Author's notes: Sorry this took so long, I had a creative slump, and then the beta was slow, too.

Bye Bye, Baby!
Chapter Eight

After the hugging incident, Moriko untied Inu yasha completely. During the course of the South Park episode, Inu yasha had been able to untie him self enough to hug the children, much to Hikari's horror ("No, my master plans! My ingenious plot!"). Inu yasha sat on the couch, rubbing the skin that had gotten rope burn from his journey around the apartment.

He let out a long, tired sigh and looked over at Moriko and Hikari. The two children were currently watching a Disney movie. Moriko looked happy and was singing along to a song while Hikari simply stared at the screen, a look of awe on her face. Inu yasha chuckled as the song ended and Moriko clapped. She really was an adorable little girl.

He yawned loudly and flopped down onto the couch, making sure to keep an eye on Hikari. As far as he was concerned, that girl was an evil communist coming for his spleen. Or something…

He needed coffee…

"Inu yasha!" Moriko called out sweetly, her large blue eyes staring intently at Inu yasha. The man grumbled and stuffed his head under a pillow.

"What?" came his muffled reply.

"Are you a prince?" Moriko asked, her eyes large and inquisitive.

"Am I what?"

"A prince!" Moriko said, a giant smile on her face.

"No…" Inu yasha said, unsure.

Moriko seemed to sober immediately, like a puppy that had just been kicked. "Oh…"

"Why, does it matter?" Inu yasha asked as he tossed the pillow on the ground and propped his head up on his hand.

"Because then you could go and kiss Snow White!" Moriko said sweetly, her blue eyes sparkling. "One year…during Halloween, Mommy was Snow White because I was going to be Dopey, and Mommy thought it would be cute if we matched! So if she's Snow White, does that make you Prince Charming?"

Inu yasha looked positively horrified but forced a smile. "Sorry, Moriko, but I don't think you're mom would want me as a Prince Charming."

Moriko looked disappointed again and Hikari snorted. "More of a Prince Half-Ass," she muttered, though Inu yasha choose to ignore the comment.

Inu yasha sighed and stood, "Well are you girls hungry? I can order us some pizza or something…" He shrugged, really unaware of how to treat kids. After all, he'd only offered to baby sit them so that Kagome would be out of his hair…

"Yes!" Moriko grinned and clapped her hands in glee, all discussion on fairy tale characters out of her mind.

"What kind of pizza?" Inu yasha asked as he grabbed the phone and flipped through the phone book, scanning the numbers, searching for a good pizza place.

"Hawaiian!" Both Hikari and Moriko said at the same time. They both gave each other looks and grinned. Inu yasha rolled his eyes and ordered the food.

Thirty minutes later, Inu yasha was lying on the couch again, Hikari was sitting in a corner, plotting Inu yasha's demise or some nonsense like that and Moriko was reading one of her Mommy's magazines.

Inu yasha sighed when his stomach growled, "So…hungry…"

He heard Moriko giggle. He turned his violet eyes towards the little girl, who was sitting on her bottom and staring intently at the magazine. "What you got there, Moriko?" Inu yasha asked out of curiosity—might as well kill time while he was waiting to satisfy his food cravings.

"Horboscopes!" Moriko said proudly.

"Horoscopes," Hikari's voice passed through the room.

"Ah, the voice that carries…" Inu yasha sighed and leaned over towards Moriko, "You don't believe in horoscopes do you, sweetie?"

"I'm not sure what they are…but Mommy does! Mommy is very su—su—syper—"

"Superstitious," Hikari's voice said again, the girl still staring at the corner. Had it not been for her stupid little comments, Inu yasha would have thought she was off in her own world.

"Yeah, that's the word!" Moriko chirped brightly, her blue eyes shinning up at Inu yasha. "Wanna read yours?"

"Sure…whatever," Inu yasha said nonchalantly, not really caring what the little girl did, as long as she was amused and wasn't causing him damage or his home damage.

"Ok…what sign are you?" Moriko asked sweetly. Hikari stood and walked towards Moriko, she promptly grabbed the magazine and ran to her chair near the TV. "Hey, what's that for?"

"You can't read well, so I'll do it," Hikari said crossly, in a voice that CEO executives used…figures…"Let's see…I'm a Scorpio…"

"Oh, oh, oh! What's it say, Hikari?" Moriko giggled, excited.

"That the project I've been working on will end soon with great results. It also says to be on the look out for a new opportunity that will soon allow you great pleasure," Hikari snorted, "Well. Duh! I swear, this magazine is full of bullshit."

Inu yasha stared in shock as the child swore…He would need some serious therapy after this…

"What about me, I'm a Cancer!" Moriko said happily, entranced by Hikari's knowledge of the big words…and because she was easily amused.

"You will find something important missing in your life on the 25th, its important that you help your loved ones through the devastating tragedy that has occurred…" Hikari read from the magazine and then added, "Best days for love are the 10th and the 29th."

"Ew, yucky!" Moriko giggled.

Moriko then turned towards Inu yasha expectantly. "How about you, Inu?"

Inu yasha was only vaguely aware of the pet name Moriko had given him and answered: "Aries."

"Figures," Hikari muttered and scanned the page. "Aries…that goal you're seeking is within reach, but you aren't quiet there yet. You're lacking the inspiration that is needed to truly succeed. In order to access this motivation, you must find love. The love of your life may be right under your nose! Best days for love are the 9th, 15th, 20th and the 24th! You go lover boy," Hikari added with a catcall. Inu yasha scowled at the child, but his cheeks were pink.

…Find love?

"That's a load of crap, I don't know any one I can love?" Inu yasha said, a little too wistful then he meant.

"Well there is someone…" Hikari said slyly. "And her name is…"

---

"Kagome!" Kagome blinked in surprise and looked up, to see Sango waving at her from across the room. Sango was currently dancing with a guy and having one hell of a time. Half way towards the bar, Kagome had realized that Sango was making an attempt to cheer her up over the break up with Kouga. Truth be told, she hadn't really thought of Kouga much since Inu yasha came into her life…not that she had any feelings for the dark haired moron, but he was certainly a nice distraction from the life around her. And that wasn't a sexual innuendo.

Kagome waved back and smiled. She hadn't really been asked to dance yet, a true self-esteem dropper, but she probably would have turned them down at any rate. She really wasn't in the mood to find a guy to dance with. She couldn't explain it, but it just didn't feel right to dance with a man. And it wasn't about Kouga any more…true…it cut her deep…

But she didn't feel as hung up about it as she had before inu—

Kagome quickly shook her head to clear her thoughts. 'Don't think about that! That's disgusting! Inu yasha and me? Che! That's just plain wrong…'

She sighed…

Why was it so hard to deny that?

The stupid jerk must have drugged her at some point and made her thoughts all jumbled and scrabbled.

"Kagome having a good time?" Sango asked cheerfully. Kagome smiled at her bubbly friend, not hearing her approach. Sango's face was flushed and her cheeks were a bright pink.

"I think I'll be driving us home, Sango dear." Kagome laughed as her friend wobbled her way back towards the dance floor, her laughter carrying back towards her. Kagome smiled for her friend, she was a great person and knew how to cheer her up.

"Whatever," her slightly slurred voice said.

Kagome laughed and stood, heading towards the bathroom with a light heart. She'd been with many men in her life, and Kouga was by far the most intimate…but maybe with all these distractions she'd be able to let him go…?

She hoped so. She didn't want to feel depressed, especially with all the chaos going on in her house at the time being. New faces were coming into her life and she had to be happy and take it in stride.

Plus, if she was in a good mood maybe she could endure Inu yasha's ranting and ravings.

---

"All right, go to bed," Inu yasha declared as the girls finished eating their pizza. Hikari gave him a blank look but Inu yasha spoke before she could. "I know its nine thirty, your mom said to go to bed at that time. Come on, get the hell out of here," Inu yasha stated and herded the girls to Kagome's room, where Moriko still slept. Inu yasha scratched his head and yawned. "Ok, good night!"

"But Inu yasha!" Moriko protested and Inu yasha turned to look at the girl, who was whimpering and giving him a puppy dog look.

"What is it now, Moriko?" Inu yasha asked, frustrated.

"You need to tuck us in," Moriko whimpered out and Hikari rolled her eyes…though she didn't protest.

"Tuck you in?" Inu yasha asked and blinked.

He never had a great experience with kids. He was the youngest in his family, never baby sat, and was rarely around kids to really know how they worked or thought. He had no idea kids could be such work. He sighed deeply and strolled over to Moriko's side of the bed. "Ok, how am I supposed to tuck you in?" he asked with a smile.

"You read us a story and then kiss us goodnight!" Moriko chirped happily, "That's what my mommy does!"

"Ok…" Inu yasha looked around, "Uh…what book do you want?"

Moriko giggled and pointed to the only child's book in the room. It was on the nightstand near Inu yasha and he observed it with a raised eyebrow. He looked at Moriko who continued to smile at him expectantly.

The book had two rabbits on it, one large and the other small…a parent and the child.

The story was very simple, involving the two rabbits. The smallest one was trying to show the bigger rabbit how much he loved the bigger rabbit, while the bigger one would always out do him. Inu yasha neared the end with a smile on his face, and he even noticed Hikari give a small smile every once in a while, though she tried to cover it.

Inu yasha turned the page and recited the words, "The little rabbit said, 'I love you to the moon.' With a yawn, the rabbit fell asleep. The big rabbit smiled and picked up the small rabbit. Looking at the moon, he said, 'I love you to the moon…and back…' The end."

He closed the book and placed it on the nightstand where he'd found it. "Ok, well, are you ready to sleep?"

"Kiss me goodnight!" Moriko peeped, her eyes closed and her lips puckered expectantly. Inu yasha would have laughed at the comical expression if he hadn't been so uneasy. What if Moriko told her mom that he kissed her? That wouldn't be good.

Kagome…

Inu yasha shook his head, why all of a sudden was he thinking of Kagome, of all people?

He scowled and leaned down, pecking the child's lips. He turned to Hikari, who was grinning evilly. "Tell Kagome and Trump will no longer have a deranged relative's friend's daughter, or whatever the hell you are." Hikari pouted. "And please tell me you don't want a kiss," Inu yasha groaned.

"I think just for the hell of it, I would like a kiss, just to see you squirm," Hikari crossed her arms and nodded, staring at Inu yasha expectantly through her large blue eyes. Inu yasha sighed, rolled his eyes, and kissed the girl's forehead.

"Ok, go to bed," he said and left the room, feeling uneasy.

He closed the door behind him and went to the kitchen. With a groan of annoyance, he began to do the dishes…and now that he was alone with his thoughts, he could think of what Hikari had read to him:

'…You must find love. The love of your life may be right under your nose!' the words went throughout his head. He hated to admit it, but he really did believe in those horoscopes, maybe not the daily ones—but certainly those kind…especially when it sounded like him. He hadn't had a girlfriend for a few years now, and his goal was to be a famous actor…maybe…

He shook his head, even if the horoscope was right, what did it mean by 'under your nose'? The only thing that fit under his nose was Moriko. And he was not a pedophile, even though Hikari said he was.

Inu yasha scowled and scrubbed the dishes angrily. "Why am I getting so worked up over a fucking horoscope?! Its nothing new or fancy, its just for fun," he snorted and scrubbed, "Its not like there's any one I know that I like! Feh!"

As he finished the dishes, he drained the water in the sink and went to watch television. He sat staring blankly at the screen for a moment; it was some weird reality show…nothing terribly interesting…

"And besides, even if there was someone that I could possibly love, it wouldn't make any difference, it's a horoscope," he nodded firmly, "Yeah!" He sat watching commercials for beer and cars for a moment before slapping his forehead with his hand. "I'm talking to myself…there's something wrong with me…"

---

Kagome waved as Sango walked into her apartment. True to her word, Kagome had driven her drunken friend home and had made sure that some sick weirdo didn't abduct her. As she watched the door closed, Kagome revved the engine and made her way home. She checked her watch and smiled. Moriko would be asleep by now, hopefully and she could go straight to bed. That is…if there was enough room in her bed.

She sighed; she'd have to find a new room for Moriko soon…maybe the linen closet? She shook her head to clear that ridiculous thought; her daughter would have to endure a room with her. After all, the apartment was really only made for two people; maybe a couple and a child. Now with Inu yasha in her home, she was forced to sleep with her daughter. Much better than her sleeping with Inu yasha, though, so she wasn't complaining.

As she pulled up in front of the house, she peered at her bedroom window. She smiled and silently congratulated Inu yasha for getting her daughter to bed and locked her car.

Walking up the steps, she yawned, the bar hoping had taken more out of her then she'd thought. Though she hadn't drunk much, she was still feeling a little dizzy and loopy. As the familiar squeak echoed through the empty hallway, Kagome grinned. She was almost home.

She pulled out her key and was about to unlock it when the door swung open, leaving Kagome, whom had been leaning against the door, to fall onto Inu yasha's chest. "Huh?" was her intelligent response to this position.

Inu yasha raised and eyebrow and helped position Kagome, "Are you ok?"

"I'm fine," Kagome frowned as she stared at the violet eyes, silently challenging him to defy her.

"Ok, then will you please stop leaning against me?" Inu yasha asked dryly, as Kagome leaned against him as she slipped off her shoes.

"Be quiet," Kagome said crossly and shut the door behind her, "You're infuriating."

"Thanks, I feel loved," Inu yasha said in a mock sadness.

"You shouldn't," Kagome said darkly as she yawned, "I'm tired."

"Captain obvious strikes again," Inu yasha said and grabbed her shoulder when she began to lean towards the wall. "Are you drunk?"

"Just a little," Kagome said with a smile, her head foggy from sleep and alcohol. "Its not bad, I could still drive home perfectly fine…I'm tired too…"

"You said that already, I think we've determined that you're tired, would you stop that?" Inu yasha scowled when Kagome leaned against him again, her head under his chin.

"But I don't want to," Kagome whined and gave him a puppy dog look that was similar to Moriko's. Like mother like daughter…

Inu yasha was at a loss of words as Kagome pulled on his shirt and they began falling to the ground. 'Oh shit,' he thought as they came toppling to the ground, Inu yasha on top of her. He held out his arms and braced himself so that he wouldn't land on Kagome.

Kagome looked up at him and started laughing uncontrollably, her sleepiness and drunkenness finally getting to her. Inu yasha rolled his eyes and looked down at her over the top of his nose.

And then he froze.

Below him was Kagome, looking up at him and laughing. He felt his heart begin to race as he looked down at her…

'…you must find love. The love of your life may be right under your nose!' Hikari's message rung in his ears and his lavender eyes widened in shock and surprise.

'…Kagome…?' was his only rational thought.