FLUFF ALERT. Disclaimer: Don't sue me for nothin'.
A/N: A special thank you to ShoesareCool for their review, steering me in a better direction.
A New Addition
Chapter 11: Changes
"Inuyasha, what were you like as a child?" Kagome asked as she lay in the nook of his shoulder. "Same as I am now, I think," he replied matter- of -factly. "But, our kid's gonna have your personality." "Then, I hope he or she looks like you." She cooed, rubbing a hand over her round belly. Inuyasha tucked his hand under hers to feel the little feet (he assumed) fluttering.
"I'm so glad I have you." Kagome suddenly said. "Why wouldn't you, silly?" He said as he nuzzled her head with his. She giggled lightly at that.
Shippo walked past the door. "C'mere!" Inuyasha said as he scooped the kitsune up and put him in Kagome's arms. "OH! I can feel it moving!" The little boy said as he pressed his ear to her abdomen. "Talk to 'em" Inuyasha said.
"What should I say?" His teal eyes were wide. "Tell 'em who you are." Kagome encouraged. Inuyasha sat beside them. "Hi! I'm Shippo! I'm gonna be your big brother. You can't play yet, but we will. I have lots of things to teach you!" He paused. "Should I keep going?" "Yeah, you're doing great." The hanyou encouraged.
"I...It's a good home here. It's safe to come out, you know, when you're ready." A blush crossed Shippo's cheeks as he continued and glanced at his parents. "It's the best here. You're-we're really lucky to have such awesome family. Wait til you meet Miroku and Sango and their kids!"
Inuyasha pat him on the head, "you're great, Shippo." That night, he slept curled up between the both of them. But, he ended up sleeping on Inuyasha's side.
(-)
Shippo rushed to Inuyasha and Kagome as they met up with him up at school. It was teacher conference day. "I have news!" Shippo called. He was waving and jumping up and down. "What is it?" Kagome asked as she started to kneel down, but with her round belly she stood upright again with Inuyasha's help and wrapped her arm around herself. "I got in the school play for the cultural festival!" He announced. "That's great!" Both parents exclaimed. "What part did you get?" Inuyasha asked. Shippo looked down at the script booklet in his hand and mumbled, "It's the lead. I'm a prince." "Shippo, that's wonderful!" Kagome cooed.
"Uh, um. I'm going to need help with my lines. Inuyasha, will you help me?" Shippo asked, looking up at him with large, watery eyes. "Of course! This play is a big deal to you. I'll help you, man to man." He promised as he ruffled the kit's hair. They walked inside the school to meet with his teacher.
Shippo chatted with a few classmates. This was one of the few schools that demons and humans attended together. Shippo's teacher happened to be human, she a very nice and respectful one at that.
The fire fox was doing quite well. "I want to show you a picture he drew." The teacher said. Her smile was wide. The picture was of their family. The baby-on-the-way had ears like Inuyasha. "He's very excited about being a big brother." Kagome was so relieved. She looked back at him playing jax with demon monkey kids.
Inuyasha stared at the picture. Shippo was really happy with them. "C'mon, kid. Let's take you out for a treat. What do you want?" He offered, mussing the little boy's hair. "Really?" His eyes were wide. "Yeah, you got the hero in a play. Your grades are good. You've earned it!"
Kagome looked over the playbook as they sat at a boba/shaved ice/frozen yogurt cafe. She recalled doing this same play when she was in high school. It was just modified for elementary school kids in this version.
"This is going to be fun! I wonder if they need any help." She thought aloud. "Parents volunteer all the time." Shippo chimed in. She looked down at her round belly concerned how involved she could be. She had a couple of months before she was due. "As long as you're not building scenery, I think you can do it." Inuyasha encouraged.
The next day, Kagome went to volunteer at the school. Inuyasha dropped her off on his way to work. There was plenty to do: sewing costumes, painting the scenery (light amount of work due to her delicate condition), help the kids with their lines, just to name a few.
The new mother- to-be was thumbing through the program when Shippo came up to her: "Shiori is playing the princess, but she's not sure of herself. Maybe you should talk to her." "Sure!" She agreed with a smile and he pointed the way to the little girl.
"You look very pretty in your dress." She complimented as she knelt before the silver haired girl. Her hair had a tint of lavender that matched her eyes. "Thank you." Her voice was soft and she didn't smile. "Is there anything I can help you with?" She offered. "Well, I want to do really well. I'm the only half demon in the play and in this school. Looking at Kagome's genuine smile and seeing that she was a mother herself, she felt a little better.. Shippo was her classmate, she knew her husband was a half-demon, too. She opened up.
"The other kids aren't very nice, but maybe if I'm good at this..."
"Just believe in yourself. They chose you to be the princess for a reason. You can do it! Show me what you got?" Kagome asked enthusiastically. "Okay, but I need Shippo cuz I don't know my lines by myself." She admitted. "That's just fine." The dark haired woman motioned for her adopted son to come over to rehearse.
The play preparations went on until eight in the evening. Inuyasha picked up his family and took them out to eat. While Kagome was using the restroom, Inuyasha told Shippo a plan, "hey. I want to have a baby shower for Kagome. Usually it's just a girl thing. But, we can pull it off. I'll need your help." Shippo's smile was wider than his eyes. "She'll be out volunteering for the play. I'm counting on you to let me know when you're coming home." The young demon nodded enthusiastically.
(-)
Inuyasha peeked out the door as Kagome and Shippo came up the steps. He and the kitsune had been planning this for a week, but of course got help from Sango and Miroku. This was more of a party than a baby shower as men were invited, too. Yeah, Inuyasha had sucked it up and invited ALL of Kagome's friends. More presents that way, he figured.
"SURPRISE!"
Kagome burst into tears. Inuyasha rushed to her side. "I'm just happy!" She said as she went into the open arms of her mother. She hugged her grandfather next. "I planned this. Where's my hug?" He grumbled. Shippo jumped onto Inuyasha's shoulder, "but look how happy she is! It's worth it." A smile spread across the hanyou's lips, "Yeah, you're right." He smiled watching as his wife fluttered to each guest. She waved at Sesshomaru and said "big brother" in passing. He glared. It didn't faze her.
Kagome opened the last gift, a set of baby care products from Hojo. It was all organic shampoos, lotions, a nasal aspirator and a recipe for homemade baby foods. "Thank you so much." Her smile wavered a bit as she felt a pang in her abdomen. She reached down, "Ah. Baby's kicked me." Inuyasha was right at her side then, helping her up.
Cake was next. Inuyasha inhaled his slice. He had left the food to Sango, but it'd been little tea sandwiches, cupcakes, mini spinach cheese pastry things, and vegetables with ranch. She'd had three kids and this is what she came up with? He picked at remaining morsels on the tiers.
"Order pizza." Miroku said from behind him. He really had been distracted enough not to have heard his friend come into the kitchen. Inuyasha replied, "Nah, Sango already set up this food." Sango stuck her head in the kitchen, "order pizza! There's way more people here than my baby showers. I didn't think they'd hang out this long." Inuyasha had left the guest calling to his mother in law. She knew all the people who loved Kagome. He grumbled, mentally kicking himself for what was starting to seem like poor planning on his part. It would take an hour for the pizza to get there.
Luckily, the others knew what to do. "Hey, this is what you banded us together for." Miroku assured his friend with a hand on his shoulder. Sango had a round of baby shower games.
After, Souta put on music to keep everyone entertained; he was basically playing DJ now. Kagome danced with Rin, Shippo, and Sango and Miroku's kids. They even played musical chairs. Kagome was sure everyone let her win. She gave the prize, which was a journal, to Rin. She blushed and was delighted. She started doodling right away.
Kagome put a hand on her stomach after her third slice of pizza. "Oh, I ate too much." She said with a nervous laugh. "Are you OK?" Koga asked her with concern. Ayame, his girlfriend, clung to his shoulder. Inuyasha was glad when he'd seen the wolf had found someone of his own. She was a nice girl, too.
"I think it's just indigestion. I hope." She tried to assure. But, the way she was feeling had her worrying she'd give birth right in front of everyone. "Maybe it's Braxton Hicks contractions." Hojo interjected. Sango comforted, "I had those. Do you want to wait or go to the hospital?" "I'll wait like a few minutes." Kagome said as she waddled to the couch. "Walk around, honey." Mama Higurashi said as she took her by the hand. Inuyasha nervously watched from the doorway of the kitchen. He didn't want to worry his wife more by expressing his own concerns. It seemed she had plenty of people around her who knew what to do.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome called as a sharp pain radiated in her belly. He rushed to her side in an instant. "Let's go. We're going to the hospital."
"Sorry, everyone! Party's over!" Miroku called out. "We'll meet you at the hospital." Sango said. "I'll stay and clean up!" Souta announced. "No, your sister is in labor! You're coming to the waiting room." The color drained from his face, but he nodded and complied. "I'll clean up here!" Kohaku offered. "Thank you!" Everyone shouted.
Mama sat with Kagome in the backseat while Inuyasha drove. "Aren't you going to go?" Shippo asked Kohaku as he bounded out the door. "Too crowded." He replied with a smile. Sesshomaru drove Souta, Grandpa, Shippo and Rin. Sango and Miroku, and their kids rode together.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome cried as they were about to wheel her into the delivery room. "Go in with her," Mama urged. "You should be with her even if it's just to hold her hand." "Inuyasha!" She called, crying. Men didn't really do this sort of thing, he thought, but yeah he wanted to be there for his wife. Mama comforted, "I'll be right here, honey" as husband and wife disappeared behind doors.
Their daughter, Keiko, was born that evening. They used the kanji for "lucky/blessed child," because that's how they felt to have her. "What was the name if it had been a boy?" Shippo curiously asked. Perched on Inuyasha's shoulder, he watched the baby sleep. He leaned far over to get a look in the plastic carrier. "We might use it one day. I'm not tellin'." He answered, voice just above a whisper. He couldn't take his eyes off the black-haired quarter demon girl. She had two pointy ears at the top of her head. It was too soon to tell if her eyes would stay blue.
Kagome was conked out. But baby and mom both had their heads turned to the side in the same manner.
"She has my nose." Inuyasha said. "It's damp. I felt it when I was feeding her." Kagome said softly, her voice groggy. "How are you feeling?" Shippo asked, his eyes wide. "Good. You?" She smiled and looked like she was glowing.
"I'm just glad she's okay, even though she's over a month early." Inuyasha sighed with relief at the kitsune's response. "Keiko's impatient, just like her daddy." She teased her husband with a light giggle.
Shippo crawled off Inuyasha to sit on the bed as Inuyasha lie down next to Kagome on the small bed. He scooped her up in his arms and rested his head on the crown of her head. He held her tightly. "What about the others? Please don't tell me everyone is waiting, but I also feel bad I missed everyone." Kagome muttered against his chest.
"They all came in while you were asleep. They went home except your mom. She went to get some hot cocoa. Keiko's been really good. I think she's all you except for my nose and ears." He answered, turning his head to look at his child over his shoulder. "We'll find out when she wakes up."
Sesshomaru and company came in. Rin was occupied watching the now half awake baby, who cooed and gurgled.
"Seriously, we are gonna do business now?" Inuyasha griped as he got lead out into the hallway. "It's necessary!" Jaken urged. He hid behind the older brother. Inuyasha crossed his arms and looked into his eyes. "Spill it."
"As you know, the business has been tanking. I think it's best to sell the shares before it goes bankrupt." Sesshomaru's eyebrows furrowed together and his eyes narrowed. Clearly, he was trying to contain his temper at this.
"So that's it? We're just gonna give up?"
"I will not fight a useless battle or waste anymore time and resources on it."
"So, you had to tell me on my daughter's birthday?" Inuyasha shook his head and growled.
"There wouldn't ever be a good time. Besides, this needs to be dealt with in a realistic time frame. Our father was great and his reputation will remain so. I'll see to it."
"Yeah. I get it. So, what are your big plans?" The shorter inu-youkai asked. "Sell the house. Travel for a while. But, I think it's best if Rin stays with you." Sesshomaru looked over at the beaming girl as she made funny faces for Keiko. "Of course she can." He knew his brother would make sure she was taken care of.
"I'm gonna wait to tell Kagome, but, don't you feel kind of relieved that we don't have to carry on the Old Man's burdens?"
"I figured you'd say something like that, little brother."
"Myoga will be the only one upset."
"Indeed."
(-)
Inuyasha took Shippo down to the cafeteria to get him some jello. "Hey, we're still going to see your play next week." He promised. "I understand if Kagome can't. I'll be glad even if it is just you." Shippo's cheeks blushed as he looked down at the 'big brother' stick her got from the nurse.
"I just don't want you to feel like anything changes just cuz we have our own kid now." The elder demon said as he handed the kid the dessert. "I mean, having Keiko is a good change. I know she is just born, but I want to protect her." Shippo said as he stared into the red gelatin. "I know what you mean." Inuyasha said as he patted his red hair.
-o-o-To Be Continued-o-o-
A/N: I've been working on this fic off and on since 2006. YEAH. There was like a 3 year hiatus. When I started this, the manga wasn't even done! LOL. There wasn't a final act anime yet. So, my prediction that Miroku and Sango would have two sons is WRONG XD But whatever, I'm not going back and this is an AU. Also, it's kinda fun/nostalgic to look back on this series. Thanks for sticking with me! Maybe the last chapter will be the last, actually. xoxoxoxox Review. PLEASE AND THANK YOU xoxoxoxoxoxox
