A/N: Hello dear readers. How's it going? I'm sure everyone's busy as we get to the end of the year. Always seems to be. As always thanks to everyone who reviews, favs, or if you're just enjoying the story. I like hearing from people so drop me a review and let me know what you think of this chapter.

Enjoy!

Kuro liked being outside. He liked helping his Pa and mama with working outside. Now that he was older his Pa had him helping more and that was good.

He found that he could pick up things that Sumiko said were to heavy. Even some things that his mama couldn't lift he could.

"Wow buddy, look at how strong my big boy is." His mother enthused ruffling his hair as she smiled at him. Looking up at her he smiled back. He loved it when his mama smiled, she was very pretty.

Carrying the basket over to Rin as she shuffled through some of her own things to get ready to till the field she smiled at him too. Rin was also very pretty. Putting the basket down in front of her he wiped his hands off on his kimono.

"Thank you so much Kuro, you're such a big, strong boy. Just like your Pa is." She complimented. Kuro looked at how big her belly had gotten as he came up to just underneath her chest being as tall as he was and how petite Rin was.

Poking at her stomach she laughed. "Are you ready to have another close cousin?" She asked happily. Kuro stopped and frowned slightly.

"Like when mama did?" Concern laid heavy in his pretty blue eyes and Rin nodded.

"Yes. Just like your mama did. I forgot that you saw Moroha be born."

"Mama cried and had blood."

"It's alright sweet boy. Your mama is okay. That's what happens when a woman has a baby, it's normal." Rin assured.

"Rin, you gonna cry and have blood?" Lowering his voice he bit his lower lip similarly to how Kagome did when she worried. Pulling him into a tight hug she kissed the top of his head thrilling at his curls, she loved his curls.

"Everything will be alright Kuro and when it's all over there will be a new baby." She said softly. "Now go on." Patting his back she released him.

Nodding he walked off still not happy that he knew the baby would hurt Rin but his mama was okay when his little sister came out so Rin would be too.

Running towards his Pa he stopped in front of him. "I helped Mama an' Rin, Pa."

"Good job Kuro." His father said lowering himself down to his son. "Want to help me get some of these rocks out of the ground?"

Nodding he took up his small hoe and began raking at the soil.

"I can't believe how tall Kuro grew over the winter." Rin said amazed.

"I know. He's not even three yet and I'm guessing he's taller than Hisui is." Sighing Kagome shook her head. "He's always been a big baby but now…Jinenjis worried that because he looks so much older than he is he'll be treated poorly."

"Hmm." Rins smiled turned down looking towards the boy. "He's a strong boy, not just in physical strength. He has the best of both his parents, he has a big heart and I know that he'll be alright."

"Don't you worry Rin? About how Towa and Setsuna will be treated as half-breed children?" Kagome wondered.

"Of course I do. I know how ugly the word can be, how terrible others are. I have faith in my children that they will be able to overcome it." She said.

"Yeah, I know. I just wish we could keep them all little for forever and safe here." Kagome explained.

"Me too." Rin replied sighing wistfully.