Author's Note
Hey guys! Sorry my update was SO late….I've been busy with school work and have been so totally stressed it's not even funny. But I hope you all enjoy the chapter, though be warned the next couple chapters I think will be a bit more filler and background than you all are used to…it's something that can't be helped. Anyway hope you all enjoy!
Chapter XIII: Just Believe It and That's The Way It Is
The young lord sat behind the large desk, his gaze fixed on the young man before him. It would be safe to say that what the young demon had said was not what Sesshomaru had planed.
Unprepared for the demon's request, he said, "So you wish to have my permission do you? You are aware that it is not necessary for you to do so."
"I am," Seiji replied, lowering his head slightly, "Though I wish to know whether or not you approve of me."
Sesshomaru eyed the young man, he knew he was strong and smart; he would definitely make a strong part of the family and would be ideal for his daughter. Though, no matter how strong or worthy he thought the young man was, there was still the consideration of his daughter.
"If you wish for my permission you must answer me this," Sesshomaru stated, his eyes cold as he watched the young man.
"Yes sir?" Seiji questioned, raising his head to look at the lord.
"Do you love my daughter?" The young lord inquired, "Would you do anything to save her, should her life be in danger? Would you stay with her forever and forever remain faithful?"
"Yes sir," Seiji replied, his voice soft; full of the love he held for the young woman, "I would die before I allowed any harm to come to her."
"That's what I wanted to hear," Sesshomaru admitted, "You have my permission."
"Really?" The young man gasped, his tone showing how happy and relieved he as.
"Really," The demon replied, watching with amusement as it took every part of the demon before him to not jump for joy in front of his future mate's father.
"Thank you, Lord Sesshomaru," Seiji said, bowing deep.
"Is that all?" The lord questioned.
"No sir," Seiji replied.
"Then go," Sesshomaru stated, "And give my regards to Hana."
"Will do," Seiji said, turning around and left the room his mate's father occupied, a bright smile never leaving the young man's face.
Seiji closed the wooden door behind him and made his way into the living room, the smile across his face never fading.
"What's the matter?" The young man questioned, noticing the groups sullen looks.
"He's attacked another human," Soshi answered, turning his attention from the television to the young man who stood in the door frame, "What's got you in such a good mood?"
"He said yes," Seiji beamed.
"Well congratulations," Soshi replied, standing to give is friend a pat on the back, "Didn't think you had the guts to ask him."
"It was hard," Seiji admitted, "Believe me."
The young demon laughed, "I can imagine."
"So, Naraku's attacked another person has he?" Seiji questioned, scanning the small group scattered around the room.
"Yeah, two people," Yumiko answered, eying Kagome, "Same way he's been doing it too."
The demon nodded, crossed the room and took a seat in one of the plush arm chairs, "So, what are we going to do?"
"I'm taking Kagome to get her family and bring them here," The hanyou replied, "If he's after everyone that means something to us, then we'll keep them safe and hide them so he doesn't have the chance."
"I suggest that you should let everyone you know about what's going on," Kagome said, standing up and headed back to the room she shared with InuYasha.
"What's the matter with her?" Seiji questioned, his tone low as the hanyou went after his mate.
"The two that were killed," InuYasha explained, "Were her friends."
"Oh," The demon replied, genuine concern in his cerulean eyes, "Give her my deepest apologies for what has happened."
The hanyou nodded and continued after his mate.
Walking down the hallway, he came to their door and he stood out side of it for a moment, having heard something inside.
"Kagome?" He questioned, knocking gently on the door before opening, "Are you all right?"
Kagome stood, leaving the room and heading towards the room she and InuYasha shared. Entering the room the young miko began to break down, the tears she had been keeping bottled up now spilled down her face. Taking a few steps towards the bed, her knees buckled and she fell to the floor, her body wracked with sobs.
"Why does this always happen?" She thought to herself, "Once something good happens it's always followed by something bad."
She was pregnant with the child of the man she loved, cared for more than anything. She was happy now, the young man she'd fallen for seven years prier had returned her feelings and now they were connected on the strongest of levels.
Pulling her knees close to her chest she wrapped her arms tightly around them.
A soft knock came to the door, "Kagome, are you all right?"
She just continued to cry, unable to answer the man who then opened the door.
Two strong arms encircled the young woman, her body now pressed to the man's warm chest.
"What's wrong Kagome?" The young man questioned, his amber eyes softening at his mate's sudden change in moods.
"Why does this always have to happen?" The miko sobbed, her voice muffled by the material of the man's shirt.
"What has to happen Kagome?" The man inquired.
"When something good happens, why is it that something bad always follows?" Kagome replied, raising her head to meet the hanyou's concerned eyes, "Everyone's happy and together now and Naraku has to go and try and separate us. He's killing those close to us InuYasha, why?"
"Because he's evil Kagome," InuYasha explained, his tone gentle, "That's what he does. He manipulates people and makes them suffer, he gets enjoyment out of it."
"I just don't want to see anyone get hurt," Kagome admitted, her cheeks and eyes turning a slight red from crying, "Especially you."
"We'll get him Kagome," InuYasha said, trying to reassure the young woman, "And we'll make him pay for what he's done."
"I know," The miko replied, raising a hand to the man's neck, lowering slightly to finger the rosary around his neck.
"What are you doing?" The hanyou questioned, eyeing his mate.
The expression on the young woman's face made it seem as if she'd decided something. Carefully she wrapped her fingers around the beads and tried to take the subduing charm from around her mate's neck.
"No Kagome," InuYasha said sternly, covering the young woman's hand with his own, gently pushing it away, "Leave it."
"But what if something happens," Kagome sobbed, "I don't want you to feel bound to me…"
"Don't talk like that," He replied, "Nothing's going to happen, do you understand?"
The miko nodded, wrapping her arms tightly around her mate, gripping him as if she let go he'd disappear.
InuYasha couldn't decide if it was because of what had happened, her hormones because of the pup or a combination of both, but he figured Naraku had hit too close to home on this one.
The hanyou gathered his mate up in his arms, carrying her to the bed he sat down, the young woman now sitting in his lap. InuYasha stroked the young woman's hair, rubbing circles on her back in an attempt to calm her.
"It will be all right Kagome," He whispered, the young woman's sobs ebbing away, "It won't take us too long to hunt him down and then we can destroy him for good."
"Just promise me something," Kagome whispered, taking a hand and wiping away the last of her tears.
"What is it?" InuYasha questioned.
Deep brown locked with loving amber as the young miko said, "Promise that when it gets close to the new moon that you'll stop looking for him and come back."
"I promise," InuYasha replied, "Now come on, let's go get your family."
The two women pulled up in front of the building where they worked.
"How mad do you think he's going to be?" Ally questioned.
"Totally and utterly furious," Mia replied, sighing as she pulled the keys from out, silencing the engine.
The two made their way up the many flights of stairs to the top floor, opening the door to their offices they walked in.
"Is Mr. Gonzo in?" Mia shouted over the noise the office.
"He's in his office." Came the reply of someone in the middle of the chaos.
"Thank you!" Ally shouted, the two pushing though the sea of people to their boss' office.
"Mr. Gonzo?" Ally questioned, knocking gently on the door.
"Come in," The man answered.
"You needed us?" Mia inquired, entering after her friend.
"Yes, I want you two to look into the latest killings," the man replied, "I have a feeling that they are indeed related to the string of murders that have been happening over the past four years."
"Understood sir," Ally said, "Do we have any leads?"
"Luckily we do," Mr. Gonzo stated, "A Mr. Riku is said to have connections in these cases. It's up to you two to find out what and how he's related to these events."
"Yes sir," Ally replied, giving the man a mock salute before leaving.
"This will be an interesting visit," Mia commented as the two opened the front doors to the building and made their way back to their car.
"Why do you say that?" Ally asked, puzzled by her friends comment.
"I know Riku," Mia answered, "Haven't seen him in years but I know him well enough to know if he's involved, it's for our side's benefit. That he's in no way in league with Naraku."
"Well that's good to hear," Ally sighed, climbing into the vehicle, "One less person to deal with the better."
"Agreed," Mia agreed, climbing into the car as well and started the engine.
The small group in the living room sat in silence, no one knowing exactly what to do.
"Any one have any ideas?" Yumiko questioned, scanning the people around her.
"Nope," Soshi answered, "With Mia and Ally off to gather information, and Kagome and InuYasha off to get Kagome's family, there's really no one here to plan with so there's no sense in doing anything."
"What about Chiri and Naito?" Kisho inquired, having noticed the couple's absence.
"They were up for a while last night," Soshi stated, "I think it's best if we left hem alone for a while."
"Well, I think I'll go and see an old friend," Yumiko said, standing from her spot next to Kisho, stretching out the kinks from the night before, "You coming Kisho?"
"Are you taking your motorcycle?" The demon questioned, looking a bit terrified at the thought of having to ride with the young woman again.
"Of course," Yumiko answered, a puzzled expression upon her face, "How else would we get there?"
"Just be careful all right," Came the female voice from the door frame, her grey eyes locked with the stormy ones of her daughter.
"Fine," The young woman replied, her tone defeated, "I'll only go 5 miles over the speed limit."
"There's no chance we can get you to go the speed limit, is there?" The man beside the woman questioned.
"Will you two lighten up," Yumiko sighed, "I'm careful."
"You keep telling yourself that," Her mother replied, crossing the room to stand beside her daughter, "You have to promise me you will be now more than ever."
"I promise," Yumiko said, holding up three fingers, "Scouts honor."
"I'm serious," The woman stated, her grey eyes darkening with seriousness.
"All right, all right," The young wolf whined, "I promise I'll be careful okay, geeze. Can we go now?"
"Yes you may," The older wolf replied, "Just be back before dinner."
"Yes mother," Yumiko answered, sarcasm lacing every word as she headed for the door in a run, making her way out to her bike.
"I'll make sure she doesn't get into too much trouble Artemis," Kisho assured, "Will you tell my parents where I've gone so they do not worry."
"Of course," Artemis replied, smiling towards the young boy and giving him a slight nod, "You be careful as well."
"Aren't I always?" The demon questioned with a smile, "Though, having a mate like her…well lets just say my life's never boring."
"I can imagine," The young man said with a nod, "Now get going, I think I hear the motorcycle going."
Kisho nodded, following the path the young woman had taken and mounted the bike which was positioned right outside the door. The two then sped down the long drive way to their destination.
"You think they'll be okay?" The young man questioned, wrapping his harms around his mate.
"I think so Koji," Artemis replied, leaning into her mate's embrace, "He takes after Kane, he'll keep her safe."
"You know Yumiko takes after you," Koji commented, "She can take care of her self."
"True," Artemis agreed, "Question is, is that a good thing."
Koji laughed, "Depends on how you look at it."
"If you ask me," Soshi said from his seat next to the Inu youkai, "I'd take Kisho over Yumiko."
"Why do you say that?" Artemis questioned, narrowing her stone eyes towards the demon.
"Because if I ever had to fight one of the two," The demon explained, "I'm sure Kisho wouldn't kill me, where as Yumiko, if she takes after yourself as you've said wouldn't hesitate to do so."
"I resent that remark," The Lunar wolf shot, glaring daggers towards the young man.
"Hey, It's just my opinion," Soshi added defensively.
Seiji and Koji watched the two, amusement evident on their faces.
"Never a dull moment," Koji whispered, shaking his head as he walked from his mate's side to stand behind where the dog demon sat.
"Around here?" Seiji mused, "Never."
The couple made their way up the large flight of stairs, the very same steps the young woman had climbed for the first 15 years of her life on a daily basis.
"What do you think they'll say?" The young woman inquired, directing her questioned towards her mate.
"About what?" The young man replied, "The whole evil demon coming to kill them bit, or the fact that you're pregnant?"
The young miko narrowed her eyes towards the hanyou, "InuYasha this isn't funny."
"Oh I know," InuYasha agreed, "But seriously Kagome, you think they'd be mad at you or something?"
"Well, yeah," Kagome admitted, "Maybe, I don't know. Mom's just so unpredictable."
"You're stupid," The hanyou snorted, "You're her pup, she loves you and nothing's going to change that."
"You're half right," The miko agreed, "But the first part you got backwards."
"What do you mean?" InuYasha questioned.
"You're stupid," Kagome replied, enjoying her game of playing with the hanyou's head.
"Wench," InuYasha scoffed.
"Idiot," Kagome shot back.
"Stupid."
"Puppy."
"I am not," InuYasha growled, his tone defensive, "Bitch."
"Now should I take that as a compliment?" The miko questioned, her eyes never wavering from the hanyou's.
"What?" The hanyou stuttered, confused by the woman's comment.
Thinking about the question, her replied, a smirk upon his face, "To fill that position some requirements need to be met."
"Like what for example," The miko inquired.
A perverted gleam etched its way in to the hanyou's molten eyes, giving them a mischievous glint.
"I don't' want to know," Kagome stated as the two made their way up the last couple of steps to the shrine grounds.
The two passed the tree of ages and headed towards the sliding door at the side of the house. Pulling along the track it was set on, Kagome entered the building that was once her home.
"Mom!" The young woman called, "Are you home?"
"Yes dear," Came the response from the older woman as she entered the kitchen to greet her daughter, "How have you two been?"
"We've been all right," Kagome answered with a smile as she beamed at her mother, "We have some good news to tell you about."
"Really?" Ms. Higurashi replied, taking a seat at the table, "Do tell."
"Well, how do you feel about a little kid with dog ears running around the place?" Kagome questioned, trying to make her mother think; being slightly cryptic.
The older woman sat there for a moment, thinking over what her daughter had said, then her deep hazel eyes grew to the size of dinner plates.
"Kagome, you're pregnant?" She gasped, standing and embracing her daughter in a tight hug, "Congratulations!"
The young woman returned the gesture from her mother, tears beginning to prick at her eyes.
"We have some bad news to tell you as well," The hanyou spoke from his spot against the door frame, he'd been watching his mate with an amused expression as she told her mother of their pup.
"What's the matter?" Ms. Higurashi asked, looking between her daughter and her mate.
"We feel it would be safer if You and Grandpa and Sota came to stay with InuYasha and everyone for a while," Kagome explained, locking her hazel gaze with her mother's wise brown eyes.
"Safe?" The woman questioned, "Safe from what? What's going on?"
"Naraku has come back," InuYasha said, his voice serious, "And he's attacking everyone close to us. I thought it might be better if you were with us so we could protect you."
"I understand but will an evil demon like him be allowed on the shrine?" Ms. Higurashi inquired, "I mean this is a holy place, is he really that powerful?"
"That and even more so," The hanyou replied.
"It took us three years to ultimately defeat him the first time," Kagome added, "Which should give you a good idea of how strong he was back then."
"I know it took you so long before, but that was because you had to recover the jewel shards," The older woman said.
"Yes, but Naraku was strong with out them as well," The Hanyou argued, "But now were are at a disadvantage because there aren't as many demons and slayers around in this day and age."
"That's understandable," Ms. Higurashi agreed.
"So, will you come stay with us for a while?" Kagome questioned, "Just until this all blows over."
"Yes," The woman replied, turning her attention to her daughter, "As soon as Sota and your Grandfather return we will head over to where you're staying."
The Miko nodded, reaching for a paper napkin from the table she picked up the pen that had had been beside her and wrote down the address to the young lord's house.
"We need to get back," The Hanyou stated to his mate.
"I know," Kagome replied, then turned to her mother, "Be careful, all right."
"I will," Ms. Higurashi responded, "Do be as well."
"Aren't I always?" The miko questioned jokingly as her and her mate left the house to return to their group's unofficial H.Q.
The young man dismounted the motorcycle, his short golden hair a bit disheveled due to the helmet. His crimson eyes glared towards his companion, the young woman simply staring at him with puzzled, stormy eyes as she dismounted as well.
"What?" She questioned, trying her best to keep her tone and expression somewhat innocent.
"I can't believe you," The man replied, walking away from the young woman.
"What?" She repeated, "I didn't hit anything."
"No but you went at least 50 miles over the speed limit," The man replied, "And the speed limit was 65 Yumiko, damn. You could have killed us."
"Oh come off it Kisho," Yumiko sighed, shaking her head in disbelief towards the young man, "Where's your sense of adventure?"
"At home with my pair of clean pants," Kisho answered, his tone holding an underlying joking ness to it.
Yumiko's expression turned into one of mock disgust as she looked closely at her bike seat, "If you did that on my bike you're gonna clean it up."
"Well if I had, it would have been your fault," Kisho argued.
"I'm not the one with the bladder problem," Yumiko retorted, heading down the short path towards the large house.
"Well if you didn't drive like a mad woman then I wouldn't have that problem," The demon added.
"If I sliced you open and took out that annoying organ," Yumiko taunted, stepping onto the porch and knocking gently, "You wouldn't have that problem now would you?"
Kisho gulped, as he thought, "Yep, definitely her mother's daughter."
The large oak door swung open, the couple outside greeted by a young girl, no older then about seven or eight.
"May I help you?" The young girl questioned, her large cherry eyes looked between the two guests, her long raven hair moving slightly as she cocked her head to the side.
"Um, yes," Yumiko answered, her tone unsure, "We're looking for Riku, is he home?"
The young girl nodded vigorously, then replied with the excited tone only a child could possess, "Daddy, visitors for you!"
"Coming," Came the booming voice of the man somewhere with in the house, "Who is it?"
"It's me Riku," Yumiko hollered to the man.
"Long time no see Yumiko," The demon greeted upon nearing the front door, "Please come in."
"She seems like a nice girl," Yumiko commented, pointing a finger towards the young girl as she entered the house, "Though I had no idea you had a child. If you don't mind me saying so she looks nothing like you."
"Let's just say it was the mail man," Riku sighed, shaking his head, "What can I say, I guess I was just not good enough."
"I'm sure you were just fine," Yumiko assured the man.
"Now what was it you came to see me about?" Riku inquired, "Surely it wasn't to praise me on my nonexistent love life."
"No, in fact it's a much more serious matter," Yumiko replied, "Naraku seems to have become more active, I'm sure you've been watching the news?"
"I have," Riku agreed, "You came to see if I knew anything about the attacks then."
"Yes," Yumiko answered, "Though you need to know I am confident that you had nothing to do with them."
Kisho looked questioningly towards his mate, "Why would he be?"
"Oh, I'm so stupid," Yumiko gasped, slapping a hand to her forehead, "Riku this is my mate, Kisho. Kisho this is our undercover spy Riku."
"It's a pleasure," The demon stated, extending a hand to the young man.
"Like wise," Kisho replied, taking shaking the man's hand, "Now answer my questioned Yumiko."
"Well you see, Riku here use to work for Naraku," The wolf explained, "But after some…unfortunate events he switched sides and has been working with us since."
Kisho nodded, he understood some of the things the evil demon was capable of and no doubt had put the man before him through.
"Anyway," Riku coughed, clearly uncomfortable with the current subject, "I have heard that the assassin Suisei has joined up with Naraku, though I'm sure you all ready knew that."
"We did," Yumiko agreed, "Though what's got me confused is why she joined him. I mean she should know that even if you join him you're not safe, or going to get anything out of it."
"She did it for revenge," Riku explained, "TO get revenge against The Northern Lord's mate."
"Why?" The demon questioned, her eyes narrowed.
"Your mother killed her father," Riku continued, "Yokoro is Suisei's father and also the incarnation of Naraku, the very same one who attempted to kill your mother."
Yumiko sat there speechless, "I didn't know."
"This complicates things," Kisho commented.
"Indeed," Yumiko added.
A knock came to the heavy wooden door and the young child once again answered it.
"Hello," she greeted.
"Is Riku home?" Questioned a young woman.
"Yes, who are you?" The girl inquired.
"We're reporters from Tokyo Times," The first woman's companion answered.
"Come on Ally," Yumiko called from her spot in the living room, "We have news for you."
The couple entered the room, the hanyou and part demon looking questioningly towards their friend, "What's up?"
"We now know why Suisei joined Naraku," The female wolf demon answered.
"Why?" Mia asked.
"She wants revenge," Yumiko said darkly, "Revenge on my mother."
The couple had returned home some time ago and had awaited the arrival of the miko's family.
A soft knock came to the door as the light began to fade from the sky outside.
The young woman stood up from her place in the living room and padded across to the door. Opening she was greeted by the three on the other side.
"Welcome," She greeted as her mother nodded.
"This isn't a bad time is it?" The older woman questioned.
"Of course not!" The young woman exclaimed, moving to allow the small group to enter, "Come right in."
The three entered and looked around at the large interior.
"I'll show you all to your rooms," The young woman said, closing the door and began to head off towards the hall on the opposite end of the house in which her and her mate's room was located.
"I'll do that for you Lady Kagome," Came the gentle voice of the young demon as she emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands clean on the apron she wore," Would you go and find Lord InuYasha? Dinner's just about finished and he has yet to return."
"Thank you Hana," Kagome replied nodding her head, "I think I know where he is."
Hana showed the young woman's family to three rooms reserved for guests.
"Is there anything else you all need?" The demon questioned, looking towards each member of the group.
"No. thank you," Ms. Higurashi said as he entered her room.
The old man accompanying them shook his head as he entered his room as well, it was clear he did not wish to be in a house full of demons.
The young boy remained in the hall way, a rather large bag at his side.
"Can you bring some fish?" The boy questioned, patting the bag gently as it began to move.
The demon looked questioningly towards the boy, a brow arched, "Sure."
"Thank you," The boy said with a smile as he entered his room as well.
Hana waited a moment after the boy entered his room and hear the young man said, "Buyo you need to keep still okay."
The demon shook her head as she walked back towards the kitchen.
"Lady Kagome," The demon questioned.
"Yes," The young woman replied as she began to head toward the other end of the house.
"Do you have a cat?" Hana asked.
"Yes, why?" The miko answered with a question of her own.
"Your brother brought it with him," The demon stated, "I fear if Lord Sesshomaru was to find it….well I fear for the poor thing."
Kagome shook her head, "I'll make a seal for the thing's scent when I get back."
Hana nodded, entering the kitchen and began to finish the meal they were to have.
The young miko headed towards the door she knew would take her out into the garden. Opening it she scanned her surroundings for any sight of her mate.
"Where could he be?" Kagome questioned to herself as she walked around the small section of the grounds and finding no hide or hair of her mate.
She stood still for a moment, trying to get her powers to work once more.
Suddenly, she felt a slight prick at the back of her mind, though it was ever so faint. Feeling a familiar presence she began to make her way towards it. Walking through the dense foliage she came across her mate relaxing under a rather large tree next to a small pond. She stood there for a moment, watching the young man as he sat there, deep in thought. He said something a moment later that made her concerned, maybe not by just what he said, but the sudden change in his moods.
"I didn't understand back then."
The hanyou walked through the dense forest, the woodland surrounded the large house of his half-brother. His golden eyes scanned his surroundings, never letting him relax totally for fear of an ambush. Though, he was sure that no demon would dare come on to his brother's land he wasn't willing to risk it.
Coming to a rather large tree which towered over a small, clear pond, he made his way over to it and sat down at the base. His amber gaze watched lazily as a few birds flew by, chirping as they communicated with each other.
Memories began to flash before the hanyou's eyes as he stretched out his limbs, his arms going so high above his head it earned him a "crack" as his back popped.
His eyes darkened as a memory caught his eye as it played through his head.
.:.:. Flash Back.:.:.
A young hanyou played with a yellow ball, kicking it the small object began to roll near a group of humans. Chasing after it he attempted to retrieve it from a rather large man who had picked it up and began to bounce it around.
"That's mine," The small boy stated, his small arms waving about above his head as he tried to get the older man to give him his toy back.
"Stupid half breed," The man sneered, a look of disgust on his face as he threw the ball towards the small bridge not too far from where the group had been.
The small boy chased after his ball, the small object bouncing across the bridge as he finally caught up with it. Turning around, he watched as the group of humans began to leave, each heading in different directions.
"Half breed?" The small boy questioned to himself, confused at why the man had been so mean towards him when he'd done nothing to deserve such treatment.
"InuYasha," Came the call of a young woman, her voice worried as she searched for her son.
The small boy turned at the sound of his mother's call and ran towards her. The hanyou found his mother in a small garden near the village, her long ebony hair swayed as she turned upon hearing her son approaching.
"There you are," She said softly as she took a few steps towards her son.
The hanyou ran to his mother and embraced her, his small arms barely able to wrap around the woman's frame. In a soft voice the young boy questioned, "Mother, what's a…half breed?"
The young boy's mother didn't respond, she just knelt down and pulled the small boy closer towards her, tears escaping her deep hazel eyes.
.:.:.End of Flash Back.:.:.
"I didn't understand back then," InuYasha said to himself as he picked up a small pebble and tossed it towards the calm water, watching as it caused ripples to form on the smooth surface.
"Didn't understand what?" questioned the soft voice behind him.
His head snapped towards where he heard the voice come from, "Kagome, how long have you been there?"
"Just a few minutes," The miko replied, coming to take a seat next to her mate, "So, what didn't you understand?"
"Nothing, it's not important," InuYasha answered, turning from the young woman, silver tresses falling in his face, covering his amber eyes.
"What's the matter InuYasha?" Kagome inquired as she placed a hand on the man's shoulder, worried about the young man beside her.
"I said it was nothing wench," The hanyou snapped, turning his whole body from her and shrugging her hand from his shoulder.
Kagome rose from her place beside the hanyou and walked around him to sit before him. She looked into his face as he averted his gaze from her.
"Come on InuYasha," Kagome pleaded softly, reaching a hand out to cup the young man's cheek, moving gently so he was looking at her directly, "What's the matter."
"I was just thinking about how bad our pup will be treated," The hanyou admitted, closing his eyes.
"What makes you think that?" Kagome questioned, taken aback and purely curious as to what had caused her mate to think in such a way.
"Just look at how I was treated," InuYasha stated, his bright amber eyes darkening to hard gold, "I was abused and my mother was shunned, it no longer mattered that she was of noble blood once I was born."
Kagome's hazel eyes softened, "But it's different now InuYasha."
"How Kagome," InuYasha shot, averting his gaze once more, "How is it different?"
Kagome sighed, turning around she pressed her back against the hanyou's chest, reaching around to grab one of the man's larger hands in her own petite ones she wrapped them around her.
"It will be loved by so many InuYasha," Kagome whispered, tears pricking the corners of her eyes, "My family will love our baby, Artemis, Koji, Kane, Bakari, Ally, Mia, Yumiko, Kisho, Soshi, Seiji, Hana, hell maybe even Sesshomaru. And most of all we will, and we'll protect it no matter what."
The hanyou sat there, making no move to remove his mate's arms from holding his own around her frame, he just sat there, seemingly disconnected from the rest of the world.
"And you have to remember something InuYasha," Kagome continued softly.
The hanyou remained quiet as he listened to the young woman in his arms.
"This time is different than yours," Kagome stated, "Demons and hanyou's and humans all live together peacefully; well for the most part. Our child will have no problems growing up now because we life in a world where it doesn't matter who or what you are, we're all equal."
The young woman pulled the man closer towards her, tightening her grip on the man's hands as gentle rivers of tears fell from her eyes, "I'm sorry that you were treated so poorly when you were young. I'm sure it was hard for you to grow up in a world where you were hated, and I have no doubt that it got much worse after your mother died, but because of what you went through, it made you stronger."
InuYasha leaned closer towards his miko, nuzzling his nose in the woman's soft hair, "You know you're right."
"Aren't I always?" The miko questioned.
InuYasha tightened his grip on the young woman, "You know what?"
"Hm?" Kagome questioned, closing her eyes.
"This place reminds me so much of the feudal era," InuYasha replied with a sigh.
Kagome opened her eyes and scanned her surroundings, "It does, doesn't it. So calm and peaceful."
"Yeah," InuYasha sighed.
"I wish there was some way to get back," Kagome said, "To be able to get away from all this for a while."
"I know what you mean," The hanyou agreed, "But the well's sealed."
"Have you tried to go down it?" The miko inquired.
"Yes, but I wasn't able to pass," InuYasha answered, shaking his head.
"Well what good is it now?" Kagome questioned, frustration evident in her tone.
"I don't know," InuYasha responded, leaning back against the tree.
Kagome turned around in the hanyou's grasp, leaned forward and captured the man's lips in an innocent kiss.
"We have to go in for dinner," Kagome said.
At the mention of food the hanyou's ears perked up, the silver triangles pointing towards his mate, "Well why didn't you say so."
"I don't believe you," Kagome said exasperatedly.
"What?" The hanyou asked, narrowing his eyes towards his mate, "I'm hungry."
"You always are," Kagome commented as she stood up and stretched.
The two headed towards the house to eat dinner, and to be informed of the reason as to why they were being pursued, well partly anyway.
Author's Note
Well there you go guys….another chappie…sry it took so long to get updated! Did you all see a bit of Artemis in Yumiko? Poor Kisho…feel sorry for the guy…and his bladder…lol. I'm gonna try and get another one out for you tonight but I don't know if I can…look for it though!
Sammy-Sama
Chapter XIV: One Day In Your Life, Love Will Remind You, Could You Leave It All Behind
Sesshomaru insists that Kagome needs to go and see a doctor to check on the baby, so she does after much persuasion. They find out what gender it is, and the long exciting process of getting ready starts, What will happen when Sesshomaru finds Buyo? What does Riku have planed in order to go after Naraku? What will Artemis say when she finds out that the young assassin's anger is directed towards her? What preperations are they going to make to get ready for the fight? will Mia ever get her sword? Find out next time!