Chapter 10

Kagome couldn't do anything but sit there for a while. She was forced to jump up when Inuyasha landed in front of her, followed closely behind by Sango and Miroku.

"Kagome! Where have you been?" Inuyasha started to interrogate her. "We have been looking for you everywhere! You know we can't look for the shards without you!"

Of course that's why he's been looking for me. He doesn't really care for me.

"Inuyasha! Try to have some kindness!" Sango yelled at him while Miroku gave him a good swing with his staff.

"Lady Kagome, are you well? We would all like to know where you have been." Miroku politely questioned her and stayed away from her lower regions.

"I...um...I've been with Sesshomaru." Then all hell broke loose.

"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN?" Inuyasha was up in her face in an instant. "ARE YOU INSANE?"

"I...uh," Kagome's resolve was quickly weakening, her stress catching up with her.

"YOU WHAT? WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY NOW?" Inuyasha couldn't possibly get any louder.

That's when she broke down. Kagome collapsed right on the spot, crying. Sango quickly rushed to her friend's side to comfort her. After crying for an hour or two, Kagome cried herself to sleep.

"What do you suppose that was about?" Miroku looked very concerned, but not as concerned as Sango.

"I have no idea. That's so unlike Kagome, breaking down in front of Inuyasha." Sango hugged her friend tighter.

"I agree. I do not think it all has to do with Inuyasha. I believe Kagome has been holding back some stress from another incident."

"Well, yeah! She's been with Sesshomaru for god's sake! Of course she'd be stressed!" Inuyasha also looked something akin to concern for Kagome, glancing down at her.

"Now, now Inuyasha. Give Kagome a chance to explain herself. After all, you are the one whose yelling pushed her over the edge. For now, let us all return to Kaede's village and allow Kagome to rest."

Inuyasha carefully picked Kagome up, cradling her gently. Then they all left for Kaede's hut.

Kagome slept through the night and all through the day. When she woke up, it was late evening. She had a headache and her back hurt.

"Are ye feeling better?"

Kagome turned to Kaede and nodded. She almost smiled until she remembered what had happened. She quickly looked around the hut, finding everyone there, looking at her. Including Inuyasha, who was closest to her

"Kagome, please to us what has you so stressed. We're your friends, we are here to help you!" Sango looked desperately at Kagome, pleading her to confide in at least her.

"Alright, but please no more yelling." Now it was Kagome's turn to plead to Inuyasha. He gave her a 'keh' and she continued. "While I was with Sesshomaru in his castle, things happened that I will not explain. I am now mated to him." She quickly glanced to Inuyasha, who was doing his best to hold in his anger. "And I just found out something huge just before I came back." There Kagome faltered.

"Go on! You can tell us!" Sango continued to push her.

Kagome took a huge breath and managed to force out the next words. "I'm pregnant."

Everyone stared at her, but Kagome was just thankful for the silence.

Miroku was the first to speak. "So you are now carrying Sesshomaru's child?" Kagome nodded.

Kaede spoke next. "Are ye happy, child? That is what matters." Again Kagome nodded.

"I am. I am very happy and glad that it's Sesshomaru's baby." Kagome smiled for the first time that night.

"Well, as long as you are happy, I'm glad!" Sango went to embrace her friend, a huge smile on her face.

I'm sorry, but I need some fresh air." Kagome quickly stepped out of the hut. She didn't notice Inuyasha following her until he spoke.

"Why choose him? Why my brother?" Inuyasha has getting more and more irate.

"I did not choose him because he is your brother. I did not plan on it. I chose him because he is kind to me, cares for me, loves me. And I love him."

"But it's SESSHOMARU! YOU CHOSE TO MATE SESSHOMARU!" Inuyasha exploded again.

Before Inuyasha could say another word, he was interrupted. "I would appreciate it if you didn't yell at my mate." Sesshomaru was standing behind Kagome, pulling her close with an arm around her waist.

"Get your hands off her!" Inuyasha spoke through clenched teeth.

Everyone was watching the scene before them, suddenly outside the hut. Kaede spoke up. "Kagome, do ye not have something to tell Sesshomaru?"

"Oh! Sesshomaru, I, um, well..." Again, her resolve faltered.

"You can tell me anything." Sesshomaru placed a kiss on her lips.

Blushing, Kagome continued. "I'm pregnant."

Sesshomaru's mask dropped, showing his surprise and shock. Then it turned to happiness. He lifted her in the air, then brought her close for a passionate kiss. When they pulled apart, Kagome was smiling, and Sesshomaru looked very close to it.

Miroku suddenly cleared his throat, causing Kagome to blush a deep red and Sesshomaru to slip his mask back on. "Why don't we all go inside and talk, shall we?" He motioned to go inside, and everyone followed.

"Come, my love." Sesshomaru took her hand and gently pulled her along.

Kagome took a few steps, but began to waver. Suddenly, her vision was going in and out. Her back was burning in agony. Then her vision went out completely, and Kagome lost consciousness.

As she passed out, Sesshomaru caught her, shouting her name. When he touched her back, she screamed in agony again. Lifting her shirt, he saw where her wound was had become an angry green.

Chuckling was suddenly present all around them. "Sesshomaru. How priceless that you fall in love with Inuyasha's wench." Sesshomaru began to growl.

"Naraku! What have you done to her?"

"Oh, I did it a while ago, but you all just ignored it. Did you really think that cat youkai attacked her randomly? I used it to implant a poison into her. I can cause her incredible pain whenever I want. And you can do nothing. You can hold her as much as you want, while I torture her body and mind." With that, Naraku was gone, leaving Kagome moaning in pain in Sesshomaru's arms.