Chapter Five
Taka
The cave came into view as they stepped from the coolness of the forest. Taka was almost sad to see it. Though the cave meant going home it also meant leaving her new friends. The ones who had taught her so much, about life and herself. She had changed alot on this journey. No longer was she the little emulation of her grandsire...she had discovered who she really was. Taka looked at the sky, it was just to turn orange with the setting of the sun. "Can we wait until tomorrow to go inside?"
Sesshomaru
He smiled at the pups question. Sesshomaru was also in no hurry to enter the cave. "I will second that," he said, draping his arm over his mate's shoulders.
Akisame
Leaning closer into her mate she nodded her agreement. "I agree, let
us all spend one more night together."
Leena
"Well if we're making camp for the night. Who's hunting?"
Sesshomaru
"I think I will," he replied, then dashed off into the wood.
Taka
"I'll get wood for a fire," she too disappeared into the woods.
Leena
She watched as the two went off to their various task. "Well guess
that leaves me to set up the fire pit."
Akisame
"And me to cook." She pulled the supplies from the pack beside her.
"Leena, would you teach me that lullaby?"
Leena
"Sure, after dinner ok?"
Akisame
"That's fine. Do you think Midoriko will let us go to his world?"
Leena
"I hope. I know that if asked that is what I would wish for."
Taka
Taka lay back, propping herself up on her elbows, looking up at the star filled sky. This was it. Their last night together. Leena was teaching Akisame the lullaby and both of their rich voices filled the night air. She sat up again and looked at her friends. "In case we don't have time tomorrow... I wanted to thank you all for everything."
Sesshomaru
As he listened to the sounds of Leena's and Akisame's voices, Sesshomaru felt his eyes drifting shut. Taka's voice however brought him from his drowsy state. He looked at the pup and gave her a small smile. Nodding he too thanked them all for all they had done for him.
Akisame
Satisfied she had learned the lullaby she returned to her mate's side.
She was just beginning to outwardly show evidence of her pregnancy. "I
too am glad that we all met. But before we part I have one request.
This little one," she placed a hand on her slightly rounded abdomen,
"needs a name. I'm open to suggestions."
Leena
"Ummm... Well Keikan?" She smiled, "It's a good strong name."
Sesshomaru
"Keikan," he said softly, testing the name on his tounge. Bending his head close to his mate's stomach he asked the pup what it thought, "Do you like the name your sister has given you little one?"
Taka
Taka nodded her agreement. "I think it's a wonderful name."
Akisame
"Keikan, strong and fierce. Yes, that is a good name. Thank you Leena." Her eyes widned. "Oh."
Sesshomaru
Sesshomaru stiffened at her exclaimation. "What is it?"
Akisame
Running her hands through his hair she smiled, "Your son likes his
name. I've never felt him move before, it startled me."
Leena
At Sesshomaru's calling her his pups sister, her thoughts had wandered
off. Standing she left the campfire. She knew the rest of the group
wanted to wait till morning, but she was impatient. Making her way to
the cave she walked deep into it, stoping at the figure. "Midoriko?"
"Yes daughter?" the ancient miko asked.
"Please, don't seperate them. I'll stay in this world. There is
nothing more important to me than the happiness of my companions. Please, let Akisame go to Sesshomaru's world with him."
"This is your wish? You wish nothing for yourself?"
"Yes, it is my wish. Anything I want for myself, I can get."
"I will consider your wish, daughter. No return to your camp and speak
of this to no one."
Sesshomaru
"Mmmmm....that feels good," he purred. Sesshomaru lowered his head so that his ear pressed against Akisame's stomach. He heard his mate's heartbeat loud and strong and just beneath that a small heartbeat. He could also feel the pup's movements. Sitting up he placed a kiss on Akisame's forehead.
Taka
She moved to sit beside Akisame. Taka's held out her hand tentativly. "May I?"
Akisame
Taking the girls outstreached hand she led it to her stomach.
Leena
Walking out of the cave she looked towards the campfire. Sesshomaru,
Akisame and Taka all sat close together their voices soft and low. With an easy leap she landed on a nice outcropping of rock. She marveled at the change within herself, she was calmer not as angry as she had been when she first arrived.
She wondered how Taka's grandsir would react to the pup now. She was
no longer the reckless girl she had been. Now there was the confidence
of one who had seen battle and come out the other side stronger and
wiser. The pup had also picked up some her own traits and expressions.
She was well on her way to mastering the kata, and Leena hoped her
grandsir would not stop her practice. She even dared to hope he would teach her the double.
She looked up to see the small sliver that remained of the moon.
Tomorrow would be the new moon. Was that a good thing or bad? She couldn't decide.
Taka
Taka awoke as the sun sprinkled it's first light on the country side. She stretched languidly, then swung her feet off the tree branch and dropped lightly to the ground. The pup decided to start the day with the demon kata. Kami only knew if she would remember it when she returned to her own time. Starting the kata she waited for her companions to awake.
Sesshomaru
He heard Taka's yawn as she awoke and he too crawled his way up from a peaceful sleep. The wonderful warmth that was Akisame was snuggled against his side. He watched her sleep for a moment. Sesshomaru felt apprehension begin to tighten in his stomach. Today they would find out if fate would be kind enough to let them stay together. Fate had stolen one mate from him, would she be cruel enough to take another? Not wanting to awaken Akisame, he carefully slipped his arm from beneath her neck and stood. Sesshomaru saw Taka practicing the kata and had an idea. He searched the tree tops until he found the silver that indicated Leena's position. "One last time Leena?"
Leena
Looking down she saw his arched eyebrow and knew that she wanted this to. Taping lightly into the Maiden's stamina she fought back the fatigue of no sleep. She lept to the ground and crossed to him. "It would be an honor." She watched Taka momentarily and called a quick correction before taking position for the double kata.
Akisame
She had felt him pull from her, the comfort of his warmth missing. She silently watched them practice. Rising she took extra care with her appearance this morning. Hopefully she would travel to his world, she wanted to make a good impression on his friends, his brother, and Rin. She pulled the kimono that matched his from her pack and checked it carefully for dirt. Using only a small amount of water she washed the dirt of travel from her face and hands. She changed and began to work on her hair, using the comb Leena had picked up in one of the villages they had passed through. Having no way to pin it into any elaborate style, she wore it down, as she had from the begining.
Pulling the Shikon No Tama from it's place she walked towards the cave. She looked back to see them still practicing and ran in. Unknowingly she followed the path Leena had taken the night before. Standing before the statue she spoke softly. "Please, I know it sounds selfish, but truly it is only his happiness I want, let me return with him to his world. He has suffered so much, don't make him suffer again." She felt the hand on her shoulder and turned to look at the woman beside her.
"Shh. Little one. Do you truly want this only for him?"
"I would be lieing if I said yes. I do want it for myself, for I love him. But, mostly for him, he is such a gentle soul, he hides it behind a cold and unfeeling shell. He deserves happiness. I am only happy that fate decreed that I be the one to bring it to him."
"Then I will consider your request little one. Now hurry back to camp before you are missed."
Sesshomaru
When they finished the kata, most of his apprehension was gone. He stil was worried about what the near future would hold but he had worked away his anxiety. Sesshomaru gave Leena a comradary pat on the shoulder, thanking her for the exercise. "I needed it," then turned to see his mate, dressed in the kimono that matched his, her auburn hair falling around her face. The site took his breath away. He stepped up to her, putting his hand to her cheek. "You are so beautiful."
Taka
Seeing all her companions currently occupied, Taka broke off doing the kata and sprinted for the cave. She had to hurry. She didnt want any of the others to know she was going to speak to Midoriko first. Finally she reached the statue in the cave and knelt before it. "Midoriko-sama, please hear me."
The form of the miko flickered into being before her. "Yes daughter?"
"Please, let Akisame return to Sesshomaru's world with him. I don't want to be like he was when he first came here...don't let him lose two mates...please," tears sparkled in her eyes as she looked at Midoriko. "Please...it is all I wish for."
"You wish nothing for yourself?"
She shook her head furiously, red-silver curls smacking her cheeks. "There is nothing I wish more than their happiness."
The miko smiled at her. "Your wish will be considered, child. For now you must return to your companions and tell them not that you came here."
Taka nodded, rising. "Thank you Midoriko-sama."
With that the girl left the cave, returning to her friends. "Well," she said, "Shall we go?"
Leena
"Let's break camp and then we can head in." Together they broke camp
and packed their meager belongings.
Each took a moment to prepare themselves for the journey home. She
didn't know if her wish would be granted, but she had made it. She only hoped that Midoriko would grant the request. "Well let's do this."
Akisame
She smiled at her family, each one special and unique. Would Midoriko
grant her wish? "Yes, I must know my fate."
The companions walked into the cave. As they reached the statue, it
glowed with a pink light. Akisame walked forward and handed the
completed jewel to the miko.
She smiled at each of them. "Sesshomaru, what is
your wish?"
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Chapter 6