Author's Note: I do not make any claim to any of Rumiko Takahashi's characters or works. This fic is labeled as M for swearing and some suggestive and lemony scenes.
This chapter also contains some accurate descriptions of birth scenarios so if that makes you uncomfortable, skip ahead. Here's your warning.
...
Stuck with Us
Part III
Four months later…
"I can't even sleep anymore!" Kagome huffed and tried to roll over. "Why bother to try? I'm going outside for a walk."
It took her longer than she'd admit to anyone else getting up and out of their bed. The effort was not graceful and it was becoming nearly impossible. Some combination of rolling and grunting and propping until she could make it upright.
"Wait, I'll come with you." Inuyasha groggily offered. He wasn't gonna fight her. She wanted to walk, they'd walk. He'd learned that lesson months ago.
"No, you sleep. One of us should." She tried to wave him off.
"No way. I'm coming. You're not walking around in the dark, alone. Not with the pup due any day. Kami, you're a magnet for trouble in the best of times. Give it up, woman."
"I don't have to energy to fight you so come on…" she yawned, straightening the mountain of white fabric it took to cover her swollen belly these days.
The hour was late when they stepped out of the house and Kagome made for the field to start into the forest. It felt like home there for some reason. Safe and close and familiar. The stars were bright and clear above the couple's heads. Cloudless nights were becoming more rare as autumn approached. The winds from the west were driving in the high clouds that heralded storms. There was a distinct chill in the air that hadn't been there a few weeks ago. The tips of leaves were shedding their green for more ostentatious color. Reds, golds, and pale yellow.
"How many somersaults can you do in there, little one?" Her hands came to press on her lower back and her eyes scrunched shut as another powerful jab from her womb took her breath.
"You okay?" Inuyasha jogged up beside her and laid both hands on her overly round middle.
The warmth of them helped her breath a little deeper and relax.
"Are you asking me or the baby?" she smiled at him.
"Both, I guess. Though the pup can't answer me yet so you go first." he joked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. The baby just moves so much I can't sleep. The second I lie down, it's all acrobatics. I just need a few hours, kiddo, and then you can do whatever you want." She spoke to her belly and laid her own hands on top of her husband's. "On top of that, my hips hurt, I can't breathe, and I'm always hungry but feel too full to eat. This is not for the faint of heart."
"I know, Kagome. I'm sorry. I can't do anything to help either."
"You help plenty now that I can't even make it up the shrine steps anymore. Kaede would be in trouble without you."
"Yeah well, that's all gonna stop in a few days. I'm not leaving you here alone."
"Maybe Sango could keep coming during the day. The kids have so much fun out here in the field and I love having her here. I know they live right down the road but we don't see as much of each other as I'd like. Whoa!"
Inuyasha jerked his hands away when the pup stretched out suddenly under his hands.
"Give your mom a break, runt. She's tired." Inuyasha patted her tummy gently as he spoke. He looked back up to Kagome and saw her eyes shining with tears. Not an unusual occurrence these days, honestly, but it was still concerning.
"How do you do that?" She reached up and cupped his cheek and he leaned into her cool palm.
"What?"
"Make me fall in love with you over and over."
He barked a laugh and gathered her close. Well, close as he could.
"You're easy these days. A little talk with the pup and you're a mess. I know, I know. It's normal, I guess. Still funny though. The great Shikon Miko brought to tears by a pup no bigger than her arm."
"Okay, Yasha. Let's see how steady you are when the baby's born."
"Keh, I'll be worried about you but I'll be fine. No problem."
…
"This is not okay, Miroku! It's been hours!"
Another yell of pain echoed through the house and his eyes and ears pinned themselves to the door, his mouth set in a thin line, mentally forcing himself not to run back inside.
"It has but my wife tells me Kagome-sama is doing well. Try not to wear a hole in the earth, my friend." Miroku comforted from his place on a fallen log in the field nearby.
"How can you be so fucking calm?!" Clawed fists were clenched at his sides. He felt so… powerless.
"Inuyasha, she will be fine. A woman is capable of great strength at times like this. Trust her."
Too soon, another moan came from the house, followed by a tired sob. His demonic hearing was a blessing and a curse. He could hear that she was breathing, hear her heart beating, but he could also hear every request from her to be near him and he was close to breaking, protocol be damned. Since when did they stick to the rules, anyway?
"It's not that I don't trust her. I know she's strong and she can do it but that doesn't mean I should be out here, does it?"
"Come to think of it, I am not sure I have ever heard of how demon children are born. If your instincts tell you you should be there, perhaps you should. The child is half- or rather, some-portion demon, so maybe you could help. I, myself, am perfectly happy not being there."
That was all the permission he needed.
"Thanks, Miroku. Help me make peace with the women after, okay?" And he dashed away after Miroku's dismissive nod.
Seconds later and he was lifting the curtain out of the way and stepping into his own house, feeling like an intruder.
"Sango, I can't- I need a break. I need him… Please." Kagome whined and panted.
"Take a sip, Kagome." Sango's voice was next, soft and understanding.
He rounded the corner into their bedroom and that's when he saw her. She was completely naked and leaning on her forearms against the wall, head buried in them for comfort. She was breathing deeply and trying to rest. Her cheeks were flushed and sweat had beaded on her forehead, making her bangs stick in inky waves. She was beautiful and he forgot for a moment why he was here, just taking her in.
Sango was rubbing her back and offering her a cup of water, but looked up to see him, brow furrowing in disapproval. Kaede saw him too from her place across the room, readying towels.
"Inuyasha, ye must leave." Kagome's head snapped up, eyes searching for him through the haze of her pain. "We will find ye later."
"No!" she exclaimed desperately. "He stays… if he wants to?"
Golden eyes softened and stared back into sky blue.
"If you want me."
"Stay, please. But you have to- Mmm- to- Ahhhh ha…" she was cut off, and scrunched her face in pain.
He moved to go to her but was stopped by Sango.
"Uh uh, take all that off and put on something clean. And wash your hands. Don't touch her until you do all that."
There was no room for argument. Sango moved back over to rub Kagome's back as her cries grew louder and he nodded mutely and started to obey. Changing into a navy yukata in the other room, he took a few deep breaths before going back in. He was here now. This was what he wanted, right? His wife had quieted and was leaning on the wall again, breathing deeply.
"Hey." he greeted her, nuzzling her cheek.
"Hey." she managed between breaths. "I'm glad you're here but are you sure? I have no idea how long this will take."
"I'll be fine. How are you?"
She gave up the façade for a moment and he saw how tired but determined she was.
"I'm… okay. Nnngh, oh no. Just- Mmm- Just be here, okay?"
He nodded silently, not sure in the least what to do but feeling so much better at touching, seeing, and smelling her. She turned around and buried her face in his chest as her yell grew louder and louder. Her arms circled his neck and she held on tightly as she cried out. His hands came up to hold her waist and he continued to nuzzle her neck and face, whispering he was there.
"I'm here, Kagome. It's okay. I'm here."
She nodded into his shoulder and started to breathe normally again. When she quieted, they found each other's eyes again and he couldn't stop leaning down to kiss her.
"I love you." she told him. He only nodded, suddenly feeling very aware of the other two women in the room.
And so the hours passed as she walked around the room and clung to her husband as contractions rolled on and on. Now that he was here, she was much more relaxed between pains and was making better progress. Kaede made him sit behind Kagome when she checked the baby's position but he was tolerated doing whatever he wished otherwise. Or rather, whatever Kagome wished.
"Kami, this has to end sometime, right?!" Kagome panted, now down on the floor on all fours, too tired to stand anymore.
"The child is being stubborn but first babies usually are, I'm afraid." Kaede said.
Sango was wiping her forehead and the back of her neck, trying to keep Kagome cool. Inuyasha was asking the question with his eyes to Sango. 'Is this really okay? Is she okay?' Sango nodded and went back to her work.
Inuyasha was sitting to the side, waiting for instructions. The smell of Kagome's blood had been stronger the last few hours and it set his instincts on edge. Kaede assured him it was normal but the scent of blood was never normal to a demon with a sensitive nose.
Kagome dropped her rear down onto the bed and leaned forward, moaning again.
"Yasha, please…" she groaned.
"I gotcha." And he moved behind her, placing one hand on her back and rubbing circles. She had told him it helped. He couldn't see why but she didn't yell quite as loudly when he did so he felt somewhat useful. Suddenly, there a faint pop and fluid came rushing from between her legs.
"Whoa! What the hell?" Inuyasha jumped up and scooted away but the women seemed unfazed.
"Well done, Kagome. It won't be long now. Prepare yourself. The pains should get stronger, so ye know." Kaede warned.
"Stronger? How can they get any stronger? I can't get through them now!" she let a few tears fall to the futon, uncaring that her legs were wet with fluid. Sango and Kaede were working to dry her and cover the futon.
Her husband recovered from across the room and was over to her in a flash.
"You can do this. We've definitely been through worse, yeah?" he tried.
"Okay. But I need- I need to- Oh gods, I need to push!" She grunted the last word and stood back up on all fours, gritting her teeth and bearing down.
"Wait, child! Breathe for a moment…"
Kaede was there as quick as she could be, assessing Kagome. She nodded to Sango and instructed Kagome to breathe again. Inuyasha sent a questioning look to Sango who only smiled apologetically.
"Here comes the hard part, Kagome." Sango moved around to Kagome's head and applied the cloth again.
"I know. This feels much better already. This part, I can do."
Kagome took a deep breath and found Inuyasha's eyes. He nodded to her and leaned forward to nuzzle her cheek.
"You can. Let's meet the pup."
"Mm hmm. Nngh- Mm hmm. Shit-" Kagome swore.
Inuyasha's eyes widened and he barked a laugh at her outburst, finally feeling something akin to relief. If she could swear, she was feeling like herself again.
"You tell 'em, Kagome." He laughed.
"This- Ah! is not- Hmm- funny, you ass!" But she laughed somewhere in the middle and then her face turned serious.
The contraction hit full force and she went silent, bearing down as hard she could. Her grunts of effort were a relief to him. She was in control again and his wife did better when she had the reins.
"Slow down, Kagome! Don't rush the baby out!" Sango warned.
"Why- the hell- not?!" she questioned, feeling progress being made deep in her womb.
"It is a hard journey for the baby. Going slower keeps it, both of you, from getting hurt." Kaede's wisdom made sense to Kagome but it felt wrong to wait.
"Fine. This one's- about gone anyway. Ahh." She panted and stared at the futon, waiting. The room was silent except for the splashing of water somewhere nearby.
"Get the cloth ready, Sango. It will not be long." The old priestess turned around and warned Sango.
Kagome caught Inuyasha's eyes from the futon in front of her. He was crouching in front of her and staring at her, waiting for something to happen.
"Will you stop that? I'm not going to spontaneously combust."
"I know! It's just… exciting, you know?" He rubbed the back of his head, blushing furiously. She forgot her frustration at his staring and smiled warmly.
"I'm so glad you're here. It feels better with you here. Not that any of this feels good but- argh, damn. Here we go again." She trained her eyes back to floor and started breathing heavily.
"You can do this, Kagome!" he cheered. He felt a need to touch her and put both of his hands on hers on the futon, looking over her heaving back to find the other two women in the room.
She gritted her teeth and pushed, turning red from the effort. Taking another hasty gulp of air, she pushed again, still feeling her body working with her.
"Come on, baby. Come on." She chanted.
Another contraction, Kagome yelped and inhaled sharply, and Kaede announced the head was born. Inuyasha moved to see but she put an iron grip on his forearm.
"Don't. you. dare." she warned him, trying to sound intimidating between pants for air.
"O-okay. Right here, Kagome. Got it." Inu curiosity was a dangerous thing, he decided.
Sango moved around to meet Kagome's eyes. "Next are shoulders. Get ready."
Kagome nodded silently and felt another wave of tightening coil in her belly.
"Here's another one… Nngh!"
Without hesitation, she bore down, feeling the pressure double. She cried out and stilled.
"Ahh! I can't do this! Oh gods, I can't." she gasped and began to shudder, dark hair brushing the mattress as her head hung down from exhaustion.
The added pressure, plus the pain of the stretching she was sure was way too much, the weariness from the last… what time was it anyway? Then Inuyasha was there, filling her vision. Amber eyes filled with love and wonder and strength.
"None of that. Come on, Kagome. I love you…" He was whispering just to her. He was reminding her she wasn't done and she was strong. She could. She would.
She nodded. "I love you, too."
When the next contraction came, she used it. Bearing down and whimpering as the baby moved so slowly towards freedom. She cried out in pain, sharp and sudden, and then felt the pressure leave her. Their firstborn baby slid free into Kaede's hands.
"A boy!" she announced, immediately asking Sango for tools and a towel.
Kagome starting weeping onto the futon at the relief. When Sango moved up to start helping her, Inuyasha kissed the top of his wife's head, nuzzled her cheek, and stood up as curiosity overtook him. Sango came to help Kagome down and gave her a cool cloth to sit on. Using another, she wiped her face and helped her to lean back against the wall, draping a blanket over her chest and belly for warmth. Kagome thanked her sister in arms for her help and her patience.
"Kagome, you did just fine. I am a little jealous that your pregnancy was so much shorter than both of mine though. To cut off three whole months would be a blessing."
"Well… I'm lucky in a lot of ways but I don't feel very lucky down south, let me tell you. How long does that last?"
The women went on talking about nothing in particular while Kagome waited for Inuyasha to return. Suddenly a shrill cry rang out in the room and Inuyasha turned around and gave Kagome a face-splitting smile. She sighed happily as the exhaustion began to creep in and her eyes closed just for a moment.
"Hold on, Kagome. There's more to do yet…" Sango sent an apologetic look her way but moved to kneel at her feet again.
"More? Gods, what more?"
"We'll wait a few minutes until Kaede gets here and she'll tell you." Sango was nervous about how Inuyasha would handle all the blood she was sure was coming.
Inuyasha's nose was on overdrive, eyes searching every inch of his brand-new son and watching his tiny flailing limbs grasping for something, listening with sensitive ears to his little heartbeat. He would take it with him forever, those first sights and sounds. Kaede tolerated the hanyou hovering over her shoulder as she cleaned the boy and wrapped him in a fresh blanket.
"Here ye are, Inuyasha. Mind his head."
"Me? Shouldn't she get him first?" he asked, actually afraid of being involved for the first time today.
"No, you can both go to her now. Go on. Take your son." she encouraged, knowing he was crossing a threshold in this moment and trying to help him do it, in her own way.
Kagome and Sango shared a look and then looked to the poor new father trying to decide what to do. Ears flattened against his head but his arms came up to take the pup for the first time. When Kaede held him out, wiggling and mewling in the blanket, Inuyasha finally got a good look as Kaede settled his son in his arms.
'He's really mine…'
The babe was fair but perfect. His eyes were still tightly closed but Inuyasha recognized his thin, silver hair and small folded ears as his own. He turned his body towards Kagome but couldn't take his eyes away from the pup. Halfway across the room, he bent his head down and rubbed the pup's cheek with his own, taking in his unique scent for the first time.
'He smells like me… but her too. The forest and the rain. He's both of us.'
"If you don't hurry up, I'm going to get up from here and grab you, Inuyasha."
Kagome's voice snapped him out of it and he walked with measured steps over to his reclining wife.
"Sorry. He's just… sorry." He looked sheepish but not entirely ashamed.
"I know. It's okay but I've been dying watching you two over there."
"Keh. Now you know how I felt all morning."
"Wanna trade? I'll trade you for what I felt this morning…" she snapped at him.
"Right. Sorry." He grimaced a little, forgetting already what she'd been through today now that the pup was here.
"Stop apologizing and sit down already!" She was smiling as she patted the floor, excited to see their son for the first time. As Inuyasha sat down, she was peering into his arms with one hand on her husband's shoulder as he settled on the floor.
"Oh, Yasha, look at him…" she cooed and laid her head on his shoulder.
"I know. Here. It gets better when you hold him."
"Yes. Gimme. Hello there, little one. Oh, you're heavier than I thought you'd be!" Kagome got a good look at her son and tears welled up in her eyes as he squirmed a little and turned his head into her warm chest.
"He's perfect. Just like I imagined him." The baby had one of her fingers captive and she was kissing his head over and over.
"He's gonna be trouble, you know that right?" Inuyasha smirked at her.
"Absolutely. At least you'll have some experience with his brand of trouble."
"Just be patient with him. That's all I'm gonna say." He held his hands up as if in surrender.
"Whatever he does, we'll both be there for him." She told the pup, nuzzling his nose. He sneezed and the new parents both laughed.
"Mm hmm. You're stuck with us, kiddo." Inuyasha laid a hand on the pup's tiny head.
...
Author's Note: Only the Epilogue left! It gets sweeter, believe me. Get your dentist's business cards out now! :P