AN: I know we're skipping a lot of stuff, but these are just the essentials of the story. Enjoy!
Act Three: Scene One
The war in the south raged for countless seasons and then on the day before Christmas, Hojo came home to visit his wife and Sister-in-law. He arrived in Fuji on horseback and road all the way to the palace where Songo and Kagome were waiting for him with a big dinner set on the table and the tree trimmed and presents underneath. Poor Inu-yasha spent the holidays with Mistress Kikyo and his brother while he secretly pined away for Kagome whom he'd fallen quite madly in love with.
"Stop moping around, little brother, and go see her." Sheshomaru said to him one afternoon.
"Go see who?" Inu-yasha asked.
" Why, Kagome of course.. You've done nothing but think about her all year and you've only gone to see her a few times since the ball we held."
"Your brain is broken if you think that I'm upset over that little twit Kagome. Besides, why should be so head over heals for a little girl when I've got a real woman." He said taking Kikyo aside and necking with her under the mistletoe.
"Stop that, Inu-yasha, I'm trying to set the table. You should go see her if it pleases you. I won't mind. I'm used to being the other woman in most men's relationships anyway." She told him. Inu-yasha looked at her for a moment in bewilderment then gave in.
"Okay, "He said, "Sine you're both so adamant about it. I'll go see the little twit and find out how she's getting along with that Songo she's always hanging around with." He put on his coat and took a riding crop from the stand by the door.
"Take this." Sheshomaru said handing him a saddlebag full of small packages.
"What's this for?" Inu-yasha asked him.
"For Kagome and the Lady Songo. It is rude not to bring presents on Christmas." His brother said. Inu-yasha's horse was saddled and waiting for him in the barn by the time he got out there.
"Sheshomaru, you knew I'd be going to go see her." He said, eyeing the animal. Inu-yasha climbed on and road down the busy streets of Fuji towards the residence where Kagome was staying with Songo's Aunt Kagura. He didn't know why he was acting so strangely. He never used to act this way before he met that girl. It was a strange thing to be in love he supposed, but then he shook the thought from his head as if it were a cursed word. "Love, who needs it." He said then he realized that he was there.
Inu-yasha dismounted his horse with his saddlebag and walked up to the main gate. The palace looked marvelous with the new fallen snow on the ground. It was so peaceful and serine there. He could understand why Kagome and Songo had come to this place after Koga had died. This was a place of healing. Inu-yasha felt better just being there now. He smiled and knocked on the door.
"Just a minute." Shippo's meager voice rang out. "Merry Christmas, how can I help you, oh." He said, "It's you, okay, Kagome likes you so come on in. But I've got my eye on you, Inu-yasha Butler. You don't fool me for a second. You're only after one thing and it's not a Merry Christmas." Shippo said as he went back into the parlor to announce the new gust. "Captain Butler is here to see Kagome!" He shouted quite loudly. Inu-yasha could hardly believe his ears. Kagome liked him, or so said this diminutive little footman. This did brighten his spirits more than any old Merry Christmas could have.
Kagome sauntered into the main hallway where Inu-yasha was waiting for her. He smiled as she came towards him but she looked at him suspiciously.
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'Why is he here?' Kagome wondered. Then she saw the saddlebag and the first thing that popped into her pretty little head was "Oh boy, he's brought me a present." Her demeanor suddenly became more pleasant as she came up to him. "How wonderful to see you again Captain." She said to him.
"Yeah it's nice to see you too. Oh yeah, here." He said handing over one of the small packages from his saddlebag. "This is for you." Kagome's heart was all flutter as she tore open the small gift and discovered a bottle of perfume.
"WOW!" She exclaimed. "Plumeria blossoms. These are impossible to find in winter. How did you know that these were my favorite." She asked him.
"Oh, just a guess." Inu-yasha lied. "I've got a little something for Songo too, is she around?" He asked.
"Oh I'm sure she is." Kagome said taking the cork out of the bottle and splashing a few drops on her neck. "Inu-yasha, how does this smell on me?" She asked him, flirting. He took her in like a slow intoxicating aroma
"Wonderful." He replied. "Like spring in the mountains." Kagome blushed.
"You shouldn't say such things to me. You'll turn my head and then I'll never be able to put you out of my mind again." She told him.
"Good, that's what I was hoping for. I see that you're out of that fake morning finally. " He looked at her festive Kimono. "Kagome, do you think now that you might be ready to… That is, I know that you're pretty comfortable here, but I was thinking that maybe…" Just then Songo and Hojo came into the hallway.
"Sorry to interrupt but I had to meet with the famous Captain Inu-yasha Butler I've heard so much about." Hojo said offering up his hand.
"Huh, oh yeah, it's sure an honor to meet you too." He lied. Inu-yasha would have liked nothing more than to gut this imbecile for ruining his moment with Kagome. "This is for your lovely wife." Inu-yasha handed over the last small box to Songo who opened it immediately.
"Cherry blossoms, my favorite." She said holding the bottle up. "Kagome, he's so thoughtful, and just look at yours. Plumeria, so hard to find. Come on, let's go show Aunt Kagura while the guys have a word or two." She took Kagome's hand and rushed off with her back into the parlor.
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"So," Hojo said to Inu-yasha. "If I may be so bold as to ask. What are your intentions towards Kagome?" Inu-yasha looked at her suspiciously. What was this guy up to, asking him a thing like that?
"Why do you care. Last I looked, you were married to Songo." Inu-yasha smirked. "Don't tell me you and Kagome have a little something going on, on the side."
"Absolutely not!" Hojo declared. "She's my Sister-in-law, is why I ask, and she's been my absolute best friend since child hood. I don't want to see her get hurt by a scallywag like you. I know your reputation with the women. With one woman in particular. The two of you are shacked up like a couple of trashy heathens. I think that it is unbecoming of a gentleman to come calling on one woman while he's presently engaged in sleeping with another."
"What Kikyo and I do together is no one's business but ours, and who said that I was calling on Kagome? I just came over to see two friends of mine and deliver some gifts. You gentlemen and your honor make me sick. It's fools like you who are going to loose this war for us and then where will you all be?" Inu-yasha asked. "You know why there are people like me? To clean up after the messes that gentlemen make of the world."
"Well, since we've both made our intentions clear to one another, what say we put aide our differences for the sake of the season and for Kagome's sake? She seems to be quite infatuated with you now. You're all that she talks about since I've been here. In fact, I'm kind of jealous and also kind of relieved. She used to take on about nothing but myself. Now maybe I can stop worrying about her and focus on my own family."
"Family?" Inu-yasha asked. "You mean?"
"Yes, Songo and I are going have a baby this spring.
"Well, congratulations are in order then. Another snot nosed brat to brace a dieing way of life that's crumbling down around your head."
"I thought that we had called a truce." Hojo said.
"So we did." Inu-yasha bowed, sarcastically then Hojo showed him into the Parlor where the rest of the family were gathered.
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Act Three: Scene Two.
Inu-yasha wore out his welcome as usual then left after sucking down a bottle of Rice Wine and stealing a kiss from Kagome under the mistletoe. He left and went home before things got too bad though. Hojo and Kagome were thankful for that at least. Songo just smiled and took everything with a grain of salt. She couldn't afford to get too upset in her condition. Hojo would be leaving in another day or so and that would be upsetting enough for her. Even Kagome knew this and so she didn't make such a fuss over Hojo's leaving though she still would miss him. They hardly ever got to see each other anymore since the war started and since he got married. She missed those days when they were young children and would go walking under the cherry tress at Edo together. Back then she could play and fantasize all she wanted to about him and her together and it would always seem like things would turn out that way. Then Kagome would come back to her present time and she would look at Songo and Hojo together and remember that a child's fantasies are just that. Fantasies.
"It's time for me to leave," Hojo said one morning as the snow fell outside, coating the land in a fresh blanket of purest white. "There's a big battle coming. It might not earn me much renown, but I have to fight. It's a shame that now we must watch our way of life fade away. The war is going badly for us," he said to Kagome, who sat on a window sill watching him. "I may not return."
"Oh, Hojo," Kagome said, standing up, "Don't say things like that. It's bad luck. Say prayer, quickly."
"You and Songo pray for me," Hojo told her. "We'll need all your prayers before this over. Naraku and his minions are coming from the south; they come everyday, breaking through our defenses. We can't hold much longer. But at least we won't give up without fighting for what we believe in." Hojo stepped around Kagome, and wrapped his scarf around his neck. He looked so dashing in his black, Imperial uniform, hios sword by his side. Kagome's heart almost stopped. Then, he looked at her, and said, "I've already given Songo her goodbye. What shall I give to you, dearest of hold friends?"
"Don't give me anything," Kagome said. "Just take with you the knowledge that… that there are two very happy women here who love you."
"I will," Hojo said. Kagome released the tears she had been fighting as she went to him and embraced her childhood sweetheart. She didn't want him to go, didn't ant him to die. But he had to go. Her arms fell like dead weights as Hojo let go of her, and exited the room. She turned back to the window, and watched Shippo bring Hojo his horse. The soldier mounted the steed, and galloped away.
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Act Three: Scene Three
Kagome and Songo waited outside with the countless others. The battle of Kyoto had been horrible. Countless Samurai had fallen - rumor had it that even General Naraku had been wounded badly, and his troops were now led by his second in command, Lt. Kohaku, a member of the Imperial family who wished to usurp his cousin's throne- and now they waited for the casualty listings.
One man came from the old shrine that now served as a military post. He carried stacks upon stacks of scrolls. Long scrolls. Scrolls with black seals on them. Slowly, he began to hand them out. First, a few at a time, then tossing them over the crowd to whoever could catch one. There simply weren't enough to go around. Little Shippofloated up over the crowd and grabbed one as it flew, then, scurried over people's heads as he carried it back to Kagome and Songo. He dove into their hands, and gave the scroll to the women, who searched the list down to the W's.
"Walters, Westin, Williams, Wilkinson, Wilmer…" Kagome read aloud.
"You passed him, Kagome!" Songo cheered, crying for joy. "He's safe! Hojo's safe!" The girls hugged, but then heard crying not far away. An old woman and her husband, Doctor Totosai sat in their carriage.
"Oh no," Songo said. "Their must have died." Songo got up, and went to the couple, to comfort them. And at that moment, Sesshomaru came riding up on his white horse.
"I take it that your precious Hojo is alive and well?" he asked Kagome.
"I'm happy for Songo," Kagome said. "She's been like a sister to for all this time, and Hojo's been like a brother."
"Only a brother. Very well then." Sesshomaru said, smiling as if he alone held a very guarded secret. "But you do not fool me, Kagome Higurashi-O'Hara. I know your heart, and it's secret. But I will not say a word to anyone about it's guarded text."
"I don't know what you mean," Kagome lied, getting defensive.
"Don't you?" Sesshomaru said, crooking an eyebrow. "Very well. I am happy for the both of you. A small measure of happiness in a sea of grief and heartache." The tall gentleman turned on his horse, and trotted away to his own palace.
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Act Three: Scene Four
Months passed as the word spread that Lt. Kohaku was leading his legion to Fuji. Many who'd had hoped the city would be spared stayed in the city for some time, until spring. When spring arrived, and the rumors of Kohaku's ruthlessness spread far and wide, more and more people left the city.
But Kagome and Songo did not. Though, eventually, even Aunt Kagura left them in a panicked fit, Songo and Kagome had to stay. For Songo was now almost ready to have her baby. Her belly had grown large and swollen with the growing child, and now Songo couldn't even leave the house, lest anything happen before the baby was ready. Kagome had been tempted to leave with Kagura, but had decided to stay. Why did she stay, in a city filled with fear and the not too distant sounds of cannon fire and the cries of the wounded? Because in spite of her resentment for Songo, she really did like her. And because the child she bore was Hojo's, and Kagome would rather face the hordes of Wind Demons single handedly than have Hojo's heart be broken at losing his first child. The women and their two servants waited with many others… waited for the city to be taken.. To be saved… for the beginning, or beginning of the end.
One morning, as Kagome helped Shippo carry in the last of the stored vegetables, she heard Songo calling from her room. Kagome dropped the bucket of vegetales, and ran into the house.
"Kagome!" Songo cried from the stairs. The pregnant girl was struggling to climb down.
"What are you doing?" Kagome demanded. "You're supposed top be in bed." Then, she looked down at Songo's legs, and shrieked. "Oh my gosh! The baby's coming! How long ago did this start?!"
"Just…" Songo panted, sweat pouring from her brow, "Just a few… minutes ago."
"Eri!" Kagome shouted, "Eri, get your butt up here!" The servant girl rann up the stairs, and stood up straight. "Eri, go get the doctor, and tell him that Songo's going inot labor right now, and we need him to help."
"Yes, ma'am," Eri said, dashing back down the stairs, and out the door. Kagome carried Songo back to her bedroom, and made her lie down. After an hour, Eri came barging into the house, saying, "Dr. Totosai can't come. He's swamped with wounded."
"What!?" Kagome yelled. "What are we supposed to do?!"
"He said you'll have to do it," Eri said.
"Me!?!" Kagome screamed. "I don't know how to birth a baby! I've never even done it!"
"I know how," Eri said, perking up, "I was there when Shippo was born. I watched old Keade deliver him. We need to boil water and get clean towels."
"Okay then," Kagome said, rolling up her sleeves, "Eri, go boil water. Shippo, go get clean linen. All you can find." The two servants ran about, fetching water and linen as fast as they could. Outside, Kagome heard the thunderous sound of hooves pounding away outside, raising up dust. Kagome looked outside, and shouted, "Sesshomaru! Where are you going?"
The handsome gentleman looked up, and replied, "I must lead my men in one final stand against the dark hordes."
"But… Are they really that close?"
"We make our stand against them in the outskirts of the city. I advise you to leave, now while you still can."
"We can't!" Kagome shouted at him. "Songo's having her baby!"
"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!" Songo's voice shrieked from inside.
"Gotta go," Kagome said, hurriedly. "Good luck!" she called down, and shut the window.
Act Three: Scene One
The war in the south raged for countless seasons and then on the day before Christmas, Hojo came home to visit his wife and Sister-in-law. He arrived in Fuji on horseback and road all the way to the palace where Songo and Kagome were waiting for him with a big dinner set on the table and the tree trimmed and presents underneath. Poor Inu-yasha spent the holidays with Mistress Kikyo and his brother while he secretly pined away for Kagome whom he'd fallen quite madly in love with.
"Stop moping around, little brother, and go see her." Sheshomaru said to him one afternoon.
"Go see who?" Inu-yasha asked.
" Why, Kagome of course.. You've done nothing but think about her all year and you've only gone to see her a few times since the ball we held."
"Your brain is broken if you think that I'm upset over that little twit Kagome. Besides, why should be so head over heals for a little girl when I've got a real woman." He said taking Kikyo aside and necking with her under the mistletoe.
"Stop that, Inu-yasha, I'm trying to set the table. You should go see her if it pleases you. I won't mind. I'm used to being the other woman in most men's relationships anyway." She told him. Inu-yasha looked at her for a moment in bewilderment then gave in.
"Okay, "He said, "Sine you're both so adamant about it. I'll go see the little twit and find out how she's getting along with that Songo she's always hanging around with." He put on his coat and took a riding crop from the stand by the door.
"Take this." Sheshomaru said handing him a saddlebag full of small packages.
"What's this for?" Inu-yasha asked him.
"For Kagome and the Lady Songo. It is rude not to bring presents on Christmas." His brother said. Inu-yasha's horse was saddled and waiting for him in the barn by the time he got out there.
"Sheshomaru, you knew I'd be going to go see her." He said, eyeing the animal. Inu-yasha climbed on and road down the busy streets of Fuji towards the residence where Kagome was staying with Songo's Aunt Kagura. He didn't know why he was acting so strangely. He never used to act this way before he met that girl. It was a strange thing to be in love he supposed, but then he shook the thought from his head as if it were a cursed word. "Love, who needs it." He said then he realized that he was there.
Inu-yasha dismounted his horse with his saddlebag and walked up to the main gate. The palace looked marvelous with the new fallen snow on the ground. It was so peaceful and serine there. He could understand why Kagome and Songo had come to this place after Koga had died. This was a place of healing. Inu-yasha felt better just being there now. He smiled and knocked on the door.
"Just a minute." Shippo's meager voice rang out. "Merry Christmas, how can I help you, oh." He said, "It's you, okay, Kagome likes you so come on in. But I've got my eye on you, Inu-yasha Butler. You don't fool me for a second. You're only after one thing and it's not a Merry Christmas." Shippo said as he went back into the parlor to announce the new gust. "Captain Butler is here to see Kagome!" He shouted quite loudly. Inu-yasha could hardly believe his ears. Kagome liked him, or so said this diminutive little footman. This did brighten his spirits more than any old Merry Christmas could have.
Kagome sauntered into the main hallway where Inu-yasha was waiting for her. He smiled as she came towards him but she looked at him suspiciously.
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'Why is he here?' Kagome wondered. Then she saw the saddlebag and the first thing that popped into her pretty little head was "Oh boy, he's brought me a present." Her demeanor suddenly became more pleasant as she came up to him. "How wonderful to see you again Captain." She said to him.
"Yeah it's nice to see you too. Oh yeah, here." He said handing over one of the small packages from his saddlebag. "This is for you." Kagome's heart was all flutter as she tore open the small gift and discovered a bottle of perfume.
"WOW!" She exclaimed. "Plumeria blossoms. These are impossible to find in winter. How did you know that these were my favorite." She asked him.
"Oh, just a guess." Inu-yasha lied. "I've got a little something for Songo too, is she around?" He asked.
"Oh I'm sure she is." Kagome said taking the cork out of the bottle and splashing a few drops on her neck. "Inu-yasha, how does this smell on me?" She asked him, flirting. He took her in like a slow intoxicating aroma
"Wonderful." He replied. "Like spring in the mountains." Kagome blushed.
"You shouldn't say such things to me. You'll turn my head and then I'll never be able to put you out of my mind again." She told him.
"Good, that's what I was hoping for. I see that you're out of that fake morning finally. " He looked at her festive Kimono. "Kagome, do you think now that you might be ready to… That is, I know that you're pretty comfortable here, but I was thinking that maybe…" Just then Songo and Hojo came into the hallway.
"Sorry to interrupt but I had to meet with the famous Captain Inu-yasha Butler I've heard so much about." Hojo said offering up his hand.
"Huh, oh yeah, it's sure an honor to meet you too." He lied. Inu-yasha would have liked nothing more than to gut this imbecile for ruining his moment with Kagome. "This is for your lovely wife." Inu-yasha handed over the last small box to Songo who opened it immediately.
"Cherry blossoms, my favorite." She said holding the bottle up. "Kagome, he's so thoughtful, and just look at yours. Plumeria, so hard to find. Come on, let's go show Aunt Kagura while the guys have a word or two." She took Kagome's hand and rushed off with her back into the parlor.
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"So," Hojo said to Inu-yasha. "If I may be so bold as to ask. What are your intentions towards Kagome?" Inu-yasha looked at her suspiciously. What was this guy up to, asking him a thing like that?
"Why do you care. Last I looked, you were married to Songo." Inu-yasha smirked. "Don't tell me you and Kagome have a little something going on, on the side."
"Absolutely not!" Hojo declared. "She's my Sister-in-law, is why I ask, and she's been my absolute best friend since child hood. I don't want to see her get hurt by a scallywag like you. I know your reputation with the women. With one woman in particular. The two of you are shacked up like a couple of trashy heathens. I think that it is unbecoming of a gentleman to come calling on one woman while he's presently engaged in sleeping with another."
"What Kikyo and I do together is no one's business but ours, and who said that I was calling on Kagome? I just came over to see two friends of mine and deliver some gifts. You gentlemen and your honor make me sick. It's fools like you who are going to loose this war for us and then where will you all be?" Inu-yasha asked. "You know why there are people like me? To clean up after the messes that gentlemen make of the world."
"Well, since we've both made our intentions clear to one another, what say we put aide our differences for the sake of the season and for Kagome's sake? She seems to be quite infatuated with you now. You're all that she talks about since I've been here. In fact, I'm kind of jealous and also kind of relieved. She used to take on about nothing but myself. Now maybe I can stop worrying about her and focus on my own family."
"Family?" Inu-yasha asked. "You mean?"
"Yes, Songo and I are going have a baby this spring.
"Well, congratulations are in order then. Another snot nosed brat to brace a dieing way of life that's crumbling down around your head."
"I thought that we had called a truce." Hojo said.
"So we did." Inu-yasha bowed, sarcastically then Hojo showed him into the Parlor where the rest of the family were gathered.
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Act Three: Scene Two.
Inu-yasha wore out his welcome as usual then left after sucking down a bottle of Rice Wine and stealing a kiss from Kagome under the mistletoe. He left and went home before things got too bad though. Hojo and Kagome were thankful for that at least. Songo just smiled and took everything with a grain of salt. She couldn't afford to get too upset in her condition. Hojo would be leaving in another day or so and that would be upsetting enough for her. Even Kagome knew this and so she didn't make such a fuss over Hojo's leaving though she still would miss him. They hardly ever got to see each other anymore since the war started and since he got married. She missed those days when they were young children and would go walking under the cherry tress at Edo together. Back then she could play and fantasize all she wanted to about him and her together and it would always seem like things would turn out that way. Then Kagome would come back to her present time and she would look at Songo and Hojo together and remember that a child's fantasies are just that. Fantasies.
"It's time for me to leave," Hojo said one morning as the snow fell outside, coating the land in a fresh blanket of purest white. "There's a big battle coming. It might not earn me much renown, but I have to fight. It's a shame that now we must watch our way of life fade away. The war is going badly for us," he said to Kagome, who sat on a window sill watching him. "I may not return."
"Oh, Hojo," Kagome said, standing up, "Don't say things like that. It's bad luck. Say prayer, quickly."
"You and Songo pray for me," Hojo told her. "We'll need all your prayers before this over. Naraku and his minions are coming from the south; they come everyday, breaking through our defenses. We can't hold much longer. But at least we won't give up without fighting for what we believe in." Hojo stepped around Kagome, and wrapped his scarf around his neck. He looked so dashing in his black, Imperial uniform, hios sword by his side. Kagome's heart almost stopped. Then, he looked at her, and said, "I've already given Songo her goodbye. What shall I give to you, dearest of hold friends?"
"Don't give me anything," Kagome said. "Just take with you the knowledge that… that there are two very happy women here who love you."
"I will," Hojo said. Kagome released the tears she had been fighting as she went to him and embraced her childhood sweetheart. She didn't want him to go, didn't ant him to die. But he had to go. Her arms fell like dead weights as Hojo let go of her, and exited the room. She turned back to the window, and watched Shippo bring Hojo his horse. The soldier mounted the steed, and galloped away.
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Act Three: Scene Three
Kagome and Songo waited outside with the countless others. The battle of Kyoto had been horrible. Countless Samurai had fallen - rumor had it that even General Naraku had been wounded badly, and his troops were now led by his second in command, Lt. Kohaku, a member of the Imperial family who wished to usurp his cousin's throne- and now they waited for the casualty listings.
One man came from the old shrine that now served as a military post. He carried stacks upon stacks of scrolls. Long scrolls. Scrolls with black seals on them. Slowly, he began to hand them out. First, a few at a time, then tossing them over the crowd to whoever could catch one. There simply weren't enough to go around. Little Shippofloated up over the crowd and grabbed one as it flew, then, scurried over people's heads as he carried it back to Kagome and Songo. He dove into their hands, and gave the scroll to the women, who searched the list down to the W's.
"Walters, Westin, Williams, Wilkinson, Wilmer…" Kagome read aloud.
"You passed him, Kagome!" Songo cheered, crying for joy. "He's safe! Hojo's safe!" The girls hugged, but then heard crying not far away. An old woman and her husband, Doctor Totosai sat in their carriage.
"Oh no," Songo said. "Their must have died." Songo got up, and went to the couple, to comfort them. And at that moment, Sesshomaru came riding up on his white horse.
"I take it that your precious Hojo is alive and well?" he asked Kagome.
"I'm happy for Songo," Kagome said. "She's been like a sister to for all this time, and Hojo's been like a brother."
"Only a brother. Very well then." Sesshomaru said, smiling as if he alone held a very guarded secret. "But you do not fool me, Kagome Higurashi-O'Hara. I know your heart, and it's secret. But I will not say a word to anyone about it's guarded text."
"I don't know what you mean," Kagome lied, getting defensive.
"Don't you?" Sesshomaru said, crooking an eyebrow. "Very well. I am happy for the both of you. A small measure of happiness in a sea of grief and heartache." The tall gentleman turned on his horse, and trotted away to his own palace.
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Act Three: Scene Four
Months passed as the word spread that Lt. Kohaku was leading his legion to Fuji. Many who'd had hoped the city would be spared stayed in the city for some time, until spring. When spring arrived, and the rumors of Kohaku's ruthlessness spread far and wide, more and more people left the city.
But Kagome and Songo did not. Though, eventually, even Aunt Kagura left them in a panicked fit, Songo and Kagome had to stay. For Songo was now almost ready to have her baby. Her belly had grown large and swollen with the growing child, and now Songo couldn't even leave the house, lest anything happen before the baby was ready. Kagome had been tempted to leave with Kagura, but had decided to stay. Why did she stay, in a city filled with fear and the not too distant sounds of cannon fire and the cries of the wounded? Because in spite of her resentment for Songo, she really did like her. And because the child she bore was Hojo's, and Kagome would rather face the hordes of Wind Demons single handedly than have Hojo's heart be broken at losing his first child. The women and their two servants waited with many others… waited for the city to be taken.. To be saved… for the beginning, or beginning of the end.
One morning, as Kagome helped Shippo carry in the last of the stored vegetables, she heard Songo calling from her room. Kagome dropped the bucket of vegetales, and ran into the house.
"Kagome!" Songo cried from the stairs. The pregnant girl was struggling to climb down.
"What are you doing?" Kagome demanded. "You're supposed top be in bed." Then, she looked down at Songo's legs, and shrieked. "Oh my gosh! The baby's coming! How long ago did this start?!"
"Just…" Songo panted, sweat pouring from her brow, "Just a few… minutes ago."
"Eri!" Kagome shouted, "Eri, get your butt up here!" The servant girl rann up the stairs, and stood up straight. "Eri, go get the doctor, and tell him that Songo's going inot labor right now, and we need him to help."
"Yes, ma'am," Eri said, dashing back down the stairs, and out the door. Kagome carried Songo back to her bedroom, and made her lie down. After an hour, Eri came barging into the house, saying, "Dr. Totosai can't come. He's swamped with wounded."
"What!?" Kagome yelled. "What are we supposed to do?!"
"He said you'll have to do it," Eri said.
"Me!?!" Kagome screamed. "I don't know how to birth a baby! I've never even done it!"
"I know how," Eri said, perking up, "I was there when Shippo was born. I watched old Keade deliver him. We need to boil water and get clean towels."
"Okay then," Kagome said, rolling up her sleeves, "Eri, go boil water. Shippo, go get clean linen. All you can find." The two servants ran about, fetching water and linen as fast as they could. Outside, Kagome heard the thunderous sound of hooves pounding away outside, raising up dust. Kagome looked outside, and shouted, "Sesshomaru! Where are you going?"
The handsome gentleman looked up, and replied, "I must lead my men in one final stand against the dark hordes."
"But… Are they really that close?"
"We make our stand against them in the outskirts of the city. I advise you to leave, now while you still can."
"We can't!" Kagome shouted at him. "Songo's having her baby!"
"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!" Songo's voice shrieked from inside.
"Gotta go," Kagome said, hurriedly. "Good luck!" she called down, and shut the window.