~Chapter Six~ ~Carried away by a moonlight shadow~
Inu-Yasha ran as fast as his legs would carry him up to Kaede's hut door.
He pounded on it with much force.
Sango was the one to open it and stare out at him in a dozy way.
"Inu-Yasha? It's the middle of the night! What is it?" She asked, not thinking straight at all.
Inu-Yasha didn't have time to explain, only brifiely.
"SANGO!!!! WAKE YOURSELF UP!!!! KAGOME'S GONNA HAVE THE BABY ANY MOMENT!!!! YOU GOTTA HELP HER!!! WAKE UP KAEDE!!!! I HAVE TO GO FIN THE NURSE!!!!" He screamed, and with that, ran off to find the nurse.
Sango stood for a minute, then blinked, and rushed to get Kaede, collect some things, and be out of the hut in a hurry.
The two women ran down the path of the village towards Kagome and Inu-Yasha's hut.
They literally fell into the hut as they plowed through the doorway.
"KAGOME!!!!" Sango exclaimed as she ran over to her friend's side.
"Oh, Kagome!!! You'll be fine!! Don't worry! We're all gonna be here for you!" She stated.
Kagome opened her eyes and spoke. "Where…….is Inu-Yasha?" She breathed out with a bit of struggle.
Sango nodded. "Don't worry. He went to get the nurse. He'll be here soon."
Kaede walked over and placed a wet cloth over Kagome's forehead.
"Poor dear. She's in the beginning of labor. I don't know how long it'll take, but others I've witnessed have taken up to 16 hours!" She explained with worry.
Sango was even more fearful for her friend now.
"Oh……Kagome. I pray it won't take that long for her."
Suddenly, Inu-Yasha jumped through the doorway, the familiar nurse upon his back, and her bag filled with medical remedies.
Kagome looked over and met Inu-Yasha's worried gaze.
"Inu-Yasha? What will you do? Most men wait outside while their wives are in labor, but I suppose it could be a little different with you. You gotta make your decision fast though! Make it now, Inu-Yasha!!" The nurse explained in a quick way.
Inu-Yasha stared to the nurse, and then to the others.
Finally, he found Kagome's eyes. Her deep brown eyes, seeing tears slowly appearing on the rims of them.
A drop of sweat fell down her cheek, and she reached out her hand to him.
"Please……..don't leave me………" She whispered in a trembling voice.
He could feel his own tears riming now.
How could he even consider leaving her?
He turned back to the nurse.
"I'm staying." Were his only words.
The nurse nodded.
"Very well then. You can sit with her and comfort her."
She then turned to Sango.
"You can help by gathering wet clothes, making sure there is enough water, and handing me things I may need."
Finally Kaede was next.
"You can help by bringing any medicines from your hut that may become useful at any time. I thank you all for your aid. I will help give birth to the child….when the time comes."
She looked to Kagome.
"I'm going to ask all of you to step out for just a second though. I need to find out how long this will take."
Sango and Kaede nodded immediately, and walked out, but Inu-Yasha hesitated.
The nurse placed her hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry. It's only for a few minutes."
He nodded, but looked serious.
"I will leave this once….but I refuse to leave any other times you wish."
The nurse stared.
"Right. I will make sure that you will stay by her side through this whole thing. I'll come and fetch you when you can come back in again." She explained.
Inu-Yasha blinked, and looked to Kagome's face.
"Y…..You're leaving me?" She asked.
Inu-Yasha shook his head. "Not for long. I'll be back."
Kagome turned her head from him.
For so much pain running through her, she could still feel the affection he sensed for her.
Inu-Yasha left the room and all fell silent.
"Nurse?………How long will……it take?" Kagome questioned after a moment.
The nurse looked up at her.
"By the looks of things….I will not say. I'm going for Inu-Yasha…okay?"
Kagome nodded, although she wanted to know how long she would have to suffer.
~Outside the hut~
Sango and Kaede talked quietly as they sat around a small fire in the pit outside.
Inu-Yasha stood leaning against the wall of the hut, worried and nervous.
The nurse appeared a moment later with a sad filled expression.
"Inu-Yasha?" She began.
He looked up to her.
"I looked her over….and it seems that she'll be in labor for more then 4 hours. It is the waiting that's the hardest, for it is extremely painful and agonizing. I can not do much for her during this time….and so I rely on you, Inu-Yasha, to comfort her and keep her cool. Keep her company through these hard hours. I know you're the only one that can do such a thing." She explained.
Inu-Yasha nodded, knowing that what she spoke of was the truth.
The only thing that could make Kagome calmer was him.
He had sworn that he would stay by her side, and so he went into the hut, the nurse staying outside with Sango and Kaede to talk and simply wait.
~Inside the Hut~
Inu-Yasha stared over at Kagome.
A thin blanket lay over her, so that she wouldn't get too hot, and yet not too cold either. Her whole body was sweating, and all she could do was breathe deeply and try to look through the pain, although it was impossible.
Inu-Yasha could almost feel her pain, and walked over to her side in a quick way.
"Hey there………" He whispered in a tender tone.
Kagome opened her hardly shut eyes and stared up at him.
"Inu-Yasha……it hurts so much……make it go away……..please……." She sobbed.
Inu-Yasha shook his head.
"I……I wish I could…..but you gotta get through this. You gotta stay strong….for me."
Kagome looked up into his eyes.
She stared for a long time before closing her eyes in pain again and clutching her teeth.
After a moment, she opened her eyes yet again, and stared up at him once more.
"Inu-Yasha………I……." She began as she lifted her shaky hand.
"I will…..go on…….please…..hold my hand………" She got out.
Inu-Yasha felt tears forming in his eyes as he fell to his knees and took her hand.
It seemed like slow motion as their fingers laced together and tightened.
He kissed her hand gently, then kissed her forehead, wiping away the sweat with his hand and pushing back her bangs.
"I'm right here now….and I'm not leaving your side. Just think about how wonderful and happy it will be to have our child born into this world. I can't wait……to be a father. I know you can't wait to be a mother. We will raise our child and live life to the fullest….together. You just have to hang onto my hand and get through this one part. The pain will be gone soon. I promise. Bring our child into this world though……..I believe in you. You're my best friend, my home, and my lover. I won't let you give up. I never have and I never will. I love you too damn much." He said this and tears fell down his cheeks.
"Why….do you cry?" She asked as she watched his tears fall to her face.
"I….I hate it that you're suffering……I hate it. I never want you to hurt. Never. I'd rather die then watch you in so much pain." He explained as he kissed her hand yet again, this time with much more carefulness.
Kagome smiled, though very weakly.
"I will be fine. I'm just telling you how I feel, which is really bad at the moment. This is something as normal as breathing to any being whom to which is a woman. I promise I'll hold on for you. It hurts……it's so painful….but…..I will get through this, if you help me."
He smiled down to her and nodded, placing her hand on his cheek and nuzzling it gently.
In time, he was laying next to her, holding her hand tightly with his right hand, and placing his left hand over her swollen middle.
She breathed in and out harshly, and she gripped his kimono with her fists in reaction to the throbbing and aching, but she stuck with it, and wouldn't give up, no matter how long she would be in labor.
She did this all for Inu-Yasha.
~4 and a half hours later starting from midnight and going to 4:30 a.m.~
Inu-Yasha laid his head upon Kagome's and whispered loving words to her.
Most things she couldn't understand because the pain had gotten to her and she couldn't think or speak or even hear correctly.
But just listening and knowing the gentle sounds she could hear, she could see through it all and know that Inu-Yasha was there, still holding her hand tightly, not intending on letting go.
It wasn't until the pain increased even more, harsher then it had ever come!!
She began to cry out and moan and Inu-Yasha called for the nurse quickly.
The nurse ran in, followed by Sango and Kaede.
They were all worried, but the nurse shook her head.
"There's no need for fret here. The girl is fine. She will survive this. It's almost time to deliver, that's all." She explained.
Inu-Yasha scowled at her. "I'm sorry…..BUT HOW CAN YOU BE SO DAMN CALM WHEN KAGOME'S IN SO MUCH PAIN!!!!?????" He screamed.
Kagome's grip on his kimono tightened and he looked down to her.
"D…..don't…..yell…..Inu-Yasha……..just…..let her do her job." She got out.
Inu-Yasha nodded and looked up to the nurse.
"I'm sorry. Seriously. I'm just over reacting. Please….just help her."
The nurse smiled at Inu-Yasha. "Don't worry. Everything will be fine. I promise. Now….let us begin, shall we."
She turned to Sango and Kaede and they nodded.
The delivery took place very quickly to the nurse, Sango, and Kaede, but to Inu-Yasha and Kagome is took hours!!
All Inu-Yasha could do was hold Kagome's hand and whisper loving words, as he had been doing that whole night.
Kagome screamed and moaned and breathed out so heavily she almost lost consciousness, but when she felt Inu-Yasha's hand in hers again tighten, she took the pain and agony and continued on.
Her hand was literally holding onto Inu-Yasha's hand so hard it hurt him, but he didn't care.
One last whisper and scream and push and grasp on a lovers hand.
And just as the full moon was shadowed, a baby was born into the arms of the nurse.
It all took place so quickly then.
The nurse, Sango, and Kaede rushed out of the room with the baby, the nurse yelling to Inu-Yasha for him to stay and take care of Kagome while they went to clean and wrap the little one.
Inu-Yasha wiped down Kagome's wet body with a cool rag, and pulled a blanket over her.
He kissed her forehead and looked down at their hands, folded together and red from the squeezing.
He kissed her hand too then and slowly let go of it, setting it down by her body.
"It's over." He began to whisper into her ear.
"It's okay now, Kagome. There's no more pain. Sleep. Rest. I will be near you, and I swear I won't go far." He explained as he nudged her cheek with his gently.
Kagome wanted badly to see her new born, but couldn't stay awake. She was took weak to even respond to Inu-Yasha's sweet sentence, and she fell unconscious as the moon fell out of the darkness of the shadow and back into light again.
~15 minutes Later~
Inu-Yasha stood outside of the hut, looking at his red hand, which had begun to throb. He didn't give mind to it though.
He waited patiently for one of the others to bring him the bundle so wished to meet.
Foot steps could be heard for a moment, then they stopped.
The scent of Sango filled the air.
"Inu-Yasha….." She said this with a high-spirited voice.
He looked up and turned her way.
There stood his good friend Sango, of course, with a bundle wrapped in her arms.
She smiled warmly.
As she walked towards him, ever so slightly, he felt himself growing excited and eager.
Sango looked up at him and her smile grew.
"Congratulations………my dear friend Inu-Yasha……..you have…….a daughter."
She handed him the bundle and he took it and held it as if it had come natural.
Sango bowed and turned, walking away, turning back just one other time to smile once again.
She wanted to stay, but she knew this was a time that had to be for Inu-Yasha and Kagome only.
Inu-Yasha stared down and pulled back the blanket in his arms to reveal the child sleeping quietly warm and snug.
When his eyes lay upon the newborn, he almost lost his breathe through the emotion he felt.
He had been carried away by a being he never thought could exist.
He immediately loved the child more then anything he had ever loved in such a manner.
He always knew he would forever and eternally love Kagome as his lover, his best friend, and his home, but this love…..was much different.
He loved this child this way, because he was her father. He was a father.
He had a daughter.
A tear ran down his cheek.
A tear of happiness.
"My daughter……god……look at you……..you are one of the most enchanting things on this earth. What did I do to deserve such a wonderful and beautiful gift that Kagome has given me? What?" He whispered to the child.
He looked to the hut door and smiled.
He looked back down to his baby.
"Come on….I want you to meet your mother."
The child was fast asleep, but somehow knew.
Inu-Yasha stepped through the door of the hut and closed it softly, knowing that after sunrise, which would only be in a mere 30 minutes, his whole life would change forever, but not in a bad way, but a wonderful way.
~OHHHHH!!!!!! I love my story so far!! Keep reading reader!! ^.~ I have plans for all of you!!!!! HeHe!~
~chibikagome1@yahoo.com~
