Heeeey! It's me, your deviousness! Oh, by the way, I just want to say that I'm really ecstatic about getting likes on my facebook page. I'm a page called Darksknight on there, as well. Thanks!

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It was the middle of the night. Inuyasha never woke up in the middle of the night, for absolutely no reason at all.

Something was wrong.

He first thought was Kagome, but a quick sniff told him she was fine. Her scent was a little off, but that was only because she was sick. And he could feel her right next to him.

A split second later he realized that there was someone crying softly. His ears found that the crying was coming from the crib next to their bed. He sat up, looking over in panic.

"Akira?" He asked.

"I-Inuyasa?" She whimpered back.

"What's wrong, kid?"

"I'm scared, Inuyasa!"

Inuyasha slipped out of bed, Kagome faintly stirring behind him. He padded over to the crib, looking down inside. Akira's face was flushed a little, and her breathing was a bit heavy. Big balls of tears streamed down her face, her lips popped out and trembling.

She held her arms out to him- a silent plea to be picked up.

With a small smile Inuyasha scooped the girl up, holding her securely to his chest. "Hey, kid, it's okay."

"I had a bad dream!"

Okay… what was he supposed to do about that? "Uh, well, what happened?"

"I was all alone!" She wailed. "I couldn't find you or 'Gome! And Jafar was trying to get me."

Great. Leave it to Kagome to find a movie that will give a kid nightmares. "Oh, well, he's gone now."

"No! He made the monsters come to get me! They're under my crib!"

"Monsters?" Demons, perhaps? Suddenly he was all business. "Stay here, kid. I'll get them." He set her down by his mate on their bed, and then crouched down. Slowly he prowled forward, trying to smell any thing that was in the room. There was nothing, but he was never too careful.

He suddenly shot forward, diving under the crib. He heard Akira gasp from where she watched.

There were no monsters, nor demons.

"Did you get them?!"

But… "Ah! It's a big monster!"

"No!"

"But…" He punched and kicked. "I got it!" He roared, pushing himself out from under the crib.

"Inuyasha…" Kagome slurred, half asleep. She sat up and groggily blinked at him.

"Sorry." He smiled sheepishly, shrugging.

"Yay! Inuyasa got the bad monster!" She hopped up, flinging her arms out with sparkling eyes. "I'm safe forever now!"

"Uh, yep. Sure you are, kid."

Why you wake me sleep… Kagome thought, her mind sleep-scatted.

Uh… go back to sleep, kioshi. You'll hurt yourself.

That woke her up a little. "Are you calling me stupid?" She asked out loud.

Inuyasha realized his mistake a second to late. He knew that A- you don't mess with a tired woman, especially Kagome, and B- Kagome didn't think when she was half-asleep.

"Sit boy." She said tiredly, flopping back into bed.

Akira watched in confusion as Inuyasha hit the floor again, cracking his jaw on the cold wood floor.

The hanyou glared up at his mate through narrowed eyes. What the fuck, Kagome?! I was just kidding around!

She didn't answer, she was already asleep.

With a growl Inuyasha pushed up off of the ground, stalking up to the bed. "Okay, runt, get back in bed. Play times over."

The little girl shook her head. "No! I wanna stay here!"

"Kid…" He reigned in his temper, rubbing his temples. "Get in bed."

She pulled the bambi-eyes, giving him a look as imploring as any toddler could pull. "P-pwease? I just want a sleep over!"

He sighed tiredly, dragging a hand down his face. "Fine."

"Yay!" The girl yelled, clapping.

That woke Kagome up, again, and this time she sat up tiredly, but not looking annoyed. "What… what time is it?"

A fully formed sentence- good sign. "I don't know. Kagome-sit-Inuyasha-for-no-reason-at-all-time seems to be any second of the day." He growled out.

"Huh?" She blinked. "I sat you?"

"Ask the floor- I think it's tired of my face just as much as I'm tired of it."

"Oh, Inuyasha, I'm so sorry!" She said, looking genuinely apologetic. "I'll make it up to you; I promise!"

Well… as weird as it was that she was sorry… "Fine."

"Come back to bed. We'll talk about in the morning, right?"

"Yeah, talk! In the morning!" Akira helped. "Sleeping time!"

"Yeah, yeah." Inuyasha tersely climbed back into bed, begrudgingly huddling up against the wall.

"Are you sleeping with us, Akira?"

""Uh-huh. Inuyasa got the monsters, but I still have to stay here with you guys."

"Oh, he did, did he?" Kagome's leg shifted under the covers, rubbing Inuyasha's. Come over here. I'm not mad anymore.

Well I'm pissed.

I'm sorry. Come on, please? I'm really cold…

Keh. He rolled his eyes, but turned over and slipped a hand over his mate's waist. He pulled her against his back, happy to see she had already moved her hair. The last thing he wanted was a face-full of her hair when he was trying to breath and fall asleep.

You're such a sweetheart.

Thanks. That's just what every self-respecting man wants to hear. He thought back sarcastically. To contrast the thought he nuzzled her neck, smiling as Kagome held the covers up for Akira to crawl under.

"Night-night! I love you!" Akira chimed, snuggly pressed against Kagome.

"I love you too, Akira."

"Inuyasa loves me, too, huh Kagome?"

Kagome softly laughed. "Yes, Inuyasha loves you, too."

"But he loves you more." Akira giggled. Then suddenly the girl turned deadly serious. "You have to get married super soon. Because if you're in love you have to get married. And then you have to make babies and get pregnant. Okay, Kagome?"

Kagome blushed, and Inuyasha bit back a laugh. "O-okay, sweetie." Kagome managed.

"Night-night, Gome."

Soon after that the three fell asleep, snuggled together like a family.

~o0o~

"No way! Come back here right now, you stupid brats!"

"Catch us if you can!"

"The ape is a majestic creature; bold, strong, and intelligent."

"Hold 'em up, sucka!"

"I think it's clear, I've won."

"Wait, what?! A full house?!"

"You stupid little brats! Give me back my magazines!"

"Ooooh, look! Guys without shirts."

"Oooooh! Someone's in loooooove."

"Get back here NOW!"

"Watch as the male approaches the female. He's confident, but here comes another suitor. A confrontation is inevitable- both are vying for the females attention."

"You dirty cheater! No way!"

"I won fair and square. Now hand over the chips!"

"You little twerps! Give my stuff back!"

"Nah."
"No way."

"The males both turn aggressive, but in the end it is the bigger ape who wins the affection of the female. The male is ready to take his prize. He calls out to her, initiating-"

"THERE! You had cards in your sleave!"

"How did those get there…"

"Ah! Don't read that!"

"…And I just don't know which boy to pick! Sign, Abby."

"What does 'rut' mean, anyway?"

"Beats me."

"Ah! Guys, give it back!"

"The ritual over, both go there separate ways. Life will be hard for the female, but she is built to survive."

"Could someone wake Kagome up? And tell her-"

"YOU CHEATED!"

"I did not!"

Kagome had enough. She had been laying there, trying to block out the noise outside her door, since the TV had been turned on. She just couldn't go back to sleep though, in between the documentary on apes, Souta and Otoko's card game, and the twins thievery of Yokeru's magazine, she could only close her eyes in frustration.

But enough was enough. "Inuyasha." She poked his hand, which was at her hip. "Wake up."

"Waisit?" He slurred.

"Go yell at them, please." She asked, cringing when her mother raised her voice, trying to yell over the chaos.

"Why me?" He asked, throwing a leg over hers and snuggling back into the mattress. "You're the scary one."

"Inuyasha…"

He recognized the threatening tone. "I'm going, I'm going." He got up, pushing off of the bed. "Where's my-"

"Just go." Kagome answered, knowing he was about to ask where his clothes were. She didn't care if he went out without a shirt on, so no one else would ether.

"Keh." He stomped over to the door and yanked it open, sticking out his head to take a survey of the chaos. Finding no easy way to shut everyone up other than the usual, he shrugged before opening his mouth and yelling. "Everyone shut up!"

People froze, turning to look at him in surprise.

"Kagome is trying to sleep." He explained.

There were few nods, and couple people said they'd keep it down. No adults were there except for Mrs. Higurashi. Said woman hurried over to him, smiling.

"We're all going out for the day. Do you and Kagome want to come?"

Hey, Kagome, want to-

No. I'm sick.

"She's sick." He answered, leaning against the doorframe.

"Oh, is she okay?"

Are you-

Fine.

"She'll live."

"Okay. Well, you'll be happy to know that we're taking the kids out. I don't know what we're going to do about-"

Inuyasha, I need you!

"Hold on." He turned from the door, bolting into the room. Kagome weekly lifted her arms, leaning up in bed. He scooped her up, looking down at her in concern. "What is it? What's wrong?"

"Bucket." She gasped out.

"Bucket?" His confusion was answered a second later, when she vomited into her cupped hands. "Oh… bucket."

"What's-"

Inuyasha looked over his shoulder at Kagome's mother. "Bucket."

Apparently this was some sort of Higurashi code, because the mother ran from the room without a second word.

Kagome moaned, little tears slipping from her eyes.

What's the matter? What hurts?

I'm sorry I puked on you…

Inuyasha sat her on his lap, turning to sit on the bed. He ignored the smell of the vomit, though it was strong enough to make him a little sick to his stomach.

You're fine, wench. Now tell me what's wrong.

I just… feel sick.

Wow. What a fucking amazing answer.

Kagome's mother came back into the room, holding a big bowl. She rushed over to her daughter and her son-in-law, holding the bowl out. Kagome emptied her hands, her eyes shut tight.

"Is that better?" Mrs. Higurashi asked kindly, pushing the hair out of her daughter's face.

"I think-" Kagome was cut off when food came rushing back up from her stomach. She leaned over the bowl, moaning when she was done. She huddled into her mate.

"You poor thing." Her mother cooed. The woman looked up at Inuyasha, worried. "Maybe we'll stay here..."

"No, mom, it's okay." Kagome said. "Inuyasha can take care of me."

"Are you sure? I feel really bad just leaving you…"

"Please, mom, just go. I'll feel even worse if you stay. I don't want to be the reason you miss time with your sister and brother- you hardly ever see them. I'll be fine."

"You're positive?"

"Yes, Mama. I'm sure. Go have fun, okay?"

"Okay… if that's what you want…" The woman stood. "My number's on the fridge."

"I know. Have fun."

The woman nodded, looking a little unsure. She turned to Inuyasha. "Don't be afraid to call me if you need me, okay?"

He nodded, holding his mate to his chest.

"We'll be back by… well, before dinner. I can't say for sure- we're thinking about going to an amusement park…"

"Okay, Mama. See you when you get back."

She nodded, then looked at the bowl in her hand. "Do you still need this?"

"Put it on the end of the bed." She answered, her head leaning on Inuyasha's shoulder. He was rocking her back and forth without realizing it, comforting her on instinct.

"Bye, Kagome, dear. I'll call to check on you later. Take care of her, Inuyasha. I'll have my cellphone on if you need me."

Both nodded, and then listened as slowly the house grew more and more quiet as the family all headed outside. The door finally shut for the last time, the cars all driving off soon after that.

"Are they gone?" Kagome asked.

"Yeah."

"Will you help me stand? I want to wash my hands off. Oh, I hope I didn't get Akira sick…"

"She didn't smell any different this morning." Instead of helping Kagome stand Inuyasha carefully stood with her in his arms, walking to the bathroom.

Kagome didn't protest.

"Did anyone else smell sick?"

"No."

She sighed. "Just my luck.

The pair shimmied into the bathroom, where Inuyasha carefully set her on her feet. She leaned into him as she reached out and washed her hands, afterwards cupping her hands and bring water to her face. She took a drink, swishing and spitting the water back into the sink. After that she grabbed her toothbrush, and paste, and got to work on cleaning her mouth.

The whole time Inuyasha kept massaging her shoulders, trying to be discrete about smelling her. He was trying to figure out what was wrong with her, but so far he couldn't figure much out other than the fact that her scent had changed.

Kagome spit for the last time, setting her toothbrush down. She turned around and wrapped her arms around Inuyasha's torso. "I'm feeling a bit better. Can we go eat?"

"You really want to eat something?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. "You'll just barf it back up again."

She scowled. "So? I'm still hungry."

"Well, if that's what you want…"

He went to pick her up, but she stopped him. "Let me walk."

"Well, if that's what you want…" He said again.

She shot him a look. "Don't do that."

He knew what she was talking about- she hated it when he said the same thing twice in a row. "Well, if that's what you want…" Not to mention thrice.

She just rolled her eyes, starting off for the kitchen like she had never been sick in the first place.

He shook his head, starting after her. He followed Kagome into the kitchen, taking a seat at the table when she went to the cabinet. He was perched so that at the slightest indication he could rush to her side.

Kagome grabbed a box of cerial, the carton of milk, and two bowls. She came back to the table, sitting down by her best friend. "Here." She handed him a bowl.

"Thanks…"

She poured herself a mountain of multi-colored flakes, drowning them in a river of milk. With a spoon that she seemed to produce from mid-air she started to wolf the food down, almost inhaling it.

"Are you okay?"

"Hmm?" She looked over at him, her mouth full.

"You're eating like…" He searched for a suitable expression. "Like me."

She swallowed. "Am not."

"Keh. You are, too!"

"Not." She answered, going back to swallowing cereal.

Because it was a stupid thing to fight about, Inuyasha let the subject drop.

It was almost noon- the pair had slept for a long time. Kagome finished up her food right after Inuyasha did, and then requested that they watch some TV since she was still feeling a little funny.

Inuyasha didn't protest- having Kagome draped over him while he lazed about the couch wasn't the worst way to waste the afternoon. He would complain that they needed to be out looking for jewel shards, but Kagome was sick and he didn't want to make her feel bad.

In the middle of a movie called Night of the Ninja, which he had played the video game for, an unexpected nock was heard at the door.

Kagome looked up over the back of the couch. "Who could that be…?"

Inuyasha took a smell from the air, and then glared at the door. Damn it…

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Cliff hanger? Sort of… I'll update fast-ish. By the way, thank you so much to the people who have been reviewing this. You guys are the best! And to the ones who just read- I hope to one day hear from you, because everyone on here seems to be pretty cool, but for now I'll say thanks for reading!