The Last Temptation by Luna C.
Prologue: The Taste Of Loneliness
A/N: It has been a while since I wrote anything, and I know I should be updating my other stories but laptop got busted, destroying all my files so I had to plug up another older model computer to get things done. But I've been writing this story for the past day or so and the idea has been in my mind for months and I wanted to hurry and write it. So enjoy this chapter!
Disclaimer: I own nothing from Inuyasha, but any OC I make belongs to me.
The Last Temptation
Summary: Temptation has always been damaging in more ways than one. Three years she wanted to be reunited with her beloved past and when that opportunity arose, she took it without a second thought. Now Kagome must face why it is never good to be seduced by temptation and the secrets it hides.
__________
Prologue: The Taste Of Loneliness
_________
A cry pierced the night, awaking the slumbering body from the cocoon of blankets and furs; the hoarse sound escalating to astounding levels when time passed without any comfort.
She curled herself near the open flames, watching as sparks and tiny tendrils of vermilion swirl in the air, her thoughts heavy with melancholy and regrets. The drought raging outside clashed against the rocky overhead of her cave, an occasional interval of a violent gust of wind interrupted the onslaught and the rhythmic beats. It was a terrible night to ponder on such things; she felt weak, her strong traits reluctant to make an appearance as waves of sorrow blackened her aura and trapped her mind with shame.
The air was cold, turning her fingers and toes into icicles when she finally rose from her bedding to answer the hungry call of her pup. Moving around the small fire, she merely looked at the tiny bundle surrounded by warmth with empty eyes, the tiny face poking through the opening, red with anger and desperation. Tiny triangle-shaped ears were pressed against the scalp while tuffs of silver locks wisped around from the movements of his head.
Crouching down in her tattered yukata, she picked up the bundle, carefully supporting the head as she loosened the fold of her robe, revealing a bruised and scabbed breast to the hungry pup. Unshed tears made her sight blurry as the pup refused to latch on, his cries turning to screeching. Standing, she walked around the vicinity, bouncing the pup to soothe his anger. It worked after a couple minutes, and she tried bringing the small pup close to her nipple; he finally latched, sucking hungrily and nipping at the area which caused a whimper to emit through her chapped lips.
Moments passed as she gazed at him feeding, watching as his golden orbs droop when tiredness came through and the pup went back to sleep, lightly snoring and his ears twitching with each chill that wandered through the dark, dank cave. She placed him back on the furs, tucking the material around his form to keep him warm.
Kagome returned and sat on her bedding, poking the dying fire and adding more leaves to the small patch. With a mournful sigh, she felt restless, yet exhausted from the numerous activities from the day before. Her back ached from the constant motion of bending and the consistent headaches never ceased; her moods were always soured and her actions always held a tinged of hesitancy.
She was never like this; anybody who has known her would be surprised by the drastic changes of her personality and appearance. Baths were no longer a pleasure or an absolute necessity, not since she gave birth several months ago. The lingering maternal instincts prevented her from leaving her child unintended alone in this cave and taking her son with her to the stream would not be ideal or worth dealing with; she didn't know why, maybe it was because she was constantly with him without support from anybody to have a little privacy and relaxation for herself.
Maybe that was why she was feeling extremely stressed out nowadays; with her time usually spent caring for the pup and gathering food and herbs for herself, she had little time to do anything else. Even reading one of her ragged books seemed a tedious task at night.
Raising from her makeshift bed once more and gathering a thin fur to ward off the cold, she walked towards the entrance of the cave and stepped a few feet outside to glance around the secluded area, careless to the fact the pouring rain was soaking through her clothes. The moon shined bright above the towering canopies of the willows and oaks, the only light visible besides the shallow stream of the fire emitting from inside her home; when the gust of wind blew by, stirring the falling leaves, a cold smirk appeared on her face, her eyes dejected when a memory hit her.
The weather was the same that night, she knew now it was considered an ominous omen if the skies wept at her decision. She should have said no, but now everything was for naught. She was nothing now; her pride was left in rubble and her independence was slowly recovering from the staggering decline once she accept his proposal, her fiery attitude that unwittingly captivated males of this era was smothered to a dying fire, and docility took it’s place.
She shivered when a breeze flew by, but she couldn't and made no effort to return the scant comfort of her current adobe. Her gaze was locked with the shape of the moon, only the sway of the leaves and branches momentarily broke her trance. Such night brought emotional pain to her, but the allure was sometime too much to ignore and disregard completely.
A small puppy-like whimper echoed from the cave, and she bit the inside of her lips gently, wary to enter and calm the pup, fatigue creeping in and a small hint of resentment blossoming from the deep, dark corner of her mind. She calmed herself immediately once that emotion spilled through however, it would do her no good to become angry at the small, defenseless pup, he wasn't asked to be born.
There are times when she wished she could take back those painful memories, including her pregnancy. Not because she was cruel or apathetic, but she was entirely unprepared to have a lonely and unsupportive pregnancy. Throughout the entire seven months, an overwhelming depression encased her; she would have thought a miscarriage would happen with her moods being despondent, but it progressed until the end.
Walking back with heavy strides, Kagome crouched down, gently patting his chest and ceasing the pitiful cries and whines of the tiny bundle. Her throat felt like she swallowed a lemon and the corner of her eyes tightened as she fought the tears from cascading down her hallowed cheeks.
What a terrible mistake she made; glancing at the soft, cherubic portrayal of her son, she was only reminded of the trials Inuyasha went through in his early childhood if she were to die, the loneliness and the despair of having no one to accept him. It was a thought she couldn't bear but here she was, lightly caressing his plump cheeks, watching as an unconscious smile lit his face; his gummy mouth showed hint of growing canines and fangs - the reason behind her battered breasts.
A loud thunder resounded in the sky, bringing her out of thoughts with a fright, her heart nearly stopping. The pup moved, seeking the warmth of her hand, his tiny lips thinned in discomfort. Just as the drought commenced unexpectedly early morning, it ended and the rustle of the branches and leaves dawdled as the wind continued its forceful presence. But a peculiar sound emerged from the weather's hellish torment, frightening her even more. A haggled breath, a low-timbered growl, and the raunchy odor of wet, rotting fur penetrated the area just outside the cave.
She tried to swallow the moisture that gathered in her mouth, but her throat tightened as her fear escalated; the hairs on her arms rose to prickled bumps while her hands gathered sweat. A low ache reverberated down her leg, her knees straining against her current position over her baby.
What was it? She pondered, paralyzed in place when dull, grayish eyes gleamed from the dark night, glancing around and drooping down to the ground. She prayed the baby wouldn't wake up and cry; she had a vibe whatever it was, appeared to be blind. Holding her breath, she waited, watching as the creature scrutinized the place before soft clicks of claws against rock disappeared in the distance and onto muddy lands and puddles.
She finally exhaled, gasping with much needed breath when the danger disappeared. It was probably a wolf, or possibly a bear, she wasn’t sure, but she was glad it wandered away when it satisfied its curiosity.
"Still letting your guard down, I see." At that painfully familiar voice, she stiffened with anger and bewilderment. She hasn’t heard that melodic voice in a while, not since that day many voices announced their opinions on the forbidden union.
"You are not welcomed here, leave...now." Kagome spluttered out, her voice screechy and breathy after a year of deliberate disuse.
"You have abandoned your duties. You may be human, however, I would have thought you would have known the principle of keeping your oath and upholding your responsibilities." The figure entered the cave, a black cloak of leather covered the body, but when the hood fell, familiar golden eyes stoically peered at her, ruby lips thinned out with disapproval. Tresses of silvery locks encircled her in disarray, her usual pristine condition abandoned.
Kagome didn't know why this demoness was here, could it be for her son or something more important than a grandmotherly visitation. “What is it that you want?”
“The lands are getting bloodier since you disappeared.” Kagome bit the inside of her lips to keep from responding, the woman’s words making her feel angrier than that unfortunate fateful day. “You are very clever, very manipulative. It has taken nearly a year to track you down.” The demoness walked around the room, her cloak swaying with each step as she observed the location. “I should have guessed you would have picked a cave as your residence.”
“Get to the point, will you? Your obnoxious observations are irrelevant.”
Golden eyes slanted her way before she continued glancing and daintily sniffing at the bundled pup near the fire, disregarding Kagome‘s rude statement as nonsensical rambling of a hermit woman. “You must take up your mantle and aid your mate in this..." She paused when the baby woke with a flinch. "Gruesome time, he cannot governed home and prepare to lead his troops to the battlefront by himself.”
Kagome laid her hand on the boy, calming his frantic movements. “I couldn't care less, it’s not my problem. I was perfectly fine living here without any hint of trouble; I don’t need you dumping your problems onto me.” She teased the small tuff of baby-fine hair of her son before continuing her sentence. "Besides...this is your chance to flaunt your authority once more in the demonic courts."
"Tempting as it is, I have already given up my title to you."
"Then I relinquish my title back to you." Kagome quickly shot back. Her teeth gave an audible snap when a dangerous gleam appeared in those cold, gold orbs; the heavy gaze made Kagome aware how easily this woman could kill her if provoked.
"Do not make such stupid remarks; you have taken the blood oath, you traveled the path into the heart of the West." The demoness snarled, her pearly, white fangs glinting in the dull light of the flame. “I do not know nor see the reason why my son have chosen you as his mate, it was a unfortunate waste of valuable time and resources; he could have courted a full-blooded demoness and conceive the heirs he needed in his reign, but alas, it was too late for he already marked you before presenting you to the West."
Kagome scoffed, her eyebrows furrowed with indignation. "You dogs always blame someone else if things don't go your way. Yes, I accepted his proposal; however I didn't know what that would entitle to or who I would offend. If he wasn't so damn secretive, none of this would have happened."
"Hn, no matter what you say, you shall return to the West. As the mate of my only son, you will return to your duties regardless of the untoward circumstances that occurred."
Kagome shook her head, marveling at the stubbornness of the demoness. "I won't return to that wretched place, not when she's there."
"You little fool, you are the reason behind this damn war!” A reddish hue appeared in the silver-haired woman’s eyes, irritated at the hardheadedness and selfish nature of the human woman before her.
"Don't you dare pin that on me." Her cerulean-colored eyes were ablaze at the accusation this woman threw at her, her nerves tingle when the rise of her power became attuned with her emotions. "If I have known from the very beginning that Sesshomaru already had a betrothal, none of this would have happened! I would have said no!” Her vision began to blur, the painful memories resurfacing once more, but she won’t and wouldn’t shed a tear in front of this woman - she had to be strong, not broken. “Don’t throw ignorant accusations around if you know who really is to blame.” At the end, she whispered her last sentence, the glow around her body dissipating, her mood dying and exhausted with the conversation.
“You rather live here, unconcerned of what is transpiring while the West plummets to chaos and discord, while the lives of thousands die because the actions of you two?”
“Instead of talking and lecturing me, you should talk to your son, I had nothing to do with this.” It pained her greatly when her mother-in-law made that comment of how many would die, but mistakes and experiences can change one for the better or worse, and because of the blow dealt to her by the male she loved, it changed for the worse. Now she remained cynical of her past dreams and the meaning of true love, knowing all it did was cause pain and misery. “If I had a way to change the past, I would.”
A piercing silence was her answer, before a rumbling growl arose. “I see I have wasted my time trying to persuade you into returning.” The demoness said, turning her back to the two beings in tattered clothing. “You humans will remain the same throughout the ages, dishonorable and selfish.”
A mist gathered around her elegant form, whipping long locks in a whiplash as her form conformed into a spherical ball of pinkish energy before shooting into the quiet skies. A streak followed behind, disappearing after a few seconds when the circular energy faded in the horizon.
Kagome sat motionless, her hand involuntarily stroking her son’s head as the demoness’ words made a huge negative impact on her. Was she really being selfish? If there was anybody who knew her situation and how she felt about it, it would have been the Lady Mother; after all, she was in this same predicament when her mate strayed and married Inuyasha’s mother. But in her mind, it wasn’t the same. How could it be the same, if the female felt no type of emotions to show besides disdain and anger.
Giving a sigh, her mind numbed by the surprised and unpleasant visit, she figured that probably she was being selfish and wasn’t about to admit it. To save thousands, it wasn’t possible if she didn’t know how to fix the problem. With Naraku, it was a fairly easy plan; Complete the quest of gathering the jewel shards that she accidentally broke, gather their allies and defeat the half-demon, since he was the only known adversary at the time and the only one causing destructive mayhem in Feudal Japan, and make a wish on the completed Shikon Jewel.
But with this new dilemma, how can she find the solution to accommodate and pacify everybody if each path led to death of someone or herself. It wasn’t probable, nearly impossible. But they - her enemies by default, will find this place eventually. And though she can defend herself, the life of her pup would surely weigh her down if she lost focus and get drawn away from his side.
After all she has been through, the hardship and emotion turmoil she endured the entire pregnancy, the one moment his soul escape his tiny body, it would make life not worth living for. She gave birth to him, and even though her maternal instincts wasn't where it should be, if measuring on a scale from one to ten, she had someone that depended on her, someone that haven't been lost in this country, someone who hasn't betrayed her.
That was enough to make her decision and with a determined nod, she returned to her bed, knowing that good night's sleep would do her good and come up with a plan the following morning. Hopefully the pup would sleep until dawn when it was time to forage some substance for breakfast.
She would prove to everyone there, even the demons that hoped and wished she was dead, that she had enough courage and determination to see through this war and save the lives that were regrettably involved from Sesshomaru's actions.
She hoped her determination wouldn’t burn out once she catches a glimpse of the beautiful castle she used to live in, or the presence of the two prominent beings that ruined her life. She knew she couldn’t avoid them forever, even though that was what she wanted and deeply wished for.
Watching as patterns danced around of the rocky ceiling from the flames, she wandered briefly what Sesshomaru would say once he sees Kazuhiko, the half-demon child he sired. Would he be disgusted? He was known for his apparent antipathy of the race, so he might not acknowledge the child as his heir.
It matters naught, once she fixed the problem that she evidently caused, she and her son won’t be around any longer than necessary. She would journey the land and find a new place to live, where both races would be accepted without any hostility.
But first, she had to focus on the present, as the future was rather distance for now since fate was a fickle thing and the visitation of Lady Mother already set her life in motion once more and has given her a task to accomplish.
Snuggling underneath the blanket after releasing a wave of her aura to the surrounding area, looking for any signs of malicious intent, she went to sleep, dreaming of the night that made of all this possible and a living hell.
________
Read and Review Please!
A/N: The thing Kagome is going through is post-partum depression, it's not the typical case of the baby blues women usually get after birth, it's more severe than that. In most stories, Kagome has always been known as the motherly type but she's still young, there's a lot things she don't know and experiencing motherhood is a change in lifestyle and emotional maturity, and sometimes it's just not cut out for everybody, despite the fact they are caring or kind-hearted. But I hope y'all found this to be a good read, I might update in a couple days if my baby lets me lol.