Inuyasha awoke to the sunlight coming in through the slats in the hut and to the soft sound of Kagome's voice. His eyes flew open as soon as he realized she was awake. Damn, I must have fallen asleep at some point. I wanted to be awake to see her the moment she woke.

Kagome was talking with Sango, and the two of them looked happy. Almost like nothing happened, thought Inuyasha. Kagome looked over then and saw his open eyes. She smiled and stated warmly, "Inuyasha."

"Kagome, you're awake," spoke Inuyasha softly. It was the tender, velvety voice that Kagome had only heard him use around her. It made her heart flutter.

"Sango told me about what happened yesterday," Kagome said. "I'm so sorry, Inuyasha, for worrying you." The girl looked down at her hands playing with the blanket. She obviously felt guilty for falling ill.

"Are you nuts?" came Inuyasha's predictably uncouth reply. "You've got nothing to apologize for, Kagome. Don't be an idiot."

Kagome smiled at his response. She'd come to expect nothing less from him.

Kaede entered the hut at that moment with a basket of herbs. "Kagome, it's good to see ye awake. I'd like to have a few moments with ye to talk about your ailments."

Sango noted the subtle request for her and Inuyasha to vacate the hut. She reached for Kagome's hand, squeezed it, and smiled at the girl before leaving the hut. Inuyasha, however, remained rooted in his spot by the door.

Kaede cleared her throat. "Inuyasha, why don't you go down to the river and catch us some fish for breakfast?"

"Huh? Oh right, sure," responded Inuyasha, giving Kaede a strange look. He wasn't sure why she was kicking him out but obeyed anyway.

Once the hut was clear and only Kaede and Kagome remained, Kagome spoke up. "So, Kaede, do you think you know what's going on with me?"

Kaede was busying herself with the herbs, already making some medicinal concoction. "Yes, I do believe I know what ails ye. Though, I must say, I'm quite surprised. I didn't know that you and Inuyasha had grown quite this close." She stopped for a moment and then continued almost to herself, "...or that he even understood the mechanics."

"I'm sorry," replied Kagome. "I don't understand?"

Kaede looked at the girl and smiled. "When was the last time ye received your monthly cycle?"

Kagome's face flushed and she froze. "Huh? What?"

"Your monthly cycle, child. When did you last receive it?"

Kagome was shocked. No way. She thought. It can't be. It's not possible! No…

Her thoughts drifted back about three weeks. The group had just faced a particularly devious foe: a demon who hated priestesses. He had sensed Kagome's spiritual power and was determined to see her die. And he would have succeeded too, if Inuyasha hadn't protected me at the last moment. Afterwards, the half-demon had become even more overprotective than normal. Even to the point where he refused to allow Kagome to go to the lake alone to wash her wounds. At first, Kagome had protested, but by the end...Kagome smiled at the sweet memory. She had been so frustrated with his overbearing behavior that night, and he had gotten so angry at her annoyance. The two were yelling in each other's faces one moment and the next they were passionately kissing. The evening ended with the two lovers lying naked under the stars together intertwined in each other's body.

Kagome blushed thinking about that night. They had decided it was best to keep it to themselves and tell no one, but the memory remained very much alive for both of them and their bond had been even stronger in the past few weeks.

"Kagome…" prompted Kaede impatiently.

Kagome looked down at her lap in embarrassment. She couldn't bring herself to look Kaede in the eyes. "About five weeks," she responded quietly.

"And in between then and now, were ye and Inuyasha…" Kaede's voice trailed off, the unspoken question not needing to be voiced aloud.

"Yes," came Kagome's answer.

"Well, then, I think we know the reason for your condition," replied Kaede. She handed Kagome a mug of warm liquid. "Drink this. It will help to calm your stomach."

As Kagome sipped the drink, Kaede looked out the door. "Kagome, how do ye plan to tell Inuyasha?"

Kagome's stomach flipped. Tell Inuyasha? Where do I even begin? What do I say?

"Uh, Kaede, I don't know…"

"He deserves to know, Kagome."

The girl looked down at her hands again. "I know. I just don't know what to say."

Kaede smiled. "I'm sure ye will think of something. I wouldn't worry. He obviously cares for you greatly."

Kagome smiled at that. Her smile quickly disappeared, however, at Kaede's next words.

"Welcome back, Inuyasha. Kagome has news for you. Allow me to cook these fish while you two speak."