InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ I Came to Read, I Stayed to Write ❯ Worth It All ( Chapter 11 )

Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this bit of creative squish… especially for the soon-to-be-mother who's laboring towards a happy ending.

 

This oneshot was originally posted to LJ on March 11, 2007.

 

oOo

 

Worth It All

 

“I don't want to do this anymore,” Kagome whimpered, looking pleadingly up into Sango's face.

 

“It's a little late for that, dear,” the older girl replied with a patient smile. “You're doing just fine.”

 

Kagome groaned softly as the pains returned and bit her lip to hold back any louder cries. She felt a hand on her forehead, cool and steady, and couldn't resist the urge to beg. “Can I be done now?”

 

Her uncharacteristic childishness brought a wry chuckle from Sango. “You'll be happier if you see this through. Don't you want to hold your baby?”

 

“Yes,” Kagome sighed wistfully, only to gasp as another contraction gripped her midsection.

 

“Breathe, Kagome,” soothed Sango. “Try to relax through it. Don't fight the pressure; it's making the way ready.”

 

“I know, I know,” snapped the young woman as she fought to comply. When she finally sagged wearily onto the pallet, she blinked back tears. “I'm sorry,” she whispered, “I don't mean to be difficult.”

 

Sango chose to ignore the mood swings and continued to reassure her friend, “Don't worry about it Kagome. Childbirth is a very emotional time, and you're coming along beautifully.”

 

“How much longer?” she asked tiredly.

 

“Not long now,” Sango said, patting her hand.

 

Again the muscles in Kagome's belly strained towards delivery. When the contraction eased, she was left panting and sweating. This was unlike any battle she'd ever fought, but it was just as exhausting and just as frightening. She'd never felt more vulnerable, and there was no one who could protect her from this pain.

 

“I can't believe you've done this more than once,” Kagome grumbled sourly. “Why would anyone want to go through this again if they know what it's like?”

 

Sango just smiled knowingly, “You'll see.”

 

That earned her a glare from the weary young woman, though she held her tongue. It was hardly fair to take out her frustrations on Sango now. Kagome had been enduring this inevitable and increasing discomfort for what felt like an eternity, and Sango had stayed with her all along the way, placid in the face of Kagome's inner turmoil. With her cool cloths and soft words, Sango radiated a confidence that Kagome willing borrowed.

 

Kagome lived from one contraction to the next, losing all sense of time. There was only this hut, this bed, this pain. Wrung out and weak, she stirred fitfully under the thin blanket. “I don't know if I can do this, Sango. I'm too tired.”

 

“When the time comes, you'll find the strength,” Sango said firmly, and Kagome felt inclined to believer her.

 

The next contraction came sooner than expected, catching the expectant mother off-guard. The pain of it consumed her, making thoughts difficult and speech impossible. “Ngh,” was the only protest she could muster.

 

This pain was awful, but at least it served a purpose—that was something to cling to. If there hadn't been the hope that this travail would eventually end, Kagome might have given up in despair.

 

Then something shifted inside and Kagome's eyes widened in surprise, “Oh!”

 

Sango, who'd been watching her carefully and discretely timing the quickening spasms, nodded wisely and moved to help Kagome shift her legs. “This is it then, dear,” she said with authority. “With the next contraction I want you to bear down.”

 

“It's time?” wavered Kagome.

 

“Yes,” smiled Sango. “It's time to meet your baby.”

 

The next contraction came with a vengeance and Kagome struggled to work with the pressure. As it lifted she panted wearily.

 

“That was good, Kagome,” Sango reassured. “Rest until the next contraction and then do just the same.”

 

Another swell and another followed. Kagome heard a cry of exertion and realized she had made it. Through the haze, she heard Sango's voice. “That's it Kagome,” she called softly, encouragingly, “I can see the head now.”

 

Kagome choked back her tears and fought to focus.

 

“Just one more time and you can hold you baby,” Sango promised.

 

Tired, but determined, Kagome gathered herself up for a last push. Sango was busily readying soft cloths, anticipation in her movements. Kagome felt the next contraction building, muscles tensing for the final expulsion.

 

“Now, Kagome,” Sango directed. “Give me a slow, steady push.”

 

Kagome felt as if she was splitting in two. There was a tightness and a stretching, and she screamed in spite of herself. After a moment, something gave way and the burning pressure passed.

 

“Good girl, Kagome,” Sango praised. “Take a deep breath and give me another push.”

It was over so quickly then. A jumbled impression of confusing sensations as something warm and wet and slippery was freed from within.

 

Kagome's head fell back in relief, hardly believing her ordeal was finally over. As a thin cry sounded from Sango's arms, she struggled up onto her elbows, eyes wide. Sango was cleaning the face of an infant, slick with blood and afterbirth, and she seemed to be laughing at Kagome's confusion. “Did you forget about this little one?”

 

The cries quickly increased in strength and volume, and Sango tutted and fussed as she made quick work of the cord. Wrapping the babe loosely in a blanket, she laid the protesting bundle on Kagome's stomach before reaching for a shallow basin. “I'll just get you cleaned up. You take a few minutes to get acquainted with your son.”

 

“My son,” Kagome breathed in an awed voice.

 

Slowly, she lifted the corner of the blanket away from her baby's face. A tiny fist flailed blindly across his face, inadvertently bopping himself in the nose. Charmed by the antic, Kagome giggled, then moved to intercede, placing one finger in his fist's path. To her utter delight, he opened his hand and latched onto her finger with a firm grip.

 

“Hello, little fella,” Kagome cooed, “I'm your Mama.”

 

At the sound of her voice, the baby twisted, turning towards her, his little face squinched up with the effort it took to blink open first one eye, then the next. Kagome gasped in wonder, then melted as she lost her heart all over again to a pair of golden eyes.

 

oOo

 

End Note: This oneshot was written in response to iyfic contest's challenge for Week 89: Birth. 1,019 words.