A/N: Hey guys, I've been away for a long time... life is just life... XP ... anyway here's an update, hope you enjoy it. :) Thank you all for your patience, and reviews.


Chapter 53: Count to five

Inuyasha eagerly slurped up his ramen, too absorbed in the delightful taste to notice the other dishes brought to the table. At last he lifted the large bowl to his lips and sipped the last amount. He set it down with a satisfied sigh and closed his eyes for a moment. A hand rested on his stomach as he licked his lips. Slowly everything around him took form and sound so he straightened and set his eyes on the full table before him. There were at least ten different types of ramen and side dishes and from the large trays the cook and his assistant were carrying in their direction he had a vague suspicion. He looked to his elder brother on his right. Sesshomaru seemed passive enough but now and then his eyes widened minutely. With that lead he shifted his eyes to the happily munching trio. He smiled secretively with pride as Rin ate much like him. She stuffed a large helping of noodles into her tiny mouth with chopsticks and next washed them down with a healthy spoonful of broth. On the other flank Shippo chewed away on what looked like Ika fry, or more precisely what was left of the fried calamari after he ate the bread coat. Happy to have eaten the coating he dipped it in some red sauce and resumed chewing. Kagome on the other hand was quite busy to say the least. He could catch bits of her mumbling.

"Yeah, so beat..." she picked up a napkin and had Shippo blow his nose before it started running down to his mouth. "... it should be somewhat stiff... don't over beat or... you'll get butter..." she said while picking up food from various plates to put into her mouth. It was a wonder how she could eat while talking without choking. The owner came and placed another bowl of ramen in front of her. She turned into her seat and smiled sweetly. "Thank you, I'll have the extra spicy next." she took another napkin and handed it to Rin to wipe her dripping chin before her dress got stained.

"Just leave it to me Kagome-chan!" he beat his chest proudly, picked up some empty plates and returned to the kitchen. He watched dumbfounded as she continued whatever she was mumbling earlier. She tucked away a shred of hair behind her ear and he spotted the earpiece. To say he felt stupid for not thinking of that, would mean admitting it so he eyed the red ramen she was eating so eagerly.

"She must be starving, eh?" he nudged Sesshomaru. Despite the hard face Sesshomaru chuckled.

"You have no idea..." he trailed leaning back and clasping his hands behind his head.

"What do you mean?" Inuyasha arched an eyebrow in confusion when he received nothing more. So he looked back at Kagome as she slurped up the last of her ramen. Then she set the bowl on top of three other before reaching for some fried dumplings. "You've got to be kidding me!" Inuyasha stood up startling all at their table as well as a few others. Sesshomaru groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Sit down, you moron!" Sesshomaru growled pulling a shocked Inuyasha back in his seat. Then he met Kagome's startled eyes. She just blinked at him, chopsticks with dumpling in hand. The chilli oil she had dipped it in trailed down the side and even dripped onto her plate. He cleared his throat while the other continued to gape. "Continue." he urged and her eyes narrowed before she shrugged it off. She continued to pick various dishes from all over the table not exactly stuffing her face but not far from it either. Sesshomaru occasionally picked some as well. Slowly the rush hour had passed and in the ramen house only their group and the staff could be found.


Kagome set her chopsticks down and sighed in content. The owner's wife came by, babe still in her arms as the small child refused to go to sleep no mater how much she rocked him.

"Kagome-chan did my husband mess up the ramen? Or are you not feeling well?" Kagome turned in her seat and smiled.

"Nope. I'm feeling great, thank you." the woman narrowed her dark ringed eyes.

"You sure? You didn't even eat half of what you used to." she stated. At which Inuyasha did his best not to gag. He was a big eater. And he had to go to the gym three times a week to keep in shape. This... this woman stuffed all that food inside that small body... And it wasn't even the amount she used to eat!? He felt sick. Where did she throw all that? She should weight about 200 pounds for kami's sake! Keeping in mind the painful promise Sesshomaru sent his way, he respectfully coughed in his fist.

"Yep, I'm working after lunch so I need to move freely." she smiled reassuringly and the woman nodded in understanding.

"All right then, but I'll have my husband make you a snack for later as soon as Mamoru settles down." she continued rocking the crying baby.

"That would be a great help. It saves me the trouble of making dinner." Kagome stopped talking and the baby started wailing even louder.

"Oh, I am so sorry, I can't seem to get him to settle since this morning." the lady apologized wholeheartedly and bowed so low that Inuyasha was readying himself to catch Mamoru, should she drop him. Kagome stood calmly and extended her hands.

"Give him here." she urged. The mother hesitated a bit but as Mamoru's face kept the red color she gave in. For being a nurse Kagome should know what to do to help. So the owner's wife set her son in the younger woman's arms. Kagome gently flipped the babe on her arm, face down much like a puppy, hand resting on his back. She swung from side to side, rhythmically tapping his back while counting in a gentle and calm voice. "One... two... three... four... five..." and everything went quiet. No more screaming, no wailing, no... nothing. Three seconds later the owner rushed from the kitchen startled. He stopped in the door way. His eyes widened and hearth swelled at the peaceful sight. Kagome smiled and winked at him and he couldn't stop the chuckle from vibrating within his chest.

"I'm full!" Shippo announced breaking the silence in the room.

"Rin's full as well!" the girl leaned back and tapped her tummy as one would a drum. Kagome and the lady laughed. Inuyasha looked at her with wonder. Who was this woman? Really was there anything she couldn't do? Because from his check list she was perfect wife and mother material. With that thought he nudged Sesshomaru again.

"Hey, ain't she perfect? I bet she'd make a great wife to some poor unfortunate soul." Inuyasha commented leaning back to clasp his hands behind his head much like his elder brother had previously done. It did not last though, with the elbow he received in the gut when the others were not paying attention. He bit his tongue to keep the hateful words inside.

"Don't even joke about it." Sesshomaru bit out with narrowed eyes. He looked intently at Inuyasha, and he looked back a bit... confused.

"So all his crappy mood came from my crappy mood?" the woman asked with wonder. Kagome nodded in confirmation. "But this never happened with Daichi."

"I'm guessing that at the time you had your mother and mother-in-law to help you around."

"Not to say, we were a lot younger then." the owner laughed, half hugging his wife and making her blush.

"Oh, you! Not when we have guests." she slapped his hand lightly. "But I still wonder if I could settle Mamoru so easily." Kagome flashed the elder woman a big smile.

"That's one of the reasons I came today so don't worry. I'll get that crappy mood out of your system." Inuyasha watched as Kagome turned towards him and Sesshomaru, determination clearly on her features. He guessed it'd be Sesshomaru who'd be taking care of the babe. After all he was a dad, he had already been through this phase... heck he didn't even get to hold Rin in his arms till she was a year and a half. A subject that still hurt him like a knife. If only he had been given the chance despite his pathetic state at the time.

Sesshomaru took in a breath and held it as she neared, passed, then rounded his chair to stand in front of Inuyasha. She wordlessly took Inuyasha's hand and then gently set the sleeping baby in his arms. Inuyasha blinked up in surprise at the way this light weight felt. His hearth thumbed in his ears with excitement, it was a feeling unlike anything he had ever experienced. He felt strong and weak at the same time. He met her gaze when the child drew a big breath and then let it out in a soft sigh.

"Don't worry he won't break. This baby, it's stronger than you think it could be." she smiled but the smile did little to cover up for her eyes. She straightened and walked towards the older woman. "Inuyasha will do just great, so let's take care of you, hm?" she smiled, turned the woman around and walked off with her before she could protest.

Inuyasha looked up from the little wonder in his arms to see the owner give him a thumbs up and then leave to do his business. Shippo and Rin tiptoed to smile at the child and then left to the next room. His eyes moved at his older brother. He still thought he'd make a better baby-sitter than himself.

"Sesshomaru?" he whined a little.

"Just holding it will do." he supplied in a hoarse voice. Eyes not looking in his direction but glaring intently at the far wall. Inuyasha suppressed a chill from traveling up his spine with sheer will.