"A Mother's arms are made of tenderness and children sleep soundly in them." Victor Hugo

Note: This chapter contains nothing super explicit, but does talk about pregnancy related medical procedures which can seem... inappropriate to some.

"So we're going to see the pup. And this sonogram thing doesn't hurt?"

Kagome couldn't help grinning at him. "It doesn't hurt the baby or me." His face told her he was still unsure. "It's not like x-ray. It's sound bouncing off bone and tissue, not radiation. Think of it more like radar."

"What about the ears?"

"I asked. They said since it's directed, it shouldn't bother you, but you can wear earplugs if it does. The baby shouldn't have developed hearing quite yet."

"What if the pup does have their hearing? Youkai pregnancies don't usually take as long as human ones."

"It will be muffled because of all the fluid." That seemed to settle his anxiety until the next volley of questions about size and what if the pup got too big too soon, or what if there was more than one? "We'll know more today. They should be able to guess when conception happened and when the due date is."

Inuyasha misstepped before righting himself. "They're going to know when we had sex?" he whispered, equally embarrassed and awed.

"Inuyasha, I'm pregnant. They're going to assume we had sex," she said with a sardonic look. "They base it off my last cycle and how developed the baby is. How big, what's growing."

"But the pup is a quarter youkai. Do they know how fast or slow they should be growing?"

That made Kagome pause in thought. "I don't know, but they'll know something. This can't be a complete first for this clinic." Kaede had given them a recommendation when they told her the news. Knowing there were those out there hostile to the progression of their relationship, they thought it best to know the doctor they saw would not try to hurt them or their fetus.

The office was clean and well lit with a window for the reception office. A young youkai woman sat with a phone to her ear but smiled at them when they entered. Inuyasha found his ears on full alert and his nose twitching with the sheer volume of scents to sort through. There was nothing overtly dangerous, but he couldn't help being wary. A moment later, the receptionist hung up the phone and greeted them politely. Kagome gave her last name and the doctor they were supposed to be seeing. "Dr. Tatsuo will be ready for you in a minute. She's setting up the equipment right now." Kagome and Inuyasha tipped their heads in a slight bow before turning to sit in the waiting area.

There was only one other person there, a human woman who appeared ready to give birth any day. She looked serene but moved in her chair as though unable to get comfortable. Kagome could see why. The woman's name was called and she slowly stood using the arm rests to leverage herself up. "No Kai today?" the nurse asked with a concerned smile.

"He couldn't get out of work this time. It's harder when the appointments are every week now." The nurse nodded in understanding as the door closed behind them.

"It can't be…"

Kagome glanced at him. "What's wrong?"

"I… I know the scent on that woman. A wolf. It can't be the same Kai though."

She blinked for a moment, trying to process this information. "So a hanyou baby." Her face scrunched in thought. "Cub?" His nod was distracted.

"We could put it out to them that we're going to be at the center, if they're looking for support." He glanced at her before nodding again. Kagome went to the window and gave the receptionist a scrawled note with their names and the phone number for the center to give to the young woman when she left. "My mate thinks he might know hers," she whispered. The young woman nodded and gave her a soft smile.

"Thank you. I will pass this on."

When her name was called, Kagome stood almost too abruptly, telegraphing her nervousness. A warm, strong hand at her lower back soothed her almost immediately. They followed the nurse through the maze of halls, stopping for her vitals and the bathroom so she could give a urine sample. Kagome used the fact that she had to explain almost everything about what they were doing to Inuyasha to keep her own jitters away.

Dr. Tatsuo looked far younger than either of them would have suspected. A three-tailed kitsune, she was quick to smile and helped the young couple feel at ease. "Higurashi-san, your labs all look great. Your urine protein level was a little high, but that isn't unusual with youkai pregnancies. We'll continue to monitor it." She went on to review the other blood panel results from earlier in the week. Her blood sugar was, thankfully, normal and nothing in her blood work indicated her body wasn't handling the pregnancy well so far. "How have your symptoms been?"

"Um… pretty minimal, actually." Kagome was most worried about this as she had read that a lack of early pregnancy symptoms, particularly the expected nausea, could mean low hCG which meant the pregnancy was likely to end in loss. "I've been kind of irritable and more anxious?"

"Not uncommon. No nausea?" Kagome shrugged nervously. "You are worried."

Inuyasha looked over at his mate and noticed the same thing. "What's wrong with not feeling sick? Shouldn't we be happy?"

The doctor explained what Kagome had already read about what lack of, or very mild, symptoms could mean. "Your levels have consistently been rising, Higurashi-san. There is no indication there is something wrong at this time." Dr. Tatsuo gave them a reassuring smile before holding up a finger for them to wait. She went into the drawers under the sink and pulled out what looked like a tiny karaoke machine and a bottle. "Let's listen and see what baby is telling us."

Both parents were nervous but eager to hear whatever the doctor might find. She had Kagome lay back on the exam table and lift her shirt while unbuttoning her jeans. The gel from the bottle was a bit cold and Kagome jumped on initial contact. The doctor told them both to be quiet but breathe normally while she moved the wand around on the lower part of Kagome's belly. There was a soft whooshing sound and the loud watery pulse of Kagome's heartbeat when the probe approached an artery. She continued to move it in minute increments, pausing to listen carefully. Inuyasha's ears twitched as a fast patter caught his attention. It was faint but he silently indicated to the doctor that he'd heard something in the direction she had been. She nodded and returned to the spot just above Kagome's right hip bone and pressed hard enough that it was a little uncomfortable. But that hardly mattered when suddenly they could hear the rapid beating of their baby's heart.

"Is it supposed to be that fast?" Inuyasha asked in wonder.

"Yes. It's reading at about a hundred and sixty beats per minute. That's normal for a baby that's twelve or more weeks. Typically, youkai fetal heart rates are higher than humans, but given this baby likely will be more human than youkai, I would expect numbers more like human babies." Knowing that was a relief to both parents. The three sat in silence another moment, just listening to the strong, consistent heartbeat.

"Thank you, for finding it. I read that it can be hard sometimes, earlier on."

"Your labs indicate you're far enough along that we can do nuchal screening and try to look at anatomy."

"This soon?" Kagome asked, a little bewildered. "I thought that wasn't until twenty weeks."

"For humans, yes. But youkai cell division is much faster, so the initial process tends to speed up…" The doctor paused, seeing the slightly glazed look on the inuhanyou's face. "I'm sorry, genetics and cell biology are my favorite subjects. I tend to get a little deep." Kagome smiled warmly in response. It was good to know their doctor had a deeper understanding of fetal development. Given the rarity of their pairing, it was unlikely they would find anyone else who had a clue as to what to expect. "Now let's get this ultrasound going so we can see what baby is up to in there."

Inuyasha perked up at this. He'd been waiting for this part. The doctor led them to another room with a large chair which appeared to recline as well as adjust in height. Kagome was asked to undress below the waist with a sheet for modesty. At first, they were confused by the decidedly phallic-looking wand the doctor was about to use, then relaxed some when she explained it was for a transvaginal scan which would give them more detailed pictures. She also explained that they always needed to get a good look at all of the mother's anatomy, not just the baby, so they could address any possible complications.

It was slightly uncomfortable, but Kagome was able to ignore that when the screen of a large monitor came on displaying black and white images. It was all a bit fuzzy and confusing at first until the doctor used the program on the ultrasound machine to circle certain landmarks so they had a better idea of what they were looking at. She declared Kagome to be in tip top shape before moving on to the regular transducer and going on the hunt for baby. The whooshing sound was back with the repetitive beat of Kagome's heart in the background. It was clearer, less staticky, with the more precise equipment. When their baby finally came into view, both parents automatically reached for each other's hand. Twitching and slightly waving tiny hands, their baby was definitely more developed than they had imagined. "Oh…" Kagome breathed. "Wow." Inuyasha nodded dumbly, unable to take his eyes off of the screen.

It could be his imagination, but he swore there was a tiny lump on top the baby's head, which position-wise could very well be canine ears. He couldn't decide if that thought made him happy or terrified. He did tilt his head in confusion at the appearance of a foot in the frame. "That's not… there's not another one, is there?" Dr. Tatsuo smiled and hunted around just to make sure before explaining that babies were very flexible, even past birth, so it was common to see them with their bodies folded in positions one would think to be uncomfortable or impossible.

All three of them sucked in a breath when the fetus turned their body, clearly displaying what Inuyasha had suspected. Two bumps on top of their head with a gap between them. "Just like yours," Kagome breathed. Inuyasha was shaken by her tone until he saw the smile on her mouth, felt the way her hand gripped his all the more tightly.

"Yea."

"Hm. I'm a little surprised to be honest. Your youki is strong…" Dr. Tatsuo paused, looking Inuyasha over more carefully. They felt the slight rise of her youki as she tested it against his. "Oh! A taiyoukai. Your youkai parent was a very powerful one."

"Keh. Toga, the Inu no Taisho. He's been gone… a long time now."

"Yes, I have heard of him. I'm sorry for your loss." The inuhanyou shrugged a little awkwardly. "It does explain how your pup would have more hanyou features though, despite theoretically being only a quarter youkai. Such strong blood does not "dilute" very easily." She turned back to her screen and used her program to take several stills, label parts, and take measurements. "I honestly cannot give you a specific due date right now. My guess is that you are about fourteen weeks. I think it would be best to come back in two weeks so we can take more measurements to see the rate of growth. That will give us a better chance at predicting your little one's birthday."

Kagome nodded slowly, still in awe of the moving figure on the screen. That was their baby, their pup. A child that should not exist, but did. A child created by love. A child some people feared already. We love you, little one. We love you, Kagome thought, tears coming to her eyes.

The center had been happy to find space for them in the boarding house. Kagome had been amazed at how quickly they had been able to make a two bedroom apartment available for them. Kaede wanted them to move in immediately. Kagome had a feeling the news of the baby had perhaps spread a little further than they would have liked, especially since she wasn't that far in yet. The people at the center of all types, human, youkai, reiki-bearers, were all excited about the prospect of the prophecy coming true. Kagome didn't understand the hubbub.

"Not that I'm not excited and it's not a huge deal to us, but to everyone else, it's just a baby."

"Pup," Inuyasha corrected on cue. "And it's a big deal to them because they believe something good is going to come of it." He shrugged. "First time I've ever heard of anyone getting excited at the birth of a hanyou."

"Oh stop. You know your parents were excited for you to show up." He gave her a lopsided smile, setting a stack of boxes in the corner and getting ready to go out for another.

He stopped short when a small troop of people with boxes in their arms came through the door, Miroku leading, Sango right behind him, Shiori, the bat hanyou girl who taught the computer classes, and a tanuki youkai he guessed was Miroku's neighbor taking up the rear. "Saw your stuff downstairs and thought we would help out," Miroku said with a grin, setting the box in his arms on the kitchen counter. Kagome smiled broadly at the small group, giving her friend a hug when Sango set her box down as well. "Since you really shouldn't be doing any lifting, we figured Inuyasha could use the help. Shiori-san offered to help you unpack up here, Kagome-sama." The miko offered the bat hanyou a smile and a bow of thanks.

Inuyasha stood in faintly stunned silence for several moments before giving them a gruff "thanks" and heading back out the door with the other three following after him. He learned the tanuki was named Hachi and he was the one who lived next door to Miroku. The two had become fast friends and he had been happy to offer his hand to help the family who, supposedly, would bring equality to all people. "It's not easy having a face like this," he lamented, pointing to his clearly raccoon-like markings and the slightly obvious extra fur on his face. He wasn't hanyou, but he had only limited control over his ability to look - for lack of a better word - human. Inuyasha felt for the guy, having had trouble himself. Dog ears on your head weren't exactly subtle. Luckily for him, Kagome loved his ears. Unfortunately for Hachi, most women, human or youkai, were not keen on his animal features.

They were able to get all of their things, mostly Kagome's things to be honest, into the apartment and they worked together to unpack. Kagome and Shiori had moved boxes to their respective rooms and it was simply a matter of finding space for them. Inuyasha had convinced her to get rid of anything she really didn't need, which wasn't much, but with both of them living there and the prospect of baby things coming into the mix soon, they wouldn't have room for anything extra.

When everything was done, the group collapsed on various surfaces throughout the apartment, sipping on water. Until the doorbell rang. Kagome, the least tired of the group, went to answer it and had to take a step back. There was an entire group of ladies, human, youkai and everywhere in between, with casserole dishes and baking pans filled with food. Inuyasha jumped up as they all tried to come in at once, twittering about how excited they all were to have them in the building. "Whoa, hold it. Who the hell are you people?" he growled, scooping Kagome behind him protectively and eying them all suspiciously.

"Inuyasha," Kagome scolded in a whisper. There was some doubt in her voice as well.

"Ah, Inuyasha, Kagome-sama, this is the welcoming committee," Miroku said with a laugh. "These ladies have taken it upon themselves to greet each new resident. Although, I don't know if everyone gets all of the… culinary gifts."

One of the women, a redheaded ookamiyoukai, snorted. "You aren't having a cub, monk." Miroku conceded her point with a shrug and a charming smile. Sango nudged his shoulder to keep him from blurting out whatever lecherous thing was likely to come next.

"We are so pleased to have young families moving in here. It's mostly just single people around here, no children," a middle-aged woman with glasses and a sweet smile said. She had a large pan of some kind of baked sweet. Inuyasha thought he smelled lemon.

There were pre-made meals to go into the freezer to make when they were tired, a cold noodle dish they could eat that night for dinner, cookies, a pie and other sweets too. The couple was a little overwhelmed by the show of solitude and support, trying to thank everyone while also subtly trying to get them to leave again. Their two bedroom apartment was much bigger than Kagome's old one bedroom, but it was not big enough for ten or more people at once.

Once it was just the young couple, Miroku, and Sango, they all settled into the couch and armchair to relax a minute. "Inuyasha, have you started looking for jobs?" the ex-monk wondered. "I know Kaede-sama…"

"She already talked to me about the maintenance position. I'll probably start there, then see what else I can find."

"A respectable start." Letting out a sigh, Miroku leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Kaede-sama also asked what wards you might want in place. There's still some risk here."

Kagome's gaze dropped to her mate's hand beside her thigh on the couch. Clinging to him might comfort her, but with the others there, he would likely feel very uncomfortable. "Everyone here has been so supportive."

"That is not reflective of everyone else, you know that Kagome-chan," Sango admonished gently.

The young miko was startled when Inuyasha seemed to read her thoughts from earlier and carefully took hold of her hand. Their eyes met and she saw the concern in his golden irises. "It's about wording, the sentiment, right?" No one refuted him. "Then the wards should be only to keep out those that intend harm to another. It doesn't have to be specific to us."

"True, my friend. However, I believe Kaede-sama is concerned that will not be strong enough to keep your lovely mate and unborn child safe."

After debating potential ways to word the wards, the young couple showed their friends out with thanks for helping with the move. "We'll come up with something," Inuyasha murmured as he curled himself around Kagome, arms cradling her against his chest as they lay in bed. She only nodded silently. Tilting her chin up so he could look her in the eye, he gently kissed her. "Hey, don't worry, ok?"

Kagome smiled softly and nuzzled his cheek. "Ok. Love you."

"Hm. Love you."

"I dunno why you're nervous, dude, she's already your mate." Sota helped Inuyasha straighten his kosode and suikan. Kagome's grandfather had tried to convince them both to wear more commonly traditional wedding clothing, but neither one of them felt it was appropriate for their relationship. Kagome was no more a silent subservient bride than he was a collected and polished groom. They were both fire, passion and love and Kagome had wanted him in his own clothing. Bright red in contrast with his silver hair. She hadn't let him see what she was going to wear.

"I know. I'm not nervous," he told his brother-in-law again. Sota believed it just as much as he had the first three times. "Your grandfather already doesn't like this. I don't want to give him any more reasons to hate me."

"Jii-chan doesn't hate you. If you'd been fully human or youkai, it wouldn't have made any difference." Inuyasha blinked at the younger man in the mirror. "The old man has been protective of my sister since the day she was born. It only got worse after Dad died, I guess. I was barely talking by then, so I couldn't tell you for sure, but that's what Onee-chan has always said."

"There's gotta be a story there." Sota shrugged a little. "He tried to purify me."

Sota gave him a dry look. "Jii-chan couldn't neutralize a lizard youkai infesting the ceremonial whatever pot in the shed last summer. There's no way he could have put a dent in you and he knows it." Sota nearly smacked Inuyasha's hands away from his collar when he tried to fidget with it again. "He was probably trying to see if you would run for the hills, attack or stand by Kagome."

"Nothing is going to keep me from her side. The old man would have to do a hell of a lot more than purify me to get me away from Kagome."

His young human brother-in-law grinned at him. "See. This is why you have nothing to be nervous about. Sis has always been stubborn and you're her match, at least." The pair of them chuckled a little. Sota's face turned a bit more serious. "Um… Yash, can I ask you something?" He blushed a little.

"What?"

"I-Is Kagome pregnant?" The inuhanyou choked then coughed at the unexpected question. "I'm not… I know it's not really my business." Sota paused. "Well… No. It is. She's my sister. I just want to make sure she's safe."

Inuyasha couldn't help the bubble of pride in the young man he could now call family. He had another ally in keeping his mate safe. "Yea. She is. It's still pretty early though. How'd you know?"

"Not sure exactly. Just a sense I got." The face he made reminded the inuhanyou of the one Kagome made when she sensed youki or reiki nearby that she didn't recognize. Could the kid have senses like his sister? It certainly wasn't out of the question. "Did you tell Mama yet?" This only served to set off a whole new set of nerves for the poor hanyou. "I'm going to guess not." Sota shook his head, tsking at his sister and brother-in-law. "She's going to be thrilled, not pissed. Trust me."

"How do you know?" Inuyasha couldn't squash the hopeful tone in his question.

Sota smirked. "She's been lamenting how she would never have grandchildren at the rate Kagome was going and, apparently, I'm off the hook for spawning the new generation!" His grin was gleeful as he patted his shoulder. "No pressure, man."

"Gee. Thanks."

Upstairs in her mother's bedroom, Kagome continued to stare at her reflection in the mirror. Now and then her mother bustled by in the background but she paid her little mind. She was gearing herself up for the talk she knew she needed to have but wasn't sure she could handle alone. "Kagome Dear, is that jewelry box on the…" she popped up beside her and made a soft sound of discovery. Kagome watched in silence as she slid the lid out of the way and pulled out a black velvet pouch. She held it tenderly, obvious affection and bittersweet feelings in the way she stared at it before finally pulling the drawstring. "This was a gift from your father to me when you were born. We used to talk about you wearing it one day when you married or at the birth of your first child."

Kagome's eyes jumped from the delicate necklace to her mother's in the mirror. "Mama…" Her mother smiled that knowing smile of hers. "You did already know. Inuyasha thought so."

Mama chuckled quietly. "My lovely girl, you have never been very good at hiding things, except from yourself." Kagome rolled her eyes and sighed. While exasperated that her mate had been right all along, it was a relief that she didn't have to go through the ordeal of telling her mother with the fear that she'd be upset. "Kagome. You said it yourself. Even if you are fated to be together, he makes you happy. He wants to protect and care for you." Her smile grew. "He's going to make sure I have plenty of sweet grandbabies to love on and spoil!"

Kagome flushed instantly. "Mama!" Her mother only laughed at her embarrassment, shifting behind her to place the delicate silver chain around her neck, allowing the smooth round pendant to rest just above the neckline of her yukata. The cool weight of it against her skin made Kagome reflexively reach up to touch it. It felt like a large pearl, but the coloring was more opalescent, almost seeming to shift in the light. "It's beautiful Mama. Thank you."

Mama dabbed at her eyes, still offering her firstborn a smile. "I'm so glad to be sharing this day with you." Kagome turned and hugged her mother to her side, sighing out her nerves with the familiar smell of her mother's perfume. "Now, let's get you finished up so we don't keep that poor boy waiting any longer." Kagome gave her mother a confused look. The elder woman chuckled. "Sota texted me that Inuyasha is about to twitch out of his skin, he's so nervous and anxious to see you." Kagome groaned but couldn't help smiling a little. Her poor mate indeed.

When she exited the house, her eyes were instantly drawn to her hanyou standing by her grandfather and brother at the base of the sacred tree. Resplendent in his bright red firerat suikan and hakama, his shining silver hair pulled back in a low tail, she could still spot how he looked ready to bolt. His golden eyes swept her silver yukata with red obi and delicate red embroidery at the hem and sleeves. His appreciation was evident in his gaze and the tiny smile that quirked his mouth. Mama took her elbow and walked her out, taking Inuyasha's offered hand and placing Kagome's in it. Her smaller palm rested on top of the joined pair for a short moment.

"I am so glad to be putting my daughter's hand, her safety and her heart, into the hand of someone so capable and caring. Thank you for loving my daughter." Inuyasha flushed at the emotional praise. He understood the gift he was being given, the acceptance his mate's mother was communicating in that short sentence. His heritage was not only not an obstacle, to her mother, it was a boon in protecting and cherishing her firstborn child. "Now be as good a father as you are a mate." He balked slightly, barely regaining his composure and flipping a look to his blushing mate. His bride. She gave him a little nod and an eye roll at how tickled her mother was to tease them both.

"Thank you for entrusting her to me," he whispered sincerely.

The ceremony was brief but heartfelt. Inuyasha was a little stunned by the solemn but loving way in which her grandfather conducted the entire thing. There were no glares thrown in his direction, no asides about not hurting his grandbaby and no slights on his demon blood. He spoke only of loyalty, of caring, of support and being there even when your own strength fails you. When he declared them married, Inuyasha swore there was a warble in the old man's voice and the faint scent of tears.

"Alright! Inu-nii, you and I are the only ones who can drink so let's celebrate!" Sota crowed, throwing a fist in the air. Kagome startled, flashing him a look. "Ah, ah, none of that Nee-chan. I guessed, he didn't say a word."

"What is with this family knowing my business before I get to tell them?!" Kagome grumbled, but laughed when her husband couldn't help chuckling at her exasperation.

Inuyasha blinked at the tall youkai standing in the doorway of their small apartment. He hadn't seen him in, at least in his conscious time, ten years. For the taiyoukai it had been nearly sixty. Inuyasha had never seen his brother out of his traditional attire of a snow white suikan and hakama with the Mokomoko over his shoulder, so seeing him in a crisp business suit - but still with the Mokomoko - seemed completely out of place. "Are you simply going to stare, or are you going to let this Sesshomaru in?" That snapped him out of his wonder.

"Haven't lost the attitude, I see." Sesshomaru simply raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. Inuyasha sucked his teeth and let him in. "Kagome, my brother is here," he called. His mate was in the bathroom soaking her feet after a long day at the early childhood program through the community center. He heard a thud and another crash and rolled his eyes, trying not to rush in to check on her. She got irritated with him when he hovered...

"I'm fine!" she called before he could ask.

Inuyasha sighed and motioned for his brother to come in. "I'd offer you a seat, but I know you won't take it." The elder inuyoukai made a faint noise of agreement. They waited in stiff silence for Kagome to come out of the bathroom. "Kagome, this is Sesshomaru. This is my mate, my wife, Kagome."

"Your mating was not unknown to this Sesshomaru. You have caused... quite a stir."

Kagome was a little startled by the sight of, she supposed, her brother-in-law. He appeared completely emotionless - which seemed unlikely - and more than a little imposing. She felt severely underdressed in her loose-fitting maxi, which helped hide the slight bulge of her belly. She had struggled to find clothing in her wardrobe to accommodate their growing child. Only four months in and she was showing a fair amount already. "It's nice to meet you," she said with a slight bow. "Can I offer you anything to drink?" Sesshomaru stared at her.

"You are whelped," he said instead of answering her question. It took Kagome a moment to understand the change in topic. She glanced at Inuyasha, who looked tense, then nodded. "Have you been... disturbed?"

"Couple times. Not since we moved here and before we really knew," Inuyasha said. "Why?" he asked suspiciously. Sesshomaru nodded as though considering something. While he waited for his older half-brother to decide to speak again, he went and pulled his mate over to sit down and get off of her feet. He didn't miss the sigh of relief she tried to muffle. They were going to be having a very serious discussion later about her being on her feet so much in the next few months. As soon as Fluffy gets out whatever he's got to say. Inuyasha loudly cleared his throat.

Sesshomaru, outwardly unperturbed by his brother's impatience, took another moment before speaking. "There is much talk in certain factions of the youkai population of the prophecy surrounding a mating such as yours. Once they know that the child at the center of that prophecy is already... in existence, there is likely to be backlash."

Neither inuyoukai missed the slight rise of fear in the scent of the human woman carrying said prophecy in her womb. "Kagome has protected herself, and me," he said honestly, "from bozos on both sides. Some slimy cat and a couple of stupid kids with reiki who thought they were brave."

"This would not likely be isolated incidents. Nor so unorganized. There has been discussion of battle strategies, kidnapping..."

"Why are people so worked up about this?" Kagome wondered, clearly upset. "We won't know for a very long time if the baby..."

"Pup," both brothers corrected in unison.

Kagome glared at them both. "Pup, yes. We don't know if he or she will even have any abilities at all, let alone anything youkai or humans with reiki should be frightened of. So far we have only seen hanyou features on the scans. I haven't felt any reiki or anything abnormal, just faint youki. A prophecy is one thing, the reality may be completely different." She looked between the two of them. "What?"

"Does the miko's reiki affect you?" Sesshomaru directed at Inuyasha.

"Not really. Itches a little, less so now than at the beginning." It didn't take a genius to figure out what the taiyoukai was implying. "You think because her reiki doesn't affect me, it means the pup is likely to have both, like the prophecy says?"

"It is entirely possible that the lack of interaction between your youki and her reiki is the sign that you are," his face showed it's first sign of emotion, a faint scowl of disdain, "compatible. You would never have been able to get close enough to procreate if it were not so." While his words made more sense than Kagome wanted to admit, she didn't want to give up hope that they could live their lives relatively normally. Sesshomaru could obviously see the stubbornness in the set of her jaw. "You can deny what you wish, miko, it does not erase what others believe or fear. It also will not prevent them from acting on those beliefs or fears."

"So what are you suggesting? We hide out? We find a secluded spot and hope for the best?" Inuyasha growled. "We don't have a lot of options."

"The pregnancy could be ended." Both jumped to their feet and Kagome positively glowed pink in righteous fury. Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow at the sparks that skipped along the edge of where his youki brushed her reiki. "Simply an option."

"Not even an option!" Kagome snarled, clutching an arm over her belly.

Seeing she was ready to, at the very least, burn his brother for the suggestion, Inuyasha stiffly took hold of her and had her sit again. He was just as furious, but he could see that Sesshomaru had something in mind, and that - for once - he had an ally in his older half-brother. "So what is your real suggestion. I don't think you came over here just to be an ass."

Sesshomaru took his eyes from the still faintly glowing miko, not covering his surprise at her strength all that well - or the fact that she had reiki at all given her state and what had gotten her there - and took in the determined look on his younger brother's face. He had hoped to see this level of determination in the young couple. Without it, they wouldn't make it. It was also very clear, he noted to himself, that her reiki did not have any negative effects on his brother nor their growing pup. "There is a guest house on the property on which this Sesshomaru resides. It is the adequate size for a small... family." Kagome's mouth dropped open slightly while Inuyasha scowled. "It was built as a gift, but has never been used."

It slowly dawned on Inuyasha what his brother was not saying. The guest house had been built for his mother and him. It must not have been completed in time, or he and his mother would have been living in it. She may not have died. He swallowed thickly. He wasn't sure if he was furious that his brother hadn't brought them to the property sooner or thankful that he had tried to do something kind for them, even if it had been too late. He remembered what he'd told Kagome, that he was surprised his mother had survived as long as she had. Maybe she wouldn't have made it any longer either way. She may have died sooner, knowing I was looked after. And now his brother was trying to protect his mate and their child by offering them sanctuary. Perhaps it was his attempt at making amends. "Why would you offer your protection? You weren't all that keen to protect a hanyou child eighty-some years ago."

Sesshomaru stared at him with a faintly thoughtful look. At least, the closest to thoughtful the stiff youkai ever displayed. "This Sesshomaru has experienced many years of the rift between humans and youkai. It goes nowhere. While humans may never be the equal of youkai, they will never evolve into something more if youkai continually try to leave them behind." Surprised by just the small amount of acceptance the inuyoukai was conveying, Inuyasha looked over at his mate. Her brown eyes were wide, still with fear, but also with uncertainty. She wasn't sure what to do either.

They had only been in their small apartment for a month, so to pack up and move again seemed daunting. On the other hand, the protection Sesshomaru's home offered was hard to turn down. "What about our jobs, our work?"

"It would not be necessary to work." Sesshomaru saw the slight horror at the idea in the young miko's face. "However, if that is your desire, guarded transportation could be provided."

Kagome looked to Inuyasha with a deep breath, her arm still protectively shielding her tummy. She could see from the look in his eyes that he was worried about her, afraid now for her safety even more than usual. She feared for him more than anything. All she could think about was his father dying to protect Inuyasha and his mother. She couldn't let that happen to him too. I can't let that happen to our family. "We should go," she whispered to him, the strength of her emotions stealing her voice. His ears perked at her and his head tilted a little. "For everyone's safety, we should go." She took another breath to settle her racing heartbeat. "We're risking the other people here at the center by being here. They would fight to protect us and it isn't their fight. This way they are not targets and they aren't in the line of fire if it comes to that." Inuyasha nodded.

"Alright, Mate, alright." He let out a sigh himself. "It will take us a few days to pack up..."

"Your things will be gathered for you. Pack only what you need. The house has been made ready for your arrival."