Author's Notes: Major thanks to all of you that take the time to review. It means a lot to me as I work through this little tale. This time, we get a little more with good ole Hiten and Kaguya and we find out just why Kikyou's not too happy about the brewing storms.

Aussie slang:

"prezzy"- gift/present

"In the nuddy"- naked

"conch" - a conscientious person. Somebody who would rather work or study than go out and enjoy themselves

"brasserie" – a place that serves cheap food and alcoholic beverages

Japanese words:

"Tennyou"- celestial maiden. What Kaguya was a "fake" one of in the 2nd Movie.

As always- read, review and enjoy ^^

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~Chapter 5- Someone to Count on ~

The dark haired woman squinted her eyes, slowly bringing the figure in the doorway into focus. His short form was covered in a bulky raincoat, and under the hood was a face that only a mother could love.

Kaguya sighed on seeing the pub's cook, "Mukotsu. Why the hell are you here, now?"

Stepping in and pulling back the hood, the stout man walked forward, "I was just coming up to check on you, Miss Kaguya. The weather's getting awfully nasty and I thought perhaps you'd need some help getting the pub all safe from the winds and rain."

Beginning to grope around for any form of clothing, the bar owner retorted, "The pub will be fine, just go on home…"

"I was more worried about you, Miss Kaguya."

"Now now, what have I told you? There's a line between employer and employee that I cannot cross."

"Hmph!" Hiten finally sighed, alerting the two to his presence.

"What's your problem?" Kaguya asked; picking up what she was hoping her jeans.

"I thought that we had an agreement."

"Oh yes, and you were paying attention to that so well last week when you were flirting with those two girls," She replied, shoving his boxers in his face.

"At least they were attractive," He growled under his breath.

"Excuse me for letting him spend half his paycheck to buy me things since you are too full of yourself to do it," She bit back, "And I wouldn't get involved with those two girls anyways."

"Oh why? You afraid I might find them more likable and less demanding?" He asked, pulling his jeans on.

"No. They were in with Menoumaru the other day. I'm pretty sure they're trying to get on his good side since he has ownership of some of the mines around here."

"And you want me to believe that you haven't tried to 'get on his good side' either? That's a load of crap!" He swung his legs over the side of the bar and stepped down.

"Hiten, you look me straight in the eye and tell me that."

"I would if I could see a damned thing."

She reached over and yanked him to her face, their bangs brushing against each other's and their breaths ragged from the yelling.

"Listen okay," Her voice seemed calmed and strangely serious as she whispered to him, "I didn't want to tell you because I thought you'd get upset but… well Hiten, we've got our own little prezzy on the way."

His eyes shot wide open and his mouth gaped, "Bloody hell Kaguya- you're knocked up? By who?" He ground out the last part, his thoughts insisting that he was definitely not jealous and that he was not going to go rip the bloke's head off.

Leaning forward, she took a deep breath before speaking into his ear, "You, of course. I wouldn't have it any other way."

He staggered back, bracing himself on the bar, "What?!"

"Um pardon…but are you two still…" Mukotsu coughed, "you know, in the nuddy or can I turn the flashlight back on?"

"Mukotsu, I'm sorry you had to stumble in on us like this, but can you run down to the supply store to get some things to board up the windows with just in case?"

Nodding, the short man replied, "Certainly Miss. And I…hope you two," He sniffed sadly, "Have a beautiful child."

With that he pulled the hood back up and went back out into the raging wind and rain.

The second he was out of sight, Kaguya just started laughing.

"What is so damned funny?" Hiten managed to stammer, still in partial states of shock.

"You really think that with this figure I've got a child in me? Ha! I was just trying to get Mukotsu to stop hitting on me, and the only way was to make him realize I was involved elsewhere."

Standing and confronting her, Hiten glared, "Wait a second- so we aren't having a kid?"

She smiled; catching the tiny hint of what she was hoping was disappointment in his voice.

"Not for some time I hope, but…if you really want to try for one," She reached forward, snaking her fingers down his bare chest, "I'm willing to give it a go."

"Kaguya you…."

Whatever it was that Hiten wanted to tell her was cut short as the phone began to ring.

"I guess the phone lines are back up," Kaguya muttered.

Hiten found the ringing object first and snatched up the receiver, "Tennyou's Pub and Brasserie. What do you want?"

The voice on the other end laughed, "I guess we interrupted something…"

"Shove it Jakotsu. Kaguya and I were just talking."

"Talking. Right."

"We were!"

"Okay, so if you were talking- what was it about?"

Hiten frowned, "Like I can tell him we were talking about kids- then they'll just have more to bother me about…"

"We were just discussing the future aspects of our relationship. Now can I help you?" Kaguya interrupted, taking the phone from Hiten.

Jakotsu frowned, "Damn women always having to butt in…" He muttered, then spoke up, "Well, we were wondering if Suikotsu was back that way with the lady doctor. She'd gone out a while back to look for him. He's not come back to the house yet."

"Hiten, did Suikotsu say anything to you about stopping somewhere before heading home?" She asked.

"No. He'd gotten all he needed from what I picked up."

A loud crash of thunder echoed over the receiver.

"I sure hope he's okay," Jakotsu muttered, his hand gravitating to the nearby body of Bankotsu as he protectively wrapped an arm around him, "I don't want to think what it would be like to be stuck out in this mess."

"Let us know if he shows up there, we'll do the same," Kaguya replied.

Hanging up, the bar owner turned to Hiten and was about to say something when the familiar sound of the door opening and the flicker of a flashlight skimmed across the darkness.

"I got a few things. Renkotsu wasn't too happy about me coming over when it was pitch black."

"He's probably just grumpy because Kaguya never pays," Hiten remarked.

"But I did find out something interesting," Mukotsu continued.

"What's that?" Kaguya asked snatching up the flashlight from him to straighten the haphazardly buttoned buttons on her shirt.

"They had a radio over there that was working for a bit. And through the static we were able to hear the basic weather reports so far."

"And?" Hiten questioned, fumbling around behind the bar for a can of beer.

"Heavy rain, torrential winds, and a strong possibility of rising waters in low areas," The short man replied.

"Flooding? Shit, I hope the cattle are all behaving themselves then," The rancher sighed, running a hand through his bangs.

"Will your ranch be all right?" Kaguya questioned.

"Yeah, it was built up high enough that it'll get ankle-deep at the worst. Same with the cattle pens and Suikotsu's place. It's any stray cattle and…well, now our stray doctor that I'm worried about."

Reaching out and snatching the can from Hiten, Kaguya took a sip.

"Hey!"

She pecked him on the lips; her's still damp from the beer, "I'm sure everything will work out. He might be a bit reserved, but he's able to handle himself."

He snatched his can back, "I hope you're right, Kaguya. The last thing we need is that conch getting himself hurt again."

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Eyes scanning the horizon from which the sounds of thunder and the sight of lightening was coming from, and her lips pursed tightly together- one would think that the lady doctor was completely calm and merely a bit displeased by the current situation.

But for Kikyou, it was quite the opposite. Having to come out to the outback for her job was one thing, but being stuck out in a truck during a thunderstorm was not something she considered as part of her job description.

A closer crash of thunder and the increasing strength with which the rain impacted the truck was not helping her disposition on this one bit; and the more she thought on it, the worse she felt about it.

Looking about out the windows once again, her mind recalled news reports on severe flooding in the bush areas and the damage it would cause the farmers and ranchers.

Breaking the uneasy silence that had fallen between them, she spoke up, "Mr. Suikotsu, is this area… safe from flooding?"

Turning towards her, he replied, "Oh yes, the house is on high enough ground that the children and the others will be perfectly safe."

She paused, a bit caught off guard once again by his caring nature, "I meant us, Mr. Suikotsu."

"Oh!" He rubbed the back of his head, "Well, if it doesn't get too bad we're fine."

"But- if it does?"

Suikotsu's face turned serious as he noted the edge of underlying apprehension with which Kikyou spoke. Placing a hand firmly on her shoulder and after swallowing hard and mustering the courage to be daring enough to do so, he reached out and tilted her chin up to where she was looking directly at him.

"Miss Kikyou, I don't want to be the one to tell you bad things. I," He paused and gathered his wits about him, "I can see already that this is troubling you, and I'm sorry that I've gotten you into this mess. But…whatever happens, I'm not letting you get hurt or upset or anything. I'll take care of you, no matter what happens to us, okay?"

"Mr. Suikotsu…"

All conversation was interrupted as a crash of thunder sounded, even closer than before, and Suikotsu could feel Kikyou's muscles tense.

"Um…Miss Kikyou, you're… upset by thunderstorms, aren't you?" Suikotsu said slowly, not wanting to make her think he thought any less of her due to it.

"Why would you think that…."

Lightening stuck, the whole area flashing with light before returning to darkness and Kikyou winced.

"Because it seems to be troubling you," He said calmly, trying to ease her worries.

"I'm just not fond of them, that's all," Kikyou said firmly, her eyes showing her determination to remain strong.

Resting his arm about her shoulders again, he replied, "I'm not fond of blood…never have been.  It makes me feel all queasy and gives me a terrible headache. Well…and as you saw, it sometimes makes me…faint."

"Mr. Suikotsu?"

"It's okay to be afraid of things- even if you're an adult. Everyone's afraid of something- whether it's the dark, or thunder, or blood, or just being alone…fears are just normal."

He paused on noting her staring at him strangely.

"Oh so sorry. I'm just so used to explaining things to the children that I…." Feeling the loose grip of her hand about his, Suikotsu stopped himself, "Miss Kikyou?"

"If you want to know- my parents died in a car accident during a thunderstorm," She said quietly.

"Miss Kikyou."

She glanced to the side, mentally berating herself for even bringing it up.

"Why am I telling him this?"

That's when she felt the strong arms about her slowly move down about her waist and pulled her back towards him.

Suikotsu bit his lip, hoping such a move wasn't too audacious and wouldn't upset her.

"I just want her to feel safe. It's…it's the least I can do…"

Holding her against his chest, his heart was racing.

"Why am I so embarrassed? I do this all the time when the children are scared. Is it…because… Was Chiyo right? Do I…have some sort of feelings for this woman?"

Noting her moving a bit, he managed a whisper, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to open past wounds. I just wanted you to…"

"To feel safe," She said simply.

"Miss Kikyou?"

"Thank you, Mr. Suikotsu. I may not be a young girl anymore, but knowing that someone is here with me is quite comforting."

He loosened his hold as she rested up against him.

"You can sleep if you want Miss Kikyou, I'll keep an eye on things."

"But…"

"No buts. You've had a long day," He gently laid her down in the seat, resting her head in his lap; "I won't let anything happen to either of us, okay? No worries, all right?"

She smiled up at him nodded, "No worries."

Relieved that she seemed to be a bit more at ease, Suikotsu looked out at the ominous sky. That's when he felt a gentle grip on his hand.

"Miss Kikyou? Is something wrong?"

Once again, the thunder crashed- this time almost overhead as the rain beat against the car.

"I don't think I'm going to be able to sleep through this."

Tightening his hold on her hand, he replied, "Well um… the only thing I know to try is…well…"

"Is?"

"Sometimes I sing to the children to calm them… I suppose it would be worth a try."

Kikyou smiled, "There's such a gentleness to him. It's so strange to find someone that's so lacking of evil in their hearts… almost…too strange…"

"That would be very nice, Mr. Suikotsu."

Nodding, he looked off towards the sky and slowly began to sing the song he had been humming earlier that day.

And the storm continued to brew outside.

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Preview for Chapter 6:

With the flood waters rising, it's going to take more than Suikotsu's comforting words to keep Kikyou at ease. But with his words, there is trust, and in that there might be the strength they'll both need to pull through.