InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Special delivery ❯ A Birthday Gift ( Chapter 87 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: saphira404 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Hentai / Drama / Comedy | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 10.01.2011 | Pages: 3 | Words: 4.2K | Visits: 238 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Hentai / Drama / Comedy | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 10.01.2011 | Pages: 3 | Words: 4.2K | Visits: 238 | Status: Work In Progress
Chapter 87: A Birthday Gift
A/N: Long time no see! So sorry for the lack of updates. I have started working on another little project, and kind of got lost in it lol. I’ll let you guys know more about it at some later date :)
Disclaimer: If I owned Inuyasha, Sesshy and Kagura would be happily mated and working on silver haired baby number three by now…
“Talking”
‘Thinking& #8217;
‘For the past two days he’s been giving Sesshoumaru regular doses of the antidote, but nothing’s happened yet.’ Kagura sighed heavily as her crimson eyes rested on her fiancé’s ever slumbering form. ‘I know that soon Asuka will come to tell me to leave. We’ve made a bargain, and I intend to fulfill my end… as much as it may hurt me. While Suikotsu thinks up another way to help Sesshoumaru, I can focus on the girls. Kanna’s birthday is in only two days, and she misses her dad so much. The least I can do is be here for her…’
Her head full of her daughters’ pain, the young demoness walked towards her lover with the clear aim to say her goodbyes. She sat next to him, and leaned forward to press a kiss to his lips. She gasped when she felt something move against her jean clad thigh. Her eyes lowered, and she was shocked to see Sesshoumaru’s hand clench the white bed sheet. Her heart skipped a beat, and air rushed into her lungs.
“Sesshoumaru!” She whispered incredulously before launching herself towards the side table which had a phone resting on it. Using the speed dial, she quickly called the office situated on the highest level of the clinic. As soon as the person on the other line answered, she wasted no time speaking the words she had wanted and hoped to say for so long.
“Suikotsu… it’s Sesshoumaru, I think he’s waking up!”
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Kagura’s crimson eyes anxiously followed Suikotsu as he checked over Sesshoumaru’s body. To her disappointment by the time she had hung up the phone, her lover had become unresponsive again.
‘I really thought that he was going to open his eyes, or hold my hand.’ She felt tears pool in her eyes, but held them at bay; she was not going to lose hope. Sesshoumaru moving his hand had been a sure proof to her that Mukotsu’s potion was working.
The young doctor pocketed the penlight he had just used to check if Sesshoumaru’s eyes were responsive.
“So, how is he?” Kagura asked. Based on the young human’s closed off face she really could not gauge how the examination had gone.
“I will need to make some more in depth tests, but it seems to me that things are looking good. There is a lot of improvement. Sesshoumaru has shown some response; especially to pain. He twitched when I pinched him, which did not occur a week ago.”
“Oh thank God! Then why are you looking so grim?” She breathed a sigh of relief, and barely refrained herself from snapping at the young doctor.
Suikotsu grinned slightly at her question. “I just did not really expect Mukotsu’s potion to work.
“You mean you didn’t trust in your friend?!” The wind sorceress exclaimed. “Then why the hell did you even allow him into your clinic?!”
“We were running out of options, and he presented us with a possible solution.” The human man answered sheepishly. “I am just glad to see that the plan worked after all.”
Since she really did not see any reason why, now that her fiancé was doing better, she should be mad at Suikotsu, Kagura smiled at him.
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“We have been waiting for almost an entire day, and still no changes. This has really become ridiculous.” Asuka elegantly uncrossed her legs, and stood up from the seat she had been settled in at Sesshoumaru’s bedside.
“Are you so eager to get rid of me? Don’t you even care about your son?” Kagura snapped bitterly at the older woman. Her nerves were raw, and she did not care about harming Asuka’s feelings. Basing herself on Suikotsu’s encouraging words, she had really hoped to see Sesshoumaru wake up, but this had not occurred as of yet.
The regal dog demoness sent her son’s fiancée a sour look before answering her question. “Of course I care for Sesshoumaru; more than you could imagine. I just believe that this whole master of potion charade has gone on for too long. I have let you do as you wanted in exchange for your promise, and results have yet to be produced.”
Kagura knew that there was truth in Asuka’s words. She had promised to leave her lover’s side in exchange for Asuka allowing Mukotsu to try his potion on Sesshoumaru.
‘I know Mukotsu’s remedy is working. I felt and saw Sesshoumaru move earlier, and Suikotsu did say that he was displaying some response signs. All he needs is more time… I’m sure of it!’ The wind sorceress allowed her crimson gaze to briefly stray to her fiancé’s slumbering body. ‘I just don’t know how to give you the time you need my love. I’m sorry but it seems like I will have to leave you behind… even though I hate the idea of it.’
Thinking about leaving someone behind caused her heart to pinch as she was reminded of her daughters with who she had spent so little time in the past weeks. She felt extremely guilty about not only keeping them away from their father, but more importantly spending so much time away from the two young girls. Because Sesshoumaru was not there, she knew their daughters needed her more than ever, especially Kanna after the ordeal she had lived at the hands of Naraku, but Kagura could not leave Sesshoumaru behind either. She was really torn between being with her daughters, and being with her fiancé. Every time she left her daughters behind at the Fujibayashi mansion to hurry back towards Suikotsu’s clinic, she left parts of her heart behind; that she was sure of.
“As per our agreement I believe it is time for you to finally let go of my son. I have been more than patient after all.” The dog demoness interrupted the younger woman’s thoughts.
“I’ll go… but before I do I want to allow our daughters to see their father.” During the many days of Sesshoumaru’s hospitalization, Kagura had debated with the idea of letting Rin and Kanna see him in a comatose state. Now that she was forced to leave his side, and did not know when she would next see him, awake or not, she decided that maybe not allowing Rin and Kanna to see him might not be the best thing for them. After all she did not know when her daughters would be able to see their father, and keeping them away from him was becoming harder every day.
‘Rin may be more reserved in her requests to come with me to the clinic, but in the past few days Kanna has been throwing so many awful tantrums. I’m sure it’s because her birthday is tomorrow and Sesshoumaru has yet to awaken. The one thing Kanna has been asking as a gift is to see her father. She has even given up on the idea of getting a pony.’ Just thinking of her daughter’s previous outrageous request made a smile dance on her lips. ‘Every time I talk to the girls, and they ask me about him, my heart breaks a little bit more. Kanna is going to turn a year older tomorrow and one of the most important people in her life won’t be with her to celebrate that… not to mention that the big birthday party we had planned was cancelled…’
Considering that Sesshoumaru would not be able to participate in the festivities they had decided to postpone the big birthday celebration until he would wake up from his coma. Kagura had originally planned to put on a brave face, and put together a party worthy of Kanna, but the little girl had decided to pull the plug on the party. She did not want to have fun if her dad was not there. She had then gone on to beg her mother to take her with her to the clinic, but no matter how heartbreaking seeing her daughter’s eyes fill with tears was, the wind sorceress had stayed strong, and had refused her. Refusing her had been hard because she knew her daughter wanted nothing more than to see her father after all Kanna had not even allowed Kagura or Sakura to get her a new mirror to replace the one Naraku had destroyed only because she wanted Sesshoumaru to be involved in getting her a new mirror.
Asuka reflected on Kagura’s request. ‘I doubt this is a last minute effort to stay closer to Sesshoumaru’s side…’ “Fine, I will allow it. You can bring your children tomorrow.”
The dog demoness had expected to be thanked profusely by Kagura, but the wind sorceress simply walked over to her lover’s bedside. She carefully leaned over him, and pressed a kiss to his unmoving lips.
“I’ll see you tomorrow my love. I’ll bring our girls to see you too. They miss you so much… it’s Kanna’s birthday tomorrow… if only you could wake up soon. Anyways keep trying, I’ll see you tomorrow.” Ignoring the sounds of disgust emanating from Asuka’s lips, and aiming to annoy the other woman a little bit, Kagura took the time to give her fiancé another tender kiss.
Kagura then went to the side table where she had left her coat, scarf and purse, and after picking up her stuff, walked towards the door. Since she could feel Asuka glowering at her, she briefly turned around to speak to the older woman.
“Do not worry, after I stop by tomorrow morning with Rin and Kanna, I will leave.” The wind sorceress walked out of the door without sparing Asuka another glance. For the first time in a long time she was going to her parents’ house to spend the night with her girls. When she heard the other woman huff in annoyance, the young woman could not help the grin which appeared on her lips. These days getting under Asuka’s skin was the only thing which brought her joy.
‘Even if Kanna cancelled her party, we can still have some fun. She, Rin and I could bake a birthday cake tonight, and have a big celebratory breakfast tomorrow morning.’ Making plans helped lift her spirits. She had been very depressed ever since Sesshoumaru had not shown any other reaction to the potion, but the prospect of spending some quality time with her daughters made the wind sorceress feel much better already. ‘Now if only he could wake up… everything would be perfect.’
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Sesshoumaru’s awareness had been wavering for what seemed to him to be forever. Sometimes his mind remained completely blank, and he was plunged in complete darkness. At other times, he felt as if he could thrust himself out of the obscurity which surrounded him. He was almost able to open his eyes, but despite all his efforts he was unable to move. Often when he came out of his moments of deep darkness, he was sure he was even able to make out some voices floating around him, but to his growing frustration he had remained unable to speak back or move.
A faint floral scent and a familiar soft voice reached his senses. It was followed by a sweet tingling sensation on his lips. It took him a few seconds to realize who was speaking to him, but when he did, he wanted nothing more than to reach for the woman he loved.
‘Kagura.’ Before he had a chance to react to the discovery of his fiancée’s voice, he was engulfed by darkness once again.
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Kagura, Rin and Kanna entered Suikotsu’s clinic walking hand in hand. The wind sorceress was holding on to the two little girls with each of her hands. Rin may be old enough to walk without her mother’s assistance, but walking in such a fashion reminded the three of them how Kagura, Sesshoumaru and the girls had walked side by side that summer afternoon long ago when they had been to the swimming pool of the Imperial hotel.
‘It feels like it was a lifetime ago. So much happened in the past few months.’ Kagura refused to dwell on the negative things, and instead lowered her gaze to the glittering ring looped around her finger. ‘Not only bad things have happened though…’
The three of them reached the reception desk, and Kagura did not bother stopping. She had been coming in and out of the clinic so much as of late that everyone knew her. She did send a quick smile to the young man seated behind the desk. She could not help but reflect on how far she had come from the terrifying night when Kanna’s pneumonia had become worse, and she had had to rush her daughter to Suikotsu’s clinic.
‘How far Kagura Onigumo has come. To think that almost a year ago they refused me admittance in this clinic because I did not have health insurance…’ She pulled herself out of her thoughts when the three of them reached the elevators.
She briefly released the hold she had on Rin’s hand to punch the elevator call button. After once again taking hold of her daughter’s hand, she addressed her two children. “Girls do you remember the rules I told you over breakfast this morning?”
“Yes.” Kanna answered her mother’s question.
“We have to talk softly and not jump on the bed.” Rin added, always eager to please.
The young mother smiled appreciatively to the two children, and after the three of them stepped inside the car, she pressed the button for the highest floor where Sesshoumaru’s hospital room was located. Soon enough the three of them were walking down a corridor, and had reached the door behind which Sesshoumaru Takahashi was resting.
Kagura relinquished her hold on her children, and opened the door. She briefly paused to wish Asuka would not be here. She had purposely chosen to come see her fiancé early in the morning in order to make sure that her and her daughters would not run into Asuka. After all she knew that the older demoness did not usually get out of bed before 10 am. She therefore only came to visit her son in the afternoon, which was the time Kagura always conveniently chose to go to her mother’s house in order to check in on Kanna and Rin.
One of the first things Kagura noticed upon entering the hospital room was that the IV which helped administer Mukotsu’s potion to Sesshoumaru was full.
‘I figured that after I left yesterday Asuka would have ordered Suikotsu to stop giving the potion to Sesshoumaru… wonder why she did not.’
She forced herself not to think about her would be mother in-law’s decisions and actions, and instead focused on her daughters.
“It’s very warm in here, so you guys can remove your coats.” Rin wasted no time following her mother’s words even as she kept her dark eyes glued on her father’s unmoving body. It was very strange for her to see the one person she considered to be the strongest man she had ever known lying unconscious.
When it came to Kanna, she was so focused on Sesshoumaru that she did not hear her mother’s words. Kagura therefore took it upon herself to help her daughter out of her warm garment. She then collected Rin’s coat, and along with hers dumped the three articles of clothing on the nearest chair.
“You guys can get closer if you want.” Kagura whispered. Following the wind sorceress’s words, Rin and Kanna tentatively stepped closer to the bed. Her crimson eyes followed them closely as they stopped a few inches away from the imposing bed. Both of the children had eyes opened wide as they took in the sigh of Sesshoumaru’s arm where the large IV was plugged in, digging deeply into his skin.
“If you promise to be careful, you can seat on the bed next to him.” Kagura let her daughters know. She could tell by the way both girls were standing on the tip of their toes that they wanted to get closer to Sesshoumaru.
Rin helped Kanna climb into the bed, then careful not to step on the IV or other monitoring devices attached to her father’s body, slid in the bed on his other side.
“Daddy… I finally have a new family so you have to get better… we have to do lots and lots of fun things. You promised me when it becomes warm again we’ll go to the beach house…” Rin whispered as hot tears streamed down her face. When Kanna had told her about the short vacation she, her parents and their friends had taken last spring, there had been nothing Rin had wished for more than to go there with her new family. She had shyly asked Sesshoumaru about it one evening, and he had promised her he would take her as soon as the warm days would come back. The dark haired girl could not keep on speaking as she started sobbing uncontrollably.
Kanna briefly shifted her gaze from her father to her older sister. She shared Rin’s pain, but the emotion which caused her heart to break was guilt.
‘It’s all my fault.’ Kanna thought sadly as she looked back at her father’s unmoving face. It was the number one reason why the youngest girl had begged her mother to take her to see Sesshoumaru, contrary to what Kagura might have thought.
The young child lowered her face towards her father, and whispered in his ear.
“I am so sorry. If you didn’t come to save me you would be fine.” Ever since she had seen Sesshoumaru get shot, Kanna had blamed herself for calling out to him to come save her after Naraku had abducted her. She had convinced herself that had she not asked her father to come save her, he would have been fine. “If you did not come for me you would be not hurt… I’m sorry… I want you to come back. I’ll be a good girl. I don’t even want nothing for my birthday, just you. You promised you will help with the party, and I want you to be here… We made a cake yesterday, and I want to eat it with you. Please wake up.”
She did not hold her tears in as they fell down over the skin of Sesshoumaru’s face. A salty droplet fell from her eyes, and followed the stripe which adorned his right cheek before falling down to disappear on the pillow on which his head rested.
Kagura had seen, and mostly heard enough. She wiped the tears blurring her vision, and took a deep calming breath.
“Girls I think it’s enough. You’ve been upset enough…” The wind sorceress struggled not to let a sob escape her lips. She knew her daughters had to be scared and hurt by Sesshoumaru’s condition, but had not realized how much their heart was breaking. She could not help but wonder if letting Kanna and Rin see their father in such a state had been a good idea after all.
“Please mom can we stay longer?” It was Rin, who so rarely asked for anything who had voiced the request, but it was the tears she and Kanna started to wipe away, which made her resolve crumble. She knew the two children were trying to mask their real feelings for her benefit, and this hurt and affected her more than the words they had whispered in the slumbering youkai’s ears.
“Okay, but just a few more minutes.” Kagura reluctantly agreed. She fished inside her pocket for a tissue and after wiping her tears away blew her nose noisily. ‘With Asuka in charge, I don’t know when’s the next time the girls will be allowed to see their father. Maybe I should let them talk to him a little longer. It may be good for them… or good for Sesshoumaru as well. Maybe they could help him wake up.’
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Sesshoumaru Takahashi was once again surrounded in darkness. He forced himself to push through the haze engulfing him, and to ignore the tingling sensation radiating in his left arm. He could hear voices around him. Voices he knew well.
‘Kanna… Rin.’ He thought to himself. His nose was assaulted with the salty scent of their tears, and the need to comfort his children took over him. ‘They need me. Kagura needs me too.’
He forced himself to clear the veil of obscurity placed in front of his eyes. He was Sesshoumaru, and he would not be kept away from what he wanted. His eyes felt glued shut together, his head was filled with fog, and his body felt heavy. Despite all this, he managed to push through the discomfort and pain. He knew he needed too. He focused all his strength on waking up. He had to go them.
Suddenly there was light. He had barely cracked his eyes opened, but his sensitive orbs were assaulted by bright lights and bright colors. He had barely opened his eyes that his sensitive ears were assaulted by sharp cries.
“Mommy!”
“Mom!”
T he excited cries of Kanna and Rin mingled, getting the wind sorceress’s attention. She walked towards the bed, and a chocked cry escaped her throat when she saw Sesshoumaru’s eyes barely opened. Never had she been gladder to see the amber colored orbs more.
“Sesshoumaru! Don’t you dare close your eyes!” She warned him when she noticed he was blinking furiously as if struggling to keep his eyes opened. She rushed directly for the phone to punch in Suikotsu’s number. “Sesshoumaru, listen to me! If you close your eyes, I swear I will fucking kill you.” She was so excited and apprehensive that she did not filter her language as was her habit. Not that Rin and Kanna were paying attention. The two little girls were talking excitedly to their father as tears of happiness streamed down their cheeks.
“Suikotsu… Sesshoumaru opened his eyes!” Kagura turned around to face her fiancé. She smiled through her tears when she saw that Rin and Kanna had both laid down on the bed to hug their father.
“I’ll be right over.” The young doctor did not even bother speaking longer to the wind sorceress, he knew she was eager to go to the man she loved.
After the quick phone call, Kagura hurried to join Sesshoumaru’s bedside. She reached over Rin’s body to gently brush her fiancé’s silver bangs out of his eyes. He looked up, and for the first time in a long time crimson met amber.
“Welcome back Sesshoumaru.”
To be continued…
A/N: Yay he’s awake, but there’s still lots of issues to address, and things to deal with. I think there are going to be two more chapters than an epilogue. The next one will be named Convalescence. I’ll try to have it up as soon as possible.
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A/N: Long time no see! So sorry for the lack of updates. I have started working on another little project, and kind of got lost in it lol. I’ll let you guys know more about it at some later date :)
Disclaimer: If I owned Inuyasha, Sesshy and Kagura would be happily mated and working on silver haired baby number three by now…
“Talking”
‘Thinking& #8217;
‘For the past two days he’s been giving Sesshoumaru regular doses of the antidote, but nothing’s happened yet.’ Kagura sighed heavily as her crimson eyes rested on her fiancé’s ever slumbering form. ‘I know that soon Asuka will come to tell me to leave. We’ve made a bargain, and I intend to fulfill my end… as much as it may hurt me. While Suikotsu thinks up another way to help Sesshoumaru, I can focus on the girls. Kanna’s birthday is in only two days, and she misses her dad so much. The least I can do is be here for her…’
Her head full of her daughters’ pain, the young demoness walked towards her lover with the clear aim to say her goodbyes. She sat next to him, and leaned forward to press a kiss to his lips. She gasped when she felt something move against her jean clad thigh. Her eyes lowered, and she was shocked to see Sesshoumaru’s hand clench the white bed sheet. Her heart skipped a beat, and air rushed into her lungs.
“Sesshoumaru!” She whispered incredulously before launching herself towards the side table which had a phone resting on it. Using the speed dial, she quickly called the office situated on the highest level of the clinic. As soon as the person on the other line answered, she wasted no time speaking the words she had wanted and hoped to say for so long.
“Suikotsu… it’s Sesshoumaru, I think he’s waking up!”
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Kagura’s crimson eyes anxiously followed Suikotsu as he checked over Sesshoumaru’s body. To her disappointment by the time she had hung up the phone, her lover had become unresponsive again.
‘I really thought that he was going to open his eyes, or hold my hand.’ She felt tears pool in her eyes, but held them at bay; she was not going to lose hope. Sesshoumaru moving his hand had been a sure proof to her that Mukotsu’s potion was working.
The young doctor pocketed the penlight he had just used to check if Sesshoumaru’s eyes were responsive.
“So, how is he?” Kagura asked. Based on the young human’s closed off face she really could not gauge how the examination had gone.
“I will need to make some more in depth tests, but it seems to me that things are looking good. There is a lot of improvement. Sesshoumaru has shown some response; especially to pain. He twitched when I pinched him, which did not occur a week ago.”
“Oh thank God! Then why are you looking so grim?” She breathed a sigh of relief, and barely refrained herself from snapping at the young doctor.
Suikotsu grinned slightly at her question. “I just did not really expect Mukotsu’s potion to work.
“You mean you didn’t trust in your friend?!” The wind sorceress exclaimed. “Then why the hell did you even allow him into your clinic?!”
“We were running out of options, and he presented us with a possible solution.” The human man answered sheepishly. “I am just glad to see that the plan worked after all.”
Since she really did not see any reason why, now that her fiancé was doing better, she should be mad at Suikotsu, Kagura smiled at him.
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“We have been waiting for almost an entire day, and still no changes. This has really become ridiculous.” Asuka elegantly uncrossed her legs, and stood up from the seat she had been settled in at Sesshoumaru’s bedside.
“Are you so eager to get rid of me? Don’t you even care about your son?” Kagura snapped bitterly at the older woman. Her nerves were raw, and she did not care about harming Asuka’s feelings. Basing herself on Suikotsu’s encouraging words, she had really hoped to see Sesshoumaru wake up, but this had not occurred as of yet.
The regal dog demoness sent her son’s fiancée a sour look before answering her question. “Of course I care for Sesshoumaru; more than you could imagine. I just believe that this whole master of potion charade has gone on for too long. I have let you do as you wanted in exchange for your promise, and results have yet to be produced.”
Kagura knew that there was truth in Asuka’s words. She had promised to leave her lover’s side in exchange for Asuka allowing Mukotsu to try his potion on Sesshoumaru.
‘I know Mukotsu’s remedy is working. I felt and saw Sesshoumaru move earlier, and Suikotsu did say that he was displaying some response signs. All he needs is more time… I’m sure of it!’ The wind sorceress allowed her crimson gaze to briefly stray to her fiancé’s slumbering body. ‘I just don’t know how to give you the time you need my love. I’m sorry but it seems like I will have to leave you behind… even though I hate the idea of it.’
Thinking about leaving someone behind caused her heart to pinch as she was reminded of her daughters with who she had spent so little time in the past weeks. She felt extremely guilty about not only keeping them away from their father, but more importantly spending so much time away from the two young girls. Because Sesshoumaru was not there, she knew their daughters needed her more than ever, especially Kanna after the ordeal she had lived at the hands of Naraku, but Kagura could not leave Sesshoumaru behind either. She was really torn between being with her daughters, and being with her fiancé. Every time she left her daughters behind at the Fujibayashi mansion to hurry back towards Suikotsu’s clinic, she left parts of her heart behind; that she was sure of.
“As per our agreement I believe it is time for you to finally let go of my son. I have been more than patient after all.” The dog demoness interrupted the younger woman’s thoughts.
“I’ll go… but before I do I want to allow our daughters to see their father.” During the many days of Sesshoumaru’s hospitalization, Kagura had debated with the idea of letting Rin and Kanna see him in a comatose state. Now that she was forced to leave his side, and did not know when she would next see him, awake or not, she decided that maybe not allowing Rin and Kanna to see him might not be the best thing for them. After all she did not know when her daughters would be able to see their father, and keeping them away from him was becoming harder every day.
‘Rin may be more reserved in her requests to come with me to the clinic, but in the past few days Kanna has been throwing so many awful tantrums. I’m sure it’s because her birthday is tomorrow and Sesshoumaru has yet to awaken. The one thing Kanna has been asking as a gift is to see her father. She has even given up on the idea of getting a pony.’ Just thinking of her daughter’s previous outrageous request made a smile dance on her lips. ‘Every time I talk to the girls, and they ask me about him, my heart breaks a little bit more. Kanna is going to turn a year older tomorrow and one of the most important people in her life won’t be with her to celebrate that… not to mention that the big birthday party we had planned was cancelled…’
Considering that Sesshoumaru would not be able to participate in the festivities they had decided to postpone the big birthday celebration until he would wake up from his coma. Kagura had originally planned to put on a brave face, and put together a party worthy of Kanna, but the little girl had decided to pull the plug on the party. She did not want to have fun if her dad was not there. She had then gone on to beg her mother to take her with her to the clinic, but no matter how heartbreaking seeing her daughter’s eyes fill with tears was, the wind sorceress had stayed strong, and had refused her. Refusing her had been hard because she knew her daughter wanted nothing more than to see her father after all Kanna had not even allowed Kagura or Sakura to get her a new mirror to replace the one Naraku had destroyed only because she wanted Sesshoumaru to be involved in getting her a new mirror.
Asuka reflected on Kagura’s request. ‘I doubt this is a last minute effort to stay closer to Sesshoumaru’s side…’ “Fine, I will allow it. You can bring your children tomorrow.”
The dog demoness had expected to be thanked profusely by Kagura, but the wind sorceress simply walked over to her lover’s bedside. She carefully leaned over him, and pressed a kiss to his unmoving lips.
“I’ll see you tomorrow my love. I’ll bring our girls to see you too. They miss you so much… it’s Kanna’s birthday tomorrow… if only you could wake up soon. Anyways keep trying, I’ll see you tomorrow.” Ignoring the sounds of disgust emanating from Asuka’s lips, and aiming to annoy the other woman a little bit, Kagura took the time to give her fiancé another tender kiss.
Kagura then went to the side table where she had left her coat, scarf and purse, and after picking up her stuff, walked towards the door. Since she could feel Asuka glowering at her, she briefly turned around to speak to the older woman.
“Do not worry, after I stop by tomorrow morning with Rin and Kanna, I will leave.” The wind sorceress walked out of the door without sparing Asuka another glance. For the first time in a long time she was going to her parents’ house to spend the night with her girls. When she heard the other woman huff in annoyance, the young woman could not help the grin which appeared on her lips. These days getting under Asuka’s skin was the only thing which brought her joy.
‘Even if Kanna cancelled her party, we can still have some fun. She, Rin and I could bake a birthday cake tonight, and have a big celebratory breakfast tomorrow morning.’ Making plans helped lift her spirits. She had been very depressed ever since Sesshoumaru had not shown any other reaction to the potion, but the prospect of spending some quality time with her daughters made the wind sorceress feel much better already. ‘Now if only he could wake up… everything would be perfect.’
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Sesshoumaru’s awareness had been wavering for what seemed to him to be forever. Sometimes his mind remained completely blank, and he was plunged in complete darkness. At other times, he felt as if he could thrust himself out of the obscurity which surrounded him. He was almost able to open his eyes, but despite all his efforts he was unable to move. Often when he came out of his moments of deep darkness, he was sure he was even able to make out some voices floating around him, but to his growing frustration he had remained unable to speak back or move.
A faint floral scent and a familiar soft voice reached his senses. It was followed by a sweet tingling sensation on his lips. It took him a few seconds to realize who was speaking to him, but when he did, he wanted nothing more than to reach for the woman he loved.
‘Kagura.’ Before he had a chance to react to the discovery of his fiancée’s voice, he was engulfed by darkness once again.
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Kagura, Rin and Kanna entered Suikotsu’s clinic walking hand in hand. The wind sorceress was holding on to the two little girls with each of her hands. Rin may be old enough to walk without her mother’s assistance, but walking in such a fashion reminded the three of them how Kagura, Sesshoumaru and the girls had walked side by side that summer afternoon long ago when they had been to the swimming pool of the Imperial hotel.
‘It feels like it was a lifetime ago. So much happened in the past few months.’ Kagura refused to dwell on the negative things, and instead lowered her gaze to the glittering ring looped around her finger. ‘Not only bad things have happened though…’
The three of them reached the reception desk, and Kagura did not bother stopping. She had been coming in and out of the clinic so much as of late that everyone knew her. She did send a quick smile to the young man seated behind the desk. She could not help but reflect on how far she had come from the terrifying night when Kanna’s pneumonia had become worse, and she had had to rush her daughter to Suikotsu’s clinic.
‘How far Kagura Onigumo has come. To think that almost a year ago they refused me admittance in this clinic because I did not have health insurance…’ She pulled herself out of her thoughts when the three of them reached the elevators.
She briefly released the hold she had on Rin’s hand to punch the elevator call button. After once again taking hold of her daughter’s hand, she addressed her two children. “Girls do you remember the rules I told you over breakfast this morning?”
“Yes.” Kanna answered her mother’s question.
“We have to talk softly and not jump on the bed.” Rin added, always eager to please.
The young mother smiled appreciatively to the two children, and after the three of them stepped inside the car, she pressed the button for the highest floor where Sesshoumaru’s hospital room was located. Soon enough the three of them were walking down a corridor, and had reached the door behind which Sesshoumaru Takahashi was resting.
Kagura relinquished her hold on her children, and opened the door. She briefly paused to wish Asuka would not be here. She had purposely chosen to come see her fiancé early in the morning in order to make sure that her and her daughters would not run into Asuka. After all she knew that the older demoness did not usually get out of bed before 10 am. She therefore only came to visit her son in the afternoon, which was the time Kagura always conveniently chose to go to her mother’s house in order to check in on Kanna and Rin.
One of the first things Kagura noticed upon entering the hospital room was that the IV which helped administer Mukotsu’s potion to Sesshoumaru was full.
‘I figured that after I left yesterday Asuka would have ordered Suikotsu to stop giving the potion to Sesshoumaru… wonder why she did not.’
She forced herself not to think about her would be mother in-law’s decisions and actions, and instead focused on her daughters.
“It’s very warm in here, so you guys can remove your coats.” Rin wasted no time following her mother’s words even as she kept her dark eyes glued on her father’s unmoving body. It was very strange for her to see the one person she considered to be the strongest man she had ever known lying unconscious.
When it came to Kanna, she was so focused on Sesshoumaru that she did not hear her mother’s words. Kagura therefore took it upon herself to help her daughter out of her warm garment. She then collected Rin’s coat, and along with hers dumped the three articles of clothing on the nearest chair.
“You guys can get closer if you want.” Kagura whispered. Following the wind sorceress’s words, Rin and Kanna tentatively stepped closer to the bed. Her crimson eyes followed them closely as they stopped a few inches away from the imposing bed. Both of the children had eyes opened wide as they took in the sigh of Sesshoumaru’s arm where the large IV was plugged in, digging deeply into his skin.
“If you promise to be careful, you can seat on the bed next to him.” Kagura let her daughters know. She could tell by the way both girls were standing on the tip of their toes that they wanted to get closer to Sesshoumaru.
Rin helped Kanna climb into the bed, then careful not to step on the IV or other monitoring devices attached to her father’s body, slid in the bed on his other side.
“Daddy… I finally have a new family so you have to get better… we have to do lots and lots of fun things. You promised me when it becomes warm again we’ll go to the beach house…” Rin whispered as hot tears streamed down her face. When Kanna had told her about the short vacation she, her parents and their friends had taken last spring, there had been nothing Rin had wished for more than to go there with her new family. She had shyly asked Sesshoumaru about it one evening, and he had promised her he would take her as soon as the warm days would come back. The dark haired girl could not keep on speaking as she started sobbing uncontrollably.
Kanna briefly shifted her gaze from her father to her older sister. She shared Rin’s pain, but the emotion which caused her heart to break was guilt.
‘It’s all my fault.’ Kanna thought sadly as she looked back at her father’s unmoving face. It was the number one reason why the youngest girl had begged her mother to take her to see Sesshoumaru, contrary to what Kagura might have thought.
The young child lowered her face towards her father, and whispered in his ear.
“I am so sorry. If you didn’t come to save me you would be fine.” Ever since she had seen Sesshoumaru get shot, Kanna had blamed herself for calling out to him to come save her after Naraku had abducted her. She had convinced herself that had she not asked her father to come save her, he would have been fine. “If you did not come for me you would be not hurt… I’m sorry… I want you to come back. I’ll be a good girl. I don’t even want nothing for my birthday, just you. You promised you will help with the party, and I want you to be here… We made a cake yesterday, and I want to eat it with you. Please wake up.”
She did not hold her tears in as they fell down over the skin of Sesshoumaru’s face. A salty droplet fell from her eyes, and followed the stripe which adorned his right cheek before falling down to disappear on the pillow on which his head rested.
Kagura had seen, and mostly heard enough. She wiped the tears blurring her vision, and took a deep calming breath.
“Girls I think it’s enough. You’ve been upset enough…” The wind sorceress struggled not to let a sob escape her lips. She knew her daughters had to be scared and hurt by Sesshoumaru’s condition, but had not realized how much their heart was breaking. She could not help but wonder if letting Kanna and Rin see their father in such a state had been a good idea after all.
“Please mom can we stay longer?” It was Rin, who so rarely asked for anything who had voiced the request, but it was the tears she and Kanna started to wipe away, which made her resolve crumble. She knew the two children were trying to mask their real feelings for her benefit, and this hurt and affected her more than the words they had whispered in the slumbering youkai’s ears.
“Okay, but just a few more minutes.” Kagura reluctantly agreed. She fished inside her pocket for a tissue and after wiping her tears away blew her nose noisily. ‘With Asuka in charge, I don’t know when’s the next time the girls will be allowed to see their father. Maybe I should let them talk to him a little longer. It may be good for them… or good for Sesshoumaru as well. Maybe they could help him wake up.’
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Sesshoumaru Takahashi was once again surrounded in darkness. He forced himself to push through the haze engulfing him, and to ignore the tingling sensation radiating in his left arm. He could hear voices around him. Voices he knew well.
‘Kanna… Rin.’ He thought to himself. His nose was assaulted with the salty scent of their tears, and the need to comfort his children took over him. ‘They need me. Kagura needs me too.’
He forced himself to clear the veil of obscurity placed in front of his eyes. He was Sesshoumaru, and he would not be kept away from what he wanted. His eyes felt glued shut together, his head was filled with fog, and his body felt heavy. Despite all this, he managed to push through the discomfort and pain. He knew he needed too. He focused all his strength on waking up. He had to go them.
Suddenly there was light. He had barely cracked his eyes opened, but his sensitive orbs were assaulted by bright lights and bright colors. He had barely opened his eyes that his sensitive ears were assaulted by sharp cries.
“Mommy!”
“Mom!”
T he excited cries of Kanna and Rin mingled, getting the wind sorceress’s attention. She walked towards the bed, and a chocked cry escaped her throat when she saw Sesshoumaru’s eyes barely opened. Never had she been gladder to see the amber colored orbs more.
“Sesshoumaru! Don’t you dare close your eyes!” She warned him when she noticed he was blinking furiously as if struggling to keep his eyes opened. She rushed directly for the phone to punch in Suikotsu’s number. “Sesshoumaru, listen to me! If you close your eyes, I swear I will fucking kill you.” She was so excited and apprehensive that she did not filter her language as was her habit. Not that Rin and Kanna were paying attention. The two little girls were talking excitedly to their father as tears of happiness streamed down their cheeks.
“Suikotsu… Sesshoumaru opened his eyes!” Kagura turned around to face her fiancé. She smiled through her tears when she saw that Rin and Kanna had both laid down on the bed to hug their father.
“I’ll be right over.” The young doctor did not even bother speaking longer to the wind sorceress, he knew she was eager to go to the man she loved.
After the quick phone call, Kagura hurried to join Sesshoumaru’s bedside. She reached over Rin’s body to gently brush her fiancé’s silver bangs out of his eyes. He looked up, and for the first time in a long time crimson met amber.
“Welcome back Sesshoumaru.”
To be continued…
A/N: Yay he’s awake, but there’s still lots of issues to address, and things to deal with. I think there are going to be two more chapters than an epilogue. The next one will be named Convalescence. I’ll try to have it up as soon as possible.
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