Don't own Inuyasha… cries .o.o.

"Talking" 'Thinking'… all that good stuff

Another's presence at her side is what stirred Kagome from her slumber; she was having such a nice dream that she didn't want to be disturbed and whoever was there needed to leave. She turned over on her side expecting to tangle herself in the bedding on her futon; but then she remembered that she hadn't fallen asleep in her warm bed in the hut her mate had built.

'That's right… I decided to take a short nap outside in the shrine court yard.' Kagome pushed the thought from her mind not wanting to remember what exactly she was doing before falling asleep.

"Will you continue to sleep? I thought you wished to speak to me?" A young man's voice both confused and scared her; who could the boy be and why was he hovering and talking to her.

Kagome rolled over on to her back again and it now dawned on her that the ground was no longer hard and cold; her clothes weren't wet from the melted snow… she actually felt rather comfortable. Finally she decided, since the boy was not leaving, to open her eyes and confront him; but when her eyes adjusted to the strange bright light she knew something was extremely wrong when her gaze locked with the boy's golden one.

Her groggy mind came to and she sat up quickly realizing who she was staring at; she turned to face him fully as he sat cross legged in front of her waiting patiently for her to speak. "How… how are you here, you can't be here… oh god… have I died?" She now realized how dumb it was on her part to fall asleep in the snow.

The young boy gave a gentle smile to ease her worry, "You are not dead but why were you out in that weather… do you wish to be sick?" He tilted his head causing his long black bangs to shift with the motion.

Kagome bowed her head to try and stop the tears from falling, "No… no I wasn't trying to get sick; I'm just having a hard time right now… a lot has happened since you left." Kagome raised her head again to put the boy's image to memory because this may very well be the last time she saw her oldest child.

Inu watched his mother observe him, there was something on her mind that was upsetting her and he would find out what. "Father took you as his mate yes; and he has become a full demon… everything is as it should be yet you seem upset; has father upset you in some way?"

"What?! No, no Inuyasha hasn't done anything wrong… it is me."

Again Inu tilted his head trying to process what actually his mother was trying to tell him. "I do not understand mother; how are you to blame?"

Kagome blushed at what she was about to say… this was her son after all, "We… we've been trying to have… you and we found out that I have become barren, most likely from Naraku's miasma during the final battle; I cannot have children… I left Inuyasha because I couldn't bear to see how upset he would be with me as his mate." Tears began to flow once more… Kagome was so tired of crying she just wished she could be a stronger person; she felt the boy across from her move and she jumped when his hand caressed her face, his thumb brushed away a tear sliding down her cheek.

"Barren… mother you are not barren; the miasma Naraku had poisoned you with I removed and all of its damage as well."

Kagome looked into her son's eyes and could see what he said was true, "I'm not barren… I can give Inuyasha children… but then why… why haven't I become pregnant?"

Inu smiled, looking so much like his father, and then he pulled her into a strong embrace, "You are not with child yet because it is not time… have patience mother it will happen when you least expect," He gently nuzzled his nose against her cheek in comforting gesture to soothe her worry.

'Have patience… it's not time yet?' Kagome ran her boy's words back through her mind while she laid in his arms; just his embrace seemed to calm her frazzled brain and helped her think more clearly. She was able to remember a moment in time years ago when her mother had a few friends over for tea; they had been talking about children and her mother had said how hard it was for her to have Sota. Apparently Kagome's parents had been trying to have another child since Kagome was two; it hadn't worked out and they had just given up, come to find out just after Kagome turned six her mother found out she was pregnant. At the time her mother was talking about this Kagome was still a little girl and wasn't interested in what the adult women were talking about; now that she was older all that stuff made sense. 'Inuyasha may be trying too hard to get me pregnant… I have to believe Inu when he says that it's not time; which means I can go home and be with Inuyasha again.' The excitement of seeing her mate again warmed Kagome's very soul… she felt like a great weight had been lifted from her.

"Oh Inu, thank you… thank you," her grip on him tightened and he responded by a light purring again… which meant it was time to say goodbye once more.

"Mother, it is time for you to return."

Kagome pulled away from the boy at his statement, before she could voice her confusion she realized the bright white landscape they had been in this whole time was now becoming fuzzy to her eyes. She frantically began to rub her eyes to rid the blurriness but when she opened them again it was only worse… Inu was starting to fade away. "Inu... what do you mean return… where are you going!" She cried in panic reaching out to him but her fingers went right through his transparent figure.

"I am going home mother… and you are returning to father."

"No Inu please don't go… please don't leave… Inu!" The boy completely faded away and the light disappeared with him as well, Kagome was left in the darkness of her mind; yes she now realized this was all a dream due to her falling unconscious in the snow. She couldn't do anything now but sit and wait for someone to find her.

Kagome didn't know how long she sat there, since there was no sense of time, she was just about to give up hope that anyone, let alone Inuyasha would find her; but then she felt something warm slowly approaching her from behind.

'Kagome.'

Kagome sat up straighter when she heard that familiar voice; it warmed her more and melted the numbness that took hold of her body. She turned toward the voice and saw through the darkness a speck of light shining.

'Kagome.'

The light pulsed and grew when the person called her name as if waiting for her response.

'Kagome.'

"Yes I'm here… I'm here!" The light flickered more violently when she spoke almost like her voice was the key to unlocking it fully.

'Kagome!'

The voice was more determined like it was encouraging her to call out again. "I'm here… I'm here Inuyasha!" Her mate's name was the key because the second it left her lips the light rushed forward and engulfed her in its warm glow; several emotions passed through her and she wasn't sure who's they were but one thing rang out true over all… Inuyasha was there and calling to her.

Inuyasha's heart stopped the moment he spotted his mate lying in the snow pile in front of Kikyo's grave; everything was a bit of a blur after that, the only thing on his mind was saving Kagome. He jumped down from the Torii and raced over to her still body, carefully and mindful of his claws he dug her out of the snow like a rescue dog would an avalanche victim.

Pulling her into his arms Inuyasha ripped off his haori and wrapped her tightly in it; trying to ignore her blue lips or the cold feeling of her skin in his embrace he dashed down the shrine's steps, running faster than he ever has before to get to Keade's hut.

The elderly woman had forced herself to stay awake until Kagome returned to the hut, several hours before Rin had gone out in search of the girl when she didn't come back like she was told. Rin came back a few minutes later and told Keade that Sesshomaru ordered her back to the safety of the hut and that he would search for his brother's human; but that was a few hours ago and still no news. She did not wish for the child to become sick with worry so she sent Rin to bed; and it was a good thing she did because an hour before the sun was to rise Inuyasha came barging into the hut with an unconscious barely breathing Kagome.

"Baba please help!"

Inuyasha's frantic plea jump started the old woman into action. "Quickly Inuyasha, place her on the sleeping mat close to the fire." Keade put the pot that she used for tea earlier back on the fire, "Where was it that ye found her?"

"She was at the shrine by Kikyo's grave, she must have fallen asleep and the snow began to cover her; if the wind hadn't blown I would never have…" Inuyasha couldn't finish his thought but if he had left when he was going to he would have never seen her and Kagome would have frozen to death.

The demon pushed all those thoughts from his mind and focused on getting his mate warmed up; after taking off his haori, which was now soaked through, Kagome began to shiver violently… all of her clothes were drenched and they needed to come off as well.

"She will not get better with those wet clothes on; please go outside so I may tend to her Inuyasha," Keade stepped forward and reached out to the young girl but was stopped by the vicious growl that left the man's lips.

Seeing his mate in the state she was in caused his demon to howl in despair and just the thought of having to leave her now angered him greatly, "I will do no such thing old woman; as her mate I've seen her body countless times… I will remain and tend to her."

Keade could hear the darker timber in his voice and saw the pink tint to his eyes when he glared at her; she stepped back to the fire as to not anger him farther. "Very well Inuyasha, but ye need to be careful when removing her robes; the combination of freezing winds and water could have caused the cloth to stick to her delicate skin." She went to pull the pot of water from the fire to allow it to cool some before dipping pieces of cloth into it to make warm rags to lay on the girl's outer extremities to warm her faster.

Once he was certain that the old priestess wasn't going to try and shoo him out again Inuyasha returned to focus on helping his mate out of her wet clothes; taking Keade's words into mind he was very careful when removing her robes. With just her bra and panties on, Kagome's shivering increased violently so much so that he had to be patient when trying to remove her undergarments; they were soaked as well and pulled at her skin causing red welts to form on her body.

'Mate, I'm sorry… I should have been outside the hut when you went out; but why did you go… why didn't you come back when you got cold?' Inuyasha didn't want to think she was trying to kill herself because she wouldn't; she wouldn't be that upset about not having pups that she would try to end her life… would she? "Kagome."

"Inuyasha, now is not the time to feel sorry for yeself we must get her warm before she succumbs to the cold," Keade approached with the rags and a thick blanket, "The fastest way to warm her is with ye own body heat so remove ye clothing and get wrapped in the blanket while I do this." She turned away to give him privacy to disrobe and she gently placed the rags on Kagome's arms and legs to help the blood return to her limbs.

Inuyasha quickly removed his clothes not in the least bit worry if the old woman saw his bare ass; but the chill prevented him from staying in that state for long so he wrapped up in the blanket and moved to his mate's side. Keade moved away again letting him get comfortable next to Kagome; he spread the blanket over her and pulled her body closer to his. He gave a slight shiver himself when both her body and the fast cooling rags touched his naked body but he ignored the discomfort; he was the only direct source of heat Kagome had at the moment and he wasn't going to move away because he was uncomfortable.

"Why was Kagome not in your hut like she was supposed to be Baba?" Inuyasha, now that Kagome was securely in his arms and the color was returning to her cheeks, was able to focus on why his mate was out in this weather; Keade being the only one in the room awake was the only one he could get answers from.

"Kagome had become upset after opening the package I believe you sent; she wished to take a short walk and I asked that she not stay out long do to the coming snow… I do not know what kept her," the priestess began to clean up the water and gathered Kagome's wet clothes to be hung up to dry; Inuyasha didn't miss how slow the woman was walking or the extra bags under her eyes from being awake nearly a full day.

"Baba… go lay down, I'll watch over Kagome."

"Ah Inuyasha, I will do just that; wake me if she breaks out into a fever," with those instructions she bid him good night and entered the back sleeping room; with the weather only to get worse no one will come to the hut unless it's an emergency so Keade was certain she could rest for most of the day.

Once alone with his thoughts Inuyasha couldn't push the guilt he was feeling over Kagome's condition out of his mind; he drew her closer to his lean frame and buried his nose into her neck. He was relieved that her scent held no sickness to it and he hoped she would wake soon; though now he would enjoy the time he had being able to hold her like he used to, he knew when she woke Kagome wouldn't want him near her again which drew a whine from his lips.

"Kagome… I'm sorry. I'm sorry for what I put you through, I'm sorry for ripping you away from your time and all those there that loved you. I'm sorry for how I treated you our first year during the journey… I'm sorry for the names I called you and the danger you were in. I'm sorry for hurting you every time I ran off to see Kikyo; I'm sorry it took your near death to realize how much I love you. I'm sorry our first year as mates had my away from you more than I should have allowed it… and I'm sorry that I don't know why I can't give you the pups we both want; it's not your fault Kagome believe me and I'm not mad at you for anything. I'm mad at myself that you are in this pain that I can't stop… I'm so sorry," Inuyasha's ears drooped as he tried to seek comfort from the woman lying next to him… but he got no response for his effort.

Three days… three days and not one thing changed; Kagome didn't move or even wake since Inuyasha brought her back to the hut. The morning after they found her Kagome had a major setback when she spiked a fever around lunch time; she was delirious and mumbling in her sleep and her body was so over heated that Inuyasha had to make several trips outside to gather packed snow to place around his mate to cool her down.

Inuyasha was in a full blown panic while Keade tried to help Kagome and Rin had to take him outside to calm him; he took off for a few hours into the forest to sulk and clear his mind. When he returned that night Kagome's fever broke but she has not stirred since then… now two days later he was going out of his mind with worry.

"Kagome… what is keeping you from me?"

"Her body is trying to heal from the fever Inuyasha, when that is over then she will wake," Keade spoke up from her position by the fire; though from the annoyed look on the demon's face he didn't want to hear anyone's excuse for why his mate wasn't waking up.

"Look Baba, I don't care why she's not waking up but you should be making some sort of remedy to help her heal faster!"

"Forcing the body to heal faster will not help her wake… ye must give it time."

Inuyasha was tired of hearing people tell him to be patient; he was not a patient demon and he wanted his mate to be alright now and open her damn eyes! He was focused on trying to find a way to get Kagome to wake up that he missed when she began to toss and turn under the blanket… Rin noticed though.

"Inuyasha-sama, she's moving!" The little girl got up and moved over to where the couple were bringing a cup of water incase Kagome requested it.

"Mate… Kagome… are you alright?" Inuyasha hoped she would wake but she just continued to shift restlessly in her sleep; he had to physically hold her down when she began to fight the blanket like it was her greatest enemy. "Kagome stop fighting you're safe… Kagome can you hear me?"

"Inu… Inu."

"Yes Kagome… what is it?" Tears began to streak down her cheeks from her closed eyes.

"Inu… don't go… please. Please… don't go."

Inuyasha's stomach plummeted when he realized what she was talking about, 'Inu… why is she dreaming about the pup?' Finally she stopped moving and her tears seemed to stop as well. "Kagome," Inuyasha gently caressed her cheek with his knuckle; he was pleased when she turned into his touch. "Kagome."

"Inu… yasha."

His heart leapt with joy when she called his name; she both was aware that he was at her side and she seemed to be waking finally… if he had a tail it would be wagging right about now. "Yeah Kagome, it's me… I'm right here."

"Inuyasha." Kagome's eyes fluttered for a second before opening slightly to look up at her mate, "Inuyasha?"

"Kagome-sama, you're okay! Keade-sama, she's awake!" Rin jumped up in excitement and ran back over to the old woman.

"Aye child that she has, come let us leave them be for now; it has stopped snowing and we should see how Sango and the babes are doing," Keade stood, gathered a few things and she and Rin left the hut to give the couple privacy to talk. Once alone Inuyasha was able to relax a little more without having people staring at him.

"Inuyasha… what are you doing here… are we still outside?" When Kagome heard him in her mind she wasn't expecting to wake up with Inuyasha hovering over her.

"No we're not outside, I found you in a snow pile near the shrine… what were you doing out there?" Inuyasha didn't want to yell at her for what happened or how worried he had been for the last three days; but he was calm and was determined to help her in any way he could.

Kagome knew she couldn't ignore his question, "I needed to go for a walk… just to breath; I stayed out too long and must have fallen asleep," she pushed away the heavy blanket lying a top her because she was getting over heated; she then pushed herself up to sit upright, her body stiff from laying still for so long.

Inuyasha watched carefully as she moved about, once she seemed comfortable he went to retrieve the stew Keade had made for lunch and gave her a bowl… she might not be ready to eat at the moment but at least she had it.

"Kagome, do you realize how dangerous that was… if I hadn't found you… you could have died," Inuyasha reached over to touch her hand, he was expecting her to flinch away like she did that night over a week ago; but again he was surprised that she not only let him touch her but she actually grabbed on to his hand and held it.

"I'm sorry Inuyasha; I didn't mean to worry you or anyone else for that matter. It was stupid to go out in the storm," Kagome bowed her head ashamed of her actions and not taking into account of others that could worry about her. She was surprised when two strong arms wrapped around her middle and pulled her from the futon into a strong chest; she felt Inuyasha's nose bury into her neck as he breathed in deeply, a content purr rippled from his chest.

"Just promise you won't do it again… I don't want to lose you."

The couple sat quietly enjoying each other's company; Kagome sat in Inuyasha's lap eating the meal he provided for her and the dog demon himself was basking in the warmth his small mate was giving off in his embrace.

"Kagome, while you were asleep you seemed to be having a nightmare… you were calling Inu's name. I know what we talked about has been on your mind lately but I promise you I will find out what is stopping us from-."

"Nothing is stopping us," Kagome couldn't have the man she loved blaming himself for something that wasn't his fault.

"What? Kagome what are you talking about?" Inuyasha released his grip to allow Kagome to turn in his lap to face him.

"The dream I had… it wasn't a nightmare, Inu came to me and told me everything was okay," Seeing the confusion on her demon's face caused her to giggle, "He said I wasn't barren… we just need to be patient." Reaching up towards him Kagome began tracing the marks on Inuyasha's cheeks before tangling her fingers in his silky hair. "Apparently you're trying too hard to get my pregnant; we just have to let it happen when it happens."

Inuyasha frowned, slightly offended by her statement, mostly because she was probably right… he had been trying to get her pregnant every chance he could get. It was the pressure, all the males he knew had already given their women children and he felt that he wasn't being a good mate for Kagome. "Okay… if you think we should give it a rest for a while; I just wanted to make you happy… I've seen the way you've been looking at Miroku's girls and I thought I should be trying harder since I've been gone so often."

Kagome felt his shoulders slump and she immediately kissed the tip of his nose and nuzzled his cheek in comfort. "You do make me happy Inuyasha and I'm sorry if I don't tell you that as much as I should; I'm guilty of having 'baby on the brain' since everyone is having one. But I realize that just because I want one doesn't mean we should have one right now… with Yukio and his people in the village having me pregnant right now wouldn't be good." Kagome couldn't get Nobuo's story about his mate's death out of her mind… she didn't want to end up like Emi.

Inuyasha released a deep sign relieved to hear that his mate was happy with him, "You have no idea how glad I am to hear that mate… so for now we put pup making on hold."

"Well… I wouldn't say pup making on hold after all… love making doesn't always result in creating life." Inuyasha really liked the smirk that came to Kagome's face and the glazed over look of lust in her eyes; his mate was back to her old self and he was one happy puppy.

Note: So I hope everyone is happy to learn that Kagome isn't barren... yay! Many were wondering who was visiting from Seeking power and I'm not sure if anyone guessed Inu but that's who it was; he came to help his mommy in her time of need. And in case anyone is confused the whole first scene with Kagome in her dream that all lasted the three days she was unconscious and it all meets up in the third part when she wakes up... if that doesn't confuse you anymore good! But now everything will be getting back to normal... I'm thinking of just adding a fluff chapter for the next one, I need atleast one more before the spring and Yukio's group comes back into the picture... I'm drawing a blank on what to write though so it may take a while.

Thanks to:
Inunette
CherryBlossom7w7
Ldsprincess (I missed you!)
KairiAngel13
edasama
corincat331
Priss-hanyo
sexyinnocents
Inuyasha-loves-Hanyou-Kagome
mangamichelle12
Elantina
For reviewing... lov'em, keep it up!