Disclaimer: I own nothing of Inuyasha
Kagome felt as though her heart was about to beat out of her chest. She, Inuyasha, Sango and Miroku had been so immersed in their conversation over dinner that she had not bothered to pay attention to Kaiya after Shippo had left the hut to wash his dish. Her friends had tried to ease her worries by telling her that she wasn't at fault, as all of them had thought that Kaiya had gone to sleep way before they even started eating. She understood that, but at the same time she felt miserable. What kind of mother was she to let her daughter just crawl out of the hut without noticing. If that wasn't enough, Shippo had yet to come back, which doubled her worry.
Taking in a deep breath to try and calm herself, she sighed softly as she pushed her fringe from her eyes and continued to look around the area she was in. She knew Kaiya would most likely be found quickly after all, the others, aside from Keade, were helping her search. Unless she got kidnapped this thought made the fear she felt earlier rise No, No Kagome you cannot think like that. She's fine, we'll find her. She thought in a sad attempt to calm herself. Getting worked up would not help her right now, she had to calm down and think logically.
Taking a step forward, Kagome stilled as she heard her name being called. Turning towards the voice she noticed Sango running towards her with an expression of relief. "Kagome! We found Kaiya, she came back with Shippo, they are in front of the hut right now" Sango stated as she stopped in front of Kagome and bent over to catch her breath.
Kagome sighed in relief at the news. Her fear instantly left her and instead was replaced with relief and a small bit of frustration. Taking in a deep breath, she smiled softly at her friend "Thank you Sango" Seeing her friends nod, Kagome quickly made her way towards the hut.
Just as she was told, Shippo and Kaiya were both safetly in front of the hut. Shippo was looking guiltily at the ground, while Kaiya was simply sitting beside him looking at the others who were standing in front of the hut. Coming to stand in front of them, she looked at both of them with narrowed eyes as she rested her hands on her hips. "What in the world were you doing out there for so long Shippo? It doesn't take that long to wash one dish!" she scolded with a frown. One look at his dirty claws and the dirt on his clothing was all she needed, to know what he really did. He hadn't packed when she had told him to earlier and had decided to do so after dinner.
She sighed in frustration, she would have to lecture him about that later. For now however, she had another one to scold. "Shippo, go pack your stuff, after that get ready for bed. There are baby wipes in Kaiya's bag, use those to clean yourself off" she stated with a sigh, the small kitsune nodded and went into the hut with his form hunched.
Now that he was taken care of, she turned her attention towards her daughter. "And you young lady. Why did you go after Shippo? You know better than to wander off on your own, and look at your pajamas they're filthy" she scolded. However, unlike with Shippo, Kaiya didn't take to her words instead she just looked up at her as though she was in the wrong. Definitely takes after her father in that aspect Kagome thought with a groan as she shook her head. She knew it was pointless to try and lecture Kaiya, as she did not pay attention if she didn't want to. Shaking her head, She leaned down and picked up her daughter. "It's been a long night, let's get you changed and cleaned off and then go to bed" she stated with a light sigh and she held the girl close to her form.
Glancing back at her companions she smiled softly at them. "Thank you for helping me look for her guys" she stated, seeing their nods Kagome bid them goodnight before making her way into the hut and towards Kaiya's bag. She noted that Shippo's bags had already been packed and he had cleaned and changed his clothing and was now pouting in the corner of the room.
Laying Kaiya down onto the ground, she grabbed a clean diaper, baby wipes and a clean pair of pajamas from the bag and sat down by Kaiya's feet. Stripping her daughter of the soiled clothing, she quickly changed her diaper and clothing. Once Kaiya was clean and changed, she sat her on her lap and turned her attention to Shippo. She sighed softly at his dejected form "Shippo honey, I'm not really mad at you. I was just really worried, about both of you"
Shippo glanced up at her and Kagome felt her heart almost drop as she noticed his eyes were teary and his lip was quivering. "R-Really?" he asked with a light sniffle.
Kagome patted the ground next to her, when he came to sit by her, Kagome pulled him into a hug and nuzzled his cheek. "Yes really. I don't know what I'd do if I lost either of you" she replied softly.
Shippo returned her hug and luckily this time Kaiya did not growl at him, instead she nuzzled into her stomach and glanced at Shippo curiously. Kagome ran a hand through both Kaiya and Shippo's hair as she held them close. After a few moments, Kagome felt that Shippo had calmed enough. Ruffling his hair, she smiled as he looked up at her and yawned softly. "It's been a long night. Let's turn in now, we need to get up early tomorrow" she stated.
Shippo nodded and he yawned "Okay" he mumbled as he got up and made his way toward his bed. Luckily, even before she had Kaiya, Shippo had stopped sleeping with her for the most part. So him no longer sleeping in the same bed as her was not a problem. Shifting her hold on Kaiya, she made her way to her own bed and settled in.
Making sure Kaiya was safe and comfortable beside her, Kagome snuggled closer to her daughter and breathed in deeply, her baby scent instantly calming her already tired mind. As her eyes began to feel heavy, she whispered a soft goodnight to those in the room before falling into a peaceful slumber.
Kagome awoke the following morning to a small hand patting her cheek. Groaning softly, she wanted nothing more than to sleep for as long as she could. However, after having Kaiya she had gotten use to waking up earlier then she had before having her. Sighing softly, she opened her eyes and smiled softly at Kaiya who sat in front of her with an impatient expression.
"Well good morning sweetheart. May I help you with something?" She questioned in a whisper as she sat up and began to rub the sleep from her eyes.
"Fuu"
Kagome smirked at her daughters reply. Of course, food was the first and only thing the small girl ever wanted upon waking. Shaking her head, she put her hair into a ponytail and rose from her sleeping spot. Stretching, she glanced around the hut and noted that everyone, aside from herself and Kaiya, were still sleeping. Well, I guess this is a good time to get myself and Kaiya ready.
Walking toward the area where they kept the water, she frowned as she noticed the container was nearly empty. Which means I will have to get more She groaned mentally at the thought of having to go down to the nearby river by herself to get the water. Since none of the others were awake, it would mean that she would have to take Kaiya with her.
She usually brought water with her, however doing so this time had slipped her mind. Going toward the bags she had brought back with her, she dug through them until she found what she wanted. A carrier she had brought with her so she would not have to carry Kaiya by herself the whole time they traveled. While she didn't mind carrying Kaiya from time to time, as her daughters weight grew she could only hold her for a certain amount of time before her arms began to hurt. Which is when she was very grateful for the carrier.
Luckily, the carrier she got allowed her to carry Kaiya on her side, back or front. Which was convenient for many events. Putting the carrier on her front, she made her way toward Kaiya, picking her up she place her inside the carrier. Kagome chuckled softly as Kaiya glared at her and pouted. While she herself liked the carrier, Kaiya was never very fond of it. "Don't worry Kaiya, you won't be in it for that long" she stated softly with a small shake of her head.
"Geh" Kaiya voiced as she huffed and looked forward.
Poor baby, it must be so degrading to be stuck inside a carrier She thought with a smirk. Making sure Kaiya was securely inside the carrier, Kagome made her way towards the containers. Grabbing the empty containers, she made sure she had a secure hold on them before starting out of the hut and towards the river.
She only got a few feet away from the hut before she stopped when she heard her name being called. Turning around, she noticed Inuyasha looking down at her from his usual tree. "Morning Inuyasha" she stated with a slight wave.
Inuyasha nodded and jumped from the tree. "What are you doing?" he questioned as he looked over her appearance with a raised brow and amused smirk.
Kagome then realized that both she and Kaiya were still in their pajamas. Blushing lightly, she huffed and rose her hand that held the containers. "I'm going to get water, then prepare breakfast and get Kaiya and myself ready before we go"
Inuyasha scoffed before shrugging his shoulders. "Alright, just be careful" he stated "I'll go get some more fire wood. Call me if you need anything"
Kagome nodded and waved as he made his way to the forest. Shrugging, Kagome turned back towards the way she had been heading in previously. With a light hum she continued towards the river.
Kagome sighed in relief as she reached the river. Luckily, since Inuyasha was going to get the firewood she wouldn't have to worry about also getting that to prepare the water and then prepare breakfast for the group. Putting down one container, she continued to hold onto another and approached the river. Finding the cleanest area of the river, she kneeled down, taking off the lid to the container she leaned over and put it inside the water. Putting her free hand over Kaiya, she watched as her daughter watched the container and the flow of the water curiously.
Once the container was filled, she put the lid back onto the opening and set it aside. Grabbing the other container, she repeated her previous actions until this one too was filled to the top. Putting the lid on this container too. She stood and grabbed both containers and started back toward the village. She huffed as she walked, now that the containers were full they were heavier, which made it harder to hold.
Shaking her head, she continued to walk until she reached the hut that her friends were still sleeping in. Glancing at the wall closest to the door, she smiled as she noted that there was new wood on the older stack. She frowned as she noticed the absence of the person who had retrieved the wood Where's Inuyasha? She thought as she glanced around once more before putting the containers where the others were located.
Lifting Kaiya up and out of the carrier she placed her on the ground and then took the carrier off before placing that on the other luggage. She would need it later, so it would be pointless to put to pack it again. Quietly moving around the hut, she gathered firewood and put it in the pit before starting a fire. Satisfied, she gathered a pot and put it above the fire. Getting the container she had filled earlier, she poured the water inside the pot and watched as it began to heat up. It would take awhile for it to reach a boil and then she would have to wait another minute before it would be ready.
Putting the container back onto the floor, she sighed and glanced down at Kaiya who was looking up at her with a bored expression. She would have to wake up Shippo and the others soon, but until the water was boiled she might as well dress herself and Kaiya for the day. Nodding in agreement to her thoughts, Kagome made her way towards the luggage and pulled out the clothing she would need, along with the needed supplies to clean Kaiya up.
Once she had what she needed, she picked Kaiya up and went into another, more private part of the hurt so she could change in peace. Changing her own clothing quickly, she folded and set aside her pajamas before starting on changing Kaiya.
Buttoning the last button on Kaiya's clothing, Kagome leaned back and sighed softly. "Well now that's done why don't we go and check on the water?" Kagome questioned in a whispered tone. She smirked as she noticed Kaiya pulling herself up and looking at her expectantly.
"Fuu" Kaiya huffed as she continued to gaze at her mother.
Kagome chuckled and shook her head "Yes I didn't forget, we'll get you your food too" Standing, Kagome made her way back to the main part of the hut, putting her and Kaiya's pajamas back into the bag. She disposed the diaper and sanitized her hands before making her way towards the pot. She hummed in satisfaction as she noticed that it was boiling, grabbing the pot she carefully poured the water into a clean container.
Now that that's done, I just need to let it settle and hopefully it will be ready to use. Nodding at her own thoughts, she glanced at her sleeping companions Might as well get them up now so that way when the water is ready we can eat and then get going quickly.
Mind set, Kagome began the new task of waking up her companions and making sure they would be ready by the time Inuyasha returned so they could set out.