
Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/11499234.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Underage
  Category:
      F/M
  Fandom:
      InuYasha_-_A_Feudal_Fairy_Tale
  Relationship:
      Higurashi_Kagome/Sesshoumaru
  Character:
      Higurashi_Kagome, Sesshoumaru_(InuYasha), InuYasha_(InuYasha), Sango_
      (InuYasha), Shippou_(InuYasha), Jaken_(InuYasha), Rin_(InuYasha), Miroku_
      (InuYasha), Kirara_(InuYasha), Kaede_(InuYasha), Ah-Un_(InuYasha)
  Additional Tags:
      graphic_birth, Teenage_Pregnancy, Feral_Behavior, some_blood, Protective
      Sesshomaru, 16_Year_Old_Kagome
  Series:
      Part 7 of Perfume_of_Love
  Stats:
      Published: 2017-07-14 Words: 4875
****** Scent of Birth ******
by FlameWolf
Summary
     While plans to save the youkai are being devised, Kagome's pregnancy
     steadily progresses. As the big day approaches, the pair find
     themselves fighting instinct with common sense. Will the birth go
     smoothly or will the wild side prevail?
Notes
     Disclaimer: I don’t own anyone or anything from Inuyasha. This is
     just for fun and no profit will be made from this.
     Author’s Note: Coming up on the end of our little series here. Next
     part will be the last, so I hope you enjoyed it so far!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Month Eight~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
     She’d had enough of being idle, to the loud protests of literally everyone
in her pack but Sesshomaru.  The normally protective male had been oddly
supportive of her decision to go shard hunting once again.  Though, a lot of
that likely had to do with the fact she’d been begging him day and night to go
to search out the bits of crystal for her.  At least if she was looking for
them, he could be by her side.  There was also the fact that he knew she’d just
go off alone if he also forbade it and there was really nothing he could do
about that fact.
     Giggling as she rubbed Ah-Un’s left neck, the sixteen year old felt a
sense of peace as they flew toward a cluster of pieces.  For a long time, her
pack had been apprehensive that Naraku’s easy defeat had been nothing but a
ruse.  A lure to get them off their guard so he could kill them with ease.  As
the time went on, however, they’d come to accept the fact he was really gone;
this realization helping the group pretty much return to normal.  With the
exception being Inuyasha.
     Since losing Kikyo for the second time, the hanyou had been strangely
subdued; sticking as close to Kagome as Sesshomaru would allow.  All the life
had simply gone from his once vibrant eyes and he seemed like a totally
different person, quiet and submissive where he normally would have been loud
or brash.  Even his insults toward his half brother had completely stopped,
concerning everyone around him.  Even his half sibling seemed a bit worried,
going out of his way to provoke some reaction.  To all their horror, it all too
often resulted in no reaction at all.  Just a blink before the dog eared male
leaned into Kagome.
     All of them had hoped that resuming the search for shards would snap him
out of it a bit but he only seemed to sink further into himself.  Sighing, the
heavily pregnant teen decided to bring up her concerns to Sesshomaru when they
landed.  This, added to what the Western Lord wanted to do as soon as the jewel
was completed, made her feel more than just a little tired.  She’d hoped all
the drama would have ended with Naraku’s death.  Kikyo dying had  not  been
part of the plan.  The revived priestess had been everything to him and
actually watching her die while holding her in his arms had to have shattered
the half-breed.  Would there really be enough time to help her dear friend as
well as save an entire species?
     As they began to descend toward a rather small looking village, the
sixteen year old couldn’t help but feel a bit relieved she’d been distracted
from her distressing thoughts.  From the looks of it, the small hamlet wouldn’t
be much trouble.  There was no sense of taint or even an evil spirit that was
using the pieces of Shikon to terrorize the people.  In fact, the shards
themselves seemed to be with a priest, giving her a good feeling about her
chances of obtaining them with little to no fuss.  With her normally being seen
as Kikyo’s reincarnation, the heads of the developing settlement were usually
very willing to work with her.
     Still, as they landed on the outskirts of the town and she looked over the
members of her pack, she knew it would be best if the youkai stayed back.
 Knowing Sesshomaru wouldn’t like it one bit, Kagome took a deep breath to
steel her nerves before meeting her mate’s honey colored eyes.  “This
Sesshomaru, the kit and half-breed will remain here,” rumbled his deep baritone
before she could say anything, taking her a bit off guard.  Blinking, she only
nodded; deciding not to question it as Miroku, Sango, Rin and Kilala followed
her to the entry of the village.
     As soon as the humans were gone, Sesshomaru was sending Shippo off with
Jaken and Ah-Un to gather some camping supplies.  This left him alone with his
father’s bastard, a prospect he honestly found a bit strange.  Especially given
the fact he had no intention to kill the other male.  “Inuyasha... you are
mourning a woman who was long dead when that witch created that horrible
abomination that held her soul,” growled his deep voice, getting the first
emotional response he’d seen from the hanyou in nearly a month.
     In an instant, the half inu was charging him, coming close to pinning him
to the ground in the scuffle.  Alpha instincts flaring to life, the taller
being rolled over his half-brother so he was on top; fangs resting on the other
canid’s throat in a clear show of dominance.  Growling quietly, the younger of
the pair stilled; glaring up at his sibling while his triangular ears pressed
against his skull.  “Ya think I don’t know that?!  She stilled looked, acted
and smelled the same, however.  Imagine if that had happened to Kagome!  Would
you be any better off than I am?” Inuyasha pointed out, getting a guttural
vocalization for his trouble.
     As much as he hated to admit it, the other male under him had a point.
 Even if he would know logically that the golem couldn’t possibly be the same
as his mate, it wouldn’t assuage the grief he would feel at watching her die in
his arms like what had happened with the false priestess.  Sighing, the pure-
blooded youkai got off his hanyou sibling; pursing his lips as he watching the
crimson clad being pull himself to his feet.  “Don’t worry though...  I have no
intention of falling into the mourning sickness.  Kagome still needs me and she
is Kikyo’s reincarnation after all.  Still... it hurts,” sighed a reluctant
confession, the words making far too much sense for the ageless demon.
     He wanted to rant, to curse his brother for being a fool.  Yet, he felt an
odd sympathy instead.  So, rather than offer any comfort, Sesshomaru simply
decided to change the subject.  “This one wants to change the fact our kind
doesn’t exist in the future.  We would like your help,” he declared, getting a
sharp bark of laughter in response.
     “Well that’s a surprise.  I’d have thought you’d welcome the lack of
rivals.  Besides, who says creatures like us need to continue existing?  Unless
you’ve been blind to everything that’s been happening for centuries now, youkai
are not exactly known for playing nicely with others,” Inuyasha pointed out,
bringing up a surprisingly good point.
     “While that may be true, not all of us are like that.  This one believes
that if we can influence the heads of the North, South and East territories
that the rest of the youkai will follow.  It is either change or face
extinction,” the Western Lord pointed out, grimacing while his partial sibling
laughed.
     “You expect all of them to listen to you?  To suddenly start treating the
humans in their territory right?  What about all the ferals?  There’s no
reasoning with all the species of demons.  I think you’re running a fool’s
errand,” responded the younger of the two, his ears twitching as a bitterly sad
expression glimmered in his amber orbs.
     “Is it a fool’s errand to try to save one’s own kind.  This Sesshomaru
knows he cannot save everyone.  Still, we must try.  Will you help or not?”
came the succinct response, earning a thoughtful silence as the pair waited for
a certain teen to return with good news.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Month Nine~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
     A tense silence filled the clearing, two pairs of similar eyes watching
the heavily pregnant sixteen year old wander around the camp.  While she was
getting close to giving birth, they were still on the road.  Thankfully, Kagome
had at least agreed to allow Inuyasha to go back for Kaede.  When the time
came, no one in the group really knew what to do; not helping the feeling of
unease in air.  Thankfully, some of that had gone away upon the older woman’s
arrival but not all of it.
     Sesshomaru especially seemed uptight, every line in his body taut as his
nose twitched.  Every subtle change in her scent was like a neon sign to him
and he could tell she was getting close.  Ancient instincts began to scratch
under his skin as a result, demanding he spirit her away to a cave somewhere.
 A place no one would be able to find them.  An urge he was doing his damnedest
to fight against, claws digging in his palms as he clenched his fists.  The
sting of his own poison helped ground him, but only for the time being.
     When his mate actually went into labor, there was every chance his
unbridled beast would simply take over to whisk her away.  The worst part was
that, while the creature honestly thought it was doing the right thing, its
actions could very well result in the death of both their beloved and child.
 Beloved... just thinking the word was foreign to him.  Before he’d met the
miko from the future, he hadn’t even know he’d had such a adjective in his
vocabulary.  All he could do was hope some of his logic would carry over, the
scent of ripening cherries growing more prominent as the days went on.
     Even Kagome could sense the child within her would come any time now and
found herself feeling a bit restless.  As odd as it sounded, all she wanted to
do was hide away with Sesshomaru to give birth alone.  Shaking her head at the
strange urge, the young mother placed a hand on her huge dome as she found
herself honestly wishing for her own mother.  As heavily pregnant as she is,
travelling through the well was likely a very bad idea.  Not to mention the
fact Sesshomaru refused to let her anywhere near the thing.
     Rubbing her sore back, she carefully took a seat; smiling down at Shippo
as he snuggled against her left thigh.  Rubbing his orange hair, the dark
haired teen looked up to see her entire pack staring at her like they expected
her to explode.  Feeling a bit disconcerted, the heavily pregnant girl shot the
a glare until they stopped; feeling slightly better once conversation resumed.
 “I’m going to the hot spring,” she announced, getting to her feet carefully
while Sesshomaru and Kaede followed suit.
     Honestly grateful for their company, the former high schooler made her may
down an overgrown foot trail; shoving branches out of her way as she went.
 When this was all over, she truly didn’t relish the mountain of homework that
awaited her.  Just thinking about it made her shudder, her child oddly still
within her as the small ache in her back steadily grew more uncomfortable.
 Sighing, she honestly smiled when she saw the natural pool before her.  These
springs held a lot of good memories, one of them being where she first really
met Sesshomaru.  All the encounters before hadn’t really counted due to brevity
as well as the fact he was trying to kill both her and Inuyasha.
     Just thinking about the stubborn half-youkai made her remember what had
been going on for a few weeks now.  Every so often, Sesshomaru would send off
his hated half-sibling along with Jaken to somewhere unknown.  None of them
would tell her what was really going on but it seemed to be having mixed
results, whatever it was.  All too often, her former crush would hand the
taiyoukai a stack of letters and his face would go through a gamut of emotions
as he read them.  Shaking her head slightly in annoyance, she began to pull off
the maternity pants she’d managed to snag on her last trip to her time.
     Sesshomaru watched, low growls bubbling out of him as he caught a whiff of
pre-labor hormones.  Their pup was coming, the knowledge making his
consciousness slip just the tiniest bit as his beast surged forward slightly.
 Erecting a barrier to ward off intruders, the powerful being looked over at
the elderly ningen to his right.  She was here to help the birth, that fact
alone allowing her to stay as his mate unclothed.  A fact the elderly miko
seemed well aware of, a placating smile on her wizened face.  “Peace, my lord.
 If she doesn’t need help, I will not interfere.  I am just here for her safety
as well as that of the child,” she assured, helping smooth his ruffled hackles
somewhat.
     Nodding silently, he returned his gaze to his expectant mate; his blood
heating as he watched her laden form sink into the steaming water.  A soft sigh
escaped her lips as her ripening sakura graced his nose, filling him with the
urge to join her.  So, sparing no care for the old woman watching him, he shed
his ancestral kimono before making his way to the occupied pool.  As if sensing
his approach, Kagome turned her head; gasping when she saw what his intentions
were.  “S-sesshomaru!  B-but... Kaede,” came weak protests, drawing a quiet
rumble from him as his silky tail unwound from his right shoulder and began to
wag ever so slowly.
     “This one cares not for the the sensibilities of a midwife.  All we want
is to hold our mate while she gives birth.  Is that so wrong?” purred his
beast, his sclera turning a blood red as he stepped into the shallow spring.
     “G-give birth?!  I’m not even in labor yet, what are you...,” begant a
futile protest. Trailing off as her brow crinkled and her hands came to rest on
the generous swell of her womb.  As he watched, the skin hardened; drawing a
low growl from him as he moved to sit behind her.  Then he was pulling her into
his lap, his tongue laving over the small crescent moon in the eft nook of her
neck.
     “It will not be long and this one will not leave you side for a second,”
assured an inhuman sounding grumble in her ear, sounding more canine than human
as clawed hands came to rest beside hers on the rock hard sphere.
     Kaede merely stood off to the side, watching as her student took in a slow
breath and let it out just as slowly.  It would be a long while before her
services would be needed.  In the meantime, she would have to keep a close eye
on the laboring teen; despite how intimate the taiyoukai’s actions were
becoming.  And, from what she’d heard, things were only going to get worse from
there.  When an inu was attending their mate, their instinct told them to do
everything they could to ease the pain of birth.  Some of the accounts she’d
heard made her blush like a woman much younger than she was, not giving her
much hope for maintaining at least some form of decency.
     Still, as uncomfortable as it would make her, she would do nothing to
interfere.  Not only would it be a massive intrusion on something that was
normally very private for inu but the rather strange actions actually seemed to
help.  At least, that was what she had heard over the years.  Besides, she
really didn’t feel like dying just yet.  So, the elderly woman simply resigned
herself to seeing more about the pair than she would have ever wanted.
     Panting slightly as the most recent spasm passed, Kagome leaned back into
the strong form of her mate; inwardly relishing the heat of his breath on the
nape of her neck.  Breathing out slowly, the sixteen year old found herself
feeling a strange mixture of fear and happiness.  Something inside her almost
felt at peace, her reiki pouring out of her to meet and twine with what was
left of Sesshomaru’s untainted youki.  Truly, it would only be a matter of time
before the two entirely opposite energies would be indistinguishable from
eachother; a fact neither of them seemed to mind.
     Purring low in his throat, the demon cradling her in his arms nuzzled her
cheek as his claws gently scratched the softening skin of her belly.  “Our
mate.  Our child,” husked the primal voice of his darker self, making her skin
prickle as she let out a shuddering sigh.
     “Nothing will happen this time.  We will protect you.  Only the old
priestess will be allowed to attend,” rasped urgent reassurances, something
about his voice sounding different, older.
     “Noriyasu,” whispered a voice that didn’t feel like her own, getting a
soft noise in response as he licked at his mark again.
     “Yes and no.  We are the same and yet not.  Just like you and our
Midoriko,” sighed a gruff response, a much deeper version of Sesshomaru’s scent
flooding her senses.
     “We will always love you, even when we do not remember you.  You were the
first to teach us what love really was,” continued the soft growls, soft fur
touching her cheek as the youkai holding her seemed to change.
     Startling slightly, Kagome tried to turn to look at the male; only to have
him tighten his arms around her upper torso so she could not budge.  “Do not.
 Unless you are ready to see our true face, do not.  We do not wish you to fear
us,” pleaded a series of near snarls, making her surprised she could understand
it as clearly as she was.  Opening her mouth to assure the creature she could
never fear any version of him, another pain washed over her and caused her to
gasp instead.
     Growling in disapproval, the ancient dog demon gave his mark a gentle nip
before moving his right hand to cup a corresponding breast.  Instead of smooth
skin like she expected, she felt soft fur brushing against her sensitive flesh
as something cold and wet pressed against the top of her shoulder.  Breathing
slowly as she rode out the hard contraction, the sixteen year old turned her
head slightly; breath catching in her throat at the glimpses she’d caught.
 White fur appeared to be covering the inu youkai, matching the tail winding
its way around her thick waist.  Then, she caught sight of something that took
her mind off her pain and made her heart melt at the same time.  A pair of
floppy, puppy ears twitching on the top of his head.
     Letting out a breath as the latest wave slowly ebbed away, she took his
hands in hers as she turned to look at him; water splashing as she moved.  A
soft whimper greeted this action but he made no further move to stop her,
seeming to tense as she took in a form that was free of the mask of humanity.
 Fierce, red eyes met hers, amber islands locked on her dark orbs as she took
in the taiyoukai.  He was covered in a silky fur from head to toe, his face
much more canine than human as his ears twitched backward in uncertainty.  “You
are the only one besides our mother who has seen us like this,” he whispered,
his voice sounding like two boulders rolling together as his tail tightened its
hold slightly.
     Seeing the arrogant male seeming almost afraid that she would reject him
after everything they had shared and been through broke her heart.  He had made
her feel wanted, even loved when she felt that no one would ever love her.  He
had accepted her as well as their hanyou child after a massive battle with his
own inner guidelines.  He’d even stayed by her side despite resenting the fact
fate as well as a past neither remembered was what drew him to her in the first
place.  Now, he was afraid she would reject the real him.  The face he hid from
society out of shame.  Shaking her head slightly as she felt sympathetic tears
begin to tickle the back of her throat, the laboring femme leaned forward to
give his muzzle a kiss.
     Correctly interpreting her wordless message, the nobleman enveloped her in
a hug; his slightly rough tongue licking over her lips as his surprisingly
malleable mouth moved over hers.  It almost felt like human lips, only furry.
 Unfortunately, the child within her decided to remind the pair what was
currently going on; another contraction rolling through and making her shudder
as a low moan left her.
     Birthing hormones slammed into his senses, blanketing his vision with red
as he turned her so her back was pressed against him once more.  It would not
be much longer, the thought of it drawing a protective noise from him as he
motioned for the miko he had allowed to join them.  While he despised the fact
he needed her, he knew his mate would likely take comfort in her aid.  Still,
it was a hard thing not to growl as the female settled between his human’s
legs.  “You’re coming along nicely.  Your water should break any time now,”
assured the village elder’s soothing voice, her words seeming to help Kagome
relax just a little.
     “Good...  I heard so many awful things about giving birth.  I was afraid
I’d be in agony for hours,” whispered the sweet voice of his chosen, her naive
words making his blood boil with indignation.  As if he, Sesshomaru, would let
his mate suffer through labor without doing his part to help.  He was not some
lower demon after all and the very indication deeply insulted him.
     Letting out a quiet rumble, the inu youkai began to play with his mate’s
sensitive nipples; drawing out a moan from her as a fresh contraction began to
crash over her.  Keeping his eyes on her large belly, Sesshomaru rested his
chin on her shoulder; closing his fiery eyes as his beloved arched into his
touch.  Reaching out his mixed youki, he touched the energy of their pup;
humming contently when he sensed it would be coming soon.  The less discomfort
Kagome was put through, the better.  So, he simply continued to play with her
nipples despite the contraction ending; relishing the spicy scent of her
temper.  “S-sesshomaru!” she squeaked out, reaching up to try to bat his hands
away.
     “Don’t Kagome!  As strange as it is, its okay.  He’s only trying to help.
 Its normal for inu and their mates.  In a typical setting, the pair would be
alone,” Kaede assured quickly, her words stopping the young girl’s motions.
     “She is correct.  Is this not normal for ningen?  Do they not tend to
their mate when they give birth?” husked an incredulous rumble in her ear as a
callus brushed against the tip of her right nipple.
     Kagome could only cry out as her body arched into him, an electric shock
shooting right to her occupied womb while some of her milk dribbled over his
fingers.  At the same time, she felt fluid rush from between her legs; her eyes
going wide as she realized the real labor had started.  Taking slow breaths to
calm herself, the sixteen year old looked over at the canine face next to hers.
 When he nuzzled her and gave her nipples another pinch, she felt a sense of
comfort; even as the next tsunami of discomfort overtook her.  Whatever
happened, this powerful being wasn’t going to let her fall.  So, as she felt
the urge to push begin to build up within her, she simply closed her eyes and
focused on the hot muzzle that took in her leaking nipple.
     Sweet, thick and tainted slightly by her scent, her milk exploded on his
tongue; drawing out more of his feral side.  As such, he kept a close eye on
the midwife as she checked his mate.  “Not too much longer.  You’re almost
there Kagome.  This child must truly want to see the world,” assured the
matron, her words echoing what he could tell by scent and instinct alone.
 Rubbing a fur coated, magenta striped cheek against his mate’s, the
Aristocratic Assassin let out a soft coo as she laid back against him to gather
her strength for what was to come.
     All too soon, the next cycle came; soft whimpers escaping the teen as he
used his mouth and claws to distract her the best he could.  Suddenly,
something smelled different and his hands were moving of their own accord to
rest above her swollen slit.  Just as the tips of his fingers began to brush
her clit, Kagome began to push with a low, desperate cry.  A vocalization that
called to every primal part buried deep in his psyche, drawing a soft growl
from him as he shot a glare to the elder waiting between her legs.
     Ignoring the powerful male’s ire, Kaede simply prepared herself to pull
the child free of her former student.  As she watched, the younger woman’s
nethers slowly bulged and spread open; a shock of silver hair peeking out of
the straining opening.  Before she could move to do it, a clawed hand was
cupping the opening to stop the babe from coming too fast.  Looking up at the
demon who she had once considered an enemy, the octogenarian gave him an
approving nod.  Then another moan brought her attention to the girl who was her
sister reincarnated, her heart twisting in her chest as she wished she could be
of more help.  Until the head came free, she was nothing more than support for
the couple.
     Whimpering as she felt her womanhood burn but unable to stop pushing,
Kagome was honestly grateful for the small tingles of pleasure emanating from
Sesshomaru’s free hand.  Slowly, ever so slowly, she could feel the child
sleeping free; her mate’s other hand slowing the progress so she wouldn’t tear.
 Tears of pain and joy ran freely down her cheeks as she collapsed backward
when the pain finally left.  Unfortunately, this was replaced immediately and
she was pushing with another low cry; Sesshomaru’s efforts on her button
growing more intense as her pain grew.
     Suddenly, she felt something come free; followed by a slight relief in
pressure.  This wasn’t to last however, Kaede moving to grab the pup and turn
it within her.  Then the shoulder was coming, the feeling of being stretched
nearly making her mate’s efforts moot as her vision began to swim.  With a cry,
it came free; followed rapidly by the other before she was allowed a brief
break.  Gathering her breath for the last hurdle, Kagome grabbed the hand that
had been holding their child in place.  Reaching up to kiss her canine shaped
lover, the sixteen year old pushed one last time; feeling an indescribable
relief when she felt the rest of the newborn slide free.
     Panting slightly as she fought to catch her breath, the time travelling
miko couldn’t help but cry in sheer adulation when she heard the first high
pitched yowl of the violated babe.  “A girl,” announced Kaede, offering the
umbilical to Sesshomaru for cutting.  An action that was carried out in one
motion, the wailing child handed over to the new parents.  Cradling her
daughter close while the older woman reached for a near-by towel, Kagome was
stunned to see there was no sign of any hanyou.  Her markings stood out clear
on her fat little face, amber eyes fixing on her parents as her wails began to
quiet.
     “S-she’s a...,” stammered the stunned girl, wrapping her pup in the
offered towel as she winced; pushing out the placenta with one good heave.
     “Full blooded youkai,” husked the voice of the male behind her, strong
arms lifting her out of the blood soiled water.
     “B-but how?” came a confused response, the exhausted highschooler touching
a magenta stripe on a small cheek with gentle fingers.
     “It can happen with powerful miko and demon relationships.  Especially
when their youki and reiki have mixed like ours have.  It is a sign of equal
power as well as acceptance on the mother’s part,” rumbled the explanation,
gentle hands dressing her while Kaede quietly took her leave through the fading
barrier.
     Still unable to believe it despite the proof in her arms, Kagome sighed as
she shook her head; unable to really be upset by the circumstances.  Their
child would now be free of any stigma of being a hanyou, though it would
increase doubt of the pup belonging to a human miko.  Still, at least she could
now be seen as an heir to the West; something the young girl had honestly been
worried about.  Pushing those thoughts to the back of her head, the teen forced
her focus back on the squirming bundle in her arms; realizing they had yet to
even discuss names.  “Hiina,” sighed a baritone above her as the male holding
her shifted back into his human form.
     Gigging slightly at the suggestion, the reincarnated girl looked down at
the pup before nodding.  “Alright.  Hiina it is,” she murmured, yawning at the
same time the pup did.  This was followed by swift movement, the taiyoukai
carrying his mate and child deep into the forest as they slowly began to doze
off.  Wondering where they were going and why they were leaving their pack,
Kagome simply snuggled into the unnatural heat of her mate before she slipped
into a deep sleep.
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