Hello, my fellow readers, I am back with a new chapter! Man, I am amazed at how this is turning out! Plus, I'm appreciating all the love this story is getting! I'm planning to continue this story without knowing how this'll end or how many chapters it'll take...
Enjoy!
Chapter 9
"Ah ha! I win again!"
Several female groans echoed through the hut, as well as sounds of cards being thrown down.
A pair of narrow brown eyes glared at the winner. "Now, listen-are you sure you're not cheating, Moroha?"
"Gyokuto…" Her mother reprimanded. Sango knew she took after her father, and today was no exception.
"It's not my fault you can't pick correctly." The shinhanyou answered. She had a huge grin-similar to her dad's when he won, for winning another round of Crazy Eight's. "You just need to step up your game."
"Now girls…" Kagome intervened. "Let's not get into an argument about who's losing and who's winning the most."
The former demon slayer looked at her friend. "Really Kagome? Because if I remember correctly when we ventured together and played this game you were always victorious and proudly claimed champion numerous times. Or have you forgotten?" Sango smirked, noticing the light flush brushing the miko's cheeks.
Everyone's attention turned to her. "Really, mom?"
"You, Auntie?" Towa, who sat between Setsuna and her mother.
"Well, that was a long time ago." She waved it away, laughing nervously.
"Kagome, you should have told us." Rin said, hands folding on her lap. "Now we know where Moroha gets her skill from." She looked at the child. "Your skill and InuYasha's smugness."
Said child was not deterred. "Who's up for another round?" Moroha gathered all the cards. "Anyone care to challenge the new champion?"
"You girls go ahead. Us mothers will be in the main room preparing tea and snacks." The 7-month pregnant mother, with the help of Sango and Rin, got up, albeit with a struggle. "Just don't make a huge mess, alright?" When all five girls gave murmurs of agreement, the three ladies left.
"So, how're you feeling, Kagome?" Sango asked, noticing the constant moving her best friend was doing. "Is the pain getting worse?"
After settling at her place by the fire, she grimaced. "My hip and pelvic pain are, yes." Then her hands went to her back, causing her massive baby bump and heaving breasts to jut out. "And my back is as well." She sighed once she felt some pops. "But it's been tolerable. I did what I did when I was carrying Moroha. And along with some herbal remedies I've been managing." Her hands went to cradle her rounded stomach. "I suspect it won't be long now. I know it wasn't with you, Rin."
Rin nodded. "Right. I had the same symptoms, and it was around eight moon cycles when I birthed the girls." She Smiled. "It was rather quick- which surprised you all."
"You were lucky." Sango joined them, having gathered the ingredients for tea. "Unlike your girls, mine took their sweet time." She handed Kagome the herbs, and Rin the rice. "AND it was the first pregnancy for both of us. Maybe it had to do with your husband's youkai blood, Rin?"
"Perhaps." She was washing the rice. "Have you started producing milk yet?" The youngest mother asked, looking towards the priestess, who nodded.
"While we were in the middle of a…" Brown eyes look towards the room with teenagers and back to her friends. "…intense moment" She whispered, turning a bit red. "It happened so suddenly. Needless to say, InuYasha was…. rather shocked." Kagome giggled. Her breasts were among his favorite physical attributes of hers and his expression…
The other two giggled, also a bit red. "You're not the only one whose husband is so fond of your… rounded attributes." Sango recalled her two pregnancies and how Miroku just loved to describe them. While she dearly loved her monk husband and his way of words, often her hormones got the best of her, and he ended up black and bruised. "So, any guesses if it's two boys or two girls, or one of each?"
"I know for a fact InuYasha wants a boy." Her hand absently rubbed her stomach. "In no uncertain terms." She giggled at the memory; it was during one of their all-nighters (one where there was no love making) "But we can't tell the genders- we couldn't with Moroha. I won that bet when she was born. But if my motherly instincts are right, I'm guessing one of each? I'm fairly sure InuYasha will go mad if we have two more girls."
"You're probably right about that." Sango stoked the fire. "You're about a full moon cycle away from delivering Kagome, by my guess."
"I agree." Rin added. "And since you carry babies with youkai blood, it'll probably be fast."
"Let's hope so." Kagome winced, feeling a strong kick. "I don't know if it's possible to get bigger." Another kick, this time softer. "One thing is for sure; they have their father's strength. They like to practice their fighting skills. Moroha was the same way. Active little things…." She squealed. "Oh no not the bladder, pups!"
"That is one thing I do not miss with the twins. They love to dance on your bladder." Sango said in sympathy, Rin nodding along. "You need to relieve yourself, Kagome?"
"Yes, I do. I've lost count at how many trips I've taken today."
"I'll help you, Kagome." Rin immediately went over to help. "Just think, perhaps a month or so it'll be a thing of the past-"
"Until you realize you need to suckle two babies." Sango concluded. "Now that's a challenge."
"Looking forward to it." Kagome answered, cradling her abdomen while leaning on Rin, bundling up in thick furs to head outside to the commode.
Meanwhile in the back room, five teenagers were battling it out once again.
Moroha, attuned to her mother's movements, heard her leaving the house accompanied by her aunt.
"So how much longer do you think until Auntie Kagome delivers?" Kinu asked Moroha. "I know mamma's been talking about it."
"Not much longer, according to dad. He believes within another moon cycle. And Aunt Sango just said the same thing."
"Mother says delivering me and Towa was quick and surprisingly easy." Setsuna recalled. Her mother was young when she and her sister were born, but quite healthy. She looked at her cards in thought. "Perhaps it was the aid of our father's blood."
"I would say so." Towa agreed. Sitting next to her sister, she picked up where her younger twin sister left off. "We were born during a lunar eclipse, which is a significant event in both the future and here. I'd say there were many factors."
Moroha contemplated her next move. Sitting cross legged between Towa and Gyokuto, she made sure neither of them saw her cards. Towa had an advantage, being from the future and more familiar with the game. And she eyed Gyo to her left, knowing she was like her monk father; always trying to accuse one of cheating. She threw a red five of spades down on the pile.
"So, what do you think Moroha? Are you hoping for brothers or sisters?" Kinu asked. She waited for her twin on her right to throw a card or draw. "I'm lucky to have both, although having a younger brother can be a pain sometimes."
"I think being surrounded by two sets of twin girls-"She looked at all four teens in the room. "I'm pretty much hoping for at least one brother. It'd be cool to have a sister, but twin sisters would drive me insane; especially dealing with you four."
"Hey!" Three girls protested. The one who remained unresponsive, sent a stone cold, icy glare that would make her father proud.
"Hey, I'm just saying." Sensing an itch, she took her back foot and scratched it like no tomorrow. "Besides, I'm just lucky to be getting a sibling, let alone two." Shaking her head, she sighed in relief. "I'm stoked, to tell the truth." The youngest teen pointedly ignored the icy glares from her cousins- even Towa, who was usually mellow, and Sango's twins, who could deal out angry stares like their mother. "So, let's get back to the game, shall we?"
The girls continued throwing cards and drawing for the next while, easing back into a comfortable silence. A sudden glint caught Towa's eye. "Hey Moroha, what's that around your neck?"
Said girl looked down to see her newest possession out. "Oh, it's my father's old locket." She held out for all to see. "Mom gave it to him years ago." She opened it carefully to not scratch it and displayed the pictures inside. "This was before they were married."
"Oh, they're so cute!" Gyokuto and Kinu squealed.
"Look how young they were!" Towa remarked.
"Yeah, cool right?" Moroha turned it around so she could look inside. "It's another precious heirloom, aside from Grandma's lip rouge they gave me as a baby." Her eyes grew fonder. "Another treasure I'll keep safe."
"How'd you get it?" Setstuna asked, after placing her card on the center pile.
Never looking away from her parents, she told the story from earlier that morning….
"Moroha? Could you grab some extra cushions? It's in our bedroom trunk."
"Okay mom!"
The teen was helping her parents get ready for a get-together shortly before lunch. Sango and her twin girls, as well as her Aunt Rin and twin cousins would be coming over today, for some "girl time". Her dad would be out running errands alongside Miroku and even patrol later with Sesshomaru. Apparently, all the guys were not permitted back until supper time.
Moroha never participated in a girl's only day, so she was ecstatic. It'd give her a chance to spend more time with her mom, her two aunts (Sango was as close to the family to an aunt as her actual Aunt Rin) and get to know Gyo and Kinu more. Plus, Towa and Sestuna were thrilled to get a day off from training with their dad. They loved their father for sure, but bonding time with their mom and the girls was well deserved.
Going into her parent's chambers, she went straight to the huge trunk in the corner. Outside she could hear her father stacking logs alongside the house. She knew he didn't want her mom to go outside save for urgent business. With her mom due to deliver soon, dad was taking no chances.
Opening it up, she pulled out enough for their guests. As she pulled out the last, she heard a soft clunk. Searching, she moved aside some clothing and saw a small but neatly wrapped bundle. After pulling it out and sniffing it, she stuffed it in her hakama to ask about it and shut the trunk. Her mother said to put cushions in here as well as a few extra in the main for tea and small snacks later.
The weather outside was still covered in winter's magic, the sky bright blue but the air was still freezing cold. Bodies of water were still ice solid, but the ground had but a few inches of snow making it possible to walk over, the best day the village has seen in weeks. Moroha had sensed the welcome change in the air as she woke that morning, inhaling the crisp clean winter air along with a positive outlook. Not only was she spending the day with her mother and relatives/friends, but her father confided in her that he and Miroku would venture to the futon maker to pick up the futon and silk blanket! She couldn't wait to see the look on her mom's face once she saw them!
Currently, she helped her mother, now burgeoning with her twin siblings, set up both rooms. The young shinhanyou noticed her mother wasn't as fast or agile as she normally was and would tire out easily. While she knew it bugged her mom to no end, she agreed with her dad that too much work could lead to unnecessary stress and that wasn't good for the twin pups. While she could do simple household chores like cooking, making tea, sewing, and mending, the more strenuous chores like laundry and bringing kindling were left to her dad and herself. Her mother's frustration grew as time went on, but in the end her mother didn't put up much of a fight anymore. Not that she minded; anything to help her mom and unborn siblings.
"You alright, mom?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." She was a little out of breath, "These two are wearing me out." After sitting as comfortably as possible, her hands automatically went to cradle her stomach. "I should be used to this by now. I mean you were just as active before you were born."
"Really?" Moroha eagerly sat beside her, cross legged.
"Oh yes you were. Your father was convinced you were a boy." Her mother giggled. "Waking us up at all hours of the night, punching and kicking- not harsh, but enough to get momma's attention."
"Was I that bad?"
"Oh no, you're our first so we didn't know what to expect. The offspring of a half demon and a priestess was a mystery to all of us." Kagome reached over to brush her daughter's hair back. "But you were a blessing to us, you still are despite all that's happened."
Her parents' constant reassurances and reminders that she was indeed loved and wanted was always music to her ears. Smiling, she kissed her mother's cheek in gratitude. She never let a day go by when she wouldn't show her affection and love to her parents.
At that thought, she was reminded of the bundle in her pocket. "Hey mom, I found this in your trunk." She pulled out the bundle wrapped in green cloth. "It smells of you and dad."
Her dad walked in at that moment, bringing a gust of cool air. Shaking off any lingering snow, he put a stack of kindling in a corner and sat by her mother, draping his haori over her, as was his habit. "I haven't seen that in ages."
"Nor have I." Delicate hands carefully undid the wrapping to reveal a gold heart pendant, slightly dull with age. "Imagine my surprise when you told me that you kept it with you the three years we were separated."
Moroha was fascinated by the pendant. She watched her mother's eyes glaze over with tears, her fingers caressing the slick surface. "Mom, what is it?"
Blinking away the tears and wiping her face, she cleared her throat and faced her daughter. "This is a locket I gave your father many years ago. I put pictures of us inside," and with a slick click the locket opened to face shots of her mom and dad. "We were arguing in a photobooth, and your Uncle Souta took it upon himself to memorialize how dumb we looked. Ha, man I got him back for that." She giggled at the memory.
"I remember that. That contraption scared me to hell and back." He shuddered at the memory, flashes and barking dogs and unfamiliar noises. "That was before the battle with Kaguya."
"Kaguya?" Moroha was intrigued. "Another enemy of yours?"
"Was." Her mother answered, handing her hanyou the locket. "That was an adventure I haven't forgotten. For many reasons."
And with that, her parents told her the brief version of the battle in the castle beyond the looking glass, from her mom saving her dad from an arrow Kaguya aimed right back at them, to the time he was forced into his demon form and locking his human heart away in Kaguya's mirror, to how she was the only one who could stop him. And the kiss that brought him back.
"That was your first kiss?" The teen asked. Judging by the light blush on her father's face, and the smile on her mother's, she had her answer.
"Technically yes. I remember being so scared, scared that he wouldn't come back."
"But I did." He touched her folded hands, resting on her belly. "All because of you, and the love you had for me."
Before her parents got lost in each other-again, Moroha spoke. "So, the locket saved you from her power of the mirror of stillness?"
"Yeah, your mother gave me flack for it later." He chuckled, not dodging his wife's hard elbow jab in time.
"You said you wouldn't be caught dead wearing it when I gave it to you." Crossing her arms and narrowing her eyes, she added. "And lo and behold, I saw it peeking out of your robe. You're damn right I gave you an earful." Back to her daughter she added. "I told him the locket was better than the Shikon Jewel. He wanted to know how come, after I asked him to never take it off and I had to think quickly of a reason. I finally said, "Cause, it'll grant your wishes for one thing." He didn't believe me." Her brown eyes met his playfully. "You were such a jerk!"
Her parents' banter never failed to make her laugh. She knew they were stubborn and heard headed years ago before they married, but she always sensed the love there. Apparently, this locket was special to them, but in different ways.
"So, mom, why did you give dad the locket?"
"I figured it was a way to keep a memory of us preserved forever. A gift of love from a girl that loved a boy that was so stubborn, but she loved him regardless." She kissed his cheek, giggling at how cute he looked when embarrassed. "After all these years, and I can still get you flustered."
"Keh." He looked at the open locket, staring at their pictures from long ago. "I never wore it again after that, true. But it was so I wouldn't lose it. I kept it with me during the three years before your mom came back. It helped some, knowing I had a piece of her with me. My human nights were the worst; my emotions are closer to the surface." He never divulged that he wept in silence on his night of weakness every time until her return. But he wouldn't put it past his wife to suspect as much. He never could fool her. His eyes met his daughters'. "Yeah, this locket saved my life. When your mom gave it to me, I wasn't one for wearing silly little trinkets. But ever since that battle I kept it with me, not telling your mom. It meant the world to me."
Making a snap decision-one that he was comfortable making, he reached over and put it in Moroha's palm. She looked at him in bewilderment. "Dad, what are you doing?"
"What's it look like I'm doing? I'm giving it to ya."
Looking between the proffered locket, her dad and her mom-whose expression was part shock, part wonder, she didn't know what to think. "B-but… are you sure, dad?"
"If I wasn't sure I wouldn't have done it." He crossed his arms. "You can say it's another heirloom."
"Wow… this is….I can't even-…." Cradling her new keepsake to her heart, the teen closed her eyes. "I'll treasure it always."
What she didn't see was her mom pulling her dad down for a teary yet passionate kiss…
"Wow…" Towa murmured. "That's incredible."
"That's so romantic!" Gyokuto and Kinu gushed, hearts in their eyes.
Sestuna nodded, not one for sentimental comments but still moved by the story. "Indeed."
Moroha smiled at them all, tucking her precious trinket back into her firerat. She heard her mother come back in, her tone one of frustration much to her aunt's amusement. Her poor mom…
So, the game continued for a while, other than an occasional groan or a triumphant yell it was quiet.
"Girls! Teatime!" Rin called!
Without any more prompts the five hungry teens herded into the main room and sat down for a steaming cup of mint tea and rice balls.
"Hey mom, Moroha just showed us her new locket that was Uncle Inu's!" Kinu exclaimed. "It was so romantic!"
Sango looked over to Moroha, then to Kagome. "Is that the same locket before the fight with Kaguya?"
"Sure is. It melted my heart to see it being handed down, knowing it would be safe." Sipping her tea, she added. "He's such a softie, I love him so much…"
"So, is there anything dad gave to you, mother?" Gyokuto asked.
"Other than the dozens of massages he gave to her-"
"AHHHHH! Kagome, no need for the girls to hear that!" Sango cut her off, red flushing her cheeks.
"Massages?" Towa eyed Miss Sango's furious blush, Kagome's eyes sparkling with mirth, and looked to her mother for answers. "Mother, what's she talking about?"
Setsuna sighed. "As always you're hopeless." Sounding like her father, sitting properly while sipping her tea.
Rin, having a faint idea what Kagome was referring to, giggled uncomfortably. "No need for you to know that yet, Towa. Perhaps when you're older." 'Like in a hundred years! And most definitely not in front of your father!'
Not gonna lie, this was a challenging chapter, but it was so fun to write! A girl's day- Feudal Era Style! And we got to see Sango and her twins as well as Rin, Towa and Sestuna.
I decided to include the locket because not only is it a favorite part in Movie 2(Which is my personal favorite of the four movies) but I wanted to include it due to us not knowing what happened to it afterward. I thought I did it justice!
-Next chapter is the pre-birth chapter! The pups are coming soon! -
Until next time...
Ja Ne!
