Adult-FanFiction.org : Inuyasha / Yashahime

Learning to Love	By : Ikaru Category: InuYasha > Het - Male/Female > Sessh?maru/Kagome > Sessh?maru/Kagome Views: 22062 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 3
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha, nor make money from this story.

Chapter List
- 23
- 24
- 25
Disclaimer: Me no own nor make money from this…. T.T

Well here we are at another chapter; I want to thank everyone for sticking around and continuing to read this. *sends hugs to all the lovely readers*

Now in chapters past I have not really given an age to any of the characters so to prevent any confusion I’m going to give you all a list of rough ages I’m thinking of when I’m writing these characters.

Sesshoumaru/Ikaru- about 600 years old-older teenagers to very early 20’s by demon standards.
Kagome- about 18-21 in human years.
Rin-about 4-6 in human years.
Inutaishio- 1500+-equivalent to mid 30’s by demon standards.
Inuyasha- about 50 years- equivalent to 4-8 by demon standards.
Izayoi- about 1000 years- late 20’s to early 30’s by demon standards.

Please note ‘by demon standards’ means rough human equivalent appearance wise…in my little world demons live a VERY long time and after a certain age they stop showing their aging for quite some time. Inutaishio is at such an age.

Ok I think that covers the major characters for the moment. Enough from me, on with the show!!
#######################

It was late morning before Kagome began to stir. Where ever she was sleeping was extremely comfortable and she was just too comfortable to even try to get up. Then her bladder decided to remind her just how much she had drunk the previous night. She quickly sat up and her stomach rolled uncomfortably.

“Are you alright dear, you look unwell?” Izayoi asked from her side, she had dozed lightly the night before until Ikaru had returned then she sat up the remainder of the night keeping watch over her two charges at her side and working on her needle point.

“Toilet…” Kagome managed to croak out and ran in the direction Izayoi pointed. A short while later Kagome emerged. She had relieved herself and thankfully kept herself from emptying whatever was left in her stomach. It was proving to be difficult not showing she was pregnant when her stomach insisted on being sick in the mornings. She stumbled back to the bed when Rin sat up and began fidgeting uncomfortably. Kagome ignored her own discomfort and grabbed Rin and ran back to the toilet. A little while later both emerged looking little worse for the ware.

“My my such excitement in the mornings, tell me dear are you feeling any better now?” Izayoi asked cheerfully.

“Yes, very much, thank you, I apologize but I am afraid we have not been properly introduced, my name is Kagome, and I am the princess of the Southwestern domain. This is my adoptive daughter Rin.” Kagome bowed with Rin in her arms, Rin gave Izayoi her best gap toothed smile.

“Well it is very nice to meet you both; I am Lady Izayoi, mate to lord Inutaisho, and Lady of the West. I’m afraid Ikaru is not up quite yet, but if you both are hungry I could have some food brought up for you?” Izayoi offered kindly.

Just then Ikaru emerged from her room. She looked extremely disheveled. She had a major case of bed head and she was still acting groggy and lethargic like she had just awoken from an extremely deep sleep. Izayoi blushed a little when she noticed Ikaru was just covered by her chest and hip bindings. Her destination was the toilet as well…when she finally emerged she had covered herself with a robe that hung open, revealing far too much skin for Izayoi’s tastes, and she had removed her bindings. All that remained were the red marks where they had once been tightly bound to her. Her hair had been brushed to some semblance of order and tied back in a low partial, extremely messy, braid. She took a seat cross-legged near Kagome and Rin on their futon.

“You look as if you slept well Ikaru.” Kagome commented with a smirk as she let Rin crawl into Ikaru’s lap. Rin fixed Ikaru’s robe so it wouldn’t fall completely open then she cuddled into her bosom and before too long was once again fast asleep.

“I sometimes envy children’s ability be so carefree and trusting.” Ikaru said quietly chuckling as she adjusted the sleeping child to a more comfortable position. “So how did you sleep last night Kagome?”

“I slept quite well thank you. I don’t know if I should be jealous or not that my daughter has taken up with you so quickly.” Kagome laughed quietly.

“There is no need to be jealous Kagome dear; Ikaru just has a way with children.” Izayoi soothed. “Ikaru dear how did you sleep last night, you look like you got some much needed rest.”

“I did manage to sleep quite well; perhaps I was so tired that the night terrors weren’t able to affect me.” Ikaru said shrugging it off casually. She wasn’t one to look a gift horse in the mouth, and last night she truly needed the sleep. She felt so much better it was almost scary. “Come let us break our fast and get our days started.” Ikaru said rising and heading to the door cradling Rin in her arms. She rang the bells by the doors and a few seconds later a gentile knock on the door was heard. Ikaru called out quietly for them to enter and when the two maids entered Ikaru put in their orders for breakfast as well as another large batch of blood for Kagome. She also told them to fetch the makings for the special teas for Rin from Hanaka. Before too long they were alone again.

“Lady Izayoi would you care to remain with Kagome today I’m afraid I will be too busy to properly see to her needs.” Ikaru requested.

“Of course dear, you have a great deal to plan for the battle tomorrow don’t you?” Izayoi inquired.

“Yes there are many preparations to account for and as soon as I finish eating I will have to get started.” Ikaru replied looking impatiently at the sky out a nearby window calculating how much she had overslept.

“Your father decided to help you out a little my dear and already has the invitations being written and sent out as we speak. Oh and before I forget dear he asked that you come and see him today at your earliest convenience.” Izayoi said with her usual chipper smile.

“Very well he will be my first stop after we finish here.” Ikaru said nodding.

“I feel as though I will be totally useless today.” Kagome said with a frown.

“No today I want you to drink as much blood as your body can handle and rest. Hanaka has decreed that Rin will have to remain bed bound until her feet heal so I imagine you will have your work cut out for you just trying to keep her in bed. I want you to replenish as much of your strength as possible.” Ikaru said seriously

“Wait why does she require blood Ikaru dear, if she is the princess of the southwestern domain then she should be human?” Izayoi said looking confused.

“It appears that when Sesshoumaru mated with her his venom caused some changes in her body and without ingesting blood she becomes ill, it also aids her by feeding her strength and she will need to be in top form by tomorrow.” Ikaru said the partial lie easily. Lady Izayoi would never purposely harm anyone but she had been known to let things slip from time to time so for the moment the fact that Kagome was pregnant would remain a secret from her.

“I see…that is unfortunate dear it must be difficult for you.” Izayoi said sympathetically.

“It has its difficulties I admit, but with Ikaru’s help it has become a much less daunting task. I must say her little spell on the goblet is a godsend.” Kagome said with a smile.

“She certainly is full of surprises isn’t she?” Izayoi laughed as Ikaru gave her a grumbly look.

“I’m enjoying how the both of you are talking about me as if I wasn’t here…you two will have plenty of time to conspire against me later today when I am gone so please save your plotting for then.” Ikaru said feigning a hurt look.

“Oh Ikaru dear you know we meant no harm, now come let us eat, the food has finally arrived.” Izayoi clapped her hands excitedly, this had been quite similar to the mornings after her sleepover parties she had had when she was a child, she felt absolutely wonderful, she couldn’t wait to tell Inutaishio all about it!

The smells of the food preceded the arrival of the maids by a few seconds so all three women were trying to cover the rumblings in their tummies when the maids arrived. The maids set several trays of food down in between the women, provided dishes and utensils, and poured the goblets of blood.

“Thank you ladies this looks wonderful, give our compliments to the chef will you?” Izayoi said smiling brightly. The maids blushed a little, but promised to pass the message along before quickly exiting the room.

“Rin…Rin it is time for breakfast you need to wake up now.” Ikaru coaxed gently. Slowly the little girl woke up. She stretched cutely in Ikarus’ lap before the chuckling woman placed her between her mama and herself. Ikaru made sure Kagome’s goblet was thoroughly enchanted to last the entire day and gave Rin her broth and rice with milk and honey. Her teas were set before her in matching china cups. “Rin it is very important that you drink all three cups of tea with each meal, they will help you get your strength back and help your body to heal more quickly. These two brown teas will help your body pull out more of the things it needs from whatever you eat, and this green one is to help your throat heal. You need to drink one of the brown teas before you eat and one after. Do you understand?

Rin sat there looking at the teas. She remembered her papa feeding her some kind of tea on the way here and she always felt better for a little while after she drank it. She recognized the tea in the two cups as being the same tea her papa had made for her; she quickly grabbed one and drank it down quickly expecting the bitter bite that came a few seconds after she swallowed the last of it. She made a face and reached for the broth to wash it down. Soon it was gone too. Finally it was time for her rice with milk and honey. The rice was nice and soft and the milk made it more like a type of porridge and the honey gave it just the right amount of sweetness. Rin ate it with gusto smiling the whole way. She noticed her mama was only drinking from her goblet and not eating anything. She tugged on her sleeve and pointed to the food making eating motions.

“I’m not quite that hungry yet Rin. I will eat in a few minutes. You finish your breakfast.” Kagome laughed patting her head. Reassured Rin went back to slurping her breakfast down. Kagome smiled at the child and picked through the assortment of fruits before picking out some of her favorites. Her thirst for blood wasn’t quite as bad as it was the previous night, and she found that if she sipped on her blood every few bites of food she didn’t become quite so ill. It was the same requirements as the night before, three pitchers this morning, and another three with the evening meal. ‘My strength is returning so quickly!’ she thought happily.

The four of them finished their meal with very little conversation after that. Ikaru rose first to get ready for the day.

“Kagome you are welcome to whatever is in my room to keep you and Rin occupied. I’m sure Inuyasha will be making his appearance shortly, I will also have Hanaka sent to you to have Rin cared for again and she will give you the full report in regards to her health. I strongly recommend you heed her advice. She is one of the most skilled healers in the land.” Ikaru said.

“She can care for humans as well?” Kagome looked astonished.

“Of course, she only needs to dilute the medicines she makes for human consumption.” Ikaru said with a chuckle at Kagome’s blush. “I need to go get ready; I’ll be gone for most of the day. Meals will be provided to you here in my room and eventually Papa will come and relieve you Izayoi as our chaperone for the evening.” Ikaru said laying out the plan for the day.

“Alright dear; go on don’t worry about us, we’ll be fine.” Izayoi shooed her into her bedchamber to get ready.

Ikaru wanted to get ready quickly so she brushed her hair again finally taming it and redoing the partial braid she had done before. She decided to forego her bindings, so she pulled on one of her most comfortable pant style kimono in a midnight blue shade. It was loose and left plenty of room for movement. She walked out of her room while she was finishing the knot on her sash. She smiled when Rin looked up and clapped excitedly.

“If you wish to change out of your night cloths you are welcome to anything in my wardrobe. Though it would be alright for you to lounge in your sleeping cloths all day as well, I would take advantage of it; this may be your last peaceful day for a long while.” Ikaru smirked.

“Thank you Ikaru, I will take your sound advice in consideration.” Kagome smiled and bowed her head as Ikaru walked out the door.

Ikaru grabbed a passing maid and order her to deliver the message to have Hanaka visit her chambers sometime in the afternoon to check up on the child, and ordered a fresh pitcher of blood to be delivered to her room every hour and three additional to be delivered with the evening meal in her room. The maid ran to deliver the necessary messages, while Ikaru walked down the hall to her father’s study. Before she could raise her hand to knock, she heard him call out for her to enter. When she entered and closed the door behind her she approached her father who was sitting at his desk.

‘You wanted to see me Papa?” Ikaru asked as she kneeled on the opposite side of his desk.

“Yes dear, I wanted to let you know that the last of the invitations just left and should arrive within the hour. We have also received replies from all of the messengers that have returned. It seems this battle will be quite well attended.” Inutaishio said eyeing his daughter. She was looking much better this morning, perhaps she finally managed to get some sleep.

“Wonderful, just what I wanted a full audience.” Ikaru said not bothering to hide the heavy sarcasm in her voice.

“Such is the way of things musume, your brother is quite the sought after male, it is to be expected there will be a large audience to see the woman he chose fight for her right to be his.” Inutaishio chuckled.

“That doesn’t mean I have to enjoy it…Papa would you care to spend the night in my room tonight to keep an eye on Kagome and Rin?” Ikaru said changing the subject.

“Of course musume, rumors are already starting to circulate you know?” Inutaishio said.

“I’m staying away from them as much as possible to prevent as many rumors as I can.” Ikaru said looking at him seriously.

“Yes but there will be rumors regardless, but not to worry Izayoi will put a stop to that as soon as she is released from your chambers…I swear, never have I seen a woman better able to curb the rumor mill with such efficiency.” Inutaishio chuckled.

“Yes she does seem to have a certain knack for it doesn’t she?” Ikaru said joining in his chuckle.

“Now on to more pressing issues, Ikaru I must know why you chose to end Kurumi’s life.” Inutaishio said in a grim tone. As he had expected, Kurumi’s father was outraged at the death of his eldest daughter and had sent word that he would be coming to discuss the situation with Inutaishio by the evening. Ikaru sighed and got up and walked to the window. As she looked out into the gardens she had played in as a child with Sesshoumaru and Lady Serenity her mind strayed a little. Inutaishio came up behind her and hugged her to him.

“I miss her too musume.” He said simply.

“I feel her watching over us sometimes you know papa.” Ikaru said sadly. “Most especially the times when you are smiling at Izayoi.” She smiled.

“Yes I have always believed she had a hand in that.” Inutaishio said hugging his daughter a little tighter.

“I saw her papa.” Ikaru said grimly.

“Serenity?” Inutaishio said shocked.

“No Papa…Kurumi. During the last dominance battle, I lied before I knew who had won because I was there; I showed up before the final battle and hid my presence for the duration of it. I saw her win and the damage she caused her opponent. Something seemed off so I examined the girl later before she passed away. Kurumi had poisoned her with a lethal, slow acting poison. The girl suffered greatly before she died. I knew she had cheated but it wasn’t until that night that I knew how.” Ikaru said with a faraway look in her eyes.

“How did you find out daughter?” Inutaishio questioned.

“I saw her…mama’s gift to me. Sesshoumaru can’t control it but I can.” Ikaru said vaguely.

“Her dream sights?” Inutaishio looked astonished never had he noticed his daughter showing signs of this gift, and Serenity had never told him either.

“Yes…Kurumi…she dipped one of her blades in some kind of poison. Kurumi pretended to drop her blade on purpose and tricked the other girl into picking it up for her. The other girl nicked her finger picking the blade up for Kurumi before the battle. Kurumi melted the blade after that with her venom technique. The girl slowly succumbed to the poison for the duration of the battle. This isn’t the first person Kurumi has killed with similar tricks. The battle she won two years ago ended the same way.” Ikaru said.

“That doesn’t explain why you ended her life musume.” Inutaishio said gently pushing her toward the answers he needed

“I ended her life because she had plans to kill aniki and Inuyasha as soon as she carried his child to make her child the only one in line for the throne…and her father knew of those plans and did nothing to stop her…in fact he encouraged her.” Ikaru said her eyes coming back into focus.

“I see…those are strong accusations without proof musume.” Inutaishio said, though he did not doubt his daughter in the least as Kurumi’s whole family had a less than favorable reputation.

“When her father comes ask him of the treaty he has signed with the assassin clan that the other woman I killed yesterday came from. I believe her name was Amaya from one of the six assassin clans.” Ikaru said leaving her father’s comforting embrace and retaking her seat on the opposite side of the table.

“I’ll be sure to do that daughter. Leave this matter to me, you go on and finish the preparations for the battle. I’ll come to your room after the evening meal.” Inutaishio smiled at his daughter, she simply nodded to him and got up to leave the room. When she got to the door she stopped and turned around.

“I’ll be in the training ground preparing the field papa if you need me.” Ikaru said before she walked out.

“You left me with many surprises to discover Serenity, and two of the most wonderful gifts a father could ask for, please help me continue to watch over them in the days to come. I can’t help but feel things are going to be rather interesting around here from now on and I think I’ll need all the help I can get.” Inutaishio whispered as he looked out the window at his first mates favorite shade tree. He blinked and could have sworn he saw her standing beneath it smiling up at him, but he blinked again and the image was gone. He sighed, shaking his head. His mind was playing tricks on him again, he had to focus to get ready for the arrival of Kurumi’s father, his daughter had given him valuable and damning information on Kurumi’s family and he needed to plan out the most effective way to use it.

Ikaru spent the rest of the day directing the construction of the ring for the battle and arranging everything else. The ring contained two different terrains and plenty of seating for the large crowd she was expecting. As the sun was beginning to set she decided that everything was about as ready as it could get. She told everyone to call it a day, get cleaned up, and get some food as they had worked past the evening meal.

Ikaru was the last to leave the field. She was covered in sweat and dirt from all of the work she had done. All she really wanted to do this evening was take a long bath, eat, and get some sleep. She figured that plan probably wouldn’t be how things turned out though.

She was right. When she entered her rooms she was greeted with the sight of two very messy futons and three laughing females. Little Rin was covered in what appeared to be vegetable soup, and Kagome and Izayoi were pulling noodles and salad leaves out of their hair and rubbing soup off of their faces and cloths. Ikaru coughed to get their attention, and their laughter died instantly.

“Do I even want to know what happened?” Ikaru said rubbing her temple.

“Welcome back dear…ahem…it was the funniest thing you see we were sitting here quietly eating our meal when little Rin sneezed into her soup pouring it all over herself, well when Kagome and I went to reach for the falling bowl we bumped the tray with the rest of the food on it and it flew all over us.” Izayoi said trying to hold back another round of laughter.

“I was right I didn’t really want to know…Tell me the blood didn’t get knocked over…” Ikaru said hoping fervently it hadn’t, blood stains were a pain to get out.

“No actually there is hardly any blood left; I finished most of it before the accident.” Kagome said smiling while trying to wipe the worst of the soup off of Rin.

“Just stop.” Ikaru said tiredly.” It would be easier for all of us to just go and bathe.” Ikaru walked back into the hall and caught a maid’s attention. She requested a change of clothes for Izayoi and for someone to come and clean up the accident. She knew that new futons would be needed and added those to the request as well. She also ordered some more blood and food for herself. When she reentered her room Rin was picking vegetables off of a borrowed sleeping kimono, no doubt obtained from Hanaka, and eating them. Ikaru chuckled at the sight.

“Come on you three the bathing chambers are this way.” Ikaru said leading the way.

Ikaru disrobed and wrapped herself in a small towel first followed by the other three. She tied her hair up and began rinsing herself off, then stopped and helped Kagome with Rin. They helped each other scrub up then when they were all rinsed off they entered the indoor hot spring to relax. Ikaru rubbed her sore shoulder and sank down into the healing waters. She watched Kagome and Izayoi play with Rin for a while as everyone just relaxed.

“I assume it was anything but a quiet day for you all?” Ikaru finally asked.

“You were right Inuyasha showed up shortly after you left, and Hanaka shortly after that. She shooed Inuyasha off to his lessons then took a look at Rin. She said that we need to change her dressings every few hours and to apply the ointment she left.” Kagome said. “Rin didn’t like having to stay in bed all day.” Kagome chuckled

“I didn’t imagine she would.” Ikaru laughed.

“What about you? How was your day dear?” Izayoi asked.

“I finished the last of the preparations. I hope you don’t mind a large audience Kagome, It appears we are going to have one.” Ikaru said rubbing her temple again.

“I don’t care one way or another, I simply want this to be done and over with.” Kagome said with a frown.

“You and me both…I forgot how much trouble these things were to put together.” Ikaru said with a dry chuckle.

“Ikaru something has been bothering me today. I have been wondering more and more why Sesshoumaru never told me anything about all of this.” Kagome said looking a little sad and more than a little confused.

“I’m not entirely certain of his reasoning’s, but the best I can figure is he had probably planned to try some way to get you out of the fight, even if it meant taking on the elders. So to save everyone a great deal of trouble I have sedated him until after the fight, I can’t have my brother stirring up trouble with the elders and making them look unkindly upon you. It is their say as to whether you get admitted into the pack or not. They could deny you and all of this will have been pointless as you would never be seen as his mate regardless of how you perform tomorrow. This way everyone wins. Aniki doesn’t piss off the elders again, and you show those old dolts you are a suitable mate for him.” Ikaru said thinking of the last time Sesshoumaru had pissed off the elders.

It was just after Lady Serenity had died and the elders were pushing Inutaishio to hurry up and choose a new mate for the supposed stability of the pack. Needless to say they were pushing their daughters and granddaughters as candidates at him shamelessly. Sesshoumaru had become enraged and tried to attack the elders, it had taken both her and her father to hold him back from his attempt to maul them. Inutaishio made it clear after he had secured Sesshoumaru that he would find a new mate in his own time and by his own choice. Sesshoumaru then made it crystal clear what he thought of them and it was then they had about expelled him from the pack, he had maintained a strained relationship with them ever since. Ikaru’s thoughts were interrupted when she heard Kagome start talking again.

“I don’t understand why all of you are being so nice to Rin and myself, we were literally dropped into your laps and you all are going out of your way to take care of us and make sure we have the best chance to stay with Sesshoumaru. You’re even beginning to treat us like family. Don’t think that I don’t appreciate it, I’m just so confused by it.” Kagome said rubbing her own temple.

“Kagome dear you must understand something. We have never seen Sesshoumaru act the way he does around you, that alone tells us you are someone very special to him. He doesn’t let people in that easily.” Izayoi said smiling remembering how possessively Sesshoumaru had held her while they waited in the entry chamber.

“It’s true; once Lady Serenity died he almost locked the whole world out. He lived up to his name’s meaning ‘killing perfection,’ but he never let anyone in too close not even me. When I saw him with you in the entry chamber some of the hardness had finally left his eyes and he looked more like the brother I had lost all those years ago when we lost Lady Serenity. You have no idea the gift you have given back to us by doing whatever it is you did to him. Whatever perceived hardships you see us taking on your behalf, are our small way of paying back some of what you have given back to us. So there is no need for you to feel guilty or confused by our kindness. Aniki has chosen you as his, and for us that is enough of a reason to accept you.” Ikaru said patting Kagome on the shoulder. “Now come, let’s get out of this spring before we all pass out!”

Everyone laughed as Izayoi slipped trying to get out and fell back in with a great splash. It took both Kagome and Ikaru to get her out of the spring. Everyone dried off when they were finally able to stop laughing and changed into fresh sleeping kimono. Ikaru applied the ointment to Rin’s feet and expertly rewrapped her feet in fresh bandages.

Kagome carried Rin back into the sitting room, but stop dead just short of the new set of futons.

“What is the matter Kagome dear, you are quite pale all of a sudden?” Izayoi asked laying a comforting hand on her shoulder.

“What about Rin…I just now thought of it…will she be forced to fight as well.” Kagome said gripping Rin tighter.

“No Kagome, for the moment Rin is considered the equivalent of a ward of Sesshoumaru. Until he states differently, she will remain as such. She has his protection by his scent mark. Children are never forced to fight. I would imagine when Sesshoumaru wakes up he will formally announce her as his adoptive child.” Ikaru soothed gently as she watched Kagome visibly relax.

“That’s wonderful news.” Kagome said breathing a sigh of relief. Just then a knock was heard at the door. When they all made sure everything was presentable with their kimono, Ikaru called out for the person to enter. Inutaishio entered carrying a tray full of food and two fresh pitchers of blood.

“Excuse me ladies, I met the maid coming here with this impossibly heavy tray of food my dear daughter ordered and just had to help the poor thing out.” Inutaishio smirked as Ikaru sent him a death glare.

“Inutaishio dear you are always such a gentleman!” Izayoi said laughing as she walked over to him. She grabbed his sleeve, tugged him down, and kissed him tenderly on the cheek. He turned and kissed her forehead just as tenderly, looking at her with happiness dancing in his eyes. “I’m afraid my dears I’m going to have to pass the reigns to Inutaishio now. After this day of merrymaking I’m afraid I’m exhausted, but I leave knowing you are in more than capable hands. I’ll see you all in the morning before the battle.” Izayoi said smiling as she bowed and walked to the door. Inutaishio felt a smack on his rear and jumped in shock just before Izayoi left the room. He almost dropped the overloaded tray. Quickly stabilizing everything he looked back at the retreating back of his mate as her tail swished innocently behind her. Ikaru and Kagome couldn’t help bursting out laughing at the totally shocked looked that Inutaishio couldn’t seem to wipe off of his face, even little Rin was smiling at the silly man. Both Ikaru and Kagome called out good night wishes to Izayoi as Inutaishio closed the door and finally set the tray down.

“Well ladies it appears I am to be your chaperone this evening, what mischief do you think we can cause in such a short time…OW!” Inutaishio said rubbing the sore spot on his head his daughter had just inflicted on him.

“There will be no mischief; we will be heading to bed shortly. We will need to be well rested for tomorrows activities.” Ikaru said as she dug into the mountain of food on the tray. She motioned Kagome over and gave her a serving of blood from the spare pitcher the staff had kindly thought to include in her order while she downed hers straight from the other pitcher. She wasn’t using any sort of manners or etiquette as she wolfed down the last of the food and blood. When she burped and turned around patting her belly contentedly she found everyone staring at her.

“What are you all staring at; I haven’t eaten since the morning meal and I’ve done enough work today for three men.” Ikaru said cocking an eyebrow at them. “Kagome you haven’t touched your blood you need to finish this pitcher before you head to bed.” This caused Kagome’s jaw to snap shut and for her to quickly upend her enchanted goblet downing it all in a few gulps.

“I’ve never seen anyone eat quite that….heartily…yes that’s the word.” Kagome said with a small cough, as Ikaru narrowed her eyes at her as she refilled her goblet. Rin sat there on the fresh futon clapping happily while Inutaishio teased her playfully with his tail until Kagome finally finished the last of the blood in the pitcher.

“I think I will pop if I dare to drink anymore tonight.” Kagome said, rubbing her overly full belly.

“You say that now but come morning you will be ravenous again.” Ikaru said knowingly.

“I don’t know how I will be able to sleep tonight; I’m getting kind of nervous about the battle tomorrow…sleeping before a battle is never easy.” Kagome said restlessly.

“No warrior can ever easily sleep before a major battle.” Inutaishio said knowingly.

“Never the less you and I both need to try and get some rest before the morning. You know the consequences if this battle doesn’t happen.” Ikaru said seriously.

“Yes, I know I will try. Come on Rin it is time for bed, it will be a very busy day tomorrow.” Kagome said pretending to be sleepy for the child’s benefit. She shooed Inutaishios’ tail away from Rin, pulled back the covers and curled up with Rin beneath them. Ikaru gave Inutaishio a pointed look when he attempted to head to the other futon, he smirked waving his hands and mouthed he was joking before he made an about face and headed to one of the chairs by the fire. He had a sudden idea on how to help his charge get the rest she needed for the battle tomorrow. He started to spout his ‘famous poetry’ and it wasn’t long before both Kagome and her daughter were deep in the land of dreams.

Ikaru had seen the idea her father had planned for Kagome and quickly retreated to her bedchamber before he could start. She looked out her window at the clear night and the brightly shining moon and sent a prayer up to the gods that this battle went off without a hitch tomorrow and that her brother would find it within himself to one day forgive her. With the last of her prayer finished she walked over to her bed, downed her dream potion, and crawled beneath the covers and soon was deeply asleep as well. Once again only the sweetest of memories filled her dreams.

#########################

Well that’s it for this chapter folks, next chapter is the much anticipated battle between Ikaru and Kagome! So stay tuned for this epic battle!

Questions Comments? Leave me a review and I’ll try to get back with you on them.

Later all!!
- 23
- 24
- 25
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Learning to Love