InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Dancing with Scissors ❯ ...And In Health ( Chapter 22 )

Weightless and blind, Kagome was floating again, utterly at peace. She vaguely became aware that she had no pain, no worries…only the sensation of being suspended in a dark, peaceful void, and time and space were of no consequence. Suddenly something soft and alive gently brushed her cheek. She turned toward the warm fluff, recognizing it from her earlier dream…and felt safe. It twined in her hair and massaged her scalp, moved over her skin and ran down the length of her body, caressing like a lover. Another part stroked her jaw and neck, continuing down to linger at the top of her chest. It slid over her shoulder and slipped under the strap of her negligee, pushing it down her arm. She felt the cool air touch her flesh just before the fur began running up her leg, under the sheer fabric. While one part went lower and lower, snaking between her breasts, down the flatness of her belly, the other end crept higher and higher, easing her legs apart. She moaned at the light touch which was so tortuously setting her body on fire with—

 

“Kagome, can you wake up a little?”

 

Kagome shot up and gasped. She was pulled from a shadowy world of slow, sensual pleasure and thrust into shocked confusion, bright with morning light and Rin standing next to her bed. “Hey honey,” she said as calmly as she was able with her heart hammering and chest heaving. She felt the familiar flush of sexual excitement and realized her skimpy nightgown was significantly askew. She yanked the straps back up quickly and looked past the child to the doorway to make sure Sesshoumaru wasn't also standing there. “You woke me up from a dream.”

 

“What was it about?”

 

That I need to get fucking laid. “I think you're grandmother's dog demon has a naughty side. What's up?”

 

“Uncle Sesshoumaru is making me eggs and toast, and he wanted me to see if you want some too and to tell you that you need to wake up and take your pill.”

 

Kagome moved to the side of the bed and threw on her robe, noticing the late hour on her bedroom clock. “You two are so good to me…letting me sleep in.” She took a pill out of the brown bottle and several ibuprofen.

 

“He said you should stay in bed,” Rin scolded.

 

“I know, but I've been in bed for going on twenty-four hours. Time to get up. At least for a bit.” Her head, though not threatening to explode, was still spinning at the smallest movement. “And the chance of seeing your uncle being domestic is worth the small possibility of a setback.”

 

She took Rin's hand and gave her a reassuring squeeze, and then they went into kitchen.

 

Sesshoumaru was standing at the stove, adjusting the flame under a sauté pan. He looked up and frowned at her. “Kagome, you were very sick yesterday. What are you doing out of bed?”

 

“I'm going to ignore your domineering tone of voice,” she said cheerfully. “Rin told me you're cooking, and I wanted to make sure you aren't going to burn down my kitchen.”

 

“Nonsense.” He crossed the room and put a hand to her forehead, relieved that, though she still felt warm, the angry, immediate heat had dissipated and her color had become closer to normal. “How do you feel this morning?”

 

Kagome made the conscious choice not to be irritated by his hovering protectiveness and instead allowed herself to close her eyes and lean against him, enjoying his strength and warmth. “Like I have been defenestrated—which is a step up from yesterday when I felt like I got thrown out a window…then beaten with a stick. I just want to be vertical for a few minutes.”

 

He guided her onto a tall barstool next to Rin. “Are you hungry?”

 

She shook her head. “Just juice, please. I really don't have my appetite back, and even if I did, I don't think my throat can handle solids yet.”

 

He set a glass of grapefruit juice in front of her. “I hope you aren't expecting me to add vodka to this.”

 

She playfully stuck her tongue out and took the pills. “Thanks. Soo…you seem to know how to work the stove and toaster,” she said as he continued with Rin's breakfast. “I guess I assumed the typical bachelor's kitchen incompetence combined with having a housekeeper left you particularly hopeless in food preparation.”

 

“I lived alone for several years,” he said, giving her a pointed look while spooning scrambled eggs onto a plate. “I know how to feed myself.”

 

“Oh yeah?” she asked, curiosity and the urge to challenge him prickling at her. “What can you make?”

 

He smiled to himself, happy that Kagome seemed back to her healthy, pestering personality. “Eggs and toast,” he replied. He spread butter on some toast, added it to the plate, and slid it in front of Rin.

 

“Besides eggs and toast.”

 

“I'm remarkably adept at making rice that either has the consistency of watery gravel or is scorched on the bottom.” He joined them at the counter and absorbed the warm sound of Kagome's laugh.

 

“It can be tricky. I'll teach you the secret to perfect rice one of these days.”

 

Rin was thrilled the three of them were together, but scowled at the orange marmalade next to the salt and pepper shakers. “May I have the strawberry jam? Please?” Her grandmother had been giving her lessons on etiquette and proper social graces, and though she knew Kagome wouldn't care that she remember the intricacies of posture and table settings, she at least knew the importance of politeness.

 

Sesshoumaru held back an indulgent laugh; Rin's courteous words did not match her sour expression and tone of voice. “That's all I could find.”

 

Kagome got up, went to the refrigerator, and took out a jam jar. She heaped piles of it on Rin's toast, just as she knew her niece liked. Then she tousled Sesshoumaur's hair before returning to her seat. “It's okay. Male Refrigerator Blindness is nothing to be ashamed of.”

 

Sesshoumaru's serious façade was almost cracked.

 

“What's that?” Rin asked between bites.

 

“When a man loses the ability to visually recognize objects in a refrigerator. Closely related to Male Reluctance to Load the Dishwasher,” she said, indicating the sink full of dishes, “Male Fear of Touching the Vacuum, and Male Inability to Ask for Directions.”

 

“Very funny,” he said sarcastically. “Is it like Female Funhouse Mirror Syndrome? Or perhaps Female Need to Interrupt Comfortable Silence?”

 

“I love your sense of humor,” Kagome said honestly, but with a heavy dollop of impudence.

 

“Glad to know you're feeling better.”

 

She was seized by the desire to ruffle his hair again, but thought better of it. Sesshoumaru, she had learned, was able to handle small doses of teasing, and she suspected she was pushing his limit. “Glad to know you're glad.”

 

Rin was glad too.

 

XxXxX

 

Kagome was woken from a dreamless sleep by a weight suddenly crushing her legs, immobilizing them. She panicked briefly, but then saw it was only the dog, half-lying on her and panting heavily.

 

“Sorry,” Sesshoumaru apologized. “I was hoping he wouldn't wake you.”

 

Rin crawled on the bed. “We played with Obi outside. Uncle Sesshoumaru is teaching him how to fetch.”

 

Kagome snorted. “Good luck with that. Dog doesn't have a retrieving bone in his body.”

 

“How are you feeling?”

 

“Almost human again.” She struggled against the dog's weight to sit up, then looked at Sesshoumaru and gave him her sweetest smile. “There are a few extra pillows on the top shelf of the closet. Be a dear and get them for me. Please.” She batted her eyelashes for good measure.

 

He disappeared inside the closet.

 

“You may have to use a chair—that shelf is pretty high,” she called out.

 

He emerged with two pillows. “Unnecessary.”

 

“Damn. Tall men are so handy.”

 

He helped her adjust the pillows so she could sit up comfortably. “Do you need anything else?”

 

Kagome looked around the room mischievously. “Well, since you asked…my ice melted. Can you get me some fresh ice water? And my cell phone. It's in the black bag by the door, and don't go digging around in it.” She ignored his as-if-I'd-care eye roll. “Sango doesn't know that I got sick, and I need to complain to her about how close I came to dying. And can you give me my laptop? It's on the trunk. I should at least try to clear out my inbox. And can you plug it in? The outlet's behind the dresser.”

 

He stared at her a moment; one more request would have sent him out, leaving her to fend for herself. He bent over to plug in her computer, and Kagome craned her neck to get a better view.

 

Nice ass.

 

When he came back with the water and phone, she tried to put on a straight face. “Something's wrong with the A/C. Can you try to plug it into the outlet by the bookcase?”

 

The ill-repressed grin made him suspect that she was up to something, but he had no idea she was creating another opportunity to ogle his backside. Rin shared his confusion; Kagome's computer was working perfectly well.

 

“Anything else before I get to work?” He was almost afraid to ask.

 

“Uncle Sesshoumaru said he would stay here and watch three AMVs with me if I let him work afterwards. I'm gonna draw some pictures for Grandmother and Grandfather and stay out of his hair. I promised.” Rin crossed her heart to demonstrate her earnestness.

 

Kagome patted her head and gave her a peck on the cheek. “I'd love some hot tea…if you're still offering. Maybe an oolong? I've got several varieties in a cabinet.”

 

He sighed. “I just gave you ice water.”

 

“They both feel good on my throat.”

 

While Sesshoumaru was happy to help her get comfortable, he couldn't help but feel that she was enjoying this a little too much.

 

Rin looked at her and suddenly Kagome made sense. She was reacting to being somewhat reliant on him by teasing, and Rin recalled something her father said frequently. Why can't you damn independent women just admit when you need help instead of busting my balls? She never knew what balls he was talking about, but the situation was familiar. She followed her uncle into the kitchen to test his reaction.

 

Kagome decided it was as good a time as any to finish her column. Her illness had ruined her work-Rin-sleep balance, and if she thought about how far behind she was getting in preparation for her art show, she knew an anxiety attack would be forthcoming. But if she was forced to be bedridden for the time being, she reasoned, she could try to be somewhat productive.

 

Dear Scarlet, I'm a gay man in my early thirties. My boyfriend and I have been seeing each other for nine months. The non-sexual part of the relationship is very satisfying. We have several common passions and similar interests. The problem is the sex life. He doesn't like to be penetrated anally, which I respect, but, well, the problem is that he is horrible at blowjobs. And he's not interested in improving. I can tell he's just going through the motions, getting it over with, which is a total boner killer. In fact I get the feeling that he'd be fine with us just being happy celibates who grow old together (he's more or less said as much). I'm not fine with this. If I were fifty maybe, but I feel I've got lots of good sex to experience before loss of libido sets in. My question is: how shallow and stupid would I be to break up with a great guy because I want to orgasm from stimulation other than porn? Am I selfish? Should I tell him I love him, but if he wants to stay with me, he should be able to deal with the fact that I may seek sexual fulfillment elsewhere? Signed, Cockblocked by My Own Boyfriend

 

Dear Cockblocked, My primary, good-relationship-preserving instinct compels me to say, “You need to talk with your BF. Tell him how important a decent sex life is to you and that you are unsatisfied and suggest perhaps he should seek medical/psychological help because, though many people have a rock-bottom libido, he may be suffering from some undiagnosed ailment.” But honestly…I think he is the selfish one. He wants to have his cuddly, safe relationship and eat the no-sex cake too. Unfortunately for his scenario, he picked the wrong guy. Don't feel bad/like an asshole—it is in no way unreasonable to want a partner who can give and receive in bed…or at least fake it convincingly. If you do bring up fucking other people though, be sure it comes across not as a hollow threat, but as the only way you can see yourself staying happily with him. But I'd like to ask you, Cockblocked, wouldn't you rather have the person with whom you are having mind-blowing orgasms also be the same person with whom you go to the movies, eat breakfast, and shop for furniture? If your relationship with your boyfriend is so wonderful that keeping your sexuality separate from your life with him is worth the potentially troubling disconnect, then stay and try to work it out. But something tells me that you two aren't necessarily meant to be, and unless your passions and interests are collecting Nazi paraphernalia and pulling the legs off insects or something equally off-putting, you both should have no problem finding more suitable partners. And by the way, fifty isn't old.

 

Kagome heard Sesshoumaru coming into her room and quickly minimized the window. He had a ceramic teapot and was followed by Rin, who was carrying a cup and looking at her suspiciously.

 

“What are you hiding?” she said, voice full of child-sized indignation.

 

“Nothing,” Kagome squeaked. “You forgot the honey.”

 

“You didn't tell me you wanted honey.”

 

“Can I have some honey? Please.”

 

Sesshoumaru, eager to get to work, poured her a cup of tea and, rather than argue, went to the kitchen again.

 

Rin stared at Kagome. The girl learned, during her time in the kitchen watching Sesshoumaru make tea, that he wasn't mad at Kagome, in fact he seemed a tiny bit amused and she knew he still liked her, even more than before. Unfortunately Kagome, in Rin's judgment, was not being cooperative, and this annoyed her greatly. “You're not being nice.”

 

Rin's stern fierceness reminded her so much of her mother, she felt like she was a teenager again, getting busted for having cigarettes in her purse. “He secretly likes it,” Kagome said lamely in her defense.

 

Her niece wasn't so sure that that was still the case.

 

Sesshoumaru returned with the jar of honey. “We'll be in the living room if you need anything.”

 

“Hey, before you get back to work, can you bring me some yogurt? Maybe with a little granola and a few berries? My appetite's coming back.”

 

“Why are you doing this to me?” Her repeated demands, sweet and fun at first, were beginning to wear on him.

 

“Because I can,” she responded, avoiding looking at Rin. “You don't want me to get a yeast infection, now do you? Don't worry, I'll cook you dinner or something to make up for all the servitude.”

 

“You have a pretty high opinion of your culinary skills,” he said dryly.

 

“Thanks!” Kagome watched them leave, wondering why Rin was angry with her and what she was up to.

 

XxXxX

 

Kagome hit STOP just as Flora, Fauna, Merryweather were enchanting the kingdom, safe to sleep until the curse placed on the spindle-pricked beauty could be broken by true love's first kiss. “I think she finally lost the fight.” They had been watching Rin, curled up in Sesshoumaru's lap, struggling to stay awake for the past half hour. She had rallied during the musical number when Aurora sang “Once Upon A Dream” and danced with the forest animals, but the heavy weight of her tired eyes became too much to bear when the hypnotized princess walked through the castle to her doom. “I'm glad I had her brush her teeth before we started the movie.”

 

Sesshoumaru adjusted the blanket around the child; he had thought he had finally become used to Rin's size, how she so perfectly fit in his lap and the delicacy of her sleep-softened features, but watching her slumber in his arms, he realized his heart would never be completely immune from the beautiful pang, the perfect ache that comes from loving a child. “I hate to move her. She looks so peaceful.”

 

“Don't worry about waking her. She's out.” Kagome lifted one of Rin's arms and let it drop like a floppy anvil to demonstrate. “I think you could hang her upside down and she would stay asleep.”

 

Sesshoumaru nodded. “I'll be back.” He stood and carried Rin to bed, leaving Kagome alone on the couch to think about what she wanted to happen next.

 

All afternoon she continued to feel better, even getting a little work in, all done under Sesshoumaru's watchful eye and strict admonitions not to become overtired. Later he left and brought them back Chinese takeout from an upscale place that Kagome rarely felt she could afford. They spread her Seasons watercolor quilt on the living room floor and had a picnic, the rain outside keeping them indoors, and smiled at each other as Rin tried to learn to use chopsticks. Kagome watched with a lump in her throat as Sesshoumaru's capable, graceful hands covered the girl's tiny ones, patiently correcting, repositioning until she became confident, insistent upon shunning a fork and copying them.

 

And now the magic was over; she didn't need to be taken care of and Rin was asleep. Her ill-timed bout with strep, which had monopolized his entire weekend, was for all intents and purposes finished, and she knew she should let him go and try to salvage the remainder of the Sunday evening, but she selfishly wanted him to stay. Because of their demanding work schedules, they hadn't spent much time together without Rin or without Kagome being completely worthless since he had returned from his trip, and she missed the way they had been beginning to connect as friends. She got up, setting the embroidery she had been working on while watching Sleeping Beauty aside, and opened a bottle of wine.

 

“So I see you must be feeling better,” Sesshoumaru said when he returned from Rin's room. “Are you sure you wouldn't be better served by drinking tea instead of wine?”

 

Kagome grinned, taking note of the lightness and teasing in the timbre of his voice. It was welcome after the scolding she had received when he caught her trying to take several heavy bolts of fabric down from a shelf in her studio, and she was sure he extracted a certain pleasure in seeing her trying to defend herself in light of the unreasonable requests she had made, starting with ice water and continuing with numerous electrical failings and pillows needing fluffed. “I drank at least a gallon of tea today. A little glass of wine won't hurt anything. Can I interest you in one? I know you have sacrificed a lot looking after us and probably need to get back…” she faltered awkwardly, hating to hear his inevitable goodbye.

 

“I'd love a glass of wine.” Their eyes locked for a brief moment before Kagome turned and poured a second, happy glass of zinfandel. She didn't know he wanted an invitation to stay as much as she wanted an excuse to offer one. They sat on the couch, this time absent a little girl who managed to focus all attention on her and now they were alone together…without the child who linked them. Kagome floundered for a painful second before Sesshoumaru, always detached and collected said, “I'm glad you are on the mend. The drugs seem to have worked.”

 

“Yeah. Thank god for antibiotics.” She smiled guiltily. “Sorry about all the demands and…silliness earlier today. I guess I thought feeling better gave me permission to be a brat.”

 

“So I don't need to call an electrician tomorrow?”

 

Her face reddened, and she quickly picked up her embroidery to avoid his penetrating amber eyes. “Ah…no. That was my celibate, sick person version of a booty call.”

 

“Should I be offended?”

 

“Please don't be. I'm really quite harmless.” She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, wishing he was easier to read. “I hope Rin let you get some work done.”

 

“She was much less high maintenance than her aunt.” He paused as she nudged him with her elbow. “I actually had a relatively productive afternoon. We came to an arrangement that I'd work for an hour, then take a break and watch one of those ridiculous anime things with her. She entertains herself independently rather well.”

 

“Yeah, that's my sister's influence.”

 

“She's a charming child, though I've seen shades of Inuyasha in her too.”

 

Kagome smirked at the inference. “Oh, she's definitely both her parents' progeny.” She sipped her wine. “Hey, would you like to see the video of when she was born? I found it the other day when I was digging around in the storage unit. I've never watched it, and I've been meaning to put it on. Bank was there with his camera, and he said he planned to edit it to half an hour or so. There's nothing bloody…other than a newborn. They come out kinda messy. But I'll warn you now; the likelihood is strong that I'll need a good cry before it's over. Just ignore me.”

 

Sesshoumaru's time spent with Rin had piqued his curiosity about his brother. She talked about him—his likes and dislikes, quirky habits—frequently and with adoration, and the prospect of another glimpse into Inuyasha's adult life, one he had known so little about, despite their close blood relation, grabbed him. He wanted to know more, to continue to discover the complex man his brother grew into. And seeing his niece come into the world only made it better. “You're a little difficult to ignore.”

 

Kagome opened a shoe box and took out a disc labeled RIN'S BIRTH DAY—KAGOME'S COPY. She put it in the DVD, sat back down, and hit PLAY.

 

The camera focused on a small, well-kept house with a sign in front that read OPEN HANDS BIRTH CENTER. PAUSE

 

“Kikyou really wanted a homebirth, but insurance wouldn't cover it, so she went on a quest and interviewed three dozen OBs and midwives and visited every hospital and birth center in the region. Inuyasha thought she'd lost her mind. She picked Open Hands because it seemed like the most low-tech, low intervention option, and their transfer rate was small. Which was fine with me. I'm not a fan of hospitals.” PLAY

 

The door of the house opened, and Inuyasha stepped out.

 

“Any baby yet?” Bank asked.

 

“Nope. It'll be awhile.”

 

“Give me an update.”

 

“Let's go sit down. Good thing it hasn't gotten too cold yet.” They walked around the back to a flower garden, setting sun visible in the background, and sat on a bench. “She felt some contractions last night when we went to bed, so of course we were both way too excited to get much sleep. It was kinda nice just lying there together though, talking and…stuff.” Inuyasha blushed and turned his gaze from the camera.

 

“Sorry, the idea of sex with a pregnant woman makes me nauseous.”

 

Inuyasha scowled. “The idea of sex with any woman makes you nauseous. Anyway, so things picked up this morning when we went for a walk, but still no big deal...she could talk during contractions and said it wasn't bad. I made her breakfast, and she was joking around with Kagome, coming up with goofy baby names and shit. Kagome had some errands to run, and Kikyou told her to go do them and come back soon. So I'm left alone with her and what happens five minutes later? Her fucking water broke and all hell came undone. All the sudden the contractions started coming faster and she was in pain a lot more than she had been, and of course dumbass Kagome forgot her cell phone.” PAUSE

 

“I was Kikyou's doula; I took classes and got certified and everything. I promised I would be there for her when she needed me—”

 

“What's a doula?”

 

“Labor assistant.”

 

“You mean the person who chants push and counts to ten?”

 

“Nothing like that actually,” she said flatly. PLAY

 

“Kikyou was starting to freak because it hurt so much, and I forgot everything we learned in childbirth classes. I've never felt so scared and worthless in my life. Kikyou is normally so chill, and here she is losing it and I can't do a damn thing to help her. Kagome got back a half hour later and thank fucking god for that. She's the one who knows all the different things to try for coping with labor. She swooped in and got Kikyou breathing and calmed down, then she drove us here. Juliette, the midwife, listened to the heartbeat and said everything sounded great. That was around one this afternoon. What time is it now? I don't even have a clue.”

 

“Four o'clock.”

 

“Damn. She's been at the really hard stuff for a couple hours.” He leaned back and stretched a little. “Doing great though. The way she is connected with Kagome is beautiful. I'm so glad she's here to support her. I don't know if it's those classes she took or that weird twin thing they do sometimes, but it's like Kagome knows exactly what's coming next and what Kikyou needs.”

 

“So what are you doing? Watching football?”

 

Inuyasha frowned. “I'm not some insensitive jerk-off.”

 

“No TV in the room?”

 

“Nope.” He laughed. “I wouldn't be watching it anyway; the games on TV today suck. Thank god we'll be home tomorrow night for the Oakland game.” They both laughed, though somewhat tinged by what could be interpreted as guilt for being born male. “But seriously…I should get back to the birthing room.”

 

The scene switched to a candle-lit, comfortable room with a big bed, rocking chair, and sofa. Enya was heard coming from the CD player on the dresser. The only things that made it look different from a normal bedroom were a huge ball and an odd contraption that looked like a U-shaped stool. Kikyou and Kagome were standing by a large window, the former resting her head on the latter's shoulder, breathing deeply together. Kikyou's long hair was tied back in a low ponytail, and she was wearing a red silk robe; Kagome, dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, still had the faint purple in her hair from Halloween.

 

“Look at them,” Inuyasha said softly. “I can't tell you how many times I saw them like that when Kagome was going through her troubles. I'd wake up in an empty bed and would find Kikyou curled up with Kagome on her bed, stroking her hair, whispering in her ear. And now Kagome's the one giving comfort. Goddam, I love those two crazy, stubborn, amazing Higurashi chicks so fucking much.”

 

Sesshoumaru looked at Kagome, the tears in her eyes just beginning to spill out and roll down her cheeks. “Kagome, are you okay?”

 

She nodded slowly. “I'm good,” she said, voice quavering.

 

Kikyou lifted her head from her sister's shoulder and sighed. “That one was rough. I'm so tired,” she said weakly. “I can't do this, Kagome.” She shook her head. “It's too much.”

 

Kagome put her arm around Kikyou's waist and started walking with her. “You are doing this, honey. You can. You are. You're doing great. This is the worst and you're getting through it fabulously. You're strong…you're perfect. And you're going to be holding your baby soon.”

 

Kikyou looked up and saw the men in the doorway. “Inuyasha…I need you.”

 

He rushed to her side, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. “Hurts.”

 

“I know.”

 

“I feel like when I ride a rollercoaster with you. I'm so freaked out, but I can't get off. And this is a really long, pain-filled rollercoaster.”

 

Inuyasha laughed gently. “I'm here, babe. I'm here.”

 

Kagome walked toward the camera. “Hey Bank.”

 

“How is she holding up?”

 

“She's so strong. I couldn't do it.” She handed Inuyasha a glass of water from a nearby table, and he helped Kikyou drink. “I don't feel her physical pain, but I feel her confusion, her panic. And dude, it's fucking intense. I'm so proud of her. I don't think I can ever do what she's doing.” She turned and looked at her sister and brother-in-law as he rubbed her lower back and she breathed. “Look at them,” Kagome echoed Inuyasha's earlier statement. “Such different personalities…night and day in a lot of ways, but they balance each other. Like Yin and Yang embodied in two people. Two people bringing something totally new into the insanity that is this world. What a beautiful, stupid, necessary thing.”

 

The camera focused on the couple. Kikyou had her eyes tightly closed, face contorted in pain. Inuyasha rubbed light, small circles on her lower back.

 

Kikyou thrashed her head from side to side harshly. “I need something else!”

 

Kagome zipped into action and led her sister to the large ball. “Let's try the birthing ball again.” She breathed with her until the contraction was over. “Do you want to sit on it?”

 

“Kneel.”

 

They got on the floor, and Kagome draped her sister over the ball and showed Inuyasha where to rub her lower back, the specific place, the pressure needed. She went on the other side of the ball and grasped Kikyou's hands. “Just relax for now. You're doing great. Squeeze my hands when you feel a contraction.”

 

Kikyou melted into the ball briefly, then tensed and arched her back.

 

“Now.” She nodded to Inuyasha. “Kikyou, breathe.”

 

Inuyasha rubbed as Kagome chanted encouragements. After a minute they all relaxed again, and Kikyou looked over her shoulder at her husband. “Rub harder, okay? As hard as you can. It helps.”

 

The video cut to a side view of Kikyou sitting on the U-shaped chair, legs wide apart, looking much calmer. Inuyasha, seated on the sofa, was directly behind her, supporting her weight with his body. Sitting on the floor was a red-headed woman in front of Kikyou and Kagome next to her. PAUSE

 

Kagome laughed and wiped away tears. “Kikyou totally had Bank edit out the part where she puked. And the part where she was convinced she was going to die and begged Inuyasha and me to get married for the sake of the baby. My sister was always so in control…for something to be happening to her body that she had absolutely no way of controlling had her pretty flipped out. And I guess she didn't want any visible evidence. That woman is the midwife, and, if I'm not mistaken, Rin should be making an appearance soon. Kikyou's second stage was only twenty minutes or so.” PLAY

 

The camera focused on Kikyou and Inuyasha.

 

“I feel another one,” she said, hands tightly gripping the sides of the chair.

 

“Okay, honey,” Juliette said, “breathe your baby down. Great pushing, great breathing. That's it…just like that.”

 

Kikyou continued to push, breathing deeply, face intense with the effort. Inuyasha whispered in her ear, his hands covering hers. After a minute she relaxed again, looking triumphant.

 

“I like this better. I finally feel like I'm doing something.”

 

Inuyasha helped her recline a bit, resting on him, and he held a damp cloth to her flushed face.

 

“You're doing wonderfully. Just rest in between,” the midwife said.

 

Kikyou turned and kissed Inuyasha. “We still haven't agreed on any names.”

 

He grinned. “Well, I guess that means it's Pinhead if it's a boy and Freddy if it's a girl.”

 

She laughed. “You persist in this fantasy that I'd let you name a child after a horror movie villain.”

 

“C'mon! He…or she would be the coolest kid on the playground. You know you wanna.” He hugged her closer to him. “How you feel?” he asked gently.

 

“Getting tired, but good.” She sighed and relaxed deeper into his arms.

 

“Pushing is hard, tiring work,” the midwife said, “You're doing great.”

 

Kikyou nodded. “Another one.”

 

Inuyasha pushed her so she was sitting up again, holding her around the chest. Kikyou breathed deeply and slowly, eyes shut tight. This pattern continued for several more contractions.

 

“I see the head,” the midwife announced. “Kikyou, slow down. Just keep the deep breathing and don't bear down.” A minute later she said, “The head's out!”

 

The angle of the camera didn't show much of what was going on below Kikyou's waist. “Oh my god!” Kagome exclaimed from off-camera. “Tons of black hair.”

 

“Figures,” Inuyasha said, kissing his wife's sweaty brow.

 

“Here's a shoulder…and the rest!” The midwife lifted a small, pink, bloody body with a full head of black hair and placed it into Kikyou's waiting arms. The baby opened wide and, after a long moment of silence, let loose a sound, sort of a strangled howl of protest that brought tears to the new parents' eyes. The midwife quickly covered the baby with a soft towel, rubbing lightly, and wiped the tiny, angry face.

 

Kikyou sighed shakily and smiled at Inuyasha. “Look at what we made.”

 

“Nah…it was all you, babe,” he said, voice cracking with emotion. “Should we look?”

 

Kikyou lifted the towel and peeked. She and Inuyasha looked at each, smiling, then at Kagome. “Girl,” they said together.

 

Kagome squealed and burst into tears.

 

Kikyou eased her robe open so that she and the baby were touching bare skin against bare skin. She stared at her screaming infant and lightly stroked a round, red cheek, mesmerized. “Rin. Her name is Rin.”

 

Inuyasha nodded. “I can live with that.”

 

“Let's get you into bed and that baby sucking,” Juliette said. “What time is it? Anyone?”

 

“Five thirty-three,” Bank said.

 

Inuyasha helped Kikyou walk the short distance to the bed, as Kagome turned the blankets down. Once Kikyou was lying back on a mountain of pillows, Inuyasha and Kagome, who had just gotten a hold of herself, embraced.

 

“Hey Daddy,” Kagome managed to say before she started crying anew.

 

The midwife put a knit hat on Rin and helped guide her mouth onto a nipple. “Nice latch-on. See the tip of her little tongue? And the way her jaw is working as she sucks? Look for that every time. I'll be here to help, but so far she's nursing like a pro.”

 

The camera cut out and refocused on Kikyou lying down, now-swaddled baby attached to a breast and the midwife massaging her abdomen. PAUSE

 

“He cut out the part where she delivered the placenta and cut the cord. And the part where she looked in between her legs with a mirror. I told her not to…but would she listen? I thought she was going to pass out. Sooo not pretty. I'm talking Axe Wound. Right now the midwife is getting her uterus to shrink and firm up. Fortunately it all went well. Normal amount of blood loss, and she had an intact perineum.” She looked at Sesshoumaru, who seemed a little pale, and decided not to explain, remembering the two men in the birth room, their ashen skin tone and profound discomfort with the confrontation of the less cuddly aspects of childbirth. “They weighed and measured her. Juliette had this cool sling-scale thingy so Rin and Kikyou never had to be separated. Eight pounds, four ounces. Nineteen inches.” PLAY

 

“Inuyasha?” Kikyou said. “She's fallen asleep. Come hold your baby.”

 

Inuyasha, sitting on the bed next to his wife, hesitantly held out his large, calloused hands. They carefully transferred their precious bundle from one set of arms to another, mindful of the vulnerable head and neck. Inuyasha looked distinctly terrified, then after a minute gained confidence and cradled her close. He sniffed loudly, face hidden by his long hair, fallen over a shoulder. The camera zeroed in on Rin's face. She woke with a grimace, but blinked her eyes open and looked at him instead of crying. “I'll be damned…Taisho eyes. Hi, Rin.” He loosened the tight blanket, freeing her arms, making her look like less of a pod. He picked up a hand and examined the tiny fingers. “I'm your Daddy. We've been waiting a long time to meet you. I'm gonna love you forever.” He kissed the hand and tucked her arm back into the blanket and adjusted the cap to cover her head better. “Oi, Kagome. Your arms are empty.”

 

Kagome stepped forward and sat on the edge of the bed. She blew her nose and took the baby. “She looks like both of you. She's perfect.” Kagome lost the battle with her keeping her emotions in check and didn't bother to hold back tears. “Look!” she gasped with delight. “She already knows how to yawn. I think she's falling back to sleep. I think she likes me.”

 

“Of course she likes you, idiot,” Inuyasha said. “You're the best.”

 

There was a soft knock at the door, and Miroku and Sango entered, carrying champagne bottles. Congratulations were offered, sleeping baby-bundle was passed, toasts were made. Rin back safe in her father's arms, the midwife helped Kikyou to the bathroom to take a shower, and Bank announced he needed to step out and make some phone calls. The screen went blank briefly, then came back into focus. It was the dark backyard, and Kagome was looking at the moon and smoking a cigarette. The camera was to the back of her and no one else was there.

 

“Hmm. Look at me smoking. I don't remember this part. I guess I didn't know Bank was there.”

 

Inuyasha stepped into the garden. “You disappeared.”

 

She looked at him. “Just indulging in my disgusting habit. I've got less than two months before I quit, so…here I am.”

 

Inuyasha stood next to Kagome. “Did you see Miroku when he held Rin? I think he'd get Sango knocked up tonight if she'd let him.”

 

“Yeah,” Kagome laughed. “Sango is more career oriented. Or at least she wants them both to be out of grad school and law school.”

 

“She's smart. They can wait a few years.” Inuyasha put his arm around her. “How are you?” he asked seriously.

 

Kagome looked away. “Fucked up. Fucked up.”

 

“Talk to me.”

 

She heaved a sigh. “Pay no attention. Please. I'm just tired and emotional and feeling sorry for myself.”

 

“I realized that. Talk to me.”

 

Kagome took a long drag on her cigarette and shook her head. “What you said before. My arms will always be empty. I'll never have what you two have. I'm broken.”

 

“Kagome.” He tightened his grip. “You're not broken; you never were. You're healing from something shitty, but you were never broken.”

 

“Sometimes I feel like I'm paralyzed. I'm strong enough not to go back, but too afraid to move forward. Mostly it's enough; I'm satisfied. But times like tonight…I feel like I want a normal relationship, but I'll never be able to have one. I'm just such a fucking chicken shit. I'm scared of life.”

 

“You're not. You live constantly, one step at a time, little by little. Kagome, you've survived shit I can't fathom.” He grasped her chin and forced her to look at him. “You're the bravest person I know.”

 

She buried her face in the hair at his shoulder, and he held her tightly.

 

“Now…I want to get back to my wife and kid, but I'm not going to leave you alone. You are as important to me as they are. Buck up, be a happy camper. You've got a niece to coo over, and I need to call my brother. I'm hoping Mom and Dad will finally come visit.”

 

“I love you.”

 

He kissed the top of her head. “I love you too.”

 

She crushed her cigarette out and threw it in a nearby trash can, and they walked away.

 

“Kagome,” Bank's voice said, “I didn't mean to eavesdrop. I just thought you looked pretty and started filming you. I'll make sure that little exchange is only on your copy.” The screen went blank.

 

Kagome stared at the screen, stricken. She covered her face with her hands, and Sesshoumaru pulled into his lap and let her cry.

 

“I miss them.”

 

“I know.”

 

Kagome gradually stopped sobbing, but neither of them moved. She continued to lean against him, head on his shoulder, face pressed into the side of his neck; he continued to stroke her hair.

 

“So…everything is going back to normal tomorrow.” Her voice sounded sad. “Back to the office. Back to the studio. I've got so much to do, I don't know when I'm going to sleep.”

 

“Lack of sleep is probably what got you sick. You need to take care of yourself or this will happen again,” he said rationally, praying she wouldn't try to sit up. “My parents are coming back tomorrow, and I'm certain they'll want to spend as much time with Rin as they can. You'll have plenty of time to work without killing yourself.”

 

“I don't know how I'm going to ever thank you for all you've done this weekend.” She shifted her position, aware of the intimate contact, the places their bodies were touching. She ignored the potential implications and complications and simply took comfort in his presence and enjoyed his fingers lightly combing through her hair. “I know it really messed up your work and god knows what else. I hope you didn't have a date or something that you had to cancel.”

 

“I got enough done today that tomorrow will be entirely manageable. I'm just glad I was here to help. I missed a Kendo workout, but other than that, I most likely would have just wanted to spend time with Rin. And you.”

 

Kagome raised her head and looked into his deep golden eyes. “Sesshoumaru, I need you to know something. I miss your brother incredibly. Painfully. Like he's some kind of phantom limb or something. But I need you to know, I'm not trying to recreate him in you. I like you for who you are. I'm happy we're friends.” She laid her head back on his shoulder.

 

“Me too,” he said honestly. “And I'm glad my brother had you in his life. It was nice to see him so happy.” He was silent a moment, content to hold her as long as she was willing to be held. “I have to leave the country again soon.”

 

“When?” she asked quietly.

 

“In a week.”

 

“For how long?”

 

“At least two weeks. Maybe three.”

 

“That's a long time.” She half sat up, looking distressed. “You're going to miss the zombie walk. I was really looking forward to dressing you up and putting fake blood all over you.”

 

He laughed. “I don't think so.”

 

She laughed with him. “I'll have to settle for Halloween. You'll make a perfect Kimimaro with your hair color.”

 

His laughter ceased; she seemed seriously intent on dressing him up. “No.”

 

“Aw come on. There's hardly any make-up involved, just a little red eyeliner, and the clothes are just black pants and a loose shirt…that keeps slipping down. It'll give you a chance to show off your manly pecs and shoulders.” She was teasing him again.

 

“No.”

 

“Ooo…okay then, Sephiroth,” she said, even more excited. “No make-up, just lots of black leather and an absurdly long sword.”

 

“Kagome, you don't seem to understand. People in my position don't dress up on Halloween.”

 

“Whatever! You'll change your mind when I show you a picture of him and you realize how perfect—”

 

“No. Now stop.”

 

The intimate spell was broken. Kagome got up and stretched.

 

“I suppose I should get to bed.”

 

“I should get home too. I need to be at the office early.”

 

“Thanks again for all you've done for me and Rin. And thanks for taking me to the doctor. I was pretty out of it. All I remember was that he was a hottie. I didn't do anything embarrassing, did I?”

 

He recalled her drug and blow job comments. “You? Of course not.”

 

She looked at him suspiciously as they walked to the door. “Obi, come.” She let the dog out. “Thanks for staying with me. I'm glad I didn't have to cry alone. Sorry I got your shirt wet.”

 

“Thank you for sharing the video with me. Are you okay?”

 

She nodded. “Good night.” She gave him a hug and quick kiss on the cheek.

 

He wasn't sure precisely what it was about that moment, but it was then that he realized that he had fallen in love.

 

&&&

 

I do not own Inuyasha. I do not own Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty or any characters from Hellraiser, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Naruto, or Final Fantasy VII. Thank you for reading this ridiculously long chapter.