InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Harsh Changes ❯ Chapter Twelve ( Chapter 12 )

Harsh Changes

Chapter Twelve: Arrivals

"Breathe, Kagome." Kaede offered.

"I'm trying to." she yelled back, throwing her head back and gritting her teeth.

"Breathe." commanded Kaede.

Kagome forced out her breath. Alikin was busy boiling water. What the boiling water was for Kagome could only guess. Kaede was wiping Kagome's forehead, always reminding her to breathe. It hurt. Kagome couldn't lie to herself. It was one of the worst pains that she had ever felt. Even so, she was sure she could handle the pain. It was the fear that was throwing her off. This wasn't a modern hospital. This was one old woman and a young girl who looked terrified at the moment. So much could go wrong.

Kaede had covered her in blankets, which Kagome hated. She was so hot, she felt like her skin would burst into flames. There wasn't definition between the contractions anymore. It was just a solid wave of pain. Kaede made some voice that Kagome should push. Kagome was way ahead of her, bearing down on the blankets that covered her. Kaede was no longer beside her but before her, between her up raised legs, her

Modesty long ago had vanished. Kaede commanded again she pushed. Kagome gritted her teeth and pushed, screaming through her teeth. Again, Kaede told her to push. Kagome did, just wanting it to be over, wishing for nothing more but for the damn baby to be born already.

"Ye are doing very well." Kaede offered.

The commands to push no longer came from Kaede but her own nagging brain. She had already ripped through a few of the blankets laid on her. She was sure her teeth were going to break. But she kept pushing with every fiber in her being. Each time, so sure she had spent the last of her strength, only to surprise herself the next time with another grunt and hard push.

"I see the head, Kagome. Once ye get past the shoulders, it will be easier."

"AHH!!"

She gave one hard push, and felt movement in her. Her breathing was shallow and sharp, and her heart hammered against her chest. She didn't have any more, she thought to herself. She simply could not go any further.

"Kagome, come on. One more good push."

Kagome shook her head. She couldn't do it. She simple could not do it. But a sharp pain in her abdomen, along with the contraction from hell forced her to give one last push. With everything she had, she pushed, sure her muscles would simple pull apart and break, her heart would burst in her chest. But then Kaede let out a sound resembling a laugh.

A sharp cry cut through the night that was harsh on everyone's ear. Everyone's but Kagome, who never thought she heard such a wonderful sound in her entire life. Kaede quickly placed the bloody screaming mass on the blankets on Kagome's chest. Kagome instinctively covered the baby up, bringing the bundle closer to her heart and gently kissing the top of its head.

"Ye was right, it's a girl."

The snow had convinced the small group of shard hunters to attempt their efforts later. They figured it would be easier hunting demons when the snow had let up. It now blankets the landscape, covering the world in pearly white. The steady crunch of snow beneath their feet was like the ticking of a clock.

InuYasha never quite recovered from his dream, he suddenly become quite concern about Kagome. So, their speed was crisp and fast. Still it would be at least a day to get back to the village. Shippou clung desperately to Sango. The cold had caught them off guard and Shippou was known acting a little sick. Just great, InuYasha thought, he's got the flu.

Sango looked at InuYasha who was several steps ahead of them. She wondered what was plaguing him so and why he felt such fear for Kagome's safety. It was the monk who suggested they go home, giving a false reason that would make it seem less of an abandoning of their quest. Poor Shippou was coughing a little, even more of a reason to hurry home, where Kaede could take care of the little fox.

The monk in question was keeping steady with Sango, lost in his own concerns but about the same subjects. Kagome, Shippou and InuYasha. InuYasha had woken violently from dream just hours ago. At first, Miroku watched as InuYasha tried to simple ignore the nagging voice inside him, but decided it would be best if they head home. The demon could be found later. Shippou, once they started moving, began showing signs of getting too cold, which only served to hasten their pace. Hopefully, the sun would rise soon, offering what little warmth it could.

Kagome was lying on her back; her baby had stopped the constant screaming and was now just giving a little whine. Kaede cut the cord connecting Kagome to her baby, and quickly cleaned Kagome up as best she could. Then she took the baby from Kagome's arm, her eyes growing fearful and she reached out for Kaede to return the baby.

"I need to clean her." Kaede explained.

"Don't take her away from me."

"Ye will be able to see her the whole time." Kaede offered laying the blanket open only a few feet from Kagome's head.

She turned her head and watched intensely as Kaede went about cleaning her little girl. The baby began to scream again, not enjoying this part one little bit. Once the baby was cleaned, Kagome saw more clearly her features. She had bright red skin, a chubby round face. The top of her head was covered in short white hair, and two little pink nubs graced her crown. Where human ears would be, there was a vast expansion of the same bright red skin. Kagome gave a laugh.

"She looks like her father." Kagome said.

"Indeed, she does."

Kaede wrapped the screaming newborn back up in clean blanket, before handing her to her mother, who welcomed her with opening arms. Soon, with a few helpful hints from Kaede and a few fail attempts, Kagome had the baby suckling on her breast. The baby was now closing her eyes, threatening sleep, after a very eventful day.

The sun was setting over the snow covered village. Shippou, Sango and Miroku went off to search for Kaede. Shippou was acting less sick, but better safe than sorry. InuYasha headed to his hut, as quickly as he could, letting the cold snap at his bare feet. The path seemed usually long. The trees beginning to created long shadows across the land.

His mind drifted back to the dream he had the night before. The nightmare had cast him as the bad guy and part of him feared it would come true. Or maybe it was just guilt for past mistakes. He didn't know what it meant, but he wanted to see Kagome, to feel her skin beneath his hand and to have her scent close by.

He walked up to his hut as he had done many times before, but unlike that time he heard an unfamiliar sound. He stopped short of the door. It was singing a lullaby used to lure children to sleep. This confused InuYasha, in till the wind changed direction and he caught a strange scent in the air.

It was familiar, but oddly different. His mind searched for an answer before his heart skipped a beat. She had the baby while he was away. How long ago had it happened? The evening light shone brightly through the trees, stretching shadows over InuYasha's still frame. He found himself unable to push himself forward.

"I'm not ready to be a father." he told himself, fighting the urge to simply turn on his heels and run.

Instead, he walked to the side of the hut, and sat down cross legged against the wood, quietly so not to inform Kagome of his presence. He closed his eyes, attempting to find the courage to face Kagome. Face her after she was forced to have the baby all alone. She must feel abandon. Her gentle singing started to sink into his mind and before he knew it he was asleep.

Miroku was first to enter Kaede's hut, followed by Sango carrying a sleeping Shippou in her arms. Kaede was sleeping. This surprised Miroku, since it was still pretty early. The sun was still peeking over the trees. Suddenly, Shippou started screaming. He pointed to the corner where blood covered rags were.

"Shippou, what on earth is the-"

"Those smell like Kagome."

All the noise had effectively woken up Kaede. Sango was still trying to calm the frighten fox. Miroku turned to Kaede, searching for an answer. But Kaede didn't seem even a bit concern as she pushed her ancient figure up.

"Settle yourself, nothing is wrong."

"Than why was she bleeding?" Shippou cried out.

"Such a thing happens when one has a baby."

Silent spread through out the room, before Sango interrupted it.

"Is she OK?"

"She is fine. The delivery really went uneventful. And the dear child is fine too. Eating quite well."

"The baby . . ."

"Tis a girl."

Shippou smiled.

"Let's go home. I want to see my baby sister."

"Ye should leave Kagome and InuYasha be for now. Let InuYasha meet his new daughter."

"Aw. . . But-"

"No, Shippou. We'll leave them alone for now. I'll take you to see the new baby in the morning. Besides, you shouldn't be out in this weather." explained Miroku.

"No fair." Shippou whined, crossing his arm in front of him and plopping to the floor.

InuYasha woke up to complete blackness and silence. It took him a moment to gather his senses. Night had fallen and the occupants of his hut were sleeping peacefully. The very air around him seemed quite, afraid to awaken the sleeping baby. He picked himself up and went around to the front. For a while, he starred at the flimsy door covering attempting to gather his courage. Finally, he sucked in a breath of crisp cold air and pushed past the thin barrier.

The hut was completely still, expect for the sleeping forms of his family and a crackling fire. Kagome was sleeping parallel to the hanging basket in the back of the room. The firelight made her face glow beautifully as she as laid in peaceful sleep. He walked past the fire intent on waking her to inform her of his arrival, but he caught sight of what laid in the cradle. A tiny little baby slept quietly on her back. He felt his breath catch in his throat.

"She's so small." he whispered out loud, his voice so small and fragile sound matching the way the tiny child look in her crib.

She had white fuzz all over her head and two little pink flaps pressed strangely against her head. InuYasha ran his fingers over the smooth skin where human ears should have been. He realized that the funny pink nubs must be her ears. She looked like him. This made him feel weird, and strangely proud. Although he really couldn't think of what he was proud of. Kagome did all the work. He gave her a smile.

Suddenly, she opened her mouth and screamed. InuYasha panicked, jerking back from the hanging box like it was made of molten lava. He stumbled over Kagome's sleeping body and landed in the fire, promptly putting it out. Kagome sprung up, veiled in darkness. She added to the noise with her own scream, wildly throwing blows at the intruder.

InuYasha tried to get up, desperately dodging Kagome's assaults, only managing to continue falling backward and straight out the door. His fall was cushioned by the snow. The quiet of the night was shattered by the wailing of the baby. Kagome came running out, a large white turnip in hand. InuYasha got one good smack on the head before Kagome realized who it was that had wondered in to her house.

"InuYasha." she whispered, her voice almost completely lost to the crying baby.

"Who'd you think it was?" InuYasha barked, rubbing the top of his head.

"Well, I couldn't see you, idiot. You put the fire out."

"You shouldn't have put it in such a bad place."

"I didn't build the stupid hut, InuYasha."

He sat there, realizing he'd just lost the fight. That had to be a new record, only ten seconds. Kagome turned back to the hut, her baby still crying. She quickly apologies and darted back inside. After a few moments, InuYasha timidly followed suit. Kagome had the screaming baby in her arms, sitting against the wall. Kagome was making soft sounds of comfort.

"InuYasha, re light the fire." she commanded her voice still soft and soothing.

InuYasha did as he was told.

"Kagome, I'm sorry I scarred the baby." he offered, choosing not to look in her direction.

"You didn't scare her, she's only hungry."

He looked up at her and saw the baby sucking contently against Kagome. A deep crimson spread across his cheeks and he turned away, quickly. He was seriously considering leaving. Maybe, he wasn't supposed to be around when they did that. But afraid that leaving might upset Kagome, he glared at the fire he builds with great conviction.

"InuYasha, would you mind coming here?"

His eyes, who he told to stare at the flames, drifted up to Kagome and before he knew what he was doing, he was sitting a good two feet from Kagome. She let out a giggle and indicated closer. He huffed a little. He thought he was doing well. Now, he was sitting beside her, the blush still evident on his face, but watching the little baby as it ate was becoming less alien to him.

"InuYasha, what should we name her?"

He gazed up at Kagome.

"You haven't named her?"

"I thought I should wait till you came home."

"But that could have been weeks."

"I know."

He peered down at his daughter. That was a lot of pressure to put on one guy. His mind just went blank. He felt really stupid all of a sudden. Name her, give her name that would possible be appropriate. Everything is in a name. What if he gave her a bad name? Such an important matter should not be left in the hands of someone named basically 'dog demon.'

"How about Niya?" Kagome suggested.

He jerked up, instantly recognizing the name.

"My mother's name."

It surprised him that she had remembered it. He had only mentioned it maybe once or twice. InuYasha let the thought play on his brain, using the name silently in his head, before letting a big smile dance on his face.

"I like it, Niya." he said gently running he knuckle against Niya's cheek, who squirmed a little against her mother.

Kagome reached up and placed a kiss on InuYasha's jaw, coaxing him to lower his head for a kiss on his lips. InuYasha surrendered to the feeling that started flowing though him. And one thought keep shiny though his mind.

"I'm home."

THE END