Hello all. This is dedicated to my dear friend Vilbern. Who wrote the Painted Veil. And if you haven't read it, you should. It's amazing.

Kagome won the bet, successfully blending the blueberries until there was nothing left to stick to his teeth.

To his chagrin, Sesshomaru was now funding his step-mother's salary. Each time he saw Kagome, her middle swelled, stretching one shirt after another.

As the weeks passed, the ghostly pale skin gained more color. He found himself watching her at her duties. Her stomach bumped into vases and carvings that decorated. She'd catch them with a guilty look and move on.

His step-mother was another story. Not being able to stand the sight of her, he sent her to work in the office downtown. It was easier that way. He went in sparingly, doing most of his work from home.

One night as he swam laps in the large pool and his head popped out of water, he heard soft cries. He exited the water and wrapped a towel around his waist.

He found Kagome in the stairwell to the basement. The key she held shook against the lock. He leaned against the wall on an upraised arm. "What's wrong?"

She jumped, dropping the key. "Nothing."

"Most people don't cry over nothing." He stepped down the stairs and spared her attempting to fold her stomach enough to bend down and retrieved the key. "Here." He opened the door.

"Thanks," she whispered and closed the door on him.

"Kagome, are you sure you're alright?" He caught the door.

"I just miss him." She dug in her purse and handed him a glassy black and white picture.

He gazed at the grainy film. A small thumb inside a mouth. Two frog like legs. He traced the contour of the baby with his thumb. "How much longer?"

"Eight weeks. Thank you for everything. I know this isn't what you wanted. As soon as he comes, I'll try to find something else."

"I'm not in a rush to be rid of you. Her on the other hand—"

"Sesshomaru," Kagome bit her bottom lip, "there's something you don't know."

"And what's that?" He stiffened, going from sympathetic to covering himself in unenterable armor.

"I promised I wouldn't say anything." She took the picture back and went inside.

"About what?"

"Forget I said it."

"Kagome?" He stepped over the threshold, setting one barefoot onto the tile.

"Um, Sesshomaru?" Kagome chewed on her finger. "I know this is technically you're house, but you're half naked and—"

"Right." He retreated, wiping moisture off his stomach.

"I'm tired. It's been a long day. My ankles are swollen and my back hurts."

"You should get a massage."

"That costs money."

"I'll deduct it from your salary. I have one come every night."

"I can't afford it."

"Irresponsible spending?"

"No." She folded her arms over her bump. "I never went to college. I didn't think I needed to. I don't want to clean your house for the rest of my life, or work as a barista, waitress."

"Really?" There was something gratifying in that. He had never liked how she mooched off his father's wealth. "What for?"

"I don't know yet. I'll see you tomorrow." She closed the door. For a while he just stared at it, remembering the picture of his nephew.

"He needs to know," Kagome fumed at Izayoi over dinner. The elder woman made a spread of rice and frijoles with fresh flour tortillas.

"Toga used to love fresh tortillas. We bought the tortilla maker years ago before you and Inuyasha got married."

"Don't hedge."

Izayoi's hand dropped. "You promised Kagome. It's what Toga wanted."

"What if he was wrong? Look at who he's become. He's running the company well from what I can tell. He went to college. He has friends."

"And when he knows, what will it do to him?"

"I think he'll be happy he succeeded and that you cared enough to keep him out of residential and juvenile detention." Kagome nibbled on the beans. They were making her feel queasy. She wanted something sweet.

"No."

"You're making a mistake."

"Then it's my mistake to live with," Izayoi answered firmly.

Kagome chose that moment to bolt to the trash can and throw up the little bit she had tried to eat.

"Just let it out," Izayoi chuckled. She wiped her daughter in law's mouth with a towel.

"I'm going up to the kitchen. I want something sweet."

"He doesn't keep sweets upstairs."

Kagome groaned. "I'm going to look anyway."

She searched through the cupboards, opening and closing the doors. It was late. She just wanted something sweet to satiate her appetite and stay in her stomach. "What are you doing in here?"

She jumped, turning around, heart pounding. "Sesshomaru, sorry." She slammed the last cupboard shut.

"Again, what are you doing up here? It's late, I thought you were going to sleep."

"Izayoi made a big dinner. I um…" she paused, wondering how much she could say. "Craving. I wanted something sweet."

He snorted and walked over to the cabinet that was above the fridge. He pushed aside several storage containers and pulled out a bag of Oreos. "Meg's a treat thief. Take the bag."

"Izayoi said you don't eat treats."

"Izayoi doesn't know anything about me. Happens, when you don't raise your step son."

She chose not to answer. "Thanks."

"I have a meeting in Flagstaff in a month. I'd like for you to go."

She gazed at his eyes, never noticing before how alike yet different they were from Inuyasha's. The same gold, but lighter and harder. "Why?"

"You don't know what you want to do. Why not find out more about what I do? Besides, you at least I can count on pulling your weight."

"You know I'll be," she started but was distracted by a powerful kick to her middle.

"Was that?"

"Did you see it?"

"Your shirt moved."

She watched her stomach roll and then another kick. "Do you want to feel it?"

"No."

"Come on," she pressed his palm against her belly. "Feel that. He's so strong, just like his…" the word floated in the air. She hadn't noticed how close their faces were, but somehow it felt right.

Please review! So what does everyone think of the sequel so far? (Yashahime)

Itzatakashi: Don't worry I thought about you while writing this too. I fear I scared you off from the Disease. LOL...there's a reason it was voted best Dark. HEHE What a compliment! LOL. I do try to be unique when I write. I hope it makes for a good story.

Avalahome: HAHA Sesshomaru is an ass in general. I mean look what he did to Setsuna. Ahh spoiler, if you haven't watched yet that's all I'll say. We shall see what happens to him.

One2Handcuff: I'm so glad you found and liked this story! It's my first sesskag. Kagome came close didn't she?

Vilbern: It's all Jodi Picoult's fault. All of her writing is you think this person is an ass until you figure out how much they have going on inside and realize we all have what going on inside. It's amazing.

FCB93: Thank you!