Chapter 2:

I felt his lips on my neck, and I sighed as he gave me a sweet goodnight. I replied back to him with my own soft goodnight before he nuzzled my neck and held me close. A ritual, if you will, when we fall asleep.

Now that I think about it, I kind of feel bad for teasing him so much for his want—no, his need—for children. I love Natsuo, Rin, and Shippou…would it hurt to have another? I'd love him or her just the same…and Book Boy would be so happy. But, having another child…it wouldn't spoil my chances of being more than a mother, would it? Three children are hard enough as it is…a fourth? Would my librarian dreams finally come to an end?

"Darling," I whispered. "Are you still up?"

"What is it?" He asked, although his voice was slightly muffled. I stroked his hair softly and I knew his eyes were closed.

"I…I've spent a lot of time thinking about this…" I began. "A fourth one would be…nice…" He shifted a bit.

"A fourth what?" He asked softly, groggily. I sighed. His mind was fogged with sleep. Sesshomaru never falls asleep before me. I think my sleeping patterns have become just as erratic as Natsuo's.

"A fourth child," I edged, frowning. "You were the one nudging me last week to have another one." His arms shifted, and sheets slid against each other as he leaned up to look at me. He rubbed his golden eye and reached over my chest to turn on the light on the bed stand. He stared at me for a long while before tilting his head to the side.

"You've considered?"

"Well…Natsuo doesn't satisfy you enough, does he? I mean, we've never had a planned pregnancy…one that we both want…Natsuo was wonderfully accidental…" I blushed in embarrassment. "I love my baby, but you've been so antsy…I don't…" I gave a tired sigh. "Something bad is going to happen."

He pressed his lips against my own gently. He lay down on the bed and wrapped his arms around me protectively. I fell against his chest and held the strong arms that held me. I closed my eyes and focused on his breathing and heartbeat.

"My dear, you are obviously not ready for a second child…not yet, I suppose." He wrapped the covers over us and turned out the light. "And as for your luminous feeling…let it be forgotten. Love, nothing will disrupt our peace."

"But…" I argued. "My heart is telling me otherwise. Something isn't right."

"We shall discuss this in the morning," he told me, kissing my temple. "Relax…" he soothed. "Goodnight, my Kagome. Sleep." I nodded meekly and snuggled as close as I could to my husband. As much as his words did comfort me, I still feel a weight on my body. It was pressing my flesh down into the bed, into his arms. It scared me. Something wasn't right…

"Sleep," he whispered. After a few moments his breathing steadied and his heartbeat slowed. I pressed my head against his chest and listened to the continuous thumping. It helped me regain some security—Book Boy was with me and would forever be with me. His heartbeat proved that. His heart belongs to my family and me. As long as his heart belonged to me, I would fine and safe. Perhaps I should just cast this feeling off…

I closed my eyes once and the feeling was lost. I had fallen into my dreamland.

That morning I didn't hear the alarm. But I did hear the thumping of his heart. It soothed me as I rested on him. I could only see black, seeing as though my eyes were closed. I heard the sweet chirping of birds and the loud bark of our neighbor's new dog. I also heard a giggle beside my ear.

"Hmm…" I mumbled. "Who is that?" I reached out a hand and felt a small head. I moved my fingers through the short hair and gasped, opening my eyes. "Natsuo?"

"We brought him last night, Mama…" Shippou whispered as Rin snuggled more into the sheets of the bed. I watched him.

"Darling, what happened?"

"We got scared," he told me sheepishly, running his fingers through his bright orange hair. "It was thundering last night. So Rin and I climbed into bed…but Natsuo wanted to come too so we brought him." I glanced at the clock, seeing that it read nine thirty in the morning.

"He slept through nearly the whole night!" I gasped, surprised and pleased with my baby boy. I glanced at him, smiled, and gave him a big kiss on his cheek.

"Mama!" The little boy squealed, causing Book Boy to shift.

"Go tickle Daddy, won't you? Maybe poke him in the sides a few times to get him up. Go on, baby. It'll be funny," I coaxed, hoping the little two year-old would follow my words and pester his father. When Natsuo did, I grinned. "Go on, baby…start tickling his neck. Like this!" I swept my fingertips across the back of Book Boy's neck, hoping to receive some reaction. Natsuo jumped right in with me and threw himself across his father's head.

"Ouch…" Shippou mumbled, watching the toddler squirm on his father's face. I gave a loud laugh.

Sesshomaru's hands went to his face, where a little giggling boy now was placed, his stomach over his father's nose, eyes, and mouth. His two hands wrapped around the child's waist and lifted him up so he could see and breathe.

"Natsuo?" He asked, leaning up so the sheets settled around his waist. The little boy shrieked in delight at being held in the air before he was placed down in Book Boy's lap.

"Good morning," I greeted, waving at him with a grin on my lips. "And I did not place a baby on your face this wonderful Saturday morning." His eyes twinkled for a moment as Natsuo began to bounce. He ran his fingers through his hair and yawned.

"Get out of here, all of you. Allow your mother and I to dress and we'll be down to make breakfast," he told them, looking down at the silver head in his lap. "You…I suppose you may stay."

"Where else is he gonna go?" I asked with a smile. "Go on, Rin, Ship. Get dressed for the day and I'll make omelet for breakfast. How does that sound?" They both chirped a loud, "Hooray!" before scampering out of the room. Sesshomaru fell back into the pillows and covered his face with a pillow.

"What time is it?" His groaned muffle asked. I giggled.

"Well, it's nine thirty, dear," I said, plucking the pillow off his face. I pressed my lips against his before pulling away. "You're the one who wants more, I hope you remember."

"You seem to want to remind me every day," he murmured as I grabbed little Natsuo and cradled him in my arms. I gave the little boy another kiss.

"Let's go, honey-bear. We'll start some breakfast while big mean Daddy gets dressed," I said as little cerulean eyes twinkled as Natsuo looked up at me. I smiled even more. I'm so happy he received my eyes. Now he looks like my child too, not just Book Boy's.

We walked down the hallway where our room was located, along with Natsuo's. Rin and Shippou's rooms were upstairs with a bathroom and the guest room. Downstairs was our room, a bathroom, kitchen and living room. Natsuo's room was now the office, which was joined onto our bedroom. Once Natsuo is old enough, he'll move into Shippou's room and we'll get our office back.

The boy babbled to me, nothing in particular, and mostly in mumbles. When I sat him in his high chair, he began to bounce before playing with a pair of plastic keys on the side. Once he was occupied, his baby mumbles became giggles and squeals as he continually pushed a button that spoke phrases. After hearing a dorky voice repeat things like, "Let's go on an adventure!" and "Milk is good for you!" I began to grow tired. But I went to get my ingredients anyway and started to put them together.

"We are going to disconnect the wires on that thing—I don't think he'll mind. What do you think?" I asked Book Boy as he entered the kitchen in a white long-sleeve t-shirt and a pair of dirty jeans. I sighed. "Those are disgusting, Sess-kun. I told you to get rid of them."

"They're comfortable," he said simply. "And they're not disgusting."

"You've had those same pair of pants for how many years now? Five?" I asked, receiving a shrug. I frowned. "I'll wrestle those pants off of you, mister." He smirked, and raised his eyebrows in a suggestive manner. I scowled at him. "…What I just said was not supposed to be amusing."

"But how amusing it was," he chided, smiling as he did so. "Have you had your coffee this morning? You seem a bit ruffled, darling." I frowned even more as I glared at the coffee maker. I hadn't even started it yet.

…Damn. Didn't I turn it on? No! I didn't!

"Argh!" I cried, pressing the button with a furious look on my face. "I want my coffee, Goddamn it!" Sesshomaru took a deep breath as he looked at Natsuo.

"Your mother seems to have anger management issues. Hopefully you won't inherit her short temper," he teased me, looking at Natsuo, whom only pressed that infuriating button faster and harder than before.

"Honey," I cooed, batting my eyelashes at the little doll faced boy. "Honey, honey, honey, you're driving Mama up the wall. Please spare her sanity for this day, and I'll give you a cookie after lunch. Heck, make that two cookies." The boy continued his button pressing, so I took his hand and said a firm, "No" like Book Boy always does. He began to cry.

"Get your coffee ingested quickly," Sesshomaru said as he took Natsuo out of the annoying high chair of doom (why I even bought that thing is utterly beyond me at this point). I pouted as I watched Book Boy settle the little boy down.

"I'm supposed to be his favorite," I whined. Sesshomaru rolled his eyes.

"You. Coffee. Now," was all he said as Natsuo began to run his fingers through his father's silver hair. I sighed as I banged the coffee machine on and placed some water in it. Did I even know how to work this thing in the morning?

…I guess it's time to find out.

"Watch out of your mother. She's in a rather odd mood," Sesshomaru warned Shippou and Rin. I glared at him from where I stood at the counter.

"Shut up," I growled. I then looked at the children. "And don't say that to other boys and girls. It isn't nice. When you're married, say it all you want because he most likely deserves it," I glared once more, causing Sesshomaru to smile.

"Ignore her. Now tell me, the two of you, what are you going to do today?" Sesshomaru asked, though I wasn't listening as he did. As the children began to explain what they were going to do, I glanced down at my attire. I was still in my hot pink nightgown with the frill by the knee (I don't now why I bought this thing either. It was on sale at TJMax for three dollars…maybe it was the neon green stripes that got me around the torso. I'm not sure. When I came home Book Boy thought it was an atrocity and pulled it off of me when I put it on for him to see. He's a clever devil when it comes to ways to find sex). Perhaps it was time to go change.

I left the kitchen with a, "Watch the stove while I get dressed, will you?" I didn't hear a reply, but I was sure Book Boy had it covered. He could be such a cot-quean when he wants to be.

When I walked into our closet, the nightgown went over my head. I placed on a simple white bra and a new pair of panties (I'm one of those people that goes through a tremendous amount of underwear. You know, change when you go to bed and put new ones on in the morning) before pulling on a pair of jean shorts. I exercised the baby weight from my pregnancy off and now fit into my regular jeans again. So I went with my black pair and pulled on a white short-sleeved shirt. I have no clue why I'm explaining my wardrobe choices to you, but it seems something I should point out. For what reason, hell like I know, but it's my life so I get to tell you. Ha.

I pranced downstairs in my Michael Kors socks (Author: Does anybody own Michael Kors socks? I do. They're jus so-o comfy!). I still have no reason to tell you what brand of socks I wear, but it seems to be important information. Because when I hit the last step, I slipped on the wood and fell backwards on my bottom.

Stupid socks.

"For your birthday, you are receiving a helmet from me," Book Boy teased as he finished the omelet I was supposed to make. How long did it take me to put on clothes? Twenty-five minutes? I did take a little pit stop on the way, I guess (I didn't tell you about this since it infuriated me to a point that I had to explain every little detail of my morning routine to you) and brushed my teeth, used the bathroom ext.

"Ha, ha," I told him sarcastically. "Thank you. Coffee?" I asked.

"Coffee," he held out a cup, a little smile on his lips. I kissed his cheek.

"Why thank you, Lord Ass. You mock me on the inside, and then everyone thinks I'm crazy when I call you names. Why is that?" I whispered so the children couldn't hear.

"Because…" he began. "I hide myself well, and you like to make a scene with the names you give me. And, besides, dear, you are rather childish." I pouted at him. "But that makes you all the more attractive in my eyes. Satisfied?"

"Quite," I mumbled, taking the plate of omelet he held out to me. I took the plate and placed it before the children. Natsuo was back in his high chair, back to his button pressing. Those blue eyes looked straight into my own as he continued pressing the button. I dropped my mouth. "He is your son!" I cried. "He's mocking me right now! Look at the little devil!"

Sesshomaru chuckled as he walked past, lifting the cup I held to my lips. "Take a drink."

I took a small gulp before nearly dropping my cup in surprise. "Ow!" I cried, placing the cup down on the counter. He chuckled again as I shouted, "My tongue!"

"So noisy," he teased. "In the morning too. Have you no shame, little door gluer?" I glared at him once more. I think Book Boy and I should have a glaring contest. Today I was winning by a landslide!

"I love you too," I mumbled, sitting down at the table. I pouted. "Your Papa teases me too much! Don't you think so? I need back up, I say! Back up!" I took Shippou and hugged him to me. "You'll be on my side, won't you? Please do. Please take my side." Shippou giggled as he slapped my arms away softly.

"Mama, I'm hungry," he told me with a smile. "I want to eat." I let go of him and sighed. I guess I was a lost cause…

I dusted off my jeans and took another slow, small sip of coffee. It soothed me immediately.

"Okay, Mama's calm. As calm as she can get…" I glanced at Natsuo as Sesshomaru got his food ready. Hmm, seems the teaser has decided to become silent.

We all ate in a comfortable silence. I gave Sesshomaru a chance to eat by taking the baby once more. He smiled slightly at me as he sat. You know, Book Boy really was a good father. He picked up my slack whenever I needed it. Though he was ignorant about some things, I knew he could handle a big family. It was just the question if I was ready to handle a big family.

At that moment, Sesshomaru's cell phone vibrated on the counter. His eyes widened slightly at the different vibrating pattern. Was it always like that? I thought it always was a continuous buzz…did it stop periodically?

He stood up and swiftly took the cell phone into the next room. The children had sensed his tension and looked at me. I could only look into the next room and wonder what was wrong.

Was my luminous feeling finally coming around? Was something big going to happen?

"It's all right," I said simply. "Eat and—" Before I could finished I heard my Book Boy's abnormally loud, growled, "What?" The children stared at me for an answer that I didn't have to give. I shook my head softly. "Go outside once your finished, all right? Something has made Papa angry. It might have to deal with work…" I smiled again, hoping they would feed off my lie. They nodded, put their plates on the counter, and skirted out of the kitchen as quickly as they could. I couldn't exactly blame them for wanting to run out of here. Book Boy never grew upset to the point of yelling.

I patted Natsuo on the head before tiptoeing into the room Book Boy occupied. He was pacing, the phone pressed to his ear, in silence. I sat on the couch and glanced at Natsuo, who was having a perfectly fun time in his high chair.

"…You can't," Book Boy said sternly. "It'll be giving too much information away." There was silence. "No…how do you realize this? It could just be…I suppose you're right. It's too frequent to be coincidental."

His eyes, at that moment, latched onto mine. I blinked at him innocently and remained quiet. It was what he needed now the most.

His silver hair was in disarray, and his liquid gold eyes were troubled. I hadn't seen that look in his eyes for a very long time. The last time I had seen the look of sheer fright had been when Natsuo had a cold three months after he was brought home. Sesshomaru had a complete mental breakdown when I met him at the hospital—Natsuo was diagnosed with Pneumonia. I was the one who had to hold him that night and tell him our baby would pull through and be fine. Perhaps you haven't understood the seriousness of my husband's need for a family. I didn't realize it fully until that moment either.

I gave him a fleeting smile, and he sighed. The smile washed away. How serious was this to get him so jumbled up?

"Book Boy…" I whispered softly, hoping to draw his attention, but his hand went through the air in a stern "No". I shut my lips immediately.

I sat there for ten more minutes listening to, "No, this can't happen" and "Impossible". The bad feeling in my chest began to grow heavy when he finally placed his phone down. Natsuo sat in my lap, quiet. He knew there was something wrong with his father.

His hand was clenched in a fist as he dropped the phone to the floor. He ran a hand through his hair and leaned against the wall. I frowned as I stroked the baby's hair.

"We're having unwanted company," he said to the wall. My heart began to sink into my stomach—was it his father? Had our past finally come up to catch us? Was our beautiful little family going to go under?

"Who?" I barely managed to ask. He pressed his palm against the wall and pushed himself from it. He staggered over to my side and sat next to me on the couch. He wrapped his arms around me and nuzzled his nose through my hair.

"Your brother and sister-in-law. Something has happened and they must come here for safety," he mumbled, despair in his voice. I began to tremble.

"What has happened?" I asked.

"Something."

"What?"

"I can't tell you," was his sad reply. I bit my lip so hard I drew blood. The metallic taste made my mouth go sour.

"You have to tell me!" I cried, my voice rising. "Sesshomaru, I'm your wife! You can't leave me out of the blue, especially about something as serious as this. Please…"

"I don't wish to worry you," he said, his eyes looking at the ground. He couldn't even look at me!

"You have to worry me, Book Boy. It's a pact we made ever since we said 'I do'," I began loudly before calming my voice down as the child in my lap began to cry. "Did he find them?" I asked softly. "Is he coming for us?"

His silence spoke every word. Tears burst out of my eyes and fell on little Natsuo's head. He joined me in my sorrow quickly. Sesshomaru began to rock the both of us back and forth in hopes to cease our crying. It helped Natsuo some, but it didn't help me. It didn't help me at all.

When I didn't calm down, he took the baby from me and calmed him. I curled up into a ball as he took his child and placed him down for a nap. He wouldn't nap at this time—Sesshomaru knew that. He just had to get the child away from his sorrowful mother.

"Don't be frightened," Sesshomaru whispered as he held me in his lap, cradling my head against his chest. He must've known that my heartbeat comforted me—but, even so, it didn't help the dread I felt. "Please, Kagome, please don't be frightened," he begged. Rarely did Book Boy ever beg. I could feel his hand on my back in his desperate attempt to calm me. "I shouldn't have dragged you into this. I'm sorry."

Book Boy didn't apologize either. This just frightened me more.

I began to hyperventilate and Book Boy stopped speaking. He sighed tiredly. "He will never take you away from me. That I will promise you fully and I'll keep to my promise. Remember that, my Kagome. You belong to me forever and always and I, in turn, belong to you."

"N-N-Now you've gone s-s-sen…" I hiccupped loudly. "Sentimental!" He sighed again and ran his fingers through my hair. He kissed my slippery cheeks, and smiled the best he could at this time.

"Perhaps. You've turned me soft," he said, trying to humor me. I nodded and he smiled as best I could.

"…When are they coming?" I asked, curious as to when I would see Inuyasha after so many years. Hell, I was dead scared, and, somehow, I couldn't feel but a little relieved. Inuyasha was coming, the one who I haven't spoken to in years and…

My face fell. Kikyo.

"Tonight. But, my dear, we will have to give them a surprise," he said simply as he kissed my palm before I caressed his cheek. "They do not know of our marriage, much less Natsuo. And I believe your sister does not know that we care for Shippou as his legal guardians."

"We should…speak to the kids," I mumbled, looking up at him with big eyes. What I meant was that Sesshomaru specifically should speak to them. His shoulders sagged.

"Me?"

"Please?" I asked. "Please, please, please?" When my normal 'please' would not work, I quivered my lip. "Pwease?"

"Together," was his simply demand. It was neither a question nor a statement—we would be confronting them together and that was final. I smiled at his authority and nodded.

"Together!" I chirped. He kissed my forehead.

"Even through times of tough, you still manage to be yourself. Always be cheerful for me." I knew he needed my cheerfulness, because Sesshomaru was way too pessimistic. He always assumed the worse and never the best. He was a cynical man at times, but I did my best to correct it. I couldn't correct it and I knew it. He would always, in that big manly heart of his, be a pessimist and I would remain an optimist. At least our children have an exchange of both kinds of parents.

"Okay," I told him softly. "I'll get the guestroom ready for…" I nearly growled as my sister's name appeared in my mind with flashing lights. "Kikyo and Inuyasha."

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow at me and silently asked, 'You hate her so much?' and the look on my face said, 'Yes, my darling. I hate Kikyo with every fiber of my being. She's too perfect, and a complete and total monster.'

He nodded. "I'll let you off the hook this time, Kagome. Get the guest beds ready and I'll explain to the children." I smiled at him briefly before falling into my disgusting thoughts of Kikyo. He kissed the look off my face (also known as my 'Dastardly Sister Ruining My Life') and gave me the look that told me to stop degrading my sister in my mind. "Later we'll talk about this little loathing of yours."

"Little?" I asked incredulously as I pulled out of his arms. "Little? Sesshomaru, it's not little! My sister ruined my life bit by bit. She's a monster, a full-fledged monster!" He sighed and turned his back to me. I scowled at him.

"Kagome, settle down and tend to the guest rooms. Tonight, you and I will be having a long chat."

"…Does that include no clothes?"

"Well, yes. But afterwards we'll actually speak about this issue," he called as he walked into the other room. I couldn't help but smile. He said that so carelessly, so arrogantly, that I wanted to punch that little head of his in. But I loved that head, and his pretty little face, so I resisted my urges. I'd just wait for tonight and leave him deprived of some serious lovemaking.

You might wonder how, after so many years, I can still hate my sister so much. Well, scars don't heal easy, my friend. They're buried in this large heart of mine that I hoped to never resurface. They'll resurface when Kikyo arrives. They always resurface when I see Kikyo.

Have you ever had such a blinding hate for someone? Certainly you must have, or you are naïve of many things. Hate is a human trait everyone owns, but some don't register it as hate. They see it as a strong disliking. What's the difference between the two? Hate and dislike cover the same concept except one is supposed to be lighter. Well, when I think of Kikyo it isn't light. I can feel the pure hatred flowing through my veins, through my bones and flesh. It courses through me like a never-ending stream.

Kikyo tortured me while I was young. She would make faces at me, call me degrading names, and physically abused me. She scarred both my body and my mind. Her teasing made me spend nights crying in my room…more nights were spent feeling abandoned by my family. My mother is a lovely woman, and she made sure each child had their fill of attention, but most of her attention was headed towards my older siblings. Kikyo was continually yelled at by my mother because of her indecent behavior. Naraku was scolded for his pranks he pulled on his teachers. Souta and I were left on our own—I was the good student, studious and quiet, with good grades and a nice group of friends while Souta was the elementary school playboy (almost every fifth grade girl at the time was infatuated with him). But, with all the attention he received, he never once had a true friend. I helped him, and we grew a strong bond. I haven't talked to him in a long time. That reminds me to do so.

Well, back to the Kikyo bit. Kikyo's face was absolutely gorgeous—and, funny thing is we both look exactly alike except my eyes are prettier. Even though my eyes are quite unique, and others believed I was the more beautiful one, Kikyo had a stronger personality. I was a meek student back then—now I can say differently. I'm loud, a little brash at times, and…well…I guess I'm a bitch at times, but Sesshomaru loves me. And so do my little kids. So that's good.

…

…

…Where in the world was I? I keep getting so sidetracked. And this pillow will not fluff the right way!

Should I explain Kikyo more? I could go on for days; hours even, and never grow tired of complaining about her. You ask me if I think she's changed from the snobby little brat she was during high school? Answer: No. Not at all. She's not completely done ruining my whole life yet. She'll probably pull a stunt here and end up sleeping with my husband.

…

…

SHIT!

Sesshomaru would never do that, would he? Of course he couldn't! I'm his wife! He's my Book Boy! He assures so much…but what does he do on Wednesday nights, huh? He always gets home later than usual. Could he be…seeing another woman?

I gave a frustrated scream and tossed myself on the bed. I buried my head in the pillows and screamed again before hitting my fist on the oak wood of the backboard.

It was Kikyo getting me all jumbled like this! It was KIKYO who made me question my husband's faith to me! Why did she even have to come here in the first place? What a royal pain in the arse!

Arse. I love that word.

Somehow repeating the word 'Arse' in my brain fifty times made me calm down. What a funny little word! I absolutely love the British for their nifty speech inventions.

I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair. I would have to calm down if Kikyo was coming. She'd expect my nervousness—but she didn't know the new Kagome! She didn't understand I wasn't the same little doormat I used to be! I prefer actual human contact now than reading all the time!

…That part isn't true. Reading is tons better than people. But who cares! I interact with plenty of people daily. So ha, Kikyo. I'll get you tonight!

"Stop having malicious thoughts of your sister and make that bed," Book Boy teased from the opening of the doorway.

"No," I snipped, sticking up my nose and looking away from him. He sighed.

"I'll do something special for you tonight if you behave properly with your sister," Book Boy coaxed, watching me. "I'll give you a special present."

I scowled. "No!"

"Darling, you'll be missing out on such a grand gift. Are you certain you wish to miss it like this? I know how much you enjoy gifts," he said, giving the impression of looking bored.

I frowned. "It's that good?" I asked. "Cross your heart and kiss your elbow?"

"Certainly," he replied. "And that's a lovely new phrase."

"Breakfast at Tiffany's," I mumbled, depressed that he hadn't caught my obscure movie reference. He smiled.

"I see. Audrey Hepburn, correct?"

"Yes."

Seeing the disappointment in my eyes, he sighed. "I'll watch it with you this weekend."

"Really?" I asked with an excited smile. He nodded.

"Now do you promise you'll behave when it comes to your sister staying at our home?" I sighed at this question.

"Cross my heart and kiss my elbow!" I drawled. He kissed my cheek.

"Good. Very good," he mumbled before kissing me again. Once he was finished attacking my lips, he told me he had to go to the grocery store to get a few things. He left and my happy face turned evil.

"Kikyo…after living with me you're going to wish you never been born!" I began to giggle gleeful, my laughter alike a maniacal cackle. Unbeknownst to me, two children were watching my every move with confused expressions.

"Mama's scary like that," Rin whispered. Shippou sighed.

"You get you used to it."

Thank you all for your suggestions! I have taken all of them into consideration so far, and I've enjoyed what I've been reading. A few I've just stared at...and they didn't make sense. I need plausible ideas, please! Many of you are repeating the same idea, and I think I'm going to use it. You'll just have to find out. --Insert maniacal laughter here--

Everyone who has given me an idea will be credited at the end of this story. So keep your ideas flowing!

...This Kagome makes me giggle. She's become very assertive since the beginning of the story.