A.N.- Wow, I was so bad not updating for a looooong time. Sorry, I just got so busy, then I got sick to top it off. . . .Sorry.

Disclaimer: No Brainer. Special thanks once again to Andi and Andrea or should I say Allihandra. Story dedicated to my cousin Andreaand all you guys who read and review!! Thanks to all you guys who answered my question about Wolf's Rain!!!!

Random thoughts: Why did Johnathan Swift feel the need to write Gulliver's Travels? I love Chocolate. Starbucks is great and their Chai Tea Latte is addictive. Bill Gates is evil. (Hehe Adrienne).

A few things or. . .err hurdles in my story were recently brought to my attention. For example, Kagome's age. (She's only 15). But all the consequences of this hurdle will be resolved.

Sorry this took so long, but my beta has been incredibly busy and just recently checked over this chapter.

After several hours of riding the subway, exhaustion had set in and both Sota and Kagome were ready to go home. Inu-Yasha be darned. Looking up at the next stop, she decided that be their exit. "Come on Sota, let's get off here." Kagome stiffled a yawn as she got off the train.

"But Kagome, we're no where near home."

"So? We can walk."

"But it's over five miles!"

"Quit being a baby."

"I'm not being a baby, and hey, I'm not the one having a baby."

Stung, Kagome snapped back. "Yeah, well that's because you're a guy, idiot!" Silence ensued, as they walked home. Sota finally broke the non-verbal disquiet.

"Kagome, I'm sorry." No reply came, so he continued. "Are you okay? Are you going to cry or anything?"

A sad giggle escaped Kagome's lips. "No, I'm not going to try, Sota. I'll be fine."

Sota frowned at this, and looked genuinely concerned. "Are you sure you're going to be ok, Sis? I mean, you are having a baby for Pete's sake."

Kagome sighed, stopped walking, and came to rest on the curb. It was several minutes before she spoke to Sota, who was sitting next to her. "Yeah, I am having a baby, but for the most part, I try not to think about it."

"Why?"

"Because it's too scary to think about. It's like some kind of nightmare that doesn't end. Now, with Inu-Yasha here looking for me, it's even worse."

Sota frowned. "How?"

"Well, now that he knows about the baby, he'll probably spend the next seven months being my second shadow."

"Damn right I will!" came from a certain pissed-off someone.

Speak of the devil, Kagome thought. Inu-Yasha stood in the middle of the street glaring Kagome down. "Don't even think of sitting me again, wench."

Normally, this would have served as an incentive for Kagome to do just that. But the way Inu-Yasha was acting, she didn't want to take her chances. "You're coming home with me," he stated. It wasn't a request, it was an order.

Kagome mulled over that last statement. Now wait a minute. Who does he think he is anyway?

"No way," Kagome grated out, "I'm not going anywhere with you." She said as she defiantly stuck her chin out.

"Yes, you are." Inu-Yasha's voice was calm enough, but Kagome saw his eyes flash blood red - just like, they did all those times when he turned full demon. With that, he gripped her arm firmly and tossed her over his shoulder, ignoring her shriek of surprise.

Kagome decided not to say anything, fearing it might push Inu-Yasha too far. Only when she remembered her little brother did she say, "Inu-Yasha we can't leave Sota here, alone."

"No really, I thought I was just going to leave the kid here. What kind of demon do you think I am, woman?!"

"Do I really have answer that?"

"No, not with your sharp tongue."

"Really? Last time I checked, my tongue was fine. And if I remember correctly, you thought so, too."

"Shut up!" Inu-Yasha snapped, though a faint pink tinged his cheeks. With that, he grabbed Sota, threw him on his back and jumped onto the nearest street light. The trip back to the shrine was in silence. Kagome was to busy fuming to notice Inu-Yasha glancing at her every few seconds, with a worried look on his face, but Sota did.

When they got to the shrine Inu-Yasha informed Kagome he'd give her a few minutes to pack before they left, to "go home." With that, he told her he would be waiting by the well in the meantime. Kagome, however, had other ideas.

"I'm not leaving, Sota. I don't care what he says," Kagome huffed to her brother after she dragged him in the house and to her room.

"Yes you will."

"No, I won't!"

"Kagome, he's worried about you."

"Yeah right. He's probably too caught up with Kikyo to even care about me. Two-timing, jerk of a boyfriend!"

"He came back though."

"He just doesn't want to admit defeat." Kagome stated nonchalantly, "He's always been like that."

"Maybe you don't know him as well as you think."

Kagome frowned. "Are you my therapist, or my little brother?"

Sota smiled. "Both."

Kagome smirked. "Yeah, well for my sake try to act like a kid and not a little adult. It's weird when you don't."

Sota walked to the window and glanced out. "You should probably get going Kagome, Inu-Yasha's waiting." Kagome was about to argue when Sota interrupted her. "Just go Kagome, I think he really does care about you. He just doesn't know who to show it."

Kagome sighed and flopped on her bed. "I'm afraid."

Sota turned from the window, concern etched on his face. "Of what?"

Staring up at the ceiling Kagome replied. "Of Inu-Yasha. Of life. This baby." Sitting up suddenly, fear flittered across Kagome's features. "What if he is only acting like he cares because I'm pregnant?"

Just then a voice from outside yelled up, "Oi, Kagome! I want to leave sometime in my lifetime!"

Kagome groaned. "Are you sure he cares about me, Sota?"

Sota smiled. "Mmmm-hmmm." He glanced out the window again and said, "I got homework. I'll catch you later Sis," and left. Heaving another sigh, Kagome grabbed her yellow backpack and started throwing a different assortment of clothing in it. She was packing her personal essentials when a knock on her door sounded. Thinking it to be Inu-Yasha, she threw open her door.

"What?! I said I was coming!"

"Kagome?" Kagome's mother asked. "What's going on? Are you leaving with Inu-Yasha, again?" Embarrassed by her sudden outburst, Kagome turned away to pack some of her favorite CD's.

"Um, yeah mom. Inu-yasha heard a jewel rumor and thought we should investigate."

"Oh. How long will you be gone?"

"Not sure. A couple weeks," Kagome snuck a glance at her mom to see her reaction. She didn't look upset or annoyed, just thoughtful.

"Alright, sweetheart. I did want to talk to you about what's been bothering you lately, since you don't seem to talk to me anymore."

Chagrined, Kagome looked away. "Oh that. Well I have been pretty tied down with school work, but I promise we'll talk when we get back. . . about everything."

Kagome's mother nodded, and smiled. "Have fun dear," she said as she kissed Kagome on the cheek and left the room.

"I doubt it," Kagome sighed. She finally finished packing and with great effort, put the pack on her back. She walked out of her room and whispered, "Here I come Inu-Yasha, ready or not."