Crescent Moon

WARNING!!: Graphic birth

Author's Note: Well its been a wild ride but I think this will be the last chapter. I hope you have enjoyed the story!

Chapter 21: Happily Ever After

Two months. That was all her pregnancy was, two months. The first month had sped by. Sesshomaru had been extremely protective and hadn't left her side once. He had even gone so far as to get a scribe to do his paperwork for him. Rin had been overjoyed to learn her mother was alive and having another baby. The child was glowing and had been learning to cook so she could make Flame's breakfasts. Contrary to her first pregnancy, this one was going really smooth.

She had been able to eat and her belly had blossomed nicely. Sesshomaru couldn't keep his hands off her growing stomach. Now she was ending her second month and Sesshomaru was nearly insufferable. He never gave her a moments peace, even when she went to the bathroom. Every time she went to sleep she would wake up with him hovering over her worriedly. She knew it had to do with how the first pregnancy had gone.

Today was no exception. Sesshomaru had even gone so far as to forbid her from leaving the bed and she was bored stiff. The concerned taiyoukai was holding her tightly alternating between growling and whimpering as he pet her. His nostrils flared as he took in her scent and he seemed more restless than usual. It was almost as if he was waiting for something to happen.

Flame could feel it too. There was a weird, tense anticipation in the air and her body felt restless. She rested a hand on her taut dome, rubbing in small circles. She was slowly becoming aware that she was feeling more and more uncomfortable, almost like her skin was on fire. Unknown to her, her eyes flickered red.

Sesshomaru watched his mate tensely, every nerve on high alert. He could smell her beast starting to surface and felt his own rise in response. The birth of their pup would be soon and it seemed like they would be having a beast birth. Suddenly her aura flared, causing his beast to slam against its cage and his instincts to flare. It was time to get her out of the castle and take her to a remote place. Gently he picked her up before dashing off.

Flame held to him tightly, not questioning what was going on. She found herself feeling grateful they were leaving the castle. Something deep inside her was driving her to find a secluded spot. For what purpose she didn't know. Soon Sesshomaru came to a cave, setting her gently down inside. Almost immediately he held her to him, nuzzling her hair. Flame moaned softly as her aura flared again. Her body was so unbearably hot.

Sesshomaru watched his mate closely, keeping an eye out for any distress. A beast birth was highly dangerous for everyone involved. Both of them would enter a purely wild, instinctual state. If anyone approached, even if they meant to help, they would be torn apart. Any problems that arose could be deadly. Suddenly Flame was surrounded with a red aura as she transformed into her wolf form. At the sight of his heavily pregnant female, Sesshomaru let instinct over ride him as he transformed as well.

Flame whimpered, laying on her side and panting. She could feel the first contractions already starting and felt her rational mind slipping. Sesshomaru was right there, laying down behind her and licking her gently. He rumbled softly to comfort her. Then she stiffened as her stomach contracted. As she whimpered in pain, Sesshomaru licked her tenderly. Slowly the pain ebbed until she relaxed, still panting.

The smell of the impending birth was driving him mad with the need to protect her. Every whimper was a lance of pain through him as he tried to comfort her. Her tight stomach rippled as the pup inside moved restlessly. The great canine lord placed his snout against her stomach, as if trying to comfort the pup. He licked her lovingly as the next contraction made her tense. He rumbled softly to try to comfort her as she whimpered. Suddenly there was a loud splash as her water broke. Their pup was going to be here very soon.

Flame whimpered as she felt her water break and the pressure increase. Slowly, she staggered to her feet, earning a worried growl from Sesshomaru. Panting, she began to pace to relieve the incredible pain. Sesshomaru stuck very close to her, watching her for any signs of struggle. He looked like he wanted to force her to lay down but was letting her do what she needed. Suddenly she stopped, whining loudly as she went into a squat. Her back legs shook as her body began to push the pup down her tight canal.

Sesshomaru watched in fascination as her canine woman hood began to bulge as the pup came down. Slowly, the amniotic sac holding the pup became visible. Then, to his disappointment, it slowly slid back in as Flame stopped pushing. As he watched, his mate whimpered and laid down on her side again while panting.

The instinct to birth her pup was incredible. As soon as the next pain hit she was pushing hard, whimpering as the pup slowly began to slide out. Faintly, she was aware of a burning sensation as the pup spread her open. A strained bark left her as she continued to push as hard as she could. Finally she had to stop, growling in frustration as some of her pup slid back in. She only took a few second to rest before pushing again, unable to ignore her instincts.

Sesshomaru's heart leapt in his throat as more and more of their child emerged. From the looks of the pup, it was pure white. Suddenly their pup finally slipped free amongst a gush of fluids. Gently, Sesshomaru tore the amniotic sac of the small, squeaking pup as his mate caught her breath.

Struggling to get to her pup, Flame managed to get into a sitting position before looking pleadingly at Sesshomaru. Thankfully he seemed to understand, bringing the large pup to one of her milk laden teats. Almost immediately the pup attached and began to suckle while Flame began to lick the newborn clean. “Its a boy,” she whispered, some of her humanity returning.

Sesshomaru smiled, laying behind her and nuzzling her lovingly. As they watched, the small pup fed until it fell asleep. Lovingly, Sesshomaru licked the sleeping pup before licking Flame's cheek. “He's perfect,” he whispered, nuzzling his mate. Slowly, they both returned to normal but to their surprise their pup stayed a pup. Gathering his mate and pup gently into his arms, Sesshomaru formed his youki cloud and flew back to the castle.

Flame smiled up at Sesshomaru tiredly before yawning widely. “I love you Sesshomaru,” she murmured sleepily.

“I love you too Flame,” he whispered back, kissing her forehead. Flame smiled sleepily, closing her eyes. As she slipped into slumber, she found herself thinking of all the centuries they had yet to share and smiled.

The End