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Enjoy!
Chapter 6
"Moroha seems to be in a more cheerful mood." Kagome remarked to her husband the following day. "She was all smiles when you two came back yesterday."
"I guess all she needed was to vent to her old man."
The mother nodded and left it alone. Whatever happened yesterday, it was settled, and the air was much lighter. "Look at what Sango brought yesterday." She brought out a small grass green cloth and a golden cloth, both in the initial stages of being sewn into tiny outfits. "Aren't these adorable? She knew that we wouldn't have clothing for the baby, so she was kind enough to bring some material over so we could start."
He gazed upon his wife, looking so cheerful and excited. "What did they say when you told them that you might be carrying two pups?"
Her brown eyes sparkled with mirth. "It was dead silent for two seconds before the squealing started."
He lowered his ears in reflex, knowing how loud it could be and was thankful to be far away when it happened.
"So, I told them of you hearing a second heartbeat and my stomach being bigger at this point than when I was carrying Moroha." She began caressing her stomach. "Kaede said it was possible. If Sesshomaru has twins, and since you two share the same bloodline, it's not out of the question that you carry the gene that can produce twins as well."
She thought back to yesterday, with Sango, Rin and Kaede. After a cup of tea, they all perused her gardens, enjoying the last of the warm summer winds and the earthy and spicy scents from the various herbs. When they settled back inside and started with their various projects; Kagome and Sango started sewing new outfits, Kaede and Rin sorting herbs. The miko admitted she was a bit rusty but with a little help got the hang of it. Between the sewing and the new herbal remedies Kaede was showing everyone, it was turning out to be a very much needed and pleasant afternoon with the girls, something she missed desperately while trapped in the Black Pearl.
That is, until she blurted out, she might be carrying twins.
After that, it was nonstop talk about babies. Between Kaede saying carrying twins was a possibility because of her husband's bloodline and Sango and Rin giving advice to prepare for twin's birth, Kagome was, for one, overwhelmed. She was thrilled, and fortunate, to have such caring friends. But her symptoms were starting to become more frequent: headaches, fatigue-which was the worst, and nausea. And right then she felt the fatigue and headache flaring up.
But after a quick rest and a soothing herbal tea, the young priestess felt better. She knew that she'd have to go through all this again, but she wouldn't change it for the world.
A weight on her lap startled her back to the present and looked down to see her hanyou resting his head on her lap, his ear pressed against her stomach. She started combing her fingers through his thick mane of silver, secretly hoping one of their children-if it were two, would have his hair.
"Checking for the heartbeat?"
He hummed in response. She remembered him doing this with Moroha too, to make sure her tiny heartbeat was strong. It melted her heart to see him so sweet and protective then and even more so now. The baby(ies)? were still developing and the father was already doing what he could to make sure they were thriving.
"I'm pretty sure I detected a second heartbeat." He sounded baffled, but still listening intently. His ears never lied to him. "I can hear one loud and clear, sounds healthy and strong, but if there's another in there…"
"Could it have a barrier around it?" Kagome mused.
"I want to say it's possible." He hummed once more and lifted his head. "I remember Moroha briefly doing it a few times before she was born."
Kagome nodded. "That was an interesting time. Perhaps we should talk to Kaede about this? I forgot to ask about it yesterday and when I wasn't feeling well it slipped my mind."
InuYasha went to sit behind her, wrapping his arms around her to settle on her belly. "You need to rest, woman. You push yourself too much sometimes, even when I tell you not to." He nuzzled her neck.
"I have a feeling I'll be doing plenty of resting in the coming months." She snuggled into his embrace, her hands resting on his own.
Unlike her first pregnancy, Kagome was older and was at a higher risk of complications. By all accounts her childbearing days should be over. But time moved differently in the Black Pearl. And so now here she was, in her thirties looking like she was in her twenties about to become a mother a second time. But she didn't regret doing it again. She had her spiritual powers and InuYasha his youkai blood. And like Moroha, she was certain the babe(s) in her womb would possess both as well. With so many differing factors, Kagome knew this pregnancy would be so different from her first. And to tell the truth it scared her, and she said as much.
"I wouldn't worry so much, koibito." He kissed her neck before placing his chin on her shoulder. "Right now, everything is going as they should." Sensing her uncertainty, he pulled her closer, "Don't work yourself up when you don't need to."
"I can't help it, I'm about to become a mother again."
"What is it with you women and worrying so much? Now I know where Moroha gets it from."
She grunted before elbowing him lightly. "Like you never worry?"
"I just hide it better. Plus, I don't want to cause you any unnecessary stress."
He was right. While he showed more emotion since they married, he never let on if he knew it would upset her. "I know. And I love you more for it." She turned to gently kiss his lips. He returned it with more passion. "You've always done that. But when you hurt, I hurt, remember?"
He knew. It tore his heart to see her in any pain, even from the beginning of their relationship. Even when he caused it. But he swore never to hurt her ever again. He made several vows after they separated for three long years. And when she was finally back in his arms, he made that same promise with a soul deep conviction that even she knew he was deadly serious.
Feeling tired, Kagome slowly closed her eyes and turned her head to inhale the manly and comforting scent of her husband's haori, and after a deep inhale she was asleep.
Sensing his wife drifting off he quietly moved her to their bed, silently thanking Moroha who was savvy enough to air it out this morning. Their daughter was smart and possessed a kind heart like her mother. Tucking his beloved in, he kissed her forehead and went outside, always an ear cocked towards his slumbering priestess.
He quietly stretched his arms towards the sky, taking in the beautiful late summer day and the scents the breeze carried with it. It wouldn't be too much longer before the air would carry the chill of the upcoming autumn months.
'Moroha should be back soon.' She left shortly after breakfast and her morning chores, promising to return with tonight's meal. As a dad, he knew she was more than capable, but his fatherly concern also took root. He knew the difficulties of being a hanyou out in the world, and he knew his pup faced hardships of her own. But those are what made her into the bright young woman she is today.
InuYasha would let Kagome sleep for as long as she wanted. Kaede promised yesterday that any minor medical incidents in the village she could handle. Kagome assured her she could still see patients if they weren't infectious. Before long though, when she was far into her pregnancy, she would be put on maternity leave. No ifs, ands, or buts about it!
A squirrel leaped and bound across the path. A few swallows twittered and flew without a care. The distant sounds of a deer herd munching on the last of the green grass.
And the rapid heartbeat of a quarter demon running towards the hut with what smelled like half a dozen rabbits. All was peaceful in his world.
Moroha then appeared up the path, six rabbits dangling by a string on her shoulder. She looked at the hut and must've sensed her mother's sleeping state. "Hey Dad, should I go ahead and skin these?"
"Yeah, and set them aside. I'm keeping the pelts to save up to trade."
"What're you thinking, dad?"
They both turned and headed to the area where they skinned and cleaned their meat: behind the hut and away from the gardens. "Miroku told me of a shop that makes the finest futons in the area. And they don't come cheap. And that the owner was fond of animal pelts made into coats and whatnot."
While she could skin prey herself, she watched how her dad did it, him making less of a bloody mess. She copied his movements as they worked. "A new futon, huh? Mom would love that."
"I was thinking of it before we found out about the pregnancy." He set the first brown pelt safely away before beginning the gutting. "She doesn't know about it."
"Oh, a surprise huh?" Throwing her own pelt to where the other lay she suggested, "You know, I could take on some more bounties for extra income."
"You don't need to do that, pup."
"But I want to!" She insisted. She crinkled her nose at the increasing smell of rabbit innards and blood, but she continued with the skinning. Her dad was better at gutting anyway. "You do enough as it is, and I want to help. Plus, I'm no longer in debt and I've already saved up some coin."
'She does have point…' He conceded. Between the patrols, his demon excursions with Miroku-which they started doing again shortly after settling back into domestic life, and protecting his wife, the hanyou was stretched thin, although he'd never admit it. But, his daughter could see right through him. "Well, if you want to help, I won't stop you. But if you can, please try not to go alone."
Her bright smile lit up her face. "I won't! I'm sure Towa and/or Setsuna wouldn't mind tagging along from time to time. I heard Uncle Sesshomaru is training them hard, and they could both use a break."
That was his brother all right. He knew the bastard meant well and wanted to see his daughters strong.
"And who knows? Between the two of us, we'll have enough to snag ourselves a new, comfortable futon before mom delivers- perhaps a blanket with decorations! It'll be a pleasant surprise!"
The proud father could only smile and nod at his daughter's enthusiasm. Futons weren't cheap. He tried to save as much as he could, both he and Kagome had some extra savings stashed away. He forgot how much went into keeping a hut running. But between supplementing the extra meat from hunts, his demon excursions, and Kagome's earnings from her medical visits, they did well for themselves. And with Moroha chipping in now and then, they weren't wanting for anything. And now with one, possibly two more pups on the way…
While she skinned and he gutted and cleaned, the father and daughter agreed that while she could do more demon bounties if she weren't away for too long, and that she'd give him half her earnings for the future futon-her idea, that and the numerous rabbit pelts would surely be enough for the surprise before the birth.
Hearing his wife slowly awake inside- it had been just over an hour, he asked Moroha to help her mother whilst he finished. Nodding, she gave him the last rabbit and moved the pile of skins to the basin where'd they be thoroughly cleaned later. Once he heard his daughter and wife greet each other, the fire rat clad husband and father resumed his remaining chores quickly and efficiently. The rabbits were huge and plump and free of disease, perfect to feed his family; especially for his wife, who would need the extra protein.
For the millionth time, InuYasha wondered how the hell he got this damn lucky…
And for the millionth time, he didn't have an answer. And he probably never would.
But looking towards his hut where his entire world resided, InuYasha knew he wouldn't have it any other way.
Well well well, is it possible that Kagome is carrying twins? I'm not telling!
-Don't forget I still have a poll running for this story, so if you haven't yet, take the time to vote for your top choices. This poll will remain open until Saturday, April 30th! And the next chapter will reveal the answer for our couple!
This will be the last chapter I post for a while, as I'm going on vacation starting on Sunday, but don't worry I still have ideas for this story!
-Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please tell me what you thought-and as always don't be mean about it.
Until next time...
Ja Ne!
