InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Shikon no Tama ❯ Chapter Twenty-one ( Chapter 21 )

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

Disclaimer: I do not now, nor have I ever, owned any part of Inuyasha or his world. This is a work of fanfiction made entirely for the fans of Inuyasha to enjoy. This story is based off of Inuyasha characters that I do not own.

This is also a work of fiction. Any simularities to any real person, dead or alive, is completely coincidental.


Chapter Twenty-One:

Sesshomaru didn't know why he had trusted the priestess. Usually, he made it a point not to trust anyone, especially when it came to protecting Rin. As he continued his trek through the mountain, he realized that the most important thing to him was keeping Rin safe. Though he didn't quite understand why, he knew he could count on the priestess to do just that.

A tick started to form right above the taiyoukai's eyebrow. He could literally feel the toad trying to burn a hole in the back of his head. He knew the toad was worried. Though neither would ever openly admit it, they had come to adore the child. Her absense could be felt greatly by both of them.

"Milord?" Jaken squeaked.

Here it comes, Sesshomaru thought to himself as he heard the toad's voice. "What is it, Jaken?" he responded, his voice low and dangerous. He knew what the toad wanted and he wasn't about to explain himself to his retainer.

Jaken gave a small squeak before mustering up his courage. "I just wanted to say that I'm glad we finally got rid of that insufferable girl!" he exclaimed, trying to put as much vindiction behind the statement as he could.

Unfortunately, it didn't work. Sesshomaru could hear the lie within the words. Jaken was worried. "Jaken," the taiyoukai called, stopping so the toad could catch up.

Jaken approached timidly and answered, "Yes, milord?"

Sesshomaru took the staff out of Jaken's hand and whacked the toad with it. He dropped the staff and growled, "She'll be back."

As Jaken nursed his bruised head, he picked up his staff. He took a measure of comfort in the taiyoukai's words. Just because Rin wasn't here, didn't mean she wouldn't return to them. It just felt so... lonely without her.

Without their realizing it, Rin had come to be very important to both demons. She was a beacon of hope for them both. Jaken looked up at the mountain and could feel his face drain of colour. Without Rin, the world seemed considerably darker.

~~~~

Rin was fast asleep, curled up in Inuyasha's hitoe. Since they hadn't planned on staying gone for too long, they hadn't brought Kagome's backpack. Now, watching Rin sleeping, Kagome wished they had.

Inuyasha folded his arms around the priestess, doing his best to keep her warm in the cool night. His eyes were intent on the campfire as he felt Kagome snuggle deeper with him.

"We should reach the village tomorrow," she whispered, breaking the silence that had fallen over them.

Inuyasha kissed her shoulder and gave a grunt in agreement. "Perhaps, if we're lucky, Naraku will come soon and we can get this over with," he responded. "I'm tired of all this waiting."

Kagome smiled. He was always so predictable. So blunt, so honest, so impatient. Her smile turned into a giggle, which made Inuyasha gaze at her curiously. "Look at us," she whispered.

"What are you talking about?" he asked. "What's so funny?"

She lifted her hand and touched his cheek. "I've been thinking a lot about our conversation," she told him, her voice and face serious. "I think... I don't want to stop just because of the fear of having a child. If I were to become pregnant, chances are, it won't be born until after Naraku is defeated. I mean, human gestation is nine months."

He picked her up and placed her next to him so that he could look at her better. Was she consenting to having his child? The thought elated him, but at the same time, worried him. Why the sudden change of mind? "For demons, it takes about a year and a half," he told her, his eyes narrowed in suspicion.

She blinked. And then, she blinked again. A year and a half! No wonder demons were so moody! And those were only the males. She hated to see a female who was actually pregnant. "See what I mean?" she stated. "And if we are still in this war by the time the child is ready to come, I'll simply go back to my time to have it. That way, the child will be safe."

"So, you want to have my child?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

It was her turn to be surprised. "Inuyasha," she whispered, taking his hands into hers," nothing would make me happier then to be the mother to your children. I was just... worried about the timing. But, I've thought it over and honestly... it's never been an option for me. Since the moment I saw you pinned to that tree, I knew in my heart that, one day, we would be together. I've imagined our children time and again. I'm ready, Inuyasha."

"I don't have those condom things anymore," he warned.

Kagome threw him a mischievous smile. "I know," she growled with a hungry gleam in her eyes.

Inuyasha took the hint and could feel himself warm up to it. He leaned in and kissed her gently on the lips. He took her into his arms as he deepened the kiss.

She moaned softly and melted into him as she pressed her chest to his. How she loved the feel of him! She swept her fingers into his silver hair and rested her right hand just under his ear. Her other hand, she places at the back of his neck as she pulled herself into his lap.

She could feel his fingers playing with the bottom of her blouse, tugging at it until it came loose from her skirt. He then slid a hand under her blouse and gently caressed her breasts. His other hand slid under her skirt, preening the inside of her thigh. It was almost more than she could take as she straddled him.

Then, before she could push his kosode from his shoulders, she heard a groan coming from somewhere. At first, she thought it had been Inuyasha. But, it sounded so soft, so... young. Like the groan of a child almost.

Reality hit Kagome and she broke the kiss. She quickly pushed away from Inuyasha and did what she could to right herself. Inuyasha, not knowing what was going on, looked at her in astonishment.

"What'dya do that for?" he growled. He could feel the pain in his groin. His desire had been ignited and now she meant to resist him? Could she do that?

She pointed to the sleeping child. "I don't want to waken Rin," she answered.

His eyes widened. "Since when has the fear of waking someone ever stopped you?" he retorted. "We've done this plenty of times in Tomo's hut, which, I might add, means that on more than one occasion someone has overheard us."

"But, that's different," she responded as she stood up and straightened her skirt.

"How?" he nearly shrieked. He was hard and he wanted her badly and she was denying him.

She sighed, "The others are used to us by now. Miroku and Sango have their own relationship. Tomo has a girl as well. Rin is young and innocent. She's never been around two people who are in love before. She's never really experienced being around us. I don't want her to wake up and see something that might... taint her."

"Taint her!" this time Inuyasha did shout. Kagome threw him a sharp look and he growled lowly, "She's been living with my brother for how many years now? I highly doubt you have to worry about 'tainting' her."

"Your brother hasn't done anything like this around her," Kagome snapped. "We aren't talking about cutting down enemies or hunting for food. We are talking about an innocent girl who has never witnessed two people... having intercourse... I hardly doubt she'll understand."

The hanyou, knowing that he wasn't going to get anything now, folded his arms and legs. He looked away from the priestess. He couldn't believe she was denying him. After everything they had just talked about. Having a family, raising children... it was all right there, in his grasp. And she was going to deny him. Hell, half the fun in having children is the actual way to conceive!

He was hard and he was hurt. Kagome knew this. She saw him fold his body up and knew he was angry. But, she didn't know what else to do. She wasn't about to make love to him with Rin sleeping right there. She didn't know how deep the child slept and she couldn't risk Rin seeing something she shouldn't see.

"How do you think children learn about it?" Inuyasha asked suddenly. "Most children catch their parents in the act and don't even realize what's going on. She's never seen it, so how is she going to know one way or the other?"

"Are you sayin you want her to know?" Kagome bit back, astounded. It was her turn to be angered. His words were beyond her. "Inuyasha, she's only eight years old. We are talking about a little girl and I will not be the one to ruin the one thing she has left in life."

"Yeah? What's that?" he retorted.

She grabbed his kosode and looked him in the eyes. "Her innocence!" she spat.

She stood up straight and walked to the base of a tree. There, she turned her back to him and looked out into the meadow. She knew he was right. A lot of children found out by accidently walking in on their parents. But, she and Inuyasha weren't Rin's parents. What right did they have to rob her of this?

Inuyasha had heard enough. He didn't understand the priestess. It was then that he realized just how much time separated him and his mate. In her era, children probably didn't witness what they spoke of. Kagome was fifteen years old and still was unmarried and a virgin when Inuyasha first met her. Such things weren't heard of. She should've been married off years ago.

But, that wasn't how things were run in her time. Inuyasha realized this. In her time, Kagome could wait until she was in her thirties or even later before she married. And men would still want her. In her time, women could do other things besides having children, being housewives, or running shrines.

The hanyou sighed, "This isn't your era, Kagome. Girls like Rin... Soon, she'll have her first blood. Once that occurs, Sesshomaru will start looking for her to be married off. That's the way things are around here. She'll know about it before too long. It's not uncommon for children her age to already know.

"Having her parents die when she was young... That was a theft. She didn't have a chance to learn what was expected of her. Sesshomaru is getting her ready for the world."

Kagome wheeled. "Sesshomaru is? He hasn't taught her anything. He hasn't prepared her for her 'first blood.' He hasn't taught her the difference between men and women. He hasn't..."

"Yes, he has," Inuyasha interrupted. "Why do you think he gave her to you?" he asked her. He looked at the small, sleeping form and then at the dying firelight. "A battlefield is no place for a female. Especially one who's not even in her season yet... You and Sango, the two of you are different. Both of you were trained in such ways, but Rin... Rin's life is one filled with housework and babies."

"That's not true," Kagome argued. "You'll see. Both of you will. Rin will become more than a common housewife. Her life has more meaning than that... As far as Sesshomaru marrying her off... well, I don't see that happening."

Inuyasha tilted his head. "What do you mean?"

The priestess rolled her eyes. "Are you so bullheaded that you can't see it?" she asked. "Sesshomaru loves Rin. I don't expect him to ever admit it, but I know he does. His whole life revolves around protecting her. She'll never marry, because no one will ever be good enough for her. Sesshomaru is her 'male figure.' And no one will ever be good enough for his little girl."

Inuyasha thought on that. Though he had never seen any indication that Sesshomaru loved the girl, he realized he wouldn't know what to even look for. Sesshomaru was a hard person to read. Had Rin really "broken the wall" that the taiyoukai had built around himself? How far would Sesshomaru really go to protect the child?

Then, Inuyasha knew the answer. To keep Rin safe, Sesshomaru had agreed to play spy for Kagome. Right now, the taiyoukai was putting his own life at risk to protect a child... And not just any child, a human child. Perhaps Kagome was right... Sesshomaru loved Rin...

The hanyou sighed. This was a losing battle. Sometimes, he didn't even know why he bothered anymore. No matter what, he knew he would always lose to the priestess, because she was practically always right. If Sesshomaru did love Rin, then Rin would never marry. At least, not to any of the humans that lined up at her door.

"Fine, so Sesshomaru loves the girl. That doesn't explain why we can't start our own family right now," he told her.

She blinked. "Did you hear anything I just said?" she questioned, her eyes widening ever so slightly. "I am not going to make love to you with Rin sleeping right there where she can watch us. I'm sorry, but I can't do that. It's a matter of respect."

Inuyasha threw his hands in the air. "Fine," he growled. "Whatever. Just lemme know when you want to."

Kagome shook her head. This was going to be a long trip back...

~~~

Shippo dodged another attack and thrust his wooden sword at his opponent. "You chicken livered vermit!" he growled. "I've seen mice that were better than you!"
"Oh yeah?" the little boy snapped back as he swung his sword in a low arch. "Well, at least I don't have a big blue bow on top of my head! Is that the new girlie fashion?"

"Hey!" the fox demon snapped. "We're supposed to be playing, not being serious!"

The boy laughed, "I'm not being serious, Shippo. Just take the bait and toss me another one."

Sango and Miroku watched from the sidelines as the two boys battled. Sango raised an eyebrow. "Are they learning to swordfight or taunt one another?" she asked.

The monk shrugged. "A mixture of both? From the looks of it, Shippo is using a lot of Inuyasha's techniques, including his taunting."

The demonslayer agreed. "He's been around Inuyasha too long. Before you know it, he'll have the half demon's attitude as well," she stated.

Miroku chuckled, "Hopefully he'll grow out of it, too."

"Hey! That's not fair!" the boy shouted suddenly, drawing the monk and demonslayer's attention.

It seemed as if Shippo had completely disappeared. Miroku pointed to a wagon that sat near the small arena. "He's over there," the monk told the boy.

Shippo jumped out of hiding. "Miroku! You're not supposed to tell anyone," the fox demon whined. "How am I supposed to work on my fox magic if you keep telling everyone where I'm at?"

"The point of practice is so that you'll become better," Tomo explained as he approached the group. "If Miroku is able to spot you, then you aren't doing your job. Either your magic isn't strong, or you're not concentrating enough. You must learn to not let anything distract you. Our world is filled with distractions of all shapes and sizes. Learn to overcome these, and your fox magic will come easily enough"

Shippo stepped closer to the youkai. "So, just work on concentrating?" he asked.

Tomo gave a smile and patted the young kitsune on the head. "Foxes are very cunning creatures. They know how to get out of even the most sticky situations. When there is no hope, a fox can always find a way," he remarked. "You'll get it soon enough. Just keep practicing... Anyway, I've come to tell you all that they have returned."

A large smile spread across Shippo's face as he darted off to the edges of the village. Kagome was back! He saw the priestess walking with Inuyasha and Rin. Laughing, the kitsune ran to them and jumped into her waiting arms. He hugged her neck tightly. "I've missed you, Kagome," he told her.

The priestess returned his hug. "I've missed you, too," she said.

Shippo looked down at Rin. "I guess the well didn't work for you?" he inquired, stating the obvious.

The little girl nodded. "And Lady Kaede couldn't take me," Rin replied.

Kagome sighed, "Let's go to the hut. I need to sit down and we need to talk."

Miroku and Sango had approached. "You're right, Kagome," Miroku imparted. "We do need to talk."

Tomo smiled at the companions. "I will give you the night off. So you can talk over what needs to be done about Rin and what your plans are. I shall see you in the morning."

They bid Tomo goodnight and watched as he headed to the temple. Since they've been staying at his hut, Tomo has spent most of his time in the temple. Once the youkai was gone, Miroku's face took on a serious appearance. "There is something I want to show you, Kagome," he told her.

They walked to the hut together in silence. Once there, Miroku went to Kagome's yellow backpack and took out the heavy tome. "Oh no!" Kagome squeaked. "I forgot to return Ayumi's book! She's going to kill me!"

"Why would she do that?" Shippo asked, curiously.

"Because, she probably owes a huge library fee right now," the priestess complained.

Inuyasha shrugged. "So, when you bring it back, pay her back. Then, she won't want to kill you anymore."

"What's a library?" Rin inquired, looking at the book with large eyes. She had never seen a book that big before.

"Kagome can explain to you later," Miroku told the little girl. "Right now, there are more pressing matters than library fees and such."

He flipped through the pages. Finding the right page, he handed the book to the priestess. "Have you read any of this book? Aside from the small thing about the Demon Priestess?" he asked her. When Kagome shook her head, he pointed to the book. "Read it."

The priestess looked down and read the title, "The Tragic Priestess."

"Read on."

Kagome read:

"During the Feudal Era, there lived a priestess who's beauty was rumoured to make the hearts of even the coldest demons melt. Her smile was said to brighten the hearts of even the foulest of creatures. It is said that she won hearts everywhere she went.

And thus the priestess was cursed. Should she fall in love, her beloved would meet a certain doom, as would she. She was then bestowed a great secret that she had to keep safe from all.

As time passed, she found love in a hanyou. During this time, she had also met a theif who could not walk or even move. She nursed the theif and he fell deeply in love with her.

Cursed in his immobile state, the theif called to the youkai which surrounded him and asked them to take his flesh and make him whole. They did as he asked and he tricked the priestess into believing that her hanyou lover had decieved her.

Neither she nor the hanyou survived this terrible deed, but the theif did..."

"It's Kikyo," Kagome said when she finished the story. "The book is talking about Kikyo."

"And it talks about a demonslayer who lost their village and a monk who is cursed with a black void in his hand," Miroku told her. "However, notice that the book does not mention a name."

She nodded as she flipped through the pages. Indeed, every story in there talked about people, but made no mention of any names.

"There is only one name in that book," the monk told her.

"The Demon Priestess," Kagome responded, knowing the answer.

"Make that two names, then," Miroku concluded. He took the book from her and flipped through the pages. Coming to the spot he wanted, he handed her back the book.

The priestess nearly dropped the large tome as she looked into the eyes of a face she knew all too well. Emerald eyes and dark hair embraced a face that was about as familiar to Kagome as the wind. However, this face was mark with an evil gleam. And there, right below the picture, his name was printed in bold letters: Taidoushi Tomo, Great General.