InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Taming the unruly ❯ Chapter 27 ( Chapter 28 )

He dodged her attack. Useless. It was the same thing over and over with her, a gust of wind here, a slice attack there. She was getting tired, desperate. He had been hunting her for a few days now. It was time to end this. He grabbed her by the throat, taking pleasure in the way she wormed around. "My patience has run out, you won't get away this time. Now give me what I want." For a while she didn't answer so he had to reinforce his threat, squeezing a little harder. 

That did the trick.

"Your hatred towards me hurts more than your indifference," she forced out between gasps. He could see the pitiful look in her eyes. If it weren't for the fact that he needed information he would have simply killed her. He released her, watching her ragged body slump to the muddied earth below. "Where are they?" He demanded calmly. "Up at Mount Hakurei. He's using its spiritual energy to mask his own," she groaned out painfully. "Is she alright?" 

She chuckled. Did she think this was funny? He watched as she slowly pushed herself up from the ground, blood and sweat caked all over her bruised and broken body. "You'll find out when you see." What was that supposed to mean? Just as he was about to ask, a gust of wind blinded his vision and by the time it cleared up she was gone. Typical. "Ana," he whispered, "I'm almost there. Just wait a little while longer." With that he leapt into the air, signaling the rest to follow him.

ooOoo

She felt full. Way too full to be only two months pregnant. Based on what Naraku had told her, a pregnancy like this varied depending on the demon. The stronger the demon the shorter the time and if the demonic parent wasn't strong enough the child might die or come out deformed. That last part didn't bode well with her and it took him a long time to convince her that none of that was going to happen because he was strong and the pregnancy was progressing smoothly. It was a lot to deal with. From what her healer had told her she probably had a month or two left based on her progression. She was both ecstatic and terrified, what if-.. A sharp kick from the little one pulled her from those thoughts. "Alright, alright. Mommy should know better. Daddy's strong and you're our strong little one."  That seem to help.  

Perhaps it was time to go for a walk around the castle and maybe get a little snack. Naraku had left a few days ago. Apparently they were going to move again because Sesshomaru was hot on their trail. Thinking his name had her stop in her tracks. She felt torn. As a matter of fact every time his name crossed her mind she felt odd. "Ana?" She turned towards the voice only to find no one there. Was that her imagination? "Ana. You need to listen to me." 

"Who's there?" she asked, looking up and down the hall. "That isn't important right now. Just trust me. You do not belong to Naraku. You do not love him." She felt mildly offended by that statement. "Who are you to tell me how I feel? I do love him." Something felt off saying that last part aloud but she ignored it. "No, you love Sesshomaru." There was a tightness in her chest when she heard that.  "No," she stuttered, "he's trying to hurt me and my baby," she protested. "Naraku's lying to you. Why do you think he won't let you go outside the castle?" 

Her response died when someone tugged at her sleeve. The connection had been broken. It was Kanna, mirror in one hand, a look of concern etched in her eyes. "I'm fine,"  she reassured the little girl. "Must have started daydreaming," she chuckled uncomfortably. "Um, why don't we go get something to eat, huh?" After a nod of confirmation, the two headed to the kitchen. 

"Why can't I go outside Kana?" Ana asked as they sat. It was more so out of curiosity, definitely not because of that voice. The little girl showed her her mirror. An image formed, it was a young woman running for her life, behind her a demon. It didn't take long for it to catch her. The moment Ana saw blood she quickly asked for it to stop. "Fragile," Kana whispered. "Fragile," Ana repeated softly. On one hand she wanted to believe it was just that, but she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to it. It reminded her of the time she asked about the scar on her neck. She had never seen Naraku so furious to the point where he forbade her to talk about or even touch it. It was simply a scar. Was it not? Her hand travelled to where the raised skin lay, the thought of feeling it both frightening yet intriguing. Just as her fingers reached the edge of the scar someone grabbed her hand.

Startled she looked up to see Kanna, fear etched in her eyes. "Oh my God. Kana. Oh please I'm sorry. Please. Please don't tell Naraku. I don't know what came over me." Her heart thrashed as she watched the little girl. She had completely forgotten that she wasn't alone. If Kanna told Naraku gods know what he would do.

 It felt like an eternity as she watched and waited for an answer. When the little girl nodded the weight of the world rolled off her chest and it felt as if she could breathe again. "Thanks Kanna, " she sighed, as tears pricked her eyes. Sniffling, she got up from her seat. "I think that's enough excitement for today. I'm going to go take a nap." With that she left the little girl. God's Ana what were you thinking?  There was nothing she could think of. Exactly! You weren't. She's never felt so embarrassed in her life. 

Her thoughts lead her to wander until a groan caught her attention. Staggering through the castle, blood smearing along the wall she leaned on was Kagura. "Oh my god. Kagura!" She rushed over to the demonesse's side in an attempt to help. "Don't you fucking touch me," she warned, leaning heavily on the wall for support.  "But-"

"No! Just no! You have been a thorn in my side from day one. I should have killed you the day you stole him from me!" There was a look of utter disgust and hatred in the demonesse's eyes as she tried to appear threatening even though she was a bloody, broken mess. "What have I-?" She was cut off once again, "I don't know what Sesshomaru sees in you." There it was again, that tightness in her chest when she heard his name. "I can't wait to see what he does to you when he sees you’re pregnant for Naraku." There was a pained laugh and a gurgling cough before the demoness fell unconscious.

Ana stood there for a long time processing the words of the demoness. Numb was not just how she felt. Slapped, punched, crushed… It was hard to breathe and swallow. She released a shaky breath as unwanted tears streamed down her face.  What had she done to deserve all those harsh words, and what did she mean by what he would do to her? The voice had told her that Narkau wasn't to be trusted, but what of Sesshomaru? How could she love someone who would harm her? How could she love someone who might harm her baby? She turned from the demoness and headed to her room, sending someone to help her when she passed a servant.

As she lay on the futon, looking up at the wooden roof, she was left with an array of questions. Where had that voice come from? Why did she try to touch her scar? Why wasn’t she allowed to touch it when it was on her body? Why did Kagura's words hurt so much? Was she having doubts about her and Naraku?! Why was she having doubts about her an Narku? Why did she fear Naraku? Why did she feel weird when she thought about Sesshomaru? Was he really going to hurt her baby? All this worry was not boding well with the little one who wormed around frantically inside her. "I'm sorry hun. Mommy's having a bit of a hard time," she admitted as she rubbed her tummy, trying to calm the young one. "I think a nap is in order. We both can use it."

His features were blurry, his voice distorted. The only thing that stood out to her was his long  flowy, silver hair. His touch was gentle and warm and the embrace he gave was full of love. The kiss was passionate, sending rivets of pleasure through her body. Her back arched, her nipples rubbing deliciously against his white, silken robe. She gasped as he suckled on her neck, another wave of pleasure shooting through her body. Her body shook as his fingers tentatively traced over her collar bone, over the mound of her breast, circled her nipple, down her abdomen until it plunged into her stomach.

"Ana?" She bolted upright, heart racing. "Naraku? What..?" 

"I'm sorry. You seemed troubled. I didn't mean to startle you," he apologized. "No. It's fine," she breathed, fighting the tears that threatened to burst out. "I-" she stuttered. "I just had a bad dream that's all... and I guess the little one was uncomfortable with the position I was in." She flinched when he reached for her, which was startling and by the look on his face he wasn't happy with that reaction. "I'm  sorry," she apologized. "Your hands are a bit cold." 

"Ah, yes," he responded. " I just came in. It's late. Why don't you tell me about the dream?" She didn't respond, simply grabbed his hands, which were indeed cold. After warming them a bit she placed them on her bump. She thought that she would have felt calm but for some reason it made her feel worse. A part of her actually hated it. Hated him touching her, hated him being so close and intimate, hated every ounce of his body and soul. It was such a drastic change to how she had felt earlier. "Why are you crying my love?" He asked, concerned. She hadn't realized that she was crying. Something told her that if she told him, things would end in a mess. "I'm just happy to see you. It's been lonely with you being gone for so long," she hiccuped. "I guess my hormones are getting the best of me." He pulled her into a hug, "Everything will be alright, my love. Perhaps it is this place?" He asked releasing her. "We will be leaving in a couple days." 

Alarm bells suddenly rang in her mind. The space suddenly got too small.  "No! I don't want to leave." Her outburst caught him off guard. "Ana, you know the reason for this move." 

"If you're as strong as you say, you'll stop running and kill him already!" The room went silent. It was getting hard to breathe. When did the air get so thin? "Ana? Ana?!" The voice sounded so far and faded. The tightness in her chest would not go away no matter how fast she tried to catch her breath. What was happening?

She woke to a muffled bang. It was dark, way darker than it had been before. What time was it? "Don't move too much." He sounded concerned but also frustrated. "What happened?"  He didn't respond, simply grabbed her hand. "Naraku?"

"Things are not going as planned." Her brows furrowed in confusion. "What?" She asked as he left her side. There was another muffled bang as the place shook. "Narku. Please." As the room illuminated with light she could see his red eyes burned with wrath. "What's happening outside?" 

"It's nothing you should be concerned about."

"Why do you do this to me?" She asked, not too happy with his tone. "I'm pregnant, not fragile. I am stronger than you think. Why do you hide things from me?" 

"We are not having this discussion now!"

"No Naraku. I want to know now. What does the scar on my neck mean?" His aura flared when she asked. She had definitely hit a nerve, which meant he was really hiding something from her. "We are not doing this now!" Another bang, dirt crumbling around them this time around. "I don't feel safe down here."

"You are safe." There was no room for argument. "Narku… please." The room was closing in again, reducing the small amount of air they had. She got up from where she sat. "Where are you going?" This was getting out of hand. He wasn't listening to her. He didn't care. As she attempted to grab a candle he grabbed her hand. "You're hurting me," she complained, but he would not let her go. "You will sit back down this instant," he commanded. "No!" He reeled back in pain. She looked at him, shocked. What was that? How did she do that? "You dare use your ability on me?!" He seethed. She had no idea what he was talking about. "I," she stammered. "I'll do it again if you touch me," she threatened. Whatever this thing was coursing through her body tingled, but it gave her a sense of power. There was no time to think about this. She needed to leave. Her hands trembled in front of her as one reached for a candle and the other pointed towards him. He did nothing but watch on with a deep scowl as she passed him and exited through the open arch.

 It took all her willpower not to crumble to the floor. Candle wax dripped rapidly down her fingers but nothing burned more than the feeling of betrayal. Unwanted tears cluttered her vision making the already dark pathway even more difficult to see. Even the little one was uncomfortable, thrashing around in concern. She couldn't stop and comfort her child for fear he would be behind her, or the whole place would collapse. "Mommy's sorry little one," she forced out through the fear and tears. "When this is over mommy will take care of you." Even if she didn't know what to do.   

She finally reached the stairs. The rumbles had gotten worse and for a brief moment she wanted to turn around and have him protect her, but suppressed that feeling. By the time she got up the stairs she was a panting mess. She was mildly surprised that he hadn't come for her but at the same time she was glad. As she looked around the castle, it was more than evident that the place wasn't going to hold up much longer. She needed to get out. Carefully, she made her way through the castle, praying to whatever gods above that she would make it out safely.  Just as she got to the outer door of the castle her body froze. 

This all felt like deja vu. Something in her clicked. She had been in a situation like this before. She was running for her life, trying to get away from… Her heart sank as she turned to see him. He had been humoring her, letting her think she could get away… again. So stupid Ana. You knew better.  His tentacles pulled her to him. "Fine, if you want to go outside, let us do so." They shot through the skies, hovering over a battlefield. Carnage sprawled on the earth below, blood splattering trees and saplings. It smelled just as it looked. It made her sick.

"Isn't this what you wanted to see?" He asked as she turned from the gruesome visuals. "No, no," he said forcing her to look. "Now that we are out here, I will show you everything you want to know. I have tried to be caring and loving, but until he is gone you won't focus on me alone, will you?"  She gasped when she saw him. His once golden eyes were blood red, the markings on this face jagged. The sword he held flared with his power only for all of that to disappear the moment his eyes landed on her.

"Ana?" He questioned in disbelief. She couldn't bare the look in his eyes. It was suffocating. It was obvious, she knew. The thing was protruding for the world to see for crying out loud, but his reaction… that killed something inside her. She tried to turn away from him but it was too late. "Since you question my abilities I will demonstrate just how powerful I am by letting you watch me kill him once and for all!"  Naraku declared.

This was not what she wanted, what she dreamed was going to happen. She just wanted it all to end. To stop. Everything felt as if it were going in slow motion as all the pain, anger, humiliation and hurt clawed their way outside her body as she blocked his attack. Her body felt as if it were on fire as her world illuminated in a hue of deep purple. She screamed, letting her emotions ride with the huge burst of energy that radiated out her body until nothing was left.