InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Child Birth Complications ❯ The Heir and the Spare ( Chapter 54 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: landofthekwt 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama | Type: Divergence | Uploaded On: 10.11.2009 | Pages: 5 | Words: 5.8K | Visits: 857 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama | Type: Divergence | Uploaded On: 10.11.2009 | Pages: 5 | Words: 5.8K | Visits: 857 | Status: Completed
Title: The Heir and the Spare
Author: landofthekwt
Rating: PG-13
Prompt: Paper Anniversary (Dokuga Contest)
Word Count:5046
CU
Genfic
Warning: Birth
Summary: A baby is born
A/N This is the end of Child Birth Complications. It began on December 31,2008 and I finished
it October 8,2009. A little bit more than 9 months. This has been a strange odyssey for me. I had
never written SK before I joined Dokuga Contest. The story was intended as a drabble simply to
meet the prompt " gasp" . The story has turned into something more for me. It was always
intended to be an original idea. SK+ IK. Such a relationship would never be easy for any of the
parties. The story is intended to show how such relation would affect them and their children.
Anyone who has ever dealt with a divorce case knows how hard it is for children to shuttle back
and forth. Imagine the children and one of the partners doing the same thing. I have been accused
of making Inuyasha too much of a martyr, Sesshoumaru too much of a bastard and Kagome too
selfish. All of these statements are probably true, but if Inuyasha does not stay with Kagome even
though she has cheated on him the story ends, if Kagome does not insist the arrangement the
story ends, if Sesshoumaru does not insist on having his own way with Kagome despite the
arrangement the story would not evolve. When I started the story the ending I envisioned was
based on the ending to Parenthood, a Ron Howard film. The characters discovers that two things
are the most things in life: living and family. Living through good times and bad and enjoying the
ride not simply worrying about goals. We will all eventually die. It is important that we treasure
life while we live it. Family is important because these are the people we are closest to. It is
important that we hold on to these people and treasure no matter what kind of bastards they are. I
would like dedicate the last chapter to luxken27 who loaned me the title to the last chapter and
encouraged me to write SK. I would like thank forthright for allowing me to post my story at
Dokuga Contest. I would like to thank all of the people who read and reviewed the story at
Dokuga Contest. Without your encouragement, I would have given up on this story long ago.
She had thought it a lark. A way to get away from the palace where she had cooped up in for
nearly nine months. She and the Lady would visit Sango in the village. Sango was already
working on child number six. The Lady was just beginning to show. They would be pregnant
together. At least they would understand what she was going through.
The villagers had looked up the Lady descended with her retinue. Their miko was with her. They
had not seen her for nine months. Even though she had been among them for nine years she still
seemed like a stranger. A woman who rutted with youkai and hanyou. producing youkai and
hanyou children. It was lucky that Kaede was still alive to intercede on their behalf with the
kami.
The Lady laughed as she watched Kagome waddle toward the priestess' hut. Soon she would be
in that condition. Producing offspring for the first time in several hundred years. The time to
mourn had past. It was time to live again. She might not love the little youkai, but she needed
what he could give her. He was available and hers. She did not need a mate . She just wanted to
be needed again.
Kaede was in the garden when they arrived. The older she became the more she needed Rin.
She gazed at Kagome. Inuyasha had not bothered telling her that Kagome was pregnant. He spent
most of his time on the road these days with Miroku. She supposed that the child must be
Sesshoumaru's. Sesshoumaru had visited sporadically with gifts for Rin. Both of them were
closed mouthed about the visits.
Rin walked up to Kagome in wonder. She had to ask " Is it Lord Sesshoumaru's" Kagome
nodded and motioned her forward. Rin awkwardly approached. She was hesitant to touch her.
Just knowing that Lord Sesshoumaru had a part in producing the being which was growing inside
of
Kagome was enough to make her look on the miko with the same loving adoration that she had
for Lord Sesshoumaru
They finally settled into Kaede's hut. The children went with Jaken and Rin to Sango's Kaede
waited for Kagome to begin. When she was silent for an inordinate amount of time, Kaede felt
she had to break the ice.
Kaede bowed to the visitor. " I am called Kade. I am the miko of this village."
The Lady returned her bow. " I am known as the Lady of the West. I live in Castle in the Air
which my mate constructed for me. Kagome is staying with me. You may know me as
Sesshoumaru's mother and Kagome is my daughter-in-law"
Kaede absorbed all of this information. She decided to approach Kagome whom she knew
instead of this unknown commodity.
" So did something happen while you were gone. We have had no word from you in six months.
Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru pass through the village without telling us anything. Is something
wrong?"
" Where to start. In case you had not noticed I am about nine months pregnant. I should have
stayed at the Lady's Castle, but I was going stir crazy. I needed to see other human beings. I am
the only human at the Castle in the Air and sometimes it is a little intimidating."
The Lady snorted " I am sorry that we youkai offended you.. I took you in to protect you from
those two idiots who masquerade as your mates. Excuse me for trying to save your family."
Kagome put her hand over her mouth. " I did not mean to offend you. It just that it has been nine
months since I saw a human face and I needed a chance to get away from the pressure. since I
knew that neither Inuyasha nor Sesshoumaru were here at the present time"
Kaede put up her hand. " None of us the enemy here. Kagome has been like a daughter to me.
Maybe she is what we have in common. I would like to know what is going on."
The Lady took the lead. "Sesshoumaru thought if he just impregnated Kagome again she would
become dependant on him. He was trying to break the agreement that Kagome had forged. In
many ways he was right. Kagome was trying to divide her time between Sesshoumaru and
Inuyasha and their children. The result was that the boys fought all the time and Kagome only got
to see her children six months of the year. When Kagome fled to my castle, I decided to put a
stop to the agreement. Kagome and her children are staying with me. If Sesshoumaru and
Inuyasha want to see her or the children, they have to deal with me. I will not prevent them
seeing each other, neither will I permit the fighting and squabbling that has been going on since
her first child was born. There have been some tense moments, but I think they all understand
that they have to behave if they expect to see their mate and children. It all depends on Kagome
staying in the Castle where I control the access to her."
Kaede laughed. Who could have thought of such a strange arrangement? Of course we were
talking about a miko from the future who was mated to both a hanyou and a daiyoukai and had
children by both men. Nothing about Kagome was normal why should she expect anything
different now. Considering everything Kagome had suffered through to this point was any
wonder that her married life was difficult.
Kaede had frankly thought that Kagome's time int this era was at any end when Naraku died and
the Jewel disappeared. She had been surprised from when Kagome had returned. Apparently
there was some purpose to be achieved beyond what she had already done. Kaede had assumed
that Kagome would succeed her as village miko and she and Inuyasha would have the happily
ever after that Kikyou had been denied. Instead, Kagome had fallen for Inuyasha's brother whom
Kaede thought was destined for Rin The story became even more complicated when Kagome
refused to give up either of the brothers and neither of them would release their hold on her.
The war had been going on five years now. Kagome was still only 24. If the Lady had finally
ended the war more power to her.
Kagome finally spoke. " I know this is all my fault. I just seem to give my heart away too easily.
I did not realize how much I loved Inuyasha until I was ready to leave him forever. When I came
back, I thought that I was headed for a fairy tale happily ever with Inuyasha. I would never have
envisioned this happening. I love both of them. I would not give up either of them. I know that
my agreement was tearing them apart. Now they have equal access to me. I can be used as chew
toy anymore. It was hard on all of us to be parted for six months. Now I have my children all of
the time and my mates can see me any time of the year. My only regret is being parted from the
people I love here in the village. I really miss all of you."
As Kagome was speaking Sango and her children, Kohaku, Jaken Shippou and Rin entered the
hut. The crowd quickly overwhelmed the small space. Rin took the children outside to play
where they were joined by Kohaku. Kagome took note of his exit. It was something which she
would have to ask Sango about later. Sango walked over to Kagome and tried to hug her. They
both laughed when their bellies bumped.
Miroku was certainly trying to reach his goal of ten to twenty children. This would be Sango's
sixth. She did have a three-year head start and the twins were an unfair advantage. She on the
other hand had two jealous mates who were vying for progeny. The first had been a surprise
since she and Inuyasha assumed it was theirs. Only Sesshoumaru knew the truth then. As if to
make up for the first the second had been born in the Western Shiro.
It struck her as odd that she was back at Kaede's hut, the site of the first birth. The only persons
missing were Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha and Miroku. The Lady's physicians had assured her that
she was in no danger and allowed her to visit so long she returned in two weeks when they
expected the birth to take place. No need to alarm Sesshoumaru any time soon.
It was probably better if Inuyasha was not her birth coach this time. Sesshoumaru had refused to
get involved. He had not entered the birthing room for either birth. He still might be offended if
Inuyasha was not there with her when the baby was born. The Lady of West who had overseen
Kibou's birth would be there together with her physicians. Hopefully they would have the
courage to stand up to Sesshoumaru if necessary. Sesshoumaru's physicians had no backbone.
The Lady had to step in at time to ensure a safe delivery.
The conversation drifted toward babies. Sango who had never met the Lady noticed that she was
expecting. She was surprised to learn that the beautiful elegantly dressed woman was
Sesshoumaru's mother and that the child she was expecting was Jaken's. It through her for a loop
as she tried to imagine a cross between a toad and a dog. She burst out laughing. When she
explained the entire hut exploded in laughter.
Even the Lady found it humorous. She tried to explain that at her age, she did not need a
beautiful baby just someone who she could nurture and who would love her unequivocally. She
had learned so much from her time with the little one. Fate was giving her the opportunity to
correct the mistakes which she had made with Sesshoumaru. One should not have to learn about
compassion, fear of death and mercy the way he had to. It was chance to redeem herself for what
she had put the little one through. She had caused the death of his mother and forced him to live
a terrible life. He might have forgiven her when he realized that she had been trying to atone for
the last 200 years, but things would never be the same between them again. She had a chance to
do things right the first time with the child growing within her. Jaken was terrified of her. He
would let her raise the child as she wished. There would no mate or revenge for a dead mate to
get in the way.
Neither Kagome nor the Lady could really understand Sango. Here was a woman who was one of
the finest warriors in the world. Now she devoted herself to having and raising a herd of
Miroku's children Sango listened quietly. Kagome may have left her family to come here. The
Lady of the West lost her mate. She had lost everyone, but Kohaku. Everyone she had ever
grown up with had died. Until she met Miroku she thought that she had to die to atone for what
had happened with her kin.. When she thought he was going to die, she only wanted to die with
him. Now she wanted to live with him. If he wanted ten or twenty children, she would bear and
raise his children. It did not matter that he was always on the road making money to feed their
children. She knew that he loved her and their children and that was good enough for her.
Kagome listened intently to Sango. It was ironic in some ways she was like Sango now. Sitting in
the Castle in the Air raising her children. She knew that Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru loved her and
their children. The Lady's arrangement gave some stability to the whole arrangement between
them. In some ways it was ironic. No one thought twice about a man having more than one
woman. Yet it went against all her own teaching and everyone believed for her to have more than
one man. She may have been selfish in the beginning. Trying to take from each man what she
wanted. Now she was where she could not be pulled apart by the demands of her mates. She was
glad that the Lady had put her foot down when she would have wavered. Ouji would know what
it meant to be his father's son. Kibou would eventually have to stand on her own as a daiyoukai.
For now they were still children four and two year's old. They would always be her babies along
with the child about to be born.
Rin gazed at the women with jealousy. Three women. All in various states of pregnancy. She was
seventeen. Many children her age .already had husbands and children. What did she have? Kaede
who was like her grandmother. Soon she would be gone and Rin would have to find new
lodgings. Lord Sesshoumaru had always been like a father to her. She would have followed him
anywhere. Instead, he had left her in this kami forsaken village to become more human. How
could she become more human? Humanity was about family. Her family had died. Kagome was
now gone. Lord Sesshoumaru came only for short visits, bringing only kimonos and leaving her
behind with no promise that he would ever come and take her away from all of this. Maybe she
needed to find someone for herself and start her own family. That way she would not be alone
when Kaede died. She wandered over where Kohaku was watching the children as Shippou kept
the children entertained while the adults talked in the hut. She was no longer a child yet she was
not an adult. Did he have someone? She had protected him once from Lord Sesshoumaru. He
had saved her life more than once. Did he still have feelings for her? She wanted to know.
Kaede laughed at all of them. Four women with their lives ahead of them. They know the love
and the joy of children. She had been alone for fifty years since her sister died. Kikyou's death
had forced her into becoming a miko .A life of service to the kami without a husband or a child.
She understood only too well why Kikyou had been willing to become Inuyasha's wife to escape
this life. Did she ever wish that her life had been different? Yes, but when Kikyou had come
back she only wished for her return to the grave. Rin had been a blessing in her old age. Without
her she could not have functioned so long as village miko. Now it was unfair to burden Rin any
longer. She needed to find someone before it was too late. Perhaps Kohaku was that man. He was
brave and strong and would be a good provider. Rin would help him perpetuate the taijiya by
bearing his children. That would be the best gift that Rin could give her.
In the middle of all this estrogen Kagome felt a pain. She knew what this meant. The baby was
coming and there was no time to spare. She looked at the Lady and Kaede. Inuyasha and Kaede
had seen her through Ouji's birth The Lady had stayed by her side during Kibou's birth. She
needed Sesshoumaru now. He had not been by her side for Ouiji's birth. Despite his protests it
was his place.
"The baby is coming. Please get Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha. I would like my family around me
when the baby comes."
The women stirred. Sango went outside to speak to Kohaku. He could use Kirara to search for
her husband and Inuyasha. The Lady looked more serene. Surely, Sesshoumaru would feel his
mate. It would be better if he was here sooner than later. She was unhappy that she had done all
the work at Kibou's birth. It had not been his child, but it was his mate giving birth. The least he
could do was support her in her time of need. Her own mate had done that. She had heard that
Sesshoumaru let Inuyasha hold Kagome's hand throughout Ouji's birth. and coach her through
the delivery only to show up to take credit for the child. His place was by Kagome's side even if
she had to drag him there. She muttered some words to Jaken and the ladies about taking care of
Kagome. Changing into a ball of light she departed to search for her errant son.
Kagome and Jaken were now left with Kaede. Jaken was petrified. Even though he had been
trained for this moment by Kagome, the thought of assisting in the actual birth terrified him.
Kagome was concentrating on timing the contractions and controlling the pain through her
breathing exercises. Third times a charm. Surely, the births became easier over time. At least
that is what Sango said and she was the expert in that department. Kaede went outside to
summon Rin. Rin had assisted her with all of the births since she arrived at the village nine years
ago. There was no one she trusted more in these circumstances. They just had to clear the room
for birthing. Rin would assemble the necessary herbs, cloths and hot water. Everything must be
just right. This was Sesshoumaru's child. If anything happened, the village would be destroyed.
She was a miko. Long ago she had discarded her fears for her duty. She would get through this so
long as she concentrated on the task at hand.
The Lady wandered far and wide over Japan in search of her son. She found him at her Castle
" Where is my mate?"
" She is with her miko who birthed your first child."
" How did she get there? I thought the point of your plan was to protect her from harm whether it
is from Inuyasha, myself, youkai or humans? How could you send her down that squalid little
village when you have the finest physicians here?"
" She was lonely. You were not here. She wanted to see her human friends. She is human after
all. The miko who is with her attended Ouji's birth. Youkai physicians are too terrified of making
a mistake. They almost killed me at your birth. Last time I had to step in because they were afraid
that you would kill them if anything happened to Kagome or Kibou. You should be there with
her. The last two times you stood outside while Inuyasha and I stood where you should have
been. She was asking for you. Go to her now."
"It is not the place of a daiyoukai to be in the birthing room. It is place for women."
"If you were not my son, I would slug you. Get down there now or I will bar you from her bed
forever. Jaken is better behaved than you are. You act like a spoiled brat with a sword up your
butt. Your father and I raised you better. Get down there and do your duty to your mate."
Properly chastised Sesshoumaru changed form and assumed his energy form. The Lady sighed. If
she could, she would have put him over her knee. Still, he seemed to have responded well to her
harangue. Maybe there was hope for him yet. Time would tell. Now if they could just through
the birth without someone being getting killed. She changed into her energy form and plunged to
earth following after her son.
Kohaku followed the directions which his sister gave to him. Sure enough there was his brother-
in-law cheating some poor noblemen out of the rice which he had collected from the peasants.
Kagome always thought of Miroku as "Robin Hood" whoever he was, while Inuyasha preferred
to think of him as a common thief. His sister did not care any more so long he brought in enough
rice to feed their growing family. He collected money for killing youkai, but not at the rate that
his brother-in-law did.
" Inuyasha, Miroku. Sango sent me to fetch you for the birth of Kagome's child I can give a ride
to Miroku. Kagome really wants Inuyasha to be there. My sister says that her birth pangs have
already began.":
Inuyasha and Miroku looked at each other. It was not Inuyasha's child she was bearing. It was
not Miroku's child she was bearing. But it was Kagome. The mate of Inuyasha and the friend of
Miroku. She had been with them through the worst of times always coming through for them
when they needed her. They must go to her now in her time of need. Miroku clambered onto
Kirara's back and Inuyasha ran along beside. Hopefully they would get there before the birth.
Her first labor had been twenty four hours of excruciating pain. Her second lasted only six hours.
She had been surprised by the pains. The physicians had assured her that she had two weeks
before the baby was due.
Where was a lawyer when she needed one? She would sue them for every penney they had. And
they called them themselves doctors. Kaede knew more about medicine than all of them put
together. She was glad to be in her hands.
Jaken on the other hand was useless. He was standing against the wall stone still talking to
himself. Men all they were good for was. Oh right, that was how she got into this predicament in
the first place. She could not resist the first dog who came and sniffed her rear end.
She supposed that extended to wolves and foxes though Kouga never seemed serious about her
and Shippou had been too young. She had to admit they were both cute and sexy in their own
way.
Her mother would have been shocked at the way she ended up. She had been faithful to her
husband even after death. The idea of her mother marrying again was inconceivable. Here she
was with two mates.
Still her mother had never batted an eye when she made lunches and packed ramen for Inuyasha.
She would accept whatever made her daughter happy. She was ecstatic as soon the basketball in
her stomach became a hanyou and she could give it the love it deserved.
It was not like she was alone. Rin and Kaede were by her side providing the best care the
Sengoku Jidai could provide. Her own knowledge of twenty-first century medicine had not hurt.
Kaede had absorbed fact about the practice of medicine she could impart. The result was deaths
in child birth had plummeted. The secret was cleanliness in the operating room. It fit well with
the Shinto mantra of purification. Every thing had to be sterile. Hands had to be clean and
washed. Simple hand washing killed half the germs. No one would die on her watch when there
was a way to prevent.
The time was coming soon. The pains were five minutes apart and lasted one minute. She knew
because she had counted. Goddamn Sesshoumaru. She would cut off his balls for this. She did
not remember any pain like this before. Never Never would she have sex again. She would take
over as village miko and declare her chastity and promise never ever to touch another dog again
as long as she lived. Maybe then the kami would forgive her for running with demons and let her
die in peace.
Kaede was by her side encouraging her. But she was not whom she wanted. She wanted her
daiyoukai. The one who had placed her in this predicament to hold her hand so that she could
purify him until he was a pile of ash. Maybe she could revive Tenseiga and do it again. What had
possessed her to get pregnant again? It was that damn seduction. She just could not resist him
and he knew it. And now he was getting the last laugh.
Inuyasha found Sesshoumaru standing outside the hut.
" What are you doing outside here, bastard? You should be in there telling her that everything is
all right. Holding her hand. Telling her to breathe. Not outside acting like you are above all this.
You did this to her. Be a man and be with her now. It is not just about great sex. It is about being
there for her when your child is born."
"She is your mate too, Inuyasha. You held her hand last time my child was born. Surely, she
would not refuse you."
"You bastard. I was with her when Ouji was born. It was my place because we thought it was our
child. You knew better. You should have been there then and you will go in there now if I have
cut your guts out and feed them to you in a bowl. Be a man for once and take responsibility. It is
not about what you want. It is about what she needs. She needs you now. Go to her"
Sesshouamru stared at Inuyasha and entered the hut. Inuyasha sighed. Telling Sesshoumaru to go
to Kagome was the hardest thing he had ever said, but sometimes you have to sacrifice for the
ones you love. The Lady put her arm around him. He leaned into her. It was hard on everyone.
Hopefully it would soon be over.
But of course nothing was ever easy with this group. Kagome's labor seemed to go on forever.
Several times during that night Inuyasha walked her around the village in hopes that it would
induce the child to make an appearance. For some reason it was shy. Kagome was just about to
give up hope when her water finally broke early in the morning. Only Kaede, Rin, Sesshoumaru,
Inuyasha remained at her bedside when the boy decided to be born.
Kaede caught him while Sesshoumaru held her right hand and Inuyasha held her left hand. He
still remembered his breathing instructions from Ouji's birth. The Lady stood by her head and
encouraged her. Rin.stood by to assist Kaede in her duties. The baby was pronounced fit.
Kagome was cleaned. The umbilical cord was cut. The placenta was delivered and buried. As
pregnancies go in the Sengoku Jidai, it was fairly uneventful. The Lady took the child and
allowed Kagome to sleep. The demons could feel the exhaustion of the humans and Kaede and
Rin went to bed leaving the Lady, Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha to keep a vigil at Kagome's
bedside.
When Kagome awoke, they were still there. The Lady delivered the new born to Kagome so that
she could feed the starving infant. Kagome could only wonder at what had gone on at her bedside
between these three during the night. When the Lady was asked later, she said that she just held
the baby all night. Soothing him when he cried. Changing him when necessary. She had thought
of feeding him from her own breast, but decided against it. The bond should be formed between
parent and child. The boys did not speak to her or each other, but merely stayed by her side in
case she should need something .from them. Kagome decided that peace was at hand and so
named the child "Heiwa" or peace in honor of the occasion. Under normal circumstances the
father would name the child, but Kagome had taken it upon herself to name each of her children.
Sango brought the children down in the morning to see the baby. The hut became crowded again.
Families began to form on each side. Kagome was amused by what she saw. Inuyasha held
Kibou. Sesshoumaru watched Ouji used crayons which Shippou had lent to him to color a
picture for his mother. Sango and Miroku did their best to keep their five children in line with the
help of Shippou. Rin was talking with Kohaku. Clearly things were moving on that front. Maybe
another wedding was on the horizon. She was most amused by the Lady. This gentile and elegant
Lady sat against the wall of a human hut with a familiar Kappa sitting in her lap. What she would
not give for a camera at that very moment.
This was the peace that she had dreamed of when she first proposed her arrangement with
Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha. She had hoped that a family bond would form between them.
Instead it had led to bitterness and rancor. Only now were they beginning to join together. She
was the common bond that held them together. They could live as brothers. Ouji, Kibou and
Heiwa would not be raised separately, but would be the family she had dreamed of. Maybe she
was an idealist, but she dreamed of a day when human, hanyou and demon could leave together
in peace She saw it before her eyes.
They were her family. She had been too busy being princess to Sesshoumaru and housewife to
Inuyasha that she was blind to it. The Lady was like her mother. Kaede her grandmother. Sango
her sister. Miroku her brother. Kohaku Rin and Shippou had been children when she met them.
Now ten years later they were grown up. Kohaku had a profession. Shippou was a high senior
level kitsune. Rin was seventeen and ready to move on from her apprenticeship with Kaede. The
children of the quest had grown up. Now her own children and Sango's children had taken their
place as the youngest members of this odd clan.
Kagome realized as she looked around the room that she was blessed. The kami had given her a
rare opportunity to form a family bond with a very odd group of people. She had come to love
each and every one of them and would not trade her life here the future she had left behind. There
might be bumps in the road. She and all the other humans would grow old and die, but she would
treasure each and every moment with the ones she loved until it was time for her to go.
Author: landofthekwt
Rating: PG-13
Prompt: Paper Anniversary (Dokuga Contest)
Word Count:5046
CU
Genfic
Warning: Birth
Summary: A baby is born
A/N This is the end of Child Birth Complications. It began on December 31,2008 and I finished
it October 8,2009. A little bit more than 9 months. This has been a strange odyssey for me. I had
never written SK before I joined Dokuga Contest. The story was intended as a drabble simply to
meet the prompt " gasp" . The story has turned into something more for me. It was always
intended to be an original idea. SK+ IK. Such a relationship would never be easy for any of the
parties. The story is intended to show how such relation would affect them and their children.
Anyone who has ever dealt with a divorce case knows how hard it is for children to shuttle back
and forth. Imagine the children and one of the partners doing the same thing. I have been accused
of making Inuyasha too much of a martyr, Sesshoumaru too much of a bastard and Kagome too
selfish. All of these statements are probably true, but if Inuyasha does not stay with Kagome even
though she has cheated on him the story ends, if Kagome does not insist the arrangement the
story ends, if Sesshoumaru does not insist on having his own way with Kagome despite the
arrangement the story would not evolve. When I started the story the ending I envisioned was
based on the ending to Parenthood, a Ron Howard film. The characters discovers that two things
are the most things in life: living and family. Living through good times and bad and enjoying the
ride not simply worrying about goals. We will all eventually die. It is important that we treasure
life while we live it. Family is important because these are the people we are closest to. It is
important that we hold on to these people and treasure no matter what kind of bastards they are. I
would like dedicate the last chapter to luxken27 who loaned me the title to the last chapter and
encouraged me to write SK. I would like thank forthright for allowing me to post my story at
Dokuga Contest. I would like to thank all of the people who read and reviewed the story at
Dokuga Contest. Without your encouragement, I would have given up on this story long ago.
She had thought it a lark. A way to get away from the palace where she had cooped up in for
nearly nine months. She and the Lady would visit Sango in the village. Sango was already
working on child number six. The Lady was just beginning to show. They would be pregnant
together. At least they would understand what she was going through.
The villagers had looked up the Lady descended with her retinue. Their miko was with her. They
had not seen her for nine months. Even though she had been among them for nine years she still
seemed like a stranger. A woman who rutted with youkai and hanyou. producing youkai and
hanyou children. It was lucky that Kaede was still alive to intercede on their behalf with the
kami.
The Lady laughed as she watched Kagome waddle toward the priestess' hut. Soon she would be
in that condition. Producing offspring for the first time in several hundred years. The time to
mourn had past. It was time to live again. She might not love the little youkai, but she needed
what he could give her. He was available and hers. She did not need a mate . She just wanted to
be needed again.
Kaede was in the garden when they arrived. The older she became the more she needed Rin.
She gazed at Kagome. Inuyasha had not bothered telling her that Kagome was pregnant. He spent
most of his time on the road these days with Miroku. She supposed that the child must be
Sesshoumaru's. Sesshoumaru had visited sporadically with gifts for Rin. Both of them were
closed mouthed about the visits.
Rin walked up to Kagome in wonder. She had to ask " Is it Lord Sesshoumaru's" Kagome
nodded and motioned her forward. Rin awkwardly approached. She was hesitant to touch her.
Just knowing that Lord Sesshoumaru had a part in producing the being which was growing inside
of
Kagome was enough to make her look on the miko with the same loving adoration that she had
for Lord Sesshoumaru
They finally settled into Kaede's hut. The children went with Jaken and Rin to Sango's Kaede
waited for Kagome to begin. When she was silent for an inordinate amount of time, Kaede felt
she had to break the ice.
Kaede bowed to the visitor. " I am called Kade. I am the miko of this village."
The Lady returned her bow. " I am known as the Lady of the West. I live in Castle in the Air
which my mate constructed for me. Kagome is staying with me. You may know me as
Sesshoumaru's mother and Kagome is my daughter-in-law"
Kaede absorbed all of this information. She decided to approach Kagome whom she knew
instead of this unknown commodity.
" So did something happen while you were gone. We have had no word from you in six months.
Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru pass through the village without telling us anything. Is something
wrong?"
" Where to start. In case you had not noticed I am about nine months pregnant. I should have
stayed at the Lady's Castle, but I was going stir crazy. I needed to see other human beings. I am
the only human at the Castle in the Air and sometimes it is a little intimidating."
The Lady snorted " I am sorry that we youkai offended you.. I took you in to protect you from
those two idiots who masquerade as your mates. Excuse me for trying to save your family."
Kagome put her hand over her mouth. " I did not mean to offend you. It just that it has been nine
months since I saw a human face and I needed a chance to get away from the pressure. since I
knew that neither Inuyasha nor Sesshoumaru were here at the present time"
Kaede put up her hand. " None of us the enemy here. Kagome has been like a daughter to me.
Maybe she is what we have in common. I would like to know what is going on."
The Lady took the lead. "Sesshoumaru thought if he just impregnated Kagome again she would
become dependant on him. He was trying to break the agreement that Kagome had forged. In
many ways he was right. Kagome was trying to divide her time between Sesshoumaru and
Inuyasha and their children. The result was that the boys fought all the time and Kagome only got
to see her children six months of the year. When Kagome fled to my castle, I decided to put a
stop to the agreement. Kagome and her children are staying with me. If Sesshoumaru and
Inuyasha want to see her or the children, they have to deal with me. I will not prevent them
seeing each other, neither will I permit the fighting and squabbling that has been going on since
her first child was born. There have been some tense moments, but I think they all understand
that they have to behave if they expect to see their mate and children. It all depends on Kagome
staying in the Castle where I control the access to her."
Kaede laughed. Who could have thought of such a strange arrangement? Of course we were
talking about a miko from the future who was mated to both a hanyou and a daiyoukai and had
children by both men. Nothing about Kagome was normal why should she expect anything
different now. Considering everything Kagome had suffered through to this point was any
wonder that her married life was difficult.
Kaede had frankly thought that Kagome's time int this era was at any end when Naraku died and
the Jewel disappeared. She had been surprised from when Kagome had returned. Apparently
there was some purpose to be achieved beyond what she had already done. Kaede had assumed
that Kagome would succeed her as village miko and she and Inuyasha would have the happily
ever after that Kikyou had been denied. Instead, Kagome had fallen for Inuyasha's brother whom
Kaede thought was destined for Rin The story became even more complicated when Kagome
refused to give up either of the brothers and neither of them would release their hold on her.
The war had been going on five years now. Kagome was still only 24. If the Lady had finally
ended the war more power to her.
Kagome finally spoke. " I know this is all my fault. I just seem to give my heart away too easily.
I did not realize how much I loved Inuyasha until I was ready to leave him forever. When I came
back, I thought that I was headed for a fairy tale happily ever with Inuyasha. I would never have
envisioned this happening. I love both of them. I would not give up either of them. I know that
my agreement was tearing them apart. Now they have equal access to me. I can be used as chew
toy anymore. It was hard on all of us to be parted for six months. Now I have my children all of
the time and my mates can see me any time of the year. My only regret is being parted from the
people I love here in the village. I really miss all of you."
As Kagome was speaking Sango and her children, Kohaku, Jaken Shippou and Rin entered the
hut. The crowd quickly overwhelmed the small space. Rin took the children outside to play
where they were joined by Kohaku. Kagome took note of his exit. It was something which she
would have to ask Sango about later. Sango walked over to Kagome and tried to hug her. They
both laughed when their bellies bumped.
Miroku was certainly trying to reach his goal of ten to twenty children. This would be Sango's
sixth. She did have a three-year head start and the twins were an unfair advantage. She on the
other hand had two jealous mates who were vying for progeny. The first had been a surprise
since she and Inuyasha assumed it was theirs. Only Sesshoumaru knew the truth then. As if to
make up for the first the second had been born in the Western Shiro.
It struck her as odd that she was back at Kaede's hut, the site of the first birth. The only persons
missing were Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha and Miroku. The Lady's physicians had assured her that
she was in no danger and allowed her to visit so long she returned in two weeks when they
expected the birth to take place. No need to alarm Sesshoumaru any time soon.
It was probably better if Inuyasha was not her birth coach this time. Sesshoumaru had refused to
get involved. He had not entered the birthing room for either birth. He still might be offended if
Inuyasha was not there with her when the baby was born. The Lady of West who had overseen
Kibou's birth would be there together with her physicians. Hopefully they would have the
courage to stand up to Sesshoumaru if necessary. Sesshoumaru's physicians had no backbone.
The Lady had to step in at time to ensure a safe delivery.
The conversation drifted toward babies. Sango who had never met the Lady noticed that she was
expecting. She was surprised to learn that the beautiful elegantly dressed woman was
Sesshoumaru's mother and that the child she was expecting was Jaken's. It through her for a loop
as she tried to imagine a cross between a toad and a dog. She burst out laughing. When she
explained the entire hut exploded in laughter.
Even the Lady found it humorous. She tried to explain that at her age, she did not need a
beautiful baby just someone who she could nurture and who would love her unequivocally. She
had learned so much from her time with the little one. Fate was giving her the opportunity to
correct the mistakes which she had made with Sesshoumaru. One should not have to learn about
compassion, fear of death and mercy the way he had to. It was chance to redeem herself for what
she had put the little one through. She had caused the death of his mother and forced him to live
a terrible life. He might have forgiven her when he realized that she had been trying to atone for
the last 200 years, but things would never be the same between them again. She had a chance to
do things right the first time with the child growing within her. Jaken was terrified of her. He
would let her raise the child as she wished. There would no mate or revenge for a dead mate to
get in the way.
Neither Kagome nor the Lady could really understand Sango. Here was a woman who was one of
the finest warriors in the world. Now she devoted herself to having and raising a herd of
Miroku's children Sango listened quietly. Kagome may have left her family to come here. The
Lady of the West lost her mate. She had lost everyone, but Kohaku. Everyone she had ever
grown up with had died. Until she met Miroku she thought that she had to die to atone for what
had happened with her kin.. When she thought he was going to die, she only wanted to die with
him. Now she wanted to live with him. If he wanted ten or twenty children, she would bear and
raise his children. It did not matter that he was always on the road making money to feed their
children. She knew that he loved her and their children and that was good enough for her.
Kagome listened intently to Sango. It was ironic in some ways she was like Sango now. Sitting in
the Castle in the Air raising her children. She knew that Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru loved her and
their children. The Lady's arrangement gave some stability to the whole arrangement between
them. In some ways it was ironic. No one thought twice about a man having more than one
woman. Yet it went against all her own teaching and everyone believed for her to have more than
one man. She may have been selfish in the beginning. Trying to take from each man what she
wanted. Now she was where she could not be pulled apart by the demands of her mates. She was
glad that the Lady had put her foot down when she would have wavered. Ouji would know what
it meant to be his father's son. Kibou would eventually have to stand on her own as a daiyoukai.
For now they were still children four and two year's old. They would always be her babies along
with the child about to be born.
Rin gazed at the women with jealousy. Three women. All in various states of pregnancy. She was
seventeen. Many children her age .already had husbands and children. What did she have? Kaede
who was like her grandmother. Soon she would be gone and Rin would have to find new
lodgings. Lord Sesshoumaru had always been like a father to her. She would have followed him
anywhere. Instead, he had left her in this kami forsaken village to become more human. How
could she become more human? Humanity was about family. Her family had died. Kagome was
now gone. Lord Sesshoumaru came only for short visits, bringing only kimonos and leaving her
behind with no promise that he would ever come and take her away from all of this. Maybe she
needed to find someone for herself and start her own family. That way she would not be alone
when Kaede died. She wandered over where Kohaku was watching the children as Shippou kept
the children entertained while the adults talked in the hut. She was no longer a child yet she was
not an adult. Did he have someone? She had protected him once from Lord Sesshoumaru. He
had saved her life more than once. Did he still have feelings for her? She wanted to know.
Kaede laughed at all of them. Four women with their lives ahead of them. They know the love
and the joy of children. She had been alone for fifty years since her sister died. Kikyou's death
had forced her into becoming a miko .A life of service to the kami without a husband or a child.
She understood only too well why Kikyou had been willing to become Inuyasha's wife to escape
this life. Did she ever wish that her life had been different? Yes, but when Kikyou had come
back she only wished for her return to the grave. Rin had been a blessing in her old age. Without
her she could not have functioned so long as village miko. Now it was unfair to burden Rin any
longer. She needed to find someone before it was too late. Perhaps Kohaku was that man. He was
brave and strong and would be a good provider. Rin would help him perpetuate the taijiya by
bearing his children. That would be the best gift that Rin could give her.
In the middle of all this estrogen Kagome felt a pain. She knew what this meant. The baby was
coming and there was no time to spare. She looked at the Lady and Kaede. Inuyasha and Kaede
had seen her through Ouji's birth The Lady had stayed by her side during Kibou's birth. She
needed Sesshoumaru now. He had not been by her side for Ouiji's birth. Despite his protests it
was his place.
"The baby is coming. Please get Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha. I would like my family around me
when the baby comes."
The women stirred. Sango went outside to speak to Kohaku. He could use Kirara to search for
her husband and Inuyasha. The Lady looked more serene. Surely, Sesshoumaru would feel his
mate. It would be better if he was here sooner than later. She was unhappy that she had done all
the work at Kibou's birth. It had not been his child, but it was his mate giving birth. The least he
could do was support her in her time of need. Her own mate had done that. She had heard that
Sesshoumaru let Inuyasha hold Kagome's hand throughout Ouji's birth. and coach her through
the delivery only to show up to take credit for the child. His place was by Kagome's side even if
she had to drag him there. She muttered some words to Jaken and the ladies about taking care of
Kagome. Changing into a ball of light she departed to search for her errant son.
Kagome and Jaken were now left with Kaede. Jaken was petrified. Even though he had been
trained for this moment by Kagome, the thought of assisting in the actual birth terrified him.
Kagome was concentrating on timing the contractions and controlling the pain through her
breathing exercises. Third times a charm. Surely, the births became easier over time. At least
that is what Sango said and she was the expert in that department. Kaede went outside to
summon Rin. Rin had assisted her with all of the births since she arrived at the village nine years
ago. There was no one she trusted more in these circumstances. They just had to clear the room
for birthing. Rin would assemble the necessary herbs, cloths and hot water. Everything must be
just right. This was Sesshoumaru's child. If anything happened, the village would be destroyed.
She was a miko. Long ago she had discarded her fears for her duty. She would get through this so
long as she concentrated on the task at hand.
The Lady wandered far and wide over Japan in search of her son. She found him at her Castle
" Where is my mate?"
" She is with her miko who birthed your first child."
" How did she get there? I thought the point of your plan was to protect her from harm whether it
is from Inuyasha, myself, youkai or humans? How could you send her down that squalid little
village when you have the finest physicians here?"
" She was lonely. You were not here. She wanted to see her human friends. She is human after
all. The miko who is with her attended Ouji's birth. Youkai physicians are too terrified of making
a mistake. They almost killed me at your birth. Last time I had to step in because they were afraid
that you would kill them if anything happened to Kagome or Kibou. You should be there with
her. The last two times you stood outside while Inuyasha and I stood where you should have
been. She was asking for you. Go to her now."
"It is not the place of a daiyoukai to be in the birthing room. It is place for women."
"If you were not my son, I would slug you. Get down there now or I will bar you from her bed
forever. Jaken is better behaved than you are. You act like a spoiled brat with a sword up your
butt. Your father and I raised you better. Get down there and do your duty to your mate."
Properly chastised Sesshoumaru changed form and assumed his energy form. The Lady sighed. If
she could, she would have put him over her knee. Still, he seemed to have responded well to her
harangue. Maybe there was hope for him yet. Time would tell. Now if they could just through
the birth without someone being getting killed. She changed into her energy form and plunged to
earth following after her son.
Kohaku followed the directions which his sister gave to him. Sure enough there was his brother-
in-law cheating some poor noblemen out of the rice which he had collected from the peasants.
Kagome always thought of Miroku as "Robin Hood" whoever he was, while Inuyasha preferred
to think of him as a common thief. His sister did not care any more so long he brought in enough
rice to feed their growing family. He collected money for killing youkai, but not at the rate that
his brother-in-law did.
" Inuyasha, Miroku. Sango sent me to fetch you for the birth of Kagome's child I can give a ride
to Miroku. Kagome really wants Inuyasha to be there. My sister says that her birth pangs have
already began.":
Inuyasha and Miroku looked at each other. It was not Inuyasha's child she was bearing. It was
not Miroku's child she was bearing. But it was Kagome. The mate of Inuyasha and the friend of
Miroku. She had been with them through the worst of times always coming through for them
when they needed her. They must go to her now in her time of need. Miroku clambered onto
Kirara's back and Inuyasha ran along beside. Hopefully they would get there before the birth.
Her first labor had been twenty four hours of excruciating pain. Her second lasted only six hours.
She had been surprised by the pains. The physicians had assured her that she had two weeks
before the baby was due.
Where was a lawyer when she needed one? She would sue them for every penney they had. And
they called them themselves doctors. Kaede knew more about medicine than all of them put
together. She was glad to be in her hands.
Jaken on the other hand was useless. He was standing against the wall stone still talking to
himself. Men all they were good for was. Oh right, that was how she got into this predicament in
the first place. She could not resist the first dog who came and sniffed her rear end.
She supposed that extended to wolves and foxes though Kouga never seemed serious about her
and Shippou had been too young. She had to admit they were both cute and sexy in their own
way.
Her mother would have been shocked at the way she ended up. She had been faithful to her
husband even after death. The idea of her mother marrying again was inconceivable. Here she
was with two mates.
Still her mother had never batted an eye when she made lunches and packed ramen for Inuyasha.
She would accept whatever made her daughter happy. She was ecstatic as soon the basketball in
her stomach became a hanyou and she could give it the love it deserved.
It was not like she was alone. Rin and Kaede were by her side providing the best care the
Sengoku Jidai could provide. Her own knowledge of twenty-first century medicine had not hurt.
Kaede had absorbed fact about the practice of medicine she could impart. The result was deaths
in child birth had plummeted. The secret was cleanliness in the operating room. It fit well with
the Shinto mantra of purification. Every thing had to be sterile. Hands had to be clean and
washed. Simple hand washing killed half the germs. No one would die on her watch when there
was a way to prevent.
The time was coming soon. The pains were five minutes apart and lasted one minute. She knew
because she had counted. Goddamn Sesshoumaru. She would cut off his balls for this. She did
not remember any pain like this before. Never Never would she have sex again. She would take
over as village miko and declare her chastity and promise never ever to touch another dog again
as long as she lived. Maybe then the kami would forgive her for running with demons and let her
die in peace.
Kaede was by her side encouraging her. But she was not whom she wanted. She wanted her
daiyoukai. The one who had placed her in this predicament to hold her hand so that she could
purify him until he was a pile of ash. Maybe she could revive Tenseiga and do it again. What had
possessed her to get pregnant again? It was that damn seduction. She just could not resist him
and he knew it. And now he was getting the last laugh.
Inuyasha found Sesshoumaru standing outside the hut.
" What are you doing outside here, bastard? You should be in there telling her that everything is
all right. Holding her hand. Telling her to breathe. Not outside acting like you are above all this.
You did this to her. Be a man and be with her now. It is not just about great sex. It is about being
there for her when your child is born."
"She is your mate too, Inuyasha. You held her hand last time my child was born. Surely, she
would not refuse you."
"You bastard. I was with her when Ouji was born. It was my place because we thought it was our
child. You knew better. You should have been there then and you will go in there now if I have
cut your guts out and feed them to you in a bowl. Be a man for once and take responsibility. It is
not about what you want. It is about what she needs. She needs you now. Go to her"
Sesshouamru stared at Inuyasha and entered the hut. Inuyasha sighed. Telling Sesshoumaru to go
to Kagome was the hardest thing he had ever said, but sometimes you have to sacrifice for the
ones you love. The Lady put her arm around him. He leaned into her. It was hard on everyone.
Hopefully it would soon be over.
But of course nothing was ever easy with this group. Kagome's labor seemed to go on forever.
Several times during that night Inuyasha walked her around the village in hopes that it would
induce the child to make an appearance. For some reason it was shy. Kagome was just about to
give up hope when her water finally broke early in the morning. Only Kaede, Rin, Sesshoumaru,
Inuyasha remained at her bedside when the boy decided to be born.
Kaede caught him while Sesshoumaru held her right hand and Inuyasha held her left hand. He
still remembered his breathing instructions from Ouji's birth. The Lady stood by her head and
encouraged her. Rin.stood by to assist Kaede in her duties. The baby was pronounced fit.
Kagome was cleaned. The umbilical cord was cut. The placenta was delivered and buried. As
pregnancies go in the Sengoku Jidai, it was fairly uneventful. The Lady took the child and
allowed Kagome to sleep. The demons could feel the exhaustion of the humans and Kaede and
Rin went to bed leaving the Lady, Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha to keep a vigil at Kagome's
bedside.
When Kagome awoke, they were still there. The Lady delivered the new born to Kagome so that
she could feed the starving infant. Kagome could only wonder at what had gone on at her bedside
between these three during the night. When the Lady was asked later, she said that she just held
the baby all night. Soothing him when he cried. Changing him when necessary. She had thought
of feeding him from her own breast, but decided against it. The bond should be formed between
parent and child. The boys did not speak to her or each other, but merely stayed by her side in
case she should need something .from them. Kagome decided that peace was at hand and so
named the child "Heiwa" or peace in honor of the occasion. Under normal circumstances the
father would name the child, but Kagome had taken it upon herself to name each of her children.
Sango brought the children down in the morning to see the baby. The hut became crowded again.
Families began to form on each side. Kagome was amused by what she saw. Inuyasha held
Kibou. Sesshoumaru watched Ouji used crayons which Shippou had lent to him to color a
picture for his mother. Sango and Miroku did their best to keep their five children in line with the
help of Shippou. Rin was talking with Kohaku. Clearly things were moving on that front. Maybe
another wedding was on the horizon. She was most amused by the Lady. This gentile and elegant
Lady sat against the wall of a human hut with a familiar Kappa sitting in her lap. What she would
not give for a camera at that very moment.
This was the peace that she had dreamed of when she first proposed her arrangement with
Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha. She had hoped that a family bond would form between them.
Instead it had led to bitterness and rancor. Only now were they beginning to join together. She
was the common bond that held them together. They could live as brothers. Ouji, Kibou and
Heiwa would not be raised separately, but would be the family she had dreamed of. Maybe she
was an idealist, but she dreamed of a day when human, hanyou and demon could leave together
in peace She saw it before her eyes.
They were her family. She had been too busy being princess to Sesshoumaru and housewife to
Inuyasha that she was blind to it. The Lady was like her mother. Kaede her grandmother. Sango
her sister. Miroku her brother. Kohaku Rin and Shippou had been children when she met them.
Now ten years later they were grown up. Kohaku had a profession. Shippou was a high senior
level kitsune. Rin was seventeen and ready to move on from her apprenticeship with Kaede. The
children of the quest had grown up. Now her own children and Sango's children had taken their
place as the youngest members of this odd clan.
Kagome realized as she looked around the room that she was blessed. The kami had given her a
rare opportunity to form a family bond with a very odd group of people. She had come to love
each and every one of them and would not trade her life here the future she had left behind. There
might be bumps in the road. She and all the other humans would grow old and die, but she would
treasure each and every moment with the ones she loved until it was time for her to go.