See chapter one for disclaimers.

Chapter Three.

"Kagome-chan!" Sango ran up to her friend as Kouga set her down on the ground. She appeared rather battered and bruised, but more worrying was the dull fear in her eyes. "Kouga, what happened to Kagome-chan?"

The wolf shook his head. "I'm not the messenger, that's her story to tell."

"Thank you, Kouga-kun." Kagome returned Sango's embrace lightly, flinching when the taijiya pressed on her bruised back. "I need a bath. I'll tell you then, okay?"

"Hai, I'll go get your soaps."

"Kagome-sama, we've been so worried!" Miroku appeared from Kaede's hut, Shippou perched on his shoulder.

The small kitsune leapt toward the young miko, only to be stopped in mid-air by Sango. "Kagome's been hurt and she needs some time to calm down. Why don't you go back inside and help Kaede make up some salve."

Shippou pouted, but agreed, allowing her to lower him to the ground. As she passed Miroku, Sango whispered, "I'll find out and let you know. Just let it drop." The monk nodded his agreement, his eyes never leaving the girl who stood distraught before him.

"Oi, Sango, should I go after Inuyasha to tell him she's returned?"

"Iie, he'll find out soon enough. I have a feeling Kagome needs to be left alone for a bit. Something tells me Inuyasha's presence wouldn't be the best thing for her right now."

Nodding again, Miroku sent a fake smile to the miko. "Glad you're back, Kagome. Thank you for bringing her to us, Kouga."

The wolf demon gave a curt nod in the monk's direction before turning again to Kagome. "Shall I stay here?"

Kagome bit her lip in thought. She really wanted to talk to the women alone, but when Inuyasha came… she shivered. She would need Kouga's support, especially if she wanted to convince Inuyasha of the story. "If you can, I would appreciate it," she finally answered.

"No problem," Kouga smiled. "I'll go chat with the monk for a while, he amuses me."

Kagome laughed a bit, the first genuine smile to grace her face since the incident. "Just stay out of trouble and I'll be happy."

"Kagome-chan!" Sango beckoned to her from the tree line, bath supplies in hand. "I'm ready!"


Giving Kouga a quick squeeze of the hand, Kagome ran after her.

* * * * *

Sango watched Kagome strip carefully out of the tattered kimono she'd been wearing. The scrapes that graced her arms and face covered her back and thighs as well. The taijiya felt a knot in her stomach as she imagined the horrors that befell her friend. Kagome slipped into the water, wincing as it hit some of her larger sores, but finally she rested up against a boulder and allowed her eyes to slip closed. She didn't speak a word.

"Kagome—"

"Sango—"

They laughed lightly, but quickly fell back into solemnity. Kagome sighed and spoke again. "I know you're wondering what happened, and I'll tell you but before I do, I need you to promise me that this is between just the two of us."

"You don't want Inuyasha to know?"

"No, and not Miroku, either. He might slip, or even go out for vengeance himself. Promise me?" She opened her eyes again, staring intently at her demon exterminator companion.

"I promise."

Sighing again, Kagome pondered her words. She couldn't tell Sango the complete truth. Even though she was one of her best friends, the young woman would likely have a serious reaction to Inuyasha's misdeed and Kagome didn't want to hear her protests. No, she'd have to give Sango a half-truth. However, the taijiya was not foolish enough to believe she would give herself to Kouga. So that part would remain intact.

"I'm sure you already pieced together that I was raped."

Biting her lip, Sango nodded.

"It happened in the woods after I ran off after Inuyasha. I was raped by a demon, and then Inuyasha came back looking for me. He didn't have Tetsusaiga with him, so he became full demon himself."

"He saw your rape?"

"No," Kagome answered, smirking at how close to the truth that was. "He came just after the fact, and the demon attacked him so quickly that he transformed almost immediately."

"Did he manage to kill the demon?"

"Um, yes." Kagome's cheeks heated as she realized how weak her answer was. Clearing her throat, she quickly went on, "anyway, after the battle he was coming back to himself but he still wasn't really all there, so I brought him back to a cave and went out looking for herbs to heal his wounds."

"When did Kouga come in?"

"Right after I left the cave. I sprained my ankle and he rushed me off to his mountain to get me some proper clothing and so that I could wash up."

"That was kind of him, but… he really should have brought you back to us. We were all very worried last night when neither of you came back. We were relieved thinking at least you were with Inuyasha, but then he came back this morning alone and none of us knew what to think!"

"Was he…worried about me?"

"Of course!" Sango shot a look of surprise at the young miko. How could she doubt his concern for her? "He didn't remember what had happened, only woke up in a strange place to find your bathing suit torn beside him, your blood on his body, and you missing. He thought he'd killed you or something, but we managed to convince him that it was unlikely. He's been out since dawn searching for you."

"He'll be back soon," Kagome spoke to her self silently.

"Yes, and he'll want some answers."

"There's more," Kagome weakly continued. "You see, according to Kouga, I'm pregnant."

"WHAT?!"

"Shh!" Kagome glanced around the clearing, praying that Inuyasha was still far enough away from their location to continue her story. "He said I was fertile, and so the rape impregnated me. So um… he offered to take me as his mate."

Sango stared at the young woman in shock. "And you said…?"

"No, of course. Still, I didn't know what to tell Inuyasha. If he found out I was raped, he'd never forgive himself. You know how seriously he takes his duties as protector."

"Hai," Sango agreed solemnly. "But I think he will notice when your stomach starts to swell. Also, he's half-demon himself, so your body is likely giving off a scent."

"I know, which is why Kouga and I agreed to tell him we mated."

"Please tell me you're kidding, Kagome."

"I'm not." She held up a hand to halt Sango's protest. "I can't let him know what happened. Please, just accept that. I decided it would be better for him to believe I gave myself to Kouga willingly. Maybe later, when more time has passed, I can tell him the truth. But for now, I need you to play along with this. The only reason I'm telling you is because I trust you to keep my secret."

She was lying. Sango could tell Kagome was bending the truth, but she didn't know why. Yes, Inuyasha would blame himself for her condition, but he'd get over it; it would be far more important to him to keep her safe in the present. So why did she insist on this silly farce?

Frowning, Sango nodded. "All right, I'll play along, but don't ask me to lie along with you. All I will do is agree with what you say."

"That's enough for me, Sango. Thank you." Kagome reached for her soap and began to scrub down, vigorously removing any hint of the previous night from her aching body. "We should hurry and get back to camp. I'm guessing Inuyasha will be back soon."

* * * * *

Sure enough, the hanyou made it to camp almost immediately before the two women returned. Kouga had to fight his instinct to run to her side and protect her from her rapist, especially when she visibly flinched at his approach.

"Where have you been, wench? I went looking all over for you and here you are clean and happy and relaxed?" His eyes narrowed in annoyance to conceal the immense relief buried beneath.

"I- I'm glad you're ok, Inuyasha. After that demon attacked you I was worried you might die."

He stood back, eyes widening. "So it was a demon attack, then? I only remember you chasing me and from there my memories stop until I woke up this morning in that damned cave."

She nodded firmly, sparing a sidelong glance at Sango for support. "Hai, and since Tetsusaiga was missing…"

Inuyasha blanched. "I – I didn't hurt you, did I?"

Kouga huffed, earning a glare from Kagome which silenced him immediately.

"No, you passed out almost right after killing the demon. I had just enough time to bring you to that cave. Then I went searching for herbs to clean your wounds when I… twisted my ankle."

"Baka, you shouldn't have gone out alone in that condition." He stopped his tirade for a moment, his mind recalling the environment in which he'd awoken. "Wait, your bathing suit was in the cave."

"I know, the demon managed to tear it up so I used your haori." Kagome walked past him and gathered up the cloak from a rock, handing it to him. "I hope you don't mind."

He sniffed at the garment, his eyes narrowing. "This smells like wimpy wolf." Inuyasha turned away from Kagome to glare daggers at the demon. "Which brings me to my next question. What is HE doing here?"

Miroku stepped in, hoping to diffuse the tension. "Kouga found Kagome last night and brought her back this morning."

"Selfish bastard, you should have brought her back here when you found her."

"She was injured and tired, inukkoro," Kouga shot back angrily. "I wanted to make sure she was cleaned up and rested. Some of us have a little more common sense than others."

The two youkai continued to stare at each other, growling in low tones. Kagome knew she had to break up the stalemate, but wasn't eager to tell him the rest of her news. Then again, he would find out sooner or later.

"Inuyasha, please stop growling at Kouga." When he shot her an annoyed look, she took a deep breath and explained herself. "You see, Kouga is… my mate."