Strength

Warnings on Angst and Gore up!!!

Keep in mind DONT READ CHAPPIE IF YOU CANT STAND TOO MUCH ANGST AND GORE!

Read, review... and ... well errr... just review.


Edited by Me!

Chapter 6 : The Birthing

The weather had begun to turn, winter was setting in, and there was a bite of cold in the air that made the Hanyou shiver. There was things to do and Inuyasha worked hard to make the little cave habitable. He brought some meat and fruits to eat storing them carefully in the cave. He collected as much dried leaves and flower petals that he could, and used his cloak to make his birthing area. He added the flower petals because he wanted his pups to have something nice to smell when they were born. Inuyasha used strands of his hair to sew soft rabbit fur of that he had cleaned and tanned over the month into blankets for his pups. He laid those carefully beside his birthing area.

He cut wood for a fire, dug a fire pit and prepared a small but hot fire to keep the cave warm and keep the bugs away. He placed stones around the fire pit to further heat the cave without needing a huge fire.

He spent hours searching in the gathering cold, to find some specific herbs that Kaede had told him when burned would mask the smell of blood. He carefully collected the herbs and packed them into small cloth bags for burning.

His belly and back aching, Inuyasha cut heaviest sharp spiky branches and vines he could find, and dragged them to the mouth of the cave. Ignoring the scratches and cuts on his hands, face and body, he brought up at least 7 loads of the deadly stuff, arranging them carefully around the entry. He needed to make the area look as unwelcoming as possible to keep away predators.

Finally Inuyasha was almost ready, he looked around trying to think of what else he might need. Water! Damnit, Inuyasha leapt up, grabbed all the empty water containers and ran, the river was a good hour away, and Inuyasha was pretty sure he was running out of time. So he moved as fast as he could. He got to the river filled the water bottles, drank his fill and was just about to leave when he remembered something. Quickly he went to the river and dunked his hair in the ice cold water. Washing out the berry dye, Inuyasha did not want to take the chance that his pups would not recognize him.

Having done all he could Inuyasha shook himself dry. He was about to leave when his eye caught a glitter of something in the water. Unable to hold back his curiosity Inuyasha dug his hand into the water and pulled out a small battered metal box. He opened it and a small shower of gems fell into his hand. Among the gems was a huge almost translucent white stone that seemed to glow like the full moon. It was larger then Inuyasha's fist and it was beautiful. Inuyasha grinned, perfect his pups would have something pretty to look at as well. He tucked the stone into his vest and the other gems into his pouch. Grabbed the water containers and started the journey back to his little den.

The wind picked up, his hair drying, Inuyasha shivered miserably.

An exhausted and cold Hanyou finally climbed up to the little cave. The warmth made him sigh in gratitude. He carefully placed the beautiful stone on a natural ledge where he and he was sure the pups could see it. That act seemed to take the last of his energy, Inuyasha lay on his little make shift bed, listening to the silence around him, broken only by the low moan of the wind. Inuyasha hugged his belly and curled up. Then he lifted his weary head, to make a sweep of the den ensuring that he had forgotten nothing. Once he was sure, he allowed exhaustion to take him, and the young Hanyou hidden from prying eyes slept.

Inuyasha's own shivering woke him up. He blinked in confusion, why was only one area cold. Then realization dawned, the birthing lines were beginning to leak. Quickly Inuyasha whipped off the fire rat robe and his inner shirt. He stared at the now red and oozing lines on his body. His breathing began to get heavier, his throat closed. Panic began to rise, his pups, his pups were ready to be born, and Inuyasha felt drained, alone and tired, so very tired. How was he supposed to do this, he could not remember... Inuyasha his eyes wild, clutched himself, he was alone, he was panting... panicking.

Then he felt it, his pups moving inside him. Feeling their bearers fear, they began to panic as well. They began move uncertainly inside him.

NO! He could not afford to panic! If he failed they would DIE! NO! Inuyasha pulled himself together, he had no time for stupid weakness, he needed to be strong, he had to be strong – for his pups. He could do this, he would do this! Inuyasha pushed his fear aside, ruthless he forced his fears, his weaknesses into a locked place deep in himself. Inuyasha's breathing evened out and he gently placed a hand on his belly comforting his pups. They did not need to be afraid, he was there, and he would keep them safe. He spoke softly to the pups and they calmed under his care.

He had a few minutes before the pulses began and he had to begin the birthing process. Inuyasha got other things ready, he placed the herb packets and a long wooden handled knife into the fire. Then tried to eat food, but his panic earlier had drained him of appetite, he ate a bite or two, and immediately got violently sick. Wrinkling his nose in disgust he buried the vomit, and washed his mouth out. His pups moved within him, and this time he did 'hear' them. They were ready!

Inuyasha forced all thought out of his head, he knew what he had to do. His upper body bare, he leaned against the cold mossy wall of the cave. His Youki rose, feeding the pups, and preparing his body for the birth. Then the pulses began. The first pulse wiped all thought from Inuyasha's head, his focus narrowed to his belly and the pups he could now feel inside him. His claws elongated as he waited. His body pulsed again and Inuyasha made the first incision, Deep and long he cut his belly open cleanly. It took a second and then bloody liquids oozed out. They leaked across his body, seeping into the bed. Inuyasha tried to wipe some of the blood with a cloth before the next pulse, but the simple movement caused pain to shoot though his body. The Hanyou bit back his cry, and dropped the cloth. It was not worth the effort. His body pulsed again, sweet numbness spread though him, and Inuyasha quickly made the diagonal cut, ensuring that the hole in his belly was large enough for the pups.

Instinctively knowing the location of the birthing sac, on the next pulse Inuyasha plunged his hand into his body, and screamed. In spite of the pain numbing effect of the pulses, this was too much. Spots danced before Inuyasha's eyes, pain racked his body, his head jerked back and slammed into the unforgiving rock. He could not pass out! He WOULD FUCKING NOT pass out. Inuyasha fought the pain.

Something soft touched the hand inside his belly. Something warm moved towards the offending hand. Inuyasha dragged his mind away from the blissful release of unconsciousness. The would-be oldest pup, was reaching out to its bearer, trying to hurry the birthing process. Inuyasha shoved the pain aside and focused. Gently, carefully, he curled his hand around the tiny body, and began separating the sac. He pulled the pup that was so tiny it fit into the palm of his hand, holding it securely with a look of pure wonder, Inuyasha brought the pup to his face. He could not afford time to relax.

He quickly licked the pup's face and muzzle clean. Ignoring the pain his movements caused he reached for the tiny fur blanket, wrapped it around the tiny body and placed the pup in the crook of his left arm; the only area of his body, free of blood, and still clean. His pups' yips gave him the strength to continue.

His body pulsed again, and with a deep breath Inuyasha repeated the process, this time forcing his body to stay still despite of the pain so as not to dislodge the oldest pup. The second pup was tiny-er , it was only three quarters the length of his palm. Inuyasha blinked, how could something so tiny, be so perfect. He licked the pup clean with just two swipes. His teeth clenched with pain, but his hands were firm and gentle as he wrapped the second pup in its blanket and set it beside the first. His energy levels were dropping really fast, keeping his breath even was becoming hard. A part of him was tempted to rest, but Inuyasha did not dare, he was afraid that if he rested for a few minutes, he would slip into unconsciousness, and may hap never wake up.

Even with the smell of the herbs masking the scent, the thick metallic smell of blood was heavy in the air. Inuyasha's Youki, his body was so drained, the energy pooling to create the next pulse was taking too long to gather. Blood still seeped out and Inuyasha realized that he could not afford to wait. He grabbed a small piece of wood, and bit down on it, he did not want to scream and frighten the pups. Then without the pulse, Inuyasha plunged his hand into his body. The wood piece shattered in his mouth, and try as he might he could not hold it back. The Hanyou howled in agony.

Far South West of Inuyasha's position, the DaiYoukai was jerked out of sleep as a wave of pain washed though his body. Bakunsaiga in hand even before he fully awake, the DaiYoukai blinked in confusion at his empty room.

Just like in battle, where Inuyasha ignored the damage to him and fought a so-called superior foe, Inuyasha now ignored everything and focused on keeping his hand steady. He clamped his mouth shut, biting so hard that gums tore and more blood joined the river of sweat rolling down the Hanyou's face. He gently found the birthing sac once again and cut the last puppy out. This time, he pulled the final pup and the birthing sac out of his body. The sac rolled down to his thighs and Inuyasha forcing his muscles to work, brought the final pup to him, licking its tiny face and muzzle clean of any residual liquid. This pup was about the same size as the first one, Inuyasha kept his hand steady as he wrapped the final pup and placed it with the others.

Inuyasha gazed at the three pups, sleeping on his upper body and arm, a small smile ghosted across his face. His precious pups, were alive. He had done it. The umbilical cord was still attached, and Inuyasha would leave that for now, the cord would provide the pups nutrition from his body for the little while. The Goddess had told him to let them fall naturally, just in case.

The birthing was done, but the ordeal was far from over. Blood was everywhere, the cloak caked with blood stuck to the Hanyou's back, his lower body was soaked in it as well. There was so much blood, and still the cuts oozed more of the precious fluid. Inuyasha had no Youki left – his core temperature was so low, that even in the heated cave, he felt as if he was freezing. The need to sleep was so strong, it clawed at him. But he could not, if he slept now, he would die, and worst his pups would die with him. He was bleeding and before he could do anything else he HAD to stop the bleeding.

Inuyasha cursed himself for being a fucking coward as his right hand trembled as it reached out for the fire. Try as he might he could not stop the cowardly shaking. He was glad the pups still had their eyes closed and could not see it. He reached out and grasped the wooden handle of the knife he had placed in the fire. The metal blade of the knife was now white hot. Carefully to not dislodge his pups, he moved his left hand to arrange the flaps of skin somewhat back into place, and arrange the umbilical cords at one edge of the horizontal cut. Then as quick as he could Inuyasha placed the white hot knife on the open vertical cut on his belly to seal the wound. Inuyasha's whole body jerked with shock, his head once again slamming into unforgiving rock, the scream that left him this time was soundless. Such was the degree of agony, no sound left his lips. Tears leaked out of Inuyasha's eyes, as he jerked the knife away, and thrust it into the fire again. Not allowing himself to pause or think, Inuyasha brought the hot knife back to his belly and sealed the horizontal cut, leaving only the area where the umbilical cords were open. The smell of charred flesh mingled with the scent of tears and blood.

Inuyasha's hand fell to his side, the knife rolling out of suddenly slack fingers. Having sealed his wounds in the way of humans, they could heal at their own pace. It was finally over. He had one last thing to do before he could rest. His pups, even with the nutrition from the umbilical cord, required feeding. Each movement agonizing, Inuyasha placed the tiny pups just below his collar bone. They awoke at the movement, Inuyasha nicked three spots just above the collar bone, and brought the puppies up for feeding. They hesitated until their bearers blood touched their muzzles, Tiny tongues stuck out and lapped. Then as understanding dawned the pups clamped on the cuts, and sucked. If he had the strength, Inuyasha would have smiled at the sight, his pups alive and feeding, instead the Hanyou finally surrendered to the darkness that surrounded him, and slipped into unconsciousness.

In the residents of the Western Inu Lands trembled in fear. Rin, Jaken and other retainers of Lord Sesshoumaru banged at his doors, trying and failing to get into the DaiYoukai's room. The howls shaking them to their souls. Sesshoumaru stood braced on his balcony, eyes red, his instincts were running riot and Sesshoumaru did not know why. Waves of agony still raked his body, but they were nothing compared to the feeling of his heart being ripped to shreds.

His instincts screamed something was WRONG, terribly Wrong! Only he did not know what!

His instincts screamed he NEEDED to BE somewhere! He had to be there! Only he did not know where!

Torn, Sesshoumaru stood on his balcony and howled, the howls were agonizing and bone chilling. Tears mixed with blood rolled down the smooth cheeks of the DaiYoukai! Everything in him mourned! Only he did not know why!

-tbc—

Wanted to write more before posting – but just cant. I need to recover, my poor brave Inu. Well keep in mind you wanted details. Review please!