Chapter 23

Six months pregnant

I stood behind Kagome, watching her caress her growing abdomen that grew our three pups. Kagome was resting currently, trying to do everything she could to have a home in the perfect shape. I did not quite understand, my thoughts being that we had a home, we had food, and we have beds. From my perspective, our pups would have everything they'd ever need.

"Hey, Inuyasha. Could you please grab the stones in the corner?"

I tilted my head in confusion. "These stones?" He asked, pointing at the pile near the window corner.

Kagome nodded, "Yes, please. Can you help me make three oval-shaped rings next to each other? Make them decent-sized?":"

I remained very confused but did as she asked. Even I honestly did not want to agitate her with her hormones.

Kagome laughed quietly, "Inuyasha, I am building the base for the pup's beds."

As I stepped back for a moment, I was able to finally see it. "Ah! Nice job," I smirked, "wench." I said, sarcasm all over my tone.

Kagome smiled, fully in a teasing mood herself. "Watch it boy. I might make you sit."

The look on my face must have been hysterical because it made Kagome giggle. I looked over towards the other wall, spotting a decent size pile of plush deer furs that had been cleaned and fluffed.

"Those are for the pup's beds, I assume?"

She nodded. "Yeah. I know if this was a normal human pregnancy, I could expect at least eight months at minimum... or about eight full moons... but because I am now a hanyou married to..." She blushed as she gazed at me, "A handsome hanyou... I don't know the timing so I am doing what I can early to be prepared."

I understood completely. I of course could not be too sure of the timing since my mother had been human when she'd mated with my father and birthed me. "we... from what I've witnessed from the others, Koga and Ayame for example, it was about the same as human babies. Maybe a months time give or take."

Kagome nodded, happy to have this information as if it gave her the ability to plan properly.

I moved over towards her to be closer, helping her set the beds. Once the ovals were set, right back next to each other, I watched KAGOME make one bed by filling the bottom with every thick fur to add under padding while the other two were layered on top. It looked so comfortable. I found myself daydreaming as I smoothed the furs in the beds. I could not help but picture laying my pups down in their beds, covering them with blankets made by her mother in her original time period.

I was brought back to reality when I felt two gentle arms wrap around my body and felt a round tummy press gently against my back. Looking out the window, I saw Miroku, Sango, and their three children helping to see t the fire for dinner. I could see pork and rice.

In my mind, I had my own worries, but they were nothing that I wanted Kagome to worry over. I didn't want her to worry or stress.

"Looks like supper is nearly done. Want to join them?"

Kagome looked towards the window, she sniffed the air and she smiled wide. "Oh! Pork!" She gripped my hand, bolting fast to the campfire.

"Whoa! Slow Down!" I gasped, my hand slowly turning a shade of purple. I glared over at Miroku and Sango as they laughed at me.

"Hi, Kagome! I see you are feeling well." Miroku greeted, giving her round belly a gentle pat.

It took everything within me to hold myself back. Even though I knew he'd never mean her harm, for some reason, her being pregnant with my children overloaded me with a whole new protective side that was more intense than when she would travel with us those many years ago.

Shippo was gone again for some fox training for the month. So it was just the group again.

"I remember my craving with both pregnancies. Though for you... Kagome with three pups... that's a lot of craving."

Kagome giggled, "Yes, I can't believe how much I want to eat all the time. Almost as if these pups aren't saving any of the food for their mother."

I glanced at her, her statement causing me to worry some. Did they really take that much away from the nutrients she would have? It made me feel guilty, though we both knew there was something amazing to come from this.

"Well, we are all going to chip in to ensure that you're able to get all the food you need," I said, that protectiveness taking me over once again.

Kagome smiled, her eyes getting watery, but she was happy. "Thank you Inuyasha, you're so-" her eyes went wide as she let out a gasp. She looked blown away as she gazed down at her large stomach. and she gently moved her hands over her stomach.

"Kagome?" I asked gently.

She smiled even wider and she grabbed my hand and placed it on the peak of her round belly and I couldn't help the shock and excitement this little act gave me. One of our pups was moving, the first legitimate movement that could be felt from the outside.

Miroku and Sango gazed at the Hanyou couple, smiling happily for them.

I couldn't care less about the audience around us as I moved my head down, pressing an ear to her belly, hoping to hear something. I smiled as I heard their hearts beating strongly. It wasn't until I felt a jab at my head that I gasped and moved away quickly. I looked between Kagome and her belly as she giggled at me.

"I think one of the pups knew you were there." She laughed.

My expression was filled with bewilderment. "So... they kicked me?" I asked.

Sango and Kagome giggled as Kagome rubbed her stomach gently.

"Please pups, be kind to your father. I do not know how ready he is for you to already want to fight him."

'Father,' I felt my heart warm intensely at that word. I couldn't help myself as I wanted to lean in again.

Kagome sensed this and encouraged me, "Pups, be kind to papa."

I smiled at her as I rested my ear there again, rubbing one of my palms on her stomach as she ate her pork and rice.

I felt at peace, such an odd feeling for me.

"What are you doing, mongrel?"

I knew that voice all too well, it was Sesshomaru.

"Kagome!" Rin cheered, running towards my heavily pregnant mate, hugging her both tightly and gently.

"Oh, Rin! Hi sweet!" She said.

I watched as Rin gazed at Kagome's belly and begged to touch it and ask her questions.

Kaede was there too, gazing at me.

"Aye old hag."

Kaede chuckled, "What were ye doing, Inuyasha?"

I moved so Sango and Rin could be with Kagome, us moving towards Miroku. "Well, Kagome felt one of the pups move strongly for the first time so encouraged me to feel the sensation. It was such a mysterious feeling... I wanted to know if I could hear anything, so I placed an ear... and the child kicked my head." I grimaced.

Sesshomaru for one of the first times, that I had seen, chuckled. "Well Well... that's an interesting development."

"Shush it." I rolled my eyes.

"Sango told me ye went to the modern time with Kagome some time ago. Never thought to ask ye. Told me modern times were able to see children on the inside?" Kaede asked.

Sesshomaru looked at me curiously.

"Yes. They have an odd machine... it has a little... string and a weird contraption on the end that is placed on the belly. This somehow can see a weird black and white image of the children inside... It is their modern way to check their health."

Kaede looked blown away, "The future has many impressive things, does it not?"

Sesshomaru nodded, watching Rin interact with his sister-in-law. "Did by chance, you find out the number of pups for this pregnancy, brother?"

I nodded, "Indeed. It showed three pups."

Sesshomaru nodded, patting his brother's shoulder once, before walking towards Rin. "Now Rin, let's not overwhelm her. Let's allow her to finish her meal at least."

Rin pouted but agreed, moving to sit by Sesshomaru as they were offered food by Sango. Both Rin and Sesshomaru nodded with a thank you.

Walking back towards my mate, I smiled as she ate, on her fourth bowl of rice now. Back when she was just another mortal to me, I would have teased her about how much she was eating, though I wanted her to be healthy and she was feeding not only herself but for our pups too. "Has the pup stopped moving?"

She shook her head. "No, it has been moving like crazy this entire time. Truthfully, I'm loving it, but right now it is making me nauseous with him moving against my stomach so much."

Nodding, I knew my assignment, I moved so she was sitting on my lap and I rubbed both of my hands on her stomach, somehow this movement allowed the pup to ease and rest in his mother's belly.

She sighed gratefully, "Thank you, Inuyasha." She pressed a gentle kiss to my cheek and continued to eat.

"Of course... wench." I teased.

She rolled her eyes, "Again, don't make me tell you to sit."

I gulped and nodded, continuing to rub her stomach as I gazed at the large group around us. Years ago, I never would have imagined that Sesshomaru and I could even peacefully sit at a fire and chat as normally as we could like we do now. I knew I had Kagome to thank for this. She had given me more than any person could, even Kikyo. As much as I had loved Kikyo, this love with Kagome was so strong and a beautiful feeling that I had never experienced with anyone.

Another fearful thought struck me. Truth be told, the birth of my pups was something that I was both excited for, but also feared. Many women in our time passed due to stress and complications. Though Hanyou's were different and very very rarely passed from birthing children, it wasn't something that could be guaranteed not to happen. It was also a tradition that the men stayed outside, so while she did give birth, I could not enter until the agonizing pain was over... Could I handle that? Not being able to be in there with her? To help ease her?

I gazed down at her as she finished her food and just leaned back against me and I could sense she was falling asleep against me.

Smiling to myself, I wrapped my arms a little tighter around her, hugging her and supporting her stomach as I rested my head on hers, just the sense of peace being overwhelming, but in a good way.

I could hear Sango awe at us, but Sesshomaru could sense something was wrong. We were brothers, so it made sense that he could sense it.

"What troubles you, brother?"

I looked at him and sighed, "I'm worried about her."

Miroku tilted his head. "Why?"

"Well, I worry about her health, I worry about her ability to birth three pups and survive. I suppose I'm getting fearful of losing that one thing that... that..." I couldn't finish what I wanted to say, not wanting to become tearful in front of them. "Deaths from labor happen more frequently in our time than hers, though she's insisted on having them here... something about modern times will not understand their claws, ears, and such... I just... I don't want to lose her."

Sango moved to sit beside me. "You won't. I know you won't be able to be in the hut with her when she births them... but she is strong. She will be alright, and her mother will be here from the modern world. Her brother and grandfather will be here to sit with you too. I know it doesn't make the fear any less, but all we can do is support her during that time and be careful with her health. Please don't worry."

Sesshomaru cleared his throat. "If she can handle all of those demons... myself included... I believe she will be absolutely safe, brother."

Nodding to myself, "I guess I'm so worried because they are my first?" I wondered.

"That and this be ye's first with ye mate, Inuyasha. All to be father's go through it. Miroku did too."

Feeling a sense of understanding and protection from the family around me, I nodded, moving to lay Kagome down and cover her before grabbing a bag.

"Oh, where are you going?"

"Well, there was a letter thrown through the well. I found it the other day... Kagome's family, they are ready to come so they can be with her. With her very closely reaching her seventh month, there's always the chance they can come early, so they want to stay. They'll be staying in our hut."

Kaede nodded.

Sesshomaru then did something, far out of character for him. "Could you use assistance? How many are there?"

I looked at him, completely bewildered.

"Uh... There is her mother, her brother, her grandfather, and their pet cat."

Sesshomaru nodded, "Let us go get them."

To Be Continued...