While reading: Listen to "Inuyasha Lullaby (Full)" on YouTube. When you see this symbol, (***) start to play specific piece when written. When you see this symbol, (xxx) stop playing the music. This is not my channel nor do I have rights to the soundtracks/movie but I think it adds a great atmosphere while reading. Enjoy!

The Heart of the Nile: Saeada's Lullaby

[8 Month's Later]

Kagome and Kikyo sat around the pond in the papyrus wing with their feet dangling in the water. The sun was high in the sky and there was a light breeze in the air as it gently blew through the wing. Kikyo was holding her now two-month-old baby girl as she slept in her arms. No one was in this part of the palace and it was a quiet and peaceful. Since giving birth to little Saeada Kikyo hasn't strayed too far from her bedchambers. With her daughter now being almost 3 month's old and the palace peaceful she felt comfortable enough to join her sister-in-law for the afternoon. As they sat in the sun little Saeada began to wake in her arms. She had soft black fuzzy hair on the top of her little head, honey brown eyes and a small button nose.

(*** Inuyasha Lullaby ***)

She soon became fussy in her mother's arms so Kikyo pulled the top of her dress down exposing her swollen breast with milk and began to feed her. She laid a thin scarf over top of her tiny body giving her shade from the sun as she began to sing a lullaby to her little princess. As she sang her daughter's eyes began to droop and flutter and made little grunting noises as she ate. Her little legs and toes wiggled under the scarf and her tiny hand and plump stubby fingers lay lightly above her mother's chest. While Kikyo sang she slowly rocked from side to side until little Saeada's mouth dropped away from her breast with pouty lips sound asleep once more.

While she continued to sing Kagome leaned her head back against one of the pillars by the pond and closed her eyes. It was then Inuyasha walked into the wing. His breath caught at the beautiful scene before him. Kikyo was glowing in the sunlight as she sang to their firstborn. She looked so beautiful sitting there rocking back and forth. Her hair had fallen about them and her angelic face was softly smiling as she watched their daughter sleep. Inuyasha's heart was full as he listened to her sing. He loved the sound of her voice. He then quietly came up behind her and held her as she finished her song. Kikyo leaned back into his chest and rested her cheek against his chin as they watched little Saeada dream.

She was the perfect combination of the two of them. The shape of her face, color of her hair and little nose were just like her and her eyes, ears and attitude were just like her father. She was their little "happiness." It was then they heard light snoring next to them and they looked up to see that Kagome had fallen asleep against the pillar. Inuyasha got up from behind his wife, grabbed one of the long floor pillows from the corner of the room and gently laid his sister-in-law across it. Turning to his wife he said in a hushed tone,

"Do you need help getting up? We need to start heading over to the temple so High Priest Miroku can bless the baby.

"Yes, if you don't mind but Inuyasha we can't just leave her here." Kikyo said softly so not to wake their daughter in her arms.

"We'll go find a servant on the way out to go tell my brother she's in here. He'll come take care of her. Now come on love we don't want to keep them waiting." Inuyasha whispered as he went behind his wife helping her to stand and making their way out of the wing.

As they walked through the halls they ran into a servant and told them to go find Pharaoh and to tell him that his wife had fallen asleep by the pond in the papyrus wing. After they saw the servant leave to go find their brother they walked out of the palace gates, stepped into their golden chariot and made their way off to the Temple of Ra for their daughter's blessing ceremony. Sesshomaru was in another uneventful meeting with his elders when the servant walked in and bowed before relaying Inuyasha's message. Not wanting to leave her vulnerable and alone he concluded the meeting and made his way over to the papyrus wing.

Walking through the doors he lets out a light gasp like his brother had as he took in the vision of his wife sleeping in the sunlight by the pond. The sunlight shown in the water making it's reflection bounce along her body. As it reflected it shimmered making her glow. She was lying on her side with one arm above her head and the other lying next to her face. Her dark black hair lay about her giving her a dark halo against the light. She was dressed in a thin light blue cotton bra top and skirt showing her midriff. The top's back went to her hips and fanned out in the front showing her midriff making a v-shape.

The exposed v-shape was held together between the breasts and it showed her now heavily 8 month along swollen tummy. He thought it was cute how her belly button had popped out as the months had passed and loved holding her from behind while running his hands along her sides. The overall pregnancy had gone relatively smooth except her poor lower back and feet were extremely soar and swollen. She also had a hard time sleeping at night because their baby loved to keep her awake as it danced about inside her. Sesshomaru quietly made his way over to her and sat on the floor behind her. Leaning forward slightly he looks down into her sleeping face.

Her cheeks had a light pink tint from lying in the sun and her rose-pink lips were slightly parted as she slowly breathed in and out in her sleep. He lightly brushed her chin and cheek with the back of his hand before tucking a loose piece of hair behind her ear. Kagome took in a deep breath though her nose as she began to wake up from her nap and fluttered her beautiful blue eyes open. She saw Sesshomaru from the corner of her eye sitting behind her so she leaned her back onto his legs. Looking up into his face through sleepy eyes she brings up a hand and rubs the sleep away before taking in another deep breath and saying groggily,

"Hi…."

"Hi." He said back with a light smile.

Sesshomaru leans forward and kisses her lips. Pulling his lips back he then gently lifts her back up off of the pillow and brings it to rest on his chest. He places his chin on her shoulder looking down at her tummy over he swollen breasts and lays his hands on top of Kagome's around her swollen belly. His heart was warm as he held her and their unborn child. She takes hold of his hands and runs them in light circles along her sides as they sat there in silence enjoying being together in the peaceful wing. Their little baby's foot suddenly kicked under their hands making its presence known. This sudden kick causes Sesshomaru to lightly chuckle next to her ear. Kagome was due in little over three weeks time and the entire kingdom was counting down the days.

Kagome became pregnant on their wedding night just as Sesshomaru predicted. With this being Kagome's first child they were taking everything with caution and waited till she was at least three months along before they made her pregnancy public. Sesshomaru didn't show it but he was a mess of emotions and was very worried about her delivery. He had already lost her once and she was very swollen with child, which meant she would be giving birth to a very healthy baby. Giving birth to such a large child would be very dangerous with her being so petite in stature. He didn't think he would be able to bare it if he lost her again and knowing that his sword wouldn't help make it worse. The healers told her to be extremely careful the last few weeks and to take it easy.

"How are you feeling today, my Lady?" asked Sesshomaru before kissing the side of her head and burring his nose into her silky smooth hair.

"I am doing ok my lower back is a little soar and our baby has not been as active today, which probably means that I will need to stay by our bedchambers till it is born. I believe my body is preparing itself for the delivery," said Kagome as she leaned back into his chest.

"Hn, I will be sure to have a healer on hand at all times. Thank you for letting me know. Would you like me to massage your back?" he asked.

"Yes… please!" Kagome said exhaustedly. She then scooted her butt forward between his legs giving him room for his arms to massage along her back.

Sesshomaru then began to work his magic. His strong hands kneaded their way along her shoulders, spine and lower back. He worked his thumbs into her knots earning soft moans of pleasure from his exhausted, soar, heavily pregnant wife. After about 15 minuets of Sesshomaru working his callused hands into his wife's back, shoulders and neck she was loose as puddy. Kissing her on the neck before wrapping his arms around once more he then runs his hands up and down her sides and along her tummy. Kagome felt so much better and was falling asleep against his chest as he rubbed her sides. Seeing his sleep deprived wife falling asleep in his arms he slowly puts one arm under her legs before rising holding her bridal style.

He rests her sleeping head against his chest before walking out the door and into his bedchamber. Before lying her down in their bed and covering her with the sheet, he kisses her cheek and stares down at her sleeping face lovingly. The sun was setting in the sky and was casting shadows and the colors of the sunset filled the room with warmth. Sesshomaru stepped out of the door a moment, called a servant and asked them to bring them their meals to his room. While he waits he climbs into bed next to her, rests his head in his hand and watches her sleep. They had planned on joining his brother and sister-in-law at the temple for the ceremony but after hearing the healers tell her to take it easy he didn't dare let her leave their bedchambers.

He would be sure to keep her there until after their child is born and she has recovered. He wouldn't risk it and he would be a mess until it was all said and done. As beautiful as she was pregnant his anxiety was starting to get to him and he didn't know how much longer it would be before he snapped. The servant then came in, left their dinner on his desk before leaving them for the evening. He left her to sleep as he ate on the balcony. Looking up into the sky has watches a shooting star fly across the evening sky. Not wanting to waste the opportunity he prayed to the gods and made a wish that his unborn child and wife will survive the delivery. Once he is done eating his meal he returns to the bed, curls up behind his wife and falls asleep.

Kagome like most pregnant women were up and down all night going to the bathroom. She shifted uncomfortably in her sleep and couldn't find a comfortable position. When the sun was beginning to rise her lower back pain got stronger and a slight pressure built between her legs. Not feeling any false contractions she ignored the pain and fell back asleep. An hour later Sesshomaru wakes up stirring her from sleep. He then kisses her lips before getting ready for the day and leaving her to rest in their bed. Kagome rests for another 20 minuets before a servant walked in asking if she needed anything. Kagome feeling her pain and pressure again asks the servant to run the bathing tub with hot water for her to relax in.

Once the servant fixed the bath Kagome got into the heated water. After sending the servant on their way she relaxed in the hot water. Its heat soon seeped into her aching body causing Kagome to release a happy sigh. She was pouring water down her back when a sudden a sharp pain runs down her side. The sensation caught her off guard causing her to gasp in both shock and pain. She sat there stunned on what just happened until 5 minuets later it happened again. She was about to get out of the water and call for a healer when the she felt the pressure between her legs release. Her eyes widened in horror when the water turned a light pink and an unbearable pain raced down her back. Her water had just broke…

[End of Chapter 26]

Authors Note:

*Saeada (Sah eh Duh) – means happiness in Arabic (سعادة)

*Thanks for reading! Please write a review on what you thought. More chapters to come!