Unexpected Love12

Chapter Twelve


Later that morning, Kagome woke up to Kumiko crying and smiled as she sat up and looked over at her crib, "I'm coming, Kumiko." she said as she stood up, "I'm coming."  She walked over to Kumiko's crib and gently picked up the still crying Kumiko, "Are you hungry?" Kagome asked as she slid her finger into Kumiko's mouth.  She gasped as Kumiko sucked on it and smiled as she untied the sash around her waist. As she slid the kimono off her shoulders, she gasped as a series of knocks came on the door.  Then she gasped as she felt something drape over her shoulders and looked to see a dark purple kimono jacket.  She turned to see Sesshomaru standing beside her, gazing at her, "You feed Kumiko, Kagome." he said before he walked to the door and opened it.  "My lord, three of the lords are here with wounded." a servant said, "They said they were attacked by members of the ogre-demon clan."  Kagome gasped as she listened in, encouraging Kumiko to suckle.  Then when Kumiko was finally feeding, Kagome stood up and walked over to her clothes chest and pulled out a deep red kimono with golden spider lilies along the bottom and ends of the sleeves.  She folded it with one hand as she gazed at Kumiko.  A small smile spread across Kagome's face as she watched her before she reached in and pulled out a dark purple sash and laid it on top of the kimono, "Kagome, when you are finished.  Come to the main hall to help with the wounded." Sesshomaru said before walking outside and shutting the door.

After Kumiko was done, Kagome gently placed her in her crib before getting dressed into her kimono.  Then she picked up the purple kimono jacket and pulled it on before walking over to the wardrobe and opening it.  She smiled as she pulled out a miniature pink cotton kimono and a white sash.  Then she pulled out a red blanket with pink sakura blossoms on it.  Then she pulled out a pink cotton sling with white and red spider lilies on it.  There came a knock on the door, "Excuse me.  Mi'Lady, may I come in?" Hotori's voiced said from the other side of the door.  Kagome smiled, "Yes, Hotori.  Come in." she said as she struggled to position the sling.  She turned as Hotori walked in and blushed as he turned to her, "I'm sorry I'm being slow, Hotori.  Still getting used to having to wear a sling." she said as she struggled with the knot.  Hotori walked up and gently took  the ends of the sling and tied the ends.  Kagome smiled, "Thank you." she said as she bowed a little bit.  Hotori smiled, "It was nothing, Mi'Lady." he said as he bowed back.  Then he turned and waited as Kagome got Kumiko dressed in her little kimono and wrapped in her blanket.  Then he turned back around as Kagome slid the sleeping Kumiko into the sling and made sure she was in it securely before letting go.

As they walked out into the cold morning air, suddenly there was a rustle and Kagome gasped as a shadow zipped by and looked down at the sling.  She gasped as she saw that Kumiko was gone and looked up as she heard Kumiko crying, "Kumiko!" she yelled as she started running after her and her kidnapper.  Then she tripped and gasped as she started falling.  Then she yelped as she was caught and looked up to see Hotori, "Hotori?" she murmured as she saw that that he had removed his yukata and hamaka to reveal a black skin-tight uniform with the kanji for "protector" on the shoulder and a blue breastplate and shoulder covers over his chest and on his shoulders.  Hotori looked over at her, "Quickly, Mi'Lady.  Get on my back." he said as he gently placed her down.  Kagome gasped as she saw a tanto sword and a whip made of unknown material attached to his side.  Then she nodded as she wrapped her arms around his neck.  Hotori gently slid his hands under her legs and stood up, "Hold on." he said before he suddenly started running.  Kagome gasped, "He's fast." she thought as he zipped through the window in the direction of Kumiko's kidnapper.  Hotori sniffed the air, "We're close to them." he said.  Kagome gasped as she gazed at him.  Hotori pulled out a whip as they both saw the shadowy figure, Kumiko crying frantically.  "Kumiko!" Kagome yelled.  "Demon Hair Whip!" Hotori yelled as he thrust the whip forward.  It zipped straight forward and wrapped around the culprit's waist.  Then Hotori pulled back and the culprit fell backwards, sending Kumiko flying through the air.  "Kumiko!" Kagome yelled as she reached for her.  Hotori quickly placed her down and zipped towards the falling infant.  Kagome gasped as he caught Kumiko in his arms and raced forward, "Kumiko!  Is she alright?" she asked as she approached.  

Hotori turned to show Kumiko still crying, "She's fine.  Just a little startled." he said as he gazed down at Kumiko.  Kumiko gazed up at him as her blue eyes widened and a blush slightly appeared across Hotori's face as he gazed at her.  Kagome gazed at them as Hotori gently stroked Kumiko's cheek, "Um, Hotori?" she said a little confused.  Hotori gasped and quickly looked up before he quickly handed Kumiko to her.  Kumiko kept her eyes on Hotori as he blushed and looked away as Kagome slid her back into the sling.  Then when he looked over at Kumiko again, a slight blush on his cheeks, Kumiko smiled and cooed.  Kagome watched him as he ran his fingers through his long ruby red hair, still blushing, "Um, Hotori?  Are you alright?" she asked a little concerned.  Hotori gasped and smiled as he turned to her, "Yes, of course.  I'm fine, Lady Kagome." he said as he walked up to her and then turned to the culprit.  It was a small ogre-demon.  Hotori unsheathed his tanto as he walked up behind him and quickly gripped his neck with his arm, "Alright, you ogre-demon scum, who is your leader?" he asked as he held his tanto under the ogre's nose, "Tell me or you lose your nose."  The ogre smirked, "You'll find out soon enough.  All you dogs are going to die!" he said.  Hotori kept expressionless as he stared at him coldly before he moved the blade down to the ogre's neck and pressed it against it, "Tell me!" he said.  The ogre grunted, "I'll never tell you, you half and half scum." he said.  Kagome gasped as Hotori slit the ogre's throat and the ogre faded into dust, "Half and Half?" she murmured, curiously.  Hotori turned to her as his pointed ears perked up and gazed at Kumiko with his sapphire blue eyes, "Yes.  I'm half dog demon and half wolf demon." he said.  

Kagome gasped as her eyes widened, "But how...?" she began to ask before her voice failed her.  Hotori smiled, "My father Hiroto was a wolf demon, both strong and very brave.  My mother, Manami was a dog demon, very beautiful and very wise.  My father found my mother injured from a ambush by the dreaded Birds of Paradise.

Manami crawled as she panted, terrified and tired across the mountain peak as she sweated.  She winced as her sprained ankle radiated with pain.  Then she froze as she heard the birds of paradise calling and quickly covered her head as tears streamed down her face, "Help me!  Someone help me!" she yelled as she curled up into a ball against the rocks, sobbing.  Then she yelped as she heard a bird of paradise swoop down and shut her eyes tight.  Then suddenly she grunted as she heard someone yell and then the slicing blade on flesh.  She looked up and gasped as she saw a shadow zip across the sky and strike the birds of paradise, causing the birds to fly off as the dead laid on the ground.  Then she yelped as the figure leaped down in front of her and gasped as she saw a handsome, well built red-haired wolf-demon standing in front of her.  He smiled as he leaned toward her and she gasped as she covered her head, "Please.  Please don't hurt me.  Don't kill me please." she begged, tears running down her face.  The wolf-demon gasped as his eyes widened and then smiled as he gently slid his arms under her back and legs.  Manami yelped as he quickly lifted her off the ground and turned to look at him as her eyes widened as he held her in his arms, "I wouldn't dream of it, demoness." he said before he started walking over to safety.  Manami gasped as she gazed at him and then slowly and carefully slid her arms around his neck as she leaned her head against his broad chest, blushing, "My name is Manami.  Thank you for saving me." she said as her blue eyes gazed down at his black armor and a feeling suddenly erupted in her chest as she blushed more.  The wolf-demon smirked, "You can call me Hiroto, Manami." he said.

Later at Hiroto's clan's cave, his brothers and sisters all gasped as he walked in with Manami resting in his arms, "Does our leader realize what she is?" Manami heard them whispering.  She buried her face into Hiroto's shoulder as she sniffled.  Hiroto gasped as he glanced down at her and smiled as he approached his bed at the far end of the cave.  When he had gently laid her down on the soft fur, he turned as he rose back up, "Listen, if any of you harm her in any way, you will pay dearly.  You got it?!" he snapped angrily.  They all cringed before he turned back to Manami as she slept peacefully and smiled as he crouched down, "Bring a bowl of cold water and a soft cloth." he demanded.  Then when they brought him a bowl of cold lake water and rag.  He dipped the rag into the cold water and gently started to wipe away the dirt and blood that was on her face.  Everyone gasped as they gazed at her beautiful perfect pale oval-shaped face and then Hiroto turned to them, "Leave us." he demanded coldly.  They all went outside the cave as he turned back to Manami and started treating her wounds.

Later that night, Manami groaned as she slowly opened her eyes to see the ceiling of a cave, lit by fire light and looked over to see Hiroto sitting by the fire.  She slowly sat up and looked down at her legs to find them covered by wolf fur.  She moved the fur aside and gasped as she saw her ankle wrapped up in a cold wet cloth.  She gently removed it and moved her foot.  She smiled as she felt no pain and looked over at Hiroto as he continued gazing at the fire, "Nice night isn't it?" he asked kindly.  She gasped, "Yes.  Thank you for rescuing me, Hiroto." she said again as she turned and bowed to him until her face was to the floor.  She kept her face to the floor as the feeling in her heart grew and gasped as she heard the shuffle of feet and felt a hand gently take her by the arm, "There's no need for that, ......Manami." Hiroto said as he guided her back to sitting position.  Manami looked up at him lovingly, trying her best to hide her feelings, "Hiroto..." she said softly.  Hiroto gasped as he gazed into her eyes lovingly.  "I wish I could repay you somehow.  You are so kind.  I want to repay you." she said as she looked down and blushed.  "Manami." he said as he gently slid his hand onto her cheek.  Manami gasped and looked back up to have her lips meet his in sweet caress.  She quickly closed her eyes as she wrapped her arms around his neck.  Then they fell back on the bed of soft fur as they continued kissing.


"That's what my dad said happened." Hotori said.  Kagome gazed at him and smiled as she looked back down at Kumiko who was still watching Hotori.  Hotori walked up to them, "Come.  We better get to the main hall." he said as he gazed down at Kumiko, blushing.