Disclaimer: Inuyasha and all of it's characters are property of the brilliant Takahashi-sama and I claim no ownership of them. Only the story belongs to me.
Pairings: Inuyasha/OC, Sango/Miroku, Sesshoumaru/Kagome.
Follows: The Anime and movies.
"spoken" 'thought'
AN: For those that read They are Pack as well, sorry but there will not be a chapter posted this update period. With packing and being in the middle of moving, I completely forgot to write one lol. But I have no plan on leaving my readers hanging, so instead I will be posting two chapters of Playing Kami. As long as everything goes right with the move and no unforeseen problems arise, They are Pack will have a new chapter at the next update period, in two weeks.
Special thanks to my betas PockyThief , Kiyota and Ethereal Siren.
Chapter 14: A father's touch
“What is it, Inuyasha?” I wondered when he had suddenly turned his head toward the door and began sniffing the air. The others turn toward him in question as well and Shippo began to mimic his actions. He seemed to ignore us for a few moments as he continued to test the air and his eyes began shifting between the door and a nearby window.
“It's just Sesshoumaru,” Inuyasha replied as he stood and began making his way over to the door. He opened the door to the cool night air and we watched quietly as Sesshoumaru became visible. He gave Inuyasha the slightest of nods before entering the hut and making his way over towards me. Inuyasha closed the door behind him and retook his seat.
“I assume everything is going well,” Sesshoumaru commented as he turned to glance toward Jaken, who quickly nodded his head in affirmative. “Good. I have these for you,” Sesshoumaru continued as he turned back toward me and pulled a wrapped package from behind his back. Taking a seat at the table across from me, he handed me the package.
“Thank you,” I told him with a smile as I placed the package in front of me and began unwrapping the red silk from around it. Inside I found three plain, cotton-like kimonos. Upon closer inspection, I found they were able to adjust in the waist. “Maternity kimonos? They're lovely thank you,” I told him with a smile before holding them up so the others could see.
“I would have had silk ones made but it would raise questions if someone in this area started wearing them. They were his mother's, but are still in good condition. They should work well for you,” Sesshoumaru explained with a slight nod in Inuyasha's direction. He seemed to cringe at the mention of his mother but soon melted into a smile.
“I can't think of a better person to wear them,” Inuyasha told me, apparently sensing I was about to ask him if he minded. “I think she would be honored to have you wear them Kagome, I know I am,” he assured me with a smile before glancing over at Sesshoumaru who was rising from his seat. We watched as he walked around the table only to stop behind me.
“I would like to begin introducing my presence to the pup, is that acceptable?” he questioned and at my nod, he sat down behind me, pulling me into his lap. Reaching his arm around, he rested his hand, palm down, on my stomach. “You are getting big quickly; this is a good sign,” he assured me as he indicated the bulge on my belly.
“Though I am not sure by demon terms, I don't think I should be showing this much in only three months for humans. But if you say it's a good thing, I'll trust you. No doubt you know more about this than I do,” I told him with a smile as I glanced over my shoulder at him. He gave me a slight nod in return before rubbing his hand across my stomach.
“A hanyou pregnancy only lasts six months, so you are at the half way mark. Perhaps if you think of it like this, it will make more sense with the human terms. But I assure you, everything is going well with
the pup. By now, if you were going to have any complications you should have had them. You still have to be safe, but are not in as much danger anymore.”
Nodding softly, I leaned my head back against his shoulder. “If you are tired, get some rest. I will wake you before I leave,” Sesshoumaru told me as he reached down to stretch out my legs before returning his hand to my stomach. “Jaken get some pillows for her feet and I would like some tea,” he instructed, glancing over at Jaken.
The hour had drawn late as I began to wake the priestess. “Kagome, it is time I leave,” I whispered as I gently shook her shoulder. Opening her eyes, she glanced up at me in confusion before realization flashed in her chocolate orbs. Nodding her head, she climbed off of my lap and began to rub her sleep-filled eyes.
“Any idea when your next visit will be?” Kagome wondered as she took her spot back at the table and glanced over her shoulder at me. As I wondered what time frame to give her, I stood and began making my way toward the door. Jaken hurried in front of me to open the door before stepping to the side so he would be out of my way.
“It is unclear at the present moment. Probably a half a moon cycle if not a full before I am able to get away again unnoticed. Things have settled down, but I must always be wary. It is still unclear who all was involved in this and I will not risk your life or that of the pup. I will return when I can.” I told her as I gave her a quick nod before heading out.
As I leave, I can hear Jaken close the door behind me and begin to gather my cloud at my feet. Just as I raise myself from the ground, I can hear the sound of someone coming out of the hut behind me and glance over my shoulder to find the female slayer. “Is something wrong?” I questioned her as I turned to face her fully.
“No, just wanted to let you know we are planning a surprise baby shower for Kagome in two months. Figured I would give you a heads up in case you wanted to be there for it,” she explained with a slight smile before turning and heading back toward the entrance to the hut. I had no idea what a 'baby shower' was, but probably just some human custom.
“If I can make it, I will be here,” I told her as I turned and began making my way away from the hut. I was in no hurry to arrive back home, so I went at a slowed pace. The trip would give me time to decide what my next move against the killer would be, I knew that I had to do something soon. It was only a matter of time before they moved against me again.
“Sango-chan, where did you go?” I inquired when she had made it back inside the hut. Obviously it had something to do with Sesshoumaru since she had followed him out, but I couldn't for the life of me think of any reason she would need to speak with him. Instead of answering me, she merely smiled at me as she retook her seat at the table. “You shouldn't be out in your condition.”
“Do not worry, Kagome-chan. I am perfectly safe to walk outside for a moment,” Sango assured me as she rubbed her slightly swollen belly. I sighed shaking my head at her. It was no use trying to reason with her and she was right anyways. The fresh air probably did her some good and she did not have to be as careful as I do.
“Well, it's been a long day, I think we should be getting back to the village,” Inuyasha decided as he stood and turned toward me. “Send Jaken if you need anything,” he told me with a smile before walking over to embrace me after I had stood as well. I gave him a slight nod as I returned the hug and pulled back with a smile.
“Alright...” I began but was interrupted by a loud roar coming from outside of the hut. The sound was almost deafening and managed to shake the very foundation of the dwelling. My gaze shot quickly to Inuyasha who had already begun sniffing the air and glancing around. “What...?” I began but another roar interrupted me once again.
“Something is not right,” Inuyasha insisted as he rushed passed me and threw the door to the hut open. In a flash he was out the door with the others quickly following after him. Shippo quickly jumped into my arms as I had made it to the door and as I finally made it outside, being the last to leave, it took me a moment to find what everyone else was staring at.
There, standing mere yards away from the hut and us, was a large, white dog. Its legs alone were taller than the hut and its massive body seemed to dwarf the surrounding trees. Acid dripped from its open mouth as it gave off another terrifying roar and its eyes glow almost blood red. As I stared transfixed at it, I felt Inuyasha and Jaken push me further behind them.
“Sesshoumaru?” I heard someone in front of me whisper, though I was unable to tell who over the sounds coming from the demon dog in front of us. It seemed to ignore everyone else that was there, locking his eyes directly onto mine, giving me a feeling of complete and utter horror I have never felt in my entire life.
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