InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Inuyasha and Kagome: After the Jewel ❯ Maternity ( Chapter 4 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

The baby came two days later.

It was hell. Complete and utter hell.

For the safety of Inuyasha and the infant, Kagome couldn't be taken to a hospial, couldn't even have the aid of a midwife. And for Kagome's safety Inuyasha insisted the baby be born in the modern era, where Kagome's life could be better protected and the consequences be dammed. He wasn't about to lose his mate. And with any luck he wouldn't lose their first pup either.

Kagome was in pain. Terrible pain. She labored for hours before Mama, with a pale face, finally decided she had to be taken to the doctor's. Labor had officially started three days ago, and she had been struggling too violently for nearly eight hours straight. She was weakening Inuyasha had said frantically. And the pup's heartbeat wasn't so steady either. Emergency services were called and Kagome was rushed to the hospital where she was quickly induced for a cesarean.

The baby, a boy as Inuyasha predicted, was born an hour later. Inuyasha insisted to hold him before the doctor could deem what needed to be done to ensure the child's survival. And one look from those fierce, unhuman golden eyes left no room for argument. The squalling child was placed in Inuyasha's arms and the new father quickly put a cap over the boy's head. The doctor looked on quizzically. "It's a western tradition." the new grandmother, Mama Higurashi, explained. This seemed to be enough to satisfy the doctor who gratefully re-accepted the baby and confirmed a few minutes later that the infant's heartbeat was regulating and he would be just fine.

"Keh." Inuyasha muttered, taking the baby back. "I could of told you that."

Then he turned his harsh golden eyes on his son, and they softened in wonder.

The child looked just like him. It was like looking in the mirror. A tiny version of himself. The same claws, the same cheeks, nose. Except he had Kagome's dark hair and dark brown eyes. But even those were his, only the color was off.

"Wow." he breathed, nuzzling the pup and growling softly. The pup burbled and whimpered in response. Inuyasha's ears flicked happily.

The pup had dog ears too. But they were crumpled against his head yet, and the baby's thick black hair had obscured them from the doctor's eyes, thankfully.

"And to think I have to call you Koga." Inuyasha grumbled, reluctantly handing the pup to Mama, whom was making silent suggestions that she would like to hold her grandson.

"My, what a big boy!" she exclaimed, staring at the infant in wonder. By human standards it was a massive child. 9 1/2 pounds. Inuyasha didn't find it that staggering, until he learned that most human women died from carrying pups that large.

"Keh." was his only response, but the statement left him shaken.

"Ma'am, Sir. the patient is beginning to recover. It's reccomended you let her and the infant bond to avoid complications later in life." the young nurse said boredly, with the aire of having recited the same old boring technicality year after year. Inuyasha gently snatched the pup back and swept out of the maternity ward and intended to head straight back to intensive care when a hand stopped him. It was Mama. "Kagome has been moved, to a more secure place where she can be with the baby. The baby is just hours old, he could get a disease from being up there." "Keh." Inuyasha snorted. "Hanyou pups are made of stronger stuff." "Still, you don't know where to go." "I could find Kagome's scent anywhere." he declared, and proved it. Infact he took an even more direct route than the nurse had given Mama and was by Kagome's bedside in as little as two minutes.

Mama followed 10 minutes late, to give the pair some privacy.

Kagome was groggy from anesthetic, painkillers, and general pain. Her body was sore. Very sore. And yet, though it was her greatest urge, she couldn't lay back and sleep. "Baby." she kept muttering. "Pup." Then she would whimper softly, calling Inuyasha.

He burst through the doors a few minutes after her last mutter and was at her side in seconds, infact, up on her bed with her in seconds. "Kagome, are you okay?"

"Baby." Kagome replied reaching for the infant.

Inuyasha was a little bewildered as the dazed form of his mate reached for the pup cradled in his arms. He handed the infant to her, helping her weak arms cradle the pup.

"Koga." Kagome cooed, nuzzling the little face. The pup burbled and cooed happily in response, obviously gleeful at having found it's mother atlast.

'How the hell did the kid know?' Inuyasha wondered. And was immediately a little embarrased. 'Well.. Hell. It's kinda obvious. The pup did just come.. Nevermind.'

He pushed the thoughts away and contented himself just looking at his mate, fussing over their newborn. It was a beautiful sight. He relaxed visibly.

When Mama finally came in it was a very peaceful scene she stumbled upon. Inuyasha had wormed his way between Kagome and her bed, cradling her against his chest, and he was staring in wide eyed fascination as the pup nursed. 'Kagome looks like a natural.' Mama thought proudly. 'She'll be a great mother.'

Inuyasha glanced up at her. Kagome, in her drugged state, didn't really notice. "Sorry, I'm not interupting anything, am I?" Mama asked, with just a hint of mischief. Kagome looked up, startled. "Mama! No, of course not."

Inuyasha shook his head also. But allowed his mate to do the talking. He was busy staring at the pup (his pup!) with something close to shock and.. Reverence. Mama looked on proudly. 'He is a fine husband for her.' she thought approvingly. 'And those dog ears! Hopefully they have many more hanyou-eared children.' the aging woman thought happily. 'Ah, there will be good times ahead. Good times. Congratulations.. Grandma.'

"My goodness! A GREAT grandchild. I'm a lucky man to see that happen." Jii-chan announced, entering the room with a grin. Souta followed with an uneasy expression. "Gee Sis. You look rough." the youngster commented, earning a sound THONK on the head from Inuyasha.

Kagome laughed and ran her fingers through her hair. He was right. Her black locks were all frizzled and tangled. "Mmm.. Get used to it, Souta. I'll be looking like this for a while. My stitches can't be near water." 'Regretably.' she thought sadly. 'Because I sure could use a bath right now.. Ah..' she ended the train of thought wistfully. Koga was fussing.

Inuyasha wrinkled his nose, and from the look in his eyes Kagome guessed what had happened. "First diaper." she announced happily. "Here, dear. You're not in much condition to do that, and besides, I've never shown you have I?" Kagome shook her head looking relieved, and a little sad.

Inuyasha was shocked. 'Sad about not having to change a dirty diaper? What's wrong with you mate?' Being a hanyou, and a male too boot, he just didn't understand (or really care all that much) about these 'woman sentimental things'. 'Infact they're a damn nuisance. Keh.'

Mama and Kagome chatted and discussed the wonders of baby-rearing while Mama carefully changed Koga's diaper and showed Kagome how to pin it up correctly. As soon as they were finished the babe still wouldn't stop fussing. "All they do is eat, sleep, and make messes at this age." Mama announced, indicating that Kagome should feed him. It worked. Koga quieted. Much to Inuyasha's gratitude, who's tender ears couldn't quite handle the high pitched of a 1/4 youkai baby's shrill human screams.

"So, you haven't announced the name yet." Mama said, pulling up a chair to sit beside the bed. Jii-chan and Souta crowded nearer. "Yes! He'll have to have a good name!" Jii-chan piped up. Souta nodded agreement. "Like Souta!" All 'cept Inuyasha laughed, who 'Keh'd'

"His name is Koga." Kagome said matter-of-factly. Giving Inuyasha a special stare. 'I'll-forgive-you-but-I'm-never-letting-you-forget-that-night' it meant. Inuyasha looked away and 'Keh'd' again.

"Koga?" Mama raised an eyebrow. "Interesting. Isn't that the name of that wolf youkai who calls you 'his woman'?" "Inuyasha and I were fighting when I picked the name." Kagome explained, and nodded. "But yes, that is his name. On a plus side the real Koga will probably take it as an insult and not bother us anymore." 'She's right.' Inuyasha thought and brightened. But not visibly. He'd been too emotional lately, and he was making up for lost time by being exceptionally moody and distant. But only when her family members were present. The pangs of losing Kagome, of knowing she wasn't even in existance yet had strengthened the bond between them. But he could only let his guard down when they were in private.