Prompt #334 - Bittersweet - Genetics and Divine Law - Hedda - Inuyasha

[hedda-1.livejournal.com]

Title: Genetics and Divine Law
Chapter: 01
Fandom: Inuyasha
Pairing: Inuyasha x Kagome (will change in future chapters)
Prompt: Bittersweet (#334)
Word Count: 631
Warnings: Slight adult themes
Genres: Drama
Rating: T
Disclaimer: I don't own anything from the Inuyasha universe.
Summary: Inuyasha and Kagome are married for some years now but every time she got that wistful smile on her face, Inuyasha has the urge to flee.
A/N: First chapter of a story that is written for taming purposes. It also marks my first entry here. ;)

“What are you doing, Kagome?”

Inuyasha leaned closer to his wife, as they were sitting on the floor of their hut. She was making a sort of chain with valves which she had brought from the other side of the well. Carefully, Kagome took another valve from the small heap in front of her, bored a small needle through it and then she added it to the braid, before she looked up into his face.

“This is a gift for Rin’s first born. A necklace,” she said.

“You are going to give a bunch of clams on a cord to a newborn pup?”

“These are not any old clams. These are European bittersweets but they are also called dog cockles. Don’t you think it’s fitting, since the father is an Inuyoukai?” When Inuyasha narrowed his eyes at that she took one of the valves in to her hand and held it under Inuyasha’s nose, pointing at the valve with the index of her other hand. “See all those red speckles on its cream background? I thought Rin might appreciate it.”

“Keh. But why is it called dog cockle?”

“Oh! It was named dog cockle because many humans considered its taste inferior, therefore the name implies that it is only suitable for dogs and other animals.”

“Well, you should tell that to the pup’s father. I’m sure he would appreciate the notion,” Inuyasha said.

He was about to retort something else, when a wistful smile reappeared on Kagome’s face. Her face had featured the very same smile before he had asked her about the clams. He knew this smile. He had known it for years, yet he couldn’t cope with it any longer today. Thus, Inuyasha stood up, excused himself and fled outside. He sprinted through the village, down to the torii and jumped on the branches of the nearest fir. He didn’t feel the pricking of the needle-like leaves but the scent of the tree invaded his nose. It overpowered the sad fragrance that Kagome emitted, every time she had this look on her face.

Inuyasha was barren.

Kagome had explained it to him in her own way, by using fancy words and glossy books from the future.  He had not understood all of it, but according to Kagome, if one was a mixture of two species like him as a half-demon, those ‘genetic thingys’ prevented such a creature to have children.  Sesshomaru had also explained it to him once a few years ago, by stating it was against divine law for half-breeds to procreate. Inuyasha wondered, whether his brother would say the same thing to Rin’s son one day, too.

It did not matter, though. He was unable to fulfil Kagome’s greatest wish. He wanted to have kids, too; however, his happiness did not depend on it, but Kagome’s did. Since she was the village’s priestess, she was always surrounded by pregnant women and excited children. To them, she was the kindest and happiest woman they knew. She’d only show her pain to him, while assuring him that it was not his fault.

They had thought about taking an orphan under their care. In the end they had concluded that it would make no difference, as they were already taking care of hanyou and human orphans at the orphanage. Besides, he wished for a child, in whom he could recognise his beloved wife.

Kagome was asleep when he returned home. The sweet scent of tears assaulted his senses. When he lay down next to her, he was unable to sleep. Her distress was his bane. Bitterness surged through his body. No, he would find a way for her to become a mother, no matter what the cost.

The solution for his problem came to his village on the next morning.