InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ En Famille ❯ Halloween prt. 2 ( Chapter 11 )

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A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is braver five minutes longer.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Pushing away her thoughts as they pulled up to the pregnant girl's building, Kagome slipped out and helped her friend up, greeting the night guard and the repairman with him while heading into the elevator.

"Mrs. Shikon, we'll be cutting the building's power in about ten minutes, there was a problem with some of this wiring but the repair shouldn't take more than twenty, thirty minutes at most." Emille informed them.

"Thank you for the warning," Sango smiled, "We're both exhausted anyway so I'm sure it won't be a problem."

Once they reached the penthouse, Sango checked up on Rin before heading to her own room on the second floor, thanking Kagome when she helped her out of her medieval gown. The large dress had been very comfortable for her and the long velvet sleeves helped keep her warm. Kagome was hanging it up in the walk-in closet when the lights suddenly went.

"Does this happen often?" Kagome stumbled out, blinking as her eyes adjusted to the darkness and she managed to make out her friend's figure on the bed.

"I'm sure its nothing serious, they usually do repairs that might cut the power like this at night so as not to trouble tenants during the day," Sango lay back on the bed, rubbing her stomach in circular motions.

Nodding despite the darkness, the younger woman headed outside, thankful that Rin was fast asleep with her nanny beside her. She managed to make it to the kitchen, where she served them both some milk before heading back.

"Kagome!" Sango's strained voice caused her stomach to knot as she hurried into her room. Wringing her hands, Sango held them out for help getting off the bed, "You're going to kill me."

"Kill you? Why?"

Hesitating a moment, Sango winced and clutched her belly suddenly. Shaking her head, Kagome backed up a step, leaving the milk glasses on a nearby bookshelf. "No way, you are not telling me your water broke!"

"It just broke while you were in the kitchen," Sango winced again, "This shouldn't be a problem though, I have at least another five to six hours to go right?"

"Sango how many hours you spend in labor with Rin?" Kagome reminded her, "Four measly hours! Not six or even twelve like other women, nope, four - Doctor Wills was as impressed as the rest of us remember?"

Nodding, Sango pushed herself off the bed wanting to get out of her wet garments. Kagome carefully helped her change again and told her to pace around the room, "Walking helps with the pain, and I'm sure they'll have everything fixed quickly. Emille and this repairman have been working together here at the building for years, they know it like the back of their hands right?"

They made their way out of the room and downstairs, roaming around the apartment's first floor. Kagome finally spoke, "Emille said the repair shouldn't take more than fifteen minutes."

"That was at one fifteen," Sango glanced at her watch, "It's two-ten now!"

"It's been that long?" Kagome led her past Rin's bedroom, and into the kitchen, turning to head back to the living room and start another cycle. They had gone around the apartment five times already and Sango was getting very tired. When they reached the living room again she took a seat on the sofa and sighed.

"If only we could call downstairs to find out what the problem is!" Sango whined, "Do you think Sessh is down there?"

Kagome shook her head, "Do you really think he would have waited this long if he were? That man would most likely climb the stairs and arrive without a single bead of sweat marring that perfectly kept brow."

Giggling, Sango was about to make a comment about him being perfectly capable of getting sweaty when a stronger contraction hit.

Kagome went into the dark bathroom and came back with a towel and a tub of cool water, pressing the wet towel to her forehead, "I shouldn't have left my purse with my cell phone in the car."

"The cordless won't work without power and Rin killed my cell phone this morning." Moaning, she focused on her breathing techniques.

Remembering the instructions she'd read once, Kagome kneeled in front of her and took hold of one of her feet. Starting slowly, she began rubbing and kneading her foot, smiling when Sango gave a deep sigh and melted a little on her seat.

"That's heavenly!"

Kagome shrugged, "I read in a baby book that this would be good for you."

That brought Sango's head up, "You were reading a baby book?"

"My doctor's office didn't really have many options, it was either a baby book or a cancer study," Kagome lied, not wanting to give away anything about her own hopes for a baby. Changing feet, she glanced at her watch, angling her hand so the moonlight made it possible to read the time. "Two twenty."

"This is endless! When will those idiots be done?"

"If you didn't live on the seventeenth floor, we could go down to the limo," Kagome sighed, "But there is no way you'll make it down all those steps in this condition.

"Oh god!"

Gritting her teeth, Sango tensed when a stronger contraction ripped through her belly. Panting again, she felt her panic begin to get the better of her. "What if the light doesn't come on in time? I want to go to the hospital Kagome! I need drugs!"

"Keep it down!" Kagome whispered, "I know you're in pain but things will only get worse if Rin wakes up, remember?"

"Right," moaning again, Sango focused again on her panting. "Kagome I am not going to make it to the hospital."

"We'd better get you into bed in case you don't," Kagome helped her up, taking most of her weight and guiding her very slowly to her room. The trip took a few stops due to contractions and Sango's pleas for rest, but finally they made it and she was propped up against her pillows with the blankets pulled back and fresh sheets on the bed.

"The contractions are coming a lot more often!" Sango whimpered, chest heaving from the pain. Clutching at the sheets, she panted brokenly, biting back screams as another contraction seared through her.

"I just need to light a few more candles ok?" Kagome hurried to collect all the candles she could find, searching through the entire apartment where her friend had them set up as decorations. She lit them and placed them all around the bed, handing Sango a small pillow so she could scream into it.

"I'm gonna die Kagome! Promise you'll take care of Rin and Sessh for me!" Sango cried between two of her stronger pains.

"Don't be stupid! No one's dying here!" Kagome snapped, opening her friend's legs and kneeling between them. Seeing the terror on Sango's features, she realized she had to calm her down and raised up on her knees to cup her friend's face in her hands.

"Hey, listen to me ok? You can do this Sango, you're a tough woman and you and your baby will be fine. Think about that, focus on it, you're going to have a baby, you're finally going to hold your baby. He's worth it right?"

"Yes, my baby's worth it."

"And you have to live to see the baby, women did this all the time before hospitals and drugs were created, you can do it too. I've read about this, I can help you but you have to calm down and focus ok?"

Nodding and clutching her arms, Sango gave her a shaky smile, "I will, thanks Kags. I'm so glad you're here."

Feeling tears sting in her eyes, Kagome smiled back carefully leaning over her stomach to give the girl a brief hug. "I'm glad too."

"Ohhh!"

Clutching Kagome's back, Sango buried her head in her shoulder as another stab of pain shot through her. Unable to help except by offering support, Kagome tightened her hold on her until she let go. Pulling back, she urged Sango to rest her head against her pillows and keep her breathing steady. Sweat dripped from the poor girl's forehead and she wiped it off with another face towel, leaning back to check for the baby again when her moaning became worse.

For the next two hours they struggled to keep it together, Sango panting and fighting back screams, some of which she had to release into a pillow. Kagome helped her with her breathing, rubbing her feet some more and keeping cool cloths at hand to wipe down her brow. Having been relaxing after an excruciating contraction, Sango surprised her suddenly as she sat up and cried out.

"I think this is it Kagome! I can feel something changing down there!"

"Now?! I told you you'd probably be quick again!" Kagome lifted up her nightgown and bit her lip, seeing her friend's body had indeed changed and opened quite a bit further. Nodding her head, she placed herself between Sango's legs again and clasped her friend's knees. "You're right, this is it."

"Oh god, oh god, oh god, nnnn..." Lifting herself onto her elbows, Sango's panting quickened as the pain worsened.

"Ok, go with what your body tells you to Sango, push when you feel its right," Kagome coached her, spreading her legs a bit wider to see as she brought a candle close and gasped, "I think I can see the top of the head!"

"You'll be seeing a lot more sooooon!" Sango grit her teeth and pushed, stopping a moment later to gain her breath before pushing again.

Kagome set the candle down beside her on the tray she'd brought and encouraged her as slowly, the baby began to come out. "That's it... just a little more! The head's almost all out! You can do this Sango, a little more..."

Gently giving the tiny head support without making attempts to pull it out or rush the baby, she kept Sango going, coaching her through the process. Finally the head was through, one shoulder and arm followed, and then the rest of the body slipped out easily after the larger skull had cleared the way.

"Agh!"

Dropping back against the pillows, Sango silently cried, immensely relieved to be done at last. Kagome gently pressed down on the baby's nose to expel all the mucus and other material that may be clogging it up, crying too. Thankfully so was the baby, after wrapping him in a small blanket she'd brought, she gently lifted him to her friend's waiting arms. "Meet your son."

"Hey you," Sango's tears continued as she cradled her son to her chest, grateful that the umbilical cord was long enough for her to hold him. She rocked and lulled the wailing infant, who quieted down when she followed Kagome's instructions and put him to her bosom.

"Breast-feeding will help your body expel the placenta and cut down on bleeding," Kagome whispered, pressing a towel to her friend and sagging now that the ordeal was over. Wiping blood off Sango's legs and her arms, she absently wiped her own wet cheeks.

"Thank you," Sango reached for her hand and smiled as their fingers laced together, "I don't know how I would have done this if you hadn't been here."

"As if I 'd let you do something like that alone," Kagome took a seat beside her and carefully hugged the new mother again. "He's beautiful."

"My baby, oh god Sessh is still not home! What time is it?" Sango asked, one hand gently touching the top of her baby's little head.

Sliding off the bed, Kagome looked down at her watch and sighed, "Nearly five o'clock."

"Twenty minutes! Hah!" Biting her lip, Sango called out to her again, "I think the placenta's coming."

"Ok, no prob." Kagome moved back into place between her legs.

Placing it beside the baby once it was out, wrapped in another towel, Kagome had just taken a seat when the bedroom lights flickered and came back on. "Thank goodness! We've got to call for an ambulance and Sesshomaru."

Grabbing the phone, Kagome first called 9-1-1 and then Sessh's phone number. She got no reply and tried again, getting a message that the phone might be turned off or no longer in service.

"His battery could have died too," Sango bit her lip, worry for her husband clouding her features. The baby was sleeping soundly in her arms and she was now covered with a small blanket.

Thankfully the ambulance was nearby and arrived quickly, rushing the new mother to the hospital. Kagome had woken up Rin's nurse maid, who'd slept through the whole ordeal, and let her know what was going on so Rin wouldn't worry about her parents being missing. After leaving a message on Miroku's voicemail, she rushed into the elevator with the stretcher and rode in the ambulance to the hospital with them.

"Your doctor was already here Mrs. Shikon, she'll be right in," a beaming nurse greeted her when she arrived, the baby having been taken to the pediatrics area to be cleaned up and cared for. Sango was settled into a room and while she was taken care of, Kagome waited outside, watching from behind a glass wall as they checked to make sure the baby was all right.

After calling Sesshomaru and Miroku again, she walked back to the glass wall, where she could see the babies displayed for parents and family. She was still too overwhelmed with everything that had happened to notice anyone around her until a hand touched her leg. Looking down to see a little girl staring up at her, she smiled at the child.

"Why are you dressed like that? Did you go trick or treating? That's not real blood is it?"

"I forgot about my costume," looking down at her bloodied costume and nylons, Kagome shook her head. "I was at a halloween party tonight when my friend suddenly had her baby."

"My mommy just had a baby!" the little girl beamed. "They're bringing him over in a few minutes. I was hoping it'd be a girl because I already have a little brother, but I got another one instead."

"Brothers aren't so bad," Kagome chuckled, feeling somehow that she knew the girl. Her eyes were awfully familiar, but where had she seen...

"There you are Kimi, I was worried when I couldn't find you. Mama wants to see you hon!"

A sudden chill shot down Kagome's spine, freezing her on the spot as she immediately recognized the owner. Turning slowly, she realized where she'd seen the girl's eyes before and inwardly winced as she met the other person with those eyes again.

He froze too, a little boy, no older than three, sleeping on his shoulder. Looking over her outfit very slowly, he hardly seemed to hear his daughter as she skipped back to her mother's room, the one next door to Sango's. It took a moment but finally he spoke.

"Kagome?"

Nodding her head ever-so slightly, she barely managed to keep her voice steady enough to reply.

"Hello Hojo"

His eyes widened a bit, "Well, its certainly been a while hasn't it?"

While she nodded, a bell nearby sounded just then, a familiar voice breaking into their conversation, "Kagome!"

The urgency in that voice snapped her from her shock and made her turn to see Sesshomaru rushing out of the elevator towards her. Never had she seen the man in such a state, not even when Rin was born. "What happened?! Are they all right? Where...?"

"Sango had the baby back at your apartment, we were brought by the ambulance and she's being cleaned up." Kagome answered, "They're both fine, at least they should be, I did everything I could think of."

"You delivered the baby?" Sesshomaru's mouth actually dropped. "YOU?! I thought the paramedics..."

"When we got home the power in the building went out and I'd left my cell phone in the car. We were stuck on the seventeenth floor and- oof!"

Crushed against his chest, she struggled to regain her breath and managed to return the hug as she felt his trembling. Sesshomaru was not the type to show his emotions at all, but when it came to his family he was very sensitive and obviously vulnerable. Sensing that he needed the small gesture, she held on for a second before stepping away when the doctor came out of Sango's room, heading towards them.

"Ah Mr. Shikon, so good to see you again, I would hug the young lady as well if I were you. She did a wonderful job delivering your child, your wife and baby are both fine, you can go see her now. I'll have your son brought to you in a moment. Congratulations."

"My son?" Sesshomaru smiled down at the girl beside him, "Did you hear that? I have a son! Thanks to you Kagome!"

"Your wife did most of the work," she smiled back, tears stinging her eyes at his joy.

Giving her side a quick squeeze, he headed in to see his wife, closing the door behind him for a moment of privacy. Smiling in their direction, she looked at Hojo again and forced herself to hold the smile. "Your kids?"

"Yeah, Kimi and Jase, the new boy is Hige," he replied, shifting the boy in his shoulder. "So how've you been? You look like you've seen better days."

"Oh this was just for a costume party," she crossed her arms, feeling more exposed somehow than she had all night, wishing she'd been lucid enough to remember her state of undress when the paramedics arrived. "You married Eri?"

"Yuka" he corrected her, "Eri was just a quick fling."

"Give my congratulations to Yuka then," Kagome stifled a yawn, "I'm sorry, I've had a tough night and I need some coffee."

"Sure, but just out of curiosity, where do you keep your money?" Hojo asked.

Realizing she didn't have any, she blushed. "I left my purse in their limo."

"Hold on a sec and we'll both go get some, I could use a caffeine boost too." He went over to the room next to Sango's, coming out moments later without his child. Leading her towards elevator, they remained silent while they waited, both thinking it took forever to arrive.

"Where'd you leave your son?"

"He's sleeping on the empty bed in Yuka's room," Hojo shrugged, "It was only a few steps away."

"Kimi looks like you," Kagome kept her focus away from his face.

"Yeah, she's such a great kid," Hojo chuckled. "My little princess."

Reaching the basement, Kagome quickly stepped out of the elevator, looking for signs for the cafeteria.

"It's over here," Hojo walked a step or two ahead of her as he led her down to the left. "So you're not married?"

"Nope"

"No boyfriend?"

"I'm seeing someone, it's just in that awkward beginning stage I guess."

(- You know, when you have no idea how a simple plan went too far and you don't know where you'll go from here. -)

Wincing inwardly at the lie, she shook her head at herself and shrugged, not wanting to ponder the changes that had occured since the beginning of her hair-brained scheme.

"No kids? You're not divorced?" Hojo turned a corner and picked up his pace, making her a bit suspicious as the area seemed a bit too empty. But then again it was nearly five in the morning, not many people would be out and about at this hour, even in a hospital she supposed.

"No, I haven't been married nor do I have kids," she snapped. "I've been busy."

"Yuka's followed your progress closely, she's wanted to contact you but wasn't sure if she should. I watched too, even though I know we ended badly. I remembered you always wanted kids, I was just wondering if you got your wish. I don't think I fully understood why a person wants children until I'd had my own, its the most amazing thing." Hojo stopped beside a door and waited for her, "Cafeteria."

"Thanks," stepping inside, she led him over to the coffee machine, choosing a simple black decaf and thanking him again once he'd paid. "So what about you?"

"Oh I've taken over the business as I expected to, we're doing well," Hojo bought his own black coffee, sipping lightly once he'd gotten his cup.

Heading back while making some more small talk, they stopped once again at the baby viewing area. Sango's baby wasn't there, but his was, and Hojo proudly pointed him out.

"He's adorable," Kagome whispered, a knot forming in her throat as she spoke. Nodding silently, he was called away by a nurse then, who informed him that his wife had woken up and asked for him. With a quick wave, he headed into Yuka's room, shutting the door quietly behind him.

Staying where she was, Kagome's eyes remained focused on Hojo's baby, thinking that could have been her child. Tears formed in her eyes suddenly, making her bite her lip to keep from releasing them. Hearing the elevator bell from down the hall, she turned to see Miroku coming out holding a stuffed teddy bear and a bouquet of flowers. Stopping in front of her, he saw the trembling of her chin and leaned down to give her a gentle kiss, whispering against her lips. "Hold on just a little longer."

"Hey Miroku!" Inuyasha came out of Sango's room just seconds after he lifted his head, frowning a little at seeing their proximity, but shrugging it off since he knew they were close. "Where have you been?"

After greeting Kagome and telling her they'd been asking about her too, he dragged them both into the room. Kouga, Ayame, Mushin, his wife Aoi, and Sesshomaru were crowded around the baby sleeping in his mother's arms. After congratulating his sister, admiring his nephew, and greeting his parents, Miroku excused them from the gathering.

"Kagome's about to drop, I really think she needs to go home and get some rest."

"The poor girl!" Sango gasped, realizing she hadn't told him about what happened, "Where is she?"

"I'm right here," Kagome stepped out from behind him, where she'd been hiding, "I'm sorry I'm just so tired."

"Of course you are, you did so much for me tonight," Sango gave a shaky smile and beckoned her over, giving her a tight hug after Sessh took the baby. "My hero, I don't know how I can ever thank you for what you did tonight, I would have been lost if I had to do that by myself."

"Don't you dare thank me again, I only did what any good friend would, geez Sango, you're more than my friend, you're my family!" Kagome whispered, "I'd do anything for you and yours, you know that."

"Yeah, I know," Sango sniffled giving her a wet kiss on the cheek while pulling away and looking up to Miroku, "You take her home, she needs a lot of sleep after the hell I put her through."

"You? Putting someone through hell?" Miroku chuckled, "What'd you do? Make her deliver your kid?"

"That's exactly what she did, didn't anyone tell you?" Mushin frowned, taking the girl from his daughter's arms into his own, "My dear girl, always the level-headed, calm one of the pair. We're so proud of you honey."

"So proud," Aoi agreed, rubbing soothing circles into her back, "We'd like to come visit you with balloons and flowers someday too you know, someday soon."

Seeing her nod and bite her lip, Miroku realized she was on the brink of crumbling and quickly stepped in to save her. Taking her hand, he gently extricated her from his parent's hold and excused them from the others, draping his jacket and arm around her shoulders while he led her out of the room.

"Good night everyone!"

Walking out through the rain to his car, Kagome felt him tighten his hold around her a little more. As if sensing that she needed the silence, he refrained from speaking during the drive, watching closely but leaving her alone. Once at her apartment, he helped her remove her shoes and costume, surprised when she headed into the bathroom instead of climbing into bed. Undressing and lying down in his boxers, he waited patiently for her to finish, keeping the door open in case she called for him.

In the hot shower, Kagome couldn't help but remember everything that had happened during the long and hectic night, her control slipping as Hojo's words haunted her.

"I remembered you always wanted kids, I was just wondering if you got your wish. I don't think I fully understood why a person wants children until I'd had my own, it's the most amazing thing."

A voice broke into her thoughts, calling her name and making her look up with troubled eyes. Surprised at the depth of pain he saw in them, Miroku frowned, stepping into the shower beside her when he noticed her shivering. The water was warm but she was visibly shaking, her teeth nearly chattering. Wrapping his arms around her, Miroku pulled her close, gently rocking her beneath the warm spray. Her arms came around him with a soft whimper, tears mixing with the water slipping down his chest.

He held her close quietly for a while until he couldn't bear to hear her any more. A whimper escaped into his mouth as he lowered his head and caught her lips with his own, anything to stop the sound of her crying. He somehow turned off the water, lifted her, and got her into the bedroom without breaking off the kiss. Kagome's arms were wound tightly around his neck, keeping him from pulling away as he set her down atop the mattress, although he wasn't planning on leaving. Lowering himself over her, he focused all his attention on the girl clinging desperately to him. As her radio alarm came on, a Sade tune began playing, one neither really listened to, but whose words could have been written for the moment.

You came along when I needed a savior

Someone to pull me through somehow

I've been torn apart so many times

I've been hurt so many times before

So I'm counting on you now

Somebody already broke my heart

Somebody already broke my heart

Pulling back, he nuzzled her neck, kissing the lobe of her ear, needing to know. "Gome what is it?"

"Hojo was at the hospital, he's happily married to Yuka with three kids... and Sango... and her baby..."

Kagome closed her eyes, cupping the back of his head with one hand, dragging him down to her once again. Sweeping the smoky velvet of his tongue inside her mouth, Miroku felt her tremors ease as her body warmed. With firm, smooth strokes he both soothed and possessed, while her own tugged and sucked on his, causing him to moan deep in his throat.

Knowing his passion was rising too quickly, he lifted his head and stared down into her dark eyes, carefully trying to read into their depths. But all he managed to see there was pain, longing, and a desperate plea for something he wasn't sure he could give - or deny - without dire consequences at least.

Here I am so don't leave me stranded

On the end of the line, hanging on the edge of a lie

I've been torn apart so many times

I've been hurt so many times before

So be careful and be kind

Understanding her fears, he took his time, slowly, meticulously, thoroughly making love to her in the warm light from outside her thin white curtains. With every touch he consciously gave her as much tenderness as possible. Their kisses were long and languorous, while their bodies joined and their movements remained smooth and even. With every beat of sex an unbidden emotion passed between them, making the moment much more intense than ever before.

Wondering in a brief flash of awareness why this felt so different, Miroku understood it was because she needed him. After a hellish night, she needed this, needed him - the idea was mind boggling to a man who'd spent his life running from anyone who might form such bond with him.

He knew though, just how badly she needed the comforting tonight.

Somebody already broke my heart

( If someone has to lose, I don't want to play )

Somebody already broke my heart

( No no, I can't go there again )

No words were necessary, as they gently rocked together, the only sounds in the apartment being those of the alarm, the mattress, and their whispered cries. Hearing his name in those breathy sighs, over and over, he inwardly smiled, knowing his name was the only one she'd whispered in such a manner. The idea was quite pleasing.

You came along when I needed a savior

Someone to pull me through somewhere

I've been torn apart so many times

I've been hurt so many times before

So I'm counting on you now

The difference between making love and having sex he realized, was that making love was focused on her, her cries, her breaths, her pleasure. He was completely attuned to her body, her silky skin, still moist from the shower, the feel of her wet hair, the scent of her sweat, the strangled little cries coming from the back of her throat as they moved together towards completion.

Yet somehow just focusing on her pleasure seemed to add to his own, each little mewl excited and encouraged, each jolt of her tongue meeting his, and thrust of her hips rising to match his rhythm, had his own body soaring.

Somebody already broke my heart

( If someone has to lose, I don't want to play )

Somebody already broke my heart

( No no, I can't go there again )

Somebody already broke my heart...

At last he felt her body tensing, her back arching as she tightened around him and fell into climax. But even then he did not lose that strange awareness, even as his head fell back and he lost himself inside her. He was for the first time, fully aware of her soft gasps, the spasms of her completion, her body gradually relaxing as the pleasure ebbed.

Slumping down above her body, he wrapped his arms around her back and was about to turn them onto their sides when her hands tightened and stopped him.

Her warm breath fanned his neck, "Stay."

"I'm heavy"

Her head lifted and she pressed a kiss to his lips, "Not too heavy."

"Yes I am"

"I like this, don't leave me," she insisted.

"No," rolling over onto his back, he brought her with him, keeping their bodies tangled.

It was still early morning, the rain outside hadn't stopped but the sky was brighter despite that. Sharing another kiss, she snuggled close and fell fast asleep, her body covering his, head nestled in the crook of his neck. He smiled as he tugged the blanket over them both, arms wrapping around her back and closing his eyes at last.

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Smut again! But nice romantic, waffy smut - my fave ^_^

Important note: I skipped a chapter here on Mediaminer - I just realized this story only has ten chapters here and on FF.Net it's got eleven, so check out the missing chappie - 'Orphans & Nightmares' chp. 9! I'm sorry about that, I can't believe I forgot to post it here. Thanks for the reviews and Mme. Purple - thanks for the notice, I hadn't realized the words were missing.

See ya!