And the birth begins! Beware, I'm getting weirder. Sometimes I wonder about myself.

Chapter 7

(A month and a half later)

Kenshin was worried. Before this he had felt pain, aches in his back, legs, and abdomen, and the false labor pains. But sometime into the night about 2 weeks into his 8th month a piercing pain had made itself known. It wasn't too bad, Kenshin had had worse in these last months. But it was constant, and it frightened him.

He lay awake on the futon before dawn, still snuggled close to Kaoru for warmth and comfort. He shivered, trying to get closer to her, putting his nose in her shoulder.

He felt her stir, her arms tightening around his shoulders. "Anata? Are you alright?"

Kenshin nodded into her shoulder, trying not to sniffle as the pain accelerated in strength. "I'm fine Kaoru."

She stretched slightly, and then turned to look at the clock in the corner of the room. "Wow, 9:00. You're up early Kenshin."

"I just couldn't sleep," the redhead answered as Kaoru helped him sit up. She rose, and then helped him climb slowly to his feet. He could no longer make it up on his own, even with the leverage from the wall. "Arigatou," he murmured.

He didn't bother to change out of his yukata as Kaoru put on a pair of hakama and a gi, ready for that days' class. The yukata was Sano's, which he had happily leant to the redhead. It was long enough that it served well as a maternity outfit for the smaller man, although it was a bit loose around his narrower shoulders. He wore it and a few others from Sano all the time now, and had not had to buy more clothes.

The two made their way into the kitchen, where Kyla had already made breakfast. She smiled at them as they came in. "Ohayou Kaoru, Shinta. You're both up early."

Kenshin smiled, although it was strained. Kyla and Kaoru noticed it instantly. Kyla frowned. "Shinta? What's wrong?"

He shook his head as Kaoru helped him sit. "I'm just a little sore. I'll be alright."

Kyla smiled knowingly. "Alright, I understand."

Kenshin picked up his chopsticks and began to eat, although slowly. The pain in his lower abdomen was growing again, and one hand unconsciously traveled down to rest on the spot of pain.

He suddenly winced, chopsticks falling to the table. He brought his fingers back up, staring at them in horror. Blood covered his fingers, warm and sticky.

Kyla and Kaoru gasped, Kaoru flying to his side as Kyla stood. "We should get him to a futon Kaoru, quickly!" Kyla said as she came towards her.

Kaoru helped the redhead to his feet, pulling him up and worriedly noticing the blood slowly soaking his yukata.

Kenshin suddenly cried out, his legs buckling. Kaoru barely managed to keep him from falling and Kyla had to rush to help her.

Kyla's voice shook as she called outside. "Go get Megumi with Yahiko Aurora, if he rides you it will be faster! Sano, get in here!" The two guys were out with the dragon, doing chores, and she faintly heard their footsteps as they began to do what she said.

Kaoru looked at her with wide eyes. "What's happening to him Kyla?"

She looked down. "It seems that his magic has given us a way to birth the baby. A birth canal has been formed in his lower stomach, that's what the blood is from. His water just broke, he's going into labor."

It was then Kaoru noticed the puddle of pinkish liquid on the floor. She swore under her breath as Kenshin moaned slightly.

Sano ran in and instantly picked up Kenshin when he saw the two women struggling to hold him up. "In your bedroom Jou-chan?"

She nodded, following him as he carried Kenshin into the room. After laying him down the tall man backed away from Kenshin.

Kyla moved forward, pulling the blanket up to about the center of Kenshin's belly, and then pulled off the bloodied yukata while Kaoru came forward with another, wrapping it around her husband.

Kenshin was watching them all passively, merely laying still. The pain had finally let up, so he was resting while he could.

Kyla sat on the floor, focusing her magic to contact Aurora. Hurry my friend, she called.

I am coming back Kyla. Tell the little one not to worry. We will be there within a few minutes. Aurora's voice filtered back.

Kaoru's voice jerked her from her conversation. "Kyla, what's wrong with him? Why is he going into labor when there's still two weeks left?"

Kyla shrugged. "I don't know for sure. Something could be wrong with the baby." She knelt by Kenshin. "I would look, but there's nothing I can do about it now. Does anything feel wrong to you Shinta?"

Kenshin shook his head. "Nothing feels wrong, but there is this feeling of…" he paused, searching for the word. "Pressure I suppose, on my hips, but other than that no, nothing."

Megumi came in at that moment. "That pressure means the baby is sitting low in your stomach, getting ready to be born."

Kenshin seemed a little frightened at this prospect, but he said nothing as Megumi began to set up her supplies to help him with the birth. "Ken-san, I'm going to need you to put your feet flat on the ground."

Kenshin complied silently, though he raised a brow. Megumi moved to push his knees apart and he yelped. "Megumi-dono!"

The woman sighed. "Ken-san, it's not like you've got anything I haven't seen before. Besides, this will be the best way for the baby to be born. This way I can get close enough to help you."

Kenshin still seemed skeptic, but Kaoru tapped his shoulder. "Come on Kenshin, do what she says."

Kenshin sighed, and then allowed Megumi to do what she needed. He flinched as her fingers prodded around near the opening on the bottom of his belly. She sat back, pulling the blanket back down to provide the redhead with some privacy. "It seems to be progressing normally; like women. He's dilated about a centimeter right now, so it'll be a little while."

Kenshin leaned on Kaoru as she slid her upper body and knees beneath him. "How long does labor usually last Megumi-dono?"
She shrugged. "It depends on the woman. I won't know until a little bit longer for you, but I'll let you know."

Kenshin nodded, leaning his head on Kaoru's shoulder. She kissed his hair gently, winding her fingers in his. Kyla hovered around behind them, watching with curious green eyes.

"Are you sure you'll be alright Kenshin?" Kaoru whispered into his ear.

Kenshin nodded slightly against her shoulder. "I'll be fine Kaoru, don't worry."

(1 hour later)

Things were peaceful for the next hour, and Kenshin dozed quietly against Kaoru's upper body. Megumi sat quietly in the corner, running over her training in her mind. Kyla meditated in the other corner.

The men were outside the room, not allowed in the room because of the birthing, but they were still close enough to help if need be.

After a few more moments of peace Kenshin sucked in a breath, face screwing up in pain. Megumi instantly came forward, kneeling by the redhead's side. The contraction lasted for only a few more seconds, and Kenshin relaxed back into Kaoru.

Megumi lifted the blanket again, and Kenshin wiggled his nose as she prodded around again. "Not much more. About 2 centimeters I'd say. The woman said, wiping off her fingers. "At this rate you should have a baby in your arms by this night."

Kenshin blinked. "Night? Really that long Megumi?"
The lady-doctor chuckled. "It takes a long time to go through labor Ken-san. You can't just expect it to be over in a few minutes."

He sighed, glancing over to where Kyla sat. "Onee-san?"

Kyla looked up at him. "What is it Shinta?"

He smiled at her slightly. "I love you onee-san."

Kyla blinked, and then her face softened into a smile. "I love you too Shinta. I'm so proud of you otouto-chan. I've never met anyone stronger."

Kenshin blushed. "Arigatou."

Kaoru smiled throughout this exchange, weaving her fingers in Kenshin's again. It was going to be a long night.