As Death Gives Life

Chapter 36 – Baby Power

A/N: Hi everyone! Again I want to thank you all for your loyalty. Your reviews are all wonderful and greatly appreciated.

I have had another exciting picture drawn for this fic. This picture was done by LinG, who has been a wonderful reviewer of As Death since the beginning. Her picture was inspired by a snippet from chapter 30. [[He stepped forward, slowly reaching out, palm up, gently attempting to coax the skittish creature into his arms. He only wished to touch her soft skin. She took a shy glance up, and found him studying her, waiting for her to make a move. His features were more pronounced, with his hair wet and slicked back on his head. The blue crescent moon on his forehead and the twin magenta stripes on his cheeks were stunning against his masculine lines. His pointed youkai ears were even more noticeable, and she wondered if he liked to have them touched?]] Below are the links to view the pic. I don’t think it has been added to the deviantart site yet, but soon will be. Please go and check it out sometime. It is really sweet.

Thank You LinG!!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v86/Honesty/GiftArt/88b1272e.jpg
http://firemuse.deviantart.com/


The next few chapters will be somewhat shorter than my normal. They are basically going to be short experts from important periods in Kebechet’s life leading up to the age sixteen. At that age we will pick up the detailed accounts.


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Her body shivered as his smooth deep voice whispered his adoration against her ear. Kagome reached over her head and slid her hand into Sesshomaru’s silky hair. “I love you so much, Sesshomaru.” He nuzzled her neck, inhaling her scent. He always did this right before facing something that he considered to be stressful.

Reluctantly he released her, and Kagome sighed. The task ahead was going to be stressful for her as well.

She walked to the room adjoining theirs and gathered Kebechet into her arms. Her little angel. Kebechet was a beautiful child. Her unusual blue eyes shone brightly against the pale moon kissed locks of her shimmering hair. Her hair was so soft and fine, but thick, and so far it had grown to rest just at the mid point of her little shoulders. Kagome lovingly ran her hand through the shiny locks.

Kebechet giggled at her mother, but the child’s face swiftly took on that of seriousness once more. Kagome had grown used to her daughter’s characteristics. She was unlike other children. Kebechet seemed older than she really was. Her eyes seemed to hold hidden wisdom in their depths. She was growing up so quickly.

Kagome felt a pang in her heart at the thought of her baby growing up. It was a feeling that all mothers know. The longing for their little ones to stay small and innocent, free from the cruelties of the adult world. Kagome pulled her into a warm hug, and smiled when Kebechet threw her pudgy arms around her neck, tangling her little fingers in her hair. “I love you sweetie,” Kagome murmured against her neck. Kebechet cooed, then babbled, as if trying to make the words come out. In the end she succeeded in saying “Love Mommy”. Kagome’s heart swelled with pride.

Kebechet was developing faster than a normal child would have. Her speech, though broken and sparse, was very clear. Her understanding of things exceeded any of her parents expectations. She learned quickly, absorbing information like a sponge.

Then there were her powers. It was hard to keep one so young from wreaking havoc when a temper tantrum hit. They had learned of Kebechet's ability to start fires at the age of eight months when she decided that she did not want to lay down for a nap. The little fit that she pitched resulted in the scorching of the Oriental rug gracing her nursery floor.

That was also the day that Kagome discovered her own unique ability to harness her daughters power and absorb the force into herself, but even these small, immature amounts would leave her drained and weak for hours. Sesshomaru had been a valuable source of authority when it came to their child. His commanding presence never failed to gain the baby’s attention and quench an uproar. It had saved Kagome from suffering her daughter’s wrath many times.

For the most part Kebechet was a serene child. As she grew older her grasp on the severity of her actions seemed to be understood. Even at such a young age she acted as if she knew that a release of her power would harm those around her.

Kagome found it a little unnerving that Kebechet did not laugh and play as much as other children her age. Sango’s son, Masahito, often played with the little goddess, and Kebechet seemed to love her time with the boy, but there was something different about her play. She was reserved. When she laughed she laughed beautifully, but then it was over as soon as it began. She always held such a serious expression on her chubby little face. Kagome often wondered if that was a trait that she gained from Sesshomaru?

Kagome gathered a few things and headed downstairs where everyone was waiting. This was a big day for her little baby. Time goes by so quickly.

“HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY!!!”

The cheers from Kebechet’s family and friends rang out in the dining hall. Kagome smiled and hugged her happy daughter when she squealed in delight. Soon the guests were crowded around them, excited to see the birthday girl on her big day.

Kagome greeted Kat, hugging her closely, before giving the same hug to a stiff Inuyasha. “Feh!” He scoffed before sauntering off. Shippo was bouncing behind Inuyasha, waiting for his chance to get a hug. Sango and Miroku were next, holding little Masahito, and happily offering their love and prayers. On Sango’s shoulder sat Kirara, who mewed at the baby. Kagome hugged her longtime friends as they passed by.

Kouga and Ayame was there with their pups, much to Inuyasha’s displeasure. There were seven of them so far, and it seemed like their father had been training them to harass the inuhanyou. Kagome greeted them, telling them how happy she was that they came. Ayame was thrilled to get away from home for awhile, even though she was five months pregnant with the eighth child of the wolf prince. As soon as the wolf pack moved on Lord Buhito, Lady Chika and their sons stepped up to congratulate Kebechet on her big day. Chika made the boys swear to behave during their visit, and Buhito shot them a look promising pain if they dared to disobey.

Lady Chika and Kagome had become pretty close. Kagome had to admit that without her friend there to soothe her terrible longing for her own mother, she might have gone insane. Chika was very motherly and fun as well. Often teasing and giving advice at the same time. Though she could never replace her own mother in her life, Chika sure had helped to ease the loss. For that, Kagome was eternally grateful.

Sesshomaru, on the other hand could very well have done without Chika’s interest in his mate. The closeness between the two only brought more headaches for him. Not only did he have to put up with frequent visits from the chatty hen, but he also had to deal with those three monsters that she called sons. He sighed as he greeted the Northern Lord and his family. For Kagome he would persevere.

Rin stepped up with a smiling Jiyuu right behind her. Sesshomaru took note of this and decided that he had put this off long enough. It was time to speak with his lieutenant general about his intentions toward his ward. Jiyuu had made quite a nuisance of himself this past year. It seemed that whenever Rin appeared the inu was close by. Even sending him out on tour did not seem to quench the boys fascination with his ward.

Sesshomaru thought back to the day he informed his soldier that he would be temporarily be re-stationed many, many days away to the farthermost reaches of the Western Territories. Jiyuu looked stricken for a moment, but accepted his duty in stride. Rin, however, had not spoken a word to him for three weeks. His ward could certainly hold a grudge.

He had hoped the time apart would lesson the attraction building between Jiyuu and Rin, but found that it had the reverse affect completely. Upon his return, the two of them were practically inseparable. Every minute not spent in training or duty found Jiyuu walking in the gardens with Rin. Several times he thought to approach the boy and forbid his attentions to his ward, but the memory of Rin’s heartfelt anger always kept the order at bay

He watched as Rin hugged Kagome and giggled with Kebechet. Jiyuu was standing very close to her. A little too close, in his opinion, but Rin seemed not to notice at all. It was obvious now that the girl was taken by the male inuyoukai. While this fact was a little disturbing to Sesshomaru it was beginning to feel less threatening. Jiyuu would not take her away. Of that he would make sure, but maybe it was time to let her be the woman that she was becoming? Maybe it was time to insure that Jiyuu was prepared to do the right thing by Rin? Yes. He would have a talk with the boy very soon.

Kagome greeted the priests of Anubis, who had become like family. Kebechet simply loved to play with those two for some reason. Darwishi often took her in his arms and ran through the gardens with her. The baby’s laughter would drift through the meadows like a melodic breeze.

Jaken suddenly came waddling out of the kitchens carrying a huge cake. Kagome insisted they make a birthday cake, but ended up having to teach the cook how to make it. Apparently birthday cake wasn’t a normal item served in the Feudal era. It took several tries, since Kagome was trying to remember from scratch how to make one, but in the end the resident chef took over and managed to excel.

Kagome began to sing the ‘happy birthday’ song. Only Inuyasha, Shippo, Miroku and Sango sang along, because they had been taught the song a long time ago by their friend from the future. Kebechat giggled and looked around the room before settling her eyes on the cake. It had one candle planted in the middle, and Kagome placed her at the end of the table, ready to blow it out.

Everyone was gathered around, watching the baby’s expression of wonder flicking over her normally serious little face. Inuyasha stood at the end of the table waiting for his chance to get a piece of that cake. It looked and smelled delicious and his mouth was watering just thinking about it.

As soon as the song ended Kagome leaned forward and said, “Okay Kebechet. Now you blow out the candle so that you can make a wish.” She knew the baby probably didn’t understand her, but it was all in fun.

Kagome looked on in shock as Kebechet took in a deep breath, closed her eyes, and blew!

And Blew! And Blew!

Gasps of shock resounded in the room as the wind seemed to feed off of the child’s aura, sending over half of the icing covered cake flying down the table to nail Inuyasha with a solid gooey SPLAT!

Silence.

No one spoke a word as they took in the astounding event that had just happened before their eyes. All eyes were focused on the child, who looked very much at that moment as if she were about to cry.

Then all eyes followed the long table to the end, where Inuyasha stood now covered in cake and icing.

The tense silence was broken by Sesshomaru, “That is my girl.”

It started with tiny chuckles, followed by incredulous giggles, and soon the entire room was alight with the sounds of laughter. Inuyasha growled angrily, and was just about to release a long line of curse words, when a dollop of that delicious cake made it’s way into his open mouth. He stopped his tirade before it started and slipped his tongue out to lick around his mouth. “Damn... that’s pretty good!” The hanyou’s announcement brought forth another burst of laughter from the room, as everyone watched him scraping off cake from his face and into his mouth.

Miroku patted his friend on the back and said, “We always thought that you needed a sweeter side, Inuyasha!” Everyone found this very funny and the laughter continued.

Kagome leaned up and grasped Kebechet. She looked into those huge crystal blue eyes and whispered in amazement, “H... how did you do that?” Her answer was a silly little giggle, before the baby began to wiggle from her grasp. She released her and stepped back, watching as Jaken salvaged what remained of the cake, giving the birthday girl a piece.

Sesshomaru leaned in and wrapped his arms around Kagome before whispering in her ear, “Our pup has many miraculous talents that we still have yet to uncover.” Kagome groaned playfully and said, “It looks like you are right about that. Do you think we will survive until she is grown?”

Sesshomaru grunted and nipped at Kagome’s smooth neck. “This Sesshomaru is not sure. Her power exceeds my greatest dreams.”

The couple watched as Kebechet played with her loved ones. It would be an interesting future for them all.