Disclaimer: Inuyasha isn't mine. :(

Kagome sighed happily and stretched her arms above her head. It was a beautiful day. Not a cloud in the sky, warm with just a gentle breeze. Sango sat beside her, cradling Satoshi in her arms. The twins Aiko and Hikari were playing by the river and the sound of their laughter was music to her ears. She had been back in the Feudal Era for six months now and it was remarkable how so much had changed in the three years she had been gone. Miroku was still a flirt, but he was a devoted husband and a loving father; his girls absolutely adored him. Sango was still feisty and tough but it was a quieter kind of strength than before. Shippo and Kaede had barely changed at all. That was comforting in it's way, it made falling into a routine far easier than she'd expected. But there was more change to come, Kagome thought, pressing a hand to her rounded belly.

Of all of them, Inuyasha had changed the most in her mind. Her husband. She'd loved him for years, yet husband still sounded so strange to her, in a good way of course. She'd learned soon after returning that every three days, Inuyasha would go to the Bone-Eater's Well and just sit there, waiting and hoping that she'd return. Hearing that had made her heart swell and break at the same time. Six months, and apart from his demon-slaying excursions with Miroku, he wouldn't let her out of his sight. Even then it took much reassurance from Miroku, Sango, Kaede, Kagome and even Sesshoumaru on the rare occasion he was here that nothing would happen while he was gone for him to agree to go. And when he returned, it was the same thing every time. He'd make a beeline for the hut they shared, see her there and pull her into an tight embrace. He'd never say anything, but Kagome could feel the tension slipping away. Some might say it wasn't healthy, the over-protectiveness he felt towards her, but Kagome truly didn't mind. She didn't particularly enjoy being separated from him either. Thankfully, he and Miroku were due back any day now.

"Kagome!" Sango said "Look!" The unmistakeable silhouette of Kirara had appeared in the sky, but it didn't take long for them to notice something was very wrong. Sango blanched at the sight when Kirara landed. Miroku's face was ashen and a gash in his right shoulder had left his entire side soaked with blood. In his other hand, he feebly grasped both his staff and the Tessaiga. Kagome felt faint. What had happened? The twins had run to welcome their father home and promptly freaked out at the sight of blood.

"Daddy!" Hikari cried.

"Where's Uncle Doggy?" Aiko sobbed. Sango knelt and tried very hard to keep her voice level.

"Girls, I need you to go find Granny Kaede. Daddy is going to be fine, but I need her help. Can you do that for me?" Hikari nodded bravely and took her sister's hand. They ran back to the village as fast as their little legs could carry them. Satoshi began to cry.

"Here." Kagome whispered, gently taking the infant from Sango's arms. Sango gave her a brief smile of thanks before turning her attention to her wounded husband.

"Miroku! Open your eyes, you can't fall asleep! Come on!" Her quiet urging seemed to work. Miroku's blue eyes opened but they were bleary full of pain.

"I-Inu-yasha…."

"What happened to him?" Kagome asked, unable to keep the panic from her voice.

"Inuyasha needs help…"

TBC

Author's note: Here's a fun fact! Here are what the names of Sango and Miroku's children mean.

Hikari= light. Aiko= beloved, loving child. And Satoshi= clear-thinking, quick-witted.

Thanks for reading!