InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Tomaru's Story ❯ Chapter 25

Chapter 25

 

A stunned silence met the tai-youkai's announcement. Kagome's heart felt like it had been hit by a truck.

 

Both pairs of golden eyes blinked at her at the same time. Her hands flew to her mouth, as if to stop the scream that threatened to escape.

 

It was true. It had to be. How else could those two look, act, so much alike? Why didn't she see it sooner?

 

Kami, it was Sesshoumaru she had given herself to during her oxygen-deprived stupor after nearly drowning in the hot spring. Not Inuyasha. Not the hanyou she had loved.

 

His brother. His cold-hearted, emotionless youkai brother.

 

Oh, she knew how cold-hearted he really was now. Why else would he let her linger for this long, believing her son to be the result of one last encounter with her lost love?

 

Tears filled her eyes and spilled over, cascading rapidly down her cheeks. Accusation, betrayal, and fury filled those eyes until they nearly glowed.

 

“You bastard.”

 

Confusion filtered into the tai-youkai's eyes. “Nani? Kagome, I thought you'd be happy. Now there are no more secrets between us and we can go on as we have before.”

 

“You cold, heartless bastard!” she screamed, tears flowing stronger now. “You- you deliberately took advantage of me, of my grief over Inuyasha to fulfill your obligations to sire an heir!”

 

Sesshoumaru's eyes turned as hard as granite. “That is a lie, miko.”

 

“How the hell am I supposed to believe you? You've lied to me all along! You killed Inuyasha, seduced me and got me pregnant, and then let me believe that the baby was Inuyasha's!”

 

Topaz eyes narrowed. “I never seduced you- if anything, you seduced me. And I never once agreed that Tomaru was my brother's pup.”

 

Tomaru, aware of the strife between his parents, began to cry, wiping his eyes with little fists. He looked at his mother and held out his arms, wanting her to hold him and comfort him.

 

Kagome stared at the hanyou, unable to believe that her little Tomaru was the result of deception and illusion, rather than of a last beautiful moment with Inuyasha.

 

Sesshoumaru's already rigid countenance stiffened more. “Our son wants his mother. Are you planning on denying him?”

 

Her tear-stained face turned to him as if still unable to accept the truth. For a long time she didn't move.

 

Turning abruptly, she ran from the room, sobbing her heart out, leaving her son in the arms of his father.

 

Sesshoumaru watched her go as Tomaru wailed louder, turning towards his father's shoulder and burying his little face in the orange-red haori, clutching the silk material with tiny claws.

 

The tai-youkai sighed as he patted his son's back, trying to soothe the crying hanyou. “It will be all right, son. She just needs time.”

 

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Kagome sat in the gardens alone, the occasional sniffle escaping as she curled up in a corner where two hedges met. Her conscious had finally had enough, it seemed, and was doing a fine job of berating her.

 

I don't understand what your problem is, girl. You love Sesshoumaru, right?

 

Sniff. So?

 

So? So, you just acted like the man raped you and tossed you aside! He was there every step of the way, wasn't he? He helped deliver Tomaru, didn't he? And doesn't he seem like a very caring father?

 

He is… he loves all three of the children very much, even though Shippou and Rin aren't really his at all…

 

And he loves you.

 

If he loves me, he shouldn't have lied to me!

 

He lied to you because you were so caught up in your grief over Inuyasha he didn't want to bother you! He lied to you because you were so convinced Tomaru was the last part of Inuyasha you had left! When, in truth, you were only clinging to that because you felt so guilty for your seeming part in his death!!

 

A huge wave of guilt washed over her, causing a small hiccup to escape. …It was my fault Inuyasha turned into a youkai and went on a rampage and had to be killed. It was all my fault, because I thought by using the Shikon no Tama to save his life, that my love for him would protect us and allow us to be together forever. I was wrong.

 

What of your love for Sesshoumaru? Is that wrong? Is that a lie?

 

Kagome took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

 

No. My love for Sesshoumaru could never be wrong. I held on to my feelings for Inuyasha out of guilt for his death. Now I realize that I need to let go- or I may lose everything I love all over again.

 

And Tomaru? You left your little boy behind.

 

No! I love my son! I would never leave him!

 

Even though he's Sesshoumaru's son and not Inuyasha's?

 

Her heart beat strongly with conviction as she stood up, facing the house where everyone celebrated, unaware of the troubles between the master and mistress.

 

It's better that he is Sesshoumaru's son. I… I really wanted Tomaru to be his, anyway…

 

I know. And I think you need to make sure Sesshoumaru knows, too. He must have cared for you very much to make you his wife…mate… After all, you are a ningen, and it is common knowledge how much the great Inu no Taishou hates humans.

 

She sighed as she walked back toward the house. Do… do you think he hates me now? For running away and saying all those awful things to him?

 

Don't ask me. Ask him.

 

And while you're at it, Lady of the Western Lands, you might want to apologize.