InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Shivering Sands ❯ Glisten ( Chapter 16 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

By: Nyla

A/N: Thank you guys for the reviews, its nice to know a few people like my little story. Since its summer, I hope to crank out the next few chapters quicker. :)

Sana smiled as she saw Sesshomaru and Kagome crest the steps that led to the shrine. She walked outside and enfolded her daughter in an embrace as her eyes met Sesshomaru's for a moment in silent thanks.

“I'm so glad you're safe,” Sana said as she hugged Kagome. Kagome closed her eyes as she returned her hug.

“I didn't mean to scare you,” she said softly as they pulled away from one another.

Sana smiled tremulously. “Come with me,” she said, taking her daughters hand. Sana glanced at Sesshomaru. “Will you be okay,” she asked him. “Yes,” he said. “I'll be around,” he said, his eyes meeting Kagome's.

Sana took one look at her stomach and patted it gently. “So, I am to be a grandmother,” she said softly.

Kagome glanced upward at Sesshomaru's departing back for a brief second before answering. “Yes.”

The two women began walking hand in hand. “Sesshomaru came by yesterday looking for you and he ended up telling me the news.” Kagome nodded. “He knew before I even knew.”

“I think I know why you left but I want you to tell me,” Sana said with her eyes full of understanding.

“I needed time to think. I was just scared,” she whispered. “But why,” Sana asked as they sat inside upon the couch. “I just…I didn't know what to think. It never even crossed my mind that I was pregnant. And when it did, I was just so afraid of what he might have thought. And then you, I didn't want to upset you.”

“All I want is for you to be happy,” her mother said. “I don't know why you think I would want otherwise.”

“Because my life is going to be different than what you might have thought. Every day I get drawn more and more into his. It doesn't follow human conventions. It's living half in the demon world, and half in the human world.”

She sighed. “I just didn't know if you would accept that and everything that goes with it.”

Sana ruffled her daughter's bangs.

“I don't think I've told you this but, I like Sesshomaru immensely. I know what he is. It doesn't matter as long as you're happy. For a time, I thought you would be with InuYasha. This isn't much different.”

“For some reason, I always felt that you needed one another.”

She now smoothed her daughter's bangs. “And now I am to be a grandmother. I'm thrilled,” she said gently.

Kagome laid her head upon her mother's shoulder with a feeling of relief. “Everything is different. Before, I didn't think beyond the moment. Because I was scared of losing him too.”

“What about Grandpa and Souta? They don't even know we're with one another.

“Souta will be just fine. Its your grandfather that will be the issue.”

Kagome sighed. “Where is he?” “He's at the market, never fear.”

Sesshomaru exited the house, and sat at the base of the Goshinboku where he closed his eyes meditatively. Some minutes later, Souta wandered in from school, kicking his soccer ball intently. He did so for quite some time before noticing Sesshomaru under the tree.

“Hey Sesshomaru. Long time no see,” he said, continuing to kick the ball. “Souta,” he said, with an inclination of his head. “What brings you by,” Souta asked.

He paused just slightly. `I don't believe they have told the boy.' “Visiting your sister.”

“Oh, you two came together then,” he said casually.

Sesshomaru's eyes flickered, but he retained his usual noncommittal look.

“I know you're together,” Souta said with a slight petulance in his tone. “I'm 13, I'm not a baby.”

Sesshomaru inclined his head in agreement. “That you aren't.” He straightened. “Yes,” he said to his previous statement. “She lives with me at my ancestral home.”

“I didn't know that,” Souta said quietly. “But it's alright. She likes you,” he said thoughtfully.

“Where is she,” he asked, beginning to bounce the ball upon his knee. “Inside speaking with your mother.” He paused as he decided the boy would rather hear it from him, addressed as an adult. “She is expecting. She'll be having our son in a few months.”

Souta paused to look at him as he grasped what that meant and the ball slammed to the ground. “Oh.” He sat down heavily and thoughtfully studied the ground before looking back at Sesshomaru. “That's pretty cool. He'd be what InuYasha was, wouldn't he? Half you, half her. He might even look like him.”

His eyes flickered. “Possibly.”

He looked at Sesshomaru seriously. “The two years before you came, she…I don't know,” he said, unable to explain how that time affected his sister. “You'll take care of her, right?” Sesshomaru nodded seriously.

He looked down at his shoes. “I wished I could have helped her the last time. I was too young. I couldn't go through the well anyway. I'm getting better with my sword though.”

Sesshomaru held back his smile. “Yes, I hear you are the fencing champion of your division.”

“I am, but as far as regionals I'm not good enough yet.”

“If I assist you, you will be.”

Souta smiled. “Thanks.”

“You should let your mother and sister know you are here.”

“Alright.”

“She'll want to tell you herself,” he cautioned.

“I'll act surprised,” he said as he stood.

Sesshomaru's mouth tilted just slightly before he closed his eyes.

~~~

Later that night, Kagome lay in the bed curled upon her side watching television as Sesshomaru returned from the forest.

She glanced at the faint tinges of blood upon his claws passively before meeting his eyes. They acknowledged one another and he went into the bathroom to shower.

She thought back to earlier that day. Her talk with Souta ended with him giving her a sweet hug and him telling her that he couldn't wait to play with his nephew. She was relieved; she thought he might have been upset.

Afterward, she found Sesshomaru under Goshinboku and they returned inside and spent time with Sana and Souta.

He reentered the bedroom, and noticed her gingerly attempting to lie upon her stomach, then turning over on her back and then repeating the action once more.

He simply raised his brow.

“I'm uncomfortable,” she said tiredly. “I'm going to miss sleeping on my stomach the next few months,” she said, turning over slightly with a sigh. “You know I can't sleep on my back. I don't know how you do it.”

She rolled onto her side as he propped himself against the pillows so that they were now facing one another.

“So,' he said. “That's over.”

“Yeah. I'm glad too. I don't like keeping things from her.”

He raised his brow.

“Or you,” she said, rolling her eyes.

His lips twitched into a slight smile.

“At least I have her to go to now. But…”

“But?”

“I don't know if this will be the same as a human pregnancy. I don't know if she can really help me.” She sat up slowly. “Do you know if it's the same?”

He shook his head slowly. “I had very little contact with Izayoi.”

“InuYasha's mother,” she asked softly. He gave her a look that said `Yes.' She wanted to explore that avenue of thought because even InuYasha had rarely spoken of her, but decided against it. `It's not the time.'

“I have someone in mind who will.”

She raised her brow. “Really?”

He nodded.

“Then that's a relief.” She grabbed her hairbrush and began French braiding her hair. He watched her, and fought back a peculiar urge to unravel the braid so that he could see her hair flowing.

She finished, and he thought how pretty she looked then, in a long sleeved short blue nightgown. “Come here,” he said quietly.

She gave him a small smile and crawled forward so that she now sat in his lap laying her head against his shoulder. He patted her stomach gently. “You've grown larger.” She made a little moue with her mouth. He smoothed her bangs. “I find it pleasing.”

She gave a mock smile while twitching her nose. “We'll see if you find it pleasing when I'm as big as a house,” she said, turning over and lying on her side.

His lips twitched into a smile as he settled back against the pillows. “I know I will.” She smiled then closed her eyes. Then she remembered.

“Who is it,” she asked, turning over to face him. “Who is it that's going to help me?”

“Mai,” he said, closing his eyes. “We will go see her and Ronin.

~*~

The wisp of white clouds trailed behind them as they sped across the expanse of ocean between Japan and China.

“I'm curious,” Kagome asked as she looked down upon the blue waters. “You don't fly often.” His eyes remained on the horizon. “Modern technology requires less effort on my part. But in this instance, I prefer it this way.”

They flew silently for some time.

`I've never been outside of Japan. I'm glad we're doing this,' she thought. She exclaimed as they neared Hangzhou, one of China's loveliest regions. A light fog engulfed the city.

As they continued onward, over rounded mountain peaks and valleys, and sprawling green lands with flowers still in bloom in the late autumn, she murmured, “You were right Sess. Its beautiful here.”

They had reached a vast measure of countryside where no towns or villages existed for miles. She could see a huge pagoda in the distance and a sprawling castle not far away. Situated between a river and a mountain in the distance, the black red and gold palace was a perfect contrast to its surroundings.

“Wow,” she said breathlessly. “This place is amazing.” Sesshomaru saw Mai bending as she cut some flowers as Mine played upon a blanket nearby. She looked up, using her hand to block the sun and acknowledged them with a wave. “Ronin,” she called. “They're here.”

He came outside, wiping his clawed hands on a soft dark towel.

“So are you going to tell them,” Kagome asked as they touched down. “Its not necessary,” Sesshomaru told her.

Mai looked at Kagome's stomach and listened to the faint but certain double heartbeat. `She's…' she thought. “I'm glad you're here,” she said meaningfully.

“So am I,” Kagome said with a smile.

`I told you,” she said silently to Ronin whose eyes flickered to hers and held.

~~~

“You have word,” Ronin asked as the two walked along the banks of the river.

“Yes. I was paid a visit by his underling, who assures me that he has the support of several surrounding states.”

“I find that difficult to believe,” Ronin said. “He has his handful of supporters but nothing major.” He paused. “I'm not worried. Just a nuisance, nothing more.”

Sesshomaru nodded. “At this point, it's a matter of routine.”

“I see I need to offer my congratulations,” Ronin said as he and Sesshomaru stood near one another.

“You don't seem surprised.”

“I'm not. I could tell where this was going. Especially knowing…” he trailed off for a moment before he spoke again. “You haven't marked her,” he said curiously.

“No,” he said his eyes upon the water.

He nodded. “Its not so necessary with humans, but still, you're leaving some broken hearts in your wake,” Ronin said with a laugh. Sesshomaru looked at him dryly. Ronin continued laughing as he said, “And she's human at that. I think quite a few of them will want to slash your throat.”

“I believe you overstate my prowess.”

Ronin glanced out the corner of his eye with a smile. “Sure.” Then he grew serious. “You'll have to take care. Now there is someone they can use against you.”

Sesshomaru nodded, laying his head back against a tree and glancing upward. “They had someone before. It didn't work then, and it won't now.”

~*~

“I'm so jealous,” Kagome sighed as they strode over beautifully arched bridge, finishing their tour of the grounds. “How does this place keep this temperature at this time of year?” Mai laughed. “Don't let the weather fool you, it's going to turn cold in less than an hour.”

“So,” Mai said as she and Kagome sat down on a blanket while Mine kicked her legs playfully. Her eyes met Kagome's. “You're about to be a mommy.” Kagome started and then stared. Mai smiled. “From the moment I saw you, I could tell.”

Kagome felt herself blushing. “Is it that obvious?”

“No,” she assured her. “Demons just can sense these things.”

She tilted her head as she gazed at Kagome. “I have to tell you, I'm very happy for you both. I've known Sesshomaru for a long time.”

“Really? I learn things about Sess a little bit a time, so that finding everything out about him is a long puzzle,” Kagome said thoughtfully. “I have to say I do enjoy it though,” she said with a smile.

“Well, I'll tell you. He used to come visit with my father after he was fostered here. It started when he was very young. And after I was born, he would still come visit. There was always gossip he had hated half-demons but he never was that way with me.”

“I was in awe of him. I never said anything around him, but I used to follow him around and just stare at him.”

Kagome laughed. “I can understand that.”

“I used to spy on him,” Mai said with a giggle. “And one day, I was spying on him while he was taking a nap in the woods. I must have been around six years old. When I went to get close to him, I fell and sprained my ankle. I remember him just opening his eyes and looking at me for a moment. I just couldn't stop crying, my ankle was hurting and I was so embarrassed.”

“He just picked me up and carried me back to the castle. He said nothing the whole time and my nana came and got me. But the next time I saw him, he was walking into the woods again and I followed him.”

“He didn't say anything, but he knew I was there, and continued his sword practice. And the very next time, he waited until we made it into the woods again and he reached into his robes and handed me my very own Shuriken.

Mai's eyes grew thoughtful. “From then on, he's been like a brother to me.”

Kagome nodded, with a smile growing upon her face. `That's a side of him that I wouldn't have ever expected from him then.'

At that moment, the baby flipped over upon her stomach and began crawling toward her. She cooed at her as she placed her little hands upon her knees. Mine then laid her head upon Kagome's stomach and looked her curiously for a few moments.

Kagome looked up at Mai in amazement as she said, “That's right, my sweetie, it's a baby.” She saw Kagome's expression and laughed. “She has excellent senses.”

Kagome stroked the downy head of the child who drowsily blinked once before closing her eyes, lulled by the sound of the two rhythmic heartbeats.

“I still can't believe it really,” she said quietly. She looked up at Mai. “I was told I couldn't ever have children. It's something I'm still getting used to.”

Mai nodded. “I understand.” She looked at her appealingly. “If you need to talk to me about it, I'm here for you. I've helped deliver a few half demons. I know you have questions that other's can't help you with.”

“Thank you,” she sighed with relief. “I'm am so nervous about what to expect since this isn't a normal baby.”

“Your baby should be born after six months,” Mai said to Kagome's surprise. “You seem to be just at two months.”

“Yes,” Kagome said slowly. “Just six months,” she asked with a questioning glance.

“Mhmm,” Mai nodded. “The children grow very rapidly for the human frame. But they are fully developed when they are born.”

“Their powers are suppressed until birth because otherwise they could cause their mothers' injury.” She paused. “Um…Let's see, I believe you know that you have to eat constantly and get your rest, especially since your frame is small.”

Kagome nodded slowly, taking it all in. “I've been sick in the mornings, will that continue?”

“I'm afraid so,” Mai said sympathetically. “I understand full demon women don't have that problem,” she said with a grimace. “I had it for just a few days.” Kagome sighed. “I'll just have to deal,” she said with a smile.

She suddenly felt a chill and looked up in the sky at the enormous clouds rolling in. “I guess you were right about the weather changing.”

“Yeah, it is supposed to snow.”

Both women looked up to see Sesshomaru and Ronin returning after their absence.

Mai turned her face up winsomely. “I had wondered where you had gotten to. I thought you'd left us alone to fend for ourselves,” she said playfully. “I have perfect faith in your ability to handle yourself,” Ronin said, lifting her up and placing her in a mock headlock before dropping a kiss to the top of her head.

Mine blinked as she woke up from her nap against Kagome. She squealed as she saw her mother and father's playful antics and began crawling toward her father, wanting to be picked up. He did so with a chuckle.

Kagome glanced at Sesshomaru's outstretched hand before slipping hers into his with a smile as he helped her stand.

A gust of wind blew up fiercely. “I think we should go inside,” Mai said.

~*~

They sat inside the living room of castle. The spacious room was colored in pale golden wood panels with creamy white furniture throughout. An enormous thick paned glass window spanned the entire length of the room and enabled them to see the gathering clouds.

“Can I get you anything,” Mai asked them both. Sesshomaru shook his head. “I'm fine.” “May I have some water,” Kagome asked as she sat down upon the plush carpet. “You sure? You wouldn't like some tea or anything,” Mai asked. Kagome shook her head.

Sesshomaru asked Kagome as he sat in the chair behind her so that she was near his knee, “Are you feeling well?” “I'm fine,” she assured him. “I feel really good actually. Just thirsty.” She smiled as Suha, their maid, brought her a glass. “Thank you.” She smiled as Mine crawled across the carpet, alternating between her parents and the two of them.

She spied Sesshomaru then and crawled across Kagome to him. He smiled as she indicated that she wanted to be picked up and did so.

Ronin sat upon the couch opposite them with Mai sitting next to him, her feet pulled beneath her. They talked for some time, the two becoming more acquainted with Kagome and growing more approving of her by the minute.

“Have you considered names,” Ronin asked Kagome. She smiled. “I haven't even thought that far really. I guess I'll know more when we're told if it's a girl…”

“He's not,” Sesshomaru said, smiling as Mine chewed on his finger. Both Ronin and Mai smiled in an attempt to hold in their laughter. Kagome shook her head with an exasperated laugh and gave them an expression that meant `What can I do with him?'

“Oh, look,” she said softly. “It's snowing.”

“I knew it would,” Mai said. “I think you should stay here.” “I agree,” Ronin said. Sesshomaru nodded his head. “Agreed.” Mai smiled. “Good, I get to practice my hostess skills.”

“I'll return shortly,” Sesshomaru said to Kagome with a look at Mai as she stood and stretched delicately. “I think I'm going to see what is keeping dinner.”

Kagome looked at Ronin and gave him a wry glance as he settled Mine against him. “He is so sure that it's a boy,” she said thoughtfully.

Ronin chuckled. “It is a boy. Mai and I said the same.” She glanced at him incredulously. “How do you know?” “Demons can sense the sex of the child very early on.”

She shook her head. “And here I am thinking that was just Sesshomaru saying something was so because he wished it.” He laughed. “He doesn't say it unless it is true.”

“He's always been like this?”

“As long as I've known him.”

“And how long has that been,” she asked him as she settled near him on the couch.

“Since we were pups. Our father's were friends just as he and I are. We were fostered together.”

She nodded slowly. “Did he tell you about me?”

“He did. I remember hearing of Naraku, but my father and I were dealing with our own troubles.”

She nodded. “He caused a lot of pain while he lived.”

“You all defeated him, but you were sent back to your time afterward.”

“That was the hardest period in my life,” she said quietly.

“And you and Sesshomaru met once again.” She smiled gently as Mine lay her head against her father's chest drowsily. “I don't know where I'd be without him. He's my best friend,” she said softly.

Ronin peered at her out the corner of his eyes. “I have to say you're a damn sight better looking best friend than that Jaken.” They broke out into peals of laughter.

She liked him. She could see why he and Sesshomaru were friends; they were alike but different. Where as both were quiet individuals, Ronin had a more playful sense of humor as Sesshomaru at times could exhibit a very dry wit.

“Well that's comforting,” she said with a giggle.

~~~

“I did what I think you wanted me to,” Mai said as she and Sesshomaru walked the long winding porch now beginning to be covered with the falling snow. “I spoke with her, I told her what to expect and how to take care of herself,” she said.

He nodded, as they stood looking out upon the water. “Excellent.”

Mai spoke as she held her hand out for a moment to catch some falling snow. “You're about to be a father.” She turned to look at him. “I can hardly believe it Sess.”

“Why,” he asked. “I was bound to end up in this state eventually.”

She shook her head. “Not like this.”

She exhaled thoughtfully. “I guess I thought you would just follow your parents lead. But,” she said quietly, “I understand now. She shared that time with you.”

She paused. “I didn't realize just who she was and how entwined your lives had been.”

She smiled at him wistfully. “She's lovely. I would never have suspected that she did all those things and was that powerful. She seems so delicate.

“She's been through much.”

She looked down at the icy water as she leaned over the rail. “A miko and a demon. I don't think I could have foreseen this one Sess.”

She met his eyes once more. “There is no telling how strong he'll be.”

“He'll have to be.”

After the dinner of raw Kobe steaks and sushi, the group reentered the living room. “That was great.” She sat on the lounge chair after Sesshomaru and settled next to him.

“I believe there is a continued argument over your oil reserves in the South sea,” Sesshomaru said.

“They do. I'll allow it eventually but under the guise of my own corporation,” said Ronin. “I try to stay out of the politics behind everything on the human side.”

“Precisely.”

Mai finished burping Mine and laid her across her knee, rubbing her back. “Its all a big game anyway. I doubt our two countries will go to war over it.”

“This is about the border oil reserves dispute, isn't it,” Kagome said to Sesshomaru. He nodded. “Depending on my mood, I might allow China to drill there for now.”

“Or vice versa,” Ronin said with a nod.

They all laughed.

The conversation continued late into the evening. As Kagome sat with her head upon Sesshomaru's shoulder, feeling the effects of the food and being so warm and contented, she dozed off.

Ronin looked at Sesshomaru and arched his brow in her direction.

“That happens Sess,” Mai said. “She's going to be really drowsy during this time.” She glanced at her sleeping daughter. “I'm going to put her to bed.”

“I'm going to put her to bed,” Sesshomaru said, picking Kagome up, which caused the other two to laugh.

Ronin picked Mine up and stood. “I think we'll turn in as well.”

She sat in a field surrounded by flowers and a blue mist. `I don't know where this is but it's pretty.' She looked down at her stomach. It seemed enormous to her.

She sat quietly trying to make up her mind what to do next when she looked down again at her stomach and it was now flat. She then sank to her knees as a wrenching pain ripped through her.

She winced heavily and slowly she awakened. `It was a dream.'

But the pain was physically there. She moaned softly, and then opened her eyes to see Sesshomaru's eyes flicker open as he lay on his back. He gazed at her questioningly.

“I'm having a little pain,” she murmured. He sat up and swung his legs to the side of the bed.

“No,” she said breathing out slowly. “Its just the pains that come when the baby is pushing on the pelvis and other organs. The doctor told me about this. Mai told me since he would grow so fast, I would feel it more frequently.”

She closed her eyes and bit her lip. The intensity of the pain passed and she was able to breathe more steadily. “You're sure,” he asked with a raised brow.

“Yes,” she said as the pressure mounted once again and she curled up in a little ball on her side. Tears came to her eyes that she would not allow to fall out of fear of worrying him. She just had to bear it.

He frowned and pulled him to her so that she now was in his lap. He rubbed her stomach gently, putting slight pressure on the base of her pelvis. Eventually she began to feel some relief. “It feels better,” she said as the pain abated. “It did as soon as you pulled me off my side.” She laid her head against his chest.

“I imagine the weight of his body upon your kidneys and other organs pressed in one direction is what causes it.” She nodded. “That sounds right to me.”

She looked up at him. “Did I just fall asleep right at the dinner table,” she said with a smile. “No, you made it into the main hall,” he said calmly. She gave a small sound of amusement. “Now I remember.”

She glanced around the room. It was colored in the same golden wood as the living room, with the window spanning the entire wall. The splendor of the landscape and the gleaming snow could be seen as it was illuminated by the full moon peaking through the clouds. She stared transfixed at the snow-capped mountains.

“I hope the conversation didn't stop on my account.”

“It didn't.

“I was so sleepy then, it just came all of a sudden.”

“That would be natural,” he said, “considering.”

“I love this room,” Kagome said as she continued to gaze outside.

“This was my room when I lived here. I doubt Mai knows that however.”

“So you lived here? Ronin told me,” she said as she turned over to face him. “That you and he were fostered out together. I didn't know it was here. When was this?”

“When I was very young.”

“What was the purpose behind it?”

“To learn war and other customs. To keep up ties between families.” “Oh,” she said sleepily. “Would you foster out our son?”

“No. He would come here from time to time though naturally.” “Hmm,” she said, “that's a relief.” She blinked slowly, drowsily.

“I think you should go to sleep,” he said, standing with her so that he could place her upon the bed. “I'm not sleepy,” she said teasingly as she placed her arms around his neck. He placed her upon the bed with eyes showing his amusement.

She gazed at him with a little smile upon her face. “I'll return later.”

“Oh.” Her eyes flickered slightly. She kissed his lips softly and murmured as he kissed her back. “Night.”

The only sound that could be heard for some distance was a gentle crunch as he stepped through the powdery snow. He walked for some time with the full moon and the mountain as his backdrop. A large house sprawled in the distance.

As he neared the stretch of trees, a cloaked figure could be seen near its edge.

As he stood before the figure, it pushed the hood of the blue cloak back to reveal an outrageously beautiful female demon. She had dark blue-black hair the color of sapphires and turquoise eyes.

Those eyes now met his for a moment before turning and walking with him toward the house in the distance.