Inuyasha's Baby Chapter 9: Meeting the Family Part II, an inuyasha fanfic

Disclaimer: The characters of Inuyasha (except for the ones I made up) are owned by Rumiko Takahashi, but this story belongs to me.

Meeting the Family Part II

Hi Baby Sister!

Miroku is helping me write this. But the words are mine. Don't worry, I'll learn to write all on my own so I can help you when it's time for you to learn. Our mama knows how to write all the words in the whole world! I'm going to learn them too.

Mama is real sick right now, but Inuyasha is gonna make it all ok. So don't worry. Everything will be fine. Don't pay any attention to all the swearing. Inuyasha is just a little worried. Plus his older brother came by and those two never get along. I'll be a great big brother though. And we won't fight like those two do. You can always count on me!

I'm really glad you are here. We are going to do all sorts of fun stuff together. I'll even let you use my crayons! Just try not to break them. Or tear the paper. Or chew on them.

Love, your Big Brother

Shippo was worried about Kagome. He wanted to be in there with her, but Miroku had suggested he write something for his new baby sister instead. He wasn't dumb. He knew it was just to get him out of there. In a way he was a little glad. But only a little. It was hard watching Kagome and Inuyasha suffer. He was scared of losing his family. If Kagome... if anything happened to her, Inuyasha was sure to follow close behind. He remembered the vows that Kagome and Inuyasha took when they became mates, and how they bound their lives together. Whether or not it was intended to be a literal binding of lives, Shippo knew that the hanyou could not live without his miko.

Suddenly he felt very alone.

"Can I hold her?" the fox kit asked Sango.

The demon slayer had whisked the baby and Shippo both out of the hut nearly as soon as Sesshomaru stepped foot on the porch. She had said that it was to get some fresh air, but Shippo knew it was to keep them safe. After all, they were all within Miroku's barrier. Sure the overprotective father usually kept the barrier up when he was watching his own three kids, but the little fox had never been forced to stay within it before. With this particular spell no one could get in, and no one could get out (no matter how hard the twins would try). He would have to learn that spell as soon as the baby became mobile...

"Sit down," Sango told him gently. "Open your arms up."

Carefully she set the baby in Shippo's arms. She was warm and soft and smelled good. He felt his heart fill up, like it was going to burst. This was his baby sister. HIS! His family. He knew at that moment that he would protect her with the last breath in his body. She was his responsibility. His to teach and to protect. When her tiny fingers wrapped around one of his fingers he knew that he would take on anything for her. When she started gnawing on his finger he realized that she was the most precious thing in the whole world! And she was his!

He would teach her all of his kitzune tricks. All his magic! And he would teach her how to read and how to write (just as soon as he learned how). And maybe even that math stuff that Kagome talked about. He'd teach her that too. And how to fish and climb trees and play games and transform and find tasty berries (not the icky ones) and...

"Awwwwww," Shippo cooed and melted inside as she made a burbling sound. "Isn't that adorable!"

"She just spit up..." Miroku said with a grimace.

"But it's adorable spit up."

ooOOooOOooOOooOOooOOoo

Dearest child,

Your father wished that we would all write a short note to welcome you into the world.

You bless us with your presence. Being a young lady, I hope that you will be a soothing influence on your father. I have nothing but the best wishes for you, and will endeavor to help you in your journey though life.

Miroku.

Miroku finished his note and handed the items to Sango. She took them and went to go sit near the steps at Kaede's hut at the very edge of the barrier. She was trying to remain positive, for the sake of the children. But this was killing her.

Kagome... things did not look well for the young miko. For his dear friend. He had been listening to the story that Inuyasha had told Kaede about where Kagome was and what the people called 'doctors' had planned. He had been anguished over the fact that he may have accidently killed Kagome by taking her from the 'hospital' and bringing her here. Kaede had tried to console him by saying that she was home now, and would be most comfortable here. Sesshomaru hadn't helped matters when he showed up. The proclamation that he could see the minions of the dead surrounding the girl caused quite the eruption. Inuyasha had raged, loudly and violently.

Then there was silence. It was harder to listen to than the yelling. Eventually he had no choice but to check on his friend... from a distance. From his spot on the grass, Miroku could peek in and see what was going on. Inuyasha was sitting silently back at his spot by Kagome, gently patting her leg, and ignoring everyone else. Sesshomaru, oddly enough, only watched. For awhile.

"Rin," the elder demon said loud enough for Miroku to hear over his daughter's digging as they tried to escape the barrier, "Go find Kohaku and play."

"Yes, Lord Sesshomaru!" The little girl who had stood silently at his side, nearly invisible, briefly stood at attention before she cheerfully waved and ran off.

"Watch over Rin, Jaken."

"Bbbbut... But my Lord! My place is wi..." A cold look sent the little green demon bawling at being torn from his master's side and chased after Rin... after bouncing off of the barrier... twice...

Sesshomaru's presence was not as unusual as it might have once been. After Kagome and Inuyasha married, the dog demon lord had taken an interest in her. Kagome felt it was because Rin was starting to grow up and was human, so it made sense that she would need another female (human) to talk to about 'changes'. And Sesshomaru went to great lengths to make sure Rin was happy, though he would never admit it. Ever. Miroku, however, thought that perhaps it was because she confused him. Her love and devotion to Inuyasha, a mere half demon (not his words, Sesshomaru's), was perplexing when all other humans were repulsed by him. Miroku still felt bad that even he and Sango had attacked Inuyasha when they first met him. But not Kagome. The first thing Kagome did was free him.

It was not her innate magic or her link to Kikyo that made her so special. No. It was her compassionate heart and acceptance of demons, half demons, humans, really any creature she came in contact with. And that was something that Sesshomaru could never quite figure out. Though it would appear that he was attempting to, and Miroku gave him credit for that.

Kohaku was the reason Sesshomaru would sometimes give for his visits. Rin wanted to visit him. What Rin wants, Rin usually gets. It should have spoiled the girl, but it didn't. Perhaps it was because the child rarely seemed to ask for anything but to be near Sesshomaru. But Miroku saw how the lord of the western lands would often watch Kagome. And how Kagome affected Inuyasha. He would almost swear that at those times his eyes seemed less cold, but couldn't be positive. Most visits still ended in a battle, but it really just seemed for show most of the time.

"There is a healer in the mountains just beyond the river," Sesshomaru said. "In her garden grows a purple flower with a red stem and pale seeds that blooms at midday. It is called Hope's Breath. When brewed at full bloom it can be used to heal your mate."

"I have heard of no su..." Kaede was silenced with a glacial stare.

"A flower?" Inuyasha looked up at his brother, slightly dazed looking. Miroku couldn't actually hear the words he said, but he could read the movement of his lips fairly well. "Save Kagome?"

"You have little time. Run."

ooOOooOOooOOooOOooOOoo

Dear Sweet Baby,

This is your aunt Sango. Well, biologically I am not related, but I am still your aunt. Your mother, Kagome, is like a sister to me. She is family.

My son, Toutoi, is close to your age, and he seems to think you are fascinating. I promise to keep him from poking you in the eyes and tugging on your ears. He really likes your tiny little ears. We have a difficult time keeping our daughters, Suki and Yuki, from picking you up to play with you like a doll. Though I suppose we shouldn't worry, Shippo is very protective of you. Even Kirara has taken to making sure the girls do not get too close to you.

Your aunt, Sango

Sango just finished signing her name, deciding to not mention that the fire cat would growl at the little baby if her teeth came anywhere near Toutoi, when Inuyasha raced from the hut. Miroku dropped the barrier as he gathered up their children and stood next to Shippo. Toutoi was immediately slipped into the sling that Miroku wore and he took each of the girls by a hand. She wasn't sure what he was going to do once their son got too old to be carried... or if they had more children.

"Where are you going?" she called after the dog demon.

"Saving Kagome!"

That was all she needed to hear. She handed the baby to Miroku and called for Kirara. Shippo jumped on behind her. She wasn't sure what could be done to save Kagome, but she would do whatever it takes.

Catching up to Inuyasha was impossible, the best they could do was not lose him. Kirara was going full speed, and even that was too slow. She had never known Inuyasha to move that fast before.

She worried. Inuyasha was half crazed. She wasn't sure how safe any of them were around him while Kagome was in mortal danger. She was glad Miroku had kept up the barrier. There were times she was very glad she married the monk. She glanced back, even though she knew they were too far from the village now to see him. But she could still see him smile and his wave. Looking down she saw Shippo's grim face. The kit may be growing, but he was still so young. He had lost so much already, they all had. They couldn't lose Kagome too.

They just couldn't.

When she finally caught up to Inuyasha, she found him screaming at some poor old lady.

"HOPE'S BREATH!" he screamed as he held her by the front of her kimono and shook her. "PURPLE FLOWER! I NEED IT TO SAVE KAGOME!"

Sango couldn't wait for Kirara to land, so she jumped to the ground and sprang towards Inuyasha. She didn't want to have to use a weapon on him, so she prayed he would be reasonable. Oh who was she kidding? She got out the paralyzing dust and threw it at Inuyasha when she got close enough.

"I am very sorry," Sango apologized to the woman as she pried off Inuyasha's fingers. "His wife is very ill and he is a little bit insane at the moment."

"He screams about a flower," the woman said. "He destroyed my garden!"

"We will put your garden back to rights."

"He broke my door!"

Sango tried to keep smiling politely, but it was getting difficult. "We will fix your door."

"He frightened my pigs away!"

"You don't have any pigs, you old liar!" yelled a very angry dog demon as he fought the paralysis dust.

The woman shrugged. "I have no purple flower either, demon."

"Hope's Breath is the only thing that will save Kagome! You have it! Give it to me!"

Sango asked about the flower, and Inuyasha told her about what Sesshomaru had told him. As kindly as she could, she suggested that the woman find a place to hide and to stay there for awhile. Then she took a few steps back and made sure she knew where Kirara and Shippo were (watching safely a few yards away). When she was reasonably certain that everyone would have a safe getaway, she told Inuyasha the bad news.

Then ran.

ooOOooOOooOOooOOooOOoo

Hi Baby!

Rin knows Lord Sesshomaru will fix your mama up just fine, don't you worry.

Lord Sesshomaru says your blood is strong like his daddy's, even though your eyes aren't gold. Rin thinks your eyes are pretty though.

Rin

It had been easy to get Kohaku to take Rin back to the hut to watch hidden from view. Kohaku was Rin's friend. Smiling at him got Rin a smile in return. Together they watched what was going on in the hut.

"There is no such blossom as Hope's Breath," Kaede said as she replaced the cloth on Kagome's head.

He didn't answer, but he didn't have to. A pointed look, however, told the older miko that she should leave him alone with the sick girl. Kaede was reluctant, but in the end she relented. She left the hut with a sigh. Sesshomaru knelt by Kagome, her face flush from the fever. Her eyes fluttered open when he moved a strand of hair off of her face.

"Sss... Sessss... koff koff... mmmru..." Blood spattered her lips as she coughed.

"Do you trust this Sesshomaru?" he asked quietly, looking down at her.

"Oddly...koff koff... oddly... yes."

"Then rest, little sister." He stood back up. "Be at peace."

Silently, Rin and Kohaku watched as Kagome gave another wheezing cough... then closed her eyes. Her breathing was labored, then she inhaled one last time before her body became still.

Death was not a new sight for the ones watching Kagome's last breath. Death was something that both of the young ones were all too familiar with. Tears shined in Kohaku's eyes when Kagome died, but Rin's eyes were dry. When Kohaku turned away and bowed his head, Rin continued to watch. She looked from Sesshomaru to Kagome and waited patiently.

Slowly the dog demon drew his sword. He narrowed his golden eyes, then swiped the blade through the miko's body. The very corner of his mouth twitched, barely perceptive, but there nonetheless.

"Come, Rin."

The girl popped up from her hiding spot and ran to his side.

"It is time to go."

ooOOooOOooOOooOOooOOoo

"HE LIED!"

"Calm down, Inuyasha!" But Sango was ignored.

"HE LIED!"

Inuyasha raced back to the village, tearing down anything that crossed his path. He was furious. And sick. His brother had tricked him into leaving Kagome alone. There was no such flower as Hope's Breath. So much time wasted! He should have been at Kagome's side! She needed him! Why would his brother have done such a despicable thing? How could he have been stupid enough to trust Sesshomaru, leaving his mate and pup? He would never forgive himself if anything happened to them while he was running a fool's errand.

When he got back to the village he realized that his brother had already left. But what made Inuyasha's palms sweat was how very quiet Kaede's hut was. Cautiously he walked up the steps. He could hear Miroku talking with Kaede out in the garden. Why was no one watching over Kagome? It was dark inside the hut. The candles that had been lit earlier had been put out. The windows were covered.

"Kagome?"

He hated how his voice cracked.

She was lying so still...

"Kagome?" His feet moved swiftly to her side and he dropped to his knees. Was he too late? He took her hand in his and kissed it.

"Inuyasha?"

His throat closed up and tears stung his eyes as he heard Kagome's voice. She sleepily opened her eyes and smiled at him. He felt light headed. Giddy. He wanted to shout from the rooftop! To howl in joy! But he couldn't make a sound. Instead he dropped his head down and touched his lips to hers. Her name barely came out in a whisper. But she heard, and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

They held each other tightly, until Inuyasha remembered that she was still gravely injured. But when he pulled back, he couldn't see any evidence of pain or injuries. Her fever was gone and her eyes were clear. Even her bedding had been changed and there was no trace of her blood or sickness. It was all very... confusing. For a moment he wondered if he was dreaming. It certainly didn't seem real.

A wail from the doorway caused Inuyasha and Kagome to both jump.

"Someone was missing her parents."

Miroku brought the baby in and placed her in Kagome's arms. Almost immediately the child began to nurse. The miko smiled, then tears trickled down her cheeks.

"She's so beautiful."

"Yes," said Inuyasha as he lay next to her, their daughter between them. "Our beautiful radiant light, our Hikari."

Kagome giggled as she peppered her daughters head with kisses, "I thought you wanted to name her Haburi, for power. Or Chikara for strength."

"Hey, light can be pretty powerful stuff! They can be turned into laser beams and blast things."

"Have you been reading Souta's comics again?"

Instead of answering, Inuyasha reached over and touched her face. "I was so scared… I thought I lost you." His voice caught, and nearly broke. "I love you, Kagome. You can't do that to me again. Ever."

"I love you too, Inuyasha." She leaned forward to kiss him, then she nuzzled the top of the baby's head. "And I adore you too, Hikari." She gasped, frightening Inuyasha until he saw her looking at her daughter with delight. "She has your ears!"

He couldn't help but grin.

After feeding the hungry baby, Kagome yawned. When her eyes finally closed, Inuyasha eased their daughter out of his mate's arms. He didn't know how it happened, and at that moment he didn't really care. He had his mate back. And he had his daughter.

He could hear Shippo and Sango asking Miroku questions out in front of the hut. He heard something about Sesshomaru's sword, Tensaiga, and he had a sinking feeling, that he owed his brother for this miracle. But no price would be too high for the life of Kagome.

"Thank you," he whispered.

Welcome to the family, my sweet Hikari.

You are the light of our lives, and we love you dearly.

All my love,

Mama

ooOOOoo

Hey Pup,

If I had known people were going to write so sloppy in your baby book I never would have let them touch it!

Daddy

ooOOooOOooOOooOOooOOoo

Author's Note:

There were a couple of really good questions asked in the reviews, so I thought I'd go ahead and answer them here.

1. Why would Inuyasha and Mrs. Higurashi take the time to write a cheerful note in the baby's journal when Kagome's life is in danger?

Two reasons really. Partly because it helps keep continuity between the chapters, each begins and ends with an entry. But mostly because I would bet that Mrs. H. would convince Inuyasha that it would be important to keep the entries going for his child's sake. So that the child would look back with fondness on the event, and not have feelings of guilt and sorrow.

2. Why would Inuyasha take Kagome back to the past when she would have better care in the future?

Well, keep in mind that Inuyasha did not grow up in our time period. And while he trusts Mrs. H. and Kagome when they say that the doctors in our time have better care, when instincts kick in you go to where you KNOW it is safe. Besides, can you imagine how freaked out he would be if he found out that they planned on taking out some of Kagome's insides?

Author's Note #2:

I am choosing to believe that the sword can restore Kagome to full health based on the fact that Rin had been torn apart by wolves and killed, and the sword brought her back to life with relatively little wrong with her.

Also, my one shot story (Robes of Blood) would come between this chapter and the next, though it is not necessary to read for the story. Not a shameless promotion, just letting you know where a chunk of story is located.