Chapter Ten:

Surprise!

The snow fell lazily over the hills of Feudal Japan. It was mid-December and Sesshomaru and InuYasha marched back to the village through the snow. Sesshomaru carried a large fish over his shoulder and InuYasha walked beside him with a basket filled with foods they had gathered and bartered for.

"Madeline's cravings sure are intense! Look at this stuff!" InuYasha exclaimed.

"I know, but there will be hell to pay if I cannot appease her cravings somehow."

InuYasha laughed.

"I wouldn't laugh if I were you. Sooner or later, you will be in my shoes, little brother," Sesshomaru said with a smirk.

Within a month of their talk, InuYasha had come clean to Kagome about his feelings for her. Although they had said nothing, Sesshomaru knew they were mated. He could smell the mating bite on her. The pair was openly affectionate, and everyone thought it was about damn time.

"W-what do you mean?" InuYasha stammered, nearly dropping the basket.

"You and Kagome will eventually have a pup on the way, especially with the way you two carry on," Sesshomaru chuckled as InuYasha blushed. "Do not feel ashamed. Madeline and I were just as bad, and we did not feel the need to be discreet."

"It's not that," InuYasha stopped walking.

Sesshomaru stopped as well, "What is it then?"

He could see InuYasha struggling to find the words to express himself. Finally, InuYasha sighed as he looked to his brother, "Aren't you scared to become a father?"

Sesshomaru was tempted to laugh, but did not for his brother was distraught. "I was scared for a moment. But I had been alone for so long, and I love her so much. I got her with child the night we mated. I knew by daybreak that I would be a father and was overjoyed. I was scared at first only because I didn't know if she would accept it and if she would return to this age with me. I had been alone for so long that I was prepared to have a family of my own."

"I see," said InuYasha, "I'm not sure I'll be ready."

"The moment you know she's with child will be the only moment you'll be sure."

InuYasha nodded, and Sesshomaru continued, "But, I will tell you what I do fear now, InuYasha."

InuYasha's ears perked up.

"I fear that something will happen to my child that I cannot stop, that I cannot protect them from; whether it is physical damage, or from some ignorant bastard calling them 'half breed.' That is what I fear, InuYasha."

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Madeline sat by the fire in Kaede's hut bundled in navy blue sweat pants and a Nine Inch Nails hooded sweatshirt. "I hope Sesshomaru and InuYasha get back soon. Maybe one of them managed to catch a fish," Madeline mused as she embroidered a border on Sesshomaru's new kimono.

Shippo scooted closer to Madeline as she whizzed through her needlework. Shippo admired her work, "That will look great on Lord Sesshomaru. Hey, Madeline?"

"Yes, Shippo?"

"When will the baby be born?"

"Soon, Shippo. Very soon."

"Do you know what you're having?"

Madeline laughed, "You ask me this every week, Shippo! Yes, I know what I'm having, and no, I'm not telling anyone. Not even my Lord Sesshomaru."

"I do not see why you will not tell me, my Madeline," Sesshomaru spoke from the doorway, smiling at her.

She moved to rise and greet her mate but Sesshomaru gestured for her to stop, "No, dear one. I shall come to you after I give this to Kaede, Kagome, and Sango to prepare," and he held the large fish for Madeline to see.

Madeline's eyes lit up at the sight, "Oh, Sesshy! How you spoil me!"

Sesshomaru left to give the fish over to be cleaned, and InuYasha entered to tend the fire. "He dotes on you so much," he said to Madeline, "It's strange to see him like that."

"Oh?" she said, continuing her embroidery, "What did he behave like before?"

"He was cold and uncaring. He despised humans and half demons. You've brought another side of him to life," he sighed, "I owe you big time."

"Why?"

"I have a brother now instead of a bitter enemy. Thank you."

Madeline smiled, "Brothers shouldn't fight, no matter the circumstances."

The hanging door of Kaede's hut swung open again, signaling Sesshomaru's return. "Have you been out today, dear one? Did you get to take a walk?" He came to lay by Madeline and nuzzle into her belly.

"Briefly. It was cold, and I didn't walk so much as waddle."

Sesshomaru smiled and kissed her tummy, "Our child will be here soon. I cannot wait to hold our babe." Madeline set her needlework aside and stroked her mate's hair.

Kaede, Kagome, and Sango prepared an excellent dinner of fish, rice, and ramen. After dinner was finished, Kaede and Kagome left to hunt for medicinal roots. "Your child will be here soon, Madeline, and the stock houses are running low on a root we will need for the delivery of the babe." The group wished Kaede and Kagome luck, none more so than Madeline and Sesshomaru. Sango and Madeline sat in a warm corner talking of men and such while the guys wrestled around the hut for lack of something constructive to do.

"He's such a lecher! Yet, he can be so concerned and caring," Sango whined.

"With most men it is an act, a show they put on for everyone. InuYasha acted like he couldn't stand Kagome at first, right? That's what you have all told me, even Sesshomaru. And Sesshomaru used to hate humans," Madeline giggled, "Look at me now. However, Miroku is – OH!" and Madeline never finished her thought, because her water broke.

Sesshomaru sprung up, releasing InuYasha from his grip, and gently lifted Madeline to her feet. "Come now, love. Walk with me. Hold on to my arm. Our child is coming," they proceeded to walk around the hut. "InuYasha, go find Lady Kaede! Miroku, get some fresh water and put it on to boil! Sango and Shippo, I need you two to fetch some clean cloths. They must be clean! Now go!"

Everyone ran to do Sesshomaru's bidding. Miroku, Sango, and Shippo returned soon after. Miroku put the water over the fire, and Sango and Shippo stacked the clean cloths near the hearth. In about an hour, InuYasha came running back with Kaede riding on his back. Kaede ran into her hut with quiver and bow still slung over her shoulder. She came inside just in time to hear Madeline let out a terrifying scream as she was in mid-contraction.

"Good heavens, child! How close are the pains?"

Madeline was concentrating on her Lamaze breathing and Sesshomaru answered, "About every five minutes she shrieks and claws my arm."

"Get her into a loose kimono! She won't want to be confined to those clothes much longer. Five minutes apart within an hour for her first child! This babe is anxious!" Kaede turned to everyone else, "InuYasha, retrieve Kagome now, please. Miroku, Sango, please take Shippo elsewhere."

Sesshomaru helped Madeline into a kimono, and the pace picked up with Kaede's arrival. Kaede spread out two fresh tatami mats, and after an hour and a half, Madeline was almost ready to deliver. "Do you feel the need to push, Madeline?" the old priestess asked.

Madeline panted, "Almost, Kaede. Almost."

After only three hours of labor, Madeline said it was time. She settled on the tatami mats with Sesshomaru behind her, supporting her physically and emotionally, and Kaede in front of her with hot water and clean rags, ready to deliver another child. Madeline would breathe and push to Kaede's commands with Sesshomaru whispering encouragement and loving sentiments in her ear, "That's it my love, breathe . . . push, little one, push . . . I love you, Madeline . . ."

And with a final scream and push, a baby's cry filled the hut. Kaede held up a strong, healthy baby boy with his father's eyes and markings and his mother's red hair. Sesshomaru looked upon his son with joy and unconditional love. He moved to hold his son, but Madeline held him firmly in place.

"I'm not finished."

Sesshomaru's eyebrows flew into his hair, "Two babes!"

The breathing, pushing, and screaming began anew. Twenty minutes go by and Madeline gives birth to a little girl with her father's hair and mother's eyes.

Exhausted, Madeline collapsed against Sesshomaru. "Surprise," she whispers.

Sesshomaru smiled at his mate with tears running down his cheeks. "I am so happy, and am blessed beyond all measure. I have you, a son, and a daughter."

"I love you, Sesshomaru."

"I love you, too, Madeline."

Madeline turned to Kaede, who had finished cleaning the twins. "Kaede, please let me hold them now."

Kaede put the babies in Madeline's arms. Madeline looked on her children with tears in her eyes. "Let's name him InuTaisho, after your father."

"I agree. I like that, but I want to name my daughter. I want to name her Yume," and Sesshomaru reached for his daughter.

"Why Yume?" Madeline had Kaede help her set the little girl in her father's arm.

Sesshomaru smiled at his baby girl, "Because I've seen her in my dreams."

Madeline smiled, "Perfect."