Kagome can't remember what happened that cold winter's night when she was attacked. Nor can she remember who her attacker was. Her only clue is the baby she now carries within her womb. Inuyasha has a sneaky suspicion, and Kagome now wonders if her baby is even human.
'Baby of Mine'
He had felt it. Felt that hidden connection deep within his being. Had it really happened? Had she really... Was it possible? He had to know. Had to know if what he felt was real. Without a word he quickly took off into the direction he knew she would be. Whether she liked it or not, he was coming...
Her cries could be heard across the village, reaching out further towards the Heavens. Inuyasha flinched at the pain stricken scream, his ears laying flat against his head to block it out. It was bad enough she was having a baby, but that scream was enough to want you to crawl under a rock and die. When he had first heard her scream for the old hag and Sango he knew what was happening. He had suspected tonight to be the night. Since he had seen the mark on Kagome's neck that night, he had known. The mark had been a crescent shaped moon, which had faded the night he had found her. So he had only guessed that on her 4th month she would give birth under the crescent moon. But the fact that she was actually...
"OH GOD!" He flinched at the piercing scream. Glancing over at Miroku he frowned, his ears pressing against his scalp trying to block it out. It didn't matter if she was giving birth. To hear Kagome in THAT much pain was painful enough.
"How the Hell can you remain so calm?" he asked glaring at the monk who sat on the ground his eyes closed, staff across his lap.
"How come you can't?" Came the monk's answer one eye opening. "There is no need to be alarmed Inuyasha. What Kagome is experiencing is natural. Child birth is a beautiful, natural thing."
"Beautiful?" Inuyasha winced closing his eyes in annoyance. "I don't know if Beautiful is the word to describe it."
"OH GOD PLEASE MAKE IT STOP! PLEASE!" Kagome cried eyes watering. This was too much! How the heck did women live through such a thing? Oh yes that's right... They did this in HOSPITALS!
"Easy does it Kagome," Sango whispered. "You're almost there, come on. Give us a hard push."
"I can't..." Kagome cried tossing her head to the side biting her lip and drawing blood. "I just can't... I'm too worn out... I can't push anymore..."
"Yes you can!" Sango cheered grasping her friend's hand in hers squeezing tightly. "You can do it Kagome! You are strong! Come on! Just one more push!"
Kagome nodded her eyes closing tightly pushing with all her might. Yet just as quickly lost the strength to do so. Eyes closing she panted heavily trying to catch her breath. "I... can't... I.... don't have enough strength... I.... push.... can't."
"You have to Kagome!" Sango urged her. "The baby will die if you give up. You will die if you give up!"
"Ye must find the strength Kagome!" Kaede encouraged her. "Don't give up now."
Kagome closed her eyes sighing in defeat. Child birth was said to be the worst pain a woman could ever go through. Now that she has witnessed it herself, she didn't know if she could finish it. Perhaps had she of stayed in the future where the finest medicine was available she would not have cared. But now...
"KAGOME!" she heard Inuyasha through the hut calling to her.
Opening her eyes she turned her head in the direction of his voice. "Inu...yasha...."
"DAMNIT KAGOME!"
"Inuyasha!!!" came another voice.
"SHUT UP MONK! KAGOME! ALL YOU HAVE TALKED ABOUT THESE LAST FEW MONTHS IS MEETING THAT THING! SO DON'T YOU DARE GIVE UP! IF YOU EVEN TRY TO, I PROMISE YOU WILL HAVE ANOTHER THING COMING! EVEN IF I HAVE TO DELIVER THAT THING MYSELF YOU WILL HAVE THAT THING! I DON'T WON'T TO HEAR ANOTHER "I CAN'T OUT OF YOU"! YOU HEAR ME? KAGOME?"
"Inuyasha..." Kagome choked out, the tears spilling down her face. Through his hard exterior she could tell her was just as worried, if not more as the others. But he was right. All these months all she had talked about was meeting the little one within her. To see it's face, to kiss its cheek. The truth was, she was happy she was going to be a mother. And she was choosing now to give in? No! She had to keep going! She wanted to meet this angel! "Got it," she whispered knowing fully well Inuyasha could hear her. And with renewed strength she began to push again shutting her eyes tightly against the pain.
"That's it Kagome! Push! Push!" Sango called to her. "You're doing great!"
Fists clenching she as if something inside of her was about ready to boil over. It seemed to happen almost instantly, energy building in her very soul. Both Kaede and Sango caught the faintest glow coming from the small mark upon Kagome's shoulder.
"I can see the head!" Kaede called to her. "Just a bit more Kagome!"
She could feel something deep down calling to her, awakening her, giving her strength. She felt as if her body was pulsing, urging her to release more and more. Sango gasped, in shock as Kagome's eyes flew open raising towards the heavens. They were a brilliant shade of crimson red; her hair flickering white as she gave the final push, a roar echoing from her throat as she gripped the sheets with her fists. And then, as quickly as it had happened it was over as the faintest cry was heard.
"It's crying..." Kagome thought suddenly, her body growing still as her eyes remained focused on the ceiling. Her body had stopped pulsing and her hair faded slowly back to raven, her eyes back to their honey brown. Giving a sigh of relief, she gave into the darkness and succumbed to utter exhaustion.
She awoke to the quiet cooing and awing of voices in the room.
"Ah, Kagome are ye awake?" Kaede asked leaning over her and replacing a damp cloth over her forehead.
"Where..? Where is my baby?"
"Waiting for you," Sango cooed bringing a small bundle Kagome's way.
"It be a boy!" Kaede smiled sitting herself next to Kagome.
Kagome smiled. With Kaede's help she moved to a seated position holding out her hands for him. As soon as she had placed her hands around him she felt a jolt surge through her body. To explain it would have been impossible. Yet - it was welcoming. Was she crazy?
"Kagome?"
"It's nothing..." she said shaking the odd feeling off. "Nothing at all..." Placing her full attention on the baby she felt a wide grin form on her face. Yes Inuyasha had been right, he was the son of a demon. He was light complected like her, with a small crop of raven hair on the top of his head. He looked very much human for the son of a demon. Yet, examining closer she slowly could see the demon traits he dawned as well. His ears were pointed and his eyes were a bright vibrant gold. Weren't all babies eyes suppose to be blue? Well, who cared. He was her baby. Demon or not he was her's and she loved him. He was part of her and her apart of him. Gently she cradled the small bundle to her chest humming softly to the small infant. "I love you..." The words had barely escaped her mouth when she felt something move against her hand. It was fluffy and small yet she instantly knew what it was. Repositioning the baby slightly in her hands she caught sight of a little black tail wagging eagerly from side to side. Go figure.
"Well done Kagome," Kaede smiled. "You should be very proud of yourself." Kagome nodded and gazed down at her baby once more. He was so lovely. His glorious golden eyes...They were just like Inuyasha's. "Sango, take the baby for Kagome so she can bath," Kaede said breaking the girl's thoughts.
"What already? I barely got to see him," Kagome whined as Sango moved closer to her, arms outstretched.
"Already protective of the babe," Kaede smiled. "Do not worry Kagome. Sango will watch over him for you. I have placed the herbs Shippo has brought back into the tub. Ye must bath or ye shall never feel better. The birthing process is a very harsh on the body and once bathed ye shall regain some of the strength lost." Kagome knew she was right, but she glanced back down at her son...Sighing in defeat she handed her son off to Sango.
"Be careful of his head," Kagome whispered raising her hand to catch him.
"Don't worry Kagome I have him. I will watch him while you bathe," Sango laughed as she left into another room. Once out of the room Kaede slowly helped Kagome into the hot tub.
She smiled feeling refreshed from her bath but still sore. Kaede wasn't joking, it was going to hurt for awhile. But right now she didn't care about the pain. She was too tired. All she wanted to do was hold her baby and sleep. "Sango?"
At her call the demon slayer entered holding the small infant tightly to her. Kneeling down she handed Kagome the baby who cradled him within her own arms. "He is sleeping," Sango whispered, placing a comforting hand on her friends shoulder. You need to rest some. I fed him while you bathed with milk Miroku fetched." Glancing down at the small bundle Kagome took in a deep breath her eyes roaming over the fine details of her son.
"Have you decided on a name yet?" the Taijiya asked, looking thoughtfully at Kagome. Quickly she took a seat next to the girl's futon, question in her eyes. For a moment Kagome was dumbstruck. She hadn't even thought about it. Well...She had, but she had let it slip from her mind. How could she have done something like that? Her baby was nameless!
"I don't know," Kagome said quickly glancing over to Sango. "I guess it more or less slipped my mind."
Laughing the Taijiya moved to her knees getting a better view of the nameless infant. "Hehe... I'm sure he doesn't mind at the moment," Sango laughed lightly and once more stood up. "But for now, do not dwell on it. You must rest. Inuyasha, Miroku and I will stand watch. If anyone approaches we shall let you know." With that the demon slayer moved behind the curtained door and left Kagome alone to rest.
The night had become colder, snow falling more rapidly. Inuyasha, Miroku and Sango had staked out under the porch of the small hut Kagome was within. Inuyasha had warned them to remain alert and awake, but each one was slowly growing more tired and exhausted. Inuyasha had even let his eyes close every once in awhile to rest.
"Perhaps he isn't going to come," Sango sighed wrapping a blanket about her shoulders to shield herself from the cold. It wasn't that cold but the rush of the wind made it appear so.
"Don't count on it," Inuyasha snapped. "It may take a bit but he will show. He wont miss this."
"Strange," Miroku said suddenly eyes narrowing slightly. "From what you say, it's almost like it's programmed into the father. Almost a maternal instinct..."
"Duh! Haven't I told you that already?" Inuyasha snapped. "It's the role of the father to show up. To greet his young and acknowledge them into the world. Without that, the pup won't be any good and the Father will kill it on sight if seen years down the road. It's kinda like a connection he must form with the infant. Thus marking the pup as he's own. So it's a form of protection for the pup."
"Very astute Inuyasha," came an icy voice from the tree line ahead. "I'm surprised you are demon enough to even know of such things."
"You!" Inuyasha called out a low growl growing from deep within his throat. "Sesshoumaru!" And sure enough the three watched as the Taiyoukai of the West emerged from behind a large oak tree. He stood there for moment eyeing the three warriors a few yards before him. Then slowly he began to make his way down to the hut. "Back off Sesshoumaru!" Inuyasha called to him, but the Demon Lord continued his advance towards the hut.
"Ohbaka yaro," Sesshoumaru spat, causing Inuyasha's hand to move to the Tetsuiga quickly.
"Inuyasha stop!" Sango called to him.
"Yes! You will hurt Kagome and the infant if you fight here!" Miroku added. Against his better judgment Inuyasha's hand pulled away from the sword at his side.
"Wise decision little brother," Sesshoumaru taunted reaching the hut, his chin slightly lifted in arrogance.
"What is it you want here?" Miroku asked quickly he's staff clutched in his hands tightly, blocking the door to Kagome. "If you are after the sword I'm afraid it's not a good time."
"I do believe my presence here is none of your concern monk," Sesshoumaru stated simply his eyes narrowing. The monk was trying to keep him out of the hut. Keep him from...
"It is our concern," Sango countered moving to Miroku's side her eyes intense on the Taiyoukai. He growled in irritation and stepped closer to the two blocking the door.
"Arrogant humans," he spat using his hand to push them from his path. In one quick swoop they were thrown off the porch and into the snow. Reaching for the door he was stopped quickly by Inuyasha who had quickly delt a blow to the Demon's face. But it seemed to do little good as the Sesshoumaru quickly recovered countering Inuyasha's next oncoming fist, and with ease slammed his fist into the Hanyou's stomach. Yelping in pain Inuyasha fell to the ground clutching his stomach.
"S-Sesshoumaru! Stay away from Kagome!" Inuyasha yelled to his brother in a furious fit of anger. "Don't you dare go near her!" Jumping to his feet his rushed Sesshoumaru again only to find himself being held to the ground firmly by his older brother. "I-I knew it was you... All this time. I knew it was yours. You sick bastard! You ruined her!"
Sesshoumaru smirked, his smile dark and menacing. "Poor little brother. To think this could have been prevented had you of taken her like a good hound. You poor pathetic wimp. Now...Sit like a good pup," Sesshoumaru chuckled darkly before lifting Inuyasha with one hand and landing a heavy kick into his younger brother's stomach. Inuyasha fell to the ground unmoving, his breathing heavy and painful.
Sesshoumaru moved back to the door. "The miko and I have business to attend to. And you will not interfere."
Taking this as his advantage Sesshoumaru let his hand move to the sliding door pushing it to the side and entering into the small hut.
Instantly he was met by an old woman, but she did nothing but stand before him. He eyed her for a moment until she finally spoke softly. "Be ye on business Lord?" She asked her good eye watching the demon intensely.
"If business is what you wish to name it...then yes I am here for that matter," Sesshoumaru said simply his brow raising. Kaede nodded in understanding and moved to the side to let enter the Demon Lord. She watched him move to a curtained door and with ease slid it back and vanished behind it.
"Be ye well Kagome," the old miko whispered moving outside of the hut. "Be ye well..."
He stood there for a moment, taking in the scene. Before him, lay a young woman who he confirmed to be sleeping. Her long black hair encircled her pillow like a halo and her pink lips were slightly parted; breathing lightly. Moving closer he caught sight of a small bundle in her arms and although he would have never shown it, excitement raced through his entire being. Kneeling down before the woman he gently placed a hand on her exposed one feeling the warmth of her touch. Upon contact brown eyes fluttered open to meet his, melting into one another. He could tell by her scent she was not afraid of him.
"Gold eyes," she finally said breaking the silence.
Slowly, she began to sit up and was surprised to feel a clawed hand help to guide her as well. Moving the bundle to her lap gently, she waited. It was his turn now. Quickly moving a hand to the old gray blankets, Sesshoumaru pulled them aside to reveal the infant's face to him. Almost as if on cue the child's eyes opened to reveal small golden orbs. Sesshoumaru sat there for what seemed like eternity, his face set to show no emotion whatsoever. He said not a word as he observed the child before him. It was true. He had planted his seed deep within the woman. It hadn't been a dream that night he had taken her. It had been real. And now...He raised a clawed hand to the child's face touching it's cheek gently. Instantly, at his touch a small blue crescent appeared on the baby's forehead. He could feel it. The pup, the babe...It wasn't what he expected. The meet of a demon and human would have corrupted the child's blood. But somehow he couldn't feel this. Instead, what he felt was a full blooded youkai. Not Hanyou, not human, but a Youkai. Had it been the fact she was a miko? But wouldn't she have purified his seed, making the pup human? He didn't understand it.
"He's yours, isn't he?" She asked her eyes moving back to her son's face.
"I would not have come here if he was another's," Sesshoumaru said quickly. And then turned to her, his golden eyes once more connecting with her's. "Mine." It was then that realization hit him. He? He had a son? A boy?. The very thought pleased him to no end. Not only had his pup been born pure blooded but had been born male. He now had an heir, who would one day take over his claim over the western lands. Indeed, he was very pleased.
"What will you do now?" Kagome asked breaking away from his golden gaze. He could tell she was nervous. And now he could smell the fear she had covered up so well from him. He knew why. She feared he would take the baby from her. Feared that she would never see the pup again.
"I shall take him with me," he finally said causing her to flinch at his words, her arms wrapping tighter around her son. She had feared that he would do so. It was then she felt the tears form in her eyes. He was going to take her baby. Take him far away from her and...Would he kill her? He gave no sign of emotion, before using his clawed hand to guide her chin up to meet his gaze once more.
"Look at me wench," he said firmly and she did so, letting the tears fall from her eyes. "I will take him with me.. And I expect you to come as well." Breath caught in her throat she felt she might die of surprise. "You shall accompany me tonight back to the west."
"I don't understand," Kagome questioned. "Why would you..."
He cut her off with a dark glare silencing her completely. "I do not wish for your company any more than you wish of mine. However, for the time being, He will need his..." the last word seemed extremely hard to get out..."Mother..." As well, this place is not at all suitable for raising my pup." Leaning closer to her he gently took her lips into his. On contact she felt the same familiar jolt she had felt with her son upon contact. When he pulled away she was filled with utter shock her mind racing with questions. "Gather your things miko, we shall leave shortly." With that he covered up the now sleeping babe, and in a quick motion was on his feet and out the door.
I hope you like the story so far! Please review and let me know what you think!