Dr. Robbins spoke rapidly into her phone as she helped Sesshomaru into a chair, who was taking slow, deep breaths. "I need an ambulance at the Pure Shikon Country club on Lavender Boulevard. I have a male going into labor"

Sesshomaru groaned, leaning forward & gripping the armrests on the chair he was in. His eyes were screwed shut against the pain. He knew labor was going to hurt but if he'd known just how much it was going to hurt he would've never rushed to get pregnant again.

Sango ushered their guests back into the clubhouse, thanking them for their gifts & for coming. Kagome grabbed some towels, soaked them in cool water & pressed them to Sesshomaru's forehead & neck. It seemed to help him just a little but he couldn't concentrate on anything else when the pains hit. Miroku cleared away the mess of the party to make way for when the paramedics came. & Inuyasha…was frozen in his spot on the grass, his mouth hanging open in shock. It was really happening…he was about to become a father very very soon. He wanted to move, he really did. His youkai was demanding to be by his mate's side, wanting to comfort the demon.

'Mate in pain! Mate need hold hand!'

Inuyasha's body wouldn't respond to any commands, even when Dr. Robbins gave him a pointed look as if telling him he needed to get his shit together & get the hell off the ground.

Sesshomaru tensed, his fangs bared. "Inuyashaaaaa!"

The hanyou immediately responded as if a spell had been broken & within seconds he was by the demon's side, holding his hands. "Breathe, mama. The paramedics are almost here"

The inuyoukai squeezed his hands uncomfortably hard, growling low in his chest. "Tell them…to hurry the fuck up…" he said in a very low voice that caused goosebumps to pop up across Inuyasha's shoulder blades.

"They're here, Mr. Sesshomaru, keep breathing for me" Dr. Robbins instructed then ran into the clubhouse to direct the paramedics to the lawn. They rushed out in a flurry of activity & swarmed the inuyoukai, directing him every which way.

"Hey, chill! He's in labor, not mentally challenged!" Inuyasha snapped. Nobody listened until Sesshomaru punched one of the paramedics in the stomach for trying to put an oxygen mask on him by force & then suddenly they were awaiting orders.

Sesshomaru slowly stood & got onto the stretcher himself. "Don't think I can't beat any of your asses while in labor…"

Inuyasha smirked as the demon was rolled out of there. He followed them with one last glance at the ominous black balloon hovering over the long forgotten plate of cookies & cupcakes.

.

..

…

"If this child is not crowning by now we're going to have a big fucking problem!"

Inuyasha did his best to remain invisible in the corner of Sesshomaru's room in the hospital. He'd been snapped on enough in the last forty five minutes to last him a lifetime.

The problem seemed to be that even though Sesshomaru was in labor & the baby was in the right position, the demon hadn't fully dilated yet. They needed him at least six centimeters; he was currently sitting at two.

Sesshomaru groaned as another contraction hit. "I swear to God!"

When a nurse walked in Inuyasha's eyes widened & he motioned her to get out of there quickly. She looked startled & made a hesitant gesture towards the inuyoukai whose eyes were closed so he was unaware of her presence.

"No! Just go! Get out!" Inuyasha mouthed.

She backed up quickly & exited the room silently as Sesshomaru let out a cry that sounded more like he was angry than in pain. The hanyou sighed in relief. He did what he could to save the nursing staff the headache of dealing with his mate. The last thing they needed was for the demon to piss off a nurse who could easily inject him with something harmful all because he insulted her/him.

Sesshomaru sat back with a sigh & finger combed his hair out of his face. "I can't do this much longer…"

It wasn't like Sesshomaru to ever admit something like that so Inuyasha knew it was taking a heavy toll on him. The hanyou slid up next to the pregnant youkai & ran the back of his fingers across the face of the love of his life. "Hey…you aren't alone. I'll be with you ever step of the way"

"No offense but your presence does nothing to help with the pains & it's certainly not dilating me like I need to be" Sesshomaru said bluntly but not in an unkind way.

Inuyasha chuckled. "True. Well can I get ya anything? You want some water? You've been sweating since we got here & you'll need to replenish the water you lost"

Bile rose quickly in his throat when he saw the baby move abruptly & Sesshomaru grimaced. "N-no I'm fine"

It was then the half breed realized they didn't know if they were having a boy or girl. Guess Sesshomaru was going to get his way & not know the gender until the baby was born. "Hey wouldn't it be some shit if you had twins?"

The silver haired beauty gave him a critical look. "Inuyasha don't you dare wish that shit on me"

Inuyasha threw his head back & laughed, rubbing his mate's swollen belly. "But what if we got a boy & a girl? That would be perfect"

"Our baby is going to be perfect anyway, regardless of our preferences on what gender we have first"

Something warm & fuzzy bubbled in Inuyasha's chest as he watched Sesshomaru affectionately rub his stomach, a slight smile on his beautiful face. Then the demon stiffened & gritted his teeth before he was groaning & swearing in pain as another contraction hit. Warm & fuzzy moment gone.

Inuyasha sighed & sat down. It was going to be a long day.

…

..

.

4 hours later

.

..

…

Inuyasha knocked on the door before entering, balancing three large bags of food from Burger King & a cup holder with a large sweet tea, a soda & two large milkshakes. "I'm back!"

Sesshomaru looked over at him, rubbing his stomach with an irritated look on his face. He'd gotten used to the contractions by now & instead of voicing his pain he just simply frowned or closed his eyes (sometimes both). "That was quick"

The hanyou took out his burger & fries & grabbed his sweet tea then handed the rest to the inuyoukai. "Yeah, no lines, no waiting. Careful, it's hot"

Sesshomaru bit into his food as if it wasn't hot at all & settled into a more comfortable position.

"Has the nurse or doc checked you yet? Ain't no way you still ain't dilated enough"

"I'm only four centimeters. They offered to cut me the rest of the way-"

"I think the fuck not!" Inuyasha shouted.

Sesshomaru gave him an irritated look. "…But I told them I will just wait. If I'm not six centimeters by tomorrow afternoon though they're going to induce me"

"Induce? What's that mean? Sessh I don't like the sound of that. It sounds like they're gunna put you to sleep. I don't like it. I won't allow that shit"

The silver haired beauty huffed. "It just means they'll take the baby out by c-section, Inuyasha, calm down"

There was a knock on the door & before either man could answer, the door opened & Kagome stuck her head in. "Hey! Is…this a good time or…?"

"Come" Sesshomaru beckoned with a hand.

Kagome stepped in & then she was followed by Sango, Miroku, Shippo, Kouga & Ginta, all of whom seemed to be searching the room for something.

"So uh…where's the baby?" Koga asked.

"Still relaxing in the womb" Inuyasha answered, "He hasn't dilated enough"

The group groaned in disappointment & someone muttered, "This pregnancy is becoming stressful" (probably Koga).

"Well we brought the food from the baby shower but I see you guys already have food" Sango said, holding up some large bags filled with Tupperware.

"Leave it. We'll snack on it throughout the day since it seems we'll be here for a while" the hanyou muttered & gestured vaguely to a countertop she could set the leftovers on, "& why didn't I see you mangy wolves at the party?"

Koga had the nerve to look shocked. "What? We were there but considering there was a lotta damn people there, it's no wonder you didn't see us you flea bitten mutt!"

Ginta looked nervous, obviously still not sure if Inuyasha was joking or not.

"What we're not going to do is start a shouting match in this room" Sesshomaru said in a low voice, a warning & the two immediately simmered down, not wanting to invoke the rage of the "mom".

Miroku cleared his throat to interrupt the awkward silence. "Hey the confetti balloon is in the car if you guys wann-"

"No!" Inuyasha shouted at the same time Sesshomaru said, "Yes!". The two silver haired demons gave each other a look, like they'd been betrayed & Sango coughed to hide a laugh.

"Whatchu mean yes? It was your idea for the gender to be a surprise" Inuyasha said with a lifted eyebrow.

"Can I not change my mind? You most certainly did"

"Well we've gotten this far without knowing! We might as well just wait!"

"If you hadn't noticed the baby isn't here yet because my hole is too small, Inuyasha"

Miroku coughed uncomfortably & Ginta slapped a hand over his mouth to hide a laugh. Was this guy always so blunt?

"Let's flip a coin" Kagome suggested & she hid behind Sango when the two inus looked at her like she was a complete idiot.

"I guess" Inuyasha said after a moment with a shrug & pulled a quarter out of his pocket, "Tails, we pop the balloon. Heads, we leave it alone"

Sesshomaru nodded once & the hanyou flipped the coin in the air before slapping it down onto the back of his hand. Everyone leaned forward in anticipation, even Ginta. He hadn't come across this kind of drama in a long time. Inuyasha took his hand off the coin. It was tails & Kagome squealed in excitement.

Sesshomaru slowly started getting out of bed & Inuyasha frowned at him. "Where you goin'?"

"We should go outside to pop the balloon, Yasha, there isn't a whole lot of room in here"

The hanyou nodded & grabbed a second hospital gown to cover his mate's backside, giving Koga a withering glare. The wolf did not try to hide the fact that he was looking at Sesshomaru's ass but when Ginta turned to him to ask him something he looked away quickly.

'I hope Ginta beats his ass…' Inuyasha thought.

On the way out the door, Inuyasha told a nurse they were going out to the courtyard & the nurse clapped her hands in glee. "Oh that would be awesome!" she said, "He should be walking anyway to help with the dilating process, plus, it's beautiful outside"

He nodded & followed the group outside. It really was a gorgeous day; the sun was bright but not too hot & there was a slight breeze that brought back memories of fighting demons & enjoying the simple things before all this technology came about.

Miroku came back from his car with the black balloon & a needle which he handed to Inuyasha. "Here you go, Dad. May the odds ever be in your favor"

Sango rolled her eyes.

Inuyasha looked at his mate who nodded & the hanyou took a deep breath & popped the balloon. Blue confetti flew everywhere & everyone erupted into cheers, especially Inuyasha, who lost his mind. He shouted & punched the sky before he ran over to his mate who was smiling & kissed him.

"Congratulations, you get a son" Sesshomaru murmured. They may not be having a girl but still, he was having problems keeping his emotions in check at the moment.

Inuyasha took his face between his hands & kissed him deeply. He would've been happy whether they were having a son or not but to know he was having a son first did something to his chest. His heart fluttered like an excited butterfly & a warmth spread through his torso.

The half breed pulled back & smiled. "We're having a son"

Koga patted Inuyasha's back (kinda hard) in congratulations & then everyone else joined them, crowding around them to be heard. Sesshomaru was starting to become uncomfortable & now his contractions were getting to a point where it was actually hurting.

He grabbed Inuyasha's hand. "I need to go back inside. I think your son is ready"

Inuyasha's eyes widened & he put an arm around the inuyoukai's waist, turning towards the hospital. "Make a hole, make a hole! My son is getting ready to make his entrance!"

Their little group erupted into a flurry of activity as everyone tried to get out of the way & help at the same time. Several of them tried to open the door all at the same time, knocking heads & groaning in pain. Miroku & Ginta tried to squeeze through the door at the same time & temporarily got stuck.

Inuyasha stopped when Sesshomaru bent forward at the waist, keening, so the hanyou picked him up bridal style. The inuyoukai gasped & gripped his shoulder hard, his eyes screwed close. "Holy shit, go faster…think I'm crowning"

"Yo, move!" the half breed boomed & rushed through the door, "We need a nurse! He's crowning!"

The nurses immediately went into action; one held the bedroom door open while another prepped herself for delivery. Koga & the others were directed to the waiting room & at first a doctor they'd never met told Inuyasha he should wait outside too.

"He stays!" Sesshomaru roared.

"Better listen to him" Inuyasha advised with a smug smile

The doctor gulped & nodded then the inuyoukai was laid on the bed & his feet were propped up. "Alright, Mr. Sesshomaru, keep breathing for me"

"I don't exactly have a choice now do I?!"

Inuyasha chuckled & got him to calm down, murmuring to him & kissing his hand.

"I want Dr. Robbins. Now" Sesshomaru demanded.

No one wanted to stress the "mom" out so they paged for her over the PA system three times. "She's on her way, Mr. Sesshomaru"

Another contraction hit before the demon could respond & a strangled cry ripped from his throat. His head fell back & he struggled against the pain, causing a thick vein to show against the damp skin of his forehead. Inuyasha continued mumbling to him even though he was sure the demon was not listening.

"On your next contraction, push" the doctor said, his brow furrowed in concentration.

"I want Dr. Robbins" Sesshomaru breathed, his eyes fluttering closed.

"Your son will not wait for her, sir, I need you to push on your next contra-"

"I will not repeat myself!" the demon boomed.

Inuyasha sighed. "Sessh if you don't push, you'll have to endure this pain longer. You really want to keep our son waiting? Go ahead & push, mama, so we can go home"

"Inuyasha, shut the fuck up"

The hanyou chuckled & scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. "Yes, sir"

The door opened & Dr. Robbins brisked in, already gloved up & gowned down, ready to work. The previous doctor & the other nurses moved out of her way & updated her on everything that had happened so far. Some nurses brought extra towels or blankets & different tools the doctor might need.

Once Dr. Robbins was updated, she settled between Sesshomaru's legs & rubbed her hands together. She had on a mask but Inuyasha could tell she was smiling by her eyes. "Alright let's get the world ready for your son"

The hanyou nodded & kissed his mate's hand. "You ready?"

Sesshomaru nodded, for once not wanting to be a smartass & on his next contraction he pushed, eyes screwing closed.

"Good, good" Dr. Robbins said, "Stop pushing for a minute"

"Stop?!" Sesshomaru exclaimed.

"Just for a moment. Would you mind coming here, Mr. Inuyasha?"

Something wasn't right. The hanyou's heart immediately dropped to his stomach as he let go of his mate's hand & moved around to see what Dr. Robbins was seeing. He felt light headed as he saw their baby boy 's head out of the birthing canal, his face scrunched up like he had the worst attitude.

Dr. Robbins grabbed Inuyasha's hands & formed them like he was about to catch something. "Alright, push, Mr. Sesshomaru! Push!"

The inuyoukai pushed & Inuyasha's eyes widened as the baby came towards him, first his shoulders then his little arms were free. The demon stopped pushing when he was instructed & Inuyasha took a few deep breaths of his own, his heart now in his throat. He was actually witnessing his son being born. His son was in the process of being born this very moment!

"You're doing so good, baby. Just a little bit more" he said, rubbing the outside of Sesshomaru's thigh.

Sesshomaru's chest was heaving & he looked ready to pass out. For a moment, Inuyasha was torn between wanting to catch his son & going to comfort & encourage his mate. What if Sesshomaru was afraid? What if he didn't want to push anymore?

'Mate ok. Baby need us more'

'Sessh is my baby…' Inuyasha thought with determination.

On his next contraction, he gave one more push & Dr. Robbins gently pulled the rest of his body free & wrapped him in a blanket before handing him to his sire.

"Congratulations, Mr. Inuyasha, you have a beautiful healthy baby boy" she said softly, smiling.

Inuyasha's eyes were wide in wonder as he looked at his son. He was such a tiny little thing, just a beautiful little bundle of attitude & hair that apparently he got from his "mom". Silver hair adorned his head & a crescent moon stood out against his forehead. Little furry ears wriggled on top, which made the hanyou smile. Suddenly he was overcome with emotion & hot tears formed in his eyes.

"Inuyasha? Why isn't he crying? What's wrong?" Sesshomaru asked, voice pitched higher than usual in panic.

"I…" the hanyou started. Their baby had just yawned & he lost his train of thought.

"He's just fine, Mr. Sesshomaru" Dr. Robbins said gently. Inuyasha didn't even notice she'd cut the umbilical cord. He faintly heard Sesshomaru ask something then grunt in discomfort as they pushed something else out of the birthing canal (Inuyasha had seen enough of child birth to last him a lifetime, to be honest. He didn't regret not paying attention to that part). Slowly the half breed walked around the delivery room with his son close to his face. The child was simply perfect. & he smelled like fond childhood memories & soft wildflowers. His lips were the perfect shape of a bow & even though his eyes wouldn't open for at least another two weeks, Inuyasha knew they would be perfect too. He had his little hands balled up under his chin as if he were in prayer.

"You're so beautiful…" Inuyasha whispered, "I love you so much, baby boy"

"Yasha…"

The hanyou glanced up at his mate & a fat tear rolled down his cheek. He gave a shaky smile. "H-he's gorgeous, Sessh"

Sesshomaru's eyes lit like fireworks as his son was settled into his arms. So this was what happiness felt like. This is what joy smelled like. He buried his nose in the boy's silver locks & inhaled deeply, his eyes sliding closed. Emotions bubbled up his throat & he didn't try to smother them as he openly sobbed. This was what he'd been chasing for so long, the chance to hold his offspring, the offspring of he & the love of his life. With Inuyasha, of course, he was happy & he felt safe but now he was grounded. He felt strong & he felt vulnerable in the best possible way. He wanted to protect this child with everything in him & he wanted to show him the world & he wanted to teach him & set him free but that would come later down the road. For right now he was just going to shower the boy with all the love he could muster.

The baby began to fuss, his pretty little face scrunched up in irritation & instinctively, Sesshomaru knew the boy was hungry. He motioned for Inuyasha to untie his hospital gown then he latched the boy onto his exposed breast. Immediately the boy settled down & ate hungrily. Sesshomaru's world narrowed down to that little beautiful face. Nothing else mattered at the moment.

"What will you name him?" Dr. Robbins asked, smiling down at the little family.

There was a short silence then Inuyasha looked up at his mate then the doctor. "His name will be Hiten. Heavenly flight"

"Very appropriate. He looks like a little angel" she said with a little laugh & proceeded to clean up everything before she ushered the staff out of the room to give them some privacy. She'd been right: that was one of the most gorgeous babies she ever helped deliver.

Inuyasha pushed his mate's bangs back & kissed his forehead. "Happy birthday, mama"

Sesshomaru smirked, petting the downy locks of his son. "& a happy birthday to Hiten"

They basked in the afterglow & sat in wonder at their little bundle. Hiten had fallen asleep long ago, his bow-shaped lips pursed & his little fists by his face as if he was ready for a fight. The hanyou had tried his best to get his mate to go to sleep but Sesshomaru was stubborn; he wanted to stay awake for as long as possible. What if he missed something? What if Hiten did something cute or funny & he happened to be sleep? He'd be pissed!

"Yes" he murmured out of the blue.

Inuyasha's ears twitched. "Hmm?"

"You asked me forever ago if I would marry you" Sesshomaru said, falling asleep as he spoke, "My answer is yes"

The hanyou grinned & kissed his hand. "I love you"

"I love you as well…but where is the ring?"

Inuyasha cleared his throat & started singing, "Go to sleep, go to sleep….go to sleep, little baby—"

"You don't have a ring?!"

"Nurse! We need a tranquilizer!"