It's been a while, eh? Hmmm…all I can say is I'm sorry and I'll try harder to update. Stupid school…But on a brighter note, I'm student of the month! I also managed to scrape by with a 4.1 GPA for semester, and I made it into the National Honor Society. Yay me!

Well, here you go!

The Shikon Child

Chapter 8-The Thinking Stone

-

At the end of the huge dining table was the most beautiful demon she had ever seen. He had long, silver-white hair, which was pulled to one side to ensure that he didn't sit on it. His eyes, which were a deep golden-yellow, were icy despite their color.

Kagome stood frozen on the spot. So he was Sesshomaru. There was something about his authoritative, icy gaze that made her feel as though she shouldn't even breathe without his permission.

"Quit gawking at him. He's not that good looking." Inuyasha whispered irritably. She felt his hands press against her back and allowed him to guide her into a seat.

Izayoi, just noticing their arrival, smiled at Kagome. "Hello, Kagome. I'm sorry for not finding the time to visit you. We've been quite busy lately. I've wanted to ask you to forgive the atrocious behavior that my husband and I displayed upon your arrival." Her smile wavered, but she was able to fix it back in place. "We had our reasons, of course, but I still want to offer you an apology."

"I understand. It's fine. No hard feelings." Kagome took a long swig of a the sweet tasting juice that a servant had offered to her, trying to ignore the stares she was receiving from all around the table.

Luckily for Kagome, the stares turned when a young woman entered the room. Her shoulder-length hair seemed to bounce with every step. She had wide, brown eyes that gave her a naturally innocent look. "I'm back! Sorry it took me so long. You're halls are like a labyrinth! I finally had to ask a servant to guide me to the bathroom."

Sesshomaru instantly stood up, moving with catlike grace. He pulled the red-cushioned chair out from beside him.

"Thank you," she said sweetly. She sat in the chair and giggled when Sesshomaru pushed it in for her.

Inuyasha, who had taken his seat next to Kagome, stared at them with a mixture between disgust and disbelief. "What in bloody hell…?"

Izayoi turned to Inuyasha, wearing an annoyed frown. "I won't hear such language at the dinner table. Don't you dare think that you are too old to have your mouth washed out, Inuyasha."

Crimson dotted Inuyasha's cheeks, but he did not take his eyes off of Sesshomaru and the girl. "Who is she"

Kagome rolled her eyes at the hanyou. He really needed to learn some manners…

Sesshomaru gave Inuyasha an irritated glance. "This is Rin, my fiancée."

Inuyasha dropped the fork that he had been tinkering with. His jaw seemed to nearly hit the table. "What?"

"Are you deaf, little brother? Surely those grotesque ears of yours can hear. "

Inuyasha ignored the comment, which showed his level of surprise. He was always touchy about his ears. "You're getting married? To her?"

Sesshomaru took a long drink from his goblet. "Yes, Inuyasha. Must I always repeat myself when around you? You're listening skills could use some brushing up."

Inuyasha's ears flattened to his head and his lips drew back in a silent snarl. "You've never been one for commitment. You could never love someone. You're heart is ice!"

Sesshomaru stood up, knocking his chair backwards. "How dare you insult me over commitment! You're the one who mated before marriage, sending our family reputation out the window!"

"SILENCE!" Inutaisho's voice boomed so loudly that the walls seemed to rattle. "I will not tolerate this nonsense from the both of you! You can either act like men, or you can leave my table."

Rin, who didn't look even the least bit fazed from Inutaisho's explosion, took Sesshomaru's arm and slowly eased him back into his chair. He gave her a heated glare, clearly not liking being treated like a child. She returned with the most innocent look a woman of her age could muster.

Kagome was hurriedly wiping juice from her dress. Unlike Rin, Kagome had nearly toppled her chair at the fright that Inutaisho had given her, which resulted in her spilling all her juice on herself. And I really liked this dress…

Izayoi gave Kagome a pitying glance. "Why don't you go get cleaned up, Kagome? I'll make sure that the food isn't served until you return."

Rin's eyes brightened. "Oh! I'll go help you!"

Before Kagome could get a word in, she was quickly guided out of the room by Rin's firm grip. Rin did not slow down until they were thick into the maze of hallways. "Sorry, but I had to get out of there. I have a feeling that they wanted us out of there for a while so they could…sort some things out. So, where is your room?"

Kagome told Rin where her room was, and they walked as slowly as possible to get there. Neither wanted to intrude on a family feud.

"You seemed to handle Inutaisho's explosion well." Kagome grimaced as she looked at her dress. "I, on the other hand, have made a mess of myself."

Rin giggled girlishly. Everything about her seemed to be young and innocent. Each step she took was light with a slight bounce to it, and she had a large smile plastered on her face that never seemed to waver. Normally someone so cheery would grate on Kagome's nerves, but Rin had openness that Kagome already admired. "I'm used to random spurts of violence. When you are around Sesshomaru long enough, you just have to get used to it. He really is a nice guy when you get to know him, though."

Kagome couldn't help doubting that. He seemed so…cold. That was the only way to describe him.

"But enough about Sesshomaru. What's it like to have Inuyasha as a lover? Hmm?" Rin eyed Kagome eagerly.

Kagome nearly fell as they rounded a corner. "Lover? Oh no, we aren't lovers. We just happen to be stuck to each other by fate. There is really no relationship between us."

"So the rumor is true then? The Kuro actually put a spell on you that made you pregnant?" Rin had an almost admiring tone in her voice.

"Yes," Kagome said slowly.

This time it was Rin who almost fell. "Really? Wow…What did she look like? I've heard she is so beautiful that when she looks at any man, they instantly fall in love with her."

"She's definitely pretty, but I doubt that she can do that." Kagome spotted her bedroom door and beamed proudly. This time she didn't even have to ask for directions!

When they entered Kagome's room, Rin instantly darted toward the closet. Kagome never used to have a selection of clothes, but now that she lived at the palace, her wardrobe was close to bursting. Her closet, which was nearly as large as her room, was full of brightly colored clothing of every design. Kagome had tried to reject the avalanche of clothes that the castle tailor had given to her, but the tailor had ignored her protests.

"These fabrics are marvelous!" said Rin in a delighted voice. Before Kagome could even join Rin in looking for an outfit, the woman popped back out. She was holding a sky-blue dress that had a large, swooping v-neck. "This one's so pretty! You should wear it."

Kagome nodded and allowed Rin to help her put it on. Kagome was extremely relieved to have the sticky dress off her. She made a mental vow to not spill anything on herself again, no matter how startled she got.

When Kagome and Rin came back into the dining room, everyone at the table was silent. Inuyasha and Sesshomaru were glaring daggers at each other, Inutaisho was sending frustrated looks at his sons, and Izayoi was calmly sipping her wine with a small smile gracing her lips.

As soon as Kagome sat down, the servants brought mounds of food into the dining room. Her mouth watered, and her stomach growled in desire. She hadn't realized how hungry she was until she smelled the food's delicious aroma.

Kagome began piling every morsel of food within arms reach onto her large, golden plate. She was about to ask Inuyasha to pass her some rolls, but her mouth stopped half open when she noticed that everyone at the table was sating at her incredulously. Well, everyone with the exception of Izayoi, who started laughing.

"I remember my pregnancy with Inuyasha," she said, still laughing. "I ate more than Sesshomaru and Inutaisho put together! Don't worry about eating too much. You need to eat as much as possible to feed the little demon growing inside you."

Kagome gave Izayoi an appreciative glance, but she began eating at a slow pace and didn't ask Inuyasha for the rolls.

After everyone was done eating, Kagome left the table, intending to walk alone to her room. But Inuyasha left the table at the same time and walked beside her. He still doesn't trust me alone!

Instead of going in the direction of her room, Inuyasha took her hand and led her outside. It was dark now, and stars covered the nearly moonless night. A cool breeze made their hair fly lazily behind them. Inuyasha inhaled and exhaled the cool air slowly, and Kagome could feel the muscles in his hands loosen.

"What are we doing out here?"

Inuyasha ignored her question. "You like horses, don't you?"

Kagome nodded, not sure what he was getting at.

Inuyasha let go of her hand and started walking into the darkness, motioning for her to follow him. Though the stars were shining brightly, Kagome couldn't tell where he was leading her until she heard the whinnying of horses.

"Why are we at the stable?" she asked in an excited voice. Sango hadn't let her come to see the horses. She said they were 'dangerous creatures'.

"What do most people do at a stable? We're going to ride a horse, idiot girl."

Kagome huffed, but kept in stride behind him. "It's night. The horses won't be able to see where they are going! A horse can easily break a leg if it travels at night." As though fate wanted to prove her point, Kagome nearly fell when she tripped over an abnormally large root. She would have fallen if Inuyasha hadn't turned and caught her at the last second. "And I'm not an 'idiot girl'."

Inuyasha snorted, still holding the arm that he had caught her with. "You're little fall just proved that, now didn't it?"

Kagome blushed. She was coming up with something particularly spiteful to say back when she saw Hojo. He was leaning against one of the horse stalls and looked to be taking a break. He shot her a shocked look that turned into a large smile. "Lady Kagome? Is that you?"

Smiling back, Kagome ripped her hand out of Inuyasha's grip and walked over to Hojo. "Hi, Hojo! How is Precious doing?"

Hojo's smile faded a bit, but he hitched it back up. He looked as though he had expected her to ask something else. "She's fine. I'll let you see her if-"

"We're not here to look at ponies," Inuyasha barked, giving Hojo an irritated look. "Go get my horse. Now!"

Hojo hurried to obey, yelling a muffled "Yes my Lord."

When Hojo came back with Inuyasha's horse, Kagome walked up to it and patted its beautiful ink-black coat. It nickered softly and rubbed its long nose against her arm.

Hojo saddled the horse and smiled at Kagome, a light blush staining his handsome cheeks. But when he saw Inuyasha's heated glare Hojo bowed awkwardly and left.

"You don't have to be so mean to him," Kagome said as she scratched the horse's ears. "He really is a nice guy."

Inuyasha rolled his eyes before jumping gracefully onto his horse's back. He stretched his arm out, intending to help her on the horse, but she ignored the hand and got up by herself, though not nearly as gracefully as Inuyasha had. Inuyasha rolled his eyes again and muttered something that sounded like "We've been through this before."

Inuyasha led the horse out of the stable. "You'd better hold on, Kagome, or you're going to fall off."

"It's too dark to make you're horse go faster than a trot!

"Just hold on."

Kagome slowly snaked her arms around Inuyasha's waist. The tips of her fingers clung lightly to his muscled stomach. He may be skinny, but he sure has a toned body!

As soon as Kagome's arms were securely around Inuyasha's waist, he kicked the horse's side, sending them through the darkness at a strenuous pace. Kagome tightened her grip on him as she dizzily watched the silhouettes of objects shaded by the darkness flash by.

Inuyasha grunted. "You don't have to strangle me!"

Kagome moaned as her dinner churned unpleasantly in her stomach. " Inuyasha…slow down!"

Inuyasha chuckled, the rumble from his chest tickling her fingers.

"I mean it Inuyasha! Stop!"

Inuyasha laughed again, a little louder this time. Kagome gave up and buried her face into Inuyasha's back, hoping that her stomach would settle down. Surprisingly, Kagome was comforted by the soft smell that came from him. It was hard to explain what he smelled like; the only thing Kagome could come up with was the scent of the woods after rain. Whatever the smell, She clung to the small comfort, waiting for the ride to be over.

They had only ridden for minutes, which seemed like hours to Kagome, when Inuyasha stopped the horse. Inuyasha tried to get down, but Kagome did not release her iron-like grip on him. "Kagome, you can let go now."

Kagome lifted her head from his back and slowly took her arms away. She looked around and saw no trees. All she could see was a huge, flat boulder and long grass as far as she could see. "Why are we by in a field-by a rock?"

Inuyasha grabbed Kagome and jumped down from the horse, ignoring her indignant squeak. Inuyasha put her down, a small smile gracing his lips. "How dare you call that a rock!" He put on a mock mask of astonishment and anger. "That holy object is none other than 'The Thinking Stone!'

Kagome arched an eyebrow, but decided to play along. "Oh my, how could I ever have mistaken that for an ordinary rock? I give you my deepest apologies."

Inuyasha barked a laugh. "I guess I'll forgive you this time." He took the saddle off his horse and let it graze. "He likes the grass out here."

Kagome sat on the boulder, figuring that ten people could easily lie on it without even touching each other. She slid her hand across the smooth surface. "Why is it called 'The Thinking Stone?'

"Well, I'm the only one who calls it that; I'm not sure if anyone even knows about it. It's 'The Thinking Stone' because this is where I come when I need to solve something. Or sometimes I just come out here to relax."

"I don't see what's so impressive."

"Then I'll show you." Inuyasha gently but firmly pushed Kagome down against the rock.

Kagome yelped and fought to make Inuyasha let her up, but her eyes caught sight of the stars glittering above. She gave up all resistance and gasped at the sight. From her spot on the rock, she could see the whole sky. There were no houses, trees, or any other objects in view. Only an endless expanse of stars dotted her vision. The stars seemed to shine brighter here, their twinkling more animated. "It's so beautiful."

Inuyasha grunted in acceptance. He lay down next to her, folding his arms behind his head. His golden amber eyes glittered, seeming to glow in the dark.

Kagome didn't know how long she stared at the stars, mesmerized by their eternal beauty. She only noticed how cold the night had become when she saw the white puffs that came out of her mouth when she exhaled. She turned to Inuyasha and saw that he seemed unaffected by the temperature. She stubbornly turned her gaze skyward. If he could handle the cold, then she could too.

She heard him shifting and felt his shoulder touch hers. Kagome started when a warm piece of cloth was draped over her. She looked over and found her face only inches away from Inuyasha's. He had spread his large, red coat over the both of them.

"Thank you," she said softly. She unconsciously snuggled closer to him, her body seeking his warmth.

"What should we name the pup?" Inuyasha asked after a while.

"I haven't thought about it," Kagome said with a smile. "It depends whether it's a boy or a girl. I've always liked Akio for a boy's name, though."

Inuyasha nodded. "Akio is a good name. But what would you name the pup if it was a girl?

"I don't know. How about Kiyoshi?"

"It sounds like a fish."

"Sakura?"

"That's overused."

"Miki?"

"Sounds too much like a guys name."

"Ai?"

"Too short."

Kagome sighed. "I can't think of any more. Do you know any?"

Inuyasha shrugged. "I've always liked Katana."

"You want our child to be named after a sword?"

"Not a sword, a blade. It's a strong name, but it still sounds good."

"Katana…" Kagome whispered softly. It felt right, but so did Akio. "What do you think the…pup will be- boy or girl?

"I've always wanted a boy, but I feel like it's going to be a girl."

Kagome pulled the coat closer. "I feel just the opposite. I've always wanted a girl, but I think it'll be a boy.

They talked, and lightly argued over that until the conversation slowly faded. Kagome tried to stay awake, but sleep slowly overcame her. She soon fell into a deep, dreamless sleep that lasted through the night.

When Kagome woke, she was surprised to find Inuyasha's arms wrapped protectively around her and was even more startled to find her legs wrapped around his. Her blush easily outstripped the bright sunrise. Inuyasha was still sleeping. His chest, which was pressed up against hers, rose and fell rhythmically. His face seemed nearly angel-like. A rude angel, maybe, but still an angel.

Kagome untangled herself from him, feeling almost reluctant to leave. That fact made her blush all the more furiously. I can't like him yet! I'm not supposed to like him at all! He's supposed to marry Kikyo!

-

The next couple of weeks were some of the best of Kagome's life. During the day she would hang with Sango, the only true friend that she had ever had, and now Rin, who was also becoming a friend. And going to 'The Thinking Stone' was becoming a nightly ritual for Inuyasha and her, though they never spent the night there again due to Miroku's never-ending taunting and jokes.

Kagome smiled to herself as she rubbed her ever-growing belly. I love you, little one.

-

I really, really enjoyed writing that! I want to thank you all-well, most of you-for your patience. I promise you that the next update will come faster than this one did. If I break that promise then I give you all permission to attack me with stinky, old shoes! Oh, and excuse any spelling errors…It's very, very late.

If you haven't voted on a gender for baby, do so!

(Virginia-Do you have another email? My account doesn't want to send to you for some reason. Email me back at )