Final Cry by Miko Angel

A Mother's love

*

A blurred white and green figure dashed through the forest, a small kitsune child held tightly within her grasps. Tears of exhaustion were being held stubbournly against her eyelashes, making her grey eyes glaze over slightly. Red blotches of blood marked all over her body from their previous battle.

Behind them thrashed a being of great size as it screetched horrid notes at her.

Kagome gulped for air, as her lungs seemed to be enflamed. Trying to ignore the painful sensations, and black dots in her vision, she ran on.

Not to far ahead stood a stoic figure dressed in white. His silver hair swayed in the night's breeze as he stared ahead at the oncoming girl with unfeeling gold eyes.

Kagome glanced back, and realized in horror that the beast was gaining on her. The tears that had once refused to fall, slid slowly down her cheeks in remorse.

She was going to die....

Her gaze turned down at the unconcious kitsune in her arms, a ugly gash on his brow.

A sob ripped at her throat. If she died... Shippou would be left defenseless to the predators of the world... with out her care and protection.

She couldn't let her son die..!

But what could she do?

Suddenly she felt her foot slip out from underneath her as she collided with something hard and warm.

Her throat hitched in fear as she glanced up at what it was.

The young preistess' eyes widened as she gazed in to his golden gaze.

She froze unmoving as his nose turned up in disgust at her.

Only when the cries of the large demon considerably closer wake her from her daze.

She pushed away from him forcefully, and nearly stumbled to the ground.

Her wide grey eyes turned to look at the blood thirsty demon nearing in the distance.

Her eyes switched to the taiyoukai, before sadly at her son.

Slowly the girl lowered her head, and the inu youkai could smell the scent of salty tears coming from her.

Was she crying for her worthless life?

Kagome had no chance left. A demon wanting to kill her had been chasing her for several hours was about to reach his goal. Standing in front of her was the cold hearted Inu youkai that would kill any human stupid enough to even come within a five foot radius of him.

Woods surrounded her on either side, and the inu-tachi were back in Kaede's village, not even knowing she was even back from her time yet.

She knew there was no way to prevent her death.. but there was still one chance for her Shippou. He still had to many years ahead of him of life, to be lost so easily.

Taking a deep breath to force down the tears wanting to wash over her, she took a step torward the taiyoukai.

"Please..." She began quitely, not looking him straight in the eyes... to see the contempt and disgust shining there.

Sesshoumaru raised a eyebrow at her as a deadly smirk played across his lips.

Inuyasha's wench was standing before him.. about to beg for her life. How... ironic.

However, as she raised her head, her grey eyes looked on to him and he felt a tightening in his chest at how much unspoken emotions blazed from within.

"Please Sesshoumaru-sama... I know that you hate humans but.... but this I have to beg of you... Please... please take my son back to Inuyasha.. I.. I could not bear to know the fact he died because I couldn't protect him...." She whispered, her arms tighted on the bundle in her arms.

He stared at her inquisitively, not belying any emotions.

"And why should I do this for a human wench? My half brother's no less...?" He sneered.

She flinced at his harsh words but did not defend herself.

"I have nothing to give you my lord... except my enternal debt..." Kagome said, trying to make her voice sound strong... a thing she felt nothing at the moment. "Although my time on this world... is about to be cut short... it's all I can give."

He stared at her, mild amazement slipping past his cold facade.

"You do not care for your life? You'd give that just to save your pup?" He asked lowly, his coldness banished away by the girl's bravery.

Her face softened as tears flowed from her eyes, a sad smile forming on her lips.

"Yes. I'd die a million times over if only to save his life.... I love him.."

He watched her for a moment before holding out his clawed hands.

"It is not in me to save a miko, but I shall take your child to my half brother.."

Kagoem only released a deep breath she was holding.

Shippou would be safe.. He would live..

She relinquished her hold of the child and passed it gently to his grasp.

Sesshoumaru gazed at the full fox demon in his arm. He was expecting a human child, not a demon.. She had adopted a demon child? Even would die to protect him..?

Who was this woman to have such a strong spirit and large heart?

She gave him a smile of a greiving mother, but a undeniable courage showed from with in her soul, and radiated from her body.

A warmth enraptured his body as she comforted his and her son's spirits.

"Thank you Sesshoumaru-sama.... for everything you have done... I will never forget your kindness.." Her voice hitched at the end as she slowly turned around and walked back in to the forest. Her feet pattering steadily down the worn path.

She never once turned back, as her form dissapeared in to the foliage. However, a faint woman's whisper reached his demonic ears. Making his heart, buried deep within him, constrict tightly.

"Good bye... my friend.. my son..."

He straigthened his form then, his cold face returning as he turned away from the way she had went. But something was different.. His eyes had changed from a cold glare to a warm glance. His soul had been moved by the one miko's love, and courage.

He had thought caring and love was a weakness, but after what he had just seen... he realized they were strengths. The gave darkness ot the light, gave hope to the burdened, and gave comfort to sad hearts.

The taiyoukai continued on his way, but said in to the wind.

"May you rest in peace Miko.. May you rest in peace."

*