"Lord Sesshomaru!" Rin greeted happily, running to greet him.

Kaede was behind her with Kohaku at her side.

"I see thee all back. And in good health," Kaede noted, looking at Kagome.

Kagome smiled at her. Kikyo passed Kagome ,catching her eyes as she did. Kagome gulped. Yep, Kikyo was really going to keep pressing the matter of telling Sesshomaru. Kagome risked a glance over her shoulder at Sesshomaru but he was occupied with Rin, thankfully. Kagome rubbed the back of her head, nervously.

"You know, I'm feeling kind of tired. Do you mind if I lay down?" she asked Kaede.

The old woman smiled.

"Of course," she said, leading Kagome away.

"Why does it seem that thee is on even worse terms with sister Kikyo?" she asked as soon as they were far away.

Kagome sighed.

"I still haven't told Sesshomaru," she said.

Kaede sighed.

"What is thee waiting for?" Kaede inquired.

Kagome also sighed.

"I'm not sure," she replied.

Inuyasha peered out the window, watching Sesshomaru.

"I don't trust him," he grumbled.

He heard Kikyo throw another block of wood into their fire.

"It's best we don't concern ourselves with them," she mumbled.

"And why not?" Inuyasha asked.

He looked at her. Kikyo was watching the fire, lost in thought.

"Kikyo?" Inuyasha asked.

Kikyo stood.

"Kagome is with child," she said.

Inuyasha's jaw dropped.

"Kikyo! He can hear us!" he said.

It was too late. Sesshomaru was soon standing in their cabin, facing Kikyo.

"What did you say?" he asked.

Kikyo held her chin in the air.

"Kagome is carrying your child," she replied.

Surprise flashed across Sesshomaru's face for only an instant but it was gone as fast as it had come. He said nothing more. Instead, he turned sharply and walked out. Kikyo stared after him, before rushing to the hut's entrance.

"Where are you going?" Inuyasha asked.

"After him," Kikyo replied.

Kagome flinched as Sesshomaru swept into the room. Something was wrong. His body radiated with emotion but it wasn't anger. More like frustration. And just a bit of confusion.

"Is something wrong?" she asked, reaching out and touching his arm.

Instinctively, Sesshomaru wretched his arm away. Kagome's eyes widened in shock. He'd never done that before. To her at least.

"Sesshomaru?" Kagome asked, standing.

Kaede opened her mouth to object but Miroku rested his hand on her shoulder, signaling that it was unwise to interrupt lest the demon's anger be directed on them or the village. Sango let out a sigh of relief that none of the small children would witness the demon's rage. Sesshomaru turned to face Kagome, golden eyes angry slits.

"Why did you not tell me?" he asked.

Kagome could see the hurt behind his eyes despite the red gathering in them.

"I…I meant to," she said.

"When? When you could no longer keep it a secret?" Sesshomaru demanded.

Kagome flinched at his tone. He wasn't yelling but his voice was ice cold and filled with anger.

"I…I… I was scared. I thought-"

"No, you didn't think," Sesshomaru growled.

Kagome's face flushed with anger.

"Neither did you! I can't keep anything to myself! But you can! Do you think I don't know why you refuse to marry me? Or acknowledge me as your mate? It's because you fear that the other lords will think you're like your father! And buddy you are! You look like him, you live like him and your taste in women is the same. Human. The only difference is your father saw pride in a human wife! Sometimes I rather be talking to him then you!" Kagome snarled.

Kaede's hut was silent. No one even dared to breathe. Kagome studied Sesshomaru's face. He looked more shocked and hurt than angry. Kikyo burst in then.

"Kagome, I am so sorry," she gasped, one hand on her chest.

"Kikyo-" Kagome began.

Sesshomaru moved past her, brushing past both miko and leaving the hut. Kagome ran after him.

"Sesshomaru!" she cried.

Kikyo watched from just outside Kaede's hut as the demon leapt into the air and then he was gone. Kagome just kept running after him.

"Sesshomaru!" she cried, the wind carrying her voice.

Kikyo lowered her head in shame.

"What have I done?' she whispered.

Kagome ran, keeping the ball of light she knew was Sesshomaru in sight. Where was he going? It certainly wasn't West.

"Sesshomaru!" Kagome cried, throat hoarse.

It was only by mere miko power alone that she'd managed to keep him in her sights while running so far from the village. But now the strain was getting to her. If he didn't stop soon, she'd lose him. Possibly forever. The miko garbs weren't helping her at all. "SESSHOMARU!" Kagome screamed, using the last of her energy.

She slowed, collapsing to her knees, watching Sesshomaru fly away through tears that were gathering in her eyes.

'How did he find out?' she wondered.

Her mind flashed back to Kaede's hut. Kikyo had said she was sorry. So Kikyo had told! Kagome wiped her arm on her sleeve. It wasn't all Kikyo's fault. Sesshomaru's father was always a sore spot. Why then, had she purposely brought him up? Kagome sat for a bit longer. To hurt him, of course. She wanted him to show some emotion. To show that he cared about her as much as she cared for him. Kagome fell back onto the ground, staring at the storm clouds gathered overhead.

'Perfect' she thought as rain began to fall, hitting her cheeks.

She closed her eyes.

'I don't think I want this anymore' she said.

A blue glow appeared, invading the little space between her eyes and eyelids. She opened them, discovering the same blue woman from before.

"What do you want?" she asked, harshly.

The woman smiled.

"I want your help."

Kagome snorted.

"I can't even help myself."

The woman smiled.

"I didn't intend to ask for your help. I'd much rather prefer your friend. The experienced one. But, you'll do."

The woman held out her hand.

"My name is Kiyohime."

Kagome slowly took her hand. Kiyohime smiled wickedly.

"You stupid little fool."

Kagome's eyes widened as a snake shot from the woman's torn sleeve, curling its way up Kagome's arm. The woman's blue skin slowly became human colored and her hands grew warm. Kagome felt the ache again but Kiyohime drew back before she could doing anything about it. Kagome stared at her in horror.

"What have you done?" she asked.

Kiyohime laughed.

"I've exchanged you for me. You're dead now miko!"

Kagome felt like the world was closing in on her.

"Feel that? That's the tree calling you back. You should have listened to your baby." Kagome's head shot up.

"My baby?"

Kiyohime pointed to Kagome's stomach.

"He knew. He knew who I was and what I intended. If his mother hadn't been so willy nilly to help, he wouldn't be a ghost baby now would he?"

Kiyohime threw her head back, cackling.

"Dead suits you ,mortal!" she laughed, already walking away.

Kagome took a step after her, only to be wretched back. She screamed as she flew back, through the forest, passing right through trees. At some point, she looked back, spotting the large tree from earlier. Her eyes widened as the roots slowly uncurled as if to welcome her. A whole sea of ghostly blue hands reached up, reaching for her as she flew overhead, unwillingly allowing herself to be swallowed by the tree itself.