Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha

Notes to my reviewers: The first story I ever wrote was in first grade about a giraffe wanting to buy a necklace, but not finding one big enough. My teacher read it over my shoulder, said it was stupid, and threw it away and told me to write a better one.

The-Deaths: Oooo ::raises hand:: me me me.

WolfsSora: I guess when I'm in a good mood I'm more likely to leave cliff hangers. I can't help it. I love doing it way to much.

JosieBelle: Yeah she's pregnant. Damn you Kagome! Must you steal Sango's moment!

Jinenji: Wow, if I had been in your position I wouldn't have even bothered reviewing my story. I feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

InuKagFan: Holy cow! I feel really bad for your computer.

Chapter Forty Seven: Letting Her Live

Kagome bit her lower lip and walked slowly towards Kikyo, she knew that this was a bad idea. She didn't trust Kikyo handing her the jewel on a silver platter. Her fingers touched the jewel's smooth surface. She was about to pick it up when Kikyo's other hand grasped Kagome's wrist.

Kagome's eyes widened when she looked up at Kikyo. "The jewel belongs to me." She tried to break Kikyo's strong hold on her. "I'm taking it."

"You?" Kikyo smiled. "I was the one entrusted with the jewel."

"But you died."

Kikyo frowned and turned Kagome around, pulling on her arms behind her back so that she was pinned against Kikyo's chest. "That wasn't my fault." She whispered in her ear.

"I know." Kagome spoke through clenched teeth. Her arms were in a lot of pain. "But when you died, you had the jewel burned along with your body. So I would be born with it."

Kikyo pushed Kagome to the ground. "But I'm alive now. It's rightfully mine."

Kagome looked up at her and saw the jewel was still in her hand. She didn't know what it was, but something snapped inside her. Seeing Kikyo standing above her with the jewel made her really angry. She reached out her hand, grabbed one of Kikyo's ankles, and pulled as hard as she could. Causing her to go crashing to the ground.

The jewel flew out of Kikyo's hand, but Kagome didn't care. Before Kikyo had time to react she jumped on top of her and punched her jaw as hard as she could. Kikyo looked up at Kagome once before she pushed her off.

Kagome got to her feet quickly, but not fast enough compared to Kikyo. As soon as she stood up, Kikyo grabbed her by the hair and yanked as hard as she could. Kagome almost lost her balance, but didn't. Her head started to pound from the pain to her scalp.

Kouga and Kohaku kicked open the door and ran in, but froze in place. They didn't know how to help her. If they just ran and attacked Kikyo, they risked hurting Kagome.

"You shouldn't start fights Kagome. Not when there's so much to lose." Kikyo whispered loud enough for the others to hear.

Kagome closed her eyes. She knew exactly what Kikyo was talking about. How is she able to tell these things she asked herself. She took in a deep breath and straightened herself quickly so her head smashed into Kikyo's face. Kikyo stumbled back a few feet.

Kouga and Kohaku saw their window of opportunity and rushed over to her, grabbing Kikyo's arms and legs, pinning her to the wall. "Kagome. What should we do?" Kohaku asked. He would have been more then happy to snap Kikyo's neck, after all she hurt Kagome. But he wouldn't do it without Kagome's permission.

Kagome didn't answer at first. She crawled along the floor to the unused bed. The jewel had rolled under it. Once she had is safely tucked in her sock she stood up and drew her bow and arrow. "Hold her still."

She aimed the arrow right at Kikyo's heart. She drew the arrow back, ready to let go, but she made a mistake. Kagome looked Kikyo straight in the eyes and hesitated.

"Kagome!" Kouga yelled. Kikyo didn't look like it, but she was strong, and she was putting up one hell of a fight.

"I-I can't."

Kikyo stopped struggling and smiled. "Really Kagome. Why not?"

Kagome frowned, she knew that Kikyo was just mocking her. She lowered her bow and started to walk out the door. "Come on guys," she called over her shoulder. "we have the jewel."

Kohaku and Kouga both followed Kagome out of the castle and back along the path they had been traveling before without talking. It wasn't till Kohaku's stomach growled loudly when she stopped and turned. "We skipped lunch didn't we." Kagome sighed. The others nodded. She had been so wrapped up in her own thinking that she forgot all about lunch, now it was almost nighttime.

"We should set up camp, Kagome." Kouga said. She nodded and started to unpack some things. "I'll cook – um - "

Kohaku could tell that something was still bothering her. "Why don't you go wash up at the river we past."

"We went past a river?" Kagome was stunned; she really had zoned out.

"Come on." Kouga grabbed her arm. "I'll take you."

"I'll be fine." Kagome said, trying to pull away from him.

"No. You and I need to talk."

Kagome sighed and let him lead her to the river. When they were there she took off her shoes and sock, holding the jewel in her hand, and dipped her feet in the icy cold water. It felt so good to Kagome, but she grew nervous when she saw Kouga staring down at her.

"W-What did you want to talk about?"

He sat down next to Kagome and stared directly into her eyes. "Why didn't you kill Kikyo?"

"You talk like it's so easy to kill someone."

"Kagome!"

"I couldn't!"

"Why not."

Kagome shook her head. "Kouga. She looks just like me. I couldn't kill someone who looks just like me."

Kouga frowned. "Don't lie Kagome."

Kagome closed her eyes. "I'm not."

"Kagome!"

"I I didn't want to hurt someone that Inuyasha once loved even if it was a long time ago."

Kouga sighed. "Fine. I can understand that."

Kagome pulled her feet out of the water and stared to put her socks on. "Is that all?"

"Ye – No! Why do you smell different?"

Kagome put her shoes on and started to walk away. "It's none of your business."

Kouga quickly jumped in front of her. "Tell me."

Kagome sighed and looked towards the camp Kohaku had set up. "I'm pregnant. Two months."

"WHAT! Again!"

Kagome covered Kouga's mouth. "Not so loud. I wanted Inuyasha to be the first to know."

"It's a crime to nature that mutt boy is able to reproduce." He mumbled once Kagome pulled her hands away.

"Kouga!"

Kouga rolled his eyes and started walking towards the camp, until something triggered in his mind. "Wait, you traveled around and started a fight with Kikyo while pregnant."

"I just realized it a few days ago." Kagome sighed.

Kouga grabbed Kagome and pulled her closer to him, taking in a big sniff. Kagome blushed and tried to push him away until he whispered in his ear. "It's going to be a girl."

"Really?"

"Yeah." He let go of her and walked to the camp.

Kohaku smiled as they approached him. "I'm almost done with the soup." He said.

"Thanks Kohaku." Kagome sat down next to him.

"How long do you think it will take us to get back?" he asked as Kagome filled up three bowls.

"Mmm – If we hurry. A few days."

Ginsenshi wobbled around the room chasing after Shippo, who playfully stayed out of the child's reach. Inuyasha was sitting in his spot by the door. He stayed there almost all day, every day, waiting for Kagome to get back. Sango had promised to tell Kagome that Inuyasha had finished the house if she ever showed up.

"Inuyasha. Could you cook that stew for dinner." Shippo asked after letting his little brother catch him.

"Again?" he asked in a rough voice. He didn't talk much the last few days. "I thought you didn't like that stuff."

Shippo kicked the ground with his foot nervously. "I know."

"Then why do you keep asking for it?"

Shippo blushed a little. "I don't want to say."

Inuyasha folded his arms. "Then I'm not making it."

Shippo gasped and ran to Inuyasha's side, Ginsenshi handing onto his tail, "You have to make it."

"Why?"

"B-Because. It's mom's favorite food. Maybe she'll come back if we cook it."

Inuyasha looked curiously down at the kit. "That's why you keep asking me to cook it."

Shippo nodded.

"All right runt."

Kouga was running and jumping from tree to tree with Kohaku and Kagome on his back. He had been traveling faster then he ever had before without the help of the jewel shards. Once they were outside of Kaede's village he set the two of them on the ground. "See," he turned to Kagome. "I told you I could get you here in a day."

Kagome's arms were numb from holding Kouga so tightly, "I didn't say you couldn't, I said you shouldn't!" she yelled. She didn't trust Kouga the way she trusted Inuyasha, so the fast speed had scared her.

"Whatever. I should leave you here. Wouldn't want your mate to see me or anything."

Kagome took a deep breath to settle her nerves and hugged Kouga quickly. "Thanks for everything." She smiled before grabbing Kohaku's hand and running towards the village.

Kouga stood there for a little while, kicking a few pebbles. "Bye Kagome." he said quietly before jumping off.

Kohaku and Kagome both ran as fast as they could go. Their first stop was at Kaede's house. She was so happy to see the two back and well, but practically pushed them out the door. "Ye need to go to your families." She said.

Sango's house was the one they automatically went to. They didn't know Inuyasha had finished the house yet. Kohaku stuck his head in the door first. Sango was sitting with her back to the door, sowing together a few holes in an old blanket. He winked at Kagome once before walking quietly into the room. Miroku wasn't around so he moved behind his older sister, ready to scare the day out of her.

Kagome bit her lip to hold in her laughter as Kohaku grabbed Sango around the waist and yelled boo'. Sango toss the blanket and screamed. Miroku ran into the room, looked at Kagome and Kohaku, and gasped out "You're back."

Sango screamed again, but this time it was out of joy. She wrapped her arms around her little brother and squeezed the life out of him. "I missed you so much. I was so worried." She kept rambling on and on.

"S-Sango need air"

"Oh, sorry." Sango let go of him and rushed over to Kagome and wrapped her arms around her too. "I'm so glad your safe."

"Thanks. Is Inuyasha here?"

"No he's – Oh! The house! He finished it!" Sango said excitedly. "You're going to love it."

"Okay. I'll go." She shot a glance towards Kohaku. "Thanks for your help."

"Anytime." He gave a small wave as she walked out the door.

Miroku patted Kohaku on the shoulder. "It's nice to have you back. Did anything dangerous happen on your trip?"

Kohaku shook his head. "No. Not really. Kagome got into a fight with Kikyo, but Kouga and I were able to -"

"Kouga!" Sango and Miroku both said at the same time.

"Umm – yeah." Kohaku didn't know if he had said something Kagome didn't want him to or not.

"He went with you?" Sango said, still a little stunned. "Why?"

"He wanted to protect Kagome."

Kagome shook her head as she walked away from the house, half listening to the voices until they were no more then muffled sounds. She remembered how to get to the house Inuyasha had built for her and grew more and more excited with every step she took. She wished she had been here the day it was finished. She had missed out on a lot of important stuff.

When she came up to the house, she saw that the bamboo door was pulled to the side. It didn't surprise her. It was a warm night. It's a shame air-conditioning hasn't been invented yet she thought to herself as she stood in the doorway.

Inuyasha and Shippo were looking down into the pot of food they were cooking. Her nose told her that it was her favorite kind of stew and she smiled. Ginsenshi was digging into one of the floorboards with one of his claws when he looked up and saw her. He smiled and stood up. "Mama." He said, waddling over to her.

Shippo and Inuyasha both looked at him. "Did you just talk?" Inuyasha asked.

"Mama!" he said again.

This time Inuyasha looked in the direction Ginsenshi was walking. His eyes grew wide "Kagome!" He moved in the blink of an eye, taking Kagome in his arms. "You're back."

"Really?" she laughed.

Ginsenshi, who had still been waddling towards his mother, grabbed onto her ankle and hugged it.

"The stew worked." Shippo said proudly.

"Would you like to join in this hug?" Kagome asked.

Shippo didn't need to be asked twice. He jumped onto Kagome's shoulder and threw his arms around her neck. "I missed you."

"I missed you too."

I would have had this chapter up soon, but I've felt so sick lately. The kind of sick where you can't even get out of bed with out bed without feeling like your gonna throw up. I mainly slept, but while I slept I thought of great ways to end this story.

Final thought from Kouga

Can't mutt boy stay off Kagome for five minutes !!!

Lots and Lots and Lots of love DD62386