend.

 

Sango's face was solemn and set. Taking a deep breath, she turned to see Kagome looking at her with worry stamped on her face. To try and alleviate her friends concern, she smiled and hoped the smile showed in her eyes. Kagome could read people very well.

 

“I told you I should be the one to talk to him,” said Sango, “and now would be a good time, with the boys out of our hair for now.”

 

Eyes downcast, Kagome nodded her acquiescence. Sometimes Sango was so stoic in her pain, which paradoxically made her feel empathy for her even more keenly. She had such dignity, but at what cost? Kagome knew better than to push the issue, even though it frustrated her.

 

 

It was turning out to be a lovely, cool evening. The sun was about to set behind the forest. Sango walked slowly over to where the children usually played in a vacant field on the outskirts of the village. She decided not to think about what she would say to Shippou, but rather to use this time to breath deeply and search inside for calmness. Thinking too much would only make her anxious, and being anxious would make things harder.

 

A child bumped into her as she reached her destination, and looked up at her, startled.

 

“Sorry,” he mumbled as he regained his equilibrium.

 

“Can you tell me where Shippou is?” she asked.

 

“He's sitting over there.” Said the child to a spot on the side of the field, and taking a quick bow, darted back the way he had come.

 

Slowly Sango made her way through the field and the children, hoping, as she got closer to find Shippou.

 

“Sango?” came the Kitsune's voice as she began her search.

 

As she turned, he came up to her side and grabbed the edge of her kimono.

 

“We were waiting for you to return for dinner,” she said, reaching out to tousle the child's hair.

 

“I'm sorry Sango, I guess I lost track of time.” He said glumly, and not convincingly at all.

 

“We don't have to go back right away,” she said, “is there someplace where you and I can talk?”

 

He looked up at her, his eyes bright in the fading light, and nodded. Taking her hand he led her to a part of the field where the children were not playing. Various rocks and stones had been dug out of the field and left here, gathering dirt and grass. They sat down together, and Sango took firmer hold of his hand.

 

“I know that recent events have been confusing to you,” Sango said gently, “and I don't want you to feel left out. I guess what I'm trying to say is, if you have any questions still, I would like to try and answer them.”

 

Shippou shrugged, not looking at Sango.

 

“It's just I wish things were like they used to be in the beginning, when Kagome and Inu-Yasha were fighting all the time,” said Shippou, “then she would only love me.”

 

 

“But Kagome has a big heart,” said Sango, “she has room in it to love us all.”

 

“Yeah, but I was the only child,” he whined, “what if she decides to have a baby with Inu-Yasha? She might not have time for me anymore.”

 

“Kagome is only 18 years old,” said Sango, “and in her time she tells me that most women do not bare children at her age. She says she has a way to control her ability to get pregnant that she brought with her from her time.”

 

“So that means she only has sex with Inu-Yasha because she loves him?” said Shippou with dismay.

 

“Yes, it does.” She said.

 

“But how come you are pregnant with Seshomaru's baby?” he said.

 

Here it is, thought Sango with dread, time for this child's innocence to be forever lost.

 

“There are reasons people have sex besides what Sesshomaru told you.” She began, trying to keep her voice level and calm as memories came unbidden to her mind.

 

No, I will not let my pain rule me now, she thought, taking a breath to continue.

 

“When Sesshomaru had sex with me he did it for power and control, and to inflict pain.” She said, looking at Shippou and trying to read his reaction to her words in the ever-increasing gloom. “Sometimes, when two people do not love each other, the stronger person will force sex on them. That is what Sesshomaru did to me.”

 

Shippou stood up, letting go of her hand. In the dying light she could barely make out the expression on his face. He stood with his mouth open and eyes wide in confusion. This was not good.

 

“Adults!” he finally said, the word exploding out of him like a curse, “I don't understand you at all!”

 

“Shippou, wait,” said Sango, reaching out a hand to the kitsune, but it was too late.

 

As she watched he took off running into the inky darkness that the forest had become. She could not hope to match his keen senses and keep up with him.

 

“Shippou, come back!” she called in rising panic, “Please, come back!”

 

But he was gone. Sango felt a lump of despair choking her throat. She had failed to make him understand, or else he did not want to understand. The bottom line was he had run away upset, and she was to blame. Trying to stifle a sob, she bent her head down into her hands and let the tears run out between her fingers. Maybe she should have let Kagome talk to him after all. Now she had to go back without him.

 

A/N: Okay, short chapter. Sorry, the next one will be up really soon, I promise - if anyone still cares.