Chapter Two-The Arrival of Chibi

Saraku was up before anyone else the next morning. She padded downstairs into the main kitchen. She grabbed a bundle of bread, and took it outside, to sit by the pond. She'd done this every morning since Sesshoumaru had moved them to the palace. It was the only time of the day she truly had to herself. Jakken kept her busy with lessons while Lord Sesshoumaru wandered. Sometimes, Rin was able to get them away to their secret play place, but most of the time, she stayed indoors. That morning, there was a calm stillness on the water. Various birds flew overhead and soon, Saraku found herself stretched out on the bank. She remembered with a great amount sadness how Shippou had taught her to see pictures in the clouds. When she tried it now, all she could see were clouds. No pictures,none at all.

Her thoughts turned to Sango,and the monk Miroku. Miroku had been very kind to her. Wise as well. She sighed deeply. Sango and her cat-like creature Kilala had been great friends. Particularly Kilala. That creature had been so protective of her, yet, very playful. It occurred to Sara that Kilala had often growled at Lord Sesshoumaru. She shook her head, laughing. Silly kitty…Lord Sesshoumaru is a great friend, and a wise guardian to me. He would never hurt me. But, he has…he hasn't let me speak freely of you and your group for a long time. I feel like I have to keep silent my longing to see Kagome. I wonder how long that will go on? I miss you, Kagome! I'd even put up with Inuyasha, if I had to to see you again!

"Saraku! Sara, come inside at once,you'll catch a chill out here!" Jakken broke into the girl's sad thoughts.

"Oh Jakken! It's not even cold out!" She stood up in exasperation.

"I'm only thinking of your health, Princess." Jakken retorted with a shooing motion, as she passed him to go into the castle.

"Yeah…. Right. I suppose Lord Sesshoumaru told you not to leave me alone so much?" She was beginning to wonder about that. Could it be Sesshoumaru thought she was planning to run away?

"Ah. Of course not, Little Miss. You're not a prisoner you know." Jakken tried to reassure her, for fear she would complain to his Master about it. "It's just that it looked like rain. Besides, it is time for your studies."

"Oh. Of course, Jakken. Is Rin in the Library?"

"Yes. Go on now. Your tutor is waiting." Jakken made the same shooing motion to get her out of the main hall.

"I'm going. You don't have to shoo me. I'm not a rodent, you know." Saraku told him with annoyance, as she flounced down the hall.

Jakken made a face. She was thinking of leaving. I saw it in her eyes. I have to tell Lord Sesshoumaru. Oh! This is not good, definitely not good! The toad like servant went to find his Master in the fields.

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"Are you okay to continue, Sango? You look really winded." Miroku studied her in concern.

"I'm fine, Miroku. Stop worrying so much. The Slayers in my village got pregnant all the time. It's nothing I can't handle." She smiled to herself at Miroku's concern.

Inuyasha had stopped walking though, and he was hushing them. "I think we've got company."

He was right. Just as he was about to draw Tetsusaiga, a horde of Naraku's poisonous insects dove in on them! Inuyasha and Sango prepared to fight.

"No! Sango, stay back!" Miroku began to unravel the special wrap that concealed his wind tunnel. "I'll handle this!"

"Miroku, I'm pregnant, not an invalid!" Sango threw her boomerang shaped weapon at a group that was attacking Kagome. "Duck, Kagome!"

The seventeen-year-old complied, just as the weapon reached its target, knocking several of the insects out cold.

"Nice shot, Sango!" Shippou called.

"See? I'm perfectly- Ah!!" Sango almost collapsed, but Miroku was right there to hold her up.

"Sango! What's the matter?" Miroku stared at his loved one in deep concern. "Is it coming?"

"I….I….I thnk so! Oh why couldn't it have waited until we got to the village?!" She moaned.

"Inuyasha! The baby's coming!" Kagome rushed over to assist Miroku. "Go, help Inuyasha. We can't let those insect things get to Sango!"

"Right!" Miroku ran to help Inuyasha, unwrapping his cursed hand as he went. "No one is going to ruin my child's birth!" Without warning, the insects suddenly fled. "That's what I thought!" The monk exclaimed, thinking they were afraid of his wind tunnel. "Come, Inuyasha. Kagome may need help bringing this baby into the world."

"What do I know I about birthing proceedures?!" The hanyou asked. Even as he complained, Inuyasha's curiosity got the better of him, and he went to help. "Is she going to be alright?" He asked, in natural concern.

"Of course she is!" Kagome exclaimed, as if that was the stupidest question she'd ever heard. "Shippou, bring me her bed roll. She needs something soft to lay on."

"Right!" The kitsune did as Kagome asked. "Now what?"

"All right, Sango, let Miroku help you move over to the bed."

"I don't need help!" Sango was annoyed by all the fuss being made over her labor.

"Sango, please. You look so weak right now." Miroku helped her anyway, ignoring her dirty looks. "You don't have to admit it, I am entitled to help you, as this is my child too."

"I never denied that!" Sango said through gritted teeth, as another sharp pain came and went.

Kilala growled at Kagome when she came to check on the Slayer. Her mistress was in pain, and she thought it was because of Kagome.

"Easy, girl…." Sango petted the animal gently. "Kagome didn't hurt me." A certain monk did. Ooh, wait till this baby's born! I'm going to kill Miroku if he ever comes near me in that way again! But….wait. I'm the one who kissed him first that night! I have to get away from this group! He's getting to my head! Sango's angry thoughts were halted by another stream of pain. "I'm going to kill you, Monk!"

Miroku looked really worried. "Is she serious, Inuyasha? I didn't mean for this to happen….."

"Oh, don't worry, Miroku. You should've heard the things my mother said to my father when Souta was born. Pregnant women in labor never mean what the say."

Miroku still didn't look convinced, but he held on to Sango's hand. "You're not going to kill me. That'd be setting a bad example for our daughter."

Sango snorted, but smiled a little now. "You know, I'll squeeze your hand off."

"I deserve it, don't I?" Miroku smiled back, humoring her. He looked at Kagome. "How much longer?"

"Not long now, I don't think." Kagome silently wished Kaede was there, or nearby. She'd never delivered a baby before. She didn't want to hurt Sango, or the baby. "Are you okay, Sango?"

"Y-yes…just feel like an overstuffed pepper.." She smiled weakly at the younger girl. "Don't worry. You're doing fine, Kagome."

"I hope so….I don't wanna do anything to hurt you or the baby." Kagome confessed her fear.

"You won't." Inuyasha suddenly put a hand on her shoulder. "I can help."

"Inuyasha? You've delivered a baby?" Kagome was surprised and relieved at the same time.

"Long time ago." He muttered, moving to check on Sango. "I need blankets. The baby's head is in view." He told Kagome.

"Inuyasha, if you screw this up, I swear you'll regret it!" Sango threatened.

Inuyasha chose to ignore the woman, as he prepared to receive the baby. "You gonna get this baby out or what? Push!"

Sango scowled, then she forced out a good push, squeezing Miroku's hand tightly for effort.

"Good. Really good. We've got the head. We need one more good push."

"One more?! A-are you mad?!" Sango gasped in exhaustion. "No way!!"

"Come on, Sango. You can do it. I know you." Miroku said encouragingly. "You never leave anything unfinished." He squeezed her hand tightly, even though his own already felt pretty much numb.

"You can do it, Sango! One more!" Shippou called from a distance. He'd chosen not to watch, finding all the blood rather grotesque.

Sango closed her eyes tightly, and then with all her effort gave a final push.

"Kagome, it's coming." Inuyasha said, as he let her take over. He guided her gently on how to get the baby when it slid out a moment later.

Sango laid back against Miroku in exhaustion. "No….more…..indulgence…you got that?"

Miroku laughed softly, and without thinking about it, kissed her lightly on the cheek. "Got it." He looked over at Kagome. "Well? Is it a boy, or a girl?"

"It's a girl." Kagome said, as she cleaned the squalling newborn up. "She's beautiful, Sango."

"She better be….all that effort…" Sango replied wryly. "Let me see her."

Kagome laid the baby in its mother's arms gently. "What are you going to name her, Sango?"

Sango studied the child in her arms, gently, holding her close to her. "She's so precious…." She looked up at Miroku. "Thank you, Miroku."

"You're welcome….?" Miroku wasn't sure how to react. The monk was in awe that he'd helped create the small child in Sango's arms. "May I hold her?"

"Of course you may. She's your daughter too." Sango watched Miroku take their daughter in his arms carefully. "We have to give her name. Will you do it?"

"Me? Well, okay…." Miroku studied the fussing child in his arms. "Hmm…..what should we call you, small one?" The baby got a fistful of the chain that wrapped around Miroku's wrist, but didn't know to tug. The monk laughed softly untangling her small fingers. "I know. We'll call you Chibi."

"Chibi…..that's adorable!" Kagome squealed. "Oh, Sango, she's so precious!"

"She is." Sango agreed. "We must get to Kaede's village before nightfall. It will get too cold for the baby."

"Yes. You're right." Miroku agreed, standing up, little Chibi in his arms. "They will bless her there."

Sango nodded. "Yes." She couldn't stand quite yet though. "Kilala will have to bear me on her back. " The cat immediately transformed, and Sango was helped on. "Miroku, do you want me to hold her?"

"I can hold her awhile. My robes keep her warm."

With that, Inuyasha began to lead them on to Kaede's village, hoping no more trouble will come their way.