Chapter 54- The End of Anticipation
Kaede observed her surroundings with interest from her place on the horse. Miroku and Sango walked beside her, making polite conversation and informing the old miko of current events among their Pack. Kaede listened with interest; a slight smile haunting her lips when Sango spoke of how close Shippou, Rin and Aiko had become.
The mountain came into sight and Kaede's mouth almost dropped at the size of the spirit shield that surrounded it. Sango and Miroku passed through carelessly and Kaede followed, a bit surprised that such a powerful spell could be entered so easily.
A young human boy took the reins of Kaede's horse just inside the spirit shield after Kaede had dismounted before the old miko followed Sango inside. "Sango-sama, Miroku-sama," greeted Machiko when the trio entered the library. "And Kaede-sama. I hope your journey here was pleasant?"
"Hai," answered Kaede. "Now could you tell me where Kagome-Chan is? I would like to see how her pregnancy is coming along."
Machiko bowed and nodded her head. "Of course, Kaede-sama. I believe Kagome-sama has been restricted to her bed by Inuyasha-sama."
Miroku snorted from the seat he had taken at the table. "More like Kagome-sama couldn't stand on her own and he decided not to help."
Machiko nodded again. "Hai, I believe that is also true."
"Come on, Kaede-sama," said Sango, smiling lightly, "I'll take you to Kagome-Chan's room."
Kaede followed the Taijiya out of the library walking along side her and she went deeper into the mountain. Sango paused at a door and knocked gently. It was opened a moment later by one very grumpy hanyou. "You're late, Baba," glared Inuyasha, looking past Sango.
Kaede sighed before placing her hands on her hips. "My apologies but I could not in good conscience leave before making sure the miko from the neighboring village had arrived safely to take my place while I attend to Kagome-sama."
Inuyasha snorted before stepping aside and allowing Kaede to enter. "Is Kagome-Chan hungry?" Sango asked before Inuyasha could slam the door. "Perhaps I could bring some food down."
The hanyou paused for a moment before nodding in response to Sango's question and shutting the door quietly. When he turned back to Kagome, Kaede had already kneeled beside her, asking numerous questions on how often she felt the pups kick or how much she was eating.
Kagome sat propped up against numerous pillows, her hands resting on her enormous stomach. Inuyasha sat down beside her across from Kaede and listened to the old miko.
"Well," Kaede said finally after Kagome had answered all of her questions. "I do believe they will come in a day or two."
"Hopefully," muttered Kagome glumly. "I can't remember the last time I saw my feet."
^_^
Inuyasha leaned against the wall and watched Kagome as she slept. He was too nervous and too anxious to even consider resting when Kagome was so close to giving birth to his pups. Even with the impending war so close at hand, Inuyasha could not help but take immense delight and the thought of seeing his pups.
Kagome sighed and shifted in her sleep, flinging her arm out to search for him. Inuyasha chuckled before laying down beside her and tucking her head in the crook of his neck. He laid like that for the longest time before Kagome jumped awake quite violently and clutched her stomach. "Inuyasha?" she said, searching for him.
"I'm right here, Kagome," he replied, sitting up to pull her into his lap.
"They're coming."
"Y-You mean the pups?" Inuyasha asked anxiously.
"Yes, god dammit!" Kagome hissed. "Go get Kaede now!"
Inuyasha smiled at her tone before nodding, setting Kagome down gently and positioning the pillows so she could lean against them. "Alright. I'll be right back."
"Fucking hurry!" she gasped through clenched teeth.
Kaede was rudely jarred awake by loud knocking on her door. "Inuyasha, is that you?" she asked, slightly annoyed.
"Who the hell else would it be?" he replied when she opened the door.
"What is it?"
"Kagome."
She nodded and turned back to grab her bag before following the hanyou down the hall. "Go get Sango," Kaede ordered when she reached Kagome. "I am going to need some help."
Inuyasha gave the barest of nods before following Kaede's command. The miko sighed and sat down beside Kagome, taking the young woman's hands and brushing a cloth over her forehead to wipe away the sweat that had already collected on her brow. "Try to relax, Kagome."
"Relax my ass!" she yelled when another wave of pain speared through her stomach.
"It's going to hurt more if you are tense."
Kagome growled but tried to take the old miko's advice. Inuyasha returned a moment later with Sango, Miroku not far behind. "I'm going to need warm water." Kaede directed her statement at Miroku and Inuyasha. "Bring me two buckets and leave them by the door. Then you two can wait outside."
"Wait outside!" roared Inuyasha. "Those are my pups!"
"We are all aware of that," chuckled Kaede. "However, I do not need you hovering around the room needlessly and getting in the way. This is Kagome's first pregnancy, so it will take some time for her to deliver the pups."
"How much time?" growled Inuyasha.
"Anywhere from three to twenty hours."
"I don't believe-"
"Enough!" yelled Kagome, tired of the mini-argument. "Inuyasha, get the Damn water! And Kaede, I swear you better be lying about this taking twenty hours."
Kaede smiled before patting Kagome's hand reassuringly. "Do not worry. Perhaps it will not take so long. I am not overly familiar with youkai pregnancies."
"You two better be born quick," Kagome growled quietly, glaring at her stomach.
Inuyasha couldn't suppress a smile before Sango shooed both him and Miroku out of the room. Miroku sighed before starting towards the kitchen where they could fetch the buckets.
^_^
Five hours later and the pups had yet to be born. Quite a group had collected outside of Kagome's door. Inuyasha sat directly beside the door, his ears twitching every once in a while to the sounds from within the room. Shippou had fallen asleep in his lap, eagerly awaiting his new siblings. Miroku stood across from Inuyasha, between Sesshomaru and Kouga who were staring at the floor glumly. When Inuyasha had questioned Sesshomaru the older Inuyoukai had replied gloomily, "Inuyoukai tradition to be there for the first born."
Hedo had even made an appearance before going to the kitchen for some food. "This is boring," muttered Rin from her seat beside Inuyasha.
Inuyasha was about to answer when a small sound from inside killed the retort in this throat. He was on his feet in an instant, toppling Shippou from his lap and onto the floor in the process, before slipping into the room and closing it firmly behind him to keep anyone from following.
Kaede barely looked up at him when he sat down beside Kagome and took her hand, murmuring soft reassurances as he watched Sango gently bathe his pup.
Sango carefully wrapped the pup in a towel before handing him to Inuyasha. "Your son, Inuyasha."
Kagome watched mesmerized as Inuyasha took the pup from Sango and held him gently in his arms. "My son," whispered Inuyasha, placing the pup in the crook of his arm before using his free hand to trace the two white dog ears on top of his head.
The pup's cry quieted somewhat when Inuyasha rubbed the base of his ears. Kagome's attention was abruptly snapped back to the delivery of the next pup and she had to bite her tongue to keep from screaming. "Dammit! I want drugs! I want technology!" she yelled before biting her lip and giving another push.
She collapsed on her bedding when she heard the second wail and Sango's delighted coo. Inuyasha looked slightly amused at Kagome's outburst before he handed her the firstborn pup and impatiently awaited Sango to finish bathing the second pup. Kagome smiled tiredly at the little baby in her arms, positioning him so she could feed him.
Sango smiled brightly at both Inuyasha and Kagome before handing Inuyasha the second pup. "I'll go speak to everyone outside," she replied quietly before she and Kaede left the room.
"A girl," Inuyasha told Kagome, happily. "Our daughter."
Kagome smiled before making room in her arms so she could feed the second child. Inuyasha let out a small breath he had been holding for the better part of five minutes and kissed Kagome gently on the forehead. "Did you decide on names?" he asked.
Kagome smiled and nodded blissfully. "Our daughter will be named Reiha, and Shippou decided that our son should be named Kaemon."
"Kaemon? Did you by chance tell him you wanted to name the pup Kaemon?"
"I might have mentioned it," she replied sheepishly, earning herself another kiss on her forehead.
"How do you feel, Kagome?"
Kagome gave a small huff before glaring at him. "Like I got ran over by a bus. It's your fault, you know."
"Bus?"
"Ah, those big car like things that can carry a lot of people," she explained tiredly.
"Oh, yeah. I remember those. How is it my fault?"
"You're the one that impregnated me, Baka!" Kagome released a small breath before speaking again. "I need to go see my mother."
Inuyasha sighed before nodding. "I'll take you to see her when everything settles down."
Kagome smiled in response before closing her eyes and relaxing into the pillows. Inuyasha gently took the pups from her arms when he was sure they were finishing milking and stood up. "Inuyasha," Kagome said before he left the room.
"Hai, mate?"
"Could you send someone to get some clean bedding for me?"
"Of course Kagome."
Awkwardly, Inuyasha opened the door before stepping outside and pulling the door shut with his foot. "Let me see them, let me see them!" chanted Shippou excitedly as he jumped from Miroku's head to Inuyasha shoulder.
Shippou leaned over the pup closest to him from Inuyasha shoulder to gently touch the pup's white dog-ears. "They both have your ears, Inuyasha," Shippou observed. "What color are their eyes?"
"Don't know yet," Inuyasha replied.
"May I hold one?" Miroku asked.
Inuyasha looked inclined to simply bark 'no', but eventually placed Kaemon in Miroku's arms. "Who is this?" Miroku asked, delightedly.
"That is my son Kaemon," replied Inuyasha, his chest puffing up proudly. "And this," he continued, looking down at the pup in his arms. "Is my daughter Reiha."
"Kaemon and Reiha," Sesshomaru repeated, staring at his new niece and nephew. "Where did you come up with those names?"
"I picked out Kaemon!" Shippou said proudly, Inuyasha barely covering up a sharp laugh.
Sesshomaru shook his head before picking up Rin so she could see the babies. "Ooh! Kawaii!!"
"Rin, time for bed," Sesshomaru said after a moment, heading back down the hallway.
"Aww, do I have to?" she replied, her voice fading down the hallway.
"Alright monk, give me back my son," said Inuyasha. Miroku handed Kaemon back to him before both Inuyasha and Sango returned to Kagome's side.
Inuyasha was glad to see Kaede had already exchanged Kagome's bedding, the young mother now resting on a clean futon. He sat down beside her and waited for Shippou to hop off his shoulder before lying down. Kaede and Sango left the room without a word, taking the old bedding with them.
Kagome opened her eyes when she felt Inuyasha lay down beside her, placing the pups between them. Shippou gently curled up by Kagome's head before giving a large yawn and falling asleep. Inuyasha smirked at the how quickly Shippou fell asleep before resting his head on the pillow and yawning. "I love you, Kagome," Inuyasha whispered quietly, though it was loud enough for Kagome's youkai hearing to pick up.
Her eyes widened slightly at the admission before she smiled warmly. That was the first time she had ever heard the words out loud, though she had known it for a long time. Inuyasha spoke more with actions, not words. "I love you too, Inuyasha."
Inuyasha purred in response before reaching his arm out to intertwine his fingers with hers before falling asleep. Kagome gave a smile of pure bliss before allowing her exhaustion to return and falling into a deep slumber.
^_^
Chiyo was going over the final preparations for the coming War when Machiko entered her cavern. "Kagome-sama has given birth to a boy and a girl."
The Ancient hanyou smiled before nodding. "Good. That is wonderful. Make sure she is taken care of tomorrow."
"Hai Chiyo-sama. Anything else?"
"Hai. Wake the Pack Leaders. Tell them to ready themselves."
"Is it time?"
Chiyo nodded before turning towards Machiko. "I can feel it. He's coming."
Kaede observed her surroundings with interest from her place on the horse. Miroku and Sango walked beside her, making polite conversation and informing the old miko of current events among their Pack. Kaede listened with interest; a slight smile haunting her lips when Sango spoke of how close Shippou, Rin and Aiko had become.
The mountain came into sight and Kaede's mouth almost dropped at the size of the spirit shield that surrounded it. Sango and Miroku passed through carelessly and Kaede followed, a bit surprised that such a powerful spell could be entered so easily.
A young human boy took the reins of Kaede's horse just inside the spirit shield after Kaede had dismounted before the old miko followed Sango inside. "Sango-sama, Miroku-sama," greeted Machiko when the trio entered the library. "And Kaede-sama. I hope your journey here was pleasant?"
"Hai," answered Kaede. "Now could you tell me where Kagome-Chan is? I would like to see how her pregnancy is coming along."
Machiko bowed and nodded her head. "Of course, Kaede-sama. I believe Kagome-sama has been restricted to her bed by Inuyasha-sama."
Miroku snorted from the seat he had taken at the table. "More like Kagome-sama couldn't stand on her own and he decided not to help."
Machiko nodded again. "Hai, I believe that is also true."
"Come on, Kaede-sama," said Sango, smiling lightly, "I'll take you to Kagome-Chan's room."
Kaede followed the Taijiya out of the library walking along side her and she went deeper into the mountain. Sango paused at a door and knocked gently. It was opened a moment later by one very grumpy hanyou. "You're late, Baba," glared Inuyasha, looking past Sango.
Kaede sighed before placing her hands on her hips. "My apologies but I could not in good conscience leave before making sure the miko from the neighboring village had arrived safely to take my place while I attend to Kagome-sama."
Inuyasha snorted before stepping aside and allowing Kaede to enter. "Is Kagome-Chan hungry?" Sango asked before Inuyasha could slam the door. "Perhaps I could bring some food down."
The hanyou paused for a moment before nodding in response to Sango's question and shutting the door quietly. When he turned back to Kagome, Kaede had already kneeled beside her, asking numerous questions on how often she felt the pups kick or how much she was eating.
Kagome sat propped up against numerous pillows, her hands resting on her enormous stomach. Inuyasha sat down beside her across from Kaede and listened to the old miko.
"Well," Kaede said finally after Kagome had answered all of her questions. "I do believe they will come in a day or two."
"Hopefully," muttered Kagome glumly. "I can't remember the last time I saw my feet."
^_^
Inuyasha leaned against the wall and watched Kagome as she slept. He was too nervous and too anxious to even consider resting when Kagome was so close to giving birth to his pups. Even with the impending war so close at hand, Inuyasha could not help but take immense delight and the thought of seeing his pups.
Kagome sighed and shifted in her sleep, flinging her arm out to search for him. Inuyasha chuckled before laying down beside her and tucking her head in the crook of his neck. He laid like that for the longest time before Kagome jumped awake quite violently and clutched her stomach. "Inuyasha?" she said, searching for him.
"I'm right here, Kagome," he replied, sitting up to pull her into his lap.
"They're coming."
"Y-You mean the pups?" Inuyasha asked anxiously.
"Yes, god dammit!" Kagome hissed. "Go get Kaede now!"
Inuyasha smiled at her tone before nodding, setting Kagome down gently and positioning the pillows so she could lean against them. "Alright. I'll be right back."
"Fucking hurry!" she gasped through clenched teeth.
Kaede was rudely jarred awake by loud knocking on her door. "Inuyasha, is that you?" she asked, slightly annoyed.
"Who the hell else would it be?" he replied when she opened the door.
"What is it?"
"Kagome."
She nodded and turned back to grab her bag before following the hanyou down the hall. "Go get Sango," Kaede ordered when she reached Kagome. "I am going to need some help."
Inuyasha gave the barest of nods before following Kaede's command. The miko sighed and sat down beside Kagome, taking the young woman's hands and brushing a cloth over her forehead to wipe away the sweat that had already collected on her brow. "Try to relax, Kagome."
"Relax my ass!" she yelled when another wave of pain speared through her stomach.
"It's going to hurt more if you are tense."
Kagome growled but tried to take the old miko's advice. Inuyasha returned a moment later with Sango, Miroku not far behind. "I'm going to need warm water." Kaede directed her statement at Miroku and Inuyasha. "Bring me two buckets and leave them by the door. Then you two can wait outside."
"Wait outside!" roared Inuyasha. "Those are my pups!"
"We are all aware of that," chuckled Kaede. "However, I do not need you hovering around the room needlessly and getting in the way. This is Kagome's first pregnancy, so it will take some time for her to deliver the pups."
"How much time?" growled Inuyasha.
"Anywhere from three to twenty hours."
"I don't believe-"
"Enough!" yelled Kagome, tired of the mini-argument. "Inuyasha, get the Damn water! And Kaede, I swear you better be lying about this taking twenty hours."
Kaede smiled before patting Kagome's hand reassuringly. "Do not worry. Perhaps it will not take so long. I am not overly familiar with youkai pregnancies."
"You two better be born quick," Kagome growled quietly, glaring at her stomach.
Inuyasha couldn't suppress a smile before Sango shooed both him and Miroku out of the room. Miroku sighed before starting towards the kitchen where they could fetch the buckets.
^_^
Five hours later and the pups had yet to be born. Quite a group had collected outside of Kagome's door. Inuyasha sat directly beside the door, his ears twitching every once in a while to the sounds from within the room. Shippou had fallen asleep in his lap, eagerly awaiting his new siblings. Miroku stood across from Inuyasha, between Sesshomaru and Kouga who were staring at the floor glumly. When Inuyasha had questioned Sesshomaru the older Inuyoukai had replied gloomily, "Inuyoukai tradition to be there for the first born."
Hedo had even made an appearance before going to the kitchen for some food. "This is boring," muttered Rin from her seat beside Inuyasha.
Inuyasha was about to answer when a small sound from inside killed the retort in this throat. He was on his feet in an instant, toppling Shippou from his lap and onto the floor in the process, before slipping into the room and closing it firmly behind him to keep anyone from following.
Kaede barely looked up at him when he sat down beside Kagome and took her hand, murmuring soft reassurances as he watched Sango gently bathe his pup.
Sango carefully wrapped the pup in a towel before handing him to Inuyasha. "Your son, Inuyasha."
Kagome watched mesmerized as Inuyasha took the pup from Sango and held him gently in his arms. "My son," whispered Inuyasha, placing the pup in the crook of his arm before using his free hand to trace the two white dog ears on top of his head.
The pup's cry quieted somewhat when Inuyasha rubbed the base of his ears. Kagome's attention was abruptly snapped back to the delivery of the next pup and she had to bite her tongue to keep from screaming. "Dammit! I want drugs! I want technology!" she yelled before biting her lip and giving another push.
She collapsed on her bedding when she heard the second wail and Sango's delighted coo. Inuyasha looked slightly amused at Kagome's outburst before he handed her the firstborn pup and impatiently awaited Sango to finish bathing the second pup. Kagome smiled tiredly at the little baby in her arms, positioning him so she could feed him.
Sango smiled brightly at both Inuyasha and Kagome before handing Inuyasha the second pup. "I'll go speak to everyone outside," she replied quietly before she and Kaede left the room.
"A girl," Inuyasha told Kagome, happily. "Our daughter."
Kagome smiled before making room in her arms so she could feed the second child. Inuyasha let out a small breath he had been holding for the better part of five minutes and kissed Kagome gently on the forehead. "Did you decide on names?" he asked.
Kagome smiled and nodded blissfully. "Our daughter will be named Reiha, and Shippou decided that our son should be named Kaemon."
"Kaemon? Did you by chance tell him you wanted to name the pup Kaemon?"
"I might have mentioned it," she replied sheepishly, earning herself another kiss on her forehead.
"How do you feel, Kagome?"
Kagome gave a small huff before glaring at him. "Like I got ran over by a bus. It's your fault, you know."
"Bus?"
"Ah, those big car like things that can carry a lot of people," she explained tiredly.
"Oh, yeah. I remember those. How is it my fault?"
"You're the one that impregnated me, Baka!" Kagome released a small breath before speaking again. "I need to go see my mother."
Inuyasha sighed before nodding. "I'll take you to see her when everything settles down."
Kagome smiled in response before closing her eyes and relaxing into the pillows. Inuyasha gently took the pups from her arms when he was sure they were finishing milking and stood up. "Inuyasha," Kagome said before he left the room.
"Hai, mate?"
"Could you send someone to get some clean bedding for me?"
"Of course Kagome."
Awkwardly, Inuyasha opened the door before stepping outside and pulling the door shut with his foot. "Let me see them, let me see them!" chanted Shippou excitedly as he jumped from Miroku's head to Inuyasha shoulder.
Shippou leaned over the pup closest to him from Inuyasha shoulder to gently touch the pup's white dog-ears. "They both have your ears, Inuyasha," Shippou observed. "What color are their eyes?"
"Don't know yet," Inuyasha replied.
"May I hold one?" Miroku asked.
Inuyasha looked inclined to simply bark 'no', but eventually placed Kaemon in Miroku's arms. "Who is this?" Miroku asked, delightedly.
"That is my son Kaemon," replied Inuyasha, his chest puffing up proudly. "And this," he continued, looking down at the pup in his arms. "Is my daughter Reiha."
"Kaemon and Reiha," Sesshomaru repeated, staring at his new niece and nephew. "Where did you come up with those names?"
"I picked out Kaemon!" Shippou said proudly, Inuyasha barely covering up a sharp laugh.
Sesshomaru shook his head before picking up Rin so she could see the babies. "Ooh! Kawaii!!"
"Rin, time for bed," Sesshomaru said after a moment, heading back down the hallway.
"Aww, do I have to?" she replied, her voice fading down the hallway.
"Alright monk, give me back my son," said Inuyasha. Miroku handed Kaemon back to him before both Inuyasha and Sango returned to Kagome's side.
Inuyasha was glad to see Kaede had already exchanged Kagome's bedding, the young mother now resting on a clean futon. He sat down beside her and waited for Shippou to hop off his shoulder before lying down. Kaede and Sango left the room without a word, taking the old bedding with them.
Kagome opened her eyes when she felt Inuyasha lay down beside her, placing the pups between them. Shippou gently curled up by Kagome's head before giving a large yawn and falling asleep. Inuyasha smirked at the how quickly Shippou fell asleep before resting his head on the pillow and yawning. "I love you, Kagome," Inuyasha whispered quietly, though it was loud enough for Kagome's youkai hearing to pick up.
Her eyes widened slightly at the admission before she smiled warmly. That was the first time she had ever heard the words out loud, though she had known it for a long time. Inuyasha spoke more with actions, not words. "I love you too, Inuyasha."
Inuyasha purred in response before reaching his arm out to intertwine his fingers with hers before falling asleep. Kagome gave a smile of pure bliss before allowing her exhaustion to return and falling into a deep slumber.
^_^
Chiyo was going over the final preparations for the coming War when Machiko entered her cavern. "Kagome-sama has given birth to a boy and a girl."
The Ancient hanyou smiled before nodding. "Good. That is wonderful. Make sure she is taken care of tomorrow."
"Hai Chiyo-sama. Anything else?"
"Hai. Wake the Pack Leaders. Tell them to ready themselves."
"Is it time?"
Chiyo nodded before turning towards Machiko. "I can feel it. He's coming."