Don't own Inuyasha... cries .o.o.

"talking"

'thinking'

"Is there something on ye mind to visit this old woman at such a late hour?" Keade didn't wish to pry but seeing the young couple so suddenly after a long absence confirmed that they both had something to talk to her about. Keade had just settled Rin down to sleep and was preparing her own bedding when Inuyasha barged through the door, Kagome a short distance behind. Judging by Inuyasha's expression this was going to be a long possibly emotional talk, so she stoked the fire and put on some tea.

"I'm sorry for the late night visit lady Keade but it might be of importance... we're just not sure," Kagome felt guilty for disturbing the elderly woman's sleeping time. The couple had gotten back to the village an hour after sunset and Kagome had told him to wait till morning, but Inuyasha was stubborn and wanted to talk to the grandmother like figure of their group now; Kagome too was worried about Sango but this was a little extreme for her mate.

"Well, explain the situation and then we will deem its importance," Keade poured the tea and then gave it to the younger two.

"Well... Inuyasha said Sango's scent was off in the beginning of her pregnancy and it's still that way now; when he came back last month he said she looked farther along than she should... could you possibly have misdiagnosed how pregnant she was in the beginning?"

"I have been doing this for many years child; I am certain of my diagnosis... what type of scent is on her exactly, do you smell sickness Inuyasha?" Keade became nervous herself, if there was something wrong with the young mother she wanted to know so she could treat it... becoming sick while with child is very dangerous and could cause death for both mother and baby.

"No it ain't the scent of sickness, her scent and the pup's is fine but there is another odd scent mixed in as well... it's just odd because it's faint but smells like Sango too."

When Inuyasha went into more detail about what he smelled a light bulb went off in Kagome's head, "Lady Keade how often do women give birth to two babies at once?"

"Rarely child and I have only assisted in one such birthing that neither child survived."

"Kagome... you okay?" Inuyasha felt his mate tense beside him at Keade's answer to her question; her hand that had been resting on his knee clenched tighter causing his thigh to go numb for a split second.

"But... there have been twins that have survived... yes?" It sounded as if Kagome was trying to convince herself more than anyone else in the room. There had to be women in this era that were strong enough to birth twins, she immediately thought to her own set... Maru and Karin were twins and they had survived, so it was possible.

"I have heard stories of successful births yes... child are ye ill?" Keade became concerned when despite the warm glow of the fire Kagome looked far too pale for even herself.

"From what Inuyasha said... I think Sango's having twins," though Kagome wasn't pregnant she felt faint just thinking about the hard time her friend would be going through very soon.

"If ye think this to be true child I must see her at sun rise so we can be certain... her very life may be at risk."

"Damn old woman just scare her why don't you!"

"No, no Inuyasha... she's right if Sango is carrying twins we need to know for all their safety."

"Kagome, you seem to know a lot about multiple births."

"Well... I've never helped birth twins, but in the future it's not as dangerous to have them and rarely do they die," Kagome had been reading up on the process of child birth for nearly a year now. Before she left the future for the final time she had gone and bought all the child books she could get, she began studying up and helping Keade in the village with the pregnant girls while Inuyasha was back and forth to the West; since bringing the books and helping, the death rate among pregnant women and babies has dropped greatly and the villagers were very grateful for her being there.

"I think it would be wise if you are also there while I check over Sango so you may help her with your future knowledge child."

"Of course lady Keade."

"Keh, well since you want both of them here before first light tomorrow, Kagome should go to sleep now," Inuyasha stood and moved to usher his mate out of the hut and to their own. Luckily when they returned to the village earlier that night their hut was just as they had left it, Inuyasha was happy that he wouldn't need to repatch the roof after such a long day.

"But Inuyasha, I'm not tired yet... if anyone should be tired it's you. You're the one that carried both our things and me all the way from the mountains."

"Keh... you forget I'm a full demon woman, that didn't even effect me."

"We don't forget you're a full demon honey... you remind us all the time," Kagome rolled her eyes but refused to move from her spot.

"Just because I carried you and the bag, doesn't mean you ain't tired," Inuyasha was a little more forceful trying to get his mate to move.

Keade observed the couple's light bickering, having been use to it since the two met, but this time she noticed something was off... Inuyasha wasn't fighting as hard as he usually did. By this point he would have slipped up and insulted Kagome without even noticing, she then of course would 'sit' him with the beads still active around his neck and then she would storm off. But this time Inuyasha was being very careful with what he said and was trying to plead with her rational side, in fact Keade caught him glancing at her a few times... it seemed he wanted her to intervene. "I believe Inuyasha is right child... you both have travelled quite a long way it seems and you could use rest; I am not certain how long I will need ye tomorrow."

Kagome was stunned that Keade was agreeing with Inuyasha, she might disobey her mate from time to time, but Kagome would never disrespect her elder's request, "If you think it is best lady Keade... I'll see you tomorrow." Kagome didn't want to see Inuyasha's Cheshire cat grin she knew he would be sporting and quickly left the hut, not bother to seeing if he was following or not.

"Is there a reason you wish your mate to leave so suddenly Inuyasha?" Keade gave a knowing smile; the fire cast warm shadows over her aged face giving it a more devilish look than she intended.

"Look, let me get Kagome settled back at the hut and then we can talk... I'll be back shortly."

"I'll be waiting," Keade poured herself a cup of tea and sat patiently for the man to return.

A short time later Inuyasha returned looking far more troubled than when he had left, he carelessly dropped to the floor and slouched forward resting his chin on his open palm, his eyes carried a faraway look as he stared into the fire.

"Inuyasha, what ails ye? You seem upset about something, if it's Sango's pregnancy I assure you I will do-."

"It's not Sango... it's Kagome." Inuyasha sighed thinking about his predicament.

"Has something happened between the time ye left here and just now?"

"What? No... there's nothing wrong between us, it's just... I'm having a hard time pupping her and I don't know why."

The elderly priestess took a minute to compose herself and tried to figure out how she would approach this type of situation, she was trained to vanquish demons not help them procreate. "I take it you've tried to create a child already... these things take time Inuyasha, have some patience."

"Yay I've tried to pup her, but it's different than a humans' mating. I can smell when Kagome goes into her heat cycle so I am more certain when she will take my seed," Inuyasha was too frustrated to be embarrassed about the topic they were discussing.

"Unfortunately, I am confused as to the problem you are having then Inuyasha."

"The problem is she isn't accepting my seed! How can I pup her if she won't take it!" Inuyasha sighed in defeat, cradling his head in hands.

"It might not be as you think Inuyasha, maybe Kagome is not as fertile as your nose thinks she be."

"Keh, my nose don't lie... where have you been the past year? Did you forget the six pups that came from the future to help us?"

Keade glared at his rude response, she might be old but her mind had yet to go. "Nah Inuyasha, I have not forgotten about the childrens' visit; however, you may have forgotten that not one of them relieved when they were born or how. Though it may be rare, it's not uncommon for a small population of human women to have trouble having children... some are not meant to take the roll of a mother."

"Yeah well Kagome is meant to be one, she took great care of Shippo while we were travelling and she fell into the roll when the pups showed up... now that they're gone I have to give them back to her. Besides caring for a pup will keep her busy for the times I have to be in the West."

"Well if ye wish I can examine Kagome as well while I check Sango."

"No not yet... I don't want Kagome to panic and probably delay things farther."

Keade, knowing the young man her whole life, truly felt horrible for all the hardships he's been through and now that there was a small light in his life with Kagome... it looked as if that would be snuffed out as well if the couple could not have a child. Being the care giver of the group, Keade wanted to do everything in her power to help them. "If ye don't wish I examine Kagome then all I can do that may help is a fertility powder of sorts you can slip into tea and should help her conceive... if there isn't another deeper problem that is."

"Do that then, just tell me how to use it and if she isn't pupped by winter then you can check her."

With this plan made, Keade was able to make the powder with herbs she had Rin collect that afternoon. She explained that Kagome would need to take this once a day at the same time for it to take effect; Inuyasha knew she had a cup of tea with her breakfast... he could easily slip it in then. But he didn't count on one small back step, "Augh! This smells horrible!" The light green powder looked harmless in its solid form, but apparently when mixed with hot water it would emit a nasty odor that burned the dog demon's sensitive nose. Inuyasha had to literally hold his breath while brewing the tea and had to resist the urge to throw up several times.

"Inuyasha, are you trying to cook again?" Kagome never was going to let her mate live down the fact that he was a horrible cook. Oh he could cook rabbit and fish over an open fire, but give him a fire pit and a pot of water and he'll burn your hut down.

"Keh... I ain't stupid Kagome, I only did that once! I'm making tea... and I do know how to do that." Inuyasha quickly poured the tea into a cup just as Kagome came into the main room from the sleeping area, luck was on his side that the powder dissolve clear into the hot water so she wouldn't suspect a thing other than the smell which he hoped her human nose couldn't pick up as cleanly as he could.

"But... you don't like tea Inuyasha."

"I know that, I was making it for you, I know you have to go back to the old hag's hut with Sango at sun rise so I thought I would make it for you," Inuyasha looked at the wall to try and hide his blush.

"Ah Inuyasha, that's so sweet of you," Kagome smiled seeing his blush darken on his cheeks... she always loved embarrassing him when they were alone, it's quite funny to her how he tries to act all tough when she doesn't believe his macho act for one minute.

"Keh... yeah well here," Inuyasha thrust the cup in her direction but was careful not to spill a drop of the tea and risk burning Kagome's soft human flesh, "And you might want to make yourself something to eat... no telling how long you'll be over there."

Kagome took the cup afford, she didn't want to seem ungrateful for his sweet gesture, "Of course, I have a little time to whip something up for the two of us... um Inuyasha, what type of tea is this?" She carefully observed the contents in the cup, it had a hint of odor to it but she couldn't tell what it was because the tea diluted most of the more powerful detectors each herbal plant possessed.

"It's the same stuff you drink every day," Inuyasha feared he had been found out, Kagome had been studying under Keade for several months and knew at lot about plants and what they were used for; he was counting on Keade to not teach her how to create fertility drugs.

"Inuyasha, there is a distinct herbal scent in this tea, which is probably why you were yelling while making it... so what's going on?"

"Feh... alright look it's a secret herbal tea my mother used to make when the harvest and winter seasons were about to start, it's to keep your strength up so you don't get sick," he hated lying to her, and bringing his deceased mother into wasn't the greatest idea, but he panicked and gave her the same excuse he gave when she was sick one time a year ago and he treated her then... he didn't want her to know the truth because she may panic and become depressed over a situation that they don't have full control over yet.

"Oh... I'm sorry Inuyasha I didn't mean to question it, thank you for sharing that with me," Kagome knew his mother was a very hard subject for him to talk about and when he brought her up Kagome put to memory everything he would say. She wished desperately that she could have met the woman that loved a demon and was strong enough to defy the rules of this ear and bore one of the first half demons of the time. Kagome would truly like to talk to her and see if the princess would have approved of her mating to Inuyasha.

Said dog demon was pleased that his woman stopped questioning about the tea and slowly drank it, he still was uncomfortable with himself for lying to her but he kept telling himself that this was for the best and it would be alright when she became pupped... he was pretty sure once Kagome was holding Inu she wouldn't care how he was conceived.

After finishing the tea, which Kagome didn't complain about even though it had a very bad after taste to it, she whipped up a small breakfast of rice and fish for both of them before leaving to retrieve Sango and the two went to Keade's hut.

"Twins... you think I've having twins?" Sango was surprised seeing Kagome near sunrise that morning, the extra weight from the baby was causing her body to ache and she was unable to sleep that morning so she decided to start breakfast for Miroku when her friend knocked on the wood frame of the hut door. When Kagome said Keade wished she had a checkup, Sango's hormones went into overdrive and she began to panic, was something wrong with the baby?

After Kagome calmed the pregnant mommy down the two went to Keade, Sango was shocked at what the two were suggesting. "It makes sense Sango; Inuyasha said he's smelled something odd about your pregnancy since the beginning. You weren't sick and nothing was wrong with the baby... and you do look far larger than any other woman in the village has while five months pregnant; I was the one that thought twins and lady Keade wishes to examine you to see if it's true... we have to take precautions if you are carrying two babies," Kagome didn't mean to upset her friend but she knew the complications the older girl would be enduring very soon.

Sango knew the dangers that twins carried, when she was a little girl back in her village a young girl had been carrying twins but no one knew... she was rather sickly throughout her whole pregnancy and she went into labor months before she should have; because she wasn't very strong and that it being her first pregnancy neither child survived. The whole village thought the kami were displeased with her by giving her this terrible burden, and to farther pain the young couple the wife seemed to be unable to bare any children after. Sango could remember the adults talking constantly about them and how they would draw bad luck to their home; her father, being the headman, didn't believe it to be their fault for what happened and refused to throw them out. His generosity however didn't stop the whispers that ultimately drew the young woman to take her own life; her husband had been devastated and shortly joined her in the afterlife. Of course the cowardly villagers feared that their souls were unable to be reincarnated because of their deaths; many claimed they saw the girl wondering around the village at night in search of her long dead children.

When Sango came out of her memories she felt something wet on her face and realized she was crying, as she frantically whipped her cheeks of the moisture she began to hear Kagome calling her name.

"Sango... Sango-chan can you hear me? I didn't mean to upset you."

"No Kagome, I'm okay really. Keade-sama can you really tell if I'm having twins?"

"I will be honest with ye child, I have never handled this type of situation before other than helping assist a birthing," Keade didn't mention the fact that neither child lived.

"But I have books Sango, and if you will let him, I'm certain Inuyasha would be happy to help... he has been sensing the little ones since the very beginning," Kagome wanted to calm Sango down, she was sure Inuyasha would be able to tell what was going on in her body; and if it is the case Kagome was confident in the knowledge she had to help both mommy and babies.

"Are you certain this is for the best Inuyasha... normally your lies to Kagome don't work at well." Miroku had awoken to both his wife and Kagome heading out to Keade's for a check up on the baby; he had wanted to go with them but neither woman would hear of it. That left him to sulk and worry about what they were trying to hide from him, he wasn't allowed to wallow long however when Inuyasha burst through the door way and began this wild story.

"Yeah I know my track record alright, but I can't tell her, you know she has her heart set on pups... if I can't give them to her normally this is the only choice we have. Her knowing about it will cause her to panic and kami knows what else; she would fall into a depression and most likely never want to have sex again!"

"Um... my friend, aren't you being a little over dramatic? I think you've been spending a little too much time with Kagome."

"I've been away from her for six months... and you didn't help much, I thought you were my friend!" Inuyasha lightly punched the other man's robe covered arm.

"Ouch! How is this my fault, what did I do?"

"You got Sango pupped! You two married the same time Kagome and I mated and you're the one expecting the kid and I'm here bitching to you about a fertility drug!"

"Give it time my friend, this type of thing works best when you're relaxed and least expecting it to happen. Sango and I weren't planning this little precious gift we have received and yet here we are now."

"Yeah well I can smell when Kagome is able to be pupped and I really have no control over how my body reacts to it... you have no idea the hit to my pride at not being able to get her pregnant when she's in heat."

"You are correct in the fact that I don't know, but I will send a prayer to Buddha and ask that this herbal remedy will work."

"Yeah I hope so too... and look, just don't mention anything to either of the girls."

"Inuyasha, I can't keep anything from my wife, with her emotions constantly changing if she suspects that I'm hiding something from her I'm pretty sure I'll be spending an undetermined amount of time at your hut!"

"The hell that's happening! Look she ain't going to ask you just randomly so just don't give the information, you know she and Kagome share everything so if she knows then she'll tell Kagome... and you will know how it turns out because I'll kill you! This is just like before we were married, guy talk as Kagome calls it... don't tell her and you'll live to see those pups," Inuyasha was so focused on his threat that he missed his slip of the tongue... Miroku however didn't.

"Wait what? Pups... as in more than one, y-you think S-Sango is-."

"Shut up monk... Kagome's coming," Inuyasha completely ignored his friend's pale face and turned to the door just as his mate peeked in through the open door.

"Oh Inuyasha, there you are, I was looking for you. Um... are you busy right now because I need you at Keade's for a minute."

"Keh... why do you need me?" Inuyasha immediately thought he was busted; there was no possible way she found out about the fertility potion unless Keade told her. 'If that old bat told her after I told her not to open her mouth... she'll be looking at an early grave.'

"It's about what we talked about last night... could you come please?"

Inuyasha released the breath he had been holding when he realized he hadn't been caught, "Oh... okay Kagome, I'll be there in a minute."

"Thank you! Um... Inuyasha, is Miroku okay? He looks a little pale and he hasn't said a word."

"Oh yeah, he's fine woman just go back to Keade's... I'll handle him," Inuyasha waived his mate off and hoped she didn't look too far into the silent Miroku, which he would be fixing in a minute, and then he would go to Keade's and see what they needed from him.

"Inuyasha..."

"Look Miroku, I can't talk right now but I'll fill you in later... or Sango will, but just remember our secret monk, keep that mouth of yours shut," Inuyasha darted out of the hut not wanting to keep the women waiting, and left the shocked man sitting near the lukewarm fire pit.

Miroku didn't hear a word after Inuyasha said 'pups', he didn't see when both his friends left, all that was running through his mind was the possibility of his wife having more than one child... his life just got a whole lot more complicated; whenever Inuyasha got back, the two of them would have to sit down and talk about going out on another exorcism job very soon... he had a growing family to care for after all.

Note: Okay so we have two secrets floating around, Sango's possible twins that Inuyasha just spilled the beans about, and the fact that the dog demon is secretly feeding his mate a fertility potion to help get her pregnant... I can just see that blowing up in his face soon. How is Kagome going to react if she finds out, and just what is wrong with her in the first place, can Miroku stay quiet about it? And how is Sango and Miroku going to handle the possibility of twins? This all just spells trouble for the group.

Thanks to:
xXMiniMeXx
Inuyasha-loves-Hanyou-Kagome
sexyinnocents
Alechaos Ogigio
RokStarrStyle
SorenLovesHolly
inuyashalover33
edasama
Frankiegirl2020
gosher
Msmes
For reviewing... wow that's a small list, one of the smallest I've had in a while, people must really be bored with my story. Anyway keep'em up!