Notes:

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, or any of the characters from the anime/manga. Everyone else is mine :)

Hello all! Wherever you are, I hope you are safe and well, and enjoy!

Inuyasha and Kagome sat at the licensing center, hand in hand.

The day had come. Inuyasha was taking the test for his driver's license.

Inuyasha had to admit: he was eternally grateful that his bastard brother had paid way too much money for the stupid driving camp that took him eight weeks to complete. He could only go two hours a day, and he only had time to go twice a week, so completing his 30 hours of the practical part of the driving test had taken forever. (He had also failed the written portion twice, but he didn't dare tell anyone that.) The driving camp had been agony. His sensei was a little old man who wore too much cologne and made Inuyasha queasy. He'd been forced to drive a tiny Toyota that he barely fit into (Kagome had commented it was like a clown car, roaring with laughter). It was like one big comedy of errors.

At his last session, his sensei had insisted on showing him how to check the fucking car—like he would be doing that regularly! But he needed this license, so he allowed the old coot to show him around the car, and how to check the tire tread, the air pressure, and for obstructions. Then he'd made Inuyasha get into the car and start it and check the windshield wipers, the headlights, the brake lights, the hazards…every goddamn thing in the car! But, it had made his sensei happy, so he was glad he did it. It was good practice for his actual exam, where checking the car should be the first thing Inuyasha did if he wanted to pass the test, according to his sensei.

Typically, people who went to driving camps didn't need to take the practical exam. But, Sesshomaru had insisted that Inuyasha take the exam. Inuyasha secretly believed this was a way for his brother to get a little revenge. Even though they'd been getting along fairly well recently, Inuyasha would never put it past his brother to do something with the explicit purpose of making him miserable. And another test was exactly the perfect mode of torture. So was sitting in the licensing center all morning.

"Fujimura Inuyasha?" came the call from a tired-looking woman at a desk in the middle of the room. Inuyasha stood up and helped Kagome to her feet. Together they walked to the desk.

"Fujimura Inuyasha?" she said again. He nodded. She held out her hand. "Proper documentation?" Inuyasha handed her his birth certificate, a copy of the family register, and proof that he completed the written test and the practicum. She reviewed them both, pulled out a document, made some notes on it, and handed everything back to him. "Have a seat. When your name is called, proceed to Window 5. The gentleman there will take you out to the testing course." Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Good luck."

Inuyasha nodded and took the papers from her; he and Kagome returned to their seats. "I wonder what that was about?" he asked.

"What?" she said.

"The woman looked at me funny when she wished me luck," he said.

Kagome snorted. "That's because almost no one passes on their first try, mate," she said with a laugh. "She thinks you're wasting your time and your money."

Inuyasha grunted. "I'll show her," he said. Kagome laughed and rubbed his arm.

"You'll do fine, anata," she said, "I'm sure of it."

Inuyasha rubbed his mate's belly affectionately; the pup kicked back, sensing her father was nearby. "See?" Kagome said. "Even our daughter knows you got this."

"Fujimura Inuyasha?" came the call. Several people looked up, wondering who had the unusual name. Inuyasha and Kagome went to Window 5, where another tired-looking woman sat behind the glass.

"Name?" she said in a bored tone.

"Fujimura Inuyasha," Inuyasha said.

"Materials?" she asked.

Inuyasha handed her his documentation. She looked it over, then handed his birth certificate, his family register copy, and his completed testing materials back to him.

"Go this way," she said, pointing to the right, "and around the corner. The door will take you outside, where you'll wait to take the test. Your…" the women peered at them, unsure of their relationship.

"My wife," Inuyasha supplied helpfully.

The woman peered at them more intensely, clearly disapproving of their age and the fact that Kagome was so obviously pregnant. Inuyasha growled softly; Kagome blushed under the woman's gaze.

"Your…wife…" the woman said it distastefully, "can wait here."

Inuyasha turned to her, cupping her face in his hands. "Will you be okay here alone?"

Kagome nodded. "I brought some schoolwork, anata. I'll be okay."

He leaned forward and kissed her softly, purposefully, in front of that awful woman who dared to judge their relationship. "I'll be back," he whispered.

"You're gonna kick ass, mate," she whispered back.

He pulled her in close, enjoying the delight of her scent for one more moment. At last he let her go, winked at her, and left to follow the woman's directions to the training course. Kagome turned to go back to the waiting area.

"Are you really sure you want to be married?" the woman asked after her. "You're so young."

Kagome nodded as she rubbed her belly and smiled. "It's the best decision I ever made."

Inuyasha heard her as he opened the door, and his chest swelled with pride. He'd married the most amazing woman in the entire fucking world.

Inuyasha sat in the backseat of another tiny Toyota, watching a young woman in the driver's seat freak out over every little aspect of the driving test.

He at first had been confused when the assessor gestured that he get into the car, as the woman moved from the backseat to the front. But then he remembered that Kagome had warned him this could happen: drivers often took the test with the next test-taker in the backseat. Perhaps this was to throw off the test-taker; perhaps it was to help the next person see what to do (and what not to do). But whatever the reason, Inuyasha tried to take it all in stride, and he actually found it amusing to watch the way that the young woman wilted and panicked under the assessor's cool, venomous gaze.

The assessor, another tiny retired metro police officer wearing too much cologne (was this like a thing?), made a series of tsk-ing sounds each time the woman turned the wheel. When she went to make a left turn, she didn't get close enough to the curb; the man let out a loud sigh, shook his head, and jotted down some notes. The scent wafting off the woman was pure and complete terror; Inuyasha snickered softly to himself. He could predict everything she was going to do, and when she made a mistake, it was clear why. Her terror was causing her to fold in on herself; it was hard to even see her head above the steering wheel from the backseat.

At last, when they pulled back into the entryway to the course, the young woman let out a shuddering sigh. She and the assessor got out of the car; the assessor gestured to Inuyasha, and he climbed out of the backseat and into the front as the assessor spoke with the young woman. Inuyasha immediately scented the salt of her tears, and he smirked. No way in hell was he going to fail.

The car door opened behind him, and a familiar scent wafted into the front seat. Inuyasha growled and turned around.

"What the fuck are you doing here, you mangy wolf?"

Kouga chuckled. "The Lord of the West wants a witness to the Prince's victory…" his eyes glinted in glee. "Or defeat. I couldn't resist volunteering to 'help.'"

"Keh," replied Inuyasha. "you're not going to throw me off my game, wolf."

Kouga grinned. "We'll see."

The assessor came around to the passenger's side, and opened the door. Before he did that, though, Inuyasha jumped out of the car. "Excuse me, sir," he said politely, "I should check the car before we get going."

The assessor looked at him in surprise. "Yes, Fujimura-san," he said, "by all means."

Inuyasha began carefully inspecting the car, making a big show of every step. He ran his fingers along the tread of the tires, checked the tire pressure, checked the body of the car for any dings or scratched, and checked his mirrors carefully. Then, he got into the car and turned it on. From there, he checked his headlights, his hazards, and his windshield wipers. He could hear Kouga snickering softly in the backseat, but he ignored his old rival, opting instead to turn to the assessor. "I'm ready when you are, sir," he said politely.

The assessor grunted. "Drive to the end of the block and turn left, please," he instructed.

Inuyasha slowly put the car in gear. Before letting go of the break, he looked in each of his mirrors, taking a moment to check each one carefully and making an affirmative sound when he was satisfied. He heard the wolf continue to snicker. At last, he released the brake and steered the car away from the curb and down the course. When he reached the end of the lane, he came to a slow stop and pulled all the way to the left, looking carefully both ways, and then making the left turn and pulling into the lane.

The assessor nodded to himself and jotted down some notes. "Make a right at the next turn," he said, "and then we'll practice parallel parking."

"Yes sir," Inuyasha replied. As he approached the turn he turned on his signal, slowing down to again check for cars and check his blind spots, and, saying "Mmmm," to himself, he made the turn away from the main drag.

"Pull over up there," said the assessor, "and then parallel park between the two cones."

Inuyasha simply nodded; he was going to need to concentrate as much as he could. When he reached the cones, he pulled up so that he was even with where an imaginary car would be. He carefully checked each mirror and his blindspot, then put the car in reverse, ignoring Kouga's quiet, shaking laughter.

"May I ask our guest in the back to please lower his head?" Inuyasha asked the assessor politely. "I need to see out the back window, and he has a rather large head."

Kouga snorted angrily; but the assessor said, "of course. Hayashi-san, please move out of the way to allow Fujimura-san to do a proper backup."

Kouga's laughter turned to a scowl, but he did what he was told. Inuyasha carefully backed up, and when his front tire was in line with the cone, he started to cut the wheel as much and as fast as he could. The car began to turn, and the rear wheels cut sharply towards the curb. Inuyasha then deftly cut the wheel back the other way and evened out, pulling back into the spot fully; when the assessor opened the car door to see how close he was to the curb, Inuyasha could see the assessor's surprise. He was mere centimeters from the curb.

Take that, you old coot, he thought.

"Pull out of the spot, please, Fujimura-san," said the assessor, furiously making notes on his clipboard, "and then proceed to the end of the road and make a three-point turn."

"Yes, sir," said Inuyasha politely. He again checked all his mirrors, and this time, put on his blinker and checked again before pulling out of the spot. He could feel Kouga shaking with laughter again behind him. The stupid wolf! He had no idea what was needed to pass the test. That fancy driving school had prepared him well. Inuyasha couldn't help but hide a smirk.

The only human in the car was clearly oblivious to the rivalry taking place between the front and back seat. He sat calmly in the passenger seat, staring straight ahead, watching everything Inuyasha was doing in the car. Inuyasha slowly pulled out of the spot and followed the assessor's directions; he drove to the end of the lane, then, carefully checking his mirrors and making little affirmative sounds as he found no one around him, pulled to the right so he was perpendicular to the curb, then checked his mirrors again, again making affirmative sounds, and once he found no one nearby, he put the car in reverse and backed up, turning the wheel as he did so, and then, checking his mirrors one last time, he put the car in drive and completed the three-point-turn.

By this point Kouga was laughing so hard to himself that the whole car was shaking. As the assessor jotted down some notes before giving Inuyasha his next directions, Inuyasha commented coolly, "Hayashi-san, is everything okay? You are shaking like you might be ill."

The assessor whipped his head around as Kouga instantly stilled his body. "Is Fujimura-san correct, Hayashi-san? Are you feeling all right?"

"I am fine, sir," replied Kouga. When the assessor turned back around in his seat, Inuyasha saw Kouga shooting daggers at him through the rearview mirror. Inuyasha let out a smirk this time; he couldn't help it.

"Let's proceed back to the course start, Fujimura-san," the assessor said, taking notes on his clipboard. "Make sure that you obey any traffic laws that you see."

"Yes, sir," Inuyasha said. He checked his mirrors again, and then carefully drove down the road, stopping at the stop sign and yielding when he had to merge with the main drag. All the while, he was fighting his youki to stay under control. It wanted to howl with glee; he was sure he had passed. He couldn't help but notice Kouga in the back seat, sulking.

When they at last reached the course start, Inuyasha carefully put the car in park and removed his seat belt. "Thank you for the test today, sir," he told the assessor politely. Kouga snorted and rolled his eyes.

"Yes, yes," the assessor said. "Let's take a look at your score." He got out of the car and Inuyasha did the same. "Hayashi-san," the assessor added, "you're up next."

Kouga's eyes grew wide; clearly he hadn't thought that far ahead with his plan.

Inuyasha and the assessor stood outside the car. The assessor showed Inuyasha his score: he had passed everything.

"You lost some points for your left turn because you weren't quite close enough to the curb," the assessor told him, "but overall, you did well. Your parallel parking was particularly excellent." The assessor smiled widely. "I don't get to say this very often but…congratulations, Fujimura-san. You passed on your first attempt."

Inuyasha grinned and bowed low. "Thank you, sir. I wouldn't have been able to do this without your careful guidance and directions."

The assessor smiled and bowed back. "Congratulations again. Go get your license."

"Thank you." As the assessor went to get into the passenger side of the car, Inuyasha went up to the driver's side, where Kouga was now sitting, and leaned down. Kouga rolled down the window.

"You can let my brother know I passed on the first try," he said smugly. "I'll be sure to tell Kagome that you say hello. I've gotta go pick her up from the waiting room."

"Wait, Kagome's here?" Kouga exclaimed, opening the car door so quickly Inuyasha had to back up. "I'll come say hi."

"Hayashi-san," came the disdainful voice of the assessor from the passenger seat, "did you forget you have a test to take today, too?"

Kouga growled and dropped back into his seat, closing the door. "No, sir."

"Good luck then, Hayashi-san," Inuyasha chuckled as the car pulled away from the curb. He couldn't wait to get home and take off this damn cloaking bracelet; his youki was chafing against it to be let free. The whole Kouga spying on him thing made the day a thousand times better, too.

He grinned. He couldn't wait to tell his mate all about the test.

"I can't believe you passed on the first go!" Kagome exclaimed, throwing her arms around him, her straining belly coming between the two. Several people in the waiting room stared at the young, pregnant couple. Inuyasha grinned, for once not caring about anyone else's gaze. "Let me see," she said, holding out her hand for his license. Inuyasha handed it over to her. "You look handsome," she sighed, looking it over. Suddenly, her eyes narrowed. "What's this on here? You got a moped license too?"

Inuyasha shrugged. "All I had to do was sit through a lecture. The motorcycle one I'll have to do more driving school for, so it will have to wait until the pup is a little older."

Kagome sighed. "Inuyasha," she said. "Those are dangerous."

"Keh," he said. "Did you forget you're married to a hanyou? I don't break so easily."

"I'm not a hanyou," she pointed out.

"I'm used to going fast, mate," he said. "Sayua rides a motorcycle."

"I am not married to Sayua," she replied saucily.

"I know you're not, mate," he answered her, leaning in for a devilish kiss. She closed her eyes and sighed as his lips met hers; he pulled away with a pop, and she glared at him. He snickered. "Do you want some more where that came from?" At her blush he broke into full laughter. "You'll have to wait until tonight." Her face grew redder. How could he still make her blush after all this time? After getting her pregnant? Kagome couldn't figure that one out.

"Kagome," said a familiar voice.

"Kouga!" Kagome said happily, rushing to him for a hug.

Inuyasha growled as Kouga embraced Kagome gently. "You look radiant," Kouga said to her, holding her out so he could take her all in.

"Thank you," she said bashfully.

"It's the pup," Inuyasha pointed out.

"Oh, mutt-face, you're still here," Kouga said offhandedly, not looking away from Kagome for a second.

"Why are you here, Kouga?" asked Kagome.

"The Lord of the West wanted someone to watch over his little brother today," Kouga said. "Make sure he passed. I volunteered."

"I'm fucking sure you did," Inuyasha grumbled.

"And since you did, miracle of miracles, in fact pass," Kouga continued, ignoring Inuyasha's grumblings, "I have been given further instructions."

"Why are you doing Sesshomaru's dirty work today, Kouga?" asked Kagome.

Kouga smirked. "If mutt-face here failed, I wanted a front-row seat." He paused, his face softening. "And I was hoping you'd be here."

Kagome smiled; Inuyasha growled; Kouga barked out a laugh.

"I thought you two were friends," Kagome commented.

"Only insofar as we both care about you, Kagome," Kouga replied fondly.

"So what are your instructions, Kouga?" asked Kagome a little too loudly, her hand on Inuyasha's arm to keep him from attacking the Lord of the North.

Kouga continued to laugh. "You are too easy, mutt-face. You gotta relax a bit! You just got your license. Live a little!" He paused for a moment, catching his breath. When his face became serious again, he spoke. "The Lord of the West has asked you to meet him at a car dealership so you can pick out a car."

Inuyasha stared at him, unblinking. "What—what did you say?" Kagome asked on his behalf.

Kouga chuckled. "We can't have the Shikon no Tama no Miko go into labor and not have any way to get to the hospital," he said, smiling at her. "Sesshomaru is taking care of it. The old kappa is outside waiting for you."

"See, mate," said Kagome to Inuyasha, "your brother does have a heart, after all."

"Keh," he replied.

The dream started out the same: she was Kikyo, going to see Onigumo. But this time, Kagome had a feeling of dread, instead of a feeling of happiness. Maybe Kikyo had finally figured out Onigumo was the worst guy ever, and was going to break things off and run for the hills. A girl could hope.

When Kikyo got close to the river, to their usual meeting place, she became increasingly nervous. And afraid. Kagome tried not to let those feelings infect her too, but it was hard. Finally, there he was—Onigumo—standing at the river's edge, handsome as ever in a navy blue kimono and black hakama. He turned when he saw Kikyo, and his face broke out into a smile. Kagome noticed that Kikyo did not return that smile.

Apparently Onigumo noticed too, because his face became concerned. "Kikyo," he said when she reached him, "something is troubling you."

"Yes," Kikyo replied, twisting her hands in the sleeves of her kimono. "Something is troubling me."

"Is it something I can help you with, koi?" he asked kindly. Kagome blanched.

"It's not," Kikyo said slowly. She looked up at Onigumo. Kagome could tell Kikyo was gathering her courage. "I've come to say goodbye. I'm going to be traveling for a while, and I don't know when I will be back."

Onigumo looked as though he'd been slapped hard across the face. "What do you mean, Kikyo?"

"I have to leave," Kikyo repeated. "I don't want to—I have to leave my sister, too—but I can't stay. There's a village that needs a healer and has sent word for me. I'll be gone a few months." She smiled sadly. "I am sorry, Onigumo. I unfortunately must go alone." She reached up and touched his sleeve. He allowed her hand to remain there for several moments, then he covered it with his own.

"When you come back, will you still be mine?" he asked hoarsely.

She leaned forward and kissed him lightly. "Of course."

He nodded once. "Then go. And please, hurry back. I am sure your sister will miss you greatly." He paused for a beat. "As will I." He pulled her into his embrace; she stayed there for a minute enjoying the feel of his arms around him. At last she pulled back.

"I am sorry I cannot stay long today," she said, brushing a strand of hair out of his face. "I must pack, and take Kaede to the headman's house. She will be staying with them while I am gone."

"Of course," he said. "I will keep an eye on your sister from afar to make sure she is all right."

"I would appreciate that," she replied.

They were both silent for a moment; Kikyo still within his embrace, neither seeming to know what to say or do.

Get the fuck out of there, Kikyo! Kagome screamed. Take your chance!

Kikyo blinked once. "Until next time, Onigumo," she said. "I thank you for all the times we've spent together. I cannot tell you how much I truly enjoyed it." She slipped from his grip and began to walk away.

"Wait, Kikyo!" called Onigumo. She turned and gazed at him, her cool brown eyes looking him up and down."

"I—I love you," he said. Kagome felt like she couldn't breathe. Like really, really couldn't breathe.

Even Kikyo had to pause at that one. "I will see you soon, Onigumo," she said, not returning his declaration. "I promise."

Onigumo hung his head as she retreated to the village. As she walked, Kikyo moved slowly, as though deep in thought. Kagome wished she could get into Kikyo's head, that she wasn't just privy to her movements and spoken words.

"There, there," Kagome heard her murmur softly. She saw Kikyo run her hands over her belly. "It's going to be all right," Kikyo cooed. "I'm going to take good care of you."

Holy. Shit.

Holyshitholyshitholyshitholyshit.

Kagome woke up in a cold sweat, absolutely drenched. She was screaming; Inuyasha was running into the room with a towel to clean her up.

"Kagome," he said worriedly, his face pale with concern, "what's wrong? What happened?"

Kagome blinked. Her chest was heaving; her hands were clutching at her heart.

"Holy shit," she breathed. She blinked again and looked at Inuyasha.

"Inuyasha…?" she said hesitantly.

"I'm here, koi," he said quickly, pressing her face between his hands. "I'm here."

She breathed out again, and breathed in slowly.

"What…where…what happened?" she asked blankly.

"You had a nightmare," he said. "You were soaking wet. I ran to get you a towel."

"Soaking…wet?" she said. She reached up and felt her face. "I don't feel wet." She ran her hands down her body. Then she felt it.

A giant gush, like she just released the most pee she'd ever let out in her life, but without any of the usual control. She knew immediately what was happening.

"I'm not sweating, anata," she said, turning to grip his hand. "My water broke."

He stared at her, not understanding her words. "Your…water?"

She smiled tightly. "I'm going into labor. The pup is ready."

He let out a shriek that was somewhere between joy and terror. "The pup!" He jumped to his feet. "What do you need?"

"Get me to the toilet," she said, "in case I have another gush." He helped her out of bed and to the toilet, where she sank down gratefully; she'd given up on underwear and pajama pants a while ago.

"Get those sheets off the bed, please," she said, making a face. "Then, please, call my mother, and then Rin and Asuka. Ask them all to come here. Then call Yoshida-san's office to let her know it's time. She wants me to labor at home until the contractions are five minutes apart, and then we have to go to the hospital. Okay?" He nodded. "I'm so glad you got your license, anata."

He leaned forward and gave her a quick kiss on the forehead. "We'll be fine, mate." He nuzzled her nose with his own. "Let me do all that, and pack you a bag. Anything special you want?"

"Nothing fancy. Just things that are comfortable and that we can throw away if need be."

He leaned forward and kissed her again. "Consider it done." He stood up and made to leave the room, pausing at the doorway. "You're gonna do fine, koi, okay?"

Kagome nodded nervously. "Okay."

The pup! The pup was on her way!

Instantly Kagome thought of all that she had read about labor, and if her stomach could have dropped, it would have. Fuck, she thought.

Then she remembered her dream, and she dry heaved on the toilet, praying she wouldn't throw anything up. Fuck, she thought again. How am I going to tell Inuyasha that Kikyo was pregnant with Onigumo's baby?

Notes:

Will Kagome tell Inuyasha about her latest vision? (Probably not, lol.) How will her labor and delivery go? How will Inuyasha cope with that? Stay tuned for the next update, and as always, thanks so much for reading!