Chapter 12

(Kaoru)

I breathed deep of the air, closing my eyes. I was free of that horrible place finally, but I didn't know where I was going to go. I had been wandering from town to town for the past seven months or so, looking for Shinta. I wanted to see my dear friend again badly.

I was currently walking around a new town I'd just reached, when I saw something that caught my eyes. I turned, and then my face lit up. It was that man, the one who had taken Shinta. I ran to him, pulling on his sleeve. "Excuse me!"

He looked down at me, and it was then I spotted a small brown-haired child in his arms. He smiled at me in a friendly way. "Hello there Miss. Can I help you?"

My eyes were locked on the boy. "Kami, he looks just like Shinta…"

The tall man started. "Shinta? You know him?" He looked me over. "You must be from that house!"

I nodded. "My name is Kaoru. Shinta and I were best friends. I've been looking for him for almost seven months now." I smiled at the tiny boy in his arms, who was currently hiding behind the man's neck. "And who might you be?"

"M' Kyouko…" he murmured shyly.

I smiled. "That's a wonderful name." I bowed slightly. "Forgive me, but I don't know your name."

He grinned. "I'm Sanosuke Sagara, but call me Sano. Well, if you wanted to see Shinta, Kyouko and I were just getting the last of our groceries."

I smiled. "Arigatou, and I'll help you."

He nodded, and then shifted Kyouko. "Why don't you take this little guy? Get to know him better."

I took the boy, settling him on my hip. He hid in his brown bangs, watching me shyly. I smiled. "Well aren't you the cutest thing I've ever seen. Why don't you tell me about your family."

"My onii-san is Ken," he murmured, raising his head to show eyes with an interesting mixture of lavender and chocolate. "My Papa looks like Ken. They have pretty red hair."

"Is that so?" I said, showing interest for what he was saying. Ken was obviously the child that Shinta had been carrying when he'd left us. Kyouko must have been conceived sometime after. "So how old is your onii-san Kyouko?"

"He's 12," the boy said. Hai, that was about right. The boy's expression suddenly switched to one of pride. "I'm six!"

"Wow, such a big boy." I said, knowing that I was slowly winning over the boy's shyness. I followed Sano through the streets, walking away from the town.

I continued to talk to Kyouko, and before I knew it I was declared 'Aunty Kaoru.' As a cabin came into sight he wiggled in my arms. "Put me down Aunty Kaoru! I can see onii-san!"

I set him on his feet and he ran forward to a tall redheaded boy who looked more like he was in the 15 to 16 range instead of 12. He'd obviously gotten Sano's height.

Kyouko led him to me by a hold on his hand, and the redhead extended his other hand. "Hey. Kyouko tells me you're Aunty Kaoru. My name is Kensei, or just Ken."

I smiled at him. 'Oh yea, definitely Shinta's son. So polite.' I took his hand, giving it a firm shake. "Nice to meet you Ken."

"I'll go get Shinta." Sano said, moving towards the cabin.

Kyouko followed his father, and I was left with Ken. He watched me with calculating brown eyes. "How do you know my Papa?"
I smiled. "I knew him when he was much younger. We grew up together you could say."

That seemed to satisfy the boy's curiosity, but we were interrupted as I heard a gasp. "Kaoru? Kaoru, is it really you?"
I turned to see Shinta standing in front of me, wide eyed. I smiled, running to him and wrapping him in a hug. "Shinta, it's so good to see you!"

I held him at arms length, examining him. There was a happy smile on his face, and his violet eyes were sparkling. His shoulders were broader, and his face had lost the boyishness and gained the sharp lines of a grown man. It was then I noticed that he was heavy with child, seemingly close to delivery. He was positively glowing, joy surrounding him.

He hugged me again. "I'm so happy to see you! It's been so long, I've missed you so much!"

I smiled. "You look wonderful Shinta, and so happy!"

He snorted, giving his swollen stomach a loving pat. "Wonderful? I look like a beached whale, but I'm plenty happy. Why don't you come join us for lunch, we're just getting ready to eat."

I smiled. "I'd love too, arigatou Shinta."

I followed them, and then grinned. "I almost forgot. Shinta Himura, you most certainly do NOT look like a beached whale!"

This made his smile grow. "Not Himura anymore." He held up his left hand, and I saw a simple gold band with an amythest chip in it. "Shinta Sagara."

I smiled. "Well congratulations! How long?"

Sano put an arm around Shinta's shoulders. "Our anniversary is in 4 days, and that will make it nine years."

I smiled. "I'm happy for the both of you."

We ate for a few minutes, and then I grew curious. "How far along are you Shinta?"

"Seven and a half months," he responded easily.

I blinked. "I don't mean to be rude, but you look a little big to be so far from full term."

He chuckled. "It's okay Kaoru. It's because I'm carrying twins."

"Oh, twins!" I exclaimed. "That's wonderful!"

He tilted his head slightly. "My turn for a question. Why are you here Kaoru? How did you get out?"

"They closed it." I said happily. "About a year ago. People stopped coming, and they ran out of money. They had to shut it down. I decided to find you about 8 months ago, and so here I am."

"Do you have anywhere to stay?" Sano asked.

I shook my head. "Iie. I haven't really thought about it a lot."

Kyouko spoke first. "Oh! Can Aunty Kaoru stay! Please Papa, please?" He went to attach himself on Shinta's arm, hope shining in his eyes.

Shinta laughed. "Hai, she can have one of the extra rooms. Kami knows we have more than enough in this house."

I smiled, catching Kyouko as he happily jumped into my lap. "Arigatou Shinta. I owe you."

"You owe me nothing," he said firmly. "You helped me when I needed you the most and you were there for me throughout my years there. That was enough." With Sano's help he stood, putting out a hand to me. "Now come on, let's get you settled."

(A month and a half later)

I had settled easily into my new life with Sano, Shinta, Kyouko, and Ken. The boys easily accepted me into their family, and I was happy.

Shinta and I reconnected almost instantly; we were best friends again within a week. The redhead was now a seasoned parent, handling his sons with no trouble. He obviously was quite happy, and glad with his life.

I was sitting out on the porch with him one night when he offered to let me feel the twins. I was hesitant, but Shinta took my wrist and laid my hand gently on his large belly.

I felt the stirrings of life beneath his skin, and there was a thrum under my fingers. I was in awe.

Shinta smiled, watching me with shining eyes. "They don't move much now, they're a little short on room."

I giggled slightly. "Hai, they are." I looked up into his face. "What's it like Shinta? To carry life within your body?"

He smiled. "There are no words to describe it Kaoru. It is wonderful. I've never felt stronger, or more filled with love." His hand covered mine, which still rested on his stomach. "It simply is." He smiled. "I'm sure you will understand someday, when you carry your own son or daughter within you."

I smiled. "Arigatou Shinta."

It was about noon when I became aware that something wasn't right. Shinta was acting strangely, and he kept leaving the room. Sano was also noticing this, and Ken finally said something about it. "Papa, what's wrong?"

Shinta smiled, but it was shaky. "I'm fine Ken, nothing's wrong."

I frowned. "Don't lie to us Shinta. Something is wrong, we all know it. Now tell us what's bothering you."

His smile faded, and he looked down. "Well…I think I'm going into labor."

Sano swore, and I blinked. "You think? You don't know!"

He smiled sheepishly. "Because I'm a hanyou the pain is dulled. I suspect I've got very little time until the twins are born now."

"You mean they've already started!" Sano practically screeched. "Shinta, you need to tell me these things!"

I couldn't help giggling madly, even as Sano ushered Shinta into their bedroom. I followed them, absently telling Ken to take care of Kyouko for a little while. Shinta sighed as he lay down. "Sano, don't be so critical. I didn't notice until about 3 hours before when Kyouko was born too, it's not a big deal."

Sano ran a hand through his rooster hair. "Alright, alright, I'm calm. Now, tell me what's going on."

"Well, it's a little uncomfortable. I can feel them moving; they're almost to my skin now. The pain didn't become noticeable until about an hour ago, but it wasn't that bad. At first I thought it was just an ache, but then I really focused on the position of the babies." Shinta told us.

I blinked. "They're what?"

Shinta smiled gently. "My babies dig their own birth canal through my stomach so I can give birth. Ken did it, and Kyouko would have, but he's a full human because he was conceived on my human night. It's obvious that these two are hanyous, just like me."

I chewed on my lip. "Well…that's certainly…interesting."

Shinta's response was cut off as he was taken by a pain, and he scrunched up his face, breathing quickly through gritted teeth. Sano instantly began to get things from around the room, cloths and two blankets. He handed me those, and then left the room. "I'll be right back."

I watched while Shinta calmed himself again. He suddenly moaned slightly. "Hai, they're at my skin now…" He looked to me. "Kaoru, if you would pull my kimono down to my waist."

I nodded, doing as he said. I nearly recoiled when I saw the little hand hanging from the bottom of his belly, covered in blood. I dismissed it, ignoring it easily. Sano came back in, carrying a bowl of water and some more cloths. He swore again when he saw Shinta. "Next time, tell me what's going on kodora."

Shinta grinned sheepishly. "Alright."

Things were quiet for a moment, and then Shinta gritted his teeth, leaning forward slightly and putting his chin to his chest. Sano wiped a soft wet cloth across his forehead, gently pulling the crimson strands from his face and tying them in a high topknot. Shinta smiled slightly at him as the contraction eased.

Sano smiled. "I'm here for you this time kodora, and I'm not going anywhere. I promise, I'll be here." He grabbed Shinta's hand, squeezing it tightly.

I couldn't help but smile as Shinta leaned his head against Sano's forearm and closed his eyes in weary. This birth was strange to me, so I was simply sitting still and quiet until I was needed.

Shinta sucked in a breath again, moaning slightly through his teeth. Sano moved to settle between his legs, watching the movement of the baby intently. "Good Shinta, easy now. Breathe."

Shinta did so, leaning his head back. I saw his body shudder again, and he cried out softly, pushing again.

Sano smiled widely. "Good Shinta, good! Once more and this one will be in the clear. Only one more!"

Shinta nodded tiredly, slumping down. I was slightly confused, this was going really fast. But I was still silent, watching the progression with interest. Shinta nodded slightly. "I'm ready Sano."

He smiled. "Go Shinta, push!"

I found my hands full of a tiny body an instant later, and I wiped at the baby's face, cleaning away the fluids. The baby began to cry, waving little fists.

Shinta sighed in relief, a smile coming to his face. Sano wiped sweat from his face, and he calmed. He looked to me, and I looked up at him with a smile. "A girl Shinta. It's a girl."

He smiled gently. "A girl…" he looked to Sano with a gentle smile. "I've always wanted a girl you know."

Sano grinned. "I was hoping that one of these two would be girls, so we didn't have all boys."

"So what are you going to name her?" I asked, wrapping the little girl in a soft blanket, drying her fire-red hair with a towel. She watched me with curious lavender eyes, following my every movement.

"Mikomi…" Shinta murmured. "My little Hope."

Sano smiled. "Excellent. I love it Shinta."

Shinta suddenly moaned softly. "Oh… here comes her twin…" He placed his chin against his chest, pushing.

Sano again readied himself to catch the child, nodding encouragement to Shinta. I watched Mikomi look around curiously, cooing gently. She had calmed in my arms, seeming to know that I was only there to take care of her. She smiled at me, a little baby smile, and then I heard another cry of pain from Shinta, and I looked up to see Sano drawing the other baby from Shinta's body.

Shinta fell back against the bedding, breathing heavily to calm himself. Sano cleaned the child he held, and that one too began to cry. A wide smile spread across Sano's face, and he looked up. "Another girl. Twin girls."

I smiled. "Well that's good. Two girls and two boys, you guys are even."

Sano grinned. "And I know just what to name this one. Hakuai. Now we have Hope and Charity."

Shinta chuckled tiredly. "All we need now is a Faith, right?"

Sano laughed. "Hai."

Mikomi started to wiggle, and Shinta sat up, holding out his arms for her. I gave him the child, and he pulled Mikomi close to his chest, where she latched onto a swollen nipple. I smiled. "Ah, so you've got all the equipment I see."

Shinta smiled slightly. "Hai. I've even got to use breast bindings in the day. They'll fade once these two stop nursing."

I laughed, turning to look of Hakuai. She looked exactly like her twin, the only difference were their eyes. While Mikomi's were a pure lavender Hakuai's were a piercing, yet soft, golden. I smiled. "Identical twins. Beautiful."

Shinta smiled at me. "I am glad to have you here with me Kaoru."

I smiled back. "And I am glad to be here. Arigatou, once again."

And so we now had four children to look after, and I was going to do my part in raising the twins. I would also have a home that I could always return to, if I ever needed to. Life was wonderful.

I'm not sure if I'm happy with this chapter... I tried. It was a very difficult one for me to write, but I got it out. This is the final chapter, this story is officially complete! I'd like send a shout-out to all of my reviewers, I greatly appriciate it! Oh, and this story will be going through repost soon, I'm going to correct all the little things, and maybe change a few things. One more thing, GIANT HUGE shout-out to Kanzen ne Tsuki! I LOVE YOU! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!