A/N: Happy November!

The Other Side

Chapter 49

In the Days That Follow

In the months that followed the battle, Kagome got bigger, which meant Sesshomaru got worst than he normally was. He was more over-protective, over-bearing, and rarely was seen without Kagome at his hip.

No one dared to get near Kagome if they could help it. Only Shippo and Rin seemed to be the ones that were actually allowed anywhere near the couple—well that and Kagome had threatened Sesshomaru that if they weren't allowed near her, she would castrate him. Inuyasha laughed hard that day at Sesshomaru's face when she said that. His brother had been hesitant to go near his mate after hearing that.

Shiori had stayed around them for reasons that only Kagome knew and she always smirked when others asked why she was around. Kagome had played matchmaker; pushing Inuyasha in Shiori's direction every single time that they were near each other. Kenichi seemed to get a kick out of it every time—mostly because Inuyasha almost always tripped over his words when speaking to the woman. It was downright hilarious.

InuKimi hadn't realized that Kagome was pregnant until way later. She, Sango, and Miroku all found out a couple weeks later. Sango was the first one to ask why Kagome was getting bigger and for whatever reason, none seemed to think she was pregnant. It took a while before Kagome realized that she still had the barrier around her stomach to protect her child. The moment she released it, InuKimi had squealed.

It was quiet during her pregnancy. Now that her life wasn't in as much danger as it was, she welcomed the quiet life. Or as quiet as one could get when one lived with Inuyasha...

Kagome was due any day and boy was that a month to remember. Kagome was currently in the gardens with Sesshomaru—of course—and Kenichi. She was hovering over the flowers, her fingertips barely touching the petals as she walked through the pathway. She had told Sesshomaru to stay near the entrance, that she was within his eyesight and while he didn't approve, he didn't say anything else.

Kenichi, however, followed Kagome like a lost puppy. Both heard Sesshomaru's growl, and of course, both ignored it. "You know, ever since you've come here, the flowers have responded beautifully. They are at their brightest I've seen," he complimented her as she blushed.

"Oh hush, blame Keida," she replied as Kenichi blinked. "He's one of my elements," she added. He gave a some what understood nod but he was still confused. "And since I've gotten to know you, I've noticed that you tend to find anything that you could grasp so you could annoy Sesshomaru. He's never happy about that, by the way."

"But it's so fun! That's like saying that I'm not allowed to play with my swords. They're right there; it's impossible to resist," he countered with a wink as Kagome huffed. "Plus, annoying Sesshomaru gives me a sense of—" he paused, trying to think of the right word. "—accomplishment, that I can manage it."

She laughed at that then gasped, hands going to her stomach. Sesshomaru was there in a heartbeat. Kenichi gaped, suddenly feeling useless. "Well—that h-hurt," she said, blinking quick before another gasp escaped her lips. "What's going on? Why does it hurt—so much?"

"You've gone into labor," her mate told her as her eyes widened.

"That explains it...but I'm too far from the healers and I don't think I want to move."

Kenichi looked between them and Kagome's stomach then by the way she clenched her eyes shut. He finally settled his eyes to Sesshomaru, asking a silent question. Sesshomaru shook his head. "Kagome, I am going to pick you up." She looked horrified that he would even suggest that. "Kenichi, run and go tell the healers that it's time." His friend saluted him then sped off to do his task.

Sesshomaru was gentle enough to pick his mate up and then slowly but surely, brought her to the healers wing. She whimpered at each step that he took. He gently dropped her off on the bed, kissed her forehead before the women kicked him out of the room. There were two women healers, his mother, Shiori, and Sango in the room as he left.

He went to the room next door as Kenichi, Inuyasha, and Miroku walked in. "Don't tell me you're not excited to finally be having a kid?" Inuyasha bugged, sitting down in a chair, furthest away from his brother. Sesshomaru glared at him.

"What made you think I wasn't?"

"Despite your face?" Kenichi chuckled but was silenced when the glare was directed at him. "Come on, you're aura practically screams your fears."

"I'm not afraid of anything," he said.

Inuyasha scoffed then snorted. "Except for Kagome dying." All were silent then Inuyasha added, "Although, at this point, I'm almost positive that anyone would have that fear. I know I do."

"Little brother, shut, up." He nervously laughed as he cleared his throat. They all turned to their left to stare at the wall; Kagome just screamed.

"That does not calm anyone's nerves or fears," Miroku softly said to himself. "Have you settled for a name?" he asked as Sesshomaru glanced to him.

"Yes, since we both know that it's a boy; we're naming him Akira," he answered as his eyes wandered back to the wall, listening to the other side. Kagome was breathing heavily and one of the healers were telling her that she was to relax.

"Considering when he was conceived, the name's appropriate."

"Shut up Kenichi." Inuyasha sniffed.

"Shutting up."

There was a muffled yell from the other side of the wall. "How are you not desperately trying to get into the other room?" Miroku asked. He was quite impressed that Sesshomaru wasn't trying to claw down the door to be honest.

"All of my instincts are screaming at me to try to and it's not helping anything." Sesshomaru rubbed his face then sighed deeply.

In walked Shiori, who was pale and shaking a bit. Inuyasha immediately rushed over to her, asking her what was wrong. "Apparently I'm not one to be around a woman giving birth..." Inuyasha winced.

"Is Kagome okay?" Miroku questioned.

Shiori looked to him then tints of red appeared on her cheeks. "I don't have an answer to that. I—fainted..."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

Inuyasha sniggered but gave a soft smile to her. "Well, you're welcome to join us." She smiled weakly back to him as he lead her to a chair. "Do you know how long she'll be in there?"

"From what the healers said, she'll be in there for a few hours."

"Hours? Oh poor Kagome," Miroku muttered as Inuyasha and Kenichi agreed with him. Sesshomaru glared to the floor. In walked Sango with a twitch to her eye. "Sango, what are you doing here? I thought Kagome wanted you near her?"

Sango slowly looked to him as the others stared at her. "I was kicked out," she bit out as Miroku flinched.

"Why?" He was almost afraid to know the answer.

"The healers said that my human self was bothering her ladyship." Everyone but Sesshomaru flinched at that since he wasn't actually paying attention to the conversation.

Inuyasha sighed as he leaned against the chair Shiori was sitting in. "Sango, relax, okay? It's a hard time right now." Sango merely glared at him.

"Relax? You want me to relax? Are you hearing yourself? I was the one person that Kagome counted on to be in the room with her and the stupid healers kicked me out without so much as a say!" she yelled out with an impressive growl to match. "Do you know how uncalled for that is?"

"Lady Sango, listen—to yourself," Kenichi started, Sango's attention suddenly on him. "You and your friends, come into this castle, knowing that the demons here don't like humans. You don't have to be bitter with the way that the demons are treating you because it's not just you that they do it to."

Sango crossed her arms over her chest and glared harder. "You don't know what you're saying. You aren't a human so therefore, what you're saying—" Miroku slapped a hand onto her mouth. Her eyes widened on this.

"Sango, we've gone over this before. Hell, you tried to guilt trip Kagome into leaving because of your treatment here. It's nothing that we've never seen before; just let it slide, please," he interrupted her thought. Sango deflated at that point; her anger wasn't gone but it was enough to keep her quiet.

"Sesshomaru, you jackass! This is all your fault!" Kagome screamed. All fell silent then one by one, they started laughing. Kagome was not pleased. "I hear you all laughing!" Inuyasha started cracking up. "Fuck you Inuyasha!"

He gaped at the wall. "How did she know it was me?!"

"Perhaps all the years of traveling with you Inuyasha," Miroku pointed out as Inuyasha flicked him off. The monk merely chuckled to himself.

Sesshomaru shook his head. "Or it finally sunk into her head that Inuyasha's laugh sounds like a dying crow," he bluntly said as Kenichi barked with laughter. Sango couldn't keep the grin off her face. Miroku's face practically said 'oh my.'

"Yeah it does!" Kagome agreed.

"You guys are mean! Stop ganging up on me!"

"Oh, but little brother, that is a favorite pastime of mine. You can't possible allow me to give that up," he mocked.

"You all suck." Inuyasha pouted.

"I don't think you sound like a dying crow," Shiori said softly as Inuyasha flushed. "Perhaps a dying fish?"

"Not you too!" he whined as he heard Kagome's giggle.

"Yeah, go Shiori! Shit—ow." They all hear one of the healers tell Kagome to push.

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