The Long Road to Freedom 2: Fire on the Water

Life Marches On

1560, late-Muromachi Period, Spring

Kintsuke had done her best to avoid Sesshoumaru these past few years.

She'd remained mostly in the bit of territory she'd staked out in the south, but found she couldn't resist coming to visit the little human girl that called to the tender part of herself she often denied. The child had grown like a weed, and before Kintsuke knew it, she was married and with child. She still remembered listening to the girl-now a young woman-sniffle through a summary of the conversation she'd had with Sesshoumaru some time ago, only able to nod in agreement. Rin had been upset, of course, but surprisingly understanding.

As the impending birth drew closer, Kintsuke found herself remaining nearby, confidant that her associates in the south had things handled well enough. She could spare a few days away for the young woman whose eyes still shone like stars, whose passion and gentle cheer reminded Kintsuke that she was as much human as she was demon; something she often forgot.

She was painfully aware of Sesshoumaru's presence here as well, both in his scent and the silhouette of a phantom canine bolting along above the clouds. It occurred to her one day as she perched atop one of the huts in Kaede's village, watching, that she had never actually seen his true form before...but neither had he seen her as a human.

'Don't be daft; they are hardly one in the same. That particular state...no one may ever see.'

She shrugged the thought away.

A strange almost watery scent met her nose suddenly, quickly followed by a soft outcry of both panic and joy. It seemed the birth would be only hours away now. Grinning madly, for she had some-what recently been through a similar experience, Kagome nearly skipped her way out to pluck fresh herbs from the garden just outside the village for the soon-to-be-mother. Curious, Kintsuke followed, listening as the miko bubbled on about the joys and agonies of birth and each of the supplies they would require now. Finding no other way to be of assistance, Kintsuke began tucking the herbs Kagome picked into the crook of her arm and sleeve.

Perhaps sensing the commotion from above, Sesshoumaru alighted silently down, startling the human, but not Kintsuke, who had felt his approach. He blinked between the two females, who had paused.

"It will be soon, I take it," He mused calmly, a relieving contrast to Kagome's near-sunshine bright demeanor.

"Very soon! Kaede and one of the other mothers are already with her and we gave her-"

Sesshoumaru fixed her with a cold expression, quieting the woman and refocusing her on the task at hand.

Kagome pursed her lips, almost indignant as she rose from her crouch in the greenery.

"Well, excuse me. I thought you might be interested to know what Rin is about to go through. This isn't like laying an egg, or whatever it is you full demons do. Here, Lady Kintsuke, I'll take those now. Thank you."

She gathered the herbs from Kintsuke's sleeve and made her way back to the village with her chin lifted.

"She talks too much," he muttered as soon as she was out of earshot, and Kintsuke merely hummed in half-hearted agreement.

She blinked up to find him already looking down at her, towering over her as she remained knelt next to the edge of the garden. She realized, quite suddenly, that they were alone. She glanced around quickly, hoping to find Inuyasha or even perhaps Sango, but they were already busied with their own appointed duties.