A Rare Bloom by kaoruhana
Motherly Instinct
After that incident in the castle, Kagome and Sesshomaru had become a little closer; it was subtle but to the watchful eye it was obvious that something had changed in their relationship. Sesshomaru would often have Kagome walk with him and would match his pace to hers. He would also sit by her side at night when they made camp and watch her interact with the children. At first, it had been unnerving to Kagome but soon she came to appreciate it as Sesshomaru took on the silent paternalistic role. She sighed as they continued walking- that was something that they had yet to discuss about in the week since they had left the castle. How were Shippou and Rin going to take their courting?
A sudden pull caused Kagome to look up in alarm and she stopped in the middle of her walk. Sesshomaru and the rest stopped with her and looked at her curiously. It had been nearly three weeks since they had left the castle and found any shards or any details about Naraku’s whereabouts and they were wondering if Kagome had sensed something that might aid them.
“A shard- that way.” She pointed to her right and Sesshomaru sniffed at the air.
“There is a village but a few miles east.” The group agreed on a consensus and soon Kagome found herself at the entrance of a village. There were a group of villagers who eyed them warily before stating their problem and asking the travelers if they could help.
“A wolf raising kids?” Inuyasha asked incredulously. He didn’t believe it and wanted to move on but Kagome had sensed a jewel shard and it seemed like his brother was going to follow what she wanted anyway.
“Yes, it lives in the hut over in the corner. It showed up the morning of the twins’ birth and has stayed and looked after them ever since. We do not want to harm the wolf since it cares for them so but we do want to raise the kids as humans.” Kagome understood what he was saying and nodded. She’d just read the legend of Romulus and Remus and the Lupercalia Festival. It was odd how much her schooling was aiding in her travels recently.
“Lead us then.” Sesshomaru announced.
The pack and the group of villagers walked towards a hut at the edge of the village. There were other huts nearby but they were empty- Kagome assumed it was because of the wolf. She slowly approached the door to the hut with Sesshomaru behind her and opened it. The sight that greeted her was astonishing. A pair of twin boys were sleeping on the floor and cuddled close to a large mother wolf. Kagome noticed the shard was in her but it was pure. She looked more carefully- probing things and trying to show the mother wolf that she wasn’t here to harm anyone. When she did find out the reason the mother had the shard she let out a gasp.
“What is it Kagome?” Sesshomaru asked concerned.
“Oh! The wolf- she had cubs but they were stillborn and her pregnancy wasn’t the best one! She would have died if it had not been for the shard! What do we do?” Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at the situation presented. Perhaps he mused- it might be best if Kagome approached the wolf first and let her know she understood.
“Try to show the wolf you care and are sorry for its loss but that you need to take the children.”
Kagome opened her mouth to argue but then shut it. Sesshomaru did have a point- plus those children did need to grow up with humans. She slowly approached the wolf and sat down next to her, talking with her as she did so.
“Look, I know you’re hurting but human children won’t replace your lost ones. Can I please move them from you?” The wolf bristled at her words and Kagome tried a different approach. She knew it was going to be sneaky and she did feel guilty doing it but she had to.
“All right then, can I pet you?” Sesshomaru was confused at her question but at her reassuring glance he decided to let it be. Nodding, Kagome gently began petting the wolf and slowly began to pull the jewel shard out with her power. It was something she had learned with Sesshomaru two weeks after he had joined them. Instead of making her pull the jewel by hand out of demon guts, he had taught her to call it out. And soon enough, just like on the day he taught her, the shard fell into Kagome’s hands and a suddenly frightened and weak wolf turned hurt eyes to Kagome.
“I’m sorry- but they are human children.” The wolf whimpered as its previous injuries began to manifest itself again and she began to lose blood. Kagome stayed with her until she died a few minutes later and slowly moved to pick up a child. Sesshomaru moved towards her and gently lifted her face to see the tears falling down.
“Why do you cry?” He asked softly.
“She was just a mother. I didn’t want to end her life but I had to.” Sesshomaru found her motherly nature endearing and with a gently swipe of his fingers he began to wipe away her tears.
“She now can be with her children.” He answered softly before picking up the other babe. “Come, let us go. We will come to bury the wolf later.” He had a feeling that even if he had refused it Kagome wouldn’t have let him get away with it. He was right.
“All right.” She agreed as the two left the hut.
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A/N: Prompt: Lupercalia