InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Secrets of the Shinju (Part IV): Power of the Purified Shinju ❯ Kaiya ( Chapter 36 )

Chapter Thirty-Six
Kaiya
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Kaede watched Kagome nervously. She had seen dozens of young women give birth before, but none had ever been in Kagome's unique situation. She winced as Kagome again cried out in pain then began breathing heavily when her contraction stopped. The demon lord was sitting next to her, stroking her hair and speaking to her in a comforting manner. The old priestess could feel spiritual power trying to work in the young girl and that could be dangerous to the unborn child.

Kaede turned and went outside to find Miroku, who was sitting nearby awaiting any news of Kagome and the baby.

"Would ye go fetch Lady Mura? It would be best if she were here now." Miroku looked at Kaede apprehensively and then nodded. The old woman returned to the hut while Miroku sought out the midwife. Kagome was already tensing again and was obviously about to have another contraction. Again Kaede could feel Kagome's spiritual powers beginning to surface. It appeared that the more pain she was in, the less control she was having over them. As soon as her pain subsided, Kaede came to her side and began speaking to her in a motherly way.

"Child, it is important that ye keep a harness on your powers. Ye have not yet learned to control the sorceress blood in ye and I fear that you may try to purify the demon blood that is in ye." Kaede looked at her pointedly. "That would include the babe." Kagome looked up at Kaede, terrified at the possibility of hurting her child. "How...do I... keep it under control?" Kagome asked as she again felt a vice like pain begin in her back and work its way around to her abdomen.

Sesshoumaru felt Kagome's pain begin again and placed his hand gently on her stomach that was now rock solid from the contracting muscles. He nearly winced when she shifted slightly then let out a pained cry. Kaede waited for the contraction to subside to speak again.

"Lady Mura will be hear shortly, child. I will speak with her. For now, try to stay relaxed." Kagome looked to Sesshoumaru then to Kaede before closing her eyes, dreading the next bout of pain that would come in mere moments.

Miroku returned quickly, informing Kaede that Lady Mura would arrive shortly. He then went back outside to wait. Moments later he saw Shippou come running back to the village followed by InuYasha who was carrying Sango in his arms. Instantly, Miroku blanched at the sight.

Pulling away from Sango had been the hardest thing he had ever done. He should have realized that she had not been ready for such a relationship, and he felt as though he had taken advantage of her. He could tell the moment it had dawned on her what they had done, that she held regrets. She had become quiet around him and acted as though she were ashamed of herself. He could feel her discomfort when he was near and did his best to give her space, without making her feel as though he were abandoning her.

It had not taken long for the monk to notice InuYasha's sudden protectiveness of Sango. Miroku, being a very observant person, realized that InuYasha had begun to care for her. At first, he thought it nothing more than the demon's natural protective instincts. He had, after all, always been protective of all his friends. But after a few weeks, he began to notice the subtleness between the two of them. The way they looked at each other...the way they reacted to each others moods without consciously meaning to.

Miroku sighed heavily as he watched as they approach. They had so much in common. Both knew the pain of losing someone they loved dearly. Both were fighters, though it was somewhat ironic that he was the very thing she had been trained to kill. Both InuYasha and Sango held the ability to love and care for someone deeply, though often hid behind a hard exterior. He smiled at them both and watched as Sango stepped into the hut.

"InuYasha..." The demon looked to the monk, again he held an angry look, though this time it was mixed with guilt and what appeared to be confusion. "InuYasha, if you care for her, then make sure you tell her. Do not let your arrogance push her away."

InuYasha stood watching Miroku for a moment then nodded before turning to see Sesshoumaru step out of the hut. Apparently, Kagome would be giving birth soon, and the women had sent him to wait outside with the other men. Sesshoumaru looked from one to the other then turned back towards the hut waiting patiently, keeping his senses sharply focused. InuYasha gave the monk one last glance and then turned and began pacing nearby, both worried and anxious to see Kagome come through birthing safely...and now thinking about Sango and his feelings towards her.

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Kagome felt like she was being ripped apart. She did her best to hold back her purification powers while again being overwhelmed with another contraction. She felt a strong urge to bear down and followed her body's natural response. She glanced at Sango who was standing by her side cringing every time she let out a cry from the pain. She heard both Kaede and Lady Mura instructing her about what to do, but she couldn't seem to comprehend anything but the pain.

After what felt like hours, but in reality was no more than one, Kagome gave a final push and Lady Mura quickly handed the baby to Kaede to clean and look after. Kagome felt light headed. The pain, amount of intense work her body had been forced to do, accompanied by the fact that she had been suppressing her powers were catching up to her.

She laid back and closed her eyes for a moment while Lady Mura finished working on her. She smiled lightly when she heard her baby cry and Sango looked down at her excitedly.

"It's a girl!" Kagome simply nodded, for she had known all along that it would be. She looked at her friend, barely strong enough to speak. "I want to see her." She whispered nearly passed out from the ordeal. Sango moved over to Kaede and took the baby from her, quickly returning to Kagome's side with the tiny newborn.

Kagome's heart tightened a bit the moment she saw the beautiful dark hair and perfect skin. Absent were the markings and silver hair she had hoped to see. The child was already swaddled tightly and looked to be asleep. Kagome's own eyes were growing heavier and she smiled lightly up at Sango. "She's...beautiful."

Kaede moved to the demon exterminator's side. "Let her sleep now, child. Holding back her powers for so long, along with the birthing has exhausted the poor girl. She can hold the babe when she awakens." Sango nodded and smiled down at the sleeping baby. She was perfect.

Lady Mura finished with Kagome and then left, informing them she would return later to check up on her. Kaede took the child and went to Sesshoumaru, who was waiting just outside the hut. Without saying a word, he went to her and took his child into his arms, staring down at her with a look of wonder that even took the old priestess by surprise. He then walked into the hut to watch over Kagome, without so much as saying a word to anyone.

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Kagome woke less than an hour later. Her body was aching everywhere but some of her strength had returned. She quickly looked around, wanting her baby. She smiled softly when she saw Sesshoumaru sitting in the corner of the hut, looking down at the child curiously. Even from here, Kagome could see the head full of dark hair. Tears immediately sprung to her eyes. The baby was beautiful and Kagome already loved her dearly...but it still hurt seeing that hair. The dark hair so much like her own...and like Naraku's.

Sesshoumaru looked up and smiled seeing Kagome awake, and slowly stood making his way to her side, then sitting next to her. "Would you like to hold her now?" He asked softly, noting the way she was watching the baby. She nodded and sat up, cringing slightly at the intense pain she was still in. Sesshoumaru handed the baby to her the moment she was situated and watched as Kagome held the tiny child tightly against her.

Sesshoumaru sat there quietly for a moment then put his arm around her, before speaking. "What will we name her?" Kagome sat there for a moment then glanced at him.

"I like the name Kaiya. It means forgiveness..." He looked down at the child and nodded. "I like that name as well. It suits her." They sat in silence for several more moments before Kagome could take no more and needed to say the words that were longing to come out.

"She's perfect." She said softly then looked over at him sadly. "I...I love her. But it hurts knowing Naraku is the natural father." Sesshoumaru smiled at her softly brought his hand down to the baby's blanket, pulling it away gently.

"You powers are dominant over mine, Kagome. Though you do not yet realize it, you are very strong. It does not surprise me that our daughter would bear a closer resemblance to you, than to me." Kagome looked at him confused then looked down at Kaiya again. On her hip, in the same place that Kagome was scarred from the Shikon Jewel, was a small crescent moon. Kagome's fingers trembled slightly as she reached down to touch it. "You mean...?" He simply nodded.

"I could smell my blood in her the moment I held her. She is mine, in every way possible. Though that would have been true even if Naraku had been the natural father. I am sure our son, if we have one, will bear a resemblance to me."

Kagome felt tears overwhelming her again as she slowly covered the child again. She looked at Sesshoumaru, and he softly kissed her forehead. Her attention was quickly drawn back to Kaiya who had woken from the movements and was now hungry. Kagome's breath was nearly taken away when she looked back down at her.

Though she didn't hold Sesshoumaru's markings or hair color...she did have his eyes. Beautiful golden eyes that nearly melted Kagome's heart. She quickly brought Kaiya to her, excited to be feeding her for the first time, and then relaxed in Sesshoumaru's embrace. She was safe now and they would be able to begin their life together as a family. Finally, they could find happiness.

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Author's Note: Wow...I owe everyone a huge apology for the long wait. I don't have an epilogue ready yet, partly because I really wanted to get this chapter posted and partly because so many people have asked me to continue the story. I am yet undecided if I will, though I might consider doing a story revolving more around Kaiya when she is older. So I don't really want to put too much into an epilogue and get myself stuck in a corner so to speak. I really want to thank everyone so much for the support. So many of you have left me wonderful reviews and have recommended my story on A Single Spark. I really do appreciate it a lot!

I must also say that the end of this story was inspired by a story called "Change the Future" by Jynkers (a.k.a: Bitches of the Highway Thieves) which was actually the sequel to her one shot fic "Forced Passions." This is significant to me, because she credited my story "A Demon's Heart and Ultimate Sacrifice" as being the story that inspired her to write "Forced Passions". So it was like some big circle of...well, I don't know. But I found it to be interesting. Anyway, enough of my ramblings!

If I decide to do a follow up story, I hope you will enjoy reading it...if not I will do my best to get a decent epilogue written up for this one! Thank you all again! Much love! ~Kilala81