InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ It Takes Two ❯ A Hard Day's Night ( Chapter 21 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: Xagzan 
Disclaimer: InuYasha and all its characters are the property of Rumiko Takahashi, so I make no money from this
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Hentai / Fantasy | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 04.03.2008 | Updated On: 04.17.2008 | Pages: 5 | Words: 4.8K | Visits: 1.1K | Status: Completed
Disclaimer: InuYasha and all its characters are the property of Rumiko Takahashi, so I make no money from this
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Hentai / Fantasy | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 04.03.2008 | Updated On: 04.17.2008 | Pages: 5 | Words: 4.8K | Visits: 1.1K | Status: Completed
Hi everybody. It's the moment (I assume) most of you have been waiting for this chapter. So, don't worry, I won't take up anymore of your time with a pointless little intro right now. Go ahead and enjoy. Read and review, thanks.
A Hard Day's Night
Some of the still drowsy villagers who lived nearby rushed out of their huts as fast as their sleepy legs would let them. They rubbed their eyes upon arriving outside and saw the red-robed hanyou dashing to his hut, where the loud noise had came from a few moments ago. Dumbfounded, they could only stand there and watch as he disappeared into the hut and, several seconds later, came out shouting and gesturing at them.
“Get old Kaede!” He was calling out. “The pups are coming, both of them, at the same time!!” This news made the people gasp and stare in awe. InuYasha waved his hands furiously at them. “I SAID, GET KAEDE!” The others finally got the message and nodded before rushing off to the old miko's hut. InuYasha quickly darted back inside to the girls who were waiting for his help. He surveyed the scene before him. Sango was just as he'd left her a minute ago, on her back and breathing steadily, and Kagome was trembling above her on her knees, with a growing stain of a reddish tinted fluid on the floor beneath her. InuYasha rushed over and set up another mat for her and then helped her onto her back.
“Inu…Yasha,” Sango grunted, “You'd better get ready, cause you're gonna be a father soon.”
“Don't speak more than you have to,” he said, scooting behind them and rubbing their backs, trying to make them feel better. “Kaede's on her way, she'll know what to do better than me.” He turned to his other mate. “Kagome, how're you doing?”
“Damn cervix, feels like it's stretching,” she groaned. “I feel like the contractions will start any second.”
“Just hang in there,” he said, trying his best to be helpful, silently wishing for Kaede to get there right now. The full moon shined brightly through the window, illuminating the glistening sweat on the panting faces of the girls. Somewhere in the distance, they could hear the solemn sounds of wolves howling at that moon. InuYasha ignored them and put a hand on each of their shoulders and rubbed them carefully, hoping it would have some effect.
“That's very thoughtful, InuYasha,” Kagome said, “But that's not going to help.” She inhaled and then exhaled deeply. “Oh, come here,” she motioned for him to stick his head in front of her.
“What is it?” He asked and did so.
“As the contractions come quicker, who knows what we might feel, or what I might say,” she explained and, reaching down inside herself as much as possible, drew upon some of her spiritual powers, just enough so that when she placed her hands on the rosary beads, they instantly came undone and clattered to the floor at InuYasha's feet. Smiling up at his startled visage, she said, “That's so I don't `Sit' you thousands of times over.” And, for the first time since they'd known each other, Kagome's utterance of the word sit didn't bring InuYasha crashing down on his face. He smiled back at her, reaching out a hand to rest it on her cheek before planting a soft kiss on her lips.
“Thank you,” he said tenderly. Perhaps if Kagome had removed the beads under different circumstances, he would have thanked her even more, but, as it were, a small contraction gripped his mate and made her lean back against his hand, voicing her discomfort in growls and groans. “Hang in there,” he repeated. “Is there anything you want me to do for you guys?”
“Yes, actually,” Sango nodded lightly. “Hand me that pillow over the, quickly.” InuYasha reached over and grabbed the tiny pillow, then held it up to Sango, who took it from him and bit down as hard as she could, shutting her eyes and growling into the soft fabric as a contraction came over her. Kaede entered the room as it ended, with Rin and Kohaku and Shippo trailing behind her. InuYasha could also sense that Sesshomaru was just outside. Kaede was carrying several soft cloths and buckets of water in her hands, and upon seeing Kagome and Sango, set them down next to them.
“How are ye girls?” She asked. A couple of groans were all the response she got. “I see. Shippo, Kohaku, Rin,” she addressed the children, who had moved over to the breathing pair, “Ye had best leave and get some more sleep. We cannot be sure right now how long it will be before the babies come out.”
“Aww, do we have to?” Rin whined, one of her hands on each tummy.
“We should take her advice. Come on, let's go to Lord Sesshomaru,” Kohaku said, taking the girl by the hand and leading her out of the hut, Shippo perched on his shoulder.
“InuYasha,” Kaede addressed the hanyou after the children had left.
“Yeah?”
“Go over there and start a fire,” she pointed to a spare corner of the room, “So that we may have warm water for these girls.”
“R-Right,” he replied, and went about it, taking the hint and turning around, so his mates could have some privacy while being tended to.
“Kaede,” Kagome said hesitantly, “Shouldn't you have brought another woman to help you with this? I mean, it can't be easy for anyone to deliver babies from two women, and…”
“Hehe,” Kaede chuckled, “It should be harder for an aged miko? Believe or not, Kagome, I have had many, many experiences in this, and despite my age, I can deliver your babies with little effort.”
“Ok, that's good to know,” Kagome nodded. Kaede went to work, rinsing her hands in one of the water pots before inspecting Kagome and Sango, seeing how far along both of them were.
“Hm, interesting… The cervixes seem to be dilated almost the same length, although it's only a few centimeters, I would say…” She muttered to herself.
“What does that mean?” InuYasha called over his shoulder, unsure of what she had just said.
“No need to worry,” she assured him. “Let me deal with that. You focus on your task, InuYasha.”
“Kaede,” Kagome said in a small voice, “I'm…worried. I wasn't supposed to have the baby for another month at least. Now…I don't know what's going to happen. I'm scared.”
“Kagome…” Sango looked at her love sadly, wishing she could do something to comfort her. She glanced over to the corner of the room and noticed that InuYasha had paused in his attempts to make the fire when Kagome had made her confession. “InuYasha, we'll handle this,” she whispered over to him, watching until he resumed his job.
The old woman placed her hand on Kagome's, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Do not worry, child,” she said. “InuYasha and I will care of both ye and Sango to the best of our abilities. Ye are in good hands.”
“B-But, what if something happens to…” Kagome couldn't finish the thought and tears started rolling down her face. At that moment, InuYasha had just finished lighting the fire below the water, and at the sound of his mate crying he dashed over behind her and cradled her in his arms, turning her head against his robes so she could let her tears stain them.
“It's gonna be ok, Kagome,” he said quietly. “The babies'll be alright, both of them. They have youkai blood in them, don't forget that. They're plenty strong, and so are their mothers. From what we've seen, they already have a bond of sorts with each other, so I would guess that they decided to be born at the same time, and that's why you're a bit early. So don't worry too much, ok?” Kagome let out another sniffle against his chest.
“InuYasha speaks wisely,” Kaede put in. “Ye must relax and let us take care of you. InuYasha,” she addressed the hanyou, “Perhaps ye should get a little sleep while you can, so that ye can have energy to give the girls your full support when the time for delivery gets closer.”
InuYasha lifted his chin from Kagome head to look at Kaede. “Are you sure that's a good idea…?”
“It's ok,” Kagome spoke softly beneath him. “She's right, InuYasha, go rest up for us and come back when we get nearer to the time.”
“I agree,” Sango breathed, going through another small contraction. “Go, love, before we start cursing you,” she said, smirking a little.
“If you insist…” he said. He gave his mates a soft kiss on their foreheads before walking out of the hut, taking his sword, leaving Kaede to tend to his girls. It was for the best that he stay away for a while. The old woman would know what to do, and he'd just be nearby if Kagome or Sango needed anything from him. But…what was he supposed to do for the time being? Maybe he should try getting some sleep, like they'd suggested, on top of his favorite tree. Right now, though, sleep was as much of an impossibility as it would be for him to give birth himself. He was simply too concerned about his loves.
“What the hell am I supposed to do…?!” He growled to the night sky above. The brightness of the full moon was directly over the village, catching the strands of the hanyou's long, thick hair, turning it into an ethereal mane of the brightest silver. And there the moon remained while InuYasha paced back and forth nervously under his tree, ignoring the howling wolves in the distance. For a while, anyway. He walked back and forth, not hearing or sensing much commotion from the hut close by, for hours and hours, giving the moon time to cross the sky and slowly make its course back down to the dawn horizon.
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But, in the meantime…
“Ooooooohhh, I can't stand waiting like this!”
“Relax, Rin,” Kohaku placed his hand on top of hers, trying to calm her. But the girl's feet still swung eagerly back and forth from her seat on the stool in Sesshomaru's hut. “I don't like it much either, but we have to wait for sister and Kagome.”
“She sure is a restless one, isn't she,” Shippo muttered to Kohaku.
“Hush, Shippo!” She said. “Lord Sesshomaru, Shippo's making fun of me!” She whined teasingly. Sesshomaru, who was sitting calmly against the wall, simply turned in their direction and raised an eyebrow.
“It's getting dark in here,” he commented, looking out the window. “The moon is setting…”
“I can fix that,” Shippo said, jumping up and shouting, “Foxfire!” which lit a small flame above the coals.
“It will be dawn soon,” the daiyoukai continued, “And the pups are coming closer to being born.”
“I guess you can tell, with senses like yours, my lord,” said Rin. Sesshomaru then rose from the floor and made his way to the entrance of the hut. “Ah—where are you going, Lord Sesshomaru?”
“InuYasha is as restless as you are, Rin,” he informed her with a hint of amusement in his tone. “He has standing nearby for a few hours. I will go see him for myself.” He walked outside and nonchalantly made his way across the dirt roads, in the direction where he could tell his brother was. He walked up the hill and arrived at the spot, underneath what he had come to learn from Rin was InuYasha's favorite place in the village, that one lone tree. The hanyou quickly caught glimpse of his older brother.
“What do you want, Sesshomaru?”
The daiyoukai walked over next to him, like one who was about to lay a comforting hand on one's shoulder would do. Except that Sesshomaru's hands stayed at his sides. “You are worried about your pups.” That wasn't a question, it was a statement.
“Keh, so what's your point?” InuYasha snorted, folding his arms and looking away. Like hell he was going to listen to his Sesshomaru tell him to be strong and buck up and deal with the whole thing like a man. He knew that already. But he wasn't prepared for—
“I am simply saying that while I cannot understand how you're feeling from any experience, I am telling you that I am here to listen if you wish to inform me of your distress. I will not judge.”
“…Huh?” InuYasha leaned in and examined his brother's face, trying to see if he was concealing a sarcastic grin or something. He wasn't. His face was blank, as usual, but InuYasha could sense the sincerity in Sesshomaru's words…as strange as that might be. “What's got you all weird?”
“I do not know what you mean, dear brother,” he replied, feigning impassiveness, “I can see how worried you are about your mates. Do not forget, though I'm sure you have not, that the strong youkai blood that flows through our veins and in those of your women is within your pups, as well. The miko is delivering early, yes? Do not dwell over it. You marked one another, and she was a strong female even before that. You must trust your females.”
Throughout this speech InuYasha just stared at Sesshomaru, tilting his head from side to side every few words or so, wondering when his brother had gotten so…helpful?
Sesshomaru saw that his words weren't reaching InuYasha. “Your worries will not be of any benefit to you or to them, InuYasha. But, I can see you will worry anyway… Perhaps your mind would best be served by being occupied with something else…”
“Huh? What are you talking about?”
Sesshomaru smirked and, to InuYasha's perplexity, placed his hand on the hilt of Bakusaiga and said, “Draw your sword, InuYasha.”
“What?”
The shearing sound of metal rang out as Bakusaiga was drawn, and Sesshomaru leapt forward, striking at InuYasha, who quickly took a step back and unsheathed Tessaiga. The swords clashed with a ring, and InuYasha growled at his grinning brother.
“What the hell do you think you're doing?”
Sesshomaru peered at his younger brother over their locked blades. “This is for you, little brother. You need something else to think about.”
InuYasha saw what his brother was trying to do and grinned back at him. He took a step forward, pushing Bakusaiga back, and held his blade in his battle stance. “Bring it on!”
CLAANNNNNG
Metal could be heard clanging and singing into the air as both fangs clashed together, striking, blocking, parrying, slashing, stabbing.
“Don't get too worn out, InuYasha,” Sesshomaru jested, raising Bakusaiga to block an incoming overhead slice from his brother. “Your mates will need you yet. This is just to pass time.”
And they kept dueling, steel meeting steel, ringing fiercely in the night. Silver fangs under the sinking silver moon… Luckily, the hanyou's stamina was enough to take full advantage of his brother's favor without becoming exhausted. Sometime later, the sun finally began peeking over the horizon. They had been going at it for a while, but hadn't exerted too much effort, for InuYasha's sake.
“The sun's coming up,” he noted during a pause in the fight. “It'll be time soon.”
Sesshomaru slashed down through the air and held his blade to his side. “Do you wish to stop yet?”
InuYasha really didn't want to, but if they kept going like this, he was going to get tired out. “Might as well,” he grumbled. “I should go to them.”
“You should.”
They sheathed their blades and wiped the small amount of sweat off their brows. InuYasha watched the moon nearing the end of its journey, opposite the rising sun, and the wolves howled…
Wait, wolves howling in the morning…? Now that I think about it…that smell…
“Sesshomaru,” he began.
“I know.” He had sniffed it out, too. “I shall depart. He is your friend,” he said, turning around to walk back down the hill.
“Friend? Are you stupid?” InuYasha yelled after him. He watched his brother walk away, and sensed the person approaching faster…and faster…faster, still. He then felt the footsteps charging towards him but before he could move out of the way, or even turn around, he heard the shout.
“Hey, Muttface!” And something crashed against InuYasha from behind, knocking him on his face.
“What the,” he growled, spitting out dirt and turning around. The figure above him was covered in shadow, eclipsing the rising sun. “Koga.”
“Been a while, dogbreath,” Koga grinned, folding his arms. InuYasha rose to his feet.
“What are you doing here?”
“Don't think I'm stupid, puppy face,” he replied, poking InuYasha in the forehead. “I know you mated with Kagome and Sango, too, all those months ago. I stayed away to give you guys space, but now that Kagome's about to birth your pup, I'm here to make sure she's ok.”
“Keh, what an idiot!” InuYasha folded his own arms to mirror the wolf. “Like Kagome needs your help.”
“Whether she needs it or not, I'm gonna be there to see she's safe, mutt.”
“She's my mate, and those are my pups that are being born. I can take care of Kagome and Sango without your help.”
“Feh, whatever. I'm staying.”
“Bastard…”
“What was that?”
“I don't have to answer to you, you mangy wolf!”
“What'd you call me, insolent pup?”
“Don't make me kick your ass!”
“I'd like to see you try!”
“You're not worth the trouble.”
“What??”
They stood trading insults back and forth like this for a good amount of time, giving the hanyou another thing to keep him busy.
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While they `fought'…
“AAAHHHHHH!! HHHNNNNN!!! Fuck!”
“Sango, you ok?!”
“Huff, huff, y-yes, just a uggghhh…contraction…” the slayer was panting, “Huh, huh… They're getting pretty close now, Kaede.”
The old woman nodded. “It has been a good number of hours. I expect that both of ye will be delivering soon.”
Kagome believed her. Her contractions were also coming in shorter and shorter intervals, although they had given her a break for the moment. Oops, scratch that. Another one took hold of her soon after.
“Kaede,” she breathed, inhaling and exhaling, “Get…huuuhhh…Inu…haaahhh…Yasha, for us…please…”
The old miko nodded. “I shall be right back.” She walked outside, not wanting to move too far from the hut, and started calling out the hanyou's name as loud as she could. “InuYasha! InuYasha! Where could he have gotten to…” A minute later, she was relieved to see him leaping towards her, and was very surprised to see that wolf youkai Koga trailing him. They both skidded to a halt in front of her.
“Kaede, what's wrong?” InuYasha asked.
“Nothing is wrong. The girls have requested you go be with them. I will take you. Koga,” she said, turning to the wolf, “You had best remain here until everything is finished and the babies are delivered.”
“Hmph, fine with me.” He grunted. “Just make sure the puppy takes care of his mates.”
“No problem,” InuYasha replied, rushing back to the hut with Kaede. They arrived to see that both girls were now experiencing simultaneous contractions. The hanyou quickly moved behind them, again supporting them with a hand each, as he'd done before. Their pajamas were drenched in sweat. “You called for me?” He asked them softly.
“Yes,” Kagome growled with gritted teeth, taking measured breaths along with Sango. “I think…it's time…”
InuYasha blanched. It wasn't that he hadn't been expecting it, just the opposite of course. But, so suddenly… “Y-You sure? It might just be another contraction.” He stammered.
“What the hell do you think?” Kagome gasped. “We're telling you these babies are coming. I think we know what we're talking about!”
“When we say they're coming, you can bet your ass they're coming, `dad',” Sango added.
Good thing I wasn't here the whole time… He thought with some relief. “Kaede,” he said, “Give me two of those cloths over there,” and pointed to the pile.
“Alright, but the small ones will have to suffice. We will need the others for the babies.” She tossed him two. InuYasha took them and gave them to Kagome and Sango.
“Here,” he offered, “Why don't you bite down on these when it hurts most, as hard as you can. Maybe that'll help.”
“Oh, thank you, dear,” Sango said breathlessly. She and Kagome took one each and instantly clamped down on them with their teeth. “You're so thoughtful…” she said through her teeth. “Even though you're the bastard who did this to us! Wait, I'm sorry, I didn't mean that!”
“It's ok, it's ok,” he assured her, tenderly stroking her shoulder. “Kaede,” he said, nodding to the miko.
“Right,” she replied, understanding. “I will check.” InuYasha turned his head to the side to look away while Kaede looked between the girls' legs. She inspected both of them, then announced, “It seems that the babies are indeed ready to come out. And the contractions are coming very quickly now, so it is definitely time.” Kagome and Sango looked at each other and nodded, then grasped one of InuYasha's hands firmly, squeezing.
“Finally,” Kagome exhaled.
“Girls, InuYasha and I will guide you through this. Breathe along with him, and push when I tell you to. Understand?” All three of them said yes.
“I'm…actually gonna be a father…” InuYasha said to himself. He held onto Kagome and Sango's hands tightly, giving them his silent reassurance.
“That's right, InuYasha,” Sango said. “Get ready for it.”
“Breathe with me,” InuYasha told them. He slowly helped them, inhaling, exhaling, taking long, deep breaths.
“Ok…push!” Kaede ordered.
“Nnnngggggg!!!” Kagome and Sango groaned and bit down fiercely on the cloths in their teeth and gripped InuYasha's hands so strongly that, if he hadn't been a hanyou, would've fallen off. Nevertheless, he still winced in pain as they squeezed tighter and tighter with each second passing while they pushed.
“Now, breathe again with InuYasha,” Kaede said a few moments after the first push had ended.
“Come on, you can do it,” InuYasha gave words of encouragement into their ears while breathing with them. In, out. In, out. Getting faster and shallower each time they began to push anew.
“Not much longer now,” Kaede said. “Push again, girls.”
“You hear that?” InuYasha repeated, “Not much longer.”
“We heard her, dammit,” Kagome groaned, breathing steadily with her pushes.
“I'm sorry,” he apologized quickly. He let them clasp his hands harder than ever before; he could feel their nails tearing through his flesh, but he didn't complain. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“DO?!” Sango half asked, half laughed in between pushing. “I think you've done quite enough to us!”
“That's right, it's your fault we're like this!” Kagome growled before squeezing firmly again, giving another push. InuYasha grimaced but bore the insults calmly, knowing that they obviously didn't mean what they said. Well, perhaps they did at the moment, but it would soon pass with the pain.
“Oh!” Kaede exclaimed, looking at Kagome. “I see a head.” She quickly turned her gaze to Sango. “Ah, Sango, it seems your baby's head is arriving at the same time.”
“Keep pushing?” Kagome questioned, sweating profusely.
“Yes, give another push,” Kaede nodded. “And do not forget to breathe.”
Kagome and Sango pushed, and paused, then pushed, then pushed again, groaning and screaming and cursing furiously the whole time. InuYasha was going to have to find new hands, the way they were squeezing.
“Kaede, get it OUT!!” Kagome shouted.
“OUT, OUT, OUT!” echoed Sango, pushing and panting with all her might under Kaede's command.
“Nearly there…” Kaede said loudly, though her voice was still drowned out by the screams, and quickly had the hanyou give her two warm, wet towels. InuYasha wished he had another pair of arms to cover his sensitive ears, filled with his mates' yells. He could also hear the rushing of feet outside the hut.
“FUCKKKK, THIS THING'S GONNA KILL ME!!”
“And again…push, girls!”
“NNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGG!!!!”
“ AAAGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!”
“Here they come!”
“OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, FFFFUUUUUCCCKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!”
……
……
……
“R 30;waaa!”
“Waaaa!”
As the ringing in his ears died down, InuYasha opened his clenched eyes and could make out those two sounds, the sounds of…
The babies!
He glanced quickly at Kagome and Sango. They were resting against him, eyes shut, panting heavily.
“Kagome, Sango, are you ok?” He asked. They both opened an eye and peered up at him. Once they'd caught his gaze, they pointed their fingers towards Kaede, who was holding a small, naked infant in each arm, wrapped safely in towels, and smiling at them.
“InuYasha,” Sango said softly, pointing at one, “It's a…girl.”
Kagome copied the motion and pointed to the other baby. “InuYasha, we have a boy…”
The hanyou stared in amazement as the two infants gave their wails and cries of birth. They filled the ears of all those within the hut like a melody.
And outside, the villagers, Sesshomaru, and the others also heard the soft noises of the infants. Innocent cries that greeted the soft morning sun.
To be continued…
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Next time:
Good morning, little ones. A boy and girl from Kagome and Sango, delivered after a hectic, noisy night into the world among family and friends…and rivals. What will be the next step for the three mates? Besides, of course, choosing out names. Stay tuned.
My note: My first note, I want to state that this was definitely the hardest chapter to write, seeing as I have no experience with actual childbirths. That's why I tried to stay away from writing about Kagome and Sango throughout their whole labor. As for the parts I did do, if there are any big errors (not too technical, since it's the feudal era) let me know. So, we'll be ending the story soon, and starting up the next one sometime after that, after a little more storyboarding. I'll fill you readers in on that more as it develops.
But, that aside, see you next time.
A Hard Day's Night
Some of the still drowsy villagers who lived nearby rushed out of their huts as fast as their sleepy legs would let them. They rubbed their eyes upon arriving outside and saw the red-robed hanyou dashing to his hut, where the loud noise had came from a few moments ago. Dumbfounded, they could only stand there and watch as he disappeared into the hut and, several seconds later, came out shouting and gesturing at them.
“Get old Kaede!” He was calling out. “The pups are coming, both of them, at the same time!!” This news made the people gasp and stare in awe. InuYasha waved his hands furiously at them. “I SAID, GET KAEDE!” The others finally got the message and nodded before rushing off to the old miko's hut. InuYasha quickly darted back inside to the girls who were waiting for his help. He surveyed the scene before him. Sango was just as he'd left her a minute ago, on her back and breathing steadily, and Kagome was trembling above her on her knees, with a growing stain of a reddish tinted fluid on the floor beneath her. InuYasha rushed over and set up another mat for her and then helped her onto her back.
“Inu…Yasha,” Sango grunted, “You'd better get ready, cause you're gonna be a father soon.”
“Don't speak more than you have to,” he said, scooting behind them and rubbing their backs, trying to make them feel better. “Kaede's on her way, she'll know what to do better than me.” He turned to his other mate. “Kagome, how're you doing?”
“Damn cervix, feels like it's stretching,” she groaned. “I feel like the contractions will start any second.”
“Just hang in there,” he said, trying his best to be helpful, silently wishing for Kaede to get there right now. The full moon shined brightly through the window, illuminating the glistening sweat on the panting faces of the girls. Somewhere in the distance, they could hear the solemn sounds of wolves howling at that moon. InuYasha ignored them and put a hand on each of their shoulders and rubbed them carefully, hoping it would have some effect.
“That's very thoughtful, InuYasha,” Kagome said, “But that's not going to help.” She inhaled and then exhaled deeply. “Oh, come here,” she motioned for him to stick his head in front of her.
“What is it?” He asked and did so.
“As the contractions come quicker, who knows what we might feel, or what I might say,” she explained and, reaching down inside herself as much as possible, drew upon some of her spiritual powers, just enough so that when she placed her hands on the rosary beads, they instantly came undone and clattered to the floor at InuYasha's feet. Smiling up at his startled visage, she said, “That's so I don't `Sit' you thousands of times over.” And, for the first time since they'd known each other, Kagome's utterance of the word sit didn't bring InuYasha crashing down on his face. He smiled back at her, reaching out a hand to rest it on her cheek before planting a soft kiss on her lips.
“Thank you,” he said tenderly. Perhaps if Kagome had removed the beads under different circumstances, he would have thanked her even more, but, as it were, a small contraction gripped his mate and made her lean back against his hand, voicing her discomfort in growls and groans. “Hang in there,” he repeated. “Is there anything you want me to do for you guys?”
“Yes, actually,” Sango nodded lightly. “Hand me that pillow over the, quickly.” InuYasha reached over and grabbed the tiny pillow, then held it up to Sango, who took it from him and bit down as hard as she could, shutting her eyes and growling into the soft fabric as a contraction came over her. Kaede entered the room as it ended, with Rin and Kohaku and Shippo trailing behind her. InuYasha could also sense that Sesshomaru was just outside. Kaede was carrying several soft cloths and buckets of water in her hands, and upon seeing Kagome and Sango, set them down next to them.
“How are ye girls?” She asked. A couple of groans were all the response she got. “I see. Shippo, Kohaku, Rin,” she addressed the children, who had moved over to the breathing pair, “Ye had best leave and get some more sleep. We cannot be sure right now how long it will be before the babies come out.”
“Aww, do we have to?” Rin whined, one of her hands on each tummy.
“We should take her advice. Come on, let's go to Lord Sesshomaru,” Kohaku said, taking the girl by the hand and leading her out of the hut, Shippo perched on his shoulder.
“InuYasha,” Kaede addressed the hanyou after the children had left.
“Yeah?”
“Go over there and start a fire,” she pointed to a spare corner of the room, “So that we may have warm water for these girls.”
“R-Right,” he replied, and went about it, taking the hint and turning around, so his mates could have some privacy while being tended to.
“Kaede,” Kagome said hesitantly, “Shouldn't you have brought another woman to help you with this? I mean, it can't be easy for anyone to deliver babies from two women, and…”
“Hehe,” Kaede chuckled, “It should be harder for an aged miko? Believe or not, Kagome, I have had many, many experiences in this, and despite my age, I can deliver your babies with little effort.”
“Ok, that's good to know,” Kagome nodded. Kaede went to work, rinsing her hands in one of the water pots before inspecting Kagome and Sango, seeing how far along both of them were.
“Hm, interesting… The cervixes seem to be dilated almost the same length, although it's only a few centimeters, I would say…” She muttered to herself.
“What does that mean?” InuYasha called over his shoulder, unsure of what she had just said.
“No need to worry,” she assured him. “Let me deal with that. You focus on your task, InuYasha.”
“Kaede,” Kagome said in a small voice, “I'm…worried. I wasn't supposed to have the baby for another month at least. Now…I don't know what's going to happen. I'm scared.”
“Kagome…” Sango looked at her love sadly, wishing she could do something to comfort her. She glanced over to the corner of the room and noticed that InuYasha had paused in his attempts to make the fire when Kagome had made her confession. “InuYasha, we'll handle this,” she whispered over to him, watching until he resumed his job.
The old woman placed her hand on Kagome's, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Do not worry, child,” she said. “InuYasha and I will care of both ye and Sango to the best of our abilities. Ye are in good hands.”
“B-But, what if something happens to…” Kagome couldn't finish the thought and tears started rolling down her face. At that moment, InuYasha had just finished lighting the fire below the water, and at the sound of his mate crying he dashed over behind her and cradled her in his arms, turning her head against his robes so she could let her tears stain them.
“It's gonna be ok, Kagome,” he said quietly. “The babies'll be alright, both of them. They have youkai blood in them, don't forget that. They're plenty strong, and so are their mothers. From what we've seen, they already have a bond of sorts with each other, so I would guess that they decided to be born at the same time, and that's why you're a bit early. So don't worry too much, ok?” Kagome let out another sniffle against his chest.
“InuYasha speaks wisely,” Kaede put in. “Ye must relax and let us take care of you. InuYasha,” she addressed the hanyou, “Perhaps ye should get a little sleep while you can, so that ye can have energy to give the girls your full support when the time for delivery gets closer.”
InuYasha lifted his chin from Kagome head to look at Kaede. “Are you sure that's a good idea…?”
“It's ok,” Kagome spoke softly beneath him. “She's right, InuYasha, go rest up for us and come back when we get nearer to the time.”
“I agree,” Sango breathed, going through another small contraction. “Go, love, before we start cursing you,” she said, smirking a little.
“If you insist…” he said. He gave his mates a soft kiss on their foreheads before walking out of the hut, taking his sword, leaving Kaede to tend to his girls. It was for the best that he stay away for a while. The old woman would know what to do, and he'd just be nearby if Kagome or Sango needed anything from him. But…what was he supposed to do for the time being? Maybe he should try getting some sleep, like they'd suggested, on top of his favorite tree. Right now, though, sleep was as much of an impossibility as it would be for him to give birth himself. He was simply too concerned about his loves.
“What the hell am I supposed to do…?!” He growled to the night sky above. The brightness of the full moon was directly over the village, catching the strands of the hanyou's long, thick hair, turning it into an ethereal mane of the brightest silver. And there the moon remained while InuYasha paced back and forth nervously under his tree, ignoring the howling wolves in the distance. For a while, anyway. He walked back and forth, not hearing or sensing much commotion from the hut close by, for hours and hours, giving the moon time to cross the sky and slowly make its course back down to the dawn horizon.
--------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------
But, in the meantime…
“Ooooooohhh, I can't stand waiting like this!”
“Relax, Rin,” Kohaku placed his hand on top of hers, trying to calm her. But the girl's feet still swung eagerly back and forth from her seat on the stool in Sesshomaru's hut. “I don't like it much either, but we have to wait for sister and Kagome.”
“She sure is a restless one, isn't she,” Shippo muttered to Kohaku.
“Hush, Shippo!” She said. “Lord Sesshomaru, Shippo's making fun of me!” She whined teasingly. Sesshomaru, who was sitting calmly against the wall, simply turned in their direction and raised an eyebrow.
“It's getting dark in here,” he commented, looking out the window. “The moon is setting…”
“I can fix that,” Shippo said, jumping up and shouting, “Foxfire!” which lit a small flame above the coals.
“It will be dawn soon,” the daiyoukai continued, “And the pups are coming closer to being born.”
“I guess you can tell, with senses like yours, my lord,” said Rin. Sesshomaru then rose from the floor and made his way to the entrance of the hut. “Ah—where are you going, Lord Sesshomaru?”
“InuYasha is as restless as you are, Rin,” he informed her with a hint of amusement in his tone. “He has standing nearby for a few hours. I will go see him for myself.” He walked outside and nonchalantly made his way across the dirt roads, in the direction where he could tell his brother was. He walked up the hill and arrived at the spot, underneath what he had come to learn from Rin was InuYasha's favorite place in the village, that one lone tree. The hanyou quickly caught glimpse of his older brother.
“What do you want, Sesshomaru?”
The daiyoukai walked over next to him, like one who was about to lay a comforting hand on one's shoulder would do. Except that Sesshomaru's hands stayed at his sides. “You are worried about your pups.” That wasn't a question, it was a statement.
“Keh, so what's your point?” InuYasha snorted, folding his arms and looking away. Like hell he was going to listen to his Sesshomaru tell him to be strong and buck up and deal with the whole thing like a man. He knew that already. But he wasn't prepared for—
“I am simply saying that while I cannot understand how you're feeling from any experience, I am telling you that I am here to listen if you wish to inform me of your distress. I will not judge.”
“…Huh?” InuYasha leaned in and examined his brother's face, trying to see if he was concealing a sarcastic grin or something. He wasn't. His face was blank, as usual, but InuYasha could sense the sincerity in Sesshomaru's words…as strange as that might be. “What's got you all weird?”
“I do not know what you mean, dear brother,” he replied, feigning impassiveness, “I can see how worried you are about your mates. Do not forget, though I'm sure you have not, that the strong youkai blood that flows through our veins and in those of your women is within your pups, as well. The miko is delivering early, yes? Do not dwell over it. You marked one another, and she was a strong female even before that. You must trust your females.”
Throughout this speech InuYasha just stared at Sesshomaru, tilting his head from side to side every few words or so, wondering when his brother had gotten so…helpful?
Sesshomaru saw that his words weren't reaching InuYasha. “Your worries will not be of any benefit to you or to them, InuYasha. But, I can see you will worry anyway… Perhaps your mind would best be served by being occupied with something else…”
“Huh? What are you talking about?”
Sesshomaru smirked and, to InuYasha's perplexity, placed his hand on the hilt of Bakusaiga and said, “Draw your sword, InuYasha.”
“What?”
The shearing sound of metal rang out as Bakusaiga was drawn, and Sesshomaru leapt forward, striking at InuYasha, who quickly took a step back and unsheathed Tessaiga. The swords clashed with a ring, and InuYasha growled at his grinning brother.
“What the hell do you think you're doing?”
Sesshomaru peered at his younger brother over their locked blades. “This is for you, little brother. You need something else to think about.”
InuYasha saw what his brother was trying to do and grinned back at him. He took a step forward, pushing Bakusaiga back, and held his blade in his battle stance. “Bring it on!”
CLAANNNNNG
Metal could be heard clanging and singing into the air as both fangs clashed together, striking, blocking, parrying, slashing, stabbing.
“Don't get too worn out, InuYasha,” Sesshomaru jested, raising Bakusaiga to block an incoming overhead slice from his brother. “Your mates will need you yet. This is just to pass time.”
And they kept dueling, steel meeting steel, ringing fiercely in the night. Silver fangs under the sinking silver moon… Luckily, the hanyou's stamina was enough to take full advantage of his brother's favor without becoming exhausted. Sometime later, the sun finally began peeking over the horizon. They had been going at it for a while, but hadn't exerted too much effort, for InuYasha's sake.
“The sun's coming up,” he noted during a pause in the fight. “It'll be time soon.”
Sesshomaru slashed down through the air and held his blade to his side. “Do you wish to stop yet?”
InuYasha really didn't want to, but if they kept going like this, he was going to get tired out. “Might as well,” he grumbled. “I should go to them.”
“You should.”
They sheathed their blades and wiped the small amount of sweat off their brows. InuYasha watched the moon nearing the end of its journey, opposite the rising sun, and the wolves howled…
Wait, wolves howling in the morning…? Now that I think about it…that smell…
“Sesshomaru,” he began.
“I know.” He had sniffed it out, too. “I shall depart. He is your friend,” he said, turning around to walk back down the hill.
“Friend? Are you stupid?” InuYasha yelled after him. He watched his brother walk away, and sensed the person approaching faster…and faster…faster, still. He then felt the footsteps charging towards him but before he could move out of the way, or even turn around, he heard the shout.
“Hey, Muttface!” And something crashed against InuYasha from behind, knocking him on his face.
“What the,” he growled, spitting out dirt and turning around. The figure above him was covered in shadow, eclipsing the rising sun. “Koga.”
“Been a while, dogbreath,” Koga grinned, folding his arms. InuYasha rose to his feet.
“What are you doing here?”
“Don't think I'm stupid, puppy face,” he replied, poking InuYasha in the forehead. “I know you mated with Kagome and Sango, too, all those months ago. I stayed away to give you guys space, but now that Kagome's about to birth your pup, I'm here to make sure she's ok.”
“Keh, what an idiot!” InuYasha folded his own arms to mirror the wolf. “Like Kagome needs your help.”
“Whether she needs it or not, I'm gonna be there to see she's safe, mutt.”
“She's my mate, and those are my pups that are being born. I can take care of Kagome and Sango without your help.”
“Feh, whatever. I'm staying.”
“Bastard…”
“What was that?”
“I don't have to answer to you, you mangy wolf!”
“What'd you call me, insolent pup?”
“Don't make me kick your ass!”
“I'd like to see you try!”
“You're not worth the trouble.”
“What??”
They stood trading insults back and forth like this for a good amount of time, giving the hanyou another thing to keep him busy.
------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------------
While they `fought'…
“AAAHHHHHH!! HHHNNNNN!!! Fuck!”
“Sango, you ok?!”
“Huff, huff, y-yes, just a uggghhh…contraction…” the slayer was panting, “Huh, huh… They're getting pretty close now, Kaede.”
The old woman nodded. “It has been a good number of hours. I expect that both of ye will be delivering soon.”
Kagome believed her. Her contractions were also coming in shorter and shorter intervals, although they had given her a break for the moment. Oops, scratch that. Another one took hold of her soon after.
“Kaede,” she breathed, inhaling and exhaling, “Get…huuuhhh…Inu…haaahhh…Yasha, for us…please…”
The old miko nodded. “I shall be right back.” She walked outside, not wanting to move too far from the hut, and started calling out the hanyou's name as loud as she could. “InuYasha! InuYasha! Where could he have gotten to…” A minute later, she was relieved to see him leaping towards her, and was very surprised to see that wolf youkai Koga trailing him. They both skidded to a halt in front of her.
“Kaede, what's wrong?” InuYasha asked.
“Nothing is wrong. The girls have requested you go be with them. I will take you. Koga,” she said, turning to the wolf, “You had best remain here until everything is finished and the babies are delivered.”
“Hmph, fine with me.” He grunted. “Just make sure the puppy takes care of his mates.”
“No problem,” InuYasha replied, rushing back to the hut with Kaede. They arrived to see that both girls were now experiencing simultaneous contractions. The hanyou quickly moved behind them, again supporting them with a hand each, as he'd done before. Their pajamas were drenched in sweat. “You called for me?” He asked them softly.
“Yes,” Kagome growled with gritted teeth, taking measured breaths along with Sango. “I think…it's time…”
InuYasha blanched. It wasn't that he hadn't been expecting it, just the opposite of course. But, so suddenly… “Y-You sure? It might just be another contraction.” He stammered.
“What the hell do you think?” Kagome gasped. “We're telling you these babies are coming. I think we know what we're talking about!”
“When we say they're coming, you can bet your ass they're coming, `dad',” Sango added.
Good thing I wasn't here the whole time… He thought with some relief. “Kaede,” he said, “Give me two of those cloths over there,” and pointed to the pile.
“Alright, but the small ones will have to suffice. We will need the others for the babies.” She tossed him two. InuYasha took them and gave them to Kagome and Sango.
“Here,” he offered, “Why don't you bite down on these when it hurts most, as hard as you can. Maybe that'll help.”
“Oh, thank you, dear,” Sango said breathlessly. She and Kagome took one each and instantly clamped down on them with their teeth. “You're so thoughtful…” she said through her teeth. “Even though you're the bastard who did this to us! Wait, I'm sorry, I didn't mean that!”
“It's ok, it's ok,” he assured her, tenderly stroking her shoulder. “Kaede,” he said, nodding to the miko.
“Right,” she replied, understanding. “I will check.” InuYasha turned his head to the side to look away while Kaede looked between the girls' legs. She inspected both of them, then announced, “It seems that the babies are indeed ready to come out. And the contractions are coming very quickly now, so it is definitely time.” Kagome and Sango looked at each other and nodded, then grasped one of InuYasha's hands firmly, squeezing.
“Finally,” Kagome exhaled.
“Girls, InuYasha and I will guide you through this. Breathe along with him, and push when I tell you to. Understand?” All three of them said yes.
“I'm…actually gonna be a father…” InuYasha said to himself. He held onto Kagome and Sango's hands tightly, giving them his silent reassurance.
“That's right, InuYasha,” Sango said. “Get ready for it.”
“Breathe with me,” InuYasha told them. He slowly helped them, inhaling, exhaling, taking long, deep breaths.
“Ok…push!” Kaede ordered.
“Nnnngggggg!!!” Kagome and Sango groaned and bit down fiercely on the cloths in their teeth and gripped InuYasha's hands so strongly that, if he hadn't been a hanyou, would've fallen off. Nevertheless, he still winced in pain as they squeezed tighter and tighter with each second passing while they pushed.
“Now, breathe again with InuYasha,” Kaede said a few moments after the first push had ended.
“Come on, you can do it,” InuYasha gave words of encouragement into their ears while breathing with them. In, out. In, out. Getting faster and shallower each time they began to push anew.
“Not much longer now,” Kaede said. “Push again, girls.”
“You hear that?” InuYasha repeated, “Not much longer.”
“We heard her, dammit,” Kagome groaned, breathing steadily with her pushes.
“I'm sorry,” he apologized quickly. He let them clasp his hands harder than ever before; he could feel their nails tearing through his flesh, but he didn't complain. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“DO?!” Sango half asked, half laughed in between pushing. “I think you've done quite enough to us!”
“That's right, it's your fault we're like this!” Kagome growled before squeezing firmly again, giving another push. InuYasha grimaced but bore the insults calmly, knowing that they obviously didn't mean what they said. Well, perhaps they did at the moment, but it would soon pass with the pain.
“Oh!” Kaede exclaimed, looking at Kagome. “I see a head.” She quickly turned her gaze to Sango. “Ah, Sango, it seems your baby's head is arriving at the same time.”
“Keep pushing?” Kagome questioned, sweating profusely.
“Yes, give another push,” Kaede nodded. “And do not forget to breathe.”
Kagome and Sango pushed, and paused, then pushed, then pushed again, groaning and screaming and cursing furiously the whole time. InuYasha was going to have to find new hands, the way they were squeezing.
“Kaede, get it OUT!!” Kagome shouted.
“OUT, OUT, OUT!” echoed Sango, pushing and panting with all her might under Kaede's command.
“Nearly there…” Kaede said loudly, though her voice was still drowned out by the screams, and quickly had the hanyou give her two warm, wet towels. InuYasha wished he had another pair of arms to cover his sensitive ears, filled with his mates' yells. He could also hear the rushing of feet outside the hut.
“FUCKKKK, THIS THING'S GONNA KILL ME!!”
“And again…push, girls!”
“NNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGG!!!!”
“ AAAGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!”
“Here they come!”
“OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, FFFFUUUUUCCCKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!”
……
……
……
“R 30;waaa!”
“Waaaa!”
As the ringing in his ears died down, InuYasha opened his clenched eyes and could make out those two sounds, the sounds of…
The babies!
He glanced quickly at Kagome and Sango. They were resting against him, eyes shut, panting heavily.
“Kagome, Sango, are you ok?” He asked. They both opened an eye and peered up at him. Once they'd caught his gaze, they pointed their fingers towards Kaede, who was holding a small, naked infant in each arm, wrapped safely in towels, and smiling at them.
“InuYasha,” Sango said softly, pointing at one, “It's a…girl.”
Kagome copied the motion and pointed to the other baby. “InuYasha, we have a boy…”
The hanyou stared in amazement as the two infants gave their wails and cries of birth. They filled the ears of all those within the hut like a melody.
And outside, the villagers, Sesshomaru, and the others also heard the soft noises of the infants. Innocent cries that greeted the soft morning sun.
To be continued…
---------------------------
Next time:
Good morning, little ones. A boy and girl from Kagome and Sango, delivered after a hectic, noisy night into the world among family and friends…and rivals. What will be the next step for the three mates? Besides, of course, choosing out names. Stay tuned.
My note: My first note, I want to state that this was definitely the hardest chapter to write, seeing as I have no experience with actual childbirths. That's why I tried to stay away from writing about Kagome and Sango throughout their whole labor. As for the parts I did do, if there are any big errors (not too technical, since it's the feudal era) let me know. So, we'll be ending the story soon, and starting up the next one sometime after that, after a little more storyboarding. I'll fill you readers in on that more as it develops.
But, that aside, see you next time.