-So, I really hope at least on person likes this. It's been so long since I've written and dusting off the old writing skills takes a bit. This first chapter is 100% original from the first time I wrote it years ago. Chapter 2 is new and hopefully it helps pick up some of the loose ends, though I do plan to back-build on this story. Anyways, reviews and criticisms very welcome! Even suggestions on what you'd like to know more about may lead to a new chapter of the story :)-Hailye-

After long hours of what seemed an endless wait, a momentous cry was heard. It rang through the hut with an awakening joy. It was a strenuous task and very tolling on Kagome's body but the end result, her firstborn daughter, was definitely worth it. And although it was a happy moment, actually one of the happiest moments in Kagome's life, she was still wracked with sadness and fear. Inuyasha had left to pursue a report of demons attacking the town of Haijiro in the west. His brother had called for his aid and so he had gone. Kagome couldn't go with him of course, but she made him promise her the day he left, that he would return to her, and soon, for their child was to be born. But a day had turned to five and five turned to seven. It had been a week since he left and no word of his well-being or return had made it back to Kagome. A tear escaped her eye as she looked down at the bundle of life in her arms. Sango, who had helped Kagome through the exhausting ordeal, patted Kagome on the shoulder and said wholeheartedly, "Please don't cry Kagome. Inuyasha will make it back as soon as he can. I know he wouldn't take any more time than he needed knowing how much you mean to him and how much this child means to him."

"I know," Kagome sobbed as tears were now continuously flowing from her beautiful brown eyes, "I just wish I knew where he was and if he's safe! The night of the new moon is in two days and I'm worried about him."

"It'll all be alright, I promise," Sango replied as she hugged her friend and looked down at the child. She looked just like Kagome, all except for those piercing golden eyes. It was like staring into Inuyasha's eyes, only smaller and brighter. Her little hands and feet were clawed and fangs could definitely be seen protruding from her bright pink gums. She had ears, just like her father, which twitched lazily atop her head. Kagome would definitely have to go home as soon as she was able to travel to show her mother her new granddaughter.

The two girls admired the child, listening to the pitter-patter of the rain on the roof. All was well until a rustle at the door startled them. They were alone, besides Miroku and Shippo of course. Though, the two had been sent out of the room and down the road to see if there was a village nearby.

That was hours ago.

Sango looked from Kagome to the door and Kagome nodded back at her in approval. As Sango made her short walk to the door, Kagome set the child in her little bassinet and reached for an object lying in the shadows.

-Flashback-

He leaned down and kissed his wife on the forehead, took her hand and smiled.

"I'll be back soon Kagome. Don't worry."

"I hope your right. I don't know if I can do this without you," she replied halfheartedly, looking down at her swollen abdomen.

"I know you can. You're strong. But I do hope that I'm here to see our child born. It's not something I waited nine months for to miss." He added a sincere giggle in hopes of making her smile…and she did. "I want you to keep this with you while I'm gone."

He reached at his hip and unsheathed his Tetsusaiga, though; the sword was not his target. He took the sheath and handed it to Kagome.

"This will keep you safe while I'm away. Keep it with you always, so I don't go crazy knowing I left you without any means protection." Another giggle escaped his lips, causing her to smile once more.

"Thanks Inuyasha. Enjoy your trip, I love you," she said as he rose to exit the room.

"I love you too. See you soon."

-End Flashback-

Sango tried to peer out through the holes in the doorway cover but to no avail as it was too dark. So, bravely, she called to the person.

"Is anyone out there?"

For a moment, no reply was heard. The tension in the room increased, and then was immediately broken when a figure came hurriedly through the door. A crash of thunder and flash of lightening revealed a familiar, purple cloaked figure with his furry companion perched on his shoulder.

"Gah, we got all halfway here from the village and-," Miroku was cut off by a barrage of blows to the shoulder.

"You stupid monk! How dare you come in here like that, scaring us both half to death!" Sango gave him one more good smack on the shoulder then began to chuckle at how scared she had been in that moment.

"Oh Sango I'm sorry, I didn't realize I had scared you." Miroku leaned forward to embrace his wife and as he did so, Shippo jumped down and shook the water from his fur. Then all heads turned when crying could be heard from just a few feet away.

Shippo ran over to Kagome, knowing just what he was looking for…a baby. "What a beautiful baby girl Kagome," squealed Shippo. Kagome leaned over to the bassinet and picked up the child attempting to soothe its crying. The infant quickly quieted down, happy to be back in the warm arms of its mother. Miroku walked over to Kagome's bedside and leaned down to look at the little bundle of life lying in Kagome's arms.

"Well I'll be, look at that little one, how precious!" Miroku smiled at Kagome and scratched his head. "She bears quite the resemblance to you. I would have thought she would look more like Inu-," He looked up at Sango and back to Kagome, not wanting to say the name he knew might upset the weary miko laying beside him. "Well she's darling, Kagome. Congratulations."

"Thank you Miroku. So did you find a village anywhere near here," Kagome inquired, eager to turn the attention away from her.

Miroku stood and crossed the room to sit down in a chair beside Sango.

"We did find a village…probably a mile from here. It was small, but a village none the less. The people there were very welcoming."

Miroku looked around the room for a moment, almost as if he didn't really know how to say the next part.

"From what I could understand of what they told me," he continued, "they've been hearing about a village in the west that was under attack by demons. They spoke of two powerful demons fighting off the other demons and I don't know for sure, but I think they're talking about Hai jiro."

Kagome sat upright on her futon.

"Inuyasha?"

Before she could speak more, Miroku began again.

"Now I asked them if they knew anything else about it or if they knew how to get there. The village head, Kai, said that he didn't know anymore about it, but he pointed me in the direction of the town and described to me how to get there. I plan on leaving at first light tomorrow. According to Kai, I should be able to reach Haijiro within a day."

Sango stepped forward and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Are you sure Miroku? I mean, couldn't it be…dangerous?" She looked to Kagome. She knew this may not bode well, but she sighed. Sango knew it had to be done. After having no word from Inuyasha for almost two weeks, someone had to go check it out, for Kagome.

"Dangerous, maybe…but I've got to do it. Eleven days is long enough to go without word from Inuyasha. I'm sure I'll find out where he's gone and come right back to you all and let you know."

"Miroku…, thank you." Kagome looked to him and smiled. She was so worried about Inuyasha. Of course she didn't want Miroku going and getting hurt, but this looked like it was the only way.

"It's no big deal Kagome. I'll be there and back within two days. In the meantime though, just rest and relax here with Sango. Inuyasha would kill me if he knew I let you worry like this in the condition you're in." A wholehearted chuckle followed, echoed by everyone in the room. And with the laughter came the halt of the rain.

"Oh, it's stopped raining," Sango said as she looked out the door frame, "Me and Miroku are gonna go outside and see what we can do for a camp fire. You'll be okay in here Kagome?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine. Go ahead." She smiled and settled back down under her covers, rocking her child back and forth, keeping her in solemn slumber.

"Hey, wait for me," Shippo cried as Miroku and Sango left the hut. He quickly bolted out the door after the two.

Kagome now laid there alone, in silence. She was happy to have the room to herself for now, quite tired from the day she'd had, both physically and mentally. Her body needed rest, but her mind wouldn't let her until she knew if Inuyasha was alright. She looked down at her child. A tear rolled down her cheek and onto the baby's forehead. Kagome reached down and swept away the droplet from the baby's face and spoke.

"I think I'll call you Satsu. I think Inuyasha would like that."

Kagome sniffled alittle, wiped up her tears, and laid back. She reached over and put Satsu in her bassinet and scooted it closer to her. Her delicate hand rocked the bassinet back and forth to keep Satsu asleep. Kagome slowly but surely drifted off to sleep too, hoping with her last conscious thought, that Inuyasha would soon return.

-So, soon you'll find out what happened to Inu. After re-reading this after over a year and a half of forgetting completely that I had written it even I was anxious about what happened, and I knew! Let me know what you think!-Hailye-