Natsuko
.
It was the most arduous experience of his life. Even at a distance and trying not to listen, the occasional shriek and moan reached him.
She was in pain. She might be dying.
He could do nothing.
He felt like he was going insane.
.
The pain was beyond anything Kaoru had imagined, but Kohaku was there, strength in her old arms, warmth in her hands, a constant murmur in Kaoru's ear, telling her she had strength in herself.
Terrible pains. Pushing against a wall of pain and on and on and on - far past the point when she would have thought she could stand no more.
She couldn't remember anything that had happened in the last several hours - biting her tongue at first, but after that she couldn't remember anything she had said, anything she had shouted. She didn't remember standing or walking or sitting or moaning or digging her fingers into Kohaku's bony arms.
At last a final push, an aching movement, and suddenly the pain was transformed into the purest bliss Kaoru had ever known.
.
A long silence. A silence worse than the screams. Then a faint sound... The old woman. The old woman calling his name.
Kenshin ran to the hut and wrenched open the door. He was sure... He was sure... It was over. It was all over.
Inside... She was alive.
She was alive, drenched in sweat. Alive, smiling so broadly - looking more exhausted and happier than he had ever seen her. In her arms - grey, red, wet - something being wiped dry by Grandmother.
A baby.
His child.
Their daughter.
Shinta stumbled forward, laughing, weeping, gasping, reaching out, gently, to embrace his wife.
.