Disclaimer - It's not mine. It never was, no matter what I tell myself.
A/N - Okay, I've finally got this story back to where it was. Thank you for everyone who stuck around for this. And a special thanks to the person who sent me a copy of the story they had downloaded before it was erased from ff.net. I didn't know if you wanted me to mention your name or not, so if you do, send it back to me.
Anyhow, I hope you guys like this chapter. Things are about to get a little more complicated, so hold onto your seats.
Later,
A.A.
More Problems Arise
Kagome put her bag down as soon as she entered into Kaede's hut. The aging miko greeted the younger girl with a warm smile and welcoming hug.
"Child, are you feeling well?" she asked kindly, picking up a bowl of half-crushed herbs from the nearest table. "What did the healer of your time find?" Kagome smiled and patted her stomach.
"So far, everything is good." she said happily. "The doctor said that the heartbeat is strong, and my baby is growing rapidly. "
"So the child is in good health at the moment?" Kaede asked. Kagome nodded and sat down. She took a close look at the older miko and frowned. Kaede was tense, and there was an underlying terseness in her voice.
"Kaede, is something the matter? You seem bothered about something." Kagome asked, watching the reaction of the older woman.
"Yes, child." she answered solemnly. She took a deep breath and placed the half crushed herbs on another table, then turned to face Kagome. "There is something that I found that might cause a slight problem for you later on into your pregnancy."
"What is it?" Kagome asked, suddenly on guard.
"As you know, the balance of blood in a child is formed from half of each parent." Kaede explained.
"Yes."
"As a miko, and especially as the carrier of the Shikon, you have always purified a demon when they threatened you with bodily harm. The child you carry has demon blood in it, even though it is such a small amount." Kaede said, Kagome seemed unfazed so far, but what she had to say next would probably throw the girl into shock.
"I don't understand." Kagome said, shrugging her shoulders.
"It means that as the child develops, your body may actually see it as a threat, and try to reject the fetus because of the demon blood in its body." Kaede said.
"I'll purify my own child?!!" she screeched. Kaede nodded, her face grim and lined with worry. Kagome jumped up from her seat on the floor and began pacing back and forth.
"It is just theory, child." she said simply, watching the nervous girl. "No one really knows for certain what will happen, as a situation like this is very rare." Kagome leaned back onto a chair and shook her head.
"Is there any way to find out? How will I know if my baby is in danger?" Kagome asked, getting increasingly worried. This had not crossed her mind before now. But now that Kaede mentioned it, it did make sense. A miko's job was to get rid of demons, and she was not exception to that rule.
"I do not know of a way to make sure, child." Kaede said solemnly. "But I do know of a woman who may hold some answers."
"Who?" Kagome asked, quickly looking towards the older miko. Kaede sat back and folded her hands into her lap, taking a deep breath and getting ready to recite what she had learned in the time Kagome had been in her own time.
"There is a woman far to the East that is rumored to be the child of a miko and a demon, a dragon demon to be exact. No one knows for certain where to find her, but I have a feeling she may be able to help you, should you be able to find her. She is very old, and has gathered much knowledge during her time in this world."
"The Eastern lands is where Kouga's home is." Kagome said quietly. "Perhaps he may know." Kaede nodded in agreement, knowing that the wolf taiyoukai that ruled over the land kept a close watch on his own lands, and would know if the dragon-miko indeed resided in his lands.
"Are you planning on leaving for the wolf-demon's den this evening?" Kaede asked, looking at Kagome.
"Yes, I am. I want to get there as soon as possible." she answered truthfully. "I was originally going to spend a few days here in the village before setting out, but I need to find out as much as I can about whether my child will be affected by this or not." Kaede nodded, understanding the young woman's natural urge to want to protect her unborn child.
"Someone should be here momentarily to get you." she said with a sigh, getting up from her seat. "So you need not worry about traveling to the den alone."
"What?" Kagome asked, not sure what she was talking about. Kaede smiled and shook her head.
" Lord Kouga has had someone camped out by the well ever since you left. They were left with strict orders to make sure you got safely to the village before they left to report to Kouga."
"So that's why I felt a demon presence following me here." Kagome muttered. She had felt the demon when she had climbed out of the well, but since it had not been centered on harming her, she had wrote it off as nothing to worry about.
"Yes, I expect Lord Kouga or one of his pack mates will be here momentarily to get you." Kaede said.
"I don't doubt it one bit." Kagome answered, rubbing her stomach gently. She picked up her bag ad went outside Kaede's hut to sit on the small porch. Her mind was in a whirl. There were too many things for her to think about before, but now with the complication of her possibly purifying her own child, everything just seemed compounded. 'This is crazy!' she thought angrily. 'I can't kill my own child! But how in Kami's name am I going to stop it?' She was starting to get upset at the possibility of her killing the innocent, unborn child. True, the pregnancy had been an unexpected surprise, but it was not an unwelcome one. 'I don't want to kill my child.' she thought, tears welling up in her eyes. She knew she could never live with herself if she accidentally purified the baby, and she knew that this was a serious matter that had reared it's ugly head.
'If it isn't one bloody thing, it's another. First, Inuyasha betrays me with Kikyou. Then I find out that I'm pregnant, which is not as bad as I thought it was at one point. Then Inuyasha tells me he doesn't want anything to do with me or the child, and that he's staying with that witch Kikyou. And now, I find out that I might run the chance of purifying my baby! What else can possibly go wrong in my life?!" she thought, her head in her hands, and tears beginning to stream down her face.
Thankfully, it was not long before she sensed a strong demon presence coming her way at an alarming rate. She dried her tears as much as possible and decided to speak with Kouga about the woman. If anyone would know about the whereabouts of the dragon hanyou, Kouga or his family would.
Kouga sped up to his maximum speed when he picked up on Kagome's scent. As he sped over the roofs f the huts, he quickly spotted the girl sitting on the steps of Kaede's little hut. She must have sensed his arrival because she stood up and waited for him to descend. When he was finally down on the ground, and the dust settled from the mini-tornado he had created, he turned to look at Kagome, a grin on his face that quickly disappeared when he noticed that she had been crying.
"Hey, Kagome. Glad to see you're back. You had us all worried there for a while." he said happily. Kagome grinned at the warm welcome and gave the wolf prince a quick hug. "What's wrong?"
"I told you I'd be back, silly." she said, completely disregarding the last question he had asked her. Kouga noticed the obvious evasion and decided to ask her again in a little while. If she didn't want to talk about it, he surely could not force her to.
"So how long are you staying?" Kouga asked, sitting next to her on the steps.
"Straight to the point, aren't you?" Kagome asked, a small grin on her face.
"Hey, can't blame me for trying." he grinned. Kagome smiled and turned her gaze back down to the ground.
"Well, I'll probably be here for a few days, since it seems a small problem has arose." she sighed.
"Problem? What problem? Are you okay, Kagome?" Kouga asked, suddenly on high alert.
"I'm fine, Kouga." she sighed. "It's my baby I'm concerned about."
"What's wrong?" Kouga asked, seeing the tears start to well back up in her eyes. 'This must be what had her upset earlier when I got here.' he thought.
"It seems as though my body may try to reject the baby because of the demon blood in it." she said, biting her lip in frustration. "Kaede thinks I might wind up killing my baby before it is even born." Kouga looked at her and blinked owlishly, the consequences finally sinking in.
"What?! Is there anything you can do to stop it?" he asked, grabbing her hand and forcing her to look up at him. It was bad enough that Kagome was pregnant with Inuyasha's kid, but if something happened to the baby, Kouga knew it would completely destroy the woman in front of him.
"Kaede said that there is an old woman who lives to the far East in Japan who is rumored to be the only child of a miko and a demon. She said that if anyone would know what to do, she would." Kagome explained.
"An old woman, huh?" Kouga questioned, racking his brains out for anything that he might remember about such a rumor.
"Yes. Kouga, the Eastern lands are your home, do you know if this woman exists?" Kagome asked tearfully. Kouga looked at her and frowned. 'Damn you, dog-turd. She's on the verge of a nervous breakdown, and it's all your damned fault!' he thought angrily. 'You and your lies got her into this mess! Just wait until I see you again. You are not going to walk away alive for doing this to Kagome!'
"I do not know of anyone like that, but I do know someone who will." he said soothingly.
"And that would be, who?"
"My father." he said simply.
"Your father?" she asked nervously. "Are you sure?"
"He knows nearly every human, demon, hanyou, and mix in between the three, that there are in his lands. If anyone would know, he would."
"You think he'll be able to help me?" Kagome asked, remembering what she had heard about the wolf taiyoukai not long after she had first met Kouga.
"Yes. If anyone knows what's running around the Eastern lands, he will."
"Umm…. Kouga, are you sure he will be willing to help me? I mean, isn't he one of the demon lords who do not particularly care for humans?" Kagome had heard of lord Jiro before, the wolf taiyoukai that ruled over the Easter lands. He had been known as a ruthless demon who cared for no human, and saw them fit only for tilling the land. 'With an attitude like that, I really can't believe Kouga is his son.' she thought.
"Well, Kagome," Kouga said, scratching the back of his head, "My father is rather stuck in the old ways of thinking, but he's getting better. I'm almost positive he'll help us."
"And if he doesn't?" she asked skeptically. "Then what?"
"Then we employ the assistance of some of my younger siblings." he said. "And if that doesn't work, we get Laniko to help us. If anyone can get through to my father, she can."
"Is she your sister?" Kagome asked, trying to place the name. Kouga smiled and shook his head.
"Nope. She's my father's mate."
"Your mother?" she questioned. Kouga had never really mentioned any of his family members around her, so she had no idea who this 'Laniko' was.
"No, my mother died many years ago during the birth of my youngest sister. Laniko was a lady of the Eastern courts that my father had taken a liking to for some time after mother died." he explained quickly. "She was killed by Naraku during a siege of the village outside the castle, but the wish dog-turd made on the Shikon no Tama gave her life back. I guess dear old dad decided not to pass up another opportunity. He took Laniko as his mate a few days after she came back."
"But does she like humans?" Kagome asked.
"She ought to. Her mother was a hanyou." he shrugged.
"She's part human?!"
"Yep."
"But, your father…" Kagome started.
"Like I said, he's not as bad as he used to be. Laniko's changed him a great deal since they mated."
"Well, that is a bit more reassuring." Kagome said, breathing a sigh of relief.
"I know."
"When can we go see him, assuming he'll let me ask him." she asked.
"Whenever you want to, but I'm guessing the sooner the better, correct?" he asked.
"Yes. But I wanted to speak with Keiko about a few things first." Kagome said, remembering her reason for coming back. "That's the main reason I came back. I have some questions about the pregnancy she might be able to answer." Kouga nodded, figuring Kagome would have wanted to speak with Keiko before too long.
"It'll be getting late soon." Kouga pointed out. "We can leave tomorrow for my homeland if you want. And you can speak with Keiko this evening."
"That's fine with me. I have a few things for the pups anyway. You don't mind taking me to see her, do you?" Kagome said. Kouga frowned and shook his head.
"Of course not." he said. "But, uh…it's not more chocolate for the pups, is it?" he asked warily.
"Some of it is, but not al of it." she answered truthfully. "Why do you ask? No one got sick from the last time did they?" Kouga shook his head.
"No, I just wanted to know if they were going to run a chance of being hyperactive in the next few days." Kagome grinned and picked up her bag. It was true that the sugar from the candy she usually gave the pups sent them on a sugar high for days after.
"I'll keep that candy to a minimum after this if it helps." she said with a grin.
"Thank you, Kagome. I'm sure the rest of the pack will greatly appreciate it, as well as myself." he said. "Now, let's go. I'm afraid we have some rain coming, and I'd like to get to the cave before it starts."
"Let's go then." Kagome said, walking down the steps. Before she could get her feet on the solid ground, Kouga had swept her up and took to the air. Kagome steadied herself as much as she possibly could and glared up at the prince, who wore a delighted expression on his face and was completely oblivious to the cold glare Kagome was sending his way. She hated it when he would just pick her up and take to the air without a warning. 'I like the feeling of flying, but I hate it when they take off so fast and make my stomach nauseous.' she thought.
It was only moments later when they finally set down in front of the entrance to the main den, and it wasn't a moment to soon. Just like Kouga had predicted, it started raining not long after they arrived. It did not dampen their spirits, though. As usual, Kagome received a warm welcome from the majority of the pack, and an even warmer welcome from the children. After passing out the treats she had brought for the cubs, consisting of candy, a few different balls, and some of Souta's old toys, Kouga led her to a larger room, motioning for Keiko to follow them. The aged demoness nodded and followed the prince and miko, wondering what was going on. When the three were settled into the furs on the floor, Kouga got straight to the point.
"Keiko, we've got a problem." he stated.
"And what would that be?" she asked.
"Well Keiko, I needed to speak with you concerning some questions I have about my pregnancy." Kagome said, fidgeting in her seat.
"I see no problem in that. Ask away." Keiko answered. "I'll answer as much as I possibly can."
"That's not the problem." Kouga growled out.
"Well what is it?" Keiko asked, picking up on the prince's annoyance. Something was wrong, and it had put Kouga on the edge.
"Kouga…" Kagome said, placatingly, trying to calm him.
"Lady Kaede said that there may be a chance Kagome will purify her child before it is born because of the demon blood the child has. Do you know anything about this?" he asked. Keiko looked stunned to say the least. It had never occurred to her that Kagome's body would reject the child because of the demon blood. However, now that she thought about it, it did make sense. The natural in-born instinct of any miko was to purge a demon, and Kagome was not exception.
"I know not of anything that would help, Lady. Never before has a situation such as this arose." she answered, frowning slightly.
"Kaede also mentioned a rumor of a woman who was the daughter of a miko and a demon that lives somewhere in the East. Do you know anything of that?" Kagome asked, hoping that Keiko would know of the woman.
"I have heard the rumor. It is said that this woman lives alone within the thickest part of the forest along the coastline. She is said to have great wisdom, and many have sought her out, wanting answers to seemingly impossible questions. I, of course, have never validated her existence, although I have heard stories of those who could." Keiko explained, trying to recall the rumors she had heard during her time in the pack.
"The stories of Cali are true." came a female's voice from the entrance of the room. The three occupants of the room swiveled around to see a demoness push aside the curtain. Kagome heard the sharp in take of breath from Keiko and a growl of annoyance from Kouga. The demoness smiled and nodded her head, acknowledging the two.
She wore the traditional furs of the wolf pack, but what stood out the most was her hair. The long brown strands were pulled back in a high pony tail and plaited into hundreds of little braids. Her blue eyes were friendly, but Kagome noticed that they were a darker shade than Kouga's. Kagome had never seen this woman before, and quickly wondered who it was. The demon woman was quite pretty, and it seemed as though Kouga and Keiko know something about her that Kagome did not.
"Lady, what brings you here?" Kouga asked, rising form his seat.
"Hello, Kouga. It's nice to see you as well." she chuckled. "You as well, Keiko. I trust you've been keeping this rambunctious, whelp of a pup in line for me?" she asked the medicine woman. Keiko smiled and nodded towards the younger demoness.
"I try, my lady." Keiko chuckled. "It's not always easy. He's headstrong and stubborn, much like his father."
"I understand. Like father, like son, is what' I've always heard." the demoness laughed.
"I'm still here, you two." Kouga grumbled good naturedly. Kagome stifled a laugh, but the noise was enough to draw the demoness' attention.
"And who is this lovely lady?" she asked. "Kouga, where are your manners? You must tell me who she is." Kagome blushed and rose from her seat, bowing to the demoness.
"My name is Kagome." she answered quietly. "I'm a friend of Kouga's." Kagome noticed a flicker of recognition flash across the demoness' face before humor set in.
"Ah, yes, the young Kagome. I've heard many stories about you from Kouga and the pack. A friend you are, indeed." she answered, giving Kagome a friendly smile. Kagome blushed and stepped back.
"What brings you here, lady?" Keiko asked.
"I have a message for Kouga, from his father." she answered simply.
"What is it now?" Kouga growled, clearly annoyed.
"He needs to speak with you immediately, concerning some of the packs north of here. It seems some trouble has been brewing as of late." the demoness explained.
"When does he wish to see me?" Kouga asked.
"Tomorrow, or the day after at the latest." she said.
"Short notice, eh?" Kouga grumbled.
"Yes, well, you know how your father can be."
"Don't I ever." the wolf prince mumbled. The demoness shook her head and motioned for them to take a seat once again.
"Anyway, you were speaking of Cali when I came in and interrupted, the mystery hanyou of the Eastern forest. Is someone going to seek her out?" The demoness questioned. Kagome nodded, drawing attention to herself once again..
"I am." she answered. "I am in dire need of some answers, and I was told she might be able to help. Do you know where I can find her?"
"I don't but I know someone who does." she answered. "What knowledge to you seek to gain."
"Well, it's rather complicated…" Kagome began.
"Is it concerning your child?" the demoness asked.
"You know?" Kagome blanched, her hand going to her stomach.
"Doesn't everybody?" she asked with a grin. "With the way Kouga was telling everyone, you'd think he was the father!"
"Kouga!" Kagome admonished. "Who else did you tell?"
"Sorry, Kagome." the prince said, thoroughly chastised and not happy with the fact Kagome seemed upset with him. Keiko and the other demoness chuckled at the sight of the proud wolf being chastised by the little woman.
"Anyhow, what did you want to know." the other woman asked. "Maybe I could save you a trip."
"Well, since it seems you know the circumstances surrounding the pregnancy, I'm sure you know that I am a miko." Kagome said. The woman nodded and motioned for her to continue on with her story.
"Yes, and the carrier of the Shikon jewel, correct?"
"Yes, and that's the problem. I was told that it was a possibility that I might purify the child before it is born. I had heard that there was a woman in the Eastern lands that could tell me if it is a possibility I could hurt my baby." The demoness nodded, understanding the dilemma, and empathizing with the girl. She also noticed that Kouga had wrapped his arms around Kagome from behind, and was rubbing her stomach gently. 'Well Kagome, it seems as though someone has finally tamed Kouga's wild heart. I congratulate you, little miko.' she thought.
"Well Kagome, you are definitely in quite a predicament, aren't you." she said.
"Yes, I am." Kagome said miserably. Kouga, noticing her frustration, held her tighter.
"Calm down, love." he soothed. "We'll find her."
"Lady, who is it that knows the where abouts of Cali's location?" Keiko asked the other demoness.
"Kouga's father." she answered simply. The demoness heard a disgruntled grumble come form the miko that sounded eerily similar to 'not another taiyoukai with a superiority complex over humans. That's all I need, another Sesshomauro on my hands.' Keiko chuckled and shook her head while Kouga just grinned.
"Don't worry about it, love." Kouga said. "He's not going to eat you, I promise."
"I'll make sure he behaves himself, Kagome. You needen't worry." the demoness said. "I'll bring Keiko with me if things get too rough." Kouga grinned and shook his head, liking that idea immensely.
"Father won't stand a chance with the two of you." Kouga grinned. The demoness noticed that the human girl seemed to relax, so she decided to take her leave. She had delivered the message as asked, and now she was ready to get back home.
"Well, I'm on my way out." she said. "I trust you will meet with your father tomorrow?" she asked. Kouga nodded.
"Tell him we will arrive around noon, please. I take it we will meet in the normal place." The demoness nodded and began to walk out the entryway when Kagome stopped her.
"Excuse me, but…who are you?" she asked. "I've never seen you here before, but you know who I am." The demoness smiled and looked over her shoulder at the miko.
"You mean Kouga hasn't told you yet?" she asked. Kagome shook her head. "I'm not surprised. He does tend to forget things."
"Not funny." Kouga mumbled. The demoness turned around and nodded at Kagome.
"My name is Laniko." she said.
"You're Lady of the Easter lands?" Kagome gasped. "Lord Jiro's mate.?"
"Yes, that stubborn wolf is my mate." she smiled.
"But you're part human." Kagome said, before she could stop herself. She immediately blushed and was about to apologize when Laniko's smile stopped her.
"People change, Kagome." she said with a smile. "Remember that."
"But…but…"
"Make sure you speak with Jiro soon, Kagome." she said. "He will be able to help you." The demoness bowed and left the room.
"Thank you, Lady Laniko." Kagome whispered. "Thank you, so much." As the skin swung back into place, covering up the entrance once again, Kouga picked up a small sigh from the departing wolf demoness.
"It is I who should be thanking you, little miko. I owe my life and happiness to you." she had said. Kouga grinned and let a sigh escape his lips.
"Well, that was unexpected, to say the least." Keiko said, breaking the easy silence that had settled in the room. "Did you know she was coming, Kouga?"
"Nope, although I'm glad she did." he said with a smile.
"What do you think your father wants with you?" Kagome asked.
"I don't know. But we'll find out tomorrow." he answered.
"We?" Kagome asked, raising an eyebrow in confusion.
"Yeah. You're coming with me." Kouga said simply.
"What?"
"You heard me."
"But…but…" Kagome stuttered. She really did not want to have to face another taiyoukai with a superiority complex, and even though Kouga had reassured her that Jiro was not as bad as he seemed, Kagome was still skeptical.
"You will be fine, Lady Kagome." Keiko said. "Lord Jiro's bark is worse than his bite." Kagome grimaced and Kouga grinned. "Now, if you will excuse me, Lord Kouga, Lady Kagome."
"Whatever, Keiko." Kouga said, dismissing the demoness.
"Oh, Lady, I'm afraid that the children are waiting for you outside the den." Keiko said before she completely disappeared.
"Tell them I'll be out in a minute, please Keiko." Kagome said. "I need a minute for this to sink in before I go with the children."
"Of course, Lady." Keiko said, leaving the two alone. Kouga could tell Kagome was still quite upset.
"Everything will be fine, love." he said, hugging her gently. "Don't worry about it."
"I hope you're right, Kouga." she said, taking comfort in the wolf demon. "I hope you're right."
A/N - Okay, Hehehe Hehehe, there's another twist in the plot. Hope you guys are enjoying this. Anyway, remember to leave me a review and tell me what you guys think about this.
Oh, and I know there are a lot of other character in this story, but I couldn't really help it. The only two members of Kouga's pack that are ever named are Ginta and Hakkaku (I think), so I had to make up some people. Sorry if it bugs you, but they won't play much of a major role for too long.
Later,
A.A.
