Oh crap! Why is it everytime I upload a chapter on this site, something always ends up getting deleted?! I'm so sorry if anythings confused you. I just looked over this chapter again and a whole paragraph seems to have dissappeared! Ugh. Now I'm mad. I may as well answer a certain review while I'm fixing problems. It'll be at the end of the chapter. I don't want to give anything away.

SORRY SORRY SORRY SORRY!!!!!

One of the perks of coming home half past noon is that there's always an open space to park your car. Today, for the first time ever, I was able to park in front of my house. Amazing! For a second, I thought I was taking Inuyasha's wife's space… but then I remembered that after all this time, it was the other way around.

I think her name was Kikyo. I heard him yelling her name once when he locked himself outside the front door to their house. The whole thing was pretty amusing from where I was standing, but when he saw me silently giggling in my front yard with Rin, he told me to shove it. Now I'm not one to take insults kindly, so I simply asked him where he'd like it. I think that's the day that family decided to hate me.

Had today been any other day, I would be laughing at that memory, but it only made me realize how very few friends I have in this world. Everyone from high school was gone, the few suitors I had all disappeared as soon as they found out I was pregnant, and my neighbors don't really want anything to do with me. There's a couple of nice ones that just moved in next door a few months ago. Steven and Michiyo. They're a really kind newlywed couple. Steven left everything behind in the United States just so he could move here and be with her. It's like a cute, little, love story.

Right now they're trying to get pregnant, and every so often, I'd have one of them come up to me and ask some question or the other about babies and how the whole birthing thing goes. I wish I could call them friends, but neither are very sociable, so I don't think I'd be able to share intimate problems with them anytime soon.

I walked up to the Taisho house and rang the doorbell. After what had happened not even an hour ago, I just wanted to sit at home with Rin and cuddle up with her on my bed or something. I just wanted someone to hold. Someone that wasn't a horny man trying to get into my pants.

I heard an "I'll get it!" shout from inside and the little bare footsteps of what I assumed were Shippou's come running to the door. My assumption was proven correct when I saw his little red head pop up from behind the doorway, but something was wrong. He wasn't looking at me. He shifted on his feet and was looking down off to the side. I couldn't even see his bright, green, eyes.

"Hi, Shippou." I said, hoping he would at least talk to me.

He shifted again and held both hands behind his back. "Hello, Miss. Higurashi." he mumbled.

Something was definitely not right here. Normally I'd see him bouncing around his front yard, playing and calling out to me when I happened to walk past. Today it was like all of that bouncy playfulness was sucked out of him and left nothing but an empty shell.

I knelt before him and tried looking into his face, but he only turned his head further and looked away. "Shippou," I cajoled him, "you know you can call me Kagome. Is something wrong?"

He took a step back and looked down at his feet. "My momma says I'm not allowed to see you anymore."

I think that felt worse than being rejected by your own boyfriend. A thousand knives must have been stabbing at my chest at that moment because I found it pretty hard to breathe, let alone come up with a question as to why his mother would tell him something like that. I didn't even know the woman for Christ's sake! The most I ever saw of her was the day she asked me to watch Shippou… and that was only for about five seconds.

I stood up and brushed off my knees, trying to regain my lost composure whilst attempting to think of something to say.

"I-is you mother home?" I asked. I didn't even know if I wanted to talk to her at that moment, but it seemed to be the only thing I could get out.

"No." he replied. 'Thank god.' "She went to the store."

"She wasn't mad that Rin was here was she?" I had to ask. It was probably rude and immature for me to ask something like that to an innocent child, but I didn't want my baby here if she was going to be around people who would have given her disgusting looks. She's totally an innocent. Whatever happened would be my fault and mine alone. But my bad feeling was just about to get worse, because nothing could have prepared me for Shippou's next comment.

"Not really. She just said I can't talk to you 'cause I'm not allowed to talk to poss-er-tooths."

'Prostitute?!!'

Great, now even the neighbors think I sleep around. The strange part of it all is these people don't even know a thing about me! They moved in while Naraku was still living here, and even then he introduced himself as my husband. He didn't have to, but he said he didn't want to take any chances. I think he just liked embarrassing me, though.

I can't believe Shippou thinks I'm a whore. How am I supposed to explain to him about this whole thing?! I can't. I don't even know where they got that idea from.

I want to crawl into a hole and die.

"Oh… Is your uncle home?"

I think its best I just take Rin and leave. We'll go find an apartment somewhere near the outskirts of town where they're nice and cheap and just start all over. Just the two of us. Or maybe we can just leave the country. That might not work. I can't bear the thought of leaving Mama, Naraku and Souta forever.

"Yeah, I'll go get him." Then just like that, he ran off. It was like he was running away from me for good. Damnit! This whole depression thing is really ticking me off!

I can't stand this anymore. Shippou was like a son to me. We may not have lived in the same house or shared the same blood, but the two of us had some kind of close bond. He would always come to me and ask questions on all sorts of topics. When the personal ones started rolling around, I asked him why he didn't ask his mother. After all, I don't think she would have approved of some of the answers I gave him. He just shrugged his shoulders and said he didn't feel comfortable talking to her. I left it alone at that, but from what I gathered of our conversations, he didn't seem to like the woman very much, anyway. I think he wanted to get closer to his father, but since he rarely saw him, he didn't know how. Our last conversation, we talked about ways we could get him to approach him. Whether or not he did, I don't think I'll ever know.

What do I care? He's gone now.

…so why does it hurt so much?

Sesshoumaru came up to the door and greeted me with a little smile. I gave him a forced one of my own. I wasn't in any mood for anything. I just wanted Rin home.

"You're back pretty early. Is something wrong?"

He must have seen the distress in my eyes. I was never really good at fully hiding my emotions. Though my face may have been void of everything, my eyes always held the truth. Only my mother and brothers could tell. If Sesshoumaru could, well, he must be really gifted. He doesn't even know me.

"They let me out early. I'm just tired."

He just gave me a weird look. I knew he didn't believe me, but at least he didn't try to investigate any further.

"Why don't you go ahead and take a nap at home? I'll--"

"No!" Ok, shouting is bad. Especially when its at the hott guy whose taking care of your sick baby. His sudden change in expression kind of proved that...

"Alright," he said stepping aside for me to go in before, "Rin just fell asleep. She's on my bed right now. You might want to keep her in her crib for a while. Her flu is pretty bad."

I stopped dead cold in my tracks. "What?? But I thought she was finally getting over it?!"

He stopped walking and turned back to me. "She is, but she shouldn't be moving around so much. A kid as small as her needs as much rest as possible."

Was he actually scolding me?!

"What, and you don't think I let her rest enough? That I'm some horrible mother who won't let her kid rest because of her own selfish desires. Is that it?!" I felt my anger rising. I didn't mean to lash out at him twice in a row like that. I really didn't want to.

"What? Kagome, no. I didn't mean for it to sound like that."

I quickly looked away from him. I felt so horrible. Shippou probably heard me and has even more of a reason to stay away now.

I turned back and looked at his white socks. ...I wonder how he keeps them so clean...

"I-I'm sorry." I told him, feeling my cheeks heat up a bit. "I shouldn't have gone off at you like that…"

I watched as his feet shifted and moved towards me. Next thing I knew, my tiny frame was wrapped securely in his arms as his hands rubbed light circles on my back. At first, my instinct was to stiffen up, but after a few seconds, I felt my body slowly turn into jelly and leaned into his chest, letting a little groan escape my throat. Stupid instincts.

"It's alright."

I just closed my eyes and let out another little whimper. I've been hugged plenty of times, but never before have I felt so safe and relaxed in someone's arms as I did now. Not even with Kouga. It actually felt nice.

Just as I was going to wrap my arms around him, I heard the door slam shut and a female voice echo throughout the house.

"Sesshoumaru! Shippou! I'm home. You wouldn't believe whose car I saw sitting outside. That wh-- oh."

Sesshoumaru quickly let me go and I spun around to see Inuyasha's wife staring back at me in shock. Sesshoumaru held no expression, but I'm pretty sure I looked like a kid who just got caught with their hand in a cookie jar.

"Miss Higurashi," she put an emphasis on the 'Miss.' "how nice of you to drop by."

Her voice was so monotonous and slightly agitated, it sent chills up my spine.

"Hello, Mrs. Taisho." I politely told her, "How are you?"

'As if I care. Go fall in a hole you whor-'

"I'm well." She turned to Sesshoumaru. "Sesshou, can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Let me take Kagome to Rin." he said, leading me away from that vile woman to his room. I could tell she was staring daggers into my back. Its just something you know.

There wasn't much in the small room. White walls, grey carpet, closet full of clothing and shoes, simple wooden desk with a laptop and papers sitting on it in front of a window with a pretty clear view of my backyard… I really need to hire someone to mow the grass… and put up a brick wall. Souta can do it. He has no life, anyway.

I looked over to the dark blue covered queen size bed and saw Rin sleeping peacefully on a big, fluffy, white pillow. I always seemed to be amazed at how tiny she really is. She looks nowhere near two years old.

"Wait here." I heard him say softly from behind me. "I'll be right back."

Kikyo was standing right next to the doorway glaring at us. I nodded and walked over to Rin as he left and shut the door.

I moved a bit of excess hair from her face and softly ran my fingers along her tiny cheek. Her face was so serene and captivating. She definitely got that look from Kouga. Naraku said I always looked like a dying cat whenever I slept. Jerk.

"What is she doing here?!"

Why does this whole situation feel familiar? Kikyo was yelling at Sesshoumaru right outside the door just like Ayame did to Kouga when I went and told him I was pregnant. Great. I think I may have just lost another potential friend. He's not going to want to talk to me after this. I know it.

"What does it look like, Kikyo?"

At least he wasn't yelling back. He sounded more annoyed…

"You know what I mean. How could you let her into MY house?!"

"I'm sorry, last time I checked, this was Inuyasha and Shippou's home as well."

She growled. These walls must be paper thin if I can hear that creepy woman growl...

"Look, Sesshoumaru, I know you're a guest here, and I'll allow friends and coworkers, but that woman is not welcome here. I don't even want her in this neighborhood, what with the lifestyle she lives!"

"Kikyo, I don't have time for this. Have you even seen her bring any men into her home?"

"She doesn't have to bring them home! Didn't you notice the way she was dressed just now? Or are you as dense as every other guy? Her so-called husband only lived with her for two months before he packed up and left looking happy as a clam! And she gets money in the mail from other men! Go ahead and ask her who Kouga Ookami is. He seems to be a regular."

Why that sneaky, conniving, good-for-nothing bitch!!! Who the hell does she think she is looking through my mail like that?!

I couldn't listen anymore. I had heard enough. Rin's baby bag had most of its contents still inside, so I just grabbed it and put it over my shoulder before lifting her from the bed. If I left anything behind, oh well. I have to leave this place before I do something I know I'm going to regret later on.

I didn't hear Kikyo's voice anymore, so I assumed they took their conversation into another room. Just as I was about to grab the doorknob, the door swung open revealing a very ticked off Sesshoumaru.

He must have seen my perfect display of a deer caught in headlights because his expression immediately softened and looked apologetic.

"How much of that did you hear?"

'Oh, I don't know… everything!' "Enough."

He slowly nodded. "I'll help you carry your things home."

I really wanted to say no. For all I knew, he most likely thinks I'm a whore now and plans on cornering me in my house for an hour of fun.

No, I can't think that way. Not of him. He offered to take care of Rin when I couldn't get to anyone else, and he actually comforted me when he knew something was wrong, even though I wouldn't tell him. Maybe he does want to get in my pants…

"Kagome, I'm not trying to take advantage of you."

He can read minds! Ok, maybe not. My little minute of silent contemplation kind of made my thoughts obvious. At least he looked trustful.

"You promise?" I sounded like such a little kid for asking that. I asked Naraku the same thing when he said he'd take care of me after Dad left us. I think I was only five when that happened.

"I have no need to indulge myself in prostitution."

I shuddered. I never wanted to hear that word again. "Fine," I told him, pulling the bag off my shoulder and shoving it into his chest, "but don't you dare speak that word or any word related to it in my presence, ever."

He nodded and led me out of the room to the front door. I saw Shippou watching from the doorway of what I assumed was his room. He looked away from me as soon as he noticed I was looking at him and I felt that same little pang in my chest from earlier. I can't leave him like this. He deserves to have at least some sort of goodbye.

I found myself walking to him and sort of smiling when he didn't make any attempt to run away. He's giving me another chance! If I know Shippou, its that he's a stubborn little guy and wont let anyone rest until he's satisfied.

"Shippou…" I softly said, shifting Rin on my shoulder, "I'm leaving now. I know you're not allowed to talk to me anymore, so I'm going to respect your mother's wishes… but I just wanted you to know how sorry I am for whatever it was you heard..."

"She didn't say anything about not talking to you." he whispered, his head still looking at his feet.

I couldn't believe my ears! He wasn't mad at me?! God, I love this kid.

"What was that?" I wanted to hear him say it again so bad. I'm being greedy.

He lifted his head so I could clearly see his face, but his eyes were squeezed shut. I kind of had the urge to just force one open with my hand… just so I could see those beautiful green eyes of his. "My momma said I couldn't see you anymore. She didn't say I couldn't talk to you, though."

'Ok, Kagome. You're a big girl. Don't cry.' (A/N: Its… too… cute!)

That pain I felt in my chest was quickly replaced with a new, bittersweet, one. I think the only way to describe it was like being nailed to a cloud. I wanted to grab him and squeeze him as hard as I could, but I still had Rin in my arms, and I didn't want to hurt either of them. I didn't have to. Not even two seconds later, I found his tiny arms latch themselves around my neck and his tiny face pressed against my cheek.

"I didn't believe what she said." he whispered. "You're too nice to do that, and don't tell me to repeat it 'cause she'll get mad if she finds out what I said."

I whispered a thank you and unlatched myself as soon as I heard his mother calling from the kitchen.

That afternoon, as Sesshoumaru helped me get Rin home, I left the Taisho household feeling a whole new kind of high. Things may not be like they were before, but hell. I'm sure with time, it would get better. At least I don't have to worry about moving anytime soon.

I am sooooo sorry for adding some OC people... I really HATE doing that, but I didn't want Sango and Miroku to come until later... if at all. I'm still trying to figure out what to do with them.

ok, heres my response to the review...

WhoAmI - I would have really preferred to write to you in a message, but since you left an anonymous review, my options were limited. If you reread the argument Kikyo had with Sesshoumaru, you'll see that she thinks Kagome is a prostitute because of the money she gets in the mail, and the whole Naraku situation.
Shippou was in the earlier chapters, and he did have a major part in this one, but his whole story with Kagome was missing on this chapter for some reason.
As for the OC, I would have preferred not to add the minor characters because they annoy me, too. Chances are, with the way I write, they'd end up getting a major part, and I really didn't want to do that.
And as for Sango and Miroku, I don't want Kagome to know them quite yet, because as said in previous chapters, all her friends pretty much left her. I'm not going to specify who.
I did reread this chapter before uploading it, but I failed to read it again after I put it in with the story. That was a mistake on my part. I apologize for any confusion.

-VG-