Time Is Of The Essence by Syndril

A Joyous Time

A little more time, just a little more time! Strong thrums of her heart echoed in her ears as Kagome's feet pounded into the dirt. She had no idea if she would make it, the weather was against her, the rain turned the ground muddy and slick, the constant downpour blurred her vision making it hard to know the direction she was going. She perservered, she could not be late, not for this, she would never be forgiven.      

Just as Kagome began to lose hope, she blinked her chocolate brown eyes and wiped away her dripping bangs to see Kaede's village just up ahead. Only seconds were spared to relish in the fact she could get to the hut. Her legs hurt, even with years of travel, trecking over harsh terrains, they still could not keep up with the strain of her wild movement. Even as she breached the area of the village she did not slow down, it was only when Kaede's door curtain was within reach that she stilled for just a moment to take a deep breath to brace herself for what would greet her on the other side.      

Reaching out with a trembling hand she gripped the curtain with a fierceness and tossed it aside to peer within. The moment she did she heard the pained scream of her sister like friend screaming. Tears immediately welled up in her eyes as she saw matted brown hair streaming down the sides of Sango's flushed face. Her chest rose and fell quickly while panting in time to Kaede's instruction.

Beside her weary looking friend was an equally weary looking Miroku. His once handsome face seemed haggard, aged with little sleep. Kagome was amazed what one would look like under such durress and lack of rest. She looked around, noticing that both Inuyasha and Shippou were no where to be seen. She worried her bottom lip between her teeth, she could only imagine what Sango's screams did to them, thus sending them away from the hut.        

"Sango, I'm here. I'm so sorry I'm late." Kagome apologized while kneeling down on the other side of Sango. Her hand over lapped Miroku's as it delicately rested upon Sango's swollen belly. "We're all here now, at least the ones who could be without passing out from the noise." A soft giggle left her then.      

A snort of laughter escaped Sango as well before her face contorted with mild pain. "Ohh! Kagome, don't make me laugh, it hurts so bad!" When attempting to sit up, Kagome immediately fluffed the flattened and sweat drenched pillow that was there. "Miroku, you did this to me!" She yelped as another contraction struck and her hand instinctively sweeped outward, connecting with the man she was currently birthing the child of. The loud 'smack' echoed in the room and all was quiet as a small 'thump' was then heard as Miroku now lay passed out on the ground beside her.      

Eyes wide, Kagome worried. "You shouldn't have done that! It isn't his fault, you know." She felt bad for the houshi, after all, it was only amusing when he got smacked when caught in the act of doing something perverted. Kagome began to brush aside Sango's hair to get it out of her face.    

 Sango quickly swatted her friend's hand away, never enjoying being fussed over. "He was useless anyway!" She huffed sternly and Kagome knew she had no argument. She only hoped Miroku would wake up in time for the baby to greet the world. Just as she was thinking about it, another contraction hit, and after a few breaths, another. Kaede then signaled for Kagome to come help her in bringing life into the new world.      

With shaking hands, Kagome did as Kaede was instructed and after hours of relentless encouragement to push, damp cloth to cleanse the area and dealing with a reawakened Miroku who was once the composed wise one of the group now paced impatiently, a cry of a new baby was heard. "Congratulations to ye both, a healthy baby girl." Kaede announced with pride as she cleaned and swaddled the babe with practiced ease and handed the now sleeping child to Sango.      

Tears of joy were expressed by both the women, even Kaede had a misting of tears in her eyes. Miroku looked as pleased as the day Sango finally agreed to marry him. Only took a year and another year to have a child with him. Sango had been convinced she would not dare take the chance of possibly birthing a miniature Miroku but she caved and the look she had as she craddled the young girl to her chest, it was well worth it.      

Kagome looked at the two of them with a gentle smile, she felt somewhat out of place now. They had eachother and now a new baby to take care of. Shippou was growing up and was looking going in a few months to train with a kitsune master to learn how to hone his powers and live up to his full demon expectations. As for Inuyasha, Kagome's eyes emptied for a moment and there seemed to be a heaviness in her heart as she recalled the memories.    

 It was last year, just months before Sango and Miroku announced their betrothal. It had also been a year after Kikyou had perished in a sacraficial act to protect their group and save them from a vicious attack lead by Naraku. It had also given them the group to retaliate with full force and catch the evil half demon off guard and slay him. Kagome had decided to give Inuyasha time to grieve, it was hard knowing he still loved someone who wasn't supposed to have been in the mix to begin with.      

Kagome confronted Inuyasha in the spot where they had first met, the Goshinboku. Inuyasha was just as handsome as he had been then, she didn't expect a half-demon to really age in the time they had traveled together but she had. Even though she was only sixteen at the time, her body and mind had matured greatly and wondered if she could now hold her own in Inuyasha's eyes as far as a possible lover went.      

"Inuyasha, I have something really important to talk to you about." Kagome nervously shuffled her feet, her hands fussed with the hem of her skirt. Her usual tell of her uncomfortableness showed as her teeth sank into her bottom lip and chewed on it, her eyes refusing to look into his.      

His white ears swiveled in her direction and perked with attention even though he scoffed with indifference. "Keh! Out with it then." His arms crossed in a typical masculine manner and turned to face Kagome.    

"Its more of a question, really... I mean... I'm not sure how to put it..." Her nervousness only grew and she dared to look at Inuyasha. His golden hues peered intensely upon her and she felt her throat tighten up. The sensations she felt jumped skyward as he held a look of impatience and curiosity. The calm and collected self-motivation practice conversation went out the window as she quickly blurted out. "Inuyasha, do you love me?"      

The silence was deafening, each ticking second in her head made her insecurities all the more vivid. Just as she was about to speak again, telling him to forget it, it was just a joke. Try and brush it off, that she knew they were just friends and wanted to tease him, she heard the most heart wrenching thing he could ever say. "I'm sorry."      

That was when she knew, time was against her. At least that is what she told herself. It took all her will not to fall to her knees and start sobbing. "Kagome, I-" She held her hand up to him, quieting him on the spot. A small shake of her head and a soft hiccup was the last thing he saw and heard of her as she had run from him. He had learned his lesson over their time together, she needed to be alone.      

Shaking her head at the sound of the curtain of Kaede's hut being pulled aside, Kagome turned to face the one she had just been reflecting on. Inuyasha stood there, mildly returning her gaze. Kagome offered him a small smile, it had taken nearly half a year for her to return back to Edo, too buried in her pain and too ashamed to return for how long she had been away. Yet when she returned, she was greeted with good news, Sango and Miroku had finally gotten together and Inuyasha had taken up guarding the village so he was often out patrolling, taking care of lesser demons to protect the residents.      

Fully back to reality and the current moment they were in, she chuckled softly as Shippou popped his head in around Inuyasha's thigh. "Kagome!" His words sang out as he threw himself into her open embrace. "I wanted to stay but the sound and smells were so strong and Inuyasha over there was whining!" At the growl Inuyasha gave him, he was gifted with a strong glare from Kagome, quickly killing his retort.      

"I'm sure Sango and Miroku understands, lets meet the new baby!" Turning to Miroku and Sango, she found that both the baby and Sango were fast asleep. 'She worked so hard, she must be exhausted..' Kagome mused to herself and set Shippou down so he could greet the new addition to their strange yet loving family.       

Inuyasha was a few steps behind, remaining near the door as if wanting to make sure he could make a quick escape if need be. With a twitch of his nose, he familiarized himself with the scent of his new pack member and glanced upon the sleeping babe. "Looks kinda strange."      

His comment caused Kagome to turn around and furrow her brows. "Strange? Inuyasha, its a baby, not an alien!"      "Alien? Whats that?" Inuyasha's thorough confusion only made Kagome throw her hands up in defeat.      

"Never mind, a baby is a baby, they are supposed to look like that." Turning from him, she tossed her raven black hair over her shoulder and lifted her chin into the air, upset he would make light of the gift of life by saying something stupid.      

"Keh.. whatever, I'm gonna make my rounds." The soft whoosh of the curtain and his clothes, Inuyasha made his way out of the hut, leaving Kagome somewhat disheartened. Her eyes lowered to the ground and left out a small sigh.      

Noticing the change in attitude, Kaede took hold of Kagome's arm and lead her outside of the hut. "What seems to have ye so forelorn, Kagome?"      

Kagome could only smile, she was amazed at how well Kaede knew her. She thought of the elderly village head miko as a grandmother figure. Worldly knowledgable and nurturing, knowing just what to say and how to make things better. "Oh, Kaede.. I just feel like I'm not needed anymore.. Miroku and Sango have a growing family now. Shippou will be leaving and Inuyasha is.. well.. he is Inuyasha." She heaved a sigh.      

Kaede's visible eye seemed to twinkle with a hint of amusement. "Child, ye need not worry about the place ye have here. I think it is time ye go on a journey to find what it is ye actually need." Her lips that were puckered from age turned upward in a warm smile.      

Kagome's eyes seemed to widen briefly and her brows rose in surprise. "A journey?"

-End Chapter-

[A/N] Alright, I know I have some serious explaining to do. Firstly, no, Dokuga, I am not dead. Secondly, I know have I two stories I had been in the process of but a minor mental breakdown made me go through a long perioud of 'me' time and since it had been so long since I had written anything, I thought I would start fresh with a new title that I could finish up in a few chapters and get into the flow, re-read my other stories and then get back on track with finishing them. So here is my tester story, see if my brain hasn't totally failed me, please [R/R]!

Always, Syndril