Chapter 4: Serious Thinking
I left the young priestess's hut completely confident that she would answer yes in one week's time. I had told her that I would not force her decision, and I meant that, but I also knew that by telling her she was my only hope that she wouldn't be able to turn me down. In the few years that I had 'known' the priestess, she had proven to put others before herself even at risk to her life.And I knew that by making it her decision that she would want to do what she could to help. I know it was a sneaky way to get what I want, but I couldn't chance her saying no. That just by pushing aside the mask that I had perfected over centuries and showing my emotions to her, that she would feel obligated to help.
And while I made have manipulated her slightly, it was still her choice. Glancing up at the darkening sky I can see the storm will be here soon and move quicker to where I left my retainer. I did not wish to be delayed by the snow. Walking past him with a quick, "Come." I turned and began heading back toward my home. I had a traitor to find and torture.
"Momma Kag? Everything okay?" Shippo's soft voice broke me from my trance and I glanced up from the cup to look at him with a slight smile. I had no idea how long I had been sitting there staring at it, but seeing nothing, before he came in. One glance outside told me it was already beginning to get dark and I briefly wondered where the day had gone.
"Did you get the wood?" I questioned remembering that I had sent him for more when Sesshoumaru had first shown up. He nodded his head and pointed toward a large stack that was leaning up against the wall. "Thank you. Can you head into the village and tell Sango I need to talk to her? And please stay with Miroku until I send her back."
"You sure every thing's okay Momma Kag?" he questioned again slightly worried and I smiled in reassurance to him. He seemed to think about it for a moment longer before he nodded his head and headed back out of the hut, closing the door behind him. I quickly added some logs to the fire and began another pot of water as the old tea had grown cold.
"Kagome-chan are you okay?" Sango questioned worried when she arrived at the hut a few minutes later, breathing heavily as if she had run the entire way there. I glanced up at her with a smile and motioned for her to take a seat as I began pouring the tea for us. As she sat and waited I tried to think of the best way to start this conversation.
"I'm fine Sango-chan. Physically at least, mentally not so sure." I began as I handed her cup and took a sip of my tea before turning back to her. "Sesshoumaru has asked me to help him with something. And so far I can not come with any reason not to and that's why I asked Shippo to bring you here. Maybe you can spot something I missed."
"Sesshoumaru asked you for your help and you want to give it to him? Kagome-chan I don't have to know what it is to find many bad ideas about that. Just agreeing to talk to him has put you in danger in case you say no." Sango insisted shaking her head as she turned the small cup in her hands but didn't drink from it.
"No Sesshoumaru already told me that I am free to say no at any time. I have one week before he comes back for my answer. He said he would not force me to decide either way and I believe him simply because he would not have bothered telling me that if he was going to. He may not be a saint, but he doesn't lie, only withholds information."
"Okay so why don't you tell me what he wanted your help with." Sango suggested and so I told her, a moment later she fell out of her chair. "And you're even considering having his child?! Kagome-chan have you lost your mind? You can't have a child with a human hating demon. And what I don't understand is why he would even want one with you."
She said the last part more to herself and I couldn't get mad at her, I know she didn't mean it the way it sounded. She was just referring to the fact that I was human and not something bad about me. "Sango-chan let me explain the why." I began getting her attention back from her mumblings about me being crazy for even thinking about it.
"Do you remember the little girl that traveled with him and the toad?" At her nod I continued, "Okay wasn't sure since you guys were never around when I saw her. This is about her. Sesshoumaru named Rin as his heir and someone within his court had her killed. Sesshoumaru captured her soul within a crystal and needs an at least partly human body to place it in."
"What do you mean when you saw her? Why would Sesshoumaru name her his heir? He will out live her many times over. Why does it have to be human? Why can't he just have some demon have his child?" Sango questioned seemingly getting more shocked with ever question she thought up. Couldn't really blame her, it was a lot to take in.
"Sometimes when Inuyasha and I would get into a fight and I left, I would come upon her out in the woods and sit and talk until Sesshoumaru came back. She really was a very sweet girl. And he knew she wouldn't, it wasn't so she could really take his place but the sentiment of it. He said that the Soul Crystal only works on humans so the child has to be at least part."
"But to have a child with Sesshoumaru?" Sango questioned again, still shocked that I would even think about it. "Alright you said you can't come with any reason not to Kagome-chan. I assume that means you've come up with reasons to help. And since I can't seem to come up with any on my own, why don't you start by telling me your reasons."
"Okay factor one, Rin herself. While I know, more than anyone and have already warned him, that she would not be the same person just because they share a soul, she deserves a chance to live. She was maybe what, eleven or twelve years old? She was an amazing little girl. Always a smile for everyone, or a flower. She was sweet and saw good where others didn't.
"I remember when we were both kidnapped she stood up, while Sesshoumaru was pissed and already fighting, and she stood there with a smile and tried to give him his sword. Not for a moment afraid he would turn on her. She reminded me so much of myself. It just isn't fair that she won't be able to see so much in life simply because she was named his heir.
"Factor two, my chances of being able to get married and have children the old fashion way are slim to none. And just imagine dark hair and amber eyes or even white hair and chocolate eyes. She would be a beautiful girl. She would be a mix of demon and priestess and would be able to protect herself. And he's already told me that I would be able to see her when we wanted.
"Factor three forget the fact that he's a demon that's tried to kill us in the past for a moment. He's beautiful, strong, powerful, intelligent and a lord. She would be given a long, long life and what mother doesn't want her children to out live her? I would know that she had a important place in life and would be protected.
"Factor four, he called her his daughter. More than once while we were talking. He showed emotion and told me I was his only chance and while this was probably just to guilt me into helping, it just shows what he's willing to do to get her back. You haven't known him as long as I have, but he's been changing since he met her.
"And factor five, I could use this to our advantage. I could put conditions on the deal so he would no longer attack any of us, other than Inuyasha. While I can ask for him not to kill him, I don't expect him to end any and all sibling rivalries. Besides Inuyasha needs a good sparing partner every once in a while. And what's more, he is giving me the choice.
"True he did try to guilt me into it, but who doesn't use my good nature against me? Even Inuyasha does that and I let him. But there was no threatening, no demanding, he simply asked me for help. How can I refuse to help anyone who's asked for me to help them get their daughter back, even if only in soul. Most times when a priestess helps out she gets nothing in return, I would."
"Wow you really thought about this Kagome-chan." Sango replied after a moment of letting all I had said sink in. "Are you sure you can believe his word? You do realize what you would need to do in order to get pregnant right? Do you really want to lose your innocence that way? What's to prevent his enemies from coming here to attack you and the baby?"
"Sesshoumaru's a lot of things and, like I said, he withholds information but he doesn't lie. We all know he has honor, he could have killed Inuyasha after knocking him out when he turned full demon, but he didn't. Yes I do know how babies are made, thank you very much." At this I paused to stick my tongue out at her.
"I know it seems odd to have sex with someone without being in a relationship with them, but back in my time it's really not that rare. And it wouldn't be just to have sex, like it is a lot there, but to have a child. And I can think of a lot of worst people, or demons for that matter, to lose it to. And I don't believe he has any intention of telling anyone about me and the baby.
"He believes the one responsible is part of his court, so it would just be a repeat of what happened if he told them about me. Besides if they do go searching for his new heir, they will probably be looking for a demon and not a priestess. The way he sounded, I don't think anyone other than us, and maybe Jaken, even know he still has Rin's soul."
"You said you had a week to think about this right?" At my nod, she continued, "Alright I'll think about this and come back in five days so we can talk again. I should be getting back before Miroku starts to worry about me. I'll send Shippo back." After giving me a quick hug, she smiled and headed for the door, leaving me once again alone in the small hut.