Birth

Late in the night InuYasha woke to a sound outside his den. The hanyou sat up alert despite the late hour.

InuYasha gave hesitant sniff toward the entrance of his cave, which was the only way to sense who was outside. The cave InuYasha had used was simple but it was shallow. Long strands of hanging vines and vegetation hid the entrance.

Then there were two long tunnels; one that led to the main part which was like a circular room, (think a smaller ball room from beauty and the beast) the other was another exit. Inside the main living area there was a small hot spring and a stream that held fish and fresh water.

The scent of his elder brother came to him when he scented the tunnel toward the entrance. Since he had come to join the group the elder dog seemed to actually act protective toward his half brother and InuYasha had seen him practically tortured demons that tried to harm Kagome in her delicate stat. Oh yes, this past nine months hadn't been with attacks from demons who wanted the sacred jewel or who just saw pregnant women as delicious treat. InuYasha looked down to his mate and kissed her temple then un buried himself from the warmth of his fur bedding and began to walk toward the entrance to the cave.

Sesshomaru sensed the half-breed the moment he stirred from his sleep. The demon had to admit that InuYasha had proven to him that he was the son of his father and he made Sesshomaru proud, not that anyone would ever hear him say that out loud,

"My Lord?" Sesshomaru cut his eyes to his follower, Jaken, who looked toward the hills. Something was coming and all the demons could sense it.

InuYasha came from the cave entrance, his senses overworking. There was a threat nearby he just knew it but it un nerved him that he couldn't see it and kill it.

"What's going on?" InuYasha asked as he came to stand by Sesshomaru. Before the dog demon could reply to his younger brother's question both demons caught a sharp gasp in the cave. Both of the men snapped their head toward the cave, listening intently until Kagome's voice floated from the cave.

"InuYasha, I…I think it's time!" with that InuYasha was running for the cave and Sesshomaru barked his orders to Jaken.

"Retrieve the women!" then he himself entered the cave to insure that the female was comfortable.

OOOOOOOOO

Kagome was woken when the uncomfortable feeling she had been having all day began to get very intense and suddenly she felt a gush of water wet herself and her bedding.

Kagome threw off the covers to see that her night clothes were soaked.

Either I just wet myself, which I doubt, or my water just broke!

"InuYasha!" She called as she tried to move to the soft Futon and nest of blankets InuYasha had set right next to their bed for her to move to so she could give birth then have a warm place to move to after their daughter's birth.

"I…I think it's time!"

Then her half demon was at her side taking her gentle in her arms and placed her on the futon.

"Are you ok?" he asked as he fussed over her.

"Yeah, it's not hurting right now or anything but it is uncomfortable."

"Get the miko comfortable little brother," Sesshomaru ordered as he stopped where the tunnel ended not willing to come any farther. "I have sent Jaken to retrieve the mikos and your beta's mate."

InuYasha nodded his head as he propped Kagome with the big pillows her borrowed from her room in her time then covered her with a light blanket.

As InuYasha comforted his mate Sango, Kikyo, and Keade came rushing into the cave.

Kikyo instantly went to her reincarnation and propped her legs up and apart so she could see how long until she would have to push.

"She's been in labor awhile." Kikyo revealed as her sister began to get things ready. Kikyo made eye contact with Kagome.

"Have been uncomfortable most of the day?" Kikyo asked her. "Jittery? Has the baby been moving more then usual?" Kagome nodded her head to answer yes. Kikyo nodded.

"You've been in labor all day."

"WHAT?" InuYasha squeaked. "WHAT DO MEAN ALL DAY?"

Kikyo looked to the hanyou. "You need to leave." InuYasha blinked then he began to get angry.

"I ain't leaving!" he growled.

Kikyo glared at the hanyou. "This isn't for a man's eyes now out with you, besides can't you feel it? Naraku is making his move."

"InuYasha we need you out here!" The hanyou looked in the direction Miroku's voice came and ran toward the entrance.

Once outside the first thing he saw was a worm like demon heading straight for his den and he ripped it in half.

He looked around him. Sesshomaru was battling a neko demon even bigger then Kirara in her transform stat and Miroku was battling a demon as well while also trying to keep any from getting past him and the dog demon.

"Well, well InuYasha!" InuYasha looked in front of him to see Naraku standing with Kagura and Hakudoshi at his sides.

"I hope we aren't to late to offer our congratulations and… condolences. To loose a child must surely kill her parents inside."

InuYasha growled, as he stood rooted in front of the cave where his vulnerable mate was giving birth to his daughter.

"YOU STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM MY FAMILY!" the hanyou roared before everything went red.

Sesshomaru looked over toward InuYasha to see his brother's demon was now out and glaring at Naraku.

Just as I thought.

"Monk I'd be very careful around the hanyou right now!" the demon lord warned his human comrade as he hacked the head of the cat and a giant spider off the bodies.

Miroku looked over toward his friend to see he was a full demon and lunging at the spider hanyou that had caused them all so much trouble.

Oh man this isn't going to end well. Miroku thought as he threw purification seals at the three demons coming for him.

OOOOOOOOOO

Sango looked toward the entrance of the cave where the sounds of battle could be heard.

"Damn!" the demon slayer looked to the undead miko as she cursed. "It seems Naraku is laying siege on us now of all times!"

Kikyo didn't like this, not at all. Though Keade had aided in numerous deliveries since her elder sister's death she hadn't ever aided in a hanyou birthing. Kikyo on the other hand had had a hand in many hanyou births. She could not leave!

"Sango go help InuYasha and the others keep the demons from here as long as possible!" Kikyo ordered and Sango jumped up and did as she was told.

"K-Kikyo." Kagome whimpered. The Miko looked to the young mother in sympathy. "I-It h-hurts!"

"I know Kagome but you are almost ready to push ok?"

"There child." Keade said as she put a cool cloth on the priestess's forehead. "It'll be over soon."

Kikyo went to make sure she had the things she needed ready and that's when she saw InuYasha's Kimono and the hanyou's words came to mind.

I want Izayoi wrapped in my fire rat robes. It'll keep her warm and it has my scent she'll feel even safer.

Kikyo grabbed the red shirt and brought it over to where Kagome was laying with her legs apart.

"Ok child," Keade said as she checked Kagome.

"Ye are ready to push."

"Seems I've come just in time."

The three women looked to the new voice and Kagome felt her heart stop.

"Naraku!"

OOOOOOOOO

The thrill of battle was nothing now.

As demon InuYasha slashed and ripped the demons that got between him and Naraku he found no joy in the killing. Like all the other demons present, demon InuYasha could smell the scent of a birthing female and he knew, even in this rabid bloodthirsty state, that it was his female birthing and that meant nothing, absolutely nothing was getting in that cave.

"My," Kagura said as she watched InuYasha from her feather. "I've never seen InuYasha in such a controlled state in his demon form."

Finally InuYasha got to Naraku and the evil hanyou lord did not stand a chance.

Demon InuYasha ripped him apart.

Only to find a wooden doll amongst the remains, a golem!

"INUYASHA!"

Demon InuYasha jerked toward the den when he heard his mate scream for him and it wasn't in pain it was in fear.

Demon InuYasha roared then ran for the cave as his pack brothers finished off the lower level demons.

OOOOOOOOOOOO

Naraku smirked as he observed Kagome laying on a futon dressed in a white yukata with a blanket on her lap and her legs propped up.

Kikyo moved with the grace and speed born of years of experience and training. Almost as soon as he spoke the miko had her bow drawn and an arrow pointed at his heart.

"Leave Naraku, this is no place for a man. Especially one such as you."

"Alright child ye must push." Keade said as she kept her good eye trained on the threat standing before her elder sister.

Kagome did as she was told also never taking her eyes off the evil hanyou.

Naraku gave Kagome an evil smile. "Yes Kagome," he cooed. "Push and deliver your daughter and I assure you she'll be very well kept with me."

Kagome's eyes widened and she did the only thing she could think of.

"INUYASHA!"

And he was there in as if he had never left.

InuYasha without saying a word grabbed Naraku by the shoulder and threw him into the wall of the tunnel and crouched in front of the three women.

"Stay away from my pack!" he growled as his red eyes gleamed with malic.

Kikyo then went back to Kagome as she pushed once more.

God I'm dying was all Kagome could think as she pushed her baby out of her body inch by inch. She kept an eye on InuYasha, who she noticed was now a full demon.

"Kagome one more push now hurry!" Kikyo ordered.

And just as she obeyed the Miko Sesshomaru and Miroku came into the cave and help InuYasha get Naraku away from her.

Sesshomaru's eyes matched his brother's as his instincts demanded the threat be removed form the female and pup.

Finally they managed to get a hold of the evil hanyou and just as Kagome cried out Demon InuYasha reached into his archenemy's chest grabbed the tainted jewel and tried to rip his heart out only for Naraku to break free and escape.

Sesshomaru and the monk ran after him only to see him to far gone to catch.

"Damn him he escaped again!"

inside the cave InuYasha's demon blood did not recede. The black jewel of four souls in his had begun to drive him mad.

"Kagome one more push!" Kikyo cried as Kagome closed her eyes and bore down on her middle. InuYasha, under the influence of the tainted jewel turned to the three women behind him.

Who are they? They are prey!

But something changed as Kagome went limp, her breathing labored and ragged, the shrill cry of a newborn was like a bucket of cold water to her father's bloodthirsty mind.

InuYasha blinked his red eyes and turned them to the jewel in his hand and was amazed as it began to turn from black to purple, and from purple to pink in a matter of seconds.

InuYasha looked in amazement toward Kagome then he looked to Kikyo who was washing his newborn daughter in the warm water they had boiled before. His daughter's wails had purified the jewel!

The infant's continued to cry at the sheer newness around her she wanted to go back to her mother's womb where it was safe and warm.

As Kikyo finished washing his daughter and wrapped her in swaddling cloth InuYasha grabbed his haroi for Kikyo to place the baby in his arms.

Kikyo did as he had asked and smiled as the new father stared in awe of his little daughter. then Kikyo noticed the jewel in his hand.

"InuYasha?" Kikyo asked and the hanyou looked to Kikyo.

"Izayoi, she purified the jewel." Kikyo looked confused.

"As soon as she cried out the jewel was purified. I almost lost myself to it too." Kikyo looked down at the infant.

"InuYasha?" Kagome moaned and he turned to his mate with a smile, after handing Naraku's jewel shard to Kikyo.

InuYasha handed Izayoi to Keade to hold and then he bent down and moved Kagome to their fur nest.

"Here child, ye should feed her." Keade said as she placed Izayoi in her mother's arms for the first time and showed her how to nurse.

OOOOOOOOOOO

Finally they were alone. Though Sesshomaru had insisted on standing guard outside the cave.

"She's so beautiful." Kagome said as her baby suckled her breast. InuYasha smiled and nodded. The child really was beautiful. She had a head full of black hair and though her eyes where closed like a any Inu youkai pup's eyes where, he knew they'd be golden. InuYasha smiled as he gentle petted the little flaps of skin on her head that were her ears.

After Kagome had gotten settled InuYasha had told both Kagome and Keade what he had told Kikyo.

They had come to the conclusion that perhaps the baby was a new breed of hanyou; she was a miko hanyou, whatever the case it seemed the child could keep the jewel pure even after being just freshly born and never coming in contact with the jewel at all.

After Izayoi finished nursing, her mother gentle burped her over her shoulder and allowed InuYasha to arrange his daughter in the furs between them.

As InuYasha settled next to his family he couldn't help the smile. Finally he had a family of his own.

And the new father fell asleep feeling more safe and loved then he had since he had been a pup with his own mother.

There you go guys Izayoi has been born! I am pleased with this chapter it just came to me this morning and BAM!

So all that's left is the Epilogue and then who knows!

Please review and let me know what you think!